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Comments by Quetzalcoatl


1451. Physicist Neil Turok: Big Bang Wasn't the Beginning

Comment #132579 by Quetzalcoatl on February 25, 2008 at 2:03 am

My understanding is that we are fairly sure that the matter/antimatter collision was not equivalent even though it should have been. That suggest something going on that we don't understand. I wasn't aware that the above was the definition of dark energy.

Off topic- an author named Stephen Baxter tackled the matter/antimatter question by postulating the tinkering of early life in one of his novels- "Exultant" I think it was.

1452. How he was sentenced to die

Comment #132570 by Quetzalcoatl on February 25, 2008 at 1:41 am

Afraidtodie-

huh? He's an Afghan. Where else would he be?

1453. How he was sentenced to die

Comment #132563 by Quetzalcoatl on February 25, 2008 at 1:33 am

The problem is that the Afghan government's control extends precisely as far as the edges of Kabul. The rest of the country is controlled by warlords, tribal chiefs or the Taliban. This is Karzai's latest way of appeasing the fanatics.

Sarah95- I agree entirely. So far I see very little sign that they are willing to change. At the moment it looks as if once foreign troops leave, things will just slide back to the way they were.

1454. Physicist Neil Turok: Big Bang Wasn't the Beginning

Comment #132555 by Quetzalcoatl on February 25, 2008 at 1:25 am

Steve-

since you're around- the article mentions the idea of time changing states and reversing itself. Do you have any idea of how this could theoretically happen, or can you point me in the direction of some reading material? Apologies for using you as an online information resource.

1455. Evidence can't shake your faith if your faith excludes it as evidence

Comment #132545 by Quetzalcoatl on February 25, 2008 at 1:01 am

This is such a typical article. And by typical I mean riddled with ad hominems, strawmen, and an overall aroma of shitness.

It's not God's fault that Dawkins doesn't believe in him, it's Dawkins' fault for not wanting to believe. Ridiculous. Yet the religious genuinely seem to have to believe this. Perhaps it's the only way they can "understand" why people do not have faith.

Juxtamonkey-

Green monkeys ate a 6 pack of post-it notes and the water ran down the drain like a pen writes on the roof but it's all silly because we all know the bear and the stars have to watch the falling igloo.


The bear jumped over the moon but was squashed by the falling igloo, and the bald monkey smoked a cigar the wrong way.

1456. Physicist Neil Turok: Big Bang Wasn't the Beginning

Comment #132233 by Quetzalcoatl on February 24, 2008 at 1:49 pm

I'd heard about this theory before, but it's good to finally get some detail on it.

I'd be interested to know on what basis they postulate that the dark energy in this previous universe was unstable, and in fact how the energy could change from stable to unstable.

If this is right, it means that time runs forward for a while. Then there's a random state without an arrow of time, then time runs backwards, and then time runs forward again


Another interesting question would be what provokes this transition in the state of time. If any of the physics contributors have any insights, I'd love to read them.

1457. Fleabytes

Comment #132066 by Quetzalcoatl on February 24, 2008 at 4:43 am

Geoff-

I watched that Dave Allen clip. It's very good, although I must admit that I had never even heard of him before you posted the link.

1458. Fleabytes

Comment #131889 by Quetzalcoatl on February 23, 2008 at 2:29 pm

Well, I took a deep breath and watched the Youtube video. Skipping the blather, and the claims that atheists have their eyes shut to the evidence, I learned something useful. Robertson gave his evidence for God. And here it is. (Drumroll, please).

1) Creation- it exists.
2) Artistic, so there must be an artist.
3) There is purpose and beauty in the Universe.
4) Human mind and spirit- evolution cannot explain consciousness.
5) Morality- how do we know right from wrong? Because we're made in God's image, of course.
6) Evil- without the Bible to explain it, evil would make our world hell on earth.
7) Religion- we all have a sense that death is not the end.
8) Individual experience of God.
9) History- there's no doubt Jesus existed, or that he was resurrected.

So there you go. David just wants to make us think. And the best way to do that is, of course, to read his book. Paula, how did that work out for you?

Oh, and we should pray to God to reveal himself. So much for not testing him.

Hmm. Well, that's me convinced.

