1. An Atheist Goes Undercover to Join the Flock of Mad Pastor John Hagee

Comment #176636 by troyreynolds86 on May 7, 2008 at 8:11 pm

I'm with Cartomancer on this one.

I knew these people were the epitome of stone cold fucknuts crazy. I knew they let themselves go into some pretty bizarre places mentally. But they have just redefined fucknuts crazy for me, who as a perpetual cynic such enlightenments are not easy accomplishments. Wow, how willing and eager is this species is to defile our greatest asset, intellect, all simply to whitewash over reality in exchange for the pseudo-pharmaceutical of reassurance and the paper shield of imagined love and protection. The opiate of the masses may be a misquote taken slightly out of context, but every day I live and see another report of this sort is another day closer to being convinced that the misquote is closer to the truth than the passages it was taken from. Again, and for the lack of a word to better describe this, wow.

Troy

2. Evolution's Critics Shift Tactics With Schools

Comment #174888 by troyreynolds86 on May 3, 2008 at 6:11 pm

mandrellian,

Students feeling short changed by a deficient education isn't what bothers me. What scares me far more is if they leave school and actually think that they know something. An ignorant person aware of his ignorance may make attempts to rectify the problem. An ignorant person ignorant of his ignorance is doomed. Sadly, the misinformed is equally as ignorant as the uninformed, but at least the uninformed has the ability to recognize their lack of knowledge. The misinformed is often without recourse, convinced that they possess the right answer. This is the danger I see in the United States. Far to many misinformed people lacking one ounce of skepticism to question their own positions. Sad.

Troy

3. Evolution's Critics Shift Tactics With Schools

Comment #174847 by troyreynolds86 on May 3, 2008 at 4:37 pm

To expand on BW022's thought, it would certainly appear that an education freedom bill would permit a teacher to impose whatever conviction they happened to hold upon the students. We could have Holocaust deniers teaching history, health teachers teaching that AIDS was a CIA creation for racial and homosexual suppression and every other conspiracy theory whackjob and nutcase given full reign over young minds without a single legal right retained by the school to ensure a quality and factual education. All because some people's faith can't handle a small dose of reality.

I read a news article this morning about the problems the United States was suffering from rising gas prices, and one gentleman, referring to our increased urban sprawl and total lack of public transportation infrastructure, he replied with, "We dug our own hole." Well, if we Americans allow this degradation of our educational system to continue, and when the only thing that remains on these shores is the memory of the superpower that was and is no more, I will have only one possible reaction. We dug our own hole. Makes one wonder to which we are more attached, our prosperity or our superstitions.

Troy

4. Did pre-big bang universe leave its mark on the sky?

Comment #159262 by troyreynolds86 on April 11, 2008 at 7:20 pm

Shad0w,

Mathematics may be the language that science is spoken in, yet you seem to have missed the metaphor. Without evidence to either confirm or refute said equations, no matter how elegant the proofs are, we are provided nothing. Zero. Other than more speculation. We can no more assert these claims as having any bearing on reality than can the religious with their assertions. And more danger for us when we do. We are the evidence based community, and we should aways be careful to remain true that that standard or else we fall into the same trap as the religious. That was the point. Math may give us the ability to understand the evidence but it still requires the evidence before it is even a reasonable facsimile of reality.

Troy

5. Did pre-big bang universe leave its mark on the sky?

Comment #158599 by troyreynolds86 on April 10, 2008 at 7:57 pm

Though I am always enthused by the models created by physicist it would behoove us to be cautious about citing theoretical physics in an argument. Mathematics on a blackboard aren't worth much more than musing within a holy book until we have the experimental evidence to back it up. That is, after all, what separates religious thought from scientific thought, and taking any theoretical explanation sans evidence betrays our rational selves and gives the opposition the golden opportunity to paint science as just another field of faith.

Troy

6. Hitchens vs. Hitchens

Comment #157864 by troyreynolds86 on April 9, 2008 at 4:12 pm

Artful Dodger,

You fear what would fill the gap if humanity ceased to be accountable to God? Well, personally I am accountable to my nation to obey the laws of civil society. I am accountable to every human I come into contact with to respect their rights as I respect my own, and to never infringe upon said rights. I am accountable to every voice, face and name that I will never know when my failures as a citizen cripples their lives. I am accountable to this planet, not for myself but for the prosperity of humanity, knowing full well that we need her far more than she would ever need us.

