Agnostic.com
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I cannot comment on posts. Obviously people some can. What is going on here?
AnneWimsey comments on Dec 30, 2020:
Uninstall & reinstall....worked for me!
David1955 replies on Dec 31, 2020:
@AnneWimsey can i check what it was you uninstalled? I haven't quite got it. Thanks.
I move that the name of this site be changed to "Atheist.
altschmerz comments on Dec 31, 2020:
I honestly don't understand why anyone here cares who's an atheist and who's agnostic. Go ahead and be agnostic, it doesn't affect me! Why can't we live and let live? Why all the arguments putting down one or the other?
David1955 replies on Dec 31, 2020:
You know what, that's exactly how I felt before I joined this site. Atheist or agnostic -- both on the same non-religious side of the argument. That was my view. Then I joined here. Next thing I know I'm told here that I'm an angry atheist for having a clear position; that I'm as bad as an theist and have a 'faith based' view; that I'm a gnostic know all atheist; that I have to prove all gods *don't* exist; that agnostic is the only true 'nuanced' position, and that atheism is as bad as theism. Wow! What am I doing here? Arguments with believers I expected, because they allow them here. That I wouldn't mind. But this thing with agnostics is turning me off and turning me away. I want to focus on the struggle against *religion*. That's all I've ever wanted.
I move that the name of this site be changed to "Atheist.
creative51 comments on Dec 31, 2020:
How about People who like to argue about everything under the sun.com
David1955 replies on Dec 31, 2020:
Nice idea, but you know what would happen. Division between those who believe that things exists under the sun, those who aren't sure, and those who don't believe things exist under the sun. There would be endless disagreement about what "under the sun" means, whether you have to prove that things can exist under the sun or not. I swear.
I cannot comment on posts. Obviously people some can. What is going on here?
AnneWimsey comments on Dec 30, 2020:
Uninstall & reinstall....worked for me!
David1955 replies on Dec 30, 2020:
If you mean the App, the android app won't work with google log on, so I've never been able to use it. I use a browser. No problem with it. No, the site is malfunctioning.
I cannot comment on posts. Obviously people some can. What is going on here?
barjoe comments on Dec 30, 2020:
Tap your cursor, hit go. You'll be taken to another box. Type your comment, hit "preview comment" It will take you to a third box, with a button "✓ Publish Comment ". Hit that and you'll post your comment. Admin knows about it, I'm sure it will get fixed
David1955 replies on Dec 30, 2020:
@barjoe when I do that it won't enter text into the window. Clearly things are broken and maybe it works for some on some platforms. Thanks.
I cannot comment on posts. Obviously people some can. What is going on here?
barjoe comments on Dec 30, 2020:
Tap your cursor, hit go. You'll be taken to another box. Type your comment, hit "preview comment" It will take you to a third box, with a button "✓ Publish Comment ". Hit that and you'll post your comment. Admin knows about it, I'm sure it will get fixed
David1955 replies on Dec 30, 2020:
Even doing that i cannot reply, yet I can reply to comments to my post, like this one. Weird.
I cannot comment on posts. Obviously people some can. What is going on here?
barjoe comments on Dec 30, 2020:
Tap your cursor, hit go. You'll be taken to another box. Type your comment, hit "preview comment" It will take you to a third box, with a button "✓ Publish Comment ". Hit that and you'll post your comment. Admin knows about it, I'm sure it will get fixed
David1955 replies on Dec 30, 2020:
Thank you sir.
Question to atheists and agnostics: Are you sure no god exists that you believe in?
David1955 comments on Dec 29, 2020:
This is just new age godly kool aid, isn't it? God as energy, God as the universe, and so on. On God, the certainty or otherwise doesn't have to be mine. The onus is on those making the claim to prove it. They never have, never do. They can always come back with some proof, should they ever ...
David1955 replies on Dec 29, 2020:
@skado then you'd better start providing some definitions so we know what you're on about.
Question to atheists and agnostics: Are you sure no god exists that you believe in?
Fernapple comments on Dec 29, 2020:
There are very few, true, hard atheists about, an actual certainly held belief in there being no gods is rare, to the point of vanishing, so this is very much a straw-man argument. However, even as an agnostic, I do not think I would find this very convincing. Attempting to define god into ...
David1955 replies on Dec 29, 2020:
Right
Question to atheists and agnostics: Are you sure no god exists that you believe in?
David1955 comments on Dec 29, 2020:
This is just new age godly kool aid, isn't it? God as energy, God as the universe, and so on. On God, the certainty or otherwise doesn't have to be mine. The onus is on those making the claim to prove it. They never have, never do. They can always come back with some proof, should they ever ...
David1955 replies on Dec 29, 2020:
@skado new age, by the way, is a modern version of old age voo doo religions.
Question to atheists and agnostics: Are you sure no god exists that you believe in?
David1955 comments on Dec 29, 2020:
This is just new age godly kool aid, isn't it? God as energy, God as the universe, and so on. On God, the certainty or otherwise doesn't have to be mine. The onus is on those making the claim to prove it. They never have, never do. They can always come back with some proof, should they ever ...
David1955 replies on Dec 29, 2020:
@skado no, but no evidence exists that the universe equates to a supernatural thing we call a god. When I listen to credible cosmologists and quantum mechanics people I find they get quite irritated with anyone tries to supernaturalize the cosmos. It's not my field but I listen to people whose field it is.
I AM A PROUD AGNOSTIC!! Also I'm new here:)
NatureRocks88 comments on Dec 27, 2020:
I'm agnostic leaning to atheist
David1955 replies on Dec 28, 2020:
@DangerDave I don't have to prove a *negative* to anybody, least of all a verbose pompous agnostic like you. No atheist needs to. And we are consistent on all unproven supernatural phenomena. Over and out.
