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So the maximum bet on fixed odds machines has tumbled to £2.
Mcflewster comments on May 21, 2018:
Unemployment is low. Good chance of another job for those employed by betting shops. What chance of regaining your respect, house and family after losing all through addiction?
Anyone else here involved in ' Street Epistomology' or is this simply an American activity?
Mcflewster comments on May 13, 2018:
Your post led me into a subject I had no idea went on. Thanks for introducing it to me and the site. Do you do this sort of thing?The videos on You tube were the best education in the technique. However I have the same objection to this as to philosophy in general . There are no hard testing points, clear aims and clean techniques for confirming that one has actually achieved anything. Ok anything that get people thinking apart from being told what to believe is a good thing . Is there anything more to it than that? All religion is about submission is the most that I learned from it.
Any Humanists amongst us? ://youtu.be/549zn2nJpdU
Mcflewster comments on May 11, 2018:
Humanists(UK) has just won a battle with the faith schools to disallow them from controlling their intake on a faith basis. I have been a member since 1965
Substitutes for Religious Practices (1) Why wait for religions to decline more ?
Mcflewster comments on May 4, 2018:
My three things that as a human you cannot escape, no matter how much you try (except perhaps by being a hermit) are Politics, Religion and Science. They are built in to society. Like most people here I am tired of what religions have been pedalling and this is why I am asking for better substitutes NOW.
We have had two very famous very sick children lately Charlie Guard and Alfie Evans.
Mcflewster comments on Apr 30, 2018:
Every hospital should have a specialist with some training in medicine - perhaps even a retired doctor and the specialist's job should be that of explaining the science behind the child's illness. I believe that Alfie's "brain was being destroyed" . I do not understand how that could happen. Doctors are now beginning to rely on patients to understand their illnesses. However I would not advocate going flat out into Google without a specialist alongside you who has the time allocated to help.
Do you know about works of Robert Green Ingersoll?
Mcflewster comments on Apr 30, 2018:
"Happiness is the only good.. the time to be happy is now and the way to be happy is to make others so". Robert Green Ingersoll American Humanist 1876. Use extensively by the British Humanist Association.
Saw this, loved it, thought I'd share it.
Mcflewster comments on Apr 28, 2018:
Surely there would be at least one book in the lefthand shelves !
Why do we assume that physical laws exist, i.
Mcflewster comments on Apr 26, 2018:
Quote From the first world war "If you know a better hole[Dug out trench] .. Go to it" Sorry to be flippant but I feel about this assumption that this all we will get for quite a few millennia. When is the best time to question assumptions ? Perhaps when you are testing out a new theory/ What would that be?
I joined this site because there many things to be discovered yet and not to be bothered with ...
Mcflewster comments on Apr 23, 2018:
Being an agnostic means that you are well prepared for anything that may be discovered in the future, All scientists SHOULD be agnostic. Why would you set out to discover anything if you NEW the answer already. All science should be a surprise.
Can One be religious and Skeptically agnostic?
Mcflewster comments on Apr 23, 2018:
@Gwendolyn2018: 23rd April A very good analysis . We need to get religion out by its roots - keeping the good things (e.g. socialisation) of course.
Just wondering how many post-Christians there are in this group
Mcflewster comments on Apr 23, 2018:
I used confirmation for christianity as a test of god. He failed.
William James, father of American psychology, tells of meeting an old lady who told him the Earth ...
Mcflewster comments on Apr 22, 2018:
Why doesn't the thinker try real science?
Feelings about your own Funerals
Mcflewster comments on Apr 21, 2018:
There is a lot that this site can do to get people to trust other people. Not to destroy your privacy - just to trust. If you have planned to have others at your funeral you have been trying to see the value in all people. Good luck with yours.
Feelings about your own Funerals
Mcflewster comments on Apr 20, 2018:
@Gwendolyn2018 @JimmyM @Bloodswolf @ArthurPhillips @EMC2 @BearsNPenn @WileEQuixote @Shelton @Browneyedlady
@Holysocks @AMNOTGOD @ThereIsADog @xyz123 @Rugglesby @pthomas59 @Bonfire13 @LeighShelton @jonds56
@Reikodriver1981 @alvinsmom @Silver1wun @Thatguyy @babsy @LenHazell53 @SilverDollarJedi @sassygirl3869 @LenHazell53 @KKGator @VAL3941 @birdingnut @snytiger6
@jacpod Observations on Funeral post This contains some generalisation but it may well not be a representative sample of Americans and the UK population. It is not meant as a judgement on anyone’s views of their own funeral. It is more about what can happen when religions do disappear. 1. It is amazing how the template of religious funerals has straightjacketed so many people’s thoughts. Are we not Freethinkers? 2. Although many people say “Don’t want a funeral” others rightly say “It is not for the dead but the living." I did ask about the people who would attend your funeral but very sadly not much mention there. This same effect many years ago led to the establishment of the job “professional mourners” Very sad. 3. It is usually a civic duty to dispose of your body hygienically and with respect. Although some cities will give paupers funerals to those in appropriate circumstances. 4. Funerals can and are becoming completely in your controls [subject to bye-laws]. And with of course the help of someone that is not you. Just keep asking funeral directors for a personal service. Planning now IS a possibility. Start a readily accessible book . Why keep it secret? 5. Making sure it is enjoyable( through learning) for everyone there IS an aim.
