1. Richard Dawkins Public Lecture - Liverpool 08

Comment #198656 by liddlefeesh on June 24, 2008 at 10:50 am

ALTERNATIVE LINK:

Click here to watch in Windows Media Player

(taken from: http://www.liv.ac.uk/08/webcast/dawkins_webcast.html)

2. Richard Dawkins Public Lecture - Liverpool 08

Comment #198653 by liddlefeesh on June 24, 2008 at 10:49 am

The lecture was working yesterday, I saw half of it. Sitting down now to finish the lecture I get the same error as you all do.

Is there an alternative link?

3. Louisiana's latest creationism bill moves to House floor

Comment #187393 by liddlefeesh on June 2, 2008 at 5:03 am

Are the contributors for Creationism simply allowed to get away with declaring statements "by fiat" without producing any evidence?

It seems to me this is merely a reproduction of the pulpit preaching style. All style and no substance behind the words.

4. My Response to Rabbi Shmuley Boteach

Comment #177168 by liddlefeesh on May 8, 2008 at 5:18 pm

@Spinoza; lol, so Richard lost because Boteach was more entertaining in his eyes?

All these religious types do the same thing when given a microphone and a timeslot. The rythmic shouting, loud proclaimations, assertions and then slow. Slow. Heartfelt whisper, ascending to another proclaaaimation!!!

I'm surprised nobody has mentioned D'Souza yet. He's the biggest shouter of them all.

5. My Response to Rabbi Shmuley Boteach

Comment #177163 by liddlefeesh on May 8, 2008 at 5:11 pm

This REALLY NEEDED to be said. Thank you, Professor!

6. Shaw TV Interview with Richard Dawkins

Comment #175136 by liddlefeesh on May 4, 2008 at 2:24 pm

Excellent interview by Richard Dawkins as usual.

7. How to reconcile Richard Dawkins?

Comment #172105 by liddlefeesh on April 29, 2008 at 8:38 am

This looks like just another article filled with back-handed compliments for professor Dawkins.

"how, after all, could the executions of religious figures not follow logically from the promotion of atheism?"

What I don't understand is how the promotion of a-fairy-ism does not equally promote the execution of rival religious leaders.

What utter nonsense.

8. Yoko Ono sues over use of John Lennon videos

Comment #168453 by liddlefeesh on April 25, 2008 at 6:48 am

Rocky Moutain Pictures are on a very rocky road with not obtaining permission for use of Yoko Ono's IPR.

Wasn't even Michael Shermer refused permission to quote from the song even for a book aligned with John Lennon's ethos?

9. For sale: 13-year-old virgin

Comment #160718 by liddlefeesh on April 14, 2008 at 10:11 am

Does Rajasthan not have child protection laws or protection for these children?

Aren't there any charities providing education to these "communities"?

Does anyone with a Wikipedia account fancy drawing attention to this practice on the Ragasthan entry? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rajasthan

edit: I've added a link to this article on their page, but I can't edit the main content. Anyone?

10. Scientists take drugs to boost brain power: study

Comment #159045 by liddlefeesh on April 11, 2008 at 11:22 am

Do you think that Richard Dawkins had to give a urine sample before receiving the Deschner prize?

11. Sue Blackmore debates Alister McGrath

Comment #150331 by liddlefeesh on March 26, 2008 at 5:57 pm

Sue was excellent.

I'm listening to McGrath and he's a very clear speaker. I understand every single word that comes out of his mouth, but I haven't got a friggin clue what he's saying. It appears to be "nothing".

Anyone else feel this way about McGrath?

12. Happy Birthday, Richard Dawkins!

Comment #149925 by liddlefeesh on March 26, 2008 at 10:36 am

Happy birthday, Professor.

I would be making an understatement if I said that your work has provided me a new and fresh understanding of the world.

Keep going!

Mike

13. Add another flea to the list...

Comment #133330 by liddlefeesh on February 26, 2008 at 4:28 am

Oh dear. Yet another book I'll be told I need to go and read in order to "get a balanced view".

Where should I donate all this stuff? I received a collection of Ken Ham DVD's, a biblical timeline chart a "proof" of Noah's ark pamphlet, a "proof" of the parting of the oceans and a bunch of chick tracts on "big daddy". All this to go with my collection of "answers in genesis".

Does anyone else have fanatic Christians praying for your souls and sending you stuff?

On second thoughts; I think the combustable stuff might have already gone, but I've still got the Ken Ham DVDs!

