1. Atheists launch bus ad campaign
Comment #314421 by Vaal on January 7, 2009 at 6:36 am
"poor god getting it the neck from Atheists...I wonder if they would get away with it if it wasn't Christianity they were attacking"
2. Atheists launch bus ad campaign
Comment #314392 by Vaal on January 7, 2009 at 5:19 am
epeeist,
I would love to see some of the Jesus and Mo cartoons on a bus, but of course that would offend too many religdroids, although it would make most of the rest of us laugh at the inanity of religion.
Nothing quite like satire to make people see through the curtain of false respectability that the religious hide behind. Dave Allen was a genius at it.
Billy, have you met DR at all?
EDIT: Verylee, I would recommend some of the superb quotes by Carl Sagan.
http://atheism.about.com/library/quotes/bl_q_CSagan.htm
3. Atheists launch bus ad campaign
Comment #314346 by Vaal on January 7, 2009 at 3:57 am
Phatbat
Don't forget that Jesus is made of crackers, or is it the person who is eating him that is crackers?
Does that mean that God is made of flour? Maybe it should be "Blessed are the bakers", although crackers are much better with cheese so perhaps it IS "Blessed are the cheese makers"? :-)
4. Atheists launch bus ad campaign
Comment #314335 by Vaal on January 7, 2009 at 3:40 am
397. Comment #314328 by Roland_F
Sorry Roland, that was me putting some money in David's name :)
Mind you, I noticed several people had contributed in David's name, so maybe he did donate. Hope it wasn't by cheque :)
David, you have been dealt with very thoroughly by others here, especially Quetz's excellent post, but I would be very interested to know how telling people that their loved ones are going to heaven, when there is no such place, is anything other than cruel, no matter how well intentioned.
When my grandfather passed away, we had a very warm and inspiring wake for him celebrating his life. I did go to another funeral in N.Ireland where the shaman spent most of the service telling the remaining congregation that they were going to hell. Very unedifying, spending his time trying to proselytize when people are grieving. Maybe his collection plate was getting a bit empty?
Strange that there aren't atheist bombers and terrorists glorifying the death cult of religion. Yep, look at all the love that religion in the Middle East is promoting. Perhaps we should have a few of these buses out there and tweak a few minds.
What's happened to that nitwit dvophoto? I was thinking of replying to his tired inanities, but to be honest he just bored me. Same old, same old. Perhaps he should try reading a book for a change. NO, not THAT book!
5. Atheists launch bus ad campaign
Comment #313664 by Vaal on January 6, 2009 at 1:10 pm
22. Comment #313649 by dvophoto
I'll start by discussing that I'm glad Dawkins himself admits there is no way to disprove God, so "probably" is the furthest an atheist argument can go.
6. Does Religion Make You Nice?
Comment #313468 by Vaal on January 6, 2009 at 6:46 am
2117. Comment #313457 by decius
Decius, that is our war dance. That is how we frightened away the Vikings... ooops, maybe we should have taken up the haka :-)
Irate, I am far too polite to say LOL
7. Does Religion Make You Nice?
Comment #313448 by Vaal on January 6, 2009 at 6:17 am
2106. Comment #313435 by jgirolamo
The problem is I am not the least bit concerned with your data, I know in the end it all points to God
8. Does Religion Make You Nice?
Comment #313433 by Vaal on January 6, 2009 at 6:02 am
Happy new year all. Yep, Quetz, I won my last fight by about 100 metres LOL
Here you are Laurie, this is something that will really scare you...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/arts_and_culture/7812300.stm
Steve might prefer it to cricket though :)
Comment #309441 by Vaal on December 31, 2008 at 7:06 am
Right, I am off.
Happy New Year everyone.
