Filed under: History, Politics, religion | Tags: Ceasefire, Ehud Olmert, Gaza, Hamas, Israel, Palestine, Palestinians, Propaganda, Terrorism, United Nations, War Crimes, War on Terror
Delivering a speech laced with propaganda Goebbels would be proud of, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has announced a unilateral ceasefire in Israel’s invasion of Gaza.
Apparently Israel has achieved its objectives in the war, which must have been to inflict as many casualties on the Gaza’s civilian population. Claims by Olmert that the military have resisted attacking “terrorists” in some cases during the operation because of the potential harm to civilians runs contrary to media reports and UN claims. No doubt the insulated ignorant within Israels borders will lap up Olmerts assurances. Few outside the nation will.
The unilateral ceasefire is hope for the gullible. Hamas is not a signitary and have pledged to continue the fight while occupying forces remain in Gaza. Israel have reserved the right to respond. Considering it was Israels inability to honour the conditions of the last ceasefire which began this disgusting war, this ceasefire is as worthless as Olmert’s word.
So what has been achieved? Israel points to the damage inflicted on Hamas and the governments infrastructure as evidence of the operation’s success. Hamas leaders are dead or in hiding. Many militants are dead. However Hamas will not struggle to recruit replacements. With over 1,000 dead and 5,000 injured, it won’t be hard to find people who want to fight against the Israeli aggressors. Israel has won no support from Palestinians. With every war crime a new terrorist/freedom fighter is born. Peace is very clearly not on Olmert’s agenda. And so the war continues.
Filed under: Politics, religion | Tags: America, Anti-Semitic, Anti-Semitism, Gaza, Hamas, Hezbollah, Human Rights, Hypocrisy, Israel, Lebanon, Murder, Palestine, Robert Fisk, Terrorism, Zionism
After the bombing of UN schools, mosques and universities, as well as firing at marked aid workers and their vehicles, it is evident Israel has no concern for civilian populations in their latest military campaign against the people of Gaza. From the same military who coated parts of Lebanon in cluster bombs, indiscriminate killing devices, in the final hours of the 2006 war with Hezbollah after a cease fire was agreed, as well as past refugee camp massacres and the shelling of a Gaza beach two years ago, no one is surprised, however most are shocked. For most commentators, politicians and people on the street, there is no defence for Israel’s military actions.
However there are some who do support these actions. And not just Israelis who lap up their military’s “defensive” attacks, intended to muster electoral support for an ailing government. Letters to editors and blog comments show the aggressive state has supporters outside its borders. Opponents of Israel are labelled “anti-Semitic” wilfully ignorant to the fact the Palestinians are also Semites! According to these people the conflict traces back only as far as the pitiful Hamas rockets fired into Israeli southern towns, cited as Hamas breaking an existing truce, ignoring Israel’s own failure to honour the agreement. To these people, who choose to see only half the story, Israel’s aggressive bombing campaign and invasion are entirely justified; every innocent death is merely unfortunate, collateral damage in Israel’s pursuit for peace. (more…)
Filed under: Life, Philosophy, religion | Tags: Atheist, Christmas, Family, Friends, Greed, Holiday, Jesus, religion, Santa, Tradition
As an atheist, I am fortunate enough to get to see Christmas for what it truly is, or rather what it ought to be. It is not just a repackaged pagan festival, or an over commercialised advertiser’s dream. Christmas is more than lying to Children about Santa and Jesus, more than losing years of your life due to the stress of malls and more than satisfying the greed of spoilt Westerners. It has been said before and it is as simple as it sounds, but if Christmas is to have any redeeming qualities it is as a reason for people to get together, putting aside any animosity or rivalries, stresses or difficulties and enjoy a good meal. Maybe seeing each other for the first time in the year, some having perhaps traveled to get together and share their experiences of the year, Christmas is a good time to put your feet up and relax from another hard year of work or whatever.
To me, this is far more important and meaningful in today’s hectic and troubled world than turkey and carols. What I have described above is universal, unless you know no one. Most of the existing Christmas traditions are either outdated or counterintuitive. Christmas should either be de-Christmasised or another day should be set aside for unsullied getting together. Who the hell really likes Christmas carols anyway? Most are absolutely terrible songs, so why put ourselves through hearing them almost nonstop for over a month intensively each year? And must we stuff ourselves sick? The cost is considerable, the stress of preparation no doubt insurmountable and the waste unimaginable. When a modest meal would suffice, why suffer through a dry turkey? Let us share a good meal (don’t get rid of trifle just yet!), but is glutony mandatory? And yes, I appreciate all the incredible presents I got, but I hate to think what stressful episodes my family had striving through malls buying these things. I know I didn’t enjoy shopping!
