Comments by Podaar

Comment #154594 by Podaar on April 3, 2008 at 1:33 pm

Comment #154573 by Teratornis

What about a long-term goal of worldwide debate that leads to a subjective secular morality that a majority could stand behind (no murder, no rape, etc., what-have-you).

Is this possible? Naive?

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

Comment #154499 by Podaar on April 3, 2008 at 11:22 am

Diacanu;

Sorry, OT, but I must say Vampire Hunter D is my second favorite anime, I want to watch it everytime I see your Avatar (Ghost in the Machine is #1 for me).

OT < off >

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

Comment #154489 by Podaar on April 3, 2008 at 10:56 am

Diacanu;

...Atheist don't know love and can't support it because they don't love Jesus.

*gag*

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

Comment #154479 by Podaar on April 3, 2008 at 10:38 am

My problem with these hypocrites is, they incessantly talk about 'love' yet they are in essence trying to legislate denial of love and happiness to other couples. Their complaint is so inane it makes me crazy.

-- Gregg

305. Thy will be done

Comment #154463 by Podaar on April 3, 2008 at 10:12 am

Comment #154245 by Barry Pearson

In effect, religion can be OK when practised by consenting adults in private.

Austin Dacey in his recent book The Secular Conscience calls this the 'Privacy Fallacy'. My understanding from reading his argument is; if we insist on religious morality be 'a private matter' we are in essence insisting secular morality also be a private matter (if not in word, then certainly in practice). He supports all questions of morality be open to public debate.

That being said, I gather his argument doesn't include government sponsored displays of religious faith. I certainly don't.

Comment #154235 by TheTrueScotsman

"I call on the members of this body to affirm that they will carry out their duty as elected representatives of the people and will ensure that the decisions they reach will be for the benefit of their constituents and the community as a whole and will be made without fear or favour." - "I do so affirm."

I think this is a brilliant solution. It shows morality is important to all members of the body, yet in a completely secular way!

Great post Scotsman.

-- Gregg

306. Fleabytes

Comment #153986 by Podaar on April 2, 2008 at 10:40 am

Comment #153981 by MPhil on April 2, 2008

Zappa - yes, how about "The Meek shall inherit nothing"

Eat that pork!
Eat that ham!
Laugh till ya choke
On billy graham!
Brown moses, aaron, 'n abraham:
They're all a waste of time,
'n it's your ass that's on the line!

307. Fleabytes

Comment #153980 by Podaar on April 2, 2008 at 10:21 am

Comment #153968 by Frankus1122

I would like to hear anything by Frankus Zappa.

Yes! How about "I Might Be Moving to Montana Soon."

Maybe not.

308. Beware the Believers

Comment #153701 by Podaar on April 1, 2008 at 9:27 pm

Comment #153670 by alovrin

And these tossers
with their D to the fucking whatever.
Is that a lyric.

No less unintelligible as:
'She had that camarillo brillo, flaming out along her head, I mean her Mendicino beano, by the bush that made it red.' Frank Zappa

You may not want to use Frank as an example of lyric art. I love all his music but most of the lyrics are just silly filler.

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

Comment #153698 by Podaar on April 1, 2008 at 9:17 pm

Comment #153604 by Steve Zara

In terms of my feelings about posts on this site, it has not been a particularly good day. I think it has reached a new all-time low.

*sigh* It's a sad day at RDN to be an American for sure. The pugnacious tone taken on this thread and elsewhere is an embarrassment to me personally.

I'd like to throw my opinion into the ring that if the US is going to hold other counties accountable to international laws, our country (and by extension its citizens and leaders) should be accountable as well. I find no error in MPhils posts.

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

Comment #153569 by Podaar on April 1, 2008 at 3:11 pm

Comment #153540 by annabanana

Richard,

What does the fact that I'm from SC have to do with it? Or a young lady for that matter?

Yikes Richard, that sounds ominous.

311. Who wants to kill the elderly?

Comment #153374 by Podaar on April 1, 2008 at 12:28 pm

Comment #153324 by upsidedawn

Well, I'm certainly no genius, but "I think you are wrong," would definitely just be my opinion, and not in any way a condemnation of you.

Yes, but it is a condemnation of his opinion.
Edit: I think

312. Beware the Believers

Comment #153194 by Podaar on April 1, 2008 at 7:34 am

Comment #152697 by sent2null
I agree and my experience with hip hop culture would indicate this video is a tribute.

Comment #152697 by sent2null
and Comment #153071 by Bonzai

...he's smarter than all of us and is going to get his Ph.D.

I guess he's just being consistent.

Comment #117467 by Spinoza

313. Beware the Believers

Comment #152206 by Podaar on March 30, 2008 at 12:47 pm

Comment #152201 by Frankus1122

Indeed.

