51. Top 6 Incestuous Relationships In The Bible

Comment #185325 by scottishgeologist on May 27, 2008 at 1:00 pm

Love that Lot story. Girls got their dad so pissed that they were able to do the deed with him without him knowing. And not remembering it either.

In which case he was SERIOUSLY sozzled. Yet still managed to get a hard on and presumably fire his pink pop gun...

So no "brewers droop" in those days. Praise the sweet name of the Lord!!!

Anywy, good version of the tale here:

http://www.thebricktestament.com/genesis/the_seduction_of_lot/gn19_30.html

This one is good:

http://www.thebricktestament.com/genesis/the_seduction_of_lot/gn19_35b.html

Reverse cowgirl? Sweet!

SG

52. Discussion between Richard Dawkins and Paula Kirby

Comment #178309 by scottishgeologist on May 11, 2008 at 6:29 am

Donald Boyd?

Hahhhh!! Used to be a minister in the FP Church (Uber-fundies) www.fpchurch.org.uk Go on I dare you, have a look at it....

Got thrown out the FPs for haveing an affair!!!!

Man, it just gets better. All we need now is Wendy Alexander's opinion.... No, no dont go there.....

:-)))
SG

53. Church of Scotland mediators to quell disputes

Comment #178307 by scottishgeologist on May 11, 2008 at 6:24 am

Paula

Good analysis of this nonsense, and worthwhile pointing out the different churches etc. The presbyterian "church scene" in Scotland is definitely "Pythonesque"

The conflicts mentioned in that article definitely affect David Robertsons church as well - possibly more so. Because they are more "conservative" the resistence to chenge is greater. But, this is the good bit, the NEED for change is greater as well. If they dont, they will simply evaporate in a puff of irrelevance

There are postings on the FCOS web forum which talk of "worship wars".

Keep watching, it could get interesting. Tell you one thing, if there is a "Worship War", then DR will be right in the thick of it.

For a laugh, all of you check out this guys website (its not really churchy, its about genealogy, but he includes church stuff because its useful. He sums it all up rather well)

http://website.lineone.net/~davghalgh/churchhistorytext.html

And look at this chart on this page:

http://website.lineone.net/~davghalgh/churchhistory.html


However, and this is important, the diagram doesnt include the "Free Church Continuing" who broke away from the FCOS in 2000.

You cant make this up...., you really cant...

:-)))
SG

54. Was the new finger a 'natural' miracle?

Comment #174621 by scottishgeologist on May 3, 2008 at 2:33 am

Teratornis

LOL, that was funny. Actually, maybe this is how male Jews who decide to leave the faith can get their entire bodies back....

Actually, going back to this story, I dont know whats worse - "pixie dust" or "fervent prayer for healing"

Oh well, a welcome diversion from the "Boris 'n' Ken" show...

:-))
SG

55. Lynchings in Congo as penis theft panic hits capital

Comment #167059 by scottishgeologist on April 23, 2008 at 3:17 pm

Isnt it amazing how the word "Pythonesque" is still necessary?

But seriously folks, there is a bad, BAD downside to this lunacy. Countries that have a tradition of this sort of "folk superstition" are absolutely ripe for the pentecostal charismaniacs.

Check out the names "Reinhardt Bonnke" in Nigeria and "Heidi Baker" in Mozambique.

Go on, check out these names and you'll see what I mean.

Pentecostalism FLOURISHES in places like this. Its almost as if they have in-built bullshit receptors.

So we mighty laugh at the stupidity of this sort of thing. In a few years, they might well be waving their arms about to Shine Jesus Shine and getting "slain in the spirit"....

Grim

SG

56. The Child Preachers

Comment #164276 by scottishgeologist on April 20, 2008 at 12:42 am

I came across this just this morning. Child abuse or what

Heres the URL (Go down to the 11/04/08 entry, read and weep)

http://www.christianstogether.net/Publisher/Article.aspx?id=85080


(Heres a snippet of this:

"They are never out of our sight, and have never been babysat, other than one night for the oldest, when the younger was being born, at the home of the "safest" Christian friends we could find. We have kept them separate from the children of most all of the professing believers that we know, because their children are immersed in a world of television, public school, videos and video games, lots of time at the mall, community childrens' programs, etc., all of which are manifesting early in ways that should be causing alarm bells in the parents, but don't."

