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Comments by Podaar


1. $271 Million for Research on Stem Cells in California

Comment #178118 by Podaar on May 10, 2008 at 2:27 pm

32. Comment #178033 by scooternyc

It was me being off topic. I was just pointing out that your being on topic wasn't addressing Nova's theocracy point that I took exception too. For what its worth, I agree with you and think you spoke elequently to your points.

[edit]Oh, and I've never heard of the Mormon leadership speak out against stem cell research. The voting practices of Utah Mormons would lead you to believe they are against it though. I'll have to research to find out if they have an official theological position.[/edit]

33. Comment #178107 by Nova

didn't mean theocracy in the legal sense I meant in the sense that thats what its sometimes like in practice...
I thought that was what you meant, but it's nice to hear you spell it out. Living in Utah, I'd have to agree with you that it can feel like a theocracy...at times. However, in practice Utah is much less restrictive than it appears on the surface. While I wish Mormon theology would get flushed down the toilet of bad ideas, at least they don't (theologically and in practice) deny evolution.

2. Scientists Know Better Than You--Even When They're Wrong

Comment #178023 by Podaar on May 10, 2008 at 9:30 am

56. Comment #178021 by FightingFalcon

Was it the Supreme Court? My recollection was that only a Dover Pennsylvania court had ruled that. If so, I have more hope than I did before.

3. Losing Our Spines to Save Our Necks

Comment #178022 by Podaar on May 10, 2008 at 9:25 am

268. Comment #178019 by clearmind

That last link was interesting (not). Clicking on the 'just the facts' page presents a phoney court record. The irony buzzer goes off when you read a fake court record that is supposed to prove an 'evolution hoax'

4. Scientists Know Better Than You--Even When They're Wrong

Comment #178020 by Podaar on May 10, 2008 at 9:07 am

22. Comment #177915 by Barry Pearson

She stresses the importance of getting religious people vocally on the side of Evolution so that religious parents need not fear science, especially Evolution


Here is a link to an op/ed piece by a religious person who agrees.

http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/ci_9213639

5. $271 Million for Research on Stem Cells in California

Comment #178001 by Podaar on May 10, 2008 at 8:14 am

Comment #177951 by scooternyc

I agree with everything you posted in 177951. I'm not sure what it has to do with Nova calling Utah and Texas theocracies, but it is on topic. :)

6. $271 Million for Research on Stem Cells in California

Comment #177891 by Podaar on May 9, 2008 at 10:55 pm

23. Comment #177773 by scooternyc

Interesting. From the data it looks like; if you want a good education and income level, being Hindu is a good start. :)

Utah and New York have the same level of religiousness, but Texas is quite high.

Oregon appears to be America's utopia of freedom from religion at 27%.

Thanks for the info! I'll be very interested in the 'theocracy' evidence when it arrives.

7. $271 Million for Research on Stem Cells in California

Comment #177756 by Podaar on May 9, 2008 at 3:55 pm

12. Comment #177620 by Nova
Interesting statements you've made.

theocratic states like Texas and Utah
Opinion or do you have evidence?
funny the more religious states are usually the poorest
Opinion or do you have evidence?

I'd love to see your evidence, if you have it.

8. Faith in Britain today

Comment #177070 by Podaar on May 8, 2008 at 2:09 pm

41. Comment #177063 by Diacanu

Oh, and there is the bit about him shaking his friend's hand while politically stabbing them in the back.

A lovely thinker though.

9. Faith in Britain today

Comment #177043 by Podaar on May 8, 2008 at 1:48 pm

That was a difficult read.

As always, the interesting question about atheism is 'what is the theism that is being denied?' Have you ever met anyone who believes what Richard Dawkins doesn't believe in? I usually find that the God that is being rejected by such people is a God I don't believe in either. I simply don't recognise my faith in what is presented by these critics as Christian faith.
It might be nice if someone pointed out that it's not necessary to believe in not-belief.

Crazyness.

10. An Atheist Goes Undercover to Join the Flock of Mad Pastor John Hagee

Comment #176885 by Podaar on May 8, 2008 at 8:49 am

36. Comment #176635 by MPhil

I even got the opportunity to talk to and get autographs from 6 musicians I consider to be among the best in writing complex, beautiful music and instrumental virtuosity: All Members of Dream Theater and Steve Vai...
Ok, now THAT got my attention. I would give almost anything to talk with John Patrucci, Mike Portnoy, and Jordan Rudess! I don't think a day has gone past in the last 15 years that I haven't listened to some DT. "Home" from SFAM is playing on my computer right now.

