Quote of the Day, By Phil Zuckerman On the Rising Secular Demographics

Phil Zuckerman is a professor of sociology and secular studies at Pitzer College in Claremont, California. He is the author of Living the Secular Life, Faith No More, and Society Without God. He has also edited several volumes, including Atheism and Secularity, Sex and Religion, and The Social Theory of W.E.B. Du Bois. Zuckerman writes a regular blog for Psychology Today titled “The Secular Life.” His work has also been published in academic journals, such as Sociology Compass, Sociology of Religion, Deviant Behavior, and Religion, Brain, and Behavior. In 2011, Zuckerman founded the first Secular Studies department in the nation. He earned his PhD in sociology from the University of Oregon in 1998. He currently lives in Claremont, California, with his wife, Stacy, and their three children.

Here is what he said recently:

The stats are staggering when it comes to people in the West who are abandoning religion. Secularism is growing in virtually all nations for which we have data; even the Muslim world, which contains the most-religious societies on earth, has a growing share of secular people (many of whom, unfortunately, must keep their secularity well hidden because of the danger of prison or death for being open about their lack of faith).

[For the full text of what Zuckerman said in an interview with Sam Harris (from which I got his bio above), see below:

David Marshall's Challenge About Women Under Christianity

Recently I was reminded that Marshall has challenged me to debate whether Christianity has helped or hurt women:

Resolved: That the Gospel of Jesus has done more to help more women than any other teaching in the history of Planet Earth. I challenge you, John. I issue this challenge assuming that John is sincere, and because millions of other people agree with him that Christianity has harmed women terribly. LINK.

Marshall sounds just like Muslim apologists for their terrible track record against women though. I don't have to rehearse that record since Marshall agrees with me about it. But lookee here at a Muslim apologist for Women in Islam. As an outsider I see no difference between them in that both are attempting to whitewash away the facts.

Loftus also recommended three feminist books about how terrible the Bible was to me. But that's a lame response. My argument is historical, not primarily exegetical: that the Gospel of Jesus has in historical fact improved life for billions of women around the world.

Notice first, Marshall thinks that providing book references to read on this issue is lame. I'm at a loss to know what to think of this. If I were to engage him in this debate I'd be quoting from them. So why not just read them? Why is a debate needed when I can provide book references where those arguments are made by people who know the issue better than I do? Second, Marshall said these references were written by feminists, as if that discredits them as not being objective about the issue. In truth, these references come from biblical scholars and/or theologians. Third, Marshall wants to focus on Jesus in the Gospels rather than the whole of biblical revelation, or so it seems clear to me. Why exclude the Old Testament or the writings of Paul?

Quote of the Day, by Thom Stark: "You Broke It You Buy It"

[First published 7/11/12]

So the news has just broken [March 14, 2012] that a Moroccan girl has committed suicide after being ordered by a judge to marry her rapist. Now before some self-righteous Christians begin mouthing off about how unenlightened Islamic culture is, let’s go to the source:

“If a man meets a virgin who is not engaged, and forcibly seizes her and lies with her, and they are caught in the act, the man who lay with her shall give fifty shekels of silver to the young woman’s father, and she shall become his wife. Because he violated her he shall not be permitted to divorce her as long as he lives.” Deuteronomy 22:28-29.

Now this law is often decried by religion’s detractors as barbaric and misogynistic. In fact, however, this law is designed specifically with the woman’s well-being in view.

Then comes the kicker:

David Marshall's Newest Book

Christians have had different responses to the Outsider Test for Faith (OTF), probably because they don't know what to do with it. Christian apologists Norman Geisler, Victor Reppert, Thomas Talbott, Mark Hanna, Randal Rauser and Matthew Flannagan have all rejected it. David Marshall is inclined to embrace it, so I welcome that. He's agreed to shoulder the burden of proof. Now we need to hold him to that. His previous chapter on it can be found in True Reason: Confronting the Irrationality of the New Atheism.

