151. Seven new deadly sins: are you guilty?

Comment #141598 by dragonfirematrix on March 10, 2008 at 8:15 pm

I hardly know where to begin, but let me begin with a response to the following:

FIRST QUOTE and MY COMMENT

" "You offend God not only by stealing, blaspheming or coveting your neighbor's wife, but also by ruining the environment, carrying out morally debatable scientific experiments, or allowing genetic manipulations which alter DNA or compromise embryos," he said. "

Let us smash (with a 2x4) this quote right square in the face of the Abrahamic god(s). The Abrahamic god(s) do not have one clue about whose wives are coveted. Nor do the Abrahamic god(s) have a glimmer of thought about the ramifications of environmental problems. Finally, the Abrahamic god(s) faced with responding to the acronym DNA would look like a bunch of deer in headlights.

Sounds to me like the religious fanatics are trying to retrofit new rules to past (and present) events to accommodate religious desires for the future oppression of uneducated masses.


SECOND QUOTE and MY COMMENT

"The excessive accumulation of wealth by a few."

I guess the radicalized right had better start condemning their own kind on this one.


THIRD QUOTE and MY COMMENT

"The Pope also complained that an increasing number of people in the secularised West were "making do without God.""

(((Aside from the fact that the Pope needs to learn how to spell secularized)))...

I do not know about everyone else, but I do quite well without god(s) in my life. I am a good person, and I do on occasion tell the religious to prove I am a bad person for not being religious. I have never gotten an answer from the religious for that question, but I have received a lot of terrorizing hate rhetoric.


FINAL COMMENT

I did not see a detailed listing of all the sins that will (of course) destroy the universe, space, and time, but I know I have violated them, and I suspect I will continue to violate them.

Oh well, I guess damned be me by the religious and their imaginary god(s) :)

152. For the Love of Christ

Comment #140542 by dragonfirematrix on March 7, 2008 at 6:58 pm

This Justin Fatica is a nut ball, and he should be arrested and put on trial for child abuse, terrorism, and fraud.

Justin, your god is imaginary.

153. The Video: Bill O'Reilly Interviews Richard Dawkins

Comment #140541 by dragonfirematrix on March 7, 2008 at 6:50 pm

O Reilly is just a rude to opposing views today as he was when he did this interview with Richard.

Like all religious fanatics, O Reilly likes to cut short and interrupt people of opposing views.

Like all religious fanatics, O Reilly is not interested in the truth, which science is learning more and more each day while religion remains emmersed in Neanderthalism.

O Reilly, your god is imaginary.

154. Are they running for President or Pastor-in-Chief?

Comment #139965 by dragonfirematrix on March 6, 2008 at 8:38 pm

Okay, where do we begin?

There is not enough disk space available world-wide to store all the reasons why religion is a bad idea, but... I will try to be brief.

Well, first, Huckabee lost his butt in the primaries and (I think) came in behind Romney in the delegate count in the GOP (Grand Old Perverts) even after Romney pulled out. That must say something to analysts :)

So, if God exists, why did God abandon Huckabee and Romney?

I think this video is another proof why there is no god (god is imaginary). WHY?

First, we might ask this question: Which side of the political spectrum is God on? Hillary and Obama are democratic leftwing (even a degree towards socialist); Romney and Huckabee are conservative rightwing (even to the degree of hard-liner trashing The Constitution in favor of a their imaginary god's little black book of fiction). McCain must be so, so and has distanced himself from the radicalized religious right, but he has won at least part of the GOP.

I think the paragraph above implies all we need to know. Since Obama and Hillary are both strongly winning democratic support, and McCain does not have the support of the radicalized religious right in the GOP, I must assume that God wants a lefty to be president in America.

Makes sense to me…but then I do not believe in god(s).

155. It's Make Believe!

Comment #139954 by dragonfirematrix on March 6, 2008 at 7:55 pm

George, that was awesome!

Great job!

156. Lords Approve Abolition Of Blasphemy

Comment #139940 by dragonfirematrix on March 6, 2008 at 7:11 pm

Well, I think this is good news... maybe...

Here in America, we still have many of those religious lunatics trying just about anything they can to take control of the laws.

The non-religious must never drop their guard. The non-religious should always be pushing for freedom, civil rights, civil liberties, human rights, right up in the face of the religious.

When it comes to saving lives-- science is saving lives, not religion. Science must also continue to prove it can answer the tough questions, and repeatedly put down religion and religious dogma with empirical evidence.

157. God, power and money

Comment #138776 by dragonfirematrix on March 4, 2008 at 7:18 pm

Basically, this entire article is about committing fraud and reaping benefits from it.

So...

Why are the religious allowed to commit fraud? Why are not these scam artists in jail?

158. What's the Point of the Archbishop of Canterbury?

Comment #138753 by dragonfirematrix on March 4, 2008 at 6:55 pm

So... What is the point of religion besides distorting minds and holding back the progress of humanity?

