1. When too much Rapture is barely enough

Comment #204612 by GBile on July 5, 2008 at 11:16 am

If this guy would have said 'Walhalla' in stead of 'Heaven', he might not have been loose anymore.

The funny thing about the rapture stories is that 144.000 (no more no less) of the tribes of the Israelites are going to be raptured. So an average believer from Smalville Kansas should not have a chance. But wait a minute, couldn't he be a honorary Israelite from that mysterious tribe that showed up in the midwest, long before Columbus learned how to sail a boat? The Lord works in mysterious ways.

Recently a group of palestinians in Gaza continued firing rocket into Israel, despite the truce, on the basis of their conviction that they must force Islam on all mankind.

What was the uplifting value of religion again ?

2. Common New Atheist Fallacies

Comment #203751 by GBile on July 3, 2008 at 1:40 pm

Barry P,

Your 'three hurdles' atheist conversion scheme is great. I already see the theists frantically following this path and failing every time to reach their desired goal.
Now if they only would return the favor and give a schematic on how they could lose their particular faith (proven old earth, skeleton of jezus, obvious psychotic mental state of mohammed, or anything more subtle). We would be crossing off believers on a daily basis.
Unfortunately they will always come up with something new to be proven.

3. Muslims outraged at police advert featuring cute puppy sitting in policeman's hat

Comment #203087 by GBile on July 2, 2008 at 11:08 am

Dear Councillor Asif,

Hereby I declare your brain ritually unclean. Although you might think that Allah is on your side, the truth is that you share a common ancestor with every dog on earth. Both of you have, for instance, your balls dangling under your bellies.
It could have been you, sitting on the policeman's hat, and Rebel complaining. But, I am sure, Rebel is too smart for that.

4. Aliens need Christ's redemption, too

Comment #201675 by GBile on June 30, 2008 at 3:26 am

So now we know that even science fiction writers can become senile.

Armed with the conclusion, then, that it is a failure of the imagination, not a failure of theology, to find oneself unable to envision God standing behind the modern and scientific idea of visible universe

5. Physicists in Congress Calculate Their Influence

Comment #194570 by GBile on June 17, 2008 at 1:03 am

In the Netherlands the minister of education not only is a professor in moleculair genetics, but he is an atheist as well.

How is that for a change.

6. Hints of structure beyond the visible universe

Comment #191097 by GBile on June 10, 2008 at 7:56 am

Geraint,

If 10^100 is true ... wow !
You might get lost in such a place.

7. Hints of structure beyond the visible universe

Comment #191070 by GBile on June 10, 2008 at 7:07 am

mmurray,

10100 might be a typo for 10-100, somewhere between 10 times or 100 times. Does that make sense ?

8. Regime change in heaven

Comment #191055 by GBile on June 10, 2008 at 6:52 am

Somehow it sounds like 'Mission accomplished'.

9. Put a Little Science in Your Life

Comment #187350 by GBile on June 2, 2008 at 2:55 am

A curious (part of a) sentence in the article:

'so-called dark matter and energy, which researchers are now vigorously trying to divine.'

This would certainly get them the Templeton price if they succeeded.

10. Scientists rally against creationist 'superstition'

Comment #186977 by GBile on June 1, 2008 at 2:20 am

While the young earth creationists are the real nutters, those admitting to 'microevolution' have several stitches loose as well. I think they are included in the 40%.

What to do about this ocean of ignorance ? First we should have proper education in the schools. Science programs on television will help much, for instance explaining how we know that we have a common ancestor with the chimpanzees/bonobo's 6 million years ago, how these times are determined, how we can determine that the earth is 4,5 billion years old, and so forth. These are scientific findings that cannot be denied.
The hardcore deludees might not be convinced by this but many other might start to appreciate the results of science and for instance demand that their children are taught this.
Another thing could be to interview well known religious people, confront them with the scientific facts and have them admit that they cannot deny evolution, old earth and so on. This might challenge those still in denial.

