251. CNN Request for 'I-Reports' on religion

Comment #65040 by USA_Limey on August 22, 2007 at 5:47 pm

My rather dry contribution:

Are you one of the millions of people who live by faith?

- No. Does this make my opinion worthless?

Do you believe religion is under attack in modern society?

- Define "under attack' please. If you mean being asked to prove its claims and justify its right to unquestioning 'respect'; well then yes and about time.

Have the lines blurred too much or not enough between religion and politics?

- Again, needs definition; but I believe a politicians' religion should be open to question. If they claim to believe in sky fairies I want to know about it.

252. A Defense of Atheism

Comment #64686 by USA_Limey on August 21, 2007 at 10:15 am

Comment #64030 by Prufrock :

(sorry, been away a few days)

No offense taken bud, I knew you were on board; but for the record yes I was talking about Turings persecution after the war. My fault for not being clearer.

253. Interview with Richard Dawkins about 'The Enemies of Reason'

Comment #64685 by USA_Limey on August 21, 2007 at 10:07 am

Comment #64292 by Veronique (referencing my comment 63905).

Thanks for the comments V.

But please, don't get yourself ex-communicated from the international sisterhood on my account. That sort of dissent amoungst the ranks just isn't on don't you know!

All the best,

Limey

254. Democratic Candidates on a Personal God

Comment #64677 by USA_Limey on August 21, 2007 at 9:08 am

Comment #64347 by Duff wrote, (on Hilary winning the presidency);

If she has to lie, cheat and steal to win the presidency, I, for one, will not judge her.

255. Authors at Google: Christopher Hitchens

Comment #64063 by USA_Limey on August 17, 2007 at 1:24 pm

Comment #64062 by N. Fidel

... nicely said Fidel, that about sums it up for me too.

But dammit, I still wish the thread hadn't gone down this road.

Must put a mention in for the Kafkaesque joke which I thought was pretty good.

256. Authors at Google: Christopher Hitchens

Comment #64058 by USA_Limey on August 17, 2007 at 12:56 pm

Comment #64057 by debaser71

I also think that it's a disgrace that Bush hasn't been impeached yet.

257. Authors at Google: Christopher Hitchens

Comment #64047 by USA_Limey on August 17, 2007 at 12:07 pm

Oliver,

Well you have my almost sincere apology; still just a bit suspicious that was the first thing you could think to come up with.

But I am very prickly in my defence of the Hitch; great god that he is to me.

:-)

258. Authors at Google: Christopher Hitchens

Comment #64039 by USA_Limey on August 17, 2007 at 11:46 am

Steve99 I can't believe you fell for Olivers trolling!

259. Authors at Google: Christopher Hitchens

Comment #64038 by USA_Limey on August 17, 2007 at 11:45 am

Comment #64034 by Oliver Leif :

"

But does anyone know why he supported the War in Iraq?

260. Authors at Google: Christopher Hitchens

Comment #64032 by USA_Limey on August 17, 2007 at 11:23 am

Nothing new here but always good to see Hitchy.

261. A Defense of Atheism

Comment #64001 by USA_Limey on August 17, 2007 at 8:28 am

Comment #63997 by Dr Benway:

"Think of the suffering we could eliminate if we canned religion's claims concerning God's sexual preferences."

262. A Defense of Atheism

Comment #63990 by USA_Limey on August 17, 2007 at 6:55 am

(Just do remote the spaces... I needed to do this so you could see what I typed - makes sense?)

263. A Defense of Atheism

Comment #63983 by USA_Limey on August 17, 2007 at 6:39 am

Comment #63981 by Haymoon wrote:

"Note: How does one put quotations in that nice box seen in other comments?"

I'd like to know too! I can do it in the forums section of the site: but it doesn't seemt to work, (for me), when I try it on the front page.

I have to be doing something wrong.

264. A Defense of Atheism

Comment #63982 by USA_Limey on August 17, 2007 at 6:34 am

Hi Doc,

I like your new avatar. Turing is somewhat of a hero; I am an avid amateur military historian but with a focus on the less 'sexy' little understood aspects of war. Alas, Turing is virtually unknown in my country of birth; his contribution to victory was arguably greater than any of the famous generals or even Churchill.

