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Comments by Ian Bamlett


151. Florida in the process of approving new science standards

Comment #114390 by Ian Bamlett on January 22, 2008 at 6:18 am

Comment #114302 by kraut:

Man, where did you crawl from?


I recommend asking for a little clarification from a poster before you assume you know what you think they said. The fault may be theirs for not being clear enough but a quick look at the "other comments by..." is also useful to a get a ball park feel for where someone is coming from based on where thery have been before.

152. Vatican slams California firm's cloning experiments

Comment #114039 by Ian Bamlett on January 21, 2008 at 9:06 am

I want my body cloned. I want the clone to be genetically altered so it's anencephalic. Then just keep it 'alive' purely to serve my need for spare parts should I ever need them.

Put that in your pipe and smoke it Vatican.

153. Mandrake: Charles's letter in support of Islamic 'fundamentalism'

Comment #113831 by Ian Bamlett on January 20, 2008 at 5:34 pm

It is very much my hope that when the current monarch finally pops her clogs there will be a referendum in which the British people can choose whether or not they wish to continue with a monarchy.

If Charles had any balls he would insist on this himself.

I fully expect her maj to go on for a good decade or two more though; like her mother, the force is strong with that one.

154. The New Theology

Comment #113162 by Ian Bamlett on January 18, 2008 at 5:54 pm

I admit to skimming and maybe taking in 50% of this; but I am glad I caught this:

Evolution.....is a glimpse of a divine plan so subtle it's almost invisible


So close.... and yet so far.

155. Huckabee Wants A 'Faith-based' Constitution

Comment #113107 by Ian Bamlett on January 18, 2008 at 2:59 pm

Comment #113100 by quill:

But really, there's no denying that the Republican Party is the party of God these days, is there?


No. There really isn't. That's why I would not vote for any of them. But I don't like the pandering of the Dem candidates either. What can I say I am a disenfranchised atheist liberal (on social issues), libertarian. Ron Paul might have been my guy if he wasn't well.... insane.

156. Huckabee Wants A 'Faith-based' Constitution

Comment #113102 by Ian Bamlett on January 18, 2008 at 2:47 pm

I'm sorry Prankster got upset.

Me thinks he didn't get the humor in some of the posts. I can flip effortlessly between serious posts and complete Pythonesque nonsense myself but the written word is a tricky medium for getting mood across. Much better to slap each other in the face with a large fish.

157. Huckabee Wants A 'Faith-based' Constitution

Comment #113096 by Ian Bamlett on January 18, 2008 at 2:42 pm

Comment #113090 by quill:

For example, I'm from Chicago, where we haven't had a Republican mayor since 1927. I really doubt the percentage of our population that denies scientific principles like evolution or global warming is anything near the national average.


Ah, I got to bite here that's a low blow. Remember it was a republican appointed judge who threw out the Dover PA ID case. And if we want to talk about crime rates and poverty the big cities that are all run by Democrats, (including Chicago), are a disgrace. But I am not trying to pick a fight here; just saying there's a fight to be had if that's where you want to go...

:-)

158. Why people believe weird things about money

Comment #113091 by Ian Bamlett on January 18, 2008 at 2:33 pm

Scoot...

Naughty kitty!

159. Huckabee Wants A 'Faith-based' Constitution

Comment #113086 by Ian Bamlett on January 18, 2008 at 2:26 pm




Anyone agree or am I being too sentimental



Ahhh... I dunno guys whadya think? Can we russle up some support for that on this site dya think?

;-)

160. Huckabee Wants A 'Faith-based' Constitution

Comment #113079 by Ian Bamlett on January 18, 2008 at 2:22 pm

Comment #113071 by al-rawandi

I fucking quit


Fear not al-rawandi. I think there is a certian amount of tounge in cheek humour going on.

Maybe. :-)

161. Huckabee Wants A 'Faith-based' Constitution

Comment #113068 by Ian Bamlett on January 18, 2008 at 2:13 pm

Comment #113062 by Steve Zara:

And nuclear weapons.


Nukes are tricky things, they need careful and regular maintenance, (My brother is a navy man and served on ships that he could neither confirm or deny carried nukes, wink wink).

