1. Trailer for Religulous

Comment #190964 by PJG on June 10, 2008 at 2:19 am

I think this is great.

I really think the best way to counter the idiocy of religion is to use ridicule. On a one-to-one basis, it may be rude, but en masse, it might just make one or two people THINK about what they believe.... or then again, maybe not.....

Ah well, I still think it is good, even if it is only atheists who will be laughing at it.

2. Prayer to feed the hungry

Comment #190366 by PJG on June 9, 2008 at 1:16 am

How to change attitudes to prayer in one week....

All scientists stop working towards ways of "feeding the world" in response to the attitude that prayer will provide.

It would be interesting to see what the church would think of scientists then. No doubt they would say scientists are inhumane.

3. A word for nonbelievers

Comment #189648 by PJG on June 6, 2008 at 10:17 pm

A beacon in the darkness.

4. The Expelled Evolutionist

Comment #189296 by PJG on June 6, 2008 at 1:35 am

One questioner asked Myers whether that meant Brown University biologist Ken Miller, who has often said his passionate defense of evolution doesn't conflict with his religious beliefs, was being a wishy-washy scientist?

"No," Myers answered wryly, "I think Ken Miller is a wishy-washy Catholic."

5. A New Step In Evolution

Comment #188059 by PJG on June 3, 2008 at 7:26 am

Sadly, those who deny that populations evolve are unlikely to read this - or, even if they do, will say, "it's still a bacteria".

6. Group wants Wi-Fi banned from public buildings

Comment #187900 by PJG on June 3, 2008 at 2:16 am

thewhitepearl

Point taken... sorry.

On a lighter note, I knew a chap who was allergic to latex ... so he couldn't use condoms. He told a friend about his allergy and explained that it caused swelling to which the friend had replied, "why is that a problem?"

:o)

7. The Challenge of the New Creationism

Comment #187759 by PJG on June 2, 2008 at 2:43 pm

Re. Mr. Coyne's comment that ridicule is a good weapon against creationists... this might help!

http://www.alltruism.co.uk/HovindScale.html

Enjoy.

:o)

8. When two worlds collide: threat of class warfare over faith-based schooling

Comment #187601 by PJG on June 2, 2008 at 10:50 am

So the parents' right to chose over-rides the children's right to an honest education and the government is going to cover up for them too.

I just hope that, one day, there is a class action (no pun intended) taken by these deceived children against the parents and schools that knowingly misinformed them.

I am a lady so I won't say it.... Oh, OK.... fucktards!!!

9. The Challenge of the New Creationism

Comment #187320 by PJG on June 1, 2008 at 11:52 pm

The full Ray Comfort "banana episode"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4yBvvGi_2A

In fairness to Ray Comfort, he HAS conceded that the banana is one for "our side" as it is the result of artificial selection.

10. Lizards make adaptive change

Comment #187319 by PJG on June 1, 2008 at 11:39 pm

rod-the-farmer is right. This is remarkable if these changes happened in just 35 generations - or even doubling it to 70 generations - from just five pairs. There is something about this article that makes me feel uneasy. I feel there is more to this than meets the eye - or the article itself is misrepresentative of the research.

Has anyone seen the actual paper?

Abstract:

Rapid large-scale evolutionary divergence in morphology and performance associated with exploitation of a different dietary resource

Anthony Herrel*,,, Katleen Huyghe, Bieke Vanhooydonck, Thierry Backeljau,, Karin Breugelmans, Irena Grbac¶, Raoul Van Damme, and Duncan J. Irschick||

*Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, 26 Oxford Street, Cambridge, MA 02138; Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, B-2610 Antwerpen, Belgium; Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Vautierstraat 29, B-1000 Brussels, Belgium; ¶Department of Zoology, Croatian Natural History Museum, Demetrova 1, HR-1000, Zagreb, Croatia; and ||Department of Biology and Organismic Evolutionary Program, University of Massachusetts at Amherst, 221 Morrill Science Center, Amherst, MA 01003

