1. Former state science director sues over intelligent design e-mail

Comment #203399 by RamziD on July 2, 2008 at 8:04 pm

Good for her! Notice, she's not tainting the legitimacy of this case by asking for monumental sums of money or trying to take advantage of our court system. She's merely asking that federal law be obeyed and she be given her job back.

I'm still afraid for Texas, though. It was just recently that the creationist-controlled TEA (or maybe it was some other advisory board) hastily passed through a revision of the Texas english curriculum which only they backed. When it comes time to review the science curriculum, who knows what punches they'll pull?

2. Muslims outraged at police advert featuring cute puppy sitting in policeman's hat

Comment #203363 by RamziD on July 2, 2008 at 5:51 pm

Toad
What are Fanusi and Al's credentials that make them experts on islam? BTW, I'm not asking this as a challenge or trying to be insolent. I'm just genuinely curious as to where their thorough knowledge of islam comes from. Fanusi and Al: I know it's kind of awkward that I'm addressing this to Toad, but he was the one who brought it up. Of course, you can answer for yourselves if you like.

Linda
I have to say that I always found it funny that many of my muslim friends who would drink alcohol, go out to bars to pick up women, and otherwise lead a free, westernized life that in many ways went against the teachings of the koran would, oddly enough, still never put a piece of pork in their mouths nor would they eat/drink while the sun was up during ramadan. I just always assumed that since they were brought up religiously, celebrating ramadan and refusing to eat pork somehow allowed them to feel like they were still a little bit pious (which they view as a respectable quality to have), without requiring any substantial will power on their part. Not eating pork isn't a big deal for anyone (we could all stop today if we wanted).

3. It can be right to discriminate against the religious

Comment #202735 by RamziD on July 1, 2008 at 11:06 pm

I propose the opposite side of this coin:

Suppose a non-muslim woman applied for a job at an apparel store catering to muslim women. She was refused employment because she did not wear hijab and was told that because of that she would not appeal well to the customer base. Would the owner be just in refusing to hire this applicant?

(Please, refrain from rationalizing why a non-muslim woman would want to work at a muslim apparel shop... this is just a hypothetical)

Personally, I would argue yes. Just as the hair salon is justified in refusing to hire the muslim woman because she would not uphold the reputation of the salon, a similar argument can be made for not hiring the non-muslim woman above.

I could see how if the above hypothetical was actually true, many would argue that this was religious lunacy.

4. Saudi Marriage Officiant : 'It Is Allowed To Marry A Girl At The Age Of One'.

Comment #198943 by RamziD on June 24, 2008 at 8:15 pm

Layla Nasreddin

No need to apologize. That, there, was a well-put rant :)

5. Muslim countries win concession regarding religious debates

Comment #196409 by RamziD on June 19, 2008 at 10:20 pm

This makes me want to vomit.

At one time, the UN was a respectable organization.

6. Darwinists for Jesus

Comment #195949 by RamziD on June 19, 2008 at 5:33 am

Having your cake and eating it too.

To gladly accept natural evolution to explain why people are "sinful" yet to fudge about whether this process is guided by god. How can one say they believe both in a supernatural creator and natural selection, yet deny that they believe in intelligent design. Maybe he's a deist?

7. We Urgently Need Your Help Now!!

Comment #195618 by RamziD on June 18, 2008 at 3:56 pm

Done.

Hope there is enough objection to get him to reverse this legislation. I'm not holding my breath.

8. Divine Impulses: Ayaan Hirsi Ali

Comment #195043 by RamziD on June 17, 2008 at 3:32 pm

Al,

To be honest, I think my viewpoints are not all that different from yours or Fanusi's. My points of contention these last few days with you guys have been mainly on my reading your comments as being absolutist. I may have been reading too much into this. It's also possible that you're just fed up (and rightly so) with the things coming out of the Middle East these days (well, years actually) and that comes out more in your posts. I do, however, enjoy reading your posts as they are always well thought out and full of information.

