Comments by Tyler Durden

Comment #232994 by Tyler Durden on August 19, 2008 at 2:10 am

From the clip:

"When you look at our science curriculums (sic), we're given every theory from ID to evolution, whereas it's more narrowed in a public
school system, so I think we're given a broader spectrum." Danielle Hatt (Senior).

Well, there's your problem right there Danielle, ID is not even a theory, so your "school" is lying to you and you don't even recognise it.

Perhaps you should find out what a scientific theory pertains to before commenting on such matters - not to mention the use of the word "curriculum"!!

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

Comment #232517 by Tyler Durden on August 18, 2008 at 9:00 am

Comment #232514 by MBC Morgan

We, in Canada, by-and-large, however, value different things than our neighbours to the South, such as equal access to basic health care, and to having an educated population.

And the winner, by knockout...

:)

53. A flea we missed?

Comment #232466 by Tyler Durden on August 18, 2008 at 6:59 am

Comment #232463 by Cartomancer

Need I ask what Rabid Robertson's views are on the love of man for man?

I'm guessing it would start with the words "According to the Bible..."

Yawn!

54. A flea we missed?

Comment #232464 by Tyler Durden on August 18, 2008 at 6:55 am

Philip,

Robertson derides/fears Cartomancer simply because knowledge is a theists worst nightmare. The more ones knows about the Universe, and how it works, the less a need for a God, any God.

Knowledge could blow their whole scam w-i-d-e open. Keep the masses ignorant, never answer any questions, rely on blind "faith" and if in doubt, just say "Goddidit!" seems to be their plan.

55. A flea we missed?

Comment #232441 by Tyler Durden on August 18, 2008 at 6:07 am

Actually, thats not as daft as it sounds. It has been suggested that John who wrote Revelation consumed magic mushrooms on Patmos, thats what brought about the vivid imagery (a very rich seam of heavy metal imagery ever since...)

John was also exiled by the Romans to Patmos where he allegedly lived in a cave. Hence the anti-Roman rhetoric within Revelation.

Thomas Jefferson omitted it entirely from the Bible he edited, and wrote that he "considered it as merely the ravings of a maniac, no more worthy nor capable of explanation than the incoherences of our own nightly dreams".

56. A flea we missed?

Comment #232436 by Tyler Durden on August 18, 2008 at 5:53 am

Comment #232431 by Peacebeuponme

Well, in that case, why call it faith at all? Surely the whole point of faith is that it has no need of evidence, or reason, but is rather a stong virtuous personal conviction, lauded precisely because it is uncynical, unsceptic and devoted?

An excellent point.

I guess the reason "faith" is so important to the theists is becuase it can't actually be refuted. It's their personal "faith", leave it alone. Whereas evidence can be tested and refuted.

Now, if only Robertson would show us this "evidence" of his...

57. A flea we missed?

Comment #232404 by Tyler Durden on August 18, 2008 at 4:14 am

Comment #232350 by David A Robertson

There are many many things that we personally do not have evidence for - that does not mean that they are not true. Nor does it mean that no evidence exists.

The Argument from Ignorance. Try using that one in a court of law, see how far you get. Next!!

Try again and give me an example of an atheist society that has managed to get people to work together.

Ever been to Sweden?

It (atheism) is a faith position in just the same way as Christianity is - although Christianity has more evidence and reason behind it.

Really? Please supply this "evidence" for the resurrection.

To answer briefly - why Christianity? Because of a) Jesus Christ and b) its world view most fits the evidence that we have.

David, you keep using this word "evidence" like you know what it means. I don't think you do. And for the record, your Bible is simply evidence that a book was written by the people of its time, nothing more.

So, evidence for your particular God, please, as opposed to Zeus, Apollo or Ra, to name but three.

58. Big-brained Animals Evolve Faster

Comment #231481 by Tyler Durden on August 16, 2008 at 12:34 pm

Comment #231240 by Brian English

Tyler, Psychoanalysis has created great problems in the treatment of patients.

Psychoanalysis also cured a lot of people of their problems - what's your point?

59. Big-brained Animals Evolve Faster

Comment #231478 by Tyler Durden on August 16, 2008 at 12:31 pm

Comment #231232 by Brian English

Yes, unless you can show the science.

