God: Great Job On Finding My Particle!

Posted: Jul 20, 2012 - 11:01am

Why is it that when something wonderful happens, it's because god made it happen?

But when something tragic happens, god is nowhere to be found. God didn't cause the bad thing, god only causes good things. The bad things happen because we don't believe in god. Or that Satan did it.

Or if you are George Zimmerman, it's god's plan.

I really don't get this god thing.

Posted: Jul 9, 2012 - 5:52am

I guess all the rhubarb is about changing the political status quo regarding religion.

Some wish to change the status quo and some want to leave it alone.

Otherwise there is nothing new.

Oh well, oh Hell, or is it oh Hell, oh well ?

Posted: Jul 9, 2012 - 5:31am

God: Great Job On Finding My Particle!

Jul 6, 2012 3:00 PM EDT

God, the author of The Last Testament: A Memoir, took some time off from helping Tim Tebow and Jeremy Lin to thank the scientists for finding that missing particle—who would’ve thought to look in the particle collider!

First off, they’re all My particles, OK? I made every last one of them, from the hunky handsome proton to the waifish, Starbucks-named neutrino. So when you attach My name only to the Higgs boson you insult the decillions of quarks, leptons, gluons, and all the other “little particles” without whose hard work and collaborative spirit the universe would cease to exist, at least with the same brio

Secondly, congratulations! You did a heck of a job. First and foremost, kudos to Professor Higgs himself, the man who decades ago predicted the existence of a mass-bestowing particle. As you may know he is an avowed atheist, so I thought it was rather kind of Me to let him revel in his earthly success before sending him off to spend eternity as the anguished m in a fiery E=mc2 conversion sequence.

In truth I’m not that surprised you guys found it—sorry, “guys and girls.” Old Testament habits die hard! Humanity has always had a talent for having dogged faith in, then interpreting squiggly lines on paper as proving the existence of, entities that are impossible to see. (No one appreciates that more than Me.)

What does surprise me is how much attention the whole thing got. I never thought I’d see the day when “CERN” trended on Twitter. It must have been extremely gratifying for the research team to see the name of their laboratory make the same prestigious list as #NorwayLovesBieber and#replace70ssongtitleswithpoop. To be honest I can’t remember the last time a physics breakthrough got this kind of international media attention. Kidding! Of course I do; I’m God. It was August 6, 1945, and it killed.

But the larger point is: I’m still God. Your discovery doesn’t threaten Me. Unlike the CERN researchers I do not “sweat the small stuff”. I see the big picture, which is that no matter how much insight and control you gain over matter, you will never control time. You can’t see what’s coming; only I can. That’s why I win.

god-on-god-particle-NEW-tease

Michael Cogliantry; CERN / AP Photo

Besides, even when it comes to the material world you haven’t even begun to scratch the surface of the absolutely crazy shit I threw into quantum physics. For example, in about five years or so you’re going to smash together a quark and an antiquark and discover a new particle that actually folds out into a bed.

It’s called a futon.

Zing! Like I said, never saw it coming.

Posted: May 29, 2012 - 11:39am

hippiechick wrote:

Aside from this, I don't feel that having a god in my life would make any other difference. I am loving, generous, and compassionate, imo more so than most "Christians" that I know.

But you don't believe in God so all that other stuff is meaningless. You suck. People are always looking for some difference or imagined wrong to hate each other. BTW, I really don't think you suck.

Posted: May 29, 2012 - 10:15am

hippiechick wrote:

We are not talking religion, we are talking god. Pretty much, you either believe or don't, or you aren't sure. You can't believe just a little, that would be like being a little pregnant.

That's part of what I was getting at - a lot of people "aren't sure" about whether or not they believe in a supreme deity/supernatural force which created the universe; in a way, that's like a partial belief. I've known quite a few people who seemed to take comfort in believing the the universe is a godless, cold, lonely void - to each his own. It's generally the fanatics on either side who respond to the other side's beliefs (or non-beliefs) with derision and/or bigotry.

Posted: May 29, 2012 - 9:51am

mzpro5 wrote:

As Proclivities did I would disagree. I am an agnostic and if anything my years of studies in comparative religion have shown there is a whole pallet out there. It is only black and white if you have closed your mind to the whole scope of the ideas and beliefs of the many world religions.

