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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.

Members: 23
Latest Activity: 12 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 Joan Denoo Feb 11. 14 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 Wall

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Comment by Joan Denoo on January 22, 2019 at 12:54pm: “When people can get away with crimes just because they are wealthy or have the right connections, the scales are tipped against fairness and equality. The weight of corruption then becomes so heavy that it creates a dent that forces the world to become slanted, so much so — that justice just slips off.”
― Suzy Kassem, Rise Up and Salute the Sun: The Writings of Suzy Kassem

Crimes, unfairness, and inequality create dents that force "the world to become slanted, so much so — that justice just slips off.”

Comment by Loren Miller on January 22, 2019 at 7:53am: Zero argument, Bertold. Hell, I'd pay to put Dolt 45 in his own little lockup myself!

Comment by Bertold Brautigan on January 22, 2019 at 7:50am: [The Trump] family is the one that should be separated and locked into cages.

~Bill Maher

Comment by Loren Miller on January 22, 2019 at 6:03am: "It didn't seem reasonable." Mostly because it isn't, but then how many believers are genuinely willing to apply reason to what they believe?

Comment by Loren Miller on January 21, 2019 at 4:37am: It is full of interest. It has noble poetry in it; and some clever fables; and some blood-drenched history; and some good morals; and a wealth of obscenity; and upwards of a thousand lies.
-- Mark Twain (on the bible)

Personally, I think Mr. Clemons was being generous, particularly regarding the morals and poetry. I find the bible to be a welter of violence, misogyny, and misguided action, attended by a deity who is not only "the most unpleasant character in all fiction," but the best hidden.

Comment by Joan Denoo on January 21, 2019 at 1:29am: The truth is, this shutdown is about a president of the United States who latched onto a non-solution to a real-world problem facing all nations: emigration and holds onto that option without debate, negotiation or compromise.

Not one cent of U.S. taxpayer dollars should be spent on a solution that will not solve a problem. Emigration is far too complex than that. His insistence on getting his wall is only part of his window dressing, his gold crown and red robe of status. He will do far better for everyone if he sits down and works out a solution after different factions discuss the options and choose one they all can accept and support.

We need to reclaim U.S.A. as a republic and prevent ”the subversion of our most basic governmental norms.”

Comment by Joan Denoo on January 21, 2019 at 1:07am: I think of myself as an atheist, as one who has read holy books from cover to cover and find little of redeeming value in them. I listened to sermons and discover opinions of men and women who don't seem to know as much about healthy love and community as any reliable and valid self-help book. I listen to fine choral music, am overwhelmed by the temper and tone of performances even as the words make no sense to me or contradict how I see the world. I see people who suffer and work to break some of the barriers they face even as I provide healthy communication skills and encouragement that they can live better lives. I care about the health and welfare of all people spending most of my adult years teaching children and adults how to manage anger more effectively, and how to communicate using assertive and active-listening skills and other problem solving and conflict management skills. I am an atheist, I think and act according to my best understanding and I find the writings and teachings based on the ancient texts as distracting, incomplete, and incompetent. I do not believe the stories used as evidence; anyone can create a story to make a point. I do it all the time; I suspect most good storytellers do, too.

~ Joan Denoo January 20, 2019.

Comment by Loren Miller on January 20, 2019 at 7:59am: If you can approach the world's complexities, both its glories and its horrors, with an attitude of humble curiosity, acknowledging that however deeply you have seen, you have only scratched the surface, you will find worlds within worlds, beauties you could not heretofore imagine, and your own mundane preoccupations will shrink to proper size, not all that important in the greater scheme of things. -- Daniel C. Dennett

Seems sound advice to me, Mr. Dennett.

Comment by Loren Miller on January 19, 2019 at 7:58am: I mean, you could claim that anything's real if the only basis for believing in it is that nobody's proved it doesn't exist!
-- J.K. Rowling

"You can't prove my god DOESN'T exist!" How many times have we heard THAT?