Re: Religion
Posted: Wed Sep 23, 2009 10:23 pm
This probably won't help - other than indicate there isn't a God, but there is a fallible Mother Nature (and put you off thinking of kittens when you masturbate)
A group for contestants and lovers of the Channel 4 game show 'Countdown'.
http://c4countdown.co.uk/
Call me cynical, but that has to be photoshopped.Sue Sanders wrote:
This probably won't help - other than indicate there isn't a God, but there is a fallible Mother Nature (and put you off thinking of kittens when you masturbate)
I think I remember the punchline to this one...Jon O'Neill wrote:That's incredible. I saw this before I went to bed and last night I had a dream that both of my cats had one eye all of a sudden!
Been trying to work this one out but really...I've got no eyed deerPhil Reynolds wrote:I think I remember the punchline to this one...Jon O'Neill wrote:That's incredible. I saw this before I went to bed and last night I had a dream that both of my cats had one eye all of a sudden!
Snopes says it's genuine, that's all I need.Sue Sanders wrote:Have had it on good faith - the kitten is genuine.
As reliable (or not) as Snopes may be, that does still leave me asking 'well what happened to the rest of the four pictures that "showed the animal from different perspectives" found on the owner's memory card, and the "bunch of pictures" the AP photographer subsequently came and took?'Jon Corby wrote:Snopes says it's genuine, that's all I need.Sue Sanders wrote:Have had it on good faith - the kitten is genuine.
Matt Morrison wrote: With that in mind (and I'm presuming the other pictures aren't around on the Internet based on a quick Google Images search), I'm surprised you're so down with the Snopes judgement, as it's a bit like the Derren Brown thing you mentioned about making something more impressive (in this case, more proven) by removing as many of the layers of mystery shrouding it as possible.
Ah, I'll resist the temptation to post pictures of schistsomas reflexus then. It would make the deformed kitten look quite cute.Gavin Chipper wrote:Some of these pictures are well gross, and now I have to look at them every time I want to have a go at religion! Thanks!
There's my problem with religion. People who want to hear your opinion on religion actually want an opportunity to give you their own, and then hopefully change your mind for you.Derek Hazell wrote:I have just received this from a Chinese girl who asked what I think about religion:
"if no god all solar system and atomic structure will not intelligently designed and well planned so similar and good mathemcial accurate to bond to each other in plans and time
reason behinds seem not out of sudden
all seem have purpose
and under a big plan"
If belief in religion didn't exist, millions of people wouldn't have been murdered. I suppose that means that religious people nowadays still agree with murder. In days of old I would have been burnt alive to cleanse my soul. How could I have seen the light and changed my ways if I was a little pile of ash?Lesley Hines wrote:There's my problem with religion. People who want to hear your opinion on religion actually want an opportunity to give you their own, and then hopefully change your mind for you.Derek Hazell wrote:I have just received this from a Chinese girl who asked what I think about religion:
"if no god all solar system and atomic structure will not intelligently designed and well planned so similar and good mathemcial accurate to bond to each other in plans and time
reason behinds seem not out of sudden
all seem have purpose
and under a big plan"
OhrlyMarc Meakin wrote:The only religion that I am tolerant of is Budhism as they are, at least, peace loving.
From having a typical Irish Catholic upbringing, prayer is something that I engaged in throughout my childhood. Wouldn't be allowed to go to bed without saying my prayers first. I was brainwashed from an early age into believing. It was impossible for me to sustain that of course really into my teens i suppose, like most catholics my age (I'm 29 now). Now i only go to mass to see people get married or before they get buried and to hear my mam sing in the Christmas choir. For anyone else who might enjoy quietly cursing at the catholic church for ten minutes i recommend this. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srNybbo0 ... re=relatedDerek Hazell wrote: the subject of praying for people when they are down came up, and how it would be hypocritcal to do so if you are not religious in the rest of your life.
