Comments by Matt7895

Comment #137152 by Matt7895 on March 2, 2008 at 12:30 pm

Wow, this will be the 2719th post. Will this be the longest comment thread on the website?

Firstly I'd like to thank Mr. Robertson for answering my question regarding 'Songs of Praise'. I wonder if he's heard of Professor Robert Winston. I'm sure he has. Well, Robert Winston makes documentaries with a pro-faith stance for the BBC, he's done so for a few years now. As far as television goes he's probably the antithesis to Richard Dawkins.

I'd like to ask Mr. Robertson about his criticisms of materialism. Would he define 'materialism' as simply the belief in physical, natural objects/causes with no supernatural or metaphysical beliefs thrown in? Why would that be an irrational view to have, if nothing supernatural has ever been shown scientifically to exist?

Finally I'd just like to ask him not to judge all of RichardDawkins.net by a few immature name-callers. I've been here for a few months now and while you do get a few people who love to swear and use insulting language (as you do anywhere on the internet), there are also a lot of interesting discussions to find, particularly in the forums. Perhaps you'd have more luck looking around there. I think most of the bad comments are because you've earned quite a bad reputation for yourself round here parts, although you have been more or less on good behaviour in this thread, which is probably why you haven't been banned again.

102. A God blog

Comment #136897 by Matt7895 on March 2, 2008 at 1:23 am

Wait, this is from the 'Telegraph'? I'm a bit startled to find this in Britain's most conservative broadsheet. But pleased, too.

103. Christopher Hitchens on Real Time with Bill Maher

Comment #136896 by Matt7895 on March 2, 2008 at 1:12 am

I totally understand the marriage thing. That's the main reason for switching religion over here, too.

104. Ayaan Hirsi Ali to get EU protection

Comment #135955 by Matt7895 on February 29, 2008 at 11:25 am

Fantastic. That means Ayaan can live in the UK if she so desires. I hope she considers it... she'd do a lot of good encouraging people to apostatise from Islam.

105. Fleabytes

Comment #134251 by Matt7895 on February 27, 2008 at 1:18 pm

Yes, I'm sure they are all fully aware of singing the praises to an "imaginary, brutal, genocidal celestial dictator."

They claim to be worshipping the Christian god (the programme is aimed specifically at Christians) which is the god of the Old Testament, who is brutal, genocidal, and quite imaginary being there no evidence for his existence. But that is besides the point. My point is, Mr. Robertson says that Christian programmes are not allowed on British TV, but 'Songs Of Praise' proves that wrong.

106. Interview with Richard Dawkins

Comment #134243 by Matt7895 on February 27, 2008 at 12:58 pm

Guinness, naturlich ;-)

Reminds me of a joke:
A Real Beer

After the Great Britain Beer Festival, in London, all the brewery presidents decided to go out for a beer. The guy from Corona sits down and says "Hey Senor, I would like the world's best beer, a Corona." The bartender dusts off a bottle from the shelf and gives it to him.

The guy from Budweiser says "I'd like the best beer in the world, give me 'The King Of Beers', a Budweiser." The bartender gives him one.

The guy from Coors says "I'd like the only beer made with Rocky Mountain spring water, give me a Coors." He gets it.

The guy from Guinness sits down and says "Give me a Coke." The bartender is a little taken aback, but gives him what he ordered.

The other brewery presidents look over at him and ask "Why aren't you drinking a Guinness?" and the Guinness president replies

"Well, if you guys aren't drinking beer, neither will I."

Aha, excellent! Well, I'm not really into stout, I'm more of a bitter and ale fan. I heartily recommend trying out 'Doom Bar' if you ever see it. 'Tribute' is good too, both are Cornish ales.

107. Interview with Richard Dawkins

Comment #134234 by Matt7895 on February 27, 2008 at 12:41 pm

AtheistJon - What beer are you drinking in your profile picture?

Back on topic, I've finished listening to the interview, I thought Richard did well, his patience far exceeds mine, but I suppose that's why he's a Professor and I'm not :P

108. Fleabytes

Comment #134213 by Matt7895 on February 27, 2008 at 12:18 pm

This is a question for Mr. Robertson if he is still reading this thread (I suspect he is, after all he does seem to love argument (not necessarily a fault)).