Feelings about your own Funerals
Mcflewster comments on Apr 19, 2018:
@Gwendolyn2018 I would like to join you in your pursuit of accuracy over “Your Funerals’. Is it not obvious from the context of the site that I am asking a lot of people about their own particular funeral ? What should I have said to make it clearer ? Only just passed all my English exams here in UK. Anyway I hope that I have convinced you that any single person can have more than one funeral . It has been known for relatives to hold a ceremony on each subsequent anniversary of death but maybe those person’s relatives do not move on from the death so is a bit obsessive
Feelings about your own Funerals
Mcflewster comments on Apr 18, 2018:
@Gwendolyn2018 From Wikipedia A "living funeral" is usually done by someone who knows that he or she does not have much time left to live. Whether the reason is that the person is terminally ill or is at an old age, the person knows death is near and could use it as closure. It is used to celebrate the happy times, and forgive the body for "failing".[1]
There is no agnostic vs. atheist! The peeve I have...
Mcflewster comments on Apr 18, 2018:
@EdwinMcCravy: You say meaningless for 'God' but other people do put their own meaning whenever they hear it. Any ideas about how to stop everyone hearing it ever again? This is why I am not a secularist, people who believe in keeping it separate.I believe it will take so long to go away that it is a waste of effort to form partitions when we could be engaged in getting it to actually go away - however slowly.
Brit living in USA Would love to join this group and keep in touch with what's happening at home.
Mcflewster comments on Apr 17, 2018:
You are very Welcome. Don't agree about the numbers USA/UK. Agnostics abound everywhere often closet. We need an additional site like this one in the UK too although each site must accept international membership. At least one major non religious UK organisation has given up on forums for years now ,much to my dismay.
What is chemistry?
Mcflewster comments on Apr 16, 2018:
I decide 30 years ago that I had to tell my freshers this because they chose the subject without fully realising what the subject was about. Chemistry . It uses two or more substances to first investigate the nature (property) of that unique (and pure ) substance and then by experiment find how it changes to one or more completely new substance(s) with a completely different nature (set of properties). BTW you are a complex mixture of substance and you cannot stay alive without doing chemistry. NB Best done with a few actual demonstrations of dramatic change. e.g bangs In the romantic context? If you come together and together you make a new "substance" - (Mood, behaviour pattern, way of living) something that never existed before and would not exist without the other person then you have CHEMISTRY. Good luck with your experiments!! sometimes the new substance is a baby with appearance and traits coming from both partners
I was 12 the day I stopped believing.
Mcflewster comments on Apr 16, 2018:
" I wonder what'll happen next." You have been able to review your life and look at it truthful to yourself. I see you as developing this skill to help other people. Getting as many comments and Likes as this is just the start. Not a Pastor but a therapist perhaps ?
[meetup.
Mcflewster comments on Apr 13, 2018:
@Red_Cat @Rufus_Maximus @Savage @pictomaniac @SimonMorgan1 This post is to replace one with this first line .. [Meetup] https://www.meetup.com/Christian-spirituality-faith-doubt-community-love-justice/ It is about looking at Christian and other religious media for research into how to conduct our own business. In other words, “Know your enemy”. In order to see the actual site please copy and paste the URL above into the address line of your own browser, however I reproduce below the text of the ‘About section’ so as to pass my comment on it. I can understand that some will want to keep away from these sites altogether. Because I messed up several people thought that I was promoting the site and commented accordingly. My apologies - this is a second attempt. *********************Text from the meetup site**************************** What we're about Public Group Do you struggle to connect with more institutional forms of church or religion yet yearn for a genuinely inclusive community where Christian spirituality can be explored and deepened and where creativity is embraced? Do you long for a faith-space where it’s safe to search and disagree, where questions are welcomed and where it’s ok to be “not ok”? A place where generosity, hospitality, welcome, laughter, honest dialogue, prayer, justice-seeking, children, grace, worship, vulnerability, love, and a passion for life are prioritised and treasured? Perhaps one (or more) of the following movements, approaches, writers or thinkers mean something to you? Richard Rohr, Anne Lamott, Rob Bell, Brene Brown, Jean Vanier, Brian Maclaren, Rachel Held Evans, Henri Nouwen, Shane Claiborne, John Bell, contemplative spirituality, the emerging/alternative church movement, mysticism, Greenbelt Festival, new monasticism, creative worship... to name but a few? Maybe you haven’t heard of ANY of these but you are intrigued. Or you’re a skeptic who likes the idea of a wild, transformative God or feels inexplicably drawn to the person of Jesus? Perhaps you find yourself wondering if there are other people in the Newbury area asking similar questions or exploring creative ideas of faith and Christianity? Anne Lamott says that “the opposite of faith is not doubt; it’s certainty”. We agree. However, there is at least one thing we are certain of: there’s no such thing as a perfect church. Such a group doesn’t exist- not here, not anywhere. We have more questions than answers. And besides, this is NOT a church. It is a conversation. If you’ve answered ‘yes’ to even one of the questions above, we’d love to hear from you and to start a connection. Thanks for reading. Members (19) 1.My first observation is on the fact that there are ...
