Comments by Quetzalcoatl

Comment #153868 by Quetzalcoatl on April 2, 2008 at 6:58 am

Gimlibengloin-

this isn't actually the quote I was thinking of, but it illustrates my point just as well:

2 Thessalonians 2:10-12- 10and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. 11For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie 12and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.

1752. Fleabytes

Comment #153860 by Quetzalcoatl on April 2, 2008 at 6:53 am

Gimlibengloin-

would take your second option, Q, and say he cannot act contrary to his own nature. However, no Biblically derived philosophy would assert that God can do anything. Paul wrote, "God, who cannot lie" (Tit 1:2). God can't make two plus two equal five. He can't make square-circles

He cannot lie? But he sends lying spirits (I'll find the quote in a moment). And I notice that you have as good as admitted that God is not all-powerful. I'll remember that.

whereas atheism provides no basis for condemning an atheist like Stalin.

Groan. Why did you have to bring up that tired old claim?

1753. Fleabytes

Comment #153846 by Quetzalcoatl on April 2, 2008 at 6:42 am

Anna-

he's still going on about how the differences between Protestants and Catholics could be written on the back of a postage stamp. He used the following example which made me laugh:

Trans
subst
antia
tion

Would I think fit nicely on a stamp.

I then listed half a dozen more differences and suggested he'd need a bigger stamp.

1754. Fleabytes

Comment #153836 by Quetzalcoatl on April 2, 2008 at 6:29 am

Anna-

Jimmy will never give cogent answers. Even though we are on the internets, you can almost see the gears turning in his brain when he posts

You might be right. At the moment he's explaining that religious people who hate each other aren't "of God", although he seems to be unable to justify why.

Steve-

but what about the seventh day? You could become an atheist God, and stop believing in yourself.

1755. Fleabytes

Comment #153822 by Quetzalcoatl on April 2, 2008 at 6:07 am

Anna-

I'm still sticking to my assertion that David is always better than Jimmy

And I still agree, mostly. But things are looking up. Jimmy has had an operation that enables him to see my blog comments once again. The operation that will enable him to give cogent answers is still pending, however.

1756. Fleabytes

Comment #153813 by Quetzalcoatl on April 2, 2008 at 5:51 am

Gimlibengloin-

careful, your assumptions are showing. If God acts in accordance with who he is, is it possible for him to act in another way, ie in an evil fashion? If it is possible, then he cannot be all-good. If it is not possible, then he is bound by his own nature, which means he is not all-powerful, since an omnipotent God would be able to do anything.

1757. Anti-Quran Film Fitna Pulled From Web Due to 'Threats'

Comment #153776 by Quetzalcoatl on April 2, 2008 at 4:00 am

RichardMorgan-

A rather dangerous confusion, don't you think?

Yes I do.

While you're here: what were you on about last night? (see 538. Comment #153544).

1758. Anti-Quran Film Fitna Pulled From Web Due to 'Threats'

Comment #153773 by Quetzalcoatl on April 2, 2008 at 3:53 am

RichardMorgan-

I think Ssssetc is confusing the fact that the rioters were mainly either immigrants from Islamic countries or were descendants of those with there being a religious basis. If there was a religious basis to the violence, which I don't think there was, it was certainly not obvious.

1759. Fleabytes

Comment #153762 by Quetzalcoatl on April 2, 2008 at 2:14 am

Philip-

I think you are very right indeed!

For the hell of it, here's the Muse track!

If you like that, then you should check out my blog right now!

1760. Who wants to kill the elderly?

Comment #153757 by Quetzalcoatl on April 2, 2008 at 1:58 am

Teratornis-

Did anyone reading this, who grew up in a country with these restrictions on underaged drinking, have the slightest difficulty obtaining alchohol as a teenager?

No problem. House parties are the friend of the under-age drinker.

1761. Fleabytes

Comment #153750 by Quetzalcoatl on April 2, 2008 at 1:43 am

Paula-

have a good time at the event today. Will there be a report on RD.net about it?

1762. Fleabytes

Comment #153746 by Quetzalcoatl on April 2, 2008 at 1:30 am

Philip-

this reminds me of a certain Muse track you suggested to me yesterday on my blog. Perhaps Clearthinker is further along than Jimmy?

(Apologies to everyone else, for whom this will make no sense).

1763. Anti-Quran Film Fitna Pulled From Web Due to 'Threats'

Comment #153743 by Quetzalcoatl on April 2, 2008 at 1:26 am

577. Comment #153705 by MaxD-

Well said, and I agree. Here in Britain multiculturalism has been encouraged to the extent that I think it has actually become a problem. This is why I think encouraging a sense of national pride is a good thing, although obviously not to the extent that it causes antipathy with other countries.