314. Beware the Believers

Comment #152170 by Podaar on March 30, 2008 at 10:52 am

What is the satirical association with Sam and enhanced teeth? Or bling?

I honestly don't know. I don't think it's funny either. It does seem out of character for Sam...but, funny?

-- Gregg

315. Beware the Believers

Comment #152148 by Podaar on March 30, 2008 at 9:07 am

Steve:

< laugh > Yes sir, it is.

316. Beware the Believers

Comment #152146 by Podaar on March 30, 2008 at 9:05 am

Comment #152142 by Richard Dawkins

A "grill" is, in American urban slang, when someone has their front teeth enhanced with gold and/or diamond--presumably like the shiny front grill of a fancy car.

EDIT: Dr. Benway beat me to it.

-- Gregg

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

Comment #152143 by Podaar on March 30, 2008 at 8:59 am

Comment #152133 by Dr Benway

But there are humans among us who behave thus, covertly screwing others to preserve their own sense of godliness, honor, reputation, etc. I reserve the word "evil" for these people.

This is exactly upset me so much about this story.

-- Gregg

318. 'We Make Our Own Heaven'

Comment #152140 by Podaar on March 30, 2008 at 8:50 am

Comment #152113 by Henri Bergson
Assuming anyone cares whether atheism has a bad name or not, how is watered down Christianity without dogma not a step in the right direction. I suspect even Nietzche would take it as an improvement. :)

319. 'We Make Our Own Heaven'

Comment #152139 by Podaar on March 30, 2008 at 8:43 am

Comment #151915 by Nails

It is the asking of questions I am most interested in, nd she is not afraid to ask questions - ultimately I hope she appreciates how to question answers.

Anecdote time: Tessa (who is a child of Mormon Parents) asked me one time, "Pappa, why don't you go to church?" I responded, "Well, Nanna and I don't believe the stories they tell us at Church...we think it's just pretend. You're free to believe it if you want to." She nodded and went off to play.
Half-an-hour later she came back and said, "I don't like the songs we sing at Church." I laughed and told her that's different but she doesn't need to understand it all right now and we can talk more about it when she's older. She seemed satisfied and asked to watch Cinderella on the DVD player.

320. 'We Make Our Own Heaven'

Comment #151444 by Podaar on March 28, 2008 at 5:57 pm

Nails: "Kids think freely anyway, so let them be kids."

I'm a life-long atheist. The little girl in my arms (see avatar) is my 4 year old granddaughter Tessa--she's a free thinker, and yet no one (to my knowledge) has ever told her she is.

321. 'We Make Our Own Heaven'

Comment #151441 by Podaar on March 28, 2008 at 5:48 pm

Comment #151433 by Richard Morgan

You can interview an eight year-old girl from a Mormon family, and she will dutifully recite, "I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God. I know that the ChurchofJesusChristofLatterdaySaints is the true Church."

Richard, you've probably been away for a while. The children have been taught to add, "I know that Mitt Romney is the one-true-president of the United States." to the litany you describe.

-- Gregg

322. 'We Make Our Own Heaven'

Comment #151440 by Podaar on March 28, 2008 at 5:38 pm

Leave it to southern California to invent sunday-hippie-free-thinkers! I am so reminded of Frank Zappa, "All what we got here is a American made. It's a little bit cheezy but it's nicely displayed."

--Gregg

323. Sue Blackmore debates Alister McGrath

Comment #151240 by Podaar on March 28, 2008 at 9:52 am

A belief is just a claim about reality. Certainty and uncertainty relate to how sure one is about such claims. That's it.

I agree with this statement; yet, I suspect a "moderate" would call me an atheist "fundamentalist" for saying so.

324. Sue Blackmore debates Alister McGrath

Comment #151184 by Podaar on March 28, 2008 at 8:45 am

Comment #151173 by Riley

I don't know how you would interpret: "I am 10% against homosexuality"?

There are many people in my community who would characterize their belief (wrongly, in my opinion)as, "I'm not interested in what consenting adults do in private, but I don't want them to have the same marital rights as me." Does that qualify as 20% against homosexuality?

325. Sue Blackmore debates Alister McGrath

Comment #151159 by Podaar on March 28, 2008 at 8:11 am

Comment #151155 by Steve Zara

What do we call them?

Moderately confused? (sorry)

326. Sue Blackmore debates Alister McGrath

Comment #151147 by Podaar on March 28, 2008 at 7:53 am

Comment #151143 by Bonzai

For the moderate it is an ongoing, uncertain and slow process of constant rethinking and negotiation, one "grows" into his or her faith, This way of believing doesn't exclude common sense and other data outside the texts of the scripture.

This eloquently describes the majority of religious people I know. Great post!

