David1955's Profile

What is your favorite cartoon show?

David1955 comments on Jan 31, 2018:

The Jetsons! Still my favourite. I wanted to live in a Jetsons future as a kid. Still do. Flying cars that fold up into suitcases; houses the go high above the weather at a push of a button; robots that do everything and talk in weird ways; dogs that talk, sort of, holidays on Saturn, and a job at Spacely Sprockets. Instead what have we got? A wrecked planet, a ruling class of 1% who have most of the wealth and all of the power, crazy freecking religionists who want to go back to the Dark Ages, and Donald "The Manchurian Candidate" Trump. What a bloody disappointment! By the way, my second choice would be "The Thunderbirds" but technically they were puppets not cartoons. Had a big crush on Lady Penelope as a kid, but that's another story...

I just shared with a friend of 35 yr, that I am on Agnostic.

David1955 comments on Jan 31, 2018:

Oops! As Arnold might say, "She'll be back!" It is funny how people react though about religion. My older brother and I were atheists when much younger, and we were close. Then he got religion. We're not close anymore. There's more than just religion involved, but it's relevant certainly. But you gotta be what you are, I say.

What ever happened to Xtians being nice, caring, and loving?

David1955 comments on Jan 31, 2018:

I wanted to make the point that there are Christians and then again there are Christians. What I mean is there are certainly Christians who totally buy into their mythology, and along with that goes the political conservatism, the social conservatism moralising, all of which I detest. Exactly why this religion is synonymous with these ideas, given that their historical figure was supposed to be a zealot, a system challenger, and a radical figure is truly baffling to me. But I do know and have met Christians who are good people and not reactionaries. What I have found is they don't really buy the whole Jesus story, not really; instead they sort of connect to relatively modern Christian notion of Christian love and brotherhood, and all that stuff. For many it's quite genuine. What I think is they are humanists with a Christian face, not realising that for most of its appalling history Christianity hasn't stood for any of these things. This is post Enlightenment Christianity, liberalised Christianity made over by modern humanist values. Unfortunately they continue to make up the numbers of so called counted Christians, and they are often oblivious to the crap their religions do. I meet people like this and I want to tell them that I think they're good people, but please drop the Jesus BS that they don't really believe, and connect to those promoting secular tolerance and progressive thinking. What they hang on to is the notion that Christian equates to "a good person"; they don't really believe in Jesus, they just want to thought of as "good". I actually feel sorry for these Christians; I think they are deluded.

What ever happened to Xtians being nice, caring, and loving?

David1955 comments on Jan 31, 2018:

"Xtians being nice, caring and loving?" When was this then? I must have missed it. Probably dozed off. :-)

How much time per day/week do you spend exercising or engaging in some form of fitness?

David1955 comments on Jan 30, 2018:

Up in the morning 5-6 times a week for 2 1/2 hour power walk and jog, and also some push ups. Hot or cold does nor deter me. Even rain, unless it is a big storm. You just gotta do something.

How many of you have exited from a cult?

David1955 comments on Jan 30, 2018:

Yes, Catholicism. Well, it's just a bigger cult is all!

Atheists Are Brainwashed By The Scientific Method

David1955 comments on Jan 30, 2018:

Damn, I wish I had found this and added it to my "Dumb Religious Stories" series. Well, if you have to be brainwashed by something it might as well be science. It's a recurring religious theme that non believers "think too much".

Were you the popular type in high school or more the keep to yourself type?

David1955 comments on Jan 30, 2018:

Dork, definitely not one of the cool guys, high points few, and as for popularity with the girls, well let's not go there. But even then I'd take religious kids on, even a Reverend Jonnie or two in debate. Guess the dye was cast.

Why are Christians being marginalized in America?

David1955 comments on Jan 30, 2018:

Truth is, despite their bleatings, White Christians still have a stranglehold on America, politics, finance and business. White Christian complaints in the US are hypocrisy as an art form. The racial mix is changing and underclass challenge is evident, but to call that marginalised is absurd. Essentially they are anti modernists. I don't have to be in America or come from America to know this is true. Even your progressive politicians and movements affirm this.

What are the easiest and best ways to be atheist activists. What have you done?

David1955 comments on Jan 30, 2018:

It's a good question. I feel bad that I can't do more, that I don't have the means and profile to do more. Where I am there's not much in terms of groups and associations, like there are in the US. It's something I think about, wishing to do more to promote atheism and challenge religion. I almost feel guilty I can't do more. That's why I admire the prominent atheist activists and all they do.

