1. Host Desecration is Old Anti-Semitic Nonsense

Comment #209902 by NJS on July 13, 2008 at 1:41 pm

Of all the bat shit crazy ideas that make up religion I've always had a special place in my heart for transubstantiation.

I don't know if being raised a catholic makes that so but the notion is the one that makes me want to scream "how can you be so fucking stupid?!" with all my might.

I know there are plenty of other contenders - "God" himself being a classic but there's just something about "this bread is the body of Christ" that just gets me.

I agree with the earlier poster - it's a symptom of mental illness.

2. Should Strident British Atheist Richard Dawkins Dictate Education Policy to US States? Barbara Forrest Apparently Thinks So

Comment #197068 by NJS on June 21, 2008 at 2:55 am

Would I want a world renowned evolutionary biologist telling me what should be taught in biology lessens?


er....Yes.


(I understand that's not the case but the point remains)

3. Gay brains structured like those of the opposite sex

Comment #194684 by NJS on June 17, 2008 at 7:30 am

Thanks for the reply Cartomancer - I have to say my initial impressions of homexuality were always how you actually describe it - I'd come to the view I first mentioned based mainly I realise now on media "propaganda". I don't know any gay people where that level of sexual discussion would be feasible.

I share your view that anything goes (with consent obviously).

4. Gay brains structured like those of the opposite sex

Comment #194579 by NJS on June 17, 2008 at 1:45 am

Apologies for generalising but I was under the impression that gay people of both genders broadly speaking assumed one sexual "role" or the other. I can understand in that context how brain structure as described here or proposed hormonal factors would explain male receivers or female givers but I still haven't seen anything that would explain both opposites. As has been said I don't think its necessary for an explanation as such as everything is fine by me but it would be interesting.

5. Intelligent people 'less likely to believe in God'

Comment #192448 by NJS on June 13, 2008 at 4:52 am

On the Guardian CIF on this topic several people posted what I think - I'd expect a correlation between "education" and lack of religion rather than "intelligence" - there are no doubt intelligent people in the third world who have no opportunity to hear "the truth" when it comes to science etc which I think leads to religion being questioned.

6. John McCain: America a Christian nation, needs Christian president

Comment #190353 by NJS on June 9, 2008 at 12:07 am

As a UK outsider I had a slight mistrust of Obama - he seemed like another faith head which I found especially worrying given his supposedly rational parents.

I have to say that the video someone posted on page 2 is quite encouraging - I hope he has the courage to take that stance in the months ahead and not "Give in".

On McCain is it just me or are all republicans fuckwits?

7. Prayer to feed the hungry

Comment #190090 by NJS on June 8, 2008 at 11:10 am

Yet another diatribe that could and should be used as evidence for a diagnosis of delusional psychosis.

8. Teenager faces prosecution for calling Scientology 'cult'

Comment #182605 by NJS on May 20, 2008 at 3:59 pm

My defence would be that all religions are cults.

That's why having a sign saying its "not a religion, its a cult" means I have no sympathy.

Of course I would also ask why the west midlands police force didn't prosecute the Channel 4 Muslim preachers for far worse.

9. Vatican: It's OK to believe in aliens

Comment #179995 by NJS on May 14, 2008 at 4:29 am

On the catholic church on evolution:

Anyone who has read the document linked to on here a while ago which explains why they don't like birth control must realise that they have zero understanding of the subject.

They can't offer an explanation for how to marry an omipotent God with evolution but "accept" it in order to avoid another Galileo imo.

10. Richard Dawkins discusses Einstein's new letters

Comment #179990 by NJS on May 14, 2008 at 4:24 am

I also want to say that people bring up EInstein to try and argue against the notion that religion is rejected by the intelligent and since he is "the most intelligent man ever" his beliefs are interesting - especially if they suggest theism.

My own view is that intelligent people who do have faith either compartmentalise as is iften argue or I see it as a bit of a character flaw (I know that sounds bad) in that they haven't the strength/courage to reject the indoctrination. It certainly shouldn't be used for point scoring on an indivisual basis as I beleiev on the whole the correlation between lack of education/intelligence and religiosity holds.

