Agnosticism / Atheism Sitemap - Page 34
Crispin Sartwell Defends Conscience Without Consequence
Efforts to secure the right of medical professionals to refuse treatment to patients when that treatment conflicts with the workers' personal religious
Criteria for Muslim Prison Chaplains Being Tightened
Corrections officials in the United States are concerned about the growth of Islam in America's prisons - and how they might be able to control it. Without
Critical Inquiry, Skepticism, Human Beliefs (Book Notes: Affirmations)
The great advances which science has achieved are attributable, in large part, to science's very effective methodology. The scientific approach to learning and
Critical Perspectives on Harry Potter
Book of the Day: Harry Potter's World: Multidisciplinary Critical Perspectives, edited by Elizabeth E. Heilman. Publisher: Falmer Press. First as books,
Critical Perspectives on Harry Potter
Book of the Day: Harry Potter's World: Multidisciplinary Critical Perspectives, edited by Elizabeth E. Heilman. Publisher: Falmer Press. First as books,
Critical Realism vs. Postmodernism
Postmodern critiques of literature, science, society, politics, etc. have been with us for quite a few years now - but it would be a mistake to assume that the
Critical Theory
Glossary of Religion and Philosophy - Critical Theory
Critical Thinking
Critical Thinking
Critical Thinking is Bad For You
This site promotes critical thinking as an important intellectual values. One might assume that everyone would agree that it is an important skill - but that's
Critical Thinking: Using Logic and Reason
What is the best way to approach or deal with complicated claims? What is the best way to apply logic in order to construct sound arguments? What are logical fallacies in how can they wreck an argument? What other sorts of common errors do people make when creating arguments? What can science and philosophy do to help us in our arguments?
Criticism of Atheists
In 2004, Robyn L. Blumner wrote in the St. Petersburg Times about being an atheist. She received a lot of reactions, positive and negative, some of which she
Criticism of Creationism Violates U.S. Constitution
In Capistrano Valley high school, European history teacher James Corbett described creationism as
Criticism of Religion is not Anti-Religion
The complaint that atheist critics of religion are
Criticism of Religion: Just like Dominion Theology, Oppressive Dictatorship
Atheists are by no means perfect, but more and more the criticisms I see of atheists and atheists are founded at the most outlandish, most wild, most
Criticism of Religion: Should Religion Have a Privileged Status? (Book Notes: The Gathering of Infidels)
Should religious sensibilities receive special consideration? Should people be given special consideration when they feel offended for religious reasons as
Criticism of Religions is Not Free Speech: Don't Abuse your Free Speech Rights by Offending Religious Believers
One of the most pernicious forms of attempted censorship of unwelcome views isn't overt repression, but rather to convince people not to express those unwelcome views in the first place. It's always much better to head off the wrong thoughts before they are expressed rather than clamp down on them after they are already out in public. Why employ the blunt instrument of state repression if people can be convinced to repress themselves?
Criticism of the State is Blasphemy
There are many Americans who seem bound and determined to do all they can to transform America into a massive church. One step in that direction was the effort
Criticisms of Agnosticism - Responses to Criticism and Critique of Agnosticism
Many regard agnosticism as obvious, natural and reasonable, but many others are strongly critical of agnosticism - or at least they are critical of what they perceive agnosticism to be. Many criticisms of agnostics are created by misunderstandings of what agnosticism is. Even worse, some of those misunderstandings come from agnostics themselves - if they misrepresent what agnosticism really is, they create unnecessary criticism that wouldn't apply to true agnosticism.
Criticisms of Papal Infallibility: Is the Pope Infallible? Examining the Catholic Doctrine of Papal Infallibility
There have been many Catholic critics of the doctrine of papal infallibility. In 1979 Father August Bernhard Hasler, Catholic priest, historian, and former staff member of the Vatican's Secretariat for Christian Unity, published 'How the Pope became Infallible: Pius IX and the Politics of Persuasion.' His description largely matches that of Hans Kung but differs greatly from the official version of the Church.
Criticisms of Papal Infallibility: Is the Pope Infallible? Examining the Catholic Doctrine of Papal Infallibility
There have been many Catholic critics of the doctrine of papal infallibility. In 1979 Father August Bernhard Hasler, Catholic priest, historian, and former staff member of the Vatican's Secretariat for Christian Unity, published 'How the Pope became Infallible: Pius IX and the Politics of Persuasion.' His description largely matches that of Hans Kung but differs greatly from the official version of the Church.
Criticizing Islam, Islamism & Muslims: Evaluating the History & Beliefs of Islam with a Critical, Skeptical Perspective
What is Islam? What do Muslims believe? Is Islam a violent or a peaceful religion? In scholarship of Islam, traditionalists confine themselves to Muslim sources and take them at face value, accepting as true whatever they claim to be true. Articles here adopt a more critical and skeptical perspective. Not all criticisms of Islam are correct, but neither are all defenses of Islam and Muslim behavior. There is much in Islam that is wrong, incorrect, and unethical.
Criticizing Religion
Book of the Day: Tilting at Religion, by Glenn W. Ferguson. Publisher: Prometheus Books. The pervasive influence of religion in modern America cannot be
Criticizing Religion
Recently Received: Tilting at Religion, by Glenn W. Ferguson. Religious voices are common and pervasive in modern society, despite the fact that the role of
Criticizing Religion
You won't see a great deal of public criticism of religion in America. There will occasionally be criticism of some extremist forms of religion, that is true,
Criticizing Religion vs. Criticizing Race: Defending Religion Against Criticism By Portraying it as an Identity
It's becoming more and more popular to argue that there is something fundamentally inappropriate and/or intolerant about criticizing religion and religious beliefs. It sometimes seems as if no serious and pointed criticisms are permitted against what people believe if those beliefs are part of religion - regardless of how bigoted or nasty those beliefs are.
Critics Attacked over Negative "Passion" Review
Quite a few critics have written negative reviews of Mel Gibson's movie
Critics of Morning-After Pill Helping Promote Its Use?
A few days ago, I wrote that critics' attacks on morning-after pills may be increasing awareness of their availability. Turns out I may have been right: annual
Critique of Intelligent Design Theory
Recently Received: God, the Devil, and Darwin: A Critique of Intelligent Design Theory, by Niall Shanks, Richard Dawkins. Publisher: Oxford University Press.
