Tracie Harris

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Apr 012013
 

Over the last few years I’d been watching video clips of Matt Dillahunty, mostly of him hosting The Atheist Experience. However, it’s to my shame that, until very recently, I hadn’t really paid much attention to Tracie Harris who is one of the co-hosts of The Atheist Experience.

My only excuse is that the video clips I had previously searched for were focused around Matt, and it was only when I started watching the full length episodes of The Atheist Experience that I appreciated the clarity, precision and coherence of Tracie’s arguments. She goes the extra mile to fully understand what the guests are trying to say but, being no fool, will quickly challenge the guests if they cannot construct a reasonable argument.

Do check out her work. Brilliant stuff. Here are her “dice in jars” videos demonstrating various fallacies:

Excerpts from The Atheist Experience #602

If you have time, say 2 hours, here’s a discussion panel and an interview with special guest Tracie Harris:

TWL LIVE! – Special Guest Tracie Harris

Article by Kulvinder Singh Matharu – 2013

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Use of Bayes’ Theorem for correct reasoning

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Mar 102013
 

A really good introduction to the use of Bayes’ Theorem on reasoning correctly and reaching conclusions:

Bayes Theorem: Key to the Universe, Richard Carrier Skepticon 4

Other introduction videos on Bayes’ Theorem:

Article by Kulvinder Singh Matharu – 2013

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Eric MacDonald on Mehdi Hassan and Richard Dawkins, and the need for rationality

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Jan 292013
 

Another thoughtful and insightful article from Eric MacDonald, this time on the reaction of Medhi Hasan after he had interviewed Richard Dawkins:

The problem is with Hasan himself, of course. He has bought into a superstition; the delusion this brings stops him from responding rationally. Further, it is clear from MacDonald’s article that Hasan is already well on the path of barbarity and injustice.

I will belittle Hasan and his irrationality for the same reason that I would belittle adults who claim that Santa Claus is real or who insist that there are fairies living at the bottom of the garden. But I would do so to a greater extent to Hasan due to the evil that will result from what he says.

Here’s a good talk on why it matters to challenge delusion and irrationality:

Article by Kulvinder Singh Matharu – 2013

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States that discriminate against non-believers

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Dec 122012
 

There’s a Washington Post article that has also been reprinted in part at richarddawkins.net. Both are shown below.

The seven countries where the state can execute you for being atheist:

  1. http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2012/12/10/the-seven-countries-where-the-state-can-execute-you-for-being-atheist/
  2. http://richarddawkins.net/news_articles/2012/12/12/the-seven-countries-where-the-state-can-execute-you-for-being-atheist

Whilst the map in the Washington Post article certainly shows that the more extreme forms of discrimination and persecution against non-believers are in Islamic states, it fails to show the subtle undercurrent of discrimination found in other states such as the Republic of Ireland and the US state of Arkansas, for example, where laws may preclude you from taking part in the democratic process or be refused proper medical care. Additionally, other forms of indirect discrimination arise where special concessions and privileges are granted to religious groups thereby unfairly disadvantaging non-believers. The referenced International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU) report “Freedom of Thought 2012 Global Report on Discrimination Atheists and the Nonreligious” provides a far more detailed and balanced picture of the extent of discrimination and persecution against non-believers. The list of guilty states may surprise you.

Further details on the IHEU report can be found at their website:

Article by Kulvinder Singh Matharu – 2012

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Steiner – Waldorf schools, founded on nonsense, superstition and the occult

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Dec 022012
 

Further to a recent post on Steiner Waldorf schools, Quackometer has posted a couple of articles on the obfuscation practised by those schools, and the results of the investigations by the BBC et al:

The education of our children should not be left in the hands of those steeped in nonsense, superstition and the occult. There is enough unreason already in this world without more sewage being poured over the impressionable and the vulnerable. The level of indoctrination practised by these schools does not appear to be as overt as those of other religious schools but the nature of the risks needs to be understood.

An extensive resource is here for those wanting to research more:

I, of course, have similar objections to other religious schools but the need to highlight the nature of the Steiner Waldorf schools required prioritising as not everyone is aware what these schools are all about.

Article by Kulvinder Singh Matharu – 2012

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Baroness Warsi becomes Minister for Faith and Communities

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Oct 212012
 

Not sure how I missed this one:

I’d already blogged at http://www.metalvortex.com/blog/2012/02/14/755.html that Warsi is not a force for good:

She wants irrationality to become ubiquitous. She stands for all that is backwards and medieval in thinking and outlook. It is perhaps the religious like her that are the real danger to civilisation.

Jerry A. Coyne’s Feb 2012 article on Warsi is well worth a read:

I wonder what more garbage will spew from her mouth and the harm she will cause.

Article by Kulvinder Singh Matharu – 2012

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The Maya calendar, 2012 and the end of the world

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Oct 052012
 

Mauricio-José Schwarz at JREF gives a very good description of the nonsense and misinformation being promoted by various people caught up in what they believe is the Mayan prophecy for the end of the world. A must read. Don’t fall for the New Age garbage.

Article by Kulvinder Singh Matharu – 2012

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More on Simon Singh and WDDTY

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Oct 052012
 

Further to my post at http://www.metalvortex.com/blog/2012/10/04/1016.html I found some other sites which had already picked this story and a momentum seems to be gaining within the community who oppose bullshit:

Article by Kulvinder Singh Matharu – 2012

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Simon Singh has legitimate concerns on WDDTY magazine

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Oct 042012
 

Simon is right, and WDDTY need to address those concerns and not play silly buggers with threats of legal action:

Article by Kulvinder Singh Matharu – 2012

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Yahweh’s Amazing Test (Abraham, Genesis 22)

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Sep 152012
 

This story foundational to the Abrahamic religions (Judaism, Christianity, Islam).

Yahweh’s Amazing Test (Abraham, Genesis 22)

This is just one example of the injustice, cruelty, barbarity, slave mentality and delusions inherent and promoted by Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

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