Before any religious people start again today, can i just suggest you actually practice the main tenets of whatever religion you believe in and refrain from name calling, abuse and arguing and instead portray the main ideal of unwavering faith in your belief and temperence of others misgivings. Trying to convince anyone their belief is wrong will only further entrench them. try opening a calm discussion (somewhere else) and attempt to see anothers point of view as I, an athiest, do.
This is a comical and cynical version of what is called Pascal’s Wager, the argument that one should believe in God because you lose nothing if wrong and gain everything if right.
And people wonder how I can find philosophical implications in mere comics. It’s not hard when it’s this blatant in a strip this brilliant.
BTW, the fallacy in Pascal’s argument is the assumption that by submitting oneself to a religious doctrine, one loses nothing… except one’s reason, self-esteem, freedom, etc. At least Pascal had one good excuse: back then questioning God could get you killed. Today, not so much.
As for Maxilano’s notion of trying to understand the other’s point of view, on such fundamental questions as this it grants falsehood more respect than it deserves. You read it here.
It’s not ok to say I believe in god, only to get presents, when you realy believ, you will have to believe also when your own live is threatened. But I hope he will not send such a situation to me, I pray hard!I am not very brave!
”… BTW, the fallacy in Pascal’s argument is the assumption that by submitting oneself to a religious doctrine, one loses nothing… except one’s reason, self-esteem, freedom, etc. At least Pascal had one good excuse: back then questioning God could get you killed. Today, not so much.
As for Maxilano’s notion of trying to understand the other’s point of view, on such fundamental questions as this it grants falsehood more respect than it deserves. You read it here.”
EXCEPT…
Your logic sounds fine, but there is an underlying fallacy. You assume that religious faith is the absence of reason. I am an engineer and I deal in real life every day. I cannot change the laws of physics no matter what I try.
Religious faith, however, comforts me, makes me a better engineer, because it helps me focus my vocation around things that matter. My faith allows me to make sure I’m in the right forest, so to speak.
“Your logic sounds fine, but there is an underlying fallacy. You assume that religious faith is the absence of reason. I am an engineer and I deal in real life every day. I cannot change the laws of physics no matter what I try.”
You are right there. It might be erroneous to conclude that religious faith is lack of reason. But the beauty of reason and rationality is that its Volition-Dependent. One could just try to save oneself the ‘Agony of Reason’ by not asking several rational questions. Just a case of ‘Cat licking Cream with Eyes Shut.’ I think you provided half the answer yourself. You say you are an engineer and you chose to believe in god and the Laws of Physics didn’t change. Point is Laws of Physics don’t change for Non-Believers either. which is why atheists tend to ask the question “God or no god you finally can’t escape the Laws of Physics so why believe in god?” Point is one ends up finding solace in religion only by ‘Choosing Not to Ask a Few Questions.’ While this might not be the lack of rationality it certainly is ‘Escaping the Responsibility of Rationality’
Yukoner and marg–that’s been the “spirit of Christmas” in North America at least since 1958 (from one of my dad’s old Tom Lehrer records–yes, I do mean vinyl).
I’m sure the engineer understands that the building he works in didn’t just appear out of nowhere. Some intelligent input in both design and construction had to be present. Is that rational enough for you?
on a brighter note, we should be admiring the irony of a 6 yr old doing risk analysis and admiring the term that some have already pointed out, “cynically enterprising”! That is genius!
This is so fun. I love Cavlin and Hobbs and used many of them when I taught high school English. It was a former student who got me to read this comic and I have been a fan since I started in the late 1980s. I still miss its presence in the newspaper.
Faith is neither the absence of reason, nor choosing not to ask tough questions. Faith leads to one kind of knowledge, empiricism (science) another, and logic (reason) a third. All three are intimately connected, and an atheist must begin with as much faith in the foundation of his beliefs as the average ‘religious’ person. The issue is not whether or not you act in faith, but rather it is in which direction you will choose to take it. In addition, faith makes true to your experience (and experience = empiricism) the realities upon which you have chosen to rest it. In the true atheists experience, there is no God because he has rejected him in faith, and the further he carries his beliefs in that direction (driven by experience and even logic, but still riding on faith), the further he will be from any possibility of recognizing God when he encounters him. The same is true for the Christian, but in the opposite direction. The workings of spiritual truths and laws are more readily discerned as active in our experience, and so too is the Person of God, which is the final truth on which everything, whether we can see it or not, rests. The distinction between the two is a question of life (spirit - life-breath in many ancient languages) and death (no spirit/life breath). True faith both takes a lot of courage, and is invigorated by tough questions. If you can answer all of those questions in and through yourself, then you are indeed a true atheist.
