ABOUT MUFFINS.

273kelvin comments on Aug 13, 2019:

That makes sense, as I have brought quite a few ladies close to heaven with my muffin.

Fernapple replies on Aug 13, 2019:

The important thing with muffin dough, (as I am sure you know) is not to be too heavy handed or overwork it.

I found reason just recently to block another participant here on this forum.

Marionville comments on Aug 13, 2019:

I have never blocked anyone, preferring to ignore posts by certain people. I do believe that I have been blocked by a few others though, one that I definitely know of. Strangely, it only seems to be youngish men with misogynist or right wing views who take issue with me!

Fernapple replies on Aug 13, 2019:

Oh dash, I can't do the young bit.

I found reason just recently to block another participant here on this forum.

Allamanda comments on Aug 12, 2019:

I sometimes think it would be nice if there was a way to see what percentage of people are blocked etc. and to know why... But no idea how to find out, except if we did another 'poll' of how many have you blocked and a list of possible reasons (sexism, racism, incivility, ???)?

Fernapple replies on Aug 13, 2019:

Why not, go for it.

Agnostic vs Atheist Sorry to rake up this seemingly old one up again but there have been so many ...

Fernapple comments on Aug 13, 2019:

I don't basically disagree with you but I think that the "Where are the scissors Darling?" analogue is not a good one. The real equivalent should be. "There are no scissors in an unknown draw somewhere perhaps on a distant planet." Which is the real meaning of you can not prove a negative, it does ...

Fernapple replies on Aug 13, 2019:

@273kelvin Yes very true, scissors or gods do not cut it with me at all either. But the draw far off in space is often the last retreat of the theist. Especially when pressed by reasoning to which they have no answer. So that it is that god or scissors that we are usually asked to address.

Agnostic vs Atheist Sorry to rake up this seemingly old one up again but there have been so many ...

Fernapple comments on Aug 13, 2019:

I don't basically disagree with you but I think that the "Where are the scissors Darling?" analogue is not a good one. The real equivalent should be. "There are no scissors in an unknown draw somewhere perhaps on a distant planet." Which is the real meaning of you can not prove a negative, it does ...

Fernapple replies on Aug 13, 2019:

@273kelvin, @silverotter11 You may use either, but I used analogue, because it implies a more exact match than analogy.

The Agapanthus are in full flower now.

Allamanda comments on Aug 13, 2019:

I grew up seeing these in the cooler Cape Province in S Africa, in every garden. Whether it was immigrants to New Zealand who took them there I don't know (though there are a LOT of S Africans there) but agapanthus have become a roadside pest... they are really invasive for them.

Fernapple replies on Aug 13, 2019:

Yes the first place I saw them was on the island of Madiera, where they are also widespread and I think not native. But Madiera has eucalyptus as well as Wild Ginger so it has terrible problems with invasive imports.

You catch more flies with honey than you do with vinegar..........Benjamin Franklin.

Fernapple comments on Aug 13, 2019:

Very true, and funny you should quote that, I have just come from trying that myself, though perhaps not well. https://agnostic.com/post/388142/about-muffins-i-see-that-the-issue-of-atheist-agnostic-has-been-rearing-its-head-again-as-it-does

Fernapple replies on Aug 13, 2019:

@Pralina1 Thank you.

ABOUT MUFFINS.

ADKSparky comments on Aug 13, 2019:

What about a chocolate chip lemon muffin? (I’m just being a smart ass🤪)

Fernapple replies on Aug 13, 2019:

So am I. LOL

ABOUT MUFFINS.

lazylee comments on Aug 13, 2019:

I like blueberry muffins best

Fernapple replies on Aug 13, 2019:

Then I think that your soul will only find rest haunting the Stygian marches. LOL

ABOUT MUFFINS.

chalupacabre comments on Aug 13, 2019:

And those on the Atkins or keto diet are already in hell, having forsaken the heavenly muffin

Fernapple replies on Aug 13, 2019:

The very deepest part, and it is all their own fault.

ABOUT MUFFINS.

SleepingOnABoat comments on Aug 13, 2019:

Do you realize what you have just done? I did a google search for "muffin god" and evidently there are now over 2000 followers!

Fernapple replies on Aug 13, 2019:

Oh. dear.

You catch more flies with honey than you do with vinegar..........Benjamin Franklin.

Fernapple comments on Aug 13, 2019:

Very true, and funny you should quote that, I have just come from trying that myself, though perhaps not well. https://agnostic.com/post/388142/about-muffins-i-see-that-the-issue-of-atheist-agnostic-has-been-rearing-its-head-again-as-it-does

Fernapple replies on Aug 13, 2019:

@Marionville Sorry to have messed you about.

You catch more flies with honey than you do with vinegar..........Benjamin Franklin.

Fernapple comments on Aug 13, 2019:

Very true, and funny you should quote that, I have just come from trying that myself, though perhaps not well. https://agnostic.com/post/388142/about-muffins-i-see-that-the-issue-of-atheist-agnostic-has-been-rearing-its-head-again-as-it-does

Fernapple replies on Aug 13, 2019:

@Marionville Thank you, I thought that I was seeing things.

You catch more flies with honey than you do with vinegar..........Benjamin Franklin.

Fernapple comments on Aug 13, 2019:

Very true, and funny you should quote that, I have just come from trying that myself, though perhaps not well. https://agnostic.com/post/388142/about-muffins-i-see-that-the-issue-of-atheist-agnostic-has-been-rearing-its-head-again-as-it-does

Fernapple replies on Aug 13, 2019:

@Marionville This is a mystery, please help to solve it, by going to General and Hellos , it is the latest post at this time but may have moved down a bit, though it is certainly there when I look. If you can't find it that way I will just put it dow to the strange things that happen on this site.

