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Comments by Richard Morgan


51. Fleabytes

Comment #151034 by Richard Morgan on March 28, 2008 at 3:43 am

Steve Zara

If it is sinful, then he isn't perfect.
If it isn't sinful, then he is a hypocrite, which is sinful, so he isn't perfect.
I recognise excess coffee syndrome.

Paula, Steve's been at the coffee again!

52. Fleabytes

Comment #151033 by Richard Morgan on March 28, 2008 at 3:41 am

I don't know. Pray tell me what accountants use to avoid making little accountants.

53. Fleabytes

Comment #151022 by Richard Morgan on March 28, 2008 at 3:22 am

Steve Zara - you've been drinking too much coffee again.

54. Fleabytes

Comment #151020 by Richard Morgan on March 28, 2008 at 3:19 am

Steve Zara : Of course Quetzy is an atheist, he just disbelieves in one god less than you!

55. Fleabytes

Comment #151014 by Richard Morgan on March 28, 2008 at 3:02 am

Paula - please get better soon and COME BACK.
RDNetters without you start behaving like Christians without God.









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56. Fleabytes

Comment #151012 by Richard Morgan on March 28, 2008 at 2:59 am

I suppose there are worse ways of keeping a thread alive...




http://www.myspace.com/fleabytes

57. Fleabytes

Comment #151011 by Richard Morgan on March 28, 2008 at 2:57 am

irate atheist :

As there's nothing interesting here today, I'm not sure I can be bothered to leave a comment
Well, I'm glad you didn't!!!
And I'm certainly not going to reply, you cheerless ol' thingummy.
Beer? Sex? Nothing interesting?

58. Fleabytes

Comment #151010 by Richard Morgan on March 28, 2008 at 2:55 am

mikejswalker

As for sex, I await it with glee and a touch of intimidation
It's always that way for those of us who were brought up by rather over-bearing mothers. But the "touch of intimidation" does make it a little more exciting don't you think? (Though at my age, any kind of "touch" is welcome thank you very much.)

59. Sue Blackmore debates Alister McGrath

Comment #150996 by Richard Morgan on March 28, 2008 at 12:50 am

( I'm one of those people who appreciate a good public speaker, and discourse broken up with "Ums" and "Errrs" rather irritates me. During a sleepless night, I cleaned all the "Ums" from Sue Blackmore's Proposition, and posted it in a standalone player on the fleabytes Music Myspace. Give it a try - it makes for much pleasanter listening.)(Next time I suffer from insomnia, I'll clean out the "it seems to me" from A.McGrath's presentation, which will probably reduce it by about a third!)


http://www.myspace.com/fleabytes


(standalone player in the left column with the Lava Lizard's music.)

60. Fleabytes

Comment #150992 by Richard Morgan on March 28, 2008 at 12:33 am

Paula! What wonderful news to wake up to - not that you've been poorly, but that you're still around!
I'm very very happy to read your post.
I hope you're feeling better now (don't forget your vitamins). I think I speak for many people here when I say we've missed you, really missed you.
I am reminded of the little boy who wrote to his friend saying :
Mummy is in hospital, and Daddy and me and my four sisters and three brothers, we're all alone in the house.
(I note however, that while you were surprised to catch us out talking about beer, you say nothing about the sexy talk!)

61. Fleabytes

Comment #150835 by Richard Morgan on March 27, 2008 at 1:08 pm

annabanana : "vomits" verb, or "vomits" plural? IN either case, it's a lousy name for a beer.

62. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #150826 by Richard Morgan on March 27, 2008 at 12:59 pm

Richard Dawkins - I have sent you a PM.

63. Fleabytes

Comment #150820 by Richard Morgan on March 27, 2008 at 12:55 pm

Geoff

Back on-topic, I've been married (this time round) for 25 years, and get quite enough sex!
Good for you, mate! But does your wife?

64. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #150790 by Richard Morgan on March 27, 2008 at 12:23 pm

Al-rawandi : I am watching your elections as closely as possible. It's something I like to do. Far more entertaining than following French elections.
But I don't see the connection with my comments...
Srsly. Could you explain please?
Thanks, chum!

65. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #150781 by Richard Morgan on March 27, 2008 at 12:16 pm

That SPECIFIC contradiction means that he told a lie (or three) You seem to have some scruples about calling Mathis a liar. I can respect that.
Let us just say, then, that he has misrepresented the truth.
Where I come from, that makes him a liar.
But don't forget that he and his cronies are probably losing less sleep over all this than you.
Your universe is so, so different from his...
It's almost a proof of the multiverse theory.

66. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #150760 by Richard Morgan on March 27, 2008 at 11:57 am

Richard,
It is quite clear to all of us (your friends, and admirers who have a strange attachment to things like integrity and truth) that Mark Mathis does not burden himself with notions of "good faith". They are just words to be used when the circumstances require them.
For example, at the time of the interview for "Crossroads" there was good faith on both sides. Something has happened since to make you his enemy. Or whatever..
But please, Richard, for the sake of your health and/or your nervous system stop trying to make sense of all this.They're not worth it.
These guys probably think the Extended Phenotype is a penis-enlarger.
"Are you right?"
You don't need to ask for our approval - on any subject.
Best to let it go, methinks.

67. Fleabytes

Comment #150753 by Richard Morgan on March 27, 2008 at 11:41 am

About 75,000 years ago a supervolcanic eruption at Toba probably nearly wiped out all humans, leaving only a small group from which we are all descended.
But does that explain rolled-up newspapers and wedding cakes?
Stop avoiding the question!

68. Fleabytes

Comment #150749 by Richard Morgan on March 27, 2008 at 11:38 am

What's going on here?
When I left this thread a couple of hours ago, we were having a good intellectual rough'n'tumble, talking about sex with rolled-up newspapers, annabanana's fantasies, poisoned wedding cake, all those things which are of great political importance to atheists in a post-postmodern society..
And when i get back, what do I read?

*walks away head hung in shame*
followed by
What, that wasn't intellectually stimulating?
What is wrong with you guys?
You're doing this on purpose, aren't you, to give DR sermon material for next Sunday.
I'm going to tell Aunty Paula about you!
You'll see!
Nah!

69. Fleabytes

Comment #150689 by Richard Morgan on March 27, 2008 at 9:05 am

annabananan

For instance, I should be avoiding wedding cake at all costs.
No! Just wedding cake prepared by epeeist!

(Good to see this thread back on the road. Paula - look what happens to your thread when you leave it alone for a few days.

70. Fleabytes

Comment #150678 by Richard Morgan on March 27, 2008 at 8:50 am

Sex? A rolled up newspaper? What will they think up next?
*shakes head in sad disbelief - then smiles a small, wry, mischievous smile*
Quetzalcoatl

a weird area.
- welcome aboard! You're just in time!

71. Fleabytes

Comment #150672 by Richard Morgan on March 27, 2008 at 8:41 am

AL-RAWANDI - Don't shout at me! I wasn't the one who started all this talk about sex! Not this time! I plead innocent. She started it all, I promise you, it wasn't me!!
(OK - I know my place, it was probably all my fault anyway. *puts coat on and slopes off towards the door*)

epeeist

Just don't eat the wedding cake - it has permanent anti-aphrodisiac properties.
The sad,bitter voice of experience, huh?

72. Fleabytes

Comment #150670 by Richard Morgan on March 27, 2008 at 8:37 am

Steve - wrong again. Marriage is the conversation stopper. Not the other way around.

annabanana - who says that sex ends when marriage begins? Sex with the person you marry, perhaps, but sex, per se?

73. Fleabytes

Comment #150661 by Richard Morgan on March 27, 2008 at 8:28 am

And although it is probably common knowledge even the church of the FSM has split.
Yep - I'm working on suitable punishment for the apostates. Something along the lines of : a forced five-year debate with wooter, or, even worse, a diet of instant powdered coffee and sliced, crustless bread.

irate_atheist
I don't think it was a joke, more of an observation.
Why did I just feel a huge wave of sympathy for Mrs irate_atheist...?


EDIT : I am filled with wonderment when I stand back to better appreciate the soaring, intellectual heights to which I can rise in this thread.
Awesome!

