1. Meet the Relatives. They're Full of Surprises.

Comment #21689 by linck on February 10, 2007 at 3:56 pm

#21681 by mjwemdee

I agree that the englisch is not always differentiating between "man" and "human".

In my German bible it is translated as "human". But there are version that translate it as "man"
In the first creation story (Gen 1:27) male and female are created simultaniously.
In the second story of creation (Gen 2:7-23) Adam was first and Eve was created because he didn't have a "helper"

But, though in my version it is "human", in Gen 2:22 it says: And God build the woman and brought her to the human.
Throughout the book there is a difference; women are not automatically included in the word "human".
This shows in so many languages were the word for man and human are the same or from the same source - while women are different.


Interesting exception:
In Lithuanian, which is the oldest still spoken version of the original Indoarian language, man is "vyras", woman "zmona" and humans "zmones".

2. Meet the Relatives. They're Full of Surprises.

Comment #21686 by linck on February 10, 2007 at 3:39 pm

------- And if you're honest whether one believes the Biblical account or the evolutionary account "mud/dust balls" is what we are-------

I fully agree with you there, GBG.


-------But with the evolutionary account that is ALL we are-------

Again full agreement, but why to emphasize that this is ALL? Why would it be worrying or freightening if that is all? Can life not be beautiful and rich without a divine purpose?


-------With the Biblical account God breathed into the man's nostrils the spirit of life and man was created in God's image. "You have made him a little lower than the angels" (Hebrews 2:6,7)
Surely what determines our worth is what we are fundamentally not what stage of cosmic evolution one chooses to emphasise?---------

We are a stage of evolution, as is any other being around us and before us.
Of course countless holy writings, the bible is only one of a dozend books - not the oldest and inspired by older accounts- emphasize on humans.
We are the pinacle of creation, we shall rule the world, we are higher beings - a very surprizing conclusion concidering these books were written by humans.
It is certainly tickling the ego, but I feel good about myself and the people I love without any refernce to a higher plan or being.

We should try ourselfes to fill our lives with meaning and purpose.

3. Meet the Relatives. They're Full of Surprises.

Comment #21672 by linck on February 10, 2007 at 1:43 pm

What does image of the divine actually mean?

If Adam was truely an image of God it means God has a penis. For what does he need it? After whos image was Eve created?


Why do you think that the acknowledgement that all living thing on earth are related equals having no more value for human life than for that of an amoeba?
Makes a nice emotional pseudo-argument but not much sense.

I find every step of evolution - physical, chemical and biological - fascinating.
Inspiring and challenging our for imagination.

How can an "eternal truth" be inspiring if all you get out of it is "God did it" or "God's will"?
Were is the challenge to question, to develope and to find the satisfaction of discovering understanding yourself?

4. Meet the Relatives. They're Full of Surprises.

Comment #21671 by linck on February 10, 2007 at 1:35 pm

gimlibengloin, I think John Phillips ment the expression that we are all made of star dust.

Star burn hydrogen to helium. When hydrogen is used up the helium burns into heavier elements. Carbon, oxygen, nitrogen...the main compounds of our bodies were born in the heart of stars.
But this process only works till iron (element 26).
All other 66 elements, which are on this planet and in traces in our bodies, were formed in a supernova.
A star explosion, so bright it outshines an entire galaxy and catapults the star ashes into space. They mix with hydrogen clouds that eventually form another star, its planet and are the building blocks for anything on these planets.


I find the idea that all of us are the end product of a 10 billion year chemical and biological evolution fascinating.
Far more beautiful than the idea that we are 6000 year old mudballs.

5. Meet the Relatives. They're Full of Surprises.

Comment #21601 by linck on February 10, 2007 at 4:37 am

Sounds like a great exhibition, I wish I could see it. I hope loads of people, especially school classes, will visit.


"The modern human capacity for symbolic and creative expression has brought forth different narratives to explain where we came from, drawn from myth, religion and pre-Darwin science."

Yepp, pre-Darwinian. We are the lucky ones living in the past-Darwinian era. We can seek explanation that are actually supported by evidence.


Theist always say that the concept of evolution is ugly and amoral.
But I find much beauty in the idea that all life on the world is related. And our genes rob all credibility of "racial superiority" - something theist didn't have much of a moral problem with.

