










1. Group finds Starbucks logo too hot to handle
Comment #180915 by Luthien on May 16, 2008 at 4:57 am
Ooh. This is fun. What other innocuous imagery can I find to be offended by? If only there were some group insensitive enough to use an execution/torture device as their logo.
Comment #176149 by Luthien on May 6, 2008 at 5:17 pm
Hey, I used to be an expert in demonology, but then I respeced to an SM/Ruin build and never looked back. I only use my imp for the health buff now, though my felhunter is still useful for soloing (but only really on casters).
/target Dr. William Bradshaw
/cast curse of doom
/cackle
Anyone else here have a warlock? (or even know what I'm talking about?)
3. Judge orders La. school district to stop Bible giveaways
Comment #168161 by Luthien on April 24, 2008 at 4:18 pm
50. Comment #167641 by old-toy-boy on April 24, 2008 at 8:28 am
Let me see if I (a Brit), have this right. In the U.S, you cannot preach/promote religion in state schools, even teaching 'about' world religions (plural) is discouraged because it may be mistaken for preaching religion, yes? onsequently hhanding out free religious books in schools is not allowed... So handing out non-religious books should be OK... (you can probably guess where this is leading...) you can not get much more non-religious than books like 'The God delision", Or 'The Blind Watchmaker'.
(Have I just evolved an argument to exploit a niche?)
Comment #164097 by Luthien on April 19, 2008 at 2:05 pm
Aquaria said:
Oh man... No wonder everyone thought I was weird as a kid. I always wanted books! The first time I ever went to a bookstore (a rare treat in hickistan) was the only time I felt anything close to a religious experience as a child.
5. Yoko Ono, Filmmakers Caught in 'Expelled' Flap
Comment #162583 by Luthien on April 17, 2008 at 5:09 am
Decius, I absolutely LOVE your avatar! Where did you find it??? <3 <3 <3
6. Did pre-big bang universe leave its mark on the sky?
Comment #158973 by Luthien on April 11, 2008 at 9:10 am
25. Comment #158882 by sidfaiwu on April 11, 2008 at 6:29 amJanChan:
Wait, if big bangs are hereditary, what's stopping natural selection to act upon them?
Mostly the fact that universes don't have environments. There is nothing 'outside' the universe that can cull the 'weaker' universes.
7. The simple falsehood at the heart of Expelled
Comment #158233 by Luthien on April 10, 2008 at 8:41 am
Hehe, that is very well put. I shall have to remember that point next time I hear that silly nonsense from a creationist ;-)
8. Expelled producers accused of copyright infringement
Comment #158229 by Luthien on April 10, 2008 at 8:36 am
rushfan2112:
Hopefully Yoko Ono might do something with the use of "Imagine" in the film...I doubt very seriously that she gave permission for that.
9. Anti-Quran Film Fitna Pulled From Web Due to 'Threats'
Comment #152478 by Luthien on March 31, 2008 at 6:04 am
FYI, Pat Condell's latest offering:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W3_qelW5qp4
10. Happy Birthday, Richard Dawkins!
Comment #149918 by Luthien on March 26, 2008 at 10:30 am
*sings*
Happy birthday to you,
You were born in a zoo,
With the monkies...
Only kidding! :-P
Hope you have a great birthday (and many more).
11. Police: Girl Dies After Parents Pray for Healing Instead of Seeking Medical Help
Comment #149832 by Luthien on March 26, 2008 at 9:31 am
11. Comment #149743 by Rover on March 26, 2008 at 7:41 am
...Maybe if they get cancer, they can pray for a miracle and just forget about the chemo?
12. Wicked untruths from the Church
Comment #149681 by Luthien on March 26, 2008 at 5:36 am
Atheism may lead to a realisation of the danger of religious dogma which includes ignorance, bigotry and intolerance.
13. Wicked untruths from the Church
Comment #149653 by Luthien on March 26, 2008 at 3:53 am
Thoughtsoncommontoad said:
Is anyone else uneasy about number 2 "Creating a child with the correct tissue match to save a sick brother or sister." or is it just me?
14. First 'Rule' Of Evolution Suggests That Life Is Destined To Become More Complex
Comment #146525 by Luthien on March 19, 2008 at 7:00 am
My definition of Evolution by natural selection:
Hey, whatever works for you!
15. God's cure for gays lost in sin
Comment #146522 by Luthien on March 19, 2008 at 6:58 am
We could all start a "hugs" mission, and go stand outside their church (a la the "free hugs" thing). :-P
The banner could say:
"Feeling a little queer? Have a free hug"
16. God's cure for gays lost in sin
Comment #146507 by Luthien on March 19, 2008 at 6:39 am
In the house, residents were prevented from having any form of physical contact - no comforting hugs, no shoulder to cry on...
