What is your opinion on capital punishment?

Trajan61 comments on Jan 17, 2018:

I think they should kill crinimals with a rap sheet but I don’t think we should execute first time offenders as the system is flawed and they’d kill to many innocent people. I have no problem killing repeat offenders especially drug dealers, rapist, murderers, robbers and thieves.

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 25, 2018:

Even if that meant a disproportionate amount of executed minorities because of the disparity in the arrest/conviction to crime ratio?

What is your opinion on capital punishment?

SKH78 comments on Jan 17, 2018:

I can't give a rigid yes or no. There are cogent arguments on both sides. I do believe that some horrible criminals do not deserve to live. Theodore Bundy, Timothy McVeigh, pedophiles who have raped many children. I think CP should be used for the most heinous criminals. Make sure there is very...

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 25, 2018:

So how would you feel of one of those innocent people murdered by the state was your family member? Would you say, "It was worth my innocent family member being murdered so that other people could be murdered by the state for murdering other people"??

LegalFling consensual sex app is senseless—for everyone but assailants

AnneWimsey comments on Jan 24, 2018:

If you are so scared of being arrested, maybe it is time to stop one-night stands?

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 25, 2018:

@AnneWimsey You don't need to, because that's not a time of high risk for women. Rape by remorse is fucking awful for everyone involved, but 99+% of the time I bet it's men getting accused and prosecuted. Statistically women hardly ever get accused, prosecuted, convicted, and sentenced for rape. And hearing that there's a low likelihood of being accused of rape by someone you've known for a long time doesn't make someone in that situation feel any better or be any less fucked over.

Judge: God Told Me to Sway Jury to Acquit Defendant in Sex Trafficking Trial – Friendly Atheist

LennyP49 comments on Jan 21, 2018:

He probably sat too close to Roy Moore.

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 24, 2018:

I thought that was only dangerous if you were a pre-teen...

LegalFling consensual sex app is senseless—for everyone but assailants

AnneWimsey comments on Jan 24, 2018:

If you are so scared of being arrested, maybe it is time to stop one-night stands?

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 24, 2018:

Cause those are the only times men get accused of rape?

The virtual afterlife will transform humanity | Aeon Essays

Piece2YourPuzzle comments on Jan 24, 2018:

How do we know this isn't already our existence? Someone already mentioned it, but there was an episode of Black Mirror called San Junipero where this was the reality. Best episode of Black Mirror yet.

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 24, 2018:

I don't know, 'Playtest' 'White Christmas' 'Hang the DJ' and 'Black Museum' were amazing.

Where should the line be drawn, between religious freedom and mental illness?

A2Jennifer comments on Jan 23, 2018:

Where it harms anyone outside of the believer.

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 24, 2018:

All religious moderates cause harm to others indirectly. They provide an environment in which religious extremism can survive and thrive.

Where should the line be drawn, between religious freedom and mental illness?

BucketlistBob comments on Jan 23, 2018:

Isn't it the same? Speaking in tongues! Talking to god!

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 24, 2018:

Speaking in tongues is one of the scariest things I've ever seen.

How many of you are bothered by second hand smoke?

dahermit comments on Jan 24, 2018:

I feel no obligation to be tolerant of someone who is so inconsiderate that they pollute the air that I must breathe.

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 24, 2018:

Does that only apply to tobacco?

Oklahoma Lawmaker: Rape and Incest are the ‘Will of God’

stinkeye_a comments on Jan 24, 2018:

...until a mistress gets pregged. Then you see it for the thin veneer of politicking that it is.

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 24, 2018:

That just happened a few months ago...

Anyone of us on here going to the Superbowl?

Crimson67 comments on Jan 24, 2018:

American football lost my interest a few years ago.

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 24, 2018:

Try living in Cleveland.

Women, does he really need to know?

Crimson67 comments on Jan 24, 2018:

Depends on how long she's known the guy and what her intent is. If it was a one night stand/short term relationship and she plans to terminate, then he has no need to know. If it was a one night stand/short term relationship and she plans to keep it, I think she should tell him just so he knows...

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 24, 2018:

A woman who would terminate before I even had to get terrified about the prospect of her keeping it? Where are these wonderful women?

Women, does he really need to know?

GipsyOfNewSpain comments on Jan 24, 2018:

This is a tough question with many ways to answer: one way could be with a question... "If you knew your father why stopping the baby from having the same privilege?" That is Only if is a Keeper. If is not being kept... he should put the money for the termination.

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 24, 2018:

I'd gladly pay that bill.

Discussion about the latest site footer It reads "Agnostic.

Leutrelle comments on Jan 18, 2018:

I have only been a member a short while, and the way I found the sight was by typing agnostic. I clicked and joined. It has been my impression that there are at least as many atheists as agnostics which I would expect, and have no problem. I would not expect theist to be interested, unless they were...

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 24, 2018:

@TheMiddleWay Should I wait for you to respond to the rest before I reply?

How many people like telling people your anti religious and how many people keep it a secret? Why?

KKGator comments on Jan 24, 2018:

I don't hide it. At all.

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 24, 2018:

Yeah, me either. I actually like pointing out inconsistencies in their beliefs. One time, the only other atheist at my work and I pretended that we found religious enlightenment. We claimed to believe in the Intergalactic Lord Xenu (basically making us the satanists of Scientology.). We started telling people the tenets of faith and they told us how ridiculous it all sounded. We then got to make a complete parallel to what they believed. Good times.

What did you do when you had that break up?

AMGT comments on Jan 24, 2018:

3 big break ups in my life. After the first, I crawled in my dads lap and bawled my eyes out for about 10 minutes. Then, strangely, the love and pain were gone. That was on the heels of a 6 year long relationship with my first love. The 2nd was my first husband. After the judge ruled in my ...

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 24, 2018:

I hear taking a trip works well. :-P

Question from a newbie to this forum, but not a newbie Atheist.

jayneonacobb comments on Jan 22, 2018:

Buddhists are often atheists. Modern Sun worshippers are also atheists, but they feel a spiritual connection to the sun. Pastafarianism is technically a religion that doesn't believe in their God. Jedi don't need to believe in God, yeah, that's a legit thing. I'd say as long as you reject the claim ...

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 24, 2018:

@jayneonacobb My statement was perfectly clear, especially in context. Just because other people consistently misuse punctuation, doesn't mean I'm wrong. While I think it's a travesty of justice that the government is the business of deciding what is and isn't a religion, they do it anyway. (Though it is extremely expensive and time consuming.). There ARE recognized religions, and Pastafarianism isn't on the list, so it is not technically a religion. I imagine the only reason the government doesn't fight the license photos is because it's free for them and helps prevent a legal battle that could potentially cost them millions in legal fees and tax revenue. https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.atlasobscura.com/articles/pastafarianism-is-still-not-a-legally-recognized-religion-in-the-united-statesyet.amp#ampshare=https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/pastafarianism-is-still-not-a-legally-recognized-religion-in-the-united-statesyet

"Capitalism was built on the exploitation and suffering of black slaves and continues to thrive on ...

