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Post by Flatypus on May 31, 2009 2:42:12 GMT
I'm not a believer in some personified Big Bug in the Sky and as far as I go for that stuff at all, I believe the symbolic Creator to be mad, bad and dangerous to know, but I can still accept the concept of 'God' as meaning what most religions say it does: 'God' is Love, Compassion for all living beings (that is, to all beings stuck with having to live instead of something better). So interpret this, as I would, not as crawling to some 'Being', but as failure to 'come to' the compassion symbolised as 'God'
A man went to a barbershop to have his hair cut and his beard trimmed.
As the barber began to work, they started a good conversation.
They talked about so many things and various subjects. When they eventually touched n the subject of God, the barber said: "I don't believe that God exists."
"Why do you say that ?" asked the customer.
"Well, you just have to go out in the street to realize that God doesn't exist. Tell me, if God exists, would there be so many sick people? Would there be abandoned children? If God existed, there would be neither sufferings nor pain. I can't imagine loving a God who would allow all these things."
The customer thought for a moment, but didn't respond because he didn't want to start an argument.
The barber, finished his job and the customer left the shop. Just after he left the barbershop, he saw a man in the street with long, stringy, dirty hair and an untrimmed beard. He looked dirty and un-kept.
The customer turned back and entered the barber shop again and he said to the barber: "You know what? Barbers do not exist."
"How can you say that?" asked the surprised barber." I am here, and I am a barber. And I just worked on you!"
"No!" the customer exclaimed. "Barbers don't exist because if they did, there would be no people with dirty long hair and untrimmed beards, like that man outside."
"Ah, but barbers DO exist! What happens is, people do not come to me."
"Exactly!" - affirmed the customer, "That's the point! God, too, DOES exist! What happens, is, people don't go to Him and do not look for Him. That's why there's so much pain and sufferings in the world."
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Post by housesparrow on May 31, 2009 13:28:40 GMT
Sorry to lwer the tone of a promsing thread, but....
An atheist explorer in a forest was caught by a bear. As he struggled in the bear's paws, he cried out "God, help me!"
A voice from above said "Hello, I haven't heard from you before."
"No" siad the explorer "but I'm asking you to help me now."
"I can't save non believers," said the voice "but her's what I'll do; I'll make th bear a Christian."
With that the bear let the man go and fell to its knees, clasping its paws befor it. The explorer sighed with relief then heard the bear intone:
"For what I am about to receive, may the Lord make me truly thankful."
(as you were)
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Post by Patrick on May 31, 2009 13:31:56 GMT
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Post by housesparrow on May 31, 2009 14:14:40 GMT
On a more serious note, the homily behind Piffle's story is quite untestable, which is why so many preachers use it.
" God, too, DOES exist! What happens, is, people don't go to Him and do not look for Him. That's why there's so much pain and sufferings in the world."
The analogy with God and the barber is flawed because many god-fearing people have to endure pain and suffering whereas a simple visit to the barbers will cure their beard, no probs.
So they seem to be saying that until everyone turns to God - and their version of God to boot - the innocent will continue to suffer. As this is something unlikely to happen, they are in a no-lose situation!
By the way, Piffle, barbers don't exist where I live. They are all "gentlemen's hairdressers."
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Post by everso on May 31, 2009 16:39:03 GMT
They certainly existed 100 years ago  This is a photo of my gt. grandfather, who was a barber. (I may have put this pic up before, apologies if you've seen it already) |
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Post by Patrick on May 31, 2009 16:45:39 GMT
Does the shop still exist? Someone elsewhere posted a photo of a car dealers in the 1960/70's in London - so quick as a flash I went over to Google Street View and checked out the scene today. One interesting thing is that the place looked neater and tidier 40 years ago than it did today - yet being in Central London, you could argue that the façade should have been dirtier back then.
