101. Bright Chunks At Phoenix Lander's Mars Site Must Have Been Ice

Comment #196939 by scottishgeologist on June 20, 2008 at 4:13 pm

sent2null (and other interested astronomers!) Sorry if you already know of this one, but there are some excellent pictures on Jerry Lodrigus' site www.astropix.com Jerry must be one of Americas leading astrophotographers - his pictures are stunning.

Well worth a look!

:-)
SG

102. Bright Chunks At Phoenix Lander's Mars Site Must Have Been Ice

Comment #196703 by scottishgeologist on June 20, 2008 at 10:57 am

Its great to read stories like this - stuff that is at the cutting edge of science and knowledge. Real frontier stuff instead of that backwards looking death-wish crap that these religites keep coming out with.

I am old enough to remember growing up in the late 60s early 70s when the Moon missions were happening. What an exciting time for a child with an interest in science that was! All played out of course against a backdrop of Thunderbirds, Captain Scarlet and classic era Dr Who!

We need more of these stories!

:-)
SG

103. Rapture site sends unbelievers their last chance ... via email

Comment #194904 by scottishgeologist on June 17, 2008 at 11:38 am

Rod-the-Farmer, yes that whole eschatology thing is really quite ridiculous. The fact that there are so many "-isms realted to that one subject speaks volumes.

Just like there are as many "-isms" relating to Christianity as a whole

Just think, all these people, with all these different ideas, are all working from the same source material, the Bible. This book, that apparently contains an unbeleiveably important message about your and my future state for eternity, is so vague, ambiguous and equivocal that there are all these "-isms" derived from it, each one claiming to be the true faith.

Only one can possibly be right.

Or they are ALL crap.

And like you mention, it is possible to get a PhD in this apology for an academic subject.

...shakes head, grabs another drink....

:-)))
SG

104. Holiday in Hellmouth

Comment #193827 by scottishgeologist on June 16, 2008 at 5:15 am

Steve said:

I suspect he is trying to establish a role for himself in what we know is a declining church.

105. Holiday in Hellmouth

Comment #193427 by scottishgeologist on June 15, 2008 at 3:11 pm

Billy

What is REALLY interesting, IMO anyway, is the degree to which david Robertson goes along with some charismatic beahviour.

In the past 6 months he has had interviews in his church magazine with 3 leading charismaniacs - RT Kendall, Mark Drsicoll and Terry Virgo. He frequently refers to charismatics in "chummy" terms and perhaps quite tellingly, on his old messageboard, before it became "new and improved" (ie RD.net mark II) he had a go at some poster who claimed that speaking in tongues was delusional. He bent over backwards to apologise to his "pentecostal and charismatic brethern".

To quote:

"I have a great admiration for many charismatics", Monthly Record, Jan 08

"The prayers were fervent and the sighs and groans would have satisfied the most ardent charismatic. I loved it" Monthly Record, Sept 07

His church is increasingly involved in charismatic fraternising in the name of "ecuminism" and "fellowship"

I suspect that this REALLY pisses off the traditionalists (although they probably dont say that.....)

:-)))
SG

106. Discussion between Richard Dawkins and Paula Kirby

Comment #193402 by scottishgeologist on June 15, 2008 at 2:11 pm

Steve:

Creationist: "I guess you are right. Could you give me some money for my bus fare? God wants you to."

107. Holiday in Hellmouth

Comment #193392 by scottishgeologist on June 15, 2008 at 2:02 pm

Not finished yet. More f*cktardedness here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wpVffsJ0OhA

Snake Handlers!!! :-0

:-)))

SG

108. Holiday in Hellmouth

Comment #193386 by scottishgeologist on June 15, 2008 at 1:46 pm

Billy

Shine Jesus Shine is a hideous song. Actually, what is intersting and very telling about it is the wy that it is "footnoted" in hymnbooks. Instructions are given on how NOT to sing it. In other words, even the writer (Graham Kendrick) and /or the publishers realise that it has been used to whip people into a frenzy.....

Its still vile....

As for those other vids, you know there comes a point where it actually becomes embarassing, it is just so bad.

Right, here goes. A simple YouTube search on "charismaniac" threw this up

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5CwBeeoGi0

Warning: hideous.