At last. A mind not glued shut by pragmatism or corrupted by 'organised' religion.Andy Wilson wrote:But i still pray. I don't talk to God like i did when i was a kid as if there's someone listening, but think about the person/issue and devote some energy to it and send it in their direction, whenever i feel like it. I have been gradually swaying towards the belief that we are spiritually tied to each other. When you're in trouble or distress, those whom love you will be affected in some way. They'll feel it. When you send your good wishes to someone your thinking of, they'll feel it and it might help them. I believe this works both ways, so be careful not to overreact with negative thoughts about people you're close to.
Easy to test, as well. Maybe you'll get that Nobel after all, Alec!Alec Rivers wrote:At last. A mind not glued shut by pragmatism or corrupted by 'organised' religion.Andy Wilson wrote:But i still pray. I don't talk to God like i did when i was a kid as if there's someone listening, but think about the person/issue and devote some energy to it and send it in their direction, whenever i feel like it. I have been gradually swaying towards the belief that we are spiritually tied to each other. When you're in trouble or distress, those whom love you will be affected in some way. They'll feel it. When you send your good wishes to someone your thinking of, they'll feel it and it might help them. I believe this works both ways, so be careful not to overreact with negative thoughts about people you're close to.
A closed mind is not the same as an alternative hypothesis (something which, incidentally, I've never seen you put forward). As I've said before, there are observable phenomena not yet fully explained by science. If you have formulated a theory that goes some way to explaining one or more of these, then I would be very interested to hear about it. Until then, feel free to live in a world restricted to proven concepts only, but please don't mock me for having wider beliefs.Charlie Reams wrote:Easy to test, as well. Maybe you'll get that Nobel after all, Alec!Alec Rivers wrote:At last. A mind not glued shut by pragmatism or corrupted by 'organised' religion.Andy Wilson wrote:But i still pray. I don't talk to God like i did when i was a kid as if there's someone listening, but think about the person/issue and devote some energy to it and send it in their direction, whenever i feel like it. I have been gradually swaying towards the belief that we are spiritually tied to each other. When you're in trouble or distress, those whom love you will be affected in some way. They'll feel it. When you send your good wishes to someone your thinking of, they'll feel it and it might help them. I believe this works both ways, so be careful not to overreact with negative thoughts about people you're close to.
I thought it was fairly obvious that the alternative hypothesis is that there is no "energy link" between you and other people, and any coincidences about breaking necklaces and so on are just that: coincidences. If these are observable phenomena then get yourself out there and run an experiment, it should be pretty easy. I don't have a closed mind, that's why I'm telling you to go experiment (c/f The Bible, which tells you not to test God, conveniently enough for him).Alec Rivers wrote: A closed mind is not the same as an alternative hypothesis (something which, incidentally, I've never seen you put forward). As I've said before, there are observable phenomena not yet fully explained by science. If you have formulated a theory that goes some way to explaining one or more of these, then I would be very interested to hear about it. Until then, feel free to live in a world restricted to proven concepts only, but please don't mock me for having wider beliefs.
More details please!Andy Wilson wrote:Then, about a year ago i had a friend I don't see very often and hadn't known for very long at the time, but get on famously with, respond out loud to something i was thinking.
As long as you believe in the religion you're following, I'd say yes.Derek Hazell wrote:So are we saying that following a religion and belief in the paranormal are inexorably linked then?
Derek Hazell wrote:So are we saying that following a religion and belief in the paranormal are inexorably linked then?
Means:Alec Rivers wrote:A mind not glued shut by pragmatism or corrupted by 'organised' religion.
I'd just got my new computer and was joking about naming it. First thing that popped into my head was the not very obscure i know, 'Betsy'. But then he said, 'No, don't call it Betsy'. I'd asked for suggestions for a name and said no more. My jaw hit the floor instantly so i made absolutely sure no one had said the name aloud and the few of us present were all quite happy with the fact. Surely a little more than coincidence, given that he was responding to something i was definitely thinking, but hadn't said. Then he told everybody that i was secretly gay and my reputation with the girls hasn't been the same since.Charlie Reams wrote:More details please!Andy Wilson wrote:Then, about a year ago i had a friend I don't see very often and hadn't known for very long at the time, but get on famously with, respond out loud to something i was thinking.
