I haven’t received my Agnostic.

CuddyCruiser comments on Oct 2, 2020:

LMFAO........You should see the reactions when I wear these!!

p-nullifidian replies on Oct 2, 2020:

Love 'em, but sadly, one of those T-shirts may actually not be true, in many quarters. With Trump running things, we could easily be called the "Asshole Nation!"

The Truth About Modern day Atheism: They Hate Christianity! - YouTube

David1955 comments on Oct 1, 2020:

I hate Christianity, but not Christians, unless they are evil criminal people. In much the same way I hate Nazism but I don't hate German people. It's the ideologies and religions we should hate, not the people who become trapped by them.

p-nullifidian replies on Oct 2, 2020:

A beautiful sentiment! I feel much the same way. Having been taught to 'hate the sin, not the sinner,' I now hate the belief, not the believer. Turnabout is fair play!

This video is for all the ANTI-MASK IDIOTS and the CONSPIRACY NUTS (including the rabid QANON-ers, ...

powder comments on Sep 30, 2020:

She asks that science is acknowledged........so read this from medical professionals in Belgium. ...

p-nullifidian replies on Oct 1, 2020:

The citations in this article are quite weak in scientific rigor. Tammy K. Herrema Clark ... seriously?

Strong is the force, with young baby Jesus.

RichCC comments on Sep 30, 2020:

I love it. It's definitely less blatant than 'El Caganer'. Ha, ha.😂 https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caganer

p-nullifidian replies on Oct 1, 2020:

Never heard of this tradition until your post ... hilarious!

[youtu.

Mvtt comments on Sep 30, 2020:

I read that as “béchamel” mind lol 😂

p-nullifidian replies on Sep 30, 2020:

Tastes good on lasagna and broccoli!

Yesterday was an interesting day.

p-nullifidian comments on Sep 28, 2020:

Time for a White Russian!

p-nullifidian replies on Sep 29, 2020:

@rainmanjr

Chastised for wearing a mask at church: My brother has a friend who went to church wearing a ...

p-nullifidian comments on Sep 27, 2020:

The irony here is that nearly 1 in 5 (18.5%) of the hospitals in the US is religiously affiliated. If one of these churchgoers contracts a bad case of COVID 19, or any other malady requiring hospitalization, they had better hope that if they are admitted to a religiously-affiliated hospital, the ...

p-nullifidian replies on Sep 28, 2020:

@Fletch And therein lies the irony. The religiously affiliated hospitals, by and large, practice scientifically sound medicine, whereas a number of mind-numbed religious folks reject science.

The global warming ppl must be a little perplexed at this.

wordywalt comments on Sep 24, 2020:

Off base. Weather is not climate. There will always be extreme variations during a climate trend.

p-nullifidian replies on Sep 27, 2020:

@callmedubious No? So, if you don't believe that carbon emissions are contributing to a warming planet, what is your opinion regarding the average temperature of the planet and the oceans on the whole?

Chastised for wearing a mask at church: My brother has a friend who went to church wearing a ...

Fletch comments on Sep 27, 2020:

What denomination was that?

p-nullifidian replies on Sep 27, 2020:

@barjoe Some more than others, wouldn't you agree?

It seems that religion evolved to justify hatred and disbelief of human differences.

AtheistInNC comments on Sep 27, 2020:

I am laughing so hard ... All religion justifies its bad behavior religion evolved to give humans answers religion started as a collection of “just so” stories for children 90% of the theistic beliefs today are based on Judaism The bible god is a violent and evil being This is an animal...

p-nullifidian replies on Sep 27, 2020:

https://memes.getyarn.io/yarn-clip/a3149356-4a1d-4441-92f9-e37475103b6a/text ;-)

It seems that religion evolved to justify hatred and disbelief of human differences.

p-nullifidian comments on Sep 26, 2020:

I agree with @Willow_Wisp, religion likely evolved from a desire to understand nature. Ignorance of things like diseases, seizures, violent storms, earthquakes, volcanoes, eclipses and especially where does one go when one dies and the meaning of dreams, opened the door to religion. First came ...

p-nullifidian replies on Sep 27, 2020:

@Word Or maybe there was no need for a 'book' at all, for those seeking enlightenment from a solitary man humbly seated in full lotus.

The global warming ppl must be a little perplexed at this.

wordywalt comments on Sep 24, 2020:

Off base. Weather is not climate. There will always be extreme variations during a climate trend.

p-nullifidian replies on Sep 25, 2020:

@wordywalt I try not to make assertions of my own. https://www.scidev.net/asia-pacific/vulnerability/news/nearly-all-pacific-islanders-vulnerable-to-sea-level-rise.html

The global warming ppl must be a little perplexed at this.

wordywalt comments on Sep 24, 2020:

Off base. Weather is not climate. There will always be extreme variations during a climate trend.

p-nullifidian replies on Sep 25, 2020:

@callmedubious I too live close to the Pacific and I too have seen no indications of a change in sea level. But then I haven't been out there measuring it every week during different tidal periods for the past few decades. Sea level rise will be gradual and is predicted to be less than 2 meters by the end of the century, which doesn't seem like much, until you add storm surge and high tides into the mix. The Pacific Island nations are at greatest risk here. Sea level rise is a symptom of the larger issue--a warming planet, which has been accelerating due to carbon emissions, wouldn't you agree?

The global warming ppl must be a little perplexed at this.

wordywalt comments on Sep 24, 2020:

Off base. Weather is not climate. There will always be extreme variations during a climate trend.

p-nullifidian replies on Sep 25, 2020:

@callmedubious Seriously? The cover of Time? The magazine that has the distinction of, among other things, naming its 'Person of the Year?' Hardly a scientific resource, wouldn't you agree?

What happens in a church state

yamaha45701 comments on Sep 20, 2020:

Girolamo Savonarola Girolamo Savonarola.jpg Girolamo Savonarola by Fra Bartolomeo, c. 1498, Museo di San Marco, Florence. De facto Ruler of Florence Reign November 1494 – 23 May 1498 Girolamo Savonarola (UK: /ˌsævɒnəˈroʊlə/, US: /ˌsævən-, səˌvɒn-/,[2][3][4] Italian: ...

p-nullifidian replies on Sep 21, 2020:

@yamaha45701 But we shouldn't forget that Savonarola himself was eventually excommunicated by the Pope--perhaps the sodomy laws were too much for him--and executed by being burned alive. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Girolamo_Savonarola_and_His_Two_Companions.jpg

What happens in a church state

yamaha45701 comments on Sep 20, 2020:

Girolamo Savonarola Girolamo Savonarola.jpg Girolamo Savonarola by Fra Bartolomeo, c. 1498, Museo di San Marco, Florence. De facto Ruler of Florence Reign November 1494 – 23 May 1498 Girolamo Savonarola (UK: /ˌsævɒnəˈroʊlə/, US: /ˌsævən-, səˌvɒn-/,[2][3][4] Italian: ...

p-nullifidian replies on Sep 20, 2020:

The citizens of Geneva during the mid-16th century fared little better living under the cruel and inhumane protestant leader John Calvin, who basically ran the damn town!