TheInterlooper comments on Jan 24, 2018:

Wow, what an ignorant analysis by MLK. This is disappointing. Do you agree with this statement?

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 24, 2018:

Hello Switchmaster...

When I watch documentaries about suicides, it makes me feel depressed and reminds me of the lows ...

DoctaJo comments on Jan 19, 2018:

Even if our family and friends aren't there we always have to remember that we are here for a reason and purpose.

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 24, 2018:

@DoctaJo I would not call that a purpose, no. *And for some, I wouldn't even categorize it as a desire.*

Question from a newbie to this forum, but not a newbie Atheist.

jayneonacobb comments on Jan 22, 2018:

Buddhists are often atheists. Modern Sun worshippers are also atheists, but they feel a spiritual connection to the sun. Pastafarianism is technically a religion that doesn't believe in their God. Jedi don't need to believe in God, yeah, that's a legit thing. I'd say as long as you reject the claim ...

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 24, 2018:

@jayneonacobb I was not agreeing with you, hence the omission of the comma. It is not technically a religion, it was meant to be tongue in cheek, making fun of the idiotic notion that should teach intelligent design in public school systems. Furthermore, it is not recognized as a religion in the US. So I disagree that is it a religion, technically or otherwise.

Altruism: thoughts? Is it possible for any human to truly be altruistic?

ChestRockfield comments on Jan 23, 2018:

I have found a selfless good deed. I went to the park and let a bee sting me. It makes the bee look tough in front of his bee friends. The bee's happy and I am definitely not.

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 24, 2018:

@DragonDust Yup. She was trying to prove to Joey that there are selfless good deeds.

Is Atheist vs. Agnostic conflict a real thing?

ChestRockfield comments on Jan 23, 2018:

This is the only site (and the only person, actually) that I have ever seen/had this debate. It's basically semantics and one of the silliest things I've ever wasted my time debating, but in a room full of people who identify as one/both or people trying to decide how to identify, I felt it was ...

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 24, 2018:

@Freedompath I don't know where 96 came from, just needed a large multiple of 2 to comment on how much time I've spent on it.

Discussion about the latest site footer It reads "Agnostic.

Leutrelle comments on Jan 18, 2018:

I have only been a member a short while, and the way I found the sight was by typing agnostic. I clicked and joined. It has been my impression that there are at least as many atheists as agnostics which I would expect, and have no problem. I would not expect theist to be interested, unless they were...

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 23, 2018:

@TheMiddleWay Sorry it took so long to respond. There's a lot to unpack there. First of all, for someone who is calling out the agnostic atheist for oxymoronic [redundant] wording, I can't understand why you would use the phrase Justified True Belief. A. If it's true, of course it's justified. B. If it's true I don't think it's a belief any longer, it's knowledge. (Edit: which after finishing the post and adding the definitions, it appears that is actually the definition for 'knowledge'.) Furthermore, I don't know why you'd label your belief that the Steelers would make it to the Superbowl as a JTB (read: knowledge) when it was, in fact, a false belief. At the beginning of your response to the belief question you claimed you don't have that luxury, then went on to explain that you do, in fact, have beliefs based on the evidence you've observed about things you couldn't know. So you believed the Steelers would make it to the Superbowl based on what you learned, but you couldn't know for sure they would. I don't see how this is not an exact parallel to how people who label themselves agnostic atheists feel. You may claim that what you learned about the concept of god doesn't count as evidence at all, but it absolutely could for others (we don't all share experiences, brains, and brain chemistry). So just like you believed the Steelers would make it to the Superbowl, I don't believe there is a sentient god that created the universe, yet we both know we can't possibly know these things. "the whole 'I don't know that I'm right' is part and parcel of any belief" Of course, that goes without saying, but that's not what we mean by agnostic. We aren't saying, "but I may be wrong" or "I don't know", we're saying, "but I know I can't know". That is a very important distinction. Maybe this is why you think all combinations of [a]gnostic and [a]theist are redundant, when in fact it's only the gnostic theist. Do you agree that 'atheist' probably shouldn't need to be a word? We don't have words for people who don't believe in other propositions there's no evidence for. What is the name for people who don't believe stuffed animals become animated while you're sleeping? If that became a prevalent belief, however, especially as prevalent as a belief in god, we would probably come up with one. Same is true for 'agnostic' I suppose. Why do you need to claim you know you can't have knowledge about something NO ONE has knowledge about? Do we have a name for a person who can turn himself inside-out? No, because no one can. These are seemingly silly words, yet they exist and are extremely prevalent, popular, and emotive. You spent several minutes typing out what you knew would be my rebuttal, yet didn't see why it was so important. You ...

Altruism: thoughts? Is it possible for any human to truly be altruistic?

Hominid comments on Jan 23, 2018:

Ya, if you were just a brain in a vat. If you don't know the what that is in reference to, google is your friend.

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 23, 2018:

@Hominid It does, it just doesn't know it's coming from only one source.

Question from a newbie to this forum, but not a newbie Atheist.

jayneonacobb comments on Jan 22, 2018:

Buddhists are often atheists. Modern Sun worshippers are also atheists, but they feel a spiritual connection to the sun. Pastafarianism is technically a religion that doesn't believe in their God. Jedi don't need to believe in God, yeah, that's a legit thing. I'd say as long as you reject the claim ...

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 23, 2018:

@jayneonacobb I didn't make a mistake. Anyway, context would have let you know that. You claimed it was. My statement could only mean one thing.

Altruism: thoughts? Is it possible for any human to truly be altruistic?

ChestRockfield comments on Jan 23, 2018:

I have found a selfless good deed. I went to the park and let a bee sting me. It makes the bee look tough in front of his bee friends. The bee's happy and I am definitely not.

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 23, 2018:

@DragonDust That was a quote from Friends. It makes me sad you didn't know that.

Altruism: thoughts? Is it possible for any human to truly be altruistic?

ravnostic comments on Jan 23, 2018:

I have a friend whom I think may be pretty close. Constantly helping others, in the social services field, gives (what I consider) way too much of himself, his time (free time too), his earnings, everything, yet neglects his own health and well being in the process. Despite this, the guy has the ...

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 23, 2018:

How do you distinguish between karma and barma? (That's the reward system I made up that also has no rules or time constraints where people get rewarded for bad deeds and punished for good ones.)

Altruism: thoughts? Is it possible for any human to truly be altruistic?

AxeElf comments on Jan 23, 2018:

Yes, but only to the extent that he can also get selfish pleasure from it. One can be more selfish than altruistic in their actions, but one can never be more altruistic than they are being selfish. So in order to be fully altruistic, it would have to give someone the greatest feeling they could...

