A proponent of a Middle-Eastern religion once asked me, as an agnostic, what book I read to guide me...

Fernapple comments on Sep 19, 2022:

Tell him. If you need god to tell you right from wrong, then you are not a good person, only a bad person on a leash.

Unpacking The Racist Reponses to The Little Mermaid - Between The Scenes | The Daily Show - YouTube

Fernapple comments on Sep 19, 2022:

Sorry but it says. Video not available.

Dear God I just want to say you really like to hide from your children on earth and watch all of us ...

Fernapple comments on Sep 19, 2022:

Hello and welcome. You will find you fit in well enough here.

If the evidence for an Abrahamic god is confined to a book of fairy tales then what is the logical ...

Fernapple comments on Sep 19, 2022:

1. Agnosticism comes in several forms, it is not therefore possible to answer that question without you first define the form of agnosticism you which to address. 2. Agnosticism generally, does not just apply to the Abrahamic god, but to all gods, including the deist. Especially so in the form also known as soft atheism, which is generally held to be a none belief in gods, but with an admission that the person holding that belief, does not have a evidence supported disproof of the existence of gods.

Finland likes the swastika emblem too. [reuters.com]

Fernapple comments on Sep 19, 2022:

The swastika is still widely used in India and Asia generally as a traditional symbol with a number of meanings, none of which have anything to do with Nazi ideology. It has a history going back thousands of years before fascism, so it is no surprise really to learn that Finland was using it before the Nazis. Indeed the fascists only took it up because its long history, gave them they thought, a base in older traditions and the extra authority which comes from that in the minds of many unthinking conservatives.

Two prayers here

Fernapple comments on Sep 18, 2022:

Laugh ?

Do you ever wish you believed prayer worked?

Fernapple comments on Sep 18, 2022:

Maybe not, but modern medicine does work, often, have faith in that.

Go meat free….

Fernapple comments on Sep 18, 2022:

Or just eat a highly varied diet, don't eat the same things every day.

Anton Petrov - Did Advanced Civilizations Exist Before Humans?

Fernapple comments on Sep 17, 2022:

There is nothing wrong with speculation, as long as you don't lose sight of the fact that it is speculation.

Basically anyone who says switching to green energy will tank the economy is mindlessly ...

Fernapple comments on Sep 17, 2022:

And create jobs.

Vor mehr als 70 Jahren wurde erstmals nachgewiesen, dass langes Sitzen unserer Gesundheit schadet.

Fernapple comments on Sep 17, 2022:

Hey folk, in case you don't do German, this appears to be a sales pitch for office equipment. lol

Vor mehr als 70 Jahren wurde erstmals nachgewiesen, dass langes Sitzen unserer Gesundheit schadet.

Fernapple comments on Sep 17, 2022:

I am quite content with the desk I have, thank you.

Oh, I forgot to mention, when I took my house back I changed the wifi network name and password.

Fernapple comments on Sep 17, 2022:

You may hear a voice out of the ether saying. "I am an atheist too. "

I wouldn't lose your head over it

Fernapple comments on Sep 17, 2022:

What causes the confusion, is that, most Karens walk and talk without using their heads.

Where the hell do I belong?

Fernapple comments on Sep 17, 2022:

Well done, you belong to the human race, most of us are like that.

Things happens for reason in life

Fernapple comments on Sep 17, 2022:

Yes, that is called "determinism" which is a sub-set of "materialism", and that you can never know or understand the reason, is called "Chaos theory", while that you can get closer to the reason without ever getting all the way to it, is called "quantum theory". Nice to meet you, with all the religious people about, it is rare to meet someone who understands the theoretical basis of atheist scientific thought.

Have a blessed day, y'all!

Fernapple comments on Sep 17, 2022:

Yes but, is it spreading ?

just a storage issue my ass

Fernapple comments on Sep 16, 2022:

Some very good ones this time.

Hypothesis: Religious behavior a consequence of autism.

Fernapple comments on Sep 16, 2022:

Slight problem with the last one, there is no evidence that men are more likely to follow religion. Its a better fit with immaturity.

