1. Sam Harris debate with Rabbi David Wolpe

Comment #107765 by willbonds on January 5, 2008 at 8:54 am

The absence of evidence is not the same as evidence of absence.

2. Scientists Feel Miscast in Film on Life's Origin

Comment #90316 by willbonds on November 24, 2007 at 9:15 am

Mr. Ruloff. Hmm. I was once told that PC was the state religion of Canada.

3. Only secular schools will overcome sectarianism

Comment #65756 by willbonds on August 26, 2007 at 10:26 am

It's important to remember that institutional education is not education at all, but merely "schooling" in order to produce compliant consumers.

4. Not So Fast, Christian Soldiers

Comment #65755 by willbonds on August 26, 2007 at 10:26 am

Although this is a bit off topic, I'm in favor of having society serve in the military from the top down, rather than the bottom up. This could have the effect of moderating the urge to go to war. Perhaps it might also mitigate the connection between fundie religion and militarism.

5. Mother Teresa's '40-year faith crisis'

Comment #65749 by willbonds on August 26, 2007 at 9:26 am

Clearly the popes don't think of themselves as "fact checkers" but rather "deciders."

6. Islamic Creationist and a Book Sent Round the World

Comment #56923 by willbonds on July 17, 2007 at 8:47 pm

From looking at his web site, Harun Yahya is a one-man propaganda machine, and someone to be carefully watched.

7. An Atheist Responds

Comment #56277 by willbonds on July 14, 2007 at 5:33 pm

Martha,

I think he's talking about morally diseased, "the stain of sin" and all.

8. The fundamentalist delusion

Comment #56276 by willbonds on July 14, 2007 at 5:31 pm

Robzrob,

You need to get out more and see how people are misbehaving!

9. The fundamentalist delusion

Comment #56244 by willbonds on July 14, 2007 at 3:29 pm

The theists argument proceeds with militant terminology; it's only fitting that the vocal theists apply that to us. Are we not their *enemy*?

10. The fundamentalist delusion

Comment #56236 by willbonds on July 14, 2007 at 3:06 pm

I find it interesting that Mr. Zwartz has seen his comments published here. It at least shows a willingness to have the argument on Dawkins' own turf.

As for the other comments thus far, I'm disappointed. I find them dogmatic, and while dogmatic positions are easy to take once one has done one's thinking on the matter, it's important for the sake of the whole argument that we do *not* speak dogmatically, lest we act in the same manner as the proponents of the faith we oppose. Sound the clear, reasoned voice as many times as necessary; once we turn to rash polemicism we are but a few steps away from intolerance and terror. Extremism polarizes.

I wish to disagree with the idea that science is the answer to everything. In my view, it's more important to say that reasoned inquiry of the provable and demonstrable are more important, and I don't see this and science as the same things. If the scientific method is useful in that process, then good, but that method is only a subset of the act of rational discourse based on sound reasoning and verifiable facts.

11. Scientific Savvy? In U.S., Not Much

Comment #54535 by willbonds on July 7, 2007 at 4:58 pm

_J_: Can't disagree with you that there is a lot of lemming-like behavior out there based on anything but science. My two bits on the environment: I see the science pointing both ways, yet the science is skewed by the man-behind-the-curtain, as you say. People get worked up about alternative fuels being the fix-all for the environment, but seem to forget that we have a problem as big as the environment -- we appear to be running out of cheap energy. Solve that one in a responsible way and you kill two birds with one stone.

12. Scientific Savvy? In U.S., Not Much

Comment #54504 by willbonds on July 7, 2007 at 2:20 pm

It's better to get back on topic.

It seems that the point is that our citizens need more basic knowledge of science in order to be an informed electorate, even to follow the news. I'm led to ask, "Is this possible?" I've encountered people who are statistically normal in their intelligence, and I'm sorry to say that normal comes off as relatively stupid. I don't wonder that our general population can't keep up.

13. Won't anyone stand up for God?

Comment #54477 by willbonds on July 7, 2007 at 11:48 am

It's regrettable that the author doesn't have the cojones to identify herself. She's pitiable for asking religous leaders to take up the banner, which says to me that she has no regard for the ability of the common religious individual to 'stand up for God.' I wonder if she has read the books she mentions, or is just passing along clips. On the issue of debate, if we're going to have it then by all means let's make it honest, but on paper rather than in a public forum. Get all the points and argument in one place for all to see, so the debate can't be manipulated on the spot by some impolite loud mouth. That's why I can't watch Fox News.