1. When too much Rapture is barely enough

Comment #204623 by AoClay on July 5, 2008 at 11:33 am

I really wish Harris would show himself more often. He's a very clear speaker and I don't see him enough.

2. Christians challenge teaching of evolution

Comment #204594 by AoClay on July 5, 2008 at 10:08 am

The only positive I hope for is that this shows all their crap is strictly Christian and maybe, just maybe, it makes some people realize we need to keep the wall up.

I really am surprised this has gone anywhere but America.

3. Did newborn Earth harbour life?

Comment #203681 by AoClay on July 3, 2008 at 11:01 am

Steve,
I believe it was Carl Sagan who said he couldn't think of a better use for nukes than to propel spacecraft. We certainly need to make sure no problems would occur, but if not, man it would be the coolest way to get rid of them. I'd be very proud of that moment if it ever came.

4. Did newborn Earth harbour life?

Comment #203664 by AoClay on July 3, 2008 at 10:40 am

Europa and Titan, aside from Mars, are what I'd be fascinated with as well.

5. Evangelical Christians sign up to a 'Church within a Church'

Comment #203136 by AoClay on July 2, 2008 at 11:57 am

Yahweh is a fag

6. Dawkins on Darwin

Comment #202654 by AoClay on July 1, 2008 at 7:22 pm

Rod,
I never quite understood that speed of light point. They say it slowed down, but wouldn't it going much faster help more?

A very nice interview, a good job from both sides. Apparently I need to read some Malthus.

7. Fire the starting gun! The Darwin year begins...NOW!

Comment #202638 by AoClay on July 1, 2008 at 6:48 pm

Can't wait for the books that are supposed to pour out of this year and 09.

8. Common New Atheist Fallacies

Comment #201903 by AoClay on June 30, 2008 at 11:56 am

One must prove there is a spiritual thing first.

Anybody notice his whole argument was ad hominem as well?

9. Who Was More Important: Lincoln or Darwin?

Comment #201896 by AoClay on June 30, 2008 at 11:44 am

Jefferson and Darwin both seemed to share my headache problem (mine might be more intense than theirs), and I'm quite the scribbler as well.

As far as the question of who had the bigger impact, it's no contest. Darwin influenced the whole world and seemed ahead of his time with more than just his intelligence while Lincoln had the occasional immoral sign o' the time over his head. I like Lincoln a lot but Darwin might have the best idea ever and Lincoln might not be the best president. Darwin's beard>Lincoln's.

10. Aliens need Christ's redemption, too

Comment #201887 by AoClay on June 30, 2008 at 11:21 am

If there were aliens why wouldn't Yahweh mention them in the Bible? It could be argued that it was meant for those of Earth but then why the story about the heavens and light, etc that isn't just about Earth? The Bible suggest quite clearly that we are big bad mufugs who rule the universe, and I really think finding aliens would explode Christianity more than people who aren't retarded like this guy think.

11. PZ Myers - Expelled from Expelled

Comment #201266 by AoClay on June 29, 2008 at 2:17 pm

robotaholic,
I share the reverence.

Pearson,
I like that idea and would like to see that web page. The dimensions are a bit broad, but your idea is a good one and the text beneath was well done. I think a unifying term for what you want is SECULAR. Though secular just really means no religion, secularism is underlined by the ideas of the enlightenment and the ways of thinking you are looking for. Not to say you didn't know them but it's better than "reasoning, logic, evidence, observation, education" or at least shorter.

12. Evangelical grunts

Comment #201165 by AoClay on June 29, 2008 at 9:47 am

Somebody tell them that they need to actually read the Bible and most of the Qur'an seems to be completely plagiarized. If fights must be had, I'm really scared if it becomes christian/muslim instead of secular/muslim.

Also, let me say that I don't like the idea of schooling = intelligence/knowledge. I'm not trying to say it means they're dumb by any means or that they aren't smart, but I think too many jump to schooling to prove intelligence/knwowledge with any subject.

13. Evolutionarily Preserved Signature Found In The Primate Brain

Comment #198910 by AoClay on June 24, 2008 at 5:40 pm

Sciros,
The point is so what even if it was a choice? I've never understood how whether or not it's a choice means anything other than a good (or formerly-good) scientific question.

14. World Youth Day condom protest against Pope

Comment #198909 by AoClay on June 24, 2008 at 5:37 pm

They have to thrown in that 'misrepresenting'

15. Saudi Marriage Officiant : 'It Is Allowed To Marry A Girl At The Age Of One'.

Comment #198813 by AoClay on June 24, 2008 at 2:12 pm

Why stop at one? It seems pretty pointless when it sounds like they are just trying to say rape the masses.

16. Award-winning comedian George Carlin dies

Comment #198112 by AoClay on June 23, 2008 at 8:27 am

That's my two favorite comedians down now, Hicks and Carlin. Man, I didn't think he'd die quite yet.

alrawandi,
Dane Cook is why I think long and hard about Carlin's "we need a button on the remote that allows you to kill the person of the screen."

