1. Arguments Against Evolution

Comment #83934 by Nikki on October 31, 2007 at 5:21 pm

Comment #82371 by NewSkeptic

'Intelligent Design' contradictions, and the fact that most of our DNA appears to be 'junk', must surely, by 'proof by contradiction', add to the evolution argument?

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Hehehehe...and much of it is identical 'junk DNA' to that which has been identified in other primates.
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"Plagiarized Errors and Molecular Genetics: Another argument in the evolution-creation controversy"

http://www.talkorigins.org/faqs/molgen/
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I have exams looming at the moment. Will try to a write a few simplified, straight forward pieces afterwards.
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One more...another straight from the creationist "horses mouth"...AiG!

"Arguments we think creationists should NOT use"

http://www.answersingenesis.org/home/area/faq/dont_use.asp

2. Arguments Against Evolution

Comment #83705 by Nikki on October 31, 2007 at 2:01 am

Excellent addition to the site in my humble opinion :p
In regards to the so called "irreducible complexity" of the eye, anti-evolutionists often use the following Darwin quote, mined from the chapter ''Difficulties of the Theory,''of Darwin's Origin of the Species:-
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"To suppose that the eye with all its inimitable contrivances for adjusting the focus to different distances, for admitting different amounts of light and for the correction of spherical and chromatic aberration, could have been formed by natural selection, seems, I freely confess, absurd in the highest degree."

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However the follow on paragraph is always ommitted from their quote.
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He continues..

Reason tells me, that if numerous gradations from a simple and imperfect eye to one complex and perfect can be shown to exist, each grade being useful to its possessor, as is certainly the case; if further, the eye ever varies and the variations be inherited, as is likewise certainly the case; and if such variations should be useful to any animal under changing conditions of life, then the difficulty of believing that a perfect and complex eye could be formed by natural selection, though insuperable by our imagination, should not be considered as subversive of the theory.

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My personal favourite rebuttal to the creationist "eye complexity argument" is a link to the following question and answer session with Walter Gehring. Last year Gehring was hot favourite with many in the "industry" to be awarded a Nobel Prize for his discovery of Hox genes.
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http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/evolution/library/04/4/text_pop/l_044_01.html
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Hox genes are master genes at the apex of developmental pathways in embryos. Homologous Hox genes, (very similar higly conserved DNA gene sequences) have been identified across extremely diverse kinds of species coding for comparable areas of embryonic development.
The discovery is considered very strong support for a common molecular ancestor.
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In the past year whenever I've been involved in any discussions over the "irreducible complexity of the eye" and presented this information, I've yet to be presented with a rebuttal! In future I will also be sure to add a link for Richard's video adding a little more icing on that cake :)

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I'm also a huge fan of the Talk Origins website. I link it regularly and think the site deserves some kind of award for it's handling of creationist anti-evolution claims.
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A favourite question I have for the anti-evolution YECs/IDists is "why would god create/design scent glands around the human anus?".
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Another handy link: Answers in Genesis Statement of faith. AiG is very often referenced by the YECs, (Young Earth Creationists), when they are trying to argue for the scientific basis (:p) of Genesis.
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http://www.answersingenesis.org/about/faith

"Summary of the AiG Statement of Faith"
(D) General
#6. No apparent, perceived or claimed evidence in any field, including history and chronology, can be valid if it contradicts the Scriptural record.

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The whole statement is a handy ref. but that one is my favourite :)

3. Another Christian Science Fair embarrasses itself

Comment #45187 by Nikki on May 26, 2007 at 6:16 pm

Oh dear! I missed these posts. (happily!)
Comment #45133 by devolved on May 26, 2007 at 1:34 pm

As ever epeeist wants to attack me but I'm not the issue. Here's an article by a creation scientist. Critique it eppeist for all our sakes:
http://trueorigin.org/abio.asp

Comment #45173 by devolved on May 26, 2007 at 5:07 pm

abiogenesis
NOTHING to do with evolution?
"Not to be confused with "spontaneous generation," it is the theory that life originally arose from non-living matter, given the proper conditions during the early earth."
www.talkorigins.org/faqs/comdesc/glossary.html

