Can We Compare Santa Claus and Jesus?
In perhaps one respect for sure...
Pat Condell: "Provide Evidence or Expect Mockery and Ridicule"
Here at DC I try to carry on a reasonable discussion with people who disagree with me. In the interests of fairness, what do you think of Pat Condell's approach below? I agree with him that Christian beliefs are ridiculous. And I know many Christians think atheism is ridiculous. What if both sides in this debate approached each other as Condell suggests? Many of them do.
More and More Christians Are Leaving the Fold Every Single Day!
If you want to read these testimonies you need to visit or bookmark Ex-Christian.net. They're coming from a wide variety of backgrounds. And they're doing so for a wide variety of reasons because there are so many reasons to do so.
Atheist Alliance International 2009 Videos
Here are the lecture videos from Atheist Alliance International 2009 conference, in descending order of awesomeness as posted by Luke of Common Sense Atheism:
Link
Link
Atheists SECRETLY Believe in Yahweh
Is it true that because we atheists argue against God that we secretly believe? Balderdash!
Gallup Poll: Americans Are Becoming Less Religious
Hemant Mehta has a good analysis of the recent Gallup Poll. Check it out here.
DC Shut Down the Biblioblogger Ranking List!
Yep, last month I ranked eighth place over more than 350 Bible Blogs. It annoyed them so much they decided to quit doing the list, especially since they could see I was climbing it this month! Ha! One lone secular Bible Blogger shut it all down! They could see me coming and we can't have that, now can we? Jim West decided to do one himself anyway and among the top ranked Blogs from last month DC climbed to 6th place! Here's who made it to the top 15 (notice West couldn't bring himself to list the names of our Blogs, 'cause who wants it known that "Debunking Christianity" beat out so many of them):
Yep, Christianity is Growing in Africa All Right, and With it a Revival of Witch Hunts.
Who do you think is doing this? Christians, that's who, evangelicals. This is the mind of the believer where no evidence is required except an accusation:
I Can Prove a Negative Easily. But Who Has the Burden of Proof About God?
I can prove I'm sitting at my computer, that I have children, that I have a wife, and that I wrote a book. I can prove all sorts of negative claims with regard to these things. I can prove I am not sleeping or playing ball right now (negative claims). I can show you I'm not doing these things by having an online chat right now on my computer. I can prove I am not childless. If you ask me to prove I'm not childless, then birth certificates and DNA evidence should do the trick. I can prove I am not single. If you ask me to prove I am not single I can show you my marriage certificate, and my wife. I can also prove I am not a non-author (notice how I phrased it?). That is, I can prove a negative, plenty of them, easily.
William Lane Craig vs Victor Stenger Debate "Does God Exist?"
"A debate before a packed house at the University of Hawaii with Professor of Physics Victor Stenger in which Craig and Stenger square off on such issues as the Big Bang and the beginning of time, the odds of the fine-tuning of the constants and quantities requisite for life, evil and moral values, religious experience, and many more."
My Sister-in-Law: "John, I Prefer to Be Ignorant"
She's a great gal, don't get me wrong. But as a good Lutheran with a family that's what she said over the holiday season about the religious questions I raise. She prefers to be ignorant. Ignorance is bliss, right? It's not that she isn't intelligent, because she is. It's not that she isn't educated, because she's a Nurse Practitioner. She knows enough to know that if she were to question her faith it could lessen her faith. She knows enough to know that she doesn't have the time to investigate her faith given her busy life. She knows the struggle it would produce in her to believe. She knows enough to know that. I don't think this position is defensible at all, but at least she's honest. I wonder how many other believers have an ostrich type head-in-the-sand approach to their faith and what would happen if they all decided to become informed?
My Favorite Christmas Song
When I hear this song by Bruce Springsteen I think of my sweetheart wife Gwen. She's wonderful. She's my best supporter and my best friend. There are some Christian people who can boast about being married for 30-50 years or more. But they aren't happy in a loveless relationship. They're just fulfilling a commitment made when they were around 20 years old or so. To everyone at this season I wish you all the love I've found. If men my age only knew her the way I do I'd have to literally fight them off.
