1. Islam and the modern world don't mix

Comment #91636 by Ashley1319 on November 28, 2007 at 7:20 pm

Islam is where christianity was in the dark ages. The thing is, they've both been around about the same length of time. The reason christianity is moderate like it is today, is because of a few things. 1) the original bible didn't have strict guidelines on heresy and apostasy,and so didn't condemn everyone to death. This changed later on, but in Christianity's earliest form, it was fairly calm. Because of the lack of heresy denunciations in the bible, the protestant reformation was able to occur, and opposing views were finally accepted. 2. Christianity became 'radical' after the main church was founded, and they had to wipe out opposing views to survive. Islam has skipped the first part, because the Islamic koran literally tells people to murder not just heretics, but non believers, and believers who do things against the muslim laws. They were radical from the start.
3. Islam saw Christianity breaking off into parts, and used their example in stopping their religion from doing the same. They expressly forbid any differing of opinions on the koran, and killed(and still do) all who interpret it differently. I'm not exactly sure what we should do about Islam, but the absolute first thing is this: do not allow them to block themselves off from the secular community. The Sharia law was the worst thing ever. The idea of Multiculturalism in islam is them separating themselves from us. That's how they can see us as just 'nonbelievers' who deserve death. They aren't exposed to criticism, or other opinions. That has to stop. The more we criticize, the more we make them behave according to our universal rights laws, the more they will become moderate. They will have to in order to survive

2. Dutch lawmaker planning film criticizing the Quran

Comment #91635 by Ashley1319 on November 28, 2007 at 6:55 pm

the only reason i'd say that christianity and judaism is allowed to be exempt from this movie, is because while the secular world has done a fairly decent job of beating the two down to a tolerant and non violent level, Islam (which is just about as old as christianity) has refused to become more moderate. Most likely the quaran is just as bad as the bible. The only difference is, we don't go by the bible literally anymore. Christians cherry pick. In islam though, it's absolutely forbidden to do so, and will cause your death. I definitely don't mind the thought of a christian/jewish version of this movie though... all religion needs criticism.

3. Golden Compass author hits back

Comment #91192 by Ashley1319 on November 27, 2007 at 2:35 pm

speaking as someone who has read the books (as a 14ish year old), I will say that they are wonderful. No, I did not get all the anti religious implications at that young, as I had never once questioned my 'faith', but it did come back to me later, when I first started to question things like " well why does god say to do this, it's horrible!?" or " why does the church do this? it doesn't seem right" In the books, it's not necessarily killing the christian religion, but the dogma that comes with it. The cutting of the daemon in the books represents the church's long going attempts to sever our natural impulses from us(sexuality). The tyranny of the Magisterium represents the tyranny of the church organization (this doesn't exclude protestants btw)that try to force not only the believers, but the non believers to follow their religious rules. Catholics get so offended at the books copying them, but it does so with good reason. It is well known to have been the largest, most tyrannical, most murderous religious institution in the history of mankind. To whine about this movie is to say "I'm whining about what my religion has done for centuries, but I double-think to myself into forgetting that all these horrible things were committed under my religion."

4. My life under a fatwa

Comment #91188 by Ashley1319 on November 27, 2007 at 2:16 pm

Ayaan is truly my heroin. I can't believe that she lived that kind of life, and is such a sweet and passionate woman today. I do find it sad that she is starting to adopt conservative policies, like only abolishing Muslim faith schools. Indoctrination is indoctrination, no matter what your religion. However, I can understand why she wouldn't see christian/jewish faith schools as much of a threat, they must look crazy secular compared to what she was raised in. Anyway, FSM bless you Ayaan Hirsi Ali, stay alive and keep giving hope to others!

5. For the glory of God

Comment #88462 by Ashley1319 on November 16, 2007 at 7:57 pm

I don't know about Canada's religious climate, but America tends to be divided along geographical lines. The north is where the moderates are, the south is where the bible thumpers are. Really, this is not at all exaggerating. The south tends to breed ignorance and superstition, and is the base camp of evangelical movements. In my small town alone, there are about a dozen protestant churches, and one tiny catholic church. I even saw a street preacher near Walmart the other day, his little child holding up a sign condemning people to hell. I was quite furious.

6. Sir David Attenborough on God

Comment #86658 by Ashley1319 on November 9, 2007 at 10:01 pm

ah I've seen this video before, somewhere else. Attenborough rocks

7. Judgement Day: Intelligent Design on Trial

Comment #85994 by Ashley1319 on November 7, 2007 at 6:16 pm

Ah, a NOVA program on the dover trial, awesome. I downloaded and watched their series on Evolution and must say it was wonderful.I will definitely watch this program. Too bad I can't get my religious family to watch them :(

8. The Turning of an Atheist

Comment #85047 by Ashley1319 on November 4, 2007 at 4:54 pm

I don't know that much about Flew,but it's a shame that they would use a man who's mind is going and not only make people think that he's truly converted, but distort his own thoughts into believing it! I really wish people would call out those men who warped his life's work into a circus. Flew deserved more than that.

