Comments by Richard Morgan

Comment #123632 by Richard Morgan on February 7, 2008 at 12:20 pm

Prime Numbers :

...treacherous and traitorous words.

This is worrying language. I've heard this kind of stuff in other contexts. You can imagine where...

Comment #123625 by Richard Morgan on February 7, 2008 at 12:11 pm

Perhaps we should hold fire here until he tells us precisely which aspects of Sharia law he is referring to.
And has adequately answered the question : "Unavoidable? Otherwise.....what?"
Is this some sort of containment strategy?
You know, "let them fight it out amongst themselves" sort of approach.
RW is not stupid.
Even PZ Myers said, "It's not idiotic to be religious." (This in the context of an explanation of how the brain works.)
Scoobie :

Who's wearing the pearly dress and pointy hat?

This kind of silly remark does not strengthen your credibility.

553. Christopher Hitchens on Books & Ideas

Comment #123506 by Richard Morgan on February 7, 2008 at 9:20 am

Steve Lara :

However, if there is a consensus this such discussions are a waste of resources, I am happy to divert to other tactics.

No, no, please stay with it, makes me feel comfortable and "at home".
I'm a married man with teenage children, so I'm quite used to not understanding what's happening around me, people talking amongst themselves in a strange language, that kind of thing.
So, yeah, that's fine.
Just throw me a mircotubulus (with chorizo to go) from time to time and I'll be happy.

You would be surprised how often this sort of knowledge is useful

Not during the Six Nations Tournament, surely?

554. Christopher Hitchens on Books & Ideas

Comment #123427 by Richard Morgan on February 7, 2008 at 6:22 am

MPhil :

it has even been mathematically proved that quantum-effects in microtubuli cannot amount to any significant effect

Try explaining that to my mother-in-law!!!
Seriously, this is the kind of life-changing stuff that draws me back to RDnet day after day, night after night.
I'll never be able to look a microtubulus in the eye again.

555. The New Atheist Movement

Comment #123422 by Richard Morgan on February 7, 2008 at 6:14 am

nanaj Please don't be naive - a polite manner does not exclude being violent.
The violence is in the message, not the manner in which it is delivered.
"Excuse me sir, awfully sorry to bother you, but I'm about to terminate your life with this firearm. Have a lovely last five seconds of life. We look forward to shooting you again soon."

556. Christopher Hitchens on Books & Ideas

Comment #123312 by Richard Morgan on February 6, 2008 at 11:45 pm

Artcane Viper : Please, please, please try to post your comments without the hieroglyphics. I understand the trick is to start with a plain text version. But I'm not sure.
I'll read your piece when it's been (typographically) cleaned up.
Thank you.

557. Christopher Hitchens on Books & Ideas

Comment #123306 by Richard Morgan on February 6, 2008 at 11:17 pm

LorienRyan :

Futhermore, I believe that the underlying attitude in the statement "believe what you want just don't try and make me believe it too" is admirable, don't you? Why is it not admirable?

As so many have said before me - it depends on the context.
No believer needs Hitchens' or your permission to believe what he wants. And saying "believe what you want just don't try and make me believe it too" is plain nonsense to an Evangelical Fundie.
Think about it.
An integral part of a Fundie's beliefs is that he should spread the "Good news". In other words, he has a moral and spiritual responsibility to try to make other people believe what he believes.
He "believes" this.
So what Hitchens is saying to an evangeligical is:
"Believe what you want (ie that you should try to make me believe the same things as you) just don't try to make me believe it too.
In fact the sentence that you quote from Hitchens that you find so admirable is little more than a feel-good audience-pleaser.
Coming from Hitchens, it "sounds" so reasonable. And at times, Hitchens needs to "sound" reasonable. It's part of his style.
But the case in point is one of his emptier aphorisms.
If you want to take this whole business a little further, think about this :"All forms of communication have one objective in common - to change something in the ideas, the attitude, the opinion or the behaviour of another person."
Don't react too glibly to this, please.
But react, please.

