Christianity is an overwhelmingly dominant religion in the United States. It informs our laws, our public officials, both foreign and domestic policy, our media, and nearly every other facet of our lives. To write off the task of the atheist movement as simply pointing out the Emperor has no clothes is to understate it dramatically. While it may be easy for those of us who have seen the naked Emperor, many people are, as Loftus has recently posted, blind to this fact.
This blindness isn’t something that can always be ridiculed, scoffed, or trivialized away. Sometimes, no matter how loudly we scream about the Emperor being naked, some people don’t have the capacity to see it. Whether this is due to severe indoctrination, or merely the unwillingness to believe otherwise, these people are best reached through arguments against the internal consistency of the Bible, the inconsistency of God’s qualities, or other such arguments. Only then can the blinders be removed and they will begin to critically examine the virtues of their beliefs. Link
May 30, 2011
When the Courtier’s Reply Fails, by Matt DeStefano
May 29, 2011
What the Bible Says About Apostates Like Me
There is an irreconcilable conflict between Jesus and Paul and Peter when it comes to how to view apostates that were once followers of Jesus. So argues former Pastor Bruce Gerencser.
Does the Emperor Have Clothes On Or Not?
The Emperor's New Clothes is a short tale by Hans Christian Andersen about two weavers who promise an Emperor a new suit of clothes that are invisible to those unfit for their positions, stupid, or incompetent. When the Emperor parades before his subjects in his new clothes, a child cries out, "But he isn't wearing anything at all!" This in turn allows others to admit he has no clothes on.
This story has been used by skeptics with regard to religion--that the Religious Emperor has no clothes on--and so we must tell believers what we see in hopes they will see what we do.
So, does the Religious Emperor have clothes on or not?
There is something about the Emperor story that resonates with me. But there is a difference. In the story people all see that he is naked. So there is empirical evidence of that fact, at least in the story itself. But what if people do not see that the Emperor is naked because they are blind? Then what? How do you convince the people in the crowd he is naked, especially when an overwhelming majority of people in our world are blind? My suggestion is to meet them head on with arguments that they can understand and appreciate, not neglecting to tell them the Emperor has no clothes on. But I would not keep harping on that story. I would recommend the best critiques of a particular religion to the practitioners of it, and I do this as best as I can.
This story has been used by skeptics with regard to religion--that the Religious Emperor has no clothes on--and so we must tell believers what we see in hopes they will see what we do.
So, does the Religious Emperor have clothes on or not?
There is something about the Emperor story that resonates with me. But there is a difference. In the story people all see that he is naked. So there is empirical evidence of that fact, at least in the story itself. But what if people do not see that the Emperor is naked because they are blind? Then what? How do you convince the people in the crowd he is naked, especially when an overwhelming majority of people in our world are blind? My suggestion is to meet them head on with arguments that they can understand and appreciate, not neglecting to tell them the Emperor has no clothes on. But I would not keep harping on that story. I would recommend the best critiques of a particular religion to the practitioners of it, and I do this as best as I can.
May 28, 2011
What's Wrong With the Courtier's Reply of PZ Myers and Richard Dawkins
Trust me, I'm very thankful for the brilliance of PZ Myers and Richard Dawkins. There's no doubt about that. In some sense they are my intellectual heroes. But the Courtier's Reply as an answer for theology needs to be discussed critically. First off, I do not expect anyone to understand any particular theology in order to reject it. We all do this easily. I doubt very much anyone understands all of the religions they reject. I don't. No one does. We reject them all for the same reasons, because they have not met their own burden of proof. So I agree very much that neither PZ Myers nor Richard Dawkins needs to fully understand the various forms of Christianity in order to reject them all. They can certainly use the Courtier's Reply, and for them it's legitimate, as it is for me when rejecting Hinduism, which I know little about. Christians do not fully understand the other Christianities they reject, so why should anyone expect this from skeptics?
But here's the problem. PZ Meyers and Richard Dawkins, and others, have the clout to recommend those of us who do understand the various Christianities that exist who know how to debunk them on their own terms. But perhaps, and I'm only suggesting perhaps, they are so committed to the Courtier's Reply when it comes to their own lack of understanding of Christian theology that they don't realize this will not do if they want to change the religious landscape. If they do, then may I humbly suggest they recommend the work of Biblical scholars like Robert Price, Hector Avalos, Bart Ehrman and others like them, as well as philosophers like John Shook, John Beversluis, Richard Carrier, Keith Parsons, Matt McCormick and others like them. But they can't do it, because they are committed to the Courtier's Reply, and that's a shame. I can embrace the Courtier's Reply when it comes to religions I reject. But given the power and influence of Christianity in particular, they need to recommend and embrace those of us who know it and argue against it. The Courtier's Reply may some day be the blanket response to religion. It isn't yet. Until then let them recommend those of us who do understand the dominant religion of our land, both philosophers and biblical scholars. It takes all of us together with all of our talents, all of our knowledge, and all of our abilities.
