Articles on Religious Critique:
06/27/01
- Reconsidering Catholicism
Quite a few Roman Catholics, mostly in the United States, grow increasingly disillusioned
and alientated from the Church they have long called their home. People in the pews
can no longer relate to their priests; priests can no longer relate to their bishops;
and all levels of the hierarchy have trouble relating to the Vatican in Rome. Two recent
books explore why this is so and how it might be changed.
06/06/01
- Modern Search for Jesus
Assuming that there existed a historical Jesus, or at least a figure upon whom the biblical
stories are based upon, who was he and what was he like? Questions about a historical
Jesus and what the "original" Christianity was like have preoccupied philosophers,
historians and theologians for centuries.
05/16/01
- Messiah Before Jesus?
Two recent books discuss the nature of crisis cults, focusing upon such movements which
appeared in Roman-occupied Judea before the development of Christianity. Evidence for
at least one alleged "Messiah" before Jesus can be found in the Dead Sea Scrolls,
and could have serious consequences for our understanding of how and why Christianity
first appeared.
04/04/01
- Questions About Christianity
Christianity has a history - a very long and diverse history. When people claim that
they want to "return" to Christianity for the sake of this country, just what
do they mean? Which Christianity do they mean?
03/07/01
- Christian Persecution
Christians do get persecuted in America - but not by atheists and humanists. Instead,
they are persecuted by other Christians. Often, this occurs when Christians object to
dominant religious group's control of the local political and/or school systems. By
demanding a separation of church and state, they become targets for assault and violence.
02/08/01
- Biblical Errancy
Does the Bible have any errors? Most believers will say that it doesn't and then use
that Bible in an effort to convert others. A recent book by Dennis McKinsey, however,
goes into detail about hundreds of problems in the Bible - mistakes, contradictions,
general problems, etc. Read about the book and four examples.
01/11/01
- Arguing for Gods
What is the Argument from Scriptures? What is Pascal's Wager? Two comment arguments
for the existence of gods are explained, examined, and refuted.
10/18/00
- Christmas Without Christ
With all the efforts to "put Christ back into Christmas," we have ask: does
Christ belong there at all? Was Christ ever really there in the first place? There is
a strong case for the idea that Christmas is largely a pagan and secular holiday with
little, if anything, really to do with Christian theology in the first place.
09/14/00
- Historical Jesus
Did a Jesus really live? Most Christians and even non-Christians assume so, but there
is scholarship which suggests that, at the very least, this assumption shouldn't be
definite. Some, in fact, argue quite strongly not only is there no good evidence of
such a person, but that there are good reasons to regard the stories about Jesus as
myths.
08/01/00
- Why Does Religion Exist?
A look at some ways in which the existence and role of religion has been explained by
various people, including Marx, Freud, Durkheim, Eliade and others.
07/19/00
- Christianity and Evil
In what way does Christian doctrine suggest that the Christian god is personally and
continually responsible for the evil in the world?
06/07/00
- Historical Islam, Historical Muhammad
Historical Islam and Historical Muhammad - many assume that the early history of Islam
and Muhammad's life are known facts rather than mythological. Facts, however, do not
support this.
05/31/00
- Naturalism and Supernaturalism
Naturalism vs. Supernaturalism - atheists tend to assume naturalism and theists tend
to assume supernaturalism. Which perspective is most reasonable? Which is most useful?
05/16/00
- Occam's Razor
Occam's Razor - Who was 'Occam' and what is his razor all about? It's about not making
explanations any more complicated than they need to be. Find out why...
05/10/00
- Holy Foreskin!
Read about some of the interesting relics which were popular among Christians during
the Middle Ages - including Jesus' foreskin! Actually, there were about of dozen of
Jesus' foreskins distributed around Europe, with different churches fighting over who
had the genuine article. But why?
04/26/00
- God is Dead
When Nietzsche wrote that "God is dead," he wasn't talking about the death
of a literal god, but instead the death of a shared cultural belief in
a god which had long dominated European culture and history. Read why...
04/19/00
- Miracles and Chrisitan History
There is a paradox in Christianity - it relies upon historical records for it validity,
but that reliance does not allow the acceptance of miracle stories. Read about how this
paradox comes about...
04/12/00
- Varieties of Religious Belief
What is the difference between monotheism and monolatry?
Between pantheism and panentheism? How about between animism and shamanism? Or theism
and deism? What the heck is henotheism? For that matter, what is and is not a religion?
03/22/00
- Timelines of Religious History
Comparative timelines of religious history: chronologies of events, people and places
presented in a cross-indexed, comparative manner.
02/23/00
- Old Testament Laws
It is important to realize just how awful some of the Old Testament laws really are,
and thus that the Bible - as it stands - is not an adequate moral guide for today.
02/02/00
- Technology and Religion, Technology as Religion
Some think that technology and religion are ultimately incompatible. But it can be argued
that promoting technology is often caused by religious impulses.
12/22/99
- Apocalyptic Politics
What are the political dimensions of apocalyptic beliefs about the millennium?
12/08/99
- Testing Christians
Lots of people claim to be Christians and ask you to convert based upon what they say
- but how do you tell the True Christians from the mere Christian wannabes?
