Ratio Primoris (Reason Foremost)

My Final Post On This Blog

2012-03-30T21:56:00.010-04:00

(UPDATED 03/16/2018)

While the present content of this blog is fairly complete in what I have to say on reason and my worldview, I presently am not satisfied with the name of the blog or its organization. Therefore, I will not be posting here in the future. However, I will be posting regularly on my new blog, http://understandrealitythroughscience.blogspot.com/, which will be focused on science-based thinking (science in the narrow and broad sense). I will be taking some of my favorite posts from this blog and posting the information in my new blog.

I will leave the blog active and I hope you will continue to use it for your entertainment and information purposes.

I also recommend clicking on the "Recommended Links" page tab at the top for access to some excellent resources

I will be glad to respond to any comments you would like to make on any previous posts. Thanks to all who have supported me and this blog.

Tom

A Letter To Christian Apologists

2012-03-30T18:23:00.028-04:00

TO: Christian Apologists

Discussions with you over the years have always ended with neither of us coming to a basic agreement regarding ways of determining the truth. I base acceptance of any claim on whether the evidence supports it. You say there are other ways of knowing. I have challenged your statement and all I receive back is philosophy, logical fallacies and subjective experiences.

Please ponder the following points and questions:

Both of us use evidence to conduct our everyday lives. However, you exclude this requirement when addressing religion and faith. Why?

Most of you are certain without evidence. I am uncertain but form beliefs based on probabilities from facts. Can you look at these very different degrees of certainty and honestly support your level of certainty without evidence? You may be able to justify it to yourself, but not to me.

I am open to changing my opinion on any subject if I am presented with evidence that makes my present opinion less likely to be true. Can you say the same thing?

When presented with a claim, the first thing I consider is its plausibility: Are there examples of the same phenomenon that are consistent with the laws of physics and other scientific realities? If not, then I expect extraordinary evidence in support of such a claim. Can you say the same thing?

Science has been a great force in understanding the reality within and around us. It also has lead to tremendous improvement in the quality of life for humanity. What concrete progress can you point to that is directly related to religion?

Scientists agree on so much and Christians disagree on so many issues. Which of these levels of agreement is more likely to reveal truth about reality?

"You have the choice of living in one of two worlds: a world like ours in which science had come into being but religion never appeared, or a world in which religion had appeared but science never did. Which would you choose?" ~Jerry Coyne

Science shows that the human mind is very susceptible to misperceptions, bias and resistance to evidence that contradicts an opinion. Science is the only method available to objectively look at facts to overcome this natural tendency of the mind to deceive itself and, thus, comes the closest to determining reality.

Science shows that the mind is very probably only a function of the brain and that there probably is no independent "soul." The mind emerged from the brain, a common occurrence in nature (i.e. water from hydrogen and oxygen, an ant colony from individual ants, etc.) and is a verb, not a noun.

Science shows that the common, layperson concept of "free will" is probably an illusion.

No studies have supported the existence of miracles.

There is no evidence that prayer has any effect on natural occurrences.

There is no evidence of life after death.

Science (especially neuroscience and psychology) has studied religious experiences and can explain them through natural mechanisms.

Evidence from multiple branches of science, including the social sciences, supports the probability that man created god.

The greatest "high" a scientist can get is showing that accepted science is wrong. So, how can proponents of religion, alternative medicine and pseudoscience say that scientists are closed-minded and dogmatic?

Why are only 7% of members of elite scientific organizations like the Royal Society and the United States National Academy of Sciences religious?

The difference between philosophy and science: Science is 'provable' and philosophy is speculation and assertion without evidence. In addition, the following statement summarizes the problem with philosophy: "There is, in fact, a total lack of consensus on the nature and purpose of philosophy."

Philosophy and logic are important foundations for the methods of determining reality we call science. However, they do not substitute for evidence. If there is poor or no evidence for something, there is no reason to believe it is real, no matter what philosophy or logic say on the matter. The booster rockets of philosophy and logic have launched science for best determining reality.

