tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22906998.post6459044262801253154..comments2024-03-26T22:42:06.412-07:00Comments on TAG Blog: A Bit of GOOD News ...Steve Huletthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05537689111433326847noreply@blogger.comBlogger63125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22906998.post-55872633054589446352009-01-08T20:33:00.000-08:002009-01-08T20:33:00.000-08:00That's because Jewish culture places a high value ...That's because Jewish culture places a high value on education.<BR/><BR/>There is a very measurable correlation between those who believe in a literal, creationist, fundamentalist interpretation of the bible, and a lack of higher education.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22906998.post-62456157836224626892009-01-08T08:50:00.000-08:002009-01-08T08:50:00.000-08:00What I'm always amazed at is that the religion res...What I'm always amazed at is that the religion responsible for the Old Testament pretty much accept the fact that this book is a book of fiction with some history thrown in. Most Jews (not the Chasids or the Ultra-Orthordox - not amajority of Jews at all)understand that the Torah was written by Rabbis during the Diaspora in Babylon as a way to retain their religion when thewy were no longer able to practice their sacrificial worship in the Temple. Sort of Aesop's Fables and was gleamed from multiple mythologies of the day and changed to suit their perspective.<BR/>But the Christians (the majority of them) believe in absolutely every word that is written - especially in the poorly translated versions, while most Jews believe absolutely in evolution and science. They are able to balance religion and science without too many problems (though there is probably a high rate of Jews - including rabbis -that are agnostic)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22906998.post-43514974922155198912009-01-07T19:48:00.000-08:002009-01-07T19:48:00.000-08:00You'll never win an argument with anyone who belie...You'll never win an argument with anyone who believes in a talking snake. <BR/><BR/>You can show them thousands and thousands of fossils, mountains and mountains of evidence... you can show them the dna they share with chimps, and fish, and every other living thing on the planet, and they will not see it.<BR/><BR/>But they'll believe in a talking snake because a book in the nightstand of a seedy motel sez so.<BR/><BR/><BR/>Ain't no amount of evidence that can change the mind of a talking snaker. There just ain't.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22906998.post-44039801902552253292009-01-06T22:07:00.000-08:002009-01-06T22:07:00.000-08:00It has certainly been an entertaining thread, and ...It has certainly been an entertaining thread, and a fun discussion. <BR/><BR/>And thankfully, evolutionists don't have to take any leaps of faith regarding boulders into brains, because they know that's not how evolution claims to work. Only in fairy tales do objects magically transform into something else--such as water into wine. Or a staff into a snake. Thank goodness nobody actually believes such silliness!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22906998.post-60297769504923373812009-01-06T06:24:00.000-08:002009-01-06T06:24:00.000-08:00I agree with you guys, till the end of time there ...I agree with you guys, till the end of time there will always be those that will see signs of a designer at work and the science that supports it. And there will always be those that have the greatest leap of science fiction faith to believe that a boulder will eventually form a brain.<BR/><BR/>Good to see a healthy discussion on it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22906998.post-25629916386028794572009-01-05T19:32:00.000-08:002009-01-05T19:32:00.000-08:00"You're just proving that you have deluded yoursel...<I>"You're just proving that you have deluded yourself into thinking that Newton must have had divine inspiration."</I><BR/><BR/>I never said that at all. I said it is ignorant to equate the religious with the unintelligent. Newton was VERY religious and very intelligent.<BR/><BR/>Learn to read Rufus before you counter a post. you are concocting a phantom argument with yourself and, again proving that no matter how many posts you rattle off, you remain a simpletonAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22906998.post-82628694984680016032009-01-05T13:37:00.000-08:002009-01-05T13:37:00.000-08:00Wow, there's actually somebody alive who still bel...Wow, there's actually somebody alive who still believes that Noah collected two of every animal and put them on his boat. Even most creationists have given up on that one. Can i have your autograph?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22906998.post-65336987550587554742009-01-05T10:40:00.000-08:002009-01-05T10:40:00.000-08:00How did we get into discussing evolution? There's ...How did we get into discussing evolution? <BR/>There's plenty of transitional fossils<BR/><BR/>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evolution_of_cetaceans<BR/><BR/>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archaeopteryx<BR/><BR/>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiktaalik<BR/><BR/>But then disproving Neo-Darwinism does not mean that creationism is true by default.