1. Divine Impulses: Ayaan Hirsi Ali

Comment #195638 by Lara Avara on June 18, 2008 at 4:20 pm

I find Aayan Hirsi Ali's employment by a neo-con think tank puzzling. As she criticizes Islam, their all applauding. As she speaks of rights for homosexuals, and as she promotes atheism as a viable, healthy alternative to theism, they shuffle around nervously.

2. Rep. Davis: The Worst Person in the World

Comment #158403 by Lara Avara on April 10, 2008 at 12:49 pm

I wonder if the bill to spend $1 million of taxpayers money on a Baptist church will prevail.

3. Rep. Davis: The Worst Person in the World

Comment #158322 by Lara Avara on April 10, 2008 at 10:39 am

A quick search of Google has turned up the following:

http://blog.kjmastaw.com/

Oh my. Kevin has a background in marketing, believes the old canard that the 2nd law of thermodynamics precludes evolution, and accuses a message board top heavy with post-graduate level sciences of being unversed in the scientific method, etc. Nice response to his latest blog epeeist.

4. Rep. Davis: The Worst Person in the World

Comment #158216 by Lara Avara on April 10, 2008 at 8:17 am

Comment #158182: kjmsastaw: I'm only a lurker here, but what's clear is that the majority of posters here are well versed in the scientific method, the difference between fact and theory, and can "site" [sic] substantial physical evidence for evolution. Your are confusing this learned group with the typical fundy creationist or ID proponents.

5. Rep. Davis: The Worst Person in the World

Comment #158211 by Lara Avara on April 10, 2008 at 8:10 am

Although Davis' egregious comments have reverberated among the atheist and separation of church crowds, the popular press appears to be unaware. Has Representative Davis been heard from since she had her conniption?

6. Islam's Silent Moderates

Comment #95211 by Lara Avara on December 7, 2007 at 3:15 pm

I am so impressed by this woman's courage and commitment. EVERYONE should be reading her writings.

7. Mitt the Mormon

Comment #91796 by Lara Avara on November 29, 2007 at 10:50 am

I've always preferred "Jesus Jammies" to magic underwear.

8. When Congress Interferes With Science, Who You Gonna Call? (Hint: It's not Ghostbusters)

Comment #86460 by Lara Avara on November 9, 2007 at 9:40 am

imagine that being a college student I am probably exposed to a biased sample seeing as how many college students tend to identify with atheism (something that I hope to change—drastically—upon graduating;-).


I thought Bizarro attended Liberty University. I would expect the opposite bias. Imagine being a rational thinker in the biology department of Liberty University. Doesn't LU adhere to the young earth model?

9. When Congress Interferes With Science, Who You Gonna Call? (Hint: It's not Ghostbusters)

Comment #86440 by Lara Avara on November 9, 2007 at 8:23 am

Biz's comments on the supposed repugnancy of American sex education is ironic given the recent report that affirmed AGAIN that abstinence only education does not work. A comprehensive sex education program that includes abstinence, and scientific information on sexuality and contraceptives does work in terms of delaying sexual activity and preventing unwanted pregnancy.

What's repugnant to me is that Bush's gag rule results in US sponsored abstinence only education in AIDS ravaged Africa and a cocommitant decline in distribution of condoms. The cost of this religously inspired sex is sinful nonsense is catastrophic human misery. That's far more repugnant than using a condom.

10. The Great Mutator

Comment #49747 by Lara Avara on June 13, 2007 at 8:03 am

"For a start, let us be clear about what Behe now accepts about evolutionary theory. He has no problem with a 4.5-billion-year-old Earth, nor with evolutionary change over time, nor apparently with its ample documentation through the fossil record--the geographical distribution of organisms, the existence of vestigial traits testifying to ancient ancestry, and the finding of fossil "missing links" that show common ancestry among major groups of organisms. Behe admits that most evolution is caused by natural selection, and that all species share common ancestors. He even accepts the one fact that most other IDers would rather die than admit: that humans shared a common ancestor with chimpanzees and other apes.

Does this reflect a change in Behe's position? Was he formly an young earth creationist who denied macroevolution and common descent from apes? Could he actually be "coming around" albeit not yet completely?

11. In Saudi Arabia, a view from behind the veil

Comment #48563 by Lara Avara on June 8, 2007 at 11:52 am

Interestingly, I've heard that Saudi ARabia realizes its finite oil reserves are dwindling and is actually looking to tourism to support its economy. I'm not especially keen on laying on the beach in an abaya and facing verbal and physical abuse should the wind expose an ankle to a man.

Although part of me thinks "neener neener neener" when I consider the calamitous loss to the Saudi economy when their oil goes bye bye, the rest of me sees even more privations for the women of the country. Think Afghanistan under the Taliban.

12. Another Christian Science Fair embarrasses itself

Comment #46100 by Lara Avara on May 30, 2007 at 8:21 am

Sickle cell anaemia is one example of a loss of genetic information conferring an advantage (resistance to malaria) at a cost. It is an example of devolution (losing information) not evolution (gaining information).

What a tiresome, oft-repeated bit of creationist clap trap. Evolution does not imply a direction towards increased complication, unless of course the selective pressures lead it that way.

13. Another Christian Science Fair embarrasses itself

Comment #45827 by Lara Avara on May 29, 2007 at 11:05 am

I googled up the Pawley Island Christian Academy to see what evaluate their criteria for teacher credentials and their curricula. Their website presented no information on faculty except for name, grade, and subject for each teacher. I'm guessing that private schools in South Carolina are exempt from the certification and educational requirements for public school teachers. I find the lack of credentials of the teaching staff suspicious. If I was searching for a private school for my children, I'd sure want to know the credentials of the staff up front.

For curricula, PICA uses textbooks provided by one of two Christian textbook publishers. One of the science texts boasted clear refutation of "evolutionary philosophers."

14. Christian sports workers degree ridiculed

Comment #44796 by Lara Avara on May 25, 2007 at 9:52 am

Christian sports - water polo where the righteous walk on the water

15. Another Christian Science Fair embarrasses itself

Comment #44795 by Lara Avara on May 25, 2007 at 9:50 am

An egregious example of the failure to educate children. Do you suppose this institution of "learning" is aware that Pica also refers to the behavior of eating inedibles?

16. Statement of Concern about Impact of AIG's Creation 'Museum'

Comment #40939 by Lara Avara on May 15, 2007 at 8:26 am

Dang: I live to far away. If anyone goes, please loudly refer to the dinosaurs as "Jesus Horses" for me.

17. Jerry Falwell's God

Comment #40633 by Lara Avara on May 14, 2007 at 3:53 pm

My first visit to this site and what a treat!