101. Turkey probes atheist's 'God' book

Comment #91650 by 35bluejacket on November 28, 2007 at 8:35 pm

Hey Mate, I supply the boat and make the delivery (Humphrey Bogart style). You all will have come up with your end. The upside of this cargo is, that no one would want to steal it.

102. Pupil defends teacher in Muhammad teddy furore

Comment #91634 by 35bluejacket on November 28, 2007 at 6:47 pm

Where is our Chinese Gordon? Oh. I forgot. They cut his head off. (The bloody parlament waited too long.) We need another Gen. Ketchner and Churchill down there now.

103. Turkey probes atheist's 'God' book

Comment #91629 by 35bluejacket on November 28, 2007 at 6:15 pm

I have a sailboat that can haul about 5 tons of books. Anyone want to help in the smuggling business?

104. Why Science Will Triumph Only When Theory Becomes Law

Comment #91374 by 35bluejacket on November 28, 2007 at 7:25 am

I can be corrected. I'm just a 100 ton working Captain

105. Why Science Will Triumph Only When Theory Becomes Law

Comment #91370 by 35bluejacket on November 28, 2007 at 7:18 am

robert s:

Arggg mate
You are dead right on your professional languages, but they are called "lines". If there is a specific use for one then they have a name. A rope is only a "rope" when it is still on its spool.

106. Golden Compass author hits back

Comment #91229 by 35bluejacket on November 27, 2007 at 5:33 pm

SilentMike:
"I beg to differ, sir" (Doc Holliday)
A movie ain't just a movie and a book ain't just a book.

Movies do effect children. I remember seeing "The Day the Earth Stood Still" when I was 8 years old and it gave me my first 'world view'. I was blown away. This movie and more like them are needed.

107. 'Muhammad' teddy teacher arrested

Comment #91213 by 35bluejacket on November 27, 2007 at 4:18 pm

drcancerman: You have the right to your interpretations as well as I, but despite the good (the Hadith is not included) I find in those books, the damage done by their followers has defeated their original purpose. I have to agree with Sam Harris in his conclusions concerning religions and even have begun to lean toward Hitchens. Most of us on this site have come to the same conclusion, we all just have different reasons for arriving here.

108. 'Muhammad' teddy teacher arrested

Comment #91149 by 35bluejacket on November 27, 2007 at 12:16 pm

Vinelectric:
Your defense of Islam is admirable, and having read the Koran myself, do agree that it is compassionate and just, but those are my interpretations. My conclusions are the same with the Old and New Testament. However, there is the great warring social problem of extremists, deaths of millions, now and through out history, that would justify, even in God's eye, the burning of all religious books and starting over.

109. 'Muhammad' teddy teacher arrested

Comment #91133 by 35bluejacket on November 27, 2007 at 11:39 am

Tyler Durden:

Here in Texas if you are an atheist and want to run for office then you better leave the state or lie. State constitution requires that you believe in God.

Of course lying in Texas has never been a problem for politicians. It might even get you votes.

110. 'Muhammad' teddy teacher arrested

Comment #90994 by 35bluejacket on November 26, 2007 at 10:26 pm

Paine: Thanks for even more depressing news:( Where is my spiced rum?

111. 'Muhammad' teddy teacher arrested

Comment #90986 by 35bluejacket on November 26, 2007 at 10:11 pm

Haste: Hang in there. Do your best. We have something in common: We love humanity.

112. Discover plagiarism at the Discovery Institute

Comment #90954 by 35bluejacket on November 26, 2007 at 7:25 pm

I saw the videos and read the comments further down. I felt like a detective curious to see where the strings would lead. To my shock one of them leads to a Baptist Minister in my family who helped bring Dembski to O.U. in Norman Oklahoma. The lecture was a failure for ID and the DI because the the huge turnout of unexpected secular students that pummeled Dembski with questions. When I visited my brother last month, I noticed he was acting differently but I didn't know why.
It is so sad. A life's work crumbling around him. He is a good man, and now he's caught between betrayal and lying.

113. 'Muhammad' teddy teacher arrested

Comment #90866 by 35bluejacket on November 26, 2007 at 2:25 pm

Thanks Fanusi Khiyal. Constructive criticism is always good. That's the way we learn.

Relax people. I was just being facetious. Before the world evolves into peace you are going to need to recognize humor to keep your sanity. If you noticed, the Moslems don't seem to have any sense of humor.

