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The Purple Loosestrife, Lythrum salicaria, is coming into flower in the garden now by the pond.
thinktwice comments on Jul 31, 2019:
I always loved this plant, but, unfortunately, it is considered an invasive weed in our state and we are required by law to remove it from our ponds and creek areas.
It still makes me smile when I see a small patch blooming before it is removed...
RussRAB replies on Aug 1, 2019:
It is classified as invasive here in Texas as well. I had come across it in a garden book or magazine and had thought it might be a beautiful plant to gtow, but it was not to be.
thinktwice comments on Jul 31, 2019:
I always loved this plant, but, unfortunately, it is considered an invasive weed in our state and we are required by law to remove it from our ponds and creek areas.
It still makes me smile when I see a small patch blooming before it is removed...
RussRAB replies on Aug 1, 2019:
It is classified as invasive here in Texas as well. I had come across it in a garden book or magazine and had thought it might be a beautiful plant to gtow, but it was not to be.
A world without religion?
RussRAB comments on Jul 21, 2019:
I found it very intersting to discover more about certain social animals. Jane Goodall's research with chimp was the first, followed her research of wild African dogs. The most recent was a program from a number of years ago about meerkats. In each species, violence was a regular aspect of their ...
RussRAB replies on Jul 26, 2019:
@Gwendolyn2018 - Yes, being long winded is something I should probably work on. 😊
RussRAB comments on Jul 21, 2019:
I found it very intersting to discover more about certain social animals. Jane Goodall's research with chimp was the first, followed her research of wild African dogs. The most recent was a program from a number of years ago about meerkats. In each species, violence was a regular aspect of their ...
RussRAB replies on Jul 26, 2019:
@Gwendolyn2018 - Yes, being long winded is something I should probably work on. 😊
A world without religion?
RussRAB comments on Jul 21, 2019:
I found it very intersting to discover more about certain social animals. Jane Goodall's research with chimp was the first, followed her research of wild African dogs. The most recent was a program from a number of years ago about meerkats. In each species, violence was a regular aspect of their ...
RussRAB replies on Jul 26, 2019:
I attempted to point out that violence even within species is commonplace and a part of the natural order. Not too many centuties ago, humans didn't have as sophisticated weaponry but they still found ways go kill one another. Go back far enough, and the human technology is even more simplistic, but the violence still occurred similar to other species as mentioned.
We might hope that the advances in understanding, empathy, and knowledge brought on by becoming more civilized would counter these perhaps more primitive (animalistic) violent tendencies. Becoming civilized would seem to be a step above our violent past as a species. Sadly, based on @PontifexMarximus's response (which I didn't take offence to) this is not yet the case. Of course, we should also consider that our human family in the broadest sense can be found living in a very wide range of conditions - from stone age conditions all the way to our modern societies. Other than the degree of sophistication of our killing devices, can we really claim our violent and war like tendencies in modern societies are different in root motivations as those of rival clans from the Amazon or Borneo? Allowing for cognitive differences of other species (chimps, meerkats, etc.) as @Gwendolyn2018 points out, are the struggles over limited resources and the attempt to secure these resources for one's own clan that much different than many human conflicts which result in harm and death of members of their own species?
This discussion began concerning the role of religion and whether the abscence of religion would cause less violence and greater knowledge - a better world overall. Perhaps my response strayed from the subject. What I attempted to say was that I see the roots of violent behaviors coming from a source before religions - assuming chimps, meerkats and African wild dogs don't have some kind of religion (I would doubt they do). Religion then becomes a part of human culture and is subject to all the pressure of change that other cultural aspects are under. Religion can be an aspect of culture for promoting peace, or for committing atrocities. I keep coming back to the genocide commanded of the Israelites upon arriving in their promised land of Canaan. I would conclude that if we wish to reduce violence and advance knowledge we need to appeal to and advance the aspects of culture valuing them including those within religions as well as those outside of them. The notion that a world without religion being a better place does not consider any other cultural aspect other than religion that could or would promote violent and deadly behaviors among human beings. I don't believe this to be the case, and any number of nonreligious ideas can be transformed into something worth fighting and dying for and ...
RussRAB comments on Jul 21, 2019:
I found it very intersting to discover more about certain social animals. Jane Goodall's research with chimp was the first, followed her research of wild African dogs. The most recent was a program from a number of years ago about meerkats. In each species, violence was a regular aspect of their ...
RussRAB replies on Jul 26, 2019:
I attempted to point out that violence even within species is commonplace and a part of the natural order. Not too many centuties ago, humans didn't have as sophisticated weaponry but they still found ways go kill one another. Go back far enough, and the human technology is even more simplistic, but the violence still occurred similar to other species as mentioned.
We might hope that the advances in understanding, empathy, and knowledge brought on by becoming more civilized would counter these perhaps more primitive (animalistic) violent tendencies. Becoming civilized would seem to be a step above our violent past as a species. Sadly, based on @PontifexMarximus's response (which I didn't take offence to) this is not yet the case. Of course, we should also consider that our human family in the broadest sense can be found living in a very wide range of conditions - from stone age conditions all the way to our modern societies. Other than the degree of sophistication of our killing devices, can we really claim our violent and war like tendencies in modern societies are different in root motivations as those of rival clans from the Amazon or Borneo? Allowing for cognitive differences of other species (chimps, meerkats, etc.) as @Gwendolyn2018 points out, are the struggles over limited resources and the attempt to secure these resources for one's own clan that much different than many human conflicts which result in harm and death of members of their own species?
This discussion began concerning the role of religion and whether the abscence of religion would cause less violence and greater knowledge - a better world overall. Perhaps my response strayed from the subject. What I attempted to say was that I see the roots of violent behaviors coming from a source before religions - assuming chimps, meerkats and African wild dogs don't have some kind of religion (I would doubt they do). Religion then becomes a part of human culture and is subject to all the pressure of change that other cultural aspects are under. Religion can be an aspect of culture for promoting peace, or for committing atrocities. I keep coming back to the genocide commanded of the Israelites upon arriving in their promised land of Canaan. I would conclude that if we wish to reduce violence and advance knowledge we need to appeal to and advance the aspects of culture valuing them including those within religions as well as those outside of them. The notion that a world without religion being a better place does not consider any other cultural aspect other than religion that could or would promote violent and deadly behaviors among human beings. I don't believe this to be the case, and any number of nonreligious ideas can be transformed into something worth fighting and dying for and ...
'In God We Trust' Signs Go Up In South Dakota Public Schools, As Required By Law : NPR
RussRAB comments on Jul 25, 2019:
Thef original motto was much more inclusive - E Pluribus Unum. This new one was a 1956 rendition instituted in the aftermath of McCarthyism. After all, only commies were Godless.
RussRAB replies on Jul 25, 2019:
@greyeyed123 - Except the Russians are rediscovering religion post Soviet Union and under Putin. But your point is well taken.
RussRAB comments on Jul 25, 2019:
Thef original motto was much more inclusive - E Pluribus Unum. This new one was a 1956 rendition instituted in the aftermath of McCarthyism. After all, only commies were Godless.
RussRAB replies on Jul 25, 2019:
@greyeyed123 - Except the Russians are rediscovering religion post Soviet Union and under Putin. But your point is well taken.
A world without religion?
wordywalt comments on Jul 20, 2019:
There will likely never be a world without some people committed to the total ideology of a religion or (in its place) total commitment to some political ideology. Simply put, there are simply some people who feel so weak, poweeless and lacking in knowledge that they will give up their freedom to ...
RussRAB replies on Jul 21, 2019:
Agreed. Cult experts identify political, economic cults as well as some vased on the paranormal and scisnce fiction.
wordywalt comments on Jul 20, 2019:
There will likely never be a world without some people committed to the total ideology of a religion or (in its place) total commitment to some political ideology. Simply put, there are simply some people who feel so weak, poweeless and lacking in knowledge that they will give up their freedom to ...
RussRAB replies on Jul 21, 2019:
Agreed. Cult experts identify political, economic cults as well as some vased on the paranormal and scisnce fiction.
As recently as 30 years ago, America was over 90% Christian.
LimitedLight comments on Jul 13, 2019:
I haven't read through the rest of the responses yet, so in case no one else has mentioned it: why did the RR originally rise when the percent was still so high?
RussRAB replies on Jul 14, 2019:
@LimitedLight - No disagreement from me. I believe conservative Christians felt their hold on government slip with challanges from religious minorities (as well as other minorities they used religion to segregate) even though Christianity dominated the population at 90%. While this figure is by all accounts accurate, the percentage of conservation Christian would have been less with liberal and moderate denominations figuring into the 90%. Conservative Christians may well have organized the RR with at least some intent of converting these others who may have not been nearly as concerned about these developments. I understood that some Methodist churches supported Roe and perhaps other socially liberal developments that occurred during thr 70's and 80's. My point here is that while Christianity did dominate US culture, those like Falwell and Robertson and their followers may well have been in the minority amd organizing politically gave them greater strength to farther their particular brand of conservative Christianity.
LimitedLight comments on Jul 13, 2019:
I haven't read through the rest of the responses yet, so in case no one else has mentioned it: why did the RR originally rise when the percent was still so high?
RussRAB replies on Jul 14, 2019:
@LimitedLight - No disagreement from me. I believe conservative Christians felt their hold on government slip with challanges from religious minorities (as well as other minorities they used religion to segregate) even though Christianity dominated the population at 90%. While this figure is by all accounts accurate, the percentage of conservation Christian would have been less with liberal and moderate denominations figuring into the 90%. Conservative Christians may well have organized the RR with at least some intent of converting these others who may have not been nearly as concerned about these developments. I understood that some Methodist churches supported Roe and perhaps other socially liberal developments that occurred during thr 70's and 80's. My point here is that while Christianity did dominate US culture, those like Falwell and Robertson and their followers may well have been in the minority amd organizing politically gave them greater strength to farther their particular brand of conservative Christianity.
As recently as 30 years ago, America was over 90% Christian.
LimitedLight comments on Jul 13, 2019:
I haven't read through the rest of the responses yet, so in case no one else has mentioned it: why did the RR originally rise when the percent was still so high?
RussRAB replies on Jul 14, 2019:
My impression is that the RR became political in response to court decisions like Roe v. Wade and others requiring Christian Christmas displays and other Christian displays be removed from public property. Preachers like Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson led the way encouraging their so called Moral Majority to vote for Christian candidates and Christian causes.
LimitedLight comments on Jul 13, 2019:
I haven't read through the rest of the responses yet, so in case no one else has mentioned it: why did the RR originally rise when the percent was still so high?
RussRAB replies on Jul 14, 2019:
My impression is that the RR became political in response to court decisions like Roe v. Wade and others requiring Christian Christmas displays and other Christian displays be removed from public property. Preachers like Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson led the way encouraging their so called Moral Majority to vote for Christian candidates and Christian causes.
Now that is some romantic gardening!
RussRAB comments on Jul 11, 2019:
How long ago was that tradition anf where? I'd never heard of it before.
RussRAB replies on Jul 12, 2019:
@Hathacat - It is interesting and a romantic sentiment.
RussRAB comments on Jul 11, 2019:
How long ago was that tradition anf where? I'd never heard of it before.
RussRAB replies on Jul 12, 2019:
@Hathacat - It is interesting and a romantic sentiment.
Fair is fair!
City council may give up opening prayers after Satanist concludes opening with ...
RussRAB comments on Jul 4, 2019:
Satanists have done quite a bit to cause otherwise staunch Christians to appreciate our tradition (at least on paper) of separation of church and state. Several years ago, Oklahoma passed a law which said all religions were welcome to erect a religious monument on public property. It was in response...
RussRAB replies on Jul 4, 2019:
@Piratefish - I don't recall that atheism was explained how it qualified under that Florida law. Perhaps as anti-religion? The question you asked wasn't addressed in the article.
RussRAB comments on Jul 4, 2019:
Satanists have done quite a bit to cause otherwise staunch Christians to appreciate our tradition (at least on paper) of separation of church and state. Several years ago, Oklahoma passed a law which said all religions were welcome to erect a religious monument on public property. It was in response...
RussRAB replies on Jul 4, 2019:
@Piratefish - I don't recall that atheism was explained how it qualified under that Florida law. Perhaps as anti-religion? The question you asked wasn't addressed in the article.
A "perfect world" is theoretically possible, is it not?
WilliamFleming comments on Jun 29, 2019:
Reality already is perfect. Whatever happens happens under natural laws that are neither good nor bad. We humans might assign value judgments but those are artificial. Some judgments are probably necessary for survival, but if you constantly view the world as fearful, ugly and evil you will wallow ...
RussRAB replies on Jun 29, 2019:
My thoughts as well. It is this idea that helped bring me to feeling comfortable as an agnostic with no particular God concept. "Perfection" that is the natural order doesn't conform to our individual subjective wants and desires. We also do not create our own realities, although we do create our own constructs of reality in order to navigate through it. The closer our construct of reality, the better we are likely to be able to deal with it.