We do not need to accept the rigid laws of religion (like Sharia). What was Williams thinking? Power, money, control...

We need to strive for something greater than religion. Perhaps we should start by admitting this basic truth: Like Santa Claus and like The Easter Bunny and like the Tooth Fairy, god is imaginary.

159. Survey shows Non-Religious Outnumber Those of Every Single Faith (But One)

Comment #138722 by dragonfirematrix on March 4, 2008 at 6:16 pm

I am glad to hear the non-religious are a growing segment of our population, and I think the non-religious will continue to grow as more people open their minds and start thinking for themselves. That said it is still very troubling that so many people continue to believe in the imaginary god(s).

What is even more disturbing is that many of the believers are (theoretically) educated people. I guess my questions are: What went wrong with their education? Does society (indeed, humanity) have the will to correct the problem?

I guess we will have to wait and see the results as time goes on. This time and waiting presumes, of course, the religious do not kill us all first.

160. Berlin gallery in Islam art row

Comment #136886 by dragonfirematrix on March 1, 2008 at 11:59 pm

We really need more displays of Jesus in yellow liquid, and more displays of Mohammad as a teddy bear.

In fact, why not publically display all the horrors committed by (and in the name of) the Abrahamic religions.

161. Christopher Hitchens on Real Time with Bill Maher

Comment #136883 by dragonfirematrix on March 1, 2008 at 11:46 pm

Christopher Hitchens was terrific!!!

It is great to see a such a dynamite display by Christopher Hitchens at a simple fire cracker party.

Will humanity ever learn the truth?

162. America: slouching towards the Enlightenment

Comment #135317 by dragonfirematrix on February 28, 2008 at 8:24 pm

I read this article in a couple of places.

The non-religious, as well as those who question religion is growing, as it should be, especially for any population that prides itself on "smarts."

I guess the blatantly obvious observance to me is that no one god or belief exists. The number of different religions and variations of each shown in the chart kind-of concludes that there are just too many gods, and that not all of these gods (or variations of each belief) can be right. This in itself proves the non-existence of gods.

It sounds like what Richard has mentioned in many interviews and debates. Thor, Zeus, on infinitum.

Here it is, the 21st century (as defined by the birth of the Christian god), but it is probably the year 1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 times ten to infinite power of multiple big bangs times the infinite power of "on infinitum." How old is the Earth according to the god of whatever?

Okay, so which god is god? Which god on the chart of gods is god? Can I add the Smurfs as gods? For Papa Smurf so loved.

I really do not need an answer. I already know the Smurfs are god.

163. Dispatches: Holy Offensive

Comment #135267 by dragonfirematrix on February 28, 2008 at 7:10 pm

Free speech trumps religion and sensitivity toward the religious.

Tolerance and sensitivity in social situations is an honorable discussion.

However, tolerance and sensitivity toward the intolerance and insensitivities of the religious is not productive towards human rights, civil liberties, civil rights, freedom, etc. Nor should one show any tolerance and sensitivity toward the religious.

If the religious want to believe and think like Neanderthals, we should forcefully relocated those Neanderthals to some small remote island where they can live the horrors and fantasies of their religious beliefs without imposing their pain on the rest of us.

Free speech must rule.

164. Interview with Richard Dawkins

Comment #135237 by dragonfirematrix on February 28, 2008 at 6:32 pm

Thanks Dr. Dawkins for another very enjoyable topic and interview.

I agree that the religious need to prove the existence of their god(s) and beliefs.

If the religious teach children (and even adults) that some Santa Claus like fantasy (their god) is real, they should be charged with fraud in all cases. In the cases involving children, charge the religious with child abuse for trying to brain washing the children.

Every time I hear some rant by the religious (E.g. the religious right) for pushing prayer or religion in the public schools, I think of The Jonestown Massacre, Hitler, the oppression of women, religious wars, attacks on gays and minorities, or some other hideous event with people who have been raised to bark on command the dogma of some religion.

I hope Richard is right about humanity moving away from religion. It does appear that we are moving away from religion, even if very slowly.

165. The Giant Tortoise's Tale

Comment #133763 by dragonfirematrix on February 26, 2008 at 5:46 pm

Another very good science lesson. I enjoy these very much.

166. Church is paying a high price for its celibacy rule

Comment #133197 by dragonfirematrix on February 25, 2008 at 8:00 pm

If the religious claim such intense focus on what THEY claim as truth, then should try on this truth for size, which is...

...The bottom-line is... the bottom. Sex rules!

The religious need to mature beyond their hang-ups and accept the real world, instead of their current world of multiple false fantasies.

167. Physicist Neil Turok: Big Bang Wasn't the Beginning

Comment #132458 by dragonfirematrix on February 24, 2008 at 7:22 pm

This is very interesting to read that a physicist is talking about this topic, and it has a little special meaning to me.

