951. Debate between Richard Dawkins and John Lennox

Comment #80755 by Philip1978 on October 23, 2007 at 1:23 am

Dianelos
Here are some wild assertions
Your wife is sleeping with someone else, your son is gay, you have 6 toes and one eye, your car is coloured red.
How do I know this? Zeus told me

Now, think about this, if I, for one iota of a second, meant what I said above, if I really really pushed these points every single post I typed to you, what, I wonder would you type first?

I would need solid evidence to make such ridiculous comments, I would need to back it up, so I would say "But Zeus told me it was true, I know its true, you are only asserting from a Theistic point of view where as I have Zeus's help with my world view, its much better than yours!"

After that, what evidence would I need? I would have my Faith in Zeus, it would be so easy to counter any protestations you made after that. You could send in photos of your foot, even arrange a meeting face to face to show me you didnt have 6 toes and I could still say quite happily Zeus says its true you have six toes and you can't prove Zeus wrong.

After a while of this you would probably start getting angry with me, why oh why does this idiot keep telling me Zeus exists, that my wife is cheating on me, that my son is gay etc ITS NOT TRUE!
Oh but it is because my Zeus Ontology is better than yours!

So, there we are stuck in this daft argument, you getting the more frustrated, me wiffling away about Zeus. I hope you can see the futility of my position were I to keep asserting it, I could not back any of that up, there is no way I could. I could produce Greek poems etc I could do all sort of things but the big thing here is I could not provide Zeus, I could not provide the method of communication that I was using to say these things.

Most of all, since I have never met, seen, spoken to your wife or child, been anywhere near your car, let alone know its colour or possibly know how many toes you have. I need to be able to say those things if I had proof, something to back up my claims, I cant just make this crap up and then keep pushing it because of Zeus, it is completely and utterly ridiculous of me to even go for it.

As you can see from your posts, you are making similar mistakes, you keep claiming a lot of things but you can never get your God here to prove it. All the other posters who have been hacking away at your arguments wouldn't be saying what they do had they not done some proper research or something, they would be laughed at were they making it up, especially in the fields in which they work. All the time you have basically put it in as Dr Benway said "Goddidit" and have not backed that up in anyway shape or form and have constantly asserted that your views are better than others.

To be honest, its a tad frustrating when people are asking you to prove what you say and then have you do the equivalent of saying Zeus told you.

Philip

952. Debate between Michael Shermer and Dinesh D'Souza

Comment #80745 by Philip1978 on October 23, 2007 at 12:14 am

Diacanu
I was going to use the word **** but then I came to the conclusion it would be an insult to the word ****
Wretched is far too good for him, I can't find any words to express the sheer contempt I have for this bloke. He is up there on my list with the Pope, although I think the Pope is worse because he has more influence than D'Souza on an international scale. I don't even know why I am bothering to waste valuable muscle movement and motor functions to type these words for him, but hey ho,he will not destroy my will to be weird!

I am upset Shermer didn't take this man to task for all his drivel, it looks so easy, but then D'Souza is a much better debater. I hope Hitchens gives him a good roasting over the coals, we shall see

Philip

Philip

953. Debate between Michael Shermer and Dinesh D'Souza

Comment #80575 by Philip1978 on October 22, 2007 at 7:48 am

Cheers Quetz, I thought it was that evil little man. I have no time for him after the disgusting comments he made after that shooting.

For all of you who havent seen it, read this
http://news.aol.com/newsbloggers/2007/04/18/where-is-atheism-when-bad-things-happen/

All I can say is, to quote Dan Dennet, thank goodness there are people in this world who really care about the world. I hope this teacher is ok and that his students have benefited from his caring and wisdom

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2007/4/19/18451/0971

I can't find the words to express my dislike for D'Souza, he is a waste of space

Philip

954. Debate between Michael Shermer and Dinesh D'Souza

Comment #80538 by Philip1978 on October 22, 2007 at 5:19 am

Can someone help me here, is this the same D'Souza who wrote that disgusting article after that school shooting in Virginia or am I thinking about the wrong person?

Philip

955. Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams criticizes popular atheist writers

Comment #79942 by Philip1978 on October 19, 2007 at 7:26 am

frankie1958

Unfortunately it has become the norm to do such things,I too am getting bored with it. I know exactly what you mean but how else is he going to talk to his flock to make them oppose anything said or written by Professor Dawkins et al? He and other idiots use words like that so that the association in people's minds connects atheism with something bad. I also think it keeps them feeling comfy in the knowledge they can call them Militant because having to face up to the reality that they are the ones in the wrong is not an option.

Grumpy bastards!

Philip

956. Debate between Richard Dawkins and John Lennox

Comment #79915 by Philip1978 on October 19, 2007 at 3:01 am

Russell

Good post sir, I enjoyed reading that, some fine comments, thank you

Philip

957. Debate between Christopher Hitchens and Alister McGrath

Comment #79905 by Philip1978 on October 19, 2007 at 2:32 am

bluejway

What's wrong?

