1. Art teacher made student pray to Jesus for forgiveness

Comment #251020 by utelme on September 21, 2008 at 2:20 am

daddy's band's official web page

Sheeeit, get the fire hose, lol

2. Look Who's Irrational Now

Comment #250619 by utelme on September 20, 2008 at 2:24 am

21% of self-proclaimed atheists believe in either a personal God or an impersonal force. Ten percent of atheists pray at least weekly and 12% believe in heaven.

Maybe they think that atheist means a theist. Yeah, yeah, I know, nobody could be that dumb..or could they?

3. Does faith have a place in medicine?

Comment #250483 by utelme on September 19, 2008 at 6:46 pm

It's truly amazing how religion can twist anti-discrimination laws to suit itself. It discriminates for the religious and then against those that don't have their beliefs. What a marvellous double edged sword they wield. I'm glad that I'm living in an age where more and more people are standing up to their arrogance.

4. Does faith have a place in medicine?

Comment #250464 by utelme on September 19, 2008 at 6:07 pm

comment 250439 by Diacanu

LMFAO...do popcorn...Stephen H... LOL

5. Letter from Sir Richard Roberts asking Reiss to step down

Comment #250136 by utelme on September 19, 2008 at 1:56 am

Lines have obviously been drawn in the sand (classroom)on the issues of science vs religion and some very good arguments have been proposed as to their incompatibility (and it's about time). Those who argue that "children" (are we including undergraduate students with this term?) need to be engaged in debate about the merits of evolution or any other branch of science and its superstitious opposite in a science class have an agenda that suits their particular theology.

Teachers and lecturers already deal with these issues in their own style and have been for years. There was no need for Reiss to make his comments at all unless he has a leaning toward his particular theology and wanted it to be imposed on everyone else by making a political football of it, especially in the current climate of religious fundamentalism, vote grabbing politicians and the rise of those willing to take on stone age, and in many cases, absurd beliefs and behaviours.

Teachers and lecturers are not all great at their chosen profession but are comprised of people of varying standards the same as the general populace. The fact that someone has a Doctorate does not necessarily make them competent teachers (an arrogant and pompous view). I'm sure that there are those here who have run into some good ones, average ones and absolutely terrible ones. It also isn't always for lack of trying by some of the bad ones . Getting rid of the bad ones may help but if you get rid of the average you won't have much left (hundreds of students per class?).

The good ones handle theological postulations well, the average struggle. It's hard enough to cover all the content of some science subjects, help the less bright students and get involved in religious claptrap that has been disproven by science long ago. The likelihood is that there are very few potential nobel prize laureates in the class and the rest don't need the enforced distraction of religious views of students that believe in a 6000 year old earth and have seen human footprints in dinosaur tracks (as an aspiring Vice President of the USA has stated).

Not to even consider that once they get involved in this debate they may then have to confront irate and litigious parents/organisations. By attempting to make it respectable by firstly infecting and causing dissension in an organisation representing science, then have the meeker agree with it and ultimately give fuel to those that want to virtually destroy science through political means and making it law is not merely disingenuous but stupid.

It is ridiculous to express surprise at the response by scientists and rational thinkers who reject stone age thinking. Leave it to a theology class or comparative religion class, perhaps those teachers can then handle questions on evolution and other branches of science. They have much more time to waste!

6. Evolution fine but no apology to Darwin: Vatican

Comment #249345 by utelme on September 18, 2008 at 2:30 am

And the fact that they can no longer burn scientists at the stake

For now!

7. Evolution fine but no apology to Darwin: Vatican

Comment #249250 by utelme on September 17, 2008 at 9:57 pm

Brian English/Decius are you both speaking in tongues? I need someone here who can decipher the prophecies. lol

8. YouTube Removes Viral Video on Palin's Churches For Inappropriate Content

Comment #248870 by utelme on September 17, 2008 at 4:59 am

Frustating?? Frustrating. Damn.

9. YouTube Removes Viral Video on Palin's Churches For Inappropriate Content

Comment #248865 by utelme on September 17, 2008 at 4:55 am

Tyler Durden

How can you ask the presumptive Vice President of the United States of America specific issues if she won't give a press conference?!?!?!

