In the continuing battle against Reason, the Birthday Cult which has taken over the USA is now spreading to other parts of the world.
Even the educational system supports these wackos.
Their main Tool Against Reason is to teach children that on their birthday, if they “make a wish” while blowing out the candles on their birthday cake, they’re wish will come true. Crazy, huh?
There is not an Atheist or Friend of Reason who will allow their child to participate in such a silly ritual, of course, because of the pernicious lessons it teaches. Magical cakes! Magical days! And of course, the candles and fire have been associated with the Occult and other religions since the Dawn of Humanity. The blowing represents wind, spirit, inspiration…
Yet many ADULTS (!!!) actually participate in this ritual, in public, and in front of other adults. This Anti-Reason Ritual has spread throughout the USA, and may be coming to your nation soon.
Do us a favor: Turn in anyone you know who participates in this. It’s not just FUN, it’s the downfall of Intelligent Society as we know it.
And let’s not forget all the illegal activity: The public singing of the sole Birthday Hymn is a copyright infringement until 2030 in the USA (Copyright has already expired in Canada).
Most of the time, I only read JC. It’s really what I keep coming back for. Thank you, Mr. Mountain, for yet another entertaining thread with serious undertones.
I’m feeling a bit undertained. Making a birthday wish is serious business. You are stating what you want to come true. It’s a positive affirmation. A prioritized list of the one single most important thing. It’s important to get in touch with what that one thing is. To identify it. To say it (to yourself, otherwise it won’t come true). But you don’t stop at wishing. You actually have to make it happen. The ritual is just the beginning. Frankly, Billy, I’m a bit shocked by this thread. What were you thinking? Are only authorized religious rituals okay? Do you actually see no value in the birthday ritual? Now we have to resort to McCarthyism? You want to turn us into birthday Nazis? To turn in our neighbors? Our friends? Ourselves??? Where will it end? When there is no one left to sing Happy Birthday?
I kind of feel like Mr. Mountain was using an absurd argument to make a point, and stir up debate.
I could definitely be wrong, but I like to believe that everyone else believes what I believe! Ha! Ah, I just don’t think there are many people out there who actually believe Mr. Mountain’s posted viewpoint, and the odds that one of them is on this forum is slim.
Regardless of whether he believes it or not, he makes a much better case for this viewpoint than I could have. Maybe that’s the idea…
Billy your assertions are wrong!
I can be a dyed-in-the-wool atheist, rational being not believing in “surnatural” things but that does not mean that rituals and magic are senseless! the simple elements of witchcraft that my grand-mother taught me do work I can assure you! (for sure Harry Potter’s things are pure fantasies with no relation whatsoever with the real thing : the shamans’ syndicate should sue!).
Hmm, just thought, I s’pose “The” could be Billy’s middle given name. Wonder if it’s a cherished name handed down the family for generations?
Then again maybe the hyphen is missing and Billy’s parents incorporated his mum’s maiden name. You know, “Blanche The, do you take William Mountain to be your…” etc.
Without wanting to seem too presumptuous or prying, could you enlighten us, please Billy?
Sorry, slipped effortlessly off thread there…
For what it’s worth, I’m with Billy on this one - look what happened to Jim Carrey in Liar, Liar!
What I like, Dave, is how you’ve taken a standard Christian idea about how prayer alone is not enough, and incorporated it into your Birthday Cult. Nice!
Of course you can! I can be a Muslim, Hindu, Christian, and Jew all at the same time, too. It’s called Interspiritualism.
So… making prioritized lists, identifying conrcete goals, making plans, and saying positive affirmations now fall under the leaky umbrella of Christianity???
Really?! Well Happy Birthday!!! I had no idea! This is the day, you can blow out the candles and your wish will come true. Still, I’ve never known anyone to take it SO seriously they thought about it all day. But hey, it only comes once a year, so why not take it seriously.
Positive affirmations, you GO, boy. Who am I to make fun of anyone else’s religion?
All the following statements are TRUE for YOU!!
You believe that success is the peace of mind that comes from doing your best
You bring happiness and good cheer wherever you go
You can always find something to be glad about
You now see wonderful opportunities all around you
You can have fun doing almost anything
It is your choice to be happy or sad, and you choose to be happy
You deserve to be happy
You enjoy today’s pleasures today
You can quickly find something to like about everyone you meet
You feel a sense of accomplishment after every job well done
You find pleasure in both giving and receiving
You learn from the past but you live completely in the present
No matter, what you remain optimistic about your promising future
You live each day with the wonder of a child
You make other people feel good about themselves
You spend more time thinking about what you do want than what you don’t
You truly enjoy doing nice things for other people
You wake up excited and eager to greet each new day
You surround yourself now with happy, enthusiastic people
No matter how much or how little you have, you are grateful for all of it
It’s easy for you to notice what is good/fun in almost every situation
Your happiness comes from a peaceful mind and a grateful heart
No, Billy, I don’t make such a big deal about it. I didn’t “think about it all day.” YOU were the one who started a thread about birthdays.
Can’t an atheist have one harmless ritual? Besides, it’s nice when other people celebrate… me. (Actually, I don’t like birthdays – I don’t like that kind of attention.)
My birthday comes right on the heels of the new year. So, in lieu of a New Year’s Resolution, I make a birthday wish. It’s not for material things. I define the objectives and goals for the year. I don’t expect them to come true just for wishing. But maybe the wishing, combined with the candles and the ritual, will give me the little boost that I need. (There. Now you don’t have to misquote me to have some fun.)