So when the US runs out of qualified engineers who can keep the things tip top will they outsource to China I wonder? Or maybe they will have decided to use them all before they have to do that.

162. Huckabee Wants A 'Faith-based' Constitution

Comment #113061 by Ian Bamlett on January 18, 2008 at 2:05 pm

Thanks epeeist, I will check them out.

163. Dinesh D'Souza: Winner of the 2007 Bad Faith Award

Comment #113050 by Ian Bamlett on January 18, 2008 at 2:00 pm

Comment #113045 by Steve Zara:

Well, as I am clearly partially to blame, I feel I should apologise.


Sigh... I do miss a good bit of deadpan British humor over here in the Midwest USA. But if I can't get it face to face I'll take this.

Thanks Steve. :-)

164. Huckabee Wants A 'Faith-based' Constitution

Comment #113047 by Ian Bamlett on January 18, 2008 at 1:53 pm

Comment #113038 by mesomodel:

Critical thinking is out of the question


Slightly off topic, but I am looking for a good book on critical thinking. There seem to be a few out there but I am not familiar with any so any recommendations?

I agree with your points anyway Mesomodel. But don't worry there is excellent educational work being done. In China.

165. Why people believe weird things about money

Comment #112955 by Ian Bamlett on January 18, 2008 at 10:30 am

Comment #112928 by al-rawandi:

When she said "bomb them and convert them to Christianity." I knew she was a plant.


Lol, agreed. Let's not forget this one either from her book, 'Godless'

"I defy any of my coreligionists to tell me they do not laugh at the idea of Dawkins burning in hell."

I wonder how many Agnostics signed up for atheism when that one came out! Thanks Ann!

166. Why people believe weird things about money

Comment #112869 by Ian Bamlett on January 18, 2008 at 7:49 am

Comment #112853 by al-rawandi

This is a summary, but I see it all the time. As a capitalist I don't feel that this worldview helps advance society.


I feel you are spot on with this and it is something I have always been very conflicted about. It is a very wise rich person indeed who can look beyond the circumstances of their own success and not apply them across the board to the success and failures of everyone they see around them. The particular US mantra of, "I made it - you can too!" can be particularly corrosive... and yet... and yet... it does have such overwhelming emotional impact as well as countless anecdotal evidence in support of it.

The USA in particular is replete with genuine 'rags to riches' stories which are constantly eulogized as examples of what can be achieved if you are just willing to work hard. They are very hard to ignore because they are such powerful testimony.

I really don't know exactly where I fall down yet between the gulf that separates Scooter from Steve Z and some of the rest of you.

Much more thought required.....

167. Why people believe weird things about money

Comment #112849 by Ian Bamlett on January 18, 2008 at 7:17 am

The only thing you absolutely HAVE to do in life is die someday.

Think - about - it.

;-)

168. Why people believe weird things about money

Comment #112842 by Ian Bamlett on January 18, 2008 at 7:10 am

Atlas Shrugged?

Nah - I'll just wait for the movie:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0480239/

169. Huckabee Wants A 'Faith-based' Constitution

Comment #112832 by Ian Bamlett on January 18, 2008 at 6:48 am

I've shed a lot of tears over this election...


I'd fill the reservoir tanks on those tear ducts Anna; it's going to get brutal before it's all over!

170. Huckabee Wants A 'Faith-based' Constitution

Comment #112829 by Ian Bamlett on January 18, 2008 at 6:39 am

Shariahuckabee law anyone?

171. Why people believe weird things about money

Comment #112825 by Ian Bamlett on January 18, 2008 at 6:31 am

On a thread like this I miss Brian C chiming in.

Where is the fellow I have not seen him on a single thread for a number of days I hope all is well with him.

If he was in aburning building I would run in and try and save him by the way.

;-)

172. Interview with Neil Shubin, author of 'Your Inner Fish'

Comment #112758 by Ian Bamlett on January 18, 2008 at 3:53 am

Colbert is a great.

As others have mentioned he does seem to hold back and give the scientists he has on an easier time of it than some others. Dawkins, Harris, Pinker and now Shubin; they all came out well from the Colbert experience I thought. Based on that I don't think it unreasonable to conclude that the man behind the Colbert persona is, 'on side'.

