A Good Review of My New Book, "How to Defend the Christian Faith"
What to Understand about the "Infamous Loftus Ego" and How to Deal With That Rascal ;-)
Labels: "Responding to Critics", Lowder
Lance Laven's Brilliantly Stated Deconversion Testimony
Phil Torres Wrote a Brief Review Of My New Book, "How To Defend the Christian Faith"
Dr. Abby Hafer's New Book Is Almost Out!
Why do men's testicles hang outside the body? Why does our appendix sometimes explode and kill us? And who does the Designer like better, anyway--us or squid? These and other questions are addressed in The Not-So-Intelligent Designer: Why Evolution Explains the Human Body and Intelligent Design Does Not.
Dr. Abby Hafer argues that the human body has many faulty design features that would never have been the choice of an intelligent creator.
She also points out that there are other animals that got better body parts, which makes the Designer look a bit strange; discusses the history and politics of Intelligent Design and creationism; reveals animals that shouldn't exist according to Intelligent Design; and disposes of the idea of irreducible complexity.
Her points are illustrated with pictures, wit, and erudition.
"EVIDENCE, MIRACLES AND THE EXISTENCE OF JESUS" by Dr. Stephen Law
Censorship at Amazon!
Trump's Thanksgiving Plate
My latest column is about how Native Americans might see Donald Trump’s demand to deport all illegal immigrants. My essay also addresses the myth, most recently voiced by presidential candidate Bobby Jindal, that religious freedom made this country great.
Labels: "Avalos"
Edited: Responding to the "Great Silence" On Amazon
The "Great Silence" edited his Amazon review. Now it begins with something false:In an attempt to censor me from commenting on Amazon reviews, the "Great Silence" (an anonymous confessing Catholic) showed up. He(?) says it's unprofessional for me to comment on Amazon reviews of my books. Nice try but I'm not biting. Some people actually like discussing a book with the author, and I oblige them sometimes. It offers a chance to learn more by doing so, good or bad. It produces one or two more rounds of counter-argument and counter-counter-argument, which can better help people in their search for the truth. He prefers the professionalism of other authors who don't respond to reviews on Amazon. However, they could be seen in a different light than one of praiseworthy professionalism. They just might view themselves as too good to lower themselves to the rank-in-file commenters on Amazon. Who knows?
Edited to add : if you ever consider writing a review of one of Loftus' books, even a reasonable one like below, first read what Loftus and his cronies will regard as fair comment on such review. See the insecure smear "article" on Loftus' blog in response to this review. So, before you comment on anything Loftus writes, know that not all these paragons of rationality allow criticism or fair comment. I really have no idea why his publisher would allow him to conduct himself like this.You know what? This is one thing that really grates on me. He is anonymous. Get it, anonymous. We don't know how old he is, where he lives, or if he's really a "he". I am a real person. This is my name. You can find out about me if you want to. But look at him, defending his honor and his name by smearing mine. This post below is the only thing I wrote about his review. It's still unchanged. How in the hell can I smear someone if he doesn't have a name? So tell you what, my faithful cronies, one and all, far and wide, vote his review down.. ;-) It's not true. It's the "Great Silence(r)" who wants to silence me from commenting on his review. It was that way from the start. I'm dogged by so many stupid people that sometimes it just makes me ill.
Armin Navabi: Ex-Muslim Turned Global Atheist Activist
In a recent post about Navabi, Kristen Hovet tells of his painful deconversion:
A few years went by and Navabi’s faith began to flounder, regardless of the strong influence of religious teachers at his school. He felt ashamed for doubting Islam, but trusted that his god was a god of reason and would surely deliver. “But it didn’t go that way,” he says. “I went to hunt for evidence, and I didn’t find anything.” He read voraciously, concentrating on his own religion, other religions, and history, and came to the conclusion that all religions are manmade. But he did not arrive at this conclusion painlessly.Hovet writes, "Now, at the age of 31, a lot has changed from his experiences in Iran to his current life in Canada. He is the founder of the Atheist Republic website and the Atheist Republic Facebook page, which alone has over one million likes – making it one of the most popular pages of its kind."
“It got to the point where I was begging God for evidence. I cried. I was like, ‘God, I’m going to lose faith in you. So, if you’re out there, show me something! Anything!’” By the age of 18, Navabi had given up. He knew he was an atheist and that there would be no going back.
Congrats go out to Amin Navabi for a job well done! We probably won't find anyone so passionate or logical as he is. To read more of his story and how he went to being a global phenomenon as an atheist activist click here.]
