X-Message-Number: 26558 References: <> From: Kennita Watson <> Subject: Re: Religion/guarantee Date: Fri, 8 Jul 2005 18:31:07 -0700 On Jul 8, 2005, at 2:00 AM, CryoNet wrote: > SCOTT: My problem with your persistent use of the word guarantee is > that, > in > the minds of most, the word evokes the idea that there should be some > form of remedy offered if the customer is dissatisfied with the > product > or service. That seems different to me than claims, assurances, or even > promises. In your opinion, they re saying something to the effect of > it being a guarantee. Why be so picky about these various terms, you > ask? Because the courts will likely be even pickier. > > DAVID: I can't think of any other word that better describes what I am > complaining about. > > My Webster says: "Guarantee: formal assurance (esp. in writing) that > procuct, ect. will meet certain standards, last for a given time, etc." > "teed, -teeing. give guarantee of, for somethin; secure (against > risk, > etc)." > > I am open to using a better word if I can find one. Dictionary.com's thesaurus' first two entries say: Main Entry: guarantee Part of Speech: noun Definition: pledge Synonyms: agreement, assurance, attestation, bail, bargain, bond, certainty, certificate, certification, charter, collateral, contract, covenant, deposit, earnest, gage, guaranty, insurance, lock, oath, pawn, pipe, promise, recognizance, security, sure thing, surety, testament, token, undertaking, vow, warrant, warranty, word Source: Roget's New Millennium Thesaurus, First Edition (v 1.1.1) Copyright 2005 by Lexico Publishing Group, LLC. All rights reserved. Main Entry: guarantee Part of Speech: verb Definition: pledge Synonyms: affirm, angel, answer for, assure, attest, aver, back, bankroll, bind oneself, certify, confirm, cosign, endorse, ensure, evidence, evince, get behind, give bond, grubstake, guaranty, insure, juice, maintain, make bail, make certain, make sure, mortgage, promise, protect, prove, reassure, secure, sign for, stake, stand behind, support, swear, testify, vouch for, wager, warrant, witness Source: Roget's New Millennium Thesaurus, First Edition (v 1.1.1) Copyright 2005 by Lexico Publishing Group, LLC. All rights reserved. I think you (David) may be using "guarantee" in a different sense than those complaining about your use of the term are complaining about. Maybe the confusion could be cleared up if you said exactly whom you would be suing, who exactly would be doing the suing, and for exactly what, and what punishment or damages would be sought. Personally, I'm not convinced that a statement of a suit could be drafted that would merit coverage in anything other than News of the Weird columns and the National Enquirer (i.e., that would look like anything other than the ravings of a nutcase to the media). I'm willing to be shown otherwise. Another point: People who are willing to take "Crossing Over with John Edward" as proof that Heaven exists are unlikely to take kindly to your assertion that Grandma isn't actually there watching over them. Another: Maybe you should reach for some low-hanging fruit; see how many members of American Atheists you can get to sign up before you start trying to crack the hard nuts. If you find that atheists aren't biting either, maybe it's not religion that is causing most of their resistance. Then try maybe Buddhists, reincarnationists, agnostics, freethinkers, etc. There are millions, actually billions, of non-Christians who are not signed up for cryonics. Targeting the Christians strikes me as tilting at windmills, and smacks of ABEIC ("a bad experience in childhood" -- a visceral negative reaction which may or may not have its basis in an experience which actually occurred in childhood, but similarly lacks a logical, or at least well-considered, basis) (that definition needs refining, but I hope it gets across what I mean). Live long and prosper, Kennita -- Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery; none but ourselves can free our minds. -- Bob Marley, "Redemption Song" Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=26558