Mind you, with recently de-classified documents in the last 10 years or so he has finally received some recognition for his efforts.

- Lime

265. The Out Campaign: Interview with Josh Timonen

Comment #63980 by USA_Limey on August 17, 2007 at 6:25 am

I found this website after I had heard Richard plug it during one of his many talks. Since then I have been somewhat of an addict.

I have learned a lot from many, many contributors to the site; all in all a great contribution to 'consciousness raising' as RD might put it.

Anyway, thanks Josh for all you do.
Ian in Pittsburgh, PA

266. Interview with Richard Dawkins about 'The Enemies of Reason'

Comment #63911 by USA_Limey on August 16, 2007 at 5:23 pm

Comment #63909 by mmurray:

Fantastic! Thanks mmurray, I had been looking for it as it is not shown over 'here'.

I do miss channel 4.

_________________________________________________
Carousel is a lie! There is no renewal!

~ Logan

267. Interview with Richard Dawkins

Comment #63906 by USA_Limey on August 16, 2007 at 5:00 pm

I don't think Darwin2 accepts Christ does he? He's got his own thing going on...

268. Interview with Richard Dawkins about 'The Enemies of Reason'

Comment #63905 by USA_Limey on August 16, 2007 at 4:56 pm

Comment #63901 by GodlessGoddess wrote:

... "you revealed your genuine sexist sentiments when you responded, "I take it your old and ugly then?"

No, wrong again, it was just a snappy one liner I threw back at someone who had just attacked me. It's the kind of humor that really pisses off people who themselves have no sense of humor and who are far too easily offended. I've no doubt other people thought my original post ill judged, unfunny, stupid, unnecessary - no doubt at all; but only YOU sweet Goddess followed up with a personal attack.

As you sow, so shall you reap.

Since you can't let this go and continue to attack me I feel I have to reflect in greater detail on something you said in your original post. I referred to it only in passing before because I was fairly sure it would be clear to most how absurd and incredibly stupid it was but lets take a closer look shall we hmmm...

"the reason that happens in America vs. better countries is because the US is still living in the dark ages of Misogynist Sensibilities"

Would you care to try and justify that statement? It can't be justified in response to my post. It shows an incredible intolerence on your part. What is the root of your anti americanism? You condemn a whole nation of 300 million people that spans a continent because of a post by little old me? No, I think you brought more than your dislike of my post to the table there. What are these "better countries" you speak of? What an incredibly stupid thing to say! It really is indicative of a very weak mind to say something so sweeping, so absolute, so final. How can you condemn a whole nation like that? Stupid like something a mysogonist might say about all women don't you think, eh.. hmmmmm? What's the intellectual difference between the the two modes of thought there? They would both be rooted in ignorance, intolerence and an inability to think things through intellectually since obviously it's absurd to judge a whole group, a sex, a race, a nation, you would agree no?

Let us have a conversation about that shall we? Hmmm?

269. Interview with Richard Dawkins

Comment #63886 by USA_Limey on August 16, 2007 at 2:12 pm

For a while I thought there was an interesting conversation to be had on this thread about the space shuttle; then everyone went insane.

I've seen this happen before people!

Just take a look for yourself:

http://www.richarddawkins.net/articleComments,1212,Richard-Dawkins-and-Alister-McGrath,Root-of-All-Evil-Uncut-Interviews,page37#comments

37 pages, 1,839 posts and no resolution later because the person who started the madess was as nuts as Darwin2

I warn ye! Don't let Darwin2 do the same on this thread.

Madness awaits you all I tell you!

On the other hand, I have a nice warm blankey, lots of popcorn and a pillow so I'll stay and watch for as long as it's still funny.

:-)

__________________________________________________
Carousel is a lie! There is no renewal!

~ Logan

270. Interview with Richard Dawkins about 'The Enemies of Reason'

Comment #63760 by USA_Limey on August 15, 2007 at 5:00 pm

Ref comment 63757 by _J_

... Darn it you are finally on to me. Knowing I can never be you I was attempting to be your evil alter ego in the vain hope that though morally corrupt I would still have your genius.

Ref comment 63756 by Phasmagigas

I always thought it looked like the beaked mouth of a giant squid myself; but apparently one has to be seeing a vagina to be smart around here.

