1. 85% of Americans Want a Presidential Debate on Science

Comment #180153 by Double Bass Atheist on May 14, 2008 at 9:27 am

No doubt some creotard will say that ID is science, and therefore, should be part of any debate on Science.

2. The Stupidity of Dignity

Comment #179125 by Double Bass Atheist on May 12, 2008 at 5:53 pm

Comment #179121 by MaxD
Double Bass Atheist,
Did you see the poster for expelled?
It said "Big Science wants to blah blah blah." I would draw your attention to the phrase big science. I laughed out loud while I was standing in line to see Iron Man when I saw that line.

Big Science Ben Stein in his school boy outfit, and his idiot smirk. I wondered if that smirk is because he knows the trick he is about to pull on American audiences.

3. The Stupidity of Dignity

Comment #179106 by Double Bass Atheist on May 12, 2008 at 3:39 pm

Comment #179047 by wiz220

We can only hope that the next president returns us to a state of normalcy that takes us off of the road to theocracy, that they will appoint and consult with people who believe in rational thought.

Sadly I believe the new battlecry of the religious right is to call people that are intelligent critical thinkers "elitests". And the worst part is that it's working. :(

4. Museums teach society lacking in science literacy

Comment #174354 by Double Bass Atheist on May 2, 2008 at 9:00 am

Interesting... I live in New Jersey, but I've never heard of this particular museum. We're close to Philadelphia anyway, and the wonderful Franklin Institute along with the Academy of Natural Sciences.
We've been members there for years, and our kids love it.

I see a trip to this Liberty Science Center coming soon.

5. Humans nearly wiped out 70,000 years ago, study says

Comment #168708 by Double Bass Atheist on April 25, 2008 at 9:58 am

I have this mental image of a creationist with his fingers planted firmly in his ears wailing,
"No! God created the world 6000 years ago!!!"
"No! God created the world 6000 years ago!!!"
"No! God created the world 6000 years ago!!!"

6. Science 2.0 -- Is Open Access Science the Future?

Comment #167239 by Double Bass Atheist on April 23, 2008 at 6:49 pm

Imagine the field day the fundies will have with this?! By examining incomplete works, they'll only generate more misunderstandings and creationist-speak...
"Look at these silly scientists now. That theory has change twice this year!"
or...
"Scientists just keep changing their theories to fit new data, while the bible is unchanging and inerrant."

Having 'open source' science would be a tremendous idea if the world were more rational and knew what to do with it. Unfortunately, the reality is that science has to be wary of giving creationists fuel for their canards.

7. Judge orders La. school district to stop Bible giveaways

Comment #167233 by Double Bass Atheist on April 23, 2008 at 6:34 pm

I cannot understand why they even started bible giveaways in the first place, let alone their chances on appeal. Public schools here in the US simply cannot do this.

8. Is religion a threat to rationality and science?

Comment #166517 by Double Bass Atheist on April 23, 2008 at 9:33 am

Dennett seems to believe science is "the truth".

9. Responses to 'Gods and Earthlings' by Richard Dawkins

Comment #166078 by Double Bass Atheist on April 22, 2008 at 6:02 pm

Comment #165983 by Steve Zara

If people feel excluded, the answer is to get educated and to ask questions. Someone untrained would not seriously try and tell a pilot how to fly, or a surgeon how to operate. They feel no injustice about being excluded from those areas, yet somehow everyone is entitled to push their opinions on cosmology and biology.

Either the universe has always existed, or it was created by someone who has always existed. - William S. LaSor

10. Pope's Views on Science Invoke Spirited Debate

Comment #166030 by Double Bass Atheist on April 22, 2008 at 5:12 pm

"Its verdict against Galileo was rational and just, and revisionism can be legitimized solely for motives of political opportunism

11. Evolution fray attracts top scientist

Comment #162194 by Double Bass Atheist on April 16, 2008 at 9:54 am

While obviously this is not a debate situation, we need more men like Harold Kroto who are willing to confront these people.
Most top scientists, like our own RD, usually refuse to debate fundies and for good reason... it only lends credibility to the creationist position by presenting the appearance that these two positions are equal.

The bottom line is that we need a virtual onslaught of top scientists confronting ID bullshit at every opportunity. These asinine lawmakers and school board members need to hear from SO many scientists, confronting them every day, that they get sick of listening to them.
The answer is EDUCATION. Almost all fundies believe what they do about evolution due to a lack of this.

Educate!
Educate!
Educate!

