









1. Lecture on Sex Ratio Theory and Sexual Selection
Comment #52996 by CDG on June 29, 2007 at 12:40 am
"the sheer unfairness of some of the males getting all of the action and other males getting none is - remarkable"
"90% percent of the males never do any copulating"
Are you sure he wasn't talking about most muslim countries?
2. Richard Dawkins talks about Darwin and his visit to the Galapagos
Comment #52992 by CDG on June 29, 2007 at 12:27 am
Most of us revere RD for many reasons. And with that reverance comes a high expectation. We expect him to carry alot of water. Politically astute. Scientifically sound. Best Selling Author. Superior communicator. Original thoughts.
But he continually proves himself a teacher first and foremost. I appreciate all of the current advocates that have emerged. Harris and Hitchens of late. But RD is the best and truest educator. I just read the Blind Watchmaker and after I finished I read one of the endorsements on the front cover which read "Every page rings of truth." Which I feel sums up RD quite efficiently. Everything he does and says rings of truth. Even when he doesn't know the answer there is a sense of humility that is delivered in a perfect dose. So, we have an educator of the highest level who reveres his responsibility as the search for truth.
Richard Dawkins is a great teacher.
3. The Cyclic Universe: A Talk With Neil Turok
Comment #42564 by CDG on May 18, 2007 at 12:17 pm
Fedler,
Hopefully you have a strong marriage...
4. The Cyclic Universe: A Talk With Neil Turok
Comment #42557 by CDG on May 18, 2007 at 12:04 pm
Fedler,
I bought Warped Passages the same time as I bought Parallel Universes by Michio Kaku which I just finished. Fantastic book. Explains everything so even a dim wit like me can understand. I truly loved it.
Just started Paul Davies, Cosmic Jackpot. Then on to warped passages.
Maybe this is why I am now single?
5. The Cyclic Universe: A Talk With Neil Turok
Comment #42503 by CDG on May 18, 2007 at 9:58 am
Ryan, aren't you an arrogant little faith head. The people on this sight are certainly not wasting their life. They are embracing it. And doing the critical thinking necessary to try and understand it.
You on the other hand, it seems, have no chance of growing as an individual. Thats what I would call a waste of a life. 6000 years old huh? Good riddance.
6. Ask Richard!
Comment #41880 by CDG on May 17, 2007 at 8:51 am
Thank you for all your comments. Ofcourse life can be tricky. I was pelted with God and Death questions by my children 2 years ago as their mother and I were getting a divorce. I was just too weak to tell them the truth about God and Death, "oh and by the way, don't count on anything in this life either." Now I am in a pickle.
And their mother is a believer. We were both so concerned that the other would teach their beliefs to the children that we actually had it written in the divorce decree that the Father would not espouse his Atheistic beliefs, and the Mother would not teach them her Christian beliefs (albeit no way to enforce in any case) We have both followed through to date. I cannot rock this boat yet because if I did- I fear she would start to indoctrinate them in the myth that Jesus saves. And if she did, she knows then I will spell it out for them in no uncertain terms that Jesus not only doesn't save-its just a story like Peter Pan. I think its better for me to wait. The longer I can keep Jesus out of their lives the better. What a mess.
7. Ask Richard!
Comment #41767 by CDG on May 16, 2007 at 10:42 pm
I have read The Blind Watchmaker, Climbing Mount Improbable and the The God Delusion. I have not read The Selfish Gene, but I think my question may still be pertinent.
As a father of 3 children, 8,7, and 4 I cannot bring myself to explain the cold hard facts about the world in which they have found themselves. Just as I tell them that Santa brought the gifts, I also tell them that there is a God and a heaven. I feel that children are better off being lied to at a young age regarding these issues of wonderment. We do not pray, or discuss particular religions, only the overall idea that mommy , daddy and they will be together always. I fear what would happen to them without that false bravado.
Do you agree with this approach? If not, what approach would you advocate?
I have bought and watched the DVD "Growing Up in the Universe". Brilliant! But not for 4-6 year olds. They still want to know what happens to us when we die. And telling them nothing at that age does not seem like a good idea.
Millions of parents need direction on this subject matter. "Give me the child until 7 and I will give you the man". Religion has known and exploited this for hundreds of years. That is how it has manifested.