10. Dawkins Delusion (3rd article, Same Stupid Title)
Comment #309438 by Vaal on December 31, 2008 at 7:04 am
Cartomancer
Join the Church LOL
11. Richard Dawkins: On The Big Questions this week
Comment #309399 by Vaal on December 31, 2008 at 6:30 am
Clydey
I just don't see how it can be enforced
12. Richard Dawkins: On The Big Questions this week
Comment #309384 by Vaal on December 31, 2008 at 6:12 am
Perhaps parents should have to get a license before they are allowed to breed, such as psychological tests to see if they are responsible enough to be a parent. I can think of a few who would have failed, Shannon Matthews mother, Rosemary West, Josef Fritzl, etc etc..
There are all sorts of government restrictions imposed on us before we get in a car, before we can fly, before we can teach, or we are quite correctly, a danger to others, yet any psychotic can breed to their hearts content.
I am not advocating government intervention, as I am sure it will be abused, but it is an interesting ethical question.
13. Dawkins Delusion (3rd article, Same Stupid Title)
Comment #309341 by Vaal on December 31, 2008 at 3:18 am
The bottom line is that homophobia is entirely unacceptable in civilized modern society, just as much as racism, sexism or xenophobia. This is not negotiable
14. The New Atheism, a definition and a quiz
Comment #309336 by Vaal on December 31, 2008 at 2:47 am
If there is one encouraging facet from these horrendous articles, it is that they are getting a well deserved pummelling from most comments, where they are having to answer for their falsehoods and inanities.
I wonder if the editors are taking note, as these childish, unprofessional, ill-thought articles are not getting away with impunity any more, and are reflecting badly on the paper.
I suspect that many of these hacks will be a little more careful in the future when they are typing their balderdash, as they know it will be addressed vigorously, and they can not get away without some heavy and well deserved criticism.
15. Dawkins warns of human extinction
Comment #309329 by Vaal on December 31, 2008 at 2:27 am
411. Comment #309314 by skb
You are angry at God
16. Dawkins Delusion (3rd article, Same Stupid Title)
Comment #308623 by Vaal on December 30, 2008 at 5:54 am
756. Comment #308608 by Cartomancer
ROFL
17. Dawkins Delusion (3rd article, Same Stupid Title)
Comment #308597 by Vaal on December 30, 2008 at 5:21 am
Quetz
Do we have free will?
18. Dawkins Delusion (3rd article, Same Stupid Title)
Comment #308575 by Vaal on December 30, 2008 at 4:32 am
Yep, Laurie, that is our Haka. :)
Somehow, I can't see the Ozzie's getting flogged when it comes to the ashes :(
Ah, Steve, I am looking forward to seeing you becoming an ardent cricket fan. You will be playing for the village team next :)
19. The New Atheism, a definition and a quiz
Comment #308572 by Vaal on December 30, 2008 at 4:22 am
Perhaps we should accuse Brown and Madeleine Bunting of Atheophobia. :)
There is nothing that makes the Guardian canape eaters recoil in horror more than something with the word phobia on the end.
Would they be regarded as fundamentalist strident Atheophobes? Are you listening David? LOL
20. Dawkins warns of human extinction
Comment #308544 by Vaal on December 30, 2008 at 3:32 am
387. Comment #308528 by skb
I cannot figure who you hate, is it God or me
21. Dawkins warns of human extinction
Comment #308476 by Vaal on December 30, 2008 at 2:21 am
369. Comment #308346 by skb
let me cheer you up by say that God doesn't send us to hell for pondering the big questions of life, rather he does when we rebell against his love and rules. Also, please read the Bible and understand some of these things, that's my opinion
22. Darwin's dangerous idea: Top 10 evolution articles
Comment #308072 by Vaal on December 29, 2008 at 11:22 am
Excellent resource, and a great rebuttal to the same old circular tripe we have to argue against on this site with inescapable, tedious regularity.
What a shame the first 2 articles the reader has to be a member of New Scientist. I couldn't find them elsewhere unfortunately.
