251. The coming religious peace

Comment #131962 by Radesq on February 23, 2008 at 5:20 pm

Funny stuff Catsyk...I figure the most common Star Wars/Religious character mix up has to be the confusing of an action figure of the Emperor with one of Pope Benedict. But Darth Maul...a fair second choice.

252. Fleabytes

Comment #131955 by Radesq on February 23, 2008 at 5:10 pm

Steve Z:

You have stated earlier "As one of the biggest Buffy fans on the planet..."

This is a perfect example of why you should use a different photo in your avatar. With that white background there is no way to tell you are not normal size. I'll take your word for it...if you can tell me what former Buffy actor/actress has made an appearance on Torchwood recently.

edit~ This is not a comment on who is more handsome between you or RickM

2nd edit~ maybe take a photo with you holding a double decker bus in the palms of your hands...now that's a BIG fan!

253. Fleabytes

Comment #131878 by Radesq on February 23, 2008 at 2:09 pm

PJG I was just thinking when I read your post...how long before Vox Day does a critique of Paula's critique of Robertson's critique of TGD? Perhaps infinite regression isn't as implausible as it seems.

254. My Argument With God

Comment #131859 by Radesq on February 23, 2008 at 1:23 pm

OK so is it mostly the baggage associated with the term free will or is it the question of whether that degree of freedom actually exists that makes you wish he hadn't used the term?

I am a big fan of freedom to make choices; you could say I'm pro-choice but the meaning of those words has already been predetermined.

255. My Argument With God

Comment #131855 by Radesq on February 23, 2008 at 1:04 pm

Paula, What is the difference between "being aware of having choices and being able to make them" and having free will?

256. Fleabytes

Comment #131849 by Radesq on February 23, 2008 at 12:48 pm

Paula: Zimbabwe you mean?

257. The Lava Lizard's Tale

Comment #131835 by Radesq on February 23, 2008 at 12:12 pm

Richard M. I'm not sure what to say about it...

the music is pleasant enough...the first clip seems to me to be smoldering with sexual innuendo.

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

Comment #131824 by Radesq on February 23, 2008 at 11:51 am

Why is sex without marriage a sin? Does the Bible give any explanation; or is it one of those -- because I said so issues?

259. Feb 12th: Happy Darwin Day!

Comment #131802 by Radesq on February 23, 2008 at 10:46 am

Llongyfarchion Richard Morgan.

260. Debate between Richard Dawkins and Madeline Bunting

Comment #131781 by Radesq on February 23, 2008 at 9:38 am

Paula writes:
"The only reason it was important in this context was that it challenged the Bunting to acknowledge that her touchy-feely..."

You mustn't reduce Prof. Dawkins' debate opponents to mere set decorations, I'm sure he can do that on his own. :)

261. Whale Evolution

Comment #131763 by Radesq on February 23, 2008 at 7:23 am

59. Comment #131706 by Steve Zara

Thanks for the response Dr. Steve. I certainly am in no position to quarrel with Prof. Dawkins on evolution. I just remember thinking that SJG's Wonderful Life book made a great deal of sense when talking about how once large groups of flora or fauna get established they don't change much because they don't need to. When the environment changes or when smaller groups move and get geographically isolated then natural selection kicks into high gear out of necessity. As I mentioned before, it was quite some time ago when I read it so probably either the weaknesses of the model didn't sink in at the time or I have just forgotten them. I guess I will have to read some Dawkins to help me figure it out. Also, I'll take a look at some of the gene centric threads around here. I'm going to need some convincing that genes evolving really accounts for change if their organisms are successfully reproducing.

262. Whale Evolution

Comment #131621 by Radesq on February 22, 2008 at 6:11 pm

Dr. Steve -- I read SJ Gould's book on the Burgess Shale maybe a dozen years ago. I don't remember him being against gradualism the way you describe. He is the big proponent of contingent evolution -- an idea which I (admittedly not being a scientist of course) thought made a lot of sense. I am going to go look for something to back this up with -- but I think you give him too much grief. It sounds from your comments that Prof. Dawkins was not a fan of Mr. Gould's either so I assume I have my work cut out if I am to defend him. Mind you I don't have any use for NOMA.

edit ~ so what did I find in my brief Wikipedia search? Well, there is comment on The Blind Watchmaker critique considering SJG to be not accepting enough of gradualism. So I apparently just didn't get it or don't remember it. I thought punctuated equilibrium sounded entirely rational as merely a periodic acceleration of gradual evolution that continues on after some environmental stress has gone away. Must be my social science background. Still, how much evidence do we have from the fossil record to distinguish slow change from equilibrium? If the quote from Wikipedia is to be believed, (and since many writers here have read the BW), even Prof. Dawkins has said of punctuated equilibrium

It is a "minor gloss," an "interesting but minor wrinkle on the surface of neo-Darwinian theory," and "lies firmly within the neo-Darwinian synthesis.