James McGrath's "Articles of Christmas"
This post provides official notification of my intention, on or immediately prior to the 25th of December 2009, to wish readers of my blog a Merry Christmas. If you are likely to find such expression of Christmas greetings/wishes offensive, you are hereby asked to refrain from reading any and all posts on this blog which may have Christmas, Noel, or other synonymous terminology in the title which may be posted between midnight of December 24th and midnight of December 26th Eastern Standard Time. No responsibility is taken for computers whose clock settings may cause them to view a post in this category outside the specified time frame.
If You Want to Enjoy Christmas, Avoid the Toxic Christian “Message” by Former DC Team Member Marlene Winell
The full-blown fundamentalist version of the “Christmas story” is truly pernicious. In the last couple years, I’ve thought about the imagery of Christmas (the child archetype) and the traditions we all enjoy which can be separate from Christianity (See previous articles). This year, I read a piece by Billy Graham called “You can know the Christ of Christmas,” and was reminded of all that is wrong with this religion, and how it can taint so much about life. I felt so sad reading this because as a humanist, it seems so wrong to denigrate who we are as human beings.
7 Reasons for Atheists to Celebrate the Holidays
Even though the standard winter holidays are supposedly religious, there are ample reasons for atheists to celebrate, too.
I Wish Everyone a Happy December 25th
I can remember when growing up nearly everyone called July 4th "Independence Day." It wasn't July 4th so much as it had a name. When referring to celebrations on that day we didn't say "have a great 4th," we said "have a great independence day." So at this season when there is a war on Christmas let me say, "Have a happy 25th." Sure, it may not seem to have a ring to it, but then who knows what the future will bring?
My Talents, Goals and Target Audience
I carry on various discussions via emails, blogs and on Facebook. Here's an interesting one that took place recently over at Vox Popoli that I'll pick up in midstream:
How to Get Academic Papers for Free
Luke, over at Common Sense Atheism reveals his secrets.
Philosophy is a massive enterprise that happens almost entirely in writing. The most important of that writing happens in academic books and papers.
Former DC Team Member Valerie Tarico: "Solstice Is The Reason For The Season!"
December twenty-first is winter solstice, the shortest day of the year. That makes the 22nd the first day of more sun! Let me spell that out. Beginning this week we're on a path toward "sun breaks" and dry sidewalks, a time when people will take their fleeces off for long enough to wash them, a time that pet poop will dry out enough that your kids can scoop it off the lawn. Anyone who thinks that winter solstice couldn't possibly have spawned the rich array of celebrations that we now call Yule and Christmas and Divali and Hannukkah and Kwanzaa never lived in Seattle.
It's Difficult to Comprehend How Poorly Some People Argue
It's not just that we disagree with each other. It's how poorly some people argue for what they think. Some people do not even understand an argument enough to respond to it properly. Therefore I call upon every person who has not already taken a basic critical thinking class to read through this entire entry. Cheers.
What is the Difference Between an Education and Indoctrination?
[Written by John W. Loftus] When I went to Bible College I was not educated. I was indoctrinated. While other believers will protest that their Christian college was different, I wonder if that's true. In order to test this let me explain my experience, compare it with what a good education is, and see what you think. Okay?
Vox Popoli Agrees With Me
He's against indoctrination masking as an education too. If you go there you'll see me answering some additional objections.
Richard Carrier on Secular Morality
I've previously mentioned we're entering A New Era for Atheism: Moral Realism. This is a follow-up post:
Does God Answer Prayer? A Better Perspective
23,000 children will starve to death today.HT: Pete Roode
Another 23,000 tomorrow.
Another 23,000 the day after…. Another….
If God doesn’t listen to their prayers, what makes you think he will listen to yours?
"MythBusters" Does God Exist?
Since I've been recently discussing unanswered prayer check this test for God out!
Welcome to the Universe
The year 2009 was the international year of astronomy in celebration the 400th anniversary of Galileo's Work. Here's a great video survey of astronomy:
Conflicting Bible Teaching of the Week
How should a faithful Christian interact with non-believers? Check out this link for the answer. ;-)
Science is Essential to Morality
That's what professor McCormick argues in his latest Blog post. This is his conclusion:
God Blew it Again on National TV! Maybe He's on Strike, Right?
In light of my previous discussion about unanswered prayer, this is precious! Again God Blew it on National TV!
