201. [UPDATED] Venomous Snakes, Slippery Eels and Harun Yahya

Comment #209152 by Radesq on July 11, 2008 at 4:28 pm

Brian, I have faith that ertu is going to answer your question very soon.

202. PLEASE WRITE IN SUPPORT OF PZ MYERS

Comment #209126 by Radesq on July 11, 2008 at 3:47 pm

Steve Zara: I understand what you are saying...that the religious may not see the thing as just a cracker. However, in what manner do you wish we would argue the point differently; given that it is in fact just a cracker?

edit: Cracker plus divinity = body of Christ
Cracker plus superstition = just cracker

203. PLEASE WRITE IN SUPPORT OF PZ MYERS

Comment #209115 by Radesq on July 11, 2008 at 3:27 pm

Ah...don't feel too bad Colwyn; I misspelled PZ Myers (Meyers)in my letter. D'OH!

204. [UPDATED] Venomous Snakes, Slippery Eels and Harun Yahya

Comment #208350 by Radesq on July 10, 2008 at 9:19 pm

Laurie:

"...you want floods? We got 'em!"

Great live AC/DC album!

205. PLEASE WRITE IN SUPPORT OF PZ MYERS

Comment #208345 by Radesq on July 10, 2008 at 9:09 pm

One more for PZ

Dear President Bruininks:

I am not a current student nor an alumnus Golden Gopher. However, I am a person who respects science and freedom of speech. I also believe as did Thomas Jefferson (the founder of another great state University as you know) in the separation of Church and State. I urge you and your institution to be steadfast in your support of academic freedom where Professor Myers is concerned. If you are not familiar with the bully boy tactics of persons like Bill Donohue of the Catholic League, you might at first find them a bit intimidating. Please be assured that his outrage is entirely manufactured and that he merely makes his living whipping up enough discontent to get his disagreeable countenance on television. This tempest in a celestial teapot too shall pass. Please stand by your man, who in this case by all outwardly appearances is an excellent scientist, teacher, and spokesperson for the intellectual freedom and rigor provided to your student population.


Sincerely,

Name, City and State submitted

206. Conversation between Richard Dawkins and John Lennox

Comment #208327 by Radesq on July 10, 2008 at 8:45 pm

Layla said: "...sometimes you have to will yourself to inhabit the 'opposition's' mindset in order to figure out the best way to challenge them."

In order to accomplish that I think I would need a bottle in front of me - or a frontal lobotomy.

Whenever, I discuss religion with the religious I am reminded of a scene from the 1985 movie "Fletch" in which Chevy Chase is caught snooping in an abandoned house by a shotgun wielding neighbor. The conversation goes something like...

Neighbor: I'm callin' the cops...this is for the cops.
Fletch: Look, I didn't want to do this but I'm going to have to pull rank on you here I'm with the mattress police - there are no tags on these mattresses.

Neighbor: I'm callin' the cops.

I don't know maybe you have to see the movie to understand what I mean.

207. IT'S A GODDAMNED CRACKER!

Comment #207439 by Radesq on July 9, 2008 at 8:14 pm

"It's a goddamned cracker!"(should have inserted "for Christ's sake!") IMHO. Well, there you have it...the difference between the rational and the irrational.

The very idea of this seems so gross to me -- what in the hell are Catholics doing eating quasi human flesh and drinking blood? I don't know if this is cannibalism or vampirism or what, but I can say it is goofy and pretty twisted. Shows how much I understand the religious mindset I suppose.

208. New legal threat to school science in the US

Comment #207407 by Radesq on July 9, 2008 at 5:20 pm

While this is an unfortunate development I am guardedly optimistic that the days of "it's cool to be stupid and proud of it" are coming to an end in most of the US. What can I possibly be basing that on? Well I think every Presidential administration leaves their mark not only on the government in Washington DC but also on the culture. I think much of America (judging by popularity polls) is rather fed up with W and his good ol' boy routine. I'm not guarantying an intellectual renaissance under Obama or a straight talk austerity under McCain. But I hope and expect that the culture will shift focus away from bimbos like Lilo and Britney, and from Larry the cable guy and the rest of the blue collar comedy class. To what I'm not sure -- but it is sure to be different and right now that is enough.

209. McDonald's Makes Jesus Cry

Comment #206812 by Radesq on July 8, 2008 at 8:43 pm

I suspect there are many more in-laws thinking (though perhaps not stating) the same thoughts about their children and their significant others. It is sort of an obscene counterpoint to parents being upset that a child has been taken in by Scientology or some such. Odd, the same hurt from the scales falling from one's eyes as having the wool pulled over them.

