1. 'Prop 8 - The Musical'

Comment #296334 by AoClay on December 3, 2008 at 12:59 pm

How about the bible shouldn't be taken?

2. Christopher Hitchens and Douglas Wilson Debate

Comment #295563 by AoClay on December 2, 2008 at 12:17 pm

It was a total attempt at a slight of hand with "You trust reason, you have a faith in it." Trusting something by way of conviction is not faith if I have a reason for it, by definition. Why one would trust reason is simple history, it works.

Calling doubt dogmatic is just plain stupid.

3. Christopher Hitchens and Douglas Wilson Debate

Comment #295147 by AoClay on December 1, 2008 at 8:48 pm

Well why does there have to be any intrinsic value to the entirety of the universe? WHY must there be objective aesthetics? Why does nobody point out they aren't arguing for objectivity, and though I'll get some snarls I'm sure, I'm only arguing definitions here, but Rand (or Sam Harris)would be arguing for objective morality. Somebody like Hume would argue for subjective morality. The Christians argue for intrinsic morality, and there's a big difference. Saying the universe has a moral code isn't simply saying "I think I could argue that x is truly moral" it's saying it's a priori moral.

4. Christopher Hitchens and Douglas Wilson Debate

Comment #295128 by AoClay on December 1, 2008 at 7:50 pm

Without philosophy you have no politics or science, at all. One's philosophy is essentially everything they are, doesn't have to necessarily have a name. I think it's quite the mark of the boring Soviet like materialist (I don't mean to say you are as brutal, only as boring) to say that philosophy did nothing for humanity. It's like those that justify space with medicine, plants, and frying pans (Dawkins has certainly addressed the frying pan part) or that medicine and technology is all science is. I see it as the same thought process. I think the reason why religion exists at all, and why it's so appealing is one, because of this apparent curve towards servility in us all, but more importantly because we all need a philosophy to live by. Most are intellectually lazy/bankrupt it seems and/or were born in a time when you were really forced to be either by the lack of human experience or some forms of oppression. There's your benefit of religion coming first. I apologize if this was already said, but I have to reply quickly to saying philosophy goes on the opposite of science.

And it is certainly no coincidence that real philosophy was born out of Ionia with Thales, as was science.

5. Regenerating a Mammoth for $10 Million

Comment #290138 by AoClay on November 24, 2008 at 6:09 pm

Well at least it's a lot closer to a human than a cracker. They're making progress.

6. Bush set to relax endangered species rules

Comment #288332 by AoClay on November 21, 2008 at 2:56 pm

Any chance any of these are in the way of DRILL BABY DRILL

7. Single-Celled Giant Upends Early Evolution

Comment #288324 by AoClay on November 21, 2008 at 2:32 pm

I'll go read Wonderful Life again.

and Zara thanks, because that ran through my head too, glad to see somebody smarter than me went "wait...what?"

8. Hitchens Debates Rabbi Wolpe on God

Comment #280536 by AoClay on November 7, 2008 at 6:00 pm

Dennett debated D'Souza, but it was pretty lame.

9. For many evangelicals, it will be the end of the world if Obama wins

Comment #277421 by AoClay on November 3, 2008 at 5:01 pm

I don't think white evangelicals make up quite 75% (prove me wrong, and I will oblige gracefully), and I really don't see McCain winning. The opposition to the war is strong, and the opposition to Bush is strong. Obama's few on healthcare and the economy is also a thousand times better. The only way I see McCain winning is if there is cheating.

Here's me crossing my fingers in Florida that we go to Obama, and if my experience are representative of the state, we will.

10. Fred Phelps's son is an atheist: Running from hell

Comment #277413 by AoClay on November 3, 2008 at 4:44 pm

As horrible as this surely is, and as awesome as it is to come out of that, I give credit to Phelps for being an actual Christian. Not to say that isn't incredibly evil, but he has basic reading comprehension down.

