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Comments by LorienRyan


1. Fleabytes

Comment #142810 by LorienRyan on March 13, 2008 at 5:48 am

Streamers ready....

2. Fleabytes

Comment #142802 by LorienRyan on March 13, 2008 at 5:37 am

Comment #142798 by Diacanu

I didn't hurt anyone or nothin' I just thought and said a lot of stupid shit in my teens.


Your lucky, I'm still trying to stop saying stupid shit now!

Roll wit tha punches, live n learn and all that...

3. Fleabytes

Comment #142794 by LorienRyan on March 13, 2008 at 5:29 am

Diacanu,

Wouldn't worry about it. If it's any consolation the are plenty of homosexuals who are guilty of heterophobia.

4. Fleabytes

Comment #142787 by LorienRyan on March 13, 2008 at 5:20 am

Comment #142784 by Steve Zara

One is sometimes not aware of one's own actions. One can get, well, kind of, well, carried away without realising fully what one has said or done (I am sure you get the reference :)


Well, that's true:)

5. Fleabytes

Comment #142781 by LorienRyan on March 13, 2008 at 5:13 am

Diacanu,

I'm not surprised. Maybe that's why it's free on the internet? Well, the religion part was good...

6. Fleabytes

Comment #142768 by LorienRyan on March 13, 2008 at 5:00 am

Diacanu,

I agree. That's why I only praised the part on religion.

*sneaking my tinfoil hat off* ;)

7. Fleabytes

Comment #142742 by LorienRyan on March 13, 2008 at 4:22 am

Philip1978,

I watched the Zeitgeist movie on gooole video, the first part on religion was fantastic!

I have a book here at home that lists the teachings of Buddha (500BCE) along side the teachings of the Jesus character, with references. The similarities are startling.

8. Fleabytes

Comment #142732 by LorienRyan on March 13, 2008 at 4:00 am

I have to agree with Incredulous's sentiments. I'm one who will draw on the evidence card soon after a faith card has been drawn.

Having said that, is it possible that people can just apply their own personal approach, without expecting others to be the same?

Horses for courses?

9. Fleabytes

Comment #142721 by LorienRyan on March 13, 2008 at 3:46 am

Any coffee other than the genuine cafe made straight from the gaggia, is a heresy. Latte, one sugar please:)

10. Fleabytes

Comment #142714 by LorienRyan on March 13, 2008 at 3:35 am

Let's all indulge in our favourite heresy in celebration of 5K and the Easter Bunny!

11. Fleabytes

Comment #142687 by LorienRyan on March 13, 2008 at 2:53 am

Comment #142671 by ForestMist

I wouldn't expect that anyone would be convinced of the existence of the Easter Bunny from the photo that I took of a bunny at easter,


Don't you dare burst my bubble, I'm happily munching on Lindor's in here:)

12. Two More Fleas

Comment #142686 by LorienRyan on March 13, 2008 at 2:48 am

Clearthinker,

The way I see it, Richard Dawkins has written a book from his own bat, so to speak, on a subject he is passionate about. His book has seen much success, as we all know.

You should be glad about Richard's success, why wouldn't you be? The only reason I can tell from reading your posts is that you are suffering from book envy.

Pray prove me wrong.

13. The ethics of mixing science and religion

Comment #142683 by LorienRyan on March 13, 2008 at 2:36 am

AtheistAspy,

Re: your quote in #32.

I'm sure it was just an oversight, but that wasn't my comment. It was from lievemebe.

:)

14. The ethics of mixing science and religion

Comment #142618 by LorienRyan on March 12, 2008 at 9:34 pm

How do scientists compartmentalize?

My guess, much the same as listening to music or reading a good novel. Maybe some scientists just like the way the idea of religion makes them feel, but don't actually believe it's true?

15. Fleabytes

Comment #142548 by LorienRyan on March 12, 2008 at 5:41 pm

Mike,

I posted the idea of digital-to-matter converters for the pc a while ago - we could pass a fat cyber scoob around and have that cyber pie fight too!

16. Two More Fleas

Comment #142539 by LorienRyan on March 12, 2008 at 4:38 pm

Looks like 'The God Delusion' has hit the mark beautifully!

Now with this new flea, 'The Devil's Delusion', we have the theist's whole repertoire of rebuttals...



Goddidit.
Devildidit.

17. Fleabytes

Comment #142270 by LorienRyan on March 12, 2008 at 8:17 am

ForestMist,

Oh glory! Transubstantiation has never tasted so good!

18. Fleabytes

Comment #142264 by LorienRyan on March 12, 2008 at 8:04 am

ForestMist,

May I accept the chocolate bunny as the Eucharist for the risen body of the great Easter Bunny?

