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"

Aw Eamonn, getting a bit of fatwa envy, are we? Tut tut.

I am sure God, the creator of the entire universe, can defend himself quite well without fat TV presenters mewling about the unfairness of people actually having the temerity to question his existence.

Come on Eamonn, invite God to breakfast TV and show the world that he really exists. He can be a celebrity God, and just think of your ratings! Shame he resists the invitations to show himself to his minions. Could it be that he doesn't exist, or is he just shy? Maybe he only likes introducing himself to desert goat herders?

Now if he did appear, how would he introduce himself? "Hi, I'm Yahweh and all you bastards eating shellfish are in the shit". Or "you Catholics are going to hell, and you Jehovah's witnesses, sorry heaven is full". "Oh, and you fruit cake Islamic bombers, run out of virgins, so I am going to have to send you back as women".

Maybe he will say, "Sorry you have got it all wrong, I am not Yahweh at all. I am Ra, so all you Pascal wager lot have bet on the wrong horse". Better get on your asbestos underpants :-) What if God is an atheist?

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.

How about .. Dawkins himself admits there is no way to disprove the flying spaghetti monster, so "probably" is the furthest an atheist argument can go.

Hmmm, so that is your argument? Let me say it then, the probability of God, particularly your Jewish desert God, is so astronomically remote that I have about as much chance of getting a hole in one on the crater on Mars that the Martian probe Opportunity landed in. In fact the probability of your God is so minuscule that it is improbable to an almost infinite degree, not 50/50 as you seem to think the advert implies.

Ah, the turgid and intellectual mud pit of pascals wager, how original. Let me guess, morality from God, Hitler, Stalin, God chats to you personally and you know God exists 'cos your silly mythical book tells you so. God loves you bla bla bla bla. Have I missed anything out?

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

Man, the arrogance and wilful ignorance is nothing short of breathtaking. And HOW do you know? Is Yahweh having a personal chat to you, if it is Yahweh, of course. Might be Ra, or the flying spaghetti monster, or one of the other several thousand Gods made up by humans.

So, ignore everything you don't want to believe, and compartmentalize the pseudo-science, the anti-knowledge, the supernatural propaganda to fit your dogmatic and frankly ludicrous world view that you cling to, regardless of truth. For a so called sentient being, you really couldn't stick your head in the sand any further, and as you seem utterly impregnable to reason, I wonder why you keep posting here?

Perhaps you should read the sentence you quoted and have a really good think about what you are saying.

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 :)

9. God: Philosophers Weigh In

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

I don't see how either, unless every new-born is genetically unable to reproduce, until they can prove they would be a capable, responsible parent when an adult, pass the requisite license, and then see a Dr to be able to conceive. Bit science fiction, I know, but it may be forced on us one day, unless we stop this uninhibited breeding, where our human footprint has already exceeded the Earth's biocapacity, and where most of the other species on our small world are heading inexorably into extinction.

Of course, education, women's rights, free contraception, and religious leaders (yes, you Ratzinger) waking up to the fact that it is unethical and grossly irresponsible to breed without measure in a finite world, are probably the only practical ways to arrest, and reverse the human population growth. I know I have bought the population issue into the question as well, as Cartomancer, but it is an important factor.

EDIT: Layla, males would absolutely have to get a license :)

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

Well said Cartomancer. What a shame that the Pope has just confirmed that he is a homophobe as well. Still, that is a good thing as it shows him for the true bigot he really is, dressed in religions clothing, and makes the church less relevant every day. I would argue that the current pope is atheisms best asset, as he is doing a sterling job of making his church obsolete and irrelevant.

So, skb, do you believe in every word in the Bible? What's your opinion on eating shellfish?

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

Ah, skb, still around hurling platitudes. Seems to me that it is your God who is the angry, demanding, intolerant, small-minded, jealous, hell-fire threatening supernatural psychopath. Why is he so angry? Maybe he should take up "anger management for deities?"

Strange that he has so many human characteristics, isn't it? You would almost think we had invented poor old Yahweh modelled on our own failings, wouldn't you?

