51. Religion as a Force for Good

Comment #74605 by mjwemdee on September 29, 2007 at 5:01 pm

This article had absolutely nothing to say. It's like a mouthful of margarine.

52. The Saudi connection that belittles Britain

Comment #73627 by mjwemdee on September 25, 2007 at 3:20 pm

On the prompting of RD, I wrote a letter to my MP (Anne Milton, Cons., Guildford) asking her to demand an explanation why the CPS should be considering prosecuting the programme-makers at Channel 4 for this daring piece of investigative journalism.
To her credit, my letter was handled efficiently by her office who sent a prompt reply. But I fear the dear woman must be a bit confused. Her answer read:

'...You may be very disappointed to hear that the CPS is not prosecuting the makers of the programme...'

An attachment from the CPS itself, dated 7 September and signed by the DPP, Sir Ken MacDonald QC, states:

'...The prosecutor decided that, on the available evidence, there was insufficient evidence of incitement to racial hatred'.

So I have an MP who cannot understand where I am coming from, and a DPP who clearly doesn't recognise incitement to racial hatred when it is put in front of him. We are all doomed.

53. The Sacrifice of Reason

Comment #66283 by mjwemdee on August 29, 2007 at 3:22 pm

This is fascinating. I had no idea that Mother Teresa was plagued with doubt. And that these doubts were just as precious to the Catholic Church as her steadfastness in faith.
...She couldn't lose, could she?

54. The Politics of God

Comment #64495 by mjwemdee on August 20, 2007 at 9:17 am

Brilliant essay. I am going to read not only the entire book when it comes out, but also get myself a copy of Rousseau's Émile (which I was supposed to have read at university!)

The future looks bleak.

55. These preachers of hate must be exposed

Comment #63917 by mjwemdee on August 16, 2007 at 5:47 pm

I have just written to Anne Milton MP (Guildford, Conservative)

Well done Joan Smith!

The age-old thinking continues. Witness the speech made by Algerian President Houari Boumédienne to the UN in 1974:

One day millions of men will leave the southern hemisphere to go to the northern hemisphere. And they will not go there as friends. Because they will go there to conquer it. And they will conquer it with their sons. The wombs of our women will give us victory.
The Italian journalist Oriana Fallaci (currently indicted for 'vilification of Islam') quotes a Muslim cleric at an interfaith meeting in Turkey:
'Thanks to your democratic laws we will invade you. Thanks to our Islamic laws we will conquer you.

56. Richard Dawkins and the New Age fakers

Comment #63753 by mjwemdee on August 15, 2007 at 4:30 pm

Comment #63455 by doodinthemood

IS he a Leo? Michael Deacon (see his article posted here) seems to indicate that RD is an Aries.

OK, enough of this claptrap. Who cares?

57. Arrogance, dogma and why science - not faith - is the new enemy of reason

Comment #62262 by mjwemdee on August 9, 2007 at 6:55 am

Comment #62253 by dianalake

To people who say that Dawkins bashes God and not people who believe in him, perhaps you should read his books. He calls such people ignorant stupid and (although he would not like to say so) evil! My quote may not be quite right but it is the essence of what he says.

58. Arrogance, dogma and why science - not faith - is the new enemy of reason

Comment #62092 by mjwemdee on August 8, 2007 at 6:03 am

Have written irate comment on Ms Phillip's blog at the Daily Mail.
Am now going to find some plates to smash...

59. Arrogance, dogma and why science - not faith - is the new enemy of reason

Comment #61958 by mjwemdee on August 7, 2007 at 3:05 pm

Melanie Phillips is also given - heaven knows why - a priveleged place on the regular panel of BBC Radio 4's "The Moral Maze", a weekly discussion programme deliberating some topic of the day, (gay adoption rights, national smoking bans, faith schools, medical ethics etc). She is heard each week aggressively interviewing invited experts in the field, and tries to hector them into submission with her prejudiced right-wing views.
No - I fear she isn't just being provocative - she actually believes her own BS.

60. New age therapies cause 'retreat from reason'

Comment #61676 by mjwemdee on August 6, 2007 at 9:45 am

Comment #61658 by phasmagigas

Bejazus - you're right! (I have one saved from childhood days) - the resemblance is uncanny.

61. OUT Campaign Launched, 'Scarlet Letter' Shirts Now Available!

Comment #59743 by mjwemdee on July 30, 2007 at 1:52 pm

I and my partner have just received from our neighbours an invitation to be present at their baby son's christening in two weeks time.

