1. Teen's death blamed on faith healing

Comment #196640 by Stew282 on June 20, 2008 at 9:22 am

Had this child been an adult, I would have suggested he would make a good candidate for a Darwin Award (http://www.darwinawards.com/), However, in my far-from-humble opinion, he was a misguided child who was, to all intents and purposes, murdered by parental neglect.

New age pseudo-science is also rearing its ugly head in the UK with many parents electing not to have their children properly vaccinated, due to ungrounded fears based in non-scientific, muddled thinking. I recently read a newspaper article in which a couple of middle-class 'modern' parents had decided that rather than vaccinations, they would "build up their child's immune system through a healthy diet with lots of fruit and veg." Whilst this is undoubtedly good dietary advice, it isn't going to prevent infection by virulent diseases/viruses.

2. Muslim countries win concession regarding religious debates

Comment #196636 by Stew282 on June 20, 2008 at 9:11 am

Fair enough I say. Only religious scholars should be allowed to discuss matters of faith - And only religious scholars should be subject to any of the laws of their faith and not allowed to infilct their petty-minded ignorance on the general populace.

Round up all the religious scholars and bung them on an island somewhere where they can debate and fight all they want while the rest of us get on with reality.

Now come and have a look at my lovely city! http://stewton.myminicity.com/

3. Karma comedians

Comment #187211 by Stew282 on June 1, 2008 at 1:42 pm

SPS

Statistically, in any sufficiently large sample there are bound to be extremes - if enough people toss a coin 100 times, at least someone will toss 100 heads. Similarly, in complex organisms like humans, one in every however-many is bound to be fucked-up!

I wasn't stating that 'karma' explains anything. Merely that simple probability theory explains people's perception of some unseen force or 'karma' somehow evening-out life's good and bad. Humans have a tendency find patterns in nature and to attribute simple coincidences to some unseen force in order to satisfy our need to have a causal relationship for everything.

4. Scientists rally against creationist 'superstition'

Comment #187044 by Stew282 on June 1, 2008 at 7:51 am

It really gets on my tits to read the expression: "believe in evolution". It's like saying "believe in maths or believe in gravity or believe in water". It's just a nonsensical phrase.

It's not a matter of belief, you can choose not to accept evolution, but that just makes you a moron.

Unlike god, evolution does not require belief or faith.

5. Karma comedians

Comment #187037 by Stew282 on June 1, 2008 at 7:08 am

On the subject of 'karma', we have a lot of expressions in traditional English such as: 'What goes around, comes around', 'we reap what we sow' etc.

There's a reason for this and the idea of 'karma'. - Simple statistical probability.

If one imagines every day of one's life as the toss of a coin, for most people, over the long-term there will be a roughly even distribution of heads and tails. There will be months on end of nothing but heads and periods of only tails, but over a lifetime, generally 50-50. Also, due purely to probability, a small number of people will have almost exclusively heads or tails - the lucky/unlucky people.

So perhaps karma does exist, but only as a human understanding of the generally even distribution of random chance events.

6. Mark Steyn vs. the 'Sock Puppets'

Comment #185666 by Stew282 on May 28, 2008 at 9:31 am

Is it just me, or do other atheists rarely seem to find themselves being offended? Is it a trait of religions to over stimulate the 'offence gland', this trait being particularly strong in islam?

7. Top 6 Incestuous Relationships In The Bible

Comment #185244 by Stew282 on May 27, 2008 at 8:57 am

And...many churches, even to this day, still burn incest in front of the congregation!!!

Don't forget to check in on http://stewton.myminicity.com/ -it's coming along nicely, but work on the ice-palace still hasn't started.

8. Town moves against Islamic school

Comment #184907 by Stew282 on May 26, 2008 at 11:50 am

Re. Comment 33.

Mordacious...hold on a minute! You say the nice, friendly, moderate muslims were effectively run out of their mosque by radicals and then put the onus on the people of Camden to prove that these aren't radicals. Who's to say that once the school is established by nice, friendly, moderate muslims, it won't be taken over by radicals as your local mosque was?