Any Dr Who fans?

David1955 comments on Jan 30, 2018:

I used to be, going back the great days of Tom Baker and even before that. It's gotten too silly and politically correct for me. I thought I'd like the last guy and though he's a great actor I just couldn't maintain interest. Now he's going to be a woman. I mean really? They had women Time Lords back in the 70s and that was great, but no he's got to be a woman now. Pass.

I was told by a Christian that atheist stay stressed cause they always doing research on everything.

David1955 comments on Jan 29, 2018:

Ah yes, ignorance is bliss. The old religionist argument: don't ask too many questions, don't question too much, just believe. Just like in the Dark Ages. Dark Ages thinking, you just can't beat it. :-)

Most atheists/agnostics started out being raised into some religion they didn't buy into.

David1955 comments on Jan 29, 2018:

Catholic, but it ran off me like water off a duck's back. By 14 I was reading books about Christian history and historical Jesus. Never looked back.

Hello everyone.

David1955 comments on Jan 29, 2018:

What dark side? Religion is on the dark side. (Post EnLIGHTenment side).

Is being forceful with ones' disbelief of religion any better than someone trying to convert one to ...

David1955 comments on Jan 29, 2018:

This question is somewhat loaded, with an assumption that atheists are forceful about their non belief in religion. It reminds of something R.Dawkins said once that if you're clear, confident and articulate about your atheism then you're labelled hostile and militant, simply for that. Comparing confident assertive atheists or non-believers with religious prosthetisers would be a false equivalent. Religious converters look for receptive hosts to impart their meme. It's a form self confirmation, and they do it actively, if they can. Non believers here speak freely about they feel about religion, but in the physical world don't go around, I strong suspect, looking for believers to convert to atheism or agnosticism. What we do, though, is confront religious assertions openly, challenge religionist claims confidently, and criticise religious theology and practise unapologetically. Some obviously more stridently than others. That does not, from my experience, involve attempting to convert others. It doesn't work like that.

A lot of angry and/or uneducated atheists around here...

David1955 comments on Jan 29, 2018:

Sometimes people say what I think so well, I don't need to repeat it, like here. I don't think your Dr Phil effort is needed here. This is no longer the 20th Century; things have changed;

Whats your opinion of the Bible?

David1955 comments on Jan 29, 2018:

Good source for making preposterous movies with grandiose background music, serious talking people, ponderous narrators, and donkeys, as well as blond haired blue-eyed heroes;

How do you feel about Christians?

David1955 comments on Jan 29, 2018:

You can't hate a people as a group. I know and have known many great Christian people. Also some truly awful Christians. I don't like Christianity, and make no apology for that. Appalling history and a death cult. I don't need to go into any more detail than that.

How many folks here know who this is, and/or remember his presidency?

David1955 comments on Jan 28, 2018:

Did the poster seriously think that people wouldn't at least remember JFK if for no other reason than the recurring issue of the assassination? I'm sure not. As for personally remembering him, well that is a generation related question. I was 8 in 1963. I remember the shock of that time, generally anyway.

When creating a profile, you are asked to choose your likes in order to compare them to others.

David1955 comments on Jan 28, 2018:

Yes, I left it out for a similar reason to the poster's.

How I became a Fundamentalist extremist in my childhood, its affects, and how I got out.

David1955 comments on Jan 28, 2018:

Great piece. Now, if you feel a relapse coming on, you'd better go to AA (Atheists Anonymous) :-) I guess that's here. Seriously though, I found your explanation about why you changed interesting, bible studies and other things mixed in, but not one big transforming event. That's probably typical. People I have met who have renounced religion usually say it was a process not a big I saw the light event.

Is being an atheist important?

David1955 comments on Jan 28, 2018:

I don't go around shouting it, but in any relevant situation I'll certainly let it known. I am clear about that, and I'll tolerate no nonsense from religionists.

I upset several devout Christians this afternoon.

David1955 comments on Jan 28, 2018:

I always think if you upset some devout Christians, then the day hasn't been a complete loss. :-)

Do you believe in aliens?

David1955 comments on Jan 28, 2018:

I believe in the possibility of alien life, given the size of the universe and its age of 13.7 billion years, but the belief in actual aliens will depend on clear proof of their existence.

