1. Science leads to killing people

Comment #170834 by pewkatchoo on April 28, 2008 at 4:55 am

Stein's comment on universities producing nothing useful; he may have a point. After all, he went to university.

2. If God Is Dead, Who Gets His House?

Comment #165665 by pewkatchoo on April 22, 2008 at 2:28 am

AaAAAAAaaaaAAArrrrrrgggggggggggghhhhhhhhhh!

3. A Conversation with Expelled's Associate Producer Mark Mathis

Comment #165088 by pewkatchoo on April 21, 2008 at 3:44 am

I think that Mr Mathis is an extremely brave man. After all, he must be aware of the fact that he is a complete numpty, and yet he still took part in this interview.

4. Fleabytes

Comment #150725 by pewkatchoo on March 27, 2008 at 10:18 am

I keep coming back to this article to read it. I am astonished by its clarity of thought and by the patience of the writer to actually sit down and read through the reams of patent drivel that spins off the Fleas' pens.

This piece is so full of gems that I will find myself coming back to it simply to cut and paste bits when I am having on-line arguments with the faithful. I thank you Paula from the bottom of my heart for such a fabulous critique.

5. Saudi Arabia Leader Calls for Interfaith Dialogue

Comment #150629 by pewkatchoo on March 27, 2008 at 7:35 am

So how exactly are they going to 'vanquish' atheism. Presumably in a tolerant way! Why do I get the uneasy feeling that this is the first shot in a future war between the believers and the non-believers.

6. Wicked untruths from the Church

Comment #150595 by pewkatchoo on March 27, 2008 at 6:37 am

I posted this against the article about the young lassie who was allowed to die by her religious parents, but I would like to repeat it here as it gives my position on the subject.

Here in the UK at the moment we have a bill going through parliament on research into the use of human embryos. As you can expect, the churches are up in arms because the government demanded that politicians vote in favour of the bill and not allow a vote on conscience. I have had arguments with people that a vote based on religious conscience is not a democratic vote. They still seem to think that religion has some sort of moral authority. To me the ethics of this bill has to be settled, but that religion has no place in this. The ethics must be informed by science and the proper study of ethics as related to the modern world, not some 2000 year old book that is in itself morally ambiguous to say the least. Religious morality should be restricted to the home, between consenting adults as another poster likes to say, and not let loose in the real world. There is a proper study of social ethics and this is the only rational means for evaluating such matters, as this will examine the scientific evidence and, hopefully, ask the right questions.

The argument that we are playing God, the main argument of the religious, has no legitimacy. How can we be playing the role of someone that cannot be proven to exist?

The event chronicled here only convinces me further that the religious are wrong to want to have their say in such matters.

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

Comment #150577 by pewkatchoo on March 27, 2008 at 6:14 am

Here in the UK at the moment we have a bill going through parliament on research into the use of human embryos. As you can expect, the churches are up in arms because the government demanded that politicians vote in favour of the bill and not allow a vote on conscience. I have had arguments with people that a vote based on religious conscience is not a democratic vote. They still seem to think that religion has some sort of moral authority. To me the ethics of this bill has to be settled, but that religion has no place in this. The ethics must be informed by science and the proper study of ethics as related to the modern world, not some 2000 year old book that is in itself morally ambiguous to say the least. Religious morality should be restricted to the home, between consenting adults as another poster likes to say, and not let loose in the real world. There is a proper study of social ethics and this is the only rational means for evaluating such matters, as this will examine the scientific evidence and, hopefully, ask the right questions.

The argument that we are playing God, the main argument of the religious, has no legitimacy. How can we be playing the role of someone that cannot be proven to exist?

The event chronicled here only convinces me further that the religious are wrong to want to have their say in such matters.

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

Comment #149827 by pewkatchoo on March 26, 2008 at 9:17 am

Not convinced. They could be hiding behind their beliefs here. This needs to be investigated more thoroughly. It is manslaughter at best, but if they are simply hiding behind the stupidity of religion then it is murder.

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

Comment #132761 by pewkatchoo on February 25, 2008 at 7:30 am

This sort of article highlights the reason why I have not been posting of late, apart from being exceptionally busy with work and rediscovering that I have a life. It is just not worthwhile arguing about religion or the existance of a deity. The arguments in favour are all inane to the point of tediousness. They are not mysterious or sacred or anything else. They are simply boring. A discussion about who is the best rock guitarist alive today is much more engrossing. It is of course Joe Satriani.

