David Grinspoon: The Science and the Hype

This October 23rd from 3 to 5 pm, Metro State Atheists will be hosting a lecture by David Grinspoon, author of "Lonely Planets" and curator of astrobiology at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, entitled

. Lucia Guatney, author of the popular blog "Splendid Elles", will be presenting Grinspoon.

Location

Auraria Campus, North Classroom

9000 Auraria Parkway

Denver, CO, 80217

A study was conducted by "Reader's Digest European Trusted Brands" in 15 European countries asking which profession the people trust most.

http://www.stern.de/politik/panorama/:Fotostrecke-Wem-Europ%E4er/639941.html?cp=1

1. Firefighters (95%)

2. Pilots (92%)

3. Pharmacists (89%)

4. Nurses (86%)

5. Physicians (86%)

6. Teachers (77%)

7. Farmers (72%)

8. Policemen (60%)

9. Meteorologists (56%)

10. Priests/Pastors (53%)

11. Judges (50%)

12. Taxi-drivers (50%)

13. Lawyers (45%)

14. Travel Operators (41%)

15. Financial Advisers (38%)

16. Journalists (29%)

17. Soccer Players (24%)

18. Leaders of Labor Unions (23%)

19. Car-salesmen (17%)

20. Politicians (7%)

Before reading this, know that I am aware of most if not all faults found within. Constructive criticism is always welcome, but as I'm already aware of the problems in this case I likely won't respond to it as it has already been accepted. I always post the original and uneditted forms of my works, so that they are particularly easy for me to trace back to myself should someone decide they wanted to claim my work as their own.

I had actually thought I'd already posted this here, but found to my surprise that I hadn't when I went to link to it. Basically, I took my previous post regarding marijuana, and gave it some much needed adrenaline. Enjoy.

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In 1923, without parliamentary debate, marijuana became illegal in Canada(2). It took more than 10 years before someone was convicted related to marijuana, but it’s all gone downhill from there(2). Today, close to 60,000 people a year are thrown in jail per year for marijuana related offences(3). A drug that has less affect on a smoker than alcohol has on a drinker puts about that many people in front of the court system every year. Especially when there is a much better alternative than continuing to fight such a losing battle.

Who is friend with Ray Comfort does not need enemies anymore:

http://raycomfortfood.blogspot.com/2008/09/nothing-serious.html

I mean I could believe what ever I want about my friends afterlife - even if I would believe that they were absolutely cheerfully playing around in a paradise garden I would still mourn and miss them.

Either Ray Comforts definition of Friendship is an extremely loose one or he just proved that Christianity is the shortest way to sociopathy.

The Following is a great satire by my good friend and mentor Riki Mathews

O come all Ye faithful
Joyful and triumphant
O come Ye, O come Ye to the altar,
of the al mighty dollar
O come let us adore it
O come let us adore it
O come let us adore it
Money, and, Our Lord

Victor J. Stenger, Author of the New York Times best seller "God: The Failed Hypothesis"  will be speaking in the Turnhalle at the Tivoli on the Auraria campus on November 10th from 1:00-3:00pm.  The address is 9000 Auraria Parkway, Denver Colorado, 80217.  Check out the abstract of his talk and a short biography below. 

GOD: THE FAILED HYPOTHESIS

HOW SCIENCE SHOWS THAT GOD DOES NOT EXIST

Victor J. Stenger

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

Abstract of Talk

In my 2003 book Has Science Found God? I provided a critique of contemporary claims that science supports the existence of God and found them inadequate. In this book I go much further and argue that empirical science makes a strong case against the existence a God with the traditional attributes of the Judaic-Christian-Islamic God. My argument will not be based simply on the gross absence of evidence for God. Not only is there no evidence for God, I will argue that the evidence we have can be used to conclude beyond a reasonable doubt that this God does not exist. Not only does the universe show no evidence for God, it looks exactly as it would be expected to look if there is no God.

    God: The Failed Hypothesis made the New York Times bestseller list in March 2007. The paperback edition is now available, with a foreword by Christopher Hitchens and a new Postscript by the author.

 A SHORT BIOGRAPHY OF VICTOR J. STENGER

 A group of Christians from Windsor Village United Methodist Church in Houston, Texas, has decided to call upon the Almighty to stop the advancement of Hurricane Ike into Houston.  By beseeching the assistance of Jesus, the alleged son of God, they have "power and authority to affect the weather," says one churchgoer upon questioning. When asked how it came to be known that they possessed this extraordinary ability, the answer was simple: faith. While it may seem absurd to claim any knowledge of this power since it has not been borne out by evidence of any kind, faith is all the evidence these believers need. Rev. Caldwell, pastor of the church, says, "It is definitely by faith that we know that we have an impact." Their church recently held a prayer meeting in order to officially command Ike to cease and desist its approach into the Houston area. Some participants claimed to have calmed Edouard and sent hurricane Gustav into southern Louisiana. No explanation was given for the Almighty's lack of regard for the residents in that area. 

Everyone should take a moment to reflect ne the fact that 7 years ago, 2,974 people lost their lives due to religious belief (theism in general).  Just a reminder as to why such irrational delusions need to be removed from the planet. 

Religion has been a factor for humans to deal with throughout history. The oldest written records contain evidence of religious belief. Genetic studies have recently been done that even suggest that religion evolved with humanity. Through all this time, religion has had its uses. It has a binding factor that allows subjugated people to band together against their oppressors (or against the forces of nature), and can be useful in distributing help to those who need it most. However, it currently hinders humanity more than it helps. Governments have replaced religious charity with social welfare, and democracy has eliminated the majority of the need to band together against an oppressor or nature. What is left for religion to do? The answer is a sad one: interfere with the progress of humanity, to the point where it endangers the future of humanity. Throughout history, religion has been the leading cause of slavery, subjugation, prejudice, war, and a negatively impactful force against the progress of education. For humanity to continue to survive, religion must be mitigated to have no control over vast swaths of people who simply don’t know any better.