Comments by Quetzalcoatl

Comment #315177 by Quetzalcoatl on January 8, 2009 at 4:36 am

David A Robertson-

Yep - can't handle the arguments so run to daddy asking him to protect you from the bad boys who upset you so much....

As I said in comment 356 (which you ignored), I'm happy to discuss the arguments with you, or any Christians you know who are interested in so doing.

2. Atheists launch bus ad campaign

Comment #315169 by Quetzalcoatl on January 8, 2009 at 4:10 am

Peacebeuponme-

Do you disappear when you close your eyes?

I don't know, because I always have to open them to see if I've disappeared.

3. Atheists launch bus ad campaign

Comment #315166 by Quetzalcoatl on January 8, 2009 at 4:08 am

Mark Jones-

Indeed. It's not exactly on a par with "Shall I compare thee to a summer's day", is it.

Decius-

Yeah, I know. I've come across the idea before, and wasn't overly impressed by it, as you might have gathered.

4. Atheists launch bus ad campaign

Comment #315156 by Quetzalcoatl on January 8, 2009 at 3:58 am

MPhil-

But I'm not looking at my arse...I only know it's there because I can feel it pressed against the chair...it's a vicious circle, I tell you!

5. Atheists launch bus ad campaign

Comment #315151 by Quetzalcoatl on January 8, 2009 at 3:52 am

Decius-

Yes, everybody knows that quantum theory states that if nobody is looking at the moon, then the moon is not there. QED

Ah, I see. And yet, I'm not currently looking at my chair.....I must be able to levitate!

6. Black Holes Preceded Galaxies, Discovery Suggests

Comment #315148 by Quetzalcoatl on January 8, 2009 at 3:50 am

Chinnus-

Any black holes that formed around the time of the Big Bang would have been micro, not macro. To get galactic-core sized holes, you need stars, or at the very least mass. Probably many of the larger holes were formed by combinations of smaller ones.

7. Atheists launch bus ad campaign

Comment #315138 by Quetzalcoatl on January 8, 2009 at 3:39 am

Santi Tafarella-

The greatest pearl of the night sky's tribe: THE MOON.

You didn't have "night" in there.

So you're saying that being wedded to scientific deconstruction means that we give away the moon?

Ookkkkaaayyyy.

8. Atheists launch bus ad campaign

Comment #315134 by Quetzalcoatl on January 8, 2009 at 3:31 am

Santi Tafarella-

You are giving away the greatest pearl of the sky's tribe

9. Atheists launch bus ad campaign

Comment #315126 by Quetzalcoatl on January 8, 2009 at 3:13 am

Santi Tafarella-

Why are you so sure that we will need "other languages" to make sense of our lives?

Atheist-speak does not have a monopoly on the truth, and has not vanquished the ontological mystery.

Atheist-speak does everything in its power to conceal this fact from itself, and poetry and literature rattles its hegemonic cage.

I'm not sure what "atheist-speak" is supposed to be. Anyway, atheists are not oblivious to art and literature. If I was, I wouldn't spend so much time reading and writing bad sci-fi.

10. Atheists launch bus ad campaign

Comment #315110 by Quetzalcoatl on January 8, 2009 at 2:54 am

mmurray-

I don't think Truth-Saves.com is religious. Unless this is a really cunning web site

You're right. So I wonder what the point was in saying that Ariane Sherine "hates religion"? Advertising their site? Hmmm.

11. Atheists launch bus ad campaign

Comment #315101 by Quetzalcoatl on January 8, 2009 at 2:35 am

Truth-Saves.com-

Ariane Sherine makes hating religion cute.

She doesn't hate religion. Nor do most atheists. I love the fact that the statement "There's probably no God" is treated as hating religion. Feeling a little threatened, are you? Hmm?

EDIT- see 735.

12. Atheists launch bus ad campaign

Comment #315095 by Quetzalcoatl on January 8, 2009 at 2:25 am

Santi Tafarella-

Your map is not the territory.

All languages reveal and conceal.

Precisely. Which is exactly why pseudo-religious and mystical terminology needs to be discarded in favour of rational investigation and discussion. It's the only way to get at the "truth" of what is going on.

You've made my point for me.

