151. Fleabytes

Comment #132129 by SharonMcT on February 24, 2008 at 9:14 am

mikejswalker:

I think he never truly examines whether or not he actually believes. I think he wants it to be true sO much that he doesn't want to find out. I think this is true of a lot of otherwise intelligent believers. It just haS to be true and they can't let go of that long enough to actually question anything about it.

152. My Argument With God

Comment #131750 by SharonMcT on February 23, 2008 at 5:58 am

Shandy:

Thank you for the link. I enjoyed that.

153. Fleabytes

Comment #131580 by SharonMcT on February 22, 2008 at 3:51 pm

Of course you may, and thank you, my good man.

154. Fleabytes

Comment #131578 by SharonMcT on February 22, 2008 at 3:46 pm

Steve:

I totally agree with you. (I am looking forward to someday saying the opposite, I promise, else I'm only going to sound like your biggest annoying fan)

DR's manipulative whine must have an ulterior motive known only to himself, but I doubt he is capable of a truly cunning plan. We're just going to have to wait and see how it all plays out.

155. Fleabytes

Comment #131574 by SharonMcT on February 22, 2008 at 3:36 pm

kaiserkriss:

You may be correct, but I'm not ready to cash out yet. I like to rubberneck as much as the next person, or maybe even more. ;)

156. Fleabytes

Comment #131569 by SharonMcT on February 22, 2008 at 3:27 pm

Diacanu:

Can I borrow 2 cents? That's exactly what I was thinking. ;)

157. Over half of Britons claim no religion

Comment #131474 by SharonMcT on February 22, 2008 at 1:14 pm

Can we have the parade in May instead of July? Atheists hate sweating.

158. Over half of Britons claim no religion

Comment #131421 by SharonMcT on February 22, 2008 at 12:28 pm

another passive-aggressive "neener" from a person who cannot support their faith with any rationale, but refuses to give it up merely because it belongs to them.

AllanW:

I agree with you totally here. It's high time we recognise that krisking is not searching for anything other than the little thrill he gets everytime he thinks he has needled the atheists.

159. Fleabytes

Comment #130814 by SharonMcT on February 21, 2008 at 10:17 am

clearthinker(oi):

What a childish, passive-agressive prat you seem to be. I can read your post, so how is it that you are banned? So far, your posts on this thread are nothing but one big "neener-neener" followed by sticking out your tongue. Grow up already. If you can't bring yourself to have an adult conversation with adults, then stop wasting everyone's time.

160. Fleabytes

Comment #129910 by SharonMcT on February 19, 2008 at 6:33 pm

Paula:

I had been missing you around here recently, but now I see that you had a much bigger project on your hands.

Good on you for taking this project on. I have not finished reading it quite yet, but I just wanted to say how great a piece this is so far. I know I'm not the first to tell you, and I won't be the last, but you've got mad writing skills. I hope this is only the first in a long line of writing projects by you that I'll get to enjoy.

Sorry, Steve, I know you'll be disappointed, but I am now totally in love with Paula Kirby. ;)

161. Study: Religion colors Americans' views of nanotechnology

Comment #128368 by SharonMcT on February 16, 2008 at 9:07 pm

America is relevant. Don't take it as anything more or less than that.

What happens in the US matters. It matters to Americans, but also to the rest of the world. The problems in the most powerful country in the free world will tend to be scrutinized more than any other.

Don't be defensive because we care about what happens to all of us. It's not you against us. It's ALL of us, in this world, together as humans, trying to make it better for everyone.

162. A match made on RichardDawkins.net?

Comment #128155 by SharonMcT on February 16, 2008 at 11:23 am

This is the best, most inspiring news I've heard today! My best wishes for a long and healthy rest-of-your-lives. I hope you both continue to comment at RDnet as you have contributed so much.

163. Dumb and Dumber: Are Americans Hostile to Knowledge?

Comment #128147 by SharonMcT on February 16, 2008 at 10:54 am

I can see a little in-group/out-group thing happening here. We're not going to find solutions if we bash the Americans and they end up getting defensive.

