Frank Schaeffer Speaking the Naked Truth about Evangelical Christianity
https://fb.watch/mde4HpZTeN/ The problem with Evangelical Christianity is NOT just that it has become politicized and become a political tool of the Republican Party (in the USA). The problem is that it is a false superstition that is based on unthinking acceptance of the authority of the Bible. The Bible is merely a product of flawed … Frank Schaeffer Speaking the Naked Truth about Evangelical Christianity
Thomas Friedman gets it Right on Islam and Terrorism
What is the connection between Islam and terrorism? Any answer you give will likely draw strident and intemperate criticism. If you say that there is a connection, you will be charged with Islamophobia. If you say that there is no connection and that terrorism has only political, social, and economic causes, then you will be … Thomas Friedman gets it Right on Islam and Terrorism
Godless Spellchecker Reports on What’s Being Said About Atheists in Arabic
The blogger and podcaster Godless Spellchecker has a disturbing post about what’s being said about atheists in Arabic. Twitter user @Ahmedaa1k posted a tweet (in Arabic) which said, “Atheism is not a crime.” The responses (also in Arabic) contained many variations of “If I could, I would kill or torture then kill atheists.” I don’t know if there … Godless Spellchecker Reports on What’s Being Said About Atheists in Arabic
What is Christianity? Part 2
One objection to my cognitivist view of religion and Christianity is this popular little bit of stupidity: “Christianity is not a religion; it is a relationship with Jesus Christ.” I have three initial responses to this statement: (1) read your freaking bible, (2) read your freaking dictionary, and (3) use your freaking brain. 1. READ … What is Christianity? Part 2
Atheist Scholar Phil Zuckerman: OK to Criticize Christianity, but Not Islam
You should read both the article and the comments. LINK I could be wrong, but my hunch is that Zuckerman is probably right. Also, I don’t know this for a fact either, but I suspect that the same fear which stifles atheist criticism of Islam also stifles Christian criticism of Islam. Yes, there are atheist and Christian … Atheist Scholar Phil Zuckerman: OK to Criticize Christianity, but Not Islam
More Open Questions for Muslims
Note: These are not rhetorical questions. I really would like to know. Q: What is blasphemy against the Prophet? Is any criticism of Islam or the Qur’an or Mohammed considered blasphemy? If not, can you cite any instances of such critiques that are not blasphemous? Q: On the other hand, if even the mildest and … More Open Questions for Muslims
Open Question to Muslims
Let me preface this post by saying I know very little about Islam. After reading the news about the attacks on the U.S. consulate in Libya and the U.S. embassy in Egypt, I’m really starting to wonder about how the attacks fit together with “mainstream” Islam. But I’m getting ahead of myself. Here are the … Open Question to Muslims
New Mosque opens in Dogpatch
I see that after much opposition, including vandalism and arson–committed by “good Christians” I’m sure–a new mosque has finally opened in Dogpatch, er, Murfreesboro, Tennessee. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/11/after-long-fight-opening-day_n_1768915.html The article notes that the ambient idiots did hire some lawyers (I guess they paid them with chickens and jugs of moonshine). The lawyers argued that Islam is not … New Mosque opens in Dogpatch
Free speech for Muslims?
I often complain about how conservative Muslims’ overdeveloped sensitivity to religious insult erects barriers to the freedom of speech, and particularly speech criticizing anything Islamic. That’s a serious problem for nonbelievers and anyone who cares about freedom of expression. But here in the US, where we so love to posture about how we’re so much … Free speech for Muslims?
Islam and Evolution discussion from 2010
I just found that the video of a discussion about Islam and Evolution that I took part in 2010 is available on the web. It turned into a more general discussion about science and religion as well. Ehab Abouheif, a biologist, leads off by explaining why evolution and Islam are compatible for him; I come … Islam and Evolution discussion from 2010