201. Is religion a threat to rationality and science?

Comment #173613 by Philip1978 on May 1, 2008 at 12:27 am

Clearmind

What happened?

You posted a few reasonably eloquent things recently but have slowly regressed back to "WOOOT, woooot wooot beeep Mona Lisa says there is no LOGIC in your Bertrand! How can your evolins argue with that?"

Come on, lay off the drugs you crazy hermaphrodite!

Philip

202. Is religion a threat to rationality and science?

Comment #172991 by Philip1978 on April 30, 2008 at 8:17 am

Getting confused now...

Seeker, I am baffled, not difficult to accomplish me being the sort that is prone to getting baffled a lot.

I don't understand why it is up to us to go look for these things when you are the one making the assertion that the Earth is around the 4500 year old mark.

If I came on here saying I thought the world was a rather amusing shade of pink, contrary to popular thought that the world perceived through human eyes is full of different colours etc I would have to prove that to you all or get myself down the local opticians or padded cell! :)

I am not saying you are in need of the padded cell, but you have made a comment that is contrary to the evidence available that claims the Earth's age to be vastly greater than the value you have given it.

I think you need to show the evidence, but that is just a humble request as I think people need more convincing of this.

Philip

203. Is religion a threat to rationality and science?

Comment #172813 by Philip1978 on April 30, 2008 at 5:41 am

Cartomancer,

Dont remove the avatar just yet, I think its quite artful! I don't know if I approve of the sunglasses but the rest is fine!

riandouglas

Thats a fine word!

204. Is religion a threat to rationality and science?

Comment #172802 by Philip1978 on April 30, 2008 at 5:32 am

Seeker

I think you could benefit greatly from reading a book on dinosaurs! :)

205. Is religion a threat to rationality and science?

Comment #172794 by Philip1978 on April 30, 2008 at 5:26 am

seeker_of_truth

How do you explain Tiktaalik then? Thats way over 4500 years old!

Philip

206. Fleabytes

Comment #172764 by Philip1978 on April 30, 2008 at 4:27 am

riandouglas

Adam and Eve vs Chimps etc

No contest!

God literally plonked Adam and Eve in the deep end, they had not even had the chance to be children let alone thinking adults.

He had created a paradise from which it posed no danger to Adam & Eve at all - How were they supposed to develop any sense of danger or badness when they had not been taught it? Practically all they had been taught was to name birds, eat fruit from trees and be naked - god has only told them so much but even then they had not had time or the encouragement to be aware of consequences?


Chimps etc developed their morals and learning through their evolution, through generations, through trail and error - the list is endless as to how chimps learned how to be moral and reason. They had to be to survive, if they didn't learn it we wouldnt be here.

Adam and Eve on the other hand were victims of Gods duplicitous nature, he had to get scapegoats in order to get worshiped.

If God did exist, I concede he would have a sense of humour because he helped created atheists!

Philip

207. Fleabytes

Comment #172744 by Philip1978 on April 30, 2008 at 3:13 am

riandouglas

Doesn't that make mankind prior to the fall amoral?

Certainly does hold weight doesn't it!

Also makes God look completely stupid sacrificing his son/himself in human form on the cross later on!

Jesus dies for original sin and original sin is a complete set up - God has a plan for everyone does he? Well this one plan is so sodding devious its unbelievable! People have been begging forgiveness because of a set up, how the religious can justify this without feeling slightly stupid I don't know!

Tis a mad world my masters!

Philip

208. Fleabytes

Comment #172720 by Philip1978 on April 30, 2008 at 1:46 am

godless1

Not that I even dare think that the Adam and Eve story is true, I don't think Adam and Eve were created perfect as you say, I say they were stupid! :)

Were they not completely and utterly devoid of any intelligence and therefore not able to know that scoffing the fruit would be a bad thing to do?

My other theory is that God set them up to fall in the first place - he lets the snake in, plants the tree within easy reach of his credulous creations and then sits back and then pretends to go berserk and punishes them for it.

Now, if you buy into the theory that old Yahweh was omniscient, that makes him look even more like the bastard he really is - he KNEW it was coming but did it anyway! :)

Thank goodness I don't believe a word of this rubbish!

Philip

209. Museums teach society lacking in science literacy

Comment #172702 by Philip1978 on April 30, 2008 at 12:20 am

I am associating this article with a T-Shirt so recently spotted being worn by Steve Zara it simply says

Stand back, I'm about to try science!

I think I will echo a lot of the views already on here and say that I think this is encouraging. If more museums had the right funding and resources kids would be able to learn stuff that is available to them to discover for themselves.