Critiques of Christianity, Christian Claims, Beliefs, Theology
Lots of people claim to be Christians and ask you to convert based upon what they say - but how do you tell the True Christians from the mere Christian wannabes?
Critiques of Objectivism
Articles and sites critical of objectivist philosophy, principles, politics Ayn Rand and more.
Critiques of Scientology
Skeptical critiques and attacks on Scientology, scientologists, Scientology principles and Scientology practices in America and around the world.
Critiques of Scientology
Introductory texts, FAQs and skeptical critiques for those who are new to the issues surrounding the religion called Scientology.
Critiques of Scientology
Skeptical critiques and attacks on Scientology, scientologists, Scientology principles and Scientology practice from countries outside America.
Critiques of Secularism
Needless to say, secularism had not always been regarded as a universal good. Even today, there are many who not only fail to find secularism and the process of
Critiques of Secularism: Common Religious, Christian Objections to Secularism
Critiques of Secularism: Common Religious, Christian Objections to Secularism
Critiques of Secularism: Common Religious, Christian Objections to Secularism
Critiques of Secularism: Common Religious, Christian Objections to Secularism
Critiques of Secularism: Common Religious, Christian Objections to Secularism
Secularism had not always been regarded as a universal good. There are many today who not only fail to find secularism and the process of secularization to be
Critiques of Secularism: Common Religious, Christian Objections to Secularism - Why Doesn't Everyone Appreciate Secular Neutrality?
Secularism had not always been regarded as a universal good. There are many today who not only fail to find secularism and the process of secularization to be beneficial, but who argue that it is the source of all society's ills. According to them, abandoning secularism in favor of a more explicitly religious basis for politics and culture would produce a more stable, more moral, and ultimately better social order. Are their critiques of secularism reasonable and accurate?
Critiquing "The Passion"
Doug writes: Gibson's inclusion of extra-biblical material, his reordering of the timeline given in the Gospels and his emphasis on the physical violence,
Critiquing Arguments - How to Evaluate & Critique Logical Arguments
Knowing what an argument is and how it is structured is only the beginning. You can't properly evaluate and critique logical arguments without understanding the ways in which those arguments can go wrong. These problems are generally known as flaws and fallacies: a fallacy is a specific kind of defect in an arguments reasoning or inferences while a flaw is some other background defect in attitude, presentation, or reception. Can you recognize flaws and fallacies in arguments you see?
Critiquing Arguments: How To Tell When Arguments Are Valid And/Or Sound
Assuming that we have established that we have an actual argument, the next step is to examine it for validity. There are two points on which an argument might fail: its premises or its inferences. Because of this, it is necessary to distinguish between valid arguments and sound arguments.
Critiquing Christianity: Defining Christianity, Christians, and the Christian Religion
When criticizing Christianity, what is it that we criticize? Are we only attacking a 'false' form of Christianity, ignoring the 'True Christianity' which is immune to such comments? That is certainly what many Christian apologists believe, basing their arguments upon subtle but often question-begging assumptions about what qualifies as 'real' Christianity.
Cro-Magnon Mail
Some people get even worse Hate Mail than I do. Margaret Cho, a stand-up comedian who appeared at MoveOn.org's
Croatia: International Religious Freedom Report (2004)
American State Department report on religious freedom in Croatia for 2004: The Constitution provides for freedom of conscience and religion and free public profession of religious conviction, and the Government generally respects these rights in practice. There is no official state religion; however, the Roman Catholic Church enjoys a close relationship with the State not shared by other religious groups. The legal position of most major religious communities has improved due to agreements with the State, which grant benefits similar to those enjoyed by the Catholic Church.
Crockett Keller Issues Non-Discrimination Pledge for Gun Classes
Crockett Keller Issues Non-Discrimination Pledge for Gun Classes
Cronyism + Religion in Florida
In Florida, Governor Jeb Bush is encouraging schoolchildren to read C.S. Lewis' The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, an extended allegory of Christianity.
Crop Circle Hoax was a Hoax
In June some very large crop circles appeared in California and a group of teens admitted to having created the hoax. Now, after months of study, Psi
Crop Circles Provide Insight On Religion
Crop Circles appear to be especially popular paranormal phenomena. Can they, then, tell us something important about how people form beliefs - even religious
Crop Circles vs. Property Rights
Crop Circles are very popular among believers in the paranormal. Are they created by aliens? By beings from another dimension? No, they are fakes created by
Cross Banner Used by Constantine at the Battle of Milvian Bridge, as his Vision Instructed Him
Eusebius writes: At dawn of day he arose, and communicated the marvel to his friends: and then, calling together the workers in gold and precious stones, he sat in the midst of them, and described to them the figure of the sign he had seen, bidding them represent it in gold and precious stones. And this representation I myself have had an opportunity of seeing.
Cross Sculpture Violates Separation of Church and State
If a stylized logo displays three crosses, with the center one obviously larger than the other two, is that logo a representation of Christianity? Most people
Crossing Over: Crossed Out!
Skeptics and freethinkers are probably familiar with John Edwards' television show
Crossing Over: One Woman's Escape from Amish Life
Book of the Day: Crossing Over: One Woman's Escape from Amish Life, by Ruth Irene Garrett, Rick Farrant. Publisher: HarperSanFrancisco. Just about everyone
Crossroads for Catholicism
For American Catholics and those Americans simply interested in what the Catholic Church does, there are a couple of issues of supreme importance - like
Crossroads to Islam
Book of the Day: Crossroads to Islam, by Yehuda D. Nevo and Judith Koren. Publisher: Prometheus Books. Islam was created when Muhammad received a revelation
Crucifixes in Italian Classes
Should all public schools in Italy prominently display a crucifix? That's what currently happens and it represents an attempt to place Catholicism
Crucifixion Used for Exorcism, Leads to Death
In Romania, a nun was tied to a cross, gagged, and left in a cold room for three days. Maricica Irina Cornici died and now four other nuns along with a priest
Crucifixion of AWOL Police - Literally
Every year, a number of people in the Philipines crucify themselves on Good Friday to imitate what they believe Jesus experienced. This year, AWOL police are
Crucifixion of Jesus (Mark 15:21-32) - Analysis and Commentary
Crucifixion may be one of the most horrible methods of execution ever invented. A person is nailed to a cross or stake and hangs there until their own weight suffocates them. The horrors of crucifixion are, however, glossed over by Mark in favor of the deeper theological meanings behind these events.