One need not let ones imagination drift onto thoughts of the infinite to find something greater than oneself.

Troy

7. Get out of here, atheists!

Comment #156429 by troyreynolds86 on April 7, 2008 at 2:29 pm

Peace,

I wouldn't expect more integrity, but more thoughtfulness and sympathy to be sure. She has seen discrimination against people like herself, perhaps even against herself, and through that doesn't seem to have come away having never looked truly deeply at what discrimination is. It would be no different for a black to hate a Jew. The same arguments would be made and rightfully so. In an ideal society what you say would be totally correct, and such a society is desirable. But we are not there yet, and when a discriminated person makes a remark of discrimination it can only serve to undermine the sincerity of their own cries for equality and justice.

Just a thought,
Troy

8. Biologists Take Evolution Beyond Darwin Way Beyond

Comment #155939 by troyreynolds86 on April 6, 2008 at 11:16 am

Thanks Steve,

I was under the impression that they were identical. Upon further thought I now realize how thick such a thought really was. Even with common parents there is still genetic variation. But thanks again.

Troy

9. Biologists Take Evolution Beyond Darwin Way Beyond

Comment #155926 by troyreynolds86 on April 6, 2008 at 10:30 am

Perhaps the more biologically educated amongst the group could indulge me if I am wrong, but doesn't a collective group, such as a hive or a colony, still represent a single genome? When considering environmental interactions perhaps the concept of a superorganism would be beneficial (such as how does a colony of ants affects the local plant life it consumes) but when considering it from a selection viewpoint we would do ourselves the greatest benefit to still consider the genes versus the environment.

Such would seem also to be true of the human/bacteria symbiosis. The environment of the bacteria is the body. The environment of the body includes the bacteria. Even if a mutation occurs it still only represents an environmental change for the symbiotic partner.

To me this article adds nothing to evolutionary discourse.

Troy

10. Cult leader Pyotr Kuznetsov tries suicide after realising he was wrong about doomsday

Comment #155627 by troyreynolds86 on April 5, 2008 at 5:41 am

Comment #155074 by Logicel

Sadly, the images of the town, dreary as it is, are typical of small towns in Russia. Where my wife's parents live, she being a native Russian, is completely indistinguishable from the images in that video. Kinda sad really, when we see a large industrialized nation still harboring a large portion of her population in near poverty. Sorry for falling off thread.

Anyway, kudos to Lori for sharing her story with us. Much can be learned from the intricate web of our experiences within our fellowship.


Troy

11. Protests no concern for outspoken atheist

Comment #155545 by troyreynolds86 on April 4, 2008 at 6:26 pm

phasmagigas,

A fine menu choice. Let's hope that while the hot voices spread the reeking stench of fire and brimstone through some distant village that our would be convertees will be touched by a certain noodly appendage.

Troy

12. Protests no concern for outspoken atheist

Comment #155528 by troyreynolds86 on April 4, 2008 at 4:59 pm

And as far as being granted equal time, fine, but no longer should churches organize missionary excursions into remote reaches of our planet trying to exchange sanctity for sandwiches. Oh no by brothers. Now it will only be done as massive campaigns with each denomination traveling as a herd, each debating each other in from of the would be converted trying to earn the rights to count them amongst their faithful. Not to mention that when the Mormon boys come peddling into town they shall not do so without a fine representation of the Watchtower Club in tow, all riding one gigantic multi-person bicycle, debating the tenets together on every doorstep.

If you are going to accuse Dawkins of attempting conversions and yell that such needs fair balance to alternate views then so be it. Start living your own rhetoric.

Troy

13. Protests no concern for outspoken atheist

Comment #154981 by troyreynolds86 on April 4, 2008 at 3:27 am

This may only be my naive little brain being unable to ascend to higher thoughts, but to what extent are religious people ever not creationists to some extent?

Though some may shun the idea of people just being popped into existence in some garden paradise in exchange for a different mechanism of our development (evolution, for instance), is there really any major difference? A religionist who accepts our descent from other species does so with a keen devotion to the idea that some god micromanaging the entire process, pulling the intricate levers of selection pressure. How very different are the IDer of the irreducible complexity, the YEC and the evolutionary religionist really when we get to the heart of the matter?

