Here is a pretty good attempt at showing how prayer is ridiculous. Well, ridiculous if you think God answers prayers.
The video originates from the site Why Won't God Heal Amputees. Lots of good stuff there, and its sister site, God is Imaginary.
Again, I will take a realist approach to prayer. I can see where prayer could benefit a believer. Lets call it The Little Engine That Could phenomenon. There are a few studies out there that indicate that ones mood and optimism could affect the healing process, or even help with longevity if a disease is terminal.
Here is an interesting article on how fear could have a hormonal affect that causes cancer.
One's emotion is often linked to illness recovery and even frequency of illness. This leads me to believe that believers have an advantage over Realists when it comes to combatting illness.
Now I know there was a study recently which implied that knowing that people prayed for an ill person didn't help the ill person at all. The problem with this study was that it required ill people to think strangers were praying for them. It isn't the same as knowing loved ones are praying for them.
There are even studies that show that regular church goers live longer than non church goers and non believers. Here is one.
Giving up reality and fooling myself for a couple more years of life just doesn't appeal to me. Maybe when I get sick, just the idea of friends and loved ones praying for me will give the satisfaction to fight whatever I wind up with. Maybe believers still serve a function.
October 20, 2006
October 19, 2006
More From Joe: The World Renowned Creation Scientist
The Fundies favorite trick these days is trying to use logic without any scientific evidence whatsoever, while ignoring all sorts of scientific evidence.
But you still gotta love Joe. Higher lands mean more gravitational pull on Asians faces causing their eyes to be slanted. Man started out as beige and originated in the middle east and not Africa. Man used to live to 900 because the world was smaller and the atmosphere was thicker, but that was before the earth expanded causing the great flood. My bet is that many YECs would buy his hooey before they buy into real science.
October 17, 2006
US Population up to 300 million
My first and only thought on this is that 300 million Americans means that approximately 135 million Americans believe the earth is less than 10,000 years old and that evolution is bull crap. 135 million reality deniers! Oy vey!
And good luck trying to use fact and logic on them. See here. They just keep ignoring fact and logic and turning the page in their book of creation "science." Do any of them even understand what evolution is?
Blogging has been lite because of my real job and the weather fiasco I just experienced. Hopefully my boss will give me a break soon so that I will be able to post more, and hopefully God will stop wrathing my house's ass.
October 14, 2006
Tagged and tired
Shlemazl, the Atheist, who doesn't want to join the Atheist blogroll, because it might offend his believing readers, has tagged me.
1-Do you like the look and the contents of your blog?
I wish I was more design savvy, I just can't be bothered fooling around with that kind of stuff yet. I like to keep things simple anyways. I think my blog is readable and viewer friendly. Notice that I don't have a black background like many bloggers who just don't get it.
2-Does your family know about your blog?
Yes, but I don't think they really care. Except my brother in law. He actually gets my posts.
3-Can you tell your friends about your blog? Do you consider it a private thing?
I've told many friends about my blog. Not too sure if many read it. Or how regularly. Lots of them have real lives.
4-Do you just read the blogs of those who comment on your blog? or you try to discover new blogs?
I try to read as many blogs on my main blogrolls. The one I put together and the new Atheist blogroll. Of course, I go to the blogs of all commenters as well. And if they blogroll me, I blogroll them.
5-Did your blog positively affect your mind? Give an example.
I think my blog helps my self esteem. I find blogging empowering. Not Stalin or Hitler like power, but I do believe that my blog is capable of changing individuals opinions in some cases.
6-What does the number of visitors to your blog mean? Do you use a traffic counter?
I think everyone should read my blog, and I don't feel that great when I have less than a couple of hundred visitors in one day. I use the traffic counter and often visit bloggers who visited my blog from their blog. I also check the Technorati who links me page as well.
7-Did you imagine how other bloggers look like?
Many bloggers post their picture. Probably their best picture from within 15 years ago, but it gives me an idea of what they look like. It really doesn't matter to me though. As far as chick bloggers go, I'm friggin happily married. And I'm not into guys, so I don't care if they look like Tom Cruise or Michael Moore.
8-Do you think blogging has any real benefit?
Yes, I do think that the main issues I cover do matter. Science matters, the War on Terror matters, and the ignorance that certain groups want to teach in the classroom matters. I recently got an offer to do a magazine article out of the blue, which means I can enlighten an even wider and new audience.
9-Do you think that the blogsphere is a stand alone community separated from the real world?
No, I think bloggers are now the voice of the world. I think bloggers represent just about every type of person on this planet.
10-Do some political blogs scare you? Do you avoid them?
Absolutely not. I take no prisoners, and have no problem voicing my opinion anywhere, anytime. Of course, many bloggers can't take me, and bar my ass.
