Operation Clambake
I’d like to give a quick shout out to Andreas Heldal-Lund who continues to maintain Operation Clambake, a clearinghouse of valuable information on the Church of Scientology. Many of us infidels have corresponded with Andreas over the years and I remember a particularly tough time he went through five years ago keeping the secret library … Operation Clambake
Beleaguered Minority?
Brad Harrub of Apologetics Press gave a talk at my university last week, to kick off a series of creationist presentations that went on in local churches. I like talking to creationists — their views at least have the virtue of being wrong, when so much else said in defense of religon is not even … Beleaguered Minority?
Dennett review in NYT
The New York Times has just published a rather stupid review of Daniel C. Dennett’s new book, Breaking the Spell. The intelligent design creationists like it, and just about anyone who buys into the traditional self-conception of philosophy as the fundamental intellectual discipline should find much in it to like as well. Wieseltier, the reviewer … Dennett review in NYT
Pomo – ID link
If anyone is still interested in the points of connection between creationism and postmodernism, or just wants something that has less to do with modal navel-gazing, take a look at Norman Levitt writing on Steve Fuller and ID.
Lessons from Primates
I haven’t posted in a while because I’ve been busy migrating the software that supports the secweb.org kiosk. That’s online now so I can breathe a little easier. Yesterday I read a fantastic article in the January/February issue of Foreign Affairs by primatologist Robert Sapolsky on primate behavior (also online here). The typical story of … Lessons from Primates
Sophisticated Critique of Many Worlds Explanation of Fine-Tuning
The following essay was recommended to me by Paul Draper. The paper is not a defense of the fine-tuning argument, but he regards it as one of the best critiques of the many worlds explanation of fine-tuning: Roger White, “Fine-tuning and Multiple Universes,” forthcoming in Nousftmu.pdf (PDF) Here is some info about the author: ROGER … Sophisticated Critique of Many Worlds Explanation of Fine-Tuning
Carrier and Wanchick debate: Argument from Mind-Brain Dysteleology
In the Carrier-Wanchick debate, Carrier gives an argument for naturalism from the fact that minds are embodied in brains. As part of the setup, he writes: If BT [Biblical theism] is true, then (a) a brainless mind is possible, (b) God could have imbued humans with one, (c) no mind exists that was not deliberately … Carrier and Wanchick debate: Argument from Mind-Brain Dysteleology
Frivolous Lawsuit on the Historicity of Jesus
Here’s one that belongs in the category, “I don’t know whether to laugh or to cry.” When people see the words “Catholic priest” and “stand trial” used together, they will probably assume that the priest is either being prosecuted or sued for some sort of alleged sexual abuse. A recent court proceeding in Italy, however, … Frivolous Lawsuit on the Historicity of Jesus
Reppert on Drange vs. Wilson
Victor Reppert here provides an assessment of the Drange-Wilson debate on the existence of the Christian God.
Are Atheists “Afraid” of God?
Imagine a man, Tom, who likes sweets but not ice cream. He has no personal disagreements with anyone who does eat ice cream; he just chooses not to eat ice cream himself. In fact, Tom is friends with several people who will eat ice cream, but no other dessert. Suddenly, out of nowhere, comes an … Are Atheists “Afraid” of God?