Comments by Quetzalcoatl

Comment #164075 by Quetzalcoatl on April 19, 2008 at 1:38 pm

Billy-

I thought maggots only ate pus and dead tissue?

Comment #164071 by Quetzalcoatl on April 19, 2008 at 1:31 pm

MPhil-

as always, your logic leaves me humbled. You are correct. I therefore suggest the following substitute:

http://lashawnbarber.com/images/troll1.gif

2803. Sexpelled: No Intercourse Allowed

Comment #164063 by Quetzalcoatl on April 19, 2008 at 1:23 pm

I only just got around to watching this. Excellent stuff.

2804. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #164061 by Quetzalcoatl on April 19, 2008 at 1:21 pm

Steve-

personally, I thought it was quite cool. Perhaps that's because I'm too young to know better. Or weird. Whatever.

2805. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #164060 by Quetzalcoatl on April 19, 2008 at 1:20 pm

This might be a slightly mean suggestion:

When we encounter posters that fit all the criteria of a troll, that show no willingness to listen and are instead content to fling about insults and assertions, perhaps we could illustrate the fact with a suitable image. I suggest this one:

http://www.tuckborough.net/images/cavetroll.jpg

Too much?

2806. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #164052 by Quetzalcoatl on April 19, 2008 at 1:08 pm

Steve-

It ejects sticky threads to trap its prey (how appropriate).

I saw something on a wildlife programme that did that. "Life in the Undergrowth" perhaps. Can't remember if it was a slug or a caterpillar.

2807. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #164042 by Quetzalcoatl on April 19, 2008 at 1:00 pm

Can everyone stop feeding the troll? The more food you give it, the more it vomits out steaming green stinking cut-and-pasted "evidence". It makes the thread look untidy. The "something from nothing" fallacy in his last post and his hurling of insults proves that.

2808. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #163826 by Quetzalcoatl on April 19, 2008 at 5:56 am

All that is within a living cell could not be placed ther by chance

That's right. Chance was not involved. I did it.

Perhaps you can answer Steve's question now? Here it is again for you:

Please explain then how bacteria evolve resistance to man-made antibiotics. That is new information

We're waiting.

2809. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #163782 by Quetzalcoatl on April 19, 2008 at 2:56 am

Paula-

a more important question for you is this: if women came from a man's rib, then why do they still have skeletons?

2810. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #163778 by Quetzalcoatl on April 19, 2008 at 2:50 am

Steve-

first fish, then bacteria.

2811. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #163770 by Quetzalcoatl on April 19, 2008 at 2:27 am

Mikejswalker-

the baby still has to be burped. That could take at least six days. Then on the seventh day she'll rest.

2812. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #163766 by Quetzalcoatl on April 19, 2008 at 2:21 am

Steve-

It doesn't matter what you personally believe - the arguments have to be addressed!

Perhaps, though, some arguments (such as the "if we evolved from apes why are there still apes" brilliance) could be safely ignored in favour of more productive conversations.

2813. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #163556 by Quetzalcoatl on April 18, 2008 at 1:58 pm

You are all vile heretical bird-worshipping blasphemers.

Your time will come.

Oh yes.

2814. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #163521 by Quetzalcoatl on April 18, 2008 at 1:02 pm

I don't like all this talk of bird worship. What have birds ever done for us? Whereas winged serpents...now there's an animal you could worship.

2815. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #163447 by Quetzalcoatl on April 18, 2008 at 11:09 am

Epeeist-

your analogy fails on two points:

1) There is no mall. We need a mall.
2) Zombies are cool. Some of these theistic posters, however...

2816. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #163361 by Quetzalcoatl on April 18, 2008 at 8:38 am

Annabanana-

it might be the other way around. He might be trying to find community primarily, with his current spirituality just being a new means to that end. Could be wrong.

2817. Sexpelled: No Intercourse Allowed

Comment #163285 by Quetzalcoatl on April 18, 2008 at 6:21 am

Ahem.