6. The questions science cannot answer

Comment #21599 by linck on February 10, 2007 at 4:27 am

- England's grumpiest atheist -
Hmm, only England's? This needs examination.

Let's call for the Grumpiest Atheist in the World contest!

7. Does Richard Dawkins exist?

Comment #21405 by linck on February 9, 2007 at 3:53 am

Well, I laughed, maybe mostly about the over the top pseudo-Dawkinsian accent.
Though I would be happy if I could fake a british accent that good.

It's hard to see more in it than a little parody.
After all: It shouldn't be so hard to get to Oxford, maybe organize group vacations for "believers" and shake hands with The Dawkins.
He probably would mind masses of grinning people on his doorstep on 7 am on sunday - but hey, if it helps your credibility :)


The "Is there a Dawkins" is actually in written form on the net for a while.
So is Kiss Hanks Ass :) There goes a great satire that doesn't need to rely on funny accents or even real women.

8. We all fund this torrent of Saudi bigotry

Comment #21202 by linck on February 8, 2007 at 2:54 am

- Besides, "they might become attracted to each other if they saw each other in leotards", in which case they would have to be killed -
Interesting that only women are in risk of getting aroused, circumsition probably immunizes men from sodomic thoughts.


It is truely weird that Afghanistan and Iraq were invaded by the grace of Bush because of their role in international terrorism, but everybody has a blind spot for Saudi Arabia.
I am definately not suggesting that his Bushiness will pull another stunt by following the will of God and Ann Coulter!

9. Ancient boy's skeleton sparks evolution debate

Comment #21101 by linck on February 7, 2007 at 2:59 pm

"These sorts of silly views are killing our faith."

Yes, silly views aka facts are really spoiling any fun.


It is so sad that such great artifacts of mankind have to be displayed under security.
Just another variant of burning book. If already different opinions are worth destroying than facts are obvious ever more dangerous.

10. World's oldest rocks show how Earth may have dodged frozen fate of Mars

Comment #21080 by linck on February 7, 2007 at 2:15 pm

http://uncyclopedia.org/wiki/Richard_Dawkins

An un-encyclopedic tribute to Prof. Dawkins.
Well, Anti-Dawkins...it's the uncyclopedia after all.
I like his mitra :)

"It was while working at the hotel that his Eminence discovered God, allegedly while sleeping off a massive drinking binge in a sea front bus shelter (Dawkins, that is, not God.)"

"Dawkins wrote The Blind Watchmaker Who Repaired My Rolex Watch in 1986, a novel on based on a personal real life encounter in which he stumbled upon an abandoned Rolex watch while traversing a heath, claiming it as his own."


Also features God (close second only to His Eminence)

http://uncyclopedia.org/wiki/God

"God (born Herschel Godstein) is that cool dude wearing white robes and a long beard that you most possibly meet when you die (although it has been unconfirmed because life on heaven is so beautiful everybody who dies doesn't want to write back). He can be mean sometimes, like in the Bible, but he's a chill guy most part of his time. He was elected to be our god for the 2007th year running this year, barely beating the Egyptian sun god Ra, Omnipotent Odin, and the Almighty Zeus (still recovering from alcoholism). He is also dog spelled backwards."

"Biography:
God was never born. He just always existed. He also doesn't die. This sort of makes writing a biography a drag. So we won't."

11. World's oldest rocks show how Earth may have dodged frozen fate of Mars

Comment #21077 by linck on February 7, 2007 at 2:05 pm

- Our Pasta, who "Arghh" in heaven -
That prayer is my favourite from these four.
Although on a hectic day one can go with the brief tribute:

May thy balls be blessed and thy noodle be sucked. Ramen.

12. World's oldest rocks show how Earth may have dodged frozen fate of Mars

Comment #21004 by linck on February 7, 2007 at 8:48 am

Crocodile steak with lemon and pepper...tasty.
Your god maybe invisible, flying or sacred but none escapes my appetite!

