I was also wondering if there was substantial, falsifiable, demonstrable findings that show abiogenesis to be plausible. I know only that a few amino acids have been produced in very controled conditions – and that those acids did not have the same structure as those found in most living things (left-handed vs right handed amino acids). If there is evidence of abiogenesis that you know of please share it with me as I enjoy studying those sorts of things.

I’ve also heard that the more a type of animal speciates the narrower its gene pool gets. Doesn’t this seem to actually call into question the idea that mutation combined with speciation can creat new classes and families of animals and plants. I know that speciation has created new species of animals over time, but this can be done without mutation. In order for darwinian evolution to be plausible, mutation as a mechanism for change would have to be present and capable of significantly changing the gene code without destroying the animal or cell it occurred in. Actually, wouldn’t the mutation have to either occur in gametes or zygote – or somehow be passed to them in order for them to be retained by the species. (I must add that I am not talking about the absorbtion of previously existing genetic material along with its subsequent incorporation into the genetic code by single celled organisms – this happens and can be beneficial. I’m talking about the creation in larger animals, mammals for instance, of new and beneficial alleles that lead to substantial change – like what someone might see in punctuated equilibrium if it were to occur) Do you know of any such instance that has been observed and recorded where mutation coupled with speciation and natural selection has created a new class of animals? If it hasn’t been observed, then can it really be a scientific fact?

I’m just a kid really, I’ll be able to have my first beer in September. So please excuse any gross ignorance – but I’ve thought about this a TON because the issue of origins has influenced my entire world view, as I’m sure it does yours. These are just the three biggest questions I have.

Thanks for your time.

Micah

Peter Schmitt
570-350-0100

from what i’ve heard of the RSS, they can be a bit full on, to put it mildly, and i think i’d be annoyed if anyone tried to ‘convert’ me to anything. just when you’re telling “every pagan, christian, jew, hindu, bahai, and anyone else I can find who is “delusional” like me to steer clear of this guy” please use his name, and don’t lump every atheist under the same bracket. by the same token, i’ll try not to judge every christian by the example of Falwell – or every wiccan by the loons who think looking a bit gothic and wearing a cloak is where it’s at (BTW, of the wiccans i have met, that’s a tiny minority!)

I was planning on it-mentioning the name. I certainly don’t think all atheists are like this at all and I’m sorry if I came off that way. In fact one reason I was so shocked and angry is b/c most atheists I’ve met are NOT not like this. They are usually quite tolerant as long as you don’t preach at them. In face I have read that many atheists have criticized the RSS and been slammed as a result, there was one podcast that got taken down where that Kelly girl called another athiest a “pussy atheist”. It made me think of Jerry Falwell yelling at liberal christians. I mean it’s ridiculous. And on their myspace page, Brian S. says it’s okay to be push stuff on people b/c-he’s right! That’s right! Here is a direct quote in answer to a question a fellow atheist sent to the RSS blog on myspace:

“Comment: We are no different than the radical christians pushing their beliefs on people if we act like this.

Answer: Bullshit. I have no problem with people trying to get others to believe the way they do. That is the way of the world. If we didn’t push our beliefs on others, we’d have no teachers, we’d have nobody passing on knowledge to each other. I hear atheists use this argument often, and I implore them to rid their vocabulary of it. Radical Christianity is not bad because it seeks to convince others of what they hold to be true, in fact you just sought to convince me of your beliefs in this email. Radical Christianity is bad because it is founded on unproven beliefs. My beliefs are founded on that which can be proven. And it’s in this way, that I’ll never be “as bad” as radical Christians.”

So the only reason the Christians messed up is b/c they are wrong, not b/c they hurt people and forced stuff on them. Apparently, it’s okay to be a dick and get in peoples’ faces if you are RIGHT! Another atheist said these people seem mostly like kids stuck in the angry rebellion stage. And I would agree, I mean it seems like they are more interested in saying “we don’t have to be christian” than anything else. Okay, we get it, you don’t have to be. But what does that have to do with taking away christmas from those who want to celebrate it (I celebrate it as winter soltise, and I don’t care how anyone else celebrates it or doesn’t as long as no one gets hurt or forced), or trying to say ALL non-conventional medicine is bad? Do they even know anything about medicine?