558. Blasphemy

Comment #123294 by Richard Morgan on February 6, 2008 at 9:54 pm

Shrommer :

Muslims who turn to Christ become selfless, passionate people who aim to love and do good...

Dream on, Shrommer.

559. Christopher Hitchens on Books & Ideas

Comment #123292 by Richard Morgan on February 6, 2008 at 9:49 pm

LorienRyan :

I really admire Hitchen's general position of "believe what you want just don't try and make me believe it too"

Why?
Is this not the attitude of any normal person?
What do you find particularly admirable here?

560. Letters: Theology has no place in a university

Comment #122935 by Richard Morgan on February 6, 2008 at 9:31 am

epeeist :

So take your fucking smarmy posts and the efficacy of prayer and stuff em where the sun don't shine.

You mean the part of his body that he tries to think with?

561. Letters: Theology has no place in a university

Comment #122929 by Richard Morgan on February 6, 2008 at 9:26 am

hes2@usa

Have you ever prayed to God about
anything before?

Good point.
I have a little confession to make here : I was so screwed up by religion, I prayed to God to make me an atheist.
Hallelujah!
Amen!

562. 'Irrational Atheist' trounces God-deniers

Comment #122909 by Richard Morgan on February 6, 2008 at 9:13 am

annabanana :

I will just remind me of how you scolded me so around Christmas-time...

Please do NOT edit this comment to correct this little error. Your Freudian slips are as delicious as your avatar, and your contributions a real joy to come across.

EDIT : Oh shit, that sounds so patronising, doesn't it. Sorry about that. But not much.

563. 'Irrational Atheist' trounces God-deniers

Comment #122818 by Richard Morgan on February 6, 2008 at 6:40 am

SRWB

Although I'm not sure I would have given an openly religious symbol - but that's me.

epeeist

did you need to send the bottle of water

Thank you so much for your comments.
No, I didn't in fact need to send water from Lourdes, and I could have avoided an openly religious symbol.
It was after all the expression of my caring that counted more than anything.

(Without forgetting, of course, that I am that same person who swore and hissed and blazed and cursed at the idea of RD singing Christmas carols. Just a sec while i dig out my old sack-cloth and ashes uniform.)

564. Letters: Theology has no place in a university

Comment #122776 by Richard Morgan on February 6, 2008 at 3:48 am

Steve Zara:

Hello, Anatalanta aptera!

(Just to show you guys that even if I can't be intelligent or handsome, at least I can be obedient.)

565. 'Irrational Atheist' trounces God-deniers

Comment #122760 by Richard Morgan on February 6, 2008 at 1:58 am

epeeist :

what is needed is something that shows the positive side of what life without religion could be like.

Life without religion... but for whom?
And how?
And when?
On my visits to Brazil I have met some lovely people. Particularly the "maids" of the people I was staying with. Oops - with whom I was staying.
Since there is no longer any racial prejudice in Brazil, it was , of course, pure coincidence that none of the "maids" had white skin.
In one house where I stayed, there was a sort of little scullery behind the laundry room behind the kitchen, where the maids changed, ate and... prayed.
There was a little crucifix pinned to the wall and several pictures of the Virgin Mary.
One of the maids, Linda, was a particularly lovely person, very reserved, quick to help with a smile - totally endearing. And strong in her catholic faith.
A few months ago, I learned that her brother had been killed in a car accident.
I sent her some flowers (the first time she had received flowers in her life!)a short note of condolence...and a little bottle of (miracle) water from Lourdes.
Since she is illiterate, she got her son to write a reply to me, and she was clearly very touched by my thoughts which had given her quite a lot of moral support.
Her life has always been difficult, and will not change in the near future.
She will never fly a plane into a skyscraper, neither will she reject a homosexual.
In a way, one could say that her faith helps her to survive.
To survive with a smile!
Now everybody here knows that I am totally "atheist" (since we must use the word occasionally).
But I would never be able to say to Linda, "Take a bunch a flowers and accept that your brother has gone forever, there is no life after death, no Immaculate Conception, no Jesus to save you, so wipe your tears and get yourself a life."
Of course, I'm exaggerating the situation, but it gives me pause for thought.
Some of you here will disapprove of my hypocrisy in sending the little bottle of miracle water from Lourdes. And I will understand your disapproval.
I remain convinced that I did the appropriate thing. And I know it was appreciated as coming from my heart.
But the whole question of " the positive side of what life without religion could be like", while remaining an essential question, becomes a little trickier in its application.
My RD friends : your thoughts, please.

