My ex-GF thinks the entire universe revolves around her. I guess that makes her the supreme being. Intelligent? Not so much. But I didn't like her for her intelligence ;-)
Posts by DJS
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92Question to atheists: if there is no creator/god---
by prologos inif you are sure there is no god, do you then believe that we,our minds, are the highest intelligence?
not just of the universe, but the cosmos?.
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92
Question to atheists: if there is no creator/god---
by prologos inif you are sure there is no god, do you then believe that we,our minds, are the highest intelligence?
not just of the universe, but the cosmos?.
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DJS
In response to the OP: I gave all of that a lot of thought a long long time ago in a galaxy far far away (JW land). I no longer give it any thought; if the evidence or data presents itself, I will consider it. The difficulty of space travel makes it unlikely aliens could make it this far and still make it back home. And if their technology/intelligence level was such that they could make it this far, dominating pathetic earthlings would be a breeze. And really, if they could make it this far and simply want to 'observe' us they are really screwed up.
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23
Every JW should pay attention to Steven Pinker's lecture: A History of Violence
by cognisonance incame across this lecutre (or alternatively you can read the transcript) in a class from yale on moralities of everyday life:.
a history of violence edge master class 2011some excepts:.
"believe it or notand i know most people do notviolence has been in decline over long stretches of time, and we may be living in the most peaceful time in our species' existence.".
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DJS
Jgnat,
Theism being 'destroyed' by this argument? Maybe not, but it certainly is a whole lot of nails in its coffin. And thank god (humor intended). the BOJ stats in the U.S. confirm that violent crime has been steadily dropping for decades. I've alluded to this on previous OPs. Secular nations, based on numerous very good studies, are suggested to have much less societal dysfunction than relgious nations. There is a strong correlation between the most religious states in the U.S. and lack of education, higher divorce rates, higher gun crime, higher violent crime and higher drug use, to name a few things. The research is out there; look it up. Here is one: Journal of Religion & Society Volume 7 (2005) ISSN 1522-5658 Cross-National Correlations of Quantifiable Societal Health with Popular Religiosity and Secularism in the Prosperous Democracies.
Being decent, kind, honest, honorable and ethical hasn't a damn thing to do with being religious. The specious argument so many theists present about this nauseates me. It is their mantra, and it is false. I developed and taught an Ethics class when I was an adjunct prof at one of the local colleges; I have lots of research on this topic. Both sides.
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64
JW's Anti-Gay position puts them in the axis of ignorance
by scotoma indarkest area is most anti-gay.
perhaps they need to focus on those areas since they seem to agree with them on this issue.
jehovah.
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DJS
Viviane,
Yes. that is what I'm saying. Lots of heteros should never, I repeat never, procreate. Their DNA needs to stop with them. So since there are lots of bad hetero parents is it a good thing or a bad thing that straights have kids?
I'm sure that is the case with gays. But as the prejudices, laws and perceptions change, and Ms. Viviane they are changing rapidly, gay couples will have more children. It will be a good thing if they are good parents. It will likely be a good thing if they are so so parents. And even bad hetero parents sometimes raise kids that turn out to be great adults. So if you have the insight as to who will or won't be a good parent, please share. What kind of a question are you asking?
It is going to occur; it already is. And there is no reason, none, to think that gays - once they are allowed to marry and are accepted in society just like straights - won't want to have children. They are doing it now. Gays will be much more likely to use their own eggs/sperm for procreation than simply adopting. Wouldn't you? Some will be great parents, some - not so much. Just like with straights. So again, what queston are you asking?
So many of the arguments and rationale in this topic are specious; they sound ok on the surface but are patently false. They do not reflect the real world and the adaptability of humans to circumstances.
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64
JW's Anti-Gay position puts them in the axis of ignorance
by scotoma indarkest area is most anti-gay.
perhaps they need to focus on those areas since they seem to agree with them on this issue.
jehovah.
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DJS
Jam,
It is likely in all of our DNA to some extent, which makes sense. And this discussion is so simplistic. Too many ex-JWs can only view things in a linear rashion. Up/down, right/wrong, black/white, yes/no. That doesn't reflect real life with all of its wonderful complexities. I find it truly sad that too many ex-Jdubs can't seem to shake the confining mindset that attracted them to the Borg in the first place. We were right (and pious and righteous) and EVERYONE else was wrong. Even more sad is that too many only seek the 'research' which supports their jaundiced, simplistic, narrow view of the world.
Sad, really. The only reason I came on this site 10 months ago, after knowing about it for a decade and being out of the Borg for 2 decades, is to try to help my former bros and sis-es to think rationally and to get rid of the narrow minded krink kronk contaminating our souls, brains and hearts from our Borg days. That's the only reason I'm here. All of you who can do this will be so much happier. And science suggests richer. Look it up.
A continuum: Feel (great it makes you at best a one celled amoeba); Believe (many believers do so out of emotion, an event (it's a MIRACLE) or their FEELINGS; Think (Ok, you are showing sings of being scentient); Know (based on knowledge. Experiential (it has its limitations as YOUR experience can be limited or the root case of things you see or experience, for a minority for example, may have nothing to do with their skin and everythign to do with society) or based on study or research (does that study have the length, depth and breadth to constitute real knowledge or learning? Our JW days were consumed with a lot of one way narrow minded study - it WAS NOT knowlege); Prove (ok, prove has to be qualified because even the best science is always seeking to know and understand better).
