351. Fleabytes

Comment #150625 by annabanana on March 27, 2008 at 7:31 am

Well the average believer probably doesn't read the Bible.

I think it would be more accurate to say that the average believer probably doesn't read ALL of the Bible. Where I am in the Bible Belt of the US, there are a good deal of Christians who attend Bible study groups. The problem is that these groups generally tend to use some sort of book as a guide and they only study certain portions and passages of the Bible as opposed to the whole thing.

When I took a Biblical religion course in college, I too was astonished at all of the things in the Bible that I was ignorant of and to find that despite my professor's academic knowledge of the Bible, he was still a Baptist minister.

352. Happy Birthday, Richard Dawkins!

Comment #149923 by annabanana on March 26, 2008 at 10:35 am

Happy Birthday Richard!

I hope it's wonderful. Sorry I haven't come up with anything clever to say.

353. Fleabytes

Comment #149816 by annabanana on March 26, 2008 at 8:56 am

Quetz,

Good question...one that will never be answered, of course.

354. Fleabytes

Comment #149803 by annabanana on March 26, 2008 at 8:38 am

al-rawandi,

I see. Indeed, the common parishioner would most likely need someone else to tell them how it should be done. Hence, they should just stay away from that complex piece of work called the "Bible" and leave that for the scholarly priests, ministers, pastors, etc.

355. Fleabytes

Comment #149781 by annabanana on March 26, 2008 at 8:19 am

rules of interpretation and context says that.

And whose "rules of interpretation" are we going by? There seem to be many.

356. Police: Girl Dies After Parents Pray for Healing Instead of Seeking Medical Help

Comment #149777 by annabanana on March 26, 2008 at 8:16 am

If not willful homicide, at least negligent homicide.

And...

"They are still in the home," he said. "There is no reason to remove them. There is no abuse or signs of abuse that we can see."

Really? Allowing their sibling to die by inaction isn't a sign of abuse? Sometimes I detest being part of this species.

357. EXPELLED!

Comment #147698 by annabanana on March 21, 2008 at 6:19 am

I'm feeling rather ill this morning, but I had a good hardy laugh at this! I think it's pretty hilarious.

I will say, though, that it's pretty disturbing that some IDiot is already fabricating lies about PZ's "misbehavior".

358. God's cure for gays lost in sin

Comment #146855 by annabanana on March 19, 2008 at 1:44 pm

While this is merely speculation:

Gay people tend to be more open-minded and the gay couples that choose to have or adopt children would seemingly genetically transfer/teach their open-mindedness to their children which would be beneficial for evolution and the zeitgeist. Of course, as I said, this is mere speculation. I'm not sure if any studies have been done to confirm or reject this.

359. God's cure for gays lost in sin

Comment #146747 by annabanana on March 19, 2008 at 10:55 am

I think my percentage gay spikes after almost every Cartomancer post.

I would second that, except that I'm female, so it's more along the lines of wishing he were straight. Haha.

360. God's cure for gays lost in sin

Comment #146633 by annabanana on March 19, 2008 at 8:35 am

al-rawandi,

Except that Jesus wasn't married and he kept only the company of men... ;-)

361. God's cure for gays lost in sin

Comment #146614 by annabanana on March 19, 2008 at 8:16 am

As an addendum to my last comment, armadillos frequently carry Mycobacterium leprae. So apparently, touching armadillos must be a sin.

362. God's cure for gays lost in sin

Comment #146611 by annabanana on March 19, 2008 at 8:13 am

have no problem with gays, any more than I do with lepers.

Wait, wait, wait, wait...You mean to tell me that you think leprosy is also a sin or the result of a sin?!?! Are you serious? Try this. It's caused by a bacteria called Mycobacterium leprae. WTF?

363. Fleabytes

Comment #146597 by annabanana on March 19, 2008 at 8:05 am

Quetz,

Thanks. Yikes! I don't know anyone actually read my blog! It's probably atrocious. I haven't written on it in ages, either.

Check your pm.

364. Fleabytes

Comment #146593 by annabanana on March 19, 2008 at 7:59 am

I have a sound MORAL COMPASS, unlike you. With Atheism, all and everything is permitted. Which is not to say you are evil, probably I'm worse. I have to fight a daily battle with temptation. Do you even bother?

Why on earth do you say this? I consider myself to be a very moral person. I try my best to be honest. I am responsible with others' feeling and the environment. I work in government as an environmental regulator. There is no direct connection with atheism and amorality. Please retract this statement.

Furthermore, I was objectified (He/She/It) by Annabanana

I honestly did not know your gender which is why I said he/she...the "it" was a result of your egregious assaults on English grammar. Perhaps it was a bit much. I usually try to be polite, but I am a bit of a stickler for grammar. Some minor mistakes are acceptable, but others are just not, especially if after you are told about them, you continue to make them.

