Comments by LorienRyan

Comment #134567 by LorienRyan on February 28, 2008 at 2:07 am

What is the number of epeeist's post that contains the question in question?

Comment #134473 by LorienRyan on February 27, 2008 at 8:58 pm

Ok, here goes...

The bible is like Hollywood... the scripts are bad, the acting is terrible, the props are lame, but hey, there's nothing else on TV.

203. Fleabytes

Comment #134466 by LorienRyan on February 27, 2008 at 8:43 pm

MPhil,

Yes, it's all totally nuts, and funny most of the time - until a bus load of school kids get blown up or the Pope hands down some socially corroding policy.

EDIT: 99, I think we've uncovered the true agents of chaos.

204. Are they running for President or Pastor-in-Chief?

Comment #134465 by LorienRyan on February 27, 2008 at 8:38 pm

Aren't fundie christians a politicians dream? Just parrot some pat bible lines and mention something about Jesus and prayer and you're there!

The economy, public health system, national security, etc., well, God and the bible are much more important, aren't they?

*extreme sarcasm*

205. Fleabytes

Comment #134459 by LorienRyan on February 27, 2008 at 8:19 pm

And another one...

Bible like Hollywood - we're filled with apocalyptic visions of blood 'n' fire, then go buy a bag o popcorn during the intermission. (think Terminator)

206. Fleabytes

Comment #134453 by LorienRyan on February 27, 2008 at 8:04 pm

Line dropped out.

MPhil,

...fucking close to water, indeed, still like my Becks though.

Bible like Hollywood... they've got letters up on a mountain? Moses? Ok, I'm all out of ideas.

207. Fleabytes

Comment #134437 by LorienRyan on February 27, 2008 at 7:39 pm

MPhil,

How 'bout a 'sex in a canoe'. Oh boy, I crack myself up.

208. Fleabytes

Comment #134436 by LorienRyan on February 27, 2008 at 7:37 pm

How do we know the bible is the word of god? The bible says so.....

The bible is a lot like Hollywood... shamelessly self-promoting.

209. Fleabytes

Comment #134432 by LorienRyan on February 27, 2008 at 7:33 pm

Brian,

When they invent digital-to-matter converters for the pc we can pass 'round a nice fat cyber trumpet.

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

Comment #134428 by LorienRyan on February 27, 2008 at 7:22 pm

No please, keep going, see how many pics of yourself you can get in a row. *Joking*

211. Fleabytes

Comment #134427 by LorienRyan on February 27, 2008 at 7:16 pm

MPhil,

No, no discussion, was interested in your opinion, and thanks.

once you move to the meta-level, you're doing philosophy.

Nice succinct way to put it, I agree, it's an integral part of the whole thing, i.e., human experience, endeavour, etc.

Anyway... thanks again.

212. Fleabytes

Comment #134417 by LorienRyan on February 27, 2008 at 6:50 pm

MPhil,

Are you aware of Peter Atkins view on philosophy? He makes the claim that it is useless, I think he is being a tad strident on the matter.

A close friend of mine is a psychologist/philosopher, and we agree that philosophy is an important part of the scientific process, at a 'higher' level I guess.

I'm fairly certain Atkins expressed his view at the Beyond Belief 2007 conference, and the first thing that came to mind was, 'is that his philosophy':)

213. Interview with Richard Dawkins

Comment #134402 by LorienRyan on February 27, 2008 at 6:13 pm

More of the same, but what else really is there to expect. Richard, I thought, answered all the questions appropriately and fairly. I think accusations of Richard being a bit 'shrill' are probably more related to the people who say that. I get the impression that it is because Richard genuinely cares about the subject and reacts in a natural way to inanity.

I noticed some commenters complained about the interviewer, mostly personal comments, that's alright but I didn't see it, I thought she did a fairly good job.

What impressed me most is Richard's ability to converse about highly complex subject matter in a natural and 'down to earth' way. It's always refreshing to hear sound logic expressed well.