EDIT: What worries me is, as they grow in faith are discarding rational evidence. Example; my Mother, at the age of 70, now believes medical science is a gift from God. In her 40s she never would have said that.

327. Sue Blackmore debates Alister McGrath

Comment #151136 by Podaar on March 28, 2008 at 7:35 am

Comment #151122 by Bonzai

But do you think that anxiety over one's sexuality is experienced only by religious people?

That is a really good question! Thinking about it, from my experience, I'd have to say "yes". Do you know of irreligious people that say they have anxiety about sexuality? I'm sure there must be, but I can't think of any.

-- Gregg

328. Fleabytes

Comment #150862 by Podaar on March 27, 2008 at 1:29 pm

Al,

Is Chinese currency still pegged to the US Dollar or did they ever allow it to value naturally?

-- Gregg

329. Fleabytes

Comment #150816 by Podaar on March 27, 2008 at 12:53 pm

Comment #150812 by SRWB

Ah, but as I said it should be on tap

Comment #150815 by Steve Zara

Well, I personally would avoid beers named "Vomit!"

Steve; Do you think it matters if it's on tap?

330. Fleabytes

Comment #150805 by Podaar on March 27, 2008 at 12:41 pm

But German beers are among the best

Mmmm...Spaten. *I'm repeating myself*

-- Gregg

331. Fleabytes

Comment #150776 by Podaar on March 27, 2008 at 12:09 pm

3.2 beer is pretty common out west, that's why I only buy my beer at the liqueur store...Spaten. Side cars are gone but they enacted an ounce-1/2 pour.

Steve:
Thanks for the link, I'm very happy to see 'Debate: God is a necessary precondition for reason - my response to rebuttal', has been posted. I can't wait to get home and read it.

332. Fleabytes

Comment #150758 by Podaar on March 27, 2008 at 11:51 am

Al-rawandi

In reference to a post of yours (a few pages ago), I live in Salt Lake City where we gentiles have always refered to Brigham as "Breed'em Young".

-- Gregg

333. Austin Dacey - The Secular Conscience

Comment #150391 by Podaar on March 26, 2008 at 8:22 pm

Comment #149519 by Robert Maynard

This is actually the first time I've immediately ordered a book after hearing the interview. I was enticed by the article(s) about it that were posted here, but this sealed the deal. :D

If you liked the interview, you'll enjoy the book. I'm about 3/4 of the way through and I find Mr. Dacey's insight persuasive. It has me questioning my personal relationships with religious family...as he says; I've unwittingly imposed a gag order on myself when dealing with them. They spout religious rhetoric constantly, while I politely remain quiet. I think that must change.

-- Gregg

334. Happy Birthday, Richard Dawkins!

Comment #150043 by Podaar on March 26, 2008 at 12:14 pm

Prof. Dawkins, a very sincere wish for a Happy Birthday celebration and many returns.

Your works have increased the quality of my family's lives. We are truly appreciative!

-- Gregg

335. Oklahoma: One Step from Doom

Comment #141237 by Podaar on March 10, 2008 at 7:38 am

When I was a kid, I worked on a landscaping crew that employed a couple of transient workers from Oklahoma--Bob and Andy by name. We sometimes had to explain the day's duties to Bob several times before he would "get it." He would say, "Don't get mad. I'm from Oklahoma...I'm supposed to be dumb."

I never really believed him until now.

-- Gregg

336. Crossing the Divide

Comment #140481 by Podaar on March 7, 2008 at 2:01 pm

Comment #140322 by Big City:

Podaar, did you just change your avatar? I could swear it was different on the first page a second ago. Weird.

I thought I'd change my avatar so Phil could see me with my Love.

-- Gregg

337. Crossing the Divide

Comment #140306 by Podaar on March 7, 2008 at 5:56 am

MPhil

Maybe your story might help - how did your wife handle that?

I'd love to help anyway I could, but I'm not sure my wife's story would be helpful. She's adopted you see, and was estranged from her adoptive family prior to loosing religion. She's never had the family/peer shame that others describe, or if she did, it didn't matter to her. She's a strong character.

When we started dating, she was not going to church but had a vague belief system that so many here have cataloged--you know the type, "Well I believe in God, just not the way the Church describes him/her." Prior to our first date, she had been on a proselyzing mission in her 20's. So you see, she had come a long way on her own before I encouraged her to go the rest of the way.

-- Gregg

338. Crossing the Divide

Comment #139957 by Podaar on March 6, 2008 at 8:04 pm

I have more than two hundred immediate relatives who are serious mormon christians! I am about to educate all of them.

Good luck with that! I've lived my entire life surrounded by Mormons and I've only ever convinced one that it was a good idea to question their belief and especially the origin of their religion… and I'm convinced she was well on her way to an "atheist epiphany" already. I remember the anger on her face when…halfway through reading "No Man Knows My History" she suddenly dropped the book on the coffee table and said, "I can't believe they shoveled this shit at me my whole life." It was incredibly uplifting to see the shadow rise from her mind.

