










Comment #213128 by Tyler Durden on July 18, 2008 at 7:41 am
LaceyAndy,
Is that it?
Is that your only contribution to the debate? If that's the best you've got, we've got nothing to worry about.
Comment #213090 by Tyler Durden on July 18, 2008 at 6:28 am
Comment #213079 by Steve Zara
Thanks Steve, coming from you, I certainly take that as a compliment.
What I also find interesting about the linkage of religion with OCD is both contain an element of fear.
The individual who suffers from OCD is so sure if any ritual is not completed to the letter, something "bad" will happen. The same applies to religion: "If you don't do X (get baptised, pray, go to confession, go to church) you will go to hell."
Of course religion takes it to another level, citing numerous examples of how you can go to hell if you actually do other activites (pre-marital sex, wearing condoms, abortion).
Comment #213060 by Tyler Durden on July 18, 2008 at 5:31 am
Comment #213053 by andylacey
Eugenics is the only thing that evolution has added to scienceYou obviously know nothing about Darwinian evolution by Natural Selection.
4. Bush Bureaucrats at Dept. of Health and Human Services Redefine Contraception as Abortion
Comment #213037 by Tyler Durden on July 18, 2008 at 3:42 am
Szkeptik,
WTF?!?!?!?!?
5. Researchers Discover Remnant of an Ancient 'RNA World'
Comment #213031 by Tyler Durden on July 18, 2008 at 3:28 am
*whoosh*
The sound of that article flying over the head of txpiper, and other YECs!
Comment #212774 by Tyler Durden on July 17, 2008 at 3:53 pm
Oh, and for the record: Roger Scruton is a fucktard.
Comment #212771 by Tyler Durden on July 17, 2008 at 3:50 pm
Al,
Your grandfather was Irish - put the Miller Lite down and pick up a real drink :)
Comment #212764 by Tyler Durden on July 17, 2008 at 3:47 pm
Coco,
Welcome to RD.net
We have a slight problem here whenever theists come to visit, we ask them for evidence for their particular god, and before you can say "Hail Mary" - whoosh - they're outta here.
So, when you were a believer, what was the most convincing evidence for you that god (any god) actually existed?
Comment #212749 by Tyler Durden on July 17, 2008 at 3:37 pm
Man, I leave this place for a few hours and everyone starts drinking... thanks for the invite!!! :)
And for the record, Guinness is the best alcoholic beverage on the planet. (Did somebody mention Heineken?? Please!) Anyone who disagrees can meet me in McDaid's bar, just off Grafton St, Dublin, to discuss the options...
Al, Miller lite?????? *shakes head*
10. Church Cancels Teen Gun Giveaway
Comment #212417 by Tyler Durden on July 17, 2008 at 7:32 am
True. And to strengthen your point you never hear of any innocent bystanders being killed by some thug in the back seat of a Chevy opening up on a a crowd of people with a Louisville Slugger.Who's to say all bystanders are actually innocent.
11. Lying for Jesus?
Comment #212391 by Tyler Durden on July 17, 2008 at 6:47 am
Hi Quine,
The question is, what is the best way to dissipate the dissonance? Is it always the same way, or will it shift from person to person and subject to subject? Is there a set of questions to ask? Should we probe into how the person feels about the folks who originally presented the belief system? What about asking how questioning the beliefs impacts the status of the person within his/her social or family group? I do not know the answers, but suspect that this is a great area for psychology students.All great questions, and something I'll be looking into over the next few years. That is, if the powers that be, actually let me. Religion, in Ireland at least, is exempt from psychological testing.
12. [UPDATED] Venomous Snakes, Slippery Eels and Harun Yahya
Comment #212379 by Tyler Durden on July 17, 2008 at 6:00 am
Joe,
Why does evil exist in the world?
Why does Allah allow this evil to happen?
Is Allah incapable of stopping evil in the world?
