If Ariane ever wanders back and sees what happened to her 'Meet The Writers' thread, whatever will she think? 
Meet the Writers: Ariane Sherine Page 6
Quote: Tim Walker @ November 9 2009, 1:33 PM GMTIf Ariane ever wanders back and sees what happened to her 'Meet The Writers' thread, whatever will she think?
"I've created a monster!"
Quote: Kevin Murphy @ November 9 2009, 1:33 PM GMT"I've create a monster!"
Actually, I hope she's well... 
Quote: Kevin Murphy @ November 9 2009, 12:59 PM GMTThe core belief of Christianity is that Jesus rose from the dead and ascended bodily to heaven. I don't think that constitutes simplistic distortions, but they're certainly very easy to brush aside.
No, the above isn't simplistic but your earlier post did have elements of that. 
As to the assertion that the above is easy to brush aside. If that was true, Christianity would have died with its leader. The Romans tried and failed to disprove it. So have many others since then.
As to any comments on Islam, five concurrent fatwahs tells me it's wise not to.
No belief system would begin, let alone survive, if it could be so easily disproved on the key aspect of its faith.
Quote: Tim Walker @ November 9 2009, 1:33 PM GMTIf Ariane ever wanders back and sees what happened to her 'Meet The Writers' thread, whatever will she think?
That she should have spent the money on a move to L.A.? Probably?
Quote: SlagA @ November 9 2009, 1:40 PM GMTNo, the above isn't simplistic but your earlier post did have elements of that.
As to the assertion that the above is easy to brush aside. If that was true, Christianity would have died with its leader. The Romans tried and failed to disprove it. So have many others since then.
No belief system would begin, let alone survive, if it could be so easily disproved on the key aspect of its faith.
I don't think proof has anything to do with a religion's longevity. Nobody ever disproved Apollo or Odin, as far as I know, but those gods managed to die out.
Anyway, you can't "disprove" any outlandish claim. The onus of proof is on the person making the claim, a principle we've been happy to adopt in our legal and academic systems.
Then I refer the learned gentleman to the last sentence in his post at the top of this page.
Quote: Kevin Murphy @ November 9 2009, 1:33 PM GMT"I've created a monster!"
Is that a reference to her writing credits on Two Pints and My Family!? 
Quote: Dolly Dagger @ November 9 2009, 1:51 PM GMTIs that a reference to her writing credits on Two Pints and My Family!?
No. Really? Oh dear. Moving swiftly on then...
Quote: SlagA @ November 9 2009, 1:49 PM GMTThen I refer the learned gentleman to the last sentence in his post at the top of this page.
Not sure what you mean by that. Nobody's ever disproved the existence of the Kraken, but I'm quite happy to "brush aside" Kraken belief.
Quote: Dolly Dagger @ November 9 2009, 1:51 PM GMTIs that a reference to her writing credits on Two Pints and My Family!?
Oi! You're talking about my mother.
*adopts Frank Carson voice*
It's a Kraken!
Quote: David Bussell @ November 9 2009, 1:56 PM GMT*adopts Frank Carson voice*
It's a Kraken!
No, it's me, unmasked.
This video emerged on YouTube the other day. It's very funny, and it kind of illustrates the Kraken thing.
James Randi has done a lot of valuable work in the US over the years in terms of advancing the sceptic cause.