Comments by Dr Doctor

101. Bad Faith Awards 2008: Vote now

Comment #280110 by Dr Doctor on November 7, 2008 at 12:52 am

I had to vote Rowan Williams. Being an outwardly harmless beardie isn't enough to save him.

Comment #280104 by Dr Doctor on November 7, 2008 at 12:33 am

Al

"You aren't actually a doctor, are you. If that's what you read, may FSM have mercy on your sadly retarded soul. "

I'm taking the piss out of simplistic arguments, you know - the kind you make.

103. ELECTION DAY IN THE USA. GO VOTE.

Comment #279625 by Dr Doctor on November 6, 2008 at 7:55 am

Quetzalcoatl

"As far as I'm concerned, Al Qaeda were just looking for free publicity. They can read polls just like the rest of us, they knew who was going to get in to the White House."

When I lived in England they used to call this "It was The Sun Wot Won It" factor.

That is, to unduly take the credit for something after the event.

104. ELECTION DAY IN THE USA. GO VOTE.

Comment #279615 by Dr Doctor on November 6, 2008 at 7:47 am

Quetzalcoatl

"It's those cowboys in the grey hats that you've got to watch out for. You never know what them sneaky varmints are up to."

They be them thar not real Amellicans varmints.

105. ELECTION DAY IN THE USA. GO VOTE.

Comment #279583 by Dr Doctor on November 6, 2008 at 7:26 am

I get it!

Bad people cheer Obama being elected must mean that Obama being elected is bad!

That must be that thing you call "logic".

Not sure what I call it, *scratches head*

Now someone remind me, in the films are the bad cowboys the ones with the black hats, or the white hats again?

106. Hitchens Debates Rabbi Wolpe on God

Comment #279465 by Dr Doctor on November 6, 2008 at 4:42 am

I have often wondered if religion did not get started by someone in pre-history asking aloud a question like

"Where does lightning come from?"
------------

Is it not more likely they said "Ow, where did that lightning come from?"

107. Hitchens Debates Rabbi Wolpe on God

Comment #279462 by Dr Doctor on November 6, 2008 at 4:37 am

Rabbi Wolpe did an excellent job?

When?

108. For many evangelicals, it will be the end of the world if Obama wins

Comment #279461 by Dr Doctor on November 6, 2008 at 4:36 am

An interesting article on McCain and his dislike of his running mate Palin:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/blog/2008/nov/05/john-mccain-sarah-palin

109. Gay Marriage Outlawed in California

Comment #279326 by Dr Doctor on November 5, 2008 at 11:40 pm

"but I have heard gay people compare what they are going through with what blacks went through and that I think is wrong."

I don't think it is wrong, I think it has limits.

That is, incredibly dumb people will take any analogy too far or use it to get outraged, or to beat the self pity drum. Or to use it to undermine legitimate beefs.

Hey! No matter how bad you think you got it gays/Jews/Muslims/Christians/Atheists/Blacks you aint got it as bad as the Caananites!

Hey Caananites, you think THAT is oppression, what about the catholic Irish? Hey, catholic Irish, you think THAT is oppression how about being from Yorkshire! Hey Yorkshiremen, how about being a WOMAN putting up with your bullshit (waggles rolling pin threateningly)?

If you read into the comparison much more than is intended (discrimination, being deliberately oppressed by the intolerant etc.) then, frankly, it says a lot about you.

110. Paddy Power offers odds of 4-1 that God exists

Comment #278645 by Dr Doctor on November 5, 2008 at 12:54 am

They can offer what odds they like, safe in the knowledge they never have to pay out.

Free publicity.

"A spokesman for Paddy Power said that confirmation of God's existence would have to be verified by scientists and given by an independent authority before any payouts were made, however. "

111. Quentin Letts ranks Dawkins 30th on list of 'people who have wrecked Britain'

Comment #278635 by Dr Doctor on November 5, 2008 at 12:36 am

Nice to see Quentin Letts hasn't lost the sense of perspective he is famed for.

112. ELECTION DAY IN THE USA. GO VOTE.

Comment #278625 by Dr Doctor on November 5, 2008 at 12:19 am

McCain came across like he wished he was Obamas' running mate.

Anyhow, champagne was drunk at chez Rotcod. I'm going to pay for it today.

113. For many evangelicals, it will be the end of the world if Obama wins

Comment #277916 by Dr Doctor on November 4, 2008 at 9:06 am

We all know that Bill objected to becoming first lady.