WilliamFleming comments on Jun 29, 2019:
Reality already is perfect. Whatever happens happens under natural laws that are neither good nor bad. We humans might assign value judgments but those are artificial. Some judgments are probably necessary for survival, but if you constantly view the world as fearful, ugly and evil you will wallow ...
RussRAB replies on Jun 29, 2019:
My thoughts as well. It is this idea that helped bring me to feeling comfortable as an agnostic with no particular God concept. "Perfection" that is the natural order doesn't conform to our individual subjective wants and desires. We also do not create our own realities, although we do create our own constructs of reality in order to navigate through it. The closer our construct of reality, the better we are likely to be able to deal with it.
Two Questions??
Lorajay comments on Jun 23, 2019:
Every pet before the last one was buried. My 90 pound dog died while I was in Hungary this spring. I couldn't ask my house sitter to bury him or actually trust him to bury him so I asked him to take him to the vet for cremation. Cremation is the cheapest way to leave the world and I have mine ...
RussRAB replies on Jun 23, 2019:
I like your idea of comingling your ashes with your husband's. I believe my wife wants to be buried, though. I know she would wish I would be buried also, but i'm not so sure. I do believe that what is done with my remains is the ultimate decision of those who survive me. After my death, I won't have much say over what's left behind and I am satisfied with whatever makes those living feel most comforted (even if I do have my own ideas).
Lorajay comments on Jun 23, 2019:
Every pet before the last one was buried. My 90 pound dog died while I was in Hungary this spring. I couldn't ask my house sitter to bury him or actually trust him to bury him so I asked him to take him to the vet for cremation. Cremation is the cheapest way to leave the world and I have mine ...
RussRAB replies on Jun 23, 2019:
I like your idea of comingling your ashes with your husband's. I believe my wife wants to be buried, though. I know she would wish I would be buried also, but i'm not so sure. I do believe that what is done with my remains is the ultimate decision of those who survive me. After my death, I won't have much say over what's left behind and I am satisfied with whatever makes those living feel most comforted (even if I do have my own ideas).
Lots of truth in this. And we sure as hell need to be better stewards of that six inch layer:
HippieChick58 comments on Jun 22, 2019:
This is the problem farmers on our area are experiencing this year. The flooding has washed away the topsoil in many places, or covered it with sand, or worse with heavy metals. Bad year in the heartlands.
RussRAB replies on Jun 23, 2019:
Very interesting because ancient Egyptians relied on periodic flooding to renew their farms' soil. Of course it was a different time and circumstance. What do farmers do when their topsoil is washed away?
HippieChick58 comments on Jun 22, 2019:
This is the problem farmers on our area are experiencing this year. The flooding has washed away the topsoil in many places, or covered it with sand, or worse with heavy metals. Bad year in the heartlands.
RussRAB replies on Jun 23, 2019:
Very interesting because ancient Egyptians relied on periodic flooding to renew their farms' soil. Of course it was a different time and circumstance. What do farmers do when their topsoil is washed away?
What would you have said?
J75243 comments on Jun 16, 2019:
Meanwhile, In Dallas today, we had a tornado warning.
RussRAB replies on Jun 17, 2019:
I suppose we can "Thank God" for the tornados too? But not the warning systen; that is man made from scientific research.
J75243 comments on Jun 16, 2019:
Meanwhile, In Dallas today, we had a tornado warning.
RussRAB replies on Jun 17, 2019:
I suppose we can "Thank God" for the tornados too? But not the warning systen; that is man made from scientific research.
Deconversion
Wurlitzer comments on Jun 16, 2019:
I’m sure a lot of us can, but you’ll have to be more specific, what stage of doubt or acceptance are you in right now, how long since you didn’t consider yourself Christian? And what specifically are you struggling the most with outside of faith? Lack of community, lack of purpose in life, ...
RussRAB replies on Jun 16, 2019:
@godlesssouth09 - I recall feeling like I was spinning out of control inside when I was in your position - racing thoughts, intense anger coupled with fear and guilt, etc. It took a while for it all to calm down. Reading helped. I tended toward subjects about how we form and hold onto beliefs. At some point, I realized I missed the feeling of certainty that I knew the answers for my life, but a feeling of certainty is just that - a feeling. When I realized how easily my feelings could be manipulated, I undetstood how uncertain I was of most thing I had felt certain of. I began to reevaluate how I decided what was true and correct and accepted that I would never be 100% certain of it. Over time life got back to being normal. Some things just don't change regardless of what one believes. We all still need to eat and sleep, someone needs to wash the dishes, do the laundry, and clean our living areas. Believing one thing or another doesn't change these facts of life.
I wish you well, godlesssouth09. While your journey is unique to you, it is along a path that many others have traversed. I suspect most of us have survived without falling off the deep end. Our basic values, while perhaps altered a bit, are still intact and I suspect the vast majority of us have retained our compassion for our fellow human beings. We are still able to love and to care about others. While you may be at a difficult time greiving the loss of what you once believed, you will be able to endure and emerge better for having looked at yourself, the world around you, and for taking on the responsibility for what you will believe and why you believe it.
Wurlitzer comments on Jun 16, 2019:
I’m sure a lot of us can, but you’ll have to be more specific, what stage of doubt or acceptance are you in right now, how long since you didn’t consider yourself Christian? And what specifically are you struggling the most with outside of faith? Lack of community, lack of purpose in life, ...
RussRAB replies on Jun 16, 2019:
@godlesssouth09 - I recall feeling like I was spinning out of control inside when I was in your position - racing thoughts, intense anger coupled with fear and guilt, etc. It took a while for it all to calm down. Reading helped. I tended toward subjects about how we form and hold onto beliefs. At some point, I realized I missed the feeling of certainty that I knew the answers for my life, but a feeling of certainty is just that - a feeling. When I realized how easily my feelings could be manipulated, I undetstood how uncertain I was of most thing I had felt certain of. I began to reevaluate how I decided what was true and correct and accepted that I would never be 100% certain of it. Over time life got back to being normal. Some things just don't change regardless of what one believes. We all still need to eat and sleep, someone needs to wash the dishes, do the laundry, and clean our living areas. Believing one thing or another doesn't change these facts of life.
I wish you well, godlesssouth09. While your journey is unique to you, it is along a path that many others have traversed. I suspect most of us have survived without falling off the deep end. Our basic values, while perhaps altered a bit, are still intact and I suspect the vast majority of us have retained our compassion for our fellow human beings. We are still able to love and to care about others. While you may be at a difficult time greiving the loss of what you once believed, you will be able to endure and emerge better for having looked at yourself, the world around you, and for taking on the responsibility for what you will believe and why you believe it.
‘Straight Pride’ organisers revealed to have links to far-right and white nationalist groups
JacarC comments on Jun 10, 2019:
Don't believe this shit. The left-polers label anyone they don't like as "far-right."
RussRAB replies on Jun 11, 2019:
Not that you will believe Newsweek or any other non-far right media source ...
https://www.newsweek.com/armed-neo-nazis-marched-police-protection-during-detroit-pride-parade-1443013
JacarC comments on Jun 10, 2019:
Don't believe this shit. The left-polers label anyone they don't like as "far-right."
RussRAB replies on Jun 11, 2019:
Not that you will believe Newsweek or any other non-far right media source ...
https://www.newsweek.com/armed-neo-nazis-marched-police-protection-during-detroit-pride-parade-1443013
My sweet puppies graduating from puppy training class. 6 months old, Maisie and Sophie.
Tinocca comments on Jun 10, 2019:
They are actually litter mates/ sisters. Golden retriever/terrier mix. Clearly got different genes from their parents.
RussRAB replies on Jun 10, 2019:
I don't know how certai you are of the paternity; I understood a female canine could bare offspring from different dogs.
Tinocca comments on Jun 10, 2019:
They are actually litter mates/ sisters. Golden retriever/terrier mix. Clearly got different genes from their parents.
RussRAB replies on Jun 10, 2019:
I don't know how certai you are of the paternity; I understood a female canine could bare offspring from different dogs.
What did you want to grow up and be as an adult when you were a pre -teen?
RussRAB comments on Jun 8, 2019:
Sorry, I had to chuckle, but how could you Not have wanted to be a cowboy? We are the same age and have very similar growing up experiences. My list would have been shorter - cowboy, policeman, fireman, and perhaps an armyman. The cowboys had a better costume and generally were allowed more ...
RussRAB replies on Jun 10, 2019:
@Bigwavedave - Roaming around and playing games including role playing games is pretty much what kids did when we were young, didn't they? Cowboy would be a great fit. Plus, you always knew who the "good guys" and "bad guys" were (you could tell by the color hat they wore and how shifty eyed they were).
RussRAB comments on Jun 8, 2019:
Sorry, I had to chuckle, but how could you Not have wanted to be a cowboy? We are the same age and have very similar growing up experiences. My list would have been shorter - cowboy, policeman, fireman, and perhaps an armyman. The cowboys had a better costume and generally were allowed more ...
RussRAB replies on Jun 10, 2019:
@Bigwavedave - Roaming around and playing games including role playing games is pretty much what kids did when we were young, didn't they? Cowboy would be a great fit. Plus, you always knew who the "good guys" and "bad guys" were (you could tell by the color hat they wore and how shifty eyed they were).
No surprises here are there?
powder comments on Jun 10, 2019:
I fail to see how Trump cops the blame here. Surely these areas were declared through congress and cannot be undone by the potus alone? America's congress is complicit in this. The type of shit that's slips by whilst arguing over walls and abortions and chasing Russians.
Can anyone confirm my view ...
RussRAB replies on Jun 10, 2019:
Yes, congress must pass the laws to set policy for federal lands. The article refers to the laws passed in 2017 in the first year Trump was in office. Trump is the guy setting the policy congress enacted making it his agenda being implemented. Trump denies climate change and his policy has been to discourage renewable energy resources (because the wind doesn't always blow and the sun doesn't always shine) while he gives carte blanche to oil and gas companies. These are his policies which the Republican dominated co grress passed at his administration's request. This is "how Trump cops the blame."
powder comments on Jun 10, 2019:
I fail to see how Trump cops the blame here. Surely these areas were declared through congress and cannot be undone by the potus alone? America's congress is complicit in this. The type of shit that's slips by whilst arguing over walls and abortions and chasing Russians.
Can anyone confirm my view ...
RussRAB replies on Jun 10, 2019:
Yes, congress must pass the laws to set policy for federal lands. The article refers to the laws passed in 2017 in the first year Trump was in office. Trump is the guy setting the policy congress enacted making it his agenda being implemented. Trump denies climate change and his policy has been to discourage renewable energy resources (because the wind doesn't always blow and the sun doesn't always shine) while he gives carte blanche to oil and gas companies. These are his policies which the Republican dominated co grress passed at his administration's request. This is "how Trump cops the blame."
I am playing around with a subject for an upcoming video.
RussRAB comments on Jun 9, 2019:
Please explain how someone has a personal relationship with a nonmaterial object or being they cannot see or touch, and that they only "hear" within their mind. I believe I may have a more personal relationship with the chair I sit in since I can see it, can touch it, and can hear it when I sit down...
RussRAB replies on Jun 9, 2019:
@DavidLaDeau - I will be interested to see what you come up with on your Youtube channel.
RussRAB comments on Jun 9, 2019:
Please explain how someone has a personal relationship with a nonmaterial object or being they cannot see or touch, and that they only "hear" within their mind. I believe I may have a more personal relationship with the chair I sit in since I can see it, can touch it, and can hear it when I sit down...
RussRAB replies on Jun 9, 2019:
@DavidLaDeau - I will be interested to see what you come up with on your Youtube channel.
My wife is Chinese and studied all religious writings in International Literature Class.
JimG comments on Jun 7, 2019:
NDEs almost always are compatible with ones beliefs. Mine was significantly different, I was simply floating in the vastness of space completely at peace with the universe and blissfully unaware of anything or anyone else living or dead.
Mine, I believe, was a reflection of my view that the only ...
RussRAB replies on Jun 8, 2019:
Michael Shermer discusses the NDE phenomenon in "Why People Believe Weird Things." His observations are basically the same as yours - they are compatible or a product of ones own beliefs and experience. His claim was that as alien visitation became a more popular topic in US culture, alien creatures increasingly became the subject in NDE experiences. I don't have an NDE experience of my own to add.
JimG comments on Jun 7, 2019:
NDEs almost always are compatible with ones beliefs. Mine was significantly different, I was simply floating in the vastness of space completely at peace with the universe and blissfully unaware of anything or anyone else living or dead.
Mine, I believe, was a reflection of my view that the only ...
RussRAB replies on Jun 8, 2019:
Michael Shermer discusses the NDE phenomenon in "Why People Believe Weird Things." His observations are basically the same as yours - they are compatible or a product of ones own beliefs and experience. His claim was that as alien visitation became a more popular topic in US culture, alien creatures increasingly became the subject in NDE experiences. I don't have an NDE experience of my own to add.
