1. Russia prohibits denial of Santa

Comment #103933 by Bremas on December 27, 2007 at 11:04 am

Ummmmmmm... yea.
Not so much the ruling as the reasons stated for the ruling.

2. Man and God

Comment #103421 by Bremas on December 25, 2007 at 2:15 pm

Happy Newton Day

I too am curious about the "religious" backgrounds of those hanging out here. Other sites I frequent allow polling. I wonder if Josh would be up for this.

Off topic: I heard someone I knew yesterday say that they wouldn't vote for Obama for president because they didn't want a muslim running the country. Just thought I'd chuck it out there. I started to explain that he wasn't a muslim until I realized the trap that I had fallen into and shut up.

3. Priest who committed suicide for rebirth cremated

Comment #103130 by Bremas on December 24, 2007 at 10:43 am

Does it make me a bad person that I chuckled the whole way thru that article?

4. Huckabee Stands by Christmas Campaign Ad

Comment #102691 by Bremas on December 23, 2007 at 12:06 pm

"We hurriedly put the spot together. It wasn't scripted. I ad-libbed the spot. It was done at the end of a long taping day, and really kind of a thought of, WELL, LET'S DO A CHRISTMAS SPOT JUST IN CASE we decide to use it maybe on our Web site."

Christmas spots are a staple of the presidential campaign and all candidates that I know of have done one...... Fuck him for lying to me.

5. Crisis of faith in first secular school

Comment #73049 by Bremas on September 24, 2007 at 1:02 am

Newton30
Thank-you for the explanation. That makes sense......Too smart for the poorly phrased question. Been there, done that myself.

6. Crisis of faith in first secular school

Comment #72789 by Bremas on September 23, 2007 at 1:34 am

"Either overtly or by default, this country is still a Christian one."....sheesh

Warning...thread hijack...

@Richard Morgan
Came across this video on the Discovery Institute website today (know thy enemy). They were using it as proof that a secular society doesn't make it scientifically literate. Was wondering what this group thinks of it, and this seemed like as good a place as any to post it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMFsuBlkoIQ&mode=related&search=

It's the French version of Who Wants to be a Millionaire....
What rotates around the Earth?...Moon, Sun, Mars, or Venus?...
The audience and contestant get it wrong.

Thoughts....

End Hijack..

7. God Talk on 'The View'

Comment #71633 by Bremas on September 19, 2007 at 11:37 am

I'm not trying to excuse Whoopie. Rather, seeing that she is an american black women.... i'm surprised that she is not a bible thumper as well.

otherwise the whole thing made me sick.

8. God Talk on 'The View'

Comment #71625 by Bremas on September 19, 2007 at 11:23 am

Demographics and personal experience tell me that black women are the biggest bible thumpers in the US. Glad to see Whoopie pushing the issue.

I made it half way and had to stop.

9. Do you have to read up on leprechology before disbelieving in them?

Comment #71432 by Bremas on September 18, 2007 at 6:58 pm

Revcort wrote:"He delays so that ALL those who are to be saved will have an opportunity to be born, hear the Gospel, and be regenerated."


"The Carousel is a lie." Logan's Run 1976

Sorry, I hate bickering with faitheads. But, I thought it was an appropriate movie quote.

10. Radical Christians in Iraq

Comment #71397 by Bremas on September 18, 2007 at 5:08 pm

Fortunately, LtGen Boykin was removed in the wake of the Rumsfeld departure.

11. Childhood Origins of Adult Resistance to Science

Comment #69997 by Bremas on September 13, 2007 at 2:53 pm

Experienced this just a couple days ago with my family.
When something scientific counters the very basis for something learned as a child from a trusted source.... the first response is anger at the science, and dismissing it as a bad philosophy.

When someone figures out how to overcome this, let me know.

12. Poll: Which religion do you associate with?

Comment #65236 by Bremas on August 23, 2007 at 9:31 am

70%
Bloody agnostics could push another 3% if they'd just get off the fence. :)

13. The age of endarkenment

Comment #64303 by Bremas on August 19, 2007 at 1:10 pm

My cousin just passed the California medical boards in order to practice medicine in the state of California. She is a homeopath, and the answer is yes they believe it. Everyone in the family is so proud of her for being a docter.

I'm the only one that has called bullshit. And I used to think I had an intelligent family.

Sad part is... her brother is a real docter who does real, cutting edge research. I haven't asked him what he thinks of all this.

14. The Out Campaign

Comment #59893 by Bremas on July 31, 2007 at 3:23 am

Ah shit, Wee Flea. Nuf said.

