RIP Christopher Hitchens

[JoltinJoe]

I enjoy watching anyone that is passionate in their beliefs
RIP

My wife and I were talking about this yesterday. If you go to facebook and put that you are an athiest, you will get a slew of people either telling you you are going to hell or that they are "praying for you". If you put up sometihng religious, you probably won't see any athiests say anything. It's a great double standard like fat people ridiculuing skinny people as "unhealthy". (I can't tell you how many time's I've gone down that road with fat assess.) The bottom line, which everyone knows, is that extremists get the press, the moderates(who are probably in the majority) get the bad rap and Religion has become the proverbial, "My God is better than your God", "My Religion is right and your's isn't." If ANY of those people truly knew thier religion and could think with an open mind, things would be different.

There is zero proof, no smoking gun, to back up the claim of any Christian, Jew, Muslim or Athiest. It's all your belief. Some take that "leap of faith," as my father calls is, some don't believe what they don't see.

Spoiler: show

Another thing. There was a show on H2 last night about Jesus and when I turned to it, it was discussing the Shroud of Turin. Some testing on it revelaed that it was from the 13th Century. These "scholars" come on and explain that the pieces used for testing, taken from the shroud, weren't from the original shroud. Being that the existence of Jesus is all based off a religion, and not a historical fact (like Herrod) couldn't the shroud just be some random Jew that was buried? That couldn't possibly be so! And the Gospel of Thomas, the church fathers discount it b/c it doesn't fit what the exact model of Jesus, as they want to describe him. Some "scholar" actually said it can't be trusted b/c we don't know the true author nor do we know how close the author was to the source. Seriously? Those Gospels and the Act weren't written by those poor, illiterate, fisherman "Apostles" or any of the disciples that had zero ability to read. Paul was the only one that might've been able to read (if he existed). Objectively, religion makes no sense. It is an ancient tool to control the masess, explain the unexplainable (uh...the "world" flooded b/c God didn't like your lifestyle) and give people something to believe in.

FWIW, it is pretty much accepted fact that the piece of the Shroud that used for the Carbon-14 in 1987 was not a part of the original cloth, but was part of a middle ages mending, after a fire. In fact, Raymond Rogers, who headed the team which studied the shroud and which removed the piece which was tested, conceded this point before he died.

[Ivytalk]

I actually liked Hitchens' work, although I didn't agree with most of his positions. He didn't use big words just to show off, but to make his points. If you use a single "big word" to argue an issue concisely, you're a better writer than one who uses 20 ordinary words to do so. He and Bill Buckley were the only two modern-era writers that sent me to my Webster's on a regular basis!

[kalm]

I actually liked Hitchens' work, although I didn't agree with most of his positions. He didn't use big words just to show off, but to make his points. If you use a single "big word" to argue an issue concisely, you're a better writer than one who uses 20 ordinary words to do so. He and Bill Buckley were the only two modern-era writers that sent me to my Webster's on a regular basis!

It's the same for me with Joltin Joe's fallacious sophistry!

[JoltinJoe]

I actually liked Hitchens' work, although I didn't agree with most of his positions. He didn't use big words just to show off, but to make his points. If you use a single "big word" to argue an issue concisely, you're a better writer than one who uses 20 ordinary words to do so. He and Bill Buckley were the only two modern-era writers that sent me to my Webster's on a regular basis!

In the example cited above, which of the "big words" made the writing more concise?

“OK, that’s it,” said my guest a few nights ago. “That’s what?” “The Perry campaign: It’s officially over. Look, I’ve found the moment.” Together, in mild stupefaction, we watched as a fellow-creature, accoutred with gorgeous mammalian hair that is fully the equivalent of Mitt Romney’s, and fashioned in the very image of god, failed repeatedly to remember the names of the federal agencies that he had sworn to put out of their misery. We watched further, inwardly wincing and cringing, as the awful moment somehow managed to protract itself.

