Comments by Canuck#1
51. Richard Dawkins on Hardtalk
Comment #58568 by Canuck#1 on July 25, 2007 at 7:52 am
The interview was one of the hardest I have ever sat through.....at least 18 times I was on the verge of shutting it off, but then I found a way to make it through......first I counted the number ot times RD was interupted....a new record for Guiness (spelling ???)....an an academy award for the broadcaster who presented more of his views than the person he was interveiwing. In spite of it all RD remained calm and polite. I think I would have told the "jerk" to "get stuffed".
52. Response to the God Delusion
Comment #58152 by Canuck#1 on July 23, 2007 at 5:37 pm
The speaker is of course re-iterating the accepted line, somewhat cloaked in a coat of mysterious numbers and extended ideas. For a different take on Genesis plus other opinions on Christiamity, its foundations and its role in the 20th century, visit.....http://canuck12.blog
53. Believing the Unbelievable: The Clash Between Faith and Reason in the Modern World
Comment #56544 by Canuck#1 on July 16, 2007 at 8:26 am
..... but my Christian neighbour doesn't leave me alone.... my son isn't taught evolution, my gay friend is treated like a leper, research that would save the life of my daughter is vilified, my grand daughter is denied an abortion, I am condemned because I oppose the rights of God's chosen people to scoop up territory in the middle East............so don't tell me that Christianity is harmless......back to you.
54. Believing the Unbelievable: The Clash Between Faith and Reason in the Modern World
Comment #56458 by Canuck#1 on July 15, 2007 at 9:46 pm
To sit down and talk on a one-to-one basis t0 the champions of rationalism I would choose the following order:
1.Sam
2.Daniel
3.Richard
4.Chris
Seems churlish to put Richard 3rd on his own site, but............
Comment #55261 by Canuck#1 on July 10, 2007 at 11:27 am
I was going to writ a legthy repsonse too dis arrticle but I thot somebode myght korect ani mis-takes I mite mak....sew foreget itt.
Comment #55223 by Canuck#1 on July 10, 2007 at 9:36 am
I would love to show this article to all my old and former friends.....the pastors, the parishioners, my fellow students at Bible school... although all the reactions on site are brutal and cutting and insulting....they would be nothing to what would be written by these people. They would absolutely and completly condemn this version of "religion" as would 99% of all religions.
57. Won't anyone stand up for God?
Comment #54544 by Canuck#1 on July 7, 2007 at 5:39 pm
Who believes all of this....the Bible as the word of god, the divinity of Jesus and his resurrection, heaven and hell, miracles, the answers to prayer....just all the people I grew up with, all the people I went to Bible school with, all the TV evangelists and all the people sending them money (in the millions)..... These are the people who, if it were allowed, would be burning atheists like us at the stake....that is who.
58. Inferior Design: Richard Dawkins reviews Behe's lastest book
Comment #53291 by Canuck#1 on June 30, 2007 at 3:16 pm
You are right on....a superb dismantling job of the author specifically and the ID approach generaly. However.....the "christian community" is a different story. Lavish praise for the author who has defended ID so well and puts nasty old Oxford professor in his place. Church libraries will have this book on prominent display.
59. The infinite wisdom of Richard Dawkins
Comment #51753 by Canuck#1 on June 24, 2007 at 5:13 pm
Yes I am Canadian and I disassoaciate myself from Messrs. Allemang and Brean. "Look how smart we are.....we demolished an Oxford prof. by revealing things like he spilled his coffee or by making him a Moses like figure receiving his information on stone tablets..... All these writers accomplish is to remind us that some individuals never get beyond the teenage years. As a retired teacher your mark is D-..... the articles are shallow and self-serving....Look at me, I can write without one worthwhile idea. A rewrite is due next week!
60. An Inquisition in science's name
Comment #51271 by Canuck#1 on June 22, 2007 at 7:26 am
Forgive me, but the whole debate is Quite SILLY....god(s) exist(s) because humans have decided he/she/they do ......so they (humans) create gods that suit their times, problems, likes, dislikes....so god(s) exists in a thousand forms with special people who exist to explain exactly what god wants, needs, demands. As RD and others say so often....believing in the christian god is no better or worse than believing in zeus.