I want to thank everybody in this huge crowd for elevating me to the best level, Level 7.

David1955 comments on Jan 28, 2018:

Well, don't let it go to your head, young man. :-) When I reach level 7 I'm going to go out and get drunk. Oh, wait, I don't drink. Well, a latte with caramel flavour then.

To those who were raised in a religious household, what made you abandon your family's beliefs?

David1955 comments on Jan 28, 2018:

I rejected religion at an early age. I think it was during the third trimester in my mothers womb. Might have been earlier. :-)

My friend has a trophy wife. I don't think it was 1st place.

David1955 comments on Jan 28, 2018:

Quote from Everybody Loves Raymond TV show. Marie to Frank: "I'm smart you know Frank. I'm not just some trophy wife." Frank to Marie: " Trophy Wife!? What contest in Hell did I win!?" :-)

Do any of you have earnestly religious friends?

David1955 comments on Jan 28, 2018:

At university many years ago my closest friend was a religious person. He was quite brilliant, and won a Rhodes Scholarship. But whenever we talked about religion, it was like I was talking to a different person, like a different part of he mind was in control. I've never forgotten that. In one memorable conversation he almost admitted that himself.

Do you have wanderlust?

David1955 comments on Jan 27, 2018:

Very much so, and I've tried to travel as much as possible, but never had the money to do it as I would really like. Must say though, travel itself has become a grind in this age of terrorism. It was never glamorous except for those traveling first class all the way, but I look back to the 90s when I travelled a lot and compared to now it was a relative pleasure. Airports now are just awful, with check after check, scan after scan, random checks to see if you've got bomb chemicals on your clothes, and hold ups and delays and security this and security that. Jeeesus! You can't take this with you and you can't take that. My desire to travel hasn't subsided, but my capacity to endure the processing of modern travel certainly has. These rag-head low life two bit terrorist creeps have got us living in fear and terror that not even fascists, nazis and communists ever achieved. If I could go back in time I would find some way to travel more in the 80s and 90s before the Age of Fear.

Male privilege? what does it mean to you?

David1955 comments on Jan 27, 2018:

While there may be male privilege, let us not assume that ALL males, including white ones, are privileged. Let's also remember that females in privileged classes are as privileged as anyone else. Privilege is fundamentally about class, not gender.

White Evangelicals, This is Why People Are Through With You

David1955 comments on Jan 27, 2018:

Fabulous. This the kind of direct speaking we need to say to religionists.

Guess what time it is?

David1955 comments on Jan 27, 2018:

What was it this week, McDonalds on Pluto? :-)

So this is real? Finally a group of my people?

David1955 comments on Jan 27, 2018:

Yes, it's almost too good to be true, and I hope it's not too good to last. The occasional squabble and a ruffled feather or two and the odd grumpy post, but other than that it all works well.

How many people here have lived overseas

David1955 comments on Jan 27, 2018:

Spent most of the 90s abroad in SE Asia, lived in Thailand, which is where my heart really is. I like not being in Australia, actually. I'd be abroad now if the circumstances allowed it. The future will see. There is such a person as a natural expat, people who like to live outside their home country. I always like meeting and talking to expats. It's a kind of a wavelength thing, I can quite explain it. Living abroad is very good for people. It gets them outside their cultural comfort zone. It did for me. It's easy for people who never live abroad to fall into mindset against "foreigners" and "aliens" (the non space type) Being a foreigner or alien in someone else's country is good for character, builds modesty.

Dudeism

David1955 comments on Jan 26, 2018:

I'm not cool enough to be a Dude. :-( Just haven't got what it takes. As the great San Franciscon urban philosopher, Dirty Harry Callahan, used to say: "A man's just got to know his limitations." (BTW Harry usually said just before blowing away some poor sap with that enormous firearm of his.)

Was sex more fun when you still believed in original sin?

David1955 comments on Jan 26, 2018:

Well I know it was more fun when I had more of it. ...I assume atheist sex is when you only believe it's good if you have evidence that it is, but agnostic sex you can never know if it good or not because it's unknowable. :-) (Sorry, couldn't resist).

How chivalrous are you?

David1955 comments on Jan 26, 2018:

I think of My Fair Lady Pickering to Higgins: "Higgins, are you a man of character where women are concerned?" Higgins: "Pickering, have you ever met a man of character where women are concerned?" Pickering: "Very frequently." Higgins: "Well, I haven't." Of course, we must agree with Pickering. But I can't help but think Higgins has a point. Men, and the influence women have on them.