Let us not give them that ground anymore! Professor Dawkins, please help.
Chris
8. Hitchens vs. Hannity on Religion and God
Comment #41143 by CDG on May 15, 2007 at 2:42 pm
Steve99: I know of the atom smashers you are referring to in switzerland, but I believe there are a few well known scientists who hypothesize that they will be able to create additional universes- not in the garage as some think, but actually in the basement of their lab.
With that said, maybe this shits wearing off and it is time to take another hit...Hold on, there it goes...ahhh
Ya mon, like a huh, I mean totally- parallel universes...Good to be back.
9. Hitchens vs. Hannity on Religion and God
Comment #41062 by CDG on May 15, 2007 at 12:50 pm
Thought: Hannity's position that a supernatural force with intelligence created the universe could be correct (technically)
Dawkins says that anything that created this universe had to evolve from a long process and be vastly more intelligent than the being it is creating. The Ultimate 747.
Lets say that there was/is an intelligence in a parallel or pocket universe that evolved some 16 Billion years ago and became smart enough to understand the workings of the universe. Say, twice as smart as us. And lets say the Multiverse theory is correct and they found a way of making universes in an attempt to create life. Even though they would never possibly be able to go there or have any sort of domain over it etc...
Then in fact, if this were true then we would have been created by an actual intelligent lifeform from a distant universe who new how to create paralle universes.
I think that there are some scientist right here on earth currently trying to create seperate universes as we speak. If they succeded and their new universe was dialed (anthropic principle) in correctly, and life formed, they would then be God like too...
Any thoughts?
10. Hitchens vs. Hannity on Religion and God
Comment #40973 by CDG on May 15, 2007 at 9:16 am
Hitchens let Hannity off easy. Its one thing to have the position that the universe had to be started by something, but another to then say that creator then manfiested himself to us through the Bible. Whenever a believer gives me the universe thing they know their holy book position is weak to begin with I and always lead them back there.
If they want to stop at the argument that something started the universe- fine, but they almost always carry it forward to a specific religion. Then I got them.
11. Pale Blue Dot
Comment #40745 by CDG on May 14, 2007 at 10:03 pm
The pale blue dot is beautiful and poetic Atheism.
On the other hand religion comes from the tight brown dot. If you catch my meaning.
12. How dare you call me a fundamentalist
Comment #40467 by CDG on May 14, 2007 at 10:17 am
Phasmagigas: Even writing a list given the evidence would be a search in futility
My list would ask God directly to show up or shut up: "god, why are you hiding in the wings? Why can't I see you? Is it fun for you to be allusive? Why do I have to even write down this list? cant you just show yourself? This game of hide and seek is getting tiresome...In fact, I am starting to think its really just Seek and there is no Hide?
There is no need for a list because as RD says, a world made by a God would be a far different one then the one we see now- and making that list would not be necessary as it would be self evident that the creator is at hand...
13. How dare you call me a fundamentalist
Comment #40426 by CDG on May 14, 2007 at 9:27 am
A couple of weeks ago a friend made a comment to me that I have become quite vocal about my Atheism as of late.
I had to point out to him that he was saying this to me in a city named ST. PAUL, a block from the most domineering Cathedral in the midwest, as a horde of catholic school children were descending upon us in their perfect little uniforms, by a world renowned research facility not allowed to do pertinent stem cell research, a few blocks from some faith heads protesting at a planned parenthood clinic.
And he was telling me that I was being a little too aggressive of late. They just don't get how they permeate every facet of society.
RD: keep up the good consciousness raising. I am trying to do my part too.
14. Consciousness Comes from DNA
Comment #40066 by CDG on May 13, 2007 at 1:02 am
I agree with bitbutter and Duff. To suggest Vanity at these levels just doesn't seem to fit. One thing to consider is that there are many different levels of consciousness. Some primitive levels and some advanced. What is actually being gleened by the mirror test is probably too complex and/or subjective/ancectdotal to have an oversimplified explanation.
I like the article though. And I love Carl Sagan.
