Sunday, July 3, 2011

High Five of the Day - An Answer from the Grave

Dr. Claude Mariottini has turned what could have easily been a facepalm into a high five! John Loftus posted the following on his blog:


Read and respond to two similar stories, one by Antony Flew, and the other by Carl Sagan. They both have to do with the OTF:

Antony Flew, in his classic Parable of the Invisible Gardener, asks this question:
At last the Sceptic despairs, "But what remains of your original assertion? Just how does what you call an invisible, intangible, eternally elusive gardener differ from an imaginary gardener or even from no gardener at all?"...What would have to occur or to have occurred to constitute for you a disproof of the love of, or the existence of, God?
Carl Sagan wrote about The Dragon In My Garage and asked:
Now, what's the difference between an invisible, incorporeal, floating dragon who spits heatless fire and no dragon at all? If there's no way to disprove my contention, no conceivable experiment that would count against it, what does it mean to say that my dragon exists?

Well, what of it?

Debunking Christianity: Two Questions From the Grave, by Antony Flew and Carl Sagan

Before, I provide the link to Dr. Mariottini, I feel the need to point out that both Sagan and Flew have died and now know beyond any shadow of doubt if God exists or not. How do you think it worked out for them? Second, I fail to see how their statements relate to OTF given that the God of the Bible is neither elusive nor imperceptible. The God of the Bible has gone out of His way to provide a means of relating to us! As for Mariottini's answer, I think it's genius. Not only does he focus on Flew's work, and cites what he references, (because the answer simultaneously works for Sagan), but he points out the Flew himself answered his own question before he died! Take a look at Dr. Mariottini's post!

An Answer from the Grave

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Answering Muslims: Muslim Clerics Condemn Law That Would Protect Women from Domestic Violence and Marital Rape

One of the reasons I like David Wood's blog posts is that he doesn't just say that the Quran and Hadiths say things, he actually quotes the sources and gives the references! In this case he first gives the references:

The Qur'an allows men to beat women into submission:
Qur'an 4:34--Men are in charge of women, because Allah hath made the one of them to excel the other, and because they spend of their property (for the support of women). So good women are the obedient, guarding in secret that which Allah hath guarded. As for those from whom ye fear rebellion, admonish them and banish them to beds apart, and scourge them. Then if they obey you, seek not a way against them. Lo! Allah is ever High, Exalted, Great.
It also declares that women are the sexual property of their husbands:
Qur'an 2:223--Your wives are as a tilth unto you; so approach your tilth when or how ye will; but do some good act for your souls beforehand; and fear God. And know that ye are to meet Him (in the Hereafter), and give (these) good tidings to those who believe.

David Wood gives the references before he posts the news article. In this case that a law in Lebanon that would have simply protected women from domestic violence was opposed by Muslim clergy.

Dar al-Fatwa also slammed as "heresy" a clause in the bill that criminalises marital rape, accusing those behind the draft law of "inventing new types of crimes."

"This will have a negative impact on Muslim children... who will see their mother threatening their father with prison, in defiance of patriarchal authority, which will in turn undermine the moral authority" of fathers, it said.

If your wife say, "Not Tonight." or "No" then a husband has no right to force her. It's sick to think otherwise. A husband's authority does not allow him to abuse his wife. We do not have that right.

Answering Muslims: Muslim Clerics Condemn Law That Would Protect Women from Domestic Violence and Marital Rape
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Intelligent Design vs. evolution: “Rise of the Planet of the Apes” | True Freethinker

Mariano has posted a great article about what the movie Rise of the Planet of the Apes says about evolution and intelligent design. I think it's amazing that so much can be gleaned from the movie just on the promos we have seen so far. Mariano writes:

The key is the reference to the movie being “reality-based.” Here is the issue: in the official trailer the word “evolution” makes a front and center appearance (at least the version shown at the local theater). This brings, at least, two issues to the foreground: 1) confusing evolution and Intelligent Design and 2) the importance of scientific artists. We will consider 1) in this segment and 2) in the next.




Read his essays at the following link.

Intelligent Design vs. evolution: “Rise of the Planet of the Apes” | True Freethinker
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Faithful Thinkers: Book Review: Chosen But Free

Luke Nix has written a really good review of Norman Geisler's Chosen But Free. I read the book and I think it has problems. I think one of the problems is that Jesus' sacrifice does not make us saveable. Jesus truly saved us - turning away the wrath of God and taking it upon himself.