271. Interview with Richard Dawkins

Comment #63758 by USA_Limey on August 15, 2007 at 4:52 pm

Ref: Comment #63754 by _J_

... I'm not into hero worship but...

_J_, you're the best! I've learnt alot from you on this site. May you continue to not do any real work so that others may learn!

:-)

272. Interview with Richard Dawkins about 'The Enemies of Reason'

Comment #63755 by USA_Limey on August 15, 2007 at 4:41 pm

Comment #63734 by GodlessGoddess wrote:

"At least being unfamiliar with that internet meme means he doesn't spend 14 hours a day playing World of Warcraft"

Well you are absolutely correct, I have no idea what "teh TV womenz" means in your underground secret internet lingo. Please post a few links I am always willing to learn. I googled it of course, but it must be such high brow stuff I had no luck there.
I thank you for giving me credit that NOT knowing it means I don't spend 14 hours a day playing kids games on the internet: do I need to make the obvious point here that YOU on the other hand seem very familar with it. Ahh.. but of course YOU knowing all about it is an indication of just how incredibly smart you are; me knowing about it would mean I am a squalid internet geek. Sorry but it sounds like the equivalent of some mindless thug gangsta rapper thinking I am dumb because I don't know the latest homophobic rapper lingo.

As to your other point:

"but at least you acknowledge you are likely sexist too"

Actually NO. I utterly reject that I am a sexist in any way, but that is because I know myself. You however do not, so I was acknowledging that based on my initial post it might be a reasonable assumption for you to make. I thought it only fair to grant you that.

What I thought extremely weak on your part was you thinking you could condemn me utterly as a sexist without even asking for clarification. If you had expressed your distate for the comment I might, (and probably would have), responded with an apology and that, yes, it was a bit mean but I am prone to rather juvenile low blow humor from tiume to time. That is NOT indicative of my entire life or who I am as a human being. I am not a monster because I made a stupid joke.

Personally, I still think the post was funny, but I recognize everyones humor bounderies are different.

The comments about my avatar were as ill informed and ignorant as my knowledge of "teh TV womenz". What's the difference there?

Oh well, this is no doubt trying the patience of others who quite rightly come here for intelligent discussion; so if you wish to continue this further may I suggest we continue off the forum; please feel free to e-mail at:

ihateallwomen@hotmail.com


(SORRY! SORRY! Silly juvenile humor again!)

P.S. not spell checked or proof read for typos because I couldn't be bothered.

273. Interview with Richard Dawkins about 'The Enemies of Reason'

Comment #63728 by USA_Limey on August 15, 2007 at 2:48 pm

Comment #63722 by opposablethumbs :

"Fortunately tedious throwbacks like this usano [sic]"

Oh dear, these rush to judgement, "I have your whole character as a human being pegged from one post" assertions!

I love it; keep them coming.

274. Interview with Richard Dawkins about 'The Enemies of Reason'

Comment #63726 by USA_Limey on August 15, 2007 at 2:32 pm

Comment #63717 by GodlessGoddess :

"your obvious disdain for teh [sic] TV womenz [sic]who don't sufficiently compensate for your interpersonal inadequacies in real life."

.... Two can play the '[sic]' game but I don't usually find it necessary to point out obvious typos.

I certainly wouldn't be dumb enough to point them out whilst making some of my own at the same time. It wouldn't quite give me the air of intellectual superiority I was trying to convey.

I may or may not be sexist; there is evidence for it based on my post I will grant you, but I would say the juries out since it could have just been a bit of mischievous humour on my part. Since this is a web forum open to all, if you don't like the humour - tough.

275. Interview with Richard Dawkins

Comment #63691 by USA_Limey on August 15, 2007 at 12:10 pm

Darwin2 said

"If consciousness continues after death we will get the correct objective answer."

And then he said:

"If consciousness continues after death we will get the correct objective answer. "

and then somehwere on another thread he said:

"If consciousness continues after death we will get the correct objective answer. "

All he ever says is:

"If consciousness continues after death we will get the correct objective answer. "

All he will ever say is:

"If consciousness continues after death we will get the correct objective answer."


And what I say is:

If MY consciousness continues after death I am going to kill myself because I don't want to be the same place as Darwin2.

