"That's just your interpretation!" This objection to arguments either for or against religious assertions is bandied about by both religious skeptics and religious adherents who disagree on certain ideas -- as if it actually means anything. This objection carries some widely held presumptions. … [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...]
Give Me Liberty, And Give Me Death
September 5, 2011 by 9 Comments
I was listening to a semi-debate -- a discussion really -- about assisted suicide and assisted death, and whether there should be a legal option for one or both. I think the distinction is an important one. Generally speaking assisted suicide would be the aiding of a person to take their own … [Read more...]
Reinhardt Syndrome
September 2, 2011 by 53 Comments
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...]
Gervais Christ
August 23, 2011 by 63 Comments
Atheist funny man Ricky Gervais is set to grace the cover of New Humanist magazine's September/October issue. Gervais is unapologetically an Atheist. And the cover is an obvious parody/mockery of Jesus' crucifixion. Is it meant to be offensive? Probably. You have the right to be offended, and I … [Read more...]
[In]tolerance and Religious Freedom
August 10, 2011 by 23 Comments
Most people would support the idea of religious tolerance. After all, who would support intolerance, right? But when it comes time to practice tolerance, these days it seems to more closely resemble intolerance and hostility. Tolerance has traditionally been understood to mean … [Read more...]
Some Sin Required
August 9, 2011 by 14 Comments
We all have aspects of reality which our worldview either does not fully answer, or we are uncertain about. In Reconciling The Circularity, I shared my impression that the concept of reconciling real or apparent inconsistencies in the Bible presupposes there is a reconciliation, and additionally … [Read more...]
Not Good Enough, But Why?
August 1, 2011 by 58 Comments
Previously I had put a question out there to those who profess to be pro-choice on the issue of abortion. I wanted to know if (in the opinion of someone who is pro-choice) there was ever a reason a woman offered for why she would want an abortion that was simply not a good reason. Regardless of … [Read more...]
Question For Abortion Advocates
July 26, 2011 by 37 Comments
Abortion is one of the hottest of hot button issues debated. Both sides of the issue can be thoroughly passionate in their stance. Whether you consider abortion to be morally right or wrong, women have many different reasons why they choose to abort. Those holding the pro-choice position support … [Read more...]
The Ontological Argument Against The Existence Of God — Rejoinder
July 21, 2011 by 15 Comments
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...]
Are You A Real Christian? (This Is Not A Test)
July 19, 2011 by 53 Comments
As I spend more and more time on the internet discussing religion, I realize there are many impressions people hold of what others should believe in order to rightly claim affiliation with any particular faith system. Specifically when it comes to Christianity, a good many people believe they can … [Read more...]
Safety First
July 14, 2011 by 16 Comments
It is not too often that I can report good news coming from the Guttmacher Institute who just recently reported the stark increase in the number of State laws restricting abortion on demand, but I'll take this news where ever I can get it. To those on the pro-life side of the debate this comes as … [Read more...]
Liquid Atheism
July 6, 2011 by 82 Comments
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...]
Atheist billboard removed from church property
June 30, 2011 by 9 Comments
Freedom From Religion Foundation -- A billboard featuring a cheerful student saying, “I can be good without God,” was too much for the delicate sensibilities of the Rev. Waymon Malone, pastor of Christ Cathedral Church in Columbus, Ohio. Late last week, Malone insisted that a local billboard … [Read more...]
Atheists hate hero Firemen…maybe
June 22, 2011 by 24 Comments
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...]
Out Of Sight, Out Of (Your) Mind
June 19, 2011 by 44 Comments
Dailymail.co.uk -- Chaz Bono is the son of Cher and Sonny Bono. While growing up, he says he always felt uncomfortable and, after years of feeling out of place, he realised he was not Chastity but Chaz. And so he came out as transgendered and initiated the transition from female to male. I think … [Read more...]
A Little Discrimination Never Hurt Anyone
June 18, 2011 by 3 Comments
Discrimination carries with it a certain connotation. It is nearly understood universally as a bad thing. For example, a blog I read daily commented on a nail salon which--as a business practice--charges men $1 or more for the same services provided to women. A man has apparently had enough of … [Read more...]
Victimhood And Responsibility
June 10, 2011 by 21 Comments
The war on drugs has been a hot topic for some time. By some estimates, the program, instituted by President Nixon, has cost the American tax-payers $1 trillion dollars with few to none of its declared goals met. Whether you support the war on drugs, one can understand why politicians would be … [Read more...]
Six Of One…
June 6, 2011 by 9 Comments
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...]
Speak Now, Or Forever Hold Your Peace
June 4, 2011 by 13 Comments
Since becoming interested in Christian apologetics, there has been one drawback that I was not anticipating. Having spend countless hours studying biblical theology I have come to certain conclusions on rather controversial issues. I am able, I believe, to discern between true ideas and false … [Read more...]
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