It is not as in the Bible, that God created man in his own image. But, on the contrary, man created God in his own image. - Ludwig Feuerbach
As far as I can tell from studying the scriptures, all you do in heaven is pretty much just sit around all day and praise the Lord. I don't know about you, but I think that after the first, oh, I don't know, 50,000,000 years of that I'd start to get a little bored. - Rick Reynolds
"I refuse to prove that I exist," says God, "for proof denies faith, and without faith I am nothing." - Douglas Adams
When Creationists talk about God creating every individual species as a separate act, they always instance hummingbirds, or orchids, sunflowers and beautiful things. But I tend to think instead of a parasitic worm that is boring through the eye of a boy sitting on the bank of a river in West Africa, [a worm] that's going to make him blind. And [I ask them], 'Are you telling me that the God you believe in, who you also say is an all-merciful God, who cares for each one of us individually, are you saying that God created this worm that can live in no other way than in an innocent child's eyeball?' Because that doesn't seem to me to coincide with a God who's full of mercy. - David Attenborough
As with dogs, so with gods - by and large, you should blame the owners. - Martin Rowson
27 February 2009
Quotes
What would the fair price for Richard to debate Ray be?
From Wikipedia:
The initial offering price Ray Comfort gave was $10,000 which included Richard Dawkins to travel to USA to debate him.
Richard's counter offer was $100,000 denoted to Richard Dawkins Foundation for Reason and Science and be filmed by Josh Timonen for his website.
[No idea whether Ray has accepted the additional condition; ie be filmed and may be distributed. But since Ray gave a counter-counter offer without mentioning that added condition, we can suppose Ray has accepted that part.]
Ray counter-counter offered $20,000 for the debate to occur. Obviously, it is a "no deal" at this point.
Both parties, during this phase of the negotiation would use all kind of tricks to force the opposite to enter into an agreement.
What would the fair price for Richard to debate Ray be?
Is there any other parties interested to see the debate go ahead? If yes, what such party may do?
The following only speaks for myself. I respect the reason why Richard would demand the price he put forward. However, there is lot of entertainment value to see Ray making a fool of himself, I would contribute the price of a movie ticket to the cause, AUD$20 to the Victoria Bush Fire Relief Fund when I see the debate online or on DVD.
Fair value, also called fair price (in a commonplace conflation of the two distinct concepts), is a concept used in finance and economics, defined as a rational and unbiased estimate of the potential market price of a good, service, or asset[by whom?], taking into account such objective factors as:
* acquisition/production/distribution costs, replacement costs, or costs of close substitutes
* actual utility at a given level of development of social productive capability
* supply vs. demand
and subjective factors such as
* risk characteristics
* cost of capital
* individually perceived utility [source]
Market price is an economic concept with commonplace familiarity; it is the price that a good or service is offered at, or will fetch, in the marketplace. [source]
The initial offering price Ray Comfort gave was $10,000 which included Richard Dawkins to travel to USA to debate him.
Richard's counter offer was $100,000 denoted to Richard Dawkins Foundation for Reason and Science and be filmed by Josh Timonen for his website.
[No idea whether Ray has accepted the additional condition; ie be filmed and may be distributed. But since Ray gave a counter-counter offer without mentioning that added condition, we can suppose Ray has accepted that part.]
Ray counter-counter offered $20,000 for the debate to occur. Obviously, it is a "no deal" at this point.
Both parties, during this phase of the negotiation would use all kind of tricks to force the opposite to enter into an agreement.
What would the fair price for Richard to debate Ray be?
Is there any other parties interested to see the debate go ahead? If yes, what such party may do?
The following only speaks for myself. I respect the reason why Richard would demand the price he put forward. However, there is lot of entertainment value to see Ray making a fool of himself, I would contribute the price of a movie ticket to the cause, AUD$20 to the Victoria Bush Fire Relief Fund when I see the debate online or on DVD.
Definition of 'Freethinker'
Here are some of the definitions I have found on the web on the term 'freethinker'
Freethinker is
- a British secular humanist journal, founded by G.W. Foote in 1881. It is the world's second oldest surviving freethought publication, the first being The Truth Seeker, launched in 1873 by D M Bennett. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Freethinker_(journal)
- a person who has formed their opinions using reason and rational enquiry; somebody who has rejected dogma, especially with regard to religion en.wiktionary.org/wiki/free-thinker
- A person who forms his opinions about religion and God without regard to revelation, scripture, tradition, or experience. www.carm.org/atheism/terms.htm
- a person who forms opinions on the basis of reason, independent of authority or tradition, esp. a person whose religious opinions differ from established belief. http://dictionary.reference.com
- One who speculates, reflects, forms opinions, and willingly suspends final judgment on religious, spiritual, and philosophical positions independently of the authority of others. Union of Freethinking Students
- a person who 1. reject dogma, 2. acknowledge human progress and 3. quest for wisdom and knowledge Cleveland Freethinkers Blog [please read the complete post]
An interesting idea:
Freethinking is not synonymous with atheism (despite what “The Freethinker” mag may suggest.) I suspect many atheists are atheists because they are freethinkers (and thus they were able to form their own opinion about the existence of God(s)), but it does not follow that freethinkers must become atheists (i.e., form the opinion that there are no Gods). [comment posted by F. Andy Seidl to source]
Also see
Definition of Atheism for Early Freethinkers
26 February 2009
Forget Survival of the Fittest: It Is Kindness that Counts
Scientists have now figured out where morality come from. Obviously, it cannot be the god in the old testament.
