Daylight Atheism > 2008

Archives for May, 2008

Further Thoughts on Abortion
The Loft • May 15, 2008

Last month's post on the morality of abortion generated - as one might have expected - a wide variety of impassioned responses. Happily, the debate remained mostly civil, which is a rarity when it comes to this issue and one that's entirely due to the thoughtful, rational commenters here at Daylight Atheism. There were several issues [...]
New Post on Dangerous Intersection
The Foyer • May 14, 2008

I've put up a new post on Dangerous Intersection, "The traditional media is dying". This is an open thread. Comments and discussion are welcome.
On Nihilism and Satanism
The Garden • May 13, 2008

I'd like to write today about two stereotypes of atheism that are common among some quarters of religious apologists: that we are moral nihilists, recognizing no such concepts as right and wrong; and that we are Satanists who worship, or at least admire, the adversary power of monotheism. The atheists who advocate these concepts, rare [...]
For Your Reading Pleasure
The Foyer • May 12, 2008

For your consideration: • The 91st Carnival of the Godless at State of Protest • The 64th Carnival of the Liberals at Sir Robin Rides Away • The 69th Philosophers' Carnival at Possibly Philosophy • The 86th Skeptics' Circle at The Skepbitch • And, last but certainly not least, the 19th Humanist Symposium at Letters from a Broad!
Little-Known Bible Verses IX: Better Miracles than Jesus
The Library • May 11, 2008

To Christian believers, Jesus of Nazareth was God incarnate and therefore possessed of omnipotent power. According to the Bible, he backed up this claim by doing many miracles while on earth - casting out demons, healing the sick and the crippled, calming storms, walking on water, producing food, and raising the dead. It would seem [...]
Why I Am Not a Communist
The Rotunda • May 9, 2008

Last summer, I wrote a three-part post series, "Why I Am Not a Libertarian", which explained my disagreement with this political philosophy. However, I've realized that despite writing an essay addressing the crimes of communist regimes as they reflect on atheists, I've never written a post on my differences with communism per se. This one [...]
New Post on Dangerous Intersection
The Foyer • May 8, 2008

I've posted a new essay over on Dangerous Intersection, a review of Glenn Greenwald's latest book, Great American Hypocrites: Toppling the Big Myths of Republican Politics. This is an open thread. Comments and discussion are welcome.
A Critique of the Learning Annex
The Observatory • May 7, 2008

The Learning Annex is a privately owned continuing-education school in New York. As a resident of New York City, I can testify to its success - its kiosks of free course catalogs are on nearly every street corner in Manhattan. It was founded in 1980 by Bill Zanker, who sold the company in 1991 and [...]
Wind and Water
The Garden • May 5, 2008

"And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the powers of death shall not prevail against it." —Matthew 16:18 (RSV) The biblical metaphor of the church built on rock is interwoven throughout Christianity, used as a metaphor for the presumed stability and eternality of the faith. The Catholic [...]
Open Thread: A Christian Visitor
The Foyer • May 4, 2008

This is an open thread to address the comment below left by a Christian visitor. Replies are welcome; as always, let's have a civil discussion.
A Letter to Jack Chick
The Loft • May 3, 2008

Dear Mr. Chick, You probably don't know me, but I'm writing to send you my thanks. I used to be a hardcore, evil, godless atheist, but after reading some of your wonderful Christian fundamentalist cartoon tracts, I've realized just how wrong I've been. Now I know that there is a God who loves me and who [...]
Dawn of the Dead: Are Zombies Possible?
The Library • May 2, 2008

Inspired by a recent post on Philosophy, et cetera, I want to talk a little about zombies and what they imply for a materialist theory of the mind. When I say "zombie," I don't mean the shambling, flesh-eating undead of horror films. This thought experiment is about philosophical zombies, which are a different beast altogether. The [...]