Is it true that there is always an explanation?

ipdg77 comments on Mar 3, 2018:

I'm quite happy that 'I don't know yet' is a legitimate answer. Religion just plonks the divine in the gap instead of leaving the gap to be filled by the answer and then resists the answer when it does immerge. .

Everyone has something to learn, and everyone has something thing to teach.

ipdg77 comments on Mar 3, 2018:

Agreed :-)

Golden Rule

ipdg77 comments on Mar 3, 2018:

And what is this golden rule?

How many of you are able to maintain good friendships with people of differing opinions and politics...

ipdg77 comments on Mar 3, 2018:

I've alwasy found so long as you show a bit of respect, and get it in return, all my friendships and acquaintences get along fine.When push comes to shove we agree to disagree.

My first time on this site and I am really confused.

ipdg77 comments on Mar 3, 2018:

Welcome along, Ask any questions you want, there's plenty of knowledge and clear thinking on here :-)

If you had the character of your dog, what would your date or spouse have to look forward to?

ipdg77 comments on Mar 3, 2018:

Chewing her slippers :-)

"Oh my god!", "go to hell!", "Jesus Christ!", "soulmate" and other phrases featuring religious ...

ipdg77 comments on Mar 3, 2018:

I couldn't give a shit, if a god related phrase sums things up best then so be it, the god bit doesn't mean anything.

I Have To Attend A Funeral This Weekend!!!!

ipdg77 comments on Mar 3, 2018:

Bummer it's not secular but given the dynamics your POA sounds reasonable to me.

Who is your Mount Rushmore of musicians/bands? Any genre.

ipdg77 comments on Mar 3, 2018:

There are so many but based around who I've seen most and whose music I have most of it would be Yes, Rammstein, Queen & AC/DC

What is the music that you all put in to listen to in a time of deep contemplation.

ipdg77 comments on Mar 3, 2018:

Probably Yes from around Topographic :-)

Music is unique.

ipdg77 comments on Mar 3, 2018:

It's always the melody first. The last thing I listened to was Rammstein and no that isn't a contradiction lol

Yes indeed...so true

ipdg77 comments on Mar 3, 2018:

Amen, oops! Should have said Amon......Amarth :-)

What is the one thing you don't like about yourself?

ipdg77 comments on Mar 3, 2018:

The inability to keep my weight under control

OK y'all, my niece is having a baby and I'm "helping" by suggesting the worst names I can come up ...

ipdg77 comments on Mar 3, 2018:

For a girl: Morticia Chardonnay (Any wine will do the trick) Mefanwy (It is a proper Welsh name but a slightly ghastly one none the less) For a boy: Buzz Mua'deeb Anything that puts an initial first, e.g. L Ron Hubbard

"Never ask a woman her age" and other stupid rules. Who comes up with this nonsense?

ipdg77 comments on Mar 3, 2018:

In this day and age I would have thought asking a young ladies age was emminently sensible. By the same token if a lady asked me 'How old do you think I am?' I have a fairly good tried and trusted response. Give the question some serious thought, come up with a number and substract 10. Usually this will elicit a favourable smile and possibly a blush. If you're still over the required number you probably need an eye test! :-)

Do you find yourself still telling people to go to hell, even though you know there is no such ...

ipdg77 comments on Mar 3, 2018:

I use loads of faith/god/religion related sayings 'Good god!', 'For heaven's sake', 'Jesus Christ!', '.....of biblical proportions', 'For the love of god/christ', I'm sure there are others, they don't mean anything other than being just another cuss. I do of course have the tried and trusted 'Fuck Off!', 'Piss Off' etc as well as a wide variety of other profanities and insults suitable for all occassions :-)

Odie!

ipdg77 comments on Mar 3, 2018:

Excellent lol

Fun fact for the day ! The Guillotine was still in use in France, when the first Star Wars film was ...

ipdg77 comments on Mar 3, 2018:

An associated fun fact is that an anagram of The Guillotine is 'I get out in hell'

