…and this is a 
Keeping the new people busy
Category: Chatter
Posted on: July 13, 2008 10:01 AM, by PZ Myers
I'm going to be tied up in work and meetings most of today, yet there are all these new people still flooding the site, begging for entertainment and objects to rage against. Since many of them can't seem to get beyond the first article at the top of the page, and since, judging by my most recent email (come on, people…do you have to stoop to insulting my mother?) we're getting down to the dregs, I think we need some more distractions for them. So here's a little collection of past articles that will serve to infuriate and enlighten. Have fun!
The proper reverence due those who have gone before
What should a scientist think about religion?
A godless ramble against the ditherings of theologians
The Wall: A Sunday morning story
We stand awed at the heights our people have achieved
Theology is a deceitful strategy
Comments
Planet of the Hats will forever be one of my favorite post, PZ!
Posted by: Coralius | July 13, 2008 10:18 AM
Most of the "wingnuts" I know don't like plan B for its theoretical effects on post fertilization implantation through the progesterone effects on the endometrial lining. It's curious you ignored that aspect, central as it is, to their opposition to plan B. In my secular mind, it makes sense that they would have this objection, given their non-utilitarian view of the value of human life, and their selection of fertilization as the the starting point of an individual life worthy of protection. In other words, their position may be wrong, but its not irrational and so worthy of the insult "wingnut".
Posted by: J. Brown | July 13, 2008 10:22 AM
The furor over the tiny biscuits of doom has died down? Or did they figure out that you did them a favor by getting their circulation going?
Posted by: Tim | July 13, 2008 10:23 AM
I'm nt vn rlgs nd bl t rlz
PZ s hypcrt, bgt, nd trs t
nstgt ht-crms gnst thr ppl.
H's s cnfsd, h cn't vn rmmbr
wht h sys n prr psts:
"Thr r sm thngs crtnst wld b rghtly xcrtd fr pblshng: mgn tht n hd drwn n Afrcn-Amrcn fgr s thck-lppd, lw-brwd, smrkng clwn wth wtrmln n n hnd nd frd chckn drmstck n th thr. Fdng bgtry nd flntng rcst strtyps wld b smthng tht wld drv m t prtst ny nwsppr tht ndrsd t--f crs, my prtsts wld nvlv wrtng lttrs nd cnclng sbscrptns, nt rtng nd brnng dwn bldngs. Thr s gnn scl cncrn hr, I thnk. Mslms rprsnt pr nd pprssd ndrclss, nd ths crtns rprsnt rlng stblshmnt ntntnlly tntng thm nd bsclly flppng thm ff. Thy hv cs t b frs!" - PZ Myrs
[Please ignore the banned wretch philos. Future posts by him will be simply deleted.]
Posted by: philos | July 13, 2008 10:30 AM
A list of PZ's greatest hits! Awesome.
Posted by: Carlie | July 13, 2008 10:33 AM
Philos,
here and on various other blogs you have proven yourself to be a hateful prejudiced confused bigot,why dont you just go away.
Posted by: clinteas | July 13, 2008 10:35 AM
Perhaps you could compile the creme de la creme from this blog over the years, and publish it as a book?
It'd give the Religious Right something else to desecrate should they feel that incensed.
Posted by: Jonathan Rothwell | July 13, 2008 10:39 AM
What? No Courtier's Reply?
Posted by: Jessa | July 13, 2008 10:51 AM
Shorter philos: "There's a forest around here somewhere but this tree is in the way, dammit!"
Yeah, because christians are such a poor and oppressed underclass in this country, as opposed to the real social & economic issues facing some muslims in some European countries (like France or Germany). Nice persecution complex there, buddy. It's not like the rest of us keep having to resist the unending shit and hypocrisy the christians in America keep trying to foist on us.
You know, like making death threats over a cracker. Which PZ was originally responding to. If you'll read the actually full post you're quoting, it doesn't say what you think it does.
http://scienceblogs.com/pharyngula/2006/02/poxridden_houses.php
Posted by: Matt | July 13, 2008 10:52 AM
Naff off, Philos. One for the killfile, methinks...
