Previously I've suggested some reasonable ways a good God could have stopped James Holmes from firing on innocent people in that Colorado theater without revealing himself, and without abrogating Holmes's free will. Link. But is there another way to exonerate God in what I call the Omniscience Escape Clause? Could God have overriding reasons based in his omniscience for allowing that horrible tragedy to happen? I don't think so at all. While this isn't impossible it's extremely improbable to the point of being virtually impossible.
July 26, 2012
Why James Holmes' Rampage is the Result of the Teachings of Christianity: Part 2
This post is a follow up to my previous post, Why James Holmes' Rampage is the Result of the Teachings of Christianity. For clarification, I will restate my thesis from my previous post:
"One hypothesis was put forth by the Christian apologist, Rick Warren, in one of his latest tweets, when he said, "When students are taught they are no different from animals, they act like it." The implied hypothesis being, that it's the result of teaching science, and in particular, Darwinianism and materialism. I propose that there is a better explanation. My hypothesis, which is not new by the way, as I have pointed out numerous times, the great Christian philosopher Pelagius pointed out long ago, that if you promulgate the notion that people are born bad, and cannot help but to sin, but will still gain entrance into paradise as long as they "repent"-- they are more likely to sin, repent, sin, repent--and repeat when necessary. Pelagius was wise, and realized that this belief would lead to "moral laxity"--which is quite evident in our predominantly Christian society, and amongst Christians in particular. My hypothesis is that when Christians are taught they are "born sinners" and cannot help but to sin, as they are taught it is not possible for them to be perfect, and that they are nevertheless given the "free gift" of salvation, they will have more of a tendency to act immorally, or, when Christians are taught they live in a world that is dominated by Satan, that it leads to immorality. Either way, it leads to immorality and chaos, and Christianity provides believers with a basis for the belief that they are absolved from taking responsibility for their own bad behavior. Jesus does that for them."
"One hypothesis was put forth by the Christian apologist, Rick Warren, in one of his latest tweets, when he said, "When students are taught they are no different from animals, they act like it." The implied hypothesis being, that it's the result of teaching science, and in particular, Darwinianism and materialism. I propose that there is a better explanation. My hypothesis, which is not new by the way, as I have pointed out numerous times, the great Christian philosopher Pelagius pointed out long ago, that if you promulgate the notion that people are born bad, and cannot help but to sin, but will still gain entrance into paradise as long as they "repent"-- they are more likely to sin, repent, sin, repent--and repeat when necessary. Pelagius was wise, and realized that this belief would lead to "moral laxity"--which is quite evident in our predominantly Christian society, and amongst Christians in particular. My hypothesis is that when Christians are taught they are "born sinners" and cannot help but to sin, as they are taught it is not possible for them to be perfect, and that they are nevertheless given the "free gift" of salvation, they will have more of a tendency to act immorally, or, when Christians are taught they live in a world that is dominated by Satan, that it leads to immorality. Either way, it leads to immorality and chaos, and Christianity provides believers with a basis for the belief that they are absolved from taking responsibility for their own bad behavior. Jesus does that for them."
July 25, 2012
It's Not Me Saying These Things. Others Do.
Said Marcus: "I just started reading your book...it's not a book, it's an Monster." He's referring to my magnum opus. Reality check: It's not really gonna reach out and terrorize anyone and it doesn't include everything. But readers are saying it's pretty damn good. I'll be using this text for a CFI Institute online class in August. Read more about it and sign up here.
FAQ for the Newly Deconverted
Our mission in this document is to help you find your way out of this darkness and confusion and into a place where you can be happy making decisions on your own, based on reality. It's okay to not believe, as this is the first step in dealing with any loss of religion—merely going back to religion because you feel you have no other choice is no choice at all. This is simply the basis of an open mind. Whether you have recently de-converted completely, are teetering on the brink of losing a religion or have been a non-believer for a long time, these questions and answers aim to give an overview of life without religion for you to consider. It is by no means comprehensive as no single document, or even collection, ever could be sufficiently vast to answer everything. You have entered the world of atheism and rationality; here we'll tell you what's important to us, where we get our morality, and how we face the peer pressure to return to the church. If you do find yourself having to choose between belief and non-belief, you can do so with an informed mind and make a real choice. Link.I especially liked reading this part:
Gender Language and the Bible Translation Wars
In 1989 the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) translation of the Bible introduced a largely gender-neutral translation of the Bible. Never-mind for the moment that the Bible is overwhelmingly anti-woman, as can be seen in Biblical scholar Michael Coogan's book, God Sex and the Bible, as well as in The Women's Bible Commentary - Expanded.
