"One of the most damning bits of criticism we atheists have of religious
believers is that many of them admit that there is no amount of evidence
that would change their mind about the various gods in which they
believe. When they ask us what would change our minds and persuade us to
believe, we are generally able to provide answers; however, many
religious believers say that there is nothing that could convince them
that they are wrong about their gods. "My mind is made up," they say,
"don't confuse me with the facts."
Of course, there are panderers in politics. THAT type of flip-floping is NOT what I am talking about. I am talking about what the article is about: the science-based thinking that is SO counter to those who are SO locked into their party, or religion, or alternative to medicine, or any other pseudoscience ideology that they can't get away from it.
Changing Our Minds
Human knowledge has progressed exponentially since the dawn of modern science. It is no longer reasonable to accept claims without sufficient objective evidence. The harm from religion, alternatives to medicine, conservatism, and all other false beliefs will be exposed on this blog by reporting the findings of science. This blog will also reinforce what should be the basics of education: History, Civics, Financial Literacy, Media Literacy, and Critical/Science Based Thinking.
Thursday, November 3, 2016
False Equivalency In Politics
Yes, this period of political campaigning has been extraordinary in its polarity and vitriol. To accept what the activist partisans from the right and left are saying, one may think both sides are equally to blame. If you are one of these folks, please consider that there clearly is a "false equivalency" here:
- There is a clear attempt by Republicans to prevent legitimate judicial appointments.
- There is a clear attempt by Republicans to prevent voting by minorities.
- Republicans do not accept science on many topics, including religion, evolution, climate change, and sex and gender.
- There is clearly a hijacking of the Republican party by the ignorant, bigoted and dogmatic, with Donald Trump being the most visible sign of such.
- There is a significant movement within this Republican Party for "Total War" against the Democrats should Hillary Clinton be elected President of the USA
Measles: What's The Harm?
"In the case of measles we have a highly contagious virus that is a
leading cause of death and disability in young children. Fortunately, it
is also completely preventable with a simple and effective vaccine. As
the WHO points out – this is one of the most cost effective and highest
benefit-to-risk ratio health interventions that humans have devised. The
world-wide vaccine campaign has saved an estimated 17.1 million
children deaths from measles in the last 14 years.
"Denial of these facts, and fear-mongering about vaccines, directly results in the death of children."
Measles More Deadly than Previously Thought
"Denial of these facts, and fear-mongering about vaccines, directly results in the death of children."
Measles More Deadly than Previously Thought
Wednesday, November 2, 2016
Aw, Dawkins Hurt Some Feelings
I normally do not re-post bad articles about scientists and science, but this one just begs for ridicule. In essence, these scientists think that there should be a border around science that prevents scientists from applying scientific methods to the claims of religion. Just give me a break.
Richard Dawkins Misrepresents Science, Say British Scientists
Richard Dawkins Misrepresents Science, Say British Scientists
Tuesday, November 1, 2016
The History of Conservatism And Liberalism In the USA
As we close out one of the most divisive and negative elections in the history of the USA, I think it is important to take a deep breath and reflect on how the politics of the conservative and liberal forces have historically flip-floped within the two major parties. For example, in the early 1850's, the Democrats were the conservatives and the new, upstart Republicans were the liberals. From there, there has been a frequent and significant changing of ideology within both of these parties. Enjoy the education within the three links below:
Conservatism
Liberalism
John Batchelor - To Make Men Free: The History of the Republican Party (search for the podcast on the link)
My humble opinion is that neither ideology or party has all the answers. In fact, the extremes of both are very harmful, thus, I remain, as I have for several decades, a militant Independent. Think about it.
Conservatism
Liberalism
John Batchelor - To Make Men Free: The History of the Republican Party (search for the podcast on the link)
My humble opinion is that neither ideology or party has all the answers. In fact, the extremes of both are very harmful, thus, I remain, as I have for several decades, a militant Independent. Think about it.