Scary or what.

But perhaps more worrying, why is this article on a "Highlands and Islands" web site? Even the most conservative FCOS types I can think of wouldnt approve of this!

SG

57. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #162050 by scottishgeologist on April 16, 2008 at 4:19 am

Guys

Not too sure what to make of this RM conversion nonsense. He posted on the FCOS forum the following:

"The first time I was "born again" (Yep - done it three times! Every time the people told me that I hadn't done it properly the last time!)"

So he's now a BAC for the FOURTH time?

'kin 'ell.....

This to me shows one of two things:

1) Calvinism's 5th point "Perseverence of the Saints" or "Once saved always saved" is a load of wank

2) RM is just screwed up. I suspect that if he is, then religion isnt going to help, it'll just make it worse.

Or maybe its both....

Whatever, DR might try to make some sort of capital out of it. On the other hand DR isnt stupid - he might NOT want to make capital out of the "conversion" of someone who's been "converted" 3 times already (bad for his calvinism, qv)

time to move on...

:-)) SG

58. Fleabytes

Comment #156094 by scottishgeologist on April 6, 2008 at 5:13 pm

Paula

You know in a way,I am almost quite sad becasue of that Christian Focus nonsense. I use dto have a lot of respect for CFP. I still have some of their books in my library.

Seemed like a decent sort of local firm doing whatthey believed in. Now they just look dishonest.

I used to know the sister of one of CFP's employees. She was wild. Like really wild. I had the wonderful pleasure of extracting her 4 inch stilleto from a ditch she had fallen in, and then replacing it on her fishnet encased foot....

Simply wonderful........

:-))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
SG

59. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #155912 by scottishgeologist on April 6, 2008 at 9:48 am

Billy:

"belief in an invisible, mute, odorless used celestial jam rag? "

Interesting phrase there!!

Reminds me of "and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags" â€"Isaiah 64:6"

The "filthy rags" spoken of in this passage is of course the bronze age equivalent of Tampax......

Bet you didnt get that in Sunday School!!

:-))
SG

60. Protests no concern for outspoken atheist

Comment #155810 by scottishgeologist on April 5, 2008 at 11:57 pm

D'Arcy

Very, Very revealing report from the Guardian there.

Ken Ham AND Monty White at a "Creation Conference". No big deal.

But note the venue - Westminster Chapel. Westminster Chapel is one of THE evangelical hothouses - previous ministers were Martyn Lloyd Jones, Campbell Morgan and RT Kendall

This article shows that mainstream evangelicalism may well be endorsing the YEC position more and more.

I alwys thought that the more "reasonable" evangies didnt want anything to do with it. Obviously not.

And also interesting, David Robertson, our clearthinker friend did an interview with RT Kendall in his monthly magazine a short while back. Full of glowing praise for the guy, so it was.

RT Kendall is a charismaniac. Charismaniacs seem to be the worst offenders when it comes to endorsing YEC.

Looks like the polarisation that I spoke of in another post is rapidly happening - middle of the road churches are disappearing or being "renewed" into charismaniac nut-houses.

The battle lines are being clearly drawn

SG

61. Pastor attacks scientist's talk

Comment #155579 by scottishgeologist on April 5, 2008 at 12:55 am

BigC

Yes, the "Wee Frees" - studying groups like this is a fascinating exercise in itself. However there are a couple of points I would make

1) There are a mind numbingly amazing varieties of calvinist churches in Scotland. In order of fundy-ness - (Uber-fundies at top, godless libs at bottom)

Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland - seriously fundy - women not allowed to wear trousers, women have to wear hats, Sabbatarian, KJV / AV only. No fun whatsoever. Oh yes, they close their website on Sundays... honest.. you think Im bullshitting dont ya... go to www.fpchurch.org.uk on a Sunday and see what happens.

Free Church Continuing - broke away from the Free Church (qv) Not as extreme as above, but much more conservative than below. Split because the FC was becming liberal and had a Professor who liked young women in Australia (in additon to his wife of course)

Free Church (Main) Not nearly as fundy now, trying to be cool,seem to be concentrating their evangelistic efforts in urban areas. Clearthinkers denomination. Still got a few conservatives left. Trying desperately to be relevant. Itching to get into bed with the Church of Scotland

Associated Presbyterian Churches - rump group, prob similar to the FC, broke away from the Free Presbyterians in 1989, because the Lord Chancellor, Lord Mackay (Yes, Margaret Thatchers man) went to a CATHOLIC funeral service for his friend. Satanic evil of the worst kind imaginable - church split. APCs walked out. Basically decent people, but irreleveant.