114. For many evangelicals, it will be the end of the world if Obama wins

Comment #277888 by Dr Doctor on November 4, 2008 at 8:44 am

HungarianElephant

Well, we could debate it, if you want, but not here on this thread.

What do we know about any of these politicians, really?

Your point seemed to be along the lines of "well people voted for change in 1997 in the UK and got something they didn't expect...".

That always happens. Even with a voting track record, which is only valid on free voting issues. Even then, opinions change as access to data changes.

There are serious systemic problems with all the democratic systems in play today. I wonder how many people would have voted Conservative if they really knew what Thatcher was going to do. Some, doubtless, but others not.

Until parties and figureheads are legally required to stand by their manifesto, it is always going to be a guessing game.

The USA needs change, as badly as it was needed in 1997 in the UK (if not 5 to 10 years earlier).

115. For many evangelicals, it will be the end of the world if Obama wins

Comment #277852 by Dr Doctor on November 4, 2008 at 8:17 am

hungarianelephant:

Sounds like every preceeding Tory government for 20 years then eh?

Unfortunately, when people voted for Labour they got New Tory. Also unfortunately, you don't vote for the Prime Minister but the party. But I've got enough bad memories of Britain under the Conservative Party to compare with Britain of the last 11 years.

116. For many evangelicals, it will be the end of the world if Obama wins

Comment #277838 by Dr Doctor on November 4, 2008 at 8:07 am

Well we have the champagne on ice. The last time it was *drunk* on an election evening was in 1997 when Labour ousted the Conservative party in the UK.

Unfortunately President Blingozy got in here, which was the last time we were ready to celebrate.

Tonight we will be watching, hopefully, a decisive Democrat victory in the USA.

117. Teaching hate in UK schools

Comment #277532 by Dr Doctor on November 3, 2008 at 11:35 pm

See, famous already.

118. Teaching hate in UK schools

Comment #277526 by Dr Doctor on November 3, 2008 at 11:24 pm

I think everyone has the right to have everyone around them given a free, decent education. It is just such a crying shame it doesn't happen.

On the subject of faith schoolsall , I heard something about faith schools in old Blighty breaking the law on funding and pupil selection?

Back on seeding flamewars: Philosophy is crap, Palin isn't really a right wing wing nut - she is a misunderstood politician who really loves homosexuality, all lawyers are ignorant and what was the other one ... err... God is a man because he likes worm holes.

119. For many evangelicals, it will be the end of the world if Obama wins

Comment #277063 by Dr Doctor on November 3, 2008 at 3:50 am

"And everyone knows I'm kidding about the peak oil. If Tera has a go, I'll have one right back. I'm still faintly annoyed from when he had a real go at me for daring to say that some cyclists are crap on the road."

Some cyclists crap on the road. Mind you, so do some marathon runners.

120. For many evangelicals, it will be the end of the world if Obama wins

Comment #277058 by Dr Doctor on November 3, 2008 at 3:46 am

Laurie

Its something that modern sea/space faring sailors will have to use instead of that fish they used to tie to the mast...

121. For many evangelicals, it will be the end of the world if Obama wins

Comment #277056 by Dr Doctor on November 3, 2008 at 3:43 am

Steve

The Bosun misunderstood something he overheard and has been abusing the sextant. The philosopher never made it on board, he was too busy postulating that the ship, being a loosely connected set of atomic particles, was inherently unsafe and now spends his time in the nearby forest trying to get clap using just one hand. The scientist won't even consider the problem, as it doesn't help him get tenure, and besides it isn't his field.

122. For many evangelicals, it will be the end of the world if Obama wins

Comment #277042 by Dr Doctor on November 3, 2008 at 3:25 am

Steve,

Should I start talking about peak oil?

123. For many evangelicals, it will be the end of the world if Obama wins

Comment #277034 by Dr Doctor on November 3, 2008 at 3:08 am

"What makes more sense? The view that the water goes on, or that it somehow stops dead at the horizon, and beyond that is just void?"

Neither. The sensible person says "We don't know" the explorer says "Have we got enough food and fresh water to go and find out?". I would say what the philosopher, the scientist and the mathematician would say but I don't want to start a flame war. Much.

124. For many evangelicals, it will be the end of the world if Obama wins

Comment #276998 by Dr Doctor on November 3, 2008 at 12:16 am

"Anything you can meta I can meta betta"

125. Religion: Bound to believe?

Comment #276019 by Dr Doctor on November 1, 2008 at 4:23 am

During the inflationary period Gods wandered around grumbling about how in the good old days you could create a star out of far less energy. Tsk, for the price of a white dwarf you could make an entire constellation.