11. Richard Dawkins discusses Einstein's new letters

Comment #179987 by NJS on May 14, 2008 at 4:19 am

Do people think his reluctance to accept Quantum theory was down to his "belief" in the order of the universe or was his belief in the order a result of his rejection of quantum theory?

Overall I'm more "tolerant" of vague definitions of belief that go beyond the planet like Deism - its the Abrahamic God and his obviously human imagined friends that we need to reject more if that makes sense.

12. Vatican: It's OK to believe in aliens

Comment #179926 by NJS on May 14, 2008 at 2:03 am

I've always argued that their God "choosing" one small tribe for his favour including his "only" son and ignoring the rest of the planet and in turn ignoring all other planets shows how ridiculous the idea is.

Nice to see them acknowledge that.

13. Church of Scotland mediators to quell disputes

Comment #178843 by NJS on May 12, 2008 at 6:27 am

Since giving up on religion I've been to two masses both of which were requiems for my parents so obviously the mood quelled my natural idea of standing up and shouting "bollocks!" at the sillier parts of the ritual.

I would love to think that that was what has been happening - are there any such incidents on YouTube?

14. British Airways takes beef off the menu to avoid offending Hindus

Comment #178840 by NJS on May 12, 2008 at 6:24 am

Out of interest does anyone know why Hindus hold cows sacred?

Obviously domesticated cattle only exist as "man-made" animals for food so it seems silly even for the religious to come up with this.

I remember being confused as a kid when reading of this then seeing so many people startving in India - obviously before I realised how nonsensical religion is.

15. Evolution: 24 myths and misconceptions

Comment #163091 by NJS on April 18, 2008 at 1:34 am

Correct me if I'm wrong but the research on homosexuality showed that the SIBLINGS of homosexual men were on average more fertile than those of heterosexuals.

16. My quest to get de-baptised

Comment #152733 by NJS on March 31, 2008 at 12:22 pm

I have to say as an ex-catholic heretic the idea of being officially excommunicated appeals to me - especially if I could have a signed certificate from the infallible idiot himself.

17. Police: Girl Dies After Parents Pray for Healing Instead of Seeking Medical Help

Comment #150216 by NJS on March 26, 2008 at 3:23 pm

I wondered if they prayed to Satan whether the police would still say "no signs of abuse".

18. Seven new deadly sins: are you guilty?

Comment #141429 by NJS on March 10, 2008 at 12:03 pm

Where to start on the hypocrisy?

How about "Globalisation"

"We believe in one holy, apostolic church"

19. Oklahoma: One Step from Doom

Comment #141197 by NJS on March 10, 2008 at 6:54 am

It's not just science that is affected. I remember studying history and some of the conclusions I was taught being at odds with my burgeoning political views. However being a practical person and wanting to pass the exam I bit my tongue to a degree and towed the party line.

What this is saying is that religion is so important it can transcend that practicality and allow students to be bloody-minded without penalty.

I can only hope if it passes that some kind of case is brought which illustrates perfectly how dangerous this is.

20. How to abandon your God

Comment #139486 by NJS on March 6, 2008 at 1:24 am

I agree about the "ticking the Christian box" thing. Here in the UK the census is I think distorted by the "weddinns, christenings and funerals" type of people who just tick it out of habit and tradition.

I'd love to see the 2011 census really go for it with extended "do you believe in god?" type analysis.

21. U.S.: 'Demonic' militants sent women to bomb markets in Iraq

Comment #120541 by NJS on February 1, 2008 at 11:37 pm

"they want to subjugate them and forcefully create a greater Islamic sharia state"

Unlike our wonderful allies in Afghanistan of course.

22. Ore. Court: Boy Has Say in Circumcision

Comment #116988 by NJS on January 28, 2008 at 1:28 am

Broadening this topic to "consent" I've always been an advocate of making it illegal to declare a minor as belonging to a religion - I believe if no religion was "taught" to minors then at 18/21 it was introduced it would die pretty quickly - I know this is stupidly unrealistic.

