151. Ban teachers from religious dress, Quebec group says

Comment #77783 by Duff on October 10, 2007 at 1:54 pm

People of all religious superstitions should be allowed to wear all the religious paraphernalia they can possibly muster and then the rest of us should point at them and laugh. Maybe after a while they will catch on that their iron age silliness is exactly that.

152. Sam Harris seems like a nice fellow, but very confused

Comment #77317 by Duff on October 9, 2007 at 3:33 am

When asked if I'm a believer, I reply, "What? Do I look stupid?" The asker is then left to decide whether a handsome, intelligent looking devil like myself is a believer or an infidel. It is amazing how many equate stupidity with being a believer rather than the other way around.

153. In honour of Dan Dennett

Comment #76832 by Duff on October 7, 2007 at 12:21 pm

Having survived 6 decades plus with nary a personal hero in sight, it is nice at last to have several; Dan Dennett and Richard Dawkins, my intellectual heroes and Hitchens, my nasty, evil twin.
May the teapot protect them!

154. 'Flying Spaghetti Monster' Religious Group Turning Heads at MSU

Comment #76406 by Duff on October 5, 2007 at 6:10 pm

The wicked will rail against the pasta GOD, but it will avail them not. In the last days, the godless will say the pasta God is nothing, but it will avail them not. The Past God will bring down the unbeliever and deliver him unto the pasta bowls of hell. The crying and lamenting of the wicked will be their undoing. Their lamentations will be a testament against them. Their tears will grease the engines of their destruction, as its grinds the wicked into a grist that will delight the simple and give pleasure to the poor in spirit. Yeah, the downtrodden and the stupid will inherit the earth.

155. Scandal brewing at Oral Roberts U.

Comment #76397 by Duff on October 5, 2007 at 5:44 pm

Oral and his family are GGGOOODD's children. Be kind!!! They deserve a special dispensation of kindness, because they have declared their obedience and love to GOODD to all His followers. Be kind!!! Because they have declared that love of GOD, we have to give them a special beneficence. Be kind to them. They may be dirt bags and special hypocritical sinners, but we must be kind to them...!!! They have declared their obedience to GGOODD.

156. Debate between Richard Dawkins and John Lennox

Comment #76389 by Duff on October 5, 2007 at 5:18 pm

"I don't think there's any question that the audience was preferential to Professor Dawkins".
Are these guys kidding. Whoever selected this Lennox clown to go up against Dawkins should be lashed. What a clown!

157. Debate between Richard Dawkins and John Lennox

Comment #76061 by Duff on October 4, 2007 at 2:49 pm

Why is everyone surprised that these debates all end the same way. Why, why would we expect something better from the religionists? I'm beginning to believe the best we can do is to just shout at them, "you're stupid, you're idiots, you're morons!!" It is probably as effective as using reason and logic. Reason and logic are anathema to these people. I'm going to yell at them.

158. Root and Branch

Comment #73458 by Duff on September 25, 2007 at 3:00 am

We must, by all means, be gentle to the dear fundamentalist. It will only offend him if we let him think we look down on his stupidity.
I think Mr. Hacking is not quite the atheist he claims to be.

159. Taking exception to Jake

Comment #71999 by Duff on September 20, 2007 at 5:14 am

Zamboro,
At what numerical sufficiency do people arrive at the "correct conclusion"?
Does the fact that there are numerically more non-christians than christians mean that they are more correct than the christians?
Your logic is cuddly, cute and ridiculous.

160. Faith schools should not be tax-funded, and here's why

Comment #71797 by Duff on September 19, 2007 at 5:13 pm

Jimbob,
Are you aware that the use of two first names in the states classifies one as an inbred, retarded, less than human, moonshine slurpin, hollows habitating, cousin marrying, bible thumpin, southern nitwit? Just thought you should know.

161. Taking exception to Jake

Comment #71795 by Duff on September 19, 2007 at 5:02 pm

This Jake person thinks science should have an attitude. He should take a page from Richard Feynman's description of what science is. Feynman simply stated that science doesn't have an opinion, it is simply a METHOD to keep man from deceiving himself. Nothing could be more simple.

162. Do you have to read up on leprechology before disbelieving in them?

Comment #71424 by Duff on September 18, 2007 at 6:37 pm

How dare anyone mention atheism and "intellectual suicide" in the same breath?
The rule is as follows:
There are three kinds of theists, those who are too simple to know better. Those who are smart enough to know better, but have been trained not to think, and those who really do know better but have, because of their upbringing, chosen to commit intellectual suicide and believe in spite of what they KNOW.

163. Honest Mistakes or Willful Mendacity

Comment #70457 by Duff on September 15, 2007 at 2:53 pm

How dare you heathens suggest that a religious person, a person of faith, would lie, cheat, steal, misrepresent, kill a non-believer or abuse a child!!! Shame on all of you! I want an apology and I want it now!