"We must resist the impoverishment of public discourse on matters of religion which has come about ...
vertrauen comments on Jun 8, 2019:
I basically agree although as an American I don't think secularist condemnation of religion is quite as sharp here in the US as is Christian condemnation of secularism. Sure, you will find extreme anti-theist perspectives in every country, but on average more atheists just want to be left alone. Who...
RussRAB replies on Jun 8, 2019:
I wonder if the strongest secularist condemnation of religion isn't more of a reaction to Christian condemnation of secularism. From my own experience, I wouldn't be nearly as concerned about the religious beliefs of others if I didn't perceive them attempting to influence kids in public schools, to influence politics intending to alienate certain minority groups, etc.
I also am curious who T.B. is.
vertrauen comments on Jun 8, 2019:
I basically agree although as an American I don't think secularist condemnation of religion is quite as sharp here in the US as is Christian condemnation of secularism. Sure, you will find extreme anti-theist perspectives in every country, but on average more atheists just want to be left alone. Who...
RussRAB replies on Jun 8, 2019:
I wonder if the strongest secularist condemnation of religion isn't more of a reaction to Christian condemnation of secularism. From my own experience, I wouldn't be nearly as concerned about the religious beliefs of others if I didn't perceive them attempting to influence kids in public schools, to influence politics intending to alienate certain minority groups, etc.
I also am curious who T.B. is.
You Can't Prove That God Doesn't Exist - Debunked - YouTube
UpsideDownAgain comments on Jun 6, 2019:
This guy's logic is the exact reasoning which led me to reject the gods that I was raised to believe. However, I wouldn't say that he's proven that god doesn't exist. You could take every god that anyone has ever worshiped and prove each of them false but that would not prove that no god exists. I ...
RussRAB replies on Jun 6, 2019:
Michael Shermer discusses humans as pattern seeking brings. We also tend to seek out human faces in random patterns, and we tend to personify the inanimate such as referring to our vehicles as "he's" and "she's" rather than as "it". Imo, these human traits tend to cause humans to assign super-human traits to phenomenon not understood by other mean. It's a form of God of the Gaps, but the gaps are extremely wide - to the extent of being all encompassing.
UpsideDownAgain comments on Jun 6, 2019:
This guy's logic is the exact reasoning which led me to reject the gods that I was raised to believe. However, I wouldn't say that he's proven that god doesn't exist. You could take every god that anyone has ever worshiped and prove each of them false but that would not prove that no god exists. I ...
RussRAB replies on Jun 6, 2019:
Michael Shermer discusses humans as pattern seeking brings. We also tend to seek out human faces in random patterns, and we tend to personify the inanimate such as referring to our vehicles as "he's" and "she's" rather than as "it". Imo, these human traits tend to cause humans to assign super-human traits to phenomenon not understood by other mean. It's a form of God of the Gaps, but the gaps are extremely wide - to the extent of being all encompassing.
Dewberry cultivation?
RussRAB comments on May 28, 2019:
I was going to add that I had encountered dewberry while hiking in the Sierra Nevada Mountainsin California, but I believe they were thimbleberries instead. The USDA site shows dewberries ib the Eastern US, and the thimble variety in the west. I have no idea how similar the two may be.
As for ...
RussRAB replies on May 28, 2019:
@MikeInBatonRouge - Blackberries have the nostalgic connection with my grandparents. They had 24 acres southwest of Akron, Ohio. Blackberries grew wild on their property and surrounding areas. When the blackberries were ripe, my grandfather would outfit us kids with rubber boots to cover out long pants and with long sleeve shirts. He insisted we wear a hat too. Then he would lead us through a rather swampy area some of it thick with maple and oak trees. The area we trekked to was along the backside of a drive-in movie theater and the whole parking area was bordered with blackberries. We pick berries and each about as many as we collected (at least us kids did). What we brought back, my grandma would either bake into a pie, or she would cook it into a syrup we poured ovèr ice cream.
My grandparents also had a row of raspberries, but for some reason, he kept mowing the over with his brush hog. Grandma would get so mad at him.
Another year, we discovered elderberries growing wild in the back of their property. They were as tasty as the blackberries in a pie and ice cream syrup.
RussRAB comments on May 28, 2019:
I was going to add that I had encountered dewberry while hiking in the Sierra Nevada Mountainsin California, but I believe they were thimbleberries instead. The USDA site shows dewberries ib the Eastern US, and the thimble variety in the west. I have no idea how similar the two may be.
As for ...
RussRAB replies on May 28, 2019:
@MikeInBatonRouge - Blackberries have the nostalgic connection with my grandparents. They had 24 acres southwest of Akron, Ohio. Blackberries grew wild on their property and surrounding areas. When the blackberries were ripe, my grandfather would outfit us kids with rubber boots to cover out long pants and with long sleeve shirts. He insisted we wear a hat too. Then he would lead us through a rather swampy area some of it thick with maple and oak trees. The area we trekked to was along the backside of a drive-in movie theater and the whole parking area was bordered with blackberries. We pick berries and each about as many as we collected (at least us kids did). What we brought back, my grandma would either bake into a pie, or she would cook it into a syrup we poured ovèr ice cream.
My grandparents also had a row of raspberries, but for some reason, he kept mowing the over with his brush hog. Grandma would get so mad at him.
Another year, we discovered elderberries growing wild in the back of their property. They were as tasty as the blackberries in a pie and ice cream syrup.
We spend so much time bringing beauty to our lives then we spend all of our time maintaining that ...
Hathacat comments on May 23, 2019:
I would be wanting to get the rose where I could see it better! What is the blue flower? I have never seen it before!
RussRAB replies on May 24, 2019:
I had seen the blue flower in a Texas wildflower book but couldn't remember its name. This link has a bit of info about it.
http://www.wildflowersoftexas.com/commelina-erecta.html
Hathacat comments on May 23, 2019:
I would be wanting to get the rose where I could see it better! What is the blue flower? I have never seen it before!
RussRAB replies on May 24, 2019:
I had seen the blue flower in a Texas wildflower book but couldn't remember its name. This link has a bit of info about it.
http://www.wildflowersoftexas.com/commelina-erecta.html
I was recently asked by a friend who knew me as a devoted Christian, “What happened?
Stilltrying1964 comments on May 22, 2019:
My asshole douchebag southern baptist bible thumping brother tells me that the problems I'm having in my life are because I've turned my back on god. When I was grieving for 18 months after my girlfriend committed suicide, I was still asking for help, and it never came. If there is a god, and ...
RussRAB replies on May 22, 2019:
Btw, I sorry for your loss. Losing a loved one is very tough.
Stilltrying1964 comments on May 22, 2019:
My asshole douchebag southern baptist bible thumping brother tells me that the problems I'm having in my life are because I've turned my back on god. When I was grieving for 18 months after my girlfriend committed suicide, I was still asking for help, and it never came. If there is a god, and ...
RussRAB replies on May 22, 2019:
Btw, I sorry for your loss. Losing a loved one is very tough.
I was recently asked by a friend who knew me as a devoted Christian, “What happened?
Stilltrying1964 comments on May 22, 2019:
My asshole douchebag southern baptist bible thumping brother tells me that the problems I'm having in my life are because I've turned my back on god. When I was grieving for 18 months after my girlfriend committed suicide, I was still asking for help, and it never came. If there is a god, and ...
RussRAB replies on May 22, 2019:
When the same problems in life occur when you are a devout believer, then it is God testing you. Remember Job? They have an answer for either situation, either way attempting to keep you engaged in the belief system.
Stilltrying1964 comments on May 22, 2019:
My asshole douchebag southern baptist bible thumping brother tells me that the problems I'm having in my life are because I've turned my back on god. When I was grieving for 18 months after my girlfriend committed suicide, I was still asking for help, and it never came. If there is a god, and ...
RussRAB replies on May 22, 2019:
When the same problems in life occur when you are a devout believer, then it is God testing you. Remember Job? They have an answer for either situation, either way attempting to keep you engaged in the belief system.
Some folks wonder where all this hate and discontent comes from.
Fred_Snerd comments on May 18, 2019:
We should be better people and not hate this person or any person. No crisis is solved by hate. We should be examples of love and understanding. Atheists can become eaten up with cynicism That hate manifests even toward fellow non-believers. We cannot affect change if we nurture our ability to hate....
RussRAB replies on May 19, 2019:
I think we can safely hate what this man wants to do to all of us. He wants to take away basic freedoms of religion and speech in order to set himself and others like him in positions of power over us. He very possibly represents a real danger to the lives of those who believe differently or who are nonconforming like gays and feminists. I didn't read that he has attacked gays as other Christians preachers have who advocated putting them in concentration camps to allow them to die. Frankly, I would wonder why someone with a conscience wouldn't hate the actions or speech of another who would promote the harming of others in such a way (or in any way).
Fred_Snerd comments on May 18, 2019:
We should be better people and not hate this person or any person. No crisis is solved by hate. We should be examples of love and understanding. Atheists can become eaten up with cynicism That hate manifests even toward fellow non-believers. We cannot affect change if we nurture our ability to hate....
RussRAB replies on May 19, 2019:
I think we can safely hate what this man wants to do to all of us. He wants to take away basic freedoms of religion and speech in order to set himself and others like him in positions of power over us. He very possibly represents a real danger to the lives of those who believe differently or who are nonconforming like gays and feminists. I didn't read that he has attacked gays as other Christians preachers have who advocated putting them in concentration camps to allow them to die. Frankly, I would wonder why someone with a conscience wouldn't hate the actions or speech of another who would promote the harming of others in such a way (or in any way).
I love movies that lampoon religion or put an interesting twist on the norm.
Piratefish comments on May 18, 2019:
Dogma has to be my favorite.
RussRAB replies on May 19, 2019:
I agree.
Piratefish comments on May 18, 2019:
Dogma has to be my favorite.
RussRAB replies on May 19, 2019:
I agree.
Had a quick trip to the Chicago Botanic Garden today and had a chance to see this bad boy/girl.
tinkercreek comments on May 18, 2019:
I bought a house years ago with a smaller relative of that, one purple bloom yearly right below my kitchen window that stank terribly and attracted flies. Rather beautiful, and fascinating, and now wish I'd dug it up to take and transplant with me . . . somewhere further from the house!
RussRAB replies on May 19, 2019:
These plants attract flies as pollinators. It's why they smell the way they do. I can't imagine having such an odor around, although I have been curious. I prefer the flowers that prefer bees to pollinate them. :-)
tinkercreek comments on May 18, 2019:
I bought a house years ago with a smaller relative of that, one purple bloom yearly right below my kitchen window that stank terribly and attracted flies. Rather beautiful, and fascinating, and now wish I'd dug it up to take and transplant with me . . . somewhere further from the house!
RussRAB replies on May 19, 2019:
These plants attract flies as pollinators. It's why they smell the way they do. I can't imagine having such an odor around, although I have been curious. I prefer the flowers that prefer bees to pollinate them. :-)
So there's to be an investigation into the investigation, is there?
mischl comments on May 14, 2019:
Trump (and minions) have been burning midnight oil reading all the tactics that were used by Mussolini, Hitler, Stalin, and a few more. They are working steadily toward achieving an unimpeded dictatorship.
RussRAB replies on May 14, 2019:
I'm afraid this is the case. The GOP declared they wanted to be the ONLY party during the 90's, and they seem to be moving in that direction, or at least trying to.
mischl comments on May 14, 2019:
Trump (and minions) have been burning midnight oil reading all the tactics that were used by Mussolini, Hitler, Stalin, and a few more. They are working steadily toward achieving an unimpeded dictatorship.
RussRAB replies on May 14, 2019:
I'm afraid this is the case. The GOP declared they wanted to be the ONLY party during the 90's, and they seem to be moving in that direction, or at least trying to.
The orthodox definition of the theistic god includes omnipotence, omniscience, and omnibenevolence ...
RussRAB comments on May 12, 2019:
I think the trinity is explained as the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are aspect of the one God. The roles of the 3 individuals are preserves (supposedly) without violating the monotheistic claim of the religion. I don't believe it makes sense but this is why I'm here and not at church today.
I ...
RussRAB replies on May 12, 2019:
@creative51 - The philosopher was Epicurus
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Epicurus
RussRAB comments on May 12, 2019:
I think the trinity is explained as the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are aspect of the one God. The roles of the 3 individuals are preserves (supposedly) without violating the monotheistic claim of the religion. I don't believe it makes sense but this is why I'm here and not at church today.
I ...
RussRAB replies on May 12, 2019:
@creative51 - The philosopher was Epicurus
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Epicurus
Just add peanut butter and jelly
SiouxcitySue comments on Apr 28, 2019:
New Halloween costume?
RussRAB replies on Apr 29, 2019:
The new look for Jason, to replace his hockey mask?