I am Canadian, and I have to admit that we do tend to want to point out all that is wrong with the US. What I'd like people to remember is that we tend to have a problem with the government, not the people. I think we have to try not to take this personally.

It would be nice if we could exchange some ideas and learn from each other and other successful countries instead of just bashing each other.

I think there are a lot of great things about the US. There is such great promise and potential there. I always try to remind myself not to let my disappointment with some of the choices my neighbour makes get in the way of the important dialogue we need to have.

164. Inventor Doesn't Dare Say 'Perpetual Motion Machine'

Comment #127704 by SharonMcT on February 15, 2008 at 2:19 pm

The greatest of faults is to be conscious of none - Thomas Carlyle.

I've just been lurking off and on today...stinking work, but wow, seems like I missed a doozy here. I have nothing much to add (as usual) except that I am totally in love with Steve Zara. (and that's just my short way of saying that I totally appreciate your work here, as always)

165. Murder plot against Danish cartoonist

Comment #126577 by SharonMcT on February 13, 2008 at 3:17 pm

Steve!

I must disagree. I like cheesespread, like Quetz, or better yet, chunky peanut butter. That is the cat's meow. I will agree about the wholegrain bread, however. And strong coffee!

166. The Out Campaign

Comment #126196 by SharonMcT on February 12, 2008 at 3:23 pm

Joe:

I can see your comments perfectly well.

167. Why Darwin matters

Comment #126185 by SharonMcT on February 12, 2008 at 2:56 pm

krisking:

re comment 237. And there you go 'round in circles again. As for truth, one can only go by what there is evidence for. There is no evidence for God. Perhaps someday there will be, but right now there is not.

The problem, when you introduce god-beliefs into the reason for ones behaviour is that somehow one starts to imagine one knows the mind of god, and then one imagines what god wants one to do. All of a sudden one gets to a place where behaviours are divinely inspired and therefore they are automatically better than behaviours inspired by the minds of men. It's a sad downward spiral.

168. Why Darwin matters

Comment #126171 by SharonMcT on February 12, 2008 at 2:25 pm

krisking:

You're not here to be convinced, and you're not here to convince others. No trouble. You're here for your own amusement which you acheive by what you call gentle ribbing. Again, no big deal. But that says to me that I am correct to question how "genuine" is your "search". Note that I said your search may not be genuine, not that you are not genuine. I think you can't help but be who you are, which is why more than one person has pondered your motives. I also think you can't help but learn something here.

The bottom line for me, however, is whether or not some people feel the need for a god does not in any way make god true.

169. Why Darwin matters

Comment #126134 by SharonMcT on February 12, 2008 at 1:40 pm

anna:

krisking may seem genuinely interested at times, but also seems very passive aggressive other times (IMO). My jury is still out on how "genuine" he is in his search. I also think ridiculing an idea cannot automatically be regarded as hostile.

170. Why Darwin matters

Comment #126080 by SharonMcT on February 12, 2008 at 12:48 pm

Steve:

I did not know about the Sat Nav issue. Every day I learn something from you. And it doeS excite me. More than I think you want to know. ;)

Seriously though, I completely agree. Discovery is so inspiring.

171. Why Darwin matters

Comment #125847 by SharonMcT on February 12, 2008 at 7:01 am

Just when I think that a thread has seriously tanked, you guys go and make it all funny and worthwhile again.

Posts 135-149...great stuff.

172. Why Darwin matters

Comment #125051 by SharonMcT on February 10, 2008 at 8:37 pm

wooter:


You are just an offensive little troll. You have proven nothing except your own superiority complex. Quite a sexist remark, I think, this last garbage, even though it makes little sense. Seems to show what you think of women however. My advice to you is as before. Read a translation of Dawkins or Darwin in your own first language. Maybe that will help you to actually understand the information. Do the hard work and research yourself instead of just quote mining from others.

173. Christopher Hitchens on Books & Ideas

Comment #125028 by SharonMcT on February 10, 2008 at 6:34 pm

Peacebeuponme:

I was asking the same thing the other day...where the hell is Benway? She is well missed.