Hello Devolved
Seems you have been doing a little selective quote mining from Talk Origins eh?
On your reference to Talk Origins...I'd like to add this quote from that same site:

http://www.talkorigins.org/faqs/abioprob/spontaneous-generation.html
A recurring theme in antievolution literature is that if science cannot account for the origin of life, evolution is false, and that "spontaneous generation" was disproven, so therefore evolution is false. This syllogism fails, because evolution (that is, common descent and transmutation of species) occurs whether or not life arose by chance, law or design, but there is another more insidious mistake here. Itis not true that "spontaneous generation" has been ruled out in all cases by science; the claims disproven were more restricted than that.

It's 11am Sunday morning where I am and so as I'm not tempted to read any more of Devolved's posts, I'm donning my tin foil cap and fleeing back into bed under the covers! (:))
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By the way, the "True Origin" site pages very closely resemble the design of the Talk Origins (the original site) pages.
Enough so, that the uninitiated may mistake it for the Talk Origins site!
Even the name is very similar and could be easily confused with Talk Origins. I wonder why the "True Origins" crowd would do that? Any thoughts on this Devolved?
I'll check back later (:))
RAmen

4. Another Christian Science Fair embarrasses itself

Comment #45177 by Nikki on May 26, 2007 at 5:14 pm

Hi J
Wondered previously if that was your tag. (:))

And now, go have a laugh at this bollocks'. Which I approve of.

Me too! Very much so! :)
Good to "virtually" see you again.
RAmen

5. Another Christian Science Fair embarrasses itself

Comment #45168 by Nikki on May 26, 2007 at 4:54 pm

Adrian
Yes. My point exactly (:))
Unfortunately the links on the bottom of that page are real though! :(

http://www.creationdiscovery.org/cdp/presn.html
Take a bucket or sick bag with you!

ps Don't forget to sign the Objective Ministries Prayer book when you visit (:))
RAmen

6. Another Christian Science Fair embarrasses itself

Comment #45161 by Nikki on May 26, 2007 at 4:29 pm

Hehehehehe.....
Even the Objective Ministries Science Fair entries top that one.

http://objectiveministries.org/creation/sciencefair.html

(:))
On a more serious note, these trends are a big worry! :(

7. Ted Haggard Is Completely Heterosexual

Comment #39955 by Nikki on May 12, 2007 at 11:37 am

Ted Haggard: The Paris Hilton of American Christian Fundamentalism.
Well...except that he made his money selling snake oil.

8. Atheist offers to send letters post-Rapture

Comment #38943 by Nikki on May 9, 2007 at 3:35 pm

I wonder if the Post Rapture Post service is a follow on of this one:
http://www.raptureletters.com/index.html

9. Evolution of symbiosis

Comment #31302 by Nikki on April 12, 2007 at 1:30 am

Symbiosis, natural selection and co-evolution....
Some in this world need to believe there is a god because..? Is there really any excuse for deliberate ignorance?

10. Selfish genes may drive out disease

Comment #30625 by Nikki on April 9, 2007 at 4:16 am

The researchers constructed a transposable element vector containing both a toxin and an antidote. The "toxin" consists of two microRNAs that silence expression of a crucial development gene called myd88.

I really feel a need to comment on the technique employed in this research.
RNA interference (RNAi) is an incredibly elegant, simple and effective technique, for both analysing and, manipulating gene function via gene knock outs and rescues. A gene knocked out can be replaced with an alternative gene version, as detailed in this article The possibilities of utilising one of the cells own genetic regulatory mechanisms to manipulate gene expression are endless. This really is cutting edge at present. Plants also utilise the RNAi silencing mechanism extensively. RNAi is thought to have evolved to counter double stranded viruses/nucleic acids foreign to the cell. (if evolution does in fact exist and it wasn't all the Flying Spaghetti Monster's idea ;)
As a student of molecular biology, I am totally in awe of the two guys, Andrew Fire and Craig Mello who won a 2006 Nobel prize in Medicine for developing this technique. Ramen to both of them :)
For anyone interested:
RNA interference wins Nobel prize
http://www.abc.net.au/science/news/stories/2006/1754175.htm?health

ps Why does the spell check on here ask for American spelling?