Oh good grief, this is like trying to show a theist/creationist that evolution hasn't happened because they haven't "seen" it.

60. Big-brained Animals Evolve Faster

Comment #230813 by Tyler Durden on August 15, 2008 at 7:17 am

Comment #230808 by Ian Bamlett

Having done that why did he then wait until only around 1,500 years ago to give us his revelations through a Pedophile in the deserts of the Middle East?

Excellent point. Why not just "create" the internet, or CNN, or fiber-optics back then in order to help get his message across?

61. Big-brained Animals Evolve Faster

Comment #230809 by Tyler Durden on August 15, 2008 at 7:03 am

Brian,

Just so I'm clear on this: are you saying that Freudian psychoanalysis is "unscientific"??

62. Big-brained Animals Evolve Faster

Comment #230803 by Tyler Durden on August 15, 2008 at 6:53 am

Comment #230798 by Brian English

The biggest problem with Freudian theory is that it's all just speculation.

Brian, stop digging :)

63. Big-brained Animals Evolve Faster

Comment #230800 by Tyler Durden on August 15, 2008 at 6:48 am

You belive that boys hate their fathers because they desire their mothers?

The Oedipus Complex is not to be taken literally, it's metaphorical. In practical terms it can be shown to manifest itself with regard to garnering the attention of one parent over another.

Example: When a child is brought into the bed of its parents, it invariably wants to sleep in-between them, as opposed to either side.

No stressor can have an effect without a person being susceptible to that effect. So it's never one dimensional...

I'm not disagreeing with you, however, sometimes it can be traced back to one event. An adult with a fear of dogs could point to one event as a child/teen where they had a bad experience.

And if you think Freud's case studies were "Very unscientific", you haven't read Freud. Have you?

And considering the abuse we give theists on this very site for not reading up on evolution before commenting on it, I hope you have.

64. Big-brained Animals Evolve Faster

Comment #230789 by Tyler Durden on August 15, 2008 at 6:20 am

Comment #230783 by Brian English

I'm not really making a point, except that single dimension explanations are not de jour these days in psychology. They're too simplistic and miss important interactions.

Brian, sometimes a cigar is just a cigar :)

While I agree with somewhat with your point, some stressors can be traced back to one particular event. Yes, it can manifest itself later in life and through a complex set of circumstances. Freudian case histories are full of such examples (esp. with regard to dreams).

Apologies, I'm a Freudian :)

Edit:

From a paper I wrote:

In his book "Studies on Hysteria" written with Josef Breuer, Freud touches on the unconscious in the chapter "Psychotherapy of Hysteria" in the form of reminiscence, the act of reminding somebody of a past action which they initially cannot remember but upon reflection, do. This form of reminiscence allowed patients to recall events in their past that had caused pain or emotional damage, released in hysterical outbursts, thus allowing Freud to analyse and ultimately treat them.

65. Big-brained Animals Evolve Faster

Comment #230778 by Tyler Durden on August 15, 2008 at 6:00 am

Comment #230766 by DasSquid

Also, I don't know where my asthma comes from, no one in my family on either side has had asthma for as far as we could track.

If it is psychosomatic, there might be no reason why anybody on either side of your family would have to have it for you to have it. Same with OCD or a certain phobia. This could be simply down to a single experience that you had that now affects only you.

66. Big-brained Animals Evolve Faster

Comment #230758 by Tyler Durden on August 15, 2008 at 5:19 am

Comment #230753 by DasSquid

take Asthma for example, I'd have been naturally selected out if I had to run from a predator... that's for damn sure.

*dons trusty controversy cap*

Not necessarily. There is a theory that is Asthma psychosomatic. I tend to agree.

If you really did need to out-run a lion/predator in the wild, I don't think you'd be too worried about your asthma.

"The most common psychosomatic respiratory illness is asthma."
http://www.triroc.com/sunnen/topics/psychosomatic.htm

"Research has identified antecedent, collateral, and subsequent factors to scientifically describe and control this disease in terms of diagnosis, management, and treatment. Paradoxically and regrettably, the prognosis for those with asthma is worse than ever. Curious also that a noninfectious disease should spread so rapidly and mostly for specific groups identified by variables like age, gender, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status.

