501. Dumb and Dumber: Are Americans Hostile to Knowledge?

Comment #128475 by the great teapot on February 17, 2008 at 4:56 am

To be fair to the contestant I didn't know that the hungry mentioned by the host was a country either. Hungary I have heard of though.
And besides which she was game for a laugh and played along with the fun willingly.
All this "don't you even know that" stuff should stay in the playground.

Having said that I was shocked to hear that only one third of people questioned in the UK knew the earth went around the sun once a year. Can that really be true?

502. The Search for Truth, God and Braver Scientists in 'Expelled'

Comment #128451 by the great teapot on February 17, 2008 at 3:30 am

What would Intelligent design research exactly consist of.
Apart from trying to disprove other peoples theories, what positive research might they be doing?

503. Dumb and Dumber: Are Americans Hostile to Knowledge?

Comment #128444 by the great teapot on February 17, 2008 at 2:44 am

Annabannana,

Don't let those 3 dollars change you. We like you just the way you are.

504. Debate between Richard Dawkins and Madeline Bunting

Comment #126967 by the great teapot on February 14, 2008 at 3:17 pm

Correct me if I am wrong but I am sure Chritopher Hitchens existed long before the God delusion, we need more evidence Richard.
Sally, looking at that list I think I will leave the bible on my bookshelf.

505. Debate between Richard Dawkins and Madeline Bunting

Comment #126958 by the great teapot on February 14, 2008 at 2:55 pm

Strange that she thinks only poverty stricken religion is being ridiculed, whereas her well- to-do religious conviction are perfectly rational or acceptable.
Belief in belief is a sad thing.
A catholic who doesn't believe in jesus as a literal figure and god as an interventionist?
She is right we are all in the same place, she can call it what she likes ,but I prefer to call it atheism just like the church and the dictionary do. If every person has there own different language conversation becomes very tiresome.

506. Dawkins is third most prolific internet Briton

Comment #117727 by the great teapot on January 29, 2008 at 1:25 pm

I was pleased to read this, until I read the other contenders.
At first I was saaad, just for a whiiile, then it made me smiiile, just for a whiiile.

507. Interview with Richard Dawkins

Comment #116417 by the great teapot on January 26, 2008 at 12:44 pm

thanks for your call John.
Very enligthening.

508. Three Little Pigs 'too offensive'

Comment #115587 by the great teapot on January 24, 2008 at 11:21 am

Just a small point but as far as I know muslims refrain from eating meat because they consider it unsuitable to eat. i don't believe they actually object to the existence of pigs or consider them sacred, so why would they object to pigs depicted as builders. I eat no animals but i can still watch Tom and jerry or foghorn leghorn without taking offence, why should the competition judges think muslims are any different.

509. Islam in Europe

Comment #114595 by the great teapot on January 22, 2008 at 12:52 pm

I am all for islamification.

It sounds much better than that horrible islamicization.

510. Interview with Ian McEwan

Comment #114217 by the great teapot on January 21, 2008 at 3:06 pm

It is built in to human nature.
yup we all want to live forever, and if our parents tell us we will,why should we let go?
I'm gunna live forever.
I'm gunna live forever.
I ain't never been into no book reading but papa says its so.
You smart arsed atheists sure gunna look dumb when you go to hell.

511. Minnesota Atheists Interview Richard Dawkins

Comment #114209 by the great teapot on January 21, 2008 at 2:42 pm

God damn it, why do I always forget when I log in that the page refreshes and I lose the audio link.
Oh well.
Regarding the difference between the reaction in England or the UK and America to the God delusion, while I can not speak for America I can only assume that the reason the reception is cooler in the Uk is that only the "nerds and slightly odd people" believe in god in the Uk these days. ( I am being a little unkind ,I know) and therefore his book is not so much a breath of fresh air but merely a mirror to what most of us already took for granted. This is probably due to the earlier efforts of Richard, David Attenborough , Leakey, Terry Nutkins ,Bill Oddie and Michael Palin and the countless more too numerous to mention. All of whom had killed off any belief in me even before they made me say school prayers. Thank Python.

512. Gay Jesus play blasted by bishop

Comment #114131 by the great teapot on January 21, 2008 at 12:14 pm

"These ideas border on the blasphemous"
Yes, and?

513. George Scales, War Hero and Generous Friend of RDFRS

Comment #111397 by the great teapot on January 14, 2008 at 2:05 pm

Good job you committed those health and safety infringements in France George. In the Uk today you would be looking at a serious fine for breaching health and safety regulations, and you wouldn't have had to wait 63 years for it's arrival.
All the best and thanks for everything, if I ever need a roof thatching your my man. Good luck and a speedy recovery.

