The Hazards of Belief

Coriolanus

Hitler wrote:

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=-1] "I believe that I am acting in accordance with the will of the Almighty Creator: by defending myself against the Jew, I am fighting for the work of the Lord.."[/SIZE][/FONT]

That is all.

mehfesto

'Pologies if this has been done before:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMnAmRa4NYw

vibe666

one of the hazards of belief appears to be obesity.

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/Diet/faith-fat-religious-youths-obese-mid-life/story?id=13204624

what does it mean if i'm a fat atheist?

mikhail

vibe666 wrote: »

what does it mean if i'm a fat atheist?

That your diet and/or exercise regimen leave something to be desired, most likely.

Galvasean

mehfesto wrote: »

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMnAmRa4NYw

I. AM. IN. LOVE.

Penn

Friend told me that he read in the paper today about the people who won the Lotto this weekend. The winner in Kingscourt, Co.Cavan hasn't come forward but they had an interview with the shopowner where the ticket was bought.

He said that the Priest on Sunday morning mentioned how the winner was in Kingscourt. Then a few minutes later, mentioned how they're trying to raise money for the church roof. What a coincidence!

So congratulations, whoever you are. You can expect a lovely random visit from the priest any day now I'll bet. Have a chequebook ready, because as we all know, priests don't carry creditcard machines around with them. Although I'm sure if you ask nicely, he'll give you a lift into town to go to a bank machine.

robindch

Not sure whether this thread or the humor one. Since it may be law in Egypt sometime soon, it's probably best here:

http://www.memri.org/report/en/0/0/0/0/0/0/5143.htm

Some islamic woman wrote:

During the ride in the vehicle, keep yourself occupied with anything that will distract you from those around you – reading the Koran or a book, asking forgiveness [from Allah], contemplating or thinking deeply, [and so on].

If your salary enables you [to buy two tickets], try to sit by the driver and take up both [front] seats for yourself. What a relief it will be not to rub against any men. Give yourself a rest from all the suffering you have experienced [in the past] by keeping the proper distance from any man

You must first and foremost pray to Allah to protect you and guard you... As long you take all [necessary] measures, pray to Allah, and rely on Him, it is impossible that Allah should bring shame upon you...

murphthesmurf

I've just had a read through this thread :eek:
You couldn't make this stuff up. It makes Monty Python look like quite dull and uninventive. The truth of religion is much more comical than the Life of Brian.

Playboy wrote: »

ye a community of smart asses who get to together to pat each other on the back about how intelligent they are in comparison to theists and laugh at the misfortune of the mentally ill.

Can I join, where do I sign up ?

Though I only like to laugh at people who's mental illness is religion.

Feel sorry for the woman in Mehfesto's post. Her country turning against her, and for what. They should be grateful they never had Jade Goody in her reality tv days. She would've been stoned to death.

robindch

Remember that islamic fundamentalist BA employee who wanted to blow up planes by using his position to smuggle bombs on board?

Turns out that he encrypted of his sensitive, incriminating documents using an excel spreadsheet which implemented the Caesar substitution cipher -- about as secure as writing back to front -- in place of something like AES because "because 'kaffirs', or non-believers, know about it [AES] so it must be less secure".

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2011/03/22/ba_jihadist_trial_sentencing/

Crafty kaffirs indeed. Mr Karim was jailed for 30 years.

The Mad Hatter

robindch wrote: »

Remember that islamic fundamentalist BA employee who wanted to blow up planes by using his position to smuggle bombs on board?

Turns out that he encrypted of his sensitive, incriminating documents using an excel spreadsheet which implemented the Caesar substitution cipher -- about as secure as writing back to front -- in place of something like AES because "because 'kaffirs', or non-believers, know about it [AES] so it must be less secure".

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2011/03/22/ba_jihadist_trial_sentencing/

Crafty kaffirs indeed. Mr Karim was jailed for 30 years.

"The case just dealt with shows where we have got to in the real world. The level of cryptography they used was not even up to the standards of cryptology and cryptography in the Middle Ages, although they made it look pretty using Excel."