You catch more flies with honey than you do with vinegar..........Benjamin Franklin.

Fernapple comments on Aug 13, 2019:

Very true, and funny you should quote that, I have just come from trying that myself, though perhaps not well. https://agnostic.com/post/388142/about-muffins-i-see-that-the-issue-of-atheist-agnostic-has-been-rearing-its-head-again-as-it-does

Fernapple replies on Aug 13, 2019:

@Marionville It seems to be working now. After all that, for something not cvery important.

You catch more flies with honey than you do with vinegar..........Benjamin Franklin.

Fernapple comments on Aug 13, 2019:

Very true, and funny you should quote that, I have just come from trying that myself, though perhaps not well. https://agnostic.com/post/388142/about-muffins-i-see-that-the-issue-of-atheist-agnostic-has-been-rearing-its-head-again-as-it-does

Fernapple replies on Aug 13, 2019:

@Pralina1 No you certainly are not blocked by me, I have not blocked anyone. I don't know why it is not there. A problem needs to be resolved.

You catch more flies with honey than you do with vinegar..........Benjamin Franklin.

Fernapple comments on Aug 13, 2019:

Very true, and funny you should quote that, I have just come from trying that myself, though perhaps not well. https://agnostic.com/post/388142/about-muffins-i-see-that-the-issue-of-atheist-agnostic-has-been-rearing-its-head-again-as-it-does

Fernapple replies on Aug 13, 2019:

@Marionville Possibly too soon after posting, its on the general and hellos page anyway. "About muffins."

Agnostic and More

Fernapple comments on Aug 11, 2019:

Most people on this site are atheist in practice, but most are not too bothered about labels, because when once you leave behind religion and its dogma, you realize that no god is going to punish you for spelling mistakes, even if you spell atheist, agnostic, skeptic, humanist, or twenty other ways ...

Fernapple replies on Aug 13, 2019:

@GROG To the best of my knowledge I have only one life, and I would think that that is the view of most people here too. But in any case, the issue of how many lives people have could not be more trivial and unimportant.

Nice overview and a good narrative about the deep past. Which I always love. [youtube.com]

MojoDave comments on Aug 10, 2019:

I too love learning about deep time! I recommend this book highly: Ends of the World by Peter Brannen. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32075449-the-ends-of-the-world Great science but reads like novel.

Fernapple replies on Aug 10, 2019:

Thank you I will take a look at that.

Isn’t there clear evidence that the supreme something that created the universe is an unjust ...

Fernapple comments on Aug 10, 2019:

No I don't think that it exists. But even if it did then the evidence does not really support the idea of evil, or that it is evil, the idea of evil is just a human made up illusion just as much as god and the devil. And in any case there is a third possible which seems to fit the evidence more ...

Fernapple replies on Aug 10, 2019:

@Dreamrider Yes but that is the misunderstanding that they made in the bronze age. Not all pain is good for us, of course, because the pain system can malfunction, just as any purely mechanical system can. That is the proof that it is a purely mechanical and falable system, and not one designed and managed by an intelegent being with an intention, for good or evil. Cronic pain is like the state of the man who turned his car over and was trapped inside. When the car was upside down, the fuel in the tank slopped to the top of the tank, which in turn expossed the device which read the fuel depth. It greatly annoyed him therefore, that all the time he was trapped, the alarm which was suppossed to tell him his fuel was low kept going pip, pip, pip, for several hours. Under strange conditions, or when damaged, fuel alarms can be annoying, but that does not mean that fuel alarms are bad things.

Maybe one should explain to those Christians who praise god for surviving the recent massacres that ...

powder comments on Aug 8, 2019:

Adherance to doctrine retards the ability to utilize logic and reasoning ability. Pointless arguing with the retarded.

Fernapple replies on Aug 8, 2019:

@Varn Sanity and insanity, are best not measured by head counts.

These are a bit chopped up I am sorry, but it does pose an interesting question.

dede18 comments on Aug 8, 2019:

Thought-provoking! I'll have to ponder on that. Just woke up, it's 6:45 a.m. here on the West Coast, and rushing to an all-morning engagement, so will participate this afternoon.

Fernapple replies on Aug 8, 2019:

No rush. Thought for the dull bits of the day.

These are a bit chopped up I am sorry, but it does pose an interesting question.

Marionville comments on Aug 8, 2019:

Good choices...I like all of these pieces very much too...especially the Rachmaninov. I would have to give it a long and hard think....before whittling it down to only three.

Fernapple replies on Aug 8, 2019:

I would have to have Grieg 'A' but then what could you leave out.

When i make a friend i really dont care about what religion he/she is, or what their sex preference ...

darthfaja comments on Aug 6, 2019:

The only real issue I have with this site is the belief of many people on here that they are intellectually superior because they are atheist. That somehow faith makes you stupid.

Fernapple replies on Aug 7, 2019:

Yes that sort of snob annoys me too. In part that is why I always call myself a broad church sceptic, I really don't care if you call yourself atheist, agnostic, humanist or even deist. The important thing is not believing dogma which will tell you to do wrong things, while if you do still believe in dogma then you need sympathy not scorn.

Politics , sports, and religion the most corrupt institutions in the world.

Fernapple comments on Aug 6, 2019:

Yep, that's true. Spoiled my coffee thinking about it, but true.

Fernapple replies on Aug 6, 2019:

@Blackthought73 I am sorry , here in the UK we do tend to have an over developed irony button. PS. Don't forget to throw the arts in too.

