Comments by JernJane
1. Richard Dawkins on Harun Yahya's Atlas of Creation, and other videos from the CEMB conference
Comment #264658 by JernJane on October 15, 2008 at 3:05 am
I can't believe the valuable time of Prof. Dawkins has to be wasted refuting this rubbish author.
Wasted? Well, that depends how you look at it, doesn't it? I don't know how Richard thinks, but I were him, I think I would fight all these kind of things with my verbal beak and claws. (Luckily, I am not Richard, as his verbal beak and claws are much sharper than mine.) And I think I would consider anyone "deconverted" as worth my while.
It's a battle worth fighting, indeed it is necessary to fight it, and who is better to set wannabe-biologists straight than proper biologists?
Plus, it gives credibility to Richard to expose (rather than refute) Yahya's book and takes credibility away from creationism, so it's an easy target among creationists that easily shows the idiocy of creationism, so I don't think Richard's time is wasted at all on this guy. I think it is more wasted on people like that blonde creationist lady in The Genius of Charles Darwin, I don't remember her name, but I'm sure you remember her if I say she said: "Why is it so important to you that people do not believe in a creatOR?"
Comment #264328 by JernJane on October 14, 2008 at 6:39 am
Who do you "nit-pickers" think is the target group of this book? Do you honestly think it's people who already have accepted evolution as fact? I don't think so.
3. Dawkins: a theologian's perspective
Comment #261321 by JernJane on October 6, 2008 at 5:02 pm
Honestly, didn't The God Delusion deal quite openly with all these objections? It's as if he didn't read it...
Yep, it did indeed. Just like it did the great majority of so-called arguements that are so worn by now there are more holes than there is cloth.
Comment #260731 by JernJane on October 6, 2008 at 1:05 am
Maybe it's just because I'm young, but I don't find the impermanence of life to be a cause of despair - I enjoy things NOW, while they are here, secure in the knowledge that the universe will throw yet more puzzles, delights, challenges and mysteries to be solved at me.
Some people are afraid of death though. Sometimes I find myself being afraid of death, although I fear more the death of the people around me that I love and care about than I do my own, but when I do think of my own inevitable expiration, I mainly think that I want to live, and that the kind of death that is most unbearable is the one we can experience while being alive, which is how I would describe walking around being afraid of it all the time. Like you say, if you spend your time worrying about death, you won't enjoy the things that are here now.
I think as you do, that I ought to enjoy what I have now, because I am so lucky to be able to experience the world on a conscious level. Mind you, not everyone has read Unweaving the Rainbow and perhaps not absolutely everyone finds its message helpful. I would hope that most people do, but how can I expect everyone to? I guess some people just wouldn't be comforted by that or by (paraphrasing) Mark Twain's "I had been dead for billions of years before I was born and it never caused me a second's inconvenience." Some of those again might even find psychological help useful to help turn their mindset around, because if there are people who are sickly scared of open places, I'm sure there are people who are so scared of death that a psychologist could help them.
Personally, I found reassurance both in Richard's words and those of Mark Twain. I do not fear my own death, but I hope I won't have to suffer my way to it.
5. YouTube Reinstates Pat Condell
Comment #259893 by JernJane on October 4, 2008 at 5:34 am
Fantastic!!! :D A victory for freedom of speech! Now we can poke them whenever they do the same to anyone else! And welcome back Pat indeed! :D
6. 'God as Science Fiction'. Richard Dawkins at the Edinburgh Book Festival
Comment #257005 by JernJane on September 29, 2008 at 11:52 pm
Hee hee! Diacanu, your monol... I mean dialogue really put a smile on my face this morning. :D
7. The world according to Hitchens
Comment #255471 by JernJane on September 27, 2008 at 4:26 pm
This article doesn't say much. I would call Hitch an intellectual though.
I hope this isn't intended to sound as arrogant as it does to me.
8. Turkish edition of The Ancestor's Tale sells out within a day!
Comment #250613 by JernJane on September 20, 2008 at 2:09 am
Enlightenment to the masses! The truth shall be told!!
9. Turkey bans biologist Richard Dawkins' website
Comment #250047 by JernJane on September 18, 2008 at 11:27 pm
Seriously! Some guy made a book. The book was criticized on a website, now the entire country of Turkey cannot go to that website?
WOW...
Yeah, pretty much. Rejoice, Americans - it's Thanksgiving soon!
...
I'm gonna get slapped for that one, aren't I. :P
10. The Holy Laughter Anointing
Comment #248676 by JernJane on September 16, 2008 at 3:39 pm
Amazing what people can do with stage hypnosis.