I submitted a comment in January about my belief in this kind of theory of the universe. Below references the RD article and my comment number:

41. The Science behind the Large Hadron Collider
Comment #116927 by dragonfirematrix on January 27, 2008 at 7:59 pm

From today's RD article "Physicist Neil Turok: Big Bang Wasn't the Beginning,"
By Wired, I quote the text below:

"According to Turok, who teaches at Cambridge University, the Big Bang represents just one stage in an infinitely repeated cycle of universal expansion and contraction. Turok theorizes that neither time nor the universe has a beginning or end."

I have long believed the universe is infinitely recycling through expansion, contraction, expansion, and on infinitum. In my opinion, the universe has no beginning, and the universe will have no end. The universe will simply go on.

I am a techy, not a scientist. However, it is illogical to me that there ever once was nothing from which everything sprang into something. It is not logical for nothing to exist because nothing actually is something, but I will leave this for another discussion.

SIMPLY… about the article…

Science goes about learning methodically. Science is a living and growing entity with a thirst for knowledge, not a stagnated, lost, Neanderthal clinging to some ancient imaginary god's dictates. Science is constantly theorizing, learning, analyzing, testing, and updating its previously stated decisions with new knowledge. Maybe the tests with the Large Hadron Collider will reveal new data to think about.

168. Over half of Britons claim no religion

Comment #131998 by dragonfirematrix on February 23, 2008 at 8:51 pm

In response to a comment: "Comment #131711 by BaronOchs on February 23, 2008 at 3:52 am."

Thank you for your response :)

I am not 100% sure if I understand your position, but...

I very much believe in human rights. However, I do believe that testing the intolerance of zealots (E.g. - the religious) to expose just how purely the religious believe in the power of their god(s) is a very logical (and revealing) test.

As I suggest, and still suggest...

Why not force the religious into their own box that these religious zealots are trying to force upon all of us. Should we not put the religious to a simple real-life test of their faith in their god(s)? I think we should.

Thanks for your comment :)

169. My Argument With God

Comment #131646 by dragonfirematrix on February 22, 2008 at 9:11 pm

This is an interesting article.

It interests me because I was raised (oh, forbid) in a baptist home. I think I was born a freethinker because I never really believed in gods, the tooth fairy, etc.

I do not need to go into my conversion (to Secular Humanism) details because those details are obvious to freethinkers.

All I need now say is that I am a Secular Humanist/Atheist, who is finally on the right and correct path.

170. Over half of Britons claim no religion

Comment #131641 by dragonfirematrix on February 22, 2008 at 8:47 pm

Religion is passé.

I suspect the average person presented with the following requirements would drop religion like a bad habit:

1) Forbid the religious health insurance and emergency medical treatment. Require the religious to care for their medical needs solely from prayers to their god(s).

2) Deny the religious the luxuries of clean water, store bought foods, automotive transportation, homes, heating and air. All these things come from science, not god(s). The religious should be required to do the best they can without the creations of man's sciences.

I imagine my point is obvious.

I suggest testing my implementation on the religious, and religion will almost completely disappear.

171. Whale Evolution

Comment #131035 by dragonfirematrix on February 21, 2008 at 6:54 pm

I guess over millions of years and the affect of all kinds of environmental impacts, evolution reaches out in all directions.

Very interesting video. I learned something new about whales this evening.

Now, if we can just the religious to evolve.

172. The Lava Lizard's Tale

Comment #131031 by dragonfirematrix on February 21, 2008 at 6:38 pm

Very interesting video. I enjoyed it.

I like the idea of everything having a finger print, of sorts. It is kind of neat. All we have to do is learn how to read those finger prints to understand evolution.

173. DLD08 - Life: a gene-centric view

Comment #130553 by dragonfirematrix on February 20, 2008 at 8:36 pm

This was a very interesting lecture.

If I understand this correctly, this is about science creating life, understanding life, different life. This is a quantum leap, a great step for humanity.

Richard states that some people (the religionists, I suspect) will find this achievement as science playing god. First, I would like to say that there is no god, so science cannot play god because god does not exist.

Science can do no more harm to our existence trying to understand and stabilized evolution on our planet, than the random affects of humans and other life on our environment. As for the objections of the religious, maybe science will eliminate the flaw of religion so humanity can evolve through transition to a new level of understanding of our existence beyond the limitations of the belief in gods.

Science will eventually find alien life, science will create life, but regardless of religious objections, science will understand life and convey that understanding to humanity. In spite of the walls the religious try to build to stop the learning of the truth of our existence, science will still prevail…somewhere.

Darwin still rocks!

Evolution is evolution no matter what prompts it. We are still evolving, slowly and methodically, one breath, and one meal at a time.

174. 'Frog from hell' fossil unearthed

Comment #129968 by dragonfirematrix on February 19, 2008 at 8:29 pm

I guess ONE GIANT RIBBIT is in order. Imagine the size of the fly.

Welcome to evolution.

175. Bart Ehrman, Questioning Religion on Why We Suffer

Comment #129957 by dragonfirematrix on February 19, 2008 at 8:13 pm

Oh, how enlightenment corrects the beliefs of a person and saves the person from the lies of once believed in god(s).

