Pat "Christian Sharia Law" Robertson

zesty comments on Apr 11, 2019:

Sometimes even this guy has a good idea!

Moravian replies on Apr 12, 2019:

@zesty So you were serious. I think you should look a bit nearer home for "dirty politico killers "

Julian Assange: Wikileaks boss 'smeared poo on walls of Ecuadorian Embassy' | Daily Star

Novelty comments on Apr 11, 2019:

He's a scumbag like all the people that like him.

Moravian replies on Apr 12, 2019:

Are you a supporter of the illegal activities of the US govt. exposed by Assange then ?

Pat "Christian Sharia Law" Robertson

zesty comments on Apr 11, 2019:

Sometimes even this guy has a good idea!

Moravian replies on Apr 12, 2019:

I hope you are joking, but there could be a place in the government for him. The US has been "taking out" foreign leaders for decades.

Will all the black holes in the universe ultimately become one massive big hole so that everything ...

mzbehavin comments on Apr 11, 2019:

There's never nothing. Nature recycles itself.

Moravian replies on Apr 11, 2019:

@mzbehavin Just like the consumer society we have in the Western world.

‘Julian Assange exposed great crimes & now great crime committed against him’ - George Galloway

Gareth comments on Apr 11, 2019:

In truth, Assange is only interested in himself. He used Wikileaks in a very self-serving way to help discredit the US government and Hillary Clinton, who were seeking or would have sought his extradition. He didn't care that it would foist Trump on the US. Initially I supported him but not any ...

Moravian replies on Apr 11, 2019:

@Gareth "he didn't care that it would foist Trump on the US" That's what it sounds like to me. Theresa May said of Assange today " No one is above the law" Apart from the US Govt of course who flout international law at every opportunity.

‘Julian Assange exposed great crimes & now great crime committed against him’ - George Galloway

Gareth comments on Apr 11, 2019:

In truth, Assange is only interested in himself. He used Wikileaks in a very self-serving way to help discredit the US government and Hillary Clinton, who were seeking or would have sought his extradition. He didn't care that it would foist Trump on the US. Initially I supported him but not any ...

Moravian replies on Apr 11, 2019:

You are blaming Assange for the election of Trump ? That's stretching credibility a bit far.

I think it would be a good exercise for us atheists and agnostics to define the so-called God we ...

Moravian comments on Apr 11, 2019:

Sounds a bit daft. How can you define something that doesn't exit.?

Moravian replies on Apr 11, 2019:

@irascible My favourite is the big guy with the white beard and a deep voice, from the Simpsons.

Is stupidity genetic?

powder comments on Apr 11, 2019:

Yes. It is a physical attribute in us which is passed on through genes. From very casual observation, girls seem to get the fathers Noyce and boys the mothers IMO. Anyone know if any scientific studies have been done in this area? Environment and diet has a lot to do with brain development, ...

Moravian replies on Apr 11, 2019:

Intelligence is apparently attached to the X chromosome which we get from our mothers. I believe scientific studies have proved this. What is Noyce ?

For all those Hunters out there.... This is Not Fishing!!!!

mzbehavin comments on Apr 9, 2019:

No, it's hunting, just like if it was a deer or pheasant.

Moravian replies on Apr 10, 2019:

@mzbehavin Same difference ;-)

For all those Hunters out there.... This is Not Fishing!!!!

mzbehavin comments on Apr 9, 2019:

No, it's hunting, just like if it was a deer or pheasant.

Moravian replies on Apr 10, 2019:

@mzbehavin, @GipsyOfNewSpain Just white Europeans and Americans who are protected I think.

For all those Hunters out there.... This is Not Fishing!!!!

mzbehavin comments on Apr 9, 2019:

No, it's hunting, just like if it was a deer or pheasant.

Moravian replies on Apr 10, 2019:

@mzbehavin I see what you mean, but there are still a few tribes in parts of Africa who fish sustainably using spears whilst massive trawlers can empty the seas of fish. I frequently get my fishing rod out and occasionally I even catch a trout. Now that's fishing ;-)

Procrastination !!.

powder comments on Apr 10, 2019:

Procrastination is a conscious use of the mind applicable to the moment. Laziness is more general, a personality type or attitude. Lethargy is more a physical run down of the body, lack of energy. I don't think you can relate procrastination with lazy/ lethargy. So I dispute the authors ...

Moravian replies on Apr 10, 2019:

Yes , I was surprised to see procrastination grouped under laziness/lethargy I think he means that we may procrastinate and delay or avoid meditating but I agree that it is something different from being lazy. It is a small point though and overall it is an excellent book.

For all those Hunters out there.... This is Not Fishing!!!!

mzbehavin comments on Apr 9, 2019:

No, it's hunting, just like if it was a deer or pheasant.

Moravian replies on Apr 10, 2019:

No it is not. Dolphins are a protected species in more enlightened parts of the world but despite this their numbers are reducing due to illegal fishing and deaths due to them being caught in fishing nets. Pheasants are bred for shooting and in many places deer numbers have to be managed due to the fact that apex predators have been removed.. A totally different thing.

Steel mill, coal mine, auto plant, or any job that has disappeared for reasons other than many ...

gearl comments on Apr 9, 2019:

We are not losing jobs to immigrants but to automation. I'm noticing a lot of stores are going to self-checkout. Walmart in particular. Self-driving vehicles are coming soon.

Moravian replies on Apr 10, 2019:

@OwlInASack I was never a fan of Thatcher. She managed to virtually destroy British industry and steer the country towards a service economy. Exports of services to the EU now far exceeds goods. Did she maybe have something ?.

Too many lefters continue to reject the evil of islam.

dan325 comments on Mar 20, 2019:

All Muslims are not alike. Many (most, in the USA) are peaceable citizens who live honorably and don't bother anyone. So, the "evil of Islam" is a ridiculous generalization. Islamic terrorists are evil, as are Christian terrorists, Jewish terrorists, Hindu terrorists, and Buddhist terrorists (and...

Moravian replies on Apr 9, 2019:

@dan325 Could be ;-)

Just been blocked for the fifth time.