1459. Are the 'New Atheists' avoiding the 'real arguments'?

Comment #131823 by Quetzalcoatl on February 23, 2008 at 11:49 am

Sex in God's way is for married couples - male with female, female with male.

Sex outside of marriage is sinful for the homosexual and for the heterosexual


Erm, no it isn't.

Moving on- does the above sentence suggest that you support gay marriage?

The Bible says that Jesus was tempted in all the same ways we are, yet was without sin


And yet we are told that to envy or covet ie to THINK is as bad as committing the act itself. See the problem there?

1460. The coming religious peace

Comment #131820 by Quetzalcoatl on February 23, 2008 at 11:46 am

I sure hope so! But, like I said, I just can't this happening in our lifetimes, let alone "the next few decades."
Opinions people... Agree? Disagree?


While I think things are beginning to change, I think secularisation "taking over the world" is not something that will happen in my lifetime, although I do think it will gain influence.

1461. Feb 12th: Happy Darwin Day!

Comment #131801 by Quetzalcoatl on February 23, 2008 at 10:44 am

Corylus-

Hmm, well I have heard about Wooter frequenting some, um, special interest websites....


Just remembered the link you sent me. It certainly is, erm, interesting reading. But given that I am not female, perhaps some of the subtleties of what was being discussed were lost on me.

1462. Feb 12th: Happy Darwin Day!

Comment #131747 by Quetzalcoatl on February 23, 2008 at 5:51 am

Brian-

Quetz. I feel like I've known you a while, but not in the biblical sense, more the internet sense. Strange that I would feel this. By the way, nice avatar


Strange, I have the same feeling. It's almost enough for me to believe in previous lives, or perhaps "incarnations" might be a better word. Puzzling.

1463. Fleabytes

Comment #131697 by Quetzalcoatl on February 23, 2008 at 3:08 am

Brian-

the question is, do you think BAEOZ is the Queen of England? :)

1464. My Argument With God

Comment #131696 by Quetzalcoatl on February 23, 2008 at 3:07 am

Geoff-

I wonder if any atheists have written negative reviews of the Chronicles of Narnia, criticising them for being peppered with Christian references? Probably not.

The guy probably thinks Harry Potter encourages witchcraft.

1465. Feb 12th: Happy Darwin Day!

Comment #131680 by Quetzalcoatl on February 23, 2008 at 2:17 am

I got this comment on my blog last night:

Hi there. My name is curious. I am just curious? what are you doing here?
a. Trying ot refute logic and accepting a fair tale of Evolution theory .E.T
b.Trying to find out who made the pperfect design from atoms revolving around the nucleous, to the planets revolving around the sun?


I think I've been Wootered.

I feel violated.

1466. Fleabytes

Comment #131679 by Quetzalcoatl on February 23, 2008 at 2:15 am

irate_atheist-

if you restrain yourself too much, you'll get backed up. That will just lead to further problems. So be careful.

1467. Fleabytes

Comment #131542 by Quetzalcoatl on February 22, 2008 at 2:13 pm

Why not the whole book, in fact?


I think I know what the title might be.

I Was Wrong, There Is A God

(David Robertson Is Great)

1468. Fleabytes

Comment #131538 by Quetzalcoatl on February 22, 2008 at 2:09 pm

Appendix?

He would want to write the foreword!

1469. Fleabytes

Comment #131530 by Quetzalcoatl on February 22, 2008 at 1:59 pm

Paula-

Don't get me wrong, I agree with you. I'll be reading his posts with great interest.

1470. Fleabytes

Comment #131518 by Quetzalcoatl on February 22, 2008 at 1:49 pm

Steve-

on that subject. Perhaps he was hoping that previous accounts would get unbanned so he could say on his site or in the Free Church magazine about how important he is, although I'm sure he would have tried to mask it.

Then if he got banned again, it would provide an ideal opportunity for him to play the martyr once more.

1471. Over half of Britons claim no religion

Comment #131517 by Quetzalcoatl on February 22, 2008 at 1:46 pm

Great teapot-

You've got to give Steve time. He's not used to saying dumb things, he has to work up (down?) to it :)

1472. Whale Evolution

Comment #131514 by Quetzalcoatl on February 22, 2008 at 1:42 pm

Double Bass Atheist-

ah, I see I typed the wrong name earlier. I'm sorry about that.