I'm a bit curious to see what Marshall says that might be new in his book, but I can't find it on Amazon yet. Marshall writes about it here. What I'd like to know is how Randal Rauser can reject the OTF and yet endorse Marshall's book. In any case the Arizona Atheist wrote a nice review of Marshall's chapter in "True Reason" seen here.

A lot of atheists instantly embrace the OTF since it seems so intuitively obvious. What they don't realize is how much effort it takes to defend it from believers who are impervious to reason. What I predict is that when the OTF comes up in an online forum, Christians will bring up Marshall's book, or some other one, and say I've been answered. If you as an atheist intend to use the OTF, you had better know how to defend it. So you should read how I do so in my book, The Outsider Test for Faith: How to Know Which Religion Is True.I cover every major objection to it such that neither Marshall nor anyone else can even put a dent in its armor.

John W. Loftus Giveaway!?

"Religious Liars" will be giving away a copy of my most recent book, “Christianity is Not Great: How Faith Fails.” Sign in to enter. The site is run by David Johnson.

He has been an active humanist for nearly 20 years. Raised in a fundamentalist Christian home, he regularly questioned the role of religious beliefs in the routines of daily living. Having seen that religious beliefs were simply a byproduct of divisive, tribal mentality, he began actively engaging believers of various religions in an effort to disabuse them of their faith in favor of humanism, reason, and knowledge.

Gregory Dawes On The Philosophy Of Religion

Gregory Dawes is a philosopher and author of the excellent book, Theism and Explanation.Richard Marshall interviews him and introduces it with this:

Greg Dawes is a philosopher who always thinks hard about religion, about the nature of religious faith and its relation to reason, about why philosophy as a handmaid of theology is frivolous, about naturalism, about the epistemological variety and the ontological variety and the methodological variety, on why Christians can’t avoid the fact that Evolutionism contradicts the Bible, about what’s wrong with intelligent design, on what theologians should do, about why belief isn’t an issue and inference to the best explanation is, about claims about divine action, about the God of the gaps, about historicism and religion and about Maimonides and the limits to interpretation. Don’t be fooled, this one’s got razors…

I was particularly interested in what Dawes said about the philosophy of religion. The money quote is below:

Two contributors to Christianity Is Not Great in interview

Myself, Jonathan MS Pearce, and author James A. Lindsay were both involved in contributing chapters to John's recent excellent addition to his growing number of titles. Last night I interviewed James on the subject of his second book, Dot, Dot, Dot Infinity Plus God Equals Folly. His book looks from a mathematical and philosophical angle of the notion of infinity and sees how well it fares in being applied, as is often the case, to God. Problems for the God-idea ensue. Well worth reading, the book features a foreword from the late, great Vic Stenger. During the interview, we get on to the subject of CING and touch on different atheistic ideas and areas of religion, including the psychology of religion.

"It's Not the Islamic Religion, It's Their Culture, Stupid!"

That's the song and dance we're hearing quite a bit from the well-intentioned liberals. They think that since Islamic religion can be used to justify so many different actions, therefore Islamic religion isn't a factor in Muslim violence. Okay then, let me ask them some potentially tough questions intended to bring out the inconsistency of that position. Would you also say the same thing about Christianity, that it has never caused harm, nor does it now? Conversely, would you be willing to say Islam and Christianity never do any good? You cannot say the one thing without also saying the other. Can the introduction of religious ideas ever change converts to do and say things they would never do and say without the introduction of that religion? Moreover, does a conversion to a religion change anything at all in a person's beliefs? Lastly, is there any content to religion at all?

Gallop Poll: 21% Say the Bible is An Ancient Book of Fables

LINK. Conservative fundamentalists are losing this war.

Hemant Metha's List of the Best Atheist Books of 2014

My anthology "Christianity is Not Great" made his list. One wonders what his standards were for choosing them, but it's nice to be listed. LINK.

Ronald Lindsay On "Moses, Jesus, Mohammed and Company: The Critical Problem with the Prophet System"

Of the Exodus story he says: "It's a heroic myth not dissimilar to Greek or Roman stories about Heracles, Aeneas, or other heroes. If you're willing to believe that God would slaughter thousands of innocent children to punish a ruler for his decisions, then you're probably inclined to accept a plague of frogs." LINK.

