Lalo Alcaraz for December 02, 2009

Very poor comic.

I can’t whats on TV, except that its Obama and Afghanistan.

I suppose that Death is either angry because Obama is goign to end the bloodshed (that would go with Lalo’s politics) or… Death is cheering him on because Obama is escalating the combat (if so, then Lalo is following the Ted Rall ultra-Left, won’t rest until Chomsky is President comic trend)

scottfreitas: do you believe everything you read in books?

Yah, ScottieZ. You surely lead by example.

Bruce: I was in Zeus’s hallowed birthplace, I felt his presence (or it was a shiver ‘cos of the cold damp in the caves or I was experiencing an allergic reaction to the donkey on which I rode up the hill). At any rate, I converted. It was electrifying. Or maybe a loose wire in one of the lamps touching the damp floor. But I still felt his power. I’m sure of it. Praise Zeus.

Death cheers for wars.

Overall, I have never read such superstitious tripe as the majority of the comments above.

I also think the fist shake is over lost opportunities. Of course, considering the multiple universes, reincarnation, spirit transference, and the fact that all energy is conserved, putting all faith in a book written by folks watching the sun revolve around the Earth (they KNEW it did!) and an entity sticking all those fossils in the ground to “fool scientists”, is a tad shaky.

Everybody, without exception, is born to die. I think it is a good thing because it encourages us to make the best out of our few years down here.

So, I don’t think it is such a tragedy. Why would I seek comfort from it?

Why is scoot mentioning Believe?

DrC declared: ”No, I’ve changed my mind. I’ve seen the light”

A schism, already? I’m sticking with Zeus, I like the lightning bolts, it lends him a sexy air. I also think he cares about us mortal folks enough that he descended down and had sex with us and not just his sister, Hera. You go nail whatever on whosever door and begone, heretic.

Heracles did not die. He ascended to the heavens and became a constellation.

Oh wait, you’re back. Born again Zeusian?

Pup said “Har,har…those atheists are so durn funny!” Not half as funny as what you “Christians” claim to believe.

Read the words of Christ. Pagans more acquainted than I am with the myths of the Mediterranean rejected their Pantheon and Embraced the Humanity and Diety of Christ, risking their lives and going to death willingly and unwillingly for their testimony. I am ashamed I thought to speak with the posters here about such serious topics. May God open the eyes and ears of your hearts…

Bruce says, “…without your “holy” books”. You are rejecting the only ancient cultural library that is also the only proven reliable historical document of that width and breadth from the ancient Near East. Until you read up on “textual criticism” you will be an easy target for “town-atheists” like Canuck. Read ”How We Got Our Bible” by Neil R. Lightfoot. There has been a massed produced edition recently in budget-priced hardback (B&N, Borders). (I gave my new edition away before I could read it thinking I would get a new one…But I still have my school copy).

^ I agree with you; that’s why I don’t get into these discussions. One either believes or one doesn’t, for whatever reason.

Bruce; We have a lot to talk about. I do believe people need spirituality. There’s no way to bypass it, no matter how materialistic we claim to be, we ask ourselves existential questions; why are we there, what to do with our lives, what will happen once we’re gone.

BUT spirituality doesn’t always mean religion and religion doesn’t always mean spirituality (that applies to buddhism, too, by the way). Some find a way in the observance and respect of nature, others in ancient wise texts (the Quran (I’ve read it, there are some violent parts, but there is more to it than that), the Bible (see Quran), the Vedas…

On the other side, someone can practice a religion or a cult just to find something that approves the frustration and hate they have inside, to follow the majority or because they need something to follow.

Spirituality is a quest, a constant and never ending string of questions. Religion (“bad” religion) can even be an obstacle to real spirituality because is shoves answers down the believer’s throat before he had the time to ask himself the question. Worse yet, it can condemn severely any form of thinking not previously spewed by the guru (priest or pastor). Being sure he has the answer (the ONLY good answer), he won’t do any thinking on his own on that matter.

Fred Phelps built an entire church on one statement; God Hates Gays. Ok, I’m not gay, so what do I care! What is my place here? To hate gays. What should I do in this life? 1. Not be gay (checked!) and 2. Hate gays. Being against gay marriage is an opinion. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but nobody should make their entire life revolve around one issue (the life of others, that they can’t really control). Get a life!

I prefer questions over answers. They mark the beginning of a quest. Answers mark the end of it even when they are wrong.

(Just kidding, I like your Lego Gandalf).

Scientists can’t create planets and stuff and they don’t claim they can. It can give you a hint of how it was created, which can give some clues on the why.

^Don’t start with the Jesus Christer non-sense.

Bruce: I sincerely doubt scientists would like people to have faith in science. It requires understanding, not faith.

I can guess why someone who doesn’t understand science would think it requires faith to believe a scientific point or theory but not all scientists understand each other’s science either. However, they don’t use faith to accept a theory they do not understand though, they depend on peer review of other scientists in the same field who do understand that particular science to ensure it has been proven or accepted.

so canuck -

what do you mean by heavens

Heracles did not die. He ascended to the heavens and became a constellation

and what’s beyond the heavens or what makes up heavens and from whence did the heavens come

There is a lot in science no one understands. And a lot of contradictions that they avoid ruminating over for very long.