Category Archives: Science & Faith

Heaven For Climate, Hell For Company

Posted on November 14, 2009 by Bradlaugh

The front page of my New York Post this morning, following the news that foreign terrorists are to be brought to New York to be tried in civilian courts, showed a mock-up of a New York City postcard featuring the Twin … Continue reading →

Posted in politics, Science & Faith | 10 Comments

Nicholas Wade’s New Book

Posted on November 7, 2009 by Bradlaugh

Nick Wade’s new book The Faith Instinct comes out next week.  I’ve been reading it for review, and it’s excellent.  He seems (I’m only 60 pages in) to plant himself firmly in the religion-is-adaptive camp. This puts him in a … Continue reading →

Posted in science, Science & Faith | 4 Comments

Secular Fic

Posted on November 5, 2009 by Bradlaugh

Having just promoted two nonfiction books about religion, I should add some fiction to the mix. Check out Rebecca Goldstein’s latest novel, 36 Arguments for the Existence of God: A Work of Fiction. It’s very Goldstein: a perfect blend of intellectual … Continue reading →

Posted in Science & Faith | 3 Comments

Goodness!

Posted on November 5, 2009 by Bradlaugh

Some readers have asked me to comment on the extracts from Dinesh D’Souza’s new book, Life After Death: The Evidence currently appearing on National Review Online. The first one’s here, the second here. I confess I can’t find much to … Continue reading →

Posted in philosophy, Science & Faith | 49 Comments

Foundations Of Faith

Posted on October 7, 2009 by Bradlaugh

More reinforcement for the idea that religious belief is a sort of overspill from key brain adaptations — adaptations that were selected for improved social functioning. We got better at being social animals by evolving brain processes for guessing our way into other people’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Science & Faith | 28 Comments

Much Ado

Posted on August 16, 2009 by Bradlaugh

I have responded to some of the comments on my Friday post "There Ain’t No Nothin’," putting the responses in a comment (#29). I’m never quite sure what should be a comment and what should be a posting and will … Continue reading →

Posted in science, Science & Faith | 4 Comments

There Ain’t No Nothin’

Posted on August 14, 2009 by Bradlaugh

This is very striking. It is a curious thing that we find ourself saying similar things about the material world at both its largest and its smallest scales. The thing we find ourself saying here is: “There is no such … Continue reading →

Posted in science, Science & Faith | 35 Comments

More on Collins

Posted on August 8, 2009 by Bradlaugh

Interesting comment thread on the Collins appointment. Just a few. P.Z. Myers bitterly attacks Kenneth Miller, who has provided expert testimony against “Intelligent Design” in court, as a “creationist.” Perhaps Myers does so attack Miller somewhere, but in a posting this morning … Continue reading →

Posted in culture, politics, science, Science & Faith | 17 Comments

Francis Collins Tossed and Gored

Posted on August 6, 2009 by Bradlaugh

Bigfoot atheist Sam Harris lays into Francis Collins, the new NIH Director, here. It’s a considerably expanded version (7,570 words vs. 953) of an Op-Ed Harris did for the New York Times.

Posted in science, Science & Faith | 37 Comments

Creationism, Right and Left

Posted on July 14, 2009 by Bradlaugh

For a long time I’ve been noticing (as I’m sure other contributors have) curious parallels between religious creationists (Everything is the work of God! Who lives in the sky!) and left-liberal “culturists” (All group differences are due to Culture! Which drops … Continue reading →

Posted in Science & Faith | 43 Comments