A Problem with Sacred Texts – TRUE? GOOD? BEAUTIFUL?

Fernapple comments on Dec 18, 2020:

It is helpful in such cases, to start perhaps, by defining religion, and there are, as you all well know, perhaps as many definitions of religion as there are religious people and sceptics put together. Especially when some people claim that, a religion has to have a deity and some claim not, while some say that even backing a football club can be religious. Here's a definition though, which always seemed to work for me, is very all embracing, and perhaps makes an important point about the main problem with religion. It is. “ Religion is the awarding of authority, to things which can not justify the authority by reason or evidence.” Whether those things are, sky fairies, old books, grand metaphores, political movements or people in office, etc. even sometimes science. ( I once saw a TV presenter ask a scientist to pronounce on a historical question, even though the scientist, said he had no knowledge of history, for example. ) In other words by this definition, religion is in many ways just the practical expression of the, proof from authority, fallacy.

Why do religious leaders complain about humane treatment of animals because it clashes with their ...

Fernapple comments on Dec 18, 2020:

Because they believe in the thin end of the wedge. If they allow even the smallest interpretation of their holy books, even if it is requires the most extreme interpretation in the other direction, to make it seem conflicting, then it raises for them the possibility that people may try to ask more questions, or even ask who gets to do the interpreting, and why. "And God forbid that."

Living near so many beautiful trees, I am trying to capture the huge variation in textures.

Fernapple comments on Dec 18, 2020:

You are getting there.

I have just seen "the bug" remove two successive posts remove the word c-h-i-l-d .

Fernapple comments on Dec 18, 2020:

The exact opposite happened to me yesterday, something duplicated several words in a comment I made.

My profile photo is a radio show about religion where I made a statement that "religion cheapens ...

Fernapple comments on Dec 17, 2020:

I agree wholly with that. Indeed even the desire for religion means a failing to appreciate life and nature.

My profile photo is a radio show about religion where I made a statement that "religion cheapens ...

Fernapple comments on Dec 17, 2020:

You mean that Jesus was not gay !?!?

Hello! Good to be here

Fernapple comments on Dec 17, 2020:

Hello and welcome. Enjoy the site and if you have time do check out the groups, there is something for everyone.

So where was everyone before they started "living in the moment?" 🙃

Fernapple comments on Dec 17, 2020:

A lot of people are still living in Dreamland.

Vitamin D and Covid 19 - Excellent information. [youtu.be]

Fernapple comments on Dec 17, 2020:

A number of people have been linking low vitamin D to bad C19 effects, for some time. It may not be the cure all some claim, but it certainly could help.

Can America Leave this Abusive Relationship?

Fernapple comments on Dec 17, 2020:

Why does it take so long for an American president to go ? In the UK as soon as the vote is counted, our Prime Ministers, get notice to pack their bags and go in days, and I think that applies to most of the rest of the world, as well.

"All of this massive cosmological churning and destruction (which is paralleled, by the way, on our ...

Fernapple comments on Dec 16, 2020:

Yes it could be the plan of a creator god, at least one which is not all caring and has no interest in suffering. But it is hard to see it as the plan of an all caring, Abrahamic god of human morality.

"All of this massive cosmological churning and destruction (which is paralleled, by the way, on our ...

Fernapple comments on Dec 16, 2020:

Amen.

Probably get the COVID vaccine this week or the next.

Fernapple comments on Dec 16, 2020:

My friend got it today. Says it is making her arm very sore and weak feeling. But she is in her late eighties and rather frail. In the UK people of my age ( 63 ) have still got to wait several months for their turn to come round. There is a bit of a debate going on here about whether, they should treat the elderly and in danger first, or go for the young most active spreaders to try for herd immunity.

What Box Do I Fit In?

Fernapple comments on Dec 16, 2020:

I would imagine that it is possible to fit in several of them at the same time. Why don't you tell us more about yourself ?

This one is excellent! Where do you fit in?

Fernapple comments on Dec 16, 2020:

Crude list really, and why probabilities not possibilities. But for what it is worth I will go 6.

16th December 1773.

