51. Pale Blue Dot

Comment #47625 by Ohnhai on June 5, 2007 at 5:01 am

I have embeded the one Meepo linked in a post on my site.. I was weeping by the end of it.

Best production values, audio and simple quality. Carl is audible and the music sets the right mood of breathtaking awe...

Bravo.


Here is to Carl and the pale blue dot.

www.ohnhai.com

52. The planet hunters

Comment #47264 by Ohnhai on June 3, 2007 at 7:52 pm

continuing on from what Jimill said...

The discovery of even ONE jovian sized extra-solar-planet (ESP) shortens the odds that there might be life out there, so dramatically it is hard to state just how more likely extra-solar-life becomes.

the fact we have around 200 ESPs on record (an ever growing number) continues to shorten the odds in leaps and bounds.

The recent news that scientists think they have found an 'earth like' planet - if confirmed - will dramatically shorten the odds yet further.

While the evidence is by no means conclusive (we need more data) the simple fact we HAVE any data at all makes the possibility of extra-solar-life a totally rational probability. Unlike the 'asstertion' of God.

53. Would the World Be Safer Without Religion?

Comment #43272 by Ohnhai on May 21, 2007 at 3:23 am

He says that we should work to make the practice of faith sincere,as if this will stop the violence...

What world is he living in?

I can think of no more sincerely practice religion than Islam and that is a hot bed of the worst atrocities.

If anything we should work to make the practice of religion as insincere and as trivial as possible. Then People wouldn't care if their neighbour practised a different religion. It would make as much difference as their choice of cereal brand.

54. Kirk Cameron Proves That God Exists

Comment #40040 by Ohnhai on May 12, 2007 at 7:29 pm

Damn. The RRS had this won without needeing to utter a single word after Comfort's opening arguments . So much for being able to Prove god 100% without once invoking faith. Comfort and Cammeron did nothing but refer to 'Gods word' and personal incredulity for their, 'Scientific' proof. Even going as far as to attempt to re-define science to create a straw man definition that could fit practically anything.

Bravo to the RSS. How Brian and Kelly stopped themselves from laughing out loud at the God Squad's ineptitude I don't know.

And thank you to Brian for reminding us all that you only need to open your eyes to see billions of living transitional forms. I frequently fall for the 'tyranny of species' and forget that is the case. I frequently think we should officially drop the concept of box/container like species definitions (it is or it isnt this species) and addpot a more 'pin in the map' style definition where organisms and groups are classified by their proximity to their local pins.

I don't know if Bashir was play devils advocate, but I suspect he was when he seemed confused by the "we are all transitional forms" comment. His comment that suggested that he read Brian's comments as suggesting the transition played out during the life time of the individual and not that the individual was the result of the evolutionary progression. I only hope he was playing dumb to extract a clarification, if not then we still have a massive amount of education to be doing… I loved Kelly's comment that "…we are but this year's model…"

55. French Muslim women opt for hymen surgical cons

Comment #39740 by Ohnhai on May 11, 2007 at 7:47 pm

So sad.

Especially the prevailing feeling that they have 'no choice' but to do this.

The truth is that they are unaware (or unwilling to accept its an option) that they do have a choice. THey can turn their back on their family and 'culture' and say 'sod you' I now live in Europe and I no longer have to put up with this. But sadly They dont believe they are strong enough to do this, because their entire lives they have has the notion drummed into them that they are weak, useless (save for housework and babies) and need a good strong Muslim Man to stand any chance of making it in the world.

Don't get me wrong. I'm not underestimating the strength is needs to break with everything you believe defines you. But it is a real option, its sad that so many fail to see it as such.

56. Unholy row at clergy soccer game

Comment #38090 by Ohnhai on May 7, 2007 at 12:26 am

Python couldn't have come up with anything better.


Comedy gold. --Sigh--

Would the Ref have been Atheist?

57. My response to the GOP evolution question

Comment #37812 by Ohnhai on May 5, 2007 at 7:47 pm

Technical criticicm.

A LOT of the text is hard to read. A lot of pale text on pale backgrounds. Try using a dark drop shaddow on the light text. Content is worth nothing if you cant read it.

