David1955's Profile

What the hell happened to this site?

David1955 comments on Jan 17, 2021:

It is what happens when a site purpose is watered down and watered down for the purpose of broadening its appeal, when administrators think that 'middle of the road' means anything goes. When I joined this site I was looking for a platform for a community committed to the values of atheism, ...

David1955 replies on Jan 18, 2021:

@DangerDave sounds like your paranoia and projection again, but why ask me, I'm an atheist and democratic socialist and have been all my life. Good news for you: I'm seriously contemplating departing this site any way. Had enough of the nonsense here and agnostics like you. You can work towards making it a 'pure' agnostic site, with people like you, who don't know what they believe, but promote it passionately, with all the fervour of a true apatheist. Enjoy your pyrrhic victory. I'll enjoy not having to look at you and that stupid hat. @admin i think the transition towards an agnostic site here, in the fullest meaning of the word, is coming along crackingly. Too bad. It all started off so well a couple of years back

I AM & U R - Life as a human - Being - a - Spirit - incarnate in a - animal - body - a - Soul - ...

David1955 comments on Jan 16, 2021:

And, how does all this help me pay my mortgage next month?

David1955 replies on Jan 16, 2021:

@KWAPELL7 you are probably a very nice person and it makes you feel good to lose yourself in this new age type pseudo science/pseudo religion, with a dash of pop psychology thrown in, but in the end it's like all religions: a whole of stuff that can't be proved, means whatever you want it to mean, and don't worry there's a big daddy in the sky, or a big nirvana, or a universal something or other waiting for you when you die, so feel better. Question is: why bother on a site that's supposed to be for the non religious? (Though sometimes I wonder about that.) Or are you just trolling us?

I AM & U R - Life as a human - Being - a - Spirit - incarnate in a - animal - body - a - Soul - ...

David1955 comments on Jan 16, 2021:

And, how does all this help me pay my mortgage next month?

David1955 replies on Jan 16, 2021:

@KWAPELL7 "your perception that U owe someone anything - is an Illusion." I guess YR rich parents must have bought U a house. The rest of us have to go through the illusion that if we don't pay our bills, you're out in the street, hungry and homeless -- all an illusion as you say, but gosh it does feel real.

Okay, I guess/suppose this has been posted before many, many times but here is my suggestion and the...

David1955 comments on Jan 11, 2021:

Well I agree, but a consensus that agnostics and atheists are, or should be, all on the same side seems impossible to achieve. I have said before and repeat again that before I joined this site I believed, maybe naively I don't know, that atheists and agnostics were on the same side. It wasn't an ...

David1955 replies on Jan 12, 2021:

@Triphid also fair enough.

Okay, I guess/suppose this has been posted before many, many times but here is my suggestion and the...

David1955 comments on Jan 11, 2021:

Well I agree, but a consensus that agnostics and atheists are, or should be, all on the same side seems impossible to achieve. I have said before and repeat again that before I joined this site I believed, maybe naively I don't know, that atheists and agnostics were on the same side. It wasn't an ...

David1955 replies on Jan 11, 2021:

@Triphid I wasn't asserting that you were. My point was that some in this debate see things on terms of right and wrong positions and that's a false assumption.That's all I meant. Just a little feedback. Sometimes you can be a little defensive, when there's no need. Ok?

Okay, I guess/suppose this has been posted before many, many times but here is my suggestion and the...

David1955 comments on Jan 11, 2021:

Well I agree, but a consensus that agnostics and atheists are, or should be, all on the same side seems impossible to achieve. I have said before and repeat again that before I joined this site I believed, maybe naively I don't know, that atheists and agnostics were on the same side. It wasn't an ...

David1955 replies on Jan 11, 2021:

@Triphid well that's true, but a challenge certainly. Also, I should have said before that not all atheists and agnostics are divided on this issue. Indeed I think most accommodate the other position quite well and there's no problem, but there are a few who are lost in this debate, enjoy the squabble and want to 'win' the debate, which is foolish. For the record, I don't think agnostics are 'wrong' and atheists are 'right'; I simply have logical issues with agnosticism and assert that atheism reflects my position more fully. It's always simply been that, nothing more. No squabbling required.

Okay, I guess/suppose this has been posted before many, many times but here is my suggestion and the...

Storm1752 comments on Jan 11, 2021:

Good luck with that. It comes down to atheists fundamentally misunderstanding Agnosticism. Sure I'm tired and discouraged by it, because the conversation would be very different if it were otherwise. But the two camps are fundamentally incompatible, in my opinion, despite surface similarities. ...

David1955 replies on Jan 11, 2021:

What a discouragingly negative reply, but at the same time very illustrative of the attitude and the problem.

I had a great squabble on youtube this week about how Jesus really looked.

AnneWimsey comments on Jan 9, 2021:

So, you have PLENTY of free time......

David1955 replies on Jan 9, 2021:

No matter how busy I am, I can always find time to throw a spanner into a religious person's works.

I had a great squabble on youtube this week about how Jesus really looked.

St-Sinner comments on Jan 9, 2021:

BBC is saying Jesus looked like this.

