1. We Urgently Need Your Help Now!!

Comment #195566 by RonnieG on June 18, 2008 at 1:31 pm

Everybody, don't hold your breath for the governor of Louisiana to veto. I don't see any chance of that happening. Take a look at what he said on Louisiana Public Broadcasting in September of 2007:

[L]et's talk about intelligent design. I'm a biology major. That's my degree. The reality is there are a lot of things that we don't understand. There's no theory in science that could explain how, contrary to the laws of entropy, you could create order out of chaos. There's no scientific theory that explains how you can create organic life out of inorganic matter. I think we owe it to our children to teach them the best possible modern scientific facts and theories. Teach them what different theories are out there for the things that aren't answerable by science, that aren't answered by science. Let them decide for themselves. I don't think we should be scared to do that. Personally, it certainly makes sense to me that when you look at creation, you would believe in a creator. Let's not be afraid to teach our kids the very best science.

2. Exploding black holes could expose hidden dimensions

Comment #122824 by RonnieG on February 6, 2008 at 7:08 am

There is an interesting discussion over at Edge from a few months ago between Brian Greene, Paul Steinhardt, and Walter Isaacson. A lot of it is about Einstein, but a large part of the discussion is on string theory as well.

http://www.edge.org/3rd_culture/einstein07/einstein07_index.html">Edge Discussion Link

3. Religious scholars mull Flying Spaghetti Monster

Comment #88430 by RonnieG on November 16, 2007 at 3:32 pm

Arrrrgghh!

4. Artificial Life Likely in 3 to 10 Years

Comment #64384 by RonnieG on August 19, 2007 at 10:20 pm

Damn, what the deuce do they actually teach over at Liberty U?

I remember going to boy's state there like 7 years ago. It must be that the campus is so butt ugly that if any "ninny with half a brain" stays there for an extended period of time you lose some sense of reality, at least thats how I started feeling then, uggghhh. Well, enemas and match boxes...

(Off topic rant over)

5. Another Flea is Born

Comment #62466 by RonnieG on August 9, 2007 at 8:38 pm

Some recent messages I've seen on a Lutheran church's sign here in the states (same one for all 3):

"Jesus built us a bridge with two boards and three nails."

"Want to avoid burning? Use Son block."

"Stop drop and roll does not work in hell."

I get mixed feelings whenever I see them. I'm simultaneously offended and yet tickled to laugh out loud at the absurdity of them.

6. Rapture Ready: The Unauthorized Christians United for Israel Tour

Comment #59299 by RonnieG on July 28, 2007 at 6:29 pm

A perfect example of why the discourse (still) needs to change.

BTW scottishgeologist I love your avatar! It cracks me up. Kudos.

7. How could God allow 26 pilgrims to die in a crash?

Comment #58662 by RonnieG on July 25, 2007 at 4:42 pm

"Which leaves the believer affirming that since God is all-knowing, all-loving and all-powerful, God must have made the best Universe that it is possible to make."

Well, that just about says it all, doesn't it? Forget the people who suffer horrible tragedies due to the chaotic and dangerous planet on which we find ourselves living, just try telling that to those that have had appendicitis and some common sense and see if that registers; why would an omnipotent God create an organ useless for anything besides infection? Dumbasses.

8. Dipping a Toe Into Marine Biology, at a Summer Camp

Comment #57910 by RonnieG on July 22, 2007 at 7:52 am

"Kids today want to tackle problems and be part of the solution," said Peg Smith, executive director of the American Camp Association. "They want to actually be exploring tide pools and working in aquariums. They want to be experientially involved."

I would sincerely hope that anyone, regardless of their age or the time in which they grew up, would want to be experientially involved. After all, what's the alternative?

9. Here Comes the Fourth Musketeer.

Comment #33552 by RonnieG on April 20, 2007 at 3:00 pm

And the onslaught continues...

It's funny how on the (US) amazon.com site it suggests near the top "Find books, Bibles and more in our new Christian Books store." Those automated suggestions are so far off sometimes.

10. The God Debate

Comment #30037 by RonnieG on April 6, 2007 at 10:01 am

This video by the debunkers over at whywontgodhealamputees.com perfectly illustrates the absurdity of Warren's and other christian's claim that God answers prayers by saying 'yes', 'no', or 'wait'. I think it's hilarious.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jk6ILZAaAMI&feature=PlayList&p=9B97BF466ED753CA&index=8

11. Hell is real and eternal: Pope

Comment #28071 by RonnieG on March 27, 2007 at 8:12 pm

Paul Wolfowitz is on the list of top 100 intellectuals? That is just as depressing.

