Comments by krisking

Comment #103843 by krisking on December 27, 2007 at 3:40 am

Perhaps "ignored" was not quite the right word. "Rejected" might have been better.

Then, essentially, we actually agree! There are all sorts of pressure groups about, and I hope there always will be, but they don't always succeed in getting what they want.

252. The Pagan Christ

Comment #103841 by krisking on December 27, 2007 at 3:26 am

Steve Zara

Actually, I haven't suffered at all. I have been lucky to live in a country where governments have largely ignored the pressure from Churches,

every single gay man and lesbian woman is affected by the political influence of Christian leaders.

I would suggest that the interference of established Christian groups in UK government policy is not just a personal issue, it is a matter of concern for anyone who cares about democracy. The force of Christian pressure groups on government has been the subject of national debate.

???

253. The Pagan Christ

Comment #103741 by krisking on December 26, 2007 at 4:07 pm

I found most were religious out of...ummm, culture, I guess......shagging was their main past time followed by drinking hard liquor (beer was OK, but wasn't really strong enough)

I reckon that more or less describes the situation here among some groups of people.

254. The Pagan Christ

Comment #103740 by krisking on December 26, 2007 at 3:58 pm

I think you should admit you were wrong.

This is clearly a big issue for you. I think I explained what I meant. I can see that you feel the force of Christian pressure groups exerting influence on government.

255. The Pagan Christ

Comment #103733 by krisking on December 26, 2007 at 3:34 pm

How dare you say this!

I think if you asked the majority of people in this country they would tell you that they take little notice of the church or its teachings.

I agree that there are groups who apply great influence and will continue to do so in order to affect government policy and legislation.

256. The Pagan Christ

Comment #103728 by krisking on December 26, 2007 at 3:16 pm

that he's doing the work of God and divine providence is moving through him.

....I wonder if they are aware of the hatred felt for americans by people the world over?

....and before you jump on me... I have visited the states and found the people their surprisingly friendly...

257. The Pagan Christ

Comment #103726 by krisking on December 26, 2007 at 3:08 pm

It's the 'divine mandate' that Bush claims to possess that makes it repellent. If they loathe Bush, tell them to make it known.

As an American I enjoy not having religious imposition on my life. The evangelicals here are pushing to make imposition happen.

I am scared for the first time in my life about this.

I have a lot of sympathy with your situation. Interestingly, here in the UK, christianity has all but become an irrelevance to most people personal lives....apart from wanting to be christened, married and buried in a beautiful old church building......and at a stretch attend a Christmas service......

Very few people here would be willing to identify themselves openly as a Christian....certainly not as an opening introduction.

I often wonder what Billy Graham said to Bush...I believe it is claimed he was instrumental in his conversion.

Are the religious really so powerful? I find that an interesting comment, particularly as most US tv that we get broadcast here makes no mention of religion at all.....and appears to present a very secular way of life that many christians would consider immoral!

258. The Pagan Christ

Comment #103720 by krisking on December 26, 2007 at 2:58 pm

I can't conceive of a better society. State ownership? Redistribution of wealth every year? I am open to suggestions.

I tend to agree with you...I can't think of a better way of organising society...and we both know that multiplying possessions and personal wealth does not necessarily make us any happier as individuals...although plenty of people allow themselves to believe it. i haven't been able to think long and deeply enough about this to come to any firm conclusion.

It does seem that it is the evangelical types who rape and pillage the earth (read George W. Bush).

I think a lot of evangelical types, at least in the UK, would be loathe to allow Bush the label of evangelical.....although I have seen some awful abuses by "christians" and I am appalled at some of the attitudes that churches (particularly in the US) seem to espouse.

it is the evangelical types who rape and pillage the earth

I think that most christians in the uk in the evangelical fold would be horrified at the notion.

