1. Group Asks for Divine Intervention to Ease Oil Prices

Comment #204352 by tybowen on July 4, 2008 at 9:01 pm

So they DRIVE around to different gas stations to lower gas prices? How much is the betting that they don't carpool there?

PS This "our wives have started voting, damn it!!!" really made me laugh King of NH

2. Pastors Challenge Law, Endorse Candidates From Pulpit

Comment #196729 by tybowen on June 20, 2008 at 11:33 am

Sure they can endorse a candidate from the pulpit, they just have to accept the financial consequences. There is no constitutional basis for tax exempt status (the 16th amendment covers that) so they'll just have to pay taxes like the rest of us. Use that money for science education. We lose some churches and get better education. Win-win!

3. Scientists confirm that parts of earliest genetic material may have come from the stars

Comment #192681 by tybowen on June 13, 2008 at 10:56 pm

Well this is interesting, all it really says to me (just from this article, I haven't seen any scientific reports) taht the building blocks of life aren't unique to earth. I don't see how this meteorite proves that earth life didn't originate on earth. Just another proof that evolution is everywhere.

4. Huge hidden biomass lives deep beneath the oceans

Comment #184315 by tybowen on May 24, 2008 at 2:13 pm

Their peculiarity is that, unlike any other form of life, their DNA is not neatly packed into a nucleus.

5. How to reconcile Richard Dawkins?

Comment #172200 by tybowen on April 29, 2008 at 10:36 am

I've never been able to grasp why people don't associate communist russia with religion. Just because Stalin placed himself as god rather than an imaginary one doesn't mean he didn't use all the same tactics. The soviet regime was a religion in all basic aspects. Belief in a higher power that you must be subservient to that knows best. That faith in the power is the highest virtue. Hostile opposition to opposing view points. Its hard to tell the difference between some of the soviet ceremonies and some religious ceremonies if the party/leader is replaced with God. To me atheism means rational thinking and a lack of faith. That clearly doesn't describe Stalin's view. He got rid of clergy men because they controlled a power base that could threaten his power. No because he really disliked the idea of clergy men.

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

Comment #141447 by tybowen on March 10, 2008 at 12:42 pm

Wait, the organization that made his life a living hell because he dared to use his brain say it would be disrespectful for someone to use their brain on the body the organization stole from the original resting place?

Oh and the point is because it is interesting. As is the point with all research. And if he went blind from a genetic disease there could be very valuable data gathered. But apart from that, historic DNA of known individuals is very useful for tracking allele frequencies and populations. You might as well ask what is the point of analyzing the DNA of anyone or anything. The more data we accumulate the more that can be done

7. Seven new deadly sins: are you guilty?

Comment #141428 by tybowen on March 10, 2008 at 12:02 pm

No mention has ever been given to women coveting their neighbours husbands.

I am pleased to hear that genetic manipulations that don't alter DNA are fine.

8. Virus immunity 'created in lab'

Comment #128045 by tybowen on February 15, 2008 at 11:02 pm

Me wonder. If repressors where a bad thing, it would have been selected out by natural selection would it not? Maybe they are a good thing because most viruses are useful? Maybe we tend to notice only the few that make most of us sick.

9. Dumb and Dumber: Are Americans Hostile to Knowledge?

Comment #127385 by tybowen on February 15, 2008 at 8:14 am

Having recently graduated from high school (2005) I would like to say that the real problem is not "electronic distraction" but rather seems to be the effort to not hurt anyone's feelings or pride. When teachers are not allowed to fail a student because it would make them feel bad or are not allowed to teach a subject (evolution) because it might offend some people. This all lead to the inflation of grades and lowering of expectations.

10. Earliest bats did not 'see' with sound

Comment #126523 by tybowen on February 13, 2008 at 12:28 pm

How many of these fossils have been found? Could this have been just a one time mutation that did not pan out?

11. Exorcism undergoes a revival across Europe

Comment #125427 by tybowen on February 11, 2008 at 10:56 am

"Every person, if he or she needs help, should be able to get it somehow."

12. Belief in Belief

Comment #117352 by tybowen on January 28, 2008 at 3:51 pm

I think one of the most ludicrous arguments I heard being raised mormon was that "miracles don't convert" (aka seeing an angel wouldn't make you change your ways and follow god) and that you have to "believe before you can have faith" and that if you didn't seriously want to believe then you wouldn't be blessed enough to receive a conformation of your faith. The conformation was supposed to come after the trial of your faith. Pure insanity, yet that is what they tried to hoist on me growing up.