Crucifixion of Jesus: Contradictions in Gospel Accounts of Jesus' Crucifixion
Crucifixion of Jesus: Contradictions in Gospel Accounts of Jesus' Crucifixion
Crucifixion of Jesus: Contradictions in Gospel Accounts of Jesus' Crucifixion
Crucifixion may be one of the most horrible methods of execution ever invented. A person is nailed to a cross or stake and hangs there until their own weight
Crucifixion of Jesus: Contradictions in Gospel Accounts of Jesus' Crucifixion
Crucifixion may be one of the most horrible methods of execution ever invented. A person is nailed to a cross or stake and hangs there until their own weight
Crucifixion of Jesus: Contradictions in the Gospel Accounts of Jesus' Crucifixion
Crucifixion may be one of the most horrible methods of execution ever invented. A person is nailed to a cross or stake and hangs there until their own weight suffocates them. The horrors of crucifixion are glossed over by the gospel authors, however, in favor of the deeper theological meanings behind these events. Perhaps that is why the gospel authors are inconsistent in describing what happened.
Cruise Almost Left Scientology
Tom Cruise is the most vocal, public, and famous spokesman for the Church of Scientology today. They almost lost him, however, when he found out the truth of
Cruise Converts Cruz to Scientology
Tom Cruise seems to have quite an influence on the women in his life. His first wife, Nicole Kidman, got involved in Scientology because of him (and then left
CrunchyCon Rod Dreher: Can Faith Justify Raping Young Girls?
Some religious conservatives may be in a bit of a quandary when it comes to the police raid on the fundamentalist Mormon sect in Texas. On the one hand, they
Crusade Against Evolution
The so-called
Crusade Against Islam?
Many Muslims in the Middle East regard the American occupation of Iraq to be part of a long-standing Crusade of the West against Islam. Western politicians have
Crusade in the Middle East: Bush's Religious War, Religious Presidency
George W. Bush in PrayerPhoto: Pool / Getty Images The Bush administration has tried to offer a lot of different excuses for invading and occupying
Crusades
Glossary of Religion and Philosophy - Crusades: pope urban ii seljuk turk nbsp definition christian pilgrims first crusade
Crusades & Faith-Based Violence - Kill them all; for God knows His Own - How Much Violence is Committed by Peaceful Religions?
There seems to be an inverse relationship between how vociferous believers are in claiming that their religion is peaceful and how peaceful their religion actually is. Perhaps a truly peaceful religion is obviously peaceful and doesn't raise a lot of red flags, so adherents don't need to go out of their way to say how peaceful they are. Violent religions, though, have a PR problem with outsiders so adherents need to go out of their way to explain how peaceful their beliefs actually are.
Crusades & Faith-Based Violence: Kill them all; for God knows His Own
Crusades & Faith-Based Violence: Kill them all; for God knows His Own
Crusades & Faith-Based Violence: Kill them all; for God knows His Own
Photo © istockphoto/Duncan WalkerPoster © Austin Cline There seems to be an inverse relationship between how vociferous believers are in
Crusades & Religious Violence: Muslims & Christians Killing Everyone Over Religion, Holy Sites, and Religious Beliefs
The Crusades were Christian military and religious expeditions launched both against rival religions (primarily Islam) and even other Christians. Not only did the Crusades lay the groundwork for medieval Christian society and feudalism, but they also laid the groundwork for contemporary violence between Muslims and Christians. Both Islam and Christianity become involved with mass murder over religion, holy sites, and religious beliefs for centuries. It's little wonder that so many see religion as more a force for violence than peace.
Crusades Image Gallery
Sometimes it can help to put faces and images to events one reads about. Unfortunately we don't have photos of everything that happened in the past, but we do
Crusades Image Gallery: Images of Religious Violence, Hatred, Warfare
The Crusades were Christian military and religious expeditions launched both against rival religions (primarily Islam), Jews, and even other Christians. Not only did the Crusades lay the groundwork for medieval Christian society and feudalism, but they also laid the groundwork for contemporary violence between Muslims and Christians. In any substantive criticism of religion and religious violence, the Crusades will naturally play an important role.
Crusades: Historical Overview
There is some arbitrariness to any categorization or division of the Crusades — over 200 years of almost continual fighting on multiple fronts. Where does one
Crusades: Historical Overview | Causes, History, and Violence of the Crusades
There is some arbitrariness to any categorization or division of the Crusades — over 200 years of almost continual fighting on multiple fronts. Where does one Crusade end and the next begin? Despite such problems, there is a traditional system that allows for a fair overview.
Crusades: Timeline of the Cathar & Baltic Crusades, 1208 - 1300
Although Muslims obviously suffered at the hands of good Christians throughout the Middle Ages, it should not be forgotten that pagans and other Christians
Crusades: Timeline of the Fifth Crusade, 1215 - 1221
Called in 1217, only Leopold VI of Austria and Andrew II of Hungary participated in the Fifth Crusade. They captured the city of Damietta, but after their
Crusades: Timeline of the First Crusade Aftermath, 1100 - 1143
Launched by Pope Urban II at the Council of Clermont in 1095, the First Crusade was the most successful. Urban gave a dramatic speech urging Christians to swarm
Crusades: Timeline of the Fourth Crusade, 1198 - 1207
Launched in 1202, the Fourth Crusade was in part instigated by Venetian leaders who saw it as a means to increase their power and influence. Crusaders who
Crusades: Timeline of the Ottoman Empire on the Defensive, 1600 - 1800
Although the Crusades themselves were long finished, Christian Europe continued to be under pressure from the expanding Ottoman Empire. The Ottomans made
Crusades: Timeline of the Ottoman Empire on the Offensive, 1300 - 1600
Although the Crusades themselves were long finished, Christian Europe continued to be under pressure from the expanding Ottoman Empire. The Ottomans would make
Crusades: Timeline of the Second Crusade Aftermath, 1150 - 1186
Launched in response to the capture of Edessa by Muslims in 1144, the Second Crusade was accepted by European leaders primarily due to the tireless effort of
Crusades: Timeline of the Second Crusade, 1144 - 1150
Launched in response to the capture of Edessa by Muslims in 1144, the Second Crusade was accepted by European leaders primarily due to the tireless effort of
Crusades: Timeline of the Seventh, Eighth, Ninth Crusades, 1245 - 1300
Led by King Louis IX of France, the Seventh and Eighth Crusades were complete failures. In the Seventh Crusade Louis sailed to Egypt in 1248 and recaptured
Crusades: Timeline of the Sixth Crusade, 1222 - 1244
Launched in 1228, the Sixth Crusade achieved some small measure of success - though not by military might. It was led by Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II of
Crusades: Timeline of the Third Crusade & Aftermath, 1187 - 1197
Launched in 1189, the Third Crusade was called because of the Muslim recapture of Jerusalem in 1187 and the defeat of Palestinian knights at Hittin. It was
Crusading Against Christians
Although members of other religions obviously suffered at the hands of good Christians throughout the Middle Ages, it should not be forgotten that other
Crusading Against Christians | Perspectives and Religion in the Crusades
Although members of other religions obviously suffered at the hands of good Christians throughout the Middle Ages, it should not be forgotten that other Christians suffered just as much. Augustine's exhortion to compel entry into the church was used with great zeal when church leaders dealt with Christians who dared to follow a different sort of religious path.