[meetup.
Mcflewster comments on Apr 13, 2018:
@Red_Cat Yes it is no surprise that you are confused. I messed up the link and so people thought I was trying to promote the site. I am a staunch Humanist. No I look and listen to religious media to find their way of thinking and better it. I will try in an other post and tag yo within it.
[meetup.
Mcflewster comments on Apr 12, 2018:
@pictomaniac "This quote is particularly ridiculous for me: 'Or you’re a skeptic who likes the idea of a wild, transformative God or feels inexplicably drawn to the person of Jesus?' " This quote within the above quote is from a Xian lady who is trying to draw in the maximum number of doubters to HER website so that she can tame them. How would you draw in the 'wild' potential members of this site ?.. well perhaps there are enough wild ones here already, Thank Darwin ! and we are not trying to tame anyone. I was just trying to see how the other side thinks and schemes. It is one of my tactics.
[meetup.
Mcflewster comments on Apr 12, 2018:
@Rufus_Maximus: I look at everything that might help Agnostics to be more sure of their position and if I get ideas for counteracting this religious zealots then so much the better. Please don't misjudge my purpose in talking about these religious sites
[meetup.
Mcflewster comments on Apr 12, 2018:
My purpose in constructing this post was to examine the sort of response that religions give that is at the opposite end of what this website is going to do on the spectrum from religion to atheism - dealing often with the same doubts that we have. If we could learn from Xian sites that should help us to be stronger. If doubters get just more preaching then I agree that would be useless to us. Religionists are intelligent and have ways and means of resisting change. I shall continue to make myself aware of techniques. I shall be better informed to resist the use of false science which is my speciality.
What is your knowledge of religion?
Mcflewster comments on Apr 11, 2018:
Someone once said "God IS Dead". I know enough about religion to say that will never be true until we all stop talking about him/her.
What is your knowledge of religion?
Mcflewster comments on Apr 11, 2018:
My knowledge is on a need to know basis. i.e. ~when religions change I need to know just how long we have to put up with them. Trouble is they are always changing and they were not set up to change.
[meetup.
Mcflewster comments on Apr 11, 2018:
https://www.meetup.com/Christian-spirituality-faith-doubt-community-love-justice/ Christian spirituality faith doubt community love justice Location Newbury, United Kingdom

What we're about Public Group Do you struggle to connect with more institutional forms of church or religion yet yearn for a genuinely inclusive community where Christian spirituality can be explored and deepened and where creativity is embraced? Do you long for a faith-space where it’s safe to search and disagree, where questions are welcomed and where it’s ok to be “not ok”? A place where generosity, hospitality, welcome, laughter, honest dialogue, prayer, justice-seeking, children, grace, worship, vulnerability, love, and a passion for life are prioritised and treasured? Perhaps one (or more) of the following movements, approaches, writers or thinkers mean something to you? Richard Rohr, Anne Lamott, Rob Bell, Brene Brown, Jean Vanier, Brian Maclaren, Rachel Held Evans, Henri Nouwen, Shane Claiborne, John Bell, contemplative spirituality, the emerging/alternative church movement, mysticism, Greenbelt Festival, new monasticism, creative worship... to name but a few? Maybe you haven’t heard of ANY of these but you are intrigued. Or you’re a skeptic who likes the idea of a wild, transformative God or feels inexplicably drawn to the person of Jesus? Perhaps you find yourself wondering if there are other people in the Newbury area asking similar questions or exploring creative ideas of faith and Christianity? Anne Lamott says that “the opposite of faith is not doubt; it’s certainty”. We agree. However, there is at least one thing we are certain of: there’s no such thing as a perfect church. Such a group doesn’t exist- not here, not anywhere. We have more questions than answers. And besides, this is NOT a church. It is a conversation. If you’ve answered ‘yes’ to even one of the questions above, we’d love to hear from you and to start a connection. Thanks for reading. Members (19)
Thoughts on this meme?
Mcflewster comments on Apr 10, 2018:
In the future is it not good just good to say "Nobody should be told what to do" ? There are ways of living that would achieve this - for adults at least. Being told what to do INCLUDES what to believe.
Thoughts on this meme?
Mcflewster comments on Apr 9, 2018:
For every right there exists (or does there?) an equal and opposite right.?? Cf Newton's Laws of force. Well these rights above. Are they Opposite? Are they equal
There is no agnostic vs. atheist! The peeve I have...
Mcflewster comments on Apr 9, 2018:
Have you ever wondered why there are so many different religions? Well they start out as unified "all encompassing" , Unitarian etc etc. Then some young buck disagrees with the definition of a word and first a faction join them then it becomes sect , then a completely different church and/or website. Is this the process happening above? I will start a new topic if this particular post does not draw many responses. Surely we should be coming together to defeat religion and not splitting hairs . Blanket words Rule!
