1. Sharia law 'could have UK role'

Comment #204178 by gcdavis on July 4, 2008 at 9:55 am

Severe physical punishments such as flogging, stoning and the cutting off of hands would not be acceptable, he said.

2. CFI-UN Hamid Karzai Letter

Comment #202164 by gcdavis on July 1, 2008 at 1:40 am

Well it was always going to come to this, our soldiers are dying to maintain a regime that kills its own people for "crimes" against religion! Afghanistan has never had a national government, the British Empire tried and later the Russians and now us, the "Coalition". The great irony is that the Taliban were the closest thing Afghanistan has ever had to a national government.

The entire country is involved in the Opium/Heroin trade which will never be eradicated as long as there is a market for its products. The opium poppy is just about the only crop that is viable in country with such a hostile environment and with no infrastructure. Instead of spending billions on defending the corrupt Karzai regime, we should spend billions buying the poppy harvest from the poor farmers and then destroy it before the heroin that would have been made from it reaches our shores. The taliban, warloards and corrupt officials would then have no income and our domestic drug problems might be alleviated.

3. Help protest against misguided report on UK faith schools

Comment #202152 by gcdavis on July 1, 2008 at 1:13 am

My comments as posted

Publicly funded faith schools are an outrage in a secular democratic country. They are by definition divisive. I can hardly believe that at a time when a country like Turkey is defending its secular constitution we in the UK are standing idly by while our government desecularises our education system.
http://www.whengodsonyourside.blogspot.com/

4. Galaxy map hints at fractal universe

Comment #199559 by gcdavis on June 26, 2008 at 1:47 am

What's at stake if the universe is indeed a fractal on the largest scales? Besides a radical rethink of the laws and history of the cosmos, researchers have placed something more down-to-Earth on the line.

5. Should We Rid The Mind of God? A Debate

Comment #198525 by gcdavis on June 24, 2008 at 7:58 am

Am I Evil: A lovely pastiche, I could even hear McGrath's voice as I read it

6. Should We Rid The Mind of God? A Debate

Comment #198449 by gcdavis on June 24, 2008 at 1:44 am

Not a great debate and I was surprised at Atkins response to the faith in atheism question, instead of banging on about simplicity what he should have said is that atheism is simply an absence of faith, no more, no less. Perhaps what he meant was that atheism is the neutral state, before ideas of any type have been superimposed upon it. And this absence of faith is not restricted to belief in god but belief in anything. I stopped using the word believe about 40 years ago, preferring the phrase "it is reasonable to assume" and if my opinion on any matter is challenged I offer a rational explanation. Of course there are times when my opinion is confronted by another more convincing one and I have to change my mind.

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

Comment #195261 by gcdavis on June 18, 2008 at 1:37 am

As has been said previously none of us are 100% rational. The temporary suspension of disbelief if necessary to enjoy many films for example or indeed any use of the imagination, for the believer this suspension has become permanent.

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

Comment #195251 by gcdavis on June 18, 2008 at 1:20 am

Having been raised as a Christian, I felt like I was betraying my family by giving up my faith. I think I might not be the only one to have this experience.

9. Rapture site sends unbelievers their last chance ... via email

Comment #194691 by gcdavis on June 17, 2008 at 7:36 am

I am pleased to announce the launch of the www.endoftheworldisnigh.com website. For a miserly $100 subscription we will be pleased to send you an email at nigh-time (as we like to call it) and if you sign up a friend we will send you commemorative scroll to prove that you were there at the end.

Please hurry as this offer will not be available for ever!

10. Regime change in heaven

Comment #191079 by gcdavis on June 10, 2008 at 7:30 am

Reports of my demise are premature! Knowing that your pathetic assault was on its way I spent the afternoon with an old friend, if you thinks it's bad on earth, its hell where he lives! What a pathetic bunch you humans are, you couldn't even manage regime change in Zimbabwe, but I digress. It has come to my notice that a few of you so called atheists are stirring up trouble down there on earth, I may have to send another prophet down to get you back in line, the last one was a disappointment, Bin something or other, as he seems to have gone freelance.

And let's get this evolution thing straight, yes of course you started out as bacteria and to my mind most of you still are but evolution was my best wheeze yet, survival of the fittest? You bet. Why do you think I allow all these religions to think they are the chosen ones? Isn't it obvious, they will continue killing each other (and you atheists) until only one lot survives; and just when they think it's all sewn up, I'll send down another flood and wipe out the last of you.

Why would I do that you ask? Because frankly you're boring, after 5 billion years I deserve a break. Well I'm off to Alpha Centauri now, there's a small rock, sorry planet, about your size just cool enough for me to dribble on... where did you think the bacteria came from?

11. Couple charged in Norway over genital mutilation of daughters

Comment #190364 by gcdavis on June 9, 2008 at 1:07 am

So what about male genital mutilation!