Crush a Creche & Keep Christmas Free from Christianity: War on Christmas Means Destroying Christmas Symbols
This image is taken from a World War II poster exhorting soldiers to take good care of their boots - it has no direct bearing on the war itself or the causes at issue in the war. In this context, however, it seemed an appropriate image to depict how Christian Nationalists seem to perceive the alleged threats to their treasured religious symbols. Should the government merely allow private religious groups to erect and maintain such displays?
Crush the Godless Liberals: All of America's Problems are Due to Godlessness and Godless Liberals
Political movements that are driven by fear and that promote authoritarian government typically require a scapegoat: some group upon which people's fears can be projected and against which authoritarian measures appear justified. There are several groups in America which Christian Nationalists have used as scapegoats, with gays and humanists being among the most popular. In recent years, however, all of the scapegoats have become lumped together into a single group: Godless Liberals.
Cry Out to Buddha: Why Don't Christians Try, Just in Case? (Book Notes: Losing Faith in Faith)
Too many Christians seem to want to make a virtue out of dishonesty. They use Pascal's Wager as a defense for theism, arguing that it's acceptable to convert
Cuba: International Religious Freedom Report (2004)
American State Department report on religious freedom in Cuba for 2004: The Constitution recognizes the right of citizens to profess and practice any religious belief within the framework of respect for the law; however, in law and in practice, the Government places restrictions on freedom of religion.
Cubism
Glossary of Religion and Philosophy - Cubism: pablo picasso cubism cubist movement nbsp definition negative connotations geometrical shapes
Cuffley v. Mickes (1999) - Supreme Court Decision in Cuffley v. Mickes
Does Free Speech extend even to groups that are unpopular with the general public, including those considered hateful and unacceptable? Should all groups, whatever their political positions, be allowed to participate fully in government programs? Those questions were tested in Cuffley v. Mickes, which pitted the Ku Klux Klan against a state government that didn't want them to receive the publicity which usually accompanies participation in an Adopt-A-Highway program. The state lost.
Cult Exploiting Kids?
A religious group in Australia is being criticized for what people allege is its exploitation of children. Pastor Sasha Alexander, leader of Flame Ministry,
Cult Headquarters Raided in Japan
The headquarters of Pana Wave were raided by police in Japan on suspicion that the group was involved in the mysterious death of a 40-year-old assistant
Cult of Ayn Rand & the Worship of Fascist Supermen
Objectivism and Libertarianism owe a great deal to the writings of Ayn Rand and both are typically associated with belief in expansive degrees of personal
Cults & New Religions
Book of the Day: Odd Gods: New Religions & the Cult Controversy, edited by James R. Lewis. There are a lot of small, new religions in the United States,
Cults & New Religious Movements: Are Cults Dangerous? What Are Cults?
Cults - basic information from supportive and critical positions.
Cults Recruiting on British Campuses
America isn't the only nation where unsavory religious groups use dishonest and troublesome tactics to draw in young people. Even in Britain, a nation much less
Cults and Psychology 1
What is are so-called cults? What sorts of people join them, rejecting traditional religions? Are cults dangerous? From your About.com Guide
Cults and Psychology 2
What is are so-called cults? How they attract and repel; how they confuse.
Cults and Religion
Recently Received: Encyclopedia of Cults, Sects, and New Religions, edited by James R. Lewis. There are a tremendous number of
Cultural & Literary Humanism: Humanist Philosophy & Cultural Traditions
The label 'miscellaneous' might seem derogatory, but it isn't meant to be such. The types of humanism covered in this section are the types which are simply not commonly thought of when humanism is discussed. They are valid categories, to be sure, but they aren't the focus of most of the discussions on this site.
Cultural Irrelevance of Fundamentalism & Dispensationalism
Religious fundamentalists express a great deal of outrage over the fact that the rest of American society doesn't follow them and their religious doctrines.
Cultural Mormonism? Outdated Theology Becoming Custom
It's already happened in Judaism, where people have little problem calling themselves Jews despite being atheists. It's arguably happening in Christianity,
Cultural Reception and Interpretation of The Matrix
Recently Received: Jacking in to the Matrix Franchise: Cultural Reception and Interpretation, edited by Matthew Kapell and William G. Dotty. Publisher:
Culture Clash: Europe vs. America
There are a lot of differences between the cultures of America and Europe - with one of the biggest being perhaps the different attitudes over sexuality and
Culture War in Europe: Sex & Islam
The conflict between European Muslims and other Europeans seems to be increasing. Although the conflict can take many forms, most of the time it can be reduced
Culture Wars Continue
Religious conservatives continue to be incensed that liberals have the gall to criticize their religious dogmas, not to mention their attempts to use those
Culture and Christianity: Adjusting Doctrine to Suit Culture (Book Notes: Who Shall Lead Them?)