11. For many evangelicals, it will be the end of the world if Obama wins

Comment #276886 by AoClay on November 2, 2008 at 5:15 pm

Robotaholic,
It also helps to be a socialist.

12. 'People say I'm strident'

Comment #271682 by AoClay on October 26, 2008 at 11:52 am

I just think this whole "You should pander like crazy" attitude is demagogy and incredibly fake. If you actively oppose it, actively oppose it. For some, yes, it does put up defenses; for others, it's hard enough to knock them down, and more importantly, honest and clear.

For the pathos throughout this whole article I sure did get some nice relief from the "cramming for the final," I like it.

13. The world according to Hitchens

Comment #255804 by AoClay on September 28, 2008 at 9:03 am

Hitler was left wing? what!?

I'm sorry, but just have the veil of "socialist" does not make you left. I think it was Orwell who referenced "socialized fascism," and that's the perfect term.

It's not that hard to say "I'm a socialist!" *little bit of economic growth* whoops, I meant fascist .

14. Gay support group gets straight 'no' from Brethren

Comment #243780 by AoClay on September 7, 2008 at 10:35 am

ugh, I hate 'love the sinner and hate the sin,' since they're just lying to themselves. When you hate somebody, you hate what they've done.

As for homophobia, I think it's a bit odd how it's accepted waaaaaaaaaay more than, say, racism.

15. Evolutionists Flock To Darwin-Shaped Wall Stain

Comment #243626 by AoClay on September 6, 2008 at 1:08 pm

I don't get the equivocation with communism there at all. Sounds like a lame way to mix what exists with what should be.

16. Face to faith

Comment #243624 by AoClay on September 6, 2008 at 1:05 pm

A metaphor for what?

17. Gaming Evolves

Comment #241566 by AoClay on September 2, 2008 at 2:13 pm

I don't know, I imagine having no foresight is hard to capture on a computer to the point it should. I could be wrong.

18. MythBuster Adam Savage: 3 Ways to Fix U.S. Science Education

Comment #239819 by AoClay on August 30, 2008 at 11:29 am

I'm certainly a bit of a "statist" with the twelve year old girl. Florida and decent questions usually aren't good friend, it seems, so hurray.

19. Why Dawkins is right and his critics are wrong

Comment #235112 by AoClay on August 22, 2008 at 12:37 pm

Deebeeh,
You seem to forget that creationists then argue about macro evolution or speciation or whatever they feel like that actually takes a good deal of time, and then say we haven't observed it, thus you lose. It's better to attack that way of thinking, and show even they don't agree with it. They don't see microrganisms getting killed, but I think they prefer to side with science on that, and the same goes for almost every crime scene. My point is, if he were to say "well, some evolutionary changes have been observed," then they'd simply say it wasn't a big enough change to count.

20. Conversation between Richard Dawkins and John Lennox

Comment #227714 by AoClay on August 10, 2008 at 1:51 pm

I have some allegorical emails.

21. An atheist plays God's advocate

Comment #227274 by AoClay on August 9, 2008 at 3:18 pm

Yes, yes, god...but what about Yahweh? I think there's an issue in Christians always addressing their god as God, so that they can really absorb all deist claims as on their side.

22. Conversation between Richard Dawkins and John Lennox

Comment #227263 by AoClay on August 9, 2008 at 3:04 pm

You must demonstrate how a birth without sperm/non female sex cell is possible, not that we can jab some sperm in a virgin. If you don't explain how, you explain nothing. If there is no evidence for an event happening, but you then say the event is possible, you must say how this is possible. "God's just that awesome" is no answer.

Also, coming to a crowd of atheists and the going "What the hell..you find the virgin birth illogical?" is not defined as having a life. I echo diacanu's sentiments.

23. Write to UCF

Comment #219224 by AoClay on July 26, 2008 at 1:46 pm

I know some guys that went to UCF and got out because the crime was so bad in the area. In other words, that's strike two.

Also, the first paragraph of Dawkins' letter is ace.