[JoltinJoe]

I actually liked Hitchens' work, although I didn't agree with most of his positions. He didn't use big words just to show off, but to make his points. If you use a single "big word" to argue an issue concisely, you're a better writer than one who uses 20 ordinary words to do so. He and Bill Buckley were the only two modern-era writers that sent me to my Webster's on a regular basis!

It's the same for me with Joltin Joe's fallacious sophistry!

Nice try there, but "fallacious sophistry" is redundant.

If you went to a private college, you would know that.

[kalm]

It's the same for me with Joltin Joe's fallacious sophistry!

Nice try there, but "fallacious sophistry" is redundant.

If you went to a private college, you would know that.

Not only that, it's unnecessarily and repeatedly redundant!

(if you hadn't gone to a stuffy private school your smarmy elitism wouldn't have gotten in the way of my satirical sarcasm)

[CAA Flagship]

There is zero proof, no smoking gun, to back up the claim of any Christian, Jew, Muslim or Athiest. It's all your belief. Some take that "leap of faith," as my father calls is, some don't believe what they don't see.

Agree.
But what/who does it hurt to have a Christian "faith"?
What if athiests are wrong? What happens then?
What if Christians are wrong? What happens then?

I have always been interested in the answers to these questions.

[JoltinJoe]

Nice try there, but "fallacious sophistry" is redundant.

If you went to a private college, you would know that.

Not only that, it's unnecessarily and repeatedly redundant!

(if you hadn't gone to a stuffy private school your smarmy elitism wouldn't have gotten in the way of my satirical sarcasm)

Right.

How's that for smarmy elitism?

[kalm]

Not only that, it's unnecessarily and repeatedly redundant!

(if you hadn't gone to a stuffy private school your smarmy elitism wouldn't have gotten in the way of my satirical sarcasm)

Right.

How's that for smarmy elitism?

Perfect! You're the shining example of how some of the most intellectually and well educated people I know occasionally end up looking like the stupidest.

[JoltinJoe]

Right.

How's that for smarmy elitism?

Perfect! You're the shining example of how some of the most intellectually and well educated people I know occasionally end up looking like the stupidest.

Fail ... just admit you didn't know sophistry implies fallacious and this will be a lot easier for you.

If I supplied a link to a Rolling Stone article about admitting your own shortcomings, would that help you?

[kalm]

Perfect! You're the shining example of how some of the most intellectually and well educated people I know occasionally end up looking like the stupidest.

Fail ... just admit you didn't know sophistry implies fallacious and this will be a lot easier for you.

If I supplied a link to a Rolling Stone article about admitting your own shortcomings, would that help?

Honestly, my directional university edumaction left me lacking so I had to look up the meaning of sophistry just to be sure it fit and fallacious was used in the first definition. That's when I hatched my plan!



But thanks for playing 89hen er...I mean Joe!

[JoltinJoe]

Translation; "I didn't know what you meant, but then I looked up the word and, lo and behold, you were right!"

I'm glad you learned something new today.

[kalm]

Translation; "I didn't know what you meant, but then I looked up the word and, lo and behold, you were right!"

I'm glad you learned something new today.

Ugh.

Dearest Joe,

Two things growing up on the mean streets of Cheney, WA and later the sterile and non-ivy adorned halls of a directional public university taught me were humility and honesty. I humbly admit my inferior education and will freely admit to you being much more well read and much more of a deep thinker than I. In fact I often admire your posts on religion. I also have and will admit when I'm wrong on these boards. That's part of the reason I was laughing so hard at admitting having to look up the definition of sophistry. But that's when I decided to be a smart ass and add the redundancy - partly for your benefit.

Bottom line, if you had truly caught me, I would have owned up to it. But you chose to be petty instead and make a mountain out of a mole hill.

Humility and honesty Joe - you could stand to learn a little more of both sometimes.

[Grizalltheway]

Translation; "I didn't know what you meant, but then I looked up the word and, lo and behold, you were right!"

I'm glad you learned something new today.

Ugh.

