1. The detail in the Devil

Comment #175878 by Olliedog on May 6, 2008 at 7:36 am

Fucktard.

2. Christian Founders 3D Adventure Computer Game

Comment #153256 by Olliedog on April 1, 2008 at 9:49 am

Defeat the "Deist argument" with quotes from the founders themselves.

You mean, quotes like this?

I concur with you strictly in your opinion of the comparative merits of atheism and demonism, and really see nothing but the latter in the being worshipped by many who think themselves Christians.
- Thomas Jefferson

3. Vatican: Islam surpasses Roman Catholicism as world's largest religion

Comment #153250 by Olliedog on April 1, 2008 at 9:39 am

For the first time in history, we are no longer at the top

Yes, because Jesus came before the Greeks, don't ya know...

Ollie

4. Expelled Overview

Comment #149442 by Olliedog on March 25, 2008 at 3:53 pm

Crystals!?
They interview someone else about evolution, who mentions that science doesn't know how life began. So the film shifts to discussing the origin of life on earth. Philosopher Michael Ruse mentions the theory that organic life piggybacked on crystalline structures (Richard writes more about this in his review). Stein takes the opportunity to ridicule the idea: "Crystals!? On the backs of CRYSTALS!?" The film cuts to B&W video of creepy fortunetellers hunching over crystal balls. Stein's only desire is to oversimplify the theory and make fun of it.

What Ruse was talking about is probably the "clay theory" of this fellow, Graham Cairns-Smith, as explained in his book Genetic Takeover:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graham_Cairns-Smith

It is a fascinating book, and when I wrote to the professor to tell him how much I was enjoying it, he wrote me back a very nice email thanking me.

It has one of the clearest explanations I have read of why "irreducible complexity" is utter crap, using an illustration of an archway being built of stone, with stones being removed from the center after the arch is in place, and is in general a very good introduction to evolution in general.

The clay theory will definitely make you think outside the box, whether it is the correct explanation for the source of life or not.

Ollie

5. Two More Fleas

Comment #142405 by Olliedog on March 12, 2008 at 12:53 pm

Has anyone provided a proof of God's existence?
Not even close.

Has religion explained the emergence of the universe or why it is here?
Not even close.

Has religion explained why our universe seems to be fine-tuned to allow for the existence of life?
Not even close.

Are faithheads willing to believe in anything so long as it is "religious thought"?
Absolutely.

Has religion provided us with an understanding of what is good, what is right, and what is moral?
Not even close.

Has religion in the terrible twentieth century been a force for good?
Not even close to being close.

Is there a narrow and oppressive orthodoxy of thought and opinion within religion?
Absolutely.

Does anything in religion justify the claim that religious belief is rational?
Not even ballpark.

Is religion a frivolous exercise in intellectual contempt?
Dead on.

6. Fleas on the Horizon: In Defense of God

Comment #138415 by Olliedog on March 4, 2008 at 9:26 am

Says editor Holly Halverson, "We wanted more of a handbook that wouldn't scare people off."

Because, you know, books with lots of pages, with developed and reasoned arguments backed up by research... that is just too much to ask of the flying Jewish zombie worshiper.

Ollie

7. Survey shows Non-Religious Outnumber Those of Every Single Faith (But One)

Comment #137658 by Olliedog on March 3, 2008 at 10:03 am

It's apparent that a significant percentage of the population identifies with secularism, and I trust politicians will bear this in mind.

I don't.

8. Exorcism undergoes a revival across Europe

Comment #125375 by Olliedog on February 11, 2008 at 9:41 am

yoga devotees are also at risk

Apparently stretching your body, and not just your mind, is a sin as well.

9. 'Irrational Atheist' trounces God-deniers

Comment #117409 by Olliedog on January 28, 2008 at 6:48 pm

But "The Irrational Atheist" ebook isn't a free download per se. It's a Radiohead-style pay-what-you want setup, which includes the option to pay nothing.

Pay nothing? I would expect compensation for downloading this bile. It's already cost me some neurons just pondering the claim that Sam Harris can't handle division. WTF?

10. How to refute Creationist with only a bucket of feces

Comment #103787 by Olliedog on December 26, 2007 at 9:31 pm

I need to keep copies of this on hand to give to every jerk who says "Were you there?" with that smug tone of voice...

11. U.N. Draft Cites Humans in Recent Climate Shifts

Comment #29926 by Olliedog on April 5, 2007 at 2:19 pm

Wait, I though God Hates Fags?