We are not talking religion, we are talking god. Pretty much, you either believe or don't, or you aren't sure. You can't believe just a little, that would be like being a little pregnant.

Posted: May 29, 2012 - 9:43am

hippiechick wrote:

This is one of those issues that is pretty black and white, so the believers can't imagine what it's like to not believe, and the non-believers find the opposite to be difficult. Hard to see eye-to-eye on this subject.

As Proclivities did I would disagree. I am an agnostic and if anything my years of studies in comparative religion have shown there is a whole pallet out there.

It is only black and white if you have closed your mind to the whole scope of the ideas and beliefs of the many world religions.

Posted: May 29, 2012 - 9:40am

Lazy8 wrote:

sirdroseph wrote:

I really don't see how anyone can be anything other than

...and that's our problem right there.

This is clearly my opinion and stated as such, I am not in the business of changing peoples minds, arguing with or trying to change other peoples beliefs and opinions. What I see or don't see has no bearing on what others believe, I freely acknowledge this as my personal opinion. This is not the problem here, people trying to change others minds is. I appreciate that you think I have bearing or power over others beliefs or discussion in this matter, but I am trying to tell you that I don't and quite frankly don't care what others believe or don't believe so I don't so how my personal non opinion on this matter makes any difference one way or the other. {#Stupid}

Posted: May 29, 2012 - 9:04am

sirdroseph wrote:

I really don't see how anyone can be anything other than

...and that's our problem right there.

Posted: May 29, 2012 - 8:55am

Proclivities wrote:

If one resigns to being reflexively confrontational it may be hard to see eye-to-eye. There is a great deal of "grey area" between the opinions of fanatical religious adherents and those of fanatical atheists. Many people go back and forth between aspects of believing and disbelieving, many more do not feel the need to brazenly proclaim what they believe or disbelieve. It all seems like pretty personal stuff to me.

I really don't see how anyone can be anything other than agnostic when dealing with such enormous, abstract ideas such as these. I think both believers and non-believers are equally presumptious, but hey as you stated that is a personal choice. The arrogance comes in when people try to convince or argue with others about their beliefs or non-belief. State your opinion all you want either way, but for me both Atheists and Believers can make their argument in Swahili and it will not change anything nor my non-opinion on this non-issue that I don't even understand what all the fuss is about. {#Stupid}

Posted: May 29, 2012 - 8:40am

Proclivities wrote:

If one resigns to being reflexively confrontational it may be hard to see eye-to-eye. There is a great deal of "grey area" between the opinions of fanatical religious adherents and those of fanatical atheists. Many people go back and forth between aspects of believing and disbelieving, many more do not feel the need to brazenly proclaim what they believe or disbelieve. It all seems like pretty personal stuff to me.

The greater part of reality is projection. "For as a man seweth..." So on and sew forth...

Posted: May 29, 2012 - 8:23am

hippiechick wrote:

This is one of those issues that is pretty black and white, so the believers can't imagine what it's like to not believe, and the non-believers find the opposite to be difficult. Hard to see eye-to-eye on this subject.

If one resigns to being reflexively confrontational it may be hard to see eye-to-eye. There is a great deal of "grey area" between the opinions of fanatical religious adherents and those of fanatical atheists. Many people go back and forth between aspects of believing and disbelieving, many more do not feel the need to brazenly proclaim what they believe or disbelieve. It all seems like pretty personal stuff to me.

Posted: May 29, 2012 - 8:19am

Proclivities wrote:

The bigotry of the nonbeliever is, for me, nearly as funny as the bigotry of the believer. — Albert Einstein

This is one of those issues that is pretty black and white, so the believers can't imagine what it's like to not believe, and the non-believers find the opposite to be difficult. Hard to see eye-to-eye on this subject.

Posted: May 29, 2012 - 8:17am

The bigotry of the nonbeliever is, for me, nearly as funny as the bigotry of the believer. — Albert Einstein

Posted: May 29, 2012 - 7:53am

MsJudi wrote:

All due respect (and I haven't read any of the posts that have come after this, yet, so maybe it's already been pointed out) but being an atheist does NOT mean that I believe in "nothingness." You're correct, that would be a pretty terrible way to live. But I'm an atheist and I have a pretty great life, for which I have tremendous gratitude and respect. I believe in- have faith in- many, many things, including humanity itself. They just happen to be secular.

