Comments by skip

Comment #267251 by skip on October 20, 2008 at 11:20 am

The Science Network player does not work well at all, I may not make it through these videos this year, at least not like last year...

2. Abortion bill's rights 'breach'

Comment #261862 by skip on October 7, 2008 at 2:21 pm

If you are interested the Catholic Medical association is doing the same thing in Canada. Here is an excerpt from an article I recently wrote about this topic.

Saturday, September 20, 2008
Catholic Medical Association Is Tampering in Canadian Medical Ethics

Many of us think that the debate over medical ethics is a quiet and rational debate, when in reality the religious community, including the Catholic Church, is running full force at Canadian Laws in an attempt to ensure that their own biblical views are upheld. The Conservative Party of Canada seems to be helping.

A recent article in TheStar.com explains the problem with faith when it impinges on the rights of others. The story focuses on a Catholic Doctor who has refused to prescribe a single birth control pill or refer a single patient seeking an abortion during his 20 year career. Dr David McCann is quoted as saying, "Referring a patient for a procedure that violates my conscience also violates my conscience," McCann says. "That's a form of co-operation with evil."

You can read the whole article here: http://jeffolsson.blogspot.com/2008/09/catholic-medical-association-is.html

3. Catholic priests cane YouTube over blasphemous vids

Comment #259170 by skip on October 3, 2008 at 2:43 am

I am confused, as there are a whole whack of desecration videos on you tube and I seem to be able to watch them all. I am in Canada.

Is it possible that they have missed that many? Perhaps they have blocked them based on country of complaint origin?

Can anyone else see them?

4. Debate: Would We Be Better Off Without Religion?

Comment #255899 by skip on September 28, 2008 at 2:21 pm

That was a lot of fun!

It is the first time I have heard Victor Stenger Speak and I must say he was delightful. I like that guy!

BUT!
CAN YOU BELIEVE THE GEOLOGIST WHO SAID THERE WAS A WORLD FLOOD 7400 YEARS AGO???

How can a geologist say such a thing?

5. Cartoons from Turkey

Comment #255309 by skip on September 27, 2008 at 9:26 am

I have a Turkish friend looking over my shoulder as I type this.

The man is saying his own name(Ercan)and banging the computer screen to introduce himself to the internet, he is an ape like man.

The lady is saying "We are going back into the age of the monkeys"

The caption below says, "Richard Hawkins was added to the list of banned sites"

Don't over react to the misspelling of Dawkins name, my friend says it' is just a mistake (think about how we misspell Arabic names, like "zaire abdul mistafa ali faisal", you or I would never commonly notice one letter out of place)

Edit: This is a PRO-DAWKINS Cartoon. The cynicism is directed towards the government banning the webpage.

6. Catholic maternity wards 'face closure' if abortion law passes

Comment #253485 by skip on September 24, 2008 at 1:30 pm

This issue is being discussed in CANADA thanks to the Catholic Medical ASSociations interference in Canadian Medical Ethics. In Canada we are in another phase of the discussion and are facing some really stupid legislation as a result.

Religious Conscience Laws have become quite popular lately and we can thank our catholic buddies for their help in popularizing.

I have prepared a short article on the Canadian version of this issue here: http://jeffolsson.blogspot.com/2008/09/catholic-medical-association-is.html

Skip

7. Have We Ever Faced An Enemy More Stupid Than Muslim Terrorists?

Comment #246928 by skip on September 13, 2008 at 2:33 pm

I just printed this article and read it aloud to my family, they laughed so hard they had tears in their eyes.

Brilliant...

"And then they forget to take a cigarette lighter with them to the airport"

I love it!

8. Monogamy gene found in people

Comment #241310 by skip on September 2, 2008 at 5:16 am

Well that explains it! Adultery is a naturally occurring behavior in humans. he he...

I would be nice to see a longer report I think I'll find the actual study and give it a good read.