Troy

14. CEAI Action Alert for Science Teachers

Comment #154192 by troyreynolds86 on April 2, 2008 at 8:25 pm

theantitheist,

Glad to hear. Is there an address where one could delight in reading about this?

Reverend Dark,

Would that be belly button lint or clothes dryer lint? I feel we maybe on our way to a major schism.

Troy

15. CEAI Action Alert for Science Teachers

Comment #154170 by troyreynolds86 on April 2, 2008 at 7:41 pm

Just once, for all of the hand waving that is done in the name of some anti-evolution rhetoric, I would like for the esteemed opposition to present to the public the supposed holes in the Theory of Evolution. Then, and only out of sheer politeness and in the name of Christian charity, I would like to see them yield the floor to a real biologist to present the evidence for evolution. Let us settle this matter with a true presentation of each case. If such damning evidence of Evolution's supposed fallacy does exist I suspect a Nobel Prize would be waiting. Bring the best you've got. It would be entertaining.

Troy

16. Vote on freedom of expression marks the end of Universal Human Rights

Comment #153001 by troyreynolds86 on March 31, 2008 at 8:26 pm

If irony were rain not even Noah would survive this flood. Islam does not respect any other religion, yet they demand it from every one else? Islam respects Islam and Islam alone. The rest of the world's belief systems can go to hell for all they care. When they grant what they demand, and come to understand that individual dignity and human rights are greater than collective adherence to dogma, it is then, and only then, that I shall tip my cap to them with respect. Until then I shall detest them for what they are. Hypocrits.

17. Police: Girl Dies After Parents Pray for Healing Instead of Seeking Medical Help

Comment #150345 by troyreynolds86 on March 26, 2008 at 6:34 pm

My heart goes out to any person that cared for that little girl and wasn't a co-conspirator in her death.

I do wonder, though, how long it will be before this girl's parents (or should I say sperm and egg donor, for they failed in any litmus test of parenting that I could imagine) rationalize away any responsibility in her death? When shall "I did not have faith enough" so sickeningly morph into "Thy will be done"? Barring prosecution I can not help but to speculate that they will dance away from this with nothing more that a momentary shame in their failure to the big prick in the sky followed by a greater appreciation for all-loving nature of the non-existent. Such are the dodges when one cons one's own mind.

Troy

18. New Atheists Are Not Great

Comment #145550 by troyreynolds86 on March 17, 2008 at 5:42 pm

Snow quoted D'Souza with the following stupidity. The western world owes our understanding of individual rights and personal sacredness to Christianity. Well, I, being of limited learning on the subject of medieval Europe, ask of my more enlightened teachers to answer me this one question. Why the hell did it take 1500 friggin' years of Christianity in Europe before a drop of dignifying rights began to trickle their way into the hands of the common folk? And conspicuously following the Enlightenment I might add!

Annabanana, such a tough choice. Choosing between the Wee Flea and D'Souza is a bit like choosing between syphilis and gonorrhea. One will make you insane and the other makes it hurt when you pee.

Troy

19. Ban anti-Catholic books in schools, says bishop

Comment #143267 by troyreynolds86 on March 13, 2008 at 7:47 pm

So are we to assume that the good bishop is quite fine with books that defame the Muslims, COE and the Mormons, just so long as they have nothing nasty to say about the house of a thousand baby-rapers? Why, oh kind and godly sir, does yours deserve such special consideration?

Also, seems a little sleezy to me to compare critiques of a historical narrative supported by precisely zero evidence to a historical event supported by mountains. Such comparisons seem the creation of the most ignorant minds.

Troy

20. Berlin gallery in Islam art row

Comment #136553 by troyreynolds86 on March 1, 2008 at 11:55 am

If only we could live in a world where the people who envision themselves the earthly representatives of some omnipotent being would finally come to grips with the fact that such a being doesn't need our help. It would be quite capable of administering everyone's just deserves without our needing to resort to death threats every time someone either insults that being or the cult that centers around it. How much violence could we avoid if only this principle became universal, leaving divine retribution to the divine? One can only imagine.

Troy

21. Fleabytes

Comment #134621 by troyreynolds86 on February 28, 2008 at 3:45 am

Yet, as I recall. doesn't the bible say that the children should not suffer for the sins of the father. Correct me if I am wrong. If I am not then how does that fit with original sin? Would we not be suffering for the sins of Adam and Eve?