15. Christopher Hitchens and Al Sharpton: A Debate God Is Not Great
Comment #38644 by CDG on May 8, 2007 at 10:10 pm
When the lady asked CH if it were true the only time he prayed was for an erection- And then she asked if he witnessed a miracle- I hoped CH would have said something like: "Unfortunately no miracles from the supernatural, I had to wait for science once again- thank you Viagra!!!"
I thought I would lighten things up around here.
16. Review of The God Delusion
Comment #38618 by CDG on May 8, 2007 at 7:07 pm
Russell,
I don't think you distorted RD's position on child abuse. He is fine with teaching religion- all kinds- to children, but he is against strict indoctrination and labeling of the child as a protestant, christian etc... child.
I think its a good review. Nice Job. And I am sure I speak for most on this sight that its obvious you know your shit.
Chris
17. Atheism's Big Night In Little Rock
Comment #35734 by CDG on April 28, 2007 at 4:12 pm
Hey Maton100,
I live in MN but will be in Nashville next Friday PM to see my brothers band play (20 year together but a bit of a reunion). I used to live in Franklin.
Let me know if interested and I will get you the name of the club...And buy you a few rounds
Chris
Comment #35720 by CDG on April 28, 2007 at 2:26 pm
William,
The subject matter in general is rather a lightweight topic. I am not sure what level of substance you were expecting. Its one thing to say the subject matter is not substantive, but unfair to call out the comments as being so, when they revolve around an insignificant subject matter to begin with.
I was glad to see most on this thread like Bill Maher and I hope he turns you and the few others he alienated. I think his upcoming Documentary may do just that...
Chris
19. Atheism's Big Night In Little Rock
Comment #35716 by CDG on April 28, 2007 at 2:03 pm
I hope we can get this on video. I think the Profs conjecture on the seperation of church and state was interesting but not the real reason for America's religious fervor. I think it simply has more to do with the fact that America was much more rural than England and much bigger. That just meant alot more pockets of indoctinating ignorance running rampant for a few hundred years. Its going to take another 100 years or so to start to unravel it through consciousness raising connectivity.
In England, when somehting fell out of favor most people caught up to it rather quickly. Just like the latest style in clothing.
In the south in America, they are now just getting Sergio Valente jeans!!!
Comment #35706 by CDG on April 28, 2007 at 12:42 pm
William said "far as I can tell, there was no real substance" to our comments.
125 posts and nothing substantive? Its confirmed. We do have an elitist.
Comment #35606 by CDG on April 27, 2007 at 8:03 pm
ChippySwans: I respectfully disagree with your last post. Bill Maher no more reflects on you personally due to your Atheism than does say David Duke because of your republicanism. Or Pat Robertson because of your Conservatism.
You say "I will not put myself in a position to be viewed in that light". I hate to break it to you but the only way you are being viewed in your life is by how you live it. I don't treat my beloved Christian friends any differently because they worship the identical faith of Ted Haggard. They earned their stripes, good and bad, all by themselves.
I wear my Atheism badge proudly. I am on the right side of the debate. It feels good and I do not shirk away from the responsibilities that come with it. Bill Maher does not reflect on me one bit.
By the way. My name is Chris Govrik. I live in St. Paul MN. I am 38 years old. And everyone who knows me knows I am an Atheist. They still like me.
Comment #35591 by CDG on April 27, 2007 at 6:17 pm
I am willing to bet that alot of the people bashing Maher right now are going to have to keep a low profile after his documentary dismantling religion comes out. Maher will become part of a tandem with Hitchens over the next year that takes on religion from a political and entertainment standpoint, leaving Harris, Dawkins, Dennet and others to handle it from the science and philosophical standpoint.
Holy shit. Our message machine may actually be evolving in front of our eyes.
Comment #35545 by CDG on April 27, 2007 at 2:54 pm
CruciFiction: I hope you don't feel the need to respond to William's last post. It is so childish as to not warrant one.
Comment #35540 by CDG on April 27, 2007 at 2:29 pm
Oh Geez. I forgot to put the question mark after a sentence on the last post.
Please forgive me William.
Comment #35538 by CDG on April 27, 2007 at 2:21 pm
Roll: good point. Maher's style is perfectly suited for our collective adult deficit disorder on this side of the pond.
William, are you really calling out grammatical errors in other peoples posts in an attempt to bolster your position. Lame to say the least.
Folks, we may have an elitist on our hands.
