Comments by Barbara

51. Why people believe weird things about money

Comment #111241 by Barbara on January 14, 2008 at 5:56 am

windweaver wrote:

Barbara, the article below may provide an answer for your husband's behaviour. There's a lot of clinical evidence to support the thesis that hoarding behaviour in humans is a form of OCD.

Thanks for the link. I should be grateful it isn't worse than it is but I think that's partly because I (try to, as best I can) keep it to a minimum. It is irritating though.

52. Why people believe weird things about money

Comment #111229 by Barbara on January 14, 2008 at 5:15 am

58. Comment #111193 by Darwin's badger

Off at a tangent slightly, my wife had the habit when we were younger (and considerably poorer) of buying things that we wouldn't need for ages with money that we needed at the time. "I've saved x..."

"Okay, can I have x, we need y."

"Hmmm..."

To be fair, it wasn't like she was blowing it on frivolous things, but when you're living hand to mouth, a winter coat bought in the spring sale for next winter can feel like one's priorities are slightly out of sync.

I think I'm on your wife's side on this one. Something like a warm coat for next winter is a prudent purchase when you consider how expensive they are when it's cold outside.

My husband doesn't make these thinking-ahead kinds of purchases. He buys stuff we really don't need. For example, we have 3 weed wackers, 3 rakes (we used to have 6), and 4 snow shovels in the garage. The worst thing about this is he refuses to sell or get rid of the ones he doesn't use. In nearly 19 years of marriage, I've never been able to figure out why he does this.

53. 'Letter to a Christian Nation' now available in paperback

Comment #111172 by Barbara on January 13, 2008 at 9:38 pm

Several months ago I loaned my copy of Letter to a Christian Nation to someone and never got it back. I'll gladly buy this paperback for the 20-page afterword and to replace the other book.

54. Why people believe weird things about money

Comment #111121 by Barbara on January 13, 2008 at 4:24 pm

Diacanu wrote:

Absent any other considerations, I might agree.

But, what are the jobs?

I'd take a $50,000 cubicle job over $100,000 to eat turds for a fetish porn movie.

Do I feel superior to the turd munchers?
You're damned right.

*hysterical laughter ... picking myself up from the floor*

Now where were we? Oh, yeah... I had assumed the jobs are identical, and something I'd like to do, and I had to choose between the pay options.

For the record, I feel superior to turd munchers too. :-)

55. Why people believe weird things about money

Comment #111111 by Barbara on January 13, 2008 at 4:06 pm

I, too, chose the $100,000 job. Anyone who would choose the $50,000 job would strike me as 1) not terribly bright and 2) someone who wants to have a feeling of superiority over someone else.

Another thing that bothers me (especially because my husband does this) is how people spend their money on things they don't really need, and probably wouldn't have given a thought to but for the fact that the price was marked down. It would be less expensive to pass it up.

56. The religiosity test: Doubters need not apply

Comment #106554 by Barbara on January 3, 2008 at 6:16 am

Mitt Romney is worried about religious intolerance. He fears that religious and nonreligious people will unite to punish him because of his Mormon faith. He thinks it would be much more in keeping with America's noblest tradition if Mormons and other believers joined together to punish people of no faith.

What noble tradition would that be?

*shudder*

57. What have you changed your mind about? Why?

Comment #105696 by Barbara on January 1, 2008 at 3:19 pm

In 2007 this website became a daily habit for me. I never fail to learn something new and thought-provoking.

To Professor Dawkins, Josh Timonen, and everyone involved in the running of RD.net, as well as those of you who contribute your thoughts and opinions, I wish you all a very Happy New Year.

58. It is possible to be moral without God

Comment #104967 by Barbara on December 30, 2007 at 7:28 am

This article seems to be a step in the right direction. Still, in short, Richard Harries is saying that atheists are capable of good morality but believers are more moral than nonbelievers.

:-|

59. Priest who committed suicide for rebirth cremated

Comment #103125 by Barbara on December 24, 2007 at 10:37 am

Thanks for the info 82abhilash. Hinduism sounds like an anything-goes-depending-on-how-you-feel-today kind of religion.

60. Disquiet over schools' moment of silence

Comment #103116 by Barbara on December 24, 2007 at 10:17 am

Neil, #25:

If the religious lobbied for free omega-3 for kids (fish oils are thought to improve concentration) motivated by some New Testament directive about pure minds, or, for increased coverage of geometry, out of the belief that exposure to the idealism of mathematical proofs would bring people closer to understanding the divine, must we instinctively oppose them?

