Birth, life, death. That's it!

Fernapple comments on Jun 10, 2020:

You are born, you wear out and when you are too worn you stop functioning. There is no state called death, when you stop functioning, you fall apart, other things grab your bits and reuse them. Death is a word used by theists to big up falling apart, and make it sound more frightening and important than it really is.

Engineer, Physicist, Mathematician: An engineer, a physicist, and a mathematician were on a train ...

Fernapple comments on Jun 10, 2020:

A psychologist, a biologist, a mathematician and a theologian sit outside a cafe drinking coffee. Across the street a man comes walking down the road, and meets a woman who was coming in the opposite direction. They kiss and and disappear into a building, then a minute later they come out again with a small child. The psychologist says. “That's impossible humans do not build relationships that fast.” The mathematician says. “And one plus one does not equal three.” While the biologist says. “By all that is known about biology, humans simply, can not reproduce and grow that fast.” Then the theologian goes down on his knees and says. “Thank you god. This is the greatest day of my life. I get to witness a miracle and there are three scientists here to confirm it.”

I like this.

Fernapple comments on Jun 10, 2020:

But does it like you, and how big are its teeth.

Tree bark after the rain.

Fernapple comments on Jun 10, 2020:

More lichen than tree really. Three plants together making up a landscape, it takes a lot to put together a world perhaps.

“Morality cannot be legislated, but behaviour can be regulated.

Fernapple comments on Jun 10, 2020:

And if enough people are restrained, then the example of good behaviour, could change the hearts in the future, if those hearts grow in a better world.

Disclaimer: I fully realize that the pandemic is serious and is badly affecting a lot of people ...

Fernapple comments on Jun 9, 2020:

Yes, a lot of people are saying that. It just shows how bad our hygiene was before the virus, it is not of course just your personal hygiene, it is everyone improving and not spreading the germs.

Philosophy is like being in a dark room and looking for a black cat.

Fernapple comments on Jun 9, 2020:

Religion is too often, trying to sell the black cat, sight unseen, and then threatening to punch anyone who asks if you really own the cat.

So, should we be isolating, or protesting? [theguardian.com]

Fernapple comments on Jun 9, 2020:

Why not do both. You can protest very well today by writing letters , going on line, phoning. In fact you can make yourself a real pain to those responsible without even leaving you chair.

The question is “What is the basis of reality?

Fernapple comments on Jun 9, 2020:

That depends. If you define the word 'God' as having the same meaning as the word 'Knowledge' then the statement. "I don't know." Is the same as. "There are no gods." And since most people do define god that way, at least by, ad populum they are the same. OK that is a joke, but, he serious point being that. Using the word god, to stand for 'I don't know', as for example Einstien did, runs the risk of aggrandizing the unknown, since the word god comes with grand associations, and assuming that the basis of reality is grand, is assuming some knowledge of it, therefore it can not be unknown if you know that. Since you are in effect making the statement that it is not banal and trivial, which is a statement of knowledge.

An unassumed atheist

Fernapple comments on Jun 9, 2020:

You are under no obligation to share with your family, your thoughts are your own and no one needs to be involved with them. While if you need to share things, speak out or ask for help, that is what friends are for, or this site if you can not go anywhere else.

A day at a wildlife park.

Fernapple comments on Jun 9, 2020:

Great photos, not easy to take fast moving birds even in a captive environment.

I am not an Athenian or a Greek, but a citizen of the world. - Diogenes

Fernapple comments on Jun 9, 2020:

He lived in a storage container. He probably never knew anything about global warming, or the environmental crisis, but would he not be an even greater example of a true citizen of the world today, doing that rather than living in a carbon guzzling modern house.

All shots taken yesterday during my hike on Stone Mountain.

Fernapple comments on Jun 8, 2020:

I love the stream shots four and five especially. So much green so cool and relaxing.

I, TheMiddleWay, am a devout Christian and always have been.

Fernapple comments on Jun 8, 2020:

So why don't you read what other people write carefully ?

