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Dede Koswara - The Tree Man Undergoes Treatment
Dede Koswara, 37, who is also known as ‘The Tree Man of Java’ had underwent four major operations that hacked away the bark like tissue sprouting from his hands and feet. Dede was able to see the outline of his toes for the first time as medics removed more than 4lbs of warts from his body. Spending his last 20 years (his ordeal started when he was 15 and cut his knee where a small wart developed and spread) with the bizarre condition, Dede expressed that he wants to get better and find a job and hopes that one day he will meet a girl and get married.
4 more pics of Dede Koswara The Tree Man of Java after the jump.
Source: Telegraph UK
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November 13th, 2008 at 8:11 am
Instead of debating religion and bickering amongst each other, why don’t we focus on the man and wish him the best in any form we can. My thoughts are with you Dede, and I know things will start looking up for you!
November 14th, 2008 at 4:30 am
Hello Dede,
Who ever created us and whomever we believe in. It should be trusted by all and respected. Because All is hoping you recover and to lead a more peaceful and healthy life for the rest of your life with your loving family.
November 15th, 2008 at 4:22 am
Jan, Liberty, and other respective Dolts:
This is a discussion forum. The sole purpose of this forum is to discuss anything regarding the topic, which is Dede and his disease.
Dede does not read this. His village does not even have electricity! All of you whom insist on making statements to him as if he is reading them are absolute morons.
The religion debate came about because of those among you whom insist on injecting your religious beliefs into your remarks. If you don’t want to discuss religion, then leave it out of your remarks, or is that just too simple for you to comprehend?
I think it’s reasonably safe to say that we all desire the best for Dede. That said, if you insist on making a stupid comment using religion as the basis for your knowledge, you get what you get.
November 17th, 2008 at 3:22 pm
Den,
How pathetic that instead of staying on topic, you devolve to denigrating others for their faith… You claim their faith is a crutch, and I say your attacks on their faith are your crutch.
As an agnost, or even borderline atheist, I will agree with you that if there is a God, he’s responsible for it all. The good, the bad… and everything in between. What you fail to recognize is that if, for argument’s sake, you accept that there is a God, there exists the possibility that he puts the bad before us to challenge us, and allow us to reach the heights we can. Either way, if there is a omnipotent, omniscient God a mere grunting animal like you or I could never hope to understand his means anyway.
If, on the other hand you accept that there is no God, than someone’s well-wishes and prayers can hardly hurt, can they? It appears that Dede believes in God, and if you’re at all familiar with placebo effect, you would know that believing you will get better won’t do it alone, but it sure goes a long way to helping the situation.
Regardless, I’m happy you claim to be happy… even if I don’t believe you… Why else resort to such groundless attacks of others’ faith?
Dede, God be with you, if there is one, I wish you all the best…
Den… God be with you too… if there is one. If there isn’t, oh well, huh?
November 19th, 2008 at 6:35 pm
That’s pretty funny Schmitty. You criticize for not being on topic yet it is your topic of choice? Did the doctor drop you on your head?
Granted, a positive attitude can be beneficial, but you don’t need a placebo to have a positive attitude, unless your a Christian or the like. It’s a crutch and people that are into reality don’t need it. It is easy to believe things will get better without calling on the myth of god. Comparing god to a placebo was a great idea, thanks!
As far as my happiness is concerned… your feigned interest hardly flies. Be that as it may, I have never lied to you yet you choose not to believe me. That would be a problem of your own and of no interest to me.
I think you should believe what you desire, but blind faith is simply stupid, period. If you have blind faith and you choose to tell me about it then that opens the door for me to tell you that you are a moron. If you don’t want to know what other people think about your religion, then keep it to yourself. You can’t go around spouting stupid rhetoric without someone choosing to respond. You can enjoy walking across freeways at rush hour wearing a blindfold, but if you insist on telling me that you do it, I’m going to tell you that you are stupid.
It really amazes me that religious folk go around shouting their beliefs at the top of their lungs but are then surprised when someone challenges them. I don’t have meetings every Sunday to convince others of my beliefs. I don’t go door to door telling people what to believe. I don’t put stickers on my car denoting to everyone what my beliefs are. I discuss it at the right time and place, like when people purposely inject their stupid religious remarks on an online forum.
Also, Schmitty… are you too so dumb as to think Dede reads this? Your remark, “Dede, God be with you, if there is one, I wish you all the best…” is only read by others with computers and electricity. Besides, if god is responsible for both good and bad as you say, what use is he to Dede? Look what he has already put him through!
And lastly… thank you for your ignorant well wishes… if you really mean it. If you don’t, oh well, huh?
