29th January 2010

“There once was a time when all people believed in God and the church ruled. This time was called the Dark Ages.”

Richard Lederer

36 Responses to “29th January 2010”

  1. Noreflection. Says:

    While getting my hair cut , my barber noticed that I had a double crown at the top of my head , ” most people have one. ” But if I had live`d in the Dark Age`s I would have been a Demon ,I guess it would have looked like I had horn`s on my head at one time and would have been burned at the stake,The Dark Age`s are but a blink away as a couple year`s ago ,I got into an arguement about religion with a fanatic. Upon loosing the battle ,the veins on his head popped out ,his eye`s bulge`d and spittle flew from his mouth as he yelled, YOU ARE THE DEVIL ,YOU ARE THE DEVIL,everybody in the plant stopped working to watch this madman .To me the Dark Age`s still linger.

  2. Bornagain A. Theist Says:

    And those were, indeed, the darkest of times, but the general populace unfortunately aren’t all that far advanced intellectually from those days. There are still far too many people who cling to the dark age idea of a god. It’s mental evolution that can clearly be seen; progress from the simplest form (creating gods to explain phenomenon) to the more complex, mature form (understanding that physics, biology and other sciences can explain almost every question imagined without any magical gods). And like species evolution, mental evolution takes a lot of time even when good information is available at a persons fingertips.

    BAT

  3. Greg Says:

    I would suggest that not all people in the Dark Ages believed in God. The majority of people were illiterate and were thus heavily influenced by the church and/or “government” of the day – who were usually literate. This is not to say that there were no independent thinkers – litereate or otherwise – who saw religion for what it was. I’m sure these people played along – as many politicians do today – in order to avoid persecution and, unfortunately, death.

  4. Holysmokes Says:

    Oooops, I posted on the wrong day. I hate it when that happens!

    I have to agree with BAT regarding the lack of intellectual advancement. Many people, even those who don’t have much to do with religion, still believe in ghosts and similar paranormal BS. Too many movies I suppose. It would take very little for them to jump back into the abyss of the dark ages.

    Solomon, what possesses you to insist that someone or something must have created us?
    Your quote: ““Who create your head and from the head comes the eye to see, the ears to hear, the mouth to speak & finally but not least the Brain to think. And suddenly this created Brain thinks he’s not created.” End quote.

    Has it occurred to you that we were not created at all? It’s bad enough that you are so narrow minded that you only see one possible explanation, but to insist on it without evidence is extraordinarily foolish. Open your mind for once and look at all the possibilities.

    Wow, I’m glad to be back from vacation! All that fun was making me think I must be evil and therefore going to hell!

  5. solomon Says:

    The quote is misleading
    There will exist a few believers & a lot of unbelievers regardless of the Dark Ages or Any Ages. The Dark Ages are actually only exist in the minds of the unbelievers.

  6. CaptainZero1969 Says:

    Tell that to all the people that were murdered by the inquisition, r(Sol). Your lack of basic human compassion is very disappointing but not terribly surprising considering the backward and immoral version of Islam you subscribe to. Since you don’t seem to know it, the dark ages were a time when you Muslims were tortured, killed and oppressed as well. Not that you place much value on life.

  7. solomon Says:

    Dear CaptainZero1969,

    Don’t try to bluff me or the viewers by saying dark ages were a time when Muslims were tortured, killed and oppressed as well. Oh…you’re excused. Dawkins does’nt teach you history. The Dark Ages were the years of vast Muslim conquests. Along with other nomads and horse and camel warriors, the Muslims rode through the fallen empire, wreaking havoc and seeding intellectual and social heresy in their wake. Muslim conquests prevailed until the time of the Crusades. Muslims conquered lands during those times.

  8. Hypatia Says:

    solomon:

    The Dark Ages were the years of vast Muslim conquests

    Sharing the faith through love.

  9. solomon Says:

    Sharing the faith through love.

    AMEN…

    Theres nothing wrong in conquering if it brings properity to the citizens.

  10. solomon Says:

    Sorry
    typing error…properity should be prosperity

  11. tech Says:

    I am not a religious person.It seems that most posts here talk about various religions. Most of the stuff said, I have to agree with. I myself try to live my life as a person who believes in and follows Jesus Christ. He is my( mentor). Again, maybe not for you, but for me definitely.

  12. Atheist MC Says:

    I am not a religious person […] I myself try to live my life as a person who believes in and follows Jesus Christ

    I think this is a bit of a non-sequitur, don’t you?

  13. tech Says:

    No I don’t actually.You see religion is man made. Christianity is trying to follow the teachings of CHRIST. Doing all the good things you say we don’t do. GOOD THINGS. NOT bad

  14. Bornagain A. Theist Says:

    Tech, I don’t want to try and second guess Atheist, but it sounds to me like he is trying to point out that – given that there are no historical records of the man-god Jesus Christ ever having lived either as human or god, that it REQUIRES religion for you to ever even heard of him.

