151. Postmodernism Disrobed

Comment #29316 by Bremas on April 2, 2007 at 2:45 pm

nine9s
"I propose that all further posts by "September" be ignored on this thread until he/she makes a meaningful contribution. Any seconds?"

seconded

but I'm still laughing at the rest of what I was going to say :-)

152. Richard Dawkins Explains 'The God Delusion'

Comment #29214 by Bremas on April 2, 2007 at 5:42 am

Been reading it...
Now I remember why the Army and Marine Corps don't get along.

153. Richard Dawkins Explains 'The God Delusion'

Comment #29201 by Bremas on April 2, 2007 at 4:00 am

Helian,
I think I have you figured out. You sound exactly like my father. Someone who pushes until people stop pushing back. I was in the Marine Corps (and still have a lot of friends there)... I can deal with it.
It's good to have you on the site either way.

154. Postmodernism Disrobed

Comment #29191 by Bremas on April 2, 2007 at 2:59 am

silves93
"Dawkins seems to be writing off postmodernism because of its fraudulent, glory-seeking and gullible fools."
Can you give me an example of something which might make sense?
I am looking at a postmodernist book I have on my bookshelf (that I was gullible enough to buy) right now. "Multitude"...quick review...what a load of horse shit.

155. Richard Dawkins Explains 'The God Delusion'

Comment #29144 by Bremas on April 1, 2007 at 9:31 pm

Went back and reread a lot of the posts.
I wanted to get a sense of why I agreed with some of what Helian was saying.
Logicel wrote in post 107

"As far as the possibility of a theocracy developing in America, apparently one does not have to be concerned about that possibility happening just because in the past it has not. I think it is because of Dawkins admiration and respect for America in general and his liking of Americans that has motivated him to be so outspoken in his concern for what is happening there."

I agree, and it should be stated more often.
What I think a lot of us here in the US want to see are more people in Europe (or the liberal left in America) calling bullshit to dictators first. The impression is that liberals have no problem with dictators, but hate the military. That's the impression anyway.
Start throwing rocks at the guy manning the wall, and pretty soon there will be no one manning the wall.
I cringe every time Prof Dawkins demonizes Rumsfeld. I know that it gives the religious right more fodder.
I have been the personal recipient of liberal hate in America (the sticks and stones kind). It's just as real as any right wing nutjob with a gun.

156. Richard Dawkins Explains 'The God Delusion'

Comment #29114 by Bremas on April 1, 2007 at 5:33 pm

@Logicel

A lot of pent up frustration by way of not being able to tell people that they are idiots for believing in the invisible dude in the sky, ghosts, ufo's etc.

Why the hell does the discovery channel have a show about ghosts?????

157. Is this another Sokal Hoax?

Comment #29100 by Bremas on April 1, 2007 at 3:55 pm

Nikki post 31

:-)

158. Is this another Sokal Hoax?

Comment #29099 by Bremas on April 1, 2007 at 3:52 pm

*%*!*&%#@**

159. Richard Dawkins Explains 'The God Delusion'

Comment #29091 by Bremas on April 1, 2007 at 3:29 pm

@Helian

agreed

160. Richard Dawkins Explains 'The God Delusion'

Comment #29080 by Bremas on April 1, 2007 at 2:30 pm

Tommy Franks was a baffoon. Sorry, Helian. I can back that up in a personal conversation.

161. Richard Dawkins Explains 'The God Delusion'

Comment #29078 by Bremas on April 1, 2007 at 2:21 pm

@ridelo post 101

I was one of those americans you speak of.
The fact of the matter is that we have "screwed the pooch".
The lessons learned from Somalia were that if you have to go into a country to "liberate" it, you have to take the anthropologists with you 'in mass'. We didn't.
Another lesson that the american military was aware of… (because it was constantly war gamed during the 90s) was that invading Iraq would ultimately only work if it were broken into 3 separate countries. General Pace, I know (thru word of mouth) was aware of this. For the life of me, I cannot figure out what the dynamic was between him and Rumsfeld. (Rumsfeld's blinders got too big? Pace became a yes man?)

162. Richard Dawkins Explains 'The God Delusion'

Comment #29065 by Bremas on April 1, 2007 at 1:09 pm

briancoughlanworldcitizen

"Who the fuck are you?"

Nicely stated.

163. Richard Dawkins Explains 'The God Delusion'

Comment #29058 by Bremas on April 1, 2007 at 12:57 pm

briancoughlanworldcitizen

"Oooooh own goal, this really strips away the fluff and exposes the right wing extremist"

You sir, are going to drive me away from this website.