Religion is, least of all, a virtue.

Word comments on Sep 17, 2020:

Religion ... pure and faultless is this: to help widows and orphans in need and avoiding worldly corruption. James 1:27 Why is it not a virtue to help widows and orphans in need while avoiding worldly corruption?

p-nullifidian replies on Sep 18, 2020:

@Word "These examples of contradictions do not mean much to me." Me neither.

Religion is, least of all, a virtue.

Word comments on Sep 17, 2020:

Religion ... pure and faultless is this: to help widows and orphans in need and avoiding worldly corruption. James 1:27 Why is it not a virtue to help widows and orphans in need while avoiding worldly corruption?

p-nullifidian replies on Sep 18, 2020:

@Word Church is just a rebranding. It's a continuation of temple, which existed for millennia in ancient Rome, Greece, Babylon, Egypt, etc. "Prior, as well as U.S.A., theocracies could be appropriate enought to say THEY are "In God We Trust" styles of god thingie worship government." What the hell does this mean? Read it back to yourself, and translate it for me ... please!

Religion is, least of all, a virtue.

Word comments on Sep 17, 2020:

Religion ... pure and faultless is this: to help widows and orphans in need and avoiding worldly corruption. James 1:27 Why is it not a virtue to help widows and orphans in need while avoiding worldly corruption?

p-nullifidian replies on Sep 18, 2020:

@Word "Surface contradictions because of language translations do not mean much. Some one has seen God, no one has seen god. God is here, god is not here, not omnipresent. God is omnipresent but not here." The only response I can offer to this inchorent nonsequitur is to recommend another good nap.

Religion is, least of all, a virtue.

Word comments on Sep 17, 2020:

Religion ... pure and faultless is this: to help widows and orphans in need and avoiding worldly corruption. James 1:27 Why is it not a virtue to help widows and orphans in need while avoiding worldly corruption?

p-nullifidian replies on Sep 18, 2020:

@Word "As I pointed out, old testiment is laws of government for the Nation of Israel over 2000 years ago." As I pointed out, the Bible (both Old and New Testaments) are of no interest to me. "You are contradictory to YOURSELF that priest, laity etc. , is not a government position." What you are talking about is a theocracy where government and church are merged, which describes a minority of nations in the 21st century.

Religion is, least of all, a virtue.

Word comments on Sep 17, 2020:

Religion ... pure and faultless is this: to help widows and orphans in need and avoiding worldly corruption. James 1:27 Why is it not a virtue to help widows and orphans in need while avoiding worldly corruption?

p-nullifidian replies on Sep 18, 2020:

@Word "Where does your definition for religion come from and what supports the historicity for your definition?" Merriam-Webster, American Heritage Dictionary, New Oxford American Dictionary

Religion is, least of all, a virtue.

Word comments on Sep 17, 2020:

Religion ... pure and faultless is this: to help widows and orphans in need and avoiding worldly corruption. James 1:27 Why is it not a virtue to help widows and orphans in need while avoiding worldly corruption?

p-nullifidian replies on Sep 18, 2020:

@Word Apart from presenting an excellent quote by A.C. Grayling, the original point by @Archeus_Lore was: “Religion is, least of all, a virtue,” to which you appeared to offer a defense of religion by quoting the Bible and asking why James’ description of religion would not be virtuous. I simply pointed out that your argument represents a logical fallacy and that religion is (on the whole) much more than the description found in this quote. From there, things went off the rails, in my view, which, in reply to your ramble, is as follows: I accept a basic historical definition of religion which generally cites as its key attributes the worship of a superhuman agency or agencies, ritual observances, a system of faith, an organization with a clergy or priesthood and a laity, a house or place of worship, and a set of codes & precepts most often found in a revered, if not ‘sacred,’ collection of writings. As a result, assigning a religious designation to such things as a government or a political leader make no sense to me whatsoever. As far as the tiresome prattle about the Bible and the Old and New Testaments goes, this has no bearing on the original point and, in any case, is a source I don't recognize as authoritative and is something I no longer have an interest in.

Religion is, least of all, a virtue.

Word comments on Sep 17, 2020:

Religion ... pure and faultless is this: to help widows and orphans in need and avoiding worldly corruption. James 1:27 Why is it not a virtue to help widows and orphans in need while avoiding worldly corruption?

p-nullifidian replies on Sep 17, 2020:

@Word It's difficult to hold a conversation when one of the two parties can reel off four replies in rapid succession of 370+ words, most of which appear to have little to do with the original point.

Religion is, least of all, a virtue.

Word comments on Sep 17, 2020:

Religion ... pure and faultless is this: to help widows and orphans in need and avoiding worldly corruption. James 1:27 Why is it not a virtue to help widows and orphans in need while avoiding worldly corruption?

p-nullifidian replies on Sep 17, 2020:

I detect a logical fallacy here. Nobody's saying that caring for widows & orphans and refusing to be corrupted is without virtue. If religion were actually defined by these two deeds alone, even the secular humanist acting in this manner could be considered a member. Unfortunately, we all know this not to be the case, as religions, on the whole, contain a complex latticework of unsubstantiated beliefs, absurd practices, false claims and superstitions.

Atheist religion

FearlessFly comments on Sep 16, 2020:

Atheism is a religion like NOT collecting stamps is a hobby. :P

p-nullifidian replies on Sep 17, 2020:

@QuidamOutrepont Like "off" is a TV channel?

Never in their 175 year history has Scientific American endorsed a presidential candidate .

Matias comments on Sep 16, 2020:

How many of those who regularly read this magazine are tempted to vote for Trump ?

p-nullifidian replies on Sep 17, 2020:

Not knowing the demographics, I cannot say, although it seems to me that the majority of Trump's core are not inclined to subscribe to scientific periodicals. That said, for a journal devoted to what should be a nonpartisan topic, to break with 175 years of impartiality is significant.