November 20th, 2008 at 3:19 am
Den, Why do you feel the need to personally attack everyone who posts a question to you?
November 20th, 2008 at 9:15 am
Den,
I believe that your issue, and therefore problem, in successfully addressing people’s religious beliefs in this situation arises from your complete lack of the intellectual ability to see an axiom for the sake of pure debate…
That being said, since this has gotten so far off topic, I won’t debate the issue too terribly much more. Just a few things to note before that though…
First, an an apostate I’m sure that the concept is completely lost on you, but essentially by definition, faith belies proof. Those who cannot make the so-called leap of faith cannot believe, and must therefore be shown.
Since you’re not a religious individual, and probably lay some claim to empirical evidence and the scientific method, I propose that you have co-opted your own system of faith for the purposes of scientific principle. More simply put, I seriously doubt that you are one of the few individuals in the world who truly can wrap their heads around the mathematics and physics of Bose-Einstein condensates, and their role in quantum physics on a macroscopic scale. However, you would probably agree with what scientists say about it, even though you do not understand it. Sounds like “faith” to me…
Indeed, my feigned interest in your happiness is just that… however if you know the definition of the word “credibility,” you would know that there are two components: trustworthiness and expertise. I have no reason to “trust” you as you are just a name on an online forum. And you have made no claims to any expertise on the topics of philosophy or theology. So, no trustworthiness and no expertise… doesn’t sound like my disbelief in your happiness is a problem for me at all.
As far as attempts at conversion, and shouting “stupid rhetoric,” how is what you are saying here any different than putting a bumper sticker or Jesus fish (?????, if you will) on your car?
And yes, I do believe that a guy in Java, who lives in a small village with no electricity really does read this online forum… of course not. Nor can he read any of the other well wishes which are posted here… it’s not the point, one which you’ve obviously missed.
And my “ignorant well wishes”? Since ignorance is defined as lacking knowledge of the thing specified, and since you’re speaking of well-wishes, I just don’t see how that makes any sense, so there’s no point even addressing it.
That’s it Den… I’ll let the “religious folk” get back to praying for Dede… as this serves no purpose. There’s little to be gained in engaging in a battle of wit against someone so obviously unarmed.
November 21st, 2008 at 2:46 am
Schmitty,
Faith is far from being an axiom. Faith does indeed require a conscious decision to be made. Because you describe it as self-evident doesn’t make it so. Who are you kidding? (See note regarding credibility below)
You suggest I have abandoned my religion. You apparently have not read my previous blogs. I do believe there is more to the universe than what I know or will ever come to know. That does not in itself suggest in any way that there is a supreme being. One can be spiritual without being religious. Spirituality is readily recognizable. It is only man made religion that requires a leap of faith. Does the rhetoric, “Believe in god or burn in hell!” ring a bell? Do you burn witches at the stake as well?
Regarding faith and science, how you can possibly compare them is simply beyond my understanding. You do know that science is based on theory and does not pretend to know the answer to anything until proof is both obtained and substantiated. There is no quantity of faith involved. There is no penalty such as eternal damnation for those that choose to disagree with science. Quite a fundamental difference, wouldn’t you agree? Grasp your ears firmly and pull; you might just be able to remove your head from you ass.
You can just drop the BS regarding my personal happiness. Arguing over a subject you admittedly have no interest in says a great deal about you.
Credibility also has objective and subjective components. Regarding credibility, you denote many quotes as if one could not discern on their own your links to my previous statements. “Trust” was one of them. I don’t know who you think you were quoting, but you will not see that word in my previous address to you. Do you regularly concoct BS to bolster your weak arguments? There certainly is no credibility in making up your own facts.
My point regarding religious individuals declaring their faith to all and my right to do the same regarding my lack of faith is well defined. I have every right to the same voice they have. How you can support one without the other only shows bias. That doesn’t surprise me about you though.
Regarding wit, you throw around big words attempting to make yourself appear knowledgeable and credible. Instead you have proven yourself to be completely unreliable by creating your own facts regarding another person’s statements. I’ve never met such a small mind inside such a big head before.
If you were twice as smart, you would still be stupid.
November 21st, 2008 at 7:25 am
Hahaha… I love getting blog dorks worked up…
Concocting BS? Look up the definitions I provided (i.e. credibility), they’re online at Merriam-Webster’s site… they usually know what they’re talking about.
As far as me throwing “around big words attempting to make” myself blah blah blah… if there are any words you’re stumbling over, please feel free to list ‘em, I’d be happy to help you with them.
Anyway Den, drop a line if you need help with your vocabulary homework… in the meantime I’ll be looking for any “facts” I might have made up…
If I were twice as smart, I would still be stupid indeed…
“The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.” <———- That’s from some smart guy who called himself Socrates…
Have fun getting worked up on a blog! Cheers!