164. Richard Dawkins Explains 'The God Delusion'

Comment #29050 by Bremas on April 1, 2007 at 11:39 am

Please do not flag Helian as a troll. His viewpoint needs to be stated here. I'm still reading. Will way in further later. His perspective is closer to mine than most people here.

165. Richard Dawkins Explains 'The God Delusion'

Comment #28936 by Bremas on March 31, 2007 at 5:30 pm

Gotta throw my two cents in here on the side of Helian.

Yorker, I usually enjoy your posts but I believe you have drifted too far left for me.
I believe you mentioned Chomsky….. you mean the High Priest of liberal fundies :-)
As for the video you posted in post 90. Yes, very scary. The counter argument is that that is what is wrong with the very liberal educational system here in the U.S….. And thus where right wing fundies draw their current influence.
My mother recently retired early as a High School librarian on the US east coast. She has stated to me that she just couldn't take it anymore. The only people she got along with were the physics and chemistry teachers (which were also my teachers many years ago). The rest were just a bunch of crazed left wing liberal nuts.

166. U.N. Panel OKs Measure on Islam

Comment #28891 by Bremas on March 31, 2007 at 1:45 pm

Yup, we're f**ked.

Friend Giskard, that was a disturbing video.

Going back to work on my bomb shelter now. bye.

167. On the Eve of War

Comment #28791 by Bremas on March 30, 2007 at 10:12 pm

I rated this article excellent mainly to highlight Giz and Marcus's retorts.

I too am a huge fan of Dawkins' intellectual mind, but I get the feeling that he approaches politics with a little more emotional zeal than when he is discussing other issues.

Don't we all.

168. Discussion on Revenge

Comment #28787 by Bremas on March 30, 2007 at 9:54 pm

Halfway thru.

I starting listening to this thinking it was probably just going to piss me off. I was just wishing that someone would bring up Prof Dawkins discussion of game theory in the Selfish Gene.

Then all of a sudden there was Prof Dawkins on the air talking about just that. I was pumping my fist saying "yes".

I guess that's why this was posted.

169. Richard Dawkins at The Sunday Times Oxford Literary Festival

Comment #28099 by Bremas on March 28, 2007 at 1:47 am

Yes, it is a game.
But it is a game, that it seems, Richard is becoming really good at.

Can we please get Richard press credentials so that he can debate GW.

James Carroll, I'm beginning to think that really is your face in the picture.

170. God and His Gays

Comment #27614 by Bremas on March 25, 2007 at 4:43 pm

I just got done writing a lengthy and slightly venomous statement about gays in the military and Gen Pace's comments. It didn't "take" and it's not worth rewriting in full.. To sum up:

I know a lot of people who know and or have worked for Gen Pace. He seems to have the respect of a lot of people that I respect. I heard his comments as a "I was 'taught' this" statement. In my mind a step in the right direction from where he stood in 92. An admission, if you will, that it was a learned belief. I could be wrong as I only shook his hand once. Enough of that.

Second Point: The military is a reflection of society. Nothing more. And that is how I believe it should be in order to function. Please (and I don't see anyone doing it here) don't make out the organization, that many gays are freely (not openly) serving in right now, to be inherently evil. Change society first, and the military will willingly follow. That is how it works in a free society. The military is under increased moral pressure from the fundies just like everyone else.

171. Mormons miffed over coffee-swilling angel image

Comment #27593 by Bremas on March 25, 2007 at 2:17 pm

scottishgeologist
Funny pants link.... but that damn music drove me nuts.

172. God and His Gays

Comment #27587 by Bremas on March 25, 2007 at 1:23 pm

DavidJMH, you gotta let go. Look at the bright side, less competition for you.

On a more serious note, I suggest that you think about your position a little more thoroughly. It sounds like you approach the idea of homosexuality from a top down design view.

I live in a building with a half dozen or so professional couples who are also homosexual. They don't go around announcing it. It's just something you figure out about them over time.
In fact my landlord is gay. He's never told me, but when you run into him with his boyfriend around town... let's just say it's obvious if you pay attention.

As a raging heterosexual and former Marine Officer..... Be a fucking man and deal with it.

173. A hundred residents of a Russian village have refused to switch to new passports because they believe the documents' bar codes contain satanic symbols

Comment #27572 by Bremas on March 25, 2007 at 10:38 am

No worse really, than that guy I heard about here in the US that believes in some sort of virgin birth or something. I think he lives somewhere between Maryland and Virginia.

