I used to consider myself an atheist. Now, when asked, I say I am agnostic. It is not that I have doubts but I don’t want to be bundled in with the atheist crowd.
In answering such a question, it is too difficult to explain the distinction between atheism and anti-religionism and to be honest, the lines are often blurred.
Is it any wonder?
This Easter we have been witness to baffling brawls over halal chocolate Easter eggs and squabbling over whether or not a footy match should be played on Good Friday. I adopt the laissez-faire approach in these matters but I find it troubling that those who advocate sombre reflection on religious holidays are cast as extremists.
Religion is often mocked by atheists. Mockery is fine in some instances but when people are painted as sub-human for holding supernatural beliefs, items of faith in all organised religions, it is clear there is an attempt to wantonly discriminate against people and limit their movements and their associations.
Full column here.
A wonderful little helpful article here, Mr Insider, for us all should we get “caught short”, as it were, in a Nuclear Blast. Of course if you are anywhere near the “epicentre” forget all this as it wont apply! We move with the times.
http://tinyurl.com/mxyftfd
Thanks Enery. The living will envy the dead, especially those dead who were thoughtful enough to take advantage of our sensational “Silver Pass to Paradise Offer.”
In these uncertain times we at “The Church of the Holy Cur” are offering in addition to all packages a limited offer of simulated leather bound copies of “The Jesus Diaries” for only an extra $49:99.
This fabulous work written by Jesus himself is authenticated by and bears the signature and seal of the venerated Saint Augustine of Hippo. The original Aramaic text is s immaculately and miraculously preserved complete with notes in the margins by Augustine himself.
A complete English translation rendered in gorgeous Gothic script can be included in your order for only $26.99.
These would make a wonderful gift for a loved one and give great comfort in these perilous times.
Best wishes.
I’ll wait for the two for one offer thanks all the same JB.
We’ll see what we’ve got left after the second once only exclusive never to be repeated offer.
Seconds OK?
I’ll take seconds if you throw in a gift. Do you still have those laminated photos of John Howard in yellow speedo’s fondling a rubber duck?
Duck? Are you sure that’s a duck. I thought he was having a rocket polish.
Definitely a duck. Have a look at the beak on it! The other thing in his hands has feathers!
Forward all of those desirable items immediately Mr Baptiste as we don’t know the day do we? The old saying “one flash and we are ash” may well apply to many but lets hope not. Cheers keep up the good work selling your “gems”.
“…simulated leather” – no, sorry, that just wont do, Jean. I want the whole body and blood experience, or nothing.
Geez, you don’t want much.
I can do you a nice shroud. Original, genuine, would make a terrific wall hanging and conversation starter. $900.00. Sounds steep but it can only appreciate, the ridgy didge stuff is very hard to get these days.
I’ve got a piece of the original cross if you want it Milt. It may look like a piece of blue leggo but trust me it’s the real thing. 800 will get you in.
Milt. You should only shop with reputable dealers with an exemplary record in providing spiritual aids and paraphernalia.
He’s full of it Milt he only sells marital aids not spiritual aids!
Razor – i’m pretty sure Jean is too greedy to risk damaging his reputation in the “industry”. Why for 2 decades now he has been selling the original crown of thorns (in sizes S, M, L, XL and George Christensen) with much success and as such is a player; so my hard earned (hehe) will have to go to that old fashioned communist.
But speaking of marital aids…..
Multipurpose, my dear Razor, utilitarian and multipurpose.
Milton, you ignoramus. Crowns of Thorns are always sold in hat sizes.
I can do you the genuine skull of St Thomas. We have two in stock, one from just before his death and another when he was 12 years old.
It’s not even funny any more JB, especially since I advised you in an earlier post that St Augustine of Hippo was reportedly accused of being a kiddy fiddler along with other notable characters of various quasi-religious persuasions.
It’s obvious you’re attempting to maintain a ‘giggle factor’ in some of your commentary JB and I hasten to add there’s nothing I enjoy more than a decent belly laugh.
But if this is the best you can do in the hilarity stakes me old mate, my only comment is: “oh Jesus!”
Bugger off you little twit. I’m trying to run a business here. And provide succour to those who are oppressed by fear in these difficult times.
Succour hey? Well i’m in but I want that shroud dry cleaned first.
Look Carl old mate, I’m sorry I was a bit short. I’m posting to you free of charge a set of our electric rosary beads. You get a buzz when you finger each one. They are very calming. You’ll get the top of the line model, They light up in the colour of your choice and come with a multi charger, or you can run it directly off a 240V outlet. They have an extension socket so they can be connected in tandem with your cilice. What the heck, I’ll chuck one of our premier model cilice from “Ouch Industries” in the box too.