Comment #35469 by CDG on April 27, 2007 at 8:54 am
Mark R: I think you are correct mostly. I cringed when Bill Maher said that about the terrorists- because if they truly beleived they were going to be maytrs, bed the virgins, commune with Allah, how much bravery is really necessary to kill yourself (and others with you). The only hard part would be reconciling these beliefs with the natural ones of survival. Once this is done though- committed is the better word...Bravery is being an Atheist and being willing die for a reason bigger than yourself.
27. Iran arrests 300 'insufficiently veiled' women
Comment #35463 by CDG on April 27, 2007 at 8:31 am
Manfred: I mean in any of your female relatives or friends back home specifically?
Asking that I just thought that maybe you could think that I am an Iranian agent trying to find out the enemies of the state. Crazy
For the record, My name is Chris Govrik and I live in St. Paul MN...
28. Iran arrests 300 'insufficiently veiled' women
Comment #35460 by CDG on April 27, 2007 at 8:26 am
Ahh a good nights sleep and bam- back at it!!!
Russell: We like your rants.
Luthien: I find myself questioning why I thought you were a guy and not a woman. I did think that. I'll get back to you on that.
Awl: what to do? Dramatic change almost always requires a catalyst. But with the totalatarism regimes in these governments how can these sparks ignite into a flame? Like others have said, its going to be up to the women to do the heavy lifting.
Manfred: Are there enough sparks in Iran to create a flame???
Comment #35331 by CDG on April 26, 2007 at 10:05 pm
Bonzai, could your disdain of BM have more to do with you not agreeing with his political views? Do you agree with his stances in general? or do you simply think he's a hack? I sense that could be it- because the way he knocks on religion, you'd think we would all be grateful he's out there...
Comment #35328 by CDG on April 26, 2007 at 9:51 pm
From what I can tell you definately want to be part of the "club". Thats why you are on this site, and all over it mind you (liked the bongology quote on the other thread by the way). Why are you communing with like minded individuals so often??? To feel empowered and to be a part of the group to which you subscribe. Fellow Atheist means simply just that.
Regarding the war quote. Didn't you say this "An army doesn't go into battle with defective or ineffective weaponry. Not if they can help it." I figured you would understand what I meant given your own propensity to want bring forces to bear...
And lastly, Bill Maher will be seen and heard by more people than all of the great minds you mentioned above -combined!!! And if he can sway some minds to get them to start digging deeper into the subject matter and then come across the real generals- great, then he will have done some heavy lifting.
Comment #35322 by CDG on April 26, 2007 at 9:25 pm
Mean? Hateful? I just don't see him that way at all. What is mean? Was Richard mean when he equated believing in religion to sucking a dummy? Hateful? Radical?
If so, then I will take RD and BM anyd ay of the week. You should check out PZ Meyers article called "we aim to misbehave" Maybe you are not in that camp, I can respect that. But I am.
Comment #35318 by CDG on April 26, 2007 at 9:09 pm
William, unfortuately the criticizing of fellow atheist is rampant. Check out the thread from the Bill O reilly/RD interview. Right off the bat there were a few whiners criticizing Richard Dawkins for his performance. "tired of the Zeus comment" etc...RD and Bill Maher have created an opportunity to help sway minds. 99.99% of the rest of the people on this site can only have a mimimal affect including me.
We are in a war - and you and I are grunts. Sure we do our part- but we need to support the generals too.
Comment #35310 by CDG on April 26, 2007 at 8:40 pm
I am another Bill Maher fan. I am starting to get a little concerned that this sight attracts and inordinate amount of whiners...BM is ridiculing religious beliefs. And most of the time its no holds barred. I mean he can be downright belittling. Someone already said it- we can't afford to be too choosy. He puts his career on the line all the time. He's brave. I am grateful to have him.
34. Iran arrests 300 'insufficiently veiled' women
Comment #35287 by CDG on April 26, 2007 at 7:19 pm
William: Not sure but wouldn't doubt it- as they all were wearing Birkenstocks (which I too own). I remember that one of them had a bumper sticker on her car that read "cut the crap, not the baby" referring to circumcision I presume. But she was the biggest defender of apathy in the group when discussing women in other cultures...
