51. The God of the Bible is No Delusion!

Comment #217393 by DamnDirtyApe on July 24, 2008 at 10:09 am

aberdeen,

You clearly have not read the God delusion. Dawkins position on the existence of god is that it is highly unlikely because there is no evidence. He quite explicitly says that even under those circumstances he cannot completely rule out the possibility. he describes himself as 'ninety-five percent' sure.

The bottom line is, he is reaching a conclusion that there is no god based on evidence. And I've done the same damn thing so by your reasoning i'm a liar too. As for your 3 'truths' so important you bullet pointed them:

1) An invisible unreachable metaphysical entity has no physical evidence. There is also no evidence that there is God, thus it is scientifically irrational to say so.

2) So what is your answer to that? would it be 'goddidit'?

3) Repeat of point 2. (poor writing.)

52. Thousands Flock to Revival in Search of Miracles

Comment #217354 by DamnDirtyApe on July 24, 2008 at 9:05 am

Indeed - she's going to be psychologically very fragile.

If possible, I wouldn't even talk religion with them unless they bring it up first. Just talk about the stuff you know about and agree with. Quine's right. Go easy.

I'd look into famous former religious youngsters who found their own way out. Like Derren Brown.

53. Cardinal accuses Anglican Communion of 'spiritual Alzheimer's'

Comment #217187 by DamnDirtyApe on July 24, 2008 at 2:40 am

Folks

I'm actually at UKC. The Lambeth conference is going on all around me.

There's a big circus top for choirs and big ceramonies that has been set up in the car park next to the Darwin Building. IRONY OVERLOAD!

54. Islam subway ads cause stir in New York

Comment #216293 by DamnDirtyApe on July 22, 2008 at 11:52 pm

They missed one - Crash planes into buildings? You deserve to know.

55. The brain in love

Comment #215704 by DamnDirtyApe on July 22, 2008 at 9:10 am

Ah, pearl, you are clearly unfamiliar with the vibro-mind(tm). ;p

...its basically one of those indian head massage things.

56. Richard Dawkins on Al Jazeera English

Comment #215568 by DamnDirtyApe on July 22, 2008 at 6:20 am

75. Comment #215561 by Vinelectric on July 22, 2008 at 6:09 am

Concur with the sentiments. This was a quite good little interview.

We've only just recently encountered part of the Islamic creationist crowd on here - exposing their nonsense = good idea.

57. Losing Sight of Progress

Comment #215501 by DamnDirtyApe on July 22, 2008 at 3:02 am

1 to the long list of Short snappy comebacks...

'So how do you explain the eye then? How'd that come about?'

'I'll go one better. Why are there blind cave salamanders that have eye sockets but no eyes?'

'aah god must have punished the salamanders like he did the snakes!'

... I still think there are people we are never going to convince. They are basically mad.

58. The brain in love

Comment #215301 by DamnDirtyApe on July 21, 2008 at 3:24 pm

Well I think survival has become somewhat memetic. We'd probably accept our own dooms if it ensured idealogical or objective success in some other way. It's probably been less like that in the past though, although it certainly exists in nature.

'two scientists are racing for the cure that is the prize...'

There is also the matter that our 'successors' may not be our physical children.

59. The brain in love

Comment #215144 by DamnDirtyApe on July 21, 2008 at 11:42 am

Romance varies between individuals, that's why its so darn hard to find.

I tend to look here:

http://xkcd.com/

Maybe I should look somewhere where there are actually women.

60. Calling World Conference on Dialogue a Symbol of Unity Among Different Traditions

Comment #215091 by DamnDirtyApe on July 21, 2008 at 8:57 am

Indeed, they must all band together in the spirit of common understanding to crush their enemy - the spirit of common understanding!

61. The brain in love

Comment #214998 by DamnDirtyApe on July 21, 2008 at 7:04 am

Brains in love... Is this a Steve Martin film?

62. The brain in love

Comment #214888 by DamnDirtyApe on July 21, 2008 at 2:20 am

exec whitepearl.exe -tiddlededee

(Just trying to push the right buttons!)