259. The Pagan Christ

Comment #103715 by krisking on December 26, 2007 at 2:41 pm

Excellent. I am satisfied. I like this guy, liberal arts education, little science, reminds me of.... myself

Thank you. The problems for us start when we are faced with an aggressive and implacable enemy bent on our destruction.

260. The Pagan Christ

Comment #103713 by krisking on December 26, 2007 at 2:40 pm

There are evils associated with this, but the good outweighs them

I hope so, or the long term won't be very bright.

The drive for more, the drive to perfect,

I'm not convinced by this. It is well demonstrated that commercial companies do not strive for the perfect, only beating the competition for customers....

If they were in the drive for perfection, there would not have been any need for so much safety etc legislation.......

261. The Pagan Christ

Comment #103710 by krisking on December 26, 2007 at 2:34 pm

So you would also object to any religious leader getting up and stating things as truth when they have all of zero evidence to support these "truths"?

Of course, which is why religious leaders' lives are subject to such scrutiny

262. The Pagan Christ

Comment #103707 by krisking on December 26, 2007 at 2:30 pm

But, then, I think you are so utterly blinkered that you think the world is divided into creationist fundamentalist Cristians and atheists.

I'm not sure you've been following all my posts....

But I think you can't grasp that most Christians accept the theory and creation scientists and their apologists do not represent Christianity

Yes I can......

Most Christians think creationists are bonkers

Me too!! If you mean the guys who believe in 7 days of creationist activity.......

By the way, I've watched all of Dawkins' videos of his lectures "Growing up the universe"... I found them very informative and interesting.....and to a large extent convincing....I guess they were a simplification for his audience.

263. The Pagan Christ

Comment #103701 by krisking on December 26, 2007 at 2:23 pm

All science is tentative, aiming to be the best explantion based on available evidence.

I think this is an important statement.... but not one which is delivered to the general public through the media by people who should know better. Science programmes on the telly (in the UK at least) give the impression that they are explaining absolute truths......The people responsible for communicating science to the public should be aware of this.

264. The Pagan Christ

Comment #103699 by krisking on December 26, 2007 at 2:19 pm

How many pieces of the jigsaw puzzle of evolution need to be in place before you believe that evolution happened.

I don't think I disbelieve that evolution happened, but I do like to keep asking questions.......

By the way, my wife thinks it's rather amusing and bizarre that I am debating with you guys over atheism and religion, as she considers that I don't have any religious beliefs.....

That leads me onto a question I once asked....a long time ago....

How can we be sure that we believe what we believe?

265. The Pagan Christ

Comment #103695 by krisking on December 26, 2007 at 2:14 pm

but ended up doing Biological sciences at uni

Well, approve....and I am trying to catch up by reading stuff on science within my current capacity......... ....and I wouldn't start trying to learn chinese by trying to read one their great works of literature!! I guess there is a scientific equivalent of playing a Rachmaninov Piano Concerto.

266. The Pagan Christ

Comment #103694 by krisking on December 26, 2007 at 2:09 pm

My issue with religion

I'm not sure why non-religious people concern themselves with the religious in the UK.....They are very much in the minority....and the real religion of the British is rampant consumerism.......with marketing and sales people acting as the high priests of that religion and worshippers (or is that worshoppers?) queueing from ridiculous hours in the morning to catch the best "bargains"...

267. The Pagan Christ

Comment #103691 by krisking on December 26, 2007 at 2:03 pm

As to fossils - you drive?

Hey....I don't think I said I didn't believe that fossils exist...... Perhaps I am losing my marbles after all.

268. The Pagan Christ

Comment #103687 by krisking on December 26, 2007 at 1:58 pm

Are you another American fundamentalist

No, I'm English (from the UK) with an old-grammar school education which saw fit while I was young enough to be still impressionable to persuade me to study languages....and thus denied me the opportunity to study science.....so I'm having to do a lot of catching up............

269. The Pagan Christ

Comment #103682 by krisking on December 26, 2007 at 1:53 pm

Why don't you, er, go to a public library (that's the place where they have books, if you weren't aware) and ask for a standard biology or geology textbook.

