1. Malaysia woman scores rare legal win to quit Islam

Comment #181054 by nanaj on May 16, 2008 at 11:11 am

Tezcatlipoca - What a great idea! I vote we start a tradition - of eating such forbidden fruits any time we have cause to celebrate any kind minor triumphs against the godbods, - so, non-halal bacon sanies all round!

2. Losing Our Spines to Save Our Necks

Comment #175372 by nanaj on May 5, 2008 at 10:23 am

Al Rawandi

Salman Rushdie? No, no, I'm afraid I'm not so high profile; not even the same sex! Can't say too much more, anyway, I'm sure this isn't the place, but the type of threat I was under when fleeing from the Middle East is not so uncommon in those parts, it's simple intimidation to get what they want and it works every time: It had me very scared for a good few years (it happened in 1997); So, I do whatever I can nowadays to uphold rationalism, but the picture is sometimes depressing especially when we see how quickly Islam is multiplying - to take over, all it need do is wait a while! :-(

3. Losing Our Spines to Save Our Necks

Comment #175354 by nanaj on May 5, 2008 at 9:49 am

Thanks Sam for having the fortitude to make such a bold and honest statement of the Islamic Emperor's nakedness - not many would dare:

I hope that you, RD and the irrepressible Hitch will accept my humble and incessant gratitude for continually putting your necks on the block on our behalf: Having been the victim of an Islamic fatwa myself, I know well the risks, and because all I do these days is cower away within the relatively safe confines of Humanism I'm humbled by the courage of each of you and impressed that for all the dozens of podcasts, video debates, books, etc, I've read and heard, I haven't yet experienced one of you (well maybe Hitch comes close!) lose your polite and civil demeanour in the face of sometimes stupifying ignorance and wickedness - Bravo indeed!

4. I always aim to misbehave

Comment #151605 by nanaj on March 29, 2008 at 3:50 am

Barry Pearson: Thanks for that video clip - I think it's really funny and well produced (I love Dan Dennet in his Patron outfit!): I know its meant to be insulting, but I think it might turn out the opposite, because it reminded me of this:

In the early 70s when the UK populace were all fed up with union strikes, the pop group 'Strawbs' did a spoof song called 'Part of the Union' - it was meant to hold the Unions up to ridicule and comtempt - but it ended up a big hit for the group and giving the unions a boost because people all over the country were singing the catchy chorus "You don't get me I'm part of the union"- let's hope this video shares that fate!

5. Cutting Edge: Baby Bible Bashers

Comment #129357 by nanaj on February 19, 2008 at 2:33 am

I watched this programme on Channel 4 the other night with a mixture of horror and sadness - the lowest point was when the 7 yr old boy, taken into the big city to interact with non-believers was utterly bewildered and frightened and sat with tears rolling down his face witnessing the hostile response from 'normal' people - it was gut-wrenching: I hope Radesq is right and these children recover, but what scars this 'abuse' will leave

6. The New Atheist Movement

Comment #123411 by nanaj on February 7, 2008 at 5:38 am

I know Hitchens can be a bit sharp at times, but to say that people like Sam Harris and RD are attacking religion with 'violence' is plain lies, I've never heard either of them be anything but polite

7. Christopher Hitchens Debates Timothy Jackson

Comment #122916 by nanaj on February 6, 2008 at 9:17 am

Another superb debate: I'm eternally grateful that people like Dawkins, Hitchens and Harris are knowledgeable enough, articulate enough and brave enough to put themselves repeatedly in the front line of this anti-theist/religious argument, taking all the flak, animosity (not to mention danger) that ensues from it, while technology allows intellectual minnows like me to participate from the comfort and safety of my armchair: My humble appreciation and thanks to you all

8. Happy Birthday Josh Timonen!

Comment #119181 by nanaj on January 31, 2008 at 11:29 am

Have a happy one Josh - thanks for your background work - all appreciated

9. Belief in Belief

Comment #117556 by nanaj on January 29, 2008 at 5:28 am

Hitchins talk -best I've heard in years - well done on pics 43alley

10. Banks are helping sharia make a back-door entrance

Comment #116752 by nanaj on January 27, 2008 at 10:36 am

Sharia Law in Canadian Banks:

This slippery slope trend has to be exceedingly worrying - Last year it was introduced in Scotland when I was moved to close my account at Lloyds TSB bank because they not only introduced sharia style banking but other 'customs' in the banking hall were re designed to conform with Muslim conventions (acknowledgement of Islamic holidays, no pigs,etc, etc)