When someone says they are spiritual and also agnostic-atheist, I always wonder, "Do they believe ...

p-nullifidian comments on Sep 15, 2020:

I lean toward the following concepts expressed by thinkers far above me, authors whose books grace my library. "Science is not only compatible with spirituality; it is a profound source of spirituality. When we recognize our place in an immensity of light years and in the passage of ages, when ...

p-nullifidian replies on Sep 17, 2020:

@gearl When working with an inadquate vocabulary, semantics can be a treacherous path to follow. The word 'spirit' simply means 'to breathe,' and is the root of such innocuous words as 'inspire,' 'aspire,' 'expire' and 'respire.' One should not feel 'duty bound' to reject terminology that has been appropriated by religion.

Needing 2 inch eyepieces and diagonal.

starwatcher-al comments on Sep 11, 2020:

My best therapy is a night under the stars, it puts everything in perspective. All this crap we're worrying about now ain't gonna be a small blip in some historians notebook 1,000 years from now.

p-nullifidian replies on Sep 14, 2020:

@starwatcher-al Yup ... we're all 'lighting candles' around here, hoping for a good Pacific storm! Your monsoon season will soon be over, and the glory of the desert skies on full display. I love Orion!

I use to think that being an intellectual was a noble goal, but time has taught me that it is not ...

p-nullifidian comments on Sep 11, 2020:

A definition of an intellectual is one with a highly developed intellect. If we consider our brains as a muscle which, if developed, broadens our perspective, what could possibly be ignoble about the urge to expand one's intellect? And how is the presence / lack of "heart and conscience" ...

p-nullifidian replies on Sep 14, 2020:

@Triphid I would just like to take this opportunity to thank you for your years of care and service to others, and for the dues you paid to get through your training! More than 30 years ago, when I was in the Air Force, both our children were born at Malcom Grow Medical Center on what was then called Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland. My wife's experience with our second child was significantly enhanced by the midwifery program that had been instituted since the birth of our first child. Her midwife was a calming and steady presence that greatly eased her labor.

Anyone else get their whole bio/description deleted?

Paul4747 comments on Sep 13, 2020:

Not I, said he.

p-nullifidian replies on Sep 13, 2020:

@Paul4747 Do you have powers above & beyond that of the unwashed masses? If not, why proclaim your innocence? ;-)

Anyone else get their whole bio/description deleted?

Paul4747 comments on Sep 13, 2020:

Not I, said he.

p-nullifidian replies on Sep 13, 2020:

Don't you mean, "thus saith he"?

Needing 2 inch eyepieces and diagonal.

starwatcher-al comments on Sep 11, 2020:

My best therapy is a night under the stars, it puts everything in perspective. All this crap we're worrying about now ain't gonna be a small blip in some historians notebook 1,000 years from now.

p-nullifidian replies on Sep 13, 2020:

Sadly, the seeing in my neck of the woods (NorCal) has been atrocious for weeks, with no change in sight! With nearly 3 million acres having burned in the state, our daytime skies are darkened, our viewing of the heavens obstructed and our lives are continuously showered in a layer of ash. We are approaching 4 straight weeks of 'spare the air' restrictions here.

A long read but worth the time.

xenoview comments on Sep 11, 2020:

Faith is believing without evidence.

p-nullifidian replies on Sep 13, 2020:

Indeed! Even Paul admits in Hebrews 11:1 that faith is not evidence based. "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." (KJV) "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." (RSV) "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see." (NIV) "To have faith is to be sure of the things we hope for, to be certain of the things we cannot see." (GNT) It all amounts to certitude about what is hoped for and what has not been observed. In other words, faith is wishful thinking and believing in hearsay--nothing more than credulity, no matter what the translation!

A long read but worth the time.

DenoPenno comments on Sep 10, 2020:

I did not read this but I cannot believe that Aron Ra believes "faith" is in any way reasonable also. The word "faith" is always misrepresented. Idiots want to claim you have "faith" in gravity. WTF?

p-nullifidian replies on Sep 13, 2020:

@Triphid There is no need for faith when it comes to the predictability of physics. We have confidence in the predictability of a given outcome, based on our observations and understanding of the laws that describe natural causes and effects. This enables us to predict with certainty the date, time and path of the total eclipse of the sun in the western hemisphere in 2024. As Spock said in the Star Trek episode, 'Court Martial,' "I speak from pure logic. If I let go of a hammer on a planet that has a positive gravity, I need not see it fall to know that it has in fact fallen."

I use to think that being an intellectual was a noble goal, but time has taught me that it is not ...

p-nullifidian comments on Sep 11, 2020:

A definition of an intellectual is one with a highly developed intellect. If we consider our brains as a muscle which, if developed, broadens our perspective, what could possibly be ignoble about the urge to expand one's intellect? And how is the presence / lack of "heart and conscience" ...

p-nullifidian replies on Sep 12, 2020:

@Triphid, @Archeus_Lore You and I agree that Donald Trump lacks a heart and conscience, however he is the furthest thing from a so-called intellectual (or 'intellectualist' if you prefer) that one might get. Despite his 'stable genius' claims, Trump is the consummate 'anti-intellectual' who appeals to the lowest common denominator in society.

A long read but worth the time.

DenoPenno comments on Sep 10, 2020:

I did not read this but I cannot believe that Aron Ra believes "faith" is in any way reasonable also. The word "faith" is always misrepresented. Idiots want to claim you have "faith" in gravity. WTF?

p-nullifidian replies on Sep 11, 2020:

Perhaps you should've read the article. Ra's conclusion: "Faith is a firm belief that is not dependent on evidence."

The church should stay the HELL out of politics. [yahoo.]

MrDragon comments on Sep 9, 2020:

That'll never happen. Politics and religion are tied at the hips.

p-nullifidian replies on Sep 9, 2020:

It didn't used to be that way in this country, the first nation to craft a constitution that never once mentions God.

Does the evidence for reincarnation prove (at least some kind of) 'god' exists?

Lightupmylife comments on Sep 8, 2020:

This is interesting https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/bering-in-mind/ian-stevensone28099s-case-for-the-afterlife-are-we-e28098skepticse28099-really-just-cynics/

p-nullifidian replies on Sep 8, 2020:

While I remain open to the possibility, one has to ask the question: By what mechanisms are memories and unique physical characteristics or deformities transferred to a developing fetus or child over an apparently limited distance in space and time?

