Response to Randal Rauser’s response to my response to his shoddy review…
Randal Rauser has responded to my suggestion that his review of my book Believing Bullshit was pretty shoddy (though not as shoddy as Martin Cohen’s in the THES). Go here. Understandable, I suppose. By combining selective quotation, misdirection and quite a lot of bluster, Rauser is quite successful at generating the impression I have been … Response to Randal Rauser’s response to my response to his shoddy review…
Traditional Marriage and the Bible (REALLY!)
Note to readers: Last week, I posted the link below on marriage in the Bible, but in my own remarks I passed on to other topics. I naively thought that if readers were not interested, they would just stop reading. No big deal. However, some readers reacted with furious indignation, protesting that they had been … Traditional Marriage and the Bible (REALLY!)
Traditional Marriage According to the Bible
In a comment a couple of weeks ago I wondered aloud what “traditional marriage” actually was according to the Bible. This clears things up. Be sure to turn on your pop-up blocker before going to this site. I once heard that an atheist speaker was asked what readings he would recommend that would support atheism. … Traditional Marriage According to the Bible
Jesus Wants You to Starve the Poor
From Good Christian Michelle Bachmann: And Jesus spake unto them saying, “Blessed are the rich, for they shall dine sumptuously. Verily, tiramisu and foie gras are their just rewards, for wealth is ever the product of godly diligence. But woe unto the poor! Bitterness shall be their meat and sorrow their drink, for, yea, the … Jesus Wants You to Starve the Poor
Randal Rauser Replies
His post: Do naturalists have more to lose? If not, why are they crucifying Thomas Nagel? In order to prevent this from becoming a back-and-forth mess, I’ve replied in the comments there. He’s a good guy, so I don’t mind sending him more traffic. If you’re interested, the discussion can continue there.
MOVING THE SEMANTIC GOALPOSTS – theological sleight-of-hand with words
From my book Believing Bullshit. Moving the goalposts The expression “moving the goalposts” refers to a certain disreputable strategy in an argument. Suppose I claim Fred has never been to Brazil. It’s pointed out to me that Fred went to Brazil on his honeymoon. My claim has been shown to be false, but rather than … MOVING THE SEMANTIC GOALPOSTS – theological sleight-of-hand with words
Patheos is Great. The Ads Suck
I have greatly enjoyed posting and commenting on Patheos. The look is great and the organization of posts and comments is first-rate. However, I am finding the ads increasingly intrusive. It always irritates me when I am trying to read a page and the ad is jumping around trying to get my attention. I’ve gotten … Patheos is Great. The Ads Suck
How do you Solve a Problem like Fundamentalism?
This is an insightful and accurate description of the pernicious effects of fundamentalism on, well, everything. http://churchandstate.org.uk/2013/02/christian-fundamentalists-are-driving-our-country-into-the-dark-ages/ I particularly like the last paragraph which is an antidote to the overly-optimistic bromides you often hear about how education, particularly science education, is the cure for the current plague of anti-intellectualism and fundamentalism. Baloney. Trying to stem … How do you Solve a Problem like Fundamentalism?
Correction to chpt 2 of Believing Bullshit
Here’s an endnote I am adding to a chapter I am contributing to the upcoming Handbook on Humanism (edited by AC Grayling and Andrew Copson [Wiley Blackwell publisher]). I now realize I got something wrong in chapter 2 of my book Believing Bullshit, so might as well set the record straight publicly. Here’s the endnote … Correction to chpt 2 of Believing Bullshit
Event June 8th UK: Can Science Solve Every Mystery?
Centre for Inquiry UK and Conway Hall present Can science solve every mystery? A scientist, a philosopher and a Christian discuss. Peter Atkins, David Papineau, Peter S. Williams Can science answer every question? Should scientists show a little humility and acknowledge there are questions that only religion can answer? Are science and religion “non-overlapping magisteria”, … Event June 8th UK: Can Science Solve Every Mystery?