Comments by Laurie Fraser

651. The Religious Support Behind Proposition 8

Comment #293358 by Laurie Fraser on November 28, 2008 at 8:35 pm

Comment #293354 by Bonzai

And we have the egregious Nick Cave :-(

652. The Religious Support Behind Proposition 8

Comment #293352 by Laurie Fraser on November 28, 2008 at 8:30 pm

Sharon, you can have AC/DC and Kylie (The Singing Budgerigar) Minogue for free. I know who got the better deal :)

653. The Religious Support Behind Proposition 8

Comment #293344 by Laurie Fraser on November 28, 2008 at 8:19 pm

I love Canada. She gave us The Band.

654. Does Religion Make You Nice?

Comment #293295 by Laurie Fraser on November 28, 2008 at 5:57 pm

Mitchell, get two sheets of A4 paper. Make a small hole in one, and draw an X on the other. Laying the paper with the X on the table, hold the one with the hole above it. Keep both eyes open and move the paper in your hands until you see the X. Close one eye, then the other. Whichever eye sees the X is the dominant one.

655. Does Religion Make You Nice?

Comment #293283 by Laurie Fraser on November 28, 2008 at 5:11 pm

Brian - my "handedness" is exactly the same as yours. Completely left-dominant except for guitar, cricket bat, golf-club.

656. Does Religion Make You Nice?

Comment #293282 by Laurie Fraser on November 28, 2008 at 5:06 pm

epeeist - brilliant idea! I'm up for a bit of skewering!

657. The Religious Support Behind Proposition 8

Comment #292467 by Laurie Fraser on November 27, 2008 at 5:45 pm

Subversive, you say? Hmm... my kinda guy. I'll look it up.

658. The Religious Support Behind Proposition 8

Comment #292465 by Laurie Fraser on November 27, 2008 at 5:42 pm

Never heard of it, Brian. What's it about?

659. The Religious Support Behind Proposition 8

Comment #292462 by Laurie Fraser on November 27, 2008 at 5:39 pm

Ah, Dasein - thanks, Brian. (Actually, I'm a television ignoramus. I never watch commercial TV, and only news and current affairs on the ABC/SBS. A dinosaur, in other words.)

660. The Religious Support Behind Proposition 8

Comment #292460 by Laurie Fraser on November 27, 2008 at 5:27 pm

What's House?

661. Does Religion Make You Nice?

Comment #292451 by Laurie Fraser on November 27, 2008 at 4:44 pm

Frankus - This is where I hang out in summer:

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=AzXB78o0gvU&feature=related

662. The Religious Support Behind Proposition 8

Comment #292441 by Laurie Fraser on November 27, 2008 at 4:24 pm

Steve - what is "Heroes"? Is my GQ diminished because I can't stand Kylie Minogue? Any other tests that I might be aware of? For me, you'd probably have to go back to 60s or 70s culture. I've been AWOL from pop culture for a long time.

663. The Religious Support Behind Proposition 8

Comment #292433 by Laurie Fraser on November 27, 2008 at 4:11 pm

That's it! We've all gone to the dark side. I blame Bernstein - he started this!

664. The Religious Support Behind Proposition 8

Comment #292424 by Laurie Fraser on November 27, 2008 at 4:02 pm

Don't know what you're talking about, Hazel. (Now, if only I could get these sequins properly on my blouse...)

665. The Religious Support Behind Proposition 8

Comment #292405 by Laurie Fraser on November 27, 2008 at 3:38 pm

"tiff" - "smith"???????

666. The Religious Support Behind Proposition 8

Comment #292403 by Laurie Fraser on November 27, 2008 at 3:35 pm

Brian English, as ever incorrigible
But his rhyming scheme is porridgible.

667. The Religious Support Behind Proposition 8

Comment #292397 by Laurie Fraser on November 27, 2008 at 3:30 pm

It doesn't matter if we get all artsy,
We'll still cop shit from a topic Nazi.

668. The Religious Support Behind Proposition 8

Comment #292394 by Laurie Fraser on November 27, 2008 at 3:26 pm

No, that's pretty good, Brian.

669. The Religious Support Behind Proposition 8

Comment #292386 by Laurie Fraser on November 27, 2008 at 3:22 pm

In rhyme, Brian's not in the hunt
The deluded Victorian ....

(I knew we'd eventually get dirty, B.)

670. The Religious Support Behind Proposition 8

Comment #292384 by Laurie Fraser on November 27, 2008 at 3:18 pm

The mighty God Quetz needs a roast
For shamelessly plugging his post.

671. The Religious Support Behind Proposition 8

Comment #291837 by Laurie Fraser on November 26, 2008 at 9:47 pm

How many times has Bernstein hit the reset button since I was on last night, Carto?

672. Atheist Foundation of Australia Bus Slogan Rejected!

Comment #291836 by Laurie Fraser on November 26, 2008 at 9:43 pm

Nice one, Dingo Dave!

