Runner pulls out of race over bib number 666

[kydo]

From yahoo
Kentucky cross country runner pulls out of regional championships rather than run with bib number ’666′

By Cameron Smith

In one of the strangest cases of purported religious beliefs intersecting with athletic performance, a Kentucky junior cross country runner voluntarily walked away from a chance to qualify for the state meet to avoid running with the bib number "666", which she said conflicted with her Christian beliefs.

As reported in depth by Lexington NBC affiliate LEX18, Whitley County High (Whitley County, Kent.) cross country runner Codie Thacker voluntarily forfeited her spot in a regional championship race after her coach drew bib number 666 for the runner. Thacker and her coach argued that she should be allowed to switch her number, but race officials refused the request.

Those officials would later deny that Thacker claimed she needed to change bib numbers for religious reasons, though the junior insists she was explicit about her motivation. To her, running with the number 666 on her chest would have signified a serious breach in her faith.

Read more: link

It's a number jeeez

[lame54]

1. why did they refuse the request...

yes it's silly
but they don't have aisle 13's on airplanes - just as silly

[joeybee12]

4. Yes they do...when was the last time you were on a plane? nt

[lame54]

8. last summer...

i was on several
no 13's

[joeybee12]

12. Always have 13...always...I once sat in row 13...

The flight number was XX13 and it left from Gate 13.

[lame54]

15. so you've been on every plane ever made?

[joeybee12]

193. Apparently you do...since they never have them...nt

[lame54]

202. It was just an observation I made...

when flying last summer
I was looking for my row - 11, 12, 14
my planes did not have them
a quick google search shows that some have them and some don't

[Renew Deal]

188. You check the airplane every time you get on for Row 13?

[joeybee12]

196. Interesting that provided snark for my "always" but not the other's "never"...nt

[lame54]

204. never said never...

maybe i generalized a bit when i wrote it - i was just going off my personal experience
but you were adamant about your knowledge on the subject

[Renew Deal]

213. You're right about that

[penultimate]

16. Which airline were you flying?

I was on row 13 on an American Airline (or maybe it was United) flight back in February or March.

[lame54]

19. I don't remember...

but a quick google search showed that some do and some don't
it was just something I noticed when looking for my seat 11, 12, 14

[penultimate]

23. Yeah, I googled it too...

Looks like it not only depends on the airline, but also the type of plane.

So silly.

[cbayer]

72. It's also left out of the floors on many buildings.

[A HERETIC I AM]

84. Certainly most hotels.

Haven't been in an American high rise hotel that had a 13th floor ever

Canada? Yup
England? Yup
The US? Nope. Why?

Because Bill Maher is right.

[cbayer]

97. Bill Maher is right about what?

Superstition about the number 13 is not religiously based.

The Chinese don't like 4. Japan doesn't like the number 9.

Can you honestly say that you don't hold a single superstition? If so, I think that would make you the exception, not the rule.

[lame54]

100. i don't have any

[cbayer]

130. Well, that's pretty unusual, wouldn't you say?

I don't think I've met many people, if any at all, who don't.

Do you follow any sports or have any favorite teams?

I developed completely non-sensical superstitions and rituals when my son was playing baseball in high school. They didn't reach the level of pathology, but I found that they reduced my anxiety when he was pitching, which was a good thing.

I also think I have parking karma, lol. It's so consistent that it's become hard for me to dismiss.

I recently heard a great show on superstition and ritual. It was either on This American Life or RadioLab.

My bottom line is that these things reduce anxiety and are generally a whole lot safer than benzodiazepines or alcohol, both of which do the same.

They are by no means only held by "stupid" people.

[lame54]

133. If you are counting a morning routine while getting ready for work...

I think you are stretching the definition

[cbayer]

158. I am indeed stretching it.

It depends on to what extent you can alter that routine without experiencing discomfort.

[cui bono]

287. Superstition has a belief factor. Routines don't.

You can feel discomfort by changing a routine without it having anything to do with superstition. You have to feel there's something bad/good going to happen for it to be a superstition, to feel that it will change an outcome or make something happen.

[cbayer]

288. There is sometimes a grey area.

Both can become compulsive or move into the area of a phobia.

But for most people, most of the time, they are harmless anxiety reducers.

Most people in sports that have superstitions and/or rituals probably know that in reality none of it changes the outcome, but they choose to do it anyway because there isn't a pressing need not to.

As I pointed out before, the boating community is full of superstitions. Many of them may have even had some basis in fact at some point, but the vast majority make no sense at this time.

Regardless, many boaters still follow them.

My position is this - so what?

[Hassin Bin Sober]

137. I'm glad Ilucked out and never had any stupid superstitions - knock on wood.

[cbayer]

170. Lol Good one.

[A HERETIC I AM]

178. Bill Maher is right that Americans are stupid.

As far as superstitions are concerned, no, I really don't think I have any at all

I freely and willingly walk under ladders with no concern at all. It doesn't bother me in the least if I break a mirror.

Etc etc.

Perhaps the only thing that annoys me is when I am handed a red pen in order to sign my name, but I attribute that to an old fashioned accounting idea ( deficit numbers written in red ink, as in "In the red&quot but I never take it so far as to insist that person go fetch me a blue or black pen to complete the task.

Am I an exception? I don't know!

But I am a Heretic!

[cbayer]

217. Superstitions are global and not at all unique to americans.

You may or may not have superstitions, but I bet you have some belief sets, rituals or routines that others would find "stupid".

You are indeed a heretic! That right there might be seen as stupid by some (but not by me).

[joeglow3]

185. Why did the MGM grande redo their entire entrance?

[A HERETIC I AM]

194. I have no idea...

Of what you are referring to.

[joeglow3]

258. The millions spent because of the superstition on an entire culture

Entrance Before:

[img][/img]

Entrance After:

[img][/img]


Asian guests would not enter the casino because it was bad luck to walk through the mouth of a lion.

[A HERETIC I AM]

262. Aha!

I had no idea! The last time I was in Vegas the entrance looked like your first pic.

[unblock]

123. there are buildings without a floor #13

and i don't mean the ones with only 12 or fewer floors

[Purveyor]

129. Indeed. I've worked in a couple of them and I'm fine with it. eom

[MineralMan]

271. Sure they do. I've sat in row 13, seat F.

I always choose the window seats. Perhaps you don't fly much. I've never seen an airliner that skipped Row 13.

[lame54]

272. It was just an observation I made...

when flying last summer
I was looking for my row - 11, 12, 14
my planes did not have them
a quick google search shows that some have them and some don't

[MineralMan]

279. OK. Seems pretty silly to me, though.

Now, 13 is also a prime number, so my fear of prime numbers should keep me out of that row, but then I'd have to not sit in rows 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 17, 19, etc. I'd never get to fly, I guess. What a hassle.

[LumosMaxima]

2. When I was in college & working as a cashier . . .

I once rang up a customer & the total came to $6.66. This person actually added a candy bar to change it. I mentioned this years later to someone else -- who isn't even religious -- and he said he had done the same thing. WTF.

[nadinbrzezinski]

30. I had that exact same experience, customer added a stick of gum

It struck me as extremely funny

[yesphan]

192. Happened to me too.

I kept the receipt.

Also, I requested the number 666 on my license plate at the tag agency. They found one and now it's on my car.

It will keep evangelical car thieves away.

[davidn3600]

253. Some buildings dont have a 13th floor

It's still there of course. But they don't number it. The elevator will show buttons for 11, 12, 14, 15. They skip it.

Many hospitals avoid these numbers. They wont have 13th floor or a room 13 or stuff like that.

[Chiyo-chichi]

284. Many years ago, I worked at a pizza place. We had a customer whose regular order totalled $6.66.

He had figured out what to order to make it come out that way. He had (supposedly) had his name legally changed to "Prince of Darkness." It was printed on his checks and I believe (though this was 25+ years ago, so my memory could be off) his ID matched.

[FSogol]

3. Satan has spent centuries waiting until he could trick Codie Thacker into wearing 666 during a race!

Now his evil plan is foiled! FOILED!

[SummerSnow]

81. Codie could have turned it upside down 999 and stayed in the race.

[FSogol]

91. It is harder to run upside down.

[A HERETIC I AM]

93. Yes, but then she would have fallen, landed straight up on her head...

And been turned into a newt.


And there's no getting better when that happens.

Don't ask me how I know this.

[Warren DeMontague]

296. MUAHAHAHAHAHA

[NCTraveler]

6. Why in the world would the race have that number.

Some people are just too stupid to be organizers/managers.

