NationStates Jolt Archive

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7566566.stm

The sad thing is I don't think they're being satirical.

If God is so interested in the price of oil then why did he let it get so fucking high in the first place?!

"Uh...uh...he did it!" (Points to the sky)

:rolleyes:

Although they aren't giving god the credit, more like themselves for convincing God.

If God is so interested in the price of oil then why did he let it get so fucking high in the first place?!

Because he's a dick.

Because he's a dick.

God is Superman (http://www.superdickery.com/)

I like the fact that the BBC reported this at all, and that they put it under BUSINESS. :p

I've heard of the invisible hand, but this is ridiculous.

yeah god doesnt give a fuck about genocide in darfur but MAN! does he hate high gas prices.

yeah god doesnt give a fuck about genocide in darfur but MAN! does he hate high gas prices.

God's chosen people all own SUVs I guess.

This week the group returned to the site of their first prayer meeting to celebrate. Singing "We shall overcome," they changed the words of the well-known hymn to "We'll have lower gas prices".

Mr Twyman is sceptical that market forces might be responsible for the lower prices. But he and his prayer warriors have changed their motoring habits.
What is wrong with these people?

God's chosen people all own SUVs I guess.
its the new way to signal to the world that you are among the few elect chosen by god.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7566566.stm

The sad thing is I don't think they're being satirical.

Yup because we all know and believe that everything religious is ebil and that it is our duty as posters to change religious people into non-religious people. :rolleyes:

So people believe in God? So what? As long as they don't force their beliefs on you or visa versa its all good. People should respect the fact that people have other religions or lack one. Besides we were all endowed with free will and I for one would hope it stay's that way.

God's chosen people all own SUVs I guess.

not only that, but the Pope does own the 'Popemobile'.

hmm it also seems that the amount of "Allah Akbar" is also propositional to fuel prices...I wonder what superpower Voodoo holds

the average price of what the US calls gasoline has fallen from more than $4 a gallon to $3.80.

zilly Amerikanz unt zer inferior Gazoline :tongue:

Besides we were all endowed with free will

only we live in a world where our actions are defined by our past and not a series of impartial choices completely different from a Chimpanzee running around with a stick...

what am I getting at? calm down Captain serious before you go Grey

Yup because we all know and believe that everything religious is ebil and that it is our duty as posters to change religious people into non-religious people. :rolleyes:

So people believe in God? So what? As long as they don't force their beliefs on you or visa versa its all good. People should respect the fact that people have other religions or lack one. Besides we were all endowed with free will and I for one would hope it stay's that way.

So we're not allowed to laugh at stupid people when their religion is involved? Fuck that.

not only that, but the Pope does own the 'Popemobile'.

Well you try riding a bike in that robe. :p

Well you try riding a bike in that robe. :p

The aerodynamics of the hat alone would make it impractical.

It's amazing....How deluded you need to be?

Every time I read things like this I'm terrified with the idea that we are descending into a new dark age.

Yup because we all know and believe that everything religious is ebil and that it is our duty as posters to change religious people into non-religious people. :rolleyes:

So people believe in God? So what? As long as they don't force their beliefs on you or visa versa its all good. People should respect the fact that people have other religions or lack one. Besides we were all endowed with free will and I for one would hope it stay's that way.
Erm.. I'm religious, and I'm laughing that these idiots believe that God would lower Oil prices instead of keeping them down in the first place. 'Sides, doesn't he have more important things to do?

It's amazing....How deluded you need to be?

Every time I read things like this I'm terrified with the idea that we are descending into a new dark age.

Don't blame only Christians, it's human nature and the crumbling of civil society that is doing it.

Personally I think that sometime soon WWIII will devestate mankind and the few remaining enclaves will be like the early cavemen clans from the ice ages only with guns and knives instead of clubs.

Don't blame only Christians, it's human nature and the crumbling of civil society that is doing it.

Personally I think that sometime soon WWIII will devestate mankind and the few remaining enclaves will be like the early cavemen clans from the ice ages only with guns and knives instead of clubs.

:rolleyes: Oh yes, society sure is coming apart at the seams.

Erm.. I'm religious, and I'm laughing that these idiots believe that God would lower Oil prices instead of keeping them down in the first place. 'Sides, doesn't he have more important things to do?