Quoting from Charles Darwin's Descent of Man,
Darwin’s Expression of Emotion in Man and Animals also have detail descriptions of emotions such as reverence, love, tenderness, laughter, embarrassment and the conceptual tools to document the evolutionary origins of these emotions.
Scientists at U. C. Berkley has done a lot of research on the vagus nerve which may be the physiological system that supports caretaking and altruism. The activation of the vagus nerve is associated with feelings of compassion and the ethical intuition that humans from different social groups (even adversarial ones) share a common humanity.
The beauty of the curiosity and persistence evidence-based investigation have led us away from the thousand year old books written by ancient men whose superstition and unfound belief in a god is now outdated and, quoting Chris Hitchen, is poisoning everything.
In a new book, Born to Be Good: The Science of a Meaningful Life, Keltner weaves together scientific findings with personal narrative to uncover the innate power of human emotion to connect people with each other, which he argues is the path to living the good life.
Quoting from Charles Darwin's Descent of Man,
“For firstly, the social instincts lead an animal to take pleasure in the society of his fellows, to feel a certain amount of sympathy with them, and to perform various services for them. … Such actions as the above appear to be the simple result of the greater strength of the social or maternal instincts than that of any other instinct or motive; for they are performed too instantaneously for reflection, or for pleasure or even misery might be felt. In a timid man, on the other hand, the instinct of self-preservation might be so strong, that he would be unable to force himself to run any such risk, perhaps not even for his own child.”
Darwin’s Expression of Emotion in Man and Animals also have detail descriptions of emotions such as reverence, love, tenderness, laughter, embarrassment and the conceptual tools to document the evolutionary origins of these emotions.
Scientists at U. C. Berkley has done a lot of research on the vagus nerve which may be the physiological system that supports caretaking and altruism. The activation of the vagus nerve is associated with feelings of compassion and the ethical intuition that humans from different social groups (even adversarial ones) share a common humanity.
People who have high vagus nerve activation in a resting state, we have found, are prone to feeling emotions that promote altruism—compassion, gratitude, love, happiness. Arizona State University psychologist Nancy Eisenberg has found that children with elevated vagal tone (high baseline vagus nerve activity) are more cooperative and likely to give. This area of study is the beginning of a fascinating new argument about altruism—that a branch of our nervous system evolved to support such behavior.
The beauty of the curiosity and persistence evidence-based investigation have led us away from the thousand year old books written by ancient men whose superstition and unfound belief in a god is now outdated and, quoting Chris Hitchen, is poisoning everything.
25 February 2009
sex sells - more Rules on owning a sex slave
I have a post "Rules on owning a sex slave" which attracted exceptionally more hits from the search engines than the rest.
Sorry for those looking for XXX material, it is not the kind of material you would be expecting. But rule is rule, as long as it is explicitly stated in the bible.
There are other rules which have not been quoted in that post.
That means you can beat up your sex slave so badly that s/he dies after 1 day or two, BUT NOT IMMEDIATELY. I suppose water-boarding would be allowed too.
Whatever you do, you must keep the eye and tooth of the slave in place in order to continue owning the slave. That may be a bit difficult, right?
Sorry for those looking for XXX material, it is not the kind of material you would be expecting. But rule is rule, as long as it is explicitly stated in the bible.
There are other rules which have not been quoted in that post.
If a man strikes his male or female slave with a rod and he dies at his hand, he shall be punished. If, however, he survives a day or two, no vengeance shall be taken; for he is his property. Exodus 21, 21-22
That means you can beat up your sex slave so badly that s/he dies after 1 day or two, BUT NOT IMMEDIATELY. I suppose water-boarding would be allowed too.
If a man strikes the eye of his male or female slave, and destroys it, he shall let him go free on account of his eye. And if he knocks out a tooth of his male or female slave, he shall let him go free on account of his tooth. Exodus 21, 26-27
Whatever you do, you must keep the eye and tooth of the slave in place in order to continue owning the slave. That may be a bit difficult, right?
24 February 2009
Quotes
Is it not better to place a question mark upon a problem while seeking an answer than to put the label `God` there and consider the matter closed? - Joseph Lewis
Defender of Marriage
A series of videos on youtube re: Ellen Degeneres's intention to marry:
Roy Zimmerman's original version:
This version features Stephen colbert
Roy Zimmerman's original version:
This version features Stephen colbert
Solving the current global crisis
Bill Maher may have a valid point here. Execute one or two of the greedy bankers can send a clear signal to the world about ...
Just kidding. Enjoy.
Who created God? (Answer)
Here is the answer to the "spot the error" challenge I posted yesterday.
Who created god? Man.
God is a 'gap filler'. When there are things which cannot be explained by the current understanding of the nature, man fills in the understanding gap with 'god'. Over the centuries, among different cultures, the concept of god, in one form or another exists. Typically, man would ask where is the universe come from? what would happen after death? Invoking a supernatural being could, temporarily, cure the thirst of knowledge and enable man to continue with the other immediate tasks for survival. No doubt these were difficult questions. Using god as an answer to such questions is just lazy answer and contribute nothing further.
Back to the video, what is the logical fallacy invoked by the video? Answer: The setting up of a false dilemma. Here are the claims:
x: Everything came from nothing
y: Something always existed and created everything
Since x is false, therefore y is true!