Posted by: Jonathan Rothwell | July 13, 2008 10:53 AM
It will never stop to amaze me when someone like this Philos makes a completely baseless statement such as "PZ is trying to instigate hate crime against others", and then gives as only evidence a post which shows the exact opposite.
I mean it's quite strange that Philos can't even realize by himself the ridiculous nature of his own post. He could at least try to find some evidence for his claim "PZ is trying to instigate hate crime against others". But no, it doesn't seem to matter to him, evidence, what's that ? Let's just put any quote, whatever it means, that'll do, because, he "believes" in his claim, and that's all that matters.
Posted by: negentropyeater | July 13, 2008 10:59 AM
Hmmph, negentropyeater, ever heard of wikipedia?
I'm not sure if what occurred was a hate crime, but
basically the Dr. wanted his 'followers' to harvest some
religious artifacts for him, intended for true religious ceremony, so he could purposely denigrate & desecrate those on online video to harass, mock and cause ill-feeling towards others. PZ . . . what an intellectual giant
Here goes: "Hate crimes (also known as bias motivated crimes) occur when a perpetrator targets a victim because of his or her membership in a certain social group, usually defined by racial group, religion, sexual orientation, disability, ethnicity, nationality, age, gender, gender identity, or political affiliation.[1]
Hate crime can take many forms. Incidents may involve physical assault, damage to property, bullying, harassment, verbal abuse or insults, or offensive graffiti or letters"
Posted by: philos | July 13, 2008 11:17 AM
Most of these phantastic posts are new to me since it's only a year or so now that I've been following the Pharyngula blog.
And boy, does this post "The proper reverence due those who have gone before" move me to tears.
^_^J.
Posted by: gyokusai | July 13, 2008 11:29 AM
What about the gangsta/octo-vid where you're straight up pimpin' wit DD and Dicky D? This'll let 'em know you ain't jes sum ordinary cracker.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eaGgpGLxLQw
Posted by: TSC | July 13, 2008 11:32 AM
philos is already in the dungeon; there must be a bug in the system or some such.
Posted by: Blake Stacey | July 13, 2008 11:33 AM
I loved Planet of the Hats the first time I read it when originally posted, and love it even more when I just read again. Great parable!
Posted by: Paguroidea | July 13, 2008 11:34 AM
Interesting stuff, PZ.
Personally, I make it a point to address the difference between religious people (which are fine) and the religious institution (not so much).
That, and the fact that idiots want to pawn this off as something it's not (science).
Posted by: JStein | July 13, 2008 11:35 AM
(Meh - I had half a post typed out about gay rights, but Opera froze, so I guess it wasn't in the stars for me to rant here. More signs that I should get my own blog ...)
One the very first posts I read here about a year ago, I think, was about the hypochrisy of anti-abortionists. Something along the lines of "Every abortion is murder - except mine". Anyone remember that? I seem to have lost track of it.
Heh - 'philos' reminds me of Dan Savage's "You shall know that they ar Christians by their ..." posts. The original for that phrase is "love", isn't it?
Posted by: Sili | July 13, 2008 11:38 AM
I KNOW he's not talking about ME!
Well, actually, he very well might be...
Posted by: Kobra | July 13, 2008 11:42 AM
Some people just can't distinguish between a person and an idea, or between a threat made to a person and criticism of an idea.
Plonk.
Posted by: Kseniya | July 13, 2008 11:59 AM
Those threads with 1000 or more posts are getting less and less fun to read. The cracker trolls seem to have even fewer wits than the others.
Posted by: Patricia | July 13, 2008 12:11 PM
There is an interesting story which happened a few years ago between UMM Pres.Bruininks and Donohue :
"UNIV. OF MINNESOTA FUNDS BIGOTRY"
http://www.catholicleague.org/release.php?id=1163
Bruininks ignored Donohue and let the play go ahead.
"University defends freedom of expression"
http://www.mndaily.com/articles/2006/11/13/69873
Even after there was a Catholic student action trying to stop the play :
"University of Minnesota OKs anti-Catholic play "The Pope and the Witch," snubs bishops"
http://sa.tfp.org/student_action/activities/protests/univ_minnesota_blasphemy2.htm
In the end, the play did go on...
