Hermes100

I respect those who say the truth " I believe ...there will be a place in heaven" is fine. I used to believe in father Christmas. Now I do not because we all know he does not exist.

We also all know that there is not a shred of real evidence of either God's ( all 2000 of them) nor heavens or hell's or vitually anything claimed by any of major relgions.

And yet, as adults we still seem to want to cling to these.

I think the word 'faith' ( accepting something without any evidence) very dangerous.

Would you book a hotel on faith?

Buy a car on faith?

Find the best doctor for your loved one on faith?

No, you would use a logic chain as you do in every other area of your life to decide.

It will be based upon rationality which would weed out who/what is viable.You would not hear '

I choose XXX just because it was written 2000 odd years ago in an old book which can be read 1001 ways, is devoid of substantial evidence, but I was told to just "have faith' so to hell with the logic I apply to everything else, i choose XXX anyway"

Religon exists because is appeals to ones ego ( you are special and loved), allays the fear of death and provides the 'feel good factor" .

Without that one could not expect to see something so utterly flawed still in existence.

A sad statement upon mankind.

Atheism is the 'faith' that the universe was created by chemical chance.

Its not so much putting myself on pedestal as it is religious people who honestly and truly believe the nonsense they are taught losing right to being respected and sometimes being treated equally.

Thus in my eyes they have opted to lower themselves.

The funny thing is I would still defend their right to relive in whatever they wish, so long as its presented as a choice.

Which it is not. And religious teaching is full of lie's.

It start's with children being religiously taught, a form of child abuse.They are literally brain washed from day 1.

So, I will happily risk putting risk myself on my ass to stand up against those that do.

I do not stand to certain music at cinema's.

Not because I disrespect the person(s)shown, but because of the way he is betrayed and followed. I urged my friends to take their children out of classes which teach them how to procrastinate themselves and the teaching on religion they are given.

children should be taught how to think NOT what to think.

That I think is sick and has no place in a modern society.

It is wrong to say 'one must respect".

Respect what exactly?

What God is supposed to have done? What has he done that can be respected exactly?

The same can be said for others who have somehow become Gods who rule over nations that all seem to have something in common- they are failures,racist, sexist,corrupt and where the true "God" is $$$

Truly something has to be so weak if it cannot be questioned, or falls apart totally upon even the simplest of inquiry or, cannot be questioned,tested,etc

One can hopefully do so politely and without causing offensive, but that is a risk which must be taken if honest, truth, ethics's guide you.

Religion is a WMD,those who oppose it must risk causing offense or stand next to those who promote many evils that stop the progress of the world.

Nobody really want's upset/offend anyone, and its true that the vast majority of religious people are decent enough and there is no need for such line drawing.

But sometimes one has to re-examine things.

Its quite simple- look for that which cannot be questioned, tested and appeals to your own self interest and you will find the very thing which modern society and those who live in it must re-address.

It is good to see Atheism is alive and well in Thailand as it should be everywhere on the planet.

I have my doubts that Thais can openly embrace atheism since they have been brainwashed since birth. Almost the same as other religions. Not exactly sure how much can I say here without being bordered with legal issues.

Unlike Pakistan and similar countries where atheism is punishable by death, in Thailand what I understood showing disrespect to Buddhism is illegal.

An atheist can not and should not show respect to religion, any religion if he follows his ideas. So, how much an atheist can I be in Thailand?

absolute <deleted>, showing respect should by one of the highest goals of humane people, you might disagree with what they think and believe but you should still respect them. do you live in Thailand?. I am equal to every person on this planet, I am not better or lower than anyone. I might be better educated than most people in Thailand and I do criticize things in this country but I live here with my Thai wife and appreciate the life I have here, but I am equal ..........

be careful about standing on a pedestal and thinking you are above others, the world has a strange way of putting you on your arse.

its not so much anti religion , but far more anti stupidity, lies, deceit, fairy tales,untruths, the promotion of racism,sexism,elitism-which is very self evident in every nation close by.

And why should I respect anyone who respects any God?.

