1. Furor over author Ayaan Hirsi Ali's visit stirs debate on religious freedom

Comment #40739 by chionactis on May 14, 2007 at 9:00 pm

I know other posters have commented on this too, but I just had to add my 2 cents, because I find it so disgusting and stupid.

"If it is found that a person is mentally unstable, or a child or disabled, there should be no punishment," he said. "It's a very merciful religion if you try to understand it."

2. How dare you call me a fundamentalist

Comment #40734 by chionactis on May 14, 2007 at 8:29 pm

"Judging by the thanks that showered my North American book tour, my articulation of hitherto closeted thoughts is heard as a kind of liberation."

Hell yes! Thank you!

3. Atheism in America

Comment #40721 by chionactis on May 14, 2007 at 7:22 pm

"I've never seen anything in the school that [indicated that] the kids treated Nicole badly" - Diane Summerford

That doesn't mean it didn't happen. It is also possible, if she did see it happen, that she is just saying this to protect her image as a good Christian who would never participate in discrimination.

4. Cataloguing every species on earth

Comment #39473 by chionactis on May 10, 2007 at 8:13 pm

I'm surprised they didn't mention the Tree of Life Web Project: http://tolweb.org/tree/phylogeny.html

5. Richard Dawkins in the Time 100

Comment #37174 by chionactis on May 3, 2007 at 3:05 pm

I guess my comments pretty much echo what many of you have already said. I am obviously glad that Dawkins got the exposure. He is a light in this willful darkness, and I am glad he is so influential.

If a neurologist was one of the most influential people, would Time Magazine consider choosing someone claiming to have psychic powers (like the unethical vulture John Edward) to write an article about the neurologist? That would be laughable, right?

If they were making the choice based on the amount of publicity it would give them, on the amount of product it would move, I know now that they absolutely would. With the unfortunate choice of Behe, Time has given us a better understanding of what motivates them.

6. An atheist's call to arms

Comment #36640 by chionactis on May 1, 2007 at 9:36 pm

This is an excellent speech. Thank you, Dr. Dawkins. I remember exploring my neighborhood when I was a child, and the sense of wonder, the mystery of the natural world, and I remember wanting to share it with others. I always wondered why other people weren't as excited about the fantastic organisms we live with. Religion teaches you that an invisible man made it, and that's it. Religion doesn't want you to dig too deep, because the truth is a very real threat to an institution based on belief without evidence.

7. Army to EO Reps: 'Discrimination Against Atheists OK'

Comment #36310 by chionactis on April 30, 2007 at 10:20 pm

Thank you for speaking out about this.

I have been reading a book called "Freethinkers: A History of American Secularism" which reminds the reader of our founding fathers' desire for separation of church and state, and for believers and non-believers alike to have equal rights and representation.

The Army's actions in this matter are not only juvenile, they are un-American.

8. The Video: Bill O'Reilly Interviews Richard Dawkins

Comment #34325 by chionactis on April 23, 2007 at 7:49 pm

You did a great job, Dr. Dawkins, especially with such a short window of time.