Seriously enough about it not being christmas. They try to line up the dates as best they can but if your not an idiot you would realize that they line up the comics by day of the week, which is completely different every year. And these are obviously reruns from probably 15 years ago. I swear if see one more comment about the date being wrong…
You have made your points on religion. Drop the debate it’s becoming irritating. Take your soap box down the street. And I am talking about both sides.
I have to say I agree with cleokaya. I am an agnostic, I see no evidence suggesting there must be a God. On the other hand if someone who does believe in God is willing to respect my beliefs, to do any less for him degrades my dignity.
Until atheists can PROVE that God doesn’t exist they have no right to denigrate the faith of those who do believe in God. Note that faith is not proof.
In the context of cartoons, pointing out that someone’s actions are contrary to their professed faith is fair. However, let’s not forget that while C & H is a rather amusing cartoon, it is NOT a deep examination of life, religion, and ethics.
Take the religious debates to a chat room and just enjoy the comic strip about a little boy who wants lots of presents for Christmas. The the situation of whether or not Santa Claus exists is something that ALL kids go through at some point in their childhood. Calvin is no different. People are getting way to literal on here.
“Um, that is what faith means, the absence of reason. No assumption required.”
From the Book of Mormon: “…faith is not to have a perfect knowledge of things; therefore if ye have faith ye hope for things which are not seen, which are true.”
“You have made your points on religion. Drop the debate it’s becoming irritating. Take your soap box down the street. And I am talking about both sides.”
I have as much issue with reading post after post demanding people stop commenting about religion as you do with the religious debate. We can say whatever we want. If you don’t like it you have the right to go “down the street”. You do not have the right to make us stop, so don’t even try. Besides, religion is an appropriate topic considering the nature of the last few strips.
“However, let’s not forget that while C & H is a rather amusing cartoon, it is NOT a deep examination of life, religion, and ethics.”
Have you read ANY of the “sled/wagon” comics where Calvin and Hobbes talk about life, religion, ethics, etc. while flying downhill? I read C&H precisely BECAUSE it is a deep examination of life, religion, and ethics
• No realli! She was Karving her initials on the møøse
with the sharpened end of an interspace tøøthbrush given
her by Svenge - her brother-in-law - an Oslo dentist and
star of many Norwegian møvies: “The Høt Hands of an Oslo
Dentist”, “Fillings of Passion”, “The Huge Mølars of Horst
Nordfink”…
“You assume that religious faith is the absence of reason.”
Um, that is what faith means, the absence of reason. No assumption required.
As is usual in these arguments, there are several meanings of “faith”. Valis616 is referring to the “Miracle on 34th Street” definition: “Faith is believing what you know ain’t so.”
Biblically, there are 2 uses, fide formata and fide informis. However, they are both forms of “object persistence”. Faith is knowing that the ball still exists, even when hidden by the blanket. True faith is based on evidence - historical or personal.
Faith is distinguished from science by the lack of repeatability - you have your own experience, or the record of others experience, but God is not a vending machine. Of course, many philosophical beliefs that claim the mantle of “science” also lack repeatability.
The great thing about these discussions is that it shows that religion is being questioned more and more. It sends the message that if the whole concept of God (and especially the Bible) seem completely absurd, you are not alone. It’s okay to not be a believer. Atheists have lives just as wonderful and just as tragic as any believer.
Personally, while I would happier if religion was completely gone from the world, I would be happy if Christians would just keep their religion in their home where it belongs, and keep it out of my schools and my government.
What ever you think of Calvin, he is doing a service by showing that religion is what it is, the accumulated myths and superstitions of our less than intellectual ancestors that have been dogmatized, institutionalized and mounded into the colossal pile of drek that religionists have the temerity to call ultimate truth.
Insanity has been defined as a compulsive repetition of the same activity with the expectation of a different result each time.
Public discussion of politics and religion, when some of those present object to such discussions, is contrary to etiquette in polite society.
Is it an overstatement to accuse many commenters under this strip for the past few days, of being both insane and rude?
Please note that a complete, hardbound collection of all Calvin and Hobbes strips is available in a 3-volume boxed set. Ownership thereof would permit you to enjoy the entire series and create your own interpretations, without the least danger of offending your fellow humans by the public airing of your opinions.
Seems to the folks who want to theology and such might want to try Ziggy! He’s always seems to dealing with questions of universal perportions. Calvin’s just a example of the “It’s not my fault, I didn’t earn it, but I want it anyway right now generation.
This is supposed to be a comic, not a religion argument. For goodness sake’s, people. What if a child was reading this? It would spoil the whole thing! A child crazy about Calvin and Hobbes…like….me? I may not be a small one but that does not mean that this isn’t spoiling the cartoon!
doctortoon says:
“Having an opinion is like passing gas. You can’t help it, it’s part of being human. Just don’t get all offended when someone else says it stinks.”
