151. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #245554 by Vaal on September 11, 2008 at 5:35 am

Roger, I think they still have loads of them in the outback, many bought home from Gallipoli, although I was surprised to see one in the guys cab. He said he used it for roos, crocs and buffaloes. I got the impression that he wasn't too remiss on using it on the aborigines. He was a dangerous and quite primitive guy (not, shall we say, exactly politically correct).

Yep, I remember using one when in the CCF (combined cadet forces) at school. It had some kick!

152. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #245549 by Vaal on September 11, 2008 at 5:20 am

Laurie

When I was hitching around Australia many years ago, I was picked up by a trucker near Katherine who had a .303 Lee-Enfield rifle in his cab. Man!

I don't really follow Al's reasoning that it is an American's right to bear arms. That may have been the case 300 years ago, when the homesteaders had to fight off Indians and when the country was in its fledgling state. Now, however, I would have said the proliferation of firearms in the hands of simpletons would be a very strong case to change the constitution to reflect the 21st century.

Please change your avatar back to your grandaughter, the current one is scaring me :)

153. 'Big Bang' experiment starts well

Comment #245497 by Vaal on September 11, 2008 at 1:16 am

SG, Laurie, Epeeist, LeeC

My particular favourite quote was ..

It is probable that the "Big Bang" theory is wrong. You actually need an atmosphere to hear a bang

Man, the level of ignorance in what is supposedly a First world country, where students spend most of their schooling up to a minimum age of 16, where they have available accumulated knowledge that the world has never known, is depressing. I am tempted to send those quotes to the education secretary, as our education system is obviously failing (and will be getting worse with faith schools).

Laurie What's with Al as your Avatar, you are scaring me, get back your grandaughter.

154. 'Big Bang' experiment starts well

Comment #245406 by Vaal on September 10, 2008 at 4:05 pm

I have looked at a few pages of the BBC HYS site and here are a few examples of comments. The spelling, particularly of the student is something to behold.

Read and weep....

"It is probable that the "Big Bang" theory is wrong. You actually need an atmosphere to hear a bang"

"Think Wisely and Dont think We can go Above God.. He is the King of the world"

"Being a student myself i found it rather distrating at school to focus nowing that an experiment was going on that could petentional destroy the human race and cause the earth to implode"

"Assuming the experiment confirms the existence of the universe (which i am 100% in doubt)"

"i just cant belive that the world could be over in a millionth of a second just because some scientists wanted to fire some beams"

"it wont prove any think becauses no matter what people r still going to belive that god created the universes and have there belives"

"I think that if we was surposed to know how the world came to be here we would already know"

"What a wates of money to find out something which didn't happen, when you can buy a Bible for under a fiver and read the truth of how the world was created"

"I think that god will be displeased with this and we should not enrage the beast"

"Why are we bothering to conduct experiments to find out how the universe was created when we already know God did it?"

"scientists are wasting time and putting people lifes at risk just to experiment its disgusting"

"Who created the particles they are trying to crash?
Apparently the big bang was the start of all things, so nothing exploded! how does crashing something equate to it?"

"No one knows what electricity really is. They can just try and clutch at loose theories. Atoms cannot be seen - so how can they exist?"

"not that such failures will stop the atheists believing we're all here by random chance, all from nothing for no reason or purpose with ape ancestry..."

Some people on the site, as us, have been in despair ->

"Of course, the LHC and the experiments are expensive; cutting-edge science always is. Ignorance, on the other hand, is priceless "

"Some comments on here regarding the attitude to science make me very sad. I had no idea there was such deep ignorance. Dear oh dear"

Wow, look at what we are up against!

155. Response to Richard Dawkins and Sam Harris

Comment #245018 by Vaal on September 10, 2008 at 5:10 am

There is a BBC HYS asking how important is the Big Bang experiment.

Some of the results are disappointing such as ..

Ahmed - "Really! They prove nothing that has not been revealed to our prophet Mohamed of Islam. Allah has already revealed how the earth was created in the Qur'an 1429 years ago."

and even more worrying..

