Montroversy Topic: Snark Bites X
15 years ago
General
*Recently a 62 foot tall statue of Jesus that had stood by a freeway in Michigan for years was struck by lightning and burned to the ground. Explain THAT, Christians!
*If you're looking but not thinking, it's not art.
*No one should ever go to jail for a fully consensual act. Even if that consensual act makes some people uncomfortable.
*From now until forever, "That's just wrong" is not to be considered by anyone a legitimate reason for something being wrong, under pain of repeated slappings.
*I would burn every flag in this entire country, just to piss off anyone so misguided as to think that a piece of cloth means more than the ideals it was meant to stand for.
*If you are a film critic, and you have EVER based your opinion on a movie on what other critics would think of you if you deviated from the majority opinion, then your ass deserves to be thrown out into the street.
*Every individual ought to have the courage to defy any corrupt authority. If God himself were to emerge from the clouds and order you to commit an act that you know to be morally wrong, then you should run up and punch his fucking teeth out.
*If you are offended by something I have done, and the basis for your offense is that I have said something that contradicts one of your irrational beliefs that you'd rather not give up, then your offense is invalid. And I will not feel bad for 'making you' feel offended, nor will I apologize.
*I guess my political stance could best be summed up by saying that I think we should have far fewer laws, and that most of them should regulate business instead of people.
*Basically, my heart's desire is to make the world a better place by hurting the people who are making it worse.
*If you're looking but not thinking, it's not art.
*No one should ever go to jail for a fully consensual act. Even if that consensual act makes some people uncomfortable.
*From now until forever, "That's just wrong" is not to be considered by anyone a legitimate reason for something being wrong, under pain of repeated slappings.
*I would burn every flag in this entire country, just to piss off anyone so misguided as to think that a piece of cloth means more than the ideals it was meant to stand for.
*If you are a film critic, and you have EVER based your opinion on a movie on what other critics would think of you if you deviated from the majority opinion, then your ass deserves to be thrown out into the street.
*Every individual ought to have the courage to defy any corrupt authority. If God himself were to emerge from the clouds and order you to commit an act that you know to be morally wrong, then you should run up and punch his fucking teeth out.
*If you are offended by something I have done, and the basis for your offense is that I have said something that contradicts one of your irrational beliefs that you'd rather not give up, then your offense is invalid. And I will not feel bad for 'making you' feel offended, nor will I apologize.
*I guess my political stance could best be summed up by saying that I think we should have far fewer laws, and that most of them should regulate business instead of people.
*Basically, my heart's desire is to make the world a better place by hurting the people who are making it worse.
FA+























Jesus has body issues and the statue was making him feel very self-conscious.
This. Fucking this.
burned to the ground. Explain THAT, Christians!
OH my god, its as I suspected, Zeus is the one true god!
>>*If you're looking but not thinking, it's not art.
At its core, "art" is just a catch-all term for various creative crafts, I think its silly to use it as a value judgement on those crafts. but yeah, in essence I agree, however, I dont see how "damn, she got fine tits" is less noble and artistic a thought as whatever you're supposed to think looking at a picasso painting (posssibly "this man have no idea how to paint faces, does he?")
>>*No one should ever go to jail for a fully consensual act. Even if that consensual act makes some people uncomfortable.
Even if I created a automatic agreeing machine powered by a dying sun it'd be impossible for me to agree more with you on this one.
>> *From now until forever, "That's just wrong" is not to be considered by anyone a legitimate reason for something being wrong, under pain of repeated slappings.
>>*I would burn every flag in this entire country, just to piss off anyone so misguided as to think that a piece of cloth means more than the ideals it was meant to stand for.
Same thing with books really. boo burning used to be a very dangerous thing since burning a book could mean permanently destroying the nformation in it. And that can stil lbe the case in some situations, but generally in the mopdern age, information spreads like wildfire, and that's the way I like it. Burning a book today has little or no effect on its avaiabiltiy, and might even affect it positively, if you buy the books to burn it, they'll have a reason to print even more copies....
>>*If you are a film critic, and you have EVER based your opinion on a movie on what other critics would think of you if you deviated from the majority opinion, then your ass deserves to be thrown out into the street.
Do critics actually do that?
>>*Every individual ought to have the courage to defy any corrupt authority. If God himself were to emerge from the clouds and order you to commit an act that you know to be morally wrong, then you should run up and punch his fucking teeth out.