November 21st, 2008 at 10:55 am
Human intelligence is considered to be around half a million years old. You are approaching the two or three day mark. One can only hope your family tree is a stump.
December 4th, 2008 at 1:14 am
Dede am really sori i saw ur news on d paper yesterday so i decided 2 may really gud research abt dis plz takia n GOD bless u n protect u i any surgry ur gonna go true much love
December 7th, 2008 at 11:14 am
Dear Dede, don’t give up your hope.. Keep faith in god that he will help you through your trials and stuggles and your complete struggle. HPray that he will be your guide, your savior, and your cure to the disease. I pray for you to get better. And i will never forget you in my prayer time.
~DeeDee(currently living in north america)~
December 20th, 2008 at 12:25 am
[...] December 19, 2008 by darkslope You think you got problems? You don’t got problems. [...]
December 22nd, 2008 at 8:44 pm
hi
i am sorry what happen to you and i hope you get better as soon as…………….
December 28th, 2008 at 2:54 am
i have warts they come on overnite all over the backs of my hands,they r hundreds of them,wen they come,ive tried all stuff going nowt works,so i just scrape them with a razor,but they tend to go as quick as they arrive,i dunno wat or y they just do,it starts with itching then goes from there ,my immune system is a bit knacked neway cos of the painkillers i take like 2x lots of morphine a day and there dirivertives,i keep my fingers xed for u dede,best of luck for the future.if uever come to uk ,im in the south in a place called poole ur welcome to visit for a holiday.tc all the best to u dede and most importantly ur family,with all the comments ive read not one says nefing about the pressure ur family is under,tell them they wanna chat to some one im here.i do undetrstand and feel for them and their anxieties over ur illness,rdboxer@hotmail.com
December 30th, 2008 at 3:45 am
Dede’s story is a tragic one. Third world countries always seem to suffer from some of the most devastating diseases. Surroundings and circumstance are no doubt the root causes, I am sure. What amazes me the most is after reading all the posts above, as usual in the human culture the meaning of the story was lost in the blog ramblings of Agnostics, Atheists, and Christians who believe their plight, right, wrong, or indifferent is always correct.
Everyone is entitled to their opinion, and at no time while reading the info above did I ever fill that any Christian stated “do not seek medical attention”. But, rather while you under go major adversity, please seek guidance from God. Everyone’s guidance does not always come from God, and that is a choice. To tell anyone that their beliefs are incorrect or moronic seems to advocate to me that the person behind the taunting is usually that of an uneducated, misguided individual who has been mistreated in life and feels the need to inflict hate and malice whenever possible.
I am a Christian, and a believer. However, I do not push my beliefs on anyone, nor do I ever debate whose turn in life it is to be granted a miracle. My best friend is Agnostic, and we co-exist in life together because we agree to disagree….
January 3rd, 2009 at 10:19 pm
Dede, Listen to your doctors, not all the mumbu-jumbo from the god freaks!!!!
January 20th, 2009 at 10:18 pm
[...] you could photograph anyone in the world, who might that be?Dede Koswara. He’s known as the ‘tree man’ – a fisherman from Indonesia who suffers from [...]
January 25th, 2009 at 8:19 am
I just want to say that my thoughts and prayers are with Dede. I saw the documentary about his operations on Discovery Health last night and I nearly cried. I have never seen such horrible fungus-like warts on another human being. We all can thank the medical team who have helped him move forward into a more normal life. Even if there is nothing than can cure him 100%, than I hope he keeps on receiving all the treatments he needs.
January 25th, 2009 at 1:10 pm
THIS IS NOT ABOUT U AND WHAT U BELIEVE IN OR DONT BELIEVE! DEBATE UR ” GOD ISSUSE” ON ANOTHER WEBSITE!!!!!
I must say that i was told about Dede and his condition tonite by family who have seen it on TV. So they google it for me and showed me the pics and his story. So like the rest of you i wanted to know more and as im reading about this man and what has happen to him…. So i started looking him up… And what i found was that people have turned something nice that was ment for “DEDE” and how we as people support him and wish him well have turned this website all about them… Alot of you are going on and on and fighting about if there is a “GOD. I dont understand it!!! THIS IS NOT ABOUT U GUYS OR UR GOD OR EVEN U DONT BELIEVE THERE IS ONE. FIND ANOTHER WEBSITE TO DUKE IT OUT ON…. THIS WEBSITE WAS MENT FOR PEOPLE TO WISH HIM WELL AND SHOW THEIR SUPPORT. THIS JUS SHOW’S ONCE AGAIN JUS HOW SELFISH PEOPLE REALLY CAN BE….. IT HAS TO BE ALL ABOUT THEM AND THEIR VIEWS…. GET OVER IT AND JUS DO WHAT THIS WEBSITE IS MENT TO DO AND WISH HIM WELL AND GET OFF!!!!