Licat volaris si super terrum aquila volat.

I thank you.

2818. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #163265 by Quetzalcoatl on April 18, 2008 at 5:44 am

Peacebeuponme-

What's this?

Not on here, on FCOS. See the link.

http://www.fcosonline.org/index.php?topic=25.msg270#msg270

2819. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #163233 by Quetzalcoatl on April 18, 2008 at 4:53 am

Styrer-

damn, you've "outted" me! I did find the whole disappearing post thing quite funny. I didn't even know it had been displayed until Billy Sands told me.

2820. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #163207 by Quetzalcoatl on April 18, 2008 at 4:15 am

Egomaniac-

You sure come to a lot of incorrect conclusions -- I have made no claim of religion having anything to do with this

Okay, let's look at your comment again.

It's my belief that when atheists attempt to "convert" people to their beliefs, which some undeniably do, they are depriving people of a real meaning to their existence, whether that meaning is true or not

Let's assume that atheists were "converting" people. What would they be converting them from? Belief in God to non-belief in God. Therefore, you were saying that by being converted, ie by losing their belief in God, people are also losing the "real meaning to their existence". Which means that you think that belief in God and religion give people "real meaning to their existence".

I don't see where I've gone wrong. So I'll repeat my question: religion in general, or just the one that you believe in?

2821. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #163133 by Quetzalcoatl on April 18, 2008 at 2:55 am

Egomaniac-

It's my belief that when atheists attempt to "convert" people to their beliefs, which some undeniably do, they are depriving people of a real meaning to their existence, whether that meaning is true or not

I wouldn't put it like that, for several reasons. Firstly, there are no "atheist beliefs". Atheism is a lack of belief in God. That's all you "need" to be an atheist. But let's not get side-tracked.

Your comment is interesting, in that it suggests that only religion can give people a true meaning for their existence. That raises the question: religion in general, or just the one that you believe in?

Philip-

I have a cup of Tea on my desk right now

Me too! I predict they will be delicious and thirst-quenching.

2822. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #163106 by Quetzalcoatl on April 18, 2008 at 2:11 am

Clodhopper-

you're probably right. It just pissed me off, is all. I think unless something really significant happens, I'm going to leave it alone now.

2823. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #163096 by Quetzalcoatl on April 18, 2008 at 1:43 am

Back on topic-

Steve, you make an interesting point about what macroevolution is. I had always thought of macroevolution being the term for significant changes accumulating in an organism over a period of time as a consequence of microevolution.

2824. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #163092 by Quetzalcoatl on April 18, 2008 at 1:34 am

Brian-

apparently my response appeared on FCOS then disappeared while I was asleep. Very odd.

I had been giving RM the benefit of the doubt, having realised that by "well-balanced" he could have meant "unbiased". But when in a later comment he used the phrase "psychologically well-balanced", it was obvious what he had meant.

2825. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #163083 by Quetzalcoatl on April 18, 2008 at 1:15 am

Off topic-

Having read RM's insults yesterday I composed a response criticising what he had said. This morning I received an e-mail from David Robertson telling me that my response will not be displayed, in the interests of keeping the thread "on topic". I appreciate that not everyone here cares about this, but for those who might be interested, my response to RM's original post can be found here:

http://musingsofastrangemind.blogspot.com/2008/04/irate-response.html

2826. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #162642 by Quetzalcoatl on April 17, 2008 at 6:59 am

Brother John-

I would say that love is ONE OF the greatest powers of the human race. The others would be empathy (which is not quite the same as love), and our capacity for reason. I think the difficulty lies in finding a balance between the three. What do you think?

2827. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #162623 by Quetzalcoatl on April 17, 2008 at 6:35 am

Al-Rawandi-

reply sent.

2828. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #162609 by Quetzalcoatl on April 17, 2008 at 6:10 am

Cartomancer-

is it too late to compliment you on your scarf? Very rakish.