It's Cyber Monday!

There is one painless way you can help support my efforts here at DC. Buy something, anything off Amazon.com. Usually I get about a 7% kickback. It helps. Thanks. I've been a bit sick the last few days but I'm coming back with righteous indignation. ;-)

The Full Text of Robert G. Ingersoll's "A Thanksgiving Sermon"

I used an excerpt of this sermon in Christianity Is Not Great: How Faith Fails.Here is the sermon. Full text below:

“If you want to get rich, you start a religion.” L. Ron Hubbard

L. Ron Hubbard

HBO Has Hired 160 Lawyers in Anticipation of Their New Scientology Documentary


HBO is producing a new documentary on the Church of Scientology so explosive that the network has been forced to hire legal back up. "We have probably 160 lawyers (looking at the film)," HBO Documentary Films president Sheila Nevins tells The Hollywood Reporter."

Have a Happy Thanksgiving Day!

Through Atheist Eyes with Frank Zindler: Books By John Loftus

Bertrand Russell's Ten Commandments

Poster Child For Stupid! More Captions Requested.

Are You A Theist?

Lowder-Vandergriff Debate On God’s Existence Now Available

Jeff Lowder provides a nice write-up about his debate with Mr. Kevin Vandergriff, along with instructions for listening to it right here. I haven't listened to it yet, but I suspect Jeff did very well since that's his forte, so kudos to him! The issues they address are all important.

I just have one criticism. There is no such thing as Theism or Christian Theism or Mere Christianity. Until I find a group of "mere theists" who worship together at the same Basilica or Cathedral or Chapel or Church or Hall or Home or Altar or Tent or Temple or Synagogue or Mosque or Shrine then I'll see value in public debates over "mere theism." In the same manner, until I find a group of "mere Christian theists" who worship together at the same Basilica or Cathedral or Chapel or Church or Hall or Home or Altar or Temple then I'll see value in public debates over "mere Christian theism." As one who majored in the philosophy of religion discipline, I see greater value in debunking the basis for all Christian theisms found in the Bible and the theologies based on it, along with the history of various Christianities and the harms they have caused. While we need all voices and arguments in our common cause, I think my particular focus is best if we want to disabuse Christians of their faith.

Derren Brown - Fear and Faith

In the first chapter of Christianity Is Not Great: How Faith FailsI mentioned this video having to do with the placebo effect of faith. It is extremely well-done and thought provoking. In the end I think the placebo of faith is something reasonable adults can do without. This is a program everyone interested in faith should watch.

I Bring You Church Today!

I bring you church today! Does anyone think these believers could be reasoned out of their faith (see below)? They aren't even interested in reading what atheists have to say! So I hold them up for ridicule instead, to anyone who might be undecided about them. Come on, do you really think this pastor can direct the Holy Spirit? If he can then why doesn't he do something more important than making people fall down and feel good? There are many sick people who need healing. There is world conflict to be solved. There are lots of natural disasters he could send the Holy Spirit to stop. But no, nothing here but the power of suggestion. Just think, unthinking believers like them vote!

Post by Tussevo Ruben Zayadiako.

More Praise From Jeff Lowder About "Christianity is Not Great"

He already wrote a nice blurb for the book. On his blog, The Secular Outpost, he additionally said: "I know of no other book which argues in such comprehensive detail that Christianity has caused so much harm in the world." I agree but then you'd expect me to. ;-)

Jerry Coyne Recommends My Book "The Outsider Test for Faith"

LINK. This is very gratifying for me to see.

Al Blazo Highly Recommends "Christianity is Not Great"

I met Al Blazo at the PA State Atheist/Humanist Conference a few months ago. He was one of the organizers, a passionate man dedicated to changing the religious landscape, one of the unsung heroes for reason and science. He sent me a note highly recommending Christianity Is Not Great: How Faith Fails.

