As I grow older, I tend to be less and less thrilled with living.

David1955 comments on Feb 1, 2021:

I get you. I think it's the aging thing for men, and the awful times we live in, with viruses, assholes, and authoritarianism. I try to keep within a stable emotional range, something that happens with age, which is both a good thing and a bad thing. If you are financially OK, and health wise doing well, then there's some comfort in that. I have to live very economically and that's an additional worry to the other angst stuff that has to be dealt with. Anyway, point is your story resonates with many, I'm sure.

Pew pew pew

David1955 comments on Feb 1, 2021:

With Mitch McConnell as Palpatine, Bernie Sanders as Obi-Wan Kenobi, Nancy Pelosi as Leia, and maybe a few more fit the bill too.

Hi Folks--I've decided to leave the site.

David1955 comments on Jan 30, 2021:

I almost left myself recently. Being targeted and baited because I'm an atheist took me close to the delete button. Not to mention the naughty pics and nonsense that bores now. Then I had a rethink. Time to block fools and baiters, something I'd never done. Instead of looking for a community of quality discourse, instead focus on the worthy ones, the ones who don't bait and hobby horse, who broadly live in my reality, and we can agree and disagree on some points, like adults do. Different mindset, different outcomes.

There is an overwhelming lack of evidence for the tooth fairy, pixies at the bottom of the garden, ...

David1955 comments on Jan 30, 2021:

No, and I don't believe in them *because* there is no evidence of their existence. Oddly enough, I apply the same standard to any and all gods, and have done so since I was a teenager and hence call myself an atheist. It seems a consistent logical position to me, and I was pleased to discover that many truly greater minds than mine agreed with me, like Bertrand Russell. Of course, it does help when you are *not* engaging in a subconscious form of Pascal Wagering, living in a thinly disguised fear that a god might get you one day if you're wrong, so better play safe and be an agnostic.

Can a combination of logic and probability obviate agnostic doubt?

David1955 comments on Jan 29, 2021:

Obviate agnostic doubt? Doubt about what - god/s? Whether the question is knowable? Odd verb to use here. "To obviate means to eliminate the need for something or to prevent something from happening. " To me doubt is reduced or eliminated but not obviated. But I'm an atheist, so I can't answer. We don't focus on doubt but rather evidence. If there's doubt then it would be on the relevance of the evidence and by definition that involves logic and reason.

Survey: The Pandemic is Strengthening the Faith of Devout Religious People | Hemant Mehta | Friendly...

David1955 comments on Jan 29, 2021:

Yeah but I suspect it's weakening the interest of notionally religious people -- those who say they are religious, write it down on forms, but never go to church -- and, I suspect it will enhance the secularism and religious apathy of younger age groups, who were already increasingly detached from religion anyway. Religion has looked bad during this pandemic, while science has looked good. Frankly, we will have to wait and see what the survey data shows in the future. As for devoutly religious people, often older people, they are unlikely to change, so strengthening is not surprising.

They should be removed from office and charged

David1955 comments on Jan 28, 2021:

In any country where something like a democratic system exists there would be legal consequences for such conduct. But, in the US, well, I don't know ....Somehow, I suspect nothing will happen.

Checking in after being away for the last two weeks due to family things.

David1955 comments on Jan 27, 2021:

The line "the progressive left and Trumpy-types both have mostly-valid , yet increasingly incompatible, systems to run a country" just sent me reeling. Really, Trumpism has a mostly valid system of government? Now, when some people say that there are valid points in both *conservatism* and *progressive politics* I could at least recognise that this might be true, though my own politics are far left. But Trumpism, or Trumpy-types to use your term, is nothing more than 21st Century fascism, rooted in racism, xenophobia, antisemitism and authoritarianism. Careful not to let your 'middle of the road' inclination become a failure in political and moral conviction. @Sticks48 re your comment below, I totally agree

[agnostic.

David1955 comments on Jan 26, 2021:

Totally agree, but I'm waiting for some comments here along the lines of 'well, members should be able to take from the site whatever they think is important....' etc especially from those not favourably inclined towards atheism. Hope I'm wrong, but let's see.