The 8 Books Neil deGrasse Tyson Thinks Every Person Should Read | IFLScience

ipdg77 comments on Mar 2, 2018:

I've done just about 4 on the list but this question has inspired me to spend some of an Xmas book token on getting hold of some Thomas Paine. Thx :-)

Books which truly changed your life.?

ipdg77 comments on Mar 2, 2018:

I was reasonably bright at school but lazy. I hardly ever read a book other than those I had to in English and English Literature but when I was about 14 or 15 I came across The Kraken Wakes by John Wyndham, it opened the flood gates. I found out that if something lit a spark I had to completely emmerse myself in it (Probably OCD of sorts) so I then bought and read everything, and I mean everything, John Wyndham had ever written including those under the name of John Beynon Harris. The Kraken Wakes also opened my eyes to Tennyson and the strength of imagery that poetry could convey.

What is to you the most effective argument against the existence of God?

ipdg77 comments on Mar 2, 2018:

I can fit it in a line. Lack of evidence.

What's something that has never (or will never) changed about you?

ipdg77 comments on Mar 2, 2018:

I guess the one constant for me would be my sense of humour :-)

What is something you have tried, but will never do again?

ipdg77 comments on Mar 2, 2018:

Sprouts are revolting, they taste bad, smell worse and make you fart.

Science fiction or science fantasy?

ipdg77 comments on Mar 2, 2018:

There's a place for and I like both, but a lot of the time they overlap anyway. But would we need to differentiate and have Sci-Fi and Sci-Fa?

OK so it's been fun so far but let's try and shake things up.

ipdg77 comments on Mar 2, 2018:

Time travel is a great Sci-fi premise but for real? Not yet and possibly never. Unless they're really good at hiding/proving it, we haven't seen anybody from our future, unless they have a Star Trek esque Temporal Prime Directive lol Another thought on time, if we could place a giant mirror say 1 light year away from earth and pointed a telescope at it would we see the earth as it was 2 years ago (I assuming 1 year for each way)?

Favorite Band

ipdg77 comments on Mar 2, 2018:

https://youtu.be/Ph-CA_tu5KA

Do you prefer showers or baths?

ipdg77 comments on Mar 2, 2018:

A very hot bath, soothes my increasingly aging bones :-)

At the encouragement of my very good friends, I am taking a risk and putting myself out there as it ...

ipdg77 comments on Mar 2, 2018:

Firstly welcome along. Secondly, although this is partly a dating site most of the comments I've read are that the membership needs to get a lot larger so that there are more people near each other. So you're not taking as big a risk as you might think but good luck and enjoy getting involved :-)

How do you define the "friend-zone"

ipdg77 comments on Mar 2, 2018:

I only came across this description for the first the other day, on here funnily enough. It just sounds like a trendy term that you described in your post but for me has no meaning whatsoever. If I fancied someone who didn't fancy me and they wanted to plonk me in this zone my response would be - yeah whatever.

Ultra-Orthodox Jews say London schools should not teach 'lies' that Earth is older than 6,000 years ...

ipdg77 comments on Mar 2, 2018:

Schools should teach facts not mumbo jumbo. If synagogues want to believe and teach rubbish they will but they can do in their synagogues. If they want this 6,000 years old cobblers taught in schools then we can teach Darwinism in the synagogues. Better still someone in authority should just tell them to piss off.

I'm really bad at introductions, so I'll keep this short and sweet! Hello all, it's so wonderful ...

ipdg77 comments on Mar 2, 2018:

Welcome along :-)

Cosmic Dawn: Astronomers Detect Signal From Early Stars | Time

ipdg77 comments on Mar 2, 2018:

Thx :-)

What is the most important trait you want in a lover?

ipdg77 comments on Mar 2, 2018:

To stick around a while!

New here.

ipdg77 comments on Mar 2, 2018:

Welcome aboard :-)

Veganism: where do you stand?

ipdg77 comments on Mar 2, 2018:

My attitude to vegans is the same as with anybody else, it's your life eat what you like but don't harrass me to do the same.

