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The Library => Haley Center Basement => Topic started by: Kaos on March 04, 2010, 09:11:07 AM

Title: My true genius
Post by: Kaos on March 04, 2010, 09:11:07 AM
This confirms it.  

When a true genius appears, you can know him by this sign: that all the dunces are in a confederacy against him.
-- Jonathan Swift


Confederacy of dunces.

Look around.  Pretty much sums it up doesn't it?  
Title: Re: My true genius
Post by: Godfather on March 04, 2010, 10:18:46 AM
This confirms it. 

When a true genius appears, you can know him by this sign: that all the dunces are in a confederacy against him.
-- Jonathan Swift


Confederacy of dunces.

Look around.  Pretty much sums it up doesn't it?   

Don't forget this gem

"When you look around the room and you think everyone else around you is the problem, maybe its you"
-- George Carlin

;)
Title: Re: My true genius
Post by: Kaos on March 04, 2010, 10:31:07 AM
Don't forget this gem

"When you look around the room and you think everyone else around you is the problem, maybe its you"
-- George Carlin

;)

I'll take Swift over Carlin. 

Could you make a Confederate flag for the dunces?  It could just use it as a reply whenever any of them started another of their Pickett's Charges.  Save me a lot of typing. 
Title: Re: My true genius
Post by: Saniflush on March 04, 2010, 10:33:00 AM
I'll take Swift over Carlin. 

Could you make a Confederate flag for the dunces?  It could just use it as a reply whenever any of them started another of their Pickett's Charges.  Save me a lot of typing. 

I would suggest a union one.
Title: Re: My true genius
Post by: Kaos on March 04, 2010, 10:34:17 AM
I would suggest a union one.

"confederacy of dumbasses"  (or dunces, as Swift put it). 

Thus a confederate flag. 
Title: Re: My true genius
Post by: Saniflush on March 04, 2010, 10:37:38 AM
"confederacy of dumbasses"  (or dunces, as Swift put it). 

Thus a confederate flag. 

There you go.

Title: Re: My true genius
Post by: Godfather on March 04, 2010, 10:43:14 AM
Look at your avatar...how's that?
Title: Re: My true genius
Post by: Kaos on March 04, 2010, 10:44:25 AM
Look at your avatar...how's that?

It's a beaut, Clark. 

BTW, I never got a bill for your previous work of art.  Send one. 
Title: Re: My true genius
Post by: Godfather on March 04, 2010, 11:05:23 AM
It's a beaut, Clark. 

BTW, I never got a bill for your previous work of art.  Send one. 
Bill

No Charge

 :)

There you go
Title: Re: My true genius
Post by: wesfau2 on March 04, 2010, 01:18:44 PM
You know, K, I'd like to buy you for what you're worth and sell you for what you think you're worth.

Fuck Gates, Buffet and any Saudi oil douchebag. I'd be top of the heap then.
Title: Re: My true genius
Post by: Godfather on March 04, 2010, 01:24:07 PM
You know, K, I'd like to buy you for what you're worth and sell you for what you think you're worth.

Fuck Gates, Buffet and any Saudi oil douchebag. I'd be top of the heap then.
but in this current market, you might be stuck with him for awhile.  Risk vs. Reward and all that
Title: Re: My true genius
Post by: wesfau2 on March 04, 2010, 01:26:32 PM
but in this current market, you might be stuck with him for awhile.  Risk vs. Reward and all that

If I own him, I can do what I want with him. Like sticking him in a shoebox under my bed.
Title: Re: My true genius
Post by: Godfather on March 04, 2010, 01:30:52 PM
If I own him, I can do what I want with him. Like sticking him in a shoebox under my bed.
Don't lie, we all know you would be abusing him like a redheaded gerbil.
Title: Re: My true genius
Post by: Vandy Vol on March 04, 2010, 01:31:10 PM
If I own him, I can do what I want with him. Like sticking him in a shoebox under my bed.

Or...

(http://www.comicbookmovie.com/images/users/uploads/10959/slap-bitch-demotivational-poster.jpg)
Title: Re: My true genius
Post by: wesfau2 on March 04, 2010, 01:39:38 PM
I think you boys might be doing what the brain doctors call "projecting".
Title: Re: My true genius
Post by: Saniflush on March 04, 2010, 01:45:24 PM
I think you boys might be doing what the brain doctors call "projecting".