Move the A to the back of the shirt and I might buy one. Small logo above left breast would be nice also.

15. OUT Campaign Launched, 'Scarlet Letter' Shirts Now Available!

Comment #59538 by Bremas on July 29, 2007 at 12:36 pm

Sigh...
Why is it that science types rarely have a sense of style?
Big A goes on back of shirt. Maybe small A above left breast on front.

I would never wear the shirt out of fear of being beaten up for being a dork.

16. At a Theater Near You ...

Comment #53970 by Bremas on July 4, 2007 at 1:44 pm

Just want to second the link put up by jonecc (post 13).

It's a thought provoking debate.

17. Floods are judgment on society, say bishops

Comment #53438 by Bremas on July 1, 2007 at 1:27 pm

"In the Bible, institutional power is referred to as 'the beast', which sets itself up to control people and their morals. Our government has been playing the role of God in saying that people are free to act as they want,"

Fundies say the darndest things?

18. I believe that there is no God.

Comment #52770 by Bremas on June 28, 2007 at 3:43 am

"I believe that there is no God."

I feel better just typing it.

19. The Stupidity of Fox News is Truly Beyond Belief

Comment #52192 by Bremas on June 26, 2007 at 12:55 pm

Rtambree, xdrive
beat me to it.

"How do we explain the incredible geologic reality out there?"??????

am now officially banging head against wall.

20. Hamas Kindergarten Graduation Ceremony

Comment #47745 by Bremas on June 5, 2007 at 12:07 pm

Rtambree (82)
---You can't claim immunity from the law by saying "I was aiming at the baddies" when firing high-explosive rockets into civilian areas.

huh?

Just call the police?

You seem to be up to your *** in some idealistic ****. edit. Falwell would be proud.

21. Hamas Kindergarten Graduation Ceremony

Comment #47716 by Bremas on June 5, 2007 at 10:53 am

Coming to a neighborhood near you.
A 6min english language sales pitch for Iqra Elementary Islamic School in Northridge (LA?).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_CiwyxrZH-0&NR=1

Yikes

22. Hamas Kindergarten Graduation Ceremony

Comment #47706 by Bremas on June 5, 2007 at 10:30 am

Anyone speak arabic?
What are the lyrics to the song?

23. Religion and Child Abuse

Comment #47697 by Bremas on June 5, 2007 at 9:59 am

I have joined the "ignore bizarro" bandwagon.

Off Topic:
Obama, Clinton, and that other guy discuss Faith.
Jesus can Hillary roll with it.
http://www.cnn.com/video/player/player.html?url=/video/politics/2007/06/05/obrien.faith.politics.cnn

edit
Edwards talks about (around) evolution.
http://www.cnn.com/video/player/player.html?url=/video/politics/2007/06/04/sot.edwards.faith.cnn

24. Beggars belief: Robin McKie on The God Delusion

Comment #47216 by Bremas on June 3, 2007 at 2:35 pm

phil rimmer (39)
Don't you mean neocons, neoliberals etc. :-)

Well said, I agree with you 100%.

25. Man to die over insult

Comment #47205 by Bremas on June 3, 2007 at 1:16 pm

Off Topic

This video is making the rounds, might as well post it.
Supposed to be a Hamas kindergarten graduation ceremony. Looks legit.

http://switch5.castup.net/frames/20041020_MemriTV_Popup/video_480x360.asp?ai=214&ar=1468wmv&ak=null

26. Beggars belief: Robin McKie on The God Delusion

Comment #47190 by Bremas on June 3, 2007 at 12:00 pm

From the patron saint of the internet.

"Prayer purifies us, reading instructs us. Both are good when both are possible. Otherwise, prayer is better than reading."

doh

27. What I Think About Evolution

Comment #46653 by Bremas on June 1, 2007 at 2:50 am

Shut up Bizarro
You believe the Earth is less than 6000yrs old. Brownback is now saying it's not, and you are not disagreeing with him.

Something about an enema and a matchbook.

edit.. found my beer:-)

28. What I Think About Evolution

Comment #46574 by Bremas on May 31, 2007 at 5:10 pm

Bookman (24)
"Sen. Brownback has (sadly) proved himself to be perfectly qualified for the job of President of the United States. How is he any different from Reagan or George W. Bush?"

as opposed to the three living ex presidents.

From an article today about the dedication of the new Billy Graham library:

"President George H.W. Bush sobbed as he spoke of how much the minister meant to him"

"When he prays with you in the Oval Office or upstairs in the White House, you feel he's praying for you, not the president," Clinton said.

