tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57343464416753187072024-03-12T18:49:56.735-07:00Atheist EvolutionThese are the thoughts of a soldier and a man who through critical thinking, unassailable logic, and circumstance watched as the "evidence" for the god society, song, TV, his church and even his parents taught him disappeared before his very eyes.J Burgoynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03283467415635166115noreply@blogger.comBlogger152125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5734346441675318707.post-90979823236452285982015-02-09T17:28:00.001-08:002015-02-09T17:28:39.261-08:00Atheist Haiku of the Month- Valentines Day Edition<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--K-tmLi0m8A/VNleRnQLiyI/AAAAAAAABf4/X5ry6Ey0O7Q/s1600/darwin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--K-tmLi0m8A/VNleRnQLiyI/AAAAAAAABf4/X5ry6Ey0O7Q/s1600/darwin.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Survival of the Slickest</td></tr>
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Valentine's was God's</div>
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Now it's secular....we're OK.</div>
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Can't we change them all?</div>
J Burgoynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03283467415635166115noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5734346441675318707.post-60054535142364705812013-07-02T15:47:00.001-07:002013-07-02T15:47:04.722-07:00Your Move Jesus...<br />
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I can't come back from the dead, but any Warcraft player knows that it shouldn't take 3 days to respawn.... Your move Jesus!</div>
J Burgoynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03283467415635166115noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5734346441675318707.post-75107354691160946132013-07-02T06:30:00.000-07:002013-07-09T12:20:23.039-07:0010 Things that you Should Teach your Children<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vmWbKmnpBEg/Ub96ii2HHuI/AAAAAAAABPw/2oH9fNhchrY/s1600/IMAG0558+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vmWbKmnpBEg/Ub96ii2HHuI/AAAAAAAABPw/2oH9fNhchrY/s320/IMAG0558+(2).jpg" width="191" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First teach him how to be a good passenger :)</td></tr>
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I rarely speak of my family in this forum, but the people who know me best know that being a father and a husband are the only things at which I can't bear to fail. I struggle every day at how to do it properly.<br />
How do I respond to his every concern, his every success, his every failure, his troubles and successes, his every pain and his every joy and know that I am doing it right until he is grown and it is too late?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yJlpgoFcwF0/Ub99AiOYN0I/AAAAAAAABQA/kX8XHGLiO10/s1600/son.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yJlpgoFcwF0/Ub99AiOYN0I/AAAAAAAABQA/kX8XHGLiO10/s1600/son.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I can't possibly think of any way this would impact him later in life....</td></tr>
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I decided to do this blog entry because of the number of well intentioned posts in the blogosphere that are religiocentric and having noticed the decided lack of any humanist or secular entries. Don't get me wrong, there are a number of very enlightening posts and some very good parenting ideas being tossed around out there, I just felt that there was nothing addressing some of the intellectual issues that secular parents might face in child rearing. I don't claim to be an expert, but some things I feel like I have done very well and have something of value to pass on to other parents, in some I defer to those who have demonstrated success in their particular area of parenting strength. (shout out to the <a href="http://thebitchinatheist.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">Bitchin Atheist</a> for her take on how to develop an open and sharing relationship with your children). So there will be no "teach them to pray" or "show them the beauty of a life in Jesus" or even any "Teach them to make their own decisions about God" (because if you teach them to be skeptical they'll make that decision anyway). Only good 'ol fashioned parenting.<br />
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In any case, on with the list.<br />
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<b><u><span style="color: yellow;">Everything is Funny</span></u></b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FHIWM1N8WF0/UdI-ZhD-yuI/AAAAAAAABQY/iygDiuLYP08/s1024/groucho-marx.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FHIWM1N8WF0/UdI-ZhD-yuI/AAAAAAAABQY/iygDiuLYP08/s320/groucho-marx.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ok, not fake mustaches.... they are serious business.</td></tr>
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Teaching your child that it is ok to laugh at themselves and in awkward situations gives them a coping mechanism that is invaluable. Nothing heals like laughter... and when you are not ready to heal... nothing distracts like it either. It can lift you up in dark times, it can carry you through confusing times and the sound of your own laughter can show you that it just isn't all that bad. My mother used to say "Everything is funny", and I come to understand more and more each day what she meant. She meant that nothing counteracts the pain and difficulties that we run into more than laughter, nothing helps you cope, and nothing but nothing can keep a family together like laughter. Even the terrible things. We all know that they are not funny, but if we let our humour come out, they can seem a little less debilitating.<br />
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<b><u><span style="color: yellow;">Question Everything</span></u></b><br />
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Teach your children to ask the questions "Why?" and "How do you know that?". Let them know that it is OK to disagree as long as they have evidence or good reason to do so. Show them how to keep an open mind in case they are wrong. It is this demand for evidence that will inform their beliefs when they are older and keep them safe from bad and harmful ones. Teach them that if someone says that they know everything or that they "know for a fact" that they are right... with no real facts to support it, that is a fancy way of saying they are lying. I am not saying that we should ruin the magic of childhood if they ask about Santa or the Easter Bunny, but don't lie if they figure it out.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-khD7908Xgr8/UdJFG895wnI/AAAAAAAABQ8/lQVFhrA_XSY/s280/40334_pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-khD7908Xgr8/UdJFG895wnI/AAAAAAAABQ8/lQVFhrA_XSY/s280/40334_pro.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dear God WHY??? We ask the same question kids</td></tr>
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<span style="color: yellow;"><b><u>Teach them to Respect People (but not beliefs</u></b>)</span><br />
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Tell them that everyone deserves respect until they show you that they do not. Beliefs only deserve the respect that their validity affords them. Every belief must be based on falsified evidence for it, and that includes their own. Everyone has the right to an opinion, but remember that having the right to an opinion is no guarantee that it is a good one. If a belief can be shown to be worth respecting then respect it, if not then recognize it for the nonsense that it is. Nothing is a good cover for bad beliefs, not upbringing, not religion, and certainly not "the right to an opinion". (let's be clear that I am not advocating your children calling people on nonsense all the time either, just to recognize it. Civility has it's place after all)<br />
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<b><u><span style="color: yellow;">When People Show you who they are... Believe them</span></u></b><br />
<b><u><br /></u></b>Teach them that people will very often show you who they really are, and the excuse "they are nice sometimes" just doesn't cut it. Forgiveness is the key to a happy life, but remembering who people are will save you a lot of time forgiving people who will hurt you over and over again.<br />
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<b><u><span style="color: yellow;">Science is Important</span></u></b><br />
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Do not allow your household to be a science free zone. The universe is amazing, and they deserve to be fascinated by it too.<br />
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<b><u><span style="color: yellow;">Reading is Life</span></u></b><br />
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Show them by example how important reading is. Not just comic books, but classics. Let them choose their books but always talk about them over the dinner table. Ask them what they liked about theirs and tell them what you like about your own. It will expose them to new ideas and not only will it expand their vocabulary but it will expand their world as well.<br />
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<b><u><span style="color: yellow;">Teach them about hard work</span></u></b><br />
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Put them in situations where you can show them how it feels to be successful when you have worked hard for something. It pays off for them to know that the best things are those things that they wanted so bad they worked hard to get it. Give them an example to follow in order to get there.<br />
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<b><u><span style="color: yellow;">Teach him the Iron of Words </span></u></b><br />
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Teach them that their words are the only thing that they truly own and that no one can take from them. They define and express who we are... use them wisely and honestly.<br />
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<b><u><span style="color: yellow;">Politeness Matters (be kind)</span></u></b><br />
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Pleases and thank yous matter. Civility counts. Do I really have to explain this?<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K7mdDazKgK4/UdJAo4eEXJI/AAAAAAAABQo/nlqU-028ddQ/s465/angry-driver-with-road-rage_100327837_m.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K7mdDazKgK4/UdJAo4eEXJI/AAAAAAAABQo/nlqU-028ddQ/s320/angry-driver-with-road-rage_100327837_m.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">WOULD YOU PLEASE BE SO KIND AS TO STOP DRIVING SO SLOWLY???</td></tr>
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<b><u><span style="color: yellow;">Talk to them about failures and sadness</span></u></b><br />
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Talk to your kids. I mean TALK to them. Tell them when you are upset and why. Tell them when you fail and how it makes you feel. Tell them how you hope to fix things and ask for their opinions about how you can make things right too. Lean on them emotionally without putting pressure on them and they will return the favour when you ask the same questions of them. I can't tell you how important this is. There are so many pressures that we all face as we hit the teenage years and beyond and without this they will not come to you for help. They need to feel like the emotional support is a two way street and that you rely on them as much as they rely on you. This is the only way to achieve the trust that will be needed for them to tell you when things get really difficult for them. (Thanks Char for showing me how to do this!)<br />
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<u><b><span style="color: yellow;">Winning DOES Matter (but it is Failure that teaches us)</span></b></u><br />
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Teach them how to compete. Not how to participate. Don't steal from them the joy of a hard fought win, nor the lessons of a hard taken defeat.<br />
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<b><u><span style="color: yellow;">It's almost never about you</span></u></b><br />
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Tell them that when people hurt them, that it is rarely about them. It is about the person that hurt them. It is them expressing something about themselves more than about your children. Let them see that that there are other things being said behind the scenes and between the lines. It will make hard times just a bit easier if they don't feel the weight of the world when things go bad.<br />
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<b><u><span style="color: yellow;">Be Positive</span></u></b><br />
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Don't fill their heads with worries and insecurities by being negative about them or you. They will copy your reactions to the things that you face. Be careful what example you give them to emulate.<br />
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<b><u><span style="color: yellow;">Sex is not a big deal</span></u></b><br />
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This is another important one. Say it with me....<br />
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<i>SEX IS NOT A BIG DEAL!</i><br />
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Do NOT make your children feel like sex is something to be ashamed of. Or that it is something to be talked about in hushed tones. Or that they need their eyes shielded if a boob is exposed on screen. No one was ever hurt by a boob, but many many people are damaged by sexual guilt.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wKal42YgsIQ/UdJGgy44p3I/AAAAAAAABRE/tzLB1OKSakU/s480/hqdefault.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wKal42YgsIQ/UdJGgy44p3I/AAAAAAAABRE/tzLB1OKSakU/s320/hqdefault.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She just crushed those.. umm.... with her.... ok... boobs SOMETIMES hurt things.</td></tr>
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These last two things are not really things that you teach your children directly, but they will DEFINITELY inform their beliefs and relationships later in life;<br />
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<b><u><span style="color: yellow;">Remember that your relationship with your spouse has GOT to come first.</span></u></b><br />
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Their future depends on this. If you forget everything else on this page, please remember this. Your marriage is the most important thing in their life. This is where they will learn how to love, and how to live. This is where they will learn how to treat women, and how to be treated by men. This is the first example that they WILL emulate and your marriage and how you love your spouse is what you are preparing your children for when they grow up. If that scares you... then fix it! I am not saying that you should stay in a relationship solely for your kids, quite the opposite. If your relationship is toxic then the worst thing that you can do for your kids is to stay in it. They will learn from your example and the best that you can hope for is to teach them apathy for their spouse. Don't do this to them. Fix your relationship or get out and find one that will provide your children (and you) with what they need.<br />
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<b><u><span style="color: yellow;">EVERYTHING is a big deal</span></u></b><br />
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No matter what the age of your child, remember this one thing every single time they ask you to look at the cool thing they made with a stick, or to listen to a sports story, or to hear this new, long and awful joke they just made up that even though it isn't important to you, it is their world and they want to share it with you. Don't rob yourself of that and don't teach your kids that what they think is important is not, because what you are really teaching them is that THEY are not.<br />
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Ok, so that was 14... but who's counting?<br />
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MOM-EDIT ALERT!!!! She's read it and using her mom power to add two more!<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ny4zvy1xDQ8/UdNdX4cgbuI/AAAAAAAABR0/046LbTzGIKE/s240/Mommy_Is_Watching-pkidxq-d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ny4zvy1xDQ8/UdNdX4cgbuI/AAAAAAAABR0/046LbTzGIKE/s240/Mommy_Is_Watching-pkidxq-d.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I've read this... and YOU'RE WRONG!</td></tr>
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<span style="color: yellow;">"Spelling counts. Smart people will think you're like them if you can, and not-so-smart people will think you're like them if you can't. They'll both be right. </span><br />
<span style="color: yellow;">Secondly;</span><br />
<span style="color: yellow;">Stay Curious, you'll never be bored"</span><br />
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PS- Anything else I've left out? Share it with everyone in the comments!J Burgoynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03283467415635166115noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5734346441675318707.post-33708443619448244912013-07-01T20:48:00.001-07:002013-07-01T20:48:39.569-07:00Atheist Haiku of the Month- Canada Day Edition<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Eu54_ky0lhE/UdJNXpAs90I/AAAAAAAABRU/nRByqNsfPg4/s337/canada-day-moose.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Eu54_ky0lhE/UdJNXpAs90I/AAAAAAAABRU/nRByqNsfPg4/s320/canada-day-moose.gif" width="284" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a typical Canada Day</td></tr>
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It's Canada Day</div>
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God didn't do it, we did</div>
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Proud and Canadian</div>
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J Burgoynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03283467415635166115noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5734346441675318707.post-16361874245612245942013-06-05T19:59:00.001-07:002013-06-05T20:00:28.239-07:00Atheist Haiku of the Month- Summer Edition<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F9XSGv__Mg8/Ua_61H8yVOI/AAAAAAAABPQ/Ktv0PqcIw4w/s1600/1-summer-fun-carl-purcell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="270" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F9XSGv__Mg8/Ua_61H8yVOI/AAAAAAAABPQ/Ktv0PqcIw4w/s400/1-summer-fun-carl-purcell.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">WAIT! It's Sunday.... that better be holy water!</td></tr>
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Summer Vacation</div>
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More family and less church</div>
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stop wasting Sundays</div>
J Burgoynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03283467415635166115noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5734346441675318707.post-65264073251809505352013-05-27T13:03:00.001-07:002014-03-15T07:55:52.282-07:00What does "Open Minded" Really mean?<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m2ceSi2zHew/UaO19md4AuI/AAAAAAAABOQ/L-BKCk0KH6A/s1600/dunce_cap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m2ceSi2zHew/UaO19md4AuI/AAAAAAAABOQ/L-BKCk0KH6A/s400/dunce_cap.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm sorry. I'll stop talking about science and evidence :(</td></tr>
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This is an ongoing accusation that every atheist or critical thinker faces eventually.<br />
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"Why can't you be open minded?"<br />
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or<br />
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"Why are you so closed minded?"<br />
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Usually in reference to some imagined slight they have received by the audacity of your irrationality. The irrationality that you display for not agreeing with them.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5H4UHRNFofQ/UaO1W6qmnfI/AAAAAAAABOI/Iogt1eXzK8o/s1600/images+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5H4UHRNFofQ/UaO1W6qmnfI/AAAAAAAABOI/Iogt1eXzK8o/s400/images+(1).jpg" height="298" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Water has memory! You'd understand that if you weren't so closed minded.....or addicted to "facts".</td></tr>
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What does that particular argument even mean? What IS being open minded?<br />
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Do we allow for the possibility of anything as true until it is DISproven?<br />
