1. A secular world is a sane world

Comment #200861 by ghuckin on June 28, 2008 at 10:50 am

So how come you can see this video, but I get a message saying "We're sorry. This video is no longer available"?
How come the only way I can watch this video, and many others in a similar vein, is by going to Live Leak?
Anyone got an answer?

2. Science is not philosophy

Comment #199133 by ghuckin on June 25, 2008 at 8:17 am

Comment #198642 by Kricket

If the flower pot is accompanied by a sperm whale its number would be 42.

3. Vatican bans Dan Brown film Angels & Demons from Rome churches

Comment #194042 by ghuckin on June 16, 2008 at 10:11 am

Dan Brown is simply the worst author I've ever read. I tried Angels before Da Vinci. Reading fiction should not mean you accept every page without question, but Dan Brown expects nothing less of the reader. A hypersonic passenger plane developed without anyone knowing of it? Really? Where was he when they were building Concorde? Almost very week, there was something in the papers about it. I gave up on Angels after the first few chapters - not just because it was silly, but also because the guy writes like he's writing a Grade 8 essay. Because of all the hype, I stayed with Da Vinci to the bitter end, but it was a real chore. Same juvenile sentance construction, plot holes a mile wide. I thought Peter Benchley was bad until I read Brown.
Why is the Vatican getting so bent out of shape with such trivia? Could it be that they are trying to deflect attention from more "sensitive" issues?

4. Saving Us from Darwin

Comment #192571 by ghuckin on June 13, 2008 at 12:28 pm

Well!
If you didn't know of, or understand, the debate before you read this article, you should be ashamed of yourself if you don't get it now.
About the best explanation I've seen.

5. Godless

Comment #192073 by ghuckin on June 12, 2008 at 12:25 pm

....and Rev. John Hagee who blamed Hurricane Katrina on a vengeful God angered over a gay pride parade in New Orleans. And they did this even without Doppler radar.

6. Debating creationism in Louisiana schools

Comment #191783 by ghuckin on June 11, 2008 at 5:34 pm

By the way. Way to go, Barbara Forrest. Ice cool and very businesslike. Compare and contrast the demeanour of the same lady in the documentaries about Kitzmiller v. Dover School Board, after the win.
Here's a good one http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9R54LGX5_10
Here's another http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAnIoXPLMdo

7. Debating creationism in Louisiana schools

Comment #191781 by ghuckin on June 11, 2008 at 5:26 pm

Re. Comment #191673 by Dax

Why is it that all those foundations with "Family" in the title are usually detrimental to the kids in the families?

8. Trailer for Religulous

Comment #190705 by ghuckin on June 9, 2008 at 12:23 pm

I hope they invite the producers of Expelled to a preview,...........and let them watch it.

9. John McCain: America a Christian nation, needs Christian president

Comment #190240 by ghuckin on June 8, 2008 at 3:30 pm

Well if John McCain doesn't become President, on this performance, I don't hold out much hope for becoming a TV evangelist.

10. Reality wins in Texas!

Comment #190235 by ghuckin on June 8, 2008 at 3:23 pm

It's good to see that the voters are aware of the need for "balance" on the state school board to be maintained, but I was very concerned with the disparity between the campaign expenditure of the candidates. Despite claims that the US is a shining example of democracy at work, money still buys votes. Maybe not in the old "rotten borough" sense, but in the abilty to drown out the opposition's message with many more media ads, posters, lawn signs, etc, etc. This set-back for the fundies will only encourage them to greater efforts next time. Kitzmiller v Dover School Board should have been an end to it, but it only spawned "teach the controvery". Genie Scott is never going to be able to really take a vacation.

11. Louisiana's latest creationism bill moves to House floor

Comment #185446 by ghuckin on May 27, 2008 at 8:25 pm

Has Genie Scott considered a delegation of scientists named Steve to plead the case in Louisiana? (For those who don't know what I'm on about, go to the NCSE website, and do a search for Project Steve. Yes, I could have provided the link. What did your last slave die of?)

