I have an open question for the ladies: How do you FEEL about the topics discussed in the ...

linxminx comments on Nov 24, 2018:

I wonder something... I know some of the sexual oppression women experience is due to religious beliefs, but I've also wondered if the pressure women experience and the lengths they go to make their genitals, and even their bodies sexually appealing to men is due to men repressing their true ...

brentan replies on Nov 24, 2018:

Gosh, that's a tough one and I'm sure I can't be objective about it. I was married for 25 years before I realised I could also find a man's body attractive. I have found genitals attractive or not depending on the person. Even in porn, where presumably the most attractive people are used, I still find some genitals aesthetically unpleasing or the focus a real turn off. During all my married life, it was love for the person made it for me, not implying for a moment that my ex's genitals were displeasing.

Hi. How do I stop notifications from groups that have blocked me?

SpikeTalon comments on Nov 24, 2018:

You still get messages from groups you are now banned from? That sounds like a glitch. The setting to mute group notifications is on the main page of each group.

brentan replies on Nov 24, 2018:

@SpikeTalon Catch 22, huh?

I have an open question for the ladies: How do you FEEL about the topics discussed in the ...

Julie808 comments on Nov 24, 2018:

Wow, I wish I had been raised in Holland! It took me 40 years to learn how to be fully comfortable with my own sexuality. Young women nowadays seem to have even more expectations on them. Mutilating genitals on purpose for how they appear to others? Wow.

brentan replies on Nov 24, 2018:

@irascible The trouble is some of them are downright ugly. What to do then?

Kiss Your Afterlife Goodbye! You can only hope to achieve an afterlife if you have some sort of ...

brentan comments on Nov 22, 2018:

The hypothesis would fall apart if the mind is not housed in the brain. That would place consciousness outside the body and the brain would be a tool to access and process thoughts, then storing them at this external location. It may well be that when we die, our processor dies but it wouldn't ...

brentan replies on Nov 24, 2018:

@johnprytz I get the impression you're not really reading my posts.

Been ruminating on assholes of my past.

brentan comments on Nov 24, 2018:

I know it sounds a bit religious but forgiveness can help if it's possible.

brentan replies on Nov 24, 2018:

@MrControversy I was talking more hypothetical than anything. I'm no expert at it myself!

I am so tired, I don't want to go to work.

brentan comments on Nov 23, 2018:

I like the way you combine suffering with bragging.

brentan replies on Nov 24, 2018:

@Tilia Yes, that's exactly what I meant. No, I think I was right to apologise!

I was reading an article that suggested there may be a confirmed genetic basis for male ...

brentan comments on Nov 23, 2018:

I'm reading a book at the moment that says schitzophrenia, autism and especially homosexuality have to do with brain lateralisation, that is, how the two sides of the brain exercise their abilities to affect each other. If true, I think it would be difficult to think of homosexuality as immoral, or ...

brentan replies on Nov 24, 2018:

@KittiPerry I wouldn't doubt it. I just wanted to add my tuppence worth!

Hi. How do I stop notifications from groups that have blocked me?

SpikeTalon comments on Nov 24, 2018:

You still get messages from groups you are now banned from? That sounds like a glitch. The setting to mute group notifications is on the main page of each group.

brentan replies on Nov 24, 2018:

Would that not mean you have to be able to access their main page? I can't do that.

Thanks, George. One of the most beautiful love songs. [youtube.com]

brentan comments on Nov 23, 2018:

It is a great song but James Taylor should be credited with providing the influence.

brentan replies on Nov 24, 2018:

@Skeptic66 Here's JT's song recorded at Abbey Road studios before George's song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAzgwSLiMUc

So far, these are the most blocked/hidden groups.

KKGator comments on Nov 23, 2018:

I don't think any group should be "blocked" or "hidden". Open everything up to everyone.

brentan replies on Nov 24, 2018:

@KKGator That seems like a deflection!

Joy is not in things it is in us. Richard Wagner.

PalacinkyPDX comments on Nov 23, 2018:

1) Wagner was a miserable bastard 2) He was a big time Jew hater 3) If he didn't care about 'things' then why did he make such a big deal about creating Bayreuth and spending huge amounts of money to entertain elites.

brentan replies on Nov 24, 2018:

@PalacinkyPDX No, of course not. But there's a lot more to the man than his attitude to Jewish people.

Joy is not in things it is in us. Richard Wagner.

PalacinkyPDX comments on Nov 23, 2018:

1) Wagner was a miserable bastard 2) He was a big time Jew hater 3) If he didn't care about 'things' then why did he make such a big deal about creating Bayreuth and spending huge amounts of money to entertain elites.

brentan replies on Nov 23, 2018:

True, he was antisemite. He also composed several astonishingly good operas which bring joy to many people.

