51. Religions thrived to protect against disease

Comment #222062 by Nails on July 30, 2008 at 2:06 pm

Sounds like a load of bollocks to me.

Religion grew because it encouraged tribalism; and as we can see all to clearly the vast majority of humans love to be grouped together to get their 'tribal fix' like mindless sheep.

A couple of thousand years ago Europe (as seperate tribes) could have had hundreds of distinct religions, each one a minor corruption of a neighbouring myth. Many of these could very easily have died without a trace.

I would also like to point out that I walked past six different Christian churches (and one synagogue) in my home town this afternoon, which has a population of less then 200k.

52. A Natural Selection

Comment #216903 by Nails on July 23, 2008 at 4:34 pm

acs:

Click on the [Comment Posting Guidlines] link right above where you type your comment.

53. Losing Sight of Progress

Comment #216064 by Nails on July 22, 2008 at 5:46 pm

Loss of eyes may appear to be 'backwards' evolution, but it is not.

The advantages can be huge.

Blind cave fish have gained significant areas of the brain devoted to smell, instead of vision.
This advantage is thought to be far more important than the saving of energy in growing an eye.

54. Good Science Writers: Richard Dawkins

Comment #216044 by Nails on July 22, 2008 at 5:25 pm

I think mount improbable is a sound metaphor; if you re-run the planet's evolutionary history it would be easy to see how things could change quite dramatically.

Climate change has obviously been a big factor in shaping the destiny of a species - you would only have to alter the timing of these events to change the course considerably.
Just imagine how a change in climate circa 6 million years ago could have inexhorably altered our development - had the African landscape become too dry our ancestors would have perished. Had the trees given way to open plains sooner, we may still be bipedal apes without the intelligence to wonder why.

Extra-terrestrial impacts have had big err impacts as well, if these happened at different times the balance of power may still be with reptiles and not mammals.

There are so many factors I feel it would be foolish to consider it cut and dried.

55. MnIndy interview: Unrepentant science-heathen PZ Myers still intends to prove 'this cracker is nothing'

Comment #211045 by Nails on July 15, 2008 at 1:03 pm

Myers: Well, most of the ravers who threaten me with horrible fates are far away, hiding in the safety of their mothers' bedrooms, hurling vituperation anonymously across the internet. These are largely frustrated losers who are venting. If (and I do not have reason to suspect anyone has gotten this demented) someone were serious about doing me harm, they wouldn't be sending me lurid warnings.

56. Muslims outraged at police advert featuring cute puppy sitting in policeman's hat

Comment #203250 by Nails on July 2, 2008 at 2:02 pm

'They (the police) should have understood. Since then, the police have explained that it was an oversight on their part, and that if they'd seen it was going to cause upset they wouldn't have done it.'

57. Evangelical Christians sign up to a 'Church within a Church'

Comment #203243 by Nails on July 2, 2008 at 1:55 pm

In the declaration conservative bishops, mainly from Africa and Asia, stated: "We reject the authority of those Churches and leaders who have denied the orthodox faith in word or deed. We pray for them and call on them to repent and return to the Lord."

58. The Flea Delusion

Comment #197547 by Nails on June 22, 2008 at 10:07 am

Toe De Has?
Never heard of him.

But how patronising is the 'allowing you to reach your full potential' banner on his website!!

http://www.taodehaas.com/index.php?incl=Profile

Can't open the link to thedelusiondelusion.com/, so I havn't got a clue what the book is about either.

Anyone else got any ideas?

59. From Big Bang to Us - Made Easy

Comment #192593 by Nails on June 13, 2008 at 1:49 pm

Simple and beautiful.

i will endevor to watch the rest of the series and burn it onto DVd and pass it onto all those who will watch it.

Other thought-provoking videos in the public domain:

http://video.google.com.au/videoplay?docid=-3974466981713172831&q=uk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcBV-cXVWFw

I must confess I understand very little physics, but I love cosmology!

60. Court Claim: Chimps Are People, Too

Comment #191342 by Nails on June 10, 2008 at 3:47 pm

2. Comment #191042 by qomak on June 10, 2008 at 6:36 am

We and chimpanzees can not mate (at least not successfully) so we're a different species and thus they are not human.

This is probably the case, and perhaps you have seen a study I have not. To the best of my knowledge, though, it is not known if a human and chimpanzee can successfully breed, or whether the offspring would be viable. The ignorance, in this case, is likely to remain, since we thankfully have laws and ethics against shutting drunks in cages with chimps.

61. The 14-year-old Afghan suicide bomber

Comment #191000 by Nails on June 10, 2008 at 4:31 am

Shocking, simply shocking.

