Atheist have killed more than theist.

This article written by Dick Gross (an atheist) shows the numbers that atheist regimes have killed far more than all religious and countless more than Christian regimes. I agree that they did not do this atrocities in the name of "atheism" (which would in essence would be non-belief) but I am convinced that most of these Crimes were committed because of a natural worldview and in the name of anti-theism.

Check it out: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/opinion/blogs/godless-gross/the-body-count-issue/20100827-13v8a.html

something is wrong with Christianity....

I think there is some good food for thought in this article. Here is what's most interesting: Many are leaving "Christianity" and the local church because it isn't living up to the standard Jesus set for it. It blows my mind when I hear atheist arguing against the church on the basis of Morality - much of which is grounded in belief. (Ironically, much of that same Morality doesn't make sense from a completely logical point of view - but something in us just "knows it is right".)

http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/la-oe-lobdell-religion-20100808,0,3621871.story

Americans are drinking more.

http://newsfeed.time.com/2010/08/02/congratulations-america%E2%80%94you%E2%80%99re-drinking-more-than-ever/

I'd be curious to see if there is any increase in alcoholism, or have we become better at controlling our use. My fear is that we will see a huge increase in alcoholism in the next 10 years.

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Interesting how we think...

Going Green.

While this article is specifically about "going green," it points something I've been pondering lately. Even the most "logical" critical thinking, anaylitcal person doesn't live their life in complete logic. I hear it quite often: "I only believe things I can absolutely prove and follow logic without fallacy." The question I have is this: Can a person really "live" that way? If they did, would that really be living at all? Is it okay to live and make decisions, at times, in ways that might not make logical sense?

Spiritual but not religious

Here's an interesting article that I think does a good job of pinpointing a growing trend when it comes to "faith". Link

article...

thought I'd link this interesting article that helps Christians rethink how they frame conversations about homosexuality. LInk

Big world...

I enjoy hearing about new discoveries. Here's a story about massive amounts of new sea life found in the ocean. link

Anthony Flew

I had no idea he passed away until I recently read this article. He lived an interesting life. Well worth looking in to.

Link

American College of Pediatrics cautions against orientation in youth

Very interesting letter that was mailed out to schools from an a non-religious organization warning schools against affirming orientation in students. Lots of good research that shows that most students who have sexual or gender issues grow out of them. Link

Passed down through habits...

Here's an interesting thought... Can habits that you have be passed down to your children and grandchildren? A new study suggest so. link

Historic

Most know that yesterday a new health care bill was signed in to existence. Here's an interesting, albeit a bit biased list of truths and facts about the bill. link

design

Here's an interesting report noting a top 10 list of "Darwin and Design" in 2009. I haven't had a chance to follow up on all of the findings and critique it. If you check it out, I'd love to hear your thoughts... http://www.arn.org/top10/2009newsstories.pdf

Pete Caroll

There are many things I've appreciated about Pete Carroll’s coaching. He is somewhat outside the box, but certainly understands the game. His "always compete" mantra, though a bit cliché' certainly has worked. Despite some of the "alleged" controversies, I feel like he has a big heart and is a great coach. While I'll always follow the Trojans, I'm curious to see what he'll do in Seattle. Here’s a great article about some of community work he’s done:
http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2010/mar/10/the-pete-carroll-you-may-not-know-he-saw-a/

March Madness...

I filled out my bracket for March Madness. I went pretty traditional this year, but with a few Surprises. I smell upset Michigan State and New Mexico. Always fun to see how I do...

Seeking God in Science...

Here's a book written by an atheist which defends Intelligent Design. I'm interested in checking this one out.

Thisistrue.com

This website has some great articles: check it out.

Appendix has a purpose? Get out of town!

Old article. But interesting.



*I'm not so conviced that everything necessarily has to have a purpose for there to be a creator... If we find things that are not beneficial from niether an evolutionary stand point nor seem intelligent, it wouldn't bother me.

From my very uneducated perspective, I've often viewed the world as more artistic and abstract than anything else.

Can atheist believe in Absolutes?

Perhaps I'm hearing things wrong (I suffered from ear infections as a kid) but the anthem I hear from many atheist rung from the rooftops is they are standing for absolute truth. They know religion is absolutely wrong and they have a heavy conviction for what is right.

Check out this article about Sam Harris. Doesn't it sound like he's speaking of absolutes?

atheist just as ethical as church goers...

does "believing God" or attending church change behavior? according to this article and others I've read, the answer is no...



Interestingly enough - my belief in God has played a HUGE role in how I act. I've seen several of my behaviors change... not sure why it's not that way for everyone.

Marriage last longer if you don't live together before hand.

Check out this study by CDC:

Age of Intellectualism...

There is this growing deisre in our society (especially by those 30 and younger...) to be seen as "free thinking" and intelligent. There is also the growing idea that "free thinking intellectuals" are agnostic towards religion, spiritualism, and absolution. To be intelligent, you must only believe in that which can be empirically proven.
The problem with this is that so much we think is "factual" can be interpreted so many ways.

My prediction is that in about 10-15 years there will be some "new" major discoveries that will show us how unreliable "factual" things are. This has the potential of causing a major paradigm shift by changing what we see as reality.

Another study on Marriage

Here's an article by the New York Times showing how lengths of marriages decrease when couple live together before marriage. Seems completely counter cultural.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/03/us/03marry.html?ref=us

2 new books

One of the complaints I hear against religion is that it no longer serves any purpose and has been and continues to be dangerous to our society. Dawkins, Hitchens, and many others deemed as "new Atheist" attack religion as a posion to our society.

Here are two books that have recieved good reviews and seem to look at the historical and philosophical avenues to show the benifits of religion. Love to hear your reviews after reading it. (Is religion dangerous by Keith Ward - and An Atheist Defends Religion by Bruce Sheiman)

Bology based Bathrooms...

Here's an interesting article highlighting a case in Maine in which the legality of gender based restrooms is being challenged. Interesting to hear how this ends up.
http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=126662