The Hazards of Belief

Fortyniner · 20-01-2013 07:13PM

And if the poor child does recover, it'll be broadcast everywhere as 'proof' of the value of prayer, god's love, etc., etc...

And if not, it won't be mentioned. No-one will suggest that prayers don't work, or that god's a big heartless sh1t. No mass appeal for an inquiry, no statements from the bishops, no fundie-funded protest rallies, no campaigns to get the government to ditch any affiliation with god, no 'war on sick children' themes on Fox news, no apologies from the Iona Institute or the like, no mention of the right to life of sick kids, nothing from John Waters, Ronan Mullen or any of their mates, no challenge to anyone's 'deeply held beliefs', no 'miracles', nothing. Just nothing.

And if the question is asked, someone will mutter 'mysterious ways' and skulk off.

MrPudding · 21-01-2013 03:12PM

Fortyniner wrote: »

And if the poor child does recover, it'll be broadcast everywhere as 'proof' of the value of prayer, god's love, etc., etc...

And if not, it won't be mentioned. No-one will suggest that prayers don't work, or that god's a big heartless sh1t. No mass appeal for an inquiry, no statements from the bishops, no fundie-funded protest rallies, no campaigns to get the government to ditch any affiliation with god, no 'war on sick children' themes on Fox news, no apologies from the Iona Institute or the like, no mention of the right to life of sick kids, nothing from John Waters, Ronan Mullen or any of their mates, no challenge to anyone's 'deeply held beliefs', no 'miracles', nothing. Just nothing.

And if the question is asked, someone will mutter 'mysterious ways' and skulk off.

Seems like a good oportunity to roll out one of my Onion favourites:

http://www.theonion.com/articles/god-answers-prayers-of-paralyzed-little-boy,475/

MrP

Nodin · 21-01-2013 03:40PM

According to Professor Patricia Casey, the Iona institute is neither a catholic or a christian institution. Interview excerpt and linkies here
http://www.broadsheet.ie/2013/01/21/is-the-iona-catholic/

Sarky · 21-01-2013 03:42PM

So is she lying or just very stupid?

pauldla · 21-01-2013 04:16PM

Sarky wrote: »

So is she lying or just very stupid?

Or somewhere in between? :pac:

robindch · 21-01-2013 04:40PM

Sarky wrote: »

So is she lying or just very stupid?

Are the choices exclusive?

Sarky · 21-01-2013 04:43PM

I must admit they aren't. I was perhaps wrongly trying to see this as a black-and-white issue, when clearly it is a very complex situation with no right answer...

robindch · 21-01-2013 05:38PM

Turkey's state council for science halts publication of books that support evolution:

http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkeys-science-state-council-halts-publication-of-evolution-books.aspx?pageID=238&nID=39047

hurriyetdailynews wrote:

The Scientific and Technical Research Council of Turkey (TÜBİTAK) has put a stop to the publication and sale of all books in its archives that support the theory of evolution, daily Radikal has reported.

The evolutionist books, previously available through TÜBİTAK's Popular Science Publications’ List, will no longer be provided by the council.

The books have long been listed as “out of stock” on TÜBİTAK's website, but their further publication is now slated to be stopped permanently.

Titles by Richard Dawkins, Alan Moorehead, Stephen Jay Gould, Richard Levontin and James Watson are all included in the list of books that will no longer be available to Turkish readers.

In early 2009, a huge uproar occurred when the cover story of a publication by TÜBİTAK was pulled, reportedly because it focused on Darwin’s theory of evolution.

The incident led to intense criticism and resulted in finger-pointing by various officials of that publication and its parent institute.

A few months later, the article in question appeared as the publication’s cover story.

TheChizler · 21-01-2013 09:06PM

robindch wrote: »

Turkey's state council for science halts publication of books that support evolution:

Is this sort of thing happening more and more recently, or am I just noticing more? As I was under the impression that Turkey was fairly secular, in comparison with others in that region.

FouxDaFaFa · 23-01-2013 04:20PM

Wasn't sure if this should go in Scandals or here.

Apparently, there's a group of young Muslim men roaming the streets of Whitechapel in London, a self-proclaimed "Muslim Patrol". Duties include general harrassment and beating the sh1t out of anyone who looks like they might be gay.

"the latest video in which a group of men described themselves as "vigilantes implementing Islam upon your own necks", a man is followed and told: "Get out of here you fag … Don't stay around here any more."

Bannasidhe · 23-01-2013 04:28PM

FouxDaFaFa wrote: »

Wasn't sure if this should go in Scandals or here.

Apparently, there's a group of young Muslim men roaming the streets of Whitechapel in London, a self-proclaimed "Muslim Patrol". Duties include general harrassment and beating the sh1t out of anyone who looks like they might be gay.

They are so going to get such a kicking if they encounter a group of East End Dykes.

There was a similar little gang in Limerick a few years ago - they picked on a friend of mine as she was walking home.

They thought she was alone.

They failed to see that the entire pack of the Munster Women's rugby team were close by, a pack that took serious exception to their scrum half being attacked....:cool:

legspin · 23-01-2013 04:40PM

Bannasidhe wrote: »

They are so going to get such a kicking if they encounter a group of East End Dykes.

There was a similar little gang in Limerick a few years ago - they picked on a friend of mine as she was walking home.

They thought she was alone.

They failed to see that the entire pack of the Munster Women's rugby team were close by, a pack that took serious exception to their scrum half being attacked....:cool:

I'd say it was like being attacked by The Luggage.

Bannasidhe · 23-01-2013 04:42PM

legspin wrote: »

I'd say it was like being attacked by The Luggage.

