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Posts by Olaf  

Joined: 29 Oct 2009 / Male ♂
Last Post: 31 May 2013
Threads: Total: 6 / In This Archive: 5
Posts: Total: 955 / In This Archive: 755
From: Kraków
Interests: Heating up some controversial topics?

Displayed posts: 760 / page 4 of 26
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Olaf   
17 Nov 2011
UK, Ireland / Polish love in Britain of the Tracksuit [11]

WroclawBoy wrote shortly but truely about the topic.
One more thing to add:

Please learn how to write correctly, it says a lot about you.

Tracksuit wear people of a low social status

- Very true.
Olaf   
15 Nov 2011
USA, Canada / Feminine surname endings in America? [48]

It's a matter of common sense. Not keeping feminine form of Polish name (and not only Polish, all that have it) makes all Mrs Kowalski sound dumb and ridiculous - aith only exception if it's a person that has no idea about the language of their parents.
Olaf   
14 Nov 2011
USA, Canada / Feminine surname endings in America? [48]

Is that the law, or just a cultural rule?
Kinda weird that a woman changes her last name and not even to her new husband's name, technically.

It is more of a language apspect - masculine and feminine language genders (as mentioned before).
It's not weird at all: it is the same name Kowalski and Kowalska. The ending is a grammatical gender suggesting the sex of the person at the same time. Useful thing.

Mafketins has put it out very well.
Olaf   
9 Nov 2011
Life / Polish dubbing in movies; why is it so that on polish television all the films are dubbed? [135]

That's like saying Norwegian is better than Swedish, which of course is a bunch of nonsense.

Well.... :D

Is that so?

Why of course. AmE sounds like shite, and it's easy to prove. Just... listen to it! No decent manner of speaking mostly and the way it's deteriorating is gonig beyond the scale. I like a language to sound like something that I would like to speak too.

Of course AmE can be easier to comprehend sometimes, but this doesn't change facts.

Things (and languages) can improve.

I cannot agree more with this bit. But improve, not degrade.
And thanks for the photos of TV sets, really. Helped us a lot to understand your message;))
Olaf   
8 Nov 2011
Life / Polish dubbing in movies; why is it so that on polish television all the films are dubbed? [135]

are there any other persons like me who hate such thing?

I think it's a crime against the quality and comfort of watching. It also makes me put the volume up too much in order to try to hear bits that are not translated/badly translated. Also, more Polse would be able to handle a conversation if they had to read Polish meaning while hearing English - effortless learining killed by this stupid reading of dialogue lists.
Olaf   
27 Oct 2011
Love / Any suggestions for wedding venues in South of Poland [28]

you can bring the booze

Unfortunately in many places there is somthing they call "korkowe" which is a fee for bringing your own alcohol. In Krakow, last time I checked it varied from 8 to 30 zloty - per bottle (of your own alcohol). Riddiculous.
Olaf   
27 Oct 2011
News / The cross in Polish parliament - Does it bother you? [100]

This is where Protestantism fares much better than Catholicism IMHO.

Yes, they both are on the same slope, only different angles, so to say ;)

Was Jesus a martyr or not?

Same like countless and victims of religions. Therefore a cross belongs somewhere else than parliament in my opinion.

And do we know a Religion which treats women well or at least normally?

Good point. I can't find one either. Oh, wait! Pastafarianism. ;)
If you're into meat balls...

the discussion will go on endlessly, leading to ferment

That's what religions or actually some people acting in the name of some religous purposes (initiatives like hanging the cross secretly) are best: creating unnecessary fuss and dividing people. There wouldn't be a debate here and everywhere if the cross hadn't been hung there.

In Szczecin all symbols hung together for a while only because fanatics removed them, letting the cross stay.

That's what I mean! Removing other symbols but leaving ours! How ignorant and selfish one has to be to do that?
Olaf   
26 Oct 2011
News / The cross in Polish parliament - Does it bother you? [100]

in fact that was originally a quote from Seanus but I am intrigued to hear your story about why you feel so strongly against the cross

come on, what is the story?

Ohhhhh all right sit around and listen, I'm gonna tell you how it all started... ;)))
You're over-interpreting a bit. There is no story. I strongly feel it is wrong to put one religious symbols over another and hang them in public offices, parliament or schools and hospitals. That is too much and not fair. And the more some radicals try to mark their terrain by pushing such ideas like building a Giant Jesus figure or secretly putting a cross in the sejm at night etc. the more I try to give arguments just to balance this (but it's rather hopless, I know). Is this what religion is about? Marking the terrain with logos, trademarks, just like dogs **** on trees to mark their terrain, as someone put? I doubt it. Therefore I'm just balancing ideas, that's all. I am not obsessed and did not start threads like these (but like to chip in when they show up). That is taking up a topic when it's raised, not raising it.