What I am referring to is the goofy multi-culturalism that makes certain ideologies off limits because they are practiced by lots of people

It boggles my mind when I run across comments by people saying that we cannot criticise human rights violations in Islamic countries because it's "their culture". All cultures are not equal, and just because something is believed by a large number of people does not make it right.

No tax bucks to faith school, or ed programs or charities.

You're right, secularisation is the way forward. If people want to send their children to faith schools, that is their right, but they shouldn't expect government funding for it. And the schools' curricula should be subject to the same standards as any other school.

1764. Fleabytes

Comment #153737 by Quetzalcoatl on April 2, 2008 at 12:58 am

Clearthinker-

Yes - I understand the ridicule. And you all make it frequently. Yet a long time ago I asked you to explain how life comes from non life. Apart from falling about laughing - no one explained.

Hmm. Could this be because I am not a scientist with the appropriate training? Could it also be because we do not yet know how life got started from non-life? It would hardly be reasonable for us to expect you to provide a detailed explanation of the precise mechanism by which God created the Universe.

If you are genuinely interested, check out this link-

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Origin_of_life

It contains a good summary of the current theories. I admit that how life got started is one of the big unanswered questions, but I think RD did a good job of addressing it in TGD with his comments on large numbers, the idea that you found so ridiculous. Life is essentially a series of self-sustaining chemical reactions. And in primordial oceans rich in organics, seething with chemical reactions, it only had to happen ONCE to get the whole thing started.

1765. Anti-Quran Film Fitna Pulled From Web Due to 'Threats'

Comment #153570 by Quetzalcoatl on April 1, 2008 at 3:11 pm

Anna-

I'm glad to know I can run everyone off so quickly.

Have you considered work as a bouncer?

1766. Anti-Quran Film Fitna Pulled From Web Due to 'Threats'

Comment #153567 by Quetzalcoatl on April 1, 2008 at 3:09 pm

Anna-

because I'm tired, and clearly my mental faculties are slipping!

1767. Anti-Quran Film Fitna Pulled From Web Due to 'Threats'

Comment #153560 by Quetzalcoatl on April 1, 2008 at 3:06 pm

Anna-

ah, I see. It may be time for me to leave.

1768. Faith healing church parents charged over toddler's death

Comment #153558 by Quetzalcoatl on April 1, 2008 at 3:04 pm

Sweatypalmsunday-

I haven't found a good reason why, say, an abortion one day before birth is perfectly legal and accepted by the pro-choice crowd (myself included), but an "abortion" one day after birth (i.e., infanticide) is a capital offense which nearly all modern-day people find abhorrent.

Have you mistyped something here? Who on earth thinks an abortion at eight months is acceptable?

1769. Anti-Quran Film Fitna Pulled From Web Due to 'Threats'

Comment #153554 by Quetzalcoatl on April 1, 2008 at 2:58 pm

Anna-

Erm...

Durr?

1770. Anti-Quran Film Fitna Pulled From Web Due to 'Threats'

Comment #153548 by Quetzalcoatl on April 1, 2008 at 2:51 pm

Uh oh

Er, what? I'm confused :(

1771. Anti-Quran Film Fitna Pulled From Web Due to 'Threats'

Comment #153544 by Quetzalcoatl on April 1, 2008 at 2:46 pm

Richard-

sorry, don't mean to be dense, but I'm still a little confused. I don't remember saying anything about Al needing Anna to speak for him. Which comment of mine do you mean?

1772. Anti-Quran Film Fitna Pulled From Web Due to 'Threats'

Comment #153527 by Quetzalcoatl on April 1, 2008 at 2:31 pm

Kaiserkriss-

I'm at home right now. But even at work, I'm on this site fairly often. My job is dull.

Anna-

I think Richard is the only one who knows what the joke is.

1773. Anti-Quran Film Fitna Pulled From Web Due to 'Threats'

Comment #153516 by Quetzalcoatl on April 1, 2008 at 2:24 pm

Richard Morgan-

Quetz the Man : and EVERY group needs its Quetzalcoatl.
You're a lovely guy.
Sorry about your neurotic dragon. Has it tried Prozac?

Erm, pardon? What are you trying to say?

Kaeru-

I think we all need more tea.

I can definitely agree with that!

1774. Anti-Quran Film Fitna Pulled From Web Due to 'Threats'

Comment #153507 by Quetzalcoatl on April 1, 2008 at 2:15 pm

Steve, Al-

every group has its share of idiots. And on subjects like this, misunderstandings are inevitable. Don't get disheartened too quickly.

