51. State Approves Evolution As 'Scientific Theory'

Comment #129650 by liberalartist on February 19, 2008 at 12:25 pm

How about a relocation plan, put all the bible thumpers in certain states, and the smart people in other states and lets see what happens. They are already segregated by color (red/blue).

52. 'Frog from hell' fossil unearthed

Comment #129641 by liberalartist on February 19, 2008 at 12:01 pm

If I didn't hang out on this website from time to time, I would miss out on all this cool science stuff.

53. State Approves Evolution As 'Scientific Theory'

Comment #129634 by liberalartist on February 19, 2008 at 11:52 am

"The board approved the use of the term "scientific theory of evolution" in public schools science standards. "

now they need to teach students what exactly "scientific theory" means. As someone who lives in the south, I am pleased that they are at least recognizing evolution in the science curriculum. Its a step in the right direction. The real issue is, what will teachers teach in the classroom? That depends on the school district and how powerful the religous lobby is there. Many teachers in the US are skirting the whole evolution topic just to avoid controversy.

54. The argument from oranges

Comment #128526 by liberalartist on February 17, 2008 at 9:44 am

Take it from someone who lives in Alabama, the man ain't alone in his speaking!

Dog Boots: "Why on Earth would anyone be interested in the average citizen opinion of Evolution?"

because public school curriculum is the US is decided based on public opinion. And since these nut jobs reside more frequently in the southern states, education here suffers.

55. Study: Religion colors Americans' views of nanotechnology

Comment #128509 by liberalartist on February 17, 2008 at 9:09 am

I look on American, my country, as being a bit schizophrenic. Half of us are sane and rational, the rest are not. And unless "my half" starts making some progress over the fundies, then I think this country is in trouble. We have been the "leader of the free world" for a long time, but I think that since the end of the cold war we have been adrift. We were all raised to believe that America held the higher moral ground on this planet and that communism was evil. Well, now that the USSR is gone, we don't have a great satan of our own (although we are one for Iran!). People are looking to fill that void and some found it by villifying Islam and fighting the war on terror. Others are filling the void internally by such means as dumming down our science curriculum, packing the courts with religious fundies, etc. I think these are serious problems. The fact that many Americans say that nanotechnology is immoral when they are told to believe most science is immoral should come as no surprise.

56. Feb 12th: Happy Darwin Day!

Comment #125944 by liberalartist on February 12, 2008 at 9:57 am

Happy Darwin Day to all! I enjoyed all the great talent on display today :)

57. Charles Simonyi Professorship in the Public Understanding of Science

Comment #125518 by liberalartist on February 11, 2008 at 2:11 pm

I watched Planet Earth which was a great show and really showcased the beauty of nature - who needs god with all of that!? Perhaps some students get exposed to that stuff in school but I would think most are spending their time playing guitar hero rather than watching science on television. Even fewer people watch PBS. I think Annabanana and I are the exception, rather than the rule, here in the states.

58. Why multiculturalism must be abandoned

Comment #125513 by liberalartist on February 11, 2008 at 1:57 pm

It seems to me this is a problem that extends beyond the legal aspects. Of course British law would stand superior to any religious court, and those of us free from religious indoctrination are best aware of this, but what about general cultural and societal issues? I do think that multiculturalism is inevitable and can be a very enriching thing. In the US I like to celebrate St. Patrick's day and Cinco de Mayo, I like to go to the Greek festival, celebrate Mardi Gras and visit China Town. I like the idea of having a little bit of everything the world has to offer right here in the states (albeit a bit Disneyfied...). Over time cultures blend when brought together. But at some point a society has to choose how to treat one another, how to live together and how best to prosper. Cultures evolve, they should evolve, retaining what is good and disgarding what no longer is acceptable for ethical or other reasons.

we shouldn't ignore the fact that some immigrants have lived in a world with many outdated cultural norms. They need to be brought into the current culture, not kept seperate from it. And they should be told up front that they are coming to a western world with western cultural norms in which they will be participants. Modernity needs to happen to muslims and it won't if they live seperate lives within a dominant culture and are told that is right.