God in the Abrahamic sense is a sexist, racist,genocide promoting,murderer ,torturer and a real sick fool when you think about it. So if you support God you also support that.Do you?

Religious people now often like to switch in cherry pick mode and whine ' well, that part of the holy book is what we believe ( love thy neighbour) , but not that part ( how to keep slaves, mark them , house them,etc)

Sorry, no can do. There is no sitting on the fence. If you choose not to believe/subscribe to, buy into one single part of your own holy book you are NOT one of them.But, you want what religion is really all about- your ego.

You want to feel special, loved, the feel good factor and you probably fear death too. So, its okay for you lot to cherry pick and forget your God is a cruel fool and still cling to that promise- pathetic excuses for human beings!

You/we are born because he ordains it,decides never to really show himself, then decides to torture you for all eternity if you decide not to accpet the drivel he spouts.

And I love that loop hole. You can be jack the ripper, but, hey, you can still be saved ! All one needs to do is accpet this drivel at the end and paradise awaits!

See, all those problems in the world?, war's,racism's,sexism, and specify here those young girls having to sell themselves on soi XYZ- this is a result of what blind faith gives one.

And people say we are weak- we do not need the backing of such a fool, we do not fear threats- you do.I

ts what rules over you.

Atheists sometimes ike to meet not to convert anyone because that is not possible, but often more out of a keen interest to stop the dangers of faith-which you have perfectly demonstrated really do exist.

An anti-religion religion of sorts.

Each to their own, but why would you bother?

Personal opinion only, but the fact you have to join a group of those who proclaim they don't believe in anything tells volumes about your insecurity in just being yourself.

Seriously, why would you want to "join" a group of avowed non-believers anyhow.

And, also why would you "need" to assert your "non-belief" to others to try to convert them.

Frankly, non of it matters anyhow.

Why do you insist on proving you are right?

Think about it.

>>>don't believe in anything: we trust in logic and science, we have no need to "believe"

>>>insecurity: ??? quite the opposite, no need for a god to give us security

>>>convert / non of it matters: Yes it matters, religion has caused so much suffering - not only religion of course, but ALL BELIEVES, such as communism, free market, racism, male superiority, nationalism, militarism.

I detect a great deal of insecurity in atheists. Somewhat like the fundamentalist religionist they disdain, they seem to feel the need to parade their militant disbelief. I see this more and more now, with people like Christopher Hitchens (R.I.P.). Richard Dawkins, and Bill Maher. OK, you REALLY don't believe in any sort of power greater than yourself. But you have created a religion of your own.

Live and let live.

I meet with a group of people 3 or 4 times every week who have recovered from terminal illnesses through a belief in a power greater than themselves that could restore their health, because everything else had failed..... like the medical profession, family and friends and religion. We call that power whatever we like...words and names are just labels. We meet to show others, who are usually feeling the same as we used to...hopelessly demoralized ... and have the same illness...... how we came to find that power. Very positive meetings indeed and have saved millions of lives all over the world.

I can't imagine a more negative act than a bunch of people meeting together on a regular basis to discuss the non-existence of something greater than themselves in all the universes and in all the galaxies.. Would I be forgiven for thinking that one of the requirements for membership would be to have one hell of a hugh ego..

again- very typical, very lame, very flawed.

1- any proof, even a shred that your meeting up is the reason for their recovery? I will answer that for you- NO! ZERO. NOTHING.

2-hang on, you said , all else failed, well, this secret little thing that you and you only claim to have, but can show no proof of must be something- right? and if its something that means you can show it.If you cannot it means the opposite- its nothing.

Can I come to your group and witness it for myself?

If you continue to insist upon this absurdity I would to send you somebody with a missing limb and see how long it takes your little group to help them re-grow it.

3-Millions of people- yet not a shred of evidence.What does that say? That really says a lot about how, we as species are still so utterly flawed

4- When athiests meet they sometimes discuss things you hate, but is responsible for the leading nations becoming leading nations, real progress in the world.

That is the issues of truth, proof, logic, evidence, rational thinking.

