David1955's Profile

Is Atheism a belief system?

David1955 comments on Jun 17, 2018:

Atheism takes some faith? Your wordy post is based on false assumptions, which to me as an atheist, means to damn atheism with faint praise. Atheism is an absence of belief in God or Gods *because of total lack of evidence for such a claim.* No leap of faith required. Come back with evidence and ...

David1955 replies on Jun 17, 2018:

@wavemechanic I know all that. These combinations. Nothing new.

Stories like this make me so proud to be a South Australian.

Faithless1 comments on Jun 16, 2018:

"a sacred encounter between a penitent and someone seeking forgiveness and a priest representing Christ" Such. BOLLOCKS.

David1955 replies on Jun 17, 2018:

Theology. You've just gotta love it. It's the study of nothing based on even less.

Internet rules and laws: the top 10, from Godwin to Poe Top of the list is Godwin Law which makes...

David1955 comments on Jun 17, 2018:

Do you feel that you do not yourself transgress Danth's Law on this site, Middle?

David1955 replies on Jun 17, 2018:

@TheMiddleWay no, some of us have to keep your honest. :-)

Internet rules and laws: the top 10, from Godwin to Poe Top of the list is Godwin Law which makes...

David1955 comments on Jun 17, 2018:

Do you feel that you do not yourself transgress Danth's Law on this site, Middle?

David1955 replies on Jun 17, 2018:

@TheMiddleWay Never, huh? You truly are a self-righteous individual. ( I know, I know, you don't care what anything says about you..)

Does anyone feel better now that Trump claims to have "solved the problem" of North Korea?

David1955 comments on Jun 16, 2018:

Read an article today somewhere that captured it perfectly. The title was something like, Time to say it as it is. Trump is a Traitor. It is time to say that. Russia, North Korea, and even China, despite his trade threats -- he's betrayed the US to all of them. Don't know what the real story about ...

David1955 replies on Jun 17, 2018:

@whiskywoman if something like this turns out to be true and proven, then it will make Watergate look like kids stealing candy bars from a corner shop. I do not think the Republican Party would be able to brush it off and move on like they did with Nixon. They, this party, would be guilty of aiding and abetting a traitor and felon. May the right side of history prevail here.

Stories like this make me so proud to be a South Australian.

FrayedBear comments on Jun 16, 2018:

I do not really understand your emoji though if you are proud. However good this legislation may seem to be it really is total hypocrisy in the face of Australian Family Laws, Australian Child Care Laws, and the treatment of children as chattels of wealth and weapons of discrimination in family ...

David1955 replies on Jun 16, 2018:

I'm not proud. It's called sarcasm.

Stories like this make me so proud to be a South Australian.

Rugglesby comments on Jun 15, 2018:

I was just reading it in the news. They consider themselves above the law. Bring out the lions.

David1955 replies on Jun 16, 2018:

Yep, Donald The Trump and the RCC have that in common.

Stories like this make me so proud to be a South Australian.

Palindromeman comments on Jun 15, 2018:

At least you still have Coopers to fall back on :-)

David1955 replies on Jun 16, 2018:

If only I were a drinker...

In a recent post, a member suggested that we Doxx another member of this community because of what ...

David1955 comments on Jun 12, 2018:

Really, Middle, you have got to desist from regarding yourself as the social conscience of this community. How many posts have you had recently about blocking, members treating other members and so on. You're like the James Comey of this community, a touch holier than thou. This is a community of ...

David1955 replies on Jun 14, 2018:

@TheMiddleWay oh, lucky us :-(

Does observation alter an event?

David1955 comments on Jun 14, 2018:

Those quantum mechanics people I think are on to something. I've noticed that the more I look at my humble finances, the more they disappear. Einstein was right: spooky.

David1955 replies on Jun 14, 2018:

@Stacey48 'Tiz to be hoped. :-)

"Humanism is the transformation of this Christian doctrine of salvation into a project of universal ...

jlynn37 comments on Jun 14, 2018:

ALL religions put their god(s) above humans and everything else. Some might have become a little more compassionate toward their fellow humans, but they certainly are not humanists.

David1955 replies on Jun 14, 2018:

@jlynn37 Quite so.

"Humanism is the transformation of this Christian doctrine of salvation into a project of universal ...

jlynn37 comments on Jun 14, 2018:

ALL religions put their god(s) above humans and everything else. Some might have become a little more compassionate toward their fellow humans, but they certainly are not humanists.

