My god's Bigger Than your God

“What the Fig?”

“What about Fig Newtons?

'32oz”

“would the slang be figgots or figgers?”

“I'm with God on this one...figs suck
last edited: 3/12/09 12:49:40 PM”

“What about kumkwats?

'32oz”

“So, who do we have on here with no or little religious belief. I don't like the term athiest, but I guess that's the definition.”

“To me, religious belief implies belonging to a church. Did you mean spiritual beliefs? I'm a big hell no on religion and a big hell yes on spirituality. Not sure what box that puts me in.”

“One night in the box!”

“Beats the hell out of what the Christians had in store for me:)”

“I guess to me religious beliefs is believing in god or a god.......some all powerful being doing a pathetic job at running things.”

“It's obvious to me that something made all of this and keeps the planets doing what they do, etc. How people behave is left up to free choice and the consequences thereof. Living in faith or fear is a choice I make every day (perhaps several times a day) and the healthiness of my choices depend on that posture. I long ago quit blaming God for anything and seldom blame others for any difficulties. If I see the need for someone else to change in order for me to be okay, then I'm screwed. Sorting out my own personal responsibilities in a myriad of situations puts me solely in charge of the success of my life, or lack thereof. Pretty simple philosophy, but I'm a simple guy.”

“the word youre struggling for is "agnostic"
last edited: 3/12/09 5:38:16 PM”

“thats the common usage of the word, anyways, for someone who does not deny but makes no definite claims about god(s). altho the term "atheist" can be used, because technically, the word "atheist" means youre against having a specific belief, not necessarily against god(s). looking at it entymologically, anyways
last edited: 3/12/09 5:42:32 PM”

“Types of agnosticism

Agnosticism can be subdivided into several subcategories. Recently suggested variations include:

* Strong agnosticism (also called "hard," "closed," "strict," or "absolute agnosticism")

—the view that the question of the existence or nonexistence of a deity or deities and the nature of ultimate reality is unknowable by reason of our natural inability to verify any experience with anything but another subjective experience. A strong agnostic would say, "I cannot know whether a deity exists or not, and neither can you."

* Weak agnosticism (also called "soft," "open," "empirical," or "temporal agnosticism")

—the view that the existence or nonexistence of any deities is currently unknown but is not necessarily unknowable, therefore one will withhold judgment until/if any evidence is available. A weak agnostic would say, "I don't know whether any deities exist or not, but maybe one day when there is more evidence we can find something out."

* Apathetic agnosticism (also called Pragmatic agnosticism)

—the view that there is no proof of either the existence or nonexistence of any deity, but since any deity that may exist appears unconcerned for the universe or the welfare of its inhabitants, the question is largely academic anyway.[citation needed]

* Agnostic atheism

—the view of those who do not claim to know of the existence of any deity, and do not believe in any.[9]

* Agnostic theism (also called "religious" or "spiritual agnosticism")

—the view of those who do not claim to know of the existence of any deity, but still believe in such an existence. (See Knowledge vs. Beliefs.)

* Ignosticism

—the view that a coherent definition of a deity must be put forward before the question of the existence of a deity can be meaningfully discussed. If the chosen definition isn't coherent, the ignostic holds the noncognitivist view that the existence of a deity is meaningless or empirically untestable. A.J. Ayer, Theodore Drange, and other philosophers see both atheism and agnosticism as incompatible with ignosticism on the grounds that atheism and agnosticism accept "a deity exists" as a meaningful proposition which can be argued for or against. An ignostic cannot even say whether he/she is a theist or a nontheist until a better definition of theism is put forth.[10][dubious – discuss]”

“WOW....that was very descriptive and I had no idea there were that many variations. I think I may between Apathetic agnosticism and Agnostic atheism.....or both.....can I be both.”

“All that heady #&%!$ takes the fun out of it:)”

“...which one means ya just don't know anymore???”

“No (if you're talking to me), I know what I know for me. The difference is that I don't presume that it would work for anyone else...or would even continue to work for me. If it doesn't, I'll change it. That's either regression or growth:)

BTW, Old Woman, who are the 2 people on TT older than you?”

“I consider myself Ablutophobic*.













*Fear of washing or bathing.”

“Be an infinitest as I. Everything is so old or so big, being concerned about ends and beginnings and all that silly crap doesn't wait or weight you down. When you believe in an infinite number of exact you's being out there somewhere and an infinite number of almost you's too, you're on your way. Remember, stupidity can be neither created nor destroyed.”

“Chuck it.”

“...there is NO WAY anyone can prove anything....”

“Not really a big fan of RELIGION...more into Faith.

Now how about Olivia Newton John covered in Figs?”

“there is NO WAY anyone can prove anything

The problem of induction. Congratulations, you totally destroyed science, and evolution in particular. Intelligent Design FTW.”

“whip em out, I'll measure.”

“Aaaaaaaaaahhhhhhh!!!!
People thinking freely and logicly! Someone's gonna come in here with a rod, and a staff, and beat the hell back into all of you! You may want to watch for an arab someone acting nervous and seeming to have a bunch of candles under his shirt too.”

