1. What Genes Remember

Comment #184561 by cal_mertes on May 25, 2008 at 5:52 pm

There was a program on PBS - Nova a year or two back covering much the same subject and a couple of different ways in which the expression of genes is modified by other persistent molecules surrounding the genes.

2. CEAI Action Alert for Science Teachers

Comment #154193 by cal_mertes on April 2, 2008 at 8:27 pm

Instead, I think we should demand that all fundical s(fundamentalists and evangelicals) schools be required to teach the controversy. Their science books should have to include disclaimers that the contents are not supported by scientific evidence where appropriate.

Further history courses should include notices that the events of the gospels are not supported by the historical record and many events claimed to have occured are missing which is strong evidence that the events never happened.

Further demand their congregations receive information on biology including evolution from qualified teachers.

3. Darwin's dangerous idea

Comment #137371 by cal_mertes on March 2, 2008 at 6:11 pm

A general question ---


whenever the creationists raise the issue of "teach the controversy", why not demand that they teach the controversy, or at least the basic facts of evolution, in their church?

Most would probably refuse. But then we can expose them as loud-mouth hypocrites.

4. Don't blame Islam for terrorism, expert says

Comment #131047 by cal_mertes on February 21, 2008 at 7:27 pm

I found this article looking for some other info about Islam in St Louis area.


A couple of points Fuller misses or ...

WW 1 & 2 were fought by religious nations (except USSR in WW2) by religious people. One must look not just at the leaders of the nations but of the millions that follow them. And sure sometimes, a nation must defend itself but still the attackers are religious nations.

That Western economic imperialism is a big cause of the violence in the Middle East is given. However it is Islam which generally defines the methods and tactics of the protagonists.

The Palestinians have been resisting Israel take over of their lands for decades. Yes they are unable to change their Islam-inspired tactics even those those tactics result in a steady loss of territory.


Another ramification of Islam which Fuller ignores:

the lack of intellectual and economic progress due to the stiffing of intellectual and scientific progress for about the last 1000 years.

Europe and American needed to break the stranglehold of Christianity to achieve intellectual, scientific, and economic progress.

So too does the Islam world.

5. Atheism and Violence

Comment #117817 by cal_mertes on January 29, 2008 at 5:54 pm

"[My worldview] by no means believes in the equality of races, but recognizes along with their differences their higher or lower value, and through this knowledge feels obliged, according to the eternal will that rules this universe, to promote the victory of the better, the stronger, and to demand the submission of the worse and weaker."


Even while claiming that Hitler was an atheist, he quotes Hitler above referring to the "enternal will that rules the universe". Simply put, Hitler was referring to God.

6. 'Irrational Atheist' trounces God-deniers

Comment #117399 by cal_mertes on January 28, 2008 at 6:30 pm

Why is it that these authors promise "killer" blows that turn out to be nothing but a mud spot?


And where did he get the "detailed historical and scientific evidence" to support his claim? why hasn't already been debunked?

7. 'Boycott Worked': Compass Flops - Opening Weekend $26 Million; Narnia $63 Million

Comment #96625 by cal_mertes on December 10, 2007 at 7:11 pm

What ever happened to "Teach the Controversy"?

And what right do they have to impose their religious beliefs on us?

8. GOD VS. SCIENCE: A Debate Between Natalie Angier and David Sloan Wilson

Comment #92019 by cal_mertes on November 29, 2007 at 5:40 pm

I didn't bother to read most of the debate -- the debate is rehashing well worn ground.


After thinking about it for some time, I've defined fasit as religious belief as willing belief in make-believe.


The problem with religious believing is, IMO, that such belief leads to the believer then believing lots of other things without (adequate) evidence. And often considering what ever is or happens as proof of the religious belief.

9. Arguments Against Evolution

Comment #81499 by cal_mertes on October 24, 2007 at 8:55 pm

I think we should challenge believers in creation to show evidence of creation as good as the evidence for evolution, cosmology, geology, etc.

Ask them to explain some of the many design flaws in humans such as the backwards structure of the human retina, or why our sexual pleasure organs are located and mixed with out elimination organs.

And be prepared for some strange answers.

10. Muslims tell Christians: 'Make peace with us or survival of world is at stake'

Comment #78105 by cal_mertes on October 11, 2007 at 9:34 pm

Rather than being so down on this initiative, why not pursue it and see where it leads?

Granted, Islamism has a horrid history. But this may be a crack in the faith to inject some more moderate ideas.Pursue openness but also be wary and verify!