Christianity is a religion founded on the concept of orthodoxy, or
Culture and Honor Killings
One of the goals of the Western occupation of Iraq is to create a stable, functioning democracy in the hope that this will lead to the flourishing of democracy
Cuomo: Religious Belief and Public Morality
There has been a lot of media attention to the fact that the Roman Catholic Church is attempting to come down hard on Catholic politicians who won't try to
Cupertino: Silly 'Declaration of Independence' Lawsuit Ends
Remember Stephen Williams, the California teacher who sued his school because they 'banned' him from using the Declaration of Independence? Remember how the
Curing Atheism Through 'Reasonable Religion'
A great many religious theists don't believe that anyone could reject
Curious Bibles
There are a wide variety of Bibles out there - all sorts of translations, purposes, etc. A few Bibles, though, have had some very curious errors in the printing
Curious Philosophical Conundrums
Recently Received: The Ecumenical Cruise: and Other Three-Legged Chicken Philosophy Tales, by Walter Benesch. If a doughnut and a hole were to have a
Curses & Cursing: What is a Curse? Why are People Cursed? How does the Bible Present Curses?
A curse is the opposite of a blessing: whereas a blessing is a pronouncement of good fortune because one is initiated into God's plans, a curse is a pronouncement of ill fortune because one opposes God's plans. God may curse a person or a whole nation because of their opposition to God's will. A priest may curse someone for violating God's laws. In general, the same people with the authority to bless also have the authority to curse.
Custom, Tradition, and Authority - Criteria of Truth From Social Structure & Our Past
A criterion of truth is any standard that is used to differentiate between true beliefs and false beliefs. Criteria of truth are also often called standards of verification because they are the means by which we verify the accuracy of certain claims. The criteria of custom, tradition, and authority are fundamentally social in nature.
Customers of Adult Store Intimidated
People in America certainly have a right to protest what a store does - freedom of speech in public areas is protected by the First Amendment. We must ask,
Cutbacks in Moon's Empire
Rev. Sun Myung Moon, founder of the Unification Church, has a massive media empire designed to serve his messianic vision as well as his conservative politics.
Cyborg Liberation Front
Equal rights for cyborgs? Cyborgs don't even exist yet, but some people are already thinking about the ethics of what we would do with
Cynicism
Glossary of Religion and Philosophy - Cynicism: cultural norms social conventions glossary index greek philosophy greek society
Cyprus: International Religious Freedom Report (2004)
American State Department report on religious freedom in Cyprus for 2004: The Constitution of the Republic of Cyprus provides for freedom of religion, and the Government generally respects this right in practice. The basic law governing the Turkish Cypriot community refers specifically to a
Cyril Connolly on Faith & Sin: Do Unbelievers Retain Faith in Sin Without God?
Those of us who were brought up as Christians and who have lost our faith have retained the Christian sense of sin without the saving belief in redemption. This poisons our thought and so paralyzes us in action.
Czech Republic: International Religious Freedom Report (2004)
American State Department report on religious freedom in Czech Republic for 2004: The Constitution provides for freedom of religion, and the Government generally respects this right in practice.
Czech Republic: Missionaries Having Trouble
I've written before about the extent of atheism in the Czech Republic and how it is combined with a very low crime rate. Turns out that all this atheism makes
Czech Republic: Most Atheist Country in Europe?
The Czech Republic may be a great place to live for atheists - even those Czechs who aren't atheist are, by and large, disdainful of organized religion. A
D
Glossary of Religion and Philosophy - D: religious laws bce shorthand adherence related resources
D.C. Mayor Criticized for Salvation Army Support
Private entities are allowed to discriminate in ways that public organizations, like the government, cannot. But what happens when the government partners with
D.C. Voucher Scheme Approved
After many years of debate, the Senate has approved $14 million a year program to pay for students in Washington, D.C. schools to attend private as well as
D.H. Wilson's Guide to Agnostic Arrogance & Ignorance
This site is as much about agnosticism as it is about atheism, and for that reason it's important to point out cases where people falsely try to present
D.L. Moody and Modern Mass Evangelism
Recently Received: God's Man for the Gilded Age: D.L. Moody and the Rise of Modern Mass Evangelism, by Bruce J. Evensen. Publisher: Oxford University Press.
DART Driver Refused Bus With Atheist Ad; Faces Discipline
Most atheists who stopped to think about the issue probably expected that the approval of atheist bus ads in Iowa wouldn't be the last we heard about it. In
DNA Tests Contradict Mormon Beliefs
Mormon teaching states that ancient Israelites populated America - and that Jesus came here to deliver extra instructions before he went to heaven. No other
DNA vs. LDS: Rejecting Religious Objections to Scientific Evidence
Glenn Howard Griffin is on trial in Utah for the murder of Bradley Newell Perry in 1985. The case against him appears to be strong and a key piece of evidence
Da Vinci Code Plagiarized?
Dan Brown's book The Da Vinci Code has been hugely popular all around the world - in large part because Brown has been able to convince people that what is a
Da Vinci Code: Truth? Fiction?
Recently Received: Truth and Fiction in the Da Vinci Code: A Historian Reveals What We Really Know About Jesus, Mary Magdalene, and Constantine, by Bart D.
Da Vinci Fraud
Recently Received: The Da Vinci Fraud: Why the Truth Is Stranger Than Fiction, by Robert M. Price. Publisher: Prometheus Books. Dan Brown's fictional novel
Dad Loses Custody of Kids Because He's Agnostic?
Craig Scarberry used to have 50/50 custody of his kids with his ex-wife, but a judge recently reduced Craig's access to his kids to just four hours a week. Why?
Dad Sues to Teach About Polygamy
Stanley M. Shepp split from his wife, Tracey L. Roberts, because of Shepp's views on polygamy. He was even excommunicated from the Mormon church because of it.
Dad: Baby Born Without My Consent
Is it unethical, and perhaps even illegal, for a woman to give birth to a baby without the permission and consent of the father? Normally that wouldn't be an
Dada
Glossary of Religion and Philosophy - Dada: traditional notions war artists dada movement destructive war dada dada
Daily Illini? Daily Cowards: Editor Fired by Email Over Cartoons
Acton Gorton was the editor of the Daily Illini who chose to publish some of the Danish cartoons of Muhammad. He was almost immediately suspended and even
Daily Poll: Affirmative Action: Racial Discrimination or Needed Remedy?