I want to explore a touchy topic.
Mcflewster comments on Apr 9, 2018:
Thee answer lies surely in the history of evolution of our species. Will the evolutionary [unthinking] machine ever get us a second chance to evolve into a more equal society? - that is now that we are just deciding to do more about the inequality of the sexes?. Well if it could it would take a very long time so you would probably want a more sociological approach as opposed to a fast track evolution. I think it could be done. Men would have to tone down their testosterone. Women would have to just keep on achieving more and more by way of gender supremacy in hitherto male roles. But please give up when you have supremacy and don't take out any revenge.
Is atheism linked to depression/anxiety?
Mcflewster comments on Apr 6, 2018:
@VictoriaNotes [cambridge.org] Site not found Wonder Why?
Is atheism linked to depression/anxiety?
Mcflewster comments on Apr 6, 2018:
@Daco2007 “It's not my place to educate them.” But pretty please try?
Is atheism linked to depression/anxiety?
Mcflewster comments on Apr 6, 2018:
The only objection I have to the word is that it is negative. Humanist is both positive -about Humans and shows the correct focus after leaving god. As you know depressives are a bit short on positivity.
There is no agnostic vs. atheist! The peeve I have...
Mcflewster comments on Apr 6, 2018:
@TheMiddleWay But this site could make a difference to how people see them selves, could it not? It will not proselytise people into Humanism and I hope that I am not seen in this way ,but we need to paint similar banners for our demonstrations do we not? Remember Atheist IS the most hated word in the American public is it not. It is also the easiest to define but a lot of people add a lot more baggage to further their own (twisted?)causes.
There is no agnostic vs. atheist! The peeve I have...
Mcflewster comments on Apr 6, 2018:
@TheMiddleWay ”Precise thoughts come from precise language”. I do not agree with this. Words stay mostly constant and persist long past their usefulness e.g gay . It is the meaning which changes (and this is the same for definitions which are often personal ) and we cannot stop people changes meaning for their own sometimes twisted purposes. Gay changed its meaning to cheer up homosexuals to be more in line with their behaviour. Words often encompass two or more categories. Most Humanists are also Atheists -I am not. Surely what we are searching for is blanket word that covers many concepts AND puts the most important things up front. Christ does for describing Christians and Human is the most important statement that only humans figure in our explanations.

BTW Most gays are not unusually cheerful in my experience -they are just ordinary people.
“Not one of you truly believes until you wish for others what you wish for yourself.
Mcflewster comments on Apr 5, 2018:
@mordant Islam did have period of very successful science ( Exhibition at Science Museum London ) several years ago . This stopped with the rise of one particular caliph.
A photo that perfectly sums up Britain in 2018...
Mcflewster comments on Apr 5, 2018:
The daily escape from the real thinking required to correct what is wrong with the UK.
Any Christian Humanists, Jewish Humanists, Muslim Humanists , 'X' Humanists here?
Mcflewster comments on Apr 4, 2018:
@goldendoll If Only....
“Not one of you truly believes until you wish for others what you wish for yourself.
Mcflewster comments on Apr 4, 2018:
A Brief Overview of the History of Islam - attached pdf below. https://americanhumanist.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/islam.pdf Many medieval Muslim thinkers pursued humanistic, rational and scientific discourses in their search for knowledge, meaning and values. A wide range of Islamic writings on history and philosophical theology show that medieval Islamic thought was open to the humanistic ideas of individualism, secularism, skepticism and liberalism. — Humanists strive to embrace the moral principle in the Golden Rule, the ethic of reciprocity, and treat each other as one would like to be treated themselves — with tolerance, consideration and compassion. The Golden Rule, a unifying humanistic principle, cannot be claimed for any one philosophy or religion. Throughout the ages, many traditions have promoted one or other versions of it. In Islam, the Golden Rule is: “Not one of you truly believes until you wish for others what you wish for yourself.” — The Prophet Muhammad, Hadith
Now that the pope has declared HELL closed for eternity, which other 'beating stick' of religion ...
Mcflewster comments on Apr 3, 2018:
https://kenanmalik.wordpress.com/2018/04/02/religious-faith-and-faith-in-humanity/ FAITH IN HUMANITY POPE's statement on Hell
How do Believers become Non-Believers
Mcflewster comments on Apr 3, 2018:
I agree we need a road map and to keep active with it but there must be many thousands of stories for the conversion. Perhaps with more stories told we could look for patterns?
Hi all - we Brits are heavily outnumbered by our colonial cousins on Agnostic.
Mcflewster comments on Apr 3, 2018:
I agree. We could be a force for reason.
Now that the pope has declared HELL closed for eternity, which other 'beating stick' of religion ...
Mcflewster comments on Apr 3, 2018:
@Paul4747 What a thought!
Time to see who stands on which side of the line over Brexit.