12. Top 6 Incestuous Relationships In The Bible

Comment #185443 by ghuckin on May 27, 2008 at 8:09 pm

It's a fairy story, people! Why are you wasting so much time analysing it as though it actually happened. Or is it you DO believe it actually happened?

13. Non-religious summer camps develop niche

Comment #184267 by ghuckin on May 24, 2008 at 8:49 am

"It's clearly meant to teach that God cannot possibly exist," Chopich said. "... There's obviously some teaching going on, there's some philosophy there. It's not completely neutral."

14. Americans pray at the pump for cheaper petrol

Comment #179175 by ghuckin on May 12, 2008 at 8:27 pm

Where are these places you speak of, Burma and China? Are they in California? What, there's a whole world outside the US? [/sarcasm]

15. British Airways takes beef off the menu to avoid offending Hindus

Comment #179011 by ghuckin on May 12, 2008 at 11:42 am

Aidan86

The decision was not made to avoid offense. It was to offer more of a choice to more people.

16. British Airways takes beef off the menu to avoid offending Hindus

Comment #178481 by ghuckin on May 11, 2008 at 1:38 pm

Is the person who made this call the same one that decided Heathrow Terminal 5 was ready to receive passengers, or is there a culture of bad decision-making at BA?

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

Comment #178348 by ghuckin on May 11, 2008 at 9:39 am

When I struggled to the bottom of this article, there was a note to say that there are no comments on this article. I understand that. I too am at a loss for words to describe my distress that, anywhere in this world, there are people, men mostly, who still hold these views.

18. Research Volunteers Needed

Comment #175502 by ghuckin on May 5, 2008 at 2:10 pm

Done and dusted.
What do I win if I get all the answers right?

19. Pat Condell: Anthology DVD available now!

Comment #172579 by ghuckin on April 29, 2008 at 6:47 pm

A proud subscriber to Pat's YouTube channel since almost the beginning. Living in Canada, where speaking from the heart is seen as some sort of hate crime, his candour adds a real charge to my day.

20. Religion is 'the new social evil'

Comment #164846 by ghuckin on April 20, 2008 at 6:41 pm

Comment #164711 by Steve Zara

"If he was alive today, he would turn in his grave"

21. Religion is 'the new social evil'

Comment #164699 by ghuckin on April 20, 2008 at 2:33 pm

Re Comment #164640 by Diacanu

Cuz Americans like me can't get within a mile of the .....

22. Religion is 'the new social evil'

Comment #164587 by ghuckin on April 20, 2008 at 12:31 pm

I disagree with the word "new". Hasn't it always been the case?. There is a saying, "If you fail to learn from history, you are bound to repeat it." Have we learned nothing from the Spanish Inquisition, the Salem witch-hunt, Savronola, the crusades, etc. etc.?
And incidentally, how come the Pope is getting such a great reception in the US? How come Bush gave him such a special reception? When he was just plain old Cardinal Ratzinger, wasn't he in charge of moving the priests that were suspected of sexual abuse? I guess Boston won't be on his tour itinery.

23. Sexpelled: No Intercourse Allowed

Comment #162981 by ghuckin on April 17, 2008 at 6:42 pm

Incidentally, IMDB.com's web page for "expelled" (does it deserve a capital letter?) lists the opening date as 18th April, but doesn't include it in the "movies opening this week" web page. Does this mean there is a delay, or that it doesn't merit coverage?

24. Sexpelled: No Intercourse Allowed

Comment #162972 by ghuckin on April 17, 2008 at 6:28 pm

Avian Transportation Theory? Gooseberry bushes? Cabbage Patches? What ARE you people talking about? I thought this was a SERIOUS website. All of you should be Googling "Great Green Arkleseizure" if you really need the TRUE facts of life.