Posted by: negentropyeater | July 13, 2008 12:21 PM
Some people just can't distinguish between a person and an idea, or between a threat made to a person and criticism of an idea.
That is nothing. Quite a few can't distinguish between a person and a cracker. Or a petri dish of cells and a person.
Posted by: raven | July 13, 2008 12:33 PM
Patricia @ 21 Wow! I was gone since posting on "It's a Frackin' Cracker", and came back to postings of 1282, 1227, 966, 932, and 843! Holy crap! I went through just about all of them, but there were so many to comment on which would involve much scrolling and eye strain that I just cannot do it! Suffice it to say that we all know the incredible insanities that religion is prone to, and we will most assuredly be subjected to many more rants of abject dementia from religious morons! It just stupifies credulity at what these retards are capable of ranting against! If a measley cracker can induce such insanity, just think what a more outlandish (in the religionists minds!) action will provide. As I have said before, religion has to be the most pernicious forms of insanity that the human mind is afflicted with! Damn, I am so glad that I am a sound atheist and free of such deep irrational psychoses as the religionists exhibit.
Posted by: Holbach | July 13, 2008 12:34 PM
I hadn't realized philos was supposed to be banned. Sorry for feeding the troll.
Holbach @ 24, totally with you. That's been the thing for me with this whole ridiculous cracker incident. The same people waving their arms in the air wailing about blasphemy are the same people who responded "so what, it's just a cartoon" to those protesting the Danish editorial cartoons. It made reading a lot of the anti-PZ comments almost unbearable. I know why they have this mental dichotomy, but I will never truly understand why they're not able to see it in themselves.
Posted by: Matt | July 13, 2008 12:46 PM
Nice find, negentropyeater!
Regarding the posts, "The hopeless inanity of Egnor" is a good one. I still bear the head->desk scars to prove it!
Posted by: MH | July 13, 2008 12:57 PM
No fair! I've been reading this blog for about a year. I read through all the good stuff and really good stuff to get to the excellent stuff and now PZ decides to just compile it here for the noobs. They should have to read everything too! Sigh...
Posted by: Dahan | July 13, 2008 12:58 PM
While watching the video, one thing I couldn't help but notice is the fact PZ only needs to shave his chin to have a great "friendly mutton chop."
Posted by: Merkin J. Pus-Tart | July 13, 2008 12:59 PM
Little entry on TV Tropes you might find amusing.
I hope that if FTL travel and sentient aliens exist, religiosity won't be Earth's hat when they get here.
Posted by: Bronze Dog | July 13, 2008 12:59 PM
Opus today references 'Idiot America':
http://www.salon.com/comics/opus/2008/07/13/opus/
Posted by: JoeBlu | July 13, 2008 1:03 PM
There is an interesting story which happened a few years ago between UMM Pres.Bruininks and Donohue :
Thanks, neg. I haven't yet read/seen that play - now I'm going to have to get my hands on it. He's one of my favorites.
"The playwright, Dario Fo, is a well-known Stalinist
BWAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!
Posted by: SC | July 13, 2008 1:13 PM
OT, but as there really /is/ no topic... I opened my newspaper this morning to find yet another reason why Alaska is an awesome place to live - very very low religiousity compared to the nation as a whole.
http://www.adn.com/life/religion/story/463303.html
Sadly, the paper had to consult the usual godbots to explain how despite the findings, we really were more religious than it says we are. All `Father` this or `Reverend` that. They don't want to read the writing on the wall.
If you all want to play with the national data, broken up by state, here it is:
http://religions.pewforum.org/
In my clicking around, I can only find states that equal, none that exceed, AK's irreverent attitude. That makes me rather pleased. :)
Posted by: KC | July 13, 2008 1:22 PM
Matt @ 25 My sentiments exactly. You know, so much of this insane nonsense with that freaking cracker involves the mere lack of common sense. As I expressed in the post "godless Advertising", all one has to do if they have any semblance of rational thought, is just to stop and ponder the obvious reality. As I posted at # 8: "It makes me remark that before religion there were no humans; and religion only came about because of humans. Doesn't this say anything to people that are religious? Think, damn it!" As an atheist, I could not put it any simpler than that, and yet most minds just cannot grasp that obvious basic and blatant reality! There is no philosophy or deep thought rendered here; just simple thought processes that is possible to anyone capable of getting the crap out of their brains and just think about it! What is the damn problem? It just boggles the mind that this simple fact is not rendered and applied for it's simplicity! I thought about that obvious fact years ago, and to this day I am floored by the unwillingness of religious- strickened minds that maybe have a spark of reason to just stop and ponder the freaking obvious reality! Damn, wake up!