HEY, isn't that an interesing thought? If there is an afterlife can you choose to end it through suicide? After all wouldn't there come a point when it just gets boring? Eternity is long time after all.

276. Interview with Richard Dawkins about 'The Enemies of Reason'

Comment #63689 by USA_Limey on August 15, 2007 at 11:44 am

I have clarified my avatar for all you Freudians who see genitals everywhere.

:-)

277. Interview with Richard Dawkins about 'The Enemies of Reason'

Comment #63680 by USA_Limey on August 15, 2007 at 10:49 am

Re: Comment #63678 by GodlessGoddess

Fantastic stuff! That's the best attack I've had for a long time; cheers you made my day.

I take it your old and ugly then?

(Sorry, my insults use less words 'cus I'm less smart than you; wish I lived in one of those better countries.)

278. After 60 Years, Will Pakistan Be Reborn?

Comment #63675 by USA_Limey on August 15, 2007 at 10:09 am

Comment #63674 by pewkatchoo wrote:

"The British empire may have been responsible for keeping the peace for all those years. When they left, those countries then reverted to their natural states, war and chaos"

... oh yes I quite agree and this has been my counter argument in times past. Not that it is much of a defence though as peace maintained under the boot heel of imperialism is not exactly a great foundation is it?

Or is it?

Maybe I need to re-evaluate Star Wars.

279. India's Internal Partition

Comment #63671 by USA_Limey on August 15, 2007 at 9:36 am

Comment #63663 by Oliver Leif wrote:

"The India-Pakistan situation is rooted in a difference of religion..

It's the same with the Israel and Palestine."


... or, for an alternative viewpoint, see my post here:

http://www.richarddawkins.net/article,1531,After-60-Years-Will-Pakistan-Be-Reborn,Mohsin-Hamid#63665

280. After 60 Years, Will Pakistan Be Reborn?

Comment #63665 by USA_Limey on August 15, 2007 at 9:06 am

My wife, (an American), in a scurrilous attempt to rib me,(a Brit), in public expounds her 'blame the British' theory to explain all of the modern worlds ills; which very simply runs along the lines that most of the worlds trouble places today are relics of the break up of the old empire.

India/Pakistan/Afghanistan.. all old British haunts.

Iraq? Forced into being by the British in the 1920's without any regard to the real makeup of local tribes and loyalties which are simmering into conflict now.

Africa... don't even go there; though the Brits can share the blame with the French on that one.

Isreal/palestine... yup that was us too.

Her theory develops to go on to suggest that the British empire in fact never ended; it just left the homeland and set up shop in a bigger and better place with more natural resources and potential - re branded as the USA.

She is not being serious of course. I think.

281. Our Lives, Controlled From Some Guy's Couch

Comment #63504 by USA_Limey on August 14, 2007 at 3:40 pm

Zackie Chan,

Oh, THAT atheist video! Of course I am well aquainted with it, but did not remember the name of the creator.

Great to have you on the site!

_____________________________________________________
Carousel is a lie! There is no renewal!

~ Logan

282. Our Lives, Controlled From Some Guy's Couch

Comment #63496 by USA_Limey on August 14, 2007 at 2:18 pm

Comment #63485 by Dr Benway wrote:

"Hey Zakie Chan,
Just wanted to say, your atheism video on YouTube is great."

... Well Doc, don't be greedy and keep it all to yourself, let's have a link then.

:-)

__________________________________________________
Carousel is a lie! There is no renewal!

~ Logan

283. These preachers of hate must be exposed

Comment #63446 by USA_Limey on August 14, 2007 at 11:21 am

Ref Comment #63445 by Richard Dawkins

This is pretty strident stuff RD and pleasing to see you write.

I think alot of us atheists get labelled as wet, wishy washy hand wringing liberals. But a major strength of ours I believe is the ability to call a spade, a spade.

I live in the USA but still retain my British passport and the right to vote - yes I will be writing.

284. Saudis to build their own version of Eden Project

Comment #63432 by USA_Limey on August 14, 2007 at 5:54 am

If it turns out anything like the Eden project then I am for it regardless of any wider issues.

I remember my first trip to Eden, standing at one edge of the largest dome structure, looking up and over to the impressive waterfall feature on the other side and thinking, "wow".

If you get a chance to go, go. It is truly awesome.

