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  • DragonpolDragonpol https://thebondologistblog.blogspot.com
    Posts: 17,816
    So you're Dragonpol?! Wondered why you were pushing Never Send Flowers so damn much!
  • ThunderfingerThunderfinger Das Boot Hill
    Posts: 45,489
    Topolino didn t expect Irma to wake up.
  • BennyBenny In the shadowsAdministrator, Moderator
    Posts: 14,887
    7007 posts. Not bad for coming up on 7 years at Mi6 Commuity ;)
  • barryt007barryt007
    Posts: 19,339
    Percy was caught reading Panda Porn Monthly for the 2nd time !
  • NicNacNicNac Administrator, Moderator
    Posts: 7,571
    Benny wrote: »
    7007 posts. Not bad for coming up on 7 years at Mi6 Commuity ;)

    That's 7000 different things you have said about James Bond. Or the same thing 7000 different ways. ;)
  • BennyBenny In the shadowsAdministrator, Moderator
    Posts: 14,887
    You're too kind Nackers. :D
  • BMW_with_missilesBMW_with_missiles All the usual refinements.
    Posts: 3,000
    I've only just discovered this incredible site; The Lost Media Wiki. It's fascinating to learn about some of the missing pieces of Bond's history.
    https://lostmediawiki.com/index.php?title=Special:Search&search=james+bond
  • RichardTheBruceRichardTheBruce I'm motivated by my Duty.
    Posts: 13,062
    Interesting stuff there, @BMW_with_missiles.
  • mattjoesmattjoes
    Posts: 6,747
    The pope is in my country today. Interesting. I am agnostic, but I don't know, seeing him getting close with the people that went to see him, I'm reminded of that phrase, "act as if you had faith and faith will be given to you." The pope, the church, the people, all human, flawed, fallible and full of shortcomings, possibly clinging to a belief that has no basis in fact, or perhaps even flat out cynical, hypocritical, even criminal in their intentions and their behavior. But the mere existence of that religious event, that demonstration of appreciation for something or someone, as naive and misguided as it may be, I don't know... there's something about it. Without meaning to compare with atheism and agnosticism, there's something rather touching about people wanting to believe in something.

    Does that make sense?
  • mattjoesmattjoes
    Posts: 6,747
    Yes, sir.
  • DragonpolDragonpol https://thebondologistblog.blogspot.com
    Posts: 17,816
    It's certainly chilly here.
  • j_w_pepperj_w_pepper Born on the bayou. I can still hear my old hound dog barkin'.
    Posts: 8,702
    @mattjoes, I suppose your feelings about the Pope's visit are similar to mine when visiing grand old churches. I'm now an atheist for all practical purposes, but I find the architecture etc. simply awe-inspiring in a positive (or at least appreciative) sense. A medieval cathedral impresses me far more than the constructive achievements of today which are seldom as esthetic as those "houses of God".

    But looking at it critically and negatively, it must be said that that was the purpose they were built for, just like both fascist and communist dictatorships employed overwhelming architecture to install awe in their "subjects". And that's no different with organised mass gatherings, marches, troop parades...or Pope visits. Simple psychology applied to serve a purpose (and I mean that quite neutrally).
  • mattjoesmattjoes
    Posts: 6,747
    j_w_pepper wrote: »
    @mattjoes, I suppose your feelings about the Pope's visit are similar to mine when visiing grand old churches. I'm now an atheist for all practical purposes, but I find the architecture etc. simply awe-inspiring in a positive (or at least appreciative) sense. A medieval cathedral impresses me far more than the constructive achievements of today which are seldom as esthetic as those "houses of God".

    But looking at it critically and negatively, it must be said that that was the purpose they were built for, just like both fascist and communist dictatorships employed overwhelming architecture to install awe in their "subjects". And that's no different with organised mass gatherings, marches, troop parades...or Pope visits. Simple psychology applied to serve a purpose (and I mean that quite neutrally).
    @j_w_pepper I just think there is something touching about the fact people are looking for something, and about the fact they are willing to fulfill a certain role in the face of potential uncertainty and doubt. In the case of religion, that is the role of the believer. Yes, a significant part of that has to do with the influence of the respective institution (in this case, the church). But that willingness would probably be there even if that influence was absent. It may be potentially intrinsic to the individual. I think the existence of that search, that need, can be thought of as being either highly uplifting or highly depressing. But it applies to, well, everything. There is uncertainty and imperfection about everything one does in life; everything is built on expectations, assumptions and hopes that may or may not prove accurate, and people press ahead.

    About your example of the church, I agree with the idea of finding something positive in it from an aesthetic point of view, but I also think there is also something positive about the fact a church can be a display of human skill, intelligence and effort applied to create something wonderful, reasons, motivations and psychological influences aside.
  • 0BradyM0Bondfanatic70BradyM0Bondfanatic7 Quantum Floral Arrangements: "We Have Petals Everywhere"
    Posts: 28,694
    mattjoes wrote: »
    The pope is in my country today. Interesting. I am agnostic, but I don't know, seeing him getting close with the people that went to see him, I'm reminded of that phrase, "act as if you had faith and faith will be given to you." The pope, the church, the people, all human, flawed, fallible and full of shortcomings, possibly clinging to a belief that has no basis in fact, or perhaps even flat out cynical, hypocritical, even criminal in their intentions and their behavior. But the mere existence of that religious event, that demonstration of appreciation for something or someone, as naive and misguided as it may be, I don't know... there's something about it. Without meaning to compare with atheism and agnosticism, there's something rather touching about people wanting to believe in something.