To believe does not only mean ” to believe in god” it also means, “I believe you” that this is right, what you are saying for example: I believe my friend or Jesus that this ist right, what he is telling me. For I am loving my friend, my parents or Jesus I will follow them and do, what they are telling to me. I hope you can understand, what I have written there, English is not my mother tongue.
GoComics comments posting guide to special formatting: italic, bold, indents, large fonts, etc.
• http://home.comcast.net/~ccdesan/Pibgorn/StyleGuide.html
To Fly Guy: You can try for some time and say, I will now believe, that god exists and I will do, what he tells, I shall do. I tried this and I hade very soon a better live.
ending religious discussions Calvin and Hobbes is a cartoon, and it mentions nothing about religion in this particular one. So, let’s discuss something else. Like I said, children could be reading these.
pschearer says:
As for Maxilano’s notion of trying to understand the other’s point of view, on suchfundamental questions as this it grants falsehood more respect than it deserves.
Separate the person from the belief. Maxilano is advocating respecting the person,
(as one should respect another human being), not the belief. Only through the common
ground of our humanity can meaningful discourse occur.
Your comments about the fallacy in Pascal’s argument are spot on.
Humm, all this religious talk is making me existensial. Now I am thinking, when Augie Rios asked, “Mamacita, donde esta Santa Claus?”, what was he REALLY asking?
Conversations are bound to happen and as long as people can be civil to one another, there really shouldn’t be a problem. One could say the conversation could be as engaging as “Post 87!” and talking about what food is being eaten on the couch, and that wouldn’t have a place either or have anything to do with the comic strip.
Sentimental_Song says:
Calvin and Hobbes is a cartoon
No, IMHO, Rubes, Bozo, Popeye and Ally Oop are cartoons - C&H is a comic
and a comic is a form of literature.
Good literature invites the reader to think, to question one’s beliefs and to being
exposed to new ideas. Good literature also operates on many levels. Alice inWonderland can be read as a simple children’s story. It can also be read as social
commentary or philosophy. While one can stop reading C&H at the level of a
simple cartoon, the deeper levels still exist. Those who are willing to go further will
find them. Bill Watterson examines many “life” topics - religion, ethics, politics,
parenthood, sociology - just as many other authors/artists do. Some comic strip
authors are pretty blatant such as Walt Kelly (Pogo), Aaron McGruder
(Boondocks), Berkeley Breathed (Bloom County, Opus) and Garry Trudeau
(Doonesbury). Others, such as Watterson, are far more subtle which makes one
work a bit harder to find the deeper meaning.
(For example, see http://www.gocomics.com/mythtickle/2009/01/20/ )
FinderW says:
…and that wouldn’t have a place either or have anything to do with thecomic strip.
No, but it has everything to do with the online community that has been created.
So, yes relax and just enjoy the strip. OR relax and enjoy the strip AND each
other’s company.
For those who are tired of the philosophical debate, I heard once that Hobbes is named after the Philosopher Thomas Hobbes.
A famous quote of his goes-
“Fear and I were born twins.”
He was born when the Spanish Armada approached.
My opinion is, Tiger Hobbes was name well.
As for those who talk Religion, for or against. How’s this phrase:
“Thank God I’m an Atheist.” -Michael Stivick, All in the family–
I have eight Calvin & Hobbs books that have NO reader’s comments anywhere in them. They’re a delight to read.
.
I come here because the insightful and thought provoking commentaries are also enjoyable from all perspectives.
.
Yes, I even come here to watch the migrating transient trolls rudely curse and complain about what they can’t and won’t understand.
margueritem, no problem about letting you know i replied anytime, anyone who was that worried about me eatting, i would tell them that i replied. that made no since what so ever… sorry. you get it I’m sure.
Hello People,You all seem to forget that you are on the WWW and that there are lots of people sitting back thinking “only in America”. Mind you we’re getting a good laugh out of the past 3 days.
Down Under we don’t give a rat’s toss bag what you believe in as long as you repect each others beliefs and follow the laws of the land.
Hope tomorrow is about the Easter Bunny. We can break the record for the number of comments.
margueritem, no problem about letting you know i replied anytime, anyone who was that worried about me eatting, i would tell them that i replied. that made no since what so ever… sorry. you get it I’m sure.
Digitalfrog: I caught the MP reference right away! Thank you for lightening things up!
I’ve been enjoying so many of the comments these last days, given me some interesting ideas to contemplate opposite of my views. perhaps I’ll sit on the couch with the others and continue to contemplate in their civil company.