I just wanted to say it is a terrific work. Thanks so much for bringing all those voices together in one handy book. I think the book is mis-titled though. Instead of "Christianity is Not Great: How Faith Fails" it should be: "Christianity is Not Great: Here's the Proof." As Dawkins said at the top of the front cover, it will change a lot of minds for those who "have the courage to read it." For certain. Anyone who could read the anthology and still wish to remain identified with the death cult that calls itself "Christian" is either brain dead or an apologist.

Quote of the Day, by Greg G

There are no bad reasons to stop believing the ridiculous.

I have actually made such an argument in four parts to be read beginning here.

"Does Religion Foster Generosity?" by Roy Sablosky,

This new paper for "The Social Science Journal" sounds interesting. Here's the abstract:

This paper reviews recent studies that claim to provide support, through statistical analysis of survey data, for the traditional proposition that being religious makes people more generous. The studies have serious shortcomings. First, the data consist exclusively of self-reports. Second, the dependent and independent variables are conceptually problematic and ill-defined. Third, even if there is a positive correlation between religious involvement and personal generosity, it may be due to selection bias. Thus, these studies do not provide serious evidence for the traditional hypothesis. Moreover, it has been directly controverted by experimental studies of economic and other behaviors. LINK.

Islam and Free Fall of Salon.com Into the Intellectual Abyss

 Every single time that I think the intellectually lazy leftist outlets have hit rock bottom in their brainless, Reza Aslan/esque defense of Islam (shall we call it "Islamophilia"?), they manage to stun me by smashing their own record of inanity. This time Salon.com again goes after Bill Maher for daring to point out the elephant in the room-Islam-as the root cause of violence committed by self-professed Islamic(!) militants (which would make up for over 80% of global terrorism, as it happens). But the "logic" of criticism against Maher is this time is downright insane.

Dr. Kenneth Howell Asks US About Scientism

Dr. Howell is the author of God's Two Books: Copernical Cosmology and Biblical Interpretation in Early Modern Science.As a Christian he was kind enough to write a post-publication blurb of my anthology The Christian Delusion,saying, "I liked Richard Carrier’s chapter on science. I see within it hope for an advancement of knowledge. When dealing with the ancients, Carrier is superb."

Anyway Dr. Howell values my opinion and the opinions of the commenters here at DC enough to ask us all a question pertaining to an upcoming book. It's about the notion of scientism. I'll comment on it later, but for now, have at it. See if you can explain what it is and why you either embrace it or not. Provide links if you wish. Cheers.

What's The Only Alternative To The Outsider Test for Faith (OTF)?

The answer? The Insider Test for Faith (ITF). How does the ITF work? Believers should test their faith against any evidence to the contrary, and against any perceived internal inconsistencies. That's not a bad test. It does work. It worked for me, and many others. But it has serious deficiencies.

Examples of Ridicule

Recently I've defended the use of ridicule. Good ridicule must be based on some truth, otherwise it wouldn't be funny. It must also bring home an important point. Some of it is gentle humor while some of it is quite mean-spirited. Some people focus on ridicule while others focus on elaborately reasoned arguments. If you think ridicule is unbecoming of an atheist, or anyone for that matter, then you cannot like the comedy style of Stephen Colbert, Jon Stewart, Bill Maher, or even Jay Leno or David Letterman. Look at the following good examples and then try to honestly tell me ridicule has no place in our cultural wars. [Click on the tag "Ridicule" below for more on this topic.]

An Excellent Example of Ridicule!

James Lindsay said theism is done, won't last into the future. Victor Reppert responded by saying a bit sarcastically: "Oh yeah, theism is losing adherents, it's down to 74% in the latest Harris poll." Then Lindsay, well, ya gotta read this short play:

The Best Metapologetics Taxonomy

I'm writing a book on Christian apologetics, how to do it right, if it can be done at all. Several Christian apologists have offered their own classifications, or taxonomies, of apologetical methods, and like most things Christian, they cannot even agree on how to classify them. I won’t rehearse them here. Rather this is what I consider the best way to categorize metapologetics based on their primary approach in defending Christianity, using five headings: 1) Apologetics Based On Supposed Evidence; 2) Apologetics Based On Rationalistic Theistic Proofs; 3) Apologetics Based On Assuming That Which Needs To Be Proved; 4) Apologetics Based On Private Subjective Experiences; and 5) Eclectic Apologetics.