How about some of the worlds top scientists from various fields get together and make their own movie?
We'll call it "Dispelled! No Bullshit Allowed"

12. Teacher Expelled Over Religion

Comment #162062 by Double Bass Atheist on April 16, 2008 at 5:24 am

Comment #162057 by Edouard Pernod

This is no surprise to me. In 1993 in my 10th grade Biology class at a public school called Ooltewah High School in Tennessee, my "Biology" teacher started out the class this way: He told us all to turn to chapter 8 of our text books, so we did, and saw that it was the chapter on Evolution. He then took out a roll of electrical tape, and wrapped it around that chapter in his teacher's edition of the text, and said "We won't be going over this chapter in class because we know man didn't come from no monkey". Several in the class clapped, but I did not.

His name was Jim Lovell.

13. Teacher Expelled Over Religion

Comment #161702 by Double Bass Atheist on April 15, 2008 at 2:13 pm

This story was originally posted here last December 4:
http://richarddawkins.net/article,1953,Evolution-and-Texas,NY-Times

...and it's just as irritating the second time around!

14. Ancient serpent shows its leg

Comment #159690 by Double Bass Atheist on April 12, 2008 at 9:20 pm

Comment #159627 by The Truth, the light

I posted the article on a Christian Forum and here's the intelligent creationist response

OMG LMAO, are you serious !?

that little thing a leg ? it looks to me like the already existing little claws that modern snakes have and use for mating,, its just one bone sticking out either side, and its supposed to be a remnant of a leg ?

just picture that a snake with only 2 legs in the back, half slither half walk, ? lol get real, stop being so desperate its embarrassing.

15. Ancient serpent shows its leg

Comment #159532 by Double Bass Atheist on April 12, 2008 at 12:15 pm

It never seems to matter how many transitional fossils are discovered, IDiots will still just keep saying, "There have never been any transistional fossils found!"

16. Reviews of Expelled

Comment #158995 by Double Bass Atheist on April 11, 2008 at 10:02 am

The biology professors at Pepperdine assure me that their mostly Christian students fully accept the theory of evolution. So who were these people embracing Stein's screed against science? Extras.

17. Lungless frog discovered in Borneo

Comment #158857 by Double Bass Atheist on April 11, 2008 at 6:00 am

Comment #158850 by Darwin's badger

*snip*
so a big "Thank You" to the original poster of the article
*snip*

18. The simple falsehood at the heart of Expelled

Comment #158259 by Double Bass Atheist on April 10, 2008 at 9:08 am

Very well said, PZ. Short, sweet, easy to understand (even for the fundy crowd), and spot on!
I think I'll save the link to this story for the next time I hear this same "Evolution leads to Nazis" bullshit.... which, after 'Expelled' comes out, should be quite soon.

19. 'Darwin chip' brings evolution into the classroom

Comment #157902 by Double Bass Atheist on April 9, 2008 at 5:46 pm

Can we please have the first shipment sent to Ben Stein's house?!

20. Vatican: Islam surpasses Roman Catholicism as world's largest religion

Comment #153681 by Double Bass Atheist on April 1, 2008 at 8:23 pm

Does anyone know if the Muslims have surpassed the Catholics because there are more Muslims (as everyone assumes), or is it because there are less Catholics???

Our atheistic efforts may be simply having more effect in the Western world.

21. Christian Founders 3D Adventure Computer Game

Comment #153679 by Double Bass Atheist on April 1, 2008 at 8:10 pm

Like all christian BS, the Founding Father crap must be continually repeated over and over and over and over again until this is "just something everybody knows."

Where's the 'Christians Are Full of Shit' game???

22. In His Name We Pray, Ramen

Comment #151946 by Double Bass Atheist on March 29, 2008 at 5:46 pm

As we well know, sometimes humor is the best weapon... with Scorn and Ridicule supplying the ordinance.

Now, slightly off-topic...
Everyone, if you haven't done so already, please check out Pattern Seeker's link in post #11 of this thread! It's some great work... probably should have a thread of its own.
I PM'd him (check your PM Zack!) and suggested starting a thread in the forums.

23. Iowa county board gives initial OK for ghost hunters to investigate asylum

Comment #151400 by Double Bass Atheist on March 28, 2008 at 4:07 pm

Can someone explain why this story is on our main page?

Granted, I understand the belief in ghosts is analogous to belief in god(s), but why this particular story? There are lots of magazine articles, stories, TV shows, etc., about paranormal investigations just about every day. Why is this rather innocuous one "news" here on RDnet???

24. Fossil find could be Europe's first humans

Comment #150906 by Double Bass Atheist on March 27, 2008 at 3:03 pm

padster1976 -

"God is not a Ford Focus!