Not to turn this into a serious thread, but doesn't being omnipotent mean you can do everything, important or not?

Don't blame only Christians, it's human nature and the crumbling of civil society that is doing it.

Personally I think that sometime soon WWIII will devestate mankind and the few remaining enclaves will be like the early cavemen clans from the ice ages only with guns and knives instead of clubs.

Sort of like Africa?

Don't blame only Christians, it's human nature and the crumbling of civil society that is doing it.

Personally I think that sometime soon WWIII will devestate mankind and the few remaining enclaves will be like the early cavemen clans from the ice ages only with guns and knives instead of clubs.

I don´t blame christians... only...

you make me feel like an optimist.:(


bring it!!! I'm ready :gas::sniper::sniper::sniper::sniper:

Not to turn this into a serious thread, but doesn't being omnipotent mean you can do everything, important or not?
I'm assuming he isn't a control freak. CAN and DOES are two different things.

So we're not allowed to laugh at stupid people when their religion is involved?

The thing being that when their religion is involved, they're always stupid.

The thing being that when their religion is involved, they're always stupid.

Anyone ever told you that you're a hopeless romantic?

Anyone ever told you that you're a hopeless romantic?

No, the people I associate with do not say such stupid things.

So we're not allowed to laugh at stupid people when their religion is involved? Fuck that.

Didn't you get the memo? If an idea is religious, then it's immune to such things as criticism, reason, or basic intelligence: all one needs to do is claim it-- no matter how ridiculous or mockable-- and it's just as worthy of respect as any sane idea.

So we're not allowed to laugh at stupid people when their religion is involved? Fuck that.

You can but make sure you laugh at their stupidity alone. Remember, idiots use any excuse to be stupid. Religion is among one of many. So target their idiocy not their excuse. ;)

If God is so interested in the price of oil then why did he let it get so fucking high in the first place?!

Obviously to test His followers faith. Apparently, God is appeased at $4/g. Personally, I would have made them suffer to $10/g just to weed out those who don't truely have faith* but, that's probably why I'm not God.

Yup because we all know and believe that everything religious is ebil and that it is our duty as posters to change religious people into non-religious people. :rolleyes:

So people believe in God? So what? As long as they don't force their beliefs on you or visa versa its all good. People should respect the fact that people have other religions or lack one. Besides we were all endowed with free will and I for one would hope it stay's that way.

Yeah, except no one is saying OMG! Beat God out of them and replace it with 'X'. Finding someone's beliefs to be rediculously absurd is different from actively going out and changing them. I doubt anyone who's posted here so far is filling up their tank with the intention of going to meet these people and forcibly changing their minds about what controls the price of gasoline.


*Also, everyone knows God gets a share of oil profits.

You can but make sure you laugh at their stupidity alone. Remember, idiots use any excuse to be stupid. Religion is among one of many. So target their idiocy not their excuse. ;)
I'll laugh at whatever I find funny about it.
Obviously to test His followers faith. Apparently, God is appeased at $4/g. Personally, I would have made them suffer to $10/g just to weed out those who don't truely have faith* but, that's probably why I'm not God.



*Also, everyone knows God gets a share of oil profits.

This I can believe.

Only in America.... Oh noes! I can't gas up my SUV... quicks, prays to GAWDH! To think these people live get to vote for a ruler with nuclear weapons... :(

Didn't you get the memo? If an idea is religious, then it's immune to such things as criticism, reason, or basic intelligence: all one needs to do is claim it-- no matter how ridiculous or mockable-- and it's just as worthy of respect as any sane idea.

wrong, they aren't equally worthy of respect. everyone knows that even the stupidest of stupid religious ideas is way better than any idea that isn't backed by magical space pixies. that's just the breaks.

wrong, they aren't equally worthy of respect. everyone knows that even the stupidest of stupid religious ideas is way better than any idea that isn't backed by magical space pixies. that's just the breaks.

How could I have forgotten? I need to learn to rules of Truth better.

No, the people I associate with do not say such stupid things.

Apparently they do. :D

Oil/Gas prices would greatly decrease is we bothered to trade with Iran, they are plentiful in Iran and Iran has already stated they'd be happy to trade with the west. Though If the Israel and co weren't so interested in attacking Iran we might actually get around to trading with them.

