There was an interesting documentary on the BBC recently about nothing less than the origin of life on Earth. It focused on the theory that life exists in many places in the universe and may have actually been brought to earth on a comet or other object from space.

This theory is called “Panspermia” and isn’t as far-fetched as it first may sound because a scientist who studied a strange red rain that fell in India in 2001 has found some biological cells that do not contain any DNA (edit or RNA). All life on earth contains DNA or RNA so if what this scientist says is correct then the biological cells can’t be from earth.

I find this story very interesting because the most unexplained part of the theory of evolution is how the very first single cell organisms came to exist in the first place. I find it very easy to understand how a single bacteria can develop into a more complex form of life but I can’t understand how life can come from non-living matter. The theory of Panspermia makes more sense than any of the other theories I have read about; this is probably because it doesn’t deal with how life began but how life began on earth.

The scientist who claims that the mysterious red rain that fell in India contained the alien cells is Dr Godfrey Louis who is a professor at Cochin university in Kerela. He says he has carried out various tests that back up his claim but I’m not sure if this has been independently checked. The ability of bacteria found on earth to survive the conditions in space has already been verified by Nasa who is researching specific forms of bacteria that are ideal for space travel.

Panspermia is one hundred million times more viable than creationism but if you were to bring up both theories in conversation with people they would probably find panspermia more wacky than creationism. Why does it have to be this way?

See Panspermia and Dr. Godfrey Louis.

Hopefully this is the first of many posts loosely based on the theory of evolution and how it directly disproves the crazy world of creationism.

This is an old story from April this year but was the result of almost 5 years work by scientists and palaeontologists. It was the discovery of a 375 million year old fossil, named Tiktaalik Roseae, of a fish with front fins that have leg-like bones in them. So the creature was able to use its fins as legs and could lift itself off the ground and support its own weight.

It would have lived in shallow waters and used its foot-like fins to lift its head above the water and look around or maybe even waddle onto land. It is definitely a fish because it has scales and fins but its feet-like bones shows how life on earth made the transition from water to land. If it has the ability to walk on land then it probably had developed air breathing lungs too.

This was a significant find because the emergence of life from water to land is probably the most important step life has taken in the evolutionary process. This is a blow for people who believe in intelligent design because they often claim the gaps in the fossil record somehow prove the existence of a god.

If there is anybody out there then please leave your comments!

As of November 2006 this blog is under new ownership. My name is Taj and I have always wanted to start an atheism blog and when I say this site for sale I just had to snap it up. I’ll be keeping the general blog topic the same but it will be more about the rise of Atheism, the fall or religion and a general exploration of the theory of evolution.

This was just a quick note, I’ll put up a full post when something pops into my head. I’ve opened up the comments section to non-members so if anybody is out there then let me know!

Just finished reading this book and I was quite impressed with it. It offers practical tips on how to center yourself in the present moment, escaping the grasp of potentially destructive thought cycles.

The experience which brought about Tolle’s transformation is something that I can relate to. I’ve spent many nights wrestling with insomnia unable to stop my mind jumping from one painful memory to the other. I haven’t made anything like the spiritual breakthrough that Tolle has yet though. I’m still far too comfortable in my own mind. I’m starting to believe that old line that “talking to yourself is the first sign of madness” because really, who else are you talking to bar yourself? We seem to create multiple selves depending on the current argument or scenario in our minds.

I think I was expecting the book to be similar to most of the other recent publications in the self help/new age genre. And I was glad to see that I was wrong! Its message is coherent and should be easily applicable to your own life if you choose to take it’s core message on board. There are no recipes for fire potions in here. It asks you to practice what’s written to find out the truth for yourself.

At times I felt a little uncomfortable with the authors tone. He came across as a bit pompous in parts which I found quite distracting. When I’m reading a book I do not like to be talked down to. I like to be on the same plane as the author otherwise I can find the text a little hard to get into.

Its definitely a good read though for anyone who’s interested in the concept of eternity.

It’s been quite a while, my committment to blogging has waned somewhat. I felt forced to update to the web log even though I had nothing that interesting to say. I don’t like that type of blogging and would much rather post something when I am truly inspired.

So from now on I will continue to update on some sort of basis. That basis will of course depend upon how inspired I am at the time.

Recently I’ve been re-reading the first book of Conversations Of God and for anyone who hasn’t read it I seriously recommend it as it communicates some quite profound ideas in a subtle way. Is the source of the information God? I have my doubts. I don’t know what I can take from it bar it being something to contemplate. I have a lot of difficulty applying such things to my life.

Anyway its good to be back and I hope to continue entertain you with my spiritually confused ramblings more in the future.

The climate in the Middle East seems to be declining by the minute and it’s a little worrying particularly when you take into consideration the reaction of some fundamentalist Muslims after the Mohammed cartoon scandal.

What’s gonna come out of all of this?

I’m trying to find positives but all of the threats of violence only seem to put the power firmly in the hands of the extremists.

The Christian right in the US will most likely intensify calls for a war. I assume that people like Pat Robertson are really lapping all of this up.

I am pretty much sick of hearing about it and I think that our only hope is that Religion is widely recognised as irrelevant as soon as possible.

I do not understand how so many people can have so much staked on their faith. How can they possibly be sure that they are right, especially when it comes to acting upon their beliefs and harming someone else?