It's been a few years, but I'm still pissed off about the time y'all tried to get me banned.

David1955 comments on Jan 25, 2021:

Don't recall any of that. Who tried to get you banned and why? To my knowledge this is not a site where 'we'all' get together to ban people. Individuals can block, and admin can ban someone for some reason. So, what's the story here?

Well, Renowned and Respected Australian Journalist, Kerry O'Brien, has REFUSED to accept his ...

David1955 comments on Jan 25, 2021:

Saw that. Good on him. They don't make 'em like Kerry O'Brien any more.

6 Level 6 View Perks 4,000 Points 7 Level 7 View Perks 10,000 Points 8 Level 8 Perks Hidden ...

David1955 comments on Jan 25, 2021:

The point system on this site is one of god's little mysteries, and I say that as a staunch atheist.

Even though I became an atheist I’m still thinking about staying Catholic for Traditional purposes...

David1955 comments on Jan 25, 2021:

What does that mean, 'traditional purposes.'?

True words same thing but different time

David1955 comments on Jan 25, 2021:

Do you think it's still only 1/3? I fancy that number in America has grown since FDR's time.

i know this site isnt mine, but i sure do wish the meme addicts could keep those posts in a meme ...

David1955 comments on Jan 24, 2021:

Yes, I find i just skip past so much crap now, looking for serious posts. This site has definitely gone downhill over recent months.

Fellow aussie sceptics, it seems that Margaret Court WILL be receiving Australia Day Honours ...

David1955 comments on Jan 24, 2021:

Totally agree, but then again why would we be surprised given the nit wit PM we currently have? This won't do much for our international reputation, but yet again so many Australians live in lala land they won't even know.

Sparking Outrage, Australia Will Honor Anti-Gay Bigot for Her Tennis Career | Hemant Mehta | ...

David1955 comments on Jan 24, 2021:

Be advised that many Australians, like me, think she's a fruit cake --- a fruit cake who used to play tennis. Sports 'heros' get altogether too much attention anyway, in my opinion. So they're good at a sport. Big deal.

Now that Trump is gone, is there a point where we get to find out more about what is in the Mueller ...

David1955 comments on Jan 24, 2021:

I don't think you'll get that much. I say that because Robert Mueller muted and constrained the investigation for reasons one might speculate, like his political leanings. ( Had Trump been a Democratic President then it might have been different.) I base this on interviews I have seen and reports read on people who worked on the report and grew frustrated at his refusal to go where the real dirt was. History, I predicted, will not be kind to Mueller. Indeed I said so on this site when the report first came out, and got criticised for it. But history has shown that I was on the right track.

Why do there appear to be so many leftists in the Atheist community? [facebook.com]

David1955 comments on Jan 24, 2021:

Just to point that the link between atheism and left leaning politics isn't just an appearance but is shown in stats. US Pew Research, party leanings of atheists. 69% are either Democratic party or that party leaning. https://www.pewforum.org/religious-landscape-study/religious-family/atheist/party-affiliation/ World stats on this also show this connection between atheism and left leaning politics. I've posted on this before and don't intend to it here again. The poster can do his own research.

Agnostics, Atheists, Heathens, Pagans, Unbelievers, Sceptics and Non-Christians be aware, be VERY ...

David1955 comments on Jan 23, 2021:

Quite a Ned Flanders, isn't he? Cheer up, you could be living next door to a convicted criminal, who looks a lot like Charlie Manson from most angles, with a bunch of rotting cars in his front yard, you know, like I do. I think I'd prefer a religious nut next door. At least I could have fun taunting him. (Bad David!) Ps: you still buy a Sunday paper?

Why do there appear to be so many leftists in the Atheist community? [facebook.com]

David1955 comments on Jan 23, 2021:

Goes with the territory, quite often but not always: Atheism -----> humanism -----> social and economic justice ---------------> progressive ideas ------> progressive politics.

A post that I recently made in Geneal & Hellos, q:569114, has just been responded to by medical ...

David1955 comments on Jan 23, 2021:

good question

TIME Magazine cover for Joe Biden's first day in office. Moving in and having to pick up the crap.