I mean, does it matter if there's an 'a' in it or not? :-0

Seriously though, this shows exactly what is wrong with fundamentalist religion in backwards countries.

Makes me sick to my stomach as i have a 14 year old boy who won't tidy his bedroom unless threatened with loss of x-box or internet privelages.

62. Holiday in Hellmouth

Comment #189884 by Nails on June 7, 2008 at 1:06 pm

The term for this justification is "theodicy," which nowadays seems a very old-fashioned exercise in turning around and around the stripped screw of theological scholastics.

63. The day of judgment

Comment #189524 by Nails on June 6, 2008 at 12:14 pm

A must read.

It never ceases to amaze me how religious do-gooders can look upon armagedon as something to be welcomed or even a direction we should actively work towards.

I hope for all our sakes that humanity really does wake up one time soon.

64. Top 6 Incestuous Relationships In The Bible

Comment #185361 by Nails on May 27, 2008 at 3:49 pm

I always took the story of Lot and his daughters to be the other way around, he got drunk and raped them.
And, for reasons of clarity (because they had just been rescued from the most immoral city the world has ever seen) the blame lay on the girls, much as it does with many other biblical stories.

Sick, from start to finish.

65. These dim-wits believe in anything but God

Comment #181550 by Nails on May 17, 2008 at 12:21 pm

those who stop believing in God don't believe in nothing, they believe in anything

66. Bible Theme Park Faces Opposition in Tennessee

Comment #180719 by Nails on May 15, 2008 at 3:45 pm

But that's not what he's going for. Unlike smaller religious attractions, Bar-Tur says, the park would focus on the historical aspects of the Bible â€" not on ministry.

67. Turkish Islamic author given 3-year jail sentence

Comment #180707 by Nails on May 15, 2008 at 3:25 pm

Controversial Turkish Islamic author Adnan Oktar was sentenced to three years in prison on Friday for creating an illegal organization for personal gain

68. The Neural Buddhists

Comment #179595 by Nails on May 13, 2008 at 12:21 pm

First, the self is not a fixed entity but a dynamic process of relationships. Second, underneath the patina of different religions, people around the world have common moral intuitions. Third, people are equipped to experience the sacred, to have moments of elevated experience when they transcend boundaries and overflow with love. Fourth, God can best be conceived as the nature one experiences at those moments, the unknowable total of all there is

69. Truly Bizarre : Indians Throw Babies 50ft From Roof To Thank God.

Comment #174716 by Nails on May 3, 2008 at 10:26 am

I read this in yesterday's paper.

It really does begger belief.
Surely child safety laws should come into play?

Just a thought, do you think Michael Jackson has tried this?

* edit - just read Mike's comment, sorry for the repitition *

70. Ancient serpent shows its leg

Comment #159720 by Nails on April 13, 2008 at 1:11 am

Wicked pre-flood snake, that's all.

Dating is flawed so you guys don't really kmow how old it is

You do know that sin causes mutation, don't you?

* rolls eyes *

71. 'We Make Our Own Heaven'

Comment #151915 by Nails on March 29, 2008 at 4:47 pm

I'm a life-long atheist. The little girl in my arms (see avatar) is my 4 year old granddaughter Tessa--she's a free thinker, and yet no one (to my knowledge) has ever told her she is.

72. 'We Make Our Own Heaven'

Comment #151415 by Nails on March 28, 2008 at 4:49 pm

I don't really like the idea of this, it could be as bad as religious indoctrination in my opinion.

My three-year old attends a Nursery pre-school attatched to our local church (in the church hall in fact) but they have never once sung a hymn or spoken of religion.

My daughter knows nothing of prayer, or god, or jesus. She does know Santa and Easter Bunny though!!!

The subject will not be addressed until she is either old enough to make a decision or asks about it. I will not burden her with any need for a decision or opinion I will let her enjoy her childhood - even if it involves fairies and suchlike.

But she has learned a lot about the natural world, and I intend to keep that going throughout her life.

To contrast, my 11-year old has started asking and she knows where I stand on the god question. But I know that she and her older brother know an awful lot more about evolution than their peers, thanks in part to RD's great DVD I bought last year (Waking Up In The Universe).

Kids think freely anyway, so let them be kids.

73. Religion 'linked to happy life'

Comment #146124 by Nails on March 18, 2008 at 4:31 pm

Personally, I am much happier as an atheist than I ever was as a Christian.

but on a side note, I wonder if Sweden has a higher suicide rate than anywhere else in the world?

Reading this article suggests it should be like living in a concentration camp compared to the Disneyland of the rightous.

