1. Science Has No Place in Politics

Comment #238414 by HeathenAngel on August 28, 2008 at 5:55 am

I can't tell you how disappointed I am over this. I really had high hopes for Mr. Obama.. now I'm not sure I can, in good conscience cast my vote for someone who would give more credence and veracity to religion over science. I just may do a write in. Any of you here feel like running for President? I'd be happy to write you in. ;)

2. Poll: Should the motto 'In God We Trust' be removed from U.S. currency?

Comment #230764 by HeathenAngel on August 15, 2008 at 5:34 am

I have a red sharpie that I carry with me and I make sure to de-god all my paper cash as soon as I get it. I just stopped at the time machine on the way in to work and grabbed some cash, and just before reading this thread I had sat at my desk and de-godded all of it. I've de-godded my coins before too, it's a little more time consuming, but certainly worth it in the long run.

3. Youngest galactic supernova (not aliens) found

Comment #180376 by HeathenAngel on May 14, 2008 at 5:30 pm

Har har. ;P

I have saved the pic to my hd, hope no one minds.. and it is now replacing my "House" wallpaper for a time. It is an awesome (using the original meaning of the word "awesome"--thank you Eddie Izzard) thing to see.

4. Sexpelled: No Intercourse Allowed

Comment #163836 by HeathenAngel on April 19, 2008 at 6:21 am

I've not been around for a while, got a new job that keeps me more than busy.. but I pop in for a visit today and find this.. What a welcome back. Absolutely loved it, laughed like a school girl.

Keep up the good work to those involved, and keep giving them hell.

And I agree with the closing sentiment.. Ben Stein IS an idiot.

5. Fish out of water: Your Inner Fish

Comment #111804 by HeathenAngel on January 15, 2008 at 7:50 pm

With the increasingly problematic knee injury that I suffer, knowing that I have an inner fish who isn't fond of walking upright, on two legs really explains a lot.

What a great read, this article and I'm looking forward to the book.

I agree with one of the first replies in the thread.. after reading even the small amount of knowledge poured into this article, in regards to evolution.. how anyone.. or should I say "anyone in their right mind".. can deny evolution is beyond me.

6. George Scales, War Hero and Generous Friend of RDFRS

Comment #111802 by HeathenAngel on January 15, 2008 at 7:46 pm

Wishing you all the best of luck for a successful surgery and a speedy recovery. Eternal gratitude for all that you have done and for all you continue to do.
TheHeathenAngel

7. 2 fleas for the Christmas week

Comment #102748 by HeathenAngel on December 23, 2007 at 2:15 pm

I got a C-Note in my pocket that says this idiot, Keeran never even read Prof. Dawkins' book. Any takers?

8. CBC News: Sunday - Richard Dawkins

Comment #100198 by HeathenAngel on December 18, 2007 at 11:28 am

WOW..

I bow to your ability to be so patient.

I wanted to smack the guy about two minutes in... and truth be known, probably would have. Just a light tap to the back of the head to say, "HEY!! WAKE UP! I'm trying to teach you something here and you keep taking this off track." But that's just me.

Really, I'm not this harsh when it comes to teaching martial arts.. but then, I guess the kids actually WANT TO LEARN martial arts, so they do pay attention and give way to my "expertise".. for want of a better term, on this subject.

This clown was looking for a soundbyte that he could use to make you look bad.. and you didn't give it to him.

Again.. such patience.

9. THE FOUR HORSEMEN - Available Now on DVD!

Comment #99144 by HeathenAngel on December 15, 2007 at 6:17 pm

I disagree with those who say that Hitch performed poorly. While I had my issues with his stance on the war, and his "airing of it" here in this venue, I still respect him a great deal and would give my right arm... umm.. maybe my left, to hear him speak in person. I do not consider him as being "out of his league" in sitting at the round table with these other giants. All four were equally worthy of being there. It was an amazing show and, in case I didn't say so earlier.. Thanks to TPTB-Josh for all your hard work and thanks to Prof. Dawkins, Prof. Dennet, Sam AND Hitch.

10. THE FOUR HORSEMEN - Available Now on DVD!

Comment #99064 by HeathenAngel on December 15, 2007 at 11:58 am

@Jayday

Anyway, I've been puzzled by Hitchen's support for the invasion. As a man who promotes rationalism, he doesn't seem to demonstrate rationalism when it comes to Iraq. How does Hitchen think that our presence in the middle east in the form we are now, is actually going to reduce the threat of some Jihadist getting his hands on a nuclear weapon?