9. Divine Impulses: Ayaan Hirsi Ali

Comment #195028 by RamziD on June 17, 2008 at 3:01 pm

Al,

I don't have any way to know what your ethnicity is. As far as my views, I know you're waiting for me to spout off about something like oppression from the west, exploitation, the US is to blame, blah blah blah. Well, I'm not going to do that because I don't believe in those excuses. I put much more blame on the Arab people themselves than most of us are comfortable with. When you have thousands of years of cultural history to sort through, it's hard to pinpoint exactly what the problem is. Now, you may be right about the history of Arab tribal ethos, but you are also pretty absolutist by saying that Arab muslims can't be enlightened. I've seen many enlightened Arabs (whether they be muslims, christians, or something else). When you are born and raised in an Arab country which is more than likely ruled under some sort of dictatorship, then it's hard to know anything about western culture. But, there are transplanted Arabs who become fully assimilated into western culture and speak out against the mentality that is seen in the Middle East. The point is, it's not as absolutist as you say. Arabs and Arab muslims can become modernized and assimilate into western culture.

Edit: Al, by the way, both my parents are Lebanese and have lived in the US longer than they lived in Lebanon. I was born and raised in the US as well.

10. Divine Impulses: Ayaan Hirsi Ali

Comment #195003 by RamziD on June 17, 2008 at 2:17 pm

Al-Rawandi,

I was wondering if you could clarify your position please. Are Arab muslims not capable of being enlightened because they are Arabs? What, inherent in them, makes them unable to achieve modernization? Are all Arabs austere assholes in your eyes? You seem to hint that the problem doesn't necessarily lie with muslims, but with their Arab influence. I am just wondering if I would be considered one of those austere assholes even though I'm atheist, or if people like me are just exceptions to your rule?

11. Divine Impulses: Ayaan Hirsi Ali

Comment #194465 by RamziD on June 16, 2008 at 9:17 pm

I respect that he has managed to fight his way out of the mental prison of Islam and Jihad. What's difficult to understand about that?

I will just point out that Walid Shoebat actually grew up in the palestinian areas, and was a member of the PLO, so I find his words on the subject more believable than yours. Period.

12. Breaking the Silence

Comment #193529 by RamziD on June 15, 2008 at 7:26 pm

rod-the-farmer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2WLoasfOLpQ

You can also go on YouTube and watch more of her appearances. Just search for "Wafa Sultan"

shaunfletcher

Watch that link above and listen to what she says at around 3:30. You might find it surprising :)

BTW, this woman is truly amazing and an inspiration. We need to find ways to make sure her voice and voices like hers are heard around the world.

13. Scientists confirm that parts of earliest genetic material may have come from the stars

Comment #193025 by RamziD on June 14, 2008 at 1:03 pm

I guess now the creationists won't be wrong when they say evolutionists claim we evolved from a rock :)

14. Divine Impulses: Ayaan Hirsi Ali

Comment #192997 by RamziD on June 14, 2008 at 12:15 pm

Fanusi,

Ok, but isn't there something to be said about credibility? I mean, calling out another religion for all the harms its done yet espousing radical views of another religion is prime hypocrisy. There are definitely ulterior motives to his speaking out against islam. You still have to think about how someone comes to their conclusions. Listening to one of those videos on YouTube, he actually claims that there has never been a rape of a Palestinian woman by an Israeli soldier. How delusional does one have to be to claim that after 40 years of military occupation that certain injustice has never been committed? Shoebat is neither intelligent nor rational.

15. Divine Impulses: Ayaan Hirsi Ali

Comment #192770 by RamziD on June 14, 2008 at 12:51 am

Fanusi,

All religions should be exposed for the cruel, inhumane acts and thoughts they perpetuate. However, it's kind of hard to stomach criticism of one religion when it's coming from behind the pulpit of another, as in the case of Walid Shoebat. When you grant interviews to people like Pat Robertson and John Hagee, and hypocritically denounce nationalism in the name of one religion while supporting it in the name of another (i.e he's a supporter of jewish nationalism, while all nationalism in the name of religion should be denounced), then you lose a lot of credibility.

