Toddlers - YouTube

WilliamCharles comments on Apr 11, 2020:

For anyone interested, here is the video I was initially viewing. It was after I looked at what else was posted under that name that I saw the "Toddler" one. I really liked this and the creativity involved and was more than a bit surprised to see the one with the Easter hard sell. ...

WilliamCharles replies on Apr 13, 2020:

And a fun video in a very creative old-timey style. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=7E9Ed9DUQoQ

Toddlers - YouTube

WilliamCharles comments on Apr 11, 2020:

For anyone interested, here is the video I was initially viewing. It was after I looked at what else was posted under that name that I saw the "Toddler" one. I really liked this and the creativity involved and was more than a bit surprised to see the one with the Easter hard sell. ...

WilliamCharles replies on Apr 13, 2020:

A fun cover. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=J0ogqBcK9ow

Toddlers - YouTube

WilliamCharles comments on Apr 11, 2020:

For anyone interested, here is the video I was initially viewing. It was after I looked at what else was posted under that name that I saw the "Toddler" one. I really liked this and the creativity involved and was more than a bit surprised to see the one with the Easter hard sell. ...

WilliamCharles replies on Apr 13, 2020:

The original tunes itself is a lot of fun. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=30HsgKTkQ68

"But Marge, what if we chose the wrong religion?

Fernapple comments on Apr 13, 2020:

The best argument to point out the illogic of religion.

WilliamCharles replies on Apr 13, 2020:

@Fernapple - I'm certainly of that mindset. I am forever telling those friends trying to proselytize me that I can't pretend to believe what I don't as their god would know.

"But Marge, what if we chose the wrong religion?

Fernapple comments on Apr 13, 2020:

The best argument to point out the illogic of religion.

WilliamCharles replies on Apr 13, 2020:

One variation of Pascal's wager is to worship the cruelest God just to be safe.

Kurt Vonnegut, Christ-Loving Atheist - Image Journal

DenoPenno comments on Apr 13, 2020:

Thanks for this posting. You reminded me that all this courthouse posting of the Ten Commandments is really about Moses and not Jesus. This is good information to fight believers with but they will switch the Commandments and claim it is really about you and their god. As for Vonnegut, I do remember...

WilliamCharles replies on Apr 13, 2020:

Can never find a link again after first seeing it, but Vonnegut said the best story he never wrote was "SS Psychiatrist." Concentration camp guards would come in despondent about the horrible things they'd seen or done, and the psychiatrist would reassure them about what a good and noble thing they were doing for the fatherland and civilization and send them back out to continue their brutality.

Kurt Vonnegut, Christ-Loving Atheist - Image Journal

DenoPenno comments on Apr 13, 2020:

Thanks for this posting. You reminded me that all this courthouse posting of the Ten Commandments is really about Moses and not Jesus. This is good information to fight believers with but they will switch the Commandments and claim it is really about you and their god. As for Vonnegut, I do remember...

WilliamCharles replies on Apr 13, 2020:

The Big Space Fuck complete here: https://sensitiveskinmagazine.com/big-space-fuck-kurt-vonnegut/

Kurt Vonnegut, Christ-Loving Atheist - Image Journal

gearl comments on Apr 13, 2020:

1. “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” 2. “Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted.” 3. “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land.” 4. “Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be ...

WilliamCharles replies on Apr 13, 2020:

I regret not taking "the bible as liturature" class in high school. I think I would have enjoyed it.

Kurt Vonnegut, Christ-Loving Atheist - Image Journal

brentan comments on Apr 12, 2020:

George Orwell came to the conclusion that communists do not love the poor. They just hate the rich. What is it about Christians that they too are motivated by hate while professing a message of love? My guess it’s what Nietzsche said about Christianity being passive aggression. I don’t think it ...

WilliamCharles replies on Apr 13, 2020:

I feel this maxim describes the family unit to a tee. No one makes the baby work for its food, and in later years the child contributes with various chores. "To each according to his needs, from each according to his ability."

Kurt Vonnegut, Christ-Loving Atheist - Image Journal

gearl comments on Apr 13, 2020:

1. “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” 2. “Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted.” 3. “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land.” 4. “Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be ...

WilliamCharles replies on Apr 13, 2020:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=PokO-B8IQsE

Kurt Vonnegut, Christ-Loving Atheist - Image Journal

gearl comments on Apr 13, 2020:

1. “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” 2. “Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted.” 3. “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land.” 4. “Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be ...

WilliamCharles replies on Apr 13, 2020:

"Blessed are the cheesemakers." https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=-xLUEMj6cwA

Kurt Vonnegut, Christ-Loving Atheist - Image Journal

Mofo1953 comments on Apr 12, 2020:

All bullshit.

WilliamCharles replies on Apr 12, 2020:

I think many of our stories from antiquity have worthwhile elements. It's worth knowing how our forebears explained the world around them.

"God sent God to die for God so that God could forgive God's creations according to God's unbending ...

Freedompath comments on Apr 12, 2020:

This is insane making! And today, I kept trying to get straight in my own mind, why people say, ‘god is a jealous god,’ jealous means you believe that someone else has something that you want! If everything belongs to ‘god’ what else does he want from his own creation? This kind of ...

WilliamCharles replies on Apr 12, 2020:

I've been listening to sermon online by local pastor John MacArthur, and he gets downright belkigerent andbbullying when it comes to inconsistencies and questionable acts by God. He berates his congregation telling them that's just the way it is. He even made a statement so mind-bogglingly idiotic, that I could hardly believe I heard it. He said that the paradoxes and inconsistencies of the bible (such as Jesus being 100% man and 100% God.. an impossible 200%) are "proof" of God's omnipotence and that it is only our human minds unable to comprehend it. I mean seriously... WTF?!? Time and again in his sermons, if an act done by God is considered objectionable by "human" standards (such as drowning babies in the Noatic flood), his angry retort is that God can do whatever the hell he wants. The man is a sociopath in a suit.

"Jesus had a bad 3-day weekend for your sins." Anon

Freedompath comments on Apr 12, 2020:

Back in the day when I was on the church, trying to believe...I kept telling people that the reason Jesus was crucified was because he was trying to teach others that we could evolve to a higher nature and the ‘powers that be killed him for that!’ That is simply too much power to allow the ...

WilliamCharles replies on Apr 12, 2020:

It was like God saying, "I'd -like- to forgive you... but first I gotta kill my kid/me." Makes no damn sense.

"God sent God to die for God so that God could forgive God's creations according to God's unbending ...

Marionville comments on Apr 12, 2020:

Does sound pretty implausible put like that!

WilliamCharles replies on Apr 12, 2020:

Jebus had a bad 3-day weekend for your sins. 😄

There's a trope in many, many movies, where the bullies cause the nice person to run off in tears as...

Varn comments on Apr 11, 2020:

There were no bullies. Instead, there were enlightened candidates and millions of voters. Listening to Sanders, I felt bullied! Belligerent demands that we magically change reality ... and chastising those not handing him their vote. Earned him a heart attack in the process. It’s well ...

