Hitchhiking in Svalbard

2011-07-14T00:04:00.000-07:00

Today I arrived at TAM. I met several interesting people who I want to remember. I'll edit this later.

Collin from Science Based Parenting was quite helpful and introduced me to several people.

One of them was David from the Dallas area who runs a skeptics group there. I'll have to see if Hillary would be interested in meeting with them.

Barbara Drescher, cognitive psychologist and promoter of science based skepticism. Icbseverywhere.com. Her husband was funny and told me about a crazy sex-themed house in aspen colorado. Her in laws quite charming.

I met Two great fellows from Australia. I will have to get their names again as i have forgotten. They live in the Melbourne area. One is a Pharmacist and the other a Social Worker. We talked about what got us started in skepticism and about the Australian census, among many topics.

Greg from Vancouver was great to talk with today. He's new to the skeptic movement but always considered himself to have a skeptical approach to the world. He is a programmer who makes video games.

I said a quick hello to Matt Lowry from our north suburban atheists and freethinkers group.

Hitchens Quotes

2011-04-26T19:30:00.000-07:00

Sin

Closing Remarks at a 2011 Debate

Message to American Atheists

The Founding Fathers argument

2011-04-05T19:24:00.001-07:00

We often hear Christians insisting that America was built on Christianity, or that this is a "Christian Nation." Bullshit. Most of the influential members of this group were deists at most.

Here also is a really interesting comment from Reddit, from the user somn:

Don't play the quote game, go right to the heart of the matter.

The political and economic theories on which the US was built come from the Enlightenment. The enlightenment explicitly rejected religion as a basis for political and economic theories.

Follow up by inquiring where in the Bible it speaks of individual liberties and free market economics? Show me a single reference to democracy. Now, ctrl+f and search the words "kingdom", "king", and "lord". Tell me, if you were to base a government on the Bible, would it be a representative democracy or a monarchy?

Talk to me about what you believe

2011-03-29T10:20:00.000-07:00

I'm interested in what people believe. I appreciate Matt Dillahunty's perspective: tell me what you believe and why you believe it. I think this posture provides a great way for believers to frame their presentations, and it demonstrates the real position of skepticism. It's a reaction to claims made by believers.

When we talk about your beliefs, however, I'll not be convinced of the truth of your claims by arguments from authority, arguments from ignorance, or arguments from personal experience. Your life experience is not sufficient to demonstrate the truth of your claims to someone else. Likewise, the fact that you can't think of a better explanation for something doesn't demonstrate that your claim is true. Finally, appeals to religious authority hold no sway for those who do not accept that authority.

There are other logical fallacies, but those three are the ones that will stop our discussion in its tracks. Let's be open and honest about the issues we discuss. If we are, we'll have a much better chance at creating a mutual understanding.

2011-03-24T20:30:00.000-07:00

Here's a really enlightening statement made by Christopher Hitchens in a debate vs. Frank Turek.

It's an insult to be told that without superstition or the supernatural we wouldn't know how to treat one another well, or know the difference between right and wrong.

The emancipation of humanity, which has taken a very great deal of time, just as the expansion of our life expectancy had to be worked on very hard. When it was left just to god to decide these things, we didn't live very long, couldn't cure any diseases, and didn't know that our planet wasn't the center of the universe. But once this emancipation has begun, I think it is unstoppable. And the emancipation of hunanity begins when you throw off the idea that you live in a celestial North Korea, and that only a dictator can give you permission to think, behave well, or act morally.

I really like the connection between life expcetancy and the progress of unbelief. After creeping up very slowly over tens of thousands of years, from say 25 to 35 years, life expectancy has nearly doubled in the past 150 years. Throwing off the shackles of superstition and looking at the world scientifically has granted us more life than humanity ever experienced as when the world was ruled by gods. I think it's conceivable that the next 150 years could see another doubling of life expectancy. Imagine living in a time when we could expect live to be 150 years old, running marathons into our 120's. Such a gift of life will not be possible with societal adherence to a theistic worldview. We have to move beyond dogma to reach our full potential.