[penultimate]

13. Probably didn't even think about it....

I can't blame them for not having the first thought to remove the number of 666 from being used. And then when it did get picked, I can't blame the person for not having the possible symbolism pop into their head. However, I don't understand why they wouldn't just swap the number out.

[NCTraveler]

18. I agree.

I would like to think it would have been done beforehand. But it wasn't. Why it couldn't have been exchanged is beyond me. Really back the theory that there truly are radical and fundamental atheists.

[frylock]

24. radical and fundamental atheists?!

it's. a. fucking. number.

[NCTraveler]

27. If it's just a number, why couldn't they take it out.

I mean, it is just a number after all.

[truebrit71]

38. Because it comes after 665 and before 667?

Religionists SERIOUSLY need to get over themselves...not everyone buys into your stupid superstitions...

[NCTraveler]

44. What superstition of mine. Reading is fundamental.

Almost as fundamental as the need for some to use the number 666 against the will of others. It is clearly more than just a number to you.

[truebrit71]

53. Reading comprehension is pretty fundamental as well...

...although not YOUR strong suit apparently...

I did not say that YOU had a superstition, but I did say that 'Religionists' did.

It is just another number, in a sequence, that regular, rational people have no problem with at all....just those that believe in magical cloud beings apparently...

[NCTraveler]

56. lol "not everyone buys into your stupid superstitions" nt

[truebrit71]

60. lol "Religionists SERIOUSLY need to get over themselves" nt

[bowens43]

64. everyone with an IQ over 65 does.....

[NCTraveler]

69. What is Obamas IQ?

What is the lady who refused the # IQ? You comment says something. Just not what you think.

[hrmjustin]

289. She is allowed her opinion. She did not hurt anyone. The response by people maker out to be an

idiot baffles me.

[frylock]

160. and not even all of them believe this nonsense..

my folks are both devout catholics, and they laughed when I brought this up last night.

[bowens43]

63. So we should shcnage our numbering system for some superstitous idiot ? Seriously?

that kind of ignorance should not be support, it should be ridiculed.

[NCTraveler]

71. What effect would removing the number 666 from a race to to society?

What would it do to you personally? What would it do to our numbering system? Your hyperbole is amazing.

[ZombieHorde]

275. What if the person handing out the numbers was a Satanist,

and s/he was religiously offended by the request?

[NCTraveler]

280. To be honest, I know very little about Satanists.

Would a Satanist be offended by the request? Do Satanists believe 666 is the number of the beast? Is Satanism a major religion in the world? I really don't know. If that was the case, don't you think everyone in this thread would also be calling them stupid? Also don't know all that much about the number 666. I just know how simple it is to change out a number that many find to be offensive. I tend to try and make people happy. Specially when the solution is extremely simple and has zero negative effect.

[ZombieHorde]

283. Different Satanists have different beliefs,

just like different Christians have different beliefs.

Is Satanism a major religion in the world?

Satanism is a minority religion, but I don't think minorities deserve less respect just for being a minority.

I tend to try and make people happy. Specially when the solution is extremely simple and has zero negative effect.

Sure, but the people who handed out the numbers have an equal "right" to happiness. If handing out a different number made them unhappy, no matter how silly the reason may seem to us, then their happiness is equally important to hers. Her happiness doesn't trump their happiness.

[NCTraveler]

285. This I agree with fully.

"Satanism is a minority religion, but I don't think minorities deserve less respect just for being a minority."

I wasn't very clear in the way I stated that. I was more wondering out loud about the size of Satanism.

"Sure, but the people who handed out the numbers have an equal "right" to happiness. If handing out a different number made them unhappy, no matter how silly the reason may seem to us, then their happiness is equally important to hers. Her happiness doesn't trump their happiness."

I cannot for the life of me understand why it would bring them sadness to give her a different number. I normally don't consider the people working an event to be on the same playing field as those taking part in the event. Do you think an usher at a football game receives the same joy as a spectator at said football game. At that point one is to perform task the other is not to perform. If we were looking for equal happiness why did they have people giving out numbers at all. Shouldn't there have just been no numbers therefore those giving out the numbers could have ran themselves, or gone home and smoked a joint on the couch.

The two positions at that point in time are different and society demands each play their role.(not saying society demands they give her a new number).

[ZombieHorde]

306. I don't know why marathon runners have numbers.

People who work at events have their own stresses. We don't know the reason she wasn't given a new number, but it probably wasn't just whim. It was a large event, and everyone has their role and schedule. The number giver could have just been following a rule made by others for fairness, or some other reason.

[sarisataka]

106. It is a good thing we have social media

so we can ridicule ignorant people
http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=3983314
heaven forbid we actually educate them...

[notadmblnd]

119. The number represented the emperor Nero. It has nothign to do with religion

except in religious lunatics heads. Superstition is a sure sign of lack of intelligence.

[NCTraveler]

122. "Superstition is a sure sign of lack of intelligence. "

You don't understand what the word "intelligence" means.

[kcr]

126. Edit responded to wrong post

[notadmblnd]

156. Hah!

you're funny.

[frylock]

152. because they didn't see any real signifigance to the number, like most rational people.

[Mariana]

273. What makes you so sure the three race officials are atheists?

Nothing in the story says they are.

[joeybee12]

14. Maybe there were 700 runners?

The stupidity is on this girl who can't see that a number is just a number...I refuse to accept her ignorance as faith.

[NCTraveler]

17. 666 is just a number to you and I.

To many Americans it is more than just a number. Every moron in the country know this.

[snooper2]

25. ROFL

We shouldn't have to cater to stupid people

[NCTraveler]

28. Is Obama stupid.

Do you think he would want that number in a race. The brightest person I know wouldn't want that number. So you list of stupid people includes Obama, Pelosi, Clinton, ect.... If you are on an island by yourself calling everyone stupid......

[snooper2]

33. I'll ask him next time he gives me a ring

Who is the brightest person you know? Ask them and get back to us!


I just asked two finance guys who sit on both sides of me, they laughed at the reason she quit as well FYI

[NCTraveler]

36. I am sure you did. nt.

[snooper2]

37. No reason to lie about it, they were just yapping it up in the cube

Did you close your browser when you hit your 666'th post

[NCTraveler]

40. No, I didn't close my browser. The number doesn't have any special meaning to me.

That is why I am willing to remove it from any of my business dealings or in my personal life. It just doesn't seem to be as important of a number to me as it does to you and others.

[snooper2]

54. remove it from your business dealings?

LOL

I will never charge you, $6.66, or $66.60, or $666.00

[NCTraveler]

74. Really put myself in position for an ass whooping here, didn't I? nt.

[Brickbat]

86. A business that is willing to change numbers in order to not hurt people's feelers is a business I

would avoid.

[NCTraveler]

94. Then a business with absolutley no understanding of their clients is your place.

You will never be able to do business in Asia or many other places. There are many superstitions that need to be observed when doing business with them. Stick with Walmart. They don't give a shit or know who their customers are.

[cleanhippie]

141. Wait, you are willing to remove a number from your business and personal life because it has no

special meaning to you? You would put the effort in to ensure NOT using a number because it has no special meaning to you? Would you do that for another number besides 666, since that number has no meaning to you?

[NCTraveler]

150. Yes I would. I know my customer base. Yes I would do it for other superstitions also.

"Wait, you are willing to remove a number from your business and personal life because it has no special meaning to you? You would put the effort in to ensure NOT using a number because it has no special meaning to you? Would you do that for another number besides 666, since that number has no meaning to you?"

Not everything in life is about me.

[lame54]

173. but they didn't have to ask why she quit...

they knew it right away

[dballance]

42. If the brightest person you know...Then you live in a world of really dim bulbs.

So you have spoken to those people and gotten their firm word they wouldn't have that number?

If the brightest person you know wouldn't want that number then you live in a world of really dim bulbs.

[NCTraveler]

46. You think Obama would wear that number in a race?

How about Pelosi? You consider them to be dim bulbs. When you have to resort to this type of thing it says more about you than the people I surround myself with.

[dballance]

66. I think most people wouldn't even notice the number if Obama wore it.

Most people don't live in irrational fear of mythological gods and daemons anymore now that we've come out of the dark ages.

The only people who would notice if Obama wore that on a bib in a running meet would be the idiots at FOX news and all the right-wing nut jobs who'd make tons on money on fundraising by pointing out the number and how it has significance to ONLY ONE religion in our secular nation.

The US is not a Christian nation and the number 666 has no significance in our secular government.

One might as well help Chicken Little with the falling sky problem as to being concerned about a number.