TED - militant atheism - Dawkins... [youtube.com]

David1955 comments on Jan 26, 2018:

@Heathen2 You might want to consider that this site, in which you participate, has come about because of the growing profile of atheism and non believers in the world, due to the efforts of Richard Dawkins and others bringing a stronger edge to the movement. How would you compare your own contribution to this movement compared to his? I would give anything to have had a fraction of the influence Dawkins has had in promoting science, reason, atheism and non religious belief in this world. But that's me.

Best fictional TV show that features Atheism?

David1955 comments on Jan 26, 2018:

Re - TD. Wasn't he an existentialist? Solipsist?

Best fictional TV show that features Atheism?

David1955 comments on Jan 26, 2018:

I wasn't aware that there were any. Perhaps Star Trek, TOS, 1966-1969. Definitely atheist themes reflecting Roddenberry.

Television- The great bullshitter

David1955 comments on Jan 26, 2018:

I just don't watch it, haven't for years, certainly live TV, exceptions being some news, which I filter in my head, and balance with wide reading, and specific things I stream, each carefully chosen. TV is generally the propaganda wing of the Establishment and the ruling elites. It's there to manufacture consent and dissent, as Noam Chomsky says. It serves the dominant ideology , which in western countries, in capitalism. Much the same no matter the country you are in. But knowledge of this brings awareness and awareness ameliorates its power over you.

Hi, just wanted to say that the majority of this group are so interesting and quite witty.

David1955 comments on Jan 25, 2018:

Perhaps we could have the annual agnostic.com Oscars, with awards for best posts in various categories. "And the winner of the 2018 agnostic.com funniest post Oscar goes to....". "Thank you, Thank you, now I want to thank everybody I've ever known....." :-)

General vent about being atheist in a very Christian community.

David1955 comments on Jan 25, 2018:

Don't blame you for feeling frustrated and needing to let that out. Religionists can be so damned self righteous, with little or no justification, in my view, given the history and current practise of religion, in our case mostly Christianity. I would politely suggest that you develop a sense of internal self assurance about your non religious views. You don't have to justify anything to a religionist. They are the ones who believe in mysticism, supernaturalism and magic; they are the ones who do not follow reason and evidence based thinking; they are on the wrong side of history. With fellow non believers you can debate and discuss and agree and disagree on issues. With believers, just rise above them. Atheist self confidence and demonstrated imperviousness to religionists' emotional blackmail is truly disconcerting to them. I have seen it and practiced it. Being surrounded by believers can be tough if you are an atheist. Others have written about that here. Hope it helps to know that there are a lot of us out there, and slowly we are grouping. The momentum builds.

What if?

David1955 comments on Jan 25, 2018:

If the bargain made with any God is a transaction based on ignorance, fear and punishment, then it would be a fool's bargain with a worthless God. Declined.

If you could learn any language, what language would it be and why?

David1955 comments on Jan 25, 2018:

Spanish. I'm going to get back to it, I swear. I teach all these Spanish students English online, but no Spanish teacher for me. :-(

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

David1955 comments on Jan 25, 2018:

If I were any more open about it I'd have a flashing neon sign on my head saying "ATHEIST - Religionists enter at own risk!"

A universe from nothing? Anyone knowledgable about Physics?

David1955 comments on Jan 24, 2018:

As this is outside my areas, I would just add tepidly that I read Krauss's book, as a layman, and I've watched his videos a lot. I don't think theoretical physicists refer to so called empty space as "nothing". l don't think "nothing" exists in physics. Space is never empty. Krauss said in a video that even if you take empty space and take out light particles and such then there are still virtual participles coming in and out of existence. Those with expertise please clarify, but I understood that Krauss's point was that the universe didn't come from nothing because nothing doesn't exist. I wish he were here to confirm or clarify.

If God existed and he was an all seeing individual with the power to smite you then he is a sadist,...

David1955 comments on Jan 24, 2018:

Remember, God doesn't intervene because he believes in our free will.... except when he decides to intervene....or at least that the religious argument, which I've been trying to figure out since I was 12 years old... So, he won't stop bad people from doing bad things, but he did intervene to stop George W Bush (son of very very rich family and given every opportunity) from drinking (apparently) so he could become President. He does work in mysterious way doesn't he? (Or my vote, there is no God);

You heathens eat pineapple on pizza?

