1. Discussion between Richard Dawkins and Paula Kirby

Comment #178302 by the great teapot on May 11, 2008 at 5:55 am

Why does Boyd make such a deal over the question "Can you give a succinct definition of life?"
Apart form being in awe of the credentials of the questioner,"one of the finest legal minds in the country",Boyd spends an awful lot of words not telling us why this is a clever question.
No doubt there are many definitions of life one could give.It is a little smug, to ask a question which gives no hint to it's point and then sit down thinking you have scored a point,without letting someone know what your real question is.
A bit rich as well to criticise an inadequate reply when you consider how often we ask theists to define their god, just to make sure we are not destroying the famous straw man, only to recieve no reply.

2. Atheists are nice people who will roast in hell, says Cardinal

Comment #178102 by the great teapot on May 10, 2008 at 1:49 pm

By not existing at all.

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

Comment #177711 by the great teapot on May 9, 2008 at 2:25 pm

I suppose confidence tricks work.
Yup, I'll give you that one.
By the way quoting names and saying that "as mr X has shown in his great book y" is not the same as actually quoting the particular things the person has said which make their views so great.
It is a common religious trick to list names without actually stating the arguments presented in the citation. Nice to see fides is continuing in the tradition.

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

Comment #177710 by the great teapot on May 9, 2008 at 2:22 pm

Belief Works?

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

Comment #177699 by the great teapot on May 9, 2008 at 2:06 pm

Well said Paula, sharing doubts about religion is what we should be doing, according to the Bish.
Now fides we have voiced our doubts. Let's hear yours.

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

Comment #177676 by the great teapot on May 9, 2008 at 1:12 pm

To be fair,Paula, he only featured the next day on the today program because somebody realised that it was a load of old, out-dated twaddle and wouldn't it be fun if we could get (the topical) Richard Dawkins on to point out its absurdity.
I am eternally gratefull to the today program for their thought for the the day parody spot. Although the better side of my nature sometimes thinks it is a little cruel to allow these people to make pricks of themselves in public.
I was particularly impressed with yesterdays speaker who managed to turn the tragedy of 10s of thousands of deaths in Burma into a trite lesson on how faith helps us to see the big long term picture. Pure comedy genius.

7. Shaw TV Interview with Richard Dawkins

Comment #175134 by the great teapot on May 4, 2008 at 2:19 pm

Did she say " The wonderful story of the ark". Would that be the cracking yarn where god wipes out nearly all of earths inhabitants, even those pate de foie gras geese who have no self consciousness.
Even stalin and hitler left more than one family alive (ed, although this probably had more to do with time constraints) and at least hitler liked his dog.

8. Bill Good Interviews Richard Dawkins

Comment #174619 by the great teapot on May 3, 2008 at 2:10 am

Teratornis,
The only answer to hitler, stalin, mao was an atheist is "so what".
Under what circumstance do we accept something as true just because it is usefull, if it has no evidence to support it.

9. Humans nearly wiped out 70,000 years ago, study says

Comment #169575 by the great teapot on April 26, 2008 at 10:31 am

Hang on,
5000 votes have just been added in the last 5 minutes.
I smell a rat.
Someone isn't playing by the rules.
Shame on you.

10. Humans nearly wiped out 70,000 years ago, study says

Comment #169573 by the great teapot on April 26, 2008 at 10:22 am

yes 816
No 319099
To their credit the poll is still on the webpage.
But,flying in the face of overwhelming odds and evidence is their favourite passtime.

11. Student's 'Be Happy, Not Gay' t-shirt ok

Comment #169046 by the great teapot on April 25, 2008 at 2:25 pm

I like my women battered ok.
be happy not gay not ok.
?

12. Humans nearly wiped out 70,000 years ago, study says

Comment #168814 by the great teapot on April 25, 2008 at 11:23 am

The greatest comeback until Lazarus.

13. Discussion between Richard Dawkins and Paula Kirby

Comment #158373 by the great teapot on April 10, 2008 at 12:02 pm

Regarding the soft balls Paula threw Richard,
what exactly are the hardballs religion has to throw.
why is g=9.81?(on earth for the pedants)
The god of the gaps is the best religion has to offer. Nothing else I've seen or heard or read can't be hit for the easiest home run.(pardon the double negative}

14. Discussion between Richard Dawkins and Paula Kirby

Comment #157147 by the great teapot on April 8, 2008 at 3:28 pm

Where do I sign up?

