1. All aboard the atheist bus campaign

Comment #268601 by robaylesbury on October 22, 2008 at 3:11 am

What a tremendous campaign, and the the response by way of giving is a reflection of a culture disenfranchised by religious "truth claims"

Looks like us cats can be herded from time to time.

2. Turkish edition of The Ancestor's Tale sells out within a day!

Comment #250580 by robaylesbury on September 20, 2008 at 12:21 am

The beauty of an Ancestors Tale is in its ability to instill a sense of wonder. The sheer majesty, complexity, and epic grandeur of life as it goes about its business.

3. We need to stop being such cowards about Islam

Comment #229893 by robaylesbury on August 14, 2008 at 5:00 am

Ok, I could quite get into this ranting business. Post 2, responding to a male by the name of Ivan performing the obligatory theology dump, cherry picking some of Jesus's kinder teaching.

"Ivan. If Jesus insists on loving his enemies then why does he preach hellfire with such Gusto.

Infinite suffering for finite sin
Infinite suffering for finite sin

I repeat the statement as I want poeple to really think this through.

Is it Moral? I do not believe that it is. And for all of Christs profound and beautiful teachings we are still left with Hell, surely the ugliest and most immoral doctrine of all."

I know why I'm in a bad mood. Have just received another letter from my Christian Father In Law. Lovely man, but soooooooo infuriating.

4. We need to stop being such cowards about Islam

Comment #229877 by robaylesbury on August 14, 2008 at 4:34 am

I think I nearly lost my temper. My post on the Independent shown below.

"A wonderful article. Religion should be subject to rational critique, and I speak as an ex-christian. Just as Christianity is being exposed as the contradictory death cult that it is, so should Islam be exposed as a bronze aged myth.

I realised about 2 years ago that in order to learn about the world I had to step back from what I wanted to believe and instead ask myself where the evidence pointed. It took only a little scratching beneath the surface to reveal Christianity to be false.

There's nothing particularly moral about Jesus and his filthy doctrine of infinite punishment for finite transgression. Nothing moral about many of Paul's teachings, abrim as they are with self loathing and repressed hatred for those not in the "In Group"

Whilst I am deeply fond of many of my religious friends, some of their beliefs repel and disgust me.

Lets declare open season on Islam and its false nonsense."

Is that a rant? Can't quite decide.

5. On TV: The Genius of Charles Darwin: Presented by Richard Dawkins

Comment #228592 by robaylesbury on August 12, 2008 at 8:40 am

Comment #228588 by Bonzai

Exactly as I see it. We don't need to insist that Jesus did not exist. Lets assume that he did; it still leaves the theist with all his/her work before them to prove the miracles and resurrection claims etc.

6. On TV: The Genius of Charles Darwin: Presented by Richard Dawkins

Comment #228579 by robaylesbury on August 12, 2008 at 8:15 am

321. Comment #228574 by irate_atheist

I think most believers enjoy the church community and the social structure. It is lovely to have so many friends with whom one has so much in common.
Leaving that was the hardest aspect for me, and I suspect poses a stumbling block for many.

Childhood indoctrination is another factor. Some folk are just unable to view the world without doing so through a Christian lens.

7. On TV: The Genius of Charles Darwin: Presented by Richard Dawkins

Comment #228568 by robaylesbury on August 12, 2008 at 7:57 am

Re Comment #228561. There does seem to be some non biblical references to a figure who may or may not have gone by the name of Jesus. Josephus is a popular reference, although there are two versions of this, one of which is widely believed to have been sexed up. There are also some texts attributed to Tacitus, but these are a bit ambiguous. There is other stuff too, but it mostly refers to early Christian tradition rather than directly to Jesus. In short, it ain't a whole lot to shout about, but boy do the faithful shout anyway.

8. On TV: The Genius of Charles Darwin: Presented by Richard Dawkins

Comment #228562 by robaylesbury on August 12, 2008 at 7:52 am

Dunno about you guys, but I have this inner battle whereby I genuinely like some Christians as poeple, yet also spend extended periods angry with the same folk for not being able to step beyond their biases. Am I alone in this?

