h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Tell ya what, I'm starting a Ranter's Society. I'll be taking applications for officers starting tomorrow (26 October). P.U.D.D.I.N.G. does a pretty good job of keeping up with gripes, but this'll be a place to go on and on and on about the things in life that are so redundant and moronic they make you foam at the mouth sometimes.
Any thoughts?

P.U.D.D.I.N.G.?

Tell us more, my mad, mad friend!

Farlander, As much as I agree with you on the litter things, I see whole garbage bags of trash left in parking lots. Don't these people have trash pickup where they live? Couldn't they at least find a dumpster?!

You've never been to P.U.D.D.I.N.G.?
There's a link to it on my Personal Space. Click on the blue badge with the crossed out smiley face.

That is one interesting group ya got there! My spouse read the list of heroes and said, "I'm inspired to Grump!"

I'm less likely to be grumpy or depressed, however, as jaded and bitter when the mood strikes, but I guess that P.U.D.J.I.N.B. doesn't have the right ring to it?!

Yeah, not quite the same...I forgot how they came up with the name. I need to write and get Aidan's name changed. It's Aidan Phoenix, not Raz. That was another kitten I was gonna adopt, but never did. I found a cat that looks just like him and brought him home on 18 October 2004.
Here's another thing that drives me bonkers, and it will probably p*ss off a lot of people, but I can't stand Christians who try to force their beliefs on others. I see it more and more everyday, especially with the upcoming election. It's one thing to talk to people about your religion and try to lead them to God, it's another to drag them kicking and screaming, hold a gun to their heads, and demand that they believe. It's getting close to that here. I live in the bright shiny brass belt buckle of the Bible Belt - you know the one, has a Confederate flag etched onto it with either a bottle of whiskey or a horse as well. So, it's not uncommon for churches to be very similar to cults around here. I will be surprised if no one threatens to lynch me before I leave Georgia; for being gay and becoming a Pagan.

Hi MM,

Sorry to hear that things have gotten so oppressive there. I love a theological debate as much as anyone, I suppose. Still, I agree that some people can seem pretty aggressive about anyone exercising their 'free-will' in a way that doesn't agree with theirs. Strange, oxymoronic activity, that.

I suspect though, that like most areas of ferver, if you really get any three of them talking at once you'd find that they don't have the exact same religious beliefs. They may be able to agree on some basics, but the details will undoubtedly show variances.

Even the devout among followers (of any sect), tend to create their own, private version of their religion. The only possible exceptions would probably include domineered cults, where the members subjugate their thinking to that of their leader.

I am mildly curious about the Pagan part, as this could be a religion or a euphamism for either agnosticism or aetheism. Feel free not to elaborate, if it's a personal matter. You may not consider this the right forum for it in any case.

Heya Dale, I heard you were recruiting members and officers for the Ranters' Club. Do I get to wear a badge saying 'Disgruntled Boffin' if I join?

Regarding the religion-pushing business: I believe that all religions (notice I do not mention *cults*) are inherently good and teach good things eg. don't kill, live a good life, don't cheat etc. Unfortunately, there are also far too many stonge followers who have taken their religion to extremes, and have adopted this religious 'white man's burden' viewpoint, and thus feel that it is their duty to convert you and save your soul from whatever it is on the Other Side that awaits naughty people. The strange thing is that, over here, the *real* Christians are decent people (my own *real* Christian friends usually do no more than invite me for their church's Christmas celebration and stuff like that); those who accost you in the trains and on the streets are cultists who live by the word of their leader than their Saviour.

Now, I have a group of Muslim friends, and I must say that I have a great deal of respect for the way they live by their religion. You know how it is with some people of certain ways of lives (such as those with certain dietary lifestyles... I won't go into details, but I'm sure you know) who will insist on their friends *not* eating this or not doing that in their presence. But despite the fact that Islam teaches that pork is 'unholy' (and therefore, they're not allowed to eat it), these said friends have absolutely no problem with your eating it in their presence.

I first learnt this while in school - I was having my midday break (and my mum had packed a luncheon meat sarnie) when one of my best friends came and sat down and started talking to me. Being acutely aware that it was their fasting month, I embarrassedly started to set aside the sarnie when she told me, 'Go ahead, it doesn't matter'. I later learnt that many of the others felt the same way. Interestingly enough, we've this friend named Jeff who, despite being a Muslim, takes us to 'non-kosher' (for I suppose this is the closest term for it) Chinese restaurants... and when he gets pork in his food, he picks them out, drops the pieces on our plates - and eats the rest of his meal.

I guess it all depends on the individuals - living by the word of your religion, while not encroaching on the private space of others at the same time. And I deeply respect those who do this.

Believe me, I have a lot of respect for those who follow different religious beliefs. I just wish others would respect mine...
Fords, you are right. Everyone really has their own idea of who God is and what He wants us to do with our lives. Just as when you read a Harry Potter book, you might see Hogwarts in your mind differently than I do. Allow me to quote George from Yellow Submarine; "It's all in the mind."
Farlander, I have reserved the position of Disgruntled Boffin and Second Grand Poo-ba just for you. I'll be starting work on the Society this weekend, most likely.
Does anyone know how to make badges for clubs/societies/H2G2 cults?
And why can't all cults be like the Nighthooverites?
Lettuce spry mrrly....

I know how to make badges but if you want one blobbed you'll have to go to the closed shop at <./>RF22</.>.

Ah the good old days of making table badges!

Badges? We don't need no stinkin' badges ...