I must say many comments here have been very insightful and fairly respectful, the only ones not being respectful are the ones with nothing to offer of wit or wisdom. Maybe they should practice what they preach and not make any comments!
Sentimental_Song says:
Skulker, I know the difference between the two things, and I am awarethat I made a mistake, no need to rub it in.
Not sure what you’re saying here. You made a statement. I made a counter
argument. I don’t see any statements of yours retracting your position prior
(or subsequent), to my post. How am I “rubbing it in”? You have an opinion.
I have a different one and so stated. I proffered arguments to support my
opinion. I did not disrespect you the person.
Please help me to understand how and why you seemed to have taken offense.
margueritem about 15 years ago
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Ray_c!!!!!
margueritem about 15 years ago
Tabbylynn: Check the comments section on yesterday’s stone soup.
margueritem about 15 years ago
That pretty much is the spirit of Christmas these days, as it was when Watterson did this strip.
si_rat about 15 years ago
For some this is ‘just’ comic…
Yukoner about 15 years ago
I think Hobbes final remark has summed up the essence of North American philosophy.
kiMoi about 15 years ago
Hear hear, yuk.
Elwoodman about 15 years ago
can’t … hardly … restrain … myself.. weight …of …irony…too…much …to bear…
AAARRGGHHHH
“Why risk not getting something over a matter of belief”?????
Bill??? are you reading this forum or what????
and also …
OOOOHH, we got flags now :-0
maxilano about 15 years ago
Before any religious people start again today, can i just suggest you actually practice the main tenets of whatever religion you believe in and refrain from name calling, abuse and arguing and instead portray the main ideal of unwavering faith in your belief and temperence of others misgivings. Trying to convince anyone their belief is wrong will only further entrench them. try opening a calm discussion (somewhere else) and attempt to see anothers point of view as I, an athiest, do.
pschearer Premium Member about 15 years ago
This is a comical and cynical version of what is called Pascal’s Wager, the argument that one should believe in God because you lose nothing if wrong and gain everything if right.
And people wonder how I can find philosophical implications in mere comics. It’s not hard when it’s this blatant in a strip this brilliant.
BTW, the fallacy in Pascal’s argument is the assumption that by submitting oneself to a religious doctrine, one loses nothing… except one’s reason, self-esteem, freedom, etc. At least Pascal had one good excuse: back then questioning God could get you killed. Today, not so much.
As for Maxilano’s notion of trying to understand the other’s point of view, on such fundamental questions as this it grants falsehood more respect than it deserves. You read it here.
Valis616 about 15 years ago
Thank you pschearer for your insightful comment. I was going to say more or less the same thing but you did it for me.
rentier about 15 years ago
It’s not ok to say I believe in god, only to get presents, when you realy believ, you will have to believe also when your own live is threatened. But I hope he will not send such a situation to me, I pray hard!I am not very brave!
humormehere about 15 years ago
”… BTW, the fallacy in Pascal’s argument is the assumption that by submitting oneself to a religious doctrine, one loses nothing… except one’s reason, self-esteem, freedom, etc. At least Pascal had one good excuse: back then questioning God could get you killed. Today, not so much.
As for Maxilano’s notion of trying to understand the other’s point of view, on such fundamental questions as this it grants falsehood more respect than it deserves. You read it here.”
EXCEPT…
Your logic sounds fine, but there is an underlying fallacy. You assume that religious faith is the absence of reason. I am an engineer and I deal in real life every day. I cannot change the laws of physics no matter what I try.
Religious faith, however, comforts me, makes me a better engineer, because it helps me focus my vocation around things that matter. My faith allows me to make sure I’m in the right forest, so to speak.
Valis616 about 15 years ago
“You assume that religious faith is the absence of reason.”
Um, that is what faith means, the absence of reason. No assumption required.
Hugh B. Hayve about 15 years ago
^-^ OMFG! ;-)
frenchi about 15 years ago
i like cheese
frenchi about 15 years ago
my cats breath smells of cat food
krisch about 15 years ago
humormehere says:
“Your logic sounds fine, but there is an underlying fallacy. You assume that religious faith is the absence of reason. I am an engineer and I deal in real life every day. I cannot change the laws of physics no matter what I try.”