I am looking forward to all the new advances by science in 2009, especially the LHC, providing Yahweh doesn't break it again :(
23. For scholars, a combustible question: Was Christ real?
Comment #308056 by Vaal on December 29, 2008 at 11:07 am
So, is David Robertson one of the scholars?
Will it conflict with his new book? :)
EDIT: Be interesting to see what the conclusions are, if they are really serious about the historical Jesus.
24. Dawkins warns of human extinction
Comment #307427 by Vaal on December 28, 2008 at 3:05 am
351. Comment #307395 by skb
I am truly bored by all these atheists trying to distract themselves from pascal wager, the fact that they will lose all if they are wrong
25. Hitchens Debates Rabbi Wolpe on God
Comment #307014 by Vaal on December 27, 2008 at 2:46 am
As I discussed in post #303992 I can't imagine how excruciatingly painful it must be for an atheist parent to lose a child to illness or accident
26. Jimmy Carr on Richard Dawkins
Comment #306201 by Vaal on December 24, 2008 at 7:51 am
Ah Carto
Yep, they have generated a Godbot for us to play with. Sorry, guys, too much drinking, wrapping and of course being a wicked atheist and having no meaning to my life, means I am going to have to leave atheistsaredumb to your tender mercies.
Be gentle with him LOL
27. Jimmy Carr on Richard Dawkins
Comment #306177 by Vaal on December 24, 2008 at 7:34 am
So, somebody who registers as "athiestsaredumb" is fatuous enough to describe atheists as bullies and snobs. Words fail me. Are you sure you aren't one of Wooter's students?
You have read the God delusion? You obviously haven't understood a word of it if you have come out with "how can rational human beings have evolved out of random chance". Another ignoramus about evolution sticks his head out of the mud of personal incredulity.
Perhaps you could explain to us exactly what evolution is, as you are so well read?
I think Santa must have dropped off Dumbo by accident. Better give him a ring and get back to lala land, where you belong.
28. What do atheists do at Christmas?
Comment #305993 by Vaal on December 24, 2008 at 3:26 am
Don't forget the Christmas lectures Steve. I always enjoy them, there have been some great luminaries present them in the past, including Richard Dawkins and the peerless Carl Sagan.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Institution_Christmas_Lectures
I myself will be suffering from the effects of too much wine, port, beer, Xmas turkey and pudding to be capable of much. I will, as I do every year, think about doing the 2km Newbury athletic club boxing day run, but will probably just end up watching it, enduring the heckling of my old (much fitter) athletic mates :)
Laurie, I envy you out in that sunshine. I used to love spending Xmas at the beach, watching a sweaty Santa drive past trying his best to look happy and comfortable in 38C.
gcdavis, I bet many of the religdroids actually believe that.
Comment #305973 by Vaal on December 24, 2008 at 2:55 am
Thanks Oystein and Laurie
My nephew is a twitcher (bird watcher) as well, so, hopefully may end up as a naturalist or a biologist. Of course, being a lapsed amateur astronomer myself, I am looking forward to showing him the wonders of the night sky. It will be like showing a child a Tiger for the first time, and seeing his eyes agog in awe, bright with curiosity.
It is a wonderful thing to see a child at that age, full of questions, full of wonder and what a privilege to guide him to learn more about the universe around him.
No wonder the religious like to get their claws into them so early and the damage done can be irreversible, unless you of course are a contrary git, like I was :)
EDIT: I agree, binoculars are probably better for astronomy. Some of the views I had down under with my Fujinon 10X70's were absolutely breath-taking.
Comment #305941 by Vaal on December 24, 2008 at 1:41 am
David
That is the beauty of science and the pursuit of knowledge, that it is not set in stone. Of course, Einstein and other great scientists do question, and add new strands to our knowledge, different directions and perspective, but he was also standing on the shoulders of giants such as Newton, just as others stand on his shoulders.