Edited by Gordon H. Orians, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, and approved January 31, 2008 (received for review December 19, 2007)

Although rapid adaptive changes in morphology on ecological time scales are now well documented in natural populations, the effects of such changes on whole-organism performance capacity and the consequences on ecological dynamics at the population level are often unclear. Here we show how lizards have rapidly evolved differences in head morphology, bite strength, and digestive tract structure after experimental introduction into a novel environment. Despite the short time scale (36 years) since this introduction, these changes in morphology and performance parallel those typically documented among species and even families of lizards in both the type and extent of their specialization. Moreover, these changes have occurred side-by-side with dramatic changes in population density and social structure, providing a compelling example of how the invasion of a novel habitat can evolutionarily drive multiple aspects of the phenotype.

11. Group wants Wi-Fi banned from public buildings

Comment #187213 by PJG on June 1, 2008 at 1:48 pm

What I have a hard time understanding is at what point in time did an allergy become a serious "disability".

12. Scientists rally against creationist 'superstition'

Comment #186970 by PJG on June 1, 2008 at 1:50 am

40% Is something that I can't accept. There were next to no reports on any creo activity in britain just a few years ago. Don't tell me that almost half of the population was swayed by this crap in less then a decade.

They want permission not to come to those lectures and sit those exam questions," Fine. Fail them.

13. Group wants Wi-Fi banned from public buildings

Comment #186250 by PJG on May 30, 2008 at 2:43 am

elephant

What you say is true, but part of the "psychological injury" can be explained by (or exacerbated by) "secondary benefits".

I have seen people with terrible "disabilities" who, normally within the first hour, tell me how wonderful their partner/family/pastor/neighbour/friends are to them, how "helpful and kind". They go on to explain how they "don't know how they would manage without them".

If someone fears being alone or they don't feel special to themselves or anyone else and they want to gain attention and/or get lots of help (i.e. they want to be looked after like a child) then physical disability is a good one.

We all like to get our own way. It is the extent to which someone will go to get it that marks them as mentally ill!

14. Group wants Wi-Fi banned from public buildings

Comment #186195 by PJG on May 29, 2008 at 10:13 pm

More scientific study would be a good idea but, like others here, I doubt if a few "sensitive" people should warrant getting Wi-Fi banned.

However, I can't dismiss their claims out of hand. I know I can "feel" electricity at a level that other people have not been able to detect - by touch, I hasten to say. I was told I was imagining it too! When I have insisted there is something wrong, there has turned out to be an electrical fault. This has happened four or five times.

For this reason, I can't dismiss these claims completely - some people are just more sensitive than others!! :o)

15. Car dealership advert tells atheists to 'shut up'

Comment #185571 by PJG on May 28, 2008 at 5:07 am

Peter Vardy is a creationist who has sponsored two or three "faith" academies here in the UK. He too is a used-car salesman. Considering the reputation of used-car salesmen for being crooks, it just goes to show how gullible people are if they take any notice of them when they start pushing religion!

16. Car dealership advert tells atheists to 'shut up'

Comment #185503 by PJG on May 28, 2008 at 12:55 am

Ah... ANOTHER reason not to buy a Ford!

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

Comment #185500 by PJG on May 28, 2008 at 12:49 am

I've said it before... I think Britain and the USA should do a swap:

America can have all our creationists, if we can have all their atheist scientists.

I think that is fair... and it might make these idiots think for a moment.

18. In God's Name

Comment #183576 by PJG on May 22, 2008 at 9:49 am

Nice letter, you might have copied in Ed Balls as well.

19. In God's Name

Comment #183566 by PJG on May 22, 2008 at 9:23 am

Letter winging its way to Gordon Brown et al.


The Rt Hon Gordon Brown. MP.,
10 Downing Street,
London,
SW1A 2AA

21st May 2008


Dear Prime Minister,

I have just watched the Channel Four Dispatches programme "In God's Name" aired on Monday 19th May 2008.

