Daily Archives: Sunday April 8th, 2012

Thoughts of the Day

Do Unto Others?

‘Love thy neighbor as thyself?’
Hide that motto on the shelf!
Let it lie there, keep it idle
Especially if you’re suicidal.

Realist

‘For what we are about to receive,
Oh Lord, ’tis Thee we thank,’
Said the Cannibal as he cut a slice
Of the missionary’s shank.

— Yip Harburg, Rhymes for the Irreverent (1965). His two rhymebooks are available for sale from FFRF at our bookstore.

“I look forward to receiving 20 emails saying, ‘Hey, I noticed you’re not religious. Look at your fingerprint. Doesn’t that prove that there is a creator, because your fingerprint is completely unique.’ Um, no. Doesn’t.”

— “The Atheist’s Puzzle,” Oct. 19, 2010, youtube.com/alexday

http://ffrf.org/day/view/04/08/

“Universalists believe in a god which I do not; but believe that their god, with all his moral attributes, (aside from nature itself,) is nothing more than a chimera of their own imagination.”

— Letter by Abner Kneeland to Universalist editor Thomas Whittemore, Dec. 20, 1833, published by Abner Kneeland in the Investigator, for which he was tried and convicted of blasphemy

“Another important doctrine of the Christian religion, is the atonement supposed to have been made by the death and sufferings of the pretended Saviour of the world; and this is grounded upon principles as regardless of justice as the doctrine of original sin. It exhibits a spectacle truly distressing to the feelings of the benevolent mind, it calls innocence and virtue into a scene of suffering, and reputed guilt, in order to destroy the injurious effects of real vice. It pretends to free the world from the fatal effects of a primary apostacy, by the sacrifice of an innocent being. Evil has already been introduced into the world, and in order to remove it, a fresh accumulation of crimes becomes necessary. In plain terms, to destroy one evil, another must be committed.”

— Elihu Palmer, Principles of Nature; or, A Development of the Moral Causes of Happiness and Misery among the Human Species, 1801

http://ffrf.org/day/view/04/07/

“Every time you understand something, religion becomes less likely. Only with the discovery of the double helix and the ensuing genetic revolution have we had grounds for thinking that the powers held traditionally to be the exclusive property of the gods might one day be ours. . . .

[As a young man ] I came to the conclusion that the church was just a bunch of fascists that supported Franco. I stopped going on Sunday mornings and watched the birds with my father instead.”

— Dr. James Watson, London Telegraph, March 22, 2003

“How have so-called psychics been able to mystify representative scientists such as Sir William Crookes, Sir Oliver Lodge, William James, and the French physiologist, Charles Richet — men of supposedly straight-thinking, analytical minds? To say nothing of such eminent writers as the sincere, though deluded, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, creator of Sherlock Holmes.

“I believe the kernel of the matter is that scientists, philosophers, and psychologists live in circles where honesty is taken for granted. It is inconceivable to them that such gross deception could be practiced. They fail to realize that they’re working hand in glove with members of one of the most unclean professions in the world.”

— Harry Houdini, “Tricks of Fake Mediums,” Liberty magazine, April 25, 1925

http://ffrf.org/day/view/04/06/

“I’d been on patrol, and I went to church that evening. It was an Anglican church, quite high church (I always liked the ceremony) and I was standing up, reciting the Apostles’ Creed (which to this day I could recite word for word) and suddenly I realized I didn’t believe a word of it, and probably never had. And I never went back to church after that, except for the occasional funeral.”

— Arthur Hailey, in Walden Book Report, July 1998

“Seeing there are no signs nor fruit of religion but in man only, there is no cause to doubt but that the seed of religion is also only in man. . .”

“Fear of power invisible, feigned by the mind or imagined from tales publicly allowed, RELIGION; not allowed, SUPERSTITION.”

“They that approve a private opinion, call it opinion; but they that mislike it, heresy; and yet heresy signifies no more than private opinion.”

