Atheist zealots a heavy cross to bear - Page 8

TGS · 09-20-2010, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

Come on, now. We've kept this a polite conversation so far. Please let's show all the doubters that it is possible to discuss sensitive subjects without descending into personal attacks. We've managed it very nicely so far - let's not spoil it!

Wot? Me?

ardeegee · 09-20-2010, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TGS

Wot? Me?

No, I think he means when recluse started it by saying that I, personally, am the reason most people have a problem admitting they are atheists (I didn't realize that I had such power. I must put it to worse use.) and my reaction.

HarryT · 09-20-2010, 04:09 PM

I was merely remarking that we'd all got on very nicely so far, and it would be a pity to spoil it now. It wasn't a criticism of anyone

.

WT Sharpe · 09-20-2010, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

Come on, now. We've kept this a polite conversation so far. Please let's show all the doubters that it is possible to discuss sensitive subjects without descending into personal attacks. We've managed it very nicely so far - let's not spoil it!

Hear, hear!

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

I was merely remarking that we'd all got on very nicely so far, and it would be a pity to spoil it now. It wasn't a criticism of anyone

.

Again,

It doesn't matter who starts the negativity. Don't feed into it. Let's keep the nastiness out.

wodin · 09-20-2010, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by recluse

I had a feeling faith was the wrong word to use.

Try this:
There is a cake tin. Some believe there is a cake in the tin. Others believe the tin is empty. Until the tin is opened and the contents, or lack thereof are revealed, all either side has is their belief.
I don't think anyone can open that tin yet.
And I believe there are people on both sides who don't want it opened.

That is faintly reminiscent of Schrödinger's cat, until the box is opened, nobody knows if the cat is alive or dead.

I submit; the cat knows!

weateallthepies · 09-20-2010, 05:27 PM

Some light relief

ShortNCuddlyAm · 09-20-2010, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

It's the difference between saying "I think fairies are a load of superstitious claptrap and, as a rational person, I don't believe in them" and "nobody has presented me with any evidence to support the existance of fairies, therefore I have no reason to believe in them". The first is an active act of "non-belief", the second is simply not having any reason to believe.

I think myself that these are entirely different viewpoints.

That's my take on it, too. I look at active disbelief as something an inverse Duchess from Alice might do, disbelieving in 6 improbable(*) things before breakfast. The second is probably far more common - there are lots of things we don't believe in because there's not any/enough evidence to, but which we don't give a moment of thought to.

Quote:

Originally Posted by neilmarr

***Have you looked at the quiz referenced? It's really quite fascinating! ***

Agreed, Harry. I did take a hit because the question about Peter Sutcliffe was ambiguous. (I covered the murders and his trial, by the way and interviewed the family and friends of victims as well has his own family and friends [with the exception of wife, Sonia].)

I took the question to mean: Did Sutcliffe, as a demanted beliver, feel that his actions were justified?

Certainly he did. Certainly I do not. But I answered 'yes, he was justified.' But he was justified only in the same way as a virgin-sacrificing potty sect or a manic suicide bomber in a packed McDonalds might be ... only according to his/her own insane delusions.

Cheers. Neil

That was one of the questions that really made me think before I answered it. I initially read it the same way - did Sutcliffe feel his beliefs justified his actions? As he seemed to, I was going to answer yes, but then I thought back to the previous questions about morality existing without god, and basing one's world view on internal convictions not external evidence; and decided otherwise.

(* Yes, I know the duchess believed in 6 impossible things, but improbable fits better)

ShortNCuddlyAm · 09-20-2010, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wodin

That is faintly reminiscent of Schrödinger's cat, until the box is opened, nobody knows if the cat is alive or dead.

I submit; the cat knows!

And if it's been in a box against its will for any length of time, it will bloody furious (with apologies to Sir Pterry)

WT Sharpe · 09-20-2010, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShortNCuddlyAm

(* Yes, I know the duchess believed in 6 impossible things, but improbable fits better)

Actually, she was a queen, but far be it from me to be picky.

Strangely enough, I have that quote in queue to be posted soon to the Notable Quotes, Excerpts, and Profound Lines thread.

ShortNCuddlyAm · 09-20-2010, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WT Sharpe

Actually, she was a queen, but far be it from me to be picky.

Strangely enough, I have that quote in queue to be posted soon to the Notable Quotes, Excerpts, and Profound Lines thread.

The duchess was the one with the baby/pig and the pepper

PKFFW · 09-20-2010, 06:57 PM

Wow, so much to catch up on after one nights sleep.

Some good thoughts brought up.

Cheers,
PKFFW

thrawn_aj · 09-20-2010, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by weateallthepies

Quote:

Originally Posted by kindlekitten

I'm going to go out on a limb here and suggest that terrazoids was being completely tongue in cheek in that post. I think. maybe...

The thought crossed my mind but I wasn't entirely sure.

Poe's Law strikes again

.

Edit: Ach. Ardegee already mentioned this. Never mind

WT Sharpe · 09-20-2010, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShortNCuddlyAm

The duchess was the one with the baby/pig and the pepper

Don't feel bad. I wouldn't have caught that if I hadn't copied it days ago to be posted soon in that thread.

ShortNCuddlyAm · 09-20-2010, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WT Sharpe

Don't feel bad. I wouldn't have caught that if I hadn't copied it days ago to be posted soon in that thread.

And thanks for the heads up about that thread - I'd somehow missed it (or forgotten it)

WT Sharpe · 09-20-2010, 07:36 PM

C'mon over. We need more folks posting quotations and commenting!

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09-20-2010, 04:09 PM	#108
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383099 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	I was merely remarking that we'd all got on very nicely so far, and it would be a pity to spoil it now. It wasn't a criticism of anyone .

09-20-2010, 05:27 PM	#111
weateallthepies Lord of the Pies Posts: 252 Karma: 103458 Join Date: Mar 2009 Device: Kindle Scribe, Kindle Oasis 3, Kobo Sage, Onyx Boox Leaf 2, iPad Pro	Some light relief

09-20-2010, 06:57 PM	#116
PKFFW Wizard Posts: 3,791 Karma: 33500000 Join Date: Dec 2008 Device: BeBook, Sony PRS-T1, Kobo H2O	Wow, so much to catch up on after one nights sleep. Some good thoughts brought up. Cheers, PKFFW

09-20-2010, 07:36 PM	#120
WT Sharpe Bah, humbug! Posts: 39,072 Karma: 157049943 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Chesapeake, VA, USA Device: Kindle Oasis, iPad Pro, & a Samsung Galaxy S9.	C'mon over. We need more folks posting quotations and commenting!

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