164. 'Jane Doe' Testifies as Trial of Polygamist Leader Begins

Comment #70394 by Duff on September 15, 2007 at 9:50 am

I'm not sure this was the best case to test the law in Utah. There are many other plural marriages where the "husband" is not a teenager, but a much older man with one or two other wives.

Mormons have always made the excuse that polygamy was practiced in the early days of the church because there were so many more women than men in the church. I'm not sure that was ever true, but it surely isn't true today, where many of the young men are having to leave the fundamentalist communities because all the girls have been wedded by the more established men.

165. How the Public Resolves Conflicts Between Faith and Science

Comment #70393 by Duff on September 15, 2007 at 9:37 am

What these data show is that to be religious requires not just that a person disengage from reality (science) but that he/she also be able to live for long periods of time with their head firmly implanted up the alimentary canal.

166. Childhood Origins of Adult Resistance to Science

Comment #70021 by Duff on September 13, 2007 at 5:15 pm

Jiten,

"Science is counterintuitive"!!!!? Science is a latin name for "knowledge". If Knowledge is counter-intuitive then I don't know what would be intuitive.
I suggest you re-invent yourself and come to a proper realization of just what it means to have a "real" sense of what constitutes science. Reality is what can be demonstrated. And if you "don't care" what is real and what is imaginable, may I suggest you get a grip on yourself and embrace science/knowledge..

167. Alex the Parrot

Comment #69755 by Duff on September 12, 2007 at 3:00 pm

I know a woman who had a very clever African Grey parrot who had an amazing vocabulary. Whenever she would invite the media in to interview the bird, he would turn his feathers inside out and screech. She could never get him to say a word to the press. Very clever bird, indeed.

168. The Atheists Interviews

Comment #69533 by Duff on September 11, 2007 at 4:22 pm

Never under estimate the power of suggesting that religious people are not the brightest of the bright. That is what started me thinking I might be on the wrong side of the argument. As a Mormon missionary, i distinctly remember a very smart young person saying my beliefs were ridiculous. Such a simple statement, but it had an effect that caused me to begin a long process that has ended with a complete rejection of all supernatural beliefs.
Never under estimate the power of a simple comment of ridicule.

169. Griffin's 'offensive' Emmy speech to be censored

Comment #69529 by Duff on September 11, 2007 at 4:13 pm

I wasn't familiar with Kathy Griffin before today, but as of today, she is my hero! Gang up on the "catholic league" and come to the rescue of Kathy!
By the way, did the catholic league have a comment on the billion dollars the California Catholic Church (I capitalize that name for comic effect), paid out for the abuse of minors just in the state of California, or do they think that outrageous situation is just a normal scenario that every church/organization faces?
May I suggest that the catholic church has zero credibility in the morality scene!

170. Bonobo Handshake: What Makes Our Chimp-like Cousins So Cooperative?

Comment #68072 by Duff on September 6, 2007 at 3:09 am

Pan troglodytes (chimpanzee) is the generally more aggressive. Pan paniscus(bonobo/"pygmy chimp") is the one referred to here.

171. In God we doubt

Comment #67306 by Duff on September 3, 2007 at 3:25 am

That is because devolved is one of the "stupid fuckwits" spoken of in these passages. Why would anyone expect anything intellectually founded to come from such people?

172. What do these atheists understand of religion?

Comment #67298 by Duff on September 3, 2007 at 3:06 am

Is "humble and self questioning" the same thing as "embarrassed and ignorant"?

173. Orthodox Call on Sinners To Give Chickens a Fairer Shake

Comment #66782 by Duff on August 31, 2007 at 11:46 am

If these righteous people would be so thoughtful as to stop holding the little chickens by their shoulders and maybe gently grip them with both hands as they slowly sway side to side for maybe not more than two or three times, and then perhaps give the birds a bath in luke warm water and a handful of cornmeal. Then, if they didn't wring their necks but instead just said a simple little prayer asking the bird nicely to take a few of their sins, instead of all their sins, no one would take umbrage. Then, of course, taking the birds to a nice farm to spend the rest of their lives pecking.
I think that would make for a lovely ritual and at the same time make all those nasty people who object to the neck ringing happy.

174. Another view

Comment #66702 by Duff on August 31, 2007 at 3:24 am

Poor Professor Dawkins! Sooo sad. So sad. Who knew?

175. Teresa, Bright and Dark

Comment #66345 by Duff on August 29, 2007 at 6:25 pm

Big John,
You...how shall I say this...you, moron! It is not your right to tell any woman what she should do with her body. Your childish concept of a woman "killing a human being" inside her body is a moronic attempt to retain control over women. Give it up, genius. It's not your decision. More and more, these kinds of decisions are not going to be made by politicians and red-necks like you.