11. Religion - our maelstrom of ignorance

Comment #49398 by cal_mertes on June 11, 2007 at 7:53 pm

"Heh - realising the religious brain drain is a threat to the economy - if that doesn't tempt the politicians away from pandering to christian voters, nothing will."

the damage to the economy is secondary to politicians. what counts is votes and contributions.

now businesses may care. OTOH, it is easier to sell junk to the uneducated.

12. God is not responsible for war and suffering

Comment #48156 by cal_mertes on June 6, 2007 at 9:06 pm

What a load of bullshit!

Heard lies about Nazism. Hitler was a catholic and all the top Nazis were believers. Nazism arose in Christian Germany and the Churches supported Nazism as well as the churches being on the take from the government. Antisemiticism was church doctrine and the Genocide was the fulfillment of christian preaching. And most of the Nazi army was also christian. Where was Christian opposition to Nazism in Germany??

WW! was fought mostly between Christian nations. Same for WW2 in European; just add in some of the Muslims in Africa.

Finally, after almost 2000 years (supposedly) since Christ, the world is still plagued by wars and terrorism. If the Abrahamic faiths (Christianity, Judaism and Islam) were effective why do we still have wars?

The faiths have failed to achieve the peace Heard claims they bring.

13. Diary of a Deserter

Comment #46293 by cal_mertes on May 30, 2007 at 8:05 pm

Brian,

Think of yourself not as a "deserter" but as one becoming enlightened. For you are leaving the darkness of JW belief for the light of reason and reality.

None the less, you probably will have difficult days ahead. My best recommendation is to start making new friends who are not associated with JW. Whether they believe or not is not that important; the important thing is that they accept you and what you are doing. Or at least don't try to "save" or "convert" you.

14. Jesus 'Love-Bombs' You

Comment #34982 by cal_mertes on April 25, 2007 at 8:18 pm

The article is informative and distressing. It supports my opinion that these religions are gigantic cults as they follow the same practices. To put it simply, this is brain-washing.

And these converted are a great danger to our country.

15. If God is talking to you, too, Mr Cameron - don't listen

Comment #23444 by cal_mertes on February 28, 2007 at 7:29 pm

Many fine things are done by people because of their faith. As an MP I sawa number of examples. And as we mark the 200th anniversary of the abolition of the slave trade we are reminded that William Wilberforce, who brought it about, was a man driven by religious conviction who eschewed political ambition.

16. The God Delusion

Comment #21724 by cal_mertes on February 10, 2007 at 7:34 pm

I reread the part about "the ultimate 747". Dawkins is refuting the creationist argument that the probability of life arising by chance is about the same as a hurricane going thru a junk yard and creating a 747. The origin of life on earth, the most primitive living organism or self-replicating set of molecules is unknown and quite likely (IMO) will never be known. However I think workable hypothesis will be put forth and supported by experimental evidence.

However life does not evolve "by chance" or "randomly". Rather natural selection (I prefer differential reproduction) decides which genes and thus organisms exist.

BTW, do you have a URL for the PZ Myers reply?

And when one demolishes the concept of god, then the theology doesn't even have apparent support!

17. Grief Without God

Comment #19523 by cal_mertes on January 27, 2007 at 9:31 pm

I've been an atheist for over 40 years and am open about my non-belief although I often just let pass the religious prattle.

Both my elderly parents died in 2005 and they wanted to die.I was saddened and grieved but I knew this was coming for years so I had already done a lot of the grieving and letting-go.

I've never been married though engaged once so I cannot comprehend the grief you feel.


I am disabled with post-traumatic stress disorder from my military service including time with the Marines at DongHa. I've been on antidepressants for about 13 years. Finding the right antidepressant among the many available is really educated guessing and trial and error. The combination I'm on now keeps me at a decent level -- to a level where I can get a little enjoyment from life.

I went thru a flashback and heavy depression about 5 years ago. I was becoming sucidal. My psychiatric nurse practitioner prescribed more and different antidepressants plus anti-anxiety and mood stabilizers. The drugs worked.

I have now cut back somewhat and have tried doing less but then my depression deepens. I also see a cognitive behavioral therapist about once a month now (maintenance level).

I don't know your particular situation. However if you still have significant depression I suggest you try some different antidepressants. Also I know (including my own experience) that some antidepressants stop working for some people after time.

18. 12 Year Old Girl Prodigy Paints Pictures of God

Comment #18944 by cal_mertes on January 23, 2007 at 10:06 pm

after viewing the CNN video and seeing the pictures I felt that I've seen many of these pictures somewhere else before. Also they seem to be typically religious -- sort of old fashion protestant representations. I suspect these are copied from other images.

Is there a way to search for these images other than someone just recognizing one?