But here's the problem. PZ Meyers and Richard Dawkins, and others, have the clout to recommend those of us who do understand the various Christianities that exist who know how to debunk them on their own terms. But perhaps, and I'm only suggesting perhaps, they are so committed to the Courtier's Reply when it comes to their own lack of understanding of Christian theology that they don't realize this will not do if they want to change the religious landscape. If they do, then may I humbly suggest they recommend the work of Biblical scholars like Robert Price, Hector Avalos, Bart Ehrman and others like them, as well as philosophers like John Shook, John Beversluis, Richard Carrier, Keith Parsons, Matt McCormick and others like them. But they can't do it, because they are committed to the Courtier's Reply, and that's a shame. I can embrace the Courtier's Reply when it comes to religions I reject. But given the power and influence of Christianity in particular, they need to recommend and embrace those of us who know it and argue against it. The Courtier's Reply may some day be the blanket response to religion. It isn't yet. Until then let them recommend those of us who do understand the dominant religion of our land, both philosophers and biblical scholars. It takes all of us together with all of our talents, all of our knowledge, and all of our abilities.
May 27, 2011
May 26, 2011
Michael Shermer is Clearly One of the Best Voices for Reason in Our World Today
I wrote a review on Amazon of Shermer's book The Believing Brain: From Ghosts and Gods to Politics and Conspiracies---How We Construct Beliefs and Reinforce Them as Truths
. The title of my review is same as the title of this post. If you like it I'd appreciate you clicking "Yes" on "Was this review helpful to you?"
. The title of my review is same as the title of this post. If you like it I'd appreciate you clicking "Yes" on "Was this review helpful to you?"May 25, 2011
We See Plenty of Moral Progress
We abhor racism and slavery. Women, gay men, lesbians, and African Americans have gained many needed rights in the West, along with freethinkers who can speak out without being killed for it, at least when it comes to Christianity. We are more health conscious with the foods we eat, and there is a movement against smoking. We no longer have lynchings in the West. When we do execute a murderer, we’ve come up with more humane ways to do it, and many people are against the death penalty altogether.
What else do you see? What do you think is the greatest inhibitor to moral progress? What can stop it dead in ins tracks?
What else do you see? What do you think is the greatest inhibitor to moral progress? What can stop it dead in ins tracks?
May 24, 2011
I Deleted My Facebook Account
I'll start another one before too long but unless I personally know you I will not be your friend. Them's the rules. I need a safe place to be myself. Create a fan page if you want but I'm done with anything else. I'm tired of people asking me questions and feeling as if I must respond. You did it to yourselves.
Other than that life is good.
Other than that life is good.
Atheist Demographics And a Good Society
It's often claimed by Christians that an atheistic society would be good for nothing. Balderdash! The demographics show otherwise.
May 23, 2011
Next Up, The Mayan Apocalypse, December 21st 2012
But first we should be sure it hasn't already occurred and we missed it. Missed it!? Yep.
May 22, 2011
Where Oh Where is Harold Camping?
News Flash: Harold Camping deserts his flock after his failed Rapture prediction. Someone ought to press criminal charges against him for fraud.
May 21, 2011
They're Still Here? I Had Hoped Harold Camping Was Right After All!
Then all of the deluded people would be gone and we could have a sane decent society unencumbered with the likes of so many of them. Oh well, maybe next time.
My Predictions of the Excuses Harold Camping May Make
1) I miscalculated. The Rapture will be a month, a year, or several years from now.
2) Jesus appeared to me and said there was too much media attention so he's postponed the Rapture indefinitely. After all, Jesus said no one will know the day and the hour. Too many people knew!
3) Jesus did come back and found no one worthy. We need to repent of our sins.
4) Jesus came back spiritually, just like the Jehovah's Witnesses before him said.
5) Jesus actually entered into the heavenly sanctuary, just like the Seventh Day Adventists before him said.