The whole argument is another variation of the first principle - the question of the beginning.
We are yet to understand anything before the big bang, but using god as a filler contributes nothing to the understanding or lack of.
The video's last part (from a god to a personal god) is a hasty connection - badly connected. Bible predicts the future???? Where is the evidence?
It is still the same question to the video maker - who created god?
The quest will continue. Stopping at god as a filler is intellectually lazy and irresponsible.
Who created god? Man.
God is a 'gap filler'. When there are things which cannot be explained by the current understanding of the nature, man fills in the understanding gap with 'god'. Over the centuries, among different cultures, the concept of god, in one form or another exists. Typically, man would ask where is the universe come from? what would happen after death? Invoking a supernatural being could, temporarily, cure the thirst of knowledge and enable man to continue with the other immediate tasks for survival. No doubt these were difficult questions. Using god as an answer to such questions is just lazy answer and contribute nothing further.
Back to the video, what is the logical fallacy invoked by the video? Answer: The setting up of a false dilemma. Here are the claims:
x: Everything came from nothing
y: Something always existed and created everything
Since x is false, therefore y is true!
The whole argument is another variation of the first principle - the question of the beginning.
We are yet to understand anything before the big bang, but using god as a filler contributes nothing to the understanding or lack of.
The video's last part (from a god to a personal god) is a hasty connection - badly connected. Bible predicts the future???? Where is the evidence?
It is still the same question to the video maker - who created god?
The quest will continue. Stopping at god as a filler is intellectually lazy and irresponsible.
23 February 2009
Priest letter from FSM
I don't usually help publicize recruitment drive for membership of a religion. But here is an exception.
John Birmingham, acting as a preacher from FSM, is reaching out to give a hand to the soon-to-be excommunicated Catholic priest Peter Kennedy. Read in full for more entertainment.
John Birmingham, acting as a preacher from FSM, is reaching out to give a hand to the soon-to-be excommunicated Catholic priest Peter Kennedy. Read in full for more entertainment.
I was angry..
I was very angry when Pentecostal church's leader, Pastor Danny Nalliah blamed the Victoria Bush Fire that has killed 209 people (figure is the confirmed death up today), thousands people homeless and hundreds of homes lost on Victoria's passing the law to make abortion legal. I hate people trying to score political points on other's misfortune.
Daniel Florien comments today:
For those claiming that the bible/god is the source of moral for human society, I would ask them to read the bible closely. Using the god in old testament as a moral standard, this world will be thrown right back to the dark ages. The current commonly accepted moral standards is way higher than whatever was described in those books written thousands of years ago.
Religious leaders should be banned for providing moral viewpoints in public policy and debate. If they want to lobby for their viewpoint, fine! But keep it that way. Religion has no better moral input than any intelligent and honest human being. In fact, the great many hypocrisies shown by so many so called religious leaders actually point to the direction that they are less able to provide any moral judgment than a one year old.
Daniel Florien comments today:
He’s [Danny Nalliah] actually right about that. The God of the Bible enjoys punishing people who had nothing to do with the reason he’s smiting them. To give one example, when Pharaoh didn’t let the Israelites go, the Bible says God killed all the firstborns in Egypt — including the animals. If you look to the God of the Bible for lessons in morality, you’re going to be pretty screwed up.
And if you ask me, a person who blames fires on abortion is pretty screwed up.
For those claiming that the bible/god is the source of moral for human society, I would ask them to read the bible closely. Using the god in old testament as a moral standard, this world will be thrown right back to the dark ages. The current commonly accepted moral standards is way higher than whatever was described in those books written thousands of years ago.
Religious leaders should be banned for providing moral viewpoints in public policy and debate. If they want to lobby for their viewpoint, fine! But keep it that way. Religion has no better moral input than any intelligent and honest human being. In fact, the great many hypocrisies shown by so many so called religious leaders actually point to the direction that they are less able to provide any moral judgment than a one year old.
Quotes
Eskimo: If I did not know about God and sin, would I go to hell? Priest: No, not if you did not know. Eskimo: Then why did you tell me? - Annie Dillard, `Pilgrim at Tinker Creek`
That's exactly the same problem I have with the evangelists. They are setting up a trap for us. Damn!
Luckily, god does not exist anyway. :-)
[ScSS] Firewalking
Common Sense: we cannot walk bare-footed on hot coal.
Fact: We can, if we know how.
Scientific Explanation: Heat transmits via three methods: conduction, convention and radiation. In fire walking, the heat damage to foot, if any, will be caused by conduction. However, coal is very small thermal conductivity, the heat transfers from coal to the sole of the fire walker is small.
Stupidity: It would be stupid to link fire walking to any supernatural power.
Fact: We can, if we know how.
Scientific Explanation: Heat transmits via three methods: conduction, convention and radiation. In fire walking, the heat damage to foot, if any, will be caused by conduction. However, coal is very small thermal conductivity, the heat transfers from coal to the sole of the fire walker is small.
Stupidity: It would be stupid to link fire walking to any supernatural power.
22 February 2009
Quotes
George Bush says he speaks to god every day, and christians love him for it. If George Bush said he spoke to god through his hair dryer, they would think he was mad. I fail to see how the addition of a hair dryer makes it any more absurd. - Unknown
20 February 2009
God Bless USA
If the following reader's letter is typical of the general population in USA, god really needs to come out and help this country.