I AM A PROUD AGNOSTIC!! Also I'm new here:)
NatureRocks88 comments on Dec 27, 2020:
I'm agnostic leaning to atheist
David1955 replies on Dec 28, 2020:
@DangerDave "You're an educated man. Now I know I hate you. You reminded me of.... me.' :-)
I AM A PROUD AGNOSTIC!! Also I'm new here:)
NatureRocks88 comments on Dec 27, 2020:
I'm agnostic leaning to atheist
David1955 replies on Dec 28, 2020:
@DangerDave I'm still your Huckleberry. Cc @altshmerz
I AM A PROUD AGNOSTIC!! Also I'm new here:)
NatureRocks88 comments on Dec 27, 2020:
I'm agnostic leaning to atheist
David1955 replies on Dec 28, 2020:
@redhog @DangerDave @altschmerz It reminds of that story. The professor is teaching his class: Prof: What is the difference between agnosticism and apathy? You, Jones, what's the answer? Jones: Well, I don't know and I don't care!! Prof: That's absolutely right! Point of story? Jones is a useless intellect.
I AM A PROUD AGNOSTIC!! Also I'm new here:)
NatureRocks88 comments on Dec 27, 2020:
I'm agnostic leaning to atheist
David1955 replies on Dec 27, 2020:
@DangerDave Eventis sultorum magister.
I AM A PROUD AGNOSTIC!! Also I'm new here:)
NatureRocks88 comments on Dec 27, 2020:
I'm agnostic leaning to atheist
David1955 replies on Dec 27, 2020:
@DangerDave hah! Talk about pots calling kettles black! Have you bought that mirror yet? Keep being obsessed by me, if it brings something into your hum drum life. I'm your huckleberry .
I AM A PROUD AGNOSTIC!! Also I'm new here:)
NatureRocks88 comments on Dec 27, 2020:
I'm agnostic leaning to atheist
David1955 replies on Dec 27, 2020:
Hope you keep leaning in the right direction, friend. (From an atheist)
study-milky-way-may-be-full-of-dead-alien-civilizations
Mofo1953 comments on Dec 23, 2020:
Nature gets rid of any impediment to natural order of things.
David1955 replies on Dec 25, 2020:
@Flyingsaucesir yes, which brings us back to the idea of cosmic evolution -- lots civilisations evolve but only a few make it. I once heard Richard Dawkins and Lawrence Krause discussing it, again only as an interesting idea. I'm attracted to the idea of it, but who knows.
study-milky-way-may-be-full-of-dead-alien-civilizations
Mofo1953 comments on Dec 23, 2020:
Nature gets rid of any impediment to natural order of things.
David1955 replies on Dec 24, 2020:
@Flyingsaucesir i don't see how the analogy works here. Species in an interconnected environment, like a planet, might collapse due to that interconnectedness. Species in worlds spread across a universe don't have a interconnectedness that I can see, unless one starts to engage in sci fi type 'the force' or some other pseudo religion thinking.
study-milky-way-may-be-full-of-dead-alien-civilizations
Mofo1953 comments on Dec 23, 2020:
Nature gets rid of any impediment to natural order of things.
David1955 replies on Dec 24, 2020:
Is the natural order of things a universe of extinct species? Can't see that. I gather the Newtonian clockwork universe model has been replaced by a universe of chaos. If so, some species surviving and many not seems reasonable to me, again purely from pure speculation.
study-milky-way-may-be-full-of-dead-alien-civilizations
Thirst2learn comments on Dec 23, 2020:
So basically you think marxism is the answer. Maybe if you survive as a leech
David1955 replies on Dec 23, 2020:
@Thirst2learn I'll take your answer as a 'no' to my question. I'll leave it at that. Ignorance is a state from which one has to find one's own way out, or not.
study-milky-way-may-be-full-of-dead-alien-civilizations
Thirst2learn comments on Dec 23, 2020:
So basically you think marxism is the answer. Maybe if you survive as a leech
David1955 replies on Dec 23, 2020:
@Thirst2learn have you ever actually studied seriously Marxism -- the economic and political philosophy of Marxism -- or is it just the big bogeyman of your life? And yes I have. My degrees are in political science including political philosophy, including Marxism.
study-milky-way-may-be-full-of-dead-alien-civilizations
Thirst2learn comments on Dec 23, 2020:
So basically you think marxism is the answer. Maybe if you survive as a leech
David1955 replies on Dec 23, 2020:
Which is worse, in your humble opinion, a Marxist or a Corporate Socialist?
study-milky-way-may-be-full-of-dead-alien-civilizations
Fernapple comments on Dec 23, 2020:
Interesting article up to a point, but a bit short on detail.
David1955 replies on Dec 23, 2020:
agreed. Perhaps something more will follow. I took the title with a grain of salt anyway. Not long ago I came across an article that said a study suggested that we are alone in the universe. OK.
study-milky-way-may-be-full-of-dead-alien-civilizations
barjoe comments on Dec 23, 2020:
Of course there's intelligent life elsewhere. Our existence is the blink of an eye, so is theirs. The chance of two civilizations existing at the same time and solving space time continuum are not likely. The chance of alien life coming here is so unlikely, it's like a quadrillion to one.
David1955 replies on Dec 23, 2020:
I read this idea before and indeed may be right. The universe is just so damned big.
study-milky-way-may-be-full-of-dead-alien-civilizations
rainmanjr comments on Dec 23, 2020:
It seems like an interesting question, does life exist elsewhere, but I posit that it's really not. Whatever happened, or is happening, with them really doesn't tell humans boo about us. We see that, when faced with possible extinction of our species, humans largely shrug. That tells us things and ...
David1955 replies on Dec 23, 2020:
Not necessarily. There may be some kind of cosmic evolution whereby some species survive the self- destruction phase and progress. I've heard scientists discuss this, as a purely hypothetical issue of course. We may never know, but it would be good to know if some do. I'm not optimistic about our species, however. Sad to say. I don't think our wisdom collectively can catch up to our technology.
Go ahead and try that Lucifer's Logic with me and see what happens next. Nothing.
DenoPenno comments on Dec 17, 2020:
Yes, god gave us the wonderful gift of free will. He could of had robots worship him but they would have no choice. If he fucks up things in your world and you worship him anyway, this is what he wants. :)
David1955 replies on Dec 18, 2020:
Thou jests, surely?
Why are you agnostic? If you're not agnostic then why are you only a theist or an atheist?
Fernapple comments on Dec 7, 2020:
Really! Do buy a dictionary.