You have my envy Sir.

11. Losing Our Spines to Save Our Necks

Comment #176864 by Podaar on May 8, 2008 at 7:38 am

240. Comment #176855 by ligfietser

fear of muslims IS de facto used as a disguise for racism
Ah, that clears up the confusion for me. Thank you.

12. Shaw TV Interview with Richard Dawkins

Comment #176582 by Podaar on May 7, 2008 at 4:12 pm

158. Comment #176581 by Teratornis

Thanks dude! I can head home with a smile now.

By the way, I understand your view on peak oil. Really I do. I think most regular readers of this site do. I think most readers probably agree with you...but, I also think you're loosing your audience.

And no, I'm not angry.

Good night.

13. Anti-Evolution Film Misappropriates the Holocaust

Comment #176578 by Podaar on May 7, 2008 at 4:02 pm

Apathy,

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noam_Chomsky

[edit] Don't forget to follow the links on his critics too. It's interesting reading.

14. Losing Our Spines to Save Our Necks

Comment #176576 by Podaar on May 7, 2008 at 4:00 pm

209. Comment #176574 by mintcheerios

As I understand it, islamaphobe and racist are interchangeable terms in Europe when refering to fear of Muslims.

I'm always confused with the term racist too...not sure what it has to do with religion. I wouldn't call someone who fears Baptists as racists. Bigots probably.

15. Losing Our Spines to Save Our Necks

Comment #176571 by Podaar on May 7, 2008 at 3:37 pm

Al,

It seems I've heard similar reports about Wilders on Ayaan Hirsi Ali's website.

I could be wrong.

16. An Atheist Goes Undercover to Join the Flock of Mad Pastor John Hagee

Comment #176569 by Podaar on May 7, 2008 at 3:34 pm

MPhil,

Cool.

Ok take my comment about Joseph Ratzinger and replace the name with Thomas S. Monson.

I wonder about that too. :)

[edit] You'd need to replace the word Pope with Prophet too.

17. An Atheist Goes Undercover to Join the Flock of Mad Pastor John Hagee

Comment #176565 by Podaar on May 7, 2008 at 3:28 pm

12. Comment #176544 by Cartomancer

But it's the manipulators who I find hardest to understand. Can they really be so unscrupulous and unprincipled? Do they seriously believe their own nonsense?
I've wondered how Joseph Ratzinger felt and thought after becoming Pope and discovered there is no hot-line phone to a god. Did he have a mother Teresa moment? Did he just shrug and think, "Oh well, I've got to go along with it anyway. I'd look too stupid to go back now."

18. Shaw TV Interview with Richard Dawkins

Comment #176555 by Podaar on May 7, 2008 at 3:17 pm

Teratornis,

I look forward to your patient reply to the above. I don't have the intestinal fortitude to even approach it. The anger that you deplore is too close to the surface.

Good luck.

19. Shaw TV Interview with Richard Dawkins

Comment #176497 by Podaar on May 7, 2008 at 1:35 pm

143. Comment #176495 by Star Spangled Eagle

I think it's funny.
*raises hand*

Guilty!

20. Shaw TV Interview with Richard Dawkins

Comment #176496 by Podaar on May 7, 2008 at 1:32 pm

140. Comment #176492 by Teratornis

Such as the ridiculous left-wing chestnut that when an Islamic suicide bomber looks into the camera before his final mission and says "We love death more than our enemies love life!" that cannot really be why he's doing it.
This reminds me of the poster who recently lamented the FLDS women in Texas. She characterized them as victims of the FLDS men and couldn't understand why others felt the women were culpible in the rape of the young. It seemed her arguement was, "I can't conceive of letting my husband do such a thing, therefore those women wouldn't either."

The whole thinking critically and not projecting motivations onto others is hard. I've struggled with it myself at different times of my life.

We should discourage it whenever possible.

21. Shaw TV Interview with Richard Dawkins

Comment #176490 by Podaar on May 7, 2008 at 1:14 pm

133. Comment #176479 by Teratornis

Thank you! Well said, sir.

22. Life after Jehovah's Witnesses: website offers help to followers who lose their faith

Comment #176454 by Podaar on May 7, 2008 at 11:27 am

My opinion is there has been a little of both.