You are right there. It might be erroneous to conclude that religious faith is lack of reason. But the beauty of reason and rationality is that its Volition-Dependent. One could just try to save oneself the ‘Agony of Reason’ by not asking several rational questions. Just a case of ‘Cat licking Cream with Eyes Shut.’ I think you provided half the answer yourself. You say you are an engineer and you chose to believe in god and the Laws of Physics didn’t change. Point is Laws of Physics don’t change for Non-Believers either. which is why atheists tend to ask the question “God or no god you finally can’t escape the Laws of Physics so why believe in god?” Point is one ends up finding solace in religion only by ‘Choosing Not to Ask a Few Questions.’ While this might not be the lack of rationality it certainly is ‘Escaping the Responsibility of Rationality’
prasrinivara about 15 years ago
Yukoner and marg–that’s been the “spirit of Christmas” in North America at least since 1958 (from one of my dad’s old Tom Lehrer records–yes, I do mean vinyl).
DesultoryPhillipic about 15 years ago
I’m sure the engineer understands that the building he works in didn’t just appear out of nowhere. Some intelligent input in both design and construction had to be present. Is that rational enough for you?
dzrt about 15 years ago
Strip was funny untill all the philosphers started venting. LMAO
JonD17 about 15 years ago
Seems that these religibators have mistaken Santa Claus for God…… Lord help them
JonD17 about 15 years ago
on a brighter note, we should be admiring the irony of a 6 yr old doing risk analysis and admiring the term that some have already pointed out, “cynically enterprising”! That is genius!
Dana Kuhar Premium Member about 15 years ago
This is more or less “Pascal’s Wager”.
BirishB about 15 years ago
Pascal’s wager …
ngilderhus about 15 years ago
This is so fun. I love Cavlin and Hobbs and used many of them when I taught high school English. It was a former student who got me to read this comic and I have been a fan since I started in the late 1980s. I still miss its presence in the newspaper.
Sentimental_Song about 15 years ago
Calvin and Hobbes has always been a favorite, indeed. Bill Watterson is a genius.
cruncher3 about 15 years ago
ummm it’s no where near christmas!
Samka about 15 years ago
Faith is neither the absence of reason, nor choosing not to ask tough questions. Faith leads to one kind of knowledge, empiricism (science) another, and logic (reason) a third. All three are intimately connected, and an atheist must begin with as much faith in the foundation of his beliefs as the average ‘religious’ person. The issue is not whether or not you act in faith, but rather it is in which direction you will choose to take it. In addition, faith makes true to your experience (and experience = empiricism) the realities upon which you have chosen to rest it. In the true atheists experience, there is no God because he has rejected him in faith, and the further he carries his beliefs in that direction (driven by experience and even logic, but still riding on faith), the further he will be from any possibility of recognizing God when he encounters him. The same is true for the Christian, but in the opposite direction. The workings of spiritual truths and laws are more readily discerned as active in our experience, and so too is the Person of God, which is the final truth on which everything, whether we can see it or not, rests. The distinction between the two is a question of life (spirit - life-breath in many ancient languages) and death (no spirit/life breath). True faith both takes a lot of courage, and is invigorated by tough questions. If you can answer all of those questions in and through yourself, then you are indeed a true atheist.
biloxilady50 about 15 years ago
It’s Feb. already..enough about Christmas and Santa Claus…move on.
jcipc2004 about 15 years ago
Seriously enough about it not being christmas. They try to line up the dates as best they can but if your not an idiot you would realize that they line up the comics by day of the week, which is completely different every year. And these are obviously reruns from probably 15 years ago. I swear if see one more comment about the date being wrong…
Sentimental_Song about 15 years ago
Doesn’t matter to me about the date, I love the comics!
Digital Frog about 15 years ago
A Møøse once bit my sister…
cleokaya about 15 years ago
You have made your points on religion. Drop the debate it’s becoming irritating. Take your soap box down the street. And I am talking about both sides.
PlainBill about 15 years ago
I have to say I agree with cleokaya. I am an agnostic, I see no evidence suggesting there must be a God. On the other hand if someone who does believe in God is willing to respect my beliefs, to do any less for him degrades my dignity.
Until atheists can PROVE that God doesn’t exist they have no right to denigrate the faith of those who do believe in God. Note that faith is not proof.
In the context of cartoons, pointing out that someone’s actions are contrary to their professed faith is fair. However, let’s not forget that while C & H is a rather amusing cartoon, it is NOT a deep examination of life, religion, and ethics.
redsheri about 15 years ago
Take the religious debates to a chat room and just enjoy the comic strip about a little boy who wants lots of presents for Christmas. The the situation of whether or not Santa Claus exists is something that ALL kids go through at some point in their childhood. Calvin is no different. People are getting way to literal on here.
briankblough about 15 years ago
I said yesterday that I was not going to get caught up again in religious debate. So, everyone have a blessed day, and enjoy the comics!
TruckerRon about 15 years ago
“Um, that is what faith means, the absence of reason. No assumption required.”
