Sunday School

[Reg the Fronkey FarmerModerator]

When will discrimination against atheists be viewed as bigotry? Maybe right-wing Evangelicals will solve the problem for us?

Aron Ra likes to debate theists. (Pronounced “R-iN”). I am certain he is not impressed by what Betty DeVos is doing to parts of the US education system. He will be happy to hear some good news though.

There are not enough right wing people in the West Wing according to one pastor willing to stand up for more inequality before the Law. If only someone would give us a sign. This story has a picture some people might find unsettling.

State schools in England are also happy to discriminate against the non-religious.

The Incredible Huck keeps her calm as she dines out, having beef with cake.

Former Irish President speaks out against the conscription of infants into Catholicism.

Once cuddled by the Cuddly One, another high ranking Catholic is alleged to be a child abuser.

A discussion on “Why we need Religion” with a skeptic.

This weeks’ Woo: Debunking the myths about “technology addiction”.

Climate Change: African cities’ residents are creating solutions.

Time to consider what stuff to discard.

How misinformation and biases infect social media.

The problem with current ideas on the expansion of the Universe.

Distinguishing between science and non-science.

Finally a problem only quantum computers will ever be able to solve.

Are Humans altruistic by nature?

Water is not the only sign of alien life.

Your choice whether to click here or not. What made you decide?

In Turkey the revolution will start after tea.

This week I am reading this book: Decoded, the science behind what we buy.

We pause to remember: Gena Turgel.

Some photographs taken last week.

While you are waiting for the kettle to boil…..

Coffee Break Video:  The nonsense of the myth of Judeo-Christian values plus Jordan Peterson’s Truth gets debunked. A short history of human knowledge.  A SNL video because a Christian said he found it offensive to women and I don’t.

[Reg the Fronkey FarmerModerator]

The foul engendered worm
Feeds on the flesh of the life-giving form
Of our most Holy and Anointed One.
He is not risen, no,
He lies and moulders low;
Christ is not risen.
Ashes to ashes, dust to dust;
As of the unjust, also of the just –
Christ is not risen.
…
Is He not risen, and shall we not rise?
Oh, we unwise!
What did we dream, what wake we to discover? Ye hills, fall on us, and ye mountains, cover!
In darkness and great gloom
Come ere we thought it is our day of doom,
From the cursed world which is one tomb,
Christ is not risen!
Eat, drink, and die, for we are men deceived,
Of all the creatures under heaven’s wide cope
We are most hopeless who had once most hope,
We are most wretched that had most believed.
Christ is not risen.
Eat, drink, and play, and think that this is bliss!
There is no Heaven but this!

Arthur Hugh Clough, circa 1850.

Have a great week everyone!!

[StregaModerator]

Thanks, Reg!

[StregaModerator]

Great poem.  I stumbled a bit over the line “As of the unjust, also of the just” because it immediately brought to mind the short quip rhyme that is sometimes attributed to a specific judge, but mostly felt to be anonymous…

 

The rain, it falleth on the just,

And on the unjust fellow,

But chiefly on the just, because

The unjust stole the just’s umbrella

 

[_Robert_Participant]

Can you love other people’s minds ?

[Simon PayntonParticipant]

What’s going on in that beautiful mind?  I’m on your magical mystery ride.  Sang John Legend.

[Simon PayntonParticipant]

“Are Humans altruistic by nature?”

– Abigail Marsh is supercool, and I’m waiting to read her latest book “Good for Nothing”.

I think that extraordinary altruism – exemplified by giving away a kidney to a stranger – is where empathic concern, or helping in response to need, crosses over with the Golden Rule.

I think that the Golden Rule has its roots in cooperation and three of its corollories: 1) helping people who help us, or are otherwise valuable to us; 2) self-other equivalence, where roles are fixed but people are interchangeable within roles; 3) the deservingness of people who cooperate with us on an equal basis (versus the non-deservingness of free riders).

I believe that extraordinary altruists have witnessed other people in extreme need or pain, especially those close to them.  So, when they see some stranger in need or pain, their experience is awakened and they mentally place the person they value (themselves, a loved one, a friend, etc.) in the role of the stranger.

This depends of course on a sense of the stranger being “deserving” for whatever reason (e.g. we approve of their behaviour).

[StregaModerator]

_Robert_ wrote:

Can you love other people’s minds ?

I think internet romances are pretty good evidence that you can.  And before the internet, pen pals were known to blossom into love in many cases.

In the end, it’s really only the mind that sustains love. Bodily characteristics only imprint on us – they are not the core reason behind long term relationships.

What else do we fall in love with, if not the minds of our beloveds?

[StregaModerator]

And of course, I love everyone here, every single one!

[Simon PayntonParticipant]

I’ll vouch for the fact that Strega is good to drink with.

“I believe that extraordinary altruists have witnessed other people in extreme need or pain, especially those close to them. So, when they see some stranger in need or pain, their experience is awakened and they mentally place the person they value (themselves, a loved one, a friend, etc.) in the role of the stranger.”

– also, people seek to replay a story so that it turns out right, or somehow undoes or provides closure on a traumatic event.

[Reg the Fronkey FarmerModerator]

Beautiful minds that think dangerous ideas….why would anyone want to leave?

[PopeBeanieModerator]

Lemme add a direct link to a nice graphic in a skeptic.com Baloney Detection Kit page:

Whoops, if you want to see it full-sized, I guess clicking on it doesn’t work. Try this:

https://www.skeptic.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/HS-Students-Baloney-Detection-Kit-Sandwich-Infographic.jpg

[Daniel W.Participant]

That Clough poem is wonderful!

• This reply was modified 6 years, 3 months ago by  Daniel W..

[Reg the Fronkey FarmerModerator]

@ Strega

Matthew 5:45 also mentions rain falling on the just and on the unjust.

I am sure you knew that, unless you thought some guy called Matthew said something about it raining at a quarter to six.

[Reg the Fronkey FarmerModerator]

Thanks for the link Daniel. Turns out  I share the same birthday as him! We Capricorns really are great wordsmiths 🙂

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