RD.net to be re-revamped!

[Red Celt]

You're really fond of these strawman caricatures, aren't you?

It's a bit pathetic to try and hide behind a Logical Fallacy Shield, as if that instantly disarms what I said. It isn't a strawman. RD is an atheist. We're atheists (which is the "us" that you were referring to, even though my question went unanswered). You're admonishing his behaviour because it will reflect badly on "us". No strawman.

I parodied your position. If you don't like the message, don't shoot the messenger.

Your subsequent attempts to justify your admonishments of RD included a reference to Kristallnacht... which was a jaw-droppingly stupid thing to do. But if that's your bag, man...

Reading LP's comments (in this thread and elsewhere), it is worth telling RD to keep his pet rabbit firmly under lock and key. Rather than highlighting Miss Looney Toon's trips into LaLaLand ('scuse the pun), you are instead choosing to enable her obsession. So you either have a sub-mission in mind with LP (rather you than me, I mean... horses for courses and all that (especially if that course is served by Findus) but... yeeesh!) or you actually are stupid enough to think that RD's personal life falls within the remit of your approval or disapproval.

Fuck that very much.

[lordpasternack]

One great thing about the resolution of this situation that I look forward to is rubbing people's faces in it, when everything is finally out in the open.

[Robert_S]

Sex is a complicated issue - and I'm sure you wouldn't be hard-pushed to think of a number of messy...

[Robert_S]

Yeah, sorry Dave, but your summation of every theist and their intelligence or ability to investigate or think critically is ridiculous and bordering on bigoted. Some of the most intelligent people I know are theists (and yes, I struggle with how that is possible, but I know it is. Compartmentalisation is a powerful tool), and if they don't care who Richard Dawkins is fucking it's because they don't care about Richard Dawkins, not because some lack of intelligence.

Yep, the thing about fooling yourself is that you're using about the same amount of brainpower to deceive yourself as you would be using to see through the deception.

Intelligence alone is almost useless in this kind of situation.

[DaveDodo007]

I wouldn't put money on this. When it comes to the matter of protecting their beloved doctrine and its stolen privileges, they'll stop at nothing. See for example: Catholic Church cover up of child rape and its blatant meddling in democracies to further this, as eloquently exposed by Enda Kenny.

Still waiting for a reply to my question. Who is "us"?

You are 'us' and we are you, were all cockroaches here, P Z Myers said so and like George Washington before him P Z Myers would never tell a lie.

[DaveDodo007]

Edit: After rereading your comment I have to take issue with this 'bordering on bigoted' That is complete bullshit as no religion is a race, not Islam nor the Jews. Also fencing off your beliefs means you hold yourself open to attacks on your critical thinking ability.

As a former aspiring fundamentalist, for some short years in my late teens - I can assure you that my IQ didn't alter dramatically when I resumed being an atheist. Same, I imagine, goes for Nate Phelps, and all other escapees of the Westboro Baptist Church. And since intelligence is to some extent hereditary - we can make a fair assumption that those still within that noxious tribe probably aren't generally significantly mentally challenged, either.

It is incredibly small-minded to insist that such-and-such a group of people must necessarily be stupid - especially in light of all evidence to the contrary: statistically, from populations, and from specific individuals.

You simply can't get away with assuming that all of group X is as stupid as you'd like to believe - or indeed go to the lengths that Dawkins has - of insisting that Kurt Wise must necessarily simply be "stupid", despite evidence to the contrary existing in the form of a PhD in Geology from Harvard. Really? And would Wise's IQ immediately leap several points if he finally saw through the folly of Creationism?

That's less feasible, and more ridiculous, than the straightforward conclusion that intelligent people can sometimes believe ridiculous things

Look I might have given the impression that my basement which I don't have is full of murdered Jovos but in real life my best friend and business partner is a christian creationist and thinks David Icke is the bees knees, he even has a degree in biochemistry from Manchester university no less. Many of my family (brother-in-laws) are Jesus freaks. I have somehow managed not only to not kill them but be on friendly terms with them, gasp I sometimes go for a pint with them. I Live in Liverpool which still seems to be the most religious city in England and Wales. So you will have to forgive me if I treat Rationalia has a place where I can rant and rave to people who I consider my online rational and mostly atheists friends. I intend to continue posting here about how stupid the religious are and what the stupids fucks have said that do my head in. Rationalia is my release valve and suggest you just get used to my posts calling the stupid, stupid.

[DaveDodo007]

I agree completely. It is this effort to create a group identity for atheists which leads to such misguided ventures at Aplelust. I think that those who don't believe in gods or for that matter are openly hostile to organised religion are better served by being just ordinary people going about the business of being human beings rather than part of some pressure group.

I agree with most of what you are saying here though sometimes we have to organise and be cat herded and say 'what the fuck is this shit', ''not in my name", and 'cut this shit out and behave yourselves.'

[drl2]

I have nothing relevant to add but I'd just like to say that the scenario in LP's signature image bears a striking resemblance to events in the drl2 household this morning (and much of the afternoon).

[lordpasternack]

I have nothing relevant to add but I'd just like to say that the scenario in LP's signature image bears a striking resemblance to events in the drl2 household this morning (and much of the afternoon).

Braggart.

[Seth]

Yeah, sorry Dave, but your summation of every theist and their intelligence or ability to investigate or think critically is ridiculous and bordering on bigoted. Some of the most intelligent people I know are theists (and yes, I struggle with how that is possible, but I know it is.

Um...maybe they know something you don't know, and perhaps they are right and you are wrong. Ever consider that possibility?

[Jason]

LP.. you're getting a bit too close to the edge of dangerous obsession in my opinion. Frankly it's a little unsettling to see you like this.

[lordpasternack]

LP.. you're getting a bit too close to the edge of dangerous obsession in my opinion. Frankly it's a little unsettling to see you like this.

If it helps you feel more at ease - I spent most of today without access to the internet, babysitting my nephews, and didn't once think of this while doing so...

But seriously, though - please don't mistake heated anger and determination for "dangerous obsession" - and please don't call my pathology until you have a fuller understanding of the issues underpinning my determination. The wheels of justice grind very slowly, sometimes.

[charlou]

P Z Myers is a pair of clown shoes

[Tero]

And, we agree with the PizzY assesment?

[lordpasternack]

And, we agree with the PizzY assesment?

Not really. Aside from his contrary curmudgeon act, and his strong feminist views that I don't fully endorse - he is very intelligent and very well qualified. Well qualified to manage an organisation devoted to promoting public understanding of science, at any rate.