"Pro-Life" Dogma Is Not Part of Primate Reality
"The males among these large, gray-haired monkeys were killing their own
colony’s infants; at the time, in the late 1960s and early 1970s,
researchers thought the pressures of overcrowding were the cause. What
Hrdy found, however, was that these langurs’ infanticidal tendencies
were actually adaptive behavior—behavior that, she argues, one can also
see in humans."
Why Primates Kill Their Offspring
Why Primates Kill Their Offspring
Monday, October 31, 2016
A Deeper Look Into Original Sin
I have made 3 prior posts on the dogma of Original Sin. I have essentially falsified all Abrahamic religions by doing so. However, in my interactions with Christians on their websites, I can't seem to break through their dogma. In light of such, I have searched the internet for more in depth analysis of this topic. Below is a summary of my result. If you still think that the literal interpretation of Genesis is relatively recent and only within Fundamentalist Christianity, please tell me why the Catholic Church (the MAIN Christian authority at the time) attacked Galileo for challenging Genesis' account of the relationship between the Earth and the Sun. The writers, while using some metaphorical wording, were clearing writing history from their POV.
Note that even the pre-Abrahamic religions has stories of Original Sin and also assumed that they were literal.
This exposes the folly of religious apologists in attempting to explain away Original Sin as metaphorical.
Exposing the pretzel-twisting of Catholics (the best of Christians accepting science) on the subject, a perfect example of coming to a conclusion first, then struggling to support it. This is not science, but apologetics.
The religious apply science and evidence when it helps their claims, but ignore it when it doesn't, such as regarding human origins and sex/gender realities.
A final piece of reality: religious people do not act better than the non-religious. Therefore, "Original Sin", and the need for a "Redeemer" to be "Saved", does not make sense.
Note that even the pre-Abrahamic religions has stories of Original Sin and also assumed that they were literal.
This exposes the folly of religious apologists in attempting to explain away Original Sin as metaphorical.
Exposing the pretzel-twisting of Catholics (the best of Christians accepting science) on the subject, a perfect example of coming to a conclusion first, then struggling to support it. This is not science, but apologetics.
The religious apply science and evidence when it helps their claims, but ignore it when it doesn't, such as regarding human origins and sex/gender realities.
A final piece of reality: religious people do not act better than the non-religious. Therefore, "Original Sin", and the need for a "Redeemer" to be "Saved", does not make sense.
Chiropractors Use Halloween For Bogus Marketing
"Just when you thought that chiropractors focus on back pain, think
again! Didn't you know that their degree makes them experts on
everything - even nutrition AND vaccinations?!?!"
How Chiropractors Take the Fun out of Halloween
How Chiropractors Take the Fun out of Halloween
What Science And Technology Has Produced
"Technology is a core component of the human experience. We have been
creating tools to help us tame the physical world since the early days
of our species.
"Any attempt to count down the most important technological inventions is certainly debatable, but here are some major advancements that should probably be on any such list (in chronological order):"
Top 20 Greatest Inventions of All Time
"Any attempt to count down the most important technological inventions is certainly debatable, but here are some major advancements that should probably be on any such list (in chronological order):"
Top 20 Greatest Inventions of All Time
Sunday, October 30, 2016
Trump Is The Symptom, Lying Is The Disease
"As we head into the final days of a presidential election in which Trump
is concocting deliberate lies about the electoral system’s integrity,
possibly to incite his followers into insurrection, truth has never been
more important."
We as a nation must insist that the truth matters
Read more here: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/opinion/op-ed/article111167667.html#storylink=cpy"
We as a nation must insist that the truth matters
Read more here: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/opinion/op-ed/article111167667.html#storylink=cpy"
The Southern Poverty Law Center Has Devolved
"The upshot: the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), increasingly a
refuge for Social Justice Warriors, has published a list and analysis of
critics of Islam called “A field guide to anti-Muslim activists” (pdf of the full report is here).
The SPLC named 15 people who, in their view, “fuel the hatred of
Muslims” in America. Among those named are those who are marginal
bigots, like Pamela Geller as well as seemingly real bigots like Frank
Gaffney; but two names also appear who are familiar Muslim or ex-Muslim
reformers: Maajid Nawaz and Ayaan Hirsi Ali."