It's da brain pain coach.
Title: Re: My true genius
Post by: Godfather on March 04, 2010, 02:24:25 PM
Nonsense I invented electricity, Benjamin Franklin is da debil
Title: Re: My true genius
Post by: Kaos on March 04, 2010, 03:21:55 PM
You know, K, I'd like to buy you for what you're worth and sell you for what you think you're worth.

Fuck Gates, Buffet and any Saudi oil douchebag. I'd be top of the heap then.

If you were to buy me (which you could hardly afford at either my actual or percieved value but let's imagine anyway) I would merely win all your battles, service your wife regularly and earn so much coin I could purchase my freedom.  Otherwise I would slaughter you and your entourage, take your wife for a slave and lead the revolt. 

That's just how it goes.
Title: Re: My true genius
Post by: AUChizad on March 08, 2010, 09:35:01 AM
"The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, but wiser people so full of doubts." - Bertrand Russell
Title: Re: My true genius
Post by: wesfau2 on March 08, 2010, 09:39:28 AM
"The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, but wiser people so full of doubts." - Bertrand Russell

His book, "Why I am Not a Christian", was a good read.
Title: Re: My true genius
Post by: Kaos on March 08, 2010, 10:13:50 AM
"The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, but wiser people so full of doubts." - Bertrand Russell

Chizik is super awesome!!  Gays should be loud and proud in the military!!  More kinds of beer is the answer!!! = fool/fanatic. 


I doubt Chizik will be the long-term answer, I doubt gays being allowed to proclaim their gayness will have a positive affect on military efficiency or morale and I doubt that beer is the answer to anything.  That equals wiser. 

One day you'll learn.  Until then...
Title: Re: My true genius
Post by: Kaos on March 08, 2010, 10:35:53 AM
His book, "Why I am Not a Christian", was a good read.

Pathetic. 
Title: Re: My true genius
Post by: AUChizad on March 08, 2010, 10:49:59 AM
Chizik is super awesome!!  Gays should be loud and proud in the military!!  More kinds of beer is the answer!!! = fool/fanatic. 
Failure to understand my position on any of those three topics = fool/fanatic.
Title: Re: My true genius
Post by: Kaos on March 08, 2010, 11:06:13 AM
Failure to understand my position on any of those three topics = fool/fanatic.

Continuing to bang your head against the wall whenever I push a button = Pavlovian.
Title: Re: My true genius
Post by: AUChizad on March 08, 2010, 11:11:57 AM
I doubt Chizik will be the long-term answer
How is that island? You look more and more foolish every day that you stick to those guns. Good thing recruits are still wiser than you.
http://blog.al.com/goldmine/2010/03/auburn_recruiting_the_latest_v.html (http://blog.al.com/goldmine/2010/03/auburn_recruiting_the_latest_v.html)

Quote
I doubt gays being allowed to proclaim their gayness will have a positive affect on military efficiency or morale
No need to drag that argument here, but thinking you know more about what's best for the military better than every poster here who actually served in the military, let alone the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, the Secretary of Defense, (who both served under Bush) and the current Commander in Chief of the armed forces = fool.

Quote
I doubt that beer is the answer to anything
Having essentially the same position as this guy = fool.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZoTJzh13n8# (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZoTJzh13n8#)
Title: Re: My true genius
Post by: Kaos on March 08, 2010, 12:21:10 PM
Chizad responds:

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3023/2956853048_233fc7a603.jpg?v=0)

You're a reactionary.  You can't ever see the big picture.  Ever.
Title: Re: My true genius
Post by: AUChizad on March 08, 2010, 01:03:13 PM
Chizad responds:

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3023/2956853048_233fc7a603.jpg?v=0)

You're a reactionary.  You can't ever see the big picture.  Ever.
More delusional behavior.

Me responding to your trollbait four days and two pages later with a measured and logical answer to your nonense, and I'm Pavlov's salivating dog.

You respond immediately with more trollbait and you're the man pulling the strings.

Go right ahead and believe that if it comforts you.
Title: Re: My true genius
Post by: GH2001 on March 08, 2010, 01:12:18 PM
More delusional behavior.

Me responding to your trollbait four days and two pages later with a measured and logical answer to your nonense, and I'm Pavlov's salivating dog.

You respond immediately with more trollbait and you're the man pulling the strings.

Go right ahead and believe that if it comforts you.

Pretty much....
Title: Re: My true genius
Post by: Kaos on March 08, 2010, 01:27:30 PM
More delusional behavior.

Me responding to your trollbait four days and two pages later with a measured and logical answer to your nonense, and I'm Pavlov's salivating dog.

