Belittle Britain

eeyore · #**126** (**permalink**) 21-10-2006, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Imaginos

Maybe there should be a part of our profile where we display our allegiences to stop snide insinuations being bandied about?

I would have thought all of our allegieces would, or at least should, be to WAB
btw to the best of my knowledge I am not related to any other wabber.

Paul mabbott · #**127** (**permalink**) 21-10-2006, 07:42 PM

You're safe, really ....
At the risk of being called a troll (which, incidentally, has other implications in some circles ...), I recall advice from my old man when I first ventured into pubs. "Never talk about politics or religion", he said. Perhaps it should be extended to fora?
Politics, in the sense of party politics doesn't lead to useful debates; but I think that people concerned about wildlife should actually be talking serious politics - how to get information to politicians, how to influence them &c. So let's talk serious politics.

On the other hand, religion has no place in public discussions. It is an irrational belief, not arguable (therefore can't be discussed). And it gets up peoples noses ... My views are clear - I'm a born-again atheist and I'm frightened by the activities of small numbers of fundamentalists. If people want to have religious beliefs then they should keep them to themselves or consenting adults.
I suspect that lots of people with religious beliefs don't understand how offensive they are to rational people and make allusions in mails without thinking. Perhaps just a little more thought?
Not wanting to start an argument - just suggesting ways in which conflicts could be avoided!
Cheers, Paul

"Can't run no more
with the lawless crowd
when the killers in high places
say their prayers out loud.
But they've summoned up
a thundercloud
and they're going to hear from me .... "
L. Cohen 1992

Quote:

Originally Posted by Susie

I see the troll thread has been pulled.

I really like this forum and enjoy reading the posts but I think I will leave you lot to fight it out and I'll come back in a few weeks to see if you've settled down. I don't want to watch this end up in a flame war.

I have not seen anyone on here act like a troll - trolls wind people up just because they enjoy the friction it creates. All I can see is people with differing opinions, which is what makes life interesting.

*leaving hug to all*

eeyore · #**128** (**permalink**) 21-10-2006, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul mabbott

On the other hand, religion has no place in public discussions. It is an irrational belief, not arguable (therefore can't be discussed). And it gets up peoples noses ... My views are clear - I'm a born-again atheist and I'm frightened by the activities of small numbers of fundamentalists. If people want to have religious beliefs then they should keep them to themselves or consenting adults.
I suspect that lots of people with religious beliefs don't understand how offensive they are to rational people and make allusions in mails without thinking. Perhaps just a little more thought?
Not wanting to start an argument - just suggesting ways in which conflicts could be avoided!
Cheers, Paul

I'm an aetheist also but I cant help feeling that what you have said is likely to be deeply offensive to anyone who is religious. For some one "not wanting to start an argument" this seems an incediary statement to make

IMO they have as much right to discuss their religious prefferences as you or I do to express our aetheist principles.

However I do agree that wab may be not the best place for such discussions and thus will say no more on the subject.

speckled wood · #**129** (**permalink**) 21-10-2006, 07:49 PM

Beliefs are frightening things. At 54 years of age I am still trying to come to terms with the terrifying reality that there is no father christmas

eeyore · #**130** (**permalink**) 21-10-2006, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by speckled wood

Beliefs are frightening things. At 54 years of age I am still trying to come to terms with the terrifying reality that there is no father christmas

you mean there isnt

then whos that big fat man in red with a big white beard who came down the chimney last xmas and left me a big stack of pressies

Kev Lewis · #**131** (**permalink**) 21-10-2006, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by speckled wood

Beliefs are frightening things. At 54 years of age I am still trying to come to terms with the terrifying reality that there is no father christmas

WHAT !!!!

Boddie · #**132** (**permalink**) 21-10-2006, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eeyore

you mean there isnt

then whos that big fat man in red with a big white beard who came down the chimney last xmas and left me a big stack of pressies

Its usually your Dad. Mine doesn't come on here.