As time passes it seems to be ever more evident that the number of radical Christians and Muslims that are willing to kill for God is increasing.

These are the only people who seem to be featured in the media which completely taints the publics perspective on the issue, increasing the likelihood of converting the otherwise harmless apathetic masses into religious activists.

It seems that the law-abiding majority of religious believers are not news worthy at all.

The 20th Anniversary of the Challenger disaster

I’ve always had a morbid fascination with the Challenger disaster. I think it’s the footage - its unbelievably disturbing and it goes to show how fragile our lives really are.

In recent years I’ve lost most interest in space exploration. Progress in the area seems to be very slow and I think it’s just a little messed up that people are focusing their attention on space when there are a hell of a lot of problems to be contended with down here.

Hicks was right when he talked about a global community making plans together for space. Until the world comes together as one and concentrates their collective efforts on exploration efforts I can’t really see that much progress being made.

I do hope we get out of the Solar System within my lifetime. It’s looking doubtful though. As a kid I already thought we’d be on Jupiter. Damn it!

I just found this fun article over at The Register about what Jesus would have on his iPod.

I find it slightly worrying that the majority of people who took part in this and gave a positive answer believed Jesus would listen to Christian Rock.

I do not wish to generalise, but in this case I will. I dislike Christian Rock. I think it is the most mediocre and uninspiring of all musical genres and it can only be redeemed through sudden and permanent rapture.

If I were Jesus I would actually put on some life-affirming tracks, like “What A Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong or Johnny Cash’s version of ‘Hurt’.

Y’know something with a little substance and not with the usual vague, ambigious and often bloody cryptic lyrics of the contemporary God-Rock Bands

Oh praise be to the Rock
And forth we shall rock
Unto the valley
We fall and bawl
And haul crosses
Across golden fields

Another Damn Song About Crosses by Rock-4-God

Now God the Father is another matter entirely. I get the impression He’d be into a bit of Metallica, Frank Zappa and Motorhead. Something with a little bit more testostrone.

On Monday night a meeting was held for concerned residents of the city centre in Belfast City Hall about the number of prostitutes who use the surrounding area for custom.

In recent years the centre of Belfast has undergone a huge transformation with new apartment blocks rising throughout the area.

Some of these buildings are placed within the confines of the red light district which over the years has resulted in tenants being confronted by both kerb crawlers and prostitutes.

I believe that this problem is symptomatic of our rather medieval outlook on the issue.

Read the rest of this entry »

I was quite surprised by how often I agreed with Dawkins through both parts of the documentary and he came across as rather sane and polite throughout, which must have been quite taxing for him considering some of the fanatics he met up with.

In saying that there were parts that I did not agree entirely with.

I disagreed with how he suggested that science had proved the claims of religion false. It’s obvious that science has disproved the Young Earth idea fronted by Christianity.

In saying that I don’t think it is fair to lump Christianity in with say Taoism which does not even consider history or politics.

The scene where Dawkins was invited to a rehearsal of a pro-life/anti-choice play was rather frightening.

I’m still trying to decide whether it was more intimidating than last week’s interview with the fundamentalist Muslim cleric who ordered Richard home to “sort out Britain’s women”.

The production (if you could even call it that) included a hard-hitting re-construction of an abortion scene which was to be shown to children as young as 10. Oh the hypocrisy! These are the same people who are constantly lobbying against games like Grand Theft Auto yet use their faith as an excuse to contradict their own morality. It’s bewildering.

It is imperative, as Dawkins rightly pointed out that children are sheltered away from religion until they reach the age of reason.

I pretty much deplored how Christianity was shoved down our throats during morning assemblies and would have tolerated it more if it was consigned to an extra-curricular activity slot.

It’s a pity it was only a two parter as it certainly was enlightening.

The You Are God Meme

This is the reason for the lack of updates recently. I present to you the You Are God Meme!

Basically it’s a little simulator which creates your own world where you are God.

To create one just enter your name in the little box below and then paste the code in your blog-site.

Should free speech be allowed no matter what harm it may be causing to others?

This is something that must be judged case by case. I think that accepting free speech indefinitately without examining the potential costs is irresponsible.

For instance should Evangelical Christians be allowed to express their beliefs to young vulnerable children who may take the visions of hell all too seriously and subscribe to a faith through fear alone?

This would surely strengthen fundamentalism and anti-intellectualism in America and Europe, which is the last thing that this world needs.

What sparked this discussion was this article from the Wisconsin State Journal concerning Fred Phelps and Westboro’s recent demonstrations outside funerals.

The author came to the conclusion that Phelps was well within his rights to protest in such a way, which I do agree with but it made me think - at what point does it all become too much?

Should bereaved families be forced to grin and bear the unequivical hate targetted towards their loved one?

Thankfully this issue seems to be, being addressed in a number of states who are placing restrictions on when and where the protestors can demonstrate. However this on its own will not be enough to stop people from being hurt.

Education will go along way to easing this and similiar problems.

By teaching people about fundamentalism and its causes I’m sure over time people will become less reactionary and more understanding of the desperation behind people like Phelp’s beliefs.

We can but hope that as time passes people will rise above it and show compassion rather than bile to groups such as this.