What is the result of the host discussion?

[Curmudgeoness]

I have been doing too much running around and not enough time here on DU, so I don't know if this has been resolved or not. Sorry if I am duplicating any discussion since the poll was locked, but that was days ago and I don't see anything.

So, has the decision been made to go with the majority in the poll and have only the one host, Renew Deal? If not, what is the explanation?

[hrmjustin]

1. No decision yet.

[cbayer]

2. Nothing has been announced. Maybe after the holidays.

You could PM RenewDeal or one of the other hosts form more information.

I suspect this will turn into another meta thread, as the position expressed in your second paragraph is clearly not neutral and comes across as a pre-emptive strike.

Oh, well. It's that empty time between christmas and new years.

Hope you had a nice holiday.

[Goblinmonger]

3. You sure make a lot of assumptions

when you don't like people making assumptions about what you are posting.

Seems like a legitimate question.

[Curmudgeoness]

4. This is not meant to be a meta thread

although I am sure that you are right that it will become one. But it doesn't have to turn into one if we could just get a decision. It seemed to me, after looking for another post addressing my question, that there should be one place to look for any results.

And you are right, I am not neutral. So I expressed my opinion at the same time that I asked my question.....oops.

I had a great holiday with lots of good food and family. Hope the same for you

[cbayer]

5. I don't see the rush here and I expect that they will announce a decision when they are ready.

I very much hope that they make the decision to have Renew Deal as the only host.

I went to a big gringo potluck dinner and it was great fun. This place has established a tradition with the community of having Santa hand out gifts to every child that lives here. Being surrounded by the children made it a very, very special day indeed.

[rug]

6. Yup, within four minutes.

[cbayer]

13. It's very, very important and that is why it is being recommended.

For goodness sake, where is your sense of priorities!

[bvf]

7. Right.

"Oh, well. It's that empty time between christmas and new years."

Did you know that the archbishop of Canterbury has pneumonia?

[hrmjustin]

8. I do and he is in my prayers.

[Warren Stupidity]

15. do you think god will hear you and intercede?

[hrmjustin]

16. God will hear my prayer but I don't thin God decides who gets sick or not.

B

[Warren Stupidity]

17. So god is write only memory. Sort of useless to pray to it then.

[hrmjustin]

18. Your opinion.

I think it is very useful to pray.

[Warren Stupidity]

19. How so?

[hrmjustin]

20. It is comforting for believers to know that one is being lifted up in prayer by others.

That God is comforting your soul and is with you.

[Warren Stupidity]

22. I thought you said your god just listened but didn't act.

So how is one "lifted up" by prayers of others?

[hrmjustin]

23. Christians have different ideas on whether God intervenes or not.

I don't think God decides who gets sick or dies but God does give us inner strength imo.

We are lifted up in prayer through the good wishes and prayers of others. Some believe we should offer up our suffering as a sacrifice to God.

Basically we are just talking to God.

[Warren Stupidity]

31. I'm still unclear on what you believe.

This "lifting up in prayer through the good wishes and prayers of others" is what I am confused about. Do you think your prayers help others? If yes, does the person you are praying for have to know you are praying for them?

[hrmjustin]

32. Yes I think my prayers help others. exactly how does it help is hard to say.

Faith is a mystery and how it all works is still a mystery.

No the person does not have to know they are being prayed for.

[Warren Stupidity]

35. Ok 'cause that has actually been studied and there is no discernable effect

of anonymous prayer (the person does not know people are praying for him), and a somewhat negative effect (noted below) for people who do know.

So I'm wondering what benefit prayer has for anyone other than the person praying.

[hrmjustin]

37. Tell them to do more studirs on it and then I may take it seriously.

[Warren Stupidity]

42. It was the Templeton Foundation and they are on your side.

Given the results I doubt they will fund further studies.

[hrmjustin]

43. Still don't care for or believe the results.

[Warren Stupidity]

47. of course not.

Here is what I think: prayer makes people praying feel good.

[hrmjustin]

48. Yes I agree that it does. i also think God is with us.

[AtheistCrusader]

56. I think that when you tell the person you are praying for you are either

telegraphing that they are in deeper shit than they realized which can lead to depression, or burdening them with performance anxiety.