Do you eat meat?

ipdg77 comments on Mar 2, 2018:

Omnivore

What do you want on your tombstone? g:31

ipdg77 comments on Mar 2, 2018:

I'd rather be cremated but if I did have a tombstone I would like it to say 'Bugger!'

Are there humans in here?

ipdg77 comments on Mar 2, 2018:

I'll let you know

I've discovered that I love to paint! Thanks for being a community of free thinking, curious people...

ipdg77 comments on Mar 1, 2018:

Very nice, I try some charcoal sketching from time to time but never seem to find the time or right mood to just lose myself in it. It's one of whole raft of things on my to do list which I'm gradually getting through :-)

Are you the only nonreligious person in your family? Or are some or all of them nonreligious?

ipdg77 comments on Mar 1, 2018:

So far as I know I'm the only committed atheist, but I'm fairly sure my immediate family probably don't believe but it's not something they're bothered about, they don't go to church and don't have any religious rituals like grace. My extended family on both sides were, and the ones still living probably still are, church goers more out of habit and tradition than anything else. I have one uncle who's very active in his local church but on the rare occasions that we meet up it's never cropped up in conversation.

Are you an open or closet agnostic/atheist, and why?

ipdg77 comments on Mar 1, 2018:

I don't do public speaking engagements regarding my atheism, nobody asked me so far, but I'll chuck in my tuppence worth in a discussion at work for instance. I'm certainly more vocal about not letting a god assumption be slipped in to a chat though.

For atheists - what makes you believe no deity exists?

ipdg77 comments on Mar 1, 2018:

I haven't come across a convincing argument or proof for the existence of any god past or present. The whole god thing, to me, is a non-sequitur, it's not about belief.

How do you feel about talking openly about athiesm

ipdg77 comments on Mar 1, 2018:

I'm perfectly happy to talk about it if someone asked. As for all the books, I like all that stuff. Obviously the bloke you're referring to doesn't....Hey ho.

Do we need the mind?

ipdg77 comments on Mar 1, 2018:

Wow! That's a big leap, mind how you go

Senator says Ten Commandments in public schools could potentially prevent school shootings

ipdg77 comments on Mar 1, 2018:

Delusional

Princess Diana was having high tea with the royal family.

ipdg77 comments on Mar 1, 2018:

Very amusing, I'm glad I wore my corset today as I would have burst myself laughing (Blackadder) :-)

Has anyone else attempted university in their 30's+ (after years out of school)?

ipdg77 comments on Feb 28, 2018:

I did 3 years of Egyptology gaining the Birkbeck College (University of London) Certificate and Diploma in same, then went on to do a 4 year degree course in History & Archaeology and gained my BA (Hons) Graduated at the age of 41, met my now ex wife their and have two wonderful daughters as a result, made some life long friends including one I went to Download with. I had a fabulous time and would recommend it to anybody :-)

What is Love?

ipdg77 comments on Feb 28, 2018:

A pretty dreadful song by Haddaway as I recall

I’ve been on this site almost a week now, and haven’t received a single unsolicited dick pic so ...

ipdg77 comments on Feb 28, 2018:

Never even occurred to me, how innocent and naive I am, but happy to get the polaroid out if it will help? :-)

No. Just no.

ipdg77 comments on Feb 28, 2018:

Not my cup of tea

Is life meaningful without religion?

ipdg77 comments on Feb 28, 2018:

Religion, to me, is irrelevant. Life was given to me (By parents not a prime mover), and so my life has the meaning they gave to me and that I have subsequently given it, and then from that, what I get in return augments that meaning and so on.

Which religion in your opinion is the worst? Islam or Christianity?

ipdg77 comments on Feb 28, 2018:

No difference, same meat different gravy.

