901. The Emptiness of Theology

Comment #69279 by Philip1978 on September 10, 2007 at 9:41 am

Theology: the understanding of and providing reasoned discourse of religion, spirituality and God or the gods.

Stem cell therapy has the potential to radically change the treatment of human disease.

So essentially we are up against knowing more about an invisible IT that miraculously humans can never know because God is infinite etc or we have the means to cure diseases which have caused the human race untold damage...

Professor Dawkins is completely right

"The achievements of theologians don't do anything, don't affect anything, don't mean anything"

Good article, I hope your christian friends read it Billy!

Cheers, Philip

902. The God of the Bible is No Delusion!

Comment #69264 by Philip1978 on September 10, 2007 at 8:27 am

Chariots vs the Cloned army of Quetz? No contest, the lasers mounted on the Falcons alone would melt the Iron!

Epeeist, good point, they were using iron in the Middle East by about 1200 BC, would that have been in time for the Old Testament? Sorry, my history on the OT is a little hazy

Philip

903. The God of the Bible is No Delusion!

Comment #69255 by Philip1978 on September 10, 2007 at 7:43 am

Pewkatchoo, dont bother with Zeus, he like Mohamed, was a paedophile and was more interested in shagging around with the other female goddesses and fathering many offspring, Hera had a lot on her plate after marrying him I tell you!
His favourite punishment I think was sticking old Prometheus to the cliff to have his liver eaten out by an eagle every day until Heracles kindly saved him! ( I personally think Terry Pratchet wrote a better story about how he really got saved!!)
Stick with Quetz, he is the best of all the gods by far!

Cheers, Philip

904. The God of the Bible is No Delusion!

Comment #69228 by Philip1978 on September 10, 2007 at 5:07 am

Lee,

That has got me thinking, I hear all these stories about how the earth stopped, how the dead rise from graves, how it goes dark when it shouldn't, how the world suddenly floods because The Lord Thy God is not best pleased with something. My question is why isn't it happening now?

It seems to me from my Bible readings that God was involved with the earthly goings on in a more "hands" on way ( Does God actually have hands?) than he is these days. Can anyone remember the last time the Earth stood still or people being charged with His work actually parting rapidly flowing water to escape the nasty people or bringing back people from the dead etc.

Nothing happens on a Biblical scale any more, life would be a lot more exciting, you know, having the LORD THY GOD pitch up in the most dramatic fashion of His choosing, telling you its time to raise folk from the dead or something like it.

Then again, my Tea does taste better now that I worship The Mighty Quetz. Plus He did charge his Prophet Billy to go forth and do great things with His one and only Lab Coat...ahhh all is not lost! Praise be to Quetz!

Philip

905. We need a more intelligent religion debate

Comment #68434 by Philip1978 on September 7, 2007 at 7:10 am

Oh really Mr Hobson! They don't know what they are talking about? Intellectual cowardice? I call yelling and pleading to the invisible and highly improbable for help intellectual cowardice!

Utter drivel!

Philip

906. The smallest signs of retreat

Comment #68431 by Philip1978 on September 7, 2007 at 7:06 am

I will have to concur with the right honourable ladies and gentlemen of this post, Ms Bunting is talking the most almighty drivel known to humanity, all in favour of her case getting thrown out of court say aye!

Judge Philip!

907. The God of the Bible is No Delusion!

Comment #68256 by Philip1978 on September 6, 2007 at 2:21 pm

Billy,


Bugger! How frustrating! I will go see him in Wycombe, if only to wear my new A t-shirt! I take it there is no way of asking him how exactly he wishes to date things? I am no science know-it-all but I am under the impression dating requires not just one test but several before people will authenticate it!

Either that or I get lynched in Micklefield heheheh!

Philip

908. Interview with BHA President Polly Toynbee

Comment #68248 by Philip1978 on September 6, 2007 at 2:07 pm

Pewkatchoo
I actually have to agree with you and Boris Johnson

Boris Johnson, wrote that she, "incarnates all the nannying, high-taxing, high-spending schoolmarminess of Blair's Britain. Polly is the high priestess of our paranoid, mollycoddled, risk-averse, airbagged, booster-seated culture of political correctness and 'elf 'n' safety fascism"

I respect that she got an award for being a pain in the arse towards Islam and wow, what a voice on the rights of women and their role in religion, if my posts on this site have said nothing else, I totally agree with her views on how religion is nothing but despicable to women. But she gave loads of support for Tony bLiar beforehand and although she has criticised him I am wary of her opinions now, ok she may have rescinded it a bit but there is this part of her I do not agree with and that is sometimes I think she may have gone over the top somewhat. I disagree with Boris on his views sometimes but I think he is right in this cause, I am open to advice as how to like this woman a bit more!

Philip

909. The God of the Bible is No Delusion!

Comment #68244 by Philip1978 on September 6, 2007 at 1:50 pm

Billy

Gosh, he is heading to High Wycombe, stupid boy, I sort of live near there and grew up near there, if there is anything I can say of the Micklefield area is that you have to know which pub you are in!