9. I didn't know the FLEA CIRCUS was back in town!

Comment #85038 by Ashley1319 on November 4, 2007 at 3:59 pm

you know, I could excuse Beattie as ignorant, if she'd never read the old testament. But since she's a theologian, she's definitely guilty of denial. The OT is so full of anti-feminism it's not funny! how does she rationalize that!? how does she rationalize her religion's leader supporting abortion bans in countries that won't even allow it for the life of the mother?! how could she rationalize them calling contraception evil, or anything else like that!?She's no feminist, she's a fraud who uses it to catch women's attention and approval. Shame on her

10. Hitler, Stalin, Mao, etc. were atheists, and they were terrible! Answer that!

Comment #84346 by Ashley1319 on November 1, 2007 at 9:18 pm

Ah, I was checking this out the other day, and I've found out some interesting things about Hitler that not many people know.
1.) Hitler was not an Atheist, or a Christian, but a deist with a Thomas Jefferson view on Jesus.
2.)Hitler HATED atheists, and considered them uneducated fools.
3.)The reason that Hitler hated Jews so much, was his extreme Catholic anti-semitic upbringing. They did not try to blend in with the general public either, which didn't help.
4.)Besides his horrific view of the jews and most religion, Hitler was a brilliant man. He studied many great philosophers, and had some brilliant ideas about socialism which, unfortunately, went awry somewhere in his brain. His general dislike of religion and all but critical thinking are actually pretty clear once you read some of his private discussions and writings. If Martin Luther had never influenced Germany, if Hitler had been brought up in a decently secular and compassionate way, without the Jewish hatred, he might have been one of the greatest contributors to the human species. Instead, because of his catholic upbringing that made him hate Jews, and of the teachings of Martin Luther, he became one of the worst villains of history. So to all those out there who want to blame Hitler's gross atrocities on Atheism, you should think about how this man was corrupted by actual religious indoctrination, that poisoned all of his good intentions to the last.

11. Tests of faith over 'The Golden Compass'

Comment #83381 by Ashley1319 on October 29, 2007 at 9:43 pm

Hm. I do believe that there is a sort of Anti-fundamentalism in the book. Pullman uses the most powerful organization in the world to show how blind faith and dogma will destroy: the Catholic Church. It's not like he was just poking the Catholics in the eye: he's poking all anti-intellectuals in the eye. The books are about the dangers of fanaticism, and of being too quick to label people as evil(the witch covens for example.)
Also, I love how Pullman demonstrates in his books about the way that fanaticism leads to trying to control even the most natural of human impulses.(severing the demons, or 'soul', so that the dust, or 'original sin' won't affect the children)

12. Interview with Ayaan Hirsi Ali

Comment #80419 by Ashley1319 on October 21, 2007 at 6:45 pm

It's because we now know that the political temper back then was the result of an overestimation of Saddam's military threat and that the likes of Hitchens have nothing but short-sightedness to justify their arrogance.

The problem with that is that the general populace doesn't know all that much about what really goes on in the war: the left and right wing both lie their pants off to set their agendas in motion. However, I am going to agree with Hitchens about this: The war was needed, the occupation needed. The way we managed it however, and the (insert insulting name here____)politicians we have in office now have screwed things to oblivion. We need a new leader who will take care of the war, without forfeiting our civil liberties ( aka voting hard right).

Furthermore a state of anarchy was induced by the almost instantaneous dissolution of the local law enforcement establishments. I don't know if that was supported by the UN.

To wipe out all of Saddam's influence in the government and military, that was needed too. However, I think that the U.S. government is dawdling over there,for reasons unimaginable. We should have had a decent government established wayyy by now. We should have never brought in mercenary soldiers like Blackwater, run by Extremist right wing Christian Erik Prince ( who hangs out with author of armageddon styled Left Behind Series)..... and we sure as hell do not need to have christian missionaries over there making them think we are out to "destroy their faith".

We need a liberal president with a not so pacifistic war policy. I agree with Hirsi Ali. We are not dealing with reasonable people. The whole point of Islam is to dominate the entire world and convert or kill those who do not convert.

