Comments on: We believe all sorts of weird stuff

By: Paul Burns

Paul Burns — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 01:06:28 +0000

Well, I’m not a Xtan; I frequently make quite mocking jokes on LP about various branches of Xianity. And, in the context of a discussion of the nature of the historical Jesus, eg Renan, its a very intriguing topic/question. However, I do believe in respecting even those core religious beliefs of others I might personally find a little strange. (Not sure why you’ve thrown out this challenge on what I think is meant to be a light-hearted thread, especially at a time Xtans consider sacred. ) Just sayin’.

By: John

John — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 23:35:06 +0000

What could be more weird than believing in the “resurrection of jesus”?
In this day and age such an absurd idea belongs in the realm of urban legends.

By: Sean

Sean — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 14:00:49 +0000

As for UFOs – if it takes 10,000 years just to leave our solar system,..

Er, what? If you swim?

2004 Dec. 18 Voyager 1 crosses Termination Shock 2007 Sep. 5 Voyager 2 crosses Termination Shock TBD Voyager enters Interstellar Space

I mean, I think I agree with the "more obvious and less pleasant" thesis re Teh Aliens, but from whence came this 10,000 year malarky? It'll take 70's tech about 30.

By: keIthy

keIthy — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 10:58:26 +0000

Why do we even celebrate Christmas?!!? I am sick to death of people thinking they are worthy of good times and present giving whilst innocent people are dying, present tense, from our invasive culture(s) that shun all religious teachings to one side until the end of the year! Will the real people of this world please stand up!??! [Talk about the age of hypocrisy, FMD!]

By: Fran Barlow

Fran Barlow — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 08:08:39 +0000

I’ve long seen him as a Blot on the Landscape so it’s my running error, though the first time was a “freudian” accident.

By: Ambigulous

Ambigulous — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 05:41:08 +0000

“Blot’s latest piece on Avatar”

Deliberate typo, changing Bolt to Blot? Congratulations
If not deliberate, congratulations!

You have added o the Merriment of Christmas, Fran. Thank you!

By: Fran Barlow

Fran Barlow — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 04:29:57 +0000

I don’t agree wbb, unless by ‘wrong’ you mean “culturally offensive in its implications for my lifestyle arrangements”.

Maharosy’s objections wink at science so as to obscure the fact that she is part of a cultural war. If you read Blot’s latest piece on Avatar and the responses of his groupies you can see that very clearly.

By: David Irving (no relation)

David Irving (no relation) — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 04:00:18 +0000

I’d be inclined to agree, wbb (Marohasey will never admit she’s wrong, whatever her private thoughts), but when someone does a drive-by (as she did), they need to be ridiculed to within an inch of their lives to discourage them in the future.

By: wbb

wbb — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 02:24:55 +0000

I believe that Marohasy believes, sincerely & deep down, that AGW is wrong. We all have great capacity to fall victim to an ‘ism or an ideology.

It’s not worth the time trying to sway true believers. Better use of time is talking to undecideds and waverers.

By: Helen

Helen — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 01:24:40 +0000

“Belief” / “Believe” are themselves problematic words. For instance, I “believe” in the law of gravity not only because of the little science I have learned about it in my eminently respectable textbooks, but because of the evidence of my own eyes. Therefore, I “believe” the law of gravity holds good. I also “believe” in other phemomena such as osmosis and photosynthesis, even though I can’t see these happening as clearly, because of the explanations I have read in books and the reputation of the people writing the books. It’s quite common and linguistically correct to use the word “believe” here.

But this is a completely different pancake to “believing” in God or Astrology.