Phony financial planner defrauds churchgoers
James J. Buchanan of the Christ Life Church in Tempe, Arizona, defrauded 30-40 people out of over $5 million over the last ten years. He claimed to be a financial planner, and took many people’s life’s savings, as well as money from the church. The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office says it’s hard to tell where … Phony financial planner defrauds churchgoers
Republicans Unite Against Atheists
In a Republican presidential debate, Newt Gingrich stated the following: think if the question is does faith matter, absolutely. How can you have a country which is founded on truth, which begins, “We are endowed by our creator with certain unalienable rights” — how — how can you have the Northwest Ordinance of 1787, which … Republicans Unite Against Atheists
Old News But Still Interesting: Vatican Plans Major Effort to Engage Non-Believers
I have been out of the loop; I completely missed this when it was news. Here’s a link to an announcement from the Vatican Information Service, dated March 18, 2011, about a formal dialogue between believers and non-believers. LINK Elsewhere, courtesy of Hemant Mehta at The Friendly Atheist, we learn that the Vatican’s desire to … Old News But Still Interesting: Vatican Plans Major Effort to Engage Non-Believers
LINK: Atheist Ethicist: Atheists Speaking about Morality
This is an old post by Alonzo Fyfe, but one not previously mentioned on The Secular Outpost, where he critiques atheists who have spoken about morality. Atheist Ethicist: Atheists Speaking about Morality Your name Your email Subject Your message (optional)
LINK: Alonzo Fyfe on Wielenberg’s Value and Virtue in a Godless Universe
Just discovered this and sharing the link without taking a position on its arguments. LINK — Fyfe’s comments are located near the bottom of the page (HT: Luke Muelhauser) Your name Your email Subject Your message (optional)
Catalog of Bayesian Arguments in Philosophy of Religion
I’ve created a new page, with a permanent link near the top of the screen, to a catalog of Bayesian arguments in the philosophy of religion, including Bayesian arguments for and against God’s existence. This is a work-in-progress, so please leave a comment on that page to let me know of any additions, edits, etc. … Catalog of Bayesian Arguments in Philosophy of Religion
Repost: Shameless Self-Promotion of My Debate with Phil Fernandes
This is a re-post. Please pardon the shameless self-promotion, but the video of my 1999 debate with Phil Fernandes on naturalism vs. theism was uploaded to YouTube some time ago. If you haven’t already seen it, I invite you to view it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yl2lUIku-zo Your name Your email Subject Your message (optional)
Probabilities and Ultimate Posits
Victor Reppert has a short essay on his Dangerous Idea blog on the use of probability arguments in the philosophy of religion. Here I would like to offer my own take on the question. A principle often invoked by theists making probability arguments is what Robin Collins calls the “prime principle of confirmation (PPC),” which … Probabilities and Ultimate Posits
LINK: Stephen Law’s Evil-God Challenge
In his recent debate with William Lane Craig, Stephen Law presented his evil God challenge. Law had formally documented this challenge in a 2009 article in the academic journal Religious Studies. Here is the abstract: Abstract: This paper develops a challenge to theism. The challenge is to explain why the hypothesis that there exists an … LINK: Stephen Law’s Evil-God Challenge
Flanagan’s Response to Me (Re: Jerry Coyne on Explaining Morality)
Matthew Flanagan has written a response to my post on Jerry Coyne and explaining morality. I am quoting his response in its entirety, with Flannagan’s permission. Hi Jeffery, I tried posting this on your site but couldn’t, feel free to do so. You write: ”I suspect that C.S. Lewis’ moral argument for God’s existence is … Flanagan’s Response to Me (Re: Jerry Coyne on Explaining Morality)