David1955 replies on Dec 7, 2020:
There seem to be a lot of lame questions like this here these days.
Christians: "You're atheist because you're just angry at / bitter toward / afraid of / hate god.
David1955 comments on Dec 3, 2020:
True. I'm also livid at Santa Klaus, ropeable at the Easter Bunny, apoplectic towards the tooth fairy, and if I get my hands on the flying spaghetti monster he's going to get it good. Funny really, since it's religious believers who are the ones who are scared of their imaginary god. Emotional ...
David1955 replies on Dec 3, 2020:
@Triphid oooh, that's gotta hurt.
Christians: "You're atheist because you're just angry at / bitter toward / afraid of / hate god.
David1955 comments on Dec 3, 2020:
True. I'm also livid at Santa Klaus, ropeable at the Easter Bunny, apoplectic towards the tooth fairy, and if I get my hands on the flying spaghetti monster he's going to get it good. Funny really, since it's religious believers who are the ones who are scared of their imaginary god. Emotional ...
David1955 replies on Dec 3, 2020:
@GeorgeRocheleau sounds like you got screwed one way or another. :-)
Virtually every agnostic lives like an atheist, living completely irreligious lives Dennis ...
David1955 comments on Dec 2, 2020:
I can't agree. One thing i have learnt in recent years is that the term agnostic covers a very wide group of people, from some who state their agnosticism well and are on a similar irreligious plane as atheists, to those agnostics who hang on to a lot of religious folly and pseudo religion but no ...
David1955 replies on Dec 2, 2020:
@JeffMurray while that is true, generally, with the occasional exception, atheists fall into a recognisable spectrum of positions, on religion, and on science and related. There are exceptions, but generally I find this to be the case. Agnostics? Hmm not so much.
This is great news if anyone has been a victim of the Jehovah’s Witness cult.
barjoe comments on Nov 29, 2020:
What's the National Redness Scheme?
David1955 replies on Nov 29, 2020:
Good question.
Are you a strong agnostic, a medium agnostic or a weak agnostic?
David1955 comments on Nov 26, 2020:
I'm a strong atheist. Agnosticism has nothing to do with it. Or did you just mean agnostic? If so, why?
David1955 replies on Nov 27, 2020:
@DangerDave You are pretty snippy for a guy whose post here was met by almost complete dismissal. Just saying.
Are you a strong agnostic, a medium agnostic or a weak agnostic?
David1955 comments on Nov 26, 2020:
I'm a strong atheist. Agnosticism has nothing to do with it. Or did you just mean agnostic? If so, why?
David1955 replies on Nov 26, 2020:
@DangerDave the lesson was on irony. Guess you missed it. Oh well.
The US Election: A Foreigner's View - Mine.
1of5 comments on Nov 22, 2020:
I just love these "I was wrong about that but here's why I'm right about this" posts. A not insignificant % of people suck, and vote for other people that suck. THAT WILL NEVER CHANGE.
David1955 replies on Nov 22, 2020:
In fact I said back then that Trump would beat Biden, unless the economy totally collapsed or similar. This was pre COVID. That seemed unlikely. I am able to look back honestly on the past. More people should. Simply put, without the virus Trump would have won. A horrible but accurate conclusion, in my view.
The US Election: A Foreigner's View - Mine.
AnneWimsey comments on Nov 22, 2020:
6 MILLION VOTES is not even remotely "just over the line" and you forget he Lost by 3 million votes last time, (conveniently?).........your worry is noted but please do not make stuff sound much worse than it is.
David1955 replies on Nov 22, 2020:
I repeat, 74+ million voted for him, more than 2016, and after 4 years of horror, 200,000 + dead, and economic collapse. And I'm making it sound worse?
The US Election: A Foreigner's View - Mine.
CallMeDave comments on Nov 22, 2020:
What does the term Monday Morning Quarterback mean to you?
David1955 replies on Nov 22, 2020:
Well I don't know. Is it similar to so called experts on US mainstream TV proclaiming that Americans have rejected Trumpism for a new day, and America can go back to truth, justice and the American way, just like on American TV shows? You tell me.
The US Election: A Foreigner's View - Mine.
StarvingArtist comments on Nov 22, 2020:
IMHO, I think the sickness stems from so many Americans lacking a quality education.
David1955 replies on Nov 22, 2020:
and poor critical thinking skills. Too much education is focused on work and job skills, so I agree with you.
Covid: Pizza worker's 'lie' forced South Australia lockdown : [bbc.
David1955 comments on Nov 20, 2020:
Apparently, here in the city of empty churches, if you break any lockdown rules, do anything that is not permitted by the government, then you get a big big fine. BUT, if you lie to the authorities about your infection or activities relating to it, resulting in massive lockdown and impact on ...
David1955 replies on Nov 20, 2020:
@anglophone i think not, but an update since my previous comment: there was a press conference by police and they've assembled a team to get into this legally, so you may be right and they may find some criminal or civil charges. No opposition from the Premier I'm sure.
Covid: Pizza worker's 'lie' forced South Australia lockdown : [bbc.
David1955 comments on Nov 20, 2020:
Apparently, here in the city of empty churches, if you break any lockdown rules, do anything that is not permitted by the government, then you get a big big fine. BUT, if you lie to the authorities about your infection or activities relating to it, resulting in massive lockdown and impact on ...
David1955 replies on Nov 20, 2020:
@anglophone according to our premier, there's nothing they can do. He's probably broke anyway, so what can you do? Community service maybe.
Whether or not God exists, Christopher Hitchens is still a scumbag
skado comments on Nov 18, 2020:
Hitchens was as much a religious fundamentalist as any theist ever was, and maybe for worse reasons. When he didn’t know the mic was on he admitted he didn’t want religion to go away because he was enjoying fighting it too much. I guess it gave him a sense of purpose (not to mention considerable...
David1955 replies on Nov 19, 2020:
I agree except on Harris. I think he is unfairly maligned and often people don't appreciate the nuance of this views and truncate them down to simple statements. Moreover, he is without doubt the most effective debater against religious people I have ever seen. He is forensically good and devastating, and I have learnt a lot from watching him dismantle religious nonsense and false assumptions.