I’m not really one for traditions that cannot be justified. Of course the magic of Christmas is great for the kids, we need not take that away, but perhaps Santa could stress the importance of time spent with good friends and family as opposed to stuffing down chocolate and demanding the flashest new gaming console.
I’m not even going to start on the religious aspect as I need not to, as fewer are celebrating their own brainwashing with every passing Christmas.
Christmas should be about family and friends. There is far more to be gained by valuing them than any outdated Christmas tradition.
Filed under: New Zealand Election 08, Philosophy, Politics, religion | Tags: Christianity, Crime, democracy, Herald on Sunday, Referendum, Section 59 Crimes Act, Smacking, Sue Bradford
In a well written and intelligent editorial, the Herald on Sunday outlined why referendums are not worth the ballot paper the poorly written questions are written on. Entitled “Ask an obvious question and you get a meaningless answer“, today’s editorial outlines how the questions used in referendums are loaded as to ensure tht only one result can possibly be found. In next years citizen initiated referendum on the repealing of section 59 of the Crimes Act, the question will be “should a smack as a part of good parental correction be a criminal offence?” When many experts in child psychology and childcare have said that smacking is not actually a part of good parental correction, the question ceases to make any sense. So do you vote if you disagree with the premise of the question? Vote yes and oppose “good parental correction” (which does not include smacking), or abstain in protest? (more…)
Filed under: Journalism, New Zealand Election 08, Philosophy, Politics, Quotes, religion | Tags: Bethlehem College, Christian, democracy, government, Greens, Helen Clark, Herald, Jesus, John Key, Labour, National, New Zealand, Simon Collins, Tauranga, Winston Churchill
Although I initially though the Herald’s “One Man Poll” sounded like a massive vox pop (which I can’t stand) in the capable hands of Simon Collins the series was likely to be a success. And he does find some interesting people with interesting views on interesting issues. Collins finds people who do sum up what others are thinking and finds out the thought behind their opinions. Fascinating stuff at times. However, either Collins is drawn to some absolute morons, or New Zealand is a country with a disproportionate number of idiot residents.
Here’s a couple from the last few days. There are many more! (more…)
Filed under: Music, religion | Tags: Acoustic, American Lesion, bad religion, Brett Gurewitz, Greg Graffin, Music, New Maps of Hell, punk, Review
The cynics among us sees re-releases of albums as little more than poorly disguised attempts to squeeze every last cent from adoring fans. Bad Religion’s deluxe edition of 2007’s New Maps of Hell, is more than just a slipcase, an artwork booklet, a bonus DVD and a couple of “classic” posters.
The original 16-track album was, arguably, the punk album of 2007, despite concerns from some fans they had sold out, after the first single “Honest Goodbye” showed a slower, softer side to the band. Such fears were allayed, however, as the album mixed the passion and pace of their eighties’ releases and the precision and song quality of their later albums. The classic Bad Religion sound rings throughout, from the vocal backing “oozin’ aahs”, the fast power-chords, the melodic leads, to the thunderous trademark drumming.
So is it worth fans buying the deluxe edition if they already own the original album? (more…)
Filed under: religion | Tags: Allah, Female Genital Manipulation, God, Human Rights, Islam, Koran, Meat, Muhammad, Muslim, Nigeria, religion, Women's rights
Currently the number one read story on the BBC News website as I type, is a story about pieces of meat that have the name of Allah spelt out in Arabic in the gristle. Nigerians have flocked to a restaurant in Bernin Kebbi to see the pieces of beef with the alleged inscription. The owner of the restaurant who found the pieces says, “When the writings were discovered there were some Islamic scholars who come and eat here and they all commented that it was a sign to show that Islam is the only true religion for mankind”. I sure hope not. (more…)
Filed under: History, Philosophy, Politics, religion | Tags: Adolf Hitler, Anti-Semitic, atheism, Atheist, Bertrand Russell, Catholic, Catholicism, Charles Darwin, Christ, Christian, Christianity, Communism, Deicide, Faith, Freedom, Gerhard Engel, Germany, God, government, Herman Goering, Islam, Jesus, Jewish, Jews, Lutheran, Martin Luther, Mein Kampf, Nazi, Nazism, Nihilism, Pagan, Paganism, Pol Pot, Pope, Positive Christianity, religion, Richard Dawkins, Secular, Secularism, Stalin, Totalitarianism, Vatican, World War One, World War Two
