According to British news source, Simon White appears to be one of the most obsessive and prolific collectors of Doctor Who memorabilia around — but no more, because he's "seen the light" and given up his fannish ways in favor of... well, he hasn't given them up, he's just redirecting them from Doctor Who to Jesus. He's selling off his life-sized model of the TARDIS, but will he now create a life-sized model of the crucifixion? Will the sale of thousands of items of Doctor Who kitsch go towards funding the purchase of thousands of items of Christian kitsch?
Over the years he has amassed a huge collection of Doctor Who merchandise and memorabilia, much to his long-suffering wife Jacqui's consternation. ...
Since discovering Christianity, Simon is teetotal and no longer feels compelled to collect every item of Doctor Who merchandise around. As a result, one of the most impressive hoards of memorabilia in the South West is currently up for sale.
Source: BBC
I don't think I've read any reports about his wife's reaction to this change. If Jacqui White was annoyed by the obsession Doctor Who, will she be more accepting that Christianity and Jesus are taking the Doctor's place? Even if she is Christian herself, she won't necessarily be happy with Simon being obsessive about the whole thing.
It needs to be emphasized that Simon White isn't merely saying that "Jesus would be a better way to spend my time than Doctor Who." Instead, he's going a step further and saying that Doctor Who is evil:
Dr Who and his materialistic obsession with it represents the "greatest lie that Satan ever told" according to Mr White. ...Having discovered Christianity Mr Smith has renounced his old life and is putting the whole collection up for sale in local trade magazines and on eBay. He said: "God delivered me from the evil that is Dr Who, materialism and alcoholism.
"Through my relationship with Jesus I saw that none of this was making me happy and I was born again like Lazarus. It's a timely tale as we come up to Easter. I wanted to tell others that no matter what trouble you are in God can deliver you from the evil. If you are prepared to have a relationship with him then God can help. I have been resurrected. My old life is dead, my new life is alive."
Source: Wiltshire Times [emphasis added]
If Simon White has been delivered from the evil of materialism, why he is selling all his Doctor Who memorabilia on eBay? Taking money for all that stuff is materialistic, too. If he really didn't want to be materialistic, he'd donate it all to a charity so they could sell it and thereby raise money to feed the poor or something equally laudable — and it may be better for them to do it because a designated "charity auction" might raise more than private eBay selling.
Frankly, I don't think that there is any real contest between the two: Doctor Who beats Jesus every day of the week and twice on Sundays. The now-ended webcomic Home on the Strange made this abundantly clear in a comic published almost one year ago: Who is Your Savior?
Doctor Who saved the earth from destruction by the Cybermen — and more than once! We also know that Doctor Who will save us from the Dalek invasion in 2164. Sure, it hasn't happened yet, but time travel is more plausible than Jesus coming from heaven. If you're going to have a savior, why not one with a flying, time-traveling police box? Sure, Jesus came back from the dead, but Doctor Who's resurrected nine times so far.
Come back to talk to me after Jesus rises from the dead eight more times.
I think i would rather be a drunken evil worshiper than a Christian. I guess your life has to really be in a mess before you can accept that crap.
This is probably because the new series just isn’t that good.
Austin mentioned If Simon White has been delivered from the evil of materialism, why he is selling all his Doctor Who memorabilia on eBay? Taking money for all that stuff is materialistic, too. If he really didn’t want to be materialistic, he’d donate it all to a charity so they could sell it and thereby raise money to feed the poor or something equally laudable — and it may be better for them to do it because a designated “charity auction” might raise more than private eBay selling.
But what I wonder is, if Dr. Who is evil. Then by selling the items, doesn’t that just spread the evil. If the concern was to really get rid of the evil, isn’t it better to destory it???
Give me a break! The worst episode of Dr. Who was ten times better than the best Bible story.
This is funnier than the thread on stardestroyer.net about Superman and Optomious Prime as saviors! Fiction is full of individuals like that- heck, even the Shadow of Holmes fits in good.
Give me a break! The worst episode of Dr. Who was ten times better than the best Bible story.
