1. Peanut Butter, The Atheist's Nightmare!

Comment #182494 by StephenH on May 20, 2008 at 8:56 am

The banana video is no longer on YouTube
"terms of service violation"

However these are still viewable :)

youtube.com/results?search_query=The atheist's nightmare&search_type=

Really love this rebuttal :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4HW06Wz_R74

2. The Oxford Book of Modern Science Writing, ed. Richard Dawkins

Comment #181279 by StephenH on May 16, 2008 at 8:33 pm

Quick side comment

I frequent a few Games Forums.

People often respond to a new message thread with
"First", "second" etc etc - without saying anything else

Must be some kind of trend that's doing the circles amongst younger people. Don't understand it myself, but there you go (Perhaps they are brushing up on their maths skills) ;-)

3. Is Science Killing the Soul?

Comment #181271 by StephenH on May 16, 2008 at 8:16 pm

Edit: sorry, this is from an event, from the year before still makes for an interesting listen anyway (the same speakers)

Audio/Video, Not very high quality

Go to:
http://www.reitstoen.com/dawkins.php

Scroll down to the bottom of the page:
Der Digitale Planet (lecture)
30.10.1998
Direct streaming realplayer link, with the intro in German... Douglas Adams speaks first, and he comes out with some gems (listen out for the Sun & Puddle story)

4. Shaw TV Interview with Richard Dawkins

Comment #175149 by StephenH on May 4, 2008 at 3:51 pm

Good interview.

Clarity Answers

The Interviewer facial expressions were interesting at times. Maybe it was just intense concentration

5. Richard Dawkins' secular army must be stopped. God is behind some of our greatest art

Comment #160605 by StephenH on April 14, 2008 at 8:22 am

Yet another article that tries to smother real human achievement (a skilled artist), by trying to suggest that God is invisibly 'working through' that person

Taking the credit away from a human being, and attaching it to some imaginary friend

Whether they believe in God or not, i can't see how that affects their abilities as an artist.

1) You can choose to take your inspiration from an invisible being

2) You can choose to take your inspiration from the real natural world (the one we can see, feel, taste, smell & touch) - our world, that is based on Evolution

6. Discussion between Richard Dawkins and Paula Kirby

Comment #157291 by StephenH on April 8, 2008 at 9:10 pm

Thanks spoox

If you follow that advice and download the flv files, i get good audio quality.
I play them with VLC media player

Thank you, Richard & Paula for such a good debate, despite Richard's croaky voice.

Longer sessions allow more detail. Some very clear explanations

7. Happy Birthday, Richard Dawkins!

Comment #150099 by StephenH on March 26, 2008 at 1:00 pm

Happy Birthday Richard, have a good one

My copy of 'The Oxford Book of Modern Science Writing' arrived today, which i'm greatly looking forward to reading

Cheers, Steve

8. Richard Dawkins on The Alan Colmes Show

Comment #146134 by StephenH on March 18, 2008 at 4:46 pm

I enjoyed the Bulls**** moment. :)

I like the hear Richard being a bulldog sometimes

With some of these nutcases that ring up, must be hard to hold patience

9. Sharia law in UK is 'unavoidable'

Comment #124170 by StephenH on February 8, 2008 at 3:09 pm

I just point people to the website of:
Ayaan Hirsi Ali

She is incredibly brave, putting her own life in danger for speaking out.

Also clips that are available on YouTube and GoogleVideo

People can't ignore someone that has direct personal experience, and why Sharia Law is a bad idea... for any country in the world

It's no use saying "we'll only cherry pick some aspects of Sharia Law" - i think that is missing the point. Sharia Law belongs in the past.

10. Richard Dawkins on The Late Edition with Marcus Brigstocke

Comment #111597 by StephenH on January 15, 2008 at 5:22 am

I do have one small moan.

In this Interview, Richard Dawkins hands the Athiest shirt over to the presenter.

Could Richard have worn one of the Athiest shirts himself? i know a suit for a formal interview, it's totally appropriate

But, for reasons of trend setting.

