Thanks, bl968, for posting this. I've also been fairly outspoken about some of the issues addressed here, and I just want to applaud your motive.

When did 'Sift become such a hostile site?

It's not just VS. I think it happened when we got more popular and now attacts a few more outspoken, and less-civilized, posters.

As an all-out atheist I reject the whole "hey, look at all the smart people who were atheists" message. Doesnt really prove anything. If you wanted to you could pull out 15 or 20 smart scientologists or other even crazier sect members.

But, because I like mindless debates, I still have to point out that the "smart theists" list is probably affected by the norms of the time, Its even possible that some of them were outspoken christians purely for tactical reasons, I mean what pope or crhistian king would support some scientist heathen trying to disprove evey lesson in the bible?

Darwin, for instance, had this deal which meant he write about evolution, as long as it didnt directly contradict the bible..

Comment hidden because you are ignoring dag. (show it anyway)

I hope Erik Monika (or Monica?) googles his name and finds this someday. Carl Sagan is awesome. My fav. is Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors and the similar but older Dragons of Eden.

I think sometimes about the fact that he died of a brain tumour or brain cancer very young, and that he was such an outspoken athiest.

I remember there was a study of centigenerians a while back. They wanted to find what lifestyle traits they had in common that led to a long life. There was actually very little. Some drank, some didn't, some ate rich foods, some didn't.

The one thing they all had in common, was a very strong faith in God.

This is a very powerful video. I love it.

for more information on the project, see http://tinyurl.com/ht9zj

as for Specter, he's been outspoken about it, but he is eager to cover it up by just changing the law so it is in compliance with what the preznit has been doing, rather than have any serious investigation or accountability.

The irony is that Arlen Specter is one of the most outspoken Republican senators against Bush. Still good work though.