Oh, you haven't actually spoken with Obama or Pelosi about the matter so I find it rather rich you are so presumptuous as to state their beliefs and prejudices for them.

[NCTraveler]

75. "I think most people wouldn't even notice the number if Obama wore it."

You can't really believe this. I now understand you are just killing time. Not being serious.

[dballance]

92. I am completely serious.

Most people, in this day and age, no longer believe that seizures and disabilities are caused by daemons taking possession of one's body. We no longer think that storms and earthquakes are the work of gods who are angry with us mere mortals who are throwing lighting bolts at us or shaking the columns upon which the flat earth rests.

So it stands to REASON that numerology also has no real effect upon our lives. Try some common sense and reason in your life rather than casting aspersions about my motives or speaking for Obama, Pelosi, and others when you have absolutely no basis, nor authority to speak for them.

[NCTraveler]

98. Sorry. I really don't think you are serious after that one line. nt

[dballance]

107. Feel free to believe what you wish to believe.

If it makes you feel better in life to be afraid of a number and it makes you feel better to disparage me as not serious then you go for it.

I'm done wasting my time with you.

[NCTraveler]

114. Where did you get that I am afraid of a number.

That is a belief of yours that is not based on what I have written or reality.

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

112. The only people who would care are the same morons who think he was born in Kenya

But what the hell, you've clearly been kowtowing to them this whole thread....

[NCTraveler]

117. Interesting take.

You lack of understanding of how many progressive Christians there are in this country is clear. You think birthers are the only ones who would care. Or is that just your best attempt at a cheap shot. Either way, not impressed.

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

121. You really think ALL Christians are sooooo fearful of that number they would reject it?

The only reason Obama in your idiotic "If he was in a race" scenario would reject it is because if a picture of him with 666 on his vest appeared, the fucking teabilly crowd would herp derp it to their next anti-Christ meme.

I was raised Catholic. If I was given a bib that said 666, I'd laugh, put it on and run the fucking race. And my parents wouldn't be dumb enough to cry that their kid was going to hell.

[NCTraveler]

125. "You really think ALL Christians are sooooo fearful of that number they would reject it?"

Never said that. Thanks.

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

128. Then how can you assume Obama, Pelosi, etc would not want to be associated with the number....

....if they weren't public figures?

[NCTraveler]

134. "if they weren't public figures?"

They are public figures. Not getting into irrelevant hypotheticals.

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

136. So, after all your subterfuge, it really just IS about the perception of teabilly nutjobs.

Have a nice day.

[NCTraveler]

151. That makes no sense. Have a blessed day yourself. nt.

[cleanhippie]

148. No politician would wear that number because of the political fallout for doing so.

That fallout being fueled by an ignorant, superstitious electorate that would use the wearing of that number as proof of Satan worship or some other nonsense.

THAT'S why they wouldn't wear that number, not because they believe it has special powers.

[NCTraveler]

157. So some people don't like it. Who would have guessed.

You really wouldn't have given the lady another number? Doing something that simple to make someone happy is beneath you? I doubt it.

[cleanhippie]

161. Its not about what you or I would have done to accomodate her, its about her refusing to wear it

because of her irrational, superstitious beliefs that have no basis in reality.

[Dorian Gray]

264. I wouldn't give a shit if I was given that number

and I'm a religious Roman Catholic. However, if I were in charge, I would have switched the number out when requested.

[frylock]

22. perhaps they don't adhere to batshit crazy mythology and superstitions?

the stupid in this tale would be the girl that was scared of a fucking number.

[NCTraveler]

29. You keep calling it just a number.

Yet it is extremely important to you that the number was given out. It is clearly more than just a number to you.

[Bodhi BloodWave]

124. the same could be said of you though

it seems quite important for you that this number is removed so obviously it means a lot to you as well

[NCTraveler]

131. I think that is a fair statement.

I do not see why the number has to be forced on someone in order for them to be a part of the event. I do think the person should be given another number. I don't think the number should have been there in the first place. I know a number of people who wouldn't want that number. It would make them feel uncomfortable. Simple me thinks they should be able to have another number.

Never typed the word "number" that many times. I take your statement as fact.

[Bodhi BloodWave]

145. I will agree with you on that

though i assume that would require finding another runner who wouldn't mind trading numbers since i don't see a reason to NOT have the number involved.(aka, skip 666 and give her the number that would be the new last in the line. If there is 700 runners i don't see any reason why the numbers should go to 701 just to avoid that one )

i don't think the organizers should have to cater to any religions, as if one starts changing something to 'be nice' to one religion then you can be assured that others will start making similar requests and things will just get messy/chaotic

*looks up and shakes his head* ya know, i have a feeling this topic/thread is going to have an almost record high instance of the word Number being mentioned :p

Addendum: Had I been religious i would likely have run with the number and if i somehow won I'd attribute the win to God and claim it a victory over the beast to boot(also known as: if the world gives you lemons, make lemonade)

[NCTraveler]

164. Organizers cater to many people and groups.

Yes, even religious ones. I would be willing to bet that most larger races in this country do not have the number 666 in them. Sixth floor hotels in this country won't have room #666. It cost NOTHING to not have that number. It is not a necessary number in any of these places or events. Why would it require finding someone else to wear that number? The number has no significance in the race.

That would be the greatest victory speech ever. "I fought the beast for the whole five miles. I beat the beast."

[lame54]

140. I'm with him...

the whole thing is silly of course
but the connotation DOES exist

[frylock]

155. extremely important to me?

I really don't give two shits about this other than the fact that it's fucking ridiculous to mollycoddle these fools.

[HERVEPA]

31. Bullshit

Screw religious idiocy. Some people are just too stupid to be runners apparently.

[NCTraveler]

35. It is so difficult for them to remove the number from the line-up.

I fully understand the distress involved in not having the number 666 handed out to a runner. The poor organizers just wouldn't be able to sleep unless someone was wearing 666.

Seems it is just important for some to have the number in the race as it is for the woman to not have it. Fundies all the way around.

[HERVEPA]

43. Still bull

Why should the organizers have to worry about a stupid superstition?

[NCTraveler]

48. They shouldn't.

They should simply remove the number and then there are no concerns. Don't you see how simple that is?

[frylock]

165. what about the number 4? should that also be removed?

how many other numbers that are considered unlucky among different cultures should be eliminated? why stop at numbers? what about words or letters? where does this end?

[NCTraveler]

176. Why would the number 4 be ommitted?

Sorry, you are going to have to explain that one. I have never heard of a large group of people not liking the number 4 in this country. There are many words and advertisements that wouldn't be allowed at such an event for offensive reasons. Even reasons of superstition.

[frylock]

186. Superstitious Chinese Immigrants Get Toronto Suburb To Ban Number 4 From Addresses

China is known to have a superstitious culture, frequently using auspicious colors for luck or choosing specific symbols to promote health or happiness. Now, a suburb of Toronto has passed a policy that will ban the number 4, which is unlucky in Chinese culture, from new street addresses thanks to the neighborhood’s Chinese immigrants.

The councilors of Richmond Hill agreed that no new street addresses will contain the number 4 and are also allowing current residents’ whose address that is currently 4 the ability to add a lettered suffix. The number 4 when pronounced in Mandarin is a homophone for the word ‘death’, which is why it big events in the country rarely fall on dates that include the unlucky number. Just the way the number 13 is often avoided in buildings, the 4th floor in many Chinese buildings is skipped.

http://www.ibtimes.com/superstitious-chinese-immigrants-get-toronto-suburb-ban-number-4-addresses-1291319

[NCTraveler]

199. I don't think you read my post. nt.

Adding it here again for simplicity.

"Sorry, you are going to have to explain that one. I have never heard of a large group of people not liking the number 4 in this country. There are many words and advertisements that wouldn't be allowed at such an event for offensive reasons. Even reasons of superstition. "

[frylock]

243. plenty of asians of many origins where i live..

or are we only catering to white christian americans and their superstitions?

[NCTraveler]

252. Moving goalpoasts.

You made a claim that is not based in reality in this country. Why would the number 4 be removed all across the country? What other superstitions in this country are as widespread or as important to as many people as the #666? What other superstitions in this country are as widely know at 666? It was your point, try to make it.

[frylock]

254. yeah, you have yourself a wonderful day

[NCTraveler]

259. I think that is the best direction for you to take at this point.

The unwillingness of so many to do something so simple to make a person happy. The human race would be so much better if we were more open minded towards others. If we didn't see our own thoughts as infallible. Try making someone happy. It does wonders for the soul.