9. On TV: The Genius of Charles Darwin: Presented by Richard Dawkins

Comment #228548 by robaylesbury on August 12, 2008 at 7:38 am

I thought last nights episode was truly stunning. I'll be buying the DVD and will encourage my Christians friends to view it. Thing is, I fear now that the vast majority of them have absolutely no interest in the truth. It seems to me that many are simply unable to even consider the possibility that God may not exist. Don't go there, blank it out, ignore the nagging voices.
I went along with my wife on Sunday to my former church and heard a fresh faced young preacher spout Pauline drivel about how we cannot do things in our own strength. The sheep seemed to love it but It got under my skin big time. From last nights episode it was so clear just how hard our species has had to fight to get to where it is. For all our faults we're still remarkable, and to hear others demean the human condition left me baffled and angry and sad.
I just want the world to wake up.

10. Call to teach biblical creation as science

Comment #225586 by robaylesbury on August 7, 2008 at 3:35 am

Lets send him a copy of Michel Onfrays "In Defence Of Atheism"

Just finished it. Its majestic.

11. Call to teach biblical creation as science

Comment #225578 by robaylesbury on August 7, 2008 at 3:18 am

I couldn't help it. I've had to send the Church the e-mail shown below.

Good morning. I trust you are well.

I have just been reading an article whereby the above individual has expressed a view that
Biblical creationism be taught in the classroom. Whilst I support the right for an individual to hold such opinions I feel I must also express my concern.

As most informed individuals know, Evolution By Natural Selection, or to use a more apt term, The Unified Theory Of Field Biology, is self evidently the best explanation we have for our origins. For many years now Creationists have had ample opportunity to present evidence for scientific peer review, and thus far no reasonable evidence has been found to support the notion of a young Earth. It sounds rather as if Mr Storey has been spending excessive time on the Answers In Genesis website.

My humble suggestion would be for him to step back from religious cognitive bias for a time and explore the vast body of literature supporting Evolution. It is a breathtakingly wonderful way of looking at the world and our place in it. To know that we are related to every living organism on this planet is such a humbling, moving notion. It far surpasses the unproven claims of the Holy books and enables us to see the world through a lens of intellectual honesty.

I wish you and your congregation all the very best. It is not my intent to offend, and I myself
understand the power of religious wish thinking as I was an Evangelical Christian from the age of 24 to 37.

Kindest regards

Rob Barnes

12. Losing Sight of Progress

Comment #215814 by robaylesbury on July 22, 2008 at 12:05 pm

I do like Hitchens style. He was a huge part in my deconversion.

Climbing Mount Improbable is hugely compelling. Finished reading it and then started from the beginning again to make sure I understood the arguments.

As for the The Ancestors Tale, its just majestic.

13. Antony Flew reviews the Index of The God Delusion

Comment #215806 by robaylesbury on July 22, 2008 at 11:58 am

When I was a Christian I was always taught that inside every person there was a God shaped hole.

I wonder? Is it likely that inside every theist there is a reason shaped one?

14. The brain in love

Comment #214882 by robaylesbury on July 21, 2008 at 2:08 am

One of my favorite quotations is "Love is wanting someone else's highest good"

That speaks to me much more than the mushy nonsense. It implies a choice, an act of the will.

15. The Return of Religion

Comment #213082 by robaylesbury on July 18, 2008 at 6:07 am

"Yet human beings have an innate need to conceptualise their world in terms of the transcendental, and to live out the distinction between the sacred and the profane."

No I don't, Mr Scruton. Do not presume to tell me what I need. I left Christianity because it answered precisely NONE of life's big questions.

Changing subject, doesn't Scruton sound a bit like Scrotum?

16. PLEASE WRITE IN SUPPORT OF PZ MYERS

Comment #208971 by robaylesbury on July 11, 2008 at 1:04 pm

My e-mail as follows -

Good afternoon Sir. Thank you for taking the time to read this.

Further to the campaign orchestrated by Phil Donohue I would like to express my support for PZ Myers. His honesty, lucidity, and willingness to speak plainly makes him a national treasure in a land famous for its magnificent constitution.

Please don't by swayed by the religious extremists. I'm from the UK, a country where religion is respected but no longer afforded an exclusive pedestal. The USA needs more like PZ to counter the unreason that often appears to sweep across your land.

Thank you for your time.

