Constitutional Fundamentalists
Right-wing columnist Marc A. Thiessen recently wrote an op/ed claiming that “liberal presidents tend to nominate judicial activists who legislate from the bench and shape the law to reach their preferred outcomes” (Concerning “Chief Justice is incorrect on both counts,” by Marc A. Thiessen, The Houston Chronicle, 11/26, p. A17). Further, “These liberal judges hold that … Constitutional Fundamentalists
Why I May Have to Stop Blogging with Patheos
I have long enjoyed posting and commenting on Secular Outpost. I also frequently leave acerbic comments on Friendly Atheist. I think that both sites are hosted by Patheos. I may have to stop however. While I am trying to comment–and I do try to put thought into my comments–advertisements are rapidly flipping just below and … Why I May Have to Stop Blogging with Patheos
Skepticism about Religion – Part 6: Cultural Bias and Social Conditioning
========================= II. There are good reasons to be SKEPTICAL about religion and religious beliefs. A. Religion is NOT the key to Happiness and Virtue, contrary to common belief. B. Significant Disagreements exist Between Different Religions. C. Religious Beliefs are Typically Based on Cultural Bias and Social Conditioning. ======================== Religious Beliefs Are Associated with Geographical Locations … Skepticism about Religion – Part 6: Cultural Bias and Social Conditioning
Skepticism about Religion – Part 5: Disagreement between Religions
========================= II. There are good reasons to be SKEPTICAL about religion and religious beliefs. A. Religion is NOT the key to Happiness and Virtue, contrary to common belief. B. Significant Disagreements exist Between Different Religions. ======================== Significant Disagreements exist Between Different Religions According to Christianity, Jesus was God incarnate, fully God and fully human. But … Skepticism about Religion – Part 5: Disagreement between Religions
Morality does not depend on the existence of God
Some people believe (or claim to believe) that if God does not exist, then there are no objective moral truths (e.g., truths about what we are morally obligated to do or refrain from doing). This claim is false as the following argument shows: (1) Torturing a child causes the child to experience severe suffering. (2) … Morality does not depend on the existence of God
Belief, Unbelief, and Rationality
In his classic essay “The Ethics of Belief,” mathematical and philosophical wunderkind W.K. Clifford (1845-1879) famously made rationality a branch of ethics. A belief is rational when we have discharged all of our epistemic duties in forming that belief and are thereby within our epistemic rights in holding it. Your epistemic duty is to carefully … Belief, Unbelief, and Rationality
Does Rhetoric Lead to Violence?
I have been away from Secular Outpost for about six months due to a very heavy teaching schedule and publishing commitments. However, recent events compel me to come back and say some things. The morning of 10/31/18 on NPR’s 1A program with Joshua Johnson they were discussing the question of whether overheated rhetoric can lead … Does Rhetoric Lead to Violence?