Mcflewster comments on Apr 3, 2018:
The supposed "will of the people" referendum was so flawed that if we have another like that over a different but complex situation, then we are DOOMED.
Hello fellow Brits.
Mcflewster comments on Apr 2, 2018:
Welcome! You obviously know about Humanist groups in the UK and perhaps Humanists(UK)website and other non religious organisation. I would be pleased to know how you rate and or rank them as useful in full comparison with this site. Be prepared for other surprises on this site. The films which sprang from Tolkein's work are probably the reason for his popularity here. Make a post about some amethyst authors with good stories.
Time to see who stands on which side of the line over Brexit.
Mcflewster comments on Apr 1, 2018:
I agree -but don't want this mess of petitions, having signed them all anyway. I want a second referendum or election - the adult way of doing things. Pressure will build and build from now on. If the majority of brexiteers are forced over the hurdle of working out every single advantage and disadvantage, they will surely fail.
Now that the pope has declared HELL closed for eternity, which other 'beating stick' of religion ...
Mcflewster comments on Mar 31, 2018:
Mine would be to repudiate the concept of putting dead innocent babies who had not been baptised into another place than Heaven or Hell (Catholics - what is it called? ) and ask for the forgiveness of the said dead babies families.
Any recommendations to attend a live lecture /debate by Richard Dawkins
Mcflewster comments on Mar 31, 2018:
Ask him to name his most troublesome opponent. Study that opponent's style and join Richard in showing the opponent the error of his ways.
A Very British Problem.
Mcflewster comments on Mar 31, 2018:
I vote for mixed ability every time. In this case a mixed ability to fully appreciate a mixture of biscuits at any one time. Also I have had to appreciate complete absence of biscuits since I have diabetes. Abstinence has its { religious and non religious} uses.
Who are your science heroes?
Mcflewster comments on Mar 29, 2018:
Darwin has to be top of my list. How he shook the world !! and still is. That is what I call "science changes all".
Hi all, I just found the UK group and would love to chat and make new friends.
Mcflewster comments on Mar 29, 2018:
Welcome from a science guy . Where do arts and science meet? ( not physically) . I appreciate the value of both!
I have just now founded a 'group' called Southport Atheists.
Mcflewster comments on Mar 29, 2018:
Well done . Liked your website selfie and your science contribution . Keep going whatever! David
I get a little chuckle out of the level system.
Mcflewster comments on Mar 27, 2018:
@teslanesta (Aaron) Please do tell us why (briefly) it reminds me of the scientology level system. What do you have to do to change levels in Scientology. Lets all try to get John Travolta onto this site? (joke)
What has science done for you lately?
Mcflewster comments on Mar 26, 2018:
@melbates ."Such as?" This example is probably a bit way out but I am trying to make the point that scientific method is applicable in many more situations than we currently think. "MAKE and execute to satisfaction of your Mom A PLAN to tidy your bedroom. All thinking must be original to you although you[teacher option{ Can or Cannot}] use the internet to research. Photos must record Initial state and progress in stages. Parent must sign for the originality too"
What has science done for you lately?
Mcflewster comments on Mar 25, 2018:
Why do we spend too much time doing "other famous people's science" in schools? Ok it teaches a narrow range of techniques. Instead we should arrange for the child to discover something personal about themselves using and improving upon their own understanding of none stuffy scientific method
I am particularly interested in letting each child have a Eureka surprise moment of their own in any...
Mcflewster comments on Mar 25, 2018:
Link to group "Non Religious Science teachers -any age Group" or "Non Religious Science teachers -any age Group"
What do you say?
Mcflewster comments on Mar 25, 2018:
Ancient (war time) UK Version. Coughs and sneezes spread diseases.
Have you ever cheated on an exam? Do you think cheating in a test is moral?
Mcflewster comments on Mar 23, 2018:
I have sat in at courses where the lecturer virtually gave us the exam paper in the last session before the exam -probably to improve his own pupil exam pass statistics. The only way to stop cheating is to make exams a more pleasant varied experience and to educate what would happen to you if you say failed to understand a concept because you cheated that bit of the course and it revealed a weakness that in the future with your false degree put your job, reputation,clients life and conscience at risk.
My Sister is probably indifferently agnostic.
Mcflewster comments on Mar 23, 2018:
THIS is the place to change your sister at least to someone who cares. That applies to ~~thousands if not~~ many millions of people world wide.
I need 3 points to hit 500. How much is this post worth?
Mcflewster comments on Mar 21, 2018:
Try not counting. You get to the next level quicker. Enjoy!
Atheist Church Songs Tim Hawkins is a Christian comedian and a pretty funny one at that.
Mcflewster comments on Mar 21, 2018:
Comedians command a very powerful tool in any fight. A court jester was always the rule for many kings and queens. In the UK comedians are having actual serious views and for sarcastic and witty cutting remarks. For the prime example view "Have I got news for you" on the BBC Chanel if you get one. They often Pop up on Question Time with the top thinkers in society. They often come up with the unexpected - the more unexpected the better. And sarcasmm will not work unless there is an element of truth about it. These songs are to be expected and yes they are funny but they do not tell any truths about the majority of atheists. I keep trying to find jokes about Humanist so far without much sucess -perhaps I am just waiting for the first real Alienist. Perhaps you can do better.