Whether or not God exists, Christopher Hitchens is still a scumbag
Krish55 comments on Nov 18, 2020:
He supported the Iraq War. He found that being pro-imperialist was profitable.
David1955 replies on Nov 19, 2020:
Agreed. I well remember him being on TV here in Australia early in 2000s in interviews from the UK slagging the Left viciously, calling anyone who criticised the Iraq War (Crime ) all kinds of derogatory names, most arrogantly, and I grew to dislike him. His later efforts against religion with Dawkins et.al were at times very effective, but I cannot forget his strident support for the war criminals behind the Iraq criminal war, for which he never apologised.
Australia's robodebt scheme has resulted in death and has been ruled illegal: [bbc.
David1955 comments on Nov 18, 2020:
Yes. Typical liberal party philosophy. Snouts in the trough for rich mates; stick it to the 'undeserving' social security people.
David1955 replies on Nov 18, 2020:
@FrayedBear absofriggenlutely . And the alleged ALP should be leading the charge. Hah, that'll be the day. I hear they're having leadership issues again. Next turn at the Titannic. They need ideology, not a new so called leader.
Lockdown in SA Our stupid Liberal Government has put in a lockdown, initially 6 days and then ...
powder comments on Nov 18, 2020:
Yeah it's nuts; "Lets isolate for 6 days but just before, crowd all the supermarkets and stuff with as many people as we can." Said it before, should have safety professionals calling the shots and not chief medical officers (not their fault, just not their area of expertise; working with hazard)....
David1955 replies on Nov 18, 2020:
@powder I know how this world is. Couple of weeks later, it would be. "remember what's his name?" :-)
Lockdown in SA Our stupid Liberal Government has put in a lockdown, initially 6 days and then ...
powder comments on Nov 18, 2020:
Yeah it's nuts; "Lets isolate for 6 days but just before, crowd all the supermarkets and stuff with as many people as we can." Said it before, should have safety professionals calling the shots and not chief medical officers (not their fault, just not their area of expertise; working with hazard)....
David1955 replies on Nov 18, 2020:
Yes, I walked into the supermarket and was suddenly around more people than I'd been in months, breathing everywhere. I didn't have time to line up for hours, so I left, and it wasn't safe. There they were, buying toilet paper like fools. So, I'm not well stocked as I'd planned to do a big shop tomorrow morning. Good timing. So, I'll have to eek things out. Can't even go for a jog along the esplanade, though I am never close to anyone, unlike today in the supermarket. Months of caution and knowing my luck I will probably get the virus from ducking into the supermarket which, is never usually very crowded, and be dead in a week. Thanks SA government.
I find it reassuring that most of the developed/ educated world is embracing atheism or at least ...
Pedrohbds comments on Nov 16, 2020:
China is not really atheist, they just have a religion with no structured organization. Also this not religious is misleading. It can be anything from "its been a long time that I don't go to church" to "I am atheist". I doubt theism is majority in any country.
David1955 replies on Nov 16, 2020:
It does say claiming to be either non religious or atheist. If that claim is a clear assertion it does means something.
Kayleigh McEnany: Trump will attend 'his own' inauguration in January - Business Insider
David1955 comments on Nov 16, 2020:
That girl needs an intervention by people who care about her.
David1955 replies on Nov 16, 2020:
@Lorajay i hope someone does, friends or family, because the Trump virus has fried her brain, and it's sad to see someone like that. Maybe it's because I've read about cults and people do leave cults, reboot their brain, and rejoin reality. Some never do, however, and though it's a low percentage I hate to think what a percentage of Trump's cult will be: millions.
I think its time to move on.
David1955 comments on Nov 14, 2020:
What did you think about Admin's recent carefully worded post suggesting a watering down of the site's mission statement, making it less 'scary' by avoiding scary references like atheism, essentially to broaden the 'appeal' of the site to less cerebral folk, and especially younger cohorts who don't...
David1955 replies on Nov 15, 2020:
@rainmanjr makes you wonder why they bothered to called it agnostic.com in the first place, although I remember when the site info said a site for people who were good without religion. It seems it is becoming a mini-me facebook. Just for the record, I wouldn't touch Facebook with a 50 foot pole. Never have. Never will.
I think its time to move on.
David1955 comments on Nov 14, 2020:
What did you think about Admin's recent carefully worded post suggesting a watering down of the site's mission statement, making it less 'scary' by avoiding scary references like atheism, essentially to broaden the 'appeal' of the site to less cerebral folk, and especially younger cohorts who don't...
David1955 replies on Nov 15, 2020:
@DavidLaDeau i admire your proactive approach, David.
Is the Pope Catholic?
David1955 comments on Nov 12, 2020:
Wealth and privilege often plug religion, not because they believe it but because they think it's good for the 'little people' to believe in something so they don't ask too many questions about our shitty unfair world. Look at Rupert 'Douchbag' Murdoch, peddler of Fox and it's phoney Christian ...
David1955 replies on Nov 14, 2020:
@JeffMurray i think you mean *without them adherence to the religion would be untenable*. Yes, the CC has been dragged and kicked into change over the centuries in order to survive, but to a thinking person adherence to this global criminal organisation is and has always been untenable.
Is the Pope Catholic?
David1955 comments on Nov 12, 2020:
Wealth and privilege often plug religion, not because they believe it but because they think it's good for the 'little people' to believe in something so they don't ask too many questions about our shitty unfair world. Look at Rupert 'Douchbag' Murdoch, peddler of Fox and it's phoney Christian ...
David1955 replies on Nov 14, 2020:
@JeffMurray oh yes, I'd forgotten that thanks to Frank the CC doesn't burn witches any more.
G'day there fellow Aussie Sceptics and friends.
David1955 comments on Nov 13, 2020:
Greetings. Honourable Group Leader @Triphid I just make the point that it would be good if there more posts from this group, if it were active from a wider group. I know this depends on members, and you yourself are very attentive to the group, as is @powder, and my own posts wax and wane with my ...
David1955 replies on Nov 14, 2020:
@Triphid that's right, an Honourable ordinary everyday Aussie bloke. :-)
Is the Pope Catholic?