13. Help Counter the New Atheist Crusade to 'Evangelize' America!

Comment #80228 by Ashley1319 on October 20, 2007 at 9:51 pm

Hmm I have a few things to say about this. First off, ugh at the term 'evangelize'. Atheist aren't evangelizing, they are speaking out. There IS A DIFFERENCE. Also... there is one thing that bugs me on the atheist side. I saw a video earlier, of a secular camp that taught little children. These children shouldn't be taught the 'imaginary' unicorn excercise... it seems to me as low as what the theists are doing. Doesn't Richard Dawkins say NOT to indoctrinate children. I watched as these 6-8 year olds say that they didn't believe in god, and why not. These kids are too young to 'believe' or disbelieve anything. I understand critical thinking skills and games... but this seems to me in a way, to be doing what we despise so much. If kids want to learn about God or atheism, they should go to their parents. It reminds me of jesus camp, where the little blond girl was stating why she believed in jesus and stuttering over her lines. And please, no hate comments on how i'm a pacifist or whatever, I'm definitely not. It just disturbs me to see any of the indoctrination that we scorn. Science and critical thinking camps are just fine. Just don't play snide little 'imaginary unicorn' games. It's below us.

14. Ayaan Hirsi Ali at AAI 07

Comment #80206 by Ashley1319 on October 20, 2007 at 6:02 pm

Hirsi Ali is so wonderful, I've heard a lot about her, and now I'll have to read her book too. I would indeed like to see her in some sort of political office in the U.S.

15. Debate between Christopher Hitchens and Alister McGrath

Comment #79315 by Ashley1319 on October 16, 2007 at 10:04 pm

I have found out why Mcgrath is still used by Christians! He doesn't accept the bible, like he says he does. He has taken this metaphysical white out, and gone over everything that would nail him to a specific belief, or dogma. He will not comment on Hell, because he realizes that he would lose the morality argument, he won't comment on God of the OT doing and saying bad things, but instead forces your attention to the NT. It's an act of cowardice to ignore aspects of his own religion, and even Christians should realize this. He wants to make a peaceful happy wishy washy religion, and pretend that everything else is up for interpretation and debate.

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

Comment #78737 by Ashley1319 on October 14, 2007 at 4:30 pm

Well, to make a point about the Atheists being Kaffirs... I believe even we are better than the Christians in Muslim eyes, because at least we do not outright scorn and deny the prophet Muhammad, whereas Christians do. What needs to be done in this situation is this: let the Muslim religious leaders know:
1)that America/Britain/etc.. is not controlled by religion.
2)co- existence with other nations requires religious tolerance with Christians AND Jews AND others.
3.) That their own nations have to show an example of this tolerance and individual freedom also.
They shouldn't be consulting Christian leaders, they should be consulting the political leaders, the heads of government, they are the ones that the fanatics keep attacking.

17. The Religious Right's New Tactics for Invading Public Schools

Comment #77858 by Ashley1319 on October 10, 2007 at 11:56 pm

This idea of comparative studies, if done correctly would help out agenda much more than the religious agenda, here's why:
------ASHLEY'S MIND THEATER...3...2....1...------

(average day at comparative studies class)

Teacher: Today, we are going to give a brief overview of these three religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam!First we will talk about Judaism. They believe in a magical garden where two people ate an apple and were cast out to live in horrifying toil, disease, and death for all eternity. The sins of the father would be transferred to the son! For all you Jewish boys in here, that must suck!Girls, since your ancestor was a naughty jezabel who tricked the poor little man, you are cursed with painful pregnancies and things like that! Cover your heads in prayer, and don't even think about speaking out above your brother or male associates!

Students*wide eyed*

Teacher: Next is Christianity! More most of you in this classroom, that would be your religion! Christianity is ..... a continuation of Judaism! No, the Jews DON'T like it...your fellow jewish classmates probably think you are evil! Don't worry... your family probably thinks they are christ killers, so it's even!Now, after the magic garden and endless murder in the old testament, you get to be in debt to a whole other person, the son of God no less! yes, now there is such a thing as HELL... a fiery pit of torment for those who don't accept Jesus as God. How wonderful(dreamy smile)

Students: *sniffling boys, bawling girls*

Teacher: Ah, next is Islam! This is the Old testament + jesus(this time NOT as the son of God) plus more hellish torments and sexy virgins for the good islamic men! Sigh! boys, this is your best bet for religion. No more sassy wives telling you what to do... Just beat them! I'ts ok!

*students all crying and beating floor*

Teacher: well, that concludes today's class, see you tomorrow!

-----------The End---------------

18. Ayaan Hirsi Ali: abandoned to fanatics

Comment #77626 by Ashley1319 on October 9, 2007 at 11:24 pm

First, Hirsi Ali's political leanings might have had something to do with the AHI....not religious ideals. Also, does it really matter? I doubt many others would fund her. Another thing; all this nonsense about how the U.S. shouldn't fund her bodyguards...if it was the Pope who wanted to live here(let's just assume he was too poor for bodyguards HA),countries would be lining up and pockets would be emptied to pay for his protection. She certainly deserves every bit of help to keep her alive, and in a country that isn't so dangerous for her.