Of course, Yahweh doesn't exist, as any of the other 2500 Gods that we have made up in history, not to mention the thousands that we don't know about from unknown cultures in prehistory, so how can you hate something that is non-existent?

Come on skb, you are an atheist as well, just one more God to go. Go on, you know you want to, as you are getting an intellectual pummelling on here, and as all theists, have no answers.

Now, if there was any God that I would be fond of, it would probably be Aphrodite, as she was a bit of a babe :)

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?

Better ask poor old Judas.

Laurie, I would be interested in knowing how old skb is, he writes like a teenager. He is definitely suffering from rational discourse deficit.

Quetz, you are a patient man.

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

I don't hate anyone skb, hate requires far too much energy and I am too lazy to hate anyone. Your God doesn't exist so why would I hate empty air, I just feel sorry for you.

Strangely enough as an evil atheist I don't go around robbing, raping and murdering, I contribute to charity, I love my family and friends, I have never hurt anyone, except in the odd rugby match, and I enjoy life to the full. I am not "sin" obsessed as your church. Most of what you regard as sin, I regard as normal healthy behaviour.

Morality doesn't come from your bearded grumpy mate in the sky, in fact, Yahweh is quite happy to say its OK to kill, even exhorting Abraham to murder his own son for a sick joke. If that is morality then I am a ducks bottom.

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

Oh dear, I see most of the others have responded to that pack of drivel, from what I can see the only sin that I can see is the surrender of your mind to infantile nonsense.

So, God is going to send us to eternal barbecued agony for "rebelling" against his love and rules, and you describe that as a loving God? I don't know what your definition of love is, but he sounds like a psychotic hateful bastard to me.

I have read the Bible from top to bottom several times, thank you, as I had to endure the turgid boredom of church when a youngster, so your opinion means as much to me as a quote from Pooh Bear, in fact, rather less.

Thanks principally to the nonsense espoused in the Bible, I garnered a real interest in learning about our true origins, in paleontology, anthropology, geology, astronomy, etc, in my search for knowledge. The explanations in the Bible were utterly unsatisfactory, and I found the claptrap of Adam and Eve, and the joke of Noah to be ample fodder for atheism.

As far as Pascal's wager is concerned, well, I have covered that already, but I think if I was to make a choice I would go with Thor.

Enjoying life in Valhalla, drinking and wenching sounds much more liberating, than enduring eternity worshipping and grovelling to the sin obsessed egomaniac Yahweh. But it is all academic as neither of them exists, except as a man-made construct, and the only place you will be going is where you were before you were born, non-existence, just as with all life.

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

I am truly bored by all these fantasist's trying to indulge themselves in the intellectual surrender of Pascal's wager. The only thing we shall be losing is our brain cells imploding into self indulgent narcissism.

Have you never asked why your so called loving God will damn you to eternal torment for using your brains to determine if he really does exist? That is not a God I want any part of, one wonders why he would give us a brain at all? Also, how about the hundreds of thousands of generations of humans and their ancestors who have been condemned to hell by your loving God before Christianity raised its head.

The only place you are going my friend is worm bait, and there is nothing wrong with that, your nutrients will be part of the cycle of new life, and that is something to be proud of. Make the most of your life, don't waste your life groveling to a non-existent, very unpleasant, worship obsessed, vindictive deity, born from the minds of superstitious ignorant desert goat herders at the dawn of history. At least they had the excuse of ignorance, unlike you.

EDIT: I am sure you would agree that the Archbishop of Canterbury and Darth Ratzinger are very intelligent people, it doesn't make them right though!

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

Oh dear, Dianelos, how low can you get? The smugness of religion has no bounds, when it resorts to the mind numbing arrogance, contempt and disgusting lack of empathy shown by the above statement, not to mention your so called perfect God.

You should be ashamed of yourself, and I am going to have to endorse epeeist's comment, as that is beyond the pale.

If I wasn't an atheist before, comments like the above would certainly have put me over the tipping point, and to worship such a foul immoral God is beyond comprehension.

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.

29. Would you Adam and Eve it? Quarter of science teachers would teach creationism (Response by Dawkins and Jones)

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.

