Monthly Archives: May 2009

Twelve Virtues of Rationality

Posted on May 22, 2009 by John C. Snider

Instead of Death and Dismemberment Amongst the Devoted today, how about something a little more positive? Eliezer Yudkowsky is an aritificial intelligence researcher and blogger on the “fine art of human rationality.”  He has developed what he calls the Twelve … Continue reading →

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Is it religion–or insanity–killing these kids?

Posted on May 21, 2009 by John C. Snider

I’m not one of those who thinks religious upbringing is necessarily tantamount to child abuse, but occasionally items pop up in the news that really make me think hard about how to separate “mere” religious belief from downright delusional behavior. … Continue reading →

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Posted in alternative medicine, civil rights, news, religion, religious rights | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Bleckley Bible Reading 2009

Posted on May 20, 2009 by John C. Snider

See the picture on the right?  That’s the Bleckley County (Georgia) Court House, in Cochran, Georgia (just south of Macon in the middle of the state).  [Click on the image for a larger view.]  In case you “missed” the National … Continue reading →

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Agora

Posted on May 19, 2009 by John C. Snider

Rachel Weisz stars as freethinker Hypatia of Alexandria in the film Agora, which hopefully will be released in America later in 2009.  Will it be a creditable drama?  I sure hope so.  If nothing else, I’m pretty sure it won’t … Continue reading →

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Podcast #53 – Gay Marriage in the News

Posted on May 18, 2009 by John C. Snider

You can’t turn on the news lately without hearing multiple items involving gay marriage: Maine’s legislature passes (and its governor signs) a bill legalizing same-sex marriage; former NYC mayor and failed Republican presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani skips the wedding of … Continue reading →

Podcast #53 - Gay Marriage in the News [ 1:18:40 ] Download (6047)
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Posted in christianity, civil rights, commentary, gay rights, humor, news, podcast, politics, religion | Tagged , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Short people earn less

Posted on May 17, 2009 by John C. Snider

A recent study in Australia indicates that short people earn less than their taller counterparts.  Speaking as one who is 5′ 4″, this confirms, in part, what I’ve long thought: that discrimination against short people is endemic, and so deeply … Continue reading →

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They found the body of Christ…

Posted on May 14, 2009 by John C. Snider

…on a box of Japanese diet pills.  Go figure.

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Harris launches Reason Project

Posted on May 12, 2009 by John C. Snider

Author Sam Harris (The End of Faith, Letter to a Christian Nation) has finally launched the much-anticipated Reason Project (www.ReasonProject.org).  The Reason Project is described as ” a 501(c)(3) charitable foundation devoted to spreading scientific knowledge and secular values in … Continue reading →

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Hunting Men for Jesus

Posted on May 11, 2009 by John C. Snider

Every time I see this it makes my blood boil. There is NO acceptable way in which US soldiers, stationed in hostile territory, wearing American military uniforms, can proselytize. Imagine the furor with which the men in this video would … Continue reading →

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Religiosity Rematch

Posted on May 10, 2009 by John C. Snider

Here’s Part 2 of the conversation between artificial intelligence researcher Eliezer Yudkowsky and astronomer Adam Frank about the compatibility (or lack thereof) between science and religion.  Check out Part 1 from March (which Yudkowsky won hands-down, IMHO) right here.

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