210. McDonald's Makes Jesus Cry

Comment #206778 by Radesq on July 8, 2008 at 7:45 pm

Victoria32:

Didn't you hear that the NT doesn't apply anymore since the book of Mormon came out? It's no secret at this point.

211. The Boundaries of Belief

Comment #206776 by Radesq on July 8, 2008 at 7:41 pm

Some apes undoubtedly have descended from trees. Especially when there was fruit on the ground.

212. Teaching Evolution in Mexico: Preaching to the Choir

Comment #206754 by Radesq on July 8, 2008 at 6:30 pm

CrimsonRick or Crimson Chin? http://www.bbc.co.uk/ouch/images/features/nemo/chin_120x120.jpg

213. Teaching Evolution in Mexico: Preaching to the Choir

Comment #205820 by Radesq on July 7, 2008 at 7:58 pm

C'mon Chuck can't you be a little less reasonable? You're never going to get elected to public office without working up some phony outrage.

214. [UPDATED] Venomous Snakes, Slippery Eels and Harun Yahya

Comment #205786 by Radesq on July 7, 2008 at 7:28 pm

Now its Allah is it? You are a troll ertu. Later champ.

215. [UPDATED] Venomous Snakes, Slippery Eels and Harun Yahya

Comment #205767 by Radesq on July 7, 2008 at 7:14 pm

Scientists according to ertu:

"...defending impossible scenarios by clinging to the outdated materialist dogmas of the 19th century."

cf.

Defending impossible scenarios by clinging to outdated religious dogmas of the 1st century.

Even under your absurd worldview science is nearly 2000 years ahead of religion. That's progress. I'll stick with science thank you.

216. [UPDATED] Venomous Snakes, Slippery Eels and Harun Yahya

Comment #205737 by Radesq on July 7, 2008 at 6:42 pm

ertu:
All that is wrong with your criticisms of evolution has been covered extensively on this site previously. But whether by a Teratornis style tome, a Reverend Dark screed, or an Irate f*tard -- your type of quote mining has been successfully refuted time and again. Let's assume for the moment that evolution is wrong (it almost certainly isn't)do you have a better theory?

217. [UPDATED] Venomous Snakes, Slippery Eels and Harun Yahya

Comment #205732 by Radesq on July 7, 2008 at 6:33 pm

Dawkins trumps Hoyle.

218. Harper says new mosque shows 'the true and benevolent face of Islam'

Comment #205703 by Radesq on July 7, 2008 at 5:19 pm

Being an Ahmadiyya will get you killed faster by other Muslims than being a Christian in Indonesia.

http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2007/90137.htm

219. Churches' secret talks to stop gay surge

Comment #205696 by Radesq on July 7, 2008 at 5:09 pm

Couple of points here:

1. Does this affect Canada? If so perhaps I should call & warn my friend Serge.

2. The quotes in this article seem vaguely familiar to me. For instance...

The internal pressure of the Anglican communion has pushed us apart and we're committed to greater unity with Rome. There can be no future for Christianity in Europe without Rome." a bishop is reported to have stated anonymously.

We must join with Him, Gandalf. We must join with Sauron. It would be wise, my friend. Against the power of Mordor there can be no victory.

220. Sharia law 'could have UK role'

Comment #205200 by Radesq on July 6, 2008 at 6:35 pm

Who is Shaaz Mahboob? Jeopardy answer: Name of minor character (wet nurse) in Gone With the Wind.

221. Tablet Ignites Debate on Messiah and Resurrection

Comment #205171 by Radesq on July 6, 2008 at 5:48 pm

nacjho117: You shouldn't argue the last quote in your post at 193. It looks like a double negative to me. Other than that I agree with epeeist's recent post that essentially says that in the old days people claimed everything they didn't understand was an act of God. Today we know better, don't we?

222. Tablet Ignites Debate on Messiah and Resurrection

Comment #205162 by Radesq on July 6, 2008 at 5:28 pm

Why is there no account of God smiting Herculaneum, I wonder?

223. Tablet Ignites Debate on Messiah and Resurrection

Comment #205153 by Radesq on July 6, 2008 at 5:04 pm

Don't all archeological finds over 6K years old contradict all we have been told about God?

224. The Boundaries of Belief

Comment #205150 by Radesq on July 6, 2008 at 4:58 pm

So I learned something tonight Lucas...I went and looked up Black Bolt. How very imposing a character. I have to admit I was puzzled before as to what your avatar was. Judging from the goal post looking thing on his mask I assumed he was some sort of alternative representation of ND's "Touchdown Jesus". That was silly of me.