365. Fleabytes

Comment #146581 by annabanana on March 19, 2008 at 7:53 am

Quetz,

Your review was much appreciated. Thanks for that!

366. Fleabytes

Comment #145781 by annabanana on March 18, 2008 at 6:19 am

As for Swaggart, Bakker and his ilk, they should be PILLORIED. I mean, literally, as in 17 cent. UK, put in stock's like Daniel Defoe (The author of ROBINSON CRUESOE) and humiliated.

Why? Aren't they going to suffer eternal damnation anyway? What's the point in humiliating them during their measly little mortal lives when they've got all of eternity to suffer for their sins?

367. Fleabytes

Comment #145762 by annabanana on March 18, 2008 at 5:46 am

Geoff,

I've already said something to pathfinder about his/her/its usage of an apostrophe in words that are supposed to be plural.

Obviously, it doesn't matter what you say regarding grammar.

368. Fleabytes

Comment #145366 by annabanana on March 17, 2008 at 2:11 pm

Richard Morgan,

icanhascheezburger.com is an important part of my morning ritual. I immensely enjoy engaging in lolspeak, srsly. kthxbai.

369. Fleabytes

Comment #145362 by annabanana on March 17, 2008 at 2:06 pm

point's I bin raising

Please! This is like nails on a chalkboard. "I bin raising" is apparently a possession of "point". I wonder what "I bin raising" is and why it would belong to "point". How strange.

370. Fleabytes

Comment #145354 by annabanana on March 17, 2008 at 1:59 pm

o hai, srsly.

371. New Atheists Are Not Great

Comment #145253 by annabanana on March 17, 2008 at 12:13 pm

As much as I dislike the manipulations and misrepresentations of science by D'Souza, I much prefer him to David Robertson, methinks.

372. Fleabytes

Comment #145051 by annabanana on March 17, 2008 at 8:02 am

David,

I can see what you are saying but it does seem to be based on feeling and faith rather than on reason and evidence. It really is what you want to believe.

It isn't based on what I "want" to believe. Because of my education in Biology and History, I am unable to accept any religion. Believe me, living in the "Bible Belt" of the US, it would have been much easier from a societal standpoint to believe in Christianity. There was a time when I tried to believe because of this, but I was never able to completely reject all of the evidence that I learned of from my education.

My study in history and my examination of human nature in the world today indicate that the Biblical view of human nature is far more likely than the pseudo Enlightenment view.

This is strange, because my study reflected the exact opposite.

And why would anyone want to delude themselves into accepting Christianity - there are a lot more comforting beliefs.

Excellent question. I wonder about this constantly. I think the answer is that since this religion is predominant in many areas and it's difficult to go against societal norms, people go along with it. I think the vast majority of Christians were brought up Christian and just never bother to think about it critically because it's such a societal norm. People believe the myth that because a majority believes it, it must be true and they don't bother to question it beyond that.

I am more than happy to accept evidence - but you have to show it. On the other hand you have already made your mind up that resurrections don't happen - therefore almost any evidence for you is automatically discounted.

Plenty of evidence has been presented, David. You are the one refusing to accept it.

And of course I don't accept that resurrections are plausible. There has never been a single scientifically documented case. There is no evidence that it has the potential to happen. Until the day when there is some sort of scientific evidence, I will continue to reject the possibility. If and when there is evidence, I'll re-evaluate my views at that time.

I don't really pity you.

You don't? I thought that as a Christian (I was brought up in a Christian church), you are supposed to pity those who are not Christian and attempt to convert them to Christianity. Does your pity end when the attempt is unsuccessful? Don't you feel pity for all of those people you believe are going to burn in hell for eternity?

373. Fleabytes

Comment #143798 by annabanana on March 14, 2008 at 12:31 pm

kaiserkriss,

I understand. I was mostly joking, but also pointing out this important point. My zoology professor (who was my favorite professor) used to point it out to us constantly; the habit must have rubbed off on me.

374. Fleabytes

Comment #143763 by annabanana on March 14, 2008 at 11:11 am

kaiserkriss,

Personally I have witnessed intelligence and thought processes in many different animals, though this is admittedly anecdotal

It is probably also a bit anthropomorphic. ;-)

We tend to apply human characteristics to animals when they aren't there. Of course, this could be entirely appropriate as we all evolved from a common ancestor somewhere down the line.

375. Fleabytes

Comment #143760 by annabanana on March 14, 2008 at 11:06 am

I think it allows us to use intelligence. I am not sure language helps develop intelligence

I think that it is probably somewhat like a positive feedback loop. I'm just hypothesizing here, but it seems that once language was developed in order to more efficiently use intelligence that more things could be developed as a result including more/better language, etc., etc.

