"So I made something up," says Jon, wisely.

Yes, humans are experts when it comes to making up and delivering 'beautiful lies'. Even a cursory examination of human history shows clearly the penchant that humans have to invent a lie, then believe it. That's why religion is a never-ending con, one which comes in a variety of forms but all with a central message: 'stop thinking, believe what we say no matter how ridiculous it is, and give us financial support!'

Of course, if the 'beautiful lie' has a large component of reward in it (like living forever), it does help the sheep to take on board the lie and believe all its embellishments that predictably follow the first lie.

Of course, when religious beliefs/lies collide, people get killed. All over the world we see evidence of this. The Muslims and the Christians are at each other's throats currently. The battle rages and the 'beautiful lies' become the ugly backdrop to genocide and mass slaughter.

When will humans stop telling themselves 'beautiful lies?'

Never. Only when the nukes start falling, will the lies stop along with all life which will include that of all the liars.

Seems fitting somehow!

A world ended because of a conflict between liars.

That's real irony!

Hi David G,

I read some of your posts in amazement. You leap into the verbal fray to vent your spleen at the faith of the religious and yet somehow you fail utterly to recognize this precise same mantra in yourself!

You and your motley crew of green fellow travelers were “sprung” 2,400 years with Aristotle's Rhetoric. The basis for the marketing of all prophets of “faith”.

Ethos (I am important and would I lie?), Pathos (this will really do you good) and Logos (here's a few "facts" to impress you).

You say << it does help the sheep to take on board the lie and believe all its embellishments that predictably follow the first lie”>>.

Oops David, would this be “ Ethos” by any chance, the same type of “lie” sold to you by the prophets of Agenda 21?

You say << stop thinking, believe what we say no matter how ridiculous it is, and give us financial support!>>

Ah, yes David, “indulgences”. Just like the green taxes you seek to impose under the “Pathos” of “This will be good for you”?

Just to be sure that Aristotle’s Rhetoric covers you fully, we have the “Logos” of “here are a few “facts” to impress you”, compliments of the IPCC.

There is something hilarious about people and glass houses. You missed your own hypocrisy, the real irony and the total loss of your embarrassment gene.

Aristotle must have had a stunning intellect to predict utter Pratt’s like you 24 centuries ago.

Spindoc, congratulations. You have written the first comment on OLO that says nothing! I mean: absolutely nothing!

And what is even more astounding, that you used so many words to say absolutely nothing.

You truly stand in a class of your own. No one can compete with you. You can take the most simple issue and turn it into complete inanity, into high farce.

Like you, I have no idea what your comment was meant to mean. Absolutely none. I read it to my dog. It yawned, then vomited.

But don't give up! Keep trying to put conflicting words together, conflicting ideas.

One day you'll get it right! It might be by accident but who cares?

I don't!

Hi David,

Of course it’s over your head. You were never educated, never heard of Greek Scholars, never read books and more importantly, you don’t want to.

Most of what goes on in the world will be meaningless.

Don’t you find it the least bit embarrassing that someone who died 2,400 years ago was more intelligent than you?

Spindog, I'm so happy you finally found a comic that dealt with Ancient Greece!

Then, ever the illusionist and conman, you aligned yourself with the thinking of brilliant Greek philosophers as though you were part of their brilliance. What a pretentious poser you are!

My dog has far more intelligence than you and he's the dumbest dog I've ever seen. But, unlike you, at least my dog is lovable!

Spindog, there are some very bright people on OLO. Sadly, you're not one of them. People who are bright can join seemingly disparate bits of information, see patterns of human behaviour in them, and draw important conclusions from them.

Spindog, you've never arrived at an important conclusion in your life. In fact, I'll bet your brain, such as it is, is as new as the day you were born.

Why don't you take up collecting toy cars? You'd be a sensation, perhaps even a legend!

some ugly truths
http://undergrounddocumentaries.com/constructing-public-opinion/