SiouxcitySue comments on Apr 28, 2019:
New Halloween costume?
RussRAB replies on Apr 29, 2019:
The new look for Jason, to replace his hockey mask?
Jane Goodall has been one of my all time favorite individuals.
Novelty comments on Apr 20, 2019:
This is a comic that was on her office door for years.
RussRAB replies on Apr 20, 2019:
Very Funny. 😃🤣😊😃
Novelty comments on Apr 20, 2019:
This is a comic that was on her office door for years.
RussRAB replies on Apr 20, 2019:
Very Funny. 😃🤣😊😃
Jane Goodall has been one of my all time favorite individuals.
TrailRider comments on Apr 20, 2019:
If you haven't already, check out People of the Forest.
https://m.imdb.com/title/tt0256263/
RussRAB replies on Apr 20, 2019:
I'm not certain I did see this one. I believe the documentaries I saw were National Geographic specials. I will have to look into this one. Thanks
TrailRider comments on Apr 20, 2019:
If you haven't already, check out People of the Forest.
https://m.imdb.com/title/tt0256263/
RussRAB replies on Apr 20, 2019:
I'm not certain I did see this one. I believe the documentaries I saw were National Geographic specials. I will have to look into this one. Thanks
Baton Rouge, LA, what is this kinda-sorta dandelion wildflower?
RussRAB comments on Apr 20, 2019:
I love these flowers. They're so bright and beautifil. They grow wild here in North Texas and I have thought to try to cultivate them but have yet to try it. They are known here as a Texas Dandilion. The link is to the entry at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
...
RussRAB replies on Apr 20, 2019:
@MikeInBatonRouge - Are you at all familiar with the USDA website? As I recall, each entry has a section listing the plants taxonomic names from Kingdom to species.
https://plants.sc.egov.usda.gov/java/
RussRAB comments on Apr 20, 2019:
I love these flowers. They're so bright and beautifil. They grow wild here in North Texas and I have thought to try to cultivate them but have yet to try it. They are known here as a Texas Dandilion. The link is to the entry at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
...
RussRAB replies on Apr 20, 2019:
@MikeInBatonRouge - Are you at all familiar with the USDA website? As I recall, each entry has a section listing the plants taxonomic names from Kingdom to species.
https://plants.sc.egov.usda.gov/java/
Baton Rouge, LA, what is this kinda-sorta dandelion wildflower?
RussRAB comments on Apr 20, 2019:
I love these flowers. They're so bright and beautifil. They grow wild here in North Texas and I have thought to try to cultivate them but have yet to try it. They are known here as a Texas Dandilion. The link is to the entry at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
...
RussRAB replies on Apr 20, 2019:
@MikeInBatonRouge - I tend to think of them as composites but I did notice that the scientific family names Asteraceae and Compositae are apparently the same. Names seem to change quite a bit among plant taxons. I've run into plenty of changes as I paid more attention in recent years to plant names, typically the Family, Genus, and species. These changes add confusion to attempting to make sense of scientic taxonomy. Although, the same variety in plant names does exist among common name as well. Salsify for example is alzo known as goat's beard or oyster plant, and the Texas dandelion is also called desert chicory.
RussRAB comments on Apr 20, 2019:
I love these flowers. They're so bright and beautifil. They grow wild here in North Texas and I have thought to try to cultivate them but have yet to try it. They are known here as a Texas Dandilion. The link is to the entry at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
...
RussRAB replies on Apr 20, 2019:
@MikeInBatonRouge - I tend to think of them as composites but I did notice that the scientific family names Asteraceae and Compositae are apparently the same. Names seem to change quite a bit among plant taxons. I've run into plenty of changes as I paid more attention in recent years to plant names, typically the Family, Genus, and species. These changes add confusion to attempting to make sense of scientic taxonomy. Although, the same variety in plant names does exist among common name as well. Salsify for example is alzo known as goat's beard or oyster plant, and the Texas dandelion is also called desert chicory.
Showy Evening Primrose decided to begin blooming.
tinkercreek comments on Apr 11, 2019:
LOVE white (or almost) flowers!
RussRAB replies on Apr 11, 2019:
My feeling is the opposite, but to each their own. There plenty of beautiful white flowers.
tinkercreek comments on Apr 11, 2019:
LOVE white (or almost) flowers!
RussRAB replies on Apr 11, 2019:
My feeling is the opposite, but to each their own. There plenty of beautiful white flowers.
I wanna try my hand at rooting rose cuttings.
freeofgod comments on Apr 10, 2019:
I always had great success in taking a cutting and sticking it strait in the ground. Chose a place that has the most moisture. Strip all but the first two sets of leaves off. Rooting hormone never worked for me. I found out I have a very green thumb. Especially when it comes to starts.
RussRAB replies on Apr 10, 2019:
@RickyAdams - I live near you (closer to Fort Worth). I would be concerned about the heat and lack of humity as well. I don't know about your area, but my soil is very much clay - it will even bake and crack in July/August. I would think you might needs a soil that is more humous. I have not had much success with cuttings unless it is herbs or succulents which root readily. Even the herbs I have layered for the best success.
freeofgod comments on Apr 10, 2019:
I always had great success in taking a cutting and sticking it strait in the ground. Chose a place that has the most moisture. Strip all but the first two sets of leaves off. Rooting hormone never worked for me. I found out I have a very green thumb. Especially when it comes to starts.
RussRAB replies on Apr 10, 2019:
@RickyAdams - I live near you (closer to Fort Worth). I would be concerned about the heat and lack of humity as well. I don't know about your area, but my soil is very much clay - it will even bake and crack in July/August. I would think you might needs a soil that is more humous. I have not had much success with cuttings unless it is herbs or succulents which root readily. Even the herbs I have layered for the best success.
The continuing saga of the vanilla - today had my first attempt at hand-pollinating (with a bamboo ...
RussRAB comments on Apr 7, 2019:
How do the flowers pollinate naturally? Must be an incsect or bird not from this atea?
RussRAB replies on Apr 7, 2019:
I'm also curious how difficult vanilla orchids are to grow. I have seen them offered for sale from time to time, but never purchased one.
RussRAB comments on Apr 7, 2019:
How do the flowers pollinate naturally? Must be an incsect or bird not from this atea?
RussRAB replies on Apr 7, 2019:
I'm also curious how difficult vanilla orchids are to grow. I have seen them offered for sale from time to time, but never purchased one.
The first if my Irises to bloom this year.
wordywalt comments on Apr 6, 2019:
Lovely!
RussRAB replies on Apr 6, 2019:
Thanks
wordywalt comments on Apr 6, 2019:
Lovely!
RussRAB replies on Apr 6, 2019:
Thanks
The first if my Irises to bloom this year.
glennlab comments on Apr 6, 2019:
I have about the slowest irises in the DFW area, mine are just barely breaking ground. It has to be somethjing about my yard, yours look great.
RussRAB replies on Apr 6, 2019:
Thanks. I do love my irises. Last year I bought several from Schreiner's Iris Gardens and I ordered their iris fertilizer. Everthing got a little of it but probably less than the recommended amout. The jury is still out on if it makes a difference. I've had years where the blooms were plentiful and others when they were sparse. I am hopeful the added boost will cause them to have more blooms overall.
glennlab comments on Apr 6, 2019:
I have about the slowest irises in the DFW area, mine are just barely breaking ground. It has to be somethjing about my yard, yours look great.
RussRAB replies on Apr 6, 2019:
Thanks. I do love my irises. Last year I bought several from Schreiner's Iris Gardens and I ordered their iris fertilizer. Everthing got a little of it but probably less than the recommended amout. The jury is still out on if it makes a difference. I've had years where the blooms were plentiful and others when they were sparse. I am hopeful the added boost will cause them to have more blooms overall.
Great idea!
EricJones comments on Apr 6, 2019:
Mine wouldn't give it back.
RussRAB replies on Apr 6, 2019:
Mine would give it back, but only after a tussle and having left a couple tooth impressions on it. She would also expect it to be thrown again just for her. Fortunate for the US Open, my dog is too small for a regular sized tennis ball to fit in ber mouth (but that doesn't mean she wouldn't try.
EricJones comments on Apr 6, 2019:
Mine wouldn't give it back.
RussRAB replies on Apr 6, 2019:
Mine would give it back, but only after a tussle and having left a couple tooth impressions on it. She would also expect it to be thrown again just for her. Fortunate for the US Open, my dog is too small for a regular sized tennis ball to fit in ber mouth (but that doesn't mean she wouldn't try.
Like extendo, cable leashes?
Ya shouldnt.
Slatiente comments on Mar 31, 2019:
Nearly every civic govt caps leash length at the lenth of six feet. More importantly, those style leashes offer zero control of your and nearly every civic govt demands that you have control of your .
RussRAB replies on Mar 31, 2019:
The extendo leashes I have used had a "break" on them - a button that would halt the entending of additional length. This break could also be set to keep the length constant. I used mine to teach my dogs to sit before and heal while crossing streets. I have also been able to use the break to real in my dog.
Slatiente comments on Mar 31, 2019:
Nearly every civic govt caps leash length at the lenth of six feet. More importantly, those style leashes offer zero control of your and nearly every civic govt demands that you have control of your .
RussRAB replies on Mar 31, 2019:
The extendo leashes I have used had a "break" on them - a button that would halt the entending of additional length. This break could also be set to keep the length constant. I used mine to teach my dogs to sit before and heal while crossing streets. I have also been able to use the break to real in my dog.
If ever there was an argument for spontaneous generation, it would have to be the weeds in my ...
Carin comments on Mar 30, 2019:
Weed seeds have been shown to survive in the soil for up to 30 years according to a study I learned about in college. Do you compost? If so, try putting a layer of newspaper down, overlapping sheets & at least 2 or 3 sheets thick. On top of the paper gently spread a thick layer of compost & plant...
RussRAB replies on Mar 30, 2019:
Thanks.
Carin comments on Mar 30, 2019:
Weed seeds have been shown to survive in the soil for up to 30 years according to a study I learned about in college. Do you compost? If so, try putting a layer of newspaper down, overlapping sheets & at least 2 or 3 sheets thick. On top of the paper gently spread a thick layer of compost & plant...
RussRAB replies on Mar 30, 2019:
Thanks.
If ever there was an argument for spontaneous generation, it would have to be the weeds in my ...
glennlab comments on Mar 30, 2019:
Living about 15 miles from you and having similar problems, the only effective weed treatment I have found is weed killer, organic, using 1 gallon vinegar, 2 cups epsom salt, and 2 cups dawn. Sray it early in the morning on a sunny day and it will knock everything out. The vinegar I use is ...
RussRAB replies on Mar 30, 2019:
Thanks for the tip.
glennlab comments on Mar 30, 2019:
Living about 15 miles from you and having similar problems, the only effective weed treatment I have found is weed killer, organic, using 1 gallon vinegar, 2 cups epsom salt, and 2 cups dawn. Sray it early in the morning on a sunny day and it will knock everything out. The vinegar I use is ...
RussRAB replies on Mar 30, 2019:
Thanks for the tip.
If ever there was an argument for spontaneous generation, it would have to be the weeds in my ...
Hathacat comments on Mar 30, 2019:
The wind blows the seeds in. This is one you won't win, lol.
RussRAB replies on Mar 30, 2019:
We do get plenty of wind, especially this time of year.
Hathacat comments on Mar 30, 2019:
The wind blows the seeds in. This is one you won't win, lol.
RussRAB replies on Mar 30, 2019:
We do get plenty of wind, especially this time of year.
If ever there was an argument for spontaneous generation, it would have to be the weeds in my ...
nogod comments on Mar 30, 2019:
have you ever heard of Petro mat?
RussRAB replies on Mar 30, 2019:
I haven't. What can you tell me about it?
nogod comments on Mar 30, 2019:
have you ever heard of Petro mat?
RussRAB replies on Mar 30, 2019:
I haven't. What can you tell me about it?
If ever there was an argument for spontaneous generation, it would have to be the weeds in my ...
ADKSparky comments on Mar 30, 2019:
I've been using plastic tarps to shade out weeds--works wonders in the garden.
RussRAB replies on Mar 30, 2019:
Do you mean something like the weed paper that covers the ground? I thought about that, but I plant ebough seeds i thought I would tear too many holes in it to be effective. Any thoughts? Did I understand your meaning?
ADKSparky comments on Mar 30, 2019:
I've been using plastic tarps to shade out weeds--works wonders in the garden.
RussRAB replies on Mar 30, 2019:
Do you mean something like the weed paper that covers the ground? I thought about that, but I plant ebough seeds i thought I would tear too many holes in it to be effective. Any thoughts? Did I understand your meaning?
If ever there was an argument for spontaneous generation, it would have to be the weeds in my ...
Elaine57 comments on Mar 30, 2019:
You need to dig them up, not pull them. Many propagate through the root system. If you pull them up, you are probably leaving strands of root in the soil.