Assuming that atheists believe in nothing and therefore have nothing but "empty and lonely" lives is a little tone deaf. I don't know you to be a tone deaf man, Kurt. Just saying.

{#Wave}

Personally I think that believing in someone who is going to help you out of a jam is a bit of a cop out. I can't be waiting for answers from an unknown thing, when I know that I have the answers inside of me.

God is a Concept by which
we measure our pain
I'll say it again

God is a Concept by which
we measure our pain

I don't believe in magic
I don't believe in I-ching
I don't believe in Bible
I don't believe in Tarot
I don't believe in Hitler
I don't believe in Jesus
I don't believe in Kennedy
I don't believe in Buddha
I don't believe in Mantra
I don't believe in Gita
I don't believe in Yoga
I don't believe in Kings
I don't believe in Elvis
I don't believe in Zimmerman
I don't believe in Beatles
I just believe in me...and that reality

Posted: May 29, 2012 - 7:47am

kurtster wrote:

Maybe its that believing in something offers more as a whole than believing in nothingness ? Nothing seems a very empty and lonely place.

What is an anchor without a resting place to embed itself in ?

A weight and nothing more ?

All due respect (and I haven't read any of the posts that have come after this, yet, so maybe it's already been pointed out) but being an atheist does NOT mean that I believe in "nothingness." You're correct, that would be a pretty terrible way to live. But I'm an atheist and I have a pretty great life, for which I have tremendous gratitude and respect. I believe in- have faith in- many, many things, including humanity itself. They just happen to be secular.

Assuming that atheists believe in nothing and therefore have nothing but "empty and lonely" lives is a little tone deaf. I don't know you to be a tone deaf man, Kurt. Just saying.

{#Wave}

Posted: May 29, 2012 - 5:19am

This is the thing about not believing in a god: When I have been in my worst places, I have no one to pray to, to ask for help, to imagine that there is someone/something out there that is going to come through for me. I just have to do it myself. I have to reach into myself, and find my highest self for the answers. Sometimes I wish that I could believe in something more magical, but it's simply not there for me.

Aside from this, I don't feel that having a god in my life would make any other difference. I am loving, generous, and compassionate, imo more so than most "Christians" that I know.

Posted: May 29, 2012 - 5:06am

edieraye wrote:

Check. And check. Although my better half claims I'm not half as funny as I think I am. What does he know? (Okay, he actually endures the majority of my attempts at humor so perhaps he does know a thing or two.) I was looking for a step stool and didn't find it and stomped my foot like a spoiled child. I admit it. Just because I didn't find what I was looking for is no reason - AT ALL - to put down what others have taken the time to post. My apologies.

Everyone thinks they are funnier than they really are.

Posted: May 29, 2012 - 12:49am

kurtster wrote:

Maybe its that believing in something offers more as a whole than believing in nothingness ? Nothing seems a very empty and lonely place.

What is an anchor without a resting place to embed itself in ?

A weight and nothing more ?

Not believing in fairy tales does not mean believing in nothing. Although I doubt one needs to "believe" in the truth. "Belief" is a refuge for those who don't know but want to feel credible some how. I have a lot of theories but I don't know anything for sure. Science and religion have failed to answer much.

Should the truth be believed? Can the truth ever be known? Knowing shouldn't depend on leaps of faith... and yet... what do we really know for sure? How important is fear? Are fears of the unknown the roots of faith or the other way around?

Posted: May 28, 2012 - 9:54pm

edieraye wrote:

Check. And check. Although my better half claims I'm not half as funny as I think I am. What does he know? (Okay, he actually endures the majority of my attempts at humor so perhaps he does know a thing or two.) I was looking for a step stool and didn't find it and stomped my foot like a spoiled child. I admit it. Just because I didn't find what I was looking for is no reason - AT ALL - to put down what others have taken the time to post. My apologies.

Your point was taken, given my recollection of the thread you mentioned. It went well for the most part. I guess I skewed it a little toward the end with a sort of superficial observation. Fortunately some solid discussion had taken place prior. I admit to being somewhat taken aback by what I saw of the thread originator's hostility, although some of the hostility early on in this thread surprised me not at all.
I see no need for you to to apologize. Maybe just the need to drop by and post more often. {#Daisy}