Luckily, the comments to the letter indicate a much more healthy intelligent and educated USA public.
May USA prosper.
by Dena Malda | Muskegon
Monday February 16, 2009, 11:37 AM
On the Feb. 8 "60 Minutes" program, we were captivated while viewing the Katie Couric interview of the crew and passengers of Flight 1549.
However, we were struck there was not one mention of God, who directs pilots of planes and secures the safety of passengers.
We have written CBS and asked them for more realistic programming. Help protect our freedoms. Write CBS about this.
Luckily, the comments to the letter indicate a much more healthy intelligent and educated USA public.
May USA prosper.
19 February 2009
The power of prayer
From Volume 151, Issue 4, Pages 934-942 (April 2006)
Result section of the abstract below:
If you have problem interpreting the data above, watch the first video linked here. The rest of the videos are entertaining and informative too.
Result section of the abstract below:
In the 2 groups uncertain about receiving intercessory prayer, complications occurred in 52% (315/604) of patients who received intercessory prayer versus 51% (304/597) of those who did not (relative risk 1.02, 95% CI 0.92-1.15). Complications occurred in 59% (352/601) of patients certain of receiving intercessory prayer compared with the 52% (315/604) of those uncertain of receiving intercessory prayer (relative risk 1.14, 95% CI 1.02-1.28). Major events and 30-day mortality were similar across the 3 groups.
If you have problem interpreting the data above, watch the first video linked here. The rest of the videos are entertaining and informative too.
Quotes
He that will not reason is a bigot; he that cannot reason is a fool; he that dares not reason is a slave. - William Drummond
Comment: Reason? Faith-based or evidence-based? Is faith-based thinking reasoning?
Myth: Atheists think they're superior
There are many problems with this myth.
One is that "atheists' is a group and a statement like that should have been backed by at least some form of consensus survey. Being a myth, that obviously has not been done.
Second is the adjective "superior" which is a relative position, superior than what? The implicit comparison is of course towards the opposite of the term atheists, i.e. people who believes in an imaginary god. In this case, I think this statement may be true and valid. Evidence, logic and reason based thinking has obviously advanced the life of human in more than one way. Historically, faith-based thinking has hindered scientific progress. Most atheists do no base their thinking and decision on faith (that's the definition of atheist, I suppose) while religious believers do. Hence, as a group, atheists, is obviously superior in decision making than the comparative group - believers of unproven ancient stories.
"Atheists think they're superior" implies arrogance. Religious evangelists tell people to believe in their imaginary god, it is called "spreading the gospel". When atheists are presenting their ideas and demanding evidence for the existence of god, it is labeled as arrogance. Let see who is more arrogance in the following clip.
Richard Dawkins was obviously angry. I would be too if I was in his position, wouldn't you? But who was arrogance?
OK, Ted Haggard is not representative of evangelists, you may argue. Well he was the chairman of evangelicals until his more interesting private life was exposed. [The follow clip repeats some of the above clip.]
One is that "atheists' is a group and a statement like that should have been backed by at least some form of consensus survey. Being a myth, that obviously has not been done.
Second is the adjective "superior" which is a relative position, superior than what? The implicit comparison is of course towards the opposite of the term atheists, i.e. people who believes in an imaginary god. In this case, I think this statement may be true and valid. Evidence, logic and reason based thinking has obviously advanced the life of human in more than one way. Historically, faith-based thinking has hindered scientific progress. Most atheists do no base their thinking and decision on faith (that's the definition of atheist, I suppose) while religious believers do. Hence, as a group, atheists, is obviously superior in decision making than the comparative group - believers of unproven ancient stories.
"Atheists think they're superior" implies arrogance. Religious evangelists tell people to believe in their imaginary god, it is called "spreading the gospel". When atheists are presenting their ideas and demanding evidence for the existence of god, it is labeled as arrogance. Let see who is more arrogance in the following clip.
Richard Dawkins was obviously angry. I would be too if I was in his position, wouldn't you? But who was arrogance?
OK, Ted Haggard is not representative of evangelists, you may argue. Well he was the chairman of evangelicals until his more interesting private life was exposed. [The follow clip repeats some of the above clip.]
17 February 2009
You Can Lead a Christain to Evidence, but You Can't Make Him Think
I was reading the Excerpt on Amazon on a book titled similar to this post. [Big mistake on my part for wasting my time.] Here is part of one paragraph.
WOW, the author is completely uneducated on the concepts of evolution. By the way, 80-20 mix of N2 and O2 is not the necessary mixture to support life. Fish swim and breathe in water, which is obviously not that miraculous ratio! Recent deep sea discovery has found living organism based on Sulphur instead of oxygen.
We have evolved to live in this miraculous ratio!
Interesting question to ponder: Why deep sea diver breathe a mixture of Helium and Oxygen?
But it's more miraculous than the air just being there. It was fortunate the air was made up of 78.09 percent nitrogen and 20.95 percent oxygen - the exact mixture that his lungs and blood needed to survive. Without that oxygen Adam would have gasped, and his first breath would have been his last. What a miracle of chance that oxygen existed in just the right percentage to maintain Adam's life, and the life of his wide, whom we will ....
