I could have guessed it was all to shove it in my face.

Don't bring up religion to me in person. It's awkward. To the people who like to tell me their religious denomination at random; I'm not stupid. I know you're trying to get me to say the words, "I'm an Atheist" which will give you full power to trash my beliefs (or lack thereof). I'd love to hear you talk about your religion, I truly find that fascinating. For the most part, other religions have my respect.

All I'm asking for is a little bit of respect in return. "Oh, you're still being stupid about that?"

Atheism in our schools!

A friend of mine and I were having a bit of an argument in a Facebook comment section the other day. By friend, I mean I probably have seen the guy once or twice, maybe he's a friend of a friend, but he added me on Facebook and I said "Whatever, sure..." at one point in time, and we became friends.

We were discussing teaching intelligent design in schools. The situation and argument is irrelevant and also stupid, but he dropped a rather interesting line.

"In fact, a lot of people would say that atheism is being forced upon our kids."

So, my non existent readers, would you say so?

Let me quickly remind you what most school children say every morning, whether they really care to or not.

"I pledge allegiance to the flag and the United States of America, and to the republic, for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. "

Friends, that was typed from memory. Hours of my life spent with my hand at my heart, praying to the flag of a nation that I'm not too proud of. "God" in that run-on sentence is not a symbol for something. It's not about some secret thing that you're missing there. That's Christianity's God, and nothing else. Point over. Making children stand up in class and say "God" every morning is neeevvveeer forcing religion on people, is it? Noo! Of course not! Ohhh, how could you be so silly!?! There's still that pressure of Atheism everywhere!

Not convinced? Pull out a penny, a nickle, a dime, anything! Oh, right! It says "In personal responsibility and respect between mankind we trust." It should really say "In God we trust" because the only way to be responsible enough to blame your failures on a higher power and be respectful enough to lynch people because of skin pigment is through God!

My point is, roughly 16% of the population doesn't encourage religion to be taught to children in some form or another. This small minority accounts for the atheists of the USA. Them? They think children should be kept religiously neutral until they can make a logical decision about what they wish to believe.

I felt inspired...

...and so I started a blog. I'm meaning to comment on what it's like as an Atheist in high school, but like most blogs, I never quite reach the goal I originally set. I started a web comic once. That didn't go far.

So, I figure I should introduce myself a bit, because it's rather distracting to do so along the trip. I'll be referred to as Other, since my opinions alongside my name could be a problem with future job finding attempts.

I'll be honest. I'm in high school. I don't pretend to have an adult perspective on these sorts of things. In fact, the whole point of this blog is that I don't have an adult perspective. I communicate and interact with other teenagers who don't really know what they're talking about. I don't know what I'm talking about. I'm giving my thoughts and opinions on the world around me. Feel free to say what you wish about me, or try to argue my religious views, but I don't think I'll put up much of a counter argument. I've got homework and crap to get to, you know?

My main purpose here is not to convince people of something. I'm not doing this to rile people up, then toss them down with excellent responses I might have tucked in my belt. I will admit that would be fun, but I don't have the energy or the motivation most of the time. What I'm really getting to here is that I want to speak for the small section of people I'm tossed in. Whether I'm an education-seeking free-thinker, or a godless heathen stuck in the monotonous drag of school, I'm here. I'm me. I want to say something about it.

God Bless you. :D