Links234

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBGJHrnziTc

Dades

^^ Forget any actual argument against civil marriage... GOD SAYS NOOOOOO!

€10 says that kid spent his summers in Jesus Camp. :pac:

robindch

There's an interesting fight bubbling away in the USA at the mo'.

National Public Radio, aka NPR, is a US-based non-profit radio station which is funded from central federal funds and private sources. Being a reality-based radio network, it's perceived as being "liberal" by the Republican Party which has been trying to kill NPR and its parent company, PBC, it for many years:

http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2011/0316/Why-House-Republicans-are-rushing-to-slash-NPR-funding

The Republican Party, as everybody knows, are the party of small government and no free handouts -- for that equates to "socialism" which is a Bad Thing -- so it's interesting to note that the largest evangelical religious "college" in the USA, set up by Jerry Falwell (who was a prominent Republican Party supporter) and which "teaches" young-earth-creationism to biology students, receives more in federal funds than the entire country-wide NPR/PBC broadcasting network:

http://www.salon.com/news/politics/war_room/2011/04/05/liberty_university_federal_money

robindch

Portland mother reads Old Testament, watches a few youtube videos, then tries to circumcise her three month old baby with a boxcutter and a pair of pliers:

http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2011/04/more_details_emerge_about_port.html

Meanwhile, a few weeks earlier, the Oregon legislature voted unanimously to end the "faith-healing" exception:

http://www.oregonlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2011/03/bill_ending_faith_healing_exce.html

Gordon

Links234 wrote: »

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBGJHrnziTc

He sure is hamming it up quite a bit isn't he?! Overdoing it *just a tad* on the forced emotive whispershout vocal technique that preachers use. His voice says one thing, his face says another

1:44 to 1:48 is the best bit of it, almost worthy of Keanu Reeves himself

robindch

Rabbi erects barrier to the carrying on of normal life. Spends six months discussing topic with other Rabbi. Finds a way around it.

http://www.thelocal.de/sci-tech/20110412-34339.html

Some Rabbi wrote:

Rabbi Dror Fixler, an electro-optics expert from Bar-Ilan University in Ramat Gan, Israel, told The Local that the distinction between thought and action could mean that driving on the traditional Jewish day of rest was mutar, or permitted.

In October, scientists at Berlin’s Free University announced they had tested a “proof of concept” car that could be driven by thought. An electroencephalography headset with sixteen sensors measures the brain’s signals and sends them to a computer that operates the car. Last week, Rabbi Fixler gave a lecture at the “Torah and Science Conference” at the Jerusalem College of Technology, during which he showed a video of the car being test driven at the former Tempelhof airport in Berlin.

That lecture, he said, has sparked a debate in Israel about whether such devices that integrate the mind with machinery would be permitted on the Sabbath, when driving is typically forbidden. “When you are making only thoughts, it is no action at all. There is a difference – if you are thinking, it is not the same thing, so you can’t say it’s forbidden,” he said. “That was what I asked the audience to think about.

“At first the instinctive reaction was, ‘How can you say it’s mutar?’ But after thinking about it, they started to think about the big difference between regular action and thought.” Fixler stressed he personally did not think driving thought-controlled cars should be permitted on the Sabbath, as it would destroy the whole purpose of having a rest day. Rather, he wanted to spark a debate, he said. Jewish theologians and intellectuals needed to start thinking about the impact of technology.

“It’s still in the future … it’s not going to happen tomorrow, but we need to discuss it today so we’ll have an answer tomorrow,” he said. The distinction between thought and action could affect one of the chief reasons driving is forbidden on the Sabbath - the fact that operating a vehicle constitutes work. However the creation of a spark and the combustion of fuel could be said to also violate the prohibition of fire on the rest day. There are also rules about how far one may travel by any means of transport.

But Fixler said his own Rabbi, with whom he had discussed the complexities of the issue for six months, believed that remote controls rendered electrical devices such as televisions and air-conditioners permissible. “If I’m pushing a button, I cannot say it is my action turning on the air-conditioner. So he says it’s okay.”