Not necessarily. If omega-3 is proven to improve concentration then it's a good thing for everyone (well, maybe not for vegans), including the nonreligious. Increasing a persons brain power has nothing to do with prayer in schools. What is a 'pure mind' anyway?

Now, if increased coverage of geometry could prove that an intelligent divine being exists I'd be very interested in this. I still believe that any discussion of the 'divine' belongs in homes and religious institutions, not in the schools.

61. Disquiet over schools' moment of silence

Comment #103080 by Barbara on December 24, 2007 at 9:40 am

Neil S wrote:

I like to think that in a few decades we're going to look back at this time and see just how unwise we were to allow open season on developing minds. In misguided reverence to notions of liberty and freedom, nearly continuous electronic entertainment is seen as a birthright. All kinds of hucksters compete for attention, attention being neural processing time, and we're starting to understand that there's a cost. As we understand more, we're going to start caring about the psyhcological audio-visual environment of the young in much the way we now do about air quality.

The difference is, the hucksters spewing their garbage at us from our electronics can be silenced/ignored with the ease of pushing a button. In a classroom, you're a captive audience.

62. Priest who committed suicide for rebirth cremated

Comment #103063 by Barbara on December 24, 2007 at 9:18 am

I'm not familiar with Hindu beliefs. How do the Hindus view suicide? Was this a forgivable sin? Will this fellow now be reincarnated as a flea or something?

63. Disquiet over schools' moment of silence

Comment #103057 by Barbara on December 24, 2007 at 9:03 am

Students who want to silently reflect/pray during the school day will do so whether there is time allotted for it or not. As trivial as this issue may seem to some of us, it's still a matter of giving an inch to the religious and having them take 10 miles later on. I say, fighting the small battles will help to keep the battles small.

64. Disquiet over schools' moment of silence

Comment #103046 by Barbara on December 24, 2007 at 8:50 am

"It's certainly a student's constitutional right to engage in silent reflection, even if it includes a prayer," said David Cortman, senior legal counsel for the Alliance Defense Fund, a nonprofit Christian law firm that has filed briefs in the Sherman case. "It's as if the mere mention of the word 'prayer' suddenly taints the law."

The students' certainly have the right to reflect/pray in their own heads and on their own time. However, setting aside school time specifically for this purpose, even if only for 15 seconds, is a different matter. It simply is not the time or place for such things. Why is this so hard to understand?

65. Atheists' sign sparks controversy

Comment #96327 by Barbara on December 10, 2007 at 11:17 am

Speaking of large crosses. This one is about a mile from the home I grew up in.

http://virtualglobetrotting.com/map/19045/

I'm not offended by it (I guess I'm just used to seeing it) but I wonder how an "Imagine" sign next to it would be recieved. I doubt it would last more than a day.

66. ...and another FLEA...

Comment #96314 by Barbara on December 10, 2007 at 10:41 am

Poor Professor Dawkins! His medicine cabinet must be overflowing with itch powder. Damn fleas!

67. Keith Olbermann talks about the Romney 'Religion' Speech

Comment #95486 by Barbara on December 8, 2007 at 12:38 pm

Your concern for us Americans, posiedon, is appreciated. I wonder if it would be prudent to begin planning my escape now, or if I should wait until after the elections. Do you know of an English-speaking country that would take-in a disillusioned American lady and two cats? I suppose it won't matter if I stay or go if the whole of humanity is at risk from some faith-head with far-to-much power. :-(

68. Sherri Shepherd needs to go away now

Comment #94680 by Barbara on December 6, 2007 at 8:54 am

Philip1978 wrote:

I Ad Hominemed earlier, am I being a bad influence again?

Nah! I would have ad hom'd her anyway. ;-)

I'll never claim to be the sharpest tool in the shed but WOW she is dumb.

69. Sherri Shepherd needs to go away now

Comment #94669 by Barbara on December 6, 2007 at 8:07 am

I'm embarrassed to admit I'm American. :-(

AD HOMINEM ALERT!

Sherri Shepherd is as dumb as a box of rocks!

70. Atheism's Wrong Turn

Comment #93400 by Barbara on December 3, 2007 at 4:52 am

This made me laugh.

From the 4th paragraph:

Atheism has been around for a very long time-- presumably as long as belief that gods exist.

Well, DUH!

71. Sunday School for Atheists

Comment #91061 by Barbara on November 27, 2007 at 6:04 am

@ shmooth:

Thanks for your post. It was very informative.