    Does that make sense?

    @mattjoes, it's one of the most human things we do. Since ancient times we've tried to understand how we got here and why that is, and the amount of theories on cave walls, in old scrolls and modern texts are a sign that nobody is right and we're all just trying to figure out the texture and form of the giant cosmic box we're all trapped in.

    That being said, I count myself as a big Pope Francis fan, as far as usual Catholics and especially Catholic popes go. He's a great social force and is a lot less aggressive with the usual Catholic stances than I ever expected a pope to be. He's, dare I say it, rather...friendly and approaching open-minded. We should clone him now and keep his copies as future popes down the line.
  • ThunderfingerThunderfinger Das Boot Hill
    Posts: 45,489
    You can have him.
  • mattjoesmattjoes
    Posts: 6,747
    0BradyM0Bondfanatic7 wrote: »
    mattjoes wrote: »
    The pope is in my country today. Interesting. I am agnostic, but I don't know, seeing him getting close with the people that went to see him, I'm reminded of that phrase, "act as if you had faith and faith will be given to you." The pope, the church, the people, all human, flawed, fallible and full of shortcomings, possibly clinging to a belief that has no basis in fact, or perhaps even flat out cynical, hypocritical, even criminal in their intentions and their behavior. But the mere existence of that religious event, that demonstration of appreciation for something or someone, as naive and misguided as it may be, I don't know... there's something about it. Without meaning to compare with atheism and agnosticism, there's something rather touching about people wanting to believe in something.

    Does that make sense?

    @mattjoes, it's one of the most human things we do. Since ancient times we've tried to understand how we got here and why that is, and the amount of theories on cave walls, in old scrolls and modern texts are a sign that nobody is right and we're all just trying to figure out the texture and form of the giant cosmic box we're all trapped in.
    That's my opinion, as well. Every religion, no matter how different from the others, has someone who's absolutely convinced it's the truth. Now, I can't rule out the possibility that one of them is indeed correct, or maybe that to an imperfect degree, several of them are, but when you consider people's willingness to believe in things, to seek meaning in them, you have to be doubtful. For all we know, God actually is up there but nobody really understands him.
    0BradyM0Bondfanatic7 wrote: »
    That being said, I count myself as a big Pope Francis fan, as far as usual Catholics and especially Catholic popes go. He's a great social force and is a lot less aggressive with the usual Catholic stances than I ever expected a pope to be. He's, dare I say it, rather...friendly and approaching open-minded. We should clone him now and keep his copies as future popes down the line.
    I do wish he'd take a stronger stance against sexual abuse, though. He has said some sensible things but I'd like to see concrete actions. However, I imagine that even if he has the best intentions in the world, there are a bunch of powerful people who don't want the church --and their positions of power-- weakened by further dealing with that subject. It's criminal, hypocritical, infuriating and shameful.
  • ThunderfingerThunderfinger Das Boot Hill
    Posts: 45,489
    CAPTION CONTEST
    snake-handlers-1.jpg
  • bondjamesbondjames You were expecting someone else?
    edited January 2018 Posts: 23,883
    Thunderfinger wrote: »
    CAPTION CONTEST
    snake-handlers-1.jpg
    "Ababo! Ababo! Come on Baron Samedi. Rise! "
  • MajorDSmytheMajorDSmythe "I tolerate this century, but I don't enjoy it."Moderator
    Posts: 13,894
    The snake, rattle and roll contest got off to a tentative start.
  • DragonpolDragonpol https://thebondologistblog.blogspot.com
    edited January 2018 Posts: 17,816
    "If you can make these snakes talk, @TheWizardOfIce will believe in God."
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy My Secret Lair
    Posts: 13,384
    samuel-l.jpg
    Get these Mother F**king Snakes, off my Mother F**king dance floor !
  • 0BradyM0Bondfanatic70BradyM0Bondfanatic7 Quantum Floral Arrangements: "We Have Petals Everywhere"
    Posts: 28,694
    A room full of Southern evangelicals are tempted into stealing apples from the market down the square by talking snakes.
  • ThunderfingerThunderfinger Das Boot Hill
    Posts: 45,489
    He snuck away, hoping no one noticed his unzipped pants. But they did.
  • mattjoesmattjoes
    Posts: 6,747
    I watched this ten hours ago. I'm still laughing.

  • Creasy47Creasy47 In Cuba with Natalya.Moderator
    Posts: 40,492
    It wasn't doing anything for me until the last five or six seconds. Whew, that was gold.
  • mattjoesmattjoes
    Posts: 6,747
    I started laughing when I understood where it was going. Everything's better with a little Demolition Man sprinkled in. I love the "huh?!" at 0:37. :))
  • BMW_with_missilesBMW_with_missiles All the usual refinements.
    Posts: 3,000
    Looks like a flux capacitor issue.
    8cdbd28bf78498e9feabbfbb363e647f.jpg
  • Some_Kind_Of_HeroSome_Kind_Of_Hero
    Posts: 6,844
    Back to the Shop?
  • DragonpolDragonpol https://thebondologistblog.blogspot.com
    Posts: 17,816
    "I knew transporting those Chinese fireworks was a mistake!"
  • Fire_and_Ice_ReturnsFire_and_Ice_Returns I am trying to get away from this mountan!
    edited January 2018 Posts: 23,411
    BMW_with_missiles wrote: »
    Looks like a flux capacitor issue.
    8cdbd28bf78498e9feabbfbb363e647f.jpg

    I hope Einstein was not in the back of the car.
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