That’s mine and a lot of people’s main beefs with them. I’m glad to see many atheists telling them that as well. They won the debate on nightline, but then again, I think a 2 year old could have won against Kirk and Ray! The thing is, RSS could really do some good-they should put more energy into fighting for atheists’ rights, separation of church and state, and things like that.

Yeah, I know there are plenty of Wiccan freaks too

If I could sum RSS up in one way, it would be this: “just because you are right, does not give you the right to be a jerk about it. in fact, you should conduct yourself better because you are right and in the advantage.” Hopefully these kids will learn that when they grow up.

I find it amusing that Mr. BS focuses only on God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit, but never has anyone blaspheme the other Gods that are out there. He claims to be an Atheist against all Gods but it is apparent that he has it out for Jesus Christ alone.

Even with my gripes with christianity, I have to agree. I think the main reason is b/c he was raised fundie christian, so that is what he’s rebelling against. he does mention other religions, but more peripherally. it would be interesting to see what would happen if he attacked the jewish religion-after everything they’ve been through they don’t put up with much, and are usually pretty rational in how they respond. but I doubt he will-hmm, now who’s the “pussy?” I really hope more intellgent atheists (like the friendly one here ) overshadow these guys.

from what i’ve heard of the RSS, they can be a bit full on, to put it mildly, and i think i’d be annoyed if anyone tried to ‘convert’ me to anything. just when you’re telling “every pagan, christian, jew, hindu, bahai, and anyone else I can find who is “delusional” like me to steer clear of this guy” please use his name, and don’t lump every atheist under the same bracket. by the same token, i’ll try not to judge every christian by the example of Falwell – or every wiccan by the loons who think looking a bit gothic and wearing a cloak is where it’s at (BTW, of the wiccans i have met, that’s a tiny minority!)

I’m not a fan of Christianity, but if the RRS tries to ban my religion and medicines that help people, I will fight them tooth and nail, and I know many others who will too. I was ok with Dawkins and Harris’s books, but these guys have gone too far (though D&H should be honest, it’s mostly the monotheistic religions they are after, so why not just admit it?) This is not just about “having atheists come out of the closet”, (that part I’d be fine with) this is openly about getting rid of “all supernatural belief” just b/c Brian Flemming doesn’t like it. Showing up as nice people? Have you seen some of the videos? They come across as anything but nice. Sorry, but I’m not going to change my life to make one bitter guy happy. If you go to amazon and look at his movie, the reviews aren’t very good, and they are not being written by Christians. Get therapy, don’t force your beliefs on others. That goes for both sides. I’ve had to deal with crazies from both sides. How are you any better than the fundies then? If he’d stopped at just the blasphemy challenge, it would be okay. But if you read his website, he openly promotes that the RRS is out to “convert” people by putting stuff on cars, in churches, and all over the place, and getting in people’s faces. Yeah, big improvement over the fundies guys. In my opinion, he’s just another kind of fundie, and he’s just using the fundie training he got toward something else. Of course supposedly the word “fundie” can’t be used, so fine, militant. But I would say he does adhere to a dogma: destroy all belief in anything no matter what, refuse to hear anything against what he wants (nevermind that like all things in life, beliefs are gray, not black and white), all to get back at the religious school he went to. There will eventually be a backlash, not so much to the the “challenge” but to the fundie tactics. Newsflash: when you try to force religion away, people keep it but they hide it, and they are willing to die for it. Look at the Pagans in the burning times, and even the Christians with the lions. Russia and China tried it too. I love how he says he doesn’t spread hate, when that seems to be most of what he does. But then again, I believe in not just one but more than one supernatural deities, so I just have a mental disorder and don’t know what I’m talking about. I’m so glad we have such intellectual giants such as Brian Flemming to tell all of us nutcases how much better he is than us. I’m going to tell every pagan, christian, jew, hindu, bahai, and anyone else I can find who is “delusional” like me to steer clear of this guy. Go ahead and throw insults at me now, but I guarantee you, there are plenty out there like me.