Comments by Quetzalcoatl

2151. Over half of Britons claim no religion

Comment #131432 by Quetzalcoatl on February 22, 2008 at 12:35 pm

SRWB-

He can stay as long as he doesn't go all whiney on us about being banned like David Flea!

Or Artful Dodger. He developed a martyr complex and flounced off in solidarity with Wee Flea this morning. But he'll be back.

2152. Over half of Britons claim no religion

Comment #131429 by Quetzalcoatl on February 22, 2008 at 12:34 pm

Krisking-

No, I think that is for atheists to work out.

Well, if you're not willing to discuss them, I think it only fair that you no longer use the phrase to needle others.

2153. Over half of Britons claim no religion

Comment #131420 by Quetzalcoatl on February 22, 2008 at 12:27 pm

Krisking-

what would you define as the "ideological implications" of atheism?

2154. Over half of Britons claim no religion

Comment #131404 by Quetzalcoatl on February 22, 2008 at 12:12 pm

Krisking-

We have not yet worked out the problem of where the universe came from with complete security

Very few things have COMPLETE security.

2155. Over half of Britons claim no religion

Comment #131379 by Quetzalcoatl on February 22, 2008 at 11:25 am

The report says this affects ethnic and religious minorities more than other groups, especially since the July 7 bombings in 2005.

Figures for 2004 to 2006 "show that searches of people with Asian appearance under this provision increased by 84 per cent, compared to an increase of only 24 per cent for White people," the report says.

At the risk of sounding politically incorrect, this isn't a surprise, is it? If police are concerned about the threat from Islamic Terrorists, who else are they going to search?

During the Troubles, you were far more likely to be searched in London and other major cities if you were Irish. Fair? Maybe not. But it's called playing the odds.

2156. Moral thinking

Comment #131272 by Quetzalcoatl on February 22, 2008 at 6:46 am

Interesting stuff.

And no mention of God. Funny, that.

2157. Fleabytes

Comment #131201 by Quetzalcoatl on February 22, 2008 at 3:51 am

irate_atheist-

you may not be typing it, but I'm sure you're saying it as you read.

2158. Fleabytes

Comment #131194 by Quetzalcoatl on February 22, 2008 at 3:41 am

Philip-

deep breath. Have some tea, it will calm you.

2159. Fleabytes

Comment #131180 by Quetzalcoatl on February 22, 2008 at 3:24 am

BAEOZ-

Why sorry?

Well, you can never tell if people will take comments in the spirit they were intended, plus it's sometimes hard to tell from reading what someone has written.

Clearthinker-

in your post you say both that you WILL and that you WILL NOT respond to Paula. One of them may be a typo.

2160. Fleabytes

Comment #131175 by Quetzalcoatl on February 22, 2008 at 3:18 am

BAEOZ-

David starts with false premises and viola

He has a fake address and a musical instrument?

Sorry. I'm in that kind of mood.

2161. Fleabytes

Comment #131168 by Quetzalcoatl on February 22, 2008 at 3:07 am

BAEOZ-

nit-picker. :-)

2162. Whale Evolution

Comment #131159 by Quetzalcoatl on February 22, 2008 at 2:49 am

LorienRyan-

Steve is KIDDING. See comment 38.

2163. Whale Evolution

Comment #131147 by Quetzalcoatl on February 22, 2008 at 2:33 am

Steve-

Until at some point they got too far from shore, and decided it was time to stop being transitional and go for the full "whale"?

That's probably exactly how it was.

2164. Whale Evolution

Comment #131142 by Quetzalcoatl on February 22, 2008 at 2:24 am

Lorien-

that's quite possible, over large time-scales. They could have been river-dwellers at some point too, and just kept heading further out to sea.

2165. Fleabytes

Comment #131138 by Quetzalcoatl on February 22, 2008 at 2:17 am

MPhil-

I'd be careful. Apparently the Way is narrow, not broad. You could get lost quite easily.