Edit: Woo this is my 1,100 post, I've posted like three hundred times the past few days.

Oil/Gas prices would greatly decrease is we bothered to trade with Iran, they are plentiful in Iran and Iran has already stated they'd be happy to trade with the west. Though If the Israel and co weren't so interested in attacking Iran we might actually get around to trading with them.

Edit: Woo this is my 1,100 post, I've posted like three hundred times the past few days.

What a load of rubbish. The oil price is affected by global supply and demand, not local. If the US started importing Iranian oil aggregate supply and demand levels wouldn't change they'd just shift from some countries to others.

Unfortunately even Our Heavenly Father can't remove the intrinsic decay and instability in capitalism, seeing as He is a product of capitalism anyways...:tongue:

Isn't this story more symbolic than anything? Pray to God so that capitalism doesn't make things too bad. How about blaming immigrants getting welfare for hard times?

What a load of rubbish. The oil price is affected by global supply and demand, not local. If the US started importing Iranian oil aggregate supply and demand levels wouldn't change they'd just shift from some countries to others.

Iran would be willing to sell oil and gas, by there being more oil and gas available then the price would go down as there is more competition between countries for people to buy their oil/gas.
Not to mention with their being more gas/oil in the western markets of course the value would go down, that's sort of how it works.

Unfortunately even Our Heavenly Father can't remove the intrinsic decay and instability in capitalism, seeing as He is a product of capitalism anyways...:tongue:

Isn't this story more symbolic than anything? Pray to God so that capitalism doesn't make things too bad. How about blaming immigrants getting welfare for hard times?

In Sweden (or Finland I think its Sweden though I'm not sure) they loose more money through benefits for immigrants and the unemployed than Norway makes through selling oil.

Yup because we all know and believe that everything religious is ebil and that it is our duty as posters to change religious people into non-religious people. :rolleyes:

So people believe in God? So what? As long as they don't force their beliefs on you or visa versa its all good. People should respect the fact that people have other religions or lack one. Besides we were all endowed with free will and I for one would hope it stay's that way.We're not laughing at them because they believe in God, we're laughing at them because they believe their prayers are responsible for lowering gas prices.

Iran would be willing to sell oil and gas, by there being more oil and gas available then the price would go down as there is more competition between countries for people to buy their oil/gas.
Not to mention with their being more gas/oil in the western markets of course the value would go down, that's sort of how it works.

There wouldn't be more oil and gas. The US would just be buying what other countries buy at the moment. Iran doesn't have reserves of oil lying around waiting to be bought by the US, they already export what they can to countries that don't have embargos.

In Sweden (or Finland I think its Sweden though I'm not sure) they loose more money through benefits for immigrants and the unemployed than Norway makes through selling oil.Back it up, please.

In Sweden (or Finland I think its Sweden though I'm not sure) they loose more money through benefits for immigrants and the unemployed than Norway makes through selling oil.
Well that's just more of an example of the uselessness of using welfare provisions to lessen the decay in capitalism. Capital must constantly exert pressure so that labor is freely commodified, so that striking and unionized workers can be replaced by cheap foreign labor who are used to working under much worse conditions.

Mark my words, not even the 8-hour day is safe.

There wouldn't be more oil and gas. The US would just be buying what other countries buy at the moment. Iran doesn't have reserves of oil lying around waiting to be bought by the US, they already export what they can to countries that don't have embargos.

The US and other western nations would buy oil/gas from Iran and and their would be price competition between other suppliers to try and keep supplying such big economies like the US and some European countries.
Unless my Business Studies education is wrong and people don't lower there prices to try and attract customers and instead they keep it at the same level and let themselves loose out on a lot of possible profit.

Back it up, please.

Go and look at the costs of welfare in Sweden (or Finland still not sure) then compare it to the income of Norwegian oil.

The US and other western nations would buy oil/gas from Iran and and their would be price competition between other suppliers to try and keep supplying such big economies like the US and some European countries.
Unless my Business Studies education is wrong and people don't lower there prices to try and attract customers and instead they keep it at the same level and let themselves loose out on a lot of possible profit.Did your business studies teach you the difference between oligopolic and competitive markets?

