Monthly Archives: July 2009
Spiritual Facts
New government regulations demand that all websites be clearly labeled as to their religious content. Consumers must be aware of the spiritual food that they are consuming. In keeping with those regulations, using qualified laboratories, we have had the content … Continue reading
Biblical Criticism
In the late 1800′s scholars finally began analyzing Biblical texts with the same tools they examined all other texts. In 1893 a Papal encyclical limited study of the Bible.1 But the study went on, of course. And then thanks to … Continue reading
Filed under Atheism, Christianity, Religion, Religious Dialogue, Theology
Great fear seized the whole church
Acts 4:32 – 5:11 is one of my favorite New Testament stories.1 Ananias and his dear wife Sapphira belonged to one of the first Christian churches headed by Jesus’ disciple, Peter. The church was unique in that the members shared … Continue reading
Filed under Atheism, Christianity, Humor, Religion
Mini-deaths
The fear of death can be painful and crippling. It can arise just before you die. It can also haunt you daily. Fear is a basic human emotion and evolved to serve adaptive advantages–keeping us safe. But the fear reflex … Continue reading
Filed under Consciousness, Events, Personal, Religion
The Religious Mind
If there really was a god, theology would be easy and simple to explain. Instead, theology generates tangled knots of words as a substitute for their undetectable god. It is like the complex, elaborate dance of a shaman which is … Continue reading
Filed under Atheism, Christianity, Religion, Theology
The Glory of Insignificance
I often have the flooded insight of being insignificant. Here are two such examples. I am curious if other readers have these and if so, what your minds do with these insights? #1 Traffic: I am driving in lots of … Continue reading
Filed under Atheism, Buddhism, Christianity, Consciousness, Personal, Philosophy, Religion
God Definitions
When discussing a word, we must be clear on how each of us is using that word. Here are some uses/definitions of “God”. Common Uses god: n./ a subjective feeling that the believer treasures. AKA: The Feel-Good God. It … Continue reading
Filed under Atheism, Philosophy, Religion, Theology
The Real Reason Christians Believe
Christians may give all sorts of arguments for why they believe in Christianity but that is only how they “show” us nonbelievers why they belief. Actually, the real reason they know Christianity is true is because that of what quite … Continue reading
Filed under Atheism, Christianity, Critical Thinking, Philosophy, Religion
Convert an Atheist Contest
I subscribe to a news magazine called “The Week” which is running a contest to name a TV show about Atheists. The show is a Turkish game show which pits a Greek Orthodox priest, a rabbi, a Buddhist monk and … Continue reading
Filed under Atheism, Buddhism, Christianity, Humor, Islam, Judaism, Religion, Religious Dialogue
Animals Unite Against Religion
Animals are calling in to add their voices in agreement with Sen. Brownbeck’s proposed bill to ban animal-human hybrids. The animals, making it known through their PETA spokesperson, are also united in asking other states to join Louisiana’s Bill 115 … Continue reading
Filed under Atheism, Consciousness, Events, Humor, News, Philosophy, Religion
Trading Jesus for God
I have a challenge for Christians — a mental experiment. After the experiment, please take the poll at the bottom of the post. So here is the experiment. Please entertain the following hypothetical situation: Imagine that someone was able to … Continue reading
Filed under Atheism, Buddhism, Christianity, Hindu, Judaism, Mysticism, Religion, Religious Dialogue
Prayer DOES work
Another excellent post by Tom Rees at Epiphenom shows that prayer works. Mind you, as my previous post showed, magic prayer does not work, but prayer that amounts to self talk does work. I have often said that the problem … Continue reading
Filed under Christianity, Cognitive Science, Religion, Science
The Theist in the Atheist
Dualism is an instinct — you are born with the feeling that a “real you” will survive death. Indeed, the inborn nature of this idea can be a starting point of conversation between Theists and Atheists. This link is to … Continue reading
Filed under Atheism, Buddhism, Christianity, Cognitive Science, Consciousness, Mysticism, Philosophy, Religion, Religious Dialogue, Science
Brown Eggs & Baby Carrots
We were driving in the country and I saw a sign advertising “Brown Eggs”. Later that day, I decided to take an informal poll and asked many of the people at our July 4th gathering what they thought of “Brown … Continue reading
Filed under Cognitive Science, Critical Thinking, Humor
Buddhism Posts
Below are my posts on Buddhism or other “Eastern Philosophies”. Last updated to August 2011 posts. Sympathetic Buddhists Posts Buddhist Faith : Defining Faith in Buddhism The Juggernaut of Habit : We habitual and rarely free Reality Eats Us : How this phrase can … Continue reading
Christian Culpability
I realize the following post is very dry, but it is intended for the philosophically inclined who wish to discuss ethics. Atheists rightly criticize Christians of many wrong doings. But should Atheists criticize Christians as a whole based on the … Continue reading
Filed under Atheism, Christianity, Critical Thinking, Ethics, Philosophy, Religion
Arrogant Christian Prayer
Speaking of praying for the sick – Here is a true story of mine from just 3 months ago. My family was flying to Mexico for vacation. Three hours into the flight an attendant yelled loudly, “Do we have a … Continue reading
Filed under Atheism, Christianity, Events, Personal, Religion
Stop Praying for the Sick
Epiphenom posted a great review of a 2009 meta-analysis that firmly shows that prayer for the sick does not work. So don’t waste your time. Instead, visit them, send them money, write them letters, help their families. Practical compassion helps … Continue reading
Filed under Atheism, Christianity, Religion
Atheist Voices
Atheists express themselves differently. They use different voices, select voices with various levels of discrimination and vary in their participation of religious activity. I love categorizing — it can aid in thinking and conversation. Below I have categorized these levels … Continue reading
Filed under Atheism, Christianity, Philosophy, Religion, Religious Dialogue
Over Confidence: Human Blindness
Ask 100 people your age, your sex and roughly your background to estimate on a scale of 0 to 100, where they think they fall on sense of humor or driving skills? It ends up that about 95% will put … Continue reading
Filed under Atheism, Christianity, Critical Thinking, Philosophy, Religion
Trust vs Truth
Let me share my reply to Christian on another site. 98 – 99% of all Humans who believe in a religion, they believe in the religion of their parents. They believe it because they trust their parents and their community. … Continue reading