[dbackjon]

297. But yet you only seem to acknowledge what would make a crazy ass fundy happy

While dismissing what would make a Chinese-American happy.

[dballance]

39. Why in the world WOULDN'T the race have that number?

Some people who think everyone else needs to cater to their irrational beliefs in a mythology that is no better than the mythology of the Greeks and Romans nor belief in the all-knowing, all-seeing Santa Claus might just be too stupid to consider their comments as worth reading or considering as reasonable.

666 just happens to be the number between 665 and 667. THAT IS ALL IT IS.

[NCTraveler]

41. The number means a lot more than that to some people.

Clearly it means a lot to you. Why it is something you cannot do without is beyond me. Why do you place such a need to use that number when it is not necessary?

[dballance]

52. IT is a necessity to use the number 666

As I said, it just happens to be a number between two other numbers. When you are in any real business, you don't throw out a number in a sequence because of irrational beliefs of people. I wonder how many sacred or offensive numbers there may be if we took into account every religious belief in the world.

Why it is something you cannot do without is beyond me. Your argument is self-defeating. Why you can't deal with a number that, in context, has nothing to do with your irrational beliefs that it is the symbol of some devil or daemon is beyond me.

[NCTraveler]

62. "IT is a necessity to use the number 666"

Clearly it is not. Although you place enough importance in the number to think a race cannot be ran without it. Boggles the mind how you think it is necessary for a race to have that number. NECESSARY.

[dballance]

73. Boggles the mind how you think a race must NOT have that number.

Have you really considered your arguments? They are very self-defeating. That everyone in the world should place such importance on a silly number so as to ban it from use is quite ridiculous. You may not have noticed, but there are billions MORE non-Christians in the world than Christians if you take into account the Muslims, the Hindus and other religions. So the sect of religious people who might possibly fear the number 666 is certainly not a majority of people on the earth. You are outnumbered and irrational.

Get over it.

[NCTraveler]

76. The number clearly has extreme importance to you.

[dballance]

105. Not really. I could care less about a number. Irrational mythology though, is another issue.

I could give a rat's ass about a number. It's the stamping out of irrational beliefs based on mythology that has extreme importance to me. I have little doubt that you would make fun of the ancient Egyptian belief that when the sun sets in the west it dies each day and travels through an underworld, a world of the dead, and is reborn every morning when it rises in the east. I suspect that in light of the fact we now know that the world is spherical and not flat and that it rotates around the sun and rotates on its axis you'd find the ancient Egyptians' beliefs rather quaint and not very useful in the modern world.

It is quite clear that you are the one to whom the number has extreme importance. Otherwise, I can't imagine why you'd spend so much time trying to poo poo the use of just another number.

[NCTraveler]

138. You have spent similar time on this.

Saying you could give a rat's ass about the number isn't true. The rest of your post has nothing to do with the simplicity of giving the runner a different number. Something you clearly see as blasphemy.

[sarisataka]

70. Back when I worked at a phone company

we would put a lot of effort into obtaining a "lucky" number for many Asian customers who believed in numerology. We also would change "unlucky" numbers.
To me, it did not matter if the first digit was '4', to them it was a huge deal...

[Mariana]

266. My parents had a 666 exchange for years.

My dad worked for the phone company at the time, and he told me how they had to come up with an alternate exchange for the nuts that wouldn't have 666 in their phone numbers.

[sarisataka]

291. I had people turn down numbers

that had 666 combinations as well. To me a TN ending-4666 is not 666, but it was a small matter to change it.

[boston bean]

139. I was at a hotel with sixty floors. There was no floor 13.

So some businesses do exactly what you say they do not.

[dballance]

146. I never said businesses do anything in particular. Don't put words in my mouth.

I know there are a lot of buildings with no 13th floor. It's just as stupid as fearing the number 666.

[boston bean]

149. True. What was the big deal giving her another number. None.

Why do you think hotels do this, cause a lot of people are superstitious. The numbers 13 and 666 being the most common.

Me? I would have taken the number and run. But hell, not giving her another number was stupid too.

[dballance]

174. If the person was pre-regitered then all of the databases linked her to that number.

Sure, if she walked up and was registering the day of the run I'd have just pulled 667 out of the batch of bibs. But, if she was preregistered and issued that number in advance of the run then there are other issues to contend with. A volunteer on the front line wouldn't be prepared to deal with invalidating a number and issuing a new one to her which would also probably be linked to an arm band she would use at the finish line to record her time in the run and reporting her time if it was a sanctioned run that might help her qualify for a major marathon. That's the way it worked in the last 5k I did. My pre-registered number was linked to me and my arm band and was on the website shortly after the run so I could see my official time.

On Edit

"a lot of people are superstitious" That is true; and 20 million (a lot) of flies on a pile of cow shit doesn't make it anything better than just cow shit. It just makes a lot of flies on a pile of shit.

[boston bean]

180. I thought I read the coach pulled the number for her on the day of the meet.

They should have just given her another number. No matter how stupid about it she was being. This is my humble opinion.

[dballance]

190. Yep. You're right.

Sounds like it was a simple event and they should have just given her another number. No matter how stupid I think her superstitions are.

[kcr]

181. This was a school event.

Not like the 5ks you pay for to register.

[Vashta Nerada]

50. It's. Just. A. Number.

[NCTraveler]

55. Agree.

No clue why they couldn't just remove it knowing it offends many people. So simple for the race to go off without the #666. It is just a number that not one person would have known was missing.

[Vashta Nerada]

57. Why remove it?

It's just a number.

People are idiots if they get offended by a goddamn number.

[NCTraveler]

67. Once again.

If it is just a number to you, why are you so reluctant to remove it. It isn't a big deal for you to remove it from a race is it? Or is it just as big of a deal to you to have it in is it is for this lady to get another number. Why does it bother you so much that she simply wanted another number. If I was the event organizer and someone said they got 551 and that was an unlucky number for them, I wouldn't question it, I would get them another number. How simple is that. I wouldn't call their superstition stupid.

[Vashta Nerada]

68. I'm tired of everyone kissing the superstitious asses of religious nutcases.

That's why.

Should we remove 666 from math problem answers in school math books because the religious nutcases might get offended?

[NCTraveler]

79. You will not find an answer in a mathbook from 1-12 with an answer of 666. nt.

[Vashta Nerada]

82. Uh huh.

Links or I don't believe you.

I had a problem in my Stats book that had the answer 666.

[NCTraveler]

104. You asked if we needed to remove the math problem from math books with an answer of 666.

I did not make that claim because it is not in math books grade 1-12. It is your belief that it is in math books. You can back it up if you want.

[Vashta Nerada]

127. You're invoking Russell's Teapot.

I don't know if that's apropos in this situation since you claimed that no math book has an answer of 666 in grades 1-12.

The burden of proof is on you, my friend.

[NCTraveler]

87. They are not idiots.

They are superstitious. They have some belief that it is the mark of the beast. Or something like that. You do understand how many people across the globe are superstitious in some way or another. Doesn't make them stupid except to some very myopic people.

[Vashta Nerada]

95. It makes them irrational.

If anyone I knew had a stupid superstitious belief like that, I wouldn't hang out with them anymore. If they're irrational about numbers, I'd hate to find out what else they're irrational about.

Fun fact: Pi is an irrational number.

[NCTraveler]

101. Maybe that is a big difference between you and I.

I surround myself with a very diverse group of people. Many of them have superstitions. I do agree with you that I find them to be irrational. I will guarantee that neither you or I are rational at all times. With all of the superstitions around, how you can have no friends with an irrational superstition, is beyond me.

[lame54]

147. W.R.O.N.G....

many people react the same way to that number
they could have avoided any controversy by just Giving. Her. A. New. Number

[Vashta Nerada]

167. 666 isn't just a number?

How so?

How is it any different from 665 and 667? It's not. Maybe we should get rid of 666 altogether because of irrational beliefs? For my thesis, when I'm counting snails, maybe I should just go from 665 to 667 just because 666 is evil.

[lame54]

172. people don't react to 665 or 667...

there is a common reaction to 666
are you gonna deny that?

[Vashta Nerada]

222. Maybe we should just get rid of that number altogether to calm people's irrational beliefs.

Things at the store should never add up to $6.66 anymore. They should automatically be round up or down to avoid that dreadful number. Banks should make sure no one ever has $666 in their account. No one should have a phone number with three sixes in a row anymore.

[lame54]

233. when something rings at the store for 6.66...

customers will often add or take away an item

yes it's silly - but the store accomodates them
they could have given her a different #

[Vashta Nerada]

240. I weep for our country.

This is just ridiculous.