Tough and utterly frustating situation. After the "lipstick on a pig" gaffe by Obama and the media frenzy immediately after (especially from Fox), it seems to be difficult to criticize Palin. She's suddenly gotten many on her side from both sides of the political spectrum. I don't know if it would help if prominent atheists were to speak out about her nutty church affiliations. Touch and go. Obama really got caned by the media over his church but the pitbull with lipstick is being treated with kid gloves. The only hope (besides a sensible populace) is satire by comedians such as Jon Stewart, Bill Maher, Leno, etc who may be willing to make something of the video clips of her insane church friends. You really are between a rock and a hard place.

10. The Holy Laughter Anointing

Comment #248809 by utelme on September 17, 2008 at 2:17 am

Just imagine the holy laughter anointing that will occur if this article http://www.newsweek.com/id/158748 "Palin in the Supreme Court" happens.

11. YouTube Removes Viral Video on Palin's Churches For Inappropriate Content

Comment #248721 by utelme on September 16, 2008 at 5:31 pm

There's a simple way to get to the truth of her beliefs/religious behaviour. Firstly, she has to be asked directly about the types of beliefs and agendas of her church. Does she also talk in tongues? Does she talk directly to God? Does he answer back? Is she encouraged to accelerate armegeddon? Ask her about Joels army, etc , etc.

I'm sure a smart reporter could ask the appropriate questions to determine if she is truly a religious crazy. If people get these answers you might find that a majority of theists will be against her. This needs to be done soon, before it's too late.

If she turns out to be just another bullshitting politician seeking religious votes then there's at least some hope. Vote the lesser of 2 evils, Obama. Although, I heard on the news today that Obama was going to campaign stronger to get the religios. The old rock and a hard place story as far as choice of Prez goes

. Also the video and info needs to be spread throughout Europe not just the USA. Let the world see what it may be up against. Maybe the derision laced anger of the world may help. Who knows.

12. YouTube Removes Viral Video on Palin's Churches For Inappropriate Content

Comment #248309 by utelme on September 16, 2008 at 3:49 am

Ahmadaboutjihad and wailin Palin, alias stuffed if you do and stuffed if you don't, the dynamite duo. Wonder if a psychiatrist could help them...oops, that's right, even some psychiatrists are religionuts. Oh, well, I'll just bend over and kiss my arse goodbye.

13. YouTube Removes Viral Video on Palin's Churches For Inappropriate Content

Comment #248284 by utelme on September 16, 2008 at 3:11 am

Poor Jesus, heaven filled with lunatics like these. lol. I can just picture them rolling around on the floor, screaming, babbling, ejaculating, orgasms everywhere and the guy with the beard on the throne thinking, WTF is this? Let me out of here, they're nuts!

You have my sincere sympathies America, but the rest of the world has these crazies too. It's extremely scary to think that one of them has the potential to be President and possibly thinking that God has spoken to her to bring on armeggedon via nuclear conflagration. This video has to be shown to as large an audience as possible. Maybe someone like Bill Maher or Jon stewart could do something with it. I actually liked John McCain once but after this video of his crony Palin, forget it. McCain and Palin must be questioned on it and pressure put on them to explain their view to their voters. This is utterly insane. Go visit a lunatic asylum (euphemism..psychiatric ward. You'll probably see the same thing there. If there is a God (and I'm sure there aint) he's fucked with this lot.

14. Our scientists must nail the creationists

Comment #247668 by utelme on September 14, 2008 at 6:50 pm

When I was at uni studying engineering we had a lecturer who had previously taught in Papua New Guinea and was easily distracted whenever we mentioned the place. Whenever a couple of us who had had a little too much to drink the previous day and wanted to have a "little rest" we would deliberately set him off waffling about Papua New Guinea. This would end up wasting half the lesson while the rest of us could snore off. I wonder if allowing the discussion of religious beliefs in a science lesson would effectively waste half the lesson time. Lecturere/teachers have enough trouble getting lesson content to be absorbed by the class without red herrings being thrown out by either a couple of deluded or even waggish students. In my experience it isn't that hard to cause the teacher to waste quite a bit of time on topics off subject without considering that religion has sweet FA to do with science.

15. Have We Ever Faced An Enemy More Stupid Than Muslim Terrorists?

Comment #247063 by utelme on September 13, 2008 at 10:46 pm

Stublore

but if it's a muslim killing a muslim, then it's not a problem

Attacked is...wait for it...attacked! I would argue that muslims do consider killing by other muslims as attacks. Sunnis and Shia (fanatics)have been at each others throats many times and, seem to have no problem killing each other. They're not interested in parades.