Is your god weak?
"Either Allah wants to abolish evil, and cannot; or he can, but does not want to. If he wants to, but cannot, he is impotent. If he can, but does not want to, he is wicked. If Allah can abolish evil, and Allah really wants to do it, why is there evil in the world?" - Epicurus, as quoted in 2000 Years of Disbelief.
Comment #212359 by Tyler Durden on July 17, 2008 at 4:51 am
Comment #212354 by garywheron
Don't askawkwardquestions.
14. Lying for Jesus?
Comment #212352 by Tyler Durden on July 17, 2008 at 4:18 am
phatbat,
Now that's just not fair on the poor boy - at least an arse has a purpose. I'm not exactly sure what txpiper's purpose is, except to entertain us, and keep The Reverend Dark in top form!
15. Lying for Jesus?
Comment #212347 by Tyler Durden on July 17, 2008 at 4:03 am
Comment by Tyler Durden:
txpiper, have you ever considered the possibility that you're wrong? If so, can you point to one example where you changed you mind on an issue?
Yeah, I was convinced for many years that the crucifixion happened on a Wednesday. A couple of years back I had to come to terms with the fact that it was Thursday.txpiper, do you pay a daily rate to visit FantasyLand, or do you have a lifetime membership?
16. Church Cancels Teen Gun Giveaway
Comment #212332 by Tyler Durden on July 17, 2008 at 2:52 am
Still going? Anyway, religion... load of bollocks? Yes?
17. Church Cancels Teen Gun Giveaway
Comment #211718 by Tyler Durden on July 16, 2008 at 9:10 am
Al,
Nah, the nice Palo Alto, right next to Stanford. Microsoft were paying, was an enjoyable 3-months.
Drove "over the tracks" to East Palo Alto once, and once was enough, thank you very much.
Strange dicotomy, but then, the same happens here in Dublin. Brand new high-rise apartments selling for $750,000 built next to "old" Dublin, where the locals would rather rob you than look at you.
18. Church Cancels Teen Gun Giveaway
Comment #211710 by Tyler Durden on July 16, 2008 at 9:05 am
mordacious1,
The extra "g" in Gregg lets me get away with it.
Phew! :)
19. [UPDATED] Venomous Snakes, Slippery Eels and Harun Yahya
Comment #211706 by Tyler Durden on July 16, 2008 at 9:01 am
Joe,
Why does evil exist in the world?
Why does Allah allow this evil to happen?
Is Allah incapable of stopping evil in the world?
Is your god weak?
20. Church Cancels Teen Gun Giveaway
Comment #211696 by Tyler Durden on July 16, 2008 at 8:55 am
Al,
You like in Oakland? Man, no wonder you own a gun :-)
(I lived in Palo Alto for 3-months back in 2000, class!! Have only been to Oakland for the airport, could never get tickets to see the Raiders. Go 49ers!!!!)
Comment #211665 by Tyler Durden on July 16, 2008 at 8:25 am
He was supposedly the Son of Dog.
He "died" for approx 40 hours.
Then he allegedly fucked off back to Heaven to see his Dad.
Big. Fucking. Deal.
Comment #211649 by Tyler Durden on July 16, 2008 at 8:10 am
fides,
Even the "softened" version in Matthew 10:37 is contemptible:
"He who loves father or mother more than me, is not worthy of me."
But my Mother actually gave birth to me. And my father actually got her pregnant.
What has your Jesus done for me in my 38-years on this planet? Nada. Zip.
Have a look at this one for me, if I'm missing something, I really would like to know:
And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me. But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. - Matthew 18:5-6
Comment #211624 by Tyler Durden on July 16, 2008 at 7:55 am
fides,
That's cherry-picking, no fair. Plus, you're rationalising because you're blinded by your faith. Take a step back...
I'd be very interested in how you would rationalise this one:
And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me. But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. - Matthew 18:5-6
Seems straightforward to me:
1. whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me
2. it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck
3. and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.