566. 'Irrational Atheist' trounces God-deniers

Comment #122737 by Richard Morgan on February 5, 2008 at 10:53 pm

Steve Zara :

I am also fascinated by the history of human reasoning, and I would love to write a popular book on the subject.

This whole subject suddenly becomes even more exciting. Does this mean that one day I will get to write my book on animal reasoning or inhuman reasoning?
(If you've ever met my ex-mother-in-law you'd understand that I am well-placed to expound on the latter...)
More seriously, Steve, you're just going to have to accept the fact that we folks enjoy and benefit enormously from what you have to say. So say it in a book, for RonaldMacDonald's sake!!!
Also Diacanu, if you're going to nourish your life with angst, at least make a living out of it!
We will be able to savour your style, and the critics will say intelligent things about your books like : "It's boulder-liftin' good!"
Non?

567. 'Irrational Atheist' trounces God-deniers

Comment #122641 by Richard Morgan on February 5, 2008 at 5:54 pm

Steve Zara :

I am about to start a blog, and I even have ideas for books.

Thank you Steve - I'm sure you've just given Diacanu at least two good reasons to want to wake up tomorrow.
Tomorrow i will celebrate Zara Day. before getting back to my unbroken series of Morgan Days.

568. 'Irrational Atheist' trounces God-deniers

Comment #122638 by Richard Morgan on February 5, 2008 at 5:48 pm

Diacanu :

This is horrible.
I wish I could just not wake up tomorrow.
Not looking forward to the future.

I just heard a Fundie snigger, "Typical nihilistic, neurotic atheist."
There.
I just smacked him in the face and made him eat teeth.
Please continue to despair as much as you want, my dear Diacanu.

569. Letters: Theology has no place in a university

Comment #122583 by Richard Morgan on February 5, 2008 at 2:09 pm

Bruce R. McConkie (Mormon big wheel):
"When the Brethren have spoken, the thinking has been done."
An indication of the intellectual originality we can expect to find in the Mormon church.
A Mormon President?
Interesting.

570. Letters: Theology has no place in a university

Comment #122473 by Richard Morgan on February 5, 2008 at 10:04 am

hes2@usa

I appreciate people who think. And interact intellectually.

Well, I never thought I'd see the day, but there, I have to admit, we have something in common: I, too, am appreciative of people who possess talents that I don't.
Keeps us humble, huh?

571. Letters: Theology has no place in a university

Comment #122417 by Richard Morgan on February 5, 2008 at 8:45 am

The Reverend D'Arc:

The end has been near for 2,000 years.

You know, 2000 years is less than the blink of eye on geological time scales.
It took more than 2000 years to evolve the eye and get it blinking!
In France a man can be expected to live to the age of 77 and a woman, 84. That means that the end is less than a century away for the French population.
Strangely, nobody's panicking.
Which just goes to show that men have a better deal than women - they marry later and die earlier. That's called "putting saltation into yer punctuated equilibrium".
No salvation without saltation!

572. Atheists to celebrate at Darwin Day in Coconut Creek

Comment #121838 by Richard Morgan on February 4, 2008 at 8:21 am

My wife says I have a "Selfish Gene" day every day. Since I've put on weight, she complains that every Friday night she celebrates "Climbing Mount Improbable", whereas she's be more interested in an Extended Phenotype.
Women...

573. Atheists to celebrate at Darwin Day in Coconut Creek

Comment #121791 by Richard Morgan on February 4, 2008 at 7:09 am

Steve Zara :

"Look at how those Godless people worship Evolution".

