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Comments by Podaar


51. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #196020 by Podaar on June 19, 2008 at 8:03 am

8233. Comment #196015 by irate_atheist

Mmmmmm, Cream Stout!

8232. Comment #196013 by Philip1978

I'm more a metal/prog fan, but I must admit it's hard not to sing along with "You're Beautiful".

52. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #196011 by Podaar on June 19, 2008 at 7:45 am

8223. Comment #195959 by Jethro

I want there to be more than natural selection seems able to support - like the notion of good. (At least you guys are telling me that natural selection doesn't support such notions.)
1) I think it's fair to say that I want what you want, but that won't get either of us a cup of coffee. It's unreasonable to suggest that it's owed to us simply because we want it. The only choice is to live and promote a moral life and to support social systems that enforce a common morality we can all agree on.

2) Its not accurate to say there is no evolutionary evidence to support 'good' behavior. As Irate has pointed out, there is a wealth of evidence that evolved social creatures have been successful (in part) because of altruism. True, natural selection is mechanism without a moral component, but it's evident that many species have found it to be a successful strategy.

-- Gregg

53. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #195762 by Podaar on June 18, 2008 at 6:54 pm

Frankus,

Got it. Right now I'm making dinner so I'll reciprocate later...

Then I'll send you a PM. *ba-dum ping*

54. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #195736 by Podaar on June 18, 2008 at 6:10 pm

8167. Comment #195729 by Frankus1122

Frank,

You keep saying we are mirror images of each other but you never provide evidence.

I have :-)-~

55. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #195734 by Podaar on June 18, 2008 at 6:08 pm

8163. Comment #195724 by ReceivedTheGift

You can't debunk the fine tuning of our solor system. Try again.

RtG,
The following is from another thread on this site that I thought you might find interesting.
Comment #195306 by Loke on June 18, 2008 at 3:42 am

Again, thanks for all the encouraging remarks. When I agreed to do an interview with "Fri tanke" I had no idea that the story would reach beyond a relatively small circle of Norwegian atheists and agnostics. I agreed to do the interview because I had previously appeared as an example of a religious scientist on some occasions, and therefore thought I should let the few people who had noticed know that I have come to my senses.

I cannot possibly justify spending time on answering all of "clearthinker"'s remarks. But since I am a cosmologist, I would like to make a few comments about the so-called fine tuning argument. First of all, a universe containing "bubbles" with different values of fundamental constants is a natural outcome of many variants of inflation, a period of rapid expansion in the very early Universe. Speculative as inflation may be, it has some empirical support since it gives a very elegant way of generating the density fluctuations that later became galaxies, stars, and us. The form of these primordial fluctuations can be inferred from observations and turn out to be in excellent agreement with the predictions of inflation. It is far too early to say that inflation is as well established as the rest of the Big Bang model, but it is equally wrong to say that it is an untestable theory, or lacking empirical support.

Even ignoring that aspect, I must say that the fine-tuning argument for the existence of a cosmic fine tuner is a bad argument. If you accept the premisses, then you are basically saying that God left the emergence of intelligent life entirely to chance and natural processes. But then you would think that he would at least have tuned the parameters of the Universe to maximize the probability for the evolution of intelligent life. In that case, he did a bad job with our Universe. He could for example have tuned the vacuum energy to zero, or assigned the neutrino a vanishing rest mass, and the result would have been a Universe where galaxies, stars and planets would form more easily than in our Universe. The parameters of our Universe are, in other words, not optimal for the emergence of life.

The Universe looks just like it would if it was the result of entirely natural processes. If there is a god who wants us to believe in him, he has certainly not made it easy.

The emphasis is mine.

56. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #195723 by Podaar on June 18, 2008 at 5:54 pm

My logical reasoning allows me to make this inference of apparent design. This is very justified to me. This is a very logical leap that most of society makes.

You are not setting the logic bar high enough.

or

You are not holding yourself to a high enough standard.

or

You're lying for Jesus, again.

-- Gregg

P.S. I'd like to have the 20 minutes back I spent reading conservapedia.
http://www.conservapedia.com/Intelligent_design
Not a single supported assertion anywhere.

57. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #195619 by Podaar on June 18, 2008 at 4:03 pm

RtG,

Did you notice how often the page at the link you provided mentioned 'design detection' but provided no methods to perform it? Where it listed papers on the subject, no website or link was provided. It is tantalizing, but unsatisfying. Don't you think so?