My main point however is that I was raised a catholic and was "confirmed" at about 13 - I think the Jewish Bah Mitzvah is similar in concept in supposedly being a choice given by someone who is mature enough to make it.

There is no way that anyone in my school when it came to that ceremony could have refused - it just didn't happen and I'd guess its the same for jews - I think the age is deliberately pitched that young so that choice is limited. I think a small step to my ideal world would be to make these type of ceremonies illegal to minors.

I'd obviously apply the same to baptism and circumcision.

I know I'm a dreamer....

23. Ore. Court: Boy Has Say in Circumcision

Comment #116363 by NJS on January 26, 2008 at 10:13 am

"purely aesthetic"

Apart from the thousands of nerve pleasure receptors removed.

I have a friend who was circumcised when he was 17 for medical reasons. He reckons that though sex is still enjoyable, it is markedly less so.

Why should I believe a circumcised from birth person who knows no different?

I also abhor FGM but women do the argument no favours when they trivialise male circumcision - they are both part of the same barbaric, fucked up world view.

"isnot there a case for it being for ones good, like flouride in ones water or inoculation for a disease? "

All of the usual so called "health reasons" like penile cancer prevention are lies - there are no medical grounds for it on a routine basis. My friend's foreskin was too tight as he reached adulthood which is why it was necessary.

24. The Moral Instinct

Comment #110889 by NJS on January 13, 2008 at 6:53 am

The demonising of Gates was more on the personal side.

He's a ruthless, successful businessman - no arguments there - but to use that to sneer at his charitable side is taking the nerd dislike too far imo.

Either "its mainly his wife" or "its just to sell more software" or both contemptible in the context of how much money he has given away. There are plenty of upstanding and dare I say it theist businessmen who give sod all.

What should he do with his money? - make MS software free? get real.

25. The Moral Instinct

Comment #110861 by NJS on January 13, 2008 at 4:55 am

"How much suffering has been caused by their ruthless business practices? "

Good question - why don't you answer it?


The demonising of Gates is absolutely pathetic.

26. US 'doomed' if creationist president elected: scientists

Comment #108759 by NJS on January 7, 2008 at 2:24 pm

This topic seems to have turned into a grooming session over Anna :)

What hasn't been mentioned is that they bracketed climate change as if it was undeniable - sadly its a poor example as many people would read "evolution is as sure as climate change" as "damn right - both nonsense".

Evolution should be explained with examples that make sense even to the hard of thinking.

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

Comment #104602 by NJS on December 29, 2007 at 1:51 am

When will a psychiatrist have the courage to stand up and do an "emperor's new clothes" on these mentally ill people?

Having said that the more "idiotic" stories the better in my view.

Also the response should be a simple question: "How many people have died at the hands of Satanists?"

28. Blair converts to Catholicism

Comment #102472 by NJS on December 23, 2007 at 12:59 am

People who fail to shake off their brainwashing as kids and drift along calling themselves catholic tend to have my sympathy - they never really think about what their so called faith actually is.

Adult converts on the other hand do deserve the labels of "deluded", "irrational" and indeed "nutter".

A few months ago he gave a speech in which he claimed rationalality and faith weren't incompatible. I'd ask him one question which is central to catholic irrationality as opposed to general religious delusion:

Do you believe in trans-substantiation? - in my view nobody who is remotely rational can answer yes.

29. Dawkins: I'm a cultural Christian

Comment #99962 by NJS on December 18, 2007 at 1:40 am

I have no problem with recognition of christian heritage and enjoy xmas as a whole but I complete disagree with Dawkin's enjoyment of carols. You can't get away from the lyrics which are sycophantic theist nonsense.

30. Creationists plan British theme park

Comment #99317 by NJS on December 16, 2007 at 9:53 am

We shouldn't be so smug in the UK - all the "fat yank" jokes are beginning to haunt us given our obesity rates and I also remember a poll about a year ago suggesting 22% support for 7 day creationism and frighteningly high figures for support for teaching it.

