151. As the world becomes smaller, the need to understand each other's faith grows

Comment #192890 by irate_atheist on June 14, 2008 at 6:32 am

Tony Blair - you're a first-class fucktard. Please feel free to have some interfaith dialogue with the Taliban. On a one-to-one basis, as it were. Hell, I'll subsidise your (one-way) ticket if you like. (I know how much you resent having to pay for anything out of your own pocket).

152. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #192887 by irate_atheist on June 14, 2008 at 6:21 am

7152. Comment #192875 by epeeist -

As was obvious he had swallowed the pap fed to him by his pastor without thinking. One can see the pastor claiming lots of evidence for the existence of Jesus and his congregation nodding in agreement. The authoritarian nature of the arrangement ensures that they will not doubt the claim nor will they go check that it has some truth to it.

Given that - in all probability - the priest/priestess seems like a decent sort, the sheeple make the leap that they (priest/priestess) must have researched it all - in depth - so has a solid foundation for what they claim.

When one starts to look at theological writings critically, one sees that not only does the Emperor have no clothes, there is no reason to believe there is an Emperor at all...

153. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #192805 by irate_atheist on June 14, 2008 at 1:49 am

7138. Comment #192804 by Paula Kirby -

And if we reacted with hostility to someone who came in here trying to advocate Hitler as a role model, would it be because, subconsciously, we were afraid we might be secret Fascists?

Mein Fuhrer!!!! I can walk!!!!

On another note, regarding RtG, do we think he's, you know, one of them? *cough*

154. Discussion between Richard Dawkins and Paula Kirby

Comment #192511 by irate_atheist on June 13, 2008 at 8:38 am

304. Comment #192509 by al-rawandi -

Indeed. It is why he has to stand up to be heard properly.

155. Discussion between Richard Dawkins and Paula Kirby

Comment #192507 by irate_atheist on June 13, 2008 at 8:27 am

292. Comment #192463 by Vaal -

Irate, fancy debating Robertson?

No. I don't want to be arrested for 'behaviour liable to cause a breach of the peace.'

156. Fleabytes

Comment #191649 by irate_atheist on June 11, 2008 at 12:00 pm

7747. Comment #191602 by Steve Zara -

"Leave it aaaht. E ain't worf it."

To which, may I add:

"I don't care. I don't care. I don't care if 'e comes round 'ere"

157. Logical Proof of the Existence of a Divine Creator, Why Atheism is Not Logically Sound

Comment #191576 by irate_atheist on June 11, 2008 at 8:57 am

327. Comment #191572 by latsot -

This article makes me confused and angry.

It makes me weep for the future of a highly evolved species that can be so smart, yet so dumb.

158. Logical Proof of the Existence of a Divine Creator, Why Atheism is Not Logically Sound

Comment #191418 by irate_atheist on June 10, 2008 at 11:15 pm

293. Comment #191416 by delusionofthespecies -

Many thanks for posting this 'reply'. I'll just make a couple of comments before going to have breakfast/feed the cat/ go to work etc.

...all of which incorrectly assumed that the Creator is physical,...

What? As opposed to just plain non-existent?

That is a discussion that would involve much theology...

Really? Care to discuss my theory of pink unicorns as well, would you?

To the few of you who could do no more than write a few baseless insults.

Not baseless at all. We have your own writings to base them on!

Edit: Yomin Postelnik -If you're reading this blog, lets see if you can get pass these lemmata to 'prove' your god exists^*:

Lemma 1: The Universe was created
Lemma 2: The creator of the universe is an omnipotent, omniscient being
Lemma 3: This being, having created the universe continues to play a part in the development of the universe and all that is in it
Lemma 4: This being is specifically the deity of a particular sect of people living in one small section of one small planet circling around one particular star out of 10¹¹ others in one galaxy out of 1.5*10¹¹ others.
Lemma 5: All of this is documented in a book written approximately 2000 years ago

All the lemmas need to be demonstrated in turn. Once this has been done then you may actually have some claim to the truth of your religion.

* Credit to epeeist for supplying this originally.

159. Logical Proof of the Existence of a Divine Creator, Why Atheism is Not Logically Sound

Comment #191415 by irate_atheist on June 10, 2008 at 11:00 pm

Why, when I read the title of this, did I think it contained the same intellectual content as, say: Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan?

160. Storm erupts over 'virginity' divorce

Comment #191409 by irate_atheist on June 10, 2008 at 9:32 pm

1413. Comment #191408 by black wolf -

They really are scum, aren't they?