Also scientists carry out experiments to prove that we "humans" are the end result of evolution. Assad Khan

All the ignorant rubbish we encounter here every day by the Cretinists. Still, the consensus seems to be very positive, which is reassuring.

156. Response to Richard Dawkins and Sam Harris

Comment #244980 by Vaal on September 10, 2008 at 2:15 am

Epeeist

It must be the rapture! Any sign of David Robertson?

Mordacious

What, Bible 2 is coming out? Gord, I am not going to have to read that from cover to cover. Hope it is a bit less tedious than the last one, especially with all that begatting they will have to catch up with for the last several thousand years.

Steve

Aren't you on holiday?

157. Response to Richard Dawkins and Sam Harris

Comment #244967 by Vaal on September 10, 2008 at 1:45 am

Mordacious

Latest results from the LHC

And at 9.30 it's a triumph! The beam has gone round the circuit three times. Vast applause.

Oh oh, I am definitely feeling heavier this morning, or maybe it was that curry last night, and why do my feet seem to be drawn towards Switzerland? :-)

Oystein: Any sign of that Higgs-Boson, Steven Hawking thinks they won't find it.

158. Michael Palin for President

Comment #244565 by Vaal on September 9, 2008 at 6:50 am

33. Comment #244558 by Laurie Fraser

so you could be rubbing shoulders with D. Robertson for eternity!

Oh, my Zeus, there IS a hell. Better head on down to the mosque so I can get the virgins option (they had better be girls!)

159. Michael Palin for President

Comment #244540 by Vaal on September 9, 2008 at 5:58 am

Laurie

Love it. We have quite a large Mexican American at work. We have said he can plug the hole :)

I wonder if the Church's are filling up with the faithful waiting for the end of the world? Actually, have you seen that some of the scientists at the LHC have been getting death threats from the nutters.

Now, can you imagine the LHC turns on, and one of the last things you see is David Robertson flying past you saying "Told you so". :-)

Oh well, nobody expects the Swiss Hadron Collider!

Class!

EDIT: Better get the beers in and the dancing girls tonight.

160. Michael Palin for President

Comment #244528 by Vaal on September 9, 2008 at 5:21 am

17. Comment #244525 by Peacebeuponme

Peace

Go to the community tab and latest comments. Site looks good. They even have a social section. Well done Josh.

EDIT: Everybody enjoying their last day on the Earth before we are sucked into a black hole tomorrow when they turn on the LHC :-)

161. Opening minds

Comment #243102 by Vaal on September 5, 2008 at 5:36 am

Titania

I totally agree with Decius. You remind me of my sister who has 3 boys, two twins of four and a seven year old. The seven year old LOVES nature and is a twitcher (bird watcher). He can imitate birds so well that he fools the birds in the garden. He is also developing an interest in astronomy, and was blown away when I showed him the craters of the moon, and the rings of Saturn through my telescope. I have to admit I get a lot of pleasure at seeing and developing his interests, it is like when you take children to the zoo for the first time, and they are dumbstruck by seeing these animals for the first time. You enjoy the world for the second time through their eyes.

We need more mothers like you :)

162. Opening minds

Comment #243082 by Vaal on September 5, 2008 at 4:56 am

Hey Laurie

Have you ever seen "The Dish" with Sam Neil about the Parkes radio telescope in NSW, and the problems they had with relaying the TV pictures of the Apollo 11 landing. Absolutely brilliant and very funny, particularly the bit when the local band played Hawaii 5-0 to the American ambassador thinking it was the American National anthem.

Highly recommended film. Australian humour at its best :)

EDIT: SG, yep, music went downhill after the 70's.

163. Opening minds

Comment #243063 by Vaal on September 5, 2008 at 3:51 am

Absolutely Laurie

I commend you, we need more teachers like you, firing full broadsides at the irrational. I was depressed at seeing how lily-livered the biology teachers were in RD's Darwin documentary, when they were afraid of upsetting the apple cart by actually teaching the students the truth of the world around them, instead of pandering to their absurd religious indoctrination and tiptoeing around the holy grail of cultural relativism.