13. Atheists launch bus ad campaign

Comment #315086 by Quetzalcoatl on January 8, 2009 at 2:10 am

Santi Tafarella-

We spend the majority of our time inside our heads, listening to our own thoughts. Quite often informative, this process can also give us incredibly misleading ideas about reality, and our place within it.

The only way to penetrate the "mystery" that is the universe is through rational investigation and discussion with others, in order that together we might gain a more accurate picture of what is really going on, regardless of whether it is what we want to believe, or not.

Dressing it up with pseudo-religious terminology only hampers our efforts to gain greater understanding.

14. Atheists launch bus ad campaign

Comment #315037 by Quetzalcoatl on January 8, 2009 at 1:15 am

Paula Kirby-

Neither is Pascal's Wager of any use in helping you discover which religion is the correct one to follow. A point that dvophoto seemed strangely unwilling to discuss.

15. Atheists launch bus ad campaign

Comment #315032 by Quetzalcoatl on January 8, 2009 at 1:03 am

Santi Tafarella-

Are you trying to make the point that your use of the word "soul" is just as metaphorical as Dr Doctor's use of the phrase "floats my boat"?

The difference is that the latter phrase is not taking on water since it is so overloaded with religious connotations.

Answer Epeeist's question, please.

16. Does Religion Make You Nice?

Comment #315029 by Quetzalcoatl on January 8, 2009 at 12:53 am

Dianelos-

Still, I don't think atheists joke when they ask theists about what *mechanism* does God use. For example in these pages Steve has repeatedly insisted that the claim that God is very intelligent implies that God has a very complex brain.

How can something be incredibly intelligent, omniscient, able to see all of time and space, without being complex?

17. Atheist bus ad campaign provokes bitterness in Barcelona

Comment #315025 by Quetzalcoatl on January 8, 2009 at 12:48 am

"It is an attack on all religions," said Javier Maria Perez-Roldan of the church's Tomas Moro centre

By this logic, adverts for Christianity are an attack on all other religions and non-believers. Yet somehow, I suspect that he would not see things that way.

18. Atheists launch bus ad campaign

Comment #314867 by Quetzalcoatl on January 7, 2009 at 3:49 pm

Apathy-

Car-centric, although we have reasonable bus services. Alas, my humble town is too small anyway to warrant it. I might be in London later this month, I'll have to keep my eyes peeled.

19. Atheists launch bus ad campaign

Comment #314858 by Quetzalcoatl on January 7, 2009 at 3:32 pm

Evilcor-

I want nothing to do with this meme.

Apathy Personified-

Sadly, Bedford was not on the list of places to have one. :(

20. Atheists launch bus ad campaign

Comment #314853 by Quetzalcoatl on January 7, 2009 at 3:28 pm

Gentlemen-

This meme needs to be choked to death before it can get off the ground. It reads like the finest prose of Wooter.

scottishgeologist-

Indeed. No answer yet, as far as I know. Shocking.

21. Atheists launch bus ad campaign

Comment #314841 by Quetzalcoatl on January 7, 2009 at 3:19 pm

Santi Tafarella-

The problem I have with the word "soul" is the religious connotations that have now become inexorably attached to it. Do I use the word? Yes, but I'm careful about it, particularly when discussing things with religious people.

22. Black Holes Preceded Galaxies, Discovery Suggests

Comment #314815 by Quetzalcoatl on January 7, 2009 at 2:53 pm

j mills-

Stars came before black holes, if you go back far enough.

23. Atheists launch bus ad campaign

Comment #314812 by Quetzalcoatl on January 7, 2009 at 2:49 pm

Brian English-

Quetz, true visionaries (and true lunatics, but I repeat myself) do not give up when things don't work first go. They persevere, and their story gets made into a schmaltzy, Hollywood movie.

Post 567, woo woo lla lalala

First go? You've been doing this for a while now, to no avail. Even lunatics know when to quit. Usually it's when they're intravenously sedated, but even so.

24. Atheists launch bus ad campaign

Comment #314805 by Quetzalcoatl on January 7, 2009 at 2:43 pm

Brian-

Stop it? It hasn't taken off yet. Right now it's just you babbling inanely. And we're used to that. :-)

25. Atheists launch bus ad campaign

Comment #314792 by Quetzalcoatl on January 7, 2009 at 2:36 pm

Santi Tafarella-

Doesn't the universe, and your own body, and the bodies of your wife and children, and the responses of your soul to the things that you love, sometimes leave you utterly awestruck?