There is no pressure for these little guys to go which I think is important, don't pressure them, make it fun yet informative, excellent idea!

On a more sarcastic tone, I am sure a few of the more deluded creationists could also join in with the kids, having regressed to the same intellect level they might learn something too! :)

Philip

210. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #171475 by Philip1978 on April 28, 2008 at 2:04 pm

DickDawkins

I think you mentioned something earlier about me not knowing Jesus, that got me thinking a bit.


I have to admit to only reading the entire bible twice, though I have actually read bits many many times, most of the stuff was about Jesus. I have studied English and History at university, to be honest with you I didn't like it as much as I did with something like Shakespeare or John Keats the poet. But, thats not what I want to discuss.

Why did a life long atheist go looking for Jesus?
I a historian, nowhere near as good as someone like Cartomancer but I have the degree from university and I know my fair share of methods of studying evidence and creating a conclusion.


Well, thing is, there was this great Christian chap who came on here and challenged me with various historical things that have been found here and there that might have confirmed the existence of Jesus. I was putting forward the argument to say that there is no good historical evidence to show even a human being called Jesus, who was born in Bethlehem, grew up in Nazareth, performed miracles, died on the cross etc So I read loads about Jesus, I have read quite a few books now, I have looked up a load of websites, have asked people's opinions.

My conclusion at the moment is that Jesus and his character are a metaphor, one used from any previous Near Eastern Religions, especially Egyptian but also from places like Sumeria, Mesopotamia - pretty much from a scattering of other religions. Egypt has Horus, I would go and look up a comparison of Jesus and him just for starters, there are loads of other gods and prophets who share the same story as Jesus but were in religions before him.

Secondly I would advise you check out the Zodiac, things like the setting of the sun and its correlation with the date of the 25th of December, why the 3 stars in Orion's Belt are also called the 3 Wise Men and the significance of the Bright Star in the East.


As for historical evidence I have found absolutely nothing on Jesus - no eyewitness accounts, nothing from surrounding countries - just a whole host of nothing except from in the bible, do you not find that strange?

Do you not find it strange for instance that until AD67 the site of Nazareth was a graveyard for a town called Japha? Many archaeological digs by various religious people have all turned up with nothing to show for it and these guys were professionals. how could Jesus have grown up there if it was a graveyard?

Dont even get me started on the word Nazarene or Nazarite or we could be here a long time, but suffice to say that little prediction in the bible about Jesus being a Nazarene is a complete load of rubbish. it refers to a persecuted Jewish sect from out of the late 1st century and nothing to do with Jesus.


I could go on for ages with what I have read about Jesus but what I suggest you do is not keep thinking that just because I do not have any faith I do not know Jesus. I have read a lot on the subject, there are other folk on here who are also very helpful when asking questions about Jesus as well and they have taught me a lot. Even Christians who come on here from time to time chat about Jesus. Without boasting or making ridiculous claims I can safely say I know quite a bit about him.

I am still open to suggestions as to proof of a human being called Jesus existing, there might still be evidence for it and I would gladly change my mind about that.


The Jesus you believe in is out of the question though, that is too complex and I prefer to use simpler and more reasonable explanations for miracles etc. If someone can prove to me that the natural laws of physics,chemistry and biology can be broken or made new and improved enough to do what Jesus is reported to have done, well, alright then, but I seriously if not completely doubt it.

So, please, understand I do know about Jesus, just not in the same way as you.

Philip

211. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #171116 by Philip1978 on April 28, 2008 at 10:17 am

Dick,

Jesus would be so proud of you!:)

You insulted everybody, just exactly did you expect, thanks?

Philip

212. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #171000 by Philip1978 on April 28, 2008 at 8:16 am

Dick

Could I ask you a favour?

Don't say things you can't back up or if you have better information on this, by all means share it with us.

Please could you come up with a better argument as to why you think Professor Dawkins and PZ Myers have somehow lost out on this. If anything I think this movie shows just how ill-informed Mr Mathis and co have been about evolution, Darwinism, atheism and science. They have made some very large mistakes and the funny thing is they don't seem to be fully aware of just how much they have disgraced themselves.

Saying stuff like "Ben Stein's pwnage" does not explain anything, Mr Stein has disgraced himself and should be ashamed!


Would like to discuss this properly or are you just looking for a verbal fight that means nothing?