Epinephrine has a good point, too. Cumulative knowledge, as well as social interactions play an important role in developing intelligence.

376. Fleabytes

Comment #143752 by annabanana on March 14, 2008 at 10:55 am

Steve,

I think it is more parsimonious to assume a continuity from humans to animals.

I am in complete agreement with this statement, but I still think that language is a superior tool in developing intelligence (as intelligence is defined) than the more rudimentary tools that other animals have.

377. Fleabytes

Comment #143747 by annabanana on March 14, 2008 at 10:48 am

I remember in college that my zoology professor suggested that pair bonds in birds were not nearly as permanent and we liked to think of them. I did a google search of it to make sure that he wasn't just making things up and I haven't found anything definitive yet other than an excerpt from a book where there was a study of mourning doves. They took pair bonds and dyed the head feathers of the female of the pair yellow. The pair bonds were not reestablished when they were put back in the cages, but when a new/different female with no marked feathers was put into the cage, a pair bond was quickly established.

378. Fleabytes

Comment #143675 by annabanana on March 14, 2008 at 9:49 am

MPhil,

I did indeed mean morally or in a value judgment sort of way. Of course we are better evolved for certain tasks so that we are superior to other organisms when it comes to those certain tasks. But I don't think that we can definitely say that we are "better" than one organism or another. We can say that we are better in certain respects but not on the whole.

In regards to dolphin intelligence, maybe I have read this or misinterpreted what it is saying or it could be erroneous as it is wikipedia, but:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cetacean_intelligence

I don't think it was only in families.

379. Fleabytes

Comment #143614 by annabanana on March 14, 2008 at 8:46 am

MPhil and Epinephrine,

I think it is relevant to note firstly that because humans possess faculties that exceed that of other animals does not mean that we are necessarily calling ourselves superior. It could mean that, but it doesn't have to.

Also, certain species of dolphin appear to have a more complex means of communication than that of chimps even and are also considered very intelligent. It appears that some even have signature sounds that represent themselves and some dolphins have been recorded making their own signature sound as well as that of others. In other words, they have names. This is a pretty complex function somewhat similar to language which is part of the reason why certain species of dolphin are considered so intelligent.

380. Fleabytes

Comment #143593 by annabanana on March 14, 2008 at 8:21 am

MPhil,

I see your point about not equating the thinking that chimps do with the type of thinking that humans do. We associate most of our actions with words. It is hard to know what exactly what they equate their actions with. Perhaps they visualize previous experiences of the same nature.

Also, I see what you mean about the similarities of Harry Potter and Jesus, but I would still argue that Harry is a better 'Jesus' than Jesus.

381. Fleabytes

Comment #143586 by annabanana on March 14, 2008 at 8:13 am

Styrer,

Yes. Rowling's abilities as a writer far exceed what most give her credit for. I was astounded at the depth in the Harry Potter series. I think Harry is a much more honorable character than Jesus could ever hope to be.

P.S. Thank you for using the nerdy term bildungsroman (the classic example usually being Great Expectations). I love nerdy literature terms.

382. Deadly Sins 101

Comment #143581 by annabanana on March 14, 2008 at 8:08 am

Good question, MBee. Ex post facto, anyone?

383. Fleabytes

Comment #143574 by annabanana on March 14, 2008 at 7:58 am

Steve,

I understand what you mean. Chimps are a good example of an animal that has complex thoughts without the language abilities of humans. However, they still are not as complex or tool-users to the level that humans are which is why I think that MPhil has a very good point.

Philip,

Check your PM.

384. Two More Fleas

Comment #143559 by annabanana on March 14, 2008 at 7:51 am

Yes, murky waters there, Steve.

385. Fleabytes

Comment #143554 by annabanana on March 14, 2008 at 7:47 am

I have to agree with MPhil even though this is a subject on which I am not thoroughly versed. It seems to me that humans are the ultimate tool-users and that language has been the ultimate tool.

386. Two More Fleas

Comment #143537 by annabanana on March 14, 2008 at 7:33 am

Epinephrine, you're only going to confuse him further.

387. Two More Fleas

Comment #143527 by annabanana on March 14, 2008 at 7:27 am

Aaaarrrggggh! Organisms are not selfish! Genes are! There is a huge difference.

388. Fleabytes

Comment #143524 by annabanana on March 14, 2008 at 7:25 am

Quetz,

This still makes me very sad indeed.