Go and look at the costs of welfare in Sweden (or Finland still not sure) then compare it to the income of Norwegian oil.No, you do it. You made the argument, you back it up.

Well that's just more of an example of the uselessness of using welfare provisions to lessen the decay in capitalism. Capital must constantly exert pressure so that labor is freely commodified, so that striking and unionized workers can be replaced by cheap foreign labor who are used to working under much worse conditions.

Mark my words, not even the 8-hour day is safe.

Its not about capitalism, its about unemployment and immigration in Sweden which is greatly increasing the unemployment rate(or Finland, will go and find out)

Go and look at the costs of welfare in Sweden (or Finland still not sure) then compare it to the income of Norwegian oil.
Well actually it does matter, considering that Norway is the one with the oil.

No, you do it. You made the argument, you back it up.

Your the one who wants it, well I'll go and back it up in a min then.

Did your business studies teach you the difference between oligopolic and competitive markets?

Yup, but I'm just assuming that there'd be competition between countries trying to make a profit as that tends to be the case.

The US and other western nations would buy oil/gas from Iran and and their would be price competition between other suppliers to try and keep supplying such big economies like the US and some European countries.
Unless my Business Studies education is wrong and people don't lower there prices to try and attract customers and instead they keep it at the same level and let themselves loose out on a lot of possible profit.

OPEC aren't renowned for their competitive nature.

Well actually it does matter, considering that Norway is the one with the oil.

That's like saying its China's fault other countries have unemployment rates cause China's hogging all the land and resources.

Your the one who wants it, well I'll go and back it up in a min then.

Its Finland not Sweden.

Its not about capitalism, its about unemployment and immigration in Sweden which is greatly increasing the unemployment rate(or Finland, will go and find out)
Actually, it is about capitalism. Capitalism requires a reserve army of labor, firstly to exert pressure on 'formal' labor and force the domestic 'pampered' and unionized workers to work for less. This is because once an employer can find someone to replace them at a lower rate of pay, then the worker can demand that their current worker work for less. That is how 'informal' or immigrant labor exerts pressure on 'formal' labor, firstly to lower wages and thus increase his profit margin.

The immigration problem in Sweden and other countries with strong social provisions is so big because the employers have been able to bring in masses of foreign workers, to shake up the traditional society and thus force down wages and conditions for workers.

Oil is irrelevant until you apply labor to it, if the oil cannot be pumped, shipped and refined. Oil like gold is valueless unless labor is applied to it.

Your the one who wants it, well I'll go and back it up in a min then.Not backing up your claims when asked is sloppy debating, and increases the suspicion that you made it up in the first place or based it on faulty sources. Whether I want it or not isn't really that important, whether what you're saying is veracious is.
Yup, but I'm just assuming that there'd be competition between countries trying to make a profit as that tends to be the case.You may want to review your lessons on oligopolical markets then.

Yup because we all know and believe that everything religious is ebil and that it is our duty as posters to change religious people into non-religious people. :rolleyes:

So people believe in God? So what? As long as they don't force their beliefs on you or visa versa its all good. People should respect the fact that people have other religions or lack one. Besides we were all endowed with free will and I for one would hope it stay's that way.

The have the right to their religion, we have the right to laugh at their obvious lack of reality.

Its not our fault that the beliefs these people choose to hold are rediculous

The idea that a country can remained isolated in a global capitalist world, that it can use welfare provisions and other statist mechanisms, is quite frankly ludicrous. It's like someone standing outside joyfully whistling with an umbrella while a volcano erupts behind him.

The immigration problem in Sweden and other countries with strong social provisions is so big because the employers have been able to bring in masses of foreign workers, to shake up the traditional society and thus force down wages and conditions for workers.

They're not doing a very good job then are they? Real wages in Sweden (http://www.scb.se/templates/tableOrChart____70535.asp) are positive and are correlated to the rate of inflation rather than some capitalist conspiracy to replace Swedish workers with cheap foreign labour.