2166. Fleabytes

Comment #131130 by Quetzalcoatl on February 22, 2008 at 2:07 am

Steve-

he also promised us "evidence for serious objections to materialism". I guess if he storms off in a huff, he doesn't have to provide it? Convenient.

2167. Fleabytes

Comment #131126 by Quetzalcoatl on February 22, 2008 at 2:00 am

MPhil-

let us all contruct poofs in first-order logic

But homosexuality is wrong! The Bible says so!

(Sorry- bad attempt at humour).

2168. Fleabytes

Comment #131113 by Quetzalcoatl on February 22, 2008 at 1:28 am

MPhil-

My favourite quote from the Atheist Handbook-

"Hear ye, all atheistic free-thinkers. Heap scorn upon the Believer, for their mind is addled and thoughts clouded by the pernicious influence of G-D. Do not attempt to debate with them, for fear that the taint of truculent stupidity shall affect your powers of Reason.

The Believer must be purged, so that the Atheists may inherit the Earth, and impose upon it the True Doctrine of Pitiless Logic. For is not Logic and Nihilism the driving force behind the Atheist Creed? Against this combination flawed notions of "Morality" and "Human Dignity" cannot stand.

We are animals, one among many, and as animals should we behave.

Praise Darwin!"

I think that says it all.

2169. Whale Evolution

Comment #131109 by Quetzalcoatl on February 22, 2008 at 1:18 am

Double Bass-

the theory is that whales started off on land, then returned to the oceans. The same applies to dolphins too, as they're also mammals.

2170. Fleabytes

Comment #131105 by Quetzalcoatl on February 22, 2008 at 1:04 am

Steve-

the answer is on page 53, right after the section on how atheists are supposed to hate all believers.

2171. Fleabytes

Comment #131104 by Quetzalcoatl on February 22, 2008 at 1:02 am

I was awoken last night by the faint sound of violins playing a mournful dirge. Now I realise it was thanks to Wee Flea, bemoaning once again the harsh treatment he has received.

And for the last time, if you want to write a response, why not write it on YOUR site, and post a link?

Artful_Dodger-

In my view the treatment that Robertson has received on this site is absolutely despicable and unworthy of a community of people who pride themselves in their recognition and their use of level-headed rational discourse

Read the comments he made, particularly the one where he used the death of a baby to make a jibe at atheists. THEN ask who is despicable.

You can hardly be surprised that theists who post her end up deciding that it isn't worth it! Or do you imagine that it is because of the sheer unanswerable force of your arguments?

But the problem is you don't answer a lot of our arguments. Eventually frustration creeps in.

On with your smug, self satisfied flea-swatting.

Oh grow up. Stop trying to be a martyr.

2172. Don't blame Islam for terrorism, expert says

Comment #130917 by Quetzalcoatl on February 21, 2008 at 1:43 pm

BAEOZ-

Never heard this line before. How novel

At least he didn't call them "atheist" regimes.

2173. The Lava Lizard's Tale

Comment #130912 by Quetzalcoatl on February 21, 2008 at 1:35 pm

Fascinating.

2174. Don't blame Islam for terrorism, expert says

Comment #130883 by Quetzalcoatl on February 21, 2008 at 12:31 pm

It's too comfortable for Western observers to ignore a long history of Western colonialism in the Middle East while blindly identifying Islam as the key source of global tension, Fuller says.

Hmmph. Some Western observers are all too keen to blame colonialism for all the world's current ills, and to prevent us getting involved in matters abroad.

2175. Don't blame Islam for terrorism, expert says

Comment #130875 by Quetzalcoatl on February 21, 2008 at 12:21 pm

In the bluntest of terms, would there have been a 9/11 without Islam?

Would there have been a 9/11 without religion?