So be it, I will go an ask Mr Ham some questions, I kind of get the feeling I will not get as good an answer as I have from Mark. Not being sycophantic Mark but I respect that you do your research and work hard at it. I thoroughly expect I will get obfuscation from Mr Ham as to how complex his god is, but being the good man I am, I will walk in there with as open a mind as I can and accept they believe in their God. I know there exists a greater god called Quetzalcoatl who not only is able to answer my questions but also works hard at his Tea!

Cheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeers
Philip!

910. Bible Belter

Comment #68222 by Philip1978 on September 6, 2007 at 12:16 pm

mikehicks55

I see what you mean, but without wanting to sound sycophantic to Professor Dawkins, I preferred his book the most out of all of them.

Hitchens was so hard hitting and direct I loved it, I love his style and I love his wording. My only problem with it was that I found him running off on weird tangents throughout the book, like in Notes on Health he moves from a great passage about how positively disgusting the spread of Aids has been aided by religion to then talking about Pakistan's nuclear tests, I felt a bit out of place when reading it but on the whole, just amazing. His chapter on Religion as an Original Sin is something that I think is top notch!

Sam Harris blew my head off and scared the living daylights out of me in a good way! I finally realised how dangerous religion is in the hands of the religiously motivated. I read him before I did Hitchens so I was, sort of, prepared for it all when I got to God is Not Great! Sam I really cannot criticise, I like his vocabulary and the pace of the book is unrelenting.

Professor Dawkins however was the first author I have read properly on the subject of religion, I had my own ideas but never really bothered to really think about it. Professor Dawkins introduced me to something that I really had not paid enough attention to as a schoolboy which I kick myself for now a bit, evolution. Plus the book really cemented for me the fact I still had a lot to learn about science and its effect on the world. I studied History and English at University and this was the first book in a long while to get me interested in biology and evolution. I still have a lot to learn but I like this book because it prompted me to think about something I had not paid enough attention to at school. His book inspired me to want to investigate things again, it inspired me to want to read about this subject so on to Harris and Hitchens and load of others who I want to read.

Like I said, being sycophantic is not my style and there are plenty of other books, especially by Douglas Adams, that have been a wonderful influence,its just Richard Dawkins wrote a damn good book!

Philip

911. Interview with BHA President Polly Toynbee

Comment #68203 by Philip1978 on September 6, 2007 at 10:42 am

Sorry Fides, I was being rather unfairly sarcastic in my tone towards you when I meant it to be directed at the Vatican and I apologise for that. Its not you I have the beef with, I simply have a massive dislike of the Vatican and I shouldn't take it out on you.

I think I will explain myself better in my opinions of the Catholic church.


At the time I wanted to point out the Vatican's bias towards men, even during these modern times the Vatican has gone out of its way to make it a men only club, women not allowed. See around 2002 when it made it very clear women were not allowed to be ordained. The Vatican said it

"constitutes the simulation of a sacrament and is thus invalid and null, as well as constituting a grave offense to the divine institution of the Church"


These women were forced to repent or be excommunicated! Why? Here is where my second argument came into play and also what the Mighty Quetz added, the right to religious privilege. As long as it can be made up by the Vatican because of the dogmatic view that the Pope is the spokesman for God himself, so what he sayeth on earth is exactly what God is thinking. That really annoys me intensely and that is why I got in a huff about what you wrote.

I understand that was not your intention, you have pointed out that it does look similar to the BHAs mission statement. I personally dont think it was the intention of the BHA to do that. I definitely think the Vatican did mean what it said when it was using the Male gender in its statement, they have been using it a long time before the 60s and they are still using it now which I disagree with wholeheartedly.

Hope that explains things a little better,

Philip

912. Interview with BHA President Polly Toynbee

Comment #68132 by Philip1978 on September 6, 2007 at 8:12 am

hungarianelephant

Scary isnt it! Justify anything cos its not in your hands and this is what God wants! I have a strong dislike of the Roman Catholic Church, I disagree with a lot of what it says, though I did like some of the safer car driving suggestions it put forward a few months ago!

913. Interview with BHA President Polly Toynbee

Comment #68122 by Philip1978 on September 6, 2007 at 7:45 am

Fides
I love the bit in that Vatican Council quote where it refers to women....hang on, doesn't it say "all men"?
Is it me or is that sentence biassed towards the rights of men?

"No one is to be forced to act in a manner contrary to his own beliefs"

Call me picky but doesn't that basically say that nobody can boss a Catholic man around if it conflicts with his beliefs?

Philip

914. The God of the Bible is No Delusion!

Comment #68091 by Philip1978 on September 6, 2007 at 5:38 am

Newatheist, come on, this is not a pissy planet! This planet is so amazingly mind bogglinly fortunate to actually have life and Tea existing on it how can you call it pissy? The Mighty Lord Quetz did not create this planet with his subcontractors weeing everywhere, he did create it partially so you could drink Tea on it for one thing! How can it be pissy with the Tea of Quetz existing on it?