Whew....

Right, Church of Scotland - motley crew from uber-liberals right through to cuddly conservatives. Pick your theology, make it up as you go along. Basically a social club for Sundays. Tries to make a big noise in Scottish politics. Gets ignored.

Who else: Well, theres the United Free Church - formed in 1900 through a Union of part of the Free Church (the liberal bit) and a group called the United Presbyterians, themselves a splinter group of splinters. Similar to the the C of S, but anti-establishment (I think...)

Of course, this doesnt even begin to mention the RCs, baptists, methodists, charismatics, seventh day adventists, JWs, episcopalians, (Actually, episcopalians are kinda cool - Richard Holloway is one and he's basically a decent bloke. All the other piscies I know are basically Jacobites with a refined taste in malt whisky and a hankering for a Stuart on the throne...)

Right, survived that lot did you?

Point 2 that you made:

"They are the Scottish equivalent of inbred hillbillies"

Actually, the degree to which this is true, especially with the Free Presbyterians is absolutely staggering. Get a hold of the book "No Great Mischief if you Fall" by John Macleod. (Macleods father is the Professor I mentioned above...)He gives a fascinating insight into this sect. The degree of inter-marriage is unbelievable.

:-))
SG

62. Dawkins warns of human extinction

Comment #155398 by scottishgeologist on April 4, 2008 at 12:34 pm

Quetz

Thanks for the Devil update. I have often wondered what christians REALLY think the "Devil" is - Is s/he physical, purely "spiritual" or a bit of both? Where is s/he? Or is s/he just a way of representing "evil" or "sin" or whatever?

I suspect that if you were to try to pin them down on this, they would struggle.

Fascinatingly, the word "Devil" doesnt appear in the Old Testament (NIV)

And the word Satan only appears in 1st Chronicles 21 and various places in Job (which reads like a fairy tale)

You know, for a character who is supposedly responsible for a lot of bad stuff, he doesnt get mentioned a lot.....

A bit like the word "Hell" really. Now theres another concept that christians get all sheepish and squeamish about...

Wonder why that should be. Two major concepts in their theology and they get embarassed to talk about it (unless they are real fundies..)

Wonder if they REALLY beleive this BS. Something tells me they dont.

:-)
SG

63. Dawkins warns of human extinction

Comment #155314 by scottishgeologist on April 4, 2008 at 10:18 am

Hey!! Found it:

http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v422/n6934/images/422813a-i1.0.jpg

:-)))))))))))))))))))))))
SG

64. Dawkins warns of human extinction

Comment #155313 by scottishgeologist on April 4, 2008 at 10:17 am

The comment in the article:

"Mr Dawkins is the devil's speaker and he has expressed this boldly"

That just cracks me up. It should be enlarged, 72 point Tahoma, printed off and framed. It f***ing rocks!

But seriously, I remember when Quetz reported on seeing David Robertson in Bedford, that apparently Robertson would not be drawn on whether Dawkins was "of the Devil" or whatever.

Quetz, can you fill in here some detail?

Actually, I would think that if these guys were being true to what they believe then Dawkins IS of the devil. They are always going on about the "Evil One" and "Satan" in respects to everything else, be it abortion, secularisation, gay sex, Buckfast, Windows Vista (theyre right there...) so surely the worlds most renowned atheist is surely cast in the same mould.

There *must* be a "Devil-Dawkins" gif out there somewhere, all red face, horns, trident and tail

And anyway, he's the Devils Chaplain.....