I'd suggest that anyone who reads Chosen But Free should read Potter's Freedom by James White. And take a listen to James White's webcast from June 30, 2011
to hear Dr White talk about his personal experience in this on-going debate with Norman Geisler. See also James Swan's Reflections on Geisler's Chosen But Free.
.

Here is Luke Nix's review
Faithful Thinkers: Book Review: Chosen But Free
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Saturday, July 2, 2011

Google +1 vs Facebook Like: Fight!



My money's on Facebook.

Google +1 vs Facebook Like: Fight!

Does Vincent Bugliosi even understand the God whom he rejects? | True Freethinker

LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 01:  Writer Vincent Bugl...Image by Getty Images via @daylifeIn a word, "NO!" But thankfully, Mariano has done a masterful job refuting his tired assumption.

Death is dirty and rotten, horrifying, monstrous, vile, disgusting, grotesque, despicable, indescribably ugly, and if there is a God, evil. When our loved ones die before our eyes, when we die before our loved ones' eyes, who is responsible for this horrible, ghastly event?
I refer to it as "tired" because it's born of the point that the man, and no atheist, truly understand the god they think they reject. If they did, they could not reject Him.

Does Vincent Bugliosi even understand the God whom he rejects? | True Freethinker
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Calvinistic Cartoons: Open Mind Open Window

Better get you some screens!

Calvinistic Cartoons: Open Mind Open Window
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Israel’s Mission in the World | Dr. Claude Mariottini – Professor of Old Testament

Ever thought about all the strings and events God put together for Israel? Does anyone really rationally think God would go through all of that, and all those people lived and died for no reason or that reason is now over? I don't think so. Dr Mariottini has written an article discussing what Israel's mission is. I use the term "is" because I don't think it's over.


25 I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers and sisters, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in, 26 and in this way[e] all Israel will be saved. As it is written:
“The deliverer will come from Zion;
he will turn godlessness away from Jacob.
27 And this is my covenant with them
when I take away their sins.”
28 As far as the gospel is concerned, they are enemies for your sake; but as far as election is concerned, they are loved on account of the patriarchs, 29 for God’s gifts and his call are irrevocable. 30 Just as you who were at one time disobedient to God have now received mercy as a result of their disobedience, 31 so they too have now become disobedient in order that they too may now[h] receive mercy as a result of God’s mercy to you. 32 For God has bound everyone over to disobedience so that he may have mercy on them all.- Romans 10:25-32




Israel’s Mission in the World | Dr. Claude Mariottini – Professor of Old Testament
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Friday, July 1, 2011

Faithful Thinkers: Video: Is Eternal Punishment Overkill?

Here is a great video in which Norman Geisler discusses the charge that eternal punishment is overkill for finite sins.




Faithful Thinkers: Video: Is Eternal Punishment Overkill?
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The Daily Show With Jon Stewert Discusses The Supreme Court Ruling On Violent Video Game Ban - G4tv.com





The Daily Show With Jon Stewert Discusses The Supreme Court Ruling On Violent Video Game Ban - G4tv.com
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Atheism and Rape - Walter Sinnott-Armstrong Elucidates | True Freethinker

Mariano Grinbank has posted a really great article about the remarks of  Dr.Walter Sinnott regarding the morality of Rape. He offers insightful thoughts on the reasons why Dr Sinnott thinks that rape is wrong.

What makes rape immoral is that rape harms the victim in terrible ways. The victim feels pain, loses freedom, feels subordinated, and so on. These harms are not justified by any benefits to anyone.

My thing is that rape is objectively wrong because it's wrong. I've read that many men rationalize rape by thinking that their sexual prowess is so great that although a woman is initially resistant and in fact says "no", he can change her mind. Such men don't think they are causing women to suffer. In their twisted imaginations they think they are doing a woman a favor. How do you convince such a person that what they are doing is wrong?

Biblically, in ancient Israel, that is why rapists were executed. I don't think that executing rapists is what we need to do now, but I think just assuming that people know that its wrong to cause pain and suffering for others isn't going to work.

Atheism and Rape - Walter Sinnott-Armstrong Elucidates | True Freethinker
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Answering Muslims: Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani Facing Imminent Execution in Iran for Apostasy and Evangelism

David Wood posted the following:

While CAIR complains about Islamophobia (in a country where Muslims are free to proclaim their faith from the rooftops), a Christian pastor is about to be executed by the Iranian government for leaving Islam and preaching to Muslims.