PalacinkyPDX comments on Apr 9, 2019:

At least you acknowledge it was a fiip comment and "promise to be more sensitive" (I'm skeptical, but...). Yes, I wish there was a way blocked people could still communicate with those who blocked them so they could apologize, but that defeats the purpose of blocking, doesn't it. She is perhaps ...

Moravian replies on Apr 9, 2019:

@PalacinkyPDX I have no problem. It's you who are having a go at me !!!

Too many lefters continue to reject the evil of islam.

dan325 comments on Mar 20, 2019:

All Muslims are not alike. Many (most, in the USA) are peaceable citizens who live honorably and don't bother anyone. So, the "evil of Islam" is a ridiculous generalization. Islamic terrorists are evil, as are Christian terrorists, Jewish terrorists, Hindu terrorists, and Buddhist terrorists (and...

Moravian replies on Apr 9, 2019:

@dan325 Sure. Does anyone know why Iraq was invaded other than the fact that Dubya assisted by his buddy Tony b Liar had to lash out at someone after 9/11

Just been blocked for the fifth time.

PalacinkyPDX comments on Apr 9, 2019:

At least you acknowledge it was a fiip comment and "promise to be more sensitive" (I'm skeptical, but...). Yes, I wish there was a way blocked people could still communicate with those who blocked them so they could apologize, but that defeats the purpose of blocking, doesn't it. She is perhaps ...

Moravian replies on Apr 9, 2019:

Ouch. that's a bit strong I think. It was initially a mistake on my part. I thought she put on a drawing entitled "the first day in heaven" showing people in a beautiful parkland setting hugging one another, as a joke.. Well it's not the sort of thing I would expect to see on this site unless it was for humorous purposes. I was a bit unsure so I said "that's a joke isn't it ?" She replied that she has or had difficulty giving up the concept of heaven and meaning to be helpful I suggested that there may be people on here who could help her' This was the final sraw apparently. And no in answer to your other post, my precious feelings have not been hurt. In the few weeks on this site I have been called an Ass a Jackass and a stupid cunt just for disagreeing with a persons comments. Doesn't bother me in the slightest, as I didn't choose to be offended.

Too many lefters continue to reject the evil of islam.

dan325 comments on Mar 20, 2019:

All Muslims are not alike. Many (most, in the USA) are peaceable citizens who live honorably and don't bother anyone. So, the "evil of Islam" is a ridiculous generalization. Islamic terrorists are evil, as are Christian terrorists, Jewish terrorists, Hindu terrorists, and Buddhist terrorists (and...

Moravian replies on Apr 9, 2019:

@dan325 He was a champion of the Kurdish people many of whom Saddam murdered with the use of chemical weapons so his view of the invasion may have been coloured by that.

Procrastination !!.

WilliamFleming comments on Apr 9, 2019:

There are natural reasons for laziness and procrastination. I don’t think we should be hard on ourselves if we feel like lounging around. It is entirely understandable that a person all alone would falter in anything requiring commitment. For example, I thought I should learn Spanish, but without ...

Moravian replies on Apr 9, 2019:

Thanks for the info on headspace. I will check it out. The meditation book may interest you. It is entitled "The mind Illuminated by John Yates (culadasa ). It got very good reviews on Amazon and certainly seems a worthwhile purchase. I may try a short meditation retreat sometime in the future but I am not ready for that yet. Re procrastination, I never thought of it as being lazy but I suppose in a way it is. I have always been a procrastinator so I am hoping meditation may help I'm afraid the old joke " I used to be undecided but now I'm not so sure" certainly applies to me and as Dickens said in one of his novels "Procrastination is the thief ot time, nab him"

Just been blocked for the fifth time.

Pralina1 comments on Apr 9, 2019:

And thank gods she blocked u , therefore u did not apologized ! What's wrong w u ?? Y the hell u will apologize for what she believes or what u believe ? If she finds your non believing to heaven insulting , well , that's where conversation ends and u mentally dialing 911 ? U don't have to ...

Moravian replies on Apr 9, 2019:

@Pralina1 You are too modest As a monoglot I feel inadequate in the company of people who speak two languages, never mind three.

My ball python Sushi eating his dinner

Moravian comments on Apr 8, 2019:

Could never understand people who keep non domesticated animals as pets

Moravian replies on Apr 9, 2019:

@EllieUnique Sounds delicious mmm. I believe they used to say you can eat every part of the pig but it's. grunt.

Just been blocked for the fifth time.

Pralina1 comments on Apr 9, 2019:

And thank gods she blocked u , therefore u did not apologized ! What's wrong w u ?? Y the hell u will apologize for what she believes or what u believe ? If she finds your non believing to heaven insulting , well , that's where conversation ends and u mentally dialing 911 ? U don't have to ...

Moravian replies on Apr 9, 2019:

@Pralina1 Look Pralina, I am just an old fuddy duddy who never got into "text speak" so please forgive me. By the way what is your native language ?

Just been blocked for the fifth time.

Pralina1 comments on Apr 9, 2019:

And thank gods she blocked u , therefore u did not apologized ! What's wrong w u ?? Y the hell u will apologize for what she believes or what u believe ? If she finds your non believing to heaven insulting , well , that's where conversation ends and u mentally dialing 911 ? U don't have to ...

Moravian replies on Apr 9, 2019:

@Cutiebeauty Yes ,I must be a bit slow today. I get it now.The U I understand, Y, I presume is Why. I wasn't sure if the "Y the hell U will apologise meant, I should apologise or I shouldn't apologise and the "mentally dialling 911" ??

Just been blocked for the fifth time.

Pralina1 comments on Apr 9, 2019:

And thank gods she blocked u , therefore u did not apologized ! What's wrong w u ?? Y the hell u will apologize for what she believes or what u believe ? If she finds your non believing to heaven insulting , well , that's where conversation ends and u mentally dialing 911 ? U don't have to ...

Moravian replies on Apr 9, 2019:

@Cutiebeauty Well I do tend to communicate in English

Just been blocked for the fifth time.

Pralina1 comments on Apr 9, 2019:

And thank gods she blocked u , therefore u did not apologized ! What's wrong w u ?? Y the hell u will apologize for what she believes or what u believe ? If she finds your non believing to heaven insulting , well , that's where conversation ends and u mentally dialing 911 ? U don't have to ...