Dearest Joe,

Two things growing up on the mean streets of Cheney, WA and later the sterile and non-ivy adorned halls of a directional public university taught me were humility and honesty. I humbly admit my inferior education and will freely admit to you being much more well read and much more of a deep thinker than I. In fact I often admire your posts on religion. I also have and will admit when I'm wrong on these boards. That's part of the reason I was laughing so hard at admitting having to look up the definition of sophistry. But that's when I decided to be a smart ass and add the redundancy - partly for your benefit.

Bottom line, if you had truly caught me, I would have owned up to it. But you chose to be petty instead and make a mountain out of a mole hill.

Humility and honesty Joe - you could stand to learn a little more of both sometimes.

Joe is just your typical New Yorker: arrogant, obnoxious, and an avid sniffer of his own farts.

[Vidav]

There is zero proof, no smoking gun, to back up the claim of any Christian, Jew, Muslim or Athiest. It's all your belief. Some take that "leap of faith," as my father calls is, some don't believe what they don't see.

Agree.
1.But what/who does it hurt to have a Christian "faith"?
2.What if athiests are wrong? What happens then?
3.What if Christians are wrong? What happens then?

I have always been interested in the answers to these questions.

1. Those that are oppressed because they don't agree with the Christian faith.
2. Sucks to be them.
3. They oppressed the people from #1 for no reason, jerks.

[JoltinJoe]

Translation; "I didn't know what you meant, but then I looked up the word and, lo and behold, you were right!"

I'm glad you learned something new today.

Ugh.

Dearest Joe,

Two things growing up on the mean streets of Cheney, WA and later the sterile and non-ivy adorned halls of a directional public university taught me were humility and honesty. I humbly admit my inferior education and will freely admit to you being much more well read and much more of a deep thinker than I. In fact I often admire your posts on religion. I also have and will admit when I'm wrong on these boards. That's part of the reason I was laughing so hard at admitting having to look up the definition of sophistry. But that's when I decided to be a smart ass and add the redundancy - partly for your benefit.

Bottom line, if you had truly caught me, I would have owned up to it. But you chose to be petty instead and make a mountain out of a mole hill.

Humility and honesty Joe - you could stand to learn a little more of both sometimes.

posting.php?mode=quote&f=10&p=593103#


Off the ledge, kalm.

This is just message board BS. Picture we're in a bar, having some beers, and just yanking each other's chains.

[JoltinJoe]

Ugh.

Dearest Joe,

Two things growing up on the mean streets of Cheney, WA and later the sterile and non-ivy adorned halls of a directional public university taught me were humility and honesty. I humbly admit my inferior education and will freely admit to you being much more well read and much more of a deep thinker than I. In fact I often admire your posts on religion. I also have and will admit when I'm wrong on these boards. That's part of the reason I was laughing so hard at admitting having to look up the definition of sophistry. But that's when I decided to be a smart ass and add the redundancy - partly for your benefit.

Bottom line, if you had truly caught me, I would have owned up to it. But you chose to be petty instead and make a mountain out of a mole hill.

Humility and honesty Joe - you could stand to learn a little more of both sometimes.

Joe is just your typical New Yorker: arrogant, obnoxious, and an avid sniffer of his own farts.

I'll cop to the first two -- but I don't fart.

[D1B]

at Joltin Joe making an ass out of himself, and getting owned, again.

Joe's getting Hitch-slapped.

[kalm]

Ugh.

Dearest Joe,

Two things growing up on the mean streets of Cheney, WA and later the sterile and non-ivy adorned halls of a directional public university taught me were humility and honesty. I humbly admit my inferior education and will freely admit to you being much more well read and much more of a deep thinker than I. In fact I often admire your posts on religion. I also have and will admit when I'm wrong on these boards. That's part of the reason I was laughing so hard at admitting having to look up the definition of sophistry. But that's when I decided to be a smart ass and add the redundancy - partly for your benefit.

Bottom line, if you had truly caught me, I would have owned up to it. But you chose to be petty instead and make a mountain out of a mole hill.

Humility and honesty Joe - you could stand to learn a little more of both sometimes.

posting.php?mode=quote&f=10&p=593103#


Off the ledge, kalm.

This is just message board BS. Picture we're in a bar, having some beers, and just yanking each other's chains.