David1955 comments on Jan 22, 2021:

Look in those files you'll probably find Donny's fan book of Putin, complete with 'I love you Vlad' written in large crayon.

Am I really undecided or just haven't decided?

David1955 comments on Jan 21, 2021:

"In fact I can't prove or disprove anything." You can't prove or disprove ANYTHING? You cannot possibly believe that. Try this. Affirm the existence only of things that are proven. Assert that those who make claims need to prove them. Assert that you would review the existence of things only on the basis of new evidence. Apply these principles equally to all things: to Gods, fairies, unicorns, what have you. Feel comfortable that people may hate you, criticise you, or attack you, but you are consistent in the way you approach the world.

What Message Did Biden’s Religious Inauguration Speech Send to Atheists?

David1955 comments on Jan 21, 2021:

As a foreigner I cringe at the religion-laden banter that is associated with US politics, but that's how it is. What I loathe is the sub text message that to be a 'good' person, you have to be religious. On Biden, he may be a decent man, certainly compared to the vile Trump, but progressives point out his political record on many issues and it ain't that hot. We can only hope he does more than the window dressing he and Obama did.

My closing post for this group will end with this one.

David1955 comments on Jan 21, 2021:

"This is just the beginning." Trump 20.1.21 Yes... of mental decline and financial ruin.

Julian Assange is getting a pardon?! Holy shit!

David1955 comments on Jan 19, 2021:

A US President can pardon a non US citizen? That's a new one. Wonder what my worthless Australian government will say given they hung him out to dry. Probably the usual: ' we stand shoulder to shoulder with America, while constantly kissing the US ass." Anatomically a challenge, but not for a true sycophant.

Some rather heartwarming info through Quora: Answer to Why did Michael Collins quit NASA in 1970?

David1955 comments on Jan 19, 2021:

Maybe after Apollo 13 he decided not to push his luck. In interviews I saw with him years ago he didn't come across as a driven obsessive type. I think he was just justly proud of his bit in Apollo history.

3 Atheist Pick Up Lines

David1955 comments on Jan 18, 2021:

Why is Richard Dawkin's pic attached to this? On his behalf I object.

So I'm not particularly excited over the bevy of naked female beauties that have lately greeted me ...

David1955 comments on Jan 18, 2021:

I think this site is in its death throws. It's lost its way. Nudy pics is just another sign.

At noon on January 20, Trump will be in desperate shape.

David1955 comments on Jan 17, 2021:

Then he'll get really dangerous.

What the hell happened to this site?

David1955 comments on Jan 17, 2021:

It is what happens when a site purpose is watered down and watered down for the purpose of broadening its appeal, when administrators think that 'middle of the road' means anything goes. When I joined this site I was looking for a platform for a community committed to the values of atheism, secularism, and the ideal of creating a world of science, reason and social justice. This 'ain't' it.

Let me precede this by saying I like naked women.

David1955 comments on Jan 17, 2021:

Yeah , not needed. Actually I think there too many pics of every type being posted here now. It's beginning to annoy me and I've begun ignoring them.

The Mandalorian Director Thanks Mark Hamill for Luke Skywalker Scene, Calls Experience an "Honor"

David1955 comments on Jan 17, 2021:

That's proved to be a great series. That episode was really moving, something I wouldn't normally say of Star Wars. They are gradually filling in parts of the chronology of the SW mythology, tv and film, with some missteps, like that awful Solo movie.

I AM & U R - Life as a human - Being - a - Spirit - incarnate in a - animal - body - a - Soul - ...

David1955 comments on Jan 16, 2021:

And, how does all this help me pay my mortgage next month?

I'm going to be away for a while.

David1955 comments on Jan 14, 2021:

All the best, and we'll be good while you're away. Promise.

New Sci-Fi Looking Pistol Packs 50 Rounds Of High-Velocity Personal Defense Weapon Ammo

David1955 comments on Jan 13, 2021:

I wonder how long it will be before this thing turns up in an American classroom being pointed at children fleeing and dying in terror?