Moravian replies on Apr 9, 2019:

@Pralina1 After reading your profile and your post again, I think you are siding with me ,so thanks ;-)

Just been blocked for the fifth time.

Pralina1 comments on Apr 9, 2019:

And thank gods she blocked u , therefore u did not apologized ! What's wrong w u ?? Y the hell u will apologize for what she believes or what u believe ? If she finds your non believing to heaven insulting , well , that's where conversation ends and u mentally dialing 911 ? U don't have to ...

Moravian replies on Apr 9, 2019:

Could you maybe repeat your sentiments in intelligible English ?

My ball python Sushi eating his dinner

Moravian comments on Apr 8, 2019:

Could never understand people who keep non domesticated animals as pets

Moravian replies on Apr 9, 2019:

@EllieUnique No it's not exotic but it is made from the bits of the sheep that you would probably throw away like lungs, heart etc. mixed with oatmeal and onions and seasoning. It is mostly eaten around 25 January to celebrate the birth of the bard, Robert Burns

Boomtown Rats - I Don't Like Mondays [youtube.com]

Moravian comments on Apr 8, 2019:

great song. their only hit I think.

Moravian replies on Apr 8, 2019:

@Marionville Yes he is a good guy I was just being flippant

Boomtown Rats - I Don't Like Mondays [youtube.com]

Moravian comments on Apr 8, 2019:

great song. their only hit I think.

Moravian replies on Apr 8, 2019:

@Marionville I remember Rat Trap but not the others. I believe they are touring again but not sure if "saint Bob" is with them.

My ball python Sushi eating his dinner

Moravian comments on Apr 8, 2019:

Could never understand people who keep non domesticated animals as pets

Moravian replies on Apr 8, 2019:

@EllieUnique I bet you haven't tried haggis as it is illegal to import it into the USA

My ball python Sushi eating his dinner

EllieUnique comments on Apr 8, 2019:

Snakes make awesome pets. They don’t have fleas, ticks, don’t bark, don’t shed hair everywhere, don’t drool, don’t smell, eat once or twice a month, poop once or twice a month and are anti stress. I can’t understand people that don’t like snakes, they are awesome pets...much better ...

Moravian replies on Apr 8, 2019:

@EllieUnique https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/enormous-17-foot-python-captured-florida-national-park-setting-new-n992001 And here is an example of that !!

My ball python Sushi eating his dinner

EllieUnique comments on Apr 8, 2019:

Snakes make awesome pets. They don’t have fleas, ticks, don’t bark, don’t shed hair everywhere, don’t drool, don’t smell, eat once or twice a month, poop once or twice a month and are anti stress. I can’t understand people that don’t like snakes, they are awesome pets...much better ...

Moravian replies on Apr 8, 2019:

@EllieUnique by wild animals I was meaning animals other than the usual domesticated pets. I know some animals born in captivity cannot then be returned to the wild. Don't know about snakes. I have heard it said that there are more of one of the big cats, can't remember if it was one of the tiger species or leopard , in captivity or as pets in America than live in the wild. I find that very sad and think we should be protecting their habitat rather than keeping them in an artificial state.

My ball python Sushi eating his dinner

Moravian comments on Apr 8, 2019:

Could never understand people who keep non domesticated animals as pets

Moravian replies on Apr 8, 2019:

I would try that. I have tried frogs legs and found it a bit like a cross between fish and chicken

The vegan militia continues.

Tooreen comments on Apr 7, 2019:

It's a possible future, farming on an industrialized level is vile, for livestock, for environment and the end product our food is sub-standard.

Moravian replies on Apr 8, 2019:

@Athena Firstly thank for your polite response, not something we always get here. Whilst I agree that eating processed food and junk food are a much greater health risk than eating meat, the need for cheap meat has meant that it now mostly comes from factory farmed chickens and pigs and cattle in feedlots. Leaving aside the animal welfare aspect the animals have to be treated with drugs to keep them healthy which we can then ingest. I was brought up in a time when dinner was "meat and two veg" with fish once a week but the meat was not intensively reared and we knew where it came from I now eat fish much more frequently and have at least a couple of meat free days a week. If we have a trade deal with the US after Brexit it is likely that we will be pressured into buying chlorine dipped chicken and beef from cows treated as a matter of course with antibiotics and there are obvious reasons why they have to be treated that way there is a govt initiate here to have us eating less meat for health reasons This link gives some interesting points https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/food-and-drink/flexitarianism-diet-eat-less-meat-better-health-environment-vegetarian-food-a7712711.html

The vegan militia continues.

Athena comments on Apr 7, 2019:

I'm wondering if vegans have thought this through. There are over 19 billion chickens in the world, 1.5 billion cows, 1 billion sheep and over 20 million pigs. If everyone stopped eating meat right now, all these animals would still need food, water, and a place to roam on earth. They would ...

Moravian replies on Apr 8, 2019:

@ToolGuy I am not a vegan or even a vegetarian but whether we grow crops to eat or crops to feed farm animals we still have to keep the land fertile and the waste from factory farms is more of a pollutant than an asset. Even more of a problem in the future may be a shortage of water and cattle need much more than arable crops do., apart from maybe Almonds which are particularly thirsty.

My ball python Sushi eating his dinner

Moravian comments on Apr 8, 2019:

Could never understand people who keep non domesticated animals as pets

Moravian replies on Apr 8, 2019:

@EllieUnique nor me

My ball python Sushi eating his dinner

EllieUnique comments on Apr 8, 2019:

Snakes make awesome pets. They don’t have fleas, ticks, don’t bark, don’t shed hair everywhere, don’t drool, don’t smell, eat once or twice a month, poop once or twice a month and are anti stress. I can’t understand people that don’t like snakes, they are awesome pets...much better ...

Moravian replies on Apr 8, 2019:

Sounds like a heap of laughs, and why do you call anyone who doesn't agree with keeping wild animals as pets "haters". I can't speak for anyone else here but I don't hate anyone.

The vegan militia continues.

Athena comments on Apr 7, 2019:

I'm wondering if vegans have thought this through. There are over 19 billion chickens in the world, 1.5 billion cows, 1 billion sheep and over 20 million pigs. If everyone stopped eating meat right now, all these animals would still need food, water, and a place to roam on earth. They would ...