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

http://youtube.com/watch?v=d1VzUy-Ou8Y

http://youtube.com/watch?v=7Fvot4Xoyno

http://youtube.com/watch?v=-e2BD5LDmDE

16. Couple charged in Norway over genital mutilation of daughters

Comment #190654 by RamziD on June 9, 2008 at 10:33 am

I have been guilty of a few things on this thread, one of them being badly choosing some words to describe my feelings (common and overused terms that are used by religious apologists or those PC people who wish not to offend anyone... neither of which I am).

My main disagreement with some is the extent to which your criticisms reach. Let me be clear, I do not wish upon anyone, anywhere to have to live under barbaric sharia law. I do not wish to see it brought to Europe, the United States, or any western country. When muslims immigrate to a western country, they need to follow that country's laws or be accordingly punished. I disagree with those who wish to ban all muslim immigration to western countries because you are punishing a whole group of people, many of whom are innocently just looking for a better life elsewhere. This is what sparked my original post. And, Lucas, my original post was not just in response to the 2 before mine in this thread which I quoted, but to others I have seen on this site over time.

Fanusi, you say you do not blanketly attack all muslims, but in the very next paragraph you say that all muslim immigration should be banned. Do you really think that all muslims should be banned, or just those who practice sharia law like you alluded to at the end of your sentence?

I regret the overreaction in my original post, which was an emotional quip about some who would probably support internment camps, nuclear bombing, etc. Although, it has been proven that at least one person on this site wouldn't object to seeing internment camps brought about again.

17. Couple charged in Norway over genital mutilation of daughters

Comment #190331 by RamziD on June 8, 2008 at 10:12 pm

If by "mandatory assimilation" you mean that they should obey the laws of the country they are in and should be punished if they don't... then I'm with you. I can also sympathize with the notion that immigration should be regulated.

Calling me PC is laughable. I imply racism at every turn? You probably have only read this one post from me. Please show me my trend of implying racism "at every turn". I warned against massive generalizations that lead to people doing stupid things like, well, saying it's ok to put people in internment camps because they belong to a certain group.

18. Couple charged in Norway over genital mutilation of daughters

Comment #190287 by RamziD on June 8, 2008 at 5:55 pm

xen-o-pho-bi-a

an unreasonable fear or hatred of foreigners or strangers or of that which is foreign or strange.


Maybe you'd like to clarify your point, Ned

19. Couple charged in Norway over genital mutilation of daughters

Comment #190237 by RamziD on June 8, 2008 at 3:25 pm

Again, if it makes you feel better to criticize my incorrect use of a term, please do. I do not want to get in the way of your self-aggrandizement.

The point was, some of you like to make blanket statements about a whole group of people, which is rather unfair. Like I said before, I do not stick up for any religion or the archaic beliefs they nourish, but I try not to turn my hatred towards everyone who practices the religion. You correctly attack the oppression of women, cruelty, hypocrisy that we see in religion. I agree with you on that.

But listen to what some of you are implying. From your comments, I basically heard that the solution would be to ban muslim immigration into western societies. This is because islam can never be compatible with the west. Sorry, but I do not agree with you on this.

Can islam ever be compatible with the west? Reading the old testament, you would never think judaism would be compatible with the west. Like in our never-ending quest to understand the universe, just because we can't think of the solution to the problem, it doesn't mean we will never be able to.

Do I think that islam will be on par with christianity or judaism in the relatively diluted way they are practiced today? I never implied that it would be soon or in our lifetime. I was very careful not to imply that. Like all of you, I would like to see religion totally eradicated from this planet. It's not going to happen in one step, though. We need to get used to this reality.

To get back to my original criticism, I do see some xenophobic undertones in the statments some people make on this site. It makes me think what else is behind it. That is all.

20. Couple charged in Norway over genital mutilation of daughters

Comment #190087 by RamziD on June 8, 2008 at 11:01 am

Okay, thanks for the nit-picking of my comments, Dinah. Racist is not the correct term. I don't think it would prevent anyone from seeing my point, though.

21. Couple charged in Norway over genital mutilation of daughters

Comment #190081 by RamziD on June 8, 2008 at 10:48 am

I do not defend any religion. Any.