Sorry i had to get that off my chest… Dede i do wish you the very best and i hope ur recovery goes well…. know u are in my thoughts and best of luck to u….
January 27th, 2009 at 7:07 am
Yo!
Good luck to you Mr. Koswara-dono.
‘Kay, a bit of information.
Evolution does not mean that one type of creature replace another.
There are hundered kinds of fish. Thousand kinds of bugs. Right?
Monkey > human in the trees (jungles etc).
Human > Monkey on the plains of Africa.
Thinking logically is not hard.
Now speculations! So death, scary thing. Or not.
Once we die our bodies break down and “we” dissapear. I personally hope I’m going to be a good fertiliser for “my” next life as a plant and then provide as good nurisment for hmm.. lets say a goat and that “I” as a part of maybe a muscle of that goat prvide a good meal for a wolf or w/e or yet again become a fertaliser as the leftovers of the foat.
Nothing ever stays the same. You are not the same person you were ten years ago. That is a fact. Next week you won’t be the same person as you are today.
We humans have a bad habit of overexaggerating our own importance in the world.
X, xxxx/xx/xx xx:xx
February 11th, 2009 at 5:33 am
idontunderstand Says:
January 25th, 2009 at 1:10 pm
THIS IS NOT ABOUT U AND WHAT U BELIEVE IN OR DONT BELIEVE! DEBATE UR ” GOD ISSUSE” ON ANOTHER WEBSITE!!!!! THIS IS NOT ABOUT U GUYS OR UR GOD OR EVEN U DONT BELIEVE THERE IS ONE. FIND ANOTHER WEBSITE TO DUKE IT OUT ON…. THIS WEBSITE WAS MENT FOR PEOPLE TO WISH HIM WELL AND SHOW THEIR SUPPORT. THIS JUS SHOW’S ONCE AGAIN JUS HOW SELFISH PEOPLE REALLY CAN BE….. IT HAS TO BE ALL ABOUT THEM AND THEIR VIEWS…. GET OVER IT AND JUS DO WHAT THIS WEBSITE IS MENT TO DO AND WISH HIM WELL AND GET OFF!!!!
You are a stupid moron. Where is it written that this is the official, “Wish Dede Well” blog? This blog is for people to post whatever comment they choose. Dede’s struggle is simply the catalyst. He does not surf the net. He does not read this crap. He does not have a computer. He does not even have electricity in his village. What you write here is only for yourself and the others that read or comment.
The funny part is that you do the very thing you complain about. You rant off topic but for some reason when you do it, it’s ok. Absolute genius! LMAO
Lastly, there are thousands of gods, all mythical, all crutches for those that can’t handle reality on their own.
Go ahead and pick one for yourself. Just wondering… how do you know which one is the “real” one? Which religion is the “right” one? What makes your religion more “right” than the others?
Answer to above: All gods and religion are man made fantasies.
Get over yourself.
February 12th, 2009 at 9:45 am
Wow, you really need to get out more, there. Do you actually read over this tripe you’re spewing? Nobody cares.
February 12th, 2009 at 7:36 pm
RE: teetee
Obviously you care… or you wouldn’t have posted! LMAO What an idiot!
Some of you people really amaze me. Do you even think before you open your mouths? Actually, it’s people like you, teetee, that make this blog worth reading. HILARIOUS!
February 16th, 2009 at 4:02 am
I hope he will improvement and remove those terrible things.
Some of you pray and hope he will be happy and get married.. Watch your mouth.. The marriage is not for everyone. The important major things in life is HIS HEALTH!
February 16th, 2009 at 5:29 pm
It’s a bit shocking to see Dede in that condition and have to lead a harsh life. I hope with this opportunity that God has given, you’ll be (Dede) cured and have a normal life. This is just my small contribution.
-Jaz from Brunei.
February 27th, 2009 at 3:13 am
I’ve never even heard of such a bizarre disorder as this. Reminds me of the Tree people from the Lord of the Rings, I think they were called Ents. Who knew they were real! I guess now I know, and knowing is half the battle.
March 5th, 2009 at 9:38 pm
Dear Dede or anyone else who has a problem with warts. I think Dede’s situation is definitely unique and I don’t think that this system will work for him, but as a child I had “seed” warts all over my hands, and a friend told me of a story of an Indian worman who had a daughter that was plagued with warts all over her body. She soon took the child and soaked her daily in coco butter.