Who can be the first? Ben Stein ?? Sorry, a joke.

11. Storm erupts over 'virginity' divorce

Comment #186861 by GBile on May 31, 2008 at 1:23 pm

GBile wrote ( in response to Appleby's question 'Am I forced to like homosexuals?'):

Of course not. But in the case you actually dislike homosexuals, you must have a reason for that. I hope this reason is not: because it says so in a book. That goes for all other opinions and convictions.

To this Appleby answered:

Well I do dislike homosexuals. What they do simply disgusts me. Does this make me religious or a bigot? Am I not permitted to feel the way I do about them? Must I be at worst indifferent to them? Is this some kind of objective morality? Am I also wrong for preferring the company of beautiful women and shunning the fat and ugly ones?

12. Storm erupts over 'virginity' divorce

Comment #186704 by GBile on May 31, 2008 at 6:32 am

Am I forced to like homosexuals?

13. Synthetic Copycat Of Living Cell Underway: Life, But Not As We Know It?

Comment #186259 by GBile on May 30, 2008 at 2:56 am

The minimum what these creatures should be obliged to do is to bow 5 times a day in the direction of Nottingham and to sing songs of praise for the mighty Cameron on sundays. Otherwise, to hell with them.

14. Mark Steyn vs. the 'Sock Puppets'

Comment #185913 by GBile on May 29, 2008 at 4:31 am

exposing Muslims to hatred and contempt

15. Animal Science Without Evolution

Comment #184715 by GBile on May 26, 2008 at 3:06 am

With the upcoming anniversary in 2009 of Darwins 'book', we might coin a specific word for people, who 'deny' evolution. They should be uncomfortable, even a little embarrassed to be called as such.
Fool, moron or muddlehead, though appropriate, may be to harsh.

A first proposal: deludee

Other suggestions ?

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

Comment #183417 by GBile on May 22, 2008 at 4:51 am

Garnok,

There may have been several shrouds. The following could have happened: After the first enshroudment, the holy corpse might have let go of some 'Holy Shit' (see an earlier comment). Confusion all around and a second enshroudment, and a third . . .
So the Turin shroud might be the last, 'shitless' one.

Now the quest for the others can start.

17. Losing Our Spines to Save Our Necks

Comment #182555 by GBile on May 20, 2008 at 12:56 pm

'Clearmind'- could he - actually - really - be a - chimpanzee ??

18. Is Science Killing the Soul?

Comment #180458 by GBile on May 15, 2008 at 2:34 am

... but another thing that the religions do is give comfort to people if they lose people in car accidents or to cancer and so on, and as far as I've experienced it, the scientific view cannot give people this kind of comfort ...

19. God seekers go public

Comment #179652 by GBile on May 13, 2008 at 1:21 pm

Just imagine these scientists in their white coats fervently praying for the needles of their Complexometers to move. Yes... Yes...

Actually these needles may not move at all, just to test their faith ...

20. The Stupidity of Dignity

Comment #179048 by GBile on May 12, 2008 at 12:53 pm

Human dignity, quite a topic.

In a video on the Dover trial, a slightly obese man behind a desk was complaining how 'evil' evolution was violating his dignity through the suggestion that he had an 'apely' ancestor.

The term 'human dignity' always springs to my mind after spending some time in the bathroom and, after rising, watching that what just left my body. Human dignity.
But it is likely that obese evolution haters agree with me, they are surely full of it.

21. On Fitna, the Movie

Comment #178824 by GBile on May 12, 2008 at 5:30 am

It is pretty stupid to judge Fitna on basis of the assholiness of Wilders. Modern democratic societies do not have place for the 'Islamic mindset'. Wilders contributes to spreading that idea.

The people in this video apparently are against 'Islamism', 'political Islamic movement', or whatever it is named. Good for them. Make a movie, start an 'Ex muslim' movement, put more pressure on islamic backwardness.

And by the way, is there someone who has something positive to say about 'the diversity of muslim cultures'?