I was reading an article that suggested there may be a confirmed genetic basis for male ...

Ginaphil comments on Nov 23, 2018:

Our law abiding gay citizens are harmless. All of this is just a silly waste of time.

brentan replies on Nov 23, 2018:

I still find it fascinating that we might understand our selves better from all this knowledge.

So far, these are the most blocked/hidden groups.

KKGator comments on Nov 23, 2018:

I don't think any group should be "blocked" or "hidden". Open everything up to everyone.

brentan replies on Nov 23, 2018:

@KKGator You come across like you have skin in the game.

The more time that goes by the more I am starting to realize how important real communication is.

TomMcGiverin comments on Nov 23, 2018:

It is ironic that almost all the women's profiles on Match in my area have all the cliches about honesty, open communication is a must, etc/, but so few of them will reply to me messaging them with interest. Even after they read my long, sincere, very open profile essay. Which leads me to believe ...

brentan replies on Nov 23, 2018:

@TomMcGiverin You communicated your complaint in a very reasonable way and got accused of having a bad attitude. This is probably why so many people don't bother anymore.

So far, these are the most blocked/hidden groups.

KKGator comments on Nov 23, 2018:

I don't think any group should be "blocked" or "hidden". Open everything up to everyone.

brentan replies on Nov 23, 2018:

@bingst It was a joke, meaning that could never be allowed to happen. The little Hitlers need that feeling of power.

So far, these are the most blocked/hidden groups.

KKGator comments on Nov 23, 2018:

I don't think any group should be "blocked" or "hidden". Open everything up to everyone.

brentan replies on Nov 23, 2018:

@KKGator Oh OK, make your complaint and if you don't like the response , leave. That's just great! Are you by any chance a moderator?

So far, these are the most blocked/hidden groups.

KKGator comments on Nov 23, 2018:

I don't think any group should be "blocked" or "hidden". Open everything up to everyone.

brentan replies on Nov 23, 2018:

@bingst See that - you got a like for a response to a comment I never made. Cool!

So far, these are the most blocked/hidden groups.

KKGator comments on Nov 23, 2018:

I don't think any group should be "blocked" or "hidden". Open everything up to everyone.

brentan replies on Nov 23, 2018:

@KKGator That should set things right - don't complain, leave!

So far, these are the most blocked/hidden groups.

KKGator comments on Nov 23, 2018:

I don't think any group should be "blocked" or "hidden". Open everything up to everyone.

brentan replies on Nov 23, 2018:

@bingst I never suggested that.

So far, these are the most blocked/hidden groups.

KKGator comments on Nov 23, 2018:

I don't think any group should be "blocked" or "hidden". Open everything up to everyone.

brentan replies on Nov 23, 2018:

@germangirl90439 No. It's dead on in some cases.

So far, these are the most blocked/hidden groups.

KKGator comments on Nov 23, 2018:

I don't think any group should be "blocked" or "hidden". Open everything up to everyone.

brentan replies on Nov 23, 2018:

@KKGator I think some of them deserve it but I wasn't bothered enough to go to admin.

So far, these are the most blocked/hidden groups.

KKGator comments on Nov 23, 2018:

I don't think any group should be "blocked" or "hidden". Open everything up to everyone.

brentan replies on Nov 23, 2018:

@germangirl90439 What? And take power away from the little Hitlers moderating !?

I am so tired, I don't want to go to work.

brentan comments on Nov 23, 2018:

I like the way you combine suffering with bragging.

brentan replies on Nov 23, 2018:

@Amisja I didn't see it as unkind when I wrote it but I suppose it is. I apologise.

I am so tired, I don't want to go to work.

brentan comments on Nov 23, 2018:

I like the way you combine suffering with bragging.

brentan replies on Nov 23, 2018:

@Amisja Enough said, I think.

I am so tired, I don't want to go to work.

brentan comments on Nov 23, 2018:

I like the way you combine suffering with bragging.

brentan replies on Nov 23, 2018:

@Amisja You'll figure it out, what with all your qualifications. @doctoralstuff

John Allen Chau, Preacher killed by Natives, Appalling Atheist Reactions - YouTube

brentan comments on Nov 23, 2018:

Here’s something on the Christian attitude to law. The apostle Paul wrote to the Romans to tell them to be in subjection to secular law (Romans 13:1 etc.) This is modified by Acts 5:28, 29): Every person must be subject to the governing authorities, for no authority exists except by God's ...

brentan replies on Nov 23, 2018:

@nicknotes Perhaps they are but then there's: But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be [a]witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” - Acts 1:8. The guy believed he was following a prime directive from Christ.