11. How to defend your faith with an electric wheelchair

Comment #30370 by Nikki on April 7, 2007 at 9:48 pm

Comment #30357 by cassdenata

When religion is seen for what it is, the entertainment value never ceases to amaze.

:) :) :))

12. Dawkins vs Haggard: the Python Edition

Comment #29978 by Nikki on April 5, 2007 at 9:49 pm

Loved it :)) Thank you. That clip made my day :))

13. Postmodernism Disrobed

Comment #29301 by Nikki on April 2, 2007 at 2:16 pm

62. Comment #29295 by nine9s
"Postmodernism is a school of thought based upon the rejection of objective reality."

So comprehension of the postmodernism concept itself, requires faith?

14. Postmodernism Disrobed

Comment #29228 by Nikki on April 2, 2007 at 6:51 am

:)))
RAmen

15. Stalking Strangers' DNA to Fill in the Family Tree

Comment #29217 by Nikki on April 2, 2007 at 5:53 am

I have a strong and fascinated interest in molecular biology, however I still find most ethical considerations somewhat overwhelming. These DNA chasers seem to me, more than a little strange. Understandable I guess, if you need, or want, to glean information regarding a possible recessive heritable disease in your family tree.
The wider ethical complications surrounding the ease of obtaining another's DNA still bring to my mind visions of the movie Gattaca.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gattaca

16. Is this another Sokal Hoax?

Comment #29118 by Nikki on April 1, 2007 at 5:59 pm

I prefer something a little more laymen on April 1
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http://www.museumofhoaxes.com/hoax/aprilfool/
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My favorite all time April Fool hoax of course, is the one perpetuated, convincing numerous people ~2000 years ago, that a man miraculously rose from the dead three days after he died. That one is still running, but I know you've already heard it over and over.....

17. Is this another Sokal Hoax?

Comment #29095 by Nikki on April 1, 2007 at 3:45 pm

I really did try to read the above article...for at least five minutes. However, another one which I'd read previously kept invading my thoughts.

"Heroic Computer Dies To Save World From Master's Thesis"
http://www.theonion.com/content/node/48461

18. Hell is real and eternal: Pope

Comment #28023 by Nikki on March 27, 2007 at 3:45 pm

"Hell is a place where sinners really do burn in an everlasting fire"

Is it the one in Norway? I thought that place was frozen over for most of the time.

19. Happy 66th Birthday, Richard Dawkins!

Comment #27671 by Nikki on March 26, 2007 at 4:38 am

I am an Aussie student of Botany/Molecular Biology and a passionate practicing Pastafarian. I've found Richard Dawkins, and this website, to be an invaluable resource and a source of constant inspiration. I still have very dear memories of Mr McIntosh and the BBC (TSLOT) blogs over the xmas :p
I look forward to enjoying more of the same in the future.

Happy Birthday Richard :)))))

No doubt a very special place is reserved for you in the Pastafarian afterlife ;)
RAmen

20. A rationalist's view of religious intolerance

Comment #26111 by Nikki on March 17, 2007 at 2:39 am

#25518 by MacGruder
"I am always pleasantly surprised at the number of Australian postings/contributions to this site considering its relative population size."
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Hi MacGruder and Veronique
Just to say, I am another Aussie putting their hand up. :)
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Veronique
Also a big fan of the ABC Science Show and Robbin Williams. I think the show does us proud :)

21. Interview With an Atheist

Comment #21955 by Nikki on February 12, 2007 at 1:27 am

"The Flying Spaghetti Monster didn't die for your sins. Jesus did.
So you say. There are about 4 billion people on this planet would disagree with you. They could be wrong. You could be wrong. The way a skeptical person distinguishes silly claims from valid claims is evidence."

My! His Noodleyness is certainly getting popular.