"When I get a little money I buy books; and if any is left I buy food and clothes.

Freedompath comments on Aug 6, 2019:

I know people like that...I once was like that!

Fernapple replies on Aug 6, 2019:

Yes I do it less now, mainly because now I have a lot of my own I keep going back to the old ones. Also since books are now in real terms a lot cheaper than they were in my youth, I find that when I do want a new one I tend to buy it rather than use the public library, which has such a limited choice.

Fixer upper on the Road to Perdition

Fernapple comments on Aug 5, 2019:

Looks nice, but here is one with a balcony, and not far from the sea. Only two beds, so nice starter home for young couple on a budget.

Fernapple replies on Aug 5, 2019:

@AmelieMatisse Not sure about that, but if you are looking to set up in the house rental trade, and you need an investor.. ... LOL

Tell me, what's your best argument against a Christian?

nicknotes comments on Aug 3, 2019:

What did Jesus ever do, that we can see, to improve the lives of mankind? As a Prophet, what prophecies did Jesus ever make that have been fulfilled? Jesus was a charismatic orator....he said some great sayings.....but what did he ever do? IMO, all we have from Jesus are unfulfilled promises. We ...

Fernapple replies on Aug 3, 2019:

He did say that he would return before the last of his followers then alive died. Don't think he got that right.

Wow! In the name of Climate Change!! Ethiopia Just Set the World Record for Most Trees Planted in a...

RoyMillar comments on Aug 3, 2019:

was not that amazing the milllions of trees they palnted so quickly,,hope they have a good survival rate

Fernapple replies on Aug 3, 2019:

That is so true, planting a tree is easy, but getting it to live is hard. I hope it was well planned and thought through.

The wild Chicory is just going over in the hedgerows now.

Cast1es comments on Aug 2, 2019:

Kind of looks like a Bachlor Button .

Fernapple replies on Aug 3, 2019:

Much bigger flower.

As we mature most of us come to believe that “beauty is in the eye of the beholder,” or more ...

Fernapple comments on Aug 2, 2019:

No, because that is like saying that to be sensitive is religious, why stick the label religious on such experiences at all. If you think there is worth in such experiences, why not call them, 'spiritual' and if you don't call them 'Woo', or to be realistic just, 'unexplained subjective ...

Fernapple replies on Aug 2, 2019:

@Allamanda Quite. You have to be very careful.

As we mature most of us come to believe that “beauty is in the eye of the beholder,” or more ...

Fernapple comments on Aug 2, 2019:

No, because that is like saying that to be sensitive is religious, why stick the label religious on such experiences at all. If you think there is worth in such experiences, why not call them, 'spiritual' and if you don't call them 'Woo', or to be realistic just, 'unexplained subjective ...

Fernapple replies on Aug 2, 2019:

@Allamanda You do not really need a special word. You explain it very well anyway.

As we mature most of us come to believe that “beauty is in the eye of the beholder,” or more ...

Fernapple comments on Aug 2, 2019:

No, because that is like saying that to be sensitive is religious, why stick the label religious on such experiences at all. If you think there is worth in such experiences, why not call them, 'spiritual' and if you don't call them 'Woo', or to be realistic just, 'unexplained subjective ...

Fernapple replies on Aug 2, 2019:

@Allamanda, @thinktwice True, I am no lover of words as such myself, I have always held that one of the biggest mistakes you can make is to give words meanings as though they are themselves a source of truth, rather than just usages, things we use to communicate ideas. I have had too much of the very short life time wasted on the meanings of words by people who made that mitake.

As we mature most of us come to believe that “beauty is in the eye of the beholder,” or more ...

Fernapple comments on Aug 2, 2019:

No, because that is like saying that to be sensitive is religious, why stick the label religious on such experiences at all. If you think there is worth in such experiences, why not call them, 'spiritual' and if you don't call them 'Woo', or to be realistic just, 'unexplained subjective ...

Fernapple replies on Aug 2, 2019:

@Allamanda I can only speak for myself, but yes sometimes I get a feeling of deep time.

As we mature most of us come to believe that “beauty is in the eye of the beholder,” or more ...

Fernapple comments on Aug 2, 2019:

No, because that is like saying that to be sensitive is religious, why stick the label religious on such experiences at all. If you think there is worth in such experiences, why not call them, 'spiritual' and if you don't call them 'Woo', or to be realistic just, 'unexplained subjective ...

Fernapple replies on Aug 2, 2019:

@thinktwice Perhaps true, though for me spiritual seems vague enough to express vague feelings. Transcendental seems to mean that you are moving outside of yourself, and that is not perhaps always true, some would even say that it all comes from within anyway, and that transcedental is just an illusion.

It’s not a lack of love, but a lack of friendship that makes unhappy marriages.

Fernapple comments on Aug 2, 2019:

Depends if you equate love with passion or not, if you see love as equating to friendship then no. This is one of those where you would really need to have it in the original language, and know the language well.

Fernapple replies on Aug 2, 2019:

@Marionville I was lucky in my marrige too, we had everything for a while. Now I am older I feel that I know how to tell the things that really matter, and how to concentrate on them, so no more looking for everything anyway.

It’s not a lack of love, but a lack of friendship that makes unhappy marriages.

Fernapple comments on Aug 2, 2019:

Depends if you equate love with passion or not, if you see love as equating to friendship then no. This is one of those where you would really need to have it in the original language, and know the language well.