It's always good to get a foreign perspective on current issues in the United States.

Fernapple comments on Jun 8, 2020:

From the perspective of another foreigner, it seems about right.

This is a genuine question and I would really like to know the answer. Where does all the money go?

Fernapple comments on Jun 8, 2020:

It does not go anywhere since like god it never really existed, money is just an index of the markets confidence in a governments ability to keep its promises. It can reappear just as quickly as it disappeared.

The squirrel drama continues with photos.

Fernapple comments on Jun 8, 2020:

Great. I notice the way they seem to be standing up more in the photo with the cat, they have obviously seen it. Perhaps they will suffer less predation being near to human habitation.

Better than "absolute" figures are comparative figures, such as Covid related infections per million...

Fernapple comments on Jun 7, 2020:

You really think he understands maths ! Or he would care about maths if he did.

I’m intrigued about something I’ve noticed recently.

Fernapple comments on Jun 7, 2020:

Sometimes, by accident, I hit the like button when aiming for the edit or reply, and a warning pops up saying. "You can not like your own posts." Perhaps something like that could be done.

I’m intrigued about something I’ve noticed recently.

Fernapple comments on Jun 7, 2020:

Yes I have seen that, it is hard to say if it is naughty trying to gain points and attract extra attention to dull posts, or just clumsy. Not good form anyway.

I am an atheist.

Fernapple comments on Jun 7, 2020:

What does not exist, in other words god. Can be given any properties you wish, because since it does not exist it has no properties of its own to conflict with the ones you wish to give it. Therefore it is hardly amazing news that peoples fantasies fulfill their deepest wishes. Or to quote the old saying. "If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is not true." One of the best pieces of evidence for the none existence of god.

Let's give religion a break just for a moment.

Fernapple comments on Jun 7, 2020:

Never did believe. But my religious teachers did teach me how to spot bullshit, how to be very cynical, and that evil most likes to wear the robes of virtue.

According to my physics teacher, people who become atheists will be punished by God.

Fernapple comments on Jun 7, 2020:

You can find evidence for anything anywhere. If you are uncritical in your judgment of how good the evidence is, and you do not take any counter evidence into consideration. For example. Proposal. There are fairies living at the bottom of my garden. Test. I go down the garden and find there are weeds growing there, where did the weeds come from, I did not plant them ? Obviously the fairies must have planted them. Therefore evidence of fairies.

"The propagandist's purpose is to make one set of people forget that certain other sets of people ...

Fernapple comments on Jun 7, 2020:

And/or to make them believe, that another set of people are super human.

“The secret of getting ahead is getting started”................Mark Twain.

Fernapple comments on Jun 6, 2020:

That's two of you today, telling me nothing happens without hard work. Well sorry, I have served twenty customers today, manage with a gale, answered a dozen phone calls, two difficult emails, two social callers, fixed the locks on two jammed doors, and done the watering. So I am not starting anything this evening, I am putting my feet up and having a beer.

An update on my post here [agnostic.

Fernapple comments on Jun 6, 2020:

Wow, wonderful. Hope you manage to get a photo or two.

If you had a Trump supporter walk through your door, with a MAGA hat on what would you do?

Fernapple comments on Jun 6, 2020:

Try to con him/her into giving me some money. If Trump can manage it, how hard can it be.

What made you become an atheist?

Fernapple comments on Jun 6, 2020:

Really evil and obnoxious teachers in a religious school, (UK. C.of E. ) trying to force me to accept bullshit.

People try to do right by each other, no matter the motivation, study finds [phys.org]

Fernapple comments on Jun 6, 2020:

So we are social animals after all, just like wolves, apes, lions, rabbits killer whales, baboons etc.etc. Wow who would have guessed that we are not so exceptional after all. And my religious education teacher told me that we were completely different from the more primitive animals, and also that we needed gods instructions to make us moral. Who would ever have guessed he could have been so wrong.