176. State Approves Evolution As 'Scientific Theory'

Comment #129937 by dragonfirematrix on February 19, 2008 at 7:32 pm

I read another article about this "Dover, PA" styled nonsense.

I guess the parents, who want their kids in good schools, will move their kids to schools that teach the truth, which is "The Law of Evolution."

I hope parents will take charge and put an end to this "theory of evolution" bulshi, if they want their kids to get a good honest and correct education.

I feel very sorry for the children of the parents who support the Florida decision. However, for those parents who want bible fantasies taught as fact to their children instead of the "Law of Evolution," well... I guess those children will be left-behind. Our evolving planet does not have time to wait for these people to catch up to the truth of their own existence. I feel very sorry for the children.

Do you recall that this is another state that run for a while by the Bush family? We also need to remember that Florida is the state where the radicalized Christians were going postal over trying to keep alive the hopelessly brain-dead woman, Terry Shrivo.

Oh well, so much for Florida… maybe becoming brain-dead is contagious.

I BELIEVE NOW IS A GOOD TIME TO RECALL A QUOTE BY DR. CARL SAGAN

"History is full of people who out of fear, or ignorance, or lust for power [have] destroyed knowledge of immeasurable value which truly belongs to us all. We must not let it happen again." -- Carl Sagan

177. Archbishop's 8 March centennial message: Let Sharia Law govern women's lives, Amen!

Comment #128728 by dragonfirematrix on February 17, 2008 at 8:24 pm

I think the quoted segment below from the article, by Azar Majedi, hits the bulls-eye of what society today faces from religion.

THE QUOTED TEXT FROM Azar Majedi's ARTICLE

“Giving the Archbishop's intention the benefit of the doubt is the best case scenario. The other, to my opinion most probable scenario is that he is cunningly trying to strengthen the grip of religion and religious institutions on the society as a whole. By assigning a stronger position to Islam in "Muslim Communities" he is trying to foster the position of the church and Christianity in the wider society. If one accepts the role of Islam and Islamic laws in one community, by the same token, they should accept the role of Christianity and the Church of England in the larger community. His defence of Sharia Law is a clever step towards revitalizing the role of Church in the wider society.�

MY OPINION

In America, we seem faced daily with new ways on the part of the Christians to force their beliefs into (and onto) our lives, our schools, and our government. Intelligent design is but one example how the religious are trying to force their way into (and onto) American society. There are other examples of religion attempting takeovers, like voluntary prayer in schools, or a moment of silence required for everyone, and of course we have Kansas and Pennsylvania. Is all this INCREMENTALISM?

And…

How about Huckabee and his blunt statement about rewriting The Constitution of The United States of America according the Christian bible. Huckabee should take a bit closer look at America. He might just find that Christians are not the only people who live here.

The Christians in America are constantly trying to merge church and state, as if they think the results will be good. I think the religious/political battle we have going on here in America is quite the same as Rowan Williams use of his remarks.

To me, the religious are searching everyday everyway they can to enforce their beliefs on everyone. The quoted segment of Azar Majedi article above makes a perfect point of this methodology.

The Secular must be ever vigilant.

178. Machines 'to match man by 2029'

Comment #128722 by dragonfirematrix on February 17, 2008 at 7:11 pm

Evolution in the making.

A-man!

179. The Dog Allusion

Comment #128392 by dragonfirematrix on February 16, 2008 at 10:33 pm

I love my Shih-Tzu. Her name is EWOK of Forest Moon.

180. Map reveals extent of human damage to oceans

Comment #128384 by dragonfirematrix on February 16, 2008 at 10:21 pm

I heard this on (I think) NPR radio today. It is an interesting topic.

I guess we have two bottom line problems, and two directions for solutions:

1) IF ONE IS A BELIEVER IN FANTASIES (GODS)

Humanity will destroy planet Earth if we remain based on religious mandates. The religious on our planet might believe humanity is failing because to few virgins are being sacrificed for god, or the religious might believe there is not enough religious war against infidels (pick your infidel). The religious might even believe sex, drugs, and rock is destroying humanity.


2) IF ONE IS A BELIEVER IN SCIENCE, THEN REASON, FACTS, PROOFS, ETC.

Information and facts demonstrate a problem complete with a cause. We learn from science (not religion) why the Earth is failing. Science and reason establishes procedures to respond to the destruction to correct the problems created by humanity.

I realize this process is over simplified. However, which path to a solution (religion or science) will achieve measurable and positive results to advance humanity?

I PICK SCIENCE to save humanity. Religion is fraud.

181. Dumb and Dumber: Are Americans Hostile to Knowledge?

Comment #127994 by dragonfirematrix on February 15, 2008 at 9:00 pm

I think the quote below from the article most aptly identifies my opinion of America’s problem. By the way, I live in Forest, VA, USA, which is about six miles from Liberty University. I assume Neanderthal fantasies are taught there as facts and virtues.