Skip

9. Theocratic Sect Prays for Real Armageddon

Comment #240857 by skip on September 1, 2008 at 7:26 am

Don't just read about him see him for yourself here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q6DMK_A2L3c

Skip

10. Museum in censorship row over Darwin sign

Comment #238914 by skip on August 28, 2008 at 6:10 pm

I recently visited the Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre in Morden Manitoba Where they have a wonderful EVOLUTION vs CREATIONISM Display. I took pictures and posted them here: http://members.shaw.ca/jdolsson/Morden.htm
www.jeffolsson.com

It's a wonder no on has complained about it either, considering Morden is in Manitoba's "Bible Belt."

skip

11. Manitoba dig uncovers 80-million-year-old sea creature

Comment #238899 by skip on August 28, 2008 at 5:48 pm

By the way, How do I suggest a news article to this website? I occasionally come across some very good ones.

12. Manitoba dig uncovers 80-million-year-old sea creature

Comment #238884 by skip on August 28, 2008 at 5:27 pm

I was Just out to the Morden Museum (Fossil Discovery Centre) a few weeks ago and took some pictures inside. They have a wonderful EVOLUTION VS CREATIONISM Display board.

You can see it here on my personal web page: http://members.shaw.ca/jdolsson/Morden.htm

Find out why I left the priesthood and became a Dawkin's fan here: www.jeffolsson.com

Enjoy the pictures, the display board made me laugh out loud in pleasure. One of my friends has a family member who works there and she told me that the locals don;t visit very often. Morden is located in Manitoba's "Bible Belt". There is something deeply satisfying about locating a fossil museum in Morden.

Skip

13. Michael Coren: Stéphane Dion finds God

Comment #237165 by skip on August 26, 2008 at 5:52 am

Rod the Farmer said: "We Canadians have a long tradition of not voting people "in". We vote people "out"."

Bingo! It's true. as I do believe it is time for Harper to be moved out.

14. Michael Coren: Stéphane Dion finds God

Comment #236925 by skip on August 25, 2008 at 2:27 pm

Michael Coren is disingenuous when he describes the network his show is on as "much of its schedule has no religious content at all".

CTSTV - Crossroads Television System
Christian and family oriented programing for Canadian television.
www.ctstv.com/

CRTC regulation require religious broadcasters to provide alternative content to the main religious message they broadcast, so they show reruns of "Happy Days" "The Facts of Life" and "Touched by an Angel". Ahh family values! Fonzie would roll over in his grave if he knew!

Stephan Dion was, in fact, well advised that this was a Christian show with a primarily Christian audience. I am disappointed that he pandered though. My guess is that Coren does not like being 'tagged' as a Christian broadcaster as it diminishes his ability to make comment and be taken seriously. And we shouldn't take him seriously at all.

Here is Coren's Speaking schedule for the fall of 2008.

Sept 7, 2008 - Nashville Road Community Church
Sept 16, 2008 - Hamilton Churches for Israel, Burlington, Ont
Sept 17, 2008 - St. Paul's Parish, Alliston, Ont
Sept 20, 2008 - Everything Must Change, Oakville, Ont
Oct 4, 2008 - Manning Centre, Ottawa, Ontario
Oct 12, 2008 - St. Hilda's, Oakville, Ontario
Oct 18, 2008 - Manning Centre, London, Ontario
Oct 19, 2008 - St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Whitby, Ont
Nov 1, 2008 - Men's Family Life Conference, Ontario

Yup, they're all Christian meetings...

15. Robot with a Biological Brain: new research provides insights into how the brain works

Comment #236682 by skip on August 25, 2008 at 4:31 am

This was probably the most interesting article I have seen on this site. I just love robots and to think we can use brain cells to direct them is utterly amazing.

Good story

16. What Binti Jua Knew

Comment #236309 by skip on August 24, 2008 at 1:21 pm

Well Done Barbara!

17. Religion out of medicine, a new message for Ontario doctors

Comment #233021 by skip on August 19, 2008 at 3:06 am

Well said eh-theist.

You make an interesting statement when you say doctors are forced to object.(it's true!)

But I sense that you have not read the Draft policy. We need to acknowledge that some doctors actually discriminate quite severely based on their beliefs, and they tell patients that they will not give them an option for an abortion. Some flat out say NO and make no apologies. Go see someone else, they say. (I know, family members have been there)

In a small northern community such actions can be devastating to the life of the people affected.

