I have recently been receiving a number of winks, comments, contacts from young women in foreign countries.

Have I suddenly become irresistible to beautiful young women -- or is it more reasonable to conclude that scamming has increased?

People often become emotional when they personalize general comments (i.e., think the "shoe fits") -- and become defensive.

Agree

Truth and knowledge surpass mysticism and superstition. Religion is declining in developed nations and increasing in undeveloped.

It is easy to convince large numbers of people who are uneducated, uninformed, and/or unintelligent that invisible, undetectable "gods" or "spirits" are responsible for natural phenomena.

EXACTLY

As human societies learn more about real world cause-and-effect relationships there is less need for "goddidit"

When the causes of common diseases were unknown they were attributed to "sin" or "displeasing god" -- but as knowledge increased the true causes (microbes) were identified and there was no need for the "god explanation."

When atmospheric processes seemed mysterious, droughts, floods, and storms were attributed to "gods" or "spirits", but as we learned more about the real world it became apparent that those are natural events associated with atmospheric conditions.

Etc.

We are a long way from complete understanding of nature -- but we can keep learning IF we actually seek knowledge rather than "miracle" explanations. Unfortunately, many even in modern society prefer to believe in the miraculous rather than seeking truthful and accurate information.

Well said, sweetestgirl11.

Owners ARE ethically responsible for the actions of their pets, and a responsible owner does not allow their pet to inflict itself in any way where it is unwelcome.

. . .

Regarding "unconditional love" from an animal: Those who need or want that sort of relationship are certainly entitled to have one. It may, however, discourage a love relationship with a human who does not have similar needs.

Thank you. However, I do not depend on "luck" but on information, reasoning, and verification of claims.

I have no interest in the belief choices of others -- but do have interest in knowledge that is based on truth and accuracy (not upon emotion, opinion, conjecture, ancient tales, testimonials, fanciful claims -- none of which can be shown to be true).

When supernaturalists make grandiose claims for their favorite "god" in PUBLIC, I often question those claims.

Someone asked you to clarify that you had seen people turned into snakes -- perhaps because that seems like a far-fetched or delusional claim. You now change the subject to the existence of evil.

Some people are quick to ASSume that they know or understand what others think or believe. Many do a quick word dance to avoid acknowledging that their opinions are based on unverifiable tales, fantasy, wishful thinking, folk tales, conjecture, etc.

Notice that I emphasize VERIFICATION -- that means to show that what is said is true and accurate.

Some may actually believe tales about "men into snakes" -- which is their business PERSONALLY. However, here you are attempting to tell others that the tales are true -- and readers have every right (and perhaps a responsibility) to ask why they should accept your word.

What does that question have to do with a genocidal "god?"

Changing the subject to avoid acknowledging dastardly deeds attributed to "god" in bible stories?

It has everything to do with it. u say this horrible elohim is genocidal.

Abortion is Genocidal. Just because our govt . says it is ok does not mean it is not murder. you want to speak of genocide then abortion is the Killing of defenseless babies.

Thank you for your OPINION that abortion equates to a tale about a "god" that supposedly kills every person and living thing on an entire PLANET.

SOME religious people consider abortion to be murder. Others do not and religious women have more abortions than non-religious women



I make no rules. "Gods" make no rules (except in the minds of followers, fanatics, preachers and "prophets." Societies make rules for their citizens. Some societies, fortunately and wisely, do not allow theocracy (rule by religion).

Some bible tales COULD be true, some could be partially true, some could be completely untrue. Which ones can be shown to be true?



It is a public forum that is not limited to supernaturalists. I often choose to question public statements that claim KNOWLEDGE of supernatural events or entities.



It is of no concern to me what anyone believes or which of the thousands of proposed "gods" they choose to worship or idolize.

Responses by religionists may well have the effect of DE-converting others. The more irrational and emotional the posts the more likely they are to have negative effect on readers.

Religious promotion, propaganda, advertising, proselytizing deserves a response.