EDIT: Not like the ferocious teachers we had at boarding school who loved the cane, throwing black board rubbers and twisting our sideburns etc..

EDIT EDIT: Susan, I endorse Laurie's comment on your article.

164. Opening minds

Comment #243050 by Vaal on September 5, 2008 at 3:13 am

75. Comment #243041 by epeeist

Do you know epeeist, when I was a (very) young boy, we were all fascinated with the Apollo programme, and every boy had pictures of the Saturn rocket and the astronauts up on their bedroom wall. The original Star Trek came out as well and we were all enthralled. Everybody seemed to have a fascination with science and I remember watching the charismatic James Burke on TV listening to his every word intently (showing my age now).

The kids these days seem to have little interest in science, they are more interested in Big Brother, fashion, celebrities and cretinous football stars. It is a tragedy, maybe a project like Man walking on Mars, or a space elevator, will provide a focal point of interest in the future, such a grand project capturing peoples imaginations, as it did with us in the 70's.

I sound like a grumpy old man :-)

EDIT: Did you ever see the Beckhams, or as we say in my house, the Peckhams.

EDIT EDIT: In fairness, I also had pictures of Kate Bush, Blondie, Olivia Newton John, Agnetha Faltskog and Kim Wilde on my wall, at various times :)

165. Mammoths moved 'out of America'

Comment #243046 by Vaal on September 5, 2008 at 3:00 am

I don't think there is any doubt about Mammoths being bumped off by human predators. They managed to last through several ice ages and flourished before modern humans decided that they has a particular hankering for Mammoth burgers.

That would have been something to behold, the migrating herds of Mammoths passing from America to Europe, and back.

166. Opening minds

Comment #243039 by Vaal on September 5, 2008 at 2:33 am

Melanie Phillips? Have you read the nonsense she spouts about the "conspiracy" of global warming? It is embarrassing. She is another of the "canape" set attacking RD as an evangelist, and having zero understanding of evolution.

Perhaps we need to bring science and evolution into the classroom much earlier, with much more aggressive natural TV programmes, showing evolution as a fantastic story and how interesting and sublime our natural history is. Maybe books or computer games for the youngsters to identify with. Unfortunately, it is often too late when the poor buggers have had the mush of religion jammed in their brains, and will accept nothing that contradicts their religious creation myths, no matter how overwhelming the evidence. I also fear for "faith" schools teaching untruth as truth and turning youngsters into religious automatons.

Pity people like David Beckham didn't try and make science fashionable, but at the end of the day, it is mostly down to parents.

EDIT: For me as a youngster, it was the interest of astronomy that made me realise how small minded religion is, how vast and majestic our universe is, and how insignificantly small we are, as Carl Sagan showed in his pale blue dot quote, when voyager looked back at the diminutive Earth from the edge of the solar system.

167. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #242571 by Vaal on September 4, 2008 at 5:37 am

Perhaps American politicians should have a "God" box, like a swear box. Every time they invoke the word God, they should have to pay a dollar into the God box. That will sort out their economy in days :)

There is an American guy here at work who has been raving about Mrs Palin, but he was quite shocked when I asked him if he knew she believed the Universe was only 6000 years old.

Perhaps these credulous oafs should have to pass a science test before they are allowed to take office. It makes you wonder how many of them would pass? It is astonishing how many people I ask don't even realise that the sun is a star.

168. Palin's Church May Have Shaped Controversial Worldview

Comment #241705 by Vaal on September 3, 2008 at 1:47 am

Michael Palin for President please, and the lumberjack song the new National anthem :)

169. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #241702 by Vaal on September 3, 2008 at 1:43 am

Paula

Yes, her policies have been shown to fail within her own family. Wonder whether it's taught her anything? (No, don't bother answering that one.)

Now, if only the father and the (soon to be) shotgun wedded husband is an atheist, or/and a scientist :-)) /GRIN/

EDIT: Yes, David Robertson, I have an evil sense of humour.