I am buddy, I am.

btw, link fail.

[D1B]

My wife and I were talking about this yesterday. If you go to facebook and put that you are an athiest, you will get a slew of people either telling you you are going to hell or that they are "praying for you". If you put up sometihng religious, you probably won't see any athiests say anything. It's a great double standard like fat people ridiculuing skinny people as "unhealthy". (I can't tell you how many time's I've gone down that road with fat assess.) The bottom line, which everyone knows, is that extremists get the press, the moderates(who are probably in the majority) get the bad rap and Religion has become the proverbial, "My God is better than your God", "My Religion is right and your's isn't." If ANY of those people truly knew thier religion and could think with an open mind, things would be different.

There is zero proof, no smoking gun, to back up the claim of any Christian, Jew, Muslim or Athiest. It's all your belief. Some take that "leap of faith," as my father calls is, some don't believe what they don't see.

Spoiler: show

Another thing. There was a show on H2 last night about Jesus and when I turned to it, it was discussing the Shroud of Turin. Some testing on it revelaed that it was from the 13th Century. These "scholars" come on and explain that the pieces used for testing, taken from the shroud, weren't from the original shroud. Being that the existence of Jesus is all based off a religion, and not a historical fact (like Herrod) couldn't the shroud just be some random Jew that was buried? That couldn't possibly be so! And the Gospel of Thomas, the church fathers discount it b/c it doesn't fit what the exact model of Jesus, as they want to describe him. Some "scholar" actually said it can't be trusted b/c we don't know the true author nor do we know how close the author was to the source. Seriously? Those Gospels and the Act weren't written by those poor, illiterate, fisherman "Apostles" or any of the disciples that had zero ability to read. Paul was the only one that might've been able to read (if he existed). Objectively, religion makes no sense. It is an ancient tool to control the masess, explain the unexplainable (uh...the "world" flooded b/c God didn't like your lifestyle) and give people something to believe in.

FWIW, it is pretty much accepted fact that the piece of the Shroud that used for the Carbon-14 in 1987 was not a part of the original cloth, but was part of a middle ages mending, after a fire. In fact, Raymond Rogers, who headed the team which studied the shroud and which removed the piece which was tested, conceded this point before he died.

The Shroud!

[BlueHen86]

at Joltin Joe making an ass out of himself, and getting owned, again.

Joe's getting Hitch-slapped.

[Ibanez]

There is zero proof, no smoking gun, to back up the claim of any Christian, Jew, Muslim or Athiest. It's all your belief. Some take that "leap of faith," as my father calls is, some don't believe what they don't see.

Agree.
But what/who does it hurt to have a Christian "faith"?
What if athiests are wrong? What happens then?
What if Christians are wrong? What happens then?

I have always been interested in the answers to these questions.

1. Like I stated, If I said I love God, most people wouldn't object. If I said, God doesn't exist, all of those tolerant, holier than thou Christians will come out of the wood work. Who does it hurt? If you are like my grandmother and truly believe and aren't doing it to put a "check in the box", nothing. But if you are doing it to instill fear, hate and intolerance into your children, then that's evil.

2 and 3. I don't know. As far I as I know, nobody has returned from heaven or hell to tell us all about it.

[youngterrier]

I enjoy watching anyone that is passionate in their beliefs
RIP

My wife and I were talking about this yesterday. If you go to facebook and put that you are an athiest, you will get a slew of people either telling you you are going to hell or that they are "praying for you". If you put up sometihng religious, you probably won't see any athiests say anything. It's a great double standard like fat people ridiculuing skinny people as "unhealthy". (I can't tell you how many time's I've gone down that road with fat assess.) The bottom line, which everyone knows, is that extremists get the press, the moderates(who are probably in the majority) get the bad rap and Religion has become the proverbial, "My God is better than your God", "My Religion is right and your's isn't." If ANY of those people truly knew thier religion and could think with an open mind, things would be different.

There is zero proof, no smoking gun, to back up the claim of any Christian, Jew, Muslim or Athiest. It's all your belief. Some take that "leap of faith," as my father calls is, some don't believe what they don't see.

