trish123 Forum Posts (13,724)

RE: I love you

nope - thats you xxx

RE: I love you

Oh Babsie, thanks for caring

this is my first ever partaking in an above and below thread so........ above and below - I love you all

RE: God...fact or fiction?

haha - Im pretty fond of my madness too - but sometimes, theres a bit of method in it

see ya later

RE: I've got a bun in the oven!!!!!!

haha - I am having palpitations here Karen

RE: God...fact or fiction?

another point is that often, when I have written in my own words, condemnation has been forthcoming for that too I decided a while since to 'quote the greats' so that people would stop accusing me of madness and maybe start to think that as all these great people had said these things, then maybe, there might just be something in it

RE: God...fact or fiction?

oh dear, now we both are crying

Sorry for misconstruing you words on Wiccan but I lean towards Paganism myself and was nonplussed at the comment, I also do Tarot cards, and have been trying to apply scientific logic to Astrology for many years. Its the 'eerily correct' essence of things like Tarot which lead me believe that anything which condemns these things as 'witchcraft' can only be doing so from fear. Removing the local Dieties was first attempted by the Romans here but thanks to the efforts of some erstwhile families, they didnt completely succeed. My Tarot cards are Druidic.

During the witchcraft trials, here in England there were many, many people, both men and women, put to gruesome deaths accused of heresy or of witchcraft. I actually live close by Pendle Hill which is famed for a witch or two. Lots of local folklore has better explanations of why these murders took place - I will never be able to forget the abuses of power which were evident in these injustices. Have a read of some witchcraft trials, they will chill you to the bone - and thats just the cheek of the accusers.

I will find and read your blog soon then leave you a message there.

I am very touched by your words and persistence with stubborn old me - again, thank you

RE: God...fact or fiction?

Hi Omega

I think that the good old Protestant Ethic promised the rewards for lifes sufferings, in the afterlife - or Heaven if you prefer.

The idea was to be subservient all your days, doff your cap as often as required by your 'superiors' and then when life and living had worn you down to the grave, then, in Heaven, you would be surrounded by angelic beings (with harps and sweet music) and all the wealth of a loving eterinty.

This is where you were to be rewarded with the aforementioned 'freedom' for a lifetime of subservience !!

It was considerd very 'holy' to suffer in silence, there was even a school of theology which advocated self flagellation (whipping) on a regualr basis, the common man was supposed to look up to these holy men and live by their example. This action was meant to emulate the suffering of Jesus.

Im sorry but all of this smacks of social control to me and about as far from 'freedom' as one can be

RE: God...fact or fiction?

I completely agree Dom - Well said

RE: God...fact or fiction?

Thanks Princess, I too am sorry for the misapprehensions which went between us the other day - I was
actually really upset about the whole thing. As you so rightly say, words can be misleading.

I think you helped very much to bring this writing out of me and also helped me to have a little more self belief so, genuinely, Thank You.

Having said this though - I still think that the renowned writers can make a better case than I and I see omissions in what I have written too - the styles of writing that I am used to are either academic or personal - with the academic, one has to constantly be backing up everything which is said, with proof - I found great freedom in todays outpouring - thank you again for your part in this.

But - I love to quote the great writers too. One reason for this is that many people dont know they are out there - I didnt know myself until I embarked on the quest to find them.

RE: rainbow at sea

aww, thanks for asking - Im working on a couple of big essays and the dissertation - my mind is doing overtime half of the time - the other half its doing overdrive haha - itll all be over with by June though and worth all the hard work

RE: rainbow at sea

Phew - I was almost biting my nails before that beautiful ending came - haha - I love the drama of this one Rob

RE: 34 things too make u think

Brilliant - I love number 8

RE: God...fact or fiction?

I can only say that I think the passion you show is such a credit to you - and thanks for being here to share your thoughts.

I find it interesting that you point out the psychology angle and emphatically agree with you - this is one of the schools of thought which was known, but kept from the common people for so long - and extensively used against them - by the ruling classes, and in whose sole control was the big E - Education - then they have the cheek to accuse us of 'sin' - it just adds insult to the many injuries visited on our forebears - imo.

RE: everyone wish spiceygamble happy birthday.

and even more belated.............

RE: God...fact or fiction?

Thanks Buster

Its great to come here this morning and find such support

Im beginning to feel like Little Miss Muffet - wheres that flippin spider at - hahaha

no worries, I overcame my fear of spiders yrs ago

RE: God...fact or fiction?

keep it going Gilly you are doing great and stuff is sent to try us all the time - you will get there with your good heart and all that determination

RE: God...fact or fiction?

awww Hiya Gilly Hun

RE: God...fact or fiction?

no. Ray, I am only doing my BA (social sciences) at this point, but plan to continue - I wish I was at that point though
I started the course because I wanted to know how academia works as my eventual aim is to write books - and as this is all so close to my heart, Im sure there will be many ideas suggested to my mind from these debates when that time eventually comes.

RE: God...fact or fiction?

Thanks for defending me there Ray.

I am pretty astounded too at how somebody can condemn a person for knowing their Schopenhauer from their Nietzsche - I had thought most people only formed opinions when considered from a variety of angles but I guess the same rules dont always apply, especially in the realm of faith - silly me for even thinking this, as the whole concept is denied by the word 'faith'

I have no problem with the concept of God - only with theism, more to the point, with monotheism and people control.