Here it is. One of your points is that you think a major British broadcaster, such as the BBC or Channel 4, would not allow a Christian retort to 'Root Of All Evil?' be shown on their channels. It is in this that I actually envy you, Mr. Robertson. The dreadful, dreary, masochistic 'Songs of Praise' seems to have escaped your mind on this occasion. I wish it could escape mine too, but unfortunately every time I switch on BBC One on a Sunday afternoon, I am confronted by hordes of people singing praiseful hymns to an imaginary, brutal, genocidal celestial dictator. I find it tedious, dull, and think the timeslot could be better spent on other programmes. But it is Christian programming all the same, and it is shown every week. When are atheist programmes shown? Does Richard Dawkins have a weekly timeslot?

109. Fleabytes

Comment #134194 by Matt7895 on February 27, 2008 at 11:37 am

I was glad to read Richard's putdown of Robertson. I know he has a general policy of not 'scratching the fleas', but certain exemptions can be made in defense of respected RD.net users like Paula.

110. Interview with Richard Dawkins

Comment #134154 by Matt7895 on February 27, 2008 at 10:34 am

It works for me. Though, an mp3 would still be nice. Can someone change this RP into mp3? I bet Jesus could do it!

I doubt any desert-dweller from 2000 years ago would know the first thing about computer technology.

Thanks for the link to the interview, always nice to hear Richard. The second caller-in seems kind of rude from where I've got to.... Richard asks for evidence and she says 'Excuse me I am talking!' in a rather brash manner... I hope this doesn't set the tone for the rest of the programme.

111. The Giant Tortoise's Tale

Comment #133899 by Matt7895 on February 27, 2008 at 2:28 am

That video was utterly fascinating. Well written and read by Richard, and I thought the video edited on top by Josh was professionally done too, especially the shots of turtles and finches. I'm very much looking forward to the next one, though I wish there were more! Great work guys.

112. My Argument With God

Comment #131562 by Matt7895 on February 22, 2008 at 3:04 pm

Darwin was one of the greatest minds this country has produced, I definitely agree with that.

I think he made a very good point about questioning too. As soon as you start to honestly question your faith and the world around you, atheism is the obvious and logical result.

113. The Lava Lizard's Tale

Comment #131002 by Matt7895 on February 21, 2008 at 5:05 pm

A very interesting video.

114. Ayaan Hirsi Ali versus Timothy Garton Ash

Comment #128690 by Matt7895 on February 17, 2008 at 4:35 pm

Anyone else here love Douglas Murray? He asked a question to them here, and he moderated the other Ayaan Hirsi Ali debate.

115. Ayaan Hirsi Ali asks for protection

Comment #128113 by Matt7895 on February 16, 2008 at 8:07 am

If I had children, I'd protect them from harm, without hesitation. I'd take bullets or knife wounds to keep them from dying. I'd gladly give my own life if it meant protecting theirs.

However I cannot, and should not be expected to, do the same for someone I do not know. I have never met Miss Hirsi Ali, I probably never will. I do not personally know anyone who personally knows her. I cannot put myself in danger to protect someone I do not know.

I can, however, donate to her security fund. I will gladly do so. I can give money to a stranger, I cannot give my life for a stranger.

116. New meat-eating dinos identified

Comment #127255 by Matt7895 on February 15, 2008 at 5:27 am

I'm not sure if it's necessary to avoid using the word "design" just because there's no designer. It's a perfectly useful word without any supernatural implications, don't you think? I mean, you're likely to encounter the word "design" in any of Richard Dawkins' evolution books.

I agree. I remember him using the d-word in 'Growing Up In The Universe'. But then he always goes on to explain that the designer is nature itself.

117. Debate between Richard Dawkins and Madeline Bunting

Comment #126933 by Matt7895 on February 14, 2008 at 2:16 pm

12. Comment #126930 by Jiten on February 14, 2008 at 2:09 pm

God,Madeline is so stupid (at least when it comes to religion-although she may well be just plain stupid).

I vehemently disagree. She sounds like a very intelligent and reasonable person. She is just slightly deluded when it comes to 'truth'. She accepts evolution as truth, but couldn't come to the same or opposite conclusion about the divinity of Jesus. Therefore, her religion is clouding her judgement on this matter. That doesn't make her stupid, at all. Just deluded.