Fernapple comments on Dec 16, 2020:

(Fun fact).Turkey went the other way. Being very vexed by the Arab domination of the coffee trade, when the Ottomans fell out with the Arab world. They took to growing their own tea, and now take a lot of national pride in their tea drinking culture. ( And it is lovely tea too.)

Thought to share it here

Fernapple comments on Dec 16, 2020:

I get the point, but really joking about mental illness.

I was raised feeling that my existence is a burden to others.

Fernapple comments on Dec 16, 2020:

Yes my mother was just such a parent, and my father being weak and absent a lot, did little to make up for it. Thankful to my grandparents. But one thing I found about gaining self worth, which you may like to try, is giving something to other people, be it charity work or socially active commitments. It adds a lot to your self worth to know that you have made a contribution, and especially so because you will know that it brings the kind of joy and rewards that abusers can never know. Because when you see what you have achieved lighting the faces of others, you will truly know that you have outgrown their intentions and understanding.

Quarantine central during this pandemic.

Fernapple comments on Dec 16, 2020:

Beautiful home, but you still need to be careful, even if you live way out.

So, now & then some of you have found me a tad harsh.

Fernapple comments on Dec 15, 2020:

Good luck. If guts alone can win you sure have those.

Between stimulus and response there is a space.

Fernapple comments on Dec 15, 2020:

Bit obvious, or am I missing something ?

Is this you?

Fernapple comments on Dec 15, 2020:

You posted this several hour ago.

Try to ignore the obvious oxymoron in the title of the article if you can 🤣🤣🤣 THE FLAT ...

Fernapple comments on Dec 15, 2020:

One line. "for Davidson, a born again Christian, " Says it all.

Sitting here enjoying my ciggie and cup of coffee when I hear through the window a little voice ...

Fernapple comments on Dec 15, 2020:

Yes but just think about how smooth and warm that paving is, after the sun has been on it. My wife liked outdoors, quite takes me back.

Sitting here enjoying my ciggie and cup of coffee when I hear through the window a little voice ...

Fernapple comments on Dec 15, 2020:

Perfect time to start education missed there.

Say buddy... Can you spare a few bucks?

Fernapple comments on Dec 15, 2020:

"Thanks for all the fish."

Try to ignore the obvious oxymoron in the title of the article if you can 🤣🤣🤣 THE FLAT ...

Fernapple comments on Dec 15, 2020:

Sorry it says, video not available in the UK.

Try to ignore the obvious oxymoron in the title of the article if you can 🤣🤣🤣 THE FLAT ...

Fernapple comments on Dec 15, 2020:

I have genuinely heard flat Earthers boast, that, their movement has gone global.

Since the season of Religious Insanity and Absurdity is almost ready to go 'full on' then please ...

Fernapple comments on Dec 15, 2020:

The first is certainly the best.

Eat your vegetables. Be kind when you can. Peace.

Fernapple comments on Dec 14, 2020:

You are kind I am sure. I hope the veg do you good.

Yes, there is a war between science and religion

Fernapple comments on Dec 14, 2020:

Putting it simply. I will probably never have absolute truth, but if I work really hard at it, and question everything especially my assumptions, perhaps I can get nearer to it. Science. I have absolute truth given to me, because I am chosen. Religion.

“Education is education.

Fernapple comments on Dec 14, 2020:

Beware pseudo-education. You can spend fifty years in the study of theology, and learn an awful lot about nothing worth a dam, which is the main point of it. Not that it is false, but that it wastes time. It is one of the cleverest tricks ever invented by those who wish to delude people.

No, the Moderna and Pfizer RNA vaccines for COVID-19 will not “permanently alter your DNA” – ...

Fernapple comments on Dec 14, 2020:

Ok I get the science. But here is a simple question that even the antivaccers should understand. IF a bit of RNA can alter your DNA when injected into you with a needle, why does exactly the same bit of RNA not have that effect when put into your body by a virus, especially when it is then accompanied by a whole lot more ?

[aeon.

Fernapple comments on Dec 14, 2020:

Sorry it says, "video not availlable."

So, earlier today, I'm on my bicycle, on this wonderful trail in a 3900 acre conservation area of ...