RussRAB replies on Mar 30, 2019:
Thanks, maybe I will need to change my tactics.
Elaine57 comments on Mar 30, 2019:
You need to dig them up, not pull them. Many propagate through the root system. If you pull them up, you are probably leaving strands of root in the soil.
RussRAB replies on Mar 30, 2019:
Thanks, maybe I will need to change my tactics.
Along with outdoors gardening, I have also enjoyed house plants.
HippieChick58 comments on Mar 2, 2019:
I loved having house plants. Then I moved into a house with only north or south facing windows, and the south windows are coated to deflect the sun. Then I got young cats. I now have 7 houseplants. 3 Sanseveria, one Swedish Ivy, and two Spider plant. It is a challenge to keep the kitties out of the...
RussRAB replies on Mar 2, 2019:
I recall our contractor mentioning something about our new windows. Everything had to be brought up to code after the fire and the window panes had something to reflect heat. It must also reflect certain rays of light and my plants were showing the effects with smaller than normal leaves and slow growth. The grow light convinced me of it since the plants under the light are doing so much better.
HippieChick58 comments on Mar 2, 2019:
I loved having house plants. Then I moved into a house with only north or south facing windows, and the south windows are coated to deflect the sun. Then I got young cats. I now have 7 houseplants. 3 Sanseveria, one Swedish Ivy, and two Spider plant. It is a challenge to keep the kitties out of the...
RussRAB replies on Mar 2, 2019:
I recall our contractor mentioning something about our new windows. Everything had to be brought up to code after the fire and the window panes had something to reflect heat. It must also reflect certain rays of light and my plants were showing the effects with smaller than normal leaves and slow growth. The grow light convinced me of it since the plants under the light are doing so much better.
I finally got all my indoor seeds started! Between those and the plants I have inside for the ...
RussRAB comments on Mar 2, 2019:
I recognize the glow of a grow light. I recently bought one for some house plants that weren't doing so well. I'm thrilled with the result, and now I'm thinking of expanding on the idea. You use the for starting seeds? I wouldn't have thought of it. Great idea.
RussRAB replies on Mar 2, 2019:
@FlippantLlama - i have a room currently used for storage that I plan to use for plants. I will definitely consider starting seeds - perhaps next year. I initially thought of it only for house plants.
RussRAB comments on Mar 2, 2019:
I recognize the glow of a grow light. I recently bought one for some house plants that weren't doing so well. I'm thrilled with the result, and now I'm thinking of expanding on the idea. You use the for starting seeds? I wouldn't have thought of it. Great idea.
RussRAB replies on Mar 2, 2019:
@FlippantLlama - i have a room currently used for storage that I plan to use for plants. I will definitely consider starting seeds - perhaps next year. I initially thought of it only for house plants.
Spring is coming! I love flowers!
flower_nut comments on Feb 28, 2019:
Spring is in the air but it's still freezing here. Thanks for showing us your early bloomers.
RussRAB replies on Feb 28, 2019:
Here too. I can sometime plant a couple things by the end of February here, but our outside water dishes for our dogs were frozen solid and I had a layer of ice on my windshield this morning. I will wait another week to see what it looks like.
flower_nut comments on Feb 28, 2019:
Spring is in the air but it's still freezing here. Thanks for showing us your early bloomers.
RussRAB replies on Feb 28, 2019:
Here too. I can sometime plant a couple things by the end of February here, but our outside water dishes for our dogs were frozen solid and I had a layer of ice on my windshield this morning. I will wait another week to see what it looks like.
New Imported Distemper Strain in Dogs
[wormsandgermsblog.com]
Marine comments on Feb 28, 2019:
Should have been stopped at the border.
RussRAB replies on Feb 28, 2019:
The article says certain rescue groups don't follow proper procedures which allows infected dogs to bypass the controls set in place.
Marine comments on Feb 28, 2019:
Should have been stopped at the border.
RussRAB replies on Feb 28, 2019:
The article says certain rescue groups don't follow proper procedures which allows infected dogs to bypass the controls set in place.
I really, really need to play in the dirt.
EricJones comments on Feb 5, 2019:
Pitchers and catchers report soon, so there's light at the end of the tunnel. Was 62 deg. here today but the ground was all mud and 3 inches down frozen solid.
RussRAB replies on Feb 5, 2019:
We had temperatures in the low 80's here in North Texas a day or so ago. I took my dogs out and sat in a lawn chair to watch them play wearing gym shorts, a t-shirt, and no shoes. The sun had gone down and it was very pleasant. The dogs got a little extra play time that night. Tonight is about the same.
EricJones comments on Feb 5, 2019:
Pitchers and catchers report soon, so there's light at the end of the tunnel. Was 62 deg. here today but the ground was all mud and 3 inches down frozen solid.
RussRAB replies on Feb 5, 2019:
We had temperatures in the low 80's here in North Texas a day or so ago. I took my dogs out and sat in a lawn chair to watch them play wearing gym shorts, a t-shirt, and no shoes. The sun had gone down and it was very pleasant. The dogs got a little extra play time that night. Tonight is about the same.
We've an "anti-vax mommy" in the 'burb.
drbubba comments on Feb 3, 2019:
Just curious if any of the pro vaxxers have ever had to care for a vaccine injured or been vaccine injured themselve. I know plenty of physicians and vetanarians who will tell you that how we are administer vaccines these days is making people/animals sick and even killing them, but anyone coming ...
RussRAB replies on Feb 3, 2019:
@drbubba - Yet, something like 90% to 95% of physicians and pediatricians vaccinate their own kids. I have no reason to suspect that they are any less well educated than your sources. No doubt, anti-vaxxers will recruit sympathetic physicians to speak at anti-vaxxer forums and events. If real dangers can be addressed then they should be. For me, the bottom line is that the diseases we get vaccinations to prevent have largely been prevented. As the anti-vaccination movement has grown, we have seen pockets of resurgence of some of these diseases. Before vaccinations, far more people died or were disabled having contracted these diseases than are disabled by the vaccination. The loss and harm to those who lose a loved one due to vaccinations is no less than that for those who lose loved one to one of these diseases. In my estimation, the numbers are clear of the preferred course of action. One takes a chance on vaccinations or a greater one - depending on certain variables - on contracting the disease.
drbubba comments on Feb 3, 2019:
Just curious if any of the pro vaxxers have ever had to care for a vaccine injured or been vaccine injured themselve. I know plenty of physicians and vetanarians who will tell you that how we are administer vaccines these days is making people/animals sick and even killing them, but anyone coming ...
RussRAB replies on Feb 3, 2019:
@drbubba - Yet, something like 90% to 95% of physicians and pediatricians vaccinate their own kids. I have no reason to suspect that they are any less well educated than your sources. No doubt, anti-vaxxers will recruit sympathetic physicians to speak at anti-vaxxer forums and events. If real dangers can be addressed then they should be. For me, the bottom line is that the diseases we get vaccinations to prevent have largely been prevented. As the anti-vaccination movement has grown, we have seen pockets of resurgence of some of these diseases. Before vaccinations, far more people died or were disabled having contracted these diseases than are disabled by the vaccination. The loss and harm to those who lose a loved one due to vaccinations is no less than that for those who lose loved one to one of these diseases. In my estimation, the numbers are clear of the preferred course of action. One takes a chance on vaccinations or a greater one - depending on certain variables - on contracting the disease.
We've an "anti-vax mommy" in the 'burb.
drbubba comments on Feb 3, 2019:
Just curious if any of the pro vaxxers have ever had to care for a vaccine injured or been vaccine injured themselve. I know plenty of physicians and vetanarians who will tell you that how we are administer vaccines these days is making people/animals sick and even killing them, but anyone coming ...
RussRAB replies on Feb 3, 2019:
@drbubba - Yes, I suppose I am. And you are assuming that anti-vaxxers' information much of which has been shown to be flawed is more reliable than the CDC. The facts as I understand them are that the risks of vaccine complications are outweighed by the risks of contracting what used to be common diseases which killed and disabled more individuals each year than vaccine complication.
https://www.publichealth.org/public-awareness/understanding-vaccines/vaccine-myths-debunked/
drbubba comments on Feb 3, 2019:
Just curious if any of the pro vaxxers have ever had to care for a vaccine injured or been vaccine injured themselve. I know plenty of physicians and vetanarians who will tell you that how we are administer vaccines these days is making people/animals sick and even killing them, but anyone coming ...
RussRAB replies on Feb 3, 2019:
@drbubba - Yes, I suppose I am. And you are assuming that anti-vaxxers' information much of which has been shown to be flawed is more reliable than the CDC. The facts as I understand them are that the risks of vaccine complications are outweighed by the risks of contracting what used to be common diseases which killed and disabled more individuals each year than vaccine complication.
https://www.publichealth.org/public-awareness/understanding-vaccines/vaccine-myths-debunked/
We've an "anti-vax mommy" in the 'burb.
drbubba comments on Feb 3, 2019:
Just curious if any of the pro vaxxers have ever had to care for a vaccine injured or been vaccine injured themselve. I know plenty of physicians and vetanarians who will tell you that how we are administer vaccines these days is making people/animals sick and even killing them, but anyone coming ...
RussRAB replies on Feb 3, 2019:
drbubba - I can sympathize with someone whose loved one has been severely effected by side effects of vaccines. We should examine the alternative from reliable source (perhaps the CDC). Below is a link to a CDC article concerning some information about measles and the background on the disease. This is one amoung several awful diseases children are vaccinated for. The question is whether we are willing to return to a condition without vaccines. What has made most unvaccinated children safe in our communities is that most children have been vaccinated interupting disease vectors. As more children are not vacconated, outbreaks of the disease would become more likely as more children could be infected and become carriers to other unvaccinated children.
https://www.cdc.gov/measles/about/history.html
drbubba comments on Feb 3, 2019:
Just curious if any of the pro vaxxers have ever had to care for a vaccine injured or been vaccine injured themselve. I know plenty of physicians and vetanarians who will tell you that how we are administer vaccines these days is making people/animals sick and even killing them, but anyone coming ...
RussRAB replies on Feb 3, 2019:
drbubba - I can sympathize with someone whose loved one has been severely effected by side effects of vaccines. We should examine the alternative from reliable source (perhaps the CDC). Below is a link to a CDC article concerning some information about measles and the background on the disease. This is one amoung several awful diseases children are vaccinated for. The question is whether we are willing to return to a condition without vaccines. What has made most unvaccinated children safe in our communities is that most children have been vaccinated interupting disease vectors. As more children are not vacconated, outbreaks of the disease would become more likely as more children could be infected and become carriers to other unvaccinated children.
https://www.cdc.gov/measles/about/history.html
Religions vs Cult
RussRAB comments on Oct 31, 2018:
I did a bit of reading on cults since I seem to have had a bit of an affinity for controlling groups. Steven Hassan and others have said that there are a number of characteristics of cults. A controlling cult does not need to posses all of these characteristics but rather just a combinaton of 3 or 4...
RussRAB replies on Jan 28, 2019:
@Ungod - https://culteducation.com
https://freedomofmind.com
RussRAB comments on Oct 31, 2018:
I did a bit of reading on cults since I seem to have had a bit of an affinity for controlling groups. Steven Hassan and others have said that there are a number of characteristics of cults. A controlling cult does not need to posses all of these characteristics but rather just a combinaton of 3 or 4...
RussRAB replies on Jan 28, 2019:
@Ungod - https://culteducation.com
https://freedomofmind.com
Religions vs Cult
RussRAB comments on Oct 31, 2018:
I did a bit of reading on cults since I seem to have had a bit of an affinity for controlling groups. Steven Hassan and others have said that there are a number of characteristics of cults. A controlling cult does not need to posses all of these characteristics but rather just a combinaton of 3 or 4...
RussRAB replies on Jan 16, 2019:
@Ungod - What is missing from #3 is "disclosure". No meaningful financial disclosure. My bad.
A damgerous or controling cult doesn't have to have every one of tbese characteriztics, just 3 or 4 from the list and they may be over that line. I prefer to view it as the more characteristics they have, the worse of an organization they are.
RussRAB comments on Oct 31, 2018:
I did a bit of reading on cults since I seem to have had a bit of an affinity for controlling groups. Steven Hassan and others have said that there are a number of characteristics of cults. A controlling cult does not need to posses all of these characteristics but rather just a combinaton of 3 or 4...
RussRAB replies on Jan 16, 2019:
@Ungod - What is missing from #3 is "disclosure". No meaningful financial disclosure. My bad.
A damgerous or controling cult doesn't have to have every one of tbese characteriztics, just 3 or 4 from the list and they may be over that line. I prefer to view it as the more characteristics they have, the worse of an organization they are.
Cold Hard Courage
itsmedammit comments on Jan 15, 2019:
Human rolling in snow, dog rolling in...?