While I do not agree in the least with Hitch, nor the current MISadministration in their decision to invade and occupy Iraq.. I DO see where Hitch is coming from. However, after watching this production, I am left with the question.. is Hitch suffering from the same cognitive dissonance that is referenced during the discussion. Here's what I mean.

Hitch professes, in the video that he doesn't see one religion as being "worse" than the others in the scheme of things. Holding each and everyone of them to the same standard as being total BS and being equally dangerous.. potentially, if not actually. Ok.. I can respect that opinion.

However, it seems his "alliance" with the 'Murikkkan government to invade and occupy Iraq is based on the belief that there definitely IS a "lesser of two evils" in the religion department, and Islam is certainly doesn't hold the title of "the lesser".

Perhaps I'm just reading more into it.. but that is how I viewed it.

Maybe, though it is more of the "racist" concept on gangland violence.. "why do anything about it, let them kill each other off" ("each other" being predominantly blacks.. as found in many of the gangs of S.E. LA and such.)

Does any of this make sense, or am I just rambling?

Zib,

I had a few issues with dl the .mov also. I just clicked the "save link as"-using firefox, not IE-and let it go. Eventually it downloaded it all. Maybe that will help?

Jayday.. again,

Does it amaze you, it does me.. how many people still think that SH not only supported/had something to do with the attacks on 9/11.. but he also masterminded it? It not only amazes me, it terrifies me. With all the information that is out there, and with just how easy it is to acquire that information now-a-days.. how is it that someone can STILL believe such a thing?

11. THE FOUR HORSEMEN - Available Now on DVD!

Comment #99042 by HeathenAngel on December 15, 2007 at 10:21 am

Christmas has come early. I have dreamed of this very thing for so long. And now, here it is. Thank you so much for this.

12. U.S. Congress Recognizing the importance of Christmas and the Christian faith

Comment #98212 by HeathenAngel on December 13, 2007 at 9:16 am

I sent my rep, Zack Space a VERY nasty letter about this. He was one that voted "aye". I can't tell you how ashamed of, not only my country.. but my state I am. This is just disgusting, really. What makes it worse.. I actually worked on the campaign for this guy, Space. I was at HQ every day, out knocking on doors to extol his virtues.. on election day, working out of his office I was sent 70 miles, to another town to help ensure that voters were being allowed to vote, that the numbers were being kept.. keeping an eye out for voter intimidation and election fraud. I thought this guy was a good guy. I'm so upset about this right now.

13. Believe it or not

Comment #97485 by HeathenAngel on December 12, 2007 at 7:21 am

The "stigma" attached to the label "Atheist" is something I've had problems with for a while. The word is spat at, rather than spoken to/about someone. I've always liked the term rationalist. Personally, I try not to let the negative connotation get to me.. because I am what I am and if those around me can't accept it.. tough noogies.

But if there ever is a vote to "change the name".. I'll be there to nominate and vote on rationalists. ;)

14. Atheists' sign sparks controversy

Comment #96283 by HeathenAngel on December 10, 2007 at 9:41 am

Professor,

I'm glad to see that this doesn't upset you, and that you are actually "delighted" by it.. It has given me some seriously "naughty" ideas.

Our courthouse has a huge christmas tree out front, and there's one in the park as well. Seeing as how I just "came out" this past year, I would like to express my "holiday joy". ;)

15. Biologist fired for beliefs, suit says

Comment #95816 by HeathenAngel on December 9, 2007 at 9:22 am

And as someone pointed out the other day.. either here or one of the other myriad sites that I visit.. If I were a Baptist Minister and claimed to NOT believe in any deities.. how long do you think I would have my job?

16. Secret Swami - About Sai Baba

Comment #95611 by HeathenAngel on December 8, 2007 at 7:07 pm

Two things I want to say.

1. Hitch's challenge was on my mind the whole time I watched this.

2. mcsekhar,

PLEASE tell me you are being facetious.. tell me that YOU are a POE, or at least that your post is.

If not.. you are disgusting, in the literal sense of the word. How could anyone in their right mind be an apologist for a pedophile? You are the sexual predator's best friend.. making excuses, justifications and rationalizations for their behavior that allows them the credibility to go out and abuse again.

Excuse me now while I go puke and then take a shower.

17. Keith Olbermann talks about the Romney 'Religion' Speech

Comment #95537 by HeathenAngel on December 8, 2007 at 2:40 pm

As it turns out.. I have a media player that handles quicktime format videos (VLC). I was able to watch and Olbermann, as I anticipated he would, hit one out of the park. I especially loved the point he made about Romney claiming that secularists are trying to create their own religion, then called it wrong.. the whole time asking for his own right to believe what he wants. If people can't see through this guise and show Romney that we don't need another president who will bow to the whims of the evangelicals...

