Count the Logical Fallacies!

There's an e-mail making the rounds that I saw this morning, which gave me quite a chuckle. So of course I have to share it with you.

Spot the logical fallacies! I've included in parentheses the most blatant logical fallacy, but please feel free to comment with others. I left the original in all caps so that you can appreciate it in all its glory.

IN CHEMISTRY, HE TURNED WATER TO WINE. ("Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence." Carl Sagan – this applies to many in the list, but I'll just state it once. If something goes against the laws of nature and physics, you're going to need more evidence than just an apocryphal tale. This is also anecdotal evidence.)

IN BIOLOGY, HE WAS BORN WITHOUT THE NORMAL CONCEPTION. (ditto to the above)

IN PHYSICS, HE DISPROVED THE LAW OF GRAVITY WHEN HE WALKED ON WATER AND THEN LATER, ASCENDED INTO HEAVEN. (ditto to the above)

IN ECONOMICS, HE DISPROVED THE LAW OF DIMINISHING RETURN BY FEEDING 5000 MEN WITH 2 FISHES & 5 LOAVES OF BREAD. (once again, ditto to the above)

IN MEDICINE, HE CURED THE SICK AND THE BLIND WITHOUT ADMINISTERING A SINGLE DOSE OF DRUGS. (ditto again. In this case, if this story is accurate, Jesus was one of three things; a magician – common at the time, taking advantage of the placebo effect, or a scam artist in which 'healee' was a plant.)

IN HISTORY, HE IS THE BEGINNING AND THE END. (Meaningless statement)

IN GOVERNMENT, HE SAID THAT HE SHALL BE CALLED WONDERFUL COUNSELOR, PRINCE OF PEACE. (Again, meaningless statement and irrelevant)

IN RELIGION, HE SAID NO ONE COMES TO THE FATHER EXCEPT THROUGH HIM; (ditto to the above)

SO, WHO IS HE?
HE IS JESUS!

JOIN ME AND LET'S CELEBRATE HIM; HE IS WORTHY.

THE EYES BEHOLDING THIS MESSAGE SHALL NOT BEHOLD EVIL. (Baseless claim, easily disproved)

THE HAND THAT WILL SEND THIS MESSAGE TO EVERYBODY SHALL NOT LABOR IN VAIN. (ditto to the above)

AND THE MOUTH SAYING AMEN TO THIS PRAYER SHALL SMILE FOREVER. (ditto to the above)


REMAIN IN GOD AND SEEK HIS FACE ALWAYS. AMEN. (How can anyone remain in God and his face always, when there is no evidence of his existence?)

IN GOD, I'VE FOUND EVERYTHING! (Even your keys? Baseless claim, easily disproved)

The Greatest Man in History Jesus had no servants, yet they called Him Master. (Appeal to the masses – meaningless)

Had no degree, yet they called Him Teacher. (Irrelevant – there were no colleges back then.)

Had no medicines, yet they called Him Healer. (No one had medicines back then.)

He had no army, yet kings feared Him. (Any rabble-rouser was feared, so Jesus is not special in this sense.)

He won no military battles, yet He conquered the world. (In a sense this is true. Just look at the number of Christians in the world today, as well as in history for the last 2000 years. Not to mention the Dark Ages.)

He committed no crime, yet they crucified Him. (Jesus was a political dissident and rabble-rouser. The Romans had no tolerance for such problem makers.)

He was buried in a tomb, yet He lives today. (Baseless, unfounded claim. Anecdotal evidence. Apocryphal tale.)

I feel honored to serve such a Leader who loves us! If you believe in God and in Jesus Christ His
Son, you may wish to send it on.... If not, just ignore it.

If you ignore it, just remember that Jesus said. 'If you deny me before man, I will deny you before my Father in Heaven. (Open threat, also completely baseless.)

A Loss of Wisdom Squared

Today I'm getting my upper wisdom teeth yanked. So I have no idea how long I'll feel icky. I have some ideas brewing but I don't have time to give them the thought they deserve before my appointment so I thought I'd give you some lolcats and other fun or thought-provoking pictures today.

ur crappy day is irrelevant. I have unmet needs.