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Do we agree that everything is right if you can find something to support it?<br />
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Do we let anything go lest we be branded "Closed minded"?<br />
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Do we dismiss unsupported claims until they are supported by evidence and seemingly immune to falsification?<br />
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DING DING DING DING!!!!<br />
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Not to throw TOO much of a monkey wrench into the works of the woo makers, and religion takers but being open minded means NOT coming to a conclusion without evidence. It is dismissing all claims that are unsupported and unfalsified until they have the evidence to support them and have gone through the falsification process. It is letting the conclusion follow the facts and not just looking for facts to bolster your presupposed conclusion.<br />
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But most of all, it is being open to more evidence.<br />
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Richard Dawkins tells a story about an old colleague of his who for 15 years argued ardently for a theory that he felt was an infallible model (as far as he could tell) and who one day had to stand in front of the very same colleagues whom he had debated and worked with all this time with a somber truth.<br />
<br />
His model had been debunked by new evidence.<br />
<br />
Did he argue?<br />
<br />
Did he fuss?<br />
<br />
Did he cry "Foul" or "Closed minded"??<br />
<br />
No, he thanked his peers for showing him his mistake and for adding to the understanding of science. THAT is the scientific and skeptical ideal. His idea couldn't pass the skeptical process of falsification and he was happy to hear it because of the advance in knowledge that this discovery had revealed.<br />
<br />
That is the definition of what it means to be skeptical, and the essense of what it means to be open minded. To withhold belief until evidence is presented and it has passed the falsification process.<br />
<br />
To be open to new evidence as it comes along, and to not so invest yourself in a conclusion that you are sure that you can never be convinced otherwise.<br />
<br />
For THAT is the very definition of "closed minded".<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nAtjrQFTenQ/UaO4otg_q_I/AAAAAAAABOg/_JcZf1Vnbfg/s1600/lalalala-listening.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nAtjrQFTenQ/UaO4otg_q_I/AAAAAAAABOg/_JcZf1Vnbfg/s320/lalalala-listening.jpg" height="263" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ghosts aren't real you say? LALALALALA!!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
When your conclusion is more important than new evidence or than re-examining old evidence, then you are closed minded. You have closed your mind to any possibility that you and your idea could be wrong. You are NOT open minded for believing in unsupported things. You have DECIDED before the evidence is counted that what you believe is true, and therefor have entered into the very realm of closed mindedness that you accuse the detractors of your chosen beliefs of being trapped in.<br />
I DO understand however that my post will not convince many people who already believe in such unsupported things and that they will continue to think that we need to "open our minds" to their beliefs but there is a very easy explanation for this. People have invested time, effort and personal identity into these beliefs and to give them up would not only shake the foundations of the logical person that they already think they are for being "taken in" (it shouldn't, quite the opposite actually it should reinforce the feeling of being a rational being) but it would be too costly emotionally to give up something that is so much a part of who they are. Things that are believed without possibility of change tend to tie themselves to our identity, and to give them up would be devastating in many cases. All I can do is try...<br />
<br />
SO<br />
<br />
Homeopathic healers,<br />
<br />
Reiki practitioners,<br />
<br />
Aromatherapists,<br />
<br />
Crystal Therapy kooks,<br />
<br />
Magnet Therapy believers,<br />
<br />
Astrology adherents,<br />
<br />
Christians,<br />
<br />
Muslims, and<br />
<br />
Believers of all kinds, you need to listen up!<br />
<br />
<br />
NEVER SAY "I can't be convinced otherwise" because it is not a statement....<br />
<br />
It is a label.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m2ceSi2zHew/UaO19md4AuI/AAAAAAAABOQ/L-BKCk0KH6A/s1600/dunce_cap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m2ceSi2zHew/UaO19md4AuI/AAAAAAAABOQ/L-BKCk0KH6A/s320/dunce_cap.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I could share this dunce cap if you like...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
It is a label that brands YOU as closed minded.<br />
<br />
It is a label that brands YOU as being opposed to rationality<br />
<br />
It is a label that brands YOU as the one who simply can't be reasoned with.<br />
<br />
and remember..... (in the words of Tim Minchin)<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JOHG4bA5Ws8/UaO7SFKueRI/AAAAAAAABPA/NiyF5PfrakY/s1600/Tim-Minchin_1246657c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JOHG4bA5Ws8/UaO7SFKueRI/AAAAAAAABPA/NiyF5PfrakY/s200/Tim-Minchin_1246657c.jpg" height="125" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="color: red;"><b>"If you're too open minded, your brain will fall out"</b></span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="color: red;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="color: red;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="color: red;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="color: red;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="color: red;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="color: red;"><b><br /></b></span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="color: red;"><b><br /></b></span>
PS- This is not a negative thing. Skepticism is a pathway to ensuring that your beliefs are TRUE. If you care about whether or not those beliefs are true, skepticism is the only real way to achieve the validated assurance that they are. In science this is achieved by the scientific method. For journeymen like the rest of us, we are left with skepticism.<br />
<br />
PeaceJ Burgoynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03283467415635166115noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5734346441675318707.post-71105893676322685072013-04-07T19:37:00.001-07:002013-04-07T19:37:53.204-07:00Guest Blogger of the Month- Roger Ebert<br />
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I apologize for not being here for those who follow me
lately. I have been sick but that is no excuse to leave words unspoken and
unwritten for those who follow this blog to hear/read. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I feel it is necessary to commemorate someone whom I have never before mentioned in this blog merely because of the respect that I held
for him. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><b>Roger Ebert.</b></span><o:p></o:p></div>
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I labelled this blog as a <i><b><a href="http://atheistevolution.blogspot.ca/search/label/Guest%20Blogger%20of%20the%20Month" target="_blank">Guest Blogger of the Month</a></b></i>, but if
only that were true. </div>
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I would have been honoured for him to acknowledge my
meager words by participating in my project, but I knew of no other way to categorize this. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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There are very few public figures that I care in the least
about. Very few that affect me at all, and fewer still that affect me
profoundly. So many celebrities are worshipped or looked to for answers and
eloquence when all they do is mirror our own thoughts. They teach us nothing
that we didn't already know, or feel might be true. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Roger Ebert is not one of those men. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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He is one of a select few people whose <a href="http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/" target="_blank">eloquence</a> and insight
sometimes astounded me. He didn't always say things that I agreed with, but he
always made me reconsider my position on things. His words always touched me, and
I was honoured to have had very brief contact with him on Twitter. Even though
I didn't know him, I will miss him. These are his words on dying;<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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<i><span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b><u>AN EXCERPT FROM "LIFE ITSELF: A MEMOIR"</u></b></span></span></i></div>
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<o:p><i>(Re-printed from his book "Life Itself: A Memoir,")</i></o:p></div>
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<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">"I know
it is coming, and I do not fear it, because I believe there is nothing on the
other side of death to fear. I hope to be spared as much pain as possible on
the approach path. I was perfectly content before I was born, and I think of death
as the same state. I am grateful for the gifts of intelligence, love, wonder
and laughter. You can't say it wasn't interesting. My lifetime’s memories are
what I have brought home from the trip. I will require them for eternity no
more than that little souvenir of the Eiffel Tower I brought home from Paris.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">I don’t
expect to die anytime soon. But it could happen this moment, while I am
writing. I was talking the other day with Jim Toback, a friend of 35 years, and
the conversation turned to our deaths, as it always does. “Ask someone how they
feel about death,” he said, “and they'll tell you everyone’s gonna die. Ask
them, In the next 30 seconds? No, no, no, that’s not gonna happen. How about
this afternoon? No. What you're really asking them to admit is, Oh my God, I
don't really exist. I might be gone at any given second.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Me too, but I
hope not. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">I have plans.
Still, illness led me resolutely toward the contemplation of death. That led me
to the subject of evolution, that most consoling of all the sciences, and I
became engulfed on my blog in unforeseen discussions about God, the afterlife,
religion, theory of evolution, intelligent design, reincarnation, the nature of
reality, what came before the big bang, what waits after the end, the nature of
intelligence, the reality of the self, death, death, death.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Many readers
have informed me that it is a tragic and dreary business to go into death
without faith. I don’t feel that way. “Faith” is neutral. All depends on what
is believed in. I have no desire to live forever. The concept frightens me. I
am 69, have had cancer, will die sooner than most of those reading this. That
is in the nature of things. In my plans for life after death, I say, again with
Whitman:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">I bequeath
myself to the dirt to grow from the grass I love,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">If you want
me again look for me under your boot-soles.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">And with
Will, the brother in Saul Bellow’s “Herzog,” I say, “Look for me in the weather
reports.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Raised as a
Roman Catholic, I internalized the social values of that faith and still hold
most of them, even though its theology no longer persuades me. I have no
quarrel with what anyone else subscribes to; everyone deals with these things
in his own way, and I have no truths to impart. All I require of a religion is
that it be tolerant of those who do not agree with it. I know a priest whose
eyes twinkle when he says, “You go about God’s work in your way, and I’ll go
about it in His.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">What I expect
to happen is that my body will fail, my mind will cease to function and that
will be that. My genes will not live on, because I have had no children. I am
comforted by Richard Dawkins’ theory of memes. Those are mental units:
thoughts, ideas, gestures, notions, songs, beliefs, rhymes, ideals, teachings,
sayings, phrases, clichés that move from mind to mind as genes move from body
to body. After a lifetime of writing, teaching, broadcasting and telling too
many jokes, I will leave behind more memes than many. They will all also
eventually die, but so it goes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">O’Rourke’s
had a photograph of Brendan Behan on the wall, and under it this quotation, which
I memorized:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">I respect
kindness in human beings first of all, and kindness to animals. I don’t respect
the law; I have a total irreverence for anything connected with society except
that which makes the roads safer, the beer stronger, the food cheaper and the
old men and old women warmer in the winter and happier in the summer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">That does a
pretty good job of summing it up. “Kindness” covers all of my political
beliefs. No need to spell them out. I believe that if, at the end, according to
our abilities, we have done something to make others a little happier, and
something to make ourselves a little happier, that is about the best we can do.
To make others less happy is a crime. To make ourselves unhappy is where all
crime starts. We must try to contribute joy to the world. That is true no
matter what our problems, our health, our circumstances. We must try. I didn't
always know this and am happy I lived long enough to find it out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">One of these
days I will encounter what Henry James called on his deathbed “the
distinguished thing.” I will not be conscious of the moment of passing. In this
life I have already been declared dead. It wasn’t so bad. After the first
ruptured artery, the doctors thought I was finished. My wife, Chaz, said she
sensed that I was still alive and was communicating to her that I wasn’t
finished yet. She said our hearts were beating in unison, although my heartbeat
couldn’t be discovered. She told the doctors I was alive, they did what doctors
do, and here I am, alive.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Do I believe
her? Absolutely. I believe her literally — not symbolically, figuratively or
spiritually. I believe she was actually aware of my call and that she sensed my
heartbeat. I believe she did it in the real, physical world I have described,
the one that I share with my wristwatch. I see no reason why such communication
could not take place. I’m not talking about telepathy, psychic phenomenon or a
miracle. The only miracle is that she was there when it happened, as she was
for many long days and nights. I’m talking about her standing there and knowing
something. Haven’t many of us experienced that? Come on, haven’t you? What goes
on happens at a level not accessible to scientists, theologians, mystics,
physicists, philosophers or psychiatrists. It’s a human kind of a thing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Someday I
will no longer call out, and there will be no heartbeat. I will be dead. What
happens then? From my point of view, nothing. Absolutely nothing. All the same,
as I wrote to Monica Eng, whom I have known since she was six, “You’d better cry
at my memorial service.” I correspond with a dear friend, the wise and gentle
Australian director Paul Cox. Our subject sometimes turns to death. In 2010 he
came very close to dying before receiving a liver transplant. In 1988 he made a
documentary named “Vincent: The Life and Death of Vincent van Gogh.” Paul wrote
me that in his Arles days, van Gogh called himself “a simple worshiper of the
external Buddha.” Paul told me that in those days, Vincent wrote:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">"Looking
at the stars always makes me dream, as simply as I dream over the black dots
representing towns and villages on a map. Why, I ask myself, shouldn't the
shining dots of the sky be as accessible as the black dots on the map of
France?"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Just as we
take a train to get to Tarascon or Rouen, we take death to reach a star. We
cannot get to a star while we are alive any more than we can take the train
when we are dead. So to me it seems possible that cholera, tuberculosis and
cancer are the celestial means of locomotion. Just as steamboats, buses and
railways are the terrestrial means.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">To die
quietly of old age would be to go there on foot.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">That is a
lovely thing to read, and a relief to find I will probably take the celestial
locomotive. Or, as his little dog, Milou, says whenever Tintin proposes a
journey, “Not by foot, I hope!”"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Thank you Mr.
Ebert. <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And I'll still see
you at the movies.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="color: red;"><b>(Take a look
around at his<a href="http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/" target="_blank"> website</a>. Movie reviews, opinion, social commentary and all sorts
of interesting things that will enlighten you and enthrall you with this most
interesting of men.)</b></span></span></div>
<br />
<br />J Burgoynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03283467415635166115noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5734346441675318707.post-27132887417982692122013-04-01T19:42:00.000-07:002013-04-07T19:42:30.804-07:00Atheist Haiku of the Month- April Fools Edition<div style="text-align: center;">
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God is logical</div>
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God is loving and moral</div>
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...... </div>
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I just can't do it.</div>
J Burgoynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03283467415635166115noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5734346441675318707.post-8473461901431752422013-03-12T17:11:00.000-07:002013-03-12T19:12:37.818-07:00Guest Blogger of the Month- Randy McCauley "My Story"<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In this edition of "Guest Blogger of the Month" I am extremely pleased to bring to you the story of the first real atheist that I ever had the opportunity to have a conversation about skepticism and religion. We became friends on my first overseas deployment to Kosovo in 1999. Up until then I had no real idea how to classify myself with regards to religion or what real critical thinking was all about. It was during our conversations with Randy that I was forced to think about the question "why" and developed the need for supporting evidence for all of my beliefs (not just religious). It was also during these conversations with Randy that I graduated from thinking that was centered around "what makes sense" to actual skeptical thinking in which logic and evidence play a critical role. "What makes sense" reasoning has now been left behind with all the other trappings of childhood thinking for me. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank you Randy.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So this post may be a selfish one for me, but I hope that you share in my excitement.</span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>"My Story"</b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>"My name is Randy
McCauley. I am a Sergeant in the Army and have been a professional soldier for 25 years now. I am a family man
and a devout atheist. This is not even close
to how I had originally planned for things to end up but, thankfully, the best
laid plans of mice and men... </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b> I was born and raised in a small
town. It was in this small town that I
learned about right and wrong, god and the devil and the powers of good and
evil. As a child I don't recall
ever being taught to fear or hate other religions but I also have no memory of
other religions being discussed. I
don't remember ever questioning aloud the obvious (even then)
contradiction between our gentle, loving god to whom we were taught to pray every night, and the reverence that was often heaped upon "god-fearing Christians". </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>That seemed like a big one to me. </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>Fear</i>?
