Atheism
Sadly Ratio Primoris (Reason Foremost) is no longer actively publishing new content but I did end up there today while surfing around as I watched the Tour de France and stumbled on this:
- The Parable Of The Parrots
There once was a person who wanted a parrot for a pet. He visited a local pet store and saw a pretty parrot that could speak 10 words. The person asked the store clerk “How much for the parrot?” The store clerk answered “$100.” The person next saw an even prettier parrot and it could speak 100 words. Again, the person asked the store clerk “How much for that parrot?” The store clerk answered “$500.” Over in a far corner of the store was a dull brownish parrot that could not speak a word. The person asked the store clerk “How much for that parrot?” The store clerk answered “$100,000.” The person’s jaw dropped and he was almost speechless. He asked the store clerk “Why is such a plain and speechless parrot so expensive?” The store clerk replied, “Because he thinks.” ~paraphrased from Lawrence Krauss (on the Point of Inquiry podcast, 3/28/2011)
Why this image “I think, therefore I am an atheist?” After all, this blog discusses more than theological matters and I am much more than an atheist (About Me).
Please consider the following: By many observers, 85-90% of people believe in a god. By contrast, approximately 50% deny evolution, global warming and believe in some form of pseudoscience. Thus, you will find the most posts on this blog on the most prevalent irrationality.
I am unapologetically proud to be an atheist and perceive major problems with how theism negatively effects human well-being and society at large. It is my opinion that critical and free thinking about the question of god, with access to necessary information, leads to the conclusion that there probably is no personal deity. You have the right to disagree with this opinion, but you don’t have the right to treat me, and others like me, as less than full members of society based on rejection of this opinion.
Atheists are the most hated minority in our society. The reasons for this attitude are flawed. Theists need to have their consciousness raised on this matter so that all of us may live more peaceful, respectful and fulfilling lives. In essence, this is a civil rights issue and I want to be a part of it.
- Rosa Rubicondior: The Ten Commandments
Science
- Something Surprising: The Wedge
About 20 years ago, the Discovery Institute, that ivory tower of ‘intelligent design‘, was caught out.
Yes really!
It was revealed that they had a document that defined the Wedge Strategy – with a 20 year target of convincing the world that there was some science in the (not even a theory of) ‘intelligent design‘. Of course there isn’t! (If you provide some evidence to dispute that claim then I will be happy to consider it.)
21 years later, we are still waiting for success and Dembski et al are back-pedalling.
- 10 brand new bets you will always win! « Richard Wiseman