David1955 replies on Jan 9, 2021:

This one i know. It wasn't developed from fancy AI tech using a bust or sketch or painting of someone from the past, but an anthropological image suggesting how a person of that age and race and so on might have looked. This one I have no problem with because it doesn't claim to be something its not. I imagine males at that time and place and ethnicity might have had that kind of appearance.

I had a great squabble on youtube this week about how Jesus really looked.

Fernapple comments on Jan 9, 2021:

Personally I always loved the modern traditional image, and theory that it is based on Cesare Borgia. ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cesare_Borgia ) The idea of all those Christians bowing down before a crime boss, is just wonderful.

David1955 replies on Jan 9, 2021:

Ha! I love it.

I had a great squabble on youtube this week about how Jesus really looked.

St-Sinner comments on Jan 8, 2021:

Please check this out.... https://youtu.be/rZSaD4QLjxE

David1955 replies on Jan 8, 2021:

This I know. I love this tech of creating realistic figures in history, but the Jesus picture is just silly.

Today we welcome @Theresa_N from Minnesota to our growing ranks.

David1955 comments on Jan 7, 2021:

Welcome. Honourable group leader, how many in this group are located outside Australia? I'm too lazy to check. Do you know?

David1955 replies on Jan 8, 2021:

@Triphid :-)

Today we welcome @Theresa_N from Minnesota to our growing ranks.

David1955 comments on Jan 7, 2021:

Welcome. Honourable group leader, how many in this group are located outside Australia? I'm too lazy to check. Do you know?

David1955 replies on Jan 8, 2021:

@Triphid not at all, just surprised that they are interested enough to be a member of a country specific group, that's all.

Something good will come out of what happened today in the US capitol.

Wisterious comments on Jan 7, 2021:

So long as they don't clog up our hospitals, 👍

David1955 replies on Jan 7, 2021:

No they seem like the sort of altruistic people who only think of others. Right.

My position is this; atheism is a rising tide no less disturbing as theism, and just as 'wrong.

David1955 comments on Jan 5, 2021:

You need to calm down, friend. Your brand of agnosticism is becoming obnoxious. Fortunately not all agnostics feel like you.

David1955 replies on Jan 6, 2021:

@AnneWimsey no I was correcting the false implication by these two jokers that "to attack" only means to physically or violently attack, which I'm sure they knew but of course any excuse to misconstrue an atheist's opinion. If you read the thread that's the gist of it.

Some advice please.

powder comments on Jan 6, 2021:

click on where your name is up the top in the blue strip, go to "settings". You see the old tabworks and the last one allows you to block members. I block when I find out they have blocked me.

David1955 replies on Jan 6, 2021:

Wow. Simple when you know how. Thanks a lot. Goodbye to a couple of obnoxious agnostics. Either I leave or they're blocked. Plan B I think.

My position is this; atheism is a rising tide no less disturbing as theism, and just as 'wrong.

David1955 comments on Jan 5, 2021:

You need to calm down, friend. Your brand of agnosticism is becoming obnoxious. Fortunately not all agnostics feel like you.

David1955 replies on Jan 6, 2021:

@Storm1752 @DangerDave To attack. Transitive verb Definition 2: To criticize strongly or in a hostile manner. An expression of strong criticism; hostile comment. Like you guys on atheism, see.

My position is this; atheism is a rising tide no less disturbing as theism, and just as 'wrong.

David1955 comments on Jan 5, 2021:

You need to calm down, friend. Your brand of agnosticism is becoming obnoxious. Fortunately not all agnostics feel like you.

David1955 replies on Jan 5, 2021:

@Storm1752 I could make the same claim about "badass" agnostics, like you, attacking atheists, but this kind of bickering is pointless and I'd rather focus on attacking religion. You want to consider that a lot of this is in your mind, seriously.

'A spoilt brat country': the Australians overseas who decided not to come home | Australian ...

Triphid comments on Jan 4, 2021:

Here we go again, yet another Ocker Knocker tarring EVERY Aussie with the same brush. Odds on the author has ONLY ever been as far as the coastal Big Smoke Cities when it comes to the REAL Australia. Yeah our politics has been screwed up since the days AFTER Gough Whitlam but this dill of an ...

David1955 replies on Jan 5, 2021:

I took it more as a take on the cultural attitudes in Australia, the introspection and myopia that often passes for the Australian character. This doesn't apply to all people, of course. Also, I agree that the ascendancy of right wing politics in Australia is a lot to do with that, and that's because the Right in Australia hasn't just ruthlessly won elections -- with help from Murdoch -- but they have moulded the culture to their right wing ends, and culture is about values and a world view.. John Howard most of all did this, intentionally crushing the Whitlam legacy after Hawke and Keating all but destroyed it. Politics isn't just about winning elections; it's about cultural conditioning, I have learnt. To their disgrace, the ALP have done nothing to prevent this and in return they have been rewarded by almost 30 years of election loss. Still they do not learn. I do not believe they ever will.

Sunday 1-3-21 in order to - Know thy Soul - as - One Self - One should dedicate the time - ...

David1955 comments on Jan 3, 2021:

Someone remind me, what's the name of this site again?

David1955 replies on Jan 3, 2021:

@KWAPELL7 I'm sorry, I just don't have time to engage with new age mystic pizza cosmo-babble that amounts to word play and semantic gibberish. The site is called agnostic.com but I'm an atheist and I reject all forms of mysticism, supernaturalism and magic. There are lots of new agy sites, why don't you seek them out. I joined this site to get away from all forms of religion and pseudo religion, and to engage with like minded people.