Really? </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>I think that I
understood, the way only a child can, that the Old Testament god was fire and
brimstone and that the New Testament god was love and forgiveness. I knew it was still the same "one god"
but, hey, I was just a kid and had better things to do with my time than to
think about these things. As far as that
goes, if I were to be honest, Batman had more relevance in my life at that
point than God did. Sure I went to Sunday School every week and said my prayers
every night but the songs and prayers were things that I learned by rote and
did because they were part of my routine.
If Mom didn't wake me up I wouldn't have been that worked up about missing church but there
was no fucking way was I missing Batman! <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b> My parents rarely went to church with us and
there was a volunteer who would pick up all the neighborhood kids for Sunday School then drop
us off again afterward. So my parents (and plenty of other parents too) barely had to get
moving in the morning, other than to get us ready for pick up and that was Mom's job. All things considered, going every week was a
lot of fun. It was the Salvation Army
for Christ's sake. There were no nuns to
hits us and, as far as I know, no one ever got raped. (Plus the stories were pretty exciting.) There
was always plenty of slaying and slewing and even a good ol' smiting now and
then. Those two towns where people had poopy sex and wanted to rape angels got
nuked and Lot's disobedient wife got turned into a salt-lick. Ahh, good times...good times, and we'd be home
just in time for lunch and to spend the rest of the day playing war or cowboys
in the field behind our house.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b> My Father was fairly strict and we had plenty
of normal social and familial rules but nothing so crazy that I have to tell my
therapist. Mostly they were about how to get along and not get on our parent's
nerves. We said grace before meals when
Mom made us but the rules (for us kids) that we saw as religious were things
like not swearing (Mom and Dad got to swear), not smoking and drinking (except for
Mom and Dad) and no "unclean thoughts or deeds" (?!?) which made
absolutely no sense to me until I was a bit older. </b></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dl-uHI2Md4w/UT-7BC0HhrI/AAAAAAAABLA/OrEk9uC9RoM/s1600/tumblr_m8w871cu1U1qkjzxuo1_250.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dl-uHI2Md4w/UT-7BC0HhrI/AAAAAAAABLA/OrEk9uC9RoM/s1600/tumblr_m8w871cu1U1qkjzxuo1_250.gif" /></b></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>I've more than made up for it since those crazy time... (I love you Mila!)</b></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>So, all in all, not terribly hard but all kids misbehave. Fortunately, this was covered too. Getting forgiven was easier with God than it
was with Mom and Dad. You had to promise
both that you wouldn't do it again but God couldn't look at you all
disappointed when you inevitably fucked up and did do it again! Of course even our loving, gentle and
forgiving God was jealous so if you didn't pray, go to Sunday School and think
only clean thoughts you knew that he <i>would </i>cast you down into the fiery pits of hell to roast and torment for all of eternity, but it would be for your
own good. Kinda like going to bed without dinner because you said shit at the
table...</b></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RndddY-ym-Y/UT-6U_PIiOI/AAAAAAAABK4/03uEl2PhyLs/s1600/may-i-have-some-more.-or-is-might-600x342.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><img border="0" height="182" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RndddY-ym-Y/UT-6U_PIiOI/AAAAAAAABK4/03uEl2PhyLs/s320/may-i-have-some-more.-or-is-might-600x342.jpeg" width="320" /></b></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>except you NEVER GET TO EAT AGAIN.</b></span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>All in all, it seemed to me like the easiest few rules that I had ever
heard and I figured that I was a shoe-in for Life Eternal! After all, I hardly ever swore where people
could hear me, I almost always went to Sunday School and, since I was only a kid, what
the fuck sort of dirty thoughts could I have?
<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nYMoSQCDWko/UT-7u2GG_VI/AAAAAAAABLI/9d1usssVrj8/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nYMoSQCDWko/UT-7u2GG_VI/AAAAAAAABLI/9d1usssVrj8/s320/images.jpg" width="138" /></b></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>Other than her of course!</b></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b> A tremendous fear of sin, guilt over
any form of sexual desire, feelings of inadequacy over the state of my soul
and an overwhelming sense of hopelessness and defeat with regards to 'big S' (salvation) are the gifts that I received from religion. </b></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m7Irg9Fg4vo/UT-8qHHyrDI/AAAAAAAABLQ/zGRRXwHFnVU/s1600/hiding_under_the_bed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m7Irg9Fg4vo/UT-8qHHyrDI/AAAAAAAABLQ/zGRRXwHFnVU/s320/hiding_under_the_bed.jpg" width="320" /></b></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>Yea, thanks religion.</b></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>On the other hand I got my strong work ethic
and need for independence from my parents.
In their imperfect ways my mother taught me about charity and my father
gave me a love for the outdoors and, in a mid-20th century way, a respect for
nature. In normal life religion as a
subject never really came up, but it was always there as the elephant in the room. And I knew that we were
the protestants and that "those" people were the Catholics. Nobody really used the word "Christian" back
then because we were all Christians. I
remember trying to sort out which of my friends were the "normal"
protestants like us and which were the "nutty" ones who tried to be Catholic by taking communion and saying confessions. For some reason it really seemed to
matter. For us their crucifix was a
symbol of suffering whereas our bare cross was a symbol of salvation. </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Does that make any sense at all? Even as a kid I was pre-programmed to judge such things.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b> Around the time I was ten it started
becoming apparent that the world was a far more complicated place than I had
thought and I began exercising a little something I later learned to call
critical thinking. Basically, I decided, it goes
like this: </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>If it sounds like bullshit,
you need to start asking questions because in the end there's a pretty good
chance that it really is bullshit and you really <i>need </i>to know. Otherwise you could end up dedicating large
amounts of time, energy and your life to bullshit. I started off by pointing out to my Sunday
School teacher that if Adam and Eve were the first and only people on earth,
then it follows that the world was populated through incest, but that's a sin,
isn't it? That was my first note sent
home. <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7RJzX9TtXAw/UT--NA6Vr5I/AAAAAAAABLY/fTp8J_SyMMQ/s1600/beat_your_kids-m_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7RJzX9TtXAw/UT--NA6Vr5I/AAAAAAAABLY/fTp8J_SyMMQ/s320/beat_your_kids-m_4.jpg" width="320" /></b></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>My memory is hazy but I am pretty sure this is what it said.....</b></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b> Later, I learned that slay and slew
meant kill and killed and that the Israelites killed non-believers by the
thousands in the name of God. Men,
women, children and even animals were put to the sword or burned. Nowadays we all know that even if god speaks
to you directly and tells you to kill it's murder. Things like that are only okay if he speaks
to you through your government. I'm not
making this up. This is the result of many
conversations I had as a kid with adults and pastors. I was seriously worried about soldiers and
police officers but I was assured that the commandment should be correctly read
as "Thou Shalt Not Murder" which made sense to me and filled me with
relief. Unfortunately, I wasn't stupid and I again asked the question that
seemed most obvious which was "What if you go to war with another Christian nation like Germany or Italy?". That was a phone call <i>and</i> a visit. As it turns out it only counts
what your government is (Nazi, Facist, Pinko) and not what the people you are
killing believe in. Much later in life I
learned that it also seems to go a long way with god that we are the Western
democracies and mostly white. Who knew?
As I was just a kid, this again, gave me a feeling of relief. I could still stand proudly on 11 November
and offer a prayer to god everlasting that the souls of our brave departed
soldiers be granted peace. As the years passed I was even magnanimous enough to
attempt an ecumenical prayer. <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b> I remember as a teen listening to and watching
the troubles in the Middle-East on the CBC and, on my own, began fearing words
like Jihad, Mohammad and Allah. The
people who used these words were against us and our entire way of life. They were as bad or even worse than the
godless communists but, thankfully, were far less of a threat to us in the West
because they lived in huts and didn't even seem to have proper uniforms let
alone ICBM's. In fact, the Muslim nations
didn't even really figure into it for my crowd (as we knew from the book of
Revelations that, although the Apocalypse was going to start in the deserts of
the Middle East, it would be fought between the godless USSR and the god-fearing
christian states of the west (re: NATO)).
What could be more obvious than that to a child of the Cold War 70's and
80's? This attitude grew and became a
personal virtue for my friends and I as we changed gradually from boys to young
men and it began to even make a lot of sense and even seem kinda likely when
the Soviets invaded Afghanistan. I think
that of all my friends I was the last to reject this as a philosophy but not
until my late teens.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b> For years I coasted on a vague
knowledge of what Christianity was and what it was to be a Christian. As I said, everyone I knew was a christian of
one sort or another and most of my friends even went to church so, at fourteen
when I was away at Summer Cadet Camp and we saw some guys try to get out of
two-hour church parade by claiming to be atheists, we were quite rightly amused
when they were told to decide if they were roman catholic atheists or
protestant atheists. </b></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Jw5P_Ez-Ekw/UT_BOj7YRUI/AAAAAAAABLg/Oqp9h76SwWM/s1600/Atheism-Descent+of+the+Modernists,+1922.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><img border="0" height="313" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Jw5P_Ez-Ekw/UT_BOj7YRUI/AAAAAAAABLg/Oqp9h76SwWM/s320/Atheism-Descent+of+the+Modernists,+1922.jpg" width="320" /></b></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>Not sure where, but Catholic Atheist is in there somewhere...</b></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>The Chaplin's were CF Officers so the connection between religion and patriotism was easily
strengthened within us. Every Sunday had a big
hint of Remembrance Day to it and we were always in uniform. <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b> Much later in life, when I was really
no more mature, I joined the Army and was exposed to many different types of
people with just as many different views and I felt fortunate to have the
opportunity to talk to them and either help them evolve their views or have
mine challenged or changed. Deploying to
foreign lands and meeting various peoples with religious ideas that they were
actually willing to kill and die for impressed the hell out of me...at
first. Being the focus of such
dedication tends to wear thin pretty fucking fast in my experience. I had read a lot and tried to educate myself
on religion and spiritualism but when faced over and over again with the pain
and destruction that people, and I mean mostly men, were capable of inflicting in the name
of god I could not, finally, learn to make sense of it.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b> <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b> I began to wonder, and wonder in a very
serious way, why god had had such a change of heart from the old to the new testament and was now more than content to let us kill each other on a scale
never before seen? I certainly wanted to
know why we could be so dead-set against
Sunday shopping, yet never question why god would favour a sports team with a
big win, but yet still let a childhood friend of mine be burned to death along with his
sister by their own Dad? What kinda of a deity would look at his day's work and not go "What the fuck was I
thinking?" </b></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yGnc6QF-lK0/UT_CORN5lcI/AAAAAAAABLo/bD_R6huEh3g/s1600/Thank+God+Thumbs+Up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yGnc6QF-lK0/UT_CORN5lcI/AAAAAAAABLo/bD_R6huEh3g/s1600/Thank+God+Thumbs+Up.jpg" /></b></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>This guy, that's who!</b></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Local children as well
as little African boys and girls were being starved and defenseless men, women
and kids around the world had to suffer beatings, humiliation and execution. At times these things would be happening only
a short distance from the front gate of our well defended and well stocked
camps and yet the troops with God on their side were forced to sit idle. Some were even forced to watch and record the
atrocities. I know that many suffered
horrific emotional damage from these experiences but I also know that many were
only concerned with getting the job done and getting their extra pay and a
medal. <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b> We are told from an early age that
god answers all prayers. We are also
told that sometimes the answer is "No". It was while witnessing man's inhumanity to
man, woman, child and beast that I became utterly convinced that either the
almighty's decision making paradigm was really out of wack or that he was just
a giant cunt. </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Either way there was some
explaining that had to be done. </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>In the
meantime I was confronted by such childish platitudes as "He works in mysterious ways" and "He will never give you a burden that you cannot
bear" and "God's plan is unknowable". Perhaps having faith in god and an afterlife
would help those watching on TV, but looking at a small child's charred corpse and
trying not to choke on the ham-stench, I couldn't help but think about how heavy
a burden that must have been for <i>her</i> to bear. Today when I hear these same
platitude used to explain things I am disgusted and ashamed. </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b> <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b> My wars are over and I am home for
good now. I lost my faith in a real and
personal god a long time ago and have been struggling with what I actually am
and how to fit this into who I am ever since but suddenly (or over time, who
bloody knows how these things really happen?) I realized that this <i>was</i>
me. There was no point in holding god to
account and demanding some sort of reconciliation. God was not going to answer for these, his crimes, against humanity or for the evil in the world. </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>There never has been evil in the world. </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>There is no supernatural force that drives
some people to rape, murder or genocide just like there is nothing keeping me
from committing these acts myself, except that I don't want to. I don't find these things helpful in creating
a society that is worth living in and that I would want my children to live
in. My wife and kids are not good people
because they are determined to get into heaven or in order to avoid some sort
of punishment, but because they have genuine empathy for the human experience. They know not to cause pain and to promote peacefulness for the sake of peacefulness alone. There is no force of evil and there is no
force of goodness. There is just you and I and the decisions that we make every
day to determine how we will live. </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>More
importantly, there is no god. </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b> These days when I am at the cenotaph
on the 11th day of the 11th month, (and I <i>am there. Every fucking year!) </i>I don't stand
proudly and pray for the many thousands of the fallen. I stand with my wife in front, holding her
waist to keep from flinching when the cannons sound and I weep silently for the
countless lives ended permanently and promise myself to remember those I
knew. I don't believe in an afterlife
and I don't believe that we will ever see them again. They are not in a better place. They are gone and we allowed them to go. We will remember them and that will have to
be enough but we must not let this continue.
The enemy is not "them".