They don't seem to have the problem of "Love your enemy" as much of the West has, as a matter of fact (to my limited knowledge of the Quran) they believe that you should hate your enemies, especially the infidel. No problems with conscience there and is not as hypocritical as this puerile pretending of love for those who enjoy killing you. I don't think any wars are fought with the idea of giving the other guy an equal chance of killing you. Good way to lose.

To their similar minded religiocrazies it has little to do with bigger balls, just get him before he gets me any way you can and if you're going to get a reward in heaven and satisfy your avenging instincts with protecting your family/culture you probably will. Mix religion with greed, a feeling of being robbed, feelings of inferiority and in some cases superiority, and leaders who are likely sociopaths (both sides) then it's a never ending circle. I may understand some of their gripes but detest the religion induced incentives for vile behaviour. I have no idea what the solution is but the bottom line is I want to survive just as much as they do. A better distribution of wealth, assistance with education and hence reducing the effects of religious lunacy, reduction of greed and better leaders might help. I just hope we live long enough to evolve into more idealistic societies. Enough rambling, time for a beer!

16. Have We Ever Faced An Enemy More Stupid Than Muslim Terrorists?

Comment #247018 by utelme on September 13, 2008 at 6:24 pm

Who to trust when we look askance
at foes amongst friends who play a deadly dance
To find a solution will take more than trust
constantly opposed by mankinds lust.

Bad enough? Diacanu

17. Have We Ever Faced An Enemy More Stupid Than Muslim Terrorists?

Comment #247012 by utelme on September 13, 2008 at 6:01 pm

Whatever excuses and reasons given for Muslim outrage and injustices against them can also be given for those oppressed by them or being forced to accept their belief system. It's just talking in circles. If you're being attacked then you defend yourself, and on it goes. Unless there's some societal engineering and repair to certain brains (and which side's going to make that decision?), it's probably going to go on until the final nuclear conflagration. Even when discussing this on this forum you can get the tones of hatred and contempt between those of differing belief systems. I'm getting more and more pessimistic about the future of mankind. If only we could just live and let live. Jeez, this is depressing.

18. Comedian Sabina Guzzanti 'insulted Pope' in poofter devils gag

Comment #246238 by utelme on September 12, 2008 at 2:35 am

Seems everyone is in an uproar over insults this week

A possible 5 year prison sentence for insulting the Pope is a little bit much don't you think? You get sweet FA for insulting God or Allah or Boojawallup but if you insult his so-called representatives you're gone. Especially representatives or faiths that have a sordid history and can flaunt their little indiscretions without particular regard for the "hoi polloi" as some like to regard their flock.

19. Comedian Sabina Guzzanti 'insulted Pope' in poofter devils gag

Comment #246234 by utelme on September 12, 2008 at 2:21 am

I should have said that some Christians believe that the Pope is the anti-christ, mainly of the protestant variety.

20. Comedian Sabina Guzzanti 'insulted Pope' in poofter devils gag

Comment #246231 by utelme on September 12, 2008 at 2:15 am

TWP

"Slight" exaggeration,lol

21. Comedian Sabina Guzzanti 'insulted Pope' in poofter devils gag

Comment #246220 by utelme on September 12, 2008 at 1:58 am

Yeah, Quetz

Bit like you can't have a poop without an anus.

22. Comedian Sabina Guzzanti 'insulted Pope' in poofter devils gag

Comment #246217 by utelme on September 12, 2008 at 1:51 am

Insulting the Pope carries a 5 year sentence, eh? Quite a large proportion of the Christian faith believes the he is the anti-christ. So now you can get 5 years for insulting the devil too. Make you laugh if it wasn't so damned tragic.