Moravian replies on Apr 8, 2019:

@ToolGuy apart from on mixed farms (crops and livestock) which are not so common these days most fertiliser is artificial. In fact most phosphate fertiliser is mined in north Africa and is a finite resource so we may have problems in the future. Rotating crops and growing a leguminous crop to be ploughed in regularly will take care of the nitrogen problem.

The vegan militia continues.

Tooreen comments on Apr 7, 2019:

It's a possible future, farming on an industrialized level is vile, for livestock, for environment and the end product our food is sub-standard.

Moravian replies on Apr 8, 2019:

If factory farming was banned the cost of meat would rise substantially and we would probably eat less of it. This would have the double benefit of improving animal welfare and improving the health of millions so bring it on.

This is the BEST thing I've read all day.

Tooreen comments on Apr 7, 2019:

Just contrarian I saw this earlier and felt yeah , thought's about it since was it need or greed?

Moravian replies on Apr 8, 2019:

If there wasn't a demand for rhino horn and ivory in Asia and the west there would be no reason to poach. Also the guy was probably hungry due to a corrupt regime propped up by western govts, so I don't think we should be quite so judgemental. As for Wealthy trophy hunters. that's quite different. Throw them to the lions

How do you deal with manspreading?

august70 comments on Apr 7, 2019:

Not trying to say look at the birdie, or being insensitive, but larger women do the exact same thing as well. In the case of a larger person doing it because of the girth of their body I say let it go.

Moravian replies on Apr 8, 2019:

@august70 Airlines should provide extra large seats at an extra cost for large people. I flew from the USA with Aer Lingus last year.I had a window seat and fortunately the middle seat was vacant because the guy in the aisle seat was so fat that he spread half way accross it. His belly was so big that he couldn't pull down the little tray for his airline meal. he just balance it on his ample gut. .

Get sinning guys

RiverRick comments on Apr 7, 2019:

I love it!

Moravian replies on Apr 8, 2019:

Which, The joke or the sinning ? ;-)

When this Brexit 'Thing" is over and we have more time to think of more serious matters, we need a ...

Moravian comments on Apr 7, 2019:

Firstly, the Brexit thing is serious. If we drop out with no deal we will be paying the price for years. Secondly what do you mean by "a multiplicity of non religious beliefs" ?. You either belief in a god or gods or you don't. There may people with "new age" beliefs in spirituality or some ...

Moravian replies on Apr 7, 2019:

@irascible He and his like are benefitting financially from the uncertainty brought on by this fiasco. It is estimated that up to a £trillion has been move from the UK to Europe recently. Rees Mogg manages a fund based in Dublin and has by some estimates benefitted personally to the tune of £7 million.

RICHARD DAWKINS ERROR CONCERNING THE ORIGIN OF LIFE Pursuing the concept that anything is ...

Rational8Human comments on Apr 6, 2019:

No where in that word salad did you make a rational point

Moravian replies on Apr 6, 2019:

Is he trying to say that life was started by some superior being ? I'm not sure.

The Northern lights from North Uist

michaelj comments on Apr 5, 2019:

Saw the northern lights in edinburough on a hill in a sleeping bag in 1978. The best!

Moravian replies on Apr 6, 2019:

1978 ? sleeping out in the open ? Are you sure that what you saw wasn't due to some chemicals you ingested ?;-)

I want to get your reaction to this meme about Atheism and Agnosticism.

Moravian comments on Apr 4, 2019:

I don't get it. Why would an atheist want to introduce stuff like that to others, none of which has anything to do with religion apart from possibly spiritualism, ? "all atheists are agnostics " ?. Please elaborate.

Moravian replies on Apr 5, 2019:

@zblaze https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/gnosticism here's another meaning for you. I still say that it is invalid in todays world because it is not really knowledge but a belief in the supernatural Homeopathy although proven to be of no actual benefit is still practised by some deluded people but anyone who still thinks that they can turn base metals in to gold is even more deluded.

The Northern lights from North Uist

Marionville comments on Apr 5, 2019:

Beautiful....I’m sorry I didn’t get to see them in February....my Norway trip was cancelled.

Moravian replies on Apr 5, 2019:

I remember seeing them frequently as a kid. Our house was on a hill with a clear view looking north to the Moray firth. We never thought anything about it. Just another part of nature, Now with light pollution and obstructions to a clear view it is something special to see.

I want to get your reaction to this meme about Atheism and Agnosticism.

Moravian comments on Apr 4, 2019:

I don't get it. Why would an atheist want to introduce stuff like that to others, none of which has anything to do with religion apart from possibly spiritualism, ? "all atheists are agnostics " ?. Please elaborate.

Moravian replies on Apr 5, 2019:

@zblaze I take your point but we live in an evidence based world and there is not one iota of evidence that gods exist. We once believed that certain old ladies who lived alone with their cats made cows stop milking and crops fail. We now know that this was ignorant superstition. On your basis we are now agnostic towards the existence of witches because there is no absolute proof that they do not exist' The Greek gods were said to live on top of Mount Olympus. We now know that there no gods there or are you agnostic about that as well or just about the monotheistic god. The words Gnostic ( having knowlede) and agnostic (not knowing) were coined in a different age and are anachronisms and not really valid in todays world . they should be confined to the dustbin of history along with homeopathy and alchemy

Windmills!!

Moravian comments on Apr 4, 2019:

I visited a working windmill near Amsterdam last year. I'm getting worried now. Think i will go for a check up.

Moravian replies on Apr 4, 2019:

@Charlene So that's why Trump hasn't visited his golf course near Aberdeen recently. The new offshore windfarm may just be close enough.

A federal judge who invalidated the Indian Child Welfare Act and the Affordable Care Act is seeing...

