General Discussion

hunter

(40,315 posts)

134. I feel the same way about money. Worst cult EVER!

Mon Oct 19, 2020, 02:38 PM

Oct 2020

This thing we call economic "productivity" isn't productivity at all. It is, in fact, a direct measure of the damage we are doing to the earth's natural environment and our own human spirit.

Here's the thing about human belief systems: No matter how bizarre, no matter how they deny science, they become our reality. If we chose to believe, or if we are forced to believe, they become real.

If I get my head chopped off by some religious asshole because I 'dissed his pathetic god, or I die homeless and hungry because I am "unemployable," then I am just as dead.

So far as we engage with a world economy that burns fossil fuels we are all participants in a suicide cult.

I'm just as guilty as anyone else here. I burned four gallons of gasoline yesterday driving to San Francisco and back. 40% of my DU posts are powered by natural gas.

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I guess someone needs to say it: astrology is in the same category as alchemy, palm reading [View all] Atticus Oct 2020 OP

So what's your sign? Deb Oct 2020 #1

I'm thinking... Hugin Oct 2020 #14

Fesces KatyMan Oct 2020 #17

I like that! Hopefully next month we'll be saying that Trump's astrological sign is Feces. Towlie Oct 2020 #108

Exit. lagomorph777 Oct 2020 #20

I used to be a Virgo, until I got Pisces. GoneOffShore Oct 2020 #103

"So what's your sign?" (says sign) "That figures, (sign) people never believe in astrology." Towlie Oct 2020 #107

'Slippery When Wet' zackymilly Oct 2020 #129

I just cast some bones, and man oh man are you gonna get it now! ret5hd Oct 2020 #2

I believe in tolerance on this because I've never heard astrology used to attack or otherwise harm hlthe2b Oct 2020 #3

An adult can believe in Santa Claus, and that's not going to harm anyone Silent3 Oct 2020 #35

Yes it is and extremely derisive. Shame on you hlthe2b Oct 2020 #37

What part of that exactly am I supposed to feel shame about? Silent3 Oct 2020 #39

.. hlthe2b Oct 2020 #40

Where did I call all others insane? Silent3 Oct 2020 #41

Well, there ya go again--tryin' to muddy up the discussion with facts and relevance! ---sigh--- nt Atticus Oct 2020 #47

Feel the same about anti-vaxers? nt USALiberal Oct 2020 #67

Poppycock!! PTWB Oct 2020 #60

My issue is with attacking other DUers for participating in a belief you (and I) do not share hlthe2b Oct 2020 #71

You're mistaken. PTWB Oct 2020 #76

Civil debate is not belittling nor calling those w beliefs/interests differing from yours "insane" hlthe2b Oct 2020 #77

He claims he did not. PTWB Oct 2020 #79

Insanity is based on a clinical definition, specific criteria & pattern of behavior--not a single hlthe2b Oct 2020 #83

So you do not think that someone who holds such views is insane? PTWB Oct 2020 #85

I am a clinician. I already told you how an insanity diagnosis is made. hlthe2b Oct 2020 #86

I see this often. PTWB Oct 2020 #87

Nor do they take patient's self-diagnoses--physical or mental-- as fact. hlthe2b Oct 2020 #88

Who would take self-diagnosis as fact? PTWB Oct 2020 #91

you, apparently. hlthe2b Oct 2020 #92

Nope, not me. I value the opinions of experts. PTWB Oct 2020 #98

Okay, hang on, this is important: snort Oct 2020 #111

True believers know the moon is made of green cheese. PTWB Oct 2020 #118

I'm a great believer at pointing and laughing at people who believe nonsense. GoneOffShore Oct 2020 #104

Can you believe it? PTWB Oct 2020 #106

Flat Earthers are another "harmless" belief flotsam Oct 2020 #114

+1 cwydro Oct 2020 #116

If someone tells you that they sincerely believe the earth is flat... PTWB Oct 2020 #119

I can honestly say that no one has never made such a statement to me. cwydro Oct 2020 #135

It seems to give them the opportunity PatSeg Oct 2020 #157

I think you've hit the nail on the head. cwydro Oct 2020 #158

I encountered it here at DU PatSeg Oct 2020 #160

Shame on YOU! MicaelS Oct 2020 #126

Tolerance of other's beliefs that do not harm others is a progessive value. I am a scientist, but I hlthe2b Oct 2020 #128