25. Fossil find could be Europe's first humans

Comment #150702 by Double Bass Atheist on March 27, 2008 at 9:24 am

Comment #150676 by esuther

This video was posted on Alternet today. It shows Creationist teachers taking school kids to the Denver Museum for a debunking tour of the "theory" of evolution. Frightening, really.

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

Comment #150329 by Double Bass Atheist on March 26, 2008 at 5:51 pm

Comment #150123 by Prankster

Truly depressing night on this thread-anyone heard from Double Bass Atheist-I know he was pissed off over this?

Hope he/she is ok?

27. Happy Birthday, Richard Dawkins!

Comment #150311 by Double Bass Atheist on March 26, 2008 at 5:23 pm

To Richard:

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

Comment #149978 by Double Bass Atheist on March 26, 2008 at 11:28 am

My avatar usually makes people laugh...
But today, it's a truly sad and sobering reminder of reality of theistic thinking, and its end result.


Sorry everyone, but this story has kinda crapped all over my day.

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

Comment #149904 by Double Bass Atheist on March 26, 2008 at 10:26 am

Sadly, this has happened many times before.

Check out the link below...
(warning: this will probably both anger and sicken you further then you are already)

http://www.religioustolerance.org/medical8.htm

30. Expelled Overview

Comment #149446 by Double Bass Atheist on March 25, 2008 at 3:56 pm

Thank you, Josh!!!

Comment #149421 by obscured by clouds

Do not financially support this movie, get the word out. Their biblical world view has no meaning in reality, and that starts with money.

31. Wicked untruths from the Church

Comment #149214 by Double Bass Atheist on March 25, 2008 at 9:13 am

This needs to be combated because, for all their talk of conscience, what Dr Wright and Cardinal O'Brien really seem to want is to tell the rest of us how to live.

32. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #148740 by Double Bass Atheist on March 23, 2008 at 6:16 pm

Comment #148713 by clearthinker

Dr Dawkins,

Could you please tell us what Mark Mathis has to do with Jesus? How do you know his motivation for lying was 'for Jesus'? Is this not just another cheap shot in a rather silly 'culture' war?

33. The science of religion: Where angels no longer fear to tread

Comment #148610 by Double Bass Atheist on March 23, 2008 at 11:57 am

Pattern Seeker (aka Bunny H. Christ) -



Thanks, I needed that!

34. No Admission for Evolutionary Biologist at Creationist Film

Comment #148015 by Double Bass Atheist on March 21, 2008 at 7:35 pm

Comment #148011 by Duffman6

4 articles on the same subject- 3 being on the same day, and one on the day just before; 1 article from The New York Times?


"Explosive" might be an overstatement. But I would say it's somewhere in the ballpark

35. I suppose it's due ('Expelled' review)

Comment #147946 by Double Bass Atheist on March 21, 2008 at 4:23 pm

Pattern Seeker-
Now that's seriously funny!


SilentMike-
I sure hope not, but personally, I am concerned. It certainly will serve as ammunition for the creationist IDiots (at least in their mind), and probably may sway many who don't really know too much about these matters (which is quite a lot of people here in the US).

There are a hellava lot of people who really feel evolution is a "controversy" and that we should just teach "both sides." After all, that is the target point and focus of this movie.

We have our work cut out for us.

36. I suppose it's due ('Expelled' review)

Comment #147927 by Double Bass Atheist on March 21, 2008 at 3:41 pm

I really think there should be some kind of official response to the movie. There is nice thread in the forums here under the "Debunking Creationism" heading for this same topic. Worth checking out.


Personally, I think RD should make his own movie and call it "Repelled!" ;-D
Interview Ben Stein and ask him to assign a number to just how bad an actor he is... and then throw other random numbers at him.
Let's all have a good laugh, too!

37. EXPELLED!

Comment #147901 by Double Bass Atheist on March 21, 2008 at 2:36 pm

The many misguided and/or misinformed people who already think there is a "controversy" surrounding the teaching of evolution will love this film, quote it thoroughly, and feel that it's exactly what society needs... finally get the "truth" out, and other assorted bullshit.

The rest of us will just laugh.


However, do not forget that there are more of "them" then there are of "us", nor underestimate the power of a film to reach a large audience.
Frankly, this thing worries me.

38. EXPELLED!

Comment #147546 by Double Bass Atheist on March 20, 2008 at 9:46 pm

It's mildly amusing that 'they' would be on the lookout for PZ, but WHY was he banned?

I have this mental image of a bunch of "Expelled" movie executives sitting around a table making a list of all the people who they need to keep out from theaters.
And they missed RD?!