11. Palin: average isn't good enough
Comment #241831 by JernJane on September 3, 2008 at 6:12 am
My ears...
12. No atheist burials in Co Donegal
Comment #239587 by JernJane on August 30, 2008 at 1:05 am
Hahahha!! Oh no! I won't be buried in sacred ground!!! I'll go straight to Purgatory!! Aaaahhh!!!
Oh no...
Hang on! There is no Purgatory!
13. Call to teach biblical creation as science
Comment #225255 by JernJane on August 6, 2008 at 11:21 am
I have been known to defend religious people against gross generalizations claiming that they are generally stupid and also insane. It is quite obvious however that the grasp on reality is so poor for some people that I should very much like to tell them to their faces: "You know, that thing about god... It's all make-believe. Just like Peter Pan's existence and the idea that thinking happy thoughts fulfill the demands of flight."
14. Richard Dawkins on Al Jazeera English
Comment #215773 by JernJane on July 22, 2008 at 11:06 am
I look forward to more intellegent 8 year olds then 40 year old anti-Evolution theists...
For the love of FSM. In the vast majority of cases, it's not a question of intelligence. It's a question of honesty and willingness to question one's own dearly held beliefs.
If you want to boast intelligence, then go compare brain muscles with a math whiz. Personally, I prefer to encourage honesty and the courage to question.
Comment #211963 by JernJane on July 16, 2008 at 12:30 pm
Not exactly - the cracker is given by the priest in a ritual exchange. The priest says "This is the body of Christ", the parishioner affirms by saying "Amen". For PZ to get hold of a cracker, someone is going to have to either steal it, or lie to the priest and say they really believe it is Jesus.
In a Catholic church yes. It's different in other churches. In Lutheran churches for instance they are simply handed out with the priest saying "This is the body of Christ". And that's it.
16. Atheist soldier sues Army for 'unconstitutional' discrimination
Comment #207256 by JernJane on July 9, 2008 at 11:56 am
"Their purpose is to have Christian officers exercise Biblical leadership to raise up a godly army,"
This may well be the single most terrifying sentence I have ever read (shudder)
Indeed.
The word "crusade" rings a bell. No, in fact it's making all the alarms inside my head go off.
17. Muslims outraged at police advert featuring cute puppy sitting in policeman's hat
Comment #203241 by JernJane on July 2, 2008 at 1:51 pm
oh my dog...
18. Common New Atheist Fallacies
Comment #201253 by JernJane on June 29, 2008 at 1:44 pm
The question remains: "Where is the evidence"
Oh and on Hitchens: A Christian calling anyone abusive is throwing rocks, completely oblivious of the glass house in which he is sitting.
19. John McCain: America a Christian nation, needs Christian president
Comment #190392 by JernJane on June 9, 2008 at 2:28 am
This idea that "America was founded primarily on Judeo-Christian principles," is such a dangerous and vicious lie.
20. Couple charged in Norway over genital mutilation of daughters
Comment #190388 by JernJane on June 9, 2008 at 2:25 am
What do you expect, Norway, when you have an immigration policy of allowing people with a twelfth century mindset concerning the treatment of women to be welcomed into your country? Islam is not compatible with a modern liberal Western democracy. Take off the politically correct lenses and see things for how they really are.
As a Norwegian I can tell you that if you think the average Norwegian is so naïve as to being blind with regards to Islam, you're dead wrong. The reason why we have the immigration policies that we do is because of naïve left-wing politicians who are elected because they don't state that "being friends and holding hands with Islam" is part of their political programme. They know that Norwegians are more concerned with school quality, care for the elders, tax rates and so forth and get elected on that.
On top of that, certain immigration-related politicians have also been revealed as corrupt. So don't give us the "What do you expect, >Norway<", but rather "What do you expect, Norwegian politicians". The public knows better than the politicians in this country. It's just too bad that our politicians are as dishonest a bunch of bastards here as anywhere else.
To be honest I am happy that these people have been charged. At least something is happening about it now. That's better than nothing as far as I'm concerned.
21. Religion is a product of evolution, software suggests
Comment #185895 by JernJane on May 29, 2008 at 2:00 am
very interesting article, and even better: one that makes sense!
22. Top 6 Incestuous Relationships In The Bible
Comment #185346 by JernJane on May 27, 2008 at 2:50 pm
How can the pious Christians defend this sick, twisted behaviour???
They don't. They know very well that it's wrong. Just because it's in the Bible doesn't mean Christians think that it's right.