You respond immediately with more trollbait and you're the man pulling the strings.

Go right ahead and believe that if it comforts you.

F

Title: Re: My true genius
Post by: AUsweetheart on March 08, 2010, 02:22:57 PM
Wow, I just wasted four minutes of my life. :suicide:
Title: Re: My true genius
Post by: Jumbo on March 08, 2010, 02:29:22 PM
Wow, I just wasted four minutes of my life. :suicide:
You know how my prom date felt!
Title: Re: My true genius
Post by: AUChizad on March 08, 2010, 02:36:07 PM
F



I stand corrected.

My first response in this thread (still four days and two pages later) wasn't even a direct response to your babble at all.

Just offering an additional quote to take out of context and apply to your demented belief that everyone but you is a babbling retard.

But then, of course, you had to knee jerk out a reactionary response immediately attacking me.

"The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, but wiser people so full of doubts." - Bertrand Russell
Chizik is super awesome!!  Gays should be loud and proud in the military!!  More kinds of beer is the answer!!! = fool/fanatic. 


I doubt Chizik will be the long-term answer, I doubt gays being allowed to proclaim their gayness will have a positive affect on military efficiency or morale and I doubt that beer is the answer to anything.  That equals wiser. 

One day you'll learn.  Until then...

Yeah, you're Pavlov, I'm the dog...right...
Title: Re: My true genius
Post by: Tiger Wench on March 08, 2010, 02:42:27 PM
Wow, I just wasted four minutes of my life. :suicide:
No kidding.  I have pretty much been using the hell out of the "Mark As Read" button for most of the threads on this forum lately as they have all devolved into this stupid shit.  I came over here this time because you had posted last and I was hoping you were telling them to stop their cripple fight and act like grownups...

Oh, well... back to "Mark As Read"...
Title: Re: My true genius
Post by: Kaos on March 08, 2010, 02:52:41 PM
No kidding.  I have pretty much been using the hell out of the "Mark As Read" button for most of the threads on this forum lately as they have all devolved into this stupid shit.  I came over here this time because you had posted last and I was hoping you were telling them to stop their cripple fight and act like grownups...

Oh, well... back to "Mark As Read"...

Meh.  Blow it out the blowhole. 

I haven't even been on this board for most of the last couple of weeks.  A random post here and there is all. 

The cripples kept on cripping, though.  Dropped by to add a little levity.   

I'll tell you just like Sancho tells everybody else who complains about fag-centric fodder on television.  You don't like it?  Change the channel.
Title: Re: My true genius
Post by: Jumbo on March 08, 2010, 02:52:56 PM
No kidding.  I have pretty much been using the hell out of the "Mark As Read" button for most of the threads on this forum lately as they have all devolved into this stupid shit.  I came over here this time because you had posted last and I was hoping you were telling them to stop their cripple fight and act like grownups...

Oh, well... back to "Mark As Read"...
I use the Page Up and Down button on my phone and Mark as Read.
Title: Re: My true genius
Post by: Kaos on March 08, 2010, 02:54:37 PM
I stand corrected.

My first response in this thread (still four days and two pages later) wasn't even a direct response to your babble at all.

Just offering an additional quote to take out of context and apply to your demented belief that everyone but you is a babbling retard.

But then, of course, you had to knee jerk out a reactionary response immediately attacking me.

Yeah, you're Pavlov, I'm the dog...right...

No, Chizad, my belief is that YOU (and one or two others) are babbling retards.  You're the one who tries to extrapolate that to an entire population.   

And you're really not a retard, you're just too young to realize how stupid you can be.  It happens.
Title: Re: My true genius
Post by: AUsweetheart on March 08, 2010, 02:58:58 PM
I would change the channel but this gayness is on almost every damn station.
Title: Re: My true genius
Post by: Jumbo on March 08, 2010, 03:05:54 PM
I would change the channel but this gayness is on almost every damn station.
:pwnd:
Title: Re: My true genius
Post by: Tiger Wench on March 08, 2010, 03:12:18 PM
I would change the channel but this gayness is on almost every damn station.
:cheers:
Title: Re: My true genius
Post by: Kaos on March 08, 2010, 03:17:51 PM
I would change the channel but this gayness is on almost every damn station.

Now you know how I feel about regular television.  Same rule applies. 
Title: Re: My true genius
Post by: wesfau2 on March 08, 2010, 03:59:22 PM
Pathetic. 