22. Evidence can't shake your faith if your faith excludes it as evidence

Comment #132477 by troyreynolds86 on February 24, 2008 at 7:58 pm

Rational Thinking,

Fair enough. I suppose that is why absolute certainty on any subject (one's personal existance remaining the exception) remains the elusive and unattainable prize.

Rasdeq,

And if any are called balls, the ump was paid off by the Yankees.

23. Evidence can't shake your faith if your faith excludes it as evidence

Comment #132469 by troyreynolds86 on February 24, 2008 at 7:40 pm

Rational Thinking,

Why wouldn't preditions work? If the prediction was for a random event, personally observable from an objective view point and impossible to fake. I suppose one could rationalize being confused or hallucinating into disregarding the results, but such rationalizations would render all observation unqualified as any kind of evidence on any topic. "Belief in Atheism". I was simply mocking the author's tone.

Troy

24. Evidence can't shake your faith if your faith excludes it as evidence

Comment #132449 by troyreynolds86 on February 24, 2008 at 7:01 pm

Belief in Atheism being so ingrained as to blind the Atheist to any evidence. Horsecrap. We are only asking for proof that isn't open to interpretations, the same evidence we expect from all other areas. Here's one that should be easy for a being of infinite insight. How about the pitch locations and speeds (to the mile per hour)of every pitch for every game of the 2008 Red Sox before the season begins. It would be nearly impossible, if not impossible, for such a thing to be faked, so not open to interpretation. Provide me with that level of proof and my belief will be given freely.

I would also need tickets to all of the games so that I could confirm the prophetic proclamations of my guiding angel. Third base line, above the dugout would be nice. And airfare for road trips. And hotel vouchers. I guess my soul is for sale.

25. A match made on RichardDawkins.net?

Comment #128202 by troyreynolds86 on February 16, 2008 at 1:33 pm

Yorker and Veronique,

Congratulations on finding the grandest treasure of love. My best wishes on all of your years together being filled with happiness. Way to go.

26. Murder plot against Danish cartoonist

Comment #126245 by troyreynolds86 on February 12, 2008 at 7:17 pm

godless_badass

I'm a native New Hampshireman, and the saying comes from one of my favorite native sons, John Stark.

Could anyone familiar with Danish law explain to me what section 114 entails? What is the Danish citizen going to be charged with, and what types of penalties does it entail. I am really shocked that they other two, from Morroco, are going to be expelled as opposed to held for trial. They attempted to kill a Danish citizen and from the brief bit described in the article it looks like all they are going to receive is a deportation. A little surprising, so could someone who knows more about what is going on and Danish law clarify?

Thanks,
Troy

27. Sharia law in UK is 'unavoidable'

Comment #123766 by troyreynolds86 on February 7, 2008 at 3:41 pm

Seems a little twisted to me. Muslims move to a country that has a system that allows them to retain their religion, dress and vast majority of their customs, and then they reject that very system.

It is either a lack of respect for the respect they are being given, one withheld in most of the countries of their origins, or a short sightedness on their part for not recognizing just what the alternative could be if such a system didn't exist. I don't think they really understand.

The first lesson that any person migrating to a secular democracy must come to learn is that it is not the place of a free society to provide special considerations but equal considerations.

I am curious. In rejecting the nature of the laws and the established system of courts within a country, in essence divorcing themselves from that society, are they also rejecting the right to freedom of religion?

28. Apologetic billboard replaces atheistic sign

Comment #123277 by troyreynolds86 on February 6, 2008 at 7:34 pm

So she expects us to believe that she, or someone at her company, never saw any plans for what was going to be put up? Riiiiight. If there is that little oversight I am quite suprised that I don't seem more naked people on billboards.

29. Ad 'likely to offend gay people'

Comment #123265 by troyreynolds86 on February 6, 2008 at 6:39 pm

Well, DavidJMH, if tolerance and equality being granted to homosexuals be the straw that breaks the camel's back of western civilization, if our society cannot survive by offering these two human rights to every one, a tenent of its very foundation, then western civilization has already fallen. If future history books write about our civilization I would much prefer they look upon our time as being one where we changed our world for the better and finally dispelled with our hypocrisy of flashing around notions of equality and actually started living it. And if this experiment in social construction, based upon such simple principles as equality and tolerance, does die a miserable death then the guilt shall fall upon the failings of the species that aimed too high for literate apes, demonstrating just how little we have progressed from our days of knuckle dragging. The death of such ideals shall be our shame, not the shame of the ideals themselves.