22. 3QD interviews Richard Dawkins

Comment #178797 by GBile on May 12, 2008 at 4:42 am

Reading and commenting on articles on this site for some time now, 'real science' stuff beats the 'reli-babble' more and more for me. From interviews like the present ABBAS-Dawkins interview, I learn so much more than what Cardinals, theologians, or what have you, have to offer.
Fortunately 'science' progresses, so something new is to be learned on a regular basis. If only we could spend all our time on this rather than also have to 'fight' the ghosts of the past.

23. Dumb and Dumber: A discussion between Ben Stein and Glenn Beck

Comment #175445 by GBile on May 5, 2008 at 12:40 pm

A gem from part one:

There are doctors that are killing people, again, in Germany

24. Ben Stein Vs. Sputtering Atheists

Comment #165249 by GBile on April 21, 2008 at 9:00 am

Just looked at www.creators.com . Apparently there are a lot of them, and they do it for money.

First thing I saw in the 'Most recently updated'-column: * Holiday Mathis, Horoscopes: Horoscopes By Holiday for April 21 -

HUH ??

25. Evolution fray attracts top scientist

Comment #162458 by GBile on April 17, 2008 at 2:20 am

Son.of.God,

I am considering your wish ...

26. Richard Dawkins' secular army must be stopped. God is behind some of our greatest art

Comment #160403 by GBile on April 14, 2008 at 3:23 am

Amazing ! The ease with which all commenters find the 'black' holes in mr Ravenhill's reasoning, makes you wonder why this article was written (and even published) at all.
Christianity inspires art and therefore cannot be criticized ??

This reminds me of the artist from Iraq who was inspired by the great leader and devoted his time to painting portraits of the beloved Saddam. They were quite nice portraits (judging from a post 2003 CNN report) and were found all over the place. But alas, 'the army denied him the possibility of drawing inspiration to create the art of the future'.

And then again, ever seen the 'beautifully inspired' Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove ? So much for that theory, mr Ravenhill.

27. The Lava Lizard's Tale

Comment #158092 by GBile on April 10, 2008 at 4:12 am

Richard Morgan,

When you talked about 'the Bile and hatred on the RD-site' (terminology reused by David Robertson) in your comment in the FCOS-environment, I was startled. I always tried to keep my 'GBile' remarks on the topics covered by RD-net as suave as I could. Hatred is not a word in my vocabulary.
You seem to be saddened by what you read and it appears that I am listening to your 'Farewell music' at the moment. If you really feel that you have to depart, then so be it.
Your 'music-site' is bookmarked though.

28. Upside-down church sculpture on hit list

Comment #155835 by GBile on April 6, 2008 at 3:29 am

People,

This is ART, so comments like:

It's ugly.

I think it's perfectly reasonable to have it removed.

But it is an eyesore

29. Anti-Quran Film Fitna Pulled From Web Due to 'Threats'

Comment #152483 by GBile on March 31, 2008 at 6:17 am

I found this remark on CNN:

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon also has condemned the film, saying there is no justification for hate speech or the incitement of violence.

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon also has commended the film, saying there is no justification for hate speech or the incitement of violence, emanating from the Islamic world, as shown by the film

30. Flipping particle could explain missing antimatter

Comment #146696 by GBile on March 19, 2008 at 9:31 am

This Bs meson reminds me of the BS boson, named Dinesh D'Souza, who changes his argumentation about as fast as our flipping particle, when confronted in debate by an atheist.

Now, if he could also decay into something harmless after a while ...

31. They prayed to cast Satan from my body

Comment #145058 by GBile on March 17, 2008 at 8:07 am

Ok, irate ...

Fucktardettes !