19. Fleabytes

Comment #142260 by LorienRyan on March 12, 2008 at 7:56 am

Mike,

No probs. Don't forget the /

20. Fleabytes

Comment #142252 by LorienRyan on March 12, 2008 at 7:37 am

Mike,

type... < blockquote > place text here < /blockquote >

Without the spaces.

21. Fleabytes

Comment #142245 by LorienRyan on March 12, 2008 at 7:22 am

Mike,

read [Comment Posting Guidelines] which is just above your text field.

22. Fleabytes

Comment #142201 by LorienRyan on March 12, 2008 at 6:30 am

Comment #142194 by keith

Like an interest in anything else, I think a desire to see things as accurately as you can must come from within.


I agree. And, ironically, for the theist it is an initial leap of faith on their behalf. It takes some courage at first.

23. Fleabytes

Comment #142168 by LorienRyan on March 12, 2008 at 5:29 am

Comment #142158 by mikejswalker

'Hey guys, there's a merry-go-round over on fleabytes, let's push it faster!!'


Exactly, we're going for 5K!!;)

24. Fleabytes

Comment #142152 by LorienRyan on March 12, 2008 at 4:40 am

Context. For instance, David Robertson is obviously articulate. I don't believe, judging from his posts, for a minute that he would accept any patronising banter in a debate about his belief system. Which is obvious from this entire thread.

In that context, I think it is appropriate to remind theists, especially when their agenda is to convert, that evidence is at the heart of the debate. Be honest about your expectations.

Of course there are times when it is not appropriate to just say 'show me some evidence', and we need to consider the situation, we don't want to get people off side just for the hell of it, well, we're only human so sometimes we do.

I think all kinds of approaches are needed for different types of people. To someone like David Robertson, who is taking an aggressive approach, I say, 'evidence, please...', because he isn't going to respond to the details. Hopefully he (David) in an effort in finding some evidence for us might just realise, just like most of the greatest minds and scientists of all time, there is none! To be fair, yet.

25. Fleabytes

Comment #142121 by LorienRyan on March 12, 2008 at 3:16 am

We missed you Diacanu.

David,

Words and arguments obviously aren't getting anywhere except for more of the same. Are you trying to save us? Is that your goal? Why should we believe you? Do you have anything substantial? Is there any reason other than your words and feelings why we should accept any of your claims?

It will always come down to evidence at this site, no matter how much musing and pandering is offered to you - we need evidence. Lets start with God...

26. Fleabytes

Comment #142111 by LorienRyan on March 12, 2008 at 2:54 am

Comment #142103 by clearthinker

Its true that I cannot argue against your feeling. But I can at least point out that it is just that - a feeling.


Now you know how we feel.

27. Fleabytes

Comment #142095 by LorienRyan on March 12, 2008 at 1:55 am

Comment #142089 by clearthinker

Until God is proved then all other possibilities are excluded for you. You have exchanged one faith for another.


Not exactly. Rather than all possibilities excluded, it would be more accurate to say that the possibility of a God would be unlikely, that's only one possibility excluded, for now. If evidence was forthcoming of course I would have to reconsider.

28. Fleabytes

Comment #142064 by LorienRyan on March 11, 2008 at 8:15 pm

In many cases it doesn't really matter, I mean, none of us will know the absolute truth even if that's possible. Although, sometimes believers will genuinely inquire about other different views. And I suspect even the ones that post here, even in a hostile way, are curious about us mysterious atheists and our peculiar way of thinking. To be honest, many years ago, when I was a believer, I found enquiring into logic and critical thinking irresistible.

29. Fleabytes

Comment #142059 by LorienRyan on March 11, 2008 at 7:58 pm

Comment #142057 by Goldy

Lorien, true, but applicable in the western world? Well, western like the one I live in. Look at all the evidence given and the refutations by cretinists? That I can't understand, as, I think, many "moderate" religious people can't understand.


Yes, good point. As all the arguments become more sophisticated on both sides, people become inundated with to much information, throw their hands in the air and not much is achieved. It's all so hard, but we press on in the name of truth. It becomes frustrating when it seems the cretinists are being outright disingenuous, just misrepresenting information for the sake of it.

People just accept it because it supports their beliefs and not because it has stood up to any objective scienctific test. They don't want proof they want excuses.

30. Fleabytes

Comment #142056 by LorienRyan on March 11, 2008 at 7:42 pm

I find that many believers become attached to the feeling that their belief gives them, it usually seems like a sense of wonder. Anything they perceive that threatens this feeling can make them hostile or develop a distrust of any other opinions.

They become 'close minded', all the believers reasoning becomes a servant to protecting a certain point of view rather than considering other possibilities.

