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...]
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...]
Christianity (and religious belief generally) is sometimes criticized for being nothing more than an emotional crutch of some sort by its critics. Its adherents find solace in knowing an eternal reward is awaiting them for their faithful devotion. There is something comforting and fulfilling in … [Read more...]
Of the many issues that create barriers between Christians (usually) and skeptics is the age of the universe and the Earth. Within the Christian camp there are two factions: Young Earth Creationists (YEC) -- the universe and Earth are thousands and not millions or billions of years old. And Old … [Read more...]
I cannot say I admire his work, but Christopher Hitchens will be admired by me for his willingness to confront and engage ideas contrary to his own. I have seen few Atheist activists, of which Hitchens was one, so quick to accept debates or public appearances with Christian apologists to discuss … [Read more...]
Popular biologist Richard Dawkins is known for his contempt for all things religious. In his recent interview with the UK's The Guardian, he had this to say, via The Blaze: Jesus was a great moral teacher and I was suggesting that somebody as intelligent as Jesus would have been an atheist if he … [Read more...]
It seems to be the case that people are becoming less willing to call certain behaviors objectively immoral. Of course, the major evils are still conceded: rape, murder, etc. But I am speaking in generalities here, not about any one particular act or habit. Moral objectivism is being increasingly … [Read more...]
Having discussions with Atheists and Humanists about morality can prove to be frustrating, for everyone involved. On the one hand you have Theists who argue that the skeptics cannot properly ground morality given Naturalism. Skeptics often understand this to mean 'Atheists cannot behave morally … [Read more...]
I am glad to say that I have recently had the honor of having commenter Neil C. Reinhardt grace the pages of Sifting Reality. At first, I was under the impression the comments were spam, since identical wording in a comment here I also read on the blog, fribnitsworld. I just figured spammers were … [Read more...]
Recently, Oscar Rivera, author of Somemusician.wordpress.com presented his version of an Ontological Argument Against the Existence of God as a counter example to the classical Ontological Argument for the existence of God. As a practice, I do not use the Ontological Argument for the existence of … [Read more...]
The morality debate between Atheists and Theists is ongoing. Whether Atheists can act in a moral manner is not in question. Most Atheists more often than not, are relatively honest, caring people with genuine concern for their fellow-man. I have always been intrigued by the Atheist's claim that … [Read more...]
Gothamist.com -- Atheists are complaining about a new street sign in Red Hook that commemorates firefighters who died on 9/11.[...] "It’s improper for the city to endorse the view that heaven exists," said David Silverman of American Atheists tells the Brooklyn Paper. "It links Christianity and … [Read more...]
The resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth is Christianity. This event was recorded in the Gospel narratives found in the New Testament of the Bible authored nearly two-thousand years ago. The Gospel accounts record Jesus' relatively brief preaching; attributes miracles being performed by Him; His … [Read more...]
At some point everyone should deeply examine their beliefs. I say 'should' because not everyone does or even thinks to do this. I believe there is a tendency for a good many people to form beliefs hastily, reacting emotionally to issues and letting their feelings govern what they believe is true. … [Read more...]
Scientific American published online an article titled: The Evolution of Prejudice, in which they report new evidence suggests human racism and prejudice is a psychological trait inherited through evolutionary means. "Overall, the results support an evolutionary basis for prejudice", though some … [Read more...]
Supernatural events are central to the discussion of the truth of religious claims. Whether supernatural events --- miracles --- are possible affects whether claims made by religions can be trusted. For example, if miracles are not possible, Jesus did not rise from the dead, and therefore the … [Read more...]
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...]
What do skeptics mean when they claim to reject theism because "there isn't a shred of evidence" for the existence of God or miracles? Could it be that all humanity who has held to some conviction God exists, all did so without having any evidence their convictions were true? I am not arguing that … [Read more...]
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...]
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...]
Sifting Reality 
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