What does that question have to do with a genocidal "god?"

Changing the subject to avoid acknowledging dastardly deeds attributed to "god" in bible stories?

"Miracle" can be defined different ways (Merriam Webster Dictionary):

1) an extraordinary event manifesting divine intervention in human affairs

2) an extremely outstanding or unusual event, thing, or accomplishment

I accept number two but prefer to use the term "unusual" rather than "miracle" to avoid implying that supernatural spirits or gods were involved.

When something unusual happens in apparent conflict with nature and its cause cannot be determined, I do not hesitate to say "I don't know" rather than make up or accept a supernatural "explanation" that cannot be shown to be truthful and accurate.

Many people use the term "miracle" to mean "anything I do not understand" -- such as when a person recovers from a terrible injury or illness (or when they pass a college course they were thought to be failing).

I have not encountered evidence of "divine intervention" -- only numerous unverifiable tales and testimonials claiming to KNOW that "gods" were involved.

Is me who does not understand about the homicidal / genocidal "god" in bible stories?

Isn't there a tale about "him" killing every person and every living thing on Earth (save some on a cruise) because the people were "wicked" (didn't worship him and follow his orders)?

In fact, there are a lot of tales about a bloodthirsty "god" in the bible. Apologists attempt to explain or excuse genocide (and have often followed the example themselves).

The "complaint" was registered against society in general rather than anyone's individual preferences.

I fully accept that very few women share my values, interests, preferences -- and thus regard this venue as entertainment rather than as a place to meet someone compatible (since I don't watch television or movies).

Of course, there is a chance of the "needle in a haystack", but I am quite content and fulfilled in a solo lifestyle.

Perhaps a magnet would help find a needle? That "magnet" might be expressing ideas in a forum -- that strike a chord with a like-minded person?

Yes, those who refuse to see (learn about) the real world around them will continue to "explain" events as the product of "miracles" or interference by unseen, undetectable "spirits" or "gods."

According to many religionists diseases, droughts, storms, etc are caused by "sins" or "curses" or "displeasing gods" -- and recovery is a "blessing" or an "answer to prayer" -- but most seek medical attention when ill or injured (perhaps consciously or subconsciously recognizing that science / medical knowledge is far more likely to help them than "prayer."

The "god" of the bible is only one of thousands proposed, worshiped, feared, loved by humans. MANY believe in "gods" that are not biblical



Theologians and scholars who study the bible seem to agree that SOME stories are literally true, while others are parables (fictional story making a religious or moral point), folklore, plagiarized from earlier religions, fables, legends, etc.

It becomes problematic to decide (on reasonable grounds) which tales are true and which are some form of fiction or fantasy.

Literalists, those who believe the bible is literally true, are declining as education increases. The bible is losing "authority" in developed nations while gaining in undeveloped areas.

EXACTLY

Majority opinion seems to be "If you don't LOVE kids and pets (24/7) you can't be a very good person" (and if you don't worship / idolize one of the "gods" you must be a TERRIBLE person).

What is it about kids and pets that imparts "goodness?" If a person is an upstanding citizen, honest, dependable, generous, willing to help those in need, etc, etc -- but prefers to interact with adult humans vs. relating to kids and pets -- WHY, exactly, are they "bad" or "not very good?"

If religion makes a person "good", why are most incarcerated criminals Christians -- and why is the divorce rate among religious people as high or higher than that of non-religious couples?

Once upon a time it seemed like my objective was a serious relationship.

However, that has changed over time toward friendship rather than close relationship for a couple reasons: 1) I am enjoying being single and not "seeing" anyone, and 2) on-line "dating" seems to be primarily fantasy.

Even encountering someone with whom to spend pleasant time occasionally is unlikely (in my experience).

A god is depicted in the bible as homicidal and genocidal -- far worse than a thief -- kills entire populations because they don't worship him.

I gladly forgo "knowledge" that cannot be shown to be anything more than imagination, fantasy or fiction