Hello!

[Hermit]

I found out this morning that I had been permanently banned, a move that I consider to be irrational, premature and unfair

From what I can tell, the mods of RS have made no mention of banning me

On the Rational Skeptics site it says that you have been banned for serious abuse of the PM system.

[CookieJon]

Meph and CookieJon, At the moment, I really don't want to talk about my personal life or my academic background. If I made a mistake by joining RDF with "Dr." before my name, and I've compounded that when I made reference to academic credentials, I sincerely hope you will respect my wishes to not reveal more information. I am not asking either one of you or anybody else to reveal anything about themselves that they don't want to reveal, and, as I've said, once you put it out on the net, it's available to the entire world.

I've known enough mensa members, college profs, etc. to not be particularly impressed by all that stuff. The fact that somebody is smart or brilliant in a particular area doesn't mean that they are smart in the rest of their life. This is the last thing I intend to say about Dr., academia, etc.

I see. It's just you said you were a doctor, then claimed "legitimate" academic credentials in the same sentence (as if anyone would flaut their "illigitimate" credentials )

I was just wondering if you were completely honest about being a doctor or not. A simple yes or no would have sufficed, but I won't press you further on this issue if it's uncomfortable for you.


EDIT: One more I couldn't resist, sorry LaMont:

virphen, Man, you seem to be quite tense.

Is that your professional opinion or what?

[LaMont Cranston]

CookieJon, No, it's not a professional opinion. It just seems obvious to me that while some people are pretty light-hearted and see some humor in the ongoing discussions between believers and non-believers, other people really have their heels dug in. I've said it before, but let me say it again...I don't really care all that much about what somebody believes about the existence of God. I'm much more interested in whether or not people have kindness, love and understanding in their hearts.

There's a rich tradition of humor to be found in what we're talking about, including the likes of Lenny Bruce and Sam Kinison and assorted movies, etc. I would much rather relate with those people who can recognize the commonality that we all have as human beings rather than relating with those people who want to fight about perceived differences.

[Feck]

I have no problems laughing with a theist .. makes a change from laughing at them ..

[LaMont Cranston]

Seraph, Since I first signed on here, I have received more information from some of my friends about my banishment. Let's face it, on RS, you're going to hear the RS version of what transpired, and even if their was an appeal process, I'm not interested in being involved with those people on that forum. I also do not wish to drag all that shit on to this forum. Suffice to say, I hold no ill will against those folks at RS. Let's move onward and upward...

[Feck]

Theism .... it's like a fat girl in a mini skirt OK she has a right to wear what she likes ...... BUT really !

[Deep Sea Isopod]

Maybe it's about time this chat was moved from the "new members" area?

Anyway, LaMont, I can't help but think of the Only Fools and Horses episode where they are stuck in the superstore overnight, when I here the name "Shadow".....
"They seek him here, they see him there. Those policemen seek him everywhere. Is he in heaven or is he in hell? That damn illusive Sha-a-dow."

[devogue]

I keep thinking of Norman Lamont.

[Xamonas Chegwé]

I keep thinking of Norman Lamont.

You poor man.

[Feck]

Mental image...... Dev and Norman making out ( I threw up a little in my mouth )

[LaMont Cranston]

Deep Sea Isopod, I'm willing to move this conversation to somewhere else, although I don't think it's absolutely necessary. I'm enjoying meeting the new people and re-connecting with some old friends on this thread. I also have to wonder if you want to move the conversation just for the sake of moving it, or if there is some other reason.

[LaMont Cranston]

Feck, I cracked-up when I saw that thing about fat girls in mini-skirts. Let's face it, there are some guys who like large (or should we say "big boned") women, although that's never been my preferred body type. If theism is the fat girl in the mini-skirt, what is atheism...the anorexic all gussied up and walking around in a cocktail dress?

I think it's all well and good that theists and atheists laugh at each other and with each other.

[Deep Sea Isopod]

Deep Sea Isopod, I'm willing to move this conversation to somewhere else, although I don't think it's absolutely necessary. I'm enjoying meeting the new people and re-connecting with some old friends on this thread. I also have to wonder if you want to move the conversation just for the sake of moving it, or if there is some other reason.

Not at all. I have no problem with theists being here, I just think that this is an interesting thread and deservse to be sent to the mainstream fora.
The "new Members" forum is often overlooked by regular, and other, members.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

Deep Sea Isopod, I'm willing to move this conversation to somewhere else, although I don't think it's absolutely necessary. I'm enjoying meeting the new people and re-connecting with some old friends on this thread. I also have to wonder if you want to move the conversation just for the sake of moving it, or if there is some other reason.

Two shrinks walking down the street encounter each other. They both say "Hello" and keep going. As they part both think the same thing: "I wonder what he meant by that?"

[Surendra Darathy]

what is atheism...the anorexic all gussied up and walking around in a cocktail dress?

Empirically speaking, atheism really does carry the minimum of meat on its bones. It's not about whether the bone is big or not, LaMont, it's what you do with it that counts. See the opening scenes of Kubrick's film "2001: A Space Odyssey".

It all depends on what you're trying to do with the bones. For some applications, less meat is better. A self-proclaimed street-fighter ought to know the provenance of bare-knuckle boxing, which is not particularly about love and kindness, but more about "understanding". The sweet science.

I'm much more interested in whether or not people have kindness, love and understanding in their hearts.

Really. If the bone you're swinging is not very big, and the bone that others are swinging is bigger, you hope that others are swinging softly and carrying a big shtick.

Simply because people claim they are doing something does not make it so.

This one is a double-edged sword, especially for those who say that "God exists regardless of the need for Him". And then claim that they have achieved a definition of what it is to "exist".