Stephen C. Meyer on Intelligent Design

I found this video from Chad on his blog. I like the video and find it informative. I believe that ID is science. It's about looking at evidence and reasoning to the best explanation.




Stephen C. Meyer
Chad's post

Adolf Hitler Was a Christian! Was Adolf Hitler a Christian?, part 4 | True Freethinker

Here is Mariano's fourth part in his series on the misguided claims of some that Hitler was a Christian. My favorite point raised in this part is the fact if Hitler was a devout Roman Catholic the last thing he would do is praise Martin Luther. However Hitler did not care about the Bible, Theology, or anything Luther stood for. He only embraced Luther because Luther was a German. Thanks, Mariano.

Adolf Hitler Was a Christian! Was Adolf Hitler a Christian?, part 4 | True Freethinker

Adolf Hitler Was a Christian! Was Adolf Hitler a Christian?, part 3 | True Freethinker

Mariano has published his 3rd part of his essay about whether or not Hitler was a Christian. It's funny how people will take a mad-man like Hitler at face-value about being a Christian yet they totally want to reject Jesus who was telling the truth. My favorite line from Mariano's post is:

It is also of the utmost important that Hitler was the consummate politician and, shocking I know, said whatever was convenient to him at any given time. Now, this fact does not mean that we should be sloppy in considering what Hitler did and said. We must, in a manner of speaking, balance one “Hitler said it so it must be true” with another “Hitler said it so it must be true.” This is not as arbitrary as it may seem as the more we do this the more discernible his manipulations and motives become clear.

I highly recommend reading this series!

Adolf Hitler Was a Christian! Was Adolf Hitler a Christian?, part 3 | True Freethinker

'Lose Christianity or face expulsion'

I heard about this story last week but I'm still shocked.  A student in Georgia, Jen Keeton, was faced with the choice: be expelled from the graduate program in Counseling at Augusta State University or give up being a Christian - changing her worldview and convictions regarding Christianity. All she is reported to have said in public was :

she asserted homosexuality is a behavioral choice, not a "state of being" as a professor said

It's an opinion. I agree with her, but that besides the point. Since when should you be kicked out of school because you disagree with your professor especially over an issue that is hotly debated and far from resolved?

Keeton understands what her faculty was trying to do:
 

"At times you said that I must alter my beliefs because they are unethical. ... Other times you said that I can keep my beliefs so long as they are only personal and I don't believe that anyone else should believe like me. But that is just another way of saying that I must alter my beliefs, because my beliefs are about absolute truth. ... In order to finish the counseling program you are requiring me to alter my objective beliefs and also to commit now that if I ever may have a client who wants me to affirm their decision to have an abortion or engage in gay, lesbian or transgender behavior, I will do that. I can't alter my biblical beliefs, and I will not affirm the morality of those behaviors in a counseling situation," she wrote. 

 So, nice as they are they did give her an out so she could graduate:

"Anderson-Wiley confirmed that Miss Keeton will not be able to successfully complete the remediation plan and thus complete the (Augusta State University) counseling program unless she commits to affirming the propriety of gay and lesbian relationships if such an opportunity arises in her future professional efforts," it continued. 

Faculty members had demanded she "attend at least three workshops … which emphasize … diversity training sensitive toward working with GLBTQ populations." They also wanted her to "develop" her knowledge of homosexuality by reading 10 articles and increasing her exposure to homosexuals and lesbians by attending "the Gay Pride Parade." 

 Thankfully, Keeton is using this to send a message. She is suing them. She obviously has a case. I can't even believe that this is necessary but I do think it will continue to worsen. we should pray for this young woman who is standing up for what is right and what she believes in when should could have easily caved to the intimidation and persecution.



'Lose Christianity or face expulsion'
Mike Felker's post

Is Mohammad Prophesied in the Bible? London Debate with Shabir Ally, 2008

Is Mohammad Prophesied in the Bible? London Debate with Shabir Ally, 2008

If God Exists, Why is there Evil? - Norman Geisler

Here is Norman Geisler answering the "problem of evil".



If God Exists, Why is there Evil?

Adolf Hitler Was a Christian! Was Adolf Hitler a Christian?, part 1 and 2 | True Freethinker

One of the canards the ignorant keep trotting out was that Adolf Hitler was a Christian. I hate that. It's no more true than trying to argue that Thomas Jefferson was a Catholic or a Baptist. Mariano has posted a two-part essay rebutting the fantasy that Hitler was a Christian.

Adolf Hitler Was a Christian! Was Adolf Hitler a Christian?, part 1 | True Freethinker
Adolf Hitler Was a Christian! Was Adolf Hitler a Christian?, part 2 | True Freethinker

Related articles by Zemanta

• Dictators of Our Times: Adolf Hitler, Part One (socyberty.com)
• Twenty babies in Britain named Adolf (telegraph.co.uk)

Has Christianity Failed You? | True Freethinker

I appreciate Mariano Grinbank for pointing out that Dr. Ravi Zacharias has published this book on an objection and question I hear most often from Atheists "Why has Christianity failed me?" or "Why does God make it so hard for me to believe in Him, if He exists?" I'm going to read this one!

