HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: swaim@owlnet.rice.edu (Michael Parks Swaim)
Subject: Re: God's math accuracy was The meaning of "pagan"
Organization: Rice University
Date: Sun, 10 Jan 1993 17:44:21 GMT

In article <fXL2rYH@quack.sac.ca.us> pharvey@quack.sac.ca.us (Paul Harvey) writes:
>In article <C0LzMu.Ju3@rice.edu> 
>swaim@owlnet.rice.edu (Michael Parks Swaim) writes:
>>  OK. I'll bite. How many digits of accuracy would make you happy?
>
> As such
>this issue of the accuracy of JHVH-1 does not concern me though I would
>imagine that the IEEE could provide such information particularly in
>regards to single chip double precision floating point units. I would
>certainly hope that a God could exceed the precision of an Intel 387 for
>instance, and I mean that in the kindest way.
  So you want God to give dimensions precise to 7 digits to bronze age
nomads, and expect them to deliver? That would be malicious. (I don't
think modern architectural designs are given with that sort of precision.)

>>(For that matter, if the dimensions given are so bad given the accuracy
>>of the tools they had, how did it get built?)
>
>Free Masons, of course. ::B^}
Back in the good old days whan being a Freemason actually meant something.
(How many freemasons can carve a block today? Bloody few, if you ask me.)



-- 
Mike Swaim            | "101 Dalmations? Yeah I saw that."
swaim@owlnet.rice.edu | "You Did! REALLY? The same film?
Disclamer: I lie      | Let's stop driving! We must get out and jump
up and down and up and down and dance around and around!" Matt and Delerium
From: alizard@tweekco.uucp (A.Lizard)
Newsgroups: alt.pagan
Subject: Re: something irritating in Ms. Magazine
Date: Sun, 10 Jan 93 23:54:07 PST
Organization: Tweek-Com Systems BBS, Moraga, CA (510) 631-0615

cortese@skid.ps.uci.edu (Janis Maria Cortese) writes:

> The problem?  On the front cover of the magazine is a painting meant to
> go with the story about cult ritual abuse; it is a child menaced by
> abstract demons and surrounded by "weird" symbols obviously meant to
> connote satanic stuff, since the article focuses on a very perverse cult
> that calls itself satanic.  Featured six times among these symbols of
> menace is the pentacle, a symbol of life, rebirth, and creativity, as
> well as connection to the natural universe.
> 
> Blessings,
> Janis 

I lost interest in Ms. after hearing about a story where the closing
of a gay/lesbian bookstore in Canada due to their carrying a magazine
(On Our Backs, I think) considered "pornographic" was hailed as a
feminist victory. 

I suspect that the proper thing to do with Ms. Magazine is to ignore
its existence.

Blessings...
A.Lizard

-------------------------------------------------------------------
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PGP2.0 public key available on request.
From: domir@brewich.hou.tx.us (Chris Stephens)
Newsgroups: alt.pagan
Subject: TAMU pagans
Date: Sun, 03 Jan 93 23:56:54 CST
Organization: The Brewers' Witch BBS, +1 713 272 7350, Brewich.Hou.TX.US

Merry meet all.
  I'm looking for other pagans at Texas A&M and the surrounding
area (or anywhere else for that matter. I do love e-mail :)
If your out there please email me at css0370@zeus.tamu.edu or
chris@visage.tamu.edu 

Blessed Be,
  Domir

------------------
domir@brewich.hou.tx.us (Chris Stephens)
Origin: The Brewers' Witch BBS -- Houston, TX -- +1 713 272 7350
From: alizard@tweekco.uucp (A.Lizard)
Newsgroups: alt.pagan
Subject: Re: Space, the final frontier
Date: Tue, 05 Jan 93 23:40:56 PST
Organization: Tweek-Com Systems BBS, Moraga, CA (510) 631-0615

markbr%radian@natinst.com (markbr) writes:
> On a related subject, I suspect there's a good chance several of you may have
> missed a post I made late last month; certainly, I've seen neither reference
> nor reaction to it. I will, therefore, restate it.
>
> What *is* the purpose of the argument? Is it:
>       a) to convince the doubters that space is the answer to everything?
>               (and I *still* haven't seen anyone claim this); or
>       b) to convince some of us that have wanted space our entire lives
>               to completely forget our dreams, that it's all fulla shit,
>               and to wait until everything down here is perfect
>               (i.e., forever)?
>
> Well?
>
>       mark