30. Would you Adam and Eve it? Quarter of science teachers would teach creationism (Response by Dawkins and Jones)

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.

31. Would you Adam and Eve it? Quarter of science teachers would teach creationism (Response by Dawkins and Jones)

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.

Lets just make an adjustment to that...

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

There, that does really sound as daft as it looks. So, truth can be untruth and treated with respect as some students have their "beliefs". I wonder why students bother to go to school at all to learn, when their "beliefs" tell them the "truth" already.

Honestly, has education become a joke? What shocks me is that ANY science teachers can even consider this without laughing. My old science teacher's reaction would be identical to Richard Dawkins, if not more horrified. One has to ask if those teachers really know what science is?

Yes, David, you have got it right. It is either True or it isn't. It isn't true because you believe and hope it is, truth isn't by proxy, and it isn't a vote. It is hard earned knowledge, built on the shoulders of giants, which in todays topsy turvy education system is turning into rabid relativist wishy washy flim flam.

It is an appalling indictment of our society that turning a blind eye to milk sop smugness in the name of faith is turning our children into imbeciles. Lets hope common sense will prevail and this short-sighted absurdity is seen for the unedifying anti-knowledge it really is, or there are grim times ahead for our youth.

Oystein, you have read the "Dawkins letters?" You have my greatest sympathy and profound respect for your tenacity and perseverance.

EDIT: crookedshoes #77#. Thanks for that, it is reassuring to hear that from somebody who is in the profession.

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.

Talking of the above, I see Darth Ratzinger is putting his foot in it again. For somebody who is supposed to be infallible he has a remarkable gift of putting his foot in his mouth. I wonder how long it will be before he upsets another community. Maybe he thinks the gay community is a much easier target than the fatwa lobbing Islamic nutters. I wonder if he will be pedalling backwards as fast after his latest declaration. I also see that he is trying to recover from his faux-pas with Galileo as well.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7797269.stm

You have to say that this current pope is an absolute God-send for atheists. He couldn't do a better job of making the church obsolete if he tried. Go, Ratty, go!

Now, Carto has suggested that the pope is gay himself. If so, what a supreme irony.

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.

Unbelievable, every day, everywhere, there is omnipresent advertising and non-stop proselytizing by the cohorts of the superstitious, telling us unambiguously God exists, yet a poster which is mild by comparison, not even declaring God doesn't exist, but suggesting that his existence is improbable, severely ruffles the feathers of the intolerant God botherers.

Well, my friend, the genie is out of the bottle, your automatic deference is being questioned, and you don't have any answers other than vapid obscurantism.

Yes, atheism has always existed as most rationalists from the beginning of time have been able to see through the con trick of religion. It won't be long before it is religion that will be part of history as humanity escapes from its dreadful curse, and grows up.

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

Man, THIS from the church! Perhaps Darth Ratzinger could do something about distributing the obscene wealth of the Catholic church to the poor, and selling his prada slippers, for a start. I agree, ArchBish, churches should be taxed so they can share the cost of the credit crunch.

Do you know, that is bread and butter to the church, when people are vulnerable, they jump in like vultures barking "God's will","mysterious ways", "God loves you" and proselytizing with arms flaying, like a host of vampires. Hypocrites.

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

Ah, getting worried are you? The braying of the superstitious legions seem to be getting louder and more desperate as they finally figure out they have no argument, as they know that their emperor not only has no clothes, he doesn't even exist.

If this tripe is the best they can come up with, no wonder they are sounding so hysterical. Keep it up as history beckons!

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

Well, unlike you, I don’t have this generic love of humanity. It would be a shame to see the extinction of mankind, but perhaps it may be best for the planet before we turn it into a lifeless dust bowl. Perhaps the emergence of intelligence is nature’s greatest mistake.

I would also assure you without any doubt that if it came to rescuing my cats from the house fire and the scum that ransacked and burgled my house, then I know exactly who would be rescued.

I would also have no problem with shooting a person who was hunting a Tiger for fun, and regard that as a duty to humanity.

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.