Politics: noun- frum Greek - "Poli" - many; "tics" - blood sucking parasites.

Beware of Dogma

You appear to be lost in thought...
I know it's unfamiliar territory for you. Shall I send a rescue party?

Zombie Apocalypse: Chances are, you're already surrounded by mindless, bloodthirsty, half-alive, subhuman wretches. An actual zombie outbreak would just give you an excuse to do something constructive.

C'mon, c'mon, it's either one or the other!

don't exist

No, I won't c0exist with your delusions.

To the Jehovah's Witnesses who keep knocking on my door and talking to my children while I"m out. This is for you.

A Solution To My Problem

I mentioned my frustration with people insisting on debating (arguing) with me the other day in a post called A Revelation.

Well, I posted it to the HDC Facebook Page and got some suggestions there as well. One by Susan is a video clip that I think is the most awesome response to most of the arguments I have had to try to deal with:



This is the principal in Billy Madison. I've never seen the movie but it's quite helpful. I have a feeling I will want to link to this video often in the future! HA!

Thanks so much, Susan!

Happy Easter Fellow Heathens!

Happy Easter, fellow heathens! Jesus died for your sins but came back for your BRAAAAAAAAAAAIIIIIIIINNNNNNNSSSSSS!

I hope you are enjoying ham, chocolate and good company. Here is some irreverent, blasphemous humor for you today:

Now we know how Easter Eggs are made!

 

All Hail the Flying Spaghetti Monster! He is Risen!

The God Meme

The internet is full of memes. One of my favorites are the God Meme. Basically it' s a picture of The Almighty with a little bit about how he operates.

Instead of listing them in all their bad graphic glory, I am just going to write  them out for you. (I'm sure this breaks some uber-nerd interwebs code of ethics)

Create AIDs - Forbid condoms.

Help actresses win awards - Do nothing about world hunger.

Wrath is a sin - Blow up cities to show who's boss.

Bow before me.  - I need the attention.

Create homosexuals - Ban homosexuality.

No worshiping idols  - Hang a cross in your home.

Omnipotent, perfect - Jealous.

Create world for humans - 70% salt water.

Japanese wave at me - I wave back.

Jews are my chosen people - LOL Holocaust.

Day 1: create light - Day 4: create light source.

Humanity descended from one man and one woman - Who only had sons.

I AM the Answer!

As of yesterday, I am now 42. As we all know, 42 is the Answer to Life, The Universe and Everything. Of course I don't know the question, but let's not get nitpicky, now! Yesterday was one of those birthdays that aren't very much fun. I had a ton of work to do, didn't get any cake (I'm on a diet), and I was tired and felt old. So my friend suggested I celebrate a birthday week instead of a day. Which means LoLcats for everyone!

An u will kno mai name is Fluffy whin ai lays mai venginse upon dee.

 

I am SOOO puttin IcyHot in ur bikini wax!

Sick of Being Sick, So Here Are Some Lolcats and Funnies

Hi everyone,

I'm sorry I've been so quiet lately. Last weekend I caught a bad cold and I've been getting more miserable as it's settled in my lungs. So, since my brain hurts and I don't have anything intelligent to say, here are some funny or thought provoking cartoons and some lolcats to amuse you.

Prayer: The original Slactivism

Crucifixion Cake

Spam For Christ

I found this in my inbox of my Heaving Dead Cats email yesterday and I thought it was so odd I wanted to share it with you. Obviously this person has no idea that I'm a card carrying godless heathen.

I like how he gets so specific about what he wants. I would think beggars shouldn't be so picky. Do you think people will actually do it? I bet they will if they are christians and feeling charitable. Which is sad. People need clean water, healthy food and decent shelter, and then they need education, not god and superstition.

Look where he lives. He says there is hunger and crisis, but their god keeps them fed and safe. Why doesn't god feed everyone? Why does god let so many people suffer? Anyway, here it is, in its entirety. Pretty ballsy, if you ask me!

