101. The Genetics of Brain Wiring: From Molecule to Mind

Comment #33253 by Bremas on April 19, 2007 at 5:52 pm

Can anyone recommend a good book on genetics? (or a couple) Looking for something along the lines of a good up to date reference. Something that I don't exactly have to plow thru from cover to cover.

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

Comment #33249 by Bremas on April 19, 2007 at 5:17 pm

Got to speak up again.
A lot of my friends love O'Reilly (like I said, I've never figured the guy out), and they all know that I'm an atheist, and all have issues with the far right. This will be interesting.

103. Iran Exonerates Six Who Killed in Islam's Name

Comment #33241 by Bremas on April 19, 2007 at 5:00 pm

Yup, we are nothing more than a bunch of cave men walking around in fancy clothes with nuclear rocks and spears at our disposal.

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

Comment #33233 by Bremas on April 19, 2007 at 4:32 pm

sane1
YEC Young Earth Creationist.... I don't know if anyone in america of any importance (other than religious types) has ever said it publicly. Not directly anyway.

RD, just remember that if you have to take a hard shot (not recommended)... it appears that the psycho mass murderer from this week was raised in an otherwise hardworking christian family. And rants about jesus.

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

Comment #33228 by Bremas on April 19, 2007 at 4:17 pm

Further comment
I believe that O'Reilly is one of those people (thru upbringing in the US) that believe that morals are simply learned and not at all innate. That, I think, will be the focus of the debate. Although, I would be very interested to hear Bill state that he is a YEC on national television (don't know that he is or isn't). That would create a whole new debate. If RD could pull that one off... he would be my all time hero.

The more I think about this, I love it. And, I disagree with those that think it should be boycotted.

Going to be watching with interest. Good Luck RD.

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

Comment #33211 by Bremas on April 19, 2007 at 3:17 pm

I think this is a great move. Richard will do just fine.
I'd be more curious to see the viewer response mail.

I have never been able to figure O'Reilly out. I even read one of his earlier books. Not bad(emphasis Earlier books). In it he talks about going to church and listening to the sermon and thinking that the person talking is nothing more than a man and could be just as wrong as anyone else.

107. The Empty Wager

Comment #32942 by Bremas on April 18, 2007 at 7:18 pm

Sam and Transhuman, I will pocket both of those arguments.

108. Christians at Bible publishers have their throats cut

Comment #32922 by Bremas on April 18, 2007 at 5:52 pm

Post 4
Jack...come back. I want that quote.

edit. Okay, I get it. You're talking about the article. :-)

109. Sam's Flea!

Comment #32876 by Bremas on April 18, 2007 at 3:43 pm

Off topic
Just want to hear myself talk.
Just heard the breaking news of the mass murderer at V Tech ranting about christianity.
I told my sister yesterday that I was betting that religion would get tied into this.

On topic
To the author of this book. Anyone who thinks there is an invisible dude in the sky that you have conversations with is..... nuts.

110. Atheism isn't the final word

Comment #32633 by Bremas on April 17, 2007 at 6:12 pm

Off Topic
Don't know if this has been seen yet. Had to post it.
Not safe for work in most places.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=exDo2SMdB-0

111. As Religious Strife Grows, Europe's Atheists Seize Pulpit

Comment #32106 by Bremas on April 15, 2007 at 6:40 pm

Yorker post 66

Agree with you on the greed issue. Honestly, that's how I understand Chomsky's perspective.
I believe that in the US, religious thought drives alot of that greed.... it's a greed without understanding why one is being greedy (or a misunderstanding). I'd draw that out further, but I want to keep this post short.

Call me self centered.. but, I don't believe in being nice to my fellow man for altruistic reasons... I believe in it because it works for me. On many different levels. If it don't work, I don't do it.

112. Against God

Comment #32099 by Bremas on April 15, 2007 at 4:44 pm

How to become the center of attention fast:

At the height of Happy Hour, in a very loud voice, ask who else is an atheist in the bar.

I get the strangest looks, but I haven't been kicked out yet. :-)

Of course I haven't been kicked out for a lot of other things either.