Well, I immediately went out and found a bar of coco butter (which I do not find in the stores anymore these days). It was a bar like a Hersey’s bar of chocolate, and it smelled just like the chocolate candy too. I would rub my hands over and over this bar until I felt the oils of it melt into my hands. It didn’t take long, but the warts soon all went away.
I have heard it is a virus. I think Dede’s situation goes a little deeper into some genetic condition beyond my understanding, but if anyone wants a simple way, this worked for me. It’s just too bad I don’t find this product on the market anymore. The mixtures of the coco butter do not work. It was the pure coco butter that did the trick.
Good luck! And God bless you!
March 5th, 2009 at 11:04 pm
i was sitting here and this article caught my eye and i read all of the comments and i didnt really want to post anything, even though i wish dede the best of luck in leading a normal life, i just posted to point out that DEN IS A WHINY BITCH WHO ARGUES WITH PEOPLE ON THE INTERNET FOR FUN…you just make yourself look like a douche.
Good luck Dede!
p.s DEN say whatever you want pussy im never lookin at this site again, unlike you
March 11th, 2009 at 12:33 pm
“p.s DEN say whatever you want pussy im never lookin at this site again, unlike you”
Spoken like a true coward. LMAO
It’s morons such as yourself that make this public blog so funny!
Thanks again jack…er, I guess it would be jackass…. ROTFLMFAO
March 11th, 2009 at 2:47 pm
I hope the guy will get better soon!
March 24th, 2009 at 5:04 am
Wow, there sure is a lot arguing off subject on this blog. But I have to admit, it is very entertaining. I get that it is your freedom to say what you want on a blog, but I do think if there is a subject for the blog, comments should try to stay relevant to that subject. But I know what I say isn’t going to make any difference as far as that goes, so I will move on to my ON subject question to all… has anyone heard much since 2008 when all of the shows on him came out. I know last night (3/23) they had his story on TV like it was the first time they had ever aired anything on him. But nothing really new on him. I would like to follow his story as time goes on. I know you can’t follow one particular person’s story forever, but I think it would be nice to see what has happened at least in 2009. Or a yearly update, something like that. Has anyone heard anything on any websites, or seen anything online about his current situation? I was surprised that there weren’t more comments today since they were showing his story over the weekend again.
March 24th, 2009 at 10:13 am
To Tiffany,
I too was interested in Dede’s current state. I found out on Wikipedia that as of Dec. 08, Dede’s warts were returning and that he would probably require 2 surgeries a year . There wasn’t any mention of the chemotherapy treatment. I was hoping to read better news. That man must have suffered horribly.
To Den: Why are you actually on this site ? Curious.
March 24th, 2009 at 11:05 am
To Den,
You make a lot of good points. However, YOU do not know whether there is a God or not. Yes, there are many religions, and gods that people believe in. These were designed by humans. For you to say you know for sure and all believers are living a lie, is just as bad as the religious fanatics to impose their beliefs on others.
As far back in history as human existence has been studied, some spirituality or beliefs were present. Get used to the idea, religion isn’t going anywhere in your lifetime.
I don’t belief in imposing your beliefs on others, but those who wish Dede well and actually pray for him are not hurting him in any way. Remember, medicine is more an art than science.
To the others: Dede’s warts are not due to a fungus.
March 25th, 2009 at 2:58 pm
To Cara,
I do know, there simply is no god.
The concept of an actual god is purely a man made fantasy.
However, the idea of a supreme being is the most plausible of any remote theories. It suggests that there could be other life in the universe which holds greater understanding of the universe itself, thereby reigning supreme. It would more likely be supreme beings, as in more than one. There is even the vastly remote yet still plausible idea that we (mankind) were visited in the long ago past by what we call extraterrestrials. Even giving an alien credit for being supreme does not have anything to do with creationism or heaven and hell. They would just be more enlightened than our humble selves.
The difference between me and religious fanatics is that I don’t care what they choose to believe. I simply reserve the right to challenge them if they choose to openly rely on blind faith.
As mentioned previously:
I think you should believe what you desire, but blind faith is simply stupid, period. If you have blind faith and you choose to tell me about it then that opens the door for me to tell you that you are a moron. If you don’t want to know what other people think about your religion, then keep it to yourself. You can’t go around spouting stupid rhetoric in public without someone choosing to respond. You can enjoy walking across freeways at rush hour wearing a blindfold, but if you insist on telling me that you do it, I’m going to tell you that you are stupid.