If I remove a small piece of my child's ear because my religion (let's call it Moon worship) demanded it, I would be locked up. But every year millions of infant boys are legally subjected to circumcision, often but not always for religious reasons.

It should be illegal to perform surgery on a minor unless there is a medical reason to do so. I know male circumcision has been practiced in the US for many years and it always surprises me that many Americans, including many atheists seem to think it is ok. It isn't and the spurious claims made about hygiene have been debunked years ago.

12. The day of judgment

Comment #189715 by gcdavis on June 7, 2008 at 3:23 am

It is remarkable how little of that terrifying event survives in public memory, in modern folklore. In the vast literature the Cuban missile crisis has spawned - military, political, diplomatic - there is very little on its effect at the time on ordinary lives, in homes, school, and the workplace, on the fear and widespread numb incomprehension in the population at large. That fear has not passed into the national narrative, here, or anywhere else as vividly as you might expect.

13. Lab agrees to test Shroud of Turin for new theory

Comment #182791 by gcdavis on May 21, 2008 at 1:19 am

I always thought the "Hand Wash Only" label was a give away!

14. A natural selection

Comment #179918 by gcdavis on May 14, 2008 at 1:53 am

Unlike the US, in the UK most Anglican and Jewish leaders and quite a few Catholics too, accept Evolution as fact, perhaps not to the extent of sponsoring a Darwin exhibition. However it is just these moderates that RD (and I agree) finds most irritating. The creationists assert the bible is truth and act accordingly, daft but at least consistent. People like those in from the UC Observer pick and choose which bits they regard as true leaving the unpalatable bits to one side. This policy is dishonest but it chimes with the way many people think about religion.
http://whengodsonyourside.blogspot.com/

15. 85% of Americans Want a Presidential Debate on Science

Comment #179904 by gcdavis on May 14, 2008 at 1:25 am

85% of Americans Want a Presidential Debate on Science

Who would say no to a question like that, it amazes me that 15% actually did?

You have to look behind the response and there I would guess are two contradictory motives, one that fears that science will undermine religion, the other that science will cure all ills. Both camps hope that a debate will support their own point of view.

16. The Stupidity of Dignity

Comment #179424 by gcdavis on May 13, 2008 at 8:30 am

Lovely anecdote Titania, as Pinker says those who seek to preserve their own dignity are invariably not worthy of respect

17. The Stupidity of Dignity

Comment #179255 by gcdavis on May 13, 2008 at 1:15 am

What a brilliant article, beautifully written with an almost breathtaking clarity.
I just hope the next administration does not surround itself with sycophantic theocons.

18. Church of Scotland mediators to quell disputes

Comment #178252 by gcdavis on May 11, 2008 at 3:01 am

kaharoa Brilliant!

I wonder is Gordon Brown will join the debate, his father was a minister of the Kirk, probably not, he is rather preoccupied at the moment!

19. Pat Condell: Anthology DVD available now!

Comment #172709 by gcdavis on April 30, 2008 at 1:02 am

Recognition at last for a brilliant polemicist and entertainer; many off us have suggested a prominent link on this site to Pat's videos, however RDFRS must have been working behind the scenes to produce this, well done to Pat and RDFRS.

20. How to reconcile Richard Dawkins?

Comment #172135 by gcdavis on April 29, 2008 at 8:59 am

Atheists have not only engaged in suicide bombings, but have pioneered the practice -- specifically, the Marxist Tamil Tigers of Sri Lanka

I have to say I don't entirely understand Dawkins's thinking here -- how, after all, could the executions of religious figures not follow logically from the promotion of atheism?

Tyrants dispose of those who threaten or confront them, the Russian Orthodox church was a potential threat. He didn't kill for atheism, he killed to maintain his power, these dolts just don't seem to get it!

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

Comment #148822 by gcdavis on March 24, 2008 at 2:26 am

You don't need to spend much time trying to find a biological reason for the existence of religion. For most of human history god was the ONLY reasonable explanation for the events that human beings experienced but had no control over. If we had lived 5000 years ago we would have assumed that an electric storm had occurred for a reason, what better explanation than the anger of an unseen diety?

Science has explained the true nature of an electric storm and many other things besides. The reason that so many people still believe in god is that they have been born into cultures where these tired old myths are still peddled by self serving priests whose purpose in life is the continuation of their own brand of the supernatural.

As most of humankind are poorly educated and ignorant of course they do not question religious authority. That religion persists in the developed world is because the religious brainwashing is more sophisticated, but its days are surely numbered. It may take 20, 50, or 100 years for that tipping point to occur, but it surely will, when human beings see belief in god is as ridiculous as belief in santa.