Apologists keep protesting that islam is a religion of peace when the evidence appears to point to the contrary!

I'm sure a lot of individual Nazis were nice, decent people - that doesn't make the Nazi regime any more palatable.

9. Town moves against Islamic school

Comment #184895 by Stew282 on May 26, 2008 at 11:04 am

A lot of posters here seem to be exhibiting the same pro-multiculturalist, cry-racist sentiments that ensured that anti-integration, anti-democratic, racist muslims achieved immunity from criticism whilst teaching British children to hate western society and all it stands for, creating islamic enclaves within a secular country where religious fanatics are virtually free to govern as they see fit.

Yes, undoubtedly the motives of the people of Camden are tinged with racism, but they are primarily anti-islamic. Perhaps they are learning from Europe's mistakes. I would strongly oppose any plans for any religious, particularly islamic, school being built in my area.

But then again, it's very easy to cry 'racist' when the proposed islamic school is several thousand miles away. It is much harder to criticise a 'not in my back yard' approach when it is actually your back yard.

Islam is incompatible with democracy, freedom of speech, human rights, church/state separation, and virtually every other value of advanced society.

10. In God's Name

Comment #183218 by Stew282 on May 21, 2008 at 2:19 pm

OK, I tried. I watched another few minutes, but now it's really beginning to annoy me. A lot.
...I'm not a violent person, BUT...
I'm going to move on.

11. In God's Name

Comment #183214 by Stew282 on May 21, 2008 at 2:14 pm

I've just got as far as:

"...a homosexual is a person, just the same as a murderer is a person, a paedophile is a person."

Is there really any point in watching the rest?

12. Non-religious summer camps develop niche

Comment #182556 by Stew282 on May 20, 2008 at 1:02 pm

Ok, ok, I'm using the widely accepted understanding of the difference bewteen teaching and indoctrination.

In fact, it's implict in Christianity - they teach the belief in a god (God), and they also teach not to believe in other gods (anyone else). Clearly then, teaching non-belief is possible, just extend it by one god and you have atheism.

13. Non-religious summer camps develop niche

Comment #182553 by Stew282 on May 20, 2008 at 12:43 pm

Sigh...This will be quick!

...and IF they're calling priests pigs, IF they're claimining believers to be stupid, IF they're saying all religion is evil, IF they're preaching Satanism etc. etc.

"I get no such feeling from this one" = "There appears to me to be no indication of that from this one." - Confusion between the senses of 'feeling' rather like the definitions of faith.

14. Non-religious summer camps develop niche

Comment #182548 by Stew282 on May 20, 2008 at 12:21 pm

Comment 29 - Epinephrine

Firstly, learn the difference between 'teaching' and 'indoctrination'. It's quite significant.

Secondly, I'm intrigued - very. How exactly does one 'teach atheism'? Read and understand my comment about being taught Swahili before replying.

Lastly, I think you are taking exactly the right approach with your daughter. But you are wrong to assume from this article that that very same approach isn't being used in this summercamp and criticise the place without evidence.

15. Non-religious summer camps develop niche

Comment #182546 by Stew282 on May 20, 2008 at 12:11 pm

Comment 28 - DjSouthPaw.

you can teach militancy, and if you do that to kids 10years old. then you're doing it wrong.. if you tell kids what to think about religion. instead of telling them to think for themselves.

just like my dad learning me to call Priests pigs by the age of 4 because he had been beaten by catholic priests in his irish upbringing and never finished school because of it.

but i will not say that there is "no wrong way" to teach children to be free thinkers. and this is when you fail to live up to that title and make them instructed thinkers in a specific way

16. Non-religious summer camps develop niche

Comment #182527 by Stew282 on May 20, 2008 at 10:54 am

People (Epinephrine, DjSouthPaw) appear to be falling into the trap the religious types so love.

Guys, ATHEISM HAS NO DOCTRINE! - It is impossible to indoctrinate someone not to believe in something unless you accept the premise that that thing exists. You cannot "teach atheism". You can teach religion and indoctrinate religious belief. You can indoctrinate someone to believe the falsity of evolution.