Fernapple replies on Aug 2, 2019:

@Freedompath I have been very fortunate, when my wife died very young, I was lucky enough to find a real friend, and although we are not lovers, we still love each others company. We both like travel and trade, so that, over the last few years we have been on many adventures together. Sadly there is a big age gap so that it may now be that her adventures will start to be smaller and less ambitious now, but I still love just sitting with her and chatting.

As we mature most of us come to believe that “beauty is in the eye of the beholder,” or more ...

SallyInStitches comments on Aug 2, 2019:

Lol....in my misspent youth, I constantly heard guys say, "beauty is in the eye of the beer holder."

Fernapple replies on Aug 2, 2019:

If someone has got hold of your beer, that makes them all powerful.

It’s not a lack of love, but a lack of friendship that makes unhappy marriages.

Fernapple comments on Aug 2, 2019:

Depends if you equate love with passion or not, if you see love as equating to friendship then no. This is one of those where you would really need to have it in the original language, and know the language well.

Fernapple replies on Aug 2, 2019:

@Marionville Quite, I think I get what he meant by it, it just whether you can use love only for passion in that sense, or whether it also covers friendship in what I think would have been German just as it does in English.

The wild Chicory is just going over in the hedgerows now.

CeliaVL comments on Aug 1, 2019:

It is a lovely colour. It grows by the roadsides in Spain and wild in the garden too. I haven't heard of a cultivated version

Fernapple replies on Aug 1, 2019:

Yet I wonder if the vegetable flowers, and if so is it as invasive ?

The wild Chicory is just going over in the hedgerows now.

tinkercreek comments on Aug 1, 2019:

Such a delicate, feathery blossom - I've never seen it before!

Fernapple replies on Aug 1, 2019:

Usually the flowers are about two inches across but they can get to three or more. I have not yet found out if there are cultivated types that can be grown for flowers, although there are obviously one which can be grown for eating.

Hummingbird Clearwing Moth Mulberry Wing Skipper Monarch egg on Common Milkweed Red Spotted ...

Fernapple comments on Jul 31, 2019:

Does the Hummingbird Clear Wing hover in front of flowers just like a hummingbird ?

Fernapple replies on Aug 1, 2019:

@Leafhead Soon as I retire, flying over the pond is on my bucket list.

Red garnets in Heather Lake. Heat exhaustion.

Fernapple comments on Aug 1, 2019:

Good story of a day out. I wish more people would put a narrative element into their posts, it adds a lot to the pleasure of reading them.

Fernapple replies on Aug 1, 2019:

@LiterateHiker Of course I should have guessed.

"Distance changes utterly when you take the world on foot.

Diogenes comments on Aug 1, 2019:

Don't agree with Mr.Bryson, whoever he be. There is no greater prison than a "comfortable chair". I enjoy going out on hikes, and talking with people who are wise enough, and awake, to know 'lots about lots'. Of cardinal importance: sit long enough and a person will not be able to get up. The ...

Fernapple replies on Aug 1, 2019:

I think that is what he meant, distance changes so that more fits into it.

The Buddleja is also out now, called the Butterfly Bush it is covered in them.

Allamanda comments on Jul 31, 2019:

Beautiful photo! In southern UK we spell and say that Buddleia (bud-lee-ah) and we say it is purple not blue!

Fernapple replies on Aug 1, 2019:

@Allamanda Yes that is true. And of course I should have used Italics, but life is short.

The Buddleja is also out now, called the Butterfly Bush it is covered in them.

Allamanda comments on Jul 31, 2019:

Beautiful photo! In southern UK we spell and say that Buddleia (bud-lee-ah) and we say it is purple not blue!

Fernapple replies on Aug 1, 2019:

The Buddleia spelling is out of date now, in the International Code of Botanical Nomenclature the latest 2006 edition requires Buddleja, which was C. L.'s original spelling. But you are right about it being called purple, I am just casual with colours sometimes.

Hummingbird Clearwing Moth Mulberry Wing Skipper Monarch egg on Common Milkweed Red Spotted ...

Fernapple comments on Jul 31, 2019:

Does the Hummingbird Clear Wing hover in front of flowers just like a hummingbird ?

Fernapple replies on Aug 1, 2019:

@Leafhead Thanks, yes I did wonder since the Hummingbird Hawk Moth that we get in the UK does that, though sadly it is never likely to be taken for the bird since we do not have those.

The Buddleja is also out now, called the Butterfly Bush it is covered in them.

Hathacat comments on Jul 31, 2019:

I have never seen that butterfly before. Colorful!

Fernapple replies on Jul 31, 2019:

Called a Peacock I think you can see why. Having seen a number of butterfly posts on this site from US members I think that it may not be common in the US, if there at all, but it is quite common here in the UK.

The Buddleja is also out now, called the Butterfly Bush it is covered in them.

CeliaVL comments on Jul 31, 2019:

I find the species (purple) one is the best for butterflies. It has escaped all over Devon so you see it everywhere here- especially along the edges of railway lines.

Fernapple replies on Jul 31, 2019:

It is said that it is to be banned from sale, since it is becoming such a weed.

Sunday school teacher blames Noah's flood on climate change.

greyeyed123 comments on Jul 30, 2019:

In 10,000 years, we won't believe any of this crap. Many will believe some other crap, we'll all be dead, or we'll have all grown up...or some mix of those three, lol. What if there was a shot you could get to make you realize your stupid, baseless ideas were stupid and baseless?

Fernapple replies on Jul 31, 2019:

The truth is always there to be rediscovered, but every lie will be forgotten one day.

My points are 166,666. Does this mean I'm the Antichrist?