I cannot comment on posts. Obviously people some can. What is going on here?

AnneWimsey comments on Dec 30, 2020:

Uninstall & reinstall....worked for me!

David1955 replies on Jan 1, 2021:

@AnneWimsey well, the App on my galaxy tab 5se and on my Samsung Phone bought last year have never worked with Google log on, and indeed i have deleted and re installed before, not just up date, and it never works. In fact Admin has acknowledged that there is a problem with Google log on and doesn't seem to bother about fixing it. Well, it's his site so I accept that. Thanks.

I move that the name of this site be changed to "Atheist.

altschmerz comments on Dec 31, 2020:

I honestly don't understand why anyone here cares who's an atheist and who's agnostic. Go ahead and be agnostic, it doesn't affect me! Why can't we live and let live? Why all the arguments putting down one or the other?

David1955 replies on Dec 31, 2020:

@altschmerz I certainly agree with all of what you've said.

I cannot comment on posts. Obviously people some can. What is going on here?

AnneWimsey comments on Dec 30, 2020:

Uninstall & reinstall....worked for me!

David1955 replies on Dec 31, 2020:

@AnneWimsey can i check what it was you uninstalled? I haven't quite got it. Thanks.

I move that the name of this site be changed to "Atheist.

altschmerz comments on Dec 31, 2020:

I honestly don't understand why anyone here cares who's an atheist and who's agnostic. Go ahead and be agnostic, it doesn't affect me! Why can't we live and let live? Why all the arguments putting down one or the other?

David1955 replies on Dec 31, 2020:

You know what, that's exactly how I felt before I joined this site. Atheist or agnostic -- both on the same non-religious side of the argument. That was my view. Then I joined here. Next thing I know I'm told here that I'm an angry atheist for having a clear position; that I'm as bad as an theist and have a 'faith based' view; that I'm a gnostic know all atheist; that I have to prove all gods *don't* exist; that agnostic is the only true 'nuanced' position, and that atheism is as bad as theism. Wow! What am I doing here? Arguments with believers I expected, because they allow them here. That I wouldn't mind. But this thing with agnostics is turning me off and turning me away. I want to focus on the struggle against *religion*. That's all I've ever wanted.

I move that the name of this site be changed to "Atheist.

creative51 comments on Dec 31, 2020:

How about People who like to argue about everything under the sun.com

David1955 replies on Dec 31, 2020:

Nice idea, but you know what would happen. Division between those who believe that things exists under the sun, those who aren't sure, and those who don't believe things exist under the sun. There would be endless disagreement about what "under the sun" means, whether you have to prove that things can exist under the sun or not. I swear.

I cannot comment on posts. Obviously people some can. What is going on here?

AnneWimsey comments on Dec 30, 2020:

Uninstall & reinstall....worked for me!

David1955 replies on Dec 30, 2020:

If you mean the App, the android app won't work with google log on, so I've never been able to use it. I use a browser. No problem with it. No, the site is malfunctioning.

I cannot comment on posts. Obviously people some can. What is going on here?

barjoe comments on Dec 30, 2020:

Tap your cursor, hit go. You'll be taken to another box. Type your comment, hit "preview comment" It will take you to a third box, with a button "✓ Publish Comment ". Hit that and you'll post your comment. Admin knows about it, I'm sure it will get fixed

David1955 replies on Dec 30, 2020:

@barjoe when I do that it won't enter text into the window. Clearly things are broken and maybe it works for some on some platforms. Thanks.

I cannot comment on posts. Obviously people some can. What is going on here?

barjoe comments on Dec 30, 2020:

Tap your cursor, hit go. You'll be taken to another box. Type your comment, hit "preview comment" It will take you to a third box, with a button "✓ Publish Comment ". Hit that and you'll post your comment. Admin knows about it, I'm sure it will get fixed

David1955 replies on Dec 30, 2020:

Even doing that i cannot reply, yet I can reply to comments to my post, like this one. Weird.

I cannot comment on posts. Obviously people some can. What is going on here?

barjoe comments on Dec 30, 2020:

Tap your cursor, hit go. You'll be taken to another box. Type your comment, hit "preview comment" It will take you to a third box, with a button "✓ Publish Comment ". Hit that and you'll post your comment. Admin knows about it, I'm sure it will get fixed

David1955 replies on Dec 30, 2020:

Thank you sir.

Question to atheists and agnostics: Are you sure no god exists that you believe in?

David1955 comments on Dec 29, 2020:

This is just new age godly kool aid, isn't it? God as energy, God as the universe, and so on. On God, the certainty or otherwise doesn't have to be mine. The onus is on those making the claim to prove it. They never have, never do. They can always come back with some proof, should they ever ...

David1955 replies on Dec 29, 2020:

@skado then you'd better start providing some definitions so we know what you're on about.

Question to atheists and agnostics: Are you sure no god exists that you believe in?

Fernapple comments on Dec 29, 2020:

There are very few, true, hard atheists about, an actual certainly held belief in there being no gods is rare, to the point of vanishing, so this is very much a straw-man argument. However, even as an agnostic, I do not think I would find this very convincing. Attempting to define god into ...