170. Pakistan investigates 'honor killings' of 5 women

Comment #241393 by Vaal on September 2, 2008 at 7:16 am

Quetz

What's the link to your blog?

171. Pakistan investigates 'honor killings' of 5 women

Comment #241335 by Vaal on September 2, 2008 at 6:02 am

101. Comment #241323 by Brian English

Humans are just a bag of shite and the sun will expand and cook the Earth and none of this narrata will matter

Might not have to wait that long Brian. The LHC is turned on September 10th and we will all be sucked up in a black hole.

Only kidding Steve and Oystein, before you jump on me :))

172. Pakistan investigates 'honor killings' of 5 women

Comment #241322 by Vaal on September 2, 2008 at 5:36 am

And to add...

Well, to add my considered opinion - isn't theocracy just an ol' bag o' shite! ;-)

173. 'Rare' mammoth skull discovered

Comment #241247 by Vaal on September 2, 2008 at 3:41 am

Congratulations GBile, I count the days to my retirement :) Unfortunately, a long time yet.

My father says he wonders what he used to do before retirement, as he is so busy now.

Laurie, how can you put horns on your cute little grand-daughter. I am looking, but can't see them. :-)

EDIT: I wonder if they will ever be able to bring these magnificent animals back to life. I don't have any ethical problem with that, as we were responsible for their extinction.

http://www.discoverychannel.ca/reports/article.aspx?aid=8206

174. Pakistan investigates 'honor killings' of 5 women

Comment #241202 by Vaal on September 2, 2008 at 1:53 am

These are centuries-old traditions and I will continue to defend them," Israr Ullah Zehri, who represents the province where the women died, told the chamber on Saturday.

Did this cretin actually have a mother? And what other centuries-old traditions would this brain dead waste of a human being like to bring back, burning wives alive with their dead husbands? I almost wish the Raj was back as this vile excuse of a man would be dancing from a rope. I wouldn't have any problem whatsoever with that.

Good to see Islam actually condemning this disgusting tradition, maybe there is hope for it yet.

175. 'Rare' mammoth skull discovered

Comment #241197 by Vaal on September 2, 2008 at 1:46 am

Quetz

Not to mention Satan turning the heads of all us evil atheists.

176. 'Rare' mammoth skull discovered

Comment #241191 by Vaal on September 2, 2008 at 1:39 am

Yep, me too Laurie. I am particularly interested in pre-historic man. I was awed when I went over to France and saw the cave paintings at Lascaux. The artwork was incredible and it was amazing to think that it was painted nearly 20,000 years ago, in a completely different world. Must have been before God created the Earth :)

I think it is a tragedy that our ancestors have fought through the harshest conditions of the ice ages and for countless millennium and yet their story is denied by their own descendants, infected by the nonsense of religion. I wonder what tales they could have told us?

Nice to see an article like this, instead of the usual depressing religious drivel posted on here.

177. Richard Dawkins on Talkback Radio

Comment #241185 by Vaal on September 2, 2008 at 1:31 am

Welcome helenlibra

Winnie the Pooh, he is Einstein compared to Isthatclear :)

I don't know who he could be compared to, apart from the village idiot.

EDIT: Josh, I thought you had banned Isthatclear as a troll.

178. Better Know a Lobby - Atheism

Comment #241171 by Vaal on September 2, 2008 at 12:35 am

Diacanu

I prefer your old avatar. It is good, but it just doesn't seem right, it's not you. Much prefer you as the Dark knight.

EDIT: The current avatar would make a great T-shirt though.

179. McCain's VP Wants Creationism Taught in School

Comment #240967 by Vaal on September 1, 2008 at 11:01 am

Yep, Mordacious

I saw that on the news. The poor girl

Mrs Palin, a social conservative who is opposed to abortion, said in a statement her daughter Bristol would keep the child and marry its father

So, shotgun wedding for the poor lass.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/7592636.stm

180. Atheists: The Last Political Outcasts

Comment #240254 by Vaal on August 31, 2008 at 6:43 am

Decius

Maybe they have been sinning too much :) Isn't that right, Mr Robertson?