So often on these threads, time and again, people suggest I/we read this or that holy book (they just assume we havent or how could we possibly not see things the way they do?) and self righteously suggest my/our ignorance then when people start mentioning other books or ways of reasoning, we are the ones who they attempt to cut with their words - I actually thank the person who had a go at me earlier because I went offline quite upset and had a long hard look at myself and attitudes, thankfully, I am back with renewed self belief - I learn much about human nature from these threads - long may they continue.

I have gone through the whole faith/Christianity thing and it doesnt satisfy my curiosity, or intelligence - and I am happy about this or would probably never have discovered many of the great thinkers to whom I have a debt of gratitude for my current state of mind. My search for peace in this issue has lasted many years and when I see some attitudes displayed, I am more than happy that my search is continuous rather than stagnant.

Thanks again Ray - but chill hun, dont let em get to you - I think quite often people attempt to fuel anger in us so that we will go away - I suggest not stooping to that level, you are an obviously intelligent person

RE: God...fact or fiction?

Thanks for the info Conrad, I only had a quick look at her writings earlier but I have promised myself a novel for over christmas and she may just be the one - or one of haha.

I thought that she would be using some negative examples when I posted the list earlier, a lot of those people I have glimpsed or had deeper readings of - Thanks again

RE: God...fact or fiction?

The thread is about God - Fact or Fiction - not about Wicca though I do find it curious that you assume my opinions are not based on life experiences, at the age of 53 , I beg to differ - so much have I learned that I would not judge a whole concept on the basis of watching one film as your own life experiences have led you to do in the case of the Wikka Man.

I do not have to prove that there is a God as it isnt me making the claim


By Robert Hartwell;

Faith serves a two-fold purpose. First, when a superstitious person fails to defend supernatural ideas, faith is used as a protective shield - a stubborn denial of facts - enabling the believer to avoid admitting they're wrong. Second, faith “must” exist to make prophetic religious scripture appear to have authority. For instance, Judeo-Christian-Islamic doctrine convinces people that faith is a must, if you are to attain eternal salvation. In reality, faith does nothing more than cause people who “want to believe” in supernatural ideas to ignore contrary evidence. When you fail to defend an idea that makes no sense and you’re unwilling to admit you’re wrong, faith "must" exist. It’s obvious that faith is an intellectual copout. Professing faith is not only a shameful act of self-delusion but it's only required when you're attempting to defend a false idea or an outright lie.

Yes, thank you - I do enjoy my studies - very much so - and now I will get on with them

RE: God...fact or fiction?

and besides, to place my own opinions above those of some of the greatest minds in history is beyond my sense of modesty.

Maybe when I get my Phd. I will make such endeavours but till then - I think not, at the moment, the already accepted greats can say it for me - isnt this the essence of knowledge anyway - use it or lose it so to speak - for the time being, they can all say it so much better than I.

I also find the concept of original thought somewhat dubious, arent all thoughts predicated on fundamentals established heretofore?

Blind Faith does not constitute original thought either, in my book

RE: God...fact or fiction?

Its one of my pet irritants that assumptions are made about morality being the sole right of the god fearing - I dont think so

Although I find Nietzsche to be a bit on the strong side of philosophy, I nonetheless like some of his anecdotes;


Yes, those two were pretty original

but, considering my quotes come from more than one source, I can see how it may be somehow disconcerting to some - there we go , another original one


All above my own thoughts - and so below

and, I dont have to justify what i write or post - to you or anybody else - carry on being unpleasant but I am out of here - I have some university work to do which calls for debating many peoples thoughts, and interjecting my own opinions - rather than from a single source

RE: God...fact or fiction?

I hear what you say Omega but, earlier in the thread, there was scorn poured over us unbelievers due to the fact that God was getting a lot of mention - some of us try to redress the balance and - whatdya know - we get pulled up for that too - I think I can justifiably allow myself a laugh at this point

RE: God...fact or fiction?

Its one of my pet irritants that assumptions are made about morality being the sole right of the god fearing - I dont think so

Although I find Nietzsche to be a bit on the strong side of philosophy, I nonetheless like some of his anecdotes;


Yes, those two were pretty original

but, considering my quotes come from more than one source, I can see how it may be somehow disconcerting to some - there we go , another original one

RE: God...fact or fiction?

My point, which you may have misunderstood, was that morality isnt the sole right of anybody, either those who agree with the God concept or not, but this the claim is often laid at the feet of non believers such as myself - nothing could be further from the truth

RE: who was the best songwriter in the world bob dillon or bob marley

yep, I love that one too but 'the twelfth man at silly mid on' has to be one of the best too

RE: who was the best songwriter in the world bob dillon or bob marley

Evening Star is my fave of his Gra oh and the Lunatic on the bus one too oh, and McGoohans Blues - and yep, he would take some beating - definately up there amongst the greats

RE: God...fact or fiction?

funny - thanks !

RE: who was the best songwriter in the world bob dillon or bob marley

Hi Ship Ihavent heard of Rod McQuern - but will look him up right now and thanks

and YES, Genius is the word for Cohen, another true wordsmith