[bowens43]

61. Huh? Why shouldnt have that number?

[RedCappedBandit]

65. Using numbers in their logical sequence = stupid?

Lol, okay.

[muriel_volestrangler]

102. You think *the organizers* are the stupid ones here?

[NCTraveler]

110. Yes.

You know there are many races around this country that remove that number. Wonder why you don't hear about them in the news. Does it upset you that they do this?

[muriel_volestrangler]

191. Yes, it does 'upset' me a little

Revelation is a book that may well have been written under the influence of hallucinogenic substances (look up the ergot theory). If not, it was written as a coded message about the Roman Empire.

It is ridiculous that 2000 years later, people are taking a message from it as if it has any bearing on reality. There is also evidence that the original number was '616', not '666': https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Number_of_the_beast

Thinking there is something 'evil' about the number is dumb and childish. It's not as if the bible says "avoid the number". It just says that the entire world would be force to have it on their forehead or hand.

If the girl was told to wear a black running top, and she said "that's the colour of black magic! I'm not wearing that", I would similarly tell her to grow up.

"You know there are many races around this country that remove that number."

No; this is the first I've heard of that, though I live in a slightly less superstitious country (the UK). If that's true, then the stranglehold of biblical fundamentalists on the USA is worse than I thought. It's idiots like that who are opposing action on Climate change. We cannot give in to them.

[kcr]

116. Yes, the organizers were being stupid

If it's just a number, there was no reason they couldn't have just given her another one.

[NCTraveler]

120. Such a simple thing to do.

I just don't get it. So many people won't do the most simple of things for their fellow neighbor just because they don't believe in the same thing.

[kcr]

184. What gets me

Is they think they're just so much more intelligent because they aren't superstitious. But their logic does not follow. If the number doesn't matter, then just give another number. It isn't logical or rational to force her to wear that number. They aren't supporting a logical or rational position.

[muriel_volestrangler]

201. Supersititous belief in a literal bible is dangerous for people

and, thanks to the correlation with climate change denial, dangerous to us all.

Here, let a sensible Christian explain it:

“This calls for wisdom,” the book of Revelation says. Wisdom does not involve making yourself miserable with superstitious BS masquerading as theology. Jessica Bluemke relays the pathetic story of a young athlete who dropped out of a high school regional cross country race because she’d been assigned 666 as her bib number. “I didn’t want to risk my relationship with God and try to take that number,” the poor kid said.

I feel sorry for this kid, who’s been lied to and bamboozled by her church and family. But I don’t have any sympathy for the grown-ups involved or for their twisted parody of Christianity. Seriously, think of the effort involved in turning “love God and love your neighbor” into “thou shalt never enter any contest with more than 665 entrants, lest thou shouldst risk thy relationship with God”? Perverse.

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/slacktivist/2013/11/06/7-things-9-oclock-11-6/

And if you just say "pick the number you want", you're enabling the lying and perversity.

[kcr]

203. Right, because it would have been so dangerous to give her another number.

Like I said. An illogical and irrational position. There was no reason they couldn't exchange her number. None.

[muriel_volestrangler]

208. Yes, there is a reason - it involves work, and panders to dangerous people

There is a good moral case for saying "whoever gets given 666 uses it, or withdraws into their self-imposed fantasy world".

Do not enable stupidity.

[kcr]

209. She was dangerous!

I repeat. Illogical and irrational position.

The number does not matter. There is no difference if she was wearing 665 or 666. So giving this "dangerous person' a different number would have made no difference whatsoever.

[muriel_volestrangler]

218. Here's a dangerous person this would pander to:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_LaHaye

People like him make millions from spreading literal belief in the book of Revelation. At the same time, he spreads hatred of homosexuality, mistrust of government, and hatred of people who aren't Christians Who Agree With Him.

That girl, as Fred Clark said, has been systematically lied to by adults - almost certainly her parents, and some 'pastor' who wants to brainwash her into giving people like him money, and to fear hellfire if she doesn't. They are prominent in the bigoted fight against human rights. They are prominent in the lies told about global warming.

I am deeply disappointed to find DUers like you saying we should pander to them.

[kcr]

219. All well and good

I agree. We shouldn't pander to Tim Laheye, generally speaking.

Meanwhile, I stand by the good, solid logic that states a number is a number, therefore it wouldn't matter if she were wearing 665 or 666, so she should have just been given another number. If a number is a number and it has no significance, then just give her another number. She wasn't Tim LaHaye. She was a highschooler who wanted to race a race.

[muriel_volestrangler]

226. A race is just a race

This one took place in the 21st century, and she should regard it as part of her continuing education that, as you say, 666 is just a number. Perhaps it'll be better for her, i nthe logn run, than the race would have been.

People should not have to put themselves out just because of someone else's likes and dislikes. If she had said "489 is an ugly number; I want a pretty one", should they have given into that request? Or if she said "I'd like 88, since that means "Heil Hitler" to me", should they have accommodated her?

[kcr]

230. But it isn't putting anyone out to give her another number

That's the point. To stand on principle and make her wear a number she doesn't want, for any reason, is not logical or rational. It simply isn't. Look, I wasn't raised in a religious household. Never went to church. I'm straight up atheist now. And I still note whenever 666 comes up. I don't avoid it because I don't attach significance to it. But I notice it. That's how culturally ingrained it is. It's considered an unlucky number by many people. It doesn't make someone the second coming of Tim Laheye.

To your last question? I don't know. That's an entirely different matter. If they were worried she were going to loudly proclaim Heil Hitler and actually use the opportunity to make a disturbance, then there would actually be a reason to not accommodate. Different situation entirely.

[muriel_volestrangler]

234. Yes, it is putting someone out

They have to do something.

"That's how culturally ingrained it is."

And, if you can help stop that by not pandering to the fundamentalists, you'd be doing something good. In this case, you can do it by not doing something extra for them.

[kcr]

239. "they have to do something"

Seriously. Drawing another number, so put out!

Not pandering to the fundamentalists? It's not just fundamentalists. With all the blather about "it's just a number"? It really misses the point. It's not actually just a number. And it in't just fundamentalists who find it unlucky. Everyone knows there's significance to this number. No one alive doesn't see the number 666 without thinking "Mark of the beast!", or "Unlucky!" At the very least, people hace some sort of reaction to it, such as acknowledging that some find it unlucky. Many think "Haha! 666, mark of the beast!" and laugh it off. That would have been my reaction had I drawn that number for a race, for example. Those who are superstitious will have stronger reactions, but again, not all of them are fundamentalist. I know plenty who aren't, but who would not like having that number.

Bottom line. Standing on principle and making someone wear this number? Just an asshole move. Doesn't make the person more intelligent or rational. Only doing it to prove some point. It isn't going to make people forget that 666 has significance. 666, and Friday the 13th aren't going anywhere.

[muriel_volestrangler]

245. It can point out that it's idiotic to give 666 'significance'

Therefore it is not an 'asshole move'. The 'asshole move' was telling a gullible girl that 666 has significance. Continuing her miseducation is wrong.

[kcr]

247. But again.

You're just standing on principle to punish someone. And that principle just seems to be that people who believe differently need to be punished. Not really acting on logic or reason. If a number is just a number and has no real meaning, then the logical and rational thing to do, from a purely logical stance, is just give another number. If principle matters more to you, and not caring whether you act like an asshole, then fine, stand on principle. Just don't pretend you're acting rationally and logically, because you're not. And it absolutely is an asshole move. Sorry.

ETA that his is the kind of thing right here. that gives Atheists and skeptics a bad name. Right here. Thinking that this would absolutely be an okay thing to do and not asshole at all. Well, this Atheist doesn't think so, for everyone out here reading.

[muriel_volestrangler]

257. Did you read the link in #201?

That's written by a deeply committed Christian.

No, this isn't 'punishing' the girl. It's saying that the world won't change to fit her superstition. They didn't bar her from the race. She's 16, and in high school. Although they say they didn't realise it was because of superstition, she still might learn something from this. She can't be a diva all her life.

[kcr]

260. Yeah. So?

What does that have to do with what we're talking about? Was he racing in the race? Like I said. Stand on your principle that people who are superstitious need to be punished to make a point. Because yes, when you're going out of your way to not bend just the littlest ITT bit, it's effectively punishing just to make a point. The world shouldn't change to fit superstitions. But people should just generally be decent no matter what. When it doesn't cost anything to be decent, just do that. Where is it written that you can only be nice to people who believe, or not believe, as you do?