Does Religion Cause More Harm Than Good? Valerie Tarico Says Yes!

LINK.

Through Atheist Eyes with Frank Zindler: John Loftus On William Lane Craig

Questions in Genesis (part 1): Entrapment in Eden

Fundamentalist and evangelical Christians believe that we live in a world gone wrong, and controlled by dark spiritual forces.  They think that  a host of things we face today, including death, disease, predation, violence, painful childbirth, thorns and thistles, and Miley Cyrus’ twerking can all be traced back to a Very Bad Thing which happened once upon a time in a garden called Eden, where a rebellious woman listened to a talking snake, ate a forbidden fruit, and led her husband into eating his way into God’s bad graces.

 (image credit:  Forbidden Fruit by Amanda Chervinko - amandachervinko.com)

Adam Vigansky Deconverts, Writes Excellent Letter Explaining To Family & Friends Why He Did

Dear friends,

I want to let you know about some important things which have transpired in my life over the past four years. But before I begin, I only ask that you read the entirety of this letter before replying to me, if you do. As you know, I was a devoted believer in Christianity. I was raised in a very religious environment. I went to a Christian school. I was in church a few times a week. At the age of twenty I made a serious commitment to Jesus Christ. I soon moved to Pensacola, FL to earn a degree from the Brownsville Revival School of Ministry (now called F.I.R.E. School of Ministry). I went on mission trips to Uganda, Kenya and Greece. I toured Israel and Jordan. I lead street evangelism teams for two years in Pensacola. I was an active part of the Evangelism Team at my home church. After that, I married, moved to Kansas City, MO. to be a part of a house church plant team. We were actively a part of this for seven years and having four amazing children along the way.

Ridicule is a Type of Peer Pressure That Changes Minds

We know that peer pressure changes minds, even against what seems quite clear to someone with a different opinion. We KNOW this. If you doubt that then watch this four part ABC Dateline Program, What Were You Thinking? Go ahead. Watch it. Ridicule is a type of peer pressure. If a person says she doesn't agree with belief A that tells you something important, even if this is all she says. But if she laughs at belief A that tells you she doesn't have any respect at all for belief A. Now imagine most of the people you know laughing at belief A. That would get your attention and could indeed change your mind. Peer pressure works. Ridicule is a type of peer pressure. Ridicule changes minds. Ridicule from lots of people has more power to change minds. It's quite simple really, such that anyone who disagrees is ignorant. There are other questions to address, but let's start with baby steps.

"I Waited Until My Wedding Night To Lose My Virginity And I Wish I Hadn’t"

This is an eye opening essay by Samantha Pugsley! It begins with these words:

At the age of 10, I took a pledge at my church alongside a group of other girls to remain a virgin until marriage. Yes, you read that right — I was 10 years old.

Let’s take a look at who I was as a 10-year-old: I was in fourth grade. I played with Barbie dolls and had tea parties with imaginary friends. I pretended I was a mermaid every time I took a bath. I still thought boys were icky and I had no idea I liked girls, too. I wouldn’t get my period for another four years. And most importantly, I didn’t have a clue about sex.

The church taught me that sex was for married people. Extramarital sex was sinful and dirty and I would go to Hell if I did it. I learned that as a girl, I had a responsibility to my future husband to remain pure for him. It was entirely possible that my future husband wouldn’t remain pure for me, because he didn’t have that same responsibility, according to the Bible. And of course, because I was a Christian, I would forgive him for his past transgressions and fully give myself to him, body and soul. LINK.

For a ridicule of the whole idea see this.

Ridicule! Who Says We're Not Supposed to Play God? ;-)

No One Should Have The Right To Die Until God Is Done Toying With Them.