22. What's the Point of the Archbishop of Canterbury?

Comment #138942 by gcdavis on March 5, 2008 at 1:12 am

If you are an Anglican then yes he is defender of your faith, if you are of another faith he may still be useful as a general advocate in defence of faith based issues, if you are a secularist, then he is an old fart in a dress!

23. Debate between Richard Dawkins and Madeline Bunting

Comment #127353 by gcdavis on February 15, 2008 at 7:24 am

257. Comment #127350
Thanks for the helpful advise, no advice, blast helpful comments

24. Debate between Richard Dawkins and Madeline Bunting

Comment #127347 by gcdavis on February 15, 2008 at 7:11 am

I have managed to track down the origins of WTF?, it is not a new gambit but one that pre-dates even Philip78's Stovold's dramatic tea drinking move, in fact it was first played by Madeline Bunting in 1937. How about that?

25. Debate between Richard Dawkins and Madeline Bunting

Comment #127341 by gcdavis on February 15, 2008 at 7:04 am

I sense that Annabanana is issuing a mild rebuke, or is this a new gambit?

26. Debate between Richard Dawkins and Madeline Bunting

Comment #127333 by gcdavis on February 15, 2008 at 6:58 am

I know I'm not playing any more but can Henri do that?
"popping out to Gloucester Road"

27. Debate between Richard Dawkins and Madeline Bunting

Comment #127329 by gcdavis on February 15, 2008 at 6:51 am

Quetzalcoatl

God moves in mysterious ways

28. Debate between Richard Dawkins and Madeline Bunting

Comment #127322 by gcdavis on February 15, 2008 at 6:45 am

Quetzalcoatl Too late!
http://www.hpmosque.org.au/modules/content/?id=11

irate_atheist
One doesn't like to be a bad looser but I see from the IMCC that you missed two drugs tests during the close season!

29. Debate between Richard Dawkins and Madeline Bunting

Comment #127311 by gcdavis on February 15, 2008 at 6:35 am

No need for (?), I cannot match your double clanger, I will concede.

30. Debate between Richard Dawkins and Madeline Bunting

Comment #127302 by gcdavis on February 15, 2008 at 6:30 am

Hang on, weren't the South Circular Rules banned in 1983?

31. Debate between Richard Dawkins and Madeline Bunting

Comment #127299 by gcdavis on February 15, 2008 at 6:28 am

Good, that's very good!

Tooting Bec

32. Debate between Richard Dawkins and Madeline Bunting

Comment #127296 by gcdavis on February 15, 2008 at 6:26 am

Damm!

33. Debate between Richard Dawkins and Madeline Bunting

Comment #127293 by gcdavis on February 15, 2008 at 6:25 am

Marble Arch

Seems so obvious doesn't it?

34. Debate between Richard Dawkins and Madeline Bunting

Comment #127290 by gcdavis on February 15, 2008 at 6:20 am

May I suggest to Henri if he decides to take up Irate_Atheist's challenge

Theydon Bois

35. Debate between Richard Dawkins and Madeline Bunting

Comment #127217 by gcdavis on February 15, 2008 at 4:05 am

I think I heard RD agree that there is more than one kind of truth and to acknowledge emotional truth. What on earth is emotional truth, emotions are what you feel, no truth can be attributed to a feeling, to feel something is true is meaningless, truth only has meaning if it is objective otherwise anything is true if I think it is and we all know where that thinking ends up!

36. Charles Simonyi Professorship in the Public Understanding of Science

Comment #126695 by gcdavis on February 14, 2008 at 1:23 am

Atticus_of_Amber says that RD ticks all the boxes for elevation to the House of Lords, all except one, he has yet to "donate" £1,000,000 to the Labour Party!

37. Why multiculturalism must be abandoned

Comment #125270 by gcdavis on February 11, 2008 at 6:58 am

The one good thing to come out of all this is the extent to which secular voices have been heard, across the media, politics, blogs and letters pages there has been near unanimous condemnation of archbishop’s comments along with an appreciation that this special pleading is demanded by all faith groups, not just islam.
Hugh Caldwell I’m not sure about Pavlovian, there is a difference between a Pavlovian response that has been conditioned by repetition and a spontaneous response to the obvious threat associated with sharia. I understand where you are coming from though, if Williams had been talking about integrating hindu customs into our law it would have passed with far less comment.

38. Charles Simonyi Professorship in the Public Understanding of Science

Comment #125167 by gcdavis on February 11, 2008 at 3:22 am

I'll second Steve Jones!

and for the Public Misunderstanding of Science, anyone have a candidate?

39. Why multiculturalism must be abandoned

Comment #125162 by gcdavis on February 11, 2008 at 3:18 am

I first wrote this a year ago and have taken a lot of stick here and at other forums for opposing the concept of multiculturalism as practised here in the UK. I thought it worth repeating. I have been misrepresented as a racist usually by lefties for having the temerity of saying that immigrants should be expected to “sign up” to the core values of the host nation even at the expense of their own cultural origins.

