Does religion exert a positive influence on people’s lives? The answer to this question likely depends on how we define the variables. Yet is it truly religion exerting the influence, when we get right down to it, or something more mundane: social values, adopting a meaningful life narrative, community involvement, pleasing rituals, what? A huge [...] [more >]
Is this Muhammad? In two days, May 20th, it was supposed to be “Everybody Draw Muhammad Day.” Will it be? I don’t know. In my opinion, if the event is to go on, it should be re-branded, “Everybody Draw a Peaceful Muhammad Day.” My reasons: 1.) To put the emphasis squarely on free speech, rather [...] [more >]
If the Judeo-Christian god is first in line, with none others before him, that line should be at the unemployment office. Not because we need him to provide jobs, but because he doesn’t. There are thousands upon thousands of unemployed fathers and mothers who pray and wait in vain these days for any half-crappy job [...] [more >]
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 [...] [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 MIA. [...] [more >]
