151. The Out Campaign

Comment #59938 by ridelo on July 31, 2007 at 7:23 am

Doesn't seem it awkward that after almost a year on line this site has only a good 12000 members? I would have expected more. Maybe for most people religion simply isn't an issue.
Maybe coming OUT could help to enlarge the choir. After all, Jesus had only 12 disciples and no internet to start with...

152. Richler defends atheism

Comment #59140 by ridelo on July 27, 2007 at 2:31 pm

If I remember well 'gay' was originally an abusive term for a homosexual and not at all coined by homosexuals themselves.
Maybe it was a better idea if atheists called themselves something like 'heretics'. The saved ones would then not be obliged to call themselves 'dims'...

153. Richard Dawkins Replies to David Sloan Wilson

Comment #55693 by ridelo on July 12, 2007 at 2:09 am

I have to say that the discussion about benefits for the individuals or for the groups goes a little 'over my hat' (dutch expression for saying that it is a bit too difficult for me). Can someone tell me where I can read a good explanation for the layman?
Sloan's article wasn't much help.

154. Small, Yes, but Mighty: The Molecule Called Water

Comment #55434 by ridelo on July 11, 2007 at 4:55 am

Rtambree,

With other words: better to realize that there still is a lot we don't know. There's the god of the gaps again!
Let's all be humble. And that counts for you too, faith heads, who always seem to have the answers in advance to any evidence!

155. Police plea on genital mutilation

Comment #55431 by ridelo on July 11, 2007 at 4:46 am

'Culture' is becoming a word with a very bitter aftertaste.

156. Small, Yes, but Mighty: The Molecule Called Water

Comment #55397 by ridelo on July 11, 2007 at 2:15 am

Interesting comment, Rtambree, but all your examples are accidental (the dimensions perhaps not). If elsewhere the conditions were about the same then there could be life too. Maybe not intelligent life but all the same life that might develop intelligence. But it takes a different set of natural laws tot change the C-atom or the polarity of the water molecule, I suppose.
Without a polar H2O no spaghetti sauce would stick to the spaghetti! But then even spaghetti wouldn't be possible as it contains polar -OH groups. Strong argument for FSM!

157. Small, Yes, but Mighty: The Molecule Called Water

Comment #55313 by ridelo on July 10, 2007 at 2:32 pm

All those special properties like those from water and the carbon atom. Looks alot as if some god designed them to make life possible. But if those properties weren't there we wouldn't be here to ask the question. Always that anthropic principle gets in the way of god! A very compelling thought: what if nature was as it is except that only water or the C-atom where slightly different? But that amounts to the same question as what would happen if the charge of the electron would be a little bit different.
Nevertheless...

158. Inferior Design: Richard Dawkins reviews Behe's lastest book

Comment #53667 by ridelo on July 2, 2007 at 12:59 pm

PaulEmecz:

Here's a different question, then. Is it possible that the acceptance of atheism, properly understood, by the majority of any population could have a negative effect on human development?

159. Inferior Design: Richard Dawkins reviews Behe's lastest book

Comment #53617 by ridelo on July 2, 2007 at 9:12 am

It's besides the question but somewhere I've heard that brandy-carrying St. Bernard's are a myth. Suppose those good friars kept the brandy for themselves!
And 100% believers (of the kind that fly planes into buildings) will never yield to rational arguments. So the whole biology has to be shoehorned into their holy books.

160. Darwin Still Rules, but Some Biologists Dream of a Paradigm Shift

Comment #53081 by ridelo on June 29, 2007 at 8:58 am

From 'God did it' to 'it came by evolution' that I call a paradigm shift! But also this one came in little steps.

161. Doctors' beliefs can hinder patient care

Comment #52013 by ridelo on June 25, 2007 at 11:47 pm

Maybe it would be a good idea that medical personnel would carry a big sign telling their religious stance so you could make your choice before they had the opportunity to fiddle with your body. ;-)

162. The courage of their convictions

Comment #51496 by ridelo on June 23, 2007 at 6:06 am

I'm dumbstruck with their courage.
Hope many more will come out of the closet to silence the hatespeech of the extremists and to shake the 'moderates' out of their equanimity.
Wish them all the luck of the world!

163. The Great Mutator

Comment #50274 by ridelo on June 16, 2007 at 9:00 am

From: http://richarddawkins.net/article,1224,Should-Science-Speak-to-Faith-A-dialog-between-Lawrence-Krauss-and-Richard-Dawkins,Scientific-American

Dawkins: "It is absolutely safe to say that if you meet somebody who claims not to believe in evolution, that person is ignorant, stupid or insane (or wicked, but I'd rather not consider that)."

164. Christopher Hitchens: Religion Poisons Everything

Comment #49926 by ridelo on June 14, 2007 at 6:01 am

Well, I've read here a lot about the relation between religionism and crime rates. For example that Japan has low religion activity and low crime rates. But somewhere I've heard that Japan has also high suicide rates.
Does somebody knows studies about a connection between low religionism and suicide rates?
I'm an atheist and a rather happy one but I can imagine that for some people losing their faith can be very traumatising.

