Historical Humanists- Thomas Aikenhead

Thomas Aikenhead was a Scottish student from Edinburgh, who was prosecuted and executed on a charge of blasphemy. Aikenhead was indicted in December 1696. The indictment read: “That … the prisoner had repeatedly maintained, in conversation, that theology was a rhapsody of ill-invented nonsense, patched up partly of the moral doctrines of philosophers, and partly of poetical fictions and extravagant chimeras: That he ridiculed the holy scriptures, calling the Old Testament Ezra’s fables, in profane allusion to Esop’s Fables; That … Read on…

The African Religious Conflict

On Christmas day the west opened their presents under pine trees and celebrated over large family meals an occasion which has been celebrated for thousands of years, far back into the first societies in Europe. However, for the Christians of Nigeria it was a time of fear and violence. Thirty died as a bomb went off near the Nigerian capital of Abuja in just one of many attacks across the country on the Christian holy day. The attacks come only … Read on…

Losing Faith in Faith

Dan Barker had religion, big-time. As a teenager he became a high-octane evangelical preacher, making his living performing at churches and writing Christian songs. After 19 years, he quit, having after a long struggle come to realize it was all hokum. His book, Losing Faith in Faith, explains. It’s axiomatic that religionists and atheists have difficulty understanding each other. Barker’s book is useful because he has inhabited both worlds, and understands better than most atheists the religious psychology he critiques. … Read on…

Cliff’s Notes: The Bible (Scene Five)

SCENE FIVE: “ABRAHAM RENTS OUT HIS SISTER / WIFE – TWICE!!” PREACHER Exodus 12, 13, 20: And there was a famine in the land; and Abraham went down into Egypt for the famine was grievous in the land. And it came to pass when he was come near to Egypt, that he said unto Sarah his wife, “Behold now, I know that thou art a fair woman to look upon.” ABRAHAM And don’t forget that Egypt is a wild and … Read on…

Cliff’s Notes: The Bible (Scene Four)

SCENE FOUR: “JEPHTHAH: A PROMISE IS A PROMISE” PREACHER Judges 11: Now, Jephthah, the Gileadite, was a mighty man of valor– JEPHTHAH (A COUNTRY BOY) –Don’t want to brag, but I could toe the mark with the best of ‘em. PREACHER And he was the son of an harlot; and Gilead begat Jephthah. JEPHTHAH Gilead, my Papa, took one look at Momma and moved her into his house, right alongside his wife and everbuddy.

The Eloquent Engineer – Imaging Memories

The belief in an afterlife rests firmly on the idea that humans have an immortal soul that is distinct unto itself in the same way the heart or liver is. Some people call it spirit, in ancient Egypt it was known as ka, and Hinduism refers to it as atman. Cultures describe it as their life force, their innermost self, the part of them that provides individuality and personality. I think, therefore I am. It must seem obvious to any … Read on…