Gravity's just a theory
"@Ron, a law is just a theory that was first developed before the mid-1800s when natural philosophy focused on finding and describing natural laws.
Guv=8 pi Tuv is just a different, broader theory than Fg=Gm1m2/r^2
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Dr. Bob
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Dr. Bob's Discussions
Pope Francis considering appointing women cardinals?
Started this discussion. Last reply by Judith van der Roos Nov 3. 1 Reply 0 Likes
The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but no one knows where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone moved by the Spirit.Well, that didn't take long to get…Continue
Dawkins and Pedophilia
Started this discussion. Last reply by archaeopteryx Sep 23. 357 Replies 0 Likes
In one of the interminable threads that devolved into endless discussions of pedophilia a couple of months ago, I raised an academic question about whether those who were commenting could come up…Continue
Tags: pedophilia, Dawkins, Richard
Ask Dr. Bob
Started this discussion. Last reply by Dr. Bob Aug 13. 555 Replies 1 Like
It seemed these things were popping up in multiple discussions as people like @Suzanne chased me about, so rather than continue the multiple hijacks, maybe putting them here will be more entertaining…Continue
Which type of Atheist are you?
Started this discussion. Last reply by Alex Maison Aug 27. 72 Replies 1 Like
And are there more types than these? This is apparently from sociological research out of the University of Tennessee, but I'm reporting from the Salon article. The researchers identified six…Continue
Tags: seeker-agnostic, intellectual, activist, ritual, non-theist
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Dr. Bob's Page
Latest Activity
Dr. Bob replied to Gallup's Mirror's discussion 'Pope condemns 'trickle down economics', American right-wing goes berzerk'"My goodness, @Gallup is quoting His Holiness. And agreeing with him no less!
So do I.
Don't give up on your parents, @Gallup. It takes time to change long-held habits and beliefs. Tell them human life is indeed valuable;…"
Dr. Bob commented on Pope Beanie's blog post 'How does Forced Faith become Real/Valid Faith?'"@Pope, you don't think those "healthy games and entertainment" on occasion turn ugly? Basketball riots, football/soccer stampedes, assaults on opposing fans?
Perhaps the question we should ask ourselves is what conditions…"
Dr. Bob replied to bongani muthwa's discussion 'Would you take up arms in defence of Atheism?'"It's hard to think of this in nation/state terms.
Would I shelter an atheist in my home from persecution, at grave risk to myself? As a Christian, absolutely.
Would I be in favor of defending another nation from hostile…"
Dr. Bob replied to bongani muthwa's discussion 'Would you take up arms in defence of Atheism?'"The U.S. is not considered "the Great Satan" because we are Christian.
We are considered "the Great Satan" because we are viewed as hedonistic secularists, given to drunkenness and debauchery and spreading that culture of…"
Dr. Bob commented on Pope Beanie's blog post 'How does Forced Faith become Real/Valid Faith?'"Groups of all sorts exert pressure on their members, I don't think it's unique to religion by any means. Nations encourage patriotism, societies put pressure on people to observe social norms with respect to language, clothing,…"
Dr. Bob commented on Morgan Matthew's photo
Perhaps the best way to show kids the effects of religion can have on the world.
"Only if we're really not being intellectually honest with the kids.
That photo might be better with flags, since nationalism and odd perceptions of "national self-interest" have caused more armed conflict.
I'd say the real…"
Dr. Bob replied to Kari Flores's discussion 'Working at place with very religious people...'"It's interesting, because for whatever reason a number of insurance companies, particularly those that have core businesses in life or health coverage, have religious backgrounds. That's not a horrible thing as a corporate…"
Dr. Bob replied to Thomas Blood's discussion 'Once an Atheist always an atheist?'"Oh, I find Augustine and Aquinas interesting, and good thinkers for their day. Worth quoting, and using from time to time, in the same way that Newton or Leibniz are interesting, and good thinkers for their day, and still useful in some…"
Dr. Bob replied to Unseen's discussion 'Should a company be allowed to opt out of Obamacare for religious reasons?'"@Warren, I will agree that there's a lot of rational consistency in the libertarian approach, and in many ways I am sympathetic to it.