Maajid Nawaz and Ayaan Hirsi Ali named a “anti-Muslim extremists” by the Southern Poverty Law Center
Maajid Nawaz and Ayaan Hirsi Ali named a “anti-Muslim extremists” by the Southern Poverty Law Center
Saturday, October 29, 2016
Was Jesus A Real Person?
This was a recent debate between two prominent people in the debate over whether Jesus was a real person. Personally, I take the mythicist position. Why? As Jerry McGuire said, "Show me the money."
Matt Dillahunty on mythicism
Matt Dillahunty on mythicism
Atheists Responding To "You're Blessed", "Praying For You", Etc
Some uncomfortable situations for atheists are when well-meaning friends and acquaintances use religiously-tinged phrases such as "You're Blessed" or "Praying for you" towards them. Following is an article that addresses these situations pretty well in my opinion. BTW, regarding the sneeze "Bless you", If I respond, I usually give a "gesundheit", which means, "To your health."
Atheists: Responding To The Christian Phrase “I’ll Pray For You”
Atheists: Responding To The Christian Phrase “I’ll Pray For You”
Placebo Effect Updates
"'Given the enormous societal toll of
chronic pain, being able to predict placebo responders in a chronic pain
population could both help the design of personalized medicine and
enhance the success of clinical trials,' said Marwan Baliki, PhD, a
research scientist at RIC and an assistant professor of physical
medicine and rehabilitation at Northwestern University Feinberg School
of Medicine."
Placebo Effect is All in Our Heads
"In a sense both Pauletich and Mödl participated in a performance, one that we humans have been engaging in for thousands of years, every time we go to healers with the hope that they can make us feel better. And just as a good performance in a theater can draw us in until we feel we’re watching something real, the theater of healing is designed to draw us in by creating powerful expectations in our brains. These expectations drive the so-called placebo effect, which can affect what happens in our bodies as well. Scientists have known about the placebo effect for decades and have used it as a control in drug trials. Now they are seeing placebos as a window into the neurochemical mechanisms that connect the mind with the body, belief with experience."
Unlocking the Healing Power of You
Why do Placebos Work?
Placebo Effect is All in Our Heads
"In a sense both Pauletich and Mödl participated in a performance, one that we humans have been engaging in for thousands of years, every time we go to healers with the hope that they can make us feel better. And just as a good performance in a theater can draw us in until we feel we’re watching something real, the theater of healing is designed to draw us in by creating powerful expectations in our brains. These expectations drive the so-called placebo effect, which can affect what happens in our bodies as well. Scientists have known about the placebo effect for decades and have used it as a control in drug trials. Now they are seeing placebos as a window into the neurochemical mechanisms that connect the mind with the body, belief with experience."
Unlocking the Healing Power of You
Why do Placebos Work?
Friday, October 28, 2016
Functional Medicine: Another Label For Alternatives To Medicine
"Hall shows us that FM, like much in the world of alt-med and
pseudoscience, sounds a lot like sectarianism. There is a glaring lack
of evidence for any of the practice’s claims, and it’s riddled with 'indecipherable babble and word salad' in order to explain any of those
claims."
Harriet Hall on Functional Medicine: Redundant and Full of Babble
Harriet Hall on Functional Medicine: Redundant and Full of Babble
Abortion: Not A Biblical Or Moral Issue, But A Political Issue
"In continuing to support
Donald Trump simply because he says he will outlaw abortion (as if he
even could), evangelical Christians have effectively given up their
right to speak to moral issues in American life. Five decades of
well-coordinated political action has programmed them to draw a line in
the sand over issues about which the Bible says virtually nothing, even
while turning a deaf ear to the cries of the less fortunate, the
marginalized poor and the socially disadvantaged in our country
(something Bible speaks about voluminously).
What Does the Bible Say About Abortion?
What Does the Bible Say About Abortion?
