501. Hitchens V. Boteach

Comment #121162 by LorienRyan on February 3, 2008 at 3:32 am

Scooternyc,

Maybe I've missed the context here, but surely a victim of a crime was not being punished for their apparent vindictiveness?

502. Hitchens V. Boteach

Comment #121158 by LorienRyan on February 3, 2008 at 3:21 am

scooternyc - "Victims enjoy seeing others victimized, it makes 'em feel like they can "connect" with their pain so they can all suffer the world alike - "if I have to suffer, so do you".

If a victim was also a vindictive person I can see how that would be the case, but in my experience I doubt that is generally true of victims. Although there is a difference to a genuine victim as with someone with a victim mentality. Even then the victim mentality is usually manifested by exploiting another's sense of empathy, I still don't quite understand your statement. Where is the connection with victim and vindictiveness?

503. 'Irrational Atheist' trounces God-deniers

Comment #121043 by LorienRyan on February 2, 2008 at 10:02 pm

I must go also

Peace

504. 'Irrational Atheist' trounces God-deniers

Comment #121038 by LorienRyan on February 2, 2008 at 9:58 pm

K,

your absolutely right about no-one here being thrown into hell by Jesus...

but I suspect our reasons are different

505. 'Irrational Atheist' trounces God-deniers

Comment #121034 by LorienRyan on February 2, 2008 at 9:54 pm

not to mention cheese sandwiches...

506. 'Irrational Atheist' trounces God-deniers

Comment #121031 by LorienRyan on February 2, 2008 at 9:52 pm

Diacanu,

If the Omnipotent Creator of the universe spoke personally to you would you be able to get over yourself?

I'd probably check myself in.

507. 'Irrational Atheist' trounces God-deniers

Comment #121025 by LorienRyan on February 2, 2008 at 9:43 pm

K,

I think you are mistaking me for someone else, check the posts.

508. 'Irrational Atheist' trounces God-deniers

Comment #121021 by LorienRyan on February 2, 2008 at 9:38 pm

Ben,

I think 'c' is the answer which in effect causes 'd'.

509. 'Irrational Atheist' trounces God-deniers

Comment #121013 by LorienRyan on February 2, 2008 at 9:29 pm

K - "but truth be told the conversations were not particularly ego-boosters for me."

No, because the religious paradigm you allow your mind to be subjected to wants you to believe you are a piece of worthless dirt - and only god can save you from the mire.

Can't you see the one-two punch?

510. 'Irrational Atheist' trounces God-deniers

Comment #121008 by LorienRyan on February 2, 2008 at 9:16 pm

K - "...from the beginning that it was not likely to be convince anyone but me."

got that right.

511. Hitchens V. Boteach

Comment #121006 by LorienRyan on February 2, 2008 at 9:13 pm

Mark,

It was a rhetorical question really.

512. 'Irrational Atheist' trounces God-deniers

Comment #120978 by LorienRyan on February 2, 2008 at 8:37 pm

Representing electrical activity in the brain via markings of ink on a piece of dried tree pulp does not constitute evidence for anything accept just that.

513. Hitchens V. Boteach

Comment #120966 by LorienRyan on February 2, 2008 at 8:03 pm

If humanity didn't possess the ability to change it's mind we'd still be chucking spears at woolly mammoths or burning witches at the stake.

514. 'Irrational Atheist' trounces God-deniers

Comment #120960 by LorienRyan on February 2, 2008 at 7:50 pm

righton,

that quote reaks of the morality argument. Must be why all us atheists are running around raping and pillaging.

515. Hitchens V. Boteach

Comment #120958 by LorienRyan on February 2, 2008 at 7:42 pm

Mark G,

I've changed my mind on many things throughout the years, it seems like the reasonable thing to do in light of evidence.

516. Hitchens V. Boteach

Comment #120940 by LorienRyan on February 2, 2008 at 7:28 pm

CHWWer,

You are incensed by war, as I think most here are. Do you believe there is any validity in the phrase 'kill or be killed.' There is no doubt as to the agenda in certain parts of the world. Conflict is never pretty. Is there enough time and clout for a passive approach? What would you suggest as a better strategy?

517. Hitchens V. Boteach

Comment #120927 by LorienRyan on February 2, 2008 at 7:01 pm

Mark G,

You were right, CHWWer really is quite entertaining - and in a Hitchens kinda way!

518. Are Darwin's Theories Fact or Faith Issues?

Comment #120915 by LorienRyan on February 2, 2008 at 6:43 pm

Vin,

Yes, good point and I agree. Although, it just might well be that this 'level of thought autonomy' which can be described as free will, semantics really, is just a testament to the current state of the art - which is a long way from uncovering the complexity of the process that enables us to function on such a high level. Just a thought, maybe the notion of choice is synonymous with ignorance.