165. Atheism shall make you free

Comment #46867 by ridelo on June 2, 2007 at 2:24 am

james_the_doubter, I don't know how old you are but I guess not very old. Try to make your mind a clean slate and act as if you heard the allegations of any religion (also your own) for the first time and evaluate them on their credibility.
But honest! No cheating!

166. Atheism shall make you free

Comment #46858 by ridelo on June 2, 2007 at 1:23 am

To james_the_doubter:
When you're logged in you see [Comment Posting Guidelines] above the comments area. Click there and you'll get all you want about formatting.

167. Atheism shall make you free

Comment #46839 by ridelo on June 1, 2007 at 11:11 pm

Learned philosophers might disagree, but agnosticism seems to me a sensible enough position.

168. Atheism shall make you free

Comment #46837 by ridelo on June 1, 2007 at 10:56 pm

Some commentators have gone so far as to label the current crop of atheist books as "dangerous"

169. U.S. a theocratic state, says former Canadian ambassador

Comment #46836 by ridelo on June 1, 2007 at 10:27 pm

The Dominionist movement is flat out unAmerican. Anybody can wave a flag; it doesn't mean shit.

170. Why Do Some People Resist Science?

Comment #46465 by ridelo on May 31, 2007 at 11:11 am

scottishgeologist:

Thank you for the information!

171. Why Do Some People Resist Science?

Comment #46344 by ridelo on May 31, 2007 at 2:02 am

Do the RI Christmas lectures still exist? I haven't seen them the last years on BBC 1 Or BBC 2.

172. Lightning damages Jesus statue

Comment #44369 by ridelo on May 24, 2007 at 12:48 pm

After the reconstruction I recommend the good sisters a lightning rod. Some science can do miracles! A metal thorny crown makes a hell of a Faraday cage!

173. Would the World Be Safer Without Religion?

Comment #43443 by ridelo on May 21, 2007 at 1:02 pm

If I saw an angel appearing to me I would think it would be time to look for a psychiatrist.

174. Would the World Be Safer Without Religion?

Comment #43247 by ridelo on May 21, 2007 at 2:36 am

Why would believing in fancy tales make a better world? If all believers really understood were their beliefs came from then it would no more make sense fighting over it. And they could start at working at a better and more just world.
I ranked this article 'poor'.

175. Pedal power takes Islamic shape in Iran

Comment #42680 by ridelo on May 19, 2007 at 3:31 am

Well, I have to say that I was impressed by the video and thank Newton30 for the rectification. My world began to look too much like an Orwellian nightmare!

176. Pedal power takes Islamic shape in Iran

Comment #42587 by ridelo on May 18, 2007 at 1:40 pm

24. Veronique

For proof of this abuse of power, we need look no further than the official narrative of Sept. 11. Despite conclusive proof that the World Trade Centre was deliberately imploded, many seemingly intelligent people still believe the irrational "official narrative" that blames Muslim hijackers for the disaster.

177. Ask Richard!

Comment #41803 by ridelo on May 17, 2007 at 4:58 am

Sure you can convince them that it won't be painful but they are also aware of the separation. They fear parents dying and not being with them.

178. Ask Richard!

Comment #41786 by ridelo on May 17, 2007 at 2:12 am

14. CDG

But not for 4-6 year olds. They still want to know what happens to us when we die. And telling them nothing at that age does not seem like a good idea.

179. Pale Blue Dot

Comment #40845 by ridelo on May 15, 2007 at 4:58 am

Email this video to at least one other person, its your moral duty.

180. Furor over author Ayaan Hirsi Ali's visit stirs debate on religious freedom

Comment #40451 by ridelo on May 14, 2007 at 9:57 am

"We seek to find things to unite us," Holben said.

181. Dogma

Comment #40433 by ridelo on May 14, 2007 at 9:42 am

Brilliant, Brian! These short videos might catch an audience where lenghtier books remain unopened. And they can be a stepping stone to further inquiring.

182. Let us pray for the soul of Richard Dawkins

Comment #40258 by ridelo on May 14, 2007 at 3:32 am

But there is hope. In a recent interview, Dawkins describes a gigantic intelligence which designs the universe. He acknowledges that there may be an awe-inspiring and uplifting force out there and that he is prepared to encounter it.

183. Unintelligent Design

Comment #39918 by ridelo on May 12, 2007 at 9:33 am

I'm afraid that Dawkins, Harris and Hitchens describe how the human society should be, but that Atran describes it as it is and a long time will be. How long will it take to have a world society with enough education in science if even the US with al their resources cannot achieve it? Maybe I'm a little pessimistic. One should keep trying. Otherwise we're all screwed... (Penn and Teller).

184. World's most prominent atheist takes on the Biblical God (and other topics)

Comment #39503 by ridelo on May 11, 2007 at 2:28 am

Van Impe is a flemish name. I suppose his forefathers came from here. Good riddance!