673. Does Religion Make You Nice?

Comment #291737 by Laurie Fraser on November 26, 2008 at 5:21 pm

Comment #291734 by secondsoprano

*claps* Nice - actually, ss, I have no idea of your gender, and it doesn't matter a hoot anyway.

Now - must get off and do some more work. Tata.

674. Does Religion Make You Nice?

Comment #291733 by Laurie Fraser on November 26, 2008 at 5:14 pm

It's the men in tights syndrome, D. Errol Flynn started it, remember'

675. Does Religion Make You Nice?

Comment #291732 by Laurie Fraser on November 26, 2008 at 5:13 pm

Oops. Sorry, ss, I called you a bloke. Oh well, in Australia, all sheilas are honorary blokes.

*runs*

676. Does Religion Make You Nice?

Comment #291730 by Laurie Fraser on November 26, 2008 at 5:11 pm

Bugger! You blokes are just way too edumacated for me.

677. Does Religion Make You Nice?

Comment #291727 by Laurie Fraser on November 26, 2008 at 5:05 pm

"Supernatural" is blokes with their red underpants on the outside of their blue lycra tights who can fly, Steve.

678. The Religious Support Behind Proposition 8

Comment #291084 by Laurie Fraser on November 26, 2008 at 5:42 am

Must get sleep. Goodnight all.

679. The Religious Support Behind Proposition 8

Comment #291068 by Laurie Fraser on November 26, 2008 at 5:32 am

All we need to say is that such desires pose a threat to children and therefore need to be addressed. Paedophilia could be as natural as homosexuality, but that does not mean society should treat it the same way.

Cart before the horse, PBUM. For that matter, you could say that heterosexuality was "unnatural". If anything is a mental illness, paedophilia is. A mental illness can be defined, inter alia, as a condition which finds the afflicted fantasising about relationships which are not physically, psychologically or developmentally requitable. If you found someone who had a fantasy about screwing the Empire State Building, would you not find that somewhat alarming?

680. The Religious Support Behind Proposition 8

Comment #291045 by Laurie Fraser on November 26, 2008 at 5:17 am

Comment #291042 by jabber

Spot on, Jabber.

681. The Religious Support Behind Proposition 8

Comment #291037 by Laurie Fraser on November 26, 2008 at 5:13 am

Comment #291034 by Serdan

You are fucking kidding me, son. If someone is sexually attracted to pre-pubescent children, then they are, ipso facto, mentally ill.

682. The Religious Support Behind Proposition 8

Comment #291028 by Laurie Fraser on November 26, 2008 at 5:04 am

Comment #291011 by Serdan

For the sake of argument: Yes. I'm a pedophile. I have a sexual preference for prepubescent children. I also think that children are sacred and would never harm a young person. So does this mean that I am not normal' Is it grounds for discrimination'

Yes! of course it means you are not normal, whether you decide to act on your paedophilic leanings or not. You are, in fact, mentally ill. (Not meaning you, Serdan - this is just for the sake of argument.) It is not grounds for discrimination, but it is reason for the person afflicted by paedophilic desire to be helped. Someone with this illness who does not act on his fantasies is to be commended for his self-control, but should also have enough self-awareness to seek treatment. In the end, children are sacred, if that is to mean that they should enjoy the right to complete their childhood free of sexual predation.

683. The Religious Support Behind Proposition 8

Comment #290996 by Laurie Fraser on November 26, 2008 at 4:37 am

whitepearl

Laurie,

Ahhh yes all we need now is 8. And an understood that all of us are drinking on the other side of the computer.

Well - it's Heineken for me, as we speak. OK - I'll PM 8, Brian and Goldy for a meet-up on a disused thread. This Friday or next - what time? The Antipodean afternoon seemed to be the best for everyone - what does that make it in central US? (Hopefully, we can do this.)

684. The Religious Support Behind Proposition 8

Comment #290981 by Laurie Fraser on November 26, 2008 at 4:19 am

Hey Mord, wp - it's just like the old Fridays. All we need now is 8! And start derailing by talking about music.

685. The Religious Support Behind Proposition 8

Comment #290976 by Laurie Fraser on November 26, 2008 at 4:16 am

Mord - PM for you.

686. The Religious Support Behind Proposition 8

Comment #290974 by Laurie Fraser on November 26, 2008 at 4:14 am

whitepearl - totally correct, my good woman. (Nice to see you up and around, BTW)

Decius - spot on, comrade. When gays are denied rights, my rights, as well, are diminished. I want to be able to go to my gay friends' weddings, and celebrate their love for each other with them. I don't want to be a part of some shameful farce that hides itself away from society. My wedding day was fantastic - all of my friends and family were there, and I felt buoyed by their good will towards me and my wife. Why should anyone be denied that right?