Again, your post perfectly demonstrates the need to expose those issues.

All this talk and you can prove nothing and yet talk as if you can and its established fact.

You may be a good person- yet see what blind faith has done to you.

Others are not so good and use your type of totally flawed logic to do bad things. War's, racism, sexism,etc, etc, ( and please, nobody bother coming back with Hitler, stain, Mao were atheists, that may well be, that does not ,mean atheism is to blame because you cannot do anything in its name, its a non - belief, they did these acts because they were bad people)

That is why all leading nations are secular,and that is why all religious nations sooooooooooooo far behind. Look at this nation.

We are not really smug, its just that you lot are so off mark we seem so.

You assert, we challenge, you are completely unable to give a reasonable response, just babble and so we have to become smug.

Fair enough.

I meet with a group of people 3 or 4 times every week who have recovered from terminal illnesses through a belief in a power greater than themselves that could restore their health, because everything else had failed..... like the medical profession, family and friends and religion. We call that power whatever we like...words and names are just labels. We meet to show others, who are usually feeling the same as we used to...hopelessly demoralized ... and have the same illness...... how we came to find that power. Very positive meetings indeed and have saved millions of lives all over the world.

I can't imagine a more negative act than a bunch of people meeting together on a regular basis to discuss the non-existence of something greater than themselves in all the universes and in all the galaxies.. Would I be forgiven for thinking that one of the requirements for membership would be to have one hell of a hugh ego..

I meet with a group of people 3 or 4 times every week who have recovered from terminal illnesses through a belief in a power greater than themselves that could restore their health, because everything else had failed..... like the medical profession, family and friends and religion. We call that power whatever we like...words and names are just labels. We meet to show others, who are usually feeling the same as we used to...hopelessly demoralized ... and have the same illness...... how we came to find that power. Very positive meetings indeed and have saved millions of lives all over the world.

I can't imagine a more negative act than a bunch of people meeting together on a regular basis to discuss the non-existence of something greater than themselves in all the universes and in all the galaxies.. Would I be forgiven for thinking that one of the requirements for membership would be to have one hell of a hugh ego..

The fundamental difference between different religions and Buddism is that Buddism is not regarded as a religion, it is a philosofy.

But it still embraces a lot of magical thinking. That's just as bad in my opinion.

I think it was Krishnamurti who correctly said

' one only need look as far as Thailand ( he was in india) to see how far removed the teachings of Buhhda have become from their original meaning to that which suits others. Buhhdism in thailand barely resembles the trues teachings"

Most locals have trouble with this and do not feel comfortable being told that Buhhda apparently said " never bow to any image of me, or all my teachings are lost' ( yet, most of them will "wai" when they pass a statue). " never think that paying moneys or gifts can atone for a karmic debt' ( which is of course one of the major industry's here)

Personal opinion only, but the fact you have to join a group of those who proclaim they don't believe in anything tells volumes about your insecurity in just being yourself.

Seriously, why would you want to "join" a group of avowed non-believers anyhow.

And, also why would you "need" to assert your "non-belief" to others to try to convert them.

Frankly, non of it matters anyhow.

Why do you insist on proving you are right?

Think about it.

very typical lame response - 1- which fact are we talking about? I know religious people have big problems with facts. All I asked if groups exist. if they do or not is no evidence that I have any need to join. You need to know the huge difference.

I am glad if they do not just because it exposes the absurdity of religion and the inherent dangers of faith.That is what many atheists like to do.

Sede the mistake you have just made? You assumed something.

In this case it was just fine. In other cases not so and you not of done it had you relied properly upon evidence. eg, there are no facts that I have to join anything , justy as there are no facts the religious can produce.

Plus, your mistake about convert others.Did I use that word? Did anyone else use that word? ...oh dear, for those that believe in talking snakes,etc, this is another common thing they do- put words into others mouths , then object to something they never said.This is part of defense mechanism when they start to feel bad about being on such weak ground.

Its not about having to prove " we are right" we do not have to- we make no assertion. It up to religion to prove its right, not the athesists. And so far, to date,its has been completely unable in every single way to do so.