EDIT: Sorry Laurie :)

181. Atheists: The Last Political Outcasts

Comment #240245 by Vaal on August 31, 2008 at 6:18 am

My goodness Laurie

Just checked the sports news. What happened to the Ozzies? 53-8 Wow.

182. McCain's VP Wants Creationism Taught in School

Comment #239947 by Vaal on August 30, 2008 at 3:37 pm

"I'm not going to pretend I know how all this came to be," she said

Well, how about learning then, instead of giving an opinion on something you know nothing about. There is NO controversy. Evolution is a fact, it is not a debate. If you have evidence that evolution can be proved to be untrue, then I am sure that the whole scientific world is waiting for it with bated breath.. "sound of wind whistling"

I suggest that she reads the trial transcript of the Dover trial for a start, perhaps THAT should be taught in school.

Richard is right unfortunately, that the creationist propaganda is very effective. We need more scientists to be more outspoken and a few more Carl Sagan type of communicators in the US. Education, education, education is the only way that this inanity can be defeated.

To be honest, it is quite depressing hearing this junk coming from somebody who should have more sense, as she is obviously not stupid.

EDIT: Perhaps politicians should take a basic science test before they are allowed to take office and make decisions which effect education.

183. Museum in censorship row over Darwin sign

Comment #239849 by Vaal on August 30, 2008 at 12:36 pm

86. Comment #239308 by Veronique

Talking is terrific, doing is more necessary

Here you go Veronique, it looks like some people are leading a demonstration at the museum about the censorship, according to the Northampton Chronicle. So, anybody in the area on Sunday, please show your support.

(Pat Markey,Northampton) Well done National Secular Society. There will be a protest to defend rational and scientific thinking from attacks by religious fundamentalism on Sunday 31 August at Abington Park Museum from about 1.30pm. All democrats, humanists, free-thinkers are more than welcome to attend. Bring your banners

EDIT: Love the ScotKat rules now :)

184. A flea we missed?

Comment #239749 by Vaal on August 30, 2008 at 9:49 am

Aw David, how disappointing, just more hot air saying nothing.

Come on, admit it, you are just a closet atheist.

185. Genesis and the origin of the Origin of the species

Comment #239725 by Vaal on August 30, 2008 at 8:59 am

I have often thought that religious leaders with (we are told) formidable intellects, such as the Archbishop of Canterbury, may think to themselves; man, what a numskull, I have really wasted my life and talents.

They could have instead dedicated themselves to learning about the world, and advancing humanity, instead of wasting their lives as apologists for a non-existent deity.

In fact, it is nothing less than a Shakespearean tragedy.

I have also wondered if the Pope and other religious leaders, such as psychotic mullahs, actually do believe in God? Do they have their Mother Theresa moments, or decades?

186. Atheists: The Last Political Outcasts

Comment #239681 by Vaal on August 30, 2008 at 7:41 am

Bonzai

I am quite happy to be deported to Australia :)

No, I have no sympathy whatsoever for somebody who advocates mass murder on other citizens while sheltering behind his own citizenship, as far as I am concerned he has abrogated any rights of citizenship.

The law, quite rightly protects all those other people who are political dissidents or anyone else with absolute freedom of speech, regardless of how foul they are, unless they threaten the lives of other citizens and promulgate hatred.

I would prefer those who would like us to live in an Islamic theocracy, and hate our society so much, to freely leave and go and live in an Islamic theocracy. I am quite happy to financially assist them for their move, as it is a lot cheaper than having to incarcerate them in the future, should their hatred turn into violence.

However, I don't want such draconian measures and would prefer, as Steve says, that murderous fanaticism was dealt with by current laws. I was just interested to see what current treason laws say about it.