23. Teachers should tackle creationism, says science education expert

Comment #246211 by utelme on September 12, 2008 at 1:17 am

It's ironic that the term "Intelligent Design" has evolved from creationism and it's predecessors, the various myths and fables of various cultures of pre-civilisational eras. It's sly in that it covers all the religions, not just the Abrahamic ones and in many ways dodges the more obvious inconsistencies/absurdities of biblical belief systems. Perhaps the next step in this evolutionary trend should be "Unintelligent Design" culminating, hopefully, in "No Design"

24. Origin of the specious

Comment #244936 by utelme on September 9, 2008 at 9:56 pm

Capacitor76

Spot on. It's truly sad. Why hasn't any media personality asked Palin/McCain if they believe in a 6000 year old earth? Are they going to impose their belief system on non-believers? What are they going to do about the "teach ID" at school business? Do they realise the impact on teachers and students? How are they different from the Islamonuts? Not only them but Obama also needs to answer questions on this issue. I sincerely hope that they're only good politicians (bullshitters), otherwise we really are going to regress to the dark ages.

25. Pakistan investigates 'honor killings' of 5 women

Comment #241182 by utelme on September 2, 2008 at 1:26 am

We condemn this barbaric act," said Mohammed Ibrahim, a senator for the Islamist Jamaat-e-Islami party. "This is against Islam, against humanity and against civilized culture."

A candlelight of hope in the darkness of cultural barbarism. At last we hear of someone in the muslim world trying to do something about stone age ignorance and depravity. If only it had been 60000 or more instead of only 60, but at least it may be the start of something bigger.

26. McCain's VP Wants Creationism Taught in School

Comment #239969 by utelme on August 30, 2008 at 4:36 pm

Comment 239964 by NMcC

Obama-Biden, Laden

*chortle

27. What Binti Jua Knew

Comment #236721 by utelme on August 25, 2008 at 7:17 am

Firstly, the experts in the fields of animal behaviour, from various countries, (probably better than single nation as then the ideas wouldn't be imposed from without) need to get together and form some consensus of what constitutes an animal and human (in comparison to apes), and their differences and similarities, and what is really important for both their nature and proclivities. There are probably some people on this forum who could get the ball rolling.

The fact that their are differences should not take away their rights to existance, cause them to be tortured or mistreated and they shouldn't be caged. The same compassion should be accorded to them as to those of us on the other branches of the evolutionary tree. The fact that they are one of the branches doesn't necessarily make them persons. Leave them in the nature/habitat that they evolved for.

Their may have to be a complete revision of ideas in regard to research on animals, eg, using human stem cell cultures instead. As many have pointed out before, humans as creatures at the top of the tree should take responsibility for those below. Once the think tanks have come to some consensus then it's up to them to approach government officials to start the political process.

Here you're going to start running headlong into religious obtuseness and dogma and cultural idiosyncrasies. At this point politicians take over and since atheists don't pray we need to make a lot of noise.

28. What Binti Jua Knew

Comment #236686 by utelme on August 25, 2008 at 4:44 am

The article talks about rights for apes not every animal on earth. If it extends to every animal then forget about eating meat. McDonalds and all the burger joints/Kentucky Fried are stuffed.
She's not even clear that she means "human" rights.
She also admits that she has reservations "not because I'm a fervent supporter of legalizing rights for animals" but is trying to galvanise people into doing something for creatures "suffering at the hands of our own species". I'm all for that. I don't know that extending human rights to animals is going to occur. We can't even provide so called "human rights" to a large portion of the human race. What a complex mess it will be to sort that out. There are potential/current wars even now being fought on that issue alone.

29. Why Dawkins is right and his critics are wrong

Comment #236606 by utelme on August 24, 2008 at 9:39 pm

Quine

Thanks for that link you posted on Christian history.

30. Channel 4 announces return of Undercover Mosque

Comment #236061 by utelme on August 24, 2008 at 5:38 am

Someone in a previous post said something about arab oil wealth buying up large tracts of land in western countries. Can anyone provide statistics of that? Up to 95 posts now, I'm not going back to see who it was. lol

31. Why Dawkins is right and his critics are wrong

Comment #236022 by utelme on August 24, 2008 at 3:37 am

TWP

Because Jesus the "god" isn't real. Trick question

I'd rather say "some" of the message wasn't bad. But guess what? Lovely Jesus, gentle and mild liked talking about eternal torture and hellfire and a few other quotes attributed to him that aren't so wonderful. Latent or overt sadism, depending on your view, some would say. However, yes, I agree with you, it is a trick question. As a matter of fact I'd say it was a joke question. The laughs on us.

It's funny how we can tie each other (some people) in knots over someone who may not ever have existed. A whole religion is based on very little other than common sense and morality that most people can work out themselves.

