251. Chimps beat humans in memory test

Comment #93907 by Matt7895 on December 4, 2007 at 12:42 pm

The Muslim Council of Britain does that... as well as the Muslim MPs and peers we have in Parliament. I guess the moderate Muslims in the States are sitting on their hands instead.

252. Chimps beat humans in memory test

Comment #93886 by Matt7895 on December 4, 2007 at 11:51 am

That chimp is awesome. I'd love to go for a beer with him.

253. Daniel Dennett Debates Dinesh D'Souza

Comment #92945 by Matt7895 on December 1, 2007 at 7:52 pm

The shouting was definitely the turn-off for me. I did manage to listen to the entire thing, though. But I can't remember the last time my ears hurt so much, and like Benway I had my volume right down, but the tone of the voice was still so shrill...

He's not a pleasant man to listen to.

254. Daniel Dennett Debates Dinesh D'Souza

Comment #92783 by Matt7895 on December 1, 2007 at 1:08 pm

In 'Root of all evil?', Professor Dawkins mentions to Ted Haggard that his church service reminded him of a Nuremburg rally. I think that analogy would actually be best given to Dinesh D'Souza's talk... or rather shouting, during this debate. He was pretty much screaming down the mic at the audience..

Way to go, Dinesh. You really showed yourself up there.

255. Poll finds more Americans believe in devil than Darwin

Comment #92563 by Matt7895 on November 30, 2007 at 7:16 pm

"Does anyone over there in the U.K. want to put me up while I find a job and place to live? I don't think I can stand this country any longer."

Anna, you're more than welcome to come here and become a British citizen, although we have our problems too. Mainly homeopathy, faith schools, Muslims who'd love to implement Sharia law and see women in burkhas, but perhaps worst of all is a big new mosque planned to be built in London, with state funding, which we can't do much about. I think the U.S. has it right when it comes to church/state seperation :)

256. Papal encyclical attacks atheism, lauds hope

Comment #92376 by Matt7895 on November 30, 2007 at 11:22 am

"Let us put it very simply: man needs God, otherwise he remains without hope."

What a masochistic fool.

257. Poll finds more Americans believe in devil than Darwin

Comment #92375 by Matt7895 on November 30, 2007 at 11:20 am

"It is the latest survey to highlight America's deep level of religiosity, a cultural trait that sets it apart from much of the developed world."

"Darwin's theory of evolution met a far more skeptical audience which might surprise some outsiders as the United States is renowned for its excellence in scientific research."

Depressing.

258. Boy dies of leukemia after refusing treatment for religious reasons

Comment #92039 by Matt7895 on November 29, 2007 at 6:23 pm

How can somebody be so, so stupid? I just cannot understand people with a deathwish. Life is so wonderful, the universe is so mysterious, I want to live, I get huge enjoyment out of my life. Why throw it all away for faith that is unproven?

259. Banishing the Green-Eyed Monster

Comment #91893 by Matt7895 on November 29, 2007 at 2:14 pm

But isn't the White House the President's house? Why exactly couldn't he have sex in his own house? Are you in favour of banning people having sex in their homes?

260. Banishing the Green-Eyed Monster

Comment #91862 by Matt7895 on November 29, 2007 at 1:16 pm

Richard, thank you ever so much for writing that. I enjoyed reading it.

261. Pupil defends teacher in Muhammad teddy furore

Comment #91645 by Matt7895 on November 28, 2007 at 7:45 pm

What we need is another Thatcher running things. Say what you like about her domestic policies, but she was the man when it came to defending British interests abroad. She sent the SAS in to deal with the Iranian embassy siege and she saved the Falkland Islands from Argentinian invasion. I thought Brown was going to be just as iron-willed as her, but it seems not. If Thatcher was PM, she'd instantly sever diplomatic ties with Sudan and send in the SAS to rescue Ms Gibbons.

262. This Friday: Debate between Dan Dennett and Dinesh D'Souza

Comment #91611 by Matt7895 on November 28, 2007 at 4:46 pm

Will this be filmed or recorded?

263. Pupil defends teacher in Muhammad teddy furore

Comment #91559 by Matt7895 on November 28, 2007 at 2:45 pm

Oh, and cease ALL diplomatic relations with Sudan, until Ms Gibbons gets a full and frank apology for her ordeal.

264. Pupil defends teacher in Muhammad teddy furore

Comment #91554 by Matt7895 on November 28, 2007 at 2:37 pm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/7117430.stm

She's been charged of insulting religion, inciting hatred and showing contempt for religious beliefs.

That's it. Send in the SAS and get her out of there.