126. Turek vs. Hitchens Debate: Does God Exist?

Comment #276012 by Dr Doctor on November 1, 2008 at 4:19 am

There is a tendency for theist debaters to try the shock and awe tactic. Lay down a covering fire of hundreds of misquotes, bad science and chop logic as quickly as possible then repeat a nonsensical soundbite.

If you are trying to debate rationally, you have a choice. You can either fight each and every problem and run out of time, or state your own argument.

If you look at both Boteach and Turek when they debate with Hitchens, they try a similar tactic.

Where they differ is that Boteach tries to flip into firebrand rabbi mode, search for something to be outraged about and win via moral ejaculation. Turek relies on the repetition of the soundbite.

Whilst Hitchens does not effectively rebut and counter every mistake and bad claim that Turek makes, only someone who came to that debate determined to be impressed by Turek would believe them anyhow.

However, in order to change the minds of those who have been misled by Turek and his ilk, you would need someone prepared to patiently explain every scientific mistake they make. Even then, some would not change fearing you were the "divil" at work.

So the only reasonable alternative in that format is to go onto the attack.

Watching that, it struck me that Christopher is not very well.

127. Teaching hate in UK schools

Comment #275211 by Dr Doctor on October 31, 2008 at 12:45 am

Johan, Of course she is. Get a religious bigot on TV and they are just going to lie, then justify it to themselves that you are an outsider so it is acceptable to.

Jeremy Paxman is a legend (the moderator), he never lets anyone get away with anything.

The real problem is faith schools. Remove the right to have faith schools, or faith funded schools and you deal with the whole lot at a stroke - no accusations of bias. The problem Britain has is that it has an institutionalised religion which does not itself want to lose its religious privileges and indeed, seeks to gain influence by adopting the tactics of British political Islamists.

It can be no coincidence these days that telling lies and being "of the faith" go hand in hand.

128. Teaching hate in UK schools

Comment #275208 by Dr Doctor on October 31, 2008 at 12:36 am

Well, I don't know about you but I'm a baby eating atheist infidel who is personally responsible for the continuing partition of Israel. I'm looking forward to burning in hellfire.

Britain keeps opening its legs to Saudi money.

Islam's stance on other religions is no different than any other religion. Other religions are just better at hiding it.

129. Dole Ad Fabricates Audio Of Opponent Yelling 'There Is No God'

Comment #275207 by Dr Doctor on October 31, 2008 at 12:32 am

Well the A word isn't mentioned once, which puts paid to the myth that if atheists renamed themselves to something else they would in a stroke undo all the slander that has been leveled at the atheist over the centuries.

I'm always slightly bemused by the rename argument, do people really think that if Jews had renamed themselves Cools that they would have been any the less oppressed?

130. Atheist Bus Campaign Comic

Comment #275205 by Dr Doctor on October 31, 2008 at 12:25 am

Always fun when people who say something isn't funny are accused of lacking something in return.

It just isn't a funny cartoon. It joins the ranks of other unfunny cartoons in Private Eye.

131. New Simonyi Chair appointed

Comment #273646 by Dr Doctor on October 29, 2008 at 3:54 am

Whilst religion continues its march on undermining public education, public understanding of science will be in trouble.

What is so difficult to understand about that?

If it was the chair of "Chair for swapping anecdotes with members of academia who already understand science most of the time." I'd have no problem with your POV.

Richard Dawkins identified religion as a significant threat to that goal, the new holder might not. Certainly not worth getting would up about.

132. In Defence of Selfish Genes

Comment #273645 by Dr Doctor on October 29, 2008 at 3:48 am

Just thought I'd bump this up, given the discussion that has gone on here:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/belief/2008/oct/28/religion-darwin-dawkins-midgley?commentpage=2&commentposted=1

133. Children need to be sprinkled with fairy dust

Comment #273613 by Dr Doctor on October 29, 2008 at 1:44 am

Imagine (!) a world where:

1. It is proven that for some children with a given set of attributes teaching them "magical thinking" before "critical thinking" can stunt their mental development in some way.

2. A standardised test is developed that can identify such children, at risk at a given age bracket.

Would it change the world? I think not, apart from a few of the chattering classes who worry daily about Henrietta and Justin's GI and then blog about it, most parents are too self centered (and I think I mean that in a good way - sort of).

