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...]
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...]
The subject of morality is always a contentious subject among those who debate it. Understandably, no one likes it very much when those with differing views on what is or isn’t moral is seen as trying to force 'their version' of morality on you or society as a whole. Whether a person or a group’s … [Read more...]
We all come across conversations while scanning our social media. Much of which can make us shake our heads in somewhat disbelief. The above is from a semi-ongoing discussion on Facebook. At first blush, I see a few things going on and have some questions. Was the Occupy movement started for … [Read more...]
The advent of social media outlets have made a small world even smaller. Friends of yesteryear and family rarely seen or heard from have been brought back together via Facebook, Twitter and other internet social mediums. In addition to reconnecting with family and friends, people voice their views … [Read more...]
Yes, apparently these people do exist, and they will describe spanking a child as assault. Spanking is a horrible practice that that only lazy parents do because you should reason with your children. It's assault and there's no excuse. Anti-spanking advocates make no distinction between a swat … [Read more...]
The tendency for advocates of same-sex marriage to sometimes point to some species in the animal kingdom that engages in same-sex sexual relations has always struck me as suspiciously selective. They offer this observation in an effort to justify homosexual desires and behaviors as a natural -- and … [Read more...]
One common complaint against Christianity is the doctrine of exclusivism. The teaching that there is only one true God and only one true religion is something some people just find objectionable. Whether they find this to be arrogant, narrow-minded, elitist, or worse; they think the idea that … [Read more...]
I know many spiritual people, most of you do. You know the ones, "spiritual...but not really religious". Most of the ones I know were borne out of a feelings-oriented Christian church, the kind where how you feel is more valuable that if what you feel is true. I actually have the most difficult … [Read more...]
What is it about morality and judging that causes people to hesitate in saying an act or behavior is wrong and immoral? When assessing moral actions, I find that many people will avoid making moral judgements on the actions of others. Why is it so hard to say "that is morally wrong"? It shouldn't … [Read more...]
I think it's safe to say none of us want to be told we're doing something morally wrong. Who wants to be thought of as a bad person? Well, the more I encounter this admonition from someone who preaches 'don't judge' the more I am finding it comes from the same kind of person: One who is … [Read more...]
The oft quoted and ever misinterpreted Matthew 7:1, the infamous "judge not" passage is arguably the most recognizable passage in the Bible save John 3:16. And right behind that is 'remove the log from your own eye before addressing the speck in someone else's'. I can understand why non-Christians … [Read more...]
Discussing ethics and morality with Atheists can prove to be frustrating, for everyone involved. Theists will argue that an atheistic worldview cannot properly ground morality given naturalism. And from that Atheists often hear 'Atheists cannot behave morally unless they believe in God'. But I … [Read more...]
__________________________________________________ Perhaps the petitioner is referring to President Barack Obama's voting three times against laws which would prevent children accidentally born alive after a botched abortion from left to die. Or maybe the petitioner is simply invoking the … [Read more...]
Let me begin by saying up front that I get the point: if you hold exclusive religious beliefs you, in essence, condemn those outside your group to hell. But the atheist world view doesn't hold that non-Atheists receive any eternal punishment, so why not hold to atheism so you don't have to believe … [Read more...]
Life's most asked -- and arguably most important question also seems to be the most difficult one to answer. There's a lot to consider: Is the answer different for everyone, or is there a single purpose for all of humanity? Is the answer discovered or determined? Can it be answered in the … [Read more...]
I wrote this a while back and now that same sex marriage is being heavily reported on it's worth reiterating. You will hear many on the Religious Left making claims that Jesus loves homosexuals. This in and of itself is true, but it needs clarification which they are neither willing to provide, … [Read more...]
There seems to be a common criticism from what seems to be everyone about everyone else with whom they disagree. 'They are too much this, or are too inflexible about that'. Christians are too archaic regarding women in leadership roles within the church and too close-minded about homosexual sexual … [Read more...]
I have always been curious as to the method people use to choose their religious convictions. For some, they are born into a family and remain in the tradition. This is probably the case for most people. Some -- albeit relatively few -- will weigh the claims of competing faith traditions and … [Read more...]
Geez, I wish I could, but other people keep getting in the way. I'd like to do lots of things that others have collectively and arbitrarily decided they don't want me to be able to do. If there is no afterlife, this sign really is right, we should eat, drink, and be merry -- for tomorrow we die. … [Read more...]
Sifting Reality 
Who said what…