265. 'Muhammad' teddy teacher arrested

Comment #91070 by Matt7895 on November 27, 2007 at 6:36 am

Thats what you get for democratically naming a bear in an undemocratic country.

266. Rock of Ages, Ages of Rock

Comment #90676 by Matt7895 on November 26, 2007 at 5:32 am

For every lecture Liberty University gives on dinosaurs living with Noah, they must also play a lecture from 'Growing Up In The Universe'. The first one is a good starting point, with the children holding up pictures of our direct ancestors stretching back millions of years.

267. Tony Blair: Mention God and you're a 'nutter'

Comment #90532 by Matt7895 on November 25, 2007 at 12:36 pm

No, I'm not an apologetic, I just can't stand people calling Blair and Bush war criminals when there are far more ghastly people in the world (Mugabe, Kim Jong Il, Ahmadinejad are just a few)

268. Tony Blair: Mention God and you're a 'nutter'

Comment #90512 by Matt7895 on November 25, 2007 at 11:46 am

I completely agree with Peaceuponme.

It just irritates me when people call Bush and Blair war criminals over Iraq, that they should somehow be put on trial in The Hague. It's really quite naive. They both had the backings of their democratic systems, in Bush's case it is was congress, in Blair's it was parliament. In fact Blair did something quite unprecedented when he put the case before Parliament like that; he was quite in his rights to just declare war without consulting any MPs; other PMs have done it in the past, but Blair chose not to do so. Also, their goal with Iraq was not to massacre as many people as possible, or impose a dictatorial government; it was to remove a brutal dictator who refused to comply with common decency and sanctions. If Bush was to suddenly invade a nice, peaceful, democratic country like Norway and initiate a new genocide along the lines of Pol Pot, Stalin and Hitler, THEN he could rightly be called a war criminal. There's a heck of amount of difference between doing that and what happened in Iraq though, and as Peaceuponme says, it really doesn't help to simplify things like that.

269. Tony Blair: Mention God and you're a 'nutter'

Comment #90429 by Matt7895 on November 25, 2007 at 5:47 am

You forgot to mention a booming economy and low inflation which has made us the 5th largest economy in the world.

Also, you surely mean Scottish and Welsh DEVOLUTION. They are still part of the UK, and they've got a damn sight more national autonomy than England has.

270. Make Richard Dawkins a Knight

Comment #90230 by Matt7895 on November 23, 2007 at 3:40 pm

1. The last time we had a complete fuckwit as King, he had his head knocked off by an equal fuckwit, after two civil wars. Thankfully, nowadays, if we had another fuckwit in charge, it's likely there'd be a constitutional crisis, the monarch would be forced to abdicate and we'd be a republic. You'd get what you wanted, and I wouldn't mind either, as we wouldn't have lost much.

2. It seems we do. Bear in mind it wasn't their decision not go to Iraq - they actually desperately wanted to go - so it would be unfair to misjudge them in that regard. As for charity work, I don't think Prince Harry flies off to Africa just to enjoy the sun. And William doesn't go and play football with kids here at home just for a laugh - if he wanted a laugh he wouldn't bother with the kids and just go out with his mates instead. You are right that it is a privilege, I suppose. I think most of us here would love being able to do that just for a few days. But we haven't been born into that family, but they have, and instead of lying around all day doing nothing, they are out there earning their keep.

271. Why Science Will Triumph Only When Theory Becomes Law

Comment #90229 by Matt7895 on November 23, 2007 at 3:33 pm

Fantastic, he's moved onto the Bible quotes. When a theist does that you know they are close to giving up.

272. Why Science Will Triumph Only When Theory Becomes Law

Comment #90159 by Matt7895 on November 23, 2007 at 8:18 am

Has anyone read Hitch's book on Clinton?

273. Make Richard Dawkins a Knight

Comment #90139 by Matt7895 on November 23, 2007 at 6:29 am

Peacebeuponme, I agree with you. I am in favour of adopting a different song as our national anthem. As a royal anthem however, which would be sung at a knighting cerenomy, GSTQ does its job.

I am all in favour of secularising the institution though, seperating church and state. I think I talked about the Fabian Society's report into the future of the monarchy, earlier in this discussion.

As for sides-stepping the issue of being able to choose a head of state, I've already expressed my opinion on the matter. In my opinion democracy isn't all it's cracked up to be. In political matters it is of fundamental importance, which is why I think being able to choose which political party represents us is great. And I'm all in favour of Lords reform too, turning the upper house into an elected senate, perhaps. When it comes to ambassadorial positions, I prefer those who have a bit of experience, and the Queen has that. She's travelled to more countries than any other monarch in our country's history, she's always well received and she has dedicated her whole life to public service. She's established her credentials. The heir to the throne, the Prince of Wales, has done great work for charity, especially with his organisation The Prince's Trust. And he has started to take on some of his mother's responsibilities in representing the country overseas, albeit unofficially. The two Princes have carried on in their mother's footsteps in aid working abroad, 'getting their hands dirty' so to speak. And they have carried on the tradition of serving in our country's armed forces. So they are establishing their credentials too.

