1. Divine Impulses: Ayaan Hirsi Ali

Comment #197363 by Atanu on June 21, 2008 at 9:32 pm

As always, AHA is very impressive.

I have a strange question about the video. Why did the video focus on Sally's face practically all the time that AHA was speaking and the camera moved to AHA only briefly when Sally was asking the questions?

It is the strangest talking head video I have ever seen -- the talking head is out of the frame and only the listening head is shown.

2. George Scales, War Hero and Generous Friend of RDFRS

Comment #111567 by Atanu on January 15, 2008 at 2:45 am

Dear Mr Scales:

Sir, you are truly exceptional: a man with guts, brains, and a heart. May your tribe increase.

With warm wishes for a speedy recovery.

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

Comment #111247 by Atanu on January 14, 2008 at 6:31 am

Thanks, Sam.

You are the best.

I just wrote a blog post that quotes extensively from your "The Problem with Atheism". The post is long only because of the quotes from you but the initial part of the post includes my characterization of you. I would be much obliged if you would tell me if I have you wrong.

Here's the link to my blog post: http://www.deeshaa.org/2008/01/14/the-problem-with-atheism/

If I have made an error in my description of you, I would be much obliged if you would correct me.

Thanks.
Atanu
atanudey@gmail

4. Blind Faiths

Comment #108932 by Atanu on January 8, 2008 at 1:06 am

Fanusi Khiyal, just wanted to express my appreciation of your point of view and the time you take to express your argument clearly.

I am against Islam for one simple reason -- that it calls unconditionally for my death and destruction merely because I am not a believer. Many of my ancestors have been killed by the followers of Islam and finally my grandfather's family had to leave his home (in what is today Bangladesh) and became a refugee in India. India has seen death and destruction inspired by Islam for many many centuries and it is still not entirely clear that Islam will not eventually destroy India. Every so often, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan does declare one of the 1000-year Holy Jihads to destroy infidel India. Now they have nukes too. So there is still a good chance that the next nuke exploded over civilians will be in India.

The American historian Will Durant concluded: "The Islamic conquest of India is probably the bloodiest story in History. It is a discouraging tale, for its evident moral is that civilization is a precious good, whose delicate complex order and freedom can at any moment be overthrown barbarians invading from without and multiplying within."

For Islam, India is unfinished business. The fat lady is yet to sing.

5. Debate: Ayaan Hirsi Ali vs Ed Husain

Comment #92264 by Atanu on November 30, 2007 at 6:46 am

I just finished listening to that debate. I must say that Ed Husain is the greatest Islamic apologist around. He is really slick.

6. Eugenie Scott on Intelligent Design and Young Earth Creationism

Comment #81570 by Atanu on October 24, 2007 at 11:03 pm

PN Iyer writes above:

Why can't these awards and lectures of Richard Dawkins Foundation, these lectures and ideas related science be made simple and presented in the developing world? I can understand why they are not being presented in the Arab countries but they can be presented in Asian and non Muslim countries.

India accounts for a large part of the "Asian and non-Muslim countries" referred to above. Indians of the non-Abrahamic religious pursuation (Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, Sikhs, etc) have absolutely no problems with science in general and specifically with Darwinian evolution. I speak not only for myself, as a Hindu and an atheist, but also for everyone I know in India.

Hindus are not indoctrinated early in life that humanity was specifically created by god (or whatever.) What we are taught is that all living beings are a manifestation of the creative power of the universe and that all living things are related -- in the sense that they have a spark of the divine. So for an atheistic Hindu like me, it was never a struggle for me to understand the inherent logic of Darwinian evolution, nor did I have to struggle in accepting the findings of modern cosmology. This is distinctly different for those who are taught the myths of the Abrahamic faiths.

Aside: First time I am commenting on this blog. Have been a huge fan of Prof Dawkins. Have an autographed copy of "River out of Eden" -- got it signed at a lecture at UC Berkeley a few years ago. Thank you Prof Dawkins. May your tribe increase.

Atanu Dey
www.deeshaa.org