Can you live without meat?
Mcflewster comments on Mar 21, 2018:
We are all built of the same building blocks (mostly) and as long as there enough feedstock from other building blocks having the essential components coming through our mouth, does it really matter?. Would find veganism difficult as I was born into a meat handling business.
Goodbye to S²-(aq) the Chemical that Never Existed?
Mcflewster comments on Mar 21, 2018:
Sruggling and I taught Chemistry to A (Highschool) level
There is no agnostic vs. atheist! The peeve I have...
Mcflewster comments on Mar 18, 2018:
What is more important than the pedantic differences between words [I did find your analysis good though] is getting a word that is acceptable to peolple starting at either end and coming to a working agreement. Our opponents look for lack of agreement as a sign of weakness. Yes I know they have a lot of weaknesses in this area also. I was rather hoping that the word Humanist would be the blanket term which covers these and several additional words. The use of these words has served their purposes and now it is time to move on together and with a collective descriptor.
Breasts
Mcflewster comments on Mar 17, 2018:
I actually think that every photo of a nude woman should have an insert of a small photo showing a women visably feeding a baby . Preferably it would be the same woman and a caption saying "This is what they were designed for . These Breasts BELONG to me and my baby ; they are LOANED to my husband."
I wonder why so many people like/believe in Angels?
Mcflewster comments on Mar 13, 2018:
@sticks48 No feathers ruffled!
Happiness
Mcflewster comments on Mar 13, 2018:
"Happiness is the only good..the time to be happy is now and the way to be happy is to make others so." Robert Green Ingersoll. American Humanist, 1876
What makes a person "intelligent?"
Mcflewster comments on Mar 13, 2018:
I think that the greater intelligence shows it self in making many and lasting connections between things which are not obviously connected - hence progressing human knowledge. It is not connected with remembering knowledge although both tend to occur together . I picture something in the brain wildy waving arround to try to connect to a different waving something from another retained thought.
Do you over-think and over-analyze?
Mcflewster comments on Mar 12, 2018:
Sleeplessness : Give your brain a job to do i.e. not letting it wander. Spend some time thinking how long will this job take. Record your conclusions somehow. About an hour works for me as a non drug sleep inducer.
Happiness
Mcflewster comments on Mar 12, 2018:
Tribute to a much loved comedian who died yesterday. He recorded this song and sold over a million copies . One word has been changed from thenoriginal Happiness by Ken Dodd - YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4a5vaIsaxB8 Lyrics Happiness, happiness, the greatest gift that I posses I thank the WORLD I've been blessed With more than my share of happiness To me this old world is a wonderful place And I'm just about the luckiest human in the whole human race I've got no silver and I've got no gold Just a whole lot of happiness in my soul Happiness, happiness, the greatest gift that I posses I thank the WORLD I've been blessed With more than my share of happiness Happiness to me is an ocean tide Or a sunset fading on a mountain side Or maybe a big old heaven full of stars up above When I'm in the arms of the one I love Happiness is a field of grain Lifting its face to the falling rain I can see it in the sunshine, I breathe it in the rain Happiness everywhere Happiness, happiness, the greatest gift that I posses I thank the WORLD I've been blessed With more than my share of happiness A wise old man told me one time That happiness is nothing but a frame of mind I hope when you go to measuring my success That you don't count my money count my happiness Happiness, happiness, the greatest gift that I posses I thank the WORLD I've been blessed With more than my share of happiness Happiness, happiness, the greatest gift that I posses I thank the WORLD I've been blessed With more than my share of happiness
My 12-yo daughter revealed to me yesterday that she’s gay. Should I...
Mcflewster comments on Mar 11, 2018:
Please think through with her all the consequences of locking herself into that decision . Is an intermediate step (Bisexual) possible. Are you to trying to expalin the feelings she has for the same sex? If not start a new post. Keeping things fuid whilst honestly accepting everything that can happen will get you through this.
Are there more means of knowledge?
Mcflewster comments on Mar 9, 2018:
The only means of knowing something or getting as close to the truth that is possible at a particular time is SCIENCE made pure and simple. Intuition is a form of science where you are not fully in the driving seat e.g have lost many connections to a conclusion e.g where you are unable to recall how you came to a conclusion.
Hello everyone! Though I joined a while back, I haven't posted yet.
Mcflewster comments on Mar 9, 2018:
Try Googling "Sunday Assembly"
How irrational is society's pretense that many things like masturbation, menstruation and coitus ...
Mcflewster comments on Mar 9, 2018:
I wonder if it would help if there was a symathetic and simple explanation of why nature uses menstruation to keep everything healthy and ready for impregnation.