Reminds me of a discussion I had with a Brazilian evangelical biologist a couple of years ago.
I kept trying to point out to him how huge geological time periods were.
He said, "In a way, you could say that for evolutionists, Time rules."
I replied, "In a way, yes."
Of course he came right back at me with, "For me, Jesus rules."
I didn't actually hit him...

574. There Are No Ghosts in Your Brain

Comment #121734 by Richard Morgan on February 4, 2008 at 3:51 am

LorienRyan :

Atheism might not be a categorized philosophy, like Zen buddhism. Not believing in the existence of God would be a tenet of a philosophy, wouldn't it?

OK - just try this (it's something that is often suggested here) "My philosophy in life includes not believing in the Loch Ness Monster or fairies at the bottom of my garden (and anything my mother-in-law tells me about my wife.)"
Doesn't work, does it?

575. There Are No Ghosts in Your Brain

Comment #121721 by Richard Morgan on February 4, 2008 at 3:22 am

Thank you, Steve Zara. I don't know if there is anyone else here whose opinion I value more highly than yours, and I was hoping you would react.
Is it perhaps a cultural phenomenon, as LorienRyan suggests (and as I suspected), or is it just a "nobody's-perfect-not-even-my-mother-in-law" thing?
I'll post this in PZ's Blog to see how he reacts.

576. There Are No Ghosts in Your Brain

Comment #121712 by Richard Morgan on February 4, 2008 at 2:57 am

A very nice lecture. PZ was very polite with those people who kept interrupting with the "Aren't-I-a-clever-boy?" type questions. More power to yer elbow PZ!
But...
At the end I was left with a feeling of unease which may be due to the fact that I am European (British, living in France.)
Here are some examples of the kind of remarks that bothered me:
What atheism has to do...
Personal responsibility is the message we have to get across...
How atheism addresses common social needs...
Our challenge is to develop a coherent rational world view...
That's why I'm saying the ultimate solution is a "godless philosophy that fulfils certain needs in society and that can displace that religious impulse."
How can not believing in gods be a philosophy? And who, exactly, are the we that PZ refers to? Oops - to whom PZ refers?
And why should Atheism have to do anything?
Did this angle shock anybody else here? Or do you think PZ was just trying to adapt his remarks to his audience -
Minnesota Atheists practices positive, inclusive, active, friendly neighbourhood atheism in order to:
Provide a community for atheists -
Educate the public about atheism -
Promote separation of state and church?
When I look at countries that are largely secular, and where the majority of the population claims to have no religious belief, I am not aware that this state of affairs came about my replacing one philosophy with another.
Is is not rather a question of education and being reasonable?
Or do Atheist groups have to explain to people, "Now that you know there are no gods, this is what you need to do to be happy, fulfilled and behave in a moral way?

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

Comment #121238 by Richard Morgan on February 3, 2008 at 5:53 am

God is outside of time?
Great news!
Lock the door and throw the key away.
Diacanu : Yes, you should write a book. In fact, if you string all your comments together, you'll probably find that you have already done so.
You may have to call it a book of poems if you want to get it published, however, since you use a lot of short sentences.
But it's true, you have turned insulting people into an art form.Even my ex-wife could learn from you!

578. 'Irrational Atheist' trounces God-deniers

Comment #120922 by Richard Morgan on February 2, 2008 at 6:54 pm

Blacknad - My pathetic little story is NOT anecdotal evidence.
It is no kind of evidence at all.
It was never intended as evidence.
I was just wanting to share with my friends here on RD Net.
My "Friends". You have not yet earned that title.

http://www.esnips.com/web/For-RDNet-Friends

579. 'Irrational Atheist' trounces God-deniers

Comment #120912 by Richard Morgan on February 2, 2008 at 6:41 pm

zendal darkman : don't forget to use the link "Other comments by" then Control-F if you want to find things quickly in other people's comments.

