Comments by Apathy personified

551. Tablet Ignites Debate on Messiah and Resurrection

Comment #204941 by Apathy personified on July 6, 2008 at 8:44 am

Laurie,
I have tried to diverge, as i mentioned in an earlier comment bowie, cash, dylan - i like the smiths, squeeze and quite a few others from before my time. I grew up in a silent, non musical house (cultural vacuum) so i'm coming into a lot of this stuff for the first time - i have a lot to catch up on!

whitepearl,
'The long and winding road'.
I was using my age more in tongue in cheek than anything else - but also to illustrate a slight point that i wasn't 'there' when a lot of the classics came out - so i'm likely to have huge holes in my abilities to judge music (OK, it's a crap excuse, i know).
Having said that, you may be 22, but you are probably a more intelligent and interesting person than i am - I need all the excuses i can get (can't have people knowing how useless i am :))

552. Tablet Ignites Debate on Messiah and Resurrection

Comment #204933 by Apathy personified on July 6, 2008 at 8:12 am

Laurie,
The Beatles have never really done it for me - I know they are good, but as someone with no nostalgia for that period of time i can only judge them on their music - which i think can be slightly boring. (I know i'm gonna get torn a new one for that)
Queen on the other hand are very interesting from a musical perspective, IMO (So are linkin park at some points, and jeff buckley).

I think i'm showing my age (21) and gross ignorance of music and its impact on culture here.

So they found a tablet, interesting stuff.....

553. Sharia law 'could have UK role'

Comment #204902 by Apathy personified on July 6, 2008 at 6:07 am

Maybe i'm too ignorant but i fail to see how introducing any aspects of sharia law would actually help. Religion seems to only complicate any situation, could someone explain how using sharia law in mediation would be preferable to any other non - sharia mediation?

554. When too much Rapture is barely enough

Comment #204895 by Apathy personified on July 6, 2008 at 5:35 am

Teratornis,
We have had christians predicting the rapture for 2000 years, but now humanity has the capability to actually destroy ourselves in next to no time (nukes) - for me that kinda changes the game slightly.

I'm hoping the current increases in oil price are going to encourage governments to start putting some real money into to proper alternative energy sources (though i doubt it, i'm too misanthropic and cynical to believe people will even consider the future beyond 5 years)- our addiction to oil and gas is only gonna hurt us badly, both financially and also long term damage to the earth.

we have to stop being travel junkies.

This is where my cynicism comes to the fore - we are not going to get people to drastically change their lifestyles - we are probably going to have to engineer our way around the problem - which can be done (hydrogen fuel cells, if we can just find a less enegy consuming method to get pure hydrogen gas then we'd have it cracked), but i can't see a go 'cold turkey' approach actually working on enough people.

555. Tablet Ignites Debate on Messiah and Resurrection

Comment #204891 by Apathy personified on July 6, 2008 at 5:05 am

What a surprise - christianity is a plagiarism - didn't see that coming.
On the subject of music - why has no one mentioned queen? Greatest band ever. Partial credit goes to parts of the cash and dylan back catalogs and bowie.

556. Prayer refusal pupils 'disciplined'

Comment #204766 by Apathy personified on July 5, 2008 at 5:57 pm

mordacious1,
[blockquote ] Witty Comment [/blockquote ]
Just change [ to < and ] to > and you have blockquotes.

557. Christians challenge teaching of evolution

Comment #204742 by Apathy personified on July 5, 2008 at 4:21 pm

Goldy,
Ha - I thought so - Shame really, they play good rugby in the in-between years.

Good luck with the car - Hope you get it cruizin' in no time

558. Prayer refusal pupils 'disciplined'

Comment #204723 by Apathy personified on July 5, 2008 at 3:37 pm

clearthinker - correct (wow that felt wierd - please, i need whiskey)

UK should rid its schools of its religious connections, IMHO.

Absolutely mordacious1

Steve,
It does show that you can purchase a cool hat.

559. When too much Rapture is barely enough

Comment #204672 by Apathy personified on July 5, 2008 at 1:32 pm

con-godbots setting rapture dates and selling ascension robes with the date embroidered on them

Ok, so you have time to make sure they fit - But they don't have the messianic quality that a robe, given by jesus, would have.

