Monthly Archives: February 2009

Choice & authority

Posted on February 10, 2009 by David Hume

What Conservatism Should Look Like by Andrew J. Bacevich has elicited a massive retaliation on the part of Damon Linker. I tend to lean toward Bacevich myself, though your mileage may vary. I believe that for all of Linker’s coherent … Continue reading →

Posted in politics | Tagged , | 20 Comments

Claim: blog comments sections unlikely to resolve issue of existence of God

Posted on February 10, 2009 by Walter Olson

Oh well, in that case, back to the drawing board.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged | 4 Comments

Catholic Church revives indulgences

Posted on February 10, 2009 by Walter Olson

Another step for de-modernization, and the revival of pre-Vatican II practices. Since 1567 the Church has outlawed the sale of indulgences, “but charitable contributions, combined with other acts, can help you earn one. There is a limit of one plenary … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged | 6 Comments

The Origin of Religion?

Posted on February 9, 2009 by Andrew Stuttaford

If  (like me) you are interested in the (for want of a better word) natural origins of religion this New Scientist piece is well worth a look. It’s a serious article that should be taken seriously, but I have to confess … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 25 Comments

Chuck Colson and science

Posted on February 8, 2009 by Heather Mac Donald

Chuck Colson has weighed in on the “proper role of science,” in response to President Obama’s inaugural science plug.  Colson’s column is a perfect example of theological panic, the condition that besets a certain portion of the devout when they … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 41 Comments

Life, death, science, and family values

Posted on February 7, 2009 by Heather Mac Donald

Italy is being wracked by a Terri Schiavo-esque political feeding-tube fight.  In 1992, Eluana Englaro, then 21-years-old, was in a serious car accident and struck comatose.  Two years later, her doctors declared her condition irreversible.  Since then, she has been … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 100 Comments

Preacher’s lawsuit: “Religulous” made me look silly

Posted on February 7, 2009 by Walter Olson

Rev. Jeremiah Cummings of Orlando wants $50 million from Lionsgate for his unflattering portrayal on screen, saying Bill Maher and his filmmaking team did not level with him about the kind of movie they were making. However, as Matthew Heller … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged | 17 Comments

Faith-based financing

Posted on February 6, 2009 by Heather Mac Donald

I almost thought there must have been a typo in this Miami Herald headline–Obama thanks Crist for support of stimulus plan–since the stimulus proposal bears so uncanny a resemblance to God.  It is a projection of human needs and desires, … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

Obama’s kind words for humanists

Posted on February 5, 2009 by Walter Olson

And at the National Prayer Breakfast, no less.

Posted in Uncategorized | 27 Comments

Andy Ross’s Book

Posted on February 5, 2009 by Bradlaugh

I’m a keen reader of Andy Ross’s blog.   (And he’s a something reader of my stuff — at any rate, he re-posted, with intelligent comments, my ruminations on the “Science of Consciousness” conference last spring.) Andy’s a philosopher — he has … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 6 Comments