I recently deactivated all my social media accounts and I'm making an effort to find other ...

Fernapple comments on Jun 6, 2020:

Hello and welcome. Enjoy the site and do check out the groups if you have time, there is something for everyone, and I think that there are groups on both diet/exercise and for ex-forces. Though I would look at the full diversity certainly.

Some people pay so much attention to their reputation that they lose their character. (Unknown)

Fernapple comments on Jun 6, 2020:

You mean that my plan to get the whole world thinking that I am a complete asshole, is going to make me seem bland ?

There is no kind of stupid quite like certainty.

Fernapple comments on Jun 5, 2020:

If you know, why learn.

Researchers report that more than two-thirds of self-identified atheists shed that label after their...

Fernapple comments on Jun 5, 2020:

To quote the article. "Griffiths and the research team caution that the study relied on self-reported responses to a questionnaire, a method that carries substantial possibilities for biased or inaccurate responses among participants."

Pretty similar

Fernapple comments on Jun 5, 2020:

Pass on that, too hard for me.

Cuteness for today

Fernapple comments on Jun 5, 2020:

Not good for the teeth.

God, god we are all atheists. Good evening.

Fernapple comments on Jun 5, 2020:

No there is a wide range of people on this site.

I've been doing StayHome since early March, and heartily tired of it.

Fernapple comments on Jun 5, 2020:

And you took the trouble to frame it, well done. The answer is just don't get out of the car if there is anyone about, no harm in driving then.

"England and America owe their liberty to commerce, which created a new species of power to ...

Fernapple comments on Jun 5, 2020:

That was a very powerful and advanced insight for her day. I have not got round to reading her yet, but have seen many good quotes, must find time.

Today's hike: Extremely rare, endangered plants. Yahoos stay out.

Fernapple comments on Jun 5, 2020:

Well it is good that people respect the rules. Two years ago I went walking in a nature reserve/park on Cyprus. I went on a Sunday and as I walked to the park entrance, which took about half an hour, I was passed by about ten jeeps/pickups loaded with dogs and guns.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned from having an account here, it’s that not everyone arrives ...

Fernapple comments on Jun 4, 2020:

No one ever arrives at anything through purely rational means. Reason may say that there is no worthwhile proof of god, or no evidence that it is good to believe, but to leave religion or even to hold a stance on it requires motivation as well as reason. And the motivation to do anything can only come from emotion, and I suspect that a lot of the emotion which drives people to adopt sceptical stances, is that of revulsion. Especially revulsion at the hypocrisy of religion, its crude morals, its basic tribalism, its unfairness and cruelty, its trivializing of the wonders of creation, and even the creation of a little petty god, etc. etc.. Which means that perhaps and in just a tiny way, in most cases, sceptics can make a small claim to higher moral feelings. Which is perhaps something, however small, and laying false modesty aside to be a little pleased about.

Anybody here interested in chatting?

Fernapple comments on Jun 4, 2020:

Hello and welcome. Yes that is what most of us are here for. What you got to start us off?

Why Jesus is white (:

Fernapple comments on Jun 4, 2020:

Mohamad Ali was alway so bright and articulate, it is in complete and horrible contrast to what happen to him in the end. Of all boxers he was the one who should have survived.

Zum Riesen (The Giant) is a hotel in Miltenberg, Germany and is one of the oldest hotels in the ...

Fernapple comments on Jun 4, 2020:

Love it that there is still a pump outside. If you were building a big new house/hotel in 1411, you would of course want to put it next to a good well. Picture the hotel servants drawing buckets of water, to brew the beer, swill the floors and boil the guests cloths in the laundry.

I am articulate, and opinionated.

Fernapple comments on Jun 4, 2020:

Yes that is a good reason and mainly why I do it. **But** you never know with an idea or a thought, they almost have lives of their own. You put them out there, and you never know where they will go, what lives they may change, or what avalanches of change that affect the whole world, one small thought may trigger, if it lands in the right place at the right time, perhaps long after its originator lost all track of it.

