This is a recording of Paul Harvey from a 1965 broadcast that is currently making its way around conservative blogs. In it Harvey lays out his plan, if he were the devil, for America in order to dismantle it. I have to say, it's quite eerie how many of his "predictions" we find present in America … [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...]
Will You Marry Me?
October 3, 2011 by 30 Comments
When it comes to the marriage issue, Christians who oppose same-sex marriage will point to the Bible to act as the guideline for marriage. What is usually implied, and sometimes said is, "God made Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve" or some other such slogan. To this, many supporters of same-sex … [Read more...]
Cyanide, Aspirin, and Breath Mints
September 13, 2011 by 14 Comments
My experience teaches me that it is rare for a skeptic to differentiate between the religions. Not for identification's sake, but in discussions of the real or perceived evils done in the name of religion, or by religious adherents. This was especially true following the terror of September 11th. … [Read more...]
Remembering September 11th
September 11, 2011 by Leave a Comment
A very moving and heartfelt speech by former president George W. Bush, one of his best. GEORGE W. BUSH, 43RD PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Mr. Secretary, thank you very much. Mr. Vice President, Dr. Biden, President Clinton, Mr. Speaker, members of Congress, my friends Tommy Franks and Tom … [Read more...]
Clowns and Nazis
August 26, 2011 by 15 Comments
If there is any wonder why conservatives use the term "Liberal Media", let me clear it up. I promise it wont take long. Washington Post - August 6, 2009 -- The new Obama poster has two basic thrusts. Obama is a socialist, or a crypto-socialist. And Obama is somehow like the Joker, unpredictable … [Read more...]
Proving The Myth
August 22, 2011 by 68 Comments
I though I'd try a little experiment. There is a growing trend that the idea that America was founded by Christians with the intent for Christianity to play a significant role on government and society is in some fashion revisionist. Was there the intent for religion generally, and Christianity … [Read more...]
Good Grades Not Good Enough
July 1, 2011 by 5 Comments
Merit based achievement is the pinnacle of success. To excel in a particular area due to personal performance is also the pinnacle of personal freedom. Affirmative Action stifles both true success and true personal freedom. It has outlived its noble purpose and has become what it was intended to … [Read more...]
LA House votes 91-0 to display 10 Commandments
June 7, 2011 by 5 Comments
nola.com -- The House voted 91-0 Monday to allow a locating a monument of the Ten Commandments on the grounds of the State Capitol. Rep. Patrick Williams, D-Shreveport, the sponsor of House Bill 277, took less than 30 seconds to explain the bill when the House vote board lighted up green. … [Read more...]
Eeny Meeny Miny Moe
February 16, 2011 by 13 Comments
There are two sides to the "Do you take the Bible literally?" challenge. The first, addressed in Speak Your Mind, Literally, addresses the issue of differentiating between literal and non-literal Bible passages and identifying figures of speech apart from a historical or biographical narrative. … [Read more...]
Speak Your Mind, Literally
February 15, 2011 by 10 Comments
Do you take the Bible literally?* This is one of those questions like: have you stopped beating your wife?. It is not sufficient to answer with a simple yes or no. Although the skeptic usually objects to any clarification the Christian attempts to offer. They generally interrupt demanding a yes … [Read more...]
Independence Anyone?
February 4, 2011 by 27 Comments
When making an argument for Jesus' reported miracles and resurrection the first place most people will turn is the Gospel accounts. These documents contain the majority of information we have on the person of Jesus though certain details can be found elsewhere. Often when citing the Gospel … [Read more...]
Objection Overruled
January 21, 2011 by 21 Comments
The Gospel accounts record the period of Jesus life where he allegedly performed miracles, was put to death, buried, and raised from the dead. One reason skeptics deny the reliability of the accounts is they were not penned by actual eye-witnesses, but instead are hearsay accounts. A case can be … [Read more...]
Yes, But What If…
January 19, 2011 by 9 Comments
For every line of evidence and reasoning a theist--Christian or otherwise--presents for God's interaction in the world (supernatural events), there is a skeptic offering an alternate interpretation or explanation. This alternate explanation is generally viewed by the skeptic as a reason to reject … [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...]
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...]
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...]
The Complaint Department Is Closed #5
October 9, 2010 by Leave a Comment
To be sure, every list of arguments for belief that God does not exist, contains a few biblical passages that appear to be distasteful, or just down right abhorrent, GII's list is no different. Before getting into the substance of the proof, I would like to address a few presumptions and rhetorical … [Read more...]
Sifting Reality 
Who said what…