1. Carlin on Religion

Comment #198235 by Greybishop on June 23, 2008 at 12:21 pm

Sadly, sorely missed.

A comedian who never failed to make me laugh and think at the same time.

"Some people don't like you to talk about cancer.
Some people think that if you talk about it, it might happen.

Some people are really fuckin' stupid."

Thanks George.

2. We Urgently Need Your Help Now!!

Comment #195544 by Greybishop on June 18, 2008 at 12:50 pm

Done, although how much weight my opionion carries as a Canadian is debatable.

Still, this is an issue on which I cannot stay silent.

3. Museums teach society lacking in science literacy

Comment #173028 by Greybishop on April 30, 2008 at 8:47 am

Comment #172909 by SamKiddoGordon on April 30, 2008 at 6:55 am

I thought of a catch phrase lastnight for atheists.

Religion is History
Science is present.

4. Open Letter to a victim of Ben Stein's lying propaganda

Comment #170709 by Greybishop on April 27, 2008 at 10:39 pm

TheTruthID -
Once again, it's been a pleasure to talk to someone from the ID side that is calm and reasonable.

I look forward to this discussion continuing.

I would be interested in seeing other ID supporters reactions to your words and frank admissions. Perhaps that will happen, but even if it doesn't, you seem prepared to discuss and reason with an open mind, and for now that's enough.

5. Open Letter to a victim of Ben Stein's lying propaganda

Comment #170694 by Greybishop on April 27, 2008 at 10:25 pm

TheTruthID -
I think that might be an area that science should try to communicate better. It's a false dichotomy to suggest that it's either ID or evolution, but the message doesn't seem to get out there.

There are various areas of contention within the science of evolutionary biology, but eventually they will be dealt with by evidence.

Even if rabbits showed up in the Precambrian, scientists wouldn't suddenly be knocking on the Discovery Institute's doors in search of guidance. The evidence that exists would have to be re-evaluated from a new position, new hypotheses would be formed and then tested. Eventually, a new Theory would emerge, but the likelyhood of that Theory having anything in common with ID is vanishingly small.

If ID truly seeks to rival evolution, it needs evidence. To be honest, I don't know what that evidence would or could be, or how one might go about finding it, but without it ID is a religious position, not a science. If more folks would simply admit that, the so-called controversy would disappear.

6. Open Letter to a victim of Ben Stein's lying propaganda

Comment #170668 by Greybishop on April 27, 2008 at 10:03 pm

The only alternative ID's have is to attempt to declare that Evolution is not proven due to the holes and weaknesses whatever that might be. Process of elimination. No evolution means what?

7. Open Letter to a victim of Ben Stein's lying propaganda

Comment #170657 by Greybishop on April 27, 2008 at 9:52 pm

TheTruthID -
That is truly astonishing. That sort of admission is unheard of in this debate.

To those on the evolution side of the debate, your words are confirmation of something we see as obvious, but I suspect that they would raise the ire of those on the other side of the fence.

It takes a brave person to admit the flaws in his own position.

I thank you and commend you for your honesty. Perhaps there is some hope here after all.

8. Open Letter to a victim of Ben Stein's lying propaganda

Comment #170641 by Greybishop on April 27, 2008 at 9:35 pm

TheTruthID -
I wonder if you'd mind me doing a little "brain picking" since you've changed your tune this evening.

Over the course of the earlier discussion, many questions were posed that you basically ingnored and deflected by raising other questions.

I'm not interested in revisiting that discussion or the inflammatory nature of it, but I am curious to know if you were aware that it was typical ID-er behaviour, were doing it on purpose to be inflammatory, simply couldn't answer the questions and avoided them OR was it that you genuinely thought you had answered them?

I ask because it's rare for us to have someone on the ID side of the fence who is willing to engage in a reasonable discussion and I think it's something we'd all like to know.

9. Open Letter to a victim of Ben Stein's lying propaganda

Comment #170527 by Greybishop on April 27, 2008 at 8:10 pm

TheTruthID -

Very big of you to say that. I think most folks here would agree that if the ID crowd would stop trying to jam it into science classes, the objections would largely dry up.