WilliamCharles replies on Apr 12, 2020:

@Varn I think above all it highlights the hypocrisy of the party, the MSM, and his defenders. Biden's inappropriate touching of women and children is already well documented, though casually dismissed by those same people. I've seen people make arguments that digital penetration of the vagina is not "rape" technically (seriously) and immediately take the fallback position of Trump being worse. These same people pilloried Bernie for days because of Warren's accusations, but crickets for Biden. The #MeToo people have run for the hills. Even Biden's own comment to "believe women" is swept under the rug. I dislike Joe mostly for his political track record. Delaware became the mecca for credit card swindling banks because of Sen. Biden. If Bernie had Joe's cognitive decline, I'd *still* likely support him as better than all the rest. And the only thing Bernie's tried to impose on women is giving them free healthcare.

Toddlers - YouTube

Allamanda comments on Apr 12, 2020:

gruesome...

WilliamCharles replies on Apr 12, 2020:

Yup. Reminds me of that joke (Bill Hicks?)... if Jesus was executed by electrocution, people would be wearing little electric chair pendants around their necks. I find the very concept of blood atonement both primative and barbaric.

Toddlers - YouTube

Deb57 comments on Apr 12, 2020:

Mommy is fixated on torture. Creepy.

WilliamCharles replies on Apr 12, 2020:

IKR?

"It was once said that the moral test of government is how that government treats those who are in ...

WilliamCharles comments on Apr 11, 2020:

"Them candies ain't two for a penny." https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ej1I-IrHWCc

WilliamCharles replies on Apr 12, 2020:

@Freedompath Indeed. Kristofferson's ability to load up so much emotion in his songs with his beautiful voice is absolutely amazing.

"It was once said that the moral test of government is how that government treats those who are in ...

WilliamCharles comments on Apr 11, 2020:

"Them candies ain't two for a penny." https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ej1I-IrHWCc

WilliamCharles replies on Apr 12, 2020:

@Freedompath The love and caring of the waitress beneath her "crusty" exterior (the, "So what's it to you?" comment) always brings tears to my eyes (as does the response of the truck drivers). Here is my preferred rendition of the song, but I love the stills from Grapes of Wrath the song narrates in the Kristofferson video. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=obm8u9F4Iu8

Toddlers - YouTube

WilliamCharles comments on Apr 11, 2020:

For anyone interested, here is the video I was initially viewing. It was after I looked at what else was posted under that name that I saw the "Toddler" one. I really liked this and the creativity involved and was more than a bit surprised to see the one with the Easter hard sell. ...

WilliamCharles replies on Apr 12, 2020:

@BestWithoutGods I find it wonderfully fascinating.

"It was once said that the moral test of government is how that government treats those who are in ...

ToolGuy comments on Apr 12, 2020:

This made me think about the Good Samaritan parable. Regardless of the alleged existence of the teller, the chief proselytizer of Libertarianism, James McGill Buchanan, wrote a criticism of the story. Caring for others in need means creating dependence on government handouts. But in our modern ...

WilliamCharles replies on Apr 12, 2020:

Have been listening to various sermons by local fundamentalist TV preacher John MacArthur. Am amazed at his pure sophistry. In one of them he goes on at length how much Jesus was against charity/socialism.

See the happy moron, He doesn’t give a damn, I wish I were a moron, My God! perhaps I am! ...

AnonySchmoose comments on Apr 12, 2020:

That poem has a lot of history and impact. People have tried to change the words. The best words seem to be the first words. Expressive and honest ... about a writer's realization at the insignificance of a self-important attitude. It does not matter that we don't know whether Dorothy Parker ...

WilliamCharles replies on Apr 12, 2020:

Excellent interpretation.

While I was out trail walking this afternoon I was contemplating a statement attributed to Richard ...

Jolanta comments on Apr 11, 2020:

I always found quantum mechanics to be vey interesting but find it hard to think it in relation to religion.

WilliamCharles replies on Apr 12, 2020:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=27ZnxgOIqX8

"It was once said that the moral test of government is how that government treats those who are in ...

zeuser comments on Apr 12, 2020:

I loved Humphrey. I met his wife after he had passed at a Democratic fundraiser in Scranton.

WilliamCharles replies on Apr 12, 2020:

@zeuser - I thank you most sincerely for your dedication and activism. I hadn't yet reach voting age myself in '72.

"It was once said that the moral test of government is how that government treats those who are in ...

zeuser comments on Apr 12, 2020:

I loved Humphrey. I met his wife after he had passed at a Democratic fundraiser in Scranton.

WilliamCharles replies on Apr 12, 2020:

And speaking of giants from that same era, read what an incredible human being George McGovern was. We sure have a habit of missing out on great leadership as reprobates make their way into office. https://liverputty.blogspot.com/2008/08/george-mcgovern-as-b-24-pilot.html

"It was once said that the moral test of government is how that government treats those who are in ...

zeuser comments on Apr 12, 2020:

I loved Humphrey. I met his wife after he had passed at a Democratic fundraiser in Scranton.

WilliamCharles replies on Apr 12, 2020:

It's sad that so many other decent Democrats were not able to extracate themselves from the war machine. That hurt Humphrey. On a somewhat related note, it was only later that I read some of the incredibly insightful views Walter Mondale had on church/state separation. Really had me revise my own views on him.

There's a trope in many, many movies, where the bullies cause the nice person to run off in tears as...

Varn comments on Apr 11, 2020:

There were no bullies. Instead, there were enlightened candidates and millions of voters. Listening to Sanders, I felt bullied! Belligerent demands that we magically change reality ... and chastising those not handing him their vote. Earned him a heart attack in the process. It’s well ...

WilliamCharles replies on Apr 12, 2020:

@racocn8 - if you want to split hairs about unwanted digital penetration of the vagina as something less than "rape," fine. If you want to look up stuff, look up all the comments in support of #MeToo, including those of Biden. Also, ask yourself, would Biden's behavior be somehow less troubling just because that of Trump (also with numerous credible allegations) is worse? And Biden is on camera with multiple instances pawing women and children. His defenders dismiss it as merely him being from an era where he is not quite clear on "personal space issues." Biden himself thought it was funny to declare that, after his conduct was called out, that he had permission to touch a little girl. If you think Team Trump isn't going to run with this full throttle, your kidding yourself. The MSM pilloried Bernie for days over Elizabeth Warren's claim about Bernie saying a woman can't be president. But crickets on so many of Creepy Uncle Joe's shortcomings.You ever see the pic of him kissing his granddaughter on the lips? Just... weird. Simply bizarre. He's undeniably damaged goods, and getting worse over time. The DNC would rather lose with an addled neoliberal than win with a progressive. Their donor class is happy enough with Trump, and Pelosi has stated he's great for Dem fundraising. FCK BDN. Seriously.

Do any of you like slasher movies?

WilliamCharles comments on Apr 11, 2020:

Some can be interesting in their own way, but I've found I become far too upset and disturbed by the genre I consider "torture porn." Can't remember the title, but one I recently found satifying was a Western where the evil bad guys all got their just desserts as the good guy who was traumitized by ...

WilliamCharles replies on Apr 12, 2020:

@JeffMesser - on Netflix I enjoyed "Big Kill" and "The Ballad of Buster Scruggs." "Godless" was good too. All Westerns. Couple others I'll look up for you when I get the chance.

Frank Zappa, on the Military-Industrial Complex "When a reporter for the United States Army ...

Freedompath comments on Apr 11, 2020:

He had a point, but everyone is not on the take in our government. A balance must always be worked for!