David1955 replies on Jun 14, 2018:

@Matias which again shows contradictory religious thinking, as a flawed being cannot be any version of a god, even a little one, unless one believes in flawed gods, which sadly some do. But your point about humanism is questionable: humanism is about values, not a position of superiority above or outside nature, it seems to me. We certainly wouldn't want to assert false equivalency here.

In a recent post, a member suggested that we Doxx another member of this community because of what ...

David1955 comments on Jun 12, 2018:

Really, Middle, you have got to desist from regarding yourself as the social conscience of this community. How many posts have you had recently about blocking, members treating other members and so on. You're like the James Comey of this community, a touch holier than thou. This is a community of ...

David1955 replies on Jun 14, 2018:

@TheMiddleWay My comment was not as black and white as you (typically) characterised. I suggested you might rethink seeing yourself in this role of community conscience on behaviour.

I have just received a reply to my "Greeter" message from a new member @loveintheair.

TheMiddleWay comments on Jun 12, 2018:

Sounds like you are being paranoid and judgmental based on his religious profile. His actual profile has no red flags Until he ACTUALLY does something scammy, I don't find it proper to throw new members up to the community for ridicule, as I see it, simply because they state they are religious ...

David1955 replies on Jun 13, 2018:

Do you think on this one, considering the collective view on this, that maybe, just maybe, you were wrong and it wasn't a case of being a meany to a religious person? Just askin' is all.

In a recent post, a member suggested that we Doxx another member of this community because of what ...

David1955 comments on Jun 12, 2018:

Really, Middle, you have got to desist from regarding yourself as the social conscience of this community. How many posts have you had recently about blocking, members treating other members and so on. You're like the James Comey of this community, a touch holier than thou. This is a community of ...

David1955 replies on Jun 13, 2018:

@poetdi56 Prickly is the word alright, along with hyper-sensitive to feedback.

In a recent post, a member suggested that we Doxx another member of this community because of what ...

David1955 comments on Jun 12, 2018:

Really, Middle, you have got to desist from regarding yourself as the social conscience of this community. How many posts have you had recently about blocking, members treating other members and so on. You're like the James Comey of this community, a touch holier than thou. This is a community of ...

David1955 replies on Jun 13, 2018:

@TheMiddleWay consider it adult to adult feedback.

Did anyone else ever fantasize about creating a community of non-believers?

David1955 comments on Jun 11, 2018:

Why would you include Vincent Bugliosi? I'm not aware of any secular views of his. I am aware very much of his legal clean up work for the US Establishment, specifically the Robert Kennedy assassination, and his Manson Trial tale of deflection and misdirection that he maintained right up to his ...

David1955 replies on Jun 12, 2018:

@RobLawrence interesting, thanks. Now I think of it I do recall that he was not religious. Well, everyone has a secret. Great prosecutor, but his record is much questioned, especially on Kennedy and on the cover story he spun on Manson. I don't say Manson wasn't guilty; a more evil creature has never existed. But the whole story, well that's something else.

Did anyone else ever fantasize about creating a community of non-believers?

David1955 comments on Jun 11, 2018:

Why would you include Vincent Bugliosi? I'm not aware of any secular views of his. I am aware very much of his legal clean up work for the US Establishment, specifically the Robert Kennedy assassination, and his Manson Trial tale of deflection and misdirection that he maintained right up to his ...

David1955 replies on Jun 12, 2018:

@rainmanjr no, you misunderstand me. I've read everything on the subject. I'm not saying Manson and his cult weren't guilty, for heavens sake. I sign petitions to keep them in prison. But the full context of Manson's connections and some of his main murderers, like Tex Watson, and other aspects of the murders were manipulated by Bugliosi, and those who have looked into it now know about this. His book saw version of the truth, leaving out what the powers that be wanted to keep quiet. He was an Establishment man.

Favourie Bond & Favourite Bond Movie Theme

David1955 comments on Jun 7, 2018:

Forgot to mention before that I find Daniel Craig a sullen humourless Bond and I wish he would move on. The last Bond movie he phoned in, in my opinion. Poor movie. Christophe W waisted talent, Monica B a Bond quickie, and a poorly edited effort. Another Craig Bond would be a mistake. They do that, ...

David1955 replies on Jun 12, 2018:

@Spinliesel Your "smouldering" is my "sullen and humorless" with respect to DC, but you're right, being a completely heterosexual male probably means I don't get him. On the other hand I get the appeal of Connery, and would like to have some that cool quality, but Mr Craig, er, no thanks.