I can't speak for anyone else, but for me if folks want to believe that the universe was created by an all powerful being and that said being is still an active component of their daily lives, fine. As long as my tax dollars aren't being used to teach it to everyone's kids as science, it's no skin off my nose.

ID vs. Evolution is one battle that I'd love to see put to bed. There are other things that scientists and educators should be dealing with that are much more interesting and important.

Again, very big of you to step up and take responsibility for things said in anger.

10. Open Letter to a victim of Ben Stein's lying propaganda

Comment #167947 by Greybishop on April 24, 2008 at 12:42 pm

Seriously now.

TheTruthID, I've posted this link twice already, but you seem to have missed it.

Even the "Answers in Genesis" website suggests that "just a theory" is a losing arguement. Putting "theory" in capitals just makes it worse.

http://www.answersingenesis.org/home/area/faq/dont_use.asp#just_theory

11. Open Letter to a victim of Ben Stein's lying propaganda

Comment #167191 by Greybishop on April 23, 2008 at 5:46 pm

You would never admit it, we all know that, but deep down you are totally aware of the incredible lack of true scientific evidence for evolution. It's just a matter of time before it all caves in. One day you will be accountable for participating in one of the biggest injustices in all humanity.

Of all the things posted in this 800 post discussion, that is without a doubt the most ridiculous.

Dr. Zara,

Antibiotic resistence? That sounds like modification to me. The antibiotic was still an antibiotic was it not. Or did it you see it turn into a frog?

12. Open Letter to a victim of Ben Stein's lying propaganda

Comment #167179 by Greybishop on April 23, 2008 at 5:35 pm

You would never admit it, we all know that, but deep down you are totally aware of the incredible lack of true scientific evidence for evolution. It's just a matter of time before it all caves in. One day you will be accountable for participating in one of the biggest injustices in all humanity.

13. Open Letter to a victim of Ben Stein's lying propaganda

Comment #167151 by Greybishop on April 23, 2008 at 5:05 pm

Steve Zara -

Let me extend a hearty "Thank You" for your contribution to our understanding of reality.

14. Open Letter to a victim of Ben Stein's lying propaganda

Comment #167150 by Greybishop on April 23, 2008 at 5:03 pm

TheTruthID -

You must have missed this. I posted it about 200 comments ago. Even your fellow IDers don't like this tactic.

Just a heads up. Even "Answers In Genesis" suggests that pointing out that evolution is "just a theory" is not a winning debate point.

Go to answersingenesis DOT org/home/area/faq/dont_use.asp#just_theory

to see what I mean.

15. Open Letter to a victim of Ben Stein's lying propaganda

Comment #167042 by Greybishop on April 23, 2008 at 3:00 pm

Why are so many evolutionists so quick to degrade and ridicule a beliver,whom believes in a higher power when in fact they themselves separate evolution from the origin of life.

16. Open Letter to a victim of Ben Stein's lying propaganda

Comment #166991 by Greybishop on April 23, 2008 at 2:28 pm

Im finding all of you so amusing. All you do is double talk. You admit that you belive in evolution, due to whatever science you think has proven it, but are you are you willing to stste that the origin of life might be from ID.

17. Open Letter to a victim of Ben Stein's lying propaganda

Comment #166777 by Greybishop on April 23, 2008 at 12:25 pm

I've read all 600 posts in this thread.

Aside from being way, way off topic, it's been entertaining.

TheTruthID -

Just a heads up. Even "Answers In Genesis" suggests that pointing out that evolution is "just a theory" is not a winning debate point.

Go to answersingenesis DOT org/home/area/faq/dont_use.asp#just_theory

to see what I mean.

18. Lizards Undergo Rapid Evolution After Introduction To A New Home

Comment #164596 by Greybishop on April 20, 2008 at 12:43 pm

When put alongside the ID nonsense, something like this almost makes me willing to say "go ahead and teach creationism" in schools. Even school children would be able to see how weak an idea it is compared to the actual evidence.