A news article is also posted, along with the following video explaining how Islam views apostasy and apostates




Answering Muslims: Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani Facing Imminent Execution in Iran for Apostasy and Evangelism
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A Rosetta Stone for the Indus script [Video]





A Rosetta Stone for the Indus script [Video]

What to Do When the Police Want to Search Your Digital Devices



What to Do When the Police Want to Search Your Digital Devices


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FacePalm of the Day #98 - Debunking Christianity: What Is Faith?

I've said it before, but I'll say it again: Atheists don't understand how the Bible defines "Faith".
Faith is pure wishful thinking, nothing more and nothing less. It offers a person a leap beyond what the probabilities actually lead us to think. For if something can be known to be the case we wouldn't need faith. Faith therefore is not a virtue when it comes to knowing the truth about anything. Skepticism is
There are two very important things to keep in mind. No one in all of the Bible was expected to just blindly follow something they couldn't hope to understand to any depth. That's not to say that we get to understand everything exhaustively. How can skepticism be virtuous when it comes to knowing the truth of anything? By definition skepticism is built on ignorance. One has no need for skepticism about something if you know something is true. The faith illustrated in the Bible is definitely wishful thinking or leaping in the dark. Biblical faith is built on past relationship with God. It is based on what God had really revealed.  Does anyone really think that the first time Abraham heard God speak to him was Genesis 12? Nope. Same thing with each every righteous man or woman in the Bible. It's the same for us today. Faith is a trust in God built on past experiences and working knowledge. If you don't know God, how could you have any faith? You can't. Explains John Loftus' total misconception of faith.

Debunking Christianity: What Is Faith?
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Thursday, June 30, 2011

When Scholars Collide....

I have seen two very interesting exchanges over the past several day. Dr Victor Reppert vs John Loftus. on the "Outsider Test for Faith" concept. Loftus posted an open letter to Dr Reppert. The statement was challenging and defensive, but Dr Reppert responded anyway. Sure hope Loftus at least reads the response. It was a good one, but I doubt Loftus will understand it.

Just as interesting is the back-and-forth between Dr Paul Copan and Dr Matthew Flannagan  versus Dr. Hector Avalos on the morality in the Old Testament and how do do scholarship. Read Flannagan's latest post at his link
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DC Comics Fans to Protest Superhero Relaunch at Comic-Con - ComicsAlliance | Comic book culture, news, humor, commentary, and reviews

Well San Diego Comic Con 2011 is upon us. Turns out that there are quite a few people who are really not happy about the plans to reboot DC Comics continuity

More than 200 fans have pledged to attend what organizers are calling the "DC Original Protest Walk" at Comic-Con International in San Diego. Unhappy with what they've seen of DC Comics' superhero relaunch initiative, which goes into effect this September, participants intend to make their feelings known in what's presumed to be an outdoor demonstration, perhaps not dissimilar in format to what we saw last year when the Westboro Baptist Church protested the "sinful idolatry" they believed was inherent at Comic-Con.
I'm not sure but this article from Comics Alliance makes an insightful point:

Whatever you think about the practicality, dramatics or indeed madness of staging a political demonstration in response to decisions made about corporate-owned characters who do not exist, it cannot be denied that Comic-Con is the best place to do it. Although one must wonder why the protesters don't just attend the numerous DC Comics discussion panels that will be presented in the air conditioned comfort of the San Diego Convention Center, where they can put their concerns to the creators and editors directly, rather than stand outside and invite the abuse that we at ComicsAlliance will rain down upon them like a great and terrible fire from Heaven itself.



DC Comics Fans to Protest Superhero Relaunch at Comic-Con - ComicsAlliance | Comic book culture, news, humor, commentary, and reviews
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The History of English [Video]

There is a series of videos about the history of English in nice 10 minutes pieces. Here is Chapter One!




The History of English [Video]
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iPhone vs. Android - Imgur

iPhone vs. Android - Imgur

An Image of the Apostle Paul | Dr. Claude Mariottini – Professor of Old Testament

A 1,400 year-old fresco depicting Apostle Paul in the news!!!!




An Image of the Apostle Paul | Dr. Claude Mariottini – Professor of Old Testament
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