Earth-like planet found

Thanks to Happy Humanist for posting this article to the SMRT forums;

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090421/ap_on_sc/eu_britain_new_planet


How awesome would it be to discover that there was life on another planet? It doesn't have to be intelligent, or even complex - just life, in all it's beauty, existing out there in the cosmos; it's enough to give me goosebumps!


Next week: Scientists discover smudge on telescope lens....


Regards,

Just three little questions...

Hey all,

In this post, the Living Waters staffer Trish Ramos gives us a series of mock-ups in the style of the crocoduck. Now, this can be seen a bit of fun, nothing serious, satire.

However, the lead-in to the post says this;

"What Evolutionists would have you believe..."

This changes the tone of the post. Now she's presenting a collection of images that are supposed to bear resemblance to something to do with the theory of evolution.

Trish gets called on this;

Logic Lad: "Please explain which part of evolutionary theory supports these supposed hybrids"

Reynold: "If you actually care to learn about what evolution really is, and what "evolutionists" really figure about it, you'd do well to actually look at what they actually say."

Whateverman: "No, this is what Creationists would have you believe. The theory of evolution makes no such claims."


Trish responds with the cop-out;

"Satire friends...just satire."

A bunch of theists then go on to demonstrate that they don't actually understand the first thing about evolution, what else is new?


I decided to put Trish's role in the Great Commission to the test;

"Trish,

I will seriously bend my knee and accept the gift of salvation that Jesus offers if you can demonstrate the following;

a) how this post qualifies as 'satire'

b) why the images in this post misrepresent evolution, and

c) what evolution actually states with regards to transitional forms.



Ball's in your court, how much do your really care about my salvation?"

This was posted on April 17th and, as of today (April 21st), Trish has not even acknowledged the existence of my comment.


Will Trish answer?
Will I accept her answer and Christ's salvation?

Find out soon (in about 3 months at my current blogging rate!)

Regards,

Matt

New Post

I just thought I'd put up a new post to say hi to my new, online, theists friends and provide a place where they don't have to post under a title that might be kind of offensive to them.


Knock yourselves out.


Matt

Oh, and Carefulwhatyousay, please check in if you can - we miss your blogging presence.

God - The Abuser

Over at Dan the Debunker's blog, I read this little exchange in the 'Ignotheists' post;


Dr. Mabuse: "Is "lying for Christ" a valid reason for lying?"

Dan: "Maybe. Is it a valid reason to lie to save a woman from an abusive husband?"


I couldn't help but think that Dan is comparing Christ to an abusive husband.

There are plenty of similarities there, I must admit, though I'm sure Dan didn't mean it this way.



God: He wouldn't send you to Hell if He didn't love you so Damned much!

EDIT: Dan has since explained that he does NOT see Christ/God as an abusive husband; just thought I'd clear that up.

What is Shared Space?

Shared Space is a philosophy of movement made famous by the late Hans Monderman, a pioneer in the field of transportation and urban design.

The basic premise is that modern attempts at controlling traffic behaviour through the use of signage, barriers, signals, lights and other instructions are counter-productive and, in fact, lead to people feeling paying less attention to what they are doing - this results in more accidents, more delay and the death of the street as a place.

The alternative is to remove the signs, make no distinction between street spaces and allow users to navigate the space based on eye contact and common sense.

Of course, this mainly applies in areas where auto usage is fairly low, but is surprisingly effective on busy streets too.

The following links are good places to learn about these things:

Wiki - Shared Space

Shared Space.org

Naked Streets


Streets used to be places where people interacted, where lives were lived and the heart of the community was found. Now we have roads and all they do is get us from A to B. Shared Space is a way of reclaiming the streets and finding a balance that does not favour one mode (cars) over any other.

Anyway, that's what Shared Space is.

Cheers,

Atheism IS a religion...and so is not stamp collecting!

You heard it here first:

Dan said;

"If this group of 'stamp-collecting is stupid, so I don't do it' crowd gather and organize themselves and promote their 'agenda'....then yes they are now a religion or belief system."

There you have it people. Not collecting stamps is a religion, if you encourage others not to collect stamps too. Brilliant.

The contortions some people are willing to twist themselves up in to avoid being wrong on some things are amazing.

I'm actually pretty stunned

Is atheism a religion?

No.






That was easy.




Now where's my copy of the Holy God Delusion? Ah, here it is;
"Our Dawkins, who art in England; Richard be thy name.
Thy book-sales come, thy talks be fun; on television and the radio.
Give us this day our daily blog, on Pharyngula and Raytractors; as we ridicule those who post comments against us.

R'Amen"