Posted by: Holbach | July 13, 2008 1:24 PM
Omigawd. PZ is giving us a clip show!
I'll play along. Here is a little-noted nor much-remembered item on my suspicions that PZ (in addition to all of his more famous aspects) is also secretly a fashion consultant.
I'm sure it's really all about my distress at having been pinned down the weekend PZ breezed through northern California and I couldn't get to the Pharyngulation in Berkeley, but I disguised it as heart-rending account of what happens when a chasm yawns between conception and execution in the high-strung world of fashion. The squid dress!
[/blogwhore]
Now to browse through PZ's list of suggested readings. (Will there be a quiz?)
Posted by: Zeno | July 13, 2008 1:27 PM
They're insulting your Trophy Mother (TM)?!?
Posted by: Jim1138 | July 13, 2008 1:31 PM
I listened to the The Geoffrey Simmons "debate" for the 2nd time yesterday. Simmons is a Discovery Institute Liar for Jesus. This debate was more strong evidence for the idea that there is nobody more stupid and nobody more dishonest than a creationist. PZ, with his vastly superior knowledge, made Simmons look like the ignorant fool he is.
Posted by: BobC | July 13, 2008 1:34 PM
I had the strangest dream last night: Due to number of hits they were getting, Scienceblogs turned Pharyngula into a text-only layout with these absolutely horrendous colors... My relief this morning is offset by the fact that I actually dreamed about Pharyngula.
Posted by: pcarini | July 13, 2008 1:37 PM
just found this on the onion:
http://www.theonion.com/content/radio_news/giant_undersea_cephalopods
should have said "squid", not "octopus"...sheesh.
Posted by: mandrake | July 13, 2008 1:41 PM
gyokusai #13
Pharyngula has been a favorite of mine for three years. And because I have read Dr Myers' extraordinary essays and informative science summarys plus the Friday cephalopods and the fact that we come for PZ and stay for the commenters. Usually the best comments in town, but when kerffluffles such as Expelled or Frackin Cracker occur, the comments become really strange.
Stick around and you and I will again be saying a loud AMEN to a new PZ message like "The Proper Reverence to Those who Have Gone Before"
Posted by: ThirtyFiveUp | July 13, 2008 1:42 PM
Holbach,
Sorry you missed Crackergate, those threads would've been a lot more fun with you there. Several of the posters really did just need a (verbal) smacking around.
Posted by: pcarini | July 13, 2008 1:46 PM
Holbach - I wondered where you were. The threads are swamped with the most lack witted people I've ever seen. It looks like my home town moved onto PZ's site!
I agree with your points too Matt.
Ol' PZ really stirred them up this time!
Posted by: Patricia | July 13, 2008 1:47 PM
Kseniya @ #20
That's exactly it. I'll also add that some people can make those distinctions, but choose not to so that they can take offense. Too many of the religious these days are looking, in fact trying hard, to find things to take offense at - it's very aggressive. "There are a billion of us, and we want to be angry at something!" It leads to silly things like Muslims taking offense at a puppy dog on police flyers in the U.K.
Posted by: pcarini | July 13, 2008 1:57 PM
Here's the puppy story [dailymail.co.uk] I mentioned above.
Posted by: pcarini | July 13, 2008 2:01 PM
PZ, you've just passed Sam Harris on my list of heroes. That puts you right at the top.
... and I've still only read about hats, Plan B, and Kansas.
Posted by: Jeff | July 13, 2008 2:05 PM
Today's religious news:
KABUL, Afghanistan - A multi-pronged militant assault on a small, remote U.S. base killed nine American soldiers Sunday in one of the deadliest attacks on U.S. troops since the 2001 invasion, a Western official said.