Obviously, I don't advocate teaching creationism in school, but when I see evidence like this that directly refutes the creationist notion that evolution has never been observed, I worry just a litte bit less about their already weak position.

19. Science Debate 2008

Comment #160817 by Greybishop on April 14, 2008 at 12:28 pm

While a candidate debate might be interesting, I agree with Pattern Seeker that for the most part it would only serve to expose a lot of ignorance.

More useful (although less likely to have many viewers) would be a debate between the people the candidates plan to appoint as science advisors.

I don't really care if the president understands all the science, but I sure as hell care that his/her scientific advisor understands it and has the ability to explain it properly.

20. 'We Make Our Own Heaven'

Comment #151429 by Greybishop on March 28, 2008 at 5:11 pm

I guess this is fine for those that seek "community" with a larger group of people who think along similar lines. There are elements that concern me though. Particularly the fact that it's so easy to make this sound like church sans crucifix.

It seems like these folks need something to replace thinking about god on Sunday.

Personally, instead of thinking up ways to not think about god, I'd rather be doing something real, like watching a baseball game or reading a book.

For this non-believer it sounds hellish. I can't imagine giving up part of my one half day off per week to sit around and listen to lectures on how to think freely and be a better atheist.

Perhaps I'm too much of a loner, but the way whole idea mimics a traditional church just comes off like the grass roots of a new "science and reason" cult.

And what the hell kind of hymns are in a humanist hymn book anyhow?

"Nearer I am to...um...the guy next to me."?

"That old rugged microscope"

"What a friend I have in...my neighbourhood"?

"Tis so sweet to trust in reality"?

(Thank you google! Amazing Grace is about the only hymn I know by name.)

Thanks, but no thanks. I need no weekly group reinforcement of what science shows me to be dead obvious.

On the upside, there's little chance that eight year old will grow up to blow anything up. She'll be too busy freely thinking about how freely she's freely thinking...

21. Writer Arthur C Clarke dies at 90

Comment #146090 by Greybishop on March 18, 2008 at 3:46 pm

It's always sad when someone with his talent is lost forever. Fortunately, we have a fantastic body of work to enjoy and by enjoying honour his memory.

22. Dispatches: Holy Offensive

Comment #135083 by Greybishop on February 28, 2008 at 2:08 pm

"Remember when the Satanic Verses came out? People came out and protested and burned the book. It's good that that happened. That soon put a stop to it, didn't it?"

23. The Encyclopedia of Life, No Bookshelf Required

Comment #134814 by Greybishop on February 28, 2008 at 8:25 am

Am I the only one having a really hard time getting the eol site to work?

I'm thrilled to learn of it, but it's been almost impossible to get to it for the last two days.

Heavy traffic maybe?

Also, I can't seem to find anything concrete about whether or not extinct species are included. When I was able to get there, entering the word "extinct" in the search field yielded exactly one result.

24. The Dog Allusion

Comment #128160 by Greybishop on February 16, 2008 at 11:29 am

A reverse flea...with built in fleas of its own?

25. Council pays psychic for exorcism

Comment #126532 by Greybishop on February 13, 2008 at 1:21 pm

I don't know. Everyone is saying it wasn't a good idea to give in, but it kind of sounds like the council set a good precedent.

If this family was trying to use a "haunting" as an excuse to be moved to better housing, the council has effectively nipped any future attempts to do the same thing in the bud.

I can just hear it:

Caller: Hello, we need to be moved.

Housing Authority: Why is that ma'am?

C: The place is haunted.

HA: Haunted you say?

C: Yup. Scary. We need to get out right away.

HA: No worries, ma'am. You don't need to move. We'll send our contract psychic around right away to perform an exorcism. She's going to throw salt at your ghost, chant a bit, maybe roll her eyes some and everything will be fine. It'll only cost you £60, since we're paying half. You might want to get out the vacuum cleaner since I hear she chucks a ton of salt around. I just need your address.