@ juandelaforet:

I didn't enjoy going to Sunday School as a child either. However, this isn't the typical weekly gathering that you and I remember. You could try it as a family. If the kids tell you they don't want to go anymore then, of course, you can let them stay home. Who knows! Maybe they'll really like it. And, what's bad about making possible life-long friendships in the process?

72. Sunday School for Atheists

Comment #90784 by Barbara on November 26, 2007 at 10:40 am

@ briancoughlanworldcitizen:

While an online place for kids of atheist parents to get together is a good idea, it can be dangerous too. One can never be sure who they are interacting with online these days. With adequate adult/parental supervision, I think a place for face-to-face interaction is a much better and safer option for the children.

73. Sunday School for Atheists

Comment #90692 by Barbara on November 26, 2007 at 6:44 am

Sunday School for atheists? The concept is good but I'd rather it be called something else. Whatever it's called, the faith-heads will call it religion. :(

I like the idea of having a place where children of atheist parents can go to:

Develop a sense of community

Learn morals and values (and charity?)

Learn how to respond to the God-fearing majority

Learn critical thinking skills

Learn about world religions

Learn life lessons through story telling

Enjoy music

Enjoy art

Take part in discussion to encourage personal expression, intellectual curiosity and collaboration.

Learn about the role persuasion/coercion plays in decision-making.

Experience an overall nurturing environment.

74. Interview with Christopher Hitchens

Comment #89270 by Barbara on November 20, 2007 at 6:15 am

@ Harrison and black wolf:

I'm off to visit my optometrist.

75. Interview with Christopher Hitchens

Comment #89080 by Barbara on November 19, 2007 at 4:41 pm

@ black wolf

The interviewer is wearing a yarmulke. If you look closely you can just make it out. His hair and the yarmulke are nearly the same color.

76. Malaysia firm's 'Muslim car' plan

Comment #87915 by Barbara on November 13, 2007 at 4:02 pm

Steven Mading raises some good points. Aside from being required to pray a ridiculous 5 TIMES EACH DAY, a muslim's location presents other ridiculous problems.

Even if I were looking to join a religion of some sort, Islam would definitely NOT make my list of choices. Simply because I'd be afraid to go anywhere because I might miscalculate the direction of Mecca. Way too much work involved.

Is Mecca like a radio tower? If you pray in a different direction will Allah not hear it? It's all just too wierd. I don't get it.

77. Malaysia firm's 'Muslim car' plan

Comment #87637 by Barbara on November 12, 2007 at 4:40 pm

The following is a made-up advertisement.

Protons new "Islamic car" will come equipped with an automatic body scanner to determine the gender of its occupants. The scanner can determine whether a female occupant is properly covered. When an unacceptable amount of skin is exposed a preprogramed number of stones will be automatically lobbed at the offending female. This feature will come standard on all models. Praise Allah.

78. Exorcism death shocks archdeacon

Comment #87432 by Barbara on November 12, 2007 at 5:33 am

This is insanity! Is there any other way to describe it?

79. You big, fat pile of bacteria

Comment #85120 by Barbara on November 5, 2007 at 3:10 am

BT Murtagh wrote:

Well, yeah, the species survived, but I doubt that that was a whole lot of comfort to the millions of individuals who died purulent, stinking, painfully nasty deaths.

I'm as big a fan of natural selection as anybody, but you can take this big picture stuff a little too far, I think.

True. However, I don't think anyone here is suggesting we should become lax in basic hygiene and keeping a clean home. It just isn't necessary to be such sticklers about it that we wind up creating bigger problems for ourselves than the ones we want to prevent. Soap and water cleans sufficiently in most cases. The stronger disinfectant and anti-bacterial stuff should be used only when absolutely necessary.

The article imparts a message I've heard before. We must allow our children to be exposed to a certain amount of the nasties in this world so their immune systems can develop a natural ability to fight them.

Send the children outside to play and hose 'em down when they come back. Oh, and don't forget to check their pockets for frogs, lizards, and other surprises.

80. I didn't know the FLEA CIRCUS was back in town!

Comment #84951 by Barbara on November 4, 2007 at 10:21 am

The scent of desperation gets stronger every day.

81. You big, fat pile of bacteria

Comment #84744 by Barbara on November 3, 2007 at 12:16 pm

As a child, after playing outside, I came into the house covered head to toe in who-knows-what. One of the adults present at the time made a comment about germs. To which my grandmother said something akin to "A child needs to swallow at least a cup of dirt before she can grow up" (not all at once, mind you).

This article backs up my opinion that Grandma was a wise woman.

82. Prejudicial concerns

Comment #80916 by Barbara on October 23, 2007 at 1:41 pm

Excellent article!