74. Fleabytes

Comment #150659 by Richard Morgan on March 27, 2008 at 8:25 am

annabanana : kaiserkiss is right. You are highly appreciated here, and you shouldn't put yourself down. There are huge differences between British and European and American senses of humour. YOU didn't fail - I failed to understand.
"Love is blind, but marriage restores sight."

75. Fleabytes

Comment #150657 by Richard Morgan on March 27, 2008 at 8:21 am

al-rawandi - "a planet", just one? You must be joking. When you're a God you get to have as many planets as you want, without even having to obtain planning permission.

76. Fleabytes

Comment #150649 by Richard Morgan on March 27, 2008 at 8:06 am

annabanana

more than one mother-in-law, let alone more than one wife not to have sex with? ;-)
Huh?
And anyway, Mormons actually believe that each worthy Mormon male will become a God with countless goddess wives. (I am not joking, folks), their main job being to create countless spirit children by endless spiritual shenanigans.
This is the ex-Mormon missionary telling you this, guys. The "72 virgins" thing kind of pales into insignificance, doesn't it?

77. Fleabytes

Comment #150642 by Richard Morgan on March 27, 2008 at 7:55 am

annabanana - I was talking about main-line, Mutt Romney Mormonism.
(I was a Mormon for many years, and a Mormon MLissionary for two of them!!)
The small sects that practice polygamy and live in mansions....how do you join?
(hehe)
Oscar Wilde said, " Bigamy is having one spouse too many. So is mono
gamy."




http://www.myspace.com/fleabytes

78. Fleabytes

Comment #150635 by Richard Morgan on March 27, 2008 at 7:40 am

Doyou realise that the Mormons have Book of Mormon study guides, groups, classes, quizzes .. the whole shebang? But at least they don't allow different interpretations of the BoM. There is one party line, all the members HAVE to toe this line, and there's no wiggle room.
As one of their boss-men once said : "When the Brethren have spoken, the thinking has been done."
And, you know, for lots of Mormons, that's a very comforting attitude.
The Book of Mormon!
Can you imagine that?

79. Fleabytes

Comment #150628 by Richard Morgan on March 27, 2008 at 7:35 am

Dr Benway - a PM awaits you.

80. Fleabytes

Comment #150603 by Richard Morgan on March 27, 2008 at 6:54 am

Dr Benway

Don't be simple. You don't have to take sides to appreciate them both.
You really can be quite naughty at times. I believe what you're doing there is called "moving the goalposts".
I am certainly at least as aware as you are of the importance of being able to appreciate "both sides" of a story. I never accused you of taking sides.
But after your little tantrum "Don't be simple" (We who read and appreciate you regularly just take these in our stride now!) you refuse the in-group/out-group mindset BUT talk about "sides". THAT was my point.

EDIT : Just out of curiosity, are there any statistics concerning the use of psycho effective drugs and religious beliefs or absence thereof?

81. Fleabytes

Comment #150597 by Richard Morgan on March 27, 2008 at 6:46 am

Dr Benway - yes, you're right. I'm afraid that once again it's been a problem of social/cultural differences. If I went out into the street here in Toulouse, France and asked people if they believed that the Bible was the perfect revelation, the word of God, I'd have to bother a lot of people before finding one who replied, "Yes - I'm a true believer."

Ah, la belle France - one of the champions of the Enlightenment, secular government and all that. It also holds the record for being the country with the highest use of psychoeffective drugs. Yep. Number One in the world.
"Of course God doesn't exist! Swallow this pill and shut up!"

82. Fleabytes

Comment #150591 by Richard Morgan on March 27, 2008 at 6:34 am

Bonzai : well said!


Dr Benway : You say "I prefer to avoid approaching problems with an in-group/out-group mindset." then you go on to talk about "the believer"s side".
Hm.
(Doesn't change the fact that you've "moved my thinking forward a notch"! Thank you for that.)

83. Fleabytes

Comment #150588 by Richard Morgan on March 27, 2008 at 6:31 am

Dr Benway and Steve Zara : OK - you've both convinced me.

84. Fleabytes

Comment #150581 by Richard Morgan on March 27, 2008 at 6:19 am

Dr Benway

By raising everyone's consciousness regarding problems of interpretation, we undermine this spurious authority.
That's one of those affirmations that "feels" right, but I'm wondering how this plays out in real-life situations. Examples, please?

