If you've discussed the resurrection with Christians before, then you're probably familiar with the above argument. Since first century Jews didn't believe in a bodily resurrection like Jesus's, then they're no way the disciples would have believed it without actually witnessing it for themselves. William Lane Craig has used this argument several times: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LpSEZV2EER8#t=7m49s He… Continue reading Jewish Disciples Wouldn’t Have Created the Idea of the Resurrection, So It Must Have Really Happened… Right?
Category: Agnosticism
God’s Song
Ran across this video today. I've been a big fan of this song for years -- it's one of the clearest and most succinct illustrations of the Problem of Evil that I'm aware of. I don't know anything about the YouTuber that put these images to this song, so I can't explain the meaning behind… Continue reading God’s Song
Some Thoughts on Josephus, Jesus, and John the Baptist
Many people are aware that Josephus, a Jewish historian from the late first century, mentions Jesus Christ. In fact, it's often used as evidence that Jesus really existed. Of course, many of those same people are also aware that Josephus's most detailed mention of Jesus, called the Testimonium Flavianum, has been embellished by a later… Continue reading Some Thoughts on Josephus, Jesus, and John the Baptist
The Book of Job: Serious or Satire?
I'll let you know up front that this is a longer than normal post, but there was no good way to break it up. Hopefully, you'll find the time it takes to read it well spent. I'm a big fan of Seth Andrews and his podcast The Thinking Atheist. A week or two ago, I… Continue reading The Book of Job: Serious or Satire?
Is Belief in an Afterlife Pragmatic?
I thought the following comment from Dave (whose blog you should definitely check out) deserved its own discussion thread: I’m almost finished reading a book called Joker One and part way through the book the author (a former marine lieutenant who served in Iraq) starts to talk about God. He is recounting his time in… Continue reading Is Belief in an Afterlife Pragmatic?
So Stupid
Saw this today on Facebook and my blood started to boil. First of all, it was "liked" by one of my family members -- a person who won't discuss our differences. It really ticks me off to see her "like" a statement about truth, when she won't defend that same statement. Secondly, the quote says… Continue reading So Stupid
Colbert on Religion (and other stuff)
Just a quick post about something I ran across today. I actually have a much more in-depth post coming up on the Book of Job that should be ready in the next week or so. But while I was working today, I listened to an interview that Stephen Colbert gave to Salt + Light, which… Continue reading Colbert on Religion (and other stuff)
PolitiFact Misses the Mark on Jesus
I love PolitiFact. I follow them on Facebook, and I always appreciate the fact-checking they do every time a politician makes a claim. Last week, they had an article that caught my eye, titled "Jesus was an 'undocumented immigrant,' ordained minister says." The minister, Ryan Eller, is the executive director of a group that works… Continue reading PolitiFact Misses the Mark on Jesus
NFL Running Back Arian Foster Joins Openly Secular
Hi gang! Sorry I've been so silent lately. It's really just been a combination of being really busy with work, playing Destiny in my spare time, and not having a whole lot to say lately. But the other day, I ran across a really great article about Arian Foster joining Openly Secular, which is trying… Continue reading NFL Running Back Arian Foster Joins Openly Secular
“Times of Ignorance”
There's a passage in the Bible that has long stood out to me. When I was a Christian, I found it comforting; now, I just find it perplexing. In Acts 17 (beginning in verse 16), Paul is visiting Athens. Since it was a hub of philosophy and culture, it had temples and altars to a… Continue reading “Times of Ignorance”
Finding Truth 