61. An Inquisition in science's name
Comment #51211 by Canuck#1 on June 22, 2007 at 12:49 am
PLEASE......why all the "the wailing and knashing of teeth" (a biblical quote for the "faithful"). He has simply chosen a rather creative approach to repeat the same "tired and worn out" arguments that have been repeated ad infinitum by the "believers". He has been doing this every Sunday morning for years. (My parents adored him.)
62. The Future Forum Presents: Christopher Hitchens and Marvin Olasky
Comment #50366 by Canuck#1 on June 17, 2007 at 8:18 am
A complete waste of CH's time and talents as well as mine. Every time I listen to one of these debates I make a vow it is the last time....and every time there I am again, suffering through another wasted hour. One interesting footnote Olansky really wrong-footed CH with his opening statement....spending 15 minutes proving Christianity does not poison everything. CH pauses waitng for something else .....and easily disposes of it in one statement..and that really was the end of any debate. The other interesting point was watching Olansky squirm and sweat to try to justify the slaughter of the Malakites. I hereby swear that is my last debate ..........until the next one comes along.......
63. The Future Forum Presents: Christopher Hitchens and Marvin Olasky
Comment #50364 by Canuck#1 on June 17, 2007 at 8:18 am
A complete waste of CH's time and talents as well as mine. Every time I listen to one of these debates I make a vow it is the last time....and every time there I am again, suffering through another wasted hour. One interesting footnote, Olansky really wrong-footed CH with his opening statement....spending 15 minutes proving Christianity does not poison everything. CH pauses, waitng for something else .....and easily disposes of it in one statement..and that really was the end of any debate. The other interesting point was watching Olansky squirm and sweat to try to justify the slaughter of the Malakites. I hereby swear that is my last debate ..........until the next one comes along.......
Comment #50199 by Canuck#1 on June 15, 2007 at 4:17 pm
Thank you ketandev.......the perfect and logical next step to my message...time to move on!
Comment #50165 by Canuck#1 on June 15, 2007 at 11:55 am
I, like the rest of you enjoy these debates....but I wonder if my time as well as that of the debater (for our side) could not be put to better use. If the aim is to convince Christians it's a waste of time. Christians who saw the debate are cheering another rousing victory for the good guys..... and of course this site celebrates another victory for Hitchens and therefore for our side. This happens because the debaters are speaking two different languages. In the end people hear what they want to hear. The writings of RD and others minus the rhetoric, biased moderators.... will convince far more people.
66. We stand awed at the heights our people have achieved
Comment #49628 by Canuck#1 on June 12, 2007 at 4:06 pm
Of all the aspects of christianity I find prayer the most irrational......the most unbelievable....the most filled with contradictions. Praying fot a sick person to get well and he dies...well it was god's will...he gets well.....our prayers were answered....a win/win proposition. There is also the proposition that the more people who pray the more chance the prayer will be answered.....god speaks....1,999 prayers, not enough,let the floods continue, up the casualty list... but we still pray. How can anyone continue this irrational behaviour...but of couse they do. In fact there are people praying for my return to the fold.......pray on if it makes you feel better but please try to understand the futility.
67. Tome truths
Comment #49341 by Canuck#1 on June 11, 2007 at 2:52 pm
Christians are in fact receiving exactly what they deserve. For years they have been on the offensive, gaining all sorts of privleges and damning the atheists to an eternity of suffering. Now they are on the defensive and it turns out to be a very porous defence.....mostly a whining of...."just you wait, god will deal with you." The article is excellent, the books are literate, well written.........I love to see the backlash...means our message is getting through. PS....lets ignore the spelling errors.