Philip

915. The God of the Bible is No Delusion!

Comment #68083 by Philip1978 on September 6, 2007 at 4:50 am

My goodness Lee that was rather formidable! Well done!

Mark, I think you rather have enough on your plate here so I will type what I have found out but, really, reply when you can because this is simply a question I brought up to ask if you had any information or ideas about the existence of Nazareth which you have very kindly given! I love doing the research and will pass on what I find out unless I am boring the crap out of you all!

Ok, here goes!

In 1962 a Jewish Archaeologist Michael Avi-Yonah discovered 3 broken pieces of marble tablet dating to about the 3rd or 4th century listing 24 priestly courses. The 24 priestly courses were 24 groups of Jewish priests who took turns in the service of the Jerusalem temple as prescribed by bible numbers 24:1-19. After the destruction of the Jerusalem temple by the Wromans in AD 70 and/or after the Wromans repressed the Bar Kochba Jewish revolt in AD 135 those 24 priestly courses would have left Jerusalem & scattered around with one of them possibly ending up in Nazareth.The reference on this tablet reads as follows from the Hebrew translation as copied by Avi-Yonah

'The eighteenth priestly course [called] Hapizzez, [resettled at] Nasareth.'


Right, here goes, I have read a bit about this and I agree with what various people have said about this

Frank R Zindler writes(http://www.atheists.org/christianity/jesuslife.html)

"It is doubtful, however, that the inscription really mentions Nazareth. The several related fragments of the inscription were interpreted by means of Hebrew liturgical poems dating from the sixth to seventh centuries - when present-day Nazareth was already a thriving tourist site and the name was well-known. The letters n-ts-r-t are bounded by broken edges of the stone (in fact, the n is only partially present), and it is not certain what letter may have preceded the n. In my opinion, the damaged n probably was preceded by a g (a narrow letter in Hebrew, easily fitting into the space hypothesized by the discoverers of the inscription) and read Gennesaret, not Nazareth. Gennesaret was founded in Hellenistic times and was well known."

I looked elsewhere
http://utah.indymedia.org/news/2005/12/12674.php
and again, this problem is this tablet is so fragmentary it is very difficult to ascertain the actual translation of where the Hapizzez went and also when, are we talking about AD70 or Ad135? Plus this is not proof of Nazareth ever existed during Jesus's time of roughly 4BC/6AD to 32AD because the people who made this tablet wrote it a minimum of 150 years after this event, exactly how would they know? Where did they get their information from considering the Wroman obliteration of of the Jews in AD67 and AD135?

Most archaeological studies of the site of Nazareth have found evidence of a grave yard and possibly a small farm but nothing to indicate the "city" mentioned in the Bible. I will continue to poke around but this tablet, like all other references to Nazareth brings up more questions and doubt in my mind that Nazareth ever existed in the 1st century during the period of about 6AD to 32AD.

I hope that was interesting, if I am being boring, tell me and I will mention this no further!

Cheers,
Philip

916. The Atheist

Comment #68060 by Philip1978 on September 6, 2007 at 12:04 am

I too would like to offer my thanks to those who are leaving, believe it or not but I have learned a mass of things from you, it is the reason I visit this site in my spare time. I offer a bet that you will not survive cold turkey and will be forced back in no time whatsoever! I wish you all the very best in your pursuits and look forward to hearing from you again so I can tease the hell out of you!!

Cheers

Philip

917. The God of the Bible is No Delusion!

Comment #67901 by Philip1978 on September 5, 2007 at 5:10 am

Mark

Excellent response! (Excuse the surprise, its just when I have asked others they have not been as helpful!)

Ceaserea, right, I will look into that, sounds brilliant. My own digging still says it was a graveyard site for Japha up until about 67 when Emperor Trajan arrived to spread a bit of Wroman influence! Most of the lists I found of towns, pilgrim routes and such the like do not list Nazareth until about the 4th century but this sounds like something more positive.

Thanks tons,

Philip

918. The Sacrifice of Reason

Comment #67843 by Philip1978 on September 5, 2007 at 1:47 am

Thor's Trousers! Some amazing conversations here, I would like to add my own rant for the sheer hell of it.

I love the idea that teenagers still have the ability to shock and disgust people older than them. I remember the day I knew I was getting older was when I was working in a dept store and I heard some irksome little toe rag swear at his mother for not buying him something. My first reaction was to turn around and yell "DONT YOU DARE SPEAK TO YOUR MOTHER LIKE THAT!"