WOW, the author is completely uneducated on the concepts of evolution. By the way, 80-20 mix of N2 and O2 is not the necessary mixture to support life. Fish swim and breathe in water, which is obviously not that miraculous ratio! Recent deep sea discovery has found living organism based on Sulphur instead of oxygen.
We have evolved to live in this miraculous ratio!
Interesting question to ponder: Why deep sea diver breathe a mixture of Helium and Oxygen?
400+ Atheism vs. Theism Debates
From the web page
Obviously I have not gone through all of them, in fact none at this time. Just like to share with everyone.
For those who enjoy atheism vs. theism debates, here’s the most complete list you’ll find on the web (406 of them and counting). Please comment with additions or corrections;
Obviously I have not gone through all of them, in fact none at this time. Just like to share with everyone.
16 February 2009
Congratulation to USA
I hope every leader in the world has the same vision and understanding of the importance of Science as Barack Obama. More importantly, I hope this USA president can resist the pressure of vested interests and uphold his commitment to improve the status of Science.
How my funeral may be conducted...
So far, the evidence indicates that I will die someday. So far, the evidence indicates that someone will bury my body.
Let it be known that any useful organs in my dead body may be used for saving someone's life. That's my wish. Let it be known that for any ceremony related to my death, no god should be mentioned. Mentioning god or having a prayer is against my wish.
If I ever become famous, anyone wants to celebrate my birthday, again, no god or prayer may get involved. That's my wish.
I cannot extend my own wish to other people, but I guess most atheist will agree with me on the point of no religious service should be involved.
It would be ironic if Lincoln birthday celebration be opened with a prayer. That would be most insulting to this great USA president.
[Note: There may be controversy whether Lincoln died as an atheist. Again, I can only speak for myself. An atheist, like me, requires evidence to prove the existence of an imaginary friend. An intellect like Lincoln would certainly demand evidence for him to belief in a god. The fact that he reads a bible, like me, I also read the bible, does not constitute evidence about him becoming a christain. In fact, for me at least, the more I read the bible, the less chance that I will become a christain.]
Let it be known that any useful organs in my dead body may be used for saving someone's life. That's my wish. Let it be known that for any ceremony related to my death, no god should be mentioned. Mentioning god or having a prayer is against my wish.
If I ever become famous, anyone wants to celebrate my birthday, again, no god or prayer may get involved. That's my wish.
I cannot extend my own wish to other people, but I guess most atheist will agree with me on the point of no religious service should be involved.
"The Bible is not my book nor Christianity my profession. I could never give assent to the long, complicated statements of Christian dogma."
- Abraham Lincoln, American president (1809-1865).
It would be ironic if Lincoln birthday celebration be opened with a prayer. That would be most insulting to this great USA president.
[Note: There may be controversy whether Lincoln died as an atheist. Again, I can only speak for myself. An atheist, like me, requires evidence to prove the existence of an imaginary friend. An intellect like Lincoln would certainly demand evidence for him to belief in a god. The fact that he reads a bible, like me, I also read the bible, does not constitute evidence about him becoming a christain. In fact, for me at least, the more I read the bible, the less chance that I will become a christain.]
15 February 2009
Atheism for Beginners
I find it strange that we need a post like "Atheism for Beginners". If parents really care about their children and have given them the freedom to choose to belief or not, that, I think, would have been unnecessary. The fact that a lot of parents commit their children to a life-time of religious slavery is the biggest crime humanity is facing today. So a little primer to help to clear the misunderstanding is appropriate. Here are some titles of the resources included:
Atheism is the Absence of Belief in Gods
Atheism is Not a Religion or Ideology
Atheism is Not the Same as Communism
Atheism is Not a Choice or Act of Will
Atheism is Not Incompatible with Morality
Atheists Can Have Meaningful, Loving Lives
Atheism is Not a "Bad Bet"
Quotes
When I think of all the harm [the bible] has done, I despair of ever writing anything to equal it. - Oscar Wilde
SAINT, n. A dead sinner revised and edited. - Ambrose Bierce
There ain't no answer. There ain't going to be any answer. There never has been an answer. That's the answer. - Gertrude Stein
Do not let yourself be deceived: great intellects are skeptical. - Friedrich Nietzsche
Millions long for immortality who don't know what to do with themselves on a rainy Sunday afternoon. - Susan Ertz
God is love, but get it in writing. - Gypsy Rose Lee
Nothing is at last sacred but the integrity of our own mind. - Ralph Waldo Emerson
The fact that a believer is happier than a skeptic is no more to the point than the fact that a drunken man is happier than a sober one. - George Bernard Shaw
Quotes
Believing there’s no God stops me from being solipsistic. I can read ideas from all different people from all different cultures. Without God, we can agree on reality, and I can keep learning where I’m wrong. We can all keep adjusting, so we can really communicate. - LeoPardus
14 February 2009
Quotes
Atheism is more than just the knowledge that gods do not exist, and that religion is either a mistake or a fraud. Atheism is an attitude, a frame of mind that looks at the world objectively, fearlessly, always trying to understand all things as a part of nature. - Carl Sagan
13 February 2009
I am very angry...
From Sydney Morning Herald,
The dream was on October 21 last year. Good memory, the exact day is remembered. So what he has done since? Warn anyone of the coming disaster? Predicted the disaster? Pray for forgiveness?
If it were a punishment from god, what the hell is he doing to help co-ordinate fire relief, including providing trucks to distribute clothes and food and giving his own blood. Is he acting against god's will?