The government just released Trump's physical report.

Fernapple comments on Jun 4, 2020:

Perhaps they misread the scale, and mistook the kilos for pounds.

Why Jesus is white (:

Fernapple comments on Jun 4, 2020:

Because the economically dominant culture, gets to write the history and paint the pictures of it.

Hint of Summer

Fernapple comments on Jun 4, 2020:

More than a hint, that looks perfect.

I enjoy being part of this group , being almost two years since I joined.

Fernapple comments on Jun 3, 2020:

Well done, yes have enjoyed your posts.

Interesting article: [apple.news]

Fernapple comments on Jun 2, 2020:

Yes interesting. Great introduction that.

Do people really fall for this crap?

Fernapple comments on Jun 2, 2020:

Sadly yes, and even more sadly, it tends to be the frail, sick, elderly and those with learning difficulties who fall most often. It is a truly inhuman crime, because there is no way that the fraudsters do not know full well who they are stealing from. And they must get away with even more obvious tricks. I often get demands for bill payments and bank details, from people who give the name 'service provider' as the organization they represent.

What does anyone think of the switch from deciding problems on certainty to deciding mainly on ...

Fernapple comments on Jun 2, 2020:

I always did think in probabilities and percentages, mainly because I never believed in absolutes. Absolutes are firstly faith based positions, secondly they are anti-progressive, (nothing more to learn), and thirdly they do not accept nuance, and not accepting nuance is the basis of nearly all conflict, and the foundation stone of anti- intellectualism. But most of all you hardly ever find them in nature. (Note the "hardly ever" qualifier. LOL)

Seriously need a boost to have some sort of "faith" in humanity as a whole.

Fernapple comments on Jun 2, 2020:

Hello and welcome. Enjoy the site. I don't know about boost your faith in humans, but you will certainly find genuine people here, who will offer genuine support when needed. It helps however to tell them more about yourself, so best write your Bio, then you are more likely to be understood.

Proof of a pre-existing condition? [agnostic.com]

Fernapple comments on Jun 2, 2020:

Yep, your mother and father should have paid your fees, there were forms available in the fertility clinics. Not paying attention.

Trust you are not disapointed.

Fernapple comments on Jun 2, 2020:

My granny warned me about ladies who post photos of naked butts on line, especially really cute butts. Think she was wrong, really love your butt photo.

Help me choose a sign for the police brutality protest today.

Fernapple comments on Jun 1, 2020:

One. But add. 'Be an angel.' To it, because for some people you have to spell it out. As someone once said. "Not at time or audience, for appealing obliquely to the shared literary heritage."

God: What a trap!

Fernapple comments on Jun 1, 2020:

Yep.

[theweek.

Fernapple comments on Jun 1, 2020:

Don't you mean, ' increases risk '.

Sat like a numpty waiting for the chat

Fernapple comments on Jun 1, 2020:

Sweet ladies should never go short of chat, is there something wrong with the people where you live ? Take care of every precious ounce of yourself.

Do any Covid-19 ‘cures’ actually work? [unherd.com]

Fernapple comments on Jun 1, 2020:

If any of them worked, don't you think that every hospital in the world would be using them. And 'no' I did not read the link.

I stopped paying attention to the news and social media about a month ago, and started reading some...

Fernapple comments on Jun 1, 2020:

'Those who do not learn history are doomed to repeat it." Perhaps George Santayana, though also attributed to many others. And sadly the number one thing that history does teach, is the truth of that. Yet we live in a world which claims to be highly advanced, but scorns history as never before.

Actually, natural is neutral | Nature Human Behaviour

Fernapple comments on Jun 1, 2020:

Yes in whole agreement with that. And don't even get me started on the meaningless organic movement. But in one other sense, not really the one the article is about, nature is not neutral, and that is, in the sense that the study of it, as a learning experience, leads to greater understanding and less misunderstanding than does the study of gods.