David1955 comments on Nov 12, 2020:
Wealth and privilege often plug religion, not because they believe it but because they think it's good for the 'little people' to believe in something so they don't ask too many questions about our shitty unfair world. Look at Rupert 'Douchbag' Murdoch, peddler of Fox and it's phoney Christian ...
David1955 replies on Nov 14, 2020:
@JeffMurray you are being fooled by the papal spin in which he pretends to modernise to fool the so called progressives in the church, while winking at the reactionary core of the church assuring them that nothing fundamental will change. It's the kind of balancing act that politicians do, playing off various constituencies, that's all. Catholics are fooled, the media go along with it, though less so than before. Atheists, however, see through all that. I can't believe you would think that without Frank's 'modernizing' the church would be 'dead. Even deluded Catholics wouldn't go that far.
Some thoughts on broadening the appeal of Agnostic.
David1955 comments on Nov 6, 2020:
I would urge you not to change "The social network for atheists, agnostics & skeptics." It sounds like there is a desire to water down the site mission by avoiding big scary words like atheist, especially to attract younger members. Well, I wouldn't like to see the above sentence removed. You ...
David1955 replies on Nov 13, 2020:
@AnneWimsey yes, I'm a wee bit concerned about where he wants to lead, but I'm keeping my mind open. I fear the direction is to water down the site statement and avoid using 'scary' words that reflect a clear position, then the appeal will widen, particularly to younger apa-whatever-thetic people. I think this is false. Young people need to think 'up' and start seeing bigger pictures, rather than water down to their sphere of intellectual myopia.
G'day there fellow Aussie Sceptics and friends.
David1955 comments on Nov 13, 2020:
Greetings. Honourable Group Leader @Triphid I just make the point that it would be good if there more posts from this group, if it were active from a wider group. I know this depends on members, and you yourself are very attentive to the group, as is @powder, and my own posts wax and wane with my ...
David1955 replies on Nov 13, 2020:
@Triphid absolutely. The comment was for all of us to think about.
Some thoughts on broadening the appeal of Agnostic.
David1955 comments on Nov 6, 2020:
I would urge you not to change "The social network for atheists, agnostics & skeptics." It sounds like there is a desire to water down the site mission by avoiding big scary words like atheist, especially to attract younger members. Well, I wouldn't like to see the above sentence removed. You ...
David1955 replies on Nov 7, 2020:
@Admin i regret to say that I do not understand this reply.
Some thoughts on broadening the appeal of Agnostic.
kensmile4u comments on Nov 6, 2020:
I would put the word "Agnostics" first since that is the direction of emphasis. It's also the name of the website. :)
David1955 replies on Nov 7, 2020:
@Admin You see this comment here is exactly the problem I'm talking about. This person's false assumption that " put the word "Agnostics" first since that is the direction of emphasis. It's also the name of the website." According to your previous comments, the site name was a domain availability choice, not the primary emphasis of the site. Perhaps you could remind members of this fact. I have never forgotten it.
20 The calm before the storm?
David1955 comments on Nov 5, 2020:
Predictions: Trump will drag out recounts to mark time and use the courts. Trump will go to the Supreme court to block election results. Trump will declare a 'coup' against him and declare martial law, or similar. Trump is a lawless criminal who will use lawless criminality to stay in power....
David1955 replies on Nov 6, 2020:
@DavidLaDeau Yes, I watching coverage when I can, and the media there seem to think that Trump will just give in once Biden is declared. No. He doesn't play by the rules. fascists never do. I commented elsewhere: hold up in the courts; go to the Supreme Court, finally declare a 'coup' against him an declare martial law or similar. His party will be behind him. They want an autocracy. Your media and the Democratic Party still think that playing by the rules with him works. It doesn't. Brace! Brace! Brace!
Why was the popular vote so close in the US presidential election?
Triphid comments on Nov 5, 2020:
IMO, The U.S. population, as in the Trumppets, has dumbed down so far and deeply that it supports stupidity, racism, misogyny, tyranny, nepotism, etc, etc completely.
David1955 replies on Nov 5, 2020:
Yes, I have progressed beyond all the socio economic political psychological analytical babble about why Trump supporters fervently support a would be dictator, and Ive left it behind. Bottom line: half of America wants an Autocratic America, because it appeals to them -- until it affects them personally, of course. American capitalism and their news and entertainment industry have dumbed down half the country (to use your term) and this is what we see.
‘Mel Gibson’s Dad Catholic’: Bill Maher Mocks Amy Coney Barrett’s Religion Again | The Daily...
MsHoliday comments on Nov 2, 2020:
Am I the only one? Her dress is the colour of the dresses worn in Handmaiden’s Tale.
David1955 replies on Nov 2, 2020:
It'd be the kind of world she would like.
The socialism debate...
David1955 comments on Oct 29, 2020:
Yes, Right Wing Vogons are impossible to get through to. Their emotional fear of "socialism" is beyond reason. They don't fear huge companies using them up and splitting them out; they don't fear right wing parties screwing them over; they don't fear right wing corporate power stealing their ...
David1955 replies on Oct 29, 2020:
@prometheus there's some truth to that, but truth is most non extreme people just want a mixed economy, with a balance of public and private enterprise, and a fair taxation and social safety net with quality public services like health and education. Hardly a big ask in the 21st century. But no, the lunatic Right call this socialism and the end of the world. Ridiculous.
Religious zealots on this site.
Marionville comments on Oct 23, 2020:
I don’t believe there’s been an increase...there have always been a smattering of them but not so many as to ever really become a serious nuisance..that would take a flood. This seems to be a similar question to one posed here a couple of days ago. Do we want censorship and removal of ...
David1955 replies on Oct 23, 2020:
Well, clearly people get banned here for making harmful comments and we are all ok with that. I feel that religious preaching is harmful and I don't want to see it here. I also fear that more and more zealots will join in the future, so a question about a person's intention to preach here is hardly unreasonable. If we think of ourselves as part of a club, don't clubs have rules? I don't see any inconsistency with liberal or progressive values.
Religious zealots on this site.
Fernapple comments on Oct 23, 2020:
Bring them on, I love to watch and sometimes take part in the debate. Sadly they usually give up far too easily.