Yes, there may be modifications to the science of evolution, but evolution is a fact, just as gravity is a fact. There is no controversy about that, apart from those charlatans with a religious agenda. I particularly look forward to more insights into abiogenesis, the fascinating results from the LHC, perhaps life found on other planets, and I have no doubt that we shall find the presence of an earth type planet in orbit around another sun in the near future. Exciting times ahead, with the "Goddit" gaps of ignorance narrowing every day.
Oh Happy Pagan Xmas to you as well, from us evil strident atheists:)
I shall be enjoying it with my friends and family, having a jar or two, and a pleasant meal. My 7 year old nephew will be getting a telescope. I expect Jesus would have really appreciated that, rather than that myrrh rubbish :)
EDIT: Thanks Laurie, and may I wish all my friends on RD net a great Xmas, however you celebrate it.
Comment #305825 by Vaal on December 23, 2008 at 4:57 pm
At the same time, some students have creationist beliefs. The task of those who teach science is then to teach the science but to treat such students with respect.
At the same time, some students have flat Earth beliefs. The task of those who teach science is then to teach the science but to treat such students with respect
32. Richard Dawkins explains his 'Scarlet A' lapel pin - The Out Campaign
Comment #305561 by Vaal on December 23, 2008 at 7:52 am
Righton
Gay and xenophobic??? Interesting.
33. [UPDATED] Richard Dawkins on Harun Yahya's Atlas of Creation
Comment #305507 by Vaal on December 23, 2008 at 5:41 am
Irate
You know very well the creator created himself, or did the creator create the creator the creator. Perhaps there are an infinite number of creators like an endless reflection of mirrors.
sutterkane
I don't mean to be rude, but don't you find the entire concept of God(s) as infantile? Why do you need a supernatural being as an explanation for anything? It may have been acceptable as an aberrant philosophy when we were chasing Mammoths, and for a free lunch for the Shamans (not much changed there), but really, it is preposterous and the Universe looks just as you would expect it to look without the advent of any supernatural agents.
Adding a supernatural entity just increases the complexity, not the other way around, and where did this supernatural entity or entities arise from? It is just circular and self-defeating thinking. Now, we don't know all the answers and possibly never will, but just as Carl Sagan said "Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence", otherwise you are just living in a fantasy world, so yes, as epeeist says, the burden of evidence is on you.
34. Is Yahweh a Moral Monster?
Comment #304747 by Vaal on December 22, 2008 at 2:06 am
Is Yahweh a Moral Monster?
Does Rudolf the reindeer have a red nose?
Well said Carto #304496 , you have hit the nail on the head with the topsy turvy thinking of the desperate religites trying their best to reconcile the psychotic God of the old Testament with their gooey happy clappy Jesus God (although he seems to have returned to type with the wretched Islamic God).
They remind me of the holocaust deniers, after all, wasn't Yahweh guilty of the ultimate genocide. I could never quite reconcile in Sunday school why Noah was to be celebrated, instead of the horror inflicted by the so called "loving" God on the rest of humanity, and all innocent animals on the planet, bar two of each species.
I felt the same about the Israelites arriving in the promised "land of milk and honey" only to find that people already lived there, whose cities they raised to the ground, slaughtered the inhabitants like cattle and enslaved the children and "untouched" women. I asked the Sunday school teacher exactly what would the UN have said about that today, and was just returned with an empty vacant stare, as if it had never even occurred to her.
Strange that Yahweh got so upset at the Egyptians enslaving the Israelites but was quite happy to allow the Israelites to enslave anybody else they came across? You would almost think he was a bit of a bastard.
EDIT: Of course, as he/she/it doesn't actually exist, I suppose it is all academic.
35. Many Americans Say Other Faiths Can Lead to Eternal Life
Comment #303878 by Vaal on December 19, 2008 at 2:54 pm
The "eye of the needle" is turning into a raging waterfall.
Maybe there is a credit crunch in heaven?
God repossessing for the new influx of non-Christians? Maybe he is getting bored with all that tedious worship and wants a bit of new blood.
