tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4988839706387198339.post4507800744991266225..comments2024-03-17T12:51:46.412-07:00Comments on Cutting Through The Crap: Further Reflection On A Failed EventSid Schwabhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14182853083503404098noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4988839706387198339.post-18997776025478447012011-05-25T15:06:35.268-07:002011-05-25T15:06:35.268-07:00My evangelical relative called me on the 23rd. I w...My evangelical relative called me on the 23rd. I was in the mood, so I said, "You're still here?" She asked, "What do you mean?" “I replied, so you got left behind too!” “ For a while there, I was afraid I would have to call in Raptured to my job!”<br /><br />She finally got it and said -"You mean what that crazy guy was saying about The Rapture - he doesn't know what he’s talking about."<br /><br />Me: "He's crazy?" "Why, he simply said exactly what you have been saying for years?" "He thinks he just got the date wrong, you do still believe the Rapture thing, right?"<br /><br />She: "No, no; I believe, but nobody can say when it's coming; it says so in the Bible,"<br /><br />Me: "So not October then?" "2012? "A lot of evangelicals are betting on 2012"<br /><br />She: No!!<br /> <br />Me: I read that about half of the people in America believe that Jesus will be back by 2050; how about 2050, does that seem about right for you?"<br /><br />She: "No!!!” “Nobody can say, it's in the Bible!!!"<br /><br />Me: "Oh!" "Well, if it's in the Bible, that settles it." <br /><br />Me: How about the Mayan thing, anything there?<br /><br />She: “That’s just a lot of superstitious crap; you should know better than to even ask.”<br /><br />Me: “Hey, their calendar looks a lot prettier than Mr. Camping’s; but then, they couldn’t even predict their own destruction – so yeah, a lot of crap.” “Lots and lots of superstious crap going around!!”<br /><br />She thought I was being mean, by twitting her for her beliefs. Yet, for years I have endured being told that I, and just about everyone else, am headed for Hell because I will not say the magic words. <br /><br />Two thousand years this has been going on – the End Times, Doomsday, Judgment Day, and the Rapture – all feverishly predicted and fervently believed.<br /><br />The days arrive, nothing happens and believers go on believing, just as though nobody was stupid for believing and amazed that the world is still here. <br /><br />Believers will believe anything, just as long as their beliefs are not associated with any facts.<br /><br />EugeneInSanDiegoAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4988839706387198339.post-50929586149809680262011-05-25T07:44:29.642-07:002011-05-25T07:44:29.642-07:00Well said, Chuck. There's no doubt some (much?...Well said, Chuck. There's no doubt some (much?) of what you and I believe is wrong; but the difference between us and Foxophiles is that we recognize it and are constantly seeking to keep our minds open, welcoming new information. Sort of like science itself, the method of thought so deeply feared by so many on the right.<br /><br />Fox is for those who've not only already closed their minds but who actively seek to keep the doors locked.<br /><br />And for those who've long since thrown away the keys, there's the rest of the RWS™.Sid Schwabhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14182853083503404098noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4988839706387198339.post-75618063192672839162011-05-25T07:25:31.577-07:002011-05-25T07:25:31.577-07:00I'm starting to think now that the crime rate ...I'm starting to think now that the crime rate is down and easy credit is gone, maybe the biggest problem facing Americans is cognitive dissonance. How well people resolve this probably reflects on something, although I'm not sure what.<br /><br />Forget the unhappy Campers for the moment and look at FOX News. You and I know very intelligent and thoughtful people who watch it routinely (religiously?). You and I could also point out to these people, and probably have, objective evidence of deception, bias, misinformation, etc. It might be entertaining but it's not a good idea if this is your only news source.<br /><br />And the eyes glaze over. They don't hear it, they can't, because their whole world view crumbles then if you point out that, say, statistically, historically we're always in better financial shape in this country when Democrats have power.<br /><br />And that's just partisan politics. Climate change, basic economics, race and sexual identity issues, etc: The truth is actually out there, but it can make us crazy. It also makes me wonder where <i>my</i> blinders are, and what I believe that's wrong.Chuck Sigarshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15102212130042387466noreply@blogger.com