Category Archives: Uncategorized

Giving science its due?

Posted on February 12, 2009 by Heather Mac Donald

Nadya Suleman’s publicists refer to her “eight tiny miracle children,”  which we should celebrate because they will be raised in a “Christian, caring environment.”  I assume her PR team means a medical miracle.  Taxpayers’ potential bill for the octoplets continues … Continue reading →

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Pythagoras Meets the Talmud

Posted on February 11, 2009 by Bradlaugh

My 2003 review of Kevin MacDonald’s book The Culture of Critique is still generating a dribble of emails. I just got a rather good one from a Talmudic scholar. It touches on some of the things we talk about here. … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 27 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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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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