and her adventures in Atheism
Posts tagged books
Skeptics in the Harry Potter Universe
Dec 30th
First, you must know I am a very enthusiastic fan of Harry Potter and his universe. I am not embarrassed by this in any way, but I have not reached true fangirl status (dressing up, fan mail, fapping to movie posters and the like). Still, if the HP universe existed, I would be leaking happiness! You would hear me squeal out various spells as I breezed past you on my broom.
I’ve been cruising AverageWizard (which is filled with many more intense fans than myself) and imagining what it would be like if my life truly was magical. Would being a skeptic mean something different than it does today? If magic existed, would we believe in a supernatural realm? What would be the cause of this magic? Since many spells fight the natural laws of our current universe, would these laws endure in the Harry Potter universe? Would there perhaps be new ways to explain magical events like transfiguration, immortal life, and flying broomsticks?
And as usual, I find that I am not the first to think of such things. Take Roger Highfield’s book The Science of Harry Potter for example.
[Highfield uses] the Potter corpus as the launching pad for a wonderful foray into genetics, biology, quantum theory, behaviorism, mythology, folklore, and more, bolstered by drawing on and extrapolating from the work of a great variety of scientists and scholars. Magic, like science, he states, affords many insights into the workings of the human brain, which he designates as the greatest wizard of all. Whether dealing with flying broomsticks, Quidditch, or Bertie Bott’s Every Flavor Beans, Highfield demonstrates how Muggle science has a leg up on many of the phenomena in Harry’s world. The book’s second half focuses more on the origins of magical thinking.
George Plitnik, a physics professor at Frostburg State University, even offered a seminar using the book. Talk about making science fun to learn!
So, would life be different for you if magic existed? Do you think supernatural beliefs would be more or less rampant in society? Would Jesus Christ have been a magician instead of a rabbi? Would we be suffering from the same crises of war, hunger, environmental pollution, and poverty? Would Harry Potter be the messiah in our next religion? Could a Satan myth exist in this world as the ruler of all dark magic?
P.S. Just in case you didn’t know, Daniel Radcliffe, the actor behind Harry Potter, is an atheist!
Book LOL of the Day: Children and Satanic Ritual Abuse
Dec 28th
From the shelves of the ReligioNuts™ comes a frightening children’s book that’s sure to minister to the damaged souls of your Halloween-loving children. If they have been abused by pagans, pornographers, and suicidal cult leaders, this may be the best choice for a bedtime story I’ve ever seen.
And yes, this is a real book.
Twilight Quotes That Make You Go OMGWTF
Nov 21st
I’m subjecting myself to seeing New Moon today with my girlfriends [Edit: I was going to see it, but then I came down with some nasty virus]. I am the only non-fan among them, so I’ve been acting out by glorifying all that is horrible and hilarious about the book series. Not familiar with Twilight? Unsure if you should read it or not? Here, this should solve everything. (Spoiler alert. I can’t believe I care about saying that.)
Or just check out clips from The movie Twilight by the commentary champions, Rifftrax!
Now on to the proof that your children should not be reading these books! But perhaps you should if you love to hate things like I do. Quotes were gathered from various sources (mostly this one)–but not my brain nor my books (which I shall not admit to reading unless under extreme duress).
<3 & gay sparkles!
–GG
I can do this, I lied to myself feebly. No one was going to bite me.
Bella Swan, Twilight, Chapter 1, p.14
“My name is Stephanie Meyer and I just learned about foreshadowing in 8th grade Language Arts!”
Edward:”Besides,friends don’t let friends drive drunk.”
Bella:”Drunk?”
Edward:”You’re intoxicated by my very presence.”Edward:”Are you still faint from the run? Or was it my kissing expertise?”
Doooouuuuuche
His cold touch on my skin never failed to make my heart thud erratically. Twice, when that happened, I caught a look on his face that made me sure he could somehow hear it.
-Bella
Anyone else wonder what happens when she farts?
I knew what had to happen now. The girl would have to come sit beside me, and I would have to kill her. She would not have time to scream or feel pain; I would not kill her cruelly. That much I would give this stranger with her horribly desirable blood.
-Edward Cullen, Midnight Sun
“Well shit, I just wanted to borrow your Bunsen burner; you didn’t have to bite my head off!”
When I came here as a child, he would always remove the bullets as soon as he walked in the door. I guess he considered me old enough now not to shoot myself by accident, and not depressed enough to shoot myself on purpose.
Bella Swan, Twilight, Chapter 2, p.35
No, that starts in book 2.
His fingers were ice-cold, like he’d been holding them in a snowdrift before class. But that wasn’t why I jerked my hand away so quickly. When he touched me, it stung my hand as if an electric current had passed through us.
Bella Swan, Twilight, Chapter 2, p.45
Cliché #257 accounted for!
I was consumed by the mystery Edward presented. And more than a little obsessed by Edward himself.
Bella Swan, Twilight, Chapter 3, p.67I was completely absorbed, except for one small part of my mind that wondered what Edward was doing now, and trying to imagine what he would be saying if he were here with me.
Bella Swan, Twilight, Chapter 6, p.117
Aaaaaand obsessed needy girlfriend is born.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Now for the creeptastic best-of-the-best!
You’re always crabbier when your eyes are black — I expect it then.
Bella Swan, Twilight, Chapter 8, p.171
Expect what exactly? Red flag!
Evangelicals Still Heart Carrie Prejean
Nov 10th
Your favorite ex-beauty-queen-conservative-showgirl and mine, Carrie Prejean, took an interview with Christianity Today magazine that inspires many thoughts and a few chuckles. I may not hit on half of them here so go check it out.
The former Miss California contestant says that she is ’still standing,’ and called a recent video of her ‘the worst mistake of my life.’
I suppose she means she is “now standing, after being flat on her back”? Ohhh GG, you’re so crass.
Let me back it up and explain. I have some compassion for this young woman behind my sarcastic jabs. This 22-year-old was suddenly thrust into the limelight for speaking her unpopular (and ignorant, closed minded) opinion. She wasn’t educated or prepared for such a role, so of course it’s gone to hell in a hand basket (so-to-speak).
Now back to the snark:
I’m sure Miss Prejean is tired of all the interviews and fame. Oh wait–no she isn’t!; She just published a book titled Still Standing: The Untold Story of My Fight Against Gossip, Hate, and Political Attacks. You’ve got to see the back cover endorsements for yourself. Was Ann Coulter fapping while she read it? Priceless!
For her silicone-enhanced hotness and Jesus-praising appeal, Prejean was instantly picked as the Religious Right poster girl on the issue of same-sex marriage and free speech. But since the conservative media doesn’t properly vet their spokespeople (read: Joe the Plumber), their choices usually backfire in spectacular fashion.
Loading ...
