"Believers" Don't Believe in God
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- Created on Saturday, 11 May 2013 07:08
- Published on Saturday, 11 May 2013 07:08
- Written by Larry R. Lawson
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Reading, in recent weeks, some very interesting blogs on atheist sites and the comments that get written on these blogs, one thing has gradually been borne in upon me. Odd as it may seem, I'm becoming convinced that those who claim to be religious "believers", do not, in fact believe what they say they believe. They do not believe in a god.
Many of them show little or no signs of having any clear idea just what it is they do believe; each indicating a different, sometimes much different, concept of a "god". Since their idea of what and who their god is, is the basis for their other ideas about religion and faith, it is not at all surprising that those other ideas will also show a marked difference from person to person and from church to church when their very concept of god is different.
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Official 2011 Census Canada results on Religion
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- Created on Thursday, 09 May 2013 06:44
- Published on Thursday, 09 May 2013 06:44
- Written by John Draper
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It takes a while but Census Canada have now released some numbers on religions in Canada. They have wrapped the numbers together with immigration numbers but the trend is clear. Religion in Canada is dying out - especially the Christian religion. From 2006 to 2011, Christians dropped from 75% of the population to 67% and "No religion" increased from 17.5% to 23.6%. Because of the way the question was asked, few responded as atheist, agnostic or humanist even though other polls and surveys show that close to 5% would say they are not only "no religion" but do not believe in even a higher power. The census was flawed from the start - in 2006, completion of the long form questionnaire was compulsory but in 2011 it was not. This happened because of political interference and resulted in the resignation of some senior census managers. In addition the question on religion focused on culture and not what people practised. (Cobourg atheist article)
The Unbelievers - Lawrence Krauss and Richard Dawkins
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- Created on Tuesday, 07 May 2013 06:32
- Published on Tuesday, 07 May 2013 06:32
- Written by John Draper
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Back in February, I publicised the new documentary by Lawrence Krauss and Richard Dawkins called The Unbelievers but I was not impressed by the trailer. There is more at the official movie web site here and that seems to do a better job of promoting the film. I agree with most of what's said in the movie but as a fan of film, it's hard for me to see it as a "must see" movie. I like Lawrence Krauss - he's smart, informative and entertaining. Richard Dawkins is unfortunately past his prime - he's occasionally brilliant but often dull. If I hear him say one more time how he is in awe when he looks at the stars, I'll scream. But the occasion of the premier of the movie in Toronto at the "Hot-docs" festival meant they were on multiple TV shows for interview and although the interviewers seemed to think the subject was interesting and controversial, their interviews were mostly dull.
Read more: The Unbelievers - Lawrence Krauss and Richard Dawkins
The Evolution of Jesus and the New Testament
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- Created on Sunday, 05 May 2013 06:38
- Published on Sunday, 05 May 2013 06:38
- Written by John Draper
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The story of Jesus 2000 years ago is accepted by Christians as factual - but it's more likely he's a legend. That is, someone who existed but whose life is not like the stories we are told. Just consider the evolution of the documents that are supposed to tell his story. The first books written (in the New Testament) were by Paul - a chronology is here. Although his first letter to the Thessalonians was written over 20 years after the death of Jesus in 52 AD, you'd expect him to document the relatively recent amazing events of the miracles of Jesus, his resurrection and his virgin mother. But no, all his letters talk about are the teachings of Jesus and the vague statement that he was the "son of God". He does mention that he "died for us" and performed "miracles and wonders and signs" (Acts 2.22 - written no earlier than ~AD 60) but gave no details.
The real story of Jesus
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- Created on Friday, 03 May 2013 06:43
- Published on Friday, 03 May 2013 06:43
- Written by John Draper
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If you want to know what the person called Jesus in the Bible was really like and what he really did, you have to do a lot of study of ancient history. It helps to study things like the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Gnostic texts and one person who did that was William Hopper.
He liked to write in a light tone so that his books would have popular appeal - hence the title of his book "The Heathen's Guide to World Religions". It got to a 6th edition in 2003 - and a 7th electronic edition has since been published (his site here). Hopper quotes his sources so it's not just light entertainment and I highly recommend it. His book is the source of the facts in this article.
Lying is not always wrong, or is it?
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- Created on Tuesday, 30 April 2013 06:16
- Published on Tuesday, 30 April 2013 06:16
- Written by John Draper
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There are some things that most people agree are unethical - like lying. If you are an atheist, you will probably not want to lie to your children about the existence of god. You'll probably talk about what you believe and what others believe and you won't actually say "God does not exist". However, Christians (and Muslims) will usually say to their children - and anyone else who will listen - "God exists and is good etc". So we would say that they are at least stretching the truth because they cannot actually prove what they say. They have confused the concepts of belief and facts. The same Christians would agree that lying is wrong - so why do they tell children that there is an Easter Bunny? And also that there is a tooth fairy and that there is a Santa Claus? Is lying sometimes OK?
Gay Marriage and Politicians
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- Created on Wednesday, 01 May 2013 06:47
- Published on Wednesday, 01 May 2013 06:56
- Written by John Draper
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Politicians worldwide seem to get their "knickers in a knot" over gay marriage. Some think it is contrary to God's commandments and that allowing it would bring on the virtual end of the world as we know it. Gradually, the majority of politicians are seeing the light and allowing anyone - gay or not - the right to embrace the institution of marriage. Like any other social issue, the views of the public change with time and the time is right to recognise this change too.
Politicians are usually dry and humourless - but they are not all like that. New Zealand MP Maurice Williamson certainly has a sense of humour, is not gay himself and is very supportive of equal rights. This video deserves to go viral and is already well on the way to that.
Canadian Muslims: A Plea to West
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- Created on Sunday, 28 April 2013 21:54
- Published on Sunday, 28 April 2013 21:54
- Written by Salim Mansur
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The weeding out of Islamism inside the West is the essential prerequisite in defeating the global jihad.
By Raheel Raza and Salim Mansur
Re-published from the original on Muslims Facing Tomorrow - There are Muslims who understand - hopefully Raheel and Salim represent the majority. In any event, their comments are important in understanding the Muslim Terrorist problem. - Cobourg Atheist.
Wed, April 24, 2013: The recent discovery of a terrorist plot to do a mass terror attack on a Via Rail passenger train out of Toronto by two Islamists, and their intent interdicted by joint Canadian and U.S. security agencies, eerily followed the hunt and capture of the two Chechen brothers — Tamerlan and Dzhokhar Tsarnaev — involved in carrying out the Boston bombing.