So, Jesus is saying that if anybody offends a child who happens to believe in him should be drowned.
Yes/No? Am I missing something in the translation/interpretation?
24. Church Cancels Teen Gun Giveaway
Comment #211577 by Tyler Durden on July 16, 2008 at 7:22 am
Chris Rock said it best:
"Gun control? We need bullet control! I think every bullet should cost 5,000 dollars. Because if a bullet cost five thousand dollar, we wouldn't have any innocent bystanders. Everytime somebody got shot, you'd think - he must've done something!
Man, I would blow your fucking head off - if I could afford it. I'm gonna get me another job, I'm gonna start saving me some money, and you a dead man. You better hope I can't get no bullets on layaway."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFcVwDw4YLE
Comment #211568 by Tyler Durden on July 16, 2008 at 7:08 am
Hellooooo fides_et_ratio, paging fides_et_ratio, where are you?????
Has anyone seen fides_et_ratio around? He was here a moment ago, but then left quite suddenly.
How strange.
Comment #211557 by Tyler Durden on July 16, 2008 at 6:38 am
Comment #211553 by Philip1978
I will see if I can find these findings, I read about it a few weeks ago.Sorry, Philip, I'm confused. Are you speaking literally or metaphorically? :)
Comment #211533 by Tyler Durden on July 16, 2008 at 5:47 am
Laurie,
So, a typical theist then?
"The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results." Albert Einstein
We do it every day here, we ask theists for evidence, proof, an explanation, questions - and we get nothing back - perhaps we're the ones who are insane :)
Comment #211530 by Tyler Durden on July 16, 2008 at 5:38 am
Irate, you're welcome :)
D'ya think fides will stick around and play? He has a habit of running away and hiding when the going gets tough.
Comment #211520 by Tyler Durden on July 16, 2008 at 5:27 am
Comment #211476 by fides_et_ratio
Jesus calls us to act with love at all times.Really? Are you sure? Are you really sure? Perhaps you haven't read your bible:
30. Lourdes fears priestly scandal will make profits dry up
Comment #211472 by Tyler Durden on July 16, 2008 at 4:02 am
fides,
Are you honestly saying that the reason you are still off drink is to do with a prayer to Mary, and nothing to do with your hard work/willpower/AA/family/friends/sponsor?
31. Lying for Jesus?
Comment #211467 by Tyler Durden on July 16, 2008 at 3:49 am
txpiper,
Once again, the evidence presented by The Reverend Dark (and many, many others) show you to be in the wrong. And not just in the wrong, buried up to your neck in it!
How do you keep the mental gymnastics of what can be shown by science to be true, compared with what you claim to be to be true - but only turns out to be your worthless opinion - constantly in motion?
As a student of psychology, I'd be interested to know if you've heard of Cognitive Dissonance?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cognitive_Dissonance
Have you ever considered the possibility that you're wrong? If so, can you point to one example where you changed you mind on an issue?
Comment #211458 by Tyler Durden on July 16, 2008 at 3:24 am
If it's good enough for the captain of the USS Enterprise, it's good enough for me.
Comment #211455 by Tyler Durden on July 16, 2008 at 3:15 am
Laurie,
Rest assured it's Twinings :)
Comment #211452 by Tyler Durden on July 16, 2008 at 3:09 am
elad-usa,
There's a guy called Joe Morralle over on the "Venomous Snakes, Slippery Eels and Harun Yahya" thread that really needs your help.
Comment #211446 by Tyler Durden on July 16, 2008 at 3:02 am
It's Earl Grey or nothing!!!! I'm being dogmatic about this as I'm currently having a cup now - praise be to Quetz - and it's just lurvley.