285. Our Lives, Controlled From Some Guy's Couch

Comment #63431 by USA_Limey on August 14, 2007 at 5:48 am

Gee thanks.

Getting through today's work load just got that little bit harder; given it's all just a pointless simulation and all.

286. Charles Brooker's screen burn

Comment #63269 by USA_Limey on August 13, 2007 at 6:30 pm

Comment #63265 by darwin2

"I am more objective when I give both propositions a 50/50 chance of being true."

No no no, because the second proposition has its own subset of infinite probabilities. Can you try and undertand that? Your 50/50 fantasy is simply false, because you continue to make the assumption that consciousness after death will fit whatever model you believe to be true. One model = one possibility/probability. I could come up with any number of ways your consciouness could continue that will NOT be what you believe.

Perhaps our consciousness survives when it is downloaded into some historical database to be read like a book by historians of some super intellect; you exist for all eternity disembodied and alone; for all eternity, aware only that you still think, that you still "am", but nothing else. Or perhaps we are reincarnated, to live as a tree or a worm; to be cut down or eaten and then again, over and over at random. Or maybe our consciousness, as pure energy, is simply set free to tumble throughout the cosmos; again for all eternity. But no friends, no long lost loved ones.

And so and so on. The point is that the chance that it will be YOUR version of consciousness after death... oh I dunno lets say going to a fluffy white place in the sky to be with God and mom and pop forever in bliss, is statistically unlikey - the odds are against it. If its true at all of course.

"And in that sleep of death what dreams may come, aye there's the rub...."

287. Interview with Richard Dawkins

Comment #63252 by USA_Limey on August 13, 2007 at 4:48 pm

Cap'n 'pants,

You'll get used to Darwin2 he's a regular contributor from our theist contingent; rest assured he does NOT improve with prolonged acquaintance.

288. Interview with Richard Dawkins

Comment #63248 by USA_Limey on August 13, 2007 at 4:37 pm

Steve Wright is on Radio 2 now? Man I am getting old I remember when it was Steve Wright in the afternoon on radio 1.

But radio 1 is hosted by barely literate gangsta wannabies these days I hear.

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

Comment #63247 by USA_Limey on August 13, 2007 at 4:34 pm

Re: Comment #63244 by ?

Well, I have to admit that is a good point you make and one I had not considered.

However I don't think Untersturmfuhrer Herr Ratzinger will become as loved a father figure as the last pope was.

Anyway we'll see and thanks for the alternative perspective.

290. Interview with Richard Dawkins

Comment #63243 by USA_Limey on August 13, 2007 at 4:09 pm

Comment #63216 by Robert Maynard:

"I wish I'd known posters like you would be so belligerent as to re-post comments you made months ago, practically verbatim"

Lol, that is so funny RM, please see my post on another thread, (link below) made shortly before yours in response to the same dear Darwin2 and calling him out on verbatim repetition of ANOTHER favourite point of his I have seen him repeat again, and again, and again.

Darwin2, we have your number, time to move on.

http://richarddawkins.net/article,1513,Charles-Brookers-screen-burn,Charles-Brooker#63182

291. Interview with Richard Dawkins

Comment #63238 by USA_Limey on August 13, 2007 at 3:53 pm

Comment #63219 by Quetzalcoatl:

Quetzy, lol - see my comment 63200, I am glad I am not the only one who had that visceral reaction to Darwin2's misguided awe of the space shuttle!
You are so right, if Nasa had been have way decently funded and/or if we hadn't wasted time to go piss on the moon we would at the very least be on Mars by now - and quite likely further as you suggest.

292. Interview with Richard Dawkins

Comment #63200 by USA_Limey on August 13, 2007 at 1:26 pm

darwin2,

Your trite, wishy washy, fuzzy feeling logic is embarrasing on this site.

I see you in my imagination, clenching your eyes tightly together:

"I want to believe,
I want to believe,
I want to believe"


Oh by the way, the space shuttle is a piece of Sh*t. It's out of date 1970's technology; any modern car is more complicated than that piece of crap.

293. Atheism isn't the final word

Comment #63194 by USA_Limey on August 13, 2007 at 1:11 pm

"America's survival and rise to global pre-eminence are equally improbable. Challenging the greatest empire of the 18th century, America should never have won its independence or should have self-destructed during the Civil War."

