Atheist Authors/broadcasters Talk Rubbish….

[naomi24]

….. a cry often seen on these pages – and this from a week or so back.

//I find that the propaganda spouted by such as Fry and Dawkins is just as gibberish rubbish as you think the bible expounds//

If someone asks me why I think the bible contains nonsense I am happy to tell them and to go into detail if necessary, but I asked the author of that gem to explain to me what precisely these people say that makes their opinions “gibberish rubbish”, and was met with silence.

In the hope of obtaining an answer from him or from anyone else who thinks the same I’ll throw the question open to all.

[naomi24]

PiedPiper, // I think grasscarp will be ignoring the rubbish idea of parasites boring into childrens eyes next time in church when he/she sings "all things bright and beautiful" //

Perhaps Khandro would like to address that instead then - and get back on track. Khandro?

[naomi24]

Khandro seems more interested in avoiding the question.

[jomifl]

Khandro, if your question referred to my tarbrush response then I think that it is not unreasonable to suggest that Polkinghorne was also sponsored by an interest group..as well as being as mad as a sack of ferrets :-)

[grasscarp]

If all else fails make personal attacks on posters. nice.

[jomifl]

Grasscarp, Polkinghorne has written 26 books oon the relationship between science and religion. Given that there is no relationship between science and religion I would suggest that his thinking is at least slightly impaired.

[naomi24]

Grasscarp, the only people here who are making personal attacks are you and Khandro - and you're the only people who have failed too because there doesn't appear to be any sign of either of you actually making a concerted attempt to answer the question.

[Khandro]

naomi;// Khandro would like to address that [parasites] instead then//

This is a sentimental view of nature, used as a pathetic 'proof' that there is no higher being, but actually proves nothing. The parasites in children's eyes quoted by Fry is taken from David Attenborough who should know better as he belongs to the species which are the greatest and most destructive parasites on the planet.
Parasite; " An organism that lives and feeds on or in an organism of a different species and causes harm to it."
Factory farming of animals (pigs held for life in cages not big enough to turn round in). Destruction of other species and our own environment on a daily basis.
Yes, Attenborough also knows the natural world is full of blood and claws, and all species need to live off others too, but only man does it uncaringly, with cruelty and for profit.

[jomifl]

Khandro, 'on' or 'in' in the case of parasite definition refers to the parasites spatial relationship to the host. You seem to be extending the meaning of the word 'parasite' beyond its normally accepted limits.

[Khandro]

jomifl; //Polkinghorne has written 26 books oon the relationship between science and religion.//
....and of which I'll wager you haven't read a single one! The phrase " relationship between science and religion" is a clumsy one I believe you have taken from Wikipedia, more apt is that from New Scientist; "... science and theology are not at loggerheads. They are instead attempts to formulate coherent and adequate accounts of the phenomena within their purview."

Where you and he differ, is that he, like you, has also had a distinguished career in science (he as a particle-physicist, part discoverer of the quark and more) but he also has an enormous understanding and knowledge of theology which - with respect- you do not.

You say he was "also sponsored by an interest group" I have no knowledge of this, can you explain please.

[naomi24]

Khandro, //This is a sentimental view of nature, used as a pathetic 'proof' that there is no higher being//

It is nothing of the sort. Stephen Fry isn’t offering this as ‘proof’ that there is no higher being, but simply to demonstrate that the alleged loving and compassionate creator adored by the faithful and commonly known as God/Allah, if it exists, can be nothing of the sort.

[jomifl]

Khandro, you are quite correct, my knowledge of theology(christian) is minimal to say the least but then so is my knowlege of many fictional subjects such as Harry Potter or East Enders. I don't think that these areas of ignorance impact adversely my understanding of the real world by more than an iota or two. As for science and religion not being at loggerheads, well again you are almost correct, Science operates independantly of religion except when religious fundamentalists get in the way of science by executing 'blasphemous' scentists or destroying their work. Religionists on the other hand seems to seek confirmation of their beliefs by trawling scientific works in order to find supportive evidence for their ill founded beliefs.

[jomifl]

Polkinghorne was awarded the £1,000,000 Templeton prize for his work on /Progress Toward Research or Discoveries about Spiritual Realities/
whatever they are.

[Khandro]

jomifl; Many scientists and Artist win prizes (surely not one million pounds, that's more than a Nobel!) but it is in no way the same as Dawkins' case is it? Oxford University was given a large sum of money by a private individual to set up a post on the condition that he and he alone should be installed in it, really an offer few institutions could refuse today.

Ref. //Religionists on the other hand seems to seek confirmation of their beliefs by trawling scientific works in order to find supportive evidence for their ill founded beliefs.//
I can't imagine what you mean by that.

I must say I'm shocked to learn you are not up to speed on The Eastenders!

[vulcan42]

Templeton prize.
The monetary value of the prize is adjusted so that it exceeds that of the Nobel Prizes, as Templeton felt "spirituality was ignored" in the Nobel Prizes.[8] At £1,200,000, as of 2015,[9.
(Wikipedia)

[Khandro]

^ Well I agree with Templeton, and well done Polkinghorne! - couldn't have happened to a nicer guy.

[Khandro]

Actually, when you think about it, considering his co-discovery of the quark and other achievements in the field of particle physics, he could have bagged a Nobel as well ! - pretty cool for someone "as mad as a sack of ferrets". :0)