<BR/>This is an debate that has gone for ages. Here's a good few examples of recent debates:<BR/><BR/>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDUBfRSf63w<BR/><BR/>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Pm9FC1S3Xs<BR/><BR/>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tnb_pmRDpqU<BR/><BR/>rufusAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22906998.post-88953316407284976402009-01-05T09:09:00.000-08:002009-01-05T09:09:00.000-08:00Moon-dust argument debunked, from numerous, numero...Moon-dust argument debunked, from numerous, numerous sources:<BR/><BR/>http://www.infidels.org/library/modern/dave_matson/young-earth/specific_arguments/moon_dust.htmlAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22906998.post-581999009746922912009-01-04T20:09:00.000-08:002009-01-04T20:09:00.000-08:00From someone that has been there, I understand the...From someone that has been there, I understand the struggle. There is so much scientific evidence for a young Earth that it is completely overwhelming. I did my home work on it almost 20 years ago. From the cataclysmic global flood evidence to no missing links to less than an inch and half of dust on the moon. Anyone that has seriously looked into it would be here for days outlining the facts that this world and life in general is no accident. That is the beauty of free will you can choose to seek out and see the facts or believe in Darwins theory. Its not about religion its about a designer.<BR/><BR/>I wish you well on your journey.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22906998.post-52904369458440784982009-01-04T18:21:00.000-08:002009-01-04T18:21:00.000-08:00If it's any consolation Peanut, I agree with you.R...If it's any consolation Peanut, I agree with you.<BR/><BR/>Religion will eventually die off over time, even IT isnt immune to DarwinismAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22906998.post-63141820797736754432009-01-04T11:33:00.000-08:002009-01-04T11:33:00.000-08:00there is a designer at work whether you choose to ...<I>there is a designer at work whether you choose to believe it or not</I><BR/><BR/>Well, gee, if you say so, then it <I>must</I> be true, right?<BR/><BR/>Instead of providing any evidence for creationism, or making any cogent arguments, all you creationists have done <I>this entire thread</I> is stamp your feet and yell "Nope! Nope! Not listening!" Seriously, that's the best you could do?<BR/><BR/>You claimed that atheism was responsible for modern atrocities. I showed that Christians/theists have been just as bloody, every step of the way. I was able to point to actual, reputable sources that prove that some Christmas traditions have pagan roots. You claimed there were no transitional fossils. I showed there are many. You claimed evolution can't account for camouflage. I showed that, in fact, camouflage is central to evolution. <BR/><BR/>But it's understandable. You have no evidence to give. You can't point to observation, the way that evolution can. All you can point to is a flawed, superstitious book of mythology with no evidence backing it up. Purely magical thinking.<BR/><BR/>You can continue stamping your feet all you want, but the common sense, observable, evidence-based, provable fact remains:<BR/><BR/>Food chain + genetics + time = evolution<BR/><BR/>Cheers!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22906998.post-28939174203681325912009-01-04T08:31:00.000-08:002009-01-04T08:31:00.000-08:00No matter how much magical water you pour over a r...No matter how much magical water you pour over a rock it will never make a brain or an eyeball. you can sit there for eternity and the mystical made up goo will never create you (a person) or anything else.<BR/><BR/>there is a designer at work whether you choose to believe it or not<BR/><BR/>signed,<BR/>common sense, truth and scientific fact.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22906998.post-10206040691584958712009-01-03T15:13:00.000-08:002009-01-03T15:13:00.000-08:00Fundamental to your misunderstanding of how evolut...Fundamental to your misunderstanding of how evolution works is your incorrect assumption that the insect itself consciously "decides" anything. <BR/><BR/>Rather, it either gets eaten, or it doesn't. Those that are easily seen get eaten by predators, and as a result, never get a chance to reproduce. Therefore, over time, their variety will eventually disappear from the earth.<BR/><BR/>Those that were fortunate to happen to be born with colors or features that make it "blend in" with its environment will survive long enough to reproduce, and their offspring will inherit the genetic code that successfully "camoflaged" them.<BR/><BR/>Most such colorations and features are <I>un</I>successful! They all died, because they were seen, eaten, and their "kind" died out. You are looking at the "success" and yelling 'impossible!' But you are, of course, ignoring the thousands (millions?) of genetic coloration attempts that <I>didn't</I> camoflage the bug well enough--because they're not around anymore.