That is jsut one of many reasons christians bother me, on some level and if you press them on it, they'll relize that god is kind of an asshole, but they keep justifying it with "well, he's god, he can do that", which is pure might makes right. Siding with satan would be more moral by comparsion...
>>*Basically, my heart's desire is to make the world a better place by hurting the people who are making it worse.
I prefer a more educational approach myself, I'm a big fan of consciousnes raising, however, there's always room for a cluestick...
Funny. I always thought it was Zordon.
>At its core, "art" is just a catch-all term for various creative crafts, I think its silly to use it as a value judgement on those crafts. but yeah, in essence I agree, however, I dont see how "damn, she got fine tits" is less noble and artistic a thought as whatever you're supposed to think looking at a picasso painting (posssibly "this man have no idea how to paint faces, does he?")
Exactly; they're both thoughts. Their worth is irrelevant; the pice caught your eye long enough for you to devote thought to it. As opposed to some landscape or bowl of fruit on the wall that's pretty much just furniture. Or art (some on this very site) that may have skill, but so little heart my eyes blur right over it.
>Even if I created a automatic agreeing machine powered by a dying sun it'd be impossible for me to agree more with you on this one.
^__^
>Same thing with books really. boo burning used to be a very dangerous thing since burning a book could mean permanently destroying the nformation in it. And that can stil lbe the case in some situations, but generally in the mopdern age, information spreads like wildfire, and that's the way I like it. Burning a book today has little or no effect on its avaiabiltiy, and might even affect it positively, if you buy the books to burn it, they'll have a reason to print even more copies....
YES. This was why I laugh so hard whenever threatens to burn a Koran. In order to burn one, they have to go out and get one. All you did was give money to your enemy!
(Which is why, whenever I want to see a really bad movie in order to laugh at/criticize it, I never pay money to do so!)
>Do critics actually do that?
Whenever I see a movie, I usually look up its score on RottenTomatoes.com. The longer I've been doing this, the more I've seen this pattern at work. I'm convinced that sometimes critics won't actually watch the film they're reviewing, but just shit a column out based on what everyone else is saying. Or when a critic haughtily pans a much-beloved film, and gives himself away by not giving any concrete reasons why.
>That is jsut one of many reasons christians bother me, on some level and if you press them on it, they'll relize that god is kind of an asshole, but they keep justifying it with "well, he's god, he can do that", which is pure might makes right. Siding with satan would be more moral by comparsion...
Assuming it's my Satan, of course. ;)
But yeah, it scares me to realize how many people base their beliefs on WHO says it, not on WHAT is said or WHY. I feel sorry for anyone who's grown up being taught to think that way and genuinely doesn't know how to think critically. But anyone who has the ability to think for themselves, and chooses not to because it's easier, gets nothing but contempt from me.
>I prefer a more educational approach myself, I'm a big fan of consciousnes raising, however, there's always room for a cluestick...
See, that's the thing. Most people are like you. Most people want the calm, peaceful resolution. And it's your type that will prevail in the end. But the problem is, your kind are often too polite to get shit started. Humans are resistant to change to an inestimable degree. Change is rarely started with politeness. It takes force to get the ball rolling. Force to get it rolling, and calmer action to keep it rolling. Both kinds are necessary. I am willing to be the force, and take whatever comes of it. <serene smile>
I think Banksy once painted "Those who enjoy waving flags don't deserve to have one".
BTW, I saw an absolutely gorgeous bit of graffiti recently:
"In a society that has abolished all adventure the only adventure that remains is to abolish the society."
I love that quote so much I wanna fuck it.
> I perfer my art to tell me a grand story. If I look at a picture, it should give me a manuscript for my muse to feed on. One of the reasons i have a hard time with abstracts and surrealism is that although I can appreciate hard work of some pieces, I can not find a story to be had in the finished work. Sure bits and pieces can give me an idea, but on the whole I feel very little.
*From now until forever, "That's just wrong" is not to be considered by anyone a legitimate reason for something being wrong, under pain of repeated slappings.
> Repeated offenses will result in whacking with larger and spiked paddles.
I can dig that. I usually tend to prefer images (including porn) that suggest a story. Although I enjoy abstract too. Stories are nice, but abstracts are often like short, intense bursts of pure emotion.
>Repeated offenses will result in whacking with larger and spiked paddles.
...with knives and corkscrews sticking out of them!
You mean Ohio? Or was there another one in Michigan I'm not aware of?
Lightning strikes Jesus. Jesus catches fire. Never a miscommunication. You can't explain that! :}
"*I would burn every flag in this entire country, just to piss off anyone so misguided as to think that a piece of cloth means more than the ideals it was meant to stand for."