2829. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #162604 by Quetzalcoatl on April 17, 2008 at 6:00 am

Paula-

fair enough.

EDIT- it just irritates me a little when he makes comments about entire groups of posters here, as if we are some kind of homogenous god-hating entity.

2830. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #162596 by Quetzalcoatl on April 17, 2008 at 5:48 am

Richard Morgan has also done another post. Lowlights:

David is absolutely correct in affirming that many RDNetters are there because they have an axe to grind. I was one of them!
Many months ago I noticed that those who seemed to be the most "well-balanced" (who am I to judge?) either posted quite rarely or didn't stay long

By this logic I must be completely unhinged.

But if you consider the ideas and feelings expressed by RDNet atheists, in reality you discover very little interest for the well-being of humanity.

Lovely.

And please be assured, this is not RDNet, and what you say will not be pounced upon to be used against you.

Taken from here:

http://www.fcosonline.org/index.php?topic=25.msg270#msg270

2831. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #162594 by Quetzalcoatl on April 17, 2008 at 5:42 am

Clodhopper-

let's find out.

Atheism is a whole lot more than a lack of belief in deities. RD net is a great illustration of that.

Lie.

Paula Kirby let the cat out of the bad when she spoke of the central atheist tenets

Distortion, corrected repeatedly by Paula.

The fact that you use the term 'we' for your group indicates that

A quite baffling attempt to make a point.

Atheism as espoused on RD net is an alternative religious philosophy - with its own standards, beliefs, morals and presuppositions.

Four lies, if you count its "attributes".

Why be an atheist? Because if the beliefs fit you they may well meet deep seated psychological demands

Incidentally that is why I am demonised on RD net - people don't like their fundamental beliefs being challenged and so they react emotionally

Distortions.

In many of the atheists on Dawkins website it is clear that they have a deep rooted psychological need NOT to believe. Perhaps it is because of religious abuse in the past, perhaps because of painful experience, or maybe it is just good old fashioned rebellion against God

Distortions, presuming to speak for an entire group.

All this was taken from here:

http://www.fcosonline.org/index.php?topic=25.msg269#msg269

2832. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #162585 by Quetzalcoatl on April 17, 2008 at 5:15 am

Epeeist-

drink that tea and calm down. I don't think it's so.

2833. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #162537 by Quetzalcoatl on April 17, 2008 at 3:50 am

irate_atheist-

Silence. Your powers are weak, old man.

2834. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #162533 by Quetzalcoatl on April 17, 2008 at 3:46 am

I am shocked and amazed that Egomaniac has departed without providing any evidence to back up his assertions. Who would have thought that such a thing would occur? My faith in humanity is shaken.

2835. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #162521 by Quetzalcoatl on April 17, 2008 at 3:33 am

Quetzalcoatl-

I don't consider an atheist's existence to be meaningless. Why would I?

Then why say it?

If you believe that we are here for no reason, where is the meaning in your existence?

Do try and stick to what I asked you. I'm not getting side-tracked.

I'm looking to find specific examples of the behavior I'm referring to (which I did see, believe it or not)

Unless you can supply those examples, I'm going to go with "not". Strange that they're so hard to find.

I will get back to you on that, though

You'll pardon me, I'm sure, if I don't hold my breath.

2836. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #162510 by Quetzalcoatl on April 17, 2008 at 3:23 am

Egomaniac-

still waiting for those examples. Or have you already fled, having done your "duty"?

2837. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #162491 by Quetzalcoatl on April 17, 2008 at 3:03 am

Epeeist-

a crime of which it seems Egomaniac is guilty.

Ironically, Annabanana did a post on her blog yesterday in which she commented on the increase of hit-and-run theists on RD.net, and suggested that they be ignored unless they have something salient to contribute. Perhaps I should have taken her advice.....

2838. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #162487 by Quetzalcoatl on April 17, 2008 at 2:56 am

Egomaniac-

You have a skewed interpretation of what is and is not obvious. It was mere hyperbole

Why start your first post with such hyperbole? Do you consider atheists' existence to be meaningless?