RussRAB replies on Jan 16, 2019:
Lol! If it were my dog rolling around, I'd know it wouldn't be just snow.
itsmedammit comments on Jan 15, 2019:
Human rolling in snow, dog rolling in...?
RussRAB replies on Jan 16, 2019:
Lol! If it were my dog rolling around, I'd know it wouldn't be just snow.
Religions vs Cult
RussRAB comments on Oct 31, 2018:
I did a bit of reading on cults since I seem to have had a bit of an affinity for controlling groups. Steven Hassan and others have said that there are a number of characteristics of cults. A controlling cult does not need to posses all of these characteristics but rather just a combinaton of 3 or 4...
RussRAB replies on Jan 16, 2019:
@Ungod - Like most terms, this one has several meanings and this one ranges from the pejorative as you mention of one religion disparaging another to the description of controlling and abusive groups. Cults under this latter definition are what Steven Hassan and Rick Ross deal with. Although the definition does tend to be fluid depending on individual experience, the definitions offerred are at least an attempt to quantify the characteristics of dangerous organizations. Having said that, I agree that 101 characteristics to too many and become excessive in trying get a sense of what make a dangerous and controlling cult.
I don't know if you are still interested, but the characteristics from Rick Ross's list are as follows. These aare from the article linked in the previous comment.
1. Absolute authoritarianism without meaningful accountability
2. No tolerance for questions or critical inquiry.
3. No meaningful financial
4. Unreasonable fear about the outside world, such as impending catastrophe, evil conspiracies and persecutions.
5. no legitimate reason to leave, former followers are always wrong in leaving, negative or even evil.
6. Former members often relate the same stories of abuse and reflect a similar pattern of grievances.
7. There are records, books, news articles, or broadcast reports that document the abuses of the group/leader.
8. Followers feel they can never be "good enough".
9. The group/leader is always right.
10. The group/leader is the exclusive means of knowing "truth" or receiving validation, no other process of discovery is really acceptable or credible.
Cults under this definition are not exclusively religious. Amway is a marketing cult, and several political cults have been discussed by various individuals. Michael Shermer described Ayn Rand's Objectivism as the unlikeliest cult to have developed in his book "Why People Believe Wierd Things."
RussRAB comments on Oct 31, 2018:
I did a bit of reading on cults since I seem to have had a bit of an affinity for controlling groups. Steven Hassan and others have said that there are a number of characteristics of cults. A controlling cult does not need to posses all of these characteristics but rather just a combinaton of 3 or 4...
RussRAB replies on Jan 16, 2019:
@Ungod - Like most terms, this one has several meanings and this one ranges from the pejorative as you mention of one religion disparaging another to the description of controlling and abusive groups. Cults under this latter definition are what Steven Hassan and Rick Ross deal with. Although the definition does tend to be fluid depending on individual experience, the definitions offerred are at least an attempt to quantify the characteristics of dangerous organizations. Having said that, I agree that 101 characteristics to too many and become excessive in trying get a sense of what make a dangerous and controlling cult.
I don't know if you are still interested, but the characteristics from Rick Ross's list are as follows. These aare from the article linked in the previous comment.
1. Absolute authoritarianism without meaningful accountability
2. No tolerance for questions or critical inquiry.
3. No meaningful financial
4. Unreasonable fear about the outside world, such as impending catastrophe, evil conspiracies and persecutions.
5. no legitimate reason to leave, former followers are always wrong in leaving, negative or even evil.
6. Former members often relate the same stories of abuse and reflect a similar pattern of grievances.
7. There are records, books, news articles, or broadcast reports that document the abuses of the group/leader.
8. Followers feel they can never be "good enough".
9. The group/leader is always right.
10. The group/leader is the exclusive means of knowing "truth" or receiving validation, no other process of discovery is really acceptable or credible.
Cults under this definition are not exclusively religious. Amway is a marketing cult, and several political cults have been discussed by various individuals. Michael Shermer described Ayn Rand's Objectivism as the unlikeliest cult to have developed in his book "Why People Believe Wierd Things."
CONTROL IS A "DELUSION" [youtu.be]
RussRAB comments on Jan 13, 2019:
The creation of God would be in the hope of an ultimate controller of our universe and prayer would be the hope of being able to access a bit of this ultimate control for our own benefit. The delusion of control isn't absolute since we do control a number of various aspects of our lives; but it is ...
RussRAB replies on Jan 14, 2019:
@Elganned - At some point in my deconversion, I had the thought that this world with God would necessarily be the same without God. The sun would still rise and set, the wind would blow, etc. As you say, prayer is pointless and God answering prayers doesn't make much sense if there is a plan set for one's life. I also considered the subject in terms of God being omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent. If this were the case, begging for favors through prayer seems silly.
RussRAB comments on Jan 13, 2019:
The creation of God would be in the hope of an ultimate controller of our universe and prayer would be the hope of being able to access a bit of this ultimate control for our own benefit. The delusion of control isn't absolute since we do control a number of various aspects of our lives; but it is ...
RussRAB replies on Jan 14, 2019:
@Elganned - At some point in my deconversion, I had the thought that this world with God would necessarily be the same without God. The sun would still rise and set, the wind would blow, etc. As you say, prayer is pointless and God answering prayers doesn't make much sense if there is a plan set for one's life. I also considered the subject in terms of God being omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent. If this were the case, begging for favors through prayer seems silly.
Religions vs Cult
RussRAB comments on Oct 31, 2018:
I did a bit of reading on cults since I seem to have had a bit of an affinity for controlling groups. Steven Hassan and others have said that there are a number of characteristics of cults. A controlling cult does not need to posses all of these characteristics but rather just a combinaton of 3 or 4...
RussRAB replies on Jan 14, 2019:
@Ungod - My apologies. It's been a long time since I looked them over, and when I went to find them online, it appears the list has been greatly expanded (like 101 characteristics). Steven Hassan's site appears to be under the name 'Freedom of Mind Resource Center'. Rick Ross is anogher cult expert who has a recent article listing 10 characteristics. I know you asked for a 1word each list, but this is about the best I'm able to do. The article isn't long and the list is brief designated with bullet points.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/belief/2009/may/27/cults-definition-religion
RussRAB comments on Oct 31, 2018:
I did a bit of reading on cults since I seem to have had a bit of an affinity for controlling groups. Steven Hassan and others have said that there are a number of characteristics of cults. A controlling cult does not need to posses all of these characteristics but rather just a combinaton of 3 or 4...
RussRAB replies on Jan 14, 2019:
@Ungod - My apologies. It's been a long time since I looked them over, and when I went to find them online, it appears the list has been greatly expanded (like 101 characteristics). Steven Hassan's site appears to be under the name 'Freedom of Mind Resource Center'. Rick Ross is anogher cult expert who has a recent article listing 10 characteristics. I know you asked for a 1word each list, but this is about the best I'm able to do. The article isn't long and the list is brief designated with bullet points.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/belief/2009/may/27/cults-definition-religion
CONTROL IS A "DELUSION" [youtu.be]
RussRAB comments on Jan 13, 2019:
The creation of God would be in the hope of an ultimate controller of our universe and prayer would be the hope of being able to access a bit of this ultimate control for our own benefit. The delusion of control isn't absolute since we do control a number of various aspects of our lives; but it is ...
RussRAB replies on Jan 13, 2019:
@Larry-new - That's pretty much the way I see it, and why I am no longer a believer.
RussRAB comments on Jan 13, 2019:
The creation of God would be in the hope of an ultimate controller of our universe and prayer would be the hope of being able to access a bit of this ultimate control for our own benefit. The delusion of control isn't absolute since we do control a number of various aspects of our lives; but it is ...
RussRAB replies on Jan 13, 2019:
@Larry-new - That's pretty much the way I see it, and why I am no longer a believer.
Smart Dog!
[facebook.com]
Lorajay comments on Jan 11, 2019:
Border collies are supposed to be the smartest dogs and evidently there are variations within the breed because only one of them is controlling this demonstration. Then again, perhaps the handler has taught it to do this little dance and taught the others to stay in place. My vote is for the ...
RussRAB replies on Jan 13, 2019:
I read the intelligence of dogs long time ago and 2 things stand out in my memorie. One is that there are only certain kinds of intelligence most tests measure. Ability to be trained is a commpn one, but others aren't as easily measured. The other thing was whether or not one really wants a terribly intellifgent pet. Yes, it's great when training is a breeze, but intelligent dogs often require more attention and stimulation. They can also get into more trouble as their intellect can cause them to be more inquisitive, inventive (like how best to escape) and more adventurous. Overall, I believe I'd prefer my dpgs to be a bit on the intelligent side than not. I've had and enjoyed both, but a dog with a bit of intellect can be more engaging and versatile in their activities.
Lorajay comments on Jan 11, 2019:
Border collies are supposed to be the smartest dogs and evidently there are variations within the breed because only one of them is controlling this demonstration. Then again, perhaps the handler has taught it to do this little dance and taught the others to stay in place. My vote is for the ...
RussRAB replies on Jan 13, 2019:
I read the intelligence of dogs long time ago and 2 things stand out in my memorie. One is that there are only certain kinds of intelligence most tests measure. Ability to be trained is a commpn one, but others aren't as easily measured. The other thing was whether or not one really wants a terribly intellifgent pet. Yes, it's great when training is a breeze, but intelligent dogs often require more attention and stimulation. They can also get into more trouble as their intellect can cause them to be more inquisitive, inventive (like how best to escape) and more adventurous. Overall, I believe I'd prefer my dpgs to be a bit on the intelligent side than not. I've had and enjoyed both, but a dog with a bit of intellect can be more engaging and versatile in their activities.
Wait for it....
Btbd comments on Jan 11, 2019:
The dog's faces is what makes it.
RussRAB replies on Jan 13, 2019:
Their expressions say it all.
Btbd comments on Jan 11, 2019:
The dog's faces is what makes it.
RussRAB replies on Jan 13, 2019:
Their expressions say it all.
Can compost get too old?
RussRAB comments on Dec 10, 2018:
My grandfather used horse manure on his gardens. He said it was never good until it had aged several years. Overall, compost is good for your garden, but it can also have a short term negative effect of binding up nitrogen. I don't recall the details, but nitrogen generally needs to be "fixed" into ...
RussRAB replies on Dec 12, 2018:
@Fernapple - You are probably right. My grandfather never added a nitrogen fertilizer when he tilled in his old manure. His garden always grew very well and produced plenty.
RussRAB comments on Dec 10, 2018:
My grandfather used horse manure on his gardens. He said it was never good until it had aged several years. Overall, compost is good for your garden, but it can also have a short term negative effect of binding up nitrogen. I don't recall the details, but nitrogen generally needs to be "fixed" into ...
RussRAB replies on Dec 12, 2018:
@Fernapple - You are probably right. My grandfather never added a nitrogen fertilizer when he tilled in his old manure. His garden always grew very well and produced plenty.
This is my mini Stone Henge created in 2010.
RussRAB comments on Nov 25, 2018:
What a creative idea.
RussRAB replies on Nov 26, 2018:
@flower_nut - I'd say you succeeded.
RussRAB comments on Nov 25, 2018:
What a creative idea.
RussRAB replies on Nov 26, 2018:
@flower_nut - I'd say you succeeded.
I'm thinking of spring and these came up while browsing my photos.
Heidi68 comments on Nov 23, 2018:
The Hyacinth! Not that I don't like the Tulips I just find them a bit more ?Uptight? - not sure if that makes sense...
RussRAB replies on Nov 25, 2018:
I agree with @Heidi68 , the Japanese iris are spectacular. Are they a water iris or do they grow more like the bearded varieties?
Heidi68 comments on Nov 23, 2018:
The Hyacinth! Not that I don't like the Tulips I just find them a bit more ?Uptight? - not sure if that makes sense...
RussRAB replies on Nov 25, 2018:
I agree with @Heidi68 , the Japanese iris are spectacular. Are they a water iris or do they grow more like the bearded varieties?
I'm thinking of spring and these came up while browsing my photos.
RussRAB comments on Nov 23, 2018:
I am partial to the hyacinth, although, I would have both in my garden except the tulips don't get enough cold in Texas to bloom more than 1 year. The hyacinths also seem to dwindle over time but they return for a good long time. The heat here is very hard on most garden plants.
RussRAB replies on Nov 24, 2018:
@flower_nut - I'd be tempted to trade places with you in the Spring, but the winter cold is a deterent especially as I've gotten older.
RussRAB comments on Nov 23, 2018:
I am partial to the hyacinth, although, I would have both in my garden except the tulips don't get enough cold in Texas to bloom more than 1 year. The hyacinths also seem to dwindle over time but they return for a good long time. The heat here is very hard on most garden plants.
RussRAB replies on Nov 24, 2018:
@flower_nut - I'd be tempted to trade places with you in the Spring, but the winter cold is a deterent especially as I've gotten older.
I'm thinking of spring and these came up while browsing my photos.