Steve Zara
We may need to talk to them in their language, on their territory, to help moderate their behaviour.
Agreed. (This is also a fundamental principle of sound sales technique, but that doesn't detract from its worth in any way.)
Elsewhere, this has been called "spiking their guns"!
I don't question the possible usefulness (you say "we may" ) of a sort of "Hermeneutics for Atheists" guide book. But "the political importance" in "social authority"....?

85. Fleabytes

Comment #150574 by Richard Morgan on March 27, 2008 at 6:10 am

Geoff :

it's when debating with this group that the bible becomes an effective "weapon" for "our side" (scare quotes necessary!).
So you're saying that we should be familiar with the bible and other holy books, AND with the various interpretations going around, in order to use them as evidence to enlighten and convince the group of believers who are not aware of "these problems"?
Please confirm that I have read you correctly - then I will continue.




http://www.myspace.com/fleabytes

86. Fleabytes

Comment #150563 by Richard Morgan on March 27, 2008 at 5:46 am

Dr Benway

If God exists and has communicated His will to humans, and those humans have written their understanding of His will in scripture, that's not something we can ignore.
And if God doesn't exist, then that's something we can ignore?
Then you talk about "escape routes" and "shaky presumptions" as if they concerned us, as atheists. Surely, having once decided that God doesn't exist, then interpreting what humans have said in his name is hardly our problem.
Yes, ok, it can be useful to know what various theist groups are saying about their particular revelations. But would that not also imply that we need to study their theology as well as their hermeneutics?
Richard Dawkins has been heavily criticised for not knowing enough about theological thought, and his reply to that criticism is perfectly satisfactory for me.




http://www.myspace.com/fleabytes

87. Expelled from Expelled: PZ story goes global

Comment #150500 by Richard Morgan on March 27, 2008 at 2:56 am

Diacanu

What's the alternative?

A better tactic?

Or, silence?

My excellent young friend, for once, you are completely missing the point. I was not talking about what should or should not be done. We were just describing what is going on, and trying to interpret it correctly.
That's all.

88. Expelled from Expelled: PZ story goes global

Comment #150481 by Richard Morgan on March 27, 2008 at 1:45 am

Once again, Steve Zara has said it all.
Steve, I know that realism and pessimism often look similar, but you're right in your interpretation of blog behaviours.
It's like this use of the word "global", which I find a little dumb. Because of the nature of the Internet, if I want to post a photo of my breakfast on my blog, well, I can claim that my breakfast went global!
Also, I sometimes wonder if people realise that the "globe" is not entirely English-speaking. While English is often the favoured common language for internet communication, there is a different world out there.
Watergate was a scandal that "went global". Sporting events "go global". 9/11 was intensely global.
But a shitty little creationist film, and an expelled biologist?
This is a true case of what Steve says :

What can happen with this kind of campaign is almost a belief in magic - that if people wish for something hard enough by posting the way they see the future, then it surely must turn out that way!
(My highlighting)
Oh, and I suppose I can now claim that my opinions have "gone global".

89. Fleabytes

Comment #150459 by Richard Morgan on March 27, 2008 at 12:29 am

Dr Benway

I find the question of how one interprets holy writ very important.
OK. You're not alone in this. How is it important to you?

90. Fleabytes

Comment #150157 by Richard Morgan on March 26, 2008 at 1:54 pm

Yes - good question!
Coo-ee!
Paula!
Where aaaaare you?
We neeeed you.






http://www.myspace.com/fleabytes

91. Happy Birthday, Richard Dawkins!

Comment #150149 by Richard Morgan on March 26, 2008 at 1:49 pm

Bon anniversaire, mon cher et admirable
Richard DAWKINS

92. Fleabytes

Comment #150015 by Richard Morgan on March 26, 2008 at 11:56 am

clodhopper (who is any thing but)

why is this problem not resolved by a definitive revelation on the subject?
Are you blind and deaf?
Talking about a "definitive revelation" there are absolutely piles of them to choose from! What's your problem - you want another one just for you?
(While you're working on that one, let's have a nice cuppa together. How many lumps of sugar in your Broken Pekoe Cyanide?)