Where do you see yourselives on this continuum? Studies suggest the closer you are to Prove, being rational, the more money you will make and the more successful you will be. Feeler/perceivers are the bottom dwellers. You all can do better.
Prove. Based on the best science available. Leave behind what you Feel. What you believe. (cavemen). What you think. What you know
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JW's Anti-Gay position puts them in the axis of ignorance
by scotoma indarkest area is most anti-gay.
perhaps they need to focus on those areas since they seem to agree with them on this issue.
jehovah.
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DJS
Scotoma,
Not a good or accurate point at all. Do I have to do all of your all's out of the box visionary thinking? Once being gay is completly accepted (and it will be all you haters), gays and lesbians (who I noticed refer to themselves as gay), will almost assuredly want to have children in much the same percentages as heteros. Societally imposed barriers have kept this somewhat limited in the past (please don't freaking ask me to explain), but once those are gone it will change. Simply look at the numbers of gays wanting children now. And having them. It is entirely possible, if not likely, that gays will pass on MORE of their DNA, not less, once these barriers are removed and gays are allowed to meld into society as everyone else. Geesh. Think people.
And even if what you think about the genetic code is true, the DNA is likely in everyone's DNA soup to some degree. Geeessh people, think a bit. As to those who think it a defect, please leave this site and planet. And universe. Please. Quickly. Your'e morons. Sorry Simon, but he/she/they are.
And Student, sociologists indicate that ANY behavior that is very common has an evolutionary causal reason for being common. Act like a student and think for geeesh sake. And quit asking stupid questions that sound intelligent. I can go get the research if you wish, but I would prefer that you do it.
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71
Being an Atheist Is Bad For Your Health
by Space Madness ini stopped believing in god in july 2013. in the first 3 months or so i felt liberated and relieved that i can live my life anyway i wanted without worrying about an invisible being watching my every move.
i also felt slightly superior that i was able to figure out that god isn't real while the majority of mankind continued to be fooled.
atfer the feelings of excitment statrted to wear off, i started to become more depressed and empty.
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DJS
It seems to me that your recent movement away from theism is skewing your viewpoints about atheists. I've been an atheist for a long time and have never enjoyed life more. Give it a while, please. Will you have to learn how to re-think? Of course. You can't get your feel good hormones going by believing in a fairy tale provider or some never-land paradise that isn't coming. You wil have to rely on yourself, get stronger, smarter and more malleable. All great things and necessary to help the human population evolve. Good luck.
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134
Your Most DREADED Dub Word
by GetBusyLiving ini wanna hear the word that made you either physically nauseous or burst out in uncontrolable laughter.
please demonstrate it in a sentence as well.
mine was 'enthused' (my fingers were shaking as i typed).
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DJS
Appropriate. The Borg wordsmiths were very well aware of the power that misuse and abuse of this word gave them.
They used this word repeatedly to mke near rules, rules light, mini-me rules, seme rules, walk talk and act like rules to control the RIF and, iin a knowing and evil manner, set the RIF up to judge one another, often over the most ridiculous and mundane topics. Like music. Hair. Movies. Education. I effing hate that word now.
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142
How do JWs Not see how barbaric YHWH is? Its what started my awakening.
by BU2B inif one reads genesis from the first chapter through the end with an open mind, it is clear that not only is it not true, but that god is potrayed as a cruel, petty, childish micromanaging tyrant.
if one continues reading the ot this is just further solidified.
how do jws not see the obvious?
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DJS
KateWild,
You have suggested the bible was written to control women and the vulnerable on several occasions. I agree to some degree. Many of the laws and rules of all societies evolved, early in man's existence, out of necessisity - to reign in or control behaviors that caused problems within the cave, clan and tribe. Remember, there weren't social programs or economic opportunities. So you have to cut all of the early rules makers a bit of slack, including the bible writers, who may have been well intentioned or were trying to build a social order and a civilization. To some degree they certainly succeeded.
I learned a long time ago, in management, that my direct reports would often tell their peers or their subordinates to do certain things and then try to support it or add credence to it by stating that I had given them the authority or it was from my direction, even though a lot of times it wasn't. It is human nature to act like a higher authority is backing our rule, guidance, etc. That explains the bible and a belief in god more than simply stating it came into existence just to control women and the weak.
So you want pink border around your official atheist certificate.....
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U.S. Army admits to widespread cultural pedophilia in Afghanistan
by RottenRiley inmy atheist, agnostic and deist family members, why don't we attack this insanity more?
dr. richard dawkins is finally calling out islam for it's true nature, i hope he is balanced because i don't want him to get killed by these whack jobs.
i enjoy listening to dr. dawkins debate and would like him to attack their false religion like he lambaste's christians, i guess it's a tight-wire act he must follow or they would kill him.
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DJS
And if any of you have been around current military, especially the younger ones, there is often almost a constant chatter and banter about sexual issues, especially gay related anal copulation comments (sanitized) and such jokes. Although on the surface it may appear to be good natured, raw, 'bonding' humor, there is a darker under-current to the language. Language precedes behavior. It is actually a bit shocking to the senses if you aren't used to it (and I wasn't); the issue has been taken up by military brass and the Congress at very high levels, as it is seen as contributing to sexual predatory behavior (i.e., the prevalence of rape within the ranks). And in Afghanistan the cultural 'conversation' might even get you killed.