# Witness haters--are you happy now? :( **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [October 2, 2013, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/witness-haters-are-you-happy-now/670221 "2013-10-02T23:02:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 27
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2013, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/witness-haters-are-you-happy-now/670221/521 "2013-12-03T01:14:49Z")
> [@dougie\_monty](#): > > To Trinopus (re “Quiznos”): > You deserve the palm for the most boorish remark. So, no free sandwich? Then what good is your religion? > [@](#): > > To Trinopus, again: If I should care to ‘know what evolution’ is, I would refer to what I consider the most authoritative source, the _Oxford English Dictionary._ No, because a dictionary can only give you a short description of the word, not a summary of the idea and the details of its working. It takes at least the amount of text in a Wikipedia page to make the idea intelligible. Even the “Cliff’s Notes” summary takes up several pages. > [@](#): > > To Raventhief: No, I never succeeded at that. I have a long history of social failure. The history of your participation in the SDMB bears out this claim admirably. > [@](#): > > If some of the people posting in this thread are as smart as they act, they would consider my personal situation, which has included severe disruptions—including schizophrenia (diagnosed by at least four psychiatrists over a period of more than twenty years). Schizophrenics are not well placed to be convincing spokesmen for complex theological viewpoints. If someone appears at my doorstep to try to tell me about Jesus, it would be, at very least, helpful if they were sane. ---
**Author:** ![simster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simster/32/1047_2.png) [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2013, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/witness-haters-are-you-happy-now/670221/522 "2013-12-03T01:20:26Z")
I missed the part where he mentioned he was diagnosed schizophrenic - i’m now debating on whether or not to continue any conversation with him. He’s the perfect mark for a cult. FWIW, I’m not sure it makes any difference to me his diagnosis - he’s still responsible for the content of his posts - I’ll just now view them in a different light. ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2013, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/witness-haters-are-you-happy-now/670221/523 "2013-12-03T02:22:39Z")
I’ll take a “Larry Niven” (“The Ethics of Madness”) approach to this. If he’s sane enough to post on a general topic BBS like this one – in the BBQ Pit, no less – then he gets what’s coming to him. If he’s so lost to sanity that he can’t post responsibly, then he ought to be in an institution, and protected from us…and from himself. His keepers are being irresponsible in allowing him to post here. There really are people who are so messed up that they bear no responsibility for their own actions. I’m pretty sure that the SDMB isn’t the place for them. Our style of therapy is pretty damn rough… ---
**Author:** ![simster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simster/32/1047_2.png) [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2013, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/witness-haters-are-you-happy-now/670221/524 "2013-12-03T02:42:51Z")
My issue is that I can no longer take anything he posts at ‘face value’ - before I would simply assume he was being disingenuous or intentionally ‘maddening’ in his responses (take the whole “you’re harassing me with questions” bit) - now I realize that its simply not going to be possible to reason with him… IOW, I now have to consider if the idiotic nature of some of his posts are a feature or a bug - and that makes conversing with him more challenging than I think I care to deal with, especially on a subject that can be as serious as this one. I can certainly tone down the rhetoric and the insults - and I will endeavor to do so. ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2013, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/witness-haters-are-you-happy-now/670221/525 "2013-12-03T04:16:44Z")
Tone 'em down? Man, turn it up! Lighter fluid and bellows. Who gots the liquid oxygen? This is the pit! Ordinary human decency, compassion, consideration, and well-reasoned responses, are, like, uh… (other than being human, decent, compassionate, considerate, and well-reasoned) … so way out of place here! This is KAOS! We do sptptptptptpt here! ---
**Author:** ![Zago](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/ecccb3/32.png) [@Zago](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zago)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2013, 6:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/witness-haters-are-you-happy-now/670221/526 "2013-12-03T06:16:46Z")
That schizophrenia reference really threw me. I know schizophrenics can function normally under medication and a lot of them have very high intelligence. I’m not trying to be flip but isn’t JW a perfect repository for a schizophrenic? ---
**Author:** ![dougie\_monty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@dougie\_monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougie_monty)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2013, 6:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/witness-haters-are-you-happy-now/670221/527 "2013-12-03T06:57:37Z")
Judging from the tone of the last several posts, I think I should bow out and leave the lot of you to bandy words and while away time gossiping about me–you seem to enjoy it. I’ve had enough of you answering me back. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2013, 6:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/witness-haters-are-you-happy-now/670221/528 "2013-12-03T06:59:32Z")
> [@dougie\_monty](#): > > Judging from the tone of the last several posts, I think I should bow out and leave the lot of you to bandy words and while away time gossiping about me–you seem to enjoy it. **I’ve had enough of you answering me back.** So we’re supposed to just let you babble? Or were you taught that no one questions the faith? ---