Do you ever miss the religious life?

ipdg77 comments on Feb 28, 2018:

No

How comfortable are you with the word "Atheist" ?

ipdg77 comments on Feb 28, 2018:

I don't mind the term at all, it gives people an idea of where you're at even if it lacks specifics about you. But as a term it seems consistent with, for example, typical versus atypical

Do you think non-believers are less trusting?

ipdg77 comments on Feb 28, 2018:

As the vast majority of situations that incorporate an element of trust aren't life and death I tend to give someone the benefit of the doubt. Important things though, at least to me, I'm very distrustful and skeptical.

Anxiety

ipdg77 comments on Feb 28, 2018:

If you can avoid what makes you anxious then avoid it, if not try and find out what exactly it is about the 'thing' that makes you anxious and try and break it down into something more managible. As another answer suggests, coping skills and mechanisms may help

Other Atheist healthcare worker's?

ipdg77 comments on Feb 28, 2018:

Yeah me. Don't see any evidence of a supreme anything in my line of work

What’s one of your funniest church experiences?

ipdg77 comments on Feb 28, 2018:

A long time ago in a galaxy far far away......... I was an altar boy at Catholic church. I was doing my thing at 12:00 mass, the big one of the day with a packed house, and the priest was a relatively new one but a nice chap. Now this isn't a piss take for the sake of it, it's just relaying a sequence. The priest had a bit of a stutter and one of the letters he struggled with was the letter B. Now in case you're not aware, before the congregation take communion, the priest holds the host above his head and says 'Body of Christ', now the priest had a bit of an issue so it came out 'B-B-B-B-B-B-Body of Christ' I, at the same time, have to ring the bell, a very nice brass thing consisting of 5 bells, so when the host is risen, which under normal circumstances is a quick 'ting!' turned into a crescendo of clanging until the priest had got through his line. There then followed a solemn silence (of shock and relief probably) followed by the priest then reaching for the chalice. I was in a moment that I knew I had no escape from........ the priest raised the chalice above his head and uttered the sacred words 'B-B-B-B-B-Blood of Christ' and we went through the whole clanging fiasco again. I'm sure I was damned from that day forward :-)

Any Doctor Who fans?

ipdg77 comments on Feb 28, 2018:

Life long fan since William Hartnell (I seem to be older than the f***ing Time Lords), got a bit lost after Tom Baker but came back with Christopher Eccleston and just love it. Even met William Hartnell's granddaughter once, same age as me and a pretty little thing but don't think she was all that impressed that being the granddaughter of the first Dr Who was quite as important as I seemed to make out. Oh well. Looking forward to the new Mrs Dr :-)

Different path?

ipdg77 comments on Feb 28, 2018:

It's difficult to isolate one thing and there's always the notion that if I had done anything different my daughters wouldn't be here but I suppose I should have followed my instinct and gone after a more creative career rather then a conventional and safe one. I don't suppose I would be any better off financially but that would never have been a motivator.

Greetings other agnostics, humanists, skeptics, and “heretics” of all flavors - I’m new here, ...

ipdg77 comments on Feb 28, 2018:

Welcome. Why Viking? :-)

How strict were your parents?

ipdg77 comments on Feb 27, 2018:

Mine were pretty cool for the most part, they got the odd corn cob but as I found out that's in the job description :-)

If there was one deity out there that you could talk to, who would it be?

ipdg77 comments on Feb 27, 2018:

I'd want to know if Horus likes the tattoo of his eye on my arm.

Is there anyone here who has ever seen a UFO? And, if so, what do you believe you were witnessing?

ipdg77 comments on Feb 27, 2018:

I've never seen one or at least I wasn't aware that I had. I suppose it's plausible assuming we're not alone in our universe but if even half (or even less) of the sightings were true it's bloody crowded around our insignificant little planet.

Dave Allen on Religion Fucking Hilarious! - YouTube

ipdg77 comments on Feb 27, 2018:

Dave Allen was great :-)

How often do you get caught talking to yourself? And do you play it off?

ipdg77 comments on Feb 27, 2018:

All the time, I have to verbalise it 'cos there's so much crap in my head I can't separate it.