:-)))
SG

109. Holiday in Hellmouth

Comment #193346 by scottishgeologist on June 15, 2008 at 12:12 pm

Billy, you mean I am going to have to watch the WHOLE thing to really appreciate it? AAAAAARGHH!!!

Actually, you could have a competition for the "worst excess of charismania" - Heidi Baker with her "raised from the dead" would be high up there:

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

Warning: the music is seriously pish.

Or, how about this twat (John Scotland)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgftZ6ynY8Q

OK, Billy , your call. Fuck it, heres some Motorhead, just to keep a sort of poker theme going:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6Vw402IaII

:-))))
SG

110. Discussion between Richard Dawkins and Paula Kirby

Comment #193342 by scottishgeologist on June 15, 2008 at 11:58 am

Dave et al, there is something more than slightly distrubing about that Christians Together web site.

I posted in another thread about it, (the hellhouse one) about how it is very charismatic, very pro-zionist. Knowing what I do about Highland christianity, i would say that it is very much "non traditional". They have an objection to the reformed, exclusivist stance of the Highland Theological College (where Andrew McGowan is a Professor)- which is WAY out of touch with the way things are in that area

To quote:

"I find it odd that UHI allows HTC funding with their dogmatic exclusive stance."

thats from:
http://www.christianstogether.net/Publisher/Article.aspx?id=114100

in a reply to Paula

This sort of comment gives rise to two questions:

1) Is this CT website actualy representative of highland christians, or is it some maverick outfit?

2) Has Highland christianity chnged into a much more charismatic, zionist "rapture ready" armageddonist thing?

1) isnt too much of an issue. 2) would represent a major shift in the thinking of one of the more overtly "christian" parts of the UK

I suspect the former.

SG

111. Holiday in Hellmouth

Comment #193334 by scottishgeologist on June 15, 2008 at 11:30 am

Billy:

Apparently the bastards are still exempt from water charges...

112. Holiday in Hellmouth

Comment #193333 by scottishgeologist on June 15, 2008 at 11:25 am

Billy

I'm sorry, really sorry. For all those times I posted a robertson link and you had to look at his leering face (without a warning...)

And now you get your revenge with this.

That was HORRIBLE!!!

I couldnt watch it beyond a couple of minutes. That fellating the mic bit just did it for me.

But seriously, if this is the future of evangelicalism, we've won. Its over, these people should be sectioned, locked away and the key thrown away.


Irate, I think you have the correct term for this....

:-))))
SG

PS: Nice one Billy! I am gonna have to try real hard to better that vid!

PPS: Why oh why oh why do these tossers at these evangie gigs insist on holding their hands in the air? Even when there is no music and it is just some fucktard talking? Are they trying to say , "Look at me folks, I am a complete and utter c*nt?" You know, I'll give them this, they're right....

113. Holiday in Hellmouth

Comment #193312 by scottishgeologist on June 15, 2008 at 9:06 am

Billy

Aye, Todd Bentley and all that "healing " pish. Wonder how many amputees they have "healed", how many people they have "cured" of Downs Syndrome? Cliches I know, but really, really telling that "God" cant do anything about conditions like these.

For any visitors / regulars who arent aware of this guy, try googling Todd Bentley. Or have a look at his site:

http://www.freshfire.ca/

Heres a taster: "His love is like the ocean... we're drowning in His presence! The liquid honey glory cloud of His wonderful presence is in this place!" FFS....

Re churches converted into pubs. There used to be one in Elgin called "High Spirits" Huge picture of it here (on its side)

http://www.panoramio.com/photos/original/7396937.jpg


Noahs Nuggets? Yeah that made me laugh. Must be like "Boaz's Baws" !!

:-)))
SG

114. Holiday in Hellmouth

Comment #193274 by scottishgeologist on June 15, 2008 at 6:19 am

Billy

Interesting link there. What seems to be happening though, is that as the traditional churches decline, what is left are the hard core, charismaniac, fundie, clappy happy rapture ready pro Zionists. If you think I am kidding, take a look at that "Christians Together" web site - it is heavily charismaniac and very pro-Zionist. It also features the usual pish from the Christian Institute. ie sex obsessed nonsense

I like the other links from that Times page. This one is good:

http://timesonline.typepad.com/faith/2008/04/my-sweet-lord-t.html

FX:

:-))))

SG

115. Holiday in Hellmouth

Comment #193242 by scottishgeologist on June 15, 2008 at 3:44 am

Billy

Man, you've got a way with words "fannybaws" and "but you just pished yer pants and ran off to sit on the archbishops hand"

Wonder if there is a market for second hand laptops that have had coffee splurted all over them???