Unfortunately this is a common argument, devoid of historical support and logical reasoning. It is argued, usually in response to those who point out the many killed in holy wars, that atheistic leaders have killed more than religious ones. Evil dictators are bought forward as examples of what happens when society rejects religion and secularism takes hold. Although many theists employ this tactic, it does appear a ploy by the more conservative, as an underhand way of undermining secularism, freedom from religion and separation of the church and state, and in place installing theocracies (or at least religion based regimes) in western countries. Although many tyrants are put forward as examples, possibly the most common one is Adolf Hitler. And just like Christians try to claim Albert Einstein (and even sometimes Darwin!?), Hitler is cast off as an atheist. But was he? (more…)
Filed under: Philosophy, religion | Tags: Albert Einstein, atheism, Atheist, Charles Darwin, Christian, Christianity, Damnation, Devil, Genocide, God, Heathen, Heaven, Hell, Jesus, John Stuart Mill, Mother Theresa, Pascal's wager, Propagandal, Racism, Rape, religion, Richard Dawkins, Sexism, Slavery, Stephen Hawking, Virgins
Pascal’s Wager is surely one the worst reasons to be religious. If he is right and I am wrong, Pascal spends eternity in heaven, and I suffer in hell. If I am right and he is wrong, we both just die, and he loses nothing (apart from 1/7 of his life in church). Of course there are many religions, so how does Pascal know he has the right one? So it is flawed reasoning. And it is not evidence that persuades him, but fear. Let us not take Blaise Pascal as an idiot. Let us forgive his perverted religiosity, his weak convictions and his desperate faith, faith based not upon the bible or on the supposed teachings of Jesus, but on his fear of eternal damnation. Let us conjure up the notion that he was on to something, let us delude ourselves with the possibility he could be correct. As a ‘Christian’ (albeit a fairly shit one), upon death he will be granted entry though the pearly gates of heaven towards the outstretched arms of Jesus and Mother Theresa, preparing for an eternity of love and all that. Meanwhile, heathens, atheists, and all abhorrent non-believers will be destined for eternity in hell. But what would this hell be like? Still assuming that Pascal and his ilk are correct about God, Jesus and heaven, must their view of hell also be entirely true as well? Are we destined for eternal damnation, fire and brimstone and all that? Perhaps it is more likely the hell would be completely different, and that its portrayal is merely propaganda. For what better instrument does Christianity have at its disposal the threat of eternal torture for non-believers? I challenge anyone to provide an example of a better recruitment tool than hell. (more…)
Filed under: Philosophy, Politics, religion | Tags: All Blacks, Aotearoa, atheism, Christianity, Flag, French, God, God Defend New Zealand, Labour, Maori, National Identity, New Zealand, NZ, Olympics, Patriotism, Secularism
Considering Christianity is no longer the dominant religion in New Zealand, should we still have “God defend New Zealand” as our national anthem? The only time we ever here it when the All Blacks play and a couple of times at the Olympics. Should the anthem not reflect the whole country and be meaningful for all people? Admittedly the national anthem means nothing to me, as I’m sure it does not resonate with others too. Every time it plays before matches, I confess I have reservations of saying, “God defend New Zealand”, as I do not believe in any god. It seems hollow and insincere. I’m not overly patriotic, but I would like to proudly sing about what is fine about our country, something I can believe in. I sing the Maori version with more heart than I do the English, as although it means roughly the same thing, it reflects this country better than the original as no other country has a Maori version of their anthem. And I don’t know exactly what I’m saying! It is not about wiping away tradition or dismissing history, but having an anthem that applies to the country. Arguably the current one never did, even without the religious references. It is a nothing anthem! You could change New Zealand with any other western countries name and it would work just as well (or poorly!) Just as the flag arguably does not reflect the nation, neither does the anthem. After all, it is hardly the most rousing tune, unlike perhaps the French. I cannot imagine what it would be replaced with, but there is surely something that reflects the country better than the outdated and irrelevant current anthem. I don’t see it being changed any time soon; with Labour so low in the polls it might be seen to be as a little unnecessary by the electorate. Maybe with the rising number of agnostics and atheists, it could perhaps be a worthwhile last throw of the dice for the ailing incumbents!