THE QUOTE FROM THE ARTICLE

“But now, Ms. Jacoby said, something different is happening: anti-intellectualism (the attitude that "too much learning can be a dangerous thing") and anti-rationalism ("the idea that there is no such things as evidence or fact, just opinion") have fused in a particularly insidious way.�

MORE OF MY THOUGHTS

I have lived in my area for 60 years. It is my opinion that the religious here do exhibit “anti-intellectualism,’ they do speak at times like "too much learning can be a dangerous thing,� and I have been in conversation where I have heard that “there is no such things as evidence or fact.� I have also heard, as many of people do, the expressed intolerance of the religious on a variety of social and scientific fronts.

I believe that the religious are against intellectualism, science learning the truth, and the presentation of truth to the masses. How about this thought: A church cannot recruit more givers of 10% of their income if the church cannot fool people into believing in imaginary gods.

It is my opinion that the practitioners of religion in America can easily become the future Christian version of Islamic extremism (American style).

Has anyone else heard Huckabee’s comment about rewriting The Constitution of The United States of America to conform to his Christian bible? I know Huckleberry is seeking the votes from the radicalized right, but what idiot would even suggest the tearing down one of the most significant documents of freedom in the history of humankind in favor of a “God Delusion?� I can only imagine the oppression of women, the killing of gays, the enslaving of minorities, religious indoctrination of school children, and extreme punishments for non-compliance and conformity to the Christian’s “little black book.� About what is America thinking?

It is all in thought that I share the above.

Wayne (Forest, VA, USA)

182. New meat-eating dinos identified

Comment #127053 by dragonfirematrix on February 14, 2008 at 8:21 pm

This is a very interesting article.

I suppose the religious would defend these random acts of horror and carnage as designed by their loving god.

To the religious I suppose there is nothing like a living meal to eat. That said, I wonder how the religious reconcile which of their loving gods creatures is blessed.

183. Debate between Richard Dawkins and Madeline Bunting

Comment #127048 by dragonfirematrix on February 14, 2008 at 7:51 pm

This was a very interesting listening. As usual, Richard did a very nice job driving his point’s home.


MY FIRST COMMENT

To me, Richard's point that something either: "is or it is not" illustrates a great methodology that simply requires verification, certification, and repeatable proof. This methodology is simply asking a person to show me, prove to me, and convince me. This methodology is a very powerful position from which to speak.

For example…

The religious require acceptance (on faith) of their god and their gods teaching (version numbers subject to change).

This is bulshi. This simply means the religious cannot prove their fantasy, and are using psychology to recruit the slow of mind. The religious do not like engagements with people who question things and require proof. To challenge any of their god or their gods teaching is a sin, punishable maybe by stoning to death, burning to death, beheading, imprisonment, assassination, jihads, crusades, or other horrible acts pre-approved by their loving imaginary god.

We secularists, atheists, etc., must continue to challenge the religious on every front until humanity learns the truth.


MY SECOND COMMENT

In so many words, I believe the topic came up about how Richard is not going to win many converts to his side due to his bluntness. As for being very blunt and to the point to the religious, I do not find this a problem at all.

The religious themselves use the fire breathing and brimstone approach all the time. They should absolutely love Richard’s approach and welcome it with open arms.

For example…

The religious are terrorizing their children with fire and brimstone. How many times have we heard American Christian conservatives preach what their mouthy radio talk-show hosts describe as "tough love?" The religious certainly do not mind getting ugly with we secularists, atheists, etc. Richard is simply showing the religious people "tough love.� Richard, you keep on tough loving.


MY LAST COMMENT

Richard is not missing anything by not being a politician. Few (if any) politicians would ever dare deal in facts so directly and intelligently as Richard. Enough said.

184. My Saudi Valentine

Comment #126661 by dragonfirematrix on February 13, 2008 at 8:08 pm

As at least one person has mentioned...

Life finds a way. I guess it will.

However, what kind of life...and is that life free and happy.

This topic is not funny.

There probably are guys and girls in Saudi Arabia who wish they could meet, have fun, enjoy each other’s company, and engage without the “church plus state� executing them for their crimes against the laws of sick imaginary gods.

Saudi Arabia obviously is not a good place to live. The rules there must be horrible for men, women, and children. I guess they require the teaching of religion in their public schools much the same as the Christians wish they could require in the public schools in America.

While I am at it, does not Bush sing loves songs to Saudi Arabia, and what for but OIL.

Does civil rights, civil liberties, human rights, or real democracy (without theocracy) ever come to mind with Bush? The answer is probably not. America is now on a list of countries that torture prisoners.

Religion is an atrocity. It destroys the human spirit, oppresses human drives, censors the human imagination, and prevents achievement. Not only these, but religion seems 100 percent opposed to peace, freedom, civil rights, civil liberties, human rights, etc.

Why does our government sing overtures of love to Saudi Arabia’s theocracy except to satisfy our thirst for OIL?

Saudi Arabia, huh? Just what do you suppose the Christians of America (or elsewhere) want to impose on the world?