Moravian comments on Mar 27, 2019:

So native Americans were still being called "Indians" in 1978 ? unbelievable

Moravian replies on Apr 4, 2019:

@Bobby9 Of course I am aware of the status of tribal lands and the casinos on some of their lands. I don't know how many NATIVE AMERICANS you have spoken to but I had the pleasure of spending a couple of hours in the company of a group at Minneapolis airport last year. They were from different nations and were on their way to a conference in Stanford. Lovely people and very interesting to talk to. They made it quite clear that they did not like to be called Indians Read this you may learn something. he Native American name controversy is an ongoing discussion about the changing terminology used by indigenous peoples of the Americas to describe themselves, as well as how they prefer to be referred to by others. Preferred terms vary primarily by region and age. As indigenous people and communities are diverse, there is no consensus on naming, aside from the fact that most people prefer to be referred to by their specific nation. When discussing broad groups of peoples, naming may be based on shared language, region, or historical relationship, such as "Algonquin-speaking peoples", "Pueblo-dwelling peoples", "Plains Indians" or "LDN peoples" (Lakota, Dakota and Nakota peoples). Many English exonyms have been used to refer to the indigenous peoples of the Americas, who were resident within their own countries when European colonists arrived in the 15th and 16th centuries. Some of these names were based on French, Spanish, or other European language terminology used by earlier explorers and colonists; some resulted from the colonists' attempt to translate endonyms from the native language into their own; and some were pejorative terms arising out of prejudice and fear, during periods of conflict between the cultures involved. In the 20th and 21st centuries, indigenous peoples in the Americas have been more vocal about the ways they wish to be referred to, pressing for the elimination of terms widely considered to be obsolete, inaccurate, or racist. During the latter half of the 20th century and the rise of the Indian rights movement, the United States government responded by proposing the use of the term "Native American", to recognize the primacy of indigenous peoples' tenure in the nation. The term has met with only partial acceptance. Other naming conventions have been proposed and used, but none are accepted by all indigenous groups. Typically, each name has a particular audience and political or cultural connotation, and regional usage varies. In Canada, while Status Indian remains a legal designation due to the Indian Act, the term "Indian" is generally considered offensive when used by non-Natives with the term First Nations being preferred for peoples covered by the Indian Act and Indigenous peoples preferred for Native peoples ...

I guess it's tough being a religion and not being a religion at the same time. [lionsroar.com]

Brerrost comments on Apr 4, 2019:

A big question. As a Zen Buddhist, I don't consider my self religious at all.. no gods, my practice is just my way of life. .. period.. but some in our group do consider it a religion.. what is the criteria?

Moravian replies on Apr 4, 2019:

@Petter Like it ;-)

A federal judge who invalidated the Indian Child Welfare Act and the Affordable Care Act is seeing...

Moravian comments on Mar 27, 2019:

So native Americans were still being called "Indians" in 1978 ? unbelievable

Moravian replies on Apr 4, 2019:

@Bobby9 You are tying yourself in knots with semantics https://www.bing.com/search?q=definition+of+native+american=WNSGPH&qs=SC=4fa063335a7149709f266145546598d4&pq=defination+of+native&cc=GB=en-GB&PC=HCTS=7815A8810375AAB13232A6E586DC3638&ts=1554376421270=Moderate I am bothered because it is now considered a derogatory term for the peoples who were persecuted and had genocide committed against them by the European settlers and should no longer be used. To be really accurate they should be called by the individual "nations" which existed in North America prior to the European settlers arriving.

I guess it's tough being a religion and not being a religion at the same time. [lionsroar.com]

Brerrost comments on Apr 4, 2019:

A big question. As a Zen Buddhist, I don't consider my self religious at all.. no gods, my practice is just my way of life. .. period.. but some in our group do consider it a religion.. what is the criteria?

Moravian replies on Apr 4, 2019:

@Petter That's debatable. Do you mean the commandments which are mostly about worshiping a diety or the golden rule which long predates Christianity ?.

I want to get your reaction to this meme about Atheism and Agnosticism.

CallMeDave comments on Apr 3, 2019:

Everyone should hug trees. It has nothing to do with any god or myth.

Moravian replies on Apr 4, 2019:

I once had a job doing forest inventory which meant I hugged hundreds of trees every day whilst measuring their circumference. All it did was earn me some money and cover my shirt in resin.

I guess it's tough being a religion and not being a religion at the same time. [lionsroar.com]

Brerrost comments on Apr 4, 2019:

A big question. As a Zen Buddhist, I don't consider my self religious at all.. no gods, my practice is just my way of life. .. period.. but some in our group do consider it a religion.. what is the criteria?

Moravian replies on Apr 4, 2019:

I have always thought of buddhism as being non religious and I believe the western version mostly is but I understand that in some eastern disciplines they do worship a diety of sorts so could be considered a religion.

Marked safe from windmill cancer- how did you fare?

Our_existence comments on Apr 3, 2019:

Oh, and the carnage of all those birds? ????????!!!!! tRump hates wind power because he lost in court in Scotland over an off shore wind farm that he claims hurts the view from his golf course. ???????

Moravian replies on Apr 4, 2019:

Is his eyesight that good

The "perks" of growing old.

Moravian comments on Apr 3, 2019:

Pilates, Tai Chi ?

Moravian replies on Apr 4, 2019:

@IamNobody I have tried both and like yoga which I used to practice most classes are dominated by women. I found Pilates good for back pain but I couldn't get the hang of Tai Chi.The movements were too subtle for me. I refuse to go gently in to the good night and will rage against the dying of the light until the very end, I walk.cycle and attend my local gym regularly. I would not recommend running unless you have been doing it all your life. It puts a strain on the joints. I have started attending a structured exercise class as I find it difficult to motivate myself in the gym. Again it is dominated by middle aged and elderly women. One old lady is aged 94 !! What is it with guys. They are either being macho men in the gym or are total couch potatoes' Good luck and there is always ibuprofen for the pain ;-)

The "perks" of growing old.

mordant comments on Apr 3, 2019:

At 62 this inert couch potato decided to take up with a personal trainer once a week with a program of 150 minutes of cardio in the intervening days. He's this guy who could bench press twice my weight, and he's big on stretching. He always spends the last 10 minutes of our session twisting me in ...

Moravian replies on Apr 4, 2019:

good advice.

Pic of the day.

Moravian comments on Apr 3, 2019:

A compilation of three photos ?

Moravian replies on Apr 4, 2019:

@Holysocks Dunno, It looks a bit scary to me.

Was jesus entirely made up

Aaaaaatheist comments on Mar 24, 2019:

I don't know? But there was surely no king David!

Moravian replies on Apr 3, 2019:

There possibly was a David but he would only have been a tribal leader not a great king as depicted in the bible.