Definitely odd. I quite often find myself involuntarily saying some keyword from what I'm thinking, usually under my breath, so my money would be on that. But I wasn't there so meh. If this phenomenon has any great power then presumably it will eventually occur while someone is recording (this is the philosophy behid You've Been Framed, and that's good enough for me).Andy Wilson wrote: I'd just got my new computer and was joking about naming it. First thing that popped into my head was the not very obscure i know, 'Betsy'. But then he said, 'No, don't call it Betsy'. I'd asked for suggestions for a name and said no more. My jaw hit the floor instantly so i made absolutely sure no one had said the name aloud and the few of us present were all quite happy with the fact. Surely a little more than coincidence, given that he was responding to something i was definitely thinking, but hadn't said. Then he told everybody that i was secretly gay and my reputation with the girls hasn't been the same since.
If it had been 'Bertha' it would have been understandable!Andy Wilson wrote:I'd just got my new computer and was joking about naming it. First thing that popped into my head was the not very obscure i know, 'Betsy'. But then he said, 'No, don't call it Betsy'.
And why it popped into your friend's head. Seriously, for some reason loads of people seem to name cars and stuff "Betsy". I've no idea why (because it's a shit name) but they do. I seem to remember the other day on Top Gear Jeremy Clarkson doing so but someone else might remember better than me.Andy Wilson wrote:Haha. I'd forgotten about lovely Bertha. I just thought Betsy is quite a common name for someone to give something off the cuff, hence why it popped into my head.
Does it originally come from the 1971 Harold Robbins novel about the automobile industry, The Betsy?Gavin Chipper wrote:for some reason loads of people seem to name cars and stuff "Betsy". I've no idea why (because it's a shit name) but they do.
Exactly, your thought processes can easily match someone else's. Whatever made you think of Betsy could have also made him think of Betsy. Stuff like this isn't that infrequent, I've had moments where I've been with someone and you both get the same (seemingly random) thought/distant memory at the same time. Sometimes you can identify the trigger, sometimes not. It's quite a leap to assume that some kind of psychic energy is the reasonGavin Chipper wrote:And why it popped into your friend's head. Seriously, for some reason loads of people seem to name cars and stuff "Betsy". I've no idea why (because it's a shit name) but they do. I seem to remember the other day on Top Gear Jeremy Clarkson doing so but someone else might remember better than me.Andy Wilson wrote:Haha. I'd forgotten about lovely Bertha. I just thought Betsy is quite a common name for someone to give something off the cuff, hence why it popped into my head.
Not for nothing is this phenomenon called a leap of faith.Jon Corby wrote: It's quite a leap to assume that some kind of psychic energy is the reason
Along with most religions.Rosemary Roberts wrote:Not for nothing is this phenomenon called a leap of faith.Jon Corby wrote: It's quite a leap to assume that some kind of psychic energy is the reason
Well, he probably wouldn't just change the title of the post, but create a whole new topic called "religion4religion" because this one is no longer fit for purpose.Gavin Chipper wrote:What would Sjewart Holden make of all this?
You've just given me an idea. (See the Defending your property topic)Derek Hazell wrote:Well, he probably wouldn't just change the title of the post, but create a whole new topic called "religion4religion" because this one is no longer fit for purpose.Gavin Chipper wrote:What would Sjewart Holden make of all this?
Atheism is a religion like not-collecting-stamps is a hobby.Derek Hazell wrote:"I never use the word atheist of myself; it's scarcely worth having a name for. I mean I don't have a name for not believing in pixies." - Sir Jonathan Miller
Interesting argument given that you are the most troubled person who posts here. No offence, mate.Richard Brittain wrote:Well, atheists are just those who oppose God in their hearts. That's why they are invariably troubled and feel the need to speak loudly about their (lack of) beliefs. Everyone knows God exists, because that is how they live, but some manage to pretend to themselves that they don't believe in God, by bludgeoning their conscience. However it is really a superficial, trans-egotistical belief, because knowledge doesn't come from the will, it comes from the being, the soul. And it is impossible to escape the fact that they know that God exists. In the darkness of their heart, they have forsaken God, and God thus forsakes them. In their heart they secretly oppose God. This is why we need a name for atheists; because it is not simply 'the lack of a belief'.