[hrmjustin]

57. That is not my experience.

I am always happy to hear people are praying for me.

Now irl i don't tell people I don't know or those who are non-believers that I am praying for them. If they ask me not to pray for them then I won't.

[AtheistCrusader]

58. Hmm.

Consider my response a mix of negative 'that's an anecdote', and positive 'then you are nicer/more considerate than some.'

[hrmjustin]

59. Noted.n/t.

[AtheistCrusader]

27. Unless you just came out of heart surgery.

"Some patients were told they may or may not receive intercessory prayer: complications occurred in 52 percent of those who received prayer (Group 1) versus 51 percent of those who did not receive prayer (Group 2). Complications occurred in 59 percent of patients who were told they would receive prayer (Group 3) versus 52 percent, who also received prayer, but were uncertain of receiving it (Group 1). Major complications and thirty-day mortality were similar across the three groups."

http://web.med.harvard.edu/sites/RELEASES/html/3_31STEP.html

Didn't have a statistically valid increase in actual mortality, but did correlate with an increase in complications, so for the purposes of this study, we can't definitively say telling people you were praying for them actually killed them, but it did make life suck a bit more.

[hrmjustin]

33. Well my mother has had 13 surgeryies since 2013 and I prayed every time.

And she knew I prayed and made it through.

[Warren Stupidity]

36. And what do you think that proves?

[hrmjustin]

38. My prayer had no negative effect.

[Warren Stupidity]

40. nope doesn't prove that either.

[hrmjustin]

41. Your opinion.

[Warren Stupidity]

45. Well yes but it is also simply a fact.

We know how to test efficacy, and it is not tested by anecdotal evidence.

[hrmjustin]

46. Again your opinion.

[AtheistCrusader]

53. That study was not 'opinion'.

[hrmjustin]

54. Wasn't fact either.

[AtheistCrusader]

49. And I know you know the difference between an anecdote and a double-blind study.

[hrmjustin]

50. Tell them to do more studies on it and then I may take it seriously.

[AtheistCrusader]

51. What's wrong with the one I already supplied?

[hrmjustin]

52. I don't take it that seriously.

Needs more research.

[cleanhippie]

94. It doesn't support his beliefs.

If it did, he would take it seriously.

[Warren Stupidity]

99. That is unclear. He doesn't really commit himself to

specific beliefs about prayer. No surprise there.

[rug]

21. For one thing, it helps to diminish the ego.

[hrmjustin]

24. This is very true.

[bvf]

25. Bingo.

[AtheistCrusader]

30. You know what else does?

Not pretending the entire universe was created by your magical invisible friend that has nothing better to do than listen to your personal problems all day.

[rug]

39. Lol. QED.

[rug]

9. In the scheme of things, that has a lot more impact.

[bvf]

10. How?

[rug]

11. Not to detract from the pressing issue of the hosting of this Group,

he is the leader of a world-wide communion of eighty million people which is on the edge of fracturing. If he steps down, then you'll see what meta is all about.

[bvf]

12. Should be quite a show.

[AtheistCrusader]

28. Overly self-important mammal is sick. big deal.

[hrmjustin]

34. To Anglicans like me it is.

[rug]

44. What is the correct proportion of self-importance?

[hrmjustin]

14. might not hear back right away because of the holiday.

Whatever their decision I will support it. I hope we all can.

[Quantess]

26. Haha this popped up on Latest for some reason.

Tell you what: when you live on a really, really northern longitude, you begin to understand why people need a big celebration, right when there is hardly any daylight at all.

Christmas magically coincides with the passing of the winter solstice. Get real. Humans have celebrated the passing of winter solstice since we were cavepeople.

[AtheistCrusader]

29. Still no rec feature for posts. Christmas wish not granted.

[LostOne4Ever]

60. Giving this a kick (nt)

[cbayer]

78. You want I should do a Haig and just take control?

I would immediately make the decision that RenewDeal should be the sole host.

I'll do it if you want.