However, I really think some of the people on this site use their atheist stance to hide what is truly racist beliefs, especially against islam. For instance, when people say things like "Islam is not compatible with a modern liberal Western democracy" or "Proof, if proof were ever neaded that Muslim intigration is a fool's hope." I don't see any problem attacking the religion or the religious practices, but that's different than making blanket statements about a whole group of people.

Islam can be compatible with western society. Currently, the way it is being practiced by a majority of the people in the world, it isn't. But if and when people choose to ignore the literal scripture (a BIG if and when, i'm aware), like the way people do with the old and new testament, then islam will be able to become westernized like christianity and judaism have.

I honestly believe that if we were to round up muslims into internment camps like were done to the japanese or launch nuclear bombs on the middle east, there would be quite a few people on this site who would not see any problem with that.

22. Reality wins in Texas!

Comment #189899 by RamziD on June 7, 2008 at 1:39 pm

Border Collie,

I'm from the relatively sane area of Central Texas (Austin), but am currently in Phoenix. I never had to deal with too many religious whackos in Austin, but I know there are plenty in the DFW and Houston areas.

23. Opponents of Evolution Adopting a New Strategy

Comment #188807 by RamziD on June 4, 2008 at 3:35 pm

I'm from Texas and I think I got a very good scientific education from the public schools there all the way from high school through medical school. I'm doing my residency in Arizona, but to be honest, if something like this academic freedom bill passes in Texas, I will not move back. There is no way I would want to raise a family in a state that tries to teach religious theory in it's science classrooms (and I'm a very big supporter of public education, so I wouldn't want to send my children to private school). This is really quite a shame, the direction our state (country) is heading in. It almost makes me want to set up a practice in Europe when I'm done with residency.

24. Put a Little Science in Your Life

Comment #187268 by RamziD on June 1, 2008 at 5:47 pm

I don't know if that soldier was reading "The Elegant Universe" or "Fabric of the Cosmos", but I know I was also inspired by Brian Greene's writings. He writes about physics and cosmology in such a beautiful way, it's hard not to be emotionally affected by it. Also, he makes it just simple enough that you don't have to be a scientist to understand his reviews on relativity, quantum theory, string theory, etc. Yet, not so dumbed-down that the meaning and importance of those concepts are diluted out.

25. Probe lands on Mars, NASA says

Comment #184579 by RamziD on May 25, 2008 at 7:07 pm

Watching the feed from NASA TV and seeing the first images from the surface. Pretty amazing stuff. I can only imagine how excited the scientists who contributed to this project are.

26. A Tribute to Douglas Adams: Towel Day May 25th

Comment #184489 by RamziD on May 25, 2008 at 1:23 pm

Ok, I'm hooked. All this talk about Froods, 42, Base 13, Vorgons, etc... I'm going now to buy a copy of Adams' HHGTTG (learned that from Wiki :))

BTW, thanks for the links ADParker and Logicel.

27. A Tribute to Douglas Adams: Towel Day May 25th

Comment #184391 by RamziD on May 25, 2008 at 12:50 am

That chastisement was worse than the idea of an eternal hell. Yet, you still gave me the answer, proving your benevolence. Gracias.

28. A Tribute to Douglas Adams: Towel Day May 25th

Comment #184384 by RamziD on May 25, 2008 at 12:13 am

Can someone please explain the significance of the number "42". I haven't read the book, and I'm too lazy to search the answer on the internet. Thanks in advance.

29. The Faith of Flanders

Comment #184296 by RamziD on May 24, 2008 at 11:37 am

Why can't some people just take the stick out their ass and develop a sense of humor (talking about Pinsky here). Is there really a need for this tedious analysis?

30. Richard Dawkins lecture at ASU's Tempe Campus

Comment #183811 by RamziD on May 22, 2008 at 10:04 pm

Layla,

That's a remarkable story. I'm glad you have found your place finally. I'm sure it must have taken a lot of courage. How long were you wearing hijab for? Were you brought up practicing islam?

My family are druze (which is a "break-away" sect of islam). They were not particularly religious, so I was never brought up in that way. When I tell them I'm an atheist, they pretty much just shrug it off. I don't think they care... either that or they don't believe me :)

31. Richard Dawkins lecture at ASU's Tempe Campus

Comment #183714 by RamziD on May 22, 2008 at 3:18 pm

Layla Nasreddin

Are you from the Phoenix/Tempe area? I was unable to make it to Dawkins' lecture at ASU, but I heard it was very well received.

