1. Sudan demo over jailed UK teacher

Comment #92677 by nothing on December 1, 2007 at 7:30 am

Is the whole world just engaged in mass self deception?

Yes!

Why? You don't consider these cretins human, do you?

Of course they are human. Humans are primates with cognitive machinery so easily overtaken by the mind-viruses of religion. So I plead with to take the ethical high ground and not just demonize our fellow primates. What we need is a way to eliminate the mind-viruses without killing off the human beings. Unfortunately, I admit that with our present knowledge this may not be possible in a lot of cases. Tragic.

2. Frequently Asked Questions about the Ayaan Hirsi Ali Security Trust

Comment #89515 by nothing on November 21, 2007 at 1:37 am

Just wanted to thank you Sam for answering our questions.

3. Frequently Asked Questions about the Ayaan Hirsi Ali Security Trust

Comment #89490 by nothing on November 21, 2007 at 12:17 am

PeterK,

I consider the non-majority opinion to be invaluable as it gives every "free-thinking" person a moment to make sure they are not just following the crowd. For this reason, a well-argued dissenting opinion is often a necessity.

Still, I'm genuinely confused by your comment: (is it meant to be an argument, a sexist joke... ?)

3. Comment #89456 by PeterK on November 20, 2007 at 8:01 pm
Sam:

...now whisper into her ear "You pay for your own bedclothes, darling--just like everyone else in this world does"

4. URGENT APPEAL: Please Help Protect Ayaan Hirsi Ali

Comment #89194 by nothing on November 20, 2007 at 1:52 am

101. Comment #89005 by Rtambree on November 19, 2007 at 1:11 pm
For those in London who want to see Ayaan Hirsi Ali, she'll be appearing at the Royal Society of the Arts this Wedesday 21st November at 1pm. Tickets are free.

http://www.rsa.org.uk/events/detail.asp?eventID=2440

http://www.rsa.org.uk/events/speakerCloseUp.asp?speakerID=1799

I'll be there supporting her.

"EVENT FULL" It would have been great to hear her in person. Yet another missed opportunity. :-(

5. URGENT APPEAL: Please Help Protect Ayaan Hirsi Ali

Comment #89182 by nothing on November 20, 2007 at 12:31 am

Dinesh D'Souza is going to have an absolute field day with this! We already know that he reads the posts on this site.

D'Souza certainly seems to have no problem with lies, half-lies, quarter-lies misrepresentations... well most forms of deception.

Is it possible then that not only does he read posts but that he also contributes posts himself under some user-name?

I'm not suggesting a witch-hunt! (Dinesh D'Souza is hiding amongst us! We must find him!)

I suppose I am using the example to suggest that it would be a mistake to underestimate his Machiavellian intelligence.

Damn it, have I just given him a new strategy! If so, please Josh, delete this post.

And Josh, your work on creating this site is very much appreciated.

6. URGENT APPEAL: Please Help Protect Ayaan Hirsi Ali

Comment #88731 by nothing on November 18, 2007 at 5:50 pm

The wonders of skepticism! The last time Sam Harris put up this appeal, I pondered whether or not to respond. This time, I read his urgent appeal and thought: enough thinking, put your money where your mouth is! And then I read the comments on this page and I'm back where I started.

14. Comment #88700 by SilentMike on November 18, 2007 at 3:33 pm

10. Comment #88694 by jaytee_555

My initial reaction was to support Sam Harris' suggestion, but on reflection, I'd like some of the questions raised above to be answered before I decide.

It is always good to get more information. Maybe Sam should elaborate and answer the questions that have been raised. This is in no way intended to be disrespectful of Sam Harris or to cast doubt on the purity of his intentions. It's just that we are an inquisitive skeptical lot after all and some explanations may be in order. I'm sure that good answers will bring about an increase in donations.

Thanks for you comment Silent Mike. I hope Sam Harris does elaborate and answer the questions that have been raised.

7. On Being Not Muslim Enough

Comment #86782 by nothing on November 10, 2007 at 6:30 am

Folks, go easy on her - it sounds like she's in transition; a lot of us have Been There, and it can take some time (and can be disconcerting). I can identify with a lot of this when I was moving beyond Christianity.

Of course, the solution to being Not Muslim Enough is to be Not Muslim At All. Ayaan Hirsi Ali had the courage to realise this.

One thing we should actively try to do is *ease* the transition...

I couldn't agree more with you. A lot of us have been there. Plus this is a teeny-weeny bit more difficult that getting out of Christianity (or rather getting the Christianity out of oneself).

8. When Congress Interferes With Science, Who You Gonna Call? (Hint: It's not Ghostbusters)

Comment #86774 by nothing on November 10, 2007 at 6:09 am

Bizzaro, I forgive you.

9. The good that comes from belief

Comment #86663 by nothing on November 9, 2007 at 10:32 pm

My anger at crap hackery can't fester inside my head anymore, I have to DO something about it.

Coulter, D'Souza, Behe, Limbaugh, etc, etc, they're all awful, and they don't give a shit.
It's all about ego and money, and I can't stand it anymore.