59. Exorcism undergoes a revival across Europe

Comment #125479 by liberalartist on February 11, 2008 at 12:23 pm

"People don't pray anymore, they don't go to church, they don't go to confession. The devil has an easy time of it," Amorth said in an interview. "There's a lot more devil worship, people interested in satanic things and seances, and less in Jesus."

No - people are getting smarter, they aren't buying your bullshit anymore. They don't believe in your god or your devil! which means you need to get another job!

"Exorcisms remain a touchy subject even among priests who perform them, aware that the rite is associated with medieval witch-burnings and the 1973 Hollywood horror film, "The Exorcist."

Which is exactly where it belongs - in history books and film.

I would think the psychological community would be up in arms over this nonsense, considering that most people who are "diagnosed" with demons are most likely in need of psychological care not religious mania. I am going to write to the APA.

60. Charles Simonyi Professorship in the Public Understanding of Science

Comment #125464 by liberalartist on February 11, 2008 at 12:03 pm

I also like Neil de Grasse Tyson, he is a great public speaker and seems very approachable as a public person, besides, he did great on Stephen Colbert's show, which isn't easy.

I also think its important to have someone who is not afraid of the religion question, like Richard. He was always direct and straight forward answering those types of questions. We need someone like that, not someone who is afraid to offend anyone with scientific truth.

61. Battle of the Chambersburg billboards

Comment #124771 by liberalartist on February 10, 2008 at 7:34 am

I knew someone called "Roscoe Barnes III" had to be a fundie!

62. Sharia law in UK is 'unavoidable'

Comment #123562 by liberalartist on February 7, 2008 at 10:55 am

The best thing for society is to do away with all religious laws and have only secular laws like in the US. I assure you, there is no one here trying to establish sharia and we don't have muslims on the street protesting about it. I expect that it can be a struggle to adjust to a new culture and legal system, but when people migrate to a new country that is what they should be expected to do. The only way to have one cohesive society is that all participants share in the same system and all are treated equally. If there are laws that muslims disagree with then they should participate in the national legal system and democratically make changes, not create their own, independent system. How do you define where one system of laws start and another stops?? ridiculous.

63. A Mutant Obsession

Comment #123178 by liberalartist on February 6, 2008 at 2:47 pm

I think its been great to have this atheist drive to confront the fact that many of us humans no longer follow 2 thousand-year-old superstitions and that not doing so is tied to knowledge, science, and an understanding of our universe. I think it has been necessary to confront religion head-on, but its been done now. And I have to admit I am growing tired of the debates (nothing new is said in them). I think the important thing going forward from here is to educate people in just this way as the article has educated me. To help people understand the truth of the world in which we live, in which we are a part. People want to be inspired, and I find nature highly inspiring.

64. Apologetic billboard replaces atheistic sign

Comment #123166 by liberalartist on February 6, 2008 at 2:30 pm

A billboard in every state? good luck in the south! I would love to cover up the "keep Christ in Christmas" sign that is still up near my home. It offends me!!

I am seriously thinking of moving to Wisconsin, 12,000 free-thinkers! wow!! of course they need to work on that cold winter thing...

65. God the psycho

Comment #121339 by liberalartist on February 3, 2008 at 9:13 am

now that's what I call a sunday morning sermon! Nothing like a good laugh to set up the day.

66. Documents detail church coverup

Comment #120999 by liberalartist on February 2, 2008 at 9:05 pm

The reason these priests are not being convicted in criminal courts, I suspect, may have to do with a statute of limitations law, most of the civil cases date back to the 70's and 80's. I don't know if there is a statute of limitations for child abuse, but could be. That said, can you imagine how much abuse must go on now in other parts of the world where the church is even more powerful? Isn't it time the vatican was hauled before the world court for crimes against humanity or something, perhaps we could give their billions to the poor and throw the nazi pope in jail with all those sex-starved priests of his.... just a thought.

67. Pope says some science shatters human dignity

Comment #120498 by liberalartist on February 1, 2008 at 8:30 pm

many in the west don't take the vatican all that seriously. But the nazi pope has a lot of influence in developing nations - like much of Central America and Africa, and yet somehow more people suffer human indignation in those places...