174. Christopher Hitchens on Books & Ideas

Comment #125026 by SharonMcT on February 10, 2008 at 6:32 pm

scooter:

do you value friendship?

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

Comment #124646 by SharonMcT on February 9, 2008 at 11:34 pm

Oisha:

Excellent. Great post.

Radesq:

Good points as well.


And with that, I think I can safely retire.

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

Comment #124642 by SharonMcT on February 9, 2008 at 11:19 pm

fry the cheese in a cast iron pan until it's crispy and bubbly. scoop it out of the pan with french bread. eat with copious amounts of wine or beer. ;)

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

Comment #124641 by SharonMcT on February 9, 2008 at 11:16 pm

I have friends who sit around talking about encounters with ghosts. They all claim to have had an encounter. They all claim to believe each other's encounter. They seem like reasonable people otherwise. ;)

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

Comment #124638 by SharonMcT on February 9, 2008 at 11:12 pm

Diacanu:

You're making perfect sense to me. Except...eggs? really...I like cake. Eggs are like eating farts. I like to avoid eating farts. ;)

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

Comment #124636 by SharonMcT on February 9, 2008 at 11:10 pm

how do people believe in joseph smith's writings? scientology? why do people believe anything without evidence? they do. I can't, and I'm glad of it.

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

Comment #124633 by SharonMcT on February 9, 2008 at 11:05 pm

there is no record from the time, let alone more than one record.

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

Comment #124627 by SharonMcT on February 9, 2008 at 10:59 pm

extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence...a few stories about some legends that people may have heard round the village hardly suffice, even back in the day. there are a lot of arthurian legends as well, but no evidence whatsoever that they are based upon fact...

one eyewitness? wow, i would not want to be charged in the court of law that allows evidence from one eyewitness as sufficient proof

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

Comment #124620 by SharonMcT on February 9, 2008 at 10:51 pm

a whole region of palestine...how many people was that exactly?

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

Comment #124612 by SharonMcT on February 9, 2008 at 10:40 pm

you claim it is history...but you have one book...not even written at that time when the events supposedly happened...not even written by a witness...who calls that historical evidence?

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

Comment #124609 by SharonMcT on February 9, 2008 at 10:34 pm

historical evidence...you want so badly for it to be true that you would accept one source...

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

Comment #124607 by SharonMcT on February 9, 2008 at 10:32 pm

corroboration...ever heard of it? you have one book and no corroboration...

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

Comment #124605 by SharonMcT on February 9, 2008 at 10:30 pm

it's not that it doesn't even convince, it's not evidence.

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

Comment #124596 by SharonMcT on February 9, 2008 at 10:13 pm

Diacanu:

I find myself feeling the same way, but you are much more eloquent. Please carry on.

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

Comment #124593 by SharonMcT on February 9, 2008 at 10:07 pm

shrommer:

what exactly is your purpose here? you can't convince people here without evidence. put up or shut up.

189. Ad 'likely to offend gay people'

Comment #124527 by SharonMcT on February 9, 2008 at 5:39 pm

I think it may be a matter of whether or not you find the people attractive. Imagining people who I am not attracted to, having sex, is something I like to avoid. Imagining my parents having sex doesn't make me queasy. I just find that I don't want to think about it. I don't want the images to be fully realized in my imagination.

I didn't used to often think about 2 guys having sex, but I was mildly surprised that at the first exposure to images of it (brokeback mountain), I found it very erotic. The same goes for sex between women. It can be erotic for me to see it, IF I find the people sexually attractive.

There are very many hetero couples that I don't ever want to imagine having sex, simply because I don't personally find them sexually attractive. Could it not just be this simple?

190. Ad 'likely to offend gay people'

Comment #123525 by SharonMcT on February 7, 2008 at 10:04 am

I am offended by the beliefs these CCTV people hold. Beliefs like this need to be held to ridicule at every opportunity. I am so happy that in the span of my short life, the equality issue has been put to rest in Canada at least.