Amazing to think, that in some parts of the world, people could still have their lives put at risk, for daring to wear such a shirt, out in public.
It just Gobsmacks me

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

Comment #111586 by StephenH on January 15, 2008 at 4:20 am

Mr Scales, wishing you all the best and a speedy recovery, Sir.

Your Bravery and Generosity, i hope will be an inspiration to others

Regards, Steve

12. The Group Delusion

Comment #110481 by StephenH on January 11, 2008 at 10:07 am

"Beyond the God Delusion"

I'm not sure, that you can go 'Beyond' a Delusion

On any other matter, other than Religious Belief, it's usually sorted out in the Doctor's office

13. 2 fleas for the Christmas week

Comment #103250 by StephenH on December 24, 2007 at 5:02 pm

Anyone get a 'vibe' that a few cages have been rattled out there? ;)

About time too !!

14. Interview with Richard Dawkins: On Christmas

Comment #100722 by StephenH on December 19, 2007 at 7:58 am

It's Gutter Press mentality

Christmas Time arrives once again. People that misunderstand Richard Dawkins, somehow think that he's 'anti-christmas' - so they want to use this time of year to go on the attack, Mr Dawkins as the new 'Scrooge'

But then he opens a can of whoop-ass, and lays the intellectional smack-down on them, and shows them up for how wrong they are :)

Edit: 5 poxy minutes only? 60 minutes at the very least, to have a real debate on this subject. To think you can discuss the whole messy subject of religion / belief within 5 minutes is preposterous

15. 2007 Audiobook Download of the Year: The God Delusion

Comment #99356 by StephenH on December 16, 2007 at 12:31 pm

You can also put audiobooks onto devices like IPod's

Which means, you take your IPod out and about, and anyone interested, can just plug some earplugs in, and if they have time, listen to the audiobook :)

16. An Open Letter to Richard Dawkins

Comment #96934 by StephenH on December 11, 2007 at 5:57 am

Just laying my thoughts on the table.

Those who are not religious, think about morality, just as much as religious people do. I'm often thinking about morality myself.

Where does Morality come from?

I argue that it does not come from an invisible entity.. but stems from people that take a little time, to think things through, and decide upon what is a likely fair outcome in a given situation.

What type of 'Moral' person you are, is also heavily influenced by your own upbringing and circumstances

You could easily get a bunch of people together, from many different countries (with language translaters, as needed) and decide upon a simple batch of 'Moral Suggestions' that may result in society functioning a little smoother.

The point is, we're doing it all ourselves, without any help from a 'Supreme Being'

Those people who claim they are 'chanelling messages from God' and that 'God speaks to them'
Although they have managed to convince themselves. The simple truth is, that really isn't happening

We've got to get real, and start to grow up a bit. The debate needs to be moved along.

I'm sure Richard Dawkins is getting utterly fed up with having to respond to the same old debates, over and over again. The reason why this is happening, is because the Religious don't want to properly listen with an open mind.

Those who say The Bible or The Koran is the immaculate word of God (how do you explain why a religious text, such as the Bible, has been revised many times?)

It should be revised many more times, because the society we live in today, is a very different one, from when the Bible was first written.

Are the Religious trying to suggest, that God is not able to change with the times? That the human race must forever be stuck in one time zone?

Look at the world around you, and read a few books about Evolution. We're Evolving too

Cheers, Steve

17. Banishing the Green-Eyed Monster

Comment #92258 by StephenH on November 30, 2007 at 6:36 am

Hello Richard,

Something struck me, in the comments you make during your final paragraph

There are a number of things we seem to accept readily without really thinking about them.

That is a problem, not enough thinking going on.
Life is fast paced and stress filled.
A lot of distractions competing with each other to grab a slice of our attention.

Maybe people lack sufficient 'quiet time' to have real contemplative thoughts

I value my 'quiet time' very much

Cheers, Steve

18. 'Growing Up in the Universe' now available free online

Comment #90325 by StephenH on November 24, 2007 at 10:21 am

I bought the DVD, and highly recommend viewing this, especially now it's available for free

Recommended viewing for those out there, that paint Prof Richard Dawkins as some kind of devil anti-christ evil figure, simply because he speaks out against religion

19. Richard Dawkins receives the Deschner Prize

Comment #78756 by StephenH on October 14, 2007 at 6:24 pm

Bravo !!

