Wednesday, November 27, 2002
I'm back, sorta
Sorry, I've been neglecting my preaching eh? ;o) Got a new computer and still setting it up the way I want etc. Just a quick note ...
Not sure which story is more old, the Miss Canada International thing or the underlieing cause where once again Muslim and Christian fanatics are killing someone or in this case each other. Of course the Koran clearly spells out that anyone insulting the prophet Mohamed must be put to death. Picked up a little book being handed out on a street corner in Toronto about understanding Muslims. I've only glossed over it so far but of course Muslims preach tolerance and equality dontchaknow. And of course, the Koran is the only true book of god so why would you need anything else? Where to begin, where to begin ....
Sorry, I've been neglecting my preaching eh? ;o) Got a new computer and still setting it up the way I want etc. Just a quick note ...
Not sure which story is more old, the Miss Canada International thing or the underlieing cause where once again Muslim and Christian fanatics are killing someone or in this case each other. Of course the Koran clearly spells out that anyone insulting the prophet Mohamed must be put to death. Picked up a little book being handed out on a street corner in Toronto about understanding Muslims. I've only glossed over it so far but of course Muslims preach tolerance and equality dontchaknow. And of course, the Koran is the only true book of god so why would you need anything else? Where to begin, where to begin ....
Wednesday, November 13, 2002
Are You a Christian?
An easy question maybe, of course you say because you believe in god and that's more or less all we expect in this day in age. This wasn't always the case and in the past, being a Christian meant unquestioned belief in certain dogmas of whatever religion you wanted to be tied to. For instance, and I'm picking on Catholics only because I would've once identified as such, a friend of mine professed to be of the Catholic faith. Many people I know do the same. But of course, they no more accept the teachings and doctrines of the Catholic church than this here atheist would. Of course, if the church held all self-professing Catholics up to a doctrine microscope it wouldn't have very many followers though would it. Most people's faith is more of a personal belief these days and not necessarily tied to an exact religion. I would think, for a majority of people, the reason they would call themselves Catholic for instance, is because their parents told them so. I take this as further proof of a gradual move away from religion. It will be more diffcult for the children of such people to identify with a particular religion if they in fact hold to one at all.
An easy question maybe, of course you say because you believe in god and that's more or less all we expect in this day in age. This wasn't always the case and in the past, being a Christian meant unquestioned belief in certain dogmas of whatever religion you wanted to be tied to. For instance, and I'm picking on Catholics only because I would've once identified as such, a friend of mine professed to be of the Catholic faith. Many people I know do the same. But of course, they no more accept the teachings and doctrines of the Catholic church than this here atheist would. Of course, if the church held all self-professing Catholics up to a doctrine microscope it wouldn't have very many followers though would it. Most people's faith is more of a personal belief these days and not necessarily tied to an exact religion. I would think, for a majority of people, the reason they would call themselves Catholic for instance, is because their parents told them so. I take this as further proof of a gradual move away from religion. It will be more diffcult for the children of such people to identify with a particular religion if they in fact hold to one at all.
Sunday, November 03, 2002
More Lies, Damned Lies, and Statistics
According to the latest poll, this one performed by Leger Marketing , 40% of the Canadian population believe that some folks are able to foretell the future. That is, have psychic abilities. Perhaps ironically, those same folks seem to have some doubts about what they were foretold anyhow. If you have a boo further into the survey, a full 70% have never consulted anyone thought to have any psychic powers. Of those that did, 15% said the predictions came true, 40% said they partly came true, the rest said no or don't know. So let's look at that again, 15% of the 30% who consulted someone with supposed psychic abilities said they came true. That's uhhh (whirr, whirr, spin, spin) 4.5 % of the population who sought out psychic advice and believed it happened. Well now, that's a whole lot less than 40% isn't it. The study goes on further to state that 1 out of 10 Canadian folks believe in their horoscope (9%). Luvly, wonder how many would have responded yes if the question had been, do you believe in Santa Claus. Well, the christmas season is approaching after all isn't it. I've seen Miracle on 42nd Street, hard to say otherwise dontcha think. If you've ever seen The Amazing Randi tell horoscopes, almost all those present believe the horoscope presented to them was valid. Thing is, Randi gives everyone the exact same horoscope. So much for your sign eh.
According to the latest poll, this one performed by Leger Marketing , 40% of the Canadian population believe that some folks are able to foretell the future. That is, have psychic abilities. Perhaps ironically, those same folks seem to have some doubts about what they were foretold anyhow. If you have a boo further into the survey, a full 70% have never consulted anyone thought to have any psychic powers. Of those that did, 15% said the predictions came true, 40% said they partly came true, the rest said no or don't know. So let's look at that again, 15% of the 30% who consulted someone with supposed psychic abilities said they came true. That's uhhh (whirr, whirr, spin, spin) 4.5 % of the population who sought out psychic advice and believed it happened. Well now, that's a whole lot less than 40% isn't it. The study goes on further to state that 1 out of 10 Canadian folks believe in their horoscope (9%). Luvly, wonder how many would have responded yes if the question had been, do you believe in Santa Claus. Well, the christmas season is approaching after all isn't it. I've seen Miracle on 42nd Street, hard to say otherwise dontcha think. If you've ever seen The Amazing Randi tell horoscopes, almost all those present believe the horoscope presented to them was valid. Thing is, Randi gives everyone the exact same horoscope. So much for your sign eh.