LOL, made my day that did. Got more than a hint of the "Big Man" about it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8yQIg7ydbg

:-)))))
SG

116. Holiday in Hellmouth

Comment #193227 by scottishgeologist on June 15, 2008 at 2:27 am

Philip, aye, naughty boy indeed. After all, the westminster Confession (which David and other office bearers in his church subscribe to at ordination with a solemn vow) states of the Sabbath:

VIII. This Sabbath is to be kept holy unto the Lord when men, after a due preparing of their hearts, and ordering of their common affairs beforehand, do not only observe an holy rest all the day from their own works, words, and thoughts about their wordly employments and recreations, but also are taken up the whole time in the public and private exercises of His worship, and in the duties of necessity and mercy.

Just more hypocrisy - take the bits you like, leave out the bits you dont....

WCF here, if you want a laugh:

http://www.reformed.org/documents/wcf_with_proofs/

Interestingly, certain churches and other outfits DO take a stronger line on Sabbath observance and will actually close down web sites. Now this may sound fundie extreme, but give them their due, they are practising what they preach. At least they are consistent. Try these 2:

F P Church: www.fpchurch.org.uk

James Begg Society:

http://easyweb.easynet.co.uk/~jbeggsoc/LD.html

:-)))
SG

117. Holiday in Hellmouth

Comment #193188 by scottishgeologist on June 14, 2008 at 11:54 pm

MPhil: "you have proved yourself to be arrogant beyond description "

You could also add "patronising" to that list (this also applies to how he deals with his OWN people on the theistic side)

And we cant leave out "sarcastic" either now can we.

Which all adds up to a pretty unpleasant character cocktail for a supposed man of God. For a so-called "bible believer" this takes the biscuit. After all,

Galatians 5:

"22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

23Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

24And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

25If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

26Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.

In which case, we can add "hypocrisy" to the cocktail as welll....

SG

118. Intelligent people 'less likely to believe in God'

Comment #192428 by scottishgeologist on June 13, 2008 at 3:33 am

Completely off topic this one, but I turned up this cracker today:

"We also heard from the Free Church of Scotland. It was great to hear from their representative, simply because he had a Scottish accent. The term "Free" means that they are free from government interference and they have been around for about 150 years. They are really facing a tough road because so much of Scotland is not just apathetic about Christ, but they have a hatred for the church. The bright spot in all that is that Dawkin's Book, The God Delusion, has opened more doors for the gospel than Dawkin's could ever have imagined. It's amazing how the Holy Spirit can take the arrows of Satan and turn them into the flames of faith."

119. Intelligent people 'less likely to believe in God'

Comment #192423 by scottishgeologist on June 13, 2008 at 3:30 am

Hungarianelephant

Tampons "morally suspect" ? ROFLMAO!!!

Reminds me of that wonderful Landover Baptist gem:- "Satans little cotton fingers"-

http://www.landoverbaptist.org/news0999/cotton.html

Like all Landover stuff, it is seriosuly amusing.

:-))
SG

120. Intelligent people 'less likely to believe in God'

Comment #192404 by scottishgeologist on June 13, 2008 at 2:14 am

Eno said:

"A hundred years ago it was far more difficult but today we are willing to stand up and be counted and we've cottoned on that there is no reason why someone connected to religion should have special privileges."

Spot on. In my country, Scotland, the church was like an alternative parliament. In the time of Robert Burns, there was virtually a theocracy. Kirk Sessions had ridiculous amounts of influence in their communities, no doubt for the "spiritual good" of the people who needed to be "protected" from "sinful" activities.

Some of this still exists in places like the Western Isles, where Sunday ferries dont run and where , ludicrously, until recently, the swings in the childrens park used to be chained up for the "sabbath"

To speak out against this and worse still, to identify as atheist, would have been socially unacceptable.

Well even in the Western Isles, that abuse of power is disappearing, so people are more likely to "stand up and be counted"

121. Discussion between Richard Dawkins and Paula Kirby

Comment #192402 by scottishgeologist on June 13, 2008 at 2:06 am

There is a problem AFAICS, with the whole "debate" business. Lets say that A and B decide to debate. A is in excellent form, B is poor. The debate is "won" by A.

