Xmas Island
30 March 2006 by Sean
Okay, so can you tell I finished a major project and am slacking big time today?
I have always been fascinated by Christmas Island. I mean, it sounds like a place out of one of those old Rudolph the Reindeer stop-motion Xmas specials.
I looked it up (don’t ask me why) on the CIA World Factbook today and discovered a fascinating statistic…
Religions:
Buddhist 36%, Muslim 25%, Christian 18%, other 21% (1997)
On Xmas Island itself, Xians are a minority!
Is that cool or what??
30 March 2006, on 7:22 pm
I see your Truckee and raise you one Redwing shot Cherokee.
Cover your sky, Zeus,
With cloudy vapor!
And, like a boy
Who beheads thistles,
Practice on oaks and mountain heights!
You nevertheless must
Let my earth remain,
And my hut, which you did not build,
And my hearth,
For whose fire
You envy me.
30 March 2006, on 7:51 pm
You know, I know it’s a bad thing, but I would really have liked too have seen an atomic bomb test (from a safe distance of course). This comment being in reference to the atom bomb test picture of course.
30 March 2006, on 7:58 pm
Marcus, Sean, & Lya:
When reading the posts and responses this morning on your website, I noticed that my response yesterday was deleted and was not responded by any of you three.
I don’t know why…maybe, you have some reasons for deleting it. BTW, it was just a sort of compliment, you know. You’re so brilliant as I observed, and I just asked a very simple question which I believe you could answer very well that would eventually giving me the “enlightenment” to love “REason”.
You claimed that everything taught by any religion is outright lie, and that God’s existence is purely imaginary. You see, archeology tells us that every discovered civilization had religion in it. It is then logical to believe that religion is as old as man; that the belief of God is traceable to the first existing human beings. Does it imply the truthfulness of God’s existence?
30 March 2006, on 8:17 pm
Ford, have you ever watched a documentary called “Trinity and Beyond”? It is a stunning compilation of atomic test footage.
30 March 2006, on 8:17 pm
You see, archeology tells us that every discovered civilization had religion in it. It is then logical to believe that religion is as old as man; that the belief of God is traceable to the first existing human beings. Does it imply the truthfulness of God’s existence?
Maybe. Depends on your answer to this question:
True or False - Everything ancient man believed was true.
Yes ancient peoples believed in gods. Like the sun. But you don’t believe the sun is a god, do you? I hope not. Science and reason have evaluated the evidence, and the best explanation for the sun is not that it’s a god or gods, but a star - very common in the universe.
30 March 2006, on 8:29 pm
Does it imply the truthfulness of God’s existence?
No, it means that humans hate that things happen in life that they cannot control, death being the biggie. Humans are aware of their mortality and are afraid. In order to cope with the fact that we are not going to exist forever, humans have invented superstitions and such in a useless attempt to make the impossible happen. (eternal life)…it’s why vampires and shows like Highlander are so appealing. It’s something we want but know we cannot have. Most religions center on a hoped for afterlife. Wishful thinking.
30 March 2006, on 8:36 pm
Isn’t the saved’s link the same one as sanctimonious…um, I mean sanctified who commented on other posts here in the past? Is this the same person?
30 March 2006, on 8:47 pm
[DELETED SOCK PUPPET MORON CUT-AND-PASTE PROSELYTIZING]
30 March 2006, on 8:55 pm
Ryan:
You said: “Maybe. Depends on your answer to this question:
True or False - Everything ancient man believed was true.”
The issue is not whether “everything they believed was true or not”, but why did they believed in such. There should be concrete reason behind man’s religiosity.
Atheists claim that religion is a result of indoctrination and brainwashing, right? But who did the first brainwashing? Where did that man get the knowledge? Who told him/her that there exist a supreme being? Did man develop religious concept as he was developing his physiological make up (meaning, he was “born” or “existed” religious)?
30 March 2006, on 8:56 pm
saved: You see, archeology tells us that every discovered civilization had religion in it.
I find that statement a little simplistic, and you really should define “civilization,” but otherwise I’m OK with that.
It is then logical to believe that religion is as old as man; that the belief of God is traceable to the first existing human beings.
Exactly what do you mean by “God” with a capital “G?”