(...maybe it's time for dinner)

13. World's oldest rocks show how Earth may have dodged frozen fate of Mars

Comment #20955 by linck on February 7, 2007 at 5:22 am

Actually if you would asign numeral values according to the order of the alphabet IPU is bigger than FSM

I = 9
P = 16
U = 21
IPU = 46
F = 6
S = 19
M = 12
FSM = 37

Also it is hereby scientifically proven that IPU > FSM my heart still lies with a decent pasta and a good pesto.
I haven't found any recipy for fried unicorn yet.

14. Panel discussion on atheism where no atheists are included

Comment #20953 by linck on February 7, 2007 at 5:15 am

There are actually 21 Pulitzer prizes

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pulitzer_prize

Inclubing poetry, fiction, public service and beat reporting.


I am sure she qualifies for throughly beating on atheists in biased reports.
Lets nominated her again!

15. Interview with Alister McGrath, author of 'The Dawkins Delusion?'

Comment #20913 by linck on February 7, 2007 at 2:26 am

"It's official: Prof. Dawkins is a very naughty boy!" (Heatnzl)

Well, lucky him he doesn't believe in Santa or else he would be in for a bad, bad Xmas.


McGrath is living proof of Prof.Dawkins' answer to the question at Liberty U "What if you are wrong?"
He happens to grow up in a christian enviroment and - oh, miracle - christianinty is the only answer to the meaning of live.
Hallelujah

16. Do stop behaving as if you are God, Professor Dawkins

Comment #20902 by linck on February 7, 2007 at 2:04 am

"Dawkins can no more 'prove' the non-existence of God than anyone else can prove He does exist."

As a scientist you should know that it is impossible to prove a negative. God can easily prove he exist by paying us a visit.


"For instance, Dawkins often compares belief in God to an infantile belief in Santa Claus or the Tooth Fairy, saying it is something we should all outgrow. But the analogy is flawed. How many people do you know who started to believe in Santa Claus in adulthood?"

Maybe because as adults we become Santa Clause and the Tooth Fairy ourselves?
Buying presents is a little less skill that the claimed creation of the whole universe.


"First, Christianity made a lot of sense. It gave me a new way of seeing and understanding the world, above all, the natural sciences. Second, I discovered Christianity actually worked: it brought purpose and dignity to life."

First: how does Christianity help to understand natural sciences, unless by adding "a higher spirituality and meaning" to it?
Second: isn't is a bit arrogant on your side to imply the purpose and dignity can only be found through christianity?


....You couldn't really find a more inventive title for you book????

17. Believing In Things Unseen Is Not Delusion

Comment #20744 by linck on February 6, 2007 at 8:55 am

LOOOOOOLLLLL :) :) :)

Thanks for the link justme.

Beautiful summary of religion. Also the ten commandments reduction and the god question. Great stuff :)

18. Believing In Things Unseen Is Not Delusion

Comment #20729 by linck on February 6, 2007 at 6:59 am

*Outch*

The argumentation in this article is so lame it actually hurts. *Big Outch*

God is love. Nature is wonder-ful and therefore a miracle. If you really love your family you would see the divine in their eyes. Where were you when god created the world? Therefore how can you doubt his word?

19. Give us back our bones, pagans tell museums

Comment #20721 by linck on February 6, 2007 at 6:27 am

The Prof's statement is really worse than anything the pagans can say. I think science actually managed to prove a thing or two in the last 4000 years.

How do the pagans know what their ancestors wanted to happen with their physical bodies? Is there any wirtten will? The egyptians left extentious records of their believe of live after death and how many mummies are returned to their pyramids (aside that most sites would need reconstruction)?


Anyone one can make claims in the name of religion and come up with a reason why certain artifacts should not be in a museum - where those horrible scientists can meddle with them.

Why not rebury all the bones including animal ones?
After all, they just give us worthless or false information.
Evil evolution believers missuse fossils to support their "The-Earth-is-less-than-6000-years-old" propaganda by false radiocarbon dating. These bones cannot teach but only mislead. Let's bury them again as god intended.

Respect for other cultures and believes is one thing, but it such cases is a slippery slope.
Putting faith above science and facts is a regretion into pre-enlightement times.

20. Benny Hinn Faith Healing Scam - Burton and Tinkler

Comment #20712 by linck on February 6, 2007 at 4:37 am

I feel sorry for the people that are desperate and are being cheated so badly.

