She scoffed at every kiss, every sweet show of closeness and intimacy on screen. Exclamations of disgust drooled out the corners of her mouth as if she forgot to swallow a bite of food. Sexuality was shocking, and even a hint of it was met with “Ugh, why did they have to show that?” and “It was a great scene until that happened.” I stewed in my seat, sometimes replying with simple explanations why love is beautiful and married people showing affection is wonderful and normal. She would have none of it.
I’m shocked by how sheltered and closed-off some of my friends are to the real world. Was I ever so afraid of honest, sweet intimacy that I would jeer and shy away at the most innocent hint of it in a PG-13 movie? Yes, I’m sure I was. But why? Why is healthy, loving sexuality a taboo? I can’t answer this, but it bothers me.
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Photo by roland
Come to the Chicagoland atheist meetup! Skeptics, atheists, freethinkers, and friends are all very welcome. We’ll be eating, drinking (optional), and making all kinds of merry whatnot. Bonus: You’ll get to see my ugly mug for the first time and my *le gasp* identity will be revealed (however bland it may be)!
Date: Saturday, January 2
Time: 7:00 PM
Where: Palos Hills Village Club
9750 S Roberts Rd
Palos Hills, IL 60465-1470
http://www.palosvillagepub.com
Featuring: Hemant of Friendly Atheist, GodlessGirl, and Jen of Blag Hag!
Don’t know us yet? No worries! All you have to do is show up and buy something to eat or drink. We’re super friendly and it’s my first time meeting Jen and Hemant anyway, so let me take care of the shyness, mkay? 
I’d love to get to know all of you.
If you want to let us know you’re coming, leave a comment here or over at Jen’s post. Don’t be a stranger!
Photo by Desirée Delgado
Who do you have in your corner to cheer for you, encourage you, and kick you in the butt when you need it? Who makes up your support system? Do you have different people for different issues or areas of your life? Who can you talk to about family issues and not religious? For example, do you get relationship advice from someone who could never give you advice about work problems?
For example, I could only think of one or two people in my personal acquaintance whom I can call up and vent to or dish juicy tales to about the parts of me that are both dirty-minded & atheist (trust me, they aren’t the same part, but they make a nice Venn diagram). One of my confidants is my step-sister and the other is a Christian friend (You heard me right).
I am so grateful to have at least a few people who can understand me and respect me when I let those parts show in full color. Since I keep my loud-mouthed anti-religious rants confined mostly to the internet, a good face-to-face discussion is a balm to type-weary fingers. The crass part of me is just kept under wraps to keep old ladies and naive friends from gasping and blushing all the livelong day. I can be a proper, ladylike individual if it’s appropriate, don’t worry, Miss Manners.
So what about you?
Chris on 
Bill the Heathen on 
jabran on 
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