Well, I started the argument because I wasn't pleased with the gloom
and despair that was spreading through the newsgroup due to the
presentation in the post of Janis Maria Cortese (can't recall the
title) that said essentially, that eco-disaster is inevitable.
Especially since it is no more than extremely probable at this
point.

There are quite a few pieces to the puzzle of how we can not only
keep a technological civilization going, but how to bring its benefits
to all living on this planet, particularly the Third World, not restrict
them to a shrinking privileged minority as most of the straight
conservation scenarios seek to do. (it's implicit... and elitist)
Space industry is the only way to bring the planetary standard of
living up AS A WHOLE consistent with avoiding a stampede towards
resource exhaustion. The other scenarios described here, without
a method of gathering new resources, mean an increasing
population chasing fewer and fewer resources.

Note that even through the worst of the flamewar that resulted, that
we were arguing about potential solutions to the problem, not succumbing
to gloom and despair. (though I've seen an amazing emotional attachment
to the "we've had it" scenario...)

That's where I'm coming from on this, the b. position statement may
fit some of those who are philosophically opposed to space industry.

Hopefully, if a positive consensus is built up on this subject, we can let
our President know how we feel about the urgency of
industrializing space via the new Internet addresses which will
open up shortly after Clinton takes office... remember that there
are about 30,000 of us on this newsgroup. (last arbitron
post)


Bright Blessings...
A.Lizard

-------------------------------------------------------------------
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[path]!pacbell.COM!boo!tweekco!alizard (bang path for above)
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PGP2.0 public key available on request.
From: Edge of Insanity c/o Abyss of ignorance (Lisa  Ann)
Newsgroups: alt.pagan
Subject: Why Black Hilt?
Followup-To: alt.pagan
Date: 9 Jan 1993 05:41:26 GMT
Organization: Chaotic Goods
Distribution: world
NNTP-Posting-Host: cemmac03.cem.msu.edu


     Does anyone know the significance of a black hilt on an athame? Most
of the books I've read say the hilt should be black. A few say white or
white for certain uses, i.e. harvesting herbs. 
     It is illeagal to buy or sell a double edged knife in my state. For
lack of a better source, I ordered one from a hunting catalog. It has a
beautiful rosewood handle. I think it would be a shame to cover it with
stain or paint. Since rosewood is a beautiful creation of nature, I thought
it would be quite in keeping with the spirit of it's intended use. Unless
of course there's a very important reason behind the black handle. Any
input would be deeply appreciated!

     Blessings, Lisa Ann, or she who is perpetually lost.

********************************************************************************
     I'm not sure where I'm going, but that's o.k. Half the fun is getting
there! -me.   Nevermind the map. I'd never get the damn thing folded back
up anyway. -me again.   And let's hear it for people who make up sigs. at
3:30 a.m. May they still respect themselves in the morning. _anon.
********************************************************************************
Newsgroups: alt.pagan
From: swaim@owlnet.rice.edu (Michael Parks Swaim)
Subject: Re: Why the Cross?
Organization: Rice University
Date: Mon, 4 Jan 1993 07:42:03 GMT

In article <1hp5e0INNg2t@unidui.uni-duisburg.de> hz225wu@unidui.UUCP (Micaela "Stayka" Pantke) writes:
>During Xmas time something strange occured to me: I saw a Cross.
>Well, that might not be too strange considering the fact that it's
>one of the Holy Symbols of Xianity - but this time I wondered - 
>why in Zandru's Hells do they WORSHIP it? 
  According to what I was taught, the empty cross is a symbol of Jesus'
resurrection. The Crucifix (with Jesus still on it) symbolizes the suffering
he endured for us.