My teenage years were spent listening to heavy metal (Mum hated Guns and Roses!), smoking cigarettes (only at the weekends!)being quite grumpy and quiet and also the obligatory "wrong sort of crowd" that were my very good friends! I remember at the time having some sort of idea that I would be ok, I couldn't be bothered with the drugs, I knew I was not tough enough for fighting so I steered away from it and made friends with the rugby crowd! Sometimes I did mouth back at authority or offended people by some of my actions but I thought I knew where the limits were being the typical teenager. Would I change things? I would like to go back and kick myself up the arse for smoking and possibly urge myself to get fitter!


V
I loved that post from your brother and yes I think he should have added "Discuss" at the bottom! I like his questioning as to whether its an actual Sacrifice or not. I would still claim it is, Jesus was offed by order of his dad to be able to die for the sins of man ( and you naughty ladies who like apples too much!)It is exactly the same as sacrificing the virgins so the sun comes up in the morning. If Jesus isnt killed, then how are the sins going to be forgiven?

Personally I am convinced Jesus never existed but I do think the story about him is essentially a sacrificial suicide mission that gives those that believe in that religion something to hang their hopes on. Hence reason is being sacrificed for faith, at least I hope that's what I got from this article, in order for faith to continue reason has to killed in some elaborate manner to make it work.

But, please pass on a cup of Quetz's finest to your good brother, I think he has an enormously good point and I am probably wiffling here! Must be the teenage mind I still carry around with me!!

Cheeeeeeeeeeeeeers
Philip

919. India to charge writer Nasreen with 'hurting Muslim feelings'

Comment #67824 by Philip1978 on September 5, 2007 at 12:30 am

Jonathon

Yikes, we are both right, I just checked on http://www.barghouti.com/islam/meaning.html


"Islam is derived from the Arabic root "Salema": peace, purity, submission and obedience. In the religious sense, Islam means submission to the will of God and obedience to His law."

That is nasty!

920. Like any half-decent atheist, I'm fond of a bit of religion

Comment #67819 by Philip1978 on September 5, 2007 at 12:11 am

Richard Morgan

"Apparently lots of people in Iraq "miss" Saddam "

Maybe they should have recalibrated their gun sights and checked the humidity and wind? arf arf! (Sorry poor joke, but I am in that sort of mood this morning!)

I dont like this article, from what I gather he can't get his head around Professor Dawkins or Polly Toynbee just because their arguments are too good???
I rather get the feeling he hasnt quite got over his agnosticism yet, there is still that tiny part of him that HAS to believe in something. I also get a hint of "Dawkins et all, stop being such a bunch of know-it-alls" which I find a bit grating. If his only fault is with Atheists speaking out against religion in such a precise and straight forward manner, so be it!

Possibly I am being too rough with the chap, I don't know what belief is other than my understanding from a load of books I have read and the people who I ask about it. I liked Billy Sands's description of it being Mental Slavery, but I still cannot fully grasp belief having never had any.

Hey ho, more Tea I think, that last cuppa was incredible!

Philip

921. The God of the Bible is No Delusion!

Comment #67660 by Philip1978 on September 4, 2007 at 8:04 am

Lee,

Quetz probably prodded Galileo into checking out the baths first, what if there had been a smudge on the lens or something? OK its not quite a double blind test (possibly a CC or DD test!) or anything but his eyes needed to see the right thing!

I also want to know what all this business with (Super Massive) black holes (I love Muse!), I take it God was fed up like with stuff in space and the flood and put all the naughty decadent stuff in the black holes? No rainbows I see, just black!

I am not one to question Quetz's dealings with the universe, he is fair in His judgements and I trust His decisions! He has Billy working on his amazing creations and He keeps the Tea magnificent! Plus anyone can communicate with him, he even has Mark talking to him! (I hope your God is not too offended) I hope your trip was a lot of fun by the way, any stories or good pubs? hehehe1

Rock on oh Mighty Quetz!

Philip

922. India to charge writer Nasreen with 'hurting Muslim feelings'

Comment #67611 by Philip1978 on September 4, 2007 at 2:28 am

Quetz,
Damn, I thought I was onto to something there, back to the drawing board!

Vaal, I'd love it if someone did make such a film just to see the look on their faces! Call it the Life of Geoff or something and then claim afterwards that Mohammed was not portrayed in it anywhere!

I do hope this brave woman is going to be ok, I think she is doing such an amazing thing in standing up to Islam, I have always thought women should stand up to the barbarism and chauvinism that this religion encourages because I see it as one of the ways of bringing Islam down a few notches. I know its a fools hope but I it still makes sense to me

Philip

923. What do these atheists understand of religion?

Comment #67603 by Philip1978 on September 4, 2007 at 1:40 am

Hooray!

924. India to charge writer Nasreen with 'hurting Muslim feelings'

Comment #67602 by Philip1978 on September 4, 2007 at 1:36 am

I signed the petition and left a comment questioning the need to behead those who disagree with others and then came up with a rather odd thought.

Islam means peace yes? These fundamentalist monkeys scream rant and yell that its a religion of peace till they are nice shade of puce. I finally understand what the peace is referring to- Infidels. They want peace by eradication of anything that disagrees with their world view. Once the Infidels are off the planet, yippie its peace time! Hows that for a theory?