I dont want "truth" to be determined by who happens to be the best orator during a debate. And I am letting this cut both ways. If someone like Dawkins went into a debate and "owned" someone like McGrath, hands down, that doesnt make Dawkins debate points unassailable truth.

Truth should be determined by examination of evidence, the use of the scientific method and perpetual scrutiny and scepticism, IMO.

You could possibly have a debate on say the role and worth of religion in society, but such a debate would almost certainly end up polarised between the naturalistic/empirical and transcendental /spiritual endpoints.

Cant see any point in it to be honest.

You'll just end up with the same old slugging match, and at the end, the believers going away secure in their position, the unbelievers going away secure in theirs.

SG

122. Discussion between Richard Dawkins and Paula Kirby

Comment #190831 by scottishgeologist on June 9, 2008 at 4:54 pm

Styrer:

" I would love to learn the mechanism by which sin was inserted into this world"

That, is a cracker of a question. And one which theists simply cannot answer.

It really beggars belief that people believe that there was a perfect earth with no death whatsoever, no natural dangers, no carnivores (presumably no white cells doing their defensive stuff), no tectonic activity whatsoever.

Then. Munch. "hey this tastes good"

Suddenly... disease, death, tectonic plates start to move, floods, mudslides, earthquakes, people ageing, animals start to eat one another (presumably the ones with the right teeth for the job, no doubt put there by god in his providence....)

Yet this is what these people believe.

Shakes head, mutters and heasds off to bed (its 00:30 here....)

:-))
SG

123. Discussion between Richard Dawkins and Paula Kirby

Comment #190815 by scottishgeologist on June 9, 2008 at 3:59 pm

Styrer, Steve, hey chill... Regarding David Robertson, yes he IS a creationist. An Old Earth Creationist, with perhaps leanings towards theistic evolution.

He is NOT a YEC. David has mentioned several times that he is in line with the teachings of some of the forefathers of his church, men like Hugh Miller and Thomas Chalmers.

If someone is a Christian, then they HAVE to be a creationist of some sort, not necessarily YEC, however. I cant see how they can have it any other way.

124. Holiday in Hellmouth

Comment #190809 by scottishgeologist on June 9, 2008 at 3:44 pm

severalspeciesof : "where does sin come from?" Yes, good question, and again, one that the faith heads simply cannot answer satisfactorily without a lot of limbo dancing.

After all, when their "god" created the earth he "saw that it was good" The whole thing just does not make sense.


tsunamis, river blindness, earthquakes, cancers etc etc. The theists struggle.

Going back to the 2004 tsunami, actually, in some respects, David Robertson is in a difficult postion.

There are 3 explanations, AFAICS:

1) Liberal. "We see the love of God in the human response to the tragedy" This sort of pish was trotted out by all sorts of wishy-washy clergymen. Its a call to humanism. Not "god"

2) Fundie: Gods judgement on sabbath breaking sinners, gays, pleasure lovers etc etc rant, rant, rant, ad nauseam. The sort of thing that the Rev John Macleod came out with. Twat.

3) The middle way. The clearthinker way. And this is where it just gets muddy and totally unsatisfying either logically, intellectually and dare I say it spiritually. The idea that the earth was perfect, safe and "good" and then. Then. SIN came in yes, folks, SIN. And thats what causes all the natural evil, because as it is mentioned in Romans, "creation is groaning" because of sin. So its all YOUR fault, yes YOU! Because you are a SINNER!!!

Actually there is a 4th way, which is worse still - this is the "god is in control", we cant understand his ways (because of SIN no doubt...) , he moves in "mysterious " ways, so dont ask, dont enquire, just accept. There , be a good little deludee, and move along, I know best, I 've got a degree in theology (Pah!)

What beats me is how anyone could even begin to WANT to study this stuff, let alone preach it. And possibly worse still, be an apologist for it....

:-))
SG

PS: severalspeciesof, Love the avatar! Great album, Ummagumma. Pure late 60s acid drenched magic!

125. Holiday in Hellmouth

Comment #190545 by scottishgeologist on June 9, 2008 at 8:44 am

mordacious1

Sorry 'bout that!