Of the old series certainly, the new series not so much. Of course no one has killed anyone over doctor who, sadly the same cannot be said about the Bible.
If Doctor Who is wrong, then I don’t ever want to be right. It’s a shame I didn’t hear about this sale sooner. *sigh*
I have not laughed so much since captain Mainwering’s brother called him Po face.But let us look at the evidence-are you as smart as you think?Did you do your research?Perhaps contact Benjamin Parkes the wiltshire times reporter to see what I said or what he said?Did you read my statement on the wiltshire times website?No,guilty on both counts.
It is so funny to see aetheists believing 100% in the word of Man & putting their faith in it & taking action as a result,when they are so skeptical of the Word of God.
So sad that they, like the chinese & burmese government are so insecure & frightened that to feel good about themselves they have to attack others??
Perhaps if Austin Cline dedicated his energy,time,money & website into something worthwhile the world would be a better place even without God.No but you & your “followers” prefer to sit on your bums & rubbish people,God,etc.
Speculation without the facts is for sad people & is as pointless as athesism.I really liked your sound conclusion,that convinced me that you were more mad than me!Your followers are more upset because they think I said dr who is evil-well that is a lie.
I do not think your have the right to lecture me on feeding the poor-how many children do you sponser?How much do you give to charity each month? Oh,I get it aethists are absolved of all resposibility to their fellowmen,that is the job of christians?
I am a qualified Psychiatric nurse-what are you qualification for discussing the mental health of people you no nothing about?
I see you have been running since 1998 after I became a christian in 1994 but I am not running a website for Jesus,so who is the obsessive here?& ee is insane like others who call for me to burn it,when the money can be used for good?There are so many holes in your logic I am overwhelmed.
Spending money on rubbish like that while people are starving is evil,how that translates to being evil selling it is the arguement of a fool.I equate that to your calling yourself an aetheist…your are defined by God & your antagonism to him,surely you should call youselves materialist..believing only in matter.If you represent progress for mankind,then we are lost.
Finally I am not addicted to God but I understand it makes you feel comfortable to “Believe” & have “Faith” in that.I know where the evidence of lies & truth are & we will see if you print this or not,if you have any character or integrity or prefer anonymous character assasignation in espace???
Yours Sincerely,Simon White.
Ps-I am looking for a candidate for my full size crucifix & am writing a short list as I type.
Yes. Are you suggesting the words attributed to you are not really your own?
It’s so funny to see religious believers attribute falsehoods to atheists and then pretend to criticize atheism on the basis of that.
I would say that encouraging critical thinking and skepticism is worthwhile. I can understand if you don’t, however.
Well, “speculation without the facts” sounds an awful lot like most religions.
I haven’t lectured anyone, I’ve simply raised some questions which I think are worth pondering. I notice you don’t actually address the issues raised and instead substitute personal attacks. That is often a sure sign that the questions asked hit a little too close to home.
I haven’t discussed your mental health. But, since you raise the issue, how has that been for you?
Writing articles on a subject isn’t obsession, it’s simply communication.
As difficult to understand as your comment generally is, this is completely incoherent. Spending money on what?
I am not defined by antagonism to anyone. You misunderstand and misdefine atheism, though I’m not sure you care.
I haven’t engaged in any character assassination, anonymous or not. First, you might want to look up the word “anonymous” and then notice that my name is here. Second, questioning and critiquing actions which you have seen fit to publicize or encourage the publicizing of is not “character assassination.” If you are going to put your ideas and actions out in the public for all to see, you can’t insist that people who disagree just keep quiet. If disagreement and criticism bother you, then keep your ideas and actions more private.
Dear Austin,
Thank you so much for printing my response,I was surprised you printed as some other dr who blogs failed to do that.I would have put more detail in but assumed it would be a waste of time.I do conceed you have integrity & that is refreshing,as you say any exchange of ideas is a good thing.
First things first..character assasination as described by the Oxford English Dictionary is the “malicious destruction of a persons reputation”.