— Sir Thomas Hobbes, Leviathan, 1651

http://ffrf.org/day/view/04/05/

Pauline’s Daily Tweets

  • Up and adam! The sun it out and hoping for a very nice day and drive back home. #
  • Had a very nice visit with our friend in Everett and a good drive home, now getting settled in and attacking the laundry. #
  • Scott Walker Quietly Repeals Wisconsin Equal Pay Law http://t.co/McWrc2W What a scumbag….ggrrr #
  • Justice for Kenneth Chamberlain Sr. http://t.co/dmuNdCP #signon #
  • Kenneth Chamberlain case: Killing of veteran senior citizen by police to be probed by grand jury http://t.co/l456uI3 Another messed up case #
  • Lobbyists Object to Proposed Limits on Courting Officials: http://t.co/fX0s75f Cry me a river….ggeeezzz #
  • Top 50 Things Accomplished by President Barack Obama | News & Politics | AlterNet http://t.co/Pb8Uz2N #
  • 10 Ways Our Democracy Is Crumbling Around Us | Occupy Wall Street | AlterNet http://t.co/5heDCgQ #
  • 10 Unbelievably Sh**ty Things America Does to Homeless People | Civil Liberties | AlterNet http://t.co/oosnwE8 #
  • Yes, Women Do Care About Contraception http://t.co/kWaQ3qC #
  • Finally got our traveling clothes in the wash, my part of the office back in order, need to really get to my emails tomorrow….piled up #
  • Totally had a great visit and trip, but very happy to be home with our own stuff…. amazing how little things like that make your life..lol #
  • Stop Romanticizing the Tea Party Movement – The Atlantic http://t.co/WdI0CSU #

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Twitter Weekly Updates for 2012-04-08