32. Full house captivated by atheist Dawkins' take on religion

Comment #142648 by GBile on March 13, 2008 at 12:10 am

Lucas,
Apparently I should be offended by being called a "rube". I am not, I don't even have the slightest idea what a "rube" is. Well, anglish is not my native language, that could be an explanation for my indifference to "rube".
On the other hand, at Richarddawkins.net I am characterized as a "lurker". I am annoyed about that, because in my English (american) dictionary a lurker is someone who hides in the bushes with the intention to commit evil deeds (or something like that). A complaint to Josh about the "lurker" status was dismissed by the remark that in the age of the internet this qualification might be quite appropriate (it is not).
The point I try to make is that offense is largely in the eye of the beholder. A quote to underscore this would be: "nobody has the right NOT to be offended". In cases that people hold extreme beliefs, and act on those beliefs, "strong" language might be warranted. Most religious beliefs are extreme.

33. Seven new deadly sins: are you guilty?

Comment #141358 by GBile on March 10, 2008 at 9:46 am

irate_atheist .. right on.

From an other article about the matter (CNN):

Girotti, who heads the Apostolic Penitentiary, a Vatican body that issues decisions on matters of conscience and grants absolutions told the paper that whilst sin used to concern the individual mostly, today it had a mainly a social resonance, due to the phenomenon of globalization.

Father Antonio Pelayo, a Spanish priest and Vatican expert noted that it is time for both sinners and confessors to get over their obsession with sex and think about other ways humans hurt each other in the world in which they live.

34. Crossing the Divide

Comment #140707 by GBile on March 8, 2008 at 11:53 am

Polydactyl,

I think the 'truths' of atheism are a good deal more bitter than the 'truths' of religion.

35. Contribute to science directly by volunteering some of your computer's processing power!

Comment #140446 by GBile on March 7, 2008 at 11:13 am

From the BOINC statistics for the RD Foundation I learn that on januari 25, 2008 a 'singularity' took place in the BOINC-space.
( http://boincstats.com/stats/boinc_team_graph.php?pr=bo&id=133060 )
What happened ?

36. Crossing the Divide

Comment #140289 by GBile on March 7, 2008 at 5:29 am

"I still have childhood friends and relatives who won't speak to me."

Godfrey's father eventually asked that he stop mentioning evolution, as the topic was too upsetting to the family, who believe that their afterlife depends on embracing creationism

37. How to abandon your God

Comment #139469 by GBile on March 5, 2008 at 11:33 pm

In other words, maybe you abandon God by realizing it's all God, it's all divine ..

38. Bulldozers tear down giant religious teapot

Comment #139102 by GBile on March 5, 2008 at 6:14 am

"When you come out you come back with inner peace," he said.

39. Darwin's dangerous idea

Comment #137528 by GBile on March 3, 2008 at 4:53 am

Maybe, just maybe, the 'getting dumber of America' is a good thing. It might even be evolution at work.

Religious people breeding profusely 'for Jezus or Allah' will eventually mean less science, less advanced technology, prayer instead of medicine and so on. So in the end we will again have 'hunter-gatherer' societies and these 'fittest', one million per continent, might be longer around than now is in store for mankind.

Did I miss something ?

40. A God blog

Comment #137520 by GBile on March 3, 2008 at 4:00 am

Badger and Schipper.

Thanks for responding and clarifying Ceri Radfords statement.

I am not pessimistic about a post-religion era of 'trivial living'. The 'hour of power' might then very well be people studying nature, discussing scientific findings, exploring new technologies etc.

41. A God blog

Comment #136979 by GBile on March 2, 2008 at 4:48 am

This is a strange conclusion:

I also have my doubts about the post-religious utopia he seems to envisage - I suspect Big Macs and Nike trainers will feature more strongly than love of nature and scientific zeal.

42. Evidence can't shake your faith if your faith excludes it as evidence

Comment #132638 by GBile on February 25, 2008 at 4:16 am

Paul Campos, OC register.

I am an angel of the lord. The proof, of course, is that I write lord rather than Lord (as you are supposed to do !)
I don't use the 'ye' language, but just my sort of english. And the internet has reached us as you can see, so I appear before you electronically.