Having said that I agree it should happen - the more bishops of carlisle/popes/teddy bears/creationist museums the better.

31. Sherri Shepherd needs to go away now

Comment #94818 by NJS on December 6, 2007 at 5:03 pm

UK resident here with a question:

"Graduation" in the US I assume involves attaining a certain standard across more than one subject - what does it involve - can you get away with getting a good grade in English or French say but having Sherri level history and science?

What controls are in place for this home schooling - is it it simply a matter of "graduating"?

32. Ofcom backs Channel 4 over mosque probe

Comment #89247 by NJS on November 20, 2007 at 5:30 am

Keith:

I consider prejudice on nationality to be racism - I don't care about colour/ethnicity.

33. Ofcom backs Channel 4 over mosque probe

Comment #89190 by NJS on November 20, 2007 at 1:32 am

2 Points:

As others have said we're still waitibg for the "context" which renders the bile okay.

Anyone else find West Midlands police talking about misrepresentation of evidence and racism to be hugely ironic?

(Puzzled look up the Birmingham six)

34. Saudi gang-rape victim is jailed

Comment #88481 by NJS on November 17, 2007 at 2:11 am

The worst thing about it is that they will use her as an example of why the laws exist - mix with men and you will be raped - and it will serve you right.

35. Sir David Attenborough on God

Comment #86800 by NJS on November 10, 2007 at 7:09 am

I've read something by him before saying "what sort of god creates brain eating parasites" - I then saw a theist reply which suggested the parasites were created only after the fall so now you know that children dying in agony in Africa is because of Eve which of course takes you back to the same question.

36. Mother dies after refusing blood

Comment #85799 by NJS on November 7, 2007 at 6:12 am

Someone on another forum I post on reckons there are cases where a woman in the same position has "given in" and as a result have been chucked out of the JW fellowhip, left homeless and had their kids removed - apparently the fathers have shown that the mothers were mentally unsound and gained custody.

I've also come across comments like "such strong beliefs should be respected" - my reply was that if a white supremacist had refused "black" blood would you still respect them? - religion is different I was told - why? - no reply.

37. The Year of Living Biblically

Comment #84890 by NJS on November 4, 2007 at 3:52 am

Missed opportunity to ask what we use to cherry pick the "wonderful" bits.

Also agree on the missing "to death".

38. Jury Awards Father $11M in Funeral Case

Comment #84067 by NJS on November 1, 2007 at 5:24 am

They should use the same defence I would have recommended to Abu Hamza - they are just preaching/living by their book.

39. Lessons in hate found at leading mosques

Comment #83721 by NJS on October 31, 2007 at 3:46 am

Why waste time on leaflets and books when all the instructions and encouragements exist in the Koran and the Bible?

And those who say no christian advocates Leviticus etc needs to watch the root of all evil and see RD interview the American who just stopped short of actually stating he'd approve of stoning for adultery - you could see it too him effort to stop.

40. Tests of faith over 'The Golden Compass'

Comment #83470 by NJS on October 30, 2007 at 5:30 am

Not sure about LOTR but Titanic made more than $1bn.

41. Tests of faith over 'The Golden Compass'

Comment #83427 by NJS on October 30, 2007 at 2:42 am

I'm in two minds over this. I've read the trilogy and enjoyed it but everything I've read about the movies suggest a censorship of the bad guy.

However if the movies are still good, it will encourage people to read the books which is all good. This is what this Catholic idiot fears - exposure to "propaganda" - God forbid kids get another side to the debate.

I've said it before - the biggest two blows against religion in history have been the printing press and the extension of education in the form of reading to the masses - they must all miss being the sole source of "knowledge".

42. Evolution to be taught in SA schools

Comment #83209 by NJS on October 29, 2007 at 9:24 am

Another thought:

If evolution is racist because it belittles black people then how do they explain their blackness given a creationist stance?