When I myself was a believer, I was always open minded and found myself saying, 'hmmm, I never thought about that way', and eventually I realized that my point of view had to be discarded in light of better reasons and evidence.

For some people considering other views is difficult, be interesting to know exactly why this is. I guess it would have something to do with how long they've held on to beliefs and how much their emotional state depends on it?

31. Fleabytes

Comment #142044 by LorienRyan on March 11, 2008 at 7:05 pm

Comment #142042 by Goldy

Athiests have to try and come to an argument that doesn't involve asking for evidence as such - the nature of gods in the minds of believers doesn't call for evidence. Indeed, in some cases the very lack of evidence is proof of gods. But by the same token, the theists have to try and understand the minds of those they wish to argue with, especially if they like to come here (I believe, fides, you've been posting here about as long, if not longer, as I have :-)).


Being a former believer myself I can tell you from personal experience that the 'evidence call' is sometimes the best thing to do. Often believers never even consider their belief in the context of evidence and having it pointed out can sometimes be a real wake up call.

Of course it's not always appropriate, so discretion, wisdom and insight are valuable traits for an atheist, and indeed anyone.

I think on one hand one must be careful not to be patronising, and on the other hand not to be condescending. These are things not just confined to debate but everyday life.

I guess, whether one goes straight for evidence or perseveres with the details an important thing is to be respectful.

Well, we're all only human! Although, having said that, there are posters here that really are good examples of how to conduct a good fair discussion.

32. Fleabytes

Comment #141840 by LorienRyan on March 11, 2008 at 9:32 am

al,

I edited it slightly anyway.

Point of no return, no doubt. Makes me wonder about those who go the other way.

33. Fleabytes

Comment #141813 by LorienRyan on March 11, 2008 at 8:48 am

al,

Yes to all that. Considering your reply, and reviewing my post, it looks a bit stronger than I intended. Should I delete it in fairness to those concerned.

Your thoughts?

EDIT: Post edited. Sorry for the glitch:0

34. Fleabytes

Comment #141801 by LorienRyan on March 11, 2008 at 8:23 am

I know many atheists who were once theists, including myself. There wasn't a particular moment when I saw the light, so to speak, but many good points made by good people over time, that I eventually had to give in to.

35. Fleabytes

Comment #141753 by LorienRyan on March 11, 2008 at 6:52 am

Comment #141740 by clearthinker

Lorien Ryan,

For the umpteenth time - instead of just attacking me please engage with my posts. I wrote two lengthy posts dealing with several of the issues involved. Please respond to them, rather than just attack me. By doing so you just prove my point.


I was engaging with your posts, which included my insights into your character. I could be wrong about that, but hey, you seem to know God's character pretty well.

Not one of your points or arguments have the slightest credence until you can prove the existence of God, and then convince us that it is the God you worship every day. It really is that simple.

36. Fleabytes

Comment #141725 by LorienRyan on March 11, 2008 at 6:28 am

Is it just me, or do I detect a nasty defensive tone, mixed with a bit of smuggness and a slight god-complex from clearthinker?

Before inflamming the tit-for-tat, clearthinker, how 'bout some actual evidence for, say, the existence of God (your particular one), miracles, and why not throw in some historical evidence that Jesus ever existed.

Once you've established those few minor points maybe then there will be some reason for further discussion.

37. Fleabytes

Comment #141686 by LorienRyan on March 11, 2008 at 5:03 am

Yes. I guess we all do self-fulfilling prophecy to some degree. How do we convince people apocalyptic ones are probably not the way to go?

38. Fleabytes

Comment #141673 by LorienRyan on March 11, 2008 at 4:27 am

I know a few. And pointing out that practically every generation since 30CE has had a sect of believers that was convinced they were the ones to witness the return of Christ, well, has always proved ineffective. Especially when they get that 'last days' glaze and start looking towards the heavens. I'm absolutely no match for an endorphine rush inducing ideology. Once that kicks in, I'm toast.

39. Fleabytes

Comment #141669 by LorienRyan on March 11, 2008 at 4:13 am

MPhil,

'Last days prophecies' specifically. Even though Jesus (or the story of Jesus) clearly states that he will be back before 'this' generation has passed away. Every generation of believers wants to be 'this' one.

I wonder how many more generations will pass away before they (believers) will finally click and realize, 'hmmm, there's a pattern forming here.'

Although, it must feel exciting to be living in the 'last days.' You never know, 'this' might be the generation! It reminds me of an addicted gambler chasing his/her loses - the next spin could be the jackpot, just one more spin!