Dr. Marlene Winell - Recovering from Toxic Religion (Parts 1 & 2)
Here's an excerpt from a recent "Release and Reclaim" retreat where former DC Team Member Dr. Marlene Winell outlines 7 steps towards recovering from indoctrination by authoritarian religions.
Recently Posted: Richard Dawkins Interviewed (With Several Personal Questions)
This is part 1 of 3 which can be found on YouTube:
Richard Carrier on the Existence of Nazareth and the Movie Zeitgeist
Carrier argues that Nazareth probably existed in the time of Jesus and that the movie Zeitgeist is "absolute garbage." Don't fall for the arguments to the contrary, especially when it comes to that movie.
Richard Carrier on the Health Care Bill
We interrupt the fun here at DC with an analysis of The Health Care Bill by Richard Carrier.
More Rapture Madness, This Time With Pets!
Recently I wrote on Why I Think The Rapture Madness is Indeed Madness. Now I've learned there is a way for believers who love their pets to buy insurance so that they will be taken care of by atheists after the rapture. Yep, that's right!
The Decade in Pictures "What a Wonderful World"
Anyone care to count how many of these pictures are about suffering through wars, floods, and the like? Link. Only a Pollyanna can look at this carnage and sing this song. ;-) Play the song while looking at the pictures if you can! I know, I know, believers will say this is not God's fault. Nothing is, right? But if a business was in this much disarray the CEO should be fired (remember, like God, he too must deal with human beings)!
Today is the Winter Solistice!
Today is the winter solstice. The sun has halted its northerly trek and is headed back toward the equator for the spring equinox. Atheists, what are you doing in celebration today? ;-) And what do you do on the Summer Solstice (June 24th)? Why celebrate one rather than the other? And why even do it when we no longer worship the sun? I just celebrate having family and friends during this season.
On Mythras, Myth, the Virgin Birth and December 25th
There is an interesting post on this topic over at "God is for Suckers." This is the conclusion:
The Mind of the Believer and Unanswered Prayer
[Written by John Loftus] I want to continue a discussion I started right here and followed up on here, about a time when God blew it on national TV to answer a high profile prayer by three contestants (self described "prayer Warriors") in a reward challenge for food during an episode of CBS's Survivor.
Did Jesus Exist? Thinking About Earl Doherty's "The Jesus Puzzle."
Recently I wrote on this issue here. I've been reading through Doherty's book The Jesus Puzzle since then. It's a great read and very provocative. He does as good as I would expect in arguing there never was a historical Jesus. Nonetheless there is a problem as I see it.
THINK Christian! A Graphic Depiction of the Scale of the Universe
Are Christians kidding me that this universe is fine tuned for life when so much of it is lifeless? Vast areas of this universe cannot support life, probably 99.9999% of it. And are they also kidding me that the whole purpose of creation was to test human souls for entrance into heaven? Why couldn't an omnipotent God who created the laws of the universe and who could also do perpetual miracles need this vast universe? All he needed to do was create a flat earth with human beings on it!
Can We All Just Get Along? Clergy Unite On a Common Message: Thou Shalt Be Civil
It calls on people to display respect for those with whom they disagree; to debate issues, not demonize opponents; to stop misrepresenting opponents' views; and to stop circulating e-mail messages that "demonize or humiliate persons or groups."
A New Era for Atheism: Moral Realism
One of the main charges against atheists is that we have no basis for morality. Many early atheists like Nietzsche, Sartre, and Camus echoed the same thought. But we are now entering a new era. Sam Harris is a moral realist. So also is Richard Carrier, Link. Michael Shermer seems to be one as well who argues: "Moral principles are provisionally true—that is, they apply to most people in most cultures in most circumstances most of the time." These moral principles are based in the universality of human nature; who we are and what we want. We want to be happy, holistically happy. This is an end in and of itself that needs no further justification. As we figure out what makes us happy we should do it. It can be expressed like this: "Since humans want to be happy we should therefore do X." Here is a follow-up post on this same subject.
Was Jesus Left Handed?
If you hold to a pre-incarnate existence for Jesus, then there has been one human in the entire course of history that actually got to choose--before birth--whether he would be predominantly right-handed, left-handed or ambidextrous. In fact, by holding to a virgin birth, it was absolutely necessary for Jesus to pick out His specific DNA, prior to being born. Could not let the chips fall where they may, because Joseph was not providing any.
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