I was putting my hands together along with the audience at the end

Great speech. Superlative ending

Cheers. S

20. Der Digitale Planet (lecture)

Comment #42758 by StephenH on May 19, 2007 at 11:27 am

I don't have the video, i have audio only

Two parts because of file size limits

Audio begins from the beginning of Douglas Adams speech

Part One
http://www.speedyshare.com/976343392.html

Part Two
http://www.speedyshare.com/847197454.html

Douglas Adams, always a pleasure to listen to. Wait until you hear the "Puddle versus The Sun" piece. Enjoy

21. NEXT MONDAY: Bill O'Reilly interviews Richard Dawkins

Comment #35746 by StephenH on April 28, 2007 at 6:58 pm

I just watched this, and thought Bill was pompous and arrogant.

Richard did well to stay calm, amid the crap that was flung in his direction

Bill made clear that he was sticking to his religion. That's his own personal comfort zone, and many people don't wish to free themselves from the bonds of religious belief.

I think it scares these people to have to think about the world existing without religion

22. Richard Dawkins interviews the Bishop of Oxford

Comment #33771 by StephenH on April 21, 2007 at 5:26 pm

Glad to have to chance to see this interview in full

It's reassuring that a religious believer and a strong agnostic, leaning towards Atheist can have a calm and pleasant debate.

Both people being very polite towards each other, and i can clearly see, respect one another

It's a pleasant alternative to the sort of vicious verbal exchange that often seems to happen between believers and non-believers

23. Militant atheists: too clever for their own good

Comment #30183 by StephenH on April 7, 2007 at 7:00 am

Stephen H is my real name, and i'm not afraid to give my opinions

quote
"What they say is dry and unnourishing"

Has Mr Moore read Unweaving the Rainbow?

The real world around us, contains plenty of awe & wonder. It's fascinating to study many things that go on in this world, and at least try to understand how things work. You can dedicate your entire life to just study, and you would still only get through a fraction of all the things that are worthy of study

So why is it, that people of faith are unsatisfied with the real world? What is so "nourishing" about a belief in non-existant dieties?

It seems to me, they want to create something 'more' - that just isn't there in the first place

If people do indeed find comfort believing that an imaginary friend is watching over them, then i would never suggest taking that away from them.

But Religion is embedded within the very framework of society. Therefore it is very difficult for non-believers to avoid Religion during life

24. The Most Hated Family in America

Comment #29618 by StephenH on April 3, 2007 at 3:53 pm

Reginald Finley (The Infidel Guy)

He interviewed Tim Phelps of Westboro Baptist Church

Some people phoned in and gave him a hard time, and he was aggressive back.

Quite a good interview, Reginald did his best, with being patient with him, to try to get some explanations out of him. I didn't hear anything convincing come out of Tim Phelps mouth

25. The God Debate

Comment #29088 by StephenH on April 1, 2007 at 3:14 pm

Struggling with the audio link

All i get is "hi, i'm standing in an elevator being filled with snakes... and i'm updating a word document"

Hopefully, he won't be let out anytime soon

26. A History of Violence

Comment #28987 by StephenH on April 1, 2007 at 4:11 am

response to:
Comment #28884 by MIND_REBEL

Granted, Religion is a major cause of violence, but there is a danger of falling into a complacent mind-set, that Religion is the *only* cause of violence.

Violence can also be motivated by political views (opposing factions) - Jealousy (poverty v wealth) - Revenge (acts of violence to family or close friends - a deeply personal motivation) - Racism

I'm fairly sure, that the bulk of the population actually want to live peacefully, and many do. You will usually find that Violence requires a "trigger" to set it off

27. Peanut Butter, The Atheist's Nightmare!

Comment #28395 by StephenH on March 29, 2007 at 4:23 am

In the case of the banana video.

Gotta love the 'lake prop' behind them

These people are comedians right?
Please tell me, they are just having a laugh !!