At school I was not taught to speak Swahili. This is not the same as, "I was taught not to speak Swahili."

In any other subject, it's perfectly acceptable to point out the faults in skewed thinking: the failings of facist or communist politics, bad economic strategies, eugenics, statistics etc. etc. So why do people start crying when responsible adults teach children about the flawed thinking of religion.

Your complaints, gentlemen, are an example of the undeserved deference shown to religion that Richard Dawkins is constantly decrying.

17. Geeks and Guinness: the formula for sexy science

Comment #182458 by Stew282 on May 20, 2008 at 7:24 am

Fantastic! - I love the idea of science and beer! Even more wonderful, there's one fairly near me - and it's on tonight!

Chuffed!

By the way, Plans for the Ice Palace have been approved!!! - http://stewton.myminicity.com

18. Non-religious summer camps develop niche

Comment #182455 by Stew282 on May 20, 2008 at 7:12 am

glittergulch...

"Chopich is a psychotherapist, reverend and founder of the nonprofit Hope America Ministries Foundation." - nuff said.

Chopich is also author of: (wait for it....) "Healing Your Aloneness: Finding Love and Wholeness Through Your Inner Child"

Sounds like a bit of a disturbed puppy, desperately seeking the grail of happiness through the irresponsible laziness of the supernatural path.

19. Non-religious summer camps develop niche

Comment #182451 by Stew282 on May 20, 2008 at 6:50 am

I've always been a bit undecided about organised atheistic activities; I was especially uneasy reading the article about the American group who had an organised Sunday meeting which smacked strongly of quasi-religious cultism, chanting the mantra of 'Free-Thinking'.

However, this seems a really good idea - getting kids out in the fresh air to do a bit of healthy exercise and adventurous activity, and throwing in a bit of rational thought at the same time. I think it's a great idea and hope it spreads.

By the way, Plans for the Ice Palace have been approved!!! - http://stewton.myminicity.com

20. Group finds Starbucks logo too hot to handle

Comment #181755 by Stew282 on May 18, 2008 at 6:56 am

I must have had hundreds, if not thousands of cups of coffee from Starbucks etc. and I don't think I've ever paid any attention to the logo. If you'd asked me before I read this what the logo was, I wouldn't have had a clue.

Anyway, come and make my city grow so I can build an ice palace! http://stewton.myminicity.com

21. These dim-wits believe in anything but God

Comment #181738 by Stew282 on May 18, 2008 at 5:49 am

I have used an argument with religious types before that goes like this:

If you are so certain that your beliefs are the truth, would you allow your child to be brought up without any religious instruction until he is mature, then share with him your great enlightenement? If you're confident that your beliefs are true, you must be confident that as a mature person, your child would immediately embrace your beliefs.

Invariably, the theist dismisses the idea as ludicrous or moraly 'wrong' to deny a child the beauty of faith. They often become quite angry when I point out that the real reason they would never allow it, is that they know how ridiculous their beliefs would appear to a non-indoctrinated adult.

This is why theists are desperate to indoctrinate children at the earliest possible age, while they're still gullible enough to "believe anything".

Please visit my virtual town at: http://stewton.myminicity.com - and help me grow!

22. Truly Bizarre : Indians Throw Babies 50ft From Roof To Thank God.

Comment #174996 by Stew282 on May 4, 2008 at 4:42 am

Incredible! - is this some Monty-Python-esque, April fool thing? I hate to admit it, but I did find it rather amusing!

By the way: visit my booming city: http://stewton.myminicity.com/ - Do it now!

23. Evolution fray attracts top scientist

Comment #163445 by Stew282 on April 18, 2008 at 11:07 am

I really do get annoyed by the constant referral to ID as a theory - it's a piss-poor, failed hypothesis. It just confuses the two definitions of 'theory' and muddies the water for coherent argument.

I think someone in Florida, or at least the US, should start a campaign or some form of challenge to prevent the IDiots claiming theory status for their ridiculous assuptions.