The Hypocrisy Of "Pro-Life" Proponents
The following article highlights the incongruity of those religious dogmatists who rail against abortion but are insensitive to actual persons. The fact is that there is a direct relationship between those who call themselves "pro-life" and those who actively work against providing life-saving healthcare for the poor.
If you are reading this with criticism, please consider the following points:
An honest look at abortion statistics
If you are reading this with criticism, please consider the following points:
- The growing uterine life does not have all the features of a human person from the moment of conception, thus, is really a potential person throughout most of its uterine existence.
- The pregnant women has the right of bodily autonomy.
- There is no evidence for an un-embodied "soul", much less its presence at the moment of conception.
- The vast majority of fertilized eggs are flushed down the toilet. If you believe the dogma of the religious conservatives, God is the greatest abortionist.
An honest look at abortion statistics
Thursday, October 27, 2016
Naturopathy: Time To Shut All Of The Doors On This Quackery
"At the very least, the California legislature no longer has any excuse
for accepting at face value naturopathic representations about the
quality of their education or its ability to produce health care
practitioners competent to diagnose and treat all comers, especially
children. In fact, I have Britt to thank for originally proposing the
idea of using the upcoming repeal to advocate for changes to the
licensing law. I hope she’ll write on the subject herself, with her
insider’s vast knowledge of naturopathic education and practice."
California legislature should repeal naturopathic licensing
California legislature should repeal naturopathic licensing
Body Sculpting to Reduce Body Fat
One on the newer treatments in the effort to get rid of unwanted fat deposits from localized areas, CoolSculpting may reduce a small amount of fat deposits. However, the treatments are expensive and requires attention to the causes of the fat deposits. In addition, there is a small risk of fat cells returning after the procedure.
You Can Freeze Your Fat and Poop It Out
You can also heat it and vibrate it.
The effect of Heat, and Other Measures
You Can Freeze Your Fat and Poop It Out
You can also heat it and vibrate it.
The effect of Heat, and Other Measures
Feminism: Overtaken By Pseudoscience?
"Few in a modern, liberal society would doubt the historical benefit of
feminism. For a society to be prosperous and just, respectful treatment
and equality of opportunity must be extended to all. But modern feminism
has advanced well beyond its laudable origins to encapsulate an
ideology that is increasingly detached from reality."
* Caution: the link is to a website that is at least mildly conservative with the possibility of bias against feminism (link)
Wednesday, October 26, 2016
Houston: Science Has A Problem
"A special issue explores how the research enterprise keeps early-career scientists from pursuing the most important work, and what can be done to help."
The plight of young scientists
The plight of young scientists
Lack Of Understanding Of Reality In One Area Transfers
"The scientists compared religious believers to people with autism,
saying both struggle to distinguish between the mental and the physical,
although autistic people are at the opposite end of the spectrum
because they often see the world as entirely physical and struggle to
understand the mental state of others."
Believers tend to accept other forms of woo, like the consciousness of inanimate objects like rocks.
Believers tend to accept other forms of woo, like the consciousness of inanimate objects like rocks.
A Two-Hour Response To An Attack On Atheism
"Fellow atheist blogger Jeffery Jay Lowder of Secular Outpost blog here at Patheos has a new video that responds to Frank Turek’s recent book, Stealing From God: Why Atheists Need God to Make Their Case."
Evolution And Religion: Ya, What's The Harm?
"Until religion is gone, we’ll still face a formidable problem of getting
evolution accepted despite its palpable truth. And when religion is gone, there will be almost no problem with acceptance."
Evolution rejection in the American South: It’s the religion, stupid!
Evolution rejection in the American South: It’s the religion, stupid!
Whether It's Baking A Cake Or Saving A Life, If You Can't Provide The Service, GET OUT OF THE BUSINESS!!!
The spread of Catholic hospitals has created an evil within the US healthcare system.
The expanding Catholic healthcare system in America, and the invidious restrictions that places on women’s healthcare.
The expanding Catholic healthcare system in America, and the invidious restrictions that places on women’s healthcare.
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