1. Religious bigotry upheld in court

Comment #209030 by Stafford Gordon on July 11, 2008 at 2:12 pm

I dare say religious people have objectione to some of what heterosexuals do in their love lives.

Perhaps a questionnaire should be devised which couples have to fill out about their sexual preferences, and if a registrar finds any of them unacceptable they could refuse to carry out their duties.

It would, of course, entail a pro rata cut in their salary.

2. PLEASE WRITE IN SUPPORT OF PZ MYERS

Comment #208980 by Stafford Gordon on July 11, 2008 at 1:16 pm

I'm in!

3. Who Was More Important: Lincoln or Darwin?

Comment #201942 by Stafford Gordon on June 30, 2008 at 12:59 pm

"All comparisons are odious" Shakespeare.

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

Comment #197688 by Stafford Gordon on June 22, 2008 at 1:48 pm

Who's arrogant!

5. Bright Chunks At Phoenix Lander's Mars Site Must Have Been Ice

Comment #196801 by Stafford Gordon on June 20, 2008 at 12:58 pm

The astronomer Patrick Moore was a teacher at my school when I was about ten years old. He would talk with great enthusiasm about Pluto and Mars in particular I recall.

Now, I've just looked at the surface of Mars.

Wonderful!

6. Charles Darwin: 'Is man an ape or an angel?'

Comment #195578 by Stafford Gordon on June 18, 2008 at 2:22 pm

Read Steve Jones's THE LANGUAGE OF THE GENES everyone!

7. Rare dinosaur mummy's arm and tail unveiled

Comment #195007 by Stafford Gordon on June 17, 2008 at 2:21 pm

Paleontologist finds fossil remains on his uncle's farm - pull the other one it's got bells on it - will be the ID response.

8. Gay brains structured like those of the opposite sex

Comment #194122 by Stafford Gordon on June 16, 2008 at 12:49 pm

Blimey! I wonder what the bi-sexual brain's like; by the sound of it, a bit of a dog's.

9. Sam Harris at Idea City '05

Comment #191321 by Stafford Gordon on June 10, 2008 at 3:05 pm

"Yes,- yes" indeed.

10. Logical Proof of the Existence of a Divine Creator, Why Atheism is Not Logically Sound

Comment #190741 by Stafford Gordon on June 9, 2008 at 1:28 pm

After a couple of paragraphs it was manifestly clear that this chap does not understand the fundamentals of Darwin's findings; which have now developed into facts.

11. Character Attacks: How to Properly Apply the Ad Hominem

Comment #188262 by Stafford Gordon on June 3, 2008 at 2:22 pm

I've commented previously that the personal attack weakens the argument. This applies to Richard Dawkins as much as anyone; in fact, especially to him.

Hero worship is also a thing which I deplore; it's demeaning.

"No More Heroes" please.

12. Evolution: What is 'Natural'?

Comment #180274 by Stafford Gordon on May 14, 2008 at 1:23 pm

Succinct!

13. Richard Dawkins interviewed by John Humphrys on Cardinal Murphy O'Connor

Comment #177681 by Stafford Gordon on May 9, 2008 at 1:19 pm

This the argument of someone who is having to resort to slander, an extremely weak position; it certainly contains no reasoned statements.

It is, on reflection, oppresive intimidating stuff, par for the course, of course! Perhaps he is fearful of loosing his followers to "reason"; they might start thinking for themselves.

14. Is Liberal Catholicism Dead?

Comment #175951 by Stafford Gordon on May 6, 2008 at 9:20 am

Priests rape children because of secularism? Er, try again. Secularism causes priests to rape children! Once more. Secularists rape children because of priests! Er, nope. Priests rape children because of religion's repressive and unnatural sexual customs! Got it! So, what is the Pope talking about?

He is trying to apportion blame for the crimes committed inside the community of which he is head to everyone outside of that community.

Par for the course for a politician; blame everyone else.

Mind you, he's got much posher frocks than most politicos.

15. Evolution's Critics Shift Tactics With Schools

Comment #174973 by Stafford Gordon on May 4, 2008 at 2:30 am

A biology teacher who knows of no evidence for evolution is no biology teacher!

16. Anti-Evolution Film Misappropriates the Holocaust

Comment #172766 by Stafford Gordon on April 30, 2008 at 4:28 am

"Hefetze" / Object.

17. Orangutan attempts to hunt fish with spear

Comment #172342 by Stafford Gordon on April 29, 2008 at 1:44 pm

It was Orangutan Jenny who helped motivate Darwin; indeed, notwithstanding the Beagle voyage, I think it could be argued that she was the prime mover!

Wonderful.