18. Bill O'Reilly Interviews Lori Lipman Brown

Comment #95533 by HeathenAngel on December 8, 2007 at 2:37 pm

jbblack--"He says he wouldn't whine if the tables were reversed and Christians were a minority in a primarily secular ntaion, but from his incessant whining about the self-made "war on Christmas", we all know THAT is a bunch of BS."

Got it in one.

BillO' is the ultimate hypocrite and liar for claiming that he wouldn't be in the least upset. He has demonstrated it time and time again; his incessant whining about the war on Christmas, his belly-aching about how Olbermann points out his flaws, his threats to people who dare mention, let alone watch Olbermann.. and now, leftist blogs and websites (calling them satan worshipers), and the list goes on.

19. Keith Olbermann talks about the Romney 'Religion' Speech

Comment #95526 by HeathenAngel on December 8, 2007 at 2:15 pm

I can only imagine.. I'll have to wait until someone puts it on YouTube, CrooksAndLiars or Intoxination. For some reason, Quicktime and my computer do not get along. I'll reserve comment until I see it, but I'm sure.. seeing as how it's Olbermann.. I love that man, it will be quite eloquent.

20. Fox: 'Atheist Outrage' over holiday 'Tree of Knowledge'

Comment #95236 by HeathenAngel on December 7, 2007 at 4:36 pm

phasmagigas--"For the average secular brit (and perhaps for more americans than we realise) christmas is little more than nostalgia for childhood dressed up in a rather thin religious veneer."

This is exactly what I go by when celebrating this time of year. Thank you for putting it so eloquently.

21. Bad Faith Awards: Vote for the winner now

Comment #94736 by HeathenAngel on December 6, 2007 at 11:29 am

Pfft.. And people wonder why I don't like UPChuck Norris. What worthless piece of crap. Waste of human skin, that is.

22. Highway to hysteria

Comment #94467 by HeathenAngel on December 5, 2007 at 5:43 pm

Couple things..
1. The gay guy is DEFINITELY a plant. I know it's been pointed out.. but the whole time I was watching.. I couldn't get any other image in my mind but Ol' Pat handing him a cash-filled envelope and then looking at one of his handlers and mouthing the phrase, "That guy looked like a HOMO" (I know you've seen the video of Pat's interview by now)

2. Mysturji YOU are a genius. I giggled so hard.. then I had to yell at my son to come read it.

3. I DO live here in the states and there ARE some of these frightening fundies around me. Some are in my family. Ohio has sections that are just as bad as some of what you saw there.. and.. I-35 happens to run through a portion of Ohio. Now, I'm REALLY scared.

4. Totally off topic: My son has informed me that I hang out here, at RD.net too much. I have started to pick up on some of the "UK-isms", for want of a better term.. and use them in conversations. You've all corrupted me. ;)

23. Banishing the Green-Eyed Monster

Comment #92003 by heathenangel on November 29, 2007 at 5:11 pm

USA_Limey says, "Clinton was despicable"

In what way? Because he got his knob polished? At least he had the decency to keep working while it was happening. He wasn't flying around the country, hiding while the US was under attack. He wasn't sitting in a Florida classroom, blank look about his face for 7 whole minutes while the towers collapsed. As Bill Maher so eloquently put it, on Shrub's watch "we've lost almost all of our allies, the surplus, four airliners, two Trade Centers, a piece of the Pentagon and the City of New Orleans". But Clinton, he was on the phone keeping the peace and prosperity flowing the whole time Mon was smilin' like a donut. So he had a little fun. Who cares, really? He did his job, and he did it well. Eight years of peace and a roaring economy are more than enough justification for a little "afternoon delight".

24. Romney's Mormonism is fair game

Comment #89448 by heathenangel on November 20, 2007 at 7:30 pm

Diacanu--"I heard some country banned Scientology as a cult.
It was Germany, wasn't it?

Funny, our government picks and chooses what cults to pull a Waco on.
Guess Scientology just made enough money.
That's all that separates it.
Twisted, twisted fucking world. "
--

I'm not defending one cult over another, mind you.. but I think the arsenal of automatic weapons MIGHT have had something to do with it. ;)

25. Saudi gang-rape victim is jailed

Comment #88441 by HeathenAngel on November 16, 2007 at 4:46 pm

On topic: This is just disgusting and it's a horrible atrocity. Getting religionists to realize it, however is like trying to nail jell-o to a tree. They like the "Not my god" response quite well in this area of Ohio.

