jcd11235

Were they? Certainly, this nation-state, as established by the Constitution of the united States of America was not founded on god or religion. I have examined all the known superstitions of the world, and I do not find in our particular superstition of Christianity one redeeming feature. They are all alike founded on fables and mythology. Millions of innocent men, women and children, since the introduction of Christianity, have been burnt, tortured, fined and imprisoned. What has been the effect of this coercion? To make one half the world fools and the other half hypocrites; to support roguery and error all over the earth. Thomas Jefferson, in a letter to William Short Fix Reason firmly in her seat, and call to her tribunal every fact, every opinion. Question with boldness even the existence of a God; because, if there be one, he must more approve the homage of reason than of blindfolded fear. ... Do not be frightened from this inquiry by any fear of its consequences. If it end in a belief that there is no God, you will find incitements to virtue in the comfort and pleasantness you feel in its exercise and in the love of others which it will procure for you. Jefferson, in a letter to his nephew, Peter Carr (Jefferson's Works, Vol. ii., p. 217) Read the Bible as you would Livy or Tacitus. For example, in the book of Joshua we are told the sun stood still for several hours. Were we to read that fact in Livy or Tacitus we should class it with their showers of blood, speaking of their statues, beasts, etc. But it is said that the writer of that book was inspired. Examine, therefore, candidly, what evidence there is of his having been inspired. The pretension is entitled to your inquiry, because millions believe it. On the other hand, you are astronomer enough to know how contrary it is to the law of nature. … Keep in your eye the opposite pretensions: First, of those who say [Jesus Christ] was begotten by God, born of a virgin, suspended and reversed the laws of Nature at will, and ascended bodily into heaven; and second, of those who say he was a man of illegitimate birth, of a benevolent heart, enthusiastic mind, who set out without pretensions to divinity, ended in believing them, and was punished capitally for sedition by being gibbeted, according to the Roman law, which punished the first commission of that offence by whipping, and the second by exile or death in furea. Jefferson, in letter to his nephew (Works, Vol. ii., p. 217) I have recently been examining all the known superstitions of the world, and do not find in our particular superstition [Christianity] one redeeming feature. They are all alike, founded upon fables and mythologies Jefferson, letter to Dr. Woods This would be the best of all possible worlds if there were no religion in it. John Adams, in a letter to Jefferson If by religion, we are to understand sectarian dogmas, in which no two of them agree, then your exclamation on that hypothesis is just, "that this would be the best of worlds if there were no religion in it." Jefferson, replying to Adams I knew Dr. Wilson personally, and have entertained him at my house, on which occasion he said in my hearing what my relative, the Rev. Dr. Ashbel Green of Philadelphia, frequently told me in his study, viz., that during the time that Congress sat in that city the clergy, suspecting from good evidence that Washington was not a believer in the Bible as a revelation from heaven, laid a plan to extort from him a confession, either pro or con, but that the plan failed. Dr. Green was chaplain to Congress during all the time of its sitting in Philadelphia; dined with the President on special invitation nearly every week; was well acquainted with him, and after he had been dead and gone many years, often said in my hearing, though very sorrowfully, of course, that while Washington was very deferential to religion and its ceremonies, like nearly all the founders of the Republic, he was not a Christian, but a Deist. (emphasis mine -jcd11235) Hon. A.B. Bradford of Pennsylvania, relative to Washington's belief It was during his [Dr. Green's] long residence in Philadelphia that I became intimately acquainted with him as a relative, student of theology at Princeton, and a member of the same Presbytery to which he belonged. Many an hour during my student and clergyman days did I spend with him in his study at No. 150 Pine street, Philadelphia, listening to his interesting and instructive conversation on Revolutionary times and incidents. I recollect well that during one of these interviews in his study I inquired of him what were the real opinions Washington entertained on the subject of religion. He promptly answered pretty nearly in the language which Jefferson says Dr. Rush used. He explained more at length the plan laid by the clergy of Philadelphia at the close of Washington's administration as President to get his views of religion for the sake of the good influence they supposed they would have in counteracting the Infidelity of Paine and the rest of the Revolutionary patriots, military and civil. But I well remember the smile on his face and the twinkle of his black eye when he said: 'The old fox was too cunning for Us.' He affirmed, in concluding his narrative, that from his long and intimate acquaintance with Washington he knew it to be the case that while he respectfully conformed to the religious customs of society by generally going to church on Sundays, he had no belief at all in the divine origin of the Bible, or the Jewish-Christian religion. B.F. Underwood, in an article on Washington's religion Chicago Tribune The Infinite Father expects or requires no worship or praise from us. Benjamin Franklin The faith you mention has doubtless its use in the world. I do not desire to see it diminished, nor would I desire to lessen it in any way; but I wish it were more productive of good works than I have generally seen it. I mean real good works, works of kindness, charity, mercy, and public spirit, not holy-day keeping, sermon-hearing, and reading, performing church ceremonies, or making long prayers, filled with flatteries and compliments, despised even by wise men, and much less capable of pleasing the Deity. Franklin, n a letter to the Rev. George Whitefield, 1753 I do not believe in the creed professed by the Jewish church, by the Roman church, by the Greek church, by the Turkish church, by the Protestant church, nor by any church that I know of. My own mind is my own church. Thomas Paine Age Of Reason All national institutions of churches, whether Jewish, Christian, or Turkish, appear to me no other than human inventions set up to terrify and enslave mankind, and monopolize power and profit. … Each of these churches shows certain books, which they call revelation, or the word of God. The Jews say that their word of God was given by God to Moses, face to face; the Christians say that their word of God came by divine inspiration; and the Turks say that their word of God, the Koran, was brought by an angel from heaven. Each of these churches accuses the others of unbelief; and, for my own part, I disbelieve them all. Paine Age Of Reason It is the fable of Jesus Christ, as told in the New Testament, and the wild and visionary doctrine raised thereon, against which I contend. The story, taking it as it is told, is blasphemously obscene. Paine Age Of Reason From the time I was capable of conceiving an idea and acting upon it by reflection, I either doubted the truth of the Christian system or thought it to be a strange affair. Paine Age Of Reason as quoted in Six Historic Americans by John E. Remsburg Math tutoring available. Only $6! per hour! First lesson: Factorials!