18. Does science make belief in God obsolete?

Comment #171451 by Stafford Gordon on April 28, 2008 at 1:49 pm

Hitchens is a hell of a writer. The drains are up when he's around; but I for one find the stink invigorating!

However, apropos of Iraq he's either ignorant or deluded.

19. Richard Dawkins on The Big Debate

Comment #169667 by Stafford Gordon on April 26, 2008 at 2:02 pm

A general note; when debating it is advisable not to point a finger, rather, gesture with an upturned open palm inviting a response.

20. Is religion a threat to rationality and science?

Comment #166985 by Stafford Gordon on April 23, 2008 at 2:25 pm

I recently came into contact with someone who's family run a 'farm' where, for a fee, your children can be told about, among other related matters, the miraculous birth of Jesus.

In challenging this by pointing that parthenogenesis was fairly uncommon in animals this person informed me that she was not an animal.

Now, I could have stood my ground etc, but it was that time of evening and I had an appointment with a glass of wine.

I have no need, or wish, to be patronising, but she was so far behind the curve that probably nothing can now be done to bring her down.

Her,I don't really care about, it's the children.

What a mess!

21. Investigating Atheism

Comment #166949 by Stafford Gordon on April 23, 2008 at 2:02 pm

The use of inverted commas for 'new athiests' does at least nod towards the fact that these people are mostly life long atheists.

As regards evidence for and against the existence of a supernatural creator of the universe? Well, I would have thought that a slightly difficult balance to strike, even for a University such as Cambridge.

22. Is religion a threat to rationality and science?

Comment #166927 by Stafford Gordon on April 23, 2008 at 1:46 pm

Professing a belief is fine. One doesn't really have to believe it. Unless, of course, it's a belief in God. In which case God, being, well, God, would know you weren't on the level.

I have never had a belief in the supernatural, honest, so I don't care if there's a god or not. If there is I'll find out soon enough and if not it's deeply irrelevant.

But then, unlike Pascal I'm being honest, and if there is a god she knows I am being true to myself.

Did Blaise really think he'd get away with it?

23. Protests no concern for outspoken atheist

Comment #155006 by Stafford Gordon on April 4, 2008 at 4:16 am

If only they would stop wasting time squealing and listen to the evidence.

They're so used to having what they proclaim accepted by their flock that they probably feel their power base is threatened when another view point is put forward; hence the pre-emptive strikes as an attempt to stifle debate.

Evolution and god are totally different matters. The first is established and as far as the second is concerned if god exists we all found out soon enough and if not it's irrelevant.

I only worry about the effect all this stuff has on children; it's vital that youngsters be left to make up their own minds.

Preacher, leave that kid alone!

24. BBC 'too scared to allow jokes about Islam'

Comment #154572 by Stafford Gordon on April 3, 2008 at 1:12 pm

Nancy sights a classic double bind; to paraphrase Jonathan Miller in the Life After Darwin debate at the Darwin Centre with Dawkins and Macleod, either way we're fucked!

25. Bart Ehrman, Questioning Religion on Why We Suffer

Comment #154078 by Stafford Gordon on April 2, 2008 at 2:22 pm

My mum used to say that if you ask a silly question you get a silly answer.

26. Beware the Believers

Comment #151870 by Stafford Gordon on March 29, 2008 at 3:29 pm

Perhaps the operative word is machine, vis THE SELFISH GENE?

27. Police: Girl Dies After Parents Pray for Healing Instead of Seeking Medical Help

Comment #149859 by Stafford Gordon on March 26, 2008 at 9:58 am

Medieval; poor little sweetheart!

28. The science of religion: Where angels no longer fear to tread

Comment #148574 by Stafford Gordon on March 23, 2008 at 10:25 am

In COMMENT 1 by Steve Zara sights THE EXTENDED PHENOTYPE.

Not an easy read for a non scientist like myself but well worth the effort.

29. I suppose it's due ('Expelled' review)

Comment #148089 by Stafford Gordon on March 22, 2008 at 2:36 am

One response to the question about aliens might have been to point out that science can't address or comment on the supernatural; why not ask for a figure on the temperature in hell.

30. Sci-fi guru Clarke to have secular funeral

Comment #146839 by Stafford Gordon on March 19, 2008 at 1:29 pm

I have no scientific credentials what so ever and science fiction has no appeal to me at all. The latter being the case simply because science fact is so profoundly rich, rewarding, enlightening and life enhancing that to me anything made up is nowadays pretty poor by comparison.

However, I have long been secretly of the opinion that there may be some evolutionary element attached to religion, and I'm relieved to learn that Arthur C Clarke thaught the same; now I can "COME OUT"!

