1. Minnesota Atheists Interview Richard Dawkins

Comment #113901 by 210karman on January 21, 2008 at 1:22 am

I was especially pleased to be introduced to the name "Robert Ingersoll" by this broadcast. I checked the complete works via the link provided by the radio station and almost immediately found this gem from "God In the Constitution" 1890.

....in reference to science, man's knowledge, man's inventions etc

"These blessings did not fall from the skies. These benefits did not drop from the outstretched hands of priests. They were not found in cathedrals or behind altars -- neither were they searched for with holy candles. They were not discovered by the closed eyes of prayer, nor did they come in answer to superstitious supplication. They are the children of freedom, the gifts of reason, observation and experience - - and for them all, man is indebted to man.

Let us hold fast to the sublime declaration of Lincoln. Let us insist that this, the Republic, is "A government of the people, by the people, and for the people."

Wow!!

2. It was a bad year for God.

Comment #109185 by 210karman on January 8, 2008 at 2:17 pm

Suggestions for marketing:-

1) Make the whole book available online in Arabic for free.
2) Send a free signed copy to some premier country music stars with a polite letter asking for they're opinions and try to arrange a TV interview / debate to discuss why God is so fundamental to Country Music. My first choices would be Steve Earle, Emmy Lou Harris, Nanci Griffith, Allison Krauss, Gillian Welch, Dolly Parton, John Prine and Kris Kristofferson. These people are at least metaphorically Gods of the genre.
3)Any collaboration with Michael Moore possible? Or Borat ?)

3. God rest you merry atheist

Comment #100821 by 210karman on December 19, 2007 at 11:49 am

Communal singing is very good for you. I've never met a teetotaler who won't sing along with Whiskey in the Jar and The Wild Rover. I've heard many folk songs associated with Irish independence "boomed out" in festivals, clubs and social occasions throughout the UK, Ireland, and Europe without inference to any political affinity. Some will feel a deeper sense of meaning in a song than others will. It's no problem as long as the song is not selected and sung with the intention to offend. Generally, in order for songs to survive and be remembered internationally over long periods they have to be very good, especially melodically. There are always discussions about whether the lyrics or the tune are the most important. My position is "how do you whistle a poem". We could concede that the composers of the most popular Xmas carols may have been inspired to write such good ones. Songs which are known by everybody are sung by everybody regardless of the lyrics. At a pub Xmas Party recently (multi-national) the loudest song of the night was, ironically, Silent Night. I think LB's article was quite witty and also quite harmless, as were RD's admissions regarding the carols. I'll sing God Save the Queen, though I know he can't. I'll happily sing Flower of Scotland by "Corrie" Roy Williamson - though I'm not a Scot - it's just an extremely powerful and moving song.
ps To my knowledge the three most popular songs sung in English worldwide are Happy Birthday, Auld Lang Syne and Danny Boy - suggested corrections to this are welcome. I think you'll go much further down the list before you get to a Hymn.

Best wishes to everyone