  • “Being an atheist is a matter not of moral choice, but of human obligation.” — John Fowles #
  • Garfield @GoComicshttp://t.co/vGj6uYt #garfield #GoComics LOL #
  • Made a very good dent in my end of the month work while taking my time, finish it off tomorrow if the bank's site works, unlike tonight #
  • I'm up, had breakfast, but not sure if I'm alive yet……lol #
  • Without protests, justice for Trayvon Martin can't be served http://t.co/gUKfA5T #cnn #
  • Global Warming Denialism ‘Just Foolishness,’ Scientist Peter Raven Says http://t.co/NX7wgBL This is sad. =( #
  • 4 big myths of Book of Revelation – http://t.co/K5Fdcm1 Nice breakdown #
  • Police Tracking of Cellphones Raises Privacy Fears: http://t.co/b0Z8B1O This is getting out of control. #
  • Financers and Sex Trafficking: http://t.co/Vs9XtV2 #
  • Former Mormon: What Americans Need to Know About Mormonism | Belief | AlterNet http://t.co/353vmHw Very interesting #
  • Yes, the banking pay has been ordered, time for #WrestleMania =) #
  • Will the #TheUnderTaker keep his streak going or is he going down?? #WrestleMania #
  • Found the site for me : http://t.co/pp7HJfV =) #
  • @mdcbrat But how does your husband handle it? He isn't giving your crap? #
  • I have never gotten tired of #TheUnderTaker original theme music……love it! #WrestleMania #
  • The Top 10 Reasons I Don't Believe in God | http://t.co/gk3hGhs #
  • "It is not up to atheists to prove that God does not exist. It is up to believers to prove that he does" – refer to previous post #
  • The #TheUndertaker keeps going!!!! Will it be 20-0??? #Wrestlemania #
  • #TheUndertaker 20-0!!!!! #Wrestlemania #HellsGate #
  • RT @seanmcarroll: Shockingly, GOP's energetic battle against women's rights has made women less likely to vote 4 them. http://t.co/HaUjwdA #
  • That was classy and respectful……is the era really over? #Wrestlemania #
  • RT @DCdebbie: #YouAreARepublicanWhen you think having a vagina is a pre-existing condition (that shouldn't be covered) #
  • The Roberts Court Defines Itself: http://t.co/DZOf2Oa #
  • Beyond Robo-Signing: 3 Other Ways Bank of America Is Screwing Americans http://t.co/oVugA4g Happy not to have our personal business there #
  • Very cool! @TheRock wins over #Cena !! #Wrestlemania #
  • This is looks like a fun hike : http://t.co/h4LspTN #
  • DeReligulator http://t.co/SREgqV3 Denounce all religion =) lol #
  • For the second time in 3 days, the evil one we call Sakura destroyed my toilet paper, yet doesn't touch his…..,mmmmm #
  • How Trayvon Martin Became a Missing White Girl http://t.co/hEO6Jsc #
  • Drew in favorite spot, owning my lap. =} http://t.co/cYXUhQ3 #
  • Pink Slime Economics: http://t.co/vr1nru0 #
  • Tyler Perry: 'We are still being racially profiled' http://t.co/0J0rAxJ #cnn #
  • High court rules strip search reasonable after traffic stop http://t.co/Koox0UR #cnn Their politics are showing. =( #
  • Hot dang! Actually got our 1st dry day in over a week….suppose to hit 61…tried to have the windows open, way too breezy & froze us out #
  • Right now, trying to get all the books done and then on to emails and such #
  • VIDEO: Truck Plunges Off Snowy Cliff http://t.co/5zd4fcY Holy cow! #
  • Georgia State Rep Votes Against Radical Anti-Abortion Measure, Citing Daughter’s Experiences http://t.co/eWmvYYH Still went too far #
  • Chinese Insider Offers Rare Glimpse of U.S.-China Frictions: http://t.co/UYZhxtS #
  • Got all my work done, we got the wkly house cleaning done, now if I can find something to wear for the Navy Retirement ceremony, I'd be set #
  • Need some that looks nice, dressy and comfortable….If I can't find a shirt to go with the slacks, I do have a very nice simple black dress #
  • Andrew Sullivan: Christianity in Crisis http://t.co/CafiIBe Don't buy all that saint stuff, but good pts about the hypocrisy of people #
  • President Clinton Imagines the Cases He Would Have Cited Before the Supreme Court to Defend Health Care http://t.co/B5G9k3A #
  • “Reason, which we recognize as our highest and only law-giver, commands us to be free.” — Mathilde Franziska Giesler Anneke #
  • Three new rules for U.S. presidents http://t.co/vAjP2oM #cnn Interesting. #
  • Today is not a day to mess with me……gggrrrr….blah #
  • Paul Ryan vs. Paul Ryan http://t.co/7GytsSD Lets destroy the net for the poor……ggeezz #
  • Sex Trafficking Survivor’s Inspiring Political Run in Portland http://t.co/L6ePPSa #