Links234

Am I the only one thinking that's cool? driving a car with your mind!? awesome!

of course, it could be hazardous on the road... so I guess it is a hazard of belief?

kylith

Links234 wrote: »

Am I the only one thinking that's cool? driving a car with your mind!? awesome!

of course, it could be hazardous on the road... so I guess it is a hazard of belief?

Cool, yes. Insanely dangerous, also yes. Can you imagine, you get distracted by 2 for 1 doughnuts and next thing you've ploughed through the window of the Spar.

robindch

kylith wrote: »

you get distracted by 2 for 1 doughnuts and next thing you've ploughed through the window of the Spar.

I'd be more worried about seeing some chick in a low-cut top and having the front bonnet pop open.

CiaranMT

robindch wrote: »

I'd be more worried about seeing some chick in a low-cut top and having the front bonnet pop open.

Made me LOL :pac:

robindch

Teachers in Malaysia identify "effeminate" schoolboys, inform the authorities who ship them off to toughen them up, since if they're left "unchecked", they may end up gay or transsexual:

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/04/20/3196266.htm

ABC wrote:

Malaysian schoolboys sent to butch camp

Authorities in Malaysia have sent 66 Muslim schoolboys identified by their teachers as effeminate to a special camp to receive counselling on masculine behaviour.

The boys will undergo four days of religious and motivational classes and physical activities designed to guide them back to what has been described as the "right path in life".

The schoolboys allegedly displayed "feminine mannerisms", although educators in the conservative state of Terengganu did not detail what they were.

State officials say that if left "unchecked" the students could end up gay or transsexual.

Activists say it is appalling that educators are persecuting children for expressing their personalities and identities.

The state's education director, Razali Daud, says although homosexuals and transvestites do exist in Malaysia, the authorities want to limit their numbers.

robindch

...just as well Derren Brown didn't grow up in Malaysia... but he's now spilling the beans on the "faith healing" movement. Should make interesting viewing.

http://www.musicrooms.net/tv/31324-derren-brown-once-tried-to-have-his-homosexuality-cured.html

Some Guy wrote:

Derren Brown once tried to have his homosexuality "cured"

TV illusionist Derren Brown has revealed how he turned to a Christian group in order to “cure” his homosexuality. The star, who admits he is now completely comfortable with his sexuality, has filmed a documentary which is said to expose so-called church miracle healing scams.

Talking about his personal reasons for doing the show, Brown said, “I went through an area of the church that was trying to cure gay people. It was misjudged and I was aware of that.” In Brown’s new show, Miracles for Sale, he examines the fascination with faith healing of every ailment imaginable. As part of the show, Brown enlists a regular member of the public to pose as a fake pastor in the US Bible Belt to reveal the “tricks” that the group uses.

“Healing is not God’s work and anyone can be taught certain tricks to do it,” Brown said when asked what he hopes the show will prove. “It’s genuinely dangerous for people who take part in these events. They do not get better and they’re told to throw away their medication.”

Dades

robindch wrote: »

Teachers in Malaysia identify "effeminate" schoolboys, inform the authorities who ship them off to toughen them up, since if they're left "unchecked", they may end up gay or transsexual...

That sounds like a foolproof plan. Ship all the boys who you suspect might be gay off to a camp together so they can bond in the face of adversity.

mikhail

robindch wrote: »

...just as well Derren Brown didn't grow up in Malaysia... but he's now spilling the beans on the "faith healing" movement. Should make interesting viewing.

http://www.musicrooms.net/tv/31324-derren-brown-once-tried-to-have-his-homosexuality-cured.html

Interesting stuff. Brown has a short but honest autobiographical piece about his religion and sexuality in his book Tricks of the Mind, which is also about things like cold reading, NLP, and faith healing among other fascinating stuff. The woo stuff is all from a sceptical perspective.

CiaranMT

Dades wrote: »

That sounds like a foolproof plan. Ship all the boys who you suspect might be gay off to a camp together so they can bond in the face of adversity.