32. Why Dawkins is right and his critics are wrong

Comment #235994 by utelme on August 24, 2008 at 2:25 am

TWP

Hey utelme, Jesus wasn't so bad. Lighten up on the guy.

Err, how do you know?

I guess it depends on what version of Jesus you've read about. Joel Carmichael whose book "The unriddling of Christian Origins A Secular Account" gives a possible different version of the historical Jesus. Since the biblical version of God leaves a bad taste in my mouth and it's full of the "fact" that he's God himself then he shares the blame, and since the bible, Josephus and Tacitus are the few who mention him with some scholars saying that the quotes by them are doubtful there isn't much evidence of anything. There's plenty of evidence of the evil done in his name, however. If he's such a good guy, may I, with respect, suggest he get of his royal arse and do something about it

33. Why Dawkins is right and his critics are wrong

Comment #235947 by utelme on August 24, 2008 at 12:49 am

The whole story of Jesus has changed so much over the centuries that no-one knows with any certainty that he actually existed. It seems to me that if he did he started out as a human being (historically) and then slowly evolved into a schizophrenic deity who talked to himself, was tempted by a devil (got me stuffed as to how God himself could be tempted), complained to himself when he was hanging on a cross, even though he himself chose to go there and just generally confused everyone for centuries. Even his mother and siblings thought he was nuts, and that's after his mother was told she was going to have God's own son by an angel. She suffered from severe memory loss (too much wine?) and he from schizophrenia. And a religion came from this? Poor humanity.

34. Why Dawkins is right and his critics are wrong

Comment #235933 by utelme on August 24, 2008 at 12:22 am

With all the comments about what Richard Dawkins said/didn't/should have said I think that what was needed in that scenario was a politician not a scientist. Then we could all walk away with our fingers down our throat.

35. Why Dawkins is right and his critics are wrong

Comment #235329 by utelme on August 22, 2008 at 7:07 pm

The religious hierarchy is being challenged and is responding in the only way that religious, "intellectually challenged" pedagogues can. Ignore any evidence for evolution and it's almost total destruction of any basis for their beliefs, (after all, it contradicts their infallible bible) and, at the same time, maliciously slander anyone who points out the weaknesses in their belief system. They have no problem indoctrinating their children with biblical nonsense filled with contradictions and convoluted thinking but woe betide anyone who points this out. However, they expect everyone else's children to be subordinate to their beliefs and want to impose it's ramifications on the rest of society. They also NEVER provide any scientific evidence or proof of their goddidit philosophy, especially when directly challenged, other than pointing to passages in their book that God wrote.

36. Free Will vs. the Programmed Brain

Comment #234088 by utelme on August 20, 2008 at 9:14 pm

Interesting link which shows lateral readiness potential to be up to 7 seconds before conscious decision to act. It still isn't definite proof that free will does not exist as the author points out. However, it certainly points in that direction.

http://www.mpg.de/english/illustrationsDocumentation/documentation/pressReleases/2008/pressRelease20080414/index.html

This following link cites research that disagrees with readiness potential always occurring before decision to act. Have to pay for the full article though..damn.
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6WD0-46HWN0V-3&_user=10&_rdoc=1&_fmt=&_orig=search&_sort=d&view=c&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=10&md5=c6c293439a3b94df8c312ffaee355eab

It appears that the jury's still out on free will but I think it's definitely in the minority.

37. Free Will vs. the Programmed Brain

Comment #234003 by utelme on August 20, 2008 at 5:34 pm

The results were clear: those who read the anti-free will text cheated more often! (That is, they pressed the space bar less often than the other participants.) Moreover, the researchers found that the amount a participant cheated correlated with the extent to which they rejected free will in their survey responses.

Let's see the statistics, by how much more did they cheat? Could it be explained by a nervous twitch in the hand. The participant being unco-operative. Blinking at the wrong time? Sometimes authors of articles just want to put forward their point of view and will manipulate statistics to suit.

I personally believe in determinism because neural damage seems to cause people to behave in accordance with the type of damage. It's just pure chance that your gene lottery/environmental conditions produced the type of brain/body structure you have. Behaviour is also related to the body not only the brain. It all seems to work together. Is it the brain which creates the desire for pizza? Isn't it the digestive system/salivary/smell reaction which then initiates the brains reaction to make a decision to buy?
Brian English

Tests on peoples brains demonstrate that we have already made a choice before we are conscious of that choice

Brings in that mysterious non-local business doesn't it. Maybe Hameroff and Penrose have it right. Hameroff claims that his theories are falsifiable. It will be interesting to see the results of that.