Philip

213. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #170979 by Philip1978 on April 28, 2008 at 7:57 am

MPhil

I am very sorry for your loss but still happy that you got to spend time with what sounds very much like both my Grandmothers when they were alive. Both of them had such an impact on my life and taught me a heck of a lot. Plus they were the right kind of fun loving mad and never failed to make me laugh tons!

I think it is terribly insulting for somebody to turn around and say that person is now in hell because despite their kind and loving actions, they didn't believe in the right god. What does that mean? It appalls me that someone could WANT to think that, you are absolutely right when you said it was a despicable thought because thats exactly what it is.

What is wrong with saying something more meaningful and kind?


My sympathies again, I hope you will be ok

Philip

214. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #170880 by Philip1978 on April 28, 2008 at 5:49 am

Irate

I must obviously have not drunk enough Tea today! :)

Shinewithjoy, that sounds quite incredible, it would be good to understand how you arrived at that conclusion. Like the others I would be happy to discuss this in further detail

Philip

215. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #170860 by Philip1978 on April 28, 2008 at 5:31 am

Why did an all-powerful and all-knowing God do that? I don't know, but I accept it with an open and glad heart. I thank Him for loving and caring about me that much.

Melissa, I actually wonder why you want to think that is true, its something I don't think I will ever understand. This is not a rant I promise, its more of an inquiry.


I have often pointed out, though I am no psychologist, that religious belief is closely akin to that of Stockholm Syndrome.

Stockholm syndrome is a psychological response sometimes seen in an abducted hostage, in which the hostage shows signs of loyalty to the hostage-taker, regardless of the danger (or at least risk) in which the hostage has been placed (From Wikipedia)

God/Yahweh is the hostage taker, he barges in and holds people hostage simply by nothing more than using thought crimes. The worse these crimes and punnishments are, the more the believer turns to that deity for comfort, why is this?


Here is an example from George Carlin the commedian:

Think about it. Religion has actually convinced people that there's an invisible man -- living in the sky -- who watches everything you do, every minute of every day. And the invisible man has a special list of ten things he does not want you to do. And if you do any of these ten things, he has a special place, full of fire and smoke and burning and torture and anguish, where he will send you to live and suffer and burn and choke and scream and cry forever and ever 'til the end of time!
But He loves you.

Chrisopher Hitchens also has got this right when he said

"So, you are lucky to be here, originally sinful and covered in shame and filth as you are. You are a wretched creature. BUT take heart, for the universe was designed with you in mind and heaven has a plan for you!"

But enough quote mining from me, what I am hopefully saying is that I think religion is more of a punishment than an aid to living life.

All believers somehow have managed to convince themselves that they have done something wrong in the eyes of their deity despite the fact, as Tyler points out, they were not involved with any of the decision making process as to how this came about.

If you speak to someone like Irate you can then gain good knowledge of how this can get disgustingly out of hand. The believer can imagine a whole host of escalating and frightening thoughts as to how they could have offended that deity. Thats nasty, wicked and evil - I have had my own experiences watching someone being wreaked by this sort of thing and it sickens me to the core.


How come this is so important? Is it the fear of going to hell that makes it so important that you MUST love and worship God? I think that is cruel and vindictive.

Furthermore I think it is even worse that people like Ben Stein want to keep the meme going that people who want to talk (not threaten I might add) you out of this are the evil people!

Someone who tells you that this is not a good idea, that it is dangerous, unhelpful and full of easily refutable lies is suddenly the bad person.

The person, who sometimes wear ridiculous costumes, who says otherwise ( i.e claims an authority on behalf of something invisible, based on previous invisible things, who says that if you just "open your heart to god and you will know his love" and live by a old book whose contents is full of lies, stupidity and dangerous ideas) is actually somehow a good person. You want to trust this person despite complete lack of proof, despite common sense indicating otherwise, despite everything - why?

How can it possibly help?

Philip

216. Science leads to killing people

Comment #170822 by Philip1978 on April 28, 2008 at 4:13 am

Whatever you do, dont get your hands on Paula Nancy Millstone Jennings's poetry, for goodness sake, Ben Stein is not worth it! :)

217. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #170784 by Philip1978 on April 28, 2008 at 2:04 am

riandouglas

I am used to it, its cos I have an English and History degree, obfuscation and use of sixth form words* like pulchritudinous (Characterized by or having great physical beauty and appeal.) are pretty much the best way of going about getting people confused about what the heck it is I am on about!


Philip

*Sixth form words, words used to try and impress teachers in essays to cover up not knowing what to write!

218. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #170777 by Philip1978 on April 28, 2008 at 1:53 am

riandouglas

Sorry, I tried to use the most flamboyant word I could find to make it sound more humorous, will see if can do better next time! :)

Philip

219. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #170765 by Philip1978 on April 28, 2008 at 1:24 am

Truth ID go and get your eyes checked, Eli is most pulchritudinous, take back your foul comment!(said in a non hitting on Eli kind of way, its a compliment I assure you!)

Al, I like the hat sir, it suits you tons!

Remnant, I see you are not talking me, is this because of the unforgivable sinning I have been doing?


Oh, can I quote the bible again, this shows Jesus being unpopular with Pig Farmers

The Healing of Two Demon-possessed Men
28When he arrived at the other side in the region of the Gadarenes,[d] two demon-possessed men coming from the tombs met him. They were so violent that no one could pass that way. 29"What do you want with us, Son of God?" they shouted. "Have you come here to torture us before the appointed time?"

30Some distance from them a large herd of pigs was feeding. 31The demons begged Jesus, "If you drive us out, send us into the herd of pigs."

32He said to them, "Go!" So they came out and went into the pigs, and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and died in the water. 33Those tending the pigs ran off, went into the town and reported all this, including what had happened to the demon-possessed men. 34Then the whole town went out to meet Jesus. And when they saw him, they pleaded with him to leave their region.


Now, according to what translation you use, thats either a 5 mile run or 30 mile run, either way, Jesus was not a popular chap in this religion for doing that? Call me picky but Jesus could just have told the deamons to bugger off back to hell and be done with it, but nooooo he impoverishes the pig farmers and sends the pigs to what must be a rather terrifying death. Still love Jesus? I dont!

Philip

220. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #168533 by Philip1978 on April 25, 2008 at 7:33 am

Podaar,

Quetz is a good god for hot beverages, so let there be coffee in your life, for coffee is great! :)

221. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #168501 by Philip1978 on April 25, 2008 at 7:13 am

Irate

Thou shalt grab thy computer mouse, making sure thou dost not knock your Quetz Given cup of Tea over, and drag it along to move thy mouse screen icon over the troll Flag.

There thou must Left Click, with this mighty Left Click, The Almighty Josh will send you a confirmation message!

Then thou must have more tea!


Philip

222. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #168479 by Philip1978 on April 25, 2008 at 7:04 am

I am with Bonzai, I have had enough of this, he has no intention of actually debating and is just insulting to make up for his ignorance.

Troll!

223. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #168438 by Philip1978 on April 25, 2008 at 6:32 am

Remnant

I think you have made a ghastly mistake and I am astounded by your arrogance.

Do think any educated person is making things up for the sheer hell of it?

The Scientific Method is not just somebody looking at one book and claiming that book contains information that is the ultimate truth to things.

Science is all about observation and experimentation that is then given the most rigorous testing to see if it can be proved wrong.

Scientist who make claims, like having transitional fossils, are grilled to death to see if their ideas are false, if they stand up they stand up. People are always out to prove them wrong or present a better theory - Science is about proper investigation sometimes taking massive amounts of time.

You seem to think people just make this stuff up and cast it away as a fairy story and use ridiculous and impossible things like a god to explain it all and that is the height of sheer ignorance.

Instead of saying, well, I cant explain it yet, you seem to think its just easier to say "God knows how and that is all that is important" and that is an insult to intelligence.

The next time you get ill, just think where you would be if people relied on the bible to cure you rather than modern medicine - just think how those drugs that could save your life were all created using the Scientific Method and you belittle it with stupid, ignorant phrases like "God is the truth".

That is why people are not impressed or happy with you right now, you claim an authority that cannot back itself up.

Stop doing it, read a few science books and learn about evolution instead of claiming you know it all because of your god. If you admitted you simply didn't know I would have far more respect for you, there are experts on this site who are willing to help you with any questions you might have.

Philip

224. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #168408 by Philip1978 on April 25, 2008 at 6:01 am

Hang on, what about these fossils human beings have found

Pierolapithecus catalaunicus
Ardipithecus
Australopithecus
Homo rudolfensis
Homo habilis
Homo erectus


Oops! Some fairy tale... wonder how we found all these fossils, Satan possibly put them there!

Look you can do the same for horses


Hyracotherium, Mesohippus, Parahippus, Merychippus, Pliohippus, Equus


Remnant, you are talking absolute nonsense if you think there are no such things as transitional fossils.

Tiktaalik is a fine example, as MaxD pointed out earlier, these have been found EXACTLY WHERE THE SCIENTISTS SAID THEY WOULD BE!