173. George Scales, War Hero and Generous Friend of RDFRS

Comment #112288 by Ian Bamlett on January 16, 2008 at 6:36 pm

Doc,

Re 201. Hilarious, thanks for a good laugh.

Though living in the puritanical USA I don't think I'd get past number 2 on your list before I was kicked out and arrested.

174. Why people believe weird things about money

Comment #111764 by Ian Bamlett on January 15, 2008 at 5:40 pm

Comment #111757 by scooternyc

You do more damage in an emotional attempt to "help" others for your own "good feelings" rather than actually holding others accountable for their choices and expecting them to take care of themselves.

A helping hand is very different from a handout.



I seem to remember leaving this party over on the Mathew Chapman thread.

Let's hope Veronique doesn't show up!

:-)

175. Why Christopher Hitchens is not Great

Comment #111674 by Ian Bamlett on January 15, 2008 at 12:32 pm

Isn't it weird how threads can get revived? Nothing on this one since May 19th, and suddenly a flurry of posts today.

Just saying, I think that's interesting.

176. Fish out of water: Your Inner Fish

Comment #111637 by Ian Bamlett on January 15, 2008 at 8:53 am

The religious argue that because the world and the universe is all perfect, and wonderful that it requires and creator, and anything this perfact couldn't have come about without design



If a theist goes on at me about the 'wonder' of creation I just point them to some really nasty sites on parasites and tumors.

When you are looking at a picture of an African baby with parasitical worms coming out of its eyes and nostrils it's a little hard, (but not impossible, some manage it of course), to maintain the fiction of the beauty of gods creation.

177. Why (Almost All) Cosmologists are Atheists

Comment #110609 by Ian Bamlett on January 11, 2008 at 3:28 pm

Comment #110588 by mesomodel:

I can offer perhaps a bit more common every day perspective


Thanks Mesomodel.

178. Why (Almost All) Cosmologists are Atheists

Comment #110571 by Ian Bamlett on January 11, 2008 at 1:56 pm

Steve Zara, Friend Giskard, Donald.


Hi guys. Can you start posting in English again.

Your dispute is making me feel very dumb.

;-P

179. Six Reasons to be an Atheist

Comment #110405 by Ian Bamlett on January 11, 2008 at 5:54 am

418. Comment #110324 by ADH on January 11:

Sorry I haven't tackled your questions before now Ian.


Credit where credit is due I think your persistence and dedication are admirable. You are heavily outnumbered here and bombarded from all sides with multiple questions. Considering I posed those questions on January 6th I appreciate you taking the time to respond.

Despite my problems with your beliefs I do thank you for the time and effort you are giving us here.

Cheers,

Ian

180. It was a bad year for God.

Comment #109194 by Ian Bamlett on January 8, 2008 at 2:52 pm

You'd think he's taken so much crap over the past year or two that he'd do something to prove his existence...


Oh but he did! A theist colleague of mine won a few hundred bucks on the lottery right before christmas. She'd been a bit short and had prayed to God to help her buy presents for her kids.

She told me triumphantly, (knowing I am atheist), if that wasn't a proof of God she didn't know what was.

I'm sorry you didn't get to hear about it; it should have been in all the papers it being the absolute proof of a divine power and all....

181. Six Reasons to be an Atheist

Comment #109093 by Ian Bamlett on January 8, 2008 at 10:01 am

Hey guys, if you get a moment there are theists who need your help here :


Brian, you are a man with a mission!

... which one of those six theist links is most in need of a reality check at the moment? I have an hour to kill but no time to review them all.

:-)

182. Six Reasons to be an Atheist

Comment #108252 by Ian Bamlett on January 6, 2008 at 10:14 am

Comment #108247 by ignored_ethos2

If someone has given up their rational mind and decided that their god is beyond our understanding then a rational, common sense list of reasons not to believe is not very effective.


Not very effective in the short term for particular individuals perhaps. But as a cumulative, 'drip, drip, drip,' effect I think it is vital. Also, I think we should be cognisant of the fact that we need to create an atmosphere which allows the millions out there who only "believe in belief", (thanks Dan D!) to give it up and let go. Once the true believers are shown to be the minority they are they will fade away. That's my hope at least.