13. 'Telepathic' Genes Recognize Similarities In Each Other

Comment #116788 by tybowen on January 27, 2008 at 12:11 pm

I agree that "telepathic" is a poor word to use. When I first read the title I was thinking it was going to be from the onion or something. The article is interesting however. I just got a copy of the journal article to read so that will be even more exciting.

14. Loneliness Breeds Belief in Supernatural

Comment #116149 by tybowen on January 25, 2008 at 4:04 pm

I wish I had a dog...

15. US scientists close to creating artificial life: study

Comment #115827 by tybowen on January 24, 2008 at 9:55 pm

Honestly, how annoying would it be for Jehovah's Witnesses to rock up to Venter's house and start telling him all about how God created life only to have him say "Oh, that? Yeah, i've done that too."

16. US scientists close to creating artificial life: study

Comment #115789 by tybowen on January 24, 2008 at 7:39 pm

Bad Ass.

And I think your comment info_dump was the one you were waiting for.

17. Ethical storm as scientist becomes first man to clone HIMSELF

Comment #113733 by tybowen on January 20, 2008 at 12:13 pm

Thats bad ass. I know several people who have been affected by parkinsons (my grandfather died from it when I was two). Its awe inspiring to think that such diseases might be effectively treated by such men as this

18. 'Letter to a Christian Nation' now available in paperback

Comment #111511 by tybowen on January 14, 2008 at 9:38 pm

damnit, stop publishing books! I have textbooks I should use my money on instead.

19. It is possible to be moral without God

Comment #105200 by tybowen on December 30, 2007 at 9:34 pm

I'm just trying to picture how fat the fat guy must be to be able to stop an out of control railway truck...surly he will die at any moment because of heart problems...but anyway...I think its pretty self involved to say that religion (specifically christianity..nevermind those immoral Greeks/chinese/arabs/romans/Native Americas/ect..) sprouted morality. Part of the point of The God Delusion was to show that morality is NOT based on religion because people pick and choose from the religion which commandments to follow and thus exercise moral judgement independent from religion. As for the symphony analogy...what benefit does the song gain if someone believes it to be part of a non existent symphony? It seems that appreciation for the song would diminish as people would ignore parts of it or imagine different parts trying to "hear" the symphony rather then appreciating it as it was.

20. Monkey, Business

Comment #105197 by tybowen on December 30, 2007 at 9:16 pm

Excellent article. And there is a very good reason not to just dump in a river. Public opinion. I won't buy anything from a company that I know haphazardly pollutes the environment. But with all the political pulls it becomes possible to sweep such actions under the rug. Then we are left with inferior quality goods because someone has high friends. I don't want anybody infringing on my freedom or the freedom of others. And that includes the freedom of company owners to "horde their money" if they want. They'll be out competed if they try, but they can do that if they wish.

21. 'Christian God is not to blame'

Comment #102838 by tybowen on December 23, 2007 at 6:10 pm

When my son was born he was truly helpless. But I didn't sit around and hope he would be alright. I used my brain and body to provide for him.

22. Taking children for a ride

Comment #102834 by tybowen on December 23, 2007 at 6:05 pm

Sex, drugs, rock and roll, and science! Now that sounds like a good time. I wish they had combined when i was a youth...wait, I'm 21....And let me know if I'm wrong, but don't a number of religions use alcohol/drugs in their ceremonies?

23. God rest you merry atheist

Comment #99916 by tybowen on December 17, 2007 at 8:41 pm

I think it also depends on the intent of singing the carol. If you are just singing around the piano at a christmas party that is a very different thing then singing the carols in a christmas day mass. I think christmas is a fun part of the western culture and can be enjoyed with just santa and family togetherness. Singing can bring the family together and if its all in good fun, then its all in good fun. As for hypocrisy, I find it much more devious and underhanded for a creationist to go to a hospital or doctor to receive treatment when they deny the basics of biology.

24. Creationists plan British theme park

Comment #99338 by tybowen on December 16, 2007 at 11:06 am

"'Today all they do is binge drink. "
Hmmm...drinking or going to church....I know I'd need a good binge after seeing that place to erase the memory. Or before to make me stomach it.