"Before you put me in your box (and the cultural zoo that you are preparing for theists like me when you take over the world)

What on Earth gives you that impression?

Really, I dont know who or what gives you this false impression about this site and the people who post on it but I suggest you really calm down. By all means provide arguments or joke around if you like but for goodness sake don't be so angry, spitting and frothing is not a good way to win an argument neither is making false and insulting accusations. People will continue to tease and poke fun if you keep thundering away like that, don't bother.
I would like to hope you are better than that, I for one am not part of the RichardDawkinsAtheistSelf-CongratulationSite.Net that you have labelled everybody with. I have been on this site for a heck of a while now and I see people praising good, intelligent debating like Hitchens does in this instance and criticising where there are faults. None of us here are perfect and do not presume to be so please don't assume such nonsense.
I hope you dont think I am being condescending here, its not my intention, but I would ask if you would stop hurling abuse, its not doing anyone any good
kind regards
Philip

958. Do you have to read up on leprechology before disbelieving in them?

Comment #79885 by Philip1978 on October 19, 2007 at 12:44 am

"Thomas said to them, "If I tell you one of the sayings he spoke to me, you will pick up rocks and stone me, and fire will come from the rocks and devour you."

I really don't understand what this has to do with what Jesus was asking them to do, he was asking them what they thought he was and then dear old Thomas marches back and says this, why? Isn't that all a little bit harsh?

I like the idea that Jesus in this story is asking his friends, well then chaps, who or what do you think I am? Fine, makes sense that the guy is seeing if his friends truly know what he is up to, makes some kind of sense to me. But to then add this ridiculous "you will have to stone me and then fire will devour you etc" sounds more like Eddie Izzard the comedian going off on of his hilarious but obscure tangents. Its a bit like saying "I went into a shop to buy a newspaper and whilst talking to the proprietor of the shop about the World Cup Rugby he suddenly turned into a large chocolate radiator called Geoff!" This is what it is like for me reading the Bible, you sit there and normal things are happening and the suddenly its all chocolate radiators!

I think this is why I can't read the bible properly, my brain cannot cope with the weirdness and continually questions it rather than just accepting it.

Revcort, how do you cope with it all?

Every time I read something like the pigs on a marathon story or Jesus's feet washing obsession, I immediately start thinking, well, why do that? Being Jesus surely he could get demons to sod off just by sending them away, pigs dont have to run 20 odd miles to jump off a cliff to get rid of them. Plus being the son of God don't you think he could keep his feet clean and smelling great purely by His divine will! Its just so odd and peculiar!

Ah well, at least I am sane enough to hear the Call of the Kettle telling me its 08:43 and its Time for Tea!
Beep! :)
Philip

959. Help Counter the New Atheist Crusade to 'Evangelize' America!

Comment #79624 by Philip1978 on October 18, 2007 at 1:32 am

Ha, I prefer memes over money any day of the week!
(If only they helped pay my mortgage!!)
I know what you mean though, they do have a lot of cash to hurl around and unfortunately they get places with it, but sod it, I will not stop hurling my memes across the world, after all they are rather...interesting!

Its half 9 in the morning, its sodding freezing and Tea is keeping my hands from falling off!
Bloody 6 degrees C, whoever turned the heating down outside is in for a right bollocking! :)

Philip

960. Do you have to read up on leprechology before disbelieving in them?

Comment #79618 by Philip1978 on October 18, 2007 at 12:57 am

Yikes, Revcort, please accept my sincere apologies for spelling your name wrong, I am a lowly English and History grad and therefore cannot spell properly!

Philip

961. Help Counter the New Atheist Crusade to 'Evangelize' America!

Comment #79615 by Philip1978 on October 18, 2007 at 12:50 am

Jack Rawlinson

Dear Coral Ridge Ministries,

I am proud to be a scary evangelical atheist. I know where you live and I am coming for your children. MUAHAHAHAHAHAHA!


Right on Brother Jack! Go get em!

Brother Brian, another great video sir, I salute you!

Sister V, go girrrll drink that Tea!

Bloody hell, we have got the fundies in a panic havent we, all this talk of free thinking and, yikes, non belief for kids must be really arsing up their time table. Ah I do so love it when they start quoting crap scripture as well, you can just see him ploughing through Biblegateway.com's keyword search "Ah, putting millstones around kids necks, that will do wont it, brilliant analogy!"

Rock on and drink Tea, speaking of Tea, I need another, V you want a refill?
Philip

962. Do you have to read up on leprechology before disbelieving in them?

Comment #79607 by Philip1978 on October 18, 2007 at 12:14 am

Ha, that would be a strange one wouldn't it! Picture the scene

Reverend Coat walks into his house and greets his wife

"Darling, sorry I am late had a bit of a mix up at the office, Holy Ghost kept insisting I had a message from a Brother John despite my insisting I don't know the fellow. They finally found out who it was, some beefy looking American chap, goes by the name of Court!"