24. Richard Dawkins on The Big Questions

Comment #159256 by Stew282 on April 11, 2008 at 7:04 pm

ASMarques,

There is a mountain of evidence on this board to suggest that you are a twat. Do you have any contrary evidence or can we now establish that "ASMarques is a twat" is a valid theory?

Edit: Peer review is welcome

25. Richard Dawkins on The Big Questions

Comment #159120 by Stew282 on April 11, 2008 at 1:12 pm

ASMarques,

Your answers are pathetic. The reason you cannot answer is that the question is ridiculous because it is based on your ludicrous premise that the holocaust didn't happen.

Not only are you an idiot, but I repeat, you're obviously a twat of the highest order.

26. Richard Dawkins on The Big Questions

Comment #159088 by Stew282 on April 11, 2008 at 12:30 pm

ASMarques,

Any answer to the question I asked in post 363? - In reference to the memorial site of Bergen-Belsen concentration camp, I asked:

"Why would the German government devote a considerable amount of money to maintaining a site that stands as a disgrace to the history of this proud nation if it was part of some elaborate hoax?

27. Richard Dawkins on The Big Questions

Comment #158987 by Stew282 on April 11, 2008 at 9:51 am

ASMarques.

A few years ago whilst stationed in Hohne Garrison, northern Germany, I visited the site of the former Bergen-Belsen concentration camp. The original buildings have all been demolished, all that stands now is a memorial to those who died there and a visitor centre. These stand in the midst of numerous low mounds. It was quite a harrowing experience to walk between rows and rows of these mounds, each of which bears a stone plaque with the simple legend "5000 dead, 10,000 dead, 2000 dead" There are many of these mounds. I, and several other hard-as-nails British soldiers were moved to tears.

The visitor centre simply and factually gives the history of the camp and makes no attempt to excuse or justify the camps existance. But, it makes it abundantly clear that the camp's sole purpose was to execute people in vast numbers.

Why would the German government devote a considerable amount of money to maintaining a site that stands as a disgrace to the history of this proud nation if it was part of some elaborate hoax? Denying the holocaust is absolute foolishness and you, ASMarques, are a complete twat.

28. Richard Dawkins on The Big Questions

Comment #158879 by Stew282 on April 11, 2008 at 6:26 am

Abso-fucking-lutely incredible! My jaw is bruised from hitting the floor at the amazing stupidity displayed by some of the guests.

Has anyone else noticed, that whenever a gaggle of religious types are gathered on such debates, it seems invariably to be the Rabbi or Jewish representative who demonstrates a modicum of reason?

29. Deadly Sins 101

Comment #144486 by Stew282 on March 16, 2008 at 7:52 am

According to the BBC website, Archbishop Gianfranco Girotti who revealed the new list of sins, "...also named abortion and paedophilia as two of the greatest sins of our times.

Surely I'm not the only one to spot the irony of the catholic church condemning paedophilia and causing poverty. Possibly the best example ever of 'do as I say not as I do'.

I also don't find it in the least surprising that an organisation that refuses to back down over its ridiculous dogma despite overwhelming evidence that its a major contributary factor to the spread of AIDS, also condemns important medical research that could save more lives.

Is there a special place in hell for popes and bishops?

30. Cutting Edge: Baby Bible Bashers

Comment #129556 by Stew282 on February 19, 2008 at 9:53 am

Two counts of cynical and cruel exploitation of children for profit and one of a convict trying to shovel his guilt onto his child. Absolutely fucking disgusting.

I lost a good night's sleep after watching this sick display of the evil of willful ignorance.

I just hope that in 10-15 years' time, one of these kids doesn't turn up at a school with an assault rifle...

It's a sad fact of life that a licence, vetting or both are required for many occupations, to drive a car etc. - in UK, one used to need a licence to own a dog! - and yet any arsehole can become a parent, no matter how obviously and grossly unsuitable.

31. Sharia law in UK is 'unavoidable'

Comment #123604 by Stew282 on February 7, 2008 at 11:50 am

OK, religious law as an alternative to secular law...