176. I'm gonna be a MOVIE STAR

Comment #65453 by Duff on August 24, 2007 at 9:00 am

From someone who has been in the film/television/advertising industry for thirty five years a word of advice. Never, ever trust anyone from the film/television/advertising industry. They will say, or do anything to get the shot.

177. Scientists should unite against threat from religion

Comment #64941 by Duff on August 22, 2007 at 12:55 pm

"We set up the heaven as a roof well protected." If you want proof that the Quran is the word of god you have it right there. It is proof positive that the sky is a roof over the world, just as man has always believed...er,.. well, the sky is a roof over the world, isn't it? Isn't it? Did some smart aleck go and prove that wrong, too. Drat. Well, at least we know that it was "He" who created the world. Right?

178. Artificial Life Likely in 3 to 10 Years

Comment #64422 by Duff on August 20, 2007 at 3:23 am

Bizarro,
Always good to see you here. If good for nothing else, your logic, or lack thereof, is at least good for a chuckle.

179. Democratic Candidates on a Personal God

Comment #64347 by Duff on August 19, 2007 at 5:18 pm

Veronique,
It is disgusting, BUT, if they don't answer in a way that in some way massages the rationally impaired, they stand to lose a very large portion of the electorate. It is a sad, but factual state of affairs of the American electoral process.
I don't doubt for a minute that Hillary Clinton is fairly agnostic when it comes to a personal bearded deity looking over everyones shoulder, but "heaven" help her if she were to say so in so many words.
I, personally, will cut her a little slack if she chooses to fudge it a little in order to get the vote. She will be a monumental improvement over the simplistic, "god fearing nitwit" we have now. If she has to lie, cheat and steal to win the presidency, I, for one, will not judge her.

180. The Pentagon Sends Messengers of Apocalypse to Convert Soldiers in Iraq

Comment #64098 by Duff on August 17, 2007 at 5:53 pm

When the troops hear these fine christian brethren are in Iraq on a "christian crusade", the excrement will impact the rotating ventilator. Those poor troops have enough to contend with without the muslim lovelies hearing the word "crusade".
If anyone is awake in the White House (not very likely) they would put a stop to this nonsense forthwith.

181. Good luck, Dawkins!

Comment #63865 by Duff on August 16, 2007 at 1:09 pm

The sad difference between Santa and God is that by eight years of age, most sane parents tell their children Santa is not real. No one informs them about God, I'm afraid.

182. Amnesty to defy Catholic church over rape victims' abortion rights

Comment #63059 by Duff on August 13, 2007 at 3:28 am

Don't you people realize that god wanted those women raped so he could send all those extra little african babies spirits down to earth. Now these meddlers, Amnesty Int. come along and spoil things.

183. Pentagon: Hold On, Christian Soldiers!

Comment #62129 by Duff on August 8, 2007 at 9:25 am

The only thing that is going to make this an issue with the Bush administration is when this video is aired on the muslim media in the mid-east and it is interpreted as proof of the "Christian Crusade led by the American military". If it gets traction in the mid-east, maybe one of the general officers in Iraq will call his buddies in the pentagon telling them this kind of crap gets his soldiers killed, and insist these wankers are either shut up or fired. Only then will anything happen.

184. Richard Dawkins Replies to David Sloan Wilson

Comment #61882 by Duff on August 7, 2007 at 9:16 am

Hungarianelephant,
Hitchens would be the first to set you straight when you suggest that the world would have a hard time replacing the many things religion does for us. He would ask you to name anything that a religion, or a religious person can do that can't be done as well by a non-religious person or organization.

185. Arrogance, dogma and why science - not faith - is the new enemy of reason

Comment #61826 by Duff on August 7, 2007 at 3:18 am

I think all you people have been taken in by "Ms Phillips". There is no way any person could actually believe that much nonsense and still be a functioning human being. What real, thoughtful, intelligent person would actually, sincerely claim that "...reason is intrinsic to the Judeo/Christian tradition"?
She's just trying to get a rise out of you folks.

186. Electrons to Enlightenment 4: Debating Darwin

Comment #61690 by Duff on August 6, 2007 at 11:05 am

Olsen got his philosophy of non-confrontation with the idiots from a Hollywood acting class?!!! That would just about say it all.
Anyone who learns anything from actors has to be an idiot, and this comes from an actor of over thirty years. Give me a break!