And since there is not much just and sane balance in some areas as this one, I will write sometimes controversial views, just as controversial and unacceptable views I read about having a crucifix hung somewhere. Like that changes anything.

and believe that the church
should keep its snout out of politics

I agree with this personal belief of yours.

your Anti-Christian sentiment

I may be sentimantal but certainly not in these areas. ;)

it wasn't his best work but he went out sh!tting himself, riddled with cancer, dying alone in the end as we all must do

Interesting point there. I am going to leave you some bit to feed your idea that I am

as obsessive as the most rabid born-again and and born-again-blind evangelist

: Somehow I also feel that the divine plan doesn't simply hold water because how can a thinking man treat a plot like this: a belief in a supreme, divine entity, (being one, but in trinity at the same time) that put an original sin to people who it created and sent out its divine son for torture and death to wash off the original sin from the humans. Further, the humans were given free will, but there's a list of 10 things (later supplemented by RCC by another ones...) that it forbids. And finally, according to this plot, all people are born with the original sin and live their lives in fear of hell and demons. This cruel incorporation of guilt to every follower cannot be work of a god that loves it's creation. And since religion has been the major cause of killing, torture and death if you look back in times, then I am far from following such a path where one should kill or be killed basing on which imaginary friend they choose to believe in.

;) Comming back to original topic - is the cross in parliament NECESSARY? And why was it put there in such a way, rather than openly, during the day, and legally?
Olaf   
26 Oct 2011
News / The cross in Polish parliament - Does it bother you? [100]

Now we moan about the concept of martydom but Jesus essentially started that so why can we have cause for complaint when Palestinians do it for a noble cause?

Let's not go off-topic too much. Palestinians are a different thing and they have nothing to do with the cross in Polish parliament.

Olaf, the RCC will get in and about in any which way it can. It's their way to spread their tentacles into every nook and cranny of Polish life.

I agree fully on this. That interfering and overwhelming presence is what bothers many people, whether they are believing Christians, Catholics or not.

As Bill Hicks jokingly said, though, do you really think Jesus wants to see a cross upon his return as the Divine Messiah? ;) ;)

Hah! :) He would be pis*ed if he saw that!
Why people didn't choose some symbol of LIFE instead of death?

And what do you think about this as an astral fertilizer enhancer machine? I am confused here ;)
Olaf   
26 Oct 2011
News / The cross in Polish parliament - Does it bother you? [100]

So basically this works like an astral fertilizer machine? I knew it! There must've been something in this shtick.

Awesome. How much energy can I produce if I make a field of crosses? Will this be an alternative power source of the future?

;)
Olaf   
25 Oct 2011
News / The cross in Polish parliament - Does it bother you? [100]

However, if I've interpreted it correctly, Catholics value 'good deeds' which means you have to work in society to achieve salvation.

I think one can make many assumptions, including even this one. If it works for you. But first one should be working on themselves.

What's the problem with having crosses as reminders of Jesus's sacrifice??

First of all it's creepy. A figure of a dead man tormented to death will be reminds me that the ones who see this symbol as holy are... not thinking about life as much as about death (to put it nicely).

Do they need to be reminded? Or if it's just putting a trademark that says: we own this place. Try to exchange this logo for e.g. ... Coca-Cola logo. It would mean that the government is either sponsored by Coca-Cola Co. or that at least has a deal with them.

We all know that Church has such influences there, but putting their logo as signature to this is even a greater abuse.
Does religion really need to advertise if it is about truth and real faith?

Why are their crosses on the side of the roads for fatalities?

I don't know. It's an uncommon custom outside Poland. It's also rather creepy. There is a similar custom in Italy, but instead putting a cross near the road where sb. died, Italians often put a little chapel if they SURVIVED an accident. Do you see the difference?
Olaf   
25 Oct 2011
News / The cross in Polish parliament - Does it bother you? [100]

My home is not church but I got crucifixes all over the place :)

That is your right, su casa est su casa. And that is perfectly fine.

However, if crosses OR ANY other religious symbols are put in public places then it is not ok. I think there is no need for that. What are they for? To show domination, which - according to the constitution shouldn't be happening in Poland. Religion will not suffer if it will not be advertised, will it?
Olaf   
24 Oct 2011
Life / Vandalism on cars in Poland [64]

Where I live, I have observed that recently people throw eggs to the cars.