Filed under: History, Philosophy, Science, religion | Tags: Arguments, atheism, Beliefs, Bertrand Russell, Blogosphere, Blogs, Debates, Empiricism, Faith, Philosophy, Politics, religion, Science, Truth, Worldview
Blog surfing can be an enlightening past time, not so much for what you can learn about the world, but about the people in the world. I do believe that for some things there are objective truths, things that either occurred or did not, things that exist or do not. The world is flat, or it isn’t, the bible is true, or it isn’t, evolution occurred or it did not. Unfortunately, for many of these truths, the answer has either not been discovered, or the answers are not accepted by all. So in the blogosphere debates fly around with two or more sides with contrary views, with no likely resolution or agreement. The cause of these differences are the different preconceptions we each enter the debate with, which are based on “facts” differing from their opponents. We each choose to believe the “truths” that reinforce our worldview, so where I might easily accept scientific findings, another may find them caustic. No amount of statistically citations, historical references or reasoned arguments will persuade the other side, who hold beliefs based on completely different stats, historical facts and arguments (or just blind faith!). Someone is misinformed, someone is probably wrong. But you never convince them otherwise, because their opinions are the product of years of experiences that differ from our own. And they will point to their “truths”, credible or not, and feel assured that they are right. As Russell once said, man is not after knowledge, but security (Quote is not verbatim. I read it in a book a while back, although I am questioning the books credibility because I cannot find the quote online!). So we are “destined” to disagree, and continue to always disagree, but the “truth” will never please everyone
So what good are these internet debates we have? (more…)
Filed under: History, Journalism, Politics, religion | Tags: Afghanistan, Anti-Semitic, Ayatollah, Custer munitions, Der Speigel, Ehud Omert, Ervand Abrahamian, Europe, Gaza, George W Bush, Hillary Clinton, Human Rights, IAEA, Ideology, Independent, Iran, Iraq, Islam, Islamic Revolution, Israel, Israeli, Jimmy Carter, Lebanon, Mahmood Ahmadinejad, Matan Vilnai, Media, Middle East, Mordechai Vanunu, Nazi, Nazism, Non-Proliferation Treaty, North Korea, Nuclear Weapons, Palestine, Palestinian, Persia, Propaganda, Racist, Robert Fisk, Shah, Terrorism, Theocracy, United Nations, United States, War, Zionism, Zionist
In the Western corner, nestled between the Mediterranean and half a dozen hostile neighbours, with a population of over 7 million, now 60 years young, with a nuclear arsenal believed to number 150 warheads, defender of Zionism…. ISRAEL!!!
In the Eastern corner, wedged between terrorist havens of Iraq and Afghanistan, with a population of over 65 million, with controversial nuclear programme claimed peaceful, defender of Theocracy… The Islamic Republic of IRAN!!!
Let’s get ready to RUMBLE!!!
All right, enough hype. Let us be serious for a moment. Iran versus Israel. Both are religious states, both have substantial military capabilities, and both are guilty of crimes against minorities in their population. Yet both are viewed very differently in the eyes of the Western media and politicians. Let us look at both countries, and how the media depicts them. (more…)
Filed under: Journalism, New Zealand Election 08, Politics, religion | Tags: Abuse, Anti-smacking, Bob McCoskrie, Children, Christian Fundamentalism, Christianity, Crimes Act, Family First, Family Values, Green Party, Investigate, Law, Lobby Groups, Market Research, New Zealand, New Zealanders, Parents, Politician, Politics, Reasearch, Referendum, Section 59, Smack, Spin, Statistics, Stats, Sue Bradford, Survey, Violence
Statistics are great! If you’ve got an opinion, how better than to back up your point of view with some supportive numbers. Statistics give you credibility. I often use some numbers to back up one of my many online rants on this here blog you are reading. It often goes like, “here’s what I think and here’s the numbers that prove my point. Now you cannot disagree with me. I win and you lose! Back to the drawing board, you …(add insult here.)
However, sometimes statistics can be less than conclusive. And sometimes both sides of an argument can claim a stat supports either side’s point. This is what happened when the Christian lobby group Family First commissioned a survey into Sue Bradford’s repealing of section 59 of the Crimes Act (or what is lazily, but more simply, referred to as the “Anti-Smacking” Law) (more…)
Filed under: Music, Philosophy, Quotes, religion | Tags: atheism, Atheist, bad religion, Belief, Bible, Brett Gurewitz, Christian, Christianity, Dark Ages, Evangelical, Evolution, Evolutionary Biology, Faith, Greg Graffin, Inquisition, Lyrics, Materialist, Music, Pascal's wager, Philosophy, religion
Every week I like to post quotes I have come across that I find thought provoking or sum up my opinion on something succinctly, and with wit. Instead, for a change, I’m going to occasionally select half a dozen songs that reflect my views on some particular issue. I’m going to start with my favourite band, on a topic of interest to me.
Here is Bad Religion on faith, God and atheism.
