51. The Dawkins Confusion: Naturalism ad absurdum

Comment #23603 by Graham on March 1, 2007 at 5:09 pm

The starting premise of "TWO DOZEN (OR SO) THEISTIC ARGUMENTS" Lecture Notes by Alvin Plantinga:

"...theistic belief does not (in general) need argument either for deontological justification, or for positive epistemic status, (or for Foley rationality or Alstonian justification)); belief in God is properly basic."

http://www.homestead.com/philofreligion/files/Theisticarguments.html

52. The Dawkins Confusion: Naturalism ad absurdum

Comment #23602 by Graham on March 1, 2007 at 4:55 pm

I had a look to see what kind of a magazine Christianity Today magazine is. I see it is the publication started by Billy Graham. I noticed an interesting difference in their beliefs compared to many evangelicals.

For example employees of Trinity Western University here in BC are required to sign a statement saying:

"In the bodily resurrection of the dead; of the believer to everlasting blessedness and joy with the Lord, of the unbeliever to judgment and everlasting conscious punishment."

Whereas Christianity Today say they believe:

"the bodies of the dead shall be raised. The righteous shall enter into full possession of eternal bliss in the presence of God, and the wicked shall be condemned to eternal death."

Interesting that the "wicked" now get only death, not "conscious punishment" and no mention of "non-believers". I wonder if one can be a "rightous" sceptic :)

53. If God is talking to you, too, Mr Cameron - don't listen

Comment #23439 by Graham on February 28, 2007 at 4:40 pm

How did Miguel Portillo transform from a xenophobic Thatcherite into an apparently almost decent bloke?

His Dad was a communist in the Spanish civil war if I remember correctly. He had a gay fling at college and now he's a defender of secularism. He is a fiscal conservative, but he is about as far from the US social conservatives as it is possible to get. Now there is someone with whom it is possible to have constructive dialogue with...no wonder he is no longer a politician.

54. James Cameron finds grave of Jesus & Son

Comment #23125 by Graham on February 26, 2007 at 1:13 pm

6. Comment #23122 by wice on February 26, 2007 at 1:01 pm

"so please, don't take this on trust just because you want it to be true."

Why would we want it to be true?

The whole question of the historicity of the Jesus character is facinating question, but I for one have no agenda one way or the other. From the point of view of the pursuit of knowledge it would indeed be very interesting to shed a little archaeological evidence on the issue. It may well provide some additional arguments against literal christianity, but it would not change anything regarding the philosophical debates over whether a god exists or not.

55. Atheists come in last

Comment #22909 by Graham on February 24, 2007 at 8:37 am

"Im sure many get Iran and Iraq confused - and Osama bin Laden and Saddam Hussein."
Comment #22902 by Old Coppernose on February 24, 2007 at 3:01 am

Well boy, I heard the leader of those dam dare towel heads, whatsisname: Obama Hussein from Eyerack, whereever the hell that is, wants to be our god given Presdent.

Personally I think if dose, what do they call themselves: Morslems, don't believe in the Lord, they're no better than those devil worshipping atheists.

56. Atheists come in last

Comment #22895 by Graham on February 23, 2007 at 9:45 pm

45. Comment #22871 by HappyPrimate on February 23, 2007 at 5:37 pm "you cannot have a true democracy in a country that does not have a secular constitution"

Ahem...the UK has no explicit constitutional document and is as much a democracy as the US. In many ways the established church has made itself less relevant to politics in the UK than the competing churches of the US.

While I think many of the ideas in the American constitution are indeed well founded, it does make me uncomfortable when this document is treated like a religious doctrine in itself. I think we can agree that the so called founding fathers of the US did not have divine revelation and there is no reason to suppose that their ideas were infallible.

57. Atheists come in last

Comment #22870 by Graham on February 23, 2007 at 5:37 pm

Not to mention that his middle name is "Hussein"...rather funny realy :)

58. Atheists come in last

Comment #22856 by Graham on February 23, 2007 at 4:01 pm

Spinoza...I'm still hopeful when Obama says "that religious commitment did not require me to suspend critical thinking" and "It came about as a choice and not an epiphany". I wonder if this might be a political choice to tread the fine line between associating himself with the religious majority while maintaining an intellectual preference for reason over faith?