12. God and His Gays

Comment #27622 by RonnieG on March 25, 2007 at 5:37 pm

I went to elementary school in northern Virginia with a Cleland Welton about 14-16 years ago. Could this be the same Cleland? That would be a really cool coincidence.

13. Atheists come in last

Comment #22872 by RonnieG on February 23, 2007 at 5:51 pm

This clarifies Obama's views on religion, and its relationship to politics:

http://www.barackobama.com/issues/faith/

14. Debate between Sam Harris and Reza Aslan

Comment #22205 by RonnieG on February 13, 2007 at 12:48 pm

I have to say, the first time I watched this debate when the link was posted in another thread, I thought that Reza came out on top. But I watched it a second time, and then I realized just how incredibly skewed the whole thing was. I think all the comments in this thread hit it spot on. Reza is very articulate (and unnecessarily demeaning) but upon reflection, I don't think he can see past his own nose.

I think Reza is a clear representation of the obstacles facing a widespread critique of religion. I agree with Yorker:

"is he really unaware that the majority of people do not read religious material with the sophistication of a literary critic?"

And it's incredible actually, how the same vacuous criticisms against DHD (Dawkins, Harris, Dennett)keep popping up time and time again.

15. The God Delusion

Comment #21717 by RonnieG on February 10, 2007 at 7:08 pm

"(Dawkins') Ultimate 747 argument was shredded by reviewers"

Does anyone know what Orr is talking about here? I am familiar with the argument, but I have not heard about it being 'shredded by reviewers'.

And 'serious theology' has got to be the mother of all oxymorons. PZ Myers astute reply always comes to mind for me now, almost instinctively, when I read these repeated complaints.

(Edited for clarification)

16. 'God Is Not a Moderate'

Comment #21565 by RonnieG on February 10, 2007 at 12:09 am

Re: Comment #21526 by CruciFiction

Ouch, I've read both of Sam's books and seen most of his debates and lectures on online videos, but I have to say I think he loses this one rather definitively. Although Reza does straw man him a couple of times, when the debate shifts to Islam it becomes clear that Sam's understanding of the situations is handily trumped by Reza's. But to Sam's credit he has admitted he thinks his books have flaws in them, and I nonetheless find myself in agreement with his central message that he so eloquently expresses, better than ever before, in his more recent (5th) essay in this debate with Sullivan.

Thanks for the link!

17. Panel discussion on atheism where no atheists are included

Comment #21146 by RonnieG on February 7, 2007 at 6:15 pm

If the greatest factor in determining an individual's religious beliefs is the familial and geographic situation in which he or she was born, then how much of a person's religious views are really a personal choice? Religion is not always compulsory, but it certainly can be depending on how you were raised. I don't think it's necessarily a black and white issue.

The zeitgeist has moved enough to where enlightened civilizations, in general, no longer tolerate the discrimination of genetic and unalterable characteristics like race, gender, height, etc. Insofar as homosexuals are demonized by religious zealots, I think anti-gay people feel the way they do because they view sexual preferences as personal choices (one which is unacceptable to them because, while "God" gave us free will, homosexuality is an "abomination"). But an understanding of science shows that homosexuality is not strictly an arbitrary decision, rather it is traceable to a more natural phenomenon borne outside of one's own thoughts or choices.

I agree with Mr. Blackford in that I think the racial analogies are self-defeating and only bolster Ms. Hunter's arguments. I think a parallel like the one I mentioned above might be better suited, but I certainly feel that her remarks were made with poor judgment.

And that quote list made me laugh so hard! Great stuff!

18. Do You Believe in Magic?

Comment #18874 by RonnieG on January 23, 2007 at 11:14 am

All I can think of reading this is the Skinner box variation that Dr. Dawkins illustrated in Unweaving the Rainbow, where the pigeons become superstitious when food is released at random:

"One bird spun itself round like a top, two or three turns anticlockwise, between 'rewards'. Another bird repeatedly thrust its head towards one particular upper corner of the box. A third bird showed 'tossing' behavior, as if lifting an invisible curtain with its head. Two birds independently developed the habit of rhythmic, side-to-side 'pendulum swinging' of the head and body... It was the pigeon equivalent of a rain dance."