So, I'm new to the site. Funny how my blogs always work- I start out not knowing what to say, and end up not knowing where to stop.
Wanna know about me? Ok, let's start out with the basics. I'm a Jane of all trades....scientist, grad student, teacher, wife, mother, friend, granddaughter, volunteer, you name it. The list goes on and on. But as we all know, drama sells, and most of my drama comes from the fact that I'm a liberal, progressive "atheist" stuck in the middle of the bible belt. I'm not one of those people to go around wearing my antireligion on my sleeve, but I'm not one to keep it hidden under a trenchcoat, either. It just happens to creep out of the cuff from time to time. Many occurences start out with something along the lines of "Oh, she's just such a nice Christian girl!" Well, I know there are a LOT of GREAT Christians out there, but I live in a place chock-full of the gay-hating, evolution-rejecting, anti-any person that's not whiteAmerican rednecks. Of course, there's always exceptions to this harsh stereotype that I've just made. Generally speaking, however, the religious of this area are NOT something I would ever want to be compared to.
I despise people who don't think and the ideas that motivate them. It's not a personal hatred for them (many are simply ignorant to the fact) , just extreme annoyance. Double standards, obviously flawed logic, and chain email believers all fall into this category. I've learned that helping the "blind" to "see" in this sense is futile.
So now that I've made myself out to be some chick who hates the world, maybe I should share some good about myself. I am working towards my Ph.D. I'm currently doing some medical research and hope to make a big difference in the lives of others someday, even if I never get any recognition for it outside of teh internets. I like to volunteer, and I think others should give it a try. Find something you like, and it won't seem like a hassle or a waste of time. And I won't take "I don't have time" as an excuse. That one doesn't fly in my book.
Anyways, now for the politics.....
I had this great idea the other day. I have a job. I have to consent to random drug tests if my employer ever wanted me to take one. I volunteer. I pay taxes, take student loans so I can better myself with an education, and I definitely don't get to sit at home and live for free. My "master plan" is that each state should pass a bill requiring each adult recieving government assistance in a household to first pass a drug test, and to volunteer a certain number of hours per week . My thought is a graduated system where someone who works full time would only have to do about 10 hours a month, a part time worker 20, and an unemployed person 75. People enrolled in college, other types of job training, or working more than 45 hours a week could be awarded some additional exemptions to the rule. Of course, there would have to be exceptions for the disabled, mentally disadvantaged, etc. but the idea is a start. In addition to nonprofit organizations, the volunteers generated by such a plan could help with duties in government agencies. There are many jobs that are part-time or flexible such as custodial staff, translators, groundskeepers, etc. that could be done by these volunteers in exchange for government benefits. I'm sure there's other issues I haven't thought of, but feel free to ask if you have any thoughts, suggestions, comments, hate mail, whatever.
As always, please rate this if you liked it (or even if you didn't!).
Ever wonder what goes on inside a non-Christian's head? Wanna hear what I have to say about my religion? Click here:
http://www.progressiveu.org/074528-my-religion-or-lack-thereof
You said, "I've learned that helping the "blind" to "see" in this sense is futile." Hah, how true! I used to feel your extreme annoyance at these people, too, and then I realized there was no way to make the ignorant wise, and in typical realist fashion just started pretending these people did exist. I ignore them. It's made me a much happier person!
Your volunteer program idea is intriguing, and my first impression is that it's an excellent idea. People should work for their handouts - not only does it benefit the community, but encouraging a good work ethic will benefit one, too.
Where I live, the state workers are rather corrupt and lazy. I would much prefer those jbs to be filled by volunteers receiving benefits. Interesting thought.