Philip

925. The God of the Bible is No Delusion!

Comment #67358 by Philip1978 on September 3, 2007 at 5:46 am

Yeeesh!

I remember reading Bill Bryson's History of Nearly Everything and remember feeling soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo small yet at the same time bloomin glad that I got the opportunity to be this particular Philip!!

In a way I am glad we still have 95% still to go, gives mankind something useful to do!!

Sorry to hear you are not well Lee, keep with the Whiskey, its good for you!


Quetz said
Either way, it's a damn long way to go for some water ice and some complex carbons.

Yes, I could go to my freezer for that when its Pimms O Clock!

I think God should be quaking in his shiny robes to be honest, the more we know the less room he has to manoeuvre. But you are right, FAITH is the only place he can exist, Tea is your realm, tell him to bugger off if he starts mucking around in there!

Philip

926. The God of the Bible is No Delusion!

Comment #67332 by Philip1978 on September 3, 2007 at 4:36 am

Here is one thing that puzzles me

Humans go around thinking about how things work- physics, chemistry, biology all have their own laws and theories. These laws are being refined but on the whole tend to explain a few things here and there. Then God goes around breaking some of these laws to get things done, one of them being that he exists.

Now here's where I really go cross eyed, man is made in God's own image, yes? no? maybe? If so would that mean he should have the same grasp of the above laws? I mean, surely if things are created from these laws- you know the right gases exploding or right particles bashing together etc-what is God made out of? All things are made of something according to the above laws but God seems to not be made of these things...I am so confused!!

I think I am rambling here but I think I might be basically asking is why did God make it so bloody complicated to find him? Does He enjoy the mystery or complexity of it? But I have been told by many that He just Is that which is beyond the human mind, that extra IT that is beyond the reach of measurement etc. Why would a god need to do that when everything else arrived without such complexity?

Please help, this is weirding me out!

More TEA!!!!!!!!!!

Philip

927. The God of the Bible is No Delusion!

Comment #67321 by Philip1978 on September 3, 2007 at 3:59 am

Honestly, I'll bet BOOBA turned up, stuck a pencil behind his ear, sharp intake of breath and said "Thats gonna cost ya guv!". I'll bet he stuck his brush in the sun a few times and blotted it out, I know you are powerful Quetz but doing the sun again must have been a bugger!

Lee thanks for that look at the universe, I have read a few books about how mind bogglingly gigantically hhheeeeeeeeeeeeeeoooooooooooooooowge this universe is! I just dont like the idea of God taking pot-shots with asteroids all the time, those buggers are getting closer each time!

the_assayer
brilliant work there, very interesting read, I liked that a lot. But just make sure BOOBA isnt on your top list, Sea Urchins are not to prayed to!

Praise Quetz!

Philip

928. What do these atheists understand of religion?

Comment #67264 by Philip1978 on September 3, 2007 at 1:42 am

Wow, what an article!

"elegant riposte" from Cornwell?

Professor Dawkins, from what I have read of your replies on another thread concerning John Cornwall, oops, sorry, Cornwell, I get the feeling you were not elegantly riposted enough!! Plus I have yet to see you rant properly in full fundamentalist style to finally win me over to your religion and One True Path!!

This article is preposterous and full of abysmal arguments ranging from militancy to the "look at how Stalin acted and he didn't believe in god" rantings. If only the author would see it is the God Quetz they should be following, not some fictitious invisible IT who inspires people to paint ceilings!


Oh well, more Tea I think,

Philip Priestley

929. Christopher Hitchens and Bill Donohue on Mother Teresa

Comment #66534 by Philip1978 on August 30, 2007 at 10:33 am

Ace Rimmer
Are you suggesting he takes on the Nottingham Twang? (Robin hood accent! See Eddie Izzard for further details!)

I dont think he did lose on that one, Donahue was positively frantic, all that Irishman stuff was embarrassing. As Hitchens pointed out, his facts are there and they have been proved, Donahue was flustered and grasping at straws. Poor work against a debater like Hitchens who remained calm and composed

By the way, should I smoke you a Kipper for breakfast? hehehhe I love Red Dwarf! (English Comedy for those who dont know, very funny!)
Cheers,
Philip

930. The importance of doubt

Comment #66532 by Philip1978 on August 30, 2007 at 10:23 am

jthacker48

Congratulations on your decision, I have heard stories of how difficult it is to give up a faith, I have heard a lot from people here on this site and I understand its not the easiest choice to make. Would it be ok if I asked what exactly was it that finally convinced you to make your decision?


Fides, I am sorry you feel that way

Cheers, Philip

931. Anger over 'blasphemous' balls

Comment #66515 by Philip1978 on August 30, 2007 at 7:31 am

Russell's Teapot, I understand with what you say but I think I am with pewkatchoo on this one in the sense that these guys are quite happy to froth about anything if it serves their purpose of making unbelievers look bad.

