This is my first attempt at a blog post, rather obviously.
Perhaps I should begin by introducing myself.
I’m a British postgraduate student working towards a PhD in marine biology, something which I have been aiming for most of my life. It’s been a rough road at times and looking ahead to the next year or so in which I need to complete the degree, it’s not likely to get much smoother any time soon.
I’m also an atheist, something which I am both comfortable with and somewhat proud of – it being an important part of the rationalist outlook to which I aspire. Inevitably, the world being the way it is, my atheist outlook is going to be a feature of the posts here.
So what kind of posts are going to be here? Obviously, given the biological theme, it is my intention to use this blog to discuss biological topics, but it is also going to be a platform for me to discuss other topics (including politics and religion) as well as for musings on life in general. I don’t have specific posts planned as of yet – though the seeds of a few ideas have been sown – I’ll just see what happens.
In the words of “Dutch” from Predator (ably portrayed by Arnold Schwarzenegger) -
“Stick around”
I think that if you are atheist, then you have no the right to discuss the religion.
(By the way – I’m an atheist).
SP.
By: SP on September 20, 2007
at 8:05 pm
Hi SP, thanks for the comment – and sorry I’ve not actually got more up yet.
Firstly, it’s not my main intention to use this blog to discuss religion – I set it up to discuss biological topics that interest me, and to practice writing about complex subjects in a way that is accessible to readers with little or no scientific training.
However, I did acknowledge that I was going to find it hard to stick to purely academic posts and not slip into other topics.
Having said that, I disagree whole-heartedly with what you’ve said. Religion, and religious people, are part of the world in which we all live. There are positive and negative sides to religious belief, and as should be clear from current events, this concerns all of us, no matter our beliefs. Everyone has the right – even the responsibility – to discuss religion, just as you (of course) have the right to express your opinion that we don’t have that right; even if I disagree with you.
I would also point out that plenty of religious people feel it is their right to discuss atheism, some in extremely negative terms. I certainly wouldn’t consider telling them they have no right to do so.
Thanks for stopping by
By: artificialhabitat on September 20, 2007
at 10:48 pm
I think that it is necessary to talk about Science. It is main thing. Our life is too short. We must not waste our time doing different nonsence. It is necessary to talk about most important, great and wonderful things. Talk about Sea. Talk about Fishes and Marine Animals. Talk about Science.
And more important thing – DO Real Science. There are a mountain of interesting and important problems (challenges!) in Science! You can solve some of them. And it will be more valuable action than idle chat about stupid politicians and existence/non-existence of God. You are young, clever and talented. Become a great Scientist.
You will make yourself much more useful for this beautiful planet, old boy, believe me! :)
See – simple example…
One captain of oil-tanker (drunk as a dirty pig) broke to pieces his huge ship and enormous quantity of oil was spilled into ocean (for example, tragedy of Exxon Valdez. Do you know about it? It’s greatest modern ecological catastrophe of this type). A lot of fishes and marine animals died (and continue to die now!). What must we do?
Only idiots will cry that all oil industry and oil transport by oil-tankers must be forbidden because of this case. And real scientist must solve two important problems.
1) Real scientist must invent the way to remove (to catch, to pump, to draw out, etc.) all oil from the sea and save the marine animals dying because of this dirt.
2) He must invent the method of ecological/environmental safe transport of oil by the sea.
But to seek whether the fool-captain was the believer/atheist or to cry about stupidity and corruption of politicians in mentioned case – it is silly and platitudinous thing…
Do you agree with me?
Are you marine scientist? Are you modern young man? Do you know technics? Solve these two problems. It will be great!
Well. It was merely example, of course. However, it is representative.
Sorry for my emotive language :)
I wish you GOOD LUCK in your Science – the excellent and wonderful Science about Sea and marine inhabitants!
Be happy!
SP.
By: SP on September 21, 2007
at 1:42 am