Now hear this, directly from the lord by the way, who is rather annoyed by you (your current status is 'lower limbo'!). Unintelligible, random rantings like the one produced here, do not help our cause. Don't do it again! You might not like what we have below lower limbo.

A sentence that starts with: 'After all, a genuine atheist must interpret such an event as ...', oh boy. You should have seen the lords face when he read that. So behave !

And .. don't try to convince yourself that that I am not the real stuff. You don't have evidence for that. How low can you go ... remember?

43. The coming religious peace

Comment #132061 by GBile on February 24, 2008 at 4:39 am

Diacanu

What about:

- Jezus saves .. at Northern Rock.

- Are you sure your Mother went to heaven ?

Well okay, that is not pro-atheism but may get the relis to think.

44. Don't blame Islam for terrorism, expert says

Comment #131259 by GBile on February 22, 2008 at 6:21 am

It has been remarked that the 'West' has started global conflicts "with no remote parallels in Islamic history".

Remote in time, but nevertheless a parallel, would easily be the attempt by islam to eradicate hindus in the Indian subcontinent. Fanusi pointed at this his comment.

Daily we are witness of the ease with which Muslims blow themselves up (or maybe rather force others, boys, mentally handicapped women and so on, to blow themselves up) in the middle of crowds of ... other muslims.
My conclusion is that 'mutually assured destruction', the MADness that may have prevented a fatal clash between the 'Free' world and the 'Communist' world some decades ago, might not work in the Islamic context. For Islam conquering 'the enemy' will undoubtely be rewarded in 'heaven', so if you yourself (and maybe everyone around you) perish, is only a plus.

I may not be an expert, but I do blame Islam for terrorism.

45. The Lava Lizard's Tale

Comment #131173 by GBile on February 22, 2008 at 3:13 am

This video is perfectly in line with 'The Ancestors Tale'. That book is a 'must-read' for every citizen of this earth, especially for the religiously inclined.
It not only fascinated me by presenting our 'ancestors', thereby giving me the feel of having a (distant) relative in my cat, the birds in my garden and even in the orange I ate today, but also by explaining the problems (and solutions) of exploring the field of evolution. Problems like timing and time scales for instance, which was the subject of this video.

46. Archbishop's 8 March centennial message: Let Sharia Law govern women's lives, Amen!

Comment #128637 by GBile on February 17, 2008 at 1:38 pm

This is a great article. Azar Majedi demolishes the Archbishops reasoning in a devastating manner.

One which is seemingly very liberal is the assumption that members of the "Muslim communities" will voluntarily resort to Sharia law. If Muslim women or children had any choice or voice, they would tell the Archbishop to keep these proposals to himself.

47. A match made on RichardDawkins.net?

Comment #128172 by GBile on February 16, 2008 at 12:04 pm

This is a happy announcement. Veronique and Yorker, congratulations.

Why don't we all meet somewhere on our planet to celebrate. Tristan da Cunha, Jipsingboermussel, Bangan si api api ? Name the place.

By the way, although earth may be our only home, I expect our great- great grandchildren to inhabit other parts of our solar system. Mars or lots of interesting moons available I think.

48. Smaller Version of the Solar System Is Discovered

Comment #128134 by GBile on February 16, 2008 at 9:35 am

5000 light years ?
If we just had a big powerful telescope to watch their Noah with his ark floating in their flood, then we would know ...

49. Charles Simonyi Professorship in the Public Understanding of Science

Comment #125173 by GBile on February 11, 2008 at 3:27 am

Gee, I am also 'retiring' in september 2008. Apart from other things, I intend to brush of some rust of my Golf-game. Could we meet on a Golfcourse somewhere Professor? You certainly deserve some leasure time.

50. Sharia law in UK is 'unavoidable'

Comment #124362 by GBile on February 9, 2008 at 7:52 am

From a BBC-comment:

According to Bishop Lowe:

"We have probably one of the greatest and the brightest Archbishops of Canterbury we have had for many a long day," he said.