My definition of Easter would be a superstitious ritual that has no place in modern times. Whats your definition?

To update on the status of my bible reading, I have thus far not gotten past the introduction. Lol, I just moved to a new house and started a new position and busy schedule at work, so I have barely had enough time to sleep, let alone read a bible! I will, however, return to my "project" as soon as my life returns to a somewhat normal schedule. I will be sure to update.

There's a lot of words and ideas that people associate with atheism, and most of us have encountered these opinions at one time or another (directly or indirectly). A while back, I encountered a post on facebook by a priest (well a guy who I dated briefly in high school and is now a priest) that purported to know what atheism is. His post was no doubt a response to some of the more vocal members of the atheist community and it was riddled with anecdotes and fallacies.

He claimed that…

Cross post from here:  http://letreasonreign.wordpress.com/2012/03/30/the-reason-rally/

The Reason Rally was held March 24 on the Washington DC Mall.  There’s little to be…

My mother learns about my thoughts and motives by reading books and watching shows produced by Christians. Instead of asking me, or believing what I tell her, she looks to people who don't know me. I borderline hate her for this. I don't hate her (just resent), but I do hate that she lets strangers inform her about who I am when she's known me my whole life. It's so invalidating.

In general, Christians seem to have a habit of speaking for others and assuming they know the…

In an article from the Examiner.com, the William Hamby explores the controversy surrounding Tim Minchin's song, "Fuck The Pope" that he performed at the Reason Rally. Catholic groups are raising hell (pun intended) and are saying it was blasphemy. Aside from that, people are also saying that the Rally was billed as family friendly and the cursing was too much.

My view is that both the organizers of the Rally and the people who…

The Republican Presidential front runner Mitt Romney is doing well in the race at present. He will undoubtedly now do even better with the endorsement from Marco Rubio from Florida. I know religious affiliation should not be an issue butI would consider Mormonism to be an extreme religion to belong to. I understand that some candidates only use religion to appeal to the core mass of voters and may be of little faith themselves. However, I don’t think this is the case here. Romney is a full…

Atheists Darken D.C

Brent Bozell's column is released twice a week.

By L. Brent Bozell | …

It has become obvious to me that when Atheist speak, “reason” is paramount to any conversation.  In fact, I just attended the “Reason Rally.”  Reason, it appears, is the lifeblood of the Atheist movement.  But what is Spirit?  Where does or does it fit into the hierarchy of Atheist thought?  Plato and later Aristotle, whom I believed “formalized” the European cultural essence, viewed “reason” as the higher function of man/woman, while appetite (emotion) was more “base.”…

There are two distinct ways of leading your life. The first is to follow someone else into obscurity – blind, cold, and full of false promises. All over the world, there is a plethora of false prophets ready to abuse your faith and trust, ready to betray you at the next moment if it is to their own advantage.

The second, then, is to enlighten the way in front of you by your own lights – take reason as your guide, and it shall never betray you. You may be wrong from time…

This is a cross-post from here:  http://letreasonreign.wordpress.com/2012/03/27/open-letter-to-christians-1/

Dear Christian,

Many of you believe yourself to be moral, upstanding members of your communities.  Many of you are leaders in your communites, or respected businessmen, or perhaps even clergy.

So I'd like to ask you a "what if" question.

Let's say when you get…

In a political correctness crackdown, the New York City Department of Education is knocking terms like 'dinosaur' back to the Stone Age.

The prehistoric creatures are among 50 terms banned from use on tests administered to students by the city.

Others include birthdays (because Jehovah's Witnesses don’t observe them),…

It is important to have an open mind. Think about how many things one might miss out on with a closed mind. 

Frequently when conversation turns to religiosity it becomes evident that they are simply too set in their ways to allow other ideas to penetrate. Where does…

I've been studying comparative religions and as many different branches of science as I can understand for about 7 years (5-12 hours daily). I have learned the difference between belief and knowledge. The two are not interchangeable. If belief had knowledge it would not be able to be called belief, it would be knowledge. Believing is not good enough for me, I want to know. I Only then can I attempt to repair my mistake. I have learned that I am not comfortable relying upon belief to shape…

“An argument which proves too much, proves nothing.” ~M.M. Mangasarian

Carl Popper popularized the concept of scientific falsifiability. He asserted that a hypothesis, proposition, or theory is observably valid only if it is falsifiable. This criteria has become a fundamental test of scientific validity. Here’s Wikipedia’s definition:

Falsifiability or refutability of an assertion, hypothesis or theory is the logical possibility…

The question is frequently posed to me, and though I am often vague with my answers, I usually air on the side of cautious honesty.  Is it ever ok to lie?

In this society, or rather our social construct, where almost all is left up to the individual’s interpretation, the line between virtue and vice seems less perceptible than ever before. At least in my experience, of something I have noted repeatedly and in my observation of people’s communication regarding the issue, I have come to…

The new trend amongst proponents of new age thinking, and believers of everything that is illogical is to hold imagination as “better” or more important than knowledge.  This seems to be the result of the human ability to consciously and unconsciously misinterpret facts and knowledge. It appears that some of us will engage in fallacious logic in order to rationalize our emotional tendencies, and in the worst of cases, to justify our own agenda.  This new “philosophy” (and I use that…

From the heights of my tower of industry that proudly faces the city and its unmindful residents, a question powerfully takes control of my mind. Perhaps, a doubt brought about by the unnatural stupor resulting from the constant observation of the logic of our business machines, or my incessant craving to interact with something other than an amalgamation of transistors and wires, I grant it time and effort.

What is it, and where does it go? Is it a feeble, meager tracing on the…

What do people mean when they say that they're "spiritual, not religious"? (I hope this hasn't been addressed already)

Is there a relevant distinction, or have they simplified an old idea?