15. Discussion between Richard Dawkins and Paula Kirby

Comment #157139 by the great teapot on April 8, 2008 at 3:19 pm

Steve,
I don't doubt it takes hard work, but I could practice and train for a month of sundays and get nowhere near that level of competence.

16. Discussion between Richard Dawkins and Paula Kirby

Comment #157106 by the great teapot on April 8, 2008 at 2:57 pm

Bloody hell Paula,
You're a natural, you should be on telly.

17. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #155975 by the great teapot on April 6, 2008 at 1:01 pm

An definition on line?
surely A definition.

18. Russell T Davies: Return of the (tea) Time Lord

Comment #155910 by the great teapot on April 6, 2008 at 9:40 am

Sad to hear it.
Dr who is a crock of horseshite.

19. Beware the Believers

Comment #155488 by the great teapot on April 4, 2008 at 2:50 pm

No. I am aware , corylus it is a very difficult question.
I have never been sure of the answer and I have considered it off and on for twenty years, but I just thought I would like to chip in because I have more sympathy with anti abortion than pro choice and I haven't got a religious cell in my body.No I won't be campaining, but I reserve my right to change my mind.

20. Beware the Believers

Comment #155485 by the great teapot on April 4, 2008 at 2:41 pm

Corylus,
I'd say female, 26, gemini.

21. Beware the Believers

Comment #155469 by the great teapot on April 4, 2008 at 2:19 pm

Quetz
Highly irregular here I know, but any form of contraception that prevents the development of the embryo I don't like and have never been party to. To my Knowledge.More badluck than judgement.

22. Beware the Believers

Comment #155462 by the great teapot on April 4, 2008 at 2:12 pm

By morality i would assume that everyone means desirable in some cicumstances.
Given that almost non of us believe in absolute morality here. Unlike our religous wingnuts.

23. Beware the Believers

Comment #155455 by the great teapot on April 4, 2008 at 2:06 pm

If the pill is taken when someone knows for certain conception has not taken place then that is ok.
If the person is hiding behind the probability that it may not yet have occured then I wouldn't be comfotable with that myself.

24. Beware the Believers

Comment #155452 by the great teapot on April 4, 2008 at 2:01 pm

Steve
If what you say is true, and fertilization takes 5 to 6 days then the morning after pill is ok.(the morning after),
So you set a trick question .You are a very naughty boy.

25. Beware the Believers

Comment #155442 by the great teapot on April 4, 2008 at 1:49 pm

Not in my mind. But I am a sentimental vegetarian who loves life. To me the morning after pill is in bad taste, the person taking the pill ia assuming conception has taken place.

26. Beware the Believers

Comment #155439 by the great teapot on April 4, 2008 at 1:42 pm

the "immorality" starts when we are aware of the conception.~IMHO

27. Pastor attacks scientist's talk

Comment #154691 by the great teapot on April 3, 2008 at 3:13 pm

Don't let the nasty richard bother you David.
You are going to live forever, I am sure you are, just like mummy and daddy said.

28. Pastor attacks scientist's talk

Comment #154672 by the great teapot on April 3, 2008 at 2:57 pm

I believe that it is inappropriate for a pastor/priest/rabbi/imam to be able to preach in front of an audience every week unopposed by opposition. An atheist/ imam / rabbi/ priest should be free to debate every sermon in the land.
Lets see how long the free church would then last.

29. Faith healing church parents charged over toddler's death

Comment #153585 by the great teapot on April 1, 2008 at 3:49 pm

Straw man- the most over used cliche on this site.
Brave? Don't know what you mean. I just like to think the golden rule also applies to those not in positions of power.

30. Faith healing church parents charged over toddler's death

Comment #153581 by the great teapot on April 1, 2008 at 3:44 pm

I have to admit feeding babies is a bit of a drag.
If it intefers with the mothers night life (and thus mental health) who am I, a mere man, to intervene.

31. Faith healing church parents charged over toddler's death

Comment #153576 by the great teapot on April 1, 2008 at 3:26 pm

MelM
So the mother can legally abort upto the point of birth?

32. Faith healing church parents charged over toddler's death

Comment #153573 by the great teapot on April 1, 2008 at 3:13 pm

It is politically correct mantra on this website.
You can kill any child you like, who can not see, in the name of both science and female emancipation.
Quite often lack of consciousness is cited as a reason for legalizing infanticide. I have asked if one can kill someone in their sleep, but got no reply.

