Recent Discussion of My Old List, “How to be an Atheist Apologist”
I haven’t been a regular, active participant on message boards for years, but I recently decided to participate in the thread at Rational Skepticism about my 2006 post, “How to be an Atheist Apologist.” The topics we’ve discussed include: The discussion board thread may be found here; my comments start here.
Argument Against the Resurrection of Jesus – Part 11
A key claim made by Christian apologists who defend the resurrection goes like this: (JAW) Jesus of Nazareth was alive and walking around unassisted on the first Easter Sunday.This claim is either true or it is not. In posts 7 through 10 of this series, I have been examining the implications of the supposition that … Argument Against the Resurrection of Jesus – Part 11
Christopher Hitchens RIP
Dear Bleaders, I wrote a little essay on Christopher Hitchens and the meaning of life and death for the Ottawa Citizen called “For Atheists This Life is Enough.” Maybe have a look? Maybe tell me what you think. x Jennifer
Religious Minimalism
This is an interesting article that I find largely congenial: I do wonder what the authors mean by “humility,” which is an attitude they recommend for both believers and non-believers. Humility is a Christian virtue, and it has its positives and negatives. On the positive side, a dose of humility can be a fine corrective … Religious Minimalism
Christopher Hitchens: 1949 – 2011
The incomparable Christopher Hitchens has died. I never met him, but I already miss him.
Don McIntosh’s Reply to Keith Parsons on Extraordinary Claims Require Extraordinary Evidence
Internet Infidels just published the following on The Secular Web: “The Presumption of Naturalism and the Probability of Miracles: A Reply to Keith Parsons” by Don McIntosh. Abstract: In Chapter Four of Science, Confirmation, and the Theistic Hypothesis, Keith Parsons defends the dictum that extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence as part of a general critique … Don McIntosh’s Reply to Keith Parsons on Extraordinary Claims Require Extraordinary Evidence
Please Support the Internet Infidels and the Secular Web
As the end-of-the-year approaches, now is a great time to consider making a charitable donation to support the Internet Infidels and The Secular Web. Hundreds of scholarly authors and other writers have donated time and effort to make their insights freely available and easily accessible to all by publishing on the Secular Web. Behind the … Please Support the Internet Infidels and the Secular Web
Argument Against the Resurrection of Jesus – Part 10
A key claim made by Christian apologists who defend the resurrection goes like this: (JAW) Jesus of Nazareth was alive and walking around unassisted on the first Easter Sunday. We are considering the implications of the following supposition: 4. (JAW) is false. On this supposition, there are three logical possibilities: A. Jesus was not alive … Argument Against the Resurrection of Jesus – Part 10
Atheistic Teleological Arguments, Part 6: Richard Dawkins’s Chapter Summarized
In chapter 4 of his book The God Delusion, Richard Dawkins advances an argument for atheism he calls the “Ultimate Boeing 747 Gambit,” in reference to Fred Hoyle’s famous comment about a Boeing 747 arising by chance in a junkyard.[26] Just as Hoyle’s argument appeals to the (alleged) improbability of evolution, Dawkins’s argument appeals to … Atheistic Teleological Arguments, Part 6: Richard Dawkins’s Chapter Summarized
How to Be an Atheist Apologist, Part 2
Five years ago I wrote two satirical pieces: “How to Be a Christian Apologist” and “How to Be an Atheist Apologist.” I’m now inspired to write part 2. 11. Corollary to #2: Assume that all atheist biblical scholars are credible because they have no agenda, but zero Christian biblical scholars are credible because they do have … How to Be an Atheist Apologist, Part 2