Lets examine your first paragraph in the light of this & we find your mental health qualifications enable you to speak with great authority on:Addiction,Obsession with the sole pupose of descrediting me as a credible witness for Jesus Christ.Perhaps you missed your calling as an expert witness in court?You are correct to point out my error that you are man enough to own you comments.Please forgive me for that,I did have in my mind at the time all the cowards who could not even put their name to acid comments.Disagreement & criticism do not bother me,what did concern me was the 9th commandment “Thou shalt not bear false witness”.
Let me explain.I see you expect me to accept a simple “yes” to my question “Did you do your research?” when you are obviously a Liar.You cannot escape the falsehood allegation as Benjamin Parkes the Wiltshire times reporter made up what he passed off as in ” ” inverted commas….What Mr White said.That is the truth & anyone can phone him & find out.They were so cavalier in the reporting that you can see in your chosen text that they call me Mr white then Mr Smith.
The next bit is important…I had a telephone conversation with him & he has paraphrased what I said mixing in with it what spin chose.The dr who is evil is his idea & nothing to do with me.So I suggest if you need to burn a Heretic go knock on his door?
Thus the centre piece of youyr argument loks extremely stupid now….
“It needs to be emphasized that Simon White isn’t merely saying that “Jesus would be a better way to spend my time than Doctor Who.” Instead, he’s going a step further and saying that Doctor Who is evil: “.
This then collapses your next arguement & then comments:one through to seven.All the sad dr who fans who ranted on & on about me saying dr who is evil got upset about a lie printed in the local press which was reused from site to site to sight & now the atheists have recycled it again,so my friend the JOKE is on you & the dr who fans.All credit to Benjamin he new how to write a good story,he should work for Gorden Brown?
What is the truth?To your first point I can say 100% NON of the words attributted to me are my own.The only words my own were the BBC radio Wiltshire interview & what I said on HTV news.Everything else was aspects of what I said RECONSTITUTED by creative writers.
So”It’s so funny to see religious believers attribute falsehoods to atheists and then pretend to criticize atheism on the basis of that”
Sadly for you I was not pretending & I knew you could not resist disecting my comment.I just love it when a good plan comes together.You put you “Faith” ,”Trust” &”Belief” in the lies of the press & your Pride & Ignorance is exposed for everyone to see.Psalms 36 Verse 12 “The wicked plot against the righteous:they gnash at them with their teeth,The Lord laughs at the wicked for he sees that their own day is coming”.
Critical thinking & skepticism are encouraged in true followers Of Christ-How else we discern what is right & wrong.Please tell me,I would love to know how with you website you have helped the world?I can tell by the comments of your followers that you are really educating these people?
“Well, “speculation without the facts” sounds an awful lot like most religions”.
I love your technique of pulling out text & commenting on it,well done it is really effective.You know what it sounds very like the evolution hypothosis?I accept the Bible as a statement of facts,you obviously do not-so we must agree to differ…unless you want to get picky again.You really need to work on tolerance,I try & practice it myself.However as you correctly say I must misunderstand or misdefine atheism which is strange though???……Are you saying The Concise Oxford Dictionary definition on the meaning of atheism “Disbelief in the existence of God or Gods:Godlessness…from the Greek atheos without God.” is in error??Sorry I forgot to mention I studied Philosophy at University & was an atheist many years ago..”I think therefore I am” or was it “I drink therfore I am”??
Actually I do care about you & your fellow atheists,Jesus died for your sins as well as mine! I am here tell tell you it is not too late to repent,the door is still open before Christ comes back.You can be of good cheer & not take yourself so seriously.
The truth is out,you did speculate without the facts but that is ok-I forgive you,we are all sinners in need of a Saviour.So be a good sport & accept Jesus today.
“I haven’t lectured anyone, I’ve simply raised some questions which I think are worth pondering. I notice you don’t actually address the issues raised and instead substitute personal attacks. That is often a sure sign that the questions asked hit a little too close to home.”
Well Austin I must confess I did have a little fun to see how you would respond if someone puts the microscope on you? And here we have revealed you steal my tactic & try & discredit me? Again.What are these ponderable questions? More importantly I see you pronounce yourself for the second time as an expert on “Giving to Charity” & “Charity Auctions”???.