1473. Fleabytes

Comment #131503 by Quetzalcoatl on February 22, 2008 at 1:34 pm

But the crowd loves it.

1474. Fleabytes

Comment #131490 by Quetzalcoatl on February 22, 2008 at 1:25 pm

Di-A-Ca-Nu!!!!!!!!!

1475. Fleabytes

Comment #131481 by Quetzalcoatl on February 22, 2008 at 1:19 pm

al-rawandi-

don't embarrass her! You're mean.

1476. Over half of Britons claim no religion

Comment #131473 by Quetzalcoatl on February 22, 2008 at 1:13 pm

Krisking-

Well, some people will claim that we have a god shaped hole in our beings.........


They would be wrong.

People have all sorts of holes in their beings. None of them are shaped like gods. At least, like no gods I would want to know about.

1477. Over half of Britons claim no religion

Comment #131470 by Quetzalcoatl on February 22, 2008 at 1:10 pm

Epeeist-

Oh, and "what happens to gods when nobody believes in them any more?"


They fade away for a while, then slowly regain their strength. They also learn to use the Internet to post unfunny jokes on discussion threads.

1478. Over half of Britons claim no religion

Comment #131443 by Quetzalcoatl on February 22, 2008 at 12:48 pm

al-rawandi-

maybe the implications are that we tend to question stuff. I can see how that would be a problem.

1479. Over half of Britons claim no religion

Comment #131434 by Quetzalcoatl on February 22, 2008 at 12:37 pm

Krisking-

Sorry, which phrase?


The phrase "ideological implications of atheism". If you're not willing to define it or discuss it, you shouldn't use it to provoke others.

1480. Over half of Britons claim no religion

Comment #131432 by Quetzalcoatl on February 22, 2008 at 12:35 pm

SRWB-

He can stay as long as he doesn't go all whiney on us about being banned like David Flea!


Or Artful Dodger. He developed a martyr complex and flounced off in solidarity with Wee Flea this morning. But he'll be back.

1481. Over half of Britons claim no religion

Comment #131429 by Quetzalcoatl on February 22, 2008 at 12:34 pm

Krisking-

No, I think that is for atheists to work out.


Well, if you're not willing to discuss them, I think it only fair that you no longer use the phrase to needle others.

1482. Over half of Britons claim no religion

Comment #131420 by Quetzalcoatl on February 22, 2008 at 12:27 pm

Krisking-

what would you define as the "ideological implications" of atheism?

1483. Over half of Britons claim no religion

Comment #131404 by Quetzalcoatl on February 22, 2008 at 12:12 pm

Krisking-

We have not yet worked out the problem of where the universe came from with complete security


Very few things have COMPLETE security.

1484. Over half of Britons claim no religion

Comment #131379 by Quetzalcoatl on February 22, 2008 at 11:25 am

The report says this affects ethnic and religious minorities more than other groups, especially since the July 7 bombings in 2005.

Figures for 2004 to 2006 "show that searches of people with Asian appearance under this provision increased by 84 per cent, compared to an increase of only 24 per cent for White people," the report says.


At the risk of sounding politically incorrect, this isn't a surprise, is it? If police are concerned about the threat from Islamic Terrorists, who else are they going to search?

During the Troubles, you were far more likely to be searched in London and other major cities if you were Irish. Fair? Maybe not. But it's called playing the odds.

1485. Moral thinking

Comment #131272 by Quetzalcoatl on February 22, 2008 at 6:46 am

Interesting stuff.

And no mention of God. Funny, that.

1486. Fleabytes

Comment #131201 by Quetzalcoatl on February 22, 2008 at 3:51 am

irate_atheist-

you may not be typing it, but I'm sure you're saying it as you read.

1487. Fleabytes

Comment #131194 by Quetzalcoatl on February 22, 2008 at 3:41 am

Philip-

deep breath. Have some tea, it will calm you.

1488. Fleabytes

Comment #131180 by Quetzalcoatl on February 22, 2008 at 3:24 am

BAEOZ-

Why sorry?