I've got to make a career to have the momentum to swing to fight this crap.

I've got to get writing.

Please do. Although I try to take a more charitable view of these writers (i.e. they are self-deceived), they end up deceiving others. Ignorance is thus perpetuated. With ignorance comes fear. Bertrand Russell, quite correctly, regarded "religion as a disease born of fear and as a source of untold misery to the human race."

10. Rome playing politics

Comment #84830 by nothing on November 3, 2007 at 8:27 pm

How can any sane minded organisation oppose something as basic as this?

Perhaps because organized religion thrives in circumstances of ignorance, poverty and suffering. When such conditions exists, there will always be a place for priests, mullahs and the like.

11. Believe it or not, courtesy counts

Comment #84638 by nothing on November 3, 2007 at 2:50 am

Dawkins, I ask my brothers and sisters to forgive you, for "you know not what you do".

12. Believe it or not, courtesy counts

Comment #84598 by nothing on November 2, 2007 at 6:04 pm

I suspect people are going to be unhappy with me for what I'm about to write. But I feel compelled to write it.

In my experience, people that I have convinced to change their minds about God has not come from passionate debate or intense arguing. It has ALWAYS been from just calmly discussing the issues.

As soon as someone gets defensive (in anything), they close up and wont consider anything you have said.

I agree with the above, for precisely the reason given below.

What they deem as sacred then becomes inextricably part not only of their worldview, but also their self-view. A person's religion is a part of themselves, a manner in which they can define and identify themselves in relation to, and contra to, others.

Accordingly, when a person questions the theoretical basis of a particular religion they do not just question the religion. They also bring into the cold light of day the self-image of its adherents.

This questioning becomes then not merely questioning – it is an attack upon the integrity of the self. What is rudeness if not a personal affront?

Evidence for this is shown in how those who use their religion as their primary method of self-definition (as opposed to nationality or race say) are much, much, easier to offend.

I think this is large part of the thinking behind the muslim protests over something as trifling as a cartoon.

May I suggest that we do not fall into the same trap of making our lack of belief into a self-identity? Do we really want to get stuck in an ingroup/outgroup distinction, with us as the ingroup and everyone else as an outgroup?

There's a time and place for satire, mockery, and ridicule, but also a time and place for courtesy. I have no problem with that at all. I think I have enough sensitivity to tell the difference without the advice in the article.

The trouble is that so often it is the religious believers who go far beyond mere discourtesy, into emotional denunciation of those who oppose their cruel ideas. Worse, they frequently attempt to impose their cruel ideas by force - with considerable success. Every day, wherever we live, we see examples of all this. Who can blame us if we lose patience?

Absolutely. Indeed we have, for far too long, not stood up to religious bullying.

This article should be retitled:

"Hey, At Least Be Nice To Us While Showing Us That We Are Wrong."

I know the above was written in satire. But I ask, can we not at least attempt to occupy the ethical higher ground? It is easy to lose patience with religious nonsense but a lot of people who cling to this stuff really don't know how to think rationally or critically. Indeed it is not that they cling to the nonsense so much as that the nonsense clings to them.

The virus of faith is difficult to eradicate. Our enemy is not the human beings carrying these memes. These memes are dangerous and poisonous to both "us" AND "them". Our enemy is the group of memes themselves. If we are ever to have a hope of eradicating or at least taming these memes, we need to use as many strategies as possible. Surely politeness is a powerful strategy in the appropriate situations?

13. Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams criticizes popular atheist writers

Comment #78629 by nothing on October 14, 2007 at 12:36 am

CARR
William Lane Craig debates many atheists, and he wanted to debate Dawkins.

Watch Craig defend mass murder....

http://www.reasonablefaith.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=5767

Thank you for this link. I have finally lost all respect for William Lane Craig.

Unfortunately, to my knowledge, it remains the case that he is still a successful propagandist. Why? Because he's a professional debater and he uses every trick, lie and half-truth in and out of the book to convince those all-too-eager to be convinced.

14. Scandal brewing at Oral Roberts U.

Comment #78221 by nothing on October 12, 2007 at 7:37 am

Can i be a skeptic of skeptics of skeptics? Pretty please.

15. Interview with Richard Dawkins

Comment #78203 by nothing on October 12, 2007 at 6:01 am

I heard: "If God's balls did bang together He would become quite Sore [Thor with a lisp]".

16. Why Christians should take Richard Dawkins seriously

Comment #72396 by nothing on September 21, 2007 at 1:27 am

I'm curious about something:-

My understanding was that there are plenty of academic theologians who are atheists.

If I'm correct about this, why are we not hearing anything from them?

17. God Talk on 'The View'

Comment #71658 by nothing on September 19, 2007 at 12:26 pm

I think I need to watch some Colbert to regain some sense of hope after watching this. Sweet Jehovah!

18. Larry King Interviews Kathy Griffin

Comment #71635 by nothing on September 19, 2007 at 11:39 am

Agreed. LOL.

19. The smallest signs of retreat

Comment #68576 by nothing on September 7, 2007 at 4:14 pm

Jesus, Mary and Joseph!

Is the human capacity for deception and self-deception endless?