Openness of American society

brentan comments on Nov 23, 2018:

Well now! America going the way of the Islamic empire, and for the same reason?

brentan replies on Nov 23, 2018:

@Beowulfsfriend As things are, America does very well with its own brainpower and the brainpower it imports.I'm supposing we're talking about the fundies looking on science as the enemy and suppressing knowledge that is outside the Bible. That's what happened with Islam centuries ago when there was return to the belief that nothing good could be found outside the Quran.

You’re damned if you do, damned if you don’t.

cava comments on Nov 23, 2018:

There probably is a monolithic direction that each culture follows but I think we are almost completely unaware of it, and I think it changes as our culture changes. Feminists talk about the male gaze as being unescapable, that is sorta what I mean. I think/feel that sex in America is becoming ...

brentan replies on Nov 23, 2018:

The level of dishonesty on the part of the pope is dreadful. God loves gays? Only if they don't live their sexuality.

Openness of American society

brentan comments on Nov 23, 2018:

Well now! America going the way of the Islamic empire, and for the same reason?

brentan replies on Nov 23, 2018:

@Morganfreeman The Golden Age might be over for American intellectuals.

Openness of American society

brentan comments on Nov 23, 2018:

Well now! America going the way of the Islamic empire, and for the same reason?

brentan replies on Nov 23, 2018:

@AmmaRE007 You'll notice my comment had a question mark.

Openness of American society

brentan comments on Nov 23, 2018:

Well now! America going the way of the Islamic empire, and for the same reason?

brentan replies on Nov 23, 2018:

@AmmaRE007 It's because you made a so-called factual statement with nothing to support it.

Openness of American society

brentan comments on Nov 23, 2018:

Well now! America going the way of the Islamic empire, and for the same reason?

brentan replies on Nov 23, 2018:

@AmmaRE007 It doesn't show lol!

Openness of American society

brentan comments on Nov 23, 2018:

Well now! America going the way of the Islamic empire, and for the same reason?

brentan replies on Nov 23, 2018:

@AmmaRE007 Well, don't stop to question yourself!

DOMINIE.

powder comments on Nov 23, 2018:

The Scottish do have some good words. I like bearing for baby.

brentan replies on Nov 23, 2018:

@Marionville It's probably a religious thing because Jesus was born in a bairn.

Kiss Your Afterlife Goodbye! You can only hope to achieve an afterlife if you have some sort of ...

brentan comments on Nov 22, 2018:

The hypothesis would fall apart if the mind is not housed in the brain. That would place consciousness outside the body and the brain would be a tool to access and process thoughts, then storing them at this external location. It may well be that when we die, our processor dies but it wouldn't ...

brentan replies on Nov 23, 2018:

@johnprytz The idea that the mind is housed in the brain is unproven too. They have looked for so-called memory traces in the brain and haven't found any yet. If you think of the brain as a processor rather than a warehouse, then the mind breaks down if the processor is damaged, similar to a TV receiving poor or no signal from the content provider.

Has the world veered farther to the right, or is it just becoming more obvious? [alaraby.co.uk]

powder comments on Nov 22, 2018:

America, right or wrong, does lead the world. Definitely moving more right as a reaction to the politically correct lurch to the left Europe is still recovering from. Capitalism has always been on the right of the political spectrum, just approaching the end game. With a consumer/ continual growth ...

brentan replies on Nov 23, 2018:

@powder @Owl I really enjoyed that exchange. I'm convinced the answer is some combination of both your opinions. But it's a lot of food for thought.

Has the world veered farther to the right, or is it just becoming more obvious? [alaraby.co.uk]

Michael67 comments on Nov 22, 2018:

The New World Order, is probably not what "they" call it. But I think "they" are behind the right wing success happening around the world. I also have a hunch that they intend to drastically reduce the world population, hence making climate change more controllable...... Why their not worried about ...

brentan replies on Nov 23, 2018:

If that's what they have in mind, I wonder why. I don't think it's a matter of space and I always thought a large workforce competing for jobs suited employers so I don't understand it.

Has the world veered farther to the right, or is it just becoming more obvious? [alaraby.co.uk]

JonnaBononna comments on Nov 22, 2018:

If you look at the history of politics, there is a constant swing right to left and back again. We're aware in a far right swing now. I think we'll soon see it swinging back to the left

brentan replies on Nov 23, 2018:

@OwlInASack LOL I guess not. Terrible is terrible.

Has the world veered farther to the right, or is it just becoming more obvious? [alaraby.co.uk]

JonnaBononna comments on Nov 22, 2018:

If you look at the history of politics, there is a constant swing right to left and back again. We're aware in a far right swing now. I think we'll soon see it swinging back to the left

brentan replies on Nov 22, 2018:

I hope it doesn't swing too far. I think that is how it works. I sure hope lefties and post-modernists don't take us into some new form of communism.

"None is more impoverished than the one who has no gratitude.