Furthermore, partial, not full, family concordance indicates merely genetic influence, not determination. General medicine now focuses on enumerating the range of environmental and situational triggers, or stimuli, producing asthma and describing the pathophysiology of bronchial inflammation."

http://www.psychosomaticmedicine.org/cgi/content/full/62/6/816

EDIT: For balance:

"People used to think asthma was a psychological problem. It is not. Asthma is a real medical problem, but too much stress can make asthma worse."

http://www.lungusa.org/site/pp.asp?c=dvLUK9O0E&b=22598#head

67. Big-brained Animals Evolve Faster

Comment #230734 by Tyler Durden on August 15, 2008 at 4:46 am

Quetz,

I agree.

But, Ambulocetus... my photo... Grand Gallerie d'Evolution... Paris...

68. Big-brained Animals Evolve Faster

Comment #230725 by Tyler Durden on August 15, 2008 at 4:39 am

Comment #230722 by princezephyr

No fossil remains of any half-fish, half-amphibian, or half-dinosaur, half-bird, or half-ape, half-humanâ€"forms so eagerly awaited by evolutionistsâ€"have ever been discovered.

You obviously know nothing about Darwinian evolution by natural selection.

All fossils are transitional - what are you expecting to see - two species "merged" together like something from Dr. Moreau?? Sigh!

Perhaps you could read a book on the subject first before posting here.

69. Big-brained Animals Evolve Faster

Comment #230720 by Tyler Durden on August 15, 2008 at 4:32 am

Comment #230716 by princezephyr

go and look at all these museums where the fossils look exactly same as the organisms present today on the face of this earth

Er, princezephyr, have you ever actually been to a museum?

I was in the Grand Gallerie d'Evolution in Paris last week, I saw the Ambulocetus fossil, a transitional fossil from land-based mammals to whales, it lived during early Eocene some 50-49 milion years ago.

Check out my avatar for a photo.

Sorry, you were saying?

70. The rebellion of the child-brides

Comment #230711 by Tyler Durden on August 15, 2008 at 4:10 am

princezephyr,

What's your opinion on marrying six-year old girls, and raping nine-year old girls?

71. Enemies of Reason: Available now on DVD!

Comment #230664 by Tyler Durden on August 15, 2008 at 3:11 am

Comment #230585 by irate_atheist

Durant - it's over to you.

** tumbleweeds blow by **

Aww, poor Durant, did the nasty atheist put you on the spot and make you *think* for once. Boo hoo!

And now, back to our regularly scheduled programming...

72. On TV: The Genius of Charles Darwin: Presented by Richard Dawkins

Comment #230085 by Tyler Durden on August 14, 2008 at 8:36 am

Particularly disgraceful was an article on musical instruments in the May issue in which Mr Robertson used the Free Church's magazine to attack the Free Church position on musical instruments, which he himself had vowed to defend.

Have these poeple nothing better to doing with their time?

Seriously.

73. We need to stop being such cowards about Islam

Comment #230069 by Tyler Durden on August 14, 2008 at 8:11 am

Comment #230067 by Scep

Are the Christian fundamentalists much better?

But... but... that's just the Old Testament they'll say. We've moved on from all that they'll say. We're peaceful and loving people they'll say. Jesus loves you they'll say. Come join us...

And we'll laugh. Oh, how we will laugh.

74. We need to stop being such cowards about Islam

Comment #230056 by Tyler Durden on August 14, 2008 at 7:52 am

How did Christianity lose its ability to terrorise people with phantasms of sin and Hell? How did it stop spreading shame about natural urges - pre-marital sex, masturbation or homosexuality? Because critics pored over the religion's stories and found gaping holes of logic or morality in them.

With science, don't forget the science!!

75. We need to stop being such cowards about Islam

Comment #230044 by Tyler Durden on August 14, 2008 at 7:32 am

twp,

blow the whistle, blow the whistle...

76. We need to stop being such cowards about Islam

Comment #230035 by Tyler Durden on August 14, 2008 at 7:24 am

All we're missing now is Joe Morealle and his $0.02 on this...

Hey Joe,

Come join the discussion... what's your opinion on covering (Muslim) women from head-to-toe in cloth, or marrying six-year old girls?

