Most people who read the Bible do not concern themselves with anything deeper than the words on the page. What I mean is, outside the few with a penchant for exploring textual criticism, people trust that the words in their hands are the words that were written -- translated, of course, from their … [Read more...]
With Sifting Reality, I have offered the world as I see it. I do it for the discussion. I like the interaction -- both dissent and assent. I visit many skeptical blogs as well as fellow religious and Christian blogs. On my ventures I have witnessed and experienced smugness, arrogance, and … [Read more...]
One complaint about Christianity made by skeptics is the pettiness of a God who would condemn people to eternal punishment simply for not believing in the right God/adhering to the right religion. Of course, that's not necessarily true (See: Just Where Do You Think You're Going?), though it is a … [Read more...]
It wasn't long ago that I was listening to a Christian apologist's radio call-in show when an Atheist protested what he considered to be the biblical view that people spend an eternity in hell. It has been my experience that Atheists tend to offer poor objections to Christian doctrine generally … [Read more...]
I cannot say I admire his work, but Christopher Hitchens will be admired by me for his willingness to confront and engage ideas contrary to his own. I have seen few Atheist activists, of which Hitchens was one, so quick to accept debates or public appearances with Christian apologists to discuss … [Read more...]
Tim Tebow is known for at least two things: a curious football success and, being an outspoken Christian. Tebow uses every opportunity to voice his Christian faith, and has at times caught some negative attention for it. In response to former Denver Broncos quarterback, Jake Plummer's criticism of … [Read more...]
Some of my readers may have noticed that when I argue against certain social positions, I do not invoke God or religion. More specifically, when arguing for the pro-life position, or against abortion; or against same-sex marriage, I do not make appeals to God, the Bible, or religion to do so. In … [Read more...]
Sometimes people say the darndest things. Well, conditioned to say the darndest things. Over the past few decades or so, political correctness (PC) has conditioned people to above all else, not offend. The implementation of PC has made for some strange conversations. What's most silly about the … [Read more...]
Popular biologist Richard Dawkins is known for his contempt for all things religious. In his recent interview with the UK's The Guardian, he had this to say, via The Blaze: Jesus was a great moral teacher and I was suggesting that somebody as intelligent as Jesus would have been an atheist if he … [Read more...]
Having discussions with Atheists and Humanists about morality can prove to be frustrating, for everyone involved. On the one hand you have Theists who argue that the skeptics cannot properly ground morality given Naturalism. Skeptics often understand this to mean 'Atheists cannot behave morally … [Read more...]
A [long] while back I was asked this question: Aren't Atheists more moral than religious believers [Christians] because they act morally without motivation or fear of divine reward or reprisal? Since there is no transcendent God [on the atheist view] to whom they are accountable, and goodness is … [Read more...]
Despite many Skeptic's claim to rationality and clear thinking being behind their dismissal of God, often their actions show otherwise. In Plano, Texas a local business owner began offering discounts for oil changes with one special caveat: Quote John 3:16. Provided the customer recites the … [Read more...]
"That's just your interpretation!" This objection to arguments either for or against religious assertions is bandied about by both religious skeptics and religious adherents who disagree on certain ideas -- as if it actually means anything. This objection carries some widely held presumptions. … [Read more...]
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...]
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...]
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...]
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...]
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...]
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...]
Recently, Oscar Rivera, author of Somemusician.wordpress.com presented his version of an Ontological Argument Against the Existence of God as a counter example to the classical Ontological Argument for the existence of God. As a practice, I do not use the Ontological Argument for the existence of … [Read more...]
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