I just finished Jerry Coyne’s new book “Faith vs. Fact”. It was a great deal of fun to read, even though I know, and have used, most of the arguments in it. Dr. Coyne does an excellent job of stating a premise, carefully defining terms, and then proceeding to support it with evidence, likely a … Continue reading Not So Polite Dinner Conversation – review of “Faith vs. Fact”; no pussyfooting allowed
Tag: myth
Not So Polite Dinner Conversation – external validation
I’ve had two recent demonstrations of the need for external validation by theists. One on Mike’s website, where a woman, Emily Rose Lewis in comments, insisted that only she was right with her fantasies about her god. When her claims were demonstrated to be false, and she was asked for evidence, the threats fell fast and heavy. … Continue reading Not So Polite Dinner Conversation – external validation
What the Boss Likes – welcome to Easter, syncretic religion at its best
Welcome to Easter. Based spring fertility worship, changed to a worship of blood sacrifice and then resurrection, we have a holiday that has many faces. We've even had many dates for it, and the usual religious friction of who is "right". My favorite evidence of how religion changes is this: This is a painting by Marcos Zapata in … Continue reading What the Boss Likes – welcome to Easter, syncretic religion at its best
Not So Polite Dinner Conversation – a review of “One Nation, Under Gods”
Recently, I had a short blog post about a new book I’ve read, One Nation, Under Gods. I love the book, and thought I might write a longer post about it now. And I need to since I’m going to be lending it to my parents to read tomorrow. One Nation, Under God is a … Continue reading Not So Polite Dinner Conversation – a review of “One Nation, Under Gods”
Not So Polite Dinner Conversation – The case against Hell
The Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) has some ads broadcast on CNN recently. The spokesperson, Ron Reagan, ended the ad with the phrase " "life-long atheist, not afraid of burning in hell." The FFRF has an excellent blog post addressing the outcry about that particular phrase and the idea of "hell" here. I have not much to add … Continue reading Not So Polite Dinner Conversation – The case against Hell
What the Boss Likes – a new book, One Nation Under Gods
A new book, One Nation, Under Gods by Peter Manseau, is one of the best books I have read in a long time. Mr. Manseau reviews the history of religion in the United States of America from 1492 (with some info on religion in North America before the Europeans came) up to the present day. … Continue reading What the Boss Likes – a new book, One Nation Under Gods
Not So Polite Dinner Conversation – geology, poster style
I decided to do a riff on a webposter I saw on Mike's website here. This is an amazing example of layers and cross-bedding, where the direction of the propelling force (in this case both wind and water) changed repeatedly over time, a lot longer than 40 days and 40 nights. This webpage is a very … Continue reading Not So Polite Dinner Conversation – geology, poster style
Not So Polite Dinner Conversation – room for another debate
Rather than take up space on another's comments area, I've brought a debate over here. I'll post Seth's post, and in comments, I'll put my response. After a discussion here, this is Seth's reply to my comment (the italicized bits are parts of my comment): "What awesome, thought-provoking questions! I’ll be intentionally brief, so clarifying … Continue reading Not So Polite Dinner Conversation – room for another debate
Not So Polite Dinner Conversation – follow those laws….or not
This week, there were a couple of fascinating columns from the usual theistic suspects, Rabbi Gellman and Billy Graham. Billy has a column on the “ten” commandments. The querent asks why we should follow them now. Billy asks in return “which of them would you do away with if you could?” as a challenge, because … Continue reading Not So Polite Dinner Conversation – follow those laws….or not
What the Boss Likes – Spock, Star Trek and how I got to be me
With the death of Leonard Nimoy this week, I got to thinking just how much Star Trek and Mr. Spock influenced me and still do. I got to see Mr. Nimoy speak and he seemed as kind and dignified as his most famous characterization. Spock was my first crush. I also wanted to *be* him … Continue reading What the Boss Likes – Spock, Star Trek and how I got to be me
Club Schadenfreude 