263. Feb 12th: Happy Darwin Day!

Comment #131619 by Radesq on February 22, 2008 at 5:56 pm

wooter I'm going to try to explain this in a way that you might understand.

The cherries are upside down when the boat goes along the tortoise of the mind of the sausage maker's camel. There absolutely no is fine of the one who says he does when he is and that is a lie. When you try to wrap your icebox around the music that comes from the depths of the lettuce saddle monkey half-time show you see that the imprint of the elevator talks in the speech of the divinity of the sand. This is too much for you to admit in the kleptch of your karnenflugle kooklebinker.

Are we agreed?

264. My Argument With God

Comment #131617 by Radesq on February 22, 2008 at 5:47 pm

I suspect that most good comedians are quite intelligent. It takes some ability to reflect on what is or isn't funny and why. This was a nice, short, appealing article. I would appreciate seeing more like it.

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

Comment #131039 by Radesq on February 21, 2008 at 7:04 pm

You want a conspiracy theory? In the 1960s the Canadians developed a car that ran exclusively on naturally occurring tree resins. Big maple syrup and their friends in Ottawa have been holding back this technology for decades. Blame Canada!

266. Whale Evolution

Comment #131038 by Radesq on February 21, 2008 at 6:57 pm

Evolution may not be directed toward a goal but the study of it can be. Looking in retrospect you can call something a transitional form. Just like flying ice cream is often a transitional form between my ice cream cone and the puddling ground ice cream.

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

Comment #131025 by Radesq on February 21, 2008 at 6:00 pm

You are probably right Bonzai. But I think times are going to be different in the 21st century for religion. My suspicion is that religion will look and act increasingly like politics in the upcoming years. It (religion)is under threat and I think that may cause volatility and rapid change in response to environmental stress. I would expect religious fundamentalism to increase, religious conflict to increase, but I also expect to see religious cooperation between groups that normally don't like each other in the name of self preservation. Maybe weird things will happen like the ABC promoting Sharia in the UK for instance.

Bald speculation perhaps...

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

Comment #131018 by Radesq on February 21, 2008 at 5:38 pm

Of course mainstream Islam is only that which the most Muslims believe in at a given time. It's not like religious doctrine is carved in stone...alright sometimes it is technically carved in stone.

Religious doctrine is whatever its adherents say it is...it has no immutable qualities -- perhaps with the exception of the almighty excuse provider for whatever terrible act you want to commit but can't muster up any legitimate reason for.

269. Whale Evolution

Comment #131006 by Radesq on February 21, 2008 at 5:10 pm

OK first a question: Did this thing chase Indohyus into the water? Second, wouldn't you know a guy named Frank E. Fish would choose to study marine mammals? Finally, an interesting page to read on the subject (although I couldn't tell you how accurate it is)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evolution_of_cetaceans

270. Why do we believe in God? 2m study prays for answer

Comment #130539 by Radesq on February 20, 2008 at 7:46 pm

MPhil could you please rephrase your last post in words that a batboy of tender years might understand?

271. Bart Ehrman, Questioning Religion on Why We Suffer

Comment #130534 by Radesq on February 20, 2008 at 7:32 pm

I laughed at the T-shirt...then I looked around the room to see if anybody saw me laugh. Strangely, the cannibalism angle never entered my mind however.

Stay in school kids!
and just say no to drugs!*

*required PC disclaimer for the IEO (incredibly easily offended)

272. Bart Ehrman, Questioning Religion on Why We Suffer

Comment #129927 by Radesq on February 19, 2008 at 7:07 pm

Teratornis...I like the avatar is it new? Have you seen the postage stamp (Laotian I think). Regarding your post, two things come to mind...1)the most common explanation for suffering is that God has a greater purpose that we simply are incapable of understanding. Easy but unsatisfying...if God is trying to teach us something why not just come straight out with it rather than all this beating around the burning bush, which has to be interpreted and devised? 2)You did not find anyway to work bicycling or Wikipedia in there (are you not feeling well?)

~edit I just read your next post on Ayaan Hirsi Ali, nevermind. :)

273. Fleabytes

Comment #129900 by Radesq on February 19, 2008 at 6:19 pm

Paula Kirby...thank you for your efforts in immersing yourself in those books and thereby allowing me to avoid my own personal flea bath.