:-))
SG

65. Dawkins warns of human extinction

Comment #155185 by scottishgeologist on April 4, 2008 at 8:17 am

Artful_Dodger

Faouluki beat me to it - I thought it was very amusing, the way they had that sign placed. Of course, it may have been very tongue in cheek. But knowing what I do about the sense of humour of these people I think, "Nahhhh"

:-)
SG

66. Dawkins warns of human extinction

Comment #155170 by scottishgeologist on April 4, 2008 at 8:04 am

Artful_Dodger said:

Why don't you all cut the "Dawkins is God" crap

Actually, I think that is what the theists were saying outside Eden Court on Wed night:

http://www.christianstogether.net/Images/content/658/173334.jpg

From:
http://www.christianstogether.net/Publisher/Article.aspx?ID=110603

:-)))))))))))))))
SG

67. Dawkins warns of human extinction

Comment #155145 by scottishgeologist on April 4, 2008 at 7:46 am

Paula

It is interesting that Andrew McGowan of the Highland Theological College is one of the Christian speakers.

McGowan, for those that dont know has already crossed swords with David Robertson. In a letter entitled "Guns to the North" you can see what I mean (iff you can be bothered...)

http://www.freechurch.org/pdf/monthlyrecord/feb07.pdf

Also, and perhaps more interestingly, McGowan has recently started to question the use of the word "inerrant" in connection with the Bible. This has bena major plank of conservative evangelicalism for centuries, and when an academic of considerable standing liek McGowan starts to wobble, it makes me wonder... are the cracks starting to show?

This is the book:

http://www.ivpbooks.com/isbn/9781844742202.htm

Some of David Robertson's own colleagues have expressed grave reservations about this.

Could get interesting!

:-)
SG

68. Protests no concern for outspoken atheist

Comment #155124 by scottishgeologist on April 4, 2008 at 7:30 am

Frankus1122

This business of "God's Love"

I think this has to be one of the craziest manifestations of the whole delusion.

In the wake of the 2004 Indian Ocean Earthquake and tsunami, I dont know how many "churchmen" said things like "We see God's love in the outpouring of human kindness, and the "response" to the tragedy"

Eh?

Thats a case for humanism that is being made there. "God" doesnt even come into it.

SG

69. Pastor attacks scientist's talk

Comment #155064 by scottishgeologist on April 4, 2008 at 5:57 am

Cartomancer - thats a good point. If itr had read "rival scientist attacks scientist's talk" then fair enough.

Or "Pastor attacks rival pastors sermon".... hang on that takes place all the time....

It gives these people a certain "oxygen of publicity" they do nto merit.

Really bugs me, whenever there is a disaster or major accident, how they wheel these parasites out for interview. I remember after the Dunblane shootings, there were all these slithering clerics going on about the "love of God" and "God cries too" and all that sort of pish. I think it was Lorraine Kelly who interviewed some priest or whatever who said that "Thomas Hamilton is definitely in hell"

Man, it was embarassing...

SG

PS: Lorraine Kelly fell foul of guess who, clearthinker David Robertson a few years ago when she said that students should go out and get wasted and have fun. (As if they need telling)

Tard.

70. Protests no concern for outspoken atheist

Comment #154986 by scottishgeologist on April 4, 2008 at 3:34 am

Hobbit

In the FCOS, you'll get the whole spectrum from YEC through OEC to Theistic Evolution.

And that is supposed to be a "conservative" church.

:-)
SG

71. Protests no concern for outspoken atheist

Comment #154984 by scottishgeologist on April 4, 2008 at 3:31 am

More comment from the local nverness newspaper here:

http://www.inverness-courier.co.uk/news/fullstory.php/aid/5695/Dawkins_warns_of_human_extinction_.html

Heres an absolute cracker of a comment:

A protester who gave his name only as Kenny the Christian stood outside as people filed into the lecture.

The 62-year-old said he had travelled from Dornoch to tell people about God's love. "I am here motivated by the love for the people who are attending this meeting," he said.

"Secular fundamentalism is sweeping this nation and people are being deceived by the devil. The devil works through people.

"Mr Dawkins is the devil's speaker and he has expressed this boldly. He believes in evolution, that nothing produces everything. But God produces everything."

(picks self up off floor after an amazingly sore ROFLMAO...)

:-))
SG

72. Protests no concern for outspoken atheist

Comment #154980 by scottishgeologist on April 4, 2008 at 3:24 am

And just to keep to the Pythonesque theme of this sorry business, Derick Gilliesd is NOT Free Church . He is actually a member of the "Free Church (Continuing)"

The FC(C) is a breakaway church from the FC. They broke away in 2000 over numerous issues, main one of which was the FC's failure to deal properly with allegations of adultery against a FC College professor

You cant make this stuff up. You honestly cant.