23. Five Things Humans No Longer Need
Comment #184015 by JernJane on May 23, 2008 at 12:12 pm
I like having goose bumps, especially when listening to beautiful music! I'm glad I was born before we lost the gorgeous, tickling sensation :D
24. Stephen Colbert Interviews Richard Dawkins
Comment #182186 by JernJane on May 19, 2008 at 10:52 am
That gave me a good laugh! :)
25. Dawkins vs Haggard: the Python Edition
Comment #182180 by JernJane on May 19, 2008 at 10:41 am
Hahahahaha!!! That was bloody brilliant!!
26. Richard Dawkins Responds to Rabbi Shmuley Boteach
Comment #181384 by JernJane on May 17, 2008 at 5:13 am
Are we still on this for crying out loud?
Although I agree that this is a storm in a teapot/-cup/-whatever, I think it's the sort of *ahem* "dialogue" there's pressure on you to finish once it's started. Imagine how bloody provoking it must be to have your name attempted smeared so undeservedly and in such an unworthy manner.
Well-written reply, Richard! I hope Boteach now will have the sense to let the arguement die.
27. Richard Dawkins Interview on TVOntario
Comment #181095 by JernJane on May 16, 2008 at 12:22 pm
Atheists *are* persecuted in America. I walked out to my car this morning to find that someone had broken both of my side mirrors. Not the first act of vandalism, either.
I wish we could just live together, peacefully, like human beings. Not that we have a rich history of doing so, but still. I admire your courage, Mango.
28. Richard Dawkins discusses Einstein's new letters
Comment #179981 by JernJane on May 14, 2008 at 4:09 am
I want to slap Einstein for being so damned poetic. Now we have to clean up his mess. :P
(Yes, I'm joking.)
Comment #179662 by JernJane on May 13, 2008 at 1:38 pm
On the surface, the point about daring Sam Harris to speak his mind in Saudi-Arabia, is a decent point.
Except... it's not because of Christianity or Judaism that we are closer to free speech in the western world. It is, however, Islam's work that there is no such thing in Saudi-Arabia.
30. 3QD interviews Richard Dawkins
Comment #178778 by JernJane on May 12, 2008 at 3:05 am
Except for the moving of the camera, this was a very interesting interview - a proper conversation instead of "I ask you a stupid question, you repeat your answer from the last interview where you were asked this question".
31. Evolution: What is 'Natural'?
Comment #178443 by JernJane on May 11, 2008 at 12:32 pm
"I'm a passionate Darwinian in the academic sense (...), yet I am a passionate Anti-Darwinian when it comes to human social and political affairs."
This is what I see lying, illogical IDiots as attacking the most, in order to portray Dawkins as a hypocrite.
Well, some people just love to misinterpret on purpose.
32. Evolution: What is 'Natural'?
Comment #178406 by JernJane on May 11, 2008 at 11:07 am
Time to add this to my general list of memorable quotes, I think:
"I'm a passionate Darwinian in the academic sense (...), yet I am a passionate Anti-Darwinian when it comes to human social and political affairs."
33. Was the new finger a 'natural' miracle?
Comment #178287 by JernJane on May 11, 2008 at 5:03 am
Oh for heavens' sake... I can see it coming already:
Pixie dust availible in your local shop NOW!!!
- miraculous growth and regrowth of limbs!
(Competition for Viagra?)
- sparkly appearance
(It must be God's work!)
Comment #178285 by JernJane on May 11, 2008 at 4:52 am
I'm sure it must be an age thing. I feel the same way about South Park (though not the Simpsons, which I find witty and highly perceptive about modern life).
I often get the impression that South Park tries too hard and thus ruin their own jokes.
If you liked the Simpsons though, I would recommend Futurama (also created by Matt Groening). Although the scientist in the series is the mad cartoonish stereotype (which I understand you don't especially approve of), you might want to catch an episode of it if you get the chance.
JJ
35. Sexpelled: No Intercourse Allowed
Comment #178276 by JernJane on May 11, 2008 at 4:17 am
The more I watch this the better it gets! :D :D
36. Truly Bizarre : Indians Throw Babies 50ft From Roof To Thank God.
Comment #178274 by JernJane on May 11, 2008 at 4:13 am
That is shocking. I'm even surprised.
Comment #178270 by JernJane on May 11, 2008 at 4:09 am
Joy. More emotional blackmail.
38. Atheists are nice people who will roast in hell, says Cardinal
Comment #178006 by JernJane on May 10, 2008 at 8:21 am
I am sorry for being a pedantic cow - yet again, but:
"Britain's biggest catholic"
Oh really? :D
39. Fleas on the Horizon: In Defense of God
Comment #177548 by JernJane on May 9, 2008 at 9:27 am
Someone should write a work of apologetics for Tor and Odin (Thor and Wotan/Woden) as a charicature of Christian apologetic theology.