22. Evolution Debate - Pigliucci vs Hovind

Comment #20323 by Nikki on February 1, 2007 at 8:10 pm

Ken has been keeping his followers up to date while awaiting his trial.
Haven't read any of the blogs on this site lately, but some of his posts from early January detail how he rewarded/rewards inmates with chocolates and other treats, in return for conversion and memorising bible verses. I wonder if we can expect more, now that he has been sentenced?

Ken Hovind Blogs from Jail
http://www.cseblogs.com/

The last entry appears to be on January 20/ 2007
New Mission Field for Dr. Hovind
http://www.cseblogs.com/?p=62

23. Beliefwatch: Blasphemy (Challenge)

Comment #15703 by Nikki on January 2, 2007 at 6:37 am

32. Comment #15685 by daveadams
"The comments are offensive not because they criticize Christianity, but because they prefer to use mocking rather than argument."

Argument? What argument? Perhaps, you mean the presentation of self delusional dreams to others, with an expectation they share them with you?
Dream on Dave.

24. Beliefwatch: Blasphemy (Challenge)

Comment #15638 by Nikki on January 1, 2007 at 6:37 pm

21. Comment #15633 by scooternyc on January 1, 2007 at 6:05 pm

"He goes out to the back yard, grabs the statue of Mary in the garden, wraps it in a blanket, throws it in the back of his closet and writes to god once more.
"Dear god, if you ever want to see your mother again..."

Hahahahahaha

25. Beliefwatch: Blasphemy (Challenge)

Comment #15637 by Nikki on January 1, 2007 at 6:35 pm

17. Comment #15625 by DavidJMH on January 1, 2007 at 5:11 pm
"The only time when this kind of declaration has any meaning is when one is taking one's last gasp."

Well David, I was at my fathers death bed when he was indeed taking his last gasp. He was brought up in a catholic home and afterwards, was an non-believer, or atheist as you would no doubt prefer, the rest of his life. Some of his (still) catholic family turned up at his bedside in the hospital and kept suggesting to him, (he was still fairly aware but couldn't talk), that they call a priest. The rest of the family (guessing his feelings on this) suggested to him to blink once for 'yes' and twice for 'no' just to be sure of his last wishes. We even grudgingly (due to his state) did this twice. The second time, the answer in his eyes was more definate than the first. He died in peace!

Oh and David, I am already true to God, my God, the one true God, The Flying Spaghetti Monster.
I denounce the holy spirit!!!

26. Left Behind: Eternal Forces on The Daily Show

Comment #15520 by Nikki on January 1, 2007 at 1:23 am

Still, evengelicals using 'small rubber brains' to try and get more brains, is quite fitting really.

27. Left Behind: Eternal Forces on The Daily Show

Comment #15517 by Nikki on January 1, 2007 at 12:12 am

12. Comment #15516 by kcjerith on January 1, 2007
"this game sucks, bad graphics and crappy controls. Even though Their message is silly, I might have played it for the hell of it, but no, game sucks."

Thanks for that bit of good news kcjerith :)

Another one from the fanatics and you don't even need a PC. Perfect for a lovely little sit around with the family. Highly recommended by none other than Ken Ham , himself.

"Intelligent Design vs. Evolution Board Game
Evangelistic, educational, entertaining.
At last, a board game that reveals the insanity of perhaps the greatest hoax of our times -- the unscientific "theory of evolution."
"Intelligent Design vs Evolution" is unique in that the playing pieces are small rubber brains and each team plays for "brain" cards. Each player uses his or her brains to get more brains, and the team with the most brains wins. It has been designed to make people think . . . and that's exactly what it does.
"Ray Comfort and Kirk Cameron are doing much more than revealing the bankruptcy of molecules-to-man evolution. They have a greater purpose: proclaiming biblical authority and reaching the lost with the precious gospel message. Enjoy this wonderful family game as you also become better equipped to defend our precious Christian faith. -- Ken Ham, President, Answers in Genesis."
http://www.livingwaters.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=536

Can someone pass that bucket this way please!