Any evidence to support that claim, or is it baseless? Actions. When you get older and associate more with parents rather than children, you'll see lots of it. Political beliefs get trumped by parental fears every day of the week. Demonstrated in this forum on the subject of 'scary child predators.' Actions aren't evidence of motive. And I'm probably a heck of a lot older than you think. Let's just say I'm not a traditional student. Math tutoring available. Only $6! per hour! First lesson: Factorials!

Read your words very carefully, repeatedly, if necessary, and then explain to us why you are not one of those people you speak of. Its unfortunate that you seem to be against me becuase of my faith. I don't hold your faith against you. Believe whatever you like. I do tend to have a problem when you (or anyone) claims their path to the Truth is the only path. You seem self assured that your interpretation of the Gospels is not only correct, but the only correct one, and if anyone believes them to mean something else, they are wrong. Christ never taught such arrogance. Now, If you would please explain to us why you are not one of those people you speak of. What, specifically, makes you different? Math tutoring available. Only $6! per hour! First lesson: Factorials!

Sure. I wouldn't want to trade my life for that of a paramecium. That's hardly relevant to my comment about your misuse of the terms logic and reason. Math tutoring available. Only $6! per hour! First lesson: Factorials!

I made the original comment that war is an extension of politics, and that I couldn't think of an exception. The whole discussion about why the US entered the war was irrelevant, since the US didn't start the war. Math tutoring available. Only $6! per hour! First lesson: Factorials!

Incorrect. The Rangers changed to the tan berets after Shinsecki ordered the black beret as general wear for all troops. I hardly see how my statement was incorrect when you reworded it for your rebuttal. The Rangers earned distinction, not a hat color. Math tutoring available. Only $6! per hour! First lesson: Factorials!