"Formal logic alone doesn’t prove anything. It often leads to false conclusions about the real universe. If we relied on formal logic we would not have science. We need to let the universe tell us how it behaves." ~Lawrence Krauss

You ask "Why is there something instead of nothing?" Why should we believe there ever was, or could be, "nothing?" What is an example of "nothing?"

What is the immaterial? Has it ever been seen? How is it different than the theist concept of nothing?

You ask "How could something come from nothing?" Causation is applicable to the point of the Big Bang. What is "before" that instant is only speculation. To posit a god as the "cause" of the Big Bang is just making stuff up. Physics and mathematics present some interesting ideas suggesting a "multiverse" as the cause of our universe. The concept of an infinite "multiverse" is at least as reasonable as a god and makes a god unnecessary.

If reality is designed and purposeful, what would a reality that is random and meaningless look like?

Living and non-living structures change from simple to complex in nature and can give the appearance of design.

"It's natural to think that living things must be the handiwork of a designer. But it was also natural to think that the sun went around the earth. Overcoming naive impressions to figure out how things really work is one of humanity's highest callings" ~Steven Pinker

"Nature --- provides the basis of comparison by which we distinguish between designed objects and natural objects. We are able to infer the presence of design only to the extent that the characteristics of an object differ from natural characteristics. Therefore, to claim that nature as a whole was designed is to destroy the basis by which we differentiate between artifacts and natural objects." ~George H. Smith

You state that the universe is "fine tuned" for humans because the probability is very low that it occurred randomly. One cannot talk about probability of anything in our universe happening until we know what all of the possibilities are. If our universe is larger that we think now, if our universe is infinite, if there are many multiverses and/or there are an infinite number of universes, then the chances of our world and everything in it increase significantly. Thus, presently, this argument of probability should not be used.

Why is god so hidden? After all, as recorded in the New Testament, the contemporaries of Jesus believed in him via evidence, not faith. Why should the rest of us believe via faith without evidence?

What is more likely?

a) 2000 years ago, god sent his son to save us from the original sin of the first two humans, even though science shows that humanity did not begin from one couple but from a group and that human behavior is not unlike that of other social animals. This savior supposedly performed miracles, died and was resurrected. However, there is no independent contemporaneous verification from sources outside of the New Testament for any of this story and the New Testament itself was written several decades after the time that these events would have occurred by people who did not witness any of the events.

b) Christianity began like several other myths circulating before and at the same time in the middle east and had the subsequent fortune of benefiting from a variety of circumstances to evolve into a major presence in society.

You have the right to disagree with my worldview, but you do not have the right to criticize me as being immoral because of it, or otherwise unworthy of being accepted as a respected member of society. Your beliefs stop at my face. I expect you to respect the full Constitution of the USA, especially the separation of church and state, and to argue your political opinions based on evidence and not dogma. You may be assured that I will treat you the way I wish to be treated.

If you want further insight into the background of my worldview and how it contrasts with yours, please click on the first post on the top right of this blog (or here) and continue with the subsequent links suggested.

To conclude, I understand your position. I was there.

Tom Rafferty

Science Vs Pseudoscience

2012-03-30T07:28:00.001-04:00

H/T Hemant Mehta

A Magic Bullet?

2012-03-28T09:20:00.002-04:00

Steven Novella has posted on the Science-Based Medicine blog an analysis of a claim that a drug has been found that is a universal anti-cancer treatment. The post gives a history of such claims and why this seemingly legitimate claim has some problems. Let the buyer beware.

Mind And Brain

2012-03-27T20:27:00.000-04:00

This blogger is presently engaged on an apologetics website regarding the mind/brain connection. As usual, the apologist is using a philosophical argument while presenting zilch for facts in support of dualism. Following are some links that are interesting in support of the scientific consensus that the mind emerges from the brain:

http://www.mindoverbrain.com/

http://uwf.edu/jgould/documents/Mind-BrainandConsciousnessProblem_000.pdf

http://www.newscientist.com/blogs/culturelab/2010/03/how-you-emerge-from-your-brain.html

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/05/10/science/10prof.html?_r=1&pagewanted=all

http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2012/mar/02/consciousness-why-bother

Acharya S And The Historical Jesus

2012-03-27T13:54:00.002-04:00

D M Murdock (aka "Acharya S") has been a controversial figure in the discussion of the historicity of Jesus. Her earlier writings were heavily criticized for use of Egyptian, and other ancient culture, artifacts liberally to support the complete fabrication of the Jesus story. Below is an excerpt from a fairly recent DVD entitled "Great Minds of Our Time: D.M. Murdock". This blogger will leave it up to the viewer to decide how credible she is presently.