David1955 replies on Dec 29, 2020:

Right

Question to atheists and agnostics: Are you sure no god exists that you believe in?

David1955 comments on Dec 29, 2020:

This is just new age godly kool aid, isn't it? God as energy, God as the universe, and so on. On God, the certainty or otherwise doesn't have to be mine. The onus is on those making the claim to prove it. They never have, never do. They can always come back with some proof, should they ever ...

David1955 replies on Dec 29, 2020:

@skado new age, by the way, is a modern version of old age voo doo religions.

Question to atheists and agnostics: Are you sure no god exists that you believe in?

David1955 comments on Dec 29, 2020:

This is just new age godly kool aid, isn't it? God as energy, God as the universe, and so on. On God, the certainty or otherwise doesn't have to be mine. The onus is on those making the claim to prove it. They never have, never do. They can always come back with some proof, should they ever ...

David1955 replies on Dec 29, 2020:

@skado no, but no evidence exists that the universe equates to a supernatural thing we call a god. When I listen to credible cosmologists and quantum mechanics people I find they get quite irritated with anyone tries to supernaturalize the cosmos. It's not my field but I listen to people whose field it is.

I AM A PROUD AGNOSTIC!! Also I'm new here:)

NatureRocks88 comments on Dec 27, 2020:

I'm agnostic leaning to atheist

David1955 replies on Dec 28, 2020:

@DangerDave I don't have to prove a *negative* to anybody, least of all a verbose pompous agnostic like you. No atheist needs to. And we are consistent on all unproven supernatural phenomena. Over and out.

I AM A PROUD AGNOSTIC!! Also I'm new here:)

NatureRocks88 comments on Dec 27, 2020:

I'm agnostic leaning to atheist

David1955 replies on Dec 28, 2020:

@DangerDave "You're an educated man. Now I know I hate you. You reminded me of.... me.' :-)

I AM A PROUD AGNOSTIC!! Also I'm new here:)

NatureRocks88 comments on Dec 27, 2020:

I'm agnostic leaning to atheist

David1955 replies on Dec 28, 2020:

@DangerDave I'm still your Huckleberry. Cc @altshmerz

I AM A PROUD AGNOSTIC!! Also I'm new here:)

NatureRocks88 comments on Dec 27, 2020:

I'm agnostic leaning to atheist

David1955 replies on Dec 28, 2020:

@redhog @DangerDave @altschmerz It reminds of that story. The professor is teaching his class: Prof: What is the difference between agnosticism and apathy? You, Jones, what's the answer? Jones: Well, I don't know and I don't care!! Prof: That's absolutely right! Point of story? Jones is a useless intellect.

I AM A PROUD AGNOSTIC!! Also I'm new here:)

NatureRocks88 comments on Dec 27, 2020:

I'm agnostic leaning to atheist

David1955 replies on Dec 27, 2020:

@DangerDave Eventis sultorum magister.

I AM A PROUD AGNOSTIC!! Also I'm new here:)

NatureRocks88 comments on Dec 27, 2020:

I'm agnostic leaning to atheist

David1955 replies on Dec 27, 2020:

@DangerDave hah! Talk about pots calling kettles black! Have you bought that mirror yet? Keep being obsessed by me, if it brings something into your hum drum life. I'm your huckleberry .

I AM A PROUD AGNOSTIC!! Also I'm new here:)

NatureRocks88 comments on Dec 27, 2020:

I'm agnostic leaning to atheist

David1955 replies on Dec 27, 2020:

Hope you keep leaning in the right direction, friend. (From an atheist)

study-milky-way-may-be-full-of-dead-alien-civilizations

Mofo1953 comments on Dec 23, 2020:

Nature gets rid of any impediment to natural order of things.

David1955 replies on Dec 25, 2020:

@Flyingsaucesir yes, which brings us back to the idea of cosmic evolution -- lots civilisations evolve but only a few make it. I once heard Richard Dawkins and Lawrence Krause discussing it, again only as an interesting idea. I'm attracted to the idea of it, but who knows.

study-milky-way-may-be-full-of-dead-alien-civilizations

Mofo1953 comments on Dec 23, 2020:

Nature gets rid of any impediment to natural order of things.

David1955 replies on Dec 24, 2020:

@Flyingsaucesir i don't see how the analogy works here. Species in an interconnected environment, like a planet, might collapse due to that interconnectedness. Species in worlds spread across a universe don't have a interconnectedness that I can see, unless one starts to engage in sci fi type 'the force' or some other pseudo religion thinking.

study-milky-way-may-be-full-of-dead-alien-civilizations

Mofo1953 comments on Dec 23, 2020:

Nature gets rid of any impediment to natural order of things.