<BR/><BR/>Here is the very simplified example:<BR/><BR/>The red caterpillars that lived on green plants were easily eaten. Same with the purple ones. Same with the pink ones. But the green ones lived, because they blended in and couldn't be easily seen. <I>You</I> would claim that the caterpillar "decided" to be green. But no, that was initially just genetic random mutation. But the fact that it lived, meant that it could reproduce, a portion of its offspring would also be green, <I>they</I> will also survive, and on and on. The same was apparently true for the colors that looked similar enough to be mistaken for something else (bird poop).<BR/><BR/>In the end, it doesn't matter if you accept this reality or not. We can see these very kinds of processes in plants, in any greenhouse. We can see these processes with bacteria in a petri dish, or with any number of species in their natural environment. It happens, we can see it, and with fossils, we can see it over the course of millions of years. There is a mountain of evidence for it, vs. your biblical creationist beliefs, for which there is not a shred of evidence. Zero, zip, nada.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22906998.post-64582816393494382462009-01-03T14:29:00.000-08:002009-01-03T14:29:00.000-08:00Lots of things resemble bird droppings.Lots of things resemble bird droppings.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22906998.post-18642395643924634042009-01-03T14:22:00.000-08:002009-01-03T14:22:00.000-08:00**And with that statement, you reveal a total igno...**And with that statement, you reveal a total ignorance of how evolution claims to work. Until you understand the basics of its mechanisms, your opinions on the matter are about as valid as mine on astrophysics**<BR/><BR/>So explain it, bright boy. Tell me how a bug manages to shape itself so as to resemble a bird dropping, even though, according to SCIENCE, it hasn't the brain capacity to know what the hell a bird, or dropping, is. Or why resembling a bird dropping would be beneficial. Do enlighten this poor deluded agnostic on this matter! And BTW, how ever could you possess a Christmas tree, invented as it was by ignorant idol-worshipping religious folk? And speaking of ignorant, it's nice to know that atheists can be as bamboozled over hoaxes as Christians over false relics. It shows that despite our differences, we're just one big deluded dumb ignorant fanatical family!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22906998.post-41112333287071591582009-01-03T13:39:00.000-08:002009-01-03T13:39:00.000-08:00I disagree. I think our species is a dead end on ...I disagree. I think our species is a dead end on the evolutionary tree.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22906998.post-79072920486751272642009-01-03T12:35:00.000-08:002009-01-03T12:35:00.000-08:00Technically, if you think about it, EVERYTHING is ...Technically, if you think about it, EVERYTHING is a transitional species. Even us humans. In 250 thousands years, we'll be a pretty significantly different biological organism. (if we arent extinct) And you can see evolution at work constantly if you study viruses. They are evolving faster than the science can keep up with watching them.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22906998.post-26903908433601082232009-01-03T06:48:00.000-08:002009-01-03T06:48:00.000-08:00American Far Right= fascists!American Far Right= fascists!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22906998.post-45707112830042194242009-01-02T18:10:00.000-08:002009-01-02T18:10:00.000-08:00Anybody who thinks a bug that resembles a bird dro...<I>Anybody who thinks a bug that resembles a bird dropping thought that up all by itself - and then made it happen - is more credulous than a child who believes in Santa - or God, for that matter.</I><BR/><BR/><BR/>And with that statement, you reveal a total ignorance of how evolution claims to work. Until you understand the basics of its mechanisms, your opinions on the matter are about as valid as mine on astrophysics.<BR/><BR/>One illustration of your lack of education about evolution is your belief that transitional fossils have not been found. In fact, many have been. This webpage has a nice list of the many transitional fossils that have been found:<BR/><BR/>http://www.holysmoke.org/tran-icr.htm<BR/><BR/><BR/>Why have there been fossil hoaxes? For the same reason there have been so many religious artifact hoaxes--because there are people who delight in fooling others. But I guess according to you, the fact that so many people have claimed to see the Virgin Mary in a piece of toast is powerful evidence for the falsity of Christianity.<BR/><BR/>I'm an atheist who just enjoyed Christmas, complete with a tree, gift-giving, turkey dinner, and listening to Christmas carols. All this, despite your best efforts to slime those of us who don't believe in your man-made mythology.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22906998.post-48677744814978658662009-01-02T17:03:00.000-08:002009-01-02T17:03:00.000-08:00Atheists=the new Puritans. Out to destroy anyone's...Atheists=the new Puritans. Out to destroy anyone's enjoyment of Christmas, especially if displayed n a public place.<BR/><BR/>Evolution=flawed theory. Not enough evidence of the process at species level. (Where are the interim species, for instance, between Eohippus and a Tarpan horse? Why has the Missing Link been faked so many times?)