If my asking you to explain to me your experience in these areas is a personal attack !? I can only assume the same as you that you are guilty of no knowledge about this at all & would be dismissed from court.Your body is groaning under the weight of your own intellect.The reason I did not address the issues,is becuase you probably would have deleted my statement.But it says in the Bible “Ask not & recieve not”.I have done a charity auction on ebay donating 100% to feed the children raising £44 & I made the diffence up to £75 I have the letter here thanking me ref 20016635 & I followed up in December with another £75.I give £25 a month to Worldvision to sponser a child in Ethiopia & was in touch with them to increase it to £60 by sponsoring 2 more children,Every month I donate to Amnesty International,hearing dogs for the deaf,rspca,woodlandtrust as wll as donating £50 to the manic depressive fellowship which I had previously given £200 to.I regularly make additional payements to these & other charities despite the fact that I have been unemployed for 8 years.
I do not have to justify to you anything but I make a claim that I actually am an expert witness on giving to charity.Now please declare you wisdom on this matter,I have an open mind & will bow to you knowledge in this field if you can prove you know something I do not please tell me.
On this point we have come full cicle to character asassination again….the sole object of the atheist or unrighteuos is to descredit as you say anything “Laudable”.I have reread you quote above & it definitely sounds like lectureing to me.You imply I am a hypocrite on the premise I have not offered to donate ALL the proceeds to charity.The Bible commands 10% & more is better.Fr someone who does not “LECTURE” it does sound very much like you are telling me what & what not to do with my money!!!I earned it,I have bills to pay & I merely suggested to you as you did to me that perhaps your money might be better spent elsewhere & you were equally unenthusiastic.
“I haven’t discussed your mental health. But, since you raise the issue, how has that been for you?”
The last bit was a bit low even for you I think,you should be ashamed of yourself.Have you ever heard of disability discrimination?Obviously you are sane(to be believed) & I am mentally ill? It is the oldest trick in the book,they tried it on Jesus.As you ask I am ok thanks.Again I think we find you are a liar because whose mental health were you discussing in paragraph one & under the bbc qoute?Please tell me you are not an armchair psychologist?
What irritates me is the way people like you take a fact then twist it to mean what is convienent to their angle..truly satanic.I note that if I “communicate”(your word) with God I am obsessed but if you communicate it is normal.I have had discussions with people like you before & this is the point of breakdown….you cannot prove I am obsessed with God but you suggest it but some how A MIRACLE you do not have to prove anything as it is self evident…Who is the hypocrite?
What now you cannot understand a simple comment?You go to any dr who website charging thousands of pounds for merchandise(I fell into that trap,repented & am now delivered)& tell me it is ethical to ignore a hurting world?What the devil meant for harm God can use for good,so do not give me the childish logic I am evil for selling it.Until Christ comes back people can always make bad choice,God gave us free will & it states in the Bible not to worry about that in the letters of Paul-I am commanded to preach the Gospel not interefere with people selling false gods & idols.
I have offered some dr who things to worldvision but they refused,they want the money & do not want to be stuck with this rubbish any more than I do!
I will prove to you that I am not obsessed & we have a little test to prove that & see if you are obsessed?I will not visit you again & am not worried about the last word,that I will leave to you if it makes you feel better.
Forgive me if I missed anything or typo’s,I have enjoyed our little chat & tried to answer your questions/challenges as best I can.I apologise if I get passionate at times but its great to be alive is it?We are all works in progress.I shall go back to the world God Blessed me with:Retired since 1998,Debt free(no loans or mortgage) & delivered from alcoholism,sin & pointless collections.I have done what God wanted me to do today,& as Jesus said it is finished.
You might want to consider why. It’s possible that this has something to do with: repeated accusations without support, poor text formatting making it difficult to read, incoherent sentences, etc.