24. Texas State Board of Education approves Bible course for high schools

Comment #214048 by AoClay on July 19, 2008 at 12:13 pm

I thought the same thing with the Louisiana bill with "Keep it vague, then it's not unconstitutional."

25. VOICES OF SCIENCE - Available Now on DVD

Comment #212082 by AoClay on July 16, 2008 at 3:17 pm

"You're smarter than me but I know things one can't possibly know." The good ole fake humility in the face of amazing arrogance.

26. IT'S A GODDAMNED CRACKER!

Comment #207231 by AoClay on July 9, 2008 at 11:04 am

I live in the great state of pissed off catholics wanting their cracker back, sweet.

27. McDonald's Makes Jesus Cry

Comment #206388 by AoClay on July 8, 2008 at 10:27 am

pedophiles? like a priest?

28. When too much Rapture is barely enough

Comment #204623 by AoClay on July 5, 2008 at 11:33 am

I really wish Harris would show himself more often. He's a very clear speaker and I don't see him enough.

29. Christians challenge teaching of evolution

Comment #204594 by AoClay on July 5, 2008 at 10:08 am

The only positive I hope for is that this shows all their crap is strictly Christian and maybe, just maybe, it makes some people realize we need to keep the wall up.

I really am surprised this has gone anywhere but America.

30. Did newborn Earth harbour life?

Comment #203681 by AoClay on July 3, 2008 at 11:01 am

Steve,
I believe it was Carl Sagan who said he couldn't think of a better use for nukes than to propel spacecraft. We certainly need to make sure no problems would occur, but if not, man it would be the coolest way to get rid of them. I'd be very proud of that moment if it ever came.

31. Did newborn Earth harbour life?

Comment #203664 by AoClay on July 3, 2008 at 10:40 am

Europa and Titan, aside from Mars, are what I'd be fascinated with as well.

32. Evangelical Christians sign up to a 'Church within a Church'

Comment #203136 by AoClay on July 2, 2008 at 11:57 am

Yahweh is a fag

33. Dawkins on Darwin

Comment #202654 by AoClay on July 1, 2008 at 7:22 pm

Rod,
I never quite understood that speed of light point. They say it slowed down, but wouldn't it going much faster help more?

A very nice interview, a good job from both sides. Apparently I need to read some Malthus.

34. Fire the starting gun! The Darwin year begins...NOW!

Comment #202638 by AoClay on July 1, 2008 at 6:48 pm

Can't wait for the books that are supposed to pour out of this year and 09.

35. Common New Atheist Fallacies

Comment #201903 by AoClay on June 30, 2008 at 11:56 am

One must prove there is a spiritual thing first.

Anybody notice his whole argument was ad hominem as well?

36. Who Was More Important: Lincoln or Darwin?

Comment #201896 by AoClay on June 30, 2008 at 11:44 am

Jefferson and Darwin both seemed to share my headache problem (mine might be more intense than theirs), and I'm quite the scribbler as well.

As far as the question of who had the bigger impact, it's no contest. Darwin influenced the whole world and seemed ahead of his time with more than just his intelligence while Lincoln had the occasional immoral sign o' the time over his head. I like Lincoln a lot but Darwin might have the best idea ever and Lincoln might not be the best president. Darwin's beard>Lincoln's.

37. Aliens need Christ's redemption, too

Comment #201887 by AoClay on June 30, 2008 at 11:21 am

If there were aliens why wouldn't Yahweh mention them in the Bible? It could be argued that it was meant for those of Earth but then why the story about the heavens and light, etc that isn't just about Earth? The Bible suggest quite clearly that we are big bad mufugs who rule the universe, and I really think finding aliens would explode Christianity more than people who aren't retarded like this guy think.

38. PZ Myers - Expelled from Expelled

Comment #201266 by AoClay on June 29, 2008 at 2:17 pm

robotaholic,
I share the reverence.