[muriel_volestrangler]

267. Your final paragraph

Where you say this makes atheists look like assholes. That's what it has to do with this. Christians think this superstition about the number is idiotic too. You seem to be in thrall to fundamentalists. I urge you to snap out of it.

It's not 'going out of your way' to say you're going to stick to the agreed organisation of the race. She tried to get 3 different people to change the number. Which means there are a lot of people who would have to be contacted if someone did give in and change the number. Why should they all have to bend to the girl's superstition?

It's not being 'decent' to continue to pander to superstition, and keep the girl ignorant.

[kcr]

269. If you think I'm going to snap out of being a decent human being

who'll do nice things for others regardless of their belief, then you're wasting your time. Your insistence that doing nice things is pandering doesn't fly with me. Why should they have to bend? Because, if they could have and there was no reason not to, it was the decent and kind thing to do. That's why. And if it's just a number and there's no significance, then there's also no logical reason not to.

[ZombieHorde]

276. Maybe the organizers didn't feel the need to kowtow to religious bigotry. nt

[bigwillq]

7. She should do what she feels is right.

I won't judge.

[HERVEPA]

32. I will judge.

[penultimate]

9. Stupid superstitions, but would have it been difficult to change?

If it was just a matter of swapping it out, I don't see why'd they refuse...

[B Calm]

10. That's what religion is all about, FEAR!

[PasadenaTrudy]

26. Exactly!

[The2ndWheel]

195. And in order to rectify that fear caused by religion

you want to make her scared by forcing her to wear a number. A number that has no meaning. Except to use as a weapon against someone you think is an idiot.

[Mariana]

268. She wasn't forced to wear the number. nt.

[B Calm]

302. Thats right, it was too scary of a number! She was afraid

the devil would drag her ass into hell and demons would rip her head off and use it as a ball to play soccer!

[Initech]

11. Let him who hath understanding reckon the number of the beast for it is a human number.

It's number is six hundred and sixty six.

[pitbullgirl1965]

20. Woooooo!!!!!! I saw them in 1981

with the original singer, Paul something or other.
I can't believe people are still that ignorant about a number though. smh

[Initech]

111. Hey they still kick as much ass as they did in 1981!

[War Horse]

108. First thing I thought of as well

Thanks for giving me the opportunity to escape that horrible number

[sarisataka]

113. Excellent

?lvh=1

[ChazII]

115. Doesn't the word 'and'

mean there is a decimal point? I stink at math and I am NOT trying to be a math police.

[ChazII]

118. 666 and 13 are both

superstitious garbage. Yet, far more people avoid the number 13 than avoid 666. Personally, I love the number 13 and will take all the one dollar bills a person has if they don't like 13.

[snooper2]

21. I had to find a picture to see if she looked stupid--

Yep

[TeeYiYi]

78. No she doesn't...

She looks young and impressionable; and sincere. You have no way of knowing how the concept of SATAN may have been used to scare and manipulate this young woman while she was a child.

They should have allowed her to switch bibs. To behave otherwise was cruel.

TYY

[snooper2]

96. I figured out "satan" was bullshit at age 12

along with the rest of the nonsense...

Getting "saved" with a bunch of old ladies putting their hands all over me pretty much did me in

[TeeYiYi]

142. It took me longer...

I always hated religion and rejected it as bullshit. I was a total freethinking nonconformist agnostic hellion growing up. That said, my mom got involved with Jehovah's Witnesses starting when I was about 8 years old. It nearly ruined my life. Because of it, I developed a completely irrational, debilitating fear of Satan and demons. I didn't overcome it until I was older; probably in my thirties or so.

The movie, The Excorcist, scared me so bad my body temperature dropped and I could barely walk out of the theater. I think I literally went into shock. I was probably 15 at the time. I slept with my mother that night and slept with the lights on for months. I was completely traumatized for years after that. The nightmares lasted into adulthood.

I feel sorry for this girl. She's not old enough yet to realize the brainwashing she's been subjected to. Her ability to develop rational thinking will hopefully come with age but until then, she deserves compassion just like any other child that's been exposed to cult behavior and abuse.

They should have allowed her to exchange the bib, no questions asked. Refusing to accommodate her request thereby forcing her to withdraw from the race was a total dick move. To pretend that they didn't understand the problem is totally disingenuous. In fact, it's a lie.

I don't want to live around humans who can't show basic human decency to another human being.

TYY

[A HERETIC I AM]

189. At the end of it all...

And in spite of any opinion I might have, your post is spot on.

You have my understanding for your personal dilemma of years past and my agreement on your assessment of the issue. They really should have given her another number if it meant that much to her.

It boils down to it being no skin off their nose.

[TeeYiYi]

206. Thank you. ..nt

TYY

[sarisataka]

85. She looks stupid...

that is an enlightened way to judge a teenager, or any other person.

[cbayer]

249. Really? Perhaps we should all post pictures so we can determine who is stupid.

You first.

[snooper2]

255. K,

[Ganja Ninja]

34. Suck it up and win one for Satan!

[HERVEPA]

47. Like!

[Arugula Latte]

99. ...

I run with Beelzebub!

[hobbit709]

45. So now her number is ZERO

Her choice, her decision. Don't be whining about it.

[Vashta Nerada]

49. It's just a goddamn number, ffs.

[lpbk2713]

51. Think of it this way Codie ...

Just go ahead and pin it on the front of your shirt.

When you look down on it it's 999.

[SDjack]

58. She no can do. Wont wear 666. If she did, God wouldn't let her win. Just screwed.

I actually see her position. 666 is not just a number to her -- it's also a mental block. Surely some accommodation should have been made. While I have nothing against the number 69, I wouldn't wear it in public. If I did, I couldn't focus on the contest, just like she can't change her focus off Satan.

[Vashta Nerada]

83. It's an irrational mental block.

What if I told the race organizers that I had something against yellow tape and I wouldn't be able to run through it if I was in first place? Should they be forced to change it to white to accompany my ridiculous phobia?

[bowens43]

59. what an idiot

[FreeJoe]

77. She didn't want to drop out...

The devil made her do it.

[Iggo]

166. If she didn't want to drop out, she wouldn't have.

[MicaelS]

80. Texas issues license plates with 666.

Some people throw a fit, and refuse to have them on their car. The state issues new plates to those who object. But you can't get vanity plates with 666.

http://www.chron.com/life/article/666-license-plates-exist-just-ask-owner-1646687.php

[hobbit709]

88. Other numbers of the beast.

666 Biblical Number of the Beast
660 Approximate Number of the Beast
DCLXVI Roman Numeral of the Beast
665 Number of the Beast's Older Brother
667 Number of the Beast's Younger Sister
664 or 668 Number of the Beast's Next-Door Neighbors
999 Number of the Australian Beast
333 Number of the Semi-Beast (also "Halfway to Hell&quot
66 Number of the Downsized Beast
6, uh..., I forget Number of the Blond Beast
666.0000 Number of the High Precision Beast
665.9997856 Number of the Beast on a Pentium
0.666 Number of the Millibeast
X / 666 Beast Common Denominator
0.00150150... Reciprocal of the Beast
-666 Opposite of the Beast
666i Imaginary Number of the Beast
6.66 x 102 Scientific Notation of the Beast
25.8069758... Square Root of the Beast
443556 Square of the Beast
1010011010 Binary Number of the Beast
1232 Octal of the Beast
29A Hexidecimal of the Beast
2.8235 Log of the Beast
6.5913 Ln of the Beast
1.738 x 10289 Anti-Log of the Beast
00666 Zip Code of the Beast
[e-mail] E-mail Address of the Beast
www.666.com Website of the Beast
1-666-666-6666 Phone & FAX Number of the Beast
1-866-666-6666 Toll Free Number of the Beast
(which could also be written 18-666-666-666!)
1-900-666-6666 Live Beasts, available now! One-on-one pacts!
Only $6.66 per minute! (Must be over 6+6+6 years old!)
666-66-6666 Social Security Number of the Beast
Form 10666 Special IRS Tax Forms for the Beast
66.6% Tax Rate of the Beast
6.66% 6-Year CD Interest Rate at First Beast Bank of Hell
($666 minimum deposit, $666 early withdrawal fee)
$666/hr Billing Rate of the Beast's Lawyer
$665.95 Retail Price of the Beast
$710.36 Price of the Beast plus 6.66% Sales Tax
$769.95 Price of the Beast with accessories and replacement soul
$656.66 Wal-Mart Price of the Beast (next week $646.66!)
$55.50 Monthly Payments for Beast, in 12 easy installments
Phillips 666 Gasoline Used by the Beast (regular $6.66/gal)
Route 666 Highway of the Beast (where he gets his kicks!)
666 mph Speed Limit on the Beast's Highway
6-6-6 Fertilizer of the Beast
666 lb cap Weight Limit of the Beast
666 Minutes Weekly News Show about the Beast (airs daily from
Midnight to 11:06 a.m., on Cable Channel 666, of course)
666o F Oven Temperature for Cooking "Roast Beast"
666k Retirement Plan of the Beast
666 mg Recommended Minimum Daily Requirement of Beast
Lotus 6-6-6 Spreadsheet of the Beast
Word 6.66 Word Processor of the Beast
Windows 666 Bill Gates' Personal Beast Operating System
#666666 Font Color of the Beast (the gray in this table, no kidding!)
i66686 CPU of the Beast
666-I BMW of the Beast
IAM 666 License Plate Number of the Beast
Formula 666 All Purpose Cleaner of the Beast
WD-666 Spray Lubricant of the Beast
DSM-666 (rev) Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of the Beast
66.6 MHz FM Radio Station of the Beast
666 KHz AM Radio Station of the Beast
66 for 6 A Beastly Score for an Innings (in cricket)
6 for 66 Bowling Figures of the Beast
6/6/6 Birthday of the Beast (but in which century?)