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/nation/20070531-1425-billygrahamlibrary.html

Ugh, I need a beer.
Someone tell me it's after noon where they are and I'll get a beer.

29. Aiming for knockout blow in god wars

Comment #45397 by Bremas on May 27, 2007 at 2:53 pm

From column posted by BAEOZ (52)

"The correct question is: How can we best reduce, to the minimum possible, the likelihood that religion will be used for evil purposes and prevent its evil use?"

Duh.. That's easy, show it for what it is.. Bullshit.

Next question :-)

30. Aiming for knockout blow in god wars

Comment #45389 by Bremas on May 27, 2007 at 2:20 pm

re. All who replyed
Haven't figured this store out. When I bought my 2nd copy of TGD in mid Feb (hoping I could get RD to sign it when he was here), they literally had to go to the basement to find it. A few weeks later it was all over the store. A few weeks after that and it had completely disappeared again. I was in the store a week ago and made a point to scan for Hitchens then, and didn't see it. Not sure.

Was doing some research on something else yesterday and ran across some funding numbers of religious organizations of the city I live in (Honolulu, large small town). Big numbers from a lot of prominent people and organizations.

Could be either, can't get the books in stock, or don't want to.

edit.. there are several large and 'important' christian/catholic schools within a couple miles of me. And we have a BYU on the other side of the island (might be the only one outside Utah?).

It's not what you know here. And often it's not who you know, but who you're related to. Religion matters. Blue states can do it too.

31. Aiming for knockout blow in god wars

Comment #45362 by Bremas on May 27, 2007 at 11:47 am

Off Topic
Was in my local Barnes and Noble yesterday. One copy of TGD in the entire store. Hitchens no where to be seen. I didn't ask where Hitchens would be on the shelves but he sure as hell wasn't out in any of the prominent display areas, including best seller area.

So I just checked.. #1 on NY Times Best Seller list.
http://www.hawes.com/2007/2007-06-03.pdf

TGD is not on that list but should still be in the top 20. One lousy copy.

I think I'll go back today.

32. Group Threatens to Sue Pentagon Over Military Role in Evangelical Festival

Comment #45265 by Bremas on May 27, 2007 at 3:10 am

I do believe this is a big deal and am a huge fan of the Military Religious Freedom Foundation.

If you want to watch a good tirade about this:
http://militaryreligiousfreedom.org/Media_video/lawsuit/index.html

One of the major Marine Corps bases (Pendleton) started playing that damn Lee Greenwood song Proud to be an American over the loudspeakers after morning colors, after 9/11. First time I heard it was when I was there to coordinate planning... my buddy (who was stationed there) looked at me and said deadpanned "I hate this Fucking song"..... glad I wasn't the only one.

I'll be watching this lawsuit.

33. Christian sports workers degree ridiculed

Comment #45193 by Bremas on May 26, 2007 at 7:30 pm

No one has mentioned jvc's (26) post yet. Had never seen that one before (was rolling), and is probably exactly what RD was referring too.

With a nod to Luthien.. can't get enough of Python.

edit... I guess that wasn't an own goal because it was the 2nd half??

34. Teachers rebel over atheism promotion

Comment #44993 by Bremas on May 25, 2007 at 6:26 pm

"Be the first camper in CQ history to disprove the existence of the two invisible unicorns who live at camp!"

Ha

"violate the teachers' religious beliefs."

I'm so tired of this being considered an actual argument.

35. Another Christian Science Fair embarrasses itself

Comment #44898 by Bremas on May 25, 2007 at 2:15 pm

devolved
So, by your reasoning the stalagmite should have grown substantially since 1942 (5-10ft maybe?).

Tell you what, take a road trip, get a picture, and then post the current and 1942 one.

Hey, if true, you might have made a significant discovery. See you then.

36. Adam and Eve in the Land of the Dinosaurs

Comment #44859 by Bremas on May 25, 2007 at 12:10 pm

Geoff (20)
Last line of that video
"Aimed at two audiences.... and non christians that need to be saved."

yeesh. And that's the problem with christianity in a nutshell. They believe they know what's best for me. And they're ready to do something about it.

37. Adam and Eve in the Land of the Dinosaurs

Comment #44842 by Bremas on May 25, 2007 at 11:44 am

USA_Limey

I'm too far away, but if you do go... please, please videotape it.

38. Some US Muslims say suicide attacks OK

Comment #44129 by Bremas on May 23, 2007 at 11:11 am

"Only 40 percent said they believe Arab men carried out the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001."

I've mentioned this before. Personal experience in the middle east tells me this is much higher there.