The worst of it is not the rip off and that the people are still sick or dying.
No, what winds me up is that they are told it is their own fault.
"Hey, God gave me the power to heal you. I channelled it and if it doesn't work it is purely down to your lack of believe. If you would really love Jesus he wouldn't let you suffer (but you are obviously not doing so)"

The parents of the boy that died of cancer now don't only have to deal with the fact that they lost a child but even more that it is their own fault. They had the chance to safe him but they screwed it up.

It is like the middle ages were sickness was regarded a punishment of god and the only "treatment" was to pray for forgiveness.

The "good old days" are coming back...

21. Tolerating intolerance is still this country's besetting sin

Comment #20636 by linck on February 5, 2007 at 9:52 am

At nine9s:

I copied the translation from wikipedia and I think the "personal insult" is badly translated. I should have paid more attention to that.
Mea culpa.


It means rather to attack the human dignity of others and to ask or to imply that harm should come to them.
It also makes a big difference if you do it privately or publicly.

Verhetzung implies a public scene:
in the parliament, at a ralley, in a mosque, the towns main square...where the ideas are announced.

It is ok to say Ich hasse den Islam when you discuss it as we do here.
If you come to Berlin, organize a ralley and announce in front of the Brandenburg Gate that all muslems are goatfucking bastards that should be shot rather today than tomorrow you are in trouble.

The law reflects a time when the young republic wanted to prevent the mistakes of the Weimar republic were street battles of varying factions, calls for the destructions of democracy and political murder fueled by hate speech was common place.


Atheist can say what ever they want, the majority are atheists. They would call themselves such, because the old labels still stick, e.g.: "I am protestant" "Do you believe in a God?" "No, why?"
I am sure Dawkins has never publically called that his follower shall go and kill anyone of another opinion or that people who are religious are worthless subhumans.



The law was originally aimed at nazi ideas and symbols.
Quite a number of people, me too, think it should be less restrictive, e.g. that Mein Kampf should be sold as any other book. It is bloody badly written exploit of a idiotic megalomaniac. And the prohibition is needlessly mystifying it.
But I agree that calling to hate and destroy people that differ from you should be punishable.

22. Taking the fight to Islam

Comment #20610 by linck on February 5, 2007 at 4:52 am

It is a shame - not only in the Netherlands but probably in all countries - that forced marriages are not seen as a reason to claim protection.


"Arranged marriage" is a nice euphemism for "lifetime of rape".
And the most glorious thing is that the victim has to be happy and grateful about it!

Why are people so biased about this? As if marriage is a great magic wand that turns what is normally a crime - rape - into a wonderful thing.
The holy books make that very clear by "punishing" a rapist of a virgin by forcing him to marry her.


Hmm, could a suiter that was rejected use this rule to get the girl of his desire anyway?

23. Tolerating intolerance is still this country's besetting sin

Comment #20606 by linck on February 5, 2007 at 4:20 am

Democracy has always the difficult task to balance freedom of speech and hate speech.

In Germany there is the concept of
Volksverhetzung (German: "sedition of the people") in criminal law that bans the incitement of hatred against a minority of the population.

Although freedom of speech is guaranteed by Article 5 of the Grundgesetz (Germany's constitution), some restrictions exist, e.g. against personal insults, use of symbols of unconstitutional organizations, or Volksverhetzung. Volksverhetzung includes the spreading of nazism, racist, or other discriminating ideas.

Volksverhetzung is punishable in Germany even if committed abroad and even if committed by non-German citizens, if the incitement of hatred takes effect on German territory--that is, the seditious sentiment was expressed in written or spoken German and disseminated in Germany.


Under this law some hate preachers that preached the same as mentioned in the article were forced to leave the country or arrested.
In one case, about 10 yrs ago, a hate preacher called for the murder of an "enemy". Not only the murderers were sentenced to prison but the "kalif of cologne" as well, because he used his religious authority to order and sanctify the killing.

24. Root of All Evil? Discussion

Comment #20493 by linck on February 3, 2007 at 6:09 am

"Can you make you heart stop?"

Why bother - all the gods must be really pissed about Dawkins by now.
Why has none of them stopped his heart yet - preferably live on the show with an accompanying thunder bolt and a a fiery writing on the wall "Don't mess with us, sucker!"

That would have been a great argument for the existence of supreme beings and would have skyrocketed the ratings.