*little bit of sarcasm involved*

40. Fleabytes

Comment #141666 by LorienRyan on March 11, 2008 at 3:49 am

It's curious that mlearnedfriend, our resident prophet, apparently has an omniscient, omnipotent and omnipresent God at his disposal but still needs to concede to 'qualifiers' for conditions of 'proof of prophecy.'

If this God is real and mlearnedfriend is in His favour, well, I say, let us hear it, consult your God, make the prophecy.

Waiting to be impressed...

41. Seven new deadly sins: are you guilty?

Comment #141662 by LorienRyan on March 11, 2008 at 3:31 am

Will see all my fellow Disians in the City of Dis, level 6:)

42. Should Galileo's tomb be opened for DNA tests?

Comment #141580 by LorienRyan on March 10, 2008 at 6:09 pm

Who cares?

The Catholic crutch... sorry church, disseminates bullshit, it's their job, isn't it? Science eliminates bullshit. Easy to see why the Catholics aren't science friendly. The pope should just say to science, 'shhh, quiet or you'll give the game away...we're on a roll!'

43. Fleabytes

Comment #141570 by LorienRyan on March 10, 2008 at 4:44 pm

Comment #141550 by Steve Zara,

Be great if that could be posted on RD.net, I would be in support of it, if that makes any difference.

Would be a great tool for people as well, I'm always refining my conversational skills with theists. Not only in the logic and facts department but also in my approach, which I think is important in being effective.

In regards to your rebuttals to creationist propaganda have you seen the 'talkorigins' archive? It has a fairly comprehensive list plus short rebuttals, here is the link:

http://www.talkorigins.org/indexcc/list.html

44. Out of the Blue

Comment #140831 by LorienRyan on March 8, 2008 at 6:00 pm

Comment #140826 by corruptmemory

Well, that's not completely true. Most of that process is not actually available to the conscious mind. A lot of that processing is in response to sensory input, in particular, vision and hearing take up the most processing.


I don't think all the details of the processing need to be available to the conscious mind, and if it were we wouldn't be able to make a conscious decision in the time available. Nonetheless, we make decisions, 'yes' or 'no', which are probably based on a 'summary' of some sort that our, amazing, conscious mind takes into consideration. Which no doubt is based on a myriad of environmental and social factors.

Maybe all the infomation is made available to our conscious mind as a sort of final read out, like a CEO recieving the annual budget report then making decisions from there - even though the CEO is not present or privy to the entire process of the report being made.

Just thinking out loud, as anyone could really do about the subject of the mind. Great subject to think about though, fun:)

45. Out of the Blue

Comment #140820 by LorienRyan on March 8, 2008 at 5:07 pm

Comment #140816 by Dr Benway

10,000,000,000,000,000 synapse operations per second is pretty complex.


And all that complexity in order to consciously say, 'yes' or 'no'. I excluded 'maybe' because it is an effective 'no' at the time.

46. Fleabytes

Comment #140815 by LorienRyan on March 8, 2008 at 4:55 pm

clodhopper,

I always go for the turkish delight first, don't know what that says about my psyche, but I'm sure even if I knew the rational argument as to why I did, I wouldn't care.

47. Richard Dawkins' US Tour begins this week

Comment #140804 by LorienRyan on March 8, 2008 at 4:19 pm

Comment #140378 by Jack Rawlinson

Jack,

Ironically, I must say a resounding 'amen' to your post.

48. Out of the Blue

Comment #140794 by LorienRyan on March 8, 2008 at 3:55 pm

Intersting article. If self-awareness did emerge from an artificial brain, would not that consciousness be relative to it's own unique physical state and needs?

If the AI was given 'eyes' or some sort of visual stimuli to process and interpret, I'd imagine the resulting 'self-awareness' would be to seek more electrical power, it's life source.

The AI being could instruct humans on how to make it more powerful and eventually how to make it capable of sourcing power for itself - then take over the world!:)

49. When blasphemy bit the dust

Comment #140553 by LorienRyan on March 7, 2008 at 9:05 pm

Now that religious types don't have to be offended on God's behalf anymore, I wonder if it would be too much to ask them to stop pretending He exists on His behalf also. Just a thought.

50. Fleabytes

Comment #140328 by LorienRyan on March 7, 2008 at 6:29 am

Unfortunetly for theists, in order to understand many of the arguments against (and not even necessarily 'against' but simply observations of what just is) their presupposed notions they need to step back, let go for a moment, of those very notions.

Not a small task for a mind that's very life, existence and salvation depends on 'keeping the faith', believing in the unknowable, etc. All psychological traps, 'blinded by the light', literally.

It takes a lot of guts, from the perspective of the believer, to just take that little step, to deny God, to risk hell, to forsake salvation, just for a moment.

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