-- 
Mike Swaim            | "101 Dalmations? Yeah I saw that."
swaim@owlnet.rice.edu | "You Did! REALLY? The same film?
Disclamer: I lie      | Let's stop driving! We must get out and jump
up and down and up and down and dance around and around!" Matt and Delerium
From: bwhite@oucsace.cs.ohiou.edu (William E. White )
Newsgroups: alt.pagan
Subject: Is a linear railgun configuration necessary? (was Re: Space ...)
Date: 12 Jan 93 21:47:14 GMT
Organization: Ohio University, Computer Science Department

In article <1993Jan12.011039.10253@oucsace.cs.ohiou.edu> tratclif@oucsace.cs.ohiou.edu (Tracy Ratcliff) writes:
>There's been a lot of arguing over the length of a rail gun (see References:
>line) at a 'reasonable' acceleration.  I just read on sci.space that a _gas_
>gun designed to loft a package (I believe) into a suborbital trajectory is 
>designed for an acceleration of _1 million_ g's.  I can't remember the 
>formula for length (that B.S. in physics wasn't worth much was it??) but it 
>must be under 100 meters.

Actually I just had another thought.  Is it really necessary to use a
linear configuration for a railgun or coilgun?  Why not make a big circle
with a straight piece coming off (like the Greek letter "rho")?  It would
certainly take a lot more power, but if fairly large the extra force
due to continuous acceleration wouldn't be that much.  As for switching
off to the straight piece, that's another problem, but one that may be
solvable more easily than building a ten-mile stretch of coilgun/railgun.
Anyone care to do the calculations for, say, a 1km diameter circle,
assuming 1000m/s^2 acceleration?



-- 
|  Bill White   +1-614-594-3434     | bwhite@oucsace.cs.ohiou.edu             |
|  31 Curran Dr., Athens OH  45701  | bwhite@bigbird.cs.ohiou.edu (alternate) |
|  SCA: Erasmus Marwick, Dernehealde Pursuivant, Dernehealde, Middle Kingdom  |
Xref: sparky alt.pagan:15197 talk.religion.misc:25746
From: ses2@po.CWRU.Edu (S. E. Stansfield)
Newsgroups: alt.pagan,talk.religion.misc
Subject: Re: The meaning of "pagan"
Date: 10 Jan 1993 19:02:17 GMT
Organization: Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH (USA)
Reply-To: ses2@po.CWRU.Edu (S. E. Stansfield)
NNTP-Posting-Host: slc5.ins.cwru.edu


In a previous article, weaver@kuttner.sfc.sony.com (Eric Weaver) says:
>In article <1ii275INN5b0@usenet.INS.CWRU.Edu>, ses2@po.CWRU.Edu (S. E. Stansfield) writes:
>|> 
>|> In a previous article, drake+@cs.cmu.edu (Drake) says:
>|> >
>|> >I know this because God has promised this in his Holy Scriptures, and
>|> >God cannot lie.
>|> 
>|> If this is true, then how come his book says that pi = 3.0?
>|> >
>
>Aw, c'mon, it's within 5%...
>;-}

THe thing is that the Greeks, at that time knew it to less than 1%, it is
known that they used 22/7.

-- 
When subtlety fails us we must make do with cream pies.
                                                    --David Brin

Newsgroups: alt.pagan
From: pciszek@nyx.cs.du.edu (Paul Ciszek)
Subject: Re: Religious Taxation
Organization: University of Denver, Dept. of Math & Comp. Sci.
Date: Sat, 9 Jan 93 16:51:20 GMT

alizard@tweekco.uucp (A.Lizard) writes:

>In my opinion, religious organizations should be taxed on the IDENTICAL
>basis as any other non-profit organization; that religious non-profits
>(as in churches) should pay the same taxes, receive the same exemptions,
>and pay for government services in general what any other non-profit
>for, say, charitable purposes or promoting stamp collection does.