17. On this Day: Galileo Sentenced for Believing Sun Is Center of Universe

Comment #197853 by AoClay on June 22, 2008 at 7:14 pm

I'm pretty sure that's from The End Of Faith, Don Quix (in reference 197782).

I tend to hate them more for their dismantlings of what the Greeks, etc had to offer than I do for Gallileo. Of course, this was terrible and Galileo was a genius but I could imagine a lot of different groups hating him for it. The whole "OMG somebody was moral before Christ? Burn the documents!" seems so much more avoidable (no Christianity). The optimist in me says Thank FSM it wasn't Islam.

18. Christianity 'could die out within a century'

Comment #197345 by AoClay on June 21, 2008 at 7:53 pm

It strengthens a lot of Christians beliefs for sure (if only the Muslims were Christians, tsk tsk), and it's sad how bad they are at realizing the common ground they share with those idiots.

19. Should Strident British Atheist Richard Dawkins Dictate Education Policy to US States? Barbara Forrest Apparently Thinks So

Comment #197326 by AoClay on June 21, 2008 at 6:23 pm

Did he get that 'red herring' from somewhere?

http://www.uncommondescent.com/intelligent-design/denis-alexander-on-id/

20. Louisiana's Latest Assault on Darwin

Comment #197230 by AoClay on June 21, 2008 at 12:10 pm

Didn't McCain say he accepts evolution? Just saying maybe that should be brought up if he has a serious chance at running mate.

21. PZ Myers - Science and Atheism in the Blogosphere

Comment #197228 by AoClay on June 21, 2008 at 12:00 pm

I have to say that Steve is probably my favorite poster here and I'd flock to watch any debate he had with a theist.

Rod,
I love that idea and it's a fair point. I'm sixteen and I feel like I could shut down a preacher so I'm sure you'd do well as you're high above my knowledge.

22. New discovery proves 'selfish gene' exists

Comment #197209 by AoClay on June 21, 2008 at 11:10 am

Aside from the word doctrine (*shudder*), I agree with Lil_Xunzian. Aside from a little bit of confusion (it seems, anyways) over the way Dawkins uses selfish, it's at least interesting.

23. Muslim countries win concession regarding religious debates

Comment #196380 by AoClay on June 19, 2008 at 8:29 pm

What's complex about it?

24. Darwinists for Jesus

Comment #195801 by AoClay on June 18, 2008 at 8:38 pm

I don't care who you are, the first will impact the second. They might try hard to make sure it doesn't and people will say it doesn't. Let's be honest, somebody out there right now is learning evolution and it is separating themselves from religion at least a little bit.

25. We Urgently Need Your Help Now!!

Comment #195714 by AoClay on June 18, 2008 at 5:43 pm

I made the same agreement with myself. If he signs the bill, I'm signing him up for the NAMBLA newsletter.

26. Oystein Elgaroy - the Christian defender who became an Atheist

Comment #195659 by AoClay on June 18, 2008 at 4:41 pm

My favorite Hitchens debate is against McGrath. He dismantles him and it's things like that that make up for Hitch supporting the Iraq War.

I applaud Oystein for fighting through the fear of betrayal.

27. Kenneth Miller on Colbert Report

Comment #195455 by AoClay on June 18, 2008 at 8:49 am

If you guys saw the teacher fired for wizardry, that's in my hometown.

28. Only a Theory

Comment #193488 by AoClay on June 15, 2008 at 5:24 pm

Ken Miller really amazes me with how he can be so smart and still believe in such crap. It must weigh on his mind to be in the same crowd as a lot of crap (and a lot of fascists). I hope he's a deist that just wants to go under the radar or something, but that's probably condescending. Either way, fight the good fight Ken!

29. Debating creationism in Louisiana schools

Comment #191761 by AoClay on June 11, 2008 at 3:56 pm

Reality discriminates a lot.

30. John McCain: America a Christian nation, needs Christian president

Comment #190244 by AoClay on June 8, 2008 at 3:52 pm

I'm pretty sure George Washington was a deist as were Jefferson and Paine.

I also think there's a big problem with Christians thinking that any unspecific deity is equivalent to their god. I think it might be because they call Yahweh "God" so often.

31. Faith no more as World Youth Day fans flames of disbelief

Comment #189857 by AoClay on June 7, 2008 at 11:28 am

I sometimes wonder if tax exemption is the price you pay for the church/state separation. I hope we tax them one day, surely. I'm just afraid it will let them say they are now tax payers and should be able to get their crap elsewhere.

32. Reality wins in Texas!

Comment #189812 by AoClay on June 7, 2008 at 10:16 am

*feels slightly better*

I hope ACA is doing something.

33. 1968 Supreme Court case of Epperson v. Arkansas

Comment #185803 by AoClay on May 28, 2008 at 3:39 pm

Rod,
I imagine it is so nobody can complain for a lack of balance. If there are different phone lines, you can make sure to do a fair share so some Billo figure doesn't get angry.
I haven't watched the show so I don't know, but that's my guess.

34. Louisiana's latest creationism bill moves to House floor

Comment #185424 by AoClay on May 27, 2008 at 7:10 pm

If it isn't religious then why is there one designer? Also, when people make the claims like "new findings are contradicting evolution" we need to halt everything until they show these findings.