It really really saddens me knowing that many children were raised in a household where religion was...

p-nullifidian comments on Sep 8, 2020:

"It really really saddens me knowing that many children were raised in a household where religion was forced on them." Many children? How about, "most children." As we know, nearly all religions seek to 'educate' the youth in their midst. Parents, without thinking, impose their own belief ...

p-nullifidian replies on Sep 8, 2020:

@VeronicaAnn Understood. Thanks! Many and most don't convey the same thing to me (for example, many Americans have died as a result of COVID), but get it now that I understand that is what you believe.

If there were no bible, would there be no "end times?"

DavidLaDeau comments on Sep 3, 2020:

The answer is YES without question. Christianity has only been a book religion a very short period of time. The Catholic Church prevented the Bible from being published and did not want anyone who was not in the clergy to have a bible. This was so that followers were reliant on the church for their ...

p-nullifidian replies on Sep 8, 2020:

"End times" philosophical beliefs were co-opted, and perhaps perfected by Christianity. But the simple fact is, there have been, and likely always will be, eschatological groups, with or without Christ.

Pretty much sums up the current national sentiment. Maybe if we were nicer... 🤔

AnonySchmoose comments on Sep 3, 2020:

IMO, those who express such angry sentiments are the lowest common denominator vis a vis morality. They do not deserve the privilege of their beliefs, if their beliefs harm others. Scientists are doctors, astronauts, inventors, creators of life-saving medicines, many kinds climate researchers, ...

p-nullifidian replies on Sep 4, 2020:

@dave1459 Didn't see the word 'freedom' anywhere, but our 'freedoms' (or rights) are not inherent in a given society, but rather they are earned privileges most often acheived through a concession of power, and can onl be protected by the vigilant enforcement of the law.

Oh, FFS. New MS flag features "IN GOD WE TRUST" [www1.cbn.com]

xenoview comments on Sep 3, 2020:

Wonder if the FFRF will sue over the in god we trust?

p-nullifidian replies on Sep 4, 2020:

Likely no. It's on our currency and is officially the national motto of the United States, reaffirmed by Congress in 2011 in a vote of 396-9!

People will believe anything.

LenHazell53 comments on Sep 3, 2020:

Dad who is me, can I asked me a question? *Yes my son, who is also me* Why am I/you sacrificing me/you to us? *So I/you can forgive all of the people for the sin of Eve* But Dad who is also me surely that does not make any sense *Watch it boy* I mean for a start Eve didn't exist, ...

p-nullifidian replies on Sep 4, 2020:

That is awesome dialog! The logic of Christianity fully filleted, skewered and roasted.

Christian Group Seeks Removal Of Dinosaur From Tucson McDonald's | Tucson, AZ Patch

PondartIncbendog comments on Sep 1, 2020:

"Christian Group demands removal of Birds from the sky".

p-nullifidian replies on Sep 2, 2020:

Fitting! No dinosaurs, no birds ... but they will never get it!

Deconstruction Experience Question

p-nullifidian comments on Aug 25, 2020:

I must admit that I have never heard of deconstruction until this post. What is it exactly?

p-nullifidian replies on Aug 25, 2020:

@Green_Soldier71 That is not how I experienced the path from faith to unbelief. It was a purely emotional conviction, only later to be buttressed by rational argument. I would proffer that for most believers, the way out of faith is not through 'deconstruction' (or logic) but via the simple easy path of personal experience, common sense and doubt (skepticism).

Deconstruction Experience Question

Mofo1953 comments on Aug 24, 2020:

Deconstruction?

p-nullifidian replies on Aug 25, 2020:

@Stacelyn12 "Deconstruction is to understand the constructed nature of human reality" To quote the humanist Daniel Dennett, this is has all the hallmarks of a 'deepity' (a statement that seems true and profound but is actually ambiguous and shallow.) Clearly, as nullifidian, I remain unconvinced on the very notion of 'deconstruction.'

Deconstruction Experience Question

Mofo1953 comments on Aug 24, 2020:

Deconstruction?

p-nullifidian replies on Aug 25, 2020:

Indeed! Never heard of it until today!

While on a long drive recently, I was listening to a show on NPR about immortality and time.

p-nullifidian comments on Aug 9, 2020:

Scars? Losing a limb? My fantasy of immortality requires complete regenerative capacity where there are no scars, otherwise fatal wounds are healed immediately and limbs grow back faster than a starfish. I would only wish immortality if it were a communicable condition.

p-nullifidian replies on Aug 24, 2020:

@demifeministgal I assumed you to be a sensible person from the start for wanting to overcome depression and anxiety. My apologies if it didn’t appear so. Also, I assume no such thing regarding clinical disorders. My point is that, in this context of an entirely hypothetical discussion of immortality, once healing occurs, a removal of the memory of this suffering would be counterproductive to our ability as humans to empathize—a capacity that I agree is evolved, and without which we would not be here. Yes, we can empathize without having experienced the same pain or anguish, but just as there is a difference between the theoretical and the practical, those who have suffered in the same manner are best equipped to walk in the other person’s shoes. For example, although all of us have experienced the pain and hurt of humiliation, how many of us were mocked by a school teacher for stuttering? Joe Biden’s experience in this particular area enables him to empathize more deeply and to win the trust of a young stutterer more effectively than most.

While on a long drive recently, I was listening to a show on NPR about immortality and time.

p-nullifidian comments on Aug 9, 2020:

Scars? Losing a limb? My fantasy of immortality requires complete regenerative capacity where there are no scars, otherwise fatal wounds are healed immediately and limbs grow back faster than a starfish. I would only wish immortality if it were a communicable condition.

p-nullifidian replies on Aug 23, 2020:

@demifeministgal It seems to me that overcoming depression and anxiety would be the goal of any sensible person, whether or not they are immortal. But that should not, in my view, mean the total erasure of memory, or removal of the emotional scar, as this would result in a reduced awareness of the suffering of others. It is the recollection of our own experiences of both physical and emotional pain that enable us to empathize deeply with other creatures.

What color was Jesus?

Mofo1953 comments on Aug 17, 2020:

Are you for real? Jesus is mexican. What color are Mexicans?

p-nullifidian replies on Aug 17, 2020:

Brown?

We seem to have a sudden influx of pagans, hello, i wonder have you travelled through the humanist ...

p-nullifidian comments on Aug 13, 2020:

The only Pagan I've ever known played for the San Francisco Giants. He was an outfielder named Angel Pagan, who usually played center field. One very special season (2012) we also had an outfielder named Justin Christian. It was amusing to see the lineup and with both names, sometimes next to each ...

p-nullifidian replies on Aug 14, 2020:

@girlwithsmiles Wow! Great resource! Thanks! Good to meet a true baseball officiando ... play ball!

