Nubber (126579776) wrote:

Erwyle (187240896) wrote:So, I am almost 62 and started out Republican then switched to Democrat in the early 90's primarily because my two biggest issues are human rights and environment, and for both issues, the D's are superior by far imo. Just wanted to get that out of the way.

I originally sided with Trump because I could see how the impact of lockdowns could lead to social collapse. I also didn't like the new idea that I was responsible for someone else's health and well being. I felt that it was up to each person to protect himself. I bought the idea that this was no worse than a flu, and people die of that every year. Why make such a fuss about this?

Well, I've shifted a bit since then. Now, I feel like if everyone planet wide had taken this seriously, and banded together in common cause for the greater good, we might have more people living now and the extent of the disease might have been contained. Too late for that now. Shoulda, coulda, woulda.

My wife's father and brother died, not from Covid, but there were no funerals or memorials for them, and they were cremated against their wishes. The idea that the kids who really thrive on interaction and need instruction were not getting any of that bothers me a lot. Businesses failed, museums and concerts cancelled. On and on.

I built up a great deal of anger, not at anyone in particular, just at the situation. I thought, geez, this is some sh*t. Why can't we as a modern culture do better? And it seems like the rules made on the fly, without any form of democratic process, are now becoming permanent. The world has changed forever.

It's not just Covid, nor its delta variant, but the one that's coming after those I fear. Caught between a rock and a hard place we are. Damned if we do, damned if we don't. I think that's what bugs me the most. The idea that this is the new normal and yesterday is gone forever. I guess I'll have to deal. It's better than being dead I guess. But I never had anxiety about the future before. Don't like it.

PS, I was among the first to get both shots and I've always worn a mask for my sake. So far so good. But the future? Oy! I guess nothing in life is guaranteed. Not even life itself...

I think the arc of understanding has been similar for a lot of us. The lack of trusted facts made it difficult to assess the truth of many important things. When the politicians and media conspire to hype things and social media is used to spread lies, people no longer know who to rely on for data. It's exhausting trying to sift through it all. I'd watch news reports that made me feel like millions were dropping dead in the streets, and meanwhile the world I live in was like "no big deal bruh". But neither were true.

And so it's ramping up again. The spread is affecting the unvaccinated and vaccinated. The hospitals are filling up. Additional people are dying. Children seem to be affected more by the new variant. The thing continues to haunt primarily the old and fragile. But what is also true is that the virus is no deadlier than it was before delta, the vaccinated aren't getting as sick as the unvaccinated, and in the places where delta reared up, they are already experiencing declines in spread. This too shall pass.......and take too many with it.

I watched my neighborhood chat board turn into a war zone over covid this weekend. People who seem so nice, suddenly tearing at each other with their opinions about facts and lies. Fear is a real thing......it is just as real as arrogant denial. Both are flawed when it comes to making good decisions.

Thanks for that Rod. Yeah, it seems some people are living in FantasyLand where everything you want to believe is true and everything you don't want to believe is false. And as you noted, it's getting worse. My only consolation is that eventually reality will become apparent. I hope the shock won't be too great and the damage too extensive. I stopped trying to speak my truth, because it just raises another round of bickering and hatred.

We somehow need to do an intervention, but I can't see a way to get that done just yet. I'll let you know if I come up with something...

SvG Jericha (6077295) wrote:

Erwyle (187240896) wrote:So, I am almost 62 and started out Republican then switched to Democrat in the early 90's primarily because my two biggest issues are human rights and environment, and for both issues, the D's are superior by far imo. Just wanted to get that out of the way.

I originally sided with Trump because I could see how the impact of lockdowns could lead to social collapse. I also didn't like the new idea that I was responsible for someone else's health and well being. I felt that it was up to each person to protect himself. I bought the idea that this was no worse than a flu, and people die of that every year. Why make such a fuss about this?

Well, I've shifted a bit since then. Now, I feel like if everyone planet wide had taken this seriously, and banded together in common cause for the greater good, we might have more people living now and the extent of the disease might have been contained. Too late for that now. Shoulda, coulda, woulda.

My wife's father and brother died, not from Covid, but there were no funerals or memorials for them, and they were cremated against their wishes. The idea that the kids who really thrive on interaction and need instruction were not getting any of that bothers me a lot. Businesses failed, museums and concerts cancelled. On and on.

I built up a great deal of anger, not at anyone in particular, just at the situation. I thought, geez, this is some sh*t. Why can't we as a modern culture do better? And it seems like the rules made on the fly, without any form of democratic process, are now becoming permanent. The world has changed forever.

It's not just Covid, nor its delta variant, but the one that's coming after those I fear. Caught between a rock and a hard place we are. Damned if we do, damned if we don't. I think that's what bugs me the most. The idea that this is the new normal and yesterday is gone forever. I guess I'll have to deal. It's better than being dead I guess. But I never had anxiety about the future before. Don't like it.

PS, I was among the first to get both shots and I've always worn a mask for my sake. So far so good. But the future? Oy! I guess nothing in life is guaranteed. Not even life itself...

We're both vaccinated in this household. There never was a question of if, just when. I got my second shot in April. My husband was one of the first 500,000 people vaccinated in the state of Washington.
As bad as this Delta strain is, there is another strain that they have labeled as Lambda, that originated in Peru, that is cause for concern.
If more people would mask up and get vaccinated, they wouldn't leave this virus anywhere to go so it can continue to mutate. But...

