Clipmarks | Belief Clips

Death, similar and different

Sun, 12 Oct 2008 16:56:49 GMT

clipped by: balthazarus
clipper's remarks: it is fascinating to see how death and identity are related. both in the personal experience and the cultural one. i wonder how it would change when and if immortality emerges?

Clip Source: www.sciencedaily.com

Deathways Open Doors To Unexpected Cultural Practices

Cremation, "air burial," grave cairns, funeral mounds, mummification, belief in life after death -- death practices sacred to one culture are often considered "odd" or even terrifying by another.

The Greeks, for example, were fascinated with the historian Herodotus' description of the ancient Issedonians chopping up their dead into a mixed grill and devouring them in a communal barbeque, something entirely contrary to the Greeks' treatment of their own dead.

For one thing," he says, "death was ubiquitous

Second, Christianity, Judaism and the many polytheistic religions

focused on explaining to believers the meaning of death and the afterlife

in the exploitive context of colonial encounters, understanding of deathways was put to manipulative ends by both sides

deathways marked cultural self-definition and the definition of 'other' in the New World

Tags: history, anthropology, religion

You Must Pray to Zeus!

Sun, 12 Oct 2008 16:21:54 GMT

clipped by: AtlLiberal
clipper's remarks: The clip refers to an argument frequently put forth by theists. But like many such arguments, it is not very well thought out.

Clip Source: atheism.about.com

Why Bother?

hello i respect your views and your beiliefs , but what i dont understand is if there is not a GOD why even bother with the subject. if he does not exsist then oh well. what could lead someone to telling thousands of people that there is no GOD. and why.

This sort of question comes up often enough - and it is, perhaps, legitimate to wonder why anyone who doesn't believe in gods would have a site that deals with the subject. After all, how many nonbelievers in unicorns have sites which discuss the nonexistence of unicorns?

The crucial difference here is that there aren't a lot of believers in unicorns going around tell people that they should believe in unicorns, that belief in unicorns is necessary for morality and happiness, that nonbelievers in unicorns can't be good citizens, or that belief in unicorns is fundamental to the nation's identity. There is, then, no real need to discuss the merits of belief and nonbelief in unicorns, is there?

The Cultural Evolution Of Religion

Sun, 12 Oct 2008 00:15:46 GMT

clipped by: wildcat

Clip Source: www.scientificblogging.com

First off, let me clear the field of an obvious source of what I think is rather fruitless discussion. The authors begin by summarizing three models of the evolution of religion: the evolutionary group selection scenario (religion as an adaptation for group living), the cultural by-product scenario (religion derives from the necessity of a theory of others’ mind and sensitivity to one’s reputation), and the cultural group selection scenario (where competition among social groups favors the spread of costly practices to maintain in-group cohesion).

To begin with, they debunk the oft-repeated claim that religiosity increases charitability. It turns out studies that have made that link are entirely based on self-reporting, a notoriously unreliable source of behavioral evidence

A series of “Good Samaritan” studies found that people’s actual (as opposed to self-reported) charitable behavior shows no correspondence whatsoever with the degree of religious belief

Tags: culture, evolution, religion

A Story About a Man Applying For a Job

Sun, 12 Oct 2008 00:04:21 GMT

clipped by: naturelady
clipper's remarks: Part Two
Interesting background on this man.
Joe Biden said during the debate "The past is prologue."

Clip Source: noquarterusa.net

His emotional gravitas is centered upon his African heritage, and his belief that the white man is responsible for global poverty and unequal sharing of wealth.

Particularly disturbing is his lengthy relationship with Bill Ayers, an unrepentant Weatherman radical who bombed government buildings and abdicated the overthrow of the United States.

Given the current global situation of nearly twelve thousand Muslim acts of terrorism since 911, it is disturbing to find his close associations with Muslim groups,

I have highlighted passages in both books and find one particularly disturbing: “Should the political winds shift in an ugly direction I will side with the Muslims.”

The candidate has surrounded himself with anti-American grievance mongers, and appears to manipulate “typical white people” by appealing to their guilt about slavery.

He is a socialist, and totally disenfranchised from the history of “root America.”

A Story About Change

Sun, 12 Oct 2008 00:00:02 GMT

clipped by: naturelady
clipper's remarks: Saved in several segments

Clip Source: noquarterusa.net

A Story About a Man Applying for a Job

Imagine for a few moments that you are the human resources director of a major multi-billion dollar corporation. You are sitting in your large, luxurious office when you receive a phone call from the Chairman of the Board of Directors.

He tells you that the board is considering a candidate for a high-level executive position. He advises you to complete a thorough background investigation and have it to him within 10 days.

This candidate has a tissue thin work experience resume.

This candidate’s own writing exhibits a deep-seeded anger and resentment towards people of the Caucasian race over the issue of slavery.