Heidi68 comments on Nov 23, 2018:
The Hyacinth! Not that I don't like the Tulips I just find them a bit more ?Uptight? - not sure if that makes sense...
RussRAB replies on Nov 24, 2018:
@Heidi68 Beautiful flowers. Are these some you grew?
Heidi68 comments on Nov 23, 2018:
The Hyacinth! Not that I don't like the Tulips I just find them a bit more ?Uptight? - not sure if that makes sense...
RussRAB replies on Nov 24, 2018:
@Heidi68 Beautiful flowers. Are these some you grew?
I'm thinking of spring and these came up while browsing my photos.
Heidi68 comments on Nov 23, 2018:
The Hyacinth! Not that I don't like the Tulips I just find them a bit more ?Uptight? - not sure if that makes sense...
RussRAB replies on Nov 24, 2018:
@Heidi68 - Your garden design sounds quite a bit like mine. I really like the bearded irises and when I buy them on-line, I often seem to buy more than I have space prepared for them. It's particularly bad because I have often paired down my orders due to cost - sometimes sacrificing ones I had originally put on my "must have" list.
Heidi68 comments on Nov 23, 2018:
The Hyacinth! Not that I don't like the Tulips I just find them a bit more ?Uptight? - not sure if that makes sense...
RussRAB replies on Nov 24, 2018:
@Heidi68 - Your garden design sounds quite a bit like mine. I really like the bearded irises and when I buy them on-line, I often seem to buy more than I have space prepared for them. It's particularly bad because I have often paired down my orders due to cost - sometimes sacrificing ones I had originally put on my "must have" list.
Milo said, "Maybe a little too tight around the middle."
RussRAB comments on Nov 23, 2018:
Lol. My dogs have never liked to wear clothing. They almost always started off after being dressed by staring at us with a look that clearly asked, "Seriously?!?"
RussRAB replies on Nov 23, 2018:
@toots8735 - My wife is more likely to dress up our dogs, but I have put a dog sweater on a couple of ours which had short coats. I do understand the ASU outfit, however.
RussRAB comments on Nov 23, 2018:
Lol. My dogs have never liked to wear clothing. They almost always started off after being dressed by staring at us with a look that clearly asked, "Seriously?!?"
RussRAB replies on Nov 23, 2018:
@toots8735 - My wife is more likely to dress up our dogs, but I have put a dog sweater on a couple of ours which had short coats. I do understand the ASU outfit, however.
What is Spirituality?
powder comments on Nov 23, 2018:
I define it as non physical ie can't be defined, measured, observed and we don't know the who, what, when, why and how of it. These things are basically the crux of the scientific method, which is why it remains outside of science.
I class creativity as a spiritual attribute in humans. I invite you...
RussRAB replies on Nov 23, 2018:
Powder - Honestly, I'm not certain the term exists as something objective. It isn't something we can show someone else. My initial observation occurred some time ago when 2 coworkers got into a conversation about religion and their experiences. It was obvious that they were feeding off of one another adding to their experiences back and forth. Then one of the guys asked the other what church he attended, and the tone and feel of their conversation changed suddenly. Obviously, neither approved of others church, and their shared "spiritual" experiences couldn't have been foster by the other religion. There were no nasty words - this was a workplace after all - but the souring of their conversation was something to witness.
powder comments on Nov 23, 2018:
I define it as non physical ie can't be defined, measured, observed and we don't know the who, what, when, why and how of it. These things are basically the crux of the scientific method, which is why it remains outside of science.
I class creativity as a spiritual attribute in humans. I invite you...
RussRAB replies on Nov 23, 2018:
Powder - Honestly, I'm not certain the term exists as something objective. It isn't something we can show someone else. My initial observation occurred some time ago when 2 coworkers got into a conversation about religion and their experiences. It was obvious that they were feeding off of one another adding to their experiences back and forth. Then one of the guys asked the other what church he attended, and the tone and feel of their conversation changed suddenly. Obviously, neither approved of others church, and their shared "spiritual" experiences couldn't have been foster by the other religion. There were no nasty words - this was a workplace after all - but the souring of their conversation was something to witness.
What is Spirituality?
Julie808 comments on Nov 23, 2018:
I think it's a highly personal term, meaning different things to different people. For me, spirituality is that intangible connection we feel to the essence of life.
Many of us feel a spiritual connection to our creative source, whatever we might call it, while interacting with the earth, sea ...
RussRAB replies on Nov 23, 2018:
Julie808 - Would you perhsps say that spirituality has sometning to do with the feeling of connections with things around us?
On your sidenote, I once heard an explanation very similar to your description.
Julie808 comments on Nov 23, 2018:
I think it's a highly personal term, meaning different things to different people. For me, spirituality is that intangible connection we feel to the essence of life.
Many of us feel a spiritual connection to our creative source, whatever we might call it, while interacting with the earth, sea ...
RussRAB replies on Nov 23, 2018:
Julie808 - Would you perhsps say that spirituality has sometning to do with the feeling of connections with things around us?
On your sidenote, I once heard an explanation very similar to your description.
'Sweet Kate' Spiderwort.
Do you prefer foliage or the flower?
RussRAB comments on Nov 20, 2018:
Beautiful shade of blue violet. Spiderworts volunteered in my yard here in Texas. I moved a couple into the garden. It's a plant I probably wouldn't have selected until I had one and have enjoyed them.
RussRAB replies on Nov 21, 2018:
@flower_nut Your description is consistent with my experience although I haven't made an effort to remove the volunteers from my yard - they just get mowed short with the grass.
RussRAB comments on Nov 20, 2018:
Beautiful shade of blue violet. Spiderworts volunteered in my yard here in Texas. I moved a couple into the garden. It's a plant I probably wouldn't have selected until I had one and have enjoyed them.
RussRAB replies on Nov 21, 2018:
@flower_nut Your description is consistent with my experience although I haven't made an effort to remove the volunteers from my yard - they just get mowed short with the grass.
For those of us who like to grow flowers, are there any colors you prefer not to grow?
MikeInBatonRouge comments on Nov 13, 2018:
Pink is my least favorite, and I am a rosaian. Pink is by far the most common color to find in roses. I Don't refuse to grow pink roses. They just are about my last preference. Well, ok, there are some greenish-white novelty roses I have no use for, but as most plants have green foliage, which I...
RussRAB replies on Nov 13, 2018:
I hadn't eeven tbought about green flowers. They don't really bother me, but what would the point be? There are foliage plants with more color than something like Bells of Ireland.
MikeInBatonRouge comments on Nov 13, 2018:
Pink is my least favorite, and I am a rosaian. Pink is by far the most common color to find in roses. I Don't refuse to grow pink roses. They just are about my last preference. Well, ok, there are some greenish-white novelty roses I have no use for, but as most plants have green foliage, which I...
RussRAB replies on Nov 13, 2018:
I hadn't eeven tbought about green flowers. They don't really bother me, but what would the point be? There are foliage plants with more color than something like Bells of Ireland.
For those of us who like to grow flowers, are there any colors you prefer not to grow?
Fernapple comments on Nov 13, 2018:
Some people say that orange is a hard colour to use in the garden, because it is the colour which most tends to clash with green, which is of course the main hue in most gardens. It is only a hypothetical clash based on the colour wheel colour theory, but it does seem to be hard to use well even in ...
RussRAB replies on Nov 13, 2018:
I must be uncouth or something. The orange flowers I've grown never bothered me with respect to the foliage. Nasturtiums were one of the first plants I grew in my younger years. They were an orange variety and I thought they were great. I have enjoyed nasturtiums since.
Fernapple comments on Nov 13, 2018:
Some people say that orange is a hard colour to use in the garden, because it is the colour which most tends to clash with green, which is of course the main hue in most gardens. It is only a hypothetical clash based on the colour wheel colour theory, but it does seem to be hard to use well even in ...
RussRAB replies on Nov 13, 2018:
I must be uncouth or something. The orange flowers I've grown never bothered me with respect to the foliage. Nasturtiums were one of the first plants I grew in my younger years. They were an orange variety and I thought they were great. I have enjoyed nasturtiums since.
For those of us who like to grow flowers, are there any colors you prefer not to grow?
SkagwayKim comments on Nov 13, 2018:
I love every color flower but the scent of some is intolerable for me.
RussRAB replies on Nov 13, 2018:
I have to admit, i love tbe scent of flowers. Sorry that they cause you discomfort.
SkagwayKim comments on Nov 13, 2018:
I love every color flower but the scent of some is intolerable for me.
RussRAB replies on Nov 13, 2018:
I have to admit, i love tbe scent of flowers. Sorry that they cause you discomfort.
For those of us who like to grow flowers, are there any colors you prefer not to grow?
Cast1es comments on Nov 12, 2018:
I prefer them alive . That black/brown color doesn't do a thing for me .
RussRAB replies on Nov 13, 2018:
Can't argue with that. I've had my share of brown dead one, and I'm always disappointed.
Irises are my favorite and they have brown and near black ones (that aren't dead). I ndver cared much for the brown ones and was once intriqued by the near black ones. Ive since decided i like those with more definite color whether blue, purple, red, yellow, pink, etc.
Cast1es comments on Nov 12, 2018:
I prefer them alive . That black/brown color doesn't do a thing for me .
RussRAB replies on Nov 13, 2018:
Can't argue with that. I've had my share of brown dead one, and I'm always disappointed.
Irises are my favorite and they have brown and near black ones (that aren't dead). I ndver cared much for the brown ones and was once intriqued by the near black ones. Ive since decided i like those with more definite color whether blue, purple, red, yellow, pink, etc.
The easiest most versatile plant to have are daylilies.
dede18 comments on Nov 10, 2018:
I love daylilies too, but not the plain ones ... I like the ones with an "eye" ... When I purchased mine, I looked for *rebloomer, *fragrant, a frilly edge, and the lower-growing ones because I don't have much space. Here are two of my favs
RussRAB replies on Nov 12, 2018:
@dede18 & @flower_nut - I have had a couple daylilies in my garden. I liked the bright red ones with a yellow eye. I also acquired one (but con't remember from where) that had a very large light orange flower. I was afraid I had lost it last year. We had a fire and the adjusters shovelled a lot of ash out the back door. It was a pile about 3 feet high right at the end of the border garden where this lily was planted. I had moved the pile but lost a number of plants situated there. This year, i saw that the daylily had survived but was small and it didn't bloom.
dede18 comments on Nov 10, 2018:
I love daylilies too, but not the plain ones ... I like the ones with an "eye" ... When I purchased mine, I looked for *rebloomer, *fragrant, a frilly edge, and the lower-growing ones because I don't have much space. Here are two of my favs
RussRAB replies on Nov 12, 2018:
@dede18 & @flower_nut - I have had a couple daylilies in my garden. I liked the bright red ones with a yellow eye. I also acquired one (but con't remember from where) that had a very large light orange flower. I was afraid I had lost it last year. We had a fire and the adjusters shovelled a lot of ash out the back door. It was a pile about 3 feet high right at the end of the border garden where this lily was planted. I had moved the pile but lost a number of plants situated there. This year, i saw that the daylily had survived but was small and it didn't bloom.
Hi all,
Meet George.
RussRAB comments on Nov 11, 2018:
Hi, Lutherzme. I don't see the picture of George and the link gives me an error. Can you attach another picture? George sounds like a great guy! Thanks.
RussRAB replies on Nov 11, 2018:
@Lutherzme - That's a great story! Thank for posting it.
RussRAB comments on Nov 11, 2018:
Hi, Lutherzme. I don't see the picture of George and the link gives me an error. Can you attach another picture? George sounds like a great guy! Thanks.
RussRAB replies on Nov 11, 2018:
@Lutherzme - That's a great story! Thank for posting it.
The easiest most versatile plant to have are daylilies.
RussRAB comments on Nov 10, 2018:
I honestly am an iris fan first. My local botanical gardens had an iris sale which was coupled with a daylily sale across the hall. My wife decided she wanted some daylilies too, so we ended up purchasing about a half dozen. What I was surprised to find out is that some varieties of daylilies have a...
RussRAB replies on Nov 11, 2018:
@flower_nut - I love flowers of all sorts. I have no doubt that these daylilies will be wonderful. I will have to report back in the Spring after they bloom.
RussRAB comments on Nov 10, 2018:
I honestly am an iris fan first. My local botanical gardens had an iris sale which was coupled with a daylily sale across the hall. My wife decided she wanted some daylilies too, so we ended up purchasing about a half dozen. What I was surprised to find out is that some varieties of daylilies have a...
RussRAB replies on Nov 11, 2018:
@flower_nut - I love flowers of all sorts. I have no doubt that these daylilies will be wonderful. I will have to report back in the Spring after they bloom.