Belief is moot. Whether it's rebirth, some post-mortal punishment/reward destination or oblivion for me, I don't really care as I'm never going to know until I die, so I've got better things to worry about, like what to do while I'm still alive. Is this atheism?Richard Brittain wrote:Well, atheists are just those who oppose God in their hearts. That's why they are invariably troubled and feel the need to speak loudly about their (lack of) beliefs. Everyone knows God exists, because that is how they live, but some manage to pretend to themselves that they don't believe in God, by bludgeoning their conscience. However it is really a superficial, trans-egotistical belief, because knowledge doesn't come from the will, it comes from the being, the soul. And it is impossible to escape the fact that they know that God exists. In the darkness of their heart, they have forsaken God, and God thus forsakes them. In their heart they secretly oppose God. This is why we need a name for atheists; because it is not simply 'the lack of a belief'.
Isn't agnosticism indecision rather than disinterest?Martin Smith wrote:Definitely sounds like agnosticism to me - you don't know whether or not there's a God or an afterlife.
I wonder how a reporter can suddenly forget how to spell 'swap'.Martin Smith wrote:"Murderer Swops Gangs for God".
What do people think when they see stories like this?
Getting married in a church Dinos?Dinos Sfyris wrote:Anyone witness Stephen Baldwin's utterly stoopid parable on celeb BB last night about how he'd rather let his daughter die than for her to denounce Jesus? My zest for hating religious lunatics runs deeper than ever before.
Yeah we are actually, and we appreciate the irony. I'm not having a go at religion, just people who defend it above sane logic like Stephen Baldwin who is a total nutjob. His argument was that God would surely condemn his daughter to hell if under duress (at gunpoint in this realistic scenario) she said that Jesus wasn't real, and so he'd rather she died and could then see her in heaven?Jon Corby wrote:Getting married in a church Dinos?Dinos Sfyris wrote:Anyone witness Stephen Baldwin's utterly stoopid parable on celeb BB last night about how he'd rather let his daughter die than for her to denounce Jesus? My zest for hating religious lunatics runs deeper than ever before.
Wouldn't God know that she didn't really mean it though, and was only forced to say it at gunpoint? What if instead of shooting her, he was torturing children until she renounced Jesus?Dinos Sfyris wrote:Yeah we are actually, and we appreciate the irony. I'm not having a go at religion, just people who defend it above sane logic like Stephen Baldwin who is a total nutjob. His argument was that God would surely condemn his daughter to hell if under duress (at gunpoint in this realistic scenario) she said that Jesus wasn't real, and so he'd rather she died and could then see her in heaven?
Worst thing was because he was on about religion no one dared tell him what a twat he is. Whereas if his daughter had been forced to say that KFC wasn't nice or die, everyone would be up in arms. And there's a lot more evidence for KFC being nice than Jesus being real.
Apparently not. In the gospel according to SB it doesn't really matter, even if you have your fingers crossed.Jon Corby wrote:Wouldn't God know that she didn't really mean it though, and was only forced to say it at gunpoint?Dinos Sfyris wrote:Yeah we are actually, and we appreciate the irony. I'm not having a go at religion, just people who defend it above sane logic like Stephen Baldwin who is a total nutjob. His argument was that God would surely condemn his daughter to hell if under duress (at gunpoint in this realistic scenario) she said that Jesus wasn't real, and so he'd rather she died and could then see her in heaven?
Worst thing was because he was on about religion no one dared tell him what a twat he is. Whereas if his daughter had been forced to say that KFC wasn't nice or die, everyone would be up in arms. And there's a lot more evidence for KFC being nice than Jesus being real.