Perhaps a little thought should have gone into it, but I would imagine the US Military simply wanted the kids playing football to relieve them of the horrible environment they have to face everyday. Flags should be flags and its the mad adults fault that the kids have to see hatred spring out of a kind gesture.

Philip

932. Another view

Comment #66419 by Philip1978 on August 30, 2007 at 1:11 am

Major Bloodnok, may I call you Dennis?

Do you think that 12 Stranded DNA can combat Scraaadg or prevent storm damage on the knees? (Sorry, I had to get that out my system, massive Goons fan!)
Back to the subject!

I am still doing all I can to convince my mother to stop administering lavender oil for all cuts and bruises. I am convinced the stuff just stinks and does nothing that normal healing couldn't accomplish. Is there any basis to her claims or am I right in thinking the stuff simply whiffs?

Philip

933. There is no God and Dawkins is his Prophet

Comment #66413 by Philip1978 on August 30, 2007 at 12:46 am

At first I was interested in what this guy was saying, as HappyPrimate pointed out, he does actually look like he has read the book rather than skimmed over it like many others who criticised it.
I even for a small 5th of a millisecond thought he would actually have some worthwhile things to criticise about the book (I love the God Delusion but I like to hear about what others think about it as well). I apologise to you all for indulging in such madness for such a long period of time but I am human after all!!

I love the way it mostly comes down to "Well, sorry, you don't know who or what my god is, he is above your petty amazing intellectual discussions and reasoning, he is more than that...what ever that actually is!"

Oh dear!
Philip

934. Another view

Comment #66182 by Philip1978 on August 29, 2007 at 7:40 am

As far as I know water is a great cure for thirst, putting a mind bogglingly minute scintilla of gunk in it does not mean it cures all ills. I am sure Professor Dawkins is actually quite happy in being able to inform people of the stupidity that is "Alternative" medicine and good on him for doing it!

Philip

935. Enemies of Reason

Comment #66158 by Philip1978 on August 29, 2007 at 5:18 am

J,Martin

I think eradicating all religion to the same mythical status as the Norse or Greek gods is the right way forward and it would make the world a better place. Sure, it would never be perfect but at least people would use some form of reasoning that did not involve invoking some form of invisible "it" to back up their words and actions. It is perpetuating a lie if religion or the supernatural is allowed to continue as it is. I don't have all the answers, but I can't see how allowing nonsensical mental slavery to carry on is going to be beneficial.

I don't think anyone here is invoking the total abolition and eradication of religion, not at all. As Professor Dawkins has said, stuff like Shakespeare would be incomprehensible unless you had knowledge of or access to the Bible. What should be eradicated is this illusion that gives religion and superstition its authority, for there is no good reason for people to devote their lives to believe in it all, its a waste of time

I hope that helps,
Philip

936. 'Jesus loves you' email

Comment #66151 by Philip1978 on August 29, 2007 at 4:16 am

I would love to go to the convention but sadly having no money seems to be a problem for the Airline and hotel companies! Unless I "borrow" my boss's credit card, I wonder if he will mind?...

937. Fallen Pastor Seeks Aid to Pursue Studies

Comment #66149 by Philip1978 on August 29, 2007 at 4:04 am

Corylus

I shudder with horror when thinking about what he has already done to people, I completely concur with you, when dealing with emotionally difficult problems the last thing you need is for someone who does not understand the situation.

Below is a link to something that I advise caution reading, its so sad but the story behind it is that this boy killed himself because of his homosexuality. His mother was too religious to understand him, almost basically telling him not be gay, as if he could simply switch it off. The link is to a forum she wrote to, the advice given to her is probably similar to what Haggard would offer and it is dangerous.

http://www.freejesus.net/home/viewtopic.php?p=43639#43639

The religious should never ever offer support in cases like this, they have not got a clue and it makes me sick. Despicable individual? Much much worse in my opinion

Philip

938. Fallen Pastor Seeks Aid to Pursue Studies

Comment #66126 by Philip1978 on August 29, 2007 at 1:19 am

joshuaslocum
Thanks for that, very interesting, I do hope they do not find a loophole somewhere so that he could actually do this, I find it sickening beyond doubt that he could even contemplate it.

I suppose that being very high up in such an organisation that he would simply EXPECT to have people do this for him. I love the way he called Professor Dawkins arrogant and yet he has the nerve to go around expecting people to fund his return to "normal" life. I completely agree with pantsandboots , why counselling? What possible benefit is he going to bring to the counselling world? If I was in need of psychological help I would not want some religious fundamentalist telling me how to get better, I would need more therapy to get over that! Can you imagine it? After a while you would eventually say to him Professor Dawkins style "Its obvious you know absolutely nothing about counselling!" and he would come right back at you with that leery grin "Well, maybe you haven't met the people I have"!

Then I would have to run out the door sharpish, he creeps me out!