Religion is a sickness.

185. Murder plot against Danish cartoonist

Comment #126255 by dragonfirematrix on February 12, 2008 at 8:03 pm

I think the best way to defeat the Neanderthals (the religious) is to:

1) Ignore them, like they do not exist, or
2) Tick them off more with what they hate

That said, we have an real opportunity here. We can ignore the Neanderthals (religious), or we can draw more cartoons insulting their imaginary Abrahamic gods.

Personally, I like number two.

BY THE WAY…Do any of you remember when the radical right in America was going ballistic over the jesus in urine art. I might have this wrong, but was there not a huge uproar over displays at the National Endowment of Arts? The continent does not make any difference. Abrahamic bulshi here; Abrahamic bulshi there. It is all bulshi.

Although number one (above) works very well with people in the work place and on the street, I do not think it will work with the Neanderthals (the religious), so that leaves number two.

I believe the more insensitive the cartoons drawn (or, art, text, blogs, etc.), the better chances we have getting the religious to do one of two things:

1) The religious attempt a jihad or a crusade. Either of which will land them at least a life sentence in prison.
2) The religious will go hide under a rock.

Number two is preferable because it is (at least) less bloody. However, either way, we get rid of the Neanderthals (the religious), and at the same time, we rid the world of a major social problem.

OH, BY THE WAY... I HAVE SOME OF MY ON DRAWN CARTOONS OWN THIS TOPIC.

186. Sharia fiasco

Comment #125676 by dragonfirematrix on February 11, 2008 at 8:33 pm

Pat,

I love your style :)

You are great! You need to address the Congress of The United States of America. They could use your help.

Wayne (Forest, VA)

187. Bill Maher on Larry King Live

Comment #125671 by dragonfirematrix on February 11, 2008 at 8:12 pm

Larry King is passe. Let us move on to more appropriate prime-time.

188. Feb 12th: Happy Darwin Day!

Comment #125663 by dragonfirematrix on February 11, 2008 at 7:58 pm

Hey guys (and, of course, gals), I am not a poet, and I do not pretend to be one :)

However, I made this impromptu attempt to convert the Christian’s imaginary god’s prayer into thanks for Darwin (and science, of course). It might rhyme if I had more time :)

Anyway, here goes…

Oh Darwin, who art gone now, remembered is thy name,
Thy kingdom evolves,
Thy knowledge solves,
On earth, and in now the heavens.

Give us this day, our daily truth,
And document the stupid,
For they know not from whence they came.

Give us this day, our bread of truth,
And science that supports me.

Lead us out of regression,
And into the light of progression.

For Darwin is the truth, the science, and the reason forever…

A-everyone!

Happy Darwin Day!

189. Hitchens and Boteach Debate on God

Comment #125064 by dragonfirematrix on February 10, 2008 at 9:07 pm

My comments on Christopher’s opening remarks…

Right out the gate, Christopher Hitchens hits all the humanity nails on the head over, and over again with education, logic, reason, and a calm character. I love Christopher’s logical proof of the falsity of design (intelligent, or otherwise I presume). I would have a very hard time keeping my cool with the radical rants of the religious. Chris deserves a metal for his patience. I do hope that the human race grows out of the fantasies of religion before religion destroys all we know.


My comments on Rabbi Boteach’s opening remarks…

Right out the gate, Rabbi Boteach jumps into a blinding religious emotionalism, quoting bible verses, ranting about the problems with sex though he claims eight children, and he went off on a tangent about sex and circumcision. Why are the religious so worried about the sex parts of other people? Are the religious that terrified with the pole and the hole? I have only heard about two minutes of the Rabbi, and I already feel like I am in a religious School Gym Class receiving my daily proselytizing. I see no need to flag more of the Rabbi’s speech. I do hope that the human race grows out of the fantasies of religion before religion destroys all we know.

Other comments as I go…

The phenomenal complexity of life on Earth is through the millions and billions of years of evolution (balance, rebalance, balance, and rebalance, not to mention the survival of the most fit). I do not believe in “POOF, THERE IT IS� as the Rabbi appears to mandate...

Huckabee represents the Rabbi’s Neanderthals in America. Speaking of Neanderthals, I live about six miles from Liberty University where dinosaurs are only a few thousand years old, well at least on “their� campus, but no where else in the world. Huckabee spoke there.

I tell you what. I need not comment further on this debate. I know where I stand, and I stand with Christopher Hitchens. Now, I will spare further analysis and listen to the rest of the debate without further comment except for this last repeat, which is...

...I do hope that the human race grows out of the fantasies of religion before religion destroys us all.


Wayne (Forest, VA USA)

190. Why Darwin matters

Comment #124224 by dragonfirematrix on February 8, 2008 at 8:56 pm

It is absolutely amazing how Darwin (a person of our past) so completely rocks! Darwin is a very special person.

On another note, I just listened to and viewed "Break The Science Barrier." It is great! I ordered the DVD.

