Strega

@Strega and @SimonPaynton

I took “the evolutionary base for mysticism” to be a reference to recent work highlighted by J Anderson Thompson, where for various evolutionary reasons, we are predisposed to make some cognitive errors, such as seeing agency in events when it isn’t there. (The idea being that if you are wandering around in the tall…[Read more]

@Strega

I know one major group here that really, really REALLY REALLY loves “Imagine,” a song which I’ve become sick of through repetition in their podcasts.

Always look on the bright side is much more entertaining, a lot less cloying, and I’ve seen it sung at counter-counter-protests. I believe an impromptu chorus treated Westboro Baptist to…[Read more]

Backing up @Strega on both points.

I don’t know why Simon persists in trying to create an Atheist “religion” or insert mysticism in it, when really, it’s a catch all word describing everyone who does *not* have a certain characteristic. It says nothing about the characteristics that they do have. Thus there are at least as many ways to “be an…[Read more]

@strega

You used display name that is why it is not working correctly. You should have used username.

Right way to mention someone is using his/her username that you can find in his/her profile url http://atheistzone.com/members/bellerose/ For example @bellerose

@Strega, poisonous critters are just critters. Some of them are cute, and many are even friendly. 😉

Nope, I don’t “deflect to” fundamentalists, I just take the time to learn and understand different people and different groups, so as to be able to make thoughtful and rational distinctions. I admit that requires intellectual effort, patience,…[Read more]

How is it you believe in magic sky zombies still?

@Mr. Tag, I don’t believe in magic sky zombies. That would be silly. 😉

@Strega has brought up the fear thing before, and I just don’t see it myself. Neither now nor growing up have I ever been afraid of God or religion in the way you suggest. Clowns, now… they can be scary.

@Strega: You lucky bastard! Nine years old??? I was still getting swatted with rosaries in Catechism at 9! Growing up (and thankfully, OUT of) Catholicism was so dreary and foreboding. I used to stare in horror at the statues and artwork. I remember thinking to myself how fucking silly it all was… stand up, sit down, kneel, stand, strike your…[Read more]