It is any of us that cling to bronze-age mythology or any faith-based
doctrine which keeps individuals from making clear headed, intelligent
decisions in the here and the now.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b> Let it be."</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Great post Randy. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And well made point. Don't let dogma lead you to decisions. You don't need a book to tell you the difference between right and wrong. If you don't know that on your own, then there is a problem. You have a lot of tools with which to make those decisions. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Empathy. Experience. Love. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Remember, the enemy is not "them". It's your responsibility to ensure that the enemy is not "me".</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thanks again Randy.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and as he taught me to say.....</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Peace</span></div>
J Burgoynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03283467415635166115noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5734346441675318707.post-73118813170088824322013-02-07T22:02:00.003-08:002013-02-07T22:03:38.644-08:00Quote of the Week- Tracie Harris<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-09WhCAwtASU/URSSPGPdGTI/AAAAAAAABJc/x6mvyTPk9EM/s1600/tracie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-09WhCAwtASU/URSSPGPdGTI/AAAAAAAABJc/x6mvyTPk9EM/s1600/tracie.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: red;"><b style="background-color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">"</span><span style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Science proposes a cause that is demonstrated to exist; religion proposes a cause that has first to be demonstrated to exist."</span></b></span></blockquote>
<br />
<br />
This is a point often missed on debate. Creationism can't qualify even as an hypothesis. If you can't demonstrate existence for the cause of your explanation, then you can't move on to anything that follows.<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b><span style="background-color: black; color: red;">"Religion says X (god) did it--without solving for X."</span></b></span></blockquote>
<br />
Again she hits the nail on the head. This is called confirmation bias. You begin at a proposition that you already believe is true and work backwards from everything until you can make it reach your God. Most times it is a stretch at best, at worst it is complete and total dishonesty. You simply can't say that "goddidit" while admitting that you have no idea by what mechanism that was achieved and offer that up as an explanation of anything.<br />
<br />
If you have no explanation for your model, you simply don't get a place at the<a href="http://atheistevolution.blogspot.ca/2010/06/teach-controversy.html" target="_blank"> table</a> in scientific discussion.<br />
<br />
Sorry creationists.... back to the drawing board with you.<br />
<br />
PeaceJ Burgoynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03283467415635166115noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5734346441675318707.post-36811473875773576552013-01-06T17:07:00.003-08:002013-01-06T17:07:56.136-08:00Atheist Haiku of the Month- New Years edition<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BWSK1wHeK5I/UOofa7hQG_I/AAAAAAAABIQ/VBIoKSRQRLc/s1600/Happy-New-Year.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BWSK1wHeK5I/UOofa7hQG_I/AAAAAAAABIQ/VBIoKSRQRLc/s320/Happy-New-Year.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A whole new year to hear more science denial!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
3, 2, 1 NEW YEARS!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Will rational thought come too?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Not with religion...</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
PS- </div>
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Got Resolutions?</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
break em down into small parts</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
they're too big to carry</div>
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</div>
J Burgoynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03283467415635166115noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5734346441675318707.post-18969004929714292652012-12-30T12:21:00.002-08:002012-12-31T11:15:15.262-08:00Questions Answered- Jacob Abdo asks "Hasn't Evolution been proven wrong?"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AslHWHdqMOk/UOCinZy_j1I/AAAAAAAABGI/hLtl9832Y-Q/s1600/C-Users-sschlegel-Pictures-Question-Mark-Man.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AslHWHdqMOk/UOCinZy_j1I/AAAAAAAABGI/hLtl9832Y-Q/s1600/C-Users-sschlegel-Pictures-Question-Mark-Man.jpg" /></a></div>
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<br />
<br />
This "Questions Asked" is in response to a <a href="https://twitter.com/jacobAbdo" target="_blank">Jacob Abdo</a> from Twitter. During our short conversation he made several criticisms of evolution and science which were clearly borne from ignorance of the topic in question i.e.-<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S-wCAkLv-X4/UN31mJOQk0I/AAAAAAAAA7Q/NkBghTe0GOA/s1600/Untitled.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="71" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S-wCAkLv-X4/UN31mJOQk0I/AAAAAAAAA7Q/NkBghTe0GOA/s400/Untitled.png" width="400" /></a><br />
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<br />
<br />
This is the first of his revealing messages. That he thinks that men came from monkeys.<br />
<br />
<br />
We didn't<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b4gpeagiuG8/UN32UaPg8OI/AAAAAAAAA7c/fjLXjOAbstY/s1600/09520e405351a9644abc719bb53da6c9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b4gpeagiuG8/UN32UaPg8OI/AAAAAAAAA7c/fjLXjOAbstY/s200/09520e405351a9644abc719bb53da6c9.jpg" width="178" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ok, well MOST of us didn't....</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
But then again neither did Monkeys! We both have a common ancestor. Huge difference.<br />
<br />
Here's another;<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jNuj96l_CGY/UN321vStBOI/AAAAAAAAA8U/bw0_PjmjIH0/s1600/Untitled2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="70" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jNuj96l_CGY/UN321vStBOI/AAAAAAAAA8U/bw0_PjmjIH0/s400/Untitled2.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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This is just nonsense and the kind of thing that drives me crazy. If you are going to criticize something, then PLEASE have the courtesy and intellectual honesty to read up on the topic instead of just trying to find arguments against it. There is nothing wrong with trying to falsify something. That is the highest form of science. But to start with a proposition (that evolution is wrong on divine grounds) and then seek things to confirm it is intellectually dishonest because you are not seeking truth, you are merely bolstering your argument with no concern for reality. You simply can't debunk something that you don't understand.<br />
<br />
In this tweet he is seen conflating evolution with abiogenesis. Evolution explains the diversity of life, not it's origins. Although abiogenesis has demonstrated that life from non-life is possible and has a number of different hypothesis on the topic, there is no single accepted one. Not that it matters, as all that you need to do is demonstrate that it is possible.<br />
<br />
In any case, I digress. I am just making my first point which I hope that he will take to heart. Do not criticize science that you don't understand. You lack the foundational knowledge to do so, and only come off looking like you have an agenda ... which is true. His agenda is to keep faith in his god and deny all science that seems to disagree.<br />
<br />
(A point on this is that science doesn't care about god. It makes no comment on it at all.)<br />
<br />
These are the tweets of contention.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9P0pVmSvPGU/UN34_BBGYSI/AAAAAAAAA9Q/k4Q37-G4P-U/s1600/Untitled23.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="185" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9P0pVmSvPGU/UN34_BBGYSI/AAAAAAAAA9Q/k4Q37-G4P-U/s400/Untitled23.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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I will first say that no one worships Darwin (or if they do, they are ridiculous) and further no one says that everything he said was right.<br />
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There were definitely points upon which he was wrong. He had no idea how the traits were passed on to the offspring. It has only been in the modern era that we have discovered DNA and understood more fully the passage of the allele. No one disputes that. So to say that Darwin has been proven wrong is partially (although only in the detail not the idea) correct.<br />
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Evolution, however, is still unfalsified.<br />
<br />
That is because it is correct. It is accepted universally by natural scientists all over the world and on the basis of mountains of evidence.<br />
<br />
I said this to him and he responded with a<a href="http://www.arn.org/docs/dardoc1.htm" target="_blank"> link</a> to his source of information.<br />
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I hate answering to whole pages of information as answers to questions, but this is a reasonably civil and polite person and just seems to be working on a wealth of misinformation on the topic. So, just this once ... I will answer to the best of my ability.<br />
<br />
I am not going to post the whole narrative of the page, but I will address some of the clear and willful misrepresentations of the science by the author of this page.<br />
<br />
Before I begin, I hold no animosity towards Jacob. The author of this page though is a disgusting representative of his religion and of science. I say this because as I read his article I see common arguments and unscientific propaganda. These are easily researched falsehoods. He has made zero effort to ensure that what he is saying is true.<br />
<br />
ZERO!<br />
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That is disgusting in a forum of supposed scientific conversation and such people deserve no respect. They are manipulating the informational authority that real scientists have in order to bolster support for his ideas. They are using scientific terminology in order to garner respect and support from the scientifically illiterate.<br />
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Disgusting.<br />
<br />
In any case ... on to the post.<br />
<br />
I will address three main points:<br />
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First, that there is no fossil evidence to show slow and gradual change in species as they speciate;<br />
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Second, that the Cambrian Explosion is a major problem to the theory; and<br />
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Third, (and I can't believe that people still have to address this) irreducible complexity and Michael Behe.<br />
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<br />
Ok, here we go ...<br />
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<br />
<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BA2pX9jtRA8/UN9SWvAXbwI/AAAAAAAABBA/W3J7Iiv8HzM/s1600/Jacob.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BA2pX9jtRA8/UN9SWvAXbwI/AAAAAAAABBA/W3J7Iiv8HzM/s1600/Jacob.png" /></a><b><span style="color: red;"><i> </i></span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: red;"><i>"There is no fossil evidence to show gradual change in species to demonstrate speciation"</i></span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: red;"><i><br /></i></span></b>
<br />
The first thing to understand here is that fossilization is an extremely rare event. It is to be expected that we won't have a complete fossil record of every species at every stage of it's evolution from the beginning of time. That is an unreasonable thing to demand. What I am assuming is that this question is referring to "transitional forms". The problem with looking for transitional forms is in definitions.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xa_mNNxKQmQ/UN9IG4UR79I/AAAAAAAAA-M/CExpXPUGE9M/s1600/crocoduck.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xa_mNNxKQmQ/UN9IG4UR79I/AAAAAAAAA-M/CExpXPUGE9M/s320/crocoduck.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I call this the "Issue of ignorance" or the "Kirk Cameron Crocoduck Connundrum"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Very often what the under-educated (on the topic of evolution) are looking to see are animals that have half-formed parts.<br />
<br />
Fish with legs, or birds with scales or things like our crocoduck friend here ...<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hihQXXrT7SQ/UN9I9xc9QkI/AAAAAAAAA-Y/ABhs5fE4GQo/s1600/CrocoDuck+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hihQXXrT7SQ/UN9I9xc9QkI/AAAAAAAAA-Y/ABhs5fE4GQo/s320/CrocoDuck+(1).jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm working on a powerful tail for swimming until next June, then WATCH OUT!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
These amalgams of species simply don't exist, nor would we expect them to. In fact, if we ever discovered something like this, the theory of evolution would come into serious doubt.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Evolution happens in much much smaller stages, and the forms that scientists see as "transitional" are merely species in a time where we can most clearly see the step from one function to another. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Put another way, a transitional fossil is any fossilized remains of a life form that exhibits traits common to both the ancestral group and it's derived </span>descendant<span style="font-family: inherit;"> group.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;">The page he linked quotes Darwin as a method of falsifying his own theory;</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;"><br /></span>
<span style="line-height: 19.200000762939453px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v3uWoFnj-D8/UN9KvOCU2DI/AAAAAAAABAE/khYcEsBxeS4/s1600/download.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v3uWoFnj-D8/UN9KvOCU2DI/AAAAAAAABAE/khYcEsBxeS4/s200/download.jpg" width="200" /></span></a><br />
<span class="byline"></span><br />
<div class="blockquote" style="font-weight: bold; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0.5in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: red; font-family: inherit;">"The number of intermediate varieties, which have formerly existed on the earth, [must] be truly enormous. Why then is not every geological formation and every stratum full of such intermediate links? Geology assuredly does not reveal any such finely graded organic chain; and this, perhaps, is the most obvious and gravest objection which can be urged against my theory."</span></div>
<div class="blockquote" style="font-weight: bold; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0.5in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="blockquote" style="font-weight: bold; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0.5in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: bold;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The issue with using this quote is that they have no follow up. Darwin explains (as they say in the article) that this is due to the imperfect fossil record and the rareness of the fossilization event. What they FAIL to mention is that not only does the fossil record begin to fill the gaps as the science matures, but transitional forms ARE found. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The discovery of <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archaeopteryx" target="_blank">Archeopteryx</a> </i>was of particular importance (found in 1861, just two years after the aforementioned quote) because it seemed to confirm his theory. </span><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;">Archaeopteryx is a classic transitional form between birds and dinosaurs. Since then </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_transitional_fossils" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;" target="_blank">MANY</a><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;"> transitional forms have been discovered and any question about the evidence in reference to "transitional forms" is made either out of an ignorant view of what transitional forms are and how evolution manifests, or out of an intellectually dishonest attempt to garner support from the scientifically illiterate/gullible.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;">The thing to note about these transitional fossils is that they always appear in order of sequence in the fossil record. If one ever appeared out of sequence, then that would be a major blow to the discipline but they never do. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;">Not once.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;">This is what we would expect to see if evolution manifested as <a href="http://biologos.org/questions/fossil-record" target="_blank">scientists</a> say it is. If it were not happening like this, gradual change from one species to another (speciation) then we would expect to find overlap. That never happens. </span><br />
<span style="line-height: 19.200000762939453px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="line-height: 19.200000762939453px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Without going into too much depth here I am pretty sure that we can lay that criticism to bed. </span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 19.200000762939453px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="line-height: 19.200000762939453px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">On to the next point ...</span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 19.200000762939453px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="line-height: 19.200000762939453px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="line-height: 19.200000762939453px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BA2pX9jtRA8/UN9SWvAXbwI/AAAAAAAABBA/W3J7Iiv8HzM/s1600/Jacob.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BA2pX9jtRA8/UN9SWvAXbwI/AAAAAAAABBA/W3J7Iiv8HzM/s1600/Jacob.png" /></a><span style="line-height: 19.200000762939453px;"><span style="color: red; font-family: inherit;"></span></span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 19.200000762939453px;"><span style="color: red; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="color: red; font-family: inherit;"><b><i><span style="font-size: large;">"The Cambrian Explosion is a problem for the Theory of Evolution"</span></i></b></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 19.200000762939453px;"><span style="color: red; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="line-height: 19.200000762939453px;"><span style="color: red; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="line-height: 19.200000762939453px;"><span style="color: red; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="line-height: 19.200000762939453px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It is a sad state when arguments such as this still exist. The last argument was born from a simple and easy misunderstanding of the science. This one is borne from a willful neglect to study it.</span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 19.200000762939453px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mTlo97fuHvk/UN9dgSVsxgI/AAAAAAAABB8/swSZwVduAcc/s1600/lalalala-listening.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="263" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mTlo97fuHvk/UN9dgSVsxgI/AAAAAAAABB8/swSZwVduAcc/s320/lalalala-listening.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Science is wrong if I don't hear it!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Punctuated Equilibrium has explained the existence of the Cambrian Explosion and it's place in the story of evolution for almost 40 years now.<br />
