Angie

After Jimbo refused to comment further, I realized it was time for some of the women to speak up. After thinking for a while what I wanted to say, and rifling through several ideas in my head, I decided to chip in and represent.

"Feminism is sexist." I said to break the silence.

"Really?" Mrs. Parsons replied, resisting the urge to defend it. "What brings you to that conclusion?"

"I really should rephrase," I added, "Modern feminism is sexist."

"Oh, this should be interesting." Jimbo said, shifting in his seat to get comfortable.

"Feminism of the past used to be about equal rights," I started to explain, "About just wanting the same chances and opportunities. Now it's about women and women only. Men are being looked down at as inferior, and today's feminists are hateful bigots who are no longer interested in being equals. They've become the same power hungry assholes we've been fighting against for the last several decades. Today's feminists have turned into the sexist jerks we started off opposing in the beginning."

"So what you're trying to say is you're not a feminist?" Rachel asked.

"No, I'm not." I replied, "Because today's feminists are sexist, man hating, bigots."

"Then what do you see yourself as?" Mr. Parsons asked.

"We're humanists." Josh said, stepping in. "An ethical stance that emphasizes the value of all human beings, individually and collectively. We also prefers critical thinking and evidence over the blind acceptance of dogma and superstition."

"Dogma and superstition," Nicholas repeated, "So you mean religion?"

"Yes," I confirmed, "To us, religion is nothing more than unproven dogmas and superstitions."

"Wow," Josh said, impressed with the statement himself. He looked like he wanted to add something, but held off. If he had bit his tongue any harder, it would have started to bleed.

"Some people take comfort with religion," Mr. Parsons countered, "It helps them live a good life and treat others with respect."

"Those are not the people I have an issue with," I replied, ready to handle the deflection. I had heard this excuse often and had practice countering it. "It's those who are trying to legislate their faith and force onto others, which conflicts with the rules set forth in the constitution that I have a serious issue with."

"Doesn't god's law overrule the laws of man?" Rachel asked.

"No, and God himself agrees with our constitution," Josh answered, "In the book of Matthew he even tells people to not promote religion and keep it to themselves. Even God thinks you shouldn't ram religion down other people's throats and yet they still try."

"If God truly had an issue with things like abortion and homosexuality," I continued, "They He knows where to find us to let us know how He feels. When He didn't approve of what Egypt was doing he kind of showed up there. Not so much today, so either He doesn't care, or doesn't exist and the story of Moses is man made mythology."

"So do you want religion to be outlawed?" Mrs. Parsons asked.

"Of course not," I answered, "Such a task is impossible anyway."

"Even if we disproved all religion," Josh added, "That doesn't mean we do away with it. Even if the bible is proven to be fake, that doesn't mean it can't serve an educational purpose. It can still be regarded as mythology like the Greek Gods, or historic literature like Beowulf. It would still have a place in the system and it should as it's a part of our culture and history, regardless of your views about it."

"That an interesting way to look at it," Mr. Parsons replied. "Everything has value?"

"Yes, everything." I confirmed.

"What about Mein Kampf?" Jimbo countered, "What value could that possibly have?"

"It provides a lesson," Josh responded, "It tells us how evil a person can become if they let their hatred and paranoia fully control their life. Another lesson is how dangerous one can also become when they think god is on their side."

"I thought Hitler and the Nazis were atheists," Rachel said, "Weren't they?"

"No, not even close." Josh said, almost disgusted by the assumption. "If you actually read Mein Kampf, he's quoted as to be doing god's work several times. And if the Nazis were all atheists, then why were they wearing belts that had Gott mit uns written on them, which translates into god is with us? This whole atheist bullshit was propaganda spread post war."

"You're quite obsessed with the history," Mrs. Parsons added.

"If we fail to learn from history," Josh said, "We are then doomed to repeat it. I don't think any of us wish to see another world war anytime soon."

"I certainly don't," Jimbo agreed, "Our tiny wars are nothing compared to what a world war would feel like. Compared to those great wars, our current wars on drugs and terror are minuscule and insignificant. While I'm sure the war machine would love it, it our blood that has to be paid, and I'd rather not."

"That was pretty deep," Mrs. Parsons said as she stood up from the table. "Let's clear all this up and get dessert out here."

"I don't know," I replied as the meal was quite filling already, "I might have to pass."

"Live a little girl," Rachel said, "I'll split one with you."

"Alright," I said as I caved, "But make sure you eat your fair share."

"It's just one dessert," Nicolas said, sighing. "You won't gain ten pounds from it."

"Let's take a break," Mr. Parsons reminded them, "Smoke if you have them, but do it outside."