Soul? I hope that's simply a euphemism?

Brian English-

It's not the greatest meme in the world, is it?

;-)

26. Dawkins Delusion (3rd article, Same Stupid Title)

Comment #314782 by Quetzalcoatl on January 7, 2009 at 2:28 pm

skb-

I wish I knew why some christians become gay. Oh, i know, it's because they want both to serve God and to act worldly. It's a concept that God really doesn't allow. He doesn't like people who are lukewarm in believes. Either you are hot or cold. Which do you pick?

Others have picked the rest of your post apart, so I will simply say this: since there are gay Christians, do you therefore concede that being gay is not a product of atheism?

27. Milky Way 'bigger than thought'

Comment #314519 by Quetzalcoatl on January 7, 2009 at 9:24 am

Tezcatlipoca-

Take it up with Tlaloc; Andromeda was sub-contracted out to him.

28. Milky Way 'bigger than thought'

Comment #314502 by Quetzalcoatl on January 7, 2009 at 9:08 am

Diacanu-

Unless you book three billion years in advance, I think you'll be okay.

If you have booked that far ahead, try and find a better travel agent.

29. Atheists launch bus ad campaign

Comment #314469 by Quetzalcoatl on January 7, 2009 at 8:05 am

deadzebra-

Do not prostitute your daughter, to cause her to be a harlot, lest the land fall into harlotry, and the land become full of wickedness.

- Leviticus 19:29.

30. Atheists launch bus ad campaign

Comment #314463 by Quetzalcoatl on January 7, 2009 at 7:51 am

deadzebra-

Except creationism is absurd, and has shown to be so.

Answer this: how could simply observing the world reveal the truth about Jesus to someone who has never heard of Christianity?

31. Atheists launch bus ad campaign

Comment #314388 by Quetzalcoatl on January 7, 2009 at 5:13 am

Steve Zara-

He probably would say it is only the spiritual aspects of physical suffering that are a result of sin........

Ah, very clear. Does that mean sin makes you feel like shit mentally, as opposed to physically? What about when you hurt yourself, and feel bad because of that? Is there some not-sin/sin crossover point? So many possibilities.

32. Atheists launch bus ad campaign

Comment #314375 by Quetzalcoatl on January 7, 2009 at 4:52 am

Philip1978-

Sometimes there are three gods to deal with, but they're really just one.

33. Atheists launch bus ad campaign

Comment #314373 by Quetzalcoatl on January 7, 2009 at 4:44 am

Arwen-

Unfortunately, it is. That, and never responding to awkward questions about their assertions.

34. Atheists launch bus ad campaign

Comment #314362 by Quetzalcoatl on January 7, 2009 at 4:28 am

AllanW-

Not a pucktopus?

35. Atheists launch bus ad campaign

Comment #314351 by Quetzalcoatl on January 7, 2009 at 4:08 am

Vaal (401)-

Excellent post.

Dvophoto appears to have gone. It's a shame, I was looking forward to him answering my question about Pascal's Wager. Alas, it seems that it was not to be.

36. Atheists launch bus ad campaign

Comment #314306 by Quetzalcoatl on January 7, 2009 at 2:45 am

Brian English-

Just how much have you had to drink?

37. Atheists launch bus ad campaign

Comment #314278 by Quetzalcoatl on January 7, 2009 at 2:15 am

Evilcor-

Well, I am at work. They were going to waste anyway.

38. Atheists launch bus ad campaign

Comment #314271 by Quetzalcoatl on January 7, 2009 at 2:09 am

David A Robertson-

I was expecting a comment from you.

Wonderful, wonderful news! Am at a conference in Scotland of some 250 ministers and we are rejoicing at the £140,000 worth of free publicity that you are giving us. Much appreciated. A decade ago this would have been considered a pointless campaign because the default position of so many in British society was practical atheism. Now we have made such inroads that atheists have to resort to such pathetic methods. As a sign of desperation this takes some beating....