93. Fleabytes

Comment #149888 by Richard Morgan on March 26, 2008 at 10:16 am

al-rawandi

Anything that would kill you, but it obviously won't if you believe in Jesus.
So - if I believe in Jesus poisonous substances don't exist.... for me. And if they don't exist for me, how can I test the....
Oh, forget it!
I'm happy to take you word for it on that one.
Guess I'll just take the Chef's Special Brew for today - with sweeteners, not sugar. Jesus will protect me against poisons, but he remains silent on cholesterol!!

94. Fleabytes

Comment #149872 by Richard Morgan on March 26, 2008 at 10:06 am

Steve Zara

It is important for societies to understand that. It is nothing to do with atheism. It is about how we survive the presence of religion.
I've just been listening to David Robertson criticising Richard Dawkins for not knowing enough about theology. What you are saying here seems (only seems, mind you) closer to Robertson's point of view on the question than RD's.
Please explain where I'm getting you wrong, otherwise I'm going to have to go and drink arsenic-laced tea at Al-Rawandi's Corner Tea Shoppe.
(Or was it sulphuric acid or instant coffee or some such evil potion?)

95. Fleabytes

Comment #149856 by Richard Morgan on March 26, 2008 at 9:56 am

Steve Zara

I think it is one of the most important issues of all.
You think it is important for atheists to try to understand how people come to their various decisions concerning the interpretations of ancient holy texts?
I can imagine that it would be important for different Christian groups to try to understand how the "others" arrived at their conclusions, but for atheists, hermeneutics-bashing seems rather trivial. Rather like shooting elephants in a barrel or whatever the expression is...
And the approach adopted here, has become demeaning and childish.
On the other hand, if you wanted to explain indescribable higher-level systems, that, I would find extremely interesting.
And useful.
Srsly.



http://www.myspace.com/fleabytes

96. Expelled Overview

Comment #149844 by Richard Morgan on March 26, 2008 at 9:46 am

Christopher Davis

(Barnes & Noble does not have a loitering policy).
Brother, you should go to Brazil! The bookshop I go to in Vila Velha (E.S.) has low tables and arm-chairs between the bookshelves, and if you sit down with a book, a pretty girl rushes up with a cafezinho and a piece of chocolate.
There's one other good thing about going to Brazil - but I can't remember it for the moment...

97. Fleabytes

Comment #149837 by Richard Morgan on March 26, 2008 at 9:40 am

OK guys, I think you've all proved how smart you are pointing out the difficulties of interpreting ancient texts.
Don't you think it's time to pass onto more adult argumentation now?

98. Fleabytes

Comment #149807 by Richard Morgan on March 26, 2008 at 8:46 am

When you think of all the books published to help us understand Shakespeare - and your salvation doesn't even depend on understanding Hamlet or Much Ado About Nothing.

99. Police: Girl Dies After Parents Pray for Healing Instead of Seeking Medical Help

Comment #149782 by Richard Morgan on March 26, 2008 at 8:19 am

Vergin said an autopsy determined the girl died from diabetic ketoacidosis, an ailment that left her with too little insulin in her body, and she had probably been ill for about 30 days, suffering symptoms like nausea, vomiting, excessive thirst, loss of appetite and weakness.
So for a month they watched their little girl suffer in order to play mind games with their faith. because it is clear that these parents were more concerned with THEIR relationship with the ALMIGHTY than with their daughter's suffering. That is what is so horrible about this kind of murderous stupidity. "We're going to cure our daughter by praying." The proof of this self-centred approach is in their reaction : " apparently they didn't have enough faith." Doctors couldn't intervene, God wouldn't - so it was all down to the parents magic words - prayer.
THAT is why their other children should be removed. The parents are likely to believe that their faith will be stronger next time. Letting the first daughter die was just a sort of spiritual warming up.

100. Are the 'New Atheists' avoiding the 'real arguments'?

Comment #149578 by Richard Morgan on March 26, 2008 at 12:31 am

Aaaargh! 2-dimensional space!!!
Aaargh!


EDIT : COFFEE!!!!!

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