214. Fleabytes

Comment #134059 by LorienRyan on February 27, 2008 at 7:19 am

NMcC,

Someone did go back...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PFrufPxjwX0

215. Fleabytes

Comment #134054 by LorienRyan on February 27, 2008 at 7:12 am

I have met David in person, though, and he's quite an affable chap. The sort of guy you'd probably enjoy a pint with.

Probably true. Now, when I do or say something stupid my friends say, 'you idiot', or, 'you dickhead', sometimes over a pint, and we all laugh about it.

216. Pakistan blocks YouTube over blasphemous video

Comment #134035 by LorienRyan on February 27, 2008 at 6:47 am

Nighttripper,

try selecting all your text then do the ctrl c thing before you hit 'submit', then if it does not save all you have to do is press ctrl v and vuola, it's back!

217. Fleabytes

Comment #134017 by LorienRyan on February 27, 2008 at 6:32 am

The Dawkins Letters: Challenging Atheist Myths

Hmmm, challenging atheist myths. What must that be like I wonder. Shadow boxing? Or, wrestling a man made of straw? Maybe it is like critiqing Micky Mouse on his failure to acurately represent the plight of lab mice? Who knows?

218. Fleabytes

Comment #133998 by LorienRyan on February 27, 2008 at 6:02 am

The word hypocrite comes to mind.

al,

The word delusion comes to mind. Another victim of the God delusion and/or The God Delusion, haha, a double whammy for David, luv it!

219. Fleabytes

Comment #133979 by LorienRyan on February 27, 2008 at 5:40 am

- or religiously brainwashed.

...he said it.

220. The Giant Tortoise's Tale

Comment #133849 by LorienRyan on February 26, 2008 at 11:48 pm

Nice presentation. Evolution and biology are always so interesting. I'm studying full time (IT)at the moment so these easily digestable info snipets are great.

Everyone knows Tom Baker was the best Dr Who. Jelly baby anyone?

221. Feb 12th: Happy Darwin Day!

Comment #133839 by LorienRyan on February 26, 2008 at 11:20 pm

Diacanu,

That's shee not see!

222. Feb 12th: Happy Darwin Day!

Comment #133835 by LorienRyan on February 26, 2008 at 11:16 pm

Steve,

Nice hat:)

223. Feb 12th: Happy Darwin Day!

Comment #133831 by LorienRyan on February 26, 2008 at 11:12 pm

Shmeezer,

You have so many excellent resources on the net, including all the help and great responces from people at this site. Yet you are still content to stumble 'round in the dark recesses of your mind, as if you are a greater authority on these matters. It's a real shame, your willful closed-mindedness is sad, get over yourself. I pity you.

224. The Encyclopedia of Life, No Bookshelf Required

Comment #133829 by LorienRyan on February 26, 2008 at 11:05 pm

What an excellent resource and a credit to the internet. Wish I was back in high school. Wonder if the fundie countries are gonna block this one.

225. Feb 12th: Happy Darwin Day!

Comment #133294 by LorienRyan on February 26, 2008 at 3:20 am

I think wooter is covering his ears and saying, 'la la la la la, can't here you, la la la la, Jesus help me now, la la la la.....'

226. Pakistan blocks YouTube over blasphemous video

Comment #133271 by LorienRyan on February 26, 2008 at 2:14 am

...by a blind man using a marker pen.

...at a spanish bull run.

227. Feb 12th: Happy Darwin Day!

Comment #133268 by LorienRyan on February 26, 2008 at 2:12 am

Quetza,

You never know what's behind those avatars. I could be diced zuccini.

228. Add another flea to the list...

Comment #133266 by LorienRyan on February 26, 2008 at 2:08 am

...atheism does nothing to change one's views on good and evil.