Wild ponies at Chincoteague Wildlife Refuge,

Fernapple comments on Jun 1, 2020:

Lovely photograph. What state is that?

“If you’re reading this .

Fernapple comments on May 31, 2020:

Very like R. Dawkins. "If you are able to read this, then you are one of the lucky ones, you won the lottery of life"

Does anyone else wonder how much the Covid-19 situation is factoring into all this rioting?

Fernapple comments on May 31, 2020:

Yes of course you have to wonder about that. Certainly when people are afraid they often turn to violence, even against things and people which have no connection with the source of the fear. Things like racism , nationalism and all the movements of hate, rise and rise when people are fearful and stressed. But even more you may well find that you are up against the greatest factor in human life, which is even more powerful than fear, or hate, which is simply boredom. The speed drunk monkey, creates religions, nations, empires, art and architecture, drains the earth of its resources, poisons land and sea, and then destroys all that it has made equally swiftly, mainly just to feed its need for novelty. And to fulfill its need never to sit still. After weeks of lock down ?

Atheist Bible Study Today's Lesson: Rev 4:11 -- Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and...

Fernapple comments on May 31, 2020:

The Bible is not to be used with logic. Just like it says on the bleach , not to be used internally. LOL

When theists ask, "If you dont believe in God, then what is our purpose?"

Fernapple comments on May 30, 2020:

It really means. What purpose do you serve if you are not helping to serve my purpose.

Hi all, Haven't been here in forever.

Fernapple comments on May 30, 2020:

This too will pass. It does not matter if you can not see the light at the end of the tunnel, if you keep going forward you always come to the other side of the mountain. Sorry metaphors are all I have to offer.

We are so fucked UK Government refusing to sign up to Brexit safeguards so it can change Human ...

Fernapple comments on May 30, 2020:

We will end up as the fifty second state of the USA, but without any voting rights.

Hey everybody! My Italian parsley is ridiculously happy and as little container and I'm afraid it's ...

Fernapple comments on May 30, 2020:

Keep splitting and repotting. then you can give it away sell it, or sometimes you just have to put things on the compost.

"Once foot soldiers of the Elite will no longer protect the Elite, they are done." Chris Hedges

Fernapple comments on May 30, 2020:

While there is payment, there will be foot soldiers. All that sometimes happens, is that the foot soldiers decide they can manage better without the establishment, then you just get a new establishment.

That reminds me, I've got a few Vanilla Pepsi's that could use some disinfecting...

Fernapple comments on May 30, 2020:

You don't need to disinfect cola, that stuff kills everything. Tip some into your bleach to make it work better. LOL

It's inevitable this might happen ... [agnostic.com]

Fernapple comments on May 30, 2020:

"The ocean, its so big, and I am so small, what do I mean to the ocean ?"

Is Trump an hypocrite?

Fernapple comments on May 30, 2020:

"Is trump a hypocrite ?" Silly question. especially about Trump. Are there any world leaders who are not hypocrites ? Better question.

It's amazing that Science has managed to progress as much as it has when there are so many ...

Fernapple comments on May 29, 2020:

"Dinos are not real, read the Bible." Nor it appears are viruses, and you don't even need to dig to find them.

this is priceless Dominic Cummins and the The Durham Dash [youtube.com]

Fernapple comments on May 29, 2020:

That was funny and unlike some of the satirical songs posted, it was musical.

Trading Standards officers are seeking to halt sales of a device that has been claimed to offer ...

Fernapple comments on May 29, 2020:

Wow that quantum stuff again. Do people really know how small them quantum things are, and how easy it would be to lose one down the back of a cushion. LOL

I have no recollection of how that happened.

Fernapple comments on May 29, 2020:

I find that happen more and more as I get older. I find injuries which would have made me squeal when younger, and I have no idea how they happened. Sadly I think that the power to feel things is another one which fades as you get older. Kids are not wimps it really does hurt more when you are young.