It is odd that people could knowingly face a danger, see there's a remedy, but choose to eschew it. I can only control myself, and sometimes barely that, so I despair of any progress. But Mother Nature can be one callous witch, so maybe She'll take care of it herself...

Erwyle (187240896) wrote:

SvG Jericha (6077295) wrote:

Erwyle (187240896) wrote:So, I am almost 62 and started out Republican then switched to Democrat in the early 90's primarily because my two biggest issues are human rights and environment, and for both issues, the D's are superior by far imo. Just wanted to get that out of the way.

I originally sided with Trump because I could see how the impact of lockdowns could lead to social collapse. I also didn't like the new idea that I was responsible for someone else's health and well being. I felt that it was up to each person to protect himself. I bought the idea that this was no worse than a flu, and people die of that every year. Why make such a fuss about this?

Well, I've shifted a bit since then. Now, I feel like if everyone planet wide had taken this seriously, and banded together in common cause for the greater good, we might have more people living now and the extent of the disease might have been contained. Too late for that now. Shoulda, coulda, woulda.

My wife's father and brother died, not from Covid, but there were no funerals or memorials for them, and they were cremated against their wishes. The idea that the kids who really thrive on interaction and need instruction were not getting any of that bothers me a lot. Businesses failed, museums and concerts cancelled. On and on.

I built up a great deal of anger, not at anyone in particular, just at the situation. I thought, geez, this is some sh*t. Why can't we as a modern culture do better? And it seems like the rules made on the fly, without any form of democratic process, are now becoming permanent. The world has changed forever.

It's not just Covid, nor its delta variant, but the one that's coming after those I fear. Caught between a rock and a hard place we are. Damned if we do, damned if we don't. I think that's what bugs me the most. The idea that this is the new normal and yesterday is gone forever. I guess I'll have to deal. It's better than being dead I guess. But I never had anxiety about the future before. Don't like it.

PS, I was among the first to get both shots and I've always worn a mask for my sake. So far so good. But the future? Oy! I guess nothing in life is guaranteed. Not even life itself...

We're both vaccinated in this household. There never was a question of if, just when. I got my second shot in April. My husband was one of the first 500,000 people vaccinated in the state of Washington.
As bad as this Delta strain is, there is another strain that they have labeled as Lambda, that originated in Peru, that is cause for concern.
If more people would mask up and get vaccinated, they wouldn't leave this virus anywhere to go so it can continue to mutate. But...

It is odd that people could knowingly face a danger, see there's a remedy, but choose to eschew it. I can only control myself, and sometimes barely that, so I despair of any progress. But Mother Nature can be one callous witch, so maybe She'll take care of it herself...

It's sad to say but I no longer care about people who remain intentionally ignorant. I think that they should implement something that, if people don't want vaccinated, they have to sign a release saying that they won't clog up the hospitals with their dumb a$$es by willingly foregoing medical treatment if they catch covid. I'm over these idiots getting any form of assurance that what they "believe" is ok. It's not. It needs to stop being coddled. We have more important things to worry about.

SvG Jericha (6077295) wrote:

Erwyle (187240896) wrote:

SvG Jericha (6077295) wrote:

Erwyle (187240896) wrote:So, I am almost 62 and started out Republican then switched to Democrat in the early 90's primarily because my two biggest issues are human rights and environment, and for both issues, the D's are superior by far imo. Just wanted to get that out of the way.

I originally sided with Trump because I could see how the impact of lockdowns could lead to social collapse. I also didn't like the new idea that I was responsible for someone else's health and well being. I felt that it was up to each person to protect himself. I bought the idea that this was no worse than a flu, and people die of that every year. Why make such a fuss about this?

Well, I've shifted a bit since then. Now, I feel like if everyone planet wide had taken this seriously, and banded together in common cause for the greater good, we might have more people living now and the extent of the disease might have been contained. Too late for that now. Shoulda, coulda, woulda.

My wife's father and brother died, not from Covid, but there were no funerals or memorials for them, and they were cremated against their wishes. The idea that the kids who really thrive on interaction and need instruction were not getting any of that bothers me a lot. Businesses failed, museums and concerts cancelled. On and on.

I built up a great deal of anger, not at anyone in particular, just at the situation. I thought, geez, this is some sh*t. Why can't we as a modern culture do better? And it seems like the rules made on the fly, without any form of democratic process, are now becoming permanent. The world has changed forever.

It's not just Covid, nor its delta variant, but the one that's coming after those I fear. Caught between a rock and a hard place we are. Damned if we do, damned if we don't. I think that's what bugs me the most. The idea that this is the new normal and yesterday is gone forever. I guess I'll have to deal. It's better than being dead I guess. But I never had anxiety about the future before. Don't like it.

PS, I was among the first to get both shots and I've always worn a mask for my sake. So far so good. But the future? Oy! I guess nothing in life is guaranteed. Not even life itself...

We're both vaccinated in this household. There never was a question of if, just when. I got my second shot in April. My husband was one of the first 500,000 people vaccinated in the state of Washington.
As bad as this Delta strain is, there is another strain that they have labeled as Lambda, that originated in Peru, that is cause for concern.
If more people would mask up and get vaccinated, they wouldn't leave this virus anywhere to go so it can continue to mutate. But...

It is odd that people could knowingly face a danger, see there's a remedy, but choose to eschew it. I can only control myself, and sometimes barely that, so I despair of any progress. But Mother Nature can be one callous witch, so maybe She'll take care of it herself...