<BR/><BR/>Anybody who thinks a bug that resembles a bird dropping thought that up all by itself - and then made it happen - is more credulous than a child who believes in Santa - or God, for that matter.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22906998.post-16508831449058479102009-01-02T10:25:00.000-08:002009-01-02T10:25:00.000-08:00"That religion plays not only a large role in our ..."That religion plays not only a large role in our understanding of the world, but that it is often essential. Isaac Newton, like many great minds before him and after him who were" bla bla bla<BR/><BR/>You're just proving that you have deluded yourself into thinking that Newton must have had divine inspiration. Never mind that he was a brilliant mathematician, physicist, astronomer, who worked hard at it, no, it must have been divine intervention. BULL! There's no question that he was religious, there's no question he was very smart, in fact, a genius. Of course gravity and the rest of his great work posse no threat to christian dogma. But Copernicus' heliocentric model was deemed a threat, which landed people like Galileo convictions of 'herecy'.<BR/>Ever heard of the blasphemy law?<BR/><BR/>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blasphemy_law_in_the_United_Kingdom<BR/><BR/>How about this little gem:<BR/><BR/>http://i38.tinypic.com/dwz1xc.jpg<BR/><BR/>is that what you call tolerant?<BR/><BR/>You're also easily offended by my spelling...well, you seem happy with a president that says "nukelar"...<BR/><BR/>rufusAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22906998.post-74964884970897324142009-01-02T03:49:00.000-08:002009-01-02T03:49:00.000-08:00has anyone ever wondered where they get the strang...has anyone ever wondered where they get the strange words used for word verification?<BR/><BR/>like the word FIEDUS, which i'm supposed to type in to post this "comment". it looks like a strange obscure word that no one uses anymore but is most probably non-existent.<BR/><BR/>:)<BR/><BR/>Have a Peaceful New Year!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22906998.post-47309986779522405662009-01-02T02:10:00.000-08:002009-01-02T02:10:00.000-08:00JCYHA-I did read your post. The problem is that y...JCYHA-<BR/>I <I>did</I> read your post. The problem is that you post no evidence for your conjecture.<BR/><BR/>The German people who Hitler was appealing to? Indeed, as you say, they were Christians. The same Christians who then carried out his wishes and policies. Far from being "godless," most Nazis, like most Germans, were Christian, as were their axis compatriots in Catholic Italy, alongside Vatican City (which mostly looked the other way).<BR/><BR/>You are trying to suggest that "God-fearing Christians" simply wouldn't engage in such genocide. And yet, to say that is to deny the reality of the holocaust. It happened, and it happened at the hands of many, many religious people, whether you like that fact or not. And in some ways, it happened <I>because</I> of the tribalism of religion.<BR/><BR/>In Poland, which is hardcore Catholic, (and historically very anti-semitic), the natives perpetrated some of the most vicious and extreme atrocities on Jews, surprising even the Nazis. Yes, God-fearing Christians have indeed engaged in exactly those kinds of killings, by the thousands and millions.<BR/><BR/>I already mentioned the Christian Serbs, who engaged in similar roundups of innocent Muslim civilians, executed them, and threw them in mass graves. It happened--and recently.<BR/><BR/>I'm not trying to say that Christians are bad people, or that it leads to genocide. But history does show that religion's hands are just as bloody as atheism, if not more so. I have never seen any difference in moral behavior from my Christian evangelical friends than my atheist friends--people are just people, with their various faults, values, mistakes, and virtues.<BR/><BR/>If you think religion/Christianity is some bulwark against evil behavior, think again.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22906998.post-49389668751992323312009-01-02T01:14:00.000-08:002009-01-02T01:14:00.000-08:00Peanut,Please read my post again. Just because it ...Peanut,<BR/><BR/>Please read my post again. Just because it was in "black and white" doesn't mean it was the truth or what he actually believed. He was a con artist, a manipulator and a paranoid egomaniac. He lived in a self created fantasy world. How can you be so naive? It served his purposes for people to think he had religious motivations. If you look further you will find quotes in which he praises pre-christian Germans, like the ones in Wagner's Ring, for living life more authentically and essentially German than after everything got spoiled by the infusion of "Jewish morality." Logically, he played both sides of the fence when it suited him.<BR/><BR/>No God-fearing individual could do what he did. Nazism is the ultimate evidence of the consequences of Godlessness. Without God, there is no morality all that's left is ego and self. <BR/><BR/>On the other hand, I believe there is a special place in hell reserved for those who kill in the name of God. The human bombs who are expecting 72 virgins are in for a huge surprise.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com