• Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

Randal Rauser

Home of progressively evangelical, generously orthodox, rigorously analytic, revolutionary Christian thinking (that's what I'm aiming for anyway)

  • About
  • Books
  • Articles
    • Articles (single)
    • Articles (in series)
  • Audio/Video
    • Audio Interviews, Lectures, and Debates
    • Video Interviews and Lectures
    • Powerpoint Slides
  • Blog
    • Current Posts
    • Blog Archives
  • Podcasts
    • The Tentative Apologist Podcast
    • Archived Podcasts
    • Reviews

mockery

Is it wrong to mock Trump?

June 15, 2020 by Randal

It’s undignified to mock @realDonaldTrump’s health issues. That’s off limits. Let’s focus on issues. Hope you recover, Mr. President. — Rep. Eric Swalwell (@RepSwalwell) June 15, 2020 Focus on issues? Health (mental and physical) is an issue. As for the propriety of mockery, it is wrong all things being equal. But in this case, all […]

Filed Under: The Tentative Apologist Tagged With: Donald Trump, ethics, mockery, sarcasm, satire

Mock beliefs, not people, Revisited

December 23, 2016 by Randal

Over the last few years I’ve repeatedly encountered atheists who are unapologetic about mocking Christians and other “religious” people (i.e. the outgroup). Often they justify this practice by insisting that they are mocking beliefs, not people. The silver lining here is that these folks still sense the need to justify their bad behavior. Other individuals see no […]

Filed Under: The Tentative Apologist Tagged With: dialogue, ethics, free society, mockery

Mocking Atheism

April 9, 2015 by Randal

I was recently asked whether it is ever appropriate to mock atheism. To be precise, the questioner should have asked whether it is ever appropriate to mock atheists. The distinction is important to keep in mind, for one does not mock ideas, they mock the people who hold them. With that in mind, let’s be […]

Filed Under: The Tentative Apologist Tagged With: atheism, mockery, religion

Mocking Christians who believe in talking snakes? A response to The Atheist Missionary

June 18, 2013 by Randal

Last week I wrote “Laughing at Fundamentalists” in critique of those who would propose to mock certain groups. (Of course to mock a group it is best to label them first and “Fundamentalist” is as good a label as any.) In response I received the following comment from The Atheist Missionary: “I’ve always taken the position […]

Filed Under: The Tentative Apologist Tagged With: dialogue, epistemology, fundamentalism, justification, mockery, rationality, reason, The atheist missionary, You're not as crazy as I think

Mock beliefs, not people?

June 10, 2013 by Randal

In my essay “Laughing at Fundamentalists?” I critiqued John Loftus and Keith Parsons for advocating ridicule or mockery of those they call “fundamentalists”. In response a few commenters advocated mocking beliefs rather than the people that hold them. And how’s that supposed to work? Skeptic Sam (trying unsuccessfully to stifle a snicker): “Do you seriously […]

Filed Under: The Tentative Apologist Tagged With: belief, dialogue, mockery, open society, ridicule

Laughing at fundamentalists? Lessons from John Loftus and Keith Parsons

June 10, 2013 by Randal

The title of John Loftus’ article says it all: “Professor Keith Parsons Advocates Ridicule.” Well, okay it doesn’t exactly say it all. You have to read the article to find that Loftus agrees with Parsons. Fundamentalists should be ridiculed. However, Loftus adds “Keep in mind we don’t advocate this as the only response.” Why even […]

Filed Under: The Tentative Apologist Tagged With: dialogue, John Loftus, Keith Parsons, mockery, ridicule

Footer

Against Malaria Foundation

Against Malaria Foundation

Support Kiva

Support Kiva

Search this website

Archives



Copyright © 2023 • Randal Rauser • A Steady Site