Monthly Archives: May 2012

Most And Least Christian States In America

Posted on May 30, 2012 by Michael

From here: A study measuring religious bodies in the United States called the, “2010 U.S. Religious Census: Religious Congregations & Membership Study (RCMS)” was recently released by the Association of Statisticians of American Religious Bodies (ASARB). The most comprehensive study … Continue reading →

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Modern-day barbarism

Posted on May 26, 2012 by Michael

As I noted in an earlier posting, Japan is one of the most non-religious countries in the world.   So I am not completely surprised something like this could happen.  However, the event is truly disturbing.  In fact, since I do … Continue reading →

Posted in Gnutopia | Tagged | 1 Comment

Cargo Cult Science

Posted on May 25, 2012 by Michael

Ever hear of the term “Cargo Cult Science?” It was invented by physicist Richard Feynman when he gave his Caltech commencement address back in 1974. He explained the term as follows: In the South Seas there is a cargo cult … Continue reading →

Posted in Science | Tagged | 3 Comments

Hoffmann Cold-Cocks Mythers

Posted on May 23, 2012 by Michael

R. Joseph Hoffmann has written an excellent and truly thought-provoking essay entitled, The Jesus Process: A Consultation on the Historical Jesus.   He was clearly motivated to write this in response to the way the Gnu atheists and Richard Carrier tried … Continue reading →

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The Futility of Prayer Studies

Posted on May 22, 2012 by Michael

If you are interested, here is a web page where someone has summarized many of the scientific studies of intercessory prayer. I have not read any of these studies in order to tease apart the methods.  Luckily for me, Dr. … Continue reading →

Posted in Religion, Science | Tagged , | 11 Comments

Prayer as scientific evidence for God?

Posted on May 21, 2012 by Michael

We have seen that Victor Stenger wants us to believe that if science had clearly shown intercessory prayer to have health benefits, then we would have scientific evidence for God’s existence, all scientists would acknowledge this, and I suppose, atheism … Continue reading →

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Would somebody please teach Victor Stenger how to do science?

Posted on May 20, 2012 by Michael

Victor Stenger is once again attacking the scientific community: So, scientists and science organizations are being disingenuous when they say science can say nothing about the supernatural. They know better. Their policy of appeasing religion for presumably political reasons only … Continue reading →

Posted in Religion, Science, Victor Stenger | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

The Happy Atheist?

Posted on May 18, 2012 by Michael

Here’s another part from Richard Carrier’s interview with philosopher Susan Haack that is rather telling.  Carrier writes:  Amen again. I would add that I think philosophy benefits the individual’s understanding of themselves and the world, which benefits society by making … Continue reading →

Posted in New Atheism, Religion | Tagged , | 4 Comments

An Amusing Interview

Posted on May 17, 2012 by Michael

There is a rather amusing blog entry on Richard Carrier’s site where he interviews philosopher Susan Haack (May 6, 2012).  The reason I think it is so funny is that rather than coming across as a serious interview, it looks … Continue reading →

Posted in New Atheism | Tagged | 1 Comment

Carrier is Dissected

Posted on May 16, 2012 by Michael

If you interested in the ongoing debate between the Mythers and Gnus vs. those who accept mainstream scholarship, you should be reading Albert McIlhenny’s series of postings that are systematically debunking the claims of Richard Carrier. As a taste, here … Continue reading →

Posted in New Atheism | Tagged , | 1 Comment