Fossil links humans and monkeys

Full story on the BBC News Site here

Researchers have discovered the skull of a 29 million-year-old animal that could be a common ancestor of Old World monkeys and apes, including humans.

It indicates that apes and Old World monkeys diverged millions of years later than previously thought, say the scientists.

The discovery was made in Saudi Arabia by researchers from the University of Michigan.

They described the primate, Saadanius hijazensis, in the journal Nature.

Dr William Sanders from the University of Michigan, who led the research, said this was “an extraordinary find”.

The skull of this previously unknown species had some features that are shared by Old World monkeys and apes, including humans, today

“Saadanius is close to a group that eventually led to us,” said Dr Sanders.

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lt_zippy2′s opinion:

This is very interesting and potentially exciting news, and one of the things that I love about this story is it’s cautious tone, e.g. “could be a common ancestor” and “we need to get out into the field and get more data before making bigger claims”.

The scientific method at its finest.

Oh and I wonder what the creationist response we be? Let me guess….

“Nuh ha”, or [with fingers in ears] “la la la la la la la”

…but don’t quote me on that!

For your consideration…

From a post by Mark in the news story “Creationists demand presence at the Giant’s Causeway”, he recommended a new acronym to use when a creationist posts an argument in a comment:

WiFi: Willful ignorance – Faulty intellect.

Let’s use it and see if we can get it to go viral! Click the link below, favourite and pass on!

For Your Consideration…

Also please note that this was re-uploaded after it was pointed out there was a spelling error. Correcting errors, who’d have thought!

Proud Supporter of “Protest the Pope”

Your organization, Atheism, listed on their website as Atheism UK, is now a proud supporter of the Protest the Pope campaign.

We do not wish to see a man who calls himself “God’s Vicar on Earth” and is thereby purely deluded, coming to this country and spreading his poisonous and demonstrable false doctrine to the people of this country, not to mention that he is implicated in the cover up of child rape and that he is making British taxpayers pay for the privilege in these financially troubled times.

If you have not already done so please click the above link and show your support.

Oh and as an aside the Government is asking us ways to save public money…click on the link below and tell them not to pay a single penny towards the Pope’s visit.

http://spendingchallenge.hm-treasury.gov.uk/

Go on, you know you want to!

Creationists demand presence at the Giant’s Causeway

Original article take from The Freethinker Magazine

An evangelical group based in Northern Ireland wants creationism reflected at the planned Giant’s Causeway visitors’ centre.

The iconic World Heritage Site is made up of spectacular basalt stone columns left by volcanic eruptions 60 million years ago.

The Caleb Foundation said it wanted equal prominence for its religious viewpoint. Foundation chairman, Wallace Thompson, has met the tourism minister Arlene Foster to discuss its request.

“All we are asking for is that the views that we hold, which are based on the Word of God, are at least respected and taken on board.”

The Foundation, according to its website is also trying to force creationist propaganda into the Ulster Museum. It states: “We fully accept that the theory of evolution is the view of the majority of scientists, but it is important to note that evolution is a theory not a fact.

“A visit to the Ulster Museum would not give that impression. Indeed, the very clear assertion is made across the entire ‘Nature Zone’ that evolution is a fact. This, presumably is quite deliberate, error is further compounded by the complete absence of even the nearest mention of any other theory of origins such as the biblical account of creation, for which there is strong scientific evidence.”

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lt_zippy2′s opinion:

Where do it start with this? OK at the beginning.

We know from the scientific evidence that the basalt columns are 60 million years old and are the result of volcanic eruptions. Ask any reputable geologist, and asking that thier veiws are taken on board can be answered thus:

“Please demonstrate that a) there is a god, b) the Bible is his word, c) it is literally true, d) explain all of the internal contradictions, e) explain the contradictions with the actual physical and confirmed evidence….your views have been considered and rejected!”

Next, to give them credit they are correct when they say the theory of evolution is the view of the majority of scientists. Yes about 99.99% of those that work in the relevant fields because the evidence is overwhelming, conclusive and has no other plausible explanation. However, in scientific terms evolution is BOTH a theory AND a fact, but obviously they have no idea what that means in a scientific context. Their own “theory” isn’t even a theory when using the scientific definition of theory.

Oh, and their last sentence can be corrected by replacing the word “strong” with “absolutely no”, you can do that yourself!

For shame…

Today I was at  a local community fete which brings together the local community that live and work in the area. I was there working a stall for the local musical theatre company of which I am a member (and performing in the arena).

One side of the field was dominated by a group calling themselves the “New Life Church” (I don’t know it they are anything to do with Ted “Completely Heterosexual” Haggard’s old mob, but it would not surprise me if they were). They were offering free tea and coffee and face painting, they also had this puppet shoe called the “JC Revival” where puppets dance to reworkings of popular songs (reworking in a particular manner which I think you can guess) to draw in the kids

…but the thing that I noticed was a small display at the end of their massive marquee which was titled “Thousands not millions” and “Dinosaurs an amazing Discovery”

Now I can guess exactly what those displays were about, but due to the fact I was on another stall, trying to give children lollipops (not what you think you suspiciously minded people), and I was performing I decided not to go and confront them. Being thrown out of a community event and alienating a chunk of the local community (this group is located in the area) would probably not be a good idea on this occasion, but if I was an ordinary punter I would have gone in there and attempted to educate them…

…but do not be fooled into thinking this young earth nonsense is an American phenomenon, it is right here on our doorstep!

July Newsletter

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Newsletter : July 2010 : Issue 4

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