519. 'Irrational Atheist' trounces God-deniers

Comment #120885 by LorienRyan on February 2, 2008 at 5:58 pm

Richard M,

Yes, can relate to that. Have downloaded your .doc

520. 'Irrational Atheist' trounces God-deniers

Comment #120871 by LorienRyan on February 2, 2008 at 5:45 pm

Blacknd,

Must I jump off a very high cliff to ascertain whether or not it will injure or kill me?

521. 'Irrational Atheist' trounces God-deniers

Comment #120861 by LorienRyan on February 2, 2008 at 5:37 pm

Blacknd,

We wouldn't read that book just like Anthony Hopkins wouldn't go to see your kid's school play.

522. Are Darwin's Theories Fact or Faith Issues?

Comment #120845 by LorienRyan on February 2, 2008 at 5:06 pm

Radesq,

Bit strong, and not on topic either. Will not continue on that subject.

523. Hitchens V. Boteach

Comment #120842 by LorienRyan on February 2, 2008 at 5:00 pm

Keith,

Wow!

Hugh,

Oh, that must hurt.

524. Are Darwin's Theories Fact or Faith Issues?

Comment #120837 by LorienRyan on February 2, 2008 at 4:50 pm

Priests like playing with little boys..., is that a surprise? I say we cut the Priests heads off - thats really the unwanted part.

525. Are Darwin's Theories Fact or Faith Issues?

Comment #120816 by LorienRyan on February 2, 2008 at 3:50 pm

Diacanu - "God is outside of time".

God starts creating humans

Has a lunch break

Falls asleep

Wakes up 98,000 years later (Hitchens)

'Oh shit... the humans!'

526. Are Darwin's Theories Fact or Faith Issues?

Comment #120812 by LorienRyan on February 2, 2008 at 3:43 pm

Diacanu - "that's the daring of the apologetic circles..."

Is that like a dog chasing it's own tail?

527. Are Darwin's Theories Fact or Faith Issues?

Comment #120807 by LorienRyan on February 2, 2008 at 3:26 pm

pulsar,

A christian visitor here suggested that God created himself, yes that's right - maybe he yanked himself out the the swamp by pulling on his own hair. After all God has quite long hair, right?

528. Are Darwin's Theories Fact or Faith Issues?

Comment #120804 by LorienRyan on February 2, 2008 at 3:08 pm

Vin,

The evidence that supports evolution and natural selection suggests that the only factor is natural processes. And how someone 'feels' about it is a natural process itself. It seems to me that the notion of free will is a stepping stone to the notion of god/gods, or at least along the same line of thinking. I don't believe there is some mystical thing guiding our brains, no ghost in the machine.

529. Are Darwin's Theories Fact or Faith Issues?

Comment #120797 by LorienRyan on February 2, 2008 at 2:54 pm

I become wary when Richard Dawkins says humans 'design' things, like cars. If, say, 1000 years from now life becomes extinct on earth and alien's arrive and start digging to investigate the planets evolution they would discover that humans were the organisms that interacted with other materials to form, say, cars and buildings. How is this different from chemicals interacting with other materials and forming stuctures, or protiens interacting with other stuff to form DNA and cells. Is there any difference? Is there really any 'design' going on at all?

530. 'Irrational Atheist' trounces God-deniers

Comment #120545 by LorienRyan on February 1, 2008 at 11:46 pm

I detect a definite Becomethearrow tone in Kardashovel's posts, the same type of grammar and phrase also.

531. Morality and the 'new atheism'

Comment #120544 by LorienRyan on February 1, 2008 at 11:41 pm

The gaps only exist in humanities collection of knowledge about things. At this time we don't know everything and may never will, in the meantime there is discussion and debate that stimulates the quest for more knowledge. Whether or not this process is gapfiller there has to be some starting point for the process of scienctific discovery. I think it is more like lubricant than gapfiller.

532. 'Irrational Atheist' trounces God-deniers

Comment #120528 by LorienRyan on February 1, 2008 at 10:44 pm

Kardashovel,

There's a great video on the front page of this site under 'latest news' it's called 'There are no ghosts in your brain' by PZ Myers.

I would encourage you to view.

Regards.

533. Are Darwin's Theories Fact or Faith Issues?

Comment #120523 by LorienRyan on February 1, 2008 at 10:23 pm

Ouch! IDers, that must hurt!