68. Should Science Speak to Faith? A dialog between Lawrence Krauss and Richard Dawkins
Comment #47800 by Canuck#1 on June 5, 2007 at 2:41 pm
An interesting discussion. I think both approaches have their place. Facts to the evangelical wing of Christianity mean nothing - they are manufactured to seduce the faithful and must be dealt with through prayer and a continued faith in the "inspired word of god-the Bible. How can you fight that.... On the other hand I think there are many christians who really don't care very much, but will continue to attend because that is what they do. So I guess what I am saying is....it does not really matter what approach is used. FIRE AWAY...and hope there is some effect.
Comment #47760 by Canuck#1 on June 5, 2007 at 12:58 pm
We are dealing with a problem with no solution - for the christians, they are following the word of God-bring up a child in the way that he should go and and he will not depart from it. Further, growth in christianity is seen in two perspectives - from without (new converts) and within (the children). Add to that the child's immortal soul is at risk and the fight against any interference in the rearing of their children would be a fight to the death....which means (in my opinion) there is nothing to be done about this except to continue to get the message out and hope that eventaually some people will realize where the truth is......in rationalism.
70. Atheism shall make you free
Comment #46923 by Canuck#1 on June 2, 2007 at 8:19 am
Religion, with all its myths will never disappear in spite of all the proofs that make it nothing more than the Greek or Norse myths. As long as people fear death....as long as TV evagelists cry and beg and threaten......as long as schools exist from elementary to univsersity whose main purpose is to prove the biblical myths....as long as prayer is answered by what you want to happen or god is against it happening.....as long as you can feel safe among others of similar belief from the cradle to the grave. Winning for me is that I have found a peace and joy I never found in the church. Still it is interesting to debate and argue and read the messages and know there are others who feel the way I do. Amen and amen.
71. Hitchens and Prager Debate
Comment #46370 by Canuck#1 on May 31, 2007 at 3:47 am
In answer to THE question I would reply NO! Of course then I would be asked to explain why.....because they would be in their missionary mode.....and they would probably try to convert me or at least pass me a leaflet telling me where I as a sinner will spend eternity.....makes "muggers" seem preferable!
72. A Look at Regent University
Comment #46366 by Canuck#1 on May 31, 2007 at 3:26 am
As a former fundamentalist I know how their minds work......today the U.S.A....tomorrow the world. As a Canadian and next-door-neighbour we would be target #1.......so my support is twofold....to support the efforts to stop this obcenity and to save my country. Doesn't their self-righteousness make you want to "throw up".
Comment #45050 by Canuck#1 on May 26, 2007 at 3:22 am
I can believe any thing I want to believe.... that is what makes me human and free....having facts to support this is good but not necessary.... I believe I am one hell of a stud...that the moon is made of green cheese...we all have our favourite fantasies. If I want to believe in theistic evolution (I don't) that is my privledge as a human.
74. Teachers rebel over atheism promotion
Comment #45046 by Canuck#1 on May 26, 2007 at 2:52 am
AS A RETIRED teacher from a system that did not allow any outside organization to advertise in the schools I cannot believe this......utter nonsense. There is enough stress to teaching without being a "shill" for some outside organization.....and that includes all of them no matter how the community feels, no exceptions.
75. I Don't Believe in Atheists
Comment #44455 by Canuck#1 on May 24, 2007 at 8:51 pm
The author has staked out an interesting (perhaps this is not the right word-lets try lonely, precarious) ground for himself. The reaction of the atheist community has been well expressed in the comments preceding mine. However, the reaction of the of the christian community would perhaps be even stronger. He tears down everything about christianity that believers treasure. They would say what he describes is not the religion of jehovah, Abraham, Jesus.... Followers of Islam would feel the same. He defends nothing but his own view of what religion should be, some intangable, feel good approach. Unfortunately he proves nothing.
76. The Fastest-Growing Religion
Comment #42581 by Canuck#1 on May 18, 2007 at 1:11 pm
My personal relationships, closely followed by nature are the two most important aspects of my life since I walked away from christianity. My attitudes towards nature include concern for its well-being, awe for its grandeur, well being in its peacefulness.........If religion is any of these then I guess I am religious, ie a witch.