C: {Click}

HA: Hello? Ma'am?

26. George Scales, War Hero and Generous Friend of RDFRS

Comment #111684 by Greybishop on January 15, 2008 at 12:52 pm

You sir, are the type of man that the world is better off with than without.

I sincerely hope your surgery is a resounding success and your recovery equally so.

As one voice among many, it is my great honour to send you best wishes from Canada.

27. Turkey probes atheist's 'God' book

Comment #91592 by Greybishop on November 28, 2007 at 4:12 pm

I'm holding off on my letter writing until we hear from Dr. Dawkins on the subject. If he would like his readers to send letters, I'm more than happy to oblige, but if he feels it might inflame a delicate situation, then I will hold off.

Perhaps cooler heads will prevail. If they don't, then I'm sure there are thousands of letters poised to be mailed should RD feel that they would help.

28. Rock of Ages, Ages of Rock

Comment #90606 by Greybishop on November 25, 2007 at 6:39 pm

I'm going to major in Creation Geology. I think I'll minor in Storkian Obstetrics.

While I was reading this, I realized that I need a roll cage for my eyes.

I guess I understand their problem, though. It's awfully difficult to accurately observe the world around you through the bible. It's a thick book! I find it easier to see the world when I'm not holding a thick book in front of my eyes.

29. Man-sized sea scorpion claw found

Comment #89672 by Greybishop on November 21, 2007 at 12:46 pm

I have only two thoughts about this, although one is subdivided.

1. Has Spielberg been contacted yet?

2. No WAY am I time travelling backwards 400 million years.

2a. If it should happen by accident, I am NOT packing a bathing suit.

30. Judgement Day: Intelligent Design on Trial

Comment #88647 by Greybishop on November 18, 2007 at 9:19 am

dan w. posted this quote:

"PASTOR RAY MUMMERT: Teaching the traditional evolutionary Darwinian concept that man evolved from lower forms of life, that's almost a slap in my face. That takes the dignity away from humanity as far as I'm concerned what gives dignity to man is that every one of us are made in the image of God. He is the creator. And he created the world with intention and with design. It upsets me deeply that now in our educational system we are indoctrinating our young people to think differently about humanity."

"Teaching the traditional creationist concept that man was created by God, that's a slap in my face. That takes the dignity away from humanity as far as I'm concerned. What gives dignity to man is that every one of us are evolved beings, with a grand and wondrous lineage that truly boggles the mind. There is no creator. Humanity struggled to consciousness and intelligence in a world without intention and without design. It upsets me deeply that now in our educational system you are suggesting that indoctrinating our young people to think differently about humanity is a noble idea. Evolution showcases the nobility of struggle. Creationism makes humanity out to be nothing more than a toy for a petulant and lonely child."

31. New Ape Fossils Found in Africa

Comment #88646 by Greybishop on November 18, 2007 at 9:12 am

I agree!

As with all good science, new evidence pushes some theories aside and strengthens others. It is truly wonderful to watch.

32. The Year of Living Biblically

Comment #84700 by Greybishop on November 3, 2007 at 8:35 am

That is not at all what I expected. I think I might have to buy a copy of his book.

One of my personal pet peeves with religion and religious folk in general is the notion of the faithful that they are living the Bible literally to the best of their ability. Having read the Bible a couple of times, I know that to be a lie, but it will be nice to have an accessible book to reference.

I'm not sure that this man has done himself a favour by doing this. It seems to me that he was better off BEFORE he did this, as he claims to have been agnostic and now is a "reverant agnostic", but it's his life and he's welcome to it. I loved his wife's reaction to the project. She deserves the year of foot massages!

33. Evolution to be taught in SA schools

Comment #82900 by Greybishop on October 28, 2007 at 7:56 am

In the United States a group of Christian parents instituted legal action in 2005 to challenge the implementation of teaching evolution at schools because they felt it undermined their notion of God.