14. DLD08 - Life: a gene-centric view

Comment #130811 by liddlefeesh on February 21, 2008 at 10:10 am

I'm still watching, but what PDA was Dawkins using @ 0:06:00?

15. The New Atheist Movement

Comment #124790 by liddlefeesh on February 10, 2008 at 9:03 am

I'm not sure I want to see what someone's "New Atheist Movement" looks like. I saw one briefly this morning!

16. The New Atheist Movement

Comment #123342 by liddlefeesh on February 7, 2008 at 2:19 am

Wow, the propoganda is pretty intense.

I just loved the bit about Alistair McGrath and the others being "rational", "good solid", "responsible christan perspective".

Pah!

edit: "75% of our young people are losing their faith in college" - ROCK ON!

17. Christopher Hitchens Debates Timothy Jackson

Comment #122526 by liddlefeesh on February 5, 2008 at 11:57 am

Wonderful. And I was supposed to be working tonght! :)

Can't get enough of Hitchens :P

18. Atheists to celebrate at Darwin Day in Coconut Creek

Comment #121802 by liddlefeesh on February 4, 2008 at 7:29 am

I'm very happy about what Darwin discovered, etc, but having a Darwin celebratory day seems very nonsensical to me.

Why not have a scientific discovery and celebration day?

Or an enlightenment appreciation day?

On that subject, what about a "Science Appreciation" festival?

19. 'Irrational Atheist' trounces God-deniers

Comment #117523 by liddlefeesh on January 29, 2008 at 3:34 am

This is bad, very bad.

Whenever a book like this is published, we get more "John"'s, debating with the only thing they have to offer - poorly thought out arguements obtained second hand from some writer who either intentionally misleads or is simply misled themselves and hasn't sought true answers.

I can hear the rhetoric now, "Dawkins said that it's better to sexually abuse a child than to take them to church", etc, etc, etc.

Grrrr, they make me mad!

20. Lewis Black - The Devil's Handiwork

Comment #115025 by liddlefeesh on January 23, 2008 at 12:40 pm

More by Lewis Black:

(on evolution)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmSfkCRsU0s&feature=related

21. Lewis Black - The Devil's Handiwork

Comment #114998 by liddlefeesh on January 23, 2008 at 12:00 pm

~"This was a story told to people in the desert to distract them from the fact that they didn't have air conditioning"

Superb!

22. Gay Jesus play blasted by bishop

Comment #114033 by liddlefeesh on January 21, 2008 at 8:57 am

I wonder how much of the offense is caused by the portrayal of Jesus' sexuality as a gay man, or if the same knee-jerk reaction would be received if Jesus was shown to be a secular humanist who really didn't believe or claim to be a god.

23. The God Delusion: Now Available in US Paperback

Comment #113432 by liddlefeesh on January 19, 2008 at 3:00 pm

Another published version of The God Delusion? I can't possibly keep up with all these copies :)

Fantastic work Professor Dawkins, and Lalla Ward, and publishers, and everyone involved in this excellent book.

24. King Me!

Comment #113429 by liddlefeesh on January 19, 2008 at 2:58 pm

"Well, those are YOUR interpetation of the rules. MY interpretation of the rules is different..."

reductio ad absurdium :(

25. Touched by an Atheist

Comment #105294 by liddlefeesh on December 31, 2007 at 6:27 am

Hillarious! His other standup comedy spots on religion are glorious in their eloquence!

26. Submission, 'Part 1'

Comment #105292 by liddlefeesh on December 31, 2007 at 6:25 am

Riz,

Very interesting petition. I also didn't know about the hadith commandments to not have pictures - very interesting.

/rant: As a new poster here I might be speaking out of tune; but can we stick to topic? Personal gripes should really be kept person to person as they don't add anything to the discussion or the knowledge and devalue the content on this page.

27. Submission, 'Part 1'

Comment #105146 by liddlefeesh on December 30, 2007 at 5:58 pm

Is it the Stockholme syndrome or fear that keeps some muslim women living this way in the West?

28. Pope's exorcist squads will wage war on Satan

Comment #104690 by liddlefeesh on December 29, 2007 at 6:03 am

He didn't do anything about the evil Nazi regime, so what makes anyone think that he's going to do anything about Satan?