Comment #80906 by posiedon
It irritates me that the "religious" can ignore most of the nonsense written in the buy-bull, but not for some strange reason when it comes to sexuality, they cling on to this homophobic religious bullshit like a drowning man would cling to a piece of driftwood. I wonder why that is?

I've often wondered the same thing.

83. Catholic condom ban helping AIDS spread in Latam: U.N.

Comment #80911 by Barbara on October 23, 2007 at 1:18 pm

The Roman Catholic Church has its priorities all screwed up. Which of these is really most important to them? The avoidance of premarital sex or the avoidance of unnecessary death and disease?

If half of the worlds Catholics are in Latin America, and they are not abstaining or using protection, won't their numbers eventually dwindle?

While I like the idea of fewer religious people in the world, I'd prefer they just come to their senses and live good lives.

84. Egypt's fight against female circumcision clashes with tradition

Comment #80544 by Barbara on October 22, 2007 at 6:02 am

"It's simple: I'm frigid," says Wafaa,...

Understandable under the circumstances.

"It's a big problem with my husband. We argue all the time. I never want to make love. I have no reaction, no feelings, no pleasure," says the 35-year-old Copt who was circumcised twice at the age of 10 because "there was a little bit left."

What else should a husband expect from a woman who has undergone this barbaric procedure?

Kawkaba Fathi, a Muslim, has found her own way of dealing with the problem.

"I pretend I'm enjoying it to keep my husband happy and it's going much better," she says, her round face placid and framed by a black veil.

Serious question guys. . . Are men really happy knowing their wives are faking it?

85. Deep in the Sea, Imagining the Cradle of Life on Earth

Comment #79114 by Barbara on October 16, 2007 at 7:17 am

foxfire wrote:

What a cool article. What a cool scientist.

I second that!

This bit of the article

For instance, you hear a lot of proposals to dump carbon emissions on the sea floor as a way of dealing with climate change. But we don't understand the impact of doing that.

is scary. I hope this won't happen if it hasn't already. It's just another example of how thoughtless people can be. Problems don't get solved if the solution creates bigger problems.

86. Muslims tell Christians: 'Make peace with us or survival of world is at stake'

Comment #78102 by Barbara on October 11, 2007 at 9:13 pm

Prominent Muslim scholars are warning that the "survival of the world" is at stake if Muslims and Christians do not make peace with each other.

Like they used to say in the old west, 'Them sounds like fightin' words to me.'

In an unprecedented open letter signed by 138 leading Muslim scholars from every sect of Islam, the Muslims plead with Christian leaders "to come together with us on the common essentials of our two religions."

I seriously doubt their intent was to plead for togetherness of any sort. Without having read the actual letter, and based on the harm the Muslims have caused over the years because of their 'peaceful' religion, it's difficult to believe this is anything other than a threat to the world.

Does anyone here have any predictions about what this all means?

87. If Muslim doctors are intolerant, let them go

Comment #77534 by Barbara on October 9, 2007 at 3:01 pm

Employer: The job requires that you do this, this, this, and this.

Applicant: I am perfectly fine performing this, this, and this. But I cannot do this because it goes against my religious beliefs.

Employer: In order for you to adequately perform your duties on this job you must perform this task.

Applicant: I cannot! My religion forbids it.

Employer: Good luck with your job search.

Employer (to secretary) Send in the next applicant, please.

88. The Religious Right's New Tactics for Invading Public Schools

Comment #77375 by Barbara on October 9, 2007 at 6:45 am

As I read this article I could feel my blood begin to boil. What is it about separation of church and state that is so hard to understand? All of these round-about attempts by the fundamentalists to bring religion back into the schools should be seen as criminal offenses and prosecuted accordingly.

As long as people insist on deluding themselves with fairy tales they should do it in the privacy of their own homes and in their houses of worship. School is intended to teach children what they need to know to get along in THIS world. . .Reading, Writing, Math, Science, Civics, etc.

As brash and unlikable as she was, we could use an army of Madalyn Murray-O'Hair's right about now.

89. 'Flying Spaghetti Monster' Religious Group Turning Heads at MSU

Comment #76302 by Barbara on October 5, 2007 at 12:02 pm

@ jimbob

The FSM can kick your Teapot's butt! So, ne-ner-ne-ner-booboo!

90. The Bili Apes Are in Trouble!

Comment #71288 by Barbara on September 18, 2007 at 9:34 am

USA_Limey,

You're funny!

I wouldn't say I'm anti human. I'm anti thoughtless-human.