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Post by everso on May 31, 2009 16:51:05 GMT
Does the shop still exist? Someone elsewhere posted a photo of a car dealers in the 1960/70's in London - so quick as a flash I went over to Google Street View and checked out the scene today. One interesting thing is that the place looked neater and tidier 40 years ago than it did today - yet being in Central London, you could argue that the façade should have been dirtier back then. My great grandfather had three shops (not all at the same time) and I'm pretty sure this one was in Mawneys Road, Romford. Unfortunately it's no longer there - pulled down when they (hawk, spit) modernised Romford in the 1960s. My great grandfather was also a notorious drunkard and was banned from most pubs in Romford. He could have been a reasonably wealthy man if only it hadn't been for the demon drink. My auntie remembers walking along the street in Romford and seeing him being thrown out of a pub on all fours. She marched smartly away before he saw her.  I think he was pretty good at cutting hair though - maybe he had to have a drink to steady his hand  |
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Post by trubble on Jun 1, 2009 7:21:10 GMT
lol@the thought of a drunken barber and the haircuts that might have ensued. Great photo, everso. A lot more interesting that the ones TrubClan have of our various 'great-s' which only seem to entail sitting still and looking bored. Come to think of it, that's a family trait. |
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Post by housesparrow on Jun 1, 2009 8:30:54 GMT
Didn't barbers stuill use open razors in those days? He wasn't related to Sweeney Todd by any chance, Everso?
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Post by Patrick on Jun 1, 2009 11:31:43 GMT
Didn't barbers stuill use open razors in those days? He wasn't related to Sweeney Todd by any chance, Everso? Chap I went to in Tunbridge Wells was a son of who was a son of, opened this new place with a wide frontage, soft sofas inside and coffee machines etc. Bringing Barberism into the 20thC (as it was then) and blowing away the hair sleazy image that they have. However - he did offer extra services (stop that giggling at the back!  ) He had his own little den downstairs, where you could have a proper cut, shave and Indian Head Massage (another 'modern' novelty) too. It was the first place I'd ever been to where they actually listened to what you want. He also had a nice collection of safetly razors! |
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Post by everso on Jun 1, 2009 14:35:30 GMT
Didn't barbers stuill use open razors in those days? He wasn't related to Sweeney Todd by any chance, Everso? Well, my great grandma's name was Mrs. Lovett. No, no! I'm only kidding!In answer to your question, though, yes and the youngster on the left of the photo was his "lather boy" |
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Post by Patrick on Jun 1, 2009 14:47:05 GMT
In answer to your question, though, yes and the youngster on the left of the photo was his "lather boy" I can see it now! By day our super hero is just an ordinary Barber - but by night - he is an enraged crimefighter doing battle with ne'erdo wells across the mean city! Yup! We're talking "Razorman!" with his es-steamed (geddit?) side kick "Lather-boy"! Holy Bumfluff Razorman! ;D |
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Post by everso on Jun 1, 2009 14:48:07 GMT
In answer to your question, though, yes and the youngster on the left of the photo was his "lather boy" I can see it now! By day our super hero is just an ordinary Barber - but by night - he is an enraged crimefighter doing battle with ne'erdo wells across the mean city! Yup! We're talking "Razorman!" with his es-steamed (geddit?) side kick "Lather-boy"! Holy Bumfluff Razorman! ;D  I remember my gt.grandfather actually. He was in his 80s and had a hump. |
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Post by Patrick on Jun 1, 2009 14:59:02 GMT
I remember my gt.grandfather actually. He was in his 80s and had a hump. Well! In these days of equal opportunities "Anyone with a disability can apply to be a superhero - but they may not pass the test"! As the man from the DVLA said when asked why they make Driving Licence applications available in Braille! |
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Post by everso on Jun 1, 2009 15:00:01 GMT
I remember my gt.grandfather actually. He was in his 80s and had a hump. Well! In these days of equal opportunities "Anyone can apply to be a superhero - but they may not pass the test"! As the man from the DVLA said when asked why they make Driving Licence applications available in Braille!DO they? Surely not! |
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Post by Patrick on Jun 1, 2009 15:05:52 GMT
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Post by everso on Jun 1, 2009 15:42:34 GMT
Crazy!
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A.P.P.S
S C 
) He had his own little den downstairs, where you could have a proper cut, shave and Indian Head Massage (another 'modern' novelty) too. It was the first place I'd ever been to where they actually listened to what you want.