<span class="byline"><br /></span>
<span class="byline">Wait ... I am getting ahead of myself. First let's explain and define our terms.</span><br />
<span class="byline"><br /></span>
<span class="byline">The Cambrian Explosion is a time about 570 million years ago when the vast majority of modern animal phyla appeared. (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phylum" target="_blank">Phyla</a> are "forms" or "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Body_plan" target="_blank">body plans</a>".) </span><br />
<span class="byline"><br /></span>
<span class="byline">There is a common criticism that the appearance of so many new Phyla (not just new species) during such a short period of time is contrary to what the theory of evolution would predict. The second part of that criticism is that there seems to be no evolutionary history for these new phyla. They even go so far as to quote Richard Dawkins;</span><br />
<span class="byline"><br /></span>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b><span style="color: red;">"it is as though they were just planted there, without any evolutionary history"</span><span style="color: red;">-R Dawkins</span></b></blockquote>
<br />
<b class="byline" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"></b><br />
<div style="display: inline !important; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<b class="byline" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><br /></b></div>
<br />
<br />
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<span class="byline"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DfwXNvZ28TA/UOCGnkGJoKI/AAAAAAAABC4/eDBNsDZ003A/s1600/rd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DfwXNvZ28TA/UOCGnkGJoKI/AAAAAAAABC4/eDBNsDZ003A/s320/rd.jpg" width="304" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Please don't buy and read his book for context" <br />
Signed-Creationists</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 19.200000762939453px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">These claims are simply untrue. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
The most rudimentary research into the Cambrian Explosion reveals this so, once again, Mark Hartwig seems to be caught in what would appear to be a barefaced misrepresentation of the science.<br />
<br />
So in reference to the point that there is no evolutionary history to these Cambrian fossils, this is partially true. There have been very few Pre-cambrian fossils but this is explained by two factors.<br />
<br />
One: Fossilization is, as we mentioned previously, a very rare event.<br />
<br />
Two: Pre-Cambrian species were invertebrates which would leave very little in the way of fossil record.<br />
<br />
The mitigating truth here is that there are NO Pre-Cambrian transitional forms. There are a number of transitional forms found from the pre-Cambrian period and more are being discovered all the time.<br />
<i style="background-color: white;"><br /></i>
<br />
<br />
<i><a href="http://www.talkorigins.org/indexcc/CC/CC220.html" target="_blank">Anomalocaris</a></i> is one. It is the precursor to the arthropod family.<br />
<br />
I don't think that there is any need to go further into something that has been known since the 1940's.<br />
<br />
Time to catch up on your reading Mr. Hartwig.<br />
<br />
Here is a link to a very short article on the Pre-Cambrian fossil <a href="http://www.fossilmuseum.net/Paleobiology/Precambrian-Fossils.htm" target="_blank">record</a>.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Now we get to the last, and most ridiculous of arguments ...<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>Irreducible Complexity</b></span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></b></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sn_jCM6Mx5A/UOCb-X98RCI/AAAAAAAABFI/dgjVJls6_Ng/s1600/180px-mike_behe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sn_jCM6Mx5A/UOCb-X98RCI/AAAAAAAABFI/dgjVJls6_Ng/s320/180px-mike_behe.jpg" width="244" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And gravity works with invisible strings tying everything down ...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></b></span>
<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></b></span>
This one is a problem of definitions and has been debunked time and time again. It is an argument that was first proposed by Micheal Behe, and was debunked about 3 minutes later. It is actually a bit of a silly posit.<br />
<br />
It is based on a false premise. Behe states that evolution is simply impossible because there are forms that could not have evolved because they are irreducibly complex. By which he means, the removal of any single part makes that form non-functional.<br />
<br />
His basic misunderstanding of the science is explained <a href="http://www.talkdesign.org/faqs/icdmyst/ICDmyst.html" target="_blank">here</a>, but I will explain in shorter terms. \<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Behe's posit is based on the false thinking that scientists claim evolution works by a gradual and step-wise addition of parts. It is culminated in the thought that </span>any gradual evolutionary precursors to an irreducibly complex system would be non-functional.<br />
<br />
There is one fatal flaw in his argument.<br />
<br />
He thinks that evolution only works by <i>adding</i> "parts". It can also work by subtracting or changing parts.<br />
<br />
This completely debunks his claim that there are irreducibly complex forms.<br />
<br />
Forms do NOT have to have the same function as they evolve and evolutionary precursors do not have to have common functions with current ones.<br />
<br />
As organisms evolve, functions can change with the addition (or subtraction) of new parts. This changing function is where Behe falls flat. He feels that if the function wouldn't remain with the subtraction of a part, then the organism is irreducibly complex. (Not to mention that evolution manifests as small and gradual changes, and the addition of a whole part would be a large change. Invalidating his argument again.)<br />
<br />
I'll give you an example of how evolution can work in ways that Behe would decree impossible (there are better examples in the link I provided, but I will use this one for simplicity).<br />
<br />
This has been called the Mullerian Two Step and it goes like this:<br />
1. Add a part<br />
2. Make it necessary<br />
<br />
First take a stone bridge. We'll call it the "Evolutionary Precursor Bridge";<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wQbErxQoQoM/UOCYPmcG3DI/AAAAAAAABD4/6ZbUyvQwvdM/s1600/stone_bridge0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="125" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wQbErxQoQoM/UOCYPmcG3DI/AAAAAAAABD4/6ZbUyvQwvdM/s320/stone_bridge0.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
Next, we'll add a stone and call it our "Transitional Bridge";<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TFp0YSiEABs/UOCYpyjLm8I/AAAAAAAABEA/doo85bQZ16w/s1600/stone_bridge1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="125" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TFp0YSiEABs/UOCYpyjLm8I/AAAAAAAABEA/doo85bQZ16w/s320/stone_bridge1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Then we'll take away the middle stone and call it the "Irreducibly Complex Bridge";<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P9t66kmmo1Q/UOCY2UNjfxI/AAAAAAAABEI/gc0Lvkz8vts/s1600/stone_bridge2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="125" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P9t66kmmo1Q/UOCY2UNjfxI/AAAAAAAABEI/gc0Lvkz8vts/s320/stone_bridge2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold;">
<br /></div>
But is it really irreducibly complex?<br />
<br />
Clearly not. The middle stone just became superfluous, so it was evolved out of the equation giving our bridge the appearance of irreducibly complexity.<br />
<br />
<br />
So Jacob, there is your answer to the link of information that you sent.<br />
<br />
If you actually read my article as you expected me to read yours (well, not REALLY yours as you didn't write it) then you will understand that your claims about evolution are false.<br />
<br />
BUT don't be sad. The truth of evolution has no bearing on your God or your religious belief. Evolution is an area of knowledge that makes no comment on God at all and has nothing to do with atheism.<br />
<br />
So, Jacob, continue to believe if you want but try not to be ignorant of science in the process.<br />
<br />
It only takes away from the validity of anything you say when you do and it makes you look like this guy<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mTlo97fuHvk/UN9dgSVsxgI/AAAAAAAABB8/swSZwVduAcc/s1600/lalalala-listening.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mTlo97fuHvk/UN9dgSVsxgI/AAAAAAAABB8/swSZwVduAcc/s320/lalalala-listening.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />
Peace!<br />
<br />
P.S. Next time you tweet a response, please don't send links. Otherwise I will just start sending encyclopedias in response. Use your own 140 words please.<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>*</b>thanks to <a href="http://talkorigins.org/">Talkorigins.org</a> for the example graphics.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red; font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"><b><i><u>UPDATE-</u></i></b></span><br />
I got a response from Jacob this morning. It saddened me because it looked like he might actually interested in learning the science behind evolution. Sadly this is not true. While he promised to read it, and I felt that I had laid things out in terms that were easy to understand, this was his response.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EInw7cZ_ebc/UOHilrD0v6I/AAAAAAAABHI/S-kkyU9D9Qs/s1600/Jacob+response.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="97" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EInw7cZ_ebc/UOHilrD0v6I/AAAAAAAABHI/S-kkyU9D9Qs/s400/Jacob+response.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Learning is hard!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This is sad. I had actually taken the time to address the article he linked (and I really DO hate "link warriors") but I had hoped for more. His blog is all about technology so I guess that swayed me to think that he might be open to actual science.<br />
<br />
OH! I can't forget to include this one.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FUUUW9WIkjY/UOHjLVPBj1I/AAAAAAAABHQ/oZEzTquBO8w/s1600/Jacob+response+2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="72" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FUUUW9WIkjY/UOHjLVPBj1I/AAAAAAAABHQ/oZEzTquBO8w/s400/Jacob+response+2.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's just a theory, just like gravity, and umm, math...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
"Only a <a href="http://atheistevolution.blogspot.ca/2010/07/definitions-theory.html" target="_blank">Theory</a>".... ugh....<br />
<br />
If only he had sent THAT little willfully and nonsensically blind statement first, I might not have wasted my time...<br />
<br />
<br />
peace.<br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"><b><i><u><br /></u></i></b></span>
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J Burgoynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03283467415635166115noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5734346441675318707.post-68984529956294514092012-12-26T16:42:00.000-08:002012-12-26T16:42:18.710-08:00Connecticut Tragedy and Heroism<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FbTcZ2hNgDI/UNpduiQ1xxI/AAAAAAAAA5U/kvqsXs5PBns/s1600/article-2248357-1684FE76000005DC-991_634x710.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FbTcZ2hNgDI/UNpduiQ1xxI/AAAAAAAAA5U/kvqsXs5PBns/s320/article-2248357-1684FE76000005DC-991_634x710.jpg" width="285" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No one should have to feel this.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
During this continental-wide mourning for the victims, the community, and the families surrounding the Connecticut shooting tragedy, I have found myself listening intently and waiting for some closure.<br />
<br />
Some reason for this terrible thing.<br />
<br />
Some explanation for the brutality of patricide and the absolute barbarism of the shooting of children and the heroic teachers who gave their lives trying to defend them. (I'll get back to that in a minute.)<br />
<br />
First, I would like to extend my deepest ... sympathy? Thoughts? Sadness? Honestly, I am left without the proper words for the depth of emotion that I feel as a parent (and, in fact, as a human) over this.<br />
<br />
I feel it necessary to apologize for not being possessed of the literary acumen to relay my message to those wracked with the weight of this tragedy, and I am left with only these words;<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><span style="color: red;">My thoughts are with you.</span></i></blockquote>
<br />
I struggle to know what else to do.<br />
<br />
I am sure that I am not alone in this, but I know that SOME people DO know what to do.<br />
<br />
They use it.<br />
<br />
They use it as an opportunity to give their agendas weight in the arena of public opinion.<br />
<br />
They are those who use it to call for prayer in the classroom.<br />
<br />
Those who use it to call for a change to a more religious curriculum.<br />
<br />
Those who use it to defend their political opinions.<br />
<br />
Or even those who are using it as a platform to "praise" their god.<br />
<br />
I understand that it is only natural to hope for something that can offer comfort, but this is different. There is not comfort in this, but a joy. Joy at the amazing nature of their idea or God.<br />
<br />
I am not going to get into who, and what and where specifically because I feel that would take me off point and into discussing individual events, but I WILL get into what I think of that sort of opportunism.<br />
<br />
It is DISGUSTING!<br />
<br />
People saying that God saved one child, or that he guided that teacher to save her class at the expense of her life is disgusting. Or taking away from her heroism to give praise to their "god"?<br />
<br />
DISGUSTING!<br />
<br />
If you believe that, then you are free to do so. But for the sake of everyone else, keep it to yourself.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lVYNx2rsr7o/UNpiQ_v7plI/AAAAAAAAA6Q/jtJG3B0l6e4/s1600/20352858_BG1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lVYNx2rsr7o/UNpiQ_v7plI/AAAAAAAAA6Q/jtJG3B0l6e4/s320/20352858_BG1.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.wsmv.com/story/20352858/teacher-saved-students-before-being-shot-killed" target="_blank">Victoria Soto</a>. She was a hero. Not your god. HER. No one forced her and she deserves to be remembered as such on her own merit.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
I am bothered that people would be so callous as to imply that this woman was anything less than fully responsible for the heroic acts that ended up costing her everything.<br />
<br />
I am bothered by the people who think that they can take away from the evil of this man to suggest that it was not his fault, but OUR fault for removing obligatory prayer from the classroom. <br />
<br />
DISGUSTING!<br />
<br />
You say that God influenced her to save them but that he couldn't just influence the shooter not to go shoot in the first place? Screw you and your god then if that is the case! <br />
<br />
Keep his evil to yourself.<br />
<br />
You can certainly argue for the merits of prayer in the classroom (you would be wrong of course but I digress) but to deflect blame from the person responsible just to give your silly argument weight is awful and disrespects the memory of the victims whose lives he took.<br />
<br />
It also gets to me when I hear about how God saved the one child who lived by hiding under the dead bodies of her classmates. You think that God gave her the inspiration to do such a terrible and scarring thing to save herself but that he couldn't inspire someone with a plan to save everyone? Words perhaps that might have had the divine power to talk him down? If not then screw your god, and you too for worshiping such an evil being!<br />
<br />
For every time these things are said, there is a flip side that is disgusting to the memory of the victims.<br />
<br />
God saved that little girl? The flip side is that god loved her more than the others. How awful a thing is that to say to the parents of the fallen children? Explain to the parents why she was spared and their child was not good enough.<br />
<br />
The lack of prayer in the classroom is the reason for the tragedy? The flip side is that the shooter is not to blame, but that it was the punishment of an evil being to kill children and their protectors for the petty crime of not forcing people to love him enough.<br />
<br />
God called them home? God needed them more than we did? The flip side is that HE IS AN ASSHOLE! I have had this said when I lost friends from oversea conflict. It makes me very upset to hear this. I needed my friends, he is an infinite being (according to them) and can wait. He is mysterious? Mysterious is only a cover for us having to admit that, if he is responsible for these things, that he is an ass.<br />
<br />
This is what I have to say;<br />
<br />
These children died because of a sick sick man.<br />
Teachers risked, and gave, their lives because they are heroes not because they were coerced.<br />
Some children survived and some died. That is the tragedy.<br />
<br />
Stop telling me that God chose some to live and let others die.<br />
Stop telling me that God chose to show his love by saving one "worthy" child and not all.<br />
Stop telling me that God was the hero who risked everything.<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;"><b>STOP!</b></span><br />
<br />
There is real pain here, and your nonsense isn't helping.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />J Burgoynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03283467415635166115noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5734346441675318707.post-76720351229308699432012-12-25T18:12:00.002-08:002012-12-25T18:12:43.724-08:00Top 10 Reasons that Santa is Better than Jesus<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u-H2k-Pntow/UNC4xVE2xII/AAAAAAAAA0Q/320mGtvJPy0/s1600/jesus-vs-santa-christmas-jesus-santa-vs-demotivational-posters-1324773668.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="205" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u-H2k-Pntow/UNC4xVE2xII/AAAAAAAAA0Q/320mGtvJPy0/s320/jesus-vs-santa-christmas-jesus-santa-vs-demotivational-posters-1324773668.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What're YOU looking at?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
It's that time of year again. With all the cries of people taking Christ out of season, and the sobs of liberals bemoaning consumerism with Christmas, I thought that we could take a minute to compare the two through their chosen avatars.<br />
<br />
<br />
<i><b>IT'S TIIIIIME!</b></i><br />
<br />
<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>SANTA VS JESUS!! </b></span><br />
<br />
(Ready Santa?)<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e5kzYRvTVoQ/UNpVeQAyAFI/AAAAAAAAA2I/44dAqBmR0Dc/s1600/O-santa-eating-a-cookie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e5kzYRvTVoQ/UNpVeQAyAFI/AAAAAAAAA2I/44dAqBmR0Dc/s1600/O-santa-eating-a-cookie.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As long as this (nomnomnom) doesn't interrupt my cookie, (nomnom)...you can stay on the "good" list.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
(Ready Jesus?)<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xjw9oaBVsCQ/UNC6NcqV66I/AAAAAAAAA1M/Psh-iUnI-eE/s1600/Baby_eating_Jesus_by_eframTrabbit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="281" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xjw9oaBVsCQ/UNC6NcqV66I/AAAAAAAAA1M/Psh-iUnI-eE/s320/Baby_eating_Jesus_by_eframTrabbit.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">WAIT!!! I didn't know the camera was rolling, I swear he was this way when I got here!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Oh Jesus, you are such a joker....<br />