77. We need to stop being such cowards about Islam

Comment #230025 by Tyler Durden on August 14, 2008 at 7:14 am

Comment #230022 by Philip1978

you could be burnt at the stake or some other gruesome death for commenting on how nice the halibut was and that it was good enough for Jehovah!

Blasphemer!!! I'll get the stones...

78. We need to stop being such cowards about Islam

Comment #230006 by Tyler Durden on August 14, 2008 at 6:24 am

Comment #229998 by irate_atheist

irate,

anything for an easy life :)

79. We need to stop being such cowards about Islam

Comment #229992 by Tyler Durden on August 14, 2008 at 6:11 am

Kate.

Deal :)

80. We need to stop being such cowards about Islam

Comment #229986 by Tyler Durden on August 14, 2008 at 6:05 am

Comment #229985 by BFKate

Kate,

"The lady doth protest too much, methinks." Hamlet Act 3, scene 2

No seriously, give it a rest why don't you.

81. We need to stop being such cowards about Islam

Comment #229967 by Tyler Durden on August 14, 2008 at 5:47 am

Muslims are secure enough to deal with some tough questions.

He's obviously never "met" Joe Moraelle :)

82. We need to stop being such cowards about Islam

Comment #229962 by Tyler Durden on August 14, 2008 at 5:44 am

Kate,

Repress much?

83. We need to stop being such cowards about Islam

Comment #229954 by Tyler Durden on August 14, 2008 at 5:39 am

Comment #229919 by BFKate

Alright Tyler

Alright Kate.

BJ is a common abreviation for Blow Job.

I understand that, what I'm trying to understand is how you see it as an "insult". I think your reaction to it says more about you than it does about somebody who would use it.

Meanwhile, back on topic:

According to the Encyclopedia of Islam and the Muslim World, the meaning of hijab has evolved over time:

The term hijab or veil is not used in the Qur'an to refer to an article of clothing for women or men, rather it refers to a spatial curtain that divides or provides privacy. The Qur'an instructs the male believers (Muslims) to talk to wives of Muhammad behind a hijab. This hijab was the responsibility of the men and not the wives of Muhammad. However, in later Muslim societies this instruction, specific to the wives of Muhammad, was generalized, leading to the segregation of the Muslim men and women. The modesty in Qur'an concerns both men's and women's gaze, gait, garments, and genitalia. The clothing for women involves khumūr over the necklines and jilbab (cloaks) in public so that they may be identified and not harmed. Guidelines for covering of the entire body except for the hands, the feet, and the face, are found in texts of fiqh and hadith that are developed later.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hijab

84. We need to stop being such cowards about Islam

Comment #229927 by Tyler Durden on August 14, 2008 at 5:23 am

Comment #229913 by 8teist

stormy night here in NZ ,it can stop raining anytime it likes .
Wheres that global warming when you need it?

Methinks it's the global warming that's causing it. Torrential downpours here in Ireland over the last week. Same last summer. A product of global warming so say the scientists.

85. We need to stop being such cowards about Islam

Comment #229904 by Tyler Durden on August 14, 2008 at 5:09 am

Comment #229901 by BFKate

I am saying that Fanusi used the BJ insult...

And I'm asking you, nicely, what exactly is the "insult"??

86. We need to stop being such cowards about Islam

Comment #229900 by Tyler Durden on August 14, 2008 at 5:06 am

Comment #229892 by BFKate

Cunt.(Sorry it just slipped out.)

So tempting... so tempting... must resist... must resist...

87. We need to stop being such cowards about Islam

Comment #229894 by Tyler Durden on August 14, 2008 at 5:00 am

Comment #229872 by BFKate

I am talking about it because people were defending the silly little cunt without getting what was going on Like you are doing.

So you're annoyed at the "BJ" typo or not? Or you're annoyed at our lack of reaction? Or you're just annoyed. Do make up your mind.

Oh, and for the record - you're the one that made the "BJKate" = "BlowJobKate" connection in Comment #229745 - hit a nerve did we?

88. We need to stop being such cowards about Islam

Comment #229866 by Tyler Durden on August 14, 2008 at 4:27 am

Comment #229861 by BFKate

Laurie I disagree re the simple typo.