Pearson,
I like that idea and would like to see that web page. The dimensions are a bit broad, but your idea is a good one and the text beneath was well done. I think a unifying term for what you want is SECULAR. Though secular just really means no religion, secularism is underlined by the ideas of the enlightenment and the ways of thinking you are looking for. Not to say you didn't know them but it's better than "reasoning, logic, evidence, observation, education" or at least shorter.

39. Evangelical grunts

Comment #201165 by AoClay on June 29, 2008 at 9:47 am

Somebody tell them that they need to actually read the Bible and most of the Qur'an seems to be completely plagiarized. If fights must be had, I'm really scared if it becomes christian/muslim instead of secular/muslim.

Also, let me say that I don't like the idea of schooling = intelligence/knowledge. I'm not trying to say it means they're dumb by any means or that they aren't smart, but I think too many jump to schooling to prove intelligence/knwowledge with any subject.

40. Evolutionarily Preserved Signature Found In The Primate Brain

Comment #198910 by AoClay on June 24, 2008 at 5:40 pm

Sciros,
The point is so what even if it was a choice? I've never understood how whether or not it's a choice means anything other than a good (or formerly-good) scientific question.

41. World Youth Day condom protest against Pope

Comment #198909 by AoClay on June 24, 2008 at 5:37 pm

They have to thrown in that 'misrepresenting'

42. Saudi Marriage Officiant : 'It Is Allowed To Marry A Girl At The Age Of One'.

Comment #198813 by AoClay on June 24, 2008 at 2:12 pm

Why stop at one? It seems pretty pointless when it sounds like they are just trying to say rape the masses.

43. Award-winning comedian George Carlin dies

Comment #198112 by AoClay on June 23, 2008 at 8:27 am

That's my two favorite comedians down now, Hicks and Carlin. Man, I didn't think he'd die quite yet.

alrawandi,
Dane Cook is why I think long and hard about Carlin's "we need a button on the remote that allows you to kill the person of the screen."

44. On this Day: Galileo Sentenced for Believing Sun Is Center of Universe

Comment #197853 by AoClay on June 22, 2008 at 7:14 pm

I'm pretty sure that's from The End Of Faith, Don Quix (in reference 197782).

I tend to hate them more for their dismantlings of what the Greeks, etc had to offer than I do for Gallileo. Of course, this was terrible and Galileo was a genius but I could imagine a lot of different groups hating him for it. The whole "OMG somebody was moral before Christ? Burn the documents!" seems so much more avoidable (no Christianity). The optimist in me says Thank FSM it wasn't Islam.

45. Christianity 'could die out within a century'

Comment #197345 by AoClay on June 21, 2008 at 7:53 pm

It strengthens a lot of Christians beliefs for sure (if only the Muslims were Christians, tsk tsk), and it's sad how bad they are at realizing the common ground they share with those idiots.

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

Comment #197326 by AoClay on June 21, 2008 at 6:23 pm

Did he get that 'red herring' from somewhere?

http://www.uncommondescent.com/intelligent-design/denis-alexander-on-id/

47. Louisiana's Latest Assault on Darwin

Comment #197230 by AoClay on June 21, 2008 at 12:10 pm

Didn't McCain say he accepts evolution? Just saying maybe that should be brought up if he has a serious chance at running mate.

48. PZ Myers - Science and Atheism in the Blogosphere

Comment #197228 by AoClay on June 21, 2008 at 12:00 pm

I have to say that Steve is probably my favorite poster here and I'd flock to watch any debate he had with a theist.

Rod,
I love that idea and it's a fair point. I'm sixteen and I feel like I could shut down a preacher so I'm sure you'd do well as you're high above my knowledge.

49. New discovery proves 'selfish gene' exists

Comment #197209 by AoClay on June 21, 2008 at 11:10 am

Aside from the word doctrine (*shudder*), I agree with Lil_Xunzian. Aside from a little bit of confusion (it seems, anyways) over the way Dawkins uses selfish, it's at least interesting.

50. Muslim countries win concession regarding religious debates

Comment #196380 by AoClay on June 19, 2008 at 8:29 pm

What's complex about it?