Posted by: BobC | July 13, 2008 2:06 PM
#25 - Matt - Your last sentiment really covers it. A good cartoon would be of the Danish cartoon head next to a cracker drawing and an equal sign between them, finished with a question mark. One is just the same and as stupid as the other.
The thundering from the pulpit today against PZ and his blasphemers must be at a fever pitch. Ironic that it coincides with the pope landing in Oz to apologize for all the sex abuse.
I'm passing on the sermon, and buzzing off to see Hell Boy soon. ;)
Posted by: Patricia | July 13, 2008 2:08 PM
So is this a science blog or a category error?
I'm seeing lots and lots of social commentary and plenty of swearing but not much that would put pressure on the 2 digit crowd.
Amazingly I found more science - post for post - here:
http://www.evangelicaloutpost.com
Posted by: Jim P | July 13, 2008 2:09 PM
I must concur with ThirtyFiveUp both regarding the commenters here and regarding future posts from PZ.
I used to be one of the top commenters (in volume, not quality) at the old Pharyngula site, but here I don't post much, since someone else already has said what I wanted to say in a much better way.
Posted by: Kristjan Wager | July 13, 2008 2:16 PM
PZ, nice meeting you at the Denver Pharyngufest.
You want more entertainment and distractions? Ask and ye shall receive ...
A first draft of a paper showing that, ignoring whether Dembski's theory makes any philosophical sense at all, he certainly can't even get the math right:
http://www.riverrock.org/~howard/Dembski.pdf
And a little ditty I wrote recently about the Last Universal Common Ancestor:
LUCA
My name is LUCA.
I lived on the ocean floor
near some hydrothermal vent
or maybe in a tidepool by the shore
and everything that's now alive
is my descendant that survived
all the others went away (x3)
I'm not the first life, no.
That was way before my time.
Things were so much simpler then,
the very start of evolution's climb.
Born in a world of RNA,
or some say protein, some say clay:
No one knows just what it was (x3)
Now if you feel inclined
to explore your family tree
you're gonna have a real hard time
tracing all the way back down to me
'cause horizontal gene transfer
has left the path a tangled blur.
Still it wouldn't hurt to try (x3)
(repeat first verse)
Posted by: Howard A. Landman | July 13, 2008 2:18 PM
philos said:
Religious artifacts?
How old are those crackers you people eat, anyway??
Posted by: joeyess | July 13, 2008 2:19 PM
philos - ...basically the Dr. wanted his 'followers' to...
Hey, that's ILK to you buddy! Now I'm offended, outraged and just dag blamed peeved. This mister, is going on your permanent record. [shaking fist]
Posted by: jimmiraybob | July 13, 2008 2:22 PM
It's hard to pick a favorite out of all those, and you know what? I'm not even going to try.
Other than that, though, I am just stunned how Catholics are so quick to play the wailing victim in all of this, and how these true loons crawled out of the woodwork to broadcast to the world what an intolerant, malicious horde they truly are.
I think the kidnapping accusations were my favorite. I could not stop laughing at the notion of the poor, captive cracker falling victim to Stockholm Syndrome and forced to commit no end of bizarre, un-cracker-like atrocities so as to please its captors --kind of like Patty Hearst without the hair and automatic weapons.
Posted by: Capital Dan | July 13, 2008 2:23 PM
Yeah, ok Jim, we'll get right on that link. (rolls eyes) The amount of "science" on that blog is probably the reason it's referred to as an outpost.
Posted by: joeyess | July 13, 2008 2:24 PM
It's a blog at ScienceBlogs. Among other things, PZ blogs about science, and is generally considered one of the best communicators of what new (biological) science discoveries mean.
Well, you obviously haven't been looking very much have you? In recent days, a lot of posting has been about the stupidity of a certain group of religious people, but just look slightly further back, and you'll see science posts aplenty. They're mixed in with other posts though, so you might overlook them in your rush to complain about the content here.
You seem to have a very interesting definition of science. But whatever rocks your boat. Why don't you go there instead, and spare us your stupid comments?