274. Fleabytes

Comment #129890 by Radesq on February 19, 2008 at 6:07 pm

54. Comment #129881 by Steve Zara

If we start using Stenger to support our attacks on religious ideas, they are entitled to use people like Francis Collins to argue back. And we won't be able to say "you can't quote Collins, as his views aren't held by the majority of researchers in his field".

Inigo Montoya: You are using Bonetti's Defense against me, ah?
Man in Black: I thought it fitting considering the rocky terrain.
Inigo Montoya: Naturally, you must suspect me to attack with Capa Ferro?
Man in Black: Naturally... but I find that Thibault cancels out Capa Ferro. Don't you?
Inigo Montoya: Unless the enemy has studied his Agrippa... which I have. The Princess Bride

275. Cutting Edge: Baby Bible Bashers

Comment #129277 by Radesq on February 19, 2008 at 12:25 am

Yes magnus150, but it is interesting how the same cloak can cover three rather different manifestations of human sickness.
That is why I found this short film to be so well done. Religious fervor and evangelicalism used to enable - 1. hate (including self hatred) & bigotry, 2. charlatanism and greed, 3. cult of personality and (at least insinuated) incestuous pedophilia.

Is there another mindset other than religious superstition that would allow, much less glorify, such behavior? If so let's see the evidence for it.

276. Cutting Edge: Baby Bible Bashers

Comment #129268 by Radesq on February 19, 2008 at 12:08 am

Thank posters 2, 10 & 16 as well might have saved you a few keystrokes Diacanu.

277. Cutting Edge: Baby Bible Bashers

Comment #129263 by Radesq on February 18, 2008 at 11:55 pm

Kids don't always grow up to be what their parents intended.

278. 'Frog from hell' fossil unearthed

Comment #129247 by Radesq on February 18, 2008 at 10:39 pm

In the words of Yosemite Sam -- Great Horny Toads! And also to paraphrase the recently passed Roy Scheider "Noah, I think you're going to need a bigger boat."

279. Cutting Edge: Baby Bible Bashers

Comment #129245 by Radesq on February 18, 2008 at 10:33 pm

A well crafted film. It is very much a point of view piece (as most documentaries are these days). The back stories (parent as child abuser, child molester, and child pimp) and the imagery that support them are more powerful than any words that are spoken by the participants or the narrator. I am always puzzled that evangelicals will take part in documentaries that make them look so bad. Perhaps they think this one will be different, perhaps they just don't see how they come over in these programs, perhaps they just can't resist being on television. For whatever reason, I'm glad that people get opportunities like these to see where blind faith can lead.

280. Atheists An Increasingly Outspoken Minority

Comment #129200 by Radesq on February 18, 2008 at 9:11 pm

"I don't know whether there are more atheists or we've created a culture where it's safer for people who have struggled with faith, or don't believe in God to be more forthright and honest about that," said Bishop Mark Hanson.

Both I suppose.

281. Holy missing link! Ancient bat flew without 'sonar'

Comment #129186 by Radesq on February 18, 2008 at 8:47 pm

Bats are clearly a highly evolved species! ;)

282. Ayaan Hirsi Ali asks for protection

Comment #128014 by Radesq on February 15, 2008 at 9:33 pm

Teratornis...I am also concerned about this country's (USA) dependence on foreign oil and our resulting Sasquatch like carbon footprint. However, wouldn't a free market fan tell you that the raise in petroleum prices will take care of this problem eventually. Sort of like whale oil dependence? Perhaps movement toward alternative energy sources will be accelerated. My concern is that the higher prices will just make it economically feasible to squeeze oil out of oil shale and coal (which North America has an abundance of but which will presumably do nothing to help the environment). I guess my point is that I think your peak oil catastrophe theory may be a bit overblown. Your thoughts...

~although it does seem I've strayed off topic maybe there is another thread you might reply on.

283. Dumb and Dumber: Are Americans Hostile to Knowledge?

Comment #128008 by Radesq on February 15, 2008 at 9:24 pm

Richard I think evidence of your theory may be about to present itself. Wooter is trolling about on another thread.

284. Dumb and Dumber: Are Americans Hostile to Knowledge?

Comment #127985 by Radesq on February 15, 2008 at 8:36 pm

"I can't help but comment on this post."

Try a little harder.

As you can see, it's pretty easy to make baseless snarky insults.

285. Ayaan Hirsi Ali asks for protection

Comment #127961 by Radesq on February 15, 2008 at 7:53 pm

SSE you mean one should never underestimate .... Right? Sorry to be so picky about it; it is one of my pet peeves.

286. Dumb and Dumber: Are Americans Hostile to Knowledge?

Comment #127940 by Radesq on February 15, 2008 at 7:13 pm

14. Comment #127407 by aquilacane on February 15, 2008 at 8:49 am
It won't be long before I can bus cheap American labour over the border into my Canadian factories. Pay them crap and make them sleep in freezing cold rooms with no water or facilities.