Here's my version of the Pledge of Allegiance:
"I swear an oath of quasi-medieval-style fealty to a piece of cloth, first and foremost, representing the United States of America; and incidentally to the country itself, described as a republic but not a democracy, hint hint wink wink; one nation under God, never mind what the First Amendment to the Constitution may say; indivisible, unless maybe Texas wants to leave; with liberty and justice for all who can afford it."
"*Every individual ought to have the courage to defy any corrupt authority. If God himself were to emerge from the clouds and order you to commit an act that you know to be morally wrong, then you should run up and punch his fucking teeth out."
You mean an act like, oh, say, sacrificing my son Isaac?
This needs to be quoted, requoted, printed, mailed, emailed and Facebook status'ed repeatedly for all eternity.
"I swear an oath of quasi-medieval-style fealty to a piece of cloth, first and foremost, representing the United States of America; and incidentally to the country itself, described as a republic but not a democracy, hint hint wink wink; one nation under God, never mind what the First Amendment to the Constitution may say; indivisible, unless you're from Texas; with liberty and justice for all who can afford it."
If there was more than one, I'm not aware of it. Though it's pretty cool.
>Lightning strikes Jesus. Jesus catches fire. Never a miscommunication. You can't explain that! :}
"CUT OUT ALL THE FUCKING IDOLATRY ALREADY!!!"
>"I swear an oath of quasi-medieval-style fealty to a piece of cloth, first and foremost, representing the United States of America; and incidentally to the country itself, described as a republic but not a democracy, hint hint wink wink; one nation under God, never mind what the First Amendment to the Constitution may say; indivisible, unless maybe Texas wants to leave; with liberty and justice for all who can afford it."
LOL! Last line's especially apt. (Though I think our government is technically a republic instead of a democracy, though I can't remember the precice definitions of each.)
>You mean an act like, oh, say, sacrificing my son Isaac?
Christopher Hitchens pretty much nailed this topic forever:
"...and not scorning the three delightful children who result— who are everything to me and who are my only chance of a human glimpse of a second life, let alone an immortal one, I’ll tell you something: if I was told to sacrifice them to prove my devotion to God, if I was told to do what all monotheists are told to do and admire the man who said, “Yes, I’ll gut my kid to show my love of God,” I’d say, “No, fuck you.”"
"I swear an oath of quasi-medieval-style fealty to a piece of cloth, first and foremost, representing the United States of America; and incidentally to the country itself, described as a republic but not a democracy, hint hint wink wink; one nation under God, never mind what the First Amendment to the Constitution may say; indivisible, unless you're from Texas; with liberty and justice for all who can afford it."
Although if memory serves Alaska's got a few seccessionists too. They can go off with Texas and have a 'we're so awesome' party for all I care. Let's make Puerto Rico and Cuba the new 49th and 50th! ;D
http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.p.....Main/GodIsEvil
Funny how some of the most dangerous villains are the ones who come to believe they are god.
http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.p.....n/AHellOfATime
There was a mention of it somewhere else, but I don't remember where.
I was just saying the other day how some of the most effective villains are ones convinced they're doing good.
On the other hand, I do believe that any individual can be a God if they have the balls to choose to be. I choose to do everything in my ability to change this world, for what I believe to be the better.. I can make people laugh and weep with my words; people miles away from me who I may never see. Who's to tell me that's not a Godly power? ;)
1. Ordering an attack on a neutral city on an off-chance that there's something there worth claiming.
2. Mentally breaking a girl to turn her into a soldier with no free will for the empire's cause.
3. Ignoring a higher ranking generals orders so her can poison the water supply of an enemy fortress during a siege, ESPECIALLY because he wants to punish his own soldiers he believes were 'stupid enough to get captured'.
4. Murdering the emperor himself when he's in a position to steal power that is equivalent to the source of all magic.
After becoming all powerful he accomplishes what most villains never do, he shatters the world and is in the position to annihilate anything and anyone he wants when he's in the mood. But the main characters gather together again after regaining their hope in order to confront him. When they do, he asks them what reason they have to try and face him considering how screwed up the world is anyway.
What he doesn't expect is that they all really still have reasons to live, and he can't understand why. He has all the power in the world, but he still can't take away their hope, and this infuriates him. Before the final battle begins he goes ballistic, screaming about how "I'LL WIPE OUT ALL YOUR PUNY, PATHETIC REASONS TO LIVE! I'LL DESTROY EVERYTHING, I'LL CREATE A MONUMENT TO NONEXISTANCE!!!" At that point, I'm pretty sure he loses his grasp on his power, and that's when you have the chance to defeat him.