12/01/99
- Hitler's Pope: Legacy and Controversy
Controversy around the book Hitler's
Pope: The Secret History of Pius XII and the authoritarian legacy of Pius XII.
11/17/99
- Hitler's Pope?
A new book argues that Pope Pius XII could have done quite a lot more to help the
Jews during World War II. More than that, Corwell convincingly argues that Pius' own
polices and dogmas aided Hitler in remarkable ways.
10/21/99
- Discussing Faith
Discussing Faith: how should faith be approached by those who rely primarily upon
reason and evidence to examine claims or form beliefs?
10/14/99
- Does God Matter?
Most theists seem to assume that the existence of a god - any god - is vitally important.
But is this a valid assumption? Probably not.
10/07/99
- Comical Jack Chick
Jack Chick's comic tracts are a popular method of fundamentalist evangelization.
But what sort of worldview and theology do they promote? What is Chick really like?
09/30/99
- Pelagian Heresy
Are we capable of choosing to do good on our own, or are we born hopelessly corrupt?
A debate as old as Christianity, it is still relevant today.
09/22/99
- Conspiracy Theories
An overview of what conspiracy theories are, why they are popular and some of the
more popular targets of conspiracy believers on America's religious right.
09/02/99
- Crime, Christianity & Early America
Some people argue that crime in contemporary America has increased due to a people
nt having enough religion - especially Christianity - in their lives. But what was it
like when Christianity was closely involved with American criminal justice?
08/18/99
- Religion & Violence in History III
It is being argued that religion will prevent violence - but what does history tell
us? History suggests that religion promotes rather than prevents violence. This week:
Bible Wars, 20th Century Europe and 20th Century America.
08/11/99
- Taking up Serpents
Who are the Christian snake handlers in America? What do they believe, and why to
they handle deadly serpents? In what ways are they similar to other fundamentalist groups
and early Christians?
08/05/99
- Religion & Violence in History II
It is being argued that religion will prevent violence - but what does history tell
us? History suggests that religion promotes rather than prevents violence. This week:
Witch Hunts and the Reformation.
07/22/99
- Religion & Violence in History I
It is being argued that religion will prevent violence - but what does history tell
us? History suggests that religion promotes rather than prevents violence. First up:
the early years and the Inquisition.
07/08/99
- The Ten Commandments: which ones?
Politicians and religious leaders really want to post the Ten Commandments in public
buildings - but which version? From your About.com Guide
06/30/99
- Omniscience
Omniscience: a characteristic often attributed to God. But does it make any sense?
No - it's not only nonsensical, but totally contradictory.
06/23/99
- James Dobson vs. America
James Dobson, the head of Focus on the Family, is a major player in American cultural
politics. But is he dangerous? Does he threaten our liberties?
06/03/99
- Why Does Religion Persist?
A report on the recet Council for Secular Humanism's conferece. Topics: Why Does
Religion Persist? Confronting Fundamentalists. Humanist Celebrants. Reigion & the
Media. The New Age.
05/27/99
- Remembering the Sabbath
Why are some people calling for restrictions on what we can do on Sundays? What
is the big deal about a 'sabbath?'
05/19/99
- Cults and Psychology
What is are so-called cults? What sorts of people join them, rejecting traditional
religions? Are cults dangerous?
05/06/99
- Just a little faith...
What is "faith," and why do theists keep relying on it? Is it of any value
in separating truth from falsehood?
04/22/99
- Religion in the New Millennium
What will happen with religion in the coming millennium? What current trends can
be projected forward into the future?
04/07/99
- Hello, Mr. Robertson
Who is Pat Robertson? Is he a nut? Is he dangerous? Find out about how he started,
how he has lied, and what sorts of extremist positions he has adopted.
03/17/99
- Christian Identity
One of the most dangerous theologies in America, but few people know about it.
03/10/99
- Jesus' Ethics
Was Jesus really such a great moral teacher? What did he really advocate?
01/27/99
- Freud, Religion & Atheism
Freud had a many things to say about religion - some unsupportable, but other insights
are really fantastic. Let's explore some of what he wrote...
02/17/99 - Jehovah's Witnesses & Creationism
Old Earth creationists, Jehovah's Witnesses publish a book attacking evolution and arguing
for creationism. Read about this book - its errors and its dishonesty.
02/03/99
- Radical/Religious Right
Find out more about what they think on a variety of issues. Included are a number of
direct quotes which will make your hair stand on end.
11/25/98 - Bible, Race & Slavery
Few contemporary Christians would interpret their Bible as condoning slavery, but in
honor of the so-called "National Bible Week," let's take the time to investigate
the matter. What does the Bible have to say on slavery, and how have the relevant passages
been interpreted in the past?
10/28/98
- Christianity: a few Questions
Christianity has a history. That's seems like an obvious statement, but in practice
many people forget it and treat "Christianity" like a monolithic belief system
which has been static throughout time. Let's explore some of the issues which have divided
Christians over the years.
07/29/98
- Argument from Design
A common argument for gods, examined and refuted.
05/27/98
- Betting on God
"Pascal's Wager" is often used by theists, but it fails as a rational argument
for religious belief.