The universe is amazing. Through careful observation and measurement we have, so far, been able to determine the universe sprung from quantum foam and rapidly expanded, cooling as it went. As matter coalesced into gigantic balls of gas they ignited under the intense pressures forming the first stars. In these giant nuclear furnaces the first heavier elements were formed. When the star eventually lost enough matter to hold it together with the forces of gravity it exploded and formed new gaseous clouds. These elements were the basis of a new generation of stars, and the first generation of planets.
The emergence of life is a process under examination and we do not have all the details yet. However, once life started it branched into an amazing array of interdependent species which fill every possible crack capable of supporting life. We are simply one example of the extraordinary series of events.
As humanity developed his senses we started to ask how we came to be here. What lead to the world around us? Why did it suit as so well? Not having any methods to determine this objectively, many simply decided a God was responsible. Fearing death we figured we were special and our God had a purpose for us during our lives and after our deaths. Thus the spirit was born.
However, thing did not always go our way. Many times the seasons transpired against us, hordes of locust ate our crops, the sun would burn the land, and the rivers would wash our villages away. Why were the God angry? Were we meant to sacrifice animals to him? Was it the fault of the tribe across the plains? Should we sacrifice them?
Strangers were to be feared. They had other gods and different practices. These were not to be tolerated and were the cause of our suffering. Surely they must die to please the gods?
In our modern world we have developed the capability to murder millions in split seconds. The thinking of the past fizzles, spits, and reacts with our new found knowledge. One of them has to go. Which do you choose?
BBC News – Row over Indonesia atheist Facebook post Priority is to protect marriage | Herald Sun No Fetus Can Feed Us | Unreasonable Faith Alain de Botton: Atheism 2.0 | Video on TED.com
The Australian Christian Lobby are lying again. This time they are mischaracterising the Atheist Foundation of Australia’s “No Religion” campaign by stating (emphasis mine): “While the census data is rightly used to assist the government to plan for services and infrastructure, other groups, including some atheists, are seeking to push their agendas by encouraging people [...]
The excellent British broadcaster BBC 4 recently aired a fascinating program called “The Medieval Mind” which explores the philosophy, theology, and predominate thinking of the dark ages. The first episode deals with knowledge and revealed numerous intriguing insights into how the medieval mind determined epistemological truths. Monks, priests, and other godly people were in possession [...]
I flagged this video a few days ago, but only watched it this evening. It’s is not often we see ex-muslims speaking out against the “religion of peace”. What these people have done is extraordinary and brave given the fundamentalists attraction to extreme violence.
I want a god whose ultimate goals which do not necessitate the creation of mysterious suffering and death. I want a god who doesn’t violate causation by causing things to begin to exist from nothing in the absence of time. I want a god who does not give us “free will” then punishes us for [...]
“Atheism 2.0” is a 20 minute TED presentation by Alain de Botton in which he proposes a new approach to evangelising atheism. Alain suggests (apparently without evidence) that we have “secularised badly” and we should sift through the rituals, traditions, and behaviours of religion to identify and adopt their efficient mechanisms. “I have come here [...]
Atheists are often told by believers to read the Bible and it will all become clear. Trouble is, many of us have tried that and it doesn’t seem to have helped. Take these verses for example: This does not sound like a great night out to me. “But Rabshakeh said unto them, Hath my master [...]