[yuiyoshida]

143. brilliant!

[tridim]

89. Not to alarm anyone, but I weighed 166.6 monday and tuesday.

I'll let you know if it's a satanic three-fer tonight.

[bluestate10]

169. You may want to pack in some Bons-Bons Bunkie. Or sleep with your head under

the covers.

[cbayer]

90. I live within a community where there are lots of superstitions, none of them religious.

No bananas on board.

Never start a trip on a Friday.

Don't change the name of your boat.

And more.

They are fairly harmless and as long as they don't impinge on others, I see no reason to challenge them.

These are not stupid people, it's just a part of the culture.

So what?

Many of the responses in this thread reveal a deep and pervasive bigotry that seems inconsistent with liberal/progressive ideals.

The girl made a reasonable request, was denied for no good reason that I can ascertain and made a difficult decision based on her own beliefs.

This does not make her stupid, but it sure makes others judgmental.

[sarisataka]

109. Men wear ties...

because of archaic superstition.

I am stunned by the amount of bigotry and intolerance that shows up sometimes.

[cbayer]

132. I am no longer surprised. It is an indication of something, I'm just not sure what.

[sarisataka]

171. I worry Nietzsche is correct...

about voids and monsters

[hunter]

227. Men's ties are a good analogy.

What the hell is wrong with our society that men still wear ties? I try to avoid it. A job where I have to wear a tie is probably a job I'll find loathsome.

A hat at least can be a very useful thing, especially for a bald guy like me who doesn't like a sunburned scalp.

But neckties? Entirely and much like uncomfortable shoes that limit a person's mobility.

[sarisataka]

293. I loath

ties and find it humorous the importance attached to them in a modern wardrobe. I have never found anyone who can give a good reason why we still have them.

Shoes like high heels for women, ridiculously impractical

[kcr]

159. Do none of these judgmental people know any sports fans?

Or are sports fans themselves? I've even seen the various superstitions discussed here at DU. Of course, that doesn't get the same judgmental treatment. Humans are naturally inclined to superstition. It's in our nature. It isn't rational, but it's natural. A vast majority of people have had a superstition about something at some time or other in their lives. The race officials could have just given her another number. They were in the wrong.

[cbayer]

212. Exactly. Superstition and ritual can be positive in reducing anxiety

or helping us feel we have more control over things that we really can't control.

Generally harmless and I totally agree that most, if not all, people have held them at some time.

[trotsky]

237. That's just fine and dandy.

But how much does someone get to force others to abide by their own personal superstition, then? If a baseball player has to put on and tie his right shoe before he does his left, should every other player on the team do it too? What if he asks them to? Should they feel horrible and risk judgment from you if they tell him to buzz off?

With regards to the actual story, what if there were no more numbers to give out? What if the way the race is setup, they can't change ANYONE'S number? I find it disturbing that you yourself are so quick to judge others when no one has the complete story.

[trotsky]

200. Well, the important thing is that you get to judge them, I suppose. n/t

[Renew Deal]

210. Superstition is actually a big part of sports

Lots of stuff about doing things in certain orders, not touching certain things, wearing certain clothes, etc.

[cbayer]

221. Nomar Garciaparra is one of my all time favorite baseball players.

I loved watching him go through his pre-batting routine.

And my mother's rituals and superstitions around the Rockies is a beautiful thing to observe!

[OriginalGeek]

300. After reading about them banana spiders

no bananas no where no how!

[cbayer]

304. Actually it has something to do with gas put out by bananas

that somehow damage the sail material.

Now, that might be a problem if you have 1,000 pounds of bananas on board, but I have friends will not let a single banana anywhere on their boat, lol!

[OriginalGeek]

305. lol! Banana gas!

Bananas make me do that too...

[cbayer]

307. Maybe that's it!!

Gas on a small boat can be mighty annoying.

[Mz Pip]

103. Carl Sagan was right.

Demon Haunted world.

Superstitions, religious bullshit is permeation out society.

666 are just numbers. They have no meaning other than numerical ones.

[boston bean]

135. They should have just given her a new number.

What's the big deal?

[KatyMan]

198. agree with this...and agree

it's just a number. The funny thing is if she would have asked for a new number, for instance, one with 10 in it (like 610 or 710) because 10 is her lucky number, they probably would've allowed it.

It's dumb for a mere number to hold one in such bondage, but it wouldn't have hurt anyone to give her a different one.

[kestrel91316]

144. Where does the bible say that no one is to wear the number 666?

(crickets chirping)

[Iggo]

153. Runner is a moron.

[MrScorpio]

154. Another victory for the Prince of Darkness.

Hail Satan.

[KamaAina]

162. She should strive never to move to Cockeysville, MD or Newington, CT

and, I'm sure, many other places where phone numbers start with 666.

[bluestate10]

182. I would bet that runner doesn't make it out of the Kentucky backwoods. nt

[Buns_of_Fire]

163. Methinks the officials were afflicted with "zero tolerance" syndrome.

"You have been assigned this number, and you WILL use this number!"

I used to keep track of entry numbers for various races and the like (I was the only one who had Excel on my home PC at the time). I'd routinely mark "13" and/or "666" as "unassigned". Sure, it's not rational to have a problem with these numbers, but if someone had ANY problem with the number they were assigned, it was no big deal for me to give them a new one -- hell, I'd even ask them if they had a preference, and if it wasn't already assigned, I'd give it to them. Why should I care what their reasons are? Maybe it would make them feel better to wear their "lucky number." Maybe "302" was their last area code, and it brings up bad memories. Who knows? I never knew, and I never cared.

I think the officials were just being assholes about it for the sake of being assholes about it.

And if it's "just a number" what's the problem with assigning "just ANOTHER number"?

[bluestate10]

177. Unless the bibs were bar coded to record times officials could have given her

another number, even if they had to hand write a new one. The kid was clearly religious and regardless of what others think of religion, she was religious, period. Her having to wear the number could have caused a physical reaction in her that could have killed her or threatened her health in some other way - perpetuating the history of the number 666.

[Buns_of_Fire]

207. Exactly. nt

[brooklynite]

168. Why does "The Beast" have a number?

I've never gotten through the Bible, so pardon my ignorance, but why is that number significant? Why not 222 or 347?

[sarisataka]

179. It is a biblical riddle

as is much of the book of Revelation.

"Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is six hundred threescore and six.

Rev 13:18
Various texts translate it differently but with very few exceptions (some that the number should be 616) the "number of the beast" is 666.
Actually the number belongs to the second beast as described in verses 15-17:

15 The second beast was given power to give breath to the image of the first beast, so that the image could speak and cause all who refused to worship the image to be killed. 16 It also forced all people, great and small, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hands or on their foreheads, 17 so that they could not buy or sell unless they had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of its name.

Now if one can just decipher the riddle...
likely it is not a racer's number but many do not like to be associated in any way with the number 666

[frylock]

248. "the beast" was Nero

[sarisataka]

290. So Nero was the second beast

assuming he is the 666. Who was the first then?

[The2ndWheel]

175. It's just a number vs. no it isn't

If it's juts a number, you can easily change it, or just wear it. If it's not just a number, you can just wear it, or easily change it.