Selling shit for 2,000 years

Fernapple comments on Sep 16, 2022:

Then one corrupt and incompetent soldier, bungles a life signs test on an executed prisoner. (He was eager to get his hands on the bribe offered for the body, and it was the dark of night. )

Perspectives…

Fernapple comments on Sep 16, 2022:

Old Iranian saying. " I cried because I had no shoes, and then I met a man who had no feet."

"I will look upon death or of comedy with the same expression of countenance." Seneca

Fernapple comments on Sep 15, 2022:

Bet he was fun at parties.

Q: Why is masturbation like an anemic male monarch? A: Because they are both wan-king.

Fernapple comments on Sep 13, 2022:

groan.

New York’s Hasidic Jewish schools take public funds but fail to educate kids

Fernapple comments on Sep 12, 2022:

Can the American on here tell me please. How can there be a separation of state and religion, if the state funds religious schools ?

I just want to give you nightmares.

Fernapple comments on Sep 12, 2022:

I wish they would bring the puke emoji back.

Bizarre Religions become mythologies

Fernapple comments on Sep 12, 2022:

I think that should be a, teacher of medicine.

I debated with myself before deciding to make this post.

Fernapple comments on Sep 12, 2022:

Get well soon, your contribution is appreciated

Move on - nothing to see here...

Fernapple comments on Sep 12, 2022:

Sadly of course it could be an attempt at irony by a fundamentalist Christian, who like a lot of them can't get on with the neighbours.

Okay, it's been 3 days.

Fernapple comments on Sep 12, 2022:

I never understood why people do public mourning for celebrities , or why it is seen as normal and natural. Whether they be royalty, pop stars or the latest victim of child killing. Mourning is something you do for the people you know and were in a relationship with, do it for anyone else and it is either attention seekingly fake, or sentimental and it belittles the people who you do have a relationship with.

Women: i don't need no man! Car breaks down: thats a mans job! Tree needs to be cut down: ...

Fernapple comments on Sep 11, 2022:

Not the women I know.

THE OTHER SIDE.

Fernapple comments on Sep 11, 2022:

Like the ultimate mail order scam. "Wonderful product, will change your whole life, you pay now but sorry, only delivered after you die. No samples sorry, and no viewing the product first, sorry but it will spoil if we open the box."

CUDDLING Photographer Christian Ziegler’s “Highly Commended Image” at the Wildlife ...

Fernapple comments on Sep 10, 2022:

Maybe just curiosity.

“There are two means of refuge from the misery of life ….

Fernapple comments on Sep 10, 2022:

But the two don't always mix well.

I don't know; what's your opinion.

Fernapple comments on Sep 10, 2022:

I like the way Camila intercepts his attempt to reach for her groin, with a hand shake. Smart move that. You can't come from three generations of royal sex workers, and not learn a few good moves.

Charles III is the head of the Church of England.

Fernapple comments on Sep 10, 2022:

When the Founders established the constitution, they may well have intended that, not having a state religion would eventually lead to a secular nation. But thanks to the law of unintended consequences, what they did was to privatize religion, and make it a for profit business, thereby adding an extra layer of motivation to its promoters and giving it the freedom to operate any way it wanted. One day, since uncontrolled capitalism leads in the end to monopoly, a single franchise may become able to establish an industry standard. The Microsoft of American religion could be, Evangelical Christianity, and all other belief systems will have to work within its framework or fade away.

UK News Liz Truss, don't like her already.

Fernapple comments on Sep 10, 2022:

If you are a really cynical politician, with no conscience, then you look for a busy day to hide bad news. Mind you, I did not think that LT was that smart, maybe she just got lucky ?

Frightening;

Fernapple comments on Sep 10, 2022:

The perfect couple, I would be a bit worried if they had babies though.

The ahistorical claims of Christian Nationalists get me going.

Fernapple comments on Sep 10, 2022:

If they believe that Jesus still works within the material world, then it follows that, he has plans for everywhere all of the time. In which case, he does not seem to be any good at getting his plans to work.

You might enjoy seeing how this turns out.

Fernapple comments on Sep 9, 2022:

So animals especially bears, have no taste for artificial foods, stuffed with chemicals, artificial colours and flavourings, but prefer the natural product. Are we really that amazed.

I enjoy complaining. It keeps my heart rate up.

Fernapple comments on Sep 9, 2022:

Sex, has the same effect and generally makes two people happy.