What a ton of BS!
Our weatherman predicted the situation. Our fire authority has been preparing. The climate is warming. This is the result of dry weather followed by extremely hot dry wind. No more, no less. We are at the mercy of natural events, not god who does not exist anyway!
By the way, the Red Cross Bush Fire Relief fund has raised over 100M. Great work, Auzzies!
The Catch the Fire Ministries has tried to blame the bushfires disaster on laws decriminalising abortion in Victoria.
The Pentecostal church's leader, Pastor Danny Nalliah, claimed he had a dream about raging fires on October 21 last year and that he woke with "a flash from the Spirit of God: that His conditional protection has been removed from the nation of Australia, in particular Victoria, for approving the slaughter of innocent children in the womb".
The dream was on October 21 last year. Good memory, the exact day is remembered. So what he has done since? Warn anyone of the coming disaster? Predicted the disaster? Pray for forgiveness?
If it were a punishment from god, what the hell is he doing to help co-ordinate fire relief, including providing trucks to distribute clothes and food and giving his own blood. Is he acting against god's will?
What a ton of BS!
Our weatherman predicted the situation. Our fire authority has been preparing. The climate is warming. This is the result of dry weather followed by extremely hot dry wind. No more, no less. We are at the mercy of natural events, not god who does not exist anyway!
By the way, the Red Cross Bush Fire Relief fund has raised over 100M. Great work, Auzzies!
Victoria Bush Fire 2009 flickr group
If you have photos of the recent Victoria Bush fire, please consider joining the group and put your photographs into the group. Let's create a memory of what has happened.
Australia Unites telethon
Channel Nine did a fund raising show last night. The following clip shows Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban showing support and donating half a million to the cause.
After the show, the Red Cross Bush Fire Relief Fund would have raised over 60M and I hope the effort will not stop here because the destruction was so huge that that 60M will only be a drop in the ocean.
Here are other videos I found on Youtube:
The Australian anthem
The link to donate is here and give blood if you can.
After the show, the Red Cross Bush Fire Relief Fund would have raised over 60M and I hope the effort will not stop here because the destruction was so huge that that 60M will only be a drop in the ocean.
Here are other videos I found on Youtube:
The Australian anthem
The link to donate is here and give blood if you can.
Atheist billboards do not diminish God
Atheist billboards do not diminish God! True, because there is no god and the billboards give god a chance to be there. The atheist billboards, in fact, has enhanced god.
12 February 2009
11 February 2009
Pastor's self reflection?
You make me say it has a post on a preacher commenting on the commercials of Superbowl. Like him, I am inserting my comments after his.
"The commercials are selling us things and I want people in the church to think about what they're being sold"
[PhillyChief] Does that include thinking about what they're being sold in church?
[me] At least commercials are selling things, better than the church selling un-supported century old myths.
"What it got me thinking about was those habits in our lives that we know are self-destructive and are bad for us, but we do them anyway, "
[PhillyChief] Like praying for help rather than being proactive, preferring make-believe over reality, willful ignorance, and general gullibility?
[me] Going to church is a prefect example!
"Are we letting the media affect and rule our lives, or are we letting our faith do that?"
[PhillyChief] Pick your poison. I'm not sure which is worse.
[me] The missing choice, which is the correct answer, is evidence-based inquiry and logical decisions should be the base of our living and behaviour.
"I was taught that if you don't have anything nice to say then don't say it."
[PhillyChief] I think pointing out the inherent harm in religious belief is a very nice thing to do, like warning people of the dangers of smoking, alcohol, drugs, and over eating.
[me] Unfortunately, telling the truth such as "god does not exist" is a not nice thing to say to some, but is absolutely necessary to cure many of the evils of the modern society.
"When after life has passed you do & will find out there is 1 & only 1 true God you can't say you weren't told so."
[PhillyChief] Certainly not. I've been told by Muslims, Jews, various Christian sects, and other religions. I wonder which one might be right, if any? Who do you think will have it worse if there's an afterlife, the ones who didn't believe in any god, or the ones who believed in the wrong one? Hmmm...
[me] After I die, there will be nothing. There is no god, period. Enjoy life while you can. You can only live once!
"Where do you think that we all came from???"
[PhillyChief] How is it that if one can't definitively answer that, then the answer MUST BE a magical being of infinite power, knowledge and goodness willed into being all of reality, pulled the first man out of the ground, fashioned the first woman by ripping out one of that man's ribs, set them into a garden of perfection from which they were evicted for being tricked into eating a forbidden apple by a talking snake, and forever after humanity must bow and worship this being's son (who is also him) who was "sacrificed" (he got better) so we don't have to suffer hell for any "sin" we commit or for the "sin" of that first man and woman? How does one get from A to B there, old timer?
[me] We are the fortunate generation that at this point of the evolution, we are able to enjoy the fruit of the hard work accumulated from our ancestors. Where do I come from? From my mother's belly with the help from my father's sperm, you dumb dumb!
"The commercials are selling us things and I want people in the church to think about what they're being sold"
[PhillyChief] Does that include thinking about what they're being sold in church?
[me] At least commercials are selling things, better than the church selling un-supported century old myths.
"What it got me thinking about was those habits in our lives that we know are self-destructive and are bad for us, but we do them anyway, "
[PhillyChief] Like praying for help rather than being proactive, preferring make-believe over reality, willful ignorance, and general gullibility?