580. 'Irrational Atheist' trounces God-deniers

Comment #120754 by Richard Morgan on February 2, 2008 at 12:41 pm

Talking about hearing voices...
In the Mormon church, the big boss president and Prophet gets messages from God for all of humanity.
"Stake" presidents get messages from God for the running of their "Stake".
"Bishops" get messages from God for the administration of their local church.
And all married men who are "priesthood"-holders HEAR the voice of god to guide them in running their family.
And every Mormon is entitled to ask god questions and get answers.
So why should Kardathingummy be so different?
Now if you have the good luck of having Mitt Romney as President (God forbid!!!!), then he will surely hear the voice of god giviing him hints on how to run the country and keep his millions safe.

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

Comment #120747 by Richard Morgan on February 2, 2008 at 12:32 pm

Off thread, perhaps, but I need your help,guys.
I have an existential problem, a WELSH existential problem.
Wales - 26 : England - 19.
HALLELUJAH!

But - a miracle without God.
Oh dear.
Oh deary, deary me.

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

Comment #120737 by Richard Morgan on February 2, 2008 at 12:14 pm

Did you notice the beautiful "Freudian slip" of the tongue from one of the presenters at the beginning?

Before we even begin the destru..., discussion..."

Whatever else got destroyed in this miserable programme, it was neither the theory of evolution, nor PZ Myers' reputation.
I have a question for my fine transatlantic friends : Is it normal for radio presenters to be such BAD public speakers, emitting more "errs" and "umms" than real words?
Also, how come this guy used so much valuable time explaining that they didn't have much time?
Overall, just another proof that there is NO discussion possible with IDers who have no Ideas.

583. 'Irrational Atheist' trounces God-deniers

Comment #120567 by Richard Morgan on February 2, 2008 at 2:54 am

The Six Nations Rugby Tournament starts today.
See you all on Monday.

584. Belief in Belief

Comment #120363 by Richard Morgan on February 1, 2008 at 2:16 pm

Titan :

Now, I guess until this happens to you it all sounds pretty unbelievable. But I assure you when it does happen to you, you don't care what other people think. You know who is at work.

I recognise this kind of life-changing experience.
I have seen it happen many times, with the Christian God, the Mormon God, the Baha'i God, Primal therapy, psychoanalysis, PNL, musicotherapy, Ericksonian hypnotherapy, astrology, falling in love, the list is almost endless.
Real change happens.
And every time the person concerned "knows who (or what) is at work".
Well, so do I.
It's the person concerned!
I'm always happy to learn that a person's life has changed for the better.
Just as long as the "who is at work" doesn't start giving orders to fly planes into skyscrapers.

585. 'Irrational Atheist' trounces God-deniers

Comment #120299 by Richard Morgan on February 1, 2008 at 11:50 am

Verylee :

VOX who??...sounds like a cheesy Italian boy band.

Vox Day.
As in the expression when you wake up with diarrhoea and somebody else's wife and you say, "Oh fuck, I'm in for another vox day today."

MPhil :

Sorry Radesq... my brain tends to shut down temporarily after a few good cocktails.

No problem, my fine friend - nobody will notice the difference.

586. 'Irrational Atheist' trounces God-deniers

Comment #120257 by Richard Morgan on February 1, 2008 at 11:12 am

ianmkz

THANK YOU

Apparently Adam and Eve spoke Welsh (my mother tongue) because some ancient scholar decided that they "spoke a language that no man could understand".
I have no proof, but I suspect this is not true.
"My wife says that I never listen to her. At least, I think that's what she said."

587. 'Irrational Atheist' trounces God-deniers

Comment #120203 by Richard Morgan on February 1, 2008 at 10:32 am

Has anybody read the studies that suggest that there may a genetical basis for fundamental grammatical structures?
Really - I'm being serious.
If so, is there an explanation for the survival advantages of a mutation called Glaswegian?