Fernapple comments on Dec 14, 2020:

No need to seek conflict, and spoil two peoples day. Plenty of needed conflict will find you soon enough. Well done restraint.

Working from home

Fernapple comments on Dec 14, 2020:

Always did work from home, so no change.

A few years ago in Upstate New York: Brook Glen Farm gave me a great opportunity to compost all the...

Fernapple comments on Dec 14, 2020:

Thats a good plot, enough to feed two families there.

This pisses me off.

Fernapple comments on Dec 13, 2020:

It may piss you of even more to know, that in the UK, female doctors keep the name under which they gained their doctorate, and do not change it when married. But then the US is a whole other world.

As the coronavirus explodes in North Carolina I'm at the point where if you do not take the virus ...

Fernapple comments on Dec 13, 2020:

If you lived in Europe, you would be made to feel guilty if you did not feel that way. For what it is worth therefore, there are hundreds of millions of people who feel just like you, your local area may not be a big enough sample of public opinion. Keep going you have a lot of moral support.

What a cage is to the wild beast, law is to the selfish man. Herbert Spencer

Fernapple comments on Dec 13, 2020:

The cage is full of holes.

Look what came in the mail today! Did you get one, too?

Fernapple comments on Dec 13, 2020:

I love the fact that the first line is. "Find an error, let us know..." Are they are inviting you to send them a five hundred page line by line dissection. LOL

I love to play with scammers who call me! Ring! Ring! An automated message says something about ...

Fernapple comments on Dec 13, 2020:

Well done. While you hold them up they can't annoy anybody else, so you are a public service, I wish I had your patience. My favourite is to say. "If you know your extension number, press it now, if not etc. etc." Or. "Sorry no bobby here spake a da English." I have thought of saying. "What colour are your underpants, you have a really sexy voice, can we talk dirty." But have not had the courage for that yet.

Seven of us went to the fabulous Theopolis Social Club tonight.

Fernapple comments on Dec 13, 2020:

Cute look.

Having fun wrapping Christmas gifts.

Fernapple comments on Dec 13, 2020:

People who are so well organized, they get everything done two weeks in advance. I am still shopping for my friends. Have you never though about the health benefits of a last minute adrenalin rush. LOL

I need someone to drink with.

Fernapple comments on Dec 12, 2020:

So you want two people to have serious problems ?

misanthropy philosophy

Fernapple comments on Dec 12, 2020:

I am happy to be a humanist. "Humans first before everything else, especially imaginary things." But yet have spent my whole life, opposed to a human centric view of the universe, and the idea of human exceptionalism. Is that too complex to carry off ?

Pastor: Planes Don’t Crash If There’s a Christian “On That Airplane Praying” | Hemant Mehta ...

Fernapple comments on Dec 12, 2020:

Funny enough. The last but one time I flew, I was sat in an isle seat between a fundamentalist couple and their children, ( Mother and two children on one side, father and eldest child on the other.) They seemed quite nice, and I spent a lot of time passing messages, sweets and toys, back and forth for them. But they got down and gave Allah a reminder at take off, then mid flight, then midday and just before landing. I thought. With me sat in the middle here, poor old Allah had better have a good aim.

Pastor: Planes Don’t Crash If There’s a Christian “On That Airplane Praying” | Hemant Mehta ...

Fernapple comments on Dec 12, 2020:

Is he aware, that there are thousands of internal flights every day, in countries with virtually zero christian populations ? Boy there are some closed communities on this planet, and a lot of them are christian. LOL

You guys! Wish me luck @ the casino, I go all the time and never win any jackpots 😩

Fernapple comments on Dec 12, 2020:

No body ever wins in a casino. Think about it this way. If we were friends and we met every night, with, say, a couple of other friends, to play, let us say poker. Then one night I said. "I want to change the rules of the game. We play our usual fair game. But, before we start, I am permitted to take the aces out of the pack, and keep them in my pocket so that I can use them when I like." "You will agree to do this because, I am such a good person, I should win more often than everybody else, and therefore if you do this, it will help me to do so. Sorry if it costs you a bit." You would, I think, very quickly tell me where to go. And you would be right to do so. Yet here is the rub, if you would not agree to play a rigged game, with a friend, who cares about you, and may have a real need for the money. Why would you be happy to go somewhere and play in games, which you know have their rules distorted in favour of complete strangers, whose only interest in you is to make money out of you, far beyond what it costs to lay on a few glittery lights and some space heating, to swell their already huge bank balances. I wish you luck always, and if you play in a charity lottery, for example, doubly, I am not opposed to games or a puritan, but a little imagination can make far more out of spare money.