:)

Philip

963. Debate between Christopher Hitchens and Alister McGrath

Comment #79392 by Philip1978 on October 17, 2007 at 6:44 am

Fides, I guess you missed Hitch's book title Religion Poisons Everything! :)

964. Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams criticizes popular atheist writers

Comment #79380 by Philip1978 on October 17, 2007 at 5:41 am

SG

I doubt it would be that funny, more along the lines of
Quare pullus crux crucis via?

The answer probably involves something like Propter Deus!

Check my Latin, its crap!
Philip

965. Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams criticizes popular atheist writers

Comment #79367 by Philip1978 on October 17, 2007 at 4:46 am

HughCaldwell

That is iconoclastic. I wonder what the Pope would have to say.

I would imagine Darth Benedict XVI would say something fantastically irrelevant and religious in Italian or German! :)

966. Debate between Richard Dawkins and John Lennox

Comment #79339 by Philip1978 on October 17, 2007 at 1:39 am

Dianlelos,
I really dont understand what you mean when you say Ayan Hirsi Ali had a "privileged" background. I dont call having a father in prison when you are born a privilege, I certainly dont call Female Genital Mutilation at 5 years old a privilege either, how you can say that is beyond me. Salmon Rushdie wrote a book, thats it, he wrote a book and someone ordered his death, who cares of his background, no human being should have to go through that.

Please dont start on gay rights either, the Anglican Church has pussyfooted around gay rights for ages and I would not call their arguments anywhere near advanced. I'd take note of what Steve99 said, getting abuse for expressing your love with a consenting adult is positively disgusting and I would hear no more of it.

Philip

967. Do you have to read up on leprechology before disbelieving in them?

Comment #79325 by Philip1978 on October 17, 2007 at 12:20 am

Brother John,

Good luck with the blog, I will definitely read it, if you could tell me when its done of course.

I am glad to say I am not a young man in a hurry, I do admit to being an optimistic lunatic but I learned a while ago that patience is the key to a lot of things.

"I can't answer all your points – and if I did, chances are that would only spark off more problems."

I am glad you are beginning to see that, I think that was my point that only you seem to know your God, Revcourt knows his pretty well, I'll warrant Rowan knows his pretty well and yet you are all still supposed to be praying to the same God.


A question: "Are you passionate to discover the truth about life?"

More than you could possibly imagine, after finding out that it wasn't in fact 42 I had to rethink things a lot! :) The best thing that could possibly describe what the "truth" to my life is would be Monty Python's Flying Circus's song "Always look on the bright side of life!". Like any normal human being I have doubts, I arse things up a lot, I can get depressed - the works. Great thing is I also make people smile sometimes, I think that counts for a lot in life.

So, clear your throats have a cup of Tea and if you all want to join in to the last two verses here we go...

For life is quite absurd
And death's the final word.
You must always face the curtain with a bow.
Forget about your sin.
Give the audience a grin.
Enjoy it. It's your last chance, anyhow.
So,...

Always look on the bright side of death,
[whistle]
Just before you draw your terminal breath.
[whistle]

Life's a piece of shit,
When you look at it.
Life's a laugh and death's a joke it's true.
You'll see it's all a show.
Keep 'em laughing as you go.
Just remember that the last laugh is on you.
And...

Always look on the bright side of life.
Always look on the right side of life.

Cheers, Philip

968. Debate between Richard Dawkins and John Lennox

Comment #79122 by Philip1978 on October 16, 2007 at 8:18 am

Dianelos,
You say "But considering how much better my theistic ontology works than any naturalistic ontology I find that very improbable"

How can you test conceptions of reality, especially the one you are making up?

Philip

969. Do you have to read up on leprechology before disbelieving in them?

Comment #79115 by Philip1978 on October 16, 2007 at 7:40 am

Brother John,
This is not an insult I promise, but I dont see much difference between your faith or Revcourt's in the sense that you both share the same unswerving belief in the God of the Holy Bible. To be honest I find both of your Faiths hard to swallow, but I think that's more to do with the fact I don't believe in what you guys do.

I don't know how best to describe this but I will give it a go, apologies if I mess this up

Let me start by asking a question, if you and he both believe in the same God, that is the Christian God of the Holy Bible, how come if you two prayed tonight for the same thing your answers would be different?

You said a few posts back you would pray for the Holy Spirit to have a chat with Revcourt, are you surprised to see it didn't work?

I would like to suggest (I am not saying this is right, I haven't had nearly enough tea yet to make outrageous claims to the truth!!) that you and he have had different experiences of God- You and he were taught differently so no wonder you don't agree. Had you been born in Islamabad, chances are you would not be a Christian, more likely Muslim. Had you grown up in ancient Greece I am more than sure you would believe the Nyx gave birth to the egg which helped created the Earth. Don't you think that your life experiences from where you learned you faith, especially those who taught you, have heavily influenced your choices about God and what He wants? I also think because of your age you have a couple more years experience than he has :) and therefore have more experience to fall back on.