185. World's most prominent atheist takes on the Biblical God (and other topics)

Comment #39394 by ridelo on May 10, 2007 at 1:41 pm

Wich percent of Americans takes this drivel seriously? Unbelievable that they have an audience.
Some things happen in Europe somewhat later than in the USA. Is this what we can expect? Our commercial TV looks already made for mentally defectives from time to time. I see it can be worse.

186. The Encyclopedia of Life

Comment #39384 by ridelo on May 10, 2007 at 1:16 pm

This is a wonderful project. I can't wait!

187. Atheists go on the political offensive in God-fearing US

Comment #38267 by ridelo on May 7, 2007 at 11:08 am

@Bizarro from http://richarddawkins.net/article,990,Those-fanatical-atheists,Dan-Gardner-The-Ottawa-Citizen

Then there's the problem on the other side -- among the atheists such as Richard Dawkins who have been labelled "fanatics." Now, it is absolutely true that Dawkins' tone is often as charming as fingernails dragged slowly down a chalkboard. But just what is the core of Dawkins' radical message?

Well, it goes something like this: If you claim that something is true, I will examine the evidence which supports your claim; if you have no evidence, I will not accept that what you say is true and I will think you a foolish and gullible person for believing it so.

That's it. That's the whole, crazy, fanatical package.

188. The New Atheists loathe religion far too much to plausibly challenge it

Comment #38241 by ridelo on May 7, 2007 at 9:51 am

Oh, how do I like Internet. Without it I would almost never know what's really going on in the world. Now I'm witnessing that science becomes more than a means to make our lifes more comfortable. It will become a way of looking at the world without myths.
This is the dawning of the age of intelligence!

189. 'No proof Jesus heals Aids'

Comment #37732 by ridelo on May 5, 2007 at 2:45 pm

Here's Fat Tony:
http://richarddawkins.net/article,983,My-response-to-the-GOP-evolution-question,Brian-Coughlan

190. God Exists. A Formula Proves it.

Comment #37721 by ridelo on May 5, 2007 at 2:23 pm

If God could make 2 + 2 = 5 then I would believe in Him. Easy as that.

191. The kiss that brought immorality debate to a head

Comment #37603 by ridelo on May 5, 2007 at 10:28 am

We should praise Ahmadinejad for showing some human kindness at last. And encourage him to keep up that habit. The former Iranian President Mohammad Khatami looked kinder even if he was a cleric.

192. Just 120 Trillion Miles From Home

Comment #36087 by ridelo on April 30, 2007 at 6:54 am

I'll wait for Rama!

193. Two idiots get a forum

Comment #36036 by ridelo on April 30, 2007 at 2:51 am

And what's the creationist' nightmare? The Creator himself, I guess.

194. New Planet Could Be Earthlike, Scientists Say

Comment #35454 by ridelo on April 27, 2007 at 8:01 am

I think this find makes life elsewhere in our galaxy enormous more plausible. If life starts on a Goldilocks planet like ours it's very difficult to undo it. See what happened here with all our mass extinctions. And we are still here. By we I mean all living things, not only humans of course.
And in the enormous chemical cauldron that a starting planet is somewhere a replicating molecule must happen from time to time. Probability in numbers!
I'm waiting for a spectroscope able to detect oxygen on extrasolar planets! And they better hurry. I'm already 66. Not that I will be disappointed when they eventually detect life somewhere else after my own personal extinction. ;-)

195. Pope abolishes limbo

Comment #34518 by ridelo on April 24, 2007 at 10:28 am

And what about Hitler? If he was aborted he would now be in heaven. Just bad luck?

196. Flea Circus!

Comment #33002 by ridelo on April 19, 2007 at 1:37 am

What a lot of paper while Sam or Richard most of the time have enough with one page to persuade me!

197. For Some Hispanics, Coming to America Also Means Abandoning Religion

Comment #32134 by ridelo on April 15, 2007 at 11:28 pm

that don't require the koolaid restrictions that come with religious ritual.

198. Pope says science too narrow to explain creation

Comment #31324 by ridelo on April 12, 2007 at 2:50 am

If only there weren't so much intelligent people whose job did depend on religion. Then it would be easier for them to accept atheism and evolution.
'Primum vivere, deinde philosophare!' still counts.

199. Militant atheists: too clever for their own good

Comment #30100 by ridelo on April 7, 2007 at 1:00 am

Spinoza:
Almost everybody can tell you that the earth revolves around the sun. But if you ask: "Prove it!", how many can?
So maybe in the future we will have a kind of atheists who on authority will know that there is no god. At least they will not blow themselves up.

200. Planting the Mammalian Supertree

Comment #30090 by ridelo on April 7, 2007 at 12:20 am

I've always asked myself how a creationist explained the simple fact that for example a horse and a zebra were so much alike. If god created them independently why did they differ so little?