Affirmative Action is a moral and political question which seems to divide Americans more than it unites them. On the one side are those who regard it as a type
Daily Poll: Are Atheists Arrogant for Denying God?
Daily Poll: Are Atheists Arrogant for Denying God?
Daily Poll: Are Beliefs like Buddhism Religion or Philosophies?
Daily Poll: Are Beliefs like Buddhism Religion or Philosophies?
Daily Poll: Are Christian Right Leaders Anti-American For Saying That God Wants To Punish America?
Daily Poll: Are Christians taking a chance in not believing in the Norse gods?
Daily Poll: Are Gay Rights Incompatible with Religious Liberty?
Opposition to equal civil rights for gays comes in many forms. Religious conservatives are losing the argument that there is something necessarily wrong with
Daily Poll: Are Jews Today Responsible for Jesus' Death?
For the longest time Christians treated Jews as 'Christ killers' - even though they lived hundred of years after Jesus would have died, all Jews were treated as
Daily Poll: Are Mormons Right that Ancient Hebrews Traveled to the Americas?
According to devout believers, the Book of Mormon is a record of the early history of the American Indian descendants of Lehi, a Hebrew who migrated with his
Daily Poll: Are Mothers Criminals for not Obeying Doctors?
Daily Poll: Are Near-Death Experiences Evidence of Life After Death?
Daily Poll: Are Near-Death Experiences Evidence of Life After Death?
Daily Poll: Are Preventive Or Preemptive Wars Just?
Daily Poll: Are Psychics Genuine?
Daily Poll: Are Reality TV Shows Ethical?
Daily Poll: Are Sneak & Peak Searches Reasonable?
Daily Poll: Are Terrorists Just Psychopaths?
Why are some people willing to become suicide bombers? Well, we might as well ask why there are some soldiers willing to go on suicide missions. Why are some
Daily Poll: Are War Protesters Unethical or Unpatriotic?
Some people complain about those who protest against war - specifically, the war in Iraq. It is alleged that they are unpatriotic for not supporting the
Daily Poll: Are you an atheist who is 'out of the closet'?
Daily Poll: Are you an atheist who is 'out of the closet'?
Daily Poll: As an atheist, what is your political orientation?
Daily Poll: As an atheist, what is your political orientation?
Daily Poll: Atheists Giving a Platform for Holocaust Deniers
Larry Darby, the president of Alabama's Atheist Law Center, attracted attention for his antics. Having David Irving, a notorious Holocaust Denier, anti-Semite,
Daily Poll: Atheists Should Be Quiet About Science?
Daily Poll: Atheists Should Be Quiet About Science?
Daily Poll: Caging Political Protests - Valid Response?
One would think that if any form of speech should be given deference, it would be political protest - but protestors at political conventions are put in what
Daily Poll: Can America Spread Democracy Through Force of Arms?
Does America have a responsibility to spread democracy around the world, even by force if necessary? Quite a few conservatives today seem to think so, but this
Daily Poll: Can Doctors Refuse Objectionable Procedures?
Daily Poll: Can Doctors Refuse to Treat Gays?
Daily Poll: Can Military Force Be Used to Democratize the World?
America didn't get to the point where it is overnight - the original American government was far less democratic than it is now and there are plenty who argue
Daily Poll: Can Switching Off a Gene Turn an Embryo Into a Weed?
A recent proposal to solve the stem-cell debate would have scientists turn off a key gene or two for developing embryos. Religious conservatives would on longer
Daily Poll: Can Television Shows or Movies Promote Stereotypes?
Daily Poll: Can the Government Order People Not to Have Kids?
Daily Poll: Can the President Ignore Anti-Torture Laws?
Daily Poll: Can you Support the Troops Without Supporting the War?
The phrase
Daily Poll: Chaplain of the House of Representatives
The U.S. House of Representatives pays to retain a chaplain at all times - but there has often been bitter disputes over the office. Catholics have complained
Daily Poll: Cloning Animals for Human Organs?
Daily Poll: Concentration of Power Over Voting Machines - A Problem?
Daily Poll: Conflict Between Science and Religion
Daily Poll: Conflict Between Science and Religion
Daily Poll: Corporal Punishment for Religious Reason: Permissible?
Daily Poll: Did George Bush Steal the 2000 Election?
Many Americans believe that George W. Bush lost the 2000 presidential election - he received fewer popular votes and the counting of votes in Florida was
Daily Poll: Did Jesus Really Exist?
Daily Poll: Did Jesus Really Exist?
Daily Poll: Did you ever have any connection to the World Trade Center?
Daily Poll: Disposal of One's Body After Death
Daily Poll: Disposal of One's Body After Death
Daily Poll: Do Atheists Deserve Equal Social, Political, and Legal Rights?
Atheists in America are starting to become more assertive in their demands to be treated as fully equal citizens - and they are taking notes from the gay rights
Daily Poll: Do Corporations Have Ethical Responsibilities?
It is said sometimes that the primary or even the only responsibility that a corporation has is to make a profit for owners and/or investors. It is an error to
Daily Poll: Do Moderate Muslims Do Enough Against Islamic Extremists?
Daily Poll: Do Prayers Help with Health and Healing?
Daily Poll: Do Teens Need Parents' Permission to get Abortions?
Daily Poll: Do You Approve of Prayers at School Functions?
Daily Poll: Do You Approve of the Phrase 'In God We Trust'?
Daily Poll: Do You Attend Church on Religious Holidays?
Daily Poll: Do You Attend Church on Religious Holidays?
Daily Poll: Do You Believe Any Paranormal or Supernatural Claims?
Daily Poll: Do You Believe Any Paranormal or Supernatural Claims?
Daily Poll: Do You Play the Lottery?
Daily Poll: Do You Support Nuclear Power?
Daily Poll: Do You Support a Nuclear Attack on Iran?
Evidence suggests that President Bush could be planning a nuclear attack on Iran. He apparently has a messianic complex in which he believes that he is the only
Daily Poll: Do You Trust Electronic Voting Machines?
Daily Poll: Do you celebrate any holidays?
Daily Poll: Do you celebrate any holidays?
Daily Poll: Does Ann Coulter Accurately Represent American Conservatism?