Comment #211440 by Tyler Durden on July 16, 2008 at 2:53 am
Comment #211428 by Creeping Jesus
I'm sorry if this appears bigoted or anything but I think clergy are parasitic scum who feed off people's vulnerability. I'd have them all prosecuted for fraud and put out of business if they couldn't prove they weren't telling lies.But how do you really feel :-)
37. Lying for Jesus?
Comment #211417 by Tyler Durden on July 16, 2008 at 1:46 am
txpiper,
Perhaps you could answer the issues raised from my Comment #210982
If the article you posted on moon formation reckons water came from the Moon's interior and was delivered to the surface via volcanic eruptions over 3 billion years ago. Yet you claim the Earth to be approx 6,000 years old - why the discrepancy?
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2008-07/ci-mwd070708.php
38. Lying for Jesus?
Comment #210982 by Tyler Durden on July 15, 2008 at 10:41 am
Comment #193526 by txpiper on June 15, 2008 at 7:23 pm
I think the stronger arguments favor a young earth. But my reasons for adopting the YEC position some years back are more about a Biblical pattern of seven than they are dating methods.
and now a prevailing theory is sagging worse than ever.There you go again, txpiper, using your opinion as if it were scientific fact. Tut, tut, back in your box!!
39. Lourdes fears priestly scandal will make profits dry up
Comment #210956 by Tyler Durden on July 15, 2008 at 9:39 am
fides,
We've been here before.
My mother was an alcoholic (my father still is), trust me, I know what I'm talking about. It eventually killed her. Perhaps she didn't pray hard enough? Or maybe, just maybe, her liver gave out due to massive amounts of alcohol consumed over the years.
You haven't had a drink "in a long time", I understand how difficult that is, kudos, keep up the good work (I mean it) - but correlation does not mean causation, you're confusing two seperate events and hoping they are connected.
Are you honestly saying that the reason you are still off drink is to do with a prayer to Mary, and nothing to do with your hard work/willpower/AA/family/friends/sponsor?
Think about it. If prayers actually do nothing, and Mary is dead, all this hard work is yours. Yet you want to explain it all away on some superstitious nonsense.
40. Lourdes fears priestly scandal will make profits dry up
Comment #210935 by Tyler Durden on July 15, 2008 at 9:16 am
fides,
There's nothing "there" to charge for, so exacltly what would they be charging for?
And you're confusing altruism with some kind of religious "experience". Go ask a doctor, who doesn't believe in gods, working for Doctors without Borders (Medecins Sans Frontieres), a secular organisation, how he/she feels after saving somebody's life, they may feel exactly the same.
Warm. Fuzzy. Feelings. Do. Not. Prove. Your. God. Exists.
41. PLEASE WRITE IN SUPPORT OF PZ MYERS
Comment #210926 by Tyler Durden on July 15, 2008 at 9:06 am
phil,
The Catholic Church tell millions of kids worldwide "what to think", and get away with it. These kids then grow up to be txpiper, and the like etc.
We may not be the thought police, but we can shout "Bullshit" as loud as we want, whenever we want.
42. [UPDATED] Venomous Snakes, Slippery Eels and Harun Yahya
Comment #210916 by Tyler Durden on July 15, 2008 at 8:53 am
irate,
Goddidit, didn't you get the memo?
43. [UPDATED] Venomous Snakes, Slippery Eels and Harun Yahya
Comment #210910 by Tyler Durden on July 15, 2008 at 8:45 am
khanzee,
I'm surprised you mis-spelt surprised!!
44. PLEASE WRITE IN SUPPORT OF PZ MYERS
Comment #210902 by Tyler Durden on July 15, 2008 at 8:22 am
Quetz,
Asking them to explain their beliefs, then asking questions like: "but how exactly does it transubstantiate?"
45. PLEASE WRITE IN SUPPORT OF PZ MYERS
Comment #210876 by Tyler Durden on July 15, 2008 at 7:35 am
Mitchell,
In the last 18-months I've been to a wedding, a funeral and a baptism - all Catholic. I didn't "crash" them, I didn't destroy anything while I was there. I sat through the various ceremonies, not saying a word, all the while thinking "This is insane, it's the 21st century, who still believes this nonsense!!"