One thing that really bugs me

2011-02-10T20:21:00.000-08:00

I really enjoy discussing religion with people who are open to an honest discussion. Even if we don't agree on much, it's fascinating to see how differently we can perceive the world around us.

What I can't stand is people who profess an expertise in religious matters without having spent much time bothering to understand the basic arguments. There's a rabbi posting on Huffpost (okay, not much credibility there, but that's another discussion) who has written an open letter to atheists. He writes:

The first point I'd like to explore is that there really are no true atheists. It seems to me that in order to claim with certainty that there is no God you would have to have knowledge of the totality of the universe - seen and unseen - and I don't think any of you guys are ready to make that claim.

Perhaps Rabbi Jacobs is honestly mistaken about the claims of atheism, in which case he will most certainly acknowledge his error, rethink his position, and rewrite the missive with some humility. On the other hand, I have a hard time believing that a Rabbi wouldn't understand the basic position of atheists. If the second case is true, he's simply lying to readers who don't have a strong understanding of the arguments.

A serious person will at least go through the trouble of understanding the arguments before wading into these waters. Maybe Rabbi Jacobs will surprise me and reassess his letter and try again. If not, he's just another in a long line of deceitful religious leaders who are afraid of having honest discussions.

A Christmas Letter from Ricky Gervais

2010-12-20T09:01:00.000-08:00

Ricky's Christmas Letter

This letter is both funny and eloquent. Along with Tim Minchin's White Wine in the Sun, this sentiment represents my own views of Christmas and religion quite well.

2010-10-27T13:25:00.000-07:00

I've been looking for this quote for some time now. I couldn't remember the source until I ran across it serendipitously. The quote poignantly captures the state of mind that I've been mired in for so long. If I'm not able to "come out" soon to my family and friends, I'm afraid I'll lose my sense of self.

No man, for any considerable period, can wear one face to himself and another to the multitude, without finally getting bewildered as to which may be the true.

-Nathaniel Hawthorne, The Scarlet Letter, Chapter XX: The Minister in a Maze

Civil Rights for Homosexuals

2010-10-22T12:13:00.001-07:00

The idea of America is that people should be free to live their lives without interference from an oppressive government. So long as we don't harm others, "the pursuit of happiness," however we define it individually, is the central tenet of our freedom.

Gays aren't seeking special treatment; they're seeking equality under the law. Right now there are special rules in place to specifically exclude homosexuals from the benefits of civil society. The repeal of these bigoted rules is the goal here, not the establishment of privileges that the larger community does not have.

It's our patriotic duty to demand equality for all. Historically we've had this discussion regarding women's rights, the end of slavery, and the civil rights movement in the 1960's. In each case, hindsight offers a very clear perspective that discrimination is unethical and immoral. At some point we have to embrace a true equality for all. It's about time we realized it.

Nazis, religion, and atheism

2010-09-19T09:16:00.001-07:00

Here's a good source of info regarding how the Nazis dealt with religion and non-belief.

Pharyngula discussion

Biblical Origins

2010-06-26T15:07:00.000-07:00

Here's a great 10 part discussion of the content in misquoting Jesus. It's a good look at the real origins of the Bible.

Bart Ehrman on Biblical Origins

The beginning discusses the problems of copying the text for the first several hundred years after the events took place.

Interesting dilemmas:

The Parable of the woman caught in adultery was added to John 7-8 in about the 10th century.

Ending of the book of Mark originally had the women in the tomb instructed to tell the disciples to meet the risen Jesus in Galilee, but they fled and didn't say anything to anyone because they were afraid. Scribes later added 12 verses. 16:9-end. Woemen do tell disciples to meet in Galilee, they do meet in Galilee, and Jesus tells them they can handle deadly snakes, speak in tongues, and drink poisons without being harmed.

Mark Ch. 1 - Jesus heals the leper. Several ancient manuscripts say that Jesus got angry when he healed the man.