11-Do you think that criticizing your blog is useful?
What the hell could you criticize about me blog? What is wrong with you?
12-Have you ever thought about what happen to your blog in case you died.
Unfortunately, I now know (through the blogosphere) two bloggers who I have had exchanges with in comments who have passed at early ages.
So I know what happens. I doubt anyone will inform my readers if something happened to me though. If I don't make a post with 7 days, I'm probably feeding worms
13-Which blogger had the greatest impression on you?
Are we talking in a good way or a bad way? Elder of Ziyon probably had the greatest impression on me. He seems to put in lots of research to find articles and make points that are not usually found in the mainstream. The posts are timely and very telling.
14-Which blogger you think is the most similar to you.
I do think a lot of my regular commenters agree with me on at least 90% of the positions I take. Atheists who are harsh on Islam, and understand that Israel is on the defensive are those who are most like me. You know who you are.
15-Name a song you want to listen to?
If I want to listen to a song, I listen to it. What kind of question is this? Right now? You want to know what I want to listen to right now? Nothing, I'm going upstairs to watch a movie. God decided to send his wrath upon the town where I live. I had no hydro, phone, internet or TV for 2 days. I spent most of today cleaning up dead branches in my front and back yard. I'm exhausted. Good nite.
I tag anyone who wants to be tagged this time.
1-Do you like the look and the contents of your blog?
I wish I was more design savvy, I just can't be bothered fooling around with that kind of stuff yet. I like to keep things simple anyways. I think my blog is readable and viewer friendly. Notice that I don't have a black background like many bloggers who just don't get it.
2-Does your family know about your blog?
Yes, but I don't think they really care. Except my brother in law. He actually gets my posts.
3-Can you tell your friends about your blog? Do you consider it a private thing?
I've told many friends about my blog. Not too sure if many read it. Or how regularly. Lots of them have real lives.
4-Do you just read the blogs of those who comment on your blog? or you try to discover new blogs?
I try to read as many blogs on my main blogrolls. The one I put together and the new Atheist blogroll. Of course, I go to the blogs of all commenters as well. And if they blogroll me, I blogroll them.
5-Did your blog positively affect your mind? Give an example.
I think my blog helps my self esteem. I find blogging empowering. Not Stalin or Hitler like power, but I do believe that my blog is capable of changing individuals opinions in some cases.
6-What does the number of visitors to your blog mean? Do you use a traffic counter?
I think everyone should read my blog, and I don't feel that great when I have less than a couple of hundred visitors in one day. I use the traffic counter and often visit bloggers who visited my blog from their blog. I also check the Technorati who links me page as well.
7-Did you imagine how other bloggers look like?
Many bloggers post their picture. Probably their best picture from within 15 years ago, but it gives me an idea of what they look like. It really doesn't matter to me though. As far as chick bloggers go, I'm friggin happily married. And I'm not into guys, so I don't care if they look like Tom Cruise or Michael Moore.
8-Do you think blogging has any real benefit?
Yes, I do think that the main issues I cover do matter. Science matters, the War on Terror matters, and the ignorance that certain groups want to teach in the classroom matters. I recently got an offer to do a magazine article out of the blue, which means I can enlighten an even wider and new audience.
9-Do you think that the blogsphere is a stand alone community separated from the real world?
No, I think bloggers are now the voice of the world. I think bloggers represent just about every type of person on this planet.
10-Do some political blogs scare you? Do you avoid them?
Absolutely not. I take no prisoners, and have no problem voicing my opinion anywhere, anytime. Of course, many bloggers can't take me, and bar my ass.
11-Do you think that criticizing your blog is useful?
What the hell could you criticize about me blog? What is wrong with you?
12-Have you ever thought about what happen to your blog in case you died.
Unfortunately, I now know (through the blogosphere) two bloggers who I have had exchanges with in comments who have passed at early ages.
So I know what happens. I doubt anyone will inform my readers if something happened to me though. If I don't make a post with 7 days, I'm probably feeding worms
13-Which blogger had the greatest impression on you?
Are we talking in a good way or a bad way? Elder of Ziyon probably had the greatest impression on me. He seems to put in lots of research to find articles and make points that are not usually found in the mainstream. The posts are timely and very telling.
14-Which blogger you think is the most similar to you.
I do think a lot of my regular commenters agree with me on at least 90% of the positions I take. Atheists who are harsh on Islam, and understand that Israel is on the defensive are those who are most like me. You know who you are.
15-Name a song you want to listen to?
If I want to listen to a song, I listen to it. What kind of question is this? Right now? You want to know what I want to listen to right now? Nothing, I'm going upstairs to watch a movie. God decided to send his wrath upon the town where I live. I had no hydro, phone, internet or TV for 2 days. I spent most of today cleaning up dead branches in my front and back yard. I'm exhausted. Good nite.