John ( the great teapot isn't my real name),

514. US 'doomed' if creationist president elected: scientists

Comment #108823 by the great teapot on January 7, 2008 at 5:06 pm

you think we are the only universe god has to look out for. He is a very busy man. Floods and tsunamis and eartquakes and droughts and fires and ms and cancer and smallpox and malaria and tb and aids and pneumonia and fatal accidents and alzeimers and diabetes and starvation and ..... don't just happen themselves you know, you have to pray for them.

515. US 'doomed' if creationist president elected: scientists

Comment #108815 by the great teapot on January 7, 2008 at 4:47 pm

The thing about history Ashton is - the winner always writes the history books, so just because the history books say you won doesn't mean you actually did.

516. US 'doomed' if creationist president elected: scientists

Comment #108809 by the great teapot on January 7, 2008 at 4:22 pm

Epeeist,
You are from yorkshire, ah, finally that explains the tach. I knew there had to be an irrational explanation.
Headingley brings back fond memories for me too, I wasted the best years of my life and screwed up my degree there. Still I enjoyed the football, cricket and beer so it was worth while.
Anna, the real beer is great anywhere in England but stay away from the the lagers and cream flows, shoddy attempts to appeal to the lager/pop drinking youth.
If you ever come to England I recommend anywhere but Lancashire and scotland,(well youv'e already met billy Sands 'nough said) and keep away from wales if there is a full moon. And if you are a monkey don't go to hartlepool.

517. Six Reasons to be an Atheist

Comment #108335 by the great teapot on January 6, 2008 at 2:06 pm

Our non belief in god allows us to do all all the above, which are denied to us if we are theist daydreamers.

518. The Pagan Christ

Comment #107036 by the great teapot on January 4, 2008 at 1:17 am

Is it OK to kill someone while they are sleeping?

519. The religiosity test: Doubters need not apply

Comment #106776 by the great teapot on January 3, 2008 at 12:47 pm

You are asking too many questions Al-Rawndi it is almost as though you are searching for evidence.
Never put your candidates to the test.

520. The religiosity test: Doubters need not apply

Comment #106769 by the great teapot on January 3, 2008 at 12:39 pm

Mr Romney,
I believe that all male politicians are prophets of the lord. I have had it revealed to me that all the chosen ones achieved this status when they caught a sexual disease during the act of copulation with their mother, other than the fact I have had this revealed to me by God I have no other proof but I accept this revelation on faith. Can I now join the ranks of presidential candidates now I am a man of faith.
Naturally no woman could have met this criteria and they are unsuitable for office.

521. It is possible to be moral without God

Comment #104999 by the great teapot on December 30, 2007 at 9:54 am

Not normally one to police anything, originating from Middlesbrough, I have also flagged 26 as spam.
What a fuck wit of a time waster.
Thanks for the video link Brian, it was the only thing I,ve seen worth watching this xmas.
Go Buffalos. Lions and crocs "you're shit and you know you are"
Sorry I forgot the kids XMAS lectures, always a worthy treat even if they are on five these days.

522. It is possible to be moral without God

Comment #104925 by the great teapot on December 30, 2007 at 3:24 am

Dostoyevsky said if god doesn't exist everything is permitted and satre agrees.
Well 2 famous people have said it, so it must be true.
I would also like to ask Mr Ruse what exactly about stating that God does not exist and expecting to see some evidence for the claims of religion, just as we would for any other tall story, he finds embarrasing.

523. The Pagan Christ

Comment #104904 by the great teapot on December 29, 2007 at 11:26 pm

Down under,

I have no problem reading your posts.
On the other hand I do find the posts of Don quix(avoiding the tricky apostrophy question) difficult to read. I suggest he contributes in red and yellow text. Most of my noddy books are red and yellow and they keep me fascinated for hours.
If only there was a noddy version of the bible.
And a gelukkig nieuwjaar mate.

524. Blair converts to Catholicism

Comment #102524 by the great teapot on December 23, 2007 at 5:40 am

"The church said less than 10% of it's members are regular church goers"
I presume they are including me as a member.
I'v been dating Jennifer Lopez for the last seven years using the same logic.I hope Maria sharapova will forgive my infidelity.

525. Blair converts to Catholicism

Comment #102523 by the great teapot on December 23, 2007 at 5:30 am

Nutter.

526. 2007, a bad year for God squadders

Comment #101606 by the great teapot on December 20, 2007 at 3:03 pm

?