As you may be aware, the programme featured a piece about the Carmel School in Bristol, a "faith school", which was reported to be Government registered and Ofsted inspected. The report stated that it was one of forty-five British schools which were teaching a curriculum imported from the United States.

The film included a "Science" test which was taken by a six year old. The questions visible during the piece were as follows: (capitalised words are the answers given by the child)

Jesus LIVES in God
God called the dark time NIGHT
Long ago there was no WORLD
God made the SKY and clouds on day five
God made the world in SIX days
God called the sky HEAVEN
God made the light on day ONE
God made the clouds to HOLD water
God called the light time DAY
God made the LAND and plants on day three

At the senior level, a science textbook being used by a 14 year old student at the school included a page which stated:

"It was very exciting when the first men walked on the moon in 1969. When scientists eagerly studied the moon soil and moon rocks, they found out that the moon appeared to be between 6,000 and 10,000 years old. This was not surprising to scientists who were Christians because the Bible indicates that Earth is also somewhere between 6,000 and 10,000 years old. We know that our moon and Earth are about the same age since God created Earth on the third day and the moon on the fourth day of creation".

This statement is untrue. The scientists who studied the moon dust and rocks did not find out that the moon appeared to be between 6,000 and 10,000 years old.


A recent Ofsted report on this school scored it as "satisfactory". How is it possible for scientific distortions of this magnitude to be deemed "satisfactory"?

In a country in which universal education is mandatory, is there no mechanism in place to ensure that all children are ensured an honest education which reflects, as far as possible, our current scientific understanding?

Yours faithfully,





P. J. XXXXXXXXXXX(Mrs.)


cc.
Andy Reed MP
Guardian Newspaper:
Polly Curtis, Education Editor
Ian Sample, Science Correspondent
Patrick Wintour, Political Editor
Ofsted
British Centre for Science Education (by email)

20. In God's Name

Comment #183382 by PJG on May 22, 2008 at 2:32 am

The headmaster excuses the teaching of the 6,000 year old universe in his school by stating that he is not a scientist. Does that mean he can allow any nonsense to be taught if he personally doesn't know the answer?

What would the reaction be if he said, "I am not a linguist. I don't speak French, so I am not going to teach what French experts tell me is French, I am going to teach gobbledegook instead."

I agreed with RD on the "indoctrination of children is child abuse" so far as stories of Hellfire, scapegoats and human sacrifices were concerned. My "child abuse radar" is becoming more and more sensitive. THIS is child abuse.

On a completely different point.... maybe we heathens need to stop having interesting and varied sex. It is quite clear that all this oral and anal sex, mutual masturbation and other "wasteful" sexual activities are going against us - we are being out bred! :o)

21. In God's Name

Comment #182833 by PJG on May 21, 2008 at 2:56 am

I caught the last 20 minutes of this when it was on TV on Monday night. I was kicking myself for missing most of it and delighted to get the chance to watch it this morning.

Now, having only watched the first ten minutes, I feel physically sick to the point that I can't bear to watch it all in one go.

What can we do about this? Almost as importantly, how can we stop our (tax) money being used to support these faith schools? If that headteacher was as deluded about anything else, or allowing the children to be taught anything else that was so far from our accepted understanding (scientific/historical or anything else) he would be removed from the post. It is as bad as teaching children that William Shakespeare was a Womble and he lived in a cave in 1920.

I could cry for those poor children.

My only hope is that these people stay on the edge... something that would appear to be so in light of the embryology and abortion bill decisions taken over the last couple of days.

At least this programme may have opened a few people's eyes to the threat posed by these deluded, sick people. Thank God (pun intended!) for the freedom of the press and thank you Dispatches.

