My experience teaches me that it is rare for a skeptic to differentiate between the religions. Not for identification's sake, but in discussions of the real or perceived evils done in the name of religion, or by religious adherents. This was especially true following the terror of September 11th. … [Read more...]
Remember 9/11 With Your Story
September 11, 2011 by 7 Comments
I was 22 years old and still working as a Judicial Marshal at the time. It was the morning shift and we were waiting for the prisoner transportation van to arrive to take the morning's arraignments to the courthouse. I was still getting their property ready to be taken along with them. I don't … [Read more...]
Remembering September 11th
September 11, 2011 by Leave a Comment
A very moving and heartfelt speech by former president George W. Bush, one of his best. GEORGE W. BUSH, 43RD PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Mr. Secretary, thank you very much. Mr. Vice President, Dr. Biden, President Clinton, Mr. Speaker, members of Congress, my friends Tommy Franks and Tom … [Read more...]
The Prudence of “Islamophobia”
September 10, 2011 by 35 Comments
Leading up to and including this weekend there will be no shortage of opinions on both sides of the "Islamophobia" discussion. There are many people still harbor strong emotions against the ideology that is responsible for nearly 3,000 deaths which rekindle every year on the anniversary of … [Read more...]
Do you want fries with that?
September 7, 2011 by 14 Comments
Some fast food chains are petitioning the government to allow SNAP (food stamps) recipients to use their subsidies in their restaurants. Advocates such as Yum! spokesman Jonathan Blum are saying, "It makes perfect sense to expand a program that's working well in California, Arizona and Michigan, … [Read more...]
Give Me Liberty, And Give Me Death
September 5, 2011 by 9 Comments
I was listening to a semi-debate -- a discussion really -- about assisted suicide and assisted death, and whether there should be a legal option for one or both. I think the distinction is an important one. Generally speaking assisted suicide would be the aiding of a person to take their own … [Read more...]
Reinhardt Syndrome
September 2, 2011 by 53 Comments
I am glad to say that I have recently had the honor of having commenter Neil C. Reinhardt grace the pages of Sifting Reality. At first, I was under the impression the comments were spam, since identical wording in a comment here I also read on the blog, fribnitsworld. I just figured spammers were … [Read more...]
CT’s anti-price gouging law takes effect for Irene
August 28, 2011 by 11 Comments
WTNH -- As Hurricane Irene approaches, state lawmakers are reminding consumers that Connecticut's anti-price-gouging laws took effect after Gov. Dannel P. Malloy declared a state of emergency earlier this week. Under state law, no one is allowed to increase the price of any retail item during a … [Read more...]
Clowns and Nazis
August 26, 2011 by 15 Comments
If there is any wonder why conservatives use the term "Liberal Media", let me clear it up. I promise it wont take long. Washington Post - August 6, 2009 -- The new Obama poster has two basic thrusts. Obama is a socialist, or a crypto-socialist. And Obama is somehow like the Joker, unpredictable … [Read more...]
Gervais Christ
August 23, 2011 by 63 Comments
Atheist funny man Ricky Gervais is set to grace the cover of New Humanist magazine's September/October issue. Gervais is unapologetically an Atheist. And the cover is an obvious parody/mockery of Jesus' crucifixion. Is it meant to be offensive? Probably. You have the right to be offended, and I … [Read more...]
Proving The Myth
August 22, 2011 by 68 Comments
I though I'd try a little experiment. There is a growing trend that the idea that America was founded by Christians with the intent for Christianity to play a significant role on government and society is in some fashion revisionist. Was there the intent for religion generally, and Christianity … [Read more...]
The lesser of two evils is just fine
August 19, 2011 by 26 Comments
One cliché that absolutely rings true is "elections have consequences". I happen to take my job as a registered voter quite seriously. So much so that it bothers me when I hear people view the right so flippantly. What's worse is when people take a misguided "principled stand" by viewing the … [Read more...]
Fair Enough?
August 17, 2011 by 8 Comments
I think one of the most self-destructive mindsets a person can have is that of determined defeatism. We hear the phrase "that's not fair" often. I smile when I hear it from children, and sigh when I hear it from adults. It is a phrase uttered by a segment of the population who has become deceived … [Read more...]
All You Can Eat Buffett
August 15, 2011 by 24 Comments
In an op-ed piece penned in the New York Times, billionaire Warren Buffett perpetuates the liberal (self) hatred for the rich by complaining that the rich are not paying their fair share despite sitting atop their ranks. Buffett, and other liberals do not feel the wealthy are contributing their … [Read more...]
Undercover Christians
August 12, 2011 by 3 Comments
Sometimes religious organizations --usually Christians -- use outside secular facilities for social gatherings. Sometimes the venues are public school buildings. Many people mistakenly believe any iota of religion or a religious message being present on a public school campus is unconstitutional. … [Read more...]
[In]tolerance and Religious Freedom
August 10, 2011 by 23 Comments
Most people would support the idea of religious tolerance. After all, who would support intolerance, right? But when it comes time to practice tolerance, these days it seems to more closely resemble intolerance and hostility. Tolerance has traditionally been understood to mean … [Read more...]
Some Sin Required
August 9, 2011 by 14 Comments
We all have aspects of reality which our worldview either does not fully answer, or we are uncertain about. In Reconciling The Circularity, I shared my impression that the concept of reconciling real or apparent inconsistencies in the Bible presupposes there is a reconciliation, and additionally … [Read more...]
Entitlement mentality
August 8, 2011 by Leave a Comment
This clip from the Judge Judy show is exactly what's wrong with government subsidies to begin with. This man has no clue what Judge Judy is talking about and seems to confused as to why Judge Judy is implying he is doing something wrong by pocketing the taxpayer's free government money. The … [Read more...]
Equal Outcome, Or Equal Opportunity?
August 7, 2011 by 4 Comments
A recent report from the Pew Research Center has surveyed the gap in wealth between racial groups and has found that the gap between whites and other minorities is as wide as it has ever been in 2009. The median wealth of white households is 20 times that of black households and 18 times that of … [Read more...]
Not Good Enough, But Why?
August 1, 2011 by 58 Comments
Previously I had put a question out there to those who profess to be pro-choice on the issue of abortion. I wanted to know if (in the opinion of someone who is pro-choice) there was ever a reason a woman offered for why she would want an abortion that was simply not a good reason. Regardless of … [Read more...]
Sifting Reality 
Who said what…