RussRAB comments on Jul 29, 2019:

I once read that the 666 was a mistranslation and the number was actually 616 (sounds more like a phone area code). I'm no expert, so who knows? My queztion, however, does 666 represent good luck in Confucianism, or you're in for a tranquil day in Buddhism?

Fernapple replies on Jul 30, 2019:

I heard that too. I also heard a story that in Moscow, Russia, all the streets have numbers. So the people who lived no street 666 did not like what they thought was bad luck and all the jokes. Therefore they asked the city council if they could change the name. The council said yes they could, because there were a few numbers spare due to some streets being demolished, and so they gave them another number. Yep you guessed it, they got 616. ( Sadly it could be an urban myth.)

Not A True Atheist -- We mostly see this with Xtians, saying "you're not really atheist, you're just...

Fernapple comments on Jul 27, 2019:

What they think they know of atheists/agnostics, is what the preacher told them, most 'nones' do not wear a label saying so, and so they assume that everyone they know who treats them well is a Christian ,because the preacher also said that only Christians treat people kindly. And since they have ...

Fernapple replies on Jul 29, 2019:

@UpsideDownAgain Glad you sscaped. And nice to have your thoughts confirmed by someone with first hand experience.

Fuck you, 14 mm mower blade bolt.

Fernapple comments on Jul 28, 2019:

Good plan, and don't forget to switch off and (belt and braces ) take the lead off the spark plug first.

Fernapple replies on Jul 29, 2019:

@TrailRider Go for it, it train you in quick reactions.

This announcement may bring delight or dismay.

jerry99 comments on Jul 28, 2019:

I recognize the name but he was neither sufficiently offensive nor sufficiently interesting for me to remember any specifics. But do check with me if you’d like a list of people whose comments I think are wasteful and hateful.

Fernapple replies on Jul 28, 2019:

I remember him as great fun.

What gives your life meaning? Why keep going? (just curious)

callmedubious comments on Jul 28, 2019:

i agree with Schopenhauer's pessimistic view of our existence. all of us are subject to a universal will/force which ensures the propagation of our species, although there are some ppl actively trying to destroy ordinary, excess ppl. i also take some solace from Epicurus & enjoy some of the small ...

Fernapple replies on Jul 28, 2019:

And warm sunshine. In fact craft beer and a pizza while siting in the warm sun, within earshot of the sea. Or is that just too much ?

This announcement may bring delight or dismay.

Boomtarat03 comments on Jul 28, 2019:

I haven't been encountered him in any page on here. So, I can't and don't say anything against him☺️

Fernapple replies on Jul 28, 2019:

You may have seen him about, his comments were quite common, and he had a dark green bear in teeshirt icon.

This announcement may bring delight or dismay.

bigpawbullets comments on Jul 28, 2019:

I found him amusing and a bit eccentric. Sorry to hear of his banishment. I wonder who's inherited "food glorious food"?

Fernapple replies on Jul 28, 2019:

Me too.

This announcement may bring delight or dismay.

1of5 comments on Jul 28, 2019:

Oh well. Pretty sure he blocked me for some slight, real or perceived.

Fernapple replies on Jul 28, 2019:

@CeliaVL No I have not blocked anyone, but have also been blocked at least once. I can't say that it was a silly reason though. Since I got a bit frustrated with someone who was a bit boring, so I asked him if he ever had any original ideas, which was a bit rude of me, its true. But since he was an adult male, it seemed a bit of a baby thing to do.

This announcement may bring delight or dismay.

1of5 comments on Jul 28, 2019:

Oh well. Pretty sure he blocked me for some slight, real or perceived.

Fernapple replies on Jul 28, 2019:

@Marionville Yep, I have never felt the need to block anyone, part of the wonder of a site like this is that you can see the whole spectrum of human oppinion, ( even the odd theist ), and if someone does not like me then I want to know all about them especially. I might need putting right. Frayedbear was mildly rude to me a couple of times but not hurtfully and if I had blocked, then I would have missed some amusing posts. So My first thought is that the 'block' feature could be removed and it would not be missed. Having said that I can understand that some people may feel the need for protection against stalkers etc. but then again surely complaint to admin or the senate would be a better way to deal with people not getting on.

What's your country's signature meal?

Jnei comments on Jul 28, 2019:

If you Google "National dish of Britain" chicken tikka masala is the first dish that comes up.

Fernapple replies on Jul 28, 2019:

@lerlo Chicken tikka with bangers, mash and Yorkshire pudding, followed by strawberries. Sounds perfect.

Better tell you about myself.

StarvingArtist comments on Jul 27, 2019:

I downsized my business and my home,,,moved from large city to small but growing town,,,selling out;kept clients happy,, and gave me the $$$,,,,to move, and the time to build my own little house/studio/home office mostly by myself.,, and now I am almost a year into developing a business (similar as ...

Fernapple replies on Jul 27, 2019:

Well done. That gives me hope.

Did I mention that I got banned on the Xian Forums?

Marionville comments on Jul 27, 2019:

He’s bigger than God! In their eyes at least.

Fernapple replies on Jul 27, 2019:

He has a bigger waist than most of the pictures of God I have seen at least. And he really does exist, well unless the American government is a fake made by an international conspiacy and the White House is just a model in photoshop.

Is there a Small Business/ Self Employed group on here?

NoPlanetB comments on Jul 21, 2019:

Start one and promote it, then see if you have any takers. Good luck!

Fernapple replies on Jul 27, 2019:

Just letting all the people who expressed interest know 'Twill' has done it. Here is the link. https://agnostic.com/group/EntrepreneursSloggers

Is there a Small Business/ Self Employed group on here?