Our new King…King Charles III gives his first address to the U.K. as sovereign. [youtu.be]

Fernapple comments on Sep 9, 2022:

If you like your new king, don't forget who you just got for PM, and you did not vote for her either.

Ideas from Brights Central Expressing Your Kind of “Worldview” Here at Brights Central, ...

Fernapple comments on Sep 9, 2022:

While it is good to define your terms, well done. I do think that on a site like this, some sort of narrative or logical journey beyond that, is expected.

God forgot about this

Fernapple comments on Sep 8, 2022:

and then swim back again.

Avoiding anti-abortion States is part of the recruiters tool bag now. [facebook.com]

Fernapple comments on Sep 8, 2022:

Link blocked to non members.

Greetings All! Glad to be here.

Fernapple comments on Sep 7, 2022:

Hello and welcome, enjoy the site.

Mmmmmmmmmmmmmm [msn.com]

Fernapple comments on Sep 7, 2022:

The state based media seem to have forgotten all about it.

I'm sure you all agree with this post.

Fernapple comments on Sep 7, 2022:

I have seen a lot of surveys based on that principle. When I was about twelve we got a survey/test to measure your artistic skills and aptitudes. I was very pleased to find that my score came out as extremely high. At least until the following day when we all compared scores, and discovered that we had all scored very high. Of course the so called, test, was created a by a company which sold art courses and materials. Don't forget that god loves you, because you are a special person to god.

Earth will not quit fighting till the last human footprint is removed and human bones decayed

Fernapple comments on Sep 6, 2022:

No. I agreed with some of your other statements, but the earth does not have a will, an intelligence or an intention, therefore it can not fight. We may make it so damaged that it no longer supports us, and almost certainly something non human will outlive us to perhaps bring the earth back to life, but the earth will not will it so, it is not a god.

I ran onto this article while trying to find out whether or not wizards were ever burned at the ...

Fernapple comments on Sep 6, 2022:

To believe in religion, you have to train yourself to despise sceptical ideas, and accept high levels of cognitive dissonance, and when once you have done that, all other crack pot ideas become a lot easier. While the whole tone of thinking in the world you live in, is lowered.

Humans Mere existence Equals Evil Destruction

Fernapple comments on Sep 6, 2022:

Yet we could have a good life with a tenth the consumption, if we only tried.

Is that too much to ask?

Fernapple comments on Sep 6, 2022:

It is all we ever get, anything more is empty vanity and delusion.

Is everyone technically an agnostic?

Fernapple comments on Sep 6, 2022:

What works for me is that. If there is a higher intelligence than those obviously found on earth, a god, or a spiritual world, if you like. Then it clearly choses to remain hidden. Which means that either it does not exist, or it intends us to act as if it does not exist. And if a god exists, then, in the absence of a direct message from it, the best that I can suppose, that it may want me to do, is to. "Appreciate, and perhaps care for, the material creation, which it may have given." While if it does not exist, then the best that I can do for happiness and personal peace, is to. "Appreciate, and perhaps care for, the material creation I am given." You see, no difference. So I will care for my friends, look to do the best I can for the living planet, and most of all, try to learn every day how to appreciate and enjoy even more, the green of the grass, the blue of the sky, the taste of my bowl of soup, and the touch of the hands that made it for me. It is enough, anything more is vanity.

Can Religion Without Belief “Make Perfect Sense”? | Mind Matters

Fernapple comments on Sep 6, 2022:

