Topics Started by cofty
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14
Jerry Bergman v PZ Myers Debate
by cofty inin part 1 bergman speaks about his past as a jw and how it influenced his thinking.
he actually claims that the watchtower were the only religious organisation to oppose the nazis.
i swear i am losing iq points by the minute listening to him.
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33
What do People Mean Exactly By "Spirit" and "Spiritual"
by cofty inmany people distance themselves from formal religion but say that they are a "spiritual" person.. .
similarly theists talk about the "spirit" as if it is something that is self-evidently true.. .
i wonder if anybody would like to have a go at defining what they mean by these words?
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36
Miracles For Sale
by cofty innew derren brown documentary this evening on channel 4 (uk) 9-10:30pm.
his insights into human psychology is astonishing, some of his previous docs have been jaw-dropping.. "the entertainer investigates the reality behind america's faith-healing phenomenon, and chooses an unsuspecting member of the british public who is prepared to adopt the guise of a pastor.
the selected person then tries to perform healing `miracles' in texas after six months of learning, in an experiment to see whether he will be accepted".
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25
Westboro Church Update on BBC
by cofty inright now there is a documentary on the bbc about louis theroux' second visit to the infamous phelps family.
it's a follow up to a similar documentary four years ago.. a considerable number of members have left in the last few years while the cult has become even more extreme.
louis has just interviewed young woman who has got out and started nursing.
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10
Saudi Troops Enter Bahrain
by cofty inwhile the world has been focussed on japan, the rulers of bahrain have permitted around 1000 saudi troops to enter the kingdom to help quell opposition protests.. ruling families in the gulf states are mostly sunni muslims, the protestors are shi'ite muslims.
iran, which is a shi'ite state, has voiced its opposition to saudi interference.. the potential for a sectarian conflict is very concerning..
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82
"Religion...is the Opium of the People" - What did Marx Mean?
by cofty inwhen read in context karl marx was not directly attacking religion when he wrote those famous words.. .
religious distress is at the same time the expression of real distress and the protest against real distress.
religion is the sigh of the oppressed creature, the heart of a heartless world, just as it is the spirit of a spiritless situation.
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36
Are You A "Dictionary Atheist"?
by cofty inthere is more to .. atheism than simple denial of one claim; it's actually based on a scientific attitude that values evidence and reason, that rejects claims resting solely on authority, and that encourages deeper exploration of the world.
atheism is not solely a negative claim about gods, but is based on a whole set of positive values ... that denial of god thing?
it's a consequence, not a cause.
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1
The Shame Factor - Hitchens on the Demise of Dictators
by cofty inin monday's edition of slate christopher hitchens asks, "when will dictators learn not to treat their people like fools?".
he identifies the way dictators always end up insulting the dignity of those they rule as a common factor in their eventual downfall.
people do not like to be treated like fools, or backward infants, or extras in some parade.
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4
Happy Burns Night
by cofty ini think i shall have a dram of glenfiddich in honour of the bard before bed.. fair fa' your honest, sonsie face,.
great chieftain o' the puddin-race!.
aboon them a' ye tak your place,.
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10
Celtic are Coming to My Town Tomorrow
by cofty inceltic, the top club in the scottish premier league, are coming coming to berwick tomorrow to play my home club berwick rangers in a scottish cup fixture.
we play in the third division with average crowd of a few hundred - tomorrow is a sell out with 4,200 and its live on sky sports.. the home changing room the night before - bring it on!.
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