WilliamCharles replies on Apr 11, 2020:

Well, there's certainly a case to be made that those not honoring their oath to the Constitution are arguably guilty of treason, regardless of which side of the aisle they're on.

Toddlers - YouTube

WilliamCharles comments on Apr 11, 2020:

For anyone interested, here is the video I was initially viewing. It was after I looked at what else was posted under that name that I saw the "Toddler" one. I really liked this and the creativity involved and was more than a bit surprised to see the one with the Easter hard sell. ...

WilliamCharles replies on Apr 11, 2020:

The anime segments are oddly disturbing to me. 😁

Toddlers - YouTube

WilliamCharles comments on Apr 11, 2020:

For anyone interested, here is the video I was initially viewing. It was after I looked at what else was posted under that name that I saw the "Toddler" one. I really liked this and the creativity involved and was more than a bit surprised to see the one with the Easter hard sell. ...

WilliamCharles replies on Apr 11, 2020:

And here is a delightful compilation of a whole bunch of attempts. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=NRLkm90GxBc

Toddlers - YouTube

WilliamCharles comments on Apr 11, 2020:

For anyone interested, here is the video I was initially viewing. It was after I looked at what else was posted under that name that I saw the "Toddler" one. I really liked this and the creativity involved and was more than a bit surprised to see the one with the Easter hard sell. ...

WilliamCharles replies on Apr 11, 2020:

They were doing their version of this video. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=iANRO3I30nM

Toddlers - YouTube

Donotbelieve comments on Apr 11, 2020:

Oh, man...poor kids. It's empty. That religion is empty. 🙁

WilliamCharles replies on Apr 11, 2020:

Jebus had a bad 3-day weekend for your sins.

"It was once said that the moral test of government is how that government treats those who are in ...

Freedompath comments on Apr 11, 2020:

Do we have that now?

WilliamCharles replies on Apr 11, 2020:

The test is still there; those in charge are failing it. And willfully so.

Toddlers - YouTube

Novelty comments on Apr 11, 2020:

People lie to children about all kinds of things, Tooth Fairy, Santa, Easter Bunny, Jesus, Buddha, Mohammad, Trickle Down, Racial Superiority of one race over another, The American dream, The department of Just Us, and Moses. I estimate that to be only about 0.02% of a full list so 54,989‬ more ...

WilliamCharles replies on Apr 11, 2020:

Though I did chuckle at the irreverence of the one boy over nailing Jesus to the cross.

Kris Kristofferson - Here comes that rainbow again (1982) - YouTube

WilliamCharles comments on Apr 11, 2020:

I actually prefer Leo Kottke's version, but the stills from Grapes of Wrath in the Kristofferson version never fail to move me. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=obm8u9F4Iu8

WilliamCharles replies on Apr 11, 2020:

In the pic with the two boys on the porch, the older one on the right is a dead ringer for my older brother as a kid.

There's a trope in many, many movies, where the bullies cause the nice person to run off in tears as...

RoboGraham comments on Apr 11, 2020:

Bernie is great but he didn't have the cojones to fight these bullies. He was way too nice to them as they bent him over. I wish a decent man like Sanders could win in this corrupt system but it just isn't possible. We need someone with his policies and the no holds barred political strategy of ...

WilliamCharles replies on Apr 11, 2020:

@Varn - quite the low bar to hope the less rapey rapist gets in.

"I want to stand as close to the edge as I can without going over.

Freedompath comments on Apr 11, 2020:

Anyone doing that better have their little ducks in a row...when they go there! Wouldn’t recommend it for everyone!

WilliamCharles replies on Apr 11, 2020:

How about this for thrill seeking? https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=aLZx0IfwU9g

Paint It Black - Ramin Djawadi [m.youtube.com]

thislife comments on Apr 11, 2020:

Beautiful.

WilliamCharles replies on Apr 11, 2020:

It really is.

There's a trope in many, many movies, where the bullies cause the nice person to run off in tears as...

Varn comments on Apr 11, 2020:

There were no bullies. Instead, there were enlightened candidates and millions of voters. Listening to Sanders, I felt bullied! Belligerent demands that we magically change reality ... and chastising those not handing him their vote. Earned him a heart attack in the process. It’s well ...

WilliamCharles replies on Apr 11, 2020:

@Varn Our nation's best? To quote addled Creepy Credit Card Joe himself, "Give me a break."

There's a trope in many, many movies, where the bullies cause the nice person to run off in tears as...

Varn comments on Apr 11, 2020:

There were no bullies. Instead, there were enlightened candidates and millions of voters. Listening to Sanders, I felt bullied! Belligerent demands that we magically change reality ... and chastising those not handing him their vote. Earned him a heart attack in the process. It’s well ...

WilliamCharles replies on Apr 11, 2020:

I beg to differ. Wikileaks exposed the perfidy of the DNC and Team Hillary. Nothing's changed. I used to think Nader played a part in Bush becoming president, but no one's vote is obligated to a candidate. Hillary crapped on progressives at every turn, even to the point of choosing Tim "Right to work" Kaine as VP. Chuck Schumer assured everyone that chasing after moderate Republican votes would pay off. The DNC ratfvckers went out of their way to kneecap Bernie. It will turn out badly for Biden and the nation. They're handing Dolt 45 a second term. We have Trump specifically because of the tone deafness of the Demicratic Establishment. Districts that went solidly for Obama both times voted for Trump, third party, or stayed home because he bailed out Wall Street instead of Main St. Trump was Team Hillary's handpicked Pied Piper. She played chicken with the fate of the nation in her pursuit of power... and lost. Heckuva job, DNC. Turns out coasting to the finish line in anticipation of her coronation because it was "her turn" wasn't such a grest strategy after all. It wasn't the Russians that kept her from campaigning in key swing state districts. GTFO of here with your revisionism.

There's a trope in many, many movies, where the bullies cause the nice person to run off in tears as...

RoboGraham comments on Apr 11, 2020:

Bernie is great but he didn't have the cojones to fight these bullies. He was way too nice to them as they bent him over. I wish a decent man like Sanders could win in this corrupt system but it just isn't possible. We need someone with his policies and the no holds barred political strategy of ...

WilliamCharles replies on Apr 11, 2020:

Yeah... saying Joe is a good man and Joe can win was neither helpful nor accurate.

Up & Over It - We No Speak Americano ft. Everyone - YouTube

WilliamCharles comments on Apr 8, 2020:

And the original hand dance. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=iANRO3I30nM

WilliamCharles replies on Apr 11, 2020:

Once they get started, notice how few times he blinks. Particularly compared to her. I think he had to be consciously trying not to.

"I want to stand as close to the edge as I can without going over.

Freedompath comments on Apr 11, 2020:

Anyone doing that better have their little ducks in a row...when they go there! Wouldn’t recommend it for everyone!

WilliamCharles replies on Apr 11, 2020:

@Freedompath - I can be safely secured, but still feel some substantial anxiety seeing the extent of the drop. I can't believe this guy free climbs. I used to climb telephone poles for a living. I always had a nagging fear there'd be an earthquake as I was climbing before I belted in. Somewhat irrational, but it had me always climbing with my three points of contact. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=INbKYq0G9nU

"When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro." Hunter S. Thompson

zeuser comments on Apr 10, 2020:

I miss Hunter. Saw him in a bar in Aspen once, long time ago like 1979, holding a martini in one hand and a full sized spear in the other. We could use some good old gonzo journalism right now.