[Curmudgeoness]

89. I wish that someone would take control

and make a decision. Then we could put all of this to rest.

[cbayer]

95. I don't see a rush and would rather they take their time.

They are in a tough spot. Clear vote, but a deeply divided group. Many thing have to be taken into consideration. They may be putting together something that no one has really thought about that would avoid deepening the divisions.

Or they could just be busy with the holidays.

At any rate, I think it will all be fine.

[LostOne4Ever]

92. Naw, im just getting impatient (nt)

[cbayer]

96. I find it interesting that we find ourselves very reliant on the decisions of our selected

leaders.

Things are going fine. There is no urgency.

As I said to curmudgeoness, they may be developing something that would avoid deepening the divisions and might even lead to some healing.

Who knows?

At any rate, I think it will all b fine.

[hrmjustin]

61. Still wish the hosts good luck as they come to a decision.

Must not be easy.

[Heddi]

62. Must not be easy?

Yes, I can see where deciding what to do with a 59% vote vs a 24% vote can be so troubling. If only the people had voted...if only they had made a clear choice....



DU Religion Group - where a 59-24 vote can be considered unclear

[hrmjustin]

63. The final choice is theirs.

We can wait!

[Curmudgeoness]

67. Yes, we can wait.

It isn't as if they have a lot to do every day. But if they think that they can put off any action long enough for everyone to just forget this, they would be wrong. The longer they wait, the more people will be suspicious of their intentions.

But we can wait.

[hrmjustin]

70. They might be on the road.

But they will do what they think best and I will support it.

[Dorian Gray]

90. It's a busy holiday week

people are traveling. I'm sure they have more important things on their plates. (Though this post illustrates exactly why I would never want to be a host.)

I'm on the same side as you per the vote, but I think we can chill right now until after New Years Day. If nothing is done by then, by all means, revolt.

[Curmudgeoness]

91. That is possible.

And I have no problem with waiting until after New Years Day. All I want is to make sure that this matter does not go unresolved forever. This thread is just here to remind everyone that this is something that needs to be dealt with as soon as possible. I can wait.

[EvolveOrConvolve]

113. Actually, that's not quite true

The final choice is ours. DU has been setup as a self-regulating community, and it seems that the community has spoken - rather clearly, I should add.

[hrmjustin]

114. Well we will find out soon.

[Curmudgeoness]

64. How can this not be easy?

They don't even have to exercise one brain cell. There was a poll. It was a runaway vote. What is hard about this?

[hrmjustin]

65. Holidays are here and it is their choice.

They are not bound by our vote.

[rug]

66. Why don't you send them a DUMail and ask them?

[Curmudgeoness]

68. Why don't they answer everyone here? You know, transparency. nt

[rug]

72. Why don't you send them a DUMail and ask them?

Do you suspect something sinister?

[Curmudgeoness]

75. Brilliant conversationalist.

I do not suspect anything sinister, but the longer this goes on, the more I wonder if it is being stalled to see if the subject will die and the status quo can just continue.

And since I have a tad bit of skill with discussion, I will answer your question---for the second time. They owe it to this group to let everyone know what is going on, not just me. They either already know that questions are being asked, or they are out of touch as hrjustin suggests, and if that is the case, a PM would do no good.

Nice talking to you.

[hrmjustin]

76. You started this thread.

[rug]

77. Generally, during a conversation, brilliant or otherwise, if a question arises, it is asked.

If you legitimately want an answer, send them a message. Or you can continue to raise your eyebrow in this thread.

[hrmjustin]

74. They might be on the road.

[Goblinmonger]

71. Because she didn't want to?

[rug]

73. Why don't you send her a DUMail and ask her?

[Goblinmonger]

79. Why don't you?

I couldn't give a shit why she posted it here. Seems fine where it is. You are the one with your britches in a knot.

[rug]

80. Because I really don't care.

You, on the other hand, give enough of a shit to interject yourself.

Maybe you should wear a kilt. It's less likely to knot.

[Goblinmonger]

81. Then why respond in the thread

Often you are clearly not as witty and coy as you clearly think you are and your friends tell you are. These type of posts by you are quite tiresome.