Everyone needs a service animal these days ...[agnostic.com]

Fernapple comments on May 29, 2020:

They are so cute I think that idea may backfire. At least if they don't backfire first.

Planted 36 broccoli starts today.

Fernapple comments on May 29, 2020:

I am glad that I only have rabbits to deal with, enjoy your broccoli you have earned it building all that.

religious people threaten me

Fernapple comments on May 28, 2020:

I do not know it is not my county, but there will be people on this site who do, so just hang in there, and you will get help.

In these difficult times this gave me a chuckle

Fernapple comments on May 28, 2020:

My dog was terrified of those bales. Now I know why. I does not however have quite the same threatening power as . "Beware of the bull."

On a serious note .

Fernapple comments on May 28, 2020:

Good to hear you are on the mend.

I propose we start correcting people saying god with Zod.... lol

Fernapple comments on May 28, 2020:

How about, 'Pod' the great 'has bean'.

Trump Fears Next Election Will Be Decided by Americans | The New Yorker

Fernapple comments on May 28, 2020:

Now would that not be a turn up for the books !

It is better to be a has-been than a never-was. - C. Northcote Parkinson

Fernapple comments on May 28, 2020:

Fast headed for retirement, and really looking forward to becoming a 'has been'. Bring it on, yes.

The sad emoticon in main reaction emojis. I want it back. That is all. Thank you

Fernapple comments on May 28, 2020:

Yes a lot of people have been saying that for a long time. And a 'thank you' would be good.

Remarkable findings on Neanderthal genes - [mpg.de]

Fernapple comments on May 28, 2020:

That and red hair too so they say.

Accountable Media [newsweek.com]

Fernapple comments on May 27, 2020:

And I suppose that he gets to define what 'conservative' is.

You must agree that defies logic.

Fernapple comments on May 27, 2020:

Incubation is between 1 to 14 days, but a typical time is three days. This however smells fishy, wait a month and see.

Never in a million years could I have imagined I would go up to a bank teller wearing a mask and ask...

Fernapple comments on May 27, 2020:

What is even more amazing is that, they let you have it and no bells go off. LOL

I’m confused is this a dating site or just an atheist forum?

Fernapple comments on May 27, 2020:

It is mainly an agnostic and atheist social forum. There is it seems some dating on the side, and I am told we have a couple of marriages to add to the score, but I do not think the dating side is strong.

A picture is worth a thousand words

Fernapple comments on May 27, 2020:

Yes any religion that puts, **my** relationship with god, **my** salvation and **my** church first, then adds no clear moral code, but is prepared to justify any form of "I want". Is bound to attract the spoiled entitled brat element.

Well this should do something interesting.

Fernapple comments on May 27, 2020:

Some people say, that the gene which programs for large amounts of body hair in males, is the same one which programs for high intelligence. There you go, a thought to cheer your day up.

Amazing history

Fernapple comments on May 27, 2020:

Good term. We should bring that back, along with 'Spiv' for those who are profiting. Do you have, spiv in the US or is it just a UK term ?

To live a long prosperous life.

Fernapple comments on May 27, 2020:

That is sadly very true. Though I have always found that the advice to, live each day as if it was to be your last, was very hard to live up to.

[sciencealert.com] as if the Pandemic isn't bad enough, there's this....

Fernapple comments on May 27, 2020:

Having said that, with their food resources depleted, the populations could collapse quite quickly.

We all want something to look forward to as we watch our own society suffer, but there isn’t a way...

Fernapple comments on May 27, 2020:

I am sorry but the link is not working.

"How can I begin anything new with all of yesterday in me?" ---- Leonard Cohen

Fernapple comments on May 27, 2020:

A plant grows at the top of the old stem.

Grammar Nazi.

Fernapple comments on May 26, 2020:

"You are." Avoids the problem. But does not the devil have perfect grammar anyway, surely he invented it.

You know your garden has gotten too big when ..

Fernapple comments on May 26, 2020:

You have five seats in the garden, and have never sat on any of them.