Tolerate this bullshit?

My arse!

161. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #191406 by irate_atheist on June 10, 2008 at 9:22 pm

6891. Comment #191399 by Diacanu -

Was T-rex gay?

If we examine the evidence, probably not:

Well you dance when you walk
So let's dance, take a chance, understand me
You're dirty sweet and you're my girl.

This seems straightforwardly heterosexual to me. Once again, txpiper fails in his mission from dog.

162. Logical Proof of the Existence of a Divine Creator, Why Atheism is Not Logically Sound

Comment #191210 by irate_atheist on June 10, 2008 at 11:44 am

265. Comment #191153 by MaxD -

Oh, Max, I knew you'd agree with me.

163. Logical Proof of the Existence of a Divine Creator, Why Atheism is Not Logically Sound

Comment #191138 by irate_atheist on June 10, 2008 at 9:30 am

192. Comment #190895 by Styrer-

Ok. I state and hold that 'faith is belief without evidence' and you, MaxD, have the utter fucking gall to say, frowningly, that my definition is 'a simplistic critique and missed a huge point'.

The HUGE point I miss is: faithheads mean something different; by faith, they mean they are FUCKING EVIDENCE DRIVEN.

Fuck off, Max. Not a fucking chance.

I could not give a flying FUCK what the 'faith minded' - to whom you grant an extraordinary level of understanding and sympathy in their linguistic plight - think they are doing. OF COURSE they are proceeding by faith alone, and I am tiring of your consistent and despicable apology for them, while you deride MY thoughts here.

MaxD, you've really fucking made a mess on this one.

So what is YOUR definition of 'faith', if you haven't obliterated it entirely?

Styrer

The 'faithful' believe they have evidence. They believe that The Bible (or Koran or Torah or fill in the blank) contains 'evidence'. They believe that (at least some of) the supernatural stories that are in the bible/koran/torah are literally true. (Corpses walking, walking on water, water into wine etc.) They can't grasp the idea that these are myths i.e. fiction. Just because people claim that something happened it doesn't mean that it did. A claim that 500 people saw it does not necessarily mean that 500 people did see it happen.

They then warp other things into 'evidence' for their beliefs. (Ooh, the universe is too complex for me to understand. Ooh, I needed a few quid once and then someone was kind enough to give it to me. Ooh, odd coincidences have happened in my life, the must be for a reason. Ooh, millions believe something, so it must be true)

They really believe they have 'evidence'. The problem is, they don't know evidence from a hole in the ground.

The really ignorant believe what they are told. to believe becuase they are most susceptible to the argument from authority. My dad says this so it must be true. The village elder says...the priest says...the imam says...

In a way, that they believe their faith is based on 'evidence', may be more dangerous than if it were just 'plucked' from the air. One has to show them how their 'evidence' is not evidence at all. Given that in the first instance, they believe a bunch of total bullshit is evidence, this is no easy task.

People are rationalizers. They tend to find reasons to believe what they already believe, not to look for that which questions it. They can be deluded/conned/indoctrinated into believing the 'evidence' for their 'faith' and then reach the wrong conclusion - that their faith is true.

Undoing the damage done by this way of thinking(?)- to even one individual - may take years or even be impossible. To undo the damage done to a whole species, well, you don't often see me proclaiming that the end of religion is nigh.

Steve/Styrer - Given that I'm not known for defending 'faith' or 'religion', whaddya think on my ideas?

Edit: Styrer - are you going to accuse me of being soft on 'faith''?

164. Complex Synapses Drove Brain Evolution

Comment #191112 by irate_atheist on June 10, 2008 at 8:35 am

19. Comment #190974 by Laurie Fraser -

Then, you really watch the development carefully; unburdened, as you are, with the day-to-day chore of just keeping them alive.:)

Pah! Who says I try to keep him alive?! I'm one of those morality-free atheists, don't you know? Someone who can't be good because there's no god.

hmm..

165. Complex Synapses Drove Brain Evolution

Comment #190968 by irate_atheist on June 10, 2008 at 2:35 am

12. Comment #190770 by Styrer-

Actually, I was expressing a desire that another decent human being could have had an experience that, from all I know of him, he would have found wonderful. I am genuinely pleased he has not missed out - as it were.

*cough* Normal service now resumed.

7. Comment #190515 by Styrer -

No scientist, I had often wondered what sparked the huge increase in size of human brains.

This fits.

