In at least two conversations on the subject of religion in the past week for rejecting God, the reason was that God is merely a projection of the self onto an imaginary representation. In other words, the qualities and attributes of the God people believe they worship aren't really the attributes … [Read more...]
What A Relief
January 10, 2012 by 45 Comments
Christianity (and religious belief generally) is sometimes criticized for being nothing more than an emotional crutch of some sort by its critics. Its adherents find solace in knowing an eternal reward is awaiting them for their faithful devotion. There is something comforting and fulfilling in … [Read more...]
Whatever Doesn’t Kill You, Makes You Stronger
January 7, 2012 by 112 Comments
Keep your laws off my body is the first thing I see upon entering the locker-room emblazoned on a bumper sticker where I work. I find this to be one of the weaker slogans offered by those who defend elective abortion: That the issue is about the woman's body alone. In fact, I would go so far as to … [Read more...]
Magic Eye Jesus
January 4, 2012 by 5 Comments
With all the complaints Atheists have against theists generally, and Christians in particular accusing most of having a gullible blind faith, you'd think Christians would be less willing to provide fodder. (Daily Mail) -- A woman who prayed for a sign from Jesus got a little more than she … [Read more...]
The Days Of Old (Genesis Creation)
January 3, 2012 by 117 Comments
Of the many issues that create barriers between Christians (usually) and skeptics is the age of the universe and the Earth. Within the Christian camp there are two factions: Young Earth Creationists (YEC) -- the universe and Earth are thousands and not millions or billions of years old. And Old … [Read more...]
Musicians are still poor theologians
January 1, 2012 by 7 Comments
Singer Ce-Lo Green held a performance for New Year's Eve giving his rendition of John Lennon's Imagine. Only it wasn't Lennon's version. Green, when he was supposed to say, Imagine there's no countries It isn't hard to do Nothing to kill or die for And no religion too Imagine all the … [Read more...]
Answer The Telephone, Part 2
December 30, 2011 by 52 Comments
In part one of Answer The Telephone, I discussed the critic's objection: the texts of the Bible have been edited and redacted (for whatever reason, be it clarification or theological tampering) during the history of its transmission so that we cannot know what the originals had to say, and the … [Read more...]
Answer The Telephone, Part 1
December 27, 2011 by 20 Comments
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...]
It really is too bad
December 22, 2011 by 32 Comments
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...]
Inclusively Exclusive
December 21, 2011 by 18 Comments
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...]
Infinitely Finite
December 19, 2011 by 107 Comments
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...]
Christopher Hitchens
December 16, 2011 by 66 Comments
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...]
Can’t Hardly Wait
December 14, 2011 by 4 Comments
There are many reasons women offer as to why they seek or have sought abortion. In my opinion, none are good enough to justify taking the life of the developing baby within her with the exception of saving the life of the mother. I admit when I characterize the reasons given for abortion, it … [Read more...]
With Or Without A Doubt
December 12, 2011 by 36 Comments
Every so often I like to reflect on the strength of my convictions that Christianity is true. Whether such an exercise has any substantial benefit, I don't know. But I like to know where I stand, and to what degree. Recently when pondering this, my focus shifted to the source of the strength of … [Read more...]
When Does Life Begin? Hint: It Doesn’t Matter
December 8, 2011 by 29 Comments
The morality of abortion hinges on different criteria depending on with whom it is you are discussing the issue. One of the most persistent defenses for abortion is the question of when life begins -- despite the answer to this question having been known for decades (See: Get A Life, Part 1). The … [Read more...]
If you can’t stand the heat…
December 7, 2011 by 5 Comments
The advent of social media outlets have made a small world even smaller. Friends of yesteryear and family rarely seen or heard from have been brought back together via Facebook, Twitter and other internet social mediums. In addition to reconnecting with family and friends, people put out there for … [Read more...]
All It Takes Is One?
December 5, 2011 by 39 Comments
Anyone apart of the Facebook world has likely seen a video of Zach Wahls petitioning the Iowa State House of Representatives opposing the proposed ban on same-sex marriage and civil unions. Wahls describes a storybook rendering of his childhood as he recounts being raised by a lesbian … [Read more...]
Jesus Scored A Touchdown…Maybe
November 28, 2011 by 25 Comments
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...]
Religion, Religion, Wherefore Art Thou Religion?
November 17, 2011 by 75 Comments
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...]
Just One Caveat, Or Two, Or Three…
November 13, 2011 by 22 Comments
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...]
Sifting Reality 
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