What is most important and what is most important to you?

Fernapple comments on Dec 12, 2020:

I could never work that out, two things. But perhaps making a positive contribution, is the most important thing. That is not I hope, virtue signaling. It is simply that I have reached an age, when I have tried all the fun stuff that interests me, and found that you have just as much fun doing good things as bad or neutral things. So you may as well try to do good by default, even if there is no deep philosophical reason for it. The other thing which I think is the most underrated, and yet the most important thing of all, is improving your appreciation, which is the best route to joy, and best done by learning. At least it is better than the endless pursuit of novelty. Sometimes people who want to promote it, give it names like, 'awareness', 'spirituality', 'slow living', or 'mindfulness', but they are just talking about methods of getting there, and some methods are better than others, what it really comes down to is, appreciation, knowing how to value what the world gives.

When I was a young kid in elementary school there were many dangerous contagious diseases common in ...

Fernapple comments on Dec 12, 2020:

When the Black Death struck, whole towns and villages were closed down, infected houses had to be fumigated by burning sulphur, and in some cases whole streets of houses were burned, bodies had to be treated with lime and people working with the sick, wore large masks stuffed with herbs. Nothing new sorry, even in the sixteenth century some people were prepared to make an effort, and give something for their community.

Some important milestones in life happen only once and can never be repeated: birth, graduations, ...

Fernapple comments on Dec 12, 2020:

Yes but we are not talking about our own health, when we talk about safety measures. We are talking about not contributing to the deaths of other people.

It took me seconds to decide I didn't like the new visual style of this site.

Fernapple comments on Dec 12, 2020:

Why not post a voting form. If we can still do that ?

What do you think?

Fernapple comments on Dec 12, 2020:

I don't think, therefore I am not.

The weeks best dog and cat tweets.

Fernapple comments on Dec 12, 2020:

Yep dogs in winter for me too. I love the one helping to move the snow.

I may have posted this here earlier, I can't remember.

Fernapple comments on Dec 12, 2020:

I would be quite unable to answer. Since when I laugh really hard, I generally start to choke.

“It’s four hundred million million million million watts.

Fernapple comments on Dec 11, 2020:

Brian Cox is always fun.

Why is religion suddenly declining? | OUPblog

Fernapple comments on Dec 11, 2020:

Good article up to a point. Though I note that it does not mention the rate at which the world is becoming more connected due to IT. Which has several possible effects, including the rise of real multiculturalism, which gives people cause to question their adherence to one single culture and belief system, accompanied by more information with which to do so. Also the rise of so called fake news, conspiracy theory etc., which though they may delude some, perhaps forces most people to get into the habit of being much more critical and questioning. We may well be on edge of a world which values objective truth, good research and information, and a belief in objective taste more than ever, precisely because the opposites of all those things are so readily available and therefore cheapened.

Who created man with such a complex structure?

Fernapple comments on Dec 10, 2020:

You are perhaps not as complex as you think anyway. Humans still have the basic mammal design, which has been around for million upon millions of years, and is little changed in us. And that is in turn, only a slight variation on the basic reptile/tetrapod design. While if you think about, for example, your skeleton, you are basically just a bilateral tube, reinforced with bones in segments along the length, ( your ribs make this very clear,) while your pelvice, collar bone, and even jaw, are just highly modified ribs. In the end therefore, the basic pattern of a segmented worm, is still there and hardly changed.

If the world allows, my son and I will be headed to Alaska’s BearCamp in the summer.

Fernapple comments on Dec 10, 2020:

Sounds wonderful, I do hope that you have fun and that virus travel restrictions don't spoil your plans. You will I hope post all about it here.