Could someone please explain the difference between "churches" and "non-
profit organizations" in tax laws?  Also, am I correct in assuming that a
profitable business owned by a church (i.e., PepsiCo and the LDS) must pay
its taxes as a business, before turning the profit over to the church?


Paul Ciszek                      When we are planning for posterity, we
                                 ought to remember that virtue is not
pciszek@nyx.cs.du.edu            hereditary.     --Thomas Paine
Newsgroups: alt.pagan
From:  (Michael Snider)
Subject: Rebirth (was Re: Documented Evidence)
Followup-To: alt.pagan
Organization: BNR
Date: Mon, 11 Jan 1993 19:30:55 GMT

In article <1isbnaINN6dv@cat.cis.Brown.EDU>, SL500000@brownvm.brown.edu
(Robert Mathiesen) wrote:
> 
> In article <1ikv5kINNflt@shelley.u.washington.edu>,
> mimir@hardy.u.washington.edu (Al Billings) said:
> 

descrition of initiation rituals from Rhylls and Crowther deleted--

This is almost exactly what the Living Theatree used for _Dionysos in 69_.
It seems to be a widespread scheme of theatrical imagery which needs no
particular source and so can't be used much as evidence either way--
that is, it is so common that one could pick it up almost anywhere, and 
it is so common that it obviously has great impact on the imagination
and emotions, so it may very well be something invented in ancient times
and reinvented many, many times.

> 
> (Robert Mathiesen, Brown University, SL500000@BROWNVM)

***** Michael Snider ********** alas, no email, so reply by post ******

Talk of fame, honor, pleasure, wealth, all are dirt compared with
affection.
                                                   Charles Darwin
Critics quarrel with other critics. With an artist, no sane man quarrels.  

                                                   George Santayana
From: mimir@hardy.u.washington.edu (Al Billings)
Newsgroups: alt.pagan
Subject: Re: Ritualistic questions
Date: 8 Jan 1993 01:23:34 GMT
Organization: The Friends of Loki Society
NNTP-Posting-Host: hardy.u.washington.edu

In article <1iiadjINNa28@leela.CS.ORST.EDU> casspa@atlantis.CS.ORST.EDU (Paul Cass) writes:
>I am currently reading "Year of Moons, Season of Trees" by Pattalee 
>Glass-Koentop and I have run into a bit of a block.  Is there anyone
>on alt.pagan who is willing to go into a little depth on the subject
>of the Ogham Tree Calendar?  The further I read the more obscure the
>subject seems to become.

 I don't know much about the book or the subject but I have it on good
authority that that book is pap and has no basis in history other than in
Graves' White Goddess (which springs from his own inspiration). In other
words, it isn't historical and doesn't have much to do with the Celts.

Wassail,
Grendel Grettisson
From: cortese@skid.ps.uci.edu (Janis Maria Cortese)
Subject: Re: Herbs for torn tendon?
Newsgroups: alt.pagan
Organization: University of California, Irvine
Date: 7 Jan 93 22:17:52 GMT

In article <C0I61u.Co1@news.cso.uiuc.edu> jad44314@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu (Janet A Dornhoff) writes:
>A few weeks ago, I tore the tendon in my right bicep.  I saw the doc,
>and he gave me an anti-imflammatory; the arm has improved, but it still
>has a few twinges.  I know it's healing, but I'm wondering if anyone
>can suggest an herbal remedy now that I'm out of the pills.  Anything
>better than, or in addition to, aspirin?
>
>[Remember, whenever posting about an herbal remedy, include what the
>safe dosage/method of application is, and any side effects you've
>heard of from that herb.  Herbs are drugs - know what you're doing or
>don't do it!]