I'm not surprised people are finding ways to make money out of people with a severe case of religion - 'Nothing is parted quicker than a fool and his/her money'

560. When too much Rapture is barely enough

Comment #204659 by Apathy personified on July 5, 2008 at 1:02 pm

Are Sam Harris' figures of 22% of americans think the rapture WILL happen and 22% think it will PROBABLY happen in their life times truly representative?
If so that is a scary thought indeed, especially if people get it into their heads that 'destiny' needs a jump start.

Also, where does everyone get the white robes from? Do you buy them or does jesus provide them? Then that leads to the question of fittings - Who wants to ascend to heaven in a white robe that doesn't fit - quite frankly you'll look stupid.

561. Prayer refusal pupils 'disciplined'

Comment #204596 by Apathy personified on July 5, 2008 at 10:19 am

I can't see where the teacher got the idea to make them pray to allah - how is that teaching them about islam? They should know that muslims pray to allah but how the hell does it help their education to actually do it themselves? In a science lesson the kids benefit from actually doing the experiment, but RE is different.
If they are doing about opus dei will the teacher make them whip themselves?

562. Christians challenge teaching of evolution

Comment #204531 by Apathy personified on July 5, 2008 at 5:50 am

Most importantly,

Having an Alfa Romeo,

Goldy, you legend.

Back to this tale of virus spreading - these groups that want religion in every lesson (it won't stop with science - they'll try to get religious 'retellings' into subjects like history, english (or whatever your mother tongue is) literature, etc. ) will clearly join 'international' forces, if they haven't already, they are going to be well financed and therefore influential - we need to come up with a way to stop them early and contain the virus they are trying to spread.

On the subject of rugby, NZ - Why didn't you win the world cup?

563. Does the Pope wear Prada?

Comment #204452 by Apathy personified on July 5, 2008 at 2:37 am

Interesting......
Always thought he'd be a Dulce and Gabana person. I'm sure he has dreams of going to heaven - shame many londoners in the 70's already beat him to it.

Note: Yeah, there's a joke in there somewhere.

564. Muslims outraged at police advert featuring cute puppy sitting in policeman's hat

Comment #204000 by Apathy personified on July 4, 2008 at 2:31 am

Anyway - i like puppies and dogs in general.
This councillor was wrong to use his religion to stir shit up - he no more represents muslims in dundee than clearthinker does.
The daily mail sucks as a piece of journalism
All done.

565. Muslims outraged at police advert featuring cute puppy sitting in policeman's hat

Comment #203994 by Apathy personified on July 4, 2008 at 2:27 am

bugaboo,
Ha - vintage phil.
Touche, well they'd do a better job as diplomats if they gagged him.

566. Muslims outraged at police advert featuring cute puppy sitting in policeman's hat

Comment #203987 by Apathy personified on July 4, 2008 at 2:18 am

Speaking of, I hope the American gay bishop from New Hampshire rudely interrupts the Anglican orgy next month that he has been banned from. Wouldn't it be fabulous if Bishop Robinson shows up in pink sequin cape and brings Rowan Williams some Chinese made nose hair trimmers as a hostess gift?

Yes, that would be funny and would make great tv!

UK Prime Minister has to be approved by the old lady

That's only ceremony, the person would be prime minister regardless of what the queen thought - she has no power to over rule an election.

Goldy,
shh! Nobody mentions them - They aren't really hereditary anymore - just cronies and old school fiends (friends, right) of the politicians - or judges or bishops - sounds more like a monty python gag than a system of government imo.

567. Muslims outraged at police advert featuring cute puppy sitting in policeman's hat

Comment #203983 by Apathy personified on July 4, 2008 at 2:07 am

forty pounds = eighty million dollars

Cheer up mordacious1 - still not as bad as the zimbabwe currency :).

568. Muslims outraged at police advert featuring cute puppy sitting in policeman's hat

Comment #203980 by Apathy personified on July 4, 2008 at 2:03 am

superstitious fools who believe in sacred vaginas

Ah, yes, the film teeth.....

Goldy you don't live in a democracy. You live in a theocratic monarchy

Again, queen has no power - all decisions and all governing done by houses of parliament - who are democratically elected - hence democracy.

569. Muslims outraged at police advert featuring cute puppy sitting in policeman's hat

Comment #203966 by Apathy personified on July 4, 2008 at 1:44 am

(the rapist of the British taxpayer).

Actually no, they cost a tiny, tiny, tiny percentage of the tax payers money - They actually do a useful role as diplomats - Having seen what presidents the world over get up to, i'd rather have a monarchy that has no power than a president who can overturn rulings of a senate (unless there's a 2/3 majority) because of religious reasons.

