NationStates Jolt Archive

I believe natural disasters of the kind that have just occurred are precisely that; i.e. terrible but natural phenomena (let's just ignore any effect human activity may have had on climate and/or weather patterns for now).

On the other hand, literalist Christians seem to insist that such events are 'Acts Of God' orchestrated and fully intended by our divine creator.

So perhaps one of those 'types' would attempt to explain why it is that the god-fearing people of the bible belt seem to be suffering under God's yoke yet again? Surely all those baby-killers and homo-lovers up north would be more deserving of his holy wrath?

Unless... :eek:


By the way if anyone's offended by this, seeing as how the disaster is still unfolding. I suggest looking up from your computer screen, rubbing your eyes and taking a look around you. It's a big world out there. If this had happened in the developing world, tens of thousands of people would have died and the average American wouldn't have given a rat's c*ck about it.

The Lord works in mysterious ways.:rolleyes:

If such events are truly "Acts of God"....then boy, is he a mass-murdering butthole.

WOW d'ya know I'm expecting Bin Laiden to come out with something similar

Yeah, that god's a real prick ya know? It's not an act of god, it's a storm, made worse by man. Orleans is built in a really bad spot, years of draining the marshes around it made the problem worse.

A quote on BBC news yesterday from a resident of New Orleans blamed it on the space program.

politicising natural disasters is tacky. and you are doing the exact same thing you criticise "literal christians" of doing, i.e. taking advantage of a tragedy to make a lame point about something you don't like.

I'm not an american and I care as much about the hurricane as I did about the tsunamis in south-east asia. any human tragedy deserves respect.

A quote on BBC news yesterday from a resident of New Orleans blamed it on the space program.
LOL :)

A quote on BBC news yesterday from a resident of New Orleans blamed it on the space program.


It's dem damned dirty space rockets I tells ye!

politicising natural disasters is tacky. and you are doing the exact same thing you criticise "literal christians" of doing, i.e. taking advantage of a tragedy to make a lame point about something you don't like.

I'm not an american and I care as much about the hurricane as I did about the tsunamis in south-east asia. any human tragedy deserves respect.

It's just an example, nothing political about it. I find it most curious that anyone could believe that a kind and loving god could permit such things. Though there are a lot of things I can't figure out why a god would permit. Mortality for instance, the only reason for it is so that we eventually die and the species as a whole can evolve. Of course if you're religious you don't believe in evolution right? So what's the point of death? If we're all to be reunited with the holy father in the next life, why make us suffer through this one first?

I believe natural disasters of the kind that have just occurred are precisely that; i.e. terrible but natural phenomena (let's just ignore any effect human activity may have had on climate and/or weather patterns for now).

On the other hand, literalist Christians seem to insist that such events are 'Acts Of God' orchestrated and fully intended by our divine creator.

So perhaps one of those 'types' would attempt to explain why it is that the god-fearing people of the bible belt seem to be suffering under God's yoke yet again? Surely all those baby-killers and homo-lovers up north would be more deserving of his holy wrath?

Unless... :eek:


By the way if anyone's offended by this, seeing as how the disaster is still unfolding. I suggest looking up from your computer screen, rubbing your eyes and taking a look around you. It's a big world out there. If this had happened in the developing world, tens of thousands of people would have died and the average American wouldn't have given a rat's c*ck about it.



God does not necessarily be the one in charge of the increased hurricanes. Possibly God has allowed satan to cause this havoc.

Either way I guess mardi gras is no more since New Orleans is gonna be under water soon.

God does not guide hurricanes into New Orleans. Hurricanes are guided by their nature. Hurricanes have been hitting the south of America for so many many years. Katrina is especially strong not because of God, but because of humans polluting and creating Global Warming.

God does not guide hurricanes into New Orleans. Hurricanes are guided by their nature. Hurricanes have been hitting the south of America for so many many years. Katrina is especially strong not because of God, but because of humans polluting and creating Global Warming.


So that Tsunami that hit Thailand was caused by pollution?

"acts of God"

So that Tsunami that hit Thailand was caused by pollution?

"acts of God"

Tsunamis are caused by vertical movements of the Earth's crust under the ocean, such as earthquakes and landslides. The number of casualties were partly helped by the fact that humans at the top didn't get along with each other (sin).

So......any natural disaster that occurs has a scientific explanation as to how it occurs.....but not life itself?