“Repent ye sinnas!”

“Was that Repent...or REPEAT!!! WHOOHOO!!!!”

“And what's with the Ken-L-Ration jingle?

This is TrollTalk ---- Shouldn't it be "My God Can Beat Up Your God"?”

“Ottawa (the Canuck Capital) banned the signs on the side of busses that says, 'There's probably no god, so [sic] stop worrying and enjoy life.'

The signs first appeared on busses in Londonb, UK.

Ottawa council then rescinded the decision. There's a French version on Montreal busses. The ads [?] are payed for by some 'humanist' organisation.

I have no problem with this type of thing, but it got me thinking. Are atheists recruiting? Do they seek acolytes? Do they want to convert people? Will they start going door to door like Mormons and Jehova Witnesses? Will they adopt a Scripture?

Strange times, eh?”

“Atheists have nothing to prove to anyone. Literally, LOL

Maybe they got tired of being inundated by the PR blitz from the hocus pocus crowd?   < G >”

“The following was written by Ben Stein and recited by him on CBS Sunday Morning Commentary.
My confession:
I am a Jew, and every single one of my ancestors was Jewish. And it does not bother me even a little bit when people call those beautiful lit up, bejeweled trees, Christmas trees.. I don't feel threatened. I don't feel discriminated against. That's what they are: Christmas trees.
It doesn't bother me a bit when people say, 'Merry Christmas' to me. I don't think they are slighting me or getting ready to put me in a ghetto. In fact, I kind of like it. It shows that we are all brothers and sisters celebrating this happy time of year. It doesn't bother me at all that there is a manger scene on display at a key intersection near my beach house in Malibu . If people want a Nativity Scene, it's just as fine with me as is the Menorah a few hundred yards away.
I don't like getting pushed around for being a Jew, and I don't think Christians like getting pushed around for being Christians. I think people who believe in God are sick and tired of getting pushed around, period. I have no idea where the concept came from that America is an explicitly atheist country. I can't find it in the Constitution and I don't like it being shoved down my throat.
Or maybe I can put it another way: where did the idea come from that we should worship celebrities and we aren't allowed to worship God as we understand Him? I guess that's a sign that I'm getting old, too. But there are a lot of us who are wondering where these celebrities came from and where the America we knew went to.
In light of the many jokes we send to one another for a laugh, this is a little different: This is not intended to be a joke; it's not funny, it's intended to get you thinking.
Billy Graham's daughter was interviewed on the Early Show and Jane Clayson asked her 'How could God let something like this happen?' (regarding Katrina) Anne Graham gave an extremely profound and insightful response. She said, 'I believe God is deeply saddened by this, just as we are, but for years we've been telling God to get out of our schools, to get out of our government and to get out of our lives. And being the gentleman He is, I believe He has calmly backed out. How can we expect God to give us His blessing and His protection if we demand He leave us alone?'
In light of recent events... Terrorists attack, school shootings, etc. I think it started when Madeleine Murray O'Hare (she was murdered, her body found a few years ago) complained she didn't want prayer in our schools, and we said OK. Then someone said you better not read the Bible in school. The Bible says "Thou Shalt not Kill, thou Shalt not Steal", and "Love your Neighbor as Yourself." And we said OK.
Then Dr. Benjamin Spock said we shouldn't spank our children when they misbehave because their little personalities would be warped and we might damage their self-esteem (Dr Spock's son committed suicide). We said an expert should know what he's talking about. And we said OK.
Now we're asking ourselves why our children have no conscience, why they don't know right from wrong, and why it doesn't bother them to kill strangers, their classmates, and themselves. Probably, if we think about it long and hard enough, we can figure it out. I think it has a great deal to do with 'WE REAP WHAT WE SOW.'
Funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world's going to hell. Funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question what the Bible says. Funny how you can send 'jokes' through e-mail and they spread like wildfire but when you start sending messages regarding the Lord, people think twice about sharing. Funny how lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene articles pass freely through cyberspace, but public discussion of God is suppressed in the school and workplace.
Are you laughing yet?
Funny how when you forward this message, you will not send it to many on your address list because you're not sure what they believe, or what they will think of you for sending it.
Funny how we can be more worried about what other people think of us than what God thinks of us. Pass it on if you think it has merit. If not then just discard it... no one will know you did. But, if you discard this thought process, don't sit back and complain about what bad shape the world is in.
My Best Regards, Honestly and respectfully,
Ben Stein”

“I wonder what Ben thinks of hinduism.”

“I have no idea where the concept came from that America is an explicitly atheist country.

what a ridiculous strawman. no one that ive heard is saying that.

I don't like getting pushed around for being a Jew, and I don't think Christians like getting pushed around for being Christians

what about atheists getting pushed around for being atheists, or wiccans being pushed around for being wiccans? how do you feel about that, benny boy?

we aren't allowed to worship God as we understand Him

you ARE allowed you sniveling twit. and we're allowed to make fun of your silly superstitious ways. unlike the CHRISTIAN missionaries of america's past, no one is going into christian homes and replacing "savage" traditions with "civilized" religion.