22. Lab agrees to test Shroud of Turin for new theory

Comment #182800 by PJG on May 21, 2008 at 1:51 am

Is this the same carbon dating that some theists think is completely wrong because it dates the Earth at more than 10,000 years? Will these people be elated if it dates the shroud at 2000 years?

23. Teenager faces prosecution for calling Scientology 'cult'

Comment #182754 by PJG on May 21, 2008 at 12:10 am

I know this may sound really stupid.... but... is there any chance that the policeman who thought the word "cult" was offensive is actually illiterate - or dyslexic?

Stranger things have happened. I mean, the police would then want to "cover up" for his stupidity. Maybe they will just let the lad off with a "caution"!

24. Teenager faces prosecution for calling Scientology 'cult'

Comment #182733 by PJG on May 20, 2008 at 10:58 pm

Summary of what is happening in Britain:

The ABofC says the introduction of some aspects of Sharia law is "inevitable" (though he clearly says that in order to try to protect some of the C of E's privileges).

The evangelicals come in from the US informing us that the universe is 6,000 years old and that any science that contradicts the Bible is wrong and shouldn't be taught in science classes.

Young British Muslims call for those who insult their prophet to be beheaded.

A young man is arrested for calling a cult a cult.

Is there any chance that these things will bring about a common sense approach and the masses will realise that it is all BOLLOCKS?

This is a rhetorical question - I don't need to be made any more depressed about this than I already am.

25. Face to faith

Comment #182023 by PJG on May 19, 2008 at 6:03 am

I have now converted him and he is a practising pastaferian

26. Face to faith

Comment #181699 by PJG on May 18, 2008 at 1:45 am

huzonfurst et al - calm down! I'm sorry I even mentioned the difference between amoral and immoral! Shheeeesh!

Humanism doesn't "derive from Christianity" any more than it "derives" from Epicurean philosophy - maybe it derives from both - what does it matter? Henri wasn't wrong - just maybe not 100% right. Now we don't mind that here do we? :o)

But atheism IS amoral - that is correct - and I think huzonfurst now agrees. No need to get knickers in a twist over it.

27. Gimme that Old-Time Irreligion

Comment #181686 by PJG on May 17, 2008 at 11:43 pm

I've read it. I would agree, largely, with the comments above.

However, it is quite good if you want a few simple examples of why using probability in order to "prove" that things that have already happened "cannot happen" is ridiculous.

It is a short book and very easy to read. I quite enjoyed it.

28. Richard Dawkins Interview on TVOntario

Comment #181568 by PJG on May 17, 2008 at 2:00 pm

phil rimmer

Heh heh!

Being caught on CCTV doesn't result in eternal torment... most of the time it doesn't even result in a slapped wrist. Let's face it, Hell fire and damnation, if you believe in it, is likely to deter bad behaviour more effectively than an ASBO - seen in some quarters as a badge of honour!

Of course, the tale of hell-fire is useless once you've sinned - I mean, it can't get WORSE can it? Maybe this is why lapsed Catholics have such a bad reputation - once you are going to Hell for touching your own naughty bits in the dead of night, you may as well go to Hell for touching lots of other people's naughty bits in the dead of night! Hanged....sheep..lamb springs to mind.

:o)

29. Richard Dawkins Interview on TVOntario

Comment #181553 by PJG on May 17, 2008 at 12:31 pm

godless1

I think some people would behave atrociously to others if they didn't fear punishment (by God) or seek reward (from God). Indeed, they say it themselves. The very fact that they can't understand how anyone can be moral without a belief in God speaks volumes about their own behaviour (projection!)

They are admitting that they are like small children whose behaviour deteriorates without supervision.

You have to be fairly grown-up before you have self control, empathy and acceptance of personal responsibility and accountability... don't you think?

If anyone needs to be watched to make sure they behave well, then "not being watched" doesn't suddenly turn them into mature, empathic, rational and altruistic people. If religious people say they need God to watch them and make them behave in an acceptable manner, then maybe we do need religion - sadly.