To all Americans on this thread - Happy 4th July - now if you could replace the tea that you wrecked in an act of childish vandalism - that'd be great. :)

570. Muslims outraged at police advert featuring cute puppy sitting in policeman's hat

Comment #203955 by Apathy personified on July 4, 2008 at 1:33 am

Wow, atheists who enjoy paying tithes to an old lady they believe has sacred ovaries who bore a son with god-ordained testes?

That's a stupid thing to say. We are asking what has provoked you to randomly state

And the Brits like to accuse the Americans of having the religious nuts! Goddamn the Queen.

totally out of sync with anything else on this thread?

571. Muslims outraged at police advert featuring cute puppy sitting in policeman's hat

Comment #203946 by Apathy personified on July 4, 2008 at 1:22 am

Goldy,
Haha - I've suddenly had a superposition of worlds: The police use corgi's and the Queen is like DCI Gene Hunt (the boss guy from Life on Mars and Ashes to Ashes)

BrandySpears,
WTF? - Is it a particular thing she's done, or a general dislike to a hereditary monarchy that is entwined with a religion?

572. Muslims outraged at police advert featuring cute puppy sitting in policeman's hat

Comment #203938 by Apathy personified on July 4, 2008 at 1:15 am

BrandySpears,
WTF? - You're gonna need some context to that statement.

573. Mormons urged to back ban on same-sex marriage

Comment #203808 by Apathy personified on July 3, 2008 at 4:36 pm

Goldy,
Regrettably it is pricey - but worth it :).
(I'm actually drinking 'chang' at this moment - it's not bad)

574. Mormons urged to back ban on same-sex marriage

Comment #203800 by Apathy personified on July 3, 2008 at 4:12 pm

Is anyone partial to Hoegaarden, or just me?

575. Muslims outraged at police advert featuring cute puppy sitting in policeman's hat

Comment #203727 by Apathy personified on July 3, 2008 at 12:41 pm

Vaal,
First; Touche, i didn't see that coming :)
Second; As a, um, er, pagan (yes, that'll do), i'm offended that you used the word 'God', instead of using 'one of my God's' - If you forget to invite ALL the gods to the party they'll get jealous......

Anyway, an 'offended stalemate' - we need a common scapegoat, ideas? :)

576. Muslims outraged at police advert featuring cute puppy sitting in policeman's hat

Comment #203723 by Apathy personified on July 3, 2008 at 12:33 pm

Akheloios,
The problem of using a comment like

the uneducated white male ignoramuses that pass for that rag's readers in future

is that you seem to be judging a point of view based on the alleged skin colour, level of education and sex of the readers - enlightenment principles indeed.

I also happen to hate the daily mail, but not as much as i hate the sun.

577. Muslims outraged at police advert featuring cute puppy sitting in policeman's hat

Comment #203719 by Apathy personified on July 3, 2008 at 12:24 pm

I think there has been an over-reaction to this story, it's a storm in a childs toy teacup. After all, human stupidity transcends all boundaries of race and religion, we have to expect this from every quarter (the fundie's in US who objected to starbucks, or slutbucks, new logo, for example).
However, I do agree that it seems to be symptomatic of some members of islams thin skin - but at the end of the day, islam (and other religions) has done/is doing/will do worse stuff, especially with regards to freedom of speech.

578. New Zealand man sells his soul to 'Hell'

Comment #203618 by Apathy personified on July 3, 2008 at 8:46 am

Interesting idea...
I'm taking highest bidders on my conscience, in almost new condition, barely used, who wants to start the bidding?

My senses of decency and self respect will be sold separately

579. Evangelical Christians sign up to a 'Church within a Church'

Comment #203524 by Apathy personified on July 3, 2008 at 4:46 am

Sorry if i'm over simplifying but effectively the bishops and clergy are saying,
'We are throwing are toys out the pram/taking the ball and going home/building our OWN treehouse - because you are stopping us discriminate and you are trying to treat gays AND women like equal people and letting them play in our magic club'

What would happen if a lesbian clergy was ordained a bishop? That HAS to happen, just to see their faces!

580. Richard Dawkins on Doctor Who

Comment #202848 by Apathy personified on July 2, 2008 at 3:58 am

'clearmind'

I am a school teacher

Going from the quality of its prose i'm going to guess, it's an english teacher.