Ahh... American exceptionalism ordained by God.

We cynical Europeans, who've all been on the merry go round of pre-eminence at one time or another, know what a crock that is. When China overtakes he USA as the worlds gretest economy and military power around 2040 will that be God's will?

All empires decay, all countries see their fortunes rise and fall. The USA will be no different.

294. Charles Brooker's screen burn

Comment #63182 by USA_Limey on August 13, 2007 at 12:23 pm

Comment #63180 by darwin2 wrote:

"If consciousness continues after death, I will find that my beliefs were correct. If consciousness ceases at death, I will never know if I was right or wrong."

Darwin2, will you please stop trotting this out. You have used it in several threads now, you used it word for word in response to me some weeks ago on another thread, it seems to be your standard fall back position.

It is also complete BS. If your consciousness survives, but not in the form you expected how will you have been proved correct? I asked before in the other thread and you never responded: when you end up after your dead in Thor's great hall what will you say to him before he squishes you with his hammer for not believing in him?

Your childish assertion that if your consciousness continues after you die this will prove you were right is idiotic because the assertion assumes that existence will match your beliefs. Simply breathtaking arrogance is all that is.

295. Richard Dawkins and Alister McGrath

Comment #63163 by USA_Limey on August 13, 2007 at 10:21 am

Comment #63160 by Northern Bright :

"There's a Christian Beliefs forum I occasionally look into when I don't feel my life has enough humour in it"

... Sounds like fun but if you are really up for it I recommend this; go to the the Christian section of your local bookstore and just pull out books at random and have a read. It won't take long to find something absurdly funny.

Don't force anything - trust me you won't have to; but when the laughs come just go with the flow and let the laughter come out. This is best done when there are others in the aisle studiously and seriously making their selection. I've had some looks that would kill I can tell you.

Oh, I also like to take copies of the bible and file them in the fantasy fiction section. At least one per trip to the bookstore. I figure the odds are someone will find it and if they are likeminded will get the joke.

:-)

296. Richard Dawkins and Alister McGrath

Comment #63159 by USA_Limey on August 13, 2007 at 9:42 am

Ah... I've been waiting for this:

Comment #62122 by Dr Benway:

"This is bullshit"

Brother, I welcome you.

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

Comment #63128 by USA_Limey on August 13, 2007 at 7:30 am

I'd like to try and lift the mood by offering some hope, first this quote to set it up:

"Cardinal Renato Martino, president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, has threatened that unless Amnesty's policy is reversed, the Vatican will call upon Catholics worldwide to boycott the organisation."

... a boycott which will be largely ignored. In the home of Catholicism, Italy has one of the lowest birth rates in Europe, contraception is widely used and Catholic dogma simply ignored. There are countless other examples of how people who notionally describe themselves as Catholic in fact only pay lip service to the tradition. The days when the pope could issue an edict from on high which the faithful would jump to obey are long gone, at least in Western Europe and North America.

What's more the Vatican knows it, and plays up issues like this for all they are worth to try and stir up what little influence and power they have left.

On the whole I think the trend is a positive one; Amnesty international are doing the right thing and ultimately will win this fight.

298. Interview with Richard Dawkins about 'The Enemies of Reason'

Comment #63113 by USA_Limey on August 13, 2007 at 6:17 am

Corylus,

Yes, Good cop/bad cop went through my head for second; but I finally settled on just dumb and dumber.

299. When did the police start collaring television?

Comment #63105 by USA_Limey on August 13, 2007 at 5:56 am

As an aside, exchanged e-mails last night after my post above with an old college chum still in the the West Midlands area who now happens to be in Birmingham CID, (plain clothes police for those who don't know).

Whilst he is not directly involved the scuttlebutt is that there was direct political interference from "very high up" to get this action in motion.

Take that for what it's worth.

Again, just disgusted by this.

300. Interview with Richard Dawkins about 'The Enemies of Reason'

Comment #63069 by USA_Limey on August 13, 2007 at 4:07 am

Ahhh.... Richard and Judy, something I do NOT miss about my native land.

I'll say one thing for the good 'ole US of A, no women as old and ugly as Judy would get a show over here.

Adieu!