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

Comment #99482 by the great teapot on December 16, 2007 at 6:45 pm

sorry Freelance cynic but Have I missed something.
_surely gnder equality is an absolute right.
Why would anyone think otherwise.

528. THE FOUR HORSEMEN - Available Now on DVD!

Comment #99476 by the great teapot on December 16, 2007 at 6:19 pm

Hitchens is a different animal to scientists, he is a journalist and as such coverts controversy and enjoys the argument for the arguments sake. Nothing wrong with that. He also brings different arguments to the table. I am not a great fan but I love it when he points out that the religious claim to know the mind of god, non of the other celebrity atheists point this out in such a succinct pithy manner and I am grateful to him for that alone.

529. Creationists plan British theme park

Comment #99460 by the great teapot on December 16, 2007 at 5:46 pm

rev
GO TO BED.
(lol)

530. Creationists plan British theme park

Comment #99453 by the great teapot on December 16, 2007 at 5:19 pm

That's the nouveau working class for you.
Wine? wht's the world coming to. Beer too good for the working classes these days.

531. Creationists plan British theme park

Comment #99445 by the great teapot on December 16, 2007 at 5:00 pm

I would definitely welcome it.
a, We don't live in a big brother dictatorship.
b, Whenever I am feeling low I could visit it as a pick me up.
i could wander around it thinking, well, things may be bad but at least I am not this thick.

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

Comment #99424 by the great teapot on December 16, 2007 at 4:01 pm

Monosillabiq
I bet he only regrets the judgement of those with the power to punish him. if he believes in hell he probably thinks he has booked his ticket to heaven.

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

Comment #99406 by the great teapot on December 16, 2007 at 3:09 pm

My spiritual leader believes all muslims should be murdered. Surely I can not renounce this belief in a free society, even if I am the sole member of this church. Scumbag.

534. THE FOUR HORSEMEN - Available Now on DVD!

Comment #99402 by the great teapot on December 16, 2007 at 2:58 pm

I hope Hitchens doesn't have an expensive carpet.
The fag ash must have done it more harm than Dennett.

535. THE FOUR HORSEMEN - Available Now on DVD!

Comment #99391 by the great teapot on December 16, 2007 at 2:37 pm

Adh said
"needless to say there is religion that is delusion"
Obviously that wouldn't be your religion, ADH.
Care to name these delusional religions and contest that their adherents don't recieve this wonderful sense of fullfillment that you do.
You seem to believe that this sense of euphoria is proof of truth or worthiness. Ever tried heroine?

536. An Open Letter to Richard Dawkins

Comment #98430 by the great teapot on December 13, 2007 at 3:21 pm

re 393

The same then can be said of religious "motivated " crimes.
They are christians , so christianity is responsible- that doesn't follow either.
I have to admitt I find the body counting arguments a little pointless. To me lack of evidence is the sole issue. People do appalling things whatever they believe, and good things too.
Christians are only trying to fight fire with fire when they cite Stalin and Hitler.
(I know you are inferring that atheism is a lack of belief in god and nothing else and therefore can not be held responsible for anything, the desire to kill xians is merely his own whim, but xians would also argue that the crimes in the name of religion are the individuals own incorrect intepretation of religion).
mm I see more clearly what you are saying now. Religion even when misunderstood directs people to do things, atheism is a blank, a void, a complete neutral position on everything other than saying there is no evidence for god and therefore can not remotely be the cause of anything. You've convinced me. Now that doesn't happen very often here - a conversion.

537. World History

Comment #98363 by the great teapot on December 13, 2007 at 2:14 pm

We have lived under the guidance of our current god for centuries and look at what atrocities we have suffered under him. He is an intrinsically incompetent god. I suggest we get a new one.
Did Brian Barnwick pick him?

538. An Open Letter to Richard Dawkins

Comment #98330 by the great teapot on December 13, 2007 at 1:35 pm

Isn't it conceivable that an atheist who has absolute power could use that power to exterminate a church and its followers because they did not fit in to his idea of utopia.
Wouldn't these exterminations be the result of his atheism, even if he had also wiped out countless other people for other reasons.
I would say that it is conceivable.But I don't believe that I should have to apologise for them as they are not acting on my behalf.
However if I were to become president of this tyrants party and uphold his beliefs and use the party to maintain my power then I think that I might have to think about apologising on behalf of the party.The Pope on the other hand is a "stake holder"(pun intended) of the body responsible for atrocities and as such must face up to that, and apologise if he sees fit.
Are the atheist groups today an unbroken continuation of the nazi and communist party.