Did anyone else ever fantasize about creating a community of non-believers?

David1955 comments on Jun 11, 2018:

Why would you include Vincent Bugliosi? I'm not aware of any secular views of his. I am aware very much of his legal clean up work for the US Establishment, specifically the Robert Kennedy assassination, and his Manson Trial tale of deflection and misdirection that he maintained right up to his ...

David1955 replies on Jun 11, 2018:

@RobLawrence in return I'll check about any connection to agnosticism. I've never heard that. You should know that more and more people consider his book Helter Skelter on the Manson murders ( he was lead prosecutor ) to be as much fiction as real. Hardly a work of truth.

Did anyone else ever fantasize about creating a community of non-believers?

birdingnut comments on Jun 10, 2018:

OR, just move to Thailand. Or Japan. Or Canada. Or Australia. The US seems to be unique in being aggressively "Christian."

David1955 replies on Jun 11, 2018:

@birdingnut I meant traditional Thai massage, generally a few hundred baht, in respectable places where that is provided. One to two hours on my bad back does it the world of good. I miss it. Therapeutic massage here is too expensive. I know and agree with you about the sex trade there.

Did anyone else ever fantasize about creating a community of non-believers?

birdingnut comments on Jun 10, 2018:

OR, just move to Thailand. Or Japan. Or Canada. Or Australia. The US seems to be unique in being aggressively "Christian."

David1955 replies on Jun 11, 2018:

Yeah, I thought of Thailand, especially reasonably priced massage. No gods, just Bhuddas, thankfully. You should know that national religion here in Australia is worship of the US. No heretics allowed.

T-1000 pts and counting to L8 rapture. That is all. :D

David1955 comments on Jun 10, 2018:

I am surprised at you Middle, that you would be motivated by such things as points and levels (and shirts.) I honestly thought you beat to a higher drum. So, you're mortal after all. Well I'll be. :-)

David1955 replies on Jun 10, 2018:

@TheMiddleWay But the bigger worry is, how can you be sure that your shirt, when it arrives, actually exists? What evidence can be trusted that it has arrived, or that you are wearing it? What do you have, only sensory data. Nothing objective. I expect you to be as agnostic about the existence of the shirt as anything else, including your mortality. How could you ever be truly sure of the shirt's existence? That's right, you can't. (Hope this won't keep you up nights) :-)

Mr Bourdain.

KKGator comments on Jun 9, 2018:

I absolutely agree with the first part of your post. Celebrity status means nothing. I disagree about having wealth making any difference. Money doesn't matter to personal demons. Wealthy people, who have succumbed to their thoughts of ending their lives, *have* used their wealth to help others,...

David1955 replies on Jun 9, 2018:

I see your point. I'm influenced by my knowledge of people who do take their own lives because of financial reasons, unemployment, debt, financial ruin and alike. It happens a lot. Money would literally save them. For me, those of wealth who take their own lives, excluding other factors like illness, seem particularly sad as they have the means to change their circumstances that many others do not and would wish to have. But I do accept that complex psychology applies here.

The Atheist movement has changed since the days of Christopher Hitchens (hallowed be his name).

Novelty comments on Jun 9, 2018:

Christopher Hitchens was an arrogant dick, I hated his politics, especially his support for the invasion of Afghanistan and the world is better off now that he's gone. I mostly agreed with his views about religion but I found his knowledge on the subject to be fragmented and in many cases ...

David1955 replies on Jun 9, 2018:

I am in agreement. I liked some of his contribution to the movement, but his intellectualism veered to intellectual snobbery and condescension and arrogance. His politics were far too right for me. During the so-called war on terrorism wars he was a favourite on our national broadcaster, the ABC, which is like the BBC, broadly, and his attacks on the Left, on critics of Bush or those wars, were withering. I grew to dislike him. He redeemed himself a little in his atheism contribution, but never did he acknowledge his apologist rants of that time were simply wrong. I'm sorry he has passed away, but he's no role model for me.

And some wonder why many of us loathe Christianity How Christians Destroyed the Ancient World ...

DavidLaDeau comments on Jun 9, 2018:

we had the Dark ages begin just before the Christians took over. It was estimated by Carl Segan that we lost 1000 years of science due to Chrisians destroying all documents that were not specifically Christian.

