If the Universe has a beginning, it must also have a cause, and I believe it can be argued successfully that both are true; which I believe entails a personal immaterial cause; one which is un-mechanical and not determined by physical laws. We know scientifically and philosophically the universe … [Read more...]
Put Your Hands Up!
December 30, 2010 by 30 Comments
One of the many bad arguments skeptics make against the reliability and authority of the Bible is that the authors were biased. The fact that they were Christians disqualifies them from reporting accurately the events they record. Is it true that we cannot grant credibility to the Gospels and … [Read more...]
Experiment In The Reliability Of The Gospels
December 29, 2010 by 13 Comments
In a recent entry in the Cross Examined Blog, the author decided to make a point about the reliability of the "contradictory" Gospel accounts of the resurrection of Jesus, and why they are not in fact contradictory. Briefly, the main charge of skeptics of the Gospel accounts is the accounts … [Read more...]
It’s To Die For
December 28, 2010 by 20 Comments
What is so unique about the earliest disciples of Jesus being martyred for their claim Jesus was raised from the dead? Many believers of various religious systems--Muslims for example--die and commit suicide regularly for what they believe to be true. Christian apologists arguing for the … [Read more...]
Oh, The Humanity
December 28, 2010 by 9 Comments
When someone offers the objection to God's existence, or the existence of a morally just God by pointing to all the evil in the world and suggesting a morally good God who is powerful ought to alleviate it, has not thought the objection through. I have most often heard it formulated like this: If … [Read more...]
Don’t Come A-Knockin’
December 27, 2010 by 1 Comment
Evangelism sometimes gets a bad reputation for having the appearence of "forcing" a religious belief on an otherwise religious or theologically satisfied person. I suspect most people like where they are in respect to their religious beliefs and generally wish to stay there. Evangelism can be seen … [Read more...]
A Burden The Hand
December 26, 2010 by 1 Comment
I think the obligation on who carries the burden of proof in any given argument is often misunderstood, particularly when it comes to religious claims, and the existence of God. Well, who carries it? Most people understand it is whom ever is making a claim, and it is. It is easy, however, for the … [Read more...]
Try Some Of My Jesus
December 19, 2010 by 5 Comments
Just today I was thinking about a three-way conversation I had with another Christian and a skeptic. To be honest, I had introduced myself into the conversation upon overhearing the subject; since I know both individuals so it was not out-of-place to interject. The Christian was "witnessing" to … [Read more...]
The Complaint Department Is Closed #13
December 14, 2010 by 4 Comments
Understandably the images and ideas slavery conjures in our minds given our reference point of 17th century through mid-19th century America, shape and serves as a filter for our approach to the topic whenever it arises. The manner in which American slavery was carried out was broadly speaking, … [Read more...]
Be Afraid, Be Very Afraid
December 12, 2010 by 3 Comments
Every so often I hear someone offer an argument against belief in God that on its surface could be compelling, but once examined, actually works in favor of belief. This happens when the argument is not carefully thought through. This is not to say only Atheists or only those advancing ideas … [Read more...]
What’s That Supposed To Mean?
December 6, 2010 by 1 Comment
The common rejoinder to a biblical quotation which refutes someone's argument, "That's just your interpretation!" is the Custer-esque last stand when backed into a corner in an attempt to hold to a non-biblical position. Rather than give up the non-biblical view in preference to the better … [Read more...]
Funny Thing About Surveys
December 5, 2010 by 1 Comment
I had read the headlines, and perused the blogosphere which boasted "Atheists know more than Theists when it comes to religion" in reaction to survey results released by Pew Research in a study called: U.S. Religious Knowledge Survey back in late September. The results were broken into two parts, … [Read more...]
The Complaint Department Is Closed #12
November 27, 2010 by 19 Comments
GII's twelfth complaint truly illuminates their lack of a desire to understand what it is they are criticizing; or at least they make no attempt to harmonize their complaints into a non-contradictory list. Proof number 12: See The Magic This next complaint makes several of the same unwarranted … [Read more...]
Who Needs Morality?
November 11, 2010 by 19 Comments
The debate between Theists and Atheists about whether morality exists, is difficult to focus on due to the misunderstanding between the question "does morality exist", and "can an Atheist act in a moral manner". The equivocation is usually made on the part of the Atheist, though I am not trying to … [Read more...]
Christianity…Is Unconstitutional
November 9, 2010 by Leave a Comment
Those of you who follow news and politics on a national level are aware that the state of Oklahoma put on November's ballot State Question 755 for consideration by the citizens of Oklahoma. The measure passed with overwhelming support, 70.08% in favor of amending the state constitution. The ballot … [Read more...]
The Complaint Department Is Closed #11
November 1, 2010 by Leave a Comment
Continuing in my endeavor to respond to GII's 50 proofs, we arrive at number 11, which seems to be misnamed since the proofs (read: complaints) really are not scientific in nature. There are references to GII's other proofs which act as the evidence for number 11 whereby making this really a … [Read more...]
The Complaint Department Is Closed #10
October 28, 2010 by Leave a Comment
GII's 10th proof builds upon the flawed reasoning in the first and second proofs offered. The first of which is addressed in The Complaint Dept. is Closed #1, where they misrepresent Bible passages dealing with answering prayer by isolating the verses from their overall context. Because of GII's … [Read more...]
The Fortune Cookie Bible
October 26, 2010 by 4 Comments
Considering my inquisitive nature, I tend to ask a lot of questions when political and religious topics arise in conversation. It might surprise you but my most intense conversations are held with other Christians. Granted I am usually responsible for elevating the conversation, but not … [Read more...]
The Complaint Department Is Closed #9
October 23, 2010 by Leave a Comment
Proof number 9: Understand Ambiguity The argument of "proof #9" is convoluted and, as a result, somewhat difficult to lay out. The basic idea seems to be this: Some prayed for events actually occur, and these events may or may not be caused by divine intervention. We have been unable to detect any … [Read more...]
Can You Feel The Love?
October 20, 2010 by 2 Comments
The news as of late has had the unfortunate burden of reporting on a string of homosexual teen suicide stories. It is reported that persistent bullying of the teens had left them in such despair as to cause them to consider taking their own lives the only viable option. Resulting from these … [Read more...]
Sifting Reality 
Who said what…