They presumably believe in a middle eastern "eden" so who poplulated Africa? I vaguely remember some nonsense about one of Noah's sons but I don't remember "and they came to be black".

43. Evolution to be taught in SA schools

Comment #82974 by NJS on October 28, 2007 at 12:04 pm

From what THEEVANGELIST says I have another worry. Our close relationship to the great African apes can provide a compelling argument for their protection. If so many African people reject that relationship out of hand then I fear for their existence.

I know sometimes arguments against bush meat are hard in the context of poor, starving people but I'd assumed if that could be addressed, then an "instinctive" ethical argument against killing chimps and gorillas could be made. This makes me doubt that hope.

44. Don't write off religion - it can be the key to a stable family

Comment #82917 by NJS on October 28, 2007 at 8:47 am

If those 10 years olds in the car were discussing the pros and cons of Marxism and capitalism "passionately" would it therefore be okay to give them the vote after labelling them according to their views?

45. Evolution to be taught in SA schools

Comment #82907 by NJS on October 28, 2007 at 8:18 am

Its sad that South Africa has in many ways lived up to warnings of the pro-apartheid idiots who predicted what would happen. I think many African countries suffer from having been ruled for too long and the new "owners" not knowing how its really done. Sorry if I sound patronising.

I also think its a missed opportunity for some species pride - I would like to see Africans talk up the fact that its our "birthplace" (obviously not in a biblical sense) but unfortunately ignorant Christians (remember the bishop who dismissed Turkana boy) and other nonsense holds the continent back.

46. Why do we ignore the plight of ex-Muslims?

Comment #81683 by NJS on October 25, 2007 at 3:10 am

These surveys (36% approve of murder) as quoted are what frighten me.

I've come to the conclusion that they should be acted on. The idea that we can "corrupt" these people with our western values and turn them into human beings is now a dead duck as far as I'm concerned.

I'm going to sound like a BNP member here but I'd consider deportation for people who advocate murder. To those who say "they are born in the UK" - I'd say fair enough - but they always find convenient family in the usual suspect countries when they need them so that answers the question of where to.

47. War in Heaven: Hitchens Meets D'Souza on Home Turf

Comment #81198 by NJS on October 24, 2007 at 11:46 am

Surely the most ruthless mass-murderer in history is the entity that killed everyone on earth apart from one man and his family isn't it?

Ah, but that's just a metaphor/allegory/other phrase to describe something taught as fact which most people have backtracked from.

48. Make Richard Dawkins a Knight

Comment #80812 by NJS on October 23, 2007 at 5:14 am

Elton John deserves contempt for his crimes against music. If Passengers wasn't enough he is responsible for the most sycophantic piece of vomit-inducing crap ever inflicted on humanity - Candle in the wind (Diana version)

On royalty lets look at this from an angle pertinent to this site. The jug-eared prick has already bleated on about being "defender of faiths" with no mention of the majority of his future "subjects" who don't have any.

Also when anyone mentions how atheists "want to ban religion" the reply should be to quote the act of settlement - a law which prevents catholics from ascending to the throne via marriage or conversion - in other words not much different to muslim apostay laws in that the monarch has no freedom to choose their religion.

As has already been mentioned the royal family and the aristocracy still have power. If you combine the CofE with the upper classes you get a group which owns the vast majority of the land and wealth in the UK.

I also find it absolutely anathemic that I am not a citizen of the UK - I am a subject of her brittanic majesty.

49. Make Richard Dawkins a Knight

Comment #80338 by NJS on October 21, 2007 at 11:23 am

Making someone a knight doesn't mean a seat in the Lords - life peerage needed for that.

50. Make Richard Dawkins a Knight

Comment #80331 by NJS on October 21, 2007 at 11:08 am

I have as much contempt for the honours system and the monarchy as I do for religion.

How can we claim to be rationalists and then support a concept of priveledge by accident of birth followed by honours dished out as favours?

Religion and monarchy are two sides of the same coin.