1. Christians challenge teaching of evolution

Comment #204356 by flibble on July 4, 2008 at 9:05 pm

The comments thread underneath this (in the original linked article), has either been the subject of a concerted attack by a cretinist group, or NZ is chock full of nutjobs.

2. Storm erupts over 'virginity' divorce

Comment #186404 by flibble on May 30, 2008 at 8:52 am

Oh dear. I have to admit that I'm also "ignoran[t] of epithelial turnover in mucous membranes". Please don't lump in with this guy though :D

3. Richard Dawkins interviewed by John Humphrys on Cardinal Murphy O'Connor

Comment #177582 by flibble on May 9, 2008 at 10:32 am

I listened to Richards (very short) interview first and thought what a good job he'd done in the time allowed, but after listening to the cardinal's (much longer) interview, I have to say that Richard wasn't nearly as effective in showing religion up to be the vacuous nonsense it is.

4. Pat Condell: Anthology DVD available now!

Comment #172666 by flibble on April 29, 2008 at 9:13 pm

I'm tempted, but why does the website of a British scientist have to offer a DVD of a British comedian on bloody NTSC ?

5. They prayed to cast Satan from my body

Comment #145673 by flibble on March 18, 2008 at 1:23 am

Hmmm, there's a Gloria Jeans recently opened up over the road from my office (in Nottingham, UK). I haven't been in yet because I'm not much of a consumer of "trendy coffee" - I much prefer a good strong cup of tea - I am English after all ;)

However I know a lot of people from my office have, including a couple of gay guys, and many more that would self identify as being VERY liberal. I shall make sure I inform them of this outfit's fundie links. I just checked the UK website and they're supporting Mercy Ministries over here too.

6. Fleabytes

Comment #130098 by flibble on February 20, 2008 at 4:35 am

Excellent review(s) Paula. I certainly could not have written this. Not only because I'm not much of a writer, but also because I could not have put myself through the frustration of reading these (Robertson's posts on here were more than enough thankyou).

It occured to me that only an ex-theist such as yourself is really in a position to do this, because your experience gives you the ability to be able to distill the meaning (where there is any!) amongst all the gibberish that passes for Christian prose. To me, and I'm sure the majority of others who've never been theists, the mindless waffle just reads as, well, mindless waffle, and I'm incapable of extracting what is that the author is trying to say.

For example when he says "That is where grace, salvation, the cross and all the wonderful truths of the acts of God in Christ come into their own.", what exactly is the word 'cross' doing in that sentence, and what are the 'truths of the acts of God in Christ'? I'm sure to Christians (and ex Christians who have the reqisite experience) the word cross conjures up feeleings of JC dying for their salvation or something, but if so then why not say that. To me it is nonsensical.

7. Charles Simonyi Professorship in the Public Understanding of Science

Comment #125455 by flibble on February 11, 2008 at 11:51 am

A possible candidate that springs to mind for me is V.S. Ramachandran.

You beat me to it. But at least you've saved me googling how to spell his name ;)

I'd also like to add myself to the list of those that appreciate your contribution over the years Richard, and I look forward to the new extra shrill version!

8. Ken Ham in Leicester April 2008

Comment #115721 by flibble on January 24, 2008 at 2:58 pm

I'm also a firm believer that laughter/ridicule is the best weapon in our arsenal.

I had an idea that I think would really hit the spot, but I don't have the wherewithall/contacts to organise it, and its probably too late for this current "tour" by AiG anyway.

Wouldn't it be great if an adjacent or nearby venue could be hired out on the same night to host a comedy gig. Call it something like "Answers in Genesis - you must be joking!", and get a couple of comedians to deliver cretinist inspired stand-up routines. If proceeds went to some worthy cause (that Christians always seem to think they have the monopoly on) then even better.

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

Comment #111510 by flibble on January 14, 2008 at 9:38 pm

George,

There's not much I could say that hasn't already been said, so I'll just keep it to a brief "get well soon", and thank you for supporting this most important of initiatives.

All the best
Mark
Nottingham

10. 'Atheistic fundamentalism' fears

Comment #102303 by flibble on December 22, 2007 at 9:28 am

I emailed the bish, but I don't really expect a reply:

Dear Mr Morgan

I have just read some excerpts from your Christmas message at http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/7156783.stm

Whilst I wouldn't expect your stance to be anything other than scornful of those who don't share your beliefs, I feel I have to ask whether you're the only person still left in Britain who isn't aware that the annual "Winterval" scare is nothing more than paranoia. This was a one-off, three month long business promotion run by Birmingham council during winter over ten years ago. It was not in any way shape or form a replacement for "traditional Christmas" festivities, and indeed the council's regular Christmas events took place as normal that year.

Are you really so ignorant of the facts surrounding affairs which you choose to include in your speech, and which I would have assumed you would take an interest in anyway by virtue of your job, or are you simply another in a long line of Christians who feels its OK to "lie for Jesus".

I would be very interested to know which it is.

Yours sincerely

11. Borders Tags Atheist Book with 'O Come All Ye Faithless' Cards

Comment #100584 by flibble on December 19, 2007 at 12:16 am

"...but I would have hoped that ... we might have grown out of this kind of nonsense."

Exactly Mr Edwrards, exactly !

12. THE FOUR HORSEMEN - Available Now on DVD!

Comment #98960 by flibble on December 15, 2007 at 3:09 am

Great video. Thanks Josh.

I particularly liked Dan Dennet's idea of having an "alarm" that is fired in your head when you catch yourself being cognatively dissonant. If we could propogate a meme like this it could be very useful to disarm those who believe because they've never REALLY thought about it.

Its certainly possible, as I already do this myself on occassion - usually when I catch myself subconciously stopping myself from thinikng about why I should give up smoking.

13. 7 monks injured in clash over monastery

Comment #14161 by flibble on December 21, 2006 at 10:22 am

I was well aware that those heathen Welsh had a tenuous claim to be the one true path to the pleasures of the sheep, but now those devilish Scots are blaspheming us too!

Stand up Derby County supporters, and be counted!

- Just ask anyone from Nottingham)

14. The Blasphemy Challenge

Comment #13147 by flibble on December 15, 2006 at 10:08 pm

Richard C - the DVD is available from the National Secular Society in a UK-playable version.

http://www.secularism.org.uk/shop.html?eshopid=49438

15. Dawkins v God - stop the fight

Comment #4024 by flibble on November 2, 2006 at 4:51 am

"A life of obeisance to a deity one disbelieves in may be a price worth paying."

What sort or garbage is this? It sounds all too similar to the old hedging your bets idea of "what have you lost by spending a lifetime believing in him if in fact he doesn't exist".