One of the best anti-inflammatories around is plain old aspirin; that's
why people with arthritis take it.  Take care not to OD, but I don't
think you'll have to worry.  It's almost impossible to OD on aspirin.
If while taking it, you get tinnitis (ringing in your ears) reduce
dosage and drink lots of fluids to clean yourself out IMMEDIATELY.

If you want to stick with herbals, try willow bark.  From what I've
heard, it's just aspirin before the bottles.

Blessings,
Janis
From: cortese@skid.ps.uci.edu (Janis Maria Cortese)
Subject: Re: Question/symbol
Newsgroups: alt.pagan
Organization: University of California, Irvine
Date: 5 Jan 93 00:29:47 GMT

In article <1347@abb-sc.abb-sc.COM> ksm@abb-sc.abb-sc.com (Ashley) writes:

[deleted]

>	Well, my friends who wear them or have them on the car may or may not 
>be lesbians (some is, some ain't!), but it seems to be widly recognized as 
>the symbol for an Amazon around here. I have confirmed one of my friends as 
>an Amazon and this is the symbol she wears. Some others wear boleens, but 
>the labrys seems to be the most common. 
>
>	Obvious next question: What is an Amazon? To those I know and myself, 
>an Amazon is a very great warrior woman. It is a status earned or born to, 
>depending on the person. Many women are warriors, but to be confirmed as an 
>Amazon is a *great* honor and anyone who bears that title is worthy of *very* 
>deep respect.

I've always held inmy mind the image of an Amazon as being a woman who
says, "This is what I am, and it's not changing to suit anyone else but
me.  If you don't like it, look the other way."  Someone who knows what
she is and will defend her self to the death, someone who won't hide any
portion of her self, of alter it to "fit in."

Just a thort.

Blessings,
Janis
From: alizard@tweekco.uucp (A.Lizard)
Newsgroups: alt.pagan
Subject: Re: Space, the Final Frontier
Date: Sat, 09 Jan 93 00:36:45 PST
Organization: Tweek-Com Systems BBS, Moraga, CA (510) 631-0615

I'd like to see the information content of this thread go up. I'd
likely to encourage all of us professionally involved with NASA
and other research types, especially those who are informed about
the rail gun / coil gun / laser (beam power) launch technologies,
beamed power, power satellites, or who know these people, to get
them onto this newsgroup and get them to express their opinions
on this.
Blessings...
A.Lizard

-------------------------------------------------------------------
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From: uni@acs.bu.edu (Shaen Bernhardt)
Newsgroups: alt.pagan
Subject: Green Egg
Date: 13 Jan 93 00:41:38 GMT
Organization: Boston University, Boston, MA, USA


I tried posting this before, but it doesn't seem to have worked.

Can anyone give me the subscriptions address for Green Egg,
and the subscriptions price for that matter.



thanks in advance
uni
-- 
uni@acs.bu.edu  ->  Public Keys by finger and/or request
Highly secure autoencrypted anonymous mail to: anon.83@pax.tpa.com.au
Soverignty is the sign of a brutal past.
Newsgroups: alt.pagan
From: mpdillon@halcyon.com (Michael Dillon)
Subject: Re: Help with Songs...
Organization: The 23:00 News and Mail Service +1 206 382 MAIL (382-6245)
X-Newsreader: TIN [version 1.1 PL8]
Date: Mon, 11 Jan 1993 07:29:37 GMT


: I don't have any way to teach you melodies, but here are the chants that
: we jokingly call the Pagan Top Ten in Seattle:

May I suggest that you get somebody with a PC-compatible to transcribe
the melodies using the PLAY statement built into GW-Basic (QBASIC) which
is included with every copy of MS-DOS.  These PLAY statements
could be posted for anyone (or a computer literate friend) to load
into GW-Basic (or QBASIC) and play back to hear the melody.

The Play statements look something like :
         PLAY "CDECCDEC"
with a few other symbols for rests, octave changes, etc...

It ain't art but it is good enough to teach someone the melody of a song
or a chant.