6) Whether it happened or not it was a good thing in the end, because many people got saved (utilitarianism at its best).
-------------
Or, he could say, "I'm a deluded buffoon." But what are the chances of that? 0%
2) Jesus appeared to me and said there was too much media attention so he's postponed the Rapture indefinitely. After all, Jesus said no one will know the day and the hour. Too many people knew!
3) Jesus did come back and found no one worthy. We need to repent of our sins.
4) Jesus came back spiritually, just like the Jehovah's Witnesses before him said.
5) Jesus actually entered into the heavenly sanctuary, just like the Seventh Day Adventists before him said.
6) Whether it happened or not it was a good thing in the end, because many people got saved (utilitarianism at its best).
-------------
Or, he could say, "I'm a deluded buffoon." But what are the chances of that? 0%
May 20, 2011
Rapture Madness, Over and Over and Over Again
I've written about Rapture Madness before.
Christians who believe they will be raptured should be concerned about their pets. Enter an organization called Eternal Earth-Bound Pets, USA. For the mere sum of $110.00 these committed atheists will sign a contract promising to personally take care of your pet when you are raptured. The contract is good for 10 years. Apparently they now have 100 clients in 22 states. Something like this could only happen in America--Christian America that is.
Dr. Avalos: There will be "No Judgment Day on May 21."
There are 21 Things You Should Know About Harold Camping.
However, the weather will be perfect for it!
Finally, from one false prophet to another: "The problem with false prophets like Harold Camping is he brings discredit on true prophets of the end times."
Christians who believe they will be raptured should be concerned about their pets. Enter an organization called Eternal Earth-Bound Pets, USA. For the mere sum of $110.00 these committed atheists will sign a contract promising to personally take care of your pet when you are raptured. The contract is good for 10 years. Apparently they now have 100 clients in 22 states. Something like this could only happen in America--Christian America that is.
Dr. Avalos: There will be "No Judgment Day on May 21."
There are 21 Things You Should Know About Harold Camping.
However, the weather will be perfect for it!
Finally, from one false prophet to another: "The problem with false prophets like Harold Camping is he brings discredit on true prophets of the end times."
May 19, 2011
May 18, 2011
Harold Camping is a Buffoon Who Says the End of the World Will be May 21, 2011: Christian, Police Your Own Ranks
Listen to this duffas. He's a buffoon, a brainwashed person.
“Retroactive Prayer: Lots of History, Not Much Mystery, No Science”
By Jeffrey Bishop and Victor Stenger. Link.
May 17, 2011
The Rest of the Story About Me
I ran into an acquaintance friend today who said to me, "Are you still a crusader John?" So I asked him why it's crusading to share what I know. I don't force people to visit my blog. I write for people interested enough to read what I write. When I travel to speak for groups, they are the ones who invite me. I don't force my books on anyone either. In fact, I don't personally care if any particular Christian who reads what I write remains in the fold. I have bigger goals than any one person. So in the interests of dispelling other potential myths about me, here goes...
Did Paul Conceive of a Resurrected Body and if So Does this Change Anything?
We need to take seriously what Paul said about himself in Galatians. He said that he met with the “esteemed leaders” of the Jerusalem church, and “presented to them the gospel” that he preached “among the Gentiles,” since he “wanted to be sure” he was not running his race in vain (2:2). To which “James, Cephas and John, those esteemed as pillars, gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship when they recognized the grace given to me” (2:9, also Acts 23:6-7). Paul’s only complaint was with Peter’s hypocritical treatment of the Gentiles.” (2:6-14). If they had disagreed over something so important as the bodily resurrection of Jesus it would have been important enough for Paul to mention and argue against. Since he didn’t do so, it must be assumed they shared the same view unless shown otherwise.
May 16, 2011
Sex and Secularism
- Sex improves dramatically after leaving religion.
- Sexual guilt has little staying power after leaving religion.
- Those raised most religious show no difference from those raised least religious in their sexual behavior.
- Those raised most religious experience far more guilt but have just as much sex.
- Religious parents are far worse at educating their children on matters of sex.
- Religious guilt differs in measurable amounts according to denomination. Link.
May 15, 2011
May 14, 2011
May 13, 2011
Dr. James McGrath is Blogging Through Earl Doherty's Book
Dr. James McGrath is reviewing Earl Doherty's book Jesus: Neither God Nor Man - The Case for a Mythical Jesus
in reverse chronological order which can be read by clicking here.
in reverse chronological order which can be read by clicking here.
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