581. Faith schools undermined by 'Government witch hunt'

Comment #202831 by Apathy personified on July 2, 2008 at 3:38 am

There is no place for a non-Muslim child or a teacher in a Muslim school

That would constitute discrimination on the grounds of religion (and possibly race) so would be illegal.

Let Muslim community educate its own children

Why have you already segregated society? If you want an all inclusive society in britain, we have to stop segregating people with terms like, 'muslim/black/hindu/jewish/etc. community - the only community that should exist in britain is a community united by the belief that all people (no matter about sex or race) are born equal in the eyes of the law.

Quite frankly, i don't see how segregating young people based on their parents religion will solve any issues and will only continue the horrid misconception that we are all different due to parents religions.

582. It can be right to discriminate against the religious

Comment #202493 by Apathy personified on July 1, 2008 at 2:31 pm

I will also make kangaroo ownership mandatory

Awesome.

583. Can't Darwin and God get along?

Comment #202396 by Apathy personified on July 1, 2008 at 12:32 pm

black wolf,
anti-matter is real, it can be created and contained (for a short while) - but it isn't abundant because it has a nasty habit of self destruction when it comes into contact with matter.

584. Stephen Hawking's explosive new theory

Comment #202376 by Apathy personified on July 1, 2008 at 12:05 pm

Thanks Oystein.
Ha, sorry - my bad, CPT violation wouldn't be quite so friendly (isn't it loosely linked to lorentz invariance?)
I guessed there would have to be certain violations of conservation laws - But i suppose it would have to only occur in special circumstances - otherwise we would have spotted it, or it would have prevented our existance.
The idea of a neutrino being it's own anti-particle fascinates me - especially as it only interacts through the weak force - i wonder what the products of an annihilation would be?

Edit: Steve, they are so COOL!!!!

585. Biologist Teaches the Nation's Judges About Genetics

Comment #202365 by Apathy personified on July 1, 2008 at 11:37 am

Good.
This seems like an intelligent and necessary step, lets hope the idea catches on and is spread out to more judges.
I do have another idea for them, improve the scientific education of children and encourage scientific literacy in adults - wow, revolutionary.

586. Stephen Hawking's explosive new theory

Comment #202353 by Apathy personified on July 1, 2008 at 11:17 am

While we talking about the beginning of the universe....
How long after the big bang did matter start to dominate over anti-matter? (I think the leading mechanism for the 'victory' of matter is CPT violation - Not sure if this had been proved or if there are any other alternate theories/ideas)

I have no idea what those guys are talking about, but for sure I am going to use these expressions at my next cocktail party.

Funny, that's what i say when i see people having discussions about art/films/books (culture in general)

587. Can't Darwin and God get along?

Comment #202348 by Apathy personified on July 1, 2008 at 11:11 am

if only many believers were more sophisticated and atheists less dogmatic.

What the fuck? - How is it dogmatic to NOT believe some unsubstantiated world viewpoint that originates in bronze age myths?

Even a modest amount of sophistication in biblical interpretation will show that the biblical authors, in both the Old Testament and New Testament, are not writing history.

No shit sherlock - Is this an admission that it's all made up?

This person seems to believe in belief, he offers no proof or explanation of god - just 'god exists because he/she has to, end of chatter'

588. Stephen Hawking's explosive new theory

Comment #201987 by Apathy personified on June 30, 2008 at 2:34 pm

Comment #201979 by Oystein Elgaroy

it will be hard to get funding for a bigger accelerator

Oh, the ramifications of a LHC 'failure' would be huge - we'd certainly be saying goodbye to big particle physics experiments for a while.

for a theorist I guess the scenario where no Higgs and no supersymmetry is found will be the best.

That would certainly be interesting....though i'm sure it'd have the effect of tearing down what we think we know and sending quite a few physicists back to the drawing board.

I think i'm a bit naive about real research in general - and i'm sure it'd get some quite shocked looks if i said to faculty members at any uni,
'Wouldn't it be interesting if the last 30 years of physics has been wrong?'

589. Stephen Hawking's explosive new theory

Comment #201975 by Apathy personified on June 30, 2008 at 2:01 pm

Interesting.
I'm more intrigued by the idea that what if NONE of the variants of the higgs boson or any supersymmetric particles are found?
What if the SM is shown to be a 'low-level' approximation to a deeper theory (as you hint at in comment 201953), but technically wrong (rough analogy to the newton mechanics relation to the relativities)?