114. 'Muhammad' teddy teacher arrested

Comment #90843 by 35bluejacket on November 26, 2007 at 1:46 pm

"Lets just go into orbit and nuke the planet" -Ripley


It gets so depressing sometimes the Apocalypse sounds good.

115. Sunday School for Atheists

Comment #90816 by 35bluejacket on November 26, 2007 at 12:40 pm

Amen sister!! Lord knows we men need to pass the scepter. We screwed this old world up pretty good. If education had been given to the women/mothers first as a priority then the kids would have been smarter and it might have been a better world.

116. Sunday School for Atheists

Comment #90768 by 35bluejacket on November 26, 2007 at 9:57 am

Cartomancer:

Thank you for your views. Certainly intellectual history has interpreted dualism in many ways but the effects of this concept has permeated our culture. Examples of this would be; the devil at war with god, good vs evil,(how many movies have we seen this scenario?), or the physical world as we know it as being evil or something to conquer, (Manifest Destiny?) and the world of the spritual being good, or evolution the opposite of creationism, or that science (knowledge) being the opposite of ignorance.
Ignorance is not the opposite of knowledge anymore than darkness is the opposite of light. Darkness is just a "lesser degree" of light, the same with ignorance.

I'm always open to corrections.

117. Sunday School for Atheists

Comment #90740 by 35bluejacket on November 26, 2007 at 8:37 am

Cartomancer:
True, it was mentioned by Zoroastor but expanded greatly by Mani. But what is your point of bringing this up?
The question is: is dualism a good or bad concept, not who the author was.

118. Sunday School for Atheists

Comment #90714 by 35bluejacket on November 26, 2007 at 7:38 am

onlysky:

Amen brother

119. Sunday School for Atheists

Comment #90688 by 35bluejacket on November 26, 2007 at 6:20 am

Spinoza:
Is it possible that you have inherited in your thought the old school of "dualism" of Manichaeism? Materialism is not the opposite of spirituualty nor is knowledge the opposite of ignorance. Ignorance is just a lesser degree of knowledge.
The reason I bring this up is that I have seen many people on this site use "dualism" in their syllogisms, perhaps not knowing where it comes from or knowing they think that way. We should keep in mind that religion has perpetuated that erroneous and dangerous school of thought into our culture.

120. Man-sized sea scorpion claw found

Comment #89810 by 35bluejacket on November 21, 2007 at 7:10 pm

I never understood why spiderman had web comming out of his hands. (No science Hollywood) It should have been out his south end, Can't you picture the big screen with him flying through the buildings shooting web out his...

121. Man-sized sea scorpion claw found

Comment #89803 by 35bluejacket on November 21, 2007 at 6:57 pm

I wonder if models of a giant scorpions have been ordered for the creation museums.

Wish they were still swimming the seas. They would be fun to hunt.

122. Frequently Asked Questions about the Ayaan Hirsi Ali Security Trust

Comment #89661 by 35bluejacket on November 21, 2007 at 12:16 pm

GSP:
Comment on 89610

You have my most humble apology. It will not happen again.

123. Frequently Asked Questions about the Ayaan Hirsi Ali Security Trust

Comment #89655 by 35bluejacket on November 21, 2007 at 11:39 am

ex-baha'i
If you don't mind me asking, what was the or were the reasons for your breaking away from the Faith?

124. Frequently Asked Questions about the Ayaan Hirsi Ali Security Trust

Comment #89648 by 35bluejacket on November 21, 2007 at 11:09 am

GSP:
You were free in your insult to Ali and Harris, and it is true that two wrongs don't make a right. That also applies to the blood-letting between dogmatic parties that we see in the world today. But surely you don't think that knowledge, human rights, freedom of speech and critical mind are on equal terms with dogmatic ignorance. I will apologize if you will apologize to Ali and Harris.

125. Frequently Asked Questions about the Ayaan Hirsi Ali Security Trust

Comment #89602 by 35bluejacket on November 21, 2007 at 8:16 am

GSP:
Sir, I beg to differ. The Fourtenth century mentality will lose. Thats evolution. The only way that Islam has made progress is in backward stone age countries. And and the argument made about responsibility can made both ways. The Arabramic religions, in their evil ignorance, have brought this on themselves. Oh, a course in 101 Logic might be helpful along with your political science.

126. Frequently Asked Questions about the Ayaan Hirsi Ali Security Trust

Comment #89555 by 35bluejacket on November 21, 2007 at 5:03 am

You descenting blokes are bringing questions up about Miss Ali's personal life of which you have little info. Not often will I let another person guide my judgement but in some areas it is necessary. From all I have read, watched and listened to Sam Harris, I find his character above reproach and he is certainly closer to the issue.