25. Richard Dawkins and Bill Maher

Comment #159952 by ghuckin on April 13, 2008 at 1:14 pm

Hey! RD was talking about ME. I'm one of those who thought I was religiously grounded until The God Delusion got me to review what I'd been sold all those years ago as a kid. Now I am amazed how I held out against reality all these years. Even as someone who called himself "christian", I could never get those people who saw the hand of god in everything around them. Now that I recognise the hand of science in everthing around me, I can better understand those who are still God-delusioned.

26. Upside-down church sculpture on hit list

Comment #155995 by ghuckin on April 6, 2008 at 1:18 pm

Not my cup-of-tea, but what harm is it doing? It's not the right way up and full of impressionable kids in Sunday School, is it?

27. Police: Girl Dies After Parents Pray for Healing Instead of Seeking Medical Help

Comment #150428 by ghuckin on March 26, 2008 at 10:20 pm

Does this make the Bible the perfect alibi for a murder? What if the child was giving them grief? Treating a serious medical condition with prayer makes it look like they are pious in the extreme, rather than cynical child-abusers.
Prayer: How to do nothing and look like you are helping.

28. Happy Birthday, Richard Dawkins!

Comment #150421 by ghuckin on March 26, 2008 at 9:56 pm

Happy Birthday, Professor.
The best teachers don't teach as much as encourage one to think. Thank you for all your encouragement.

29. In Britain, creationist theory is evolving

Comment #145637 by ghuckin on March 17, 2008 at 8:47 pm

To Pathfinder, although I honestly don't know why we are wasting so much space on this website:
If you spent as little time concentrating in Science class as you apparently did in English class, it is of little wonder that your views on evolution are so uninformed.

30. In Britain, creationist theory is evolving

Comment #145632 by ghuckin on March 17, 2008 at 8:38 pm

As of the 25th January, the Steve-o-Meter ( http://www.natcenscied.org/resources/articles/3541_project_steve_2_16_2003.asp ) records 864 scientists called Steve, or derivatives, who affirm the Theory of Evolution. Against this, I wonder how many cabbies called James, or derivatives, can be found to support creationism.

31. Richard Dawkins on The Alan Colmes Show

Comment #144216 by ghuckin on March 15, 2008 at 11:37 am

RD on Jesus: "He was probably rather a good man, probably rather an eloquent man, a bit of a political rabble-rouser, quite an interesting man".
Now who does that remind me of?

32. Seven new deadly sins: are you guilty?

Comment #141614 by ghuckin on March 10, 2008 at 9:55 pm

Which is a worse use of enormous wealth? Bill Gates' charitable foundation promoting health and education in the Third World, or the Catholic church promoting AIDS by denying condom use to the ignorant and poverty-stricken faithful in Africa. It's good that they have the money to pay the hundreds of millions in compensation to victims of sexual abuse of their priests, but what would that money have been able to do if the church had blown the whistle on these perverts instead of having the Vatican move them on to do the same things elsewhere?
I'll say this for the Vatican. Their bare-faced hypocracy is breath-taking.

33. Atheists An Increasingly Outspoken Minority

Comment #130555 by ghuckin on February 20, 2008 at 8:44 pm

As a man of faith, Bishop Hanson still has a key question for those who don't believe in God.

"Where do you place your trust in times of need? Where do you place your hope in the time of a crisis of confidence?" Hanson said.

Do you mean crises like global warming? Well, if the choice is between prayer and the ingenuity of the human mind, my faith is firmly on the side of the grey matter. Stupid bloody question.

34. Bart Ehrman, Questioning Religion on Why We Suffer

Comment #130551 by ghuckin on February 20, 2008 at 8:23 pm

I think it was my reflection on many tragedies, September 11th being the most obvious, that really got me to question the whole concept of religion. It still bothers me when people turn to a god when things like school shootings happen. I sometimes find myself yelling at the TV, asking people to ask themselves what they think their god is playing at. This past weekend, a Washington state family lost their eight year-old son, washed into the sea on the west coast of Vancouver Island. They were there to celebrate his six year-old brother's birthday. Now the surviving boy's future birthdays will be forever touched by sadness. Do believers see this as part of god's plan, or do they think he's just doing it because he can?