I'm off to open my jar of peanut butter

28. A hundred residents of a Russian village have refused to switch to new passports because they believe the documents' bar codes contain satanic symbols

Comment #27574 by StephenH on March 25, 2007 at 10:41 am

I expect Art Bell to read out this story anytime soon. It's up there with "the voices from hell" when a bunch of people drill a deep hole into the ground, and someone lowers a microphone into it

With so many tv films based on supernatural themes, i'm really not that shocked that people will start to believe this stuff. It's rammed down their throats from the day they start to watch television

29. 'They Tried To Teach My Baby Science'

Comment #26499 by StephenH on March 19, 2007 at 8:12 pm

http://www.theonion.com/content/feeds/radionews

Podcast, seems to be a new one each day.
Always good for a laugh
They are rated as 'Explicit' on ITunes

The Onion Radio News is a daily podcast featuring a short news clip from The Onion's award-winning 24-hour radio news network. Read The Onion at www.theonion.com.

30. Lonely Atheists of the Global Village

Comment #26498 by StephenH on March 19, 2007 at 7:59 pm

The amazing defence mechanism of the religious mind.

If i'm watching a tv show that i don't like, i simply switch off, or turn over to something else.

I never feel the need to write a one thousand word essay about why i hate the tv programme.

I'm sure there are some interesting psychological questions that could be raised

31. Was there ever dog that praised his fleas?

Comment #24043 by StephenH on March 4, 2007 at 12:27 pm

Response to:
Comment #24028 by Physicus

Wait for some time, then pick up these books second hand at bargin basement prices by people who want to pass them on. No money goes to the author's that way

It's what i do with conspiracy theory authors who claim that skeptics never read their books, so therefore are not able to argue with them

32. Presentation on Atheism

Comment #22742 by StephenH on February 21, 2007 at 4:14 pm

That was wonderful to watch/hear.

The man deserves a bigger audience
He crammed a lot of information into a short space of time.

Very good speaker

33. Richard Dawkins interview with Paula Zahn

Comment #22274 by StephenH on February 13, 2007 at 9:37 pm

Yes Quine, i still find myself saying "holy *rudewords*" - i have been trying to erase these words from my vocab. Christ, God, Jesus H, Holy. Probably a few others too

Just goes to show how "ingrained" these words are.
Having never been deeply religious at all myself

Possibly picking up these words on the school playground onwards and into adult life

Onto CNN and Richard Dawkins. Well, someone really took a pair of scissors to that tape in the editing room eh?
The cuts can clearly be seen when viewing it
Despite the heavy editing, Richard came across extremely well i thought. Very calmly making those common sense points, that should be obvious to most of the population, but not it seems to the religious.

They dwell on subjects such as 'hereafter', 'afterlife' 'heaven' 'hell' - have they forgotten to live their physical lives?

When all they have to do is open their eyes to the magnificent world around them, realise that an intelligent designer did not create everything they see just for their own benefit. We (humans) are only a branch in the chain of evolution. We are not the end product of it

34. Is God a Delusion? Atheism and the Meaning of Life

Comment #22050 by StephenH on February 12, 2007 at 7:53 pm

At one point in the interview McGrath was asked a question, where the only sensible response was to give his own thoughts, he started his reply with "Well Richard Dawkins says this...."

Seems as if the man is on a personal crusade

Chosing to title one of his books 'The Dawkins Delusion' - seems like a child-like playground response. You can tell, 'The God Delusion' offended him, so he's sticking out his tongue and going "nah nah na na nah"

I wouldn't debate him, i'd tell him to grow up

35. Does Richard Dawkins exist?

Comment #21412 by StephenH on February 9, 2007 at 4:52 am

Not seen the video yet.

I'm a damn sight more sure of the existence of Richard Dawkins, than i am of God

That's it really, the bottom line.

You can choose to spend life living it to the full, and enjoying the beauty, nature and wildlife that can be found here. Being grateful to be alive and trying your best to enjoy every moment of it

Or, you spend a lot of time praying, and hoping that some invisible force will come and help guide you through life. You also spend a lot of time worrying what will happen to you (as in the concept of a soul) when you expire

36. Interview with Alister McGrath, author of 'The Dawkins Delusion?'

Comment #21410 by StephenH on February 9, 2007 at 4:13 am

When Richard Dawkins says that he doesn't want to debate with Creationists. Well it's certainly clear why. Their minds are already made up. They will not budge from their fixed beliefs, because they do believe the Bible / Koran is the inerrant word of God.