29. Highway to hysteria

Comment #104429 by liddlefeesh on December 28, 2007 at 1:21 pm

Anyone with a semblance, nay modicum, of intelligence watching that awful piece of tripe can only come to the conclusion that those people are sick, demented and deluded to the point of being dangerous - and should be locked up accordingly.

30. Disquiet over schools' moment of silence

Comment #104423 by liddlefeesh on December 28, 2007 at 1:16 pm

Wouldn't it be fair if Atheist or secular students would add together all those seconds, and then take out an hour each year to make all the religious watch one of the Cosmos documentary episodes?

31. What We Believe: Atheism

Comment #104411 by liddlefeesh on December 28, 2007 at 1:03 pm

The Raft

The religious would be wishfully thinking that they would be saved. They would see "signs" in the clouds. Take comfort that they were sharing in the pain of Christ.

Then they'd be tipped off the raft by the Atheists to the awaiting Sharks :)

32. Carl Sagan's COSMOS begins airing on Jan 8th

Comment #104367 by liddlefeesh on December 28, 2007 at 11:29 am

Fantastic! But why "Discovery Science" channel?

This needs to be aired on conventional networks, during peak time. It's a family-friendly show with explanations of how the Cosmos works.

I love this series. It's done so much for my walk with reason.

*SHOW IT IN THE UK PLEASE!*

33. Archbishop of Canterbury Praises Richard Dawkins

Comment #104365 by liddlefeesh on December 28, 2007 at 11:27 am

He likened Professor Dawkins' understanding of the beauty of the world around us with that of St John of the Cross, the 16th-century mystic.

34. 'Gospel of wealth' facing scrutiny

Comment #104358 by liddlefeesh on December 28, 2007 at 11:17 am

To "Double Bass Atheist",

My statement was a little sweeping, and I think we both agree, let me explain why.

I don't live in the US, but here in the UK at least, "Young Earth" "Ken Ham" creationism is alive and well. I have seen "Answers in Genesis" and material from the CSE widely distributed. In fact, I received a copy of Answers in Genesis, along with several Chick tracts from one of my evangelical friends recently. Her husband has a pHD in Psychology, and he also is a YEC.

Last time she was in our house she was proclaiming that God drove her car (completely, steering wheel, pedals and gears [5 speed manual]) and that there was an angel standing next to my wife who she could describe right down to shoe and hair colour. I kid you not.

I do feel annoyance with the arrogance of some atheists who have not experienced or demonstrate a first person understanding of the religious brainwashing. The power of suggestion and the pain and anguish of undoing neurological connections made during childhood and adolescence is a major struggle - one that most intelligent Christians as adults either make, or choose deliberately to ignore.

In fact, my mother is currently in Intensive Care, and several churches I know of have proclaimed that a miracle has occurred (a tumour vanished, apparantly..). I won't blabber here, more on my blog - but yes, I'm very well connected with many fundamentalist christians.

My point is a rehashing of Daniel Dennetts idea that what most of these people have is a sort of "belief in belief". How many of your young earth creationists would not go to a hospital if they were seriously sick, instead choosing to pray? How many would drink draino or play with poisonous snakes as a demonstration of the power of their god? None. And for good reason.

But this "reason"ing skill is alaid, put aside, anaethetised, whenever they do their religious bit. That's the point I'm trying to make.

edit: added clarity.

35. 'Gospel of wealth' facing scrutiny

Comment #104263 by liddlefeesh on December 28, 2007 at 8:36 am

"You do not need to be afraid any more"

"Cast your fear and anger on him"

- Joyce Meyer (Enjoying Everyday Life - issue binned in the recycling bin earlier)

36. 'Gospel of wealth' facing scrutiny

Comment #104258 by liddlefeesh on December 28, 2007 at 8:25 am

Have you read any of Joyce Meyer's material?

She plumbs the line of guilt VERY well. Her magazine, "Enjoying Everyday Life" is stuffed full with guilt on almost every page, her books get it in there every page also. Even the public writing in usually has something to do with guilt.

And then the magazine hits you with the message to become a partner (donor).

37. 'Gospel of wealth' facing scrutiny

Comment #104256 by liddlefeesh on December 28, 2007 at 8:22 am

Canuck#1, Diancanu,

I don't think of it as some form of cosmic lottery ticket. I don't think anyone does. Annabanana is probably closer to the mark with the social norms.

Giving is addictive for those that can afford it. Giving to charity, giving blood, etc.

The issue becomes where the prosperity gospel hijacks the religious sentiment - which in itself is a hijacking of thought - and which often goes on to cause severe problems in the families of those so affected.