David1955 replies on Dec 24, 2020:

Is the natural order of things a universe of extinct species? Can't see that. I gather the Newtonian clockwork universe model has been replaced by a universe of chaos. If so, some species surviving and many not seems reasonable to me, again purely from pure speculation.

study-milky-way-may-be-full-of-dead-alien-civilizations

Thirst2learn comments on Dec 23, 2020:

So basically you think marxism is the answer. Maybe if you survive as a leech

David1955 replies on Dec 23, 2020:

@Thirst2learn I'll take your answer as a 'no' to my question. I'll leave it at that. Ignorance is a state from which one has to find one's own way out, or not.

study-milky-way-may-be-full-of-dead-alien-civilizations

Thirst2learn comments on Dec 23, 2020:

So basically you think marxism is the answer. Maybe if you survive as a leech

David1955 replies on Dec 23, 2020:

@Thirst2learn have you ever actually studied seriously Marxism -- the economic and political philosophy of Marxism -- or is it just the big bogeyman of your life? And yes I have. My degrees are in political science including political philosophy, including Marxism.

study-milky-way-may-be-full-of-dead-alien-civilizations

Thirst2learn comments on Dec 23, 2020:

So basically you think marxism is the answer. Maybe if you survive as a leech

David1955 replies on Dec 23, 2020:

Which is worse, in your humble opinion, a Marxist or a Corporate Socialist?

study-milky-way-may-be-full-of-dead-alien-civilizations

Fernapple comments on Dec 23, 2020:

Interesting article up to a point, but a bit short on detail.

David1955 replies on Dec 23, 2020:

agreed. Perhaps something more will follow. I took the title with a grain of salt anyway. Not long ago I came across an article that said a study suggested that we are alone in the universe. OK.

study-milky-way-may-be-full-of-dead-alien-civilizations

barjoe comments on Dec 23, 2020:

Of course there's intelligent life elsewhere. Our existence is the blink of an eye, so is theirs. The chance of two civilizations existing at the same time and solving space time continuum are not likely. The chance of alien life coming here is so unlikely, it's like a quadrillion to one.

David1955 replies on Dec 23, 2020:

I read this idea before and indeed may be right. The universe is just so damned big.

study-milky-way-may-be-full-of-dead-alien-civilizations

rainmanjr comments on Dec 23, 2020:

It seems like an interesting question, does life exist elsewhere, but I posit that it's really not. Whatever happened, or is happening, with them really doesn't tell humans boo about us. We see that, when faced with possible extinction of our species, humans largely shrug. That tells us things and ...

David1955 replies on Dec 23, 2020:

Not necessarily. There may be some kind of cosmic evolution whereby some species survive the self- destruction phase and progress. I've heard scientists discuss this, as a purely hypothetical issue of course. We may never know, but it would be good to know if some do. I'm not optimistic about our species, however. Sad to say. I don't think our wisdom collectively can catch up to our technology.

Go ahead and try that Lucifer's Logic with me and see what happens next. Nothing.

DenoPenno comments on Dec 17, 2020:

Yes, god gave us the wonderful gift of free will. He could of had robots worship him but they would have no choice. If he fucks up things in your world and you worship him anyway, this is what he wants. :)

David1955 replies on Dec 18, 2020:

Thou jests, surely?

Why are you agnostic? If you're not agnostic then why are you only a theist or an atheist?

Fernapple comments on Dec 7, 2020:

Really! Do buy a dictionary.

David1955 replies on Dec 7, 2020:

There seem to be a lot of lame questions like this here these days.

Christians: "You're atheist because you're just angry at / bitter toward / afraid of / hate god.

David1955 comments on Dec 3, 2020:

True. I'm also livid at Santa Klaus, ropeable at the Easter Bunny, apoplectic towards the tooth fairy, and if I get my hands on the flying spaghetti monster he's going to get it good. Funny really, since it's religious believers who are the ones who are scared of their imaginary god. Emotional ...

David1955 replies on Dec 3, 2020:

@Triphid oooh, that's gotta hurt.

Christians: "You're atheist because you're just angry at / bitter toward / afraid of / hate god.

David1955 comments on Dec 3, 2020:

True. I'm also livid at Santa Klaus, ropeable at the Easter Bunny, apoplectic towards the tooth fairy, and if I get my hands on the flying spaghetti monster he's going to get it good. Funny really, since it's religious believers who are the ones who are scared of their imaginary god. Emotional ...

David1955 replies on Dec 3, 2020:

@GeorgeRocheleau sounds like you got screwed one way or another. :-)

Virtually every agnostic lives like an atheist, living completely irreligious lives Dennis ...

David1955 comments on Dec 2, 2020:

I can't agree. One thing i have learnt in recent years is that the term agnostic covers a very wide group of people, from some who state their agnosticism well and are on a similar irreligious plane as atheists, to those agnostics who hang on to a lot of religious folly and pseudo religion but no ...

David1955 replies on Dec 2, 2020:

@JeffMurray while that is true, generally, with the occasional exception, atheists fall into a recognisable spectrum of positions, on religion, and on science and related. There are exceptions, but generally I find this to be the case. Agnostics? Hmm not so much.

This is great news if anyone has been a victim of the Jehovah’s Witness cult.

barjoe comments on Nov 29, 2020:

What's the National Redness Scheme?

David1955 replies on Nov 29, 2020:

Good question.

Are you a strong agnostic, a medium agnostic or a weak agnostic?

David1955 comments on Nov 26, 2020:

I'm a strong atheist. Agnosticism has nothing to do with it. Or did you just mean agnostic? If so, why?

David1955 replies on Nov 27, 2020:

@DangerDave You are pretty snippy for a guy whose post here was met by almost complete dismissal. Just saying.