David1955 comments on Jan 24, 2018:

Why do some Americans flinch when you mention pineapple on pizza? I have an American friend and I mentioned it once, and you would have thought I said broken glass on pizza. It's as common as dirt here in Australia.

What is yourt favorite book?

David1955 comments on Jan 24, 2018:

Albert Camus, The Outsider; Orwell's 1984 -coming true in general if not specifically as in the book; Dawkins God Delusion; A few favorites across genres;

What would be the definition of hell to you?

David1955 comments on Jan 24, 2018:

A world run by religious fanatics like in that Handmaiden Story TV show. A world with modern technology and Dark Ages thinking. Of all the dystopian visions of the future that would be the worst. Hell on Earth.

Who in your family do you most admire?

David1955 comments on Jan 23, 2018:

Uhmmm...no one. Perhaps the cat.

What do you think happens when you die?

David1955 comments on Jan 23, 2018:

People fight over your estate and inheritance. Or did I misunderstand the question? :-)

If you could go back and offer your younger self a piece of advice, what would it be ?

David1955 comments on Jan 23, 2018:

"Don't worry about what other people think of you. You don't need their damned approval."

Is Atheist vs. Agnostic conflict a real thing?

David1955 comments on Jan 23, 2018:

I didn't think it was a big issue either, but since contributing here I have become very aware of it, as an atheist. I don't agree with @SKDeitch that the difference isn't a big deal. The biggest scuffles I have had here so far have been over this issue. It is a big deal to some. For my part I am going to avoid unintentionally getting agnostics backs up. Atheists and agnostics have much more in common than differences. Ultimately it comes down to a judgement call, a personal decision. Also, since these discussions I have gone back to reading on the topic, for example Bertrand Russell, whose essays on atheism/agnosticism are very insightful. Even he with his huge intellect had to work through this issue intellectually. I recommend his essays, by the way. He was an atheist, but analyses the agnostic position very well. I do think that this issue is more than a comparison of dictionary definitions.

Are you Bilingual/Trilingual/Etc.?

David1955 comments on Jan 23, 2018:

Mother tongue English, which I also teach. Learnt Thai when I lived in Thailand. Started to learn Spanish, but progress halted. Wish I could afford a Spanish tutor.

Does the word "God" denote something?

David1955 comments on Jan 23, 2018:

The word God is meant to intimidate people. I think it even intimidates some non believers. Wow, I better be careful what I think about.....God! It's just a word, used to refer to some big cosmic thingamy that created the universe and us. It's a sound we make from electrical impulses in our brain. Change the impulses and the word and the impact changes. You should bow to God who created heaven and earth! Scary! Then say, You should bow to the Cosmic Duck that laid the universe! Yeah right, gimme a break. God, Cosmic Duck, what's the difference? There's no more evidence for one over the other. But when we hear or read the word "God" we stiffen up. Well I bloody don't. Strip away the emotional response and you're left with a meaningless sound. Like Cosmic Duck.

If you could teach everyone in the world one concept, what concept would have the biggest positive ...

David1955 comments on Jan 23, 2018:

Carl Sagan had the best answer for that, and it was the everyone had the image of the pale blue dot planet earth taken from millions of miles in space in their heads. That's what humanity needs, that perspective. Many don't have it, and religious parochialism flows from it. I agree with Carl.

I've noticed several people here use 'out' or 'not out' frequently to describe themselves ...

David1955 comments on Jan 23, 2018:

I wear an atheist "A" badge or pin on my coat, so my views are plain to see. It gets noticed. Occasionally someone will ask what the A stands for and I say "assh----" and then laugh. (Well it's sort of true.) Then I explain what it means. I'm fortunate I don't live in a country where being that open might bring consequences. I'm amazed when I read here about people who live in Bible Belt places where being outed as an atheist might cost them their jobs or similar. To have fear like that in this day and age is inexcusable.

11 reasons Why Christianity and its God should be thrown into the dustbin of history

David1955 comments on Jan 23, 2018:

My favourite phrase is that this religion should relegated to the wrong side of history, but thrown into the dustbin of history will also do just fine. Can we also add to the reasons thwarting human progress at every turn? I also note one reason given is that Christianity has fallen into warring factions. Christianity has always been about warring factions, even back in the 4th and 5th centuries. It was ever thus.