118. New meat-eating dinos identified

Comment #126874 by Matt7895 on February 14, 2008 at 11:50 am

Only meat-eating after the Fall, of course. Ken Ham reminds us all dinosaurs were herbivores in the Garden of Eden. :P

119. Charles Simonyi Professorship in the Public Understanding of Science

Comment #125483 by Matt7895 on February 11, 2008 at 12:29 pm

This is not about the history of Anglo-American relations. This is about the Charles Simonyi Professorship and possible applicants for the job.

120. Charles Simonyi Professorship in the Public Understanding of Science

Comment #125402 by Matt7895 on February 11, 2008 at 10:15 am

Like Richard Dawkins debates the Discovery Institute on why lying to the public constantly is wrong. Or he can do a tour of Creationist Museums, and just point out all the errors in their theories. Just a hope really. With Christian Fundamentalists running crazy everywhere, they are even trying to change PBS here, thus Nova, the only good show on basic TV.

Richard doesn't debate creationists because he thinks it may lend some validity to their claims about the universe. I understand where he's coming from. Richard is without doubt the most famous atheist in the world and one of the most famous evolutionary biologists too. I'm sure anti-science lunatics like Ken Ham and Ben Stein would leap at the chance to 'debate' Richard and claim it was their side that won, that they managed to beat 'Darwin's Rottweiler'. It would be a lie, of course, but lies are what these people do best.

121. Charles Simonyi Professorship in the Public Understanding of Science

Comment #125338 by Matt7895 on February 11, 2008 at 8:58 am

Ah I can't believe I forgot PZ Myers! Yes, he's a good candidate for the role. But I wonder if he would be willing to move to Britain?

122. Charles Simonyi Professorship in the Public Understanding of Science

Comment #125246 by Matt7895 on February 11, 2008 at 5:48 am

After thinking about it for a few minutes, I could only think of one person that I'd really like to see in this position: Neil deGrasse Tyson. He's one of the most inspiring and accomplished communicators of science I've ever seen.

I think I agree with you. I think the professorship would be in safe hands with Tyson in the chair, and I think it would give him a larger platform to speak about astronomy. I think astronomy is second only to evolution in proving there is no need for god in science. You only need to look at the marvellous features of space... the horsehead nebula, the pillars of creation, the Andromeda galaxy, to realise what a HUGE and mysterious universe we live in. The thought of a personal god caring about our own miniscule planet seems infantile compared to that.

123. Charles Simonyi Professorship in the Public Understanding of Science

Comment #125233 by Matt7895 on February 11, 2008 at 5:23 am

I just love this from Singh:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nine_Million_Bicycles#Controversy

It's funny that after all that hoo-hah, the song was STILL incorrect about the size of the universe!

124. Charles Simonyi Professorship in the Public Understanding of Science

Comment #125207 by Matt7895 on February 11, 2008 at 4:18 am

One of the reasons I suggested Baroness Greenfield - young enough, public profile, already awarded for promoting public understanding of science, TV experience, writer of popular science books...

Good suggestion but Baroness Greenfield already holds a chair at Oxford.

125. Hitchens and Boteach Debate on God

Comment #125203 by Matt7895 on February 11, 2008 at 4:10 am

He said that scientists say the world is 16 billion years old...
I don't know how to demonstrate one's ignorance more clearly.

Maybe he meant scientologists? :P

126. Charles Simonyi Professorship in the Public Understanding of Science

Comment #125194 by Matt7895 on February 11, 2008 at 3:59 am

I am going to risk looking realy dumb once again and ask, w/ no intentional disrespect, who is Charles Simonyi? T photo showed him in a space suit. Was he on t shuttle? If no, then why is he wearing t suit? And if yes , then how did an astronot come to have such inflluenc at Oxford?

His excellent manifesto that Richard continues to refer to is a good starting point. You might find this interesting too... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Simonyi

127. Hitchens and Boteach Debate on God

Comment #125183 by Matt7895 on February 11, 2008 at 3:37 am

He claims to have studied evolution in preparation for earlier debates, and then says what he does about Gould?

Not to mention the old 'irreducible complexity' chestnut.

128. Charles Simonyi Professorship in the Public Understanding of Science

Comment #125182 by Matt7895 on February 11, 2008 at 3:34 am

and for the Public Misunderstanding of Science, anyone have a candidate?