It's sad to say but I no longer care about people who remain intentionally ignorant. I think that they should implement something that, if people don't want vaccinated, they have to sign a release saying that they won't clog up the hospitals with their dumb a$$es by willingly foregoing medical treatment if they catch covid. I'm over these idiots getting any form of assurance that what they "believe" is ok. It's not. It needs to stop being coddled. We have more important things to worry about.

I totally understand that vibe. And it's interesting to me the number of people, once they actually become sick, suddenly believe and now wish to warn their former compatriots. Ah well...

Erwyle (187240896) wrote:I totally understand that vibe. And it's interesting to me the number of people, once they actually become sick, suddenly believe and now wish to warn their former compatriots. Ah well...

Unfortunately, this is almost always the case. This is the hardest way to learn. I won't recite the dozens of examples I've lived through in my goofy state, but I get so tired of warning people and then wearing my "told-ya-so" pin for a week. Why do people believe they are immune from it? Of course everyone is immune......until they are exposed to it. That's how viruses work. Hell, this one is super potent because it can even infect after a round of vaccine, and I still can't convince some people it's even real.......until they get it.

My new theory is that people refuse to be wrong. Their pride is so overblown, that they just can't accept they've made an error in faith. So they scream and shout until the virus steals their breath, and even after that they can't handle the truth. And I'm related to some of these people.............

Nubber (126579776) wrote:

Erwyle (187240896) wrote:I totally understand that vibe. And it's interesting to me the number of people, once they actually become sick, suddenly believe and now wish to warn their former compatriots. Ah well...

Unfortunately, this is almost always the case. This is the hardest way to learn. I won't recite the dozens of examples I've lived through in my goofy state, but I get so tired of warning people and then wearing my "told-ya-so" pin for a week. Why do people believe they are immune from it? Of course everyone is immune......until they are exposed to it. That's how viruses work. Hell, this one is super potent because it can even infect after a round of vaccine, and I still can't convince some people it's even real.......until they get it.

My new theory is that people refuse to be wrong. Their pride is so overblown, that they just can't accept they've made an error in faith. So they scream and shout until the virus steals their breath, and even after that they can't handle the truth. And I'm related to some of these people.............

I'm with you Rod. My entire extended family and my whole community feel they are invulnerable. It's just really sad that it has to be a political statement rather than a straightforward health matter. But as you say, experience is the best teacher yeah?

I just don't want to go on lockdown again. We've been fortunate in the US to only undergo 1 big lockdown. I personally found it to be really nice when we had it as it was the first time I'd ever sort of just stopped and breathed since getting my first job many years ago. But, I don't want to have to do that again over a long time period anytime soon.

Even introverts need to see other people and get out of the house. Not to mention, I know a lot of people's income relies on us going out in to society.

I was among the first people not considered high risk in my town to get the vaccine, and that's why.

Isla (2518852) wrote:I just don't want to go on lockdown again. We've been fortunate in the US to only undergo 1 big lockdown. I personally found it to be really nice when we had it as it was the first time I'd ever sort of just stopped and breathed since getting my first job many years ago. But, I don't want to have to do that again over a long time period anytime soon.

Even introverts need to see other people and get out of the house. Not to mention, I know a lot of people's income relies on us going out in to society.

I was among the first people not considered high risk in my town to get the vaccine, and that's why.

I don't think the US is psychologically capable of handling another lockdown, no matter how bad it gets. There are too many businesses and jobs that would just evaporate forever if they had to endure another one.

And don't let anyone in politics fool you. They didn't end the lockdown for you and me. They ended it because their damn tax revenues were at risk. Cities and states can't pay their bonds if people and businesses ain't spending. We'll all be sacrificed on the altar of economy before a lock down will show up again. The optics of body bags ain't nothing compared to the optics of municipal or state bankruptcy. We kill each other for $20 on some parts of this planet.........that ain't nothing compared to the 100s of trillions in debt owed by our governments.

Nubber (126579776) wrote:

Isla (2518852) wrote:I just don't want to go on lockdown again. We've been fortunate in the US to only undergo 1 big lockdown. I personally found it to be really nice when we had it as it was the first time I'd ever sort of just stopped and breathed since getting my first job many years ago. But, I don't want to have to do that again over a long time period anytime soon.

Even introverts need to see other people and get out of the house. Not to mention, I know a lot of people's income relies on us going out in to society.

I was among the first people not considered high risk in my town to get the vaccine, and that's why.

I don't think the US is psychologically capable of handling another lockdown, no matter how bad it gets. There are too many businesses and jobs that would just evaporate forever if they had to endure another one.

And don't let anyone in politics fool you. They didn't end the lockdown for you and me. They ended it because their damn tax revenues were at risk. Cities and states can't pay their bonds if people and businesses ain't spending. We'll all be sacrificed on the altar of economy before a lock down will show up again. The optics of body bags ain't nothing compared to the optics of municipal or state bankruptcy. We kill each other for $20 on some parts of this planet.........that ain't nothing compared to the 100s of trillions in debt owed by our governments.

I don't think so either. I know I'm definitely not mentally ready for another one. The period in May/June/early July where there seemed to be a light at the end of the tunnel was great and now it looks like that's dissipating. I'll happily wear my mask, but lockdowns are just so difficult. I agree that it was a nice breather at first, but I'm ready to be back. I am very lucky that my job is safe whether there's a lockdown or not, but that's not the case for others unfortunately. My boss mentioned that she had read somewhere that the peak of the delta variant should be sometime late August, which I sure hope is true. I'll ask her to send that article over so I can take a look at it.