When are we all moving to NZ? This thing's going nuclear. (I'm always scared of spelling nuclear wrong :-))

39. Convention ends with Satan and immigrants

Comment #44122 by Bremas on May 23, 2007 at 10:54 am

How did I miss this one first time around. This deserves a place in the Hall of Fame of the Hall of Fame.

No one has yet pointed out that it is a parody. Which would be easier to believe.

40. Ice Age blast 'ravaged America'

Comment #44101 by Bremas on May 23, 2007 at 10:14 am

If true this would change some of the conclusions drawn in Guns Germs and Steel.

Which evidently is being pushed again. Just saw Jarod Diamond on the Colbert Report yesterday talking about his book as if it had just been written. Maybe word of mouth has caused a surge in sales (5yrs later?) and the publisher has taken notice.

And Epeeist, I laughed.

41. Liberty U student plotted to set off explosives, police say

Comment #44073 by Bremas on May 23, 2007 at 8:56 am

Let me just add that maybe the next abortion clinic bomber was just stopped. Can't really tell from the limited article. Didn't want a lynch mob to form on such limited information.

42. Liberty U student plotted to set off explosives, police say

Comment #44047 by Bremas on May 23, 2007 at 8:20 am

jayalenik (11)
No... maybe his intention was to harm. I don't know that. Maybe his intention was to spread fear...likely hood much higher.

I've seen a lot of college kids do a lot of stupid things... likely hood very high in my personal book.

After reading the myspace clip I'd say his intentions were definately cruel. But where I come from a homemade explosive detergent device made by college kids can also be dangerous fun (in their minds).

I've never made one, so I'm no expert.

43. Liberty U student plotted to set off explosives, police say

Comment #43873 by Bremas on May 23, 2007 at 3:11 am

To be fair I just pulled this off another site.

"The bombs were made from a combination of gasoline and detergent, ABC reported via a local law enforcement official. The official told ABC that the bombs were "slow burn" and would not have been very destructive."

Sounds more like a dangerous college prank than an attempt at doing harm. Just a hunch. I remember a few of my friends from college who would have had homeland security all over them if they were in college today.

44. The Paradoxical Hatred of Christopher Hitchens

Comment #43054 by Bremas on May 20, 2007 at 11:21 am

On topic
I have been sickened by the non stop Republican fawning of Falwell. I used to respect McCain. (back when he held my view of Falwell and Robertson and company.) I'm not sure what is going on in the US.

I say stick it to them Hitch.

45. The Paradoxical Hatred of Christopher Hitchens

Comment #43053 by Bremas on May 20, 2007 at 11:05 am

Off topic
Been wanting to throw this one into the mix. This looks like as good a place as any.
I believe that Wolfowitz or one of his former deputies wrote this idea. I saw it a few months prior to the invasion of Iraq.
Here's what was being advocated and here's what a real war for oil would have looked like.... Invade the oil fields of eastern Saudi Arabia. Grab them and hold tight. No cities. No population to worry about. In one move you have successfully cut off funding for radical saudi-fed extremism and secured the worlds energy needs. Makes you go hm...

46. Faith-Based Fraud

Comment #41933 by Bremas on May 17, 2007 at 10:13 am

Read the first sentence only and had to comment.

"The discovery of the carcass of Jerry Falwell on the floor"

Might be back in a moment after I read the second sentence.

47. Television evangelist Falwell dies at 73

Comment #41531 by Bremas on May 16, 2007 at 8:40 am

Bizarro Dawkins post 157
"I must say I'm more than disgusted with the verbal barbarism going on in this forum."

It's been said before.. Bizarro don't you have a candlelight vigil to prepare for or something? What are you doing hanging out on an atheist website if you don't want to be offended?

48. Television evangelist Falwell dies at 73

Comment #41513 by Bremas on May 16, 2007 at 8:14 am

Drad Frantle post 175
That's my favorite Hitchens clip yet. Anyone offended by comments here should listen to Hitch tear into Falwell on that clip. Here's another appearence on a late night Fox News program.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TcGhQEAwjs0&NR=1

49. Thought vs. feeling in religion

Comment #41503 by Bremas on May 16, 2007 at 7:53 am

For some reason I plowed thru it... it gets better.

"When it comes to emotional religion, the cerebral Benedict is the skeptic-in-chief, with a long history of warnings against the flight from rationality."

See what I mean.

50. The Creation Museum: Prepare to believe

Comment #41260 by Bremas on May 15, 2007 at 5:54 pm

Here's an idea.
A self inflating Fred Flinstone blowup doll on timer. Just chuck it in when no one is looking then stand back across the room and get ready to take a picture.