<br />
Let's waste no time and get to the list.<br />
<br />
10. <span style="color: red;"><b><i>You don't have to die to see Santa</i></b>.</span><br />
Although to be fair he doesn't really get seen a lot, but he does leave presents in his wake.<br />
<br />
9. <span style="color: red;"><b><i>You don't have to believe in Santa to get a present</i></b>.</span><br />
He seems to favour the living, and his rules for judging good and bad are far less....... evil? (Seriously Jesus, beating<a href="http://atheistevolution.blogspot.ca/2011/02/bizarre-bible-lessons-how-to-answer.html" target="_blank"> sassy children</a> isn't helping your cause)<br />
<br />
8. <b><i><span style="color: red;">Santa shows up on time.</span></i></b><br />
<b style="font-style: italic;"> </b>(Jesus is 2000 yrs late!)<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vMFrFlvzBc0/UNpab3RA6SI/AAAAAAAAA3o/GNlcAQUxj74/s1600/Jesus+Hands+-+Holes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="247" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vMFrFlvzBc0/UNpab3RA6SI/AAAAAAAAA3o/GNlcAQUxj74/s320/Jesus+Hands+-+Holes.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I've been busy! You think I was just hanging around??</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
7. <b><i><span style="color: red;">Jesus doesn't provide seasonal Employment</span></i></b><br />
Although his employees provide lots of income for people in the mental health professions...<br />
<br />
6. <b><i><span style="color: red;">Santa loves figs!</span></i></b><br />
They drive <a href="http://atheistevolution.blogspot.ca/2009/09/bizarre-bible-lessons-part-3.html" target="_blank">Jesus</a> as nutty as squirrel poo...<br />
<br />
5. <b><i><span style="color: red;">Santa doesn't ask for donations</span></i></b><br />
<br />
4. <b><i><span style="color: red;">You don't have to eat Santa</span></i></b><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e5kzYRvTVoQ/UNpVeQAyAFI/AAAAAAAAA2I/44dAqBmR0Dc/s1600/O-santa-eating-a-cookie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e5kzYRvTVoQ/UNpVeQAyAFI/AAAAAAAAA2I/44dAqBmR0Dc/s1600/O-santa-eating-a-cookie.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Body and blood??? Ummm, not in THIS cookie is it?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b><i><br /></i></b>
3. <i><b><span style="color: red;">Santa only wants milk and cookies, Jesus wants your soul!</span></b></i><br />
Although, again to be fair, Jesus doesn't break into your house to get it. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V7z8hUCZfIk/UNpX1nFWpUI/AAAAAAAAA3E/5rYoF0RzRm0/s1600/judge-jesus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="252" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V7z8hUCZfIk/UNpX1nFWpUI/AAAAAAAAA3E/5rYoF0RzRm0/s320/judge-jesus.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You SURE that you hate your genitals and all the same people I do? Ok then, you're safe.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
2. <b><i><span style="color: red;">Santa's employees aren't pedophiles</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></i></b>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZtAoKk26YTY/UNpZnt5VxAI/AAAAAAAAA3c/l0l36Nuic-E/s1600/380389_10150359422741733_687409451_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="196" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZtAoKk26YTY/UNpZnt5VxAI/AAAAAAAAA3c/l0l36Nuic-E/s200/380389_10150359422741733_687409451_n.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I don't always slag Jesus but when I do, I hit below the robes....AND SO DO HIS PRIESTS! *drums*</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><i><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></i></b>
<b><i>And the number one reason that Santa is better than Jesus is.......</i></b><br />
<b><i><br /></i></b>
1. <b><i><span style="color: red;">Santa isn't a republican</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><br /></i></b>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Hz-0nc3lwMM/UNpY2YTRasI/AAAAAAAAA3U/Sg7UwrBxep0/s1600/Passion-Jesus+phone+home.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Hz-0nc3lwMM/UNpY2YTRasI/AAAAAAAAA3U/Sg7UwrBxep0/s320/Passion-Jesus+phone+home.jpg" width="246" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Umm, this is awkward but could you just play down our relationship a bit Mitt?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><i><br /></i></b>
<b><i>It was close on a couple of points, and Santa's penchant for break and enter crime certainly helped you, but for now Jesus will have to settle for a divine "maybe next year Jesus..."</i></b><br />
<b><i><br /></i></b>
<b><i><br /></i></b>
<b><i>MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!!</i></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<b><i><br /></i></b>J Burgoynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03283467415635166115noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5734346441675318707.post-41101528007092196612012-12-05T15:19:00.000-08:002012-12-05T15:19:34.199-08:00Atheist Haiku of the Month- Holiday Edition<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YpWx2hZ1H6Q/UL_V4dRgVoI/AAAAAAAAAzE/v6kGOSd7xf0/s1600/Happy-Holidays-1024x606.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="189" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YpWx2hZ1H6Q/UL_V4dRgVoI/AAAAAAAAAzE/v6kGOSd7xf0/s320/Happy-Holidays-1024x606.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HURRY take the pic, my legs are cramping!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's the holidays</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
it's for family and friends </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
not flight of fancy</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
PS- Remember, not everyone believes as you do but we don't have to push our beliefs in order to push our well wishes.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYONE!!!!</div>
</div>
J Burgoynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03283467415635166115noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5734346441675318707.post-25948053302794239432012-11-25T21:14:00.000-08:002012-11-25T21:14:50.528-08:00Quote of the Week- Louis CK<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CIklYJo_EQc/ULL6RkAewGI/AAAAAAAAAwk/cYgV8eeN43Y/s1600/url1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CIklYJo_EQc/ULL6RkAewGI/AAAAAAAAAwk/cYgV8eeN43Y/s320/url1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As a red head I have no soul, so it is ok for me to mock God!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: red;">"It's in the 10 commandments not to take the Lord's name in vain, RAPE isn't up there by the way. Rape is not a 10 commandment. But don't say his name with a shitty attitude!"</span></blockquote>
<br />
<br />
Very true Louis. No thinking person thinks that the 10 commandments are a a good moral guide. Is the God of all things, and the creator of the universe really that bothered by having his name said in anger? Are his feelings really hurt if someone says it with a "shitty attitude"??<br />
<br />
What is he 5?<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ukiN11qntDc/ULL57LaeadI/AAAAAAAAAwc/8WpA4gCl-6U/s1600/god-sad-over-earth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ukiN11qntDc/ULL57LaeadI/AAAAAAAAAwc/8WpA4gCl-6U/s1600/god-sad-over-earth.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No, come on now be serious. I'm 7000.... just a bit older than the earth.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
Why no admonition against rape?<br />
<br />
Because God thinks that Rape is the<a href="http://www.evilbible.com/Rape.htm" target="_blank"> shit</a>!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-banQZPXyGmo/ULL3TwgFTHI/AAAAAAAAAwM/3naXL6jRgow/s1600/438501-Royalty-Free-RF-Clipart-Illustration-Of-A-Careless-Plump-Greek-Man-Shrugging.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-banQZPXyGmo/ULL3TwgFTHI/AAAAAAAAAwM/3naXL6jRgow/s1600/438501-Royalty-Free-RF-Clipart-Illustration-Of-A-Careless-Plump-Greek-Man-Shrugging.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How else can I get girls to have sex with my peeps?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Clearly that is not a view that is shared by the general populace.... for good reason. <br />
It is more important to not say his name without hurting his feelings than it is to protect half of the population from the violent misogynistic victimization of conquering soldiers.<br />
<br />
Hmmmmm.....<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C6PNNVxNKC4/ULL4vwM9uII/AAAAAAAAAwU/RQDpgfqANRI/s1600/god11mp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C6PNNVxNKC4/ULL4vwM9uII/AAAAAAAAAwU/RQDpgfqANRI/s1600/god11mp.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Women don't like that stuff??</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
No, no they don't.<br />
<br />
And that is just one more reason why we see the Bible as an awful book.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C6PNNVxNKC4/ULL4vwM9uII/AAAAAAAAAwU/RQDpgfqANRI/s1600/god11mp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C6PNNVxNKC4/ULL4vwM9uII/AAAAAAAAAwU/RQDpgfqANRI/s1600/god11mp.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How about just killing sassy children?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Stop it God. Just stop.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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J Burgoynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03283467415635166115noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5734346441675318707.post-73753792245031687602012-11-10T20:01:00.001-08:002012-11-10T20:04:17.242-08:00Atheist Haiku of the Month- Rememberance Day Edition<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hHH-TxD5goQ/UJ8iwzeOdtI/AAAAAAAAAvQ/BWBXzPeS5Hs/s1600/MKH_Remembrance_Day2(Nov10).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hHH-TxD5goQ/UJ8iwzeOdtI/AAAAAAAAAvQ/BWBXzPeS5Hs/s320/MKH_Remembrance_Day2(Nov10).JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Soldiers, whether they're,</div>
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Jew, Muslim, Christian or Sikh....</div>
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Remember them all.</div>
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PS- We are paying a heavy price. The nation, the military, and each family and friend who has lost someone. I miss you my friends and comrades.</div>
J Burgoynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03283467415635166115noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5734346441675318707.post-87254867365091779642012-10-25T13:35:00.001-07:002012-11-26T14:11:12.616-08:00Offended? Why should we care?<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_MXgjdYGcfU/UImP-lzYAwI/AAAAAAAAAsE/FizutErfTZk/s1600/intolerance-to-intolerance.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_MXgjdYGcfU/UImP-lzYAwI/AAAAAAAAAsE/FizutErfTZk/s320/intolerance-to-intolerance.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ahhh, Philosoraptor, billions of years have taught you so much....</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I have spoken about this <a href="http://atheistevolution.blogspot.ca/2010/05/our-right-to-religious-intolerance.html" target="_blank">before</a> (although not with the bent that rant with today).</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
It is on the subject of offense. People use it as a cover behind which they can hide. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
"That is offensive"</div>
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<br /></div>
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"That might offend someone"</div>
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<br /></div>
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Or even conflating offense with hate.</div>
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<div>
This is the flip side to the old "Everyone is entitled to their opinion". Both as used to keep people from disagreeing with them, and they are both cowardly.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
What they are really saying is "You are not allowed to SAY that you disagree with me out loud."</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
What I say is "Yes! You have the right to an opinion, and you have the right to be offended"</div>
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<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jhpv_vNVIAo/UImXwOGJI4I/AAAAAAAAAsg/QqNHmaXFa-Q/s1600/RELIGION-TODAY.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="226" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jhpv_vNVIAo/UImXwOGJI4I/AAAAAAAAAsg/QqNHmaXFa-Q/s320/RELIGION-TODAY.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And I have the right to say that you are stupid....</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
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<div>
The point that needs to be made is that no one has the right NOT to be offended. You have no right to ask that others not offend you. </div>
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None.</div>
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<div>
Low hanging, underwear exposing pants offend me, sideways hats offend my wife, sassy kids offend my mother, but that doesn't give us the right to go yell at the offending people telling them to stop what they are doing immediately.</div>
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<div>
That is because offense is subjective.</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0GnFXxfaVIM/UImdAsIwfhI/AAAAAAAAAtU/7FDPSYDFnpo/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="290" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0GnFXxfaVIM/UImdAsIwfhI/AAAAAAAAAtU/7FDPSYDFnpo/s320/1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">But seriously... fuck these guys</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
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<div>
You have the right to be offended by the things that you deem disgusting or inappropriate, but unless there is harm being done, you have no right to ask that person to stop. </div>
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Don't misunderstand me. You can ASK, but you have no RIGHT. They can stop because they are civil people, but they are under no obligation to do so.</div>
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Everything is open to critique.... EVERYTHING.</div>
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Every thought that is expressed, every belief that is manifested by action OR word, and everything that we do. </div>
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<div>
I have a friend who was harshly criticized a while ago for stating her opinion about the Burqa. She was called racist (Islam isn't a race people!), intolerant, and even hateful. It is NOT intolerance nor offensive to speak up. It is her stating her opinion as freely as everyone else asks to be allowed. I have to say that I find that kind of intellectual cowardice VERY offensive. They are free to be that way, and I am free to say that they are closed minded cowards who haven't the brainpower to defend their positions rationally.</div>
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<div>
If you want to hide behind your "right" to an opinion, then you can't deny others their rights too.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qd23lMFUDuM/UImdaGvTRvI/AAAAAAAAAtc/4ccFlaQ5OZY/s1600/main-qimg-71ad9d7bdc83b0fe3440c6aca287f440.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="192" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qd23lMFUDuM/UImdaGvTRvI/AAAAAAAAAtc/4ccFlaQ5OZY/s320/main-qimg-71ad9d7bdc83b0fe3440c6aca287f440.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Except them</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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If you are offended and disagree with an unpalatable opinion expressed, then speak up. Have a modicum of courage and defend your position.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Or at least find a logical position from which to deride the one that you are offended by.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aQkrezxAqxU/UImY5693PeI/AAAAAAAAAso/CpPEBBkrMiA/s1600/saggy-pants.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aQkrezxAqxU/UImY5693PeI/AAAAAAAAAso/CpPEBBkrMiA/s320/saggy-pants.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BECAUSE I HATE THEM</td></tr>
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<div>
If someone says "Jesus was a homosexual who ran a backyard brothel for lepers and told Jews that ham was awful just so that he'd have more to serve his own guests", don't just cry how that hurts your feelings. Speak up and explain to them how Jesus was a genuine boob connoisseur and hated ham in all it's forms.</div>
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<br /></div>
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On the flip side if YOU think that gay marriage is wrong, then you better have a good and supported position that extends outside of your religion to support this position, because you can bet that someone is about to rightfully call you on it.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S1xIDfhCX5M/UImiWH-L0EI/AAAAAAAAAt4/fplErmcfqgA/s1600/Barack-Obama-12782369-2-402.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S1xIDfhCX5M/UImiWH-L0EI/AAAAAAAAAt4/fplErmcfqgA/s320/Barack-Obama-12782369-2-402.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Think he's a Muslim born in Kenya?</td></tr>
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Do not confuse "intolerance" with "critique". Do not even confuse intolerance with something that is always bad. We are intolerant of a lot of things.</div>
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Racism</div>
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Bullying</div>
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Spousal Abuse</div>
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Pedophilia</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vCBiryTyn6Q/UImczU6s4tI/AAAAAAAAAtM/20VR3OW-mZY/s1600/Low-Hanging-Pants.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vCBiryTyn6Q/UImczU6s4tI/AAAAAAAAAtM/20VR3OW-mZY/s320/Low-Hanging-Pants.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">AND THESE GUYS!</td></tr>
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It is not intolerance that we should be careful about. It is spurious logic. It is learning how to differentiate between things that get on our nerves that really cause no harm, and things that we should protect ourselves and others from.</div>
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If you are offended, you should take a look at what is offending you. Look to see if that offense is YOUR issue and whether or not it causes anyone harm but your butt-hurt feelings, or if it is something that we really should be intolerant of because of the harm that you see it can cause others. </div>
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Discuss it.</div>
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Be open minded, and willing to change your opinion if shown evidence or support for the opposing position.</div>
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Why should we NOT be critical of things that we see are harmful? </div>
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You have a right to be offended, and you have a right to defend your position. </div>
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Just remember that saying "I'm offended" is merely another way of whining that you don't like how someone doesn't agree with your way of seeing things. </div>
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That is right. If you express only that you are offended, or that you are offended because of some personal experience, you are just whining. </div>