30. Ad 'likely to offend gay people'

Comment #123209 by troyreynolds86 on February 6, 2008 at 3:43 pm

Peacebeuponme,

I wasn't saying that homophobia was an entirely religious construct. And I agree that it has origins in other points older than religion or holy books, but the problem still remains that the only faction that can hold a justification for demonizing homosexuality are those that possess some holy writ that commands them to do so. A person could be nonreligious and a homophobe but if pressed for a reason he would be without on. The religious on the other hand have a perfectly good one, albeit as foolish as all of the rest. And, since it comes from a holy book, it remains the most difficult to undo. My point was that we have millions of loving couples in this world that are being kept from entering into a legal relationship with each other because we are focusing on what we perceive as the negative, being, instead of focusing on the positive, a committed relationship, the same type of relationship that the religious espouse as being a good thing. I am bothered by the hypocrisy in their position.

31. Ad 'likely to offend gay people'

Comment #123188 by troyreynolds86 on February 6, 2008 at 3:00 pm

Oh yeah, because the worst thing a child could see is two people wanting to enter into a monogomous, committed, trusting relationship based upon love and respect. Oh the horror. Why are Christians so damn scared of gays? Could they honestly think that their kid will see a gay couple and catch gay? Could they be that moronic? Wait, just remembered all of their other precious beliefs. In comparison this one is more tame, yet far more sinister.

32. The Pagan Christ

Comment #122775 by troyreynolds86 on February 6, 2008 at 3:47 am

Albondigas,

I think the main point is that though a belief in god doesn't hold a monopoly on either delusion or wickedness it is the king of delivering people to that state. When one postulates that there is a god, that being is the definition of good and then get swept up into an idea that god wants something there is no more motivation that one can think of that is irresistable. There is nothing more enabling of gay bashing that the idea that "god hates fags". What produces the murder of abortion doctors than the idea that "abotion is an abomination in the eyes of the lord". The list could go on. Remove ones impression on what the thoughts of god are and a person will remove a very prime motivation to do wicked things. We can all become corrupted, but I would contend that it is easiest when one has god. Just attach any malicious belief onto the premise that god is good, loving and right and that end is instantly achieved.

33. Letters: Theology has no place in a university

Comment #122773 by troyreynolds86 on February 6, 2008 at 3:35 am

Cartomancer,

Wow, that was quite the analysis. But what about the Thunder Cats. At least that phallic symbol became erect.

34. Admitting that you have no religion is not politically correct

Comment #122057 by troyreynolds86 on February 4, 2008 at 2:59 pm

Pandering at its worse. It seems to me all the university is doing is keeping itself from having to answer question posed by religious alumni and students. A university is not only a lecture hall where knowledge is imparted, it is a hallowed ground where honesty and integrity are bestowed as well, best shown through example. By hiding their heads in the sand instead of taking the higher ground they have shown themselves to be moral cowards and intellectual frauds. Shame on them and the generation of gutless weasels they shall thrust out into the world, incubated in such a travesty of failed education.

35. Letters: Theology has no place in a university

Comment #121628 by troyreynolds86 on February 3, 2008 at 9:13 pm

hes2@usa,

You postulate a conclusion based upon an assumption. You assume that a intelligent, intentional creator exists. That is all it is. An assumption. Nothing more. Nothing better. Then you attack others who do have evidence, and your ignorance of evidence is not absence of evidence, for views derived from this evidence. There is a terrific debate being hosted on this site between PZ Myers and Geoffrey Simmons about this very topic, with this lack of transitional fossils that you hold are absent being a major part of the discussion. PZ will provide you with a list. Go look them up. Study them. Ask question about them. Doubt them so much that you feel that burning curiosity envelope you and give in to that ripping desire to prove that they are not real to the point you learn everything about them possible. Try to prove them wrong based upon solid science, and we encourage you to do this. If you can then we all learn something and the people on this site like that sort of thing. Once you have done this study and you still doubt that the evidence is faulty then at least you will have applied yourself to the point that your opinions on the matter may be respectable. Until then you do nothing but preach. No preaching from us, we merely apply the same requirement to all things, proof on evidence, to all subjects without exception. If you doubt this you have no idea about the group to whom you are conversing.