187. Atheists: The Last Political Outcasts

Comment #239662 by Vaal on August 30, 2008 at 6:33 am

if a man do violate the King's companion

I like that one. Just as well Charles wasn't the King or Will Carling (allegedly) would be on his way to the chopping block. :)

188. Atheists: The Last Political Outcasts

Comment #239650 by Vaal on August 30, 2008 at 6:12 am

Interestingly Steve, what are the current laws of treason? I have no problem whatsoever with a citizen being stripped of his citizenship and exiled if he is an enemy of everything that the country stands for and has no qualms about committing mass murder, with no regard of any bodys human rights. I regard that man as an absolute enemy of this country and all its institutions, and has chosen to be a mortal enemy of everything I stand for and believe in.

As my father was in the British army for 22 years and my brother was a helicopter pilot in the navy, I have no regard whatsoever for citizens of this country who choose to take up arms against our armed forces, and then are allowed to come back to the country, almost with impunity. Ten years ago they would have been hung for it.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/7288516.stm

Now, I do regard Islamic fundamentalism as a huge threat to our freedoms, but I believe, as you do, that current laws should be used to address it, as well as the government, media and communities taking steps to aggressively counteract religious fanaticism. I am really with Al on this, but don't know how to address the problem, without becoming draconian ourselves. What does worry me is that the fanatics actually want to use democracy to create a theocracy, which they tried to do in Algeria. Not a problem now, but it may be a serious problem for our grandchildren. I hope I am wrong.

189. No atheist burials in Co Donegal

Comment #239633 by Vaal on August 30, 2008 at 4:49 am

Pure comedy gold. I sent this on to my relatives in N. Ireland, who enjoyed it immensely.

Hey, David, are us atheists allowed in your graveyard? Do you have a section for the Muslims and the Catholics as well?

Anyway, having my ashes scattered on Palm beach in Sydney, where I have the best memories of my life, so if you are listening sis, those are my wishes.

190. Genesis and the origin of the Origin of the species

Comment #239618 by Vaal on August 30, 2008 at 3:56 am

What Bible has he been reading? It isn't the one I read from cover to cover. Talk about cherry-picking. He should be ashamed of himself.

We might wonder at the fact that Homo sapiens is the only known life form in the Universe capable of asking "Why?"

YOU might wonder. Yep, as you have said, the "only known life form in the Universe", but as we only know about life in our microscopic backyard and have barely explored a minuscule part of our own solar system, it is the height of arrogance and stupidity to assume we are the only sentient being in the ENTIRE universe. It is a bit like a crab in a puddle in England speculating that they are the only crabs in the known universe, yet to them a crab in a puddle in Australia is something they will never be able to detect, just speculate about.

The heavens declare the glory of God

Really, how is that? Most of the Universe is an extremely unfriendly place, even on Earth we are regularly smashed with asteroids, are at the mercy of any titanic astronomical or geological event that could end life instantly on the planet. Most of the Universe is nothing more than violence on a colossal and unimaginable scale.

the kinship between humans and animals

Again, how long does it take to get in your thick skull that we ARE animals, not separate from them, we are placental mammals (primates) who evolved large brains, and all animals on the planet are related to each other. Wakey wakey eggs and bacey! Credulous fool.

All the rest of it is the usual straw man drivel that has been dissected again and again and again on this site, and elsewhere. Honestly, if these are the best arguments for the existence of God(s), then these guys are living in Disney land. It is utterly embarrassing, and deserves nothing more than contempt.

EDIT: Man, the religites really are on full retreat.

191. Atheists: The Last Political Outcasts

Comment #239420 by Vaal on August 29, 2008 at 2:34 pm

Yep, Decius, the discussion has become depressing. If only it was so easy :)

Anyway, at least I am looking forward to the LHC going live on the 10th September, and the weather is supposed to be nice tomorrow, thank Zeus!

192. Museum in censorship row over Darwin sign

Comment #239061 by Vaal on August 29, 2008 at 1:28 am

WHAT!!!! It is a sad day when centres of learning have become so lilly-livered in the face of religious bullying and submitting to small mindedness.

What is really offensive is a Cretinist trying to impose his limited and supernatural world view on a museum which is there to teach science. I wonder if he shows offence at his TV, or his computer, or his car. What a wilfully ignorant toe-rag.