Richford (3429282) wrote:

Nubber (126579776) wrote:

Isla (2518852) wrote:I just don't want to go on lockdown again. We've been fortunate in the US to only undergo 1 big lockdown. I personally found it to be really nice when we had it as it was the first time I'd ever sort of just stopped and breathed since getting my first job many years ago. But, I don't want to have to do that again over a long time period anytime soon.

Even introverts need to see other people and get out of the house. Not to mention, I know a lot of people's income relies on us going out in to society.

I was among the first people not considered high risk in my town to get the vaccine, and that's why.

I don't think the US is psychologically capable of handling another lockdown, no matter how bad it gets. There are too many businesses and jobs that would just evaporate forever if they had to endure another one.

And don't let anyone in politics fool you. They didn't end the lockdown for you and me. They ended it because their damn tax revenues were at risk. Cities and states can't pay their bonds if people and businesses ain't spending. We'll all be sacrificed on the altar of economy before a lock down will show up again. The optics of body bags ain't nothing compared to the optics of municipal or state bankruptcy. We kill each other for $20 on some parts of this planet.........that ain't nothing compared to the 100s of trillions in debt owed by our governments.

I don't think so either. I know I'm definitely not mentally ready for another one. The period in May/June/early July where there seemed to be a light at the end of the tunnel was great and now it looks like that's dissipating. I'll happily wear my mask, but lockdowns are just so difficult. I agree that it was a nice breather at first, but I'm ready to be back. I am very lucky that my job is safe whether there's a lockdown or not, but that's not the case for others unfortunately. My boss mentioned that she had read somewhere that the peak of the delta variant should be sometime late August, which I sure hope is true. I'll ask her to send that article over so I can take a look at it.

How you feel is consistent with what I've heard from some others. Some of the people I know who were most vocal about the need for lockdown during the first one, are now more scared of that than whatever a spike in case counts does to us. I teased one of them about it using her "these are LIVES" rationale she used in the beginning.......it didn't go well and I apologized. She is literally scared of them both, but she fears the lockdown way more. I fear that she may need counselling for grief if anyone she knows dies from covid while she isn't supporting lockdown. It is THAT bad.

Nubber (126579776) wrote:

Erwyle (187240896) wrote:I totally understand that vibe. And it's interesting to me the number of people, once they actually become sick, suddenly believe and now wish to warn their former compatriots. Ah well...

Unfortunately, this is almost always the case. This is the hardest way to learn. I won't recite the dozens of examples I've lived through in my goofy state, but I get so tired of warning people and then wearing my "told-ya-so" pin for a week. Why do people believe they are immune from it? Of course everyone is immune......until they are exposed to it. That's how viruses work. Hell, this one is super potent because it can even infect after a round of vaccine, and I still can't convince some people it's even real.......until they get it.

My new theory is that people refuse to be wrong. Their pride is so overblown, that they just can't accept they've made an error in faith. So they scream and shout until the virus steals their breath, and even after that they can't handle the truth. And I'm related to some of these people.............

The quick read on what you're referring to, Rod, is called the Sunk Cost Fallacy. It's normally a term one hears in business, but it can apply to how people think, as well.

I also hear something like, "I'm not worried, God will protect me." Reminds me of a possibly cute joke. Stop me if you've heard it:

The river is rising and citizens have been warned to evacuate the flooding. A man says, "I'm not worried, God will protect me."

Soon after, another man knocks on his door and says, "Come on neighbor! The river is rising and we have to leave." The man simply replies, "I'm not worried, God will protect me."

Well, a while later, the waters have risen so the street is now flooded and the man's home is halfway submerged. Another man comes by in a boat and says, "Come on neighbor! Your house is nearly gone and we have to leave." The man simply replies, I'm not worried, God will protect me."

So, now the man is clinging to the chimney on the roof of his house, flood waters swirling around him. A helicopter appears above and lowers a rope. From above, a man shouts, "Come on! The river is rising and you have to leave!" The man simply replies, I'm not worried, God will protect me."

Well, as you might imagine the poor man dies in the flood. And when he gets to heaven, he asks God, "God, you saw I was in trouble. You know I needed you. I had faith that you would save me, but you let me die. Why?"

God says, "Are you kidding me right now?! I sent a guy on foot, another in a boat, I even sent a helicopter. What more did you want?"

Erwyle (187240896) wrote:I also hear something like, "I'm not worried, God will protect me." Reminds me of a possibly cute joke. Stop me if you've heard it:

The river is rising and citizens have been warned to evacuate the flooding. A man says, "I'm not worried, God will protect me."

Soon after, another man knocks on his door and says, "Come on neighbor! The river is rising and we have to leave." The man simply replies, "I'm not worried, God will protect me."

Well, a while later, the waters have risen so the street is now flooded and the man's home is halfway submerged. Another man comes by in a boat and says, "Come on neighbor! Your house is nearly gone and we have to leave." The man simply replies, I'm not worried, God will protect me."

So, now the man is clinging to the chimney on the roof of his house, flood waters swirling around him. A helicopter appears above and lowers a rope. From above, a man shouts, "Come on! The river is rising and you have to leave!" The man simply replies, I'm not worried, God will protect me."

Well, as you might imagine the poor man dies in the flood. And when he gets to heaven, he asks God, "God, you saw I was in trouble. You know I needed you. I had faith that you would save me, but you let me die. Why?"