I agree with you rusty fender Oct 2020 #51

And scene. Well said. GoneOffShore Oct 2020 #101

Mahalo, hlthe2b! It does seem a litte Cha Oct 2020 #150

Sorry to have to say it, but astrology is just as anti-science crap as tRump crap. . . . nt Bernardo de La Paz Oct 2020 #4

Still fun though DeminPennswoods Oct 2020 #5

Fun for some, perhaps. PTWB Oct 2020 #64

Why not just put that forum on ignore? Siwsan Oct 2020 #6

+1 hlthe2b Oct 2020 #7

Good answer Kitchari Oct 2020 #19

Characterizing nonsense as "beliefs" does not elevate it to some sacred status. I criticize those Atticus Oct 2020 #24

I just don't understand the need. Their beliefs aren't harmful. trump* cultist's are. Siwsan Oct 2020 #25

I don't understand it either PatSeg Oct 2020 #34

There's nothing innocuous about charging real people real money to tell their futures. Act_of_Reparation Oct 2020 #73

Real people pay real money PatSeg Oct 2020 #93

Violent video games isn't much different than violent movies JonLP24 Oct 2020 #105

Oh, I'm not dissing video games in general PatSeg Oct 2020 #113

I like the open world games JonLP24 Oct 2020 #117

There you go PatSeg Oct 2020 #123

How is it "entertainment" if people actually think it works? Act_of_Reparation Oct 2020 #155

I want intelligent people on the DU! Nt USALiberal Oct 2020 #56

That's so generalizing and harsh! I'm actually a little shocked. Siwsan Oct 2020 #75

If you had an acquaintance who held illogical beliefs.. PTWB Oct 2020 #78

I think we're wandering a bit off the path, here Siwsan Oct 2020 #82

Flat Earthers ok? Anti-Vacs ok? Covid is a Hoax ok? Mind readers ok? USALiberal Oct 2020 #80

"---valid to them---"? Isn't that saying they are entitled to have their chosen set of Atticus Oct 2020 #62

And I believe they do have rights to their own beliefs - they're not maliciously impacting others. Siwsan Oct 2020 #68

"Their beliefs aren't harmful"? Act_of_Reparation Oct 2020 #72

I think you are digging way to far into this. I'm referring to the people on DU Siwsan Oct 2020 #74

You talk about them like they exist in a vacuum. Act_of_Reparation Oct 2020 #81

I'm talking about not being rude and insulting to fellow DUers Siwsan Oct 2020 #84

As long as we're just making assertions, neither does sanctimonious finger-wagging. Act_of_Reparation Oct 2020 #156

I hope that let's you feel better. Siwsan Oct 2020 #159

Lol! USALiberal Oct 2020 #55

I've notice there are several here who enjoy lecturing the rest of us. cwydro Oct 2020 #69

Because some people need something to be upset over. EllieBC Oct 2020 #124

We are of the same mindset Siwsan Oct 2020 #125

Well said, EllieBC. boom. Cha Oct 2020 #144

Yes, master bobnicewander Oct 2020 #8

lol... not really. Cha Oct 2020 #145

Are you talking about posts in General Discussion, or posts in the Astrology group? n/t sl8 Oct 2020 #9

It doesn't pick my pocket Cirque du So-What Oct 2020 #10

Can I get a... Hugin Oct 2020 #18

My three fav takes on the whole 'astrology, homeopathy, religion, psychic,' horseshit bandwagon: GoneOffShore Oct 2020 #11

These were terrific! Thanks for sharing. nt chowder66 Oct 2020 #94

Glad you enjoyed them. Here in France we're plagued with the homeopathy people. GoneOffShore Oct 2020 #97

I get that. I'm in California.nt chowder66 Oct 2020 #99

Well, at least you're close to lots of water. GoneOffShore Oct 2020 #100

lol. chowder66 Oct 2020 #102

I prefer belief systems that make me think (and laugh). Duncan Grant Oct 2020 #132

It's always interesting to me that English, Irish, Scottish, and Australian comedians have a better GoneOffShore Oct 2020 #133

Pyramid power is my favorite tale BSdetect Oct 2020 #12

Oh, yeah! Hugin Oct 2020 #16

Is this something that people -- here -- didn't realize? brooklynite Oct 2020 #13

Some posts appear regularly in general discussion so, apparently, yes. See the defensive posts Atticus Oct 2020 #43