FatherOfNyx comments on Jul 21, 2019:

I'd be interested.. If I ever get my depression addressed and manage to start working towards it, I plan on opening my own doggie daycare/kennel and attaching various other businesses to it as time goes on.

Fernapple replies on Jul 27, 2019:

Just letting all the people who expressed interest know 'Twill' has done it. Here is the link. https://agnostic.com/group/EntrepreneursSloggers

Is there a Small Business/ Self Employed group on here?

StarvingArtist comments on Jul 21, 2019:

Go for it!!

Fernapple replies on Jul 27, 2019:

Just letting all the people who expressed interest know 'Twill' has done it. Here is the link. https://agnostic.com/group/EntrepreneursSloggers

Is there a Small Business/ Self Employed group on here?

SCal comments on Jul 21, 2019:

Im in.

Fernapple replies on Jul 27, 2019:

Just letting all the people who expressed interest know 'Twill' has done it. Here is the link. https://agnostic.com/group/EntrepreneursSloggers

Is there a Small Business/ Self Employed group on here?

nastynifty comments on Jul 21, 2019:

I like to read any posts that are educational. I think it'd be a good opportunity to learn from others.

Fernapple replies on Jul 27, 2019:

Just letting all the people who expressed interest know 'Twill' has done it. Here is the link. https://agnostic.com/group/EntrepreneursSloggers

Is there a Small Business/ Self Employed group on here?

confidentrealm comments on Jul 21, 2019:

It might be interesting

Fernapple replies on Jul 27, 2019:

Just letting all the people who expressed interest know 'Twill' has done it. Here is the link. https://agnostic.com/group/EntrepreneursSloggers

Is there a Small Business/ Self Employed group on here?

1EarthLovingGal comments on Jul 22, 2019:

I’d like to start my own cleaning and interior design business. (The cleaning to get on my feet) Then eventually turn it to all interior design while I work on a comedy career. Decorating has been the only thing that has helped my anxiety and I feel like I’d be better off working for myself than...

Fernapple replies on Jul 27, 2019:

Just letting all the people who expressed interest know 'Twill' has done it. Here is the link. https://agnostic.com/group/EntrepreneursSloggers

Is there a Small Business/ Self Employed group on here?

RusselHappy comments on Jul 22, 2019:

Definitely interested!

Fernapple replies on Jul 27, 2019:

Just letting all the people who expressed interest know 'Twill' has done it. Here is the link. https://agnostic.com/group/EntrepreneursSloggers

Is there a Small Business/ Self Employed group on here?

FatherOfNyx comments on Jul 21, 2019:

I'd be interested.. If I ever get my depression addressed and manage to start working towards it, I plan on opening my own doggie daycare/kennel and attaching various other businesses to it as time goes on.

Fernapple replies on Jul 27, 2019:

Start the work first, it will do more than anything else can to help the depression.

Texas is at the forefront of US wind energy [houstonchronicle.com]

Mermaidfantasy comments on Jul 26, 2019:

Kinda of a oxymoron, #1 in wind yet support trump.

Fernapple replies on Jul 27, 2019:

Surely Trump makes a lot of wind ? LOL

Generally, as perhaps too often said before, I'm a broad church skeptic, and have little interest in...

Shouldbefishing comments on Jul 26, 2019:

Yes, there are a few on this site and I think the particular person you have referred to in another comment below has commented on this post. Am I right about that? I have a co worker who fits the bill you describe to the letter. Oddly, when I ask him about his stance (theist, deist or atheist) ...

Fernapple replies on Jul 27, 2019:

Yes that is very true, thankyou. Though it was not the one on this page I was thinking of but another if anything even worse.

What do you think about Deism?

Fernapple comments on Jun 23, 2019:

A god who hides, is from a practical point of view, exactly the same as one who does not exist; therefore its a none issue.

Fernapple replies on Jul 27, 2019:

@Liam True and thank you for such a thoughtful reply. My point is simply however that as you say. "A Deist physicist can look at the equations describing gravity," But the solutions for him would come out the same for the deist, as the solutions to those equations found by an atheist physicist, so no change. Whereas a theist physicist may well alter the results to fit a theological view, or even dismiss the idea of gravity altogether.

Does Uncle Sam Exist?

creative51 comments on Jul 25, 2019:

excerpt from wikipedia The precise origin of the Uncle Sam character is unclear, but a popular legend is that the name "Uncle Sam" was derived from Samuel Wilson, a meatpacker from Troy, New York who supplied rations for American soldiers during the War of 1812. There was a requirement at the ...

Fernapple replies on Jul 26, 2019:

Interesting. That would make him almost an analog of that Jesus bloke, same sort of history possibly.

@Admin Please tell me the difference between humanist dot com and agnostic dot com.

JeffMesser comments on Jul 25, 2019:

one is purple and one is green

Fernapple replies on Jul 26, 2019:

Now I get it.

Generally, as perhaps too often said before, I'm a broad church skeptic, and have little interest in...

Pedrohbds comments on Jul 26, 2019:

Religion and religious institutions WERE important at some point in our history, the catholic church for example was important to keep Europe from breaking completely after the romans. The religion kept china as one, at least nominal because power was always changed from emperor to local nobility ...

Fernapple replies on Jul 26, 2019:

I do not doubt the value of religion and that many people get a lot from it. I think that you have perhaps missed the point of my rant, I am sorry I do not always write as clearly as I should. Perhaps Callmedubio's comment and my reply to it below, will make it clearer.

Generally, as perhaps too often said before, I'm a broad church skeptic, and have little interest in...

skado comments on Jul 25, 2019:

I don’t recall ever encountering such people. Are there public intellectuals you could name?