:-)
SG

73. Protests no concern for outspoken atheist

Comment #154968 by scottishgeologist on April 4, 2008 at 3:14 am

Steve.

One thing that can be said about David is that he is not YEC. Maybe OEC but not YEC

If he were YEC, it would bring him into the uber-fundy camp which he knows is lethal.

He's trying to pitch a "cool calvinism" a la Mark Driscoll and Mars Hill Church in Seattle. Or else Tim Keller and Redeemer Church in NYC

If you want to find the theological position he occupies, these guys are probably the closest.

Of course, others in his church may have other ideas......

SG

74. Protests no concern for outspoken atheist

Comment #154962 by scottishgeologist on April 4, 2008 at 3:10 am

Interesting take on all this here:

"A Date with Dawkins"

http://www.christianstogether.net/Publisher/Article.aspx?ID=110603

Note the names of some of the protestors in this article:

Donald Boyd: Used to be a pastor in the hyper fundy Free Presbyterian Church. Done for adultery. No longer a minister in said church

Sandy Shaw. Charismaniac nutter (apologies - tautology there) Stood as a candidate for the homophobic "Scottish Christian party" in last years Holyrood elections.

Notice also, the comments that folow the article - before the feedback even gets started they are arguing over bible versions.

Irate Atheist, please supply the verdict!!!!

:-)
SG

75. Pastor attacks scientist's talk

Comment #154915 by scottishgeologist on April 4, 2008 at 1:01 am

Wanna laugh:

http://www.fcosonline.org/index.php?topic=22.msg240;topicseen#msg240

....groan...

SG

76. Upside-down church sculpture on hit list

Comment #154914 by scottishgeologist on April 4, 2008 at 12:55 am

It looks like the pointy cock of religion trying to rape the green earth.....

Very evangelical!

:-))))
SG

77. Pastor attacks scientist's talk

Comment #154912 by scottishgeologist on April 4, 2008 at 12:51 am

David Robertson loves controversy - he is never far from it. Whenever there is something controversial in his church or within evangelicalism as a whole, you can be sure he's got a raft load of opinions to share.

Whether it is the issue of theonomy, or the failure of his church to address the sexual indiscretions of a certain "Professor", you can be sure he'll be there, with his opinions.

An old Phillips drilling superintendent told me years ago "hey, boy, opinions are like assholes - everybody's got one - and yours stinks!"

:-))
SG

78. Anti-gay Okla. lawmaker attracts 1,000 backers

Comment #154519 by scottishgeologist on April 3, 2008 at 11:49 am

Repellent though these remarks are, she is , like Fred Phelps, being true to what she believes and what is written in her "good book".

The problem is with the liberal christians who pick and choose and go through all sorts of contortions to make "scripture" fit in with societal norms.

What is happening in the UK at any rate is that churches are in decline, the liberal ones much more so than evangelical ones.

What I can see happening over the next decade or so is a polarisation taking place. Between secular, rationalist atheism on one hand and conservative evangelicalism on the other.

There will be no liberal middle ground left - it will simply evaporate, and if anyone "goes to church", they will be going to an evangie one.

Churches that will no doubt spew the sort of stuff in this article. Also likely to be charismatic, pentecostal and probably armageddonist.

This is just me thinking out loud - does anyone else have any ideas on this?

SG

79. Fleabytes

Comment #154433 by scottishgeologist on April 3, 2008 at 8:20 am

Philip said: "David, sadly, is a dominant personality in his church so therefore I take it you mean he can make his assertions without feeling the slightest twinge of regret and also allows him to express his sheer surprise when he is called a liar?"

Its a very good point, and I often wonder what other people in his church actually think of the whole thing.

He would appear to have been in this position for some time - when the conservatives left his church in 2000, he was right there in the thick of the fight, playing the martyr.

He obviously has a high opinion of himself and seems to be some kind of self appointed spokesperson.

His tactics of bullying, condescension, sarcasm and generally being a tosser go back a long way. Even with his own people.

:-)
SG

80. Fleabytes

Comment #154429 by scottishgeologist on April 3, 2008 at 8:13 am

Hey Philip

Youre right! Ballsy Dins!!! Good one and yes he did bring it up, on this thread as well.

