Here is a novel argument to refute naturalism (i.e. the view that only natural things exist). If a person is demon-possessed then naturalism is false. Kenneth Copeland is demon-possessed. Therefore, naturalism is false. Premise 1 is analytically true and the argument is valid, so all I need is a defense of premise 2. And here […]
naturalism
A Skeptic has a Conversation with His Inner Christian
Methodological Naturalism as a Wet Firecracker: A Response to Ian N. Mills
Ian N. Mills of the New Testament Review Podcast offered a critique of my critique of methodological naturalism. Here’s the video with a few points of critique below: First, a quick observation: if Mills can play clips from my video at 1.5x speed (or whatever it is) then why doesn’t he record himself at 1.5x […]
Religion After God: A Review of Progressive Atheism
J.L. Schellenberg. Progressive Atheism: How Moral Evolution Changes the God Debate. Bloomsbury, 2019. “Atheism, we’ll say, for all we know may come at the beginning of religion rather than the end.” (173) That is not the kind of quote you’d expect to find in a typical book defending an atheistic perspective. But then again, J.L. Schellenberg did not […]
If Naturalism Functions as a Religion, Does it Follow that Naturalism is a Religion?
In my experience, self-described naturalists tend to get irritated when you point out that naturalism often functions as a religion. Perhaps it is because they recognize that there is little space between functions as religion and is a religion just as there is little space between functions as a house and is a house. Granted, for purposes of city […]
What’s wrong with the scientific study of morality? An interview with Paul Rezkalla
Paul Rezkalla has an MA in Philosophy and Ethics from the University of Birmingham and an MA in theology from St. John’s University. He is currently working on a PhD in philosophy at Florida State University (with the esteemed Michael Ruse) and an MSc in cognitive and evolutionary anthropology from Oxford University. In this conversation, […]
Turning an atheist argument on its head
Today, I came across this Twitter profile. So of course, I had to reply: “‘Non-believers CANNOT justify their godless beliefs, making theism the JUSTIFIED POSITION. Prove me wrong.’ I should try reasoning like ‘Artie’ more often. It makes things so easy!” This prompted a reply from “Jeffrey” followed by my rejoinders: Jeffrey: “How is this […]
Naturalism in a Tweet
Adapted from a tweet I posted this morning: Christian: You call yourself a “naturalist”? Naturalist: Yup! Christian: And what is that? Naturalist: Only nature exists. Christian: And what is “nature”? Naturalist: Whatever science says exists. Christian: And what does science say exists? Naturalist: That’s to be determined. Christian: So what you believe exists is to […]
Wow, P.Z. Myers really doesn’t like the new atheism
A few days ago, P.Z. Myers published his assessment of new atheism: “The train wreck that was the New Atheism.” It’s nothing short of an evisceration, including a scathing takedown of the four horsemen. (Myers saves his choicest criticisms for Sam Harris.) To all that, I say yea and amen. Though I should think Myers […]
On Spurious Attempts to Favor Naturalism over Theism
In this article, I want to consider a spurious attempt to favor naturalism over theism. To be clear, I don’t take issue with the general maxim in the meme posted below. What I do dispute is the facile attempt to favor naturalism over theism based on the maxim: In my rebuttal, I point out that if […]
Ten Years After the Atheist Bus Campaign: Some Reflections
It may be hard to believe, but it has been ten years since the Atheist Bus Campaign posted ill-conceived signs on European buses with the trite caption: “There’s probably no god. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life.” Note to atheists: when you finally grab the microphone, try to have something more profound to say […]
Naturalism and Faith
For those who don’t follow me on Twitter, my morning salvo against naturalism: Few things are as ironic as a naturalist chiding a Christian about having "faith". — Tentative Apologist (@RandalRauser) July 28, 2018 I then added: “Footnote: by “naturalist” I mean a person who believes (i) all that exists is matter or supervenes on […]
Love comes from lousy neurons
Wow, this guy is a real charmer. Here is a great example of why scientists (Linden is a professor of neuroscience) tend to make terrible poets, philosophers, and greeting card writers. Donald McKay, a wise Christian and scientist, used to warn of the naive “nothing buttery” of those who assume that demonstrating a physical, chemical, or […]
Neil deGrasse Tyson is a Partisan Hack with No Class
Neil deGrasse Tyson could be a great science educator if only he would stick to science. He’s clever, articulate, highly knowledgeable, and has an undeniable folksy charm. Unfortunately, he also has an unfortunate penchant for engaging in wholly gratuitous and uninformed attacks on religious people. And this is where things get ugly. Tyson may know […]