Incorrect. Philosophy, which literally means "love of wisdom" (or "love of knowledge"), at its very foundation is about obtaining knowledge for the sake of knowledge. God has no place in secular government. Math tutoring available. Only $6! per hour! First lesson: Factorials!

Typically, if there is any shame, it is a result of, not the encounter, but society's view of homosexuality. Fortunately, that is changing, and gays are less likely all the time to suffer from such stigmas. Rationalize it however you want to, it won't change the hypocrisy. I don't see that. Do you have a personal issue with me? If acknowledging the validity of evolution, for which their is a huge amount of credible evidence, makes me an evolutionist, it is a label I'm proud to wear. Can I also claim to be a cosmologist because I believe cosmology provides better explanations than Genesis? Can I be a quantum physicist because I believe the Uncertainty Principle? Agreed. What?!? How so? I think many would argue that concept of a supernatural god is an example of man's flaws. How can you claim that our model of morality shouldn't involve homosexuality, while simultaneously claiming homosexuality is immoral? You can't have it both ways. Math tutoring available. Only $6! per hour! First lesson: Factorials!

Any evidence to support that claim, or is it baseless? Math tutoring available. Only $6! per hour! First lesson: Factorials!

Your lack of knowledge of the significance of the color of the berets made it unnecessary for me to criticize you about it. Uniforms change. Rangers used to wear black berets, now they wear tan berets. "Ordinary soldiers" (if there is such a thing) do not get to wear the same beret that was hard earned by Rangers. Your dismissal of PTSD as "mental stress" only highlights how ignorant you are of the situation. A closed head injury, which has been shown to often be associated with PTSD, sustained in combat is no less a combat wound than being shot or losing a limb. The Rangers now wear tan berets for differentiation. Why are you obsessed with berets? Nope. I think people should have to make 1000 skydives before getting their gold wings. But, having 1000 jumps doesn't mean much anymore. It used to be a significant accomplishment. Then again, a Falcon Award used to be a significant accomplishment. Skydivers have long been pushing the barriers of what was possible. Yesterday's milestones are often routine accomplishments today. You're right, I don't know about your military experience, because every time someone asks you about it, you refuse to answer the question, yet you still want to criticize troops and call combat veterans "pansy-asses." I don't no many any veterans who were worth a shit when they were in that would take such a position. No, I don't think that. Nor do I believe calling those with PTSD cowards is going to make their conditions go away. It's a real condition, often associated with real physical injuries, and denial won't change that or help the troops and veterans who suffer. The fact of the matter is that PTSD often fulfills the criteria for the Purple Heart. There is no reason why those troops shouldn't receive the medal. Probably the same time you became an expert on berets. Actually, I don't see that Carlin claimed to be an expert on war wounds. What he did do is highlight how our society tries to sterilize conditions via language, and shell shock -> PTSD is an example of that. His words were apt. Math tutoring available. Only $6! per hour! First lesson: Factorials!

Interestingly, Sen. Clinton's proposal offers more choice than (possibly) Obama's or McCain's. Math tutoring available. Only $6! per hour! First lesson: Factorials!

??? Care to expound? Math tutoring available. Only $6! per hour! First lesson: Factorials!

IMhO, we had better luck with a Democrat executive and a Republican Congress. Math tutoring available. Only $6! per hour! First lesson: Factorials!

You may want to reconsider the wool socks before heading down. I hear it's pretty warm. You may even want to change from jeans (no pun intended) to shorts. Math tutoring available. Only $6! per hour! First lesson: Factorials!

Are you serious? Do you truly believe that someone who has a bagel with cream cheese for breakfast is entitled to exercise the same rights as someone who eats Wheaties? Un-f'ing-believable. Next thing you know, people who eat salads for lunch will consider themselves morally and civically equal to those who eat sandwiches for lunch. Don't even get me started about dinner. It will be a sad day if the time ever comes when those who prefer early dinners are not recognized as inferior to those who eat late dinners. Math tutoring available. Only $6! per hour! First lesson: Factorials!

