tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4999557720148026925.post8385837159796543899..comments2023-11-03T08:56:12.297-07:00Comments on Linus' blog: Demons? Really?Linushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10404265599082718160noreply@blogger.comBlogger164125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4999557720148026925.post-8189188310101325802010-05-22T12:06:17.668-07:002010-05-22T12:06:17.668-07:00Jennifer thinks that Auschwitz was the work of the...Jennifer thinks that Auschwitz was the work of the devil. Maybe, but Hitler was raised as a Catholic, and never excommunicated. The Pope made a <i>concordat</i> with the Nazis.<br /><br />A good deal of African slaughter is associated with religious warfare, too.<br /><br />Mind you, the Presbyterian David Livingstone spent some of his efforts fighting the Arab (probably Muslim) slave traders. His backers, however, thought he should be paying more attention to spreading the Gospel.SkepticVAhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07270580643081564575noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4999557720148026925.post-86515690297502672522010-05-22T12:01:13.021-07:002010-05-22T12:01:13.021-07:00Parashar K
has been told that God sent the Flood w...Parashar K<br />has been told that God sent the Flood water from Heaven. Actually, if you read it carefully enough, some of it came from "the waters under the earth".<br /><br />We certainly know that the entire atmosphere weighs less than a uniform layer of world-girdling water 40 feet high! We've known that since Torricelli's experiment, in the 17th century!<br /><br />I don't know when the notion that water undergirded the world's entire landmass was abandoned. <br />But in any case, the Flood story is immoral. For the sins of MEN, God punished the animals more severely.SkepticVAhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07270580643081564575noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4999557720148026925.post-5034712859136528802010-05-22T11:30:03.099-07:002010-05-22T11:30:03.099-07:00mickrussom says that atheists are narcissistic, an...mickrussom says that atheists are narcissistic, and that secular humanism is a religious belief.<br /><br />He's wrong on both counts. Atheists by definition are immune to the most narcissistic belief on Earth, the one that says "my lot" -- Jews, Christians, Muslims, or even humans -- are the Reason that God made the Universe.<br /><br />Secular humanism is a practical approach to ethical behavior, depending upon the manifest failure of man-made "religions" and belief systems to have achieved the behavioral goodness they claim to seek for humanity.<br /><br />For a parallel, consider the rise of democracy and republics, some more successful than others, in replacing the authority of kings, priests, and emperors with an agreed-upon system of laws to enable vast populations to live in reasonable harmony.<br /><br />Check the preamble to the US Constitution, and its Bill of Rights.<br /><br /><i>I confess that I do not see how a nation, conceived under the proposition that all men are created equal, should arrogate to its government the power to deny entry to any person without showing that such person intends harm to the nation.</i>SkepticVAhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07270580643081564575noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4999557720148026925.post-51202528188413172002010-05-12T09:53:10.879-07:002010-05-12T09:53:10.879-07:00This comment has been removed by the author.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00134155664960401747noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4999557720148026925.post-14485660648336170882010-05-08T16:47:38.957-07:002010-05-08T16:47:38.957-07:00I think they are talking about "bad software&...I think they are talking about "bad software" which, you are not so familiar with.Shenbaga Murugan Phttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01256925566732704568noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4999557720148026925.post-29327982044738782452010-05-07T11:49:51.616-07:002010-05-07T11:49:51.616-07:00You are one of the guys who made daemons. You shou...You are one of the guys who made daemons. You should have told them!Ajithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05035737468157110305noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4999557720148026925.post-62676604848184946392010-05-06T00:51:54.356-07:002010-05-06T00:51:54.356-07:00Secular humanism is a religious belief.