I am reading "The Wisdom of Bones" in my quest for knowledge.....is that a good start?

270. The Pagan Christ

Comment #103681 by krisking on December 26, 2007 at 1:50 pm

The atheist solution:
Divisions are stupid. Race is onnly about 25,000 years old in terms of evolution and religion was made up by the mentally deranged.

That ends the basis for a lot of conflict.

So the miners' strikes in the Thatcher era had their roots in religion?

271. The Pagan Christ

Comment #103677 by krisking on December 26, 2007 at 1:46 pm

What the heck has atheism got to do with evolution? Science doesn't give a flying fig about atheism, or religion.

Funny that....I was convinced that RD was using his scientific knowledge to prove (almost conclusively) the very high improbability of the existence of God......

272. The Pagan Christ

Comment #103676 by krisking on December 26, 2007 at 1:42 pm

Roger Stanyard

which theory of evolution are you talking about?

How many are there?

273. The Pagan Christ

Comment #103674 by krisking on December 26, 2007 at 1:40 pm

I'll give you a clue. I can dig up billions of fossils in a few minutes in my back garden.

Can you post some photos of the billions of fossils in your back garden?

274. The Pagan Christ

Comment #103673 by krisking on December 26, 2007 at 1:37 pm

I was describing true capitalism,

Wasn't that what was practised in the Victorian Britain....and what a state the country was in then!

I'm not sure what you mean by true capitalism.....other than the economic version of survival of the fittest.....and if you are bigger and have more money then you can get on better....while the poor and inadequate despair.

275. The Pagan Christ

Comment #103671 by krisking on December 26, 2007 at 1:33 pm

I think this krisking gave up.

No, I was dragged away to a lunchtime drinks party in the village where there was a wide variety of people of all races, religions, non-churchgoing theists, churchgoing atheists, etc etc.....all lubricate by fine champagne and delicious snacks.....

276. The Pagan Christ

Comment #103574 by krisking on December 26, 2007 at 8:03 am

Christians converted at the end of a sword.
Crusades, inquisition.

That's not Christianity......that's politicians using religion to their own ends.

277. The Pagan Christ

Comment #103573 by krisking on December 26, 2007 at 8:01 am

Okay, guys (used in the american sense)....what is the atheist solution to the problems in the world?

278. The Pagan Christ

Comment #103570 by krisking on December 26, 2007 at 7:58 am

I ask again, why aren't you a muslim?

Because I am not drawn to that religion. It was set up by a warring charismatic leader who went about converting people at the point of the sword......

.....bit like the atheistic communist regimes have done and continue to do!

279. The Pagan Christ

Comment #103569 by krisking on December 26, 2007 at 7:56 am

I am still on the dame ladder to the top. The "have to earn it" and all that stuff.

Like the majority of us.....religious or not.....

let's be honest....getting to the top is about either being born into it.....or taking advantage of the rest.....which I guess is what most of us in the west are doing (albeit often unwittingly)

280. The Pagan Christ

Comment #103567 by krisking on December 26, 2007 at 7:54 am

Is that meant to be some kind of sarcasm?

No...no...no.... I entirely believe that statement....

I also believe that it is important to get to the real truth......

..but that is not easy

281. The Pagan Christ

Comment #103564 by krisking on December 26, 2007 at 7:52 am

However we must keep Capitalism alive and well, so the intelligent few may sit atop a pile of money ordering the believers about like so many little ants.

...and where do you sit?

282. The Pagan Christ

Comment #103562 by krisking on December 26, 2007 at 7:50 am

al-rawandi

It is also equally true, that the intelligent tend to have less children than the doltish religiose types.

....and your evidence is.....?

283. The Pagan Christ

Comment #103560 by krisking on December 26, 2007 at 7:47 am

No, billions of people can be wrong.