32. In God's Name

Comment #183280 by RamziD on May 21, 2008 at 6:19 pm

What's the difference between this type of religious fundamentalism and psychosis? I truly cannot think of one. Any insight into this matter would be appreciated.

33. God and Science Collide in Nation's Capital

Comment #182392 by RamziD on May 19, 2008 at 11:37 pm

From what I know about physics, it's not impossible to imagine a world in which God acts but we never can prove it."

34. Indian village proud after double 'honor killing'

Comment #181164 by RamziD on May 16, 2008 at 1:52 pm

Another shocking tale of outdated patriarchal morality. As I read this I started to think "well there's been no mention of islam, and it's India so they're probably some sort of hindus, so clearly you do get this kind of vile crime against humanity without explicit religious sanction for it". Unless there's a kind of hinduism which prescribes such things. There probably is - there's a kind of hinduism that prescribes pretty much anything you like, and if there isn't you can just make up your own and nobody will bat an eyelid.

35. Indian village proud after double 'honor killing'

Comment #181139 by RamziD on May 16, 2008 at 1:17 pm

Another disgusting act. This is becoming too common.


Just curious, but I wonder why the journalists did not mention which religion these people belong to? They have no problem identifying the religion when it is Islam, and just looking at the names and the discussion about the caste system, it doesn't seem like this is a muslim village. Seems a little like a double standard to me.

36. I Am Evolution

Comment #178523 by RamziD on May 11, 2008 at 2:37 pm

I think this article is a creative way of making a point. I find nothing wrong with saying "I believe" something that is true. Like the poster above who quoted the Merriam-Webster dictionary, the author was merely pointing out the difference between definition 1a and 1b to better assert her acceptance of evolution and what it means to her. It's something that we often take for granted, but the distinction is legitimate.

37. 'My daughter deserved to die for falling in love'

Comment #178514 by RamziD on May 11, 2008 at 2:18 pm

mordacious1

I never thought of it that way. I don't think anyone will be confusing me with a creationist anytime soon, though :)


phil rimmer

Who would that be, though? god? Doesn't do any good to try someone who doesn't exist.

38. Evolution: What is 'Natural'?

Comment #178509 by RamziD on May 11, 2008 at 2:13 pm

The fact that we evolved into thoughtful human beings with foresight is obvious, but it does beg the interesting question on how and when it happened. I'm sure there has been research done on this, but I am ignorant of it and it's hypotheses to date.

39. 'My daughter deserved to die for falling in love'

Comment #178489 by RamziD on May 11, 2008 at 1:45 pm

Please allow me to be irrational for a moment...


I'm not a violent person, but given the opportunity I would gladly take the life of this miserable piece of human existence if I had the chance to.

Or to be a little more clear: I hope someone shoves a M-16 up this mother fucker's ass and holds down the trigger...

40. Dumb and Dumber: A discussion between Ben Stein and Glenn Beck

Comment #175628 by RamziD on May 5, 2008 at 6:24 pm

Like many posters, I couldn't take watching more than a few minutes of this. We've already heard it all. There's nothing new or interesting that they can bring up to debate. Science changes our world view all the time. They're quite content keeping the same world view of their ancestors 3,000 years ago.

So, what was my favorite part of this great meeting of the minds?

When Stein lies about how RD explains his theory of how life began as a way of appeasing Stein (and implies that this is RD's personal viewpoint).

To this, Beck exasperatingly asks: "Space aliens?! But, who created the space aliens?!"

LOL. Sound a little familiar, there, Beck? Wait for it... wait for it... who created the aliens... who... created... god?

Oh no! Glenn Beck's whole world has just been shattered... and all it took was for him to think for 2 seconds!

41. Truly Bizarre : Indians Throw Babies 50ft From Roof To Thank God.

Comment #175084 by RamziD on May 4, 2008 at 11:12 am

How fitting that I would disagree with some comments from Jesus Christ :)

The claim that this ritual actually helps the health of the infant is one that could and I think should be scientifically investigated. Couldn't it be proven beyond a reasonable doubt that there's no point in throwing the baby out (with or without the bath water)?