Using gender-neutral language in translating the Bible so it can speak to everyone is like rearranging chairs on the Titanic, it will not help at all. The ship will still sink.
Using gender-neutral language in translating the Bible so it can speak to everyone is like rearranging chairs on the Titanic, it will not help at all. The ship will still sink.July 24, 2012
James Holmes and the Free Will Excuse
I call this the free will excuse because that's what it is. It's an attempt by believers to excuse God for the massacre in Colorado by James Holmes. I've already suggested reasonable ways a good God could've acted to avert this tragedy but didn't. Now I want to briefly address the objection that God does not interfere with our free choices, even if that means some of us will do heinous crimes on occasion.
July 23, 2012
Calling all evolution deniers - come deny it!
So I was making a point on another thread about how Noah's global flood never happened and was nicked off the Epic of Gilgamesh written at least a thousand years before ~(and indeed, both accounts could rely on an even earlier myth). It's pretty easy argument to maintain since there really is no evidence to support the ark hypothesis (AH) and mountains of evidence to contradict it. Some might even say there is a deluge of contrary evidence...
In the debate, "The Theist" stated this absolute gem of a quote:
In the debate, "The Theist" stated this absolute gem of a quote:
Whoa, there . . . now I never said I took Hovind seriously. In fact I would place him about on the same level as the average believer or atheist. Theologically retarded. But I do take him slightly more serious than the failed metaphysical experimentation called "Theory of Evolution." He makes more sense than anyone else I have ever heard on the subject and more importantly, though the atheists like to dismiss him as they do anyone who disagrees with them, he actually scares the hell out of them because he knows what he is talking about. He, uh . . . he pisses them off. That's why I like him.
Where Was God When James Holmes Walked Into That Crowded Theatre?
Almost everything we know about God can be seen in what he did not do to avert this mass killing. God's inaction here is indistinguishable from him not caring at all, or not being powerful at all, or not being present at all, or not knowing anything at all. In fact, his inaction leads us to think he doesn't exist at all. David Hume suggested a line of argument that works very well here. If an Omni-God exists then he could have caused James Holmes to have a heart attack before leaving his apartment that day. He could have caused all of his guns to jam. He could have caused Holmes to suffer severe nausea at the very thought of doing this terrible deed, every time he thought of it. He could have had an accident on the way caused by a brake line leak. For believers to argue God remains hidden so as not to force obedience upon us, there is nothing about any of these suggested actions that would alert us to his presence. For believers to rhetorically ask how we know God doesn't intervene in other cases, the fact that he didn't intervene here, there, and so many many times elsewhere is strong evidence he doesn't act at all.
Innumerable things could have been done by this God to stop Holmes. But God was silent just exactly as if he doesn't exist at all. There is no noticeable difference in this present world where God is believed to exist from one where he doesn't exist at all. The notion of free will does not get believers off the hook either, unless they want to admit that this same God does not answer prayers. For surely there are believers across America and in every city and family praying every day for the safe protection of their loved ones and for people in general. So I put it to you. Either God's activity in our world is indistinguishable from his non-existence or he does not answer prayers. That's merely one of the many problems of belief in the light of this human tragedy.
Innumerable things could have been done by this God to stop Holmes. But God was silent just exactly as if he doesn't exist at all. There is no noticeable difference in this present world where God is believed to exist from one where he doesn't exist at all. The notion of free will does not get believers off the hook either, unless they want to admit that this same God does not answer prayers. For surely there are believers across America and in every city and family praying every day for the safe protection of their loved ones and for people in general. So I put it to you. Either God's activity in our world is indistinguishable from his non-existence or he does not answer prayers. That's merely one of the many problems of belief in the light of this human tragedy.