389. Fleabytes

Comment #143512 by annabanana on March 14, 2008 at 7:14 am

I guess I am motivated by the following a) personal experience and love for Jesus Christ b) a belief that without Christ humanity is lost and c) truth

David,

I wish that I could say that your answer helped me to understand, but it doesn't. I just can't wrap my head around believing anything to do with Jesus. The story of the resurrection is simply not plausible, now or 2,000 years ago. And even if you only believed in the metaphorical events surrounding Jesus' life, I still don't understand the point. There are plenty of other characters in plenty of books that exhibit morals as great, if not better than Jesus. Harry Potter is a good example.

I also really don't understand why you can't have faith in humanity to be good without this one particular religion. I think that's a very pessimistic view for you to have. I know you've elaborated already on why you think this to be true, but it just isn't convincing for me. The evolutionary biology/psychology model is.

The pursuit of truth is why I came to be an atheist. I knew that I couldn't go on pretending to believe things that just aren't true.

I don't envy you, David. I know that you don't want my pity, but you have it. It is truly disheartening for me to think about people continually and actively trying to delude themselves into believing the tenets of Christianity for the rest of their lives. For me, that would be so much more difficult than accepting the truth. I know that for you, it's probably easier to accept Christianity than it is for you to accept all of the evidence. I still just can't wrap my head around it. I know that this probably makes you angry. I am not trying to make you angry. I'm sure you feel pity for me in the opposite direction.

390. Deadly Sins 101

Comment #143099 by annabanana on March 13, 2008 at 12:50 pm

al-rawandi,

That would be preferable, thanks. ;-)

Or... [:-{|

391. Deadly Sins 101

Comment #143094 by annabanana on March 13, 2008 at 12:40 pm

al-rawandi,

You know that I'm not much of an economist, I was just trying to make a point of how ridiculous it was. Perhaps I should have chosen a different term.

Geoff,

Community Chest Card: You've been extra sinful this year; pay the church an extra 10% of your income.

392. Deadly Sins 101

Comment #143077 by annabanana on March 13, 2008 at 12:18 pm

stem-cell research

Save people's lives...go to hell...

pollute the environment

Drive a car, use electricity, litter, etc...go to hell...

cause poverty

Not being a socialist, spending money on something not absolutely necessary to life...go to hell...

Sounds sort of like monopoly. "Go directly to [hell], do not pass go".

393. Bishop accuses gays of 'conspiracy' against the Catholic Church

Comment #143073 by annabanana on March 13, 2008 at 12:11 pm

Sounds like "You can't be martyrs! We're the ones who are the martyrs! You're stealing our gig!"

394. Fleabytes

Comment #143003 by annabanana on March 13, 2008 at 10:31 am

Clearthinker,

I have a question for you. Forgive me if you have already been asked this, but I think it might be a bit different than the questions posed previously.

What is it that motivates you to maintain your faith? It's one thing to acquire faith, but quite another to maintain it. What is it that causes you day after day and after coming under such scrutiny as you have here to maintain the faith you have?

Just so we're clear, I'm genuinely interested. I have a hard time understanding this in particular since I've been agnostic/atheist for pretty much the entirety of my adult life.

395. Fleabytes

Comment #142994 by annabanana on March 13, 2008 at 10:14 am

This is a bit late, but...

Comment #142968 by SharonMcT on March 13, 2008 at 9:25 am

I agree with you totally. Nothing irritates me more.

396. Beauty ad banned after Christian outcry

Comment #142558 by annabanana on March 12, 2008 at 6:12 pm

It sounds like 23 people need to gain a sense of humor.

397. US Treaty with Tripoli

Comment #137808 by annabanana on March 3, 2008 at 1:48 pm

Probably ;-)

398. US Treaty with Tripoli

Comment #137797 by annabanana on March 3, 2008 at 1:41 pm

Goldy, you are correct. The correct contraction is "y'all" as the word is formed from the words "you all". I was just complaining about this recently because I get teased for using the word, but I blame it on the English language since there isn't a word for addressing more than one person directly.

399. Fleabytes

Comment #137751 by annabanana on March 3, 2008 at 12:40 pm

I'm still amazed every time a faith head comes on her

Well, that made for an interesting Freudian slip.

400. US Treaty with Tripoli

Comment #137741 by annabanana on March 3, 2008 at 12:25 pm

Jay,

I wasn't coming to al's aid. I don't agree with what you had posted previously on this thread, however, al-rawandi had already successfully refuted what you put forward as an argument. So, when you retorted with inflammatory remarks towards him and no sound argument (or any argument at all, for that matter), my only choice was to critique your grammar or, as you say, stay out of it. Obviously, I did not choose the latter.

Not to mention, grammatical errors are a pet peeve of mine. When you not only made these inflammatory remarks, but did it with stunningly bad grammar, I felt it necessary to show you how poorly you were coming across.

Also, when I said "it is untrue to say...," nowhere in that sentence did I mention that this was an assertion that you made, simply that grammar has, in fact, been commented upon on this site numerous times.