534. Pope says some science shatters human dignity

Comment #120519 by LorienRyan on February 1, 2008 at 9:57 pm

Unfortunately lots of people take the Pope seriously - if there's a need for more public science education it's now.

535. U.S.: 'Demonic' militants sent women to bomb markets in Iraq

Comment #120516 by LorienRyan on February 1, 2008 at 9:48 pm

The blood thirsty religious parasite is feeding on furtile ground in iraq, and it targets the innocent.

536. There Are No Ghosts in Your Brain

Comment #120513 by LorienRyan on February 1, 2008 at 9:31 pm

Great stuff! Thanks PZ for sharing.

537. Morality and the 'new atheism'

Comment #120007 by LorienRyan on February 1, 2008 at 4:59 am

Quertz, "As an aside- this is the kind of thread that keeps me coming back to RD.net. You can always learn something new, and it makes you think!"

Ditto.

Much more stimulating than zealous trolls.

Must retire - thanks fellow commenters and good night.

538. Morality and the 'new atheism'

Comment #120003 by LorienRyan on February 1, 2008 at 4:44 am

Daniel Dennett and Robert Wright discuss consciousness...

http://video.google.com.au/videoplay?docid=-3133438412578691486

539. Morality and the 'new atheism'

Comment #120001 by LorienRyan on February 1, 2008 at 4:38 am

This comes down to the question of our brain being a very complex pattern recognition instrument or does it possess something more? Daniel Dennett has good interview with Robert Wright on this subject - I'll find the link...

540. Morality and the 'new atheism'

Comment #119997 by LorienRyan on February 1, 2008 at 4:31 am

Quertz,

So that defines the number as existing at the level of it's representation in ones mind, or the concept/abstraction. Which would be concieved upon observing the object's pattern behaviour.

At which point the process starts or in which order is hard to say.

541. Morality and the 'new atheism'

Comment #119991 by LorienRyan on February 1, 2008 at 4:24 am

MPhil,

I think I just said the same thing as you... sorry

542. Morality and the 'new atheism'

Comment #119989 by LorienRyan on February 1, 2008 at 4:21 am

MPhil - "The old "Qualia problem". I think that qualia ("raw feels", "the way things seem to us", "ineffable, intrinsic qualities of experience") either don't exist at all or are reducible to neuronal activity. If they are real and not reducible, then materialism is false."

Not necessarily, if one could describe the 'raw feels' as 'the neuronal activity' on a higher level - in the context of a higher programming language as opposed to the zeros and ones.

543. Morality and the 'new atheism'

Comment #119981 by LorienRyan on February 1, 2008 at 4:16 am

Quetz,

Bertrand Russell, 'Why I Am Not a Christian', Routledge.

544. Morality and the 'new atheism'

Comment #119975 by LorienRyan on February 1, 2008 at 4:13 am

Baeoz,

It depends at which point in the process, concept to cipher, one would like to define it as a 'number.'

now my brain is starting to hurt

545. Morality and the 'new atheism'

Comment #119970 by LorienRyan on February 1, 2008 at 4:08 am

MPhil,

I guess numbers would not be able to explain my experience to anybody else - could only quantify it, as you mentioned.

546. Morality and the 'new atheism'

Comment #119961 by LorienRyan on February 1, 2008 at 4:02 am

So, numbers can explain anything as long as the numbers represent all of the relating factors and how the factors interact with each other.

547. Morality and the 'new atheism'

Comment #119953 by LorienRyan on February 1, 2008 at 3:53 am

Steve, your comment just gave me a better understanding of the concept of mathematics. Thank you. Interacting with commenters at this site has been a great learning experience for me over the last few weeks.

548. Morality and the 'new atheism'

Comment #119933 by LorienRyan on February 1, 2008 at 3:22 am

Artful,

Isn't mathematics a tool for measuring the state of matter at a given point in time - hence the importance of understanding/discovering the laws of physics.

549. Morality and the 'new atheism'

Comment #119927 by LorienRyan on February 1, 2008 at 3:15 am

The rule in nature seems to be more along the lines of 'do unto others before they do unto you' or in some cases 'just do unto others', eg. lion hunting prey.

550. Morality and the 'new atheism'

Comment #119922 by LorienRyan on February 1, 2008 at 3:08 am

epeeist - "...if you don't teach a child about gods it will be the natural position."

Children can have 'imaginary friends' which could be stimulated from the same parts of the brain as a developed conception of god/gods in an adult. If that is the case a childs position regarding their perceptual paradigm cannot be known until it can articulate a position based on exposure to various already existing paradigms. A child can be either educated or indoctrinated.