One common claim made by religious apologists is that, all of the harm coming from religion stems from a literal interpretation of it, and that it can be easily be redeemed by treating it as a metaphor. But sadly, whether religion is metaphorical or literal, is completely beside the point as to whether it is a good thing or not. When your holy book tells you that you should smash the brains of your enemies children out against the rocks. It does not matter if you read it literally, or read the word "children" metaphorically as arts, science, and culture. It is still a nasty idea. Religion without a literal god, does not stop the worship of fake authority, it just moves that fake authority to things like tradition, the sayings of gurus or writings in holy books, making those things into pseudo-gods. Science is not a replacement for religion, as anti rationalists like to say. Nor should it ever pretend to be, but it is a replacement for some of religion's functions, and it is not alone, we now have, nation states, the rule of law, secular morality, philosophy, democracy, socialism, environmentalism, trade networks, humanism, the idea of social justice, public welfare, international law, and secular education at least. Religion was only ever a primitive substitute for all of those, and if only because those many ideas, offer more nuance, and more honest mission statements, religion is now obsolete, lets get over it. Even if god/theism is a metaphor, that does not make it a good metaphor. There are good and bad metaphors as well as many pointless and trivial ones. Humans are not only metaphor forming animals, they are also eating animals. Made by natural evolution to have hungers, but that does not mean that all diets are good for you. Yet you can choose a healthy diet, and are more likely to do so if you receive good education and are protected against those who wish to gain, ruthlessly and without conscience, by pushing unhealthy foods. You can also choose your metaphors. The fake assumption made here is that, if it is natural for humans to create, metaphor and culture, then all metaphors and cultures are either good and of equal value, or even more, that one, the theist metaphor, is proven superior. It is a giant leap (Well several actually.) from, it is natural for humans to make metaphors, to, all metaphors are good, and my favoured one is the best of all. To a degree I do have some sympathy with the fundamentalist. They look at moderate religion, especially cults, like the metaphorical view, and they see rightly, that it is, shallow, narcissistic, dishonest cherry picking, manipulative, self serving, and corrupt, and their moral instincts give them a visceral disgust at the very thought of it. Their only mistake is in thinking ...

Old blue eyes…

Fernapple comments on Sep 5, 2022:

And if you have red hair you are part Neanderthal.

What's you favorite non domesticated animal? I'd have to go with the

Fernapple comments on Sep 5, 2022:

Orangutans, I have never seen a live one, but it is on the bucket list. Perhaps in part because they are the underdogs of the great apes, often overlooked in favour of the African apes, who are most closely related to us. Yet the may well be, the most emotionally intelligent and sensitive of us all.

Family photo!

Fernapple comments on Sep 3, 2022:

They all have the same ears, no doubt about the common parentage.

Huh.

Fernapple comments on Sep 3, 2022:

He blocked me some time ago, twice in fact, seems to block nearly everyone.

Let the fun begin.

Fernapple comments on Sep 3, 2022:

Good, there is not much meat left in my freezer, I thought that I would have to start going to the supermarket.

That’s just awesome

Fernapple comments on Sep 3, 2022:

With training most of the possible bad side effects can be mitigated, but she will have a life of very limited freedom, and some injuries resulting in infections and scaring, are almost inevitable. There is also a high risk of hip, knee, other joint and soft tissue damage needing surgery later in life. In the past people with conditions causing those symptoms rarely lived to maturity.

The tangerine nightmare is worse than butt plugs…

Fernapple comments on Sep 2, 2022:

Butt plugs are a vital survival tool, for both Brown Bears and Black Bears during hibernation. The other two well.......

“The Conservatives have never been a Party burdened by needless sentimentality; some Tory MPs ...

Fernapple comments on Sep 2, 2022:

Nah, the sentimental attachment to the, quite false, myth, that there once existed a time, when you did not have to bother making the effort to think, or reform yourself, is what it is all about.

Atheist take marriage seriously.

Fernapple comments on Sep 1, 2022:

How about. Atheists take responsibility seriously. Believers try to pass it on either to the sky fairy or to relatives and partners, and that applies to marriage just like everything else.

I thought this was an interesting nugget of information. The highest point on earth?

Fernapple comments on Sep 1, 2022:

Furthest bit of the earth from its center, that we know of, could be the Voyager space craft.

Never have I ever..

Fernapple comments on Sep 1, 2022:

Never been to a zoo. Never traveled beyond Europe. Never been swimming for fun.

I haven't seen whether the site is continuing, but just in case it doesn't, thanks for 'social' ...

Fernapple comments on Sep 1, 2022:

Only if god communicates a wish or objective to us, a god who remains silent and invisible, a deist god, is no different from no god at all. Especially if as we have to suppose, it chose to remain silent and hidden. Religions are, and were never, about the worship of gods, they are about the worship of holy books. And since we have no evidence that any of the holy books was directly or indirectly authored by any deity, and a lot of evidence to the contrary, we can only presume that any deity who may exist, chose to remain silent. In which case, you could make a good argument, that religion and presuming to speak for a deity, is actually the most anti-god and unholy of all human games.