You aren&...Secular humanism is a religious belief.<br /><br />You aren't better than them, you hold a belief of your own. Atheists are so narcissistic at times its scary.<br /><br />This is rooted in the fact you are offended by those who might otherwise be moral law abiding tax paying good people who hold a different belief than you. <br /><br />Proof of a God or proof of no-God is not happening nor is either provable, so engaging in this jihad against those of faith while you have your own non-faith faith is rather dare I say it - retarded. <br /><br />I'm guessing based on your pedigree this is a form of idiot savantism. <br /><br />While clearly you are no idiot, you have an idiotic reaction to a bunch of religious types doing their thing while you engage in your own online proselytizing of non-faith.<br /><br />Amusing to watch. You of all people should know a logical fallacy when you see one.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4999557720148026925.post-67967341668003656962010-04-25T18:18:43.705-07:002010-04-25T18:18:43.705-07:00So what about life and death in Africa, It wouldn&...So what about life and death in Africa, It wouldn't stop me in putting up an <a href="http://www.futureafrica.eu/case.html" rel="nofollow">investment in Africa</a>. I think people should trust the resources more.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4999557720148026925.post-44722672899007025302010-04-20T09:26:48.133-07:002010-04-20T09:26:48.133-07:00Oh yeah... sometimes i've to face it.Oh yeah... sometimes i've to face it.Nailson Martinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03458231187696649959noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4999557720148026925.post-83703557493269780422010-04-20T07:29:24.304-07:002010-04-20T07:29:24.304-07:00yeah... talking about the user space: is ruled by ...yeah... talking about the user space: is ruled by daemons.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14838203558576268310noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4999557720148026925.post-52933910428883953972010-04-06T19:57:19.192-07:002010-04-06T19:57:19.192-07:00You should really keep out of religion on here.You should really keep out of religion on here.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4999557720148026925.post-74308945439431068092010-04-04T11:27:07.033-07:002010-04-04T11:27:07.033-07:00I don't understand why Linus makes a special c...I don't understand why Linus makes a special case for those who believe in "God" as against those who believe in "Devil". In my opinion both positions are equally indefensible. If people who believe in a resurrected Christ or divine cows or enlightened prophet for no scientific reason don't deserve ridicule, why ridicule those who believe in ghosts and spirits ? Russell's teapot argument is after all valid for both cases. I guess Linus is too afraid to go after the religious nuts and thereby hurt his religious fans ;)vikramhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01747698451614856047noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4999557720148026925.post-72912785505236255942010-04-03T02:32:55.821-07:002010-04-03T02:32:55.821-07:00For those who believe in demons/fairies/supernatur...For those who believe in demons/fairies/supernatural-experiences, i strongly recommend that you watch the videos here: <br> <a href="http://www.ted.com/speakers/vilayanur_ramachandran.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.ted.com/speakers/vilayanur_ramachandran.html</a> <br> and this one by <a href="http://www.ted.com/talks/oliver_sacks_what_hallucination_reveals_about_our_minds.html" rel="nofollow">Oliver Sacks </a> <br> <br /><b>Note:</b> This is not a proof of existence/absence of demons but it shows how neuroscience studies explain why some people 'see' or 'feel' thingsParaghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07303520799631629623noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4999557720148026925.post-78980797738377108752010-03-28T01:24:45.798-07:002010-03-28T01:24:45.798-07:00Linus, give these people a break.
First, there alw...Linus, give these people a break.<br />First, there always be people with STRANGE views (another good example: communism),<br />and second, people you met are not the worst people on the planet, by a long shot: they might believe in demons, but they don't believe that taking the whole population hostage and sending millions to Gulag is a right thing to do.Peterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15873387268987935361noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4999557720148026925.post-18879973095750049102010-03-25T12:32:56.500-07:002010-03-25T12:32:56.500-07:00"Not to tell people about their religions, bu..."Not to tell people about their religions, but in Islam the only thing approaching the meaning of "demon" is "jinn," a being which neither interacts with nor affects humans in any way (and thus simply constitutes a test of belief)."<br /><br />it isn't an approaching. Demons are part of the Jinn like unbelievers are part of Humans.<br /><br />The proof from the Quran itself :<br />'''Behold! We said to the angels "Bow down to Adam": they bowed down except Iblis. He was one of the Jinns, and he broke the Command of his Lord. Will ye then take him and his progeny as protectors rather than Me? And they are enemies to you! Evil would be the exchange for the wrongdoers!''' (Al-Kahf, 50)<br />(Iblis=Satan=Devil, Translation of the meaning of the Quran eliminates many aspects, so it is better referring to original Arabic version...)<br /><br /><br />Jews, Christians and Muslims all believe in this same thing, the term Jinn is to include those who respect God orders and those who don't.<br />Another thing is that one man (a prophet) ruled the two Ins (humans) and Jinn, have the power on animals and every other thing on earth and was from the descent of Israel. Jews know this very well.<br /><br />--<br /><br />I have just referred to text to say that Islam is intended to be a religion that corrects mistakes that some men included in the original texts of Judaism and Christianity, MEANING THAT you will find many similarities in the belief of these religions.<br />(I remember that 200.000+ prophets were sent by God but I forget where I heard this. I only remember the first and the last of them)<br /><br />And as you have said, good elements from Jinn don't interact with humans but only demons do.<br /><br /><br />Happy discoveries ! It's good to know what other people believe in.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05025726494374405899noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4999557720148026925.post-55421524816087043472010-03-25T11:42:16.249-07:002010-03-25T11:42:16.249-07:00This may be late, but what IS a demon?