74. Writer Arthur C Clarke dies at 90

Comment #146121 by Nails on March 18, 2008 at 4:21 pm

Rest in peace Sir Arthur.

I grew up watching his mysterious world series, and of course 2001.

But it is for his work with satellites that has touched most of us in the modern day, you only have to look around to see how his brilliance has effected our every day life.

In homage, I will now call my satnav Arthur in his memory.

75. Ban anti-Catholic books in schools, says bishop

Comment #143100 by Nails on March 13, 2008 at 12:55 pm

"So-called" safe sex was based on the "deluded theory that the condom can provide adequate protection against Aids". He added: "Schools and colleges must not support charities or groups that promote or fund anti-life policies, such as Red Nose Day and Amnesty International, which now advocates abortion."

76. Special Guest: Richard Dawkins

Comment #143002 by Nails on March 13, 2008 at 10:29 am

Dhamma, just a figure of speach I guess.
But it adds clarity; as I must be spending too much time in debates with theists then to de-convert is pretty self explanitary. But you are very much more succinct by describing it as a conversion to reason.

77. Special Guest: Richard Dawkins

Comment #142733 by Nails on March 13, 2008 at 4:02 am

7sD, I see what you mean about the ulsers, but you can't expect an award-winning professor of biology to know everything.....

Nice interview, but not very much new (only an extended version of the common arguments) which is a shame because it is obviously aimed at those already de-converted.

And I thought the music sucked, big time.

Anyway, talking to god.
I have recently debated a theist who claims great belief because god spoke three words to him - which I found bizarre because even when he spoke to moses (who obviously knew who he was) he nearly always boomed "I am the Lord your God".
So why did he not need to say this to someone he had never spoken to before?
Unfortunately, this remains unanswered.

78. Earth's Final Sunset Predicted

Comment #135026 by Nails on February 28, 2008 at 1:10 pm

I thought we would have been wiped out by an impending collision with the andromeda galaxy by then, massively increased radiation and changes in the galaxy's gravitation etc.

79. Taking evidence seriously

Comment #135022 by Nails on February 28, 2008 at 1:04 pm

Sound reasoning.
it doesn't look good for us in the UK at the moment, complimentary mediceine and faith schools may well be a recepie for disaster.

Only yesterday, I was listening to the radio and a woman called in about the minor tremor we experienced. She said she thought it was a ghost, and hadn't considered the posibility of an earthquake.....

Our schools need to teach more science and less religion, simple as.

80. The Encyclopedia of Life, No Bookshelf Required

Comment #133647 by Nails on February 26, 2008 at 1:06 pm

6. Comment #133634 by Kevin A Jones on February 26, 2008 at 12:52 pm

And to think, Adam named all of those animals.....
Wow, all I can say is 'Wow"...

81. The Encyclopedia of Life, No Bookshelf Required

Comment #133598 by Nails on February 26, 2008 at 12:21 pm

Wow, that would be some read.

I hope this may help to reverse the trend of shrinking taxonomists; I imagine I would love a website like this but I still cringe when I think of the long, lonely days revising classification....

82. My Argument With God

Comment #131588 by Nails on February 22, 2008 at 4:08 pm

Ricky has a few clips on youtube, including onw here he blatently taks the mickey out of genesis.

Worth a look.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yixAOfyAXoY

83. Ayaan Hirsi Ali asks for protection

Comment #130468 by Nails on February 20, 2008 at 3:32 pm

Well, I got a positive response from my MEP:

Absolutely agree that Ayaan Hirsi Ali faces real threats and should be properly protected. In the immediate, this must be up to the Dutch (or American while she is there) authorities, but the idea that the EU should take on this responsibility, at least in some cases, is an interesting one as it would send out a powerful message of solidarity and show that we all stand together on protecting freedom of speech. To act at EU level would require agreement on new legislation and on a budget, so it is not something that can be done overnight, but the idea has now been launched and already gained a lot of interest.

84. Ayaan Hirsi Ali asks for protection

Comment #129863 by Nails on February 19, 2008 at 5:16 pm

Good work Michael King.

I have also lobbyed my MEPs and received a reply basically stating that the idea is a good one but may take time and legislation - but the ball is rolling.

85. Fleabytes

Comment #129856 by Nails on February 19, 2008 at 4:54 pm

Well done Paula, a magnificent piece of work.

I can say with hand on heart I will not repeat the feat (of reading the four flea books) and so I will accept your reviews in good faith.

I note with interest the inclusion of a table from Andrew Wilson's book, and a rather bizarre reference to the book of Titus:

Agreed (and none in the NT are. Titus 1:6 indicates that there would be children of Christians who were not believers.)

