When I find myself with some free time on my hands, I like to kill an hour at the flea market, flipping through old postcards and reading the messages scrawled on the back. These moments in time often give a poignant snapshot into the human experience. One of my favorites was a 1960s postcard from […]
existentialism
What are Human Rights Based On? A Response to Andy Bannister
A couple weeks ago “Unbelievable” featured a debate/dialogue on human rights between Christian apologist Andy Bannister and humanist/atheist Peter Tatchell. The show begins with a short video from Andy and so in providing my critical response that is where I’ll begin as well: Andy is an articulate and engaging speaker. But I disagree with his […]
It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown reaches 50! Some reflections
Believe it or not, this is the fiftieth anniversary of the 1966 original release of It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown. And that, I think, is worth an article. The special aired every autumn on CBS until 2001 when the rights went to ABC. So for me, the program is inexorably connected to CBS, and in particular […]
Why shouldn’t I just kill myself? A physicist replies
For many years Krista Tippett’s program “Speaking of Faith” (2003-2010) / “On Being” (2010-today) on NPR has been one of my favorite radio/podcast shows. So it is rather stunning that after writing close to 3000 blog articles I still have never engaged with the show. Well, better late than never. In this 2014 episode Tippett […]
Doubters and Questioners
Today I was reading through Cormac McCarthy’s Sunset Limited: A Novel in Dramatic Form, (New York: Dramatists Play Service, 2006). It’s a simple play that features a conversation between two individuals, “White” and “Black” pondering the great questions of existence. It’s a short play that can be read in a couple hours and it’s well worth your […]
You are insignificant; therefore, God doesn’t exist: Reflections on the Worst Arguments Against Christianity (Part 3)
Next up in our ongoing survey of bad arguments against Christianity we have Jonathyn42 who offers the following: “An in-law of mine described to me the ‘real’ reason she now rejects Christianity: when tripping on acid, she perceived herself to be wholly insignificant, and thus God doesn’t exist. (She said this knowing that I’m going […]
94. For those who doubt, this book’s for you: Bill Anderson on Ecclesiastes
I first encountered existentialist philosophy in university. Thinkers like Sartre, Kafka and Camus had a big impact on me as they explored the seeming absurdity of existence with an unflinching bravery. Even if I didn’t accept their conclusions, I had to admit that there was an authenticity in their writing that was often absent from the Christianity […]
91. Andy Bannister on Atheism, Morality, and the Meaning of Life
In his famous essay “A Free Man’s Worship,” Bertrand Russell describes the plight of our species in a godless universe with a haunting eloquence that ranks among the most memorable passages of twentieth century philosophy. As Russell puts it, man’s “origin, his growth, his hopes and fears, his loves and his beliefs, are but the outcome […]
The Humanist Chaplain: A Response to the Bart Campolo / Friendly Atheist Interview
You may recall that back in 2014 Tony Campolo’s son Bart made news because he was serving as a humanist chaplain at the University of Southern California. This is news first because Tony is evangelical royalty: a prolific Christian author, public speaker, and preacher. It’s doubly news because his son Bart (who is now in his […]
The Meaning of Life: A New Year’s Eve Reflection
The dawning of a new year is a great opportunity for a little life reflection. But this New Year’s Eve, don’t stop with the standard resolutions (e.g. lose weight!; spend more time with family!; read more books!). Dig a little deeper by considering the question of meaning. A little while ago I was reading an essay in […]
Real Atheology considers whether a meaningful life requires God
Like many listeners I was disheartened a few months ago when “Reasonable Doubts” decided to call it quits on their popular radio show/podcast. But just as autumn death gives way to rebirth in spring, so the demise of Reasonable Doubts has given way to Justin Schieber’s new YouTube channel “Real Atheology“. And just two episodes […]
If there is no God, then life has no meaning: A Reader’s Journey Through God or Godless (Part 3)
In the first debate of the book we take on the question of meaning. My concern here is not merely the possibility of meaning that is constructed out of personal preference or social convention. Rather, I am concerned with a meaning that we discover. The theist’s understanding of meaning, as I defend it here, is […]
Can Christianity guarantee your happiness?
Apologist Matt Fradd sent me a link to an interesting article by Christopher West titled “Has Brad Pitt Found What He’s Looking For? (I Haven’t)”. In the article West reflects on the way a fellow Christian appropriated a confession from actor Brad Pitt. In the quote, Pitt comments to an interviewer on his own melancholy nature: […]
Lessons from the tragicomic aging rock star
I bought my first album back in 1980: The Who’s Meaty, Beaty, Big and Bouncy. The record was packed with classics like “Pinball Wizard,” “The Seeker” and “My Generation” in which Roger Daltrey sings that immortal line, “I hope I die before I get old.” The line may be immortal, but alas, Daltrey isn’t. Nor […]