Are you a strong agnostic, a medium agnostic or a weak agnostic?

David1955 comments on Nov 26, 2020:

I'm a strong atheist. Agnosticism has nothing to do with it. Or did you just mean agnostic? If so, why?

David1955 replies on Nov 26, 2020:

@DangerDave the lesson was on irony. Guess you missed it. Oh well.

The US Election: A Foreigner's View - Mine.

1of5 comments on Nov 22, 2020:

I just love these "I was wrong about that but here's why I'm right about this" posts. A not insignificant % of people suck, and vote for other people that suck. THAT WILL NEVER CHANGE.

David1955 replies on Nov 22, 2020:

In fact I said back then that Trump would beat Biden, unless the economy totally collapsed or similar. This was pre COVID. That seemed unlikely. I am able to look back honestly on the past. More people should. Simply put, without the virus Trump would have won. A horrible but accurate conclusion, in my view.

The US Election: A Foreigner's View - Mine.

AnneWimsey comments on Nov 22, 2020:

6 MILLION VOTES is not even remotely "just over the line" and you forget he Lost by 3 million votes last time, (conveniently?).........your worry is noted but please do not make stuff sound much worse than it is.

David1955 replies on Nov 22, 2020:

I repeat, 74+ million voted for him, more than 2016, and after 4 years of horror, 200,000 + dead, and economic collapse. And I'm making it sound worse?

The US Election: A Foreigner's View - Mine.

CallMeDave comments on Nov 22, 2020:

What does the term Monday Morning Quarterback mean to you?

David1955 replies on Nov 22, 2020:

Well I don't know. Is it similar to so called experts on US mainstream TV proclaiming that Americans have rejected Trumpism for a new day, and America can go back to truth, justice and the American way, just like on American TV shows? You tell me.

The US Election: A Foreigner's View - Mine.

StarvingArtist comments on Nov 22, 2020:

IMHO, I think the sickness stems from so many Americans lacking a quality education.

David1955 replies on Nov 22, 2020:

and poor critical thinking skills. Too much education is focused on work and job skills, so I agree with you.

Covid: Pizza worker's 'lie' forced South Australia lockdown : [bbc.

David1955 comments on Nov 20, 2020:

Apparently, here in the city of empty churches, if you break any lockdown rules, do anything that is not permitted by the government, then you get a big big fine. BUT, if you lie to the authorities about your infection or activities relating to it, resulting in massive lockdown and impact on ...

David1955 replies on Nov 20, 2020:

@anglophone i think not, but an update since my previous comment: there was a press conference by police and they've assembled a team to get into this legally, so you may be right and they may find some criminal or civil charges. No opposition from the Premier I'm sure.

Covid: Pizza worker's 'lie' forced South Australia lockdown : [bbc.

David1955 comments on Nov 20, 2020:

Apparently, here in the city of empty churches, if you break any lockdown rules, do anything that is not permitted by the government, then you get a big big fine. BUT, if you lie to the authorities about your infection or activities relating to it, resulting in massive lockdown and impact on ...

David1955 replies on Nov 20, 2020:

@anglophone according to our premier, there's nothing they can do. He's probably broke anyway, so what can you do? Community service maybe.

Whether or not God exists, Christopher Hitchens is still a scumbag

skado comments on Nov 18, 2020:

Hitchens was as much a religious fundamentalist as any theist ever was, and maybe for worse reasons. When he didn’t know the mic was on he admitted he didn’t want religion to go away because he was enjoying fighting it too much. I guess it gave him a sense of purpose (not to mention considerable...

David1955 replies on Nov 19, 2020:

I agree except on Harris. I think he is unfairly maligned and often people don't appreciate the nuance of this views and truncate them down to simple statements. Moreover, he is without doubt the most effective debater against religious people I have ever seen. He is forensically good and devastating, and I have learnt a lot from watching him dismantle religious nonsense and false assumptions.

Whether or not God exists, Christopher Hitchens is still a scumbag

Krish55 comments on Nov 18, 2020:

He supported the Iraq War. He found that being pro-imperialist was profitable.

David1955 replies on Nov 19, 2020:

Agreed. I well remember him being on TV here in Australia early in 2000s in interviews from the UK slagging the Left viciously, calling anyone who criticised the Iraq War (Crime ) all kinds of derogatory names, most arrogantly, and I grew to dislike him. His later efforts against religion with Dawkins et.al were at times very effective, but I cannot forget his strident support for the war criminals behind the Iraq criminal war, for which he never apologised.

Australia's robodebt scheme has resulted in death and has been ruled illegal: [bbc.

David1955 comments on Nov 18, 2020:

Yes. Typical liberal party philosophy. Snouts in the trough for rich mates; stick it to the 'undeserving' social security people.

David1955 replies on Nov 18, 2020:

@FrayedBear absofriggenlutely . And the alleged ALP should be leading the charge. Hah, that'll be the day. I hear they're having leadership issues again. Next turn at the Titannic. They need ideology, not a new so called leader.

Lockdown in SA Our stupid Liberal Government has put in a lockdown, initially 6 days and then ...

powder comments on Nov 18, 2020:

Yeah it's nuts; "Lets isolate for 6 days but just before, crowd all the supermarkets and stuff with as many people as we can." Said it before, should have safety professionals calling the shots and not chief medical officers (not their fault, just not their area of expertise; working with hazard)....