David1955 replies on Jun 9, 2018:

When I think about Christian destruction of early knowledge it just makes me feel like weeping. Those Dan Brown type novels about the 'lost knowledge of the ancients' that new age wankers go on about make me laugh. There's lost knowledge alright, but not lost spiritual clap-trap 'knowledge' but rather real history, science, and cultural texts, destroyed by faith- based believer zealots. Don't know why I'm tell you gentlemen this, as I'm sure you know as well if not better than me. Maybe it's nice to be in the company of others who know this. Most Christians know two-fifths of five-eights of sweet F- ALL about any of it. @TheAstroChuck

Favourie Bond & Favourite Bond Movie Theme

David1955 comments on Jun 7, 2018:

Forgot to mention before that I find Daniel Craig a sullen humourless Bond and I wish he would move on. The last Bond movie he phoned in, in my opinion. Poor movie. Christophe W waisted talent, Monica B a Bond quickie, and a poorly edited effort. Another Craig Bond would be a mistake. They do that, ...

David1955 replies on Jun 8, 2018:

@Hitchens I would agree on all those points.

Favourie Bond & Favourite Bond Movie Theme

David1955 comments on Jun 7, 2018:

Forgot to mention before that I find Daniel Craig a sullen humourless Bond and I wish he would move on. The last Bond movie he phoned in, in my opinion. Poor movie. Christophe W waisted talent, Monica B a Bond quickie, and a poorly edited effort. Another Craig Bond would be a mistake. They do that, ...

David1955 replies on Jun 7, 2018:

@Hitchens yeah, good question. I heard that about Hardy. He's a fine actor. There was talk about Tom Hiddleston as well. I think he was cool on it. I really don't know. It's a tough fill. Likely they will make one more with Craig, so the issue will be delayed now for several years.

Favourie Bond & Favourite Bond Movie Theme

KissedbySun comments on Jun 7, 2018:

My fave Bond movie and song from all time is "The Spy Who Loved Me". I dislike Connery. I probably like Daniel Craig best as Bond.

David1955 replies on Jun 7, 2018:

Spy Who Loved Me was Roger Moore's personal favourite and his proudest. I agree totally.

What are your top 3 current favorite TV shows?

Carin comments on Jun 6, 2018:

I like Humans, Dark Matter, & Last Week Tonight. Tosh.0 can be fun too.

David1955 replies on Jun 7, 2018:

They cancelled Dark Matter, which I really liked, and I hate them for it.

This site's gender profile.

mtnhome comments on Jun 5, 2018:

I suggest the Admin start eliminating most of the males. Start with the ones who complain about a free, no-ad site not being to their exact likes. I'm pretty sure it's not the lady's job to go out and bring in more gals. ;-)

David1955 replies on Jun 5, 2018:

If that slight was directed to me, you rather missed the point. There was no criticism of the site intended, directly or indirectly, certainly no complaint, and no mention about it not being to my "exact likes", thank you. I've been on the site since last year. No one is more appreciative of this site than I am. The question of gender balance on this site is a legitimate issue about the site. It has nothing to with a complaint. It occurred to me that woman do network well and sharing about the site might be relevant. But it was a general suggestion, I was more interested in the views of others. I have never supported the idea of a "dislike" button on comments, but I can say that had there been one I would have clicked it about your comment.

What is probably one of the most stupidest superstitions you’ve ever heard?

TheMiddleWay comments on Jun 4, 2018:

To me it's a toss up between the belief that gods exists and the belief that they don't.

David1955 replies on Jun 4, 2018:

I'm sorry, theological gambling is forbidden. :-)

So, it's official: The great country of the USA has fallen under an autocrat.

Jolanta comments on Jun 4, 2018:

I have my doubts, after all there is not so much difference between the democrats and the republicans. Both serve wall street and big business.

David1955 replies on Jun 4, 2018:

@OldDave Perhaps you misunderstood my meaning of 'beyond reform'. I meant irredeemable, corrupt and self interested that nothing could be done to return them to respectability.

So, it's official: The great country of the USA has fallen under an autocrat.

Varn comments on Jun 4, 2018:

We will survive, but significantly damaged. If the US House of Representatives and the US Senate remain in **Republican hands**, the deviant representatives of religious & industrial control, things will get far worse. It’s not as if a good man were shot and another man has stepped up; we’ve a ...

David1955 replies on Jun 4, 2018:

I think a lot of your past leaders would be spinning in their graves over Trump. Even Nixon, despite his flaws and actions, at the end put his country ahead of his own interest and showed some dignity in his exit. You can expect no such thing from this character. I still think he's the Manchurian Candidate, or rather Siberian Candidate. Francis Albert Sinatra would be spinning too.