David1955 replies on Oct 23, 2020:
@Fernapple having a debate with a religious person is one thing. I do that. Dealing with preaching God botherers, well now that's something else. But honestly, I don't want to do that here.
Religious zealots on this site.
Cutiebeauty comments on Oct 23, 2020:
... **"Do you intend to preach or promote your religion on this site? Yes / No" If "Yes" then admittance not permitted. ** Scammers and religious would lie to this question to gain admittance.... So, adding it would be much useless programming for no results... **If a member indicates...
David1955 replies on Oct 23, 2020:
I don't think promoting religion alone would result in removal.
Religious zealots on this site.
Fernapple comments on Oct 23, 2020:
Bring them on, I love to watch and sometimes take part in the debate. Sadly they usually give up far too easily.
David1955 replies on Oct 23, 2020:
Is that what you think this site should be about - enticing and arguing with stupid religious people? Isn't there plenty of opportunity enough to do that in daily life? You really want to do that here? Seriously?
Religious zealots on this site.
evidentialist comments on Oct 22, 2020:
Why do you fear the religious/believer? It has been my experience that those folks who are zealous step on their own necks soon enough and the others who came here with questions find a new direction because of the answers they receive. If all we do is challenge their beliefs without respecting ...
David1955 replies on Oct 23, 2020:
@evidentialist a comment to a post is not the same as posting the subject. I'm glad to clarify the difference to you.
Religious zealots on this site.
LovinLarge comments on Oct 23, 2020:
Admin is a hypocrite. He calls it a website for nonbelievers yet tolerates believers. And this is where I break with his liberal, fencesitting apologists. Religion is so pervasive that there is nowhere we can be free of it.
David1955 replies on Oct 23, 2020:
@LovinLarge yes, when you try to please everyone ultimately you end up pleasing no one.
Religious zealots on this site.
LovinLarge comments on Oct 23, 2020:
Admin is a hypocrite. He calls it a website for nonbelievers yet tolerates believers. And this is where I break with his liberal, fencesitting apologists. Religion is so pervasive that there is nowhere we can be free of it.
David1955 replies on Oct 23, 2020:
Yeah, you know I have tried to imagine if I created a site for agnostics and atheists and fellow travellers. Would I include a question that asks, 'Are you religious and do you intend to proselytise on this site, because if so you are not welcome on this site, and go and join a religious site. There are hundreds.' I answer to myself, "Yes."
Religious zealots on this site.
evidentialist comments on Oct 22, 2020:
Why do you fear the religious/believer? It has been my experience that those folks who are zealous step on their own necks soon enough and the others who came here with questions find a new direction because of the answers they receive. If all we do is challenge their beliefs without respecting ...
David1955 replies on Oct 23, 2020:
I have never posted on this subject in the Senate before.
Religious zealots on this site.
TheMiddleWay comments on Oct 22, 2020:
I haven't personally seen an increase in religious zealotry on this site. I have however seen that twice now you've gone on senate trying to institute measures that would prohibit their admittance. Please understand what has been resoundingly said to you before in senate: ***promoting religion ...
David1955 replies on Oct 23, 2020:
Incorrect. This is my first comment on this subject, and I think my first ever in the Senate. If I posted in the Senate it was a long time ago, and not on this. So, wrong, Middle. Check your own accusations.
Can we choose a responder or group of responders for religious zealots who try and annoy us by ...
SpikeTalon comments on Oct 21, 2020:
I prefer to keep things simplistic, and just kindly ignore such individuals.
David1955 replies on Oct 22, 2020:
I've largely done that too, but they are getting worse and more in our face.
BERNIE SANDERS.
David1955 comments on Oct 20, 2020:
I really don't know what is worse on this site: religious trolls or right wing political trolls. It's a toss up.
David1955 replies on Oct 21, 2020:
@St-Sinner Biden hasn't won yet. He may end up another failed corporate conservative Democrats to line the dust bin, like Hillary. I suppose if Biden loses you'll blame Bernie for that too.
BERNIE SANDERS.
David1955 comments on Oct 20, 2020:
I really don't know what is worse on this site: religious trolls or right wing political trolls. It's a toss up.
David1955 replies on Oct 21, 2020:
@St-Sinner in your own pseudo religion the Left is your Devil isn't it. How pathetic, to demonise people who for the most part merely want a fairer more just world instead of one based on gross inequality and exploitation. To you that's trolling. Pathetic.
Police handed information on claims Vatican sent $1m to Australia in relation to George Pell sexual ...
Triphid comments on Oct 20, 2020:
Now is that news so surprising I ask you.
David1955 replies on Oct 20, 2020:
Like a mob boss getting his consiglierie out, the one who know where the money is and where the bodies are buried.
Karl Marx's Anti-Semitism - YouTube
David1955 comments on Oct 19, 2020:
Well that's odd. Marx was Jewish.
David1955 replies on Oct 19, 2020:
Isn't that confusing Jewish the racial group, with not following Judaism? His racial ancestry was Jewish, whatever his views on religion, with which I agree, not to mention a great deal of his social and economic philosophy, much of which is still very relevant to our times of toxic global capitalism.
As Agnostics, we had best stop using that word .
David1955 comments on Oct 18, 2020:
Well speaking an an atheist -- the highest grouping on this site -- since the religious origins of the word goodbye ( which I know as I teach English and usually tell students that) is completely irrelevant now, and is not used in any religious way, I have no problem with it. If we went back and ...
David1955 replies on Oct 18, 2020:
@DangerDave "So the site name means nothing?" The site name is the domain name the site Admin took out because it was available, that's all. Admin has said so. It's not an agnostic only site. It's not an atheist only site. And unambiguous atheists like me have never tried to say anything other than that. Here endeth the lesson.
As Agnostics, we had best stop using that word .
David1955 comments on Oct 18, 2020:
Well speaking an an atheist -- the highest grouping on this site -- since the religious origins of the word goodbye ( which I know as I teach English and usually tell students that) is completely irrelevant now, and is not used in any religious way, I have no problem with it. If we went back and ...
David1955 replies on Oct 18, 2020:
@DangerDave false, for the same reasons I gave Mr storm below. And the site wasn't created for any specific group. Got that?