WilliamCharles replies on Apr 11, 2020:

I saw him do a spoken word event in Redondo Beach CA. He had a quart of whiskey he nearly finished. In the Q & A, someone asked him why, when faced with a difficult question, he would mumble something and trail off. To which he proceeded to mumble something, and trail off. 😄

"I want to stand as close to the edge as I can without going over.

Freedompath comments on Apr 11, 2020:

Anyone doing that better have their little ducks in a row...when they go there! Wouldn’t recommend it for everyone!

WilliamCharles replies on Apr 11, 2020:

In all truthfulness, I have a healthy fear of heights. 😄

Pretty much.

Varn comments on Apr 10, 2020:

...you’d best start courting yourself, then..

WilliamCharles replies on Apr 10, 2020:

Well, I'm sure as hell not going to suffer in silence. "Not Trump," as a platform didn't keep people from sitting out 2016. It's as if they're trotting out the same dynamic for 2020.

The Thin Red Line - Melanesian Choirs - Compilation - YouTube

FearlessFly comments on Apr 10, 2020:

The film also features several Melanesian choral songs and chants, performed by the Choir of All Saints from Honiara, only one of which ("God Yu Tekem Laef Blong Mi") is featured on the soundtrack.

WilliamCharles replies on Apr 10, 2020:

I counted two, three if you include the different version on one song in the closing credits iirc.

The Thin Red Line - Melanesian Choirs - Compilation - YouTube

FearlessFly comments on Apr 10, 2020:

I get "An error occurred. Please try again later" :(

WilliamCharles replies on Apr 10, 2020:

Sorry. Me too. Let me try reloading it. (that fixed it for me, let me know)

"The notion that a radical is one who hates his country is naïve and usually idiotic.

gigihein comments on Apr 9, 2020:

I am so.lucky that my grandmother told me to question things and never be part of the herd. I was too young to get it, but the seed was I embedded in my brain, and when I heard things that didnt resonate, her message made sense.

WilliamCharles replies on Apr 9, 2020:

She sounds like a most exceptional woman.

Up & Over It - We No Speak Americano ft. Everyone - YouTube

WilliamCharles comments on Apr 8, 2020:

And the original hand dance. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=iANRO3I30nM

WilliamCharles replies on Apr 8, 2020:

And a delightful cover while we're at it. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=J0ogqBcK9ow

Up & Over It - We No Speak Americano ft. Everyone - YouTube

WilliamCharles comments on Apr 8, 2020:

And the original hand dance. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=iANRO3I30nM

WilliamCharles replies on Apr 8, 2020:

And simply the original. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=30HsgKTkQ68

Quarantine Times I.

WilliamCharles comments on Apr 8, 2020:

The other night discussing kids during the lockdown, Trevor Noah said toddlers are like little drunks. 😆

WilliamCharles replies on Apr 8, 2020:

Like this little character. He's darling. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Pe9cZ1435bA

Quarantine Times I.

WilliamCharles comments on Apr 8, 2020:

The other night discussing kids during the lockdown, Trevor Noah said toddlers are like little drunks. 😆

WilliamCharles replies on Apr 8, 2020:

@AnonySchmoose - it was mostly for the punchline, of course. I love that pre-verbal toddlers still carry on quite intense "conversations."

“Seeking what is true is not seeking what is desirable.” Albert Camus

zeuser comments on Mar 30, 2020:

Camus has it right, the search for truth is deliberate and methodical. Pursuing a desire is emotional.

WilliamCharles replies on Apr 1, 2020:

And how I read it is that people often base what they see as true on what they desire the reality to be.

Even in a Pandemic, Andrew Cuomo Is Not Your Friend

1of5 comments on Mar 30, 2020:

My god, just compaire him to Trump instead of Ghandi. Fucking A am I ever tired of this continual "why isn't this politician perfect?" whinny fucking bullshit when we currently have one of the most flawed people possible pretending to be the prez.

WilliamCharles replies on Mar 30, 2020:

Let me remind you just how we got the Orange Gutan in the first place... The DNC was so insecure about their preferred nominee, that they felt they needed to cheat to ensure the desired result. They additionally felt that vote shaming and demanding all disgruntled voters whose primary votes were at times ignored completely as superdelegates cast their vote for Madam Pantsuit (Bernie won every county in MN, yet Sen Al Franken cast his superdelegate vote for HRC. Ain't democracy grand?). It was like the thief that stole your car demanding gas money immediately after. The Wikileaks emails revealed a concerted effort to fluff Trump, arrogantly convinced he'd be the easiest candidate to beat as they were well aware of her substantial negative numbers (rivaling Trump's own negative numbers). The Hildebeast thought she could coast to her coronation. She felt entitled to people's vote and therefore determined she needed to do nothing to win over progressive voters (as evidenced by Tim "Right to Work" Kaine for VP) and she said as much on the townhall with Rachel Maddow. This was echoed by Chuck Schumer when he famously declared that they would gain 2 to 3 moderate Republican voters for every progressive vote they would not. They did not comprehend that offering little to nothing creates a lack of enthusiasm and people stay home. The campaign strategy of "The other person is worse and where else are you gonna go anyway?" did not produce the results they expected She played chicken with the fate of nation in her pursuit of power... and LOST. It was not the Russians who insisted she ignore key swing districts. It was hers to lose, and "My Turn" was not as compelling as they were sure it was. I will *not* fall in line when they go out and foist yet another deeply flawed candidate on us. Blue No Matter Who was the mantra, yet some were still qualifying it with regard the Bernie. Bernie supporters were/are truthful when insisting they would reject awful corporate candidates. Yet if the mainstrem Dem voters are telling the truth about BNMW, then Bernie is the smart bet. And it would lock in the youth vote for the party for years to come (Bernie's numbers in this area across all demographics are through the roof). You have to ask yourself why they do not go this route. It is because Establishment Dems are in their death throes as they fight to maintain their stranglehold on the party. They have demonstrated beyond argument that they'd rather lose with a entrist than win with a progressive. Fuggum. *They* can fall in line or go the way of the Whigs. Make an argument for your candidates, whomever they are. And don't be surprised when insisting that a "hold your nose" candidate is somehow a "safe" bet.

"Conservatism consists of exactly one proposition, to wit: There must be in-groups whom the law ...

Fernapple comments on Mar 29, 2020:

True but sadly that is not limited to conservatism.

WilliamCharles replies on Mar 29, 2020:

I thought so as well, but felt the quote needs to be provided in its original form.

"Conservatism consists of exactly one proposition, to wit: There must be in-groups whom the law ...

OnTheInside comments on Mar 29, 2020:

Is this the quote you were looking for last month, or just very reminiscent?

WilliamCharles replies on Mar 29, 2020:

That's the one. Was going to try to find that post of mine and add it to show everyone I found it. Good memory!

"If you pray for rain long enough, it does eventually fall.

gsiamne comments on Mar 17, 2020:

Should also ignore the epic of Gilgamesh :)

WilliamCharles replies on Mar 17, 2020:

Not familiar. Will need to look up a summary to see the relation to prayer.