687. The Religious Support Behind Proposition 8

Comment #290945 by Laurie Fraser on November 26, 2008 at 3:47 am

Comment #290933 by Serdan

For your information, the vast majority of paedophiliac crimes occur between male criminals and female victims. Paedophilia is not a crime specific to sexual orientation. I happen to be an expert in this area, as for the past twenty years I have worked in gaols with prisoners who are guilty of paedophiliac crimes. I return to my previous question: what has being gay got to do with paedophilia? And, while I'm at it - just what does your statement "both have to do with sexual attraction" mean, anyway? You ask if there is any fundamental difference other than the focus of attraction. Let me ask you something. Are you attracted to children? No? Good - then you are normal, like the vast majority of straights and gays.

688. The Religious Support Behind Proposition 8

Comment #290931 by Laurie Fraser on November 26, 2008 at 3:32 am

Quetz - thanks, and replied.

689. The Religious Support Behind Proposition 8

Comment #290929 by Laurie Fraser on November 26, 2008 at 3:30 am

Comment #290926 by Serdan

I don't know whether you are trying to be funny or something, Serdan, but you are way off beam. What has being gay got to do with paedophilia? Please answer before I consider you a complete fuckwit.

690. The Religious Support Behind Proposition 8

Comment #290927 by Laurie Fraser on November 26, 2008 at 3:26 am

Mord - bugger. I empathise, mate. Nevertheless, I'll be toasting your implied presence in Dublin! How is your little bloke, by the way?

691. The Religious Support Behind Proposition 8

Comment #290923 by Laurie Fraser on November 26, 2008 at 3:22 am

Jabber - I see your point, but am not necessarily in agreement. I'm straight, but have never had the slightest problem (aversion, disdain, call it what you will) to gay people. Gays have been part and parcel of my life since I was a teenager, four decades ago. I really don't see how people can get worked up over the fact that some people choose partners of their own sex. I mean, it's beyond me. Why on earth should we relate differently to someone based on their sexual preference? Sorry, it just evades me - it is completely stupid.

692. The Religious Support Behind Proposition 8

Comment #290917 by Laurie Fraser on November 26, 2008 at 3:16 am

Quetz - PM me with wp's facebook name (and yours, for that matter.)

693. The Religious Support Behind Proposition 8

Comment #290911 by Laurie Fraser on November 26, 2008 at 3:09 am

Quetz - I agree. Whilst this site may appeal to those who claim "atheism", it is, moreso, a site that inculcates the development of reason and critical thinking. One of my mottos, if you like, is an aphorism of Hegel: "If it's real, it's rational; if it's rational, it's real".

694. The Religious Support Behind Proposition 8

Comment #290906 by Laurie Fraser on November 26, 2008 at 3:05 am

G'day Mord - me too. Unfortunately for me, this time of the year is a bugger for work, so I have to ration my time on RD.net. I think our girl is still not yet sound after her accident. Hopefully she'll be OK before too long. She has informed me that she'll be making it to Dublin. What about you? It would be great if you could go.

695. 'Probably' the best atheist bus campaign ever

Comment #290903 by Laurie Fraser on November 26, 2008 at 3:00 am

Vaal - that's bizarre. Here is a member of an organisation that reaps millions of tax-free dollars every year castigating an atheist organisation for getting funding. This needs to be shouted from the rooftops.

P.S. - we still on for the Test? (with Steve?)

696. The Religious Support Behind Proposition 8

Comment #290900 by Laurie Fraser on November 26, 2008 at 2:56 am

To deny the right of someone to marry their same-sex partner is irrational. If it is irrational, it is wrong: legally, ethically and practically. In this debate, Bernstein has been shown, again and again, the paucity of his argument. That he is unwilling to adjust his position after a great deal of rational argument that demonstrates his mistake shows that his problem is more deep-seated than reason can budge. Bernstein, why can you not accept the overwhelming weight of evidence and logic that has been placed before you? Your position, vis a vis your recalcitrance, smacks of fundamentalism.

697. Hitchens Debates Rabbi Wolpe on God

Comment #290771 by Laurie Fraser on November 25, 2008 at 7:02 pm

You want female singers' Angelique Kidjou. The absolute, knock-out, best.

698. Does Religion Make You Nice?

Comment #290212 by Laurie Fraser on November 24, 2008 at 7:52 pm

When you would like to have a civil debate I'm in. I love this.

Sorry, mate - as you said, life is short, and I've got better things to do than debate with you. My advice: go away and learn for a few years, then come back and say sorry for wasting our time.

699. Does Religion Make You Nice?

Comment #290206 by Laurie Fraser on November 24, 2008 at 7:45 pm

Comment #290205 by Wosret

Perhaps Steve's become a devotee of Schelling, whose philosophy was described by Hegel as "the night in which all black cows are black."

Splitter!

700. Does Religion Make You Nice?

Comment #290204 by Laurie Fraser on November 24, 2008 at 7:42 pm

Comment #290197 by secondsoprano

Start asking them if they would really refuse a blood transfusion if their kids needed one. Then ask them why they don't let their kids celebrate birthdays, etc. I'm sure you'll be able to wipe the floor with them on those two, SS.