Does it imply the truthfulness of God’s existence?
How are you defining “truthfulness?” As “consistently established scientific fact that we can therefore reasonably assume is to all intents and purposes reality,” or something else such as “the possibility of something given that theoretically, any and everything is possible,” or what? I don’t want to put words in your mouth…
30 March 2006, on 9:09 pm
****Attention GiFSers****
Do not answer Saved. Saved is a sock puppet as is Sanctified for our old xian moron, Rolie Acot.
Again, do not answer Saved- appropriate moderaters will remove the cut/paste posts.
30 March 2006, on 9:14 pm
Furthermore:
“Ford, have you ever watched a documentary called “Trinity and Beyond”? It is a stunning compilation of atomic test footage.”
I totally agree- I own all three documentaries for that series (Trinity and Beyond; Atomic Journeys; Nukes in Space) and must say, that with a good home theatre, the bass return is nearly enough to make you shit your pants. And William Shatner narrates!
30 March 2006, on 9:23 pm
“PS: I wonder what the cancer stats are.”
If I remember correctly, the nuclear tests were not carried out on the island itself. The bombs were exploded high in the atmosphere nearby and the island was used as an observation station. Due to the obvious long-term radiation problems, later tests were done underground in the Aleutians.
Today Christmas Island has a blossoming tourist industry and is known for its extensive migratory bird population. A couple of my friends have visited by sailboat. I didn’t hear any bad things about it except the entrance to the lagoon is too shallow for some boats to enter. If it wasn’t for that, a lot more boats would visit.
30 March 2006, on 9:26 pm
Jwal,
Just wanted everyone to see how much of a toad you are before being relegated to the recycling bin. You’ll be deleted in just a little while.
30 March 2006, on 10:19 pm
Where DO they come from? Sheesh!!! Ok just a suggestion but you could and should deldete further postings from them. But link to red this first and use this thread to give an example of what will be deleted. Leave everything above this.
31 March 2006, on 12:09 am
Jimmer,
Sadly, I am only able to delete within my own posts, else I would have deep sixed all the “Saved/Sanctified/Rolie Acot” posts. Jwal is simply out of humor since it has been a while since we’ve had a REEEEEALLY abberant scripture vomiting theist.
31 March 2006, on 12:39 am
I deleted a few of the sock puppet posts and left a few where he/she/it seemed to actually speak for his/her/its self.
But if he comes back spouting the same bullshit, buh-bye.
31 March 2006, on 1:03 am
Marcus, Sean
Good job. They are just so far out there that they are good for a laugh. Like Bulldogs, They are so ugly they’re cute.
31 March 2006, on 1:24 am
[DELETED SOCK PUPPET]
31 March 2006, on 1:58 am
Question for the admins - any chance you can change the username “saved” to “pwned” in rolie’s ramblings ? Clearly this moron is “pwned” by religious stupidity.
31 March 2006, on 2:02 am
Duh. Um. Duh.
31 March 2006, on 2:04 am
Excellent idea, EoR. Done!
31 March 2006, on 2:22 am
Marcus deleted my comments again. And now they changed my username! Hehehe. Are you afraid boys? Cheeee…there they are…prove that you are superior in knowledge and logic. C’mon.Answer my questions.
No, I deleted your comments, asshat. Because you were repeatedly warned by Marcus and others to stop spamming our site. We don’t owe you any answers, sock puppet. If you are too stupid to know that the onus is on you to prove that your make-believe sky daddy exists, you’re a waste of time.
Please, folks, don’t respond to “saved” or “sanctimonious.” Sock puppets of long time xian ignat spammer Rolie Acot. If you don’t feed the animals, they won’t come around.
- Sean
31 March 2006, on 2:48 am
screwed head said: “You claimed that belief in God is mere invention. Answer me: Who did it?”
People. In order to understand the world when they did not have the knowledge we have now. That’s the best explaination they come up with.
Most religions were not monotheistic but have multiple gods.
31 March 2006, on 6:02 am
roya:
Oh, so, where did they get the raw idea? You should realize that nothing could be invented without any raw information/idea/knowledge/material to draw from. The idea of believing a god should not come first of all if they got no some raw idea from outside source. There should be some source!