His emotional gravitas is centered upon his African heritage, and his belief that the white man is responsible for global poverty and unequal sharing of wealth.

Panel says Palin abused her authority

Sat, 11 Oct 2008 08:09:08 GMT

clipped by: darkeforce
clipper's remarks: After seeing the cavalier way that Palin treats everything, it should be no surprise to find out that the Alaska panel found her guilty of abusing her authority in firing an underling who didn't aid her personal agenda in getting an ex-brother-in-law fired. Hopefully this will kill some of the unwarranted support she's gotten for John McCrazy; at least the support from people who aren't just plain stupid.

Clip Source: news.sympatico.msn.ctv.ca

Alaska legislative panel: Palin abused authority

A bipartisan legislative ethics committee investigating Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin says that she unlawfully abused her position in the firing of the state's public safety commissioner.

The investigative report said that a family grudge was a contributing factor for firing former public safety commissioner Walter Monegan.

Monegan says he was fired as revenge for refusing to dismiss a state trooper who was undergoing a bitter divorce with Palin's sister.

"I feel vindicated," Monegan told reporters.

"It sounds like they've validated my belief and opinions. And that tells me I'm not totally out in left field."

Chief Investigator Stephen Branchflower found Palin to be in violation of a state ethics law prohibits public officials for using their office for personal gain.

Deathways Open Doors To Unexpected Cultural Practices

Sat, 11 Oct 2008 04:22:36 GMT

clipped by: wiccantexan

Clip Source: www.buffalo.edu

UB historian studies death in the New World

Cremation, "air burial," grave cairns, funeral mounds, mummification, belief in life after death -- death practices sacred to one culture are often considered "odd" or even terrifying by another.

In every social group throughout history, the disposal of the dead has special significance, and ways of death always fascinate those on the outside looking in,

"Beyond that," he says, "deathways illuminate religious meaning and the social life of cultures about which we may know little else."

"Much of my research looks at how deathways marked cultural self-definition and the definition of 'other' in the New World," he says.

In fact, Seeman says the examination of deathways is virtually unmatched for understanding cross-cultural encounters that took place centuries ago in the New World.

The book also takes a particular interest in how deathways document the cultural syncretism that, over time, reconciled a vast number of disparate or contradictory beliefs,

Tags: death, history, culture, social, belief

New BBC Series on America

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 20:29:01 GMT

clipped by: abailart
clipper's remarks: The first episode of The American Future: A History will be broadcast on Friday 10 October on BBC Two at 9pm BST. There are three further episodes on subsequent Fridays, at the same time, covering war, faith, and immigration.

Video at source. Series will perhaps we available at BBC site.

Clip Source: news.bbc.co.uk

Barack Obama's emergence as a presidential candidate in the US represents a profound change in the American psyche, distinguished historian Simon Schama argues in his new series for the BBC, The American Future.

He says that although Americans have a belief in their country as a "city on a hill" - a shining example to others - they are not complacent about the economic and foreign policy issues facing the US.

Americans are by no means as militaristic as the rest of the world seems to believe, he says, with the debate about how big the military should be going right back to the Founding Fathers, Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton.

But Professor Schama believes that one of America's great strengths is its ability to re-invent itself at the time of crisis.

And at the moment America's self-image is being remade.

Tags: simon schama, american politics, history

believable grounds

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 04:51:55 GMT

clipped by: joturtle

Clip Source: www.google.com

Man is a credulous animal, and must believe something; in the absence of good grounds for belief, he will be satisfied with bad ones.
- Bertrand Russell

Not THAT Again

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 18:13:13 GMT

clipped by: debbyski

Clip Source: www.latimes.com

So one of Gov. Sarah Palin's best friends is gay. Her pal "happens to have made a choice that isn't a choice that I have made," Palin told Katie Couric last week

Calling homosexuality a choice is the time-tested way politicians signal their belief that it is the wrong choice

It is past time to retire the question of whether being gay is a choice -- not because it's been settled but because it never made sense in the first place.

Yet too many Americans continue to view sexual orientation as just that.

Religious Americans often speak of a surge of emotion from deep within them, of hearing a calling from something outside of themselves and of following the dictates of their conscience. Likewise, gays and lesbians frequently describe same-sex attractions as an undeniable force or a deep-seated feeling that they must respect if they are to be true to themselves.

Fertile women raise their voice pitch

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 12:44:58 GMT

clipped by: balthazarus
clipper's remarks: Though as humans progress in so many fields has been achieved; some basic roots tie us; unless we learn to know them, forever we will be biased.

Clip Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Fertile women raise their voice pitch

Women's voices rise and fall in tune with their fertility, according to research by psychologists.

Recordings of women taken at different times in their monthly cycle show that the female voice rises perceptibly a day or two before ovulation, when women are most likely to become pregnant.

The findings are the first to point to a link between voice and fertility and build on recent studies which support the idea that humans may be similar to other animals in displaying outward signs of fertility.