US pursues sedition charges in vast, 'unprecedented' probe of Capitol siege [france24.com]

David1955 comments on Jan 12, 2021:

Focus on the organ grinders instead of the monkeys, for once. One thing we all know about US justice: the rich, the powerful and the well connected get protected. Will this time be the same?

Hard to argue with Carl.

David1955 comments on Jan 12, 2021:

All that with the decline in critical thinking skills, explaining why too many people believe nonsense and have no skill set to process it.

Okay, I guess/suppose this has been posted before many, many times but here is my suggestion and the...

David1955 comments on Jan 11, 2021:

Well I agree, but a consensus that agnostics and atheists are, or should be, all on the same side seems impossible to achieve. I have said before and repeat again that before I joined this site I believed, maybe naively I don't know, that atheists and agnostics were on the same side. It wasn't an issue for me. It was a shock to the system and a bucket of cold water in the face to be on the receiving end from agnostics soon after I arrived, I'll tell you. I still haven't gotten over it. Regarding agreed definitions, frankly some people just like squabbling over definitions, and that's just the truth of it. But I wish you the best of luck.

Colin Powell says he no longer considers himself a Republican - CNNPolitics

David1955 comments on Jan 11, 2021:

Why was he ever one? Because GW Bush sweet talked him into joining his appalling Administration, then used him to start an illegal aggressive war in Iraq, and then left him out to dry, reputationally impaired ever since. So, NOW he's no longer Republican? Jeez!

I would definitely call this a surprise.

David1955 comments on Jan 11, 2021:

Aw, diddums. Moral of story: if you going to be a urban terrorist and insurrectionist, pack an organic lunch.

I feel there is a lot of undisclosed racism of people here on this site.

David1955 comments on Jan 11, 2021:

Making racial generalisations is one thing, but racism suggesting a negative bias and prejudice is quite another, or at least may not be. I hear commentary on US TV all the time about racial groups and attitudes and political leanings. They may or may not be valid, but not racist is intent. I haven't seen racist content here, frankly.

The Pentagon Has 6 Months to Disclose What It Knows About UFOs [military.com]

David1955 comments on Jan 10, 2021:

If anything seriously emerges, and it seems more and more likely it will, I will be looking to see what Neil Degrass Tyson has to say, after his numerous appearances on US mainstream media, doing his dancing bear routine, dismissing any questions about the subject, laughing off the subject, claiming there was a scrap of evidence for anything. People will not forget. His reply will be interesting: 'I'm an asset of the US Military industrial complex parading as an independent scientist', maybe.

Lincoln Project’s Rick Wilson: Trump’s Life About to Become "A Burning Hell" | Amanpour and ...

David1955 comments on Jan 10, 2021:

As an foreign observer of all this, the thing that gets me is that guys like Wilson and his buddies were fine when their GOP party waged a dirty political war against Clinton to undermine him and then the same with Obama, fine when they used the supreme court to take the 2000 election, fine when Bush and co started worthless wars costing trillions and how many military and civilian lives, fine when they gave billions to the rich while screwing over the poor and middle class, fine when they used terrorism to justify depriving rights, fine with torture, fine with sticking right wing reactionaries on the supreme court, fine with wrecking the world economy in 2007, fine with all that and much more GOP corruption and stupidly, but oh my God Trump is so bad and they have to protect the democracy of America! I like listening to Rick Wilson and he speaks well, but he and his buddies don't give a crap about everyday Americans. They just want to reclaim the GOP from Trump populism and return to the conservative grifting and corruption they're used to and approve of.

They got another one

David1955 comments on Jan 9, 2021:

You what they say, insurrect and loot and steal in haste, and regret at leisure.

Wednesday was a dark day in America, but I couldn't help but laugh at this.

David1955 comments on Jan 9, 2021:

I wonder how well they'd go draining the swamp?

Announced tonight: TheFBI will be posting lots of pics of lots of rioters and invites the public to...

David1955 comments on Jan 9, 2021:

Have they arrested that Wookie yet? Hope so. I should think they'll get nabbed by the cops. I mean they're really smart characters, arent they, posting themselves all over social media? The FBI would never think of looking there, right?