38. Losing my religion

Comment #233394 by utelme on August 19, 2008 at 9:14 pm

and people who - inexplicably perhaps - were prepared to rush out to welcome him back.

No it's not inexplicable. They're just showing their true character. What words can truly show the depths to their weakness and sado-masochistic worship.

39. Knights Templar 'Heirs' Sue Pope For Billions

Comment #233393 by utelme on August 19, 2008 at 9:00 pm

Hey, Roland F and Atheist_from_Hell. It's mine, all mine.

40. Knights Templar 'Heirs' Sue Pope For Billions

Comment #233389 by utelme on August 19, 2008 at 8:57 pm

$150 billion, eh? I'm sure that somewhere in my history is an ancestor of the templars..hmmm, thinks hard.

41. Catholic leaders block contraceptive advice for 30,000 Scots girls

Comment #233122 by utelme on August 19, 2008 at 6:48 am

Catholics, as with other Christians and their Islamic counterparts are castrated by their holy books. They fear most what they desire most. At least the Islamics are a bit more honest and can crave their 72 virgins, the Christian is supposedley not allowed to even think about sex, least of all have a naughty in heaven. Some of
them (catholics) even believe that wearing the celice helps them in this, thus just adding to their insane masochism.

Even getting married was a subject of debate in the past. Pity they didn't all choose to be celibate and let the saner populace procreate. Although that doesn't seem to work with some priests, does it? We definitely don't need these people making decisions for our children.

Children need education and foreknowledge to help them make the right choices by the time they are sexually mature. Not only for deadly diseases but unwanted pregnancies as well. Any sane adult should see that. Parents and educators can easily explain that the vaccine doesn't protect against all strains of the virus and that they need other protection and medical checkups as well.

If it reduces a females chances of getting cancer than I'm all for it even if it isn't perfect. As for the financial considerations, I don't think that it matches anywhere near the amount in cost treating the cancer once it takes hold. Some of the better anti-cancer drugs cost tens of thousands per treatment each month.

Just telling children about sex and it's ramifications is not going to make them into raging nymphs or satyrs. Most of them can be surprisingly mature and sensible in their choices.

42. Catholic leaders block contraceptive advice for 30,000 Scots girls

Comment #232882 by utelme on August 18, 2008 at 8:12 pm

Comment 232841 by GordonYKWong

A threat of 100% chance of damnation in hellfire is not enough to discourage promiscuity

According to Jesus, if you even think about having sex you've committed it and hence according to the church committed a mortal sin, ergo, hellfire and damnation. They've already condemned them so what's their problem with preventing disease on the human/humane level. Detestable sado-masochists.

43. After Bibles seized, U.S. group won't leave Chinese airport

Comment #232874 by utelme on August 18, 2008 at 7:47 pm

Jeez, give them back their bibles and get rid of this problem. They've just created a big political mess when it could have been solved easily. Someone will probably get "fired" for it. The bible bashers are getting sympathy from everyone, even atheists, lol.

44. Religion out of medicine, a new message for Ontario doctors

Comment #232468 by utelme on August 18, 2008 at 7:07 am

I once had an interesting conversation with a doctor when I made the point that he charged like a wounded bull for 3 minutes of his time. He made the comment that he treated his job as a business and that that was his main concern. This doesn't mean that he didn't do his job well, just that morality wasn't his only concern. A fat wallet can make you do your job better. One of the reasons touted for a dislike of socialized medicine is that when you pay for it you get a better service and that doctors in the private health system are of a better quality. I don't think that there is any evidence of that. Having tried both systems I've found the doctors that I've dealt with of a similar standard. Just try and mention to the practitioner in private practice that you're broke and see how much his morality comes to the fore. Personally, I think it's easy enough to use a telephone and find out if the doctor will help or can recommend someone who will. I don't think that forcing someone to abandon their personal principles will help you to obtain good medical help. I think that I would feel at least a little uncomfortable having a serious procedure done by someone that I suspected of having a serious dislike of performing it. Just as an aside, in my younger days I used anabolics and when the doctor wouldn't prescribe them I'd just find one that did. My wife had an amniocentesis procedure with my second child and the obstetrician stated that he would not abort if we were considering it in the case of chromosomal abnormalities in the child. I asked him if many chose that course in that event and he said that approx ninety percent of patients did. However, he said that he would refer me to someone that did the procedure if we required it. That was fine by me. He maintained his conscience and had we needed it, we would have received the service we required. System worked without any need of forcing anyone to do something they didn't want to do. My 2 cents worth.