I have to switch myself off from any religious program on tv or radio. It all simply makes me feel too angry. You have to take a break from it from time to time, otherwise it really starts to get under the skin

37. Neil deGrasse Tyson - Death by Black Hole

Comment #20147 by StephenH on January 31, 2007 at 3:25 pm

Comment #20052:

Perhaps we could resource our favourite podcasts:

Skepticality: The official podcast of Sceptic Magazine

SETI: Science & Skepicism

Infidel Guy - Debate Hour - Infidel Radio (has recent interviews with Richard Dawkins & Sam Harris)

A more light-hearted one:

The President's Weekly Radio Address (parody)

On I-Tunes, the Parody version of the Podcast receives a much higher rating than the Official Weekly Radio Address - the people speak :)

38. James Randi on Larry King Live

Comment #20114 by StephenH on January 31, 2007 at 1:07 pm

James Randi & Michael Shermer recorded an hour long interview last year, whilst on a boat, near Bermuda
It was broadcast on the Skepticality Podcast

http://skepticality.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=133719#

James Randi was talking about Sylvia Browne
When she actually accepted his million dollar challenge, then said that she was unable to find Randi.. just use your 'psychic' powers Sylvia, said Randi :) *nearly falling off chair*

39. 'Friends of God' Documentary

Comment #19889 by StephenH on January 30, 2007 at 1:20 pm

I felt so uncomfortable watching that first video, i'm just speechless !!

I wonder how we manage to live in a system where these deluded people manage to get jobs teaching children

I certainly agree, what was shown there, was a mental form of child abuse. They are too young to reason out a complex debate (Evolution v Creationism)

They are getting a very scewed story from the preachers, without anyone there to represent the argument from a pro-Evolution stance

Attempted indoctrination of young innocent minds
Just awful

40. Blasphemy Challenge on FOX

Comment #19717 by StephenH on January 29, 2007 at 12:28 pm

The closing comments from the Fox guy

Yeah, the reason it was all Christian people doing the welfare work and getting that basketball game organised is because their groups receive charitable status.

It's a bunch of people with a love of humanity and a desire to help the disadvantaged (those people can be religious or non-religious)

And from time to time, i'm sure they are throwing in a few offers to attend the various religious activities... such as bible reading groups.

Do they continue to extend their help and support towards those youngsters that refuse these invitations to join any additional groups (of a religious conotation)?

Aren't these people also on a recruitment drive in addition?

41. Durham Council Votes To Continue Saying Lord's Prayer

Comment #19388 by StephenH on January 26, 2007 at 8:41 pm

Tradition has a lot to do with it.
Some people are reluctant to let go
I can remember The Lord's Prayer being said around the dinner table on Christmas Day within my family

It's not said anymore... it just seemed to fade away, i cannot recall the year it was no longer said

I'm hoping that society is gradually moving in the right direction. It will very gradually fade away

42. Intelligent design to feature in school RE lessons

Comment #18986 by StephenH on January 24, 2007 at 7:21 am

Something else to raise consciousness about
Some terminology concerns me

The word 'pupil' is pretty ugly, during these modern times.

I prefer the word 'student', or simply 'person'
I deleted 'young person' because plenty of adults also study as well

Ok, it might sound nit-picking

As long as there are materials there to represent the various angles of the debate. Then people should be in a position to make an informed decision... and that this takes place in RE classes rather than Science classes

43. 12 Year Old Girl Prodigy Paints Pictures of God

Comment #18727 by StephenH on January 22, 2007 at 4:52 pm

very funny comment Jack :)

I don't see the point of going into arguments regarding skin color. We're talking non-human invisible deity here

This girl is clearly a talented artist, no doubt about that

So sad that CNN give coverage to something like this. On a quiet news day, i could understand, but today is not a quiet news day

edit: can you imagine the outcry from the Muslim communities if an Artist drew a painting of the prophet !!