God says, "Are you kidding me right now?! I sent a guy on foot, another in a boat, I even sent a helicopter. What more did you want?"

You'll have to pardon me, but I think all religions are a farce...but, that about sums up xtianity for a person.

SvG Jericha (6077295) wrote:

Erwyle (187240896) wrote:I also hear something like, "I'm not worried, God will protect me." Reminds me of a possibly cute joke. Stop me if you've heard it:

The river is rising and citizens have been warned to evacuate the flooding. A man says, "I'm not worried, God will protect me."

Soon after, another man knocks on his door and says, "Come on neighbor! The river is rising and we have to leave." The man simply replies, "I'm not worried, God will protect me."

Well, a while later, the waters have risen so the street is now flooded and the man's home is halfway submerged. Another man comes by in a boat and says, "Come on neighbor! Your house is nearly gone and we have to leave." The man simply replies, I'm not worried, God will protect me."

So, now the man is clinging to the chimney on the roof of his house, flood waters swirling around him. A helicopter appears above and lowers a rope. From above, a man shouts, "Come on! The river is rising and you have to leave!" The man simply replies, I'm not worried, God will protect me."

Well, as you might imagine the poor man dies in the flood. And when he gets to heaven, he asks God, "God, you saw I was in trouble. You know I needed you. I had faith that you would save me, but you let me die. Why?"

God says, "Are you kidding me right now?! I sent a guy on foot, another in a boat, I even sent a helicopter. What more did you want?"

You'll have to pardon me, but I think all religions are a farce...but, that about sums up xtianity for a person.

No pardon needed. It's up to each person what they want to believe. I guess I like that joke because it correlates to the mask and vaccine situation. They think God is going to protect them, yet eschew protection. Strange. If you ever run into a Bible thumper who you feel needs this joke, it works pretty well. Gives them pause to think...

Erwyle (187240896) wrote:

SvG Jericha (6077295) wrote:

Erwyle (187240896) wrote:I also hear something like, "I'm not worried, God will protect me." Reminds me of a possibly cute joke. Stop me if you've heard it:

The river is rising and citizens have been warned to evacuate the flooding. A man says, "I'm not worried, God will protect me."

Soon after, another man knocks on his door and says, "Come on neighbor! The river is rising and we have to leave." The man simply replies, "I'm not worried, God will protect me."

Well, a while later, the waters have risen so the street is now flooded and the man's home is halfway submerged. Another man comes by in a boat and says, "Come on neighbor! Your house is nearly gone and we have to leave." The man simply replies, I'm not worried, God will protect me."

So, now the man is clinging to the chimney on the roof of his house, flood waters swirling around him. A helicopter appears above and lowers a rope. From above, a man shouts, "Come on! The river is rising and you have to leave!" The man simply replies, I'm not worried, God will protect me."

Well, as you might imagine the poor man dies in the flood. And when he gets to heaven, he asks God, "God, you saw I was in trouble. You know I needed you. I had faith that you would save me, but you let me die. Why?"

God says, "Are you kidding me right now?! I sent a guy on foot, another in a boat, I even sent a helicopter. What more did you want?"

You'll have to pardon me, but I think all religions are a farce...but, that about sums up xtianity for a person.

No pardon needed. It's up to each person what they want to believe. I guess I like that joke because it correlates to the mask and vaccine situation. They think God is going to protect them, yet eschew protection. Strange. If you ever run into a Bible thumper who you feel needs this joke, it works pretty well. Gives them pause to think...

I think that's the entire problem. They don't think. They feel that they need a mythical being to do all that for them. One thing I don't tend to run into is a bible thumper. They tend to steer clear of me. I don't blame them, either. An atheist who is capable of critical thinking is not their BFF.

Just gonna leave this here

SvG Jericha (6077295) wrote:

Erwyle (187240896) wrote:

SvG Jericha (6077295) wrote:

Erwyle (187240896) wrote:I also hear something like, "I'm not worried, God will protect me." Reminds me of a possibly cute joke. Stop me if you've heard it:

The river is rising and citizens have been warned to evacuate the flooding. A man says, "I'm not worried, God will protect me."

Soon after, another man knocks on his door and says, "Come on neighbor! The river is rising and we have to leave." The man simply replies, "I'm not worried, God will protect me."

Well, a while later, the waters have risen so the street is now flooded and the man's home is halfway submerged. Another man comes by in a boat and says, "Come on neighbor! Your house is nearly gone and we have to leave." The man simply replies, I'm not worried, God will protect me."

So, now the man is clinging to the chimney on the roof of his house, flood waters swirling around him. A helicopter appears above and lowers a rope. From above, a man shouts, "Come on! The river is rising and you have to leave!" The man simply replies, I'm not worried, God will protect me."

Well, as you might imagine the poor man dies in the flood. And when he gets to heaven, he asks God, "God, you saw I was in trouble. You know I needed you. I had faith that you would save me, but you let me die. Why?"

God says, "Are you kidding me right now?! I sent a guy on foot, another in a boat, I even sent a helicopter. What more did you want?"

You'll have to pardon me, but I think all religions are a farce...but, that about sums up xtianity for a person.

No pardon needed. It's up to each person what they want to believe. I guess I like that joke because it correlates to the mask and vaccine situation. They think God is going to protect them, yet eschew protection. Strange. If you ever run into a Bible thumper who you feel needs this joke, it works pretty well. Gives them pause to think...

