My asymmetric stance towards Islam
If I was a Saudi Arabian - and if I was brave enough - my central focus on Islam may be to try and moderate its social practice. I would…
religion
From Puppy Dogs to Perry
Rachel Maddow pokes fun at claims by insane religious kook Cindy Jacobs that, as a direct result of Texas Gov. Rick Perry’s repeated calls for mass prayer, “the land is…
Tough on crime: it’s all about sex and drugs. (Rock & roll safe for now.)
Good to see the CBC nailing the Cons' 'tough on crime' hoax. It has little do with violent crime. It does have everything to do with a biblical reproach to…
Defending the Burqa
The Netherlands is the next country in the domino chain, following France and Belgium, in which it is likely they will ban the burqa in all public places. There are…
Next week Kelowna celebrates the fetus
I spent Labour Day weekend camping near Vernon, touring wineries, and enjoying the good life. I highly recommend Arrowleaf Cellars. The trip left me with a longing to live in…
Till Madness Do Us Part
The other day on his “700 Hundred Club” program, Pat Robertson made a most astounding pronouncement in response to a man asking what advice he should give to a “friend”…
Rick Perry’s Guiding Light
Texas Governor and current frontrunner in the race to potentially be the next Republican president talks candidly about the pivotal role of supernatural events in his life… Good grief. Hasn’t…
It’s not obstetrics, it’s obstruction
It's taken some time to write this but I can't wait any longer. It's more than obvious that the Holy See simply doesn't get it when it comes to child…
The schizoid nature of the Western world: Overcoming the root paradox of Western civilization – and our own minds
The Western world is still trapped in a paradox and a self-contradiction of our own making: we are schizoid with regards to the body, the material world and to our…
Thinking It Through Brings Clarity
So what is an atheist who believes in a single secular public school system supposed to think about noon hour Muslim prayers in public schools.The answer should be simple but…
Religion and Language Part III: On Agnosticism
In previous posts on this series on Religion and Language (on deism, in part I; one morality, in part II), I have looked at the way careful attention to the…
Want a Twisted Way to Waste 312$ CAD?
Or 229 Euros for that matter? Just when you think you’ve seen everything. Special 9/11 anniversary blessing? Nah, it’s for some visit the Pope Ratzy is planning to make to…
Language and Religion Part II: On Religious Morality
In the second installment of Language and Religion, we look at the question of absolute morality and some of the confusions that result from issues of semantics and language. Previously…
Religion and Language Part I: On Deism
This post is the first part of a three part series on the intersection of language and religion. This first part introduces the concepts and focuses on deism; part 2,…
Buddhism for Skeptics of Religion
A non-Buddhist skeptical atheist with background in psychology, scientific research, healthcare and mindfulness meditation shows how many of the central tenets and practices of Buddhism can appeal to other skeptics.
The Words We Use For People Who Do Not Believe In God(s)
Agnostic, Athiest, (strong and weak), secularist, naturalist, humanist, non-believer, pantheist, positivist; the list of terms used to describe people who do not believe in the existence of a deity is…
Atheists are Differently Religious – and No, Atheism is not the/a Religion
A main focus of this blog is to consider and compare different political and ethical philosophies so as to promote better understanding of one’s own worldview and those of others.…
Know that…
I had fully intended on writing something about the whole MERGER-MANIA that is currently sweeping the #cdnpoli Twitter stream. Much wringing of hands! Woot! You betcha! Didja realise that merger…
Mental Health Risks For Political Activists
Are social/political activists at elevated risk for certain mental health conditions and social problems?
The Darkness Strikes Back
I've begun a series of video-essays on YouTube (my channel is here) titled "Welcome to our Semi-Dark Age". The first episode is now up (in three parts, due to time…