So apparently there’s a new Dan Brown book out today. I know next to nothing about this, but it does, apparently, have to do with hell. Now I like the idea of eternal suffering and despair just as much (or in this case, little) as the next guy, but while I once believed in a heaven, I could never bring myself to believe in a hell. Perhaps that’s one of the reasons I find belief in it s... »
Continuing from my last post A Short History of Atheism, I’m now adding to the blog another section of my Religious Studies dissertation which addresses different cultural attitudes towards atheism (and religious tolerance) and the effects they have on non-believers and minority groups. Due to the nature of the assignment the style is somewhat formal and objective, but the points raised are ... »
As an atheist, I have always felt it important to understand my own position as well as that of the religions I reject. This has sparked a keen interest in a subject which is labelled “RMPS” (Religious, Moral and Philosophical Studies) in Scottish schools. It’s a great subject which is brilliantly taught at my school- and it is completely distinct from religious observance (I hav... »
This is the second part of a two-part post speculating on the future of religion. You can find part one here. Alright, so we all know many of the problems that religion poses to our society. Religious politicians try to force their beliefs on us via legislation, teachers try to incorporate religious teachings in their classrooms, people get turned away at flower shops… The point is, religios... »
This is part 1 of a two-part series speculating on the future of religion. The second part is here. As the monotheisms die out thanks to all the corruption and violence and rape and such in their hierarchies, a lot of people will be left without the comfort and community that they’ve found in religion. It’s already true that many doubters remain in their church for fear of ostracism or... »
Atheists are often asked- especially by theists- how they can be moral without God and religion to guide them. This is a question which has always intrigued me; I consider myself a largely moral person who tries to do good when possible, but there is no particular belief or doctrine which forces me to do so. There is the encouragement of society, of course- but no threat of eternal damnation shoul... »
Over at Pharyngula, PZ Myers recently wrote an article in which he suggested that we remove all religious studies classes from education, because it’s “useless, distracting, and narrow”. Now as a religious studies major and someone thinking of going on in a religious studies program, I got a little pissy about this. Now why, you may ask, would a staunch atheist such as myself be ... »
Behold! The sequel to my previous post on the Teleological Argument: the Cosmological Argument for God as a creator! With the premise: “If the universe has a beginning, is God the best explanation for it?” »