68. Banks are helping sharia make a back-door entrance

Comment #116333 by liberalartist on January 26, 2008 at 8:58 am

Sounds to me that this is a corrupting way to bank and banks do fall under a lot of regulations and rules, so I see a problem with it. 'Deceptive' does not belong in banking or we are all in trouble. This is not just a simple matter of catering to the clientele, especially since the clientele didn't seem to be complaining.

And what if the chinese in Canada suddenly demanded communist banking practices - people would be up in arm! But Islam is a religion so everyone is afraid to be against it and be politically incorrect. But Islam is not just a religion, it is also a political state and should be opposed because it goes against democracy.

69. Mixing Mammals

Comment #115610 by liberalartist on January 24, 2008 at 11:58 am

I've learned more about bats than I ever thought I would....I just love the educational quality of this site :)

On the other hand, is it just me that is creeped out by "outfitting mice with a chunk of DNA that directs wing development in bats, scientists have created rodents with abnormally long forelimbs"? Poor little mouse.

70. The devilish church practice of exorcism

Comment #114073 by liberalartist on January 21, 2008 at 10:17 am

Once again the Catholic church leads the way in human denigration. When will rational people wake up to the barbaric practices of their so-called religions?!

71. Vatican slams California firm's cloning experiments

Comment #114069 by liberalartist on January 21, 2008 at 10:07 am

they're just mad because they haven't been consulted about such issues since the middle ages ended.

Seriously, what international organization could claim to be more anti-life than the catholic church?! As long as people are not having inappropriate sex, then starvation, overpopulation, disease, misery are acceptable to them. They are abhorrent.

72. Gay Jesus play blasted by bishop

Comment #114067 by liberalartist on January 21, 2008 at 9:59 am

It is intersting how contemporary christians are always changing their religion to fit their own world view. Your a gay christian...well then Jesus could have been gay! Your for women's equality, well then Jesus was pro-woman! Your for peace on earth, well then Jesus was a peace-maker. Religion becomes fuzzier and fuzzier and that I think is a good thing. Perhaps as Daniel Dennett points out, religion will just fade away over time. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjljRkaKTwc. If so, its got a long way to go.

73. Stop revisionist Christian nation House Resolution 888

Comment #113880 by liberalartist on January 20, 2008 at 10:16 pm

I sent my congressman an email last week. While some politicians are truly religious, most will vote which ever direction the wind happens to be blowing which will ensure their continued re-election. So contacting them, IMO is worthwhile.

74. Honour Killings

Comment #113710 by liberalartist on January 20, 2008 at 11:32 am

reading that article just made me stupid.

How about we do away with all religious education in the US and UK and try teaching science for a change....

75. Ethical storm as scientist becomes first man to clone HIMSELF

Comment #113620 by liberalartist on January 20, 2008 at 7:42 am

Being able to show the science of cell production takes away the magic. Take away the magic and all those priests have no purpose. Its another coffin in the nail of religion...anyone got a hammer!?

76. Violence fear over Islam film

Comment #113614 by liberalartist on January 20, 2008 at 7:22 am

If we all used our expressions except in the possibility of "offending" someone, we would have little to say.

And I find it incredibly hypocrital that this guy would on the one hand demand his right to express himself in this movie and at the same time try to ban books.

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

Comment #111729 by liberalartist on January 15, 2008 at 3:11 pm

George, I send warm wishes for a speedy recovery from Mobile, AL. We need all the rational people we can get in this world so get well soon! :)

78. Stop House Resolution 888

Comment #108010 by liberalartist on January 5, 2008 at 8:22 pm

I emailed my congressman. But its probably a hopeless cause as he is a republican and this is the south. I told him to stop spending my hard-earned tax dollars on this crap - though I didn't use that word.

It is really freaking me out how religious our government is becoming. Has it always been this way and I just never noticed it before??

79. What have you changed your mind about? Why?

Comment #105720 by liberalartist on January 1, 2008 at 4:48 pm

Thanks for the great article, a good way to start off my new year (well almost as great as Mizzou winning the Cotton Bowl today!)

I changed my mind this year about the existance of god. For a long time I thought that the universe seemed orderly, which implied god but since it functioned on its own, god wasn't around anymore. Then I read the God Delusion and Victor Stenger's book. So now I know there are explanations other than god.