Twitter Permanently Bans Trump After Years Of Aggressive, Violent Rhetoric On Platform | HuffPost

David1955 comments on Jan 8, 2021:

He'll use another platform. Question is, will the media flock to it and pander to it? If they do, ethically challenged Twitter will just take him back.

Interesting few days this past week.

David1955 comments on Jan 8, 2021:

I'm looking for the Light Saber, Obi-Wan.

Why are there atheist conservatives? What's the logic?

David1955 comments on Jan 8, 2021:

Good question! Frigged if I know the answer, however. Atheists often, though not always, link to progressive ideas on society and economics and politics. When Richard Carrier and others tried to promote the "Atheism +" movement a few years back ( promoting atheism with progressive thinking) it wasn't successful, though I liked the idea, personally. So, there are some atheists who are conservative, and that's just the way it is. To be an atheist and hold to reactionary ideas would make my head explode with cognitive dissonance, but that's me.

That's Ed for you

David1955 comments on Jan 8, 2021:

Poor Star Trek. It used to be a vision looking for a home (Studio). These days it's a home looking for a vision. All a bit sad really -- ST Discovery, all over the place, and ST Picard, well, just lame, really.

M. A. G. A.

David1955 comments on Jan 8, 2021:

I didn't know Wookies supported Trump. May the farce be with him.

M. A. G. A.

David1955 comments on Jan 7, 2021:

And don't they just look it. Bunch of Bogans, if ever I saw some.

Today we welcome @Theresa_N from Minnesota to our growing ranks.

David1955 comments on Jan 7, 2021:

Welcome. Honourable group leader, how many in this group are located outside Australia? I'm too lazy to check. Do you know?

Something good will come out of what happened today in the US capitol.

David1955 comments on Jan 7, 2021:

I was thinking same thing watching the footage. Maskless crowd, wait 2 weeks and the inevitable. Media haven't focused on it.

Trump's parting gift to the nation.

David1955 comments on Jan 6, 2021:

Your status now is an unstable state and to some extent a rogue state internationally. What happens now, who knows.

Well today it has been 20 years since I last held your hands, heard your sweet voice, saw your ...

David1955 comments on Jan 6, 2021:

Not sure what to say to such a wonderful expression of love and grief, but we're with you today brother.

My position is this; atheism is a rising tide no less disturbing as theism, and just as 'wrong.

David1955 comments on Jan 5, 2021:

You need to calm down, friend. Your brand of agnosticism is becoming obnoxious. Fortunately not all agnostics feel like you.

To all of my new found atheist friends: I have been atheist most of my life and basically gave up on...

David1955 comments on Jan 5, 2021:

Great to have you here. Comments here that agnostics are drowned out on this site are simply not true. Everyone gets to make their point. Anyway, I'm sure you'll make your own judgement on that.

Scientists' Belief in God Varies Starkly by Discipline | Live Science

David1955 comments on Jan 5, 2021:

The problem here is what did they define as God? We don't know, so it's not very helpful. Did they mean an Abrahamic god? A personal or non personal god? A big bag of energy in the universe that they call a god? I know some scientists are inclined to believe in a non personal creator force they might call a god, but that's quite different from what a looney tunes evangelist might call god. So, you can't read too much into this study.

I found this by Bill...and I have to share with all my Agnostic brothers and sisters.

David1955 comments on Jan 3, 2021:

Well as an atheist cousin, I totally agree with Bill, who, by the way, is an atheist.

Sunday 1-3-21 in order to - Know thy Soul - as - One Self - One should dedicate the time - ...

David1955 comments on Jan 3, 2021:

Someone remind me, what's the name of this site again?

January 20th first job

David1955 comments on Jan 2, 2021:

I'd be sending in the disinfectant crew first.

Amazing couple we need more like them

David1955 comments on Jan 2, 2021:

History has been kinder to Jimmy Carter over the years, and deserves to be.

Fuck God : atheism

David1955 comments on Jan 1, 2021:

Yeah, I've often said that even if a God /gods exists (I refuse to use the singular in a world where thousands of gods have been invented ) it / they are so appalling, indifferent, and callous, I would refuse any worship. And that crappy 'free will' argument won't work either.