It really amazes me that religious folk go around shouting their beliefs at the top of their lungs but are then surprised when someone challenges them. I don’t have meetings every Sunday to convince others of my beliefs. I don’t go door to door telling people what to believe. I don’t put stickers on my car denoting to everyone what my beliefs are. I discuss it at the right time and place, like when people purposely inject their stupid religious remarks on an online forum.
And yes, you are correct, as long as there is fear and stupidity there will be religion.
March 27th, 2009 at 5:23 pm
Hi all,
Was watching a documentary on Dede recently and was checking the internet to see how he got on with his treatment and came on this site, for the first time in my life I was prompted to actually leave a note on this forum because of the previous correspondance from “den” - the person who seems to think he is better spoken and educated than probably Einstein himself - sorry den, this is how you come across anyway!
I wont even state if I have any religious beliefs or not as it is irrelevant to the case of Dede and so on. Anyway, “den” get out more, get a life and find a new hobby other than attacking people on a forum, when did you last get laid???? I must go as i have plenty do do, unlike you den, I wont be logging on to this site again, I cant believe I have even let myself be dragged into this discussion but I have because dens attitude towards other people stinks - bet you have no friends!
Enjoy life everyone!!!!!
March 28th, 2009 at 4:21 am
Hey there jilly,
Attack and run… absolutely hilarious! Are you Taliban or just an average coward?
Just when I think common sense will prevail and this blog will become boring, someone such as yourself comes along to spark it up again.
Run… run away jilly! I’m sure your father would be proud of your pure cowardice, if you knew whom he was…
Did your mommy teach you to attack what you don’t understand or did you learn that in church?
“…won’t be logging on again…” Whatever… LMAO
April 2nd, 2009 at 4:00 pm
Interesting condition. Oh, no, not the tree man. The Den man who has nothing to do with his time, and is clearly significantly brighter than the rest of the world, likes to be right all the time and needs to boost his own standing by letting everyone know it - by the way my personal IQ is in the top 0.1%, so I know more than the other 999 of you! Den must be a genius, that’s all I can say.
April 4th, 2009 at 4:40 am
Hey there Doug,
You’re perfectly welcome, of course, to use your superior brain power to prove me wrong.
By the way, high IQ doesn’t equate to “wise” or even “smart”. It is a tool, at best. When a screwdriver is required, the owner of a high IQ may still swing a hammer.
Thank you for your comment on my genius. I do share something in common with a well known genius. I am a Pantheist. Do you recognize the quote below?
“A knowledge of the existence of something we cannot penetrate, of the manifestation of the profoundest reason and the most radiant beauty - it is this knowledge and this emotion that constitute the truly religious attitude; in this sense, and in this sense alone, I am a deeply religious man.”
Dr. Ray Bradley wrote:
“Although the term “atheist” has negative connotations for many people, it is worth remembering that in the strict sense of the word, the term applies to many of the most thoughtful and highly moral people throughout history. As we have seen, it applies to many liberal Christians, Jews, and Muslims; it applies to Deists; and it applies to Pantheists like Einstein.
It is worth remembering, too, that atheists are not alone in their disbelief. Theists don’t believe in the existence of any God other than their own. A Christian, for example, no more believes in the existence of any of the pagan gods such as Mars, Venus, or Pluto, than he or she believes is Santa Claus or the tooth-fairy. An atheist just adds the theist’s God to the list of those in whom he or she sees no good reason to believe. All, an atheist would say, are products of superstition.”
So, if you really want to challenge me, I am up for it. That’s what this place is for. Personal thoughts and ideas as they pertain to Dede Koswara and his medical health condition. Many folks here feel the need to inject religion into their well wishes (that he will never read). While I too wish him the best medical assistance he can receive, writing it here serves no purpose of any kind. What is written here is intended solely for the interest of those that participate. I do reserve the right to challenge others that desire to write that god is somehow the answer to all of Dede’s needs.
I truly welcome all comments. It is unfortunate that so many “believers” are angry that I have a different opinion. I am happy to discuss the ideas without name calling and other bs, but I also find it entertaining when folks fly off the handle and write deliberate hate, spewing vitriol. It rather supports my own opinion of many religious people and flies hypocritically in the face of their own so called beliefs.
In short… If you have something intelligent to say, just say it. If you just want to be irate, well that’s fun too!
I’m just here because I find it all very entertaining!
Cheers!
May 7th, 2009 at 6:36 am
WOW, that sucks.
He looks like one of the tree guys in LoTR.. sad, but true.
He must’ve had to go through a lot. I’d assume most people would be shocked and in awe, not really belittling and mean. But that’s me.. not all humanity is kind.
May 17th, 2009 at 4:14 pm
I agree with jr. Why did he let it go so long that it got to that point??