The entire final battle has lots of church type symbolism. The music is a combination of organ and ominous choir. The weird tower that you fight up to reach Kefka is made up of tiers of various twisted visages that seem like they were pulled out of religious paintings, one of them even is referred to in the bestiary as 'angel'. When you finally reach Kefka, he has a mix of angelic and demonic wings and is not subtle in looking like a heavenly figure.
Here's some of the music (a later remix, but it still has the choir and organ sounds):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lp46nNt_FIE
So yeah, that's Kefka. Completely obsessed with using any power he can possibly gain to harm others, still can't destroy hope despite having all the power of god.
What's even more crazy about him is that in the newer fighting game Dissidia, which takes every main character and villain from Final Fantasy games, when he does his ultimate attack he howls and then says "that was titillating!" after doing it. So not only does he enjoy destruction and slaughter, he probably also gets off on it!
tit·il·late
1. to arouse, tease, interest, or excite pleasurably and often superficially
2. to cause a tickling or tingling sensation in, esp by touching
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bUE_tSh_rtM
What do you think about the furor in Wisconsin with their governor wanting to enact legislation denying certain people the right to be fully represented by a labor union?
Lemme guess; gays?
Of course, the whole union thing has always been controversial and complex.
Personally I'm glad they're standing up for their rights in Wisconson. It seemed like the U.S. just talked the talk and didn't actually do anything anymore when they got stepped on. I don't know if they're right or wrong but I think it means something that they're actually willing to do something.
1) one where unions can put a halt to essential public services because, in their estimation, they're not getting enough pay/benefits/time off...
or
2) one where certain occupations amount to virtual slavery because, in the estimation of politicians, the jobs are too important to let anyone protest poor working conditions or pay.
Both sound really bad, right? Trouble is, I can't really conceive of a middle ground that isn't inherently unstable.
I might not agree with these laws but no cause justifies the destruction of truth.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4162414.....more_politics/
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-ap-wi-budgetwoes-nation,0,771747.story
You can find more biased sources if you want an echo chamber but there is a difference between using the National Guard to keep vital state services functioning and using them to silence dissent.
Why kill them when you can just deport them to various South American countries? With none of their possessions? <hugely evil grin>
might i also ask that if we are to do that, that we might brand them as republicans so everyone in mexico knows what they are
Hey, according to the Supreme Court, businesses are people too!
Oh.EVERYTHING I KNOW IS TRUE!
In all seriousness though, I was trying to make a joke out of the fact that you haven't posted on FA in a long time because you've been busy with Inkbunny, but in retrospect it wasn't very good.
Oh, I knew exactly what you were doing. ;)
I get the feeling they'd just try their hardest to ignore the fact that it ever happened. Along the same lines though, here's a joke I ran across a while back:
'If tornadoes are acts of god, why do so many of them happen in the bible belt?'
>*If you're looking but not thinking, it's not art.
I thought that was the point of most of it though?
>*No one should ever go to jail for a fully consensual act. Even if that consensual act makes some people uncomfortable.
Already given my opinion on this one elsewhere, so just leave it as 'also agree'.
>*From now until forever, "That's just wrong" is not to be considered by anyone a legitimate reason for something being wrong, under pain of repeated slappings.
Yeah, 'that's just wrong' is an excuse, not a reason, and as such should never be treated as one.
>*I would burn every flag in this entire country, just to piss off anyone so misguided as to think that a piece of cloth means more than the ideals it was meant to stand for.
And when they get pissed off and tell you to stop, you can just respond with 'so I take it the freedoms that have been died for by people have a list of exceptions then?' and watch them start stuttering.
>*If you are a film critic, and you have EVER based your opinion on a movie on what other critics would think of you if you deviated from the majority opinion, then your ass deserves to be thrown out into the street.
Yeah, if you're not going to do your job, when it involves the /ever/ so difficult task of watching a freakin movie and giving your opinion on it, then out on the street you go.
>*Every individual ought to have the courage to defy any corrupt authority. If God himself were to emerge from the clouds and order you to commit an act that you know to be morally wrong, then you should run up and punch his fucking teeth out.
Sadly, if the 'inspiring' bible/religious stories are any indication, it matters much less WHAT is said, but only WHO says it. As such, Far too many religious people would probably go right ahead with said immoral act.