"Bunch of dudes alone together, in a forest, seems kinda gay."

murphthesmurf

robindch wrote: »

I'd be more worried about seeing some chick in a low-cut top and having the front bonnet pop open.

Or the retractable tow bar popping out

robindch

Dades wrote: »

Ship all the boys who you suspect might be gay off to a camp together so they can bond in the face of adversity.

It's the, er, carry on of the mullahs that I'd be worried about.

Dave!

A few committed Filipino lads performing a Jayzus tribute act...

http://www.thejournal.ie/24-filipinos-crucified-on-wooden-crosses-125408-Apr2011/

Turtwig

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OM2K3HxZb4g

No comment.

robindch

Sai Baba, well-known omniscient frizzy-haired Indian guru, minor-league godman, raiser-from-the-dead, conjurer of trinkets, the recipient of multiple accusations of unbecoming behavior, who prophesied that he would die at the age of 96 in full health, died yesterday, aged 86 after a month's illness:

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/world/2011/0425/1224295409668.html

robindch

Meanwhile, back in the UK, it seems that the "Christian Union" (an organisation which is also active in Ireland) is targetting students for conversion in Oxford and Cambridge. Here's an article on how they do it, via chocolate and "speaking in tongues":

http://www.forteantimes.com/features/commentary/4990/meeting_jesus_at_oxford.html

Dave!

robindch wrote: »

Sai Baba, well-known omniscient frizzy-haired Indian guru, minor-league godman, raiser-from-the-dead, conjurer of trinkets, the recipient of multiple accusations of unbecoming behavior, who prophesied that he would die at the age of 96 in full health, died yesterday, aged 86 after a month's illness:

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/world/2011/0425/1224295409668.html

I can see his cult growing exponentially now...

Pompey Magnus

Malty_T wrote: »

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OM2K3HxZb4g

No comment.

Einstein never said that, I don't know how but he managed to get Albert Einstein, 20th Century German Physicist, confused with Francis Bacon, 17th Century English Philosopher/Statesman...and even at that he still managed to get it wrong.

What Einstein actually said was "A little knowledge is a dangerous thing. So is a lot", Bacon said ""A little philosophy inclineth man’s mind to atheism; but depth in philosophy bringeth men’s minds about to religion". So even Bacon's quote does not specify Christianity.

HyperSkypeWiper

Shocking stuff from Derren Brown last night. I couldn't believe how some people would throw away their medicine..and the case of the girl who killed herself was just horrifying

magicbastarder

more arcane bat****:

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/0429/breaking33.html

cavedave

Hazard of belief: eye meltingly bad web design

http://dokimos.org/ajff/

Warning to all Christians this sites design may make you question the existence of God.

Dades

cavedave wrote: »

Warning to all Christians this sites design may make you question the existence of God.

Behold, the Pigeon of Piety!

Nodin

The body of a man with his hands and feet nailed to a wooden cross and a crown of thorns on his head has been found in an abandoned South Korean stone quarry.
The body had a wound to the side of the torso and nylon strings tied around the neck, arms and stomach, and was clad only in underpants, police said. It was found on Sunday in Mungyong, about 115 miles (190km) south-east of Seoul, said Chung Ji-chun, the provincial chief for violent crime.
Two smaller crosses were erected on each side, he added.
Police found nails, a hammer, an electric drill, pieces of wood and instructions on how to build crosses inside a tent near the scene, Chung said. An SUV belonging to the dead man was found nearby.

Police were awaiting a forensics report to determine the cause of death and whether it was a homicide or suicide.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/may/04/crucified-man-body-south-korea
If he managed to nail both hands to the cross himself, he should posthumously tour with Penn & Teller.

Dave!

cavedave wrote: »

Hazard of belief: eye meltingly bad web design

http://dokimos.org/ajff/

Warning to all Christians this sites design may make you question the existence of God.

That site makes me think that world really is ending!