Anyone who says they don't change their mind is either an idiot or a liar. Where politicians are concerned probably both.

Happy 2008 everyone! :)

80. Richard Dawkins on 'Have Your Say'

Comment #104869 by liberalartist on December 29, 2007 at 8:35 pm

Thank you Richard for that great discussion! I am so appreciative of the internet. Its rare to see this type of thing on television in the US.

What a relief that most of the callers were asking intelligent questions. Well, except for that prick of a priest! I've seen him on Fox and he is a fanatical moron that would be an embracement to most of my catholic family. And as usual this idiot has nothing new to ask except the old tired Stalin-argument. He obviously doesn't know the first thing about history. Richard answered him well. I find it astounding that a catholic priest accuses atheists of Nazism when we all know it was Ratzinger who was literally a member of the Nazi party.

This just made my year - just in time! :)

81. The Evangelical Rebellion

Comment #104585 by liberalartist on December 28, 2007 at 11:25 pm

Huckabee may seem like a long-shot right now but early primaries such as Iowa and SC are dominated by religious republicans. Bush beat McCain in SC in 2000 by convincing veterans that McCain (a war hero) was anti-military. Anything goes in American politics and I say anything is possible - which is a scary thought to ponder.

I think it is important to keep in mind that if Clinton gets the nomination, which seems likely today, the right-wing propoganda machine will rev up to full gear. They will do their best to convince America that she is the anti-christ.

As for me, with the Republican party the official pary-of-god, I will be voting Democrat, though I haven't decided on a candidate yet. I agree that our elections are WAY too long so I try to avoid it until necessary. When the time comes I will look at the issues that mean something to me, where candidates stand on them, and then vote. And hope for the best.

82. Holy Nonsense

Comment #95524 by liberalartist on December 8, 2007 at 2:08 pm

The Republican party has been the self-claimed party of god for sometime now. Prior to Bush it was a way to get votes, but with W, the party of god started changing policies, spending tax dollars on religious initiatives, packing the courts with religious nutters, and pretty much destroying our long history of seperation of church-state. On top of all this they found a holy war in the ashes of 9/11. I think the vast majority of Americans have no interest in this type of ideology. And I think it is very unlikely that a Republican will win the next election unless something unforseen happens (assasinations, terror strikes), because religion seems to be all they can talk about. Not all Republicans are christian conservatives. Lets not forget that the Dover case was decided correctly by a Bush-appointed Republican judge. I think the religious-right is destroying its own party, like a virus.

and calling secularism a religion is an oxymoron!

83. Fox: 'Atheist Outrage' over holiday 'Tree of Knowledge'

Comment #94757 by liberalartist on December 6, 2007 at 1:06 pm

Fox likes to create controversy where none exists. I swear it was created to keep the masses ignorant!

Plenty of non-Christians celebrate Christmas. Christians stole it from the pagans, they don't own it, and everyone needs some cheer in the dead of winter. I enjoy the holiday because I get to see my family, exchange gifts, eat good food, sing old songs and watch all the Rankin/Bass Christmas cartoons from my childhood. I like the idea of "peace-on-earth", a concept many Christians ignore 11 months of the year. Imagine, no religion…

84. Sherri Shepherd needs to go away now

Comment #94739 by liberalartist on December 6, 2007 at 11:37 am

maybe she was homeschooled. According to Wikipedia around 2 million kids are home schooled in America, mostly for religious purposes. Scary.

85. Bad Faith Awards: Vote for the winner now

Comment #94733 by liberalartist on December 6, 2007 at 11:18 am

So many to choose from...
Westboro and D'Souza would gain from winning so I won't vote for them. Chuch Norris I would like to vote "worst actor in a campaign ad". The Nazi Pope should actually win this every year, but in the end I voted for the Archbishop because the more people know what he did the better. When I told my Catholic family what he did, my sister was shocked and my mother didn't want to believe me. More people should be aware of what the catholic church and other religious organizations are doing in Africa.

86. Chimps beat humans in memory test

Comment #93875 by liberalartist on December 4, 2007 at 11:17 am

"We are still underestimating the intellectual capability of chimpanzees, our evolutionary neighbours."