Get your head out of the clouds for goodness sake unless you can prove all this wrong with SCIENCE and not MAGIC!

Philip

225. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #168380 by Philip1978 on April 25, 2008 at 5:18 am

Remnant

You firmly and unswervingly have faith that an invisible, completely undetectable being, called Yahweh who apparently works outside of the natural laws of the universe to do things that are completely unverifiable. You also think, that despite every other claimant who says their invisible being is better than yours is, that yours is the most "truthful". You get all this from a book that has the most dubious connections with previous religions that came before it, in fact stories that mirror these previous religions claims. You also claim this book is a better authority of how life was created and became what you see today, despite a massive amount of historical and scientific evidence that shows you otherwise.

You then have the audacity to tell Bonzai to go get himself checked out?

Talk about pot calling the kettle black!

Philip

226. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #168365 by Philip1978 on April 25, 2008 at 4:59 am

Remnant

Please, tell me you don't think the Earth is around 6000 years old, that would be very silly of you if you did think that.

Philip

227. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #168322 by Philip1978 on April 25, 2008 at 2:31 am

Sorry Epeeist, I only used the capital G as I would any other character in a book, its not out of respect I assure you - please dont send your burly bodygaurds after me!

228. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #168305 by Philip1978 on April 25, 2008 at 1:48 am

* LUKE 12:10, "And everyone that says a word against the Son of Man, that will be forgiven; But he that blasphemes against The Holy Spirit will not be forgiven
* . MARK 3:29, "Whoever blasphemes against The Holy Spirit will never have forgiveness, but is guilty of everlasting sin."
* MATTHEW 12: 31-32 "Therefore I say to you, any sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven men, but blasphemy against the Spirit shall not be forgiven. And whoever shall speak a word against the Son of Man, it shall be forgiven him; but whoever shall speak against the Holy Spirit, it shall not be forgiven him, either in this age, or in the age to come".

Yikes look out, I have been thinking, sorry Remnant I know God forbids that sort of thing, does anyone else here think that the above quotes only apply to men and that women can get away with blaspheming against the Holy Ghost?

Philip

229. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #168303 by Philip1978 on April 25, 2008 at 1:15 am

Lifts Cup of Tea, Praises Quetz, slurps Tea, hmmmmm Tea, thanks Quetz!

Lifts up bottle of Fin du Monde, hmmm seems empty, looks like somebody drunked it!

:)

Philip

230. Judge orders La. school district to stop Bible giveaways

Comment #168299 by Philip1978 on April 25, 2008 at 12:54 am

Yes David cos you know all about logic! Still praying for us are you?

Philip

231. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #168298 by Philip1978 on April 25, 2008 at 12:49 am

But not in the eyes of my God. He loves you too.

Remnant does God still love me now I denied him, the Holy Spirit and Jesus? Did I go too far with the Prize winning leek joke perhaps?


:)

Philip

232. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #168295 by Philip1978 on April 25, 2008 at 12:12 am

Ok, just want to get one thing straight with you Remnant, don't pray for me, its a waste of time, just in case you are thinking of it I will add this.

* LUKE 12:10, "And everyone that says a word against the Son of Man, that will be forgiven; But he that blasphemes against The Holy Spirit will not be forgiven
* . MARK 3:29, "Whoever blasphemes against The Holy Spirit will never have forgiveness, but is guilty of everlasting sin."
* MATTHEW 12: 31-32 "Therefore I say to you, any sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven men, but blasphemy against the Spirit shall not be forgiven. And whoever shall speak a word against the Son of Man, it shall be forgiven him; but whoever shall speak against the Holy Spirit, it shall not be forgiven him, either in this age, or in the age to come".

I deny the Holy Spirit, Jesus and God, may they all pleasure themselves sexually with a prize winning leek.


Right thats that done, you can stop praying for me now!


gr8hands

Thanks for your sterling work during my absence, I shall now continue quoting because our dear friend here insists that his book is actually of some worth. It is in fact one of the main contributers to the hideous amount of fear and misery in this world and as soon as this is realised the better.

Lets look at the merciful God in action in war, oh boy does he love killing women and children then raping the virgins afterwards! Sweet loving God!

15 "Have you allowed all the women to live?" he asked them. 16 "They were the ones who followed Balaam's advice and were the means of turning the Israelites away from the LORD in what happened at Peor, so that a plague struck the LORD's people. 17 Now kill all the boys. And kill every woman who has slept with a man, 18 but save for yourselves every girl who has never slept with a man.

Why the hell do pray to this maniac of a God?