Don't know if I agree with that. Firstly, it depends on the individual. Secondly, an atheist has no reason to believe in good and evil, in a religious sense. Therefore becoming an atheist from a religious background necessarily changes one's views about good and evil.

229. Church is paying a high price for its celibacy rule

Comment #133255 by LorienRyan on February 26, 2008 at 1:37 am

All these sadomasochistic rituals, self-mutilating and forced celibacy going on in the church, surely any psychologists out there must be just a little bit concerned. It can't be healthy. There must be psychological disorders causing these activities. We need an army of white vans and orderlies with the straight jackets at the ready and one giant pink padded cell.

230. Add another flea to the list...

Comment #133229 by LorienRyan on February 25, 2008 at 11:17 pm

The "Hitler was an atheist" comment is a flat-out lie.

It's a shame christian apologists use this line. If a christian says, 'Hitler didn't believe in God' just say back, 'the devil believes in God'. I think we come off pretty well there.

231. Pakistan blocks YouTube over blasphemous video

Comment #133227 by LorienRyan on February 25, 2008 at 11:09 pm

So, enterprising users in those countries can get to pretty much any "blocked" site if they use the right tricks (IP not DNS)...you lose the user friendly domain name "youtube" and replace it by the universal: 208.65.153.253 which should route into pretty much every large country in multiple locations. ;)

Unless it is blocked at the root or '.' server level, then it could not be resolved to the '.com' level. Pakistan citizens could access tons of material from torrents anyway.

232. Pakistan blocks YouTube over blasphemous video

Comment #133224 by LorienRyan on February 25, 2008 at 11:00 pm

Hope they didn't ban bollywood from youtube, that little michael jackson kid is cool...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gSUaydSHCPs

233. Add another flea to the list...

Comment #133223 by LorienRyan on February 25, 2008 at 10:54 pm

Brings new meaning to the term 'flea market', and just when I thought I had enough door stops.

234. Evidence can't shake your faith if your faith excludes it as evidence

Comment #132656 by LorienRyan on February 25, 2008 at 4:54 am

I can think of one or two things that would make me believe that there was life after death and/or a deity who answered prayers.

Interesting to think about. How about some sort of pervasive entity that exists at a quantum level or some sort of being that is electrical information that we are a part of?

235. Fleabytes

Comment #132653 by LorienRyan on February 25, 2008 at 4:47 am

Quetza,

Saw DR's youtube also, and your post #131889 is a nice round up. After seeing the vid all I could think was [add angsty ad hom here]. I can remember letting go of religious notions many years ago, and it does take a bit of guts. I can't help but to think these people like DR, Cornwell and McGrath are just sooky la la's.

236. Fleabytes

Comment #132640 by LorienRyan on February 25, 2008 at 4:18 am

True, but it is going to be the equivalent of going bird-watching for Dodos.

haha, nice analogy. Well, as long as people keep signing up for the Dodo expeditions...

237. Fleabytes

Comment #132632 by LorienRyan on February 25, 2008 at 4:11 am

But as a practical subject, theology is really something of a waste of time.

Hmmm, don't know if I agree with that. After all, it is an industry in itself, like sport and many other industries that are not purely practical but nonetheless thrive.

238. Fleabytes

Comment #132618 by LorienRyan on February 25, 2008 at 3:44 am

An ad hominem argument, also known as argumentum ad hominem (Latin: "argument to the man", "argument against the man") consists of replying to an argument or factual claim by attacking or appealing to a characteristic or belief of the person making the argument or claim, rather than by addressing the substance of the argument or producing evidence against the claim.

Your religious claims contain no factual substance and are just your beliefs, your gut feelings, expressions of your character. Hence the ad homs. Also, ad homs are so much fun. I'm sure your not really looking for evidence against your claims here, hence you have been accused of being disingenuous, a troll. If you really tried to be an atheist, objectively considering the evidence, and you really think that the notions in your mind are greater evidence that all of the scienctific and philosophical pursuits of the greatest minds in history, well, what can I say, bring on the ad homs.