Just discovered Eliminative Materialism and I keep wanting to know more and understand arguments for...

Fernapple comments on Sep 1, 2022:

I think it is always good to be sceptical, which is the basic foundation of Eliminative Materialism, but you can go too far with sceptical thinking, and being sceptical is yet another thing you need to be a little sceptical about. ( Love the word game. )

I mean, George was good, but....

Fernapple comments on Sep 1, 2022:

Now that Cesare Borgia is out of the frame, literally, could be.

Overcoming religious guilt:

Fernapple comments on Aug 31, 2022:

If Jesus is all caring, he will distract grandma.

Truth social is headed for bankruptcy [salon.com]

Fernapple comments on Aug 31, 2022:

Would it not be less time consuming to make it news, when Trump does something that does not head for bankruptcy. Just thinking out loud.

Stefan Milo, not many credentials but very engaging and knowledgeable.

Fernapple comments on Aug 31, 2022:

My favourite theory. All of those. When you have something as strong as music, it is quite likely supported by multiple mutually reinforcing causes.

I find it amusing and a bit exasperating that ANY disgreement about the Bible is automatically ...

Fernapple comments on Aug 30, 2022:

Tell them that their Bible is the most ungodly book of all, and that it was actually written by Satan worshipers. That should get them going. ( And using their own logic it would not be hard to make a case.)

Many years ago a group of us went to this.

Fernapple comments on Aug 30, 2022:

Polydactyly or Six Fingered Dwarfism, use to be considered the classic Amish genetic failing.

My ex wife and her spouse had been allowing her childhood friend to reside with them for the past ...

Fernapple comments on Aug 30, 2022:

It certainly sounds like attempted murder at least, even if it may be difficult to prove actual murder, she should certainly face the full brunt of the law.

Harsh but true!

Fernapple comments on Aug 30, 2022:

The first applies especially to religion, and is why some politicians love it so much. If you train children from the earliest age to ignore all cognitive dissonance, and all feelings of doubt, in favour of what they are told. Then they will extend that habit to every other sphere of life, including economics, purchasing goods, and politics.

They fry everything in the south.

Fernapple comments on Aug 30, 2022:

You should try Scotland, the deep fried and battered Mars Bars ( Chocolate with a caramel filling. ) are said to be great.

I believe this.

Fernapple comments on Aug 30, 2022:

Hello and welcome, enjoy the site, you have already found one of the more active groups.

My fellow evil heathens are going to ruin the world.

Fernapple comments on Aug 29, 2022:

Yes, but can we drink sixteen cans of beer without falling over ?

Holy shit.

Fernapple comments on Aug 29, 2022:

Really ! In 1943.

Since the word "Evil" seem to be used in many different forms.

Fernapple comments on Aug 29, 2022:

There is no such thing as an absolute evil, there is merely a spectrum of good an bad things, with no dividing lines and most things being in the middle. (The bell curve.) If we like to give the most extreme end of the spectrum a special term, such as, evil. Then well and good, but the big danger with that, is that we lose sight of the fact that all things sit on an unbroken line. In many ways it would be impossible for a creature such as the devil, as a champion and embodiment of all bad things, to exist. Since to be a champion and successful promoter of bad things, he would have to exhibit some qualities, such as courage and charm to succeed, and then he would not be all bad. The idea of evil, that there are things which are always bad, is an absolute, and absolutes without qualifications or nuance are basically just a form of justification for laziness. "I do not want to do any more thinking, therefore I will put a label of, DONE, on this." But wisdom is always in the nuance, and is always found by effort. Which is why religions love absolutes, because absolutes can provide a justification for laziness. And justifications for being lazy are products which it is easy to sell, since everybody wants to buy some of those, we all have our lazy moments. While at the same time putting a, finished, stop here, label on things means that there is a barrier to anything which could challenge the fake authority, which is the other main product which religions are trying to sell, since we all have our cowardly, don't want to face this, moments, when we want someone or something else to make the choice. So religion using absolutes of so called good and evil, such as. "Thou shalt not kill." Is then forced into a position where it has to oppose even kind and caring acts of killing, such as, assisted death, and abortion. And remember that's just to enable the other "sins" of laziness and moral cowardliness. The more you try to avoid addressing contradictions, the more you end up making.