From the Book of Mormon: “…faith is not to have a perfect knowledge of things; therefore if ye have faith ye hope for things which are not seen, which are true.”
gigabyte03 about 15 years ago
… After much debate, (and a rather lovely lunch) Mrs. Tubbsbottl and I have agreed that one of the greater spiritual paths is indeed Atheism
By the way, how many of you knew that Pascal was a rather good cook? …
Dudely about 15 years ago
cleokaya says:
“You have made your points on religion. Drop the debate it’s becoming irritating. Take your soap box down the street. And I am talking about both sides.”
I have as much issue with reading post after post demanding people stop commenting about religion as you do with the religious debate. We can say whatever we want. If you don’t like it you have the right to go “down the street”. You do not have the right to make us stop, so don’t even try. Besides, religion is an appropriate topic considering the nature of the last few strips.
Banana banana banana. - see? Whataver I like.
nyer73 about 15 years ago
tsk-tsk! where r ur principles calvin??
lazygrazer about 15 years ago
Calvin and Hobbes’ discussions are absolutely hilarious.
Our discussions about Calvin and Hobbes’ discussions are even more hilarious.
I pray that the entertainment never stops and that we all live forever and ever!
Amen.
Dudely about 15 years ago
“However, let’s not forget that while C & H is a rather amusing cartoon, it is NOT a deep examination of life, religion, and ethics.”
Have you read ANY of the “sled/wagon” comics where Calvin and Hobbes talk about life, religion, ethics, etc. while flying downhill? I read C&H precisely BECAUSE it is a deep examination of life, religion, and ethics
Digital Frog about 15 years ago
• No realli! She was Karving her initials on the møøse with the sharpened end of an interspace tøøthbrush given her by Svenge - her brother-in-law - an Oslo dentist and star of many Norwegian møvies: “The Høt Hands of an Oslo Dentist”, “Fillings of Passion”, “The Huge Mølars of Horst Nordfink”…
stuart about 15 years ago
“You assume that religious faith is the absence of reason.”
Um, that is what faith means, the absence of reason. No assumption required.
As is usual in these arguments, there are several meanings of “faith”. Valis616 is referring to the “Miracle on 34th Street” definition: “Faith is believing what you know ain’t so.”
Biblically, there are 2 uses, fide formata and fide informis. However, they are both forms of “object persistence”. Faith is knowing that the ball still exists, even when hidden by the blanket. True faith is based on evidence - historical or personal.
Faith is distinguished from science by the lack of repeatability - you have your own experience, or the record of others experience, but God is not a vending machine. Of course, many philosophical beliefs that claim the mantle of “science” also lack repeatability.
Northwoodser about 15 years ago
Such a funny cartoon-such un-funny blogs
LandriSheppard about 15 years ago
“The spirit of Christmas” died a long time ago Calvin…
Nairebis about 15 years ago
The great thing about these discussions is that it shows that religion is being questioned more and more. It sends the message that if the whole concept of God (and especially the Bible) seem completely absurd, you are not alone. It’s okay to not be a believer. Atheists have lives just as wonderful and just as tragic as any believer.
Personally, while I would happier if religion was completely gone from the world, I would be happy if Christians would just keep their religion in their home where it belongs, and keep it out of my schools and my government.
CRYSTALODD about 15 years ago
you all are rediculous. go to church and talk about some BS this is a comic strip.
iknowtruthismine about 15 years ago
What ever you think of Calvin, he is doing a service by showing that religion is what it is, the accumulated myths and superstitions of our less than intellectual ancestors that have been dogmatized, institutionalized and mounded into the colossal pile of drek that religionists have the temerity to call ultimate truth.
coffeeturtle about 15 years ago
I have to hand it to those who tried to stem the tide of this becoming another wasted thread. But alas!
ChiehHsia about 15 years ago
Insanity has been defined as a compulsive repetition of the same activity with the expectation of a different result each time.
Public discussion of politics and religion, when some of those present object to such discussions, is contrary to etiquette in polite society.
Is it an overstatement to accuse many commenters under this strip for the past few days, of being both insane and rude?
Please note that a complete, hardbound collection of all Calvin and Hobbes strips is available in a 3-volume boxed set. Ownership thereof would permit you to enjoy the entire series and create your own interpretations, without the least danger of offending your fellow humans by the public airing of your opinions.
harveyv about 15 years ago
Seems to the folks who want to theology and such might want to try Ziggy! He’s always seems to dealing with questions of universal perportions. Calvin’s just a example of the “It’s not my fault, I didn’t earn it, but I want it anyway right now generation.