Or is it that God is only responsible for anything wonderful and sweet, and good?

You cant have it both ways.
If God exists..then the guy is responsible for a whole lot of dead Thailanders.

You do get the good and the bad in life, and all placed there by God.

Are you always being punished? No.

But part of life is to suffer and suffering brings you closer to Jessus for Jessus suffered for us.

Now Satan does play his part in this Play we call life and that is fine, you just look up and ask God to guide you and protect you.

And I know that everyone has heard the term "The Good die young". Well it is true and they find there way home.

So blame God if you want to, thank God for the Pain he has brought you through, Praise God for the strength he gives you to make it through such situations.



And on evolution can evolution be real? Yes, but just because in the bible it says god made man does not mean we did not evolve at all. God made us and we evolved from there and we will keep evolving as our planet changes untill the end of time.

But part of life is to suffer and suffering brings you closer to Jessus for Jessus suffered for us.


Ok...nobody wants to hear you talk about Jesus, if you cant even spell his name.

"But the souls of the righteous are in the hand of God,
and no torment can touch them.
In the eyes of the foolish they seemed to have died,
And their departure was thought to be a disaster,
And their going from us to be their destruction;
But they are at peace.
For though in the sight of others they were punished,
Their hope is full of immortality."

-Wisdom 3:1-4

WOW d'ya know I'm expecting Bin Laiden to come out with something similar


please accept my apologies for being too subtle in my statement


moron

Actually. None of those events are caused by god. You know why?? Because God doesnt need to send to send a wall of water at people or a massive hurricane. Blaming this on God i believe is very...just..idiotic. The only time God ever wiped out a whole civilation was that guy Solomon. You see Solomon pissed off God. And God did bad things. Very bad things.

So......any natural disaster that occurs has a scientific explanation as to how it occurs.....but not life itself?
You can commence scientific experiments about natural disasters, or do field studies while they are happening. But you can't with the evolution of life.

Or is it that God is only responsible for anything wonderful and sweet, and good?
Yes. And sin is responsible for everything bad.

You cant have it both ways.
If God exists..then the guy is responsible for a whole lot of dead Thailanders.
Okay. Suppose that God made you. In other words He owns you. What have you to say when He wants you back? Remember: we didn't earn life. He gave it to us. It is completely in His own right if He wants to take it away from us.

God in the Christian sense does not exist. Natural disasters are purely causes of freakish weather incidents that have nothing to do with a supernatural power.

If such events are truly "Acts of God"....then boy, is he a mass-murdering butthole.

I'm having you arrested for every insect you have "murdered".

Please report to your nearest police precinct.

Let's see if I can remember the quote..

"I am the Alpha and the Omega; he who giveth life, and he who taketh away..."

God is capable of being loving and benevolent despite the existence of evil. Actually, it's my belief that evil is necessary to the existance of love and benevolence.

I'm not a Christian. I'm just dabbling in my favorite hobby: the devil's advocate.

If the Christian God exists, millions of Americans have prayed for the death of Osama bin Laden. Why hasn't god killed him? :mp5:

God doesn't work like that. People don't get to decide who God kills.

Okay, do yourreally think that some spirit is responsible for the actions and choices of people? There is no good, or evil. At heart, humans are nothing but instinct, like nature. However, now modern humans are cut off from nature, and life, so they're blaming someone else for they're instinct. :headbang:

If the Christian God exists, millions of Americans have prayed for the death of Osama bin Laden. Why hasn't god killed him? :mp5:
God said that He listens to your prayers - but He didn't say He'll do whatever you tell Him to. If that's the case, He won't be the god, we will.

God doesn't work like that. People don't get to decide who God kills.
Won't God answer people's prayers though?

God said that He listens to your prayers - but He didn't say He'll do whatever you tell Him to. If that's the case, He won't be the god, we will.
Good. So you've realized that the only God is yourself.

Okay, do yourreally think that some spirit is responsible for the actions and choices of people? There is no good, or evil. At heart, humans are nothing but instinct, like nature. However, now modern humans are cut off from nature, and life, so they're blaming someone else for they're instinct. :headbang:


Any sufficiently firmly held belief is indistinguishable from objective truth. If you believe, deep down, if you have an unshakable faith that the sky is red, then no one can say otherwise.

Can't we ever just look at a disaster without naming it an act of God, and just look at it as the unfortunate tragedy that it is?

