Myers: There are atheists who look on a tragedy and cry, “There is no god,” in despair. But we are atheists who look on beauty and complexity and awesome immensity and shout out, “There is no god!” and we are glad. That’s the distinction we’ve got to get across. We are fulfilled, happy atheists who… Continue reading Happy or Cranky?
Category: Religion
University of Pharyngula?
One of the alternately entertaining and depressing things about the culture wars in the US is the existence of a sort of parallel academic universe, in the form of vanity universities like Oral Roberts University, Bob Jones University, and Jerry Fallwell’s Liberty University. These provide both a thin veneer of credibility for pseudo-academic nonsense and… Continue reading University of Pharyngula?
Colling: Not Crazy Enough
I have a good deal more synmpathy for the plight of religious scientists than most of my fellow ScienceBlogs bloggers. For example, I’m willing to believe that people can both have sincere religious faith and be practicing scientists, without assuming that they’re either brainwashed or evil. I really find myself feeling sorry for Richard Colling,… Continue reading Colling: Not Crazy Enough
Defining “Miracles” Down
Over in LiveJournal land, Sherwood Smith links approvingly to an essay by Tom Simon in response to what are apparently some “logical positivist” evles in Christopher Paolini’s books. I haven’t read the books in question, but it really doesn’t matter, as Simon very quickly spins this off into a larger essay about the nature of… Continue reading Defining “Miracles” Down
Turtles and Strings: Where Does Science Stop?
The infamous Davies op-ed has been collected together with some responses at edge.org, and one of the responses is by Sean Carroll, who reproduces his response at Cosmic Variance. Sean’s a smart guy, and I basically agree with his argument, but I’m a contrary sort, and want to nitpick one thing about his response. He… Continue reading Turtles and Strings: Where Does Science Stop?
How Do You Falsify Rationality?
I said I wasn’t going to write anything about the Paul Davies thing, but it’s been the hot topic for the last day or two, and I’ve found myself reading a bunch of the responses in blogdom. I basically agree with most of what various science bloggers have said, but being a contrary sort, I… Continue reading How Do You Falsify Rationality?
What’s the Worst Reason for Being an Atheist?
Turnabout, after all, is fair play.
Simple Answers to Complicated Questions
Dave Bacon watched “Judgement Day” last night, and has a question: It’s not like, you know, there aren’t people who think quantum theory is wrong or that quantum theory is somehow related to the Vedic teachings of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. So why is it that quantum theory (which after all is “just a theory” wink,… Continue reading Simple Answers to Complicated Questions
Judging “Judgement Day”
So, in case you missed the splashy banner ads that have been running here for the last week, NOVA ran a show about the Dover, PA “Intelligent Design” trial last night. You can find all manner of commentary on ScienceBlogs, for example here, here, and here. I’m not as, shall we say, personally invested in… Continue reading Judging “Judgement Day”
Fish. Barrel. BLAM!
John Scalzi visits the Creation Museum. Did you know, for example, that Adam is responsible not only for the fall of man, but also for the creation of venom? It didn’t exist in the Garden of Eden, because, well. Why would it? Weeds? Adam’s fault. Carnivorous animals (and, one assumes, the occasional carnivorous plant)? Adam… Continue reading Fish. Barrel. BLAM!