And they will like it, or starve!

287. A Tyrannical Romance

Comment #126641 by Radesq on February 13, 2008 at 5:24 pm

Dr. Steve everybody knows T-Rex had small arms in order to wear small wristwatches. Unfortunately for them, back then there was only one blind watchmaker.

288. My Saudi Valentine

Comment #126638 by Radesq on February 13, 2008 at 5:20 pm

...and we enjoy exchanging gifts -- through our chauffeurs or housemaids.

289. A Tyrannical Romance

Comment #126635 by Radesq on February 13, 2008 at 5:06 pm

It appears I missed my tern at making the bird puns, the end of that discussion was rather swift. That's too bad because I had a covey of them, but I'm not going to grouse about it or be filled with bitter egret because many of them were a bit of ostrich anyway and somewhat hard to swallow.

290. Charles Simonyi Professorship in the Public Understanding of Science

Comment #126441 by Radesq on February 13, 2008 at 8:54 am

Hey Artful_Dodger I get the joke...it took me a while though -- Mr. Dawkins.

291. Murder plot against Danish cartoonist

Comment #126419 by Radesq on February 13, 2008 at 8:03 am

Styrer - I don't think the second statement is redundant I think it is contradictory. That is because I am conflicted in my view. That is to say, I believe the rule should be no torture...but then there are exceptions to every rule.

I am not a fan of absolutes. I also freely admit my bias against and distrust of the Bush administration and its adherents. I think it was al rawandi above who said something to the effect that he doesn't trust W, Cheney et al to define who is an enemy of the state and then decide to torture him/her. As a rule, the American people should not allow anyone to do that sort of thing, but again, I will admit that having W in charge pushes me farther in the direction of absolutely no torture.

292. Murder plot against Danish cartoonist

Comment #126411 by Radesq on February 13, 2008 at 7:23 am

Also to Jaster who I posted a comment to back a page or so. It is right that you don't know how to take my comment...because what it means depends on your point of view. That character was both admirable and despicable.

Torture is morally repugnant, it should not be the policy of the United States to engage in torture. If you are fighting for a United States that does not believe in treating pows humanely, upholding international treaties and conventions, and not engaging in cruel and unusual punishment -- then what you are really fighting for is much less than the USA ought to be.

Still, there are scenarios where to paraphrase another fictional character "the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few, or the one". I appreciate the efforts of men and women like yourself who take on the task of protecting this country.

293. Murder plot against Danish cartoonist

Comment #126410 by Radesq on February 13, 2008 at 7:16 am

My point was that you sounded to me like you were saying -- only barbarians torture and we should not become like the barbarians or else what could we achieve but a Pyhrric victory.

Or... we would hope and expect that our soldiers (or enemy combatants if we were to have such things - Blackwater maybe)would be treated humanely and not tortured -- so we shouldn't engage in torture ourselves.

294. Murder plot against Danish cartoonist

Comment #126403 by Radesq on February 13, 2008 at 6:59 am

al Rawandi -- If I didn't know better I would think you were espousing a torture philsophy of: do onto others as you would have done onto you.

295. Murder plot against Danish cartoonist

Comment #126243 by Radesq on February 12, 2008 at 7:07 pm

Jaster are you really Col. Jessup?

"I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very freedom that I provide, and then questions the manner in which I provide it. I would rather you just said thank you, and went on your way, Otherwise, I suggest you pick up a weapon, and stand a post."

296. Charles Simonyi Professorship in the Public Understanding of Science

Comment #126233 by Radesq on February 12, 2008 at 5:51 pm

Ray Davies would probably be better.

297. Why multiculturalism must be abandoned

Comment #125664 by Radesq on February 11, 2008 at 7:58 pm

Goldy: Isn't Magnus Magnusson the world's strongest man?

298. Sharia fiasco

Comment #124992 by Radesq on February 10, 2008 at 3:36 pm

Would it be wrong to say that RW's approach to Sharia in the UK is letting the camel's nose in the tent?

299. Sharia fiasco

Comment #124918 by Radesq on February 10, 2008 at 12:19 pm

RE: Dr. Steve@33 ...and figure out how to deal with the demand, even if the consequences are (hopefully) to show that it won't be met

300. Christopher Hitchens on Books & Ideas

Comment #124908 by Radesq on February 10, 2008 at 12:11 pm

To be honest Styrer I don't even remember if I thought you were right or wrong as it was late here and I had been into the ale. But from the tone of your commentary I got the feeling I wasn't the only one. In any case rave on!