183. Six Reasons to be an Atheist

Comment #108242 by Ian Bamlett on January 6, 2008 at 9:54 am

Reference, Comment #108221 by ADH

ADH,

Thank you for your answer. It illustrates extremely well just how far you are prepared to go in an attempt to rationalize your beliefs.

A few comments:

the story of Jesus isour
story. That is the one we
have access to


Who is this 'our' and 'we' you speak of? To my mind this is an admittal that your god, the god of Abraham, is not the god of all humanity but a localised god. How am I wrong here?

That is how God has chosen to bring about the redemption of those who fall within its scope


Its scope? But god created that scope, yes? In which case why couldn't he make it wider, more inclusive. Why send Jesus 2,000 years and not today so we can all see him on You tube around the world? Or are you admitting that the 'scope' is a construct of the all to human limitations of the time?

The story of the Incarnation is simply the one that we have to deal with.


Is it? I have to deal with many, many more stories, all of which are available to me now through even a cursory study of worldwide religions today and throughout histroy.

184. Six Reasons to be an Atheist

Comment #108212 by Ian Bamlett on January 6, 2008 at 9:04 am

Comment #108061 by ADH:

The paradigmatic event of the resurrection of Jesus Christ - not only a one-off event but a declaration of God's intent for the whole of creation


SIGH - ADH, I have asked you and other christian theists time and time again to answer the question I am re-posting from another thread below. Will you finally, please, try and give me an answer?

Of what possible signifigance was the life of the historical jesus to humans living in Australia 2,000 years ago. Or North America? Or Russian Siberia? If jesus christ, son of god, was sent to save us why was this extremely important event restricted to an area of palestine 2000 years ago? Why was the evidence so poor that it was challenged even at the time let alone now, and why did the word only travel at the speed of European expansion into the rest of the world over the next 2,000 years and STILL hasn't done the job.

In short: Why didn't god want to save the innuit of Northern Canada?

Was this gods plan?

I really, really need an answer please.

{Originally posted under USA_Limey )

185. What have you changed your mind about? Why?

Comment #105693 by Ian Bamlett on January 1, 2008 at 3:10 pm

I change my mind so often on so many things I am thinking of installing a flip top lid on my head for easy access.

Seriously though, what does it mean to "change your mind". To a scientist operating in a professional capacity it might mean accepting new evidence contrary to a previously held position, but to the average person on a day to day basis it probably means no more than being exposed to one point of view more than another.

186. Monkey, Business

Comment #105295 by Ian Bamlett on December 31, 2007 at 6:56 am

Brian,

For a horrible moment I thought you had had some massive relapse when I saw, "In Christ, Brian C" as one of the posters; but was suitably relived when I saw you weighing in further down on the side of sanity.

I don't have your patience to debate these people but have posted my rather terse response.

187. Pope's exorcist squads will wage war on Satan

Comment #104850 by Ian Bamlett on December 29, 2007 at 4:58 pm

Comment #104842 by kraut

He really believes his own crap! What an idiot.


Could be, but I am not so sure. I wonder if there has been a pope in recent history who really believed all that ridiculous doctrine.

No way to know of course, just thinking out loud.

188. Pope's exorcist squads will wage war on Satan

Comment #104724 by Ian Bamlett on December 29, 2007 at 8:45 am

So, Untersturmführer Ratzinger wants to start looking for reds under the bed eh?

It's almost a shame all this stuff is nonsense, because I swear by Lucifer that if Satan existed I'd throw in with him. After all, wasn't he the rebellious angel who God threw out of heaven? I guess he didn't much like the celestial dictatorship that Hitchens talks about; in which case that would make him a freedom fighter.

I'm on his side! Or should I say her side? Satan was probably a female angel who didn't want to put up with all that male misogynist crap anymore.

189. 'Gospel of wealth' facing scrutiny

Comment #104184 by Ian Bamlett on December 28, 2007 at 3:48 am

Caveat Emptor.

"That's all I have to say about that"

190. The Four Horsemen: on Christmas

Comment #104066 by Ian Bamlett on December 27, 2007 at 6:13 pm

Captain Hennessey: "We've never made
great husbands, have we?

Of course, I have a good excuse.
I'm part gay."

Steve Zissou: "Supposedly everyone is."

From, "The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou"

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