Posts by Knowsnothing

posted

83
Did Jesus sacrifice really mean anything?
by highdose in
1. watchtower
2. bible
suspending for a minute the realisation that it never happened and instead looking at it as a beliver would.... jesus had to endure a painful death, yes.

but he knew that he would only be dead for three days and that afterwards he would get reserected and be able to mind f**k around with those who had put him to death.

and then he would live for ever in a brand new body!
Knowsnothing

It is grace that sets us free. Ding
Free from what?
9
New book on the Spanish Inquisition
by Dagney in
1. jw
2. friends
http://www.npr.org/2012/01/23/145512271/the-inquisition-a-model-for-modern-interrogators .

very interesting.

.
Knowsnothing

"You see that everything that is being suggested now had already been anticipated," he says. "For instance, you want to spook the person you're interrogating. [The Inquisitors] have a whole bunch of tricks they lay out. The person to be interrogated comes into the room and the inquisitor [advice manual advises]: 'Be sitting there. Have a huge stack of documents in front of you. And as the person is answering questions, flip through the documents as if you have more information than this person could dream of. And every so often, shake your head as if you can't believe what they're saying.' It's almost word for word, you find the same thing in modern handbooks."
If this doesn't remind me of something.....
On waterboarding
"Many people in the Bush administration were insisting [it] was not torture at all. The Inquisition was actually very clear on the matter. It obviously was torture. That's why they were using it."
36
Confirmation bias as observed in brain scans
by SweetBabyCheezits in
1. jw
2. friends
i thought this was an interesting study, considering the mental block that affects jws when discussing wt flip-flops or bible contradictions.. .

http://www.michaelshermer.com/2006/07/the-political-brain/.

a recent brain-imaging study shows that our political predilections are a product of unconscious confirmation biasthe human understanding when it has once adopted an opinion ... draws all things else to support and agree with it.
Knowsnothing

Who is impervious to self-deception? -SweetBabyCheezits
No one. Which is why removing bias cannot be an absolute, only an approximation. Example, I might have reservations about eating rats because of my cultural upbringing. There is nothing inherently wrong about eating rats. Some Asian groups do it and have it commonplace.
Also, what is good judgment? Again, that depends to a degree on our own biases, some of which we have strong emotions attached to that really have no bearing on reality, only in our minds.
I also agree with James' above statement. Critical thinking can be used by psychopaths for them to achieve their means. Interestingly, it is scientifically proven that those born without empathy are generally uncurable. Scary thought.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychopathy
228
I believe God
by N.drew in
1. watchtower
2. bible
someone said atheists are a minority.

i think that is incorrect.

salvation belongs to yhwh.
Knowsnothing

Wibble. The ultimate Nirvana. The two forces.
This is fun. Wibble has restored fun.
228
I believe God
by N.drew in
1. watchtower
2. bible
someone said atheists are a minority.

i think that is incorrect.

salvation belongs to yhwh.
Knowsnothing

(James tips over the water vase with his wooden shoe)
(Out pores Smurfs)
Is this the right thread? Poof.
91
Inequality like this is unsustainable
by slimboyfat in
1. social
2. current
not to mention immoral.. .

the 100 wealthiest americans have as much as the bottom 50%?.

many of the bottom 50% own guns in america don't they?
Knowsnothing

I wouldn't have a problem with it, as long as they get appropriately taxed. What the hell do they need all the money for, honestly?
8
Dr. Sam Harris vs. Dr. William Craig- Do not watch this if logic hurts your mind.
by whereami in
1. watchtower
2. beliefs
.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hthq6a7fzea&sns=em.

.
Knowsnothing

For all practical intents and purposes, a lot of christians simply do not endorse that behavior, nor practice it. Does it smack down their infallible Bible affirmation? Yes.
Does it mean the morality christians practice and try to attain to is not worthwhile? I don't know, you tell me.
Remember, that argument mainly works only against the OT and as I said, no matter how hypocritical it sounds, that morality is simply not upheld nor condoned for a majority of christians.
The argument does well to disprove a loving God, however.
91
Inequality like this is unsustainable
by slimboyfat in
1. social
2. current
not to mention immoral.. .

the 100 wealthiest americans have as much as the bottom 50%?.

many of the bottom 50% own guns in america don't they?
Knowsnothing

It's civilization taking its natural cycle.
228
I believe God
by N.drew in
1. watchtower
2. bible
someone said atheists are a minority.

i think that is incorrect.

salvation belongs to yhwh.
Knowsnothing

James, teach me wibble. Where do I find the highest level of mingy and fresh?
Also, just what does mingy mean? I found this:

1. Small in quantity; meager: mingy wages. 2. Mean and stingy. So, small and fresh?
8
Dr. Sam Harris vs. Dr. William Craig- Do not watch this if logic hurts your mind.
by whereami in
1. watchtower
2. beliefs
.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hthq6a7fzea&sns=em.

.
Knowsnothing

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcYUimKWz4A&feature=related
Interesting rebuttal (unrelated to OP video) on why well-being≠good morality. So morality, as defined by Harris, would need some reworking.