Is it possible that god punishes those that speak out against religion?

barjoe comments on Aug 12, 2020:

When I was a little kid, if I fell and hurt myself and I was on my mom's shit list she'd say "God punished you!" lol

p-nullifidian replies on Aug 13, 2020:

I was brought up in a religion that adhered strictly to keeping the Sabbath, and if you were doing something that might have been considered 'breaking the Sabbath' and something bad were to happen to you, it was seen as God's way of punishing you for breaking the 4th commandment. I used to loathe the Sabbath, but now I sometimes wish I had an excuse to take a whole day off!

At the risk of stirring up a hornet's nest, I'd like to discuss sexism.

p-nullifidian comments on Aug 12, 2020:

Until women enjoy the same control for 200 years over the legislature, courts and executive branches of government may we even begin to compare and contrast the piffle represented in these statements. Give me a break!

p-nullifidian replies on Aug 12, 2020:

@Sgt_Spanky First let me say that performance is not what I'm talking about--performance must be the bottom line in any job. For example, both men and women seeking a position in a major symphony orchestra are typically auditioned behind a black screen--only the sound coming from their instruments is heard, and the best audition gets the job, and only then is their gender known. But women who seek or are already in public office are still judged differently than their male counterparts both by the media and the public at large. That said, fair and just criticism is always warranted, but it should be admitted that all of the statements above don't qualify as such, as they are little more than insults.

At the risk of stirring up a hornet's nest, I'd like to discuss sexism.

p-nullifidian comments on Aug 12, 2020:

Until women enjoy the same control for 200 years over the legislature, courts and executive branches of government may we even begin to compare and contrast the piffle represented in these statements. Give me a break!

p-nullifidian replies on Aug 12, 2020:

@Sgt_Spanky Seriously? Women who exhibit the same characteristics as their male counterparts are often labelled 'abrasive and off-putting.' Worse, they are called 'shrill' or 'overly agressive,' simply for being women with leaderhip capabilities or having a plan. Meanwhile, men are just seen as being their typical selves. Do you not see the double standard that exists?

At the risk of stirring up a hornet's nest, I'd like to discuss sexism.

p-nullifidian comments on Aug 12, 2020:

Until women enjoy the same control for 200 years over the legislature, courts and executive branches of government may we even begin to compare and contrast the piffle represented in these statements. Give me a break!

p-nullifidian replies on Aug 12, 2020:

@RoboGraham It all depends on who you mean by "we?"

So God created us with a hole so he could send himself in human form to save us?

St-Sinner comments on Aug 11, 2020:

Jesus was born out of a sin of Mary in her teenage. What without sin? Double Points!

p-nullifidian replies on Aug 12, 2020:

@dsharphead66 Yup! And by this debauchment was an entire religion founded! In fact, Christianity is based on more than one indignity to all of humanity. First, that the so-called 'sin' (if there even is such a thing) of any ancestor can be passed on to his descendants--indeed, upon all of humanity! What an insult to decency is this idea! Second, that this 'inherited guilt' of an 'original sin' could be 'expunged' by an innocent third party--i.e., that Jesus could accept the guilt of another's actions and pay for it with his life! Third, that a deity could get away with the statutory rape of a teenage maiden in order to conceive a half-breed 'god-man' destined to save mankind! In other words, Christianity exists entirely on a foundation of immoral and fictitious grounds.

‎Monday, ‎August ‎10, ‎2020 postulate Key GOD is ENERGY - in - LIFE - being - All ...

barjoe comments on Aug 11, 2020:

You have no enemy other than death. Don't be such a coward. Live for today then...fade to black

p-nullifidian replies on Aug 12, 2020:

@KWAPELL7 After reading this bizarre post, one can only hope that in the 21st century humankind finally realizes that the use of arcane and vague language is recognized as a trademark of the concocted and counterfeit ideas of a bygone age!

Unlike most of Cassini’s images, this one is completely different, for in this image, Saturn is ...

Druvius comments on Aug 11, 2020:

And the one star to the upper left is Earth, every human being ever is in this photo. Some of them were waving. :)

p-nullifidian replies on Aug 11, 2020:

Carolyn Porco's salute to Carl Sagan' Pale Blue Dot ... the Day the Earth Smiled.

An invisible man in the sky.... Don't Miss to See this TikTok....[vm.tiktok.]

Triphid comments on Aug 10, 2020:

But, sadly and unfortunately there are ever so many who relish such an Overseer ideology, an Overseer with cruel, barbaric, misogynistic, etc, attitudes that would make even the most ardent of Nazis seem like Angels in comparison.

p-nullifidian replies on Aug 11, 2020:

Our innate attachment to strong, typically male, figures such as a father or alpha leader got us here. The feelings of safety and security that are felt when in the presence of such personages reinforced this behavior. Younglings that didn't stay close did not survive to reproduce. But genetic propensities are easily hijacked by religious groups, political strongmen, gang leaders and even by our own, insufferable family members or friends.

Honest Question

BitFlipper comments on Aug 9, 2020:

It's my understanding that atheists are certain that there is no god or gods. I call myself an agnostic because I'm not certain, and I genuinely don't care.

p-nullifidian replies on Aug 10, 2020:

Ceritude and atheism are not congruent positions. Using Bertrand Russell's logic, I am confident that a celestial teapot in a distant planetary orbit about the sun doesn't exist. Similarly, the machinations regarding the existence of a deity are just as unlikely. Thus, I withhold my 'belief' in a deity, while at the same time lack any knowledge of such.

Scientists Spot Space Junk With Lasers in Broad Daylight [gizmodo.com]

davknight comments on Aug 7, 2020:

As of 20 years ago, there were an estimated 250,000 pieces of space junk, each orbiting the Earth at 18,000 miles an hour. There must be 350,000 pieces now. And it amazes me that there have been no collisions between satellites and space junk. A loose screw orbiting at that speed would be enough to ...

p-nullifidian replies on Aug 9, 2020:

It's actually worse than that as NASA estimates there are 500,000 pieces of debris larger than the size of a marble, which may seem harmless until one realizes the kinetic energy a marble has at those speeds!

Microsoft Excel misreads the names of some genes as dates. [theverge.com]

EarnestEccentric comments on Aug 7, 2020:

That's a Cell Format issue on each and every page of any worksheet assembled in Excel... it's always been that way, it's not a program issue. The writer of the spreadsheet simply has to format that "name" column as TEXT. Any column of cells with unspecified format will simply default to whatever...

p-nullifidian replies on Aug 9, 2020:

Agreed. I've used Excel for 30 years, and see this story as a non-story. Any reasonably competent user knows this!

