Re: a comment on Voice of the World by Dovina	28-Jan-08/4:58 PM
All of the reasons you listed for morality are either influences from religion or based on cold logic. There's also those primal impulses that our primitive ancestors passed on but those too were aquired one of those two ways(unless you believe instinct comes to us magically). Just because your influences weren't straight from the church doesn't mean they didn't originate from religion. It's hard to explain what a world without religion would be like because it hasn't been observed yet. If you want a book on morality try Lord of the Flies. When there's no father/god-figure to punish us eventually we run amok. Unless of course we generate some type of dictatorial government run by incorruptible computers(good luck). In short, your morals have been influenced by the great Jesu despite your distaste for him. As far as blaming religion for horrible crimes against humanity goes...Well it's like blaming your parents. Sooner or later you have to grow up and take responsibility for your actions. Unfortunately sociopaths live among athiests and believers alike. You seem to be implying that religion is the birthplace of sociopaths. If so then why so many athiest murderers? Please try not to become so unraveled. You're turning back into the Joker again and he's gotten quite old and predictable.
Re: a comment on Voice of the World by Dovina	26-Jan-08/11:29 AM
And your arrogance blinds you. I'm merely saying religion is an effective way to create a moral consensus. Considering many moral decisions have to be made quickly it comes in quite handy. I have no doubt that athiests and the like can be very moral. Honestly though, do you really think any of the Jews want to die? I mean if we're going to question common sense here then I'm afraid we've both wasted far too much time. Even if part of they're objective is to not kill the baby they still would like to survive nonetheless. One more question: If atheistic morality is not influenced by emotionless cold logic nor by societies religeous influences (however ancient and rooted in the subconcious they may be) then where does it come from?
Re: a comment on Voice of the World by Dovina	25-Jan-08/2:12 PM
Excuse the gramatical errors. I've been living far too long down south.
Re: a comment on Voice of the World by Dovina	25-Jan-08/2:08 PM
"The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few" is as verifiable as any statement you've made thus far about religion. The objective of each Jew is to survive. So say you tell a computer to calculate the most probable action to take to ensure the most survivors. The computer will calculate that the highest chance to maximize the survivor count will be to smother the baby. Certainly you could tell the computer to calculate how all could survive but it is obvious that percentage of success would by far less. Have one of your nerdy tech buddies test it out if you need verification. I'm simply saying that religion is what keeps the group from killing the baby. Religion is a moral rule agreed upon by a group. Certainly the mother and maybe a few other jews might decide to spare the child based on their emotional response and sense of what is right but in order to unite the group in their decision you need a collective moral agreement that is been most effectively done through religion. Sometimes the scientific method is so inhuman that we chose an alternative. At least you show you're humanity through your Grinch-like actions. Most athiest i've met are about as fun as living under a rock.
Re: a comment on Voice of the World by Dovina	24-Jan-08/8:13 PM
Here's one way to look at it: A group of Jews are hiding from Nazi troops just yards away. One of the Jews is a mother holding her newborn child. The child begins to cry loudly. What should the group do? The true scientist will say smother the child as the needs of many outway the needs of one. The average non-religious person would be conflicted. The true theologist would say nobody has the right to smother the child. Once you realize doing what's logical isn't always the same as doing what is right then you'll understand why religion is still around.
Re: a comment on essence of a thought by lmp	29-Jun-07/12:18 PM
Sometimes I take a year off to refuel my creativity. I'm wierd that way. I don't know when I'll be kicking it into gear again though.
Re: a comment on timebomb by lmp	29-Jun-07/10:35 AM
Having cancer hurts whether you've excepted its truth or not.
Re: essence of a thought by lmp	28-Jun-07/12:10 PM
Seems like a very dark thought you're having. Well written and haunting. Reminds me of Rodin's sculptures.
Re: a comment on timebomb by lmp	28-Jun-07/11:42 AM
Your response is bullshit and you know it. Now did that hurt?...No? And yet I exposed a lie with the truth. Your theory has more potholes in it than rockmage's arse. Now you may mean hurt as in "to do actual harm to" but even that can be contested. I never said it wasn't irony, it's just not good irony. I still like alot of your other work. Here's a little standard I use with irony: If you have to tell people it's ironic then it's not good irony.
Re: Why Do We Stay? by nypoet22	27-Jun-07/11:05 PM
Ok then let us pull out tomorrow. What's that Alex? You don't know how to get that done? You don't have enough control and power to make that happen? Oh I see Alex, it's my job to fix it. Well you go back to playing X-box and I'll make the world all better for you. Unless you're willing to sit outside the Whitehouse lawn for 3 days and get pepper sprayed and chased by police dogs like your parents or grand parents did then I suggest you stop your whining and hope you vote in a good egg for president next time around.
Re: a comment on timebomb by lmp	27-Jun-07/10:40 PM
Sometimes the truth just hurts all by itself and lies can do the same by themselves. If I told you your poetry sucked but I really thought it was ok then you'd be hurt by a lie without aid of truth. Or if I told you your poem sucked and it did suck then you'd be hurt by the truth without the presence of a lie.
Re: (Title pending) by INTRANSIT	27-Jun-07/10:17 PM
I do hope you mean metaphorically when you say women stick their tongues in our cochleas otherwise it appears after a little wikipedia research that it would be very painful if they literally licked our cochleas. Maybe you meant Pinna. You could use "Pinnas" and still keep that ever subtle hint of phallicness. The title is awesome although I have no idea what it has to do with the poem.
Re: Win, Win, Lose, Lose by Dovina	27-Jun-07/9:58 PM
So what else is new? Stanza 2 is the best one, very witty.
Re: Immigrant by Christof	27-Jun-07/9:17 PM
Ah, another racist poem. Is there a point to be made at the end of this series? I must admit racist sheep are hilarious. 10 for that.
Re: Teddy Bear by lexxie100	27-Jun-07/9:02 PM
You're doin' alright kid. Start reading alot of the classics; Emily Dickenson, Shakespeare etc. and then try to write something in their style. Read poetry basics books. Ones that touch on meter, alliterations, metaphor and such. Don't compromise your sentences just to get a rhyme; ie. "But with joy I still swelled". This is an inverted sentence and is usually a literary no-no. Ask yourself "Would I talk like that in real life?" Don't be discouraged by critics. We all start at the bottom.
Re: Dixon Country Store, Kentucky by Dovina	15-Jun-07/8:59 AM
The last line is killer. You could almost call it a prose poem.
Re: ........ by Prince of Void	15-Jun-07/8:55 AM
Etc.
Re: Between two Truths by Dovina	15-Jun-07/8:54 AM
I don't like the simile "the kinds of churches like colors of cars" I assume you mean because there's lots of different car colors and there's lots of different churches but it just lacks your usual eccentric wit. Also "beer’s against the law" is just not true. The rest I found interesting and well done.
Re: Sunset Beach by amanda_dcosta	4-Jun-07/6:32 AM
Gorgeous flow in this poem makes you feel the waves. I'd lose the "S" in "Pearly whites" to get a 10. Otherwise it's a good poem that carries it's point and feeling across beautifully.
Re: a comment on The Happy Side of Misery by Dovina	22-May-07/10:55 AM
Maniacally I twirl my mustache and laugh "Mmwahahah!".