1. Atheists launch bus ad campaign

Comment #314173 by mordacious1 on January 6, 2009 at 11:14 pm

Quine

I was thinking more of tourists in London.

2. Pink iguanas unseen by Darwin offer evolution clue

Comment #314166 by mordacious1 on January 6, 2009 at 10:47 pm

Darwin was a teetotaler?

3. Atheists launch bus ad campaign

Comment #314162 by mordacious1 on January 6, 2009 at 10:40 pm

decius

Thanks for PM. The last paragraph made me laugh so hard I cried.

4. Atheists launch bus ad campaign

Comment #314157 by mordacious1 on January 6, 2009 at 10:29 pm

From Quine's link to NY Times coverage:

Not always positively. “I think it’s dreadful,” said Sandra Lafaire, 76, a tourist from Los Angeles, who said she believed in God and still enjoyed her life, thank you very much. “Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but I don’t like it in my face.”

We don't like your religious shit in our face constantly either. Hey, it's good to know americans are getting a view of the bus campaign too. Money well spent.

5. Atheists launch bus ad campaign

Comment #314152 by mordacious1 on January 6, 2009 at 10:25 pm

Comment #314108 by Decius A. Robertson

You...took...it...down? *feels like the only guy in the room who didn't hear the joke*

6. Atheists launch bus ad campaign

Comment #313614 by mordacious1 on January 6, 2009 at 11:47 am

Comment #313611 by Szymanowski

That's not anger, just well-spoken truth. I liked Polly's comments too.

7. Atheists launch bus ad campaign

Comment #313608 by mordacious1 on January 6, 2009 at 11:42 am

"However, Christian belief is not about worrying or not enjoying life."

What a pathetic reply.

8. Richard Dawkins on The Big Questions - 28th Dec 2008

Comment #313601 by mordacious1 on January 6, 2009 at 11:23 am

Hmmm, I might have found a bump in the road.

I wanted to see if Norplant was offered free of charge to women who are addicted or other negative situations. Many of these women might choose to have Norplant, knowing the conditions of their lives.

According to Wiki, Norplant is no longer marketed in western countries...just the third world. Lawsuit issues might have been the cause. So if this is not available, then how can the state provide it to women, even if the woman wants it?

Also, it would be difficult to justify mandating a birth control method to some women, when the general population is not using it because of safety concerns or negative side-effects.

9. Richard Dawkins on The Big Questions - 28th Dec 2008

Comment #313595 by mordacious1 on January 6, 2009 at 11:17 am

Comment #313575 by Titania

I'm trying to install blinds and keep up with this thread.

Abandonment is different in that the parent may have the best in mind for the child, dumping them at gramma's and disappearing with your abusive boyfriend. Also, some states consider long prison terms abandonment...that way they can foster/adopt the kids into a better home.

10. Richard Dawkins on The Big Questions - 28th Dec 2008

Comment #313547 by mordacious1 on January 6, 2009 at 10:05 am

Pee my pants.

11. Richard Dawkins on The Big Questions - 28th Dec 2008

Comment #313545 by mordacious1 on January 6, 2009 at 10:02 am

Comment #313544 by Diacanu

Again with the "forced sterilization"?

12. Richard Dawkins on The Big Questions - 28th Dec 2008

Comment #313543 by mordacious1 on January 6, 2009 at 9:56 am

Comment #313536 by Titania

No, of course not. This statute has too many sections that would not pertain to what we were discussing, abandonment for example.

13. Richard Dawkins on The Big Questions - 28th Dec 2008

Comment #313157 by mordacious1 on January 5, 2009 at 9:58 pm

Crap, I have to be off and when I return this thread will be another 5 pages down the road. *sighs*

14. Richard Dawkins on The Big Questions - 28th Dec 2008

Comment #313153 by mordacious1 on January 5, 2009 at 9:56 pm

Titania

Thanks, replied.

15. Richard Dawkins on The Big Questions - 28th Dec 2008

Comment #313116 by mordacious1 on January 5, 2009 at 9:26 pm

Comment #313027 by Titania on January 5, 2009 at 7:49 pm

"A few questions for those of you who advocate forced contraception:

How do you propose to do this with men? A reversible vasectomy? Chemical castration?"

Something like this is what I had in mind, as a condition of their parole:

http://current.com/items/88901454/contraceptive_for_men_a_shot_in_the_arm.htm

16. Richard Dawkins on The Big Questions - 28th Dec 2008

Comment #313107 by mordacious1 on January 5, 2009 at 9:22 pm

Comment #313068 by Frankus1122

Sorry, took me a long time to catch up to your post and you're probably in bed. What I am saying is that if we can avoid having brain damaged children we should do so. Or are you saying pregnant woman should get drunk as often as possible so we can have a few of these around. I do not know what you are saying.

17. Richard Dawkins on The Big Questions - 28th Dec 2008

Comment #313047 by mordacious1 on January 5, 2009 at 8:16 pm

Comment #312665 by Diacanu

I was away from the oomputer today, so this is late. I never brought up the over population issue, just the lives of brain damaged or emotionally damaged children. The fewer of these, the better. There is no cure for FAS.