225. The Boundaries of Belief

Comment #205133 by Radesq on July 6, 2008 at 4:28 pm

What is the alternative to freewill, fictional or otherwise? Would it be that all actions are predetermined responses to stimuli which could be successfully predicted with enough data and enough computer processing power? I'm not going to subscribe to that philosphy unless I have no other choice! ;]

226. Tablet Ignites Debate on Messiah and Resurrection

Comment #205121 by Radesq on July 6, 2008 at 3:56 pm

Phil Rimmer, Where does the 500 witnesses figure come from? I am not all that conversant in the Bible if that is the source. I don't even know why Jesus left after his resurrection or when. It is interesting though -- here is a quote from the "How Stuff Works" website:

People have been telling stories like this one for hundreds of years -- this creature was part of Native American folklore long before Europeans arrived on the continent. In the past 50 years alone, there have been thousands of reported bigfoot sightings in the United States and Canada, and many people claim to have seen a similar creature in the Himalayas.

227. Decades Later, Still Asking: Would I Pull That Switch?

Comment #204913 by Radesq on July 6, 2008 at 7:07 am

decius I don't know what 35bluejacket is referring to but tent prison facilities (inspired by Gitmo?) are being built in Texas and I suspect in other Southern US states to hold immigrants in deportation proceedings. Raymondville, TX for example [the use of the term concentration camp is inappropriate for these facilities - although they do remind one of the Japanese American internment camps of WWII] http://www.texasprisonbidness.org/immigration-detention/more-detention-nightmares-maggots-food-mtc-s-raymondville-prison

228. Sharia law 'could have UK role'

Comment #204498 by Radesq on July 5, 2008 at 4:33 am

Rod what kind of farm do you run, a server farm?
"several major expensive upgrades"
"installing the Sharia Law add on"
"suitable upgrade" :}

229. Stephen Hawking's explosive new theory

Comment #202255 by Radesq on July 1, 2008 at 6:36 am

My research tells me that this inflation phenomenon is still going on -- in fact judging by the waistline of my pants -- it appears to have been increasing rapidly over the past decade.

230. CFI-UN Hamid Karzai Letter

Comment #202058 by Radesq on June 30, 2008 at 6:39 pm

Christopher is probably not running for the Chairmanship of the Kandahar Chamber of Commerce. Am I right on this?

231. Saving Us from Darwin

Comment #201549 by Radesq on June 29, 2008 at 7:41 pm

If you guys are going to quote the Bard regarding religion finish on a high note.

"...it is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing."

232. Mormons urged to back ban on same-sex marriage

Comment #201542 by Radesq on June 29, 2008 at 7:27 pm

Son of a bitch! 8teist, I missed the Milquetoast comment and the "that was never five minutes just now" come back! Damn quality time with the family!

233. Mormons urged to back ban on same-sex marriage

Comment #201535 by Radesq on June 29, 2008 at 7:21 pm

Goedel is an anagram of God eel and as we know an eel looks a lot like a snake. It was a snake that represented evil/temptation in the garden of eden. Therefore, clearly I cannot chose the glass in front of me. Goldy could be a misprint of Godly therefore I cannot choose the glass in front of you.

234. Mormons urged to back ban on same-sex marriage

Comment #201487 by Radesq on June 29, 2008 at 6:21 pm

Robert, it seems like you are describing a conceptualization on GOD rather than an actual being. Deism is the milquetoast of religion.

235. Aliens need Christ's redemption, too

Comment #201477 by Radesq on June 29, 2008 at 5:55 pm

The Schuermannator -- classic! I almost wish i had read that much of the article so I could have pointed that out. Actually he was Bruce Wayne's fill in butler when Alfred was sick. I only know this because I was a sometimes substitute ward when Robin went on some of his many stints in rehab.

236. Mormons urged to back ban on same-sex marriage

Comment #201465 by Radesq on June 29, 2008 at 5:18 pm

Well if anyone cares I would like to compliment Robert O'Brien. I don't agree with 99% of his posts but he apparently made a decision to carry on a civil discourse about these issues over the past few hours which is commendable and a pleasant change of pace. I am not immune to criticism for shooting from the hip with dismissive comments or ad hom attacks. After calling Robert out on his previous penchant for (IMO) "talkin' loud ain't sayin' nothin'" he at least dropped the invective for the time being.

Now -- we likely aren't going to be convinced,and this conversation is eventually going to devolve into "we have proven you wrong at every step why can't you see reason?" as it seemingly always does. At least while R. O'B. is using biting but not mean spirited words I will try to do the same and I promote that method to other theists who would post here.

237. Mormons urged to back ban on same-sex marriage

Comment #201446 by Radesq on June 29, 2008 at 4:50 pm

Masochism seems like a hallmark of religion decius. The horror.

