In my many years discussing, debating, and defending the Judeo-Christian worldview I've come across countless objections from all directions. Some tend to have broad appeal as a foundation but with minor differences, or angles, as it were depending on one's worldview. Specifically, 'it's … [Read more...]
You’re not an atheist for lack of evidence
December 11, 2014 by 6 Comments
Just a quick thought. It occurred to me that the atheist who claims to be such due to lack of evidence isn't looking deeply within himself hard enough. What I mean is, we all believe many things to be true without [sufficient] evidence to justify the belief. Now, what they might suggest is 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...]
Why shouldn’t she abort?
November 3, 2014 by 154 Comments
Earlier in the week I was listening to a podcast discussion about the controversy Richard Dawkins inspired when asked what to do when pregnant with a Down Syndrome baby. His response was to abort and start over. The woman on the pro-abortion side defended the sentiment even though she said she … [Read more...]
There is no default position
October 27, 2014 by 204 Comments
In any serious discussion, everyone needs to participate. All people bring an opinion into every discussion and everyone needs to support it. Most people understand this, but sometimes someone comes to the table under the impression that their view is correct by default. Some people like their … [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...]
Do we have a right to die?
October 10, 2014 by 198 Comments
Brittany Maynard has renewed the discussion on the ethics of assisted suicide and assisted death after she wrote an op-ed piece for CNN sharing her story about her decision to take her life early next month. Assisted suicide and assisted death are different, and I think the distinction is … [Read more...]
Are your moral objections principled?
September 29, 2014 by 290 Comments
I was listening to a morning radio show which included a segment called 'Six on Sex'. Ordinarily, a contestant (usually a young girl) is asked six very personal questions about her sex life while her father is listens to his daughter's exploits. If he can make it through all six questions and … [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...]
Religions and violence: they’re not pretty much all the same
September 16, 2014 by 137 Comments
Over the years, I've noticed it's rare for a skeptic to differentiate between the religions. So rare that when noted Atheist and comedian Bill Maher takes people to task for placing Christianity and Islam on equal footings when it comes to violence 'in the name of', it actually makes the news. And … [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...]
Is gender assigned, or recognized?
June 27, 2014 by 2 Comments
First, you have to consider the source. But I've seen this kind of attitude toward gender from hyper-liberal feminists before. They abhor the thought that boys are boys and girls are girls. Somehow, this notion that we can tell if someone is a boy or girl simply by looking, is offensive. (Slate) … [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...]
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...]
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...]
Sifting Reality 
Who said what…