So in that kind of position I prefer to go for someone who has a bit of experience in the position over the politically correct option of choosing someone else. Until there's a major constitutional crisis, I just don't see the need for change in our head of state. We're perfectly stable as we are and there's no big call for a republic. Even the SNP in Scotland say if they gain independence they'll still have the Queen as their head of state. They know that there the Queen is still way up there in the opinion polls. Though I suspect you don't care much for opinion polls, since you seem to think the Spanish King was made more unpopular over the Chavez incident, even though there is evidence to the contrary.

So I suppose it just boils down to the simple fact that you would prefer to elect your head of state, whereas I wouldn't. I think the advantages of having a hereditary monarch, in terms of historical identity and recognition, far outweigh the negatives of it being seen as an unfair system.

274. Why Science Will Triumph Only When Theory Becomes Law

Comment #90125 by Matt7895 on November 23, 2007 at 5:01 am

Ruht if you are really for real and aren't just another troll, I suggest you read up on the arguments you are criticising. Professor Dawkins would recommend you read a book on evolution. I would recommend you watch Professor Dawkins' 'Waking Up In The Universe' lectures, available free from this website.

275. Make Richard Dawkins a Knight

Comment #90080 by Matt7895 on November 22, 2007 at 6:10 pm

"Would Richard have to sing god save the Queen at the ceremony?"

There's no reason why an atheist can't sing songs with happen to contain religious imagery. I happen to enjoy singing 'God Save The Queen' and 'Jerusalem' even though they both contain allusions to religion. It doesn't mean I take them seriously, it's more of how they are seen in a modern context. Nobody takes the wording of the anthem seriously anymore, not even the Royal Family themselves. I don't know of a single person in the UK who believes the monarch has the mandate of god - that kind of nonsense went out with the divine right of kings.

Have you ever exclaimed 'For God's sake', 'For heavens sake', 'Bloody hell', 'God damn it' or 'Jesus Christ' when you stub a toe or hear about something fantastical? Does that mean you are actually meaning to call out to God or provoke him into damning the thing you are criticising? Of course not.

276. Make Richard Dawkins a Knight

Comment #90079 by Matt7895 on November 22, 2007 at 6:06 pm

"Actually the Spanish king is a bit of a hit in Venezuela right now - they all have a ringtone of him telling Hugo Chavez to "shut up". Over in Spain one of his "subjects" burnt a picture of him, so maybe he's not as popular as you say."

That said ringtone has apparently sold millions, and the King's approval ratings in Spain rocketed after the original news story came out. And the opposition parties in Venezuela love him too. So, I'd actually judge that popular.

"Jesus Christ, Matt! You're not planning some kind of coup d'etat, are you? Or are you in consultation with some people in the cabinet? Does Gordon Brown know about this?"

When I said 'looking into' I didn't mean investigating and presenting my findings to the government. I'm not that naive. I meant deciding for myself what my opinion is on the issue.

277. Why Science Will Triumph Only When Theory Becomes Law

Comment #90074 by Matt7895 on November 22, 2007 at 5:13 pm

Ladies and gentlemen, please do NOT feed the troll.

He's not a theist/ID advocate looking for a debate, he's simply a troll/fundamentalist nutter who is not looking at the facts and the real arguments here, and is just blindly sticking to his faith in a creator.

So, please, do not feed the troll. It will only spawn more, and before you know it, we'll be over-run.

278. Study: Babies can tell helpful, hurtful playmates

Comment #90018 by Matt7895 on November 22, 2007 at 12:08 pm

I read about this in The Times earlier today. Its a fantastic new discovery, and its also another piece of evidence to add to the already substantially large pile that indicates morality is indeed an evolutionary trait, or at least partially.

279. Make Richard Dawkins a Knight

Comment #89569 by Matt7895 on November 21, 2007 at 6:23 am

I'm very much proud of our history and I think the monarchy is the best link we have to our past and to the sense of 'Britishness'. I love the idea of having a monarch and all the ceremony that goes with it.

I don't see the need for an elected head of state. We aren't the only constitutional monarchy in the world, other countries like Spain, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden seem happy with their monarchy, why can't we be?