Off topic:
Diacanu,

Awww, come on. Don't knock gospel music. I agree with Carlin when he said it's the only good thing to ever come out of religion. I have quite a bit of it saved on my computer and frequently surprise the **** out of people who know me, by listening to it. I'm probably one of the most militant atheists (whatever that means) in this tiny backwater town. So it is shocking for some when I crank up the media player.

26. Teacher: I was fired, said Bible isn't literal

Comment #74910 by HeathenAngel on October 1, 2007 at 5:14 am

rthille--"That's it! I'm going after all my high school teachers that insisted that Zeus and the other gods I worship were just mythology! How dare they denigrate my religious views!"

You may have said this in jest.. but I'm actually waiting for this very thing to happen at my son's school now. He is going to come home and tell me when they get onto the subject of greek mythology and I'm going to call the superintendent and complain that they are violating my rights by calling the Olympians (the deities, not the sports competitors) mythological.

I'm hoping it will raise a big stink and get the media involved and then maybe these fundie idiots will start to see just how stupid they are by wanting their myth taught as fact. But I doubt it.. fundies can be so lacking in all things logic.

WeeF--"How is atheism a faith? Because you believe something based on your presuppostions which are themselves unproveable."

WRONG.. 100% Wrong, to be exact.

We do not BELIEVE "something". We DISbelieve something. And it isn't based on "presupposition". It is based on YOUR or any religions lack of proof.

WeeF--"In the fundamentalist version of your faith you refuse to listen to any other point of view."

Wrong again, Sparky. I'm willing to listen, if you have something new to say.. Problem is.. you don't. It's the same old tired, specious arguments that have been tried over and over again. You haven't the slightest bit of evidence for the existence of ANY deity, let alone yours.. and it pisses you off. So you come to the RD site, pull out your "Shiny Mirror" and project your inadequacies onto others. Nice try.. but it doesn't work.

27. RELIGULOUS: A Conversation with Bill Maher and Larry Charles

Comment #70031 by HeathenAngel on September 13, 2007 at 6:10 pm

I must disagree, nancy2001. Do the names Lenny Bruce, Woody Allen and George Carlin ring a bell? ;)

They came long before these books. Not discounting the books, nor the "new breed" they've turned out, but we've always had a few who were willing to tip the windmills and rattle a few cages.

28. Scientists' Good News: Earth May Survive Sun's Demise in 5 Billion Years

Comment #70027 by HeathenAngel on September 13, 2007 at 5:54 pm

Sorry, everyone.. but as I read the article and most of the replies... all I could think of was this:

Zager And Evans - In The Year 2525

In the year 2525
If man is still alive
If woman can survive
They may find

In the year 3535
Ain't gonna need to tell the truth, tell no lie
Everything you think, do and say
Is in the pill you took today

In the year 4545
You ain't gonna need your teeth, won't need your eyes
You won't find a thing to chew
Nobody's gonna look at you

In the year 5555
Your arms hangin' limp at your sides
Your legs got nothin' to do
Some machine's doin' that for you

In the year 6565
You won't need no husband, won't need no wife
You'll pick your son, pick your daughter too
From the bottom of a long glass tube

In the year 7510
If God's a-coming, He oughta make it by then
Maybe He'll look around Himself and say
"Guess it's time for the judgment day"

In the year 8510
God is gonna shake His mighty head
He'll either say "I'm pleased where man has been"
Or tear it down, and start again

In the year 9595
I'm kinda wonderin' if man is gonna be alive
He's taken everything this old earth can give
And he ain't put back nothing

Now it's been ten thousand years
Man has cried a billion tears
For what, he never knew
Now man's reign is through

But through eternal night
The twinkling of starlight
So very far away

29. RELIGULOUS: A Conversation with Bill Maher and Larry Charles

Comment #69894 by HeathenAngel on September 13, 2007 at 5:17 am

To the critics of Maher. Lighten up a little, really. Sure he has his faults, who doesn't? But we have to conserve the amount of battles we choose to fight. And on the religion front, Maher is a decent ally. He's not a full blown atheist, like myself, and many others on this site, but he does have some very harsh criticism for religion and the religious. If you can't appreciate him for stances which are in opposition to yours on other fronts, ie vaccinations, animal rights and such.. at least recognize that he will deal a serious blow to the religious nuts, and it will be sweet to see, and hopefully helpful to the ltg of opening more eyes and minds.

Maybe it's just too early in the morning and my coffee hasn't kicked in yet.. but this seems to be the best approach in dealing with Maher... who, I have to admit to having a bit of a "thing" for. Especially considering that my first "message board experiences" when I started surfing the net years ago, was on his message board.. and when I got banned from there, after a conservative group started running it (into the ground) it spawned my own message board, Political-Nutshell.

