NJS

Expanding on what Alex said in reply I'd say the cherry picking of biblical morality which is based on the general morality of the society I referred to above is what makes religion and/or God unneccesary. I fully accept that some people exist that are so convinced by religion that they reject this idea entirely and go as far as to say that without God they'd murder etc but I think they are the very people who should be "rescued". I think if more people were taught how man is a social animal and how all societies have had the same general morality without rference to their particular brand then we'd have more chance of the decent society you and I both want. Forgiveness is a very human emotion and of course I think its good - I just think reconciliation with other humans is infinitely more important that with a God.

You can't beat the timing of being adopted by the Roman empire who ruled the most infuential part of the world at the time - its all accidents of history. I suppose you could argue that it was a cunning plan on God's part but for other accidents affecting other parts of the world.

Just for a laugh I'd love to see the guidelines used for Football fans to be applied to the public at large including Muslims - I think we'd actually see a revolution

The crusades were all about religion - Europe didn't care what the Muslims were doing (see invasion of Spain) until they invaded the "Holy land" - it then became a christian duty based on Papal edict to save it from infidels. Again I'd question "echoed by the bible" - certainy the OT is an awful document morally and while JC did preach some good stuff he also preached a lot of nastiness - particulary the bits about abandoning family to follow him and how the only way to heaven was through him - probably the most offensive notion to me (ie that being good is useless without worship). I'd also point out the correlation between intensity of faith and crime rates based on states in the US - it actually has more to do with poverty but it does show that religion doesn't stop people from being sinful.

After the debacle last time around, I've just decided to get a ticket off a tout for Wembley (as I did for Twickenham) - they may be scum but the only difference between them and Ticketmaster is the word "official".

It depends - the nostalgia for eras like the 50s forget the homophobia, racism and sexual hypocrisy which were rife - in those areas I think today's society is a lot more moral. You could also argue for the increase in volunteer work and other charitable giving as modern life gives more free time/disposable income. I've also seen figures that show more murders and violent crimes a hundred years ago than now - maybe the statistic collection is suspect but the idea of some utopia at some point in the past is an exaggeration.

Particular strain of magic mushrooms according to something I saw.

I find the usual "God will provide" argument which I've read in the past particulary odious when it comes to over-population but I didn't realise there was an appetite for the rapture among that many catholics. As an aside I've been browsing the documentary channels on Sky lately and always seem to stray too far into 580+ (God territory) where they become very rapture focused and I find myself drawn in by the depths of insanity on view. Apparently the credit crunch is another sign from Revelation.

Point me to the persentage of the bible which advocates anything decent which isn't contradicted totally elsewhere Traditional "christian" values are just the condensation of the pervading morality of any civilised society imo.

Just had a call off the club - took my CC details for the discount - no discussion/sell and I still haven't had a letter off the Casino Crook. I presume the lack of resistence was because I was pro-active in cancelling.

A general rule of thumb (ooh err) when it comes to the Abrahamic religions is that women don't matter in the scheme of things. Actually I should add that they actually believed that the "seed" contained everything needed and a women was only an incubator - they didn't realise there were ova.

To an extent - I'd say "seen a few, seen them all" - I've been watching quite a few episodes of House recently and have come to the same conclusion on that. I still think Miami is worth watching occasionally on the basis of Emily Proctor.

It is - theres a document they produce which I read once which explains why they oppose "artificial" contraception which displays a lack of understanding of biology and evolution so profound it makes believing in geocentricity look eminently sensible. As for his comments I'm with the "well he would say that" camp and I've come to relish any such idiocy - it can only harm their cause.

They probably think 9 0-0s will be okay.

They spent money in January - we didn't.

The only way out of the nightmare is for Ashley to sell and a premier league team is easier to sell than a championship one - that's why from a practical pov I hope we stay up. My nastier side wants us to go down.

Nothing to lose versus a point is a good result mentality - criminal stupidity.

I wrote to them at the start of February to cancel and asked them to ring me so I could use my card to repay the discount. I've heard nowt. Ive heard today about a bloke who wrote to cancel after they took the first months DD of £59.98, they have now written to him stating that he owes them the first years discount of £60.00 and threatening to take him to court. As far as he, me and everyone else can see he owes £0.02 (which Im sure Mr Llambias will agree would cost more to administer, seeing as £17 per season ticket is too much to administer according to him) I was going to let the first DD go so that it just about evened up as you say but thought the payment would represent "starting" the scheme so just cancelled it before it was taken.

I wrote to them at the start of February to cancel and asked them to ring me so I could use my card to repay the discount. I've heard nowt.

Everybody is relying on the idea we will beat Fulham, Boro and Pompey. Of those 3 Fulham can be a good team on the day and could be a tough game. We have also singularly failed to beat other shit teams at home this season. There is also the idea that because we don't have a bad record at Spurs that ones in the bag. The idea we will outfight Stoke on their ground is laughable. If the 4 games against the good teams go as predicted we will get 36 points if we are very, very lucky - I think we won't and will go down.

I now expect to be in the bottom 3 by next Saturday tea-time if Pompey get something against Everton and that's where we'll stay - we won't win another game imo. It will be appropriate that Kinnear comes back for the Stoke game where we'll probably go second bottom which should see the end of the "Joe's sorted them out myth" - Ashley will be so proud.

Excellent trip, cowardly fans, corrupt refereeing. I still think it would have been the ultimate in ironic victories if the ref had fallen for Bellamy's dive instead of booking him.

There is a direct correlation in the US between the states that teach abstinence only and the "wait for marriage" stance you are suggesting and the highest rates of teen pregancies. I think in this country people are frightened culturally to really talk about sex and that's what causes problems. I also think the root cause of the baby/benefit culture is more complicated than sexual morality - it comes down to education, poverty, class and opportunities. There is no such thing as "real" poverty in this country, I agree on the class thing though, but only in so much as there's an underclass and no amount of opportunity will change them. Poverty is always relative though - in the last 30 years it has been ingrained into people that only having a house/plasma/car/holiday makes life worth living and when you have no chance of that by "decent" means then other methods appeal. That doesn't mean I think that having those items/lifestyle is "wrong" as such - I'd just try and ensure they are gained by better means.

There is a direct correlation in the US between the states that teach abstinence only and the "wait for marriage" stance you are suggesting and the highest rates of teen pregancies. I think in this country people are frightened culturally to really talk about sex and that's what causes problems. I also think the root cause of the baby/benefit culture is more complicated than sexual morality - it comes down to education, poverty, class and opportunities.

I generally enjoy comic book stuff without having read a single one though sometimes they are too reverent to the comic as if they fear backlash from the Steves of this world Having said that Sin City is one of my favourite ever films. .