Atheists sometimes ike to meet not to convert anyone because that is not possible, but often more out of a keen interest to stop the dangers of faith-which you have perfectly demonstrated really do exist.

Personal opinion only, but the fact you have to join a group of those who proclaim they don't believe in anything tells volumes about your insecurity in just being yourself.

Seriously, why would you want to "join" a group of avowed non-believers anyhow.

And, also why would you "need" to assert your "non-belief" to others to try to convert them.

Frankly, non of it matters anyhow.

Why do you insist on proving you are right?

Think about it.

I do not understand OP

I am a Catholic

Lord Buddha is not considered as the creator of the universe

It means that Buddhism is a religion which is not rejecting or accepting the mono theistic teachings of Moses, Zoroaster, Jesus or Muhammad

I think that true Buddhism does not address the issue of believing in God but rather focuses on the second commandment of Moses i.e. threat your neighbour as you want to be threated yourself etc...

Being married 26 years to a true Buddhist ( no superstition etc..) Thai wife I bless the day that she came into my life and I believe there will be a place in heaven also for her and her 84 year old mother.

 

 

............What about going back to the UK and changing name by deed poll, getting a new passport and simply returning?

Feasable or not?........

 

ABSOLUTELY NOT!!

 

I had a friend who tried this. He changed his name by deed poll (£33) and subsequently got a new UK passport with no trace whatsoever of his old name.

 

He arrived at BKK airport ok on a tourist visa, but on doing his 1st border run (Nong Khai) was refused entry. The Immigration officer showed him the computer screen of his old passport details & photo.

 

Mind you, he was extradited back to the UK and faced charges beforehand.

 

Immigration are not as dumb as you think.

 

EDIT:

On retrospect, he actually flew from LHR to KL, then KL to VTE  (didn't want to risk entering Thailand at an airport) and was admitted in Nong Khai. Then on the subsequent border run, he was refused at Aranyaprathet citing the same person.

 

He thought he could enter "under the radar".

 

total BS, I know someone body who does it and has 3 passports in 3 different names and they have never had a problem.Not once. Just came back on another one-straight in.No worrys. Unless this man is on some sort of terrorist serious crime list nobody has anything to worry about.The British will NOT inform the Thai's (unless they are 1- pedophiles 2-suspect terrorist 3- serious crime.

I know one man who has done this 18 times!

I visit men in jail and have bumped into them on sukumvit and they told me they did the same ( they were britis) and all that fingerprint/facial recognition- rendered all but useless if ones knows what to do.

A documentary recently proved this so.

Thailand will never be able to keep out those who know what they are doing- and bedside's-they need the white $ far more than doing what is needed to keep the bad out.

 

sorry, if he was extradited it does change things a little bit.In  that case I would advise becoming "born again" check out 'silk road".Many nations still sell passports- all legally for a relative small amount of money.still not really any big deal.

 

 

 

 

............What about going back to the UK and changing name by deed poll, getting a new passport and simply returning?

Feasable or not?........

 

ABSOLUTELY NOT!!

 

I had a friend who tried this. He changed his name by deed poll (£33) and subsequently got a new UK passport with no trace whatsoever of his old name.

 

He arrived at BKK airport ok on a tourist visa, but on doing his 1st border run (Nong Khai) was refused entry. The Immigration officer showed him the computer screen of his old passport details & photo.

 

Mind you, he was extradited back to the UK and faced charges beforehand.

 

Immigration are not as dumb as you think.

 

EDIT:

On retrospect, he actually flew from LHR to KL, then KL to VTE  (didn't want to risk entering Thailand at an airport) and was admitted in Nong Khai. Then on the subsequent border run, he was refused at Aranyaprathet citing the same person.

 

He thought he could enter "under the radar".

 

total BS, I know someone body who does it and has 3 passports in 3 different names and they have never had a problem.Not once. Just came back on another one-straight in.No worrys. Unless this man is on some sort of terrorist serious crime list nobody has anything to worry about.The British will NOT inform the Thai's (unless they are 1- pedophiles 2-suspect terrorist 3- serious crime.