17. I don't believe in atheists
Comment #143622 by Luthien on March 14, 2008 at 8:56 am
...And I think part of the problem is people who create a morality based on their own experience, which is what of course the New Atheists and the Christian fundamentalists have done.
Comment #140420 by Luthien on March 7, 2008 at 9:27 am
Teratornis, Excellent analogy with the whole car "addiction" thing. I'm a pedal power person myself, and the social pressure to learn to drive and get a car is ENORMOUS. At christmas my parents bought me a software package for learning to drive (not the first time I have received driving manuals / driving lessons etc. as a present), but the whole thing just irritates me. There are very few things that I have not been able to do without the financial black hole that is a car. I get to work much faster than if I had a car, I don't have to pay silly money for parking, I can get the shopping in my detatchable bike basket, and if I really need to I can just phone a taxi / pay for home delivery. At christmas I cycled out to a garden centre to buy my tree (I always buy a real one), and the car park was full to the teeth with people in SUVs / People carriers who all "needed" them to collect their 7ft trees. I picked mine out, got the netting put over it, balanced it on the bike, and had no trouble at all wheeling it home (though I do have a cruiser style bicycle, so it has a longer frame / bigger seat etc. than most). Needless to say the whole carpark was looking at me as if I was mad, rather than thinking "I wish I'd thought of that".
You people should all have a go at surviving with just a bicycle to get around, you might be plesantly surprised ;-)
19. Why do we believe in God? 2m study prays for answer
Comment #129427 by Luthien on February 19, 2008 at 5:56 am
It isn't "redundant". I for one am interested in the answers. I would like to know why I was able to see through my religious upbringing in spite of devout parents, whereas it took my parents until their mid 50s to come to the same conclusions.
20. A match made on RichardDawkins.net?
Comment #128595 by Luthien on February 17, 2008 at 12:34 pm
Soooo, a church wedding then? :-P
My warmest and most sincere congratulations guys, and best of luck for the future!!!!!
21. Virus immunity 'created in lab'
Comment #128092 by Luthien on February 16, 2008 at 5:50 am
Yeh, like malcontents creating biovirus attacks and us paying for antivirus protection - don't get me wrong, I haven't suddenly gone all Luddite...
22. Council pays psychic for exorcism
Comment #126520 by Luthien on February 13, 2008 at 12:08 pm
I have paid to have my fortune told by a so called psychic (it was one of those girls night in things organised by a friend). Yes, I know, totally against my ideals BUT here was my choice:
a) Not to go and miss all the other fun of the evening.
b) Go along, get my own reading, point out how the "psychic" was listening in to our conversations between readings, bring a pack of tarrot cards (Yes I own one :P) and do my own readings to show how it is done.
Mind you, it still stuck in my throat to have to give the old bat money, but I put on my best gullible face and got a fantastically entertaining reading based on the conversation I just had 5 minutes previously about my backpacking travels (her first words were also "I sense you are quite skeptical", so perhaps she really IS psychic :P).
23. Good people doing evil things
Comment #125800 by Luthien on February 12, 2008 at 4:42 am
It's good to see people taking up these ideas and applying them to their own situations / problems. Once the idea is there it's half the battle :-)
24. The battle of the butterflies and the ants
Comment #108377 by Luthien on January 6, 2008 at 3:25 pm
robotaholic on January 5, 2008 at 9:03 pm
you know the well made banana debunks evolution everytime... =))
http://youtube.com/watch?v=9zwbhAXe5yk
"the atheist's nightmare" lmao- I think the word "nutter" was coined just because of these kinds of people...
25. 'Atheistic fundamentalism' fears
Comment #102393 by Luthien on December 22, 2007 at 3:18 pm
LOL@Gmork
it's normally followed by:
for (int i; i < worldPopulation; i++)
{
if (currentAthiest != convert)
{
output(currentAthiest.threaten(damnation));
}
else
{
output(currentDeity.praise());
}
}
26. 'Atheistic fundamentalism' fears
Comment #102371 by Luthien on December 22, 2007 at 1:52 pm
The BBC has made a correction in the last paragraph from "militant atheists" to outspoken atheists.
Their remarks follow the rise of outspoken atheists such as Oxford University scientist Richard Dawkins, whose book The God Delusion, has been a bestseller.
Woohoo, the system works! :-P
27. 'Atheistic fundamentalism' fears
Comment #102370 by Luthien on December 22, 2007 at 1:41 pm
I submitted an official complaint to the BBC about the following:
Their remarks follow the rise of militant atheists such as Oxford University scientist Richard Dawkins, whose book The God Delusion, has been a bestseller.