30. The amazing intelligence of crows

Comment #181511 by PJG on May 17, 2008 at 10:29 am

My family and I watched a group of about 15 pied crows playing in a thermal above a small cliff in The Gambia one afternoon a few years ago.

The wind was quite (relatively) strong (they are fairly big birds) and they had a piece of palm leaf. One would fly up above the others and then drop it. Another would catch it, on the wing, by flipping sideways and it would then fly high and drop it for the next one to catch. The game went on for about twenty minutes and a thoroughly good time was had by all... especially the group of human spectators. Fascinating.

My only regret is that we were so enchanted that none of us thought to video it until too late.

31. These dim-wits believe in anything but God

Comment #181498 by PJG on May 17, 2008 at 10:02 am

Hmmm - the guy wrote a reply to the letter by Chris Sanlan posted at 9 above:

http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/ukcorrespondents/faithbook/may08/queens-college-letter.htm

I had to laugh at this bit though:

And it's good to have confirmed that it's not just religious types that have a monopoly on misrepresenting the truth.

32. Face to faith

Comment #181493 by PJG on May 17, 2008 at 9:52 am

I know what 'amoral' means, but I also know that probably a majority of people, especially religious people, equate it with 'immoral'

33. Face to faith

Comment #181446 by PJG on May 17, 2008 at 8:38 am

"Humanism derives from Christianity" and "atheism is amoral" are two of the most asinine statements I've ever seen here!

34. These dim-wits believe in anything but God

Comment #181438 by PJG on May 17, 2008 at 8:29 am

Solution: Rename & alter, 'Religious Studies' to 'Elementary Philosophy & Religion'.

It is important, I believe, that children know about religion so that they can realise how absurd it is. Knowledge is power.

35. Pelosi, Reid shunning Ten Commandments?

Comment #181354 by PJG on May 17, 2008 at 2:37 am

For example, Stephen Colbert interviewing Congressman Lynn Westmoreland of Georgia.

36. Group finds Starbucks logo too hot to handle

Comment #180856 by PJG on May 16, 2008 at 1:17 am

Can you say "fuck" around here?

37. Bible Theme Park Faces Opposition in Tennessee

Comment #180817 by PJG on May 15, 2008 at 10:08 pm

HAHA, let them have a little fun. I'm not sure how kids are going to react when instead of mickey mouse they see St. Paul or David.

Would they let little kids hurl stones with slingshots and some steel giant Goliath?

You know as a fantasy world this appeals to me, even as an athiest. Remember kids, none of it is real.

38. Vatican: It's OK to believe in aliens

Comment #179902 by PJG on May 14, 2008 at 1:21 am

The Vatican is so busy telling people what they should feel guilty about, as well as what they do with their own bodies, and other people's, in private; what happens to people after they are dead (and before they are born - ensoulment and all that), etc.

Now, the sheep needn't feel guilty if they believe in alien lifeforms! They must be SO relieved!

It never even occurred to me that anyone could feel BAD for believing in non-terrestrial life!!!

Wouldn't it be nice if Ratty, and all his henchmen at the Vatican, thought about something important for a change?

EDIT: huzonfurst - great minds.....!

39. God seekers go public

Comment #179438 by PJG on May 13, 2008 at 8:44 am

This is what I can't understand. There seems to be no realistic self-reflection or critical analysis. All critical evaluation seems to be done through a 'design-coloured lens'.
Looking at the world in this way leads to the conclusions that they come to. Or is it the case that the conclusions preceed the investigations?
That is, of course, the problem.
I don't understand why it is that they can't see this about themselves.

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

Comment #179181 by PJG on May 12, 2008 at 8:37 pm

Comment #179070 by Corylus

'They are men and know what honour is,' he said.

Interesting. I have noticed how the term 'honour' can sometimes be used as a smokescreen for sexual jealousy.

I find myself wondering what thoughts this murderous low-life had in the dark of the night concerning his daughter.