We Have No Garbage Day in Amsterdam! - YouTube

Fernapple comments on Aug 29, 2022:

Could watch trash pandas all day though.

Just chilling…

Fernapple comments on Aug 29, 2022:

Beautiful photo, but it would be nice to see some lynx here. lol

Life goals?

Fernapple comments on Aug 28, 2022:

Room for a lot of cats.

The Right's Embrace of Racist Replacement Theory Is Both Dangerous and Dumb: A Closer Look - YouTube

Fernapple comments on Aug 27, 2022:

No thank you, I don't need to look any closer, I see stupid and it is widespread.

Where can one submit, have peer-reviewed and published articles about living life?

Fernapple comments on Aug 27, 2022:

I don't know where you can show them on here, we used to have a feature for longer articles but it is now gone. One good idea would be to work them up into lectures, and then post on Youtube, and you can then post links to them here.

Americans Dreams

Fernapple comments on Aug 27, 2022:

It is well arguable that the extra earnings of a well educated person, over their lifetime, will more than repay any investment in free education, via extra tax revenue. But then what would I know, I'm only a stupid European.

You've gotta be worth it, though. 😜

Fernapple comments on Aug 27, 2022:

Wow that is some photo. I wonder if it just turned up by chance, or if it is a domestic pet possum ?

Freedom From Religion Foundation is a good organization. [Www.ffrf.org]

Fernapple comments on Aug 27, 2022:

Well I certainly know many that do far more harm.

I signed up at atheistuniverse.

Fernapple comments on Aug 27, 2022:

You could try FvckMe ? It may work.

What's up with camouflage pickup trucks?

Fernapple comments on Aug 27, 2022:

Perhaps they are all running bird watching drives, to teach tourists about the traditional values they have for the beauties of nature ? (British humour, sorry.)

Well, this shows for sure how accurate the Bible really is. sarcasm

Fernapple comments on Aug 27, 2022:

And they added huge chunks that they just dreamed up for themselves. Mathew's account of the resurrection, an extra commandment, ( The one about making images, they put that in just to screw the Catholics. ) and extra verses to the Song Of Solomon, ( The bit about it all being a metaphor for Gods love of his people, in case anybody thought it was just soft porn. ) and lots more besides.

How to save a plant when it's dried out in it's center.

Fernapple comments on Aug 27, 2022:

Ice cubes are especially good for dried out hanging baskets.

Possibly the most sophisticated (and racist) apologetic for slavery I have ever read: [mises.org]

Fernapple comments on Aug 26, 2022:

Did not bother reading far into it, the quality of the writing tells you all you need to know.

It is such common knowledge; it is taught at primary (elementary) schools in the UK, yet it ...

Fernapple comments on Aug 26, 2022:

Yep, saw it last night, a great documentary.

George Orwell 1903-1950

Fernapple comments on Aug 26, 2022:

Ditto religious language.

Okay, I just joined atheistuniverse.

Fernapple comments on Aug 26, 2022:

By the way, what name do you use on that site ?

Okay, I just joined atheistuniverse.

Fernapple comments on Aug 26, 2022:

Interesting, that is the first of the alternatives to this site, that I have viewed which comes anywhere near to this. Most of the others, seem to be single issue echo chambers with no depth and poor cluttered page design.

There's a dog in this picture...

Fernapple comments on Aug 25, 2022:

Called Blackie.

How geological periods got their names: [zmescience.com]

Fernapple comments on Aug 25, 2022:

Very good. It misses out though, the new Ediacaran Period which was only added in the twentieth century that spans 96 million years from the end of the Cryogenian ice age Period 635 million years ago (Mya), to the beginning of the Cambrian Period 538.8 Mya marking the end of the Proterozoic Eon, and the beginning of the Phanerozoic Eon. Named after the Ediacara Hills of South Australia.

Hello friends I am new and so glad to be here!!

Fernapple comments on Aug 24, 2022:

Hello and welcome, enjoy the site, we are glad you have come.

Yeah a xtian joke, but not a bad one When Noah sends his animals to go forth and multiply, a pair...

Fernapple comments on Aug 24, 2022:

Groan.