51. U.S. Congress Recognizing the importance of Christmas and the Christian faith

Comment #98157 by debaser71 on December 13, 2007 at 6:48 am

It's a display of christian dominance.

Some congress people did vote "nay".

52. U.S. Congress Recognizing the importance of Christmas and the Christian faith

Comment #98141 by debaser71 on December 13, 2007 at 6:17 am

This is why I fight.

The next person who suggests that I just sit back and take it...I'm gonna gonna gonna...talk to them.

53. Believe it or not

Comment #97699 by debaser71 on December 12, 2007 at 2:27 pm

"pick the wrong fights" my ass
"more harm than good" my ass

I will not be cowed into silent consent. I will fight them every time they impose their religion by using the machinery of the state because it's AGAINST THE LAW! The law is on MY SIDE.

54. An Open Letter to Richard Dawkins

Comment #96577 by debaser71 on December 10, 2007 at 6:20 pm

This priest is not only delusional in regards to religion but he's also delusional regarding the weight of his opinions. Delusions of grandeur. This guy is a fox news hack.

55. Atheists' sign sparks controversy

Comment #96264 by debaser71 on December 10, 2007 at 8:50 am

Oh how I love it.

My town hall, last year, placed an 11ft banner across the main entry that reads "God Bless America". I sent them a letter and when they didn't give me a good response (they claimed "ceremonial deism") I contacted a few groups. FFRF and CFI both sent letters to the town hall and the issue made the AP news and CNN. Anyway I heard so many people (on then ews, in person, in letters, etc) that "oh it's no big deal" "it's just some silly sign" "who cares" "why do you make such a big deal about it" blah blah. I told them that had the sign been pro-atheism or anti-religion people would cry foul. Anyway that there actually is an anti-religion / pro atheism sign out there, and folk are getting all bent out of shape over it (at least for me) brings me great satisfaction.

Here FFRF has an "action alert" about it.

http://ffrf.org/action/2005/babylon.php

I took those pictures.

56. Atheism's Wrong Turn

Comment #93439 by debaser71 on December 3, 2007 at 6:44 am

rubbish...anyway IMO write a letter (send an email) to the New Republic. A few weeks ago I emailed The Nation when they published an atheist bashing article and I had (imo) a good exchange with one of their editors.

57. For the glory of God

Comment #88419 by debaser71 on November 16, 2007 at 2:22 pm

"Faith exists on a spectrum. At one end are atheists like Dawkins who say they'll take a look at whatever evidence anyone cares to offer but they will not believe that which is not proven."

Do words not actually mean anything? Anyway otherwise an ok article.

58. Fox News Discussion on 'The Golden Compass'

Comment #85922 by debaser71 on November 7, 2007 at 1:35 pm

Freakin' amazing that folk would point the finger at Annie Laurie Gaylor. She's done more for rationalism than probably everyone here (save Mr. Dawkins himself) combined. This sort of in fighting utterly disgusts me.

Anyway I think it's great when atheists get to go ob Fox news and make a few points that many many people get to hear (perhaps for the first time). I can recall a time when I was flipping through channels and I saw Ellen Johnson from American Atheists on Fox news. I wasn't into atheism that much oin those days but she said some things that got me interested.

59. Jury Awards Father $11M in Funeral Case

Comment #84665 by debaser71 on November 3, 2007 at 6:53 am

harassment
n. the act of systematic and/or continued unwanted and annoying actions of one party or a group, including threats and demands.

Yeah like a said before, that words like harassment and abuse imply actions done over time, not one instance.

60. Jury Awards Father $11M in Funeral Case

Comment #84568 by debaser71 on November 2, 2007 at 2:29 pm

I find it curious as to why the article linked in the OP failed to mention that the protest occurred 1,000 feet away from the church and that the father didn't even know the protest was going on until he head about it in the media later in the day.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/bal-westboro1031,0,7191706.story

61. Jury Awards Father $11M in Funeral Case

Comment #84560 by debaser71 on November 2, 2007 at 12:56 pm

Since it was brought up here are the facts about the McDonalds coffee incident.

http://www.caoc.com/CA/index.cfm?event=showPage&pg=facts

linked from snopes

62. Jury Awards Father $11M in Funeral Case

Comment #84491 by debaser71 on November 2, 2007 at 7:03 am

Great hypothetical windweaver, better than my dead child molesting priest's funeral and the protesting victims.