I think another fascinating thing I have learned being on this site is I get people's faiths wrong most of the time. Look at the Archbishop Rowan Williams latest statement about how Professor Dawkins et all have not described what he and his fellow Christians know about God - The God in The God Delusion or Letter to a Christian Nation is not the God he believes in apparently. Do you agree with the God that Rowan believes in? I might make a crazy leap and say I bet if you got together for a chat with the old rascal differences would arise - and we are still talking about the God of the Christian Bible.

If only God would hurry up and sort this mess out darnnit!!

I hope I have explained myself, I have to bounce home soon so I can explain better when am back on the internet but I thought I would add the above.

Cheers
Philip

970. The God of the Bible is No Delusion!

Comment #79063 by Philip1978 on October 16, 2007 at 2:47 am

Down_under
I couldn't disagree with any of that, you are totally right.

I think the best answer to that is funnily enough something I learned off that Dan Dennett Video posted on the home page. The important thing I think is important is to understand WHY they believe what they do, I think the psychology behind it explains a lot about religious people in general.

Have a quick watch of it and tell me what you think,

Tally Ho

Philip

971. Do you have to read up on leprechology before disbelieving in them?

Comment #79047 by Philip1978 on October 16, 2007 at 1:43 am

Revcourt,
I was wondering if you would do me a favour? Can you watch Dan Dennet's speech that was recently posted on the home page and tell me what you think of it, I would be very interested to hear your reaction.
Cheers
Philip

972. Muslims tell Christians: 'Make peace with us or survival of world is at stake'

Comment #78879 by Philip1978 on October 15, 2007 at 8:19 am

Fanusi Khiyal

I think you have a good point, Islam is probably the more volatile a religion in its rules and justifications for the sort of violence they inflict on others

Christianity is just as evil as Islam, they just kill people in different ways.

Up until recently I would have said the IRA's horrific campaign would be a good example of Christianity's brutality, so many got killed over their religious differences

What I would say is Christianity kills in other ways, good example would be the AIDS epidemic in Africa, you can see that the ridiculous imposition of religious rules means people have to die. The rules are just as stupid and equally as dangerous to humanity.

I agree that Islam is only out to kill or convert in its most fundamental aspects but I still think Christianity is just as evil despite its more peaceful attitudes

Philip

973. Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams criticizes popular atheist writers

Comment #78799 by Philip1978 on October 15, 2007 at 12:51 am

The one thing that makes me laugh about this article is the way the goal posts are moved when somebody attacks religion. Immediately a statement is rushed out say

"Well, sorry Dawkins & co are just wrong because that's not our God you are attacking, I doubt someone from our religion would recognise the God you describe!"

I just love this bare-faced-living-in-denial reality people like Williams actually live in! Reason? Nay, I prefer Madness thank you very much, please don't question that!

Thank Quetz I dont have such delusions!

Philip

974. The God of the Bible is No Delusion!

Comment #78796 by Philip1978 on October 15, 2007 at 12:27 am

Mark,
I would like to say an almighty cheers as well, as I have said in the past, you are one of the few theist I enjoy typing to because you are an intelligent and well mannered man. I am sorry you are off but I am not sorry for have a chat with such a good bloke, take care!

JC
You must understand I am incredibly "English" when it comes to describing myself, if you often see me saying I am daft or complete duffer, its simply because I mostly don't take myself too seriously unless the situation requires it, I don't really think I am that daft...except after too many ales!

Billy, keep up the good work, its good to see Prophets doing something good for society instead of wasting valuable time, more Tea to you sir!

Tally Ho!
Philip

975. The God of the Bible is No Delusion!

Comment #78220 by Philip1978 on October 12, 2007 at 7:34 am

Lee
Keep shouting the physics, I am all for it! This silly duffer here needs to learn at some point in his life before he becomes and old dog! hehehhee!

Philip

976. Do you have to read up on leprechology before disbelieving in them?

Comment #78215 by Philip1978 on October 12, 2007 at 7:14 am

Corylus,
Just read your story, you have to kidding me, that guy didn't say that surely?

I know what you mean about questioning if you heard it right, I too would have been frothing at that one and thinking what an evil little ****

No wonder the word atheist is on the same par with the word **** in some parts of the world if that sort of rubbish is on the news.

Ah balls to Fox news, what do they know! :)

Philip

977. Debate between Richard Dawkins and John Lennox

Comment #78177 by Philip1978 on October 12, 2007 at 3:52 am

Actually Devolved

I rather feel Adam, Eve and Satan were set up. First He says to Adam:

Genesis 1:29
Behold, I have given your every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree ... to you it shall be for meat.

But then the old rascal says:

Genesis .2:17
But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it.


