This graph depicts an approximate period of time span since the big bang to the present day. I find it fascinating when I consider the history of the universe and the enormous amount of time in relation to my own existence in this world. It’s amazing to think that the orange bit at the end depicts the age of the earth and the tiny blue bit depicts all multi-cellular life.

It is important to note that this is an approximation and that this is based upon my own research, some of you will note that many key events have been left out; this is only due to the practical limitation of depicting such a vast expanse of time in a small post. I may create an animated version with more information in due course. I would also like to confess that I am not an expert in this field and despite my attention to detail & accuracy, there could be some small errors. Should you spot any, please leave a comment.

The orange bit will be discussed in the next graph.

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Geological Time-scale.

This graph depicts an approximate age of the earth to the present day. The Earth has gone through some turbulent changes in its history and our existence does not even register at this scale. The Blue, Green, Orange & Brown bits at the end depict all multi-cellular life.

The time span of life will be discussed in the next graph.

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Evolutionary Time-scale.

This graph depicts an approximate evolutionary period to the present day. The time it has taken for life to evolve is immense spanning 530 Million years; note that human development is the tiny yellow bit at the end of this scale.

The time span of human development will be discussed in the next graph.

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Hominid Time-scale.

This graph depicts an approximate evolutionary period from the earliest Hominids to present day Humans. The time it has taken for Humans to evolve is 2 Million years; note that humans only started to develop agriculture in the past 12 Thousand years, which is depicted by the tiny green bit at the end.

The time span of Agricultural development and Civilisation will be discussed in the next graph.

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Time-scale of recorded Human History.

This graph depicts the approximate amount of time from the earliest human settlers to the present day. Again, you may notice many important events have been left out, again due to the limitations of the medium.

But the time it has taken for Humans to develop technology, create & destroy civilisations  has only happened in the last 12 Thousand years; note that it is in the last 100 years that we have become industrialised, learned how to manipulate electricity, and create a global market. With our ability to change our surroundings, its no wonder that humans think themselves above all other species.

One way to get the full benefit of this presentation is to memorise this graph,scroll back up to the one above and compare it to the small green bit at the end of the graph above, & then do it again with the other graphs until you get back to the start.

When we consider our place in context to the entire expanse of time and space, it is a humbling experience.

Intelligent people ‘less likely to believe in God’ -  The Telegraph.

IQ vs Religiousity.

Doulas Adams Quote used in Dawkins Speech.

Religion . . . has certain ideas at the heart of it which we call sacred or holy or whatever. What it means is, ‘Here is an idea or a notion that you’re not allowed to say any-thing bad about; you’re just not. Why not? – because you’re not!’

We are used to not challenging religious ideas but it’s very interesting how much of a furore Richard creates when he does it! Everybody gets absolutely frantic about it because you’re not allowed to say these things. Yet when you look at it rationally there is no reason why those ideas shouldn’t be as open to debate as any other, except that we have agreed somehow between us that they shouldn’t be.

Complete video at: http://fora.tv/2007/07

The following is a shortened transcript of Sam’s talk in the video above. There are three main areas where many people misconstrue Atheism.

1. Atheists think there’s nothing beyond human life & human understanding: Truth is Atheists are free to admit there’s much about the Universe we don’t understand. But its more obvious that the Bible or Quran does not reflect our best understanding of it.
2. Atheists are closed to spiritual experience: Nothing prevents an Atheist from experiencing self transcending awe or love. What atheists don’t do is make unjustified claims about the cosmos based upon those experiences.
3. Atheism is responsible for the greatest crimes of the 20^th Century: It’s amazing how many people think the crimes of Hitler, Stalin and Pol Pot are the result of Atheism. Truth is that this is misconstrued from the Psychological & Social/Political forces that allowed people to follow their leaders into the brink. The problem with Fascism & Communism is not that they were too critical of Religion. The problem is that they are too much like Religion. They were utterly dogmatic systems of thought. Hitler himself invoked Jesus in many of his speeches. The history of Muslim Jihad does have something to do with Islam, the fact we’re not funding stem cell research does have something to do with what Christians believe about conception and the human soul.

It’s important to focus on the specific consequences of specific ideas.

Classic Dave Allen at his best….

This is a good piece created by this vlogger, who shall remain nameless until you’ve seen the clip. Even though the subject matter makes it difficult to avoid its cheesy moments, this short clip, makes an honest point in just a few minutes. It is not a history lesson, and is not meant to be, but more a homage to Carl Sagan’s Pale Blue Dot, and Cosmos.

The clip simply outlines how our natural human instinct to be egocentric is no longer necessary and that science has shown humanity that is not that significant when we consider the scale and the age of the Universe, and how our lives have changed for the better with the development of technology.

Probably one of the best calls to the Atheist Experience , proving the point that if hell exists then god is responsible and further shows that if god exists then he/she/it is not a loving god.

This also relates to the problem of evil. By Epicurus c300bc.

Is God willing but not able to prevent evil?
Then he is not omnipotent.

Is God able but not willing to prevent evil?
Then he is malevolent.

Is God both willing and able to prevent evil?
Then whence cometh evil.

Is God neither able nor willing to prevent evil?
Then why call him god.