33. Beware the Believers

Comment #152185 by the great teapot on March 30, 2008 at 11:23 am

Josh
For gods sake post a new article.
Even if it is only the belgian football results.

34. Beware the Believers

Comment #151909 by the great teapot on March 29, 2008 at 4:43 pm

What is incongruous about football and philosophy.
Satre was a good goalkeeper by all accounts.
May be these guys have got a point.

35. Beware the Believers

Comment #151904 by the great teapot on March 29, 2008 at 4:30 pm

Absolutely Russell,
To me the point of the skit is the percieved arrogance, rightly or wrongly. Look at me I' ve got a science degree seems to be the crux of the gag. Richard et al are all spinozas.

36. Beware the Believers

Comment #151898 by the great teapot on March 29, 2008 at 4:24 pm

Clearthinker
The fish have legs.

37. Beware the Believers

Comment #151892 by the great teapot on March 29, 2008 at 4:14 pm

AtheistJon
I believe you are confusing joke 6.1.3 with Joke
4.2.2/a
Easily done I agree.

38. Beware the Believers

Comment #151883 by the great teapot on March 29, 2008 at 4:00 pm

Steve
rest assured everybody under 45 finds the goons naff.
Everybody under 35 thinks they are pants.
everyone under 25 .....
But cringing in embarrasement at fictional charachters, that view I have often heard but never understood. I find fawlty towers and the office funny and I can't understand why people cringe at fictional people who are no more than a vehicle for humor. Smaken verschillen. (Go look it up spinoza)

39. Beware the Believers

Comment #151853 by the great teapot on March 29, 2008 at 3:04 pm

Geoff
It's a typo.

40. Beware the Believers

Comment #151845 by the great teapot on March 29, 2008 at 2:49 pm

This must be a work of genius.
It is the first time in a year that Richard has seen fit to post more than one comment.
Not since the creepy Iain Banksesque(thanks wiki) post modernist called September has Richard posted so many comments.
Hats off to our enigmatic rappers.

41. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #148847 by the great teapot on March 24, 2008 at 3:35 am

Darwin influenced Adolf Hitler?
Oh I didn't know that.
OK that's settled it, evolution must be wrong then.
Forget it chaps. Game over. Evolution has been exposed as a fraud.

42. It looks like Man crucified

Comment #148843 by the great teapot on March 24, 2008 at 3:21 am

Why should I care about Spinozas god and what schopenhauer thinks of it anymore than Bills god and what Fred thinks of it.
Nietzche may have declared god dead 100 years ago, but 200 years ago a bloke in a pub knew it was bullshit but just didn't bother going on about it.

43. It looks like Man crucified

Comment #148833 by the great teapot on March 24, 2008 at 2:57 am

Gosh, Spinoza, you are very clever.
May I also have your forgivness?

44. Fleabytes

Comment #147900 by the great teapot on March 21, 2008 at 2:35 pm

get a grip david.
The bull shit you believe is pure bullshit.
Grow up and accept the fact.
No amount of nonsense can defend it.
Thor is the one true god. prove that he isn't.

45. Fleabytes

Comment #147895 by the great teapot on March 21, 2008 at 2:22 pm

pathfinder
you have shattered my illusion. I had always assumed our monkey brains were infallible. Obviously they are not.
I have no other choice left but to bow down to god.

46. Sci-fi guru Clarke to have secular funeral

Comment #147486 by the great teapot on March 20, 2008 at 3:49 pm

I am sure he is looking over us all now with a wry smile on his face.

47. Fleabytes

Comment #145391 by the great teapot on March 17, 2008 at 2:29 pm

didn't god create oppenheimer?

48. Fleabytes

Comment #145388 by the great teapot on March 17, 2008 at 2:26 pm

bloody hell.
My last 3 posts have evapourated.
I'll bet this sticks

49. Fleabytes

Comment #145386 by the great teapot on March 17, 2008 at 2:23 pm

Pathfinder,
I want to believe but the evidence is inconclusive.
Give me a reason, based on evidence, and i shall do so. after all who does't want to live forever.
But if you have no arguement for me how can you convince yourself?

50. Fleabytes

Comment #145380 by the great teapot on March 17, 2008 at 2:17 pm

pathfinder
I am willing to be converted.
Point me to the evidence and i will join the fold.
After all who doesn't want to believe they will live forever.
just give me some evidence and i will believe.