187. New age therapies cause 'retreat from reason'

Comment #61514 by Duff on August 5, 2007 at 1:13 pm

Drive1,
I am so personally over every kind of quackery, be it religious or "new age alternative medicine". The very term is an irritation, hinting as it does that it is just another kind of medicine.
Its time we stopped coddling the purveyors of ignorance and irrationalism in this dangerous world.
I also disagree with you that the impetus has gone out of the atheist campaign. I think it has only begun and it will grow if people like yourself get over your kindliness and don't let up on the believers of this nonsense.

188. Ducking the God Question

Comment #61091 by Duff on August 3, 2007 at 2:54 pm

Oh, the pedagogery!! Or, whatever! You people are truly amazing...and I mean that kindly.

189. God Answers Prayers Of Paralyzed Little Boy: 'No' Says God

Comment #61086 by Duff on August 3, 2007 at 2:42 pm

Geckoman, you and toastmonster deserve each other. Here I thought the Onion was a subsidiary of The New York Times. Now you've spoiled everything!

190. Could these books be part of the problem?

Comment #61082 by Duff on August 3, 2007 at 2:33 pm

irate atheist,
No, it should be "The Complete Guide FOR Christianity's Idiots."

191. Interview with Michael Behe

Comment #61077 by Duff on August 3, 2007 at 2:21 pm

I thought Behe had more substance than he came across here. Is it possible he is smaller than life? "Dweebburger" kept popping into my mind.

192. Islamic creationist group launches glitzy, global blitz

Comment #61067 by Duff on August 3, 2007 at 2:10 pm

If the Turks don't believe in evolution, they will become believers when they watch the evolution of their somewhat advanced country into another Afghanistan. The power of religion and creationism to transform a forward thinking country into a 12th century backwater will be very interesting to watch.

193. The Flea Circus Invites a Newcomer!

Comment #60462 by Duff on August 2, 2007 at 2:27 am

You mean people should stop tormenting wee flea for not having any substantive arguments against Dawkins and the other atheists. He's arguing FOR religion, for crying out loud! Why should you expect him to have any substance! Leave him alone! He's a man of faith.

194. How could God allow 26 pilgrims to die in a crash?

Comment #59510 by Duff on July 29, 2007 at 9:44 am

RonnieG, you call those believing, religious people who cannot fathom an imperfect world created by a perfect god, "dumbasses". They are not dumbasses! They are Dumb Asses!! Lets get our facts straight!

195. Resisting peer pressure: new findings shed light on adolescent decision-making

Comment #59163 by Duff on July 27, 2007 at 5:35 pm

No religious person has a reasoned response to the innocent query of how their belief in god is any different in their childhood belief in Santa. It leaves them sputtering and making silly remarks about how one is nothing like the other, but they can never give a cogent statement as to how they differ, except that one is based on "scripture" and the other on...well, who knows what.
The scripture part is easy and the similarities of the two fantastical beliefs should be rubbed in their stuttering, sputtering faces at every opportunity.
No respect and no quarter!!

196. How could God allow 26 pilgrims to die in a crash?

Comment #58887 by Duff on July 26, 2007 at 2:27 pm

God didn't kill those pilgrims! There was an unbeliever in that group who God wanted to kill and he did. The rest killed themselves because they didn't have the foresight to resolve that an unbeliever was amongst them. Don't lay their lack of clarity at God's feet. Dammit.

197. Proboscidean Mitogenomics: Chronology and Mode of Elephant Evolution Using Mastodon as Outgroup

Comment #58885 by Duff on July 26, 2007 at 2:15 pm

Inmate Hovind is probing the existential meaning of the loss of the bone in the penis of homo-erectus. He'll find it disappeared some millions of years ago, much to his disappointment. Did I say millions of years ago. Slap my face!

198. The hitch in Hitchens' thinking

Comment #58882 by Duff on July 26, 2007 at 2:06 pm

I'm willing to bet there are maybe less than fifty "theologians" in the US who subscribe to Mr. Hedges concept of God. I come from a long line of religious believers and am uncomfortably intimate with the religious thoughts of many people in this country and I doubt there is a single one of them who doesn't subscribe to a personal, literal, great Bearded One (male) in the Sky, who knows exactly whether you've been good or bad ("so be good for heavens sake").
Spare me this kind of pathetic apologetics!!!

199. Camp Joins Summer Fun With Teaching Hindu Faith

Comment #58604 by Duff on July 25, 2007 at 10:55 am

A fairy tale is a fairy tale is a fairy tale. If it's meta-physical, it's a fairy tale. It doesn't matter what its name is. Get over it.

200. Why I Believe Anti-Evangelism Is Wrong

Comment #58025 by Duff on July 23, 2007 at 3:28 am

This Tyrone guy is a double agent sent out by the religionists to try to get the atheists to stop being so militant. It is a sure sign that the anti-religionist movement is having an effect.
Keep up the good work, brothers and sisters!