Bottom line in this discussion: It makes no difference whether or not Jesus is based on a real person. The character is effectively fictional.

A Comparison Of Christian And Islamic Extremism

2012-03-26T17:32:00.003-04:00

Al Stafanelli has posted on religious extremism. Still think there is a difference between Christianity and Islam regarding extremism? The money quote:

"--- when you compare radical Islam and Christian extremist doctrine, the commonalities between the two faiths are very apparent. The problem starts with their use of the Bible and the Koran as venues for the expression of their hate, bigotry and intolerance. Particularly the factions who cherry-pick the parts of their holy books that promote the murder of homosexuals, unbelievers, adulterers, fornicators, disobedient children and members of other religions – and perceive those words to be very literal and entirely relevant to contemporary society. There is no getting around the fact that the Bible and Koran have much in common when it comes to “death” commandments."

Atheists And Anger

2012-03-25T07:46:00.000-04:00

Greta Christina has posted on anger and atheists. A warning for all theists: Can you handle the truth? If you take criticism of your faith as a personal affront, please do not read this.

The Real Climate Change Hoax

2012-03-24T20:19:00.001-04:00

Andrew Gunther and James McCarthy have written an article in the Miami Herald refuting US Senator James Inhofe, and others of this persuasion, regarding denial of climate change. The money quote:

We are all going to pay a price if we don't call-out their campaign of misinformation and get down to the real work before us. The question now is what will be the cost of inaction to our health and our pocketbooks? The longer the hoaxers can prevent serious action, the higher the price we will all pay.

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/03/21/2705530/the-climate-change-hoax.html#storylink=cpy

More Jesus Myth Vs History Battles

2012-03-24T19:12:00.002-04:00

As this blogger stated very recently, stay tuned. Here is James McGrath's rebuttal to Carrier's rebuttal to Ehrman. AND, here is Ben Goren's challenge to Erhman.

Bottom line in this discussion: It makes no difference whether or not Jesus is based on a real person. The character is effectively fictional.

Carrier Trumps Ehrman?

2012-03-22T19:48:00.003-04:00

Richard Carrier has posted a rebuttal to Bart Ehrman's recent article in the Huffington Post criticizing mythicists, or those to do not accept the historicity of Jesus. Stay tuned. There surely will be more dialogue between these two prominent writers who address Judeo-Christian history.

Bottom line in this discussion: It makes no difference whether or not Jesus is based on a real person. The character is effectively fictional.

An Historical Look At Obedience To Authority

2012-03-22T13:43:00.003-04:00

Adam Lee has posted in AlterNet an analysis of the history of obedience to authority, and its negative effects.

Objective Morality And The Judeo-Christian God

2012-03-22T13:16:00.001-04:00

The Non-Stamp Collector has posted this video to analysis William Lane Craig's claim that objective morality comes from the Judeo-Christian god.

Self-Transcendence And Cooperation

2012-03-21T14:49:00.002-04:00

Jonathan Haidt presents a TED talk on self-transcendence and cooperation.

Comment:

Haidt is a social psychologist and an atheist. However, unlike many atheists, he sees a great deal of good in the structure of religion and how it motivates people to do good.

This blogger agrees with one commenter on this video, who is more cautious about promoting the value of religion:

"Yes, we are (very likely) evolved to be religious. We are also evolved to desire sugar beyond the level of obesity." (dumpmist)

Reading Fiction Valuable

2012-03-21T12:29:00.000-04:00

Annie Murphy Paul has written an article in the New York Times giving support for the reading of fiction to improve emotional and social life.

Conserving Helium

2012-03-21T12:12:00.000-04:00

Mano Singham has posted on the importance of an element depletion that is effecting scientific research: Helium. Lets hope that the anti-science crowd will not try to call this a liberal conspiracy, like they have with evolution and climate change.