539. An Open Letter to Richard Dawkins

Comment #97632 by the great teapot on December 12, 2007 at 1:00 pm

Is Richard a card carrying member of an organisation which has carried out crimes against humanity in the last 2000 years.
The pope is the head of one and therefore has some apologising to do. When did Richard ever claim to be a member of the same organisation as Stalin and Hitler which he should have to apologise for.
"Father" whoever you are,you are an idiot.

540. Richard Dawkins - Science and the New Atheism

Comment #95325 by the great teapot on December 8, 2007 at 2:21 am

ADH
As a vegeterian atheist I haven't got a clue what you are talking about.
I didn't check moral categories before i decided I didn't want to cause unnecessary pain to sentient beings. I stopped doing it because it seems like a cruel thing to do.
You clearly couldn't care less. I have no respect for you.

541. Ask The God Delusion author Richard Dawkins

Comment #94408 by the great teapot on December 5, 2007 at 3:56 pm

Xians often say "without god there is no hope" or
"there is no purpose to life without God."
I can sympathise completely, if all my friends were xian I would feel the same.

542. Richard Dawkins and Alister McGrath

Comment #78526 by the great teapot on October 13, 2007 at 1:00 pm

Phasmagigas
If your posts never recieved a reply it is probably because they exposed your opponents to an argument they could not honestly answer, the complete opposite to your modest assumption that they were not worthy of reply.
I hope this is my final post for today, as any alcoholic British sports fan will testify today is one of those days in a million. I've made it to half time in the rugby world cup semi final, please disregard anything I post tonight after this. Well done scotland, great result against Ukraine, how many times do you have to climb mount everest(impropable) to qualify for the the european championships- sorry USA citizensI know this means nothing to you.
Bring on Argentina.

543. Richard Dawkins and Alister McGrath

Comment #78503 by the great teapot on October 13, 2007 at 9:45 am

Well thanks for that Richard.
Your personal approval and disapproval of us as individuals means so much.

544. Richard Dawkins and Alister McGrath

Comment #78462 by the great teapot on October 13, 2007 at 2:03 am

No, if you have murdered someone and they are dead it no longer does matter to them.
Except that you have done them a favour, they are now in heaven with little baby jesus.
But those of us who are still alive need to take you out of society because you are screwing things up for the rest of us.

545. Debate between Richard Dawkins and John Lennox

Comment #78454 by the great teapot on October 13, 2007 at 1:28 am

Science provides us with a model for how things might be related so that we can predict the probable outcome. It is nothingmore than that. It does not explain anything, I agree. That does not mean that because science can not give us an objective reality inventing things that we have absolutely no evidence for ranks alongside it.
Reason is based on what is reasonable to assume based on what we have experienced.
Inventing things like gods is not reasonable because we have no evidence to believe that a god exists, all we can honestly say about our existence is we appear to be here.
If we are ever to understand the universe it will not be by the idle pseudo intellectual speculation that is religion. It tries to answer questions without doing any real work. Lazy, sloppy, shoddy thinking. Shamefull gloryhunting.

546. Debate between Richard Dawkins and John Lennox

Comment #78386 by the great teapot on October 12, 2007 at 4:01 pm

"science can not falsify god because god is the very author of what science discovers."

Now, Dianelos strikes me as being someone who likes to be very philisophically thorough and yet he can tell us god is this , that or the other.
Shouldn't the above statement have some sort of disclaimer attached to it like "in my wild musings" or "I believe" or "if we assume that".
or in an earlier post has it been agreed that if it is so obvious I am making personal unsubstantiated statements I will in the interests of brevity omit such disclaimers.
I would look ontological up on the net but judging by what I read here I fear I will lose the will to exist.
An ill-informed teapot

547. Debate between Richard Dawkins and John Lennox

Comment #78364 by the great teapot on October 12, 2007 at 2:06 pm

More off topic.

Congratulations to Al Gore.
I see he has got a Nobel prize for inventing global warming.

548. Debate between Richard Dawkins and John Lennox

Comment #78361 by the great teapot on October 12, 2007 at 2:01 pm

Sorry Steve,

I should use those "a nods as good as a wink to a blind bat" post scripts after my tongue in cheek comments. I just can't remember them.(must try harder)
Still someone else may have been thinking those thoughts, so all was not in vain.

549. Debate between Richard Dawkins and John Lennox

Comment #78344 by the great teapot on October 12, 2007 at 1:16 pm

Styrer
Who is this mighty science you speak of?

550. Debate between Richard Dawkins and John Lennox

Comment #78343 by the great teapot on October 12, 2007 at 1:13 pm

So, have I got you right Steve99?
You are saying there are no absolute morals?
All we ever do is what we think is right?
How does one come to terms with that?
wow.