Apparently I broke protocol, but better late than never...my name's Steve. Heads up, this is just an intro about me so I'd not like to see this
thread get into any debate if possible - we can do that elsewhere later
I'm into all things weird, unorthodox, or unexplained (love the Mysterious Universe podcast and finally got myself a plus membership this week).
This leaves me as an eternal devil's advocate and usually considered to heretical by most groups on one level or another.
I'm a christian, but have issues with the organized faith as it's developed - I think a lot of christians and the churches they inhabit are
off-track as far as the biblical basis of the faith. They've adopted pagan traditions, have drifted from what I've determined are the humble,
forgiving, and pacifist guidelines espoused by Yahushua (Jesus). I tend to not go to church services often anymore and just live as best I can based
on what I read in the bible.
I love science and don't have a hard time reconciling it with my faith, as I see it merely as the laws of god at work in the physical world - but I
also have gripes with the scientific community as I feel it's become overly politicized, bureaucratic, and censored, and I believe the paradigm
currently ruling our scientific community is short-sighted and misinterprets many things, as well as back-shelving inconvenient information,
artifacts, or dissenting opinions.
I'm a libertarian politically, but not as far as the full-fledged ideology goes (still a newling as far as the depths of political ideologies go) - I
believe that as a US citizen, our founding documents (US constitution, declaration of independence) are the highest law of my land and obviate any
later laws hostile to life, liberty, or the pursuit of property/happiness. This country was founded on liberty and the protection of individual
rights, so we are free to do as we will as long as our choices don't impact the liberty or free action of others.
I don't read much fiction, but the bit I do is usually fantasy or science fiction - favorite authors are David Eddings, Orson Scott Card, Robert
Jordan (and now Brandon Sanderson). Non-fiction reading is usually new & current events, alternate topics, science, and political.
My alternate interests run the gamut - I'm into the UFO phenomena (which I interpret as inter-dimensional/'spiritual', and not extraterrestrial
biologicals), lost societies/alternate ancient history (I believe there is more than enough anecdotal evidence to suggest that there's a LOT of
history we don't know, or simply aren't being told), cryptozoology, government cover-ups of certain things, 'ghosts'/spirits, and the power of the
mind to interact directly with reality on certain levels.
I'm still trying to get back on my no-smoking quit and tend to drink too often - but I blame the world for impeding my calm, so it's obviously not
my fault.
I've enjoyed my experience here at ATS so far, and look forward to seeing what more we can all find out or clear up together in the days to come.
Everyone be safe out there!