35. Car dealership advert tells atheists to 'shut up'

Comment #185407 by AoClay on May 27, 2008 at 6:35 pm

I think a big flaw in any belief system is that when anybody makes a reference to a god of any kind they assume it is their own.

Irreducible complexity!? God did it!!!...GO JESUS

36. Animal Science Without Evolution

Comment #185052 by AoClay on May 26, 2008 at 7:13 pm

moderndaythomas,
How are parasites strictly land creatures is another question I'd like to ask. Also, what's with amphibians?

37. That's it. Texas really is doomed.

Comment #185047 by AoClay on May 26, 2008 at 7:06 pm

Teratornis,
I agree. I really think people need to do something about it and I think one of the biggest things that would help is a serious book by a serious scientist either about global warming or about how oil reserves are running out (or both). I think too many people don't follow and it would be a great thing if there was an Origin of Species (so to speak) of the subject.

38. Animal Science Without Evolution

Comment #184903 by AoClay on May 26, 2008 at 11:37 am

More "christian children" crap..and the fossil record is propaganda.

39. How Are Humans Unique?

Comment #184569 by AoClay on May 25, 2008 at 6:21 pm

rodthefarmer,
Mammals are (or at least were) defined by how they raise their young and how they learn from imitation, etc.

So not only is it wrong, it's damn wrong. Primates do it, just like any mammal (and again, thats at least how they used to be defined, there might be anomalies by now or it could be crazy talk by now.)

40. Repulsive but right

Comment #184568 by AoClay on May 25, 2008 at 6:18 pm

Partisan,
I agree, it's when people are a bit confrontational that gives me pause (depending on who is the one being confronted, of course).

41. A Tribute to Douglas Adams: Towel Day May 25th

Comment #184567 by AoClay on May 25, 2008 at 6:17 pm

I just came back from a concert and was asked by quite a lot about the towel. I hope there's at least one new Adams reader.

42. How Are Humans Unique?

Comment #184527 by AoClay on May 25, 2008 at 3:08 pm

bravo, mitchell.

43. How Are Humans Unique?

Comment #184516 by AoClay on May 25, 2008 at 2:34 pm

Bullet, here's the point about it being a fact. Species are not immutable, they have clearly changed over time. Things change over the generations...FACT.

The theory (explanation) part: Now explaining that with natural selection and mutation and genetic drift might not be sufficient, but it's accepted as such and has a hell of a lot of support. There's nothing close to a supported alternative as far as I know.

It's a theory like gravity, like heliocentrism, like atomic theory, and like relativity.

Getting something branded a SCIENTIFIC THEORY is the greatest reward a scientist can have from what I've seen. You're trying to use theory as a colloquial term, but the colloquial term for evolution is a fact (TM Dawkins). The scientific term for it is theory.

44. How Are Humans Unique?

Comment #184478 by AoClay on May 25, 2008 at 1:08 pm

I would like to see a test done (maybe one already has been done) about how good human hands are, because I know some Ionians were fascinated by them.

and bullet, many other animals have forms of morality and evolution is indeed a theory (a scientific theory). The point is, how does that make it any less of a fact? It isn't JUST a theory, it's a theory. It's a theory that is the background theory for biology, and is on par with atomic theory or heliocentric theory for being correct.

or I should put it like huzon. Evolution is a fact and the theory is the explanation that is damn well supported.

45. The Faith of Flanders

Comment #184302 by AoClay on May 24, 2008 at 12:23 pm

I thought Groening usually made fun of religion.

Isn't it Homer with cookies saying "If you want them to eat me for you, God, give me no sign."

...

Mmmmm.

46. Richard Dawkins lecture at ASU's Tempe Campus

Comment #183696 by AoClay on May 22, 2008 at 2:14 pm

I'm in Florida as well, and I wish the same.

If he came to Florida, I'd walk if I had to.

47. In God's Name

Comment #183270 by AoClay on May 21, 2008 at 5:17 pm

Anybody want to tell them that Islam is based off of their beliefs?

48. 16% of US science teachers are creationists

Comment #183241 by AoClay on May 21, 2008 at 3:18 pm

Oh yes, moderndaythomas.

The ones I see use a hard emphasis with "evolutionists believe"

I've met a few that say they'd change their minds if abiogenesis was ever well established (I'm talking about god in general here, not just evolution). So I half want tons of work there so they shut up, even if I know the fault isn't with the scientists.

49. 16% of US science teachers are creationists

Comment #182655 by AoClay on May 20, 2008 at 6:59 pm

I've met quite a few theistic evolution believing biology teachers. Even they are quite scary just because they tend to twist language (putting the cart before the horse, etc.)

50. Teenager faces prosecution for calling Scientology 'cult'

Comment #182653 by AoClay on May 20, 2008 at 6:55 pm

I'm a short drive away from Tampa and Clearwater. I need to give them a shipment of xanax or something.

All scientology needs to add is the whole messiah end of world will be great deal and they can be on Ayatollah level.