First real test of me as an out atheist: what form of words to use to make it quite clear why I won't be attending? Advice please. I have to live next to these people, the invitation is kindly meant and I quite like them.

62. Rapture Ready: The Unauthorized Christians United for Israel Tour

Comment #59568 by mjwemdee on July 29, 2007 at 4:56 pm

The whole thing is just awful. I can't believe these people are the same species.

And what WAS that strange ballet performed by that woman in blue at the end of the programme?

63. OUT Campaign Launched, 'Scarlet Letter' Shirts Now Available!

Comment #59459 by mjwemdee on July 29, 2007 at 6:19 am

Veronique (Comment #59411) - Thanks for your comment. I agree I should have clearer thoughts about this one rather than 'gut-feelings' but hey, I'm human.
I think my present position is more similar to Wrought's Comment #59456 although the actual design of the 'A' is fine by me.

For those who have been saying - 'Oh come on, it's just a T-shirt' - no, it's not JUST a t-shirt. A T-shirt with nothing on it would be just a T-shirt.

64. OUT Campaign Launched, 'Scarlet Letter' Shirts Now Available!

Comment #59264 by mjwemdee on July 28, 2007 at 3:53 pm

I'm afraid I have to agree - something in my gut tells me this is a bad move.
a) RD (and the RDF and the website) might be accused of sheer opportunism and venality, which is not the intention of these T-shirts
b) as the campaign website says: we ARE all different. RD has said that trying to get atheists together is like herding cats: so why now design something that smacks of a uniform? Can't we 'come out' (ugh, hate the phrase) purely by using our reason and articulacy?
c) the 'A' logo is not bad in aesthetic terms, but neither is the fish, the cross, the crescent etc etc. Do we really want to follow that herd?

65. Response to the God Delusion

Comment #57965 by mjwemdee on July 22, 2007 at 5:07 pm

Oh dearie dearie me. I'm still listening to the good Revd. and I'm afraid I want to smack him and say 'stop being so silly!'

His definition of the word 'evidence' is pitiful. 'See, it says Jesus invited Doubting Thomas to look at his wounds - plenty of evidence, so there, Mr Dawkins, nur-nurny-nur-nur, not so clever now, are you?'

Excuse me. I must now go and smash a few plates.

66. Muslim heads stuck firmly in the sand

Comment #56588 by mjwemdee on July 16, 2007 at 1:39 pm

@ CHWWer

Whatttt?!!!!!

Ah - you're joking, right?

67. A force for evil?

Comment #55602 by mjwemdee on July 11, 2007 at 4:33 pm

Re: Comment #33 by gcdavis

Bravo. An excellent summary of religion during its pre-history and its present condition in the West.

68. A force for evil?

Comment #55336 by mjwemdee on July 10, 2007 at 4:55 pm

I have to agree with Broshiesq and OhioAtheist. Grayling's style is literary, but perfectly clear (to me at least) and I'm surprised people are saying they can't follow him. I have to say I find Hitchens' prose style more arduous.

Read Grayling's books 'The Meaning of Things' or 'What is Good?' - they're fascinating and clear-sighted. He is one of the best moral philosophers we have in the UK.

69. Floods are judgment on society, say bishops

Comment #53498 by mjwemdee on July 1, 2007 at 6:04 pm

What IS it with the Xtians and gay sex? Why are they so obsessed by it?

The Bish is off his trolley.

70. Rushdie knighted in honours list

Comment #50807 by mjwemdee on June 20, 2007 at 3:10 am

It's just a bloody BOOK, dammit! They don't have to READ it if they don't like it. Oh...wait...they probably haven't...

71. Debate between Sam Harris and Chris Hedges

Comment #50543 by mjwemdee on June 18, 2007 at 5:19 pm

I really got annoyed by the way Hedges seemed to expect extra brownie points by constantly saying 'I was there on the streets of the Middle East' 'I was there in Egypt/Cairo/Tunisia/Beirut' etc ad nauseam. This does not guarantee any intellectual superiority.

Par contre, Sam was a joy to listen to.

72. Introduction to the Menlo Park, CA event

Comment #50382 by mjwemdee on June 17, 2007 at 2:48 pm

@ Logicel (Comment #13345) Absolutely.

With respect, I think miltytube (Comment #13338) is missing the point. Mr Cowan was in no way 'trampling innocent childhood magic into the dirt'. He is clearly too loving a father to do so. Instead, he was introducing his son to the wonder of rational thought, which is itself - in a metaphorical sense - quite magical.

73. Reading of The God Delusion in Menlo Park, CA

Comment #50381 by mjwemdee on June 17, 2007 at 2:34 pm

Loved the whole thing.
And how nice to see the Fettucini lady at the end of the reading - one of the Spaghetti Flying Monster theists, I presume...