"Who died and made you God?"

Yes, a very persuasive argument that Dawkins is proclaiming himself as the new universal authority.

The evangelical was not so much frightening as downright stupid.
He talks about freedom and democracy - I hate those people, whether religious or nazi or others, that fight for their own freedom while their agenda clearly states that as soon as they are in charge they will deny it to everyone else.


And marriage is not a religious institution.
I do not know about all countries in the world but in most european states the ceremony is performed by the state and entitles you legal right (taxes, enheriting, pensions, not having to give evidence in court etc). No one askes or cares about what, if any, religion the two getting married have.
Following his argument atheists are automatically banned from every marrying.


The "God is love"-argument is just as good as "God is beauty" "God is inspiration" "God is fun" etc.
The Flying Spaghettimonster is love - you feel love in your heart = the FSM is in your heart = FSM exists.
Case closed.

25. 'Friends of God' Documentary

Comment #20453 by linck on February 2, 2007 at 4:08 pm

I let my little sister (9 yrs) read the Job passage on Behemoth, showed her the "Behemoth is a dinosaur song" and asked for her opinion.

She had been for one year in a christian studies class (learning about the bible) at the local church. We are atheist but we didn't tell her and we think as christianity is part of history and culture it is important to learn about it (we live in Germany).
At the same time she always learned about sciences.

Her opinion:
I don't believe the bible. It has non-sense (Earth created in 6 days, Noah's flood...) in it and how can anyone get the idea Behemoth is a dinosaur from these few lines?

The fact that it also says it is ok to hit children, sell them as slaves and that girls are inferior doesn't make the books more popular to her.

26. What a Friend We Have in Dawkins

Comment #20451 by linck on February 2, 2007 at 3:51 pm

What a Friend We Have in Dawkins - I love the title
Also I probably would refrain from wearing WWDD T-Shirts :)

"Religion, false though it may be, is the only reliable instrument for shaping the average person into an obedient and well-behaved subject of state and society."
Sound pretty much like Marx' Religion is the Opiate of the Masses.

To SF: Yule is still the word for Christmas - in Scandinavian countries.

27. Massachusetts Atheists?

Comment #20449 by linck on February 2, 2007 at 3:27 pm

If anyone would take the law serious they would have to close down the wonderful shop at Harvard Square that sells all kinds of cool stickers/ kitchen magnets/ buttons with slogans like:


People who believe in hell deserve it

It you talk to God you're spiritual - if the talks back you are nuts

Ignorance - making people feel righteous for over 2000 yrs

The only miracle of Christianity is how anyone could swallow this shit

God loves you (...some restrictions may apply)

I found Jesus!...He was behind the sofa all this time



And a button that adorned my back pack said:

- Just another soulless atheist in search of world peace and harmony -

I was sick of people "naturally" asuming I am catholic (sic!) because I am "such a nice young woman".

28. Sextuplet parents take B.C. to court over baby seizures

Comment #20446 by linck on February 2, 2007 at 3:13 pm

I also would believe in-vitro fertilization was used.
The multi-letts that were born in the US (septupletts, sextupletts) in the last ten years it was in-vitro fertilization - by the graze of god.

God shall decide about our lifes but how many believers actually reject antibiotics, a life saving operation or pain relivers when they need them?
They all embrace the "blessings" of modern life and apparently lack any understanding how SUVs and LCD TVs came into existence.
To them it might just be a further proove of "intelligent design".

If adults for religios or romantic reasons reject modern feature it is their business - but kids should be protected by society.


My mother had just fallen asleep after a tough nightshift in the hospital when - ding dong - the good news were upon our door step.
In a very foul mood she let the JW explicitly know that if they should ever dare to wake her up again they would have an answer to the question if there is an afterlife REALLY quick.
They never showed up again. HaHaHa!

29. God and gorillas

Comment #20274 by linck on February 1, 2007 at 12:47 pm

If already the sense of awe is a proof of a transcendend plane I guess nobody can help being religious.

I agree: The ape part is interesting but what stand she has on religion I couldn't get.
Let's embrace spirituality without the need for special rules? I don't know what she wants to say, except nothing decicive.

30. No stoning, Canada migrants told

Comment #20273 by linck on February 1, 2007 at 12:16 pm

"...kill women by stoning them in public..."

