There is a preacher for every intelligence level. On the feeble fringe of the bell curve you’ve got the droolers watching Pastor Benny Hinn on cable TV perform his forehead-shoving healing miracles. Toward the other end of the believer IQ spectrum you’ve got well-groomed men who can tie a real tie and confident women capable [...] [...more]
Human beings have vivid imaginations. Hence we’ve got mythologies up the wazoo. People have dreamt up a variety of stories for explaining the unexplained and to help them achieve at least the perception of control over the world around them. If we sacrifice a virgin, that will pacify the rain god, and he will let loose [...] [...more]
If you ever want to blow your mind, I suggest attempting to read the Bible as an unbiased, critical thinker. My guess is that smoke will start pouring out your ears before you make it halfway through Leviticus. To save you some of the effort, and the risk to your sanity, I’ll periodically post some [...] [...more]
When considering ancient stories of miracles, we have to keep in mind the problem of translation and revision. For instance, many scholars believe that the word people have translated through the ages as “carpenter” may have been mistranslated. “Laborer” is probably more accurate. (See, for one, Gospel Truth by Russell Shorto). For all we know, [...] [...more]
I and the Father are one. (John 10:30) In a human family, the father is traditionally recognized as leader of the pack. He is physically the largest, and he frequently has the meanest temper. In my own family of ten, dad was alpha. As with many families of my generation, this alpha often went [...] [...more]
Stereotypes provide great fodder for comedy. They can also obstruct social progress. Consider the stereotypes in this Onion news parody: Why is the medicinal use of marijuana illegal in most states? Blame a stupid stereotype. It just happens that I am for both the legalization of marijuana and for the legalization of atheism. But wait a minute, atheism [...] [...more]
Many people will tell you that a god must exist — just look around! There’s all this incredible stuff, and where there is incredible stuff, there must be an incredible-stuff maker. In more sober wording, the argument goes, “There must be a creator because life on earth appears designed. And not just designed, but intelligently designed.” If [...] [...more]
Because I don’t pray, nor imagine some invisible alpha watching over me, I am free to live in a state of hedonistic anarchy. Yah, right. The reality: I have inner, pro-social, drives. Call them “voices” if you must personify. I have a conscience, in other words. This conscience no doubt originated in my parents’ teachings [...] [...more]