74. The Future Forum Presents: Christopher Hitchens and Marvin Olasky

Comment #50039 by mjwemdee on June 14, 2007 at 4:32 pm

What was that bit at the end where Hitchens says 'he's running away'....did that Senator who raised the Pascal's Wager question really walk out?

This was a great programme. Hitchen's arguments were brilliant: articulate, lucid, and right on target.
Olasky's arguments were just....sedative.

75. Penn & Teller's Bullshit - Holier Than Thou With Christopher Hitchens

Comment #45045 by mjwemdee on May 26, 2007 at 2:49 am

Comment #44964 by MelM:

I'm confused. If we label faith as 'a vice' doesn't that re-introduce the concept of sin? And wouldn't that then be playing into the theist's worldview?

76. Despite what the scholars say, God isn't dead yet

Comment #44278 by mjwemdee on May 24, 2007 at 3:47 am

Comment #44144 by vescam:

I have just struggled through Onfray's Traité d'athéologie (2005) which is thorough but still heavily influenced by the French existentialist school. His style (as is so often the case) is a bit heavy-going for the Anglo-Saxon reader: his arguments often take the form of long lists which can go on for a whole page, before he swoops down with a single sentence that delivers his point. This sometimes gets very tiresome. The structure is very clearly defined, however, divided neatly into headings such as 'atheism', 'monotheism' 'christianity' 'theocracy' etc. His denunciation of islam is fiery. I don't know if there is an English version available.

77. A galactic fossil - Star is found to be 13.2 billion years old

Comment #43952 by mjwemdee on May 23, 2007 at 4:47 am

Wow. This truly passeth my understanding.

Can anyone explain - in terms a dummkopf like me can follow - how certain stars can be described as 'fossils'? Surely all stars are either in the process of being born or dying? What is the accepted time-line beyond which they become seen as fossils?

78. Despite what the scholars say, God isn't dead yet

Comment #43935 by mjwemdee on May 23, 2007 at 4:23 am

Sorry if I sound mawkish and sentimental, but sometimes when I read the reactions and well-reasoned posts here - I feel so PROUD of you guys!

[wipes eyes, blows nose]...Sorry 'bout that...feel better now...

79. Some US Muslims say suicide attacks OK

Comment #43926 by mjwemdee on May 23, 2007 at 4:14 am

re: Comment #43898 by Russell Blackford

Exactly. That was the first thing that leapt out of the article for me too.

80. Gay row US Anglicans miss summit

Comment #43919 by mjwemdee on May 23, 2007 at 4:06 am

I don't think Bishop Robinson should worry overmuch. After all, it's a bit like the deckchair attendant on board the SS Titanic saying he can't have a deckchair.

81. Mysteries to Behold in the Dark Down Deep: Seadevils and Species Unknown

Comment #43790 by mjwemdee on May 22, 2007 at 4:45 pm

No, sorry, the one in the middle isn't a pokemon. I saw one exactly like it this afternoon in my local sweetshop and bought one. It was made of milk chocolate.

82. For the God Question, a Biological Perspective

Comment #43789 by mjwemdee on May 22, 2007 at 4:34 pm

What I'm curious about is: what is the current state-of-play regarding foreign language editions of RD's works, particularly The God Delusion? I think I heard him on some radio interview saying in passing that the Dutch version was published, but on a recent trip to a bookshop in France I was disappointed to find he is hardly known there as an author at all. TGD should be available everywhere, particularly in Catholic countries. And what about - dare I say it - an Arabic version?
Did anyone catch the shocking statistic that the Middle East has translated fewer books into Arabic than all the books Spain has translated into Spanish since the ninth century!

83. Christopher Hitchens Is a Treasure

Comment #43462 by mjwemdee on May 21, 2007 at 2:23 pm

Comment #43364

Pedants' corner:
The plural of faux pas is faux pas

84. Evolution Opponent Is in Line for Schools Post

Comment #43197 by mjwemdee on May 20, 2007 at 6:28 pm

Comment # 43090 Baron Ochs

A propos the avatars... I have tried lifting an avatar from the RD website gallery in the manner you suggest... I get the avatar on my profile ok (take a look) but it doesn't seem to transfer on to here when I post comments. Why should this be? It can't be because the image is too big, or it wouldn't be in the gallery in the first place. Can anyone help????

85. Manufacturing belief

Comment #42795 by mjwemdee on May 19, 2007 at 4:38 pm

I'd speak up for the philosophers, even the amateur ones, if they have thought their ideas through carefully.