Philip

233. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #167624 by Philip1978 on April 24, 2008 at 8:12 am

From the mouth of Dawkins

"I am against religion because it teaches us to be satisfied with not understanding the world."

Me too!

Right, I see more Bible quotes are in order!

Zechariah 14 1:2

1 A day of the LORD is coming when your plunder will be divided among you.

2 I will gather all the nations to Jerusalem to fight against it; the city will be captured, the houses ransacked, and the women raped. Half of the city will go into exile, but the rest of the people will not be taken from the city.

Remnant, do you actually take any notice of these bits or is it something you just put down to God having a bit of bad day, not at his Godly best?

Philip

234. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #167585 by Philip1978 on April 24, 2008 at 7:21 am

Cool MORE Bible Quotes!


As promised:

Judges 19 Verses 22:24

22 While they were enjoying themselves, some of the wicked men of the city surrounded the house. Pounding on the door, they shouted to the old man who owned the house, "Bring out the man who came to your house so we can have sex with him."

23 The owner of the house went outside and said to them, "No, my friends, don't be so vile. Since this man is my guest, don't do this disgraceful thing. 24 Look, here is my virgin daughter, and his concubine. I will bring them out to you now, and you can use them and do to them whatever you wish. But to this man, don't do such a disgraceful thing."

What a lucky bunch of ladies, both raped, one killed but at least the house guest was ok! Sweet Loving Lord at work again!

STOP QUOTING THE BLOODY BIBLE!

Slippy, am so sorry, I didn't mean to ruin it all for you! :)

Philip

235. Is religion a threat to rationality and science?

Comment #167510 by Philip1978 on April 24, 2008 at 5:45 am

Johnny O

Sorry to pester you but that link did not work old friend, please can you check it? Am Interested to have a read as to what happened

Wooter, when did you get your new found eloquence?

Philip

236. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #167494 by Philip1978 on April 24, 2008 at 5:25 am

Ah so thats what Father Dougal Maguire is doing in your avatar picture!

237. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #167480 by Philip1978 on April 24, 2008 at 5:06 am

Slippy

I would like to add to that by asking just which particular ordination of Christianity is right?
From:

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_many_different_types_of_Christianity_are_there


* Churches without sacramental Ordination
* ** Protestant
o *** Lutheran (Minor Exception)
Presbyterian
Methodist
o Anabaptist
o *** Baptists
Pentecostals
Brethren
Amish
o Non-Trinitarians
o *** Universalists
Unitarians
Quakers
* Restorationists
* ** Church of Jesus christ of Latter Day Saints (The Mormons)
o Jehovahs Witnesses
o Charismatics
o Christadelphians
* Episcopalian
* ** Anglicans, Episcopal churches, etc
* Catholic
* ** "Roman" Catholic (Western Rite Catholicism)
o *** Sedevacantists
Those who follow Anti-popes
Old Catholics
Catholics who Follow the Pope
o Eastern Orthodox (under the Patriarch of constantinople)
o *** Greek Orthodox
Russian Orthodox
Serbian Orthodox
et cetera
o Coptic (Under pope
* Gnostic or Esoteric Christianity


Then you have of course the number of Bible translations

http://www.internetdynamics.com/pub/vc/bibles.html

Which one is the right Bible to read?

Its all too confusing for me! Think I might stick to being the atheist I always have been, its easy to understand - I don't believe in gods!

:)
Philip

238. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #167452 by Philip1978 on April 24, 2008 at 4:14 am

AllanW & irate_atheist

Please keep all those possessed by devils at the back of the room, babies out of my face and no I don't cure headaches even for luncheon appointments...

No, hang on, Steve can teach, I am not the messiah, I'm a very naughty boy!

Billy

You are right it is sad, nobody should HAVE to feel like that and I am glad you got out of it. It is an abuse, not just on children, adults too - YOU MUST FEEL BAD...but the LORD THY GOD still loves you!

Well, woo hoo...

Looking on the bright side, something unusual for me I know, we wouldn't have Quetz's might army if you hadn't and that simply would not be cricket! :)

Cheers

Philip

239. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #167432 by Philip1978 on April 24, 2008 at 3:23 am

Billy

I take great issue with someone telling me stuff like that, its like me saying you have no idea of biology!

You don't know about biology enough because you don't love God and His insistence that knowledge, logic and reason is superfluous in face of His wisdom. Furthermore God has not told you about the greater depths of biology and he wont tell you because only He can have such knowledge and thats why he is able to do the things you can't explain!