David1955 replies on Nov 18, 2020:

@powder I know how this world is. Couple of weeks later, it would be. "remember what's his name?" :-)

Lockdown in SA Our stupid Liberal Government has put in a lockdown, initially 6 days and then ...

powder comments on Nov 18, 2020:

Yeah it's nuts; "Lets isolate for 6 days but just before, crowd all the supermarkets and stuff with as many people as we can." Said it before, should have safety professionals calling the shots and not chief medical officers (not their fault, just not their area of expertise; working with hazard)....

David1955 replies on Nov 18, 2020:

Yes, I walked into the supermarket and was suddenly around more people than I'd been in months, breathing everywhere. I didn't have time to line up for hours, so I left, and it wasn't safe. There they were, buying toilet paper like fools. So, I'm not well stocked as I'd planned to do a big shop tomorrow morning. Good timing. So, I'll have to eek things out. Can't even go for a jog along the esplanade, though I am never close to anyone, unlike today in the supermarket. Months of caution and knowing my luck I will probably get the virus from ducking into the supermarket which, is never usually very crowded, and be dead in a week. Thanks SA government.

I find it reassuring that most of the developed/ educated world is embracing atheism or at least ...

Pedrohbds comments on Nov 16, 2020:

China is not really atheist, they just have a religion with no structured organization. Also this not religious is misleading. It can be anything from "its been a long time that I don't go to church" to "I am atheist". I doubt theism is majority in any country.

David1955 replies on Nov 16, 2020:

It does say claiming to be either non religious or atheist. If that claim is a clear assertion it does means something.

Kayleigh McEnany: Trump will attend 'his own' inauguration in January - Business Insider

David1955 comments on Nov 16, 2020:

That girl needs an intervention by people who care about her.

David1955 replies on Nov 16, 2020:

@Lorajay i hope someone does, friends or family, because the Trump virus has fried her brain, and it's sad to see someone like that. Maybe it's because I've read about cults and people do leave cults, reboot their brain, and rejoin reality. Some never do, however, and though it's a low percentage I hate to think what a percentage of Trump's cult will be: millions.

I think its time to move on.

David1955 comments on Nov 14, 2020:

What did you think about Admin's recent carefully worded post suggesting a watering down of the site's mission statement, making it less 'scary' by avoiding scary references like atheism, essentially to broaden the 'appeal' of the site to less cerebral folk, and especially younger cohorts who don't...

David1955 replies on Nov 15, 2020:

@rainmanjr makes you wonder why they bothered to called it agnostic.com in the first place, although I remember when the site info said a site for people who were good without religion. It seems it is becoming a mini-me facebook. Just for the record, I wouldn't touch Facebook with a 50 foot pole. Never have. Never will.

I think its time to move on.

David1955 comments on Nov 14, 2020:

What did you think about Admin's recent carefully worded post suggesting a watering down of the site's mission statement, making it less 'scary' by avoiding scary references like atheism, essentially to broaden the 'appeal' of the site to less cerebral folk, and especially younger cohorts who don't...

David1955 replies on Nov 15, 2020:

@DavidLaDeau i admire your proactive approach, David.

Is the Pope Catholic?

David1955 comments on Nov 12, 2020:

Wealth and privilege often plug religion, not because they believe it but because they think it's good for the 'little people' to believe in something so they don't ask too many questions about our shitty unfair world. Look at Rupert 'Douchbag' Murdoch, peddler of Fox and it's phoney Christian ...

David1955 replies on Nov 14, 2020:

@JeffMurray i think you mean *without them adherence to the religion would be untenable*. Yes, the CC has been dragged and kicked into change over the centuries in order to survive, but to a thinking person adherence to this global criminal organisation is and has always been untenable.

Is the Pope Catholic?

David1955 comments on Nov 12, 2020:

Wealth and privilege often plug religion, not because they believe it but because they think it's good for the 'little people' to believe in something so they don't ask too many questions about our shitty unfair world. Look at Rupert 'Douchbag' Murdoch, peddler of Fox and it's phoney Christian ...

David1955 replies on Nov 14, 2020:

@JeffMurray oh yes, I'd forgotten that thanks to Frank the CC doesn't burn witches any more.

G'day there fellow Aussie Sceptics and friends.

David1955 comments on Nov 13, 2020:

Greetings. Honourable Group Leader @Triphid I just make the point that it would be good if there more posts from this group, if it were active from a wider group. I know this depends on members, and you yourself are very attentive to the group, as is @powder, and my own posts wax and wane with my ...

David1955 replies on Nov 14, 2020:

@Triphid that's right, an Honourable ordinary everyday Aussie bloke. :-)

Is the Pope Catholic?

David1955 comments on Nov 12, 2020:

Wealth and privilege often plug religion, not because they believe it but because they think it's good for the 'little people' to believe in something so they don't ask too many questions about our shitty unfair world. Look at Rupert 'Douchbag' Murdoch, peddler of Fox and it's phoney Christian ...

