Bradley Bowen

I was a devout Evangelical Christian from 1970 to 1982. The study of philosophy, especially philosophy of religion, led me to see that my Christian faith was founded on weak and faulty arguments. I followed where reason led me, and left Christianity in favor of skepticism, critical thinking, and a secular humanist worldview. Background in Philosophy - B.A. in philosophy from Sonoma State University. M.A. in philosophy from University of Windsor. Candidate for PhD in philosophy from University of California at Santa Barbara.

Dear Brian Cornell:

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Bradley BowenCritical Thinker & SkepticKirkland, WA 98034March 23, 2024 Brian CornellChair & Chief Executive OfficerTarget Corporation1000 Nicollet Mall, TPS-2670Minneapolis, Minnesota 55403 Dear Brian Cornell, I have been a Target customer for at least three decades.  I have shopped at the Target store in Redmond, Washington many many times.  I also own stock in Target.  However, … Dear Brian Cornell:

A Case Against the Swoon Theory in the McDowells’ Evidence For the Resurrection

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THE CASE AGAINST THE SWOON THEORY IN THE RESURRECTION FACTOR In Chapter 6 of The Resurrection Factor (hereafter: TRF), published in 1981, Josh McDowell makes a case against the Swoon Theory, a case that draws on historical claims made in Chapter 3 of TRF. McDowell’s case against the Swoon Theory in TRF can be understood … A Case Against the Swoon Theory in the McDowells’ Evidence For the Resurrection

The Evil God Challenge

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There is a helpful post by Daniel Mocsny on the Evil God Challenge over on the Debunking Christianity website: https://www.debunking-christianity.com/2025/03/the-evil-god-challenge-part-one.html The post includes a link to this interesting video of Stephen Law discussing the Evil God Challenge: The post by Mocsny also includes a number of other helpful links to more articles on the Evil … The Evil God Challenge

Jesus was NOT a Rabbi

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In the Gospels, Jesus is sometimes called “Rabbi”: 50 Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus.51 “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him.The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.”52 “Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight … Jesus was NOT a Rabbi

Careful Argument Analysis of William Craig’s Deceptive-Jesus Objection to the Swoon Theory

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THREE OBJECTIONS TO THE SWOON THEORY FROM WILLIAM CRAIG In his book The Son Rises (Chicago, IL: Moody Press, 1981; hereafter: TSR), the Christian apologist William Craig raises three objections against the Swoon Theory: Craig’s Objection #1: Jesus’ Physical InjuriesCraig’s Objection #2: The Deceptive Jesus ObjectionCraig’s Objection #3: The Sickly Jesus Objection Craig’s Objection #3 … Careful Argument Analysis of William Craig’s Deceptive-Jesus Objection to the Swoon Theory

NT and Jesus Scholars on the Alleged Trial before Pilate

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In his book The Son Rises, the Christian apologist William Craig raises three objections against the Swoon Theory: Craig’s Objection #1: Jesus’ Physical InjuriesCraig’s Objection #2: The Deceptive Jesus ObjectionCraig’s Objection #3: The Sickly Jesus Objection Craig makes dozens of historical claims in support of Objection #1, but fails to provide historical evidence in support … NT and Jesus Scholars on the Alleged Trial before Pilate

Jesus Scholars on the Alleged Jewish Trial of Jesus

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In his book The Son Rises, the Christian apologist William Craig raises three objections against the Swoon Theory: Craig’s Objection #1: Jesus’ Physical InjuriesCraig’s Objection #2: The Deceptive Jesus ObjectionCraig’s Objection #3: The Sickly Jesus Objection Craig makes dozens of historical claims in support of Objection #1, but fails to provide historical evidence in suppor … Jesus Scholars on the Alleged Jewish Trial of Jesus

Eyewitness Testimony is Unreliable

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WHERE WE ARE In a series of posts about the Hallucination Theory (the view that Jesus’ disciples had experiences of the risen Jesus because they had hallucinations of Jesus), one key point that I argued for is that eyewitness testimony is unreliable. This point is also of general relevance to the question: Did God raise … Eyewitness Testimony is Unreliable