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

Comment #114370 by rationalteacher on January 22, 2008 at 4:57 am

I hope you don't mind, sir, but I shall be using your inspirational (and rational!!) story in some of my future assemblies. What a man.

2. Stop revisionist Christian nation House Resolution 888

Comment #114368 by rationalteacher on January 22, 2008 at 4:50 am

Summer Seale - interesting and passionate stuff, particularly about Hiroshima/Nagasaki. I wonder if you are aware that there is considerable evidence to show that Japan was trying very hard to surrender for several weeks prior to Hiroshima; unfortunately for the inhabitants of those two cities, the US government considered it more important to 'send a message of strength to the Russians' and therefore they ignored the pleas and dropped the bombs.

How terribly civilised.

3. Bill Moyers interviews Jonathan Miller

Comment #87434 by rationalteacher on November 12, 2007 at 5:47 am

Dave Gilbert, try e-bay (of course I am not endorsing pirate copies!)

I was fortunate enough to record it when it weas shown on UK television last year. It is an astounding series. Poetic, intelligent and very powerful.

4. Teachers 'fear evolution lessons'

Comment #76973 by rationalteacher on October 8, 2007 at 1:59 am

I teach science in a large high school in London. We have 25% muslim students. You would be surprised how willing to engage in debate the vast majority are, when challenged really quite strongly (as I tend to do!) about their negation of evolutionary theory.

Many, many students have borrowed books such as The Blind Watchmaker. I get a sense of yearning for something better in many of these children, a sense of wanting a more rational explanation for things. They are of course hamstrung by their upbringing, but it is not quite so bleak a view as some would have.

However, it is a problem that faith-heads are allowed to teach science at all. There really should be some kind of test to weed these people out of our beloved profession. Anyone out there fancy a career change and the chance to change the world? Train as a teacher - it is the most wonderful job.

5. In honour of Dan Dennett

Comment #76967 by rationalteacher on October 8, 2007 at 1:31 am

Some rather nice things have been written here. I would endorse the reviews of 'Breaking the Spell', which I personally felt was the most impressive of all the recent books from the 'big four'.

The most wonderful thing of all though, for me, is that Daniel Dennett actually looks like God. That must chafe a little on the average faith-head, surely?

6. The Damned

Comment #36995 by rationalteacher on May 3, 2007 at 4:50 am

Re: kaffir-gate

Isn't it nice to be part of a community that enjoys being corrected and learning new things, that has an open mind and a desire to progress?

Makes me happy.

7. The God disunion: there is a place for faith in science, insists Winston

Comment #34726 by rationalteacher on April 25, 2007 at 2:18 am

Indeed, Professor Winston has done huge amounts for childless couples everywhere, for which he should be commended. But his religious beliefs really are a major issue, one which makes him look rather foolish. It is confusing how one man so seemingly clever can entertain such buffoonery.

In addition, although he as done much for fertility treatments, he has done rather less for broadcasting, as anyone who has watched those awful 'Child of our Time' programmes will testify.

8. Dawkins says religion is 'like sucking a dummy'

Comment #28394 by rationalteacher on March 29, 2007 at 4:11 am

I read Ruth Gledhill's blog. She makes some pleasant, conciliatory noises and compliments Richard on his attitude and humour, but, as with so many dim-witted religious types, she scuppers all this by her categorical assertion, with no evidence or argument whatsoever, that actually God certainly exists.

Oh, okay then, that's that sorted out then. Cheers.

9. Britain Proposes Allowing Schools to Forbid Full-Face Muslim Veils

Comment #27078 by rationalteacher on March 23, 2007 at 5:21 am

There is really only one true solution: close ALL religious schools, resulting in the inevitable integration of children with each other and the dilution of backward beliefs. And by the way, to those who say it's only a minority of girls and so we shouldn't worry - believe me, the veil presents huge problems for a school in terms of pupil security and their learning.

10. The Ego and the ID

Comment #20054 by rationalteacher on January 31, 2007 at 7:20 am

Dear Cheshirecat

As you will deduce from my unimaginative moniker, I am a teacher (in a large multi-cultural London school). I see the hideous effects of religion on my students on a daily basis. What do we call it when children are force-fed superstitious gibberish from birth? When they are threatened with the fires of hell or death for apostasy? When they are discouraged from questioning their place in the universe and the existence of that universe? When they are judged by the thought police constantly? When they come into school at the age of eleven stating categorically that Darwin was wrong?

I am the school's Child Protection Officer - trust me, this IS abuse. In my humble opinion it should be classified and prosecuted as such, with children placed on the Child Protection register under the category of 'emotional abuse'. I suspect it may be some time before this happens....

11. Skyway to Heaven

Comment #19125 by rationalteacher on January 25, 2007 at 4:54 am

TinySaint - I visited your site. You are a comic genius.