19. Interview with Richard Dawkins

Comment #76965 by Ashley1319 on October 8, 2007 at 1:21 am

Comment #76570 by Mango on October 6, 2007 at 10:04 am
avatarDawkins admits the "rise" of atheism is probably a reaction to the Bush administration, radical Islam, and so on. It's a shame that people aren't abandoning religion based upon reason or science because these people are not necessarily critical thinkers and might go on to embrace some other non-evidence based worldview.

Well, the point of religion is that it IS hard to just break off from, unless you live in a very moderate environment. Most religious people aren't 'dumb'... they're religious. It's what makes a smart person an idiot. People need to see things like Islamic Terrorism and the Bush Administration, because it helps them ask questions. I'm definitely one of those, as I have only been an atheist for about a year to a year and a half. Part of it was the stuff you see on tv, part of it was discovering Darwin, as Dawkins did, although 4 years older than he did. It's especially hard if you live in a fundy southern environment, like I do! hehe

20. Debate between Richard Dawkins and John Lennox

Comment #76127 by Ashley1319 on October 4, 2007 at 7:38 pm

I came away from this debate with these two impressions of Lennox:

1) he was a smart man
2) he was not a smart man

He may very well be a scientist,and he is probably pretty intelligent. His problem, is that he applies the scientific method to everything, except for his own religion. He never struggled with doubt, because he was raised religious, and didn't want to struggle. It is in a way, weak and cowardly that he can't be a scientist all the time. He was pacifying when dawkins made a point that he couldn't disagree with without looking foolish, and arrogant and degrading (in a polite manner)when he knew that what he was arguing against was metaphysical and therefore he couldn't be called on it. His repeated opening remarks of (It concerns me, this concerns me, what you just said Mr. Dawkins frankly concerns me) is in a way, trying to make Dawkins seem to be ignorant or even as if something were 'wrong' with his ideas. I enjoyed how Dawkins stayed polite but demanded time to rebut Lennox's remarks, and I enjoyed watching the format of the debate disintegrate, much to the frustration of the moderator. Also, the appeal to emotion by Lennox throughout the debate was...annoying at best.

21. Atheists arise: Dawkins spreads the A-word among America's unbelievers

Comment #75089 by Ashley1319 on October 1, 2007 at 6:20 pm

I'm an American from Florida, the dreaded political state. I absolutely love Richard Dawkins. He should have no qualms about talking to American Atheists, because the majority love him too. Only the wishy washy ones have a problem, and that's just with him shining a spotlight on them. They want to be able to hide inside their tolerance, so they won't be bothered. They are the ones who don't care about the future generation, as long as they get by safely.

22. There Go The Dinosaurs

Comment #74406 by Ashley1319 on September 28, 2007 at 3:05 pm

Haha this is ridiculous... does anyone actually listen to Jack Chick anymore? Shock!

Is that how the dinosaurs died? NO! That's all a story told by people who don't trust God. And God should know,after all, he was there!

Laughing so hard I'm crying. If this is how they all think...then maybe we should just go ahead and start Armageddon for them, the little tykes.

23. Genes Tied to Bad Reactions to Antidepressant Drug

Comment #74404 by Ashley1319 on September 28, 2007 at 2:59 pm

I'm interested to see the outcome of this. I had a friend who took anti depressant medication, and she was constantly having mood swings and bouts of manic depression. She was actually better after she quit using it.

24. Polygamist Leader Convicted in Utah

Comment #74401 by Ashley1319 on September 28, 2007 at 2:50 pm

Well, I'm sooo glad that we've decided that if you get caught or called on stuff like this, you can get arrested. WHAT ABOUT THOSE THAT DON'T? Are we just going to let the polygamist sect continue, when it's a fact that they force women into marriage and sex all the time? Polygamy needs to be outlawed in the United States. If they did it without using coercion on the girls, it would be different, but they do.
Ugh.

25. Scientists Feel Miscast in Film on Life's Origin

Comment #74397 by Ashley1319 on September 28, 2007 at 2:46 pm

I had been waiting to see what would happen with this 'movie' for some time. I am quite shocked to hear that Professor Dawkins and other scientists were swindled into appearing in the movie. Well, they can only make the movie better, in my opinion, Ben Stein and his sneak thief cohorts will need it.

Klaatu Barada Nikto:

Why is there never a Nazi connection to Mendel?

Mendel was a monk, which excused him of just trying to thwart the religious, and instead b/c just a poor misguided soul. I would also wager that b/c Mendel lived in near silence, they didn't think of him as a threat. Darwin was a pest, b/c he actually published and spoke his ideas aloud, and b/c he snubbed the religious creationism.

26. Richard Dawkins interview with Paula Zahn

Comment #22096 by Ashley1319 on February 12, 2007 at 10:50 pm

Richard, you did a fantastic job with the time given you. Hopefully, the news will, in the future, devote more than five minutes to this important issue.