63. Jury Awards Father $11M in Funeral Case

Comment #84125 by debaser71 on November 1, 2007 at 8:22 am

Just remember that it's a peaceful protest with notions of theology aimed at no one in particular. "God hates fags" is a theological statement. Note it's not, "Fred Phelps hates [insert proper name here]".

And I dislike having to call people out but the McDonalds coffee thing is bogus. The case settled out of court because McDonalds served coffee that was unreasonably hot. i.e. hotter than any reasonable person would expect. The woman also suffered bad burns on her crotch. I think she suffered much more than the family discussed here. And as much as I hate to say it, taking this to court seems to be tarnishing the memory of their son even further. Did the Phelps enter the funeral home or trespass on it's property? Did the Phelps go to the cemetery to bother the family there? I imagine that for 99% of the funeral services the Phelps weren't even capable being seen or heard.

Also place this in the context of 6 years of eroding civil liberties, a supreme court on the verge of radical conservatism, and religious folk going out of their way to get bent out of shape at any comments made against them. "suck it jesus" chocolate jesus, danish cartoons, koran in toilet. Remember when athesits/secularist go to court it's when the government over steps it's limits, not when citizens say or do something offensive.

As far as disturbing the peace or harassment, well those are criminal charges, this however is a civil case. If laws were broken then the Phelps should have been arrested first, and then stood before the court in a criminal trial.

I think people (maybe the Phelps) have protested at weddings.

And I know slippery slope can be fallacious but one day I might want to say protest a church oriented gathering, perhaps a funeral of some child molesting priest. I don't want this case setting precedence because we know damn well that people will seize upon this case, take the inch but then demand a mile.

I don't like to be contentious with my fellow atheists but I just want to suggest that one must be careful what they wish for...it might come true.

RL calls.

eta: forgot to mention that both abuse and harassment imply a situation where the bothering is longer than one instance. As in repeated botherings over a period of time. I don't think either word fits here.

64. Jury Awards Father $11M in Funeral Case

Comment #84074 by debaser71 on November 1, 2007 at 5:46 am

I am amazed that folk here think to have your feelings hurt is worth $11 dollars.

My town hall has "God Bless America" banners all over the place. The town hall has retroactively tarnished the memory of my wedding (which took place at town hall). I'd like a big $11 award too.

Anyway, I hope the decision is appealed and over turned. I very much enjoy free speech and I don't want to start sliding down a slippery slope because people cry hurt feelings and offense. Where's all the folk who go goo-goo over Christopher Hitches video on free speech? Just because it's a funeral, all that goes out the window? Think about it.

65. Most religious people are moderate, and don't hurt anybody

Comment #83406 by debaser71 on October 30, 2007 at 12:03 am

I'm tired but IMO the best phrases are "tacit endorsement" and "silent consent". Work those in somehow. (i'll vote tomorrow)

66. Atheists don't believe in anything

Comment #82658 by debaser71 on October 27, 2007 at 6:26 am

To say that atheists believe in nothing is to suggest that to believe in god is everything.

eta: hey I like my comment, it's short, simple, and doesn't make out atheism to be anything that it is not. Please rank this comment...I ranked others. DO IT!

67. God Talk on 'The View'

Comment #71626 by debaser71 on September 19, 2007 at 11:23 am

IMO that folk are talking about this at all is a good thing. And remember that conversation favors those with reality on their side. I say keep the conversation going, even low end (intellectually) stuff.

68. Interview with Francis Collins

Comment #68927 by debaser71 on September 9, 2007 at 6:24 am

I'd almost feel sorry for Collins if he didn't attack people.

69. The Rise of Atheist America

Comment #68923 by debaser71 on September 9, 2007 at 6:11 am

WND is a right wing rag with an agenda to push.

70. What do these atheists understand of religion?

Comment #67375 by debaser71 on September 3, 2007 at 6:40 am

Another terrible article but more promotion for us atheists. I'm glad when these religionists keep the discussion going because conversation favors those with reality on their side.

71. CNN Request for 'I-Reports' on religion

Comment #65567 by debaser71 on August 24, 2007 at 9:01 pm

SO I made a submission. I wrote it fast and only saved my draft copy.