Similar thing happened to me some time ago. I really would like to find a jerk who kicked my bumber.
But eggs seem a mild thing. I think if someone parks like an arse then they deserve an egg;), that's the only excucse.
Olaf   
24 Oct 2011
News / The cross in Polish parliament - Does it bother you? [100]

They were amazing with those silly ideas. Like a French castle in the middle of Britain etc. or a Norwegian parrot that was "pining" for the fiords...

They know how to look on the bright side of life!
Olaf   
24 Oct 2011
News / The cross in Polish parliament - Does it bother you? [100]

Olaf, the law is an a*s! That's an English expression. How many people make such laws?

I was talking about a supreme law act of the country. And bear in mind that Christians wrote it. But somehow they didn't see it fair and necessary to favour anyone, even them.

If the cross being there is so unconstitutional then why hasn't it been removed? Doesn't Poland respect its own traditions and Constitution??

It was hung at night, without prior consent and debate. Since then every polititian was afraid to raise the topic of removing it not to loose support. That's all. And the method how the cross got there in the first place is speaking for itself.

But, according to the Polish Constitution it does say in the preamble that the Polish nation is beholden to its culture rooted in its Christian heritage. The christian heritage of Poland is predominantly Roman Catholic. Therefore, the crucifix has a constitutional place, if you will, in the Sejm.

It says that none religion should be favoured, so hanging one religious symbol is abuse. Also, I think it is unnecessary. It's not church, it's a place of work [supposedly;) ] of MPs, who should focus on other things.

your lack of faith must be a great comfort to you :-)
always remember that there is nothing that an atheist can't do if he doesn't know if he believes in it or not

Well, it is not about believing but knowing, or not knowing. Believing is for people who stopped asking questions and are satisfied with a belief that's not even their own but usually indoctrinated into them. I myself am not feeling comfortable when I am told to believe something unreal and very unlikely. Instead I prefer to keep my feet on the ground firmly and know what to expect. It's far more comforting than an odd belief, that is an insult to logic thinking.

always remember that there is nothing that an atheist can't do if he doesn't know if he believes in it or not

By the way - I just checked this quote out of curiosity as it didn't make much sense to me. It was about AGNOSTICS not atheists. Then it makes more sense, nevertheless it was in Monty Python's sketch
Olaf   
21 Oct 2011
News / The cross in Polish parliament - Does it bother you? [100]

If there is a place that needs the divine intervention of the Almighty
it is a parliament

It only needs competent polititians, economists and lawyers, not a piece of voodoo hanging on the wall.
If you want a symbol representing a corpse of a martyred man and his death tool hanging there - then there's something wrong, or this is a place of cult of death, not a working place of MPs.
Olaf   
20 Oct 2011
News / The cross in Polish parliament - Does it bother you? [100]

Catholicism is favoured here, Olaf.

Not according to the law, the constitution being its supreme act.
None should be favored so... why insist on this?

Tolerance can still exist whilst stating preferences.

Read the constitution first and you'll know.
Olaf   
19 Oct 2011
News / The cross in Polish parliament - Does it bother you? [100]

no, the presence of the other symbols is as senseless as it would be to place other flags up there as well. Poles are Poles and Poles are majority catholic, why insist otherwise

So maybe it will be better if there are no symbols at all? Since it is a public space and in Sejm then according to Polish constitution act Poland is not a religious country so cross removed - problem solved. No one is favourised and cross will stop being traded or used as a tool to gain more publicity or again divide people ofer such a stupid thing as two pieces of wood.

Majority doesn`t mean 100%.

Exactly.

The cross is symbolic here so it's in the right place.

Can't agree with you on this one. The right place of all religious symbols is in places of cult. Once they are taken out of those places it causes division, quarrels and sick debates. Polish parliament is not supposed to have religious symbols because it should work accordingly to Polish constitution which says clearly that no religion is to be favourised in Poland. Also, this cross was hung at night, in secrecy by a bunch of religious radical MPs. How does this stand for objectivity and fairness, not to mention common sense and tolerance?
Olaf   
11 Oct 2011
Travel / Tips and advice on CAR HIRE IN KRAKOW AREA [10]

Hi!.
I can recommend Avis (got a discount customer number there).
There are other ones, but it matters if you will rent for longer period or a few cars for e.g. 2-5 days each...
Olaf   
5 Oct 2011
News / Do Poles take Kaczynski seriously!? [199]

has nothing to do with Kaczynski, or does it?

True. Politicians are associated more with vaseline than sugar.
But sugar issues seemed more interesting. Sorry for expanding off-topic.