Or we are overestimating our own! :)

I work with college students everyday so this study comes as no surprise! One has to wonder if certain substances played a roll in their low performance rate...

87. Daniel Dennett Debates Dinesh D'Souza

Comment #92991 by liberalartist on December 1, 2007 at 10:24 pm

D'Souza's habit of using literature or other "props" to explain his point strikes me as his fear of actually confronting what he believes. He skirts a lot of issues.

I'm on part 11 - did he just accuse Athiests of Sacrificing people?!

88. Daniel Dennett Debates Dinesh D'Souza

Comment #92986 by liberalartist on December 1, 2007 at 9:47 pm

Dinesh D'Souza must have appeared one to many times on Fox news - he doesn't debate at all, just yells a lot. And he goes all over the place and starts preaching. What is the point of having a debate with this guy? It's the first time I have seen him and I now understand all the foul language that has been attributed to him. Very annoying, and I feel like I just lost a large number of brain cells!

89. Banishing the Green-Eyed Monster

Comment #92074 by liberalartist on November 29, 2007 at 8:45 pm

I am disappointed with this article. To me marriage, or a commitment similar to it, is a work in progress and, if successful, a lifetime achievement. It does involve trust, not just sexually, but emotionally and intellectually. Relationships are organic and complex and if they are strong, they survive the ups and downs. Some of those ups and downs could include infidelity and I think everyone has a right to make their own decision whether they are going to forgive a partner for infidelity or boot him out the door! But our choices have consequences. My father left my mother for another woman, then came back, then left again, etc. Needless to say, I didn't see much of him growing up. Sexual indiscretion is not always just a problem between two people, especially when children are involved. I think people should make a decision and stick to it, if one wants free-love, then find a partner and don't have kids, if one wants a family then commit to it.

As for Clinton, I thought the whole affair (pun intended) was a circus. I thought he was a weak man who handed his political enemies a smoking gun. Impeachment is political, it involves neither reason nor law, which I have realized more recently.

90. Boy dies of leukemia after refusing treatment for religious reasons

Comment #92070 by liberalartist on November 29, 2007 at 8:25 pm

"I don't think Dennis is trying to commit suicide."

That is exactly what it was. If he had attempted to shoot himself he would have been placed into custody in a mental facility. The law doesn't consider a 14 year old an adult, the law forbids euthenasia, but put religion in front of it and suddenly the laws change.

91. Megachurches Add Local Economy to Their Mission

Comment #91652 by liberalartist on November 28, 2007 at 8:46 pm

"We try not to discriminate in doing community service," he said. "There are Muslims and other non-Christians here, of course. And we do want to convert them, no doubt about it — that's our mission. We don't discriminate, but we do evangelize."

creepy conformity, those churches take over everything in a person's life. Might as well be Amish. Their agenda seems very clear, they want the christian equivalent of Iran, where every aspect of your life (civil, social, educational) is dictated by the faith.

92. Turkey probes atheist's 'God' book

Comment #91646 by liberalartist on November 28, 2007 at 7:53 pm

6000 people were brave enough to buy TGD in a muslim country! Or should I say only 6000 people had the guts to buy TDG in a muslim country?

As the EU seems to be the new up-and-coming leader of the free world (the USA, my home, seems to be falling apart)it seems to me imparative that they preserve our western enlightenment values. Don't let Islamic law sneek into and undermine western standards of justice, please!

And it seems to me muslims protest too much. They literally freak out over any minor infraction on their precious religion as if, perhaps it is breakable?! Is the current religious mania religion's last stand?! - or am I only dreaming...

93. Golden Compass author hits back

Comment #91257 by liberalartist on November 27, 2007 at 7:53 pm

Sounds like a good book and movie, can't wait to see it! I like to watch the movie first, and then read the book. Books are always better and that way I can enjoy them both.

"The League says that parents might be taken in by the toned-down film - but will then be fooled into buying the "overtly atheistic and anti-Christian" books."
Ooh! Sounds like another atheist conspiracy to me! I think it is funny how paranoid the catholic church sounds when anything comes along that would question their authority and divineness.