We await any legitamate insights you could provide. There is nothing hidden in science. Libraries, book stores and museums are all open to the public for our enjoyment and enlightenment.

36. Some non-Christians feel left out of election

Comment #121585 by troyreynolds86 on February 3, 2008 at 6:14 pm

Thanks Andrew,

Appreciate the response. Maybe I will just email each of the major remaining campaigns and see how they would actually offer anything to the godless constituent. Not that I would expect a terrifically truthful or enlightening response.

37. Some non-Christians feel left out of election

Comment #121553 by troyreynolds86 on February 3, 2008 at 4:27 pm

Andrew,

Do you remember which Time issue that was. I would be interested in seeing that article. To see how he presents it.

Thanks.

38. Female Muslim medics 'disobey hygiene rules'

Comment #121397 by troyreynolds86 on February 3, 2008 at 11:03 am

The purpose of any hospital is to provide a patient with the best available care. If you cannot check your beliefs at the door and provide that care, do not pass through those doors yourself. This is so much worse than Christian doctors refusing referrals based on beliefs. This could actually kill someone. And if their god has a problem with them stepping out of orthodoxy in order to help other people so much so that these women would experience Hell for their impunity then I would personally rather go to Hell having done the right thing as opposed to Heaven for the wrong. And religion thinks they hold a patent on morality.

39. 'Irrational Atheist' trounces God-deniers

Comment #121007 by troyreynolds86 on February 2, 2008 at 9:14 pm

No, the book doesn't get any better. His arguments are weak, and as near as I can tell he isn't really arguing about anyone's arguments.

Page 29, the Ad Hominen. Comparing Dawkins to Leary as if it were drugs that produced his wonder about science. Interesting comparison, as if something a person finds interesting and breathtaking in its scope and scale must be drug induced. Also, either Day fails to mention or notice, but Leary's experimentation with LSD produced in him a sense of god, where for RD reality inspired his awe just fine. Good comparison.

Page 34 "Some of history's greatest scientists are known to have been men of great Christian faith." I wonder what they would be had they been born in our world today? Pure speculation but I would suspect a great number of them would have dumped the god hypothesis. Immediately afterward, the da Vinci line. Did da Vinci really respect the Church, who was not his most prominent patron, and for whom he gladly produced two heretical Madonna on the Rocks before getting one his commissioners would accept. He, most likely, worked for the church on occasion because, like most people, he needed someone to pay him and they did have the cash to pony up.

His argument about the dark ages not being all that dark. Fine. Okay. Pointless when discussing science because there really wasn't much going on. The list of legitamate church grudges with science is short. Fine. Again, not much going on that would anger the church. Just imagine the church's outrage had Darwin published Origin during the time when it was the primary mover and shaker. By the Victorian age Catholicism had been nutted by the Reformation and that had been nutted by the Enlightenment. Had both of these not happened, just consider the longer list of scandals we could point at.

Well, enough, and far too long.

40. 'Irrational Atheist' trounces God-deniers

Comment #120790 by troyreynolds86 on February 2, 2008 at 2:34 pm

Kardashovel,

I don't think everyone meant it as an insult, but here is how I have to perceive such claims. There are innumerable people in this world from all different religions that claim that they have heard a message or seen some type of sign no one else could see. Some are lying. Some are schizophrenic. Some are, probably, just constructing something in the unconscious. Some might be legitamately hearing something external. But the problem is that many of these experiences are specific to the religion that they are drawn to and many are exclusionary. So it would be reasonable to assume that some are either liars, mentally disturbed or suffering from some type of temporary delusional state. Now, if there is only one god, and he is specific in his desire for a particular religious, then only one religious experience is legitamate, at best. So for yours to be real, all other must be fake, or tricks by some evil being. I look at it this way, if two patients are in a doctor's office with identical symptoms it is fair to assume they have the same ailment, until something distinguishes on from the other. You may not be schizophrenic, but one does not need to be to have their imaginations, purely beyond their control, get the best of them. Take the advice. Seek some help. At least then you may protect yourself if the voice that your heard is an indication of something more insidious that is lurking in the shadows than might cause you to hurt yourself or someone else. I understand that this was one of the most important moments of your life, and having someone trivialize it with arm chair psychology is a litte bit demeaning, but please don't just go with it. I would rather not see anything bad happen to you because you saw something in the voice that may have lead you to a conclusion that could be disasterous. If it never comes back or does and is benevolent, all the better. If it does and you do something at its bidding therein lies the tragedy.