Actually, maybe there is a need for some sort of health warning on posts and links

"Warning: the Surgeon General has determined that the following link has emetic properties"

Or, "Warning by HM Government: following this link may cause raised blood pressure and profuse bad language" (Styrer, you listening? :-)))) )

I'll try to remember.... promise... :-)))

SG

126. Holiday in Hellmouth

Comment #190444 by scottishgeologist on June 9, 2008 at 5:38 am

Irate

LOL!!!!

"F*ckwittery is not regarded as a sin" LOL!!!!

Just think, the EIGHT deadly sins:

"Lust, gluttony, greed, sloth, wrath, envy, pride, f*ckwittedness"

Man, that would have made some film:- "EIGHT" instead of "SEVEN" .....

Wonder how that would have played out?

:-))
SG

127. John McCain: America a Christian nation, needs Christian president

Comment #190422 by scottishgeologist on June 9, 2008 at 4:24 am

FightingFalcon

I am with you on a lot of this labelling.

Its a bit like all conservatives in the UK being labelled as "thatcherites" There used to be a thing in this country called "one nation conservatism" which undoubtedly did get buried. I think David Cameron is trying to bring it back.

Regarding the USA situation, the actor Alec Baldwin claimed that the GOP had been hijacked by fundies:

Quote: "To me, the Republican Party is the real great tragedy of the last 25 years because there are lot of good and decent people and a lot of good political points [that have] come from the Republican Party in the post-war period, but it has been hijacked by these fundamentalist wackos," Baldwin said

Politics is seldom a completely black and white business.

SG

128. Holiday in Hellmouth

Comment #190420 by scottishgeologist on June 9, 2008 at 4:13 am

Tyler,

You asked: "Frankus, are you suggesting that David Robertson believes the "Adam and Eve" fable as actual truth? We all descended from "Adam and Eve" through incest??"

I am afraid, yes, I think he does believe that stuff.

If you read David's take on the 2004 earthquake and tsunami at:

http://www.freechurch.org/issues/2005/jan05.htm

it is clear that he takes the orthodox view that the "groaning of creation" is due to the intrusion of human sin.

And that "sin" entered when there were only 2 people around (and of course it was all Eve's fault, which is why she gets a bum deal -

Try Genesis 3:16 - "To the woman He said, "I will greatly multiply Your pain in childbirth, In pain you shall bring forth children; Yet your desire shall be for your husband, And he shall rule over you.")

In fact that article of Davids goes right back to the issue underpining this whole thread. And its one that no theologian has EVER answered properly in theistic terms: "natural evil"

Of course, in purely scientific terms its easy: If you live on an active volcano, or near a subduction zone, or next to a river that floods regularly, or in a hostile jungle, well, hey, shit happens.

Live in a tectonically stable temperate zone and these things dont happen (so much)

No need for "god" or any other mumbo jumbo. Sorted!

:-)
SG

129. Holiday in Hellmouth

Comment #190404 by scottishgeologist on June 9, 2008 at 3:00 am

Getting a bit wild this thread isnt it? Clearthinker has that effect...

Anyway, just been checking out the latest pish on the local "fundies-R-us" web site, AKA "christians together in the Highlands and Islands"

Check out this page:

http://www.christianstogether.net/Publisher/article.aspx?id=110802

Now , note the good bit:

"David is not alone in the work of defending his view and Ken Ham of Answers in Genesis spoke last year in both Stornoway and Inverness"

To quote that wonderful poker expression "read em and weep!"

Cant think of anything worse than being linked to Ken Ham, so come on guys, cut him some slack.....

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

130. The Great Evangelical Decline

Comment #188761 by scottishgeologist on June 4, 2008 at 1:52 pm

Interesting article - the decline in evangelicalism mentioned actually ties in with a video that is available on YouTube of Mark Driscoll talking about church planting:

Near the start of the video he comes out with a lot of interesting stats:

http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=E8aZXeFRSBA

Driscolls stats:

1) Upto 80% of "church plants" fail
2) 80 % of all churches in America are plateau'd and declinig
3) Half of the people who claim to go to church actually DO go,
4) The average church is 40 to 50 people
5) 3500 churches dying every year
6) If trends continue, by 2050, there will only be half the number of Christians in America that there are at present

This all ties in with the article above

SG

131. Scientists rally against creationist 'superstition'

Comment #187321 by scottishgeologist on June 1, 2008 at 11:56 pm

Steveroot

I think the Dundee Dental School has got a high reputation, certainly as far as medicine generally is concerned, Dundee has a very good reputation.