My heart goes out to the victims of Katrina.

Can't we ever just look at a disaster without naming it an act of God, and just look at it as the unfortunate tragedy that it is?

My heart goes out to the victims of Katrina.

No. It's the nature of Man to try to explain what he sees. Think of it as society's way of coping.

Any sufficiently firmly held belief is indistinguishable from objective truth. If you believe, deep down, if you have an unshakable faith that the sky is red, then no one can say otherwise.
People used to have a sufficiently firmly held belief that the earth is flat. does that make it indistinguishable from the truth? :mad:

Can't we ever just look at a disaster without naming it an act of God, and just look at it as the unfortunate tragedy that it is?

My heart goes out to the victims of Katrina.
Good for you. :cool:

Good. So you've realized that the only God is yourself.

Everybody wants to be their own god. It's called "selfishness". But if you surrender yourself to the true god, then you will be opened to far better alternatives than your own short-term pleasure.

People used to have a sufficiently firmly held belief that the earth is flat. does that make it indistinguishable from the truth? :mad:

Yes, it does, for those who believe it, and no amount of arguing will change that.

No. It's the nature of Man to try to explain what he sees. Think of it as society's way of coping.
Or rather, it's the nature of Modern Man to look for some "Higher Power" because he's scared of reality.

Yes, it does, for those who believe it, and no amount of arguing will change that.
well, those people are just plain stupid.

Ok, first of all I'm an atheist and believe the storm was caused by good old mother nature and the right conditions for the storm to have been so huge... but as long as some are playing devil's advocate, let me play too!

Lets say there is a god, do ya think maybe he's/she's/whatever trying to send America a message? To perhaps remind America that "it's" god not them? I mean in the last two years there have been a lot of bad storms in the same areas, areas that are red states, the religious people.. hmmm, makes one wonder doesn't it.. :p ;)

Everybody wants to be their own god. It's called "selfishness". But if you surrender yourself to the true god, then you will be opened to far better alternatives than your own short-term pleasure.
It's not called "Selfishness." It's called "Vital Existance."

Ok, first of all I'm an atheist and believe the storm was caused by good old mother nature and the right conditions for the storm to have been so huge... but as long as some are playing devil's advocate, let me play too!

Lets say there is a god, do ya think maybe he's/she's/whatever trying to send America a message? To perhaps remind America that "it's" god not them? I mean in the last two years there have been a lot of bad storms in the same areas, areas that are red states, the religious people.. hmmm, makes one wonder doesn't it.. :p ;)
yeah, i know seriously.

Or rather, it's the nature of Modern Man to look for some "Higher Power" because he's scared of reality.
It is the one who believes that he/she can get away with all sorts of sins who is scared - or oblivious - of reality.

It's not called "Selfishness." It's called "Vital Existance."

Oh yes. The pursuit for eternal profit is called vital existence? Humans wants and demands go on forever. We don't stop at mere existence.

It is the one who believes that he/she can get away with all sorts of sins who is scared - or oblivious - of reality.
That's why they made up God.

Oh yes. The pursuit for eternal profit is called vital existence? Humans wants and demands go on forever. We don't stop at mere existence.
That's better than living in some Pipe Dream Fantasy.

well, those people are just plain stupid.

Your argument is well-constructed and persuasive. You even managed to refrain from pointless ad-hominem attacks against anonymous third parties.

</sarcasm>

Having faith doesn't make a person stupid. Believing something different than what you believe doesn't make a person stupid. In fact, it says a lot about how willing you are to admit that you're wrong that you just label everyone who disagrees with you stupid.

Science is wrong. It reinvents itself with every major discovery. We will never explain everything, and until we do, science is "best guess" only.

That's why they made up God.
No. That's why people ignore God. People are satisfied with what they are doing now, however "wrong" they may be. Drunkeness, drug abuse, abortions, sexual immortality...whatever that feels good and right to the body NOW. Too short-sighted to see the consequences, whether current or ultimate.

No. That's why people ignore God. People are satisfied with what they are doing now, however "wrong" they may be. Drunkeness, drug abuse, abortions, sexual immortality...whatever that feels good and right to the body NOW. Too short-sighted to see the consequences, whether current or ultimate.