1775. Anti-Quran Film Fitna Pulled From Web Due to 'Threats'

Comment #153499 by Quetzalcoatl on April 1, 2008 at 2:07 pm

Goldy-

Soon, Chinese and Indian ideas and ideals will be everywhere too.

Problem is, they have a lot of dubious ideas as well, but I suppose no more than the West does.

1776. Anti-Quran Film Fitna Pulled From Web Due to 'Threats'

Comment #153488 by Quetzalcoatl on April 1, 2008 at 1:58 pm

Goldy-

you're right, they're probably not. But I do remember thinking that it wouldn't be half bad if a version of Islam in which women could be teachers got exported to other parts of the world, rather than the radical Wahhabi crap the Saudis are funding.

1777. Anti-Quran Film Fitna Pulled From Web Due to 'Threats'

Comment #153479 by Quetzalcoatl on April 1, 2008 at 1:51 pm

Kaeru-

the UK has not gone "nuts".

1778. Anti-Quran Film Fitna Pulled From Web Due to 'Threats'

Comment #153477 by Quetzalcoatl on April 1, 2008 at 1:50 pm

Al-rawandi-

Actually the mosque architecture is decidedly Wahhabi in China

Fair enough, didn't know that. What I meant was the radical Wahhabism being exported by Saudi Arabia of late. I might well be mistaken, since I'm going by what I can remember of a single article from months ago. Please let me know if I've gone wrong.

1779. Anti-Quran Film Fitna Pulled From Web Due to 'Threats'

Comment #153473 by Quetzalcoatl on April 1, 2008 at 1:47 pm

462. Comment #153435 by Nairb-

I'm sorry, but that's just stupid. I remember some event happening the day after I started my first job, what was it, oh yeah! 9/11.

My country has also been hit three times, one of which was unsuccessful thanks to the terrorists' incompetence. I grew up during the closing stages of the Troubles, and I remember the bombings. Please don't sweep what happened on 9/11 aside like that.

1780. Anti-Quran Film Fitna Pulled From Web Due to 'Threats'

Comment #153466 by Quetzalcoatl on April 1, 2008 at 1:43 pm

Goldy-

it's ironic that in a regime as repressive as China we can see another form of Islam flourishing. I remember a story a couple of months back about woman Imams and teachers of Islam there. Very positive stuff. And all probably because the Wahhabis haven't been able to make any headway there.

I grew up in a very diverse community, so maybe I'm biased, but I have no idea how anyone could confuse Sikhism with Islam. They're completely different.

1781. Anti-Quran Film Fitna Pulled From Web Due to 'Threats'

Comment #153450 by Quetzalcoatl on April 1, 2008 at 1:33 pm

Anna-

I think your suggestions are a bit too broad. What can we do specifically to implement those suggestions?

You're right, they are a bit. Narrowing them a little:

Internally: build closer ties with the Muslim community. Encourage integration. Make it clear that we do not fight Islam, but Islamic terrorism. This might help prevent "persecution mentality". Recognise that multiculturalism within a country can be taken too far (this is for Britan, don't know how it relates to the US). Encourage diversity, but not at the expense of unity (if that makes sense). Encourage patriotism and a sense of pride in the country you live in. Encourage religious freedom and right to expression, and emphasise that all people, including atheists, have a voice.

If these seem a bit vague, they are. I'm writing them off the top of my head. But doing things like this will reduce the number of "home-growns" and encourage the nation to present a united front to external terrorism.

1782. Anti-Quran Film Fitna Pulled From Web Due to 'Threats'

Comment #153440 by Quetzalcoatl on April 1, 2008 at 1:19 pm

Kaeru-

Maybe. But what is the sane response to someone trying to instill panic? Preemptive panic?

Of course not. In fact, there is a danger that we become too paranoid, and do their work for them.

The sane response?

1) Face up to the fact that attacks are likely to happen, regardless of how many precautions we take.
2) Do not let fear of attack stop us from doing the right thing(a nebulous statement I know, but it's important).
3) Try to change the way the West is perceived in the Islamic world (harder to blow up those you don't hate).
4) Think more about the consequences of our actions abroad.
5) Internally, try to promote integration and cohesiveness. Emphasise our strengths when we work together. An integrated community is a braver community.

1783. Faith healing church parents charged over toddler's death

Comment #153429 by Quetzalcoatl on April 1, 2008 at 1:14 pm

Good. Now what about the parents who let their eleven year old daughter die?

1784. Anti-Quran Film Fitna Pulled From Web Due to 'Threats'

Comment #153421 by Quetzalcoatl on April 1, 2008 at 1:09 pm

Kaeru-

They would need a whole lot of willing bodies to make our streets and trains unsafe by any objective measure

You're right, they don't have the numbers. But their aim is to sow terror, to undermine governments, instill panic, and slaughter civilians. That they can do with ease.