Fernapple replies on Jul 26, 2019:

Sorry you asked for public figures as examples and I was writing late at night after a long day, so that since I do not like to name people on a public site I bottled it. But Callmedubio above gave me the perfect example, who no one will get upset by at this distance in time, though perhaps not an intellectual as such, that would not I think be possible. Napolean Bonaparte, who was to a degree a skeptic, praised skeptical thinking as enlightenment, and took the crown from the bishop to crown himself in a public rejection of the church, yet was without a doubt a serious snob, who thought of himself as a higher form of human and stated that the church was useful in controling lesser humans.

Generally, as perhaps too often said before, I'm a broad church skeptic, and have little interest in...

callmedubious comments on Jul 25, 2019:

i think Napolean epitomized the ppl you loathe. he was no doubt an atheist and said: "we need religion to keep the poor from killing the rich".

Fernapple replies on Jul 26, 2019:

Very true, and there is no doubt that to some degree, (crowned himself ) he was a skeptic, and without a doubt a serious snob who thought of himself as a higher form of human.

Generally, as perhaps too often said before, I'm a broad church skeptic, and have little interest in...

skado comments on Jul 25, 2019:

I don’t recall ever encountering such people. Are there public intellectuals you could name?

Fernapple replies on Jul 25, 2019:

No most of them are not public figures, it is more a populist atitude, there is one especially on this site, who I will not name because I am not going to be personal. I think that they are the exact mirror to the arrogant christian snob, who likewise think their religion is a proof of their greater worth. Interestingly it was your post which set me thinking, when you asked why it was that many people jumped on you for even the sightest praise of religion, even when it was not apologetic in any way. I wondered why people should have an emotional, knee-jerk reaction, to anything even sniffing of apologetics, especially as I find it may be so of myself. While yet I know quite the opposite, that I have no problem granting that religion has some good points, charity work, giving an alternate voice to those down trodden by governments and so on. It then occured to me that having met several such people over the years, ( Including the first, a truly obnoxious and hypocritical tutor a college, the thought of whom still gives me shudders. ) that others may well have the same experiences, which could easily account for emotive responses. That would seem to be confirmed by the response to this post.

Generally, as perhaps too often said before, I'm a broad church skeptic, and have little interest in...

WilliamFleming comments on Jul 25, 2019:

There are various kinds of religions and some of them really are very beneficial IMO. All religions must serve some purpose or other to their members or they wouldn’t exist. Good point about the snobbery. I do not agree with the doctrines of traditional Christianity, and I do feel a bit ...

Fernapple replies on Jul 25, 2019:

@WilliamFleming I don't think you have need to be worried by me, whatever your views if you are geniune 9as I think you are), I can respect that, it is double values one thing for us and something for everybody else, that I find irk me.

Generally, as perhaps too often said before, I'm a broad church skeptic, and have little interest in...

brainyactress comments on Jul 25, 2019:

Not sure I’m reading you right and I’m no apologist for religion in terms of the destruction it has caused for many. However, I can acknowledge that personally, it’s what allows some of my nearest and dearest to get out of bed in the morning. What’s a little delusion if it heads off mental ...

Fernapple replies on Jul 25, 2019:

Yes, as I say I have no problem with true believers, or with those who say leave alone if they are happy. It is with those who consider there fellow humans as not worth saving, and it is true that there is no hard line between, leave alone if happy, and not worth talking to, but a lot of apologists will tell you that if it were not for the delutions of religion, a great number of people, who they think of a having inferior minds would run wild and destroy everything worthwhile.

Generally, as perhaps too often said before, I'm a broad church skeptic, and have little interest in...

WilliamFleming comments on Jul 25, 2019:

There are various kinds of religions and some of them really are very beneficial IMO. All religions must serve some purpose or other to their members or they wouldn’t exist. Good point about the snobbery. I do not agree with the doctrines of traditional Christianity, and I do feel a bit ...

Fernapple replies on Jul 25, 2019:

No you tend to advocate a spiritualist/deist possition, that certainly is not religious apologetics, but ont the skeptical spectrum for me. Not to my taste but not horrible in any way.

Googly Eyes on God

Fernapple comments on Jul 25, 2019:

To be short. Religion is anthropomorphisim of nature. True to a degree. And it leaves me with the image of John Cleese, breaking the branch of a tree to beat his broken down car with. And then turning round and using the same branch to beat himself, for his 'sin', of caring too much about ...

Fernapple replies on Jul 25, 2019:

@Austin-Cambridge Thank you.

To all: What are your thoughts on the dates of the first out of Africa migration? Erick

Cast1es comments on Jul 22, 2019:

While the Bible says life started in the Garden of Eden , supposedly , in northern Africa , archiologists , continue to find earlier and earlier evidences of human life in strange places . I think our concept of human history , hasn't settled , yet .

Fernapple replies on Jul 22, 2019:

Just one small correction sorrry. Eden is in Mesopotamia near the Persian Gulf.

Why do people resent having a christian witness to them?

indirect76 comments on Jul 18, 2019:

The article opens with a statement about some countries having ‘absolute freedom of speech’. What kind of lazy, garbage writing is this? I stopped reading after that.

Fernapple replies on Jul 19, 2019:

Yes that line was a bit strange and had no real relation to the main part, you missed something good by skipping though.

In the beginning God told Adam and Eve not to eat from the Tree of Knowledge, and Evangelicals have ...

jrhere comments on Jul 18, 2019:

Adam and Eve had no parents. Their god father had demands but taught them nothing. How old were they when they ate the apple? 2? Would you throw your ignorant uneducated children out of the house at two because they disobeyed you and gained an apples worth knowledge? The Adam and Eve story is such ...