Has Christianity Failed You? | True Freethinker

Is Jesus Prophesied in the Old Testament? Parts 1 and 2 vs. Shabir Ally, London, 2008

Here is a debate I've been waiting to watch. IT was just released although it took place about 2 years ago! Progress!!!! I see no reason for anyone to accuse Alpha and Omega Ministries for dragging their feet on posting it. There are lots of reasons why as Dr. White has already publically stated. Not only has he uploaded it to YouTube but it is available for free.








Is Jesus Prophesied in the Old Testament? Parts 1 and 2 vs. Shabir Ally, London, 2008

Apologetics 315: An Islam Primer: Five Parts MP3 Audio

Here is a good summary of Islam in audio presentations. Five good ones posted by Brian Auten.

Apologetics 315: An Islam Primer: Five Parts MP3 Audio

Related articles by Zemanta

• Eco-Islam in Africa (theworld.org)

Super Heroes vs. the Westboro Baptist Church - ComicsAlliance | Comics culture, news, humor, commentary, and reviews

As you probably know, Comic Con 2010 is happening in San Diego even as I write this. I'm bummed that I can't go, but at least I can revel in the coverage over the event. Turns out that there is a counter protest to Fred Phelps' demonstration. I wish someone would tell Phelps that this isn't the way to witness for God. There is nothing good that can come from his actions. It makes Christians look stupid and worse makes Jesus look bad. This isn't the way to engage the culture. Thing about comic book/movie fans is that we are not docile enough to be insulted without retaliation or rebuttal. Some showed up in costume and their own signs mocking Phelps and his followers. I don't condone either side's methods but I blame those who call ourselves Christian sthe most. I mean do you really have to go out of your way to be that unloving and offensive?




Super Heroes vs. the Westboro Baptist Church - ComicsAlliance | Comics culture, news, humor, commentary, and reviews

Richard Dawkins and His Amen Chorus of Adherents | True Freethinker

Mariano has posted a great article pointing out that for some reason people seem to really like Richard Dawkins no matter what silly and/or stupid argument he makes.

Richard Dawkins and His Amen Chorus of Adherents | True Freethinker

Related articles by Zemanta

• Richard Dawkins to speak at UAF - Marmian Grimes - UAF News (richarddawkins.net)

YouTube - Tactics in refuting moral relativism

Moral Relativism sickens me because of how silly it is. If people didn't actually think this way it would be funny. But I'll laugh anyway. Thanks, Mariano.




YouTube - Tactics in refuting moral relativism

Apologetics 315: Why We Believe the Bible: MP3 Series by John Piper

Brian Auten has posted a 5 part audio seminar by John Piper. The topic was answering the question "Why we believe the Bible?". Thanks, Brian.

Apologetics 315: Why We Believe the Bible: MP3 Series by John Piper

On the historical Jesus, the Jesus myths, the Bible’s reliability, etc. — Peter Jennings’ “The Search for Jesus” | True Freethinker

Image via Wikipedia

I appreciate Mariano Grinbank pointing out that this video is available on YouTube. I remember Peter Jenning's special on Jesus' life back in 2000. I even watched it and was infuriated at just how many facts were wrong. At the time, and since, there have been many many good rebuttals. But I don't think that there can be too many. Especially since all those lies continue to resurface. I agree with Mariano this response is a good one.






The Poison


The antidote


On the historical Jesus, the Jesus myths, the Bible’s reliability, etc. — Peter Jennings’ “The Search for Jesus” | True Freethinker

Truthbomb Apologetics: Are the Terms "Micro-Evolution" and "Macro-Evolution" a Creationist Fabrication?

I really appreciate this article Chad posted on his blog. I am often encountering the objection that there is no distinction between micro and macro evolution aside from that made by ignorant creationists. This post is awesome in that Chad went and posted quotes from decades ago referring to the distinction. My favorite of the quotes he posted is by Richard Goldschmidt who said in 1940,

“the facts of microevolution do not suffice for an understanding of macroevolution.”

Truthbomb Apologetics: Are the Terms "Micro-Evolution" and "Macro-Evolution" a Creationist Fabrication?

Is Christian doctrine tantamount to postulating the tooth fairy? | True Freethinker

Here is another video of John Lennox being brilliant. Thanks, Mariano. This time Dr. Lennox is answering the objection that Christianity is no more true than the tooth fairy.





Is Christian doctrine tantamount to postulating the tooth fairy? | True Freethinker

Church Attitude

James White re-tweeted the following quote:

"The complaint that church is boring is never made by people in awe." ~ R.C. Sproul

Should be a bumper sticker

John Lennox on suffering and evil | True Freethinker

Here is a great video interview of John Lennox and how he would answer such a "difficult" question.







John Lennox on suffering and evil | True Freethinker

Apologetics 315: Why Won't God Heal Amputees? MP3 Audio from GotQuestions.org

I appreciate Brain Auten for posting this awesome audio refuting one of the  arguments against God's existence that keeps getting trotted out.  If there is a God and prayer works then why doesn't God heal amputees? This audio answers the question by giving seven erroneous presuppositions on which the argument is based and why they don't make sense.  Brian posts a link to the audio and to the text answer.

Apologetics 315: Why Won't God Heal Amputees? MP3 Audio from GotQuestions.org