Posted by: Kristjan Wager | July 13, 2008 2:26 PM
In other news, Fish & Wildlife liberates over 100 snakes from a gang of whackjobs.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25651899/
Posted by: Rey Fox | July 13, 2008 2:30 PM
Oh, Jim. This will not go well for you. If only you took a look around. Perhaps if you had not subjected us to such insipid whining.
I feel sorry for you, Jim. You will be treated as you deserve to be, and that is going to be very hard for someone of your ego to handle.
Posted by: Capital Dan | July 13, 2008 2:32 PM
#47 "So is this a science blog or a category error?"
ScienceBlogs is a community of bloggers who are generally (but not exclusively) working scientists. These are personal blogs, and can be about anything.
"Amazingly I found more science - post for post - here:"
Quality is more important than quantity. Have you even read any of PZ's science posts, or are you just a troll?
Posted by: MH | July 13, 2008 2:36 PM
Jim P said:
Don't worry Jim, this new fandangly technology does become a bit of a bugger as you get older:
Molecular Biology: 117 posts
Development: 173 posts
And there are several other categories, as well, but I can't link to them because this post will then be caught in the filter.
Come back when you have finished with them.
Posted by: Damian | July 13, 2008 2:39 PM
#55 - Thanks for that link. Unfortunately just busting Coots won't even slow them up two heart beats.
The FYI thread has gone completely insane now. There's some idiot claiming the wafer IS gawd. That should keep the newbies happy. I'm done even looking at it. *grin*
Posted by: Patricia | July 13, 2008 2:44 PM
I've been working my way through the archives. I just love it when PZ gets on a good roll.
The fundamentalist Christians, whether Catholic or Protestant, seem to lose track of Christ's golden rule and how to apply it to real life situations. They don't appreciate being given a lesson on it by a blog run by an atheist. Good, but tedious work was done by the posters here the last few days.
Posted by: Nerd of Redhead | July 13, 2008 2:52 PM
Re: #47
More science, perhaps, but how do you put up with the loquatious, yet shallow, rationalizations the prop up every post on that site?
I'd gnaw off my left foot to get out of that blog.
Posted by: Kseniya | July 13, 2008 2:53 PM
I just noticed the little grey box on the left margin about the threats of violence. That's really a sad thing to have to post due to the religious fruit cakes. What a bunch of hypocrites.
The churches must no longer teach the Golden Rule, love thy neighbor, turn the other cheek or even thou shalt not kill. The gawdfestered mind is a hard thing to understand. :(
Posted by: Patricia | July 13, 2008 3:18 PM
Jim P. wrote:
after PZ Myers wrote:
Oh, the humanity!
Posted by: Andrés Diplotti | July 13, 2008 3:27 PM
Here is something to add to the mass insane hysteria over "Crackergate". Some comments from a book I read a few years back:
"But no religion can survive on air alone. If you want to take hold of the lowbrow, popular imagination, you have to give them something tangible. Hence, every major religion ends up populating it's world with demons and angels and cartoonish-like literal interpretations. And CRACKERS!
"Your majesty, the rabble have no bread! Screw them: let them eat crackers!" "But crackers are too thin!" "Tell them to pee on them so that they will transubstantiate into something with more body."
Posted by: Holbach | July 13, 2008 3:34 PM
Ha! Nicely put, Andrés @ 63.
I mean, the gall of PZ or any other academic to maintain a personal blog where they comment on subjects other than what they're pursuing at university. Why didn't he just stay up in his ivory tower, lording it over the peasants, instead of coming down and deigning to speak with them?
...Hold on. There's a double standard there someplace.
Posted by: Matt | July 13, 2008 3:38 PM
I'd love to visit the Planet of the Shoes. I'd think it would be populated mostly by women...
Posted by: Milo Johnson | July 13, 2008 3:41 PM
re philos @ #4
Not only will they most probably be ignored, they more than likely won't be comprehended.
Somebody buy that guy a keyboard with some vowels on it!
Posted by: Benjamin Franklin | July 13, 2008 3:42 PM
You know? Disemvoweling doesn't really seem to work. I think the offending post's content should be replaced with things like biscuit recipes and Hannah Montana lyrics.