Kate, get over it, why don't you.

If you think the initals "BJ" are offensive to you while contained within a simply typo, rest assured I can think of much worse with your actual moniker of "BF".

89. We need to stop being such cowards about Islam

Comment #229863 by Tyler Durden on August 14, 2008 at 4:23 am

Laurie,

I agree, mountain out of a mole hill, and an excellent article on a very touchy subject.

When she was 14, she was accused of adultery with a man closer to her own age. Not long after, Mohamed decreed that his wives must cover their faces and bodies, even though no other women in Arabia did.

Is this why Muslim women wear the a burqa or hijab?

90. Judge says UC can deny class credit to Christian school students

Comment #229264 by Tyler Durden on August 13, 2008 at 9:37 am

Comment #229232 by NewEnglandBob

Didn't you know that anti-matter comes from Satan?

I thought it was dark matter?

I'll get me coat!

91. The Afterlife for Scientologists

Comment #229257 by Tyler Durden on August 13, 2008 at 9:29 am

Irate,

Would you care to fill out a free "personality" test and buy a copy of "Dianetics"?

92. The Afterlife for Scientologists

Comment #229194 by Tyler Durden on August 13, 2008 at 8:08 am

Irate,

You seem stressed, let's have a nice relaxing chat while we walk to the nearest ATM.

93. Al-Qa'eda in Iraq alienated by cucumber laws and brutality

Comment #229191 by Tyler Durden on August 13, 2008 at 8:05 am

Comment #229182 by Philip1978

now they are eyeing the fruit up and thinking the worst - I dread to think how far this is going to go!

Grapes? : )

94. The Afterlife for Scientologists

Comment #229177 by Tyler Durden on August 13, 2008 at 7:49 am

And in other related news, pre-production on The Hobbit, to be directed by Guillermo del Toro and based on the J.R.R. Tolkien novel, is to begin soon.

95. Optimism in Evolution

Comment #229170 by Tyler Durden on August 13, 2008 at 7:40 am

bamafreethinker,

It's the same process of cognitive dissonance and compartmentalisation used by people who've lost their family members, partners, homes, jobs etc., during a hurricane/tornado, only to then proclaim: "But I thank God my dog survived"

96. Do stop behaving as if you are God, Professor Dawkins

Comment #229162 by Tyler Durden on August 13, 2008 at 7:28 am

I wrote it, and the rest came from my web pages

So why not post an appropriate link to your site instead of spamming this site with pages, upon pages of text?

Your postings are off-topic and out of context, and read like insane rants directed at nobody in particular.

What exactly are you trying to say?

97. Judge says UC can deny class credit to Christian school students

Comment #229160 by Tyler Durden on August 13, 2008 at 7:21 am

Roger,

With regard to the recent uproar in Northern Ireland about Iris Robinson and her attempt to "cure" homosexuality:

Psychiatrist in gay storm steps down from Belfast hospital

http://www.independent.ie/breaking-news/national-news/psychiatrist-in-gay-storm-steps-down-from-belfast-hospital-1454104.html

98. Do stop behaving as if you are God, Professor Dawkins

Comment #229156 by Tyler Durden on August 13, 2008 at 7:08 am

nightwatchman,

Try posting the URL to the website instead of posting pages, upon pages of text.

99. On TV: The Genius of Charles Darwin: Presented by Richard Dawkins

Comment #229153 by Tyler Durden on August 13, 2008 at 6:58 am

I must say that the scene at the beginning of 2:4 with Richard standing next to that delightfully muscular young man in the middle of New York, trying to explain sexual selection, was an absolutely priceless piece of televisual entertainment.

Carto, that's the Naked Cowboy, now a regular tourist "sight" in Times Square ;)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naked_Cowboy

100. Optimism in Evolution

Comment #229148 by Tyler Durden on August 13, 2008 at 6:39 am

Instead, we can ask how it got to be that way. And if at first it seems so complicated that the evolutionary steps are hard to work out, we have an invitation to imagine, to play, to experiment and explore. To my mind, this only enhances the wonder.

Good point. Whereas "goddidit" takes all the wonder out of it.

Perhaps these theists are inherently lazy and simply do not want to learn the evolutionary steps and processes involved?