Judy's comments (member since May 06, 2008)

Judy's comments from the Atheists and Skeptics group.

Doesn't it depend on how we define the word pirate? Are non-Jolly Roger pirates excepted from the data?

Was that Neil Patrick Harris? I like him.

Dungheaps, Tyler? But I agree, I don't want people to even start hinting that female 'circumcision' is acceptable. Bad enough we still do it to boys. Horrific for girls.

There was a show on male circumcision yesterday (U.S.). I only caught part of it. A panel of doctors basically assured parents that it was okay to do circumcise their baby boys. One doc demonstrated on a banana, which felt no pain (I imagine).

Again, I didn't see the whole thing, but it seemed rather one-sided and reassuring to the parents who doubted whether they should do it. Then one of the doctors rattled off all these 'health benefits,' like decrease in rate of penile cancer, as if they were facts.

Except for the part about all the health benefits and the one-sidedness, I thought it was well done.

Another use for the ever-versatile banana.

Re: RC - "Using violence to prove your point helps also."

I saw that article a few days ago! One of the young monks they talked to sounded eerily like a gang member who feels his 'turf' is being invaded.

I wonder if they don't join up because they have nothing better to do?

"Equal rights for gays (and atheists, and minority religions) is a tough pill for most Christians, even those who are otherwise gentle, loving humanists."

True, but once in a while the humanist side wins out. A Christian I know said that she would have left it blank. I don't like people copping out on an issue like that, but at least it's better than voting 'yes.' Or is it?

Heather, I watched Keith and Rachel both until very recently. I heard that Rachel’s gay. They have this interesting rapport. She is always shaking her head and chuckling right after Keith’s show.

You know, KO's commentary was emotional, but no less true. I swear that’s the only way to get to some people. A free society should always err on the side of preserving people’s rights, not taking them away. There is no national threat here. It’s a matter of making one set of people second-class citizens to keep another set of citizens feeling comfortable, privileged and superior.

From a legal standpoint, I'm not comfortable with the fact that civil rights issues are ever put to referendum. Thanks to the system of checks and balances in our government, I believe that these bans will be overturned. Nonetheless, it bothers me that this referendum ever went up for vote. The worst part about California, as compared to Florida and elsewhere, is that Cali already allowed same-sex couples to marry. If I woke up in the morning and found myself unmarried, I’d be PISSED! I imagine most people would feel the same. Why the hypocrisy?

Christian porn site-WHAT???

Actually, no, I'm not surprised.

And Dan is having too much fun with those titles.

The part about minorities supporting Proposition 8 disturbed me. Unfortunately, it does not surprise me. The religious as a group tend to reject gay rights and some minority groups tend to be more religious. I read one article, and what really bothered me was a couple of people saying that they didn't like blocking the rights of others, but if it was what God wanted, they would do it. So yeah, at least some sensed it was wrong and did it anyway.

On another note, I know of at least one person who has had problems accepting the homosexuality of others and yet does not understand why gay civil unions are not legalized.

I also believe it'll be overturned eventually, but any setback in human rights is unacceptable.

"What do you think? Should someone be forced to provide a service they were trained for with taxpayer money because it conflicts with their religion?"

It's against some people's faith to use (hence prescribe?) medication at all. If someone like this became a nurse or a doctor, that might pose a wee bit of a problem. Perhaps if one can't stand the work, they should stay out of the profession.

"Ok, does this mean a pediatrician is therefore obligated to perform circumcisions on female infants if asked?"

Female "circumcision" (actually not a valid term because you're not actually 'circumcising' anything) and arguably male circumcision have no health benefits, so no, a doctor should not have to perform them. By the way, male circumcision is considered elective surgery. At its root it is cosmetic and/or religious. Many people have it done to their so baby can 'look like his father.'

RC, you play a mean devil's advocate! ;D

They may drive you nuts, but you handle them pretty well. People like to assume that those they admire are like themselves. I'm pretty sure that most Americans think that all of the Founding Fathers were Christians. I need to know who had what belief myself, just so that I can be exact when I tell people the truth. Jefferson and Franklin were atheists, right?

By the way, there's this website (www.celebatheists.com) about celebrity atheists, agnostics and skeptics. When people realize that some of those they like or admire are atheists, it might help them realize that they should be careful about making the kinds of assumptions that you pointed out earlier. It makes them think.

Tommy,

No offense, but I was talking about slavery, not racism. You did not address my post at all, which is fine, because you clearly have your hands full here. :)

I mentioned the Bible's acceptance of slavery. My comments had nothing to do with racism. The Bible does not address racist slavery. That phenomenon is relatively recent.

My point was to contrast the Bible's acceptance of slavery with its condemnation of homosexuality.

Again, how do your "several homosexual friends" feel about the fact that you detest their lifestyle?

I hear Britain is chock full of skeptics, or is the grass always greener on the other side of the Atlantic?

Kristen, I only stumbled on my first "Chick Tract" pretty recently on the internet. Never had someone try to hand one to me. It must be embarrassing, hence to need to solicit children.

Someone should send that one to Jack. Maybe he'll come to his senses and beseech the Pantheon for forgiveness for writing bad comics. :)

Years ago I saw a guy dressed in a black trench coat bowing down to a statue of Minerva. At the time I wondered whether it was a prank or something, because I couldn't fathom that he might actually be worshipping his goddess.

I suppose slavery's okay too, since it's accepted in the Bible, but homosexuality is not. Go figure. I can think of few things more harmful than enslavement. So according to the Bible, what defines the morality of a behavior doesn't necessarily have anything to do with hurting others. A moral (read: acceptable) behavior may be quite hurtful indeed.

Some people have trouble swallowing that whole "God detests x (people/behavior/etc), therefore, I detest x" argument. What if you just don't detest x? Or, what if you detest y, which God does not seem to detest (e.g. slavery)?

Seriously, can a person really hate something just because they're "supposed to?" I'm not convinced.

Tommy, I'd love to know your "several homosexual friends" feel about the fact that you detest their lifestyle/s.

I'm not holding my breath for an answer. ;)

Thanks Mike. Someone showed me the YouTube of that guy saying "LEAVE BRITNEY ALONE!!!" Now it's playing in my head again.

It was great. We were dying of laughter. I like the use of the song "Crazy."

"But what if you're wrong?"
"What if you're wrong?"
[dumbfounded expression, poor guy:]

Tom Cruise has the craziest laugh in Hollywood.

"Religion is a benzo."

Excellent!

Nathan, I looked at one of their other videos later. Now I'm thinking it might be a joke. They might actually be trying to promote the film.

Two of my friends might go with me to see it, though one of them is hesitant because she thinks she might get annoyed.

I can't wait to see it! I was so relieved to find that it's coming out at the mall near me! Would have been a different story where I used to live...

Did anyone see this?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=02CRWsfxQ...