Dear Friends in Christ,

I greet you out there in Jesus Lovely name. I am the way, the truth and the life, no man cometh to the Father but by me John 14:6. Jesus Christ is our salvation! I was searching for a study material when I came across your email and convinced you are a Christian.

Please do not be angry at this letter and undermine me because I am reaching you through the internet. God led me to your email and I know I’m blessed having to know you. I am a member of Living Faith Church. By His grace I’m a believer born again and blood bought( blood of Jesus). I am married with six children. I have a great passion doing the work of the master especially now I work on my own having not to be disturbed like when I was working 10 hours in the clerk office work.. I am not rich in this wordly riches but rich spiritually in Christ. I came to know Christ in 1984 and since then serve Him with commitment. I live in an area where there is much hunger and crisis but the Lord keeps us from them all. Our church is a small church with about thirty people. I am the church secretary as well as Adult Sunday school teacher. As you can see I can speak and understand English well as we are British colonised country.

I'm Now A True Believer of Intelligent Design!

I've recently purchased a very handy book that explains Intelligent Design so well that I must abandon my godless heathen ways and start believing. Praise be to my wonderful friend Dan who shared this deeply moving tome with me! May the Intelligent Designer bless you and actually answer your prayers!

I am sure you'll want to get this great book too. It's so easy to read, which is what I like. No big fancy words or concepts. It's called The Intelligent Design Coloring Book by Pastor Brett Pirkle. It's not just a coloring book, it also has other activities in at as well! What more could you ask for?

Be honest, wouldn't you rather read a fun book with pictures to color and "science glasses" to cut out and wear, than try to muddle through some dry old book like God Is Not Great by some guy who uses big words in a foreign language like British? I knew you'd agree.

Need more convincing? How about the picture of the front cover? This book is blissfully 100% Fact Free! What more can you ask for? Who needs boring old facts when you can just have Faith?

You're still not convinced? Boy, you sure are a Doubting Thomas. The Intelligent Designer is going to make you burn in Hell for all eternity if you don't start believing without evidence. You don't want that, do you? Do You?! No, I didn't think so!

Ok, here is an excerpt:

Faith and Science

Some Lighthearted Fun, Kinda

Here are some random images and thoughts. Tomorrow is my local atheist group's Thanksgiving get together and I'll be busy making candied yams and eating tons of great food and hanging out with my fellow heathens. So I wanted to give you something beforehand. It's that time of year, too. What are you grateful for? I will list a few things below.

Here is a better bible, and it's only one page. It can fit on a sticky note:



But first, I require that you go first, God. Follow your own rule and Don't Be a DICK!

And God would reply (predictably), "Do as I say, not as I do."

Which leads me to ask you, if the god of Abraham (we'll assume he's the same one for the Jews, Christians and Muslims) exists as he is represented in his "holy" books, would you worship him?

I wouldn't. No way. What a complete and utter childish bully he is. And fickle!

While the above image is for a bit of humor, I'd say that's a pretty good place to start when putting together your moral code. I rewrote mine awhile ago - Neece's Principles. It's a great exercise that helps you realize what's important to you and why, instead of just doing what we were taught by our religious leaders and parents, who probably got their morals from their churches.

Happy Heathen Halloween!

Hi Everyone! Happy Heathen Halloween! Today my local Morgantown Atheists are having a party to celebrate Halloween. Right now the Rally to Restore Sanity is on, and hopefully we have already voted or will this coming Tuesday. I was hoping to vote today but it didn't happen since I had to make Italian Sausages and Peppers in the crock pot this morning for the party. That, and I still have to see who's best for the Board of Education here. I think that's probably the most important local office position.

Oh, and tomorrow is my anniversary! Butch and I got married on Halloween in 1996, so this is our 14 year anniversary. So to celebrate so many occasions, here are some lolcats. Enjoy and have a scary weekend full of sweets and treats. :)

This is another one of those instances where you find out why all the ER nurses know you by name and why they always have a bed ready for you.

BRAINS! BRAINS!!!!!