>*I guess my political stance could best be summed up by saying that I think we should have far fewer laws, and that most of them should regulate business instead of people.
Solidly agreed there, something like that would solve so many problems, least of which being the lessening, and hence simplifying, of the legal code.
>*Basically, my heart's desire is to make the world a better place by hurting the people who are making it worse.
Oh I am so behind this idea, fun and justice all at once!
Because all that praying is disturbing his afternoon naps.
>>*If you're looking but not thinking, it's not art.
>I thought that was the point of most of it though?
No; that's the point of action movies and romantic comedies. <rimshot>
>Yeah, 'that's just wrong' is an excuse, not a reason, and as such should never be treated as one.
I figure, if you can't defend your reason for being against something, at the very least you need to immediately examine why you're against it. It amazes me the kind of stuff that people will hate just because they've been told by someone else to hate it.
>And when they get pissed off and tell you to stop, you can just respond with 'so I take it the freedoms that have been died for by people have a list of exceptions then?' and watch them start stuttering.
Tee hee. :)
>Sadly, if the 'inspiring' bible/religious stories are any indication, it matters much less WHAT is said, but only WHO says it. As such, Far too many religious people would probably go right ahead with said immoral act.
Yeah, the more I think about society, the more I see that two of our biggest problems are tradition-based moraility, and believing in authority instead of evidence. And tradition is kind of an authority in a way, when you think about it.
BTW, as if I even need to say so, I am TICKLED PINK by all the riots going on in Egypt, Libya, Morocco and elsewhere in the middle east. I hope all these scumsucking, blood-drenched dictators-for-life are shitting their pants in fear now, and that the citizens of even more countries rise up as one to bring their evil to an end. This is how things are supposed to be. If governments abuse their people, those people should take back control of their country any way they can. I'm especially happy to see that, for the most part, the protests have been far less violent than anyone would have expected. (With the exception of Libyan troops firing automatic weapons at unarmed civilians, of course.)
>>*Basically, my heart's desire is to make the world a better place by hurting the people who are making it worse.
>Oh I am so behind this idea, fun and justice all at once!
<grin> I'm not advocating it for most people. But in addition to a majority of people who are selfless and kind and peaceful in their efforts to bring about change, you also need a few people to scream and fight and be willing to get dirty. ;)
Hmm, maybe you(or whoever came up with it) were on to something a while back when you posted the joke where the punchline was 'BECAUSE HE DOESN'T BOTHER ME ALL THE TIME!', maybe the tornadoes are an attempt to get them to shut up for a bit.
>No; that's the point of action movies and romantic comedies. <rimshot>
Ah romantic comedies, where 'if you're thinking about things logically, you're both doing it wrong, and thinking more than the main characters'... yet another reason I avoid those things like the plague.
>"if you can't defend your reason for being against something, at the very least you need to immediately examine why you're against it"
I so want to put this on a poster or something and frame it, I Love that line, and Far too many people need to read it and really understand it.
>Yeah, the more I think about society, the more I see that two of our biggest problems are tradition-based moraility, and believing in authority instead of evidence. And tradition is kind of an authority in a way, when you think about it.
Yeah, that sounds about right, far too much thinking is based upon/limited by 'traditional ways' and 'traditional thinking', it really keeps things from moving as quick as they should socially.
Sadly, the idea of following authority over evidence is likely to stay quite strong as long as religions rely so much on 'faith' as the way to explain that which that can't. If that ever fades(and the day can't come soon enough), only then will really evidence based thinking and reasoning start working it's way into all the nooks and corners of society I'd say.
No argument for tradition being an authority on it's own either, far too often that which is traditional is never challenged simply because of the weight it carries, much like an authority figure/position.
As far as the riots and whatnot, I'm just hoping that the various presses over there manage to be there for all the steps, that more than anything would limit the options of the dictators to more 'politically correct' measures to deal with their opponents, rather than just 'send in the death squad'. When they suddenly have to worry about looking good to the whole world, then you really have some interesting changes possible.
<grin> I'm not advocating it for most people. But in addition to a majority of people who are selfless and kind and peaceful in their efforts to bring about change, you also need a few people to scream and fight and be willing to get dirty. ;)
To be sure. As much as the really selfless, kind and peaceful people are needed to bring the big changes into play, most of the time it takes some good old fashion yelling and hollering to get the problem noticed in the first place, and to run interference against those that prefer things to stay just the way they are.
Christ Church, New Zealand gets hit with a massive earthquake. I rest my case.
>Ah romantic comedies, where 'if you're thinking about things logically, you're both doing it wrong, and thinking more than the main characters'... yet another reason I avoid those things like the plague.