25. Creation college seeks state's OK to train teachers

Comment #99059 by tybowen on December 15, 2007 at 11:32 am

I almost vomited at the term "scientific creationism"

26. Atheists' sign sparks controversy

Comment #96364 by tybowen on December 10, 2007 at 12:52 pm

Stalin was crusading for the eradication of religion because religion was an alternative brain washing device than the brain washing ideology he espoused. His attack on religion wasn't to end religion it was to establish the USSR.
As for imagine no jews, that is against a race of people, not against a belief. The sign says imagine a world without religion, not imagine a world without an {insert religious} group.
On the other hand there are thousands and thousands of signs that proclaim that I personally will burn for all eternity or be stuck down because I don't believe in a sky fairy. And there are countless numbers of people who think that it is their duty to "convert" (brainwash) me (if they are in a kind mood) or destroy me as a non-believer.
Sorry if I sound overly argumentative. I'm just getting tired of the special place religion claims and how my overly religious family is trying extra hard to force their religion on me this christmas

27. Atheists' sign sparks controversy

Comment #96344 by tybowen on December 10, 2007 at 12:18 pm

"Comment #96335 by Riley on December 10, 2007 at 11:50 am
I'm trying to imagine how I would react if a group of Bible thumpers sponsored a sign that read:"Imagine no atheism" and on it was a picture of Stalin and his army.

I would perceive it to be a political attack and perhaps even a personal threat."

Except that stalin wasn't crusading for atheism. he was battling for Communism and totalitarianism. Such would clearly be a case of twisting the facts. Sure stalin didn't like religion but he didn't do his deeds because he wasn't religious. 9/11 on the other hand was declared a religious attack on the "evil" US.

"The point of these equal-opportunity holiday scenes is to unite people of different beliefs and cultures; the point is not to give people of different political view-points an opportunity to throw crap at each other. "

The point is to showcase their beliefs. And if they are intolerant of others non-beliefs it is a pretty strong case of censorship. I know of a good number of "Christians" who are upset that the menorah or star of david is displayed as well as a cross. They want a special place for their religion and won't stand any opposing views. Just another example of religion thinking it deserves a special place in society.

28. Fear of censure deflects The Golden Compas

Comment #93706 by tybowen on December 4, 2007 at 1:02 am

All the publicity the movie generate for the book got me to go get a copy and start reading it myself. So far its great stuff. Well I'm a very far cry from a christian child (college atheist) it is very possible that children will want to read the books as a result of the movies.

29. Why Science Can't Save the Republican Party

Comment #93704 by tybowen on December 4, 2007 at 12:59 am

Its not as if the democrats are a better vehicle to deliver arogop's goals. (I'm an independent which gives me very little say in the major candidates who will become leaders, I just couldn't stomach either party) I agree that proportional representation would be a great boon to resolving the conflict, but there is not an explicit reason in the constitution for there not to be proportional representation (except in the case of President, where a majority is required) (There might be clauses in individual state constitutions, but those are easier to change). The main impediment is that the dominant parties in Congress have just set up many hoops and artificial obstacles to prevent third party candidates from holding any power (seniority, party appointments, etc.). A third party candidate has no easy way of obtaining a position of power in congress, and is usually voted out when his electorate sees that their state was under represented, and their congressman was marginalized. Congressional reform is needed but not on a constitutional level. Amendment 16 is the major constitutional road block that needs to me removed.

30. Man-sized sea scorpion claw found

Comment #90281 by tybowen on November 24, 2007 at 12:35 am

Even if the claw is disproportionally large for a body, the claw itself is still 46 cm. That is a huge ass scorpion even if it is mis-sized. But I assume they have taken many measurements of scorpion anatomy and ratios as they have done with human bones so that the 2.5m is a pretty good guess.

31. Romney's Mormonism is fair game

Comment #90117 by tybowen on November 23, 2007 at 4:18 am

I think mormonism is getting its undue share of blame here. I was raised mormon (i'm not anymore, but because of deep philisophical questions (Does god exists type of stuff)). I think it explains many of the holes in christianity very well (Where God came from, why are men here, why does god even care about men). The problem is religion itself. Christianity has talking donkeys, prophets summoning bears to eat children for calling him bald, racism, flying firey serpents, absurd amounts of death and murder (genocidal levels) in the name of righteousness, sacrifice, etc. There is nothing more outlandish in mormonism then in the regular testaments (which I read after the BOM and found much harder to swallow). After all if Jesus can be a zombie, why can't he make the garden of eden appear where he wants? Why shouldn't there be an evolution into a God like figure if we live for ever (sure seems like a lot more fun to learn how to be god then to shoot ducks all day)? Of course the idea of a super being watching over us is absurd and irrational. Reason should be what governs man. Oh, and do you all what people asking you about what underwear you are wearing? I don't. Attack the creed and try to make people see reason, don't attack the person.

32. The Psychology Behind Cults/Religion

Comment #89388 by tybowen on November 20, 2007 at 1:52 pm

Wow. I attended the Mormon Missionary Training Center (to please my parents) and this article could have been one of the hand outs they gave us on techniques if it was changed to have a positive connotation.