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Quotations – Momentous, Memorable, Meaningful

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A place to share the words of others (or your own!) which have been impactful in your life, whether they're serious, poignant, humorous, or just something worth noting.

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Latest Activity: 13 hours ago

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I have been a quote collector and quote monger for at least as long as I've been an atheist and probably a good deal longer. My admiration for those who enjoy reputations as wordsmiths extends even further back, whether we're talking about John F. Kennedy's assertion: "We choose to go to the moon," George Santayana's warning: "Those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it," or James T. Kirk's deft observation when faced with the dauntingly huge First Federation ship: "Not chess, Mr. Spock ... poker!"

The realm of atheist activism has had its own share of verbal craftsmen and women, from Madalyn Murray O'Hair's: "An atheist believes that a hospital should be built instead of a church." to Aron Ra's succinct: "If you can't show it, you don't know it."

Regardless of the topic, these are words which are capable of fomenting inspiration, reflection, and sometimes even action. They can educate and illuminate the human condition and allow us to better know ourselves. That said, here is an open invitation to share those words which have been particularly meaningful or impactful or timely or just special to you for one reason or another.

Let's share those words and have fun!

One bit of clerical business: please hold your quotes in the comment area below to 20 lines or 200 words. One comment should not so dominate the Home page of this group that no other comment is visible. That way, the briefer comments and quotes of all participants are more likely to be seen, read, and appreciated. If you have a long quote or commentary, create a post, please.

Discussion Forum

Truth

Started by Joan Denoo. Last reply by Alan Perlman on Tuesday. 12 Replies 2 Likes

"APHORISM XXV. He who begins by loving Christianity better than Truth, will proceed by loving his own sect or Church better than Christianity, and end loving himself better than all."~…Continue

Tags: Truth

Ideas

Started by Joan Denoo. Last reply by Joan Denoo Sep 14, 2018. 2 Replies 2 Likes

The word “Permaculture” is the combination of the two words “permanent” and “agriculture.” It is a method of agricultural philosophy that allows gardeners to create and sustain growing food in a way…Continue

Tags: production, shelter, food, permaculture, Mollison

On Emotion, Vulnerability, and a Flawed God

Started by Loren Miller. Last reply by Grinning Cat Sep 10, 2018. 5 Replies 5 Likes

On 31 May, 2018, Joan Denoo posted a most excellent quote from David Hume: That quote was well deserving of a response, which is the following:The most preposterous notion that H. sapiens has ever…Continue

Tags: flawed, vulnerable, emotion, god

Will McAvoy's Rant: "America Is NOT the World's Greatest Country"

Started by Loren Miller. Last reply by Joan Denoo Aug 25, 2018. 3 Replies 4 Likes

Aaron Sorkin has a habit of swinging for the fences when he writes political commentary as entertainment for television. This was first evinced in the network television series, The West Wing, and…Continue

Tags: The Newsroom, Will McAvoy, Aaron Sorkin

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Comment by Loren Miller on April 16, 2018 at 5:44am: The position of the Atheist is a clear and reasonable one. I know nothing about ‘God’ and therefore I do not believe in Him or in it; what you tell me about your God is self‐contradictory, and therefore incredible. I do not deny ‘God,’ which is an unknown tongue to me; I do deny your God, who is an impossibility. I am without God.
― Annie Besant

And I'm right behind you, Annie.

Comment by Loren Miller on April 16, 2018 at 5:42am: As for my own $0.02 worth, the way the haves and the have-nots are stratifying, between the 1% and what remains of the middle class, I can't escape the feeling that, unless something is done to rectify the situation, US culture is beginning to more closely resemble that of France in 1795.

NOT a good thing.

Comment by Joan Denoo on April 16, 2018 at 2:50am: Given the reality of the decline of the social health of the working class and the obscene growth of wealth in the top 1%, how can one even discuss the idea of a "Partnership Society?"

Yes, we are a war-making people. However, we have brains, intelligence, imagination, and hope for a better world for all living things on the planet. We can be a peace-loving people.

How?

Comment by Joan Denoo on April 16, 2018 at 2:39am

Affordable housing

Alcohol-related traffic fatalities

Child poverty

High school completion

Infant mortality

Teenage births

Unemployment

Wages

Age 65-plus poverty

Child abuse

Health care coverage

Inequality in family income

Life expectancy

Teenage drug use

Violent crime

Youth suicide

This study defines the social wellbeing of the U.S. from 1970 to 1998. Production of goods and services rise as Social health declines over the years.

How do we measure "standard of living?"

~Marc Miringoff, director of the Fordham University Institute for Innovation in Social Policy and

~ Marque-Luisa Miringoff, professor of sociology at Vallar College.

Comment by Joan Denoo on April 16, 2018 at 2:10am: OK, change the language, "We are a peace-making people," is a preferred assumption and one that can be developed. Just as making war requires effort, so does making peace.

Peace doesn't just happen, obviously, but when confronted with the current state of affairs, one can hardly see a way to turn the culture around.

Creating a "partnership" society flies in the face of capitalism that requires growth even when the planet has limits to growth. Capitalism also requires material consumption to the point when one wonders when is enough, enough? Capitalism needs a poverty class that drives wages down. Capitalism requires war. Capitalism requires socialism for the wealthy while working class people work harder, producing more goods and services; production rises as wages remain stagnant. More good and services mean more profits for the owners of capital as wages remain stagnant.

A new deal with capitalism requires a revolution in politics and ma...

Does capitalism require endless growth in material consumption?;

Capitalism requires a stable and dependable money system;

Away with economic quackery – capitalism requires capital;

Comment by Ruth Anthony-Gardner on April 15, 2018 at 10:56pm: Bertold, I see "We are a war-making people." as a Dominator Culture assumption which is harmful. Just because we've made war on one another, doesn't mean that's our only possibility. Habitual liars like to say "Everybody lies". It's narrowing, like blinders on a horse. We are also love-making people, caring people, thoughtful people, planners, builders, and music makers. It's similar to the logical error of blaming, which defines the worth of the whole person by one unfortunate choice, instead of using the language of responsibility, which shows respect for the whole person while denouncing the one behavior.

Comment by Patricia on April 15, 2018 at 9:12pm: Yes, pretty simple.

Comment by Loren Miller on April 15, 2018 at 8:58pm: Works for me, Patricia!

Comment by Patricia on April 15, 2018 at 6:11pm: Ask the question, here's the answer.....

Comment by Loren Miller on April 15, 2018 at 3:19pm: The fiery trial through which we pass will light us down in honor or dishonor to the latest generation. We, even we here, hold the power and bear the responsibility. -- Abraham Lincoln

Joan, it would seem as though even the passage of over 150 years has changed the base nature of politics very little. Mark the quote above.