My opinion of the book is pathetic?

You're better than that, Spanish.
Title: Re: My true genius
Post by: Kaos on March 08, 2010, 07:51:36 PM
My opinion of the book is pathetic?

You're better than that, Spanish.

The book itself I found pathetic.  Didn't finish it, however.  

It's like anything else.  If you choose to have a position you can find evidence or create justifications to convince yourself (and others) you are right.  

The book was a painful read and I quickly realized that Russell really had nothing to say.   (* Point of clarification.  Is it really a book? I tend to think it isn't).

To me the core of Christianity is faith.  Maybe that's simplistic, but without that you have nothing. I'm not like some, I don't believe every syllable in the Bible is exactly as it was intended to be and you must hew strictly to the Word.  But you do have to have faith that a higher being exists and for that reason your life has purpose and meaning.  

Would have been easy for God to write down specifically what was to be done and not.  But He didn't.  You're guided by parables which, as we've seen, can have vastly different interpretations depending on who is doing the interpreting and what agenda they may have.  That's the essence of the faith.  You're supposed to figure it out.  Or not.  And it has to mean something to you or its worthless.  

That's an entirely different discussion, though.  I just didn't find a lot of insight in Russell's writings (at least as far as I got).  Looked to me like he'd made up his mind and was reaching for/stretching for justifications to validate it.  Being convinced of something doesn't make you right.  Him or me.  

Title: Re: My true genius
Post by: The Prowler on March 08, 2010, 08:08:13 PM
The book itself I found pathetic.  Didn't finish it, however.  
I stopped reading after that.  I didn't finish reading the book but it was pathetic.... :rolleyes:

"It's better to be thought a fuckin' dumbass than to open your cockhole and remove all doubt" - some dude named Socrates from "Da Skreets".
Title: Re: My true genius
Post by: Vandy Vol on March 08, 2010, 08:11:20 PM
This is a completely different topic, so I hesitate to respond...but I fail at self control.

I haven't read the book, so I don't know whether Russel made up his mind and then reached for justification or not.  However, to me, stating that you must simply have faith is making up your mind without justification.

Now, don't misunderstand me; I'm not someone who mocks, chastises, berates or otherwise demeans someone for being religious.  I'm personally not religious, but it doesn't bother me that other people are.  I don't go out of my way to question anyone's beliefs, but if it comes up in discussion, then I have no problem with asking questions and making points.

To me, saying that faith is the first and most important step for religion is no different than Russell choosing a position before justifying the position.  Afterall, having faith that a higher being exists is coming to a conclusion based not upon any justification, but rather mere faith.

I do recognize at the end of your post that you point out that being convinced of something does not make either of you right.  So I do realize that you're not claiming with absolute certainty that your faith is the correct conclusion.  Nonetheless, my point is that you refer to Russell's work as lacking insight because it came to a conclusion first and then attempted to "find" justification second.

That is what occurs when you require faith in a higher being before anything else.  Any justification you attempt to find in scripture is based upon the assumed premise that a higher being exists; that premise wasn't justified before moving on to subsequent teachings.  Thus, having faith lacks insight just as much as Russell's writings.
Title: Re: My true genius
Post by: Kaos on March 08, 2010, 08:13:38 PM
This is a completely different topic, so I hesitate to respond...but I fail at self control.

I haven't read the book, so I don't know whether Russel made up his mind and then reached for justification or not.  However, to me, stating that you must simply have faith is making up your mind without justification.

Now, don't misunderstand me; I'm not someone who mocks, chastises, berates or otherwise demeans someone for being religious.  I'm personally not religious, but it doesn't bother me that other people are.  I don't go out of my way to question anyone's beliefs, but if it comes up in discussion, then I have no problem with asking questions and making points.

To me, saying that faith is the first and most important step for religion is no different than Russell choosing a position before justifying the position.  Afterall, having faith that a higher being exists is coming to a conclusion based not upon any justification, but rather mere faith.

I do recognize at the end of your post that you point out that being convinced of something does not make either of you right.  So I do realize that you're not claiming with absolute certainty that your faith is the correct conclusion.  Nonetheless, my point is that you refer to Russell's work as lacking insight because it came to a conclusion first and then attempted to "find" justification second.

That is what occurs when you require faith in a higher being before anything else.  Any justification you attempt to find in scripture is based upon the assumed premise that a higher being exists; that premise wasn't justified before moving on to subsequent teachings.  Thus, having faith lacks insight just as much as Russell's writings.