The Draft policy says:

ii) Moral or Religious Beliefs:
If physicians have moral or religious beliefs which affect or may affect the provision of medical services, the College advises physicians to proceed cautiously. Personal beliefs and values and cultural and religious practices are central to the lives of physicians and their patients. However, as a physician's responsibility is
to place the needs of the patient first, there will be times when it may be necessary for physicians to set aside their personal beliefs in order to ensure that patients or potential patients are provided with the medical treatment and services they require.

Physicians should be aware that decisions to restrict medical services offered, to accept individuals as patients or to end physician-patient relationships that are based on moral or religious belief may contravene the Code, and/or constitute professional misconduct."

It is in this context that the Ontario Human rights code forces the hand of the Doctor. The doctor must not let their religious beliefs interfere with the decision. So, sorry to say, the doctors hand is being forced in this case.

Here is the draft policy it's actually an interesting read:

http://www.cpso.on.ca/Policies/consultation/HumanRightsDRAFT_08.pdf

Have a great day!

18. Religion out of medicine, a new message for Ontario doctors

Comment #232691 by skip on August 18, 2008 at 1:45 pm

"skip who the hell are you to declare that someone is not allowed to refuse work? What are you going to do if they still refuse? Force them? Force someone to work? There is a name for this." - Fanusi Khiyal

"Skip, Your examples are wrong. The hydro electric utility worker can refuse. He/she will be fired but that is OK." - NewEnglandBob

Ok my (American?) friends, let me explain this carefully and slowly.

In Canada the Ontario Human rights Code has no hierarchy, any one violation is as extreme as another. Therefore if a Doctor were to refrain from providing a referral to (let's say) an abortion clinic for religious reasons, they risk losing their medical licence.

They can either do it or lose the ability to practice medicine. They can lose their provincial medical licence. In that sense of the word they are "forced" to do it. There is no where else for them to work after they lose their medical licence. They would have to appeal in Ontario and move to another province and apply there, meanwhile they face bankruptcy etc.

A utility worker faces the exact same problem, they too can be fired for refusing to do such work because it too would be a contravention of the Ontario Human rights code. Of course they can still find work as an electrician,or plumber, (their indentured trades).

They are also "forced" to to it in the same sense, facing firing or discipline, but with less of a consequence than a doctor.

It is apparent that neither of you understand Canadian law. C,mon up for a visit we'll treat you nicely here. Of course you are free to refuse...

19. Religion out of medicine, a new message for Ontario doctors

Comment #232133 by skip on August 17, 2008 at 4:32 pm

Doctors who refuse to supply services because of matters of conscience currently have a luxury that many others in our society do not have. They are spoiled.

For example, imagine a hydro electric utility worker who feels it is against her conscience connect an abortion clinic to the power grid because of the implications. They are not allowed to refuse this work, so it gets done. End of story.

How about a City worker who refused to turn on the water system for an abortion clinic. They too would be disciplined and water would be turned on.

In this case Doctors think they are special and that they should get paid while refusing to do the same work that the rest of society already has accepted as worthwhile. Society makes these rules as the college of physicians seems to understand well.

Religious Ontario Doctors, it is about time you did your job properly. End of story.

I am proud to be a Canadian

Read my story at http://members.shaw.ca/jdolsson/

Jeff Olsson

20. Between a Rock and a Hard Place: Thinking about Morality

Comment #221768 by skip on July 30, 2008 at 5:11 am

If you are interested, I have written about this topic Here:

www.jeffolsson.com

click on part 3 of "A letter to my curious friends" where I discuss morality and nonbelievers.

21. Brain That Changes Itself: into the abyss

Comment #220642 by skip on July 28, 2008 at 6:53 pm

I thoroughly enjoyed this article. As a student of psychology I sense that we are in the beginnings of a renaissance period with regard to neuropsychology . There is new hope for those who suffer from cognitive disease.

Great article!

22. Pope confirms sexual abuse apology

Comment #209758 by skip on July 13, 2008 at 8:03 am

"It must be clear ... that being a real priest is incompatible with this (sexual abuse) because priests are in the service of our Lord."

Once again the pope presents the subtle denial that says a "real priest" would never have done it. I have heard this logic from Christian leaders before, they assure themselves that a person who was truly saved by Christ would never do such a thing.

Far to little, to late.

23. Common New Atheist Fallacies

Comment #200733 by skip on June 28, 2008 at 7:20 am

I am amazed at how he skips point number 3 in his attack on Dawkins line of reason, and then goes back to explain it quickly.