A federal judge who invalidated the Indian Child Welfare Act and the Affordable Care Act is seeing...

Moravian comments on Mar 27, 2019:

So native Americans were still being called "Indians" in 1978 ? unbelievable

Moravian replies on Apr 3, 2019:

@Bobby9 I think the word "native" is normally used to mean the original inhabitants of a region. How far back do you want to go ?. They originally came from Africa as we all did.

Giraffesic Park [reddit.com]

Lillyfield41 comments on Apr 3, 2019:

Yowzers!!! My favorite comment is: Giraffes are more dangerous than T-Rex because they are still alive.

Moravian replies on Apr 3, 2019:

Dunno., If one of those dinosaur fossils fell on you ?

Pic of the day.

Moravian comments on Apr 3, 2019:

A compilation of three photos ?

Moravian replies on Apr 3, 2019:

@sassygirl3869 Very dramatic but it looks contrived.

In court, all alone. Not being wimpy but this is scary.

Amisja comments on Apr 3, 2019:

Thats what happens if you try to represent yourself. I have to pay everything and have been left with a huge debt. I also have to give him half my pension.

Moravian replies on Apr 3, 2019:

that doesn't sound right. Can you appeal ?

Yesterday I watched a YouTube video of a Iman answering questions about Islam.

Moravian comments on Apr 2, 2019:

Interesting story but what is "the no true Scotsman fallacy" ?

Moravian replies on Apr 3, 2019:

@Oldcurmudgeon Thanks. I googled it and got the story about Angus putting sugar on his porridge but no true Scotsman would do that so Angus couldn't be a Scotsman. Never heard of it before,

Holy shit! Mick Jagger is having heart valve replacement surgery this week.

Lavergne comments on Apr 2, 2019:

I wanna know how Mick Jagger's heart is even still functioning after all the drugs he's done over the years.... ????? Hope he does well! ;)

Moravian replies on Apr 2, 2019:

I think Micks drug taking days are long gone. He pursues a fitness regime that would kill a man half his age

Rock stars thought nothing of naked girls just sitting around. Early Stoner Days.

ml58n2 comments on Apr 2, 2019:

I heard on another post that Mick Jagger is having heart valve replacement this week, I don't know if thats true or not, I just heard that, hope all goes well.

Moravian replies on Apr 2, 2019:

Get well Sir Mick. He follows a very rigorous health regime so should be fit enough for the operation. I have friend who owned a restaurant in Edinburgh and after a Stones concert a few years ago Mick and a group came to the restaurant for a meal and what did Mick have to eat ?. A plate of prunes nothing else., Ah, that rock and roll lifestyle

Extract from newspaper about how Australian’s look at tipping in the US.

Moravian comments on Apr 2, 2019:

I have some sympathy for the Australians. having travelled quite widely in the USA I still find the practice of employers paying staff a pittance and expecting customers to make up the balance by tipping bizarre. Surely tips should be in addition to a wage not instead of it.

Moravian replies on Apr 2, 2019:

@LetzGetReal Maybe 20% is standard but on a $10 meal it is not very much. I got the impression that on both occasions the waitress was expecting $5

Trump says wind power won't work because "it only blows sometimes.

BD66 comments on Apr 2, 2019:

Trump has identified one of the major downsides to wind power for electricity. Electricity is at peak demand in July and August when it's 100 degrees with not any breeze to cool you off. Everyone is running their air conditioners full blast. Good luck powering all of that with windmills....

Moravian replies on Apr 2, 2019:

@AnneWimsey I am not sure who that was directed at but much research is being done in to power storage and it will be essential in the future when fossil fuels are either used up or have been phased out because of climate change

Extract from newspaper about how Australian’s look at tipping in the US.

Moravian comments on Apr 2, 2019:

I have some sympathy for the Australians. having travelled quite widely in the USA I still find the practice of employers paying staff a pittance and expecting customers to make up the balance by tipping bizarre. Surely tips should be in addition to a wage not instead of it.

Moravian replies on Apr 2, 2019:

@Mofferatu It is also demeaning to the staff. I have American friends who say "but you tip them for good service ". So you have to bribe the waiting staff for not pouring the soup in your lap ? In the UK I usually tip around 10% but a couple of times I had breakfast costing around $10 in a diner in the US and gave a tip of $2, around 20% and if looks could kill !!

Trump says wind power won't work because "it only blows sometimes.

BD66 comments on Apr 2, 2019:

Trump has identified one of the major downsides to wind power for electricity. Electricity is at peak demand in July and August when it's 100 degrees with not any breeze to cool you off. Everyone is running their air conditioners full blast. Good luck powering all of that with windmills....

Moravian replies on Apr 2, 2019:

@BD66 Very true but that is no excuse for relying mainly on fossil fuels for power generation

The Dirty Secret Washington hides . . . Slavery in Libya

BD66 comments on Apr 1, 2019:

Northern African and Middle Eastern Arabs have been using African slaves for thousands of years. It's not the fault of the USA or of capitalism. It's the fault of the Northern African and Middle Eastern Arabs.

Moravian replies on Apr 2, 2019:

@BD66 What on earth are you on about ?. My comment was about slavery. Why would I hate the USA. My partner is from new England and I have spent many happy months in the USA over the past 12 years. I intensely dislike your governments foreign policy as any right thinking person would but internal affairs are really no concern of mind. The fact that the USA has the second largest prison population in the world and most inmates are black must be of concern though.

Trump says wind power won't work because "it only blows sometimes.

BD66 comments on Apr 2, 2019:

Trump has identified one of the major downsides to wind power for electricity. Electricity is at peak demand in July and August when it's 100 degrees with not any breeze to cool you off. Everyone is running their air conditioners full blast. Good luck powering all of that with windmills....

Moravian replies on Apr 2, 2019:

Electricity is generated by wind turbines not windmills. Of course Trump would make an inane comment like this as he promised to help the ailing coal industry. The UK has invested heavily in wind power generation and has at times produced up to 40% of it's power requirements. In Scotland where the majority of the turbines are located in excess of 100% of requirement has been produced . By contrast the USA produces around 6% by wind generation. Generation by fossil fuels is being phased out in most countries although nuclear generation will continue a bit longer. Wind and solar are essential to keep the lights burning in the future and as electricity storage capabilities improve they will probably be the dominant power source.