May 17th, 2009 at 4:24 pm
Just like Homer Simpson said “Maybe we’re all wrong and by going to church every sunday we are angering God more and more”
May 17th, 2009 at 6:12 pm
Den honey,Did you forget something today?? Did you take your medication? Why are you so defenssive in WHAT YOU BELIEVE? I agree that the man will not be saved by a prayer but you go too far. Opinions are like a–holes everyone has one. I wouldn’t say that you have intelligence,just a talent for insulting people. Did you have a happy life while growing up? These people here are not forcing their ideas on anyone,it seems to me that you want to push your ideas on eveyone. Don’t take it the wrong way denny but good character is often homemade like……….SOUP
May 23rd, 2009 at 1:09 am
Hi Karen, Where to start…. hmmmm… well, how about your trying to describe me as defensive and offensive all in one breath. At least you prove immediately that your opinion is not worth the drool seeping out of your toothless grin.
Lastly, I’m not forcing my opinions upon anyone. Even a third grade reading ability would allow you to comprehend that.
I wrote previously:
“I think you should believe what you desire, but blind faith is simply stupid, period. If you have blind faith and you choose to tell me about it then that opens the door for me to tell you that you are a moron. If you don’t want to know what other people think about your religion, then keep it to yourself. You can’t go around spouting stupid rhetoric in public without someone choosing to respond. You can enjoy walking across freeways at rush hour wearing a blindfold, but if you insist on telling me that you do it, I’m going to tell you that you are stupid.
It really amazes me that religious folk go around shouting their beliefs at the top of their lungs but are then surprised when someone challenges them. I don’t have meetings every Sunday to convince others of my beliefs. I don’t go door to door telling people what to believe. I don’t put stickers on my car denoting to everyone what my beliefs are. I discuss it at the right time and place, like when people purposely inject their stupid religious remarks on an online forum.”
Karen, if you can’t read at a reasonable level of comprehension, stick to reading the bible since fiction does not rely so heavily on understanding.
June 6th, 2009 at 10:40 am
Hi Dede
I have been thinking about you for days now and wondering how you are. My TV shut off right at the end and I did not finish seeing the progress. I pray that you get your life back. You and your family are in our prayers.
I think people have gathered at this form because we care. I am sorry that Den has made it about him for almost a year. You seem like a man that has had bad days but can still have a smile unlike this person name Den who is hanging out on a tree man site to fight.
People are mostly here to offer you support and maybe something that have helped them in the past and my be able help you. You can take it or leave it. Not to push our belief but to offer help and support and say we care. Some only know about prayer and some know about medicine but together maybe it can help you are not, but beleive this try it for yourself and see if Juses works for you. thats all I can say. I have tried believing in god and it works for me.
Maybe just maybe it can work for you and I have heard alot of medical cures that people have suggested maybe try it to and maybe just maybe it works for you. And people this is Dede forms don’t intertain this Den let him talk when you respond back to stupid people they just don’t know when to stop that is what makes them stupid he has made this story about Dede all about him and its ashame. This is a heart breaking story about this poor man. Only talk to Dede we care about him. Den needs help but he needs his on form not Dede’s form we can’t help him here he does not want help so god gave us free will. We all need to pray for Dede and Den. Don’t talk to Den let him talk by himself. Only talk to Dede he is humble and open to our hope, care and concern after all this is Dedes form. If he responds back to me I don’t care which I know he just might because he wants to fight and thats been his history that we know of for a year on this site. I will not respond.
God bless you all who gather here only for Dede and Dede himself, don’t intertain the nonsence on here stay focus on Dede wishing well and good ideas.
June 6th, 2009 at 10:49 am
Dede I hope you can come to America and maybe try our treatment. I also hope that you get to see your form and someone is reading only the good comments to you because I hope you know people do care about you.. i hope this is just not a dead form but alive one and it is getting to Dede. How can we find out?
God Bless
Crystal
June 6th, 2009 at 11:49 pm
This particular form is not about debating but about sympathy for Dede. Someone had said that forms are for like debting. This is not the form for that subject or debate. I said all this so that we can get focus on Dede and sending him lots of positive energy and love. So he can choose which advice he likes better or any at all.
We care about Dede I hope your summer is going well, and you have support and food for your family and medical help for your whole family because they had said you had TB I hope your family did not get exposed to the TB and if so they got treated. You all deserve to be healthy.
Lots of blessing for you and your family.
June 8th, 2009 at 1:33 pm
Crystal, apparently you are another moron that cannot read or at least comprehend…
As I wrote previously, this is a public discussion forum. It is here to entertain personal thoughts and ideas as they pertain to Dede Koswara and his medical health condition. Many folks here feel the need to inject religion into their well wishes (that he will never read). While I too wish him the best medical assistance he can receive, writing it here serves no purpose of any kind. What is written here is intended solely for the interest of those that participate. I do reserve the right to challenge others that desire to write that god is somehow the answer to all of Dede’s needs.