Nice to know it is ok to stone them in private.

It is sad that things that should be normal to all humans (It is nice to be nice to one another) have to be spelled out.
Probably not so much for immigrants but anywhere in the world.

Comment #20261: Isn't atheism still a hanging offence in some countries? Saying there are no gods is the ultimate blasphemy.

31. Blashpemy Challenge Interview

Comment #20094 by linck on January 31, 2007 at 10:28 am

Another news coverage:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uw0q-WhBsEo


Aside that all news reports I found on youtube make it clear that publicly declaring ones atheism is discusting -
they seem to have big trouble finding the right words describing non-belivers believes


"He is a follower of this man (Dawkins)"
"The pope of atheists."
"Blasphemy challenge says it is largely based on Dawkins' teachings"

Can nothing in these news shows be phrased without religious wording?


- For I was walking in darkness wereupon the big D called upon me to see the light. And lo', His teachings of the even bigger D touched my heart. Hail Dawkins, Praise Darwin -

32. He Calls Himself God

Comment #20077 by linck on January 31, 2007 at 9:01 am

Jesus is back and all I got was this lousy TV show?

The bible makes all great promises of action and miracles accompanying the second coming of Jesus. This is really lame!
Where is the seven headed beast with the ten horns? - I was looking forward to that!
Why haven't any of the annoying televanglists been raptured up to heaven? Their slots could be productivly filled with "Futurama" reruns!

If things don't pick up soon I will look for another religion with an action filled apocalyse!



As the wise El Scientologius Ron Hubbard said:
The way to make a million dollars is to start a religion.
Amen!

33. Just 'Evolution in Action'

Comment #20071 by linck on January 31, 2007 at 8:40 am

I am a happily married heterosexual monogamist.
This means it is my right/ duty to make hell of other people's life that don't embrace my life style?

Heck, promiscuity is great! (- has enough followers)
If homosexuals can never be truely happy why is it so popular?

I don't come around evangelical houses to carry them off to the local orgy, so they should not impose their sexual preferences on others!

If it give satisfaction to two (three, four..) people it is fine.
Whatever works for you!

34. 'Friends of God' Documentary

Comment #20061 by linck on January 31, 2007 at 7:42 am

"It's just easy to explain to your children."

Yes, I totally agree with the creationist Mom on that one.
12 lousy years of school, more years of university, uncounted money for books - and still I cannot explain the whole universe.

It is just easier to stick to one book.
"God did it!" - any 3 year old can understand it and knows the meaning of the universe.
Hallelujah!

35. Blashpemy Challenge Interview

Comment #20058 by linck on January 31, 2007 at 7:24 am

A show called "Faith matters" is hardly unbiased toward atheists.

It is an outrage that atheist try to get their message to teenagers - God help us! As if any other group in society would think of something as pervert as indoctrinating youngsters with their believes.

They let Mr. Sapient talk about his (former) love of Jesus but cut the part of the interview were he most probably explained why and how he lost it.

Telling people they are unreasonable is far worse than telling some one who agrees with your superstition:
"You f***ing atheist son of b****es are going to burn eternally in hell and will be tortured beyond measure and I will enjoy watching it. HaHaHa!"

Well, that is entirely accepted because it is based on the thousand year old believe of billions of people - you wouldn't wanna call you Great-great-great-great-grandfather a liar!


I am sure someone can think of a nice list of what billions of people believed in for thousands of years. And the Earth being the center of the univers is probably the lamest one.

36. Durham Council Votes To Continue Saying Lord's Prayer

Comment #19396 by linck on January 26, 2007 at 11:27 pm

All to often it is those people supporting religions symbolism in politic who know too little about it in the first place:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWCJetVdaWo

I am sure any atheist on this website could get a better score and that fellow in Christ had time to prepare for the interview.
*scary*

Maybe only a "clever" stunt of politicians trying to delegate responsibility for their actions.

37. God's Hostages

Comment #19345 by linck on January 26, 2007 at 10:39 am

Thank you scottishgeologist for the links.