Your favorite atheist or agnostic comedian?

David1955 comments on Jan 23, 2018:

I'm not sure John Cleese is by definition an atheist. He is very critical of religion, but I'm not certain that he calls himself an atheist, Eric Idle of MPFCs certainly is. He once said he believed in the doctrine of separation of church and... planet. My favourite atheist humourist is of all time is the late Dave Allen. In a class of his own.

I never realized how much strife there is between the religious and the non-believers until I joined...

David1955 comments on Jan 22, 2018:

I don't think there is much strife on this site between the religious and the non religious, because I think there are not huge numbers of religious people posting here, and those who are are not fundamentalist or evangelist types. That's my reading of it here. Out in the real world, well that's different. The struggle goes on. "Which side are you on..?" as the song goes. Well, I know for myself. A little bit of recurring "strife" here on this site, however, is between agnostics and atheists. I won't go into that, except to say it has really surprised me. It has been the biggest surprise here for me, and I hadn't noticed that in the so-called real world. And I am still thinking about why that is.

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

David1955 comments on Jan 22, 2018:

The word spiritual is not one I like to use myself. Some people use it in a good sense to mean an appreciation of the wonders of the universe and respect for all we don't know. Carl Sagan used it like this. Others use it poorly to mean nonsense, things they can't prove, or to pretend they are on "a higher plane" than everybody else. I dislike this nonsense. I wouldn't automatically judge someone poorly if they use the word; it would depend on what they mean and how they use it.

Any Aussie Atheists on here?

David1955 comments on Jan 22, 2018:

Gidday. My body is in Adelaide, but my spirit roams the universe....explains why it's a little lost at the moment. :-)

I've noticed most on this site don't think Trump is a good president.

David1955 comments on Jan 22, 2018:

"Most... don't think Trump is a good President". Now there's a master understatement. Most people in the world don't think Trump is a good president, only a few right wing fringe dwellers. I'm in Australia and I can't imagine the reception he'd get here if he were stupid enough to visit. We didn't like Bush Jr but at least people didn't protest and were polite. My predictions for trump are that he'll break any convention or law to suppress this Russian investigation thing, and I wouldn't put it past him and his Rep Party loonies to try a false flag operation to whip up support and cover his tracks. Question is, will the establishment security and or military people go along with it. I suspect not. And since he has about as much finesse, tact and subtlety as a rampaging elephant, it wouldn't work if he tried. We're on to him.Give him a chance to prove himself? Every day for a year he's proven that's not fit to be your President. As a student of history I'm always aware of the ultimate judgement of history on any subject. On Trump it will be devastating.

What are the other atheist / agnostic groups and sites are you members of?

David1955 comments on Jan 22, 2018:

Only this one for me. I have never done FB. No interest. I checked out a couple of Google Groups Atheism, but held little interest. This site was what I was hoping for, though I wasn't looking and found it by accident. Hope to continue, unless of course a Civil War breaks out between Atheists and Agnostics, and Agnostics win and I have to haul my battered Atheist cyber presence outta here. ---- Hey, only joking Agnostics. :-)

If someone was to start an atheist church, would you attend?

David1955 comments on Jan 21, 2018:

No. You use words, that, respectfully, I wouldn't wanted associated with atheism: church, doctrine, leader, robes, hierarchy, structure, traditional teachings. No, no. Anathema to freethinkers and non believers.

If you could wipe 3 words from existence, which would you choose?

David1955 comments on Jan 21, 2018:

1. Heretic. 2. Blasphemer. 3. Infidel. In a world where these words would no longer have meaning.

Why don't we have a agnostic church ?

David1955 comments on Jan 21, 2018:

Non believers don't need a church; we need a growing, connected, visible, forthright, global community of people who stand against all enemies of reason, including religions.

Which Wyatt Earp movie do you prefer?

David1955 comments on Jan 21, 2018:

Wyatt Earp is a fascinating character. Ive read a lot about him. Tombstone with K. Russell was in terms of history a load of crap, but a great movie. Russell was too small a guy to play him but who cares. Kilmer was excellent as The Doc.

"If you happen to despise religion as much as I do, I'm asking you to stop being polite and come out...