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 23, 2018:

I don't see how you are not invalidating your argument as you make it...

Altruism: thoughts? Is it possible for any human to truly be altruistic?

Hominid comments on Jan 23, 2018:

Ya, if you were just a brain in a vat. If you don't know the what that is in reference to, google is your friend.

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 23, 2018:

The whole concept of brain in a vat is that, to itself, it is indistinguishable from life in a skull. If a brain in a skull can't be altruistic, a brain in a vat wouldn't either, no?

Question from a newbie to this forum, but not a newbie Atheist.

jayneonacobb comments on Jan 22, 2018:

Buddhists are often atheists. Modern Sun worshippers are also atheists, but they feel a spiritual connection to the sun. Pastafarianism is technically a religion that doesn't believe in their God. Jedi don't need to believe in God, yeah, that's a legit thing. I'd say as long as you reject the claim ...

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 23, 2018:

I disagree Pastafarianism is a religion.

Question from a newbie to this forum, but not a newbie Atheist.

TheMiddleWay comments on Jan 22, 2018:

Spiritual has the word spirit in it. Be it the energy, the spirit of nature, or the spirit of humanity, it is something a) untestable b) unmeasurable c) undefinable and thus very much in line with how we view gods and religions. As an experiment, take anyone's claim of being spiritual and ...

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 23, 2018:

I 100% agree with TMW.

Question from a newbie to this forum, but not a newbie Atheist.

DavidLaDeau comments on Jan 22, 2018:

Spiritual is the hot button word that will make rational atheist go more bonkers than Ken Ham in an actual natural history museum! It's the wild card can mean anything term. I recommend never using it because it is much like using the term "god", it means something different to everyone. Don't tell ...

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 23, 2018:

Why not use "serene" or "peaceful" in that instance?

Question from a newbie to this forum, but not a newbie Atheist.

Naeem comments on Jan 22, 2018:

To me, spiritual is acknowledging there is such a physical thing called spirit that lives is a body, that’s why I won’t describe myself as spiritual, yet lots of feeling and experiences can be described as spiritual like music, nature, scents and feelings. But we can explain these feelings ...

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 23, 2018:

@ownworstenemy "Moving"?

Question from a newbie to this forum, but not a newbie Atheist.

Naeem comments on Jan 22, 2018:

To me, spiritual is acknowledging there is such a physical thing called spirit that lives is a body, that’s why I won’t describe myself as spiritual, yet lots of feeling and experiences can be described as spiritual like music, nature, scents and feelings. But we can explain these feelings ...

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 23, 2018:

This.

When I watch documentaries about suicides, it makes me feel depressed and reminds me of the lows ...

DoctaJo comments on Jan 19, 2018:

Even if our family and friends aren't there we always have to remember that we are here for a reason and purpose.

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 23, 2018:

@DoctaJo We are the way we are because of evolution. All organisms are as selfish as they can be and maintain survival. We have evolved to a much higher survival level exacerbating the level at which we can be selfish. The worst part is that it couldn't have happened any other way. And again, your talking about "living up to our purpose" as if it was intended and planned. This is the language of theists.

When I watch documentaries about suicides, it makes me feel depressed and reminds me of the lows ...

DoctaJo comments on Jan 19, 2018:

Even if our family and friends aren't there we always have to remember that we are here for a reason and purpose.

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 22, 2018:

@DoctaJo Purpose and consequence of existing are very different. If we were the only thing that did it, that might make more sense, but if our purpose is for oxygen/carbon dioxide balance, we're doing a horrible job. Dogma or otherwise, reason has nothing to do with it. Reason and purpose implies design.

Discussion about the latest site footer It reads "Agnostic.

Leutrelle comments on Jan 18, 2018:

I have only been a member a short while, and the way I found the sight was by typing agnostic. I clicked and joined. It has been my impression that there are at least as many atheists as agnostics which I would expect, and have no problem. I would not expect theist to be interested, unless they were...

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 21, 2018:

@TheMiddleWay I do not claim an absence of evidence is the same as evidence of absence. That is a formal fallacy: denying the antecedent. If A, then B, Not A, Not B. I am claiming that the evidence itself is evidence of absence (but not proof). For instance, what we've learned about the evolutionary process is evidence that there isn't an outside force acting on it. We know how it works and don't see things that contradict it. Regardless of all of that, this still means you continue to conflate knowledge of evidence god doesn't exist and knowledge that god doesn't exist. I don't know if we agree on this or not, but I don't believe it is accurate to claim I believe something I know (I would just say I know X), so I think we at least agree that it is nonsensical to be a gnostic [a]theist. I think 'know' and 'believe' are distinct words that convey different levels of certainty. Of course, we disagree on everything else, so I probably shouldn't have added one more thing to argue about onto the pile. So you really have no beliefs whatsoever that are based on evidence for which you don't have proof? Like you would never say, "I believe the Golden State Warriors are going to make the playoffs."

Discussion about the latest site footer It reads "Agnostic.

Leutrelle comments on Jan 18, 2018:

I have only been a member a short while, and the way I found the sight was by typing agnostic. I clicked and joined. It has been my impression that there are at least as many atheists as agnostics which I would expect, and have no problem. I would not expect theist to be interested, unless they were...

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 21, 2018:

@TheMiddleWay That's not an ad hominem, that was a question of which of the three possible outcomes you were choosing? Are you saying it's an ad hominem to ask someone to recognize their position is wrong? "in light of the knowledge you posses that informs your atheism, it makes sense to claim atheism but no sense to claim agnosticism." But you possess that that same knowledge; you are saying that you shouldn't be able to claim agnosticism, but that's all you claim. Why does your conclusion say you can't do the exact thing you do? "because there is no atheism (or theism) that exists without basis of knowledge, gnostic atheism or theism makes sense" Similarly, you say that any belief or even lack of belief carries a base knowledge that precludes one from claiming agnosticism, yet that's the very thing you do.

Discussion about the latest site footer It reads "Agnostic.

Leutrelle comments on Jan 18, 2018:

I have only been a member a short while, and the way I found the sight was by typing agnostic. I clicked and joined. It has been my impression that there are at least as many atheists as agnostics which I would expect, and have no problem. I would not expect theist to be interested, unless they were...

