1. Common New Atheist Fallacies

Comment #201050 by WhoDatNinja on June 28, 2008 at 9:41 pm

Note to self: Instead of ridiculing the theist I'm talking to, use one of the gajillion arguments concerning the irrationality of religion. Thanks Greg Koukl!

Unfortunately I'll never get that 20 minutes back.

2. Hitchens vs. Hitchens

Comment #157979 by WhoDatNinja on April 9, 2008 at 11:27 pm

I vehemently disagree with the elder Hitchens concerning the Iraq war, and in a strange way I find that very reassuring. I like reminding myself that atheism is not part of some political platform (excepting of course when politics turns to church/state separation).

As expected, once the debate turns directly to religion, Christopher wipes the floor with his little bro.

3. Sue Blackmore debates Alister McGrath

Comment #153035 by WhoDatNinja on March 31, 2008 at 11:10 pm

Is it OK to fall in love with the moderator?

4. Richard Dawkins on The Alan Colmes Show

Comment #144003 by WhoDatNinja on March 14, 2008 at 8:55 pm

Just one point I would like to raise though. A number of times now Richard has said his final break with faith came with his understanding of evolution. I'm troubled, (a little - not much), by this. I have never believed in any kind of religion, and my knowledge of evolution is that of an interested amateur at best.

Is Richard really saying if he hadn't come to a full understanding of evolution he might still have faith? Doesn't this play right into the hands of the creationists who can then play the evolution = atheism card?

Great point, Ian. I hadn't really thought about it in that way, but I can see how that statement could further the insane creationist position that evolution is yet another part of the 'atheist conspiracy.' I'm sure if questioned on the point Dr. Dawkins would emphasize the 'final break' part of his statement, rather than implying that his understanding of evolution was his 'frozen waterfall' of atheism.

This interview was pretty much fantastic all around, and as a result I'm going to go ahead and not hate Alan Colmes until the next time he rolls over and plays dead for Sean Hannity. So basically until tomorrow.

5. Fleas on the Horizon: In Defense of God

Comment #138056 by WhoDatNinja on March 3, 2008 at 8:33 pm

So read a book, ANY book, and you've got a part of the case against religion in your hands already! The only way you can avoid it is to cease reading any more books at all!

Many children in Islamic countries have access to only one book; the Qur'an. This actually surprised me when Ayaan Hirsi Ali mentioned it in a video posted here a couple of days ago, though in hindsight I suppose it shouldn't have.

On a separate note, I'd be interested to know what percentage of the books sold by someone like McGrath are purchased by atheists like ourselves. I'd be willing to bet the number is quite high.

6. Pakistan blocks YouTube over blasphemous video

Comment #133198 by WhoDatNinja on February 25, 2008 at 8:01 pm

Re: Goldy

This is from a comment below the article you linked that really made me smile:

----------begin------------

The proper reaction to these people is "ahh, bless" (and a pat on the head). To rekindle your sense of humour I include below this delightfully funny quote from one of the usual run-of-the-mill know-all whackjobs:

"One of the most basic laws in the universe is the Second Law of Thermodynamics. This states that as time goes by, entropy in an environment will increase. Evolution argues differently against a law that is accepted EVERYWHERE BY EVERYONE. Evolution says that we started out simple, and over time became more complex. That just isn't possible: UNLESS there is a giant outside source of energy supplying the Earth with huge amounts of energy. If there were such a source, scientists would certainly know about it."

----------end------------


Seriously, though, I really don't know how to deal with these people - it's not like they would trust (let alone understand) an academic article I might refer them to. One of my best friends is a middle school science teacher who genuinely believes that evolution is a myth; when I found out, I was utterly speechless. What can you possibly say to someone that blind? Sigh.

7. Sam Harris debate with Rabbi David Wolpe

Comment #130562 by WhoDatNinja on February 20, 2008 at 9:34 pm

I've been going back through and watching some of the debates posted on this site, and Harris certainly seems to be the most poised of the bunch. My response to many of Wolpe's claims would have been snarky (and quite true) a la Hitchens, but Harris' quiet approach here is masterful.

On the other hand, you can't beat Hitch when it comes to pure entertainment...