10. Religious scholars mull Flying Spaghetti Monster

Comment #132735 by pewkatchoo on February 25, 2008 at 7:08 am

Life is just too short for nonsense like this. In such ridiculous directions does religiosity lead us. Mind you, at least it keeps the intellectually bereft morons who come up with ideas like this out of everyone elses' hair. I can get on with my life safe in the knowledge that they are suitably employed.

11. An Open Letter to Richard Dawkins

Comment #96878 by pewkatchoo on December 11, 2007 at 3:23 am

Been away for a while! Came back to find that we are still debating the same t0ssers that we always have been. Their arguments are the same as always. Poorly understood, 'Atheism as belief system' and poorly researched 'Hitler was an atheist'. Why do we bother? Just laugh at them. Much more effective.

12. Atheists arise: Dawkins spreads the A-word among America's unbelievers

Comment #75251 by pewkatchoo on October 2, 2007 at 6:30 am

Nick Good seems to have a good [sic] point initially, but overplays it a bit. I think that the point that RD is making is more to do with the power of small lobby groups being out of all proportion to their actual size. There is little doubt that the Jewish and Christian lobbies in the US have way too much power for the good of the rest of the population.

Is anyone aware that here in the UK we have had laws passed, this week, on Religious Hatred? Now we have to be careful what we say against religion in case it is perceived as promoting religious hatred, whatever that is! Guess which branch of religion this is really designed to protect? Clue, it isn't Quetz worshippers.

13. Dawkins - what can't he be blamed for?

Comment #75211 by pewkatchoo on October 2, 2007 at 3:54 am

Richard Dawkins is the Anti-Flea.

14. Teacher: I was fired, said Bible isn't literal

Comment #74733 by pewkatchoo on September 30, 2007 at 7:20 am

Does anyone here really imagine for two bloody seconds that the Flea's 'just come back from the hospital scenario' has a grain of fact in it? I quite imagine that this is just one of his typical devices to try and pour scorn on us benighted atheists. He is not averse to simply making it up to score an imaginary point. In short, he is an arse if it is true or not.

15. Teacher: I was fired, said Bible isn't literal

Comment #74730 by pewkatchoo on September 30, 2007 at 7:04 am

Nurse, Flea is trying to crawl through the bars on the window now.

16. AAI Convention webcam

Comment #74309 by pewkatchoo on September 28, 2007 at 4:58 am

Veronique
I certainly do remember your story. I enjoyed it very much, even though I still look on cats a little as the devil's beasts. ((^8 Still have not worked out why they seem to like me!

To the main point, the criticism of the RRS. I have to say that I can understand very well their position. I think that if they have been unnecessarily rude then they should be given a good kick. But that will happen anyway. They are still doing a reasonable job. Who cares about collars and ties.

17. Teacher: I was fired, said Bible isn't literal

Comment #74244 by pewkatchoo on September 27, 2007 at 11:46 pm

Northern Bright
Thank you for posting those little gems from the Flea's trashy book. My admiration for your fortitude in reading that bilge is immense. He really is a disgusting little weasel isn't he! It certainly validates my stance of simply ridiculing him every time. He will take whatever we say and use it against us anyway, but if he does, I suggest a class action lawsuit is possible.

As I said before, the presbyterian church is responsible for holding my country back for hundreds of years. Wee Flea is just a typical example of a middle ages throwback. He does not love his god, he simply sees an opportunity for him to exert some influence on his community. It is power and status that he desires, nothing else.

18. There Go The Dinosaurs

Comment #74068 by pewkatchoo on September 27, 2007 at 6:35 am

Conrad and Konquererz
Of course this whole idea of the air being too thin is a nonsense, but it sounds logical to the minds of the sort of people who are dumbfounded by science. Of course the argument rather falls down when you consider that the vast majority of the dinosaurs were actually smaller than the average horse and much smaller than your average elephant. Yes, they really are that stupid.

19. Teacher: I was fired, said Bible isn't literal

Comment #73987 by pewkatchoo on September 27, 2007 at 3:06 am

Nurse, Flea has palmed his medicine again.

20. The Saudi connection that belittles Britain

Comment #73755 by pewkatchoo on September 26, 2007 at 4:43 am

mjwemdee
I got the same from my MP John Bercow. Yes the Tory who wants to work for Gordon! He completely misunderstood where I was coming from and I got a similar reply to yours.

They are all Fsckwits.