Surely this seems bizarre by our standards, but if it is true that there has been no evidence of physical harm, then how can we condemn them from the outside?

Aside from the inherent risk involved, I think the question of consent is a compelling consideration.

42. Muslim Rebel Sisters: At Odds With Islam and Each Other

Comment #174556 by RamziD on May 2, 2008 at 4:31 pm

Vinelectric,

I am an Arab-American, and I have been friends with many women who "choose" to wear the veil. While it may hold true for some or many women of the muslim religion who reside in Western countries that they choose to wear the veil, it is not so true for those that are from non-western countries. There is immense social pressure for a woman to cover-up, otherwise she is considered not a "true muslim" at best or a whore at worst. There is a feeling of guilt and shame that they are instilled with if they don't obey this norm. Much like the same way catholics are brought up with an innate sense of guilt/sin and that they can never be "worthy".

43. Muslim Rebel Sisters: At Odds With Islam and Each Other

Comment #174531 by RamziD on May 2, 2008 at 3:27 pm

Manji doesn't think any nominal Islamic country practices "true Islam". In her view their Islam is a mutation perverted by Arab tribal cultures. she meant she would have rebelled had she been brought up in the Muslim world because she loathes Islam as it is practiced in these places

44. Gods and earthlings

Comment #163398 by RamziD on April 18, 2008 at 9:47 am

Good article!

Glad to see RD given some space in an American newspaper.

45. Evolution fray attracts top scientist

Comment #162776 by RamziD on April 17, 2008 at 12:45 pm

Al-Rawandi,

Correction noted. I agree, it is a scary thought.

Not that any graduate from one of those universities should be automatically disqualified from having a government job, but 150 of them?! Talk about disproportionate. I can't believe that 150 graduates of regent or liberty university are more qualified than those from Yale, Harvard, Stanford, etc. This shows an obvious inclination for the Bush administration to pick members that are biased towards their "christian view" of the world.

46. Evolution fray attracts top scientist

Comment #162763 by RamziD on April 17, 2008 at 12:23 pm

Whitepearl, there's no point trying to get noticed for a job in the Bush administration now -- they are one their way out. ;-)

47. Richard Dawkins' secular army must be stopped. God is behind some of our greatest art

Comment #160301 by RamziD on April 13, 2008 at 11:05 pm

I don't think RD has ever denied the effect religion has had on the arts. The journalist in this article seems to be implying that RD would prefer to do away with biblical writings altogether. I think he has made it clear, though, on many occasions that the bible should be appreciated in a literary sense, if nothing else. He has also stated that all religions should be taught about in schools. Again, the author seems to be implying that the goal is to exterminate all signs of religion, and that is not true.

48. The Atheist Next Door

Comment #157924 by RamziD on April 9, 2008 at 6:48 pm

I wish I hadn't just seen that clip, Zeke. How infuriating. What on Earth could that woman have won a Pulitzer Prize for? She has about as much eloquence as a Southern Baptist minister.

49. The books that inspire me

Comment #157587 by RamziD on April 9, 2008 at 9:59 am

I'll attest, like others, that "The Demon-Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark" by Carl Sagan is a must read.

Also, can't help but chuckle that at the beginning, Lala Ward was presented as "Mrs. Dawkins, Lala Ward". I wonder if the host was aware of his error and if Lala was insulted :)

50. The Atheist Next Door

Comment #157583 by RamziD on April 9, 2008 at 9:44 am

For those of you who do not live in the US, you might not appreciate that this news report was at least a step in the right direction towards presenting atheists in a positive light. In a country where atheists are widely despised because we are distrusted, the first step is to show religious people that "Yes, the atheists do live next door and they are normal just like you" (if you will grant the viewpoint that religious people are normal... sorry, couldn't resist). While it may seem obvious to us to the point that we are insulted when someone else comes to this "grand conclusion", we must realize that this is the harsh reality in the US and it will take some time and effort before the zeitgeist is changed.