As Agnostics, we had best stop using that word .
David1955 comments on Oct 18, 2020:
Well speaking an an atheist -- the highest grouping on this site -- since the religious origins of the word goodbye ( which I know as I teach English and usually tell students that) is completely irrelevant now, and is not used in any religious way, I have no problem with it. If we went back and ...
David1955 replies on Oct 18, 2020:
@Storm1752 completely wrong, hot head. In fact it is a site primarily for the non religious, that includes the spectrum of positions, and atheists are *not* the ones trying to claim it, merely correcting agnostics when they directly, or by inference, attempt to do so.
As Agnostics, we had best stop using that word .
David1955 comments on Oct 18, 2020:
Well speaking an an atheist -- the highest grouping on this site -- since the religious origins of the word goodbye ( which I know as I teach English and usually tell students that) is completely irrelevant now, and is not used in any religious way, I have no problem with it. If we went back and ...
David1955 replies on Oct 18, 2020:
@DangerDave oh I know this. Atheism is not a shared moniker of agnostics and gnostics , and one of these tables doesn't prove it. If you don't think so, post a question asking atheists on this site to see if they agree with you.
As Agnostics, we had best stop using that word .
David1955 comments on Oct 18, 2020:
Well speaking an an atheist -- the highest grouping on this site -- since the religious origins of the word goodbye ( which I know as I teach English and usually tell students that) is completely irrelevant now, and is not used in any religious way, I have no problem with it. If we went back and ...
David1955 replies on Oct 18, 2020:
@DangerDave no, i get tired of posts that begin with "As agnostics..." ... "We agnostics...." " As an agnostic site...." etc. It goes back to the damn site name, and the attitude of some agnostics. And I don't even know what the meaning is of your first sentence. I'm not being snarky, I just really don't, given the debates that go on here on the meaning of atheism and agnosticism.
Rudy Giuliani’s Daughter Caroline on Voting for Joe Biden | Vanity Fair
Paul4747 comments on Oct 16, 2020:
It never occurred to me to compare Trump to a Bond villain, but now it's going to stick forever. He's almost crossed that line between everyday villainy and cartoonish super-villainy. Like Mr. Burns, without the spark of humanity. https://comb.io/xKgpsO
David1955 replies on Oct 16, 2020:
@Paul4747 villain, yes, but Shaw was the first killer who worked for the main villain or group, setting the stereotype for the long line of heavies and assasins in Bond movies, my favourite being "Jaws" played by Richard Kiel.
Rudy Giuliani’s Daughter Caroline on Voting for Joe Biden | Vanity Fair
Paul4747 comments on Oct 16, 2020:
It never occurred to me to compare Trump to a Bond villain, but now it's going to stick forever. He's almost crossed that line between everyday villainy and cartoonish super-villainy. Like Mr. Burns, without the spark of humanity. https://comb.io/xKgpsO
David1955 replies on Oct 16, 2020:
He reminds me of Blofeld as played by the late Charles Gray in Diamonds are Forever 1971 (with apologies to Mr Gray's memory) except Gray spoke beautifully and at least his plan to ransom the world was a bit more imaginative than Trump's inarticulate oafish bumbling.
Pope Francis assures atheists: You don’t have to believe in God to go to heaven | The Independent ...
xenoview comments on Oct 14, 2020:
Nice of him not to judge the gay person looking for the lord.
David1955 replies on Oct 16, 2020:
@Dafuqs_garnon I'm ignoring your insults. They are the kind of insults that prominent atheists receive all the time, so fragile and insecure believers are. But what I will say is that there are many here who from this site's beginning have believed that religious believers like you should not be allowed on this site. The fact that persons like you *are* here shows how insecure they are that they need to preach to others, and so absurd in a community like this that overwhelmingly regards religion as historical nonsense and logical absurdity.
Pope Francis assures atheists: You don’t have to believe in God to go to heaven | The Independent ...
xenoview comments on Oct 14, 2020:
Nice of him not to judge the gay person looking for the lord.
David1955 replies on Oct 15, 2020:
@Dafuqs_garnon what are you doing on this site? Go play with God botherers and get the security of shared dillusional beliefs you obviously need. We meet here to get away from the dillusional.
How did an non-religious nation elect a religious leader? - The Big Smoke
FrayedBear comments on Oct 14, 2020:
The city of churches must have changed since I first saw it 44 years ago on an enforced 8 hour stopover from Perth. The liveliest thing was the Sunday joint in the local café oven. Western Victoria still professes excessive religiosity.
David1955 replies on Oct 14, 2020:
@powder and pokies. A different kind of prayer.
How did an non-religious nation elect a religious leader? - The Big Smoke
FrayedBear comments on Oct 14, 2020:
The city of churches must have changed since I first saw it 44 years ago on an enforced 8 hour stopover from Perth. The liveliest thing was the Sunday joint in the local café oven. Western Victoria still professes excessive religiosity.
David1955 replies on Oct 14, 2020:
The city of empty churches these days, and not just due to COVID.
How did an non-religious nation elect a religious leader? - The Big Smoke
FrayedBear comments on Oct 14, 2020:
We didn't vote for Morrison for PM either! It's a party decision.
David1955 replies on Oct 14, 2020:
True.
How did an non-religious nation elect a religious leader? - The Big Smoke
Triphid comments on Oct 14, 2020:
You'll get no argument from me. But we all should try to remember that, in particular so it seems, the LNP consists mainly of a membership of Catholics, Anglicans and a smattering of other Christian based religions, as does the ALP also but theirs is not so strong and potent. Before we got stuck ...
David1955 replies on Oct 14, 2020:
Oh I agree that religions have influence here beyond their due, especially through politics. That's is their pernicious way. Politics, education, and so on, their corrupt tentacles at work. The more secular Australia functionally becomes, the more religions seek to exert their hideous influence covertly. Same is true in the US.
The Decline of Religion Continues – Nones Gain 3 Percent in One Year – Religion in Public
David1955 comments on Oct 9, 2020:
I read this a day or two ago, and was pleased. It confirms this trend in other studies.