God forbid: for then how shall God judge the world? romans 3.6

ipdg77 comments on Feb 27, 2018:

And the Lord said unto Moses 'Come forth' but he came fifth and missed his spot.

What's your favorite video game?

ipdg77 comments on Feb 27, 2018:

Err I don't have one, don't play them. I'm not prudish or a techy phobe they're just not in my realm but I can seethe attraction :-)

Are There Humanist Rules Regarding Foul Language?

ipdg77 comments on Feb 27, 2018:

I think gratuitous use of swear words diminishes their effectiveness. And in the wrong setting can just be uncalled for. But a well used swear word can add weight and gravitas (of a sorts) it's like comedy really, timing and delivery. I was tempted to end with a swear a word but I won't, so bollocks to you :-)

Only been a member for two hours and can tell this is an awesome space! So please tell me what lead ...

ipdg77 comments on Feb 27, 2018:

Hi Mike, welcome aboard. I joined just because it's for non believers and I've only been here a couple of weeks myself but it's a lively place with intelligent and funny comments, enjoy :-)

Knock knock puddin head..

ipdg77 comments on Feb 27, 2018:

Presumably if the bread is used in the base then the topping must be only fish!

Sometimes when I post a response, it doesn't show up.

ipdg77 comments on Feb 27, 2018:

It does appear to happen, I do see two of the same postings from time to time. So it's not just you :-)

Nicknames: Do you have one? What is it? Who gave it to you and why?

ipdg77 comments on Feb 27, 2018:

I suppose people use 'E' or Ease a lot for Ian but when I was little my brother and my dad referred to me as Fred. That was name my brother gave to the lump when my mum was pregnant with me. He still uses it as does one of best friends.

If you had to sum up the whole human species in 3 words, what would those words be?

ipdg77 comments on Feb 27, 2018:

Must try harder

What is the worst place someone could ask you on a date?

ipdg77 comments on Feb 26, 2018:

A Justin 'F***ing' Beiber concert

Do people on the road raise your blood pressure? Or, are you chill on the road?

ipdg77 comments on Feb 26, 2018:

I usually keep a running commentary going, to myself, of how shit everybody's else drives, It keeps me sane and calm :-)

What's the point?

ipdg77 comments on Feb 26, 2018:

Muhammad you're unique. Nobody has your smile, nobody laughs like you, nobody views the world the way you do, nobody's had your journey. You never know what small act you may have done or are yet to do that could have a profoundly positive effect on someone. That's why we're here, it's not about passing on genetics it's about passing on the best of the human condition. :-)

Italians...can't stand them

ipdg77 comments on Feb 26, 2018:

Why not?

Morning everyone. Hope we all have a terrific day!

ipdg77 comments on Feb 26, 2018:

Likewise :-)

Do you think there are more men than woman Athiests or are women more covert about it?

ipdg77 comments on Feb 26, 2018:

I think, as usual but not fairly, men have a higher profile but there's plenty of ladies on here, a lot of whom have a voice, and to misquote the King's Speech - 'A very good voice'

Surely we can't be alone in this universe...right?

ipdg77 comments on Feb 26, 2018:

I like to think that if alien life visits this earth it'll be along the lines of 'The Day The Earth Stood Still' and it's an ultimatum to sort our shit out.

Laugh of the Day!

ipdg77 comments on Feb 26, 2018:

At a rough guess I tick about 20 of those.........so hell it is then, see you all there :-)

If you remove the word "spatula" from the dictionary, it just becomes a list of things that are not ...

ipdg77 comments on Feb 26, 2018:

That's what I like about this group, sage and erudite council when you don't even ask for it :-)

Why do you still buy lottery tickets knowing the odds are a couple of billion to one?

ipdg77 comments on Feb 26, 2018:

'Cos I'm stupid!