31 March 2006, on 7:05 am
“Who told him/her that there exist a supreme being?”
Is this a serious question? I can’t believe that it is.
Whenever people don’t have absolute control over something, they assume something else does. When primiative man’s life was racked by bad weather, or whatever, of course he assumed something more powerful then himself was controlling it. He was right, of course, as mother nature is more powerful than us. But, being man and therefore arrogant, he grew to assume that more powerful entity was a creature not very dissimiliar from himself.
And do you honestly think you’re childish bullshit would scare us? Grow the fuck up.
31 March 2006, on 7:21 am
“People. In order to understand the world when they did not have the knowledge we have now. That’s the best explaination they come up with.
Oh, guessing. Where’s your proof? It is more possible that the ancient people knew there is an existing God than trying to understand their “world” by making illogical conjecture. They had some outside sources to draw from for their conclusion. I don’t believe these ancient people were all dumbed as you tried to convince us that they were.
“Most religions were not monotheistic but have multiple gods.”
It strengthens the truth of God’s existence than weakens it. The more we can conclude that there is God. Well, there is an explanation for this , of course. The belief of multiple gods sprang from their misunderstanding of God’s nature and personality. God revealed Himself as One, though there is plurality in terms of His personality and manifestation.
31 March 2006, on 7:25 am
” don’t believe these ancient people were all dumbed as you tried to convince us that they were. ”
Proving once again that modern people aren’t any smarter.
31 March 2006, on 7:41 am
“Whenever people don’t have absolute control over something, they assume something else does. When primiative man’s life was racked by bad weather, or whatever, of course he assumed something more powerful then himself was controlling it. He was right, of course, as mother nature is more powerful than us. But, being man and therefore arrogant, he grew to assume that more powerful entity was a creature not very dissimiliar from himself.”
Guessing. How do you know that that was what they had in mind. It’s purely speculations on your part, Lya.
I know a lot of people experiencing great disaster of their lives. You know what, these people did not attribute their ordeals to God, instead they declared their non-belief in God. So you see. Man’s tendency when struck with disaster is to disbelieve in a more powerful being -God. It is more unlikely that he will assume someone greater than him is in control, because he tends not.
31 March 2006, on 7:53 am
“Guessing. How do you know that that was what they had in mind. It’s purely speculations on your part, Lya.”
No, it’s not. But since you’ve already admitted to being uneducated on the matter (and yet for some reason think you’ve got it all figured out) I’ll play along. All your infantile bullshit about god isn’t all speculation? At least my “guessing” is based in reality and not up in the clouds with you imaginary friend.
“I know a lot of people experiencing great disaster of their lives. You know what, these people did not attribute their ordeals to God, instead they declared their non-belief in God. So you see.”
I see you’re still making up shit are you go along.
“Man’s tendency when struck with disaster is to disbelieve in a more powerful being -God. It is more unlikely that he will assume someone greater than him is in control, because he tends not.”
Ah, so that’s why when there’s a disaster and someone survives, he thanks god. Or when someone doesn’t survive someone else says “god has a plan.”
Either you’re contradicting yourself or you’re a total liar. Pick one.
31 March 2006, on 8:26 am
Hah hah! PWNED!
31 March 2006, on 8:37 am
Sorry Marcus – we (well, I) can’t not respond to this GARBAGE.
31 March 2006, on 8:42 pm
By the way Sean,
The Christmas Island in the photo is the one in the Pacific and the World Factbook link is for the one in the Indian Ocean.
31 March 2006, on 9:06 pm
Yikes, you’re right! Thanks for the catch. I swapped the pic. I didn’t even realize there was more than one Christmas Island. I guess the appropriate way to refer to this one is Christmas Island, Indan Ocean.
I also removed the cancer stats joke because the Xmas Island that they conducted the atomic test near was Kiritimati, the atoll you are referring to (and I was accidentally showing), in the Pacific.
I’m amazed this group of brainiacs here at GifS didn’t catch this sooner. Sorry for the misinformation, folks! Ya learn something new every day.
Now I will humbly go off and write a short farcical story about the inhabitants of the two islands declaring war on each other for the right to exclusively use the “Christmas” name.
9 May 2006, on 9:12 pm
does anyone here believe in the existence of spirits?