Comments on: Quote of the Day

By: 25 Random Things About Gawd « “Gone Fishin’: Postcards From God”

Tue, 10 Feb 2009 05:04:42 +0000

[...] The smartest thing I ever did was to cash in all My US dollars for something with actual [...]

By: So, where did trust in God get us? « Irresistible (Dis)Grace

So, where did trust in God get us? « Irresistible (Dis)Grace — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 03:43:17 +0000

[...] February 6, 2009 Straight from the Friendly Atheist Quote of the Day: [...]

By: Hal in Howell MI

Hal in Howell MI — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 11:38:37 +0000

The article by Niall Ferguson, from which the quote is drawn, is actually very good. It gives historical perspective to the current economic crisis and makes a reasonable and objective attempt at describing the events that led to the recent collapse. I would also point readers to another article by Ferguson called "Empire Falls" published in Vanity Fair in 2006 in which the author argues the decline of the West using analogies from Edward Gibbon's The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire. It is a curious piece in which Ferguson contends that the decline is partially the result of the lack of religion, particularly in Europe. On the other hand, Gibbon posits that the decline of the Roman Empire was, in part, due to the rise of Christianity. Note that Ferguson's arguments are more complicated than what I have stated and encompass more than the religious dimension. Anyway, it is an interesting article, even if the arguments and conclusions are a bit contradictory. I don't agree with all he says, but there is enough meat to justify a read.

By: Tom

Tom — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 18:08:24 +0000

Also cross it out with a sharpie, leaving nothing behind. I have nothing against the government replacing it with something secular, but my goal isn’t to come up with the replacement. I just want that offensive statement OFF of there.

By: Mathew Wilder

Mathew Wilder — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 16:16:53 +0000

Who cares why it happened, or if it happened prior? Isn’t it funny, and sort of a slap in He face to theists, to point out that their sad pandering hasn’t been rewarded? Their god can’t save their money. It’s ironic and hilarious.

By: Ubi Dubius

Ubi Dubius — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 15:27:52 +0000

Pete, Miko, and others who say there is no change from before 1957 and after, the change is significant. From 1913 to 1957, the annual inflation rate determined by the CPA was 2.4%. From 1957 to 2001 (the same number of years), the rate was 4.3%. If I think inflation of 2% is OK, a change from 2.something to 4.something should be worrisome.

Of course, correlation does not prove causation, as mikespeir points out. That doesn’t mean it can’t be fun to point out the shift in inflation rates.

By: Nick Awesomeson

Nick Awesomeson — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 15:19:35 +0000

just goes to show money and religion are the root of all evils

By: benjdm

benjdm — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 13:41:45 +0000

Thanks, Ubi!

By: mikespeir

mikespeir — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 11:32:04 +0000

This is amusing to consider, but let’s not go off the deep end lest we give ammunition to those who insist we’re the unreasonable ones. As we all know, correlation doesn’t necessarily imply causation.

By: Polly

Polly — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 06:51:15 +0000

Occasionally I think about being one of those people who crosses “In God We Trust” off my dollar bills

I cross out “god” and replace it with “Reason” or
“Logic” or “The People” or even “The Constitution.”