Kentucky city clerk Kim Davis is receiving notoriety for standing up for her sincerely held religious convictions by abstaining from issuing same sex marriage lisences. As a result she has since been jailed. This morning I awoke to social media thick with people coming to her defense. I get it. The … [Read more...]
Free will, determinism, or something in between?
November 25, 2014 by 4 Comments
For the religious adherent, whether we are agents created by the Almighty to freely act according to our desires, or we are under His divine direction will depend on your theology. A case could be made either way I suppose. I think the Atheist has a more difficult time reconciling the … [Read more...]
It’s not my fault you’re an Atheist
October 20, 2014 by 184 Comments
I wish I had a nickel for every time I interacted with an Atheist who who seems to be desperate to latch on to the idea that atheism is best defined as a lack of belief . It seems that they will relentlessly argue for that loose definition to no end. Moreover, these same Atheists will rarely if … [Read more...]
Pascal’s Wager and picking the correct God
September 25, 2014 by 9 Comments
Pascal’s Wager isn’t an argument for God’s existence, even though it’s often misunderstood to be one. It’s a cost benefit analysis between believing in or rejecting God. Skeptics, I believe, are far too dismissive because I don’t think its weight is realized. The wager holds no power for skeptics … [Read more...]
When can God take a life?
September 11, 2014 by 353 Comments
Skeptics and Atheists aside, most people can accept -- even if they don't like it -- that God takes life. When it comes to our loved ones, it doesn't matter how much time we had with them, we could have -- should have -- had more. But when it comes to life and death, some causes of death we seem … [Read more...]
Liberal Christians: In the world and of the world
August 14, 2014 by 322 Comments
Social scientists have taken up the task of surveying nearly 16,000 Americans about their views on certain social issues. I can't say I'm too surprised at the results shown in the chart below. Via The Whitherspoon Institute: What is the sexual and relational morality of Christians who … [Read more...]
No true Scotsman: Sometimes they’re just not
August 11, 2014 by 321 Comments
This is really for one kind of reader: Atheists. Often a skeptic will cite some particular Christian, or group of Christians and hold them up as a representative sample of Christians and Christianity. There also exist sects of people who claim for themselves the label of "Christian" yet are … [Read more...]
God and little green men
July 31, 2014 by 29 Comments
Whenever it is thought that an Earth - like planet has been discovered, speculation of the presence of life there is also part of the discussion. With the thought of life on other planets comes the ramifications this might have on religion. My experience is that skeptics and Atheists are under the … [Read more...]
What exactly is religious fundamentalism
July 27, 2014 by 265 Comments
I hear the term "fundamentalist" tossed around as though it's some kind of pejorative. It's as if being a fundamentalist of whatever stripe is a bad thing. When I hear the term, I'm not automatically associating the label negatively. It seems to me that a fundamentalist, is someone who believes … [Read more...]
God and coincidence
June 11, 2014 by 21 Comments
Do you believe in fate? Coincidence? Full divine providence? Or maybe a combination? In religious circles a good many people believe God is controlling our lives, in that there are no coincidences. I'm not delving into whether God can do this, or has the right. Rather what is the case. For me, I … [Read more...]
Little green men still more likely than God?
June 4, 2014 by 2 Comments
What is it with atheist scientists and aliens? (Raw Story) -- Astrophysicist and Cosmos host Neil DeGrasse Tyson told MSNBC host Chris Hayes that while it’s audacious enough for human beings to say they’re capable of defining intelligence, he would still like to know if there’s other intelligent … [Read more...]
Who was Jesus?
May 28, 2014 by 31 Comments
Taking into consideration how substantial Christianity's impact on the world has been, I think everyone needs to be able to answer this question. If Christianity is true, then answering this question accurately is even more consequential. Skeptics: do you at least concede that knowing exactly who … [Read more...]
ZQTX Q&A
May 27, 2014 by 13 Comments
A semi-regular commenter, ZQTX, wondered aloud what "the precise point where you accept and do not accept the science". I think it's a bit loaded, but asked in good faith nonetheless. He provided a sample list of questions which I'll answer here. It's not likely to interest many other readers, … [Read more...]
Are all religions pretty much the same?
May 22, 2014 by 12 Comments
Broadly speaking, skeptics rarely differentiate between the world's religions. When it comes to the real or perceived evils done in the name of religion, or by religious adherents they're one in the same. This is especially true when discussing Islamic terrorism or the Crusades and Inquisition. … [Read more...]
Is God all-loving? Is He all-forgiving?
May 21, 2014 by 128 Comments
Yesterday morning whilst enjoying my breakfast at my favorite restaurant, a friend of mine made a comment in response to something (I don't recall what) that God is all forgiving, all merciful, and all loving. I actually hear this a lot. It's usually offered as a rejoinder to my claims that some … [Read more...]
What do we deserve?
May 19, 2014 by 13 Comments
Even after having thought about this particular subject for some many years, I'm still not sure how to articulate it adequately. I'm sure you've said, or heard someone else say "I deserve..." or, "I really don't deserve...". These pleadings are usually offered within the context of something the … [Read more...]
You’re just not getting it!
May 15, 2014 by 16 Comments
Issues for which there are essentially two sides have people vociferously arguing for their position. Most often each side simply talks past one another. A while back I asked of those on the pro-life and pro-choice issue to vent on what it is the other side just doesn't get. Now I'm asking my theist … [Read more...]
How should we interpret Holy Writ?
May 14, 2014 by 25 Comments
Regardless of the subject matter, all communication needs to be interpreted. Someone with my convictions, how I should be going about interpreting the Bible is vitally important. Let me explain what I mean since it might not be evident. I'm not talking about what a particular passage means, as … [Read more...]
I’m the reason you’re not a Christian?
May 12, 2014 by 15 Comments
'Why don't you believe God exists?' is asked of professing Atheists all the time. One of the answers I hear most: no one has given me a good enough reason/enough evidence to believe in God. This answer seems vacant to me, and should be to the Atheist who offers it, especially a philosophically … [Read more...]
SCOTUS rules that offended Atheists need to relax
May 6, 2014 by 15 Comments
It never ceases to amaze me when an activist group of Atheists complain that public prayers by public officials hurts their feelings and makes them feel excluded. It really is silliness. It has never been unconstitutional to begin official government activities with prayer, especially Christian … [Read more...]
Sifting Reality 
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