Mosaic floor a puzzle, as Roman's should have been gone:[theguardian.com]

Fernapple comments on Dec 10, 2020:

Slowly fade away, with a whimper not a bang.

Who created man with such a complex structure?

Fernapple comments on Dec 10, 2020:

Evolution does not have any regard for how complex or not its creations are, the only criterion is, does it work, and anything that works is kept. Though of course the more complex of organisms are more prone to going extinct, due to even slight changes in the environment. Which is why some of the longest lived, or at least longest in an unchanged state, are the simplest, there are species of single celled creatures which have been around practically unaltered since the earliest fossil records, while few complex organisms survive more than a geological era. Amusingly, there is doubtful but interesting hypothesis about the saber tooth adaption, which illustrates this. Since there have been, many animals with the saber tooth form, cats, dogs, bears I think and even hoofed animals. Yet they all go extinct. The hypothesis goes that this happens because, having saber teeth is a very good adaption for feeding on large vegetable eating animals, which few predators are big enough or well armed enough to kill, so that saber toothed animals have a food source all to themselves. ( Not many things want to try an adult elephant.) And when once you have got your saber teeth and large strong body, then those with the biggest teeth and strongest bodies, thrive and prosper the most, in competition with their fellows, so that the bodies and the teeth get bigger and bigger. The problem comes when there is a climate change, disease, or a disaster of some sort which causes the plant eaters population to plunge. Eventually the plant eaters populations may recover, from a few individuals who stagger out of isolated valleys. But the saber toothed predators can not live on a few scattered individuals in isolated valleys, they need huge populations spread widely. And because they are big, perhaps slow and have clumsy teeth, they can do nothing else, they can not live on or even catch mice or birds, such as a modern wolf would in hard times. So they go extinct. And then, when thing settle down, evolution produces, because it is driven by inter-specific competition, another species of saber tooths. The process is mindless and remorseless. Competition says get better at your job, become ever better adapted, to out perform the fellow members of your own species. Until you are so highly adapted, you are a specialist, and you can do nothing else. Then a small rapid change is enough to tip you over the edge. And a few medium sized, none specialists, stagger of of caves in hidden valleys, diversify and it all starts over.

People get started down the religion rabbit hole as children and by the time they realize the ...

Fernapple comments on Dec 10, 2020:

A lot of priests are especially in that place, its true. You have to remember that nobody studies religion as deeply as a priest, and the more you know about it the more you are going to question it. The sad thing is that it is the most honest and decent humans among them, who suffer with their conscience, the a####### don't care.

Do you think the Pandemic will change the way we shop permanently?

Fernapple comments on Dec 10, 2020:

If my personal thoughts are anything to go by, I will probably enjoy going back to the high street at least, but will still be shopping on line more than I did a year ago. there will be a balance found eventually, and I think that there is value in seeing and handling the goods, and speaking to the sellers in person, ( especially in the smaller high street shop ) but the big out of town stores, not so much.

I here this bullshit too much.

Fernapple comments on Dec 10, 2020:

I think we know that, but sadly it is not the people here who need informing.

Deadliest Days In American History

Fernapple comments on Dec 9, 2020:

Agree with the idea. But I have to ask, is that only in the last century, what about the civil war ? Not my history but were not some of the days of battle very deadly ?

Someday you'll be able to hold one of these in the palm of your hand...

Fernapple comments on Dec 9, 2020:

Wonder if anyone then really had that vision. Remember the communicators in the early Star Trek, big and clunky, and they only did speech.

Daniel Popper's Thrive in Fort Lauderdale.

Fernapple comments on Dec 9, 2020:

Very original, which is rare.

Another Christian girlfriend dumped me again.

Fernapple comments on Dec 9, 2020:

If they are literal Christians, you can understand the logic, when they believe they will be reunited for eternity with their families, why would they want to commit, most of all, to someone who is lost. And even if they are not literal Christians, you have to figure they will probably see you as a project. The usually advice is to join atheist social groups to meet like minded people, but I think we can safely assume that you do not have that sort of thing in your area, or the question would not be asked. So you have two options, one, move, or two, if that is not possible, start a atheist/agnostic social group of your own. You may be surprised by how many closet unbelievers there are out there just waiting for someone to make the first move.