You having any proof of that? I mean besides that is what you believe?

if god was real and wanted to send us a message all it would need to do is poke its head out of the clouds and speak. i feel sorry for those that think tsunamis, tonadoes or hurricanes, ect. are acts of god...

You having any proof of that? I mean besides that is what you believe?
For example, drunkeness reduces self-control and basically drunks make a fool of themselves and may end up in bed with somebody and a pregnancy (which means leading on to other sins). It also reduces the physical ability for humans to work, such as splitting headaches in the morning and is generally a waste of time and money. That's right, you've enjoyed the drinking and the feeling of flying. Whatever happens afterwards, you will deal with afterwards.

Your argument is well-constructed and persuasive. You even managed to refrain from pointless ad-hominem attacks against anonymous third parties.

</sarcasm>

Having faith doesn't make a person stupid. Believing something different than what you believe doesn't make a person stupid. In fact, it says a lot about how willing you are to admit that you're wrong that you just label everyone who disagrees with you stupid.

Science is wrong. It reinvents itself with every major discovery. We will never explain everything, and until we do, science is "best guess" only.
People invented faith to either delude themselves, or gain power. In the case of the latter, if people start believing science, the truth, the religious leaders would lose their power.

No. That's why people ignore God. People are satisfied with what they are doing now, however "wrong" they may be. Drunkeness, drug abuse, abortions, sexual immortality...whatever that feels good and right to the body NOW. Too short-sighted to see the consequences, whether current or ultimate.
There is no ultimate. People invented that just to tune out of the real world.

Kudos to Stephistan. ;)

For example, drunkeness reduces self-control and basically drunks make a fool of themselves and may end up in bed with somebody and a pregnancy (which means leading on to other sins). It also reduces the physical ability for humans to work, such as splitting headaches in the morning and is generally a waste of time and money. That's right, you've enjoyed the drinking and the feeling of flying. Whatever happens afterwards, you will deal with afterwards.

Yeah, ok, but who are you to decide what sin is? Or if sin even is real? I mean you have any proof that there is in fact something after death? Other than that is what you believe!

Or perhaps people invented religion because it made sense to them? Perhaps people believe because it speaks to something in them that doesn't want to admit that the universe cares fuck-all about you, that you're just another breeder whose only point is to desperately scrabble out an existence just long enough to pop out the next set of miserable breeders?

Science is scary because it means that, in the end, it doesn't matter if you live or die. No one will care because they'll be dead, too. In the face of the universe, nobody matters.

There is no ultimate. People invented that just to tune out of the real world.
There are indeed ultimates. People muddle them so they can be lazy and do whatever they like and believe that nothing will happen to them.

Yeah, ok, but who are you to decide what sin is? Or if sin even is real? I mean you have any proof that there is in fact something after death? Other than that is what you believe!
Stephistan, I agree with you completely. Dragons Bay is delirious.

Or perhaps people invented religion because it made sense to them? Perhaps people believe because it speaks to something in them that doesn't want to admit that the universe cares fuck-all about you, that you're just another breeder whose only point is to desperately scrabble out an existence just long enough to pop out the next set of miserable breeders?

Science is scary because it means that, in the end, it doesn't matter if you live or die. No one will care because they'll be dead, too. In the face of the universe, nobody matters.
People saying they have "higher place with God" after they die are just plain pretentious.

There are indeed ultimates. People muddle them so they can be lazy and do whatever they like and believe that nothing will happen to them.
If I were you, I would check myself into a mental institution.

Unlike those who claim to know everything, and everyone else is wrong and stupid, right?

Yeah, ok, but who are you to decide what sin is? Or if sin even is real? I mean you have any proof that there is in fact something after death? Other than that is what you believe!
Well, I didn't define what is sin and what is not. Sin has been defined by God. Fine, you may not take it as "sin", but it sure doesn't feel good waking up with a giant hangover. But we still do it. We still choose to become drunk because of short-sightedness. We still choose to sleep with whoever we want, and it doesn't matter what happens tomorrow because that's tomorrow's business, be it being sued for rape or underage sexual contact or dealing with a pregnancy or an STD.