What I could read however was good and... Love the music. (been years since I seen Twin Peeks)

58. The moment a teenage girl was stoned to death for loving the wrong boy

Comment #37809 by Ohnhai on May 5, 2007 at 7:33 pm

And I wish they would not call these 'honour' killings.

There is no honour gained or saved in this.

Again its is simply control through fear and violent intimidation.

The powers that be say don't do this or we will kill you. And then kill anyone who transgresses. (specially if they are female)

This causes the majority to keep their head down. You have the few stubborn fools, whom you mercilessly hunt down and kill. Yet more incentive to keep your head down.

You start picking on people simply on suspicion and, yes, kill them 'stone' dead. The people start to panic, and to avoid even the slightest hint of suspicion swing to the hard line, actively rooting out the 'infidel' and dealing with them.

Then, when they have trapped themselves in this cycle of violence out fear of being 'next', they persuade themselves that it is 'honourable' to do this that in the name of 'honour' they MUST do it.

There IS no honour in this. there cant be.

59. The moment a teenage girl was stoned to death for loving the wrong boy

Comment #37803 by Ohnhai on May 5, 2007 at 6:57 pm

Yorker: You say 'inhuman'.. Sadly I have to disagree. this act is so VERY human.

It is, until very recently, how the whole world worked. You only need to read the story and see the picture to know exactly what it was like to live in the time of the inquisition. The fear and the brutality. the unflinching control through sickening violence served up to any one even THINKING about disobeying the man. And it is 'the MAN' for a reason.

How you fix this, how you put an end to this I dont know.

How DO you stop people teaching this crap to their children? how do parents stop others teaching this crap to their children? How DO you make nation after nation, religion after religion sit up and take head when you say "enough of this crap!"?

This world depresses the crap out of me more often than I truly care for.

60. God Exists. A Formula Proves it.

Comment #37797 by Ohnhai on May 5, 2007 at 6:31 pm

anyone spot the real message there?



"hey Ive got a book coming out!"

61. Your favorite book in the last 25 years?

Comment #37354 by Ohnhai on May 4, 2007 at 7:00 am

ONe book? Easy..


ASH: A Secret History By Mary Gentle



as to the list I will have to think on it TGD is up against A Brief History of Time.

I hope the Professor (either of them) would not begrudge me that I have to think on this.....

62. Now Muslims Get Their Own Laws In Britian

Comment #36603 by Ohnhai on May 1, 2007 at 5:47 pm

BTW: Why is the woman in the picture covering her eyes??!!? is she afraid we will recognise her face!!

63. Now Muslims Get Their Own Laws In Britian

Comment #36601 by Ohnhai on May 1, 2007 at 5:42 pm

As long as it is not treated as a 'Replacement' of UK law then fine. they can over legislate them selves as much as they like. But sadly I think there are many Muslims who would welcome Sharia as a direct replacement and not as a subordinate supplement where it doest contradict the law of the land.

Despite what may be held by some,Sharia Law as laid down by these private courts can not condone inter marital violence of any kind as that is prohibited by UK law. Should they do so then they are directly in breach of UK law and can and should be held accountable.

I just wish more UK resident Muslim women would realise this and understand that they DON'T have to live under Sharia law (enforced by the husband or these courts) if they don't want to.

TO: Vertigo25:
RD.NET republished many articles that are pro the general consensus and many that are anti the general consensus. RD.net is a site that doesn't stifle the opposing view, but shows it in it's true colours. Most of us here are smart enough to see through blatant or veiled homophobia, racism or other nasties.

64. Scene Caused by Christian Group at NYC Stage Show

Comment #35984 by Ohnhai on April 29, 2007 at 5:33 pm

To echo the theme of the first half.

Don't Hate. Pity, if you must but don't hate. For it is a corrosive thing ad will consume you until all you have is that hate.

I know this. I hated someone with a venom I -- now -- can scarcely account for. Indeed I was only brought out of it by a friend how asked "why do you hate him?" and I discovered I had forgotten why I hated, only that I did.