"Starwatcher IV" by Mobeus

Fernapple comments on Dec 9, 2020:

Pretty. Very Mucha like.

Seriously.

Fernapple comments on Dec 9, 2020:

You mean like not wearing a tiny bit of paper in front of your face. Because someone you are not supposed to like, does.

In England, they gave the first Covid vaccine shots today.

Fernapple comments on Dec 9, 2020:

Well they are giving them to the oldest first. And they must have worked out, that at over four hundred years......

Just in time for the giving season?

Fernapple comments on Dec 9, 2020:

Is this just an advert.

What personality traits were passed down from your ancestors?

Fernapple comments on Dec 9, 2020:

The pedantry to stick to my self set standards, however pointless and annoying to me and others, no mater what. From my paternal grandmother. If the house was on fire, and sure to burn down. She would still make the bed before she left. "Because you can't leave a bed unmade."

“I can calculate the motion of heavenly bodies, but not the madness of people” ...

Fernapple comments on Dec 8, 2020:

Old Isaac, was not exactly the most sound and stable of personalities himself.

Do you have a question that you'd like to know the answer to?

Fernapple comments on Dec 8, 2020:

Yes. I would love to know if there is a lot of dark matter hidden somewhere, and where, or does the standard model need revising ?

This is a worthwhile read even if you knew something about it.

Fernapple comments on Dec 7, 2020:

And of course when the Arabic/Indian numerals arrived in Europe, the church tried to have them banned.

Southern schools' history textbooks: A long history of deception, and what the future holds

Fernapple comments on Dec 7, 2020:

Your dad sounds wise, that can't be bettered. You may like this. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zjm8JeDKvdc

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.

Heathen Gardener Kvetch time! Not to sound negative(though I will), but to share an observation, I ...

Fernapple comments on Dec 7, 2020:

Not something I ever thought about much. On the odd occasion when I see US videos over here, I just assume it is a part of your culture, like we say "bless you" when someone sneezes. Sadly it is also natural in many parts of the world, to simply assume that it is fake, and not really meant, which of course helps to get Americans a reputation for being phony, shallow and untruthful. They are not of course generally, but you have to wonder, if it is true at least of religion.

A well meaning friend has just shared the following:

Fernapple comments on Dec 7, 2020:

In principle great story, and I do encourage my elderly friend to drink more. But I have to question the 50% stat at least, where does that come from, does it refer to all the bodily water,, or just the amount in the blood stream, or something like that ?. Surely if you had really got, only 50% of your needed water, you would be dead.

Armed Trump supporters protest outside Michigan Secretary of State's house to deny voting results.

Fernapple comments on Dec 7, 2020:

Puts her case well and clearly.

Huge winds today all day and all night.

Fernapple comments on Dec 6, 2020:

Wild weather can be scary. One way round it is to have a bad weather buddy. The idea being that if things are rough, you can phone one another and thereby hear a voice. An animal is a much bigger commitment.

Would you support a worldwide one-child policy?

Fernapple comments on Dec 6, 2020:

Not if it had to be enforced no. Encouraging people to have one or no children yes.

When first creating a post from within a discussion group one option says, "Pick category if want ...

Fernapple comments on Dec 6, 2020:

Yes I tried that, and it did not work for me either, so it is not the fault of your system.

Early Abrahamic holiday traditions were not fun.

Fernapple comments on Dec 5, 2020:

The puritans tried to ban it. Cromwell in this country even placed a ban on Christmas Pudding, and Hot Cross Buns, at Easter.

I really don't understand how Christians can't grasp that atheists see Christianity on the same ...

Fernapple comments on Dec 5, 2020:

Yes like the old saying goes. "There are thousands of gods you don't believe in, I just go one god more."

In most cases, and in the vast majority of people, "reasoning" functions as follows.