So, it's official: The great country of the USA has fallen under an autocrat.

kensmile4u comments on Jun 4, 2018:

I think we will need to take a majority in the House and the Senate. If that doesn't happen we are in for some difficulty. As a student of American history you know that presidents don't unveil their most controversial plans for change until after the midterms. That means we have not seen his most ...

David1955 replies on Jun 4, 2018:

I don't normally pray, but in this case with these elections an exception might apply..

So, it's official: The great country of the USA has fallen under an autocrat.

Jolanta comments on Jun 4, 2018:

I have my doubts, after all there is not so much difference between the democrats and the republicans. Both serve wall street and big business.

David1955 replies on Jun 4, 2018:

Yes, your political parties are in need of reform, especially the Democrats. The Republicans are beyond reform now.

So, it's official: The great country of the USA has fallen under an autocrat.

Novelty comments on Jun 4, 2018:

Do I think America is resilient enough? We have a few decades at most before Earth starts turning into the solar systems next Venus, so it doesn't matter if America is resilient enough or not. We are facing the greatest extinction Earth has faced in six hundred and fifty million years and almost ...

David1955 replies on Jun 4, 2018:

A grim assessment, but quite possibly right, looking at the bigger picture. I also fear that Trump is a symptom of the decline of America, a product of evolving 21 Century capitalism which is leaving the US behind, and an emerging world order that the US doesn't understand because it is looking backwards in order to see what is coming. It needs to reform and update its national 'software'. It seems capable of neither. Watching the US be treated like a chump by China, Russia and even the North Koreans, is a sad thing to see.

The video credited to me becoming an agnostic: [youtu.be] What are your thoughts?

JustKip comments on Jun 3, 2018:

Didn't watch the video, but the existence of gods would require knowledge equal to gods. Humans would need to *completely* understand the universe to determine if any gods exist.

David1955 replies on Jun 3, 2018:

@JustKip No, no way. This is just new age word speak, sorry. An IF conditional based on a metaphysical realm that is unproven ( total absence of evidence) and then linked in a result clause to the known physical universe. You are welcome to it, but I buy neither old age religions not new age ones, however thinly disguised. We must therefore agree to disagree.

The video credited to me becoming an agnostic: [youtu.be] What are your thoughts?

JustKip comments on Jun 3, 2018:

Didn't watch the video, but the existence of gods would require knowledge equal to gods. Humans would need to *completely* understand the universe to determine if any gods exist.

David1955 replies on Jun 3, 2018:

Big call. You have to understand the physical universe before you can determine if Gods exist in the metaphysical.. Hmmmm. So Gods can't make themselves known to us. Well, I sure as hell can't see why not. They are Gods, after all. I'm afraid I don't accept your assumptions. I'm an atheist. I say there is no evidence for any God. But I am not going to say that Gods are unknowable to us. That's just as assumption.

Americans may think that Russia interferes with their internal affairs.

Faithless1 comments on Jun 3, 2018:

dubious Chinese connections with the right wing as well

David1955 replies on Jun 3, 2018:

Yeah, let's not forget that autocratic regimes are happy to interfere on any side of politics that furthers their interests.

I used to enjoy dystopic books, TV, movies.

LiterateHiker comments on Jun 3, 2018:

Call the Midwife Slumdog Millionaires Little Miss Sunshine Moonstruck Up As Good As It Gets A Few Good Men Jerry MacGuire Hidden Figures Moonlight The Big Chill Gandhi Beaches The Full Monty Bringing Down the House Waking Ned Devine When Harry Met Sally My Cousin Vinny The Birdcage...

David1955 replies on Jun 3, 2018:

"What do you want to talk about now Danny, my favourite colour?" Jack N, AFGM :-)

I used to enjoy dystopic books, TV, movies.

Karnaph comments on Jun 2, 2018:

It is difficult to create drama when everything is la-di-da awesome. You need things to go to shit in order to be able to fix them. And of course, in case of ongoing shows, the writers aren't allowed to fix anything - things have to spiral out just enough, and in the right way, to enable the ...

David1955 replies on Jun 3, 2018:

That's true, but struggle against adversity with hope and idealism is the core idea of drama. But increasingly it's futuristic struggle against adversity, all hope gone, and what the hell is idealism? That's the theme of dystopian drama now, and it's intentional.

Does anyone agree, that our country is being torn apart

NotConvinced comments on May 31, 2018:

Lol, the two party system has had us divided for a long time. The problem is the left is becoming more militant.