Luke - scene of crucifixion varies greatly from Mark's. Jesus is totally in control and consoling in Luke, but confused and distressed in Mark.

A very reasonable post from Pharyngula

2010-03-02T20:00:00.000-08:00

Woo peddlers drive me crazy, and Deepak Chopra is a repeat offender. PZ Myers wrote a funny post, and this user comment balanced his humor with a sensible response.

A quick question for Deepak Chopra

Posted by: Antiochus Epiphanes | March 2, 2010 12:22 PM

but I'd like to know what evidence can be shown against the position that if EVERYONE was honest and helpful that the world's problems wouldn't be solved!?

The world's problems don't all arise from dishonesty and selfishness. If everyone were honest and helpful, diseases would still exist, there would still be conflict between the needs humans have for food and water and our need to preserve biodiversity, we would still need to find ways to obtain energy more efficiently, we would still need to solve conflicts concerning humane animal use, blah, blah, blah.

Also, the argument that "spirituality" promotes honesty and kindness is taken as a given. I would challenge that notion. Further, "spirituality" provides no cure for ignorance, a serious problem.

Promoting knowledge and rationality would be much more effective at solving the problems of the world than honesty and kindness.

My Faves

2009-12-11T13:56:00.000-08:00

Sometimes it's handy to have lists. Here are some of my favorite people, books, and ideas. I'll work on this as I have time.

Mark Twain - The first and last word in American literature. Hilarious, skeptical, and thought provoking. Among my favorites are A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court, Fenimore Cooper's Literary Offenses, The Innocents Abroad, Huckleberry Finn, and Letters from the Earth.

Carl Sagan - I love the PBS Series Cosmos, and the book The Demon-Haunted World.

His Dark Materials, a trilogy of fantasy novels by Philip Pullman.

Dr. Seuss. He can provide great moral lessons using simple rhyming language and wonderful illustrations. The Sneetches, The Lorax, The Butter Battle Book, Yertle the Turtle, and others.

The Hubble Ultra Deep field in 3D.

TED talks.
EDGE
Globe Forum.

Question Boldly, Mr. Jefferson

2009-10-21T11:48:00.000-07:00

When I was in college, I gained a strong appreciation for Thomas Jefferson, and the role he played in the development of American notions of liberty. The Declaration of Independence and the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom are perhaps the two most critical documents of the American Revolution. They established, at that point in time, an entirely new relationship between the state and the individual.

I was always fascinated by Jefferson's religious views, and how his lack of faith in the Christian God shaped his perspective on morality and liberty. The Jefferson Bible, formally known as The Life and Morals of Jesus of Nazareth, is a version of the Bible with most of the supernatural and spiritual elements removed. It offers an amazing insight into Jefferson's religious notions, and how he viewed the life of Jesus as noteworthy, but not divine.

Among his numerable quotes regarding religious belief, I find a paragraph regarding religion in a letter written to his nephew, Peter Carr, August 10, 1787, to be extremely enlightening:

Your reason is now mature enough to examine this object. In the first place, divest yourself of all bias in favor of novelty & singularity of opinion. Indulge them in any other subject rather than that of religion. It is too important, and the consequences of error may be too serious. On the other hand, shake off all the fears & servile prejudices, under which weak minds are servilely crouched. Fix reason firmly in her seat, and call to her tribunal every fact, every opinion. Question with boldness even the existence of a God; because, if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason, than that of blindfolded fear.

Jefferson encourages us to read the Bible as if it were a history from Tacitus or Livy, which I did myself during my sophomore year at UT. It's been a fascinating ride ever since.

Basava Premanand

2009-10-08T08:42:00.000-07:00

Basava Premanand wrote a final letter declaring his non-belief in gods or the afterlife. He felt it necessary because so many "godmen" have claimed death-bed confessions for non-believers, Albert Einstein among the more notable.

His life is one about which I'm interested in learning more. Being a rationalist in the midst of a very spiritualistic India could make for a compelling biography.

