persecution, censorship, and a narrowly cramping education…

“There is something feeble, and a little contemptible, about a man who cannot face the perils of life without the help of comfortable myths. Almost inevitably some part of him is aware that they are myths and that he believes them only be-cause they are comforting. But he dare not face this thought, and he therefore cannot carry his own reflections to any logical conclusion. Moreover, since he is aware, however dimly, that his opinions are not rational, he becomes furious when they are disputed. He therefore adopts persecution, censorship, and a narrowly cramping education as essentials of statecraft. In so far as he is successful, he produces a population which is timid and unadventurous and incapable of progress. Authoritarian rulers have always aimed at producing such a population. They have usually succeeded, and by their success have brought their countries to ruin.”

~Bertrand Russell “Will Religious Faith Cure Our Troubles?”, Chapter 7, Part Two: Human Society in Ethics and Politics

 

From the ‘Bertrand Russel’ page on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/russellbertie

 

The party goes on…

The clear awareness of having been born into a losing struggle need not lead one into despair. I do not especially like the idea that one day I shall be tapped on the shoulder and informed, not that the party is over but that it is most assuredly going on—only henceforth in my absence. (It’s the second of those thoughts: the edition of the newspaper that will come out on the day after I have gone, that is the more distressing.) Much more horrible, though, would be the announcement that the party was continuing forever, and that I was forbidden to leave. Whether it was a hellishly bad party or a party that was perfectly heavenly in every respect, the moment that it became eternal and compulsory would be the precise moment that it began to pall.

-Christopher Hitchens, Hitch-22

House, M.D. on crossing the road

Excerpt from a conversation between Gregory House and some religious patient:

Click for full size (800 × 487 pixels)

 

The Atheist Blogroll

diagorasofmelos.wordpress.com has been added to The Atheist Blogroll.

You can see the blogroll icon in my sidebar.  By clicking on it you can see all the member blogs.

The Atheist blogroll is a community building service provided free of charge to Atheist bloggers from around the world. If you would like to join, visit Mojoey at Deep Thoughts for more information.

 

House, M.D. on trust

Excerpt from a conversation between Gregory House and some religious nut.

Gregory House, M.D. Click for full size (800 × 449 pixels)

House, M.D. on nuns

Excerpt from conversation between Gregory House and a nun:

Click for full size (800 × 511 pixels)

 

House, M.D. on just how important life is.

In todays sacrilegious picture, Gregory House explains to a religulous young lady just how much life matters to people, and to god.

Click for full size (800 × 386 pixels)

 

Your Horoscope for 2011

Around this time of the year, for three years in a row, I have been offering my free yearly horoscope on my greek-language blog, and it has been a huge success. So, this year I decided to offer it in english, too.

Click on your Zodiac to see your horoscope for 2011!

Aries (21 March – 20 April)
Taurus (21 April – 20 May)
Gemini (21 May – 21 June)
Cancer (22 June – 22 July)
Leo (23 July – 23 August)
Virgo (23 August – 22 September)
Libra (23 September – 23 October)
Scorpio (23 October – 22 November)
Sagittarius (23 November – 21 December)
Capricorn (22 December – 19 January)
Aquarius (20 January – 18 February)
Pisces (19 February – 20 March)

Führer vs. Atheist Movement

Today I present you the Führer at his best. He will put you in your place. He will stamp you out.

Hitler vs. Atheism. Size: 600 × 452 pixels. Click for 800 × 603 pixels.

House, M.D. on the religious

This is a quote from House M.D. season 4, episode 2 titled “The Right Stuff”.

This picture is 500 x 296 pixels, click for 1015 x 600 pixels.
Feel free to copy.