41. The Stupidity of Dignity

Comment #179170 by PJG on May 12, 2008 at 8:12 pm

Quine

But, wait, without dignity wouldn't everyone just laugh at the Pope's hat?

42. Americans pray at the pump for cheaper petrol

Comment #179154 by PJG on May 12, 2008 at 7:34 pm

Bonkers!!!!

The trouble is now, if the price comes down, even by a cent, within the normal market fluctuation, they will say "Goddidit" and another prayer will have been answered - if not, it will be those evil oil people. Really, God just can't lose.

* sigh *

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

Comment #178484 by PJG on May 11, 2008 at 1:41 pm

I think muslims in europe behave and actually are more civilised then many muslims in dysfunctional countries.I am sure it is not just fear of jail.

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

Comment #178064 by PJG on May 10, 2008 at 11:39 am

82abhilash says:

I suspect the real reason is is the price rise in beef from £2,500 a tonne to more than £4,000 a tonne. The religiosity is just a convenient excuse.

45. Trouble ahead for science

Comment #177445 by PJG on May 9, 2008 at 5:30 am

I have a dream....

Nice, intelligent, articulate Ken Miller experiences a "crisis of faith" and explains to the world that his belief in God has crumbled in light of the dishonest, ignorant and manipulative tactics of his fellow Christians.

Seriously, I do find it difficult to understand how people like Ken Miller, who otherwise seem very grown up, can continue to believe in a magical "super-parent" just because it is referred to by its pseudonym, God.

46. Churchgoing on its knees as Christianity falls out of favour

Comment #177394 by PJG on May 9, 2008 at 2:42 am

Barry Pearson

Your letter:

* Thumbs up *

47. Churchgoing on its knees as Christianity falls out of favour

Comment #177366 by PJG on May 9, 2008 at 1:38 am

Martin Salter, the Labour MP for Reading West and a member of Reading inter-faith group, said: "I think all faiths could be treated equally under our constitution. These figures demonstrate the absurdity of favouring one brand of Christianity over other parts of the Christian faith and the many other religions that grace our shores."

48. My Response to Rabbi Shmuley Boteach

Comment #177305 by PJG on May 8, 2008 at 10:31 pm

I thought RD was probably rather insensitive to reference Hitler when describing the behaviour of a Rabbi... but then I thought, " Here we go again, trying not to "offend" people."

How far must we go? Do we have to consider every word we speak in case we touch a nerve? Richard said, rightly, that Hitler shrieked his message. It is a well known tactic, used by many to raise the emotional temperature and make the nature of the delivery of a speech more influential than the words. So, does the name of the most well known person to use this tactic have to be removed from conversation when speaking to anyone from the Jewish faith, lest we offend?

I get offended sometimes - sometimes it takes me as long as two minutes to GET OVER IT!

* sighs and rolls eyes *

49. Mental Disorders In Parents Linked To Autism In Children, Study Shows

Comment #176287 by PJG on May 7, 2008 at 5:49 am

Wasn't there a link made between pre-verbal (psychological) trauma and autism decades ago?

I remember hearing something about it in the 70's - but of course, like ADHD, we mustn't suggest that a problem in the child might be linked to a problem in the parenting must we boys and girls? (sarcasm!)

http://www.dorothyrowe.com.au/index.php?u=Not_mad_or_bad.htm2

50. The detail in the Devil

Comment #176238 by PJG on May 7, 2008 at 1:26 am

Comment #175855 by Frankus1122

When I was a child I was afraid to go down into the basement of our house. I thought there were monsters down there.

When I got a bit older I was afraid that the devil or other demonic angels were real and that they could get me.(That was part of my religious upbringing).

Then the Exorcist came out and I was scared beyond measure of dark places.

Today, I would walk through a graveyard at midnight on Halloween. My only fear would be that I would trip over something in the dark.

I suppose it is all part of growing up.