1. Chimps beat humans in memory test

Comment #93822 by pete on December 4, 2007 at 9:08 am

All there is to know about evolution has already been covered in Garth Marenghi's Darkplace.

Google Video

2. URGENT APPEAL: Please Help Protect Ayaan Hirsi Ali

Comment #88966 by pete on November 19, 2007 at 9:50 am

Matt7895 wrote:
... apparently if she only returned to the Netherlands she would receive full protection from the government there.

My understanding is that one of the reasons she moved to the U.S. is that she is safer here. It's a larger country, and threats on her life are not often found attached the corpses of murdered filmmakers.

If you don't think that she is performing a service for all humans, then don't donate. If you live outside the U.S. and don't feel that this is your cause, then so be it. But if you are an American, at least consider what it will say about our country if this remarkable woman is silenced.

3. URGENT APPEAL: Please Help Protect Ayaan Hirsi Ali

Comment #88719 by pete on November 18, 2007 at 4:53 pm

I consider it an honor to have Ms. Ali in my country, and I gladly donated.

As much as I would like her security to be provided by the U.S. government (one of the very few nonexistent-god damned things that the government SHOULD be doing), I would a thousand times more like to see the people of the U.S. rally behind her.

4. Logical Path from Religious Beliefs to Evil Deeds

Comment #75272 by pete on October 2, 2007 at 8:05 am

I'm a little uncomfortable with the claim that there is no logical path from atheism to evil deeds. It seems true enough, but only if we also accept that there is no logical path from atheism to good deeds.

Perhaps I'm interpreting "logical path" incorrectly, and maybe I get overly anxious when claims of non-existence are made. I can see how Atheism predisposes people to think more about their fellow humans, and makes plenty of arguments stronger in that direction. However, I can still imagine that there might be logically sound arguments for being a complete jerk.

5. 1996 Richard Dimbleby Lecture

Comment #73125 by pete on September 24, 2007 at 7:35 am

Delightful.
In the second part, there's a nice shot of Douglas Adams sitting in the audience (about 3:13 from the end). Yay!

6. Good News: Both our Foundations are now Officially Recognized as Charities

Comment #70260 by pete on September 14, 2007 at 3:43 pm

Yay!

7. Teresa, Bright and Dark

Comment #66294 by pete on August 29, 2007 at 3:52 pm

dazzjazz wrote: "Did I read this correctly - is Hitch anti-abortion?"

It's hard to tell conclusively from this article. Still, I would be inclined to think that Hitch is libertarian enough to think that, as horrible as abortion is, government involvement in womens' reproductive affairs is far worse.

Either way, I'd love to hear more of his thoughts on abortion.

8. The Present Threat of the Religious Right to Our Modern Freedoms

Comment #52145 by pete on June 26, 2007 at 10:22 am

Wow, what a great speech.

I loved his response to Professor Dawkin's question. We've got a long way to go here in America, but it really is the best system around.

Let's make it the best it can be.

9. The end of one law for all?

Comment #10696 by Pete on November 29, 2006 at 1:16 am

The Court of the Flying Spaghetti Monster should be cool.

10. Creating the 'Controversy' in Britain: Creationist Research Institute is on the march in the UK

Comment #8677 by Pete on November 22, 2006 at 12:50 am

Well, HE may not have observed speciation, but people who actually work in the sciences have.

Another case of someone lying to children in the name of Jesus. Nice

11. Science vs religion

Comment #6577 by Pete on November 15, 2006 at 1:29 am

Am I the only one getting fed up with journalists/commentators comparing any scientific debate about these issues with religious gatherings? Or comparing atheist scientists with evangelical preachers?

It's not original, it's not clever, It's just lazy journalism and It's getting boring now.

Grow up, please.

12. Lynchburg, VA Photos : Batch 2

Comment #6428 by Pete on November 14, 2006 at 7:26 am

Is that the 4000 year old dino in the "Falwell Museum? Probably just Falwell's turd encased for all the students to admire.

13. Portland, OR Event

Comment #6360 by pete on November 13, 2006 at 10:00 pm

I missed it! Nooooooo!

14. The rise of the 'New Atheists'

Comment #6162 by Pete on November 12, 2006 at 11:59 pm

Charlene,

My apologies for the rude responses some of my fellow atheists have put forth on this forum to your comments. Read what Hal9000 has to say, he seems the most reasonable and fair. To my fellow atheists: if we lambaste every religious person who seeks to open dialogue with us, no matter how ignorant or pointed their remarks are, we're already starting out behind in our quest to enlighten them.

15. Lawrence, Kansas : Speech

Comment #2852 by Pete on October 24, 2006 at 4:36 am

Nice to see this one on video after recently hearing it on audio, a really stirring speech.

Unfortunately it's on Real Player, which is always a royal pain in the butt. I paused half way through and now it won't load.

16. Stephen Colbert Interviews Richard Dawkins

Comment #2044 by Pete on October 18, 2006 at 10:26 am

If any of you have any doubt about Colbert's take on the religious right, check out this youtube video (it's awesome!!!) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhhnifXUFHM
If the link doesn't work, what you see is Colbert asking a Congressman who wants the 10 Commandments posted in the House of Representatives and the Senate to simply recite the 10 Commandments. Needless to say, the Congressman is unable to do so. IMHO, I think it is one of Colbert's most comically triumphant moments! His deceptively simple challenge was brilliant!
I'm an American and I'm an avid fan of Dr Dawkins. There are many more of us here than you'd think. We just have very little representation in US media. I agree that he handled the interview very well. I am very much looking forward to seeing Dr Dawkins when he visits Philadelphia in November!!!

17. Huw Edwards Interviews Richard Dawkins

Comment #1132 by Pete on October 10, 2006 at 2:14 am

Nice, I missed that when it was aired.

Whilst Richard is more than capable of defending his position I find the ferocity with which his position is attacked during interviews to be very amusing.

Imagine if interviewers were equally as hostile in their approach to religious representatives when they appear on TV. Priests and pastor are most often pandered and placated, whilst interviewing an atheist is always treated as a much more confrontational affair.

It's a double standard that has almost become the norm in the media.

18. Reply to a Christian

Comment #403 by Pete on September 28, 2006 at 5:32 am

Sorry meant Mark was right not Nick in my previous post :P

19. Reply to a Christian

Comment #402 by Pete on September 28, 2006 at 5:31 am

Nick is completely right, to try to argue indivdual statements from the argument in this way is to miss the point of the overall argument.

It's because I believe that Christianity is true, based on the available historical evidence, and that therefore, all other contradictory religions must be false.

Again agreeing with Nick here what exactly is this historical evidence you claim to have outside of the bible that stands up to any scrutiny.
I think in my honest opinion atheism would be a more popular stance in the world if christians actually took the time and effort to read the bible, its so full of contradictions and errors that anyone with a hint of sense would realise its just plain silly. Its also interesting that christians seem to pick and choose little pieces of it and convince us want a loving religion is when the bible itself doesnt even support these claims, the christian concept of Jesus is not supported by the bible, its nothing more than a romantasied ideal of what they would like there jesus to be like not the one that is depicted in the bible.