For Entertainment Purposes Only

Hi everyone! I probably should have warned you ahead of time, but I've been so busy I really haven't had much of a chance. Labor Day weekend is "family time." Butch (my longsuffering and adoring husband) had his brother and best friend in town for the annual Labor Day family reunion. So I cleaned and polished and got ready for his friend to stay with us for a few days, and then prepared for several days of family events including the reunion on Sunday. I ate WAY too much delicious Italian food and laughed an awful lot. It all wrapped up last night and now I'm trying to recover. It's a lot for a curmudgeonly, grinch-hearted, soulless, socially phobic hermit to deal with every year.

So, I just wanted to say hi and give you some lolcats and funny pictures to amuse you till I can get back on track. I hope you had a great, long weekend as well.

Little did you know that the freezer is a closely guarded porthole to hell.

For a brief moment Basement Cat had the whole world in his hands. Then he dropped it.

Lighten Up!

How about some funny or insightful cartoons and pictures for a light Friday the 13th treat?

God At His Computer

BRRRAAAAIIINNNSSS!!!

Grimace must be an atheist baby-eater!

Good Stuff From Mr. Deity Again

Mr. Deity and the Psych Exam is pretty funny. Watch at least the first part of the begging section, it's pretty funny too.



The Newsletter is funny too. I recommend it.

Yay for Mr. Deity and Larry

Mr. Deity and Larry



Very funny stuff! If you're new to Mr. Deity, I recommend starting at the beginning at Season 1. Go to MrDeity.com and watch them all.

Also, there's a Newsletter you can get now.

Mr. Deity is Back!

Mr. Deity and the Void



Yay! Mr. Deity is finally back!

How The New Testament Came About

God: Hey Jews.
Jews: Hey.
God: So listen guys, I'm thinking we go in a different direction with this whole religion.
Jews: What?
God: You know, do a non-gritty reboot. Same God taste, new God packaging. That sort of thing.
Jews: We don't follow.
God: Okay, work with me here guys. Remember the whole ‘angry God' thing?
Jews: Vividly.
God: Where I killed a whole bunch of you and-
Jews: Yeah.
God: And forty years in the-
Jews: We remember that.
God: Not to mention Robo-Hitler. Yikes.
Jews: Wait, what?
God: Whoops, forget I said that. "Spoiler Alert", am I right?
Jews: ...
God: Anyway, we're going to re-work this whole “God- thing. For example, kid-friendly is big these days in religion.
Jews: So, like...?

Disturbingly Accurate Portrayal of Indoctrination

I just found this on Facebook and had to share it with you:



I don't know who the artist is, but it's pretty obvious they understand the way indoctrination works.

Here are some other comics and images to amuse you:

Philosophy Airlines:

Touchdown Jesus Struck By Lightning

And Jesus said, "WTF, Dad!? Goddammit!"

The pose of the huge statue looked like a ref calling a touchdown, hence the name.

Here is the AP story:

MONROE, Ohio — Police say a six-story-tall statue of Jesus Christ with his arms raised along a southwest Ohio highway has been struck by lightning in a thunderstorm and has burned to the ground.

The "King of Kings" statue had stood since 2004 at the evangelical Solid Rock Church along Interstate 75 in Monroe, just north of Cincinnati.

Monroe police dispatchers say the lightning strike set the statue ablaze late Monday night.

The sculpture showed Jesus from the torso up and was nicknamed Touchdown Jesus because of the way his arms were raised. It was made of plastic foam and fiberglass over a steel frame, which is all that remains.

Police Chief Mark Neu (noo) says the fire spread to an amphitheater next to the statue but was confined to the attic area. He says no one was injured.

So is this  proof of a god that didn't like the statue because it was hideous? Or is it proof there is no god at all? Nah, it's just a hilarious coincidence, of course. :P

Here's a video:

Funny Tidbits To Make You Smile

Just a few funny tidbits to entertain you. Plus the Pale Blue Dot for a bit of awesomeness. :)

"There have been numerous cases where practicing christians have been obliged to obey the same laws and abide by the same rules as everybody else." (How Barbaric!) Jesus and Mo



God! It's like everyone I've ever slept with is here.