238. Aliens need Christ's redemption, too

Comment #201441 by Radesq on June 29, 2008 at 4:39 pm

PaulJ: Here here to your comments above but did you really expect any different? By the way what is in your avatar's hand? My eyes ain't so good anymore is it an apple processor chip?

239. Mormons urged to back ban on same-sex marriage

Comment #201399 by Radesq on June 29, 2008 at 4:06 pm

Please wait at least five minutes before anymore Monty Python references...thank you.

Other older or contemporary religions are just as empirically valid as Christianity -- they just weren't as good at marketing witness Xmas (Winter Solstice), Easter (vernal Equinox), All Hallows day (Autumnal equinox), etc.

240. Aliens need Christ's redemption, too

Comment #201369 by Radesq on June 29, 2008 at 3:48 pm

Move 'em on head 'em up Rawhard!... no all I meant was when you said these middle eastern myths never had any significance on Earth...nothing has had more undeserved significance on this Earth.

241. Mormons urged to back ban on same-sex marriage

Comment #201362 by Radesq on June 29, 2008 at 3:44 pm

I doubt many American Christians are familiar with Josephus -- they are in many cases however, well acquainted with Bocephus. Does it bother you at all Robert that these people have no idea what it is they are professing faith in ...while you on the other hand have what you would claim to be historical & philosophical backing for your beliefs?

242. Mormons urged to back ban on same-sex marriage

Comment #201334 by Radesq on June 29, 2008 at 3:26 pm

More to the point...why then is JC divine if he is the child of Mary & Joseph?

243. Aliens need Christ's redemption, too

Comment #201312 by Radesq on June 29, 2008 at 3:12 pm

"Rawhard Dickins" Your alias is laugh out loud funny and your avatar depiction of a typical Fundie isn't bad either! Your point however, though I wish that it were true (and is for many of us here)misses the target.

Rawhard Dickins....ha!

244. Mormons urged to back ban on same-sex marriage

Comment #201294 by Radesq on June 29, 2008 at 2:56 pm

Robert O'Brien: I have no problem accepting the existence of Jesus Christ ( I don't know for sure, but why should it bother me if he did exist). What I do not accept is that the GOD/Son of God existed in the form of the man Jesus Christ. The historical accounts of his miracles and their veracity is what I challenge.

245. Mormons urged to back ban on same-sex marriage

Comment #201287 by Radesq on June 29, 2008 at 2:52 pm

Robert O'Brien:
So the Bible is not the inerrant word of God then? Many Christians would take you to task on that. Was it divinely inspired or just the best description of events that the authors of the day could come up with?

246. Mormons urged to back ban on same-sex marriage

Comment #201280 by Radesq on June 29, 2008 at 2:43 pm

Mr. O'Brien

"Not necessarily unreliable"...

This is what you base your steadfast belief on? Even contemporaneous eyewitness accounts should be closely scrutinized when dealing with claims of the miraculous or extraordinary. For example:

Next, not only was the course a full par 72, the golf pro at the Pyongyang course, Park Young Man, witnessed the round and signed Kim Jong-Il's scorecard. After the round, Park Young Man confirmed that Kim Jong-Il was a natural, shooting a 34 in his first round of golf. Finally, Divine Stories about the Dear Leader, a North Korean book published in the mid-1990s, describes Kim's historic round of golf.

Eleven hole in ones "a miracle!"

Do you still believe in Santa Claus as well?

247. Mormons urged to back ban on same-sex marriage

Comment #201246 by Radesq on June 29, 2008 at 1:28 pm

Robert O'Brien, I had the displeasure of going back through your previous posts to see if you have ever advanced any real defense of your theistic beliefs. Other than saying Cosmological check, Ontological check, you've done very little but heckle.

Your derogatory statements are amusing at first but you don't back them up. They become annoying very quickly. Apparently, you just want to be blocked from the site as a troll so you can brag to the rest of your imbecile friends about how threatening you are. Reminds me of Vox Dei.

248. I believe that there is no God.

Comment #201007 by Radesq on June 28, 2008 at 6:37 pm

All this nitpicking over who did what a hundred generations ago...let it go. It was all a tall tale at best, if not entirely fabricated. You might as well be arguing about whether Zeus could take Odin in a fight.

249. I believe that there is no God.

Comment #200970 by Radesq on June 28, 2008 at 4:37 pm

Things in the world are as they are and events happen as they will...any meaning you derive from these comes from you not them, and not Him. It really is that simple ... to think otherwise is just making stuff up.

250. I believe that there is no God.

Comment #200928 by Radesq on June 28, 2008 at 2:17 pm

There is absolutely no correlation between God's existence/non-existence and my determination of life's meaning. Most of the holy heavy lifting supposedly happens after you die anyway. What a bunch of tartar sauce. Jesus died for me? Yeah well what have you done for me lately?