127. Frequently Asked Questions about the Ayaan Hirsi Ali Security Trust

Comment #89459 by 35bluejacket on November 20, 2007 at 8:29 pm

Peter K:
You are proving the Christian argument that atheist can not be moral and show compassion for humanity. I'm under the impression that that is what this site is all about, helping humanity to mature. Maybe you should find another site more inclined to your view.

128. Frequently Asked Questions about the Ayaan Hirsi Ali Security Trust

Comment #89457 by 35bluejacket on November 20, 2007 at 8:06 pm

You have my support and tell Mr.Rick Warren thanks. (But I'm not going to let him take the moral high ground here.)

129. The Psychology Behind Cults/Religion

Comment #89369 by 35bluejacket on November 20, 2007 at 1:02 pm

Someone needs to ask the question: What is the safeguard of getting brainwashed into "any" ideology?

130. Why Science Will Triumph Only When Theory Becomes Law

Comment #88279 by 35bluejacket on November 15, 2007 at 5:34 pm

There may have been some studies of religious colloquialism in the United States. It would be a good read. In the south, back in the 50's, when I was a kid, there was a different retoric, phrases and set of defnitions that arose whenever the conversation turned religious. It was always a repeat from the pulpits or traveling evangelist. I came from a small farm town of not very educated people,(you could probably guess from my sentences and spelling:). My grandfather was a circut rider and I still have two brothers as ministers. Anyway, when a type of "Brother Love" came to town in the summer, with his big tent, we all turned out. It was kinda like a carnaval for adults. He could sure holler hell fire into meter. Weall listened but sometimes us young boys would go behind a tree or old Ford and roll a cigarett, if someone had the fixins. The preachers today havent forgotten the art of retoric passed down by our grandadys but it will all pass by-and-by.

131. Why Science Will Triumph Only When Theory Becomes Law

Comment #88203 by 35bluejacket on November 15, 2007 at 10:22 am

Speaking of definitions. I have long concluded a few of them myself. That truth is simply knowledge and that evil is nothing more than ignorance. An anology would be light as knowledge and the lesser degree, that of shadow, darkness or evil. Truth will always win the battles over ignorance because man can not unknow truth when he learns it. Truth will allways hold the moral high ground because deception and ignorance are brothers. Truth and or knowledge is the power that advances civilizations.

If I did'nt know better I would almost think that the awesome power of truth and knowledge were a gift from God to man.

132. Why Science Will Triumph Only When Theory Becomes Law

Comment #88187 by 35bluejacket on November 15, 2007 at 6:28 am

Years ago I remember Pat Robinson telling his congregation that other religions are not fit to govern this country, and added; "I not only know it, I believe it!" Clearly he and his others think that "belief" is closer to the truth than "knowing".

Not long ago I had a Dr. of Marine Biology onboard my vessel, responding to his student (a creationist) that he didn't "believe" in evolution, "I know it!"

133. Why Science Will Triumph Only When Theory Becomes Law

Comment #88128 by 35bluejacket on November 14, 2007 at 7:59 pm

Really, truth and honesty are the best policy. To be morally above religion is very important. It just gets frustrating sometimes. But you can't ignore ignorance for too long. "For ignorance and fanaticism are always busy, and need feeding." ("Inherit the Wind")

134. Why Science Will Triumph Only When Theory Becomes Law

Comment #88115 by 35bluejacket on November 14, 2007 at 6:13 pm

Like I was saying, it will be a science learning experience for them, looking up definitions, they need that. Am I correct?

135. Why Science Will Triumph Only When Theory Becomes Law

Comment #88112 by 35bluejacket on November 14, 2007 at 5:51 pm

Let the theist's get into the definitions of laws and theories, maybe they will learn something about science. I like using the term "Law of Evolution". Give them a dose of their own medicine. I'll concede to "theory" if they can demonstrate my scientific mistake.

136. Why Science Will Triumph Only When Theory Becomes Law

Comment #88106 by 35bluejacket on November 14, 2007 at 5:34 pm

Bravo!! Mr. Thompson. "Law of Evolution", has a nice ring.

I saw this on a sign at Hooters: Gravity is not just a good idea, it's a law.

137. Malaysia firm's 'Muslim car' plan

Comment #87962 by 35bluejacket on November 13, 2007 at 9:27 pm

I wonder if they carry a list of compass deviation corrections? A compass can be off as much as 180 degrees.