-- 
Michael Dillon                 Internet: mpdillon@halcyon.halcyon.com
C-4 Powerhouse                  Fidonet: 1:353/350
RR #2 Armstrong, BC  V0E 1B0      Voice: +1-604-546-8022
Canada                              BBS: +1-604-546-2705
From: alizard@tweekco.uucp (A.Lizard)
Newsgroups: alt.pagan
Subject: Re: Religious Taxation
Date: Sat, 09 Jan 93 00:11:07 PST
Organization: Tweek-Com Systems BBS, Moraga, CA (510) 631-0615

In my opinion, religious organizations should be taxed on the IDENTICAL
basis as any other non-profit organization; that religious non-profits
(as in churches) should pay the same taxes, receive the same exemptions,
and pay for government services in general what any other non-profit
for, say, charitable purposes or promoting stamp collection does.

If applied to all religions across the board, it would be fair and
would not promote the establishment or disestablishment of any specific
religion. Of course, it WOULD cost the 700 Club far more than it would
a typical pagan congregation, but that's their problem, not mine, a
group that wants to pay less taxes can form smaller churches.
Blessings...
A.Lizard

-------------------------------------------------------------------
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PGP2.0 public key available on request.
Newsgroups: alt.pagan
From: ba@mrcnext.cso.uiuc.edu (B.A. Davis-Howe)
Subject: Re: Documented Evidence
Organization: University of Illinois at Urbana
Date: Tue, 5 Jan 1993 04:01:03 GMT

cortese@skid.ps.uci.edu (Janis Maria Cortese) writes:

>In article <1993Jan4.020504.1435@mnemosyne.cs.du.edu> pciszek@nyx.cs.du.edu (Paul Ciszek) writes:
>>I think the question being asked here, and I would also like to see it
>>answered, is if there is any evidence of Wicca existing before Gardner.
>>Family traditions are a separate issue, unless these traditions appear
>>to be related to Wicca.

>Are we also talking about religions with similar traditions and beliefs
>or something called Wicca(tm)?  Certainly, belief systems that use a
>triune Goddess with an annually dying consort are legion, as are
>religions that mark the solar and lunar points of the year with rituals
>and revere natural elements.  Must it be called Wicca?

Janis, my love,
We are trying to address GBG's claims that he inherited an ancient tradition.
An example of a continuous pagan religion in Britain, which is similar enough
to Wicca to be a parent or cousin religion, but is not obviously someone
copying directly from GBG's BoS, would be sufficient to make us seriously
reconsider his claim.  As it stands, several of us are unwilling to accept any
such claim, since there is no evidence of *any* continuous pagan religious 
tradition in Britain that any of us have seen.

Enjoy the journey!
                      --Br'anArthur
                                      Queer, Peculiar, and Wyrd! :-)

******************************************************************************
"We are secretly replacing the fine quartz crystals this medicine pouch maker
usually uses with Folgers crystals.  Let's see what happens...."
                                      --DACCrowell
Newsgroups: alt.pagan
From: kditto@nyx.cs.du.edu (Kimborly Ditto)
Subject: In need of phone number, and Runes...
Organization: Nyx, Public Access Unix @ U. of Denver Math/CS dept.
Date: Tue, 5 Jan 93 22:45:44 GMT


Hi there!

I am in need of the phone number for The Brewer's Witch ( I think that's
the name), OR, if Donal will will allow ( I have an account there, but
haven't called in for a while), could someone please send me the file on
brewing mead??  My SO wants to try his hand at brewing, and since I can't
drink beer, I'm trying to convince him to try mead as well - I just need
some of the info to do the convincing with.  I don't know if this is a
proper question to ask, so if it isn't, please excuse.

Also, Janis - 40-50$ sounds about right for the runes, and I would buy a
set ( the nice ones made out of the branch:)).  That's the apporx. price I
have seen them at in the local Ren. festivals.

Thank you very much for any information proferred.

Blesings!
--Kim

Newsgroups: alt.pagan,talk.religion.misc