239. How he was sentenced to die

Comment #132580 by LorienRyan on February 25, 2008 at 2:05 am

Indeed. And some people wonder why I'm 'Irate'.

Oh, I thought it was because that's what your mother called you, and I was wondering what your middle name was - irate _?_ atheist:)

240. Physicist Neil Turok: Big Bang Wasn't the Beginning

Comment #132571 by LorienRyan on February 25, 2008 at 1:42 am

robotaholic,

Thanks for the info. There's a whole program on Hawkings mistake, 'The Hawking Paradox' - contradicting the law of information transferal in quantum mechanics. I was 30yrs behind! Now I feel a bit more up to date. Well, I was still 1970yrs in front of the fundies:)

EDIT: gotta love those serious English science documentries with that eerie piano music.

241. Fleabytes

Comment #132516 by LorienRyan on February 24, 2008 at 10:45 pm

Let the ad homs fly baby, ad hom and let ad hom, what we have here is, is a failure to ad hom, to ad hom or not to ad hom, 'excuse me, I see what your saying but [insert favourite ad hom here]' oooh that feels gooood:)

242. How he was sentenced to die

Comment #132509 by LorienRyan on February 24, 2008 at 10:08 pm

Such arrogance, so much ignorance and needless injustice. 'Religion poisons everything', Christopher, that was not an overstatement.

243. Fleabytes

Comment #132500 by LorienRyan on February 24, 2008 at 9:30 pm

Wonder if any of it'll soak into David's head, or if he'll just throw up an ink cloud of BS and make a hasty retreat.

The latter I'd say. I had my 'if you can't beat 'em join 'em' moment, but in David's case he's got delusionary minds to feed and adoring sympathies to consider. I think he's in too deep. We can only hope that once the rant is over one is left alone with the realization that no-one is listening, not even God.

244. Evidence can't shake your faith if your faith excludes it as evidence

Comment #132494 by LorienRyan on February 24, 2008 at 9:07 pm

Juxta,

We do it ourselves or we get someone else to do it for us, or the third option, sit on your hand for half an hour then do it.

245. My Argument With God

Comment #132490 by LorienRyan on February 24, 2008 at 8:46 pm

Determinism? Really? I choose not to believe in that either.

Even if free will did exist in the classic sense it is still determined by limited choices and a limited amount of time.

246. The coming religious peace

Comment #132489 by LorienRyan on February 24, 2008 at 8:41 pm

Like it. I'll stick it just to the right of my one...

247. Evidence can't shake your faith if your faith excludes it as evidence

Comment #132475 by LorienRyan on February 24, 2008 at 7:52 pm

The striking naivete of this viewpoint becomes clear if one asks a simple question: What, for Dawkins, would constitute evidence of God's existence? Suppose an angel of the Lord were to appear before Dawkins, even as he was delivering another lecture on the delusion that God exists. Would such an experience change Dawkins' views?

'Experience' being the operative word here, makes Paul's statement the question of striking naivete.
If only Campos could direct us to a field of science that accepts personal experience as evidence.

248. Richard Dawkins on five of his favorite books

Comment #132468 by LorienRyan on February 24, 2008 at 7:39 pm

Oh well, here goes...

To Kill a Mocking Bird, Harper Lee
Philosophy and Philosophers, John Shand
What is this thing called Science?, A.C. Chalmers
The Gospel of Buddha, Paul Carus
The Demon-Haunted World, Carl Sagan

249. Evidence can't shake your faith if your faith excludes it as evidence

Comment #132465 by LorienRyan on February 24, 2008 at 7:29 pm

I wonder if Paul Campos would ponder such questions if a tram car was hurtling towards him, or when he has to do the weekly grocery shopping?

250. Fleabytes

Comment #132414 by LorienRyan on February 24, 2008 at 6:11 pm

Second Frankus1122,

Diacanu that was, well, pretty cool.