Why not a Fast from Religion?
I notice that Ramadan begins next Thursday. This, of course, is the month that Muslims abstain from food and drink from sunrise to sunset. I am not sure that it is good for your health to abstain from water if you are working outside in 110 degree temperatures, as are common in many parts of … Why not a Fast from Religion?
Christianity: An Angel with a Dirty Face?
This is a greatly belated review of Paul Johnson’s A History of Christianity (New York: Athenum, 1977), 556 pp. I have had this book in my possession for nearly forty years, but have only read it through recently. As a representative of what we might call “scholarly popular history,” it is virtually unsurpassed, belonging in … Christianity: An Angel with a Dirty Face?
The Real Problem with Miracles
Here is a simple representation using Bayes’ Theorem of how a miracle claim would be assessed, where m is the claim that a miracle has occurred, e is the evidence for the claim, and k is background knowledge: p(e/m & k) × p(m/k) p(m/e & k) = ——————————– p(e/k) So, the credibility of a miracle … The Real Problem with Miracles
Hell and Retribution
The comments on my last post contained a lively exchange about hell. Here is a quote from my piece “Heaven and Hell” in Debating Christian Theism, edited by Moreland, Meister, and Sweis (Oxford: 2013), pp. 539-540. Here I am responding to The Catholic Encyclopedia’s defense of the traditional doctrine of an eternal punitive hell. The Catholic Encyclopedia: … Hell and Retribution
Fan Mail from a True Christian
This morning I found the following message in my inbox: Hi, I have just been looking at some of the videos of you v William Land Craig and I have to say for sheer stupidity you take some beating! Satan loves people like [you] though he hates you on a personal basis. Rose White To … Fan Mail from a True Christian
What Explains God’s Moral Grounding Power? Part II
In an earlier article, I wrote about a question for divine command metaethics, a question that I called the Moral Grounding Question. Moral Grounding Question (MGQ): In virtue of what do God’s commands ground moral obligations? (or, in virtue of what does God have MG-power?) In that previous post, I explained the moral grounding question … What Explains God’s Moral Grounding Power? Part II
Eternal Accountability
Vic Reppert recently posted this on his Dangerous Idea site under the title “Eternal Accountability”: “I don’t think atheists appreciate the force of the doctrine of eternal accountability in restraining evil. Unless there is eternal accountability, either of the Hindu karma-birth-rebirth kind, or accountability before a monotheistic God, if we get away with it on … Eternal Accountability
Question for Theists: Why Is It Important to Begin Governmental Meetings with Prayer?
As I was thinking about this question, I thought to myself, “Anyone who wants to pray can always go down the street to a church, synagogue, or mosque. They can also pray silently. If I were a theist, that is what I would do. What’s the problem? Why do they feel it important to use … Question for Theists: Why Is It Important to Begin Governmental Meetings with Prayer?
The Evolution of God
From The Onion. Very Funny. http://www.theonion.com/articles/biologists-confirm-god-evolved-from-chimpanzee-dei,35755/?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=SocialMarketing&utm_campaign=LinkPreview%3ANA%3AInFocus
Upcoming Resurrection Debate in the Houston Area
Here is a preview of an upcoming debate on the resurrection to be held at a Houston-area church. I have never heard of either of these debaters. From today’s Houston Chronicle. http://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/Believer-skeptic-to-match-wits-in-debate-about-6180583.php A couple of observations: (1) Any skeptical debater is going to have to give a convincing account that explains why the Disciples, who … Upcoming Resurrection Debate in the Houston Area