That lot would normally run to retail $239.99 . but hey, it’s an olive branch, me old mate.
Best wishes.
I’ll wait until they hit the $2 trays outside the local newsagent.
It’ll be a pretty slim margin then.
What? No steak knives? You’re a scammer! Free giveaways without steak knives are all scams! (I bet you’re really Peter Foster).
Marketing discussed this at length. It was decided that steak knives might cheapen the image of the organisation. The conclusion is 76% of people will believe that an offer is genuine, if not the best value, if steak knives are not included.
Besides the people who are likely to avail themselves of our offers are likely to have a bloody shed full of steak knives already.
What’s worse JB is they know how to use them, and not on bovine meat either.
Interesting client profile you’ve developed in your “small” business. How can you afford a Marketing department?
OK. I’ll buy the dodgy data on the steak knives but I still reckon you’re Peter Foster.
Lou, there’s one born every minute. We are the fastest growing denomination in Australia. Most of our work as intermediary with the Lord is done on the net.
You sound interested. Ask for our brochure on a franchise. We’ll set you up with an exclusive area.
G Whizz. What do you want? Is it money?
How many properties does your local politician own we may ask, Mr Insider? Well here’s the list of declared properties.
http://tinyurl.com/mwy2fgn
Arthur Sinidonis doesn’t own a house! BULLSHIT………
Well there ya go, JB – Tassie hydro electricity to be the “battery” of the Nation according to Malcolm. Knew you’d all love us sooner or later 🙂
They’ll need very long jumper leads.
..that don’t break…
Hmmm! The World according to Malcolm.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8k5U5T_VYq0
Ees he guarantee?
Anybody know the penalty for lying during a citizenship test?
You’re forced to work as a real estate salesperson on the Gold Coast.
Surely cruel and unusual punishment Perentie!
Stand for state parliament?
Worse still, get elected and have to sit through all those “debates”
You can’t really “lie” in a citizenship test, mate. Your answers are either right or wrong.
If you’re asking, “what is the penalty for lying on a citizenship application?”, section 50 of the Citizenship Act 2007 allows for 12 months imprisonment if a person knowingly makes, or causes or permits to be made, a representation or statement in a material particular for the purposes of the Act; or knowingly conceals, or causes or permits to be concealed, a material circumstance for same.
So if you lie you can go to gaol for a year. And if you’ve been convicted for an offence under section 50 and already had your citizenship conferred, the Minister can revoke your citizenship under section 34(1)(b)(i).
You know, some days I almost miss it. But not quite.
You are forced to listen to a 2 hour speech from PM Malcolm Trumble, JackSprat, so its not worth it is it!
Here is $11 billion per year of Howard legacy ideology. Get rid of or very tightly means test the Private health insurance subsidy. Just another ridiculous coalition ideological disaster for this Nation.
http://healthvoices.org.au/issues/april-2017/unfairness-waste-private-health-insurance/
Yep! Pile all those people into the private system. They’ll be able to cope……by the way do you get the rebate?
Don’t you mean “public” system Razor?
You have No reading comprehension ability do you. $11 billion per year would go a long way in the Public sector. What makes you think Every single person would drop Private health insurance? Surly it is still value for money and choice without the subsidy? If the Private Health Insurance industry was no longer subsidised by the huge amount it is now it would have to become “Efficient” and there would be more “Competition” which make things more affordable. Are you some sort of Socialist that expects the Government to subsidise everything? Or just part of the eternally outraged hysteria community? Is it your premise that people should not receive the subsidy if they are entitled to it? Was that the point of your question into my private affairs? You again prove that you phony nationals are just socialists wannabe’s.
“Pile all those people into the private system. They’ll be able to cope.” No they won’t Razor.
40% of households can’t even afford to see a dentist every year let alone a specialist for anything serious.
Relentless premium increases by Private Health insurers have forced another 530,000 families to just drop it altogether & take their chances on our public system that the Fibs are breaking their necks to “Americanise”.
Two weeks ago I took a very elderly client with untreated leg & foot ulcers to a city public hospital & waited with him for well over five hours before he saw a doctor. I know there’s a priority system but if that’s the best they can do now, I imagine it will get a whole lot worse as Turncoat & Morrison tighten the screws yet again.
I meant public system Bella. Typo on my behalf. If you want to see poor people treated badly let’s make the whole lot public!