2176. Feb 12th: Happy Darwin Day!

Comment #130862 by Quetzalcoatl on February 21, 2008 at 12:10 pm

Steve-

thanks very much. I've also added your blog to my permanent "links of interest" section.

I could write a lot about tiles too, having just put up over 1000 in my new kitchen.

What colour tiles? :-)

al-rawandi-

cheers. But I don't want Wooter and his ilk. The religious people who post on my blog (about 3 or 4) are very decent people.

2177. Fleabytes

Comment #130856 by Quetzalcoatl on February 21, 2008 at 11:57 am

Artful Dodger-

I think you're missing the point. Evolution combined with human societal interaction has given us a sense of morality. Why does Diacanu's "philosophy" as you call it, mean that humans should not value each other?

2178. Feb 12th: Happy Darwin Day!

Comment #130830 by Quetzalcoatl on February 21, 2008 at 11:03 am

Al-rawandi-

http://www.musingsofastrangemind.blogspot.com/

2179. Feb 12th: Happy Darwin Day!

Comment #130823 by Quetzalcoatl on February 21, 2008 at 10:34 am

Steve-

Unfortunately when I try shameless self-promotion of my blog it never quite works. I tried it on that thread where I asked the question about Hell (EDIT- it was the "are the new atheists avoiding the real arguments" thread)- there have been no comments since!

Don't knock your initial post. There may be people out there who want to know about self-cleaning ovens.

2180. Fleabytes

Comment #130784 by Quetzalcoatl on February 21, 2008 at 9:26 am

Clearthinker-

will you at least answer Epeeist's question?

2181. Fleabytes

Comment #130783 by Quetzalcoatl on February 21, 2008 at 9:23 am

Do we know who won?

2182. Fleabytes

Comment #130775 by Quetzalcoatl on February 21, 2008 at 9:14 am

irate_atheist-

Er...Preston Road?

Didn't that game end last Friday?

2183. Feb 12th: Happy Darwin Day!

Comment #130771 by Quetzalcoatl on February 21, 2008 at 9:08 am

Steve-

while I think of it: been following the debate on your blog with interest. I've also linked to it from mine, so don't be surprised if any of BillySands, LeeC, Phillip1978 or BAEOZ turn up at some point- hope you don't mind!

EDIT- Corylus too.

2184. Feb 12th: Happy Darwin Day!

Comment #130766 by Quetzalcoatl on February 21, 2008 at 9:00 am

Steve-

Let us see what follows

I'm pretty sure I can guess what it will be. It would be nice to be wrong, though.

2185. Fleabytes

Comment #130747 by Quetzalcoatl on February 21, 2008 at 8:23 am

Clearthinker-

and write the insults for you each time I post - none are all that original, and none have anything to do with what I have said

Just as each time you trot out the phrases "fundamentalist atheist" and "atheist religion". Physician, heal thyself.

Many of us have said that we would be interested in your response to Paula's article. I don't know why you're asking to be unbanned, since the account you're currently using is still open?

And Epeeist deserves an answer to his question. He's asked many times, and been polite about it as well.

2186. Feb 12th: Happy Darwin Day!

Comment #130738 by Quetzalcoatl on February 21, 2008 at 8:08 am

Steve-

I am sure you realise that unless you can provide predictions, the phrase "God did it" is as meaningless as "millenium hand and shrimp".

Are you comparing Wooter to Foul Ole Ron?

2187. Fleabytes

Comment #130716 by Quetzalcoatl on February 21, 2008 at 7:29 am

Billy-

I left a comment on my blog telling you WF was back, but I see you've already found out!

2188. Fleabytes

Comment #130706 by Quetzalcoatl on February 21, 2008 at 7:20 am

Artful Dodger-

I'm back, and I see that you have been too. Evidence for objections to materialism?

Clearthinker-

I'm sure we'd like to hear your response to Paula's review.

Read your post, noticed you used the word "fundamentalist" three times when referring to atheists. In the past you've been challenged numerous times about that.