I move that the name of this site be changed to "Atheist.

David1955 comments on Dec 31, 2020:

Oh really? This site is already so agnostic I've recently thought seriously about moving on. Try being an atheist on a site where posters regularly assume that because its called Agnostic.com it really is an agnostic site, really. Not to mention comments about atheists by agnostics here. Your suggestion will be knocked down I'm sure. Personally, I'd love an atheist.com site, but that's me. Frankly, in recent days, I've become indifferent to whole issue and as an atheist thinking of other pastures.

My dick pic and more

David1955 comments on Dec 29, 2020:

Promise?

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 get some. Not holding my breath.

I just survived watching my cat bring a live mouse in the house, cornering it then going outside.

David1955 comments on Dec 29, 2020:

I'm not sure you understand cat psych. Your cat is 'paying the rent' for your care of him/her, letting you know that he/she is doing their bit (hunting mice) for looking after him or her. That's how they see it.

Food for thought. [youtube.com]

David1955 comments on Dec 29, 2020:

Statement 1: I agree. Not only do I not say this, and I hate to say it but some people are born inclined to religious belief. Psych studies suggest this too. The nature or nurture issue comes into play here to. It's a subject I find interesting but keep an open mind on. Statement 2: Hardly a point worth making. Statement 3 . Broadly agree. Well it is true that religious people are often immune to arguments of reason and evidence. The change has to come from within. Sometimes arguments from atheists can influence the religious, but not in direct debate, from my experience. Statement 4: Who says this statement friend? No serious atheist would make a generalization like this. Is this young man speaking purely about atheists, or about nonreligious people collectively, including agnostics? At least his heart is in the right place.

Thank you so much, God, for keeping us safe from the coronavirus that you caused to exist. : atheism

David1955 comments on Dec 26, 2020:

Remember God believes in free will and doesn't intervene.., well, except when he does, like to save George W Bush, oh, and to drown most people on the planet when he got angry once. Like that.

Religion needs to stop damaging people : atheism

David1955 comments on Dec 25, 2020:

Religion just needs to be stopped. Of course as a atheists we are often criticized for saying this, even by other non religious people, but as an atheist and antithest I don't care.

Trump's potential reasons for submarining the COVID relief bill: 1) To look like a hero to his base...

David1955 comments on Dec 24, 2020:

As you say, too stupid to see.

A SOLEMN OCCASION TONIGHT It is a solemn occasion and please take a moment to remember how a big ...

David1955 comments on Dec 24, 2020:

It is amazing how people fall for nonsense, isn't it? Still do, even now: Qanon, Roswell, free- market economics, economic rationalism, neo--liberalism.... the list goes on. People fall for simplistic stories that make complexity simplistic and easy to understand, something to worship and someone to hate. And it continues.

You celebrate a day that everyone decided that a baby was born.

David1955 comments on Dec 23, 2020:

I don't celebrate it at all. I mostly work through Christmas, grit my teeth and put up with Christmas rushes, have a lunch with what's left of my family, like several other times during the year, and generally get on with it all. If I could change it to science, reason and social justice day, I would.

Anyone else find the concept of Christianity deeply offensive? : atheism

David1955 comments on Dec 23, 2020:

Well it's not for nothing that I tell believers, if they engage me, that their Bronze Age dead and rising God, messianic apocalyptic death cult has vile bloody beginnings, vile bloody history, and a vile present in terms of its practice, and this is directly due to its ugly sacrifice themes and beliefs. Admittedly, this doesn't usually go down well with them, but if the truth hurts, well, that's not my problem.

I hate how people automatically assume that something drastic happened for you to be atheist : ...

David1955 comments on Dec 21, 2020:

I've been doing this for so long I've long since realised that at heart many religious people are full of doubt and fear, though in discussion they will double down, triple down, and project their fear onto the non religious. For the non religious, doubt is the oil that greases our minds always to function to look for new information and to question everything. For the religious, doubt is a fearful thing, that must be suppressed. Since the history, the arguments and the logic works against them, their only recourse is to convince themselves that we just don't get it or we are damaged in some way. But look into their eyes confidently that you just know they are on the wrong side of the argument, but they can't let it go.

if they could ban christmas would it matter.