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 21, 2018:

@TheMiddleWay NO. IT. DOESN'T. Again, you are conflating knowledge of evidence with knowledge of the thing you have evidence for. And here is where I use your own words to prove to everyone else, *but probably not you*, that you are wrong. You stated, "Having a 'preponderance of the evidence' is not being 'without knowledge'." The preponderance of evidence I cited in this instance was scientific explanations of things once attributed to god which we are all aware of and cannot unlearn (e.g. believing the sun was a god and that the tides were caused by a god). Things you most certainly know. So, since you claim, "Having a 'preponderance of the evidence' is not being 'without knowledge'" it is no longer possible for you to claim you are agnostic! You can't have it both ways. Either the evidence I cited is enough knowledge that you can't claim to be agnostic, meaning since you have said knowledge you can't claim to be agnostic, -OR- it isn't enough knowledge that you can no longer claim to be agnostic meaning my claim that I am an agnostic atheist is logically valid -OR- you pretend to be so ignorant that you don't possess the knowledge I cited in my example that you claimed prevented agnosticism. So which is it? Wrong, wrong, or mind-numbingly ignorant?

Discussion about the latest site footer It reads "Agnostic.

PaganSoul comments on Jan 20, 2018:

The debate over gods Is not even good philosophical exercise. The discussion always leads to one big pseudo intellectual circle jerk. So many words to go nowhere. There are LOTS of reasons to not believe the religiously inspired fairy tales, but not one reason to believe that any of them have any ...

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 21, 2018:

Furthermore, the debate over the definitions of agnostic and atheist is fucking ridiculous. If a room full of agnostic and/or atheist people can't even settle on a definition, why the fuck would anyone expect labeling himself as one or both of them to an 'outsider' will mean anything whatsoever. We will all have to explain what we mean by whatever label we use, so ultimately this argument is exasperatingly stupid. For me, however, it has become an exercise, a morbid masochistic exercise, to see if I can get one person to recognize faulty logical form and fallacious arguments.

Discussion about the latest site footer It reads "Agnostic.

Leutrelle comments on Jan 18, 2018:

I have only been a member a short while, and the way I found the sight was by typing agnostic. I clicked and joined. It has been my impression that there are at least as many atheists as agnostics which I would expect, and have no problem. I would not expect theist to be interested, unless they were...

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 21, 2018:

@TheMiddleWay I'm sorry for asking if you were slow, that was wrong. I really thought you were trolling. Maybe you are genuine. The reason it is not parallel is because you can't have the god question in a vacuum like you can the math question. There are hundreds of thousands of experiences mankind has had pitting science and the god question against each other (like believing the sun was a god and that tides were the will of the god of the sea, etc. ad nauseam) The knowledge of these experiences cannot be unlearned, and they most certainly can inform one's decision to believe or not. No one has the same set of experiences, the same physical composition, or biochemical reactions as any other, so all of these things produce different belief outcomes in each individual. To say that any knowledge that can inform your decision invalidates the ability to claim you can't know god doesn't exist is patently false. Similarly, to claim that this same pool of knowledge means that claiming you don't believe is logically inconsistent is also false. As for your claim that my argument was a fallacy... First of all, that is not what the argument from authority fallacy states. Again, you don't know your logical fallacies. Maybe look them up before trying to use them in an argument? The fallacy states, "Using an authority as evidence in your argument **when the authority is not really an authority on the facts relevant to the argument**." Last time I checked, mathematicians *were* authority figures in the field of mathematics. Secondly, in my parallel, you'd be claiming that one believing that the tides are caused by the moon and not Poseidon is fallacious because they only believe it because scientists told them. Which for everyone is 100% the case. I've never performed, independently without a base of knowledge from any of the world's previous scientists (or technically, any machinery or measurement apparatus that others claim works in the way they say) to determine what causes the tides. (Which again, is not a logical fallacy because scientists of that field *would* be authority figures.) As for your claim that trusting experts (i.e. having faith that what they say is true) is also not parallel because their knowledge can be gained by others and verified. They have reproducible evidence for their claims and they can, and have, been independently verified. You can't really be suggesting that lay people who believe the sun is a ball of burning gasses are doing so fallaciously? So, to me at least, the preponderance of evidence is that for thousands of years, many of the things mankind has attributed to the powers of god have been scientifically explained. Furthermore, looking at the trajectory of scientific discovery, it is ...

Discussion about the latest site footer It reads "Agnostic.

Leutrelle comments on Jan 18, 2018:

I have only been a member a short while, and the way I found the sight was by typing agnostic. I clicked and joined. It has been my impression that there are at least as many atheists as agnostics which I would expect, and have no problem. I would not expect theist to be interested, unless they were...

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 19, 2018:

@TheMiddleWay Dude, are you really that slow? You are creating a false equivalency. Your math analogy isn't a parallel. The ACTUAL parallel would be "If you had no knowledge of a certain field of math and I gave you a problem and solution, and thousands of mathematicians claimed the answer was correct without showing much work, while thousands of other mathematicians showed why those proofs they attempted to use were invalid. Could you claim to believe the solution is right or wrong even though you have no PROOF of the answer?" And the answer is yes, I can believe something based on a preponderance of evidence even though I don't have proof.

Discussion about the latest site footer It reads "Agnostic.

icolan comments on Jan 18, 2018:

If you truly believe that gods existence or non-existence are equiprobable wouldn't following any specific religion mean that you are choosing a side? Why do you find the term agnostic atheist to be contradictory?

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 19, 2018:

@Sadoi Did you even read the other thread? I proved him wrong twice on it and he just used fallacious arguments and pretended he didn't lose. Go read it and get your hearty laugh. You were thanking goodness he posted the link and you don't even know what was said there?

I have significant Xian background, and I have been agnostic for over 20years.

buck1977 comments on Jan 18, 2018:

Not me...christianity is horseshit nonsense. On my death bed, I assume I'll be asking the nurse to see her tits.

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 19, 2018:

@buck1977 True true

Discussion about the latest site footer It reads "Agnostic.

icolan comments on Jan 18, 2018:

If you truly believe that gods existence or non-existence are equiprobable wouldn't following any specific religion mean that you are choosing a side? Why do you find the term agnostic atheist to be contradictory?

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 19, 2018:

@icolan See what I mean about him conflating the words 'believe' and 'know'?

Had a conversation today with someone who asked if the Answers in Genesis Ark Encounter was ...

AtheistSongs comments on Jan 19, 2018:

Can you spot the issue in this picture? Amazing that they were able to breed two males. Nature finds a way. My favorite depiction of the Ark was in Disney's Fantasia 2000. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZoUaA1Nxgsg

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 19, 2018:

*Man* shall not lay with another *man*. Says nothing about a lion growing a vagina and uterus and getting his freak on on a boat full of food.

Had a conversation today with someone who asked if the Answers in Genesis Ark Encounter was ...

Paul628 comments on Jan 19, 2018:

I'm still utterly baffled by how Ken Ham(ster) was able to bamboozle the state of Kentucky into spending millions of dollars on a privately owned religious attraction.

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 19, 2018:

@Paul628 To be fair, there are enough bigoted, religious fucks in this country to make millionaires out of the homophobic piece-of-shit pizza parlor owners via donation, so anything's possible there. I think I had to say this yesterday, too, but, a fool and his money are soon parted.