The Queen has no political role - as Dawkins said earlier, if she tried to interfere in politics there'd be a constitutional crisis and she'd be thrown out. We elect our governments democratically, and I think thats the way it should stay. By all means suggest reforms for our electoral system, even our parliamentary system - right now I'm looking into the possibility of a federalised UK - but I really don't see the need for change in head of state. I realise others do, and I'm not trying to force one opinion on the matter, I'm just stating my own.

280. URGENT APPEAL: Please Help Protect Ayaan Hirsi Ali

Comment #89558 by Matt7895 on November 21, 2007 at 5:19 am

"People sure take Internet discussions too personally."

I wholeheartedly agree! It seems completely ridiculous to me that there are people leaving the site, in a kind of childish tantrum, just because there are a few people posting comments here they don't like. It is silly and juvenile. I suppose I can't understand their behaviour because I love this site, it's probably my favourite place on the internet, and is a source of good information, and I just cannot see why someone would sacrifice all that just because they don't like a few words from a few people.

281. Frequently Asked Questions about the Ayaan Hirsi Ali Security Trust

Comment #89547 by Matt7895 on November 21, 2007 at 4:21 am

Sam Harris's rhetorical skill is persuading as always. Ok Sam, you've got me. I'll give $20 after Christmas when I get a bit of extra cash.

282. Romney's Mormonism is fair game

Comment #89445 by Matt7895 on November 20, 2007 at 6:56 pm

Aye but they almost spoiled it at the end with that moral message of faith and belief being sacred and above criticism. Matt and Trey have done the same thing recently with 'Imaginationland', where they came up with some nonsense about God and Jesus not being real but still real because they have an effect on people's lives.

283. Make Richard Dawkins a Knight

Comment #89438 by Matt7895 on November 20, 2007 at 5:45 pm

I would 100% agree with what Richard wrote in his reply. The Queen has been an amazing ambassador for our country and has knighted, even if she has done ceremoniously, some of the great minds of our history. The Prince of Wales seems to have anti-scientific interests, but, and this is crucial, he has a son, Prince William, who is very much a People's Prince just as his mother, Diana, was the People's Princess. Prince William doesn't comment on political or religious matters, instead he just likes a good game of rugby and then he goes off to help disadvantaged children in Africa. He will make an excellent King.

284. URGENT APPEAL: Please Help Protect Ayaan Hirsi Ali

Comment #89437 by Matt7895 on November 20, 2007 at 5:42 pm

Richard, I'm surprised such a phrase was blanked out... surprised, and saddened.

285. Romney's Mormonism is fair game

Comment #89430 by Matt7895 on November 20, 2007 at 5:18 pm

I am told Horizon can be quite good, and Tonight with good old Sir Trev is alright too.

About Ruth Kelly, unfortunately it wouldn't be a problem if she didn't let it interfere with her political life, but it does. She has voted against, or abstained from voting, on issues relating to abortion and gay civil partnerships/adoption. Though as you say a Mormon would probably be laughed out of office. I think Scientology is the next big thing that is taking a hold on the UK, so its those nutters we have to keep an eye on.

286. Romney's Mormonism is fair game

Comment #89408 by Matt7895 on November 20, 2007 at 3:37 pm

Hitchens on Fox News? Wow this'll be a treat. Thanks for putting this up. How old is it?

Was he cut off at the end? He was just entering his stride too!

287. The Scientists Speak

Comment #89351 by Matt7895 on November 20, 2007 at 11:15 am

I think the denial of global warming is similar to the denial of evolution. In both cases, those in a state of denial are only doing so because they would be the ones to lose if the general consensus accepted them. So their goal is a contrarian approach - to steadfast hold an illogical position against overwhelming evidence. In global warming, it is the oil lobby. In evolution it is the fundamentalist mega-church lobby. Both are very powerful.

288. URGENT APPEAL: Please Help Protect Ayaan Hirsi Ali

Comment #89307 by Matt7895 on November 20, 2007 at 9:17 am

Peacebeupon me, I realise you and a few others have quoted SilentMike too, but I just think that one quotation is so good it needs to be repeated again and again, particularly when there are people here who think people who don't donate are 'sickening', 'disgusting' (to use their language), and have no right to speak on the issue.

289. URGENT APPEAL: Please Help Protect Ayaan Hirsi Ali

Comment #89294 by Matt7895 on November 20, 2007 at 8:07 am

After reading what Ian wrote I feel I need to quote SilentMike's sentiments further up this comments thread, which I fully agree with:

"None of you are Bill O'reilly so for the love of -WHATEVER- please stop telling people who don't agree with you to shut up."