28. Left Behind: Eternal Forces on The Daily Show

Comment #15512 by Nikki on December 31, 2006 at 11:05 pm

I'm not a gamer, and so, am unfamiliar with where potential customers of this game would look for a review.
This first one I came across was a little heartening.
http://au.gamespot.com/pc/strategy/leftbehindeternalforces/review.html

"Another good thing about the Rapture is that it will take you away from disastrous, buggy games like Left Behind: Eternal Forces.
Score: 3.4 Bad"

On the top of another page I went to, the reviewer started out by saying it would be hard to review this game without considering the controversalial religous aspect of it.
At that point I lost my curiosity as to its potential popularity, purely as a game.

29. Left Behind: Eternal Forces on The Daily Show

Comment #15510 by Nikki on December 31, 2006 at 10:38 pm

Oh, and New Year has already come, and the day is nearly over in OZ, so Happy New Year to every one. Especially best wishes, to those of you who wake up with a sore head afterwards :)

30. Left Behind: Eternal Forces on The Daily Show

Comment #15505 by Nikki on December 31, 2006 at 10:16 pm

Hmm...I checked out the Wiki on this game a week or so before xmas. There was a quoted scource (name supplied) critisizing the game for making the two sides (believers and satanists/atheists or whatever) appear to be evenly matched.They said that this oversight undermined the christian message the game was intended to send! That paragraph or so seems to have disappeared from the Wikki now!
Wish I had copied it.
Edit: Added:
I just found the link I followed to the info mentioned above. From memory it still seems to have been shortened. I could have been wrong about a name being supplied there. It may have been somewhere else.
"Muddied religious message"
Some Christian speakers have called the multiplayer feature, allowing gamers to play from the perspective of the Antichrist's forces, into question. Detractors have suggested this feature takes away from the stated inspirational goal of Left Behind Games by making the forces seem equally matched or encouraging violent, anti-Christian roleplay."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Left_Behind:_Eternal

31. How Old is the Grand Canyon? Park Service Won't Say

Comment #15411 by Nikki on December 31, 2006 at 4:20 am

56. Comment #15409 by Peter Hearty
Thanks Peter. I'd only ever read half of it and had completely forgotten to go back and finish it. I do see it referenced quite often. :)

32. How Old is the Grand Canyon? Park Service Won't Say

Comment #15407 by Nikki on December 31, 2006 at 3:26 am

44. Comment #15387 by Peter Hearty on December 30,
"> Geology now - who's next?
> Physics or mathematics, or?
I've done my own spoof on what they might do to mathematics:"

http://www.hearty.plus.com/bumblism/maths.html

Good stuff Peter. Hahahaha Must read the others on that page later.
No doubt, you have seen this:
Warning: Gravity is "Only a Theory" Ellery Schempp
http://www.bringyou.to/apologetics/p67.htm

33. How Old is the Grand Canyon? Park Service Won't Say

Comment #15390 by Nikki on December 30, 2006 at 10:56 pm

Peter, there was quite an intense discussion revolving around comology/astrophysics (sorry if the terms are wrong) moving along on the
"Defending Andy McIntosh" forum at that BBC site before McIntosh reposted his,er...,clarification.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/ni/2006/12/defending_andy_mcintosh_1.html
I'm pretty much ignorant in these areas so I
I couldn't/didn't follow along. My vague understanding of these areas comes from Noodle Theory!
Those posting in this debate appeared (to me at least) to have some indepth knowledge of these areas though.

34. How Old is the Grand Canyon? Park Service Won't Say

Comment #15373 by Nikki on December 30, 2006 at 7:46 pm

KJC you posted at the exact time I did. Hahaha

35. How Old is the Grand Canyon? Park Service Won't Say

Comment #15372 by Nikki on December 30, 2006 at 7:45 pm

When I first followed that link, I really did think I was going to an Onion type story along the lines of the "Kansas Bans Evolution" one a few weeks back. When I arrived at the site, my mind literally went numb. I even double checked around to make sure that the NPS site wasn't another satirical site.
Recently I came across the Objective Ministries site and it took me a while to figure out whether it was genuine or not. The YECs would be a hell of a lot funnier if they weren't for real!

