Fun quotes from Penn and Teller

[lazarus]

I'm not as enamoured of these two as I used to be (they're a bit libertarian for my taste), but still:

Penn once said, "...once you're crazy and know nothing about numbers, the chances of finding something psychotic and hateful in a scrabble factory explosion are hovering just around 100%."

http://www.ronaldbrucemeyer.com/rants/0214almanac.htm

In a 1998 interview, Teller was asked if even the most hardened Atheist has a need to believe and that even Atheists "search for some kind of personal answers for existence itself." After remarking that "Atheists do look for answers to existence itself. They just don't make them up," Teller went on:

"... I might qualify as the most hardened atheist, and I have not the slightest need to believe in stuff that is not in some way verifiable. I believe in art, mind you. I don't believe that art is supernatural. I think that beauty and humor are wonderful things, and quite important to us — in fact, one of the major distinguishing features between us and some of the lesser species. My mother, who is 89 now, says "Oh, you know, I see these old people going to church, and I really envy them. It must be so consoling for them to be able to believe in that stuff." (Laughs) I think she genuinely envies people who are suckers in the sense that there are some things that might be a little easier to confront. It's not going to change her point of view, because it doesn't make any sense to her. It seems like nonsense. And it is! (Laughs)

snip

Teller's partner, Penn Jillette, tells of a 1998 appearance on Donny and Marie Osmond's syndicated talk show: "We were asked to do autographs for Donny and Marie. I wrote, 'There is no god,' and Teller wrote, 'He's right.'"

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

1. My sig line has just changed

If we're not in bandwidth-saving mode, you can see it below:

[progressoid]

2. I can identify with his mother

I went through a pre-mid-life crisis a while back and thought the same thing. It would be a great comfort to go back to a time when I had a simple, soothing answer to the ultimate question of life, the universe and everything. I suppose that would be about the fifth grade.

I can't count the number of times in my youth that I tried to accommodate their mythology. Unfortunately, to accept it required turning off reason.

[Az]

3. Its not just the belief that is comforting to them

Its the entire structure. Its a social circle. Ironically this is something atheists can form without getting our collective nits in a twit. But because we tend to be jumpy around anything that looks like religion we seem to cut ourselves off from creating such a thing. There are a lot of rational benefits to forming such social circles. Health not the least of them. They go a long way to helping during duress and trying times. They make great networks for getting new jobs and just connections in general. Pity we don't form some of our own. :evilgrin:

[progressoid]

4. I agree

I think this is partially why my wife likes singing in the church choir. It's a fun(?) social event. I'm somewhat envious of the social interaction, but I wouldn't ever be able to get past the the subject matter.

[lazarus]

5. we're getting into Buddhism

Theravada Buddhism is, apparently, as close to being an atheist religion as one can get.

[progressoid]

6. How coincidental

I've been thinking about Buddhism also - just for the meditation aspect. Since the election, I've been way too angry. I can't concentrate. Don't get any work done. DU is about the only thing that gets me motivated - and that's starting to wane too.

I'm not interested in some spiritual awakening or new faith. I just need to focus.

[lazarus]

7. That was me, too

I picked up "How to Practice" by the Dalai Lama and started reading.

I took the Belief-O-Matic quiz for fun. http://www.beliefnet.com/story/76/story_7665_1.html

It kicked out Theravada as #2 behind atheist/humanism. Here's a breakdown of it:

http://www.beliefnet.com/story/80/story_8042_1.html

They tend to be pro-life and believe in reincarnation, but that's all i disagree wtih that I've found so far, and they're not real intense about that, that I can see.

[YankeyMCC]

8. Nice quiz

But here's my top 10 and it's a bit strange.

Here's my top 10.

1. Unitarian Universalism (100%)
2. Secular Humanism (99%)
3. Liberal Quakers (87%)
4. Mainline to Liberal Christian Protestants (81%)
5. Nontheist (74%)
6. Neo-Pagan (70%)
7. Theravada Buddhism (66%)
8. New Age (52%)
9. Bahá'í Faith (51%)
10. Taoism (47%)

I was surprised that UU came out ahead of Secularism, I guess that really is the church where nonbelievers hide out. :)

I was also surprised nonthesist was so low until I read what Secular Humanism was so I guess I'm more optimistic than most atheists :) )

I can't figure why it put UU above secular humanism. And weird that Atheist isn't higher than Liberal Christian.

[BlueEyedSon]

9. Exactly, I bet Klan members have a great (social) time too....