I think I said that.  

I didn't get anything out of it.  it seems to me to be a sad and pathetic existence to have nothing but the now.  His work offered no insight to me.  

What you may or may not get out of it is up to you.


FWIW, I started this thread as a self-deprecating joke at the expense of my own perceived ego. Read that quote, it made me laugh in the context of this place, thought it would make a good avatar.   Figured it would get one or two responses. 

Not sure how we ended up here.   
Title: Re: My true genius
Post by: Vandy Vol on March 08, 2010, 08:22:53 PM
I think I said that.  

I didn't get anything out of it.  it seems to me to be a sad and pathetic existence to have nothing but the now.  His work offered no insight to me.  

What you may or may not get out of it is up to you.

More or less.  I believe what I was focusing on was the "lack of insight" comment.  While you did refer to the fact that being convinced of something doesn't make it true, and while that comment was explicitly applied to both you and Russell, the lack of insight portion was presumably only attributed to Russell.  Probably just a misinterpretation on my part, because I now realize that we both attempted to express the same sentiment, as is evidenced by your reply.

At any rate, I don't personally feel comforted by the assumption of something better.  It's probably how my mind works, but I'd rather have objective knowledge of something.  Having faith that there is something more than the now doesn't actually give me knowledge of whether there is anything other than the now; it's just an assumption which is the equivalent of wishful thinking.

That's how I view religion.  Don't get me wrong; it's often bothered me that I can't come to a definitive conclusion as to whether a higher being exists.  I'd much rather know than be left without that knowledge.  Regardless, I don't personally find comfort in assuming or hoping for the best by means of faith.  I understand that many do, but it's just not for me.
Title: Re: My true genius
Post by: Vandy Vol on March 08, 2010, 08:24:45 PM
FWIW, I started this thread as a self-deprecating joke at the expense of my own perceived ego. Read that quote, it made me laugh in the context of this place, thought it would make a good avatar.   Figured it would get one or two responses. 

Not sure how we ended up here.   

Jokes are the path to the dark side.
Title: Re: My true genius
Post by: AUChizad on March 08, 2010, 08:25:47 PM
This is a completely different topic, so I hesitate to respond...but I fail at self control.

I haven't read the book, so I don't know whether Russel made up his mind and then reached for justification or not.  However, to me, stating that you must simply have faith is making up your mind without justification.

Now, don't misunderstand me; I'm not someone who mocks, chastises, berates or otherwise demeans someone for being religious.  I'm personally not religious, but it doesn't bother me that other people are.  I don't go out of my way to question anyone's beliefs, but if it comes up in discussion, then I have no problem with asking questions and making points.

To me, saying that faith is the first and most important step for religion is no different than Russell choosing a position before justifying the position.  Afterall, having faith that a higher being exists is coming to a conclusion based not upon any justification, but rather mere faith.

I do recognize at the end of your post that you point out that being convinced of something does not make either of you right.  So I do realize that you're not claiming with absolute certainty that your faith is the correct conclusion.  Nonetheless, my point is that you refer to Russell's work as lacking insight because it came to a conclusion first and then attempted to "find" justification second.

That is what occurs when you require faith in a higher being before anything else.  Any justification you attempt to find in scripture is based upon the assumed premise that a higher being exists; that premise wasn't justified before moving on to subsequent teachings.  Thus, having faith lacks insight just as much as Russell's writings.
I too am hesitant to comment, as I have no desire to get into the most controversial of topics (although surprisingly to this point, this is the most level headed argument I've seen from Kaos in a while).

But I wanted to say exactly that. Although I would even go a step further and say that Russell's argument (and any atheist argument) is exactly the opposite of what you're accusing it of, where belief in God is in fact doing exactly that. Russell starts at zero. That no supernatural powers exist. He then tries to find rational evidence to support that there in fact exists a God, and comes to the conclusion that none of these arguments hold water.
Title: Re: My true genius
Post by: Kaos on March 08, 2010, 08:33:32 PM
More or less.  I believe what I was focusing on was the "lack of insight" comment.  While you did refer to the fact that being convinced of something doesn't make it true, and while that comment was explicitly applied to both you and Russell, the lack of insight portion was presumably only attributed to Russell.  Probably just a misinterpretation on my part, because I now realize that we both attempted to express the same sentiment, as is evidenced by your reply.

At any rate, I don't personally feel comforted by the assumption of something better.  It's probably how my mind works, but I'd rather have objective knowledge of something.  Having faith that there is something more than the now doesn't actually give me knowledge of whether there is anything other than the now; it's just an assumption which is the equivalent of wishful thinking.