What's your favourite riff/lick/intro ever?

ipdg77 comments on Feb 26, 2018:

Forgot to mention some of mine :-) Smoke On The Water - Deep Purple Crazy Train - Ozzy Osbourne Dirty Love - Thunder Hit Between The Eyes - Scorpions Highway To Hell - AC/DC We Luv You - Grand Theft Audio and so on :-)

“For a moment, nothing happened. Then, after a second or so, nothing continued to happen.” ?

ipdg77 comments on Feb 26, 2018:

42

Astronomers deal on a daily basis with distances like light-years, which are so great they are hard ...

ipdg77 comments on Feb 26, 2018:

I would think that astronomers feel connected to the universe, as do I, and therefore much greater than the sum of their own parts.

If man doesn't exist does the the universe exist?

ipdg77 comments on Feb 26, 2018:

Yes it does, we are not the reason for the existence of the universe. Conversely though The universe may be as great as they say, but it wouldn't be missed if it didn't exist (Piet Hein)

What have you always wanted to do or try, that you just haven't gotten around to?

ipdg77 comments on Feb 26, 2018:

Learn to play the guitar :-)

Well I'm someone who needs a religion but sadly I haven't got one , none of them seem feasible and ...

ipdg77 comments on Feb 26, 2018:

You don't need a religion, lean on reason, lean on critical thought, lean on us but don't go hunting for a 'god' that makes sense, you won't find one.

When did you first doubt religion?

ipdg77 comments on Feb 26, 2018:

As soon as I was old enough to think. I went to Catholic school and none of it made sense, the Tower of Babel, Noah's Ark, the Exodus blah blah blah, it just never made any sense and I couldn't join up the theist dots.

Yup.

ipdg77 comments on Feb 26, 2018:

At the risk of sounding crass, a 'pussy hat' has a slightly different meaning in the UK :-) Divided by a common language as they say.

How far is close enough to travel to be with someone?

ipdg77 comments on Feb 25, 2018:

It's really good to hear that you've found someone with whom there may be potential, even if there are hurdles to overcome. I live on an Island so someone somewhere that doesn't involve a boat would be really handy :-)

Have you been successful in dating using this app/website?

ipdg77 comments on Feb 25, 2018:

Not yet but have only been here a couple of weeks. The few that I chat to, if closer, may have lead to a coffee but I wouldn't be so presumptuous to say a date. I have found three very close by but they're not active, at least not this year so opportunities, thus far, are a bit slim.

Name the one thing special about where you live

ipdg77 comments on Feb 25, 2018:

I'm 2 minutes walk from the sea :-)

Is anybody out there?

ipdg77 comments on Feb 25, 2018:

Good evening my Lord

Do you have a favorite decade of music?

ipdg77 comments on Feb 25, 2018:

The 70s, it's when I became musically aware so all the glam rockers Slade, T-Rex, Sweet etc but this lead onto Deep Purple, Hawkwind, Black Sabbath, Bob Seger, Motorhead et al.

Music/Concert

ipdg77 comments on Feb 25, 2018:

I went to Download in 2016, loved every second of every band, can't list them all but the headliners on each night were: Friday - Rammstein (One of my favs) Saturday - Black Sabbath (The End Tour & one of my favs) and Sunday - Iron Maiden (One of my favs)

What is unconditional love, and if so, what do people mean when they speak of it?

ipdg77 comments on Feb 25, 2018:

I have unconditional love for my children. I didn't understand what it meant until they arrived. I also have a different sort of unconditional love for my best friends, my life long friends who I've grown up with and although we live miles apart when we do meet up we pick up where we left off without a hiccup. Unconditional romantic love, is tougher because lust and sex and all that stuff can get in the way. It's just different but very potent.

WWYD?

ipdg77 comments on Feb 25, 2018:

The only person who fits the criteria is my ex. Would I stop her suffering, yes I would, and only because of my daughters, it's their mum. If we had no kids, in all honesty, I'm not sure. I like to think that when push came to shove I would but in her case I'm really not certain.