Frankus1122 - you definitely have your work cut out for you! I struggled trying to find the right words to have a conversation with my mother this weekend. I bet any parent who is against their child seeing this film has no real information about it, just listening to the religious authority. I would suggest steering clear of the religion topic and explaining how it will affect her socially to be left out. Of course, if she has already read the book, what's the point of boycotting the film?! Good luck!

94. Mitt the Mormon

Comment #91184 by liberalartist on November 27, 2007 at 1:52 pm

When I visit my mormon relatives in Utah (I was raised Catholic)I am always creeped out. The whole state has this creepy-conforming-cultish feel to it. I wouldn't want to live there.

As for candidates explaining their beliefs, ordeneus said it right: "What has primacy, the constitution or your religion?"
That is exactly what every candidate should be asked!

Romney chose to be a member of the Republican-party of god, so I see no reason why he should not have to answer questions about his religion. I don't think he will get the nomination because his religion creeps most people out when they find out the details. The more time they have to think about it, the more he will fall behind.

Now, can we start questioning the weird beliefs of christian politicians and make them accountable for all their bullshit?!

95. Georgia gets rain, but it may not help

Comment #88543 by liberalartist on November 17, 2007 at 4:03 pm

I live in southern Alabama and haven't seen rain in weeks, but at least my water is still running. Not as bad here as in Georgia. I'm thinking I will hold off on the praying for now - I need my roof! :)

Perhaps that was Zues - expressing his displeasure at their inability to know which god controls the big sky.

96. Judgement Day: Intelligent Design on Trial

Comment #88542 by liberalartist on November 17, 2007 at 3:55 pm

I have 5 nephews in school - 4th to 9th grades. I am going to buy them "Growing Up in the Universe" for Christmas because I worry that they don't know enough about science. I see so many college students who come to school believing they will be doctors or scientists and they can't handle the curiculum, because science just isn't being taught well enough any more in this country (USA). That School Board member was a fine example of the ignorance that is perpetuated generation after generation in this country. ID may have lost this battle, but they are regrouping and will be back - looks like Florida may be next!

It astounds me how people can embrace religious ignorance over rational science in a time when we have so many scientifically based problems - global warming, AIDS, pandemics...etc. We have never needed science more than we do today.

and kudos to that judge for being reasonable and logical and for truly understanding the rule of law. But that circus bit was funny.

97. Malaysia firm's 'Muslim car' plan

Comment #87941 by liberalartist on November 13, 2007 at 6:39 pm

the pope mobile would have to be bus-sized in order to fit all the kids god expects a good catholic to produce. It could also have rulers installed at the steering wheel to wrap your knuckes every time you make a mistake.

98. Onward Science Soldiers

Comment #87861 by liberalartist on November 13, 2007 at 12:07 pm

I have read Victor Strenger's book "God:
The Failed Hypothesis. How Science
Shows that God Does Not Exist" and I recommend it to anyone who hasn't had the pleasure. Its a lot of science but I was able to keep up with most of it. :)

The Bush administration has done a lot of damage to public policy and our poor "wall" is crumbling. I just have to hope the next president can fix it. January, 2009 cannot get here soon enough!

99. Dr Bari: Government stoking Muslim tension

Comment #87265 by liberalartist on November 11, 2007 at 3:45 pm

This article gives me chills! creepy view of a future Europe, where Sharia law rules - arranged marriages, no pre-marital sex, no rights for women, and no alcohol - he must be insane! People should take this sort of thing seriously because a clash of culture/religion/politcal systems is taking place in the world. If we are a global world there is only room for one system. Do we want a free, enlightened word or do we want medieval barbarism?

100. Allan Gregg interviews Richard Dawkins

Comment #87254 by liberalartist on November 11, 2007 at 3:22 pm

I have read Victor Stenger's book and I thought he did a great job of explaining how the universe works (as we understand it today), which indicates that there is no need for a "god" to have created it. The interviewer here claims that there are many cosmologists that believe in god, but he gives no examples, I would like to know where he gets his information. I think Richard Dawkins is correct that you can't dispove god as you can't disprove the toothfairy, but Strenger has come close to the answer.