The Atheist Experience: Jonathan Park and the Mind Pathetically Misled: a rant

2009-08-14T11:31:00.000-07:00

The Atheist Experience: Jonathan Park and the Mind Pathetically Misled: a rant: "This is why we fight. Minds are at stake. Somewhere in the world is a student who will go on to cure AIDS, extend human life expectancy, and solve other ills that befall us, and that student will have to understand evolution. Creationists fear this, and want this destroyed at all costs. Religion doesn't care what destruction it leaves in its wake, as long as it comes out on top in the end."

Believe what you want, but don't force it on me

2009-07-07T12:27:00.000-07:00

Religious people have every right to believe and worship and live according to their faith, as long as their actions do not harm others. However, these people cannot force others to believe their myths or obey their religious tenets. It's as simple as that.

PZ Myers blogged about a story that illustrates the point effectively. The short version is that a journalist in Israel was attacked for reporting on a story about a parking lot that would remain open on the Shabbot. She was attacked because she herself wasn't observing the Shabbot, even though she wasn't Jewish.

PZ's opinion here is much like my own:

This is something too many religious people fail to understand — you can practice your religion, other people can practice their religion, but you don't get to tell other people that they must practice your religion. If your crazy superstition says you aren't allowed to push a button on a certain day of the week, then don't. If your old myths claim that your god turns into a cracker when the right ritual is carried out, go ahead and believe that. If your dogma dictates that you should visit a certain magic rock before you die, then go ahead, make your pilgrimage.

But excuse us, everyone who doesn't have these wacky ideas has a perfect right to push the button, disrespect your cracker, or stay home and skip the crowds…and we also have the right to point and laugh at you.

A shocking statistic

2009-06-03T08:11:00.001-07:00

Today I ran across one of the most interesting pieces of Biblical scholarship that I've ever seen. Steve Wells at
Dwindling in Unbelief has tallied up all of God's killings and massacres enumerated in the Bible. The total? 2,301,427.

This jaw-dropping number would be even higher if he included massacres that are unnumbered (such as the slaughter of the Midianites that I mentioned in my earlier post).

He is also retelling all of the stories of God's killings. It's a most extraordinary exercise.

Credulity vs. Skepticism

2009-05-20T14:00:00.000-07:00

The perspective from which we evaluate claims of truth is a major factor in our view of the world. Claims about the existence of (or immediate experience with) extraterrestrials, bigfoot, paranormal abilities, and gods are met with an immediate reaction.

From one side, the credulous accept these claims at face value. On the other hand, skeptics don't believe such claims without evidence.

Is your first reaction to believe such claims, or to ask questions? Which is the better position? Is it better to believe something that isn't true, or to disbelieve some truth? I think this question is critical in determining how we perceive the world aroud us.

Rethinking the Republican party

2009-04-30T09:19:00.000-07:00

The Republican party has announced a new effort to rebrand its image: Boston Globe Article

Starting today, the National Council for a New America will begin work to resurrect the Republican image and recapture its viability as a national political party.The Republican party must do two things to appeal to a broader base than it currently reaches.

First, it must divorce itself from the religious right. Forcing religious dogma into public policy will not work in a pluralistic society. The religious fundamentalists have far too much influence in the Republican party as it stands now. We are becoming more diverse as a nation, and need a secular framework for our government.

Second, the party must demonstrate that it can return to its much-ballyhooed principle of financial conservatism. Record deficits and out-of-control spending have been the norm for the past few Republican administrations. Republicans must propose an approach to budgeting that will cut spending to their own sacred cows (i.e. corporate welfare), recommend a tax structure that does not alienate the poor in favor of the wealthy, and pay down the massive debt that is accruing at our children's expense. The Republicans will have to implement improved fiscal policies at the state and local levels to convince skeptics that their revitalized apprach is serious.

These two changes - a secular approach to government and a return to fiscal responsiblity - would result in an appealing platform for a large number of Independents, Libertarians, and moderate Democrats. I don't think they'd lose much of their base, though a fringe Christian party could emerge. The potential gains in the middle far outweigh the losses on the periphery.

