Calvin and Hobbes by Bill Watterson for June 22, 2011

Hobbes can look so sweet and innocent, anyone would be taken in. That’s why he is so successful as the gotcha man.

This all boils down to the question of whether we have free will or not. As much as I believe we obviously have it, the debate certainly isn’t over, and each side has convincing arguments. Once you consider that Mom and Dad really have the final say, free will looks a little less likely. :)

Now, there’s a topic for endless discussion. Calvin sometimes wonders about predestination (as did an older, less-entertaining Calvin — a theologian — before him….). But is the younger Calvin equating astrology with predestination today?

Is astrology a religion? Is it a substitute for religion? Is it a cult? Is it a pseudoscience? Does it involve predestination or just signs of things to come? Some people practice astrology in addition to a particular religion — how do they reconcile the two? When it comes to questions about astrology, I guess the sky’s the limit.

The main advantage of starting a discussion is that one gets to ask the questions, rather than having to try to come up with the answers.

When seeking answers, it’s best to begin by researching what some authoritative sources have to say on the subject:

Peanuts (1969)

Dilbert (1990)

“I don’t believe in astrology; I’m a Sagittarius and we’re skeptical.” —Arthur C. Clarke

“Who needs astrology? The wise man gets by on fortune cookies.” —Edward Abbey

Our destinies are determined by many things and circumstances, many of which we can’t control. The stars are not one of those things.

Destiny….Destiny….No escaping destiny!

Good Morning, Marg, Mike & ♠Lonewolf♠

We can do, whatever we want, but if it is good for us? We must take the decision!

@Dogsniff: I just have to add to your ‘stars’ list …

Lindsay Lohan and Amy Winehouse.

LOL Grog… I think Frau Blücher would agree

Good morning Marg!Good morning Fran!Good Morning L’Wolf!Good Morning Grog!

Destiny is found in the genes, or for the rich, the jeans.

We all have free will and we make our destiny by which road we decide to travel on.

Yogi Berra: “If there’s a fork in the road, take it!”

Good Morning Hobbes Props for the Ed Abbey quote. I think the answer to “the question” was best posited by the erudite philosopher, Forrest Gump: “I think it’s both.”

…Dogbert: “Thank you for shattering my comfortable ‘misconception’.”Dilbert: “It’s the miracle of science.”

That’s a ‘pregnant’ observation, …or is it?

science 1a. The observation, identification, description, experimental investigation, and theoretical explanation of phenomena.

I’ve always wondered that.

@Dogsniff: “Nice going, you’ve released the Kracken”. Very funny. Unfortunately true.

Always a catch, isn’t there Calvin?

@witewater,Forest Gump was more erudite with his comment than Ed Abbey was in the following quote:“Belief in the supernatural reflects a failure of the imagination.”Actually, belief in the supernatural doesn’t require imagination. The fact of creation proclaims the supernatural.“For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Romans 1:20

Lucy: “Poets tell us that the answers to life are found in the stars…” “Stupid poets” There’s no ‘rhyme’ or reason to that comment.

Since we’re quoting erudite philosophers, how about George Michael, “’cause you gotta have faith faith faith, you gotta have faith.”

@Linda Arney,You’ve been secluded in the shadows for some considerable time. Have you been on sabbatical? Welcome back!“Now faith is the substance of things for which we hope, the evidence of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1

@ Puddleglum2 I am a great fan of Abbey and the quote you attribute to him certainly sounds like something he’d put to paper. Heck, His books can be mined for trouble making quotes from now until the cows come home. I thin that lots of times, he’d say things just to get a rise out of folks – not necessarily because he believed them. With respect to this cartoon, I bet he’d align closer to Hobbes….

Gosh, Mom and Dad……………..they always spoil all the fun!

The fault, dear Brutus, lies in ourselves, not in our stars…

In the stress of becoming wrapped up in the world and it’s challenges, some parents lose their imagination and settle for what comes their way.

I like the more philosophical strips. My favorite is the one in which Calvin asks Hobbes if he thinks babies are born sinful and Hobbes’ reply is, “No I think they’re just quick studies.”

I clicked on Calvin and Hobbes, there were 0 comments. I thought "what in the world . " Then I realized I had clicked on the Spanish strip! LOL!

“It is better to know some of the questions than all of the answers.” —James Thurber

Don’t believe in destiny, just go with the wind! Fate will decide.

Your right Calvin not much use getting all that knowledge from stars you still have to clear it with Mom and Dad.

Don’t look to the stars, look to the Maker of the stars.

I’m with Hobbes above: we don’t really get to write or accept the Social Contract. We get born into one, and largely have to accept it. .One character once said (in a novel where a few men and women had a lot more say in what the world was like): A few men have the ability to shape society, to determine what is right and wrong. Most men, however, are not that powerful. They can only accept what is given them..And yet, within the bounds of what we have been given, it is up to each man and woman to determine what his (her) life will produce. We can do whatever we want with our lives—but only if our tyrannical parents have brought us up well enough to be truly free to choose for ourselves.

@ RinaFarina: I think there are a couple of ways to do the smiley faces, etc.1. Hold the Alt key and use a number. This means you need a list of the results: Alt-1 is ☺ Alt-2 is ☻ and so on.2. Usually it works to prepare your comment in a word-processor and then copy them here. THat way you can see what you want more easily. Sometimes, though, the results are not transferable.

Puddleglum, et.al. – I was reminded of the Scripture: “…the mind of man has many plans, but the Lord directs his steps..”

How old is Calvin?

xxx

RinaFarina: I left a message for you on yesterday’s messageboard regarding your “character” question. Hope it’s of help to you.

So you both Romantic really …I LOVE YOU C&H

@khpage,Yes, Thomas a Kempis said it succinctly, “Man proposes; God disposes.”“The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord.” – Proverbs 16:33

lol really funny

my picture is scary black