[me] Going to church is a prefect example!
"Are we letting the media affect and rule our lives, or are we letting our faith do that?"
[PhillyChief] Pick your poison. I'm not sure which is worse.
[me] The missing choice, which is the correct answer, is evidence-based inquiry and logical decisions should be the base of our living and behaviour.
"I was taught that if you don't have anything nice to say then don't say it."
[PhillyChief] I think pointing out the inherent harm in religious belief is a very nice thing to do, like warning people of the dangers of smoking, alcohol, drugs, and over eating.
[me] Unfortunately, telling the truth such as "god does not exist" is a not nice thing to say to some, but is absolutely necessary to cure many of the evils of the modern society.
"When after life has passed you do & will find out there is 1 & only 1 true God you can't say you weren't told so."
[PhillyChief] Certainly not. I've been told by Muslims, Jews, various Christian sects, and other religions. I wonder which one might be right, if any? Who do you think will have it worse if there's an afterlife, the ones who didn't believe in any god, or the ones who believed in the wrong one? Hmmm...
[me] After I die, there will be nothing. There is no god, period. Enjoy life while you can. You can only live once!
"Where do you think that we all came from???"
[PhillyChief] How is it that if one can't definitively answer that, then the answer MUST BE a magical being of infinite power, knowledge and goodness willed into being all of reality, pulled the first man out of the ground, fashioned the first woman by ripping out one of that man's ribs, set them into a garden of perfection from which they were evicted for being tricked into eating a forbidden apple by a talking snake, and forever after humanity must bow and worship this being's son (who is also him) who was "sacrificed" (he got better) so we don't have to suffer hell for any "sin" we commit or for the "sin" of that first man and woman? How does one get from A to B there, old timer?
[me] We are the fortunate generation that at this point of the evolution, we are able to enjoy the fruit of the hard work accumulated from our ancestors. Where do I come from? From my mother's belly with the help from my father's sperm, you dumb dumb!
Victoria Bush Fire update 5
Arsonists struck in north-east Victoria overnight, diverting crews from blazes that have already contributed to the worst bushfire disaster in the state's history. At this time, the death toll remains at 181 and Red Cross bushfire appeal has raised over $31Million. A contrast of the bad and good side of humanity.
[photos from ABC]
[photos from ABC]
Victoria Bush Fire videos
These are the videos I found on youtube, so statistics reported in the videos were incorrect by now.
10 February 2009
Victoria Bush Fire update 4
The death toll continued to raise overnight, reaching 173 confirmed deaths now. Unfortunately, the number is expected to increase as authority goes over the damaged/destroyed homes.
A featured story from 7:30 Report last night told the survival ordeal of a couple with 25 years experience living in the bush.
"We had wet towels, we were trying to mop up the embers as they were coming through," he said.
Janice Hughes describes it as like being the target of an Uzi machine pistol attack.
"As fast as you were with the wet towel, trying to keep the embers out ... if you were up the top, they were coming in the bottom, because a towel isn't the whole length of a door," she said.
Their escape was a remarkable decision made at the blink:
They got in the car and put the air-conditioning on.
"I knew at the top of our driveway were trees and I was worried that they obviously were burning," he said.
"So I tried to back the car a bit further away from the house, 'cause our other car by then was well alight and I was worried about the fuel tank going. And then the roof of our house just ruptured open with flame and the wind was beginning to blow the metal off and towards us."
He was left with the choice was to stay at the house and die, to drive out of the driveway and probably die at the gate in flames, or to stay in the thin strip of land that had already been burnt.
Eventually, it was a thin strip of burnt land that saved their lives.
09 February 2009
Victoria Bush Fire update 3
At this point, over 130 people were confirmed dead, over 400 people were admitted into emergency units across the state, over 750 houses lost, 4,500 people have become homeless, ...
At the time of great distress, we also see the better side of humanity, volunteers helping each other. Today, a record 6,000 people have donated blood, over AUD6 Million have been received by the Relief fund, many clothes were sent to the relief centres. Volunteers, fire fighters, specialists police officers, Australia Defense and everyone have been mobilised.
Although this was the biggest and worse bush fire Victoria has faced, unfortunately, we have not seen the worse yet. On that day, there was a cool change late afternoon and a number of cool days followed. [Today, the Melbourne max temperature is 24C, at least 20 degrees cooler.] When the next hot day strikes, the hellish bush fire may start at the middle of a hot period. The destruction in the later days will be even worse.
Victoria government has announced a royal commission inquiry, hoping to learn everything we can from this and prepare better plans. As we are counting the loss, we should remind ourselves that the global warming and the climate were caused by human in the first place.
Quotes
I would defend the liberty of consenting adult creationists to practice whatever intellectual perversions they like in the privacy of their own homes; but it is also necessary to protect the young and innocent. - Arthur C. Clarke
When I am asked "what is your religion?", my answer is ...
When I am asked "what is your religion?", my answer is "Not applicable".
Europe belief in god
We would expect there are some white regions. Unfortunately not. Isn't it a very sad state in human's evolution? With all the advances and knowledge, people still believe in an imaginary myth!
[modified from source, 2005 data]
[modified from source, 2005 data]
The Difference between god and God
People who use the capital version "God" is superstitious because they are paying undue respect to an imaginary myth. god does not exist. Prove its existence to me if you want me to change my position.