Unlike those who claim to know everything, and everyone else is wrong and stupid, right?
That would be you. :sniper:

I mean in the last two years there have been a lot of bad storms in the same areas, areas that are red states, the religious people.. hmmm, makes one wonder doesn't it.. :p ;)

Ya gods telling the red states to change. Mayb instead of them wanting prayer in schools they should be learning to read. Half of all High school students in Mississippi can't read. Mayb hes telling them to face reality and stop making s*** up like "Intelligent Creation" where a 'higher being created everything. 55% Of Americans do not believe in evolution, thats up from 49% last year. Mayb hes telling them to fix their own marriages be4 telling gay people what they can or can't do in their bed. Half of all marriages end in divorce and of the 11 states in 2004 and for that passed laws against gay marriages, 8 of them are in the deep south. Not to mention the first ever gay divorce happened in 2005, it still remains the only gay divorce, and was in Canada.
Then again isn't this what these people want. "Born Again" Christians pray that god will wipe the earth off of existence and god will call his favorites to lavish in heaven. Seeing as how much of a crude sense of humor god has, you know with this debate, making the 3 major religions holy land being the same place and making them fight for thousands of years over it, having more people die in his name then any thing, creating a wide range of people so one could enslave the others, and letting his name stand in the way of truth, love, acceptance, honesty and freedom, which seems to be the core of what he has tried teach us. I don't think god is going to take the most literal people of the south, which if ne thing his messages seem to be deep and often times ironic.
I should note that i do believe in god, its just i also take to heart the real values that religion started off trying to teach but somewhere lost heart of it to other pursuits

Or perhaps people invented religion because it made sense to them?

Of course, like you, this is only what I believe, but I think it had more to do with the fact that a long time ago people were not educated and so when they couldn't explain something, they thought a god-like being must of been behind it. Then like any folklore it got passed down through hundreds and now thousands of years as truth. I think it has more to do with fear than sense. But I will say again, that's my opinion. See I don't say I know for a fact, because I don't. No one does, not me, not you, no one!

That would be you. :sniper:


I'm rubber and you're glue, everything you say bounces off of me and sticks to you.

Well, I didn't define what is sin and what is not. Sin has been defined by God. Fine, you may not take it as "sin", but it sure doesn't feel good waking up with a giant hangover. But we still do it. We still choose to become drunk because of short-sightedness. We still choose to sleep with whoever we want, and it doesn't matter what happens tomorrow because that's tomorrow's business, be it being sued for rape or underage sexual contact or dealing with a pregnancy or an STD.
You believe your sins are defined by God, but in reality they are invented by people who claim God spoke to them in order to gain power. You're bing herded like cattle. MOOOO!

Ya gods telling the red states to change. Mayb instead of them wanting prayer in schools they should be learning to read. Half of all High school students in Mississippi can't read. Mayb hes telling them to face reality and stop making s*** up like "Intelligent Creation" where a 'higher being created everything. 55% Of Americans do not believe in evolution, thats up from 49% last year. Mayb hes telling them to fix their own marriages be4 telling gay people what they can or can't do in their bed. Half of all marriages end in divorce and of the 11 states in 2004 and for that passed laws against gay marriages, 8 of them are in the deep south. Not to mention the first ever gay divorce happened in 2005, it still remains the only gay divorce, and was in Canada.
Then again isn't this what these people want. "Born Again" Christians pray that god will wipe the earth off of existence and god will call his favorites to lavish in heaven. Seeing as how much of a crude sense of humor god has, you know with this debate, making the 3 major religions holy land being the same place and making them fight for thousands of years over it, having more people die in his name then any thing, creating a wide range of people so one could enslave the others, and letting his name stand in the way of truth, love, acceptance, honesty and freedom, which seems to be the core of what he has tried teach us. I don't think god is going to take the most literal people of the south, which if ne thing his messages seem to be deep and often times ironic.

yeah he is

If I were you, I would check myself into a mental institution.
If I were you, I'd look further ahead before making any decision to anything. Nothing comes for free. Everything comes with a price. You can't buy a product without paying. You can't enjoy something without sacrificing something else.

But I will say again, that's my opinion. See I don't say I know for a fact, because I don't. No one does, not me, not you, no one!

This is my point. Thank you.

Of course, like you, this is only what I believe, but I think it had more to do with the fact that a long time ago people were not educated and so when they couldn't explain something, they thought a god-like being must of been behind it. Then like any folklore it got passed down through hundreds and now thousands of years as truth. I think it has more to do with fear than sense. But I will say again, that's my opinion. See I don't say I know for a fact, because I don't. No one does, not me, not you, no one!
exactly. God is an obsolete fairy-tale.