James Holmes and Gun Control
July 22, 2012
I Went To Church Today
Today my wife and I attended a Unitarian Universalist church and we loved it. I am tired of people on both sides of the fence trying to pigeon hole me, trying to ostracize those who differ, trying to make people take sides on the most minute of details. While I differ with this Unitarian church group on issues concerning faith and spirituality I'll take their acceptance and desire for dialogue any day over the PZ Myers types. I'm out. Fuck them. Fuck them all, that is, until they become human beings who think of the rest of us as human beings.
On the Stupidity and Divisiveness of PZ Myers and His Cadre of Followers
I won't link to what PZ said because he already makes over $3000 per month on Freethought Blogs alone. But let's see what he has to say about something our own Cathy Cooper wrote. Writing about the Christian killer James Holmes, PZ opined:
July 21, 2012
An Atheist Condemns the Colorado Movie Theater Massacre!
Back in the Stocks: A Short Treatise on Thought and Eternity (Part I of II)
“My hair is really starting to thin on top,” I say to myself as I’m tiredly leaning over the sink, having already noticed my “crow’s feet.” “My nads are hanging down further,” yet another indication of my age, I think. “And why is the hum of that vent so pleasing when taking a dump and you just woke up?” These are natural thoughts, along with: “This mouthwash tastes good! Why haven’t I been buying it all this time?” There are no right or wrong thoughts in the downtime of the bathroom, looking at the dried toothpaste stuck to the rim of the sink and those few stray hairs from the clipper still lying around. Just as surely as you are staring at that same oddly cut-off floral design on the wallpaper while doing “number two,” you are contemplating what it all means and why you should get up in the morning in the first place.
July 20, 2012
How To Increase Traffic to Your Blog [Redux]
People have asked me how to increase traffic to their blogs and I answered that question here. Let me give you an example of what I mean. It's a post about sex with a twist. I noticed that I'm getting several hits on it today. So just think like a newspaper editor when creating a headline. Then provide the content that will keep'em coming back. Or, you can post something a tabloid might do once or twice just for shits and giggles. ;-)
Chicks, Sluts, 'Hos and Niggas--A Response to Those That Mistakenly Believe These Words Empower Them
[The following is written by Cathy Cooper]
Now, my husband is Black, and is also a philosopher, and has argued against using the word “nigga” as a tactic in the manner that it has been used up to this date. We have both presented material on this subject in the past, and due to the recent barrage of those who claim they are “taking back” these types of words, this post was written to clarify what using these types of words as tactics really means. Also, since this is DC, as you read this post, you will see a connection between Christianity and why we ought not use this as a tactic.
Now, my husband is Black, and is also a philosopher, and has argued against using the word “nigga” as a tactic in the manner that it has been used up to this date. We have both presented material on this subject in the past, and due to the recent barrage of those who claim they are “taking back” these types of words, this post was written to clarify what using these types of words as tactics really means. Also, since this is DC, as you read this post, you will see a connection between Christianity and why we ought not use this as a tactic.
This post is in reference to a reply to my comment on John's post, "Quote of the Day, by Thunderf00t *Sigh*" My comment is below:
As a woman, I agree with you John--it's insane. I wrote a post last year in reference to the Rebecca Watson debacle, and how Dawkins reacted--illustrating that there is still a long way to go--for both sides--in recognizing what sexism and harassment is, and how to counter it. http://aisforatheist5760.blogs...
That the "skepchicks" call themselves "chicks" in the first place just reinforces the stereotype that women are "flighty fluffy birds without a brain"--and I personally sent an email to Miss Watson to inform her of this. In her reply, she told me that they use that term because they are "taking it back"--but that makes no sense. It makes no sense because you can only take back a word if it had a positive connotation to it--but "chick" does not. The connotation is entirely negative, and this is how "chicks" are viewed--as brainless flighty, fluffy birds. I felt the same way about the "slut walk" in Toronto. I also find it interesting that men are not flocking to organize a "prick walk"--you know, so they can "take back" that word too! Why not just use BETTER terminology without any sexist, sexual, or negative connotations attached. It's all just so ludicrous......