ChiehHsia about 15 years ago
Gweedo, you sound like a drag queen I used to know. (ducks under the table before Gweedo can make a fist)
carmy about 15 years ago
You can believe what you want Calvin but, if you’re on the naughty list you’re not going to get what you were expecting.
carmy about 15 years ago
Gweedo and The Other Roger, thanks for the laughs, you both are very funny. 1RF, good comment!
Sentimental_Song about 15 years ago
This is supposed to be a comic, not a religion argument. For goodness sake’s, people. What if a child was reading this? It would spoil the whole thing! A child crazy about Calvin and Hobbes…like….me? I may not be a small one but that does not mean that this isn’t spoiling the cartoon!
Sentimental_Song about 15 years ago
ehehehhhhhhh, funny…..I think?
mututoyou about 15 years ago
doctortoon says: “Having an opinion is like passing gas. You can’t help it, it’s part of being human. Just don’t get all offended when someone else says it stinks.”
I LOVE this comment - may I quote you, Doc?
rentier about 15 years ago
To believe does not only mean ” to believe in god” it also means, “I believe you” that this is right, what you are saying for example: I believe my friend or Jesus that this ist right, what he is telling me. For I am loving my friend, my parents or Jesus I will follow them and do, what they are telling to me. I hope you can understand, what I have written there, English is not my mother tongue.
carmy about 15 years ago
Um, how did the 2nd line of my second comment above get in huge print? Anybody?
fatuncle about 15 years ago
carmy
If I can get this dang thing to post:
GoComics comments posting guide to special formatting: italic, bold, indents, large fonts, etc. • http://home.comcast.net/~ccdesan/Pibgorn/StyleGuide.html
w9cwd about 15 years ago
Thank God, I’m an atheist.
w9cwd about 15 years ago
Actually I’m a Militant Agnostic. I don’t know if there is a god and neither do you!!
rentier about 15 years ago
To Fly Guy: You can try for some time and say, I will now believe, that god exists and I will do, what he tells, I shall do. I tried this and I hade very soon a better live.
Sentimental_Song about 15 years ago
ending religious discussions Calvin and Hobbes is a cartoon, and it mentions nothing about religion in this particular one. So, let’s discuss something else. Like I said, children could be reading these.
TheSkulker about 15 years ago
pschearer says: As for Maxilano’s notion of trying to understand the other’s point of view, on such fundamental questions as this it grants falsehood more respect than it deserves. Separate the person from the belief. Maxilano is advocating respecting the person, (as one should respect another human being), not the belief. Only through the common ground of our humanity can meaningful discourse occur. Your comments about the fallacy in Pascal’s argument are spot on.
Digital Frog about 15 years ago
Mynd you, møøse bites Kan be pretty nasti…
C-H_fan_forever about 15 years ago
Humm, all this religious talk is making me existensial. Now I am thinking, when Augie Rios asked, “Mamacita, donde esta Santa Claus?”, what was he REALLY asking?
Digital Frog about 15 years ago
FinderW about 15 years ago
Conversations are bound to happen and as long as people can be civil to one another, there really shouldn’t be a problem. One could say the conversation could be as engaging as “Post 87!” and talking about what food is being eaten on the couch, and that wouldn’t have a place either or have anything to do with the comic strip.
My point is relax.
TheSkulker about 15 years ago
Sentimental_Song says: Calvin and Hobbes is a cartoon No, IMHO, Rubes, Bozo, Popeye and Ally Oop are cartoons - C&H is a comic and a comic is a form of literature.
Good literature invites the reader to think, to question one’s beliefs and to being exposed to new ideas. Good literature also operates on many levels. Alice in Wonderland can be read as a simple children’s story. It can also be read as social commentary or philosophy. While one can stop reading C&H at the level of a simple cartoon, the deeper levels still exist. Those who are willing to go further will find them. Bill Watterson examines many “life” topics - religion, ethics, politics, parenthood, sociology - just as many other authors/artists do. Some comic strip authors are pretty blatant such as Walt Kelly (Pogo), Aaron McGruder (Boondocks), Berkeley Breathed (Bloom County, Opus) and Garry Trudeau (Doonesbury). Others, such as Watterson, are far more subtle which makes one work a bit harder to find the deeper meaning. (For example, see http://www.gocomics.com/mythtickle/2009/01/20/ )
TheSkulker about 15 years ago
FinderW says: …and that wouldn’t have a place either or have anything to do with the comic strip. No, but it has everything to do with the online community that has been created. So, yes relax and just enjoy the strip. OR relax and enjoy the strip AND each other’s company.
dicktheassrancher about 15 years ago
Handrew: You are the bleeeping MAN!!! thankyouverymuch! “you’re all a bunch of know-it-all windbags” amen
tabbylynn about 15 years ago
margueritem says:
Tabbylynn: Check the comments section on yesterday’s stone soup.
i did and i wrote back to you. thanks. :)
PaulAtreides about 15 years ago
C-Hfanforever says ‘Now I am thinking, When Augie Rios asked,”Mamacito, donde esta Santa Claus?” What was he REALLY asking?