Wouldn't you love to verify the claims on that page?

-- Gregg

[edit] I'll try to read the page more carefully later tonight and see if I can run down their claims [/edit]

58. Oystein Elgaroy - the Christian defender who became an Atheist

Comment #195456 by Podaar on June 18, 2008 at 8:49 am

Oystein Elgaroy,

Congrads "It was a relief to let go of this, he says" The relief actually expands like the universe. Welcome. I look forward to learning what I can from your contributions here.

Everyone,

My wife convinced me last weekend to begin writing a narrative of the arch of my personal worldview. A kind of autobiography that describes how my world-view changed and when. She argues that it would be useful for my offspring to have as a reference should I unexpectedly shuffle off this mortal coil.

Anyway, just like the article above, I find this exercise uplifting and helps me to more clearly define where I am right now.

I encourage you all to do the same, should life give you the time to do so.

-- Gregg

59. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #195409 by Podaar on June 18, 2008 at 7:20 am

Keith,

It was scanned from a textured glossy. The translation to digital was dark and shiny all at the same time (hard to discern). To make it recognizable as us, I had to balance out the blues and gamma levels in Photoshop.

You can tell it's us now, but the final effect is a fake looking colorization.

60. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #195354 by Podaar on June 18, 2008 at 5:38 am

Frank,

It's early. Not much coffee yet. I never grew up. All are contributing factors.

:-(-~

61. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #195349 by Podaar on June 18, 2008 at 5:30 am

7999. Comment #195324 by Frankus1122

I also had a thought about beavers.
I know what you mean. I think about them a great deal myself.

62. Saving Us from Darwin

Comment #194732 by Podaar on June 17, 2008 at 8:09 am

147. Comment #194704 by ketch22
150. Comment #194717 by ketch22

*sigh*

I think I'll do some work today instead of reading these painful posts. This site is starting to resemble creationist fly-paper.

63. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #194632 by Podaar on June 17, 2008 at 5:45 am

I want to extend my congrads to Brian. I don't believe there was a better tactic he could have taken to show the weakness in RtG argument. The other xians who peek in will see this moron twisting in the wind and hopefully realize they need to think about their logic for a designer.

AllanW,

I'm gonna miss frank.

64. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #194331 by Podaar on June 16, 2008 at 3:52 pm

Reverend,

Except for those he damns to hell, or has killed, or those who upset his chosen so he sicks bears on them, or those who eat shrimp, work on Sunday...


It's worse than that. He loves them while he does them in. What kind of twisted shit is that?

[edit]Night Allan. "Lord they make you sleepy with the things they might say." [/edit]

65. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #194321 by Podaar on June 16, 2008 at 3:44 pm

7615. Comment #194316 by ReceivedTheGift

Trailer trashers are outcomes of their own free will.
Ok, RtG. Time to come clean noone could be that bad. You've had your fun tweeking our noses.

You started to tip me off when you said my avatar was a photo from a pair of preachers you know.

Who are you really?

66. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #194307 by Podaar on June 16, 2008 at 3:32 pm

7598. Comment #194297 by Steve Zara

You can almost hear the screams from here. :-)

67. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #194298 by Podaar on June 16, 2008 at 3:25 pm

7592. Comment #194290 by ReceivedTheGift

That's right. Devotion to each other, see?

Sometimes I get on my knees and worship her. Sometimes she worships me. We both feel the rapture that way.

[edit]

You forgot the second definition from Webster's website. Allow me.

2 a: the act of devoting (devotion of time and energy) b: the fact or state of being ardently dedicated and loyal (her devotion to the cause) (filial devotion)

[/edit]

68. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #194291 by Podaar on June 16, 2008 at 3:22 pm

7589. Comment #194286 by BillySands

Sorry to disappoint you Billy but the bible's version of marriage is just too barbaric for me. I was raised to be a gentleman, not hooligan.

69. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #194285 by Podaar on June 16, 2008 at 3:18 pm

RtG,

Ha, good one. No, if you must know the truth, there were two reasons. You're not going to like them but please remember, you asked.

1) Tax benefit.
2) So our adopted children could have my sir name.

No religion required. No ceremony performed other than we expressed devotion to each other in front of my temporarily deputized father.

70. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #194275 by Podaar on June 16, 2008 at 3:08 pm

7578. Comment #194269 by ReceivedTheGift

Don't stoop to the lows of these other uneducated forum players.
Hey, I'm the only uneducated poster on this site, but I'm married to a PhD. Does that count?

-- Gregg

71. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #194270 by Podaar on June 16, 2008 at 3:03 pm

7564. Comment #194255 by Goldy on June 16, 2008

RtG. Que? House, trailer? Sorry, way over my head there...


He's implying that you are 'trailer-trash'. Can you say ad hominem?

72. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #194249 by Podaar on June 16, 2008 at 2:50 pm

7547. Comment #194236 by ReceivedTheGift

Yup. Just little ol' me and my mentor, buddy, lover, fellow adventurer and atheist-wife.

Cool, huh?

[edit]
7552. Comment #194243 by Kardashovel

hahahaha. Nice.
[/edit]

73. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #194231 by Podaar on June 16, 2008 at 2:44 pm

7540. Comment #194224 by ReceivedTheGift

That's the second time you have inferred that Steve Zara is practically alone in his defense of evolution.

Please list the esteemed biologists who have scientific evidence refuting evolution...or, who think the current theory of evolution is false.

[edited for crappy spelling]

74. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #194222 by Podaar on June 16, 2008 at 2:37 pm

AllanW,

:) Don't you think it drives the fundies crazy to see a happy smiling atheist couple?

I see your avatar and think of black lights, lsd, beer and happy youth.

-- Gregg

75. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #194211 by Podaar on June 16, 2008 at 2:30 pm

7529. Comment #194206 by ReceivedTheGift

What do all atheists scream in the time of danger?
Oh, Steve Zara's wife, please help me!

But that's just me.

76. Saving Us from Darwin

Comment #194098 by Podaar on June 16, 2008 at 12:16 pm

115. Comment #194078 by Polydactyl

finally came to see that the story worked because it serves beautifully as a myth, a tale which explains things, and provides a satisfying picture for the mind, and a motivation for behaviour. It has a lot in common with other myths because myths are invented out of a human need, and there is a certain commonality to our needs. But when I came to look at how stories are put together, I couldn't help seeing that they follow their own logic (the needs of their tellers) and not the verifiable 'truth' of the external world.

I hesitate to offer the following for fear of derisive laughter from the learned that frequent this site, but:

Any geek who plays (or has played) Dungeons and Dragons and has invented a world/mythology from scratch can tell you that it is surprisingly easy! Not only that, the myths you make up can even seem more credible because of modern knowledge. I guess what I'm saying is, the old myths that people give credence to today aren't even very satisfying as fiction.

77. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #193936 by Podaar on June 16, 2008 at 8:20 am

Quetz,

Please forgive my blasphemy by wasting my hot beverage (coffee) by spitting it on my keyboard.

I beg your forgiveness.

78. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #193927 by Podaar on June 16, 2008 at 8:12 am

Oh great Quetz,

Do tell. Since we're throwing out any wild speculation that comes to mind, I'm in the mood to hear about it.

79. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #193910 by Podaar on June 16, 2008 at 7:58 am

Irate,

You've got to admit, this one will be hard to top.

*snicker*

*under his breath* ice shield.

80. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #193899 by Podaar on June 16, 2008 at 7:47 am

Ice shield? Ice shield!? That's the great hypothesis we've been waiting for txpiper to reveal? This is just too ridiculous to believe.

If I didn't know better, I'd guess the Reverend is doubling as txpiper just to give himself fodder for his excellent wit.

RecievedTheGift,

What do you think of your fellow creationist's wild speculations? Makes you proud, eh?

7400. Comment #193773 by Steve Zara

Steve,

I've lived 45 years surrounded by the religious and never heard crap like the creationists are spraying on this thread. As a knowledgeable professional, you have very specific scientific reasons to be angry at the stupidity of the 'ice shield hypothesis', but take it from an uneducated average Joe, it sounds just as stupid to me. [edit] I realize this is just an arguement from personal incredulity (just incase someone needs to take me to task) [/edit] Not only did it 'sound' wrong, it takes no time at all to find out why by doing a Google search. [edit] I see the Reverend already provided the following link [/edit] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvprBLhJx_o

The willful ignorance is truly amazing.

