Why, so he could be offended of course. The latest decision by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled the war memorial cross at Mt. Soledad as it stands is unconstitutional. "[W]e conclude that the Memorial, presently configured and as a whole, primarily conveys a message of government … [Read more...]
Don’t Take It Personally
January 1, 2011 by 21 Comments
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...]
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...]
Counterfeit Truth
December 3, 2010 by Leave a Comment
Anyone who regularly follows Sifting Reality knows how important I think it is to be accurate in the beliefs one holds; especially in the arena of religious ideas. One's views on God are of ultimate importance. If God is real, then it is highly significant who God is; what God is like; and … [Read more...]
The Elephant In The Room
November 28, 2010 by Leave a Comment
I had been debating with myself as to whether I should provide my take on this particular analogy describing the world's religions. It is not one I see referenced all that often, nor has it ever been offered to me for consideration by someone attempting to defend religious pluralism. However … [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...]
Prove It!
November 20, 2010 by 20 Comments
"Prove to me God exists!" is a challenge I regularly encounter in discussions with atheists. Atheists are not the only group of people to offer this type of challenge, I also interact with Christians or some other adherent to another religious system who will also request of me to "prove my case" … [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...]
Unfit Parents
November 7, 2010 by Leave a Comment
The Daily Mail, a British online newspaper, is reporting on a Christian couple who have been refused the opportunity to provide foster care to children due to their Christian convictions for taking the biblical stance on homosexuality. It seems that the couple, during their interview was asked: “Do … [Read more...]
Spiritual Atheism
November 4, 2010 by 17 Comments
Having read and listened to the thoughts of many "spiritual but not religious" people, I have come to believe it is nothing short of self or ideological-deification. No matter whether they profess to believe in God(s) or some higher power, the end is the same. They ultimately extol themselves or … [Read more...]
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