The easiest most versatile plant to have are daylilies.
dede18 comments on Nov 10, 2018:
I love daylilies too, but not the plain ones ... I like the ones with an "eye" ... When I purchased mine, I looked for *rebloomer, *fragrant, a frilly edge, and the lower-growing ones because I don't have much space. Here are two of my favs
RussRAB replies on Nov 10, 2018:
These are beautiful! I particularly like the one on the right. Do you know what their names are? I've recently tried to keep track of which varieties I have.
dede18 comments on Nov 10, 2018:
I love daylilies too, but not the plain ones ... I like the ones with an "eye" ... When I purchased mine, I looked for *rebloomer, *fragrant, a frilly edge, and the lower-growing ones because I don't have much space. Here are two of my favs
RussRAB replies on Nov 10, 2018:
These are beautiful! I particularly like the one on the right. Do you know what their names are? I've recently tried to keep track of which varieties I have.
I keep hearing now that caffeine is now cool among Mormons, ur, I mean among the Church of Jesus ...
RussRAB comments on Oct 31, 2018:
A long time ago, I sat in a priesthood meeting in California wdhen we had a visiter from Utah. Someone memtioned the ban on cola drinks and the visiter just about lost it. In a very loud voice, he claimed there was no problem with caffienated soft drinks. He said Pres. Kimball was asked about coke ...
RussRAB replies on Oct 31, 2018:
@Heraclitus - I agree, after leaving and looking back I have to scratch my head and wonder how I managed to accept the contradictions. I think it has something to do with NOT thinking and cognative dissonance. When I finally decided to make the break, I struggled with whether the critical things I had discovered could be trusted. It wasn't until I realized that this wasn't the real issue because I had come to understand that chur h leaders had been dishonest as well covering up scandals both past and present day. The fact that church leaders had lied and couldn't be trusted (while demanding all members believe they were trustworthy) was the real issue, and my decision to leave was set. Btw, I could care less how much caffiene DP or Ginger Ale has. This factor is no longer a concern. ?
RussRAB comments on Oct 31, 2018:
A long time ago, I sat in a priesthood meeting in California wdhen we had a visiter from Utah. Someone memtioned the ban on cola drinks and the visiter just about lost it. In a very loud voice, he claimed there was no problem with caffienated soft drinks. He said Pres. Kimball was asked about coke ...
RussRAB replies on Oct 31, 2018:
@Heraclitus - I agree, after leaving and looking back I have to scratch my head and wonder how I managed to accept the contradictions. I think it has something to do with NOT thinking and cognative dissonance. When I finally decided to make the break, I struggled with whether the critical things I had discovered could be trusted. It wasn't until I realized that this wasn't the real issue because I had come to understand that chur h leaders had been dishonest as well covering up scandals both past and present day. The fact that church leaders had lied and couldn't be trusted (while demanding all members believe they were trustworthy) was the real issue, and my decision to leave was set. Btw, I could care less how much caffiene DP or Ginger Ale has. This factor is no longer a concern. ?
How can I find more local friends with more in common?
RussRAB comments on Oct 28, 2018:
Have you considered looking into a Unitarian Universalist church? I understand they are generally accepting of diverse beliefs/disbeliefs. I also understand there could be differences from one congregation to another, so one might not fit your needs as well as another might. Good luck to you. I hope...
RussRAB replies on Oct 29, 2018:
@WarmFluffy - How did that go for you?
RussRAB comments on Oct 28, 2018:
Have you considered looking into a Unitarian Universalist church? I understand they are generally accepting of diverse beliefs/disbeliefs. I also understand there could be differences from one congregation to another, so one might not fit your needs as well as another might. Good luck to you. I hope...
RussRAB replies on Oct 29, 2018:
@WarmFluffy - How did that go for you?
I love dogs! We have had a dog from about as soon as we owned a home and didn't have to worry about ...
Pralina1 comments on Oct 27, 2018:
Let's see these litle guys !!! Pics please !!♥️♥️♥️
RussRAB replies on Oct 28, 2018:
Some of these are not so clear, and they are older than I had tbought. They both have more hair especially the black and tan one. The sable one is the older one and is named Ember. The black and tan is named Cole.
Pralina1 comments on Oct 27, 2018:
Let's see these litle guys !!! Pics please !!♥️♥️♥️
RussRAB replies on Oct 28, 2018:
Some of these are not so clear, and they are older than I had tbought. They both have more hair especially the black and tan one. The sable one is the older one and is named Ember. The black and tan is named Cole.
Intentionally blocking voters
[huffingtonpost.com]
Looking4-Others comments on Oct 18, 2018:
Republicans have twisted it to something else as calling America not a Democracy but a Constitutional Republic.
RussRAB replies on Oct 27, 2018:
I had understood that the US was a Democratic Republic which meant that we operated as if all citizens possessed inalienable rights. If Republicans want to leave out the democratic part of the name, they need to explain why the Constitution provides for the election of House members and for the President. Since they also want to deny citizens their right to vote, they need to explain how they can do so and not have an issue of taxation without representation which was the basis for over throwing British rule 200+ years ago.
Looking4-Others comments on Oct 18, 2018:
Republicans have twisted it to something else as calling America not a Democracy but a Constitutional Republic.
RussRAB replies on Oct 27, 2018:
I had understood that the US was a Democratic Republic which meant that we operated as if all citizens possessed inalienable rights. If Republicans want to leave out the democratic part of the name, they need to explain why the Constitution provides for the election of House members and for the President. Since they also want to deny citizens their right to vote, they need to explain how they can do so and not have an issue of taxation without representation which was the basis for over throwing British rule 200+ years ago.
God’s Intelligent Design?
Paul4747 comments on Oct 25, 2018:
Sinuses. Let's design a wet bag with drainage holes at the top. Yeah.
Also, the recurrent laryngeal nerve, which takes a huge detour en route to its destination. If you think we have it bad, pity the poor giraffe.
RussRAB replies on Oct 27, 2018:
The laryngeal nerve is one of my favorite examples of poor biological design.
https://rationalwiki.org/wiki/Laryngeal_nerve
Paul4747 comments on Oct 25, 2018:
Sinuses. Let's design a wet bag with drainage holes at the top. Yeah.
Also, the recurrent laryngeal nerve, which takes a huge detour en route to its destination. If you think we have it bad, pity the poor giraffe.
RussRAB replies on Oct 27, 2018:
The laryngeal nerve is one of my favorite examples of poor biological design.
https://rationalwiki.org/wiki/Laryngeal_nerve
Rain, rain go away! We have experisnced record rainfall here in north Texas for Fall.
Cast1es comments on Oct 21, 2018:
Irises are sometimes planted in water garden pools , although my guess is different varieties may do better than others . But don't give up on them yet ! On the other hand , Irises generally require a period of cold weather . I don't see them blooming in Houston .
RussRAB replies on Oct 21, 2018:
Mine are the German bearded iris and too much water can cause the rhizomes to rot. Mine have bloomed better or worse year to year, but at least some bloom every year so far. I'm not giving up on them, just concerned. Reports are we have more rain coming.
Cast1es comments on Oct 21, 2018:
Irises are sometimes planted in water garden pools , although my guess is different varieties may do better than others . But don't give up on them yet ! On the other hand , Irises generally require a period of cold weather . I don't see them blooming in Houston .
RussRAB replies on Oct 21, 2018:
Mine are the German bearded iris and too much water can cause the rhizomes to rot. Mine have bloomed better or worse year to year, but at least some bloom every year so far. I'm not giving up on them, just concerned. Reports are we have more rain coming.
Kids and God's questions
Eazyduzzit comments on Oct 21, 2018:
I think kids should be taught about religions and other myths, but they need to be taught also how to tell the difference between what's real, and what's imaginary. Teach them how to use evidence to tell the difference.
RussRAB replies on Oct 21, 2018:
Perhaps the place to start with your young kids is to teach them myths no one believes any longer - Greek mythology, Egyptian, etc. Then they have a context to understand the myths prople believe today.
Eazyduzzit comments on Oct 21, 2018:
I think kids should be taught about religions and other myths, but they need to be taught also how to tell the difference between what's real, and what's imaginary. Teach them how to use evidence to tell the difference.
RussRAB replies on Oct 21, 2018:
Perhaps the place to start with your young kids is to teach them myths no one believes any longer - Greek mythology, Egyptian, etc. Then they have a context to understand the myths prople believe today.
A complaint I have since adopting an agnostic position is that too much of the atheist/agnostic ...
evidentialist comments on Oct 17, 2018:
Wait a minute. What is meant by 'negativity' in this post? Would, for example, my saying, "Religion is a divisive force in society," be considered negativity in your view? Give me your answer for this, then we have room for discussion.
RussRAB replies on Oct 18, 2018:
Fair enough. I recently signed up for a atheist/agnostic e'mail news group. The majority of the articles appear to report on the bad behavior of Christians and other religious individuals. In another response to a poster here, I realized that my question was actually a dilemma about what I do believe - something affirmative - rather that having how I describe my belief as based on something I don't believe or on what's wrong with the beliefs of others.
evidentialist comments on Oct 17, 2018:
Wait a minute. What is meant by 'negativity' in this post? Would, for example, my saying, "Religion is a divisive force in society," be considered negativity in your view? Give me your answer for this, then we have room for discussion.
RussRAB replies on Oct 18, 2018:
Fair enough. I recently signed up for a atheist/agnostic e'mail news group. The majority of the articles appear to report on the bad behavior of Christians and other religious individuals. In another response to a poster here, I realized that my question was actually a dilemma about what I do believe - something affirmative - rather that having how I describe my belief as based on something I don't believe or on what's wrong with the beliefs of others.
A complaint I have since adopting an agnostic position is that too much of the atheist/agnostic ...
Omen6Actual comments on Oct 17, 2018:
I don't personally have cancer but many people do. Should we not want the eradication of something that's responsible for suffering and death?
RussRAB replies on Oct 17, 2018:
@StephanSurrey There is such a wide range of religious beliefs and a wide range of required adherance that I feel it is difficult to characterize all religious beliefs as being like a cancer. Kenneth R Miller is a biologist and professor at Brown University and he was very active arguing against creationism and the Intelligent Design movement some 10 to 15 years ago. Miller wrote 2 books on the subject, as well as debating Phillip E Johnson of the Discovery Institute. Kenneth Miller is also a Catholic. Personally, I have difficulty criticizing Mr. Miller's religious beliefs given his logical thinking and advocacy within the sciences.
Omen6Actual comments on Oct 17, 2018:
I don't personally have cancer but many people do. Should we not want the eradication of something that's responsible for suffering and death?
RussRAB replies on Oct 17, 2018:
@StephanSurrey There is such a wide range of religious beliefs and a wide range of required adherance that I feel it is difficult to characterize all religious beliefs as being like a cancer. Kenneth R Miller is a biologist and professor at Brown University and he was very active arguing against creationism and the Intelligent Design movement some 10 to 15 years ago. Miller wrote 2 books on the subject, as well as debating Phillip E Johnson of the Discovery Institute. Kenneth Miller is also a Catholic. Personally, I have difficulty criticizing Mr. Miller's religious beliefs given his logical thinking and advocacy within the sciences.
A complaint I have since adopting an agnostic position is that too much of the atheist/agnostic ...
Robsweapon comments on Oct 17, 2018:
Well Russ it seems that I’m not the only one here that feels some kind of way about how people in the atheist/agnostic community act towards anyone who doesn’t do the whole repeat after me bullshit.
But then I realized that for every ignorant and domineering asshole in religion that there has ...
RussRAB replies on Oct 17, 2018:
Rob - I like the way you stated that.
It isn't that I don't have and haven't had a significant antitheist sentiment, but I have decided that in order to make a complete break from religion, I need my beliefs to be more than opposition to religion. For example, Satanist are still enmeshed with Christianity because their beliefs are based in being contrary to it and rebelling against it.
I recently signed up for news alerts from another atheist/agnostic site, and a majority of the articles are about bad things Christians or othèr religious people have done. While I can appreciate these reports and articles, I would rather not have it be the only aspect supporting my disbelief. But even the term 'disbelief' is negative terminology. Perhaps what I'm struggling with is defining what it is I do believe.
Robsweapon comments on Oct 17, 2018:
Well Russ it seems that I’m not the only one here that feels some kind of way about how people in the atheist/agnostic community act towards anyone who doesn’t do the whole repeat after me bullshit.
But then I realized that for every ignorant and domineering asshole in religion that there has ...
RussRAB replies on Oct 17, 2018:
Rob - I like the way you stated that.
It isn't that I don't have and haven't had a significant antitheist sentiment, but I have decided that in order to make a complete break from religion, I need my beliefs to be more than opposition to religion. For example, Satanist are still enmeshed with Christianity because their beliefs are based in being contrary to it and rebelling against it.
I recently signed up for news alerts from another atheist/agnostic site, and a majority of the articles are about bad things Christians or othèr religious people have done. While I can appreciate these reports and articles, I would rather not have it be the only aspect supporting my disbelief. But even the term 'disbelief' is negative terminology. Perhaps what I'm struggling with is defining what it is I do believe.
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