113. As Religious Strife Grows, Europe's Atheists Seize Pulpit

Comment #31874 by Bremas on April 14, 2007 at 7:55 pm

Ah, Chomsky again. Sorry, not I. Not sure how you would define capitalism, but I'll take free markets anyday.

114. As Religious Strife Grows, Europe's Atheists Seize Pulpit

Comment #31868 by Bremas on April 14, 2007 at 7:08 pm

Yorker:
Most Democrats I meet are very compassionate. They compassionately take as much money from me thru big government that they can get their hands on. :-)

115. Medical 'Miracles' Not Supported by Evidence

Comment #31851 by Bremas on April 14, 2007 at 4:17 pm

greatness
I give you the levitating frog

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-xw_fmB2KA

Brief explanation here... I didn't read it too carefully.

http://www.rare-earth-magnets.com/magnet_university/magnetic_levitation.htm

116. Medical 'Miracles' Not Supported by Evidence

Comment #31834 by Bremas on April 14, 2007 at 2:29 pm

ghostbuster post 38
"Now we have colleges here offering courses/licensing in ancient chinese medicine--they have been given credibility!"

Two of my cousins that I don't know all too well (brother and sister) have gone in completely two different directions. One is a medical doctor who graduated from some of the best universities in the US. He currently does research on shit that is way over my head involving blood and the heart. The other has become a liscenced chinese medical doctor. Sheeesh.
Their father is the uncle I reference in the above post (who has stated to me that he doesn't like religion). Not sure what this proves..other than I have a screwed up family.

If there is an atheist gene.. then it seems to be rare.

117. Medical 'Miracles' Not Supported by Evidence

Comment #31833 by Bremas on April 14, 2007 at 2:02 pm

Regarding all of the comments about people seeing god in things that are difficult (or damn near impossible) to understand... quantum mechanics, event horizon, dark matter....

Over the past year I have been quizzing the dozen or so people that I know that I have always considered very intelligent, and whose opinion I have respected. All of them have claimed to understand and 'believe' in evolution. But when pushed to say that the notion of a god was basically a mass delusion, all of them (with one exception) fought back with the argument that you can't prove that there is not…. often referencing quantum mechanics, dark matter etc.. A couple of them even starting referencing strange things that they had heard of second hand regarding reincarnation and ghosts. It is f***ing frustrating as hell. I'm going to quiz my uncle in about an hour. Please let there be hope. I have never questioned my own 'faith' in humanity as I do now.

My basic problem with this "lack of understanding"… other than the obvious, is that in the end, all of these people want to believe in the notion of a top down designer. And, in my opinion, anyone who subscribes to the concept of top down design is a dictator in waiting.

118. Medical 'Miracles' Not Supported by Evidence

Comment #31819 by Bremas on April 14, 2007 at 12:46 pm

greatness,
I believe I might have seen the floating frog.

Saw it twice, the second time a couple of weeks ago. Racking my brain to remember the context of the show (documentary?)

Bottomline is.... someone got a frog to hang in a magnetic field. Don't remember anything about water or walking(hopping?). The frog (alive) was simply suspended in the field. Anyone else?

119. For God's Sake

Comment #31652 by Bremas on April 13, 2007 at 4:04 pm

Just a follow-up to my last post.

I worked there for 3yrs. They're religious views were not overly apparent to me until the second year. I think they assumed that I was a YEC just like them. (at the time, I didn't even know what that was or that such a person existed outside a trailer park.) No one knew that I was an atheist. A week before I left, my boss looked at me and said that she knew I was a good christian man. I just smiled and got the hell out of Dodge.

120. For God's Sake

Comment #31650 by Bremas on April 13, 2007 at 3:53 pm

Not trying to offend anyone..:-)

I once worked in a place that was predominatly black women. They were extreme liberals, and extreme biblethumpers.

Just making the point that biblethumping doesn't just belong to white male conservatives in the US.

121. For God's Sake

Comment #31640 by Bremas on April 13, 2007 at 3:23 pm

I agree with pissintothewind question (58). I've heard a lot of people state that they're just playing politics, but that's not the feel I get.

I'm now leaning away from both of them. Religion and big government. Sound familiar.