David1955 replies on Jun 2, 2018:

@NotConvinced I thought this post was about the USA, not this site.

This site's gender profile.

birdingnut comments on Jun 1, 2018:

According to the American Religious Identification Survey, men currently make up 58% of Americans who claim “no religion,” 70% of Americans who self-identify as atheist, and 75% of those who self identify as agnostic. The Pew Forum’s Religious Landscape national survey found that 86% of ...

David1955 replies on Jun 2, 2018:

Yes, I've read these figures and research too. I guess I just expected that this site in particular would attract a more equal membership of women. Hopefully in time.

This site's gender profile.

AmiiWyoming comments on Jun 1, 2018:

There may also be cases of not outting themselves for fear of being harassed, as online communities are not known for being woman- friendly in general.

David1955 replies on Jun 2, 2018:

I would hope that's not the case here, given the 'rules' of membership about behaviour.

This site's gender profile.

JustKip comments on Jun 2, 2018:

There doesn't seem to be twice as many men actually posting. I suspect there may be many who are just surfing profiles and sending private messages.

David1955 replies on Jun 2, 2018:

Yeah, I wondered about that too. Gender numbers compared with posting and comment frequency. It's the difference between membership and active participation. Based on my reading of posts and comments, female participation seems high to me, which is good. Don't know what the figures on this might be.

Conservative and Libertarian Athiests

David1955 comments on May 31, 2018:

For me, atheism and progressive political, social and economic agenda are inextricably linked. I ask, if one's atheism is rooted in a belief in science, reason and evidence based values and humanism, then how can one accept a society of gross economic inequality, tolerance of prejudice and ...

David1955 replies on Jun 1, 2018:

@Adamct Free Market?! No such thing exists, except in theory in Adam Smith's Wealth of Nations. Modern global oligarchies which run the world certainly don't believe in it. With all due respect to you, wake up and smell the modern oligarchic world. @Kojaksmom

Conservative and Libertarian Athiests

David1955 comments on May 31, 2018:

For me, atheism and progressive political, social and economic agenda are inextricably linked. I ask, if one's atheism is rooted in a belief in science, reason and evidence based values and humanism, then how can one accept a society of gross economic inequality, tolerance of prejudice and ...

David1955 replies on Jun 1, 2018:

@Kojaksmom oh yes indeed! If we are going to talk about welfare, in your country and mine, lets by all means include corporate welfare, the lurks, perks, subsidies, tax breaks, offsets, and much more, by which the well-off soak off the public purse. Their puppet political parties on the right and even on the so-called left are there to keep it all in place. @Adamct

Does anyone agree, that our country is being torn apart

NotConvinced comments on May 31, 2018:

Lol, the two party system has had us divided for a long time. The problem is the left is becoming more militant.

David1955 replies on Jun 1, 2018:

@NotConvinced @Varn @johns56 . I don't suppose, @NotConvinced , we could trouble you for an argument or explanation about the left becoming "more militant" could we?

Does anyone agree, that our country is being torn apart

Compassion8doubt comments on May 31, 2018:

You know, in 2008 when Obama was elected, I felt such a rush of hopefulness....in 2016 when that asshole was elected, I felt like I had woken-up in a MadMax film...and I don't think many of us feel we know what the answer is. It's horribly disturbing.

David1955 replies on Jun 1, 2018:

Obama's failure to follow through with a real reform agenda certainly contributed to the events of 2016. Though the antecedents to the Trump nightmare are many, I have no doubt that Obama's exploitation of a change agenda, while having neither the courage nor the real will to deliver it, will be recorded in history as an important factor. Sometimes I think Obama actually wanted Trump to will. He didn't want Hilary to outshine him, and he thought Trump would make him look good looking back. Instead, Trump has destroyed what little he did achieve. In the end he was the first black President, and that was wonderful, but there's little else. Even the improvement in the economy I think had more to do with cycles and momentum, and not much with him.

Does anyone agree, that our country is being torn apart

NotConvinced comments on May 31, 2018:

Lol, the two party system has had us divided for a long time. The problem is the left is becoming more militant.

David1955 replies on Jun 1, 2018:

The Left is becoming more militant?!!! Have you by any chance watched the current right wing train wreck in your country called The Trump Presidency?

Conservative and Libertarian Athiests

David1955 comments on May 31, 2018:

For me, atheism and progressive political, social and economic agenda are inextricably linked. I ask, if one's atheism is rooted in a belief in science, reason and evidence based values and humanism, then how can one accept a society of gross economic inequality, tolerance of prejudice and ...