If There Is No God, Murder Isn't Wrong - Christopher Hitchens responds from the grave - YouTube
Mcflewster comments on Mar 8, 2018:
The religious commentator asks of atheists what photos and/or measurements can you make to prove murder is wrong. This must be applied to religionists also. It can be shown that overall the number of violent deaths in the world is and has been deceasing markedly for both atheists and Religionists. See work by Stephen Pinker
Did you vote Remain in or Leave the EU?
Mcflewster comments on Mar 5, 2018:
Brexit is definitely a reaction to globalisation which is unstopable. I voted tor remain because if it goes through it will completely change the whole character of the country . The use of the word 'democratic' vote has been twisted to mean "vote without knowledge or a feeling for the complexity of the situation" . Could America find that a twisted voting changes the whole character of the country I wonder?
FGM or circumcision? Which does more damage?
Mcflewster comments on Mar 4, 2018:
It is difficult to compare these two especially as techiques of surgery have changed over the years. However the salient points are 1. The number of nerve endings cut in the process of removing the foreskin and removing the cap of the clitoris in the female case. It is the male that has the greatest number of nerves in the areas concerned - although of course there are other erogenous zones. 2. There is suffereing no matter how many people say "They will not remember it" or "They will get over it". and I believe it is crime to perform surgery on anyone even if parental permission is given. 3. No matter what sex we are we should all be campaigning equally for these practices to be stopped. On the question of reasons for these barbaric acts there was a film released over 10 years ago about Mr (Cornflake) Kellog and his health farms . Preventing Masturbation was his reason. Can anyone remeber the name of the film?
Sexual identities and labeling others.
Mcflewster comments on Mar 3, 2018:
Sorry to introduce science here - but I am not trying to overload your brain to understand anything. Just to relate my experience as my science education developed. I think it is beneficial to everyone to understand concepts by any simplified means. Please go with science as far as you can. To anyone interested in science first discoveries are Binary. That means just two sides to the description like haveing a switch on and off. Acid and alkali is probably the most familiar but there are dozens of them. The important stage comes when you realise that there are not only the extremes but a sliding scale between them and you need a system to describe where you are on the sliding scale. This is how the pH scale was deveised and named because it is the hydrogen ion H+ that is the controlling factor (in a water sytem). Now I should say that I am not advocating giving gender a number which defines you. Also I do not understand human biology and phsyionomy. Just to realise the best way of looking at many things in life is through a spectrum. Sliding scale or Rainbow is the best non scientific term I can think of . Think of the developments in treatments of Autism that have meant people with mild Autism effects can be treated without labelling them in a dramatic way. Concepts in one sytem can be transferred to other areas of Human experience. In the science field there are concepts like pH within non water systems. Things like acidity are now so easy to control. There are ways of building in a resitance to acidty - giving the whole sytem more resilience. I only wish I could apply that concept to the gender sytem but that is asking too much at the moment. All I am trying to do here is avoid the bigoted thinking that religious people find so easy to slip into. Science can help but only if more people make an effort to understand. My biggest hope at the moment is that more science type posters will try to make an effort to help others who have not had science education to reach not necessarily scientic knowledge of experise but to asist in getting concepts. Is that impossible?? . You say
PeteSeeger UnAmericanActivities WhereHaveAlltheFlowersGone UNICEF MarleneDietrich On July 26, ...
Mcflewster comments on Mar 1, 2018:
Ideas in a cycle -my favourite format.
Are you in favour of a revolution?
Mcflewster comments on Feb 27, 2018:
As long as it turns out to be the last one ever.
Where do you see humanity in a thousand years?
Mcflewster comments on Feb 27, 2018:
So sad . I counted a ratio of (about) 25 pessimism to 3 optimism. There IS such a thing as Faith in Humanity.
Where do you see humanity in a thousand years?
Mcflewster comments on Feb 26, 2018:
No one tells ANYONE what to do.
If you could pick any historical period to live in,what would it be?
Mcflewster comments on Feb 26, 2018:
I would just apply to audition for Dr Who. Then I could do all ages for ages.
I recently confronted a family member that tended to give me a look of disgust every time I ...
Mcflewster comments on Feb 25, 2018:
A good defence. As you say, 'Them' was clueless. I do not like attacking a religion or cult - just proving them wrong, but one thing we could collectively do is try to eliminate the use of the word science in the name of their belief. In the UK we also have the 'Christian Science' movement. We should ask how their science has anything to do with the generally accepted view of what science is, asking them to give examples that justify the use of the word science. Does anyone know why these two movements, Scientology and Christian Science began using science in their title.
How should Jediism be considered in terms of religion/spirituality?
Mcflewster comments on Feb 25, 2018:
A distraction but amusing.
Do you consider yourself a humanist?
Mcflewster comments on Feb 25, 2018:
In the UK , the churches have got as far as making statements of the type " We ( the churches) must make more effort to show people how to be human" To me this means that we are (slowly) winning. We can help them.
I think many people on this site are very capable of analysing the effectiveness of preaching.
Mcflewster comments on Feb 23, 2018:
http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/billy-graham-dead-evangelist-homophobic-barack-obama-justin-welby-a8223561.html
I think many people on this site are very capable of analysing the effectiveness of preaching.