In one of his lectures, Alan Watts once remarked that, "Cosmic consciousness is the feeling that you...

Cutiebeauty comments on Mar 16, 2020:

That pretty much sums it up.. Togetherness..

WilliamCharles replies on Mar 16, 2020:

I remember how remarkably insightful it was when in biology classes they quit referring to it as the food chain in preference to the food web. The web of life has so many interconnections, and effects ripple across it in ways we're often oblivious to.

Man Killed By Police At Santa Ana Catholic Church – CBS Los Angeles

motrubl4u comments on Mar 5, 2020:

Eh. Figure of speech.

WilliamCharles replies on Mar 5, 2020:

Quite true but it's meant to collectively valudate the mind set. If he thanked Allah or Zeus, it would sound equally nonsensical or offensive to them. Words matter. "Oh, God!" during sex is still allowed as a common exclamation not necessarily theistic.

Man Killed By Police At Santa Ana Catholic Church – CBS Los Angeles

p-nullifidian comments on Mar 5, 2020:

If you're 'troubled' by public officials invoking God, first, where have you been? And secondly, welcome to the club! Attributing the so-called 'grace of God' for saving some, while allowing others to be killed, invites much scrutiny. And yet, this ludicrous acceptance of divine interference ...

WilliamCharles replies on Mar 5, 2020:

It's always bugged me. It was just a recent instance of it.

Hi. Apologies in advance for this rather abrupt question: Is this site an echo chamber?

Pralina1 comments on Mar 2, 2020:

I don’t understand . How a web site “ accommodates “ ? We are this web site . Anyone has the ability and the freedom to create a group or to post whatever they want . And anyone has the ability and the right to disagree or comment with whatever they read and don’t like it . What ...

WilliamCharles replies on Mar 3, 2020:

That first part reminded of a Tim Minchin joke I heard recently. Q: What do you call alternative medicine that works? A: Medicine.

We all believe in evidence-based science, and that's why we're agnostic/atheist, right?

WilliamCharles comments on Feb 29, 2020:

I am still somewhat gobsmacked that so many skeptics groups seem to buy into the 9/11 official narrative. If there was ever a case to demonstrate the physics of the collapse(s), it was this one. Certainly more thought provoking than the time-honored science fair volcano, regardless of which camp you...

WilliamCharles replies on Feb 29, 2020:

They'll do tests on parascience and the like, but a lot of the dismissals of 9/11 anomalies seems to be handwaving. That it can't even be rationally examined lest it look like they're going along with "conspiracy theories" though Middle Easterners with box cutters is itself a conspiracy theory.

Can anyone help me locate a quote about the law?

OnTheInside comments on Feb 25, 2020:

Ive looked for a while but don't recognize what you're looking for. Here's some sites I've been checking. https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/tag/law https://www.brainyquote.com/topics/legal-quotes http://www.wiseoldsayings.com/law-quotes/ http://www.notable-quotes.com/l/law_quotes.html ...

WilliamCharles replies on Feb 25, 2020:

I know I've seen it (though possibly in just a well-worded meme). Didn't think to grab it on the spot. It gets into the politicians' role in all this iirc, where the wealthy pay them to craft laws to their liking, while largely limiting themselves to enforcement against the group without power. Maybe if I try the term "constrains" instead of "restricts" I might have some success. Thanks for your searches.

George Carlin-Christian hats and religion - YouTube

Cutiebeauty comments on Feb 22, 2020:

Carlin is great!! And I choose hats 😊

WilliamCharles replies on Feb 25, 2020:

Inside, outside, or both? 😁

Who has been the most influential Atheist/Agnostic famous person for you?

richiegtt comments on Feb 23, 2020:

George Carlin ,simply because he was so brilliant in his ability to talk about the absurdities of the concept of God and religion and make you laugh at the same time .This was a guy who was indoctrinated in catholic schools and was given a front row seat to all the bullshit and was able to ...

WilliamCharles replies on Feb 24, 2020:

Jim Jefferies and Bill Hicks get honorable mentions.

Who has been the most influential Atheist/Agnostic famous person for you?

SalC comments on Feb 23, 2020:

Hitchens, Barker, and Dillahunty. Basically because they’re all brilliant speakers.❤️

WilliamCharles replies on Feb 23, 2020:

Barker does indeed kick ass.

Who has been the most influential Atheist/Agnostic famous person for you?

Wollstonecraft comments on Feb 23, 2020:

In recent years, I've also enjoyed all of Susan Jacoby's books...her bio of Robert Ingersoll, The Age of American Unreason, Freethinkers, and Strange God's. I like her style and her research.

WilliamCharles replies on Feb 23, 2020:

Yes! Love her.

Who has been the most influential Atheist/Agnostic famous person for you?

WilliamCharles comments on Feb 23, 2020:

Barry W. Lynn is one of my favorite religionists and has written several books on church/state separation. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barry_W._Lynn

WilliamCharles replies on Feb 23, 2020:

@DavidLaDeau Lynn's first book, Piety & Politics: The Right-Wing Assault on Religious Freedom (ISBN 0-307-34654-4), was published in October 2006. His second book, God and Government: Twenty-Five Years of Fighting for Equality, Secularism, and Freedom Of Conscience (ISBN 1633880257) was published in 2015.

[yahoo.

AnonySchmoose comments on Feb 23, 2020:

Chris Matthews is a loud-mouth. Often he interrupts his own guests, not allowing them to finish the points they're about to make.

WilliamCharles replies on Feb 23, 2020:

@AnonySchmoose Matthews is convinced he will be treated like one himself as evidenced in his statement about being executed in Central Park. Though it's probably unfair to compare him with Julius Streicher, he still shills for empire while Assange and others are treated by some as quislings for actually revealing truth.

[yahoo.

AnonySchmoose comments on Feb 23, 2020:

Chris Matthews is a loud-mouth. Often he interrupts his own guests, not allowing them to finish the points they're about to make.

WilliamCharles replies on Feb 23, 2020:

His favorite catchprase when trying to sound profound - "It's like in that movie... " He's now getting worried about the fate of quislings. 😄

Who has been the most influential Atheist/Agnostic famous person for you?

WilliamCharles comments on Feb 23, 2020:

LIVING WITHOUT RELIGION: EUPRAXOPHY BY PAUL KURTZ https://ifarus.com/living-without-religion-paul-kurtz Growing up Godless : a parent's guide to raising kids without religion Author: Deborah Mitchell ...

WilliamCharles replies on Feb 23, 2020:

And Paul Kurtz was my largely own personal introduction to humanist activism as I was with him on several occasions at the formation of CFI - West. https://humanists.international/2012/10/paul-kurtz-extraordinary-proponent-humanism-1925-2012/

Watch: The Bernie Surge Has MSNBC's Chris Matthews On The Verge Of Tears | Zero Hedge

Athena comments on Feb 23, 2020:

Aw.. poor Chris. He was hoping he wouldn't live to see America change for the better.

WilliamCharles replies on Feb 23, 2020:

Poor Chris, indeed. Bloody quisling, he is.

Who has been the most influential Atheist/Agnostic famous person for you?

WilliamCharles comments on Feb 23, 2020:

LIVING WITHOUT RELIGION: EUPRAXOPHY BY PAUL KURTZ https://ifarus.com/living-without-religion-paul-kurtz Growing up Godless : a parent's guide to raising kids without religion Author: Deborah Mitchell ...