91. State Senator Ernie Chambers Sues God

Comment #71274 by Barbara on September 18, 2007 at 9:20 am

From the above article, one (me, for instance) could assume the good senator was out to make a point about his non-belief. However, when I read the article at http://www.cbc.ca/cp/Oddities/070917/K091706AU.html another motive is apparent.

Angered by another lawsuit he considers frivolous, Chambers says he's trying to make the point that anybody can file a lawsuit against anybody.

Chambers said the lawsuit was triggered by a federal suit filed against a judge who recently barred words such as "rape" and "victim" from a sexual assault trial.

The accuser in the criminal case, Tory Bowen, sued Lancaster District Judge Jeffre Cheuvront, claiming he violated her free speech rights.

Chambers said Bowen's lawsuit is inappropriate because the Nebraska Supreme Court has already considered the case and federal courts follow the decisions of state supreme courts on state matters.

"This lawsuit having been filed and being of such questionable merit creates a circumstance where my lawsuit is appropriately filed," Chambers said.

92. State Senator Ernie Chambers Sues God

Comment #71243 by Barbara on September 18, 2007 at 6:50 am

Loved this article. Maybe the judge will declare the defendant not-guilty due to nonexistence?

93. The Bili Apes Are in Trouble!

Comment #71239 by Barbara on September 18, 2007 at 6:30 am

Humans . . . the scourge of the planet. Will we ever learn? Just shameful!

94. Good News: Both our Foundations are now Officially Recognized as Charities

Comment #70275 by Barbara on September 14, 2007 at 4:48 pm

Very good news! Congratulations!

95. Griffin's 'offensive' Emmy speech to be censored

Comment #69546 by Barbara on September 11, 2007 at 4:54 pm

In her speech, Griffin said that "a lot of people come up here and thank Jesus for this award. I want you to know that no one had less to do with this award than Jesus."

She went on to hold up her Emmy, make an off-color remark about Christ and proclaim, "This award is my god now!"

Kathy Griffin has never struck me as very funny. I do wish I could have been there for this though. Go Kathy!

The comedian's remarks were condemned Monday by Catholic League President Bill Donohue, who called them a "vulgar, in-your-face brand of hate speech."

Not unless you're Jesus/God! If Jesus/God is offended then it's up to him/her/it/they to come forward and say so.

The Catholic League, an anti-defamation group, called on the TV academy to "denounce Griffin's obscene and blasphemous comment" at Sunday's ceremony.

Griffin's comment was not obscene and it's not the place of the TV academy to determine what is blasphemous. Freedom of speech, anyone?

PS: After reading skip's post (#14 below) I sent my own note of encouragement to Kathy Griffin via her agent Tim Curtis.

96. The Atheists Interviews

Comment #69492 by Barbara on September 11, 2007 at 1:26 pm

Good article and the interview was well done. I look forward to future interviews. I agree with Northern Bright about Dawkins' alleged agnosticism.

97. A hole lot of nothing found by astronomers

Comment #65496 by Barbara on August 24, 2007 at 1:22 pm

Isn't it obvious? It's God's peep hole!

98. CNN Request for 'I-Reports' on religion

Comment #65232 by Barbara on August 23, 2007 at 9:02 am

My contribution:

I am one of the millions of people who DO NOT live by religious faith. I don't believe in god(s) or supernatural entities of any sort.

I do not believe religion is under attack, although I can see how the religious may think it is. People (unfortunately, not enough) are more intelligent in the 21st century. We won't, and never should, accept unsubstantiated claims as 'truth'. The religious are now being asked to prove their impossible claims with more than an old book and their personal 'feelings'. Since there is no such proof, and there never has been, is it any wonder that millions of people find it impossible to believe?

Religion has no place in politics. The idea of any political leader being 'inspired' to take any action, by his/her imaginary friend is distressing, to say the least.

Life is very short. If every culture has differing opinions over what any of their gods want, then I say "Lay down your weapons and let your gods duke it out amongst themselves on their own turf"! Meanwhile, we mere mortals can get on with life in the real world.

99. Believe it or not: the sceptics beat God in bestseller battle

Comment #62893 by Barbara on August 12, 2007 at 8:13 am

Pardon me if this is a dumb question. Who profits monetarily from the sale of bibles (aside from the printer and the seller)?

100. Interview with Michael Behe

Comment #61057 by Barbara on August 3, 2007 at 1:25 pm

I watched this interview on television last night. Did anyone notice how the interview ended? Colbert made a comment (I wish I could remember what he said) and Behe said "Well, you'd be wrong" or something to that effect. Colbert said "What?" and abruptly ended the interview there.

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