David1955 replies on Jun 1, 2018:

@Adamct do you think we might think more broadly, structurally, and systemically here about socio-economics than just the usual right wing hobby horses like welfare laziness or dependence? And anyway, what is the key issue here - welfare or low hourly hour wage rates, which in the US is known globally as endemic?

Conservative and Libertarian Athiests

DZhukovin comments on May 31, 2018:

I was all over the political spectrum. I have been a very firm Radical Centrist for four years now, to the tune of the American Centrist Project. I seriously question the validity of most laws and would like to see conservations and improvements in certain aspects of our civilization in the US. I...

David1955 replies on May 31, 2018:

@Adamct and what does the word radical mean here? The two words cancel each other out.

Conservative and Libertarian Athiests

clarkatticus comments on May 31, 2018:

Two things cannot occupy the same space, conservative right wing and atheism. One requires the total obedience of religion and the other requires intelligence. I do not believe you have thought this out. For instance, do you believe children should be separated for their mothers? Are you a racist? ...

David1955 replies on May 31, 2018:

@Fins I think he's described the caricature that conservatism has become, what extreme elements have allowed it to become. It's not conservatism at all really. Conservatism seeks to protect values and institutions. Modern so called conservatives will trample over anything to enrich the pockets of elites who rule their political parties.

James Bond

Ellatynemouth comments on May 31, 2018:

I will be a lone voice here. I can't bear James Bond films. Sorry. Misogynistic man travels around world embroiled in over the top, unbelievable story lines, often infused with the subtle scent of racism and colonialism - shagging and discarding various women along the way (who's only purpose is...

David1955 replies on May 31, 2018:

Bond is a bit of an anachronism these days, it has to be said. I believe that Daniel Craig has had some issues about Bond, with the character's kill the bad guys, seduce the women, too bad if they die too, and generally sail on leaving wreckage behind him attitude. It's like the technical world for Bond has evolved over the past 50 years, but his social behaviour is still early 60s. We guys love Bond, but he's a relic now for sure.

I never understood, even when I was an Evangelical, how christians loved warmongers and ...

PowertoDoNothing comments on May 31, 2018:

It's just cherrypicking as usual. The Bible can be warped to suit almost anyone's needs, when almost everything is left up to "interpretation." I see cherry-picking happen with Christians a lot when they know that something in the Bible is stupid, so they wave it away with the phrase "well, you're ...

David1955 replies on May 31, 2018:

Yes, and the bible is so diverse and contradictory that just about anything can be supported with a quote from the bible.

Anyone seen Star Trek Voyager Episode 8 "Emanations"?

NerdyOkieDude comments on May 30, 2018:

I’ve seen every episode of every series (including the animated series) at least once, and many several times; and each of the movies. Star Trek became a bit too apologetic for religion generally after DS9 and into Voyager, including “Ascension” and the entire Borg “perfection” b.s.

David1955 replies on May 30, 2018:

@NerdyOkieDude Agreed. Roddenberry didn't use the term atheist I think because of the negative view people have to it in the US, now as then. What I love about ST TOS 66-69 is that there was not a hint of mystical nonsense in it. It very much reflected his ideal of a 23rd century secular world. Things like Spock's mind meld for example wasn't mystical, but brain functions that were beyond our knowledge. In Who Cries for Adonais, S2, Roddenberry's take on religion is very clear. "Mankind has no need of Gods" Kirk exclaims. They forced Roddenberry to add "we find just one sufficient" but he fought against it mightily and they over ruled him, and Shatner threw the line away anyway. My point is that sadly after his time the writers added mystical and pseudo religious crap into story lines of ST and I've never liked it and always thought it was a betrayal of the original vision.

Are you a friendly or unfriendly, atheist or theist?

David1955 comments on May 26, 2018:

What didn't you as a proclaimed agnostic asked this about agnostics or non believers generally? Or are agnostics by definition always friendly, so the question doesn't apply.

David1955 replies on May 28, 2018:

@TheMiddleWay :-)

Are you a friendly or unfriendly, atheist or theist?

David1955 comments on May 26, 2018:

What didn't you as a proclaimed agnostic asked this about agnostics or non believers generally? Or are agnostics by definition always friendly, so the question doesn't apply.

David1955 replies on May 28, 2018:

@TheMiddleWay you are definitely an odd individual.

Who created God?

Beatnik comments on May 27, 2018:

"God is a concept by which we measure our pain".