I say this an someone about to start the final year of a theoretical physics degree, i have to make choices about phd's soon (not even sure i want to do one!) - so i want the outcome that produces the largest amount of new physics that needs doing - so they'll still be jobs for me!

590. Stephen Hawking's explosive new theory

Comment #201954 by Apathy personified on June 30, 2008 at 1:15 pm

Steve,
I personally don't think we have enough knowledge to actually consider a theory of everything. The standard model has some 'small black clouds on the horizon' (to quote lord kelvin) - such as the neutrino masses, the constants whose values have to be experimentally determined, etc.
But, to pose a contraversial question,
What would be more interesting, from a scientific perspective - The LHC finding or not finding the higgs boson?

Note: I'm well aware what a £4bn 'failed' experiment would do for the future of particle physics.

591. Stephen Hawking's explosive new theory

Comment #201944 by Apathy personified on June 30, 2008 at 1:00 pm

Comment #201929 by Oystein Elgaroy,
Thanks for the reply.
My only 'real' exposure to string theory has been through Peter Woit's book (Not Even Wrong) and Lee Smolin's book (The Trouble with physics), so i may have a slightly negative attitude towards it.
I can see the potential in it but i think that after 20 years, alarm bells should ring and new approaches should be tried.

592. Who Was More Important: Lincoln or Darwin?

Comment #201927 by Apathy personified on June 30, 2008 at 12:31 pm

In response to comment 201924 by Elles.

In that case King Arthur beats Michael Jackson in the chess game.

593. Stephen Hawking's explosive new theory

Comment #201913 by Apathy personified on June 30, 2008 at 12:00 pm

Thanks for the link (Comment #201768) Oystein.
What's your opinion on string theory?

594. CFI-UN Hamid Karzai Letter

Comment #201893 by Apathy personified on June 30, 2008 at 11:36 am

improper instigation of religious debate

Well, we're all fucked.

595. Who Was More Important: Lincoln or Darwin?

Comment #201891 by Apathy personified on June 30, 2008 at 11:32 am

Wow, pointless comparisons -
'Who'd win in a chess game between Michael Jackson and King Arthur?'

Answer: Chuck Norris

596. Charles Darwin was not the father of atheism

Comment #201873 by Apathy personified on June 30, 2008 at 11:06 am

Richard Dawkins will appear in human form alongside his apostle, Christopher Hitchens

I, for one, would love to see 'the Hitches' face if he reads that.

597. Faith schools undermined by 'Government witch hunt'

Comment #201869 by Apathy personified on June 30, 2008 at 10:59 am

hungarianelephant,

And in the playgrounds of my junior school, we spoke of little else.

Touche.
However, just because it doesn't seem too bad when it's the fluffy CofE, don't assume the CofE will stay 'nice' forever.
Also catholics and muslims (as you point out) run schools have the potential to be harmful to kids

Diacanu,

You're intolerant to their intolerance!!

Persecution!! Persecution!!

Shhhh!! They'll find out who i am and send me to tolerance camp!

598. Faith schools undermined by 'Government witch hunt'

Comment #201793 by Apathy personified on June 30, 2008 at 9:16 am

I mean this is the nicest possible way... Fuck faith schools.
Yeah, what a great idea, mix education and ONE religion and let kids only go to school and play with kids of their religious sect....religious apartheid anyone?

599. Saving Us from Darwin

Comment #201680 by Apathy personified on June 30, 2008 at 3:32 am

Clearmind said

It really beats me to think

Finally, some intellectual honesty.

600. Aliens need Christ's redemption, too

Comment #201671 by Apathy personified on June 30, 2008 at 3:22 am

This was written with all the dogmatic obedience of a new convert.
Unfortunately there are a few points i take issue with...

Of the great public figures the only one speaking in favour of the role of reason in modern life turns out to be the Pope.

That's like saying,
'Gary Glitter is the only person who truly cares about the welfare of children'

both the theory of Darwin and the findings of geology make a literal reading of the Fall of Man or the account of the Deluge of Noah problematic

I'll say, award for biggest understatement of the year.

How can the Christian theologian answer the question about the hope of salvation for the men of North Sentinel Island? No drop of baptismal water has ever touched their brow; no crumb of the Eucharist has ever touched their lips.

No one who has studied the faith can be unaware of the several answers Christians make to this challenge. I need not repeat them here.

Does anybody know what answers he is refering to?

This article is so self contradictory and quite frankly, useless, i'm almost thinking this could be a case for Poe's Law - would anybody want to put their name to this?