Daily Poll: Does Astrology Work?
Daily Poll: Does Astrology Work?
Daily Poll: Does Bush think he is receiving orders from God?
I've written before about how George W. Bush believes that God gives him instructions about whom the American military should be told to attack and that he is
Daily Poll: Does Democracy Prevent Terrorism?
It has been argued that democracy helps prevent terrorism because the voting process gives people an outlet to express themselves - a role filled by terrorism
Daily Poll: Does Morality Evolve?
Daily Poll: Does Preference Satisfaction Map to Well-Being?
Daily Poll: Does Religion Play Too Much or Too Little of a Role in People's Lives?
Daily Poll: Does Religion Play Too Much or Too Little of a Role in People's Lives?
Daily Poll: Does Religion Prevent Rational Thought?
Daily Poll: Does Vietnam Still Matter?
The presidential campaign of 2004 featured a lot of discussion about Vietnam and the two main candidates' actions during that role. Many have complained that
Daily Poll: Does it Matter if God Exists?
Daily Poll: Does it Matter if God Exists?
Daily Poll: Does it Matter if Prisoners are Regularly Raped?
The prison industry itself estimates that there are probably 12,000 rapes of prisoners per year. This number is higher than the number of reported rapes in Los
Daily Poll: Does the Christian Right Ignore Important Christian Values?
Perhaps the most important catch-phrase of the Christian Right is 'family values' and a significant amount of their political, social, and cultural agenda is
Daily Poll: Does the Existence of Evil Disprove God?
Daily Poll: Does the Existence of Evil Disprove God?
Daily Poll: Drug Companies Influencing Doctors
Drug makers admit that they pay insurance companies to increase the use of their products. They admit that they give rewards to pharmacists and doctors for
Daily Poll: Favorable or Unfavorable Impression of Islam?
Daily Poll: Favorable or Unfavorable Impression of Islam?
Daily Poll: Federal Marriage Amendment: Ban Gay Marriage?
Some people want to make sure that same-sex marriages are never legal, so want to amend the American Constitution. The Federal Marriage Amendment would define
Daily Poll: French Secularism and Ban on Headscarves
The French government has decided to ban
Daily Poll: Gay Conservatives - Should They Vote Republican?
Daily Poll: Genetically Modified Pets
Scientists can now genetically modify our pets - the first is a zebra fish called Night Pearl that glows in the dark because of the addition of jellyfish genes.
Daily Poll: Genetically Modified Pets: Wave of the Future or GM Horror?
Scientists can now genetically modify our pets - the first is a zebra fish called Night Pearl that glows in the dark because of the addition of jellyfish genes.
Daily Poll: Has America Become a Plutocracy?
America was founded as a democratic republic - it didn't start out as democratic as people assume, but the democratic elements grew stronger over time as people
Daily Poll: Has Reality Played a Big Role in the Bush Administration's Policies?
It's common for people to counter the actions and arguments of the Bush administration with their own arguments based upon what they believe to be facts. This
Daily Poll: Has the Internet Become Too Commercialized?
The presence of commercial advertising on the internet isn’t surprising, given the fact that decent sites can be expensive to maintain. There are reasons to
Daily Poll: Have American Soldiers Committed War Crimes?
One thing that the torture and abuse of prisoners at Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq should have taught everyone is that American soldiers are not above inhumane and
Daily Poll: Have Americans Rejected Conservatism?
It’s clear that many basic conservative positions on legal questions are well outside the mainstream, but at the same time a significant number of Americans
Daily Poll: Holocaust Denial and Free Speech
I am a strong supporter of free speech and believe that any sanctions on speech should be reserved for the absolute worst and most extreme cases, like
Daily Poll: How Do You Feel About the War on Terrorism?
Daily Poll: How Has the So-Called War on Terrorism Been Going?
The American government doesn't have to work hard to sell the idea that terrorism should be fought, but it has had to work overtime to argue that it's
Daily Poll: How Have Courts Treated Christians and Christianity?
Daily Poll: How Have Courts Treated Christians and Christianity?
Daily Poll: How Powerful Should the Government Be?
Early democratic theorists in the West grew up in the context of generally un-democratic states where government held absolute power, but was limited in its
Daily Poll: How Will You Vote in the 2004 Presidential Election?
Many have claimed that the 2004 presidential election is the most important in recent memory - it will decide the course of the war in Iraq, the course of the
Daily Poll: How did Human Beings Originate and Develop?
Daily Poll: How did Human Beings Originate and Develop?
Daily Poll: If Abortion is Murder, Should it be Legal in to Save the Life of the Mother?
Most anti-choice activists support exemptions to bans on abortions that cover the life or health of the mother, rape, and incest. It's rare for laws
Daily Poll: If the Government Can Acknowledge God, Then How About Jesus?
It's common - far too common - for public officials to introduce god-talk into their public statements or speeches. This is often defended on the basis of most
Daily Poll: Is Affirmative Action a form of Unjust Discrimination?
Daily Poll: Is America at War with Terrorism?
Daily Poll: Is Bush Manipulating Science for Political Reasons?
There have been a number of incidents where it appears that science has been manipulated for the sake of political or even religious preferences - putting
Daily Poll: Is Bush Too Beholden to the Christian Right?
Daily Poll: Is Christianity Sex-Positive or Sex-Negative?
Daily Poll: Is Church/State Separation a Valid Constitutional Principle?
Daily Poll: Is Conservation Merely a Personal Virtue?
Daily Poll: Is Criticizing the Government a Form of Treason?
Daily Poll: Is Evolution the Cause of All Society's Ills?
The Christian Right seems to believe that if only everyone followed their brand of Christianity faithfully, everything in society would be good and right. The
Daily Poll: Is FOX News really 'Fair and Balanced'?
Daily Poll: Is It Appropriate for Atheist Groups to give a Platform for Holocaust Deniers?
Larry Darby, former president of Alabama's Atheist Law Center, attracted a lot of negative attention for inviting David Irving, a notorious Holocaust
Daily Poll: Is It Libelous to Call Someone a Homosexual?
Daily Poll: Is Mel Gibson's Movie "The Passion" Antisemitic?
