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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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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

Ideas

Started by Joan Denoo. Last reply by Joan Denoo Sep 14. 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. 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. 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

Ingersoll Day August 11th

Started by Joan Denoo. Last reply by Plinius Aug 12. 2 Replies 3 Likes

Robert Green Ingersoll (1833-1899)"When I became convinced that the universe is natural, that all the ghosts and gods are myths, there entered into my brain, into my soul, into every drop of my blood…Continue

Tags: fearless, joyous, freedom, Day, agnostic

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Comment by Joan Denoo on October 10, 2017 at 5:46am: Loren, it is 3:30 A.M. in Newport, WA; you are up very late! Whatever the time you send us quotes, I appreciate your work! Thanks!

Comment by Joan Denoo on October 10, 2017 at 5:41am: Quote Investigator

Comment by Loren Miller on October 10, 2017 at 5:40am: Excellent citation, Joan, I appreciate your finding it for us.

And therewith is an important point: it isn't just MY free country or YOUR free country, but OUR free country, a distinction I suspect too many people fail to see, recognize, or respect!

Comment by Joan Denoo on October 10, 2017 at 5:34am: I wonder who originated the statement, "Your right to wave your beliefs about ends at my nose!!!"

According to Quote Investigator, the earliest known statement was

"This arm is my arm (and my wife’s), it is not yours. Up here I have a right to strike out with it as I please. I go over there with these gentlemen and swing my arm and exercise the natural right which you have granted; I hit one man on the nose, another under the ear, and as I go down the stairs on my head, I cry out:

“Is not this a free country?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Have not I a right to swing my arm?”

“Yes, but your right to swing your arm leaves off where my right not to have my nose struck begins.”

Here civil government comes in to prevent bloodshed, adjust rights, and settle disputes."

~ John B. Finch, Chairman of the Prohibition National Committee, an oration given in Iowa City in 1882.

Comment by Loren Miller on October 10, 2017 at 4:38am: Bertold, your excellent quote reminds me of another which I've cited more times than I can count, to wit:

Your right to wave your beliefs about ends at my nose!!!
-- Anon.

Comment by Loren Miller on October 10, 2017 at 4:36am: When Galileo rejected the Vatican’s astronomical dogma, he wasn’t rejecting only their “facts” about our planet and our sun; he was also rejecting the church’s right to tell us who we are.
-- Alice Dreger, Galileo’s Middle Finger

Isn't that what the church has always done? Try "to tell us who we are," that we're broken, flawed, born sinful and in need of redemption? This blatant presumption should piss off every freethinking person on the face of the planet.

Comment by Bertold Brautigan on October 9, 2017 at 9:06pm: The United States is a country of religious freedom for all. That's a good thing, and very important. But we should be careful in considering what that means. And more to the point, what it doesn't mean. I think it means everyone is absolutely free to believe anything they want. Everyone is also free to argue for their beliefs in a rational and civil manner. What it doesn't mean is that anyone can compel others to conform to their beliefs. That's not religious freedom, that's hell on earth.

--Bertold

Comment by Gary S on October 9, 2017 at 5:26pm: I care to live only to entice people to look at Nature's loveliness.

- John Muir

Comment by Bertold Brautigan on October 9, 2017 at 7:56am: It’s easier to fool people than to convince them that they’ve been fooled.

— Unknown.

Comment by Loren Miller on October 9, 2017 at 5:28am: If we are going to teach 'creation science' as an alternative to evolution, then we should also teach the stork theory as an alternative to biological reproduction.
-- Judith Hayes

Maybe we should be teaching phlogiston chemistry as well and the geocentric theory of the solar system...