134. 'People say I'm strident'

Comment #273204 by Dr Doctor on October 28, 2008 at 9:53 am

CaptainMandate

I noticed a decent response already. Their editor being a rampant anti-Dawkins man himself is a disgrace.

epeeist

That would narrow down my pseudonym too much. I noticed you'd eviscerated him quite neatly, but I don't think he has the brain power to understand it.

The launch of the new CiF Belief area and the articles on it is incredibly depressing. It is one attack piece after another in the promoted articles.

The Guardian, at one time, was a quality paper and my second paper of choice after The Independent in the Miles Kingston "Franglais" era.

These days I get the Guardian International Weekly.

135. 'People say I'm strident'

Comment #273188 by Dr Doctor on October 28, 2008 at 9:22 am

I've commented on practically every Guardian anti-atheist article in the last week to help savage the stupidity but this latest by Mary Midgley...

I daren't say anything because I think I will get banned. It is so inane.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/belief/2008/oct/28/religion-darwin-dawkins-midgley

136. Interview with Richard Dawkins on fairy tales and retirement

Comment #273101 by Dr Doctor on October 28, 2008 at 6:31 am

tiove: Don't worry about Dr Stephen Dawkings finding anything dangerous in Harry Potter books. Sorry to hear about your father being abusive to you, doesn't only happen in Muslim families if that is any comfort. I still bear a few scars from the cricket bat...

137. Interview with Richard Dawkins on fairy tales and retirement

Comment #273088 by Dr Doctor on October 28, 2008 at 5:36 am

I confess I did not see it as discouraging discussion. Just pointing out that "I read the adventures of Noddy and it didn't harm me" does not merit a triumphant QED.

For some reason us ape-like creatures desperately need narrativium. I wonder why?

138. Premier debates with Dawkins

Comment #273087 by Dr Doctor on October 28, 2008 at 5:34 am

When I hear the fine tuning argument I always thank God that pi is not 3.1415926539.

AllanW:

This is more a reflection on the poor breed that is todays' Christian. Apparently high on their own ability to spin and distort in the service of Their Lord.

The choice Richard appears to have is to discuss with them and be honest, or walk away. In either case it would generate juvenile headlines.

Richard was wise not to answer the question baiting for a soundbite that asked about an evolved world in which rape was acceptable. The answer was just astoundingly obvious but you knew that if he had said anything it would have generated headlines about the amorality of evolution.

139. Interview with Richard Dawkins on fairy tales and retirement

Comment #272968 by Dr Doctor on October 28, 2008 at 12:15 am

Great, I say research it. I liked Richard peevish sounding comment about unsubstantiated opinion.

I hope he doesn't go and read the Guardian Comment Is Free section has he might explode and then we wouldn't get a children's book from Lalla and he.

We can all say how these things affect us (religion, fantasy, fiction), we all know that they do affect us but we don't know in what way.

But what if we had the answer? What would it mean? Would people stop telling lies to their children? How would a child be that was brought up with the truth and nothing but the truth?

Whatever the answer is, we should never be afraid of finding out. I wonder why some are?

140. 'Probably' the best atheist bus campaign ever

Comment #272287 by Dr Doctor on October 27, 2008 at 7:37 am

It gets worse, at the bottom he has added a link to an atheism filter.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/atheism

Click on it if you want to see the agenda revealed in all its ugly glory.

Just scroll down....

Now compare this with their Christian, Islam et al sections.

141. 'Probably' the best atheist bus campaign ever

Comment #272253 by Dr Doctor on October 27, 2008 at 6:52 am

Also, in continuation of the streak of urine theme, I've just noticed he has introduced new rules for the comments after every single one of his contributers anti-atheism articles were demolished over the last five days.

"If you look in the small print of the About us section, you will find three new rules for this section of the site: Don't sneer; don't troll; don't be a bore. They will be enforced. But they are not purely negative. They are here to protect and encourage worthwhile speech by keeping out the other sort."

Nothing like subjective rules to bring in your agenda.

142. 'Probably' the best atheist bus campaign ever

Comment #272248 by Dr Doctor on October 27, 2008 at 6:47 am

Vaal

I'm afraid this is par for the course for Mary. Do a Google search on her with the optional keyword "atheist" "atheists" "atheism" "Dawkins". It does not make pretty reading.