I wish I would have made the correlation that night between her position on that topic but refraining from criticizing the Burka or evern the right for woment to vote in Saudi Arabia.
35. Iran arrests 300 'insufficiently veiled' women
Comment #35244 by CDG on April 26, 2007 at 5:12 pm
I was sitting around a fire last weekend discussing issues with about 5 AMERICAN women whom I just met. I asked them their opinions about the Burka and how women in the middle east are treated in general. I asked where all the outrage was amongst the american women of our country toward this obvious discrimiation.
You know what they told me? "Who were they to pass judgement on another societies culture that has been around for 1000 years". I know this is ancecdotal but I was floored. I hope this isn't the prevailing line of thinking out there.
By the way, who is the guy on this sight who has as his ID Pic the woman in a Burka with the quote saying "Thank You for Not Provoking My Uncontrollable Lust" I love that!!!!
36. The Video: Bill O'Reilly Interviews Richard Dawkins
Comment #34495 by CDG on April 24, 2007 at 8:23 am
PROF. DAWKINS IS A TEACHER!!!! And because he is a TEACHER he understands the importance of constantly repeating the core message. When I hear people on this sight criticize Prof. Dawkins for bringing up the supposed same old arguments ie... 'your an atheist to Zeus' etc.. as being mundane or outdated I cringe.
Do you remember the first time your heard that? It was powerful. The core arguments against God are convincing once one is exposed to them and open to them. I have no doubt there were a few hunred if not thousand people on the O'reiily show last night that had a light bulb go off after the interview. And out of those a handful may be swayed to take another look at the God hypothesis.
For the whiners out there: How many people have you swayed toward reason today???
And lastly, I commend Dr,Dawkins for continually repeating the core message. Surely, when you possess and intellect like his - it must get old. But he does it because he is a TEACHER.
Thanks Professor!
37. Flea Circus!
Comment #32987 by CDG on April 18, 2007 at 11:39 pm
Could you imagine being one of these authors? What a pathetic way to go through life. They are liars, charltans and despots.
We have to fight back everytime. I loved it when Richard stood up and plainly told them that believing in religion was like sucking on a dummy. Thank you so much for that.
I love the word dummy as the description but in America it is a Nook or pacifier. I would appreciate it if Richard would say the phrase with one of those words so we quote him here too. Sorry to say the word Dummy would only be understood by most Americans if they were looking in a mirror.
Richard, thanks for hitting hard and often.
38. The Human Body as an Evolutionary Patchwork
Comment #31206 by CDG on April 11, 2007 at 12:45 pm
Seti, well said. In time I hope our species will contemplate and then embrace the wonderment of our universe as replacement to their God worship. Its so much more interesting than the boring Gods they have come up with. And its reality. I really can't see how its even a close call.
39. The Human Body as an Evolutionary Patchwork
Comment #31187 by CDG on April 11, 2007 at 9:41 am
Rtambree, thanks for the link. I will check it out. It is mind boggling how many factors are needed for intelligent life to form. I doubt it to even be 1 or two per galaxy. We may be the only intelligent life ever to form in our universe. And if you take the Dial theory and apply it to the other potential universes in the multi-verse that too does not bold well for life to form.
What if we are the only life species over eternity to have evolved in the multiverse with intelligence? It could be - and that is sobering to think how lucky we are.
40. The God Debate
Comment #29346 by CDG on April 2, 2007 at 3:46 pm
I have just got done reading all the comments in this threads and I have to send out Kudos to everyone out there. The level of intelligence exhibited is inspiring. Which I needed after reading the Newsweek poll.
Its good to know you are out there. Only if there were more of you!
41. The God Debate
Comment #29141 by CDG on April 1, 2007 at 9:11 pm
"complicated ooze" then " your life doesn't matter"
This guy is a pea brain. Has anyone noticed how often in a debate religious people will assert that atheists are arrogant and egotistical for thinking they don't need God? How did you get here? Why don't you give God credit? He created you.
I always like to point out to them that they are the truly arrogant ones. To think that they are so important as to deserve an eternity in bliss. For what you f ing Homo Sapien? All you have done for 70 years is eat, sleep, shit, piss, drink and have sex. Get over yourself, your'e not that important.
Oh the irony again.
