1. THE FOUR HORSEMEN - Available Now on DVD!

Comment #100922 by PaulThompson on December 19, 2007 at 3:41 pm

I just want to thank everyone involved in making this. What a great idea, im not sure how often these four great minds get to discuss the issues with each other but it really brings out some interesting and important points and makes for compelling veiwing. More please!

2. Richard Dawkins on 'Have Your Say'

Comment #96187 by PaulThompson on December 10, 2007 at 6:13 am

As much as i enjoy watching Richard Dawkins speak, it is physically painful to hear the same old arguments comming up with that tone of self rigousness. It is a pain that is olny put down by Dawkin's logic.

I admire how well he keeps himself calm. I wouldn't be surprised if he has a good scream once he gets back stage. I know i do while watching.

Its a good job, and it is important that he can sit through the same tired arguments and still deliver his concrete responses. People need to hear him speak and it would be a sad day, and a victory for the irrational minded if he ever tired of thier arguments.

3. A New Debate

Comment #75556 by PaulThompson on October 3, 2007 at 1:56 am

If you look at the other presidential debates they have all been held for other interest groups, one was for gay rights, one for blacks one for mexicans and one for evangelical christians etc etc. The problem is that "Scientists" or rationalists don't hold the same political sway as these other minority interest groups. This is perhaps understadable as scientists and atheists wouldn't want to label themselfs a minority interest group. I guess this argument lends support for RD's ideas around creating a political atheism.

4. The Gullible Age: Review of 'The Enemies of Reason'

Comment #61664 by PaulThompson on August 6, 2007 at 7:36 am

Fantastic!, Im a Cultural Studies Student and after reading The god Delusion i hoped more than anything else that this brilliant mind would use the same skill he used in dismatling Religion and turn it towards any other area of moden live where faith becomes an issue! Bring on MONDAY!!!!

Paul Thompson
North East England

5. The Out Campaign

Comment #60605 by PaulThompson on August 2, 2007 at 11:56 am

Just a few thoughts on organising atheists.

Prof. Dawkins compares organising atheists to "herding cats". I share his concern but believe, like him that it is essential at this early stage in this social change. I think the main reason atheists resist organising is the innate suspicion we share of organised (lets say) groups or sects! Up until now, any organised group that shared a single view of the world has rightly been treated with fear and suspicion by free thinking people. Atheists are the first movement of people for whom this suspicion can be safely removed. As we are the first organised group to have the right answer!

6. CNN Debate on Koran in Toilet

Comment #60579 by PaulThompson on August 2, 2007 at 10:04 am

I have never been religious but up until I read TGD and became familiar with Dawkins other atheist writers I believed it was wrong to offend peoples religion. I still believe that it is wrong to use someone's religion as a way of getting at an individual personally.

When watching the first video I felt as though putting the Koran in the toilet was offensive and perhaps hateful. What matters here, and what we are not told is the reason that the Ukrainian did this. OK we know he "had a disagreement with some muslims", this could have been about anything from girls to a sport.

The only reason for putting a Koran in a toilet that I could come close to condoning would be to make a point about all religions. This does not seem to be what has happened here. The Ukrainian has used religion it seems to get at individuals.

The real bad guys after The Ukrainian are CNN. I agree with CJ22 that it is a positive move for them to include an Atheist in the debate but they have only done it in the context of "should we be afraid of offending Muslims. I hope that we are moving to a stage where the media would group all Religious people together when looking at the issue of free speech eg. "Should we be afraid of offending the religious" I imagine this will be difficult in the media of a deeply religious country.

It's no fault of Mr Hitchens himself that because of his entertaining debating skills he may get the call to take part in these segments simply to add a bit of spice, even celebrity and not to air his essential views.

Paul Thompson
Northern England