1785. Vote on freedom of expression marks the end of Universal Human Rights

Comment #153200 by Quetzalcoatl on April 1, 2008 at 7:37 am

Steve-

I nominate Irate_Atheist and The Reverend Dark.

1786. Fleabytes

Comment #152777 by Quetzalcoatl on March 31, 2008 at 2:31 pm

Paula-

It could be argued that he should concentrate on writing a better case for Christianity first

[sarcasm] I am shocked and appalled that you could say that. Have you not read his book? Look at that table next to you. If you wait a trillion years, do you really think that table will come to life? Of course not! Therefore God exists. And Jesus too.[/sarcasm]

1787. Fleabytes

Comment #152595 by Quetzalcoatl on March 31, 2008 at 8:44 am

Steve-

Erm. I was talking about me

Oops. My mistake. Sorry about that.

Anna-

Of course, I might well be thrown out of the church for uncontrollable giggling

That isn't going to help Al-Rawandi's pride, you know. ;-)

1788. Fleabytes

Comment #152587 by Quetzalcoatl on March 31, 2008 at 8:35 am

al-rawandi-

I want to give a sermon at the FCOS wearing a Tarzan loin cloth.

I'd be happy to attend then, since you didn't say JUST a loin cloth.

Steve to Anna:

Anyway, the train fare to Scotland would probably be rather expensive.

It certainly would be from America.

1789. Fleabytes

Comment #152576 by Quetzalcoatl on March 31, 2008 at 8:20 am

Geoff-

As usual, David completely ignores the facts, despite both Paula (on here) and UHI explaining the format

What makes it worse, is that Paula has explained it numerous times on the FCOS forum as well, several times.

1790. Fleabytes

Comment #152562 by Quetzalcoatl on March 31, 2008 at 8:13 am

Irate-

Where's Billy when you need him?

He's a regular commenter on my blog, so I can summon him quite easily. I'm sure he'd be keen to participate :-)

1791. Fleabytes

Comment #152559 by Quetzalcoatl on March 31, 2008 at 8:10 am

Steve-

Quetz - sometimes you are just simply wonderful :)

Only sometimes? :(

Seriously, thanks!

1792. Fleabytes

Comment #152555 by Quetzalcoatl on March 31, 2008 at 8:06 am

Steve-

personally, I think we should call for balance by having an atheist speak at every one of David Robertson's church services. If that didn't happen, it would be as if people were just going there to hear him give only ONE side of the debate. And that would be wrong, of course.

;-)

1793. My quest to get de-baptised

Comment #152547 by Quetzalcoatl on March 31, 2008 at 8:02 am

Anna-

oh dear. You have fallen directly into his trap. Every time.

1794. Fleabytes

Comment #152529 by Quetzalcoatl on March 31, 2008 at 7:44 am

Found this on the BBC News website, might be of interest to some:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/highlands_and_islands/7276863.stm

1795. My quest to get de-baptised

Comment #152522 by Quetzalcoatl on March 31, 2008 at 7:38 am

First of all, is that even a practical solution to circumcision?

It's certainly not a pleasant one.

1796. Beware the Believers

Comment #152498 by Quetzalcoatl on March 31, 2008 at 6:47 am

Steve-

you make a good point. Perish the thought. Of course, it's entirely possible that I was being ironic. I know, I know: it's so unlike me.

1797. My quest to get de-baptised

Comment #152444 by Quetzalcoatl on March 31, 2008 at 3:20 am

I wasn't aware that being baptised was something that actually got recorded and used in official stats. Might be wrong though.

I think I was baptised, but I'm not so worried about getting de-baptised, since the whole thing clearly didn't work to begin with!

Lee-

try teaching your son some Latin as well. That should freak the vicar out quite nicely.

1798. Beware the Believers

Comment #152431 by Quetzalcoatl on March 31, 2008 at 2:31 am

Steve-

don't forget, he gets a lot of e-mails and letters from various unnamed atheists who don't like Dawkins. Maybe one of them knows something about biology?

1799. Two More Fleas

Comment #152426 by Quetzalcoatl on March 31, 2008 at 2:19 am

Clearmind-

Self entertaining is another way to deceive yourself

I thought "self entertaining" was supposed to be a sin?

1800. Beware the Believers

Comment #152422 by Quetzalcoatl on March 31, 2008 at 2:12 am

Steve-

Clearthinker is not a believer in ID. Therefore, it must be the latter. It's always good to know that common ground can be found between the atheists and the believers.