David1955 comments on Jan 21, 2018:

Your question is US specific, but I think very rich respectable people, I'm hoping there are some left, coming out and promoting atheism or non belief would be a very good . Problem is, very rich usually pretend to like religion. It looks good with "the little people". The PR isn't good if they come out as non religious. Look at Bill Gates, whom I don't care for. Famously said, I might as well believe in God.....Thanks Bill. He never had a principle that didn't have a $. Politicians too, generally. It's one of the last bastions: influential people coming out and promoting the struggle against religion. As for despising religion, I stopped being superficially polite long time ago. I will tell them they have the right to believe in whatever religious nonsense and rubbish they want, but not the right to respect of belief, or the right to tell me I cannot say what I think about it. I agree with you, it's time to stop being polite, at least on the issues.

What kind of phone do you have?

David1955 comments on Jan 21, 2018:

I have Galaxy Note 3 which I will use until it dies. They keep pumping out these new models but I really think it's pump priming consumption. A new gizmo that does little more than the previous model. BTW, I'm an Apple user, have been since the 80s, yes 80s, but I won't use iPhone. They are hideously overpriced, underpowered, locked in due to IOS, poor batteries, and too damned small unless you buy their biggest most expensive one. They line up to buy 'em and I think they are addicted.

"We are all atheists about most of the gods that humanity has ever believed it.

David1955 comments on Jan 21, 2018:

You know, religionists always say this argument is wrong, and yet I have never heard a convincing rebuttal from them. I don't think there is one.

There is no agnostic vs. atheist! The peeve I have...

David1955 comments on Jan 20, 2018:

Excellent response @MichaelSpinler on this subject. I'm a little taken aback by a post that rails against people trying to "educate" others about labels while doing exactly that in the post. This issue has come about from a challenge from agnostics about the site and what it stands for. Having stirred this up, now we have lecture extolling the virtues of not getting hung up on labels. Duh! Well I would have agreed anyway with this before all this got stirred up. As for me I'm not going to be get caught up anymore in webs in the atheist-agnostic debate. I respect agnostics' right to revel in their unknowingness. :-) But @Admin the issue of the definition of this site still remains, even though you like this post, and the title Agnostic.com leads some to consider that this isn't just a domain name choice but a site definition.

When was the last time you had an in-person theological discussion?

David1955 comments on Jan 20, 2018:

A what ? Do you mean face to face discussion with someone about religion? If so, the last detailed one was at a party a few weeks ago with a Reverend Pastor guy. I won.

Ancient Aliens

David1955 comments on Jan 20, 2018:

You all think the show is a joke but you watch it. What does that tell you? Well, clever marketing, but also we humans just love the idea of a big cosmic thingamy to intrigue us. Oh, I'm no better, before you flame me. I've watched a few episodes, but not a lot. It's a hoot. Mostly harmless, unlike ghost talkers and mediums, which I strongly dislike. Oh, you know the moon is hollow, with an alien base inside from which they launch UFOs. They covered that. Just thought I'd mention it.

Any Sam Harris fans?

David1955 comments on Jan 19, 2018:

Huge, enormous, admirer of SH, his books, pods and debates, along with Dawkins an co. To my mind he has one of the most forensically devastating debating styles of anything I have ever seen. He cuts through to the central key point in any debate point and just often leaves religionists floundering. I find the personal attacks on him - that he's racist, bigoted, etc - to be absurd. They fear his arguments so they attack the man. My favourite work of his is Letter to a Christian Nation.

Discussion about the latest site footer It reads "Agnostic.

David1955 comments on Jan 19, 2018:

Looking at all this and some of the assumptions about what atheism is which I think are wrong but obviously it doesn't seem to matter much whatever you say, I am left wondering what the tag line of this site is becoming. "Agnostic.com is a non profit organisation allowing discussion between people no matter what they believe, whether they are a bit religious, medium religious, a lot religious, believe in there is no god, might be a god, iffy one way or another about God, agnostic about some gods, or all gods, take your pick, believe in evidence as the basis for all belief, or not, up to you, so whatever you believe, no worries, secular, supernatural, quasi Supernatural, basically whatever works for you, in an environmental where we'll spend our time arguing amongst ourselves while religions continue to spoil the world, except for my preferred religion or non religion, as the case may be, which is good." In other words, just another social media site. I had hoped for a clear non mysticism espousing based community. @Admin @silvereyes @Coffeo @TheMiddleWay @Sadoi @DavidLaDeau

If ghosts are real, do they have mass?

David1955 comments on Jan 19, 2018:

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

What's your favorite pizza?