2189. Fleabytes

Comment #130590 by Quetzalcoatl on February 21, 2008 at 12:56 am

Artful_Dodger-

you write off many very serious objections to a priori materialsm with a few keystrokes in which you show that you have actually missed the point.

I'm off out on audit now, but when I get back I look forward to reading a lot more about the evidence for these objections to materialism.

2190. Fleabytes

Comment #130457 by Quetzalcoatl on February 20, 2008 at 2:55 pm

Ah well. Next time Wooter's around one of us will have to ask him, I'm sure he(?) remembers!

2191. Fleabytes

Comment #130453 by Quetzalcoatl on February 20, 2008 at 2:38 pm

Al-rawandi-

I didn't, actually. Dare I ask for the link? I could do with a good laugh right now.

2192. DLD08 - Life: a gene-centric view

Comment #130451 by Quetzalcoatl on February 20, 2008 at 2:36 pm

Sarah95-

Please forgive the following inane(maybe even asinine!) comment, but I can't resist: Richard you appear to have had your hair trimmed!

Headlines from the leading creationist websites-

"Dawkins In Hair Trim Shock!"

"Atheist Fundamentalist Defies God's Plan For His Hair By Having It Trimmed With Satan's Own Scissors!"

"Beware! Dawkins' Discarded Hair Causes Cancer!"

2193. Fleabytes

Comment #130448 by Quetzalcoatl on February 20, 2008 at 2:29 pm

Don't say vibrator. Wooter might PM you asking how much he can get one for

I just can't get over how terminally naive someone must be to actually ask that on a discussion forum.

2194. Why Darwin matters

Comment #130445 by Quetzalcoatl on February 20, 2008 at 2:23 pm

Damn. Spend a day away from the Internet and I miss all this! Work sucks.

The Bishop-

God is Spirit. If you expect to find signs of a physical god, you will be disappointed

Would you still say that if genuine physical evidence of God was discovered? I imagine that you would change your tune rather quickly. Isn't it a reasonable assumption that you only say this because no physical signs have been found?

2195. Fleabytes

Comment #130442 by Quetzalcoatl on February 20, 2008 at 2:19 pm

The article is currently number 2 in the top 100 (not the 20 all-time favourite articles). Has someone only ranked Fleabytes as "good"? If so, shame on you!

:-)

2196. Why Darwin matters

Comment #130043 by Quetzalcoatl on February 20, 2008 at 12:55 am

Goldy-

Aaaah, the Quetz steamroller strategy? Should be interesting :-D

There's no strategy! It was one question on another thread!

:-(

2197. Fleabytes

Comment #129660 by Quetzalcoatl on February 19, 2008 at 12:36 pm

An excellent, and very detailed review. Kudos to you, Paula, for wading through four Flea books, and still somehow maintaining your good humour!

2198. Are the 'New Atheists' avoiding the 'real arguments'?

Comment #129626 by Quetzalcoatl on February 19, 2008 at 11:45 am

If God were truly all-loving, then why allow anyone to burn in Hell at all? Why not decree that all sinners who do not repent will simply cease to exist when they die, rather than suffer eternal torment in the afterlife? Surely this would be more merciful?

I'm not sure if anyone still reads this thread any more, but I've blogged about this subject here-

Hell Of A Way To Be Merciful

All comments welcome.

2199. Potentially Habitable Planets Are Common, Study Says

Comment #129593 by Quetzalcoatl on February 19, 2008 at 10:56 am

Snoov-

Is it not the case that light from our own sun takes between 3 and 4 minutes?

Roughly 8 minutes.

would that mean someone would have to make the trip' deliver the technology?

Yep, they'd have to make the journey first, probably travelling slower than light. It seems unlikely, but with sufficient determination it could be done.

2200. 'Frog from hell' fossil unearthed

Comment #129590 by Quetzalcoatl on February 19, 2008 at 10:54 am

Sarah95-