The defin...This may be late, but what IS a demon? <br /><br />The definition proposed by Oxford's is hardly more than a shadow of what demon-believers hold demons to be. Probably. And why are Muslims and Christians teaming up here? What are you defending, exactly? <br /><br />Not to tell people about their religions, but in Islam the only thing approaching the meaning of "demon" is "jinn," a being which neither interacts with nor affects humans in any way (and thus simply constitutes a test of belief). <br /><br />This is far removed from the things Linus overheard were somehow supposed to be "entering" or "possessing" people and required "exorcism" by prayer to prevent reinvasion. <br /><br />Though I don't think it's right to laugh or belittle others for their foolishness (however that may be construed), Linus' feelings are understandable given the peculiar nature of the conversation: demons were not merely treated as symbols or beliefs, but were instead regarded as very real and dangerous entities capable of inflicting harm upon individuals and who could be physically extricated by prayer. <br /><br />And, like he pointed out, by modern scientific standards, such an outlook being stomached in earnest in any context should be expected to meet the bill for absurdity. <br /><br />But it wasn't. And so he wrote about it as a point of shock and interest. <br /><br />For a bunch of computer scientists, it seems you guys (and gals) are perhaps getting a bit carried away in a squabble over beliefs.Gabe A.https://www.blogger.com/profile/10219561254594635457noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4999557720148026925.post-29478181080767469362010-03-21T18:36:17.103-07:002010-03-21T18:36:17.103-07:00What is wrong with people who believe in demons?
...What is wrong with people who believe in demons?<br /><br />Nothing, based on that fact alone. They just have different experiences and frames of reference than you. There are countless engineers and scientists who believe in spiritual entities that can't be proven scientifically to exist. I think it would be easier for a person like you to understand if you had some exposure to such phenomenon. However, your lack of experience or broadmindedness doesn't negate the intelligence of people who believe in demons.Douglashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16064119946449926285noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4999557720148026925.post-39582026132655771672010-03-21T17:31:03.852-07:002010-03-21T17:31:03.852-07:00Haha, you bunch of lunatics :D
From Wikipedia: Sc...Haha, you bunch of lunatics :D<br /><br />From Wikipedia: Science (from the Latin scientia, meaning "knowledge").mugghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02082359858005139970noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4999557720148026925.post-67153631842195260272010-03-18T16:35:38.335-07:002010-03-18T16:35:38.335-07:00Funny!Funny!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4999557720148026925.post-21106449715562039812010-03-14T19:14:26.279-07:002010-03-14T19:14:26.279-07:00Linus -
First the obligatory but heartfelt: Th...Linus -<br /><br /> First the obligatory but heartfelt: Thanks for all you did/are doing/will do re: Linux.<br /><br />As a practicing Catholic and devout Linux enthusiast perhaps I am particularly aware of where you are coming from. The last line of your post is the very question that Faith seeks to answer. The reality of evil in the world is pretty well undisputed. At least give those folks credit for asking the right question even if you think the answer they've come up with is wrong. Overly simplistic is how I would view it. The Catholic understanding of the union of Faith & Reason is certainly more edifying, if nothing else.<br />Pax et Bonum - EdEd Southallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16281418258127447578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4999557720148026925.post-75569098556690235992010-03-14T16:21:14.666-07:002010-03-14T16:21:14.666-07:00"And dammit, people who don't know better..."And dammit, people who don't know better really should be ridiculed. There's no reason to be polite about people holding stupid ideas." - Linus<br /><br />Well that's charitable.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4999557720148026925.post-54817694104283839882010-03-12T11:52:26.109-08:002010-03-12T11:52:26.109-08:00Why do educated people not believe in demons? I kn...Why do educated people not believe in demons? I know plenty of educated people who do. There is no demonstrable proof to say they don't exist, but there is to say that they do. Just because you haven't come across the proof for it (I'm talking more than just "Biblical proof") doesn't mean they don't exist. It is certainly not illogical to believe in demons.Douglas Naadenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16219210297788787751noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4999557720148026925.post-5172269156783893772010-03-11T16:23:20.597-08:002010-03-11T16:23:20.597-08:00No way! I thought only my Dad talked about that!No way! I thought only my Dad talked about that!cjohnson318https://www.blogger.com/profile/00710696274788748676noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4999557720148026925.post-35992322265617543392010-03-10T17:11:41.218-08:002010-03-10T17:11:41.218-08:00My grandma in the Caribbean was kind of an Exorcis...My grandma in the Caribbean was kind of an Exorcist and one time she was performing an exorcism and I saw the possesed person talking in other language and was behaving like a wolf. There were other people assisting my grandma by giving her protection. I got caught in the middle of it and I was told not to close my eyes because the demon could take control of my body. Well, my grandma won the battle and we had to pray for another 30 minutes just in case the demon decided to come back. I do not remember all the details after the exorcism was done but maybe it is still real in certain places. My $.02 cents. I was only 12 years old.relop7https://www.blogger.com/profile/09391316074303276074noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4999557720148026925.post-85033945696251846192010-03-10T14:49:13.018-08:002010-03-10T14:49:13.018-08:00This is hardly a Christian exclusive belief. There...This is hardly a Christian exclusive belief. There is a lot of shamanism in Africa, among other strange and demonic beliefs and superstitions. <br /><br />I do find it a little strange, but I know not the context nor the evidence for or against. Quite possibly that kind of belief is wrong or misunderstood by man.<br /><br />Proving them wrong is about as easy as proving them right. There's not much you can do about it. But I wouldn't pass it off as the beliefs of a nutjob or ignorance. Take it with a grain of salt I guess.NuclearPeonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13811883661729393483noreply@blogger.com