18. Richard Dawkins on The Big Questions - 28th Dec 2008

Comment #312572 by mordacious1 on January 5, 2009 at 6:34 am

Well if India and Pakistan go at it with nukes...

19. Richard Dawkins on The Big Questions - 28th Dec 2008

Comment #312568 by mordacious1 on January 5, 2009 at 6:30 am

Peace

Not just sexual abusers, but physical abusers too. I would include FAS in that.

20. Richard Dawkins on The Big Questions - 28th Dec 2008

Comment #312565 by mordacious1 on January 5, 2009 at 6:28 am

Quetz

I find that hard to believe, but if true, it may be at least partially due to China's government involvement.

21. Richard Dawkins on The Big Questions - 28th Dec 2008

Comment #312557 by mordacious1 on January 5, 2009 at 6:18 am

"A world with that level of state control would not be worth living in."

I'm talking about people convicted of felony child abuse/neglect, not the population as a whole.

22. Richard Dawkins on The Big Questions - 28th Dec 2008

Comment #312550 by mordacious1 on January 5, 2009 at 6:11 am

Yep, that is why we have a judicial system...we are a country of laws. Leaving out religious beliefs, there's not really a good reason for the law not to be involved in this area. The reasons have been well covered by other posters so I won't repeat them here.

23. Richard Dawkins on The Big Questions - 28th Dec 2008

Comment #312545 by mordacious1 on January 5, 2009 at 6:00 am

Hey, I am an American and as I posted before...I would prefer that a woman or a man be temporarily (NorPlant) infertile until they can show they are now responsible (eg. no longer abusing drugs) to have more children. I've seen too many kids with FAS that also have siblings with FAS to think otherwise. Alcohol btw is the most common and most destructive drug to fetuses.

24. Does Religion Make You Nice?

Comment #312445 by mordacious1 on January 4, 2009 at 10:16 pm

jg

"Cute joke but you missed the point."
Cute point, but you missed the joke.

25. Does Religion Make You Nice?

Comment #312436 by mordacious1 on January 4, 2009 at 9:56 pm

Rodger

Oh, I thought it was your, "Do you want this booger?" pose.

[edit] yes folks, I'm here to lower the level of the conversation.

26. Does Religion Make You Nice?

Comment #312434 by mordacious1 on January 4, 2009 at 9:51 pm

Comment #312418 by jgirolamo

Yikes!

27. Does Religion Make You Nice?

Comment #312429 by mordacious1 on January 4, 2009 at 9:48 pm

Rodger, quit pointing at me.

28. Does Religion Make You Nice?

Comment #312411 by mordacious1 on January 4, 2009 at 9:35 pm

A drive-by *tat-tat-tat-tat-tat*

jg said, "...You can actually be saved (and) have a low IQ!"

I thought it was a prerequisite.

29. Does Religion Make You Nice?

Comment #312151 by mordacious1 on January 4, 2009 at 4:32 pm

Hi Laurie

Just watching NFL playoffs today...got a massive headache so I'm not drinking beer...who knew american football was so dull (without beer that is).

Funny how you met Fred years ago...it's a small world. Good thing you didn't listen to him or you could now be Pastor Laurie.

30. Does Religion Make You Nice?

Comment #312145 by mordacious1 on January 4, 2009 at 4:23 pm

Comment #312132 by Goldy

Your link had a picture of "Boobs on Bikes". I've got a picture of that too:

http://bicycling.about.com/od/thebikelife/ig/Stars-on-bikes/George-Bush-on-a-bike.htm

31. Does Religion Make You Nice?

Comment #312127 by mordacious1 on January 4, 2009 at 4:03 pm

Laurie

Might be time for you to move:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/12/30/topless-sunbathing-in-aus_n_154330.html

32. Does Religion Make You Nice?

Comment #311679 by mordacious1 on January 4, 2009 at 12:47 am

Goldy

I can't remember, are you an Aussie or a Kiwi?

33. Richard Dawkins on The Big Questions - 28th Dec 2008

Comment #311673 by mordacious1 on January 4, 2009 at 12:12 am

Finally got around to watching this. If the parents have a heroin (fill in drug of choice) addicted baby, they should be given a prison sentence, say 5 years. After serving the first year, they can be given the choice of serving out the sentence or going on probation where 1) they go to rehab 2) they get birth control shots until the 5 years is up. A dad who gets loaded and neglects/abuses a child can have the same sentence. I believe they have a shot for males too. Don't get your shot, back in the slammer.

34. 15 Evolutionary gems

Comment #311613 by mordacious1 on January 3, 2009 at 5:49 pm

Sorry, this isn't a funny one...

How hunting messes with natural selection:

http://www.newsweek.com/id/177709?from=rss

35. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #311263 by mordacious1 on January 3, 2009 at 12:41 am

Palin on Tripp

Palin: "When Bristol and Levi first told us the shocking news that she was pregnant, to be honest, we all at first looked at the situation with some fear and a bit of despair. Isn't it just like God to turn those circumstances into such an amazing, joyful blessing when you ask Him to help you through?"