David1955 replies on May 28, 2018:

Ahh. A favourite Lennon quote.

I just turned up - hello!

David1955 comments on May 27, 2018:

Welcome from Adelaide. The more Australians the better.

David1955 replies on May 28, 2018:

@Palindromeman it's my hope that over time the membership will become as global as possible, no disrespect intended to our US brothers and sisters.

Are you a friendly or unfriendly, atheist or theist?

David1955 comments on May 26, 2018:

What didn't you as a proclaimed agnostic asked this about agnostics or non believers generally? Or are agnostics by definition always friendly, so the question doesn't apply.

David1955 replies on May 28, 2018:

@TheMiddleWay no, the false equivalence was yours, and I was pointing it out, you missed the point, again. Now you're speaking "for the site" ? Well, why not, middle, or whatever your name is.

Are you a friendly or unfriendly, atheist or theist?

David1955 comments on May 26, 2018:

What didn't you as a proclaimed agnostic asked this about agnostics or non believers generally? Or are agnostics by definition always friendly, so the question doesn't apply.

David1955 replies on May 27, 2018:

@TheMiddleWay you are impossible to deal with. @NotConvinced is right about you and straw man arguments. Look at below: "... yet you said, ""Why would an avowed agnostic who thinks atheism is arguably irrational post on this about atheism? "" As I am "the avowed agnostic who posted on this", clearly you did paint me as an unfriendly atheist, as one who stated atheism was irrational (something I've never done)." So, avowed agnostic = irrational atheist. That's in your mind. Your extraction. I simply asked you if your statement " the agnostic could make the claim that atheism and theism, are irrational..." was your view as an agnostic, but you are evasive about it. I also previously stated that, OK, perhaps that isn't your view, but asked why did you state it. You reply by huffing and puffing about being painted as an unfriendly atheist. And just for the record, I don't think you are an unfriendly atheist. I think you are so residually scared of your God that your intellectual mind can longer accept as true but your emotional mind can't let go of, you wouldn't dare call yourself anything but an agnostic. And no I don't have to ask you a million questions to determine that, as reading your stuff over months (like your ramble yesterday that faith equals personal 'evidence' ) reveals all. You're not the first residue religious agnostic I've encountered in my life. But you are one of the most self righteous.

Six months on the site.

Reni comments on May 27, 2018:

I'm very new to this site. I have not yet posted anything, just navigating the lay of the land ? Thank you for sharing your experience it was very enlightening. In my daily life ,due to my work, I'm constantly talking with people. Mostly I have very little in common with these people. As a one time ...

David1955 replies on May 27, 2018:

You've definitely found the right place. There are some religious and I would say pseudo religious folk here, but the great bulk of us, differences aside, are on the same page. Look forward to your contributions.

What would you say to the religiously delusional if the earth was going to be wiped out?

Krypto-Knight comments on May 26, 2018:

Rogue commit heading for Earth, and Bruce Willis doesn't save us? No, no I'm not buying it In Diehard we trust.

David1955 replies on May 27, 2018:

@Krypto-Knight LOL ?

What would you say to the religiously delusional if the earth was going to be wiped out?

Krypto-Knight comments on May 26, 2018:

Rogue commit heading for Earth, and Bruce Willis doesn't save us? No, no I'm not buying it In Diehard we trust.

David1955 replies on May 27, 2018:

@Krypto-Knight now that's a stretch, yes sir, a real stretch.

Are you a friendly or unfriendly, atheist or theist?

David1955 comments on May 26, 2018:

What didn't you as a proclaimed agnostic asked this about agnostics or non believers generally? Or are agnostics by definition always friendly, so the question doesn't apply.

David1955 replies on May 27, 2018:

@TheMiddleWay I've never assumed you were an unfriendly atheist. Never said so. I do strong think you are an ambiguous agnostic. I did refer to your reference about atheism being irrational, and I still don't know if your "the agnostic could claim .....irrational " statement applies to you. As to your agenda your antipathy towards the atheist position is quite clear, you come at it from different ways, though I know you'll reply in the negative. You play clever word tricks in your posts, "The agnostic could claim..." for example, but I'm not fooled by them.

🤔 Philosophy of religion must end because there is no truth in religion.

TheMiddleWay comments on May 26, 2018:

Philosophy isn't only about truth; it's about lies as well. Example: the liar paradox. Religion is based on evidence; personal evidence. Example: I prayed and I got better. Faith is not the anti-thesis of intellectual virtue; lying and cheating are. Example: Claiming that you are an expert...