She happens to be the love of my life and wife now. Lucky me! < /babbling >

339. How to abandon your God

Comment #139572 by Podaar on March 6, 2008 at 5:49 am

mixmastergaz:

I'm sure for many people, leaving isn't an option simply because of the purely social aspects of attending church. What do others think?

I've made the observation elsewhere, in my experience, this is a major reason for people to stay AND join religions.

I like rod-the-farmer's question. It would be fascinating to see statistics on what worldview most reformed-Catholics choose.

340. What's the Point of the Archbishop of Canterbury?

Comment #139339 by Podaar on March 5, 2008 at 3:55 pm

fides_et_ratio

King Arthur: I am your king.
Woman in the mud: Well I didn't vote for you.

341. Add another flea to the list...

Comment #132920 by Podaar on February 25, 2008 at 12:04 pm

...University of Utah, regardless of how crazy those folks are (banning BEER? NOOOOOOOO!!!!!)

What?! I live in Salt Lake City where I purchased beer yesterday. I better check the legislature's website… Nope, another lie about Utah.

342. Why do we believe in God? 2m study prays for answer

Comment #129684 by Podaar on February 19, 2008 at 1:07 pm

I don't think that matters. What is required is training and education so people understand them, and don't assume they are a useful guide to understanding the world. We live in a different world to that in which our intuition evolved.

This is what I was trying to say in my inept style. Thank you Mr. Zara for being so clear.

343. Why do we believe in God? 2m study prays for answer

Comment #129599 by Podaar on February 19, 2008 at 11:06 am

I am not exactly sure how science, reason and evidence would remove that inner world.

Your point is well taken. I didn't mean to imply "removal", but instead coping. For me personally, knowing *why* my mind makes a shirt hanging in a closet at night look like the ghost of my childhood freind, helps me to laugh it off rather than be afraid.

344. Why do we believe in God? 2m study prays for answer

Comment #129572 by Podaar on February 19, 2008 at 10:25 am

There is no "cure" for that short of a lobotomy.

Except perhaps: reason, evidence, scientific discovery and discussion.

Maybe.

--Gregg

345. Why do we believe in God? 2m study prays for answer

Comment #129568 by Podaar on February 19, 2008 at 10:17 am

Bonzai

I find this kind of dogmatic attitude distressing.

You say "dogma" when I give reference to my experience.

Could my granddaughters imagine a magical cause to evaluate whether a situation is dangerous or advantageous? Absolutely, they're very imaginative little girls (although they would probably imagine a fairy princess or dragon--not a god).

The fact is we live in the 21st century where there is a wealth of explanations based on evidence. My thought is we would be better off telling our children that survival instincts are why we put a quick-face on things even if they don't understand it. I believe it's better they know there are reasonable explanations available.

--Gregg

346. Debate between Richard Dawkins and Madeline Bunting

Comment #129450 by Podaar on February 19, 2008 at 6:41 am

Emotional truth? Do you suppose she means strong emotional attachment? Like the chill I get when I listen to Tchaikovsky? If she is, that's hardly an argument for truth.

-- Gregg

347. Why do we believe in God? 2m study prays for answer

Comment #129440 by Podaar on February 19, 2008 at 6:22 am

It seems obvious to me that people believe in a god because they're told it has merit and virtue by their parents! Is this really in need of study? Would my granddaughters come up with a god figure on their own if their mother didn't take them to Sunday school? Hardly! I know my granddaughters well and they think their mother *is* God.

My youngest son was 10 years old before he asked, "Why are all my friends so worried about what Jesus wants?" I explained it as well as I could and showed him where the Bible, Koran and Book of Mormon were on our book shelves. He still doesn't seem to need or want the comfort of illusion.

-- Gregg

348. Archbishop's 8 March centennial message: Let Sharia Law govern women's lives, Amen!

Comment #129152 by Podaar on February 18, 2008 at 5:24 pm

A good recent example in Canada: Two provinces seem to be going different ways on whether Sikhs should be exempt from laws requiring motorcycle riders to wear helmets. For me, the decision is pretty simple: public safety (and universal public health care) trump the individual's right to pratice their religion.

A good recent example?! I fail to see how this compares with the plight of women under sharia law! I know Canadians are probably concerned with the cost of paying for their injuries, but who really cares about the hair fashion of a superstitious motorcyclist? To compare this with the horrors of Islam's treatment of women is (frankly) absurd.
I think Ms. Majedi stated her case well, and I whole-heartedly agree!

349. Murder plot against Danish cartoonist

Comment #126554 by Podaar on February 13, 2008 at 2:26 pm