It rings a bell with me that someone (Dawkins) once said that each step of an evolutionary process merely builds on what is already there and doesn't really 'invent' things (Creotards - please don't misunderstand this idea - thank you). Interesting to see how that the different paths taken by vertebrates/invertebrates evolution has impacted on the basic building blocks for intelligence.

This is the sort of research that blows holes in theist claims for separate brain/mind/soul non-sense. Their god needs to find another, smaller, gap to fit in...

166. Logical Proof of the Existence of a Divine Creator, Why Atheism is Not Logically Sound

Comment #190577 by irate_atheist on June 9, 2008 at 9:08 am

26. Comment #190573 by Tyler Durden -

Superb idea. A line by line dissection of his bullshit would be good.


Edit: I'm sorry. I forgot to call him a fucking twat.

167. Logical Proof of the Existence of a Divine Creator, Why Atheism is Not Logically Sound

Comment #190572 by irate_atheist on June 9, 2008 at 9:02 am

Total end-to-end bollocks and lies. Every sentence a lie, a misrepresentation or a display of gross and total ignorance. Complete and utter fucktard territory.


Edit: Did I neglect mention the author is quite clearly a cunt? No? Well, I've redeemed myself in this edit.

168. Complex Synapses Drove Brain Evolution

Comment #190510 by irate_atheist on June 9, 2008 at 8:08 am

4. Comment #190494 by Steve Zara -

It's been amazing over the last ten months watching our son develop. The capacity for learning is astonishing and it is wonderful to watch. Learning to stand up is one thing - learning how to get back down without falling over is another(!). Absolutely fascinating to watch how progress is made and (trying) to help the process of learning along.

I wish that you could have had the same direct experience of this with children of your own, I really do. Nieces nephews etc. just aren't the same because of the reduced 'contact time'.

169. Holiday in Hellmouth

Comment #190480 by irate_atheist on June 9, 2008 at 7:15 am

99. Comment #190473 by Styrer -

It is all sad but true. Some may think I too readily go on the attack when dogmatic theists venture here. But when a dog bites you every time you try to pat it, that dog needs to be put down.

Religion is that dog.

170. John McCain: America a Christian nation, needs Christian president

Comment #190439 by irate_atheist on June 9, 2008 at 5:25 am

134. Comment #190437 by hungarianelephant -

Please, not Chomsky. Not after what happened to the thread the last time.

Would that be Noam Chomsky? Please - tell me more.

Edit: *-> coat

171. Holiday in Hellmouth

Comment #190438 by irate_atheist on June 9, 2008 at 5:23 am

91. Comment #190436 by Steve Zara -

And here is me thinking that pride was a sin.

Regrettably, fuckwittery is not regarded as a sin. Oh, what good people they are.

172. Prayer to feed the hungry

Comment #190432 by irate_atheist on June 9, 2008 at 5:07 am

Oblig: Fucktards.

173. Holiday in Hellmouth

Comment #190424 by irate_atheist on June 9, 2008 at 4:27 am

87. Comment #190420 by scottishgeologist -

Everybody on this thread, I urge you to read the link posted by scottishgeologist

This will give you a flavour of the wilfully ignorant fuckwittery spread by David Robertson et al.

Stone cold fucknuts.

174. Holiday in Hellmouth

Comment #190418 by irate_atheist on June 9, 2008 at 4:06 am

83. Comment #190413 by hungarianelephant -

Of course it was a miracle.

Your wife was guided by his noodley appendage to buy that butter. It is proof of his existence - if proof were needed.

175. John McCain: America a Christian nation, needs Christian president

Comment #190401 by irate_atheist on June 9, 2008 at 2:51 am

1. Comment #190132 by mordacious1

Sorry Irate...

F U C K T A R D !

2. Comment #190135 by Colwyn Abernathy

P.S.

Establishment Clause...sorry too, Irate.

FUCKTARD!

No apologies. You've both saved me the trouble of referring to the Republican nominee for the Presidential race as a fucktard.

176. A word for nonbelievers

Comment #189979 by irate_atheist on June 8, 2008 at 3:03 am

91. Comment #189972 by clearthinker -

Sorry - I forgot to say - what a change it is to see you posting yet another end-to-end bollocks-fest. [/sarcasm]

177. A word for nonbelievers

Comment #189973 by irate_atheist on June 8, 2008 at 2:08 am

91. Comment #189972 by clearthinker -

David Robertson - How's your chequebook?