I can see the new street signs going up, "Pagan valley", "Ra street", "Odin avenue", and yes, this week only, a special offer "Atheist corner", or maybe "Dawkins" Boulevard? :-)
36. Hitchens Debates Rabbi Wolpe on God
Comment #303663 by Vaal on December 19, 2008 at 2:31 am
So, now Dianelos is questioning Oystein's qualifications. I have heard it all now. How about Professor Dawkins, perhaps he is just a road sweeper?
Tut tut, Dianelos, that should be beneath you, just because you don't understand or disagree with somebody, it is no grounds for slander. I suggest you apologise to Oystein, if you have any moral backbone whatsoever.
As for your bald assertion, that the death of a loved one is meaningless without the existence of your supernatural bully, that is beyond the pale, and I think others here have addressed that quite well enough.
Nice to see you back Steve, with your usual clear and devastating rebuttal of Dianelos's tripe. Merry Xmas to you and your partner.
37. Hitchens Debates Rabbi Wolpe on God
Comment #303166 by Vaal on December 18, 2008 at 9:57 am
So, Dianelos
If God is perfect, then that must mean that Rachel Weisz is God.
OK, I am a believer.
*drumroll*
38. Hitchens Debates Rabbi Wolpe on God
Comment #303130 by Vaal on December 18, 2008 at 6:42 am
Decius
You should also point out to Dianelos that Oystein is an ex-theist, as many of us who are on this forum.
Titania
That is a very interesting article. My Grandmother has dementia and can no longer recognise her own daughter. I hope it is of help to your mother. I was sorry to see in the news the other day that Peter Falk (lieutenant Columbo) is suffering from Alzheimer's. What a shame.
EDIT: Irate, Carto, coming to Ireland?
EDIT EDIT: Sorry Phillip, may I add my sympathies.
39. Warning: A Truckload of Stupid
Comment #303111 by Vaal on December 18, 2008 at 4:52 am
Shekar Raghavan
It is the intolerant thrusting of ideas by bus campaigns and other means that the article has very rightly condemned.
40. Hitchens Debates Rabbi Wolpe on God
Comment #303093 by Vaal on December 18, 2008 at 4:14 am
Laurie
Very sorry to hear about your friend. My condolences. A friends wife died recently of the same thing, at the age of 46.
Irate
Great quote in that article.
I think there are some huge moral lessons to be learnt about the nature of accumulating wealth
41. Hitchens Debates Rabbi Wolpe on God
Comment #303050 by Vaal on December 18, 2008 at 3:17 am
Cartomancer
Don't forget this is Dianelos you are talking to.
2 plus 2="Goditit"
EDIT: Phillip, hebetudinous. Great word. Had to look that up LOL
42. Hitchens Debates Rabbi Wolpe on God
Comment #303018 by Vaal on December 18, 2008 at 2:22 am
You guys are having way too much fun with Dianelos. :-)
43. Three Godless Christmas shows
Comment #301906 by Vaal on December 16, 2008 at 3:22 am
Is it just your work you are quoting Richard? I have always liked the "Pale Blue dot" quote from Carl Sagan which would complement the "Unweaving of the Rainbow" very well, in my opinion.
Of course, you could always finish with an impression of Alistair McGrath or Dinesh D'Souza :-)
44. Warning: A Truckload of Stupid
Comment #301879 by Vaal on December 16, 2008 at 2:14 am
Didn't see your comment Phillip?
Seems like their opinion page seems averse to opinion that contradicts their silly ill-thought out diatribe. Not what I would expect from a University, stifling well deserved criticism. What was your comment? You would think a historical perspective would be printed, or are they terrified of "the dogma" of history as well?
45. Warning: A Truckload of Stupid
Comment #301867 by Vaal on December 16, 2008 at 1:18 am
Won't last long Goldy LOL
What was that Xjs guy picking on you for? Now that was one strange poster. Seems to have disappeared into the ether of his own bottom.