28. Bible bashing dying out in Kansas
Comment #102364 by Luthien on December 22, 2007 at 1:28 pm
Another britishism to watch out for is 'godbothering'.
29. Clegg 'does not believe in God'
Comment #100860 by Luthien on December 19, 2007 at 1:16 pm
38. Comment #100847 by PrimeNumbers on December 19, 2007 at 12:49 pm
I don't see it as a good thing to be an Atheist and raise your children Catholic. I mean, if you don't have the courage of your convictions.....
30. Clegg 'does not believe in God'
Comment #100854 by Luthien on December 19, 2007 at 1:01 pm
25. Comment #100808 by epeeist on December 19, 2007 at 11:21 am
And since I am in story telling mode, I may as well finish it off. One of the priests visited us to find out why my brother hadn't been going to church. Seeing just the two children and a dog he told my mother she should get rid of the dog and consider having more children. Both she and the dog took exception to this and chased the priest down the garden path. Closing the gate behind him the priest turned and told me my mother that she would burn in hell. To which she responded that "she wouldn't be able to get near the fires for you buggers stoking it".
31. What Your Brain Looks Like on Faith
Comment #100152 by Luthien on December 18, 2007 at 10:05 am
I always laughed because it reminds me of 'World of Warcraft' zombies only worse-much worse
Comment #97536 by Luthien on December 12, 2007 at 9:29 am
"Freethinker"... I like that one best. You can be an Atheist and still follow a political or economic doctrine / dogma, but the term "Freethinker" specifically denotes the non-adherence to dogma of all kinds. Plus, it has positive connotations; everyone loves freedom, and who would claim not to "think" about things.
It has also been around for a while, and is associated with the founding fathers of America.
33. Functional Neuroimaging of Belief, Disbelief, and Uncertainty
Comment #97437 by Luthien on December 12, 2007 at 4:53 am
17. Comment #97245 by BAEOZ on December 11, 2007 at 7:51 pm
Thanks Don_Quix. I've used heaps of emoticons. But that is not event vaguely a heart. Thanks anyway. :)
34. Bah, Hanukkah
Comment #94319 by Luthien on December 5, 2007 at 9:31 am
"Everybody knows" that sentences beginning with the words "Everybody knows" have a tendency to be rather suspect.
35. Banishing the Green-Eyed Monster
Comment #92501 by Luthien on November 30, 2007 at 4:17 pm
Sexual jealousy is something that needs to be understood, as does (adulterous) promiscuity. The point is, to my mind, to understand why you feel the way you do, why the other person feels / acts the way they do, and come to some sort of rational agreement on the matter.
Often sexual jealousy can occur without any rational reason or "cheating" taking place, or "cheating" occurs because the other party withdraws and isolates their partner to the point that it would be cruel to refuse them the comfort of another human being.
Another thing that frys my head, is the way that people blame the "third party" for "stealing" their partner. I have lost count of the number of times I have had to remind an acquaintance that you cannot "steal" a person, because people are not property.
Understanding your jealousy is the best way to find a sane and peaceful resolution to any such situation.
36. Banishing the Green-Eyed Monster
Comment #92482 by Luthien on November 30, 2007 at 3:41 pm
He screwed around ON THE JOB and IN THE OFFICE.
He should have been fired no question.
37. Pupil defends teacher in Muhammad teddy furore
Comment #91831 by Luthien on November 29, 2007 at 12:13 pm
18. Comment #91565 by lulando on November 28, 2007 at 2:53 pm
avatarIncidents like these proof how much a personality like the reformer Martin Luther is needed...
Comment #91827 by Luthien on November 29, 2007 at 11:58 am
4. Comment #91810 by DarwinsPitbull on November 29, 2007 at 11:12 am
Richard is going to have to start walking around with a flea collar.
39. Rock of Ages, Ages of Rock
Comment #90677 by luthien on November 26, 2007 at 5:33 am
"Instead, we think: 'Here's what the Bible says. Now let's go to the rocks and see if we find the evidence for it.' "
40. Onward Christian teachers?
Comment #87777 by Luthien on November 13, 2007 at 4:47 am
25. Comment #87709 by flying goose on November 12, 2007 at 11:29 pm
...I think that snobbery can also be incalcated in the young at a very early age. Ban all private education now. It gives the rich the right to buy 'better' education where their children are taught to look down on everybody else.( I am sort of joking.)
41. Lessons in hate found at leading mosques
Comment #83747 by Luthien on October 31, 2007 at 6:06 am
29. Comment #83740 by stevencarrwork on October 31, 2007 at 5:27 am
I detect double-standards here.