Then Dr. Benjamin Spock said we shouldn't spank our children when they misbehave because their little personalities would be warped and we might damage their self-esteem (Dr Spock's son committed suicide)

i agree that lax discipline is a major problem, but if youre going to throw out a cheap shot like "well, his son committed suicide", then what does he have to say about tony dungy's son committing suicide? tony is a model christian and involved in his children's lives. why did his son off himself? maybe he was gay, and knew about tonys strong views on homosexuality (for the record, i dont blame either men for their sons's deaths) i love how conservatives are all about personal responsibility, until it is convenient to shift blame

one could go on and on about the scores of logical fallacies in this missive, but one just cant be bothered
last edited: 4/14/09 1:13:58 PM”

“Hey I totally agree I see no reason to push my religion on anyone else. But when your side begins making unsubstantiated allegations about "CHRISTIAN TERRORISTS" comparing them to the islamic terrorists....(LOL)

Then again morality comes from the belief in something BIGGER than yourself. If you choose to place your belief in Government..so be it. You know liberals/Athiests/Etc etc can whine and #&%!$ all day long and we are told "be tolerant" okay I am tolerant. Then we are told "ACCEPT THEM" sorry thats where I draw the line. I tolerate meaning, I DO NOT INTERFERE with what they are doing. If they wish to spout their malarky okay...BTW I find it as disgusting as men telling me WHAT JESUS said and that any derevation thereof is a mortal sin.

In the end I think most of us just want to be able to be free to live our lives as we want. We seek the freedom to live, make mistakes and accept the consequences. Do Christian families suffer loss? SURE that does not me God doesn't exist. God is not Santa Claus. We live in MAN's World and sadly bad things happen to good people as well as good things happening to bad people.

What I find funny is how my desire to practice my beliefs is so horrible to the supposedly TOLERANT left. But then again, Libbies have always wanted to change to rules to suit them as they are able....(there is a great song about that but then you know it.)”

“Then again morality comes from the belief in something BIGGER than yourself.

if you follow that to its logical end, then you have to conclude that atheists are immoral, which is patently false. your statement is not true for everyone

.BTW I find it as disgusting as men telling me WHAT JESUS said and that any derevation thereof is a mortal sin.

im not sure what youre trying to express here. could you clarify, please?

the rest of your post is just christian persecution complex”

“But when your side begins making unsubstantiated allegations about "CHRISTIAN TERRORISTS" comparing them to the islamic terrorists..

the only difference is scale. if you bomb an abortion clinic, shoot up a UU church for being filled with a bunch of libbies, or whatever, youre a goddamn terrorist”

“it's also bunk...most of it was made up and not actually written by stein

http://www.truthorfiction.com/rumors/b/ben-stein-christmas.htm”

“It seems that Christian = conservative and Atheist = liberal. I learned something new today.”

“LOL, in the black and white world of TT it does”

“Then we are told "ACCEPT THEM" sorry thats where I draw the line. I tolerate meaning, I DO NOT INTERFERE

i agree that that is all any group has a right to expect. how do you define "accept them"? what, specifically, are you opposed to in the course of "acceptance"?


Do Christian families suffer loss? SURE that does not me God doesn't exist. God is not Santa Claus. We live in MAN's World and sadly bad things happen to good people as well as good things happening to bad people.

absolutely true. but the converse is also true. that means all the good and beauty and morality in the world does NOT add up to proof of gods existence”

“It seems that Christian = conservative and Atheist = liberal. I learned something new today.

and crash having some liberal views makes benji assume he's an al goreite global warmer”

“most of it was made up and not actually written by stein

doesnt matter who wrote it. put it up there with stratbeck's "we surround them" drivel with some of the most insipid right-wing drivel of the new century
last edited: 4/14/09 1:43:56 PM”

“LOL...Crash, just pulling your chain.

I was in a church "study" group watching 'Fireproof" and afterwards we were getting the hell fire and brimstone about "one marriage" I asked if the black firefighter would go to hell because he could not get back with his ex wife.

nah way to many people have spent too many years telling me what "GOD MEANT" for me to truly put my faith in a man's interpretation of God's word. I really pissed off a pastor when he was imploring us to push for a "law" against abortion. Nope I disagreed. I think that is between the woman, the man, and eventually God.

The way to change anything is by changing hearts. Thats how I have seen racisim overcome.”

“it does in the context that stein is considered to be a "genius" and the shlub who wrote it was probably some internet looser that talks out his @ss, like a lot of people here”

“some internet looser

That's "little loser dickbag" to you
last edited: 4/14/09 1:48:33 PM”

“xl, i think deep down we probably agree on ALOT. its our words that are in conflict”

“anyone who considers ben stein to be a genius....well i withold my comment in favor of being a "tolerant libbie"”