"Defensive"? Oh because they don't Cha Oct 2020 #146

A "different belief system"? Uh, ok. I guess that is one way to describe it. Disingenuous, but Atticus Oct 2020 #147

you don't know what you're talking about Cha Oct 2020 #149

Where was all this righteous indignation when Christian's were being mocked for believing Atticus Oct 2020 #152

Of course you "stand by" attacking another Forum on DU. Cha Oct 2020 #153

That is a forum. As explained above, I did not attack it. I regret that you disagree. nt Atticus Oct 2020 #154

it's all pseudoscience. just ignore it. NRaleighLiberal Oct 2020 #15

Gravity is overrated too. panader0 Oct 2020 #21

Tides Are A Daily Prank ProfessorGAC Oct 2020 #142

I'm a Taurus so I don't believe in astrology... uriel1972 Oct 2020 #22

When my puppy dumps his food and water bowls over, I can predict how the day will go milestogo Oct 2020 #23

ahhh, EVERY day is a good day with a new puppy. hlthe2b Oct 2020 #27

What we call astrology is a bastardization of LuvNewcastle Oct 2020 #26

Astrology is usually based on the Zodiac as it was 130 BCE Klaralven Oct 2020 #28

there you go, bringing science and stuff uriel1972 Oct 2020 #29

Many people say Trump is the worst Gemini ever dalton99a Oct 2020 #30

Fun fact: most white collar criminals are Gemini soothsayer Oct 2020 #48

The stars and planets (other than earth) have zero effect on anyone's life Johnny2X2X Oct 2020 #31

buttery males O.o? uriel1972 Oct 2020 #32

But her emails. Johnny2X2X Oct 2020 #36

ah I understand now. uriel1972 Oct 2020 #38

Meteors, on the other hand, can really wreck your day... Klaralven Oct 2020 #33

Meteors, schmeteors! Silent3 Oct 2020 #53

It's all part of a continuum too Silent3 Oct 2020 #50

and Tarot eShirl Oct 2020 #42

I have fun with tarot cards sometimes... uriel1972 Oct 2020 #44

and some decks have amazing artwork eShirl Oct 2020 #45

yeah I have a few sets... uriel1972 Oct 2020 #46

Try ordering an Astrology profile from Astrodienst by Liz Greene Beringia Oct 2020 #49

Better yet, order two or more... Silent3 Oct 2020 #52

Why in the hell would anyone do this??? Nt USALiberal Oct 2020 #58

"Please throw away $65." Codeine Oct 2020 #89

Interesting take. 2naSalit Oct 2020 #54

Yeah, that's it. Act_of_Reparation Oct 2020 #57

LMFAO Casual User Oct 2020 #61

astrology is to astronomy uriel1972 Oct 2020 #63

Whatever. 2naSalit Oct 2020 #65

Bingo - And scene. GoneOffShore Oct 2020 #127

LOL, parody post I assume. Almost fooled me! nt USALiberal Oct 2020 #66

observing where the sun is astronomical observation eShirl Oct 2020 #110

You do know that astronomy and astrology aren't the same thing, right? PTWB Oct 2020 #121

This message was self-deleted by its author GoneOffShore Oct 2020 #130

Did you watch the entire sky? If not I suggest you do LanternWaste Oct 2020 #136

You're replying to the wrong person. PTWB Oct 2020 #138

I'm kinda glad Casual User Oct 2020 #59

The Whole Idea of Keeping Time Based... jayfish Oct 2020 #70

Calling Miss Cleo malaise Oct 2020 #90

We need a White House astrologer dalton99a Oct 2020 #112

Hehehehehhe malaise Oct 2020 #115

The only difference between a cult and a religion AnyFunctioningAdult Oct 2020 #95

I enjoy talking about karma jokingly, but unfortunately the universe... Silent3 Oct 2020 #120

Uh oh KatyMan Oct 2020 #96

Fresh new perspective you have here ornotna Oct 2020 #109

What? PTWB Oct 2020 #122

Lol. cwydro Oct 2020 #140

I just watched Hair for the first time the other night... lame54 Oct 2020 #131

I feel the same way about money. Worst cult EVER! hunter Oct 2020 #134

in a large complex society barter economics uriel1972 Oct 2020 #137

All you have to do is believe in it. hunter Oct 2020 #139

it's as real as borders and units of measurement uriel1972 Oct 2020 #141

Just because we can't imagine something doesn't mean it's impossible. hunter Oct 2020 #143

star trek tng's economy is based on being able uriel1972 Oct 2020 #151

Not going to crap on anyone's belief systems after all.. HipChick Oct 2020 #148