..."the wedding [..] symbolizing her triumph in securing a male to provide for all her needs for the rest of her life.[...]The bride must pay the piper by facing for the first time the terrible experience of sex.
...The shocking truth: some young women actually anticipade the wedding night with curiousity and pleasure.[..]Cardinal rule of marriage: GIVE LITTLE, GIVE SELDOM, AND ABOVE ALL, GIVE GRUDGINGLY. Otherwise what could have been a been a proper marriage could become an orgy of sexual lust."

Aside from the obviuos nonsense I think this attitude it truely sexistic - towards men.
Their only right of existence is to work and provide and in exchange they get a wife that gives little and grudgingly and remains as stiff as a board. Nagging, feignting illness and sleepiness are named as the wifes best friend to stifle the man's sex demands.

I guess any man would like a proper wife in a proper marriage.
Rather than an independend thinker who might get ideas about indulging into "orgies of sexual lust".

As it is probably satire one could savely laugh about it, but not to long ago this asexual nonsense was praiseworthy and something to aspire to.

38. She told them the boy was dead

Comment #19310 by linck on January 26, 2007 at 7:23 am

A psychic that could be mistaken? And charging money for predictions?

Well, I never...

Seriously:
"Browne's "vision" of his death caused search teams to redirect their efforts"
Going for psychic vision when you wanna know if you'll meet a beautyful dark stranger or if a wind of luck will blow your way - whatever.
But the police redirecting their forces due to such a "valueble inside" insead of sticking to facts - *outch*

39. 12 Year Old Girl Prodigy Paints Pictures of God

Comment #19286 by linck on January 26, 2007 at 5:09 am

If she really painted them she has an amazing talent.

But I cannot help noticing they are in style absolute identical to the nausiatingly happy technicolor pictures of the Jehova Witness brochures. Maybe a source of divine inspiration?

40. 12 Year Old Girl Prodigy Paints Pictures of God

Comment #19285 by linck on January 26, 2007 at 5:04 am

If she really painted the pictures herself she has an amazing talent.

But they absolutely remind me of the nausiatingly joyous technicolor pictures from the Jehova Witness brochures. Practically one to one - Maybe these were her divine inspiration?

41. God, Inc

Comment #19283 by linck on January 26, 2007 at 4:47 am

The shark that can walk on his fins was passed as a new design because the administrator wanted a lunch break.

Explains a lot about some weird creatures that walk to earth. So, "God's ways are mysterious" actually translates into:
"Heck, I have such an evil hangover, I need my asperine and some dry toast. Let's just stamp these bloody designs, intellegent or not, and leave early."

42. Unscientific American: US Almost Last in Understanding Evolution

Comment #19278 by linck on January 26, 2007 at 4:31 am

I agree with Russel Blackford that every % below 100 is a shame. That Germans only score at 70% is really lousy. I am ashamed for my countrymen.

But interestingly the graphs are pretty close to the PISA scores (a test that's run among kids to see how much they learned in school).
And there also the Scandinavian countries are in first place.
In case you wonder: 3-4 years ago Germany was one of the lousiest among the industrial nations and they are now trying frevently to do something about it.

I guess it has less to do with religion than with education. With a decent education ones mind is broadend enough to except explanation more complicated than "God did it".

43. In defense of atheism

Comment #19275 by linck on January 26, 2007 at 3:43 am

The labeling of Dawkins as the leader of "atheistic jihadis" makes me wonder if Mr. Kay has confused the South Park episodes Go God Go and Go God Go XII with reality.

I cannot remember an atheist ever calling for the slicing of pictures depicting religious themes, burning books that contradict a non-theist worldview, turning churches into rubble and inviting religious leaders to be the source of exothermal processes at the local barbecue.

All these measures are old and often practized, but by people who embrace the love of god.

44. You come up here and say that, Dawkins!

Comment #19271 by linck on January 26, 2007 at 3:14 am

Dawkins will be going to heaven???

Then there is hope for the rest of us. :)

45. Skyway to Heaven

Comment #19270 by linck on January 26, 2007 at 3:09 am

Good rapture related advise from the book:
The sinners guide to the evangelical right.


Our Suggestions: Ways to prepare for Meeting Jesus in the Air, Should the Rapture Arrive

- Get born again an read the complete Left Behind series.

- Avoid handcuffing yourself to things.

- Ask the nice Muslim couple down the street to look after the cats.