44. Sam Harris at Idea City '05

Comment #18169 by StephenH on January 18, 2007 at 6:48 pm

watch 11 minutes 54 seconds into the video

Sam talks about a quote from President Bush.
Common Sense Judges [further words] God

Common Sense & God within the same sentence?

I'm afraid my browser went strange trying to type my message, so i lost the video, and i need to get some sleep, so i can't wait for the video to reload

Anyway, Sam was making some real common sense points. Excellent Speech. Can't wait to listen to the rest of it tomorrow

45. Lil' Markie live, part 2

Comment #17638 by StephenH on January 15, 2007 at 8:40 am

Audiences actually pay money to go watch this stuff?

Would it be offensive to say that guy could do with a couple sessions with a mental health professional?

I'd rather listen to my back catalog of 'Smurfs' records - i endured about four minutes of that

46. Creationism Song

Comment #17636 by StephenH on January 15, 2007 at 8:34 am

The song: Jesus Loves Me
Children are often encouraged to learn and recite it

The full song lyrics go as follows:
---
Jesus loves me! This I know,
For the Bible tells me so.
Little ones to Him belong;
They are weak, but He is strong.

Refrain

Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
The Bible tells me so.

Jesus loves me! This I know,
As He loved so long ago,
Taking children on His knee,
Saying, "Let them come to Me."

Refrain

Jesus loves me still today,
Walking with me on my way,
Wanting as a friend to give
Light and love to all who live.

Refrain

Jesus loves me! He who died
Heaven's gate to open wide;
He will wash away my sin,
Let His little child come in.

Refrain

Jesus loves me! He will stay
Close beside me all the way;
Thou hast bled and died for me,
I will henceforth live for Thee.
---
http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/j/e/jesuslme.htm

47. The God of the Bible is No Delusion!

Comment #17173 by StephenH on January 11, 2007 at 12:32 pm

I think it's time for another Randi style challenge

These people that say "come to our meeting, we will prove to you that God exists" or something along those lines

Then i think people that need to attend should be believers, atheists, and a neutral third party to ensure that all is above board

And let's see this damn proof once and for all

For example, i would be very impressed if someone could provide me with an address, an email address, or a telephone number where i may contact God.

Don't tell me he's always too busy to have a quick chat on the phone

I'm sure everyone has got a million questions to ask God, if it's established that he exists. Or does he consider himself above being questioned?

Yeah yeah, ok, i'm in a very sarcastic mood tonight
but serious about the challenge.

Something like One Million Dollar prize money to prove the existance of God, under proper testing conditions and verified by a neutral party

It's time to tell them to put up or shut up

48. Let's Hope It's A Lasting Vogue

Comment #16059 by StephenH on January 4, 2007 at 10:33 am

Very good writing as always from Richard.

He makes a critical point, something i feel strongly that Atheists should NOT remain respectfully silent about

The quote from Professor Anthony M Stevens-Arroyo about never meeting an atheist he could like.

As Richard describes, you substitute the word atheist above with 'democrat' 'labour supporter' 'black'. We would be hearing cries of Discrimination.

Of course it goes without saying that it is foolish to make such generalisations about entire catagories of people in the first place

We are simply talking here about people that find the Biblical 'God' just as fictional as the 'Thor' God or the 'Zeus' God

Unless we are still living in barbaric times, where Heretics were burned for not 'believing', i really don't see what the Crime is. Certainly Atheists should not be afraid to admit they are non-believers in public

49. 10 myths - and 10 truths - about atheism

Comment #14755 by StephenH on December 24, 2006 at 11:04 pm

Very good article.

I have no idea if that list is done in any particular order.

Personally, if so, i would have number 10 higher up the list.

Myth:
Atheism provides no basis for morality.

It's the morality argument that seems to be aired quite a lot by the creationists

50. I love the commercialisation of Christmas

Comment #14208 by StephenH on December 21, 2006 at 1:36 pm

The commercial side of Christmas, you could argue that at least those products are real and tangible.. you can hold the presents in your hand (or throw them across the room, when you realise you have been given a 10th pair of slippers)

But why does the advertising have to begin in August? When people are still are on their summer holidays. That creates 'overhype'
I think that contributes to the feelings of anti-climax that some people experience on Dec 26th

I have problems with both sides (religious & commercial)