I think that's the entire problem. They don't think. They feel that they need a mythical being to do all that for them. One thing I don't tend to run into is a bible thumper. They tend to steer clear of me. I don't blame them, either. An atheist who is capable of critical thinking is not their BFF.

I'm your huckleberry.......

I spent just over 4 years as an atheist working very hard to disprove the story of Christ. The evidence is overwhelming as to His existence, his death, and the eye witness accounts around His appearances after death. These sources exist outside of the Bible and corroborate the account within it. They come from Roman soldiers who knew that death was their reward for admitting they failed at their orders and from Jewish leadership who were trying to murder the very man they hated.

I'm no Bible thumper. I don't shove the facts in anyone's face. They are out there for any critical thinker to find for themselves. It's just easier to discount the facts and ignore them, because their existence means that we are forced to choose.

I'm sorry you guys have met/seen/read about some supposed Christians who got it wrong. People have abused their roles and caused many to see that as the reason to discount the only story that ever mattered. These people will pay for their abuses, as the God they used promised them. But there are millions who got it right and do so every day. They follow a being who exists outside time and space, who is so powerful that His very words became reality, and who just wanted some friends with the free will to choose to hang out with Him throughout eternity. He wears the label "God" because our limited minds can handle that simplified construct, but it's such a small name that's filled with connotations that are improperly strained through our limited understandings and experiences.

Anyhoo, I do understand why many Christians run from atheists - they aren't prepared to adequately discuss their "faith" as they were instructed by Paul to do. They haven't been properly discipled, and instead run blindly through life tripping over themselves and running from the reality of their calling. Religion does that to people and it is perhaps the greatest threat to the truth that exists. The Bible was never about religion. It is all about relationship.

I've broken a forum rule by responding to this. But I thought it important enough to clarify. I hope I did so gracefully. This is a conversation I usually save for in person discussions, but the topic came up in my thread and I'll never be afraid to "always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks to give reason for the hope that lies within" me.

The Tutor (126579776) wrote:

SvG Jericha (6077295) wrote:

Erwyle (187240896) wrote:

SvG Jericha (6077295) wrote:

Erwyle (187240896) wrote:I also hear something like, "I'm not worried, God will protect me." Reminds me of a possibly cute joke. Stop me if you've heard it:

The river is rising and citizens have been warned to evacuate the flooding. A man says, "I'm not worried, God will protect me."

Soon after, another man knocks on his door and says, "Come on neighbor! The river is rising and we have to leave." The man simply replies, "I'm not worried, God will protect me."

Well, a while later, the waters have risen so the street is now flooded and the man's home is halfway submerged. Another man comes by in a boat and says, "Come on neighbor! Your house is nearly gone and we have to leave." The man simply replies, I'm not worried, God will protect me."

So, now the man is clinging to the chimney on the roof of his house, flood waters swirling around him. A helicopter appears above and lowers a rope. From above, a man shouts, "Come on! The river is rising and you have to leave!" The man simply replies, I'm not worried, God will protect me."

Well, as you might imagine the poor man dies in the flood. And when he gets to heaven, he asks God, "God, you saw I was in trouble. You know I needed you. I had faith that you would save me, but you let me die. Why?"

God says, "Are you kidding me right now?! I sent a guy on foot, another in a boat, I even sent a helicopter. What more did you want?"

You'll have to pardon me, but I think all religions are a farce...but, that about sums up xtianity for a person.

No pardon needed. It's up to each person what they want to believe. I guess I like that joke because it correlates to the mask and vaccine situation. They think God is going to protect them, yet eschew protection. Strange. If you ever run into a Bible thumper who you feel needs this joke, it works pretty well. Gives them pause to think...

I think that's the entire problem. They don't think. They feel that they need a mythical being to do all that for them. One thing I don't tend to run into is a bible thumper. They tend to steer clear of me. I don't blame them, either. An atheist who is capable of critical thinking is not their BFF.

I'm your huckleberry.......

I spent just over 4 years as an atheist working very hard to disprove the story of Christ. The evidence is overwhelming as to His existence, his death, and the eye witness accounts around His appearances after death. These sources exist outside of the Bible and corroborate the account within it. They come from Roman soldiers who knew that death was their reward for admitting they failed at their orders and from Jewish leadership who were trying to murder the very man they hated.

I'm no Bible thumper. I don't shove the facts in anyone's face. They are out there for any critical thinker to find for themselves. It's just easier to discount the facts and ignore them, because their existence means that we are forced to choose.

I'm sorry you guys have met/seen/read about some supposed Christians who got it wrong. People have abused their roles and caused many to see that as the reason to discount the only story that ever mattered. These people will pay for their abuses, as the God they used promised them. But there are millions who got it right and do so every day. They follow a being who exists outside time and space, who is so powerful that His very words became reality, and who just wanted some friends with the free will to choose to hang out with Him throughout eternity. He wears the label "God" because our limited minds can handle that simplified construct, but it's such a small name that's filled with connotations that are improperly strained through our limited understandings and experiences.

Anyhoo, I do understand why many Christians run from atheists - they aren't prepared to adequately discuss their "faith" as they were instructed by Paul to do. They haven't been properly discipled, and instead run blindly through life tripping over themselves and running from the reality of their calling. Religion does that to people and it is perhaps the greatest threat to the truth that exists. The Bible was never about religion. It is all about relationship.

I've broken a forum rule by responding to this. But I thought it important enough to clarify. I hope I did so gracefully. This is a conversation I usually save for in person discussions, but the topic came up in my thread and I'll never be afraid to "always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks to give reason for the hope that lies within" me.

