I get the impression that many people think capitalism only serves nefarious ends. That somehow capitalists only get wealthy by somehow draining the wealth of someone else. But this is only so if you count the dollars in each's hand at the end of the transaction. Often times we don't consider the … [Read more...]
The freedom to offend religious sensibilities
September 21, 2012 by 5 Comments
Popular Atheist Sam Harris has commented on the recent uprisings in the Middle East against American Embassies with some glib but true observations: (SamHarris.org) -- The latest wave of Muslim hysteria and violence has now spread to over twenty countries. The walls of our embassies and consulates … [Read more...]
Life is a coin-flip for some
September 5, 2012 by 3 Comments
I'm not quite sure how to approach this issue so I'll just be blunt. I don't see how blacks can so adamantly support Democrats given how pro-abortion the party is. If you are black in America, your being born is virtually a coin-flip, and Liberal politicians seem to consider it their duty to … [Read more...]
What If God Removed Evil
August 31, 2012 by 17 Comments
Human suffering and evil is perhaps the most powerful of all the arguments against the existence of God. Having reflected on this complaint in the past, even in it's most convincing form, I find the problem of evil to be an emotional reaction more than a reasoned objection. Personally, I don't … [Read more...]
Hostility Toward Religion In America
August 27, 2012 by 11 Comments
For years religious Americans -- specifically Christians -- have been complaining that the government has been increasingly hostile toward religious expressions of their faith at the behest of a small group of angry people who find such expressions repugnant. More often than not the incidents … [Read more...]
How to miss the point
August 21, 2012 by 13 Comments
From Think On These Things blog and it couldn't have come at a better time. People have valued reasoned, fair disagreements and good listening skills for far too long. It is high time we dispense with those boring and outdated formalities! After all, why respect the laws of logic when you can enjoy … [Read more...]
Another Question For Atheists
August 16, 2012 by 48 Comments
Most Atheists who are willing to discuss why they believe God doesn't exist will say there isn't any -- or enough -- evidence to convince them He does. The little evidence which an Atheist may concede exists doesn't meet the threshold to abandon their atheism. Regardless of what I or other … [Read more...]
Nones on the rise?
August 13, 2012 by 32 Comments
Is it just me, or do Atheists seem to excite rather easily? With every release of a news story citing some survey reporting the rise of those self-identifying as unaffiliated, Atheists seem to feel a [false] sense of validation. Like the trend in the US, people in Ireland are forsaking their … [Read more...]
Does God Disappear As Gaps In Knowledge Disappear?
July 31, 2012 by 23 Comments
It's fairly common for Christians who argue for God's existence from the apparent design of the universe, or the complexity of DNA, or just the complexity of life itself to be accused by skeptics of making a God-of-the-gaps argument. 'Ancient man' says the skeptic, 'didn't understand the phenomena … [Read more...]
How Should God Be?
July 30, 2012 by 27 Comments
Skeptics often cite some circumstance in the world to argue that God doesn't, or likely doesn't exist. Some of the circumstances cited are particularly puzzling to me. Here's an example of what I mean: (RamblingImagination.wordpress.com) -- If God were real, why aren’t his blessings spread evenly … [Read more...]
Which philosophy do you use?
July 23, 2012 by 5 Comments
I had previously posed this question in a poll: Which philosophy is better: Your religious views should inform your political views; your political views should inform your religious views; or, both should be compartmentalized and neither should inform the other? I would like to know where my … [Read more...]
Does Pascal’s Wager Lead To Christianity?
July 19, 2012 by 38 Comments
Pascal's Wager isn't an evidence in favor of God's existence, even though it's often misunderstood to be one. It's more of 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 … [Read more...]
Reframing The Debate: Pro And Anti-Development Prevention
July 17, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Those on the pro-choice side of the abortion debate are always looking for new ways to frame the debate. I can understand why, it's difficult to gain support when there's truth in advertizing: abortion takes the life of an innocent human being. This biological fact must be avoided if you are to … [Read more...]
Raising The Bar On The Bible
July 16, 2012 by 16 Comments
One way Christians argue for the historical reliability of the Bible is by examining it the same was as other ancient records. A case is made that other ancient historical documents, with far less corroboration; and far fewer numbers of extant manuscripts; and much more elapsed time between the … [Read more...]
God, And Other Improbabilities
July 11, 2012 by 60 Comments
I have often criticized Atheists who hold the difficult position that God does not exist even though I think that belief is accurate to the label (See: Who Did You Say You Were Again?). I take notice in my reading that many -- if not most -- professional Atheist philosophers won't take this … [Read more...]
What do you have to say?
July 10, 2012 by 22 Comments
Simply put I'd like to hear from people who read my blog. I want to know what you the reader like about my writing, and what you don't like. What you'd like to see more of and less of. What brought you here in the first place and what keeps you here. … [Read more...]
Q: Can you admit you might be wrong? A: It doesn’t matter
July 6, 2012 by 42 Comments
As someone who discusses controversial topics both online and in my personal life, I'm used to challenges to my views. Whether it's religion, politics, abortion, or same-sex marriage, there's always someone who eventually asks: Can you at least admit it's possible you're wrong? For as many times … [Read more...]
The Bible Is Just An Old Book
June 28, 2012 by 11 Comments
The Bible is a very old book. Or more accurately, a collection of old books. This is a common complaint leveled at Christians in order to undermine the veracity of their theological claims and moral admonitions. It has been charged that Christians get their morals and beliefs about God from an … [Read more...]
Arguing Against The Existence Of God
June 26, 2012 by 37 Comments
When I posted Atheism as a lack of belief (and reason) I waited with the anticipation of a lil' kid waiting for morning to see what Santa had brought. Needless to say, I received the equivalent of coal in the stocking. In fact, I am regularly disappointed when an Atheist finally does try to argue … [Read more...]
So Many Scholars, So Many Believers
June 22, 2012 by 45 Comments
People who are passionate enough about an issue to debate it use many different arguments to make their case. Obviously some arguments will be better than others. What we all try to avoid when debating an issue is misunderstandings -- clarity before agreement. Sometimes we aren't clear when … [Read more...]
Sifting Reality 
Who said what…