Hell I might even do it myself.
40. Flea of the week
Comment #177547 by JernJane on May 9, 2008 at 9:25 am
I wonder if I could milk this cow just a bit more by writing a book solely about the internal contradictions of the Bible.
I wonder, should the title include the word "delusion"? :P
41. My Response to Rabbi Shmuley Boteach
Comment #177492 by JernJane on May 9, 2008 at 7:20 am
Though I think the Hitler reference was unnecessary for Dawkins to prove a point, I do understand what Dawkins means by the "shrieking like Hitler".
I can't help but wonder though if it was something simply put in there, not calling Boteach Hitler, but simply uttering a simile to his way of presenting his rather unfounded arguments, in order to provoke such a reaction where Boteach indeed makes a storm in a teacup by deliberately misinterpreting Dawkins' statement.
To me this has become a farse, but I don't think that's primarily Dawkins' fault, although he could've been more cautious, but then again:
Isn't Dawkins' refusal to compromise the truth part of why we like him? ;)
42. My Response to Rabbi Shmuley Boteach
Comment #177409 by JernJane on May 9, 2008 at 3:37 am
He then started mocking me claiming that I am unpatriotic and I think we should have never come here to begin with.
Is it just me, or is calling somebody unpatriotic the standard way, the last breath from a person drowning in the waters of his own lack of reason, for Americans to resort to when they have nothing left to say?
"You're unpatriotic". What a completely and utterly irrelevant and stupid way of trying to get the upper hand in a discussion - by going so low that it's unbelievable.
It's obvious that this man has no idea that a patriot is not somebody who blindly follows the mainstream of the country he's supposed to be such a patriot for, but somebody who fights for what is right and what is good for all its inhabitants.
About this "debate" between Dawkins and Boteach, I find it rather amusing, though tragic at the same time. The amusing part lies in the sheer absurdity of the conversation:
"You shriek like Hitler."
"You called me Hitler!"
"No, I said you shriek like Hitler."
The tragic part lies in the impression I have that these two people who, it seems used to be friends, are now publically arguing.
I have to agree with Clementine below that the mention of Hitler was unnecessary. This whole dispute seems deeply personal to me from both sides, and I think public space and open letters may not be the best suited arena for it.
Like Pat Condell would say: "Peace!"
Regards
JJ
43. Richard Dawkins on The Big Questions
Comment #176883 by JernJane on May 8, 2008 at 8:44 am
Is this just the way British live debate programs are, or are most of the people there just extremely selfish and impolite?
I wanted to tell them to shut up on a number of occasions.
Some of them seem to simply love hearing their own voice.
What a revealing thing to say that the only satisfactory explanation for evil in the world is the existence of a/the devil.
EDIT: Oh and one more thing: Is it just me or do the same people clap after every single comment/reply?
44. Norway flourishes as secular nation
Comment #175851 by JernJane on May 6, 2008 at 6:45 am
With regards to beer (and food in general - in fact - things in general) being expensive in Norway, let me just point out that it is only really expensive compared to your personal economy in relation to the economy of your own society.
I'm no economist of any sort, but I do understand that the word "expensive" is a relative term and it is first and foremost relative to your own personal netto income.
About Norway and secularism:
I believe the state church is completely obsolete and I also think Christians would be more happy with a solution that didn't let the government choose their bishops. They don't choose imams for Norwegian Muslims, so why should they control the church in that way? Obviously because Evangelistic Lutheran Christianity is the state religion. Norway is a pluralistic society. It should be treated as such with freedom of speech, religion, movement etc for all its (lawful) inhabitants, regardless.
Furthermore, Norway is increasingly secularistic. The law that allows favourable teaching of Christianity over other religions/world views in primary schools is on its way out of the legal system. The average Norwegian cares more for where their tax money end up than that their traditional views are taught as truth in schools. I think that speaks for itself and should be celebrated as a step in the right direction.
PS: I put "lawful" in parantheses because I do believe in punishment and imprisonment for criminals who commit horrendous acts such as pedophilia, rape, murder etc, much rather than therapy.
Over 1.5 million copies sold
Books by Richard Dawkins
The Oxford Book of Modern Science Writing
by Richard Dawkins
The Selfish Gene
by Richard Dawkins
The Blind Watchmaker
by Richard Dawkins
The Ancestor's Tale
by Richard Dawkins
Unweaving the Rainbow
by Richard Dawkins