I think you've thought WAY too much about my comment once again. I don't believe in fairytale beings and I don't live by a book that was written by a mere mortal man because all humans are prone to error. If you can show me tangible evidence of this deity's existence, I'm all ears. If you can't, that's simply your opinion and I don't agree with with it.
But, hey, that's the great thing about this country we live in. You can believe in whatever you want, just as I can believe in facts, science and whatever you can show proof of existing.
This wouldn't even be a conversation that we would have, to be honest. I think I'm safe in saying that I'm quite a few years older than you are (at least a decade, I'd venture to guess) and you wouldn't be the first to try to get me "to see the light". I don't believe in all that junk. I never will. You do you on that one.
Now, as you have stated on my posts, you are entitled to your opinion. That's what I did here. Are you saying that I don't have the same rights as you do...or what is going on with this? You'll have to tell me because, rather than jump to an assumption, I think I'll just ask you to clarify.
And, as for you being the huckleberry, I don't think so. You have not brought up anything akin to trouble with me. You're just saying that you have a right to believe in xtianity, which is fine. There's no trouble with that. I'm saying I don't believe in any of it, from xtianity, to islam to wiccan...and you haven't proven that any of these deities exist. It's funny, however, that I said that I don't believe in any of it, and you immediately jump to the whole "you haven't met a decent xtian" thing. Nobody said anything about Christ not existing, either...you guys just lose me at the whole zombie, rise from the dead nonsense.

That's what "I'm your huckleberry" means, in case you did know. It means that you're down for causing trouble. I'm still waiting for you to do that on this subject.

The Tutor (126579776) wrote:

SvG Jericha (6077295) wrote:

Erwyle (187240896) wrote:

SvG Jericha (6077295) wrote:

Erwyle (187240896) wrote:I also hear something like, "I'm not worried, God will protect me." Reminds me of a possibly cute joke. Stop me if you've heard it:

The river is rising and citizens have been warned to evacuate the flooding. A man says, "I'm not worried, God will protect me."

Soon after, another man knocks on his door and says, "Come on neighbor! The river is rising and we have to leave." The man simply replies, "I'm not worried, God will protect me."

Well, a while later, the waters have risen so the street is now flooded and the man's home is halfway submerged. Another man comes by in a boat and says, "Come on neighbor! Your house is nearly gone and we have to leave." The man simply replies, I'm not worried, God will protect me."

So, now the man is clinging to the chimney on the roof of his house, flood waters swirling around him. A helicopter appears above and lowers a rope. From above, a man shouts, "Come on! The river is rising and you have to leave!" The man simply replies, I'm not worried, God will protect me."

Well, as you might imagine the poor man dies in the flood. And when he gets to heaven, he asks God, "God, you saw I was in trouble. You know I needed you. I had faith that you would save me, but you let me die. Why?"

God says, "Are you kidding me right now?! I sent a guy on foot, another in a boat, I even sent a helicopter. What more did you want?"

You'll have to pardon me, but I think all religions are a farce...but, that about sums up xtianity for a person.

No pardon needed. It's up to each person what they want to believe. I guess I like that joke because it correlates to the mask and vaccine situation. They think God is going to protect them, yet eschew protection. Strange. If you ever run into a Bible thumper who you feel needs this joke, it works pretty well. Gives them pause to think...

I think that's the entire problem. They don't think. They feel that they need a mythical being to do all that for them. One thing I don't tend to run into is a bible thumper. They tend to steer clear of me. I don't blame them, either. An atheist who is capable of critical thinking is not their BFF.

I'm your huckleberry.......

I spent just over 4 years as an atheist working very hard to disprove the story of Christ. The evidence is overwhelming as to His existence, his death, and the eye witness accounts around His appearances after death. These sources exist outside of the Bible and corroborate the account within it. They come from Roman soldiers who knew that death was their reward for admitting they failed at their orders and from Jewish leadership who were trying to murder the very man they hated.

I'm no Bible thumper. I don't shove the facts in anyone's face. They are out there for any critical thinker to find for themselves. It's just easier to discount the facts and ignore them, because their existence means that we are forced to choose.

I'm sorry you guys have met/seen/read about some supposed Christians who got it wrong. People have abused their roles and caused many to see that as the reason to discount the only story that ever mattered. These people will pay for their abuses, as the God they used promised them. But there are millions who got it right and do so every day. They follow a being who exists outside time and space, who is so powerful that His very words became reality, and who just wanted some friends with the free will to choose to hang out with Him throughout eternity. He wears the label "God" because our limited minds can handle that simplified construct, but it's such a small name that's filled with connotations that are improperly strained through our limited understandings and experiences.

Anyhoo, I do understand why many Christians run from atheists - they aren't prepared to adequately discuss their "faith" as they were instructed by Paul to do. They haven't been properly discipled, and instead run blindly through life tripping over themselves and running from the reality of their calling. Religion does that to people and it is perhaps the greatest threat to the truth that exists. The Bible was never about religion. It is all about relationship.

I've broken a forum rule by responding to this. But I thought it important enough to clarify. I hope I did so gracefully. This is a conversation I usually save for in person discussions, but the topic came up in my thread and I'll never be afraid to "always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks to give reason for the hope that lies within" me.