Fernapple replies on Jul 19, 2019:

@BufftonBeotch It is an issue that was debated for years by the churches. If you look at many pictures from the middle ages you will find that artists often covered that area of their bodies, in order to avoid the chioce. Because as the debates ranged, being on the wrong side could get you into deep trouble, I have heard that it could get you killed.

Very disturbing vision early this morning.

Athena comments on Jul 18, 2019:

That aged version of Trump is far too handsome for what he looks like now, or could look like in the future. Let's hope by then, the only image left of him is on his tombstone. A malignancy like him will continue to do damage, even when he's no longer the US President.

Fernapple replies on Jul 18, 2019:

Yep I thought the model was what you would call. "Quite good for his age." Don't think that anyone will ever say that about trump.

If we were born with an hour glass filled with the exact amount of time we have to live how much ...

Incognitohippy comments on Jul 17, 2019:

Married twice. Stayed both times 10 yrs longer than I should have, so I understand.

Fernapple replies on Jul 18, 2019:

Nothing to do with the post, but 'boy' I love your icon.

One is loved because one is loved. No reason is needed for loving.........Paul Coelho.

Fernapple comments on Jul 18, 2019:

One also loves because one loves.

Fernapple replies on Jul 18, 2019:

@Marionville I should know really, especially at my age. ( Slow learner. ) Mental note to self. Think before you post. If you do not, at the very least you could end up looking like a pompus ass. ( Actually don't think I will bother, that cat escaped the bag long before most people on this site were born.)

One is loved because one is loved. No reason is needed for loving.........Paul Coelho.

Fernapple comments on Jul 18, 2019:

One also loves because one loves.

Fernapple replies on Jul 18, 2019:

@Marionville Of course I am sure he meant that too, I was just thinking out loud.

A hummingbird nest on a peach

Fernapple comments on Jul 18, 2019:

Beautiful, for people like me who have never seen a live humming bird, that really make you see how tiny they are. I hope the peach lasts long enough, they still have to hatch the egg and get the chick to fledging.

Fernapple replies on Jul 18, 2019:

@Stevil No from the UK, we don't get them here I am sorry to say. We do get hummingbird hawk moths which are really wonderful, but not the real thing.

I am not an atheist.

WilliamFleming comments on Jul 17, 2019:

Way too much energy is expended arguing about belief. If someone tells you something that seems untrue, of course you have no choice but to disbelieve, but belief and disbelief are nothing but personal value judgments, emotions of no universal significance. There’s no such thing as an airtight ...

Fernapple replies on Jul 17, 2019:

No do not withdraw, there are always new people coming along who have not heard these things before, and may find them interesting and useful. We were all new once and grateful that people who had gone ahead could still bother to talk to us.

This is just an overview, but I thought it was quite interesting to take a world tour, especially ...

AnonySchmoose comments on Jul 15, 2019:

Ecocide has occupied my thoughts a lot in recent years. I've always been aware that monoculture crops and cattle grazing lands are parts of ecocide. It is frightening how difficult it is to overcome the perpetuation of such destructive industries.

Fernapple replies on Jul 17, 2019:

@AnonySchmoose No but I am sure there will be some, though I think that palm oil will be the main one.

Not really a garden flower but certainly related to many, the meadowsweet, Filipendula ulmaria, is ...

CeliaVL comments on Jul 15, 2019:

Such a wonderful evocative scent.

Fernapple replies on Jul 16, 2019:

Yes forgot to mention that.

Tell us about your first time ...

greyeyed123 comments on Jul 15, 2019:

In college, I took a Great Books class for four years (I've told this story on the site before, FYI). One of our professors was a major Calvinist. He had been some kind of minor radio personality, and had a deep, commanding voice. Anyway, we eventually got to the bible. We didn't read the whole ...

Fernapple replies on Jul 15, 2019:

Interestingly there were once many Dualist sects who held that good and evil were equal. Many of them believed that it was up to us as humans with free will to tip the balance one way or the other in the end.

Tell us about your first time ...

genessa comments on Jul 15, 2019:

i realized there were no gods when i saw the monkees' tv show. my mom and dad had told me that long-haired boys were dirty and rebellious. these guys clearly were neither. i thought, what else have i believed that maybe i should rethink? god went out the window right away. i told my best friend...

Fernapple replies on Jul 15, 2019:

Nice story, how good of you to remember all that time ago.

[facebook.com]

Marionville comments on Jul 15, 2019:

Sorry...don’t do Facebook.

Fernapple replies on Jul 15, 2019:

Good for you.

Don’t open the door!

Fernapple comments on Jul 14, 2019:

God the extortionist. " Nice little soul you got there. Shame if something nasty were to happen to it, you should take out some insurance. And as it happen, no need to read the small print. "

Fernapple replies on Jul 15, 2019:

@Namaste Yes that is true , although it was more the metaphor of spiritual extortion in line with the cartoon, rather than fiscal that i was thinking of.

This is interesting despite the chirpy nature of the presentation, it is at least self critical and ...

Haemish1 comments on Jul 15, 2019:

Hemp might be an interesting plant to consider for this type of project. It grows quickly, in marginal soils and captures a great deal of carbon as it grows. It can be used in a variety ways, ranging from construction materials to biodiesel to fabric.

Fernapple replies on Jul 15, 2019:

Yes the idea of starting with herbs and using them as a pioneer crop ahead of the trees, is not mentioned in the video.