138. Judgement Day: Intelligent Design on Trial

Comment #87954 by 35bluejacket on November 13, 2007 at 8:25 pm

Paraphrasing Victor Stenger: Are those that are so anxious to see evidence against evolution discussed in class, prepared to also include the evidence against God?

139. Judgement Day: Intelligent Design on Trial

Comment #87950 by 35bluejacket on November 13, 2007 at 7:51 pm

Speaking of death threats of this and other cases like it, where is our homeland scurity that took away our rights of privacy of our comunication devices to protect us from these extreme religious people?

140. Judgement Day: Intelligent Design on Trial

Comment #87928 by 35bluejacket on November 13, 2007 at 4:47 pm

Death threats to Judge Jones? Heavy...

141. Free Speech

Comment #87409 by 35bluejacket on November 12, 2007 at 3:41 am

People criticize Hitchens on his view of the war. My understanding of his philosophy is: that "any" ideology (militant Islam in this case)that has peaked in their belief system {refuse discourse}to to the point that they threaten and do kill others, must be fought. You can't let people get away with death threats and killing. It is as simple as that. For the love of humanity it is the moral thing to do.

142. Pat Robertson Says Giuliani Presidency Appears in Book of Revelation

Comment #87237 by 35bluejacket on November 11, 2007 at 2:47 pm

How about a serious counter: "Howbeit when the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you unto all truth..." Darwin and his disciples? Sounds good to me.

143. The Cancer From Within

Comment #86856 by 35bluejacket on November 10, 2007 at 10:28 am

"...for fanaticism is forever busy and always needs feeding." (Movie "Inherit the Wind)

144. Antony Flew's Bogus Book

Comment #86832 by 35bluejacket on November 10, 2007 at 9:07 am

Reminds me of the time in the early 80's at a Christmas reunion when I challenged my Southern Baptist ordained brother, He said he would write me a letter. Weeks later the letter arrived, and being a fairly active reader, I could see it was almost all plagiarized, entire word for word paragraphs from a Baptise store pamplet. How heart breaking it was. How could a Christian minister, my own brother, be so deceitful. Why would anyone want to belong to an organization with such a lack of belief of truth and morals?
I have another brother minister with a church in Atlanta, that when you get him to open up in private, he spews raceism.
My family hasn't been all that sad. My Grandmother was a Christian Saint, if there ever was one, but she was driven to poverty by Oral Roberts.

145. Losing faith in Quebec

Comment #86356 by 35bluejacket on November 9, 2007 at 3:54 am

The lack of value judgement seems to be rampant. Ayn Rand should be clawing at her casket.

146. Bible Belter

Comment #85997 by 35bluejacket on November 7, 2007 at 6:29 pm

To the Mormons who posted earlier on this site:

I can tell you where you can dig up some "Golden Truth" to be sure. Lets go to Mountain Meadows in Utah and dig up the 100 bodies of that Arkansas wagon train that your church members ambushed and shot execution style. Tried to blame it on the poor Indians. B. Young tried to cover it up. It went to court and the law executed John Lee local the ring leader. (1857)

147. Fox News Discussion on 'The Golden Compass'

Comment #85777 by 35bluejacket on November 7, 2007 at 4:55 am

U.S. version of PRAVDA: FOX

148. Response to Theodore Dalrymple

Comment #85584 by 35bluejacket on November 6, 2007 at 9:17 am

The comparison Dalrymple makes between the history of medicine and the history of religion shows that he fails to see that religion doesn't evolve in thought (unlike medicine) past its first few generations, In fact religion appears to become more corrupt. Its refusal to evolve is rooted in its theology.

149. The Transcendental Argument for God

Comment #85152 by 35bluejacket on November 5, 2007 at 6:22 am

Thank you Dr.
Let me chew on this a while.

150. The Transcendental Argument for God

Comment #85139 by 35bluejacket on November 5, 2007 at 5:04 am

DG,


Yes, I mean females, teenagers that are not quite adults and males and females that don't really consider themselves quite that gender. Its a manor of speech. I don't know why I even have to mention this.

Are the Laws of Physics "Independent" of man? Example: If all humans on our planet were to perish today. Would the Laws of Physics still be in effect tomorrow? If it is the case that they would be, how could we argue that they are a subject of evolution? It also appears that these Laws (that are worlds in themselves and can predict the actions of material objects) do not have the qualities of the "materisl" universe. Where did the phenomenon of the Laws of Physics of come from?
Please correct me if I have missed something here.