As I rode the bus this morning, I pondered other people and how they think/act towards each other. Then, I thought of these two different ways that people seem to lead their lives. I offer them up as empirical truisms. Enjoy:

Monotheist/believer POV: Don't ask questions. Be obedient to a floating un-corporeal deity because a book says to. Genuflect when asked and as often as is humanly possible. Waste valuable time studying scriptures, attending masses, reading verses, singing psalms, praying, repenting, sinning, repenting, sinning, repenting, abstaining, avoiding, hating others who don't agree with your beliefs, hating others you've never met, hating in general and studying ancient, out-dated verses of scribes, "prophets," and messiahs who have been dead for thousands of years. Love your neighbor but only if he believes in your god. Otherwise, avoid them, hate them, and ridicule them to your children at all costs. Blindly follow your towns pastor and everything he says, even when your gut tells you he is a disgusting human being who commits vile acts in his privacy. Spend years of your life in torment for you are a sinner and sinners are on a path to a place full of pain and anguish. Don't be a homosexual, even if every ounce of your body and mind are "telling" you that you are, because homosexuality is contrary to nature and to a book of fables and fairy tales. When your parents and other important figures in your life tell you something is true then it has to be true. Forget those other people that realize this is a ridiculous way to lead your life in 2nd grade. They are sinful heathens who will be judged on day of rapture. Don't masturbate or do anything that might feel good for feeling good means you have disobeyed your creator. Go to church/temple/mosques on random days that have no bearing on the past because on these random days the all-seeing, all-knowing, all-controlling God knows that you are going on those days. (dooey.) Wait for the holy sacrament of marriage before fornicating with another member of the opposite sex. Remember though, women are subservient to all men. Men were created in God's image and men are better then women in every way. Slay yourself emotionally and above all else live your life for your God and not for yourself.

Atheist/rational-human POV: Seek truth, be kind to others, and above all else enjoy the short time you have here.

Which side are you on?