290. Interview with Christopher Hitchens

Comment #89126 by Matt7895 on November 19, 2007 at 6:56 pm

Doesn't matter if he's smart or not, the point is he's a smoker and in my experience most smokers relish the opportunity to breathe it in people's faces, and loathe anyone who asks them not to. I don't know if Hitchens does this, though, as unfortunately I've never seen the man in person.

291. Interview with Christopher Hitchens

Comment #89106 by Matt7895 on November 19, 2007 at 6:02 pm

Thankyou for this, I am watching it now.

I agree with the view 'when you're in someone's house, you respect their rules'. When I go into a church I take off my hat and make sure I'm not wearing shorts. After all, religious folk need a place where they can come together and practise the non-violent parts of their faith, I don't mean that in a condescending way, I think we as atheists shouldn't be trying to wipe out things like yarmulkes themselves, but try to stop people from thinking they need to wear them in the first place. When that happens, yarmulkes won't be needed. But until that happens, we need to have some degree of respect. At least, when we are in 'their house'.

292. Ofcom backs Channel 4 over mosque probe

Comment #89102 by Matt7895 on November 19, 2007 at 5:58 pm

I actually live in the West Midlands... these guys are meant to be protecting me, it's genuinely worrying that they can make stupid decisions such as this.

And I agree with BaronOchs, it is abuse that race hatred laws are being used by some people to apply to religious matters. It's like those who like to call Hitchens and Harris 'racist' for despising Islam.

293. URGENT APPEAL: Please Help Protect Ayaan Hirsi Ali

Comment #89090 by Matt7895 on November 19, 2007 at 5:25 pm

I think it is unnecessary to call those who are not in a position to give money, or do not want to give money, 'disgusting' and 'sickening'. That's just downright rude and uncalled for. I know atheists aren't the type to be herded, but I did think atheists were at the least nice to each other.

Just because someone holds a different opinion than you doesn't mean you have to throw straw men at them. Leave that to the religious folk to do.

There's been plenty of over-reaction in the comments here. If you want to give money, great, go ahead. But don't insult those who don't. And don't tell them not to post here, they have as much right to voice their opinions as you do. If you took the time to read what many of these people are saying, you'll find they (or at least, me) hold a great deal of respect for Ayaan Hirsi Ali and are merely questioning the request for donations, or asking for more information. Now sorry, but is that too much to ask?

294. URGENT APPEAL: Please Help Protect Ayaan Hirsi Ali

Comment #88952 by Matt7895 on November 19, 2007 at 9:00 am

Well, sorry, but I won't be donating. I sympathise with Miss Hirsi Ali, but apparently if she only returned to the Netherlands she would receive full protection from the government there. The only reason why they are no longer paying for her is because she is residing in the United States. I don't think the Dutch government are being unreasonable on the matter.

295. 'Growing Up in the Universe' now available free online

Comment #88177 by Matt7895 on November 15, 2007 at 4:34 am

Thankyou for the torrents, I left them all to download over night and when I woke up this morning they were all done.

I hope to buy a copy of the DVD soon. I also saw a copy of 'Root of all evil: Uncut Interviews' in my local branch of Borders the other day, but held off on buying it as I aim to get it in the set with the original program. Looks like I'll add the GUITU dvd to the basket too.

296. The evolution of creationism

Comment #87994 by Matt7895 on November 14, 2007 at 3:50 am

How can he be agnostic yet believe in an intelligent creator? That makes him theistic or deistic, right? And don't tell me he falls for the whole alien thing either...

297. The evolution of creationism

Comment #87897 by Matt7895 on November 13, 2007 at 2:36 pm

The funny thing is they can't name a single non-religious person who accepts ID, while I can name plenty of religious people who accept evolution.

298. The evolution of creationism

Comment #87842 by Matt7895 on November 13, 2007 at 10:29 am

Ah, but the whole point of evolution is that simple things become more complex. Intelligent design isn't more complex than creationism, it is just as stupid and just as unproven.

299. A third of adults believe God watches over them

Comment #87526 by Matt7895 on November 12, 2007 at 11:25 am

But only of those polled... since it was done by a Christian charity, those most likely to involve themselves in the poll would be Christians.

The only reliable source of religiosity is the Census, and even then many believing Christians mess around and choose 'Jedi', at least some of the Christians I know do.

300. Dr Bari: Government stoking Muslim tension

Comment #87424 by Matt7895 on November 12, 2007 at 4:46 am

"His passion is to integrate Muslim and British cultures - he says integration must go both ways."

Not if he wants to impose his views on homosexuality, abortion, child indoctrination, alcohol, marriage and women into our society. He can shove those where the sun don't shine.