-- Gregg

81. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #192699 by Podaar on June 13, 2008 at 11:28 pm

7041. Comment #192692 by ReceivedTheGift

Most of society abides by these commandments as a standard.

But not the silly ones though, huh. Like; "You shall not make for yourself an idol" That would look strange engraved at the base of the Lincoln Memorial, yes?

82. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #192689 by Podaar on June 13, 2008 at 11:10 pm

7035. Comment #192686 by ReceivedTheGift

Ten Commandments? Oh, you've been talking about Yaweh? [laugh] All this time I thought you were talking about Allah.

The Ten Commandments are too short to be of use (and mostly silly). Thou shalt not lie is a good one and should be followed by more people posting on this thread.

83. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #192687 by Podaar on June 13, 2008 at 11:07 pm

7034. Comment #192685 by ReceivedTheGift

Hey, I've got an idea. Just so you'll know where most of us are coming from. Watch all the videos at this link http://www.richarddawkins.net/articleComments,2714,From-Big-Bang-to-Us---Made-Easy,potholer54,page1#192683

84. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #192684 by Podaar on June 13, 2008 at 10:59 pm

7031. Comment #192679 by ReceivedTheGift

You are wrong. I love all.
Yikes, you're not being very honest this evening are you. Look, I know your friends are watching your performance and you want them to know your loving and all, but really. It's getting pretty deep.

85. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #192680 by Podaar on June 13, 2008 at 10:54 pm

7030. Comment #192677 by ReceivedTheGift

Unfortunately, there is and there will never be any proof presented to you in which you would or could accept.
That's another lie. tsk tsk. All any god has to do is show up trailing glory (it's a kind of yellow custard) and we'll all fall to our knees. Simple.

I won't bother to quote the rest of what you said, but are you suggesting there are supernatural laws I should consider? Please explain.

-- Gregg

86. Intelligent people 'less likely to believe in God'

Comment #192678 by Podaar on June 13, 2008 at 10:43 pm

Tera,

Stop channeling my cat... she's walking around like a robot and meowing what sounds like, 'peeeeek eooooil'

87. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #192676 by Podaar on June 13, 2008 at 10:37 pm

7028. Comment #192674 by ReceivedTheGift

I still can't understand the hostility. Why are your responses so predictable? Why would an offer of prayer be so intimidating and insulting to you? If you don't believe in it what does it matter or hurt?
[laugh]Intimidating - no. Insulting - yes, because you obviously aren't sincere in offering your best wishes. So, that leaves the question unanswered, who are you doing it for? It seems obvious to me you offer it up to pump up yourself.
No matter how angry you get at me, I will never stop praying for you.
Who's angry? Me? Don't flatter yourself, Sir/Madame. It's not about you.
I love you and Jesus loves you.
That's a lie and you know it.

-- Gregg

88. Intelligent people 'less likely to believe in God'

Comment #192667 by Podaar on June 13, 2008 at 10:01 pm

115. Comment #192665 by Teratornis

Although I suppose cats do believe the universe has a purpose: to produce a steady supply of mice.)
...and petting. My cat seems to think everytime I sit at this keyboard the universe is commanding me to pet her.

89. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #192664 by Podaar on June 13, 2008 at 9:54 pm

7017. Comment #192631 by ReceivedTheGift

Science has crippled itself in the sense of the inability to look outside the box. Science does not allow for any reasoning outside natural laws.

Are you saying that your system is thinking "outside the box"? I'm truly interested at how you arrive at this conclusion (assuming I've not misrepresented your meaning)
But you must realize that there is more happening here. Most of the forum regulars are very unsure of their belief.

Are you quite sure? What exactly is that belief? I'm not aware of any regular poster here who proposes 'belief' in anything. Acceptance of evidence, yes, but there is a difference. Agreed?
1 Corinthians 1:19 For it is written: "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate."

Doesn't that cause you pause at all? These types of quotes were exactly the thing that made me think, "huh?" when I was eight and attending Sunday school. How is that a good thing? If the glory of your god is knowledge, why would he so jealously guard it from his ultimate creations? Think about it, please
I am constantly referring my friends to this sight for observation.

Thank you. But aren't you just a little afraid they might find reason here?
Here is my suggestion:
Stop engaging them. It is useless. *snip* ….The Lord will do the rest.