David1955 comments on Dec 20, 2020:

Truth is it's a kind of global holiday now anyway, even in countries that are not very religious or Christian. In a way it has gone back to its pre Christian roots, and only people who want to link it to religion do that. For myself, it seems to me there are worse things from this Bronze Age dead and rising God messianic apocalyptic death cult called Christianity, like Easter, where the death cult themes are clear. Also, Christmas is now little more than a capitalism con, like many other days.

Go ahead and try that Lucifer's Logic with me and see what happens next. Nothing.

David1955 comments on Dec 17, 2020:

From my experience most religionists will argue that we can't blame God for awful things in this world because he gave us the 'wonderful gift of free will", so don't blame him. Then, in the same breath they will preach their Jesus story, which is godly intervention on a grand scale, and then god's miracles and the saints behind them, and how God came into their lives and saved them, and so on, utterly unaware of these totally incompatible assertions. They believe that God practices free will when it suits him, and intervenes blatantly when it suits him. That's the religious mind.

If you think you’re going to be happy and prosperous by sitting back and letting the government ...

David1955 comments on Dec 16, 2020:

A better example would be Wall Street, and their class. The US Government looks after them really well. Always happy and prosperous, no matter what they do. Huh?

Trump lawyers switch gears, claim fraud is 'undetectable'

David1955 comments on Dec 14, 2020:

So, like God, then. Just a matter of faith I guess.

Trump Calls Supreme Court A 'Disgrace', Says He Got 'Screwed' In Deranged Meltdown

David1955 comments on Dec 12, 2020:

Wait a minute. They were his best buddies last week, or so he inferred. A wannabe dictator's lot is not a happy one, happy one.

Smart move. Biden will have the White House disinfected when Trump leaves. [thehill]

David1955 comments on Dec 11, 2020:

I'd put some rat poison around as well for any rats that haven't jumped the sinking ship.

TIME's 2020 Person of the Year: Joe Biden and Kamala Harris

David1955 comments on Dec 11, 2020:

Trump is going to be sooooooo pissed.

Georgia voter: Jesus is my savior and Trump is my President. Can’t make this stuff up.

David1955 comments on Dec 11, 2020:

I have seen news items with Trump people walking around with T-shirts that say this. If you going to believe in one myth, it's easier to believe in another. I have heard experts on conspiracy theory psychology say that once a person believes in one outlandish unproven myth, it is much easier to believe in a second and a third and so on.

Are we headed for a second Civil War?

David1955 comments on Dec 7, 2020:

A second? The first never really ended, it seems to me.

Rudy Giuliani Tests Positive for Covid-19 Trump announces on Twitter

David1955 comments on Dec 6, 2020:

Oh, I wouldn't worry too much. No doubt he'll get several hundred thousand dollars worth of state of the art medical care, like all Trump's buddies, and be back righty-right as rain. Just wait and see.

I'm conducting a survey to look into the possibility of a link between negative childhood ...

David1955 comments on Dec 6, 2020:

I don't see how any of these questions might show a link between negative childhood experiences and atheism. And are you suggesting a causal link between the two? One might also suggest a link between a happy childhood and atheism as well, but again unless the link is causal i don't any point. An example of a causal link between childhood and religion seems more likely. For example, children raised in a particular religion grow up to follow that religion, so the link is between childhood experience and religion. That one is pretty obvious.

"There have been at least 500 veteran suicides in Australia since the start of the Afghanistan war ...

David1955 comments on Dec 5, 2020:

We keep trailing behind America like a lap dog into one disastrous unnecessary war after another, but in the end it's the military people and innocents who pay the price. When Vietnam veterans came back with high psychological problems, they tried to blame it in part on anti Vietnam war people because the veterans, they said, didn't feel their sacrifice was appreciated. Of course, it was our fault, not brain dead America and our ass kissing politicians pursuing a false fabricated war. Well, with this unnecessary Yankee war folly in Afghanistan no one these days dare criticise the military heroes, else all political parties and Murdoch's media will pounce with venom. Yet, the same issues with returning military personnel arise. Whip them up with patriotism and send them off, and bring them back broken and damaged -- the usual contempt of wealth and power for the pawns they throw into their imperialist wars to justify military extravagance and their political agenda.