BTW, I have gone through these arguments, you better come up with something new to convince me.
BTW, I have gone through these arguments, you better come up with something new to convince me.
How we can help...
How we can help with the recent Victoria Bush Fire
To donate to the Red Cross State Government Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund:
Victoria Government and Red Cross Fund:
* Visit www.redcross.org.au
* Phone 1800 811 700 (Red Cross hot line)
* By direct deposit to the Victorian Bushfire Relief Fund - BSB 082-001, Account number 860-046-797
Myer Bushfire Appeal
* All proceeds to the Salvation Army. Donate at any Victorian Myer store
* Any NAB, ANZ, Westpac or Commonwealth Bank branch (ask where the money would go)
* Any Bunnings store (ask where the money would go)
* Donate blood (Burnt victims need blood for their operations)
To donate to the Red Cross State Government Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund:
Victoria Government and Red Cross Fund:
* Visit www.redcross.org.au
* Phone 1800 811 700 (Red Cross hot line)
* By direct deposit to the Victorian Bushfire Relief Fund - BSB 082-001, Account number 860-046-797
Myer Bushfire Appeal
* All proceeds to the Salvation Army. Donate at any Victorian Myer store
* Any NAB, ANZ, Westpac or Commonwealth Bank branch (ask where the money would go)
* Any Bunnings store (ask where the money would go)
* Donate blood (Burnt victims need blood for their operations)
Victoria Bush Fire update 2
Victoria's bushfires have so far claimed the lives of at least 108 people, although the death toll is expect to rise. The damages were widespread. [Photos from ABC]
08 February 2009
Victoria Bush Fire update
At the moment, over 65 people have been confirmed dead, over 600 homes destroyed, many towns totally wiped out and many suffered burns.
Slide show of the destruction links:
ABC
Channel Nine
Channel Seven
Herald Sun
The Age
Rules on owning a sex slave
When a man sells his daughter as a slave, she will not be freed at the end of six years as the men are. If she does not please the man who bought her, he may allow her to be bought back again. But he is not allowed to sell her to foreigners, since he is the one who broke the contract with her. And if the slave girl's owner arranges for her to marry his son, he may no longer treat her as a slave girl, but he must treat her as his daughter. If he himself marries her and then takes another wife, he may not reduce her food or clothing or fail to sleep with her as his wife. If he fails in any of these three ways, she may leave as a free woman without making any payment. Exodus 21:7-11
WOW, I now know how to treat "her".
Christmas Song
Well, it is not the time, but why not?
[and to my brown eye girl, it does not need to be Christmas, whatever the cause, you can come home to find me and your mum waiting for you.]
Lyrics
[and to my brown eye girl, it does not need to be Christmas, whatever the cause, you can come home to find me and your mum waiting for you.]
Lyrics
I'm looking forward to Christmas
It's sentimental I know, but I just really like it
I'm, I'm hardly religious
I'd rather break bread with Dawkins than Desmond Tutu to be honest
And yes I have all of the usual objections to consumerism
The commercialisation of an ancient religion
And the western-isation of a dead Palestinian
Press-ganged into selling PlayStations and beer
But I still really like it.
I, I really like Christmas
Though I'm not expecting a visit from Jesus
I'll be seeing my dad
My brother and sisters, my gran and my mum
They'll be drinking white wine in the sun
I'll be seeing my dad
My sisters and brother, my gran and my mum
We'll be drinking white wine in the sun.
I don't go for ancient wisdom
I don't believe just 'cause ideas are tenacious it means that they're worthy
I get freaked out by churches
Some of the hymns that they sing have nice chords
But the lyrics are dodgy
And yes I have all of the usual objections to the mis-education of children forced into a cult institution
And taughted to externalise blame
And to feel ashamed
And to judge things as plain right and wrong
But I quite like the songs.
I'm not expecting big presents
The old combination of socks, jocks and chocolate is just fine by me.
'Cause I'll be seeing my dad
My brother and sisters, my gran and my mum
They'll be drinking white wine in the sun
I'll be seeing my dad
My sisters and brothers, my gran and my mum
They'll be drinking white wine in the sun.
And you my baby girl
My jetlagged infant daughter
You'll be handed round the room
Like a puppy at a primary school
And you're too young to know
But you will learn yourself one day
That wherever you are and whatever you face
These are the people who'll make you feel safe in this world
My sweet blue-eyed girl
And if my baby girl
When you're twenty-one or thirty-one
And Christmas comes around
And you find yourself nine thousand miles from home
You'll know whatever comes
Your brother and sister, and me and your mum
Will be waiting for you in the sun
Girl, when Christmas comes
Your brothers and sisters, your aunts and your uncles
Your grandparents, cousins, and me and your mum
Will be drinking white wine in the sun
We'll be waiting for you in the sun
Baby, whenever you come
We'll be drinking white wine in the sun
Waiting.
I, I really like Christmas
It's sentimental I know.
Hands clamped together in prayers are useless hands
[photo source]
I totally agree with Orion77 from Tails and Gills to point out the hypocrisy of religions during time of distress. Hands clamped together in prayers are useless hands. This is the time for their recruitment, which IMO should be illegal.
If we want to help, show our concern and appreciation to the men and women fighting the worse bush fire ever in Victoria Australa, we can help organise some refreshment, relief or evacuate the old and weak. Better still, enroll to be a volunteer.
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