"They Burn Witches Here" A True Story by Kent Russell
Having studied the phenomena of witch hunts myself for a chapter I wrote in Christianity Is Not Great, I was very interested in reading this first-hand story of witch hunts in "modern" Papua New Guinea.
Labels: "witch hunts", witch hunts
Christianity in the Light of Science: Critically Examining the World's Largest Religion
Here's Another Excerpt from My New Book, Posted by the Friendly Atheist
There seems to be a lot of misunderstanding about my new book.
This is a book that has a two edged sword to it. It tells wanna-be apologists how to argue correctly for their faith. In doing so they'll also learn that if they argue correctly they wouldn't do apologetics at all, because by doing apologetics correctly they will learn Christianity cannot be defended at all. You really should read it. It's really good, and I don't just say so myself.
Comments On the Official Release Day Of My New Book
Hi John, I'm a Catholic of the open-minded-lets-see-how-strong-my-faith-is type. I have received your latest book, and will start reading that today. I found your other books to be some of the very best atheist arguments out there, if not (yet) completely convincing. Your own essay on animal suffering is the single most devastating argument that I have ever read against my faith. I still don't have much of an answer against it. Well, let's see how you go with this one. I like the starting premise - an apparent Christian apologetics book that will most likely conclude that it's all a fool's errand.Edit: He later added:
Your chapter on the five schools of evidence / apologetic argumentation is brilliant. That is the type of information that very few people would really get to engage with.This one is from Phil Torres on Facebook:
I've read about half of this book by John W. Loftus so far, and I can tell you that it's fantastic. Exceptionally well-written, very thoughtful, and quite authoritative. I'm looking forward to reading the rest and posting a review on Amazon!
On Christian Theology and Absolute Truth: A Thought
You Can Now Read Peter Boghossian's Foreword To My New Book
Ken Ham's Apologetics Is a Tacit Admission He Doesn't Think the Evidence Exists to Believe!
Introducing the X-Risks Institute (for the Study of Extremism)
But technology isn't being developed in a vacuum. This is a crucial point that constitutes, in my view, a major weakness in a lot of (otherwise good) work being done by secular futurists. To my knowledge, virtually no one is asking questions about the important relationship between advanced technologies and religion, the latter of which is one of the most pervasive and influential cultural phenomena in the world.
Labels: Christianity, existential risks, Islam, religion, superintelligence, terrorism
Ahhhh, the Mind of the Believer
Dr. James Lindsay Reviews My Latest Book
Four years ago I wrote in my first book about what I called The Problem of Apologetics, making the case that the very existence of apologetics--lawyerly defenses of religious faith--is a major strike against the believability of the contents of any faith tradition employing them. In considering and formulating that set of ideas, I rapidly concluded that religious apologetics don't deserve serious consideration, and as a result I thought it wasn't possible for me to take them any less seriously. I was wrong. In his new book, How to Defend the Christian Faith: Advice from an Atheist, John W. Loftus managed to convince me that the amount of respect I should give to religious apologetic arguments isn't zero, as I had concluded; it is less than zero.
Those who wish to defend the Christian faith should read How to Defend the Christian Faith with utmost seriousness, ponder its contents, and ultimately find something better to do with their time as a result. Others should read it to get a full sense of just how bad the case for Christianity really is. As I argue extensively in my newest book, Everybody Is Wrong About God, the time has come to give no serious consideration to the entire theistic enterprise, and How to Defend the Christian Faith shows us exactly why. The case is hopeless; it's time to move on. LINK.
More Than 20 Teachers and Employees Were Let Go at Cincinnati Christian University On Oct. 23
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EDIT: Jack Cottrell responded to a question abut "doctrinal stability" with this:
I am always concerned for doctrinal stability. That is my life's work. And this doctrinal stability is always threatened in one way or another. The issue discussed in the article by H. L. Mason is no longer a presence on the CCU campus.
A Reflection On Randal Rauser: Some Final Thoughts On An Interesting and Paradoxical Personality, Guest Post Written by Tristan Vick aka The Advocatus Atheist
Way back in October of 2013 I sat down and read Randal Rauser’s book The Swedish Atheist the Scuba Diver and Other Apologetic Rabbit Trails and then, as is my habit, wrote a series of brief reviews about my impressions on my philosophy of religion blog The Advocatus Atheist.
Initially, I think the thing that struck a chord with me about Randal was that he didn't seem like he was rehashing all the same old Christian apologetic fanfare. Rather, there seemed to be some genuine thought behind his arguments, and I found that rather refreshing (for a religious apologist). Randal is articulate and approaches perceived problems in Christianity differently than other apologists (heck, he even admits there ARE theological problems in Christianity that need addressing – so kudos to him).
