Hortensia

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Posts by Hortensia

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  219

  An important difference between atheists and true believers

  by Hortensia in

  1. social
  2. current

  true believers, whether christian, muslim or whatever, want to convert you, they want you to believe what they do, and they're willing to go to extremes to make it happen.

  atheists don't really care what you believe, and don't go out of their way to convert someone.. http://ow.ly/vn1jz an example of what believers in power do to suppress any difference in thought.

  http://ow.ly/vraeo an example of why believers want to suppress different ideas (because they can't win in a fair fight, that's why).

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  Hortensia

  so, was my post rude or just an honest report of my feelings?

  I see everyone started playing their tapes. Conversation on this forum is often not much different than conversation with some of the whackdoodles who live around here and believe there are invisible doorways that gypsies use to escape the police. A favorite comment of many around here is, "well, that's just YOUR reality. I have my own reality." WTF? How can you have any discussion with folks who believe reality isn't real? They are enchanted with their ideas, which is OK, but living as though those fantasies are in fact true makes them a bit crazy. Lots of people are enchanted with their religious ideas, too, but they don't seem to care whether the foundation is real or can be proven.

  The only one who challenged what I said in an interesting way was Laika.

  I don't much care what other people believe. I just don't want to listen to it very much.
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  219

  An important difference between atheists and true believers

  by Hortensia in

  1. social
  2. current

  true believers, whether christian, muslim or whatever, want to convert you, they want you to believe what they do, and they're willing to go to extremes to make it happen.

  atheists don't really care what you believe, and don't go out of their way to convert someone.. http://ow.ly/vn1jz an example of what believers in power do to suppress any difference in thought.

  http://ow.ly/vraeo an example of why believers want to suppress different ideas (because they can't win in a fair fight, that's why).

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  Hortensia

  I describe myself as a "non-practicing atheist". It's an atheist KOAN; dig it?

  I dig it!

  Nicolau, very funny!

  Not so cranky today, have recovered from overexposure to fairy tales.
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  266

  There Was No First Human

  by cofty in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  this excellent 4 minute video will help to clear up a few common misunderstandings regarding evolution.. ....

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  Hortensia

  thanks cofty -- nice video, very helpful
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  30

  what is the answer to the old question about the immovable object and the irresistible force?

  by Hortensia in

  1. social
  2. current

  i know isaac asimov's answer, which makes sense to me.

  anyone else have any answer to the question about what happens when an irresistible force meets an immovable object?.

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  Hortensia

  well, that went weird pretty fast
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  30

  what is the answer to the old question about the immovable object and the irresistible force?

  by Hortensia in

  1. social
  2. current

  i know isaac asimov's answer, which makes sense to me.

  anyone else have any answer to the question about what happens when an irresistible force meets an immovable object?.

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  Hortensia

  I know Isaac Asimov's answer, which makes sense to me. Anyone else have any answer to the question about what happens when an irresistible force meets an immovable object?
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  219

  An important difference between atheists and true believers

  by Hortensia in

  1. social
  2. current

  true believers, whether christian, muslim or whatever, want to convert you, they want you to believe what they do, and they're willing to go to extremes to make it happen.

  atheists don't really care what you believe, and don't go out of their way to convert someone.. http://ow.ly/vn1jz an example of what believers in power do to suppress any difference in thought.

  http://ow.ly/vraeo an example of why believers want to suppress different ideas (because they can't win in a fair fight, that's why).

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  Hortensia

  well, OK, I was generalizing, I know that there are some religious people who are not out to convert everyone. Over-reaction due to the company I keep around here!

  I brought up the guy in the middle east who says atheists are terrorists. I thought someone would bring up chairman Mao who thought ministers were terrorists, or at least spies for western governments. I guess I'll have to debate with myself, eh?

  I have a really low threshhold for bullshit, unfortunately, and tend to get cranky when exposed to too much of it. People who believe fairy tales are true. Argh.

  I like the point that atheists have had to give up some comfort in order to face reality. It's true. Reality includes each person's demise, life isn't forever. It's a sad truth, but one we can face and then we can get on with enjoying life as much as possible.
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  219

  An important difference between atheists and true believers

  by Hortensia in

  1. social
  2. current

  true believers, whether christian, muslim or whatever, want to convert you, they want you to believe what they do, and they're willing to go to extremes to make it happen.

  atheists don't really care what you believe, and don't go out of their way to convert someone.. http://ow.ly/vn1jz an example of what believers in power do to suppress any difference in thought.

  http://ow.ly/vraeo an example of why believers want to suppress different ideas (because they can't win in a fair fight, that's why).

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  Hortensia

  Laika --

  I guess I'm just stirring the pot -- I spent the day surrounded by people who believe that there is a city inside Mt. Shasta, that we all have spirit guides, that whatever god there is in their belief seems especially fond of protecting old white people from harm, that crystals can cure anything and so on and that starving children the world over are paying for their sins in previous lifetimes. I come away from that kind of thing kind of cranky and wanting to poke sticks into things.

  One of my neighbors at the dinner table told me of some miracle herb that "cures everything. Destroys every bad thing in your body." I try not to be controversial at what is meant to be a pleasant occasion, but I wanted to say things like, "then why are you still sick?" "Hmmm, why haven't the pharmacies gotten hold of that one?"

  When I talk to individuals I do bring up these questions, but they have such bullet-proof circular reasoning they just ignore the questions and go on spouting their jargon. The attitude the folks around here have taken is, "isn't she cute? She's an atheist, our token atheist." They almost pat me on the head.
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  13

  My mother is losing her old personality

  by Faithful Witness in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  i have been trying to engage and talk to my mother and her "natural" personality as much as possible.

  she has obvious concerns about the jw's, and we do discuss issues almost every time she visits.

  we didn't see her for long stretches (months at at time, and suddenly a year had gone by...) we have now both committed to a minimum of a monthly visit, and we will work toward more.

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  Hortensia

  I think I wouldn't read too much into the email either; I'm old and overworked and tired too. To me it sounds OK, but you know her better so you're probably picking up on something we don't see.
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  219

  An important difference between atheists and true believers

  by Hortensia in

  1. social
  2. current

  true believers, whether christian, muslim or whatever, want to convert you, they want you to believe what they do, and they're willing to go to extremes to make it happen.

  atheists don't really care what you believe, and don't go out of their way to convert someone.. http://ow.ly/vn1jz an example of what believers in power do to suppress any difference in thought.

  http://ow.ly/vraeo an example of why believers want to suppress different ideas (because they can't win in a fair fight, that's why).

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  Hortensia

  I just thought of a good comeback to my own statement -- but I'll leave it up to others to come up with it! That's the problem with seeing all sides of an argument -- I can argue the other side's position if I feel like it. (But in the end I'm convinced by evidence, not rhetoric.)
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  219

  An important difference between atheists and true believers

  by Hortensia in

  1. social
  2. current

  true believers, whether christian, muslim or whatever, want to convert you, they want you to believe what they do, and they're willing to go to extremes to make it happen.

  atheists don't really care what you believe, and don't go out of their way to convert someone.. http://ow.ly/vn1jz an example of what believers in power do to suppress any difference in thought.

  http://ow.ly/vraeo an example of why believers want to suppress different ideas (because they can't win in a fair fight, that's why).

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  Hortensia

  Hi Cofty,

  no where in particular. I just get bored with the annual flurry of memorial threads and haven't been on the site as much. I'm a lot farther down the road than many JWNers. Too many years since I cared about what the wtbts is doing, eh?

  I hope all is well with you!