Someone named James D. Zimmerman has reviewed the volume The End of Christianity, edited by John Loftus (Prometheus; 2011) on Amazon. I found this paragraph especially interesting: So, “many Christian denominations have long since dispensed with hell?” I wonder which ones these are. Catholics? The Greek Orthodox? Southern Baptists? Here is what the Greek Orthodox … Amazon Review of my Hell Essay

From time to time I run across the familiar story about Bertrand Russell being asked how he would justify his nonbelief if he were suddenly in the presence of God. According to the story, Russell replied, “I’d say, ‘Not enough evidence, God, not enough evidence!” The earliest source I have been able to find for … Help Wanted: What is the Primary Source for This Quotation of Bertrand Russell?

Obedience to such a God [i.e., the vengeful, despotic God depicted in the pages of the Hebrew Bible] would not be morally virtuous; it would be, at best, prudent. One does not owe allegiance to another being simply because that being is stronger. And it does not matter if the being in question is responsible … Louise Antony on Obedience to God

Dear Bleaders, “Faith” is a fine invention When Gentlemen can see– But Microscopes are prudent in an Emergency. A favorite of mine from Emily Dickinson, offered here as a little digestif to your worldly feasts. Happy Thanksgiving. (Reread the poem slowly as if Lauren Becall were saying it into your ear very dramatically with an … A Thanksgiving Gift from Emily

But even if we take this argument to be an argument not for God’s existence, but just for supernaturalism, it still fails. I agree with [William Lane] Craig that some moral judgments (such as ‘rape is wrong’) are not relative to society or culture. What I don’t understand is why Craig believes this position is … Quote of the Day

Dear Bleaders, Hecht here. I’m new in these parts so will start with a few introductory introductions. To wit, I call anyone reading any blog I write my “bleader” for the obvious wordscrunch and also because I like reminding us that we are mortal. Also while often “breeder” means nesting heterosexual, blood is something many … Post the First, by Jennifer Michael Hecht

A key premise in Swinburne’s (deductive) argument in defense of his inductive version of the Cosmological argument (TCA) goes like this: (TCA9) The probability that there will be a complex physical universe given that God does not exist is low. (EOG, p.151) Swinburne has provided an explanation of his reasoning in support of this premise … Help Wanted – Part 4

Here is a link to a recent radio recording: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/thinkatheist/2011/11/14/episode-34-dr-graham-oppy-nov-13-2011 It may be of interest to some people who read this blog.

Randall Rauser, a Christian scholar who I respect, has just weighed in on the Michael Licona situation on his blog (see here). I want to comment on just one part of Rauser’s post. The image of a witch hunt has been bandied about by many commentators. One could just as well speak of an academic … Skeptics Are Not Gloating Over the Treatment of Michael Licona

Just in case Julian Baggini fails to promote his latest Heathen’s Progress article, here’s the link: ‘You just don’t understand my religion’ is not good enough. And here is the best part: Too often I find that faith is mysterious only selectively. Believers constantly attribute all sorts of qualities to their gods and have a list … Baggini on selective mystery