Category Archives: Religious Belief

Covert courting

I had high hopes that President Obama would do more outreach among US Muslims. There are only 24 hours in a day. I get that. But I was hoping that we’d see a more overt form of engagement. Perhaps the … Continue reading

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South Park censorship

I have to thank my baby Gators for introducing me to South Park some time ago. I have to confess that I only look at it when it’s involved in some newsworthy event. And, boy, this one sure counts. I … Continue reading

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A mystic awaits execution

Shades of the charges against Socrates from Plato’s Apology: The indictment says that Socrates is a doer of evil, who corrupts the youth; and who does not believe in the gods of the state, but has other new divinities of … Continue reading

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Assault by baptism

Poor girl. [a] man who claims he returned to his Catholic roots after divorcing a Jewish woman was granted permission to take his 3-year-old daughter to Catholic church, despite his ex-wife’s wishes.Joseph Reyes, who baptized his 3-year-old daughter without her … Continue reading

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Religious belief and class

Some surprising and not so surprising findings about a person’s religious beliefs and their socioeconomic class. Lifelong theists (“I have always believed in God”) are disproportionately from lower socio-economic groups while lifelong atheists (“I have never believed in God”) are … Continue reading

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Christian Science new truce with medicine

NY Times reports the church rethinks its opposition to members seeking medical treatment. [F]aced with dwindling membership and blows to their church’s reputation caused by its intransigence concerning medical treatment, even for children with grave illnesses, Christian Science leaders have … Continue reading

Posted in Churches, James, Medicine and Health, Prayer, Religious Belief, Theorists | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

The bullies of religion

The Times Online (UK) has a short item featuring Archbishop Rowan Williams on bullying people into belief: In a speech at Guildford cathedral, Dr Williams criticised those who believed they had all the answers and treated non-Christians as if their … Continue reading

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Context is key!

Thanks Jason!

Posted in Arguing, Hermeneutics, PHIL 500, Religion Blog, Religious Belief, Scripture | Leave a comment

Ash Wednesday Foot in Mouth

You may have read my essay about anti-intellectualism. Well, here is the flip side: religious ignorance. Or rather, ignorance about religious traditions. UK broadcasters pondering over that nasty looking smudge on Joe Biden’s head. Hello! It’s called Ash Wednesday! Hello! … Continue reading

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Roger Ebert on God

Just received a Tweet with this link. Really great to hear from non-theologians what they think about God. How I believe in God by Roger Ebert in the Chicago Sun-Times When I was in first or second grade and had … Continue reading

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