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You don't have a right to ask that others "respect you" if you aren't willing to respect them back by allowing them the free speech that you are asking for yourself.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KcclH6w_V04/UImcpicIj6I/AAAAAAAAAtE/8cYWg8eaQb4/s1600/1438319385_2b61fa9d99.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KcclH6w_V04/UImcpicIj6I/AAAAAAAAAtE/8cYWg8eaQb4/s320/1438319385_2b61fa9d99.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and fuck this guy too (for my wife)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
J Burgoynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03283467415635166115noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5734346441675318707.post-52450947210079663432012-10-15T21:17:00.001-07:002012-10-15T21:17:11.637-07:00The Immoral Power of Prayer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JNtzdcnoMIk/UHzQsLJJatI/AAAAAAAAAqo/tvGseanhjhU/s1600/prayer-purpose.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JNtzdcnoMIk/UHzQsLJJatI/AAAAAAAAAqo/tvGseanhjhU/s320/prayer-purpose.png" width="240" /></a></div>
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This is an issue that is very close to my heart, because I feel that it is something that is ingrained in children at a very young age and is harmful to their development as humane members of our society.</div>
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The immorality of prayer.</div>
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Why do I say this?</div>
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Not everyone who prays is praying for personal gain, or mundane things, most are praying for very humane and caring things. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EfZQMjya5yw/UHzSBOGCjTI/AAAAAAAAAqw/SX2cX43xRZQ/s1600/Tebowing1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EfZQMjya5yw/UHzSBOGCjTI/AAAAAAAAAqw/SX2cX43xRZQ/s320/Tebowing1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">God, I knew that you wouldn't mind taking time out of your<br /> busy day for Monday night Football....wanna take sides?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div>
People praying for a loved one's cure from cancer, </div>
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Friends praying for friends to find a way out of the dark reality of drugs,</div>
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Fathers praying for daughters to find the strength to escape violent relationships,</div>
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etcetera, etcetera, and on and on ...</div>
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What could be wrong with that?</div>
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I mean, even if God ISN'T real, what is the worst that can happen?</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EfZQMjya5yw/UHzSBOGCjTI/AAAAAAAAAqw/SX2cX43xRZQ/s1600/Tebowing1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EfZQMjya5yw/UHzSBOGCjTI/AAAAAAAAAqw/SX2cX43xRZQ/s320/Tebowing1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We'd still have to see THIS!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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The worst that can happen is already happening.</div>
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INTENT</div>
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Are people really trying to help? I know that the answer would generally be yes, but are they really?</div>
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Do they really think that their god will ignore the plights of needy people unless someone kneels and begs him to intercede?</div>
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Do they really think that he doesn't already know?</div>
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Do they think that it will make ANY difference at all if they believe that their god is a good and just god?</div>
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I would say that, if pressed, most people would have to consider their answer and say no to all those questions.</div>
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So why do they do it then?</div>
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Who does it help? To whom does it offer consolation? To whom does it give relief?</div>
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The answer to all these questions is: It helps only the person who is praying.</div>
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It makes them feel like they have done their part, like they have some real sympathy for the person in need. Like they have a sense of humanity and caring that surpasses others. It makes them feel genuinely good that they are a good and caring person.</div>
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Seems like all the positive manifestations of prayer are all in favour of the person praying. At worst, it makes it lazy, self aggrandizing, arrogant, UNcaring, and selfish.</div>
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At best, it is just arrogant, self aggrandizing and selfish.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EfZQMjya5yw/UHzSBOGCjTI/AAAAAAAAAqw/SX2cX43xRZQ/s1600/Tebowing1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EfZQMjya5yw/UHzSBOGCjTI/AAAAAAAAAqw/SX2cX43xRZQ/s320/Tebowing1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ummmm, that touchdown was for the whole TEAM!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
When someone prays they are thinking that they have a special connect line to the creator of the universe, the artificer of the laws of physics and the writer of all morality. That is the very definition of arrogance and is worse than the worst case of nepotism that you have ever encountered. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1NZPScqV2P4/UHzYkViZltI/AAAAAAAAArM/lL18en40ErM/s1600/171_paris_hiltonlarge_image-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1NZPScqV2P4/UHzYkViZltI/AAAAAAAAArM/lL18en40ErM/s320/171_paris_hiltonlarge_image-1.jpg" width="245" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ok, the second worst</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
When someone prays they are not bothering to bake a cake, or make a call to raise funds, or write a letter to help someone get a job, or even buying a card. What it does is give someone is a sense that they have done something. It gives them the sense that they are a good person and a feeling that they have proof that they really do have the person in need's issues at heart. Since no one would say that God would ignore the plights of the needy without THEIR voice to plead the case of the needy, it follows that the act of praying is lazy, self aggrandizing and uncaring (since prayer only benefits them, it is clearly not out of caring for the person in need).</div>
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<div>
At the very best, when the person praying DOES bake a cake as well, or DOES make a phone call as well, or even DOES pay a visit, it makes the act of praying useless. What bothers me about those people praying is that if something good DOES happen, they attribute the prayer and god for the improvement, not the interceding of caring people. That spreads the wrong message in my mind.</div>
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<br /></div>
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So I can't see a single instance where prayer is a good thing unless it is for yourself and for the comfort that your beliefs give you. (Even then I would argue that there are better ways to do that, but this is where opinion rings pretty heavily and I can't really back it up with evidence. Just more opinion.)</div>
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Let's give credit to the people who really deserve it.</div>
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Doctors, case workers, wives, husbands, children, loving friends, policemen, science, caring strangers, and sometimes even bald chance.</div>
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But don't give credit to the prayer that did nothing but make the person praying feel as though they were finished and had to do nothing more to help.</div>
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If you really believe in God, and that he is a good being, then don't worry ... he's got it under control.</div>
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If you believe that your prayer is helping, then what you are saying is that God really is a self important, narcissistic, malevolent being who cares nothing for the needy but only for the praise that begging for help gives him.</div>
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And</div>
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If you really want to help someone in need, get up off your knees and use your hands.</div>
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Place a call, buy a card, send a donation, or just make a cake ...</div>
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Trust me, that is the kind of help, that actually helps.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E6cN2wsmy0E/UHzcPvxejKI/AAAAAAAAAro/7HLLPxDrCUw/s1600/eating-cake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E6cN2wsmy0E/UHzcPvxejKI/AAAAAAAAAro/7HLLPxDrCUw/s320/eating-cake.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">maybe it doesn't help THIS guy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Peace</div>
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<br /></div>
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J Burgoynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03283467415635166115noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5734346441675318707.post-33889830200822058162012-10-15T13:51:00.003-07:002012-10-15T21:17:44.043-07:00Atheist Haiku of the Month<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L8JzFrX-iBc/UHx27zIduQI/AAAAAAAAAqQ/6i0AcqGzoT0/s1600/superstition.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="228" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L8JzFrX-iBc/UHx27zIduQI/AAAAAAAAAqQ/6i0AcqGzoT0/s320/superstition.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">that cat should DEFINITELY not be walking under there....(not sure why)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
There is evidence</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
For all beliefs....if there's not</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
it's superstition</div>
J Burgoynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03283467415635166115noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5734346441675318707.post-63478568462589788542012-09-17T07:43:00.000-07:002012-10-15T21:18:03.691-07:00Atheist Haiku of the Month- Movie Reaction Edition.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_lERmgkojnw/UFczmJX9N8I/AAAAAAAAApg/FksPaM0n784/s1600/british-muslim-protest4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hea="true" height="197" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_lERmgkojnw/UFczmJX9N8I/AAAAAAAAApg/FksPaM0n784/s320/british-muslim-protest4.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Muhammed was NOT a jerk with no respect for life, <br />
and to prove it we will act like jerkswith no respect for life!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><em>Listen up Muslims</em></strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><em>Insulting Islam hurts none</em></strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><em>Relax and behave</em></strong></div>
J Burgoynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03283467415635166115noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5734346441675318707.post-18743951546065366492012-07-12T09:25:00.003-07:002012-10-15T21:21:40.591-07:00Questions Asked- Jon Asks "What would morality look like without religion?"<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a9oDkBbo7Bs/T8cAC2AwRxI/AAAAAAAAAnc/dO9e0_n3If0/s1600/216_27122952208_598447208_1030303_4769_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a9oDkBbo7Bs/T8cAC2AwRxI/AAAAAAAAAnc/dO9e0_n3If0/s320/216_27122952208_598447208_1030303_4769_n.jpg" width="240px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What? My gun helps me think...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<strong>A hypothetical question-</strong><span style="color: red;">"In a world where the existance of God was never even considered, would the non-thiest's have developed a moral code and what do you imagine it would look like? Again, hypothetically"</span></blockquote>
<br />
-Jon B.<br />
<br />
This was a question posed to me by my oldest and dearest friend. <br />
<br />
A great question, although he still hasn't revealed the reason for asking it, and one that I will take pains to answer as honestly and as fully as possible.<br />
<br />
In order to answer this question fully, I will need to do it in two parts.<br />
<br />
Firstly I will need to answer about my thoughts on morality with no concept of a god (regardless of religion), and second I will need to answer as to my opinions on morality formed without the existence of the Christian God concept because that is the framework in which most people in our culture operate. (and Jon is a Christian, so it may speak more to his actual question)<br />
<br />
In the interest of clarity it needs to be said that it can hardly be argued that morality is objective. Morality by it's very nature MUST be subjective, or it ceases to be moral and exists solely as obedience. In any master/slave relationship, it is not morality that is valued but obedience. The slave has no ability to choose what to do, but must acquiesce only to the desires and values of the master. Morality doesn't work that way. Morality is considered, morality is judged, morality is an attempt to lessen the hard that we do to one another in order to live together in a society. All societal animals have it on one level or another, and we are no different.<br />
<br />
That being said, there are many things that are so important to our collective morality that they can SEEM objective. <br />
<br />
Murder<br />
<br />
Rape<br />
<br />
Theft<br />
<br />
Lying<br />
<br />
The list could grow to an impressive degree if given much thought, but then we could deconstruct this list by adding circumstance to them as well. Is murder wrong when it is to purge a country from a despot? Is theft wrong when it is to feed your family? Is lying wrong when it is to save yourself or others from harm?<br />
<br />
THIS is why morality is subjective, there are no rules for how to decide these questions. We have to use our rationality, our humanity, our own values and our own experiences in order to find solutions.<br />
<br />
And they may not always be solutions with which everyone agrees<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jPjTPZEncOY/T_7h2LdJLiI/AAAAAAAAAoQ/2zJ08qWCmlc/s1600/12228470-shouting-female-holding-puppy-on-an-isolated-background-thb1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ca="true" height="320px" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jPjTPZEncOY/T_7h2LdJLiI/AAAAAAAAAoQ/2zJ08qWCmlc/s320/12228470-shouting-female-holding-puppy-on-an-isolated-background-thb1.jpg" width="213px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ummmm, it's to feed my family?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I make this point because the concept of a god driven morality has ALWAYS been tempered by our subjective interpretation of it. Even in very fundemental societies. This is why there are disagreements on what is right and wrong.<br />
<br />
Even god driven morality has changed over the centuries. <br />
<br />
Why? Has the bible changed? <br />
<br />
No, it's message has stayed constant. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NwpF1MuUfVw/T_733pGIwpI/AAAAAAAAAow/hvvOyrBQVO0/s1600/sananda2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ca="true" height="320px" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NwpF1MuUfVw/T_733pGIwpI/AAAAAAAAAow/hvvOyrBQVO0/s320/sananda2.jpg" width="297px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">LOVE ME!!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
It is only our interpretation of it that changes. We change how we see biblical morality in order to suit the current societal climate.<br />
<br />
Slavery was once ok, and supported by both the church and the Bible but then when the cultural climate changed to one that was more concerned with human rights, the church was at the tip of the sword fighting for the very rights that they had explicitly denied people for centuries. <br />
<br />
Does this make sense? <br />
<br />
How about when we consider that we know the Bible was written by men? Does that change the focus of the discussion? Does that make religious texts merely a carrier for the morality of men at the time? <br />
<br />
Clearly<br />
<br />
But I digress.<br />
<br />
The question, irrespective of whether or not religious tomes were written by men, is how would society be different if not for the moral medium of religion.<br />
<br />
My belief is that religion has held back morality more often than it promoted it. Morality has grown with our (and every) culture and usually right there fighting against the flow of change is religion.<br />
<br />
One current example of this is the concept of same sex marriage. It has zero effect on the people who fight against it, and it is only done for the purpose of controlling societal norms and making them adhere to their religious norms with no concern for the people it affects. If it has no effect on the religious, why do they care?<br />
<br />
Because it goes against the rules outlayed in their book.<br />
<br />
Mind you so does;<br />
<br />
Jesus Tattoo Art (Leviticus 19:28); <br />
Polyster Leisure suits (Leviticus 19:19);<br />
Divorcing abusive spouses (Mark 10:8-9);<br />
Fortune Cookies (Leviticus 19:31);<br />
Football (Leviticus 11:8);<br />
Bowl haircuts (Leviticus 19:27); and <br />
Letting Lance Armstrong into your Church (Deuteronomy 23:1);<br />
Wearing Expensive jewelery (Timothy 2:9);<br />
Eating Yummy Shrimp (Leviticus 11:10);<br />
Your wife defending you by punching your attacker in the junk (Deuteronomy 25:11-12); AND<br />
Pulling out or even masturbating (Genesis 38:9-10).<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9vwpGhrpb18/T_7t03l0A6I/AAAAAAAAAoc/EwjNRTnBTmo/s1600/20090923_peewee_190x190.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ca="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9vwpGhrpb18/T_7t03l0A6I/AAAAAAAAAoc/EwjNRTnBTmo/s1600/20090923_peewee_190x190.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You could have told me that before.....</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Do we care about those particular moral guidelines any longer? Obviously not. Society outgrew them and the church in response merely stopped espousing them as religious laws.<br />
The point is that morality changes, and the bible is not the driving force for that change. Society is.<br />
We leave behind the morals which we deem to be nonsense or no longer applicable according to our current experience and societal needs. The church usually mirrors that change (after lagging behind for a while in many cases) in order to stay "in touch" and then often even goes so far as to present itself to be the champion of those moralities.<br />
<br />
Slavery was a fantastic example of this. <br />
<br />
The bible itself is rife with rules for slavery, selling your children (mostly daughters) into slavery and rules governing their treatment, and even marrying your daughters off to their rapists (slavery in my mind). <br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hb1mZIjskGk/T_7v_PxgziI/AAAAAAAAAok/_s7-_uSPcqk/s1600/zitate-gentleman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ca="true" height="234px" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hb1mZIjskGk/T_7v_PxgziI/AAAAAAAAAok/_s7-_uSPcqk/s320/zitate-gentleman.jpg" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hmmm, I DO like rape, but people frown on that. Wait, I'll just BUY her. GENIUS!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
So after hundreds of years promoting the "right" of slavery, the church realized that value had outlived it's usefulness.<br />