Cast1es comments on Nov 22, 2018:

Some folks , may be pleased to have received help , but too embarrased to have needed it in the first place , to express thankfulness . And sometimes , when you think you are helping someone , they get angry , because they didn't want what ever you were trying to do for them . Don't depend on ...

brentan replies on Nov 22, 2018:

I saw a situation once where a guy used charity to insult a man he didn't get on with. It was an extreme case of passive-aggression that is very common in Christian congregations. The Bible stipulates that the first thing you do is make peace with your spiritual brother and that would eliminate the confusion.

How jocund did they drive their team afield! How bowed the woods beneath their sturdy stroke! ...

brentan comments on Nov 22, 2018:

That's nicely put by the man. It has a similar theme to Ozymandias. Ambition is probably a good thing in itself but not the type that is just the craving for power and money,

brentan replies on Nov 22, 2018:

@Fernapple I didn't recognise it. I think that's the one with the schoolmaster whose little head contained so much. It's a super poem!

"None is more impoverished than the one who has no gratitude.

ArdentAtheist comments on Nov 22, 2018:

I think some of the comments are overthinking this... the reason this quote appealed to me is that I have been having lots of pain in my elbow for a long time... I’m a guitarist so it’s a nuisance and has ruined kayaking for me taboot, since that started I have become the other half an acoustic ...

brentan replies on Nov 22, 2018:

I'm sure Van Amburgh never knew about your arm either. You can't post a meme and then say people didn't understand your specific intention. Anyway, kudos for dealing well with your situation.

Kiss Your Afterlife Goodbye! You can only hope to achieve an afterlife if you have some sort of ...

RiverRick comments on Nov 22, 2018:

When I came to this site I was an avowed Atheist. After I joined and read even more on the subject as well as many, many posts by people here... I realized that I actually needed to claim being Agnostic. Here's the reason why... I cannot prove the existence of any god... But I cannot disprove it ...

brentan replies on Nov 22, 2018:

@JimG I understand your comment something along the lines of 'if a tree falls in a forest'. My take on it is that the tree exists despite being unknown by some and if a god existed, it wouldn't matter much as regards its existence whether people believed it did or not. I think if a god created a universe, that would necessarily imply an impact. As regards measuring, I guess the morality of the effect of an alleged god's influence was always in the realm of the religious and spiritual, and the physical in the realm of science.I'm not sure proving comes into it if all we want to do is understand what is going on.

Kiss Your Afterlife Goodbye! You can only hope to achieve an afterlife if you have some sort of ...

WilliamFleming comments on Nov 22, 2018:

“You are entirely 100% material at the end of your term since that's how you started out.” That depends on the definition of “you”. What evidence do you have for a materialistic reality? There is no such evidence, and in fact evidence points toward matter as being nothing but an ...

brentan replies on Nov 22, 2018:

I've listened to Rupert Shelrake and Iain McGilchrist talk about a return to animism, now referred to panpsychism, if I have it right. McGilchrist spoke about matter as perceived through the lens of quantum mechanics as a process, or one aspect of consciousness, in the way ice, ice, steam are all aspects of water.

This is how I live my life. Maybe it's a Jewish thing. Maybe it's just because I'm Jewish.

brentan comments on Nov 21, 2018:

I think there is a perception that Jewish people will only interact with other people if they are doing business with them.

brentan replies on Nov 22, 2018:

@dan325 Thanks! I'll wait for an apology from AmiSue and SassyGirl for their accusations of antisemitism and threats about contacting admin but I won't hold my breath.

I can’t believe I turned 55 years old today. Where does the time go??

TristanNuvo comments on Nov 21, 2018:

Happy Birthday. Mine was just a few days ago, turned 54. Hope you have a great day. :)

brentan replies on Nov 22, 2018:

A very Happy Birthday to you, if a little belated!

This is how I live my life. Maybe it's a Jewish thing. Maybe it's just because I'm Jewish.

brentan comments on Nov 21, 2018:

I think there is a perception that Jewish people will only interact with other people if they are doing business with them.

brentan replies on Nov 21, 2018:

@dan325 Now we're getting somewhere. You've justified the presumption. I didn't know it was true. I fully understand the justification and hope that the behaviour changes in locations where antisemitism isn't rife.

This is how I live my life. Maybe it's a Jewish thing. Maybe it's just because I'm Jewish.

brentan comments on Nov 21, 2018:

I think there is a perception that Jewish people will only interact with other people if they are doing business with them.

brentan replies on Nov 21, 2018:

@dan325 I was prompted by the original meme in this discussion. It's too simplistic to hold water. I countered with another to create balance and hopefully find a route to the reality of being Jewish. I must admit I did learn something and that is people are fine with their self-congratulatory memes and consider a corrective to their fantasy to be the work of a bigot.

