Craig’s “Historical Evidence” for the Death of Jesus – Part 4
William Craig asserts that “Jesus rose from the dead”. In making this claim, Craig takes on a burden of proof. A crucial part of this burden is to prove that Jesus actually died on the cross, since a person can rise from the dead ONLY IF they have previously died. Unfortunately, in most of his … Craig’s “Historical Evidence” for the Death of Jesus – Part 4
Theism, Atheism, and Dismissive Attitudes
Here are two hypotheses about theism, atheism, and dismissive attitudes. H1: for (some / many / most) theists, how dismissive a theist is to atheism is inversely proportional to how familiar said theist is to the best, most robust arguments for atheism* H2: for (some / many / most) atheists, how dismissive an atheist is to … Theism, Atheism, and Dismissive Attitudes
Morality and Atheism: An Exchange with Prof. Feser
Note: This is my initial post of an exchange with Dr. Ed Feser on the topic “Can morality have a rational justification if atheism or naturalism is true?” My answer, of course, is “Yes it can!” I decided to address the issue by spelling out, in some detail, what I think a good naturalistic theory … Morality and Atheism: An Exchange with Prof. Feser
C.S. Lewis on the Torments of Hell
This is a modified quote from my essay “Hell: Christianity’s Most Damnable Doctrine” in The End of Christianity, edited by John Loftus, Prometheus Books, 2012. The page numbers in parentheses refer to Lewis’s book The Problem of Pain. Now, I know, as my friend John Beversluis discovered when he wrote his wonderful book on Lewis, … C.S. Lewis on the Torments of Hell
Justin Schieber on Dogmatism
“Ignoring faults of arguments that agree with your conclusions is what leads to dogmatism.” Your name Your email Subject Your message (optional)
Forward into the Past
It looks like my home state of Jawja is going to follow Arizona’s “lead” and is trying to pass legislation that would broadly permit discrimination against gay people: Wow. This news definitely induces a sense of deja vu for me. When I was a kid growing up in the Atlanta area in the 1960’s there … Forward into the Past
Natural Selection in Action?
So that I’m not accused of attacking a strawman, let me say at the outset that I know this guy isn’t representative of most theists. With that said, it continues to amaze me whenever people are this stupid:http://www.cnn.com/2014/02/16/us/snake-salvation-pastor-bite/index.html?hpt=hp_t2And for some jaw-dropping video on this church, check this out:www.tennessean.com/videonetwork/2248175975001/Snake-handling-believers-find-joy-in-test-of-faithAnd another one: What a messed up belief … Natural Selection in Action?
Stirring the Pot
It has been quiet here at SO lately. A little TOO quiet—as they used to say in the old Western movies. Maybe we are not saying anything very controversial. Or maybe people are just too busy with real work to do. Anyway, I thought I would stir the pot with some claims that I would … Stirring the Pot
The Afterlife Broadcasting Company Presents
This is a portion of a dialogue I wrote for the benefit of students in my introductory ethics class. Since we have had some lively debates about ethical matters here at SO, I thought some readers might be interested. I imagined a discussion (in some sort of afterlife) between Aristotle, Locke, Mill, and Kant. Each … The Afterlife Broadcasting Company Presents
TV interview in Tehran
I was at a philosophy of religion conference in Tehran, Iran last week – invited as an atheist to speak to and engage with assembled philosophers, cleric. etc. I appeared briefly on TV – unfortunately the bit of the interview they chose to broadcast was misleading as they cut the “but”… Go here: I was … TV interview in Tehran