65. Two idiots get a forum

Comment #35747 by Ohnhai on April 28, 2007 at 7:00 pm

OK Comfort and Cameron are bloody idiots (and definitely 'Masters' at it) I despair when ever I see this.

I know it's not really worth arguing against 'cause it so ridiculous. BUT... the desert banana (which is a product of 'genetic engineering' through the slow process of selective cultivation) is in fact seedless. It would have been impossible for it to have survived in the wild between 'creation' and discovery by man...

66. In the beginning

Comment #34037 by Ohnhai on April 23, 2007 at 4:54 am

Homo E:

Dawkins was mentioned, but not by name.

"(Some scientists and philosophers go further, dismissing religion itself as a phenomenon brought about by man's evolutionary needs.)"

This directly his stance in the God Delusion. I think we can also safely bundle Harris and Dennett into this quote too.

67. Growing Up in the Universe: 2-Disc DVD Set

Comment #31855 by Ohnhai on April 14, 2007 at 4:29 pm

That's a $100AUD in the school donation fund .

Would be nice to have a count of copies that either have been donated or are available (ie funded) for donation.

68. T. rex tissue shows they are related to chickens

Comment #31445 by Ohnhai on April 12, 2007 at 5:39 pm

Damn!!! thats one Hell of a Drumstick!!!

69. Prophets of the new atheism

Comment #30583 by Ohnhai on April 8, 2007 at 11:53 pm

I love it.. Nearly every time someone of an apologetic nature puts pen to paper they can't help but quote the first paragraph of chapter two (The god of the old testament is.....)

I have to laugh, because each time they do, they just push those words (which MUST be quite damming and dangerous to merit such attention) out to yet a ever growing audience.

All I can hope is that moderates will go "that's not the god I know" and then out of curiosity go and read the Old Testament just to check.. Boy are they in for a shock!!!!!

70. Growing Up in the Universe: 2-Disc DVD Set

Comment #29259 by Ohnhai on April 2, 2007 at 9:12 am

Long have I waited for this. I was 21 when I saw these lectures (the Christmas lectures being a habit of mine for years) And number three (Climbing mount improbable) is what finally rid me of any theistic urges.

What use is half an eyeball? in the evolutionary time frame THERE NEVER WAS HALF AN EYEBALL! What a revelation that simple understanding can usher in.

These lectures SHOULD be in every school and every library and every home. Get the pledge going. I will donate to a distribution fund to make these available to schools and libraries. They should be in every High-street DVD shop.

71. Atheist banned from committee on religious education

Comment #27462 by Ohnhai on March 24, 2007 at 6:04 pm

I love the delicious parallels with the attempts to crowbar creationism (in all its manifest guises) into the science curriculum.

Humanism and Atheism are not 'religion' per say, and thus probably should not be taught in religious education classes. Same goes for "Creation Science" not being real science and thus having no place in the science class room.

But where the division gets tricky is I believe that religious education classes must be inclusive of all religions and teach the actual historical (not hysterical) facts of all these religions. It should also make it quite clear that not believing in gods and the supernatural is equally a valid out look to take in this world. This can be done without teaching 'Humanism' and should be as humanism is NOT a religion, and religions tend to focus around deistic belief.

If you force humanism into RE classes then you best be willing to admit CS in to the science class room.

72. Polish woman wins abortion case

Comment #26617 by Ohnhai on March 20, 2007 at 5:38 pm

If she knew that another pregnancy would likely cause such health difficulties why did she not get her self sterilised? then there would be no way she could get pregnant and thus not need an abortion...

If however these potential problems were only related to her AFTER she fell pregnant for this last time then, and only then do I have sympathy for her.

73. Kissing Hank's Ass

Comment #26245 by Ohnhai on March 18, 2007 at 2:14 am

I just love the gag at the end where they were talking directly to Hank and didn't even know it :)

LOL

74. Beyond Stones & Bones

Comment #25288 by Ohnhai on March 11, 2007 at 5:45 pm

From my reading of that, what I understood was that while the tree of life is indeed not a new notion, the dawning realisation that there have been many more branches in on the path to modern human (post splitting with the chimps) that was previously thought. That we were not the only runners in this race. Not only that but the number of runners was surprisingly large.