Cheers!

SG

81. Fleabytes

Comment #154401 by scottishgeologist on April 3, 2008 at 7:18 am

Dont worry al-rawandi, this is just a quiet bit of R and R before the reports on Paula's date with Richard start coming in.

After that, this thread will be rocking again....

10K?

:-)))
SG

82. Fleabytes

Comment #154399 by scottishgeologist on April 3, 2008 at 7:16 am

OK, then, if mlearnedfriend becomes MILF,

Heres another:
Guess, see if you can guess, go on , unscramble this anagram, which theist is this:

"sodden vibrator"

:-)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
SG

83. Fleabytes

Comment #154298 by scottishgeologist on April 3, 2008 at 4:30 am

Epeeist

Someone has blogged the UHI event here:

http://theviewfromthepond.blogspot.com/2008/04/dawkins-in-inverness.html

:-))
SG

84. Fleabytes

Comment #153806 by scottishgeologist on April 2, 2008 at 5:38 am

MPhil

Agree with Steve here - that was some post - went over my head quite a bit as well.

One of those rare postings - after reading it you just think "someone got well and truly "pwned" there. Big time..."

:-)))
SG

85. Fleabytes

Comment #153788 by scottishgeologist on April 2, 2008 at 5:00 am

Interesting comment from one of David Robertsons colleagues. Its on the BBC Scotland Gaelic pages. I'll translate it:

A' bruidhinn air Aithris na Maidne chuir Ministear na h-Eaglaise Saoire air a' Bhac ann an Leòdhas, an t-Urr. Iain D Caimbeul, taic ri na thuirt Mgr Robasdan.

Trans: Speaking on "Morning Report", Mr Iain D Campbell, minister in the FC in Back in Lewis, gave his support to Mr Robertson

Now get this bit:

Thuirt e gu bheil draghan am measg muinntir na h-eaglaise, gu bheil èisteachd ann do bheachdan Dhawkins air a' Ghàidhealtachd, àite, tha iad ag ràdh, far a bheil dualchas làidir creideamh.

Trans: He said that church people were troubled by the fact that there was an audience for Dawkins in the Highlands, a place were there is a strong culture of faith.

(Apparently tickets sold out within a few days.)

The arrogance of this sort of statement is staggering - almost like "this is our fiefdom, keep away, and how dare these people give support for this. How dare there be an audience for this type of thing"

Well its time to wake up and smell the coffee - the Highlands are no longer in the mean spirited iron grip of the Calvinist "black crow" control freaks.

Yes David, as you mentioned earlier "Mene, mene, tekel parsin" The writing is indeed on the wall - for YOU guys.

SG

86. Fleabytes

Comment #153761 by scottishgeologist on April 2, 2008 at 2:11 am

Clearthinkers patronising remark to the question:

What is society? Look up Wiki !

enough said...

Yeah sure David, Wiki is the pits isnt it? Cant be trusted. Proper scholars like you avoid it like the plague. When someone quotes form it you can give them your typical "oh so Christian" patronising pat on the head and say "leave it to us real scholars"

But when it suits your needs as in this:


3464 Clod hoper - in answer to your question I would use the following from wikipedia --

Evidence in its broadest sense, refers to anything that is used to determine or demonstrate the truth of an assertion. Philosophically, evidence can include propositions which are presumed to be true used in support of other propositions that are presumed to be falsifiable. ...

Called being selective I think.... (like picking ad choosing which bits of the WCF you subscribe to...)

SG

87. Fleabytes

Comment #153756 by scottishgeologist on April 2, 2008 at 1:58 am

Any feedback yet on the event with Richard Holloway at the Ed Science Fest?

SG

88. Fleabytes

Comment #153735 by scottishgeologist on April 2, 2008 at 12:44 am

David a liar? Never! Been at it for years. Heres an example:

Cast your mind back to 2002 - England vs Dnmark in the World Cup (England won 3-0. BTW, as a Scot,I celebrate this.) Anyway David in his usual charming way, pointed out on the FCOS noticeboard at the time that he would be watching the game with a Danish pastry and a Carlsberg.

Several weeks later, he was challenged on some point or other by the journalist John Macleod (son of the adulterous Free Church professor) Macleod accused him of having had too many Carlsbergs.