PS I live 20 kilometers from Niagara Falls.
Comment #42574 by Canuck#1 on May 18, 2007 at 12:46 pm
I thought the article was excellent....I loved some of his responses.....brief,to the point...I would hope that there is room for differences,questions,argument within the framework of atheism. As a veteran of 35 years in the camp of conservative christianity (three of these at Bible school) I would suggest that there many reasons people are there besides beliefs........comfort, friendship, music, social times....and many more that are for many people the basis of a happy life. Unfotunately atheism does not, to any degree, offer this. Leaving the church is a traumatic decision in a lot of ways unrelated to beliefs.
78. The Colbert Report: The Intolerant
Comment #42158 by Canuck#1 on May 17, 2007 at 6:04 pm
Brilliant, simply brilliant..........but those who should hear it won't..........or even worse will hear it and have no idea what it is all about. My favourite moment.......What are the 10 commandments.........DUH....
79. Television evangelist Falwell dies at 73
Comment #41675 by Canuck#1 on May 16, 2007 at 2:46 pm
How could we possibly express our feelings without "FUCK".
*adjective - "..fucking jerk"
*noun - "...you fucker"
*verb - ".... fuck you"
......however like any overused expression it becomes a meaningless cliche. There are so many other words that may be used to describe the reverend Mr. Falwell.......pompous, bigoted, self-righteous,phoney... Lets see how many other words we can come up with to describe the late, "lamented reverend Jerry....
80. Television evangelist Falwell dies at 73
Comment #41257 by Canuck#1 on May 15, 2007 at 5:39 pm
some observations and thoughts on the death of Jerry Falwell.......
*the game is rigged in the Christians' favour - if they are right they get heaven we get hell, if we are right we both get nothing
*given the people who are going to be there -Falwell, Hagee, Robertson et al. hell may turn out to be a better option
.on the other hand the people in hell - there are so many people I would like to spend time with, so many questions I would like to ask, not the least of which is- "Why did you dump me?"
The fact is that the religious view of heaven and hell have created the basic problem with dying hoping for heaven, scared of hell when both are simply human creations.
BON VOYAGE jERRY!!!!!!!!!
81. Why Christopher Hitchens is not Great
Comment #40715 by Canuck#1 on May 14, 2007 at 7:02 pm
Saw the article's title and the author and said to myself-"DON'T READ IT, Don't Read It, don't read it....... I read it. The Christian Right may be holding a special meeting to celebrate how Hitchens was destroyed once and for all. "Praise the Lord." I hereby swear I am not going to read the next "christian soldier who steps forward to defend the faith. Perhaps a warning should come with the article-"too much drivel is bad for your health"
82. The Case Against Intelligent Design: The Faith That Dare Not Speak Its Name
Comment #40137 by Canuck#1 on May 13, 2007 at 9:45 am
post script
I think to complete his work he should deal with the banana....creationism will be forever destroyed in all of its many guises.
83. The Case Against Intelligent Design: The Faith That Dare Not Speak Its Name
Comment #40136 by Canuck#1 on May 13, 2007 at 9:36 am
As a retired teacher I could not help but mark the essay-well written, well organized, a complete grasp of the subject, arguments logical and to the point....A+...but of course for christians the fight is far from over. In fact it will never be over no matter what. You lose this battle and the rest of the bible becmes suspect. As good as the essay is it means nothing to the christian "right" - it is obviously the work of Satan.
Comment #39975 by Canuck#1 on May 12, 2007 at 1:10 pm
Atran can say what he does because like many christian scientists he lives in two different worlds. One is a world of praying and singing and emotional comittment and a next world mentality.....and the other a world of rationality and proof and logic and a this world mentality. Must be difficult but somehow they can live with it.