34. Alex the Parrot

Comment #69990 by Greybishop on September 13, 2007 at 2:18 pm

In the CNN version of this story, it recounts Dr. Pepperberg's last conversation with Alex this way:

She recalls the bird said: "You be good. I love you." She responded, "I love you, too." The bird said, "You'll be in tomorrow," and she responded, "Yes, I'll be in tomorrow."

35. Review of Darwin's Angel: An Angelic Response to the God Delusion

Comment #67033 by Greybishop on September 1, 2007 at 12:24 pm

Missed those.
My bad for just skimming the comments here.

Still, it's odd to see the comment numbers go up, then down, then up again.

And I agree, if any of the comments should be fast-tracked, it'd be RD's...and Cornwell's if he had posted one.

36. Review of Darwin's Angel: An Angelic Response to the God Delusion

Comment #67030 by Greybishop on September 1, 2007 at 12:07 pm

And now back to 11, but no sign of Northern Bright's comment.

To be fair, at least the 11 commets that are posted are critical of the incredibly poor review.

37. Review of Darwin's Angel: An Angelic Response to the God Delusion

Comment #67027 by Greybishop on September 1, 2007 at 11:59 am

When I posted my comment on this review (I actually just commented about how poor the actual review was and stayed away from the reviewer's obvious bias against Dr. Dawkins) there were 9 posted comments. Then 10, 11 and at one point 12, including Northern Bright's comment. Then 11. Now 6. Neither Dr. Dawkin's comment nor any of the other comments by the posters from here (except for a brief moment when Northern Bright's comment showed up) have seen the light of day and now there are even fewer posted.

I wonder what gives?

38. CNN Request for 'I-Reports' on religion

Comment #65495 by Greybishop on August 24, 2007 at 1:20 pm

As I was reading these comments and playing CNN's God's Warriors on my computer, a lady came into my bookstore asking for Bible study books.

As usual, it took all the pressure that my jaw and teeth could put on my tongue not to direct her to the Fairy Tale section.

Further, I felt uncomfortable watching CNN's "Christian" warrior episode while she was in the store. How sad is that?

39. CNN Request for 'I-Reports' on religion

Comment #65459 by Greybishop on August 24, 2007 at 9:36 am

Oh, and if you hit the "photos" there are a total of 7. 6 are typical "prayer" or shrine scenes.

I personally like the Jedi guy...

40. CNN Request for 'I-Reports' on religion

Comment #65457 by Greybishop on August 24, 2007 at 9:32 am

I just finished reading the CNN "I-Report" that they just posted here:

http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/08/23/faith.reader.feedback/index.html

Stunningly, they posted 11 "atheist"-ish responses out of a total of 23.

Now, where are my smelling salts?

41. CNN Request for 'I-Reports' on religion

Comment #65213 by Greybishop on August 23, 2007 at 7:48 am

My humble contribution:

I am not a person of faith.

I don't think that religion is under attack, but I do think that atheist and secular viewpoints are getting more press today than they have in the past, making religion and religious figures nervous.

Given the incredible and unprovable claims that all religions make, it's no wonder that they feel that way.

When you build your house on sand, even a light rain makes you nervous.

42. Scarlet Letter Campaign Update: A Victory

Comment #62585 by Greybishop on August 10, 2007 at 7:47 am

Coretemprising:
On the site you found, one of their pastors quotes an "informal" theological law: "Poe's Law, which states that: elements of the gospel speak to different levels of spiritual concern in different cultures at different times."

Poe's Law on the internet states: "Without a winking smiley or other blatant display of humor, it is impossible to create a parody of Fundamentalism that SOMEONE won't mistake for the real thing."

43. Scarlet Letter Campaign Update: A Victory

Comment #62301 by Greybishop on August 9, 2007 at 8:04 am

Elfinabout -

You have seen the "Bible camp" video right? The one with the large insane lady screaming that Harry Potter would be put to death if he existed...