I tag anyone who wants to be tagged this time.
October 10, 2006
Who Is The Biggest Assmonkey Here?
Bill O'Reilly or Brian Rohrbough. It is a toss up. I have to give it to Bill this time because he spoke more than Brian.
First off, what happened to Brian's son was a tragedy. I feel sorry for him. But I really feel sorry for him because he is a retard. And he represents a good chunk of Americans and Canadians.
O'Reilly is equally retarded. He is all pissed at the "Liberal media" for their reaction to the Free Speech segment by Brian on Katie Couric's show.
Sorry Bill, but if someone says something really stupid like Brian said, they should be attacked. If Brian's comments represent the conservative point of view, then conservatives are retards. See how that works Bill. If you want to talk absolutes about the Left Media, then it is fair game to talk absolutes about the Conservative Right.
Just because two kids allegedly perverted the theory of evolution to commit a horrible crime, doesn't mean evolution should be thrown out of school. You don't teach children that a white page is black. But that is what Fundamentalist Christians believe and that is what they want taught in school.
And then Bill said that Brian's comments on evolution were misunderstood. Sorry, but as Brian continued to talk in the video, it was clear they were not. It just wasn't understood how much of a retard Brian was until he explained it fully.
I still can never take Bill seriously when he totally went to bat supporting Bush on the Port's deal. He lost all credibility to me as did Bush.
This wasn't about intolerance as Bill's whining would lead one to believe. It is about making jest of retards and their idiotic belief system.
The Left isn't mad Brian was able to make a fool of himself, and all those who hold his belief on national TV. I imagine the far left are just frustrated that retards like him still walk the earth. I'm frustrated as a centrist.
I'd like to know how Bill would classify me. I'm pretty much a social Liberal, but I think the West should tighten immigration, and I believe that the War on Terror is the number one concern of mankind at this moment.
Back to the illogical argument Brian made: Columbine was 7 years ago. If teaching evolution in school causes children to lose it and shoot up schools, we would see a lot more of it. The Amish tragedy was not caused by evolution being taught in school. His timing on this issue is mind boggling.
Religious morals, ethics and beliefs can be taught at home, and at church. It should be the church and parents that start teaching reality, or fitting in reality with their beliefs, so that children won't be conflicted when they learn reality in science classes. I don't want to live in a world that denies reality.
As far as abortion goes. If parents can't bring up their kids not to be killers, they should really think about abortion in the first four months of fetal development.
First off, what happened to Brian's son was a tragedy. I feel sorry for him. But I really feel sorry for him because he is a retard. And he represents a good chunk of Americans and Canadians.
O'Reilly is equally retarded. He is all pissed at the "Liberal media" for their reaction to the Free Speech segment by Brian on Katie Couric's show.
Sorry Bill, but if someone says something really stupid like Brian said, they should be attacked. If Brian's comments represent the conservative point of view, then conservatives are retards. See how that works Bill. If you want to talk absolutes about the Left Media, then it is fair game to talk absolutes about the Conservative Right.
Just because two kids allegedly perverted the theory of evolution to commit a horrible crime, doesn't mean evolution should be thrown out of school. You don't teach children that a white page is black. But that is what Fundamentalist Christians believe and that is what they want taught in school.
And then Bill said that Brian's comments on evolution were misunderstood. Sorry, but as Brian continued to talk in the video, it was clear they were not. It just wasn't understood how much of a retard Brian was until he explained it fully.
I still can never take Bill seriously when he totally went to bat supporting Bush on the Port's deal. He lost all credibility to me as did Bush.
This wasn't about intolerance as Bill's whining would lead one to believe. It is about making jest of retards and their idiotic belief system.
The Left isn't mad Brian was able to make a fool of himself, and all those who hold his belief on national TV. I imagine the far left are just frustrated that retards like him still walk the earth. I'm frustrated as a centrist.
I'd like to know how Bill would classify me. I'm pretty much a social Liberal, but I think the West should tighten immigration, and I believe that the War on Terror is the number one concern of mankind at this moment.
Back to the illogical argument Brian made: Columbine was 7 years ago. If teaching evolution in school causes children to lose it and shoot up schools, we would see a lot more of it. The Amish tragedy was not caused by evolution being taught in school. His timing on this issue is mind boggling.
Religious morals, ethics and beliefs can be taught at home, and at church. It should be the church and parents that start teaching reality, or fitting in reality with their beliefs, so that children won't be conflicted when they learn reality in science classes. I don't want to live in a world that denies reality.
As far as abortion goes. If parents can't bring up their kids not to be killers, they should really think about abortion in the first four months of fetal development.
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