"My non-faith based outlook is very strong.

Now let's first consider what one means when they use the word faith. Sure it can mean hope, trust, or fidelity, but these words already exist. There is no need to call these things faith. Faith however is believing something without evidence. Faith is what people fall back on when reasons fail them. There is no word better than faith to describe this.

So I do not have faith that the Sun will rise tomorrow, I have 36 years of personal evidence to suggest that the Sun will rise in the morning. I do not have faith my wife loves me, I can see that she does by her actions; again evidence. I don't have faith in humanity, I have historical evidence of human ingenuity. etc

I believe science and a reasoned outlook on life is under attack in modern society. From imposing nonsense into science classrooms, to politicians suggesting when and how we ought to be praying, to religious iconography in public schools. If the religious feel as though they are under attack, well then I suggest they stop trying to insist on imposing their religious beliefs by using the machinery of the state. I suggest they stop acting so damn sure about human origins, the origins of life, the universe, and what happens after we die. I suggest that they stop trying to intimidate (sometimes by force or threat of force i.e. Danish Mohammed cartoons) the rest of us.

And I take this time to say thanks to CNN. CNN has been airing many shows regarding the intersection of religion and politics in addition to general popular culture and nonbelief. I especially like when Ellen Johnson of American Atheists gets air time and I really enjoyed Paula Zahn's segments with Richard Dawkins and the folk from the Freedom From Religion Foundation."

72. Rational Atheism

Comment #64890 by debaser71 on August 22, 2007 at 7:46 am

I generally like Shermer but it seems to me that when he points the finger at other's people's approaching regarding atheism he undermines the so called new movement.

IMO it must come from all angles. From nice accepting approaches to in your face no holds barred approaches. So IMO if Shermer wants to help he can do so without condemning the bigger named atheists. Maybe he's a bit jealous?

73. Authors at Google: Christopher Hitchens

Comment #64090 by debaser71 on August 17, 2007 at 4:07 pm

Seems to me that most liberals are for the invasion of Afghanistan, isn't that military action in the middle east? Anyway I was considering sugar coating my phrase "military action" to be something like "aggressive foreign policy" but why bother?

So basically it might be that Iraq was the wrong war at the wrong time, but if so then where and when? I wish we would have "dealt" with some issues before the more radical folk have access to true weapons of mass destruction.

74. Authors at Google: Christopher Hitchens

Comment #64057 by debaser71 on August 17, 2007 at 12:48 pm

I am a liberal democrat and I think the United States should have taken military action in the Middle East a long time ago. I also think that it's a disgrace that Bush hasn't been impeached yet.

75. CNN Debate on Koran in Toilet

Comment #60262 by debaser71 on August 1, 2007 at 12:15 pm

"Get used to it."

76. OUT Campaign Launched, 'Scarlet Letter' Shirts Now Available!

Comment #59475 by debaser71 on July 29, 2007 at 7:42 am

A lot of comments, but here's mine anyway.

I like the "scarlet letter" idea but I just don't like the font of the "A" on the shirt. Anyway I hope others come out with variations of the same idea but with, for me, a better looking shirt. Plus I generally stay away from black or white shirts and stick with gray, blue, deep green etc.

eta: ahh I see there are other colors from the order website...Also today is my birthday yay. 36.

77. The hitch in Hitchens' thinking

Comment #58782 by debaser71 on July 26, 2007 at 5:47 am

Notice though that folk aren't afraid to condemn folk like robertson and dobson anymore. People do seem to be stepping into the gap that opens when a shift in general thinking occurs. So all these anti-atheist articles are IMO good news for us. We are pushing the debate in the direction we want. Conversation favors us.

78. Must the US president believe in God?

Comment #57679 by debaser71 on July 20, 2007 at 2:24 pm

Rising for the Pledge gives tacit support to it's contents.

That is unless you get out of sync and say, "one Nation, indivisible".

79. Must the US president believe in God?

Comment #57638 by debaser71 on July 20, 2007 at 11:49 am

All their godspeak makes me tune out and become cynical.

80. Using the 'Beauties of Physics' to Conquer Science Illiteracy

Comment #57149 by debaser71 on July 18, 2007 at 12:08 pm

I am very happy with my science education (with some minor exceptions of course) but I definitely see how others might have not gotten the same education I have. For me, I learn by association. Basically I build on what I already know. So for me, having a good understanding of the basics and foundations lets me learn more detailed and hardcore stuff with relative ease. I need a large scale coherent picture of what's going on.