Texas is once again the asshole of the US of A. [friendlyatheist.patheos.com]

PalacinkyPDX comments on Nov 21, 2018:

Again, I would like to encourage all my friends in Texas to break off from the United States (as a number of your politicians proposed only a few years ago). Take your idiot Governor and Lieutenant Governor and enjoy your new nationhood. I agree, don't mess with Texas, just get your mess away from ...

brentan replies on Nov 21, 2018:

Blocking at state level. Build an inner wall. I must admit I often felt the same about Northern Ireland.

Many words have been reduced to offensive terms such as the much over used word Fuck, which simply ...

brentan comments on Nov 21, 2018:

We'll need a new politically-correct dictionary to cross a minefield of faux-pas.

brentan replies on Nov 21, 2018:

@DonaldHRoberts I must try to keep up.

This is how I live my life. Maybe it's a Jewish thing. Maybe it's just because I'm Jewish.

brentan comments on Nov 21, 2018:

I think there is a perception that Jewish people will only interact with other people if they are doing business with them.

brentan replies on Nov 21, 2018:

@dan325 Perhaps not, but it is a perception and I hoped it might open up a conversation.

This is how I live my life. Maybe it's a Jewish thing. Maybe it's just because I'm Jewish.

brentan comments on Nov 21, 2018:

I think there is a perception that Jewish people will only interact with other people if they are doing business with them.

brentan replies on Nov 21, 2018:

@AmiSue Well good for you. You can control your echo chamber!

This is how I live my life. Maybe it's a Jewish thing. Maybe it's just because I'm Jewish.

brentan comments on Nov 21, 2018:

I think there is a perception that Jewish people will only interact with other people if they are doing business with them.

brentan replies on Nov 21, 2018:

@AmiSue It's a contrasting stereotype. I thought yours was very optimistic so I offered another one.

This is how I live my life. Maybe it's a Jewish thing. Maybe it's just because I'm Jewish.

brentan comments on Nov 21, 2018:

I think there is a perception that Jewish people will only interact with other people if they are doing business with them.

brentan replies on Nov 21, 2018:

@AmiSue There is a difference between off-topic and offering a contrasting opinion. Your confidence is letting you down.

"A man's only as old as the woman he feels." - Grouch Marx

brentan comments on Nov 21, 2018:

It's only a joke. It is, isn't it?

brentan replies on Nov 21, 2018:

@Lincoln55 I'll do that.

GALOOT.

brentan comments on Nov 21, 2018:

It might have gone out of fashion because it's not strong enough for today's invective.

brentan replies on Nov 21, 2018:

@Marionville Never. Not you!

This is how I live my life. Maybe it's a Jewish thing. Maybe it's just because I'm Jewish.

brentan comments on Nov 21, 2018:

I think there is a perception that Jewish people will only interact with other people if they are doing business with them.

brentan replies on Nov 21, 2018:

@AmiSue That was very insulting. Keep it civil. I think you shouldn't be so hasty to class someone with different opinions to you as a troll.

This is how I live my life. Maybe it's a Jewish thing. Maybe it's just because I'm Jewish.

brentan comments on Nov 21, 2018:

I think there is a perception that Jewish people will only interact with other people if they are doing business with them.

brentan replies on Nov 21, 2018:

@AmiSue I'm not.

"Unacceptable and horrible crime" says Trump.

brentan comments on Nov 20, 2018:

Unacceptable and yet acceptable. Maybe he means morally unacceptable and politically acceptable.

brentan replies on Nov 20, 2018:

@powder Lol I hadn't heard ranga before!

"Marks and Spencer knickers display branded 'vomit-inducing'" Feminists have described a Marks & ...

brentan comments on Nov 20, 2018:

They are annoyed because they know sexual attraction is a social construct.

brentan replies on Nov 20, 2018:

@Jnei It will never go out of fashion. Men and women want to impress each other in their own way.

Seems a member this group here blocked me so I can't view her post.

brentan comments on Nov 19, 2018:

The shutters are coming down on discussion.

brentan replies on Nov 20, 2018:

@OwlInASack Well, we really are on opposite ideological sides. Anyway, I'm always happy to read and think about your posts.

Seems a member this group here blocked me so I can't view her post.

brentan comments on Nov 19, 2018:

The shutters are coming down on discussion.

brentan replies on Nov 20, 2018:

@OwlInASack Well OK but I'm sure you realise I was talking about our discussions here. I have a sense that people are grouping themselves into echo chambers. I'm sure that's quite natural but it does rule out any discussion, unless we class conversations are discussion. I was surprised, though, that you felt the reluctance to debate was a feature of the right. I always think of it as a feature of the SJW leftie.

At 60, I still feel "uncomfortable" with younger people calling me "sir".

brentan comments on Nov 19, 2018:

I feel there's still hope for society when I hear sir being used.

brentan replies on Nov 20, 2018:

@Agamic That's not so good! And then there's the ones who call you sir when they're selling something.