I have to admit, however, that I do still have one issue that I recognise is entirely selfish - the fact that I cannot have everyone I want. ;)

191. Happy Birthday Josh Timonen!

Comment #119175 by SharonMcT on January 31, 2008 at 11:19 am

Happy belated...

Thanks for all your work. I can't keep up, but I enjoy trying. Because of you I never have nothing to do. ;)

Sharon

192. Heath Ledger Death: Baptist Group To Protest At Memorial

Comment #115738 by SharonMcT on January 24, 2008 at 3:16 pm

Goldy:

It's a canadian low-flow one, but I still don't take any chances. Those droplets could be small and sneaky enough for me not to see them. ;)

Corylus:

I have participated in the detour of this thread and many others besides, but I really enjoy the humour in between all the serious stuff, so I hope it continues.

193. Heath Ledger Death: Baptist Group To Protest At Memorial

Comment #115717 by SharonMcT on January 24, 2008 at 2:55 pm

Alex:

The reason the seat will always be down after you are finished, is that the lid should always be closed when you flush. Flushing the toilet aspirates the water in the bowl and it can fly out around the bathroom. I prefer to keep toilet water in the toilet and not on my toothbrush by the sink. ;)

194. This Week's Flea

Comment #114958 by SharonMcT on January 23, 2008 at 9:30 am

A lot of people, like ADH, just cannot seem to get over their fear of death. I think that is the main motivation that drives these religious types. They absolutely do not want to accept that when they die, there is nothing after. It's a whole wish-thinking worldview that gives them a pat on the head anytime they get the willies. They are scared, plain and simple. Grow up, you big babies. ;)

195. Why people believe weird things about money

Comment #112924 by SharonMcT on January 18, 2008 at 9:31 am

scooternyc:

For me, it's more about balance. Things seem a little black and white in your world. I think empathy helps me decide the correct balance.

I agree that people have to be responsible for their actions and choices, but I also think that people are not always fully capable of making the correct choice every single time.

Empathy allows people to feel close to each other. It allows people to feel that they can make mistakes and still be accepted and cared for.

Striving for perfection in the choices we make is an admirable goal, but humans make mistakes. We want to balance these lessons for kids, I would think. I would want them to learn about consequences, but I would also want to comfort them when they make a bad choice. How is a dose of caring empathy going to make them dangerous drug addicts because they can't take responsibility for their actions? When do we stop helping other people learn about choices? Is there a magic number, whether in age or in bad choices, before we give up and no longer value them?

196. Why people believe weird things about money

Comment #112876 by SharonMcT on January 18, 2008 at 7:59 am

Sorry to butt in, everyone. It's been an interesting read. I do just want to ask a few questions, if I may.

scooternyc:

Are children exempt? If a child makes a choice to play with matches and they start their room on fire, would you risk your life to save him? What if it were your own child? Is empathy a disease when it comes to helping children? Or do they too have to learn "the hard way" how to be responsible for their own choices?

197. George Scales, War Hero and Generous Friend of RDFRS

Comment #111701 by SharonMcT on January 15, 2008 at 1:22 pm

Thank you, George, for all you have done, and for all you will continue to do when you are feeling well again. Good luck and all my best wishes for a quick recovery.

Sharon McTeer
Canada

198. Debate between Michael Shermer and Dinesh D'Souza

Comment #102099 by SharonMcT on December 21, 2007 at 2:46 pm

_J_:

He's like that with all the girls, which is all the more reason to like him. ;)

Cheers to you and all.

199. Debate between Michael Shermer and Dinesh D'Souza

Comment #102096 by SharonMcT on December 21, 2007 at 2:40 pm

Diacanu:

Thank you. It's what is inside that really counts, though. And so for that reason, I vote Dr. Benway the sexiest poster here.

200. Debate between Michael Shermer and Dinesh D'Souza

Comment #102092 by SharonMcT on December 21, 2007 at 2:34 pm

_J_:

Great to see you too! I'll not be back until after boxing day, so I'll wish you and everyone else a great holiday season. I'll be raising many glasses to the posters here and missing your sanity. (hence the need for many raised glasses)