FWIW, Dundee Univ was a part of St Andrews Univ until the mid sixties (this lecture by Steve Jones was an inaugural lecture to celebrate 40 years)

Regarding medics and faith, it used to be said of the Charlotte Baptist Chapel in Edinburgh (a very large popular trendy middle class evangie place) that if you took ill there, you were likely to be crushed by the rush of doctors to help you!

Oh yes, Charlotte Baptist Chapel had Ken Ham speaking at it a couple of years ago...

:-))
SG

132. Scientists rally against creationist 'superstition'

Comment #187005 by scottishgeologist on June 1, 2008 at 3:58 am

While were on the subject of faith heads taking offence, our one and only "clearthinker" was bitchin' and moanin' and whinin' recently about an up and coming band called "Attic Lights". Apparently , according to clearthinker, they were "blasphemous"

http://arts.guardian.co.uk/filmandmusic/story/0,,2282660,00.html

The video of the song "God" is at:

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

Very funny and actually quite catchy. These guys will do well.

If you go to www.atticlights.co.uk you'll see what god clearthinker all upset. Plays the single as well!

Cheers!
SG

133. Scientists rally against creationist 'superstition'

Comment #186989 by scottishgeologist on June 1, 2008 at 2:55 am

Presumably, this is the lecture that clearthinker was on about:

http://www.dundee.ac.uk/pressreleases/2007/prnov07/annuallecture.html

Of course, the faith heads were moaning (just for a change)

http://www.thecourier.co.uk/output/2007/11/24/newsstory10599041t0.asp

Billy, "peh eating fundies" perchance?! :-))))

:-))
SG

134. Scientists rally against creationist 'superstition'

Comment #186984 by scottishgeologist on June 1, 2008 at 2:46 am

Vaal:

"Ah man, that has made my Sunday morning. I haven't laughed so hard for ages. Thanks Opaquethinker"


Ditto to that, Vaal.

Anyway, what is clearthinker doing breaking the Fourth Commandment, posting on a forum like this on a Sabbath morning?

Oh, yeah, forgot, new improved trendy Free Church doesnt beleive in that stuff any more. Keep going clearthinker, youre heading in the right direction.

135. Scientists rally against creationist 'superstition'

Comment #186966 by scottishgeologist on June 1, 2008 at 1:42 am

RE that 40%
If you were to do a poll and ask people their religion, you'd probably get a fairly high % of "christian" responses.

Then ask them if they go to church - what does it drop to.

Then ask them "are you saved by faith?" Are you "born again" watch it drop further.

Yet, according to the bible, only that last question actually defines someone as a christian.


Possibly the same sort of thing with this poll - I would like to see the actual question and also, how much of this is skewed by Islam and other immigrants

SG

136. Teacher tortures, kills boy

Comment #186716 by scottishgeologist on May 31, 2008 at 7:50 am

And Tony Blair thinks that there is some value in sitting down with a nice cup of tea with the followers of this mediaeval savagery and discussing how "religion" can be a force for good in the world.

A twat when in office, a bigger twat now. And a dangerously naive one.

SG

137. Flea of the week

Comment #186240 by scottishgeologist on May 30, 2008 at 2:28 am

Irate, Vaal, yes saw that as well.

How about this from:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/2050848/Tony-Blair-on-mission-to-'unite-religions'.html


"But also so that we show that faith is something positive, a force for progress, something to do with our future as well as our past, and I want the foundation therefore to be actively promoting the greater understanding between the faiths but also lead to action by the faiths in society, in the world to the greater public good. "

And from the Reuters blog:

Religious faith will be of the same significance to the 21st Century as political ideology was to the 20th Century," Tony Blair said on Thursday in a statement before Friday's launch in New York of his new Faith Foundation to improve understanding between different religions and fight global poverty by mobilizing people through faith.

Same significance as political ideology? What? Communism, Nazism, fascism, totalitarianism, imperialism. Great, just great.

Let the endarkenment begin....

138. 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

139. 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

140. 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

141. 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

142. 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

143. 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

144. 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

145. 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

146. 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

147. 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

148. 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

149. 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

150. 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