If I were you, I would check myself into a mental institution.

There is indeed a difference in arguing with a newbie and with a ex-moderator.

If I were you, I'd look further ahead before making any decision to anything. Nothing comes for free. Everything comes with a price. You can't buy a product without paying. You can't enjoy something without sacrificing something else.
exactly. By beliving in God, people are blinding themselves to the truth.

exactly. God is an obsolete fairy-tale.

And science is a soulless machine of thought that must reinvent itself to be modernly wrong.

You having any proof of that? I mean besides that is what you believe?

I've got a great example of human short sightedness, and ignoring what's best for them.
Tanning.
People are told it's bad for them. In the long run, it's going to greatly increase their chances of getting skin cancer. But they do it anyway.
How about smoking? Same thing.
Please note that it was stated "whether current OR ultimate." I'm dealing with the current side, since obviously no one can prove any sort of ultimate ramifications to people who refuse to believe there can be such things.

exactly. By beliving in God, people are blinding themselves to the truth.
The newbie is way smarter than you, cattle. MOOOOOOOOO!

And science is a soulless machine of thought that must reinvent itself to be modernly wrong.
In searching for the TRUTH, people may be wrong sometimes. So they correct it.

But we will never find truth, and science shows us that it doesn't matter what we believe. So maybe take a step back and stop insulting people, 'cause you're going to wind up dust, just like the rest of us.

Only they're going to be happier about it.

I've got a great example of human short sightedness, and ignoring what's best for them.
Tanning.
People are told it's bad for them. In the long run, it's going to greatly increase their chances of getting skin cancer. But they do it anyway.
How about smoking? Same thing.
Please note that it was stated "whether current OR ultimate." I'm dealing with the current side, since obviously no one can prove any sort of ultimate ramifications to people who refuse to believe there can be such things.

True. Engagement in sin doesn't just bring you into the throes of Hell, but there are also immediate consequences ("immediate" as in within the lifetime) to the sinner and his/her surrounding people.

The newbie is way smarter than you, cattle. MOOOOOOOOO!

Change that behaviour before I report you for flaming.

How about smoking? Same thing.
Please note that it was stated "whether current OR ultimate." I'm dealing with the current side, since obviously no one can prove any sort of ultimate ramifications to people who refuse to believe there can be such things.

I've known people who smoked all their life and drank and ran around and enjoyed what they knew they had for sure, for fact, this one life and they lived to be almost 100. Not a great example on your part, but I do understand what you were trying to say.

The newbie is way smarter than you, cattle. MOOOOOOOOO!
And you're proving my point. You may get a lot of fun calling other people cattle now, but in the long term - and in lifetime - you risk being booted out of this wonderful forum, or if you don't, you lose credibility as a poster.

exactly. By beliving in God, people are blinding themselves to the truth.

Or by discounting God out of hand, are you the one blinding yourself to the truth? Both sides can say exactly the same "black and white" crap.
I hate extremists. I can't wrap my mind around how you people manage to think things are ONLY one way, and can't possibly try to blend things to make something that fits.
Religious dogma isn't always right.
Science isn't always right.
Anyone who turns to their respective books to say, "You're wrong!" is automatically wrong themselves, because neither set of books can be ultimately right.

I've known people who smoked all their life and drank and ran around and enjoyed what they knew they had for sure, for fact, this one life and they lived to be almost 100. Not a great example on your part, but I do understand what you were trying to say.
Hahahaha. You can be treated for lung and liver cancer and still live to a hundred.

Like I said on the page before this one. No one knows for fact if there is a god or if there isn't. I'm quite sure if there is a god it's not the one we have all been told about (seems too simple) and if there isn't, when we die, we are worm food. That's it, that's all. But the bottom line remains, no one can say they know for a fact either way. Dead people know.. or maybe they don't. ;)

God does not guide hurricanes into New Orleans. Hurricanes are guided by their nature. Hurricanes have been hitting the south of America for so many many years. Katrina is especially strong not because of God, but because of humans polluting and creating Global Warming.


LOLLOL...That Global warming stuff gets me every time. I guess I shouldn't find it so surprising that the dumb masses (say that fast 3 times) actually buy it.

I've known people who smoked all their life and drank and ran around and enjoyed what they knew they had for sure, for fact, this one life and they lived to be almost 100. Not a great example on your part, but I do understand what you were trying to say.