Where in the article on the waste in and massive $11 billion per year subsidisation of Private Health Insurance does it say the Private Health Insurance industry will closed down entirely ? If the Private Health Insurance industry cannot survive without massive government subsidies then there is a much bigger problem. I take it you would be happy for the Automotive industry to be reinstated and receive $11 billion a year? It was receiving less than 10% of that and the coalition decided to no longer support it. How many young people will not get apprenticeships and engineering starts in the automotive industry? You can continue to be the opposite and opposing view for the sake of it but all it does is continue to highlight you choose ideology over the national interest every time.
I’ve always felt that the Liberal Party was the political wing of the health funds.
There is something in what you say, Trivalve. I don’t think of myself as remotely socialist, but we dropped private health insurance years ago and I have no intention of returning. This was the result of my father-in-law paying high premiums for decades and then being carted off to a public hospital ward when he became seriously ill following an accident. I reckon the private health funds are essentially parasites.
Until you’re crook…..just wait with the pain.
I hang on to private health cover – I would not like to find myself on a waiting list of years if something went wrong.
labour unions , …business assoc. / guilds… alp.. lnp…bad stutter i got
Am I amiss with the impression that Hadley probably doesn’t like Turnbull because he won’t appear on his show.
Hadley, Jones, Bolt and Murray all very mouthy and none of them elected and probably most people outside Sydney would’nt give a stuff about how brilliant they think themselves to be.
As for Abbott, oh gee!
” I do want to make this point: the sneaky, underhand business of leaking needs to stop, it really does need to stop. It is absolutely corrosive of trust, ” Mr Abbott said.
and warringah luv him….
Not really, he’s burned his bridges and a good Independent would probably see him off.
good ..get rid of the mongrel
That may yet happen Smoke, a turf war going on in the NSW libs.
Don’t normally have time for Bronwyn but what she said on SKY tonight made sense. She pointed out that Abbott obviously doesn’t care for her opinion, but he would be better off concentrating on his own electorate. In the choice of candidates for the recent state by-elections he was dealt a serious defeat for his own candidate Villatora (as he was for Mackeller). It wasn’t just by a few votes it was a huge margin.
It will be interesting Tracy. Are there enough old die-hards to keep him there, one wonders.
He’s persistent and thick-skinned…..
If you need some nice sharp knives for your chariot Boudicca, the north shore is the place to get them.
Hmmm – righto!
Well, we know what side of the fence those four sit on at least they’re not as bad as a bloke called Bill O’Reilly.
The only people who appear on 2GBiased are a Conga Line of Hard Right wing time wasters who pander to the over 70’s. Most of them have been Liberal Party staffers or failed Liberal Party candidates. What did John Laws call them all one day? “2GB is the Western Suburbs branch of the Liberal Party”. Balance? How can you get any balance on that show when you get a daily diet of Dutts, Pyne, Abbott, Morrison, Turnbull, David Flint, Bolt, Ciobo, Frydenberg…on an on it goes with this circus on day in and day out on a rotational basis.
Even off politics you would expect to get a break from the hard right or the middle of the road. Not likely! They cannot help themselves. If there is talk of the military who do they get? Failed Looter candidate Jim Moylan every time. Education? It is nearly always hard right man Kevin Donnelly. Climate? Always Plimer , Bob Carter (sacked by his own Uni and a paid up spokesman of Heartrland Institute ,the anti-climate change lobby) or that Lomborg bloke-all deniers and hard right wingers. What I am saying is you never get to hear the other side. Totally no balance. It is all one way traffic.
I heard Mad Alan Jones say the other day “Soon debt will be as high as it was under Labor”. Is the bloke mad? Gross debt is nearly half a trillion Alan! The deficit is tripled Alan! Hey Alan….take a look out the window one day mate. Its HOT!
There is the Barrier Reef bleached beyond description and there are blokes on 2GBiased saying the reef has never looked better. The 5 hottest years on record, ditto for the oceans and we get 2GBiased telling us the earth and its oceans haven’t warmed since the 1990’s. Now I wouldn’t mind if Singo invited someone on to compare notes with another point of view just to see if another point of view exists but it never happens. But wait there is more…Grant Goldman, Graham Gilbert, Carter Edwards and a bloke called Dean Mackin…well these blokes make Alan and his mates look like the hard left. Hey are there any Left Wing Shock Jox?
Sorry Bassy but wrong on your reef claim…….I live there and have fished and dived on it most of my life. It’s fine. It bleaches and recovers. Always has done. Cyclones do more damage.
U must be right and all of those scientists wrong then? OK I will believe you…why? Because U live there…hee hee. I live at Tweed Heads. I would like to do some part tyme gynecology work but alas, I am not qualified. I love youse all.