The Luggage would have been more merciful.

legspin · 23-01-2013 04:53PM

Bannasidhe wrote: »

The Luggage would have been more merciful.

I was just reminded of this..

The chimera's technique was to swoop low over the prey, lightly boiling it with its fiery breath, and then turn and rend its dinner with its teeth. It managed the fire part but then, at the point where experience told the creature it should be facing a stricken and terrified victim, found itself on the ground in the path of a scorched and furious Luggage.
The only thing incandescent about the Luggage was its rage. It had spent several hours with a headache, during which it seemed the whole world had tried to attack it. It had had enough.
When it had stamped the unfortunate chimera into a greasy puddle on the sand, it paused for a moment, apparently considering its future . . .
[Sourcery]

robindch · 23-01-2013 05:08PM

^^^ Just by the by, did anybody here see Sky's "The Color of Magic"? All in all, I thought it was a pretty good adaption, but opinions may differ

Bannasidhe · 23-01-2013 05:12PM

robindch wrote: »

^^^ Just by the by, did anybody here see Sky's "The Color of Magic"? All in all, I thought it was a pretty good adaption, but opinions may differ

Thought Sky did a fair enough adaption - better then that animated version of Wyrd Sisters.

kylith · 23-01-2013 06:54PM

I've preferred Sky's later ones. I'm not keen on TCOM, mostly because I think that David Jason has no place playing Rincewind.

legspin · 23-01-2013 08:04PM

I would have to agree about Del Boy as Rincewind. Going Postal and The Hogfather were good enough romps but I am of the opinion that until such time as they cast the Librarian correctly it will never really take off.

As an aside I always imagined Paul O'Connell would be a great look for Carrot. Unfortunatly, the Limerick accent somewhat spoils the effect.

Bannasidhe · 23-01-2013 08:08PM

kylith wrote: »

I've preferred Sky's later ones. I'm not keen on TCOM, mostly because I think that David Jason has no place playing Rincewind.

God (:p) yes, Del Boy was all wrong for Rincewind - I see him more as a young Nigel Planer.

I have nightmares of the casting of Granny Weatherwax should that day ever arrive.

legspin · 23-01-2013 08:15PM

Bannasidhe wrote: »

God (:p) yes, Del Boy was all wrong for Rincewind - I see him more as a young Nigel Planer.

I have nightmares of the casting of Granny Weatherwax should that day ever arrive.

Rhys Ifans was one I thought the role might suit.

Esme is a sticky one alright.

Bannasidhe · 23-01-2013 08:18PM

legspin wrote: »

Rhys Ifans was one I thought the role might suit.

Esme is a sticky one alright.

Ifans - yes!

Maggie Smith maybeee for Esme but....

swampgas · 23-01-2013 08:22PM

Granny Weatherwax, Sam Vimes and Vetinari are such vivid characters in my imagination that if a film were made including any or all of them I would be afraid to watch it, purely from of a sense of mental self-preservation. I don't care how good the actor/actress might be, they're not the character in my head!

Mark Hamill · 23-01-2013 08:44PM

Bannasidhe wrote: »

Maggie Smith maybeee for Esme but....

I think Maggie Smith would be awful as Granny Weatherwax, she's too frail looking and shrill sounding to fill her boots, so to speak.

Bannasidhe · 23-01-2013 08:53PM

Mark Hamill wrote: »

I think Maggie Smith would be awful as Granny Weatherwax, she's too frail looking and shrill sounding to fill her boots, so to speak.

True. I was thinking in terms of her excellent withering look and glacial stare.

legspin · 23-01-2013 09:21PM

Bannasidhe wrote: »

True. I was thinking in terms of her excellent withering look and glacial stare.

I was thinking maybe Helen Mirren. After all, she was Morgan La Fey.

endacl · 23-01-2013 10:56PM

Laydees and gennulmen!

I give you.......

The Librarian!

Gbear · 24-01-2013 10:15AM

swampgas wrote: »

Granny Weatherwax, Sam Vimes and Vetinari are such vivid characters in my imagination that if a film were made including any or all of them I would be afraid to watch it, purely from of a sense of mental self-preservation. I don't care how good the actor/actress might be, they're not the character in my head!

Charles Dance(Tywin Lannister from GoT) was brilliantly cast as Vetinari in Going Postal at any rate. That's the only one I've seen and it's quite good.

legspin · 24-01-2013 10:50AM

Gbear wrote: »

Charles Dance(Tywin Lannister from GoT) was brilliantly cast as Vetinari in Going Postal at any rate. That's the only one I've seen and it's quite good.

His manner as Havelock was marvelous but his colouring was all wrong and he was too bulky, Vetinari being known for his thiness and dark colouring. Jeremy Irons played him in an earlier one (TCOM?) and had the Look of Vetinari but not quite the manner.

PTerry has said he imagined Alan Rickman for the role.

swampgas · 24-01-2013 10:55AM

legspin wrote: »

His manner as Havelock was marvelous but his colouring was all wrong and he was too bulky, Vetinari being known for his thiness and dark colouring. Jeremy Irons played him in an earlier one (TCOM?) and had the Look of Vetinari but not quite the manner.

PTerry has said he imagined Alan Rickman for the role.

Hmmm - I could go with Alan Rickman as Vetinari.

(Now miles off topic, but this is A&A ... I guess Terry Pratchet is always on-topic)

seamus · 24-01-2013 11:00AM

endacl wrote: »

The Librarian!

Totally off topic, but extra funny for futurama fans (I'm sure there are one or two here...)

The Hazards of Belief

Comments