46. Warning: A Truckload of Stupid
Comment #301851 by Vaal on December 16, 2008 at 12:46 am
Of the great religions, only Christianity and Islam can rival the enthusiasm of its proselytizing efforts
47. What does atheism say about the purpose (or the meaning) of life?
Comment #301689 by Vaal on December 15, 2008 at 11:50 am
111. Comment #301655 by credim
Credim, I do apologise for my heated reply to you, but your attitude did get right up my goat.
Now, lets get back to the point I believe you are trying to make, that atheists care less about the environment as they are only concerned about the span of their own lives. If they are not to be “punished” by a despotic supernatural tyrant, they will accordingly care less for the world around them.
As you probably realise already, atheists only have one thing in common. They don’t believe in God(s). There probably are hedonists, and wasters in the atheist camp, as there are in the theist camp, but I have found that most atheists I have come into contact with do care about the world around them a great deal, because they realise that ALL life is precious, that the world is a finite resource, and that they are not somehow divorced from the natural world but are part of it, and have a shared history with all life on this planet.
When I see most theists recoil in horror when told that they are an “animal”, I find their arrogance and stupidity reprehensible yet ironically comical.
The Bible is very clear about mans “dominion” over everything living on the planet, and I have found that point of view and contempt of all other forms of life endemic in most evangelical circles. As for being top of the food chain, I suggest you jump in the water with a great white shark, or share a cage with a Tiger or Grizzly bear, and you will soon find out exactly where you are in the natural food chain.
Lets have a look at some of these atheists you are talking about, and you will find that many great naturalists, biologists, wildlife presenters are atheists. People like Sir David Attenborough and his loving transcripts of the beauty of life on Earth are an inspiration. These are people that care about our small planet, and invest a great deal of time, money and energy to preserve the natural world, as opposed to many theists who believe it is a God given right for them and their never-ending offspring to consume at any cost, guilt free.
after all what is the point in saving the planet is only for the non-humans. I think most people in a critical situation, ie a burning building, would tend to save a human life first before saving an animal
48. Forced to Marry
Comment #301686 by Vaal on December 15, 2008 at 11:03 am
Good news. I would like strong advertising in the UK so that people playing the relativist card will be in no doubt that forced marriage of any family member will lead to prosecution, and is totally unacceptable in a modern civilized society.
Carto, I believe that this young woman was kidnapped as her family were horrified that she was seeing a Hindu, and tried to force marriage her to a Muslim she had never met, by use of intimidation and at the very least mental torture, so the clammy claw of religion, the virulent strain of Islam, is at the heart of this case.
I was very pleased and encouraged to hear the Bangladeshi judge echo what one would expect a High Court judge to say here about her breach of human rights and the inappropriate actions of her parents. Very good news indeed.
She was lucky. How many young girls have been murdered that we may never know of, by their own families in this appalling abuse by the very family who are supposed to protect them.
EDIT: I wish her the best and hope she will be an inspiration to others.
49. Key Event That Breaks Continents Apart Discovered
Comment #301643 by Vaal on December 15, 2008 at 9:19 am
Quetz
Sin, of course!
50. What does atheism say about the purpose (or the meaning) of life?
Comment #301633 by Vaal on December 15, 2008 at 9:05 am
Credim, or is that Cretin
No, actually it is the Bible that tells humanity that the world is his to rape to his hearts content, that he has "dominion" over all the other animals on the planet, so can drive them to extinction with no conscience, and that he should breed without measure till he turns the planet into Easter Island.
So, the greatest legacy of God's chosen hominid is ultimately self-destruction. Still, perhaps he will have better luck with the next species that arises with any semblance of intelligence.
No, I am an evil self indulgent atheist according to your microscopic delusional brain, but I care about the environment, and I care about the planet even after I am no longer living. We have a responsibility to take care of the planet, to husband it correctly, preserve it and the other creatures that we share the planet with, and you have the nerve to castigate any of us about ethics.