However, on an economic and social basis it often breaks down at scale, because when we put lots of people…"
Dr. Bob replied to Unseen's discussion 'Should a company be allowed to opt out of Obamacare for religious reasons?'"So @Thomas, if as CEO of a soulless corporation you fund your employees to dump toxic waste into the river, are you not morally culpable?
1. The CEO isn't doing it, the soulless corporation is.
2. The owners/stockholders aren't doing it,…"
Dr. Bob commented on Warren's photo
Why would any woman be a christian?
"That's true, but that's also not what the letter is saying.
The lede in the bit on wives and husbands is "be subject TO EACH OTHER, out of reverence for Christ." Be subject to each other. That is the message Paul is…"
Dr. Bob replied to Thomas Blood's discussion 'Once an Atheist always an atheist?'"You should not go back, @Sagacious. Most of us theists would encourage you to go forward. If there is a real God, you will find him through building more knowledge and experience in history, anthropology, neuroscience and all the rest,…"
Judith van der Roos replied to Dr. Bob's discussion 'Pope Francis considering appointing women cardinals?'"Personally I think ALL religions should be subject to equal opportunity laws, well here in the Netherlands anyway (not sure if everyone has such laws). I see no good reason why any priesthood should be denied delusional women in addition to…"
Dr. Bob commented on Cara Coleen's blog post '40 Questions to Ask a Christian'"Interesting, Cara.
My answers as a theist would have been very different from yours, coming from a Catholic rather than fundamentalist tradition. I think your premise is entirely correct, however: no intelligent Christian would find…"
Dr. Bob commented on Warren's photoWhy would any woman be a christian?
"@SteveinCO, LOL! I will give you sexual positions (though it is an amusing version of the out-of-context literalism that atheists seem to enjoy as much as fundamentalists).
I believe @Strega was actually talking about "how a…"
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Dr. Bob's Blog
Atheist Admires Pope Francis. So what?
Posted on August 13, 2013 at 2:00pm 14 Comments 0 Likes
I ran across this piece by a on a blog maintained by the order. I thought the piece was quite good, actually, and reflects my own views in many ways, and the comments the author makes both to Catholics and indirectly about atheists might be of interest to those here.
*****
It’s not uncommon for my various social newsfeeds to look like an avalanche of news about Pope Francis; it’s an occupational hazard of (i) being a Jesuit and (ii) knowing a lot of Catholics.…
Continue Religion as Idolatry: A Theist's Perspective
Posted on May 10, 2013 at 7:22pm 14 Comments 0 Likes
This past week, in a small corner of the news there was information about a bombing of a Church in a small community near Arusha, Tanzania. Several locals along with a handful of Saudi nationals have been arrested as responsible. The target apparently was the Archbishop of Arusha, a man whom I know personally and whose installation I attended some years back in Tanzania. Many innocent people were hurt, who were just gathered as a community to dedicate a new church building they had…
ContinueComment Wall (5 comments)
- At 7:07pm on October 11, 2013,
Cesar Deicide said… Moderation? Seriously?
- At 7:06pm on October 11, 2013, Cesar Deicide said…
What happened to the blog post?!
- At 6:03pm on August 13, 2013,
Unseen said… Hello, Dr. Bob. Nice to meet you.
- At 5:13am on August 1, 2013,
Belle Rose said… Hi Dr. Bob!!!! My dad is a Dr Bob too :) I'm glad you are on TA. Keep it up! I'm enjoying your posts.
- At 4:11pm on March 16, 2013,
Sagacious Hawk said… It's refreshing to see a believer on these forums approach with civil, polite, and intelligent discourse even when not treated with such. You, sir, have run our virtual gauntlet and gained my respect. I do hope you stick around and continue to contribute. I sometimes worry that without dissenting opinions and viewpoints, we'll just keep reinforcing our own, and while some of us try to keep a level head and an open mind, we can't articulate a different viewpoint as well as if it was actually ours.
That said, I know it can be a daunting task, but I look forward to seeing what you have to say in the future.
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December 23, 2013 from 7pm to 11:45pm – Spartanburg Event Center Cleveland Park
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Somebody stop me...
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Stupid is as stupid does.
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