This simple statement set in motion a series of events which will reverberate in history.“If I were to suggest that between the Earth and Mars there is a china teapot revolving about the sun in an elliptical orbit, nobody would be able to disprove my assertion .............. But if I were to go on to say that, since my assertion cannot be disproved, it is an intolerable presumption on the part of human reason to doubt it, I should rightly be thought to be talking nonsense. If, however, the existence of such a teapot were affirmed in ancient books, taught as the sacred truth every Sunday, and instilled into the minds of children at school, hesitation to believe in its existence would become a mark of eccentricity and entitle the doubter to the attentions of the psychiatrist in an enlightened age or of the Inquisitor in an earlier time.”
The Wedgewood files
Sneer Review reports on an in-depth investigation into "The Wedgwood Document" which outlines how the teapot from the famous atheist Bertrand Russell was acquired to undermine the recent successes from atheists.
Remember that Bertrand Russell had stated
27 Comments
Philip Bruce Heywood · 13 May 2008
It was observed, coming in. Hence the term, me tea, orright?
Ravilyn Sanders · 13 May 2008
These jokers still have not learnt the basics. I mean, they show a clearly credible picture of the tea pot hanging in front of the main aperture of Hubble, and then proceed to spoil it by captioning it "An artist's impression of ..blah ..blah" ... What the hell were they thinking? Just create a picture and just make it available. Attaching a description, legend or a caption to it should be done at the point-of-sale. Depending on the credulity of the audience, we should be at a liberty to say "that was the Real picture" in rural Alabama. In other places like New Hampshire where the audience is known to be a little skeptical, we should be able to ratchet down the hyperbole appropriately. Not knowing this fundamentals of fundamental mentality is the main downfall of Sneer Review. Took all that trouble to photoshop and got so little mileage out of that picture. Look what the masters of the photoshop game were able to do in the thread about flagella.
Torbjörn Larsson, OM · 13 May 2008
Besides, it wouldn't be a proof if you don't explain where the first teapot comes from. Where is the evidence for your "mud to pot" theory, mr a-teaist? Russellism is just a theory.
Amadán · 13 May 2008
Aha! This explains the Flying Saucer used by the alien Intelligent Designers when they came to seed life on Earth!
But seriously, I'm sure that atheists will brew the day they allowed their beliefs to be challenged like this. The Discupery Insteatute will spout about this for ages, seeing how the pot is clearly Irreducible Cuplex.
stevaroni · 13 May 2008
Lies, Lies, all blasphemous lies!
Everyone knows it's not a teapot, it's a giant gravy boat, full of the most delectable, subtly spiced, marina sauce ever, standing by to serve the Spaghetti Monster in Her time of need, when, tired from her greatest works, her brow will be troubled and dryness threatens.
Modern Pastafarian theology holds that there are even greater manifestations of Her power out there, including the Great Cheese Shaker, but at the moment our technology fails us in our search.
Peace be upon Her Noodly Appendage.
stevaroni · 13 May 2008
Oops Marinara sauce.
*&%#! spell checkers!
Ed Hensley · 13 May 2008
That was funny, but I liked their other post, Ben-Steinian Rhapsody, sung to the tune of Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody.
http://sneerreview.blogspot.com/2008_04_01_archive.html
harold · 13 May 2008
On a serious note, I laughed at the "6000 light year creation horizon" thing...
But I have also long suspected that the neglect of Hubble repair may be motivated by exactly that. Bush-connected fundamentalists are annoyed that its use implies a more than 6000 year old universe.
David Fickett-Wilbar · 13 May 2008
It's Wedgwood, with no middle "e." This probably seems small to you guys, but it really ticks off Wedgwood collectors like my wife. I guess it would be a little like consistently writing "Charles Darwinn."
JeffXL · 13 May 2008
wamba · 13 May 2008
wamba · 13 May 2008
Russell's teapot, Ockham's razor - we must convince Dawkins to donate a household utensil to the collection.
MememicBottleneck · 13 May 2008
This thread is really steeped in puns.
GvlGeologist, FCD · 13 May 2008
Henry J · 13 May 2008
TE · 13 May 2008
Yes, we're Twining for more.
Or should I say Oolonging for more?
Dave Thomas · 13 May 2008
Stacy S. · 13 May 2008
Aauurrgghh! I can't take the punishment! :-(
Michael J · 13 May 2008
I'm an atheist and all and that site is very funny, but does it belong on PT? I thought this site was about the evolution debate not about atheism-theism.
MememicBottleneck · 13 May 2008
the pro from dover · 13 May 2008
If it were the Wedgwood document then that would be Darwin's wife, mother, and grandmother. Can anyone sing the bensteinian rhapsody because the tune is really cool, (but very difficult) there must be a way to karaoke this.
Crudely Wrott · 13 May 2008
Hi, Michael J. Nice to meet you. I can understand your question. But here's the deal: this is only a part of the conversation. As much as any conversation will veer in an unexpected direction from time to time or rehash something discussed quite recently and yet still hover around and gradually approach a certain idea, this one does too. Jump in at any point! :-)
JuliaL · 13 May 2008
Jeff Webber · 13 May 2008
I am saddened to see this great site degenerate into mindless drivel. It makes me feel like the man who had the nightmare and chewed up his pillow. When asked how he was feeling he tried to put a brave face on it. Oh, just a little "down-in-the-mouth".
For some reason it also reminds me of the great question: Why was communications in the old West so much better than in Hitler's Germany?
The old West could use fast horses. Germany had to depend on Gerbils.
Jeff Webber · 13 May 2008
Nuts, I forgot you can't use angle brackets. This isn't on topic, but...Why was communications in the old west better than Hitler's Germany?
The old west had the Pony Express, Hitler depended on Gerbils(sic).
Sean S. · 14 May 2008
Kenneth Oberlander · 14 May 2008
Memetic botteleneck:
Pot, meet kettle