Never say "nobody is that insane". It's like a tv character saying "What could go wrong?" ;o)

44. Scarlet Letter Campaign Update: A Victory

Comment #62298 by Greybishop on August 9, 2007 at 8:00 am

I really, really, really hope that all those calling "Poe's Law" on this are right and that it IS satire. Reading through the bilge in the comments section, even if it is, it's attracting a lot of comments from believers who don't think it's a gag.

Either way, I need another shower.

45. Scarlet Letter Campaign Update: A Victory

Comment #62285 by Greybishop on August 9, 2007 at 7:38 am

Guy -
I read that. I also read the really disturbing "U.S.E" page, which basically says "Don't cry 'rape', cry 'U.S.E.'" which is the acronym for "Unplanned Sexual Event". Now, I really, really, really would like to believe that it's satire, but then I clicked on the gift store and found the t-shirts. A picture of a stork carrying a baby with the caption "I was USED, but now I'm blessed". If this is a satire site, it's the most elaborate I've ever seen.

46. Scarlet Letter Campaign Update: A Victory

Comment #62274 by Greybishop on August 9, 2007 at 7:24 am

Russell Blackford -
I followed the link, assuming it was satire and looking for more. I started by going to the home page, which was flagged with something like "Teaching your children that atheism and Satanism are the same thing" and then I read about 3 dozen of the comments below the article in question.

Despite the fact that I found most of it absolutely hilarious, it does appear to be real.

47. Scarlet Letter Campaign Update: A Victory

Comment #62267 by Greybishop on August 9, 2007 at 7:08 am

I was going to call "Poe's Law" on this, but then I followed the link to the website. After a nice long hot shower to scrub the idiocy off, I came back to post.

I'm Canadian, and had no idea who Brownback was or that he was running for president. I assume he's one of the three clods that admitted he denies evolution at the debates?

I didn't dive deeply enough into the intellectual sewage to figure out if the website is actually run by Brownback or just endorsing him, since I could only take a few paragraphs of "Satanism and atheism are the same thing" before the bile in my throat reached toxic levels. If anyone out there has the stomach to sift throught the site for that info, I would be interested in knowing.

48. Come Out!

Comment #59713 by Greybishop on July 30, 2007 at 11:09 am

Amazing what a design on a piece of cloth can do to polarize people.

Imagine what would happen if we put it on a flag instead of a t-shirt.

49. Rapture Ready: The Unauthorized Christians United for Israel Tour

Comment #59276 by Greybishop on July 28, 2007 at 5:05 pm

artemisa -
I hope you didn't think I was being critical. Given how far my interpretation strayed from your intent, I think you can see what I was getting at.

As far as your sentiment as you state it, again, I wholeheartedly agree.

Of course, I can't stand most of my relatives...
;o)

50. Rapture Ready: The Unauthorized Christians United for Israel Tour

Comment #59243 by Greybishop on July 28, 2007 at 1:59 pm

artemisa -
I agree with your sentiment, but I'd phrase it a bit differently. I think that I understand exactly what you mean, but I'd be leary of the faith-head who hears it and says "Aha! Atheist dogma!"

I'd go with:

"Belief in religion divides, while reason, logic and science open a path to the potential of humanity one day achieving global prosperity, enlightenment and unity."

I don't know that evolution has any special power to unite. Many believers in various religions, including some of evolution's greatest advocates, claim to believe in evolution as well. I also don't think it's fair to assert that those who embrace evolution and reject religion are necessarily going to lead us to unity.

Even here on this site there are many, many disagreements and if we postulate a world of nothing but non-believers I don't think that anyone would expect that world to be perfectly peaceful or united.

Evolution (and the acceptance of reason and science that implies) has a whole lot better chance of uniting the globe than ANY religion ever will. However even if, by some amazing global "conversion", every single person stopped believing in religion, there would still be bad people, bad government and bad judgement to contend with.

Of course, there's a very strong likelyhood that many of those people in the video DON'T believe in evolution, but that doesn't automatically make evolution a more unifying idea. It just means that divisive religious ideas are not compatable with good science and the fundies are at least honest enough not to try to squeeze science's round peg into religion's square recepticle.

Just my two cents.