The Reason Rally

2012-03-19T17:51:00.001-04:00

This coming Saturday, March 24, 2012 in Washington, DC will be a major gathering of people. It is called the Reason Rally and tens of thousands of people are expected to attend. It is billed as one of the largest group of people in support of reason in the history of the world.

One controversial element of this rally is the "official" list of speakers. It includes US Senator Tom Harkin and Comedian/Commentator Bill Maher. Both of these individuals are well-known public figures who have vocally promoted alternative medicine and pseudoscience. It is this blogger's opinion that it is very unfortunate to have such anti-science/anti-reason people officially speaking at a rally billing itself as focused on reason. Reason leads to atheism and it should be the main focus of such a large gathering, in this blogger's opinion.

Perhaps, the organizers should have called the rally the Atheist Rally, as there are many atheists that support pseudoscience in various forms. However, if they had done so, it would give the public the wrong impression regarding how most atheists arrive at that worldview, through the use of reason and evidence. As it stands now, with some of the official speakers, there is still going to be the wrong impression given.

Following are three links, presenting different opinions on this situation. This Blogger (and PZ Myers) may be in the minority within the Freethought community on this one. However, the opinion is still firm.

The Reason Rally ought to have some standards

Atheist Purity

Plan your own Reason Rally and then tell me how it goes

The Fallacy Of Patient Satisfaction

2012-03-19T08:56:00.000-04:00

David Gorski has posted on the Science-Based Medicine blog an analysis of the emphasis in modern healthcare on using "patient satisfaction" as an indicator of quality care. The money quote:

---“giving the people what they want” is not the same thing as giving patients what they need.

Science And Imagination

2012-03-18T13:51:00.000-04:00

Austin Cline has posted on a value of science that is sometimes overlooked: Imagination. The fact that he is presenting this value in the context of comparison with creationism is secondary, in this blogger's opinion. The money quote:

There are a lot of reasons why creationism doesn't qualify as science and none of the above is usually listed as technical characteristics of science. Nevertheless, the absence of a spirit of inquiry and a desire to learn about the unknown may be one of the most fundamental things that prevent creationism from being scientific -- and that will ensure its ultimate failure.

Deductive And Inductive Reasoning

2012-03-18T12:47:00.002-04:00

Austin Cline has posted a short essay defining deductive and inductive reasoning, with support for the superiority of inductive reasoning in finding new knowledge, even though its conclusions are not as certain as deductive reasoning . By the way, inductive reasoning is the main tool of science.

Chronic Lyme Disease

2012-03-18T08:24:00.002-04:00

Medscape has posted an *abstract on the evidence for the diagnosis of Chronic Lyme Disease and the value of antibiotic treatment for suspected cases.

Of concern to this blogger is the statement in the sixth and final page that alternative medicine may be a recommended treatment choice.

*NOTE: ID and password is needed, but is easy to obtain.

Recent Research On Obesity

2012-03-18T07:56:00.001-04:00

The Smithsonian website has posted on the latest understanding of the cause of obesity.

Social Vs Economic Conservatism

2012-03-18T07:24:00.000-04:00

Austin Cline has posted on the relationship between social and economic conservatism. The take-away message: Economic conservatism undermines the social fabric of society. This blogger would add to the support of this premise the fact that the happiest societies are those that have a strong government safety net, such as the Scandinavian countries.

Secularism According To The Dalai Lama

2012-03-17T12:25:00.002-04:00

The Secular News Daily has posted a review of Beyond Religion: Ethics for a Whole World by the Dalai Lama. The main take-away:

Religion cannot solve the problems of the world. We must go beyond religion ---

The Dalai Lama presents the correct understanding of secularism as an inclusive social arrangement, and not an atheist ideology. Because it is inclusive it provides a guarantee of human rights to all, irrespective of religion and belief. It provides the only real platform enabling us to solve today’s problems.

Animal Chiropractic

2012-03-16T19:19:00.000-04:00

okjhum has posted on the Science-Based Medicine blog an expose of animal chiropractic.