I know one man who has done this 18 times!

I visit men in jail and have bumped into them on sukumvit and they told me they did the same ( they were britis) and all that fingerprint/facial recognition- rendered all but useless if ones knows what to do.

A documentary recently proved this so.

Thailand will never be able to keep out those who know what they are doing- and bedside's-they need the white $ far more than doing what is needed to keep the bad out.

 

 

 

............What about going back to the UK and changing name by deed poll, getting a new passport and simply returning?

Feasable or not?........

 

ABSOLUTELY NOT!!

 

I had a friend who tried this. He changed his name by deed poll (£33) and subsequently got a new UK passport with no trace whatsoever of his old name.

 

He arrived at BKK airport ok on a tourist visa, but on doing his 1st border run (Nong Khai) was refused entry. The Immigration officer showed him the computer screen of his old passport details & photo.

 

Mind you, he was extradited back to the UK and faced charges beforehand.

 

Immigration are not as dumb as you think.

 

EDIT:

On retrospect, he actually flew from LHR to KL, then KL to VTE  (didn't want to risk entering Thailand at an airport) and was admitted in Nong Khai. Then on the subsequent border run, he was refused at Aranyaprathet citing the same person.

 

He thought he could enter "under the radar".

there will never be any fear of blacklisting for those who know what to do or have enough money. First of all if your from UK you can change your name by deed poll.I know someone who has down this 18 times.

The British are NOT allowed to inforrn any government that you have done this.So you become a completely different person.

As for facial recognition and fingerprint  machines- they are both so easy to fool.

In Tokyo when they installed a documentrty proved how easy they are to bypass.

Fear not.The only fear is fear itself- all that technology is almost but useless when one knows what they are doing.

this man is 42 and what he did was distributing-

but little more disgusting than all those western male tourists who go to pattaya and seek out young uneducated,poor young ladies for sexual services.

Yes, they may be over the legal age.But lets remember this is thailand .

Most female apx 16- 20's adult still have the mentality of an underage girl and even if not so taking advantage of their situation to me is almost just as bad as what this man has done.

The people really blame are the goverment whose total failure to provide a correct alternative means of survival.

When I see man of 60 walking around happily with 18 year old girl I cannot help feeling he is just as guilty as this man.

Yes, it was a horrible episode.Fraud is one thing.Taking money of a sick man whilst you are rich by extorting others is another.

Then , making threats of 'inside police connections" and if you report me I will say I was raped is simply just so low.

It just seemed so cruel.

I do understand how hard the life is for these ladies, but not all foreigners are the same.

This lady truly lost out.

She managed to find "true love" on the net. A man who believes all her amazing claims and will give her what she really and truly wants.

I wonder how long that will last!

I thought friends here would like to hear the end of this sorry episode.

No charges will be pressded, no action will be taken against her nor the person(s) making the threat's.

The 'victim" has put his foot down .

She will be left alone.

He insists that she is a product of what he calls the male ridden agenda that has lead to women misery throughout centurys and thus lead her to do the only thing she thought she had to do in order to survive.

He/we also found evidence of mental problems, but what saved the day for her,I think, was that she refused to help the men who were making the threats locate the 'victim".

So, a happy end to sad tale.

My respect for him has gone up.

Ok to many of you dont believe my story. It did happen i knew i could buy my way out.

I understand thai and heard them both talking about money. Can some mod please close this thread to many trollposts on here.

Thanks.

Sent from my GT-I9082L using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

you mean too many 'men" sheep bitchslapped, forced to confront their own true weak nature,,,they hate those who dare to do what they cannot and back out when given chance to stick to their claims.

pathetic bunch of cowardly uneducated, low-class, mouth only losers.

No wonder thai police find it so easy to shake people done.

hermes you are the only one getting a slapping here you liar

really,,,I think not, nobody dare's put their money where their mouths are. Somebody say they call my lawyer-a lie.

The only one getting the slap is that cop-and you who speak too soon.