That's how I view religion.  Don't get me wrong; it's often bothered me that I can't come to a definitive conclusion as to whether a higher being exists.  I'd much rather know than be left without that knowledge.  Regardless, I don't personally find comfort in assuming or hoping for the best by means of faith.  I understand that many do, but it's just not for me.

I thought I said it didn't offer insight to me.  That is all I meant.  I got nothing out of it.  

I'm an intelligent person (at least I say I am, fuck what anybody else thinks).  I'm also analytical and very skeptical by nature.  I'm a "show me" person.   As you've seen from my stance on the hiring of Chizik, I need to be convinced of something before I'll accept it.  

That's what makes the faith part extremely hard for me.  I spent a lot of time asking questions that couldn't be answered, searching for things that weren't there, trying to find pieces to the puzzle.  It was a frustrating search.  I've had some horrific unexplainable things happen to me, things that made me question the existence and validity of everything I thought I knew.  

I eventually came to realize that there are no definitive answers.  You have to answer the questions for yourself, you have to believe what you believe.  That's where peace comes from.  

Despite what you see around here and the misguided psychoanalysis I'm completely at peace.  Oh, I have work issues and I get worried about my kids and I get pissed in traffic or whatever, but peace is what it's all about.  

I don't know how it works for you or anybody else, but that peace only comes with faith for me.
Title: Re: My true genius
Post by: Kaos on March 08, 2010, 08:49:34 PM
I too am hesitant to comment, as I have no desire to get into the most controversial of topics (although surprisingly to this point, this is the most level headed argument I've seen from Kaos in a while).

But I wanted to say exactly that. Although I would even go a step further and say that Russell's argument (and any atheist argument) is exactly the opposite of what you're accusing it of, where belief in God is in fact doing exactly that. Russell starts at zero. That no supernatural powers exist. He then tries to find rational evidence to support that there in fact exists a God, and comes to the conclusion that none of these arguments hold water.

Okay, I understand that. 

But the very essence of faith is the belief in something that can't be proven.  If you can prove something exists, what faith does it take to believe it is there?

Title: Re: My true genius
Post by: Townhallsavoy on March 08, 2010, 09:31:14 PM
Okay, I understand that. 

But the very essence of faith is the belief in something that can't be proven.  If you can prove something exists, what faith does it take to believe it is there?



Exactly. 

And the apostle Paul teaches that in the New Testament.  It all comes down to blind faith.  You either choose to believe or you don't. 

That's why debates over the existence of God are pointless.  Eventually, science will come up with answers to your claims.
Title: Re: My true genius
Post by: Kaos on March 08, 2010, 09:45:52 PM
Exactly. 

And the apostle Paul teaches that in the New Testament.  It all comes down to blind faith.  You either choose to believe or you don't. 

That's why debates over the existence of God are pointless.  Eventually, science will come up with answers to your claims.

It comes down as well to what you experience. 

If you can look at the things that happen in your life and still believe that you are in control or that everything is a series of fortunate conicidences, that's your call.  I personally can't do that. 

It's also my belief that the more we know and understand about science, the closer we come to reaching the conclusion that there is no other conclusion. The only answer that possibly remains is that God must exist.

I'm not one to refute science.  In fact, I think scientific proof and Biblical history go hand in hand.  The two ideas are not at odds, but in conjunction.

Everybody reaches their decision point at different times and for different reasons.  When it comes to religion or the reasons for my faith, I'm willing to share them with anybody who wants to know. But I also know that you can't force that on anybody. 
Title: Re: My true genius
Post by: The Prowler on March 08, 2010, 09:56:52 PM
It comes down as well to what you experience. 

If you can look at the things that happen in your life and still believe that you are in control or that everything is a series of fortunate conicidences, that's your call.  I personally can't do that. 

It's also my belief that the more we know and understand about science, the closer we come to reaching the conclusion that there is no other conclusion. The only answer that possibly remains is that God must exist.

I'm not one to refute science.  In fact, I think scientific proof and Biblical history go hand in hand.  The two ideas are not at odds, but in conjunction.

Everybody reaches their decision point at different times and for different reasons.  When it comes to religion or the reasons for my faith, I'm willing to share them with anybody who wants to know. But I also know that you can't force that on anybody. 
my thoughts exactly.  But I do wonder what is God...exactly?  I know that, that question can probably never be answered, only opinions.
Title: Re: My true genius
Post by: Kaos on March 08, 2010, 10:16:35 PM
my thoughts exactly.  But I do wonder what is God...exactly?  I know that, that question can probably never be answered, only opinions.