I Highly Recommend "The Faithless Feminist"
It was not a simple decision...when I left behind my faith.I highly recommend her site. Read this guest post by Shanna Babilonia, who discusses five reasons why organized religion might have problems with educated women.
However, I could no longer ignore the historical and social truths that surrounded me.
For me, the Bible became a book written by men that reinforced a patriarchal view of society. I began to identify as an atheist.
I could have left it as a private decision shared only with friends and family. But I became troubled as I continued to see the reach of religion into women’s private lives. I reached out to other women who had left religion behind and asked them to write about their journeys.
I am currently in the process of getting their 18 stories published in a new book.
This website is intended to continue that discussion with posts not just by my authors and myself, but by others who want a forum to discuss current events on the intersection of women and religion or other topics relevant to “faithless feminists.”
You Want Polls and Statistics? Bernie Sanders Is the Only Democrat Electable Who Wins In the General Election
Labels: Bernie Sanders
God Cannot Be Perfect Because Perfect Does Not Make Sense
Bernie Sanders Can and Will Win!
Labels: Bernie Sanders
Why Sam Harris and Noam Chomsky are Both Right
Labels: al-Baghdadi, al-Zarqawi, Allah, apocalypse, apocalyptic, atheism, Dabiq, David Petraeus, Graeme Wood, Islam, Islamic State, Mahdi, Muhammad, Noam Chomsky, religion, Sam Harris, terrorism, Vice News, Will McCants
What You Need to Know About Bernie Sanders Supporters, by Staks Rosch
Labels: Bernie Sanders
Where's the Secular/Humanist/Atheist Support for Senator Bernie Sanders?
So let me tell naysayers why I think this is the most important goal we can probably pursue right now, and why more secularists, humanists and atheists should back Bernie's candidacy. After all, we're a strong important voting block that if fully engaged could make this happen. And if we make Sanders the Democratic Party's nomination then people in the middle will have to vote for him in the general election, since the Republicans only have nutcases vying for the same high office. If you read just one post from me on Sanders for President read the rest of this one.
Labels: Bernie Sanders
Why Bernie Sanders Is Attracting Conservatives
Republicans “divide people on gay marriage. They divide people on abortion. They divide people on immigration. And what my job is, and it’s not just in blue states. . . [is] to bring working people together around an economic agenda that works. People are sick and tired of establishment politics; they are sick and tired of a politics in which candidates continue to represent the rich and the powerful.”
Labels: Bernie Sanders
Sarah Silverman Endorses Bernie Sanders Who Has Always Been On the Right Side of History
Labels: Bernie Sanders
A Recent Review of My Co-Written Book "God of Godless"
Rauser is perhaps not the best (or at least, not the more forceful) advocate for the Christian position that could have been featured; nevertheless, this is a creative, cordial, well-presented exchange of viewpoints, that will be of great interest to anyone (on either “side”) interested in such debates. --Steven H. Prop, LINK
Labels: GoG Reviews
Bernie Sanders Called "The Amendment King"--"one of the most effective members of Congress"
“I’m a progressive, but I’m a progressive who likes to get things done,” Hillary Clinton said at the first Democratic debate, in response to a question from moderator Anderson Cooper about whether she defines herself as a moderate or a progressive.
The implication was that progressive Bernie Sanders is too far to the left to accomplish anything—all of his ideas are pie-in-the-sky. You have to be able to find the bipartisan, “warm, purple space” as Clinton said earlier this year, to get anything done. Slate’s Jamelle Bouie was super-impressed by this rationale, saying Clinton has “skilled use of bureaucratic power.”
The problem with this narrative is that it is completely false. Not only has Sanders gotten a lot more things done than Clinton did in her own short legislative career, he’s actually one of the most effective members of Congress, passing bills, both big and small, that have reshaped American policy on key issues like poverty, the environment and health care. LINK.
Labels: Bernie Sanders
Satan as God's Management Executive
What Would The Democratic Presidential Candidates Look Like If They Wore Their Sponsors On Their Sleeves?
Labels: Bernie Sanders
How and When to Vote for Bernie Sanders
Labels: Bernie Sanders
Seth MacFarlane Supports Bernie Sanders, Here's Why You Should Too
Labels: Bernie Sanders
Far from fringe: A historian explains why the democratic socialism of Bernie Sanders is an American idea
Labels: Bernie Sanders