Troy

41. Sentenced to death: Afghan who dared to read about women's rights

Comment #118824 by troyreynolds86 on January 31, 2008 at 3:15 am

What purpose is a democratic government when the highest laws of the land are immutable and taken as a greater factor than human rights? Democracy is nothing more than a joke and a phantom where ever the theocratic mind dominates the legal system. I signed the petition but I doubt that outside pressure will amount to anything substantial other than to become a shouting point for those who view Islam as under attack from the infidel, winning the radical clerics a better foothold among the devout populace. How truly backward and disappointing the human species can be.

Troy

42. What should a scientist think about religion?

Comment #118469 by troyreynolds86 on January 30, 2008 at 5:20 pm

I am always awed by PZ's abilities with language. A tremendous literary soul in the body of a scientist, a remoldng of a renaissance man. And more to the point, quoting this piece about Atheism and science would go a long way to finally getting the religious to understand what Atheism means. We do not reject the god hypothesis, we, as good practitioners of science, do not accept it on lack of evidence. That's all Atheism is, scientific skepticism applied to unfounded claims. And if asking for proof before accepting a claim is dogmatic and fundamentalist then color me so.

43. Atheism and Violence

Comment #117848 by troyreynolds86 on January 29, 2008 at 7:50 pm

Somehow it always feels like to me that the theists, when considering what an atheist world would look like, get caught up in Dostoyevsky's paraphrase, "Without God all things are permissible". Whether this is true or not, and one could point to a dozen purely secular nations that are socially light years ahead of the most religions, e.i. the US and Middle East, they seem to use it to skim over the argument being presented to them.

This argument, as I understand it, and correct me if I am wrong, is this. When one assumes there is a god, that god is good and has a desire for certain actions it is but a small step to go from sane humanitarian to maniacal psychopath. All one need do is convince oneself that their god wants them to perform the action, and since it is divinely mandated from a good being it must be good to do. This is how inquisitions happen. God wants you to destroy the heretics. This is how abortion clinic bombings happen. God wants you to destroy the abortionists. The list could continue but I think the point is clear. I would contend that Dostoyevsky had it entirely backwards. With God all things are permissible.

Troy

44. 'Irrational Atheist' trounces God-deniers

Comment #117804 by troyreynolds86 on January 29, 2008 at 5:20 pm

For a moment I would like to make sense of this slippery Voxian logic.

-Scientists have produced technologies that have potentially disasterous consequences.
-Certain bad people have used this technology even though most scientists didn't want them to use it but were powerless to stop them.
-Therefore the scientists are responsible for the consequences.

Perhaps Mr. Vox failed to reckon this part.

-God made a universe where destructive technology was possible. God also made the bad people.
-God didn't want the bad people to use the technolgy but did nothing to stop them.
-Therefore, God is responsible for all the world's atrocities.

And if we wonder who is more responsible one would think it to be the ultimate creator who was both wise enough to know the danger, powerful enough to intervene and still allowed it to happen.

If a scientist is responsible for the evil that comes from his creation then God is even more so.

45. A Letter From Hell

Comment #117007 by troyreynolds86 on January 28, 2008 at 3:14 am

Double Bass Atheist,

I think perhaps you need to talk to this kid's parents, your son's permission, of course, being taken into consideration first. It could very well be that this kid's parents are unaware that their own kid is doing this. They may be quite moderate in their belief and he could have been introduced to this virus by some uncle or cousin. If they are receptive to your problem then all the better, and you may count them as an ally if it is decided that action is required to further stop this from being distributed. If they are the problem then appealing to the media and the school becomes almost an imperative, especially if their kid used the school's email database to acquire the email addresses. I would also consider contacting the parents of the other kids that saw this video. They may offer insight, be counted as allies or could be completely unaware of what their kid has been shown. Anyway, their feedback, since it influences the lives of their kids, could highlight some of the immediate concerns as well as give you some indication of the potential fallout that your kid might experience based upon your actions. If your instantly make a huge deal out of this by going over their heads they may become rather pissed and decide that their kid can't hang out with your kid. The more feedback the better.