85. God Exists. A Formula Proves it.
Comment #37921 by Canuck#1 on May 6, 2007 at 9:37 am
I think we should all write a letter ot thanks to the "good" professor.....he has saved us the job of making him look foolish. It sounds like a fantasy novel (a bad one) written by a high school student. If I were still a christian I would be ashamed to to be associated with it....christianity is all about faith, but of course, as seen by several comments they love it. STRANGE IS IT NOT??????????
86. Christians and Atheists to Debate Existence of God in First-Ever 'NIGHTLINE FACE OFF'
Comment #37122 by Canuck#1 on May 3, 2007 at 12:35 pm
PLEASE, PLEASE not again-surely every thing that has gone before should predict the scenario that will play out........an audience loaded with "devout" christians, dabaters who are speaking two different languages and live in two different worlds. We can put our time to better use..still I will tune in and be as frustrated as everyone else. GOOG LUCK TO OUR SIDE.
Comment #35980 by Canuck#1 on April 29, 2007 at 5:03 pm
Again the debate..... and when it's over we will make fun of their arguments, the lack of any kind of substansive proof other than the Bible ...and the Christian side will claim complete and utter victory and 100 million Americans will agree with them. Our only hope is that some where some lost
soul looking for the truth will find it and walk away from Christianity. To hope that anything else will be accomplished.......forget it.
88. The God disunion: there is a place for faith in science, insists Winston
Comment #34838 by Canuck#1 on April 25, 2007 at 12:22 pm
This is a comment not only on the article but also on the debate that rages on the RD site.First, I am an atheist having "come out" of the most fundamental/strictest version of Christianity. Secondly, the debate and exchanges that take place on site are often so vitriolic and vindictive that the message itself is lost. Thirdly, the enemy is not Chritianity as such but the conservative,fundamental, right wing version, the ones who brainwash their children, scream their message, picket the abortion clinics ....and condemn the liberal Chritians as much or more than we ever could. In fact for most other "Christians" church is a Sunday duty but has no relationship to the rest of their lives. Fourthly, the real problem is the destruction of a planet and its species, whose development has been so beautifully explained by RD. By all means use the rifles on Chritianity, but save the canons for the selfish, grasping, exploitive industrieswho may eventually make all truths inconsequential. (see VANITY FAIR, May, 2007)
89. Vote for the Time 100 - Are They Worthy?
Comment #34633 by Canuck#1 on April 24, 2007 at 6:29 pm
HOW CAN IT POSSIBLY MATTER THAT RICHARD IS FIRST OR EVEN THAT HE IS ON THE LIST. IT CERTAINLY DOES NOT TO ME AND I WOULD THINK RICHARD MIGHT FEEL THE SAME WAY, BUT MAYBE NOT ..... TAKE A LOOK AT THE OTHER NAMES THERE. DO YOU REALLY WANT TO SAY YOU BEAT OUT BARRY BONDS et al... I know how Richard has affected me and I'll live with that. He is #1 for me.
90. Against God
Comment #32287 by Canuck#1 on April 16, 2007 at 5:05 pm
"just because something isn't true doesn't mean it isn't real."
You have to have been brought up in "fundamantalist Christianity to understand how true this statement is...god answers prayer, eternity is a choice of heaven or hell, Jesus died to save us, he rose again, god is somehow a trinity ...and on and on ...in spite of logic, ridicule, criticsm, insults...the fact they glory in this because the bible tells them this is the way it will be. All of these things are as natural to them as breathing. Their dedication to it is emotional, physical, mental. What does atheism offer in comparison... THE TRUTH but none of the above. Choose my Christian friends ..... I know because I opted for the truth and my former friends are praying for me.
91. Nisbet and Mooney in the WaPo: snake oil for the snake oil salesmen
Comment #31965 by Canuck#1 on April 15, 2007 at 4:14 am
Again trying to do the impossible - when will people understand there is no middle ground. You are either atheist or chritian there is no middle ground. Each is antagonistic to the other - ying and yang, darkness and light, knowledge and faith, mind or "heart" ...... well anyway you understand what I am saying.
