TODAY’S MUSINGS:

My parents allowed me to make my own choice regarding belief – and I landed on atheism at an early age – about 4^th grade.  I dabbled a little with Buddhism as a young adult (which Buddhists would say is not a religion), and came back to atheism – agnosticism if I’m honest.  I’m not afraid to say I DON’T KNOW.

There’s a difference between atheists who are allowed to find their way there at a young age versus the ones who had to fight tooth and nail to escape from a culture or family of religion, be it Christianity or another.  Those people tend to be loud, proud, and ready to fight any theist. 

Someone the other day mentioned that he was shocked – shocked – when a good friend of his asked him if he was a believer and, when he said “no,” the Christian walked away from him. “How dare a believer not give me respect for being a nonbeliever,” he complained.  Here’s the thing…he didn’t show respect for the believer either.

He did not just answer “no,”  he went on to say, “I don’t believe in Santa Claus or the Easter Bunny either.” This is an atheist maxim I’ve heard before. Is he truly surprised that the Christian was offended and walked away?  Rather than just saying, “I think differently than you,”  he had to take it up a notch by making fun of the theist’s beliefs, the foundation on which this person built their life, a core tenet of their very existence. Why the need to take it to that level? 

As an atheist,  strong in his  own belief,  couldn’t he have just said,  “No, I am not a believer,” or “No, I believe in science.”  Why the need to make the other person feel mocked? Yes, mocked, that’s the word. If this person was truly a “good friend,” why mock them for something they deem important in their life?

Just like when parents ask me, “didn’t you want to have kids?”  rather than responding,  “No, I don’t like unruly, loud, filthy, monkey-humans,”  I just answer “no” or “children are not for me,” which states my choice clearly but doesn’t mock another’s decision. 

Had he been a little more empathetic to another’s belief,  I’m less inclined to think the theist would have walked away. 

Today’s Recipe:

Farmhouse Pumpkin Bread with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting

Indulge in the comforting flavors of fall with this Farmhouse Pumpkin Bread recipe. This moist and aromatic bread is infused with rich pumpkin and warming spices, making it the perfect seasonal treat for cozy mornings, after-school snack or gatherings with loved ones.

Ingredients

Pumpkin Bread
• ⅓ cup milk
• 1 teaspoon white or apple cider vinegar
• 1 ¾ cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon nutmeg
• ½ teaspoon ginger
• 1 ½ cups sugar
• 1 cup pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
• 2 large eggs
• ½ cup vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Maple Cream Cheese Frosting (optional)
• 4 oz. cream cheese (chilled)
• ¼ cup (½ stick) unsalted butter (room temperature)
• 2 Tablespoons maple syrup
• 2 Tablespoons candied walnuts, chopped

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350⁰ F. Grease and flour a loaf pan. In a small bowl, combine milk and vinegar; set aside.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger.
3. In a large bowl, whisk together sugar, pumpkin, eggs, vegetable oil, vanilla, and milk. Stir the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients just until no lumps of flour remain.
4. Pour batter into the loaf pan. Bake 60-70 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs. If the top of your bread is browning too quickly, cover with a piece of foil. Cool and enjoy.
5. If you are making the frosting, Beat together cream cheese, butter, and maple syrup until light and fluffy. Make sure your bread is completely cool before swirling with frosting and decorating with candied walnuts.