63. Texas State Board of Education approves Bible course for high schools

Comment #213893 by DamnDirtyApe on July 19, 2008 at 7:41 am

This sounds like a Huckabee scheme. So much for needing him as president for this garbage.

64. [UPDATED] Venomous Snakes, Slippery Eels and Harun Yahya

Comment #213890 by DamnDirtyApe on July 19, 2008 at 7:27 am

*Hits 'troll' several times.

65. The Boundaries of Belief

Comment #213255 by DamnDirtyApe on July 18, 2008 at 10:44 am

Does anyone here feel like they're talking to eight year olds sometimes?

66. The Boundaries of Belief

Comment #213253 by DamnDirtyApe on July 18, 2008 at 10:42 am

80. Comment #213243 by SAGALEJO on July 18, 2008 at 10:28 am

...erm no.

We don't believe in god because there is no evidence of the prescence of god. How would you define the prescence of god? Is it something that can be accounted or measured in some capacity? The concept has no relevance to science.

Beliving is a bad scientific term. It a probabalistic term. Its fine for uncertainty, which is applicable in science, but there are a lot of things we either know do or do not occur. This is because of ACTUAL EVIDENCE. For example we know elvis died. There is evidence of it.

67. Ants, terrorism, and the awesome power of memes

Comment #213173 by DamnDirtyApe on July 18, 2008 at 8:41 am

Cluebot, you're arguing with a troll. Don't waste your time.

68. Bush Bureaucrats at Dept. of Health and Human Services Redefine Contraception as Abortion

Comment #213156 by DamnDirtyApe on July 18, 2008 at 8:26 am

54. Comment #213118 by adk on July 18, 2008 at 7:25 am

It was apparrently limbo according to the decisions of previous popes. The current one has overturned it and said unborn babies DO go to heaven.

I'd love to see his evidence for this.

...Please, someone make this funny in a M*A*S*H kind of way. I'm silently screaming inside here.

69. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #213151 by DamnDirtyApe on July 18, 2008 at 8:12 am

(i have good timing today)

70. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #213150 by DamnDirtyApe on July 18, 2008 at 8:11 am

Exxxxactly.

71. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #213132 by DamnDirtyApe on July 18, 2008 at 7:48 am

Ooh, quick point about the OCD:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7507970.stm

Now THAT's interesting.

72. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #213095 by DamnDirtyApe on July 18, 2008 at 6:36 am

... the ocd notion certainly describes a friend of mine. Actually they're a mathematician. That's got to cause them a few problems.

73. Bush Bureaucrats at Dept. of Health and Human Services Redefine Contraception as Abortion

Comment #213041 by DamnDirtyApe on July 18, 2008 at 3:49 am

24. Comment #213022 by Szkeptik on July 18, 2008 at 2:57 am

Urgh! Wrong wrong wrong.

74. Bush Bureaucrats at Dept. of Health and Human Services Redefine Contraception as Abortion

Comment #213011 by DamnDirtyApe on July 18, 2008 at 2:09 am

18. Comment #213008 by DoctorE on July 18, 2008 at 2:02 am

Well it would make hanging out with the Blairs more apt for him.

Urgh... what morons. All the suffering this has caused already with the spread of HIV.

75. The Return of Religion

Comment #212532 by DamnDirtyApe on July 17, 2008 at 9:58 am

We do also appear have a lot of young people here as well. They're a little more impulsive in their posting.

Whatever. Free speech is important. There are plenty of intelligent posts. There are even quite a few vapid wastes of space such as Mr Scruton. I'd rather read one of Joe's posts in the epic Yahya thread than that garbage.

Grief, we're starting to attract some of the nutters now. I'm greatly relieved that we're not outnumbered by them.

76. Anti-Darwinists turned away by Israeli academia

Comment #212467 by DamnDirtyApe on July 17, 2008 at 8:41 am

At least we can engage the christian guys like Robertson and the Discovery fools, regardless of their lies and dodgy dealings.