31. New Atheists Are Not Great

Comment #145395 by Stafford Gordon on March 17, 2008 at 2:33 pm

ad hominem will not do; alright, he tends to shout, but he's very well read, it's simply that his choice of subject on this occasion doesn't match what he's been reading.

I've heard him give as an example that evolution doesn't occur that there has been no discernable change in human kind in the last ten thousand years.

Don't attack him suggest some books; and perhaps a change of company.

32. The Salamander's Tale

Comment #133660 by Stafford Gordon on February 26, 2008 at 1:30 pm

A perfect encapsulation of Darwinism; this and the transitional genetic markers of the inner ear of the whale et cetera, et cetera et cetera. What ever next? What is the world coming to!

33. Fleabytes

Comment #130072 by Stafford Gordon on February 20, 2008 at 3:08 am

Very good!

Ponder the recent pronouncements of the Archbishop of Cantebury apropos of the introduction into Britain of Sharia Law, then consider the following:

"The teachings of 'moderate' religion, though not extremist in themselves, are an open invitation to extremism"

(The God Delusion)

34. Archbishop's 8 March centennial message: Let Sharia Law govern women's lives, Amen!

Comment #128837 by Stafford Gordon on February 18, 2008 at 4:17 am

For some obscure reason - need of brain transplant probably - I submitted my last post having edited out its central premise.

I'm relieved to see that it hasn't appeared.

I would like to re-submit. Can you please advise?: staffordgordon@btinternet.com

If so thanks!

35. The Search for Truth, God and Braver Scientists in 'Expelled'

Comment #128433 by Stafford Gordon on February 17, 2008 at 2:16 am

"How did the cell get so complex?" This is a question which could only be posed by someone who has not read Darwin; or, if they have done so have not understood the central idea from which all else has since flowed.

36. Response to Richard Dawkins and Sam Harris

Comment #25079 by Stafford Gordon on March 10, 2007 at 3:10 am

As a lay person I understand science to mean that which is testable and can be disproved.

Was eugenics testable? Was the measuring of childrens' heads to determine their race and or intelligence testable? Was the pushing of a pencil through someones hair to see if it stayed there or fell out a testable means of determining racial origins? Did the sewing together of children have some scientic goal?

None of these things had anything what so ever to do with science. They were put forward as such, but were in fact pseudo-scientific pollitically motivated torture and murder.

If there is to be anything approaching a debate between religion and science both sides are obliged to compare like with like.

My only problem with that premise, is the testing of religion.

37. Faith

Comment #23073 by Stafford Gordon on February 26, 2007 at 5:48 am

Now we are told that him upstairs is a feeble old chap wandering around the house mumbling to himself. Bit of a come down from being omniscient and omnipotent! I think what we are witnessing is the usual ducking and diving for metaphor and simile which occurs when those of faith feel themselves "threatened". These are not threats, they're pleas for people to think for themselves. Incidentally, the question of Hitler's religiosity is moot, but one thing is beyond question. Namely, that he was a dog loving vegetarian. Any of those in your family?

38. Tired of all the religious garbage? It's time to become an Enlightenist

Comment #19367 by Stafford Gordon on January 26, 2007 at 2:53 pm

The very first paragragh does it.

39. Stephen Fry and Christopher Hitchens debate blasphemy

Comment #19361 by Stafford Gordon on January 26, 2007 at 1:49 pm

Christopher Hitchin's comments about the need for war remind me of the character of Souvarine in Zola's "Germinal". Worth listening to these two chaps, despite it being a bit of a love-in.

40. Mr. Deity

Comment #19357 by Stafford Gordon on January 26, 2007 at 1:04 pm

Proof if any were needed that satire is a great art form. Since reason and logic make no impression on those with religion, perhaps mockery is the only way to go. There again, its effect is probably limited on those at whom it's aimed. I've never been paricularly struck by any of the jokes in the bible.

41. Creation vs. Darwin takes Muslim twist in Turkey

Comment #9676 by Stafford Gordon on November 25, 2006 at 1:58 pm

I find the line of "thought" outlined above really frightening. It seems to me that we have here an engendering of ignorance for the purposes of gaining power.

It seems to me that Dawkins and others of his ilk are obliged by dint of their native intelligence and learning to challenge this nonsense.

We seem to be going backwards at an allarming rate right now and I fear for the future of our children, although they seem to display sufficiant native intelligence to dismiss this nonsense.

Their school was visited last year by some Chistians who intimated that if they did not behave well they ran the risk of going to hell. Their response when I asked them what they made of it was a shrug of the shoulders and a grin.

None the less a stand has to be made against this dangerous trend.

Yours

STAFFORD GORDON