David1955 comments on Jan 19, 2018:

I hope there are no more threads like this. You just get hungry reading it. Now I've got to get a damn pizza tomorrow, Saturday, cause all I can think about is pizza. Thanks a lot. :-) :-).

If ghosts are real, do they have mass?

David1955 comments on Jan 19, 2018:

You know, I love this stuff. Remember watching one of those true ghost story tv shows from the US (sorry, but where else) and there was an expert, I recall he had a degree in ghostiology from a reputable institution I'm sure, as well as a ghost-ometer device that could pick up ghostly vibrations and emanations, with great accuracy, he said, as you could see when the needle went haywire when he pointed it to some place where ghostly things had happened, in particular when figurines had been knocked over by a ghostly visitor. Why do ghosts hate figurines? They always knock those suckers over in the night. I'm telling you I wouldn't have any figurines in my place. Just asking for trouble. And I can't afford a ghost-ometer on my income. So there it is. The 21st Century. Well, for some of us. ????

What's your favorite pizza?

David1955 comments on Jan 18, 2018:

Vegetarian only pizza. That way I feel less guilty about eating it because it's healthier. (Don't reply telling me I'm deluded. I know).

If ghosts are real, do they have mass?

David1955 comments on Jan 18, 2018:

First, prove they exist. Second, weigh them to answer the question. If you can never do the first, then the second is irrelevant.

Discussion about the latest site footer It reads "Agnostic.

David1955 comments on Jan 18, 2018:

I am fine with the tag line as it is too. But honestly, this never ending squabble between calling oneself agnostic or atheist is one of the biggest surprises to me here. It seems really to bother some agnostics, though I don't know why, though atheists like me have no problem with the term agnostic. Whatever the site had been called, or its Tagline defined, someone would have been unhappy about it. I thought this was a site for non-believers, unbelievers in religion, with religionists joining, if they really must, as long as they fit the culture of tolerance. Was I wrong? At times the debate between agnostic and atheist reminds me of Monty Python Life of Brian, and the People's Front of Judea and Judean Peoples Front ( or whatever it was) fighting amongst themselves instead of fighting the Romans. Can we just fight the Romans please?

In one moment I am born, living and taking my last breath.

David1955 comments on Jan 18, 2018:

Time might be an illusion but if I don't pay my electricity bill on time and they cut off my power and I can't work or cook food, the illusion becomes pretty bloody real pretty bloody quickly. I guess these New Age feel good profundities just don't work on me.

Can anybody give their views on mediums and faith healers? I think they are despicable.

David1955 comments on Jan 18, 2018:

I completely concur with the negative comments made here about faith healers and Mystics and similar. They should be exposed and neutralised. For anyone who is interested, I refer to a very interesting interview from the Richard Dawkins doc Enemies of Reason, with atheist illusionist Derren Brown, who made a special study of who does this, why they do it, how they do it, and why people are susceptible to it. It's reasonably long but very interesting about this stuff from a guy who is in the business but as a honourable illusionist for entertainment.

Had a thought: If we are wrong, we - this community- will all end up in hell together.

David1955 comments on Jan 18, 2018:

So, not in doubt in anyone's mind? I thought not. As Richard Carrier once said: If I had to spend an eternity in so called heaven knowing that millions or billions of otherwise good people were suffering in hell for no other reason than they in good conscience could not be believers, or followed the wrong God, then I'd still be in a hell of my own. Why kind of God would it be? A god that doesn't exist.

What is the scariest thing you've ever done.

David1955 comments on Jan 18, 2018:

Not sure if scary can mean just dangerous but for me it was 1995, on a motorcycle trip in Thailand. I was living there then, keen to get back to my girl, on return journey, last leg, great new highway, little traffic, wide open area, perfect weather, no police or anything like that to worry about back then, and I opened the thing up to 160k on a straight stretch. Got a speed vibration, then up to 175 kph and steady as a rock. Held it like that for a long time. The straight stretch was amazing. I can still remembering the exhilaration, the world coming at me so fast at that speed, and I felt so peaceful and relaxed, strange to say. I remember it so well. And the bike wasn't flat out, nothing like it. Could easily have pushed 200kph++. But at that speed even on the longest stretch you soon run out of straight road. Never did it again, but glad I did it once.

How do you make a living?

David1955 comments on Jan 18, 2018:

On-line instructor.

How long has everyone been single. For me it's been over 2 years.