Paul4747's Profile

Are atheists criticising the wrong things about religion?

Paul4747 comments on Jul 6, 2018:

I criticize religion for getting people killed, over fairy tales. When people bomb each other over who owns "the holy land". When lobbyists convince a President to go to war because it's all part of the End Times. When imams promulgate tales that Western medicine is designed to kill Muslims, so their children won't be vaccinated against deadly diseases. When Catholic Cardinals spread tales that condoms don't actually stop AIDS. Believe what you want for yourself. Believe in Allah, Jesus, Shiva, the Tooth Fairy. Right up until it costs people their real lives. At that point, I have a problem with you.

What defines you.

Paul4747 comments on Jul 7, 2018:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PmwLPU5H6_Q

Just how much do you think religion is holding back fundamental scientific research and advancement?

Paul4747 comments on Jul 9, 2018:

Religion in the US has certainly held back stem cell research. The idea that god is sending signs of the End Times has certainly made Xians resist the truth about climate change. As has the idea that we don't need to care for our planet, because we're appointed rulers over it. Religion worldwide has meant people ignore scientific explanations and cures for disease and even epidemics. Lead to our demise? Well, that's a stretch.

“.

Paul4747 comments on Jul 9, 2018:

Bada- boom.

Overweight shows weakness?

Paul4747 comments on Jul 11, 2018:

I can only add... there's no connection between "moral strength and willpower" and your weight. Be as "strong" as you like, if your body doesn't cooperate, too bad.

Alex Jones...fucking idiot.

Paul4747 comments on Jul 11, 2018:

What am I gonna do about it? Party hearty in Hell if it turns out he's right, I guess. But consider the track record of making up shit as he goes along, on every topic under the sun. Claimed the Sandy Hook victims were child actors... that Democrat judges erase votes in computer files... that the Charlottesville riots were instigated by liberals (using more actors, dressed up as white supremacists) to create racial hatred. So it's no surprise that he knows jack about atheists as well. What am I really gonna do about it? Ignore this clown.

Proud to be union!

Paul4747 comments on Jul 14, 2018:

MCO/SEIU (Michigan Corrections Organization), member 19 years, 12 of them as a steward.

Do you ever have recurring dreams?

Paul4747 comments on Jul 16, 2018:

I can tell when it's time to take some days off because I'm dreaming about work. I'm at my usual place, but the buildings are different, non-geometric, stairs lead nowhere, and no matter where I go I can't get out. Rooms increase in size to the point I can't even see the far wall... and all the while people are making demands of me. That's just one. There are others... maybe I'll post when I feel up to it. If I could figure out some way to have a *happy* recurring dream.

So has anyone made it to level 10 yet? What's the perk for a level 10?

Paul4747 comments on Jul 19, 2018:

Your face on the dollar bill.

What are your thoughts about religious waivers for complying with public health or safety policies?

Paul4747 comments on Jul 19, 2018:

There shouldn't be religious exemptions, period. As for helmet laws, adults should be free to wear helmets or not, who cares? I'm against a Nanny State watching over peoples safety in their every act. Those who have something worth keeping safe under there will wear a helmet; otherwise, it's natural selection.

Only one word.☺

Paul4747 comments on Jul 19, 2018:

Footrub

Why is it expected to respect the opinions and comments of those who preach/post God, but not ...

Paul4747 comments on Jul 19, 2018:

A social fiction says that religion has a "special place" in our discourse, and must be "respected" even though it has no rational basis.

When I used to post more memes....

Paul4747 comments on Jul 20, 2018:

When your memes shock Satan, you've accomplished something special.

Be aware of the signs: emotional abuse.

Paul4747 comments on Jul 21, 2018:

Okay, yes, obviously... and yet some of these are vague and subjective. Clearly not every single instance of teasing is emotional abuse, for example. Context matters.

Because I am a glutton for punishment, I signed back up on POF today.

Paul4747 comments on Jul 22, 2018:

Well, it's not a lie that you're beautiful.

OMG, Becky, look at that group.

Paul4747 comments on Jul 22, 2018:

I'm in love with Becky now....

Be Careful What You Wish For: Trump’s Tax Plan Has Led To Churches Facing Taxes - The ...

Paul4747 comments on Jul 23, 2018:

“The whole idea of tax exemption for nonprofit organizations that are doing charitable, religious and educational work is... to incentivize the good work they do to make our society better." Well, that's a massive assumption, isn't it? Whether they're doing "good" work is a subjective judgment. That's been the problem all along with the tax-exempt status. I don't agree that churches agitating to outlaw choice and de-fund Planned Parenthood, for example, are making our society better. I feel as if they ought to pay taxes like any other special interest group.