The Dirty Secret Washington hides . . . Slavery in Libya

BD66 comments on Apr 1, 2019:

Northern African and Middle Eastern Arabs have been using African slaves for thousands of years. It's not the fault of the USA or of capitalism. It's the fault of the Northern African and Middle Eastern Arabs.

Moravian replies on Apr 2, 2019:

But hey were ignorant savages who new no better. Well in the minds of the Christian Europeans they were, but the caring benevolent Christians embraced slavery enthusiastically.

You can be a good person and not believe in god or a horrible person a believe in god

Rustee comments on Apr 1, 2019:

When I told her I was an atheist, I had one woman question me "you don't believe in nothin'??" I replied that of course I believed in many things. I was a moral and ethical and good person, I just did not have a religion telling me *how* to be a good person...

Moravian replies on Apr 2, 2019:

So she thought you had a belief then ?. or is that just a sad reflection of her grasp of the English language.

Please sit on my face... 😂😂

JK666 comments on Apr 1, 2019:

Reminds me of Monty Python: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8d_QUtDzsRM

Moravian replies on Apr 2, 2019:

Great stuff. can't remember this sketch. maybe it was too risqué for the BBC

Islam is not a religion, rather a death cult for apostates.

zesty comments on Apr 1, 2019:

I'm just wondering if the UK is a safe place for an ex muslim due to the strict gun control laws. This way only the criminals and fanatics are armed. In the US, at least, you could arm and protect yourself.

Moravian replies on Apr 1, 2019:

@Charlene Out of her deranged imagination possibly ?. Or maybe Fox News.

Good Morning or Good day where ever you may be; 8 more days until I begin my new journey in this ...

Moravian comments on Apr 1, 2019:

Good luck. Hope you enjoyed your time in Inverness

Moravian replies on Apr 1, 2019:

@DavidGreen1 only one ;-)

Islam is not a religion, rather a death cult for apostates.

zesty comments on Apr 1, 2019:

I'm just wondering if the UK is a safe place for an ex muslim due to the strict gun control laws. This way only the criminals and fanatics are armed. In the US, at least, you could arm and protect yourself.

Moravian replies on Apr 1, 2019:

@zesty Sorry but you are living in a fantasy world. According to Wikipedia it is about 38 homicides per year in the UK due to firearms. This compares with the USA which has about 10,900 homicides per year due to firearms. The number of firearm homicides per 100,000 population in the UK is 0.06 and in the USA is 3.43 - so about 57 times greater per 100,000 population in the USA. The UK's rate per 100,000 population is similar to that of Germany. The USA's is similar to Nicaragua. The total deaths by firearms (homicide, suicide, accident, undetermined) is about 147 per year in the UK and 33,600 in the USA. These numbers are the statistics for 2011 and 2014 for the UK and USA respectively.

April 1st and 9.5” of snow. (Revised)

AmiSue comments on Apr 1, 2019:

That is simply unreasonable.

Moravian replies on Apr 1, 2019:

And unseasonable.

Islam is not a religion, rather a death cult for apostates.

zesty comments on Apr 1, 2019:

I'm just wondering if the UK is a safe place for an ex muslim due to the strict gun control laws. This way only the criminals and fanatics are armed. In the US, at least, you could arm and protect yourself.

Moravian replies on Apr 1, 2019:

Is that meant to be ironic ?. if not check the relative number of deaths by shooting in the USA and the UK.

I have just been watching a BBC pseudo religious programme.

Geoffrey51 comments on Mar 31, 2019:

I don’t see that she is dismissing evolution. I understand exactly what she means. I feel the same but not in reverence to any anthropomorphic deity. I refer to something that I don’t understand but recognise as an underlying force. Some people just prefer to name it to give it a frame.

Moravian replies on Apr 1, 2019:

Well you don't feel the same then. It is quite different having reverence for nature than having reverence for God. Apparently many Muslims do now accept evolution and it is taught in some Muslim schools but many still cling to creationism and a form of intelligent design like some Christians do so who knows.

I have heard it said "never discuss religion and politics".

btroje comments on Mar 31, 2019:

you take one individual's response as representatie of an entire nattion?

Moravian replies on Apr 1, 2019:

@btroje For a start I did not say "all Americans" and you do seem unduly sensitive. You do know what a rhetorical question is ?.

There are at least a million hate messages against me on Face Book including pages with thousands of...

missgi comments on Mar 31, 2019:

Bravo! I applaud you for not allowing them to takey our freedoms away. You're not the only one facing this kind of lack of protection from Facebook. There are tons of violent and hateful content against innocent people like you on Facebook and Facebook doesn't do anything to delete it. Mostly ...

Moravian replies on Apr 1, 2019:

Well said. I am really surprised at some of the comments above. It takes courage to speak out against Islam. A couple of years ago Assad Shah a shopkeeper in Glasgow was murdered for simply wishing his customers a happy Easter. There are many more deranged people out there who wish apostates harm

I have heard it said "never discuss religion and politics".

btroje comments on Mar 31, 2019:

you take one individual's response as representatie of an entire nattion?

Moravian replies on Mar 31, 2019:

@btroje No generalisation just a rhetorical question !!

I have heard it said "never discuss religion and politics".

Cutiebeauty comments on Mar 31, 2019:

Really? All Americans are thinned skinned based on your interaction with one person on the internet? Lol I wouldn't put much stock in your counter arguments about anything ??

Moravian replies on Mar 31, 2019:

@btroje Good. I like to spread some mirth around.

I have heard it said "never discuss religion and politics".

btroje comments on Mar 31, 2019:

you take one individual's response as representatie of an entire nattion?

Moravian replies on Mar 31, 2019:

No

I have just been watching a BBC pseudo religious programme.

maturin1919 comments on Mar 31, 2019:

There are millions of educated religious people. What's the surprise? And where was the dismissal of evolution?

Moravian replies on Mar 31, 2019:

Well maybe I misunderstood her but the comment that the fact that every leaf on a tree being different brought her closer to god sounds like creationism to me.

I have heard it said "never discuss religion and politics".

