Comments on: Holy… well, holy something.

By: CR

CR — Mon, 25 Sep 2006 21:46:10 +0000

FYI, the superimposed image doesn’t appear on my computer, because I’ve got animations disabled. So, the image I saw was just the unretouched one of the dog’s backside. It STILL vaguely resembled an iconic Christian image just as ALL the other examples of pareidolia have vaguely done. THAT’S THE WHOLE POINT!
There’s nothing there, except the dog. Just as all the other “miraculous signs” are nothing more than the earthly things they are.
Heck, I’ve got a large gnarled portion of a tree root in my yard that looks exactly like a long-snouted version of a Sleestak from the 1970′s tv show ‘Land of the Lost.’ Doesn’t matter what direction the sun is shining on it, nor even if the sky is cloudy. Rain, snow, dry weather, daytime, nighttime… the root always looks the same. Is that some “miraculous proof” that Sleestaks really exist, and they’re coming soon? (I know several of you are going to chime in at this point about welcoming your new reptilian overlords.)
Of course it isn’t. Just as all other examples of pareidolia are nothing significant. Neat, yes. Miraculous, no.
Sure, the pics that started this whole thread were in poor taste. But I find equally in poor taste people’s belief in pareidolia as evidence of divinity, regardless of how sincere their belief is. It’s misguided, and gets people further away from the truth. (And I’m not just referring to the truth of scientific facts; it includes the truth of religion, as well. Whatever happened to not worshipping idols?)

By: Elwood Herring

Elwood Herring — Mon, 25 Sep 2006 19:15:03 +0000

To Bob L. – Honour the Eleventh Commandment: i.e. “Lighten up!” Life is too short to waste on petty arguments about religion. In fact all the petty arguments about religion that are going on in the world right now are what is making life very short for some already. So I will reiterate: God gave us a sense of humour (well some of us anyway); so use it! Before we all start tearing each other apart over trivialities such as pictures and cartoons. Sit down, get yourself a drink and watch Monty Python’s Life of Brian!

By: Gpplascencia

Gpplascencia — Mon, 25 Sep 2006 17:58:15 +0000

Now, that’s a Hole-ee image!

By: Bob L.

Bob L. — Mon, 25 Sep 2006 14:18:24 +0000

Evolving Squid,

Regadless of who created it, the BA chose to put it on this site. I actually don’t even have a problem with the creators of it, if they think it’s funny, and other people think it’s funny, then have a good laugh. The purpose of this website, however, is supposidly to encourage scientific discussion and point out errors of scientific reasoning. This did nothing to further either, and, instead, did nothing but mock a religious belief.

Please spare me the explanation that this was shown as an example of pareidolia. The figure only appears because a picture is superimposed upon it.

The worst part is that, although this site is suppose to encourage independent thought, the responses are all from a group of mindless followers talking about how this is just the funniest thing they have seen. If this is the funniest thing you’ve seen, it’s time to put down the telescope and get out a little.

By: Evolving Squid

Evolving Squid — Mon, 25 Sep 2006 13:59:00 +0000

Bob…

You do know that the Dogsbottom Jesus isn’t from this site, and that nobody here did it, yes?

Mayhap your energies would be better directed at that site’s creators.

By: Bob L.

Bob L. — Mon, 25 Sep 2006 12:37:33 +0000

First if all, this is not the least bit funny. Secondly, I have no problem when a religious group is called out for their statements, when those statements are made in direct conflict with known science, but superimposing a picture of Jesus onto a dog’s genitals is nothing more than a way to mock religious beliefs. You sir, are a horse’s ass, no digital manipulation necessary.

By: Varn Nine

Varn Nine — Mon, 25 Sep 2006 09:34:55 +0000

A little off topic, but here is an example how pareidolia can be used to (try to) manipulate individuals:

http://www.pbfcomics.com/?cid=0PBF59011BC-Not_Today_Little_One.jpg#60

By: Adam Soltan

Adam Soltan — Mon, 25 Sep 2006 06:58:43 +0000

It’s a bit funny how some people seem to think that having different views and beliefs implies offending each other. Showing respect for other people doesn’t mean pretending to agree on everything. Our civilization has a problem with conducting a good dialogue. Some fear saying anything just so as not to offend some unknown ideology while others go out of their way to insult as many people as possible so that everybody is treated equally. This behaviour suggest a deeply rooted insecurity about one’s own beliefs. No wonder many people both laugh at us and hate us in many places around the world. But that’s a discussion for another forum, I should think.

By: Corey

Corey — Mon, 25 Sep 2006 02:19:28 +0000

“I belive it is wrong to laugh at anybodyâ€™s views no matter how silly they seem.”

So if a person believes that they are a chicken, you should respect that view? If a person believes that Spam is an evil instrument of the devil then you should respect that view? If a person thinks YOU are a pomegranate you should respect that view? Should you then act as if you really are a pomegranate while around them, to avoid challenging their belief system? There are a million bizarre and inexplicable beliefs out there, and every single one of them appears absurd to people who do not subscribe to the same viewpoint.

By the way, I believe everyone except for myself and my dog is a pomegranate. If you claim to be otherwise, you are mocking my views. And don’t even start trying to PROVE SCIENTIFICALLY that you’re not a pomegranate. That’s not just mockery; that’s an outright attack on my belief system.