After a quick scan of the United Church of Christ web site I see they are one of the most vocal churches in support of inclusive rights and gay marraige. If the President has to appear to have some religion then this doesn't appear too bad, at least for now.

Incidently, on reflection I think we may be looking at the survey from a glass is half empty perspective. Given the often cited perception of the rising tide of the religious right in the US it is quite heartening that almost half the population would be happy to see an openly atheistic President. Let's continue to fill the glass which is already half full.

59. Atheists come in last

Comment #22826 by Graham on February 23, 2007 at 4:28 pm

As an interested observer north of the border I would tend to agree with you goldmineguttd. It's an interesting dilemma on whether to "out" his potential sceptisism or whether to go along with the possible religious role playing to increase his electoral chances.

60. Atheists come in last

Comment #22822 by Graham on February 23, 2007 at 4:06 pm

I'm pretty sure there have been no black, jewish, hispanic, women or homosexual presidents (possibly bi?), but I'm not so sure there hasn't already been an atheist president. I suspect there probably has.

Barak Obama's religiosity seems to have grown in proportion to his political ambitions and since both his parents were agnostic or atheist I remain sceptical of his own beliefs and a little cynical about someone who appears to use a religous image simply to get elected.

61. Mr. Deity

Comment #22803 by Graham on February 22, 2007 at 8:24 pm

Hilarious...this guy should have his own network show or at least a theatre. Watch Episode 7 it explains how come Pat Robertson gets God on the line so often ROTFL!

62. Panel discussion on atheism where no atheists are included

Comment #21088 by Graham on February 7, 2007 at 2:38 pm

Holy crap!! Is this for real? I thought CNN was the liberal channel compared to Fox? I doubted whether prejudice against atheists could really be put in the same category as prejudice against gays or blacks...I doubt no longer. This is truly the worst case of public biggotry sanctioned by the US national media that I have ever been unfortunate enough to see. Shame on you CNN.

63. Believing In Things Unseen Is Not Delusion

Comment #20741 by Graham on February 6, 2007 at 7:51 am

"we have no more reason to question the historicity of the major events of Jesus' life than we do, say, Agincourt."

You cannot be serious, where is your evidence for this naive assertion? My goodness, I understood that "On Faith" was intended to be a thoughtful discussion and now we learn that one of the moderaterors has such a childlike view of religion! This article appears to provide a window into a mind infected by the classical god delusion. This is indeed unsophisticated superstition. It speaks for itself.

64. How Old is the Grand Canyon? Park Service Won't Say

Comment #15293 by Graham on December 30, 2006 at 7:36 am

Just for the record Apemanblues, I find your denigrating image of a chimpanzee smoking quite offensive. This is an image of abuse.

65. How Old is the Grand Canyon? Park Service Won't Say

Comment #15292 by Graham on December 30, 2006 at 7:32 am

I remember a wonderful trip to the Grand Canyon at Thanksgiving 2006. The park had just reopened after the Federal budget dispute and I almost had the place to myself with perfect temperature for a hike down the South Kaibab Trail and up the Bright Angel Trail.

For an English geologist like myself it was like dream come true. I followed the change in strata, facies and ages both on the way down and the way up, and couldn't help feeling a thrill touching the Great Unconformity and knowing what it was (a gap in the rock record between Cambrian times, ~550 m.y. ago, and the pre-Cambrian).

Not only is it a complete abdication of reason and responsibility for the National Park to sanction creationist texts it is also an emotional diservice to the American public by denying them the awe, majesty and wonder of the real origin of this inspiring geological feature. Shame on you.

I really don't see how anyone could really believe that the rocks of the Grand Canyon were created in a flood. The only way I can imagine it is if they live in a fuzzy haze where they refuse to examine the evidence in front of their eyes. The National Park's job is to raise conciousness about our scientific knowledge, not feed willing ignorance and voluntary unthinking.