191. Sharia law in UK is 'unavoidable'

Comment #123866 by dragonfirematrix on February 7, 2008 at 7:32 pm

I am glad to see that Rowan Williams is catching a lot of condemnation over lapse of reason, but I guess I will play confused and ask a couple of questions that to me need an answer.

1) Knowing that the Islamic laws are ("extreme punishments" and "the attitudes to women as well� both quoted from the article, and the simple fact that there is no way to reason with a fundamentalist), how could anyone think giving the Islamic (or any other religious radical) a foot in the door is the right idea?

2) If the Islamic in the UK want their Shiria Law (an orientation of hate, right?) in the UK, why do not these narrow-minded Islamic religionists move back (take Huckabee with them) to their home lands where they can experience first hand the hatred of religion and the hatred of imaginary god(s)?

I cannot believe the UK has a death wish. The Archbishop must be chewing on a happy-weed. This bishop is a joke, right?

All the above said, I do deeply respect understanding and tolerance of differences. However, I believe tolerance of religion (the intolerant) is a huge mistake. I do not believe it will ever be productive for humanity to ever tolerate the intolerance of religion.

192. The New Atheist Movement

Comment #123287 by dragonfirematrix on February 6, 2008 at 8:14 pm

The last comments in the video is alone to which all I need to respond.

This I believe...

Science (real science) will reveal the truth to humanity, not religion.

193. Christopher Hitchens Debates Timothy Jackson

Comment #123282 by dragonfirematrix on February 6, 2008 at 7:56 pm

I very much enjoyed this very respectful debate between Christopher Hitchens and Timothy Jackson.

Debates like this should be on mainstream public media.

Both debaters, I think, handled themselves very well. As for the results, I believe Christopher was very calm and ready to respond. Timothy also did very well, but he was on the defensive a few times.

The religious cannot drag everyone kicking and screaming into the current version of superstition of their beliefs. Therefore, I see this whole push for faith and belief in a god on the part of the religious as a constant backward motion of the religious attempting to reset their time-line and reprove the existence of their god(s) to an earlier stage of galactic evolution while retreating in the face of the truth and knowledge advanced by science.

194. Dusty Clues: Study suggests no dearth of Earths

Comment #122150 by dragonfirematrix on February 4, 2008 at 8:21 pm

On the up side being evident in all knowledge...

...Science seeks the truth to answer the tough questions about our existance and the existance of life elsewhere.

On the down side...

Religion tries to kill science and bury the truth.

195. Admitting that you have no religion is not politically correct

Comment #122141 by dragonfirematrix on February 4, 2008 at 8:02 pm

Okay folks, I know the content of my post is counter-productive to the ideals we believe.

As a Secular Humanist, I understand the need for the tolerance of others, which sadly includes the Christian and Islamic fascists, etc. I do want to be tolerant. I do try to be tolerant. I believe tolerance is the right thing.

That said however...

I believe the time has come for the non-Christians/non-believers of society to begin openly displaying to the intolerant of society that which the intolerant love most. In direct terms, we non-Christians/non-believers should start tomorrow displaying as much intolerance towards Christians as the Christians display towards us. We non-Christian/non-believers have been tolerant too long. Our tolerance only gets we non-Christians/non-believers kicked in the face. Is it not proper for us to defend ourselves and kick back?

As with Islam, tolerance is also not a Christian virtue. Maybe the students the can form an off-campus club not under the jurisdiction of the university. Go around the authority, come out of the closet, start their own website, and hold meetings off the campus.

Intolerance is not the correct or ethical way to proceed, but it seems to me to be the only alternative Christians are leaving the non-Christians/non-believers.

I hope I have this fundamentally correct, but is this not the same type of thing the EU is trying to balance with Turkey.

196. God the psycho

Comment #121621 by dragonfirematrix on February 3, 2008 at 8:38 pm

As always... Great topic and info! Great presentation!

Pat needs to go prime-time and stone the Abrahamic world! Maybe a few rocks up side their Abrahamic heads will do these religious fanatics some good.

Wayne (Forest, VA)

197. Some non-Christians feel left out of election

Comment #121612 by dragonfirematrix on February 3, 2008 at 8:15 pm

Although, I was raised in a Baptist family, I never really believed in the non-sense religion preaches, but it still took a very long time for me to shed the religion of my parents. Programming and indoctrination is a difficult thing to overcome, but I am now a Secular Humanist and much happier about myself. I have “come out� as you might say.

However, being honest about my disbeliefs gets negative responses from people (including family). My brother once told me that I needed to visit my niece in Arizona so I could “get an idea of how hot hell was going to be� even though I am a good person as a Secular Humanist. My brother is a bible thumper, so I guess one can only be a good person if they are Christian. I guess my brother thinks he is a good Christian for trying terrorism on me.

Yes, yes, yes, I feel left out of the political process, except, of course, with the friends I find here and on other non-theist boards where different ideas are welcome. I do not have secular candidates knocking on my doors asking me for donations to protect our freedom by saving the “separation of church and state.�

The GOP has basically been hijacked and overthrown by the American religious right, which requires a Christian litmus test for all candidates and judges before these Christian fascists will so graciously pass their favorable judgment on a person.