By: The Squid Zone

The Squid Zone — Sun, 24 Sep 2006 22:44:21 +0000

God made man in his own image?…

It is said, by Christians and followers of related religions that God made man in his own image (Genesis 1:27). Now some of those people also think their deity leaves images of itself in various places. You may have heard…

By: Evolving Squid

Evolving Squid — Sun, 24 Sep 2006 22:22:50 +0000

Hmm, would that be holy or holey? If there is any doubt that religion is bunk, one need only consider whether a deity would actually manifest an image of itself in a dog’s hind-quarters.

God created man in his own image? I guess that says something about man then, yes?

By: Adam

Adam — Sun, 24 Sep 2006 16:56:26 +0000

> The point here is to poke fun at people who keep seeing icons of their religion everywhere
It’s rather obvious to me that this was the idea. However this page is not showing what someone imagined. It’s made up, apparently to make fun of some individuals. The question I’m trying to put here is how far can we go without crossing the border between ‘humorous’ and ‘insulting’. I was offended and that’s quite an achievement since I live in a country where it is almost an official policy to make fun of everything religious so I should be used to this kind of stuff.

I would like to note, however, that I don’t hold any grudge. I just disagree with this particular way of expressing views. I write this because it is difficult to convey mood when only using the written language.

By: Ick of the East

Ick of the East — Sun, 24 Sep 2006 16:52:10 +0000

…..”If they are so wrong prove them wrong.”

I can’t prove that the Emeror Xenu didn’t banish his enemies to Earth or that the Christian God did not sacrifice himself to himself to appease himself of his anger at his own creation.

Laughter is all I can manage for such ideas.

By: The Bad Astronomer

The Bad Astronomer — Sun, 24 Sep 2006 16:34:48 +0000

The point here is not to make fun of religion. The point here is to poke fun at people who keep seeing icons of their religion everywhere, when in fact what they are seeing is just a product of their eyes, brain, and zeal.

If they wish to see Jesus and Mary in tortillas, window panes, trees, and oil smears under highways, then they have to accept that these apparitions can appear anywhere.

By: Adam

Adam — Sun, 24 Sep 2006 15:57:33 +0000

> I will laugh at your religion and make fun of your gods just as I would laugh
> at a Scientologist
Well, this is the core of the problem. I belive it is wrong to laugh at anybody’s views no matter how silly they seem. If they are so wrong prove them wrong. Making fun of people never makes them appreciate your ideas. Wouldn’t it be better to win someone over to the right understanding of reality in stead of pushing him even further away? Good tone and critisism are not mutually exclusive in my opinion.

By: Ick of the East

Ick of the East — Sun, 24 Sep 2006 15:43:25 +0000

………Iâ€™d say it can only serve to alienate those who appreciate respecting other peoplesâ€™ views.

There is respecting your RIGHT to your views, which I hope we all share…and there is respecting your VIEWS. That is a whole different thing. I will not be so dishonest as to pretend to do so just to make you happy.

I will laugh at your religion and make fun of your gods just as I would laugh at a Scientologist who believes that the Galactic Emperor Xenu banished his enemies to Earth where they yet live in the bodies of men.

Sounds silly doesn’t it? Do you respect such beliefs? Would you not snicker if they were brought up in conversation? Sweet Holy Koresh, I hope you would.

By: John M.

John M. — Sun, 24 Sep 2006 15:25:22 +0000

Yeah, this is just in really poor taste. It’s a free country, and you can say whatever you want, but you’re alienating a large slug of the population with this type of behavior. Why not banish ignorance on both sides by having an honest dialogue? I guess that would bee too hard.

By: Adam

Adam — Sun, 24 Sep 2006 15:20:32 +0000

I think this is rather sad. Sure, it’s become fashionable to make fun of religions but it is a mistake to assume that whoever belives i God is a retard. This link is *very* insulting to christians who take their faith seriously. Question is then what would be the aim of putting it here. Further good science? I’d say it can only serve to alienate those who appreciate respecting other peoples’ views. It should also be pointed out that actually very few christians are anti science. As a point in case I can mention that the heliocentric system, genetics and Big Bang all have been devised by catholic clergymen of one sort or another. World isn’t just black and white. There are good and bad people all over the place so a little sofistication would be in order even though a lot of folks seem to find this kind of ‘satire’ amusing.

Gee weez, I got a little upset but I am fine now…

By: Ick of the East

Ick of the East — Sun, 24 Sep 2006 06:20:38 +0000

Good doG!

I don’t expect any fishes, but shouldn’t there be some loaves laying around there somewhere?

And will it be revealed later that the Apostle Mark is just a dog with a harelip?

Mark! Mark! Mark!

By: Gary Ansorge

Gary Ansorge — Sat, 23 Sep 2006 19:28:28 +0000

Who says God doesn’t have a sense of humor? WE’RE still here after all our laughter and I’ve been dancing in the rain.

GAry 7

By: Troy

Troy — Sat, 23 Sep 2006 16:11:54 +0000

It obviously is faked or at least augmented, it is actually an animated graphic. Very funny though, maybe the Lord likes the stimulating feeling of a dog’s tongue.

By: The Science Pundit

The Science Pundit — Sat, 23 Sep 2006 13:17:08 +0000

Phil,

Was this what you were looking at when you had your vision?

By: Roy Batty

Roy Batty — Sat, 23 Sep 2006 11:21:37 +0000

“Holy holes Batman!!!”

By: Cheez Mastah

Cheez Mastah — Sat, 23 Sep 2006 08:07:31 +0000

Wow. I wonder how long that guy had to stare into his dogs ass before he randomly say Jesus in it. I guess its like looking at clouds, stare at one long enough and your mind will try and think it looks like something.

By: Thomas Siefert

Thomas Siefert — Sat, 23 Sep 2006 07:10:25 +0000

He he he *snort*