81. Interview with Ayaan Hirsi Ali

Comment #56823 by debaser71 on July 17, 2007 at 12:18 pm

Wow, she crushed him.

82. Ten Politically Incorrect Truths About Human Nature

Comment #54878 by debaser71 on July 9, 2007 at 8:11 am

Lame article. Lame magazine.

83. Call for 'post-9/11' RE teaching

Comment #50361 by debaser71 on June 17, 2007 at 7:28 am

I am American and I went to high school in the 1980's. As part of our Social Studies classes I learned about religions. I distinctly remember reading comic books about Indian gods (vishnu kali etc. I remember learning about Iriqoui(sp)american indian myths (earth is a giant turtle, humans were bron from one mother who had twins, the bad twin came out the mothers arm pit, etc). In English class I learned all about ancient greek myths. But for me, what seemed to help nudge me on a path of not being religious was what I learned about christianity's history. FUll of violence, power seeking, wealth hording, and nonsense.SHit, I even learned about creationism in advanced placement biology class (basically a lesson in debunking it).

I guess my point is that I learned abour religion in classes that were already teaching me about other things.

84. Americans believe in both evolution, creationism: poll

Comment #48979 by debaser71 on June 9, 2007 at 8:44 pm

For me I alway question people's truthfulness when they take these polls. I mean seriously, who is going to risk slighting their faith for some pollster? I can remember when I was a very uncommitted catholic in seveth grade (age 13 or so). I'd still answer polls the way I thought the church would have wanted me to. Shit, I can remember the first time I put down "non religious" or something on a poll. It was like a test of my intellectually honest vs a commitment to my faith. Remember that faith is considered a virtue, that to belive something despite the evidence is a noble act. Some poll isn't going to get people's real answers on subjects but rather what they have been told to answer.

Another gripe I have with polls is that once you start answering them (like those calls at dinner) the more poll calls you get. The pollsters call people who already like taking polls. This means that polls aren't really random selected people but rather randomly selected people from a certain subgroup, not randomly selected people from all of the US.

85. The Myth of Secular Moral Chaos

Comment #48482 by debaser71 on June 8, 2007 at 6:18 am

I really like Sam Harris but I have a gripe with a certain atheist argument. Sometimes atheists like to argue that religionist think they get their moral from the bible or that god set up laws to follow but IMO these arguments are flawed. The religious are saying (and yes I realize that they abuse language) that god gave humans the capacity for morality. That humans can be moral at all is a gift from god. One doesn't need to read the bible or fear god to be moral, just that god gave morality as a gift (in His image sort of thing) to all humanity. So secularists can be moral (according to the religious) without having read the bible and without fearing/loving god because god gave them the gift of morality anyway, that the secularist just doesn't attribute their morality to god.

Yes some do claim that they get their moral guide from the bible but when pressed they often retreat to the position I decribed above.

86. Protesting the Creation Museum

Comment #48477 by debaser71 on June 8, 2007 at 5:55 am

I have to say it because Krauss seemed to echo these sentiments when regarding other people's activism regarding atheism and science. "This just makes atheists look like big party poopers and negative ninnies; aren't there more imp[ortant things to worry about; people will always have their irrationality; these actions do more harm than good; this won't reach out to the religious; etc"

ANyway I'm glad to see Krauss doing this. I just wish he wouldn't try and undermine other people.

87. Why Do Some People Resist Science?

Comment #46425 by debaser71 on May 31, 2007 at 7:07 am

Interesting article but I don't particularily agree wsith it. For instance when talking to children it's important to realize that they haven't grown up in a vacuum, that their caregivers and teachers have already imposed some false perceptions about the nature of reality onto them. Also children haven't learned all the intracicies of language so to talk about mind vs brain or whatever doesn't make me reach any conclusions about what their specific beliefs are. For example this notion of dualism, I call BS on it.

Anyway that these things get talked about and looked into at all IMO is a good thing, even if they get some things wrong at first.

RL call.

88. I'm Sure God is Scared

Comment #44666 by debaser71 on May 25, 2007 at 6:52 am

written by a 12 year old?