Here is the problem: Point number three is not only about the "who designed the designer" argument, it is about the need for a crane rather than a skyhook. It is about the need for a bottom up logical progression to show how we have come to exist.(as in evolution).

Christians need the same type of logical progression to show how God came to exist. They do not have it. And he missed this point completely!

He is not able to separate the argument from the non arguments himself. Sadly, he teaches critical thinking skills without realising this fundamental flaw.

24. The Mother, The Child, The School Board And The Psychic

Comment #195991 by skip on June 19, 2008 at 6:45 am

I am quite embarassed by this type of Canadian news. Oh...Canada.

This womans life has been unnecessarily disrupted by another overly militant government agency.

Wait I have an Idea! She should get the Ontario Human rights agency to investigate this case! Instead of protecting muslims from frivolous "insults" they could do some real work protecting Canadians from idiots like the psychic, teachers aid and the school board who filed this unsupported claim of abuse. (who should lose her job!)

25. Divine Impulses: Ayaan Hirsi Ali

Comment #193137 by skip on June 14, 2008 at 6:37 pm

I just sent this link to my professors and some former classmates, they are going to love it!

Wonderful work Ayaan!

You are a brave lady!

26. From Big Bang to Us - Made Easy

Comment #192871 by skip on June 14, 2008 at 5:17 am

These videos were excellent.

Potholer - You need to find a producer and get this on TV. It's that good ... Call the discovery channel!

Seriously

27. Bacteria make major evolutionary shift in the lab

Comment #191170 by skip on June 10, 2008 at 10:10 am

But there must be a transitional bacterium between these transitional bacterium! then we'll know evolution is true! And yet another transition between those transitions. They'll never prove evolution at this rate. Durn those gaps!

hee hee...

I love science!

28. Shaw TV Interview with Richard Dawkins

Comment #175097 by skip on May 4, 2008 at 11:47 am

I am impressed at how well Mr Dawkins explains his subject matter. It is refreshing to hear him come out strong and loud on issues like homosexuality, politics, childhood education etc.

You are a wonderful compassionate man Mr Dawkins!

Welcome to Canada

29. 2 fleas for the Christmas week

Comment #103340 by skip on December 25, 2007 at 8:20 am

The Confutation of Dawkins' The God Delusion

Thin Arguments and word play [ No Rating ] 25 Dec 2007 (updated 25 Dec 2007)
by Jeffrey Olsson
I strongly suggest that every one read the preview of this book before buying it. Much of the argument presented is done so as word play and quickly becomes tedious. Further more, Mclean is in serious need of an editor as spelling mistakes abound throughout his meagre 83 page book report.

While Mclean tries to be generous he still refers to Dawkins as "hysterical". Anyone who has seen Dawkins speak, or read his materials knows this is simply not the case.

The major problem with this book is that is does not flow as an argument, instead it is a series of small statements that are not tied together in a meaningful way. But then again, Mclean claims to have created this book in Open Doc without an help from a professional editor.
Why am I not surprised?

skip

30. Do the laws of God trump those of man?

Comment #99416 by skip on December 16, 2007 at 3:27 pm

This Article states" British writer Timothy Garton Ash made the point more strongly a few weeks later: "Ayaan Hirsi Ali is now a brave, outspoken, slightly simplistic Enlightenment fundamentalist."

Timothy Garton Ash has since apologised directly to Ayaan Hirsi Ali Here: http://www.richarddawkins.net/article,2002,Ayaan-Hirsi-Ali-versus-Timothy-Garton-Ash,Axess-TV

He stated that he agrees with Ms. Ali and that althought there may be many forms of Islam, he is as concerned about fundamentalism as she is.

Skipp

31. Daniel Dennett Debates Dinesh D'Souza

Comment #93080 by skip on December 2, 2007 at 6:16 am

Oh, by the way Sent2null, I agree with you too... I just thought I should make that clear.

32. Daniel Dennett Debates Dinesh D'Souza

Comment #93075 by skip on December 2, 2007 at 6:08 am

Some of the reviewers (my good friends) have completely missed the point. The debate resolution was: "God is a man made invention".