I mean come on, thats just fucking stupid, downright insulting to all the hard work you do and above all just plain and simply WRONG!

Look, he has even insulted Steve's ability to teach for crying out loud, if Steve is crap at teaching things then my name is Jesus!

Philip

240. Lynchings in Congo as penis theft panic hits capital

Comment #167406 by Philip1978 on April 24, 2008 at 2:20 am

I was wondering how Dr Benway got hold of her famous incredible phallus!

Dr B, have you been at the Witch doctoring again?

:)

Philip

241. Open Letter to a victim of Ben Stein's lying propaganda

Comment #167396 by Philip1978 on April 24, 2008 at 1:56 am

Count me in!

242. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #167373 by Philip1978 on April 24, 2008 at 1:11 am

Remnent HOW DARE YOU MAKE SUCH BASELESS ASSUMPTIONS!

I seriously doubt that any of you understand how historical evidence is evaluated

Go wash your potty brain out this instant! I am a historian, I have a good degree from Southampton University, England thank you very much! I have a very clear knowledge as to what constitutes Primary, Secondary, Tertiary or bible evidence!

Such arrogance!

Oh and for every crapulent bible quote you keep insisting on vomiting forth I will respond back with anything I can find that shows your Bible is full of utter nonsense.


Lets see, well, I guess we had best go for the one that makes me sick to the stomach and also makes me wonder why you want to worship the God that you do.

Deuteronomy 22

28 If a man happens to meet a virgin who is not pledged to be married and rapes her and they are discovered, 29 he shall pay the girl's father fifty shekels of silver. [c] He must marry the girl, for he has violated her. He can never divorce her as long as he lives.

What kind of logic is that?

Worship that god? No sodding thank you!


Philip

243. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #166404 by Philip1978 on April 23, 2008 at 8:15 am

Remnant

So do you hate everybody and your life too?

Luke 14:25
"Whoever comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and even life itself, cannot be my disciple.


Do you approve of Rape like God does?

Judges 21:10-24, Numbers 31:7-18, Deuteronomy 20:10-14, Deuteronomy 22:28-29, Deuteronomy 22:23-24, 2 Samuel 12:11-14, Deuteronomy 21:10-14, Judges 5:30 Exodus 21:7-11, Zechariah 14:1-2

Just to name a few!

Don't quote the bible, its an evil book!

Philip

244. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #166381 by Philip1978 on April 23, 2008 at 7:56 am

The power of the priestly caste would be unchecked

Its true you know, my power has gone unchecked, perhaps its because I spell my surname Priestley! :)


Philip

245. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #166272 by Philip1978 on April 23, 2008 at 4:28 am

I would have put the flying things all on ropes, lift the boat a bit and get out of the worst of the heavy seas! :)

Though Eddie Izzard was right about how the Flying things and the swimming things get out due to a loophole! (Said in the voice of James Mason, who was playing God) Did Noah really have to collect them as well?

246. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #166241 by Philip1978 on April 23, 2008 at 3:22 am

epeeist

Well done you, yes, thats right, have a gold star!


The earliest Sumerian versions of the epic date from as early as the Third Dynasty of Ur (2150-2000 BC) and it supposedly tells of a King from 2600 BC which makes it pretty old! Much older than when Genesis was written which was around 1445 B.C. whose author, Moses, has highly dubious and unreliable historical credentials!

Well done!

Philip

247. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #166196 by Philip1978 on April 23, 2008 at 1:43 am

Remnant

So let me get this straight, you believe that God took 6 days to create EVERYTHING from scratch, including a human male made from clay and a woman made out of that man's rib. (Now, allowing for the Earth to cool down from all the heat and radiation it would take a little more than 6 Days, Adam, Eve, Cain, Cain's wife from the previously unknown land of Nod - EVERYTHING would have fried!)

Then, he tells these two humans that whilst being in the garden they are not allowed to eat fruit from a tree of knowledge. So at this point of course, Adam and Eve are completely lacking in any intellectual credentials whatsoever and would not know that eating the fruit is bad, cos they have no knowledge of consequences of their actions yet! :) (What a kind and clever God, setting them up this way!)

A talking snake, God's most evil nemesis in disguise (He must have known about this or was he still sleeping off the world creating?), is allowed into the garden to chat to Eve and persuade her to eat the fruit and then she gets Adam to scoff some, they shag, they realise they are naked etc

God is really hacked off - quelle surprise- says Eve and the whole of the future females ever to walk the Earth are to have painful births, She and Adam are chucked out of Eden and the snake is forced to slide on the floor and eat dust for the rest of its life ( Now, I have seen a few snakes in my time but no dust eating talking ones, does this mean they have evolved?)