WilliamCharles replies on Feb 23, 2020:

@DavidLaDeau And, I take great pride in mentioning that I'm quoted in Mitchell's book under my nom de plume (LanceThruster - first names only so "Lance."). :-----: "I see a pattern where the randomness of human actions can be directed through probability for an overall cumulative and positive effect. All throughout our society there is a butterfly effect that we are most always oblivious to… I guess my message is to go boldly forth and increase the peace and love and know you are not alone. You may not always be aware of the others choosing to follow this same path as you, but they’re out there, and they’re making a difference.” ~ LanceThruster [from Debbie Mitchell's book "Growing Up Godless" - Sterling Publishing Co., Inc.]

I came across these gentlemen somewhat by accident, but I can relate with some of their experiences ...

Joanne comments on Feb 22, 2020:

It is highly likely that I am going to be able to make it to the Atheist convention in Phoenix in April and I look forward to seeing these two. I can identify them in so many ways as I also traveled the path from conservative/fundamentalist believer to non-believer.

WilliamCharles replies on Feb 22, 2020:

I can only imagine the path some had to travel getting here. Welcome.

I came across these gentlemen somewhat by accident, but I can relate with some of their experiences ...

Atheist3 comments on Feb 21, 2020:

Never listened to Matt or Seth but having read the comments I would conjecture that it is the 'shock jock' of atheism. So be it! As for a replacement for Hitchens? My nomination goes to John Loftus of Debunking Christianity blog & numerous books. Check 'im out!

WilliamCharles replies on Feb 22, 2020:

@JohnnyQB Just watched a couple of his debates back to back. I really appreciate his expressing righteous indignation when the religionists would ascribe some particularly insulting mischaracterization of his view, or insist that some particularly vacuous assertion had merit. The opposition trots out some of the worst analogies ever. They congratulated him for being courageousl enough to enteri their "den of lambs" (a Biola 4 on 1 cage match). I was embarrassed for them that they actually thought they put forth compelling arguments.

I came across these gentlemen somewhat by accident, but I can relate with some of their experiences ...

MichaelSpinler comments on Feb 20, 2020:

i have been pals with matt for years. he is famous for the atheist experience show in austin texas. seth is a good guy too

WilliamCharles replies on Feb 21, 2020:

@Athena - I get a sense from Matt that he's long past suffering fools gladly. He also mentioned being not entirely thrilled of returning as president of his local humanist group. He indicated he was tired of people with ideas and no action telling him what he should do to grow the group. I've seen that mindset quite often.

I came across these gentlemen somewhat by accident, but I can relate with some of their experiences ...

Atheist3 comments on Feb 21, 2020:

Never listened to Matt or Seth but having read the comments I would conjecture that it is the 'shock jock' of atheism. So be it! As for a replacement for Hitchens? My nomination goes to John Loftus of Debunking Christianity blog & numerous books. Check 'im out!

WilliamCharles replies on Feb 21, 2020:

Thanks for the rec. Heard of Loftus, not sure if I've read any of his stuff. I didn't consider Andrews so much a shock jock for atheism than one who is sharing his own relief at breaking free. Both he and Matt can be prone to digs at the worldview and adherents they were both immersed in for the greater portion of their lives, but they're not being unfair about it. I can see in Seth the same smooth style he must have used when he was a Christian broadcaster, but that's OK because that is an integral part of who he is. Like a salesperson that's good at pitching whatever product he has, but there's no insincerity about him. I like how he thanks the atheist community for being there (as a resource) for him as his questions and doubt grew. I've been seeing many more talks/debates in my feed that only reaffirm my own view that the irrationalists are pitching snake oil. Many different styles, but all falling back on the many false assumptions of belief versus non-belief. Some are downright delusional, hateful and offensive (I'll start a new thread on John MacArthur later).

Richard Carrier - Testing Religion Claims with Science and History - YouTube

jeshuey comments on Feb 14, 2020:

Dr. Carrier is a gem and his books great resources. I was lucky enough to have lunch with him a few years back and he is an interesting guy.

WilliamCharles replies on Feb 14, 2020:

Very cool. I've often felt that by the nature of their work, they're kind of like very approachable rock stars. When apologists want to try to sell me on their God/religion, to cut to the chase I say to them, "Tell me who your champions are." Whether I'm familiar with them or not (quite often I am), they're usually pretty mediocre if not downright delusional. Our team however, is loaded with talent and we have a very deep bench to boot. Dr. Carrier is definitely an incredible talent and educator. I love his cheerful enthusiasm in dispelling these persistent appeals to irrationality. I've read some of his articles before, but don't think I've heard any of his lectures prior. I very much like his easy going speaking style, peppered with appropriate mild expletives here and there as part of the philososphical ruminations (maybe God is just an asshole... lol), and willingness to call out religionist BS.

Richard Carrier - Testing Religion Claims with Science and History - YouTube

JohnnyQB comments on Feb 14, 2020:

Yes, this is a good one by Carrier. I like his vids on jesus as well. Being approached by the street preachers/recruiters, I like to take advantage. It's my opportunity to plant a seed. Especially if they show up at my door [provided i have time] I invite them in and offer something to drink. I ...

WilliamCharles replies on Feb 14, 2020:

I consider it "showing the colors" as it were. There is no reason to feel one needs to stay in the shadows. I'm asked by believer friends why, if I don't believe, I'm willing to discuss theology so much. I tell them aside from a historical and intellectual interest, what compels me most is the fact that religionists never cease in their attempts to get government to sanction and promote their mythologies. It certainly would be nice to take a break from that nonsense. It reveals their underlying insecurity that someone not believing as they do is some sort of threat to the veracity of their worldview and that the solution is the endorsement of the state (it isn't).

"Anything else you're interested in is not going to happen if you can't breathe the air and drink ...

Robecology comments on Feb 13, 2020:

Loved Carl. Went to hear him talk in person. My favorite book and movie is "Contact". He said this;

WilliamCharles replies on Feb 14, 2020:

He was speaking at the JPL/NASA Planetfest in '81. It took place during the Voyager mission and had lots of realtime feeds from the probe. I was in the lecture hall for a speaker preceding him, but headed over to another hall to hear Gerard K. O'Neill because he wrote the bulk of the material I used on a term paper on the planned space ststion. Originally, he had speculated that things might be under way by 2025. I asked him at the lecture if he felt the timetable was still valid. He said depends largely on Congress, but that technologically, that they might even be a little ahead of schedule (obvioudpsly his optimism was largely unfounded). When I left to head back to hear Sagan, the room was full. I was disappointed but glad I rolled the dice to see O'Neill. Went to a different lecture that turned out to be most enjoyable. It was a Rockwell? engineer and scifi auther (hate that I've forgotten his name) that spoke on interstellar drive technology. His slides weren't ready, so instead he opened with questions. I immediately called out, "Where'd you get that great vest?" He was wearing a rainbow striped vest under his otherwise conservative attire (simple dark suit and white shirt). He lit up and said that's an interesting story. When he was s young rocket engineer, he had pretty much a single suit, so his wife would sew colorful vests for him to vary his look. He said the added benefit was that when other engineers came to his work yo meet, even when they couldn't remember his name, they'd say the guy with the wild vests. For the Q&A afterward, since he talked about other worlds and trying to craft plausible ones as a writer, I asked him what story had the most unusual world, but at the same time vompetently crafted. It didn't take him long to decide it was Hal Clement's "Mission if Gravity." There were some other cool events and happenings there that maybe I'll get to share later.

