1. Anderson Cooper interviews Christopher Hitchens

Comment #39268 by grandpop on May 10, 2007 at 8:43 am

"I would miss it"

I wouldn't fret too much about this comment. From what I understand of the man, he likes a good (cerebral) fight. It's good to have a clear thinking, educated and good communicator on our side!

Grandpop

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

Comment #35011 by grandpop on April 26, 2007 at 12:36 am

I am convinced that Robert Winston is a closet atheist.

My evidence for this came about some time ago. During an interview of Winston on the'Richard and Judy show' (a UK TV show). At one stage of the interview, when time pressure was high for a rapid answer, he was asked abruptly by Richard: " ..do you believe that god created man or did man create god?" I remember that he clearly opted for the 'man created god' answer. I suspect that the ungarded truth spurted out whilst he was under pressure???

I also suspect that he prefer to come across as a warm and cuddly scientist (figuratively speaking) who would have much to loose by 'coming out'.

Grandpop

3. Sam's Flea!

Comment #32662 by grandpop on April 18, 2007 at 12:03 am

BAEOZ, I understand your frustration when chating on 'believer's sites'. I do that occasionaly, but more often have heated discussions with believers in my family/circle of friends.

I would urge you not to give up, but to think that, maybe, you will have sown a seed in a few people's mind. One needs patience to see a seed develop and grow. Usually, these guys have had years of brain-washing. It is even harder when you can't see the results! All I can add is that intellectual challenge did the trick with me some 40 years ago, having been brought up as a 'fully fledged catholic'!

Pragmatically, I don't think you will ever get a response on the lines of "...of course, you are right, how silly of me...."

You can also see it as a way of honing your skills and keeping your mind sharp (which is critical for me in my advancing years!)

Keep up the good work.

Grandpop (and happy atheist)

4. Doctors Opposing Circumcision: An Appeal for Misha

Comment #32521 by grandpop on April 17, 2007 at 8:56 am

From pedant's corner (sorry, I used to be a medicinal scientist before I retired!): it's not called 'gunk' it's called 'smegma'.

Seriously, the point has already been made but it can be broaden, any enforced anatomical mutilation or forced alteration of the body for purposes other than medical is based on superstition and should be made illegal in any so-called civilized society. I guess we are not quite there yet. But we need to keep pushing.

From facetious' corner now, I remember during my work some years ago, coming across scientific papers on the investigation of some enzymes in foreskins (cytochrome P450s if I remember right)! I also seem to remember that this "apparently extremely useful" research (?!**?!=sarcasm) came from Israel. A quick google-scholar search should confirm for the doubting Thomases among you (ooooops!)

Grandpop

5. The Dawkins Confusion: Naturalism ad absurdum

Comment #23721 by grandpop on March 2, 2007 at 8:18 am

I would hate to spoil the fun most of you seem to have in taking that article to shreads: it's not that difficult for a smart bunch like you, I have have done it quite often myself in other venues. However, I find that the same conclusion is invariably reached. In a nutshell:

1/ 'Intelligent believers' who chose to argue against atheism usually fall fall into 2 categories: those that are intrinsically genuine in their attempts and those that are not (too much to loose, etc.).

2/ Both groups seem to have reached a fascinating aptitude to rationalise their irrational belief though a combination of circular arguments, cherry picking quotes, misquoting, running rings around 'lesser mortal', etc, etc..

I do not wish to deprive any of you of the fun you are having, but please realise that the gains will only be your own (ie you are unlikely to deconvert anyone!).

What I think is really important is to try and ensure that the kind of intellectual blindness these people have is not passed down anymore generations. For example: the teaching of ALL religions as part of a compulsory school curiculum; or the teaching of what 'the scientific method' consists of.

thank you for your indugence in reading my own ramblings.
Grandpop

6. James Cameron finds grave of Jesus & Son

Comment #23264 by grandpop on February 27, 2007 at 9:00 am

I will keep a healthy scepticism on the discovery, but somehow, it still seems hell of a lot more probable than 'jesus died, jesus resurrected himself, jesus rose into the sky like a slow rocket in the afternoon sky' !!?!

However, even if the most stringent analytical tests did demonstrate that they were 'jesus remains' available, does anyone here really thing that it would have an impact on today's believers?
Unlikely. It should, however, have an impact on what will be taught in schools for the next generations.

7. Pope speaks out against 'designer babies'

Comment #23261 by grandpop on February 27, 2007 at 8:39 am

Hi!
I'm new to this.

Is that the second time that the pope said he was against intelligent design?!?!