Americans not more religious than Europeans?
There is some recent research that adds to the long-known fact that Americans inflate their religious participations in surveys. It appears that in terms of frequency of attending services, Americans are not such an outlier compared to other post-industrial nations after all. Shankar Vedantam suggests that this indicates that Americans are actually not significantly more … Americans not more religious than Europeans?
What God Cannot Do – Part 1
For the past couple of months I have been reading philosophers of religion, esp. Richard Swinburne, about divine attributes. According to most theists, omnipotence is a divine attribute, a property of God. There are some interesting problems and puzzles concerning omnipotence, a key problem being the paradox of the stone. Here is a summary of … What God Cannot Do – Part 1
Evolution and its Rivals
Synthese has a special issue on “Evolution and its Rivals,” including papers by a number of people, particularly philosophers, involved in criticism of intelligent design creationism. I haven’t had a chance to read them all yet, what with just having finished a semester—I turned in final grades today. But I thought I should post, because … Evolution and its Rivals
Extraordinary Claims and Extraordinary Evidence
Note: This will be my last post until after the holidays. I look forward to responding to comments in a couple of weeks. An online site called CARM—Christian Apologetics and Research Ministries—has posted an article titled “Extraordinary Claims Require Extraordinary Evidence.” http://carm.org/apologetics/evidence-and-answers/extraordinary-claims-require-extraordinary-evidence Victor Reppert’s Dangerous Idea blog linked with this site and a lively discussion … Extraordinary Claims and Extraordinary Evidence
If Threatened, Call the Mounties
It is a real pleasure to be able via this medium to correspond with smart people in Britain, Australia, Greece, Finland, and all over. Though the exchanges sometimes get boisterous, they are usually thoughtful and informed. The downside is that you cannot completely exclude comments by the ignorant, the fatuous, the self-important, or the seriously … If Threatened, Call the Mounties
Another Honor Killing
I ran across a Turkish news item that was in many respects not unusual: A newly wed couple murdered by the brother of the bride in order to restore the family honor. Apparently the bride’s family strongly objected to the relationship, disapproving and trying to dissuade her. But this was not in a rural area … Another Honor Killing
Scientific proof of God! (Again!)
Here’s another example of a Muslim use of half-understood science to prove the existence of the soul and of God, published in something that is ostensibly a scientific journal. (Thanks to Glenn Branch.) “Molecular genetic program (genome) contrasted against non-molecular invisible biosoftware in the light of the Quran and the Bible,” by Pallacken Abdul Wahid, … Scientific proof of God! (Again!)
On public radio
If you’re interested in science and Islam, check out the latest in the “Science and the Search for Meaning” program by Wisconsin Public Radio, called “Can Islam and Science Coexist?” It opens with a five minute interview with me, and goes on to talk to others, including an advocate of “Islamic science” and an Islamic … On public radio
Easter Week: What Really Happened?
In comments on earlier posts Bradley Bowen offers some speculations about what really happened at the crucifixion. In his view, Jesus might have survived the crucifixion, and so was discovered alive on Easter morning, prompting stories of a resurrection. As I have argued elsewhere (see my essay in The Empty Tomb), I do not think … Easter Week: What Really Happened?
Is Critique Secular?
I’ve just read Is Critique Secular? Blasphemy, Injury and Free Speech by Talal Asad, Wendy Brown, Judith Butler, and Saba Mahmood. Asad and Mahmood make some interesting observations, but the contributions by Brown and Butler consist largely of postmodern, Foucault-genuflecting pseudoradical posturing. A couple of interesting points that stick with me after what was largely … Is Critique Secular?