1. The Joke's on Him: Bill Maher could use a lesson in civility from Michael Moore

Comment #265498 by jackanaples on October 16, 2008 at 11:15 pm

I saw the movie the first weekend it was out. Bill Maher does not spend the movie traipsing all over the world making fun of different religions. The humor comes from Maher asking people questions about their faith and the disconnect with reality revealed in their answers.

There's a bit when he sits down with a minister and asks the man what he likes to be called. Reverend? The man replies that Maher can address him as "Dr." A subtitle indicates that the minister doesn't have a doctorate or in fact any sort of degree. That's the only instance in the movie like that.

The end of the movie has Maher urging people to believe a little less and question, doubt and wonder a bit more. We're at a point where the entire human race can be extinguished in a single rash instant of faith pressing a button. That's dangerous.

I think Maher and Charles made a good movie. More people should see it instead of assuming that they know all about what it is before they've seen it.

2. Could these books be part of the problem?

Comment #60860 by jackanaples on August 3, 2007 at 2:41 am

Maybe you're missing the point of the thread? The two books shown above are real.

3. OUT Campaign Launched, 'Scarlet Letter' Shirts Now Available!

Comment #59401 by jackanaples on July 29, 2007 at 12:29 am

I like the idea of the Come Out site, and the design of the shirt. I would have preferred the word ATHEIST under the A in white, with the web address on the back (also in white).

Mine is a minor quibble at best. After all, this is only the first shirt. It would be nice if people would stop bitching so much over where to start with raising conciousness over atheism that they never start at all.

Once a course is set, it's easy to alter once you're flying. If you stay on the tarmac, it doesn't matter how well you plot your course --you'll never get there.

Oh, and I just ordered mine. I can't wait to wear it.

4. Is Christianity Good for the World?

Comment #39309 by jackanaples on May 10, 2007 at 9:49 am

SteveN, I've often found myself wondering the same thing.

I listened to two debates with Alister McGrath (one vs. Dawkins, the other vs. Peter Atkins) and went into them with an open mind: He's an Oxford professor, so probably not a dummy --maybe this debate will give me cause to think.

Whatever.

The experience was a real eye opener. After just a few exchanges, it was clear that the more McGrath spoke the less he said. There are politicians who struggle their whole lives and never say as little as he does in so many words.

At the end of both debates, if asked I could give an approximation of what Dawkins' or Atkins' arguments were and the evidence presented in support of them. By contrast I couldn't tell you what McGrath had said even ten seconds after he'd stopped speaking.

5. Pundit Christopher Hitchens picks a fight in book, 'God is Not Great'

Comment #36145 by jackanaples on April 30, 2007 at 9:41 am

I am reading this book now. Fantastic! Hitchens writes with intelligent ferocity. The comparison between Hitchens and Mencken is an apt one. No small compliment that.

Hitchens was at the Los Angeles Festival of Books this past weekend where he appeared on a panel to speak about his book. I haven't watched it yet:

http://www.booktv.org/feature/index.asp?segid=8171&schedID=485

6. A Brief History of Disbelief

Comment #35675 by jackanaples on April 28, 2007 at 8:29 am

Wow! This series is absolutely fantastic. Everyone who has an opportunity should see it. Hopefully it proves so popular that a dvd release is scheduled.