Granted, there will always be people who beat the odds, and are in the .01% range of survival.
But if you look at the normal distribution of a smoking population, and a nonsmoking population, nonsmokers live longer. I imagine the same is true with tanning, given the recent news I've seen on the dangers involved with it.

I believe natural disasters of the kind that have just occurred are precisely that; i.e. terrible but natural phenomena (let's just ignore any effect human activity may have had on climate and/or weather patterns for now).

On the other hand, literalist Christians seem to insist that such events are 'Acts Of God' orchestrated and fully intended by our divine creator.

So perhaps one of those 'types' would attempt to explain why it is that the god-fearing people of the bible belt seem to be suffering under God's yoke yet again? Surely all those baby-killers and homo-lovers up north would be more deserving of his holy wrath?

Unless... :eek:


By the way if anyone's offended by this, seeing as how the disaster is still unfolding. I suggest looking up from your computer screen, rubbing your eyes and taking a look around you. It's a big world out there. If this had happened in the developing world, tens of thousands of people would have died and the average American wouldn't have given a rat's c*ck about it.

maybe he missed?
or he got pissed off about all them religious people trying to claim what he wants/allows?
or he's loves 'em so much he wanted them to join in.

Hahahaha. You can be treated for lung and liver cancer and still live to a hundred.

And there are tons of people who smoke and sun worship and never get cancer.. so go figure. :)

LOLLOL...That Global warming stuff gets me every time. I guess I shouldn't find it so surprising that the dumb masses (say that fast 3 times) actually buy it.

Average water temperatures are 4-5 degrees warmer globally this year... how do you explain it?

LOLLOL...That Global warming stuff gets me every time. I guess I shouldn't find it so surprising that the dumb masses (say that fast 3 times) actually buy it.

See? There are still people who still think human behaviour doesn't impact on climate change, and that climate change doesn't come back to bite humans. How can any dumb mass buy that? ;)

And there are tons of people who smoke and sun worship and never get cancer.. so go figure. :)

It doesn't matter. Before you smoke you know smoking may cause lung cancer. You wouldn't know whether you will have it, but you still go for it. That's dumb enough. If you don't come out with lung cancer, that's just because you're lucky.

Moreoever, there are more sins that just sun worshipping and smoking.

Average water temperatures are 4-5 degrees warmer globally this year... how do you explain it?

Global warming is real. It's been proven. The damage to the cause was the moron who named it. It should of been named "Extreme Climate Change" because that is what is happening. And yes, there is proof.

Average water temperatures are 4-5 degrees warmer globally this year... how do you explain it?

They were warmer last year and the year before that and in a hundred years they'll start cooling off and everyone will blame that on man too. You guys got to understand that it's not man vs. nature, but that man is a part of nature.

This thread has wandered somewhat off-topic. Katrina, southerners (of which I am one), God.. go!

Global warming is real. It's been proven. The damage to the cause was the moron who named it. It should of been named "Extreme Climate Change" because that is what is happening. And yes, there is proof.

Meh. I've never really been one to care about semantics. I know what Global Warming stands for, so a name change wouldn't really change that for me. All it would accomplish is possibly educating the ignorant masses who look at a name and say, "Hee hee, that sounds silly!"
And I generally don't have the patience to teach people like that anything, anyway. :P

This thread has wandered somewhat off-topic. Katrina, southerners (of which I am one), God.. go!

Yeah, actually quite a bit of flamey stuff going on in here too.. maybe we should get out while the gettin's good! :)

That's why I never come to General without asbestos underwear. :-D

They were warmer last year and the year before that and in a hundred years they'll start cooling off and everyone will blame that on man too. You guys got to understand that it's not man vs. nature, but that man is a part of nature.

Do you know that those sorts of trends actually exist? Have temperatures of water been taken for a hundred years for you to actually be able to base that statement in fact? If so, I'd love to see it.

Yeah, actually quite a bit of flamey stuff going on in here too.. maybe we should get out while the gettin's good! :)

I know. I'm quite satisfied at my increase in post count. ;)

See? There are still people who still think human behaviour doesn't impact on climate change, and that climate change doesn't come back to bite humans. How can any dumb mass buy that? ;)

Great stuff! I believe we can affect the climate but not to the point of destroying evrything. If we shot off our entire nuclear arsonal at the polar icecaps w couldn't melt then but somehow George Bush and Karl Rove can cause Hurricanes? A little hard to chew.