<br />
The evolution of morality.<br />
<br />
<br />
Now. I recognize that I still haven't answered the question.<br />
<br />
How would morality have been developed without religion to guide it?<br />
<br />
It would have developed organically, just like it does now.<br />
<br />
But without having harmful mandated objective rules given by dogmatically accepted books stifling it.<br />
<br />
In short, I think that the world would be far ahead of where it is today and likely with a bit fewer deaths involved.<br />
<br />
Without religion would we care about same sex marriage as an issue to fight?<br />
Would we have the stifling sexual guilt and slut shame that is so prevalent?<br />
Would we have genital mutilation (both male and female)?<br />
Would we have millions of people dying of AIDS because of misinformation about birth control?<br />
Would we see obedience as a virtue and skepticism as a flaw?<br />
<br />
There are many things that religion has done for us with morality, but everything that was good could have been (and was) achieved by non theist means and the rest has held us back.<br />
<br />
So my two part answer is this;<br />
<br />
Without ANY religion, morality would have evolved organically (just as it did in non-theistic societies all over the world) <br />
and without the Christian religion trying to mold us into a version of the iron age sheep herders who wrote it, that evolution would have most certainly been at a very accelerated pace.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jPjTPZEncOY/T_7h2LdJLiI/AAAAAAAAAoQ/2zJ08qWCmlc/s1600/12228470-shouting-female-holding-puppy-on-an-isolated-background-thb1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ca="true" height="320px" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jPjTPZEncOY/T_7h2LdJLiI/AAAAAAAAAoQ/2zJ08qWCmlc/s320/12228470-shouting-female-holding-puppy-on-an-isolated-background-thb1.jpg" width="213px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Are you SURE that I can't eat this?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
J Burgoynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03283467415635166115noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5734346441675318707.post-70091726460337171842012-06-18T10:35:00.003-07:002012-06-20T12:27:53.901-07:00Atheist Haiku of the Month- Father's Day Edition<div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bxNDkN_M9zY/T-IkDaRaInI/AAAAAAAAAoE/XH4xxQ6_SPU/s1600/fathers-day-global.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" rca="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bxNDkN_M9zY/T-IkDaRaInI/AAAAAAAAAoE/XH4xxQ6_SPU/s320/fathers-day-global.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm TRYING to choke him, but Jesus keeps turning it into hugs!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Love is NOT God's gift</div><div style="text-align: center;">It's a gift from my wife and son</div><div style="text-align: center;">God belittles that</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">PS- A belated Happy Father's day to all the dads out there! Enjoy the love your family gives you.</div>J Burgoynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03283467415635166115noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5734346441675318707.post-27871437606483753412012-05-10T14:03:00.002-07:002012-05-14T10:34:17.982-07:00Beyond Belief News- Vatican Supports Culture of Secrecy with Child Abuse<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yaRd33fUzTI/T6nC9kK88OI/AAAAAAAAAmE/ScSoh7rYI4I/s1600/charles-Scicluna_1047773t.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dba="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yaRd33fUzTI/T6nC9kK88OI/AAAAAAAAAmE/ScSoh7rYI4I/s1600/charles-Scicluna_1047773t.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"<em><strong>Pro-tect</strong></em>?" Are you sure that is a real word?</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="color: red;"><em>"The Vatican's chief investigator (Monsignor Charles J Scicluna) has insisted that Ireland's most senior cleric (Cardinal Brady) has no case to answer over renewed allegations of mishandling of allegations against the paedophile Brendan Smyth" </em></span></blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="color: red;"><em>"New evidence unearthed in a BBC documentary found Cardinal Brady had the names and addresses of children who were suspected of being abused, during a secret internal church inquiry in 1975."</em></span></blockquote>- <a href="http://www.independent.ie/national-news/brady-clear-on-child-sex-abuse-claims-vatican-prosecutor-3097014.html" target="_blank">Irish Independant</a><br />
<br />
<br />
Monsignor Charles J Scicluna (pictured above) defends Cardinal Brady's decision not to go to the proper authorities with this information because that was not his job at the time as he was merely the "note taker" for the church's investigation into abuse cases. <br />
<br />
Now before you get any ideas about what his job was in this investigation, let me clear that up for you.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EiUvaqnA-dE/T6nFCmcAJQI/AAAAAAAAAmM/L2DcmNMxLzw/s1600/Rev.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dba="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EiUvaqnA-dE/T6nFCmcAJQI/AAAAAAAAAmM/L2DcmNMxLzw/s1600/Rev.jpg" /></a><span style="color: red;">"He was doing his duty (As "note taker")to investigate something that had come to the knowledge of the church and I think he fulfilled his duty well," "His duty...is to pass the information (that he gathered from interviews with the victims) to the people who are in authority"</span></div></blockquote><br />
It is not in the scope of his duty to report child molesters to the authorities?? <br />
It is not in the scope of his duty to pass on information to anyone outside the church officials?<br />
It is not even in the scope of his duty to inform the PARENTS of the possibility that their children might be in danger? (he interviewed the children, but did not pass on the danger that he discovered during those interviews)<br />
<br />
I am not sure what his responsibilities in the church are, but his responsibilities as a HUMAN are to protect children (and ANYONE for that matter). To hide behind the letters of your job contract as a reason for not protecting the helpless from the clutches of physically and emotionally violent predators is cowardly and unethical.<br />
<br />
What goes beyond this is that the Vatican accepts this without flinching. They actually feel that Rev Brady fulfilled his duty as a church official, and that his lack of action shouldn't have any bearing on how the country views him as a leader in the church and a figure of self proclaimed moral authority in Ireland. <br />
<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-13mnp1oT-ww/T6qh86ArQ8I/AAAAAAAAAmY/opUpYCBS5EE/s1600/Rev.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dba="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-13mnp1oT-ww/T6qh86ArQ8I/AAAAAAAAAmY/opUpYCBS5EE/s1600/Rev.jpg" /></a><span style="color: red;">"Father Brady referred all this information to the people who had authority and a duty to act." </span></div></blockquote><br />
<br />
<br />
Seriously?? Who gave the church the civil and legal duty to act as adjudicator in these matters? Do they really think that they have the power to withhold information like this until they make a decision on it? <br />
From where do they get the authority to circumvent the system of law so that they can decide on these matters?<br />
<br />
I am absolutely incensed that they actually DEFEND a man who had first hand testimony from these children, including names, dates, times and addresses, and thought his only responsibility was to hand that information over to, not the parents, not the police....but his boss.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VpH0BYm4DOI/T6rEBr0TSsI/AAAAAAAAAms/k4_eWNKtwOw/s1600/smiling-man-on-phone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dba="true" height="212px" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VpH0BYm4DOI/T6rEBr0TSsI/AAAAAAAAAms/k4_eWNKtwOw/s320/smiling-man-on-phone.jpg" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sir, the mail room staff is raping the women in the secretary's pool. <br />
Did I tell anyone? Ummm, no..why? Ok, I'll leave it with you.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Vatican, let me help you with something.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">You are not an authority.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">You don't get to filter the evidence and make decisions as to who is and who isn't guilty of a crime. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The police and the legal system do that nicely.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tmAI5n6uuwY/T6rFvoLgiAI/AAAAAAAAAm0/-dAzl1fdkaU/s1600/oj-simpson-glove.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dba="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tmAI5n6uuwY/T6rFvoLgiAI/AAAAAAAAAm0/-dAzl1fdkaU/s1600/oj-simpson-glove.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Well, um...most times anyway (how embarrassing.....)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">You need to understand that you hold a position of trust, not just as an organisation, but as individuals. Each priest, each reverend, each cardinal, and each <em>person</em> in the church (and in fact on the planet) has a responsibility to be true to that trust. That means you can do whatever you need to do with information of abuse....once you have informed the families and the police. At the point of discovery! Not once it has filtered through your organization. Each and every person MUST ask himself if he has done everything he can to protect those who trust in your desire to protect them. If they don't, then they are as guilty as the rapist from that point forward, and you don't hold the members of your organization to that standard, then you are inviting this culture of silence to continue. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And you become as bad as the rapist too!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">You failed those people by not having those "people in authority" not act, and you failed them a second time by not admonishing then Reverend Brady for not taking it to the legal authorities or warning their parents. THAT would be doing everything you can. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Reverend Brady, I am not even sure what to say to you. Your stupidity and willfull ignorance of your duty as a human being is astronomical. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">You said;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Bcfc8MURIzs/T6rHRmt1vRI/AAAAAAAAAm8/J3RmcNP2cSI/s1600/Cardinal-Sean-Brady-016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dba="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Bcfc8MURIzs/T6rHRmt1vRI/AAAAAAAAAm8/J3RmcNP2cSI/s1600/Cardinal-Sean-Brady-016.jpg" /></a></div><span style="color: red;">"It is a grave sin. If I was aware my failure to act had allowed or meant future children were abused, I think I would resign." </span><br />
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In retrospect you must see that if you had gone to the PROPER authorities (not your boss) and reported this, that those children would be safe. <br />
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So by your own admitting, and since you must recognise now that your lack of action directly harmed those children, you must resign as the church leader of Ireland.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sorry, I can't hear you over my sense of blind self importance.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
The pain that those children went through was, in part, your fault. It was your inaction that led to the predator being able to prey on those children again and again well after their pain should have been over. They should have been able to breath a sigh of relief once they told you of their plight knowing that you would stop at nothing to see them safe.<br />
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You decided to look the other way as a human being, and just passed it on for someone else to handle.<br />
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I am not saying that those who had the information after you are not responsible as well, but they are not in the spotlight (however much they should be).<br />
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The fact remains that you made a terrible, immoral and unethical mistake in betraying those children with your willful inaction, and it is such a grave one that your moral and professional credibility may never recover.<br />
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But more importantly (because I don't actually care about your worthless credibility) it is one from which the <em>victims</em> of your inaction may never recover.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">UPDATE-Cardinal Brady issues an <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/may/08/sean-brady-apology-paedophile-scandal" target="_blank">apology</a></span><br />
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Editorial- <br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">This apology came on the heels of an outright refusal to apologize publicly. So why the change of heart? It's pretty plain to me that the sudden sorrow over his forgotten responsibilities is disingenuous and self serving. Protecting himself and whatever image he has left after he has landed in hot water. Even NOW he can't say that HE did something wrong. Just that he is sad that something didn't happen. (here's a hint Cardinal... something didn't just "not happen", it didn't happen because you MADE it not happen. Shame on you. Here is the quote.</blockquote><br />
"I regret very much that [the parents] weren't [informed]"<br />
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Not, "<strong><em>I</em></strong> am sorry that <strong><em>I </em></strong>didn't inform them". No personal responsibility even now, with all the facts laid bare. <br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I could rant about this for hours, but I think that Tim Minchin said it far better than I ever could.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N8bWiGw7bA4/T6rP0iTcmaI/AAAAAAAAAnQ/VmtrWIim0rU/s1600/11445033-300tim-minchin-090401102317407-wideweb-300x346.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dba="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N8bWiGw7bA4/T6rP0iTcmaI/AAAAAAAAAnQ/VmtrWIim0rU/s1600/11445033-300tim-minchin-090401102317407-wideweb-300x346.jpg" /></a></div><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="color: red;">"If you covered for a single motherfucker who's a kiddie fucker,</span><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: red;">Fuck the motherfucker he's as evil as the rapist"</span></div></blockquote><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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Nuff said!<br />
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Watch the video<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHRDfut2Vx0" target="_blank"> here</a>.J Burgoynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03283467415635166115noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5734346441675318707.post-65394079475400205642012-05-08T08:44:00.000-07:002012-05-08T08:44:00.707-07:00Ironic Creationist Quotes- Rev Kevin Flynn<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZQVjr3nTmmA/T6k23BvCdVI/AAAAAAAAAk4/SeXrZo96TsI/s1600/P1000695a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dba="true" height="320px" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZQVjr3nTmmA/T6k23BvCdVI/AAAAAAAAAk4/SeXrZo96TsI/s320/P1000695a.jpg" width="208px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Irony? Isn't that when OTHER people say things that are contradict their own points?</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><blockquote class="tr_bq"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XTDV8Ft8ppM/T6k3jaj1YsI/AAAAAAAAAlA/RNR87QD7U70/s1600/pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dba="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XTDV8Ft8ppM/T6k3jaj1YsI/AAAAAAAAAlA/RNR87QD7U70/s1600/pic.jpg" /></a><span style="color: red;"><em>"The point is that atheists have erred in what they are talking about when they attack Christianity. I agree with atheists who scorn crude or superstitious versions of Christianity."</em></span></div></div></blockquote><br />
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Yes Reverend, but I think that where we disagree is that it is ALL superstitious. As soon as an attempt to describe the forces that created the universe stops being superstitious, it becomes SCIENCE.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ajVApE2KdqQ/T6k64WYDiuI/AAAAAAAAAlY/GndE5g6yeoU/s1600/book-worm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dba="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ajVApE2KdqQ/T6k64WYDiuI/AAAAAAAAAlY/GndE5g6yeoU/s1600/book-worm.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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Billy the Bookworm says that "Superstition" is <span style="color: red;">a belief or notion,<span id="hotword"> not based on reason or knowledge</span></span><span id="hotword"><span style="color: red;"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #0055bb; cursor: pointer;">,</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">in</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">or</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">of</span> the ominous significance of a particular thing<span id="hotword" name="hotword">,</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">circumstance,</span> ocurance, proceeding, or <span id="hotword" name="hotword">the like</span><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default;">.</span></span> (1)</span><br />
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Anything that is perported intellectually without reasonably objective supporting evidence is, by definition, superstition. <br />
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Sorry Reverend but your religion is no more or less superstitious than those who believe that a spaceship is coming to gather up the chosen from behind a meteor....<br />
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.....on second thought, I have changed my mind. It IS more superstitious than that, because at least THAT claim can be verified or debunked with the proper tools. <br />
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What Christianity provides is the ultimate superstitious snow job.<br />
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All the answers, but none of the explanations.<br />
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Believe in the Word contained in the Bible. How do you know that word is true?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pdaUPT6fv9I/T6k9g-vt63I/AAAAAAAAAlk/qyzq5PdhKHc/s1600/bible.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dba="true" height="188px" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pdaUPT6fv9I/T6k9g-vt63I/AAAAAAAAAlk/qyzq5PdhKHc/s200/bible.gif" width="200px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It says so on page 421</td></tr>
</tbody></table> If the only evidence that you can provide would also support any of the other tens of thousands of gods (and possibly a few other literary fictional characters as well) then you can hardly call YOUR belief anything BUT superstitious.<br />
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Well...<br />
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.....maybe YOU can.<br />
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And that my friends, is irony.<br />
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Rev Kevin Flynn is an Anglican priest and director of the Anglican studies program at Saint Paul University.<br />
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1- Superstition definition found at Dictionary.comJ Burgoynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03283467415635166115noreply@blogger.com0