Whatever "evidence" you seen, could certainly be applied to any religious figure, even ones you don't believe in. At best, Christ was a normal dude like me and you, who said some cool stuff, and pissed off the religious folks of the time(which i can deffo get behind LOL)


Thats all im saying on the matter though, since im currently not in the mood to debate it in this thread or anywhere else at the moment, but when we both have the chance to down the road, im deffo your huckleberry.

SvG Jericha (6077295) wrote:

The Tutor (126579776) wrote:

SvG Jericha (6077295) wrote:

Erwyle (187240896) wrote:

SvG Jericha (6077295) wrote:

Erwyle (187240896) wrote:I also hear something like, "I'm not worried, God will protect me." Reminds me of a possibly cute joke. Stop me if you've heard it:

The river is rising and citizens have been warned to evacuate the flooding. A man says, "I'm not worried, God will protect me."

Soon after, another man knocks on his door and says, "Come on neighbor! The river is rising and we have to leave." The man simply replies, "I'm not worried, God will protect me."

Well, a while later, the waters have risen so the street is now flooded and the man's home is halfway submerged. Another man comes by in a boat and says, "Come on neighbor! Your house is nearly gone and we have to leave." The man simply replies, I'm not worried, God will protect me."

So, now the man is clinging to the chimney on the roof of his house, flood waters swirling around him. A helicopter appears above and lowers a rope. From above, a man shouts, "Come on! The river is rising and you have to leave!" The man simply replies, I'm not worried, God will protect me."

Well, as you might imagine the poor man dies in the flood. And when he gets to heaven, he asks God, "God, you saw I was in trouble. You know I needed you. I had faith that you would save me, but you let me die. Why?"

God says, "Are you kidding me right now?! I sent a guy on foot, another in a boat, I even sent a helicopter. What more did you want?"

You'll have to pardon me, but I think all religions are a farce...but, that about sums up xtianity for a person.

No pardon needed. It's up to each person what they want to believe. I guess I like that joke because it correlates to the mask and vaccine situation. They think God is going to protect them, yet eschew protection. Strange. If you ever run into a Bible thumper who you feel needs this joke, it works pretty well. Gives them pause to think...

I think that's the entire problem. They don't think. They feel that they need a mythical being to do all that for them. One thing I don't tend to run into is a bible thumper. They tend to steer clear of me. I don't blame them, either. An atheist who is capable of critical thinking is not their BFF.

I'm your huckleberry.......

I spent just over 4 years as an atheist working very hard to disprove the story of Christ. The evidence is overwhelming as to His existence, his death, and the eye witness accounts around His appearances after death. These sources exist outside of the Bible and corroborate the account within it. They come from Roman soldiers who knew that death was their reward for admitting they failed at their orders and from Jewish leadership who were trying to murder the very man they hated.

I'm no Bible thumper. I don't shove the facts in anyone's face. They are out there for any critical thinker to find for themselves. It's just easier to discount the facts and ignore them, because their existence means that we are forced to choose.

I'm sorry you guys have met/seen/read about some supposed Christians who got it wrong. People have abused their roles and caused many to see that as the reason to discount the only story that ever mattered. These people will pay for their abuses, as the God they used promised them. But there are millions who got it right and do so every day. They follow a being who exists outside time and space, who is so powerful that His very words became reality, and who just wanted some friends with the free will to choose to hang out with Him throughout eternity. He wears the label "God" because our limited minds can handle that simplified construct, but it's such a small name that's filled with connotations that are improperly strained through our limited understandings and experiences.

Anyhoo, I do understand why many Christians run from atheists - they aren't prepared to adequately discuss their "faith" as they were instructed by Paul to do. They haven't been properly discipled, and instead run blindly through life tripping over themselves and running from the reality of their calling. Religion does that to people and it is perhaps the greatest threat to the truth that exists. The Bible was never about religion. It is all about relationship.

I've broken a forum rule by responding to this. But I thought it important enough to clarify. I hope I did so gracefully. This is a conversation I usually save for in person discussions, but the topic came up in my thread and I'll never be afraid to "always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks to give reason for the hope that lies within" me.

I think you've thought WAY too much about my comment once again. I don't believe in fairytale beings and I don't live by a book that was written by a mere mortal man because all humans are prone to error. If you can show me tangible evidence of this deity's existence, I'm all ears. If you can't, that's simply your opinion and I don't agree with with it.
But, hey, that's the great thing about this country we live in. You can believe in whatever you want, just as I can believe in facts, science and whatever you can show proof of existing.
This wouldn't even be a conversation that we would have, to be honest. I think I'm safe in saying that I'm quite a few years older than you are (at least a decade, I'd venture to guess) and you wouldn't be the first to try to get me "to see the light". I don't believe in all that junk. I never will. You do you on that one.
Now, as you have stated on my posts, you are entitled to your opinion. That's what I did here. Are you saying that I don't have the same rights as you do...or what is going on with this? You'll have to tell me because, rather than jump to an assumption, I think I'll just ask you to clarify.
And, as for you being the huckleberry, I don't think so. You have not brought up anything akin to trouble with me. You just saying that you have a right to believe in xtianity, which is fine. There's no trouble with that. I'm saying I don't believe in any of it, from xtianity, to islam to wiccan...and you haven't proven that any of these deities exist.
That's what "I'm your huckleberry" means, in case you did know. It means that you're down for causing trouble. I'm still waiting for you to do that on this subject.

No maam, I wasn't tryin to convince you or change your words or deny your opinion. Mine's different and I simply stated why.

I often use the "huckleberry" comment when responding directly to posts. You said they 'steer clear' of you, and I just wanted to be one who didn't.