36. God's Enemies Are More Honest Than His Friends

Comment #15346 by Nikki on December 30, 2006 at 2:16 pm

55. Comment #15228 by Aussie
Stephen Crittenden interviews Sam Harris on ABC's Radio National Religion Report (ABC = Australian Broadcasting Commission).
Science Fatwah Parts I and II
Particularly good interview of Sam Harris by a slightly hostile interviewer.

http://www.abc.net.au/rn/religionreport/default.htm

Thanks for putting that up, as I had missed it. Have downloaded the audio :)

37. 10 myths - and 10 truths - about atheism

Comment #15296 by Nikki on December 30, 2006 at 7:52 am

This could be wrong, so I best go and check on that turkey.

38. 10 myths - and 10 truths - about atheism

Comment #15294 by Nikki on December 30, 2006 at 7:41 am

"Specific contadiction of the 2nd law at the level of biochemical bonds of the DNA and RNA molecules. Well, he is not a biochemist and his assertions have got zero traction with the relevant community of experts."

I've studied a few years of biochem and have seen no theoretical contradiction. The bonds in DNA and RNA are held by the physical chemical forces of chemical bonding. I mean its a daily occurence in molecular bio labs to break these bonds and reform them when performing PCR, sequencing and hybridisations. (I'm not going to even mention cloning mucleic acid seqences into expression vectors ect...oops I just did :) DNA denatures under the right chemical and temp conditions and reforms under different ones with the right enzyme. (Taq polymerase) As for the second claim you mention, the effect of a mutation depends, not only on the type of mutation, but also where it occurs in the the gene sequence (if it occurs in a gene)For example coding, non coding or regulatory sequences ect ect ect.

"For ideological reasons these people are trying to strap some propellors to this dead duck in the hope that it will yet fly".

Hahahaha..excellent analogy there JohnC.

I like the YECs too, they can be so much fun.

39. The Only One in Step

Comment #15275 by Nikki on December 30, 2006 at 5:30 am

Update on McIntosh: He has surfaced again.
Having followed the BBC forum on and off over the past few days I just came across this latest post (posted in the past few hours) by none other than the man himself:

101.
At 07:26 AM on 30 Dec 2006,
A C McIntosh wrote:
"Now that the 2nd law has had time to work on the Turkey this Christmas…… maybe a few words are in order on thermodynamics and living machinery which I spoke about on the Sunday Sequence program on Dec 10th...."
http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/ni/2006/12/andy_mcintosh.html#commentsanchor

40. 10 myths - and 10 truths - about atheism

Comment #15273 by Nikki on December 30, 2006 at 5:27 am

Appologies for putting that link here, but I'm still a bit lost on this site.

41. 10 myths - and 10 truths - about atheism

Comment #15272 by Nikki on December 30, 2006 at 5:25 am

If it is of any interest to anyone on this forum, watching and following up on the "Only One in Step" forum, I just came across this latest post (posted in the past few hours) by none other than the man himself:

101.
At 07:26 AM on 30 Dec 2006,
A C McIntosh wrote:
"Now that the 2nd law has had time to work on the Turkey this Christmas…… maybe a few words are in order on thermodynamics and living machinery which I spoke about on the Sunday Sequence program on Dec 10th...."
http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/ni/2006/12/andy_mcintosh.html#commentsanchor

42. God's Enemies Are More Honest Than His Friends

Comment #15250 by Nikki on December 30, 2006 at 12:20 am

"I await the results of the Flying Spaghetti Monster campaign in this year's Census with interest."

Australian Pastafarians everywhere are working on it as I speak, JohnC ;)
RAmen

43. God's Enemies Are More Honest Than His Friends

Comment #15227 by Nikki on December 29, 2006 at 6:36 pm

Aussie wrote:
'Is it time that we in Australia became alarmed at these developments and in response became involved in serious rational activism?"

I think so Aussie! I have just begun scouting some Australian sites this very morning. I have also come to realise how cancerous, this attempt by the religious right to dominate social policy, could be. We should be vigilant, here in Oz, for signs of increasing malignancy.
I might add, due to the awareness of most Australians reguarding how closely our policy is tied into that of Bush's America, this is an issue I bring up for discussion at every possible opportunity. Most Australians appear to be largely unaware of the serious, global, social engineering agenda of the religious right.

