Category Archives: Atheism and other freethought
Covid19 goes to church
St. Paul, in urging more-or-less faithful Jewish Christians, reminded them (Hebrews 10:25) “to stir up each other in love and good works, not neglecting to meet together.” That’s evolved in practice to mean no less frequently than on Sundays. In … Continue reading
My steps from sacred to secular
Atlanta’s begun another sweltering, but gorgeous summer. I’m going to take a break from blogging for a few weeks. There are now 154 posts in this blog, all accessible using the listing just to the right of this text. It … Continue reading
God, a failed hypothesis
God is a hypothesis, one that’s never been confirmed. I’m referring not only to the assumed Jehovah and Allah, but the thousands of supernatural deities humans have invented over the ages. Uncannily, very little “proof” is enough for believers to … Continue reading
Atheignosticism and the unseen seculars
You’re right. There’s no such word as atheignosticism. However, the orthodox versions—atheism and agnosticism—can be just as bewildering. This post expands on my May 18, 2013 post, “Atheist, Agnostic, it’s So Confusing,” in which I explored the various meanings ascribed … Continue reading
Wretched and unfulfilled without Jesus
Recently I read how Christians can deal successfully with (that is, convert) unbelievers. The writer (please allow me to render the writer anonymous) says his recommendation is almost guaranteed to work. His method is to inquire into the unbeliever’s life, an … Continue reading
A handshake with deism
I’m an a-theist, but am also an a-deist. At the level of discussion, I enjoy arguing with both theists and deists. But, contrary to what you might think, I’ve no problem with deists. By and large, theists who ask, “Do … Continue reading
God is love?
“God is love” is a comforting idea. I rather like it. But it’s more wishful than sensible. In fact, as to the Biblical God, the notion is downright bizarre. The idea of an all-loving God arises in part because the … Continue reading
But you must believe in something!
Many times I’ve heard these words from a Christian who thinks disbelief in his or her theology means no beliefs at all! The obverse of that well-intended coaxing is more in the form of an accusation: “You don’t believe in anything!” … Continue reading
Atheism yes, but enthusiastic atheism?
In discussion a few days ago I made an offhand remark about my “enthusiastic atheism.” It occurred to me later that the term, though an accurate description, is an uncommon one. What on earth could even be important, much less … Continue reading
Theists and a-theists
Perhaps the most significant disagreement among atheists these days concerns our range of attitudes toward liberal branches of religion. Although my thoughts about that apply to the liberal wings of all religions, I’ll focus here only on Christianity. In most … Continue reading
Everything happens for a reason . . . or not
“Everything happens for a reason.” I’m sure you’ve heard these words as often as I. The best I can say for the phrase is that it is usually meant to comfort someone who’s experienced a bad turn of fate. (OK, … Continue reading
Is atheism itself a religion?
For centuries atheism has been considered the lack of religion. Modern religion apologists, however, have turned logic on its ear and declared that atheism is itself a religion: the religion of rejecting religion! (There may be ancient roots of this … Continue reading
An atheist with religious loved ones
My rejection of Christianity began when I was 19 or 20 while posted to an Air Force base in Germany. To my knowledge, my family-of-origin had never experienced one of their own abandoning the faith. Theirs, I should note, was … Continue reading
Are atheists offended by religion?
I can’t speak for atheists. I can only speak for myself. This atheist isn’t normally offended about anything. Fact is, this world holds an abundance of awesome experiences and affectionate relationships. Being mad much of the time would be very, … Continue reading
What’s God have to do with religion?
Whether there’s a god is normally fought out between religious people and irreligious people, as if god=religion and no god=non-religion. I make the case that if there is a god (or even God), nothing even then would point us toward … Continue reading
Merry Krismas!
I like Christmas. My wife and I normally have a tree and exchange gifts. When our granddaughters were young—and geography and travel permitted—Christmas in alternate years we gathered with my daughters, their husbands, and their kids, with the usual overeating … Continue reading
Making atheism useless
I have been an atheist for over a half century. During most of that time I have wished the term weren’t needed. Believe me, I can find something else to do. (Actually I do anyway. I am lucky to have … Continue reading
Thanksgiving: Whom does an atheist thank?
OK, fair question. When Christians thank God or pray thanks “in Jesus’s name,” what are the atheists in their midst doing? Well, let me settle one thing right at the outset: atheists are as thankful and appreciative of good fortune … Continue reading
Atheism born in tragedy and in thought
I read recently of a man quoted as having said he lost his faith in God due to the tragic, accidental loss of his wife and child. “How can there be a loving god,” he questioned, in a tone reeking … Continue reading
The happy atheist
I know quite a few atheists, agnostics, and Deists. There may be a few whose lives could be described as unfulfilled or unhappy, but no more than among my religious friends. (Of course, in both cases lack of fulfillment or … Continue reading
Just one god?
I like Deists. Unlike theists (Christians, Moslems, and a few scattered others), they aren’t pushy. At least not about religion. They don’t buy into all the dressings of prayer, sin, divine forgiveness, and salvation, not to mention the sacrifice of … Continue reading
Atheist, Agnostic –It’s So Confusing
We are expected by others and often impelled by our own needs to locate ourselves in the social landscape, that is, to say “what I am.” Sometimes that means what we make our living doing or what citizenship we hold. … Continue reading
John just thinking . . . . 