122. For God's Sake

Comment #31618 by Bremas on April 13, 2007 at 2:00 pm

Just read some of the other comments

regarding conversation between Phaderus and AtheistAcolyte on meeting place.

I live in Hawaii. Nice, but probably no good. Like NZ suggestion.
There used to be a rumor that the captians of US ballistic missile submarines had an informal agreement to meet in NZ after missile release due to global wind patterns.

123. For God's Sake

Comment #31610 by Bremas on April 13, 2007 at 1:36 pm

Phaderus
Funny you should mention Atlas Shrugged. I just bought it last night. Don't spoil it:-)

124. Is God poison?

Comment #31057 by Bremas on April 10, 2007 at 8:23 pm

Just watched the local mormons enter an apartment across the way for a second time this week. Looks like they got one. Ugh.

A few days ago I watched them knock on every door in the building. Kept wishing they would knock on my door. I would have let them in. :-)

125. Hey Mom, I'm an Atheist

Comment #31024 by Bremas on April 10, 2007 at 5:01 pm

Smells real to me.
I did something similiar to my father once in order to prove a point to relatives.

Gutless wonder of a father in that clip.

126. Is God poison?

Comment #31012 by Bremas on April 10, 2007 at 3:39 pm

@Helian post 66
Here's what I would prefer to see.

Provide us a link to a US military christian website where you do this to them.

I would pay for admission. Might even join you.

127. Is God a Delusion?

Comment #29865 by Bremas on April 5, 2007 at 8:42 am

sane1
That's hysterical.
Some people obviously have too much time on their hands.:-)

128. Is God a Delusion?

Comment #29861 by Bremas on April 5, 2007 at 8:25 am

brian post 26
That made my day.
Thanx

129. Kansas State School Board Bans Pokemon Due to Evolution Content

Comment #29844 by Bremas on April 5, 2007 at 7:02 am

Cdat,
A little more thought on your question......
Not sure where you are from.
In the US today, the single most polarizing thing is the Iraq war. If a bible thumping right wing conservative were monitoring this website I can almost guarantee that they are pro Bush, and thus pro Iraq war. It has become almost one in the same thing here.

Not sure if that answers your question.
I was just playing the game of one upsmanship. Because, I bet that they would also be a chickenhawk.

130. Kansas State School Board Bans Pokemon Due to Evolution Content

Comment #29833 by Bremas on April 5, 2007 at 4:35 am

Cdat,
Honest question.
Taking the high road maybe? I intend to go to Iraq shortly. (not sure yet)
Bottom line is that I dislike chickenhawks more than pacifists.

131. Kansas State School Board Bans Pokemon Due to Evolution Content

Comment #29823 by Bremas on April 5, 2007 at 3:10 am

Something finally struck me.
This happened the day after that I suggested something might be a hoax.

What struck me, was that I might have given an idea to a rightwingnutjob that monitors this site. I wouldn't think so, but the coincidence is just a little too close for comfort for me. To the person who sent this in (if you are a right wing nutjob)…. my friends are serving in Iraq right now and I bet you aren't. So… you can fuck off.

I just needed to state it. (I'm a little sensitive :-))

132. Is God a Delusion?

Comment #29789 by Bremas on April 4, 2007 at 5:08 pm

Fishpeddler

"we don't have to pretend that all possibilities are equally likely."

amen

133. Is God a Delusion?

Comment #29786 by Bremas on April 4, 2007 at 5:03 pm

"What is a Christian?" / Anderson Cooper 360 10eastern CNN

"Big questions about how the universe came to be and how we got here. Science says one thing, the Bible says another. Can the two co-exist? "360°" investigates:"

http://www.cnn.com/CNN/Programs/

134. Is God a Delusion?

Comment #29783 by Bremas on April 4, 2007 at 4:59 pm

Just caught the end of a segment on CNN saying there was going to be a show tonight on religion and science.

Didn't catch a time or name.

Anyone get it?

135. Is God a Delusion?

Comment #29781 by Bremas on April 4, 2007 at 4:42 pm

I have personally found that the holier than though agnostic types have a common trend in their method of reasoning....

I have asked the question of them several times and the answer I get back is this: Scientific Method is the concept of coming up with a theory and then proving it. (no mention of testing it or disproving it)

Which is exactly how the young earth creationists think.