35. Cutting Edge: Baby Bible Bashers

Comment #129253 by ghuckin on February 18, 2008 at 11:12 pm

What did RD say about calling a child "Christian" or "Bhuddist", or whatever, is abuse? Well, this takes it to the next level. It wasn't only on the streets of NY that this poor child suffered abuse. It started much, much earlier.
There's a lot to be said for freedom of speech, and a few things to be said against it.

36. Interview with Richard Dawkins

Comment #116865 by ghuckin on January 27, 2008 at 4:43 pm

RD says that scientists are always ready to change their theories if evidence comes along to disprove them. He gives a personal example in TGD.
So is he prepared to give up on evolution now that John, a clearly unevolved specimen, has come along?

37. Darwin Day (Feb 12th) E-Cards

Comment #114310 by ghuckin on January 21, 2008 at 10:29 pm

How about a cartoon of Gutenberg running off copies of the Origin on his printing press, over the caption "If only Darwin had been born 400 years earlier"

38. Richard Dawkins on The Late Edition with Marcus Brigstocke

Comment #109835 by ghuckin on January 9, 2008 at 10:08 pm

I like Brigstocke, but I'm not sure the chemistry was there between him and RD. I preferred RD's interview with George Strombulopoulos on CBC "The Hour" a little while back.

39. Irreligion: A Mathematician Explains Why the Arguments for God Just Don't Add Up

Comment #109833 by ghuckin on January 9, 2008 at 10:04 pm

I hope it has a distinctive cover, like "Delusion" so I can continue to irritate the bible-study brigade on the bus each morning.

40. The Pagan Christ

Comment #103781 by ghuckin on December 26, 2007 at 8:49 pm

Pay attention to this documentary. We could be witnessing the first faltering steps by the church to justify its existence in a modern world, and to accept that scientific research is the antidote to dogma. It's not going to play well in the US though.
If it weren't an oxymoron, I'd describe Harpur as a Christian rationalist.

41. CBC News: Sunday - Richard Dawkins

Comment #102321 by ghuckin on December 22, 2007 at 10:44 am

I went to the website's "Have Your Say" section at http://www.cbc.ca/sunday/2007/12/121607_2.html#comments.
There are not many comments favourable to Evan Solomon, the interviewer. If you check out the video on the program website, you will hear a comment at the end of the segment, by the female co-host, in which she wishes sometimes she can slap people "upside the head", and I don't think she was meaning the interviewer. Ayan Hirsi Ali would probably not endorse a comment like that.

42. When Congress Interferes With Science, Who You Gonna Call? (Hint: It's not Ghostbusters)

Comment #87323 by ghuckin on November 11, 2007 at 8:01 pm

As a Canadian, my support has to be of the moral variety, because any communication between myself and the US Congress would be consigned to a Washington trash compactor. You do have my most enthusiastic support, because I have many friends in the US who feel helpless in the face of the christian dogma that is subverting your nation.

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

Comment #65812 by ghuckin on August 26, 2007 at 8:46 pm

134. Comment #65802 by steveroot on August 26, 2007 at 7:13 pm

Hey Mr. Tooth Doc. Let's get Planet Earth back on the straight and narrow before we address Middle Earth.

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

Comment #65775 by ghuckin on August 26, 2007 at 1:20 pm

I don't like CNN much, but this is what I sent them.

Your questions don't encourage responses from atheists, but I thought I'd add my observations anyway. Religion is a comfort blanket that I was given as a child, despite not asking for one. Then I discovered history, science, and independent thinking, and I came to see religion for what it is – History for Dummies. It amazes me that, despite the countless instances of religion bringing misery (e.g. 9/11, contraception ban, opposition to AIDS research) and disillusion (e.g. Ted Haggard, Jim Bakker, Jimmy Swaggert) to people's lives, many still give it the benefit of the doubt. Read the Bible as literature by all means, but read it with the same suspension of disbelief as you would Lord of the Rings.