21. Teacher: I was fired, said Bible isn't literal

Comment #73751 by pewkatchoo on September 26, 2007 at 4:28 am

Nurse, Flea is out of bed again!

22. There Go The Dinosaurs

Comment #73729 by pewkatchoo on September 26, 2007 at 1:59 am

MattInOz
I suggest that you try and get him to look at it from the other direction. That the bible was the original conspiracy, look at the wealth of the RC church and other religious organisations as evidence of that, then look at how controlling the church is. Then take it from there.

23. Talking Action Figure Jesus

Comment #73581 by pewkatchoo on September 25, 2007 at 11:06 am

Devolution
Is Jesus dicking that kid in the baseball statue, or is it just my evil atheist imagination?

24. Why are we Muslims so self-destructive?

Comment #73550 by pewkatchoo on September 25, 2007 at 9:05 am

I do hope we can get back to the topic, now; it's such a change to get something worthwhile from Yasmin Alibhai-Brown.

25. Why are we Muslims so self-destructive?

Comment #73528 by pewkatchoo on September 25, 2007 at 7:41 am

Oh get over yourself Richard.

I too have a pseudonym, but I use it for very good reasons. However, it is not exactly rocket science to find out who I really am by going to the forums and looking up my intro where I gave my real name. I am also quite well known through pukiemon.com where the pewkatchoo character comes from. You say that your name is Richard Morgan, but you could equally be someone else, so giving a real sounding name does not necessarily mean anything. Personally, I just don't want my ex-wife to find me. (((^8

26. Root and Branch

Comment #73517 by pewkatchoo on September 25, 2007 at 7:13 am

Cartomancer
You are fast joining the small group of people whose posts I look out for and read avidly. You have very clearly hit the nail on the prov head. I had similar feelings about this article but could not quite put my finger on what was Hacking's problem. Your explanation fits quite well. I would like to see what Prof Dawkins thinks about this.

27. Religion advances despite science (and thanks to Dawkins)

Comment #73469 by pewkatchoo on September 25, 2007 at 3:53 am

Nurse, he (wee flea) is out of bed again!

28. Scientific Literacy and the Habit of Discourse

Comment #73096 by pewkatchoo on September 24, 2007 at 5:26 am

Richard Morgan
I believe an occasional beating can be quite efficacious.

29. 1996 Richard Dimbleby Lecture

Comment #73082 by pewkatchoo on September 24, 2007 at 4:10 am

I don't know why everyone is going on about Heaven and Earth. I thought it was great. Best satire on the box and gave me endless laughs on a rather boring Sunday morning. The Big Questions, its replacement, is not nearly as funny. Though some of the audience can be a hoot.

30. Do you have to read up on leprechology before disbelieving in them?

Comment #72435 by pewkatchoo on September 21, 2007 at 4:38 am

Philip comment 514
Excellent riposte Philip. As I said somewhere else, guilt is not morality.

31. Is 'Do Unto Others' Written Into Our Genes?

Comment #72395 by pewkatchoo on September 21, 2007 at 1:17 am

As I keep saying to my wife, who is a catholic, guilt is not morality.

32. Why Christians should take Richard Dawkins seriously

Comment #72388 by pewkatchoo on September 21, 2007 at 12:25 am

Mr DArcy, hang your head in shame sir. Hi Ho Silver Lining by the Yardbirds, I think not. Written by Scott English and Larry Weiss and performed by the inimitable Jeff Beck. Tut tut, Eric Clapton; he wishes.

33. Critical Analysis of Case for a Creator

Comment #72180 by pewkatchoo on September 20, 2007 at 1:47 pm

alexmzk
That is precisely the same thing that I thought. God must have put the thoughts in our heads at the same time.

34. Why Christians should take Richard Dawkins seriously

Comment #72149 by pewkatchoo on September 20, 2007 at 12:37 pm

What a piece of sham intellectual wank dribble.

35. Against the grain: There are questions that science cannot answer

Comment #72093 by pewkatchoo on September 20, 2007 at 10:09 am

Steve99
I will have to buy New Scientist when I get back to UK this weekend. Way to expensive in the Netherlands.

36. Against the grain: There are questions that science cannot answer

Comment #72092 by pewkatchoo on September 20, 2007 at 10:08 am

Hey RM, keep your comments to yourself. I am trying to get laid here.

37. Against the grain: There are questions that science cannot answer

Comment #72064 by pewkatchoo on September 20, 2007 at 8:54 am

Yorker, it wisnae me. If it had been I would have simply put the 'sh' between the g and the i.