There is only ONE romantic comedy I have ever truly enjoyed, and that was Scott Pilgrim Versus The World.
>I so want to put this on a poster or something and frame it, I Love that line, and Far too many people need to read it and really understand it.
Thanks! And too, if you can't even *describe* your reasons for hating something, then you should just go home.
>Sadly, the idea of following authority over evidence is likely to stay quite strong as long as religions rely so much on 'faith' as the way to explain that which that can't. If that ever fades(and the day can't come soon enough), only then will really evidence based thinking and reasoning start working it's way into all the nooks and corners of society I'd say.
I do think religion's hold is beginning to weaken. Mainstream comedies, even sitcoms, openly make fun of it. Plus they're doing enough on their own to make it look like a joke. When you can laugh at something, you take power away from it. The Church will die not from debate, but from laughter.
>To be sure. As much as the really selfless, kind and peaceful people are needed to bring the big changes into play, most of the time it takes some good old fashion yelling and hollering to get the problem noticed in the first place, and to run interference against those that prefer things to stay just the way they are.
Nailed it. Agitators run in and break shit that needs to be broken; peacemakers clean up the pieces and shape them into something good.
That one was actually worth seeing then? I've considered it, but wasn't sure if I wanted to take the risk of seeing it, as I figured it had the possibility of being really terrible.
>Thanks! And too, if you can't even *describe* your reasons for hating something, then you should just go home.
Hmm, I know an irrational, baseless(usual) fear is a phobia, what would you say would be the word to describe an irrational, baseless hatred(other than 'blatantly stupid')?
>I do think religion's hold is beginning to weaken. Mainstream comedies, even sitcoms, openly make fun of it. Plus they're doing enough on their own to make it look like a joke. When you can laugh at something, you take power away from it. The Church will die not from debate, but from laughter.
That actually could be the only real solid counter to religion now that I think about it. Religion, by it's very nature is Very resilient against logic, but /humor/ can attack things from an entirely different angle, which doesn't need to be logical at all. As well you're quite right that when you can laugh at something you take the power from it, and I think once people are able to see religions less as these big, hulking authorities that can't be questioned, and more at a more reasonable level, a lot of their power will be lost.
>Nailed it. Agitators run in and break shit that needs to be broken; peacemakers clean up the pieces and shape them into something good.
Dangit, stop typing out seriously quotable things you!
Interesting mental image that one brings to mind though, very abstract.
It is one of the funniest comedies I have ever seen, and one of the best films of 2010 hands down. SEE IT NOW!
>Hmm, I know an irrational, baseless(usual) fear is a phobia, what would you say would be the word to describe an irrational, baseless hatred(other than 'blatantly stupid')?
The literal definition of prejudice seems to work, though people tend to link that word exclusively to race. Bigotry too.
>That actually could be the only real solid counter to religion now that I think about it. Religion, by it's very nature is Very resilient against logic, but /humor/ can attack things from an entirely different angle, which doesn't need to be logical at all. As well you're quite right that when you can laugh at something you take the power from it, and I think once people are able to see religions less as these big, hulking authorities that can't be questioned, and more at a more reasonable level, a lot of their power will be lost.
Increasingly they're seen as big hulking authorities, but as OLD and OBSOLETE big hulking authorities. Like lumbering brontosauruses. :)
>Dangit, stop typing out seriously quotable things you!
I can't help it! This stuff just pours outta me! ;D
Right-o then, guess I'll have to try and pick it up at a redbox when I can then.
>The literal definition of prejudice seems to work, though people tend to link that word exclusively to race. Bigotry too.
Yeah, both of those would work, but like you said, they've already got other meanings sort of attached to them already, dealing mainly with race/religion and whatnot, rather than more abstracts like ideas. What we need is a new word that focuses purely on ideas or something like that...
>Increasingly they're seen as big hulking authorities, but as OLD and OBSOLETE big hulking authorities. Like lumbering brontosauruses. :)
Well then lets hope they go the way of the dinosaurs and die off soon then, so mankind can finally start moving forward!
>I can't help it! This stuff just pours outta me! ;D
Hmm, well I suppose it is better than the outpouring of stupidity from some people, so I guess, carry on good fox, carry on.
Meanwhile, we atheists will continue building tarpits as fast as we can, ;)
BTW, here's an absolutely breathtaking example of how fucking fearless Christopher Hitchens is. A rabbi jokes about circumcision, and Hitchens ANNIHILATES him. LINK