588. 'Irrational Atheist' trounces God-deniers

Comment #120185 by Richard Morgan on February 1, 2008 at 10:20 am

annabanana :

there tend to be discrepancies in European English and American English

There seem to be some discrepancies between your claims about the importance of grammar and what you actually write.
But I may be wrong.
My wife often points out discrepancies in my explanations for why I stay out late.
Just for the record, I am not a pedant, just the occasional smart-arse.
I appreciate your presence on the this site as much as I value Steve Zara's.

589. 'Irrational Atheist' trounces God-deniers

Comment #119890 by Richard Morgan on February 1, 2008 at 1:09 am

Just had a few hours sleep.
Caught up with this discussion.
Clearly the end is in sight.
At last.
Just wanted to retract what I said in Comment N°19 : I will NOT be downloading TIA.
And since no-one has seen fit to eliminate BTA from this debate, I will NOT be returning to this thread.

590. 'Irrational Atheist' trounces God-deniers

Comment #119735 by Richard Morgan on January 31, 2008 at 7:05 pm

Oh shit, BTA has colleagues AND distant relatives in space.
Scotty, beam them all up and hit them, please.

591. 'Irrational Atheist' trounces God-deniers

Comment #119630 by Richard Morgan on January 31, 2008 at 5:45 pm

Radesq:

do we have any idea where midpoint of the universe today is (if there could be such a thing?)

According to some earlier posts, apparently it's somewhere in Yorkshire.

592. 'Irrational Atheist' trounces God-deniers

Comment #119619 by Richard Morgan on January 31, 2008 at 5:37 pm

Radesq :

Any proofs of God's existence yet?

Yes, plenty, but it just went to bed.

593. 'Irrational Atheist' trounces God-deniers

Comment #119610 by Richard Morgan on January 31, 2008 at 5:30 pm

Becomethearrer :

Can't win for losing, maybe you can get Richard to ban me and you can find some fool for your fodder.

I'm sorry, but I'm not in a position to ban anybody from this site.
In fact I was rather touched by

Don't you hate it when you can't fill your empty holes with me?

because I thought you were making advances...

594. 'Irrational Atheist' trounces God-deniers

Comment #119588 by Richard Morgan on January 31, 2008 at 5:11 pm

Goldy :

You, sir, are a prize fuckwit of the highest order.

I'm sorry, Goldy, I have to disagree with you here. The "sir" is quite inappropriate.

Fuck off and leave us clever, intelligent and rational people alone.

Actually, I'd rather like to stay around a while, if that's all right with you guys. I can't honestly identify with the aforementioned "clever, intelligent and rational people."
But my mother loves me.

595. 'Irrational Atheist' trounces God-deniers

Comment #119550 by Richard Morgan on January 31, 2008 at 4:52 pm

Blacknad :

What have I done wrong apart from not agree with you?

You still up?

...would be interested to know if I'm wrong.

Ah, if only that were true. The best thing you've said all night. You're almost speaking like a scientist.
Unfortunately, I don't believe you - in this context. The rest of us are almost passionately interested by the idea of being wrong. But as for you and the rest of the god-squad...

596. 'Irrational Atheist' trounces God-deniers

Comment #119530 by Richard Morgan on January 31, 2008 at 4:44 pm

Blacknad :

If you have a reasonable question I will do my best.

Reading what you have already said, I am only partially reassured to learn that the "best" is yet to come.
Seriously, you can go to bed now - with a good book or with somebody who has read one.
You could try "The God Delusion" if you're alone tonight.

597. 'Irrational Atheist' trounces God-deniers

Comment #119463 by Richard Morgan on January 31, 2008 at 4:11 pm

Blacknad : Please feel free to go to bed. We will try to survive without you.

598. 'Irrational Atheist' trounces God-deniers

Comment #119455 by Richard Morgan on January 31, 2008 at 4:02 pm

Blacknad :

and the bombshell: "Towards the end of the Middle Ages, religious scientists.....

"Religious scientists" in the Middle Ages?
What on earth does that mean?
That there was a plethora of non-religious scientists?
And you consider that a "bombshell"?
Oh, deary, deary me...