I guess I'm saying.. you won't find someone who agrees 100% with you, on everything.. so accept the alliance of those who agree at least 90% on this issue, which is one of the most important, at least to us, otherwise we wouldn't even be here.

Make sense?

30. Young Muslims begin dangerous fight for the right to abandon faith

Comment #69454 by HeathenAngel on September 11, 2007 at 10:00 am

This is great news and I wish them all the luck and success in the world. They are very brave to undertake such a dangerous mission. I have no doubt that they have put themselves at the top of every radical muslim's (s)hit list.

I agree that this kind of thing needs to be more publicized; CNN, MSNBC and yeah, even Faux "News". Hopefully this story will be picked up and the word will get out and radical islam will start to die out. A boost for rational thought, it's much easier to speak reason with someone who isn't trying to kill you for not believing in their invisible sky-faerie.

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

Comment #65091 by HeathenAngel on August 22, 2007 at 10:09 pm

Here's what I wrote:

Religion is the embodiment of ignorance and fear. It teaches those who follow it to be satisfied with not understanding the world around them, and how it works. It is the most dangerous of all philosophies because it gets a pass and even appears to be validated in and by the main stream media.

The lines between religion and politics are not bold enough. They should be chasms that separate these two institutions entirely from each other. Politicians should not be chosen by how big a hard-on they have for their chosen deity. They should be picked because they are the right man or woman for the job. Because they have the capability to do the job they are being hired for. Because they use critical thinking and logic to make decisions. Basing decisions, that will effect the lives of hundreds, thousands and even millions of people on superstition, speculation and myth should be strongly discouraged.

I don't care what they believe in their personal lives. I don't care if they believe the Earth is flat, but when all the scientific evidence points to the fact that the Earth is NOT, in fact flat.. they should make decisions based on science, not their personal held beliefs. Of course I am not really speaking of Flat Earthers, rather those who subscribe to the pseudo-science dubbed "Intelligent Design".

It is terrifying to realize just how many of those who have been chosen to represent us, still do not believe in The Theory of Evolution. Evolution, which has been proven time and again through science; yet there are those who raise their hands to affirm their disbelief, when asked, "How many of you do not believe in evolution?"

It shows just how dangerous religion really is, and how much more so it has become. When it subverts science by passing off misinformation as fact, it threatens to destroy humanity as a whole.

We can no longer sit idly by and allow religious dogma to overrule rational thought and reason. Religionists must understand that if they choose to live by rules that have been prescribed to them from some antiquated book, they are free to do so, but they are not free to force others to subscribe to those same silly maxims, because it makes THEM feel better.

32. Should Science Speak to Faith? A dialog between Lawrence Krauss and Richard Dawkins

Comment #47232 by HeathenAngel on June 3, 2007 at 4:34 pm

MindRebel--"Science will destroy religion within the next 15 years."

From your lips to... well.. god's ears. ;)

33. Diary of a Deserter

Comment #46283 by HeathenAngel on May 30, 2007 at 7:01 pm

"Brian needs some support. He has no comments - yet. His account is locked so that only Google accounts can add comments. Someone with a Google account needs to tell him to change his settings and allow, at least, non-Google accounts. I'm not going to sign up for Google to do it, but he needs to know that his online blog is his connection to real support.

Someone might also want to point him to this thread."

I jumped the gun.. I let him know that he should change his settings, but didn't read far enough ahead to point him to the thread.. sorry.. I get a little excited sometimes.

34. Jerry Falwell Deconverted on Deathbed!

Comment #44923 by HeathenAngel on May 25, 2007 at 3:27 pm

What a great read. And I love both lines.. the "deconversion" and the "heartless-heart attack". I'll be giggling for a while over both of those.

35. Transcending Jerry Falwell

Comment #44919 by HeathenAngel on May 25, 2007 at 3:14 pm

"Whatever one's view of Falwell's literal, hellfire brand of religion, he was not an accidental preacher. That is, he didn't come from nothing, but emerged to fill an apparent need at a time when many Americans perceived that their faith-based world of decency was being eroded by a leftist vision of godless relativity."

What the writer fails to mention.. and I believe purposely, is that it was charlatans like Falwell that began the scare tactics and fear mongering that the LIBRULS were out to get the christers. Then, it became a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Past atheists have been very UNmilitant and UNprovacative. The attack on non-believers, agnostics, atheists and critical thinkers, by the religious-right-wing-nut-jobs has created the more militant atheist.. and they want to wonder "Why" we are finally fighting back.