Titus 1:5-16 (New International Version)

5The reason I left you in Crete was that you might straighten out what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you. 6 An elder must be blameless, the husband of but one wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient.
7 Since an overseer is entrusted with God's work, he must be blamelessâ€"not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain.
8 Rather he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined.
9 He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.
10 For there are many rebellious people, mere talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision group.
11 They must be silenced, because they are ruining whole households by teaching things they ought not to teachâ€"and that for the sake of dishonest gain.
12 Even one of their own prophets has said, "Cretans are always liars, evil brutes, lazy gluttons."
13 This testimony is true. Therefore, rebuke them sharply, so that they will be sound in the faith 14 and will pay no attention to Jewish myths or to the commands of those who reject the truth.
15 To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure. In fact, both their minds and consciences are corrupted.
16 They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good.

86. Archbishop's 8 March centennial message: Let Sharia Law govern women's lives, Amen!

Comment #128629 by Nails on February 17, 2008 at 1:27 pm

Equality, that is the key point mentioned in this article.

In the west, as uncivilised as we are, we try to treat everyone equally - by law at least.

Any intergration has to follow the same, otherwise there will always be tension.

So it follows that any move to reduce equality, which many have fought and died for, is being done by the backdoor to appease a bunch of immigrants who refuse to follow the laws of their new home, yet refuse to return to their old rules in their old country.

And I think that stinks.

87. Ayaan Hirsi Ali asks for protection

Comment #128545 by Nails on February 17, 2008 at 11:00 am

Sorry guys, I appear to have misunderstood the concept of petitioning the EU. I thought it would take the form of an online petition that most of us could click on, but it would appear that it will be read out (if selected) at the parliament itself.
I consider this a waste of time, so I suggest any or all of us who wish to invoke action do so by contacting their MEPs.

Of particular value to this is this article on the Charter of Fundamental Rights:
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/eplive/expert/shotlist_page/20071210SHL14698/default_en.htm
note section 1 and 2, which I will copy here:
1) Dignity: human dignity, the right to life, right to the integrity of the person, prohibition of torture and inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, prohibition of slavery and forced labour;

2) Freedoms: right to liberty and security, respect for private and family life, protection of personal data, right to marry and right to found a family, freedom of thought, conscience and religion, freedom of expression and information, freedom of assembly and of association, freedom of the arts and sciences, right to education, freedom to choose an occupation and right to engage in work, freedom to conduct a business, right to property, right to asylum, protection in the event of removal, expulsion or extradition.

I felt it worth mentioning this, and reposted it here if it is of any use to any of you.

Good luck to those who decide to take action.

88. Ayaan Hirsi Ali asks for protection

Comment #128334 by Nails on February 16, 2008 at 6:43 pm

72. Comment #128295 by robotaholic on February 16, 2008 at 5:29 pm

And the last time I checked, your sexuality had nothing to do with me. your remark about this is both purile and irrelevant.

uh no, they weren't purile since purile isn't a word (mabye you meant puerile Mr. smart European) and also they were definitely not irrelevant- my point was that even I had it rough but I don't have my own FUND for protection-she could totally lay low and be safe if she wanted to but instead she's begging for money so she can speak out- I hope nothing happens to her but to demand millions a year from any country for special protection is unrealistic-
and I don't come here to be asked for donations-

89. Virus immunity 'created in lab'

Comment #128319 by Nails on February 16, 2008 at 6:34 pm

I'm sure there as been a wave of euphoria over B-interferon before and the fight against cancer that suddeny went quiet in the late 80's/early 90's.........

If my memory serves me right (so please feel free to correct me, I'm not a practicing biochemist) then interferon doses given to cells provide short-term immunity to viral infection.
The immunity is virtually 100% as well, but the cells themselves do not function normally while 'innoculated' - specifically disrupting the translation of mRNA into tRNA.

I don't know if it effects the ribosomes or the RNA itself, I'll have to do a little digging.
Might be a large obstacle to overcome though!

90. Ayaan Hirsi Ali asks for protection

Comment #128212 by Nails on February 16, 2008 at 2:34 pm

58. Comment #128168 by robotaholic on February 16, 2008 at 11:58 am

Nails, I agree that it's important to speak out like she is, but mabye she shouldn't beg for protection and instead make herself less vulnerable
wow, why didn't you petition parliament when i was getting picked on at school for being a homosexual.