Kindest regards

Rob Barnes (United KIngdom)

17. Oystein Elgaroy - the Christian defender who became an Atheist

Comment #195842 by robaylesbury on June 18, 2008 at 10:34 pm

I actually got food poisoning after one alpha evening. Had to drive myself to A&E with intense stomach cramps and then had the pleasure of having a needle the size of a telegraph pole plunged into my belly.
On another evening my vehicle got trapped in snow meaning that I couldn't attend.
Did the penny drop?
Nope. Not for another 12 years.

18. Oystein Elgaroy - the Christian defender who became an Atheist

Comment #195819 by robaylesbury on June 18, 2008 at 9:46 pm

House group = small bible study at home consisting of other church members
Alpha Course = an introduction to Christianity which runs over a 10 week period. Informal, non threatening. A meal followed by different talk
each week.

The one area in which Church scores highly is in its community life. I don't miss the intellectual gymnastics, but I do miss many of the people. My Christian friends were amongst the kindest people I've ever had the privilage of spending time with. I'd be a liar to say otherwise.

19. Oystein Elgaroy - the Christian defender who became an Atheist

Comment #195783 by robaylesbury on June 18, 2008 at 7:34 pm

Just in case I'm asked what kind of Christian I used to be; Baptised and Bible believing. House group leader, Alpha course helper, Church drama team leader. I even self published a Christian novel back in 2003. It sold enough copies to feed two small hampsters for a couple of weeks on the assumption that they ate sensibly.

20. Oystein Elgaroy - the Christian defender who became an Atheist

Comment #195602 by robaylesbury on June 18, 2008 at 3:35 pm

Re comments 60.
Dear Clearthinker. I have read every single C.S Lewis apologetic, plenty of John Stott, William Barclay etc. I'm also familiar with the works of William Lane Craig.
Please don't make assumptions about the range of my reading. Thank you.

21. Oystein Elgaroy - the Christian defender who became an Atheist

Comment #195100 by robaylesbury on June 17, 2008 at 6:09 pm

Whilst I of course disagree with Tank its probably worth bearing in mind that he genuinely believes what he has said and he has done so with the best of intent. I sometime wonder that when we're too hostile we occupy the chalk man on the ground that Sam Harris refers to. We just sound like angry atheists.

22. Oystein Elgaroy - the Christian defender who became an Atheist

Comment #195095 by robaylesbury on June 17, 2008 at 5:54 pm

Tank, I respect your genuineness and once upon a time would have said exactly the same thing.

Trouble is, a little scratching beneath the surface reveals Christianity for what it is, a confused and contradictory bronze age myth. Human curiosity is the razor of death for faith of all kinds. None of them can withstand close scrutiny.

This leaves you with a choice and a challenge. Take the time to read and study all the arguments that challenge your notion of God. Step away from your cognitive bias and take an objective look at what you believe.

Investigate the history, read a little Sam Harris, a little Daniel Dennett. And most important of all look at the world around you. If you can reconcile the sheer face of human suffering with the existence of your diety, then good luck to you. I know I couldn't.

23. As the world becomes smaller, the need to understand each other's faith grows

Comment #192845 by robaylesbury on June 14, 2008 at 3:37 am

I don't think that faith is flourishing outiside of the third word, is it?. Even recent Stateside figures appear to suggest that the irreligious are on the increase.
As for why faith persists I think Christopher Hitchens probably nails it. Fear of death, fear of the dark etc

24. As the world becomes smaller, the need to understand each other's faith grows

Comment #192839 by robaylesbury on June 14, 2008 at 3:12 am

Doesn't each faith make exclusive claims as to who has the truth? How exactly can they coexist with any degree of intellectual honesty when they all, deep down, believe that the other side is wrong?

25. Saving Us from Darwin

Comment #192471 by robaylesbury on June 13, 2008 at 6:08 am

An absolutely superb article. I'm presently reading and enjoying Climbing Mount Improbable and this is just the icing on the cake.

A slight aside, most of my Christian friends are far from stupid. I just think that the whole process of relinquishing faith is such a painful business that they prefer to compartmentalise and cherry pick. As an ex-Christian its lovely to be able to live without cognitive dissonance and be blown away be the wonders of science, reason, philosophy, and the sheer stupendous wonder of being alive.

