Richard Dawkins

Ultra-Darwinism: Same Old Argument

For the third time in a week, I’ve heard the term “ultra-darwinist.”  I did some searching for what might be causing the uproar.  Here’s the best article I’ve found. Let me be very clear:  I have not read the book mentioned in this article, so anything I say today is subject to future revision should … Continue reading »

National Apologetics Conference Day One

Northside Baptist Church sits nestled in a generously broad, well manicured parcel of gated land on the north side of Charlotte.  Together with its gym and Christian school, it is hard to miss.  As I wound my way through the traffic circle and several parking lots, there were dozens of courteous helpers in bright neon … Continue reading »

The Pope is a Villain

Even if Hitler had been an atheist – as Stalin more surely was – how dare Ratzinger suggest that atheism has any connection whatsoever with their horrific deeds? Any more than Hitler and Stalin’s non-belief in leprechauns or unicorns. Any more than their sporting of a moustache – along with Franco and Saddam Hussein. There is … Continue reading »

What If You’re Wrong?

It’s true.  This is “the most simplest” question to answer.  Pascal didn’t even buy his own wager.  It’s a pretty good guess that within thirty minutes of the first person reading Pascal’s Wager, the first person had refuted it.  The really fun thing for a logician is how many different ways there are to illustrate … Continue reading »

Extremism and Party Lines

I had originally intended for this blog entry to be a philosophical exploration of the differences and similarities between liberal, moderate, and extremist religious belief.  Hopefully, I’ll still be able to illustrate one of my points successfully, but in light of recent current events, feigning the role of uninvolved bystander just won’t work. We all … Continue reading »

American Atheists Conference

Over the next few days, I’ll be at the American Atheist Conference in Atlanta, Georgia.  I’m particularly interested in hearing Nate Phelps, the son of Pastor Fred Phelps, the mastermind behind the loving ministry known as God Hates Fags.  (I’m not going to help him get hits.  Google search it if you want.) I’m also … Continue reading »

Vatican gets it wrong… again

ROME (AP) — A Vatican cardinal said Tuesday that the Catholic Church does not stand in the way of scientific realities like evolution, though he described as “absurd” the atheist notion that evolution proves there is no God.

The cardinal went on to mention Richard Dawkins personally and to reiterate that it’s absurd to suggest that evolution proves that there is no God. He’s right of course. Evolution does not prove that there is no God. The thing is, Richard Dawkins, to my knowledge has never said that it does. Neither has PZ Myers. This is just another example of theists creating a straw man. Continue reading »

More on Sexual Selection

I’ve explained in a little detail how female selection can cause runaway growth, as in a peacock’s tail or, as it turns out, a human brain.  I’m just going to take a few minutes today to explore one more aspect of the math behind runaway selection. In most sexually reproducing species, there is really no … Continue reading »

Why Are Atheists So Angry?

“Why are all atheists so angry?” I hear this question all the time. In fact, my Rambo-Kitty avatar is partially inspired by the question. Anyway, today I was reading an article about the debate between Sam Harris and Rick Warren, and was struck by Warren’s statement, “I’ve never met an atheist who wasn’t angry.” My … Continue reading »