So here is your merciful God setting them up for a real fall(God is soon to be over 2 and a half million kills to his name not including casualties from the the Flood, plagues, fiery serpents and dear old Satan on -10 for killing Jobs wife and kids because he was told to by GOD!)

This says to me first off knowledge is forbidden, stay thick and just do what God says, but lets get to the set up.
God being the omniscient being he is supposed to be, should have KNOWN that Satan would get himself in the garden, He would have KNOWN Eve would have nicked the fruit and give it to Adam. Now, correct me if I am wrong but wasn't this one of the reasons Jesus died for, to save mankind from their sins and GOD SET IT UP! He goes and punishes them all for His messing around, what an absolute and utter bastard!

Good job he doesn't exist or I would be really angry! :)

Philip

978. Muslims tell Christians: 'Make peace with us or survival of world is at stake'

Comment #78145 by Philip1978 on October 12, 2007 at 2:02 am

Wouldn't be fun if these idiots did have a better understand of their faiths? They would then realise its all a load of man-made bollocks and slip off down the pub for a pint!
Cheers,
Philip

979. The God of the Bible is No Delusion!

Comment #78139 by Philip1978 on October 12, 2007 at 1:47 am

I am confused, I know it doesnt take much but help me here!

Right, as I posted a while back I seem to remember wiffling about how humans actually know, based on the most stringent, arduous and quite frankly so mind bogglingly difficult tests, about 5% of Life, Universe and Everything.

Then I explained how the Greeks first thought the Universe was created by a giant bird who flew around in Chaos. I think I may have also mentioned in the past how Odin and his brothers made the Earth out of their dad. I may even too, though I am a bit lazy and cant be arsed to look, mentioned Ossiris, the Egyptian God from the Book of the Dead.

So, as all the others on here have shown their evidence about how evolution works, how Science works, how History, English, Maths - the whole sheebang- helps provide a view of life as we know it. Even not from these guys, there is still and absolute wealth of info backing up everything that Science etc has to offer. I think people are going rather blue in the face here telling you just how difficult it is to prove something in science or maths etc

I am going to have to ask as well Mark, what more do you need? I may have said this before but this reminds me of a Douglas Adams tale.

A man is utterly convinced there are little men running around at lightning speed inside his TV to make it work. One day he meets with a rather concerned TV repair man who knows quite a lot about making a TV work. So he goes on to explain to the man which wires are for which, how cathode ray tubes work, how the image finally appears on the screen etc. In other words he explains to the best of his ability and knowledge about how a TV works so that little men are not a part of it. The man asks a few questions here and there, does a few tests with the TV repair man and basically is given a good working knowledge of how a TV works which he appears to understand. When finished the TV repair man then says "Well that about wraps it up for little men in the TV then doesnt it?" To which the man replies "Well there still have to SOME little men in there surely"!

I don't doubt your intelligence for a second, you are not a stupid man by any stretch and I don't want you to think I just insulted you there. What I am hoping to point out is that believing in little men hurtling around a TV when all the available evidence suggests that little men are not needed in the slightest to make the TV work is very similar to telling somebody with a religion that its not needed to explain things.

I think, in my own daft opinion, that God just complicates things too much. I dont see a God, any Gods, being a decent enough explanation to develop our understanding of this world. His/Their effect on the workings of the World are as effectual as the little men in the TV. The TV works perfectly fine without the little men, the repair man understands it because he has had to test the TV in so many ways in order to be good at his job. The TV guy in my opinion is the Scientist, the Historian, Mathematician- somebody who has learned enough about his particular field to get a good enough working idea of what they work with. they get this knowledge through testing, being questioned, having to re-evaluate things etc. There are things yet to be discovered, people can make better TVs as knowledge improves.

The Earth is not 10,000 years old, Adam and Eve would have been fried on the Earth had they stood on it straight after God created it, the Flood story is completely impossible, women should not be raped and then be forced to marry their attacker, people should be allowed to eat ham if they want, people can be gay if they want...how much more do I have to go on?

I still have a lot to learn, I know that, that's the fun in life, I personally like the mystery of not being able to explain things. God interferes with that in a massive way because of His origins, his complexity and provability. There is more evidence again to show that humans create their Gods.

If you go to the Sam Harris and Andrew Sullivan thread somewhere on here you will see Sam's Table picture, where there are two tables, one seemingly longer than the other until you measure them and they are the same length. If I was to just take the tables for granted simply by the way it looked I would be in ignorance of their true dimensions, is that a good thing? Or is knowing that its an optical illusion and that if I measure it properly make my understanding of it that much better?

I guess I have wiffled too much here, I will now get back to work! hehe

cheers,
Philip

980. I am creating artificial life, declares US gene pioneer

Comment #77912 by Philip1978 on October 11, 2007 at 5:05 am

Billy
"I now have a wonderful image of Benny Hill polishing wee flea's head"

You know full well David's church is against that sort of behaviour, plus I didnt know Benny was that way inclined! arf arf!