It's more than we can figure out, I think. 

If you asked me to put a definitive answer to it, though, I'd say that God isn't a "being" as we understand physical being.  God is knowledge.  All knowledge. Infinite knowledge.  As in the answer to every question you've ever had.  When you're no longer here, what sustains is the essence of what you really are, not the shell you allow people to see. 

The more you start thinking about it, the more confused you get though.  You either see what you see and develop a belief based on that or you decide that there's nothing there and develop your processes on that basis. 

For me?  Life would be a sucking black abyss if there was no hope that a greater purpose existed.

Yeah, I realize that a lot of what the early church developed was intended to control people and I know that organized religion, as a whole, has the tendency to stray into expedient doctrine -- promote what serves you best. But I also live by the idea that the church doesn't define me, I define the church.  And I don't mean that in a self-centered way.  I go to church to be exposed to other people who believe along the same lines as I do, to hear scholars discuss their interpretation of the Bible and out of a sense of community/fellowship.  But what I do and how I act toward others (this board notwithstanding) says more about the church than the church doctrine says about me.   I get that the doctrine is important.  I don't do the evangelical emotion-based thing.  I need rationality, I need a minister who is educated and can discuss the issues rather than one who podium pounds and sweats me into hell. 

Ahhh.. but that's enough.  Religion is intensely personal.  Needs to stay that way.  Not up to me to tell a Baptist he doesn't get it, or for a Baptist to tell me I'm not going to make it because I've never been dunked (which happens).   Not for me to tell a Jew, Muslim, Budhist, Taoist, Mormon or any other what they should believe.
Title: Re: My true genius
Post by: Vandy Vol on March 08, 2010, 10:20:51 PM
Just out of curiosity, how do you decide what is going to be the object of your faith?  If you can prove neither the existence or the nature of a higher being, then how do you choose a specific concept of a higher being in which to have faith?  There are a multitude of beliefs concerning deities, ranging from the humanized figures of your present day religious organizations to the more abstract definitions similar to what Kaos described.
Title: Re: My true genius
Post by: Kaos on March 09, 2010, 06:32:38 AM
Just out of curiosity, how do you decide what is going to be the object of your faith?  If you can prove neither the existence or the nature of a higher being, then how do you choose a specific concept of a higher being in which to have faith?  There are a multitude of beliefs concerning deities, ranging from the humanized figures of your present day religious organizations to the more abstract definitions similar to what Kaos described.

You have to figure it out for yourself.  I know that's a somewhat vague answer, but I've always thought that if you opened your mind and your "heart" so to speak and looked without and within, the answer would come to you. 

I consider myself a Christian because I believe that those of us who believe were given a path to God in that faith. Unlike most (I think) I'm not willing to say that there are no other paths.  It's part of my belief system that my path is the "best" path, but I can't wrap my mind around the concept that the God I believe in would close the door to millions of souls who were raised differently, never had the opportunity to study other faiths or had never been exposed to the information I have. 

As this pertains to Russell, it was just my impression that he started from the wrong place.  He wasn't looking for God, he was looking for reasons to prove God doesn't exist.  That's easy to do.

I can't see God, I only hear God in my head, I can't touch God but when I look back at my life and consider the chain of events that led me to where I am today I can't help but see God's hand guiding me at the most critical junctions.  When I've made mistakes, it's because I tried to do things on my own without help. When I turn my life over to God and listen -- and I know that sounds simplistic -- but my decisions are better.  It's like the wind.  I can't see it, touch it or hear it  but I can see, feel and hear the affect it has on everything around it.

Title: Re: My true genius
Post by: Godfather on March 09, 2010, 09:12:38 AM
I love God, I love my wife, I love my family, and I love my friends...I have a good life and I am happy...why fuck with the formula.
Title: Re: My true genius
Post by: wesfau2 on March 09, 2010, 10:29:15 AM
I don't care what anyone believes.  I don't care if your God is a goat-raping serpent that feasts on infants...as long as you aren't pushing your shit on me and you aren't hurting anyone.
Title: Re: My true genius
Post by: Saniflush on March 09, 2010, 10:41:49 AM
I don't care what anyone believes.  I don't care if your God is a goat-raping serpent that feasts on infants...as long as you aren't pushing your shit on me and you aren't hurting anyone.
What the fuck is the matter with you?