It seems you are ignorant of the reasons behind the atheist bus campaign; did you even watch the video? The idea was started by Ariane Sherine after she saw a Christian bus advert! So if it is a pathetic method, then you started it! I am sure you will counter by saying that wasn't your particular denomination, but if you are happy enough to use the colloquial "we" in boasting about the free publicity, then you can't really complain.

As for inroads, that's laughable. The Free Church is in decline, is it not, with grave concerns about its future? What "inroads" are you making there?

Its even better that is such an inane message. "There is probably no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life". What on earth is this saying? If there is no God you don't need to worry? If there is you do? Is it really worrying about God that stops people enjoying life? It is mind blowingly dumb. And crass. Imagine that message being given to an abused child, a Woolworths worker having just been made reduntant, a Palestinian being bombed by Israel, a junkie, someone having just received the news that they have terminal cancer. Yep - just what they need to hear - there is probably no God - now cheer up and enjoy yourself! Such an inane middle class hedonistic message. No logic. No content. No comfort.

Again, the irony of you mocking the message is laughable. You might think it inane, but it's a damn sight better than telling people that they are soiled and polluted by sin, that they will burn in Hell unless they believe in precisely the right god, out of the myriad of choices. That earthquakes and tsunamis are caused by a woman who ate an apple.

Worrying about God stops many people from enjoying their lives, as you well know. Think of those bedevilled by fear that they will face eternal damnation, fear of a judgemental God. There are many religious people who make themselves and those around them miserable by being so eager to follow God that they have no joy in their lives.

I can give you a link to the blog of a Christian woman who has drummed into her 4-year-old daughter's head that she is corrupt, impure, and destined for Hell unless she accepts Jesus. A childhood irrevocably tainted by concepts far too advanced for a girl of her age to understand, yet drummed into her still by a fanatic who truly believes it's what God wants her to do. THIS is but one example.

Ironic again that you mentioned Palestinians being bombed by Israel: a classic example of a conflict fuelled by religious hatred. If both sides didn't believe in God, believe whole-heartedly that they have divine approval for their actions, would the conflict have continued for as long as it has? Doubtful.

And the hilarious thing is that you really believe this message will do your cause good. All it does is allow those of us who believe in Jesus Christ to point out the emptiness and sad desperation of the New Atheism. Thanks for the gift.....I couldn't have put it better myself.....

You claim that atheism is empty: atheism is merely an absence of belief, not a religion. It is life itself that has the potential to be rich and fulfilling. How much better a life can be led without fear of eternal damnation. Being good for goodness' sake is perfectly possible.

If you truly believe that this is empty and desperate, then it should be easy enough to demonstrate. Bring forth your best arguments for God. Present us with the evidence. You want discussion, then discuss!

Restart your forum, and I will happily discuss the issues with anyone who is interested in doing so. Or send them here. Let the discussion commence.

39. Atheists launch bus ad campaign

Comment #314239 by Quetzalcoatl on January 7, 2009 at 1:41 am

Dr Doctor-

I'm pretty sure Ariane is getting fed up with people commenting on her looks. ;-)

Agreed. When even I've picked up on it, then it must be bad.

40. Pink iguanas unseen by Darwin offer evolution clue

Comment #314235 by Quetzalcoatl on January 7, 2009 at 1:38 am

The Galapagos islands continue to offer up surprises. I wonder how things might have turned out if Darwin had never set foot there...

41. Atheists launch bus ad campaign

Comment #314219 by Quetzalcoatl on January 7, 2009 at 1:20 am

Is the stupid growing, or is it just that our awareness of the existence of the stupid is increasing? A little of both, I think.

42. Milky Way 'bigger than thought'

Comment #314214 by Quetzalcoatl on January 7, 2009 at 1:08 am

Lucas-

The difference is that we're embedded within the galaxy as opposed to outside of it, and in addition much of what we can see is restricted by things like the galactic core.

Robotaholic-

I think the black hole at the centre of our galaxy is dormant by comparison to that of Andromeda.

43. Atheists launch bus ad campaign

Comment #314211 by Quetzalcoatl on January 7, 2009 at 1:01 am

Decius-

If you're going to make a satirical comment, at least leave it up there long enough for me to read it!

*sniffs melodramatically*

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

Comment #314206 by Quetzalcoatl on January 7, 2009 at 12:56 am

Sarmatae1-