Do you hear Muslims complaining about the books openly on sale in Britain which claim that Muhammad had sex with a 9 year old girl, or that Muhammad ordered the assassination of opponents?
Do you see the Times trying to track down the publishers of these books?
42. Row Brews Over DUP Call for Schools to Teach Creationism
Comment #73163 by Luthien on September 24, 2007 at 10:18 am
89. Comment #73101 by Roger Stanyard on September 24, 2007 at 6:02 am
Luthien,
I'll be posting other stuff on our forum in a minute - could I have permission to post your comment?
Roger Stanyard, British Centre for Science Education.
43. Row Brews Over DUP Call for Schools to Teach Creationism
Comment #73098 by Luthien on September 24, 2007 at 5:47 am
79. Comment #73055 by SharrieG on September 24, 2007 at 2:14 am
As a Christian in Northern Ireland, I'm not sure things are quite as bad as this. The Free Presbyterian Church has little support from most Christians on the ground. I wouldn't say that Creationism is a Calvinistic product, nor that the Presbyterian church promotes creationism - I grew up in a Presbyterian Church, and evolution was entirely accepted.
83. Comment #73069 by Roger Stanyard on September 24, 2007 at 3:25 am
SharrieC - A request.
Would you mind me posting your reply about creationism in Northern Ireland on the forum of the the British Centre for Science Education?
One of the evangelicals there is deeply concerned about the spread of creationism in the province and I think your reply would be much appreciated. he lives in NI, btw.
Roger Stanyard, British Centre for Science Education
44. Row Brews Over DUP Call for Schools to Teach Creationism
Comment #73097 by Luthien on September 24, 2007 at 5:32 am
Devolved said:
Comment #72597 by liberalartist
The irony in denying evolution is that most people don't realize they are dependent on that knowledge daily for the medicines that have been developed, vaccines, cures, etc.
So if that is true provide some proof. Louis Pasteur was both a Christian and an opponent of evolution yet his scientific work has been of immense benefit to mankind and many lives have been saved. What basis do you have for claiming that vaccines and cures are in any way dependent on a belief in evolution.
45. Scientists' Good News: Earth May Survive Sun's Demise in 5 Billion Years
Comment #70187 by Luthien on September 14, 2007 at 9:31 am
What, is it national cynic day today, or did they cancel "dress down friday"??? Come on ppl!
Some people have to think far ahead, like Kepler's story about traveling to the moon and standing on the surface. It is these things that keep the human race looking forward. I enjoyed this article for the same reasons I loved all the various star trek series; it frees the mind from the chains of the present.
Comment #69897 by Luthien on September 13, 2007 at 5:47 am
Reminds me of a family guy sketch:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VYOYfG0QGG0
Comment #69867 by Luthien on September 13, 2007 at 3:17 am
hungarianelephant, I remember in primary school being laughed at by the teacher (and the whole class) when I explained that, since colour is reflected light, black was technically not really a colour at all. Her reply was something along the lines of "If black isn't a colour, how can you have black paint?". The same teacher listed Astrology on my report card as one of my interests (it was Astronomy of course!!!).
With teachers like that it makes you wonder how anyone ever got an education!
48. Christopher Hitchens and Bill Donohue on Mother Teresa
Comment #66717 by Luthien on August 31, 2007 at 5:38 am
This idiot thinks he's Irish (No, I'm irish *waves pasport in front of loudmouth's ample visage* I doubt we would let you have one!), and doesn't know that Hitchens is an American now...
/sigh
Shuggy, PWNED is pronounced powned (po as in pony, owned), or sometimes just "owned". It comes from a common spelling mistake caused by the proximity of "P" to "O" when typing owned.
49. Another view
Comment #66475 by Luthien on August 30, 2007 at 4:53 am
79. Comment #66464 by wendelin on August 30, 2007 at 3:49 am
Baeoz, and others who suggest acupuncture acted as a placebo for my dad and me:
Exactly how does a placebo work when the ailment in question is a SLIPPED DISK? I have mainstream science's medical records to prove it, you know. A slipped disc means horrendous back aches, an inability to straighten up completely on bad days, and my dad even had trauma to muscle fibres in the area, which doctors said was incurable. The AFTER picture: muscle-fibre trauma remained, but the disc was back in place.
50. Another view
Comment #66470 by Luthien on August 30, 2007 at 4:22 am
61. Comment #66265 by Bonzai on August 29, 2007 at 2:12 pm
Depending on what you consider "proper" evidence and "alternative therapies". Chinese medicine seems to work a lot better for some people at least for many non life threatening conditions.