Spoiler: show

Another thing. There was a show on H2 last night about Jesus and when I turned to it, it was discussing the Shroud of Turin. Some testing on it revelaed that it was from the 13th Century. These "scholars" come on and explain that the pieces used for testing, taken from the shroud, weren't from the original shroud. Being that the existence of Jesus is all based off a religion, and not a historical fact (like Herrod) couldn't the shroud just be some random Jew that was buried? That couldn't possibly be so! And the Gospel of Thomas, the church fathers discount it b/c it doesn't fit what the exact model of Jesus, as they want to describe him. Some "scholar" actually said it can't be trusted b/c we don't know the true author nor do we know how close the author was to the source. Seriously? Those Gospels and the Act weren't written by those poor, illiterate, fisherman "Apostles" or any of the disciples that had zero ability to read. Paul was the only one that might've been able to read (if he existed). Objectively, religion makes no sense. It is an ancient tool to control the masess, explain the unexplainable (uh...the "world" flooded b/c God didn't like your lifestyle) and give people something to believe in.

I posted on one of my many social media sites that Christians need to lay off the "we're oppressed" junk. Atheists are far more oppressed, maybe not directly, but socially. Just go to google and type in "Christians should" and see what comes up under that and then "Atheists should" the reactions are somewhat shocking.

[Ibanez]

My wife and I were talking about this yesterday. If you go to facebook and put that you are an athiest, you will get a slew of people either telling you you are going to hell or that they are "praying for you". If you put up sometihng religious, you probably won't see any athiests say anything. It's a great double standard like fat people ridiculuing skinny people as "unhealthy". (I can't tell you how many time's I've gone down that road with fat assess.) The bottom line, which everyone knows, is that extremists get the press, the moderates(who are probably in the majority) get the bad rap and Religion has become the proverbial, "My God is better than your God", "My Religion is right and your's isn't." If ANY of those people truly knew thier religion and could think with an open mind, things would be different.

There is zero proof, no smoking gun, to back up the claim of any Christian, Jew, Muslim or Athiest. It's all your belief. Some take that "leap of faith," as my father calls is, some don't believe what they don't see.

Spoiler: show

Another thing. There was a show on H2 last night about Jesus and when I turned to it, it was discussing the Shroud of Turin. Some testing on it revelaed that it was from the 13th Century. These "scholars" come on and explain that the pieces used for testing, taken from the shroud, weren't from the original shroud. Being that the existence of Jesus is all based off a religion, and not a historical fact (like Herrod) couldn't the shroud just be some random Jew that was buried? That couldn't possibly be so! And the Gospel of Thomas, the church fathers discount it b/c it doesn't fit what the exact model of Jesus, as they want to describe him. Some "scholar" actually said it can't be trusted b/c we don't know the true author nor do we know how close the author was to the source. Seriously? Those Gospels and the Act weren't written by those poor, illiterate, fisherman "Apostles" or any of the disciples that had zero ability to read. Paul was the only one that might've been able to read (if he existed). Objectively, religion makes no sense. It is an ancient tool to control the masess, explain the unexplainable (uh...the "world" flooded b/c God didn't like your lifestyle) and give people something to believe in.

I posted on one of my many social media sites that Christians need to lay off the "we're oppressed" junk. Atheists are far more oppressed, maybe not directly, but socially. Just go to google and type in "Christians should" and see what comes up under that and then "Atheists should" the reactions are somewhat shocking.

I would say that anyone that has a contrary POV to mainstream religion is labeled as an atheist or is damned to hell by one of Gods wonderful followers.


Sent from my iPhone using my mind powers.

[CAA Flagship]

I don't think atheists are "damned to hell" by Christians as much as being the recipient of Christians trying to fulfill a duty. That duty being spreading the "word". This includes raising children in Christianity.

But the fundamentals of Christianity include being a good person and helping the less fortunate, along with going to church and worshiping God. I don't know about "fundamentals" of atheism. I don't think there are any, are there? But many atheists feel it is necessary to spread their "word". Why? What's the benefit?