For example; Mormon theology can easily be seen as an 'accident' that had a side benefit (from Joe Smith's view) of providing extra control over followers. After Joe realised people would go to almost any length to provide for him if he kept playing prophet, the engineered controls started to filter in (i.e. weird underwear and such).

Larger religions have just had more time to refine the strangeness.

23. Life after Jehovah's Witnesses: website offers help to followers who lose their faith

Comment #176447 by Podaar on May 7, 2008 at 11:12 am

34. Comment #176445 by MPhil

... well engineered (not consciously so, but still)
I find this a very interesting statement. Rather than engineered, are you saying religious dogmas [edit] (methods?)[/edit] have evolved in a natural selection manner and only appear to be designed?

-- Gregg

24. Is religion a threat to rationality and science?

Comment #176433 by Podaar on May 7, 2008 at 10:11 am

1042. Comment #176430 by epeeist

Thanks epeeist. Damn, missed another one. At this rate I'll never pass the Atheist Entrance Exam.

Well, I'm off to study the idiots. BRB

25. Life after Jehovah's Witnesses: website offers help to followers who lose their faith

Comment #176431 by Podaar on May 7, 2008 at 10:08 am

25. Comment #176419 by ExJehovahsWitness

No apologies necessary, my friend. I enjoyed your post and find it inspirational. Thank you.

Prankster,

It's strikes me as odd reading from peoples experiences and what limited knowledge of JW I do have that people would subscribe or join such a "club" in the first place......curious.
I think it deserves research. If I ever heard of a scientific investigation into this question, I would personally donate.

26. Is religion a threat to rationality and science?

Comment #176421 by Podaar on May 7, 2008 at 9:51 am

epeeist,

Lets see if I'm learning...Dembski was the mathematician who tried to calculate the odds of human complexity by calculating backwards? His basic mistake was the assumption that life as we know it is a 'desired' end result?

*crosses fingers*

27. Is religion a threat to rationality and science?

Comment #176406 by Podaar on May 7, 2008 at 8:52 am

Al,

I was thinking Dare Devil as well.

28. Is religion a threat to rationality and science?

Comment #176404 by Podaar on May 7, 2008 at 8:48 am

Geoff,

Great analogy!

What would seeker need to measure his 'pride'? ;)

29. Is religion a threat to rationality and science?

Comment #176402 by Podaar on May 7, 2008 at 8:45 am

Quetz,

By association, China must in the trillions by now, eh?

30. Is religion a threat to rationality and science?

Comment #176398 by Podaar on May 7, 2008 at 8:38 am

Bonzai,

Jog down to the US, we (aperantly) have 300 billion people now. You should be able to find a partner who spends time on RD.net too.

The odds would be better.

31. Is religion a threat to rationality and science?

Comment #176394 by Podaar on May 7, 2008 at 8:30 am

996. Comment #176374 by Quetzalcoatl
I'm sorry I didn't notice your acknowledgement of my pitiful person before now, Your Immenseness.

I'm now less surprised that he has such difficulty with the age of the Universe.
Indeed!

32. Is religion a threat to rationality and science?

Comment #176391 by Podaar on May 7, 2008 at 8:25 am

rian-

These days, to get a response, you have to say it like Stein, "Seeker?"

"Seeker?"

I guess it's 'Seekers Day Off'.

33. Is religion a threat to rationality and science?

Comment #176383 by Podaar on May 7, 2008 at 8:12 am

Rev,

He is Sancho


Isn't it Sanchez?

34. Is religion a threat to rationality and science?

Comment #176381 by Podaar on May 7, 2008 at 8:11 am

998. Comment #176376 by seeker_of_truth

Come on. It was an honest (stupid) mistake. I'm sure you're embarrassed but there is no need to run off in a huff.

[edited for spelling]

35. Is religion a threat to rationality and science?

Comment #176370 by Podaar on May 7, 2008 at 8:01 am

990. Comment #176367 by seeker_of_truth

Uuuuh, I think you mean million. Yes?

36. Is religion a threat to rationality and science?

Comment #176363 by Podaar on May 7, 2008 at 7:53 am

Comment #176346 by MPhil

I hear you. I'm nearly ashamed to say it, but I've been enveloped in religious hysteria (I live in Salt Lake City) for so long that I don't really notice it...until I come here of course :)

Still, believing in the flood myth seems less harmful than the shit ASMarques is shoveling on other threads. Speaking of that, when I pronounce his moniker in my head it sounds like "Ass Marks". Anyone else?