Sincerely yours,
Troy

46. A Letter From Hell

Comment #115920 by troyreynolds86 on January 25, 2008 at 3:38 am

The first part that bothered me was the whole "Book of Life" thing and having to wait in line for judgment. So what they are trying to tell me is that their god was able to make a universe, give it life, control all aspects of it, but it was just never able to sort out the bureaucratic mess at the front door in order to get into the happy place. A new slogan for our dear Christian brothers and sisters. "Getting into Heaven. Like a trip to the DMV." One would think that an all knowing, all powerful being would see that the couple of hours waiting for your number to be called would be an utter waste considering the eternity of pleasure/pain on the other side of that wait. Puzzling.

And Heaven's gates have bouncers? Interesting. Now I know what job those guys manning the velvet rope at dance clubs are auditioning for.

The other part that kind of irks me is that they never addressed the issue about what would have happened had Zack died instead of Josh. Zack was a "proper" Christian, having accepted the "right" mythology, who engaged in identical behavior as Josh. If Josh goes to Hell for not accepting the mythology, and Zack gets Heaven, then it would mean belief trumps behavior. If both end up in Hell then it would mean that spreading the message would have been pointless, their behavior would be the same with or without belief. I guess such is the odd omissions within scare tactics.

Also, it would be a good thing to alter this video, supplanting the references to Jesus with Allah and Mohammed. After all, if the Muslims are right those good little Christians shall be my neighbors in the pit, and it would be wise to make sure they know that their decision does have potential consequences.

47. The real danger in Darwin is not evolution, but racism

Comment #115210 by troyreynolds86 on January 23, 2008 at 6:49 pm

Nothing is more damning to racism than a good understanding of evolution! What a moron. Any adaptation to the environment (color of skin) of any race matters precisely zero considering that there is a greater genetic variation within a race than between them. One could not proclaim, once one has a clue about what evolution says (which is not necessarily what Darwin says, since the theory has had a century and a half to be further developed and is far more complete than he left it), than any living organism is any more evolved than any other. Each are exactly what their environments require.

Also, if we are going to bash, presuming that Darwin held such beliefs about other races, Victorian thinkers for engaging in Victorian prejudices then maybe we should ban from the hands of students the writings of Abraham Lincoln. He, "the great emancipator", demonstrated some particularly vile views on other races.

48. The New Theology

Comment #113486 by troyreynolds86 on January 19, 2008 at 6:06 pm

I say let the theologians become infected with this stuff like the flu, with all of the contageous delight. Let them preach it from every hilltop upon the flocks below. Let the general public see what kind of gods they are left with when the religious intelligencia have run out of holes in which to hide their supreme being. Christianity could use a few new schisms!

This may not drive any of the faithful to our camp, but it will cause a serious crisis of faith in anything a theologian may utter.

49. Huckabee Wants A 'Faith-based' Constitution

Comment #113120 by troyreynolds86 on January 18, 2008 at 3:49 pm

I do have to wonder if the US's overall general illiteracy (science, literature, history) has more to do with our failed education system or our general lack of interest in educating ourselves more than what is required to simply hold a job? I tend to think they work in tandem but if the latter remains the former will be doomed to failure.

Also, I doubt the US has a higher percentage of morons than any other nation, or at least a close ratio, we just rejoice in putting them on TV. We are, after all, the country that put Jerry Springer into the highest of ratings.

50. Sam Harris debate with Rabbi David Wolpe

Comment #107466 by troyreynolds86 on January 4, 2008 at 3:01 pm

Same old argument. We need to call out some of high points. Why don't the atheist arguers ever point out that claiming god created the universe is a cosmological claim about a physical reality, landing such claims dead in the lap of science to investigate? And god being intangible doesn't cut it because the results and method both were physical. The same holds for the origin of life. And consciousness. There was a time when we couldn't conceive of how it was that a lump of tissue in our heads got a full fledged 3d cinematic experience into them. We are beginning to understand this and many other things about the mind and brain. Also, if the soul represents an imprint of the experiences and personality of the person then there is some method by which the two communicate. That is a testable scientific question. Every claim that religion makes about anything related to reality, to the corporal, are points of scientific inquiry.