StuartDH · #**133** (**permalink**) 21-10-2006, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by speckled wood

Beliefs are frightening things. At 54 years of age I am still trying to come to terms with the terrifying reality that there is no father christmas

Who said that?

Now the gloves are really off

Paul mabbott · #**134** (**permalink**) 21-10-2006, 08:02 PM

That could have been me ... apart from the pressies .. sorry.

Quote:

Originally Posted by eeyore

you mean there isnt

then whos that big fat man in red with a big white beard who came down the chimney last xmas and left me a big stack of pressies

On your earlier point: fact is I don't "want to express .. atheist principles". I simply think that people should not be expressing their irrational beliefs ('beliefs' are, by definition, 'irrational - incapable of proof') in irrelevant topics. I do *not* want to talk about religion but when people try to rub it in my face they will get a reaction.

(Incidentally many of my relatives and friends are religious - christians or Buddhists - but mainly atheists ... work it out .... I can't ... )

"IMO they have as much right to discuss their religious prefferences as you or I do to express our aetheist principles. "

speckled wood · #**135** (**permalink**) 21-10-2006, 08:18 PM

I hav'nt got a daddy or a mummy, I am an orphan.

Earth Hart · #**136** (**permalink**) 21-10-2006, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul mabbott

On your earlier point: fact is I don't "want to express .. atheist principles". I simply think that people should not be expressing their irrational beliefs ('beliefs' are, by definition, 'irrational - incapable of proof') in irrelevant topics. I do *not* want to talk about religion but when people try to rub it in my face they will get a reaction.

Paul, Has anyone here rubbed religion in your face? If not, please do not go on about it.

Paul mabbott · #**137** (**permalink**) 21-10-2006, 08:32 PM

It's alright. When you get older and wiser, and get the bus pass, you'll be able to go and get your presents from the north pole ....

Quote:

Originally Posted by speckled wood

Beliefs are frightening things. At 54 years of age I am still trying to come to terms with the terrifying reality that there is no father christmas

Boddie · #**138** (**permalink**) 21-10-2006, 08:45 PM

I know its inevitable that I'll become older but really can't forsee how I could possibly become any wiser

eeyore · #**139** (**permalink**) 21-10-2006, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boddie

I know its inevitable that I'll become older but really can't forsee how I could possibly become any wiser

I dont know mate , we pick up wisdom all the time - for instance on wednesday I learnt that "he who stands close to bonfire whilst loading it with cherry branches shortly wont have any facial hair"

Apparently cherry leaves are full of oil and it went off woosh like I had thrown petrol on it - I dont know if you have ever burnt your nose hair off but it isnt a pleasant experience

Paul mabbott · #**140** (**permalink**) 21-10-2006, 08:58 PM

Have you tried holly leaves? In our cheapskate autumn celebrations we use them instead of crackers! But that seems to be a good tip on getting rid of nasal hair ... should be put into a file of useful tips .....

Quote:

Originally Posted by eeyore

.... I learnt that "he who stands close to bonfire whilst loading it with cherry branches shortly wont have any facial hair" Apparently cherry leaves are full of oil and it went off woosh like I had thrown petrol on it - I dont know if you have ever burnt your nose hair off but it isnt a pleasant experience

StuartDH · #**141** (**permalink**) 21-10-2006, 09:11 PM

As I head off for the evening I'm going to close this thread as it would otherwise probably continue to take up far more unnecessary moderating time than we could ever ask of the moderators.

The thread was originally split from another as it was heading off topic and would obviously spark some strong opinions. Normally, we'd close or remove the thread, but I knew I'd be around all day so I opted to let it run so for as long as I could moderate it. Luckily it's ended on a good note so it seems to be an opportune moment to call it a day.

Hopefully, it should now be apparent why we don't normally allow religion and politics on the site and just stick to good old wildlife and the environment.

Maybe we'll have another one of these threads this time next year

Stu