44. God's Enemies Are More Honest Than His Friends

Comment #15224 by Nikki on December 29, 2006 at 6:16 pm

This may be just a little off topic, but I was quite beyond belief of its authenticity when I first saw it. I am still speachless!
"HOW OLD IS THE GRAND CANYON? PARK SERVICE WON'T SAY — Orders to Cater to Creationists Makes National Park Agnostic on Geology
Washington, DC — Grand Canyon National Park is not permitted to give an official estimate of the geologic age of its principal feature, due to pressure from Bush administration appointees."

http://www.peer.org/news/news_id.php?row_id=801

Oh dear, it's not from the 'Onion' after all. Scary!

45. God's Enemies Are More Honest Than His Friends

Comment #15218 by Nikki on December 29, 2006 at 4:58 pm

32. Comment #15176 by NotWithoutMyMonkey on December 29

"If anyone cares to respond to Muehlenberg, his personal blog can be found here:
http://www.billmuehlenberg.com"

No chance of having a say there. In part, his blog rules state:
1. I reserve the right to edit or refuse comments.
2. This site is meant to express my point of view. If you are looking for a soapbox to promote your own views, create your own website or blog site.

However, the Punditocracy Watch site,
"Where the RWDB demagogues witness the demise of their fallacies. Over and over and over... A collaborative blog; because no one pundit deserves that much individual attention..." awards a Trophy in his name:
The Bill Muehlenberg Trophy
http://punditocracywatch.blogspot.com/2006/10/bill-muehlenberg-trophy-following-in.html

Bookmarked!! :)

46. God's Enemies Are More Honest Than His Friends

Comment #15148 by Nikki on December 29, 2006 at 6:17 am

17. Comment #15147 by Chris Davis
"work on the stigma instead"
.
That is precisely what the debate, I had earlier, was based on. Mostly dealing with, the commonly perceived, historical atrocities and amoral labels.

47. God's Enemies Are More Honest Than His Friends

Comment #15139 by Nikki on December 29, 2006 at 4:58 am

13. Comment #15136 by JohnC on December 29, 2006 at 4:38 am

"I can tell you that they positively seek out grubs like Muehlenberg to spice things up"

I considered that possibility after I posted. I am in Queensland, and mostly stick to The Australian or ABC Online, so I'm a little out of touch with the newspaper syndications. I feel a little better :)

48. God's Enemies Are More Honest Than His Friends

Comment #15134 by Nikki on December 29, 2006 at 4:29 am

6. Comment #15124 by He-man Daunted World on December 29, 2006 at 3:50 am
http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,20983690-5007146,00.html


"THANKS, Jill Singer, for picking Christmas to launch your atheist jihad."

In an Australian newspaper! As an Aussie, I was about to comment on JohnC's post, as being spot on in relation to this country. Having just had a debate on another board today, in reguard to being labeled an atheist, as well as the connotations of that label insinuated by the religious. John's post had reminded me, that we are quite lucky here in that reguard. Now this Herald Sun article!
Are we being invaded, John?

49. The problem with secularism

Comment #15058 by Nikki on December 28, 2006 at 3:33 pm

75. Comment #14599 by John Phillips on December 23, 2006 at 3:48 pm

"I don't think that the two people credited with writing this actually exist and that this is in reality the output from the old experiment of giving thousands of monkeys typewriters and publishing any output that uses words found in dictionaries with no spelling or obvious grammatical errors. For I find it hard to believe that two human writers would want to take credit for it."
.
That's it! It must be! The researchers turn on spellcheck/grammar style, and then teach the monkeys to keep hitting keys til all the red underlines have disapeared.

50. A Mission to Convert

Comment #14915 by Nikki on December 26, 2006 at 5:00 pm

19. Comment #14892 by Riley on December 26
"I hear atheist-evagelists (Dawkins and Harris included) claim that a belief in a personal god has been a (the?) decisive factor in many of the word's large-scale killings, and I think this claim is not very well supported by evidence and worse leads to pointless pissing matches."

Perhaps Riley would like to comment on "God and the Fight Against Aids"?