Trace the money in Marine sciences Bassy…..As for your ambition, I also had the same one but my hands were too big.
Nice one Bassy. But re the reef, as usual it’s a case of who you listen to and what their agenda is. I don’t actually know anything about it but I keep hearing that the Carmichael mine has bleached most of the reef already. Not bad since they haven’t turned the first sod. The bullshit detector is going apeshit.
Oceanographer friend if mine reckons the most damage to the reef is caused by crown of thorns starfish and cyclones
value
http://www.pogo.org/straus/issues/weapons/2016/f-35-may-never-be-ready-for-combat.html
How many of these have we ordered Smoke? Mores the point have we paid any money?
Donald will fix it. Have faith.
Yo, smoke, that there bird is a turkey if ever ah seen one.
Westy highlighting the ridiculousness of the Adani scam again. Some here should try some facts with their weeties.
http://www.michaelwest.com.au/coal-glut-cheaper-renewables-adani-makes-no-sense-at-all/
cui bono…..
Dear old Westy. I’ll just start with one Eddie. FINANCE……
Mind you who cares about the pig hunters. You know Dismal you old battler. The people you look down on.
You really do have an inferiority complex don’t you razor.
Superiority when it comes to you old chap.
Dismal,
I know you have been waiting with bated breath for the Dept of Environment tests results, I certainly have. There out so here we go.
1. The black sand used by anti Adani protesters………..MAGNETITE!
2. Remember those photos of the poisoned wetlands? Well the tests show NO pollution from coal.
1. Of course it is.
2. Of course there isn’t.
I give as much credence to that ‘report’ as I give to, well, anything Frydenberg-the-fibber says about ‘clean’ coal.
The decks are so stacked for these much spouted Liberal ‘reviews’ & ‘reports’ that no-one with an ounce of environmental credentials could take them seriously.
Regards, Bella
Bella,
You cannot have it both ways. The Qld Department of Environment & Heritage is packed full of greenies! Do you really believe if someone faked the tests it wouldn’t leak?
Also…….Labor are in government in Qld. Frydenburg is Federal……Just saying…….
In the final episode of ‘Clarke & Dawe’, broadcast posthumously, the late Mr Clarke is asked, “What is clean coal?” He replies, “An example of alliteration”.
But we need to keep our young people employed…..
Where is the report? The Qld Govt. are the ones who gave the reduced environmental requirements.
The incredible shrinking malcolm trump continues to lurch to the right to appease the white wing of the coalition. Humans have always been about adapting and progressing. It is clear now we have a flock that no longer wants the human to adapt by using new technology or by becoming more humane but actively takes every opportunity to regress society. The latest announcements by this coalition have to be some of the most cynical pandering to an eternally outraged minority conservative flock this nation has seen. The PM has again shown he is beholden to the keepers of the worst elements of society. Disgraceful government.
The minority group you speak of is considerably larger,by several magnitudes, than the LGBTI group – and the left panders to their needs all the time.
Minority you say. Didn’t you want the 457 visas fixed. Care to go to the polls on the immigration issue?
How does inciting further division based on small minded bigotry and fear enhance Australia? You again prove all that is wrong with the con. Oh the 457 visa has not been “fixed” your coalition still refuse to use market testing. The only reason the number of 457’s has reduced is because under the coalition the economy has tanked. In opposition the coalition screamed against changes claimed labor was racist upon being elected the coalition undertook a review and made no changes. almost 4 years into government now the coalition says 457’s have lost credibility if that is the case it is the coalitions failing completely. This is nothing more than xenophobic populism to try and regain bigots like you back from phony.
Far from a bigot and my personal relationships and history prove that. I just believe in orderly immigration.
On another point labour market testing is part of the package but don’t let the truth get in the way if a good story.
“Malcolm Trump” I like that Dismayed yes indeed he is morphing into the Donald with his policies isn’t he. Same with Billy Shorten or should we say “Bill Trump” he has done an about face and a great fan now of POTUS Trump. P.S. any sign of Elon Musk in SA yet to sort out your Electricity?
Too many bids to choose from Elon Musk’s is only one of many. there are numerous power and storage projects ramping up all over the nation. I see another “feasibility” study announced by the shrinking Malcolm yesterday. Yet another smokescreen. People really should go back to the early 2000’s and review the regressive energy white paper under howard to see why we have not progressed out of 1800’s coal fired generation. Another of the ideological decisions by the cons that continue to hold back this Nation. the world is moving to replace outdated energy sources despite the cons.
Correct me if I’m wrong, but I’m sure at one stage you were going on about 457 visas pinching Australian jobs, Dismayed?