-- Gregg

37. Dumb and Dumber: A discussion between Ben Stein and Glenn Beck

Comment #176033 by Podaar on May 6, 2008 at 12:01 pm

Comment #175555 by Diacanu

D,

Nearly perfect interpretation of Guff mythology. One tiny detail.

snoosh-splooshing
I believe the correct term is 'snoosh-spooging'.

38. How to reconcile Richard Dawkins?

Comment #174179 by Podaar on May 1, 2008 at 8:08 pm

MPhil, Styrer,

We all remember that day, that week, that month, in our own personal way. I remember drinking cheers to the families reunited while shedding tears of joy for what felt like the end. The end of tension and cold foreboding. It felt like the world opened up a little and let some warmth back.

The receptionist at my work was a German immigrant, Elke by name, we cried and hugged and she spent the morning telling us stories of growing up in Berlin and hunting mushrooms with her father in a forest when she was a little girl.

As moving as that time was for me, I must concede it pales in comparison to MPhil's.

39. How to reconcile Richard Dawkins?

Comment #174092 by Podaar on May 1, 2008 at 3:38 pm

Comment #174089 by Diacanu

I actually think progress is attainable. I understand yours and Falcons distain for where we're at--to a large extent I think it is accurate. My brother is a Forensic Accountant. You want to talk about jaded. You can't believe the filth of human greed he's had to wade through and it makes me sick to hear it.

I have 5 children and 3 grandchildren. I must believe in progress for their sake. I volunteer when I can, teach them as much as I can about civic responsibility in hopes they will improve the world for themselves and others.

Pollyanna in courderoy slacks. That's me I guess.

40. How to reconcile Richard Dawkins?

Comment #174080 by Podaar on May 1, 2008 at 3:02 pm

D,

It was his use of words and the characterization I was amused with; which I think is accurate even though I'm probably a leftist.

Well, I like latte anyway.[edit] and I wear Tommy Bahama clothes all the time. What does that tell you about me?[/edit]

41. How to reconcile Richard Dawkins?

Comment #174078 by Podaar on May 1, 2008 at 2:55 pm

Al got a resounding, "Yes" from me when he thusly spake.

These people are driven by jealousy, if they actually gave two shits and a fuck about poor people they would be working for a NGO in Africa, but instead they sit in Cafes reading Leftist online magazines, on their Macbooks, complaining over lattes about the evils of capitalism with their corderoy clad friends.
[American leftists are] passive aggressive against a proven system which they cannot conquer with their liberal arts degree.

Great stuff.

42. Open Letter to a victim of Ben Stein's lying propaganda

Comment #173755 by Podaar on May 1, 2008 at 8:11 am

Comment #173728 by al-rawandi

The brain damage inflicted by his Mormon uprbinging appears to be irreversible.
I agree and I've expressed my concern about this issue on this site before. I've been shouted down as dogmatic and being guilty of applying anecdotes universally.

Richard Morgan has described a 'god shaped hole' that I firmly believe was punched into his mind as a youth.

I could be wrong.

43. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #173574 by Podaar on April 30, 2008 at 9:34 pm

Ok, kids. Heading out back for a smoke and then off to curl up with Mrs. Podaar.

Nighty.

44. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #173568 by Podaar on April 30, 2008 at 9:30 pm

Spaten Pilsner is my favorite [edit]Deutsch beer[/edit].

45. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #173566 by Podaar on April 30, 2008 at 9:28 pm

Yes; cocoa powder, chili powder, garlic, paprika, salt, pepper, cinnamon, etc.

Rubbed into steak or pork ribs. Serve with black beans and Queso fresco. mmmmm.

46. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #173560 by Podaar on April 30, 2008 at 9:24 pm

Brian,

I was just being a crude American. I don't know anyone who would clean their toilet with Fosters!

47. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #173557 by Podaar on April 30, 2008 at 9:20 pm

Brian,

Let me guess, Fosters? :)

48. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #173556 by Podaar on April 30, 2008 at 9:19 pm

Good night Dick! (I always wanted to say that)

I like a good scotch on the rocks too!

49. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #173553 by Podaar on April 30, 2008 at 9:17 pm

Oh, crap.

I made a nice mole spice rub for barbeque last weekend. Do you like moles?

50. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #173549 by Podaar on April 30, 2008 at 9:12 pm

Ha, recipe time, eh.

Try this 'beach comber'

1 part vodka
2 part coffee liquer (Kalua)
2 part vanilla ice cream
1 ripe bananna
1 part ice

Blend until smooth.

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