From what I've seen thus far of Arguing with the Islamic creationists is that it is like talking to a wall that occaisionally insults you. The epic Harun Yayha travesty shows that.

77. Church Cancels Teen Gun Giveaway

Comment #212433 by DamnDirtyApe on July 17, 2008 at 8:01 am

... One of my Dad's oldie faves... But I think its fitting. *Groans.

Now Smackwater Jack, he bought a shotgun
'Cause he was in the mood for a little confrontation
He just let it all hang loose
He didn't think about the noose
He couldn't take no more abuse
So he shot down the congregation

You can't talk to a man
With a shotgun in his hand
Shotgun

Now Big Jim the chief stood for law and order
He called for the guard to come and surround the border
Now from his bulldog mouth
As he led the posse south
Came the cry, we got to ride
Clean up the streets for our wives and our daughters

You can't talk to a man
When he don't want to understand
No, no, no, no, no, no

The account of the capture wasn't in the papers
But you know, they hanged ole Smack right then instead of later
You know the people were quite pleased
'Cause the outlaw had been seized
And on the whole, it was a very good year
For the undertaker

You know, you know, you can't talk to a man
With a shotgun in his hand
Shotgun in his hand

Smackwater Jack, yeah
Smackwater Jack bought a shotgun
Yeah, Smackwater Jack bought a shotgun
Smackwater Jack, yeah
Smackwater Jack, yeah

Talkin' about Smackwater Jack, yeah
Talkin' about Smackwater Jack, oh
Talkin' about Jack and his shotgun,
Talkin' about Smack, talkin' about Jack
Smackwater Jack, yeah

78. [UPDATED] Venomous Snakes, Slippery Eels and Harun Yahya

Comment #211928 by DamnDirtyApe on July 16, 2008 at 11:59 am

Yawn.

79. [UPDATED] Venomous Snakes, Slippery Eels and Harun Yahya

Comment #211830 by DamnDirtyApe on July 16, 2008 at 10:26 am

Can't fault him there. We doughnuts have been secretly conspiring against mankind for some time now. Looks like Joe's rumbled us.

Freeeedooomee for our doughy brothers!
Fry the man, fill him with jam!
Fry the man, fill him with jam!

80. [UPDATED] Venomous Snakes, Slippery Eels and Harun Yahya

Comment #211790 by DamnDirtyApe on July 16, 2008 at 9:55 am

Joe, you didn't answer my question. May I please have a doughnut?

81. [UPDATED] Venomous Snakes, Slippery Eels and Harun Yahya

Comment #211725 by DamnDirtyApe on July 16, 2008 at 9:16 am

You're bringing us all doughnuts now? When did this happen? Can I have one?

82. Church Cancels Teen Gun Giveaway

Comment #211576 by DamnDirtyApe on July 16, 2008 at 7:20 am

(there isn't really anything here in the uk as far as my memory serves - we have drug awareness and all that though.)

83. Church Cancels Teen Gun Giveaway

Comment #211574 by DamnDirtyApe on July 16, 2008 at 7:19 am

question: In the American school system, is there much done officially there with regards to gun safety?

84. Dalai Lama defends Islam as peaceful religion

Comment #210959 by DamnDirtyApe on July 15, 2008 at 9:49 am

Ah. I saw that recently. I've always respected the guy despite totally disagreeing with him over Iraq, but after that I was impressed.

I was slightly concerned, that he might have been trying to do that to proove that it was ok to do waterboarding to people.... But now I think's its pretty safe to assume Hitchens is totally anti-torture. At the very least he considers it unreliable, if not plain wrong.

85. Dalai Lama defends Islam as peaceful religion

Comment #210866 by DamnDirtyApe on July 15, 2008 at 7:20 am

You forgot reincarnated and killed inadvertently by Arthur Dent.

'oh no, not again...'

There was a pro-tibet protest in Canterbury quite recently. Mostly composed of slightly naive generally English hippie types who have probably never been to Tibet.

