What is Christianity? Part 9
As Ninian Smart points out, there are secular worldviews as well as religious worldviews. A religion is a religious worldview as opposed to a secular worldview. Marxism and Secular Humanism are examples of secular worldviews. Christianity, Buddhism, Judaism, and Islam are examples of religions or religious worldviews. Smart, however, asserts that worldviews (both religious … What is Christianity? Part 9
The Intellectual Poverty of Ken Ham’s Presuppositionalist Meme
I recently saw a Twitter meme of Ken Ham making a crude appeal to a presuppositionalist type of argument against all non-Christians, not just atheists. I don’t want to deal with any potential licensing issues with the image, so rather than display the image on my blog instead I’ll quote the words below. Non-Christian scientists are … The Intellectual Poverty of Ken Ham’s Presuppositionalist Meme
The Resurrection: A Critical Inquiry – Part 1
In this series I will discuss a recently published book called The Resurrection: A Critical Inquiry (hereafter: TRACI). It is not my intention to DO a critical inquiry into the (alleged) resurrection of Jesus in these posts. Rather, I will be describing and commenting on the efforts of Michael J. Alter, the author of TRACI, to … The Resurrection: A Critical Inquiry – Part 1
Nasty as you want to be: Bash Erdogan
Lately here at SO I have issued a number of calls for civility in discussions, eliciting some very uncivil responses from some quarters. Generally, though, the comments have been encouragingly positive and make me think that the rude and the crude, as always, make us overlook the good people. Yep, civility, restraint, and respect. All … Nasty as you want to be: Bash Erdogan
Think Airplane Legroom is Bad? Wait Until They Reduce Headroom!
Now that the U.S. Senate has defeated the airplane legroom amendment, airlines are breathing a big sigh of relief. In fact, according to several industry insiders — who all spoke only on condition of anonymity — their next move is to take away headroom. While the ceiling is normally 6′ above the floor on jets … Think Airplane Legroom is Bad? Wait Until They Reduce Headroom!
How to Respond to Personal Attacks
Don’t. Unless the attack also involves a larger issue that needs to be discussed, don’t bother. The reason that I do not generally respond to personal attacks is that anybody who would believe it would be someone for whom I have no respect and for whose opinion (about me or anything else) I could not possibly care … How to Respond to Personal Attacks
Doing it Right the “Old” Way
Do you need a Ph.D. in philosophy to be a legitimate and respectable participant in the theism/atheism debate or the science/religion debate? Of course not. But you do need to know what you are talking about. Those, however accomplished in other fields, who leap into the debate philosophically uninformed inevitably commit freshman mistakes that expose … Doing it Right the “Old” Way
Aquinas’ Argument for the Existence of God – Part 6
A key part of Aquinas’ argument for the existence of God in Summa Theologica is found in Question 14, Article 1: “Whether There Is Knowledge in God?”. In that article, Aquinas argues for the conclusion that “In God there exists the most perfect knowledge.” The word “God” here is a misleading translation, and I take … Aquinas’ Argument for the Existence of God – Part 6
Response to William Lane Craig – Part 15
Here is my main objection to William Craig’s case for the resurrection of Jesus: In order to prove that Jesus rose from the dead, one must first prove that Jesus died on the cross. But in most of William Craig’s various books, articles, and debates, he simply ignores this issue. He makes no serious attempt … Response to William Lane Craig – Part 15
In Defense of “Old” Atheism
John Loftus says that I have gotten old and so I favor an old, outmoded atheism and I should get with the new, hip, aggressive, in-your-face, take-no-prisoners atheism: http://debunkingchristianity.blogspot.com/2016/04/keith-parsons-is-just-old-that-explains.html Loftus’ Debunking Christianity site has an ad for foods that fight dementia. I guess that was meant for me! Actually, I am 63. Is Loftus that … In Defense of “Old” Atheism