38. Against the grain: There are questions that science cannot answer

Comment #72063 by pewkatchoo on September 20, 2007 at 8:50 am

Northern Bright
You are an absolute joy in an otherwise bleak existence. You and Veronique have an infectiously effervescent view of life. Long may you prosper.

39. Larry King Interviews Kathy Griffin

Comment #71975 by pewkatchoo on September 20, 2007 at 3:45 am

Robert M
If I can delve into the dangerous area of setting up an almost Strawman. So you would prevent or discourage the (mentally) dumb from being atheists. See where it goes? ( ^ 8 Surely we should be encouraging people to be less dumb! I think that I am considerably less dumber[sic] than I was before I joined RD's site. So Yorker's exhortation worked in my case.

40. Taking exception to Jake

Comment #71973 by pewkatchoo on September 20, 2007 at 3:36 am

I liked this article very much. But I liked even more some of the insightful comments made here, particularly that of Russell Blackford. Spot on mate.

41. Larry King Interviews Kathy Griffin

Comment #71967 by pewkatchoo on September 20, 2007 at 2:55 am

Robert M
All fair points I will attest. However, we are IMNSHO too busy analysing each other and jumping down each others throats at the drop of a metaphor.

I know RD made the allusion that organising atheists is akin to herding cats, but I did not expect us to spit and scratch like them too. I, for one, like all the various views expressed here, from the outright right-wing nutballs to the fluffiest liberal bunny hugger. You certainly would not get this level of debate in a religious groups.

42. Against the grain: There are questions that science cannot answer

Comment #71930 by pewkatchoo on September 20, 2007 at 12:41 am

I also wish that people would stop saying 'Darwin himself' or 'Newton himself' as an argument. Darwin is no longer an absolute authority on evolution. Even 6th form schoolchildren today understand more about evolution and natural selection than Darwin did. He is the Father of the science, but the children always outdo the father. Basics of progress you stupid woman.

43. Against the grain: There are questions that science cannot answer

Comment #71928 by pewkatchoo on September 20, 2007 at 12:37 am

I read the first two paragraphs and gave up. Yet another vacuous piece on those wicked atheists stirring it up unnecessarilly. Quetz save us from these useful fools! There was a distinct credibility dissonance as soon as she mentioned that scientific hack Winston.

44. Larry King Interviews Kathy Griffin

Comment #71906 by pewkatchoo on September 19, 2007 at 11:44 pm

Robert M
Have you, perchance, undergone humour bypass surgery lately! Lighten up. Yorker clearly had his tongue very firmly in his cheek there. Not everything is so finely nuanced!

45. Radical Christians in Iraq

Comment #71661 by pewkatchoo on September 19, 2007 at 12:32 pm

Fucking wankers.

46. Larry King Interviews Kathy Griffin

Comment #71644 by pewkatchoo on September 19, 2007 at 11:55 am

Fanusi
I suggest that you go over and look at the On View thread and the one on the HPV innoculation and I think you will find that both those threads put the lie to your proposal. Ridicule is the only way to get through to some of these fuckwits.

47. God Talk on 'The View'

Comment #71629 by pewkatchoo on September 19, 2007 at 11:29 am

Why are some of you trying to excuse Whoopi Goldberk? Those are 5 stupid broads you have got there, not just 3 or 4. You would be vastly improving the human gene pool by taking all 5 of them out.

Is the earth flat? FFS this from the nation that put men on the moon, that have so many satellites up their orbiting this not so flat planet that you cannot avoid the pictures if you tried. Natural selection really fucked up with that lot.

48. God Talk on 'The View'

Comment #71587 by pewkatchoo on September 19, 2007 at 4:50 am

Wow, them is some fucking thick women. Makes you wonder if perhaps there might be a case for eugenics.

49. Larry King Interviews Kathy Griffin

Comment #71542 by pewkatchoo on September 19, 2007 at 2:10 am

Yorker

WE NEED MORE ATHEISTS OF AVERAGE OR EVEN BELOW AVERAGE INTELLIGENCE; WE HAVE ENOUGH CLEVER PEOPLE ALREADY!

50. Do you have to read up on leprechology before disbelieving in them?

Comment #71527 by pewkatchoo on September 19, 2007 at 1:18 am

Bizarro Dickwit
And Leprachauns are non-contingent beings too! Nowhere is it mentioned the existence of lady leprachauns. Didn't you know that. You really need to read up on these things properly if you want to argue them. It is intellectually lazy to do otherwise.