42. The God Debate
Comment #29121 by CDG on April 1, 2007 at 6:10 pm
Warren:"When we die, if he's right, I've lost nothing."
Warren fails to understand that his "loss" is happening right now - everyday- in his life. Choosing a life of delusion and wasting his precious short time here chasing fairytales is not only a loss- Its a tragedy in the shakesperean sense.
Oh the irony.
43. The Archbishop whose words came from same hymnsheet as a Marxist
Comment #25045 by CDG on March 9, 2007 at 9:45 pm
What Irony. The Archbishop is living proof as to how the bible was written. Steal a little from here, a little from there, let it come from some pseduo athortiarian figure and POOF. Its Gospel! After a few thousand years this shit still goes on...
44. Response to Richard Dawkins and Sam Harris
Comment #25043 by CDG on March 9, 2007 at 9:30 pm
"RELIGION IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL THE WARS IN HISTORY, LOOK AT THE 20TH CENTURY- HITLER, STALIN, POL POT WERE ALL ATHEISTS!" or something like that. So what. Thats immaterial.
I have heard this many times before. Including in the GD where Richard tries to explain this phenomenom. But its really not an aberation. We don't have to keep trying to justify the 20th century lunatics.
Just because these struggles were not fought in the name of a god does not mean that the INDIVIDUALS fighting them did not have security blanket as some form of comfort or even motivation!!!
If you took the armies of the USA and Japan and could turn every combatant instantly atheist. The blood shed would have stopped or have been stymied. Emperor who? Jesus Who? What are we doing? Okinawa is a worthless rock!!!
The 20th century dictators were able to manipulate their public and their soldiers, because they exploited a fear in them. And that fear coupled with the bravado to fight derives from the God hypothesis.
45. William Crawley meets Richard Dawkins
Comment #23328 by CDG on February 27, 2007 at 9:44 pm
Richard says: "Well tough, your life is worthless, so what?"
I love that. The arrogance of people to think they are so special as to deserve an eternity of bliss is comical. You are only a homo sapien, get over it.
Comment #22801 by CDG on February 22, 2007 at 7:33 pm
Fedor, you are so correct. This is exactly what happens when atheist and devout theist debate. The theists go off point on the same old redundant positions of "faith" and "feeling" and can never be pinned down to stay on point. This debate was over long ago and now its all about what type of wiggle room Sullivan can create to escape the horrifying predicament (albeit temporary) he would be in if he actually were honest with himself...
I think we should start a movement where we encourage people to try and be an "ATHEIST FOR A DAY" we could swing alot of people our way once they woke up and there was no lightning bolt up their ass!
47. Richard Dawkins interview with Paula Zahn
Comment #22284 by CDG on February 13, 2007 at 11:15 pm
Russel Blackford: Like the new Picture! Going from the library shot to Hell Fire in black just shows how lucid we are as Atheists!
Regarding the program, Richard and Sam are good examples of how to get a point across in short bursts. When asked why we are Atheist? the first salvo back should be to explain that everyone is an Atheist. Including them. Thor, Poseiden, Spag. Monster- Your an Atheist. We just take it one God further...Whatever God that is.
I like that alot. It really makes them think...
Comment #21335 by CDG on February 8, 2007 at 8:21 pm
Sam Harris is a force to be reckoned with. Just finished his latest response to Sullivan and couldn't be more impressed. His analogies are perfect and so devastating to Sullivan position. Just devastating. Not to mention funny as hell. "economy of movement" analogy had me laughing so hard my 8 year old son jumped out of his bed and ran into my room to find out what he was missing.
49. Panel discussion on atheism where no atheists are included
Comment #21293 by CDG on February 8, 2007 at 2:44 pm
Ofcourse the Atheist segment will be bumped. Wolf, Paula and Larry will have to speculate for three hours if any drugs were involved.
And that leaves no time to discuss the ultimate question known to man (answered already by us)
50. Panel discussion on atheism where no atheists are included
Comment #21259 by CDG on February 8, 2007 at 9:47 am
Accent? Our plight transcends countries...This is a global struggle and Richard Dawkins is our best spokesperson.
Plus most Americans are so stupid that his English accent will give him instant credibility. Unfortunately that works against us when Alister McGrath opens his mouth.
Its daunting to think how far we have to go in this fight...