I don't know why the organizers did or did not do something, but some of the responses in this thread are a trip. If you can't push the buttons of some teenage girl running in some race, who's buttons can you push? If the girl had to wear a t-shirt with Jesus on it, but didn't want to since she doesn't believe in Jesus, but it was wear it or quit, it's really just a t-shirt with a picture on it right? Or is that pushing your way of life on someone else?

I'm sure making a stand against this girl's request with cold hard logic will solve all the problems of and with religion the world over, the same way she thinks wearing the number 666 will probably damn her to hell.

[Vashta Nerada]

224. It's about catering to people's irrational beliefs.

[The2ndWheel]

242. Like the one that standing up to this girl's irrational belief

is the first step toward some greater good?

It was a high school race. She wasn't hurting anyone. Yes, it's just a number. But clearly it's not, since even letting her have a different number seems to be unthinkable. The same way it's unthinkable for her to wear 666.

I cannot wear this number. We cannot give you a different number. Yes you can, and yes you can.

[Vashta Nerada]

274. Superstitious beliefs should never be catered to.

That's the point you don't get.

[frylock]

183. 4 big myths of Book of Revelation

The numerals 666 stand for the devil

<snip>

Most people think 666 stands for an anti-Christ-like figure that will deceive humanity and trigger a final battle between good and evil. Some people think he’s already here.

Pagels, however, says the writer of Revelation didn’t really intend 666 as the devil’s digits. He was describing another incarnation of evil: The Roman emperor, Nero.

The arrogant and demented Nero was particularly despised by the earliest followers of Jesus, including the writer of Revelation. Nero was said to have burned followers of Jesus alive to illuminate his garden.

But the author of Revelation couldn’t safely name Nero, so he used the Jewish numerology system to spell out Nero’s imperial name, Pagels says.

<more>

http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2012/03/31/four-big-myths-
about-the-book-of-revelation/

[Renew Deal]

187. Whoever denied her change is an idiot

It doesn't matter if they consider the change legitimate. Changing the number doesn't hurt anyone.

[scheming daemons]

197. the only idiot in this story is the girl

Wearing the number doesn't hurt anyone either.

What if she got #13 and refused because she considers it unlucky?

Bowing to stupid superstitions is itself stupid.

Don't dumb down society because there are morons like this girl.

[Renew Deal]

211. It's not a fight worth having

[muriel_volestrangler]

220. That's horribly apathetic of you

Do you think global warming is worth fighting against? The overlap between people who deny that is happening, and people who have a literal belief in every word of the bible (and insist the world changes to accommodate their views about it) is considerable.

[Renew Deal]

223. Yes, global warming is worth fighting and the number on a runners shirt is not worth fighting.

I also don't think that Black Friday shopping is not worth fighting, but getting a parking spot if I chose to shop on Black Friday is worth fighting.

Some things aren't worth the fight.

[muriel_volestrangler]

229. Better to say "no, we're not going to the bother of changing our records"

(and perhaps printing a new number). The 'fight' involved is saying "we're rational, your request is not, we won't bother doing anything special for your superstition". Who knows, this may help educate her.

[The2ndWheel]

231. It was a teenage girl in a high school race

This is where a stand against superstition and marks of the beast must be held?

Our issues with global warming go much further than those who deny it. They might be the least of the issues involved anyway.

All problems with religion and superstition will be on their way to being solved by denying this girl a simple number change(a number that doesn't mean anything) for a race that she's apparently worked hard to run in?

[muriel_volestrangler]

232. Yes, this is one of the places

It's a good opportunity for education.

No, I don't think "all problems with religion and superstition will be on their way to being solved by denying this girl a simple number change". But that doesn't mean it's one place to take a stand.

[The2ndWheel]

263. She thought the same thing I guess

All said and done, she's out of a race because of her irrational belief, and an unwillingness to simply change her number on the part of race officials.

It's a good math lesson. Numbers have meaning. Except when they don't.

[Vashta Nerada]

225. This.

[hunter]

215. I agree. Change the number, life goes on. It's just a label.

All the "It's just a number" people in this thread don't get it.

If the number is just a label, change it.

This is not a 2+2=5 or a pi=3 situation.

[louis-t]

205. Where I used to live there was a 666 phone exchange.

After 30 or more years of that, they finally got rid of it because of complaints.

My best 666 story: I was on a bowling league in the '90s. About the 8th frame of one game, I looked up and noticed that both teams had 666 pins. I pointed it out to someone and they said "play it in the 3-digit lottery." I politely declined. The next day, the 3-digit number was 666.

[sarisataka]

214. Since numbers are just numbers...

If the girl had been given 217 and she asked to change it because her mother had died on February 17th, how many would refuse because it is just a number?

[scheming daemons]

216. same thing. superstition should not be accommodated

Else you would have to provide exceptions to anyone for any reason.

[Buns_of_Fire]

235. But where is the harm in accommodating such a request?

Humans are a superstitious lot. Our triggers are many and varied.

I don't buy that officials would be granting exceptions until the system ground to a halt. Most people don't care that much.

[sarisataka]

294. Well at least the lack of empathy is equal,

at least you are not blaming her for global warming, as some have.

[hrmjustin]

228. I would not have run the race with that number. Shame on them for not giving another number.

[muriel_volestrangler]

236. Shame on you for being superstitious

I am really surprised at an Anglican taking that stance.

[hrmjustin]

238. Excuse me?

[Initech]

241. I would only if I could wear an Iron Maiden shirt!

[NCTraveler]

246. I would have taken the necessary steps to get you a different number.

I am agnostic. I still understand why you wouldn't want it. And know what. If I were there this never would have even been a story and the young girl would have ran the race. No story. No problems. No gnashing of teeth. Everyone's beliefs would have been respected. How so many people could be against these things is beyond me.

[hrmjustin]

250. Yeah it seems really simple to me.

[kcr]

251. I would have given you another number without a second thought

And shame on those who wouldn't.

[frylock]

244. the best part is that her irrational fear of a set of numbers is greater than her faith in her god

[Douglas Carpenter]

256. I can understand that - lots of people have little idiosyncrasies. i would not be comfortable

having that number identifying me

[minivan2]

261. My grandma

who is unfortunately an extremely catholic abortion hating right wing kook doesn't even know what 666 means.

[kydo]

282. I always thought 666 meant Raygun was the anti Christ

[ZombieHorde]

265. Seems to me that everyone acted appropriately.

The runner didn't want to have the number 666 on her tag, so she refused to run. The people in charge of the numbers didn't want to bend to her anti-Satan bias, so they refused to do so.

[raging moderate]

270. The original number definitely was NOT 666. Those are modern numerals.

The ancient text would have been in Roman numerals. I once read that it was a variant with more "I" numerals, so that it actually was written about like this: "IIIIII IIIIII IIIIII" - which the King James version translators translated into their contemporary numerals "666." And yes, the text did have more significance beyond just that particular numeral sequence. Since many fundamentalists refuse to inquire beneath the surface literal interpretation of the King James text, they wind up twisting themselves and their children into tight anxiety knots over meaningless trifles. This poor girl is actually a victim of the eternal truth that "a little learning is a dangerous thing." She is displaying commendable loyalty to the people she loves and has been taught to seek anxiously to please. As one goes through life, many opportunities arise for broadening one's understanding of faith, numerals, translations, and figurative language, especially veiled criticism of current tyrannical governments. It is the elders among this religious group who should be ashamed. If I had been in charge of the race, however, I would have looked for a way to extricate this young girl from her predicament, probably by switching numbers somehow.

[MineralMan]

277. Well, my irrational fear of prime numbers has caused me no end of problems.

Can't sit in many rows on airplanes, go to appointments in offices on prime numbered floors, etc. Yes, it's an issue, but there it is. numbers that can't be divided by anything but 1 and themselves are downright scary.

[JimboBillyBubbaBob]

278. Tweedle Dumb,

who else?

[adirondacker]

281. That's taking disgust with Reagan to a new level.

[kydo]

286. LOL

[valerief]

292. Stupid is as stupid does. nt

[hrmjustin]

298. I don't see her as stupid. She did what she felt is right.

[pinboy3niner]

295. So turn it upside down

Is that so hard? Sheesh!

[GreatCaesarsGhost]

299. I don't know about 666 being satanic, but i know 69 is divine.

[dembotoz]

301. good for her-she stood up for what she believes-does not matter is you think she is wacko

admire her guts

she did not set out to make a stink

the race officials forced her into it

i may think her stance is silly
but it is her stance and she stuck too it
and i appreciate that

[kydo]

303. I would have ran the race

and made sure I had a picture taken. But that's just me.