Was the Buddha Enlightened? (part 2)
A previous post (part 1) raised the question of whether or not there is good reason to think that the Buddha was enlightened. In that post, I mainly focused on the doctrine of karmic rebirth, pointing out that at least in early Buddhism, liberation from karmic rebirth is one of the things that the Buddha … Was the Buddha Enlightened? (part 2)
Party Before Country? Which Republican Senators Still Support Trump
In a normal election, you’d think that a video of a Presidential candidate talking about sexual assault would fatal for the candidate’s campaign. But this election cycle has been anything but normal. So, with Trump’s campaign in crisis, I thought it would be interesting to maintain a roll call of which Republican Senators have said … Party Before Country? Which Republican Senators Still Support Trump
Priests and Celibacy
Here is an interesting article sent to me by a former student. It is written by a psychologist who had a 30-year career counseling priests who had lapsed from their celibacy vows: http://www.vox.com/2016/4/7/11325336/priests-love-therapy I have never understood the celibacy requirement. Was Jesus celibate? We have zero evidence one way or another. It would seem highly … Priests and Celibacy
The Damnable Thing about Damnation
Do you ever read the reviews on Amazon Books? Many are a waste of time, but some are interesting. I noticed one that reviewed The End of Christianity, Prometheus Books, 2011, ed. John Loftus. The review was written by one “Alex C.” I assume that this is not Alex Comfort, author of The Joy of … The Damnable Thing about Damnation
Was The Buddha Enlightened? (Part 1)
Asking whether the Buddha was enlightened may seem like asking whether the Pope is Catholic. The answer would seem to be an obvious “yes.” At the core of Buddhism is the figure of the Buddha. The word “buddha” means “one who is awake” or “enlightened.” If the Buddha had not been enlightened, he wouldn’t have … Was The Buddha Enlightened? (Part 1)
Ethical Subjectivism and the Argument from Outrage
In arguing for the superiority of theistic ethics over secular ethics, apologists sometimes present some version of an argument like this: 1. If theism is not true, then ethics is subjective. 2. Ethics is not subjective. 3. Therefore, theism is true. I think this is a bad argument because I think premise 1 is false. … Ethical Subjectivism and the Argument from Outrage
What Does Philosophy of Religion have to Offer Today?
PhilosophyOfReligion.org has posted a series of short essays on the question of what the philosophy of religion have to offer for today’s university. My response has recently been posted: http://philosophyofreligion.org/ Your name Your email Subject Your message (optional)
Gratuitous Evils: What are the Chances?
Gratuitous evil is evil that God would not permit. In Alvin Plantinga’s terms, God would not actualize such evils either strongly (i.e. by directly creating them) or weakly (i.e. by allowing free creatures to commit them). A gratuitous evil is one that God would have no morally sufficient reason for actualizing (strongly or weakly). God … Gratuitous Evils: What are the Chances?
OK, so That’s What he Really Means
The following are recent statements by Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, and the explanations of those statements by his staff. [Note: Yes, this is satire. I am explicitly noting this since the Trump candidacy is proving Poe’s law that reality can become so bizarre that it is indistinguishable from satire.] Trump: Yeah, shoot crooked Hillary. … OK, so That’s What he Really Means
Are we Addicted?
As an entrepreneur, a heroin pusher has a big advantage. His customers become addicts; they cannot do without the product he sells. Pushers have no problem with getting repeat customers. Heroin addiction is a terrible national problem, but it is far from the most widespread addiction. According to an article in today’s Houston Chronicle, “The … Are we Addicted?