If you want to live in the UK your entry ticket should be to share our values and learn our language (quickly), your colour, class, skills are not the issue. At the heart of the problem is of course religion, a moslem immigrant from Pakistan is less likely to assimilate than a Sikh from India because of the greater subjugation that islam demands. Even Poles bring with them a much stronger, more active and devout version of catholicism than our local version.

As a secularist I am alarmed at the creeping expansion of religion into education and government. Although I see no prospect at all of the UK following America’s path, we must fight to keep religious influence at bay and seek always to reign it back.

Multiculturalism’s bed fellow is political correctness and timidity amongst politicians. I long for one of them to stand up and assert their Britishness, this should not be confused with nationalism or mistaken for xenophobia. And before someone says “what is Britishness” it suffices to say that it is a broad “church” and not a narrow monoculturalism, in common with most developed societies it allows for wide range of behaviour and practice, if your are a Brit and don’t know what it is, then open your eyes and ears, it is all around you.

40. Help Build The Reason Project Archive!

Comment #123339 by gcdavis on February 7, 2008 at 2:12 am

Has Sam completed his PHD yet, if not, at this rate he never will?

41. Help Build The Reason Project Archive!

Comment #123324 by gcdavis on February 7, 2008 at 1:06 am

Sounds like RDFRS!

42. Blasphemy

Comment #122478 by gcdavis on February 5, 2008 at 10:22 am

Many of us live in countries who have sent troops to Afghanistan, men and women who are dying on a weekly basis to rid that country of the Taliban and Al Qaeda, in order for civilised, democratic values to take root, some hope!

43. Atheists to celebrate at Darwin Day in Coconut Creek

Comment #121854 by gcdavis on February 4, 2008 at 9:00 am

I'll go with that Mango.

Let's hear it for Reason day!

44. Atheists to celebrate at Darwin Day in Coconut Creek

Comment #121780 by gcdavis on February 4, 2008 at 6:36 am

Atheists celebrating "Darwin’s Day" is just plain stupid!

What it says to the other side is you have your god, we have ours. Darwin, like Newton before and Einstein after, made major contributions to our understanding of what we are and how things work. But to allow Darwin to be singled out and put in the ring to “fight” god is exactly what creationists want, they are ignorant and they want to drag the “debate” down to their level. Don’t oblige them.

Every scientific discipline has a contribution to make in undermining belief in the supernatural, not just biology.

45. God the psycho

Comment #121680 by gcdavis on February 4, 2008 at 1:14 am

Brilliant!!!!

Pat has produced a considerable body of work now, he deserves a permanent headline spot on this site, C'mon Josh lets give this guy the prominence he deserves.

46. The New Theology

Comment #113220 by gcdavis on January 19, 2008 at 2:28 am

The author demonstrates a typically insular view of an American correspondent; he has obviously not travelled to the UK or Europe. Only a handful of christian leaders here believe in creationism, most accept and have done for decades, the Darwinian view of evolution. That is why the christian religion, particularly the anglican variant, is not taken too seriously here and has been in slow decline for generations.

Dawkins is right, either you take the literal biblical view or you regard the whole enterprise as bollocks, to try and steer a middle way, cherry picking the bible, to make it fit your current view is at the very least disingenuous but more like likely a monstrous self deception.

47. George Scales, War Hero and Generous Friend of RDFRS

Comment #112929 by gcdavis on January 18, 2008 at 9:41 am

Comment #111337 by GBile :: Your comment about herding cats was spot on. This is the first time 200 plus atheists have ever agreed about anything! It has taken the news of George's fight against illness to demonstrate that we atheists respond with our hearts as well as our heads. Once again, best wishes George.

48. Huckabee Wants A 'Faith-based' Constitution

Comment #111902 by gcdavis on January 16, 2008 at 1:13 am

Is it really conceivable that America could elect a moron like Huckabee, can they not see what a disaster Bush's two terms have been to America's reputation? Neither men have any understanding of immense responsibility that the office of president involves, they behave (or will behave) like bulls in the china shop thrashing around breaking stuff that has taken centuries to develop, they surround themselves with sycophants and retards rather than subjecting their ideas and policies to objective scrutiny.

When I see Bush on TV I have pinch myself that this man really is the President of the United States of America, can your politics really have sunk this far?

49. George Scales, War Hero and Generous Friend of RDFRS

Comment #111332 by gcdavis on January 14, 2008 at 11:42 am

Good on you George. I hope your op goes well and that you are up and about soon. Best wishes from a fellow East Anglian.

50. Hook, line and rapture

Comment #109126 by gcdavis on January 8, 2008 at 11:58 am

God Bless you Pat

I always look forward to the next Pat Condell vid and this one is a stonker!