178. Holiday in Hellmouth

Comment #189969 by irate_atheist on June 8, 2008 at 12:54 am

25. Comment #189961 by JuxtaMonkey =

Please, no sorries. No need for you to say sorry.

26. Comment #189966 by clearthinker -

David Robertson - Written any more dodgy cheques recently?

179. Reality wins in Texas!

Comment #189963 by irate_atheist on June 8, 2008 at 12:08 am

2. Comment #189786 by epeeist -

So WTF is "Creationism Science" ...

My best guess is that it is a branch of 'Christian Science'. Other branches include 'floodology' and the study of auto-resuscitation as practised by some mammalian corpses....


lol!!!

180. Holiday in Hellmouth

Comment #189960 by irate_atheist on June 8, 2008 at 12:03 am

14. Comment #189931 by T4Baxter

and

23. Comment #189955 by JuxtaMonkey -

Some of them really, really believe it.

I'm not sure which category she currently fits in, but my wife was in the really, really believing it category.

I could tell you things that would make your ears bleed.

181. Faith no more as World Youth Day fans flames of disbelief

Comment #189958 by irate_atheist on June 7, 2008 at 11:59 pm

When religion is in the heart or in the church, it can be happily ignored by non-believers or defended, if necessary, on the grounds of live and let live.

Bollocks. People make their actions, and judgement based mostly on what they feel. Does the author really think that religious politicians don't bring their feelings to the table when debating an issue - e.g. abortion, stem cell research, gay rights?

Dawkins began to harden their atheism into disdain towards all those who sought comfort in "mumbo jumbo".

Good. Some more homo sapiens who see right through the bullshit.

There is much to admire in the words of Jesus, in the thrust of Buddhism, in Judaism's rich culture and rituals, in the commitment to social justice of some faiths. So I take my job seriously of trying to instil religious tolerance in my sons.

What's to admire in a pack of lies and wilful ignorance?

And more importantly:

35. Comment #189905 by epeeist -

Did I notice, in the far distance in the first photo, a Bishop kicking a hole in a stained-glass window?

182. Blogger spreads the gospel of science

Comment #189442 by irate_atheist on June 6, 2008 at 9:33 am

54. Comment #189440 by hungarianelephant -

Bath is also not a port and nowhere near the coast. It is, however, the headquarters of the Royal Navy. This is for excellent reasons which no one can quite remember.

Probably because the threat to the UK comes either from The French the English Channel or in the North from the Baltic bases of Russia. Being in Bath historically places the HQ nowhere useful for commanding battles in either area. Smart boys, the Navy.

183. Blogger spreads the gospel of science

Comment #189439 by irate_atheist on June 6, 2008 at 9:27 am

51. Comment #189437 by Frankus1122 -

I never grew up. But I guess you guys sussed that already.

184. Blogger spreads the gospel of science

Comment #189438 by irate_atheist on June 6, 2008 at 9:26 am

49. Comment #189435 by Cartomancer -

It is not a port however, being nowhere near the coast.

Somewhat like Wigan Pier, in that respect.

185. Blogger spreads the gospel of science

Comment #189432 by irate_atheist on June 6, 2008 at 9:14 am

Tez -

A blighter is not a bounder - that's the first important point. After all, a bounder is nearer a cad than a blighter. And a cad certainly isn't a good chap, probably more of a rotter.

I hope that helps.

186. Blogger spreads the gospel of science

Comment #189427 by irate_atheist on June 6, 2008 at 8:55 am

37. Comment #189402 by DamnDirtyApe -

Hmm...so you're one of those blighters getting pissed in The Hobgoblin every Friday night, eh?

(I tell you what, I was in the bar at Darwin recently - it made me feel positively ancient and slightly lecherous)

187. Storm erupts over 'virginity' divorce

Comment #189379 by irate_atheist on June 6, 2008 at 6:40 am

1355. Comment #189368 by Appleby -

Comment #189327 by Steve Zara

Don't think I don't understand these guys, Steve. I know where they are coming from. I really have no *reason* to be disgusted by what male homosexuals do anymore than I should have a reason to be disgusted by what you and your wife might be doing (from time to time or on your birthday).

*cough* I assume you mean Steve's husband. *cough*

188. Town moves against Islamic school

Comment #189375 by irate_atheist on June 6, 2008 at 6:31 am

345. Comment #189369 by al-rawandi -

irate,






Oh come on we all know Keira Knightley has an eating disorder.

Al - how very unlike you to use an 'argumentum ad populum' that you would normally, and quite rightly, berate someone else for.