That’s easy, he was asking ‘mom, where is Santa Claus?’
Digital Frog about 15 years ago
Yukoner about 15 years ago
So far Digital Frog makes as much sense as anybody. However the tone of the discussion is much more civilized. Thank you for that.
margueritem about 15 years ago
tabbylynn says:
margueritem says:
Tabbylynn: Check the comments section on yesterday’s stone soup.
i did and i wrote back to you. thanks. :)
~Thanks for letting me know. I answered you. :-)
strodgers about 15 years ago
For those who are tired of the philosophical debate, I heard once that Hobbes is named after the Philosopher Thomas Hobbes. A famous quote of his goes- “Fear and I were born twins.” He was born when the Spanish Armada approached. My opinion is, Tiger Hobbes was name well. As for those who talk Religion, for or against. How’s this phrase: “Thank God I’m an Atheist.” -Michael Stivick, All in the family–
cleokaya about 15 years ago
Burp-p-p-p!!! I didn’t realize comments could be so filling.
Radical-Knight about 15 years ago
I have eight Calvin & Hobbs books that have NO reader’s comments anywhere in them. They’re a delight to read. . I come here because the insightful and thought provoking commentaries are also enjoyable from all perspectives. . Yes, I even come here to watch the migrating transient trolls rudely curse and complain about what they can’t and won’t understand.
tabbylynn about 15 years ago
margueritem, no problem about letting you know i replied anytime, anyone who was that worried about me eatting, i would tell them that i replied. that made no since what so ever… sorry. you get it I’m sure.
magpiesrule about 15 years ago
Hello People,You all seem to forget that you are on the WWW and that there are lots of people sitting back thinking “only in America”. Mind you we’re getting a good laugh out of the past 3 days.
Down Under we don’t give a rat’s toss bag what you believe in as long as you repect each others beliefs and follow the laws of the land. Hope tomorrow is about the Easter Bunny. We can break the record for the number of comments.
margueritem about 15 years ago
tabbylynn says:
margueritem, no problem about letting you know i replied anytime, anyone who was that worried about me eatting, i would tell them that i replied. that made no since what so ever… sorry. you get it I’m sure.
~I understood what you meant. :-)
gigabyte03 about 15 years ago
… DigitalFrog: I love it, absolutely, love it! You should write a book, or perhaps you have already.
…
Digital Frog about 15 years ago
My comments only made sense because they were from the credits for Monty Python’s Holy Grail. They just seemed fitting somehow…
Sentimental_Song about 15 years ago
I love Calvin’s faces. He has so many emotional faces that say so much. I want to meet Bill Watterson. How does he do it?
Sentimental_Song about 15 years ago
Skulker, I know the difference between the two things, and I am aware that I made a mistake, no need to rub it in.
Sentimental_Song about 15 years ago
oyez, oyez, Monty Python certainly has meaning! “I told him we already got one!”
tabbylynn about 15 years ago
night margueritem. wrote you something else on stone soup. talk to you more tomorrow.
bigmitchperez about 15 years ago
eat a good pizza, drink a good beer with it, then tell me there’s no god,ha-ha-ha-ha,lol….
WoodGracie about 15 years ago
Digitalfrog: I caught the MP reference right away! Thank you for lightening things up!
I’ve been enjoying so many of the comments these last days, given me some interesting ideas to contemplate opposite of my views. perhaps I’ll sit on the couch with the others and continue to contemplate in their civil company. I must say many comments here have been very insightful and fairly respectful, the only ones not being respectful are the ones with nothing to offer of wit or wisdom. Maybe they should practice what they preach and not make any comments!
TheSkulker about 15 years ago
Sentimental_Song says: Skulker, I know the difference between the two things, and I am aware that I made a mistake, no need to rub it in. Not sure what you’re saying here. You made a statement. I made a counter argument. I don’t see any statements of yours retracting your position prior (or subsequent), to my post. How am I “rubbing it in”? You have an opinion. I have a different one and so stated. I proffered arguments to support my opinion. I did not disrespect you the person.
Please help me to understand how and why you seemed to have taken offense.
Ivy0730Lcsq about 15 years ago
For presents’ sake!
-esha- about 15 years ago
spirit of christmas
dsbairdks about 15 years ago
Believe whats convenient
dsbairdks about 15 years ago
Believing what’s convenient
coldplague almost 13 years ago
Who’se “they”?
girlinsing about 12 years ago
that sums up all religions and all religious people..