They were flanked on both sides by twice as many pro-china protests. All were Chinese students from here (ukc). Including a few Researchers, PhDs and Masters I know.

Both sides were completely peaceful and pretty much silent. But not much can make me as tense as I was walking by it.

I have no clue where the truth really lies. Its somewhere between Nationalism and Religion. The answer might as well be somewhere on the flipping moon.

86. Church Cancels Teen Gun Giveaway

Comment #210724 by DamnDirtyApe on July 15, 2008 at 2:48 am

I want to add an interesting spin to the gun debate...

'dimebag' Darrel, lead of popular metal band Pantera was shot dead on stage by a schizophrenic who believed he was stealing his thoughts to create his music. He in turn was shot dead by a police officer.

Its an interesting story too. A right-wing blogger got hold of it and spun out some hate speech at the deceased dimebag. The full story, including a rebuttle by Robert Flinn of the band machine head, who wrote a song about the blog is here:

http://www.quickrob.com/weblog/?p=1074

87. [UPDATED] Venomous Snakes, Slippery Eels and Harun Yahya

Comment #210419 by DamnDirtyApe on July 14, 2008 at 1:51 pm

Putting the gold bars aside... there's been some interesting programs on tv this evening. One focusing on China and Russia's capitalising on Sudan by selling them small arms, fighter bombers and MI-24's.

There's another on channel 4 on the quran right now. It's confirming a lot of what Al's been saying. A main problem is it's in such a darn old form of arabic they're basically making up their own interpretations. Some of the modern interpretations appear to add 'modern terms' in brackets (like tanks and bombs).

88. [UPDATED] Venomous Snakes, Slippery Eels and Harun Yahya

Comment #210344 by DamnDirtyApe on July 14, 2008 at 9:49 am

Anyone? Bueller?

89. [UPDATED] Venomous Snakes, Slippery Eels and Harun Yahya

Comment #210277 by DamnDirtyApe on July 14, 2008 at 7:49 am

Chavez is described by reporters without borders as a 'predator of press freedom'.

Columbia is actually in my cool book, following the 'a-team'-like rescue of a pro-choice female presidential candiate with no loss of life.

[edit sorry if i've got my facts skewed slightly here, i thiiiink that's right...]

90. [UPDATED] Venomous Snakes, Slippery Eels and Harun Yahya

Comment #210180 by DamnDirtyApe on July 14, 2008 at 4:04 am

1303. Comment #210153 by clearmind on July 14, 2008 at 3:08 am

Your logic would conclude that the trillions of scurrying insects are superior to us, and the quadrillions of bacteria are superior to them.

and countering your points

1. we do not censor your ideas. we listen to them and then say 'they're rubbish'. We are actually listening to you. Unfortunately.
2. I think you will find the religious folk are drinking and drugging it too.
3. 'I will not fear. fear is the mind killer.'
4. Yes, I regularly converse with bonobos, they're so abundant in Kent.
5. ... And this is different from anyone else how? ALMOST EVERYONE feels that way. We are animals, we have these powerful instincts telling us to shag. Some of us just find ways of dealing with it that aren't harmful.
6. I think plenty of perfectly sober people have no trouble beating their wives in religious communities.
7. Your're completely free to write your bullshit. You're doing it right now.
8. You ALREADY ARE.

91. Man Sues Church Over 'God Injury'

Comment #209787 by DamnDirtyApe on July 13, 2008 at 10:47 am

... Irony overload! *implodes.

92. France rejects Muslim woman over radical practice of Islam

Comment #209767 by DamnDirtyApe on July 13, 2008 at 9:33 am

If it were me, I'd let her in and expel the husband and the male relatives.

93. Pope confirms sexual abuse apology

Comment #209674 by DamnDirtyApe on July 13, 2008 at 1:36 am

*Looks for 'Terrible Lie' and 'Heresy' by nine inch nails in his playlist...