Edit: Quetz - for real in-depth analysis of the news, I can only but recommend the Daily Sport. lol!

189. Town moves against Islamic school

Comment #189371 by irate_atheist on June 6, 2008 at 6:24 am

344. Comment #189367 by Fanusi Khiyal -

But, I agree with epeeist. Citing the Daily Mail as a source is like wheeling Jeffrey Archer in to court as your character witness.

190. Town moves against Islamic school

Comment #189365 by irate_atheist on June 6, 2008 at 6:15 am

326. Comment #189066 by al-rawandi -

epeeist,



Your criticism of the Daily Mail is that irate_atheist does not like it?

I see nothing wrong in that line of reasoning.

But, for (just some of the) more recent concrete examples of the Daily Mail being, shall we say, economical with the truth:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2006/may/24/dailymail.pressandpublishing

http://www.brandrepublic.com/News/794547/Daily-Mail-loses-4m-libel-case-casino-operator/

http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/greenslade/2007/04/grants_libel_victory_exposes_m.html

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/migrationtemp/1552483/Keira-Knightley-wins-libel-case.html

191. Blogger spreads the gospel of science

Comment #189350 by irate_atheist on June 6, 2008 at 5:16 am

Good grief! I was working in Chatham this morning! This must be proof there is a god and his name is Keith!

192. Storm erupts over 'virginity' divorce

Comment #189039 by irate_atheist on June 5, 2008 at 9:08 am

1242. Comment #189034 by Appleby -

Given that one would be forcing sex upon the individual animal - without consent - the term 'rape' will have to suffice for now.

1241. Comment #189033 by Appleby -

Trying to conflate the issue of bestiality and consensual homosexual sex again, eh? You pathetic little homophobe.

193. Storm erupts over 'virginity' divorce

Comment #189032 by irate_atheist on June 5, 2008 at 8:45 am

1238. Comment #189026 by Appleby -

And the onus is on *you* to prove that sex with (insert animal here) is harmful. I don't have to assume it is by default.

Actually, given that you have conceded that animals cannot consent to you raping them, the onus is on you to prove that your activity does not cause unnecessary and undue suffering to the animal.

Comment #189023 by Philip1978

I think it is *you* who haven't been reading mine. More likely is that you're reading the comments of your buddies in the thrill of getting egged on.

Hmm. Sometimes sections of your posts just need underlining:

Especially if the human is female.

194. Town moves against Islamic school

Comment #188993 by irate_atheist on June 5, 2008 at 6:54 am

303. Comment #188985 by al-rawandi -

I'd be happier still if there were no religious schools on the planet.

195. Lizards make adaptive change

Comment #188976 by irate_atheist on June 5, 2008 at 5:13 am

22. Comment #188972 by garywheron -

I guess that this also supports their view...

196. Storm erupts over 'virginity' divorce

Comment #188963 by irate_atheist on June 5, 2008 at 3:56 am

1215. Comment #188958 by Appleby -

Comment #188957 by Tyler Durden

Your avatar says it all.

Whereas your posts fall on their own demerit.

197. The Great Evangelical Decline

Comment #188946 by irate_atheist on June 5, 2008 at 2:58 am

28. Comment #188803 by Christine Wicker -

These posts are some of the funniest and some of the most cynical I've read anywhere. Add a little profanity and you guys would sound like journalists.

In response may I add:

1. Humour is good - it helps alleviate some of the downsides of the 'human condition'.

2. Cynicism - I would say that gullibility is bad. Belief without evidence is bad. Dogma is bad. Religion is bad.

3. Profanity - you clearly haven't read many of my posts...

198. Storm erupts over 'virginity' divorce

Comment #188941 by irate_atheist on June 5, 2008 at 2:46 am

1199. Comment #188933 by Appleby -

Comment #188932 by irate_atheist

Is that really you in the pic?

Indeed. It makes absolute sense for me to be an ordained priest in the Catholic Church. [/sarcasm]

199. Storm erupts over 'virginity' divorce

Comment #188932 by irate_atheist on June 5, 2008 at 2:28 am

1195. Comment #188928 by mordacious1 -

The joke around here is appleby.

200. Darwin still causing waves after 150 years

Comment #188911 by irate_atheist on June 5, 2008 at 1:57 am

Even in Britain a poll in 2006 showed that only 48 percent of people believed Darwin's evolutionary theories.

Scientists show that 50% of the population is less intelligent than average. Give me a break. Srsly.