[rug]

82. Because if it's an honest question that's the honest thing to do.

Now, monger, are you trying to insult me? Because you're really very, very bad at it.

[Goblinmonger]

83. If I wanted to insult you,

you wouldn't have to wonder. I'm quite good at it when I want to do it.

[rug]

84. If you were any good, you wouldn't have to say it.

[Goblinmonger]

85. Not in the mood for a hide.

[rug]

86. Then you shouldn't post lame insults.

[Goblinmonger]

87. I posted exactly what I was thinking at the time.

These little distractions by you are quite tiresome. Had nothing more to say than that.

Does feel like you already alerted on the first one and it didn't go your way so you want a second chance. This will be the last one I give you, though.

[rug]

88. You should be glad I don't.

[Goblinmonger]

69. It also cuts against the argument

That we need to have a lot of hosts for fast action.

[Iggo]

93. I suspect that vote didn't go the way they thought it would.

Maybe they're in "Oh shit! Now what?" mode.

Or not.

[Curmudgeoness]

97. LOL

I do believe that you nailed it.

[cbayer]

98. I doubt that. I think they understand the group pretty well.

[cbayer]

100. I got the lowdown!

In a display of solomonic brilliance, the hosts have decided to stage the Delusion Games.

The current hosts will each select two players. They may, of course, choose themselves as one of the players.

A thread will be started wherein the eight players will debate the following: Who is more delusional, those that believe that there is a god or those that believe there is no god.

Players will have the opportunity to alert on each other. For every successful alert, they will be awarded points on the following scale:

7-0 hide - 5 points
6-1 hide - 3 points
5-2 hide - 2 points
4-3 hide - 1 point

Those who have posts hidden will not only be eliminated from the thread, but from the game.

Although an alert from someone not playing the game may occur and a player may be eliminated as a result of that, no points will be awarded unless one of the players sent the alert. The alert and results must be posted in the thread.

When 5 players have been eliminated, the game will end. The player or players with the most points will then become the new host(s). That means there could be as few as one and as many as 3 hosts.

On with the games!!

[Curmudgeoness]

101. This has already been done.

Day in, day out....in almost every post in this group.

BTW, I see that there is no option for "no host" in this game. Bummer.

[cbayer]

103. Sure there is an option for no host.

If those that remain in play choose to not host, they simply don't take the position and there will be hosts.

There is also the possibility that all will be booted from the thread at approximately the same time.

[Rainforestgoddess]

102. My humour chip is currently running at less than full power

I assume this is a joke, but I'm not certain.

I refrain from voicing my opinion until there's clarification.

[cbayer]

104. Sorry about your humor chip.

Do you think it might work?

[Rainforestgoddess]

106. Nope

Don't see the humour either, but I started fighting a virus on Dec 23, got out of the house for the first time since today and I'm still coughing up lung chunks. So if it's actually funny, I'm not seeing it.

[cbayer]

107. Ah, poor you. I hope you are starting to feel better!

[Rainforestgoddess]

109. A bit better every day, but it's an ugly virus

I wish there was a vaccine for the common cold. :-P

[cbayer]

110. There are some in my community that are being totally beaten up by a virus.

I had a flu shot and so far, so good.

Did you get your flu shot?

[Rainforestgoddess]

111. Yes for the flu shot

I get one every year. This wasn't flu though. I had that pleasure about 15 years ago. Much worse. My fever was 105, and I was delirious.

[hrmjustin]

105. I love it!

[trotsky]

108. Why do you think this is funny?

Where is the humor in having a close friend of yours, who also happened to be a host, unilaterally shut down a thread because he didn't like the responses you were getting? I don't see a single thing to laugh at in that incident. That he had the decency to step down after such an abuse of power is the only redeeming thing to come out of it.

Of all the people in this group, cbayer, you are the one who harps on "teams" and "sides" and "points" and all that other bullshit the most. You should really stop doing that - maybe you might be able to build some bridges.

[AtheistCrusader]

112. Because partisans of a losing minority that know they are going to win via an inside track

can rarely contain their haughty glee.