There is no controversy, except in the eyes of dimwits. I hope Richard can pen a letter to the museum authorities to advise them to grow a backbone, and advise them that the religious can be offended all they like, but that absolutely does not allow them to censor any exhibition.

What next, will the Islamists be trying to censor an art exhibition or a music festival because it is Unislamic? A line in the sand has to be drawn in the face of these outrageous and illegal acts of religious censorship.

ukvillafan Excellent response.

EDIT: Perhaps we should turn this around and get religious bill boards censored as atheists and other religious denominations find them offensive.

193. Atheism could be science's contribution to religion

Comment #238415 by Vaal on August 28, 2008 at 5:56 am

44. Comment #238385 by Peacebeuponme

You wouldn't have liked Christopher Hitchens' comments about Jerry Falwell immediately after his death then

Ah, I didn't know about that. Thanks for pointing that out Peace. I had to look it up. Wow, Hitch doesn't pull any punches ..

http://www.slate.com/id/2166337/fr/rss/

Good man.

194. Why Dawkins is right and his critics are wrong

Comment #238402 by Vaal on August 28, 2008 at 5:29 am

536. Comment #238398 by Peacebeuponme

Isn't it something about not showing your hair to god? Apparently god has trouble seeing through a decent piece of cloth.

What? God has less powers than Superman?

Makes you wonder why if God is so offended by hair, and foreskins, why we are born with them. Not much of a designer, is he?

EDIT: Now, I might almost be convinced of the existence of God if all Jews were born without foreskins, and converts from Judaism grew theirs back.

195. It's no wonder evangelical atheists need to shout so loud

Comment #238324 by Vaal on August 28, 2008 at 2:03 am

Phillip, endorsed.

I love reading Diacanu's scything wit, and wouldn't like to see him hamstrung because of the odd well deserved profanity. He cuts to the quick, he is refreshing and an asset to this site, so I wouldn't like to see him change. So, thumbs up Diacanu.

196. Atheism could be science's contribution to religion

Comment #238315 by Vaal on August 28, 2008 at 1:37 am

In reality, the only contribution that science can make to the ideas of religion is atheism

Absolutely! The whole point of science is to describe the world without invoking the supernatural.

Every new discovery is a death-knell to religion, with the religious back-tracking to try and find another gap to fill with a supernatural agent. Why do you think there is such bitter opposition to evolution from the more religiously credulous, as it topples mankind from their privileged position in the Universe.

How many times have we heard, "I am not an animal". Well, yes you ARE you credulous fool, whether you believe it, or not.

EDIT: Thanks Laurie. Fixed.

197. Channel 4 announces return of Undercover Mosque

Comment #238111 by Vaal on August 27, 2008 at 3:22 pm

Al - HAS to be David Robertson as court jester :))

EDIT: Or is it court fool? /grins/

198. It's no wonder evangelical atheists need to shout so loud

Comment #237960 by Vaal on August 27, 2008 at 1:11 pm

Boring.

199. Channel 4 announces return of Undercover Mosque

Comment #237839 by Vaal on August 27, 2008 at 8:55 am

Ah, this is the sort of thing I have been advocating. The law finally prosecuting those who use their religion for abuse. This cretin still doesn't think he has done any wrong, but hopefully a bit of prison time might help him reflect on his religious insanity. Perhaps the zeitgeist is changing, and the authorities are finally growing a backbone.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/manchester/7584446.stm

Qomak, I am puzzled, just what are you advocating, that unless a person is a specialist in a field, that he should not be able to have an opinion. It seems to me that most specialists disagree with each other anyway, but there are some things you don't need to be a "rocket scientist" to understand.

200. Richard Dawkins on Talkback Radio

Comment #237750 by Vaal on August 27, 2008 at 5:29 am

Laurie

Can you imagine Wooter, Joe, and David Robertson out for an evening at the pub debating over their various philosophy's and belief systems. Now, that would be interesting. I would like to be a fly on the wall at that inculcation of stupidity. Perhaps they will decide on it with a bout of arm-wrestling, or darts?