Graham Bradley C.Geol. F.G.S

66. A Christmas thunderbolt for the arch-enemy of religion

Comment #15085 by Graham on December 28, 2006 at 9:06 pm

I just burst out laughing at the unflattering photoshop image of Dawkins and the tiny tage that Michaelangelo gave his Adam :o)

When my wife and I stood looking up at the ceiling of the Sistene Chapel, we couldn't help but snigger like two schoolkids at the site of God's bottom in what looked like a pink neglege. Very amusing.

67. The Courtier's Reply

Comment #14867 by Graham on December 26, 2006 at 6:31 am

Anyone remember the old Danny Kaye film they used to show on the telly at Christmas? Come on everyone...sing along :o)

http://www.angelfire.com/film/dannykaye/KingsClothes.htm

"Look at the King! Look at the the King! Look at the King, the King, the King!
The King is in the all together
But all together the all together
He's all together as naked as the day that he was born.
The King is in the all together
But all together the all together
It's all together the very least the King has ever worn."

68. CBC Segment on Evangelist Christians

Comment #14027 by Graham on December 20, 2006 at 9:01 pm

I made it to the end. That guy was way too easy on them. You might notice that during the rock concert-like show at the end they flash images of a gay couple, human evolution, Bin Laden and Hitler!!! That is just bigotted ignorant crap...sorry there is no other word for it.

69. Vicars in a Twist

Comment #12727 by Graham on December 13, 2006 at 12:18 pm

It is a little worrying that some people could think that Viz is serious! I missed out on the early photocopied days, but did get it once it worked its way down to a hippy alternative store called Guru in Darlington in the mid 80s....a long way from Vancouver where I now live.

How is Sid, Billy, Roger Melly, Shaz and Trace and all the gang?

70. The God of the Bible is No Delusion!

Comment #10762 by Graham on November 29, 2006 at 5:30 am

Suggestion to saneatheist (49)
May I suggest instead of worrying about Canadians & Mexicans, buy a Hebrew slave. You can keep him for 6 years and if you provide him with a wife you can keep her and the kids. (Exodus 21:2-4)

71. 42% think faith is as evil as smallpox

Comment #8291 by Graham on November 20, 2006 at 8:22 pm

I agree, Faith and religion bring nothing good to the table, they only cause conflict and war.

Religion is who has the best imaginary friend. Faith is nothing but a fool's gamble.

Faith is a crutch for the weak and corrupt, blinders to ignore all the proof that their "faith" is misplaced.

I just wish the U.S. was as balanced as the U.K.

72. Liberty University is looking for Biology Professors

Comment #5090 by Graham on November 7, 2006 at 11:56 am

Serious question..how can they be accredited to award degrees? This makes a mockery out of the degree process. Why aren't educated americans up in arms over this?

73. Charlottesville, VA Event Photos: Batch 2

Comment #4652 by Graham on November 5, 2006 at 6:03 am

I like the second photo. That is a huge halo that Richard has!

74. God knows why faith is thriving

Comment #3057 by Graham on October 25, 2006 at 9:40 am

I had my Damascus Road experience, in reverse, in 1999. I finally gave up praying in 2005. Have I lost any "sense of purpose" in life? Of course not. If anything, it has sharpened and become keener. The sense of purpose of god-worshippers, if there truly is one, ultimately comes from the belief that there is life after death. To understand the evil of this ludicrous notion we need look no further than the Islamic nutcases who willingly blow themselves up, along with as many others as they can, in the conviction that they will "live" on in heaven. Christians claim that Christ's resurrection signifies that life on this earth is not the end. St Paul said "if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith." Well, Christ was not raised and - yes, faith in Christianity is useless.

75. Danger ahead - there are good reasons why God created atheists

Comment #2423 by Graham on October 21, 2006 at 8:21 am

I wonder if the Rabbi actually read this book from cover to cover? I very much doubt it. Who would want to read a book that makes a monkey of the way you earn your living. One thing "The God Delusion" IS NOT - and that is angry.