Well, I'm glad that is clear, at least!

284. The Pagan Christ

Comment #103557 by krisking on December 26, 2007 at 7:44 am

The point is that it's all foolishness to you guys.........(as the Bible says!)....so what are you so keen to talk about it?

Here is my question.....

Are there any atheists out there who remain unconvinced about evolution?

Let's be honest.....the evidence is pretty thin.....based on....what? a few bits of bone glued together....

...and loads of conjecture......of the "of course it makes sense" type!!!

285. The Pagan Christ

Comment #103552 by krisking on December 26, 2007 at 7:39 am

There are 2.1 billion Christians on the planet

Well, as the marketing people might say.....That many people can't be wrong!!!

286. The Pagan Christ

Comment #103551 by krisking on December 26, 2007 at 7:37 am

Diacanu

Brilliant argument.

Thanks for the compliment......but it wasn't an argument.....it was a question!!!

287. The Pagan Christ

Comment #103547 by krisking on December 26, 2007 at 7:23 am

This is so rediculous.

Rediculous??? rEdiculous??!!!!

does that mean you have read it?

288. The Pagan Christ

Comment #103545 by krisking on December 26, 2007 at 7:20 am

elise97

christians have set up in their little minds

little minds?

You obviously haven't read a single book by anyone like C.S.Lewis, J. Stott, etc etc etc

289. The Pagan Christ

Comment #103544 by krisking on December 26, 2007 at 7:17 am

elise97

there doesnt appear to be any evidence for jesus when you look into it

Really? Is there any evidence that you exist?

290. The Four Horsemen: on Christmas

Comment #100029 by krisking on December 18, 2007 at 5:27 am

I think it would be really good if they could capture the light which was emitted from the earth millions of years ago so that we can see evolution happening.

291. Happy Newton Day!

Comment #99801 by krisking on December 17, 2007 at 2:55 pm

mercury poisoning

I remember mercury. We used to scoop it off the lab bench at school and into our blazer pockets.....goodness knows where it went next!!

292. Happy Newton Day!

Comment #99797 by krisking on December 17, 2007 at 2:51 pm

Corylus

That's a real women singing

Try standing next to her when she's singing.....you'd know about it.

I once heard a story told by her when she was singing an opera and having trouble getting on stage between the flat. It was suggested to her by a stage hand that she walk through sideways.

"Young man," she replied " I don't have a sideways!!"

293. Happy Newton Day!

Comment #99795 by krisking on December 17, 2007 at 2:47 pm

....and we are back to culture!

294. Happy Newton Day!

Comment #99792 by krisking on December 17, 2007 at 2:46 pm

Various. Computing, biochemistry, biology and chemistry. Specialising in simulation modelling.

Impressive. Shows in your careful and considerate arguments.

295. Happy Newton Day!

Comment #99791 by krisking on December 17, 2007 at 2:44 pm

This is my favourite of the fours songs....

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=O75CnnsFonM&feature=related

296. Happy Newton Day!

Comment #99784 by krisking on December 17, 2007 at 2:31 pm

here we go...guess it depends if you like this sort of thing...

Jessye Norman

Four Last Songs

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=53n9t3qK-i0

297. Happy Newton Day!

Comment #99783 by krisking on December 17, 2007 at 2:29 pm

sorry....typo....

R Strauss.....

298. Happy Newton Day!

Comment #99781 by krisking on December 17, 2007 at 2:28 pm

Anyone see this on the TV news this evening?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/cambridgeshire/content/articles/2006/10/30/street_pastors_feature.shtml

299. Happy Newton Day!

Comment #99779 by krisking on December 17, 2007 at 2:23 pm

I manage the lows with power :-)

I have to say there is nothing like singing if you want a whole body experience better than sex!!!

Every heard Jesse Norman doing Strass Four Last Songs?

300. Happy Newton Day!

Comment #99775 by krisking on December 17, 2007 at 2:16 pm