Facial hair or No facial hair?

Paul4747 comments on Jul 23, 2018:

I'm not here to vote, I'm just showing off this goatee... ;)

Naked photos- what do you think?

Paul4747 comments on Jul 24, 2018:

I wouldn't lead with that picture. I wouldn't even do shirtless unless that had been discussed, better yet requested. (I know what I look like without a shirt, I know not everyone thinks it's a good look. Tastes vary. Lucky for me.) I've never had anyone send me a picture of herself in something revealing the very first pic. Maybe soon after, but not the very first. What would my reaction be if someone did? Probably I would think "She's very forward" (which I like, personally) "and very eager" (ditto) but also, the back of my mind would wonder, "*why* so eager?" I'm slightly paranoid by trade, and that approach would probably put me on my guard... why is she throwing herself at me this way? Now, we men do throw ourselves at women sometimes, we wish women wanted to see us naked as much as we want to see them naked, and while that may be true in person, it's not the case with pictures texted on a phone. Right? So maybe he really hoped you would be impressed, and I guess you were... but at the same time, he doesn't seem to get the fact that it was much too soon. A mixed bag at best, someone to be cautious about. That's my take, anyway.

Today I met someone in person from this site. It's nice to know like minded people live close.

Paul4747 comments on Jul 24, 2018:

Yes it is.

Praying with others??

Paul4747 comments on Jul 24, 2018:

I make sure I get a roll out of the basket. For some reason there are never enough dinner rolls, "grace" is a good opportunity to score one for myself.

It's all in the profile photo

Paul4747 comments on Jul 24, 2018:

Pictures don't lie

It's what kept me strong all these years.

Paul4747 comments on Jul 24, 2018:

Who wants to be normal? That's no fun, they're everywhere!

Whom do you trust the most in the world?

Paul4747 comments on Jul 24, 2018:

Me. Everybody else is under suspicion.. And I question my own motives ruthlessly and unceasingly. I can't even trust me once I turn my back on me.

Did anyone else go through the stages of Atheism?

Paul4747 comments on Jul 25, 2018:

Where are you getting these stages from? I was never truly religious, so I never worried about "eternal consequences", as I never truly believed in an eternity. Socially, my family didn't give me much comeuppance other than friction with me ex as I stopped going to church even for token appearances. Even before becoming an atheist, I railed against stupidity in religion, so nothing there. I treated religion as a metaphor for an eternal mystery, not a literal or historical truth. I still don't see how religion helps people cope, it pulls blinders over their eyes and gives them a false sense of moral superiority. Most of those who supposedly follow this code, in fact just pay it lip service and then go about their business. They're hypocrites. Furthermore, most dictate that all other religions are false and their followers must be converted, so at the core religion encourages war in the name of a fictional God. This far outweighs the acts of charity which could equally well be done for secular reasons. And don't get me started on televangelists.

Facial hair or No facial hair?

Paul4747 comments on Jul 26, 2018:

Has anyone voted for "nose hair"? Trump fans maybe?

GOP Candidate Normalizes Pedophilia Because The Bible

Paul4747 comments on Jul 26, 2018:

Unholy crap. I'm ashamed of my entire state. I have hundreds of people like this guy in my supervision behind bars, and it's the sex offenders who, for some reason, seem to be the most religious of them all. My theory is that they know there's no earthly excuse for what they do, so they're hoping for a supernatural one.

The comparisons are there.

Paul4747 comments on Jul 26, 2018:

This is how so many evangelicals can ignore his character and actions and still believe he's a "Christian" President. Religion is all about ignoring the surface appearance of things and seeing the "truth" within.

On dating profiles I always notice when a woman says "I'm 5'5" and a HALF.

Paul4747 comments on Jul 27, 2018:

Impressive, or encouraging?

I've decided I'm going to heck.

Paul4747 comments on Jul 28, 2018:

Watch out for this guy...

How did your neigbors vote?

Paul4747 comments on Jul 28, 2018:

What do I care? This is an overall average. Some people voted like me, others didn't.

I generally find myself surrounded by religious self righteous women 😒 i don't consider any ...

Paul4747 comments on Jul 28, 2018:

I generally find myself surrounded by idiots. I see it as my duty to use them for my own amusement, as they are unaware of my mockery.

How do you build up your self confidence?