Speaking of judgment (judges), the Christian right (my opinion) only wants judges that will force the Christian beliefs on everyone (Christian or not, believer or not), and their rhetoric (E.g. â€" Mike Huckabee) has nothing to do with adhering to spirit or meaning of The Constitution of The United States of America. The Christian right wants a Christian version of Islamic-fascism for America.

ONE QUOTE FROM THE ARTICLE SAYS

“John McCain has long sought to smooth relations after including leaders of the religious right among those he called "agents of intolerance" during his failed presidential bid in 2000.�

MY COMMENT ABOUT JOHN MCCAINS QUOTE

If John McCain wanted to do the right thing, he should not apologize for his comment. Instead, John McCain should repeat his comment over, and over again.

ALL THIS SAID…MY OPINION…

I do not believe the non-Christian and the non-believers have a voice in our (so called) American free world. I also believe the head and brains of real education, real science, real medicine, and on infinitum, is on the chopping block. Maybe American politics is preparing itself for inclusion in a chapter about failed societies in the Ancient History books of the future. Therefore, the non-Christian and the non-believers must vote to protect our future.

198. There Are No Ghosts in Your Brain

Comment #121063 by dragonfirematrix on February 2, 2008 at 11:16 pm

I enjoyed this video, though I must say I am not sure how functionally adaptive I might be.

I had to listen very hard with both sides of my brain to keep my head above mommy’s milk, but I adapted and enjoyed the video :)

I like the part about housework. I am a guy. I do not like housework, but I do it because I do not like living in a dump. I guess this makes me functionally illiterate adaptive, or something like that.

I do not drink milk anymore. I replaced it with beer. I wonder where this places me in the gene pool. Not only this, but I am an IT guy, so I guess my genome architecture means my network wiring is probably a mess :)

As for religion, I reject gods. “God(s) is(are) imaginary.� I am a Secular Humanist. I believe all religions (brain by products) are cults created by imperfections in the brain, which (for example) result in the killing of disobedient sons and kill decent people who work on the (fill in your religion) Sabbath.

Scientists will learn (as long as they are not persecuted or killed by the religious) all things.

I enjoyed the video. Send more.

Thanks,

Wayne, Forest, VA

199. U.S.: 'Demonic' militants sent women to bomb markets in Iraq

Comment #120988 by dragonfirematrix on February 2, 2008 at 8:56 pm

Religion happens again.

200. Pope says some science shatters human dignity

Comment #120510 by dragonfirematrix on February 1, 2008 at 9:23 pm

So the Pope says science shatters human dignity. Well, I beg to differ.

Pope Quote 1

“Benedict, who headed the same department for years before his election in 2005, said the Church was not against scientific progress but wanted it based on "ethical-moral principles".�


Pope Quote 2

�He said this included total respect for the human being as a person "from conception until natural death," “


My Response

I am sorry, but the Pope needs to get a life…

Science has done more for planet Earth in the last 500 years than religion has done for the Earth in the last four billion years. A grade school student could list the achievements of science compared to the failures of religion. However, here are few (examples (each side)) examples of my opinions for starters:

Science Provides

- Clean water
- Environmental conditioning (heat and air)
- Cures for decease (how about polio)
- Safe food (clean, decease free, fat free, cholesterol free)
- Safety
- Transportation
- Technology
- Medicine (cures for Mumps, Measles, etc.)
- Unwanted pregnancy
- Healthy exercise
- Truth about the past
- Real education
- Jobs (I can buy food)

Religion Causes

- Religious fascism
- Hatred of differences
- Oppression of women, children, minorities, gays, science, medicine, technology
- War
- Suffering
- Disparity
- Death
- Promote unwanted pregnancy through the fantasy of abstinence
- Bury the past
- Suppression of truth
- Fantasy education
- Beliefs (I can wish for food)

I guess the above under the list "Religion Causes" means God loves his children, including those who work on the Sabbath, and those terrible disobedient sons, and vocal women. Oh, by the way, does God love the Wicca religion, which (according to Christian legend, god created all things)?

I wonder if the Christians would give up their health insurance and doctors in favor of prayers for their cures from decease. I wonder if the Christians would stop buying food from the grocery to hunt, and eat, beef possibly deceased with “mad cow.� I wonder if the Christians would shut-off their home plumbing and drink from the mosquito infested pond across the street. For the Christian moms I ask: Would you like to leave the safety of your kids to the wild (wild animals find live baby humans yummy), which the Christians say their god created. HEY, JUST A LITTLE FUEL FOR THOUGHT FROM ME.

And that is the way I am…

Wayne,

Forest, VA USA


"History is full of people who out of fear, or ignorance, or lust for power [have] destroyed knowledge of immeasurable value which truly belongs to us all. We must not let it happen again." -- Carl Sagan