Many people have argued that Mel Gibson's movie 'The Passion of the Christ' is antisemitic because of how it portrays the Jews and the Romans. They point out
Daily Poll: Is President Bush Politicizing Science Too Much?
Daily Poll: Is Religion More a Force for Good or Evil?
Daily Poll: Is Religion More a Force for Good or Evil?
Daily Poll: Is Saudi Arabia Helping or Fighting Islamic Terrorism?
Daily Poll: Is There Life on Other Planets?
Daily Poll: Is There Life on Other Planets?
Daily Poll: Is There a Conspiracy to Suppress Creationist Science?
Daily Poll: Is There a Liberal Bias in the Media?
There is a common complaint from conservatives that there is too much 'liberal bias' in the American media today. What exactly is meant by 'bias' and does it
Daily Poll: Is There a New Anti-Gay McCarthyism in America?
Some feel that George W. Bush's reelection has started to have one cultural effect: people are running scared from anything that is supportive of homosexuality
Daily Poll: Is There a Right to Privacy That Includes Abortion?
In America the legalization of abortion was based in large part upon the premise that people have a right to privacy that includes a right to control their own
Daily Poll: Is Torture Justified in Extreme Cases?
Daily Poll: Is Your Doorknob Private?
Police can rub an object with a special cloth, test the cloth, and determine if the object has been in contact with things like illegal drugs. Police want the
Daily Poll: Is a Draft Coming?
There has been discussion of a possible draft in America we continue along the same course that we has been. Conservatives have reacted with outrage over the
Daily Poll: Is a Woman's Pregnancy the Government's Business?
Daily Poll: Is the Doctrine of Papal Infallibility Justified?
Daily Poll: Is the Shroud of Turin genuine or a fake?
Daily Poll: Persistent Vegetative State: A Reason to Die?
Daily Poll: Pharmacists Refusing to Dispense Medication
Daily Poll: Pharmacists Refusing to Dispense Medication
Daily Poll: Political Speech by Performing Artists - Appropriate?
Daily Poll: Pope John XXIII's Ecumenical Efforts: Successful?
Before he died, Pope John XXIII tried hard to promote more ecumenical understanding both between various Christian groups and between Christians and members of
Daily Poll: Postponing Elections in the Event of Terrorism
There has been some discussion about setting up the conditions for postponing federal elections in the event of a large terrorist attack. At first glance this
Daily Poll: President: Regular Guy or Elite?
Daily Poll: Prospects for a Theocracy in Iraq
Although one of the reasons commonly offered to justify the American invasion of Iraq is that the people needed to be liberated from Saddam Hussein, there are
Daily Poll: Public Financing vs. Private Patent Protection
Daily Poll: Public Financing vs. Private Patent Protection
Daily Poll: Public Financing vs. Private Patent Protection
When private universities develop some new product or method for doing things, they common file for patent protection and thereby make a lot of money. Much of
Daily Poll: Quality of Life vs. Length of Life?
Daily Poll: Religious Monuments in Public Areas
Daily Poll: Religious Use of Psychedelic Drugs
Daily Poll: Religious Use of Psychedelic Drugs
Daily Poll: Republican Party Hiding Christian Right Connections?
Daily Poll: Retaliating Against Terrorists: What Price?
There is, naturally, a desire to retaliate against terrorists and those who help them - but what if such retaliation causes innocent people to be harmed or
Daily Poll: School Vouchers for Religious Schools
According to some, the best way to deal with failing schools is to let parents send their kids to private schools - and that the government should pay for it.
Daily Poll: September 11, 2001: Another Pearl Harbor?
Some say that the terrorist attacks on New York City and Washington D.C. on September 11, 2001, were the modern generation's Pearl Harbor. Others, however, say
Daily Poll: Should "Ex-Gay" Groups Speak at Public Schools?
Daily Poll: Should Abstinence Programs That Lie Be Used?
Daily Poll: Should Abstinence Programs That Lie Be Used?
Daily Poll: Should Ads That Advocate the Legalization of Drugs Be Allowed?
The federal government has taken a strong position against the legalization of certain drugs like marijuana. Does the describing the fight against illegal drugs
Daily Poll: Should America Care About Being Popular?
America's recent policies on the environment, the Middle East, and other issues has led to a steep decline in American popularity around the world. Is this
Daily Poll: Should America Outsource Torture?
The 9/11 Commission called on the U.S. to 'offer an example of moral leadership in the world, committed to treat people humanely, abide by the rule of law, and
Daily Poll: Should America Rely on Mercenaries?
Daily Poll: Should Americans with Dementia Be Allowed to Vote?
American voters are increasingly demented - literally. More and more Americans are suffering from one form of dementia or another and there is nothing that
Daily Poll: Should Animal-to-Human Organ Transplants Be Allowed?
Daily Poll: Should Anti-Gay Politicians Be Outed?
Daily Poll: Should Anti-Terrorism Laws Be Used To Intimidate Protesters And Hecklers?
Terrorist acts typically cause the government to write new laws to combat terrorism - but has it ever been the case that such laws are only used against
Daily Poll: Should Atheists Become More Politically Active?
Daily Poll: Should Atheists Create Secular Holidays?
Daily Poll: Should Atheists Create Secular Holidays?
Daily Poll: Should Atheists Vote Republican?
Daily Poll: Should Biology Texts Have a Disclaimer About Evolution?
Daily Poll: Should Bishops Punish Pro-Choice Catholics?
Daily Poll: Should Boy Scout Bigotry Be Defended?
Daily Poll: Should Boy Scouts Recruit in Public Schools?
Daily Poll: Should Boy Scouts Recruit in Public Schools?
Daily Poll: Should Boy Scouts Recruit in Public Schools?
Daily Poll: Should Charities Accept The Donations Of Wiccans?
A Wiccan coven in Ramah, Colorado, caused trouble because they wanted to raise money for charity and local Christians couldn't stop them. Eventually, the
Daily Poll: Should Christmas Be a Government Holiday?
Daily Poll: Should Christmas Be a Government Holiday?
Daily Poll: Should Church Directories Be Used by Political Parties?
Daily Poll: Should Churches Endorse Politicians?
Daily Poll: Should Churches Get Special Privileges?
Non-profit organizations in Massachusetts have to release their financial records to the public. Churches are exempt from this provision and attempts to force