Paul4747 comments on Jul 28, 2018:

I drink heavily. KIDDING!!! Someone told me something this year that I really took to heart. I messaged a person I didn't expect to reply, feeling like she was out of my league, as they say... not only did she reply, but we had a really successful date. She told me, "You underrate your attractiveness." If ever I wonder about myself, I just think back to those words. I really am quite a catch, I guess. Why would she lie? And then I think about how I look at other people, and how they see themselves. It's the exact same phenomenon. I see women in a very positive way, and they're so often critical of themselves. Not just looks, but personality, intelligence, humor. We are our own harshest critics. We look at ourselves in the worst possible light, looking for the flaws. Others often see our perfections. It's hardest for those of us who haven't had positive people around us. We have to learn new habits. But it can be done.

Troubling beliefs

Paul4747 comments on Jul 28, 2018:

Jesus' AK is horribly inaccurate. A nice M1 Garand or AR 15 (semi-auto) would be much better. No wonder the Romans caught up to him.

Christian activist: ‘God will curse the children and grandchildren of those who opposed Trump’ ...

Paul4747 comments on Jul 29, 2018:

How does she know she's not cursed for opposing Hilary? What kind of just God curses children for the shit their parents do, anyway? These are the kind of questions that made me realize, even if there is a god somewhere, it's not *that* one.

NEO: Trump, Putin and the White Helmets [veteranstoday.

Paul4747 comments on Jul 30, 2018:

"Sources tell us". Like who? What sources? Agreed it's a bizarre story, if it happened as written. But consider this "magazine" also features an article on "how the 2016 election was rigged", apparently to throw the election to Trump... https://www.veteranstoday.com/2018/07/29/how-the-2016-us-election-was-rigged/ a rigged election "just like in 2000 and 2004." Say what? This article is written using mined quotes to give the appearance of massive vote fraud, for instance linking to an article in The Nation, and quoting the first line of the story of an elderly man turned away from the polls- but not mentioning his ultimate success in voting. It even gives the title of the Nation piece as "Republicans Rig Election", when the real title is "*Did* Republicans Rig The Election?" It links to opinion pieces as if they were authoritative reports. Most of all, it ignores the established *fact* that the exit polls were simply wrong, because many who voted for Trump lied to the pollsters- especially women. That's why Trump's was such an upset victory on Election Day when the votes were actually counted. I despise Trump as much as the next man, if the next man isn't Sean Hannity- but this is ridiculous stuff. This is not a trustworthy source. It is biased; it is not journalism. I hesitate to give it the proud title of "hack reporting". And I don't buy anything this "Veteran's Today" has to say, about anything.

Just another Trump mouthpiece

Paul4747 comments on Jul 30, 2018:

When he stops being OUR liar, he's not trustworthy anymore. Like an honest politician= one who stays bought

It all started with this question, if there are all these religions in the world, how come we're so ...

Paul4747 comments on Jul 30, 2018:

Consider this thought:

Do you think that experiencing fear in a "safe" setting, by watching horror movies, participating in...

Paul4747 comments on Jul 31, 2018:

I would be very very hesitant to say there is *anything* that can "protect" against PTSD. The effects of stress are so unpredictable from one person to another, as well as different kinds of stress affecting people differently, that I should think it's next to impossible to insulate against stress in advance. However, this may be a therapeutic tool that's been tried to help treat PTSD. It sounds like something someone has done somewhere, probably. Whether it works or not... well, I'm no doctor.

What do you guys think about little body procedures that stave off the effects of aging or personal ...

Paul4747 comments on Aug 2, 2018:

I suppose.... arrghhhh!!!!! How do I put this!?!?!?!?!?! If it boosts a person's self-confidence, then it is in no way a bad thing, I suppose. BUT *on the other hand....* I consider those little lines and grey hairs as signs of character, signs of hard-earned experience, and I love them as part of the person I'm attracted to. If I'm attracted to someone who's 40, or 50, or 60.... it's that *person* inside, and the way she looks is *part of her* and an essential part of what I adore. However she chooses to look. Even my ex-wife's wine-colored hair, back when our marriage was actually functional... even though she looked just great without it, she insisted on dark wine color. And I loved her, back then.

God hates porn?

Paul4747 comments on Aug 2, 2018:

In the words of Chris Griffin (Family Guy): "God's watching me do #2? Oh, man, I'm a sinner and God is a pervert."

Why did you choose your username/avatar?

Paul4747 comments on Aug 2, 2018:

Ummm.... my name is Paul, and the number 47 has some significance to me? (It appears frequently throughout the Star Trek franchise, in codes and so forth. It's a little in-joke the creators have, and I'm that big of a geek.)

Dr. Seuss foot book.