David1955 replies on Nov 14, 2020:

@JeffMurray you are being fooled by the papal spin in which he pretends to modernise to fool the so called progressives in the church, while winking at the reactionary core of the church assuring them that nothing fundamental will change. It's the kind of balancing act that politicians do, playing off various constituencies, that's all. Catholics are fooled, the media go along with it, though less so than before. Atheists, however, see through all that. I can't believe you would think that without Frank's 'modernizing' the church would be 'dead. Even deluded Catholics wouldn't go that far.

Some thoughts on broadening the appeal of Agnostic.

David1955 comments on Nov 6, 2020:

I would urge you not to change "The social network for atheists, agnostics & skeptics." It sounds like there is a desire to water down the site mission by avoiding big scary words like atheist, especially to attract younger members. Well, I wouldn't like to see the above sentence removed. You ...

David1955 replies on Nov 13, 2020:

@AnneWimsey yes, I'm a wee bit concerned about where he wants to lead, but I'm keeping my mind open. I fear the direction is to water down the site statement and avoid using 'scary' words that reflect a clear position, then the appeal will widen, particularly to younger apa-whatever-thetic people. I think this is false. Young people need to think 'up' and start seeing bigger pictures, rather than water down to their sphere of intellectual myopia.

G'day there fellow Aussie Sceptics and friends.

David1955 comments on Nov 13, 2020:

Greetings. Honourable Group Leader @Triphid I just make the point that it would be good if there more posts from this group, if it were active from a wider group. I know this depends on members, and you yourself are very attentive to the group, as is @powder, and my own posts wax and wane with my ...

David1955 replies on Nov 13, 2020:

@Triphid absolutely. The comment was for all of us to think about.

Some thoughts on broadening the appeal of Agnostic.

David1955 comments on Nov 6, 2020:

I would urge you not to change "The social network for atheists, agnostics & skeptics." It sounds like there is a desire to water down the site mission by avoiding big scary words like atheist, especially to attract younger members. Well, I wouldn't like to see the above sentence removed. You ...

David1955 replies on Nov 7, 2020:

@Admin i regret to say that I do not understand this reply.

Some thoughts on broadening the appeal of Agnostic.

kensmile4u comments on Nov 6, 2020:

I would put the word "Agnostics" first since that is the direction of emphasis. It's also the name of the website. :)

David1955 replies on Nov 7, 2020:

@Admin You see this comment here is exactly the problem I'm talking about. This person's false assumption that " put the word "Agnostics" first since that is the direction of emphasis. It's also the name of the website." According to your previous comments, the site name was a domain availability choice, not the primary emphasis of the site. Perhaps you could remind members of this fact. I have never forgotten it.

20 The calm before the storm?

David1955 comments on Nov 5, 2020:

Predictions: Trump will drag out recounts to mark time and use the courts. Trump will go to the Supreme court to block election results. Trump will declare a 'coup' against him and declare martial law, or similar. Trump is a lawless criminal who will use lawless criminality to stay in power....

David1955 replies on Nov 6, 2020:

@DavidLaDeau Yes, I watching coverage when I can, and the media there seem to think that Trump will just give in once Biden is declared. No. He doesn't play by the rules. fascists never do. I commented elsewhere: hold up in the courts; go to the Supreme Court, finally declare a 'coup' against him an declare martial law or similar. His party will be behind him. They want an autocracy. Your media and the Democratic Party still think that playing by the rules with him works. It doesn't. Brace! Brace! Brace!

Why was the popular vote so close in the US presidential election?

Triphid comments on Nov 5, 2020:

IMO, The U.S. population, as in the Trumppets, has dumbed down so far and deeply that it supports stupidity, racism, misogyny, tyranny, nepotism, etc, etc completely.

David1955 replies on Nov 5, 2020:

Yes, I have progressed beyond all the socio economic political psychological analytical babble about why Trump supporters fervently support a would be dictator, and Ive left it behind. Bottom line: half of America wants an Autocratic America, because it appeals to them -- until it affects them personally, of course. American capitalism and their news and entertainment industry have dumbed down half the country (to use your term) and this is what we see.

‘Mel Gibson’s Dad Catholic’: Bill Maher Mocks Amy Coney Barrett’s Religion Again | The Daily...

MsHoliday comments on Nov 2, 2020:

Am I the only one? Her dress is the colour of the dresses worn in Handmaiden’s Tale.

David1955 replies on Nov 2, 2020:

It'd be the kind of world she would like.

The socialism debate...

David1955 comments on Oct 29, 2020:

Yes, Right Wing Vogons are impossible to get through to. Their emotional fear of "socialism" is beyond reason. They don't fear huge companies using them up and splitting them out; they don't fear right wing parties screwing them over; they don't fear right wing corporate power stealing their ...

David1955 replies on Oct 29, 2020:

@prometheus there's some truth to that, but truth is most non extreme people just want a mixed economy, with a balance of public and private enterprise, and a fair taxation and social safety net with quality public services like health and education. Hardly a big ask in the 21st century. But no, the lunatic Right call this socialism and the end of the world. Ridiculous.

Religious zealots on this site.

Marionville comments on Oct 23, 2020:

I don’t believe there’s been an increase...there have always been a smattering of them but not so many as to ever really become a serious nuisance..that would take a flood. This seems to be a similar question to one posed here a couple of days ago. Do we want censorship and removal of ...