Do you think the notion that some people here seem to enjoy looking down on others is absurd?

I would first have to ask for examples of this "looking-down" on others.

2839. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #162471 by Quetzalcoatl on April 17, 2008 at 2:34 am

Egomaniac-

It's pretty obvious when you use phrases like "meaningless existence" and "self-praising and the belittling of inferiors" that you are not interested in genuine discussion.

2840. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #162459 by Quetzalcoatl on April 17, 2008 at 2:20 am

Egomaniac-

Bravo, my fellow poster! Give yourself a big pat on the back for making your first post such a wonderful and intellectually stimulating comment.

If you've got something to say that's worth discussing, say it. Otherwise, don't bother.

2841. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #162309 by Quetzalcoatl on April 16, 2008 at 2:39 pm

Diacanu-

indeed.

2842. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #162306 by Quetzalcoatl on April 16, 2008 at 2:36 pm

Diacanu-

the post appeared on FCOS only this morning.

2843. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #162303 by Quetzalcoatl on April 16, 2008 at 2:26 pm

Clodhopper-

Maybe I'm not. Or maybe I'm just saying it to get the ball rolling. To help you mortals out. Hmm. Who knows?

2844. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #162294 by Quetzalcoatl on April 16, 2008 at 2:14 pm

Clodhopper said-

But I had a general sense that many of his posts were looking for strokes & attention seeking without contributing overly much

While I do agree, I think we need to remember that we are all probably guilty of this to some degree. I freely admit that I am, with my attempts at humour and occasional promotion of personal projects. (I'm not criticising anyone, just saying).

2845. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #162180 by Quetzalcoatl on April 16, 2008 at 9:27 am

thisisme-

But when we criticise the logic or morality of others we are a priori assuming the existance of an ultimate standard by which we can judge them.

Not so. There are no ultimate, unchangeable, unbreakable standards of morality. If you believe that there are, could you name some?

I believe that God is abolute, thus the values which are part of his character are also absolute. I believe that the laws of God's nature, the laws of logic, the laws of morality, are *defined* by his nature. They don't make his nature necessary, they are necessary because they are his unchanging nature. That is where I believe the laws of morality come from - they merely reflect the nature of God.

This is merely assertion without evidence.

This was my original point - *if* there is no moral objectivity, why does RD criticise someone for lying? How can we say that anything is wrong for anyone else? How can we say that anything was wrong in the past, or will be in the future, or is wrong in a different society?

Because while there are no absolute standards, we by contrast do not live in a society of complete moral relativity.

Thisisme: you raise some good points, and I apologise if you think my answers are too short, but time is against me. I'll be back later.

2846. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #162106 by Quetzalcoatl on April 16, 2008 at 6:56 am

I linked to this earlier on; I especially "like" this section of it:

David - thank you for having had the persistence and determination to show up on RDNet.
RDNet - thank you for having shown me the limits of materialism and "rational thinking". I will happily continue to use these for driving to work, preparing a cassoulet and being operated on for my hernia.
But for the essential, for that which gives freedom, I shall henceforth be looking elsewhere.

I think the words speak for themselves.

2847. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #162009 by Quetzalcoatl on April 16, 2008 at 2:03 am

Irate-

you big meanie. Although in his FCOS post RM did offer to e-mail detailed thoughts on his conversion to anyone who was interested. Perhaps one of us could sign up for that?

2848. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #162000 by Quetzalcoatl on April 16, 2008 at 1:52 am

thisisme-

it might be easier if you summarise them in a single comment, then that comment can be linked to at a later date if people lose track again.

Phil Rimmer-

I get that impression as well, but I think all of us crave notice to a certain extent, otherwise we wouldn't bother posting here. I'm not saying it's the primary reason, but there is an element of it.

2849. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #161987 by Quetzalcoatl on April 16, 2008 at 1:13 am

Peacebeuponme-