174. Gimme That Old Time Religion (Bashing)

Comment #27428 by Bremas on March 24, 2007 at 2:17 pm

That was long.
Anyone read it?

175. The Moral Necessity of Atheism

Comment #27405 by Bremas on March 24, 2007 at 12:15 pm

Where the hell have I been?
This guy kicks ass.

176. Debate between Alister McGrath and Peter Atkins

Comment #27294 by Bremas on March 23, 2007 at 7:07 pm

post 60. by briancoughlanworldcitizen

"If the tyrannical christian God existed, we should kill him for attempting to enslave the human race."

That one hit my funnybone...If you don't mind, I'm going to steal it and use it later.

Also, for all those here trying to debate a fundie, I'm going to plagiarize from Dr. Atkins…The idea of god is just an insecure person looking for love. I say don't try to debate with them. Give them a lollipop to suck on instead. It might be more effective.

177. Germany Cites Koran in Rejecting Divorce

Comment #27271 by Bremas on March 23, 2007 at 5:04 pm

Unfortunately, it seems this story is making its rounds in the christian right news circles here in the states. It seems to be reinforcing their view that Europe is too far gone down the road of socialism and multiculturalism.

I know quite a few very intelligent and educated agnostics, that don't really believe that the president of the US talks to god (or don't care), but are terrified of European socialism. They are part of that group that predicts that it is only a matter of time before Europe is living under Sharia law.

178. Germany Cites Koran in Rejecting Divorce

Comment #27198 by Bremas on March 23, 2007 at 1:46 pm

All in one article:

Right wing bible (Koran) thumping extremism. (husband)
&
Left wing multicultural extremism. (judge)

179. Your Mom Was Wrong: Horseplay Is An Important Part Of Development

Comment #26613 by Bremas on March 20, 2007 at 5:27 pm

Seems like common sense to me.

180. US TV Commercial for The God Delusion during Countdown with Keith Olbermann

Comment #26586 by Bremas on March 20, 2007 at 3:49 pm

jonecc
chuckling... Yea I liked the Da VC. Maybe that's because I'm illiterate in all things religious. That and I'm a sucker for Indiana Jones.
Really, I was just highlighting my main point that after a year of seeing this "religious" book in my book store, I finally picked the damn thing up to see what all the fuss was about. (I don't remember what the first line was.)
Truth be told, I still have fond memories of the Danny Dunn books of my childhood....anyone?

181. US TV Commercial for The God Delusion during Countdown with Keith Olbermann

Comment #26512 by Bremas on March 20, 2007 at 2:52 am

Wow!
Is the debate picking up because the book is still hanging near the top ten?

I remember it took me almost a year before reading the Da Vinci Code. My attitude was sort of..."fine. what the hell is this book that just won't go away".....good read.

182. Lonely Atheists of the Global Village

Comment #26298 by Bremas on March 18, 2007 at 2:16 pm

"They are almost as literal in their readings of the Bible as the least educated, most literal-minded fundamentalist in Flannery O'Connor's rural Georgia"

No, my fear is that you also read it as literally as those uneducated masses you refer to. I give you:

"Then, when the Creator sends His Son to become flesh, the Son also roots His new community mainly among the poor, the uneducated, the humble, the forgotten."

You mean some dude who might have lived 4billion years after life began might have been the son of god because he said so. I'm sorry, I thought you were refering to something uneducated. I apologize.

I bet this guy buys the virgin birth also. And it probably builds from there.

183. God's dupes

Comment #25894 by Bremas on March 15, 2007 at 2:49 pm

alan_s

Thank-you, I needed that.

184. Does God answer prayer? ASU research says 'yes'

Comment #25885 by Bremas on March 15, 2007 at 2:22 pm

Forgive me if I take this moment to laugh at the PAC-10.

Okay, that said...heads down.
"God, please help people understand just how stupid they really are."

Statistically, that should help the situation.

185. What We Need More Of Is Science

Comment #25788 by Bremas on March 15, 2007 at 6:03 am

re post 7 by Philip1978

I watched that video. My brain is literally not capable of dealing with that stuff.

I read somewhere, I believe in Convert's Corner, that someone actually got depressed at first after reading Dawkins...due to there being no purpose in life.

I have also gotten depressed, but for a much different reason. I have never gone to church and have never studied religion. After seeing all the drivel like that video, I really don't see much hope for humans.