The best bits (attached)

robindch

Holy water from Mecca - may bring you closer to god:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-13267205

philologos

robindch wrote: »

Meanwhile, back in the UK, it seems that the "Christian Union" (an organisation which is also active in Ireland) is targetting students for conversion in Oxford and Cambridge. Here's an article on how they do it, via chocolate and "speaking in tongues":

http://www.forteantimes.com/features/commentary/4990/meeting_jesus_at_oxford.html

Interesting that you mentioned this robindch.

The organisation is called UCCF (Universities and Colleges Christian Fellowship) in the UK which is a part of the International Fellowship of Evangelical Students (IFES). There are IFES movements in 152 countries including Ireland.

OICCU (Oxford) and CICCU (Cambridge) were the first two to start up in the 1920's. I've met a few people who were involved in CICCU. During my time at university I've been quite involved in the Christian Union movement. It's hardly as sinister as you're making it out to be though.

5uspect

This is just batty:
http://thesocietypages.org/socimages/2011/05/09/removing-women-from-situation-room-photo/

Then again the religious like to ignore reality.

robindch

Jakkass wrote: »

It's hardly as sinister as you're making it out to be though.

Wasn't make it out to be sinister -- just really weird.

Must be frightful to be burdened with the belief that one of life's main goals is to make other people believe the same thing as oneself.

Pregnant silences aside, on the one hand, it's a recipe for broken friendships while on the other, for a fairly bleak dose of ingrouping

philologos

robindch wrote: »

Pregnant silences aside, on the one hand, it's a recipe for broken friendships while on the other, for a fairly bleak dose of ingrouping

If this is true how come despite being involved in the Christian Union at my university (and for a brief spell volunteering in the UK) and despite desiring for all my friends to know about Jesus for the last 3 years that I have managed to keep healthy relationships with non-Christians?

I should be a wandering social nightmare by your account? :pac:

Turtwig

Jakkass wrote: »

If this is true how come despite being involved in the Christian Union at my university (and for a brief spell volunteering in the UK) and despite desiring for all my friends to know about Jesus for the last 3 years that I have managed to keep healthy relationships with non-Christians?

You're obviously very sexy and good looking.

robindch

Jakkass wrote: »

despite desiring for all my friends to know about Jesus for the last 3 years that I have managed to keep healthy relationships with non-Christians?

hmm.. obviously not proselytizing enough!

I lost one good friend of years standing because she couldn't stop herself from bringing the lovin' Lord Jesus and some pretty weird creationist crap into just about every conversation. It was like listening to a sticking record which got even stucker after she came back from some bible "college" in Pricksville, Minnesota with a "degree" that was worth less than a stunned mullet.

philologos

robindch wrote: »

hmm.. obviously not proselytizing enough!

I lost one good friend of years standing because she couldn't stop herself from bringing the lovin' Lord Jesus and some pretty weird creationist crap into just about every conversation. It was like listening to a sticking record which got even stucker after she came back from some bible "college" in Pricksville, Minnesota with a "degree" that was worth less than a stunned mullet.

Just because I'm a Christian doesn't mean that I can't relate to people in other ways. For example I'm hugely interested in philosophy, politics, technology etc. Indeed, I suspect that my Christianity isn't the only way in which I relate to my friends who are Christian as well. Believe it or not, it is valuable to get to know people for who they really are too. Most people I've met in Christian Unions (in UK and Ireland) would be much the same.

Mark Hamill

philologos wrote: »

Just because I'm a Christian doesn't mean that I can't relate to people in other ways. For example I'm hugely interested in philosophy, politics, technology etc. Indeed, I suspect that my Christianity isn't the only way in which I relate to my friends who are Christian as well. Believe it or not, it is valuable to get to know people for who they really are too. Most people I've met in Christian Unions (in UK and Ireland) would be much the same.

So you're not really christian?

philologos

Mark Hamill wrote: »

So you're not really christian?

I'm not following? Are you telling me after all that we've been through that I'm not a Christian? :pac: I'd like to say I'm not hurt Mark, but I can't!

Dades

philologos wrote: »

...

Is that you, Saul of Tarsus?!