[aish.

brentan comments on Nov 19, 2018:

I think they are 2 things Jews would lose through assimilation: 1. the pleasure in believing they are God's special people 2. the drive and ingenuity that resulted from persecution through the centuries Perhaps many Jewish people feel those two things just aren't worth it.

brentan replies on Nov 19, 2018:

@AmiSue Do you mean that God chose you to withstand suffering on a worse level than ordinary suffering?

Always liked this one by the Beach Boys...Help Me Rhonda. [youtu.be]

brentan comments on Nov 18, 2018:

When I heard this song as a boy, The Beach Boys songs were like they came from a different planet and the name Rhonda was so foreign to me. The world gets smaller little by little and would you know, I ended marrying a woman named Rhonda!

brentan replies on Nov 18, 2018:

@Marionville Yes indeed, compliments of the Internet.

I was being friendly the other day with a young woman on twitter when she called me pops.

Lilac-JadeCanada comments on Nov 18, 2018:

I get ''the purple lady'', as I find things in purple that are not normally purple.....my walker, for one......

brentan replies on Nov 18, 2018:

@Lilac-Jade That's more individual, I think, than the senior women I was thinking about who all have the same hair-do.

I was being friendly the other day with a young woman on twitter when she called me pops.

Lilac-JadeCanada comments on Nov 18, 2018:

I get ''the purple lady'', as I find things in purple that are not normally purple.....my walker, for one......

brentan replies on Nov 18, 2018:

Is that related to the blue-rinse ladies?

I was being friendly the other day with a young woman on twitter when she called me pops.

brentan comments on Nov 18, 2018:

Yes, it's not ideal but think of all the worse things we could be called.

brentan replies on Nov 18, 2018:

@dan325 Lol me too!

What's the one thing you hated eating as a kid but now love? For me that's celery.

brentan comments on Nov 18, 2018:

Broccoli.

brentan replies on Nov 18, 2018:

@helionoftroy Oh you, you, you, chef, you!

[aish.

brentan comments on Nov 17, 2018:

While I'm appalled by the treatment of Palestinians in 'Israel', it seems outrageous that the women's movement would not include the rights of Jewish women in its ranks. But I wonder have I got it wrong? Is the complaint really about criticisms of Jews in Israel and nothing to do with Jews in the...

brentan replies on Nov 18, 2018:

@AmiSue I'll take your word for it. I still ask if they are prejudiced against Jewish women in the women's movement? Is there any evidence or are we supposed to say having a lousy attitude is the same thing as actually behaving in a prejudiced way against Jewish women in this movement.

[aish.

brentan comments on Nov 17, 2018:

While I'm appalled by the treatment of Palestinians in 'Israel', it seems outrageous that the women's movement would not include the rights of Jewish women in its ranks. But I wonder have I got it wrong? Is the complaint really about criticisms of Jews in Israel and nothing to do with Jews in the...

brentan replies on Nov 18, 2018:

@AmiSue I'm not sure they should be ousted because some people don't like their political stance on Israel.

FINAGLE.

brentan comments on Nov 18, 2018:

There but for the grace of God....I mean..

brentan replies on Nov 18, 2018:

@Marionville Mea culpa!

Thongs are being used in rape cases in Ireland to indicate desire on the part of the plaintiff.

SKH78 comments on Nov 17, 2018:

Every rape victim I have talked to has been subjected to awful shaming. Some of the worst shamers have been women. It is an old story. Women feel afraid of sexual violence. They calm their fears by shaming or accusing the victim of lying. Google "Unbelievable Story of Rape" and read .... but ...

brentan replies on Nov 18, 2018:

Women shaming women and singing the praises of rapist leaders seems to be very common in religious congregations.

[aish.

brentan comments on Nov 17, 2018:

While I'm appalled by the treatment of Palestinians in 'Israel', it seems outrageous that the women's movement would not include the rights of Jewish women in its ranks. But I wonder have I got it wrong? Is the complaint really about criticisms of Jews in Israel and nothing to do with Jews in the...

brentan replies on Nov 18, 2018:

@AmiSue Yes but I still wonder is there actually any prejudice towards Jewish women in the women's movement?

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy - How It Works [nhs.

psycheworks comments on Nov 17, 2018:

Works for about 40% and can 'wear off'

brentan replies on Nov 17, 2018:

@irascible I don't know anything about CBT but I came to the conclusion years ago that anger was a positive response to depression. Then I got religion and they believed it should be repressed even though God and Jesus both got angry at times. Then I listened to Jordon Peterson who believes we should not only be angry at times but show our teeth to people we believe are treating us badly.

CONSTELLATE: (verb) to gather together in a cluster or group

TheDoubter comments on Nov 17, 2018:

let's meet

brentan replies on Nov 17, 2018:

That would confuse meetup.com bigtime!