Two years ago, Haselton published another study into female fertility and the monthly cycle, which suggested that women "dressed to impress" when at their most fertile, favouring skirts over trousers and showing more skin.

The work goes against the long-held belief that humans, unlike many other animals, hide any evidence of ovulation.

Last year, scientists

claimed that women sway their hips more when they are at their most fertile.

Tags: biology, gender, fertility

Controlling Other People's Minds

Tue, 07 Oct 2008 22:05:06 GMT

clipped by: LillianL
clipper's remarks: There is an unwritten mind control etiquette that we all should follow when imposing mind control on others.

Clip Source: mindvisualization.com

But, there is still a stigma associated with the phrase “using mind control on other people.” This belief is not without merit. Some people use mind control callously on those around them with disregard to their wishes.

If you truly do want to help others through their issues using mind control techniques, we highly recommend that you, first of all, ask them for their permission.

Female Fighters: We Won't Stand for Male Dominance

Tue, 07 Oct 2008 06:13:03 GMT

clipped by: dulios
clipper's remarks:

Back in 1998, the fighters say, their now-jailed leader Abdullah Ocalan declared the group "a women's party." It was initially difficult to accept, says Karim, a 42-year-old male member of the PKK.

Today, the PKK's ideology revolves around a belief that global crises and injustice are a result of millennia of male-dominated rule. Here, the women run their own assaults and have their own command structure. All tasks are shared, both on and off the battlefield. Discipline is paramount to survival, they say, and weapons are always clean and never out of reach.

Clip Source: www.cnn.com

Female fighters: We won't stand for male dominance

QANDIL MOUNTAINS, Iraq (CNN) -- The women line the mountainside, locked hand in hand in their green battle fatigues, and begin dancing. It's a victory dance, they say, that is routine after raids across the border on Turkish troops.

"We want a natural life, a society that revolves around women -- one where women and men are equal, a society without pressure, without inequality, where all differences between people are eliminated," says Rengin, the head of a female battalion of the Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK.

"Women grow up enslaved by society. The minute you are born as a girl, society inhibits you," she says. "We've gone to war with that. If I am a woman, I need to be known by the strength of my womanhood, to get respect. Those are my rights. And it was hard for the men to accept this." See photos of women with guns in mountain enclave »

Tags: women, war, pkk, turkey, ocalan

established in the belief that our Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates should represent th

Tue, 07 Oct 2008 05:10:47 GMT

clipped by: myclip_pers0376
clipper's remarks: This site was established in the belief that our Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates should represent the best that we can be. The United States, the home of the brave, of innovation, of invention should be run by candidates who exemplify our ideals, our potential, and yes, even our hopes.

Our entire team is committed to having a fruitful and vivacious discussion about whether or not a Governor from Alaska, who before Labor Day Weekend 2008 was only associated with questionable ethics and moose hunting, is up to the task of running the free world. As a result, we've compiled all that we could get our hands on and find new things every hour. Seriously.

Please go to our In The News to open the doors to Local, National & Internationl News.

We would welcome your input...on both sides of the aisle.

Clip Source: www.ifthebuckstopshereshootit.com

Today's Headlines...

Alaksa VP Debate Focus Group (video)

The New Yorker (on newstands now)

Ynet News (Israel)

The Wall Street Journal

Agence France-Presse (AFP)

TIME Magazine

Seattle Pi News

The Guardian (UK)

CSPAN (video)

Huffington Post (w/video)

"Inside this room, all of my dreams become realities, and some of my realities become dreams.

And almost everything you'll see is edible.

October 6, 2008

WARNING: There are ALOT of information links on this site.

Tags: mccain, flordia, nebraska, plain, obama, lying, debate, democrats, re

Earliest animal footprints uncovered

Mon, 06 Oct 2008 15:58:08 GMT

clipped by: pokkets
clipper's remarks: Scientists didn't 'know' Pre-Cambrian life was well developed, they just seemed to reach their conclusions with too little evidence

Clip Source: www.abc.net.au

Scientists have found the oldest fossilised tracks of a tiny legged animal, providing further evidence that complex creatures existed on earth 570 million years ago.

The fossilised trails, thought to belong to a centipede or a leg-bearing worm that lived in the water, were found in sedimentary rocks in Nevada, says Ohio State University geology professor and the study chief author Loren Babcock.

The finding, presented to the Geological Society of America's meeting in Houston, shatters the belief that Pre-Cambrian life on earth was restricted to microbes and simple, multicellular organisms.

The tracks, two parallel rows of small dots, each about two millimetres in diameter, date back to the Ediacaran period - 630 to 542 million years ago.

They suggest that animals walked using legs at least 30 million years earlier than had been thought.

The Cambrian period (543 to 490 million years ago) saw an evolutionary explosion that produced most of the major animal groups we know today.