Philip

981. Scandal brewing at Oral Roberts U.

Comment #77908 by Philip1978 on October 11, 2007 at 4:55 am

V
All I can say is I hope the religious fundies dont get their hands on Skraddge, I couldnt cope with having to carry my gas cooker over my head!!
I am a naughty boy, I have no idea how to act otherwise!
Philip

982. Scandal brewing at Oral Roberts U.

Comment #77901 by Philip1978 on October 11, 2007 at 4:09 am

V
"What on earth do the men of the cloth think they are doing?"

Surely they need The Cloth to wipe up the mess afterwards arf arf arf!

Philip

983. Why Christians should take Richard Dawkins seriously

Comment #77870 by Philip1978 on October 11, 2007 at 1:04 am

Dianelos,
Tis not my intention to sound rude to you I promise but prayer does not work (using a rather Stephen Fry-esque sentence) in the slightest ghost of a
scintilla of an iota of a way. I have yet to see the point of asking the invisible for the highly improbable, it does not make sense to me.

Really, you have about as much chance of getting God to do what you ask as you have asking the chair that you are sitting on. Why not just meditate if you are looking for a good stress reliever and mind sharpener- I prefer tea myself but, everyone to themselves :)
Philip

984. I am creating artificial life, declares US gene pioneer

Comment #77864 by Philip1978 on October 11, 2007 at 12:50 am

Gosh, this all looks a bit exciting, I doubt Ventor's research will beat Billy's Gay Fruit Fly army, but kudos to him anyway!

I know this is all in early stages but reduction in carbon dioxide by creating the right bacteria, isnt that a tad dangerous? I suppose there are bacteria lurking around me already that are more than able to do all sorts, shades and sizes of weirdness but man made bacteria?? - have I been watching too many horror films again...

More tea, that should do the trick!
Philip

985. If Muslim doctors are intolerant, let them go

Comment #77694 by Philip1978 on October 10, 2007 at 7:35 am

Vinelectric,
I get the distinct impression you dont like the Telegraph? :)
I actually don't mind their level of reporting, the crossword is a bastard and I like Boris Johnson (Its not looking good for me is it!!)

I also get the impression that you think this might fuel up Muslim anger? (If I got that wrong, I apologise now) Sorry, I dont understand, are you worried about the public getting aggressive towards Muslims or the Muslims getting angry over reporting like this?

To be honest, I think the public is good enough not to really go over the top over this, I rather think its better to point out the ridiculous religious behaviour and keep racism at a minimum which the impression I get from this article, he is pointing out that difference.

Muslim fundamentalists are prone to anger, doesn't matter what it is, cartoons or Qu'ran flushings, they will always look for an excuse to go ballistic.

Can you explain a bit more about what you meant or did I get some of right in what I said above?( I am a bit slow today, not enough Tea!)

kind regards
Philip

986. If Muslim doctors are intolerant, let them go

Comment #77668 by Philip1978 on October 10, 2007 at 4:38 am

Logical,
What about St Georges day beer? Surely you could let that one past? :)

Philip

987. Ban teachers from religious dress, Quebec group says

Comment #77645 by Philip1978 on October 10, 2007 at 1:34 am

Goldy,
You swear like a trooper, bravo! I am a big fan of swearing properly, please keep up the good work (I promise you this is a compliment!)

Your daughter says fuckwit? my cousins daughter had him in a massive panic on a drive home once, he yelled bollocks when he was nearly hit by another car. She sat there in the car repeating bollocks all the way home till he managed to turn it in to
cricket!

I hate religious clothing, from the vicar who looked like he was from the Klu Klux Klan at a christening I had to go to the other week to the ridiculous Burkhas I see some poor women wearing. Burkhas are evil, I am disgusted by them because to me its a symbol of male oppression over women, they have never been taught how to properly behave to women and it annoys the crap out of me. Women deserve better respect and freedom to wear what they want for goodness sake!

As for that crap about those Muslim Doctors etc, dont get me started!

Bugger, I am ranting! Philip, slow down breath!

I once heard a small child ask her mother if a man walking past was in a lot of pain, she gasped and said "No darling that's a turban!". By this time I was crying with laughter, kids are hilarious!

Right, with that rather unPC topic, I shall go and behave myself!

Philip

988. Do you have to read up on leprechology before disbelieving in them?

Comment #77641 by Philip1978 on October 10, 2007 at 1:05 am

Revcourt, I wouldn't dream of trolling you, I saw your myspace and you have a good taste in movies, I couldnt bring myself to Troll a Star Wars and Lord of the Rings fan, it wouldn't be cricket!

You bring your religious point of view to the table much like Brother John or CHeard are allowed to, mostly its free speach on here unless you really start with the fire and brimstone! Plus we have seen your beefy photo and even being across the pond here in England I wouldnt dare take my chances hehehehe!

The only person I am on the hinge of even thinking about possibly trolling is that Robertson fellow, damn him and his trousers!