July 19, 2012
One of the worst Christian arguments I have ever had the displeasure to argue against
Recently, I posted a piece on biblical contradictions and how Christians harness cognitive dissonance to help them find desperate ways in which to defend ideas of inerrancy. I looked to show that they use a circular approach without realising it:
1) The Bible never makes contradictions
2) All alleged contradictions can be harmonised
3) Since the Bible never makes contradictions, all harmonisations are inherently more probable than the idea that there are contradictions
4) All harmonisations stand
C) Therefore, there are no contradictions in the Bible.
The example of contradiction I gave in the original post was this:
1) The Bible never makes contradictions
2) All alleged contradictions can be harmonised
3) Since the Bible never makes contradictions, all harmonisations are inherently more probable than the idea that there are contradictions
4) All harmonisations stand
C) Therefore, there are no contradictions in the Bible.
The example of contradiction I gave in the original post was this:
Quote of the Day, by Thunderf00t *Sigh*
After telling us of the recent developments at The Amazing Meeting (TAM), Thunderf00t says:
I can’t but help feel the skepchick-types REALLY needed something to be offended about, and they defiantly need to be the victims of something! There clearly wasn’t any sexual harassment at TAM, without even a single instance of someone being asked for coffee in an elevator. Then of course TAM had a sexual harassment policy in place. Really what is left for the skepchick-types to get hysterical about? Well, by a T-shirt saying they are “not a skepchick” of course- oh the horror… the horror.This skepchick type of insanity must stop, and I say this as one who wholeheartedly endorses feminism. To criticize the skepchick types is becoming equivalent to being "a bigoted, rape enabling, misogynistic radical woman hating MRA." I oppose this cookie-cutter straight-jacketed mentality and I call on all reasonable feminists to condemn it. Kudos to Dr. Harriet Hall for wearing the T-Shirt! She is my hero. She took a stand.
Remember, if you oppose the T-shirt harassment policy at future conferences then you must be a bigoted, rape enabling, misogynistic radical woman hating MRA and you will get called an asshole before getting blocked for being a ‘troll’! --Link.
July 16, 2012
12 Answers to Why Something Exists Rather Than Nothing
After surveying twelve possible answers Michael Shermer ends by saying:
In the meantime, while scientists sort out the science to answer the question Why is there something instead of nothing?, in addition to reviewing these dozen answers it is also okay to say “I don’t know” and keep searching. There is no need to turn to supernatural answers just to fulfill an emotional need for explanation. Like nature, the mind abhors a vacuum, but sometimes it is better to admit ignorance than feign certainty about which one knows not. If there is one lesson that the history of science has taught us it is that it is arrogant to think that we now know enough to know that we cannot know. Science is young. Let us have the courage to admit our ignorance and to keep searching for answers to these deepest questions. Link.
July 14, 2012
PZ Myers Apologizes!
Yep, that's right, although it isn't exactly what some people had demanded. Below is PZ's video response to Thunderf00t explaining why he was kicked off Freethought Blogs. Then Thunderf00t responded. I think this whole episode is over. People can make up their own minds about it. But it illustrates something very important about what people do when we are emotionally engaged. As far as I know, no one is exempt. These two videos are proof positive that when someone is seen opposing what someone else holds dear, "the critical thinking portion of their brain effectively shuts down," as Kel quipped earlier.
Beliefs, Habits, Doubt, Love, Jealousy, Sexism, Racism-- and Why God is NOT Love
Habits, we all have them—some good and some bad--and our habits are our tendencies or dispositions to act in certain ways in certain situations. It is our beliefs, or what we hold to be true (even if it isn't) that shape our habits. Being taught that blacks and women are inferior for instance, shaped the “belief” that they are—even if this is not true--which results in the “habitual discrimination” of women and people of color. This is where doubt comes in.
July 13, 2012
Image of the Virgin Mary Appears on Tree in West New York
People have been praying, crying and leaving flowers and candles as they look at the small opening where the bark was stripped away.
A fence and other barricades also have been set up around the tree, which is in a sidewalk along a commercial strip." (AP News)
This also is the mentality of Christian faith represented by some of the people who come to DC to argue for the truth of the Bible. (If believers can see the Virgin Mary in a damaged tree trunk, it sure didn’t take as much imagination to claim Jesus arose from the dead!)
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