- Choose a good life insurance plan that provides comprahensive Rapture coverage

- Hang out in high places, in the case the suction on the rapture vacuum is on the fritz

- Carry rope, so you can lasso some non-believers to bring with you.

- Avoid buying theater tickets in advance, you know, just in case.

- Hire a Jew to drive you car to ensure it won't be unmanned and cause an accident.

- Carry Benadryl, if you get queasy flying.

- Make sure you are wearing clean underwear.

46. Creationism Song

Comment #19269 by linck on January 26, 2007 at 2:57 am

"God created me and you"

...more than a billion years of sexual reproduction and god still has to single handedly create Papa Bear countrysingers that spread the gospel.

As pre-schooler I also went to church. I never was forced to, I liked it.
We could climb up where the big organ was, sang and did handicrafts. It was lots of fun and I liked the stories just as much as Snowwhite and the seven dwarfs and Hansel and Gretel.

Around five I realized that church ment that these stories are actually supposed to be true!
I mentally tried to fit the animals of my grandpa's 8 booked "Animals of the World" series into the model arch we kids crafted the previous week and immidiately saw the flaw.

I needed much longer to realize that some people actually DO believe.
If it is bloody obvious to a five year old that these stories cannot possibly be true, how can grown-ups be so stupid?

...I still wonder.

47. Atheist Outreach: Group Coaxes Unbelievers Into the Open

Comment #19231 by linck on January 25, 2007 at 4:59 pm

"Members of NYC Atheists say they're determined to erase the stigma that atheists are necessarily immoral — even unpatriotic."

Being unpatriotic clearly outsrips being immoral.

I am in the happy position to live in a country were the majority are atheist and no one gives a damn what or if any religion a politician belongs to.

But even in liberal Boston my "outing" as atheist cause a open mouthed: "So you know nothing about religion?!?"
Which is the most insulting comment I ever encountered!
I know a lot about religions...as it of course showed more than the devout catholic I was talikng to.
But blind faith outscores facts by (- fill blank with really big number -).


My deepest sympathy for the isolated atheist who live in the depth of Dubya-land.
I wish you all the best and that you find, maybe through website like this, kindrens.

48. Christian Shrine Needs Two Exits, Israel Says

Comment #19227 by linck on January 25, 2007 at 4:45 pm

If a fire consumes the church and everyone within - Well, God's providence!

His ways might be mysterious but they were never marked with escape signs...that might give people wrong ideas about "leaving" the church.

And who could ever want such a horrible thing to happen? :)

49. Zeus devotees worship in Athens

Comment #19225 by linck on January 25, 2007 at 4:21 pm

Advantages of the greek polytheism:

Democracy
More gods to choose from.
There must be one in the pantheon you like - and with any luck likes you.

Professionalism
If you want something fixed, would you call on a god who gets it wrong 999.999 times out of 1.000.000?
Call an expert: 1800 – HELIOS for sunshine on YOUR wedding day.
(Sodd the other unbelieving bastards)

Experience
Our stock of selected gods know their jobs for over 5000 years. Their success was copied countless times in the Indo-European realm. Change of dress codes or name or skin colour was never an obstacle for us.

Public Relations
Why go for a faceless bully in the sky? Yes, you can make an idol of your god!
We offer a one to one (occasionally one on one) relationship. Swans, showers of gold, bulls…you name the deities impersonation of you choice and you to might be a player in sagas to come!

Rules
Considering the life of the gods and assuming that they are an ideal to aspire to:
Heck, how do you even spell sin????

50. Sex and the Single-Minded

Comment #19220 by linck on January 25, 2007 at 3:58 pm

It is amazing that wearing a simple ring will reprogram the "God's superglue" sensors of the brain so dramatic.
Normally they would degenerate do to too much sex, but now they are probably also fruitfully multiplying.

Is it crucial on which hand/ finger the ring is worn?
(After all it seems to have a hithero undiscovered hotwiring to the pleasure center of the brain)
Would a priest's blessing of the marriage stimulate oxycytin production? If yes, is it through direct telepathy rediating from the priest or via celestial-relay?

Anyway does it seem that "God's superglue" lost most of its mojo over the last 3000 yrs. Back then a man could be righteous to many wifes in the eyes of God.