**Author:** ![dougie\_monty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@dougie\_monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougie_monty)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2013, 7:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/witness-haters-are-you-happy-now/670221/529 "2013-12-03T07:20:14Z")
You are wrong on both points. First, I don’t babble, contrary to the opinion prevailing in this thread. Second, I have probably raised more questions than you have, all these years (since late 1970). I remember a bumper sticker that read “Question Authority.” I commented to the driver of one car with that message, “That could also be, ‘Authorize Questions.’” He agreed with me. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Lobohan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobohan/32/79_2.png) [@Lobohan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobohan)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2013, 7:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/witness-haters-are-you-happy-now/670221/530 "2013-12-03T07:33:34Z")
> [@dougie\_monty](#): > > You are wrong on both points. First, I don’t babble, contrary to the opinion prevailing in this thread. > Second, I have probably raised more questions than you have, all these years (since late 1970). > I remember a bumper sticker that read “Question Authority.” > I commented to the driver of one car with that message, “That could also be, ‘Authorize Questions.’” He agreed with me. 🙂 If you questioned your faith, why on Earth would you stick with such a stupid religion? ---
**Author:** ![dougie\_monty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@dougie\_monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougie_monty)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2013, 8:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/witness-haters-are-you-happy-now/670221/531 "2013-12-03T08:03:35Z")
Why would YOU stick with YOUR stupid notions? 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2013, 8:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/witness-haters-are-you-happy-now/670221/532 "2013-12-03T08:12:19Z")
> [@simster](#): > > I missed the part where he mentioned he was diagnosed schizophrenic. Me too. I’d feel guilty about joining the pile-on, had the above been really clear, but I don’t think we can be expected to bone up on every tiny detail of someone’s posting history (even within thread, if it’s a long, rambling, bullshit-stuffed one) before interacting with them in this medium. ---
**Author:** ![Lobohan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobohan/32/79_2.png) [@Lobohan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobohan)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2013, 8:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/witness-haters-are-you-happy-now/670221/533 "2013-12-03T08:19:57Z")
> [@dougie\_monty](#): > > Why would YOU stick with YOUR stupid notions? 😛 My notions don’t keep me from getting blood transfusions. ---
**Author:** ![simster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simster/32/1047_2.png) [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2013, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/witness-haters-are-you-happy-now/670221/534 "2013-12-03T13:32:10Z")
> [@dougie\_monty](#): > > Judging from the tone of the last several posts, I think I should bow out and leave the lot of you to bandy words and while away time gossiping about me–you seem to enjoy it. I’ve had enough of you answering me back. Don’t let the door hit you on the way out - be careful driving home. ---
**Author:** ![DrFidelius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drfidelius/32/3447_2.png) [@DrFidelius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrFidelius)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2013, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/witness-haters-are-you-happy-now/670221/535 "2013-12-03T14:15:08Z")
> [@simster](#): > > Don’t let the door hit you on the way out - be careful driving home. And write if you get work. ---
**Author:** ![dougie\_monty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@dougie\_monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougie_monty)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2013, 5:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/witness-haters-are-you-happy-now/670221/536 "2013-12-04T05:32:44Z")
> [@Lobohan](#): > > My notions don’t keep me from getting blood transfusions. My family has a long history of alcoholism, lung cancer, and other results of various vices. **My** notions keep me from smoking, drinking, gambling, and treating drugs like toys. The issue of transfusion has never come up with me (in 64 years), and I’ve never made a serious effort even to know what my blood type is. 😛 My ex-stepfather once said to me, “I hate Jehovah’s witnesses with a passion!” He was half-drunk at the time. See what kind of company you have? ---
**Author:** ![dougie\_monty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@dougie\_monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougie_monty)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2013, 5:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/witness-haters-are-you-happy-now/670221/537 "2013-12-04T05:35:35Z")
> [@DrFidelius](#): > > And write if you get work. Thank you, Bob Elliott.—Ray Goulding ---
**Author:** ![DrFidelius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drfidelius/32/3447_2.png) [@DrFidelius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrFidelius)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2013, 12:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/witness-haters-are-you-happy-now/670221/538 "2013-12-04T12:21:21Z")
> [@dougie\_monty](#): > > Thank you, Bob Elliott.—Ray Goulding Never hesitate to quote from the classics. ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2013, 12:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/witness-haters-are-you-happy-now/670221/539 "2013-12-04T12:33:29Z")
> [@dougie\_monty](#): > > My ex-stepfather once said to me, “I hate Jehovah’s witnesses with a passion!” He was half-drunk at the time. See what kind of company you have? And yet you feel no responsibility for the company you keep? ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2013, 12:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/witness-haters-are-you-happy-now/670221/540 "2013-12-04T12:34:59Z")
^awesomenessy. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/witness-haters-are-you-happy-now/670221.md?page=26) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/witness-haters-are-you-happy-now/670221.md?page=28)