Had a conversation today with someone who asked if the Answers in Genesis Ark Encounter was ...

Deedreaming comments on Jan 19, 2018:

This story always bothered me. How could millions of animals fit on a boat half the size of the titanic? Can you imagine how much food would be needed? All the shit that would be produced? Not to mention how far these animals would have traveled? Just ridiculous to think that people really believe ...

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 19, 2018:

@Deidra500 Wait, were they breeding, then getting old and dying, all while hopping?

Had a conversation today with someone who asked if the Answers in Genesis Ark Encounter was ...

ChestRockfield comments on Jan 19, 2018:

Which of the people let the ringworm infect them? The public lice? The scabies? If there's no evolution and he killed everything that wasn't on the ark, all the awful shit we have today was in at least one of them...

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 19, 2018:

@Rhetoric @ErikGunderson Jokes on you, bitches, god smites the sarcastic even before the sodomites. Shit.

Discussion about the latest site footer It reads "Agnostic.

Leutrelle comments on Jan 18, 2018:

I have only been a member a short while, and the way I found the sight was by typing agnostic. I clicked and joined. It has been my impression that there are at least as many atheists as agnostics which I would expect, and have no problem. I would not expect theist to be interested, unless they were...

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 19, 2018:

@Leutrelle Atheists don't like the word belief because theists try to equate their belief in god based on faith with our belief in no god that has no faith component. I don't *need* god to not exist. I have no vested interest either way. If he does, and we get undeniable proof, then my worldview changes the same way it would with any other scientific discovery. But to claim I'm "on the fence" or "undecided" is not accurate of my situation. It insinuates I'm trying to make up my mind or I'm searching for evidence or proof. I'm not. My brain has told me the proposition of god is stupid, so I don't believe it (making me an atheist), but I also know I can't possibly know there is no god (making me an agnostic). *Other* people try to conflate the words 'belief' and 'know' and the concepts 'knowledge of evidence' and 'knowledge of existence'. Trying to defend it they make fallacious arguments. I tried an analogy that was somehow found incomprehensible. If I find a bloody collar in the road with my dog's tag on it, I have evidence to suggest that he got hit by a car. Depending on the amount of blood, what the weather conditions are, how resilient and old/young it is, if there were foot pints leading anywhere, etc. I can make educated guesses on whether or not my dog is still alive. Based on that evidence, I can believe the dog is still alive, but until I find him dead or alive, I can't KNOW whether or not he's alive. So you can believe something one way or the other without knowing. The only thing that is logically inconsistent is believing something that is incompatible with what you know.

Discussion about the latest site footer It reads "Agnostic.

icolan comments on Jan 18, 2018:

If you truly believe that gods existence or non-existence are equiprobable wouldn't following any specific religion mean that you are choosing a side? Why do you find the term agnostic atheist to be contradictory?

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 19, 2018:

If train A leaves point A at 60mph and train B leaves point B at 40mph, how long after clicking that link will you want to gouge out your eyes and shoot yourself in the head?

Discussion about the latest site footer It reads "Agnostic.

icolan comments on Jan 18, 2018:

If you truly believe that gods existence or non-existence are equiprobable wouldn't following any specific religion mean that you are choosing a side? Why do you find the term agnostic atheist to be contradictory?

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 19, 2018:

Uugh, I clicked that link once. It takes you to the circle of hell where all you do is try to divide by zero.

I have significant Xian background, and I have been agnostic for over 20years.

buck1977 comments on Jan 18, 2018:

Not me...christianity is horseshit nonsense. On my death bed, I assume I'll be asking the nurse to see her tits.

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 19, 2018:

@buck1977 I mean, my patients never PayPal me $10.

Discussion about the latest site footer It reads "Agnostic.

icolan comments on Jan 18, 2018:

If you truly believe that gods existence or non-existence are equiprobable wouldn't following any specific religion mean that you are choosing a side? Why do you find the term agnostic atheist to be contradictory?

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 19, 2018:

Wait, I have another one... Don't bother with that link, it's just Rick Astley's Never Gonna Give You Up.

Discussion about the latest site footer It reads "Agnostic.

icolan comments on Jan 18, 2018:

If you truly believe that gods existence or non-existence are equiprobable wouldn't following any specific religion mean that you are choosing a side? Why do you find the term agnostic atheist to be contradictory?

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 19, 2018:

For the love of *god* do not click that fucking link. You will regret it. (Unless you want to see me prove him wrong and then give up because he still couldn't grasp it.)

Discussion about the latest site footer It reads "Agnostic.

Skyfacer comments on Jan 18, 2018:

How about. "Agnostic.com. A non profit organisation promoting philosophical viewpoints about the meaning of life and existence".

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 19, 2018:

Or "Agnostic.com The name is irrelevant because we mostly talk about attributes of potential gods, spirits, ghosts, and other metaphysical nonsense... when were not arguing over simple definitions that is."

Discussion about the latest site footer It reads "Agnostic.

Leutrelle comments on Jan 18, 2018:

I have only been a member a short while, and the way I found the sight was by typing agnostic. I clicked and joined. It has been my impression that there are at least as many atheists as agnostics which I would expect, and have no problem. I would not expect theist to be interested, unless they were...

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 19, 2018:

@Leutrelle Agnosticism has NOTHING TO DO WITH BELIEF about the existence of god. It's about knowledge and whether or not it can be obtained. Agnostics are not "undecided" or "on the fence". They are affirmative in their claim that one cannot know whether god exists. If you're talking about beliefs, you're talking about theism or atheism.

Discussion about the latest site footer It reads "Agnostic.

tsjames comments on Jan 19, 2018:

For me, the curious aspect of your post is the idea that you could be 'without knowledge of God', and yet have religion. I can *sort of* understand the distinctions of agnostic theist and agnostic atheist, but honestly, how theistic can any agnostic be? Not very much, I would say! I am ...

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 19, 2018:

Ignore TMW unless the topic is physics. Technically, everyone should identify as agnostic because no one knows whether or not god exists. This includes theists. The reason there isn't equal representation of theists and non-theists is that a vast majority of theists are incredibly arrogant when it comes to the subject of knowledge of god's existence; they claim they KNOW he does. I have met a few agnostic theists though; they were incredibly interesting, intellectually honest people.

Discussion about the latest site footer It reads "Agnostic.

Admin comments on Jan 19, 2018:

Wow, what a good discussion... makes me hesitant to make changes though. I'm leaning towards something more descriptive such as: "Agnostic.com is a non-profit community for atheists, agnostics, humanists, freethinkers, skeptics and others happy without religion" Boring but clear and ...

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 19, 2018:

Totally off topic, but I just noticed admin is only a level 7... I love seeing the earning like everyone else. :-P

Okay, tax exemption status for churches.