Bad Religion, as the name might suggest, are fairly critical of religion in their songs. That is perhaps an understatement! But instead of the mindless anti-religious abuse some bands have popularised, Bad Religion’s objections are considered and reasoned. This may have something to do with the bands front man Greg Graffin having a doctorate in evolutionary biology, but even before he obtained his degree the band has made intelligent philosophical statements in their music. Song writing duties are split between vocalist Graffin and guitarist Brett Gurewitz, and both musicians are equally capable of writing thought provoking intelligent lyrics.
So perhaps in the way the religious people reaffirm their beliefs through song, Bad Religion has written the perfect hymns for non-believers. However, Greg says in the song “No direction”, “no Bad Religion song can make your life complete”. They can make you stop and think though.
I’ve decided to be quite selective and only choose half a dozen Bad Religion songs, although there are of course many more to choose from. I’ve chosen no more than one from any one album, and added my interpretation of what I feel the song conveys. Enjoy. (more…)
Filed under: Philosophy, Science, religion | Tags: Altruism, atheism, Atheist, Biology, Charles Darwin, Christian, Christianity, ethics, Evolution, God, Group Selection, Herbert Spencer, Kin Selection, morality, Philosophy, Reciprocal Altruism, religion, Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris, Selfish Gene
To complement my Monopoly of morality post, this post looks at where atheists get their morals. That post argued that atheists are as ethical as theists and therefore Christianity’s claim to all things moral is unsubstantiated. That argument was brief, and could certainly be added to. This post will look at how evolution is said to have provided us with the morals that we value.
For atheists to justify themselves, it almost takes more than a “but it says so in the bible” style argument. Hence in blog debates, atheist comments tend to be longer and cite more sources, than their Christian counterparts. That is why I’m taking this rant to my blog, instead of posting it as a comment to a debate I’m currently engaged in. (more…)
Filed under: Philosophy, Science, religion | Tags: Biology, Creationism, Darwinism, Evolution, Expelled, Gaps, God, Humanity, Intelligent Design, Science
Apparently there is some film entitled “expelled” that seeks to illustrate how the scientific community are keeping the Intelligent Design movement from debating evolution on public. I have not seen the film, do not really wish to, as it can only be the type of damage control publicity stunt we have come to expect from ID proponents. ID has been dismissed by far more qualified people then myself, but clearly these people are not listening. It really is quite simple, there’s not much to not understand. So let me kindly give the ID fans the answer as to why no one takes them seriously. (more…)
Filed under: Journalism, Philosophy, Quotes, religion | Tags: An outline of Intellectual Rubbish, Anger, Bertrand Russell, Bias, Ian Wishart, Impartiality, Investigate, Investigative Journalism, Journalism, Objectivity, Pity
Yes, more Russell. I did say I would have more of old Bertrand, but I didn’t expect it to be so soon. But I had too. Whilst reading Ian Wishart’s response to a comment I made on a blog, I actually felt pity for him. Immediately I could relate to a passage I had read from Bertrand Russell’s An Outline of Intellectual Rubbish
“…If, like most of mankind, you have passionate convictions on many such matters, there are ways in which you can make yourself aware of your own bias. If an opinion contrary to your own makes you angry, that is a sign that you are subconsciously aware of having no good reason for thinking as you do. If some one maintains that two and two are five, or that Iceland is on the equator, you feel pity rather than anger, unless you know so little of arithmetic or geography that his opinion shakes your own contrary conviction. The most savage controversies are those about matters as to which there is no good evidence either way. Persecution is used in theology, not in arithmetic, because in arithmetic there is knowledge, but in theology there is only opinion. So whenever you find yourself getting angry about a difference of opinion, be on your guard; you will probably find, on examination, that your belief is going beyond what the evidence warrants.”
In fact I encourage people to read the full essay, it is a truly thought provoking piece of writing.
When I used to read Wishart’s Investigate magazine, I used to feel rage. How could a person actually believe this stuff? Why would anyone buy this filth? It was not so much that I was angry that this man had views strongly opposed to my own, it was that it encouraged others to feel the same. I was furious that this trash’s hateful pseudo-journalistic articles would incite attacks against the communities the magazine rallies against, homosexuals and Muslims in particular. I do feel the same anger, but mainly now I feel pity for the guy. He actually believes what he says! And I suppose he believes that he has some sort of truth that the world should know, but the world won’t listen. He is the boy who cried wolf. Sure, his books will sell, but it will be the same old people, and he will never be taken seriously the general public.
But then I suppose Hitler started with a small following…
No, I’m not serious. But why are these investigative journalists always so bias? Would their work not be more credible, and they would not be open to accusation, if they attack those in power on all sides of the political spectrum?
Alright, I said I wouldn’t mention Wish-hard again, but couldn’t help it this time!