David1955 replies on Oct 9, 2020:
@SeaRay215ex i think what is really important is the growing religious indifference of the young, their apatheism, so called, and secular attitudes, and it is the younger age groups that set the trend as older groups pass on. Religions know this, see twindling church attendances, and fear these trends. In response they become more conservative and more devious in protecting their influence. This is my concern.
Are ScumMo and Co. for real?
David1955 comments on Oct 3, 2020:
You know the old right wing saying: if you should continue to fail, try try the same old discredited policies again and again.
David1955 replies on Oct 3, 2020:
@Triphid good one. My favourite Menzies speech is one he gave in Parliament, 1938, UAP PM, rejecting the Labor party's claims about Hitler, saying that Germany was fortunate to have a strong leader like Adolf, and if ever all those lefties took over Australia he hoped we might find a strong leader like Hitler to save us. All forgotten after the outbreak of WW2, of course. I looked up the quote in Hansard in the my uni library to check back in the 70s, so shocked I was. Pig Iron Bob indeed.
Now they’ve No Platformed Richard Dawkins
TheMiddleWay comments on Oct 3, 2020:
Anyone who minimizes pedophilia and downplays rape doesn't deserve a platform.
David1955 replies on Oct 3, 2020:
I would take Dawkins' contribution to science, evolutionary biology, and the promotion of secularism and a religion free world over *your* puny contribution any day, and others like you, who criticise him for giving a much needed muscularization of atheism in the 21st Century.
YouTubers are upscaling the past to 4K.
David1955 comments on Oct 1, 2020:
I don't see the problem. If new technology can enhance old footage then good. I've watched a lot of enhanced footage on YouTube and I think it is extraordinary. Having grown up watching jerky old footage played at the wrong frame rate ect and loving history as I do I think it is amazing what they do...
David1955 replies on Oct 2, 2020:
@FearlessFly the difference is the Mona Lisa is to be admired for what it is. Early film footage is poor and benefits from enhancement. Also, they have scanned and analysed the Mona Lisa, revealing hidden features, if one is interested. As long as the original of anything is secured, what does it matter if some wish to apply high tech techniques to it.
'Not bread': Worrying court decision about Subway sandwiches
Triphid comments on Oct 1, 2020:
Subway, Maccas, Hungry Jacks, imo, what they choose to call 'bread' to me tastes more like re-constituted cardboard and their 'fillings' are just as bland and tasteless. The very best hamburgers, etc, are either home-made ones or those from a genuine Fish and Chips shop imo.
David1955 replies on Oct 1, 2020:
If you don't mind the fat, that is.
The Criminal Case Against Donald Trump Is in the Works
David1955 comments on Sep 30, 2020:
And he knows it too. Even if he pardons himself, which would be the death nail in US credibility, hopefully your state prosecutors would still move on him. This could have been so different if Mueller had done his job, been a man instead of a Republican, and exposed Trump's criminality. Now he's ...
David1955 replies on Sep 30, 2020:
@Cutiebeauty not even Mueller's own staff thought he did his job, and they are starting to say so. Had be been investigating a Democratic President on a fraction of what Trump did, do you think he would have done the bare minimum, drop the report and run? I certainly don't.
You'd think this was a religious website.
Word comments on Sep 23, 2020:
This website is called agnostic not atheist. Religion... pure and faultless is this: to help widows and orphans in need and avoiding worldly corruption. James 1:27 I see very little discussion on here about religion. I think I may be one of the only people around here bringing up the ...
David1955 replies on Sep 23, 2020:
@Word No
You'd think this was a religious website.
Word comments on Sep 23, 2020:
This website is called agnostic not atheist. Religion... pure and faultless is this: to help widows and orphans in need and avoiding worldly corruption. James 1:27 I see very little discussion on here about religion. I think I may be one of the only people around here bringing up the ...
David1955 replies on Sep 23, 2020:
@Word wait a minute, you said "This website is called agnostic not atheist." How was that relevant? Yes, the site is " for atheists, agnostics & skeptics" of course, but the reference to the domain name was not relevant. The poster is complaining about discussion about religion on this site. One can discuss that as one sees fit. He was not drawing any distinction between agnostics or atheists on this site discussing religion, only that he finds this kind of discussion tiresome. That's his opinion. He didn't raise agnosticism compared to atheism, you did, and it was irrelevant.
You'd think this was a religious website.
Word comments on Sep 23, 2020:
This website is called agnostic not atheist. Religion... pure and faultless is this: to help widows and orphans in need and avoiding worldly corruption. James 1:27 I see very little discussion on here about religion. I think I may be one of the only people around here bringing up the ...
David1955 replies on Sep 23, 2020:
The site is called Agnostic because that was the available domain name Admin took out. It is NOT an agnostic site. How often do we have to point this out to agnostics like you and Middle Way? You want an entirely agnostic site then go look for one, now.
For anyone wondering how I feel about religious people - this is my stance (major rant).
HumanistJohn comments on Sep 21, 2020:
You can't argue people out of religious belief. What you can do is plant 'seeds of doubt.' by asking questions, pointing out problems witth a story in their little holy book, and so on. I have also encouraged xians to actually read their little holy book and not just pick out the 'good' ...
David1955 replies on Sep 21, 2020:
Yes, I have stated before that arguments with religious people get never anywhere as they just dig in and double down. But the seed of doubt thing you mentioned does happen, and through some kind of internal osmosis they can turn off their own religious switch, by 'changing their minds'. That's at the personal interaction level. What I strongly believe is that we have to stand up to the power of religion, the influence of religion, the structures of religion, and call these out boldly and actively seek to challenge religion. That's what anti- theist means to me.
Please raise your hand if you're an atheist AND antitheist.
DavidLaDeau comments on Sep 20, 2020:
I do not believe there is a god. I am against all organized religion. My Youtube Channel is called CompelledUnbeliever. I do take much caution in calling myself an anti theist. Many automatically think it is someone who is agaist thest the human beings. Apologist will pounce on the wors ...
David1955 replies on Sep 20, 2020:
@DavidLaDeau that's interesting. Your channel is a hell of lot better than anything i could do, so keep at it. We can never know how influencing just one person might have enormous consequences. Such is life.
Atheist, Humanist, Secularist, Skeptic, Freethinker
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