[aish.

brentan comments on Nov 17, 2018:

While I'm appalled by the treatment of Palestinians in 'Israel', it seems outrageous that the women's movement would not include the rights of Jewish women in its ranks. But I wonder have I got it wrong? Is the complaint really about criticisms of Jews in Israel and nothing to do with Jews in the...

brentan replies on Nov 17, 2018:

@AmiSue Well, if Linda Sarsour is part of the women's movement and she is antisemitic in general rather than just against Israeli treatment of Palestinians, that no good.

[aish.com] 10 Ideas Judaism Gave the World: Court System, Monotheism, The Weekend, Among Others

brentan comments on Nov 16, 2018:

You mean being Jewish isn't all bad?

brentan replies on Nov 17, 2018:

@Bob4Health We can be glad, I guess, for all the lives saved through war.

[aish.com] 10 Ideas Judaism Gave the World: Court System, Monotheism, The Weekend, Among Others

brentan comments on Nov 16, 2018:

You mean being Jewish isn't all bad?

brentan replies on Nov 17, 2018:

@Bob4Health I wouldn't like to be your worst enemy.

The three C's!

Xanadutoo comments on Nov 16, 2018:

Cabernet-Merlot Cabernet-Sauvignon Cabernet-Zinfandel Only wish I could do your three C's

brentan replies on Nov 16, 2018:

The Sauvignon for me! No risk, can't go wrong.

As long as the general population is passive, apathetic, diverted to consumerism or hatred of the ...

brentan comments on Nov 15, 2018:

I think the general population is too busy playing its part in this dog-eat-world to want to change anything. It would be hypocritical to criticise the rich and powerful just because they play the game better than you.

brentan replies on Nov 16, 2018:

@Arachne I think they got to demonstrate mutual respect. They also brought in this new (to me, anyway) practice of doing the opposite to straw-manning an opponent. They call it steel-manning and each person at certain points has to express exactly what the other person has said before the conversation continues. I also think they reached some agreement on values – not, of course, on there they come from, but on their utility in the world. I’m saying this with Richard Dawkins in mind because his style was (necessarily, I think) combative and the result wasn’t conducive to bringing people of faith and atheists together to try to resolve problems in our world.

More depth for Jordan Peterson.

brentan comments on Nov 14, 2018:

I thought it was a great discussion, very lively and even funny at times when they were very severe with each other.

brentan replies on Nov 16, 2018:

That's wishful thinking!

As long as the general population is passive, apathetic, diverted to consumerism or hatred of the ...

brentan comments on Nov 15, 2018:

I think the general population is too busy playing its part in this dog-eat-world to want to change anything. It would be hypocritical to criticise the rich and powerful just because they play the game better than you.

brentan replies on Nov 15, 2018:

@Arachne I can't see a way of doing that in a part of the world divided into different ideologies. You might say it is just a recent expression of us and them. But how could the extremes of antifa and extreme-right meet halfway? I've been watching Jordon Peterson and Sam Harris with great interest when they discussed Christian values v atheism. I believe the two men actually got somewhere and if they did, it's down to conversation. That's usually the last thing a member of the left or right would want to do, not just because they don't want to hear opposing views but also because it would be disloyal to their group.

As long as the general population is passive, apathetic, diverted to consumerism or hatred of the ...

brentan comments on Nov 15, 2018:

I think the general population is too busy playing its part in this dog-eat-world to want to change anything. It would be hypocritical to criticise the rich and powerful just because they play the game better than you.

brentan replies on Nov 15, 2018:

@Arachne It's a good idea. I think people learned from the earliest times that co-operation was the best way to ensure the survival of the tribe. I don't know what's going to get us to see the advantages of it on a bigger scale. They have all sorts of days dedicated to specific things. I think we should try a 'treat your neighbour good' day. We could see if it makes people happy and if we end up feeling good too.

She Is a Brave Survivor

brentan comments on Nov 14, 2018:

Believe people who come across as sincere, definitely, but rely on the justice system to process allegations.

brentan replies on Nov 15, 2018:

@Paracosm Because it's all we have unless we switch to trial by public opinion.

Impact crater 19 miles wide found beneath Greenland glacier (and may be only 12,000 years old, ...

brentan comments on Nov 14, 2018:

Gosh, it really looks like Graham Hancock was completely right!

brentan replies on Nov 15, 2018:

@celticagent Maybe being around ancient cultures that did believe in reincarnation has had an effect on him. Nonetheless, he might still be correct about his interpretation of the past. It would be a pity to miss out on historical truth, if that really is the case, because of his religious belief.

[yahoo.com] Mom Gives Perfect Response to Body Shaming Nurse.