Should the Australian Governor General (Queen's Representative)be immediately dismissed & made to ...

David1955 comments on Dec 5, 2020:

I see a bigger issue here, and it's time we stop glorifying everything to do the Australian military and our military history, and governments and politicians and the media hiding behind this mythologising. Even when in the past stories emerge about corruption and bad practice in the military it gets buried. I'm tired of it. You can't criticise Australian military actions because that's criticising the troops, and the troops are heroes, so if you criticise them you aren't a 'real Australian.'. In post Vietnam war Australia-- i war i protested against, though I was a teenager, there has been an intentional policy of equating patriotism with a uncritical view on the military and our military ventures. I want that to change. Our involvement in Vietnam was ghastly. All of our involvements in aggressive US wars have been ghastly. We should be seeing the bigger picture. This guy is just one small part of all that.

Compounds in green tea, dark chocolate can inhibit covid

David1955 comments on Dec 4, 2020:

Since I drink green tea with jasmine daily, as well as dark chocolate only, I am pleased to hear this.

Just a proposal/suggestion here but, why don't we make things just a little bit more interesting?

David1955 comments on Dec 4, 2020:

Well, as I expect humanity to have occupied the solar system by the time I reach level 9, I'm, well, agnostic about this. (Did I say agnostic? Wash my mouth!). Might I further suggest that when someone reaches level 10 -- probably about the time our sun dies -- they have a nirvanic symbol attached, thus to show they have reached Nirvana and Enlightenment on this site?

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 blackmail and fear are two main ways religions keep control over their gullible flock.

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 longer technically call themselves religious. As an atheist, when someone tells me they are agnostic, I remain wary until I can gauge what they mean by that. A give-away to me is when an agnostic says, 'I'm agnostic but, although, however, etc or some other qualifying conjunction of contrast. The assumption that all agnostics live completely irreligious lives is not one I would make.

Covid-19 Will Deal a Huge Blow to Organized Religion: Many people go to church out of habit.

David1955 comments on Nov 30, 2020:

Yes, some people say this virus will take people back to religion. I don't agree. First, the church habit thing you mentioned it a good point. Second, COVID has been an awful but timely reminder that science and reason solves problems, not imaginary gods and their dickhead sons. Also, religions have not come across well during this crisis, and have looked impotent, in my opinion. Third, the future of religions depends on the young, not the old. Younger cohorts were already secularizing, and I think the virus tragedy will reinforce that. Personally, I'm looking forward to hard data on this subject in the future. We will just have to wait and see.

The poor conservatives are complaining that they are being abused on agnostic!.

David1955 comments on Nov 30, 2020:

Oh that's been going on since the beginning of the site; snowflake right wingers here hating to have their day ruined by the truth or reality. I shall never forget the time, methinks twas a couple of years ago, when the convenor of the Conservative group here told me I was banned from ever joining that group, which was funny since wild horses and the pale horse and his rider could never drag me anywhere near this cess pool of commie hating gun loving government despising freaksters. Mind you, it does worry Admin here that we aren't nice enough to such folk, though can't see why.

I’m an atheist, but I can’t wait to get back to church

David1955 comments on Nov 28, 2020:

I'd like to ask her exactly how she defined herself as an atheist. These kinds of pseudo religionists in sheep clothing annoy me, though they don't usually refer to themselves as atheists. Atheist is a defiant term in our countries, and from my experience it's more usual for someone to call themselves agnostic but still religion leaning. So, I'm suspicious of her.

If Christians insist on going to church during the pandemic they should accept that it's God's plan ...

David1955 comments on Nov 28, 2020:

Stupid religious is as stupid religious does.

Be still my heart.

David1955 comments on Nov 27, 2020:

Ominous words. He's cooking up something. Why do people underestimate the evil of this man?