Yvonne: I was going on about the ridiculous Free trade agreements signed by your coalition that provide little to no economic benefit and allow China, Japan, Korea and others countries to bring in as many workers as they like.
I also was talking about 457’s and other work visas being misused by companies in the building industry during the mining resources boom instead of hiring and training Australians, note the massive drop in Apprentice numbers since the election of your coalition and by owners of Cafes and Restaurants again who instead of training and hiring Australians bring in foreign workers. Why can they do this? Because Your coalition screamed and howled “racism” when Labor in government tried to get Market stronger market testing requirements put into legislation, your coalition now continues to refuse to strengthen market testing requirements. It is and has been too easy to bring people in on various working visas. The Coalition and its supporters have again proven their hypocrisy and continue to use any means available to demonise Immigrants. This “claytons” change to work visa’s is about wolf whistling up the xenophobes that have gone over to phony. You really should start reading the attachments I post you may actually learn something.
Why do you label them ”my coalition”, Dismayed? why do you assume I’m a liberal? You shouldn’t take things at face value. That’s your problem.
No, I don’t read your posts as a rule and don’t touch the links. They are boring and, frankly, dismal. I have never seen anything cheery from you. I don’t need constant doom and gloom, ta.
Have a nice day. Glorious down here.
Yvonne Really? I made a light hearted remark down the page and you came in and had a go at me. Even TBLS caught the attempt of light heartedness. Oh and again you highlight above your unwillingness to even consider anything that does not reconfirm your already held bias. Lets call it wilful ignorance shall we.
OK Dismal – fine with me – as long as that makes you smile, for God’s sake.
And they will continue to take Australian jobs Boadicea.. Turnbull hasn’t cracked down on anything, when still included are the likes of general plumbers, electricians, cooks, mechanics, nurses, bakers, builders, carpenters etc etc. And the list goes on.
It’s another distraction, a con, another do nothing attempt to lift the Libs from the bottom of the pile.
Oh gosh, gee, aren’t we so lucky to have Malcolm Turncoat, the snake who gives penalty rates the flick for the lowest paid workers in the country while ‘protecting’ us all.
Maybe he’ll go one up on Abbott’s infamous six flag press conferences by wearing a flag suit next time he has to tell us something he ‘hasn’t’ done.
Regards, Bella
Bella,
OK. Let’s say we agree……advertise for any of those occupations at Doomadgee, Aurukun or…..when the money’s on Mackay, Moranbah or Dysart. It’s not that easy Bella.
Seems to me to be a blatant racist thing, Bella. Buying right wing votes. That’s how desperate they are now.
On a brighter note – Went along to the Tarkine in Motion exhibition opening to listen to Bob speak last night. As always he was inspiring. Such a nice person. He will stop proposed mining I reckon. Time will tell.
Wish I’d been there Boadicea, as
I’ve been following his beautiful facebook pics on Tarkine in Motion.
Bob was & remains a legend in the environmental movement, in or out of politics & I know he will fight the loggers til his last breath. How lucky Tasmania is to have him.
Regards, Bella
Does POTUS Trump like hitting balls, Mr Insider? Well yes he does and of course I refer to his love of Golf where we read he has already visited the golf course 19 times in the past 13 weeks. All good as it helps him let off steam away from the hurly burly of high office, especially when we have nutjobs like Kimmy of North Korea threatening mayhem.
http://tinyurl.com/ma95ct8
kimmie shits all over trump at golf…
Kimmie’s golf stats are probably as reliable as China’s quarterly GDP figures
Both possibly playing with “Nuclear Balls” Smoke, run for the hills!
previous kimmie does too…n he’s dead
That’s where they send The Donald when they don’t want him hanging around getting underfoot in the situation room Henry.
“Get me the CIC, tell him to bomb the shit out of North Korea.”
Oh we just lined up a round with Tiger Woods Mr President.”
‘Oh alrighty, I better go then.”
Why do they do that Enery? Because none of the primary school teachers want him in their classrooms scaring the kids.
I wonder does Kimmy really have a “Big Cracker” that really works Mr Baptiste? Might be a big bluff. Say what do you think of the US stuffing his last rocket launch up with a cyber attack, bet Kimmy was livid!
He really does Enery. Where do you live? Just a landmark within five k’s will do.
Oops! Forgot. What, you reckon the Norkies cant f**k up a rocket launch without outside help?
Rocket science aint easy Enery.
I wonder sometimes how much help they have had from outside sources in this program and from whom exactly.
No wonder Steve Bannon is walking around a bit peculiar …