Ah! I'm trying to think a prominent British creationist but my memory fails me. Maybe Ben Stein should be invited to take such a role? Either him or Ken Ham.

129. Charles Simonyi Professorship in the Public Understanding of Science

Comment #125164 by Matt7895 on February 11, 2008 at 3:19 am

Unless of course the Queen decides to touch him on the shoulders with her sword ... :-)

Michael

That would be wonderful, although of course it is the government's decision, not Her Majesty's. But such an appointment would be long overdue! I can't speak for the general public at large, but he's certainly boosted my own understanding of science.

Back to the topic at hand, I think Bill Bryson is a fine public intellectual but is he really suited for the post? I doubt it. I wish I could nominate someone who is, but my knowledge of prominent, unchaired scientists is rather limited.

130. Charles Simonyi Professorship in the Public Understanding of Science

Comment #125150 by Matt7895 on February 11, 2008 at 3:00 am

What is the UK convention for a Professor's title after retirement? Do we still say "Prof. Dawkins" or will it become "Professor Emeritus Dawkins"?

Professor Emeritus is merely the Latin form for a full/chaired Professor who has retired in good standing. I think its pretty certain the University of Oxford will let him keep his title after his retirement. So he'll still be known as Professor (unless Richard himself comes on here to say otherwise). Nevertheless, there will still be people addressing him as 'Dr. Dawkins'....

131. Why Darwin matters

Comment #125138 by Matt7895 on February 11, 2008 at 2:40 am

I bought a copy of the Guardian on Saturday to get this leaflet. I appreciated Richard's introduction, and the articles on Darwin (one of whom was by everyone's favourite liberal Christian, Richard Harries) but I can't bring myself to read the extracts from 'On the Origin...'. I want to buy the book for myself and browse through it properly.

132. Charles Simonyi Professorship in the Public Understanding of Science

Comment #125132 by Matt7895 on February 11, 2008 at 2:31 am

Happy retirement Professor, though as you say you'll be keeping busy. I'm glad to hear you say you've started your next book. Pray tell us, is it the children's book on free thought you were hinting at last year?

133. Hitchens and Boteach Debate on God

Comment #125018 by Matt7895 on February 10, 2008 at 6:02 pm

Simply superb. This is how Dinesh D'Souza should be handled in all future debates.... I doubt we'll see Boteach again.

I particularly enjoyed Hitchens' use of 'big boy' as a put down. I laughed out loud several times... I haven't done that in a while. It seems the audience enjoyed it too, it was evident that by the end they were firmly on Hitchens side. The Rabbi just put his foot in his mouth too many times.

As Hitchens Watch says in their review of the debate: "...whatever one feels about Hitchens, it was impossible not to enjoy his systematic and merciless destruction of his loathsome opponent."

134. Sharia fiasco

Comment #124889 by Matt7895 on February 10, 2008 at 11:50 am

Why can't the British (and the European people in general) just tell the Muslims to piss off and go back to Arabia if they want Sharia?!

Believe me I'd love to. But saying such a thing, in today's PC climate, would be seen as racist and you'd probably be likened to the BNP and other far-right parties. There's about a million Muslims in the country now (not much compared to 59 million non-Muslims), but they want more than their fair share, and when they don't get it they whine and play the oppressed minority card.

135. BREAK THE SCIENCE BARRIER - Available Now on DVD

Comment #123976 by Matt7895 on February 8, 2008 at 4:14 am

Is it me or is the audio out of sync in the Google Video version?

It went out of sync for me too. The Quicktime links worked fine.

Great stuff.
It was refreshing with a pure promotion video for science and not at the same time debunking religion.

True, although it does deal with anti-science which often goes hand in hand with religion. The creationists near the start appalled me. The woman who said 'I'd rather believe I came from Adam and Eve than an ape'... well, ma'am, I'd rather believe I'm a millionaire than an indebted student. Doesn't mean it is true.

I know that film was made about 15 years ago (was lovely seeing Douglas Adams again), I hope those people have fought off their delusion by now.

136. BREAK THE SCIENCE BARRIER - Available Now on DVD

Comment #123837 by Matt7895 on February 7, 2008 at 5:50 pm

Ah great, thank you Josh.