That I think is the 'new' in this.

75. Response to Richard Dawkins and Sam Harris

Comment #24982 by Ohnhai on March 9, 2007 at 3:05 pm

"...But I've seen humans not acting like humans."

Sorry but everything a man does is acting like a human. All the depravity, violence, disgusting things we do to ourselves and others, all the kind, good compassionate, caring things we do too. All of it is within the human realm and ALL of it natural. All of it all too human.

76. Was there ever dog that praised his fleas?

Comment #24667 by Ohnhai on March 8, 2007 at 1:26 am

Bout half way through 'The Dawkins Delusion' by McGrath.

Now I don't often get angry when reading books but during the first half of this tome I have been at time incandescent with anger...

For a man who is writing this book mainly to take umbrage with Dawkins' mis-representation of religion he seems to do little else than mis-represent Dawkins. From being a 'God-Hater', wanting atheism force fed to 4yo children 'in-place of religion', to claiming Science has 'disproved god'! On that last note he even quotes Chapter 4's title (Why there ALMOST certainly where is no God) which underlines Dawkins' stance on proof of god and science. Richard is a 6.9 all the way, yet McGrath labels him a 7.

Amoung other absurdities McGrath even goes as far as trying to sepperate religion from its absolute core tenet of 'Belief in the Existence of God'

Yet both Dawkins and Dennett adopt a very cognitive view of religion, defining it virtually exclusively in terms of 'belief in God'. Yet this is certainly not the sole aspect of religion; nor is it necessarily the most fundamental.

77. Was there ever dog that praised his fleas?

Comment #24056 by Ohnhai on March 4, 2007 at 2:22 pm

I (in wanting to be open and inclusionist in my reading) bought 'The Dawkins Delusion' I will post a review once read.

Having said that I have not got past the introduction and McGrath is alrady falling into the typical habits of mis-representing the topic at hand: Dawkin's Beliefs and Atheism in general.

Will get back to you once done.

78. Books on Atheism Are Raising Hackles in Unlikely Places

Comment #23952 by Ohnhai on March 3, 2007 at 5:57 pm

I agree it's good that questioning of atheist thought comes from all angle and camps (including that of the originator) But it's sad that when it does come it parrots that of those who's job you would think to make such wooly and loose accusations.

The miss use of the multitude charitable works to prop up the 'truth' of a specific religion's dogma and holy book. You could be inspired to do good in your community from reading the works of Terry Prattchet, but it doesn't make those works 'True'. And even if there were many good works done in the name of the Gods of the Discworld it would take but a hand full of evil acts done it their name for a huge out cry as to the 'evil' of these books and calls for their eradication. And still the story within would not be any more or any less 'True'.

The JW's book 'The Bible: God's word or Man's' is chock full of this 'non-explanation' kind of reasoning. The example that comes to mind is, "Because so many people have martyred themselves or been martyred for their faith, this proves that the Bible is God's words not mans.". No. As I patiently explained to them over tea, that only proves that a large number of people were killed in the name of one religion or another, It may go some way to saying something to the strength of the beliefs of the dead, but it says absolutely nothing as to the 'truth' of the origins of any 'holy' text one way or the other.

Also how many acts of good work's does it take to counter balance a single murder in the name of a religion? 1? 2? 2000? 2Million? If a price can ever be decided, then has Christianity even come close to cancelling out the murderous and actions of the past and the present? NO! Don't ever go harping on about the 'Good' that the church does or has inspired. This is an EMPTY claim and serves you no good what so ever.

As to the argument about not being read up on the finer points of theology whilst taking an axe to the base of that tree, is also missing the point. Do you really need to be fully conversant with the finer details regarding the supposed existence of invisible punk unicorns? No. The entire notion of IPUs is so utterly absurd that is almost demands ridicule. If after laughing out of court the existence of IPUs, you are accused of not being fully conversant on the subject and thus, by implication, that your argument is invalid then you are free to laugh that person out of the room as well.