Daniel Dennet signed, sealed and delivered his verdict in the 5 questions posed to Dinesh at the end of his first 5 minute speech. Question 4 directly addressed this, and was basically ignored by Dinesh. It asked: "Do you agree that John Frum, Ganesh, Angel Moroni, and Angel Gabriel are human inventions?

The rest of the debate was over the existence of God, at Dinesh's insistence.

Anyone trained in Philosophy (or the sciences) should know that it is a fruitless endeavor to try to prove or disprove God. Dawkins does a good job of explaining this in the God Delusion, Chapter 3 "Argument for God's Existence" and Chapter 4 "Why There Almost Certainly is No God".
The point being that there is no absolute proof either way. (hence the use of "almost certainly" is used in the title of the chapter)

Keep the great debates coming!

33. Judgement Day: Intelligent Design on Trial

Comment #87946 by skip on November 13, 2007 at 7:18 pm

I just watched this show on PBS with my wife...

It was extremely well done. It showed both sides of the argument with sensitivity. I was also impressed that many of those fighting the good fight against Intelligent Design were in fact Christians themselves. (light at the end of a long dark tunnel?)

I was deeply saddened to hear that Judge Jones received Death threats... It reminds me of a case here in Manitoba,Canada, where the family of a boy who would not recite the lords prayer in school received 180 death threats and suffered numerous counts of vandalism, discrimmination and were kicked out of the community club.

AND we still have prayer in schools here... Yeesh!

sigh... sadly Christian faith does not always bring out the best in people...

34. Debate between Michael Shermer and Dinesh D'Souza

Comment #80721 by skip on October 22, 2007 at 7:25 pm

I have just watched the entire debate! I gave it my full attention and must say that I was quite frustrated by D'Souza'a inability to control himself. He revises history to suit his own needs and tramples on the history of pre-christianity in order to convince himself(and sadly, others) that Christainity is at the the root of democratic thinking and liberty.

Yikes... I need a beer!

Skip

35. Griffin's 'offensive' Emmy speech to be censored

Comment #69549 by skip on September 11, 2007 at 5:01 pm

I just sent an encouraging note to Kathy Griffin at this e-mail!

tc@wma.com

I got the e-mail directly from the catholic league. at this address

http://www.catholicleague.org/release.php?id=1327

I copied them on my note to Kathy... Perhaps we should all send them a note too!

skip

36. U.S. a theocratic state, says former Canadian ambassador

Comment #46906 by skip on June 2, 2007 at 6:34 am

Don't be overconfident that Canada is not unduly influenced by religion, please read post 28.

37. U.S. a theocratic state, says former Canadian ambassador

Comment #46897 by skip on June 2, 2007 at 5:40 am

HI everyone,

I am a Canadian (43 years) and a former Anglican Priest. I live in Winnipeg where there are many, many religious people. As a former Christian I can honestly say that the American religious influence is immense. Even Anglicans, known for their moderation are greatly influenced by the American views on theology and spirituality. Each and every day you can tune into charlatans like Benny Hinn, Creflo Dollar, and others on TV and they are included in the "basic" cable package, so we are forced to pay for the stations that these shows are broadcast on if we want basic cable TV. (It's one thing to switch it off, and another thing all together to know you are still forced to support it financially)

Recently, the Harper (Canadian Prime minister) government has started patronizing the religious right in Canada. For example the minister of the environment (Ambrose) hired the former president of Focus on the Family, Canada to be her assistant. The fellow from focus on the family has no scientific credentials what so ever. There are a number of other such appointments in our Government and people are starting to talk. Walrus magazine recently published a wonderful (but damning)article about such religious patronizations occurring in Ottawa, our capital

Finally the Canadian scientific Community is in an uproar over the recent decision by the SSHRC ("The" government funding agency for scientific research in the humanities and social sciences, etc). The board of directors will not back away from a statement made that gives equal weight to intelligent design and evolution as scientific theories go. The new chairperson of this scientific funding council is a Christian and an English professor from Alberta. AN ENGLISH PROFESSOR!

Needless to say she was appointed by the Harper Government when they took power.

As a Canadian Atheist I am concerned that Frank McKenna (from the article above) is telling the truth about the U.S. but is not completely accurate about his own country.

By the way, I decided I didn't believe in God anymore after I read the Selfish Gene by Richard Dawkins. I left the church about a year later.

Keep up the good fight!