    As a former believer, I truly do understand how you wish to extricate yourself from the often ugly “situation” of organized religion and stick just to your beliefs in a personal savior. I would point out, once again, that regardless of all of your accumulated “feelings” over the last several decades, there remains not a shred of evidence that there is anything more than those “feelings”.

    I believe that you would find that most of us on this blog do GOOD things far more often than bad, just as you strive to do. We do it because it is the right thing to do – the right way to behave.

    We do NOT – “Along with other nomads and horse and camel warriors, the Muslims rode through the fallen empire, wreaking havoc and seeding intellectual and social heresy in their wake. Muslim conquests prevailed until the time of the Crusades. Muslims conquered lands during those times.” and justify it because it “brings prosperity”. These are the actions of evil people with sick religious beliefs. Unfortunately, it’s not just the Muslims who have committed those sorts of atrocities, but Christians, as well.

    It may sound corny, but I “be good for goodness sake”.

    BAT

  15. tech Says:

    That I am ,That I Am. In the same breath, a a lot of things done in the name of religion, I wouldn’t go along with. It is in no way Christ like.

  16. CaptainZero1969 Says:

    Sol – when people speak of “the dark ages” they generally mean the middle ages in Europe. I agree that this overlaps with “the golden age of Islam” which was in other locations. This was the period when Islamic hordes brought “peace” to a large swath at the tip of a scimitar. Doubtless a good time to be a heartless oppressor. But things were very different if you found yourself a jew, muslim or *gasp* atheist in one of the catholic countries.

  17. CaptainZero1969 Says:

    Well put, BAT. I even pick up after my dog when I take him for a walk.

  18. The Heretic Says:

    Only the non-religious can act morally. Religious people, who believe in supernatural, post-mortem reward/punishment schemes cannot act morally, only pragmatically.
    – Unknown author

    It is impossible to defeat an ignorant man in argument.
      – William G. McAdoo

  19. tech Says:

    Oh! the Games people play every night and every day. Never meaning what they say never saying what they mean. They while away the hours on their computers ………. tech is bored lol.

  20. CaptainZero1969 Says:

    Good quotes, Heretic. I can’t completely agree with the first because there are many religious people that explicitly don’t believe in hell, at least in terms of eternal punishment. These are the “separation from god” folks. But I’d agree that many, maybe most, have motives that are external – a desire to please an invisible and undetectable celestial father figure.

    I’m sure the point is arguable: If two people commit the same virtuous action and one did it to please the sky-god and one did it out of a sense of community obligation, which one’s actions are more laudable? It depends entirely on you opinion of invisible, undetectable sky-gods.

  21. tech Says:

    Well I’m glad I don’t have to refer to my God as a sky god as you put Captain.By the way where is your god ?. No wait don,t tell me I think I can guess.

  22. Greg Says:

    I like the second quote, Heretic.

    One of my favourites is:
    “The wise learn more from fools than fools from the wise”
    – Anon

    Actually found that in a fortune cookie and liked it. Seems appropriate on this blog with a certain in-duh-vidual.

  23. Bill Emerson Says:

    Isn’t this a Dawkins quote?

  24. tech Says:

    Is that right now Mr. Greg. If you’re referring to me. I’ve been called worse.What people think of me or call me don’t worry me.I not running in any popularity contest. I just want to serve the Lord no matter who it sits right with.Throwing insults or being rude proves nothing.Big words to prove you have been to school proves just that.Some of you are so far up there you could almost shake hands with the god you talk about.

  25. tech Says:

    PS Greg is that where you get most of your guidance from fortune cookies. Well that explains a lot. lol

  26. Greg Says:

    tech, I wasn’t referring to you.

    As I’ve pointed out in previous posts, you seem to be one of the few believers (Oxy being the other) that actually participate open and honestly in discussion. Others prefer to perform “drive by” rantings. I’ve also previously apologized to you directly for an insult.

    Yes, I can be rude to others – and I feel it’s warranted when I try to engage in conversation or honest argument and am repeatedly confronted with ignorance.

    I’m not a big fan of ad hominem attacks when engaged in argument (it usually means you’ve lost the argument), but when your adversary refuses to engage you or argues out of ignorance, it just feels good!

    And yes, I have an education and, yes, I can use “big words” – even in context! However, if this intimidates you or if you’re only paying attention to the words and not the ideas behind them then I cannot help you. The vocabulary I have was attained through hard work, and having an arsenal of words at one’s disposal is never a bad thing in an argument, tech.

    You may think that the non-believers on this site are arrogant. I would encourage you to NOT confuse confidence with arrogance. They are completely different. I believe the non-believers on this blog are confident of their arguments and reasoning.

    Others who can’t argue or support their position resort to making loud, unsubstantiated statements, which is a form of intellectual arrogance.

  27. tech Says:

    Well Greg, Thanks for clearing that up. I try to be as reasonable as possible along with being respectful. Anyway thanks again.

  28. Greg Says:

    No worries tech. No hard feelings.