45. Do subatomic particles have free will?

Comment #232243 by utelme on August 17, 2008 at 9:28 pm

Until all the results are in from numerous experiments in neuroscience / physics /chemistry/ biology both now and in the future (who knows how far) everything we conjecture and imagine may not be enough to come to any conclusive answer to scientific mysteries. But, Jeez it's fun and interesting to philosophise in the mean time. The problem of consciousness, infinite universe/multiverses/quantum mechanics/non-locality is mind boggling and vastly superior to any petty godling dogmas currently available. I'd love to be here a thousand years from now to see what conclusions we've reached by then.

46. Petrol pump pilgrims keep faith

Comment #232184 by utelme on August 17, 2008 at 7:45 pm

It just makes you cringe with embarrassment for these poor dopes.

47. We need to stop being such cowards about Islam

Comment #230442 by utelme on August 14, 2008 at 5:10 pm

Comment 230099 by Donald. Ok the umpires had his say and calmed the brawlers down (including me). Good for you. However, not everyone can restrain emotion and calmly discuss these highly emotive issues when the articles headline and content is obviously making a statement designed to raise some ire. Clear thinking oasis this may be designed to be but a little fire enlivens the debate and provides some humor (for those that can see it). For my money Fanusi Khiyal makes the most sense and provides plenty of links and reference material to bolster his points.
Comment 230377 by Eric Blair

But broad-based criticism of Islam by secular, white Europeans would, to my mind, only push Muslims to circle their wagons and fight against "racist infidels," thus making things worse for moderates and those who want to give up Islam altogether. And, too many 'secularists" are already crypto-xenophobes who would like to create such polarization.

You made some good points but you're also labelling and categorising groups of people "crypto Xenophobes" (good one) who you don't like and who's to say they're only "white Europeans". You sound a little bigoted yourself. Got to go now (work for us poor people)so don't be surprised if I don't answer your response. I'm not trying to dodge you.

48. We need to stop being such cowards about Islam

Comment #230073 by utelme on August 14, 2008 at 8:18 am

Comment 230061 by Donald
Not everyone is a gentleman. Some of us/me become hind brainers when we feel threatened. Kindly discussion isn't always possible under these conditions and, in fact, may not even be desirable.

49. We need to stop being such cowards about Islam

Comment #230060 by utelme on August 14, 2008 at 7:57 am

What is it with Islam and stones? Is it because they have no stones of their own? Those 72..73? virgins are going to be so disappointed.

50. We need to stop being such cowards about Islam

Comment #230026 by utelme on August 14, 2008 at 7:16 am

Comment 229722 BFKate

And Fuck you utelme. Calling people you don't know victims is a sign of a half wit

No, you can't fuck me even if you do like my arse. Although at least you sound as if you have some balls. Maybe there is some hope for you. As far as having been bashed, sorry it only happened once and there were too many to take on at once. I also haven't been called a bitch but I have been called a cunt many times. As for the rest of it, I have spent a few interesting nights in the can, so yes, I have met my friends the police on non-social occasions. But enough of kissing my own arse. It's obvious that you have a serious problem with Islam over there. How else can you interpret it when you see the Islamonuts with their posters in the streets screaming for all the infidels deaths and the police doing nothing. Not only that but you poor saps can get arrested if you even complain about their religion. I'm also sick of all this political correctness when it comes to Islam. You obviously have a serious problem over there and need to do more than just take on the cops and "tossers". Your politicians are pathetic (the same as most of the bastards are)and all they seem to do is continually appease this religion. I have little patience with any other religions but, on the evidence, Islam is substantially worse than the others, at least until they (the others)wake up to the fact that Islams bullying works. I think that there is already some evidence that they are starting to realise this. Anyway,just to stir you up further, you poms are piss poor at cricket and football, although I'll give you this, you are good at crocheting.