"Anything else you're interested in is not going to happen if you can't breathe the air and drink ...

WilliamCharles comments on Feb 13, 2020:

"Never forget that you are one of a kind. Never forget that if there weren’t any need for you in all your uniqueness to be on this earth, you wouldn’t be here in the first place. And never forget, no matter how overwhelming life’s challenges and problems seem to be, that one person can make a ...

WilliamCharles replies on Feb 14, 2020:

@yvilletom I guess you'll be defending the status quo, or will ambivalent regardless of changes.

What do you make of the Iowa caucus clusterfvck?

Stuy comments on Feb 12, 2020:

I beg your pardon---I live in Iowa---we spent a lot of money on fiber cable years ago---well--pencil again--maybe new rules/format

WilliamCharles replies on Feb 13, 2020:

I have no ill will against the people of Iowa, I just don't feel they were served well by the party. I'm very pleased with the votes for Bernie. Am always hoping for a big turnout for my candidate, but am also beginning to understand the time commitment it requires of participants. I'm used to running in, casting my ballot, and heading back out the door.

I am a member that left for several months.

Bierbasstard comments on Feb 12, 2020:

First potential problem to me is it's advertising as a dating site because it doesn't resemble anything like PoF, Match, etc.. My guess is that if you search members by age range you will find many that joined but never really participated. They were expecting a list of profiles. It would be ...

WilliamCharles replies on Feb 12, 2020:

I like that it has an interest in dating as one of many elements to encourage participation. The fact that we can just interact as we normally do, but are free to pursue a potential relationship if the opportunity arises makes it pretty much stress free. Paid dating sites run all sorts of scams like flooding your box with inquiries as your membership is about to expire (never in one, but know several who were). I hope to meet a godless partner at some point, but it is not essential. But I have also dated believers who saw my godlessness as offensive to their belief system somehow. That I find, is most irrational.

I am a member that left for several months.

WilliamCharles comments on Feb 12, 2020:

There has always been an issue with freethought attracting certain demographics. At in-person events with CFI - Los Angeles, my experience was that younger people and minorities were underrepresented. While I think there's a substantial proportion of godless there as well, their level of ...

WilliamCharles replies on Feb 12, 2020:

@FilthyMONKEYgirl It's also worth remembering that agnostic.com provides ways for each of us to promote the site. It might be an idea to think of additional places to cast the net, especially those groups/demographics you feel would potentially boost the numbers/participation.

Grace Chapel - ironmen

WilliamCharles comments on Jan 30, 2020:

A few other observations like I promised and an update. The program opened with two videos being shown. The first one was a clip of Jeremy Clarkson of Top Gear! fame tooling around a track in some cool custom rail buggy. No helmet so you could see the skin on his face flap as he put pedal to the ...

WilliamCharles replies on Jan 30, 2020:

One final tidbit I forgot to add, was an anecdote the pastor told towards the end of his presentation. He spoke of an incident involving a world renowned matador from Spain. Described him with all sorts of glowing superlatives and how he was recognized as the best in the world. He went on to describe with great relish the final death blows against this "massive powerful beast," in awe recounting the final sword thrusts deep into the back of this cruelly brutalized creature as it was essentially tortured to death for public spectacle. I was already a little traumatized by his narration, but expected him to conclude it with that one account where the matador breaks down with anguish because the bull, which the raised knowing the matador under whatever circumstances, confronted the matador as it was being set upon with such incomprehensible violence with plaintive bellows of suffering as if asking why when it looked into the matador's eyes... one living, vulnerable creature to another. Instead, like he was sharing his favorite recollection of sports heroics, he transition to the big finale of his tale. The bull collapsed from the final sword thrusts. The matador turned and walked away from the bull, arms raised in triumph as he basked in the crowd's adulation. Through the din of the roar, he did not hear the warning shouts as the bull got back up and gored the matador from behing, mortally wounding him. The pastor used that to drive home the point thst you can be the best at what you do, but still stumble by taking your eyes off the prize, and that the pitfalls of any of us living an unrighteous life, is thst it could be over in the blink of an eye and we'd meet our maker having sealed our own doom. He remind me of a life insurance salesman "backing up the hearse" as they say. I found his tale of this gruesome reality more indicative of the mindset of someone who was borderline sociopathic rather than one given and deserving deference as some sort of learned moral authority. Not a word about the justifications for this particular blood sport glorifying extreme animal abuse, just a reminder that death could come at any moment so the smart bet is to get right with God now. Fear tactics as an integral element of the sales pitch. On the drive home, I told my neighbor I considered vigorously clapping when the bull evenedvthe score against the bullfighter, but opted not to out of consideration for him. Oh, and one other thing that happened that I guess was part the reinforcement of the attitude that God created man with dominion over the animals was a game between two men involving catching live catfish in a water tank (a floor freezer shot from an overhead camera) with a net. The contest was over in about 3 seconds, and the fish was returned to the ...

Grace Chapel - ironmen

twshield comments on Jan 26, 2020:

I would have totally enjoyed this event. Every conversation i had at this venue would have ended with me saying "your going to hell" LOL

WilliamCharles replies on Jan 26, 2020:

@twshield I've made that point to believers before. I said if God wanted people to know of its existence and message for humanity, then it has failed miserably as no one is on the same page as it were.

Grace Chapel - ironmen

DenoPenno comments on Jan 26, 2020:

I can agree with your take on the whole thing. Regardless of my religious past the names of God and Jesus make about as much sense to me as Zeus and Neptune. As to the "lord, lunatic, or liar" argument we find it totally possible that people do believe odd things. My demented step-dad now thinks ...

WilliamCharles replies on Jan 26, 2020:

Believers rarely notice the overlap and parallels of other creation and savior myths. I summed up Christianity as follows - "God sent God to die for God so that God could forgive God's creations according to God's unbending rules." ~ LanceThruster Too Rube Goldberg for my tastes.

Grace Chapel - ironmen

Bilbobagins comments on Jan 26, 2020:

That was a good thought provoking question you asked them. A good one to ask anybody actually, agnostic,atheist,humanist or other. I like your fourth option toJesus Lord, lunatic or liar too. I remember reading that book many years ago. Josh McDowel or someone like that wasn’t it? That was on...

WilliamCharles replies on Jan 26, 2020:

Yeah, there's always that mindset that the "proof" is out there, but we're just too stubborn to accept it.

Grace Chapel - ironmen

Mofo1953 comments on Jan 26, 2020:

Fuck them all and their trump loving hypocrisy!

WilliamCharles replies on Jan 26, 2020:

They had nothing overtly political, though they began with a generic prayer calling for blessings and guidance for our political leaders.

Grace Chapel - ironmen

linxminx comments on Jan 26, 2020:

What came to mind was a statement I heard Sam Harris make one time. Excuse me for not getting it word for word. It was something to the effect that, "religion seems overly obsessed with what I do while naked." Geez what a boring time that must have been for you. Good questions!