26. Faith in Britain today

Comment #177438 by robaylesbury on May 9, 2008 at 5:14 am

The Cardinal also implied that lives lacked true meaning without an individual having a hotline to God.
At the risk of getting on my high horse, as a recovering Ex-Christian I find my life more abrim with meaning and depth than ever before.
I know I used to buy into many of these claims, but listening to them now they just seem so nebulous. Having engaged with many of my Christian friends I have concluded that 'truth' actually isn't that important to them. Their lives are built on this superstructure of faith, an all encompassing social and moral framework from which they are unable to stray. The concept of abandoning this, no matter the power of the arguments against is inconceivable. It means giving up friendships, community, and that's why they cling on.
Sometimes I just want to shake them. Especially the smarter one's. Indoctrination is a terrible terrible thing.

27. Faith in Britain today

Comment #177420 by robaylesbury on May 9, 2008 at 4:23 am

For me, given the weight placed on the 'mystery' of God, it seems a very dubious strategy to then make exclusive statements about him.
No mention of hell either.

For info, I spent 12 years as a Baptist Christian before deconverting sometime in early 08. Very painful, but a life of honest lucidity just seemed to trump false consolation.

28. 'Letter to a Christian Nation' now available in paperback

Comment #111218 by robaylesbury on January 14, 2008 at 3:57 am

Its truly a remarkable book. I read it along with The End Of Faith last August. It pretty much bought my 12 year daliance with Christianity to an end.

29. The Pagan Christ

Comment #101968 by robaylesbury on December 21, 2007 at 9:53 am

I haven't watched this yet, but even as a weak Atheist I'd have to say that the available evidence appears to suggest that there was a historical figure called Jesus. I think there's about 18 non biblical references to his life, although a number of these are vague, whilst parts of the famous Josephus passage were probably also an interpolation.
I'm open to being corrected on this of course, and would welcome comments.

30. THE FOUR HORSEMEN - Available Now on DVD!

Comment #99020 by robaylesbury on December 15, 2007 at 8:45 am

I could have listened to these guys all day long.

I'm another scalp for the Four Horsemen. I was a commited Christian for 12 years, but these boys just make such sense.

I admire honesty, even if it has caused me some discomfort during my transitional phase.

We all need to seek truth, and to be prepared to listen and learn when our ways of thinking are challenged.

31. Banishing the Green-Eyed Monster

Comment #92111 by robaylesbury on November 29, 2007 at 10:17 pm

Not sure whether I'm one of those who's missed the point of the argument. I suppose I tend to gravitate towards the consequences and possible complications with these kinds of relationships.

I wonder whether much of our confusion stems from our collective misunderstanding of what 'love' actually is. Probably the best quote I can think of goes as follows -

"Love is wanting someone else's highest good"

It's outward looking, seeking more that its own gratification. Perhaps its even longer lasting than the other definitions we're awash with.

32. Banishing the Green-Eyed Monster

Comment #92084 by robaylesbury on November 29, 2007 at 9:12 pm

As a "thought experiment" I've no objections.

I still don't see how open relationships could be beneficial to society, though?

I Still don't see how these kinds of relationships could in any way, shape or form, enrich the lives of the children of its participants? On the other hand I can easily envisage how it might lead to emotional insecurity in children and stir feelings of fear and abandonment.

Sometimes we have to look beyond our "wants" and seek the higher good.
The fact that we can do something doesn't always mean that we should.

33. Banishing the Green-Eyed Monster

Comment #92067 by robaylesbury on November 29, 2007 at 8:21 pm

Have to disagree with Richard on this one.

I'm trying to imagine how my two daughters, aged 3 and 6 would respond to the kind of scenario's that open relationships might create.

Perhaps I'm old fashioned, but for now I'm their primary masculine role model, a steadfast figure in their lives, and I desire to see them grow up as part of a lively, imaginitive traditional family unit.

More than that, when I said "Yes" to my wife I was also saying "No" to all the other wonderful women in the world. I made promises to her, and Its a fantastically enriching challenge to build the quality of our relationship year on year.

I'm not saying I don't find other women attractive - of course I do. It's just that I value what I have and want to make it the very best that it can be.