Saw that when it happened. Unbelievable that these young Republicans don't take 15 seconds to look up the necessary facts on the Internet. It's all just talking points for them with no understanding behind it. A couple of my roommates are officers in my university's College Democrats, so a lot of "unofficial meetings" are held here. They are generally just as bad about being ignorant about the facts behind the talking points. Many of them lack any real critical thinking skills, and those that don't lack such skills are often marginalized by the others. It's not just a young Republican problem. It seems like it may well be a young politician (wannabe) problem. Math tutoring available. Only $6! per hour! First lesson: Factorials!

Wow. The guy was spectacularly ignorant of the subject matter. I especially liked how he dismissed Richard Clarke's book in favor of the docudrama Pathway To 9/11, which ABC acknowledged to be a fictionalization. Math tutoring available. Only $6! per hour! First lesson: Factorials!

I'm not aware of any state where an unconstitutional law will stand just because it was voted in by the people. If it's that important to the people, then they will have to amend their constitution. Math tutoring available. Only $6! per hour! First lesson: Factorials!

Ah, I see. You hear the word redneck, and you automatically attach hatred and bigotry. How unjudgmental of you. I didn't make that connection at all, actually. Actually, I only mentioned tolerance, not liberalism. Another connection you made yourself. Math tutoring available. Only $6! per hour! First lesson: Factorials!

So the statute that was overturned was passed by the legislature, not the people? Math tutoring available. Only $6! per hour! First lesson: Factorials!

If I understand correctly, it was a referendum by the voters that gave what was essentially "separate but equal" status for opposite sex and same sex marriages/civil unions. To what extent can the California state legislature appeal or amend such a referendum? While it doesn't rule out judicial activism (although that doesn't appear to be the case so far), did the legislature have any power to deal with the issue in this case? Math tutoring available. Only $6! per hour! First lesson: Factorials!

Why is homosexuality so widespread throughout the animal kingdom? No more so than opposite sex marriages. How does it do that? Do you think Billvon, lawrocket or any other guy with a female spouse are suddenly going to love their wives less because of this court decision? (Not trying to pick on Billvon or lawrocket, just using them as examples of married men in California) Did you choose to be attracted to the sex your attracted to? I know I never made a conscious decision to be attracted to females, but I've been attracted to them all my life. Would racial segregation be okay if it were voted in by the people? Math tutoring available. Only $6! per hour! First lesson: Factorials!

There was one year where both boys and girls did the flexed arm hang at my school. (Thereafter, boys did pull-ups.) My older brother set the school record at 64 seconds. Later that day, I broke his record with 82 seconds! He wasn't terribly happy about it when he found out! Unfortunately, my record fell later in the week to a kid in my class who got 90 seconds. So it goes. Math tutoring available. Only $6! per hour! First lesson: Factorials!

Ah, I see. You were creating a strawman argument. Most tolerant people I know are just that, tolerant. They aren't likely to forbid their kids from associating with poor folks, redneck or otherwise. Their kids, OTOH, might be intelligent enough to not want to hang out with other kids who spew hatred and bigotry learned from their elders, whether those kids are rich or poor, black or white, Christian or non-religious, etc. Math tutoring available. Only $6! per hour! First lesson: Factorials!

The vast majority - yes. The historical & specific references to international agreements - yes. There are some narrow, although not unreasonable, interpretations. It also is very specific to information ontained through the IAEA process, as opposed to information and data, including alleged evidence of higher enrichment levels, obtained by western governments. The answers to the "why" questions are motivational & highly subject to interpretation. It's somewhat akin to someone trying to get out a speeding ticket by reading everything to the exact 'letter of the law' and the narrowest (or widest, whatever suits) interpretation of the law. That makes sense. As I was reading it, it read like a thinly veiled defense of international accusations, official and otherwise, regarding Iran's nuclear program. It appears some nations want everyone to sacrifice some of their national sovereignty for the good of the international community, except themselves and (maybe) their closest allies. Math tutoring available. Only $6! per hour! First lesson: Factorials!