If you’d like to, go ahead. I can’t pick anything out of the following text which does, except perhaps “with the sole pupose of descrediting me as a credible witness for Jesus Christ.” Where did you develop the ability to read minds such that you could discern my intentions? Frankly, I doubt you have that ability, just as you don’t seem to be able to provide any evidence that I have engaged in “character assassination.”
That’s usually taken as an admonition not to lie. If you are trying to accuse me of lying, then support the accusation.
A liar is someone who knowingly passes off a falsehood as true. Feel free to point out where I have I have done so. Then, perhaps, you can support your claim that the reporter lied as well.
Curious how, in your description of the world, everyone else around you is a liar or a coward while only you seem to be telling the truth.
Well, then you should be able to support what you claimed.
Really? Where? Is this something you got from your Bible, or is it something you’ve decided independently to claim as valuable?
Evolutio is no more speculation without facts than plate tectonics. Do you understand why? If not, then you don’t know enough about evolution to comment.
And you’re doing such a good job demonstrating what “tolerance” means right here, accusing others of being liars and cowards without even attempting to try to support the allegations.
No, that’s correct – but it’s not a definition that is consistent with how you used the term.
Neither your grammar nor the coherence of your thoughts betrays any familiarity with philosophical education.
They are pretty easy to pick out, right after the final newspaper quote.
No, saying “aethists are absolved of all resposibility to their fellowmen,that is the job of christians?” is a personal attack. So are accusations of lying and cowardice. Numerous personal attacks appear in each comment you write. For a person who tries to practice “tolerance,” you consistently demonstrate a great deal of intolerance.
The question is simply a red herring. As someone who has studied philosophy, you know what that is and why the label qualifies.
There you go again, making accusations without support.
There you go again with the accusations without support.
To whom am I lecturing, then?
No, I suggest that one particular course of action is most consistent with your quoted views and wonder why that course of action wouldn’t be followed. Obviously asking the question allows for the possibility that either there is in fact a better course of action I am unaware of or, perhaps, that the suggestion course of action has flaws that I didn’t notice.
Of course, if my suggestion is pretty accurate then one might expect you to get defensive, angry, and then engage in lot of incoherent ranting, personal attacks, accusations, etc.
There’s nothing low about asking after a subject you decided to raise It’s certainly not “discrimination” and, even if it were, your laws on “disability discrimination” wouldn’t apply to me.
Feel free to show where I have done this.
I have trouble understanding your poorly formatted, grammatically incoherent, and often misspelled comments. I try my best, but you don’t make it easy.
So, in order to prove that you are not obsessed, you simply don’t come back — which, conveniently enough, ensures that you don’t have to support any of the accusations you have made. Nice how that works.
It’s actually a little depressing to think that you enjoy barely-coherent rants filled with unsupported accusations.
Well Austin, you must be really dedicated to the cause of Atheism, and reading the whole text I find it difficult to distinguish Mr White’s obsession from what appears to be your own. I would not normally bother with this absurd sort of carry-on, although I must admit I was intrigued by a similar, bizarre discource on caravan towing mirrors which descended into a personal slanging match with several wanting to have the ‘last word’.
I do, however, believe that Simon White never said that Dr Who is evil, and I do believe that Simon White is a Christian, why anyone would want to invest so much energy in trying to prove a point of difference is beyond me and my only reason for looking at this site was being directed to it by another mystified reader. If this sort of carry-on gives either you or Mr White some sort of value, then good luck to you both, as for me, I will try to get on with my life. Thanks for the mild entertainment,
Zak
1. Because atheism isn’t an ideology or belief system, it’s an error to capitalize it.
2. Atheism also isn’t a cause, so it’s impossible to be “dedicated to the cause of” atheism.
In that case, you should be able to explain why.
I haven’t been trying to “prove” anything here. That you could believe otherwise gives rise to skepticism about your conclusion that I am dedicated to or obsessed with any “cause of Atheism [sic]“.
Why?
That wouldn’t happen to be Simon White himself, would it? Curious that two brand new people found the same old post, one right after the other, and the second just happens to agree with the first on the basis of no offered reason whatsoever.
I think Austin just won…BIG TIME!