Bah does not always mean no.
Title: Re: My true genius
Post by: GH2001 on March 09, 2010, 11:43:20 AM
I don't care what anyone believes.  I don't care if your God is a goat-raping serpent that feasts on infants...as long as you aren't pushing your poop on me and you aren't hurting anyone.

And thats what sucks wes. Most Christians ARE NOT like that and don't push it. Its just the few that decide to get all judgmental and holy roller on everyone ruin the face of the whole religion for all of us. Its the Vocal Minority > Silent Majority thing. I'm in the latter. Look at those kooks who protest funerals out of Topeka, KS. Some would have you believe all Christians are like that. Its a convenient argument anti-religious figures have used for years to paint the entire religion with a broad brush. And it sucks.
Title: Re: My true genius
Post by: wesfau2 on March 09, 2010, 12:39:07 PM
And thats what sucks wes. Most Christians ARE NOT like that and don't push it. Its just the few that decide to get all judgmental and holy roller on everyone ruin the face of the whole religion for all of us. Its the Vocal Minority > Silent Majority thing. I'm in the latter. Look at those kooks who protest funerals out of Topeka, KS. Some would have you believe all Christians are like that. Its a convenient argument anti-religious figures have used for years to paint the entire religion with a broad brush. And it sucks.

To be clear, I wasn't singling out any religion in my post.
Title: Re: My true genius
Post by: GH2001 on March 09, 2010, 12:56:01 PM
To be clear, I wasn't singling out any religion in my post.

Understood....but you get my drift.
Title: Re: My true genius
Post by: War Eagle!!! on March 09, 2010, 01:44:24 PM
I am a Christian dude... but IMO...

Spirituality and your own personal relationship with God>Religion
Title: Re: My true genius
Post by: GH2001 on March 09, 2010, 02:02:47 PM
I am a Christian dude... but IMO...

Spirituality and your own personal relationship with God>Religion

True.

In fact - I consider myself much more spiritual having a relationship with God than I do "religious". I am not the BIGGEST fan of organized religion in the sense that you are required to gather with others at one place every time the doors open, by their rules or you're going to hell. THAT I am not into. And THAT mentality is what has turned much of the country against religion.
Title: Re: My true genius
Post by: Tiger Wench on March 09, 2010, 04:19:07 PM
Living in Houston, one is constantly exposed to Joel Osteen and his "Be a good person and ask God for stuff and he will give it to you!!" brand of "Christianity".  I don't believe that God doles out material wealth based on how much you ask for or because you feel like you deserve it.  But it sure is a popular message.  Be nice!  Get money!  People can wrap their minds around that. 

On the one hand, it is hard to be negative about a message that tells everyone to be positive and be happy and treat everyone nicely (unless they are flight attendants, but whatever).  On the other hand, promising someone something good in a material way will happen if they only have this kind of faith does nothing but turn people off when that material miracle doesn't happen.

Same with Mormons.  I have heard it said before that it is hard to bash a religion that prohibits drinking and drugs and stimulants, encourages families to spend lots of time together, to live a good, clean, wholesome life, to go to church and be an example to others.  That is completely true.  But it's all that freaky deaky stuff that you find behind the scenes when you roll the rock over that makes this particular religion suspect. 

Many Protestants may be perceived as self-righteous and hypocritical, but anyone is welcome to attend a church service simply by walking through the front door.  No need for a membership card.  Anyone can hear the entire belief system of the church without wearing special underwear and going through special rituals.  It is the secrecy that sets Mormons and Scientologists apart from mainstream religions and causes others to be suspect of their motives and beliefs.
Title: Re: My true genius
Post by: Saniflush on March 09, 2010, 04:33:30 PM
  Anyone can hear the entire belief system of the church without wearing special underwear and going through special rituals. 

Let's be clear on this.   Only alter boys in Catholicism are required to wear special underwear.  Crotchless I believe. 
Title: Re: My true genius
Post by: wesfau2 on March 09, 2010, 05:32:37 PM
Let's be clear on this.   Only alter boys in Catholicism are required to wear special underwear.  Crotchless I believe. 

Edible.

Title: Re: My true genius
Post by: Lurking Tiger on March 09, 2010, 06:36:53 PM
Let's be clear on this.   Only alter boys in Catholicism are required to wear special underwear.  Crotchless I believe. 

Point of clarification here.

The underwear is not crotchless when they arrive at church.