Well, Dawkins mentions some of the newer religions (in the context of how religions come about). So he writes about the so called "cargo cults" that have become common in what I have taken to be Oceania. People on these remote islands have observed that white people never produce anything. All the (almost magical) things they use come as "cargo" on ships and planes. And the white folks never fix broken things - again, they just get the fixes or replacemenets with cargo vessels. So, the logical conclusion is to assume that the cargo is of supernatural origin. So a lot of varieties of these cargo religions have sprung up on the various islands and they talk of the happy times in the future when the Rapture-like event will happen and there will be unlimited supply of cargo for everyone. In one particular case, they worshipped a guy named John Frum, the supposed prophet of the cargo religion on this one island who promised to return and said that white people will leave and there will be an endless supply of cargo (or some such). Even though Frum was (or was he?) a 20th century figure, by now noone can confirm whether he even really existed or not - which is interesting, as it highlights the question of whether we can know whether Jesus existed 2000 years ago, if we can't know for sure if Frum existed about 60 years ago. So, Dawkins mentions this exchange between a white person and a frumian that went something like this:

-John Frum said he'd come back but it has been 19 years. Do you think it makes much sense to keep waiting for him?
-If you guys keep waiting for Jesus after 2000 years, we can wait for John Frum for longer than 19.

(Some of the comic value was surely lost in translation from English to Russianbearese).

And, please let me add this for our viewing audience:

"But if the intention is to present a case for why no *honest and sincere truth-seeking* individual should be an atheist in this day and age, the Book, (i.e., The Word of God -- The Bible), does succeed."


Chess Fan

And if the intention of CF's post was to make it seem like Bible wasn't refuted a long time ago as a collection of ancient lies and/or fairy tales, it fails miserably

At least John Frum has the novelty factor going for him. Jesus is so old news And so dead, too

What, responding so soon, Russianbear?

Hey Russianbear, all kidding aside, one thing that I DO respect about you, (besides the fact that you are a very strong chess player), is the fact that you are right out front and honest about the fact that you do NOT believe in God, the Bible, etc.

Indeed, Russianbear, when it comes to these "religious things", I DO respect you MUCH more for that "out-in the-open stance" of yours than I do concerning a few of the other "pretender" people here on this Message Board whom I know of who *pretend* that they are looking for the real truth concerning God, the Bible, etc., when they are really just trying to mask their own personal un-belief with their "arguments", and "debates", etc. here on this Message Board.

** Now, however, in closing here, Russianbear, I also certainly do NOT want to see you remain in your current atheistic, un-believing state of being. **

Because of that, you are one of the people whom that I mention specifically by name when I pray for the salvation of my fellow chess friends here at ChessNinja.


Chess Fan

Cool. Just did a little reading on the topic. Here is an interesting article from the Smithsonian Magazine on Frumianity. No doubt.

John From is a great example of the effects of technology on indigenous people. I thought Richard Dawkins ideas on memes are useful in explaining human behavior and cultural evolution.
Another belief system that features volcanoes is scientology. They believe that the entire religion of Christianity comes about due to implanted false memories,. Hubbard taught that the effects of the R6 implant on today's society is to make us feel irrationally sympathetic to Christ's crucifixion, and this sympathy makes us predisposed to become Christians.

I saw the topic come up and although I haven't read any good chess books recently I have read a very nice chess website:
http://sbchess.sinfree.net/archives.html

on the left you will also find a link to this on paul Morphy:
http://www.angelfire.com/games/SBChess/Morphy/Paul_Morphy.html

Which reminded me a of a great chess book I read by Edge called The Exploits and Triumphs in Europe, of Paul Morphy, The Chess Champion.

BTW I often considered Mig may be to Kasparov what Edge was to Morphy. But its not something i would defend and I don't mean it as any sort of serious comment. Maybe just that they both have cool short names, write well, and have gotten to know a great world champ.

Probably right up there is the book I read on the Kasparov Karpov match I think it may be the test of time.

Anyone who thinks the world can do without world chess championship matches of a decent length should read these books!

@xplor:

Was your quote above posted to see just what sort of a response that you would get out of me, perhaps??


Chess Fan

Nah Chess Fan, I didn't think you were interested in memes or impact of missionaries on the native Melanesians.

Uh, okay xplor!


Chess Fan