Fernapple comments on Dec 5, 2020:

Yes it often works that way, though I do think that most humans are capable of much better, and a lot of the blame lies with our education systems, who don't teach the alternatives. In fact, in the classroom any 'P' who shouts loudly enough, usually gets praise for being decisive and articulate. But that is just an intuitive thought on my part.

Is being agnostic more positively correlated with intelligence than being theistic?

Fernapple comments on Dec 5, 2020:

Define intelligence. Almost impossible anyway. But for fun, lets go with these two. If by intellect you mean, as many do, just mathematical problem solving logic skills, and memory, or the ability to comply with one of the worlds broken education systems, then perhaps, or perhaps not. If on the other hand you mean, the mind skills that are useful and help yourself and other human beings in the real world. Then 'working' intelligence would probably include not just logic crunching skills, but many traits of character, such as, healthy skepticism, setting high standards of truth, not being satisfied with second grade truth, even if you like it, being prepared to work long and hard at problems etc. then almost certainly the answer is 'yes'.

Yesterday I was going down to the street to get the mail.

Fernapple comments on Dec 5, 2020:

You can not have hawks, without you feed the smaller stuff. Top predators are always said to be a sign of a health environment, for just that reason. Sad to loose the squirrels but if you do have a health environmen, then more will come.

12/04/2020 Kinda wild being in a front row seat as history unfolds.

Fernapple comments on Dec 5, 2020:

You say that science is not making much progress against the stupid pandemic. Sadly science is hampered when it comes to addressing stupid, because science at its base, is little more than admitting when, "I don't know, and need to be careful not to make errors." Which Leaves the field wide open to those who don't care about errors, and are prepared to drop any answer they like into any vacant space.

It rained here most of yesterday and all night, has been cloudy most of the day but sky cleared just...

Fernapple comments on Dec 5, 2020:

Lovely sunsets. You were lucky, I am just a hundred miles north of you, and with us it never stopped, just turned to sleet.

Winter project: 1 on priority list for me.

Fernapple comments on Dec 5, 2020:

That is some project, good luck.

Wow, what is up with the MAGAZINE on the left side of my page?

Fernapple comments on Dec 4, 2020:

Admin wanted a magazine section for longer article, in part to stop posts getting too long, it is there for anyone to visit, but you do not have to delve into it. It does not have any particular agenda, but is just a mixture of the article members have posted, as such it is in no way different to the posts. If you want it to have a more atheist trend, then why not write some articles for it yourself ?

Almost All COVID Transmission Is Happening in These 5 Places, Doctor Says

Fernapple comments on Dec 4, 2020:

Sound like it is based on solid stats.

Moscow Announces Coronavirus Vaccination Drive - The Moscow Times

Fernapple comments on Dec 3, 2020:

Don't make a fuss, your president has an important game of golf on.

I saw this photo on facebook this morning, and it brought up an interesting question: Perhaps the...

Fernapple comments on Dec 3, 2020:

I am truly sorry for your loss. I too lost my wife at a very young age, though perhaps fortunately from me, in some ways, because we had not been married long. So that, I was not burdened with a long history of life together, or the needs of children. Though yes I would dearly love to see her again, and for her to know the how far I have traveled and how much I have learned since then. For I think I am a better person now, and she will never share in that. Sadly, I think that there is a great divide between the religious mind and the sceptical one, which can never be closed. And it relates to exactly this issue. Which is that it is in the nature of sceptics, never to think, that my desires for something and the truth of something are the same thing.

Hey, folks, we have a troll in our midst! :-D

Fernapple comments on Dec 3, 2020:

Good, I enjoy a good troll hunt.

Had a bit of time free, so decided to answer "48 questions Atheists can't answer".

Fernapple comments on Dec 3, 2020:

Respect. Anyone who has the patience to trawl all the way through such banal trash, and then take he time to give it sensible answers, has to be on his way to becoming a Humanist saint.

Sunday was such a beautiful day, we went out to one of my favorite places, Boyce Thompson Arboretum ...

Fernapple comments on Dec 3, 2020:

Wow. In my mind, I can feel the gravel of that path under my feet, and the sun on my head. We have got lots of mud here, and layers upon layers of cloud, swap you.