Well, you can never tell if people will take comments in the spirit they were intended, plus it's sometimes hard to tell from reading what someone has written.

Clearthinker-

in your post you say both that you WILL and that you WILL NOT respond to Paula. One of them may be a typo.

1489. Fleabytes

Comment #131175 by Quetzalcoatl on February 22, 2008 at 3:18 am

BAEOZ-

David starts with false premises and viola


He has a fake address and a musical instrument?

Sorry. I'm in that kind of mood.

1490. Fleabytes

Comment #131168 by Quetzalcoatl on February 22, 2008 at 3:07 am

BAEOZ-

nit-picker. :-)

1491. Whale Evolution

Comment #131159 by Quetzalcoatl on February 22, 2008 at 2:49 am

LorienRyan-

Steve is KIDDING. See comment 38.

1492. Whale Evolution

Comment #131147 by Quetzalcoatl on February 22, 2008 at 2:33 am

Steve-

Until at some point they got too far from shore, and decided it was time to stop being transitional and go for the full "whale"?


That's probably exactly how it was.

1493. Whale Evolution

Comment #131142 by Quetzalcoatl on February 22, 2008 at 2:24 am

Lorien-

that's quite possible, over large time-scales. They could have been river-dwellers at some point too, and just kept heading further out to sea.

1494. Fleabytes

Comment #131138 by Quetzalcoatl on February 22, 2008 at 2:17 am

MPhil-

I'd be careful. Apparently the Way is narrow, not broad. You could get lost quite easily.

1495. Fleabytes

Comment #131130 by Quetzalcoatl on February 22, 2008 at 2:07 am

Steve-

he also promised us "evidence for serious objections to materialism". I guess if he storms off in a huff, he doesn't have to provide it? Convenient.

1496. Fleabytes

Comment #131126 by Quetzalcoatl on February 22, 2008 at 2:00 am

MPhil-

let us all contruct poofs in first-order logic


But homosexuality is wrong! The Bible says so!

(Sorry- bad attempt at humour).

1497. Fleabytes

Comment #131113 by Quetzalcoatl on February 22, 2008 at 1:28 am

MPhil-

My favourite quote from the Atheist Handbook-

"Hear ye, all atheistic free-thinkers. Heap scorn upon the Believer, for their mind is addled and thoughts clouded by the pernicious influence of G-D. Do not attempt to debate with them, for fear that the taint of truculent stupidity shall affect your powers of Reason.

The Believer must be purged, so that the Atheists may inherit the Earth, and impose upon it the True Doctrine of Pitiless Logic. For is not Logic and Nihilism the driving force behind the Atheist Creed? Against this combination flawed notions of "Morality" and "Human Dignity" cannot stand.

We are animals, one among many, and as animals should we behave.

Praise Darwin!"

I think that says it all.

1498. Whale Evolution

Comment #131109 by Quetzalcoatl on February 22, 2008 at 1:18 am

Double Bass-

the theory is that whales started off on land, then returned to the oceans. The same applies to dolphins too, as they're also mammals.

1499. Fleabytes

Comment #131105 by Quetzalcoatl on February 22, 2008 at 1:04 am

Steve-

the answer is on page 53, right after the section on how atheists are supposed to hate all believers.

1500. Fleabytes

Comment #131104 by Quetzalcoatl on February 22, 2008 at 1:02 am

I was awoken last night by the faint sound of violins playing a mournful dirge. Now I realise it was thanks to Wee Flea, bemoaning once again the harsh treatment he has received.

And for the last time, if you want to write a response, why not write it on YOUR site, and post a link?

Artful_Dodger-

In my view the treatment that Robertson has received on this site is absolutely despicable and unworthy of a community of people who pride themselves in their recognition and their use of level-headed rational discourse


Read the comments he made, particularly the one where he used the death of a baby to make a jibe at atheists. THEN ask who is despicable.

You can hardly be surprised that theists who post her end up deciding that it isn't worth it! Or do you imagine that it is because of the sheer unanswerable force of your arguments?


But the problem is you don't answer a lot of our arguments. Eventually frustration creeps in.

On with your smug, self satisfied flea-swatting.


Oh grow up. Stop trying to be a martyr.

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