94. [UPDATED] Venomous Snakes, Slippery Eels and Harun Yahya

Comment #209428 by DamnDirtyApe on July 12, 2008 at 7:33 am

Sorry Joe, we're far more interested in economics now. :)

Agree absolutely AllanW. The decisions to fund education, welfare and health of the public in my mind is the modern equivelent of the Romans building public bathhouses and ampitheatres. It's great. Raising quality of life of its citizens is in my humble opinion the key indicator of a successful state.

95. [UPDATED] Venomous Snakes, Slippery Eels and Harun Yahya

Comment #209354 by DamnDirtyApe on July 12, 2008 at 4:03 am

- Epeeist you beat me to the exact point I was going to make! :D. And with far fewer and more concise words.

We used to be pure-capitalist, but we are NOT so anymore.

We also created communism and socialism. It was a reaction BY OUR OWN PEOPLE to our capitalist tendencies.

Britain's empire, do not forget, was founded (not exclusively admittedly) on a mix of Slavery, military conquest, and exploitation of our own lower classes. Right down to children. THAT is pure capitalism. Its sociopathic.

I'm quite aware of the reprocussions of this coming from Manchester. This is the city where Karl Marx and Frederich Engles lived and met in the Crescent pub, discussing their ideas after travelling round seeing the conditions of the working class. I think the Crescent is still standing and serves ale too.

So now we see the best countries in the world in terms of standard of living, education and so on are hybrids Socialist democracies. These have state education, welfare, health, are often quite self sufficient or fair traders etc, yet are still capitalist and most importantly, bloody nice places to live.

Word, SteeveeZee. Capitalism will always be with us. It will be particularly awesome applied to fleets of space based dyson-sphere building bots. Assuming there's not a coding error and they eat belgium.

96. PLEASE WRITE IN SUPPORT OF PZ MYERS

Comment #208809 by DamnDirtyApe on July 11, 2008 at 9:19 am

We're looking to start a new army, (that's) too smart to fight, too smart to die
We're looking to start a new army, (that's) too smart to fight, too smart to kill
For you
For you!

97. PLEASE WRITE IN SUPPORT OF PZ MYERS

Comment #208688 by DamnDirtyApe on July 11, 2008 at 6:37 am

Styer, clodhopper, calm down, its not going to help. I'm pissed over the whole thing as well, and that earlier guy's post was deeply troubling.

Perhaps we should focus on the matter at hand.

What is the greatest danger to us, and to PZ?

Numbers.

Against sheer numbers we would not stand a chance. We are still a minority. Despite the reasonable stance of what I hope are the majority of people, not everyone is as aware or active as we are. We only have a small set of support. The majority just don't get involved. Sure, the fundmentalists too are themselves a minority, but a few like Donohue are on pearches giving them influence. Enough to cast people into action. And he has.

Let me give an example: Golden Compass. Good movie, a success, but not a success inside America.

us box office: $70,107,728
elsewhere: $302,126,372
Reason? Donohue.

[edit]I could be giving that troll too much credit, but its enough to worry me.[/edit]

This is a war of words. He's using them to rally people to his ideals. We need to use them to convince people his ideals are wrong. So choose yours carefully. Reason is the only thing that can defeat nonsense. Use it.

98. PLEASE WRITE IN SUPPORT OF PZ MYERS

Comment #208617 by DamnDirtyApe on July 11, 2008 at 4:52 am

Sent mine.

Looks like we got at least a few hundred!

99. Religious bigotry upheld in court

Comment #208559 by DamnDirtyApe on July 11, 2008 at 3:21 am

Stupid person, and even more stupid Judge.

'Miss Ladele said she was being effectively forced to choose between her religion and her £31,000-a-year job as a result.'

I'm suddenly remembering something involving a camel and an eye of a needle.

100. Thousands Flock to Revival in Search of Miracles

Comment #208521 by DamnDirtyApe on July 11, 2008 at 2:17 am

16. Comment #208518 by The Truth, the light on July 11, 2008 at 2:14 am

Damn, you beat me to it.