Did Jesus, the man, exist?

Healthydoc70 comments on Aug 3, 2020:

I think Monty Python's Life of Brian is instructive here. If you have not seen it, do yourself a favor. Blessed are the cheesemakers!

p-nullifidian replies on Aug 5, 2020:

He's not the messiah, he's a naughty boy!

I had two hours sleep, my eyelids are so heavy.

p-nullifidian comments on Jul 30, 2020:

Heartfelt condolences from one who feels with you, through the loss of a beloved animal companion of my own. Perhaps there is no "feel good about being an atheist," but in my experience, living a life without any god has led to a very good feeling. I am not sure about 'biological programming' but it...

p-nullifidian replies on Aug 1, 2020:

@ALeigh I once heard someone say that we are 'hard wired' for a 'big daddy' or 'protector.' Perhaps most of us were, in the distant past, dependent on an aggressive defender who, in time, became a 'father figure.' The desire and drive to feel 'protected' and 'safe' may have led to the adoption of faith in an 'eternal father.'

"Every true faith is infallible, it performs what the believing person hopes to find in it.

p-nullifidian comments on Jul 30, 2020:

I completely and wholeheartedly disagree. It was only through my personal loss of faith in faith, as a mental process, that I gained the opportunity for true happiness and the peace of mind that comes from looking at oneself in the mirror, recognizing your foibles, and being willing to change one's ...

p-nullifidian replies on Aug 1, 2020:

@Archeus_Lore Thank you for this share. I am even more convinced that Nietzche was off target. In this letter to his sister, Friedrich asks; "If we had believed since youth that all salvation came not from Jesus but from another--say, from Mohammed--is it not certain that we would have enjoyed the same blessings?" Later he states that "Every true faith is indeed infallible." Such comments are indegistible.

Even agnostics have a belief system.

p-nullifidian comments on Jul 15, 2020:

Epistemology, which is the study of delineating justified beliefs from opinions, is where this discussion seems to be headed.

p-nullifidian replies on Aug 1, 2020:

@Larry68Feminist Although I do not see what you do, like you, I am solution driven, even if I appear unwilling to cast aside sincere knowledge seekers out of hand.

Do you (honestly) rely on social media for News ?

p-nullifidian comments on Jul 30, 2020:

Social media, or individual subscribers who use social media? Facebook 'friends' can behave like local gossips, while a legitimate source that might have a Facebook page may, in fact, provide useful information. I personally don't use Twitter.

p-nullifidian replies on Jul 31, 2020:

@FearlessFly I don't know enough about Facebook to offer an opinion, as I don't engage in this platform. But to accuse Facebook fo "fake news" seems to me to be off the mark, as they were never established to be a news organization. I see Facebook much like a bulletin board in a local public space, where ideas abound and ads for services run rampant.

"Belief is the death of intelligence" - Robert Anton Wilson

Seeker3CO comments on Jul 25, 2020:

Faith is the death of intelligence would be better. Belief being a precursor.

p-nullifidian replies on Jul 26, 2020:

Not sure about that one ... may be a chicken and egg thing. Do people have faith in their beliefs, or do they believe in faith? In my experience, my religious positions began to fall apart when I finally realized I had lost faith in faith. Once I understood that the intellectual position of faith was just credulity, I abandoned this precursor to all my religious beliefs.

22 People Caught COVID at Preacher Andrew Wommack’s Bible Conference | Hemant Mehta | Friendly ...

Theresa_N comments on Jul 25, 2020:

Well, whoever dies gets a Darwin Award, that's some compensation.

p-nullifidian replies on Jul 25, 2020:

@anglophone Wait, so men with vasectomies are automatically disqualified too? ;-)

Joke Biden is kinda goofy and a DNC tool, but trump is a tiny handed facist.

Silver1wun comments on Jul 17, 2020:

Fits BLM and ANTIFA perfectly except for the nationalism part. Add Soviet Russia and the behavior is identical. NAZIS and Bolsheviks differed only in structural ideology. Functionally, you couldn't tell them apart. Today's Marxist street thugs and vandals are yesterday's Brown Shirts or Black ...

p-nullifidian replies on Jul 25, 2020:

@Silver1wun Perhaps poetic allusions, while intriguing, are an inadequate means of communication? Specifics are necessary to form a data-driven position, don't you agree?

More loss of faith in the USA as a decent country.

Fred_Snerd comments on Jul 22, 2020:

Remember when America was great? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4QNXnNftWk 2002

p-nullifidian replies on Jul 25, 2020:

@Lorajay It was an ad from more than a decade ago, when Donald Trump was just a self-promoting, Hollywood wannabe, real-estate mogul. Oh, wait, that's all he is now!!

More loss of faith in the USA as a decent country.

p-nullifidian comments on Jul 22, 2020:

While I am confident that our republic is stronger than any one administration with senatorial lapdogs, it is nonetheless incredible how much damage one determinedly destructive president can do in the span of (let us hope) a mere 4 years!

p-nullifidian replies on Jul 25, 2020:

@yvilletom, @powder The Pentagon (from the Secretary of Defense to the JCS), can't take a leak without approval from the President. However, as President Eisenhower identified at the end of his tenure, the so-called "military industrial complex" is a grave concern, as it serves both parties. Just take a good look at defense contracts by state and voting district!

Even agnostics have a belief system.

p-nullifidian comments on Jul 15, 2020:

Epistemology, which is the study of delineating justified beliefs from opinions, is where this discussion seems to be headed.

p-nullifidian replies on Jul 24, 2020:

@Larry68Feminist I try to give people the benefit of the doubt when being asked a question ... perhaps you have more background with @APhg?

More loss of faith in the USA as a decent country.

Fred_Snerd comments on Jul 22, 2020:

Remember when America was great? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4QNXnNftWk 2002

p-nullifidian replies on Jul 22, 2020:

I despised him then, hate the man even more now. Thanks for giving me a reason to down a half bottle of vodka to chase the handful of Tums I just swallowed!

Got a new BBQ, my brother got a traeger.

p-nullifidian comments on Jul 17, 2020:

Okay, that's great ... but what does this have to do with Science (Academic) subject matter?

p-nullifidian replies on Jul 18, 2020:

@Honorabledougn Just so you know, it's "Traeger." https://www.traegergrills.com

Joke Biden is kinda goofy and a DNC tool, but trump is a tiny handed facist.

