Over the last twenty years, we have heard a lot about the danger of religious ideology. What is often missing in the conversation is the fact that secularist ideology is equally dangerous. In 1997, secularist Nicholas Humphrey delivered the Oxford Amnesty Lecture which he titled “What shall we tell the children?” (Published in Social Research, […]
secularism
Atheism and Secularism
This article continues my survey of ideas commonly associated with atheism. The previous installment considered the relationship between atheism and freethought. In this article, we consider the relationship between atheism and secularism. There is no doubt that atheism is often closely associated with secularism such that self-identified atheists are often committed to the furtherance of […]
Secularists imposing their religion
In case you’re wondering about part two of my religion vs. theism series, it’s in the works. And now, without further ado: A few days ago, I posted this tweet: What about secular crap? Is that okay? https://t.co/SgEs66lUMu — Tentative Apologist (@RandalRauser) January 15, 2020 A fellow named Blue Collar Heathen then asked me for […]
Cultic Atheistic Indoctrination in a Meme
Observe carefully, this is what cultic indoctrination looks like: https://t.co/bQZRZ9Vz1w — Tentative Apologist (@RandalRauser) July 12, 2019 Sometimes, benighted folk say, “You can’t be indoctrinated into an atheistic or secular perspective because atheism is just the absence of theism or religion.” That self-delusion is the first step toward indoctrination because once you convince yourself you […]
Does religion impose oppressive dress codes?
One of countless examples of a child being forced to wear something they don't want to wear due to social expectations. Unfortunately, for "Atheist Republic" that common social reality is framed as theism vs. atheism. As if atheist kids never have to wear stuff they don't like????? https://t.co/D9NSjneXw0 — Tentative Apologist (@RandalRauser) February 4, 2019 […]
The Problem of Christians Becoming Atheists
A central goal of Christian apologetics is to persuade people to become and remain Christians. But what happens when that persuasion fails? In particular, what can we learn from those instances of failure when Christians reject the faith altogether? In this conversation, I speak with Dr. John Marriott about the topic of Christians deconverting and […]
Atheism and Christmas: An interview with Rick Marazzani
At the end of my book Is the Atheist My Neighbor? I offer Christians some practical tips for building bridges of hospitality with those from the atheist community. Among the suggestions, I propose a rather obvious one: get to know some atheists and take the time to learn their views. In the spirit of that […]
Secular Statistical Shenanigans? On playing with statistics to sell a secular narrative
Yesterday, I came across this tweet from my favorite British atheist, Richard Dawkins Stephen Law: 0.0% of Icelanders 25 years or younger believe God created the world, new poll reveals | Icelandmag https://t.co/F0bmY00R8f #icelandmag via @icelandmag — Stephen Law (@stephenlaw60) January 17, 2018 Whoa, I knew Iceland was secular, but geez louise, is it really […]
The so-called War on Christmas should be relabelled the War on Christendom
This is the latest header on Donald Trump’s Twitter-feed. While Trump is arguably the most cynical and amoral individual ever to hold the office of president, he knows a good wedge issue when he sees it, and the so-called “War on Christmas” is among the best. We all know the story: secularists and pluralists are […]
A Review of The Moral Arc Part 2: Reason as Rhetoric
For Part 1 of this review click here. Imagine that you’re over at your friend Mike’s house for dinner when he pulls out a Monopoly box and invites you to a game. “But before we get started,” he says, “the rules are that I get $500 every time I pass go and you don’t get […]
A Review of The Moral Arc Part 1: Abortion
Michael Shermer. The Moral Arc: How Science and Reason Lead Humanity Toward Truth, Justice, and Freedom. New York: Henry Holt, 2015. 543 pp. As I read it, Michael Shermer’s 2015 book The Moral Arc is a sweeping 500 page apologetic for two theses: the optimism thesis (the world is getting better); and the secular thesis (that improvement […]
Islamophobia? Secular Bernie Sanders meets the Conservative Evangelical
A couple weeks ago Bernie Sanders undertook a provocative line of questioning during the confirmation hearing of a fellow named Russell Vought. You may have heard of this feisty exchange. It certainly got the attention of Christian conservatives who consider it solid evidence of secular incredulity toward and persecution of orthodox Christians. Here is a three […]
How the atheist rhetoric of “reason” undermines reason
I opened my 2011 book You’re not as Crazy as I Think by chronicling some of the myriad ways that evangelical Christians invoke the rhetoric of truth as a way of reinforcing binary in-group out-group oppositions. In our age of marketing identities, I noted that evangelicals have attempted to brand themselves and their communities with “truth”. And […]
Secular Intolerance: Evaluating the Principles of the Oasis Network Part 1
What are you doing New Year’s Eve? When it comes to New Year’s Eve morn (i.e. right now) I’m taking a few minutes to earn a Kiva donation. In the comment section to my article “Finding her Oasis: Gretta Vosper and secular intolerance,” The Atheist Missionary extended the following offer: “I will gladly make a […]