Dwight comments on Jan 18, 2018:

Religious exemption from taxation is a necessary part of religious freedom. This principle was established in the very early days of our republic. The state cannot use its taxing authority to repress or promote religious practice. This includes atheism and agnosticism. We are free to practice as we ...

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 19, 2018:

@Dwight If you disagree, support your claim. If you can't and are unwilling to admit it (you know, the thing religious people do) then just stop responding. But at minimum, don't be condescending as if you proved your point.

Hey, everyone.

Dwight comments on Jan 18, 2018:

There is a religious saying that, "Pride goeth before the fall". Because are an atheist, no such punishing fall awaits you. However, that is not the case for your "Christian" friends. Set some boundaries so that you are in control of what you are truly willing to give. For those times when they have...

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 19, 2018:

@Dwight I guess I also don't understand why atheists talk about spiritual anything, religious or otherwise.

Glad to be here. Hope to make a ton of friends and who knows maybe a "soul"mate gag gag choke lol

ChristiHeart comments on Jan 19, 2018:

Atheists have no souls right..love your post..

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 19, 2018:

No one does. ????

I find this news very disturbing.

Jack-of-scythes comments on Jan 18, 2018:

There isn't anything wrong with power. Humans are drawn to the charismatic. Power becomes a problem when too many morons try to occupy the same soap box.

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 19, 2018:

@MikeInBatonRouge I think this is the case because humans, along with all other organisms on Earth, are inherently selfish.

If we lived in the same town, where would I be most likely to run into you at?

ChestRockfield comments on Jan 19, 2018:

ALDI; I'm there 3-4 times a week and almost nowhere else.

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 19, 2018:

@silvereyes Holy fuck, have you tried their new farm to package in 5 days pickles in the refrigerated section? They are absolutely incredible. Probably the best pickles I've ever had. Couldn't stop and ended up eating the whole 32oz container in 24 hours.

Do any of you look to Comedians for insight on political, religious, or societal topics?

LeighShelton comments on Jan 19, 2018:

you bet George Carlin was right on the money and I really admire him.

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 19, 2018:

I think Carlin was kinda funny but generally kind of dumb. If you listen to him enough, you'll hear it too.

If ghosts are real, do they have mass?

David1955 comments on Jan 19, 2018:

I can imagine the conversation: "I'm a member of a great nonbeliever site called agnostic.com" "Great! What do you talk about?" "Oh, you know, Ghosts. How the might exist. The physics behind them. That sort of thing." "Ahhh.. That's .....interesting" :-)

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 19, 2018:

Ba ha ha ha ha ha!!!

When I watch documentaries about suicides, it makes me feel depressed and reminds me of the lows ...

Rugglesby comments on Jan 19, 2018:

I could never suicide unless I was dying anyway. I do what I can to maintain contact with my sister these days and will do my very best to visit her again next month. She is going down hill very fast.

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 19, 2018:

I bet a lot of people who have committed suicide thought they would never commit suicide. I used to think there was a 0% chance I ever would (outside end of life situations). Not so sure anymore.

When I watch documentaries about suicides, it makes me feel depressed and reminds me of the lows ...

DoctaJo comments on Jan 19, 2018:

Even if our family and friends aren't there we always have to remember that we are here for a reason and purpose.

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 19, 2018:

We're here for a reason?!? Are you on the right website?

I have significant Xian background, and I have been agnostic for over 20years.

buck1977 comments on Jan 18, 2018:

Not me...christianity is horseshit nonsense. On my death bed, I assume I'll be asking the nurse to see her tits.

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 19, 2018:

My patients never ask to see my tits.

I have significant Xian background, and I have been agnostic for over 20years.

stinkeye_a comments on Jan 18, 2018:

Nope. I punched my ticket already. The train never left the station, but I still punched my ticket just the same. I doubt I'll change my feelings when the time comes. Who knows? I don't pretend to know that I'll always feel the same way. I've been all over the map. But I feel solid about ...

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 19, 2018:

"I don't pretend to know that I'll always feel the same way." This.

I have significant Xian background, and I have been agnostic for over 20years.

LeighShelton comments on Jan 19, 2018:

death and nothing at all afterwards if looked at wrong can be a very abrupt end and forever to make it seem terrible and scary. this is the living caring you thinking. death is the ultimate rest without stress we will ever have and won't care about then because we are finished and over. I for one ...

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 19, 2018:

While reading your reply I heard a movie clip in my head. "How's life?" "Taking forever."

Had a conversation today with someone who asked if the Answers in Genesis Ark Encounter was ...

ErichZannIII comments on Jan 19, 2018:

Well, it's unlikely that Genesis Ark holds any of the answers. If the whole world was flooded, then how did land animals get from the Middle East to all the other land masses? And yes, having an indoor zoo with all the animals together is just stupid. The predatory animals would eat the other ...

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 19, 2018:

He sailed around the world and put them back the same way he sailed around the world to pick them all up, duh...

10 of my favorite Neil deGrasse Tyson quotes: because he's just so quotable 1.

VinceRichardson comments on Dec 12, 2017:

Not for me sorry. Way too much obsession with science in there,its fine wanting to know how it all works but what about human emotions?.You can describe the chemicals that create an emotion in my brain but could you explain how that makes you feel scientifically?Or what makes me roar with ...

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 19, 2018:

@VinceRichardson I don't care about football. At all. Living next to a team as shitty as the Browns will do that to you. I also missed this Vikings thing, guess I should YouTube it? Saying there is/was a god that everything is part of is basically saying nothing. So that doesn't make any sense to me. And saying there was an entity that created everything as imperfectly and downright nonsensically as it exists doesn't make much sense either. There are scientific explanations for a lot of this, however, if you're willing to do some reading instead of blind attribution to a "god".

Drugs, Drugs, Baby....

ChestRockfield comments on Jan 18, 2018:

First of all, what is "the god experience"? Does that mean you experience the presence of god or what it's like to be god? Secondly, are you asking, "If you directly alter the way you perceive, would you trust your altered perceptions more than your baseline perceptions?" That kinda seems ...

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 19, 2018:

@Simply_Being I don't think anyone here would disagree there's no objectivity. Simply knowing the worst form of evidence is an eyewitness account tells you that. But more specifically, all of what we perceive is dependant on the sensory information we take in that can easily be augmented by neurochemistry and biology.

Okay, tax exemption status for churches.

Dwight comments on Jan 18, 2018:

Religious exemption from taxation is a necessary part of religious freedom. This principle was established in the very early days of our republic. The state cannot use its taxing authority to repress or promote religious practice. This includes atheism and agnosticism. We are free to practice as we ...

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 19, 2018:

@Dwight 1. You DON'T choose what you believe. This has been covered here several times. Try to believe Santa Claus exists, then tell me you can choose what you believe. 2. Some beliefs are incredibly dangerous and/or harmful. These beliefs shouldn't be tolerated or respected. 3. There is discrimination, and a lengthy, expensive process to becoming a recognized religion. If you can't understand how that equals discrimination, you're also probably one of those people who thinks black people just need to pull themselves up by their bootstraps.

