Beefed up security

By dowsing? Look at 0:30

To Justin from Belgium who called The Atheist Experience

It sounds tough that you have problems announcing your atheism in Belgium, I hope you'll be able to get some kind of understanding from your mom.  If you're in a state school I suggest you talk to a "zedenleer" teacher even if you follow religion, also you could pay a visit to your local CMD (Centrum voor Morele Dienstverlening) or contact UVV (http://unievrijzinnigeverenigingen.be/nl/)
Good luck, at least in Belgium you know that you are not alone, there are a lot of us atheists and the majority in Belgium is ambivilent about or completely non religious, you'll have no problems being non religious in your daily life.

btw Excellent language skills for a 15 year old!

I've been ignoring this blog, for several reasons.

First reason of course is my second daughter, she's 2 months now and we're finally starting to get some more sleep.
Another reasons is facebook, it is so much easier to put things up (pictures, video, ...) and then have interactions on those things.  I've had real discussions on facebook something that never happened on this blog.
And I like that it offers a certain level of security, I can share as much or as little information to distinct groups of friends (I have about 30 categories all with varying levels of visibility for pictures and information, and I'm not gonna tell you in which group you are ;-) ).

Here's my profile, feel free to add me as a friend, it has my real name but I stand by everything said on this blog, it is easy to find out my real name and I live in a country that accepts the views expressed in this blog so I do not see a need for secrecy:

http://www.facebook.com/moors

STOP MEALY MOUTHING

Michael O'Brien Transcript

 

Michael O'Brien, former councilor and Mayor of Wexford attended the RTÉ programme Questions and Answers on 25 May 2009 and, after Minister Noel Dempsey, the sponsoring minister of the Ryan Commission report in to Child Abuse allegations spoke, Mr O'Brien spoke to the minister and to the panel.

Wolfram|Alpha

I don't think I like Wolfram|Alpha

http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=atheist

I don't agree with the definition presented and that synonym network is just horrible, illiterate? bad?, where does that crap come from, born?

Crackergate in Belgium !!!

"Niet zomaar lachen met het geloof" ("don't just laugh with faith")

I've searched for English sources but can't find any yet so let me frame and translate a little, Goedele is a sort of celebrity (for over 15 years already) in Belgium who stands for women in general (women's rights, freedoms, sexuality ...).
Since about a year she has her own magazine, sort of controversial from the first issue (had a vagina story with explicit pictures, not a very big issue in Belgium).
On the latest cover she's depicted as a nun, that's not too bad for the church here, they should and can accept this but in the magazine are some (fake) communion wafers with an accompanying text: Eat this it is my body.
And yowza, big uproar, cardinals, bishops, priests all have their knickers in a twist and shout about outrage.

I have not bought the other issues but: I HAVE TO GET THAT MAGAZINE!

Sending a stern message

Apparently my medical insurance company (Partena) supports "alternative treatments", here is the rough translation (I sent it in dutch obviously) of what I sent them:

I am satisfied with Partena but as a customer I want to let my voice heard AGAINST de validation that's being given to "Alternative treatments" by your Advantage package (it is good that you at least do not label it "alternative medicine" as it is indeed not medicine)

I hope the funds attributed to this are minimal and have the lowest priority, I understand that these things are popular and are a way to attract customers but you should also be aware that you could also lose customers over this who do not wish to see higher contributions or have their contributions being used for this.

Kind regards,

Hugo

I just wish more people would voice their opinion and let these companies know that appeasing the ignorance is not always the best move.