91. The Search for Truth, God and Braver Scientists in 'Expelled'

Comment #128211 by Nails on February 16, 2008 at 2:23 pm

8. Comment #128194 by Double Bass Atheist on February 16, 2008 at 1:05 pm

I've recently found myself in an email debate with a young faith head. Just like Ben Stein, he jumps between evolution, cosmology, abiogenesis, and physics; all while attacking "evolution". Of course, he does not understanding the first thing about ANY of these subjects, or even their names! This is typical of the religious, evolution-denying mind. Their understanding of science is so poor that they actually think all these diverse subjects are all evolutionary biology.
The claims that evolution has been "thoroughly discredited" and that "most scientists don't believe in evolution any more. They're just afraid to say so" have come up in our debate. While hearing this is very typical in any debate with the pious, wait until he sees this movie!
It's only going to confirm the delusion of an already misinformed individual, and the general populous as well.

We have our work cut out for us people!

92. The Search for Truth, God and Braver Scientists in 'Expelled'

Comment #128185 by Nails on February 16, 2008 at 12:31 pm

But the real problem with ID is that they claim conspiracy and get automatic support from the gullable and ignorant majority.

And why do they never provide a framework which improves medicine and health, and scientific research? (real research, not nursery school stuff).

After all, has ID ever helped pinpoint the origin and lead to a cure for a genetic illness?

Still waiting for an answer on that one...

So I'll take it as a no then.

So Ben, on second thoughts, you can stick the film up your arse.
I'd rather watch Mary Poppins.

93. The Search for Truth, God and Braver Scientists in 'Expelled'

Comment #128180 by Nails on February 16, 2008 at 12:22 pm

I am in two minds as to whether I want to see this, I'd hate to be the first one to walk out after a few minutes.

Maybe I'll get a pirate DVD and donate the entrance fee for my family to the AHA campaign.

Is that like doing the wrong thing for the right reasons?

94. Ayaan Hirsi Ali asks for protection

Comment #128154 by Nails on February 16, 2008 at 11:22 am

robotaholic, all those who speak out against oppression in the world make themselves targets for extremists.
Ayaan's only further crime is to be an apostate, and it is for that crime that she is hated the most.

Anyway, I have submitted a petition to the European Parliament, if successful I will post the details here and I hope that you will all support it and post it to your MEPs.

95. New meat-eating dinos identified

Comment #127529 by Nails on February 15, 2008 at 11:27 am

Yup, designoid.

I'm pretty sure Rd used that term quite well in the 'Waking up in the Universe' DVD to imply the illusion of design.
And this really is something that needs to be addresed, clarity is of the utmost importance.

Arseholes like Ken Ham and his followers will use misquotes from reputable sources to back up their fanciful ideas.

96. A Tyrannical Romance

Comment #126525 by Nails on February 13, 2008 at 12:42 pm

Loved it.

Fascinating and full of insight; the more I read of Darwin's work the more I want to read it for myself.

Descent of man sounds great, has anyone read it?
Is it as hard to read as Origin, which is quite difficult in places.

97. Sharia law in UK is 'unavoidable'

Comment #123823 by Nails on February 7, 2008 at 5:12 pm

136. Comment #123803 by Jiten on February 7, 2008 at 4:26 pm

Nails
Religion is on it's way out.In a 100 years time there will be no religion! No need to worry.No need to be alarmist

98. Sharia law in UK is 'unavoidable'

Comment #123798 by Nails on February 7, 2008 at 4:22 pm

Sorry guys, but this discussion is mute.
You see, the muslims are out-breeding us brits and so in around 100 years we will be a minority, and sharia law will be british law, as britain becomes a puppet state for isreal/saudi arabia/iran etc.

For this reason, and this reason alone, I plan to emmigrate before i retire and offer my kids/grandkids a way out of this mess before its too late. Australia sounds nice. Or maybe New Zealand.
After all, our polititans are too scared of reprisals to admit this, the PC brigade has go tthem by the short and curleys.

Best bit of news for me today was this:

The controversial Muslim cleric Yusuf al-Qaradawi has been refused a visa to visit Britain.
The Home Office said the UK would not tolerate the presence of those who seek to justify acts of terrorist violence.

During his last visit in 2004, Dr Al-Qaradawi defended suicide attacks on Israelis as "martyrdom in the name of God", during a BBC interview.

Dr Al-Qaradawi applied for the visa eight months ago, so that he could receive medical treatment in Britain.

99. God vs. Gridiron

Comment #121106 by Nails on February 3, 2008 at 1:08 am

"People don't want to do anything illegal in the name of Christ," says Daniel Smith, pastor of Trinity Wesleyan Church in Southgate, Mich.

100. God the psycho

Comment #121101 by Nails on February 3, 2008 at 12:59 am

Shortly after this he floods the entire planet because somebody must have looked at him the wrong way. He does tip off one person to build a boat because obviously he doesn't want to wipe everyone out - there'd be no-one left to punish.