Funnily enough these two are charged with Original Sin despite the fact they were victims in all this, I mean set up or what? Then for a final joke, God sends his only son/him in human form on a suicide mission to Earth in order to make up for the sins of Adam and Eve, he is in effect a scapegoat! (I really do suggest you look up Christopher Hitchen's take on scapegoats, its excellent.)


You then, despite the fact you were not there, either at first light or Jesus's death, still are forced to carry around this guilt, you are made to feel insignificant, unworthy and sinful in the eyes of dear loving THE LORD THY GOD. If you do not repent you are going to be sent to a fiery pit to burn in amusing ways for the rest of eternity.


Now, as a grown up human being, why do you not find this all just a fantastic load of tripe?

Have you seen any dust eating talking snakes lately?


The "Truth" argument, its simply does not wash, you have to back up your claims with better evidence than the plethora of other Gods that appeared before yours did and were worshiped with the same fervour as you do yours.

I can show you many religions prior to your religion that carry exactly the same stories and metaphors, especially those from the Near East. I can show you how the Zodiac has played a significant role in this, I can even point out a few things like the importance of the position of the sun when it sets around th 23rd to the 25th of December or how The Three Wise Men (AKA The stars in Orion's Belt) are connected with the Star in the East.


Now, I can show you all this in greater detail but I doubt you would be prepared to read it.

I suspect you prefer stories of talking snakes or following the rules of a man/god who is quoted in the Bible, Luke 14:25, as saying "Whoever comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and even life itself, cannot be my disciple."

I for one think it is a cruel thing for someone to have a religion and live under what is essentially Stockholm Syndrome, God is the hostage taker, and no matter how many bad things that occur, people will still love him for it.

I think religion is simply built on lies and untruths created from previous myths and metaphors from the past.

I also think that if God does exist he has gone about it in a such a hideously complicated way of proving it, hiding behind the universe and the way it works is not the most convincing method of getting yourself noticed above all the other gods, past and present.

Ah yes, one small last thing, Billy's knowledge of the Bible is pretty damn good, I would not poke fun at him because his knowledge is probably better than yours


Cheers

Philip

248. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #165741 by Philip1978 on April 22, 2008 at 7:46 am

Irate

Navyjake95 sweetly threatened us with lead an' death earlier, all the name of sweet, dear loving Gawd an' Jebus. This is because either Jebus loves him so much he would send his only navyjake to come and mow us down in a hail of bullets or he made a spelling mistake when writing to Santa and it got sent to the Dark Prince himself!

I think Diacanu summed it up very well indeed!

Sir, you and Al share the property rights to fucktard calling, I couldnt possibly steal the thunder and I much prefer to see you hurl it!

:)

Philip

249. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #165729 by Philip1978 on April 22, 2008 at 6:55 am

navyjake95

What a loving Christian you are sir, Jesus would be so proud of you!

All I have ever done is deny the Holy Ghost, Jesus and God as per instructions LUKE 12:10, MARK 3:29 and MATTHEW 12: 31-32 - I mean I am in the shit no matter what! I think the bible has clearly said what is going to happen to me, isnt that enough for you?

Then you troll up threatening us all! How jolly sweet of you!

And like I said, my side doesn't start anything, we just pray to God that he give us the strength to finish it

You just keep praying sunshine, Jesus loves you for it and it accomplishes NOTHING!

Heck, please, send God after my arse, I am not scared of a figment of your imagination!If your God is so damn powerful why doesn't the big sissy come and fight his own corner?

What worries me is that you have to get yourself in such a state over a few things like evolution and people not believing in your brand of God. Calm down, have a cup of tea and think about why you have to get so angry.

Then I suggest you apologise for such silly behavior, you are an adult I take it? If so, act like a responsible one!

Philip

250. If God Is Dead, Who Gets His House?

Comment #165640 by Philip1978 on April 22, 2008 at 1:05 am

I must have been out having a cup of tea when they were teaching this "atheist faith" business, I don't suppose anyone could fill me in the basics could they?

Artful, this is really difficult isn't it, you really don't understand what it is to have no faith and I honestly think you need to learn more about it.

You cannot believe in atheism, not in the same way as a person can with religion - you can believe in god for there is supposedly something to worship - what on Earth is there to worship in a complete lack of belief in gods?

I think many people have gone blue in the face to explain this very simple fact to you, please take it under consideration next time you type something like atheist faith, like the gods, no such thing exists!


Philip