People who are passionate enough about an issue to debate it use many different arguments to make their case. Obviously some arguments will be better than others. What we all try to avoid when debating an issue is misunderstandings -- clarity before agreement. Sometimes we aren't clear when … [Read more...]
If Good Evidence For Your God Exists, Then Why…
June 21, 2012 by 25 Comments
We all know people who hold their views for reasons we see as vacuous (See: Emotional Problems, The Price Of Tea In China). Even people we would consider otherwise intelligent. I'm going to pick on skeptics here because, by and large, they claim to hold the intellectual high ground when it comes … [Read more...]
At What Point Is An Answer Not An Excuse?
June 19, 2012 by 9 Comments
I would say the most frustrating facet of debate with others is the constant rehashing of previous subjects. I have often wondered if it's worth putting in the effort. Over the years-decades-millenia Theists and Atheists, for instance, have debated the same issues, with the same arguments, with … [Read more...]
The Bible Says So
June 18, 2012 by 70 Comments
'Because the Bible says so, that's why!' I can understand the frustration of the skeptic when he encounters a Christian defending his beliefs like this. It frustrates me too. Why would the Christian expect the skeptic to grant the Bible the same level of authority as does he? Regardless of how … [Read more...]
The Bible Is Full Of Contradictions…
June 12, 2012 by 14 Comments
Or so says the skeptic. The argument that the Bible is replete with inconsistencies and contradictions is not a new one (See: Please Pass The White-out). But a seemingly innocuous discussion with my wife made me think back to all the arguments with skeptics on inerrancy I've had. Every discussion … [Read more...]
Are you a Real Atheist?
June 6, 2012 by 13 Comments
One critique of Christians and Christianity by skeptics is the variations within the religion. Some skeptics refer to this as one's brand of Christianity. I have also seen the phrase True Christian®, or Real Christian™ with the pejoratively placed trademark symbols. I understand the point. It … [Read more...]
Atheism as a lack of belief (and reason)
June 4, 2012 by 42 Comments
Vocal Atheists more often than not seem to be desperate to latch on to the [false] idea that atheism is best defined as a lack of belief (See: Not At All Lacking, Who Did You Say You Were Again?, I Don't Not Believe It). It seems that they will relentlessly argue for that loose definition to no … [Read more...]
I’m not dead yet
May 30, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Just to keep any regular readers updated: I haven't quit this endeavor yet. My absence is due to a new home purchase and moving is a bit hectic. My wife and I bought a house not long after we were engaged about nine years ago just before the home prices began to inflate to absurd levels. We … [Read more...]
Atheists: George Carlin’s Ironic Punchline
May 25, 2012 by 155 Comments
One of my favorite comedians is the late George Carlin. I got hooked on him in my teen years because I thought his humor pointing out the obvious and then making fun of the obvious was keen. In his early years, he poked fun at religion the way he poked fun at other things. An avowed Atheist, his … [Read more...]
Water Under The Bridge
May 21, 2012 by 9 Comments
I try not to get too preachy on this blog, and have rarely taken the opportunity to opine on personal matters, but I must from time to time. Some things in my life have led me to confront what it truly means to forgive. "I forgive you", "it's water under the bridge", "don't worry about it", and … [Read more...]
Leave Your Kids In Public School
May 14, 2012 by 35 Comments
I know a few parents who home school their children. They do so because they are not fond of the atmosphere and disagree with how public schools are run. I can't blame them, the decline in the quality of the public school system has been steady for years. Surveys show that home schooled children … [Read more...]
Why I No Longer Believe God Exists
May 8, 2012 by 17 Comments
I came to a realization today at work. One that will inevitably have dramatic implications for my life, and those around me. You see, for the last 8-10 years I have been an adamant believer that God exists, the Christian God in particular. Most of that time has been spent defending the faith … [Read more...]
From Which Worldview Does Human Equality Naturally Follow?
May 2, 2012 by 23 Comments
I truly believe the vast majority of people do in fact believe all human beings to be equal. Whether that is consistent with their overall worldview is another matter all together. However, I think only one worldview is able to deem all human beings ontologically equal without requiring some … [Read more...]
What is equality?
April 27, 2012 by 21 Comments
Not long ago I asked what I thought was an important question to which everyone needs to have an answer in What makes all human beings equal? The post didn't elicit as many replies or discussion as I had anticipated. But I'd like to pose a somewhat rhetorical question. The call for people … [Read more...]
Secret Services
April 18, 2012 by 2 Comments
Making recent headline for all the wrong reasons last week was the U.S. Secret Service for their late night escapades in Cartagena, Colombia. (NyTimes) -- American investigators seeking to get to the bottom of the reported late-night activities of a group of Secret Service agents and military … [Read more...]
Desperate Atheism
April 16, 2012 by 20 Comments
I have come to at least one more conclusion about the mindset of some Atheists when it comes to confronting God and religion. There is a differing degree of desperation in a number of Atheists to disprove the existence of God which manifests itself in a number of ways. Yesterday I encountered two … [Read more...]
Is Homosexuality Natural?
April 5, 2012 by 127 Comments
The above picture was featured in a social media post by another blogger. His intention I believe was fairly innocuous, but of course me being one who cannot allow a controversial statement pass without saddling others with my opinion, I responded with a question: In how many species is cannibalism … [Read more...]
Survey shows car preferences between Reps/Dems
April 1, 2012 by 19 Comments
A study of 38,000 noted the vehicle preferences of republicans and democrats. (NyTimes) -- Are some vehicle models more popular with Democrats, and others with Republicans? That is the suggestion of a study conducted by Strategic Vision, a marketing research and industry forecasting … [Read more...]
What makes all human beings equal?
March 29, 2012 by 59 Comments
This seems like a rather mundane question to some, but one everyone needs to have an answer to. It has profound implications politically, sociologically, and religiously. I think it is fair to say that the great majority of us believe all human beings are equal -- not necessarily in social status, … [Read more...]
Sifting Reality 
Who said what…