137. BREAK THE SCIENCE BARRIER - Available Now on DVD

Comment #123834 by Matt7895 on February 7, 2008 at 5:31 pm

Wow, great! Thanks for the uploads. Any chance of you guys over at RDFRS offering every DVD in one big set? I'd be sure to buy such a thing if it was offered.

138. Christopher Hitchens Debates Timothy Jackson

Comment #122797 by Matt7895 on February 6, 2008 at 5:16 am

I think Hitchens was at his best during this speech. Very astute and very funny.

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

Comment #120810 by Matt7895 on February 2, 2008 at 3:38 pm

If God's design was so intelligent, why do dicks supposedly need to be circumcised?

Because we are such loathsome lumps of dirt! The designer was intelligent, doesn't mean he had to apply himself when creating humans!

Or maybe he just liked watching Jewish priests sucking the foreskin off a mutilated baby.

140. Happy Birthday Josh Timonen!

Comment #119063 by Matt7895 on January 31, 2008 at 9:43 am

Happy Birthday, really well designed site, with frequent updates!

141. Richard Dawkins on The Big Questions

Comment #117990 by Matt7895 on January 30, 2008 at 6:46 am

althoughe no one has been executed for ages in Britain i heard that there are a fiew ancient laws that have not yet been recinded, these capital offenses include: high treason against Her Majesty the Queen or a member of her household, piracy with violence (for all you pastafarians out there), and if you are an Englishman you may fire a crossbow at a Welshman provided you are standing on top of the Cardiff city wall and the Welshman is outside said wall.

The Criminal Damage Act 1971 abolished the offence of arson in royal dockyards.

The Armed Forces Act 1981 abolished the death penalty for espionage.

Under a House of Lords amendment to the Crime and Disorder Act 1998, the death penalty was abolished for treason and piracy with violence, replacing it with a discretionary maximum sentence of life imprisonment. These were the last civilian offences punishable with death.

On May 20, 1998, the House of Commons voted to ratify the 6th Protocol of the European Convention on Human Rights prohibiting capital punishment except "in time of war or imminent threat of war." The last remaining provisions for the death penalty under military jurisdiction (including in wartime) were removed when section 21 of the Human Rights Act 1998 came into force on 9 November 1998.

The UK later in 2003 acceded to the 13th Protocol, which prohibits the death penalty under all circumstances, so that the UK may no longer legislate to restore the death penalty while it is subject to the Convention.

Taken from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capital_punishment_in_the_United_Kingdom#Final_abolition

142. Richard Dawkins on The Big Questions

Comment #117981 by Matt7895 on January 30, 2008 at 5:56 am

well, don't get too encouraged, america has far worse laws which have religious subtexts: laws against gay marriage (and even practicing gay sex), the right to die, to be able to buy alcohol on sunday, prostitution, etc. ad nauseum!

Yeah I was about to say the same thing myself, but being British I didn't want to seem to come off as arrogant or anti-American. At least in Britain you can be gay and in a physical relationship, and be 'married'. Not being gay that doesn't really affect me anyway, but a law against alcohol certainly would! I hear there are some areas of the US where you can't drink even as an adult! Relics of prohibition, I suppose. And then of course there's the death penalty... I'm glad we abolished it in the sixties.

143. Richard Dawkins on The Big Debate

Comment #117814 by Matt7895 on January 29, 2008 at 5:47 pm

Ricey: Surely that comment is best suited for the other comment thread for 'The Big Questions'. That was the programme Nicky Campbell was presenting.

I'm about half-way through 'The Big Debate' right now and it is somewhat different. There are some interesting points being made, especially by the Humanist representative who in my view hits the nail directly on the head when it comes to religious education in schools.

144. Atheism and Violence

Comment #117795 by Matt7895 on January 29, 2008 at 4:53 pm

I know how MPhil feels! I didn't get a headache, but I did taste bile in my mouth... I feel the need to clean my teeth!

145. Richard Dawkins on The Big Questions

Comment #117789 by Matt7895 on January 29, 2008 at 4:35 pm

Watching this at the moment. It seems to me that Richard is the only atheist in the room! It appears to be full of religious people. Though I suppose it would be arrogant to say there isn't maybe one or two non-believers among them. Damn Christian Voice, they have their heads up their backsides.

146. Richard Dawkins on The Big Debate

Comment #117779 by Matt7895 on January 29, 2008 at 3:34 pm