Does the Gospel of the FSM have any rules about not paying tax? - or shooting idiot bishops for that matter?

This really is the thin end of the wedge.

32. A Letter From Hell

Comment #122245 by Stew282 on February 5, 2008 at 2:00 am

Is this a trailer for some new "reality TV" show - could make a good format:

"It's day 32 in the Big Brother Hell and Josh is making breakfast...oh dear, he's burnt the bacon on some brimstone..."

Anyway, we all know that hell really exists and is a non-stop orgy/party with wine and sex flowing like...well, wine. A place where no-one gets a hangover or suffers brewer's droop! Whereas heaven is a boring shithole full of people fawning over some old guy with a beard and being all self-righteous.

This vid really is pathetic.

33. Sam Harris debate with Rabbi David Wolpe

Comment #109583 by Stew282 on January 9, 2008 at 8:28 am

I think the American Jewish University should be congratulated and praised for posting the debate un-edited and in full, particularly as their champion took a bit of a pasting.

How many times have we seen religious sites post edited or out-of-context clips from debates with atheists, to try to shore up some weak or riduculous argument.

Respec' to the AJU!

34. Pupil defends teacher in Muhammad teddy furore

Comment #91815 by Stew282 on November 29, 2007 at 11:17 am

May I make a suggestion?

It would be an amusing experiment if every [UK resident] parent who reads this and everyone who knows anyone with children...what the heck, adults too....The next time BBC's 'Blue Peter' programme gets a new pet and petitions the viewers for a name, let's all suggest and vote for 'Muhammad'.

See what the MCB etc. make of: Muhammad the Blue Peter tortoise, cat, rabbit etc. ...dog or pig would be hilarious!

35. In the name of God: the Saudi rape victim's tale

Comment #91805 by Stew282 on November 29, 2007 at 11:01 am

I have always prized diplomacy above warfare for the resolution of international problems.

However, diplomacy clearly cannot work in some cases. As we (NATO, EU, UN etc.) do not have the capability to conduct conventional military actions against all the tin-pot, barn-pot dictatorships and theocracies around the world, I'm afraid I'm rapidly coming to the conclusion that the most expedient solution would be to drop a sizeable nuclear device on a selection of state capitals around the world and take it from there.

This would, of course, be an act of desparation, but for fuck's sake, the situation is becoming desperate.

36. Christopher Hitchens at AAI 07

Comment #80381 by Stew282 on October 21, 2007 at 2:47 pm

I just checked out the 'RDF@MySpace' link at the top of the page and rather amusingly, the site appears to have calculated that the RDF is an 'Aquarious'!

According to 'astrology-online.com' my being a 'Scorpio' means I am incompatible with the RDF, so I suppose I'll have to seek out a free-thinking site of a more suitable starsign!

Amusingly though, the site does claim that "Aquarius want to own the world [sic]" - is this a prediction for world-domination by science and reason?

37. The Fleas Are Multiplying!

Comment #73600 by Stew282 on September 25, 2007 at 12:35 pm

Has anyone read any of these books yet? -

I'm just wondering how many times the word "shrill" appears in reference to the prof's arguments.



"Richard Dawkins is the new Messiah!" (We all know the answer if he tries to deny it)

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

Comment #66984 by Stew282 on September 1, 2007 at 7:58 am

I think Vickers's breathtaking ignorance is pretty much summed up by her:

"Religion as disease, and more pertinently, the religiously inclined as disease-carriers, this is dangerous talk. Dawkins might try substituting "Jews" or "blacks" for "religiously inclined" and he would see why."

Are Jews not intrinsically 'religiously inclined' and subject to RD's criticisms? I seem to remember them being mentioned on several occasions in TGD.
And since when has being black been a faith, belief system or even a matter of choice? (Michael Jackson excepted) - Identifying religious belief with race is a pathetic attempt at claiming immunity from criticism.

"I am patient with stupidity, but not with those who are proud of it.." Edith Sitwell