SKH78 comments on Nov 14, 2018:

Brings back bad memories of being shamed for not being slender enough - when I was 12 years old, I weighed 98 pounds. A decent weight for a 12 year old. But adults began ridiculing me because my stomach was not flat and my hips were "too wide." It was awful ... and girls and women were every bit ...

brentan replies on Nov 14, 2018:

Yes, I can well believe it!

Thongs are being used in rape cases in Ireland to indicate desire on the part of the plaintiff.

whispers comments on Nov 14, 2018:

No, a million times, no, thongs don't "indicate desire" to be assaulted. It's so tiresome that we are still having to have this discussion! Unfortunately, even though that defense holds no weight in court, it doesn't stop jurors from thinking it does.

brentan replies on Nov 14, 2018:

That's for sure. The lawyers must be using it to demonstrate desire, or being horny to be blunt. That, of course, is quite different to desiring to have sex with anyone, especially an attacker. My guess is that the lawyers only use it in cases where the woman voluntarily puts herself in a dangerous situation but then demands that the situation goes no further. In this way, the thongs may talk but what are they actually saying?

As tens of millions of circles can never make a square, so the united voice of myriads cannot lend ...

Eldovis comments on Nov 13, 2018:

Agreed of course!.. But the comparison to a geometrical problem is false.. millions of circle can be reduced to a square, as millions of squares can be made into a circle.. simple geometry

brentan replies on Nov 13, 2018:

I would never have thought that because they always said that you can't square a circle.

[friendlyatheist.

brentan comments on Nov 9, 2018:

An Irish journalist, Kevin Myers, is a man whose opinions I highly respect. He, along with some other people, refuse to believe that Jewish people were gassed in the concentration camps. He doesn't, of course, refuse to believe that they were killed. Some people equate the two ideas. On the other ...

brentan replies on Nov 13, 2018:

@rainmanjr Enough for you. You can't tell other people to limit themselves to your subjective wishes.

OXYMORON.

shockwaverider comments on Nov 12, 2018:

Military Intelligence and my favorite, Pretty Ugly.

brentan replies on Nov 12, 2018:

@powder I think military music is an oxymoron.

The Beatles - Helter Skelter [youtube.com]

brentan comments on Nov 9, 2018:

OK, so he's racing around the slide to stay ahead and higher up than his girlfriend. Then he tells her she's good at love but bad at dancing. "Look out". Yeah, that's looking for trouble.

brentan replies on Nov 11, 2018:

A curious mix of sex and violence.

When does life begin? Pro-lifers might be interested in what the Bible has to say: [slate.com]

Our_existence comments on Nov 11, 2018:

Life never really begins nor ends. It is a continuation of existence from one manifestation to another. It is once again an example of the Christians shoving their views down the throats of the rest of humanity.

brentan replies on Nov 11, 2018:

@Our_existance I think, under the circumstances of the cosmos, once is an absolute miracle!

When does life begin? Pro-lifers might be interested in what the Bible has to say: [slate.com]

Our_existence comments on Nov 11, 2018:

Life never really begins nor ends. It is a continuation of existence from one manifestation to another. It is once again an example of the Christians shoving their views down the throats of the rest of humanity.

brentan replies on Nov 11, 2018:

I mean in the sense of consciousness. It's not much consolation that our parts are somewhere out there somewhere. But when we have the good fortune to be born, that's special.

When does life begin? Pro-lifers might be interested in what the Bible has to say: [slate.com]

Our_existence comments on Nov 11, 2018:

Life never really begins nor ends. It is a continuation of existence from one manifestation to another. It is once again an example of the Christians shoving their views down the throats of the rest of humanity.

brentan replies on Nov 11, 2018:

I think it's an interruption in nothingness so we better appreciate it.

Um, YEAH!!!! [youtube.com]

brentan comments on Nov 10, 2018:

Another hero??? If this is a symptom of how society feels, we must be in big trouble.

brentan replies on Nov 10, 2018:

@KKGator You're losing your sense of reasoning. You don't need me to provide a link. Get with it.

Um, YEAH!!!! [youtube.com]

brentan comments on Nov 10, 2018:

Another hero??? If this is a symptom of how society feels, we must be in big trouble.

brentan replies on Nov 10, 2018:

@KKGator Haha. You looked it up and decided it wasn't for you.But it isn't pretentious, it's called understanding.

Um, YEAH!!!! [youtube.com]

brentan comments on Nov 10, 2018:

Another hero??? If this is a symptom of how society feels, we must be in big trouble.

brentan replies on Nov 10, 2018:

I guess it just goes over your head.

Um, YEAH!!!! [youtube.com]

brentan comments on Nov 10, 2018:

Another hero??? If this is a symptom of how society feels, we must be in big trouble.

brentan replies on Nov 10, 2018:

@slydr68 Yes, but why?