David's repsonse "Never touch the stuff"

QED.

If he lies on his own site, he's bound to lie on others.

:-)
SG

PS: In case he is wondering, at the time I found this incident disturbing, that a "minister of the Gospel" would lie. I sort of put it to one side and thought "Nah... cant be right" Still bugged me a bit though...

89. Fleabytes

Comment #152746 by scottishgeologist on March 31, 2008 at 12:49 pm

Paul Creber and Quetz

I only know of ONE incident where someone stood up in a church and challenged the minister.

In his book "No Great Mischief if you fall", John macleod, the journalist, writes (on page 111) describes one fanatic in his church: "He began to be seen as a nuisance, capping various indiscretions by rising from his pew in St Judes to challenge Rev Maclean's sermon - an interesting new experience for the minister"

This incident happened in the Free Presbyterian church of Scotland, the most uber-fundy church in the UK

Makes it all the more remarkable, but i suspect that this is very much the exception that proves the rule.


Actually, I remember when i used to attend church, it always struck me how no-one EVER seemed to criticise the sermons. They might say "it was good" or "it was challenging" or something like that, but very very seldom did I ever hear anyone really disagree.

I remember several years ago, listening to Sinclair Ferguson preaching St Georges tron church in Glasgow (we are talking genteel, "crook the pinky when you sip your fellowship tea" middle class evangelicalism here) I looked around maybe 40 minutes into the sermon and you could see and hear the yawns, the shifting about, buttock to buttock, the sureptitious looking at the watches.

Afterwards, I spoke to several people about the sermon. No-one, absolutely no-one mentioned that it (obviously) went on too long. Full of praise and plaudits so they were. "sound preaching" "very evangelical" "good expository stuff" and so on....

I think it was at that point i started to think... "hang on,... something not right here"

When the preacher is a "theological giant" he can say almost anything and the masses simply follow like lemmings.

Sad really.

SG

90. Fleabytes

Comment #152645 by scottishgeologist on March 31, 2008 at 9:42 am

Groan... Wee Flea... just keeps getting worse doesnt it?

Anyway, just to keep the man's ego all hot and polished, heres an article from "Scotland on Sunday"

"Wee Frees call on Salmond to set up religious schools"

http://news.scotsman.com/topstories?articleid=3928551


He was ranting on about this a year or so ago - there was an article in the Dundee "Courier" about it. I actually posted the link on this site and Billy just about cyber-vomited.......

Anyway, read the article

And then rad the comments - some of them are priceless...

:-)

SG

PS: Jocktard? LOL!! I speak as a Jock (and occasionally as a tard....) Like it :-)))

91. Beware the Believers

Comment #152410 by scottishgeologist on March 31, 2008 at 1:25 am

Hi -a few peple have mentioned the "genre" associated with this - rap.

Ever seen Weird Al Yankovich's "Amish paradise"

Its on Youtube and extremely clever. "Gonna party like its 1699!!"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GsfVw9xxoNY

Sheer brilliance

:-)))
SG

92. Police: Girl Dies After Parents Pray for Healing Instead of Seeking Medical Help

Comment #150468 by scottishgeologist on March 27, 2008 at 12:54 am

MelM et al, Oh boy, these "God fixing cars and stuff" answered prayers are something else. What sort of fantasy land are these people in? Its unbelievable...well, maybe no.....

I remember reading an online news article a couple of years ago about some nutters that were "praying for lower gas prices"

Quote:

Yesterday, nine members of a California group called Pray Live gathered by a Hollywood Chevron station to pray that God would make gas cheaper. "This will be a testament to all of the people who don't believe in the power of prayer," organizer Wenda Royster explained.

93. Police: Girl Dies After Parents Pray for Healing Instead of Seeking Medical Help

Comment #150062 by scottishgeologist on March 26, 2008 at 12:26 pm

Verylee,

Probably have to agree with you there. Yet this business of the "power of prayer" lies right on the very interface of the "supernatural" and the "natural"

People like the theists who argue that rationalists are limited by their presuppositions of "no supernatural" actually have an opportunity here to show that their "god" has actually got some relevance - to show that there IS something else above and beyond the empirical.

No doubt we'll get the usual pish about "not testing god" or "his ways are mysterious" and all that verbal limbo dancing to try to explain it away.