Quote of the Day On Ridicule, By Doug Krueger

Doug Krueger is the author of the excellent book, What is Atheism? On Facebook he said:

We should ridicule the ridiculous. This is sometimes more effective than arguments because believers often substitute emotion for argument, which is why they are so resistant to evidence.

He joins an ever growing list of other atheists. See tag "Ridicule" below.

Sir Winston Churchill on the Bible and Alcohol: A Quote

During the Temperance Movement, Winston Churchill (who was famous for his constant use of alcohol) would visit American where he happened to cross paths with a conservative preacher from the Christian Temperance Union. The preacher confronted Churchill about his use of alcohol by quoting him Proverbs 23: 31 – 32:

 “Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright. At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder.” (KJV)

 To which Churchill responded: “I’ve been seeking a drink like that all my life!” 

 Reference: The Diane Rehm Show  (Time mark: 11:10 – 40)

Quote of the Day On Ridicule, By Walter Sinnott-Armstrong

"Our best hope for progress is for atheists to speak out and (as politely as possible) tell any theists who will listen why religious beliefs are ridiculous." -- Walter Sinnott-Armstrong, in Louise Antony’s anthology, Philosophers without Gods, p 78.

Sinnott-Armstrong joins a long list of philosophers, pundits and essayists who see the value of ridicule. <-- Take a look see! The people being ridiculed don't like it, okay, but that cannot be a reason against doing it. Anyone who argues against the importance and value of ridicule is just an ignorant person. I can see no reason not to do it, nor can anyone argue consistently against its value. Christians have been ridiculing atheists for centuries. Now that they are on the receiving end they look silly when they argue against doing what they've been doing way too long. It just goes to show you they'll say anything in defense of the indefensible when it comes to faith, for faith itself is irrational. So let them continue to argue against the use of ridicule. That in itself is ridiculous!

Warning: A Sequel Movie to "God is Not Dead" Coming at Easter

Brace yourselves for another blockbuster movie about God at Easter, and more ignorance too. This time they're filming in my backyard, Indianapolis. Shit. LINK.

Mr Deity On Mormon Apologetics, Sound Familiar?

Twelve Beliefs the Mormon Church Might Not Want You to Know About

In light of the fact that Mormon church just admitted Joseph Smith had up to 40 wives, let's rehearse other things they don't want you to know about. LINK, written by Dr. Valerie Tarico.

It’s Official: Mormon Founder Had Up to 40 Wives

Here's another example of liars for Jesus, this time the Mormon Church, who denied this fact for years and only released it because of the internet's ability to sniff out the truth and expose it. Now we already know Joseph Smith was a liar and plagiarist. So what might have motivated him? Did he do it all for the nookie? Limp Bizkit sings about it below. ;-) LINK.

Dan Barker and Annie Laurie Gaylor Interview Me For Freethought Radio

Here's an interview I recently did with Dan Barker and Annie Laurie Gaylor for Freethought Radio about my new anthology Christianity is Not Great. The interview starts at the 21:10 marker. Enjoy!

The Dalai Lama: Buddha, God and a Lying Hypocrite

His Holiness: Dalai Lama

It has been said that criticizing the Dalai Lama has been equated to shooting Bambi. After all, this perceived harmless Tibetan religious leader, living in exile since 1959, has been awarded the Ramon Magsaysay Award in 1959; the 1989 Nobel Peace Prize; the Christmas Humphreys in 2005; the 2007 Congressional Gold Medal from the U. S. Government and the 2012 Templeton Prize. As noted on his website, “His Holiness has traveled to more than 67 countries spanning 6 continents. He has received over 150 awards, honorary doctorates, prizes, etc., in recognition of his message of peace, non-violence, inter-religious understanding, universal responsibility and compassion. He has also authored or co-authored more than 110 books” ( A Brief Bibliography )

So it would seem, on the surface that criticism of this Asian theocratic leader would be a great injustice. Besides, the internet is full of apparently wonderful spiritual quotes from this divine figure .

"Through Atheist Eyes" with Frank Zindler: John Loftus On the OTF