92. Medical 'Miracles' Not Supported by Evidence
Comment #31783 by Canuck#1 on April 14, 2007 at 9:29 am
Talk about a word that is misused - I grew up on a farm and without "bullshit" or other kinds of shit you would soon be cultivating barren ground. If you are talking about human shit if you stop producing it you die, so lets find a term that is not associated with our well-being. THANK YOU. Plus using the term "ad infinitum" is really boring and the word loses its "punch". I know it was wonderful the first time you used the forbidden word but, it's time to give it up!
93. For God's Sake
Comment #31657 by Canuck#1 on April 13, 2007 at 4:47 pm
First as Canuck#1 much of what I hear and read with regard to the Christian Right, its motives and its aims, in my view does not exist in Canada even though the P.M. comes from a similar background. We have had a number of provincial premiers active in conservative Christianity - in Alberta, Sasakatchewan - with no ill effects and in some cases they have instituted the begining of the early social programmes. Of course Quebec has had the Catholic Church for years operating parallel to the government. Laws have been changed in some cases in spite of RC opposition. So in fact if you are worried come to Canada. Things are fine. I do listen to the Christian Right rants on TV and ... words fail me. They are quite unbelievable. I guess not - thousands believe.
Comment #31037 by Canuck#1 on April 10, 2007 at 6:24 pm
As I came to atheism later in life I never went through this, but I can imagine what my experience would have been.. different but just as devastating, maybe even more so. I grew up in the fundamental milieu and I think the scenario would have been as follows - shock, tears, prayer, a visit from the "Pastor", readings from scripture, the silent treatment,and the unspoken condemnation that I had brought shame on the family...and if all else failed the spectre of hell fire.
95. Militant atheists: too clever for their own good
Comment #30788 by Canuck#1 on April 9, 2007 at 8:13 pm
Of course they are going to be nasty, illogical, use personal attacks based on appearance and hairstyle.... when that is reaLLY ALL THE AMUNITION THAT THEY HAVE. Try to see it from their point of view ...the faith that has sustained them for years is being threatened and destroyed. They have nothing else to lean on...so they get nasty. Not easy being religious these days.
96. Praying for the Apocalypse
Comment #30783 by Canuck#1 on April 9, 2007 at 7:54 pm
At what point are we going to stop being surprised and upset by this kind of rant. It has ever been thus ...and ever will be thus, world without end..Amen. One hundred...a thousand....ten thousand years from now someone will still be talking about the end times, the tribulation,the judgment.........
Comment #30335 by Canuck#1 on April 7, 2007 at 4:34 pm
When will the "Christians" post/publish an article that is true to the basic tenants of Christianit - faith/trust/belief/hope....They try to prove things that in fact they only believe. If you are going to be "saved" you must trust in God, you must believe Christ rose from the dead, you must accept he will return, that there is a heaven, a hell....and yet when they argue with us (atheists) suddenly they can prove it all.
98. The God Debate
Comment #29069 by Canuck#1 on April 1, 2007 at 1:33 pm
I so agree with Yorker - it's apples and oranges and a lucid and rational debate is impossible...a complete waste of time. Faith and rationality are incompatable.... and the fact is the bet is still worth taking on the side of rationality. You will not waste hours and days listening to sermons berating you to have more trust, to change your life, to....... It never ends. I've been there.
99. Dawkins says religion is 'like sucking a dummy'
Comment #28661 by Canuck#1 on March 30, 2007 at 9:46 am
Dummies usually calm babies, providing some peaceful sleep for everyone. It doesn't work for everyone. I never found any peace in Chritianity. Of course the sad thing is that adults do not need soothers, most adults anyway.
100. Hell is real and eternal: Pope
Comment #28526 by Canuck#1 on March 29, 2007 at 3:11 pm
"Funny" (well not really)after all these years, just for an instant I have this horrible feeling in the pit of my stomach - scared "shitless". This is a flashback to my youth listening to an "evangelist" describe what was waiting for me in the fires of "hell" - no escape, no second chance... now "hell" no longer exists - THANK YOU Richard and all the others who helped me to escape.
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