Posted by: Capital Dan | July 13, 2008 3:57 PM
http://youtube.com/watch?v=Vs6qZd_xP1w
Posted by: Catholics Come Home | July 13, 2008 4:03 PM
#69, I'm not too interested in becoming a moron Catholic again. I have a problem with the police guarding the Jebus crackers, ready to shoot to kill anyone who refuses to eat it. Sorry but I don't much care for your Catholic terrorism. I also have a problem with those little-boy-loving priests. Your religion seems to attract more than its fair share of perverts.
The other problem I have with your idiotic medieval religion are your beliefs. The punishment for refusing to eat a Jebus cracker is eternal torture. I just don't want to have anything to do with the sick-in-the-head assholes who could believe the repulsive nonsense of your religion.
Posted by: BobC | July 13, 2008 4:50 PM
Top ten topics for the day at the site referenced in comment 47.
1. God Is Not Dead Yet
2. William F. Vallicella on God in the Declaration of Independence
3. How To Lose Belly Fat
4. The problem with Prozac
5. The 11 Best Foods You Aren't Eating
6. Quote of the Week: "Here's a fundamental irony: At about the time that the first empirical evidence is accumulating to support the Christian doctrine of dominion -- that God has granted to the human race a delegated but effective authority over the planet, as evidenced by our impact on not just local but global environments -- you see Christians shrinking back from the doctrine." -- Rusty Pritchard, 'Dominion' means dominion
7. How are wines arranged in the store?
8. Top Ten Things Kids Stick Up Their Noses
9. What Happens To Your Body If You Drink A Coke Right Now?
10. How English Is Evolving Into a Language We May Not Even Understand
Whoa, science! Looks like a cousin to Reader's Digest.
Posted by: RV | July 13, 2008 4:51 PM
Whoa, science! Looks like a cousin to Reader's Digest.
Do they at least cite the places their links come from? #5 is an article from the New York Times. Or are they plagiarists, too?
Posted by: Carlie | July 13, 2008 4:55 PM
PZ, you sound like such a fool in that video. I wonder if you know just how much in the minority you and your views really are in this country. It sounds just like something Hitler or some Communist dictator would say. What the heck do YOU care, PX, what other people think about God? What do you care if they think about God during the week or go to church on Wednesday night or pray with their family before meals? You are such a communist mental lightweight fool.
Posted by: stanner | July 13, 2008 5:00 PM
Well... There goes my dissertation.
Curse you, Science!
Posted by: Capital Dan | July 13, 2008 5:03 PM
BobC,
At least you're mature about it.
I don't think any article said the police officers had the authority to shoot to kill over the Eucharist.
The number of priests accused (proven guilty, confessed, acquitted, unfounded, etc.) is 4% of all priests...and that's the exact portion of the general population that are pedophiles. (0.2% of priests have been proven abusers)
Posted by: Catholics Come Home | July 13, 2008 5:39 PM
@73 stanner,
- You do realize that the truth or falsity of a view isn't determined by majority or minority support, yes?
- Godwin's Law. Look into it.
- Also, by your "reasoning", why should anyone care what YOU say? You're just one person, the ultimate minority, so you must be wrong. Your very act of posting here says loud and clear that you, at least, DO care what PZ says. *boggle*
- If PZ is a communist (honestly, really?) mental lightweight fool, why are you even engaging him? Why should you care? But that was never the point now was it...
Posted by: Jeff Schmidt | July 13, 2008 5:42 PM
Posted by: stanner | July 13, 2008 5:00 PM
That's some concentrated stoopid.
Posted by: MAJeff, OM | July 13, 2008 5:48 PM
Who goes to church on Wednesday night? Is that an American phenomenon or a Baptist phenomenon or something?
Posted by: David Marjanović, OM | July 13, 2008 6:01 PM
Proudly in the atheist minority here.
It seems strange to say though. One generally doesn't go around boasting about one's disbelief in Santa Claus. But, Santa belief isn't quite the same danger religious belief is, so it does become necessary to vocally identify one's self.
#73, we care because people like you justify stopping stem cell research, restricting family planning, persecuting homosexuals, teaching nonsense in classrooms, and a host of other malicious things by pointing to your faith. Religion's consequences aren't just personal. They spill over into society. Therefore, it is perfectly sensible that I and others should actively oppose unjustified beliefs.
