What swanky things are you reading? - Page 25

Ghoulish Delight · 12-12-2008, 02:06 PM

I've put down The Secular Conscience which, besides heading in a direction I didn't agree with, began arguing statements that weren't even accurate (what hell do you mean no one's been willing to take the position that zygotes aren't people?).

But, still being inspired by recent board chatter to embrace my atheism, I've picked up The God Delusion. I am certainly the choir for this preacher so it's not really going to do much to make me think, but it's nice to see my own positions so well argued.

Alex · 12-12-2008, 02:12 PM

Actually, I still found it very thought provoking at several points. Unfortunately, if you are in that choir, it is repretitive because he takes the arguments in favor of god's existence on individually (because frequently the response to an argument against one god is responded to with "well, mine is different" even when it really isn't) and the response is generally the same with at most minor tweaking.

But it put into succinct form many arguments I've made in the past and presses home the point that many "all things are possible" arguments miss in that while all things may be possible they are not all equally probable. Or that the existence of god just pushes back all of the same questions one layer.

Strangler Lewis · 12-12-2008, 02:14 PM

Having embraced your atheism, of which I was unaware, are you still planning to ritually take a knife to your son's penis?

Alex · 12-12-2008, 02:17 PM

As for me, I've just given up on The Wettest County in the World. Sometimes you just know immediately that you're not going to get along with a writing style. I did this time and I don't think I made it 40 pages in. The reviews are generally positive so I'm going to take the blame for this failure.

Started in its place both Sarah Vowell's The Wordy Shipmates about the Puritans and American Lion, the new Andrew Jackson biography from Jon Meacham. Since I consider Andrew Jackson a good candidate for worst person (not necessarily worst president) to hold the office it'll be interesting to see if my opinion changes (I haven't done deep reading on Jackson since college; maybe I've mellowed since).

alphabassettgrrl · 12-12-2008, 03:29 PM

Just checked out "Bill of Wrongs" about how the executive branch has stomped on our rights lately. Maybe I'll start it tonight.

Alex · 12-12-2008, 03:36 PM

Also recently read the swanky seeming Me of Little Faith from Lewis Black. I know most comedian books are horrible but I had hopes. They were dashed.

Ghoulish Delight · 12-12-2008, 03:38 PM

I think I'm over Lewis Black.

Andrew · 12-12-2008, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ghoulish Delight

I think I'm over Lewis Black.

We're seeing him in Phoenix on New Years Eve. I'll tell him you said so.

Kevy Baby · 12-12-2008, 05:14 PM

I am currently reading Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris, the first book in the Southern Vampire series upon which the HBO show, True Blood is based.

Not Afraid · 12-13-2008, 02:58 PM

I'm reading The Death of Vishnu at the moment and enjoying it so far.

12-12-2008, 02:06 PM	#241
Ghoulish Delight I Floop the Pig Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Alternative Swankstyle Posts: 19,348	I've put down The Secular Conscience which, besides heading in a direction I didn't agree with, began arguing statements that weren't even accurate (what hell do you mean no one's been willing to take the position that zygotes aren't people?). But, still being inspired by recent board chatter to embrace my atheism, I've picked up The God Delusion. I am certainly the choir for this preacher so it's not really going to do much to make me think, but it's nice to see my own positions so well argued. __________________ 'He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me.' -TJ
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12-12-2008, 02:12 PM	#242
Alex . Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 13,354	Actually, I still found it very thought provoking at several points. Unfortunately, if you are in that choir, it is repretitive because he takes the arguments in favor of god's existence on individually (because frequently the response to an argument against one god is responded to with "well, mine is different" even when it really isn't) and the response is generally the same with at most minor tweaking. But it put into succinct form many arguments I've made in the past and presses home the point that many "all things are possible" arguments miss in that while all things may be possible they are not all equally probable. Or that the existence of god just pushes back all of the same questions one layer.
	Submit to Quotes

12-12-2008, 02:14 PM	#243
Strangler Lewis Doing The Job Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: In a state Posts: 3,956	Having embraced your atheism, of which I was unaware, are you still planning to ritually take a knife to your son's penis? __________________ Live now-pay later. Diner's Club!
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12-12-2008, 02:17 PM	#244
Alex . Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 13,354	As for me, I've just given up on The Wettest County in the World. Sometimes you just know immediately that you're not going to get along with a writing style. I did this time and I don't think I made it 40 pages in. The reviews are generally positive so I'm going to take the blame for this failure. Started in its place both Sarah Vowell's The Wordy Shipmates about the Puritans and American Lion, the new Andrew Jackson biography from Jon Meacham. Since I consider Andrew Jackson a good candidate for worst person (not necessarily worst president) to hold the office it'll be interesting to see if my opinion changes (I haven't done deep reading on Jackson since college; maybe I've mellowed since).
	Submit to Quotes

12-12-2008, 03:29 PM	#245
alphabassettgrrl Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 4,978	Just checked out "Bill of Wrongs" about how the executive branch has stomped on our rights lately. Maybe I'll start it tonight. __________________ Why cycling? Anything [sport] that had to do with a ball, I wasn't very good at. -Lance Armstrong
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12-12-2008, 03:36 PM	#246
Alex . Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 13,354	Also recently read the swanky seeming Me of Little Faith from Lewis Black. I know most comedian books are horrible but I had hopes. They were dashed.
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12-12-2008, 03:38 PM	#247
Ghoulish Delight I Floop the Pig Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Alternative Swankstyle Posts: 19,348	I think I'm over Lewis Black. __________________ 'He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me.' -TJ
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12-12-2008, 05:14 PM	#249
Kevy Baby Chowder Head Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Yes Posts: 18,500	I am currently reading Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris, the first book in the Southern Vampire series upon which the HBO show, True Blood is based. __________________ The thing about quotes on the internet is that you cannot verify their validity. - Abraham Lincoln
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12-13-2008, 02:58 PM	#250
Not Afraid HI! Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 17,108	I'm reading The Death of Vishnu at the moment and enjoying it so far.
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