1. Christopher Hitchens and Al Sharpton

Comment #53339 by Kat on June 30, 2007 at 9:28 pm

What is truly amazing is that we all tend to say that those who are making extraordinary claims need to have extraordinary evidence, but then we expect the people who are not making the claims have thorough knowledge of biology, philosophy, biblical scholarship, and understanding of numerous religions while the religious get to just hide behind 'faith'. It's as if we say those who are making extraordinary claims need to have extraordinary evidence, but since we know you can't provide that we're somehow obligated to be more knowledeable of your very own subject and belief than you are.

2. Study: Religion is Good for Kids

Comment #35088 by Kat on April 26, 2007 at 7:08 am

I didn't express myself very well up there...

It could just be that parents who know their children are capable of sitting through church services (or a meal out, or a movie) take them on such outings whereas parents who know their children can't behave themselves don't. So, maybe the children of parents who often dine out with them are more well-behaved than children who eat at home, etc.

3. Study: Religion is Good for Kids

Comment #35085 by Kat on April 26, 2007 at 6:50 am

*It's also possible that the correlation between religion and child development is the other way around, he said. In other words, instead of religion having a positive effect on youth, maybe the parents of only the best behaved children feel comfortable in a religious congregation.

"There are certain expectations about children's behavior within a religious context, particularly within religious worship services," he said. These expectations might frustrate parents, he said, and make congregational worship "a less viable option if they feel their kids are really poorly behaved."*

_________________________________________________

How many parents of bratty children don't take them to restaurants or to the movies either? We could then say studies suggest that children whose parents regularly take them out to dinner or the movies are more well behaved, etc.

Yeah, I know there's a stinkweed in every crowd, but that goes for church too.

4. The Case for Teaching The Bible

Comment #27908 by Kat on March 27, 2007 at 7:38 am

How many of you who believe this is a good idea live in conservative right wing Christian territory? I do. I live in New Braunfels. I do not believe it will be possible for Bible class teachers to keep from preaching. The author of this article seemed impressed with Ms. Kendrick's approach but then again, she knew she was being observed. Maybe she is capable of presenting the Bible without trying to convert students but it's my fear that she'd be the only one. I really think it would be entirely too tempting for a teacher to preach to students and in an area like this one if you're in the slim minority would you really speak out? Surely these tax dollars would be better spent elsewhere.