Yup, sounds like god alright...then he damns you to hell for all eternity.

36. Richard Dawkins interviews Nicholas Humphrey

Comment #311252 by mordacious1 on January 3, 2009 at 12:03 am

My son takes anti-depressant meds. On certain days I'll notice a change in his behavior and ask him if he took his pills. He swears he did but when we return home and check, he had not. If it were purely placebo and he thought he took them, there would be no change in his behavior. My anecdotal belief is that some people take these meds and they act as a placebo, others take them because they really have a chemical imbalance.

37. Richard Dawkins interviews Nicholas Humphrey

Comment #311242 by mordacious1 on January 2, 2009 at 11:39 pm

I think that psychophysiologic illnesses can probably be treated quite well with placebos, but other illnesses cannot be. You may feel better but won't get better faster. Let's say we have two patients with the exact infection which can be cured by a certain medicine. Patient A is in a coma or otherwise unconscious, B is wide awake. Are we saying B is going to recover faster because he is aware of the treatment? I would like to see some research on this.

38. Teen trained to be suicide bomber feels tricked

Comment #310904 by mordacious1 on January 2, 2009 at 11:27 am

Iman: "You are to strap 20 lbs of high explosives on your body, walk into that building and detonate the explosives, killing yourself and all inside. Any questions?"

Abdullah: "Just one question old holy one:

ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR FUCKING MIND?"

39. Atheists Sue to Get Prayer, God Out of Obama's Swearing-In

Comment #310046 by mordacious1 on December 31, 2008 at 9:49 pm

Now, on topic.

This lawsuit will go nowhere, but someday one of them will...I just hope Scalia is a heavy smoker.

40. Atheists Sue to Get Prayer, God Out of Obama's Swearing-In

Comment #310040 by mordacious1 on December 31, 2008 at 9:30 pm

Laurie

Well, I was saving the champagne for Jan 20, but the wife says no...she's not waiting. So we will be popping a cork in 2 1/2 hours. How did your party go?

41. Atheists Sue to Get Prayer, God Out of Obama's Swearing-In

Comment #310032 by mordacious1 on December 31, 2008 at 9:16 pm

Hi Laurie

42. Atheists Sue to Get Prayer, God Out of Obama's Swearing-In

Comment #310027 by mordacious1 on December 31, 2008 at 9:13 pm

I think if you email Josh, he can repost your old comments under your new (or old) name.

43. Atheists Sue to Get Prayer, God Out of Obama's Swearing-In

Comment #310023 by mordacious1 on December 31, 2008 at 9:07 pm

Is that you 8 ?

44. Irreligion & Scandinavian Society - An interview with Phil Zuckerman

Comment #309780 by mordacious1 on December 31, 2008 at 3:06 pm

I hear that the Mafia is very religious.

45. For Good Self-Control, Try Getting Religious About It

Comment #309762 by mordacious1 on December 31, 2008 at 2:41 pm

I only scanned this article, so my comments might sound inane, but...

I wear my seat belt because it is the rational thing to do. If I went to church I might feel that dog is my co-pilot and I won't need a seatbelt.

The most popular New Year's resolution is to lose weight. Ever enter a church on Sunday? They don't make those pews out of sturdy wood for looks.

I don't know if they've done a study on divorce rates among religious people, but in my experience they tend to commit adultery and other misbehaviors at as least the same rate as us heathens.

I think I'll leave my self-control to rational thinking...it's gotten me this far okay.

46. God: Philosophers Weigh In

Comment #309677 by mordacious1 on December 31, 2008 at 11:58 am

Star Spangled Eagle

Haven't seen you around in 4 to 5 months.

47. The New Atheism, a definition and a quiz

Comment #309363 by mordacious1 on December 31, 2008 at 4:54 am

Alas, poor Sam is buried forever in my stacks of books, probably never to be seen again. I'd have to retrieve him to get the context of what he was saying. It has been awhile since I have read him, so I'm not sure if his point was that it would be okay to torture group Z. It does not sound like him. Also, defining "torture" is a real problem.

48. The New Atheism, a definition and a quiz

Comment #309357 by mordacious1 on December 31, 2008 at 4:14 am

I think that Brown's editors count the number of comments and allow that he's doing a good job. Hacks like this make outrageous statements to create controversy which gets people riled up enough to reply. The icing on the cake is that he has provoked Richard and Dan to add their comments, which makes the piece more controversial. The editors probably are clapping their hands with glee.

The Harris supporting torture statement is just plain stupid. If I am writing and state, "If we're going to do X, then doesn't that mean Y is okay?", doesn't mean I support either X or Y.

49. Does Religion Make You Nice?

Comment #309239 by mordacious1 on December 30, 2008 at 11:10 pm

Titania

It may go down as one of the biggest celebrations in our nation's history. Too bad most people can't afford to party any longer. *sigh*

50. Does Religion Make You Nice?

Comment #309236 by mordacious1 on December 30, 2008 at 10:42 pm

And Bwian wote Bwian.