As for the editor, I'm afraid that CIF Belief section has a sub editor as of last week, the turgid streak of urine known as Andrew Brown. If you look at his article history you will see the level of debate he engages in. He seems to also have some kind of vendetta about Richard.

This is where to keep an eye out:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/belief

The lowest quality writer on there is Theo Hobson, who argues that James Bond is pornification of society and the playboy bunny girls are peadophilic. He has also contributed appalling attack pieces on Richard Dawkins in the past, and claimed that you are "either for Baby Jesus or against him".

David Goldberg wrote a sane piece that has got no attention yet:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/belief/2008/oct/27/philosophy-religion

..even if some of his reasoning is creaky.

I have the feeling that CiF belief is going to get used as a crusade against Richard Dawkins, indeed the content since last Thursday seems to lend credence to that theory.

143. Children need to be sprinkled with fairy dust

Comment #272145 by Dr Doctor on October 27, 2008 at 3:09 am

There is something deeply repressed about his obsession.

There is also something desperate about his evangelising, almost like he was trying to convince himself...

But it is a shock to realise that the religious cannot differentiate between research and assertion.

144. 'Probably' the best atheist bus campaign ever

Comment #272130 by Dr Doctor on October 27, 2008 at 2:53 am

"Sorry to introduce a note of reality, but Harry Potter is a fictional character from a series of reasonably interesting books. Much like Jesus."

And I'd almost got the hang of Engorgio too.

145. Debate between Richard Dawkins and John Lennox

Comment #272084 by Dr Doctor on October 27, 2008 at 1:31 am

Curiousorange

If that makes you feel better, then so bet it.

"Buried it somewhere else" - your suggestion about the Romans moving the body is one alternative, but why limit yourself to that? Why not the Jews? Why not once the body is in the cave some group of people come back later on, roll away the stone and bury it elsewhere, thus the story is set up.

Your answer about "Lied about the body being there", is odd in the extreme. For a start the idea does not require that all are aware of the deception, only those who participate in the deception need to know!

Cremated, who cares who did it? Why on earth would the Romans give two hoots why it was done?

Your argument about Josephus is sophomore in the extreme, indeed the this is widely believed to have been altered.

The Gospel inconsistencies are widely known and acknowledged, but then, as the accounts were not contemporaneous.

The truth is not something that is too important to dismiss, what difference does it make to anything? You might as well bang on about whether or not any of the ancient mythologies that modern people believe in are true or not and that it is vitally important.

You mean, it is too important to you. I couldn't care less. If you were somehow able to prove that the Jesus account was accurate and true (ignoring miracles, as you can't prove them), and that there is no explanation that you personally believed to be credible why should it change how I conduct my life?

Why should anyone, other than you, be impressed by such borderline narcissism?

Weird.

146. 'People say I'm strident'

Comment #272077 by Dr Doctor on October 27, 2008 at 1:10 am

Having listened to the BBC Radio 4 Sunday program and bellowed "oh for Christ's sake" when the presenter referred to Richard as "The militant atheist Richard Dawkins" I'd like to call for a campaign.

Everyone who speaks out on any subject should be referred to as militant until the word loses its underhand insult.

The militant theist, the Pope.... etc.

147. Children need to be sprinkled with fairy dust

Comment #272074 by Dr Doctor on October 27, 2008 at 1:05 am

I suspect that her original byline for her last article on Dr Dawkins was "The Nutty Professor" and she was told to change it to "naive".

She obviously thinks she has a position whereby she has a right to remonstrate. This arrogance is funny enough, but for her then to use the description of Dr Dawkins response shows exactly how much it got to her.

The woman is a fool, and a fraud.

148. 'Probably' the best atheist bus campaign ever

Comment #271636 by Dr Doctor on October 26, 2008 at 8:15 am

The strange thing is that a religious type is more afraid of the atheist than another religious person.

Would it be absurd to suggest that this is because the other religious person is obviously gullible enough and can be converted to believe that they are worshipping the same god, but the doctrine is mistaken. The atheist thinks the whole lot is a crock and thus is more frightening?

149. 'People say I'm strident'

Comment #271591 by Dr Doctor on October 26, 2008 at 3:43 am

"Right now, I haven't got the time to debunk the whole article and post a detailed reconstruction of the events."

Gah!

150. 'Probably' the best atheist bus campaign ever

Comment #271520 by Dr Doctor on October 25, 2008 at 9:53 pm

David, there is probably no one who respects you here, now go out and enjoy your life.