Silver1wun comments on Jul 17, 2020:

Fits BLM and ANTIFA perfectly except for the nationalism part. Add Soviet Russia and the behavior is identical. NAZIS and Bolsheviks differed only in structural ideology. Functionally, you couldn't tell them apart. Today's Marxist street thugs and vandals are yesterday's Brown Shirts or Black ...

p-nullifidian replies on Jul 18, 2020:

@Silver1wun "Ignoring history will 'doom us to repeat it'. Too late though. The encore is 'en'. Actions disclose. Function defines. Labels mean nothing. Any week now, possibly this one, they'll be scattered like roaches when the light comes on." What on Earth does this ramble even mean? "The encore is 'en'[?]" "Function defines[?]" "Labels mean nothing[?]" "...scattered like roaches[?]" Are you f*ing kidding me?

Joke Biden is kinda goofy and a DNC tool, but trump is a tiny handed facist.

p-nullifidian comments on Jul 17, 2020:

Even if Joe Biden were to drop dead the day after his inauguration, whoever he selects as his running mate would be a massive improvement over Trump, in terms of foreign policy / international relations, judicial appointments, environmental rollbacks, pro-science policies, ethnic inclusion and sheer...

p-nullifidian replies on Jul 18, 2020:

@jorj So your point is what? Vote for four more years of Donald Trump because Joe Biden doesn't meet your 'purity' standard?

Joke Biden is kinda goofy and a DNC tool, but trump is a tiny handed facist.

Silver1wun comments on Jul 17, 2020:

Fits BLM and ANTIFA perfectly except for the nationalism part. Add Soviet Russia and the behavior is identical. NAZIS and Bolsheviks differed only in structural ideology. Functionally, you couldn't tell them apart. Today's Marxist street thugs and vandals are yesterday's Brown Shirts or Black ...

p-nullifidian replies on Jul 17, 2020:

"Marxist street thugs[?]" I don't think so. Today's Brown Shirts attend Unite the Right rallys and carry tiki torches. They are largely comprised of white supremacists who Trump fails to aggressively marginalize. BLM and ANTIFA don't even belong in the same sentence.

What is the rationality or purpose of "forgiveness"?

p-nullifidian comments on Jul 16, 2020:

Forgiveness is an extremely personal decision that can never be demanded or imposed by any philosophy or religion or via the counsel of therapists, family or friends.

p-nullifidian replies on Jul 17, 2020:

@redbai I am not able to answer what is most certainly a personal, subjective and individual matter. Asking what it means to forgive is like asking what it means to love. Perhaps some commonalities exist, but when applied to a specific person in our lives, each of us has our own definition of forgiveness and love--definitions that cannot be imposed by any external party or philosophy.

To the people who either didn't understand, or were confused about my previous post.

p-nullifidian comments on Jul 16, 2020:

My advice to you would be the same I offered my daughter, who is about your age. Never date a guy who talks about himself more than he shows an interest in you, whose eyes keep scanning the room instead of you, who appears to have a negative relationship with his mother, who looks down on anyone he ...

p-nullifidian replies on Jul 17, 2020:

@beenthere Fair enough ... I was merely repeating back the original poster's comment.

What is the rationality or purpose of "forgiveness"?

p-nullifidian comments on Jul 16, 2020:

Forgiveness is an extremely personal decision that can never be demanded or imposed by any philosophy or religion or via the counsel of therapists, family or friends.

p-nullifidian replies on Jul 16, 2020:

@redbai To forgive.

Let's talk about Trump being right, kind of.... - YouTube

barjoe comments on Jul 14, 2020:

Just like this guy Beau says Trump is right about something, nope he's 100% wrong. I usually agree with Beau, not this time. Maybe in the past people who hung rebel flag weren't racist, but today in this climate EVERYBODY who hangs a Confederate flag is a fucking racist piece of shit. We are paying ...

p-nullifidian replies on Jul 16, 2020:

@48thRonin Racism is most certainly an American problem. But the enslavement of Africans which was religiously and politically grounded in white superiority was, by the mid 1800's, unique to the South. That said, we appear to be caught up in a moment of history where we can attack the problem more broadly, and drill down from multiple cases. We can recognize, condemn and address (via funding, oversight, training, dismissals, etc.) the racial prejudice in law enforcement, and attack the history of systemic racism and bigotry in the North's redlining as well as other discriminatory practices, while at the same time insisting upon the removal of monuments, statuary, names, battle flags and other symbols of the Confederacy--most of which have served to intimidate former slaves and their decendants.

What is the rationality or purpose of "forgiveness"?

skado comments on Jul 15, 2020:

“An eye for an eye leaves everybody blind.“ - MLK

p-nullifidian replies on Jul 16, 2020:

Retribution need not be the alternative to forgiveness.

The Germ Theory of Spirituality [agnostic.com]

p-nullifidian comments on Jul 8, 2020:

"Regardless of what name they gave it in any given culture, at any given time, it has always existed in reality. Ha! It IS reality. It IS almighty. It IS our creator. It DOES exist. To belittle people who have felt the weight of greater reality, and who wish to live in harmony with its dictates, ...

p-nullifidian replies on Jul 9, 2020:

@skado I guess I need more examples to better understand.

The Germ Theory of Spirituality [agnostic.com]

Larry-new comments on Jul 8, 2020:

Woo, and it is observed to be infecting multiple groups, so I'd say it has the characteristics of bacterial replication. Perhaps there's a spray...

p-nullifidian replies on Jul 9, 2020:

Spraying only masks the odor ... a vaccine may be the only cure.

Your thoughts on forgiveness?

Mofo1953 comments on Jul 5, 2020:

I could only think of this: https://youtu.be/EMZDswCUcOY

p-nullifidian replies on Jul 8, 2020:

If that's all you could think of, it's more than enough ...thank you for this share!

End Public Funding of Religious Education! Supreme Court decision in Espinoza v.

Rich177 comments on Jul 7, 2020:

How about ending public funding of Marxist universities

p-nullifidian replies on Jul 8, 2020:

Marxist Universities? Please specify.

Texas Mega church that hosted Pence got millions in aid

MakeItGood comments on Jul 7, 2020:

This better come up in the vp debates this fall.

p-nullifidian replies on Jul 8, 2020:

The VP debates may be all we get.

Florida Teen Dies After Mother Took Her to Church Coronavirus Party, Then Treated Her With ...

p-nullifidian comments on Jul 7, 2020:

A nurse? One wonders where she attended nursing school or, more importantly, where (apart from her daughter) she plies her nursing skills!

p-nullifidian replies on Jul 7, 2020:

@TheMiddleWay Indeed ... Ben Carson was a brain surgeon!