The Dangers of Woo

2009-04-29T08:26:00.000-07:00

Antivaccinationists scare the hell out of me because people with no understanding of science will listen to their gibberish and believe it. I've had a negative view of pseudoscience for a long time, but it's only snice becoming a parent that I've really come to grips with the scope of the horrors that lurk among the scientific illiterati.

Our herd immunity is compromised when there are groups of unvaccinated individuals. Kids are now dying from measles and whooping cough because parents aren't vaccinating their kids. Antivaccinationists are scaring people into preventing their own children from getting sick, and many are dying from preventable illnesses.

http://skepticblog.org/2009/01/28/an-unvaccinated-child-has-died-from-a-preventable-disease/

Autism isn't caused by vaccines. This myth has been debunked in study after study. We've spent millions to combat an alleged connection that has never been shown to exist. Yet windbag celebrities like Jenny McCarthy and Jim Carrey, neither of whom has the slightest idea of how science works, go on national television and claim that there is a link between vaccines and autism. Whether or not they've got good intentions, they are wrong about the science and are endangering people's lives.

http://www.theness.com/neurologicablog/?p=308

http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/vaccines.htm

Peddlers of woo are not only scientific illiterates, but they are a danger to society.

How I became an Atheist

2009-04-16T11:57:00.001-07:00

Time to change my blog to something I'll be more likely to maintain. My interests as a skeptic, secular humanist, and atheist will be the primary topics.

I'll start by describing my deconversion from fundamental Christianity. This isn't my argument against faith, but is a story of my own personal journey to enlightenment.

My upbringing was notably devoid of religious instruction. My parents were Believers in a general sense, but not practitioners of any faith. It wasn't until I was in high school that I developed any interest in religion. I joined a Christian church after attending with some friends for a while. Within a few months I was an energetic Bible-toting true believer. My entire life seemed to revolve around my faith during that time.

While I was in college, my Shakespeare professor assigned us to read a book of the "Old Testament" in the King James translation. The reason was simply to compare the linguistic conventions between Shakespeare and the King James Bible.

Not having read much of the OT, I chose to read the book of Numbers. What I found there shook my faith and made it crumble. I could not believe the acts of cruelty, blood lust, and absolute evil that Moses exhibited, and God apparently approved.

In Numbers Chapter 31, Moses' army, under God's direction, destroys the Midianites. The army slaughters all of the adult males, and then captures the women and children. When Moses discovers that his soldiers left the women and children alive, he bellows: "Have you saved all the women alive? Kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman that hath known man by lying with him. But all the women children, that have not known a man by lying with him, keep alive for yourselves." Num 31:17-18.

So Moses' army went back and killed all of the little boys in this city, along with their mothers. An exception was made for the young virgin girls, who were kept by the soldiers. The not-so-subtly implied prurience here is horrific beyond belief.

There is more indiscriminate killing throughout Numbers, but reading this specific passage enraged my sense of justice and destroyed forever in my mind the image of a loving God. Any God who would do such evil is not worthy of reverence. Those who would willingly follow such a God exhibit a shocking moral deficit.

My commitment to Christianity began crumbling then, accelerated by ongoing critical analysis of the Bible, a formal education in history, mythology and science, and an application of my natural skeptical worldview into religious matters.

I soon dispensed with the notion of the literal truth of the Bible, so my days as a Christian were numbered. I considered myself a deist for a long time, believing that perhaps there may have been a god at some point, but such a god didn't have any direct contact with our culture now. I don't think there's much of a difference between deism (like that of Thomas Jefferson and Thomas Paine) and atheism; both contend that no supernatural being directly interacts with human society or the natural world around us.

When the "new atheism" began to gain some traction a few years ago, it was like a breath of fresh air. Embracing a skeptical, rational approach to truth is a liberating way to dispel unsubstantiated claims of paranormal, superstitious, and pseudoscientific charlatans.