My friends know what I think on such subjects, probably hasn't changed their minds one iota, but I feel better for saying it. It's all about me, me, me :)
In order to do that, you must actively demonstrate why their epistemic criteria are inconsistent, and should be abandoned, or demonstrate why under their own criteria the proposition doesn't warrent belief.But I do, but such is the power of indoctrination... some people just can't let that security blanket go!
46. PLEASE WRITE IN SUPPORT OF PZ MYERS
Comment #210853 by Tyler Durden on July 15, 2008 at 6:45 am
Steve,
I live in Ireland, I'm 38-years of age - Catholics have been harrassing me in one way or the other for bloody years :)
and you are happy to wander into any ceremony anwhere, and disrupt it because you think their views ridiculous?Of course not, I'm not a child. But I don't have to agree with their superstitions, and I'll tell that to my mate who's about to have a child, and will end up getting the baby baptised very soon.
47. Lourdes fears priestly scandal will make profits dry up
Comment #210843 by Tyler Durden on July 15, 2008 at 6:29 am
fides,
It's a con-job, however you want to rationalise it.
An estimated 100 million people have visited the shrine of Lourdes since 1860 in search of "miracle" cures. According to official figures, only 67 miracles have been recognised in that time.
But what about the 99.999933% who left without cure, and/or died of their illness? How convenient that these numbers are not mentioned by official sources. Were these people deemed not worthy of cure by the great sky-god? Perhaps they didn't pray enough. Or pay enough.
If casinos in Las Vegas gave those types of ridiculous odds, people would stop visiting and casinos would be out of business within a week. Yet people continue to flock to Lourdes hoping to be 1 in 1,492,537. At least with Vegas you know it's only entertainment.
And what of amputees visiting Lourdes? Where are their stories of "miracles". Yet it happens in nauture: In urodele amphibians, i.e. salamanders, regeneration of a new limb after amputation takes from one month to around three months, depending on the age of the animal. In mammals, e.g. MRL mice, where the msx1 gene is turned on in their muscle cells enabling regeneration of heart, tail and spinal cord tissue without scarring. And in humans, where, although the msx1 gene is turned off in us, our fingertips have shown regenerative capabilities.
Why no "miracle" cure for amputees?
And as for the economical benefits bestowed upon Lourdes these past years, surely a coincidence?
48. PLEASE WRITE IN SUPPORT OF PZ MYERS
Comment #210830 by Tyler Durden on July 15, 2008 at 6:11 am
Steve,
I've no interest in somebody's justification of their views. Show me the evidence, otherwise it's just opinion. And there's nothing wrong with being right, if the evidence backs you up.
These guys believe it's more than just a cracker, fine, let them prove it, then, I'll show them some respect.
49. [UPDATED] Venomous Snakes, Slippery Eels and Harun Yahya
Comment #210825 by Tyler Durden on July 15, 2008 at 6:02 am
Morning Al,
I see the Belgian firm InBev has brought Budweiser home, as NBC reported it last night: "This bud's for EU" :)
All this after the news that the Abu Dhabi Investment Council now owns 75% of the Chrysler Building, last month's sale of the GM Building in NY went to a group of investors from Kuwait and Qatar, while nearly one in five U.S. oil refineries is owned by foreign companies, and the Italian Sorgente Group now owns a majority share of Manhattan's Flatiron building.
Where will it all end?
I'd like to table a bid for the Golden Gate Bridge right now :)
50. PLEASE WRITE IN SUPPORT OF PZ MYERS
Comment #210808 by Tyler Durden on July 15, 2008 at 5:11 am
Comment #210773 by Steve Zara
Of course it's just a cracker - to us.No. It is just a cracker, in reality, not just to "us" - unless they can prove otherwise.