Cutiebeauty comments on Mar 31, 2019:

Really? All Americans are thinned skinned based on your interaction with one person on the internet? Lol I wouldn't put much stock in your counter arguments about anything ??

Moravian replies on Mar 31, 2019:

@Cutiebeauty No worries. I don't know which state west bubble fuck is in but if it is one of the sunnier ones make sure you put plenty of sun block on when you go out.:-)

I have heard it said "never discuss religion and politics".

Cutiebeauty comments on Mar 31, 2019:

Really? All Americans are thinned skinned based on your interaction with one person on the internet? Lol I wouldn't put much stock in your counter arguments about anything ??

Moravian replies on Mar 31, 2019:

@Cutiebeauty ??. I think you misunderstood what I am saying. Because the majority of the members here are American it is not surprising that those who blocked me are American. Nothing to do with whether they are thin skinned or have the hide of an elephant.

I have heard it said "never discuss religion and politics".

Cutiebeauty comments on Mar 31, 2019:

Really? All Americans are thinned skinned based on your interaction with one person on the internet? Lol I wouldn't put much stock in your counter arguments about anything ??

Moravian replies on Mar 31, 2019:

Well, I have been blocked by three people in the short time I have been on this site, all from the USA but since the vast majority of members are American that is statistically valid. "All Americans are thinned skinned" ?. I didn't say that, and to dismiss anyone's comments without hearing them is to quote that other American, "Spock" highly illogical captain.

What's the fucture of humanist atheist and secular classes???

Triphid comments on Mar 30, 2019:

What the blazes is 'fucture?'

Moravian replies on Mar 31, 2019:

Come on. The guy is writing in a foreign language. Give him a break. I thought we were all on the same side here.

I have heard it said "never discuss religion and politics".

RavenCT comments on Mar 31, 2019:

Well we keep hoping that some magic sky dude is just going to smite 45 - but that's religion - so.... dammit! ;-)

Moravian replies on Mar 31, 2019:

But aren't they on the same side ? ;-). but seriously politics and religion are a poisonous mixture. Just look at the Muslim theocracies in the world. On the few occasions that Christians have had the temerity to push their religious beliefs are the way to live I ask them if they would like to live in a theocracy. I usually just get a blank uncomprehending look.

I met Aron Ra in Edinburgh a few years ago.

Novelty comments on Mar 31, 2019:

In the US we were under a never ending barrage of fundamentalist dogma that worked its way into our political system, particularly in Southern states like Alabama and Texas. It doesn't take a long look at the Republican party and their opinions to see how disproportionately religious influence had ...

Moravian replies on Mar 31, 2019:

I visit the USA quite frequently and fortunately none of my friends there are churchgoers so the topic of religion never arises. I have watched BBC documentaries about Christian fundamentalism in the South and it is both bizarre and a bit scary. I watched Miriam Margolles , who is a secular Jew, try to discuss evolution with a Christian woman and the conflict of trying to equate reason with her beliefs caused her to burst in to tears. Wierd. I hope you are right that it will die out. Pence worries much more then Trump and if Trump is assassinated or impeached which is a possibility he will take over. A scary thought.

You couldn’t make this up.

Moravian comments on Mar 30, 2019:

It;s not all bad. She also hinted at calling a general election.

Moravian replies on Mar 31, 2019:

@Marionville Difficult to say. I have no faith in Corbyn as a leader of the labour party but they must have some one who can sort out the party. We may be seeing a major shift in UK politics with he fracturing of the two main parties and it will probably be a hung parliament. The Lib Dems are totally ineffective and the SNP seem to be losing ground here. As you say that ancient Chinese curse has been activated again "may you live in interesting times" Political discussions certainly raise the temps. I see this morning that I have been blocked by Aryn for saying that her conspiracy theories made me smile. Sensitive souls these brash Americans.

You couldn’t make this up.

Sticks48 comments on Mar 30, 2019:

It is strange that the U.S. and our biggest ally are going through such turmoil at the same time under conservative leadership. Of course, conservatives suck at governing. Conservatives don't handle change very well, and change is constant and happens at an accelerated rate, mainly because of ...

Moravian replies on Mar 30, 2019:

@Aryn Thanks for that Aryn., made me smile. Conspiracy theories as well.

You couldn’t make this up.

Sticks48 comments on Mar 30, 2019:

It is strange that the U.S. and our biggest ally are going through such turmoil at the same time under conservative leadership. Of course, conservatives suck at governing. Conservatives don't handle change very well, and change is constant and happens at an accelerated rate, mainly because of ...

Moravian replies on Mar 30, 2019:

@Aryn Touch of paranoia there I think. Putin is just acting in the best interests of Russia. Of course the internet is now being used as a tool of espionage and I am sure the CIA in the USA and GCHQ in the UK are quite well aware of what is going on.

Christian or Nothing: Buddhist Prisoner to be Executed Without Buddhist Chaplain - Rewire.

Moravian comments on Mar 29, 2019:

Shouldn't the question be-- Why are those barbaric rednecks still continuing with this practice which has been discontinued in all civilised countries in the world ?

Moravian replies on Mar 30, 2019:

You are getting there Twenty states have already banned capital punishment. Sadly Alabama isn't one of them.

I was wholeheartedly a pro-BREXIT campaigner but now I want the UK to remain in the EU ! Though as ...

PBuck0145 comments on Mar 29, 2019:

BREXIT was about sovereignty, NOT the economy. Having said that, the remain lobby scare tactics about the economy are globalist propaganda. The economy will thrive on WTO terms.

Moravian replies on Mar 30, 2019:

Nonsense. One of the main reasons for voting "leave" in England was immigration. Many English cities have problems with ethnic "ghettoisation". The fact that most of the immigrants are from Asia and Africa was too difficult for leavers to grasp. Some peoples concept of "sovereignty" was a factor. I keep hearing the nonsensical comment "tired of being ruled by a bunch of unelected European bureaucrats" from leavers. I am pleased that Scotland voted 62/48 to remain. We welcome Europeans here and we need them. With an aging population they supply a young energetic workforce. Last year with the fall in value of the pound many East Europeans decided not to come and help pick the berry crop and much of it rotted in the fields. It now looks as if a "no deal" is likely and the only upside is that it may mean another independence referendum is on the cards.