Global warming has nothing to do with the Hurricanes. The toxins released by fossil fuels can do a number of things, one not being cause more devastating hurricanes. there are two main things though
1: Global warming: terribly named, the heavy pollutions stays over the area and insulates heat from exiting, areas like NY and LA will heat up 5-10, areas like Fiji do not, even some might cool down
2: Greenhouse gasses. A carbon molecule with one oxygen hanging off is actually magnetic and goes to the poles where it Binds with O3(Ozone) and unstable molecule and makes O2 and the carbon molecule this time with 2 Oxygen hanging off. Ozone helps deflect heat, the hole heats up the Ice caps, fresh water melts into salt water disrupting the salt water and heat currents, ever seen "Day after tomorrow" that was real science. The ozone hole has nothing to do with climate heating up, rather the serious effects of it can send us into an ice age. Ever read "Fear Factor" by Mike Criton the guy who wrote that FICTION book "Divinci Code" talks about this

Natural Climate change is actually a fast thing. in a matter of 5 years we can see a 15 degree change, the costal US getting colder in winter and hotter in Summer is actually natural. Un natural climate change is VERY SLOW if u put all the graphs together we see over 100 years a 2.5 degree increase. 1 thing with that, 400 years till it starts pounding on, 10 degree difference, and we have nothing to compare with 100 years ago. We should still learn, just not jump to conclusions
Only thing about this is that scientists know one thing; carbon levels in the atmosphere are higher then they have been in human existence.

but ya can we get back to god killing red-necks

"Day after tomorrow" that was real science.


More like great movie, poor science. The earth naturally warms up and it will naturally cool off and it will do so slowly and safely. I don't care if you continue to hold your beliefs,, but we need to establish in this country a firm wall of seperation between enviromentalism and state.

ya givin some parts were fake, but the salt water being diluted by fresh water and stoping the currents bring warmth to the north can happen, its just scientists don't know much about it. we also need to seperate church and state first... seeing as how thats in the constutition.

Natural Climate change is actually a fast thing. in a matter of 5 years we can see a 15 degree change, the costal US getting colder in winter and hotter in Summer is actually natural. Un natural climate change is VERY SLOW if u put all the graphs together we see over 100 years a 2.5 degree increase. 1 thing with that, 400 years till it starts pounding on, 10 degree difference, and we have nothing to compare with 100 years ago. We should still learn, just not jump to conclusions
Only thing about this is that scientists know one thing; carbon levels in the atmosphere are higher then they have been in human existence.


One thing I heard recently was that, although CO2 levels are at an all time high, it had been partially counterbalanced by all the particulate crap that industry had been throwing into the atmosphere. So, although more UV was getting in, it was reflecting off pollution. With new initiatives to decrease particulate overtaking initiatives to reduce CO2 levels, more harmful rays are getting through to the Earth.
I'm just thinking that might speed up the warming process to what we're seeing this year, but I can't say for sure.

Okay, for you religious God-fearing people out there: There's quite a few exercises in frustration and futility out there in the world. Debating God with a Satanist is one of them.

Now, isn't it odd that the South- the biggest bastion of God-fearing hardcore Evangelicals and practically indoctrinated Busheviks should be the one to blitzed repeatedly by hurricanes within the last two decades?

Maybe there's a message there for you folks?

Kim Clement a Christian, prophesized in July that this(flood) was going to happen to New Orleans.

You can see the transcript here > http://www.kimclement.com/words/2005/July222005.htm
And the audio here > http://www.kimclement.com/words/words.htm

Kim Clement a Christian, prophesized in July that this(flood) was going to happen to New Orleans.

You can see the transcript here > http://www.kimclement.com/words/2005/July222005.htm
And the audio here > http://www.kimclement.com/words/words.htm

Oh, that's rich.
Last year New Orleans barely misses a hurricane, so some crazy "prophet" says it'll be flooded, not giving any specifics of course... it could have happened in 5 years, and people would still say that she saw it coming. Bah.

Lets say there is a god, do ya think maybe he's/she's/whatever trying to send America a message? To perhaps remind America that "it's" god not them? I mean in the last two years there have been a lot of bad storms in the same areas, areas that are red states, the religious people.. hmmm, makes one wonder doesn't it.. :p ;)
So religious = Republican? Way to play into their hands.