  29. Zazajana Says:

    The quotation is based on the ignorance – a long ago refuted the myth that middle ages were “dark”. If one does not know history at all one can say that.

    Actually the quote is nor blasphemous or heretic. It’s just stupid.

  30. Greg Says:

    Zazajana, do you mean to imply that the middle ages were an enlightened time? How would you describe it?

    What time-frame to do give for this period, commonly referred to as the “dark ages”.

  31. solomon Says:

    Dear Greg,

    “I believe the non-believers on this blog are confident of their arguments and reasoning.” ???

    Then try to reason this out;

    THE CREATED BRAIN THINKS HE’S NOT CREATED

  32. solomon Says:

    Bravo… Zazajana Bravo……
    A nice name.
    Welcome to the site

  33. Greg Says:

    Solomon, this will be the final time I address you or respond to you directly in a post.

    It is abundantly clear to me that you are not here to engage in any meaningful conversation with others who may/may not share your views on religion. Or any subject, for that matter.

    Many on this site have attempted to have reasoned debate with you or have posed serious questions and each time – without fail – you simply ignore the questions, resort to SHOUTING a response (usually a quote from the Qu’ran or a blanket statement about atheists going to hell, etc) or respond with statements that are nonsensical and often mean-spirited.

    I will suggest, one final time, that you do not add anything to the discussion here. You are a distraction, an amusement that I have grown weary of.

    You have been disrespectful to most everyone here and have displayed a level of ignorance about every topic of discussion that can only be described as ‘astounding’.

    I choose to no longer acknowledge your questions or be baited into responding to your blatantly inflammatory posts until you choose to act like an adult and have reasonable, respectful conversation.

    I know that you will take this as a sign of victory and you will openly rejoice and ridicule me. This is no victory for you. If you want to claim that you have silenced me with your “wisdom” please do. If you want to claim that I have no response to your questions, please do. You may deceive yourself into thinking this, but everyone else will know that they are false claims.

  34. solomon Says:

    Let the viewers decide who is true and sincere and who is not. Are my comments have the basis of argument or not. I’am not at all worry about what you’re accusing of me. Thats youre choice. But one thing that I can sniff, this are just old tactics to shut me up from delivering truth in a way that most of you can’t argue.

  35. Mohammed The Prophet Says:

    Solomon

    I command all Muslims to side with Greg on this point. In fact, it is a Fatwa.

    You have been a bit of an ass lately and this is my command to you.

    Yours,

    Mohammed. I am great. Praise be unto me, etc.

  36. Zazajana Says:

    OK. Somebody asked me if middle ages were the time of enlightenment…

    Let me see…

    The term “dark ages” is reffering to the period of the early post Roman Empire times – from V to around X century. It’s called like that not because people then were “dark” and stupid but since it was the time of emerging post Roman civilization, the time of chaos without stable kingdoms, etc. we have no documents no solid historical data.

    But if somebody designates with term dark ages to the whole middle ages (so to the XIV century) thet he has to devaluate the brilliant scientific and cultural progress we witnessed then. The logic as a science developed by catholic monks, the Literature with Dante Algiehri, the gothic architecture…

    Of course the complete lack of criticism for those times would be stupid. The feudal system was not acceptable but… it was not so demonic as many describe. Untill the gentry gained privileges the regulary people was quite free and for instance violeting the property right which is so common now then was not so devastating. We have often in movies the scences of people rabbed or forced to contrubute to the King or some local baron. Now people are rabbed of even bigger amount of their work and salaries (tax income) and just because it is being done differently (we don’t see the baron taking our money, it’s all done automatically, without even giving us a chance to defend).

    And let me also examine the claim that the time when everybody believes in God is worse than for example XX century whis was obivously diifferent in that respect. Wars… do you know than wherever in the middle ages was war there was unwritten low that civilians cannot be harmed. The wars were between armies. With time passing and the French Revolution, they became wars between nations. Civilians were dying like ants, the apogeum of that process – Hitler and Stalin: World War II.

    Do this have anything to do with believing or disbelieving in God? Of course. Believing in god means being the servant of rules and laws that cannot be fully understood in a rational way. Spontaneusly emerged rules. Like this unwritten law of not killing the civilians, like, say rules of honor, honesty, hard work. What’s wrong in ora et labora? European Union is the example of the place where people stopped “labora” so they stopped producing, they’re in the recession. Strange – it happened along with them stopping “ora” (praying).

    Do you think now people don’t have religious fatih like middle ages when they were uneducated and ruled by Church? Ha! That’s funny I see people with very strong and different “religion-like” faiths.

    Take the Global Warming case. Many people would defend the concept even if they don’t have the minimal knowledge about that. Search for them not only in Greenpace but everywhere around you. (Remember we’re not discussing the GW but the people’s attitude towards that) They institutionalized their faith with the governmental help. It is a religion.

    We still have people believing that believe earth is flat even if they’re not influenced by Church.