Socrates: The unconsidered life is not worth living.

86. Freethinking Ruins All Things

Comment #42609 by mjwemdee on May 18, 2007 at 3:45 pm

I can't believe how unintelligent this man is. Utter drivel.

87. Row over Scientology video

Comment #40604 by mjwemdee on May 14, 2007 at 3:14 pm

I applaud him for going after these people, and note his courage (LA is not a safe place for any kind of investigative jounalism) but he really did lose it. My partner and I turned on the TV this evening at the moment they were bawling at each other eyeball-to-eyeball, and it was pretty hard to distinguish who was the good guy and who the bad. Sweeney really did make himself look an idiot. Also....does anyone else find - like I do - his manner of reporting curiously disjointed and hard to follow?

88. Jerry Falwell's God

Comment #40599 by mjwemdee on May 14, 2007 at 3:03 pm

Wow, this guy is fantastic! When's he coming to the UK?

I love the idea of God hanging around the elevator listening to conversations hoping he'll get invited to a party...

89. Ted Haggard Is Completely Heterosexual

Comment #40006 by mjwemdee on May 12, 2007 at 4:19 pm

A brilliant piece of musical satire. Tom Lehrer would be proud of this guy.
Bayle (Comment#40003) I agree, unfortunately most faithheads (especially Muslims - not so much our Jewish cousins) have no sense of humour at all.

...Did Jesus ever crack a joke?

90. Unintelligent Design

Comment #39979 by mjwemdee on May 12, 2007 at 1:36 pm

Comment #39943 by pewkatchoo

At the time that we needed rational and intelligent statesmen, we got Bush and Blair the Cheech and Chong of international politics.

91. Cardinal: homosexuality a form of prostitution

Comment #38980 by mjwemdee on May 9, 2007 at 5:05 pm

This is truly dreadful. 'Of all the diseases that afflict mankind, religious moralities are the worst.' (AC Grayling)

Full marks to the new Mayor of Riga, however, who was prepared to back the Pride March in the face of such opposition. I hope the marchers will not be daunted. This is, after all, why gay prides were necessary in the first place. If I had the money I would be over there marching with them.

92. Unholy row at clergy soccer game

Comment #38547 by mjwemdee on May 8, 2007 at 3:03 pm

"The reactions we have had today shows us that this is being interpreted as a gender-political issue. This is why we cannot go through with the soccer match."

93. Those fanatical atheists

Comment #38542 by mjwemdee on May 8, 2007 at 2:49 pm

Excellent article.

MJR's comment:
Same theist drivel repeated over and over again.
'Ah, ancient religion may be inconsistent, but we've re-invented ourselves...' Well bully for you.
Call it God, call it religion, call it faith, call it the 'Universal Observer' ...whatever you like. WHERE'S THE EVIDENCE?

94. God Exists. A Formula Proves it.

Comment #38538 by mjwemdee on May 8, 2007 at 2:14 pm

91. Comment #38240 by Mikado

Thanks for the help. Much obliged.

95. The Damned

Comment #37988 by mjwemdee on May 6, 2007 at 3:20 pm

Now I find myself curious about the meaning of 'Aquambulus hirsutus'! 'Hairy amphibian or something? My Latin doesn't extend that far.

Anyway... I thought the video was OK, not our best argument, but maybe thought-provoking to those who wouldn't latch onto finer points of atheist philosophy.

Can anyone explain why my avatar doesn't come up? I have chosen one from the RD net gallery and followed all the instructions (I think) but no go. How come you guys manage it?

96. God Exists. A Formula Proves it.

Comment #37983 by mjwemdee on May 6, 2007 at 2:58 pm

A propos Chemist's comment #37896, I had heard previously about the Bible giving the value of pi (π)as 3; can anyone give me chapter and verse?

97. Atheists go on the political offensive in God-fearing US

Comment #37981 by mjwemdee on May 6, 2007 at 2:49 pm

A mountain indeed. But we have some good sherpas now.

98. The torture of the grave Islam and the afterlife

Comment #37977 by mjwemdee on May 6, 2007 at 2:45 pm

No...sorry...I just can't get my head round any of this.

99. God Exists. A Formula Proves it.

Comment #37671 by mjwemdee on May 5, 2007 at 12:47 pm

Ha! Did you notice? The God Equation man is left-handed. See? That PROVES it.

100. For Motherly X Chromosome, Gender Is Only the Beginning

Comment #37432 by mjwemdee on May 4, 2007 at 12:37 pm

Fascinating. And beautifully told.