Drugs, Drugs, Baby....

ChestRockfield comments on Jan 18, 2018:

First of all, what is "the god experience"? Does that mean you experience the presence of god or what it's like to be god? Secondly, are you asking, "If you directly alter the way you perceive, would you trust your altered perceptions more than your baseline perceptions?" That kinda seems ...

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 18, 2018:

@Simply_Being Reading more of the comments and replies, I'm even less sure of the question. Are you talking about continuing to take this drug? Or just one and done?

Drugs, Drugs, Baby....

ChestRockfield comments on Jan 18, 2018:

First of all, what is "the god experience"? Does that mean you experience the presence of god or what it's like to be god? Secondly, are you asking, "If you directly alter the way you perceive, would you trust your altered perceptions more than your baseline perceptions?" That kinda seems ...

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 18, 2018:

@Simply_Being I'm not even allowed to smoke cigarettes...

Just thought I'd throw this out there in case I can educate some of you and hopefully clear up some ...

phxbillcee comments on Jan 17, 2018:

Sorry, but you surely won't get a "thumbs-up" from me. whether Kevorkian was a paragon or not is not the issue. Freedom of choice is the issue & I don't believe the State has a right to stick their noses in this issue unless abuse can be shown. If we had common-sense, non-religious laws then you can...

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 18, 2018:

@lerlo You *could* care less? I thought lawyers chose their words carefully.

Just thought I'd throw this out there in case I can educate some of you and hopefully clear up some ...

phxbillcee comments on Jan 17, 2018:

Sorry, but you surely won't get a "thumbs-up" from me. whether Kevorkian was a paragon or not is not the issue. Freedom of choice is the issue & I don't believe the State has a right to stick their noses in this issue unless abuse can be shown. If we had common-sense, non-religious laws then you can...

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 18, 2018:

@atheist Truth, you don't even know you're not breathing, then boom.

Republican Former Lawmaker Kills Himself in Response to Child Molestation Probe – Friendly Atheist

Redcupcoffee comments on Jan 14, 2018:

Good riddance

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 18, 2018:

I know, right? Can we have some of the current ones follow suit? I believe most of them are probably disgusting enough humans to warrant it.

Drugs, Drugs, Baby....

ChestRockfield comments on Jan 18, 2018:

First of all, what is "the god experience"? Does that mean you experience the presence of god or what it's like to be god? Secondly, are you asking, "If you directly alter the way you perceive, would you trust your altered perceptions more than your baseline perceptions?" That kinda seems ...

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 18, 2018:

@Simply_Being Wouldn't mean anything. I can't imagine ever being so high I would think I was god, and I think my mind is far too rational to even think god was real just (or especially) because I was under the influence of a drug.

Hey, everyone.

Dwight comments on Jan 18, 2018:

There is a religious saying that, "Pride goeth before the fall". Because are an atheist, no such punishing fall awaits you. However, that is not the case for your "Christian" friends. Set some boundaries so that you are in control of what you are truly willing to give. For those times when they have...

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 18, 2018:

@Dwight I am apparently very ignorant of what "ministering" means.

Okay, tax exemption status for churches.

Dwight comments on Jan 18, 2018:

Religious exemption from taxation is a necessary part of religious freedom. This principle was established in the very early days of our republic. The state cannot use its taxing authority to repress or promote religious practice. This includes atheism and agnosticism. We are free to practice as we ...

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 18, 2018:

@Dwight 1. Can people please stop with the "everyone's entitled to their own beliefs and they should be respected" nonsense? Some beliefs are not deserving of sanctuary from critique or respect. 2. Surprisingly, I'm going to agree with TMW. How can you possibly think that subjective differentiation of which religions get tax exemption and which don't doesn't inherently violate religious freedom/the first amendment?

If there is a god do you think he favors other people over other people? I do.

ChestRockfield comments on Jan 18, 2018:

Seriously, where do these questions come from?

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 18, 2018:

@AMGT No, no he can't. But I couldn't help asking either.

What is happiness?

TommyMeador comments on Jan 18, 2018:

Happiness is the natural default position. When I got rid of all my superstitions I was happy. Didn't have to do anything specific to make myself happy. It was just there.

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 18, 2018:

Wouldn't the default position need to be neutrality?

10 of my favorite Neil deGrasse Tyson quotes: because he's just so quotable 1.

VinceRichardson comments on Dec 12, 2017:

Not for me sorry. Way too much obsession with science in there,its fine wanting to know how it all works but what about human emotions?.You can describe the chemicals that create an emotion in my brain but could you explain how that makes you feel scientifically?Or what makes me roar with ...

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 18, 2018:

@VinceRichardson I was obviously exaggerating how shitty the Browns are for comedic effect. I mean, they are terrible, but not equivalent to the lack of evidence we have for the existence of god (which is what I thought would make it funny, but unless you live in the US, people may not get it). The Browns are a professional football team that exists, and there have been crazy underdog stores, so it is technically possible for a series of unlikely events and trades that result in a championship win. Heck, 2 years ago the Cleveland Cavaliers were down 3-1 in the Finals and came back to win, the first time a team has ever come back to win in the Finals from that deficit. God, however, has no evidence to suggest existence whatsoever. So claiming he definitely exists is significantly crazier than claiming he definitely doesn't. Luckily, one need not make such a claim to be an atheist.

10 of my favorite Neil deGrasse Tyson quotes: because he's just so quotable 1.

VinceRichardson comments on Dec 12, 2017:

Not for me sorry. Way too much obsession with science in there,its fine wanting to know how it all works but what about human emotions?.You can describe the chemicals that create an emotion in my brain but could you explain how that makes you feel scientifically?Or what makes me roar with ...

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 18, 2018:

@VinceRichardson We're not arguing, we're having a philosophical discussion. I think. But I think even if you took the absolute extremes of both, they would still not be equivalent. On one hand you'd have someone who absolutely believes in the existence of a thing for which there is no evidence, and on the other, someone who denies the existence of a thing for which there is no evidence. Supplant "thing for which there is no evidence" with any example of it to see. I like, "The Cleveland Browns will win the Super Bowl next year." Burn.

Hey, everyone.

buck1977 comments on Jan 18, 2018:

I don't really identify with being proud of a condition you have no control over. Like, religious beliefs, nationality or skin color. And I don't know that Atheism is a way of life. I don't let people exploit my generosity because I generally respect myself.

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 18, 2018:

Ha, you beat me to it. I should have read comments before I posted.

Hey, everyone.

Dwight comments on Jan 18, 2018:

There is a religious saying that, "Pride goeth before the fall". Because are an atheist, no such punishing fall awaits you. However, that is not the case for your "Christian" friends. Set some boundaries so that you are in control of what you are truly willing to give. For those times when they have...