WilliamCharles replies on Jan 26, 2020:

Ha-ha. God as the ultimate voyeur.

Grace Chapel - ironmen

twill comments on Jan 26, 2020:

Confident man you are. I wouldn't even come close to getting up there and saying anything. I go to "Brotherhood Supper" the Mennonites put on about every other year. It's low pressure, no pressure, local men I know most of them. Besides the speakers, no one is talking church, just local ...

WilliamCharles replies on Jan 26, 2020:

Yeah, for the most part, I don't mind interacting with practically anyone, though there's quite a variation as far as the level of their PR and attemps at outreach. Some simply want to demonstrate a sense of community, whereas others seem to be about trying to establish some sort of superiority of their sect/worldview/communal bonds. Some can be downright cultish. I used to be the atheist advisor at my university for the student group within the Office of Religious Life. I told the leaders of the other sectarian groups that it was always pleasant to participate in their gatherings even from the standpoint of a humanist as the act of breaking bread together is symbolic and universal in that historically as the act of sharing food represents the desire that others do not starve. I think that is often overlooked these days and is instead often an excuse for gluttony. As is sometimes observed about Thanksgiving, that it it supposedly meant to be about gratitude that one has enough (if that's the case), followed immediately by the orgy of materialism urging you to get more stuff, built around the consumerism of the Christmas season.

Grace Chapel - ironmen

Surfpirate comments on Jan 26, 2020:

A bit like Daniel walking into the Lion's Den to draw a connection with the Bible Thumpers. lol I admire your courage and integrity for throwing out the possibility that sex isn't immoral at all but I am not surprised that they did not get it. I once hired a realtor to sell some of my properties,...

WilliamCharles replies on Jan 26, 2020:

Wow, pretty skeevy. A lot of business cons are perpetrated by the false assumption that felliw Christians could not also be crooks. I remember reading one Christian advising that it it preferable to show one's Christian character by reputation and quality of work rather than by a notation on the business card, though even that falsely presumes that Christians have some sort of monopoly on integrity. I told my neighbor that I expected some sort of church outreach, though that wasn't the case. It was still of limited value as all there was no element of their worldview dealt with outside of a scriptural one. Truly a one-trick-pony. I remember walking over to the LA Colosseum to see what the Promise Keeper ralky crowd was like. Just kind of generic Christian boosterism like you'd probably expect, though I was already familiar with the darker side of their dogma. I think my friends and I were next door at the old LA Sports Arena for a concert or something. I always find it both remarkable and more than a little off-putting that people seem to feel that they need to draw others into their worldview out of what I perceive as a glaring insecurity. :----: "Nothing angers a believer more than for someone to reject their desperately held religious notions." ~ LanceThruster

Grace Chapel - ironmen

Beowulfsfriend comments on Jan 26, 2020:

I can tolerate the Jimmy Carter xtions, this is what I believe and do, but you have rights also types. The other hypocritical asses who want to taliban (new verb) the U.S. can all fuck off. Those are the trumpies who, if they had half a brain, might actually realize they are hypocrites to their ...

WilliamCharles replies on Jan 26, 2020:

Chatting with my neighhbor on the drive home I told him I've known Christians who were some of the nicest people I've encountered, and some of the worst, and everywhere along the spectrum in between. I said what occured to me during the session when they were talking about moral absolutes and standing firm regarding righteous actions (the focus being issues of sexual immorality as they saw it), I mentioned they made a few military references (how it's not like we're in Baghdad in our armor when we're out in the world of temptation). I observed how while they'll apply these so-called absolutes to things sexual, they don't seem to apply a similar focus on the obscenity of warfare and how readily they tend to overlook the death, destruction, and maiming of flesh inflicted on a massive industrial scale against innocent men, wonen, and children that our endless wars involve ("collateral damage"). I said I'd probably at least have a little more respect for believers if their priorities made a little more sense to me. I quoted that Clint Eastwood line from "Unforgiven." William Munny: "It's a hell of a thing, killing a man. You take away all he's got and all he's ever gonna have." :-----: "I am so bloody sick of the claim that the slaughter of innocent people by bringing down the full force of modern weaponry from every possible direction to mangle their flesh in the most horrific and violent ways is not monstrous because [we have a good reason]." ~ LanceThruster

Grace Chapel - ironmen

KKGator comments on Jan 26, 2020:

Nice try. Seriously.

WilliamCharles replies on Jan 26, 2020:

I had been to a 1 day secular mens retreat before in the early '80s. If I recall correctly it was patterned after some book that was popular at the time (something to do with Iron John I think). It was a friend of the family who was into that whole self-help motivational forums type thing (he once paid for my attendance to a Lifespring[tm] conference a few years later - kind of Scientology-lite without the hardcore ratfvcking). It was a pleasant enough affair, a little like group counseling with sharing and bonding in a supportive environment, with some book references here and there thrown in. Some were dads who brought their boys. It had kind of a scouting feel to it. I guess the bottom line message was work to be a better you, understanding the societal notions of what it is to be a man does not have to be set in stone, and seek to build each other up as opposed to a competitiveness that is often largely oneupsmanship. Somewhat generic, but on the whole benign enough. I remember it ended with this song in a cakewalk circle. I thought that kind of captured the feel. Some men were in tears having come with their own issues and traumas and so forth and seemed to take comfort in the camaraderie in a men only environment (I wonder how things might work with transgender participants - there's some controversy regarding TERF acceptance as a women's issue - the group were welcoming to gay members). https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=7k4ujBGRGf8

Grace Chapel - ironmen

twshield comments on Jan 26, 2020:

I would have totally enjoyed this event. Every conversation i had at this venue would have ended with me saying "your going to hell" LOL

WilliamCharles replies on Jan 26, 2020:

At first it was only my neighbor and me at the table, and then we were joined by 3 other men, the youngest had his bible with him. They were making small talk about dogs they have known, owned, or encountered. I listened politely and then part way through said, "A question on theology... do all dogs go the heaven?" My neighbor offered almost immediately, "No." I folded my arms in mock protest and said, "Well then I'm not going!," and smiled. :-----: "But Marge, what if we chose the wrong religion? Each week we just make God madder and madder." -- Homer Simpson

Grace Chapel - ironmen

aintmisbehaven comments on Jan 26, 2020:

typical.... they talked s--t on the harlots for leading the guy astray but said nothing about the guy making that choice himself.....

WilliamCharles replies on Jan 26, 2020:

And though they usually don't come right out and say it, it is one variation or another of "the devil made me do it" defense. They speak of the temptations and pitfalls of the world as traps engineered by the forces of darkness... literally. :----: "The belief in a supernatural source of evil is not necessary; men alone are quite capable of every wickedness." ~ Joseph Conrad

Thoughts on the Bernie/Warren kerfuffle?

BitFlipper comments on Jan 18, 2020:

It's blown way out of proportion by the media in order to benefit the trump crime syndicate. If you read what was actually said, and not the hype, it's no big deal. But Bernie's dedicated kamikazes cannot tolerate anything that makes their guy seem like a mortal earthling.

WilliamCharles replies on Jan 19, 2020:

@RoboGraham - I only learned it later but loved Bernie's rejoinder to Warren saying, "You're lying about me." That pretty much settles the "controversy" as far as I'm concerned.