Why do you need to be conversant in all the vagaries and hand waving that accompany a religion's continual prestidigitation with the 'facts' and inventions of their dogma in order to stop the entire house of cards come crumbling down? As with IPUs there is no evidence to support the existence of the God/s in the first place, and until there is then all the dogma in the world is empty and void.

79. Panel discussion on atheism where no atheists are included

Comment #21710 by Ohnhai on February 10, 2007 at 6:01 pm

Well that pannel was good for one thing. It highlighted the bigotry, exclusionim, and intollerance for Athsists front and center.

It's a shame that the two ladies (espeially the black one) seem to have such selectively short memories. It was not to long ago that both women and blacks were castigated with the same ferocity, and should either of those groups had the gall to complain they were told to 'Shut UP' and deal with it.

And as for the 'Freedom of religion is not freedom FROM religion' comment... Well words just fail me. Tantamount to saying 'We dont care which God you pray to, but pray you must'. Sorry but 'Fredom of religion' Does by definition include the freedom not to practice religion at all.

My hakkles are rarely raised by this kind of thing but this got to me...

80. 'Everyone Is Afraid to Criticize Islam': Interview with Ayaan Hirsi Ali

Comment #20795 by Ohnhai on February 6, 2007 at 3:21 pm

She is indeed brave. It's fine for us to shout against the winds of Christianity, but the Islamic storm has knives. Would we who stand against Christ's church be as vocal in the face of OUR inquisition.

Bravo, bravo.

and again the overwhelming message is we should not bend over backwards to accommodate the anti social, destructive, default, unquestioning respect that religion demands.

81. Sextuplet parents take B.C. to court over baby seizures

Comment #20347 by Ohnhai on February 1, 2007 at 11:59 pm

Tough one this.

While the parents decision not to condone the transfusions was motivated and based upon their religious beliefs, we have to realise that as the legal parents of those children they have a legal right to deny medical treatment on behalf of their children. If we remove this right in this case because the decision was prompted by religious beliefs then you are on a slippery slope to denying all do not resuscitate (DNR) requests in favor of trying to save a life regardless.

82. [Warning: Graphic] Children's foreheads slashed in Muslim saint's name

Comment #19977 by Ohnhai on January 31, 2007 at 1:01 am

Is this any different from any religiously motivated cutting or mutilation? If you are horrified by this ask your self do you accept Jewish circumcision as OK?.

83. Ruth Kelly, her hard-line church and a devout PM wrestling with his conscience

Comment #18522 by Ohnhai on January 21, 2007 at 1:12 pm

Beth: I agree with you 100% if any NON-religious charity refused to work with same-sex couples their tax exempt status would be revoked in a heartbeat.

I despise the church for it's hypocrisy. "we agree bigotry is wrong, except when it's our bigotry!"

If they discriminate then yank their tax-exempt status. If they close the agencies they run out of childish spite then let them. The fewer outlets we have, where the church has the opportunity to indoctrinate our children, the better.

84. God, Inc

Comment #18470 by Ohnhai on January 21, 2007 at 5:09 am

Not bad. But no 'Mr.Deity'

85. Sam Harris at Idea City '05

Comment #18070 by Ohnhai on January 18, 2007 at 6:46 am

Sam should add a new line to the 'diamond' story.

Skep: "So, you have a diamond the size of a washing machine buried in your yard?... OK: I'll bring the shovels, Let's Prove it!"

Dimondist:"No, need! I am content in my belief of it's existence... Praise the diamond!

nuff said!

86. Beliefwatch: Blasphemy (Challenge)

Comment #15673 by Ohnhai on January 2, 2007 at 12:08 am

This is to let you all know that the holy-siprit (no- not butterscotch schnapps , the other one) Is noting but a no good, mono-brow carrot humping excuse of a demented, dribbling lover of socks who couldn't tie his own spiritual chakras even if he could locate them with his puss covered, webbed appendages that are sorely misidentified as hands.

Or would be if he existed at all, which he don't so I guess all that is attributed to him must have been done by other non-existent 'supernatural' concepts such as demons.