  • Un-bearing http://t.co/LdRftlv A hard decision no woman wants to make #
  • REVEALED: Dems secret health plan http://t.co/ku60QKW #
  • Paul Ryan’s Radical Budget : The New Yorker http://t.co/twTGgiu #
  • Republican Fifth Circuit Pitches A Partisan Tantrum After President Obama Speaks Out About Supreme Court http://t.co/o1LmRCH Disgraceful! #
  • Please Help Us Free Howard Morgan http://t.co/7tqsvIK #
  • David Fontana: A TNR Symposium On Obama’s Second Term: Pack The (Lower) Courts | The New Republic http://t.co/qO2cgS9 #
  • Ten Steelworkers, Five Justices, and the Commerce Clause http://t.co/HH9UWAI #
  • I have looked in every drawer, every closet, even our luggage and I've lost my black button up sweater that I use when I"m chilled..ggrr #
  • "Shameless": TV's Dysfunctional Sweethearts May Be One of the Most Underappreciated Shows http://t.co/hs0jtSc I love this show. =) #
  • “Clericalism, that's the enemy!” — Léon Gambetta #
  • “The trouble with born-again Christians is that they are an even bigger pain the second time around.” — Columnist Herb Caen LOL #
  • Garfield @GoComicshttp://t.co/Fu8KhIg #garfield #GoComics LMAO! Love it! #
  • Albuquerque Lightning Picture: Roch Hart, Amateur Photographer, Snaps Dazzling Image Of Lightning (PHOTO) http://t.co/v3Acrsq WOW! #
  • When Labels Don’t Fit: Hispanics and Their Views of Identity http://t.co/XlO6B6O via @PewHispanic Very informative #
  • Remembering Dr. King: 44 years since his assassination http://t.co/mPwj23v #
  • 20-Week Abortion Ban in Nebraska and Oklahoma: When Does a Fetus Feel Pain? – ABC News http://t.co/qZAzuLe BS! #
  • Made a good dent on my work, need to finish up tonight and need to finish getting things ready for tomorrow. #
  • Koch-Funded ALEC Behind State Attempts To ‘Reclaim’ Your Public Lands http://t.co/SuC8a3U Are you surprised? I sure am not. #
  • Be A Real Maverick: Stand For Equality – The Petition Site http://t.co/xZYJF4e #
  • “I was born Jewish, but I am an atheist. I don't believe in God.” — David Cross, appearance on ABC's "Politically Incorrect" #
  • Curbing Female Reproductive Rights Raises Taxpayer Costs http://t.co/fktIO9C via @BloombergNews #
  • Trying to Donate to Planned Parenthood is Exhausting — TuckerMax.me http://t.co/40qw3DV Not sure about this. #
  • This Week in Poverty: Me, Mom and Reagan | The Nation http://t.co/iS9795V #
  • FFRF JFK Ad: http://t.co/VEJ9Yu8 via @youtube #
  • Andrew Koppelman: The 1918 Case That May Have Foreshadowed Obamacare's Demise | The New Republic: http://t.co/AOK1cfE #
  • People, if you want help, answer the dang questions that are asked of you…..ggeezzz #
  • My Feminist Harry Potter Tumblr | The Nation http://t.co/ZQnU8Lv #
  • Lets hope the rest of the day goes better then how it started….icks #
  • Not too bad of a drive up, traffic wise…a couple of icky rain showers bu quickly over…..I'll take it. =) #
  • Today, we found something that we would love to get……but can't at this time. #
  • Down the Insurance Rabbit Hole: http://t.co/M9PJ3O5 =( #
  • Why the Supreme Court Wants to Kill Universal Health Care http://t.co/aE4qwYt #
  • Knitted Uteruses Delivered To Arizona Lawmakers To Protest Contraception Bill http://t.co/Mnp5H2x #
  • Protect Pregnant Women: Free Bei Bei! http://t.co/i7ANCdm #
  • 3 Videos Everyone Who Assumes Women Are Free Should See http://t.co/MPsEXhu Must read #prochoice #
  • How Romney Fibs—and Gets Away With It http://t.co/F6Ysday #
  • A History Of Republicans Slamming Judges (VIDEO) http://t.co/CUc4sNm #
  • Just got back from a very nice Master Chief retirement ceremony, standing room only….hubby says one of the nicest guys ever. #
  • Up and adam! The sun it out and hoping for a very nice day and drive back home. #
  • Had a very nice visit with our friend in Everett and a good drive home, now getting settled in and attacking the laundry. #
  • Scott Walker Quietly Repeals Wisconsin Equal Pay Law http://t.co/McWrc2W What a scumbag….ggrrr #
  • Justice for Kenneth Chamberlain Sr. http://t.co/dmuNdCP #signon #
  • Kenneth Chamberlain case: Killing of veteran senior citizen by police to be probed by grand jury http://t.co/l456uI3 Another messed up case #
  • Lobbyists Object to Proposed Limits on Courting Officials: http://t.co/fX0s75f Cry me a river….ggeeezzz #

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