(August 21, 2011 at 12:55 pm)Tiberius Wrote:

(August 21, 2011 at 12:18 pm)Godnose Wrote: It's free at the point of use, like the NHS. Or the BBC.

Except that we pay for the NHS in our taxes, and you have to pay the BBC for a TV license in order to watch it...

That's what "free at the point of use means".

(August 20, 2011 at 1:58 pm)Godnose Wrote: Are there any social functions currently provided by religion which are not provided on a secular basis?

If so what are they and how may the situation be remedied?

Stonings are common in Iran.

Jews have circumcision parties.

Some parts of the world go in for female circumcision.

Mormons have wedding after wedding after wedding.

(August 21, 2011 at 12:37 pm)Cinjin Wrote: You're worse than the christian. You want all the lovey-dovey bull shit, but you don't like the hell part so you claim to be an atheist.

Eh? Why shouldn't I have "lovey dovey" comforts if that's what I want? Who are you to restrict my choices? Just because I don't believe there is a god why shouldn't I like a bit of lovey-doveyness. I don't get the reasoning here. Maybe I like Mills & Boone - you don't know what I like and anyway so what? How would that detract from my atheism? Or are only certain types of self-appointed clever heads allowed to be atheists? Talk about the bloomin' Thought Police!

I don't "claim" to be an atheist. I AM an atheist. I believe there is no such thing as god, that the whole thing is a fantasy. So what? No reason that should make me "hard nosed" or whatever it is you seem to think is so great.

Had a bit more lovey-doviness been applied at the right time to the right kids, maybe half of England's cities wouldn't have been smashed up a couple of weeks ago, who knows?

Quote: You're pathetic and you give atheists everywhere a bad name.

That would be the "community" of atheists, would it?

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(August 21, 2011 at 12:48 pm)Rhythm Wrote: You keep killing your own argument.

Well, killing arguments is better than what I used to do to my body before I gave up the fags and the booze!

You should go back to the fags and booze, apparently their absence has left a gaping hole in your life.

(August 21, 2011 at 2:21 pm)downbeatplumb Wrote:

(August 20, 2011 at 1:58 pm)Godnose Wrote: Are there any social functions currently provided by religion which are not provided on a secular basis?

If so what are they and how may the situation be remedied?

Stonings are common in Iran.

Jews have circumcision parties.

Some parts of the world go in for female circumcision.

Mormons have wedding after wedding after wedding.

Yes, I suppose I should have stipulated useful social functions - I keep forgetting the level of common sense here. You are probably all MENSA members. Or think you should be. But I'm an ordinary geezer so don't have the intellectual precision or whatever it's called.

Actually, when you think about it, maybe geezers like me coming on to an atheist site is a good thing - after all, doesn't it signify the atheist "message" is beginning to get through to the dumboes - oh but woops! - I forgot, there is no "message" in atheism, is there! Hmm!

It's all very tricky, this not believing in religion stuff, innit! Maybe I'd best just go and sign up at the Mosque. Oh, but, no point. I DON'T BELIEVE IN ALLAN ANY MORE THAN GOD. Sh1t! You almost got me there!

So, is that it? Are you in reality a bunch of high fliery whizzo massive intellect X-tians (or whatever) who have cleverly set a trap to catch lower order atheists and drive us back into the arms of X-tianity (whatever)? If so, very smoooth operation!

(Surely this'll get me banned, for Gods sake - Ooops! There "He" is again!)

(August 21, 2011 at 5:50 am)Godnose Wrote: What about spiritual solace? I don't mean, like, ghosts and stuff.

What about it? You have to be "spiritual" to need something like that.

(August 21, 2011 at 5:50 am)Godnose Wrote: I mean things like how to cope with the fact that one is extremely small compared with all the big stuff out there, sorrow, how can I deal with the fact that one's daughter in law is a monster?, that it seems impossible to find friendship in the teeming city, that kinda stuff? How can I cope with my emotional issues? (all these hypothetical btw - mostly)

I already mentioned that -- therapy. Some people also find "spiritual" solace in nature.

(August 21, 2011 at 5:50 am)Godnose Wrote: These kinda things are no good if you have to write a cheque at the end.

Well, that takes the church out of the equation as well. Instead of giving them a one time check, you have to give them a portion of your pay, though.

(August 21, 2011 at 2:47 pm)Rhythm Wrote: You should go back to the fags and booze

If I do I die. That's the deal... (strictly medical, no religion involved)
hock:

Quote:, apparently their absence has left a gaping hole in your life.

Yes, I've become extremely "holy" since I had to give 'em up!

(Holy - lots of holes - get it? Oh, never mind...)

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(August 21, 2011 at 2:56 pm)Shell B Wrote: Well, that takes the church out of the equation as well. Instead of giving them a one time check, you have to give them a portion of your pay, though.

Not me. Not a penny. Sorry to disappoint.

well, quite pleased really... if the truth be told!

(August 21, 2011 at 3:03 pm)Godnose Wrote: Not me. Not a penny. Sorry to disappoint.

well, quite pleased really...

Obviously, you mentioned that you are an atheist, so why would the church tithe you? So . . . instead of answering questions that were not asked, why not stay on topic? It is your topic, after all.

(August 21, 2011 at 2:34 pm)Godnose Wrote: Eh? Why shouldn't I have "lovey dovey" comforts if that's what I want? Who are you to restrict my choices? Just because I don't believe there is a god why shouldn't I like a bit of lovey-doveyness. I don't get the reasoning here. Maybe I like Mills & Boone - you don't know what I like and anyway so what? How would that detract from my atheism? Or are only certain types of self-appointed clever heads allowed to be atheists? Talk about the bloomin' Thought Police!

I don't "claim" to be an atheist. I AM an atheist. I believe there is no such thing as god, that the whole thing is a fantasy. So what? No reason that should make me "hard nosed" or whatever it is you seem to think is so great.

Why shouldn't you have lovey-dovey? Because the source you are getting it from would rather keep the world in the dark ages. You are a piece of jello ... you champion christianity when it suits your purpose and then flop over to defending your atheism when your bull shit is pointed out to you. Being called the "Thought Police" is a compliment. I analyze my own values and my own agendas regularly. Don't believe me? Check my threads. Your thoughts are absurd and perhaps you should police them a hell-of-a-lot better. Here's an example:

Quote:Had a bit more lovey-doviness been applied at the right time to the right kids, maybe half of England's cities wouldn't have been smashed up a couple of weeks ago, who knows?

Fucking ridiculous, considering the source of the "love" I was referring to. The church has never been known for bringing peace and enlightenment to youths in any time period. A young mind to the church is something to be manipulated and exploited, and this is still true today. Your statement is absurd and completely unprovable, but hey, by all means continue in your crusade for christianity you fake atheist.

Quote:Well, killing arguments is better than what I used to do to my body before I gave up the fags and the booze!

god I hope you're talking about cigarettes.

(August 21, 2011 at 3:11 pm)Cinjin Wrote: god I hope you're talking about cigarettes.

'Fags' is British slang meaning 'cigarette'.
He's a Brit. Clocked on the moment he said "Ta".