Posted by: The Adamant Atheist | July 13, 2008 6:03 PM
David @ 78: It's largely an american phenomenon.
Man, if I didn't have a sore mouth i'd love some of those crackers about now. they're good when you're hung over, too.
Posted by: DLC | July 13, 2008 6:25 PM
"The proper reverence due those who have gone before" was what got me reading this blog in the first place. Wonderful article, nice to see it posted again PZ.
Posted by: reuben | July 13, 2008 6:37 PM
Any "Crazy Cracker" t-shirts around for WYD?
Posted by: Sauceress | July 13, 2008 6:50 PM
Hmmm...ya think.. "Crazy Cracker Cult Member" would cause any problems?
Posted by: Sauceress | July 13, 2008 6:53 PM
Catholics Come Home @ 75,
You're missing the point entirely. It would not matter if only 0.00001% of catholic priests were paedophiles and, anyway, even the most rabid of atheists can accept that they are human, just like the rest of us.
The anger and the campaigns are about the fact that the damage and confusion caused by the original abuse has many times been compounded by the way the church then behaved.
Many times the children were simply not believed. When they could find someone to listen they were accused of sin they could not understand because they had attacked "this good man" who of course could do no harm! They were made not only to promise to say nothing but that option was forced on them as a religious vow. They were denied professional help.
While each of those children was left confused and alone the priest was spirited away to another parish, neither his new congregation nor his bishop having any idea of what he had been up to. Many of those children as they matured would realise that Father P was probably up to his old tricks and there was absolutely nothing they could do about it.
Not only did this all happen, it happened because it was church policy that it should be done that way - that the needs of the child and the law of the land should both be ignored to protect the "good name" of the church. In most cases it still is the policy - a stain which no amount of apology in Australia or anywhere else will take away.
No wonder the victims of this policy are still angry, no wonder they and their supporters make a fuss - as they will until the catholic church proves that it can be trusted with the wellbeing of children. I'm sure you remember what Jesus said about the care of children.
Now do you get it?
Posted by: maureen | July 13, 2008 7:12 PM
Maureen,
First, do you think the scenario you described detailed the fear of a child is any different when the abuser is a close family friend or a teacher? The scandal, as it played out, was not unique to the Church. The only difference, was people went after the Church. People sit on the sidelines while 1 in 10 children are sexually abused in public schools. Parents don't notice that they children become mute and afraid of everything after some uncle or whoever abuses them and threatens their family if they tell anyone.
Pretty much every organization that deals with children has failed miserably at protecting them at some point. What's the attitude of the Department of Education? they won't even address it because they know they are not a target. That is far more arrogant/deceptive/endangering than any position taken by the Church.
I know exactly what Jesus said about care of children, punishment will be dealt.
I get the impression that the only thing that will satisfy the most ardent critics is Law's head on a stake, and that's just not going to happen.
So, no I guess I don't "get it". If you can clarify why sexual abuse in every other sector of society get a veritable free pass, I'd appreciate it.
But tell us Maureen, why did you leave the Church. Check out my weblink to find out what the Church is really all about, I'm sure you have more than a few misconceptions.
"There are not a hundred people in America who hate the Catholic Church. There are millions of people who hate what they wrongly believe to be the Catholic Church-- which is, of course, quite a different thing.
-Bishop Fulton Sheen
Posted by: Catholics Come Home | July 13, 2008 7:33 PM
It doesn't matter if a priest likes to rape little boys or not. Every priest who has told a child that the Catholic beliefs are true, and not medieval superstitions, is a compulsive liar. Lying to children is child abuse. There's no excuse for it.
Not only am I never coming back to your disgusting religion, I plan to ridicule Catholics for the rest of my life. I will never let Catholics forget they are no better than Muslim terrorists.
Armed police guarding worthless crackers. Totally insane. Catholics are morons.
Posted by: BobC | July 13, 2008 8:21 PM
Catholics Come Home,
First - my own experience of religion on an institutional or on a personal basis is none of your damn business and nothing whatsoever to do with the matter under discussion.<