136. Kansas State School Board Bans Pokemon Due to Evolution Content

Comment #29742 by Bremas on April 4, 2007 at 2:12 pm

I'm holding my tongue this time.

137. The Most Hated Family in America

Comment #29651 by Bremas on April 3, 2007 at 8:04 pm

Big T,
Book in hand. You are correct sir. And now I remember reading that passage.

138. The Most Hated Family in America

Comment #29649 by Bremas on April 3, 2007 at 7:41 pm

One more comment
ao9news hit upon missed opportunities. Thinking back about it when the one 21 year old woman said in the car (giggling)"Who would marry us/me". It was almost a scream for "someone outside my group, please tell me I'm normal".

(edited for grammer)(edited for grammar) :-)

139. The Most Hated Family in America

Comment #29645 by Bremas on April 3, 2007 at 7:18 pm

Just finished the whole thing. It really is sad.
If anyone goes to school with or works with that one young woman, I would recommend befriending her as she really seemed on the verge of breaking loose.

All those giggles and smiles point to a lot of really darker things going on there. And, as someone already pointed out, the possibility of it all ending badly is real.

140. The Most Hated Family in America

Comment #29609 by Bremas on April 3, 2007 at 2:59 pm

I'm still in disbelief.

Anyone think there is more than a little inbreeding going on here.

141. The Most Hated Family in America

Comment #29600 by Bremas on April 3, 2007 at 2:30 pm

AtheistJunkie post 9

Just watched your fox news clip.

Once again
Jesus H. Fucking Christ!!! I stand corrected.

142. The Most Hated Family in America

Comment #29597 by Bremas on April 3, 2007 at 2:25 pm

Okay,
Read a few more posts. If they are for real then, Jesus H. Fucking Christ... I stand corrected.

143. The Most Hated Family in America

Comment #29596 by Bremas on April 3, 2007 at 2:23 pm

Currently trying to research this...

For all those not in US..info alert.

There is a very well coordinated effort by nationwide motorcycle groups to show up to military funerals as a silent "counter wall" between anti-war protesters and funeral observers. If this were for real… I don't think the motorcycle groups would have any problem with being a "little more than silent".

144. The Most Hated Family in America

Comment #29590 by Bremas on April 3, 2007 at 2:10 pm

Josh,
Are you sure you didn't just get had by a April Fools Day satire. A little belatedly.

145. The Most Hated Family in America

Comment #29589 by Bremas on April 3, 2007 at 2:06 pm

Dude... This has got to be a hoax.

If they're well known in america, I've never heard of them.

146. Richard Dawkins Explains 'The God Delusion'

Comment #29462 by Bremas on April 3, 2007 at 2:06 am

@Helian
Father a great man?.... Well he certainly has the market cornered on obnoxious. :-)
I always liked the A2… It worked for me.

147. Atheist says he's victim of religious hate crime

Comment #29455 by Bremas on April 3, 2007 at 1:46 am

Joe_OD

I'm curious as to which majors you think most students are feeding into, and curious as to roughly what the rest of the breakdown was.

When I was in college at U of Missouri, I never had an inkling as to what the creation/evolution persuasion was of the students around me. No one ever went to church. :-)

148. Atheist says he's victim of religious hate crime

Comment #29454 by Bremas on April 3, 2007 at 1:38 am

Joe_OD

Was that a mandatory intro bio class?

149. Atheist says he's victim of religious hate crime

Comment #29446 by Bremas on April 3, 2007 at 1:12 am

Rtambree post 17

Ouch.. to say the least.

150. Atheist says he's victim of religious hate crime

Comment #29371 by Bremas on April 2, 2007 at 4:51 pm

re. switchbac490

"19% of people polled between the ages of 18 and 30 claimed to be atheist or agnostic."

While I hope this is true, I wouldn't start high fiving anyone if it were. I've found that a lot of people in those age brackets who say such things tend to drift into "other" things... wicken, new age crap, whatever. I suspect this battle is only going to get tougher. Don't mean to damper it, but I'd prefer to see better science scores... and ram home the concept of scientific method.