I guess my question is why does God not want me.

maturin1919 comments on Jun 29, 2020:

Jesus don't want me for a sunbeam neither.

p-nullifidian replies on Jul 6, 2020:

No shining for him each day, eh?!

Religion is the second of the 3 great social control mechanisms that have governed the development ...

Allamanda comments on Jul 2, 2020:

Do you have a timeline here? I am pretty sure standing armies come well after religion chronologically, and I see no sign of them losing out to economic theory yet.

p-nullifidian replies on Jul 6, 2020:

@Allamanda Perhaps not entirely different. Standing armies, loyal to the throne, are but a logical extension of goon squads, 'brown shirts' and henchmen. Simply a matter of degree.

I’m struggling with the statement people make when they say they are Free Thinkers, Critical ...

p-nullifidian comments on Jun 21, 2020:

In his book, *Demon-Haunted World, Science as a Candle in the Dark,* Carl Sagan observed: “Science is not only compatible with spirituality; it is a profound source of spirituality. When we recognize our place in an immensity of light‐years and in the passage of ages, when we grasp the ...

p-nullifidian replies on Jul 6, 2020:

@Larry-new And as Sam Harris points out, the term "sports." Too broad a brush?

Religion is the second of the 3 great social control mechanisms that have governed the development ...

Allamanda comments on Jul 2, 2020:

Do you have a timeline here? I am pretty sure standing armies come well after religion chronologically, and I see no sign of them losing out to economic theory yet.

p-nullifidian replies on Jul 3, 2020:

If we were to substitute 'standing armies' with goon squads and loyal henchmen (as is seen with subordinate males to an alpha chimp), this control mechanism would most certainly predate organized religion.

"Religion is a practice that counterbalances our animal instincts for the purpose of accommodating ...

p-nullifidian comments on Jul 2, 2020:

I disagree. Religion merely codified our instincts for care and reciprocity, behaviors found in other animals and without which we may not have survived. In a time when superstition reigned, beginning with hunter gatherer shamans, religion took advantage of ignorant fear to erect an elaborate ...

p-nullifidian replies on Jul 3, 2020:

@skado Religion is not a monolith. I am reminded of the Sam Harris observation that the term religion is like the term sports, and that about the only commonality between kick boxing and badminton is breathing. Perhaps we should avoid using the singular, and remind ourselves of the many thousands of religions, both active and dead, by using the plural? I am curious as to the motivation for your apparent esteem for religions. Unless one is a theist, and believes in divine inspiration, what reason would one have to elevate a peculiar group of incompatible philosophies or set of ideas, particularly in light of the fact that many of those ideas are incongruent with our present understanding?

"Religion is a practice that counterbalances our animal instincts for the purpose of accommodating ...

Paul4747 comments on Jul 1, 2020:

Let me work on that for a minute: "*Civilization* is a set of practices that counterbalance our animal instincts for the purpose of accommodating *our fellow human beings*." I prefer this version, since religion in general (and especially in its earliest forms) merely codifies tribal taboos ...

p-nullifidian replies on Jul 2, 2020:

As a nullifidian I am lacking in any faith or religious belief, and as such, have been accused of painting with too broad a brush when it comes to my scathing anti-religious sentiments. But if any placebo is 'useful' to people, it should at least be open to questioning, debate and by all means, ridicule. Nothing is sacred, including religion. If people don't want to look behind the curtain, and prefer the hocus pocus, that's just too bad, because I intend to be the Toto that exposes the Wizard of Oz for what he really is--a fraud.

"Religion is a practice that counterbalances our animal instincts for the purpose of accommodating ...

Mofo1953 comments on Jul 1, 2020:

What a fucking moronic idea!

p-nullifidian replies on Jul 2, 2020:

Tell us how you really feel! ;-)

LOL, it just CANNOT get any better imo.

Edgeward comments on Jul 1, 2020:

Be careful what you admit to! You may be required to get a pet license for each and everyone of those demons!

p-nullifidian replies on Jul 2, 2020:

With nametags: Legion 1, Legion 2, Legion 3, etc.

The Bible: a book where the protagonist kills more people and in more brutal, sadistic fashion than ...

p-nullifidian comments on Jun 29, 2020:

Indeed! The God of that great work of fiction called the Bible is an immorally indiscriminate mass murderer who was a greater threat to humanity than any devil ever was.

p-nullifidian replies on Jul 1, 2020:

@Word "First, generally speaking, discussing the biblical text as if fiction isn't too much of a problem except where facts that are in fact facts would not be deemed as not facts." This Rumsfeldian beginning was a harbinger of what came next which, try as I might, was beyond my comprehension. Clearly, I am not on your intellectual plane. Peace.

The Bible: a book where the protagonist kills more people and in more brutal, sadistic fashion than ...

p-nullifidian comments on Jun 29, 2020:

Indeed! The God of that great work of fiction called the Bible is an immorally indiscriminate mass murderer who was a greater threat to humanity than any devil ever was.

p-nullifidian replies on Jul 1, 2020:

@Word “Confused, illogical atheist?” I beg your pardon. Please note that I identify the Bible as a work of fiction, enabling us to discuss the personalities in that book in the same manner as we might argue over the virtues and vices of the characters in Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings. In the absence of unbiased historical sources, one is left with the conclusion that none of these Biblical protagonists, including a so-called deity, were or are real—all is a fantasy. However, to claim that the Bible does not portray a murderous, petty and immoral God is to bury one's head in the sand and ignore the text, as written. "Now the earth was corrupt in God’s sight and was full of violence. God saw how corrupt the earth had become, for all the people on earth had corrupted their ways. So God said to Noah, 'I am going to put an end to all people, for the earth is filled with violence because of them. I am surely going to destroy both them and the earth.'" Genesis 6:11-13 (NIV)

You have been blocked

p-nullifidian comments on Jun 27, 2020:

Just wondering, but other than the raw material used, how is the skin color of a statue determined? Many historians assume that the "non-historical" character known as Jesus would have been of olive or brown complexion. How is this feature conveyed in sculpture and statues?

p-nullifidian replies on Jul 1, 2020:

@Rich177 Agreed, but I am approaching this particular topic from a practical point of view. Since statues aren't paintings, there are a wide variety of colors between marble and obsidian. To those who think it matters, how is the color of a subject's skin determined from a bronze statue?