Someone, please, tell me there's a good reason to be optimistic about the future of our species, 'cause I just can't find one.

20. Another view

Comment #66894 by nothing on September 1, 2007 at 12:37 am

Humanity is screwed. Superstition can never lose. (Or so it seems. Damn those mindless memes.)

What to do? What to do?


...i think i need some more sleep.

21. Review of Darwin's Angel: An Angelic Response to the God Delusion

Comment #66889 by nothing on September 1, 2007 at 12:19 am

I've lost the will to respond. I feel only deep sympathy for Dawkins.

Two words: me too.

22. The importance of doubt

Comment #66646 by nothing on August 30, 2007 at 7:51 pm

God (!), why do we even waste our time with such... I don't even know what to call it.

I think I should commend (or should that be commiserate) those fellow freethinkers that did read the whole article in the hope that there may be something of value.

23. The Sacrifice of Reason

Comment #66339 by nothing on August 29, 2007 at 6:04 pm

I hope Sam's clear thinking and lucidity of thought is reaching some members of our species. I fear though that Christopher Hitchens is right and that religion is ineradicable because we are still such an infantile species. I don't see much reason for optimism.

24. Scientists should unite against threat from religion

Comment #64952 by nothing on August 22, 2007 at 1:28 pm

Is Bizzaro for real? Or just an atheist satirist playing around? Maybe his name is a clue?

25. Democratic Candidates on a Personal God

Comment #64541 by nothing on August 20, 2007 at 2:59 pm

drive1,

Unhappily, I've got to agree. It's irrationality everywhere you turn. I'm also this close to losing it... Actually I think I may already have.

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

Comment #63045 by nothing on August 13, 2007 at 2:45 am

I noticed that Judy managed to drop in the idea that the rise in superstition is due to the loss of faith (belief) in God. Well ignored btw :)

I agree that it was well ignored.

However Judy unintentionally has made the point that people have replaced one kind of superstition with other kinds of superstition.

It seems a fair hypothesis that people who are no longer able to hold onto the first kind of superstition (blind faith in dogmas) have sought out other sorts of superstition (the wishy-washy ideas of the "New [Dark] Age".)

All in "a search for meaning" perhaps?

27. Richard Dawkins Replies to David Sloan Wilson

Comment #56083 by nothing on July 13, 2007 at 3:59 pm

In reply to Comment #55949 by gcdavis (to Bizzare Dawkins)

In time, probably a very long time, I expect it to be replaced by secular rationalism

Am I just being pessimistic in thinking that there is only a very slim chance of this ever happening, considering the rise of irrationality of all sorts all over the world (and the concomitant increase in the power of our destructive technology). I really don't expect our species to survive till the end of this century. Any reasons for optimism anyone?

28. Physician, Heal Thyself

Comment #55518 by nothing on July 11, 2007 at 11:43 am

Does anyone really think our species is going to survive beyond the 21st century, given just how insane many, if not most, of us are?

29. Sean Hannity with Christopher Hitchens

Comment #54835 by nothing on July 9, 2007 at 4:34 am

I'm afraid I have to agree with blueollie. The believer-viewer will be all too happy to see Hitchens as an "arrogant egg-head" being defeated by Hannity's "common sense". Although, maybe, just maybe, a seed of doubt will be planted?

30. The Myth of Secular Moral Chaos

Comment #47528 by nothing on June 4, 2007 at 9:32 pm

Thank you admin for posting the link to Sam Harris' response to the controversies arising from his book.

31. The Philosophy of Religion

Comment #47111 by nothing on June 3, 2007 at 3:22 am

why no comments?

32. NEXT MONDAY: Bill O'Reilly interviews Richard Dawkins

Comment #33798 by nothing on April 21, 2007 at 9:28 pm

Whatever Professor Dawkins says, Faux News, can and will edit it to make him look bad. The Professor is walking into a trap. My only reason for any optimism is that Prof. D. knows all this already, but for some reason unknown to myself, thinks appearing on O'Reilly is a useful thing to do.

All the cards are stacked against you Professor. This is without a doubt a brave thing to do.

33. Sam Harris at Idea City '05

Comment #32272 by nothing on April 16, 2007 at 3:16 pm

In agreement with Phil, this longer talk is so good that i played it to two of my friends who were religious moderates and they said having seen it, their deconversion is now inevitable.

Other routes to the same Harris' talk:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVRtD1i4WQE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoHVqN-lDSo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JqNXlRMLy4E
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLyaKhR7DGs

or

http://www.samharris.org/site/full_text/religion-terror-and-self-transcendence1/

34. Creation Science 101

Comment #32268 by nothing on April 16, 2007 at 2:43 pm

torgosPizza, i agree with you:

Awesome stuff. I think I'll buy his albums to let him know he's doing a great thing. He deserves our support.

(Comment #28226)

i'm planning on buying his albums for the same reason.

35. Even Stephven: Islam vs. Christianity

Comment #32265 by nothing on April 16, 2007 at 2:33 pm

Just search for "Islam vs. Christianity" on YouTube and this is the first video that comes up, at least at the time of writing this comment.