What is Parentism? Many traditionalists have become concerned about the growing influence of the so-called New Parentists. This militant group believes that most Christmas presents are purchased and given to children by parents or other family members. What is External … Continue reading →

Here’s the common thread that runs through half-a-dozen news stories every day. Yesterday, for example: a schoolteacher arrested and charged in Sudan for allowing children to call a teddy bear Muhammad; the poor, ethnically mixed housing estates around Paris going … Continue reading →

I was really looking forward to reading this since I read an essay that Bart Ehrman wrote on the moment he lost his faith as a Born Again Christian. I was pretty sure Professor Story would appreciate the argument, since … Continue reading →

Way back in December, we had a pleasant discussion in the comments about the bible as literature. My original post, though, was about my fond memories of the Church of England: For me growing up, the Church of England was … Continue reading →

Most of my readers wonder why I go on so much about atheism. Most likely, you are one of them. Bear with me while I write my very last post on atheism. Then I am done. Maybe you fit into … Continue reading →

Fundamentalists: believe 2+2 =5 because It Is Written. Somewhere. They have a lot of trouble on their tax returns. “Moderate” believers: live their lives on the basis that 2+2=4. but go regularly to church to be told that 2+2 once … Continue reading →

“Now, the invention of the scientific method and science is, I’m sure we’ll all agree, the most powerful intellectual idea, the most powerful framework for thinking and investigating and understanding and challenging the world around us that there is, and … Continue reading →

AC Grayling has taken up my thread about certainties and proofs in the Guardian. Is there anyone alive today above the age of nine, and halfway sane, who would assign a prior probability of 50% to the existence of fairies … Continue reading →

I just got Dennett’s Breaking the Spell from the library. From the introduction: Those who are religious and believe religion to be the best hope of humankind cannot reasonably expect those of us who are skeptical to refrain from expressing … Continue reading →

We had that “but you can’t prove it” discussion at our beer bash at work the other day. The one where your co-debater suggests that, if you believe something without proof, you are making a leap of faith. Consider the … Continue reading →