They're not doing a very good job then are they? Real wages in Sweden (http://www.scb.se/templates/tableOrChart____70535.asp) are positive and are correlated to the rate of inflation rather than some capitalist conspiracy to replace Swedish workers with cheap foreign labour.
No conspiracy, it's systematic, not subjective, it's not a 'plot' it's what systematically capitalism must do to compete. In this case it's just more of a matter that it's hard for exployers to break the hold unionization and working class organization has in Swedish society.

Also, on that topic, I believe under Reagan America was the only country in the world (according to the International Labor group) to not condemn so-called 'scabs', the permanent replacements.

Its not our fault that the beliefs these people choose to hold are rediculous

actually, i think it means that we have failed them on some level. we as a society didn't teach them to think, and we as individuals haven't mocked them enough.

No conspiracy, it's systematic, not subjective, it's not a 'plot' it's what systematically capitalism must do to compete. In this case it's just more of a matter that it's hard for exployers to break the hold unionization and working class organization has in Swedish society.

Also, on that topic, I believe under Reagan America was the only country in the world (according to the International Labor group) to not condemn so-called 'scabs', the permanent replacements.

You specifically refer to the immigration 'problem' in Sweden that has forced down wages. How can you claim this as fact when I have just shown you that wages in Sweden have risen consistently since the early 90s?

If God is so interested in the price of oil then why did he let it get so fucking high in the first place?!

Silly Ifreann, maybe if you worshipped him once in awhile he wouldn't raise them. (I jest)

The thing being that when their beliefs/opinions/views which are different from my own is involved, they're always stupid.

Fixed. And peoples beliefs don't have to be religious in nature.

Right......I Ask why he didnt bring it back down to $2 a gallon..thatd really help things..

If they were serious about lowering gas prices they'd have sacrificed a goat.

You fools! God is displeased with our mockery and has raised prices again!

Sorry guys, gas prices are determined by something even more capricious than God (or Satan), they are controlled by 'capitalism', I mean I think Satan deserves some credit, if he let a million people die of starvation he might bat an eye, capitalism wouldn't care though.

Sorry guys, gas prices are determined by something even more capricious than God (or Satan), they are controlled by 'capitalism', I mean I think Satan deserves some credit, if he let a million people die of starvation he might bat an eye, capitalism wouldn't care though.

Well. "Capitalism," as a concept, doesn't have the ability to 'care' at all. Since it's not, you know, a person. "Communism" doesn't care, "socialism" doesn't care, and "anti-disestablishmentarianism" doesn't care either.

If God Gives You Lemons, FIND A NEW GOD!!!

Well. "Capitalism," as a concept, doesn't have the ability to 'care' at all. Since it's not, you know, a person. "Communism" doesn't care, "socialism" doesn't care, and "anti-disestablishmentarianism" doesn't care either.

Wow way to be so literal that you come across as an asshole, GOOD JOB!!! :salute:

Wow way to be so literal that you come across as an asshole, GOOD JOB!!! :salute:

Oh, so he meant to blame capitalism for 'not caring,' but it's what - a metaphorical blame?

Well, I spoke to God the other day, and he told me he'd been on the verge of arranging peace for the Middle East when a bunch of selfish idiots started praying for lower fuel prices. Naturally, that took precedence.

Theoretically speaking, God does everything.

Theoretically speaking, God does everything.

And everyone!

:D

:eek:

:D

If God Gives You Lemons, FIND A NEW GOD!!!

If God give you llamas, make llamanade.

If God give you llamas, make llamanade.

This must be the wittiest pun of the last 42 weeks.

Bravo! :hail:

"We don't have anybody else to turn to but God," Mr Twyman told the BBC. "We have to turn these problems over to God and not to man."

"We believe not just in prayer - because we believe that faith without works is dead. So we've encouraged people to car-pool more and organise their days more, because it's a combination of faith with these other factors."

Pray At The Pump plans to build on its success and drive gasoline prices even lower. In the words of Rocky Twyman: "We just thank God for blessing us with small victories and we expect greater things to come."

From what was actually said in the article, it doesn't appear to be anything other than people saying that God made the price of gas to go down. What is interesting is that they don't discount the fact that market forces are involved. In that case, then I simply disagree that it's stupid for them to say that God did it, since their God obviously can work through ordinary means. It's almost as if they have a nature God. Is it stupid to ascribe to Nature natural things?