I am still waiting for the rascal who finally let Goatsbane J out from under his bridge to own up!
Tally Ho!
Philip

989. If Muslim doctors are intolerant, let them go

Comment #77495 by Philip1978 on October 9, 2007 at 12:28 pm

Vinelectric, thats a bit harsh isnt it?
The Torygraph it may well be, but that and The Times are probably the most objective papers I have ever read ( this is considering how bad the press is anyway!). Come on, at least it wasnt the Daily Mail!

This article has some good points in it and I think well addressed, give the guy a break!

Philip

990. Do you have to read up on leprechology before disbelieving in them?

Comment #77492 by Philip1978 on October 9, 2007 at 12:21 pm

I dont quite think God is love, take that quote from the side bits on the home page

"Deaths in the Bible. God = 2,270,365 not including the victims of Noah's flood, Sodom and Gomorrah, or the many plagues, famines, fiery serpents, etc because no specific numbers were given. Satan -10."

Satan being on minus numbers cos he was under contract from God to go kill Job's family etc!

Plus you have to give God extra bad points for encouraging Abraham to bbq his son and other such nasty stuff that He encourages, for really good examples see Deuteronomy, Judges etc for treatment of women, (especially rape victims) and children.


Now, I don't know if in that number that one includes Himself/Jesus but again, what a nasty God He is and quite frankly is not worthy of such respect.

Eros however, what a great chap, ok, he may have shot arrows at people but at least he was kind enough not to murder them and inspired people to love each other!

Philip

991. If Muslim doctors are intolerant, let them go

Comment #77474 by Philip1978 on October 9, 2007 at 11:55 am

This is the kind of thing that really gets on my nerves, I cannot say just how irresponsible the world is for pandering to anything so dangerously stupid. I have heard horrible stories of rape victims being refused the emergency pill because of religion and I wholly agree with this article's question asking why these maniacs accept these jobs when they know full well what the job description will involve. The sooner that religious idiocy like this is not tolerated the better this planet will be.

Philip

992. Scandal brewing at Oral Roberts U.

Comment #77445 by Philip1978 on October 9, 2007 at 10:28 am

Mother2eight,
I am sorry if my rather juvenile comments about this man may have offended you, it was not my intention I assure you.

As for the actions of this man, I have no sympathy whatsoever, he has done some of the most despicable things imaginable. I have more sympathy for his victims and I hope one day they will be able to get to a normal life. I am also a big fan of justice being done, he should not be allowed to get away with this simply because his piety and religious beliefs allow him to assume he can act this way. Fraudulent people like this get money from even the poorest of people who are unfortunately gullible enough to part with money that could be used to better their circumstances.

If you want to see the reason for my dislike of this man, go to utube and watch Derren Brown's Messiah, that is one heck of frightening documentary about how these people cheat and steal from people who think they are completely sincere.

To be honest, making fun of his name and calling him a Bat Fouling Onion Eyed Malignancy was more for humorous purposes (I possibly need to work on my act a bit!) Please dont be offended by the verbal attacks on this man, he really doesnt deserve it.

Philip

993. Debate between Richard Dawkins and John Lennox

Comment #77297 by Philip1978 on October 9, 2007 at 1:22 am

David,
Please read Robert Maynard's comment very carefully, he says some very important things which I would like to hope would benefit your understanding of atheism, it really would.

I have repeated this a lot, I belong to no religion - I do not use my lack of belief's to justify my actions - my actions are simply based on the weighing up of options in front of me.

I can change my mind over matters, if someone were to successfully refute something that I held to be true, yes I would need convincing but my mind can be changed.

For example, I am for nothing more than my interest in the subject, looking for evidence of the existence of Jesus Christ. At the moment I am convinced he never existed, especially in the time frame that the Bible claims to be true. Why? Because his birthday is highly ambiguous - Which year was it? When and how did he die and did he really come back from the dead? Did Nazareth actually exist in from 4BC to at least 37AD? Why is there no record of his miracles outside of the Bible? Why are the stories about him so incredibly similar to that of religions that were set up way before even the Old Testament came into view?

I could go on like this for a long time, I have a lot of questions like that, I just question stuff that I don't think is right. The evidence I have read and seen so far is just not adequate enough to answer my questions. That's not because I am rejecting it on the grounds that I don't believe in a religion, I am actually doing all I can to convince myself that Jesus really did exist, I think it would be very interesting. But, at the moment I cannot just trust in the Bible's evidence.

So please, can I ask you very kindly again, not to think of me or any other atheist as having "the atheistic fundamentalist mindset" because it simply is not true. I could be an arsehole for a varying number of reasons, I could be arrogant simply because of my height or how much money I had - but it would not be because I don't believe in your God.

Let me ask you this, are you willing to admit that you could change your mind about Jesus? I know I could and that's not because I think I am smarter than you or that I have any special privileges that you don't. One day I hope to convince you of that or perhaps you might be able to convince me of a few things, I am not even ruling that out!