Instead of the glaringly obvious: PRAYER DOES NOT WORK - THERE IS NO GOD.

Man, it gets frustrating...

SG

94. Police: Girl Dies After Parents Pray for Healing Instead of Seeking Medical Help

Comment #150041 by scottishgeologist on March 26, 2008 at 12:13 pm

That story is sickening. Perhaps one of our theists would like to comment on it.

Actually, David Robertson, you reading this? Care to comment? Presumably you believe in the "power of prayer". Elders and ministers in your denomination among others, are always praying for "those laid aside on beds of sickness"

So, a few questions.

1) were these faith heads wrong in praying for their daughter?

2) If so , why?

After all, in your holy book it says: "And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive." Matthew 21:22

Or in the NIV, for the hip trendy, "we're-not-really-fundies-we're-kewl" it says:
"If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer"


Silly me, of course, how could I forget? Your prayer for £87 for a bus trip - that gets answered. Prayer for sick children or for abducted kids (like Madeleine McCann) thats a no-no....

Man, that God of yours, he's got a really really odd sense of priorities....

SG

95. Sue Blackmore debates Alister McGrath

Comment #149023 by scottishgeologist on March 25, 2008 at 1:35 am

Tacitus:

"He is the product of the type of Christianity that is thoroughly despised by American fundamentalists"

Its a good point, and interestingly, David Robertson alludes to this on his own site in a recent exchange:

"No. We are cannon fodder for the likes of Dawkins if we so water down the message of the Bible that in reality it just becomes baptised paganism. Dawkins loves Bishop Spong - who long ago abandoned any pretence to be a Christian. It is the robust biblical Christianity which stands up to Dawkins. Anything else just gets blown away"


Fascinating!

:-))
SG

96. Fleabytes

Comment #146366 by scottishgeologist on March 19, 2008 at 2:14 am

Quetz

YOU were putting up your post milliseconds before I put up mine.... Man, it gets more like a chat room every day this place...

OK, lets have it , how bad was it.... Did you have to wave your arms around? Was there "fervent prayer"? Did DR make a complete tit of himself?

Did you get in wit the killer questions?

Man, the suspense is killing me...

Anyway, whatever, congrats!

:-))
SG

97. Fleabytes

Comment #146365 by scottishgeologist on March 19, 2008 at 2:10 am

Steve Z said:

"On the subject of tea, I wonder how Quetz did. I do hope he isn't quietly sobbing somewhere... "David was right all along!"

Aasrgh what a thought, Quetz catches the virus and his next appearance on this site is to the strains of "Shine Jesus Shine" or Kumbaya or some pish like that......

Please, dear teapot, no.....

:-))
SG

98. Writer Arthur C Clarke dies at 90

Comment #146357 by scottishgeologist on March 19, 2008 at 1:56 am

Goodbye ACC

An inspiration.

Interesting note on the Yahoo news page about his death:

"Clarke left written instructions that his funeral be private and secular.

"Absolutely no religious rites of any kind, relating to any religious faith, should be associated with my funeral," he wrote."

Respect!

SG

99. Religion 'linked to happy life'

Comment #146044 by scottishgeologist on March 18, 2008 at 2:07 pm

Some happy smiling faces from David Robertsons denomination here:

http://faculty.evansville.edu/jm224/Second Disruption.htm

I love thi sline:

"One of the first Free Presbyterians, Neil Cameron, for example, referred to the men responsible for making `the absolute infallibility and inerrancy of the Bible, as being the Word of God...become a thing of the past' as `traitors to God and men', while referring to the changes which were taking place in the Free Church as `this flood which Satan was casting out of his mouth in order to carry her (the Free Church) away completely"

Note: When it comes to infighting, bickering and general back stabbing, you simply cannot beat a presbyterian church. And in the Scottish variety, these traits reach their zenith.

:-))
SG

100. Fleabytes

Comment #145094 by scottishgeologist on March 17, 2008 at 8:38 am

Clearthinker said:

5188 - Scottish geologist - quoting the FP magazine in order to accuse me of hypocrisy just does not work. I do not pick and mix with the WCF. I hold to it sincerely - and would accept every doctrine within it. Although as one of the doctrines is that we are free to question whatever any human organisation tells us, I also reserve the right to question, challenge and change