Observations and Interesting Things

A week ago I did a post called 50 Old Testament Inconsistencies. It was just something I thought might be a bit different to share with everyone. I didn't write it but I linked to where I had found it and also to the Skeptic's Annotated Bible's list of contradictions. Apparently some people found it recently and it's gotten some traffic, mainly by christians who are none too pleased. I guess I hit a nerve.

In my experience, most people don't know how to argue effectively. I myself am not very good at it. I hate arguing, and conflict in general. But I think personal attacks are really uncalled for, especially when one person states an opinion and the other person counters with a personal attack. It just shows lack of ability to handle a disagreement.

By the way, this is called the Ad Hominem Logical Fallacy as I wrote about previously.

Sometimes I wonder if people do it on purpose because it's so easy to lash out at someone and so hard to defend. I think they do, the more I see it happen. And frankly I think it's weak and lazy.

I think we all see the world in a unique way. I don't even think twins see the world exactly the same, so when it comes to strangers in different parts of the world, living radically different lives, multiplied by the anonymity of being on a computer, not face to face, it gets really easy to attack and be nasty.

Also, for someone who follows the teachings of Christ, isn't it hypocrisy to attack someone in such a way and be nasty, when in fact wouldn't that be the best time to lead by example and be even more christlike, kind, loving, compassionate and understanding? There are nice ways to disagree. The Ad Hominem is decidedly not nice.

Why do atheists have to be more christlike, understanding, tolerant and kind than christians? That screams hypocrisy. I'm so sick of it. Do as christ says, not as I do. Bullshit.

On a totally different note, my husband Butch wrote a post on his blog the other day. He talked about the differences between Patriotism and Nationalism. It has a lot of swearing in it, but it's quite excellent. If you don't mind a bit of swearing and ranting, it's a great lesson in the difference of those 2 terms.

To make things even more random, I read this awesome article about Gliocladium roseum. It's a fungus in Patagonia that actually makes hydrocarbons and their derivatives! The fungus can eat cellulose or sugars and then makes the hydrocarbons which can then be made into biodiesel. I think I've got that right. Even just the DNA from the fungus can help make biofuels in the future. So we'll see what happens with it and if we hear any more about it in the future.