Philip

939. 'Jesus loves you' email

Comment #66117 by Philip1978 on August 29, 2007 at 12:05 am

Very funny video, I liked that, however the chances of Jesus actually loving anyone are practically nil.

I know I have said all this before but I have been trawling all over the place to find a Non- Christian document that actually proves Jesus existed. I have read about documents being changed and altered, even the great historian Tacitus got his stuff messed with, its hopeless. Worse still I have read that it would have been completely impossible for Jesus to have grown up in Nazareth because up until 137 AD it was a grave site for a village nearby! Jesus was good at raising the dead so I sure company wouldn't have been a problem but still I have my doubts!

So, my challenge to the religious is to do one thing for me, go and find a document that shows he existed that has not been fiddled with or made up on the spot. Go on, I dare you! hehehhe

Cheers,
Philip

940. Anger at Malaysia 'Jesus cartoon'

Comment #66064 by Philip1978 on August 28, 2007 at 7:11 am

Yorker, you have excelled yourself sir, I take my hat off to you, that is a fine avatar!

Philip

941. Anger at Malaysia 'Jesus cartoon'

Comment #66044 by Philip1978 on August 28, 2007 at 4:27 am

Its only Jesus for goodness sake, its not like they have taken Quetz's or Billy's image and used it in a cartoon!

Praise be to Quetz and his Prophet Billy!

Philip

942. Scientists Induce Out-of-Body Sensation

Comment #66035 by Philip1978 on August 28, 2007 at 1:54 am

Puttputt,
That wasn't very constructive was it? Come on, you can do better than that!

Philip

943. Feeding the fear gene

Comment #65473 by Philip1978 on August 24, 2007 at 11:34 am

oarwhat

Am glad you are open to the suggestion of burglar getting contact with some decent English Willow!

I see what you mean about being used to the guns, I guess if I had grown up with it I would be more comfortable with it all but I just would get more satisfaction of of giving a burglar a good solid cover drive! (Cricketing term, meaning to slap it out to the boundary in a certain place on the pitch!)

In all seriousness though, in England we have recently had some 11 year old shot and killed by a teenager who had got his hands on a gun, what a waste of life, its so terrifying. I hear countless stories from America, esp that one in Bowling for Columbine about a kindergarten kid who got hold of his uncles gun and shot his classmate. It breaks my heart that these things happen because guns are so dangerous. I could blame a lot of things on why guns are so popular, esp rap culture and gang culture but I don't want to make sweeping statements like that without further research. Guns just worry me because I am not used to them being around me and I worry so much that they can do such untold damage to people who are in the wrong place at the wrong time.

However, on a lighter note, I do feel the Witnesses are fair game and proceed to terrorise them hehehhe!

944. Feeding the fear gene

Comment #65447 by Philip1978 on August 24, 2007 at 8:09 am

Yorker,

I understand a bit, I guess guns make me feel uncomfortable. When I went to America and South Africa when I was 19 I was aghast to see policemen with guns, I even had a couple of policemen point guns at me as they were arresting the drug dealer next door to the hostel I was staying in. One had a pump action shotgun, the other a Barretta pistol, it was peculiar because I had never seen anything like it before.

In England it is something I guess I am simply not familiar with, we have an armed response unit for treating gun situations. I think its more my experience that forces my opinion. The only people I know with guns are farmers! Look at Michael Moore, he got a gun at the bank he registered in for goodness sake! If some stupid burglar wants to come in my flat I will twat him with my cricket bat, I hate the idea of shooting someone, they could die rather than have a bloody awful headache and busted bollocks! I would beef up the home security as much as I could but the idea of shooting someone horrifies me and unless it was absolutely necessary I simply couldn't do it. But that is just me, I am sure in America it is different because people are more used to guns than I am. I am simply appalled at how easy it is to get a gun plus the horrific accidents that happen with them being in a house with small kids in etc

Those points you made I agree with up to a point but I think my dislike of guns would never force me to get one, despite the criminals having access to them.

Philip

945. A Matter of Faith

Comment #65442 by Philip1978 on August 24, 2007 at 7:15 am

I remember my first trip to America, I was taken to Stockton University by a friend and we went to several frat parties.

I think the one thing that really made me laugh was I walked into one room and there were these guys chewing tobacco with the spittoon in front of them. After standing around for a while chatting one of them pipes up and says in the best very deep voiced Texan accent

"Yooo ain't from raaaaooowwnd heeaaarrrr arrrrre you boooooooyyyy?"

"What gives it away?" said a rather drunk Philip who was surrounded by women who seemed to love the hugh grant accent that was intruding on to my normal one ( I think I may have said "Gosh" at one point!!)

"Suuuurmthin abooowwwt yer fella, you from oarstralia?"

Why is it always Australia? hehehhehe

I spent little time in America but I was impressed by the kindness and welcome I received everywhere I went. I had a really good time and will go back when I can afford it!