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 18, 2018:

This is probably not the place for this question, but you're an atheist pastor? I'm very curious how that works.

Okay, tax exemption status for churches.

Dwight comments on Jan 18, 2018:

Religious exemption from taxation is a necessary part of religious freedom. This principle was established in the very early days of our republic. The state cannot use its taxing authority to repress or promote religious practice. This includes atheism and agnosticism. We are free to practice as we ...

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 18, 2018:

And you don't think that's a pile of bullshit?

Okay, tax exemption status for churches.

buck1977 comments on Jan 18, 2018:

No need to tax churches. Just eliminate the tax deduction for donations if you want churches to go out of business. Or create a new tax exempt status for churches which requires them to publicly post details of their finances...so members can see if their donations are being used how they want.

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 18, 2018:

There are probably millions of people who donate to churches that don't itemize. I doubt that would do much at all.

Just thought I'd throw this out there in case I can educate some of you and hopefully clear up some ...

JWDiaz comments on Jan 17, 2018:

A pathologist? I thought he was a medical doctor. Thank you for putting him out of business.

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 18, 2018:

@JWDiaz NP. I've worked in a hospital for a decade and a half and the hierarchy is still confusing at times. A lot of places have different names for the same positions too. (e.g. Staff v Attending) No shame in not knowing when it's that confusing and something you don't really need to know anyway.

Just thought I'd throw this out there in case I can educate some of you and hopefully clear up some ...

azzow2 comments on Jan 17, 2018:

The main thing I think about with that situation is. We as a society show more compassion for a hurt, sick, old or mentality deranged animal than we do for people. We seem to think it is somehow right to prolong people's life that are in agony. Seems a moral issue to make someone suffer with out ...

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 18, 2018:

@azzow2 They're not good points at all. He's using the Fallacy of Relative Privation. He's saying other problems are worse, so this problem should be ignored until those are taken care of (one of which is world hunger by the way. It's also funny to me that he's saying we need to solve world hunger before death with dignity at the same time he's saying people should have to die without dignity by starving themselves to death.)

10 of my favorite Neil deGrasse Tyson quotes: because he's just so quotable 1.

VinceRichardson comments on Dec 12, 2017:

Not for me sorry. Way too much obsession with science in there,its fine wanting to know how it all works but what about human emotions?.You can describe the chemicals that create an emotion in my brain but could you explain how that makes you feel scientifically?Or what makes me roar with ...

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 18, 2018:

@VinceRichardson I don't see those as the same at all. I'm not proclaiming *what* the answer will be, just that there is an answer and given our history of discovery, it's likely only a matter of time before we develop the tools necessary to obtain it. Also, "demonstrating the exact same behaviour by putting blind faith in science coming up with all the answers" isn't correlative because the scientific community is actively working on finding answers to their questions (while the religious community generally hopes for the exact opposite). Would you call it blind faith that a parent has that their daughter will become a doctor while she's busting her ass in medical school?

I've recently considered identifying as agnostic, rather cowardly.

ChestRockfield comments on Jan 17, 2018:

Technically EVERYONE should be agnostic regarding the existence of god, including all believers. And if there weren't crazy people that think they KNOW god exists, we could all abandon using the word entirely. Unfortunately, that's not the case, and letting people know you're not a crazy ...

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 18, 2018:

@Shawno1972 Wouldn't have any clue how to begin to estimate that, but when you see people speaking in tongues, it really makes you think they genuinely believe.

Why do so many on this site use "convert"?

Profile comments on Jan 16, 2018:

Convert definition: A person who has been persuaded to change their religios faith or other beliefs. An adaptation suitable for a new purpose. Change Which means converting from Christianity to atheism is a correct term to be used. Deconvert its meaningless, Reconvert means going back to the ...

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 17, 2018:

@Gringo6 Well, you already have the word reconvert if you want to signify returning to an original state, and if you changed to another religion entirely, you would again just use convert. Words are generally created when they fill a void in our ability to accurately convey meaning through language. I just don't see a void here.

App creates ‘legally binding contracts’ for one night stands to prove sex is consensual | Metro ...

ChestRockfield comments on Jan 17, 2018:

Men need something to protect them. (And maybe I should have said people, but almost no women are ever even arrested for, let alone prosecuted & convicted of, rape, including people we know were rapists.). Can't imagine this is actually legally binding because the woman can say she was forced to ...

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 17, 2018:

@Treasurehunter Yes, it happens, and while I obviously can't prove it, there is a huge difference in the way male teachers with female students and female teachers with male students are seen, investigated, and prosecuted. After prosecution, it seems like conviction and sentencing are somewhat on par according to a few things I've read.

App creates ‘legally binding contracts’ for one night stands to prove sex is consensual | Metro ...

PeterJohn comments on Jan 17, 2018:

In my opinion sex should always be consensual that way it is more exciting and guilt free. No one should ever be raped and the penalty for rape should be increased with a hefty fine and jail sentence.I have been thinking how from the first replicating molecules 4 billion years ago,how did the DNA ...

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 17, 2018:

Pretty sure it's just like any other random genetic mutation. A mutation occurred that made the amoeba super frisky. Other frisky amoebae got it on with that one and created even more frisky amoebae. The prude amoebas didn't bump uglies as much, so their less frisky DNA didn't get passed on as much.

Just thought I'd throw this out there in case I can educate some of you and hopefully clear up some ...

ScienceBiker comments on Jan 17, 2018:

First, an honor to meet you. I'm always excited when I can get a first hand account of a high profile case. Having said that, I would agree that you are an expert on the case details surrounding Dr. Kevorkian, but I do not agree that you are an expert on assisted suicide and disagree there is no...

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 17, 2018:

You are failing to recognize that he is an expert @ScienceBiker, he said so himself. And if you can't trust an expert on whether or not someone is an expert, who can you trust? Someone like you who isn't an expert. No, that wouldn't make any sense. And you know that's right because I'm an expert on what makes sense and I'm saying so. So where do we stand? Oh yeah, the expert created a Straw Man, shit all over his face, and you are wrong. Next topic then?

I've recently considered identifying as agnostic, rather cowardly.

ChestRockfield comments on Jan 17, 2018:

Technically EVERYONE should be agnostic regarding the existence of god, including all believers. And if there weren't crazy people that think they KNOW god exists, we could all abandon using the word entirely. Unfortunately, that's not the case, and letting people know you're not a crazy ...

ChestRockfield replies on Jan 17, 2018:

@Shawno1972 Really? My brother's friend's mother has literal, verbal conversations in which she believes Jesus literally talks back. I mean, auditory-hallucination-level talks back. I mean, I can see a big chunk half-assing their belief mostly out of fear and conditioning, but I bet there are a lot that are all the way crazy.