Knowing the devious history by which it was made, and how PZ was lied to in order to participate, combined with the bullshit that it's based on, this really shouldn't surprise me...
Just another example of how the IDiot mind works. Keep the nonsense (non-science) flowing without giving anyone the opportunity to counter it.
"You will be indoctrinated. Resistance is futile"

39. Two More Fleas

Comment #147523 by Double Bass Atheist on March 20, 2008 at 8:58 pm

For anyone seeking more on human evolution from Australopithecus to modern humans I highly recommend the interactive presentation at www.becominghuman.org.

40. Report: 32% Of Prayers Deflected Off Passing Satellites

Comment #147058 by Double Bass Atheist on March 19, 2008 at 6:07 pm

Koreman -
Nice post! Very clever... although one would have to be a geek like us to really appreciate this.
The unconditional brain format at the end was the best!
:-D

As to the article, about all I can say is... The Onion does it again!

41. Jesus saves

Comment #146707 by Double Bass Atheist on March 19, 2008 at 9:42 am

Pattern Seeker -
Nice play-by-play! I was laughing out loud!!!

Kept waiting to see if Moses and Lucifer were going to drop the gloves?
Worth 5 for fighting, don't ya think?
;-D

42. Atheists claim censorship by billboard company

Comment #146240 by Double Bass Atheist on March 18, 2008 at 8:02 pm

Comment #146236 by 82abhilash

I am amazed and impressed with my atheist peers. I bet if this was a Christian forum, everyone would be crying foul in unison.

43. Two More Fleas

Comment #145905 by Double Bass Atheist on March 18, 2008 at 9:39 am

Comment #145895 by black wolf

clearmind, please answer the following question:
Grass grows green but not is made tree, how explain invisible air Darwin step in red paint 4 billion years?

44. Fleabytes

Comment #145898 by Double Bass Atheist on March 18, 2008 at 9:33 am

Ummm... God, your caps lock button is still stuck!
I mentioned this to you on a different thread weeks ago, and you still haven't gotten a new keyboard. I mean, you're god, right? So how come you can't afford a new keyboard. No enough donations this week??? ;-D

45. Two More Fleas

Comment #145896 by Double Bass Atheist on March 18, 2008 at 9:28 am

Wow... miss a couple days, ya miss a lot around here!

I just finished reading the last few dozen posts... what mind-numbing stupidity!
"clearmind" you obviously are not!
This is some of the strangest writing since "BecomesTheArrow" was here!

Thanks for the laughs, everyone. ;-)

46. New Atheists Are Not Great

Comment #145129 by Double Bass Atheist on March 17, 2008 at 9:41 am

Another irritating pile of feces for the 'fleas' to snack on.

There is so much to pick apart from this drivel. Skipping the obvious assertions that atheists are responsible for more deaths then theists (this one's old and tired), I'll pick just a few others:

Yet science has insurmountable limits. It cannot answer empirical questions about the origins of the universe, for instance.

If reason can explain everything, why can't it explain where things come from?

Moral laws have changed less over the millennia than the recognized laws of physics and mathematics

Atheism cannot reach our hearts. A rigorous atheist cannot console in a time of grief, cannot explain love, cannot sigh in happy wonder at life's endless surprises. He can only utter, "What is, is."

47. In Britain, creationist theory is evolving

Comment #144553 by Double Bass Atheist on March 16, 2008 at 10:27 am

As an American, I've always looked to European countries with envy. The secular, rational nature of your countries gives me hope that in can be this way one day here in the US. In other words, Europe (especially my friends in the UK) are an "inspiration."

When I read words like:

"There is a lot of American influence, and there are a lot of moral and political and financial resources flowing from the United States to here"

48. 'Anonymous' takes anti-Scientology to the streets

Comment #144529 by Double Bass Atheist on March 16, 2008 at 9:41 am

Comment #144519 by Fiesoduck

But both answers wouldn't make any sense.

49. The atheist delusion

Comment #144133 by Double Bass Atheist on March 15, 2008 at 6:53 am

Comment #144116 by Apathy personified

WHY DO THESE CRACKPOTS DELIBERATELY MISINTERPRET EVERY ARGUMENT WE HAVE THEN TELL US WE ARE WRONG BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE THE INTELLECTUAL CAPACITY TO LISTEN TO WHAT WE SAY

50. Deadly Sins 101

Comment #143182 by Double Bass Atheist on March 13, 2008 at 3:12 pm

Sitting here relaxing and reading these wonderful posts, I'm feeling most rather slothy...
Oh Shit! I'm going to hell!

New sins, eh?
Is there any clearer example that these people really are just making this stuff up as they go along?!