JFHalsley - your story struck a chord with me - and I would bet your deconversion experience may have followed a similar path.

What I really would love for everyone on this forum to understand is this: These people "sowing a seed" to the prosperity gospel in money, time, thought, effort - are not doing so because they are inherently stupid but because they are brainwashed or half-brainwashed. In their daily lives they will not act out as they do when in church talking amongst church friends - presumably for fear of being labelled as a nut.

The solution to the problem is to bring these two world "views" (i.e. the correct one and the false one) into a collision.

Dissonance is the answer to the "stupidty" problem.

As for nudity? Why not? :)

38. 'Gospel of wealth' facing scrutiny

Comment #104245 by liddlefeesh on December 28, 2007 at 7:47 am

Diacanu: I found your statements rather provocative (in a good way).

I don't agree that all morons (if you mean Christians) want is a winning ticket for themselves. I don't believe it is selfish desire that drives the flock - if it was, they'd be the leaders, who for the most part, seem to be driven by selfish ambition more than the followers.

I once heard a statement that was so true, "You cannot convice someone of something, if their salary depends on them not understanding it".

39. 'Gospel of wealth' facing scrutiny

Comment #104241 by liddlefeesh on December 28, 2007 at 7:43 am

"There are too many cognitive structures, which people far better qualified than myself can describe, that can be simply taken over by religion" - Incredulous

I'll give you one. Family.

If I had £1 for every person I've met who has been directly affected by religious hooks replacing loving mums, dads, sisters or brothers - I'd be a millionare. Oh, no, I'd be a Televangelist.

40. 'Gospel of wealth' facing scrutiny

Comment #104235 by liddlefeesh on December 28, 2007 at 7:28 am

There is something about religion, especially in moderation that works on the brain like an anaesthetic.

Richard Dawkins refers to it as a (mind) "Virus" or a meme, but I disagree. "notsobad" would like to think that I am a recovered "stupid", perhaps in the same way as a recovered alcoholic, however I assure you that my mental agilty was not compromised at the time, nor is it now.

Dan Dennett said recently (AAI) something about that most people don't >really< believe. We know that most religious people are 'moderates', but by their own admission if they had a healthcare problem would present themselves to A&E (or ER for the Americans) instead of praying. And yet, when they recover, they will attribute modern lifesaving science to their own flavour of "God". Perhaps they will claim a miracle.

I was never like this, however due to my own community and family relationships I went along.

Simply >being< in and around a religious community will dim your faculties. The white noise prevents one from thinking clearly, and social compliance does the rest.

As evidenced by the day-to-day actions of Christians; I don't think anyone actually believes it. Everyone cherry picks the bible. The arguement "By what [moral] standard do you cherry pick" and "If Genesis isn't literally true, what about the other books?".

No-one loses their brain when they are Christians. They do some form of compartmentalisation or have lives that are simply too busy with activities (esp. religious ones) to think clearly.

Clearly, dissonant arguements which bring the two worlds (the real one and the imaginary one) into collission is the way forward.

I haven't written my Converts Corner post yet, but I've explained some of my thought processes and background on my blog (see my profile).

I will enjoy these discussions!

41. 'Gospel of wealth' facing scrutiny

Comment #104208 by liddlefeesh on December 28, 2007 at 5:42 am

(my first ever post)

I don't think calling this lady "greedy" or "stupid" is at all helpful to us in the ongoing struggle to win more rational minds. According to this article, she is an accountant. Of course, many very intelligent people do attend church, and they are suckered into giving, which they often do without question.

Many years ago my wife and I did much the same thing - giving beyond our means to the church. I didn't agree, but she was in charge of the finances at the time (she still is, but far more inteligent about it nowadays!). We only did this for three months.

We ended up in a dangerous financial position, and the best support our new church would offer was to "pray". This was step 1 of our very long deconversion process.

It's a bit like prayer - god always answers prayer.. remember, "yes", "no", "wait"? So, if you don't get your blessings, you need to persevere, etc, etc.

Combine this with adequate white noise; rock style 'worship' and lots of group activity and you have a receipe for tax-free income that far exceeds whatever any other business could only dream of.

For this lady, it could be personal guilt, social compliance, theology or tradition or perhaps some other brain-hook - but whichever it is; I see religion as an afflication which can be 100% cured with a prescription of a sabbatical and a little mental exercise.

Calling her "stupid" is not appropriate.