Philip

994. The God of the Bible is No Delusion!

Comment #76519 by Philip1978 on October 6, 2007 at 3:54 am

I see the interesting meme is in full flow!

JC I am a massive fan of most teas, I might balk at the odd herbal concoctions, but on the whole I do have a preference for the caffeinated kind. Normally I would go for any Breakfast tea but my favourite is Assam if we are talking just supermarket stuff (if you can find it Twinnings is spectacularly interesting!) But the finest Tea I have ever tasted is from York, England- it is called Betty's Breakfast Tea, you can order it online just google Betty's Tea room!

Coffee is also fantastic stuff and I have quite a collection, big fan of either really rich stuff, Columbian Roast, Costa Rican is possibly my favourite or just a good cuppa joe ( I had some in America, dont know what it was but it tasted lovely!) I used to work in a big dept store and I got my hands on one of those machines that they have in 1st Class lounges at airports, phenomenal coffee I tell you!


I have decided I should stop reading bits from Deuteronomy in the bible, I accidentally happened upon Chapter 22 the other day looking something up and it is quite possibly the vilest thing I have ever read. Really if God did indeed prod the Bible into existence that stuff about rape is just about as wrong as you can get.

"28 If a man happens to meet a virgin who is not pledged to be married and rapes her and they are discovered, 29 he shall pay the girl's father fifty shekels of silver. [c] He must marry the girl, for he has violated her. He can never divorce her as long as he lives"

No, dont like that, its just not right anyway you read it and it goes to prove it it was the work of very evil minded men. The more I think about it the more I will repeat it, I think J got it completely and utterly right when he said Shakespeare is a better writer than God by miles.

"Lord, what fools these mortals be!"

Puck, A Midsummer Night's Dream (III, ii, 115)

Tally Bally Ho!
Philip

(Incidentally, I got a Shakespearean Insult Generator on my facebook page, I called my friend a Bat fouling, Onion Eyed Malignancy and I haven't stopped laughing yet! Ah simple things for a simple mind!)

995. 'Flying Spaghetti Monster' Religious Group Turning Heads at MSU

Comment #76505 by Philip1978 on October 6, 2007 at 2:48 am

JT, keep up the good work, the world needs more people like your good self spreading the Nooodly message!
I myself am High Priest of the Church of Quetz, He is a spectacular God who posts on this site regularly. None of this Teapot God rubbish, this God actually communicates with his followers, He and His prophet Billy both can prove they exist and well, what more do you need? Falcons with lasers on their heads I hear you say? You got em!

Dont listen to the hate mail, keep doing what you are doing and sod it if the religites complain!
Cheers!
Philip

996. Scandal brewing at Oral Roberts U.

Comment #76483 by Philip1978 on October 6, 2007 at 1:31 am

Too many jokes, not enough time!

Husband to wife
"Darling, did you remember to donate last Sunday?"

"Its ok, I did it Orally!"

What the feck is going on with this world, does this man not know that 29 year old filthy minded people like my naughty self simply refuse to take him seriously with a name like that?!!

I shall use the fine wording from my facebook Shakespearean Insult Generator "Mr Oral, thou art a bat-fouling, onion-eyed malignancy!"

Tally Ho!
Philip

997. The God of the Bible is No Delusion!

Comment #76210 by Philip1978 on October 5, 2007 at 4:50 am

Hehehe, gosh, why did I not realise how many times I typed "Interesting", must be lack of Tea!

998. The God of the Bible is No Delusion!

Comment #76208 by Philip1978 on October 5, 2007 at 4:36 am

Speaking of really interesting things, I found this thanks to IrateAthiest, very interesting, has anybody ever heard of this chap?
http://www.bidstrup.com/bible.htm
He made a list of Bible inconsistencies, http://www.bidstrup.com/bible2.htm should anyone be interested, would like to hear thoughts on it

Right, I hear the Call of the Kettle, more Tea!
Philip

999. Do you have to read up on leprechology before disbelieving in them?

Comment #76180 by Philip1978 on October 5, 2007 at 1:43 am

I see I have book to read, I am a little disappointed Mr Strobel did not use a single secular source for his book and he wrote it whislt under the influence of Christianity. I will however keep an open mind and read it when I get the chance.

By the way Irate, that Bidstrup link is brilliant, there some wonderful essays on there, I like this one http://www.bidstrup.com/bible.htm
Revcourt, I would encourage you to give it a go, its very interesting

Cheers,
Philip

1000. Norway flourishes as secular nation

Comment #76162 by Philip1978 on October 5, 2007 at 12:13 am

Woo hoo for Norway! If all countries could please kindly follow suit, would be a rather good idea!

Oddly enough, I am probably related to most of Norway, my grandfather married 3 times out there, suffice to say my family is huge and Strappado is possibly a distant cousin!!

skål

Philip