No wait they don't exist either, Damn guess we only have ourselves and our ego centric stupidity to blame for all the shit we do to ourselves.

Yours truly,

Stephen Rushbrook (aka OHNHAI)

PS: I wonder how many of these comments are getting flagged as 'Offensive' by the goddites among us?

87. The end of one law for all?

Comment #10674 by Ohnhai on November 28, 2006 at 9:41 pm

Sorry but there IS no leaway.

If you emigrate or visit any country then you are agreeing to be bound by the law of that land. To simply ignore it in perference for any other leagal system other then the one established and up held by the nation you are in is simply intollerable.

If you wish to be bound by, and only by, the leagal system of your choosing then please go and live where that system is the established law of the land.(that applies to everyone and not just the natives of the land of the alien leagal system.)

88. Dawkins's version of the deity does not exist

Comment #7637 by Ohnhai on November 18, 2006 at 11:45 pm

[It is a pity that his remorseless list of infelicities is not accompanied by a list of all the inspiring things that have been done in the name of religion.]

I'm so pigging tired of this argument.

OK there is this one guy who has rescued 10 individuals from abject poverty, set their lives on a better road, and done all this in the name of his god Does this make him good? OK what if the same man then brutally slays the next destitute he comes across. This he also does in the name of his god.

Is the man good or bad? Do the good deeds outweigh, exonerate, pardon or make up for the killing?

If we accept that Religion is the man and we look at it's track record then while the number of good deeds are plenty the acts of evil are multitude. The sheer number of murders committed in the name of the God/s would be enough, had this been a single nation, for the global community to put an end to it but religions evils go way beyond simple slaughter. The abject misery caused and condoned by religion is far to huge to be counted in it's entirety. Even if the totall number of good deeds out numbered the bad then do they nullify the bad? Does $20 given to charity wipe one grizzly murder off the score card on the other side? I so think not.

I doubt there is anything that the entire religious population of the world could do to atone for the sins of religion. How could it?

If a serial murder in his defense said " ok I killed those 56 people, but I do community work and give lots to charity. Surely that has to count for something?" The bastard would be laughed out of court. As should religion.

89. Religions don't deserve special treatment

Comment #5298 by ohnhai on November 8, 2006 at 5:49 pm

Damn!

That so needs to start:

"We, the free-thinking people..."


I'm gonna print that and learn to orate it with passion and pace and deliver it like a sergical strike to the audience of any evangelical on a soapbox I enconter.

90. BBC Profile - Richard Dawkins

Comment #4606 by ohnhai on November 4, 2006 at 6:48 pm

The stressing of 'Blind Chance' in summising the premis of 'the blind watchmaker' I would asume would have infuriated Dr Dawkins.

91. Atheist firebrand

Comment #4430 by ohnhai on November 3, 2006 at 9:07 pm

Hal: Why Christianity? Why not any system of moral guidance/policing. The degradation of society in western countries, has more to do with social economics, blind PC thinking, and shrinking reasons to flollow/adapt Kin/Reciprocal/and other forms of altruism that are less valid under the size of the populations we commonly live in.

I feel sorry for you that it took religion to open your mind/heart to others but if you stopped beliving/following Christ tomorrow are you honestly telling me you would stop caring for other now you eyes are open to their need?

92. Penn Jillette Interviews Richard Dawkins

Comment #3368 by Ohnhai on October 27, 2006 at 10:07 pm

We need a grass roots campaign to insert that disclaimer at the end into every bible we can get our hands on...

93. God only knows who's right or wrong

Comment #3009 by Ohnhai on October 25, 2006 at 6:17 am

At least (it seems) she got to the end of chapter four, got to the point where Richard concludes that God, almost certainly, does not exist, and then stopped reading any further because the 'ace' had been played. Chapters 5 and onwards are some of the more genuinely interesting things I have read in a long time and did expand my knowledge and thoughts. (I even learned why moths fly into flames, and then almost brained myself on a lamppost testing the theory out as I crossed the car park on my way home)

Did she read up to the almost declaration of ‘no god’ and think “as I suspected: My Mr Dawkins is predictable is he not kiddies?”

Oh well.