Trump is undoing the narrative of presidents having no control over oil prices, so he's obviously making money from it.

"A nonlethal tool to make individuals compliant."

* Dogs snarling, teeth bared, a few feet away from young children
* Pepper spray
* Fox News

"Atheism is just another form of faith to me."
I agree.
Atheism has functionally become an organized religion.
#97 | Posted by BillJohnson

Faith and religion: two different things.

Among my many gigs is crafting into better English the occasional writings of a longtime GOP cap-S Supporter who is a Korean American businessperson.

They's gonna be pi;;ed, but I'll bet they still finds a way to be pro-GOP.

Wikipedia is being a beyotch.

Pascal contends that a rational person should adopt a lifestyle consistent with the existence of God and should strive to believe in God. The reasoning for this stance involves the potential outcomes: if God does not exist, the believer incurs only finite losses, potentially sacrificing certain pleasures and luxuries; if God does exist, the believer stands to gain immeasurably, as represented for example by an eternity in Heaven in Abrahamic tradition, while simultaneously avoiding boundless losses associated with an eternity in Hell.

In my mind, I never made that wager. But there it is.

100.

I've thought about this. I don't like thinking. Cramps my style.

Fortunately or unfortunately, ever since humans began until today, people seem to have wanted to have faith that something outside their realm of knowledge is holding things together. Seasons, fertility goddesses, sacrifices, stars, "God(s)," sweat dances, 12 step programs, . . .

No country that has ever officially been atheistic is in practice, because the people won't admit to what they are doing behind closed doors or in their heads or why. And faith becomes public again, if allowed. Yet faith is still misunderstood, because what people know about it is not from the experience of themselves or those around them, unless they are of a stripe to proclaim their faith as part of their practices.

So, because of some life circumstances that spun bizarrely out of control last year, to the wonder of everyone who watched a train completely derail, I was kinda forced into what might be called some realizations. My primary takeaway is that I need to keep the faith daily that about the only thing truly in my control is what's in my hands that moment. Much else has been stripped away. There is no higher power except the one you and I and everyone else are a part of, right now. Some people call it panentheism. Doesn't feel right, but whatever.

Unless we are truly indoctrinated, we all take Pascal's wager. I can easily live with my choice.

I loathe that look in his face when he's attempting to care about one day making human contact with anyone ever again if he ever did.

Free Reitze!

111.

"The nice thing about being a civilian is that you outrank people like generals and colonels."

Jim Rockford

"... who seem interested in passing along digestible, factual information"

not all of whom seem to be academy-trained, FWIW -- and not that that matters. I was thinking academic in the professional sense.

I'm just a poor sap with a BA degree, so what do I know?

#105 | Posted by C0RI0LANUS

I consider you an academic without portfolio, which might rank higher.

I taught college mixed in with my day job.
That might be the personality what you see from me on here sometimes.
#96 | Posted by BillJohnson

Not exactly. When I think of academics around here who seem interested in passing along digestible, factual information, and knowing more than what they post, my mind goes to Doc Sarvis.

Don't know what your day job is or was, but buddy, you ain't no Doc Sarvis.

I was blessed to have a mother who indoctrinated me into the arms of Jesus and a wife with similar beliefs.

#75 | Posted by BillJohnson

I am extremely independent in my thinking.
I don't follow anyone or any groups.
After being exposed to information
I form my own opinions which I sometimes change.

Yes, words matter.

Interesting that you view your childhood church experience as one of indoctrination. While common, that's by no means universal.

Interesting that you've been exposed to nothing in your life to move you off that dime, either. I have great admiration for some people who say that, but the group your religious perspective has thrown in with has "completely lost their minds. I just don't know what has happened to them. I have some opinions" (more BillJ).

Too much quoting. I'm getting like Hans, and sick of myself.

Atheism is just another form of faith to me.

And the hardcores are as bad as any religious fundamentalists.

I don't sit around comparing my religion to others to justify my beliefs.
And atheists I actually feel sorry for.
#92 | Posted by BillJohnson

Not to justify your beliefs, but in general, do you have an impression of Christians vs. Muslims as groups? As adherents to their shared God?

Db,
My career fit my personality.

#84 | Posted by BillJohnson

Turning that around, the hamsters in my head are spinning thinking what field suits the personality and thinking you bring to the Retort.

A liberal nominating 3 seats would be bad for America.

#89 | Posted by BillJohnson

Is the Supreme Court about where you like it now? Could it be more balanced? Anything out of sorts to you?

"You regret voting for Obama."
I do??

#87 | Posted by BillJohnson

More compartmentalizing.

In 1980, first chance I had to vote in a presidential election, I was a Georgia resident and felt that Carter had the state locked up against Reagan. I voted libertarian, the Ed Clark / Koch brother ticket.

Did I have my reasons for voting Clark/Koch? Yes. Do I regret that vote? Yes.

"I was blessed to have a mother who indoctrinated me into the arms of Allah and a wife with similar beliefs."

Sez many more Muslims than Christians, not that it's a race. Anything or nothing that gets you in the boat. Or doesn't.