89. Angry atheists are hot authors

Comment #44463 by debaser71 on May 24, 2007 at 9:46 pm

The way I see it is that these articles talk about what's IMO an important topic, ATHEISM! Even though it's full of insults the very fact that atheism is being talked about at all is a good thing. That more people are open to talk about such things favors us. We have reality on our side.

Anyway most of these articles are just scrubs jumping on a badwagon and recycling the same set of negative adjectives (angry, militant, vehement, assault, etc) over and over. IMO they pretty much play into our hands by keeping the debate going.

90. 'Einstein - His Life and Universe'

Comment #44049 by debaser71 on May 23, 2007 at 8:21 am

yeah he did and I rolled my eyes

91. The Creation Museum: Prepare to believe

Comment #40991 by debaser71 on May 15, 2007 at 9:47 am

Over at some museums there are creationist tours where people can go through the museum and get a tour about the bible and whatnot. Maybe some folk do something similar but to talk about science on the tour through the creationist museum.

92. Christopher Hitchens Explains It All for You: Move over, Sam Harris; another atheist wants the pulpit

Comment #40972 by debaser71 on May 15, 2007 at 9:15 am

I read all these negative articles about the so called "new atheism" and all I can do is smile. These articles are clear examples of the wishy washy thinking involved in religious claims. And although many people will simply nod their head in agreement others will surely see right through their charade.

I seem to say this often, conversation favors those with realityu on their side. Let's keep talking, keep them talking, giving them enough rope to hang themselves with.

93. Anderson Cooper interviews Christopher Hitchens

Comment #39413 by debaser71 on May 10, 2007 at 2:43 pm

Other use it, I've used it, Hitchens uses it in the video. I like it. I think it's a great phrase.

"appeal to the supernatural"

94. Those fanatical atheists

Comment #38166 by debaser71 on May 7, 2007 at 6:55 am

Nice article. I especially like the sarcasm.

95. Bonobos and chimps 'speak' with gestures

Comment #37360 by debaser71 on May 4, 2007 at 7:26 am

This doesn't surprise me because I taught my infant children to sign several words. Like "more" "milk" "drink" "eat" etc. There's also a ton of non verbal communication between infants and parents, like arms raised to be picked up, smiles, etc.

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

Comment #33234 by debaser71 on April 19, 2007 at 4:32 pm

I look foward to watching it.

IMO it's Bill'O who needs to watch out.

97. Thanks for the Facts. Now Sell Them.

Comment #31994 by debaser71 on April 15, 2007 at 6:42 am

Dawkins has said that he's interested in fighting the larger battle of reason vs. superstition over the smaller skirmishes like evolution or global warming. That to get people to think clearly and reasonably in the first place would mean that the smaller issues would fall into place as well. I agree that this isx good for at least some people. But the bottom line is that we need people doing things from all angles to appeal to as many people as possible. See where Dawkins might scare some folk, he's inspiring others. Where Mooney appeals to people's political hatred of neocons Dawkins is appealing to people's skeptism regarding religon. All this infighting amont supposed reasonable and rational people disturbs me. In my opinion one could focus less on each other and more on "the enemy".

/rant off....fed up with the notion that there's only one way to get the publib on board with a scientific outlook.

98. Hey Mom, I'm an Atheist

Comment #30985 by debaser71 on April 10, 2007 at 2:03 pm

Disturbing however the camera is hidden and I know that personally I'd rather not have hidden camera recording me in my worst moments. It's just unfair.

Anyway this is a good example of the attitude some people have towards atheists. So even though the video is IMO unfair, I'm still glad for it.

99. 'God Is Not a Moderate'

Comment #30050 by debaser71 on April 6, 2007 at 11:53 am

I'm sure this has been posted elsewhere but this article is a must read for people who like to confront others about their beliefs.

http://www.csicop.org/si/2000-11/beliefs.html

"Why Bad Beliefs Don't Die

Because beliefs are designed to enhance our ability to survive, they are biologically designed to be strongly resistant to change. To change beliefs, skeptics must address the brain's "survival" issues of meanings and implications in addition to discussing their data."

100. Are You Right Eyed Or Left Eyed?

Comment #27742 by debaser71 on March 26, 2007 at 1:01 pm

I am right handed and left eyed. Interesting.