Let me ask you some questions Crystal the moron…
Does Dede’s village have electricity?
Does Dede have a computer?
Does Dede read English?
This forum is for me and you as well as others that want to participate.
What truly helps Dede and others that have disease but cannot afford treatment?
I will tell you. Me and people like me who make charitable contributions that pay for the scientific study, the development of medicines, the costs of travel and hospital stays.
Your god doesn’t do a damn thing and you criticize me after all of the time and money I have contributed to charities that help people like Dede? Do you even have a clue how many billoions of dollars leave my country every year to help those that are in need? Some of those dollars are mine, you stupid little shit.
Who the fuck do you think you are? I think you’re a stupid little waste of sperm! What do you contribute to the world you ignorant whore?
July 5th, 2009 at 7:21 am
my wellwishes are with you, dede…hope u recover asap…take care & regards.
July 17th, 2009 at 6:31 pm
I have a wart on my foot and it scares me because Dede’s whole situation began because of a wart after he cut himself. A lot of people keep asking how he gets dressed. What in the hell is there problem, asking a dumbass question like that. This man has been forced to endure a pain I may never know, and has been doing so for longer than I have had the pleasure of walking this earth. This man shows a strength that we may never have to, and for that, I considered him a hero to all who are in such pain. Dede is smiling in many pictures. That just shows that he is an amazingly strong human. And God Bless that daughter of his. They she was in the hospital at his side the whole time he was in there, knowing that she could contract the disease, but staying at her father’s side. Such a beautiful girl, in many ways. It is sad to hear that the warts are growing back, but I do hope that somewhere along the line, there will be a cure and that you live a long and full life.
Tendonin
Cleveland, Ohio, America
August 6th, 2009 at 12:08 am
Lets all just hope and pray (to which ever God you choose) that Den is armed with ONLY his words. If anyone in law enforcement can forward this blog and his comments to like BATF or something that may save some lives down the road. This guy has VA Tech written all over him.
Dude, get some help.
Oh and…God Bless
August 6th, 2009 at 4:39 am
why are people telling this guy to pray?
he needs medical treatment!
and its kinda sad that so many people decided to use this forum to argue their own points on whether there is a god or not.
This poor dude has been give a raw deal and all people can do is preach their own morality?
August 6th, 2009 at 4:46 am
To Girly
It’s apparent you have not read the bible. How can you compare something you are ignorant about with anything ????
August 6th, 2009 at 5:12 am
To Believers -
Den wrote -
” When one comes close to flushing out the truth it scares people with simple minds.”
Cast not your pearls before swine.
August 6th, 2009 at 5:15 am
To Girly -
If you have not read the Bible how can you ccmment on it and compare it to anything ?????
August 10th, 2009 at 2:05 pm
Glenn - You are a moron at best. You paint someone as a threat and then poke at them. What a complete loser. You remind me of the guy that prodded the tiger at the zoo and then screamed in shock for his mommy to help him as the tiger broke out of its captivity, selected him specifically out of hundreds of zoo goers, and began to eat him alive.
Karen - The entire passage reads, “Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.”
Whether my words are accepted as wisdom or discarded as trash is of no matter to me. If one disagrees with me I have no interest to commit them to hell, unlike the so called “merciful” god so many embrace.
As for Dani - You seem to be speaking of yourself. “This poor dude has been give a raw deal and all people can do is preach their own morality? How much have you or any other of you meat bags contributed to charities that help people like Dede? His medical help certainly doesn’t come from you. I have contributed time and money to world wide charitable organizations with regard to both food and health. My guess is that the vast majority of you talk shit when you’re safe and pray when you’re scared.
People help people. God doesn’t do a damn thing. Your prayers are wishful thinking at best. How many of you have done anything besides run your mouths?
It amazes me how many self righteous religious zealots believe they have the nads to “throw the first stone”.
October 18th, 2009 at 10:20 am
Honestly, as bad as Dede’s situation is with the loss of normal functioning of his hands and the painful surgeries and how particularly troublesome and unusual the growths are - in my opinion he looks really cool and mystical…kinda like Edward Scissorhands. I’ll probably never know how much he’s going through and the hardships of his family and friends, and probably never have growths like his. It’s both sad and intriguing, and it would take everything I had to love myself to live with it and accept it. I send you my love, Dede. And if I can get there in physical form, I’d like to give you a hug ;] Peace to you wherever you are.