To feel like (be) the only sane person in a crowded room ain't a lot of fun. I want to drink the cool aid just to feel better.

186. US Congressman Holds No God-Belief

Comment #25372 by Bremas on March 12, 2007 at 6:02 pm

Also sent him an email.

187. 1986 Oxford Union Debate

Comment #25360 by Bremas on March 12, 2007 at 1:58 pm

re oskorei post 12
I agree, after listening to that, and how little the arguements have changed, there seems to be no point in debating creationists.
Let's hope the fence sitters can be convinced to read a book.

On a brighter note, The God Delusion, after spending months in the basement of my local Barnes and Noble, is suddenly prominently displayed in several places throughout the store.

188. Response to Richard Dawkins and Sam Harris

Comment #25030 by Bremas on March 9, 2007 at 6:54 pm

Post 40 USA Limey

With ya on that one.

Just got off the phone with my sister who lives in Durham NC. It seems that religion has seeped into her thru osmosis. Not difficult to snap her out of it by laughing at her though.

Got her to promise to read The Selfish Gene after my father does. Two down, millions and millions (billions and billions?) to go.

189. Science, Faith, and Evolution

Comment #24959 by Bremas on March 9, 2007 at 1:57 pm

Riley wrote:
"He's entitled to his poetic outlook on life."

As long as I am entitled to laugh at him and think that he has done nothing more than expand his delusion.

190. Science, Faith, and Evolution

Comment #24953 by Bremas on March 9, 2007 at 1:21 pm

The problem I have with people like this is...as I see it..They are preaching a mental trap.
A trap similiar to the sun orbiting the earth...because that's what it looks like.

191. Science, Faith, and Evolution

Comment #24936 by Bremas on March 9, 2007 at 11:39 am

"I don't believe in god. I know god"

I don't believe you're an idiot. I know you're an idiot

I'm sorry. I'm just fed up.

192. U.S. Mint goof creates 'Godless dollars'

Comment #24821 by Bremas on March 8, 2007 at 6:28 pm

"Sounds like a miracle - dare I say... divine intervention?"

I know that my be an easy explanation, but I have a better one....evolution.

193. Der Digitale Planet (lecture)

Comment #24819 by Bremas on March 8, 2007 at 6:22 pm

This was great.

194. Even Stephven: Islam vs. Christianity

Comment #24445 by Bremas on March 6, 2007 at 5:33 pm

I can't believe I haven't seen that before. That's one of the funniest skits I've seen in a long time.
Anyone who proclaims a religious belief needs to watch this.

195. Long live satire

Comment #24425 by Bremas on March 6, 2007 at 3:15 pm

re. Post 16 by Jack Rawlinson
"I demand that Islamic preaching and the open sale of the koran be banned. Because it offends me."

Spot on.
That same thing has been said many times, but sadly goes unheard.
I suggest (I know it's not the first time) a massive write-in campaign demanding the removal of the koran and the bible from public places, based on their offensive material, any time we see something like this.
Quote obviously offensive passages in each, and let her rip.

196. Senator calls for answer on creation of universe

Comment #23977 by Bremas on March 3, 2007 at 10:20 pm

Okay, someone is definitely screwing with Conservapedia. This line is from the jesus page:

"Jesus of Nazareth, believed by Christian followers to be God's dad, who came to earth as a human c 2 AD. However, God has recently revealed on His blog that Jesus is actually His nephew, not His son."

http://www.conservapedia.com/Jesus

197. Lewis Wolpert and William Lane Craig on Religion

Comment #23975 by Bremas on March 3, 2007 at 9:50 pm

I think this might be the same article that J Steven refers to above:

http://www.beliefnet.com/story/213/story_21317_1.html

198. Senator calls for answer on creation of universe

Comment #23930 by Bremas on March 3, 2007 at 3:23 pm

I lived in Nashville for 3yrs during the 90s. There is a church on every street corner. Nothing that happens there surprises me anymore.

199. Senator calls for answer on creation of universe

Comment #23929 by Bremas on March 3, 2007 at 3:14 pm

"There has never been any proof offered that Darwin's theory of evolution is correct," he said.

Apparently not.

200. The return of God?

Comment #23927 by Bremas on March 3, 2007 at 3:08 pm

cheshirecat wrote:
"There we go again them and us. We can't divorce them you know."

I think you hit the nail on the head, only unintentionally.

We aren't trying to save them from themselves, we are trying to save us from them.
They brought the fight to us.