You don't really believe that do you? If 'the lord' could do that anytime he wanted, why hasn't he? You don't really want that do you? You wouldn't be special anymore if your god stopped hiding 'these things' from the wise and learned.
To all Atheist Evolution supporters. I lift you up….

What? What does that even mean? [laugh] Sounds a bit heavy...and wooly.
God Bless
Now you're just being insulting and condescending. Do you offer this for the benefit of the of the forum regulars "that can't possibly conceive in a lord" or to secure a better seat in heaven for yourself? I don't believe you're being sincere.

-- Gregg

90. Saving Us from Darwin

Comment #192535 by Podaar on June 13, 2008 at 10:15 am

AllanW and keith,

I agree it probably isn't the right venue, but come on keith, how can you not enjoy "The Adventures of Gregory Peccary".

Really!

91. Godless

Comment #192470 by Podaar on June 13, 2008 at 6:05 am

10. Comment #192110 by FightingFalcon

I'm pretty tired of seeing that video on here. How many people are going to make up their mind on Obama based on a 2 MINUTE video
FF,

Are you sure their mind is made up? Solely because of this video? I agree that you have evidence of Obama's waffling on issues, but your "tone" (if there is such a thing on the internet) is condescending to the point of annoying. So, what if they like this video, how does it make them more gullible than you who enjoy watching Jeremiah Wright go off and then tell us all that's truly what Obama believes?

How do any of us know what another 'truly' believes? Does it really matter if other posters on this site agree with your choice?

[edit]I should know better than to post before coffee. Please ignore the pointless post above :)[/edit]

92. Report: Troubling texts at Va. Islamic school

Comment #192293 by Podaar on June 12, 2008 at 5:41 pm

40. Comment #192289 by Bonzai

I would add; religions are not equally dangerous in just a 'physical threat' way...they aren't even equal in the less obvious ways. Treating Wicca theology as being as dangerous as Fundamentalist Mormon theology is ridiculous too.

93. Louisiana's latest creationism bill moves to House floor

Comment #192278 by Podaar on June 12, 2008 at 4:25 pm

mere products of society and struggle between groups (for example the "slave morality" of Christianity arose from being in the position of the weak and underprivileged before the Roman Empire became Christian).
Que, Henri. :)

94. Richard Dawkins lecture at ASU's Tempe Campus

Comment #192258 by Podaar on June 12, 2008 at 3:35 pm

Thank you Richard (the real one) for this gem.

The President of the National Academy of Sciences has issued a fatwa against all who deny an asteroid destroyed the dinosaurs.


You, sir, made my day!

95. Godless

Comment #192095 by Podaar on June 12, 2008 at 12:46 pm

6. Comment #192092 by kev_s

Because Mr. Obama has said things that are the opposite of this speach...it's impossible to determine what he 'really' thinks. His critics on this website, I'm afraid, are spot on.

Sad but true.

96. Discussion between Richard Dawkins and Paula Kirby

Comment #191983 by Podaar on June 12, 2008 at 8:33 am

ForestMist,

Perfect sense and I agree. I was suggesting people were recommending interesting reading not solely because of the content, but because the reader is an atheist.

I could be wrong.

97. Discussion between Richard Dawkins and Paula Kirby

Comment #191972 by Podaar on June 12, 2008 at 8:02 am

271. Comment #191968 by ForestMist

Excuse me for interupting. It seems most people are supporting material that others could be interested in because they are atheists. I've not seen a recommendation from anyone to exclude other materials. I've actually purchased religious based books because of recommendations on this site.

[edit]Dinesh D'Souza's 'What's So Great About Christianity' was the book. Which I haven't been able to finish. Good exercise in patience though. [/edit]

98. How to reconcile Richard Dawkins?

Comment #191963 by Podaar on June 12, 2008 at 7:31 am

670. Comment #191961 by Podaar

Oh, sorry. I'll go back to lurking while I clean the cabbage out of my teeth.

Please resume.

99. How to reconcile Richard Dawkins?

Comment #191961 by Podaar on June 12, 2008 at 7:30 am

669. Comment #191729 by Podaar

The big kids are trying to have a discussion. Will you please stop interupting!?

100. Discussion between Richard Dawkins and Paula Kirby

Comment #191767 by Podaar on June 11, 2008 at 4:05 pm

199. Comment #191476 by Paula Kirby

Thank you so much for the report and your intestinal fortitude. Fascinating reading.

-- Gregg

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