Mcflewster comments on Feb 22, 2018:
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2018/02/21/billy-graham-is-dead-too-bad-his-family-wont-continue-his-legacy/?utm_source=Newsletter=email=Nonreligious=44
What is your response when someone says “god bless you” after you sneeze?
Mcflewster comments on Feb 22, 2018:
I might be able to answer this if I knew what blessing actually IS. A free gift that feels like a transfer of something but costs the giver nothing is my only guess
Does anyone get a high from learning?
Mcflewster comments on Feb 17, 2018:
Are you referring to " The eureka effect (also known as the Aha! moment or eureka moment) refers to the common human experience of suddenly understanding a previously incomprehensible problem or concept." Look up the discovery of Archimedes and the displacement of water from his bath. Any science discovery has the potential to give you a eureka moment and one of the tests to say that you have made a real science discovery is that your result in an investigation should be a real surprise. It should be pleasurable because you have strained your mind to find the connection to the answer and you were not expecting it!!
Did you arrive at your decision of belief by means of research and critical thinking or merely ...
Mcflewster comments on Feb 17, 2018:
A mixture of all three
We, here, like to debunk platitudes and ideologues that are out to hijack minds.
Mcflewster comments on Feb 17, 2018:
Interesting use of the word sacred in front of science which to me gives it a 'keep off' feel. Scientists do the real work and then business executives twist the findings for their own ends - so do not blame the scientists . It is better to do your own science (i.e research into the findings of others) and not trust what big firms tell you.
What Is Energy?...g:8 [youtube.com]
Mcflewster comments on Feb 16, 2018:
The concept of energy is the one most mis-used by psychics and spiritualists. Any chance of a compulsory course on the people who earn money and largely dupe others in doing so ?
Science in America - Neil deGrasse Tyson - YouTube
Mcflewster comments on Feb 16, 2018:
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2005/dec/21/evolution.schoolsworldwide This is one link to a judges summary on the court case mentioned in the above video.
Saw this on FB. Very appropriate.
Mcflewster comments on Feb 15, 2018:
We discuss gun laws of the USA a lot in the UK, mostly of the "Why don't they... etc etc" type , meaning that it is thought that we in the UK could tell you in America what you should do. My analysis would start with the statement that ' Guns are the one device that when you have one, you (often erroneously) feel that you do not have to do what someone else says'. Its ultimately a 'Do as I say or this argument ends here', weapon .It requires no preparation other than engage the trigger and this, in the extreme, means that no thinking about things for too long is required either. We have to acknowledge that the human race does NOT like being told what to do. That is another way of saying we like freedom. OK so sometimes, for reason of law or patriotism or expedience we do do as we are told but that does not squash the resentment for paying taxes or doing punishment for not doing homework, or the feeling when you are expelled from college without the ability to reason your way bak in. The wild west and your history establish all the ways of getting your own way in the world. You do not have to be controlled by history. The gun lobby is viewed as the means of ensuring that you citizens of the USA will not be told what to do by the government so they in the extremes of circumstances, can go on not doing what the criminal or the taxman, or mom is telling you what to do. Hence a stalemate arises and the search is on to break it. It is obvious to me that the break will not come from anyone being told what to do . You are so busy protecting this stalemate that you are forced into ignoring the fact that the answer must come through logic and reason. I do not know how yet - I shouldn't comment but if you need to fight fire with fire, meaning that you will not have to give up guns then it is reasonable to think that massively increasing the number of controlled areas with check in and checkout check points - controlled that is by trained police officers would be part of the solution. Is it reasonable to assume that everyone will eventually have to be monitored all the time to control all our movements. To have the important freedoms of going on living it is reasonable that you need to give up others. What I am really arguing for is the application of more science to crowd and individual control. Split the problem up into lots and lots of small control problem. Find the solution to each of them , slowly at a rate you can afford. Anyone who likes shooting for recreation or food should be able to shoot in an area where the guns do NOT go home with the shooter and become uncontrolled. Yes it would need Fort Knox to protect the guns whilst their owner is absent. Break the problem down. Use the power of science, NOT the power of " I do not ...
I wonder what those who discount the Theory of Evolution might have to say about this new and ...
Mcflewster comments on Feb 13, 2018:
I wonder how many regular female women will fight to counter this possible stage in Humans. It could happen if we do not look after our drinking water.
How important is it to the average athiest or agnostic to debunk religious beliefs?
Mcflewster comments on Feb 11, 2018:
I am thinking more and more that this is less important. It wastes a lot of energy and the religious ideas will show themselves to be wrong without us interfering. Unfortunately some believers will not find out the truth until they are dead when of course they will not feel anything. Instead of worrying about them get them on a path to reason and logic by suggesting that they join this site and find the truth. This is important while there is still time to make sure their loved ones can exchange love as much as possible. You cannot force them but I have faith than people kind is a collection of potentially reasonable animals.
Does anyone else think "nihilist" should be an option on this site?
Mcflewster comments on Feb 10, 2018:
Probably yes because it takes all sorts to 'Make' a community