Tally ho!
Philip

946. Feeding the fear gene

Comment #65413 by Philip1978 on August 24, 2007 at 5:41 am

Yorker,
You did say "almost" a pensioner, give it a bit more time!!

I agree with most of what this guy is saying, I found a similar thing in Bowling for Columbine, I don't quite know what to make of Michael Moore but his point about the media perpetuating fear in the populace was a well thought out one. I thought that the idea of fear spreading in America causing the gun crime to go up was quite good, I am worried about the recent increase in gun crime in England, its getting stupid and I think the media has a lot to answer for. 10- 15 years ago where I used to live the idea of someone being shot or stabbed there was unthinkable, now I hear stories pretty much each month of the most horrific things going on.

But I think I will keep the idea of bed hopping if I reach a pensioners age in mind!

Right, I am off for a cup of cancer stopping Tea!!

Philip

947. The God of the Bible is No Delusion!

Comment #65389 by Philip1978 on August 24, 2007 at 2:21 am

Quetz,

I have just had word from my girlfriend that she was feeling bad this morning with headache etc She then had a cup of Tea and it was good Tea for it made her better. I have to thank You for Your kindness oh Mighty Quetz, I will see if I can convert her now that she has witnessed the wonders of truly great Tea that You did send unto her!

Cheeeers!

Philip

948. Diamonds unlock secrets of early Earth

Comment #65382 by Philip1978 on August 24, 2007 at 1:50 am

Yorker, this is not the work of Satan, don't be daft man...everybody knows its the Flying Spaghetti Monster that messes up the dating process!!

This is fascinating, I really enjoy hearing stories like this, it gives me hope when I hear scientists are doing something worthwhile and interesting instead of pratting around creating non existent gods. Bravo chaps, keep up the good work!

Philip

949. CNN Request for 'I-Reports' on religion

Comment #65163 by Philip1978 on August 23, 2007 at 4:29 am

Steveroot,
Thank you very much, very kind of you!

Thanks for the link, oh the irony if I was related! I think the only connection is that we studied history! (Both of us made it up as we went along hahahahaha!)

I loved this quote

"Not the storyteller that the Yahwist was, the Priestly writer is more interested in discerning order and structure in God's plan for the world."

Thanks for the laugh!

Philip

950. Richard Dawkins and Alister McGrath

Comment #65155 by Philip1978 on August 23, 2007 at 3:32 am

Dianelos

Oops, I made you write another essay heheheheheh mwhahahahaha etc

My sincere apologies for bringing Hilary into this, I hope you can forgive me one day hehehhehe!

"If Bobby Henderson would describe what "Flying Spaghetti Monster" refers to and why it is reasonable to believe that it is the deepest structure of reality then I can compare his idea to mine and see which works better ;-)"

*Philip sends and email to Bobby, Quick, here is your chance!!*


I think I will explain myself a bit better, I seem to have gone off on one of my frequent tangents and am likely to do so again,if it all gets too much I recommend Tea!


Ok, the FSM, my point was that it is fantastically easy for Bobby or anyone else to make the FSM more real to the same level as your God. Despite Bobby, a human having a laugh, being the creator of it all, it could so easily be made so much more convincing. I literally cannot see the difference with what you see as your God and someone else could see as the FSM. Its an FSM Created Experience just as much as it is a God Created one or as I would have it a HUMAN created experience.

I am not upset at you I promise, I think confused is a better word, upset would mean I am getting angry or think you are stupid and I refuse to go that way, its not nice! hehehe

I get really confused by how God does things, I have absolutely no concept of a God at all, it simply causes me to ask too many questions over and over again, mostly the usual ones of how the heck He got there, what He does and how do you prove it?

Why then do I accept normality? Good question, will have a stab at it! I absolutely do not think for one iota of a ghost of a scintilla of a second think that I have all the answers to this weird thing we call life. I accept a heck of a lot, I really do and I understand your reasoning that I seem to accept naturalism as the de facto be and end all meaning of it all. I also accept the brain is a weird computer capable of the most amazing feats of intelligence and also weirdness, look at Roger Shepard's "Turning the Tables" illusion( I can't explain this any better than nicking this from the Sam Harris/Andrew Sullivan post from ages ago)

http://richarddawkins.net/article,536,God-Is-Not-a-Moderate,Sam-Harris-and-Andrew-Sullivan-Beliefnetcom#022007)

If taken at face value those tables are a different size, but if investigated properly then the reality is that much less weird. Sam sums it up very well "

"The fact is that our intuitions are not always a reliable guide to the truth; and in certain situations, they can be relied upon to be wrong."


I accept this, I am not in full control of my reality as my brain would have it! But surely it makes sense to measure those tables? If they were not measured or tested in this way then the truth will not be found. This is why I tend to accept the naturalist version of things a lot more than the Theistic version. If I could find some truth in a God I would be happy to accept it, really I would, but I cannot grasp God like I can measuring those tables.

Does that make any sense at all?

Philip