Wednesday, May 5, 2010

What is Science?

This is fantastic video.

Videos of Philosopher AC Grayling

Philosopher and author AC Grayling on thinking critically and being a well-informed citizen of the world.

Teach the Controversy

The Unconsidered Life

The Big Ban: An Explosion OF Space, Not IN Space


Ever wondered how it all began or what happened at the beginning of the universe? Read this entry on the Every Joe website:

I think the thing that trips up most people when they think about the Big Bang, is thinking about it in terms of an explosion, like a supernova or a nuclear bomb. This leads to some typical inaccurate assumptions.

Since the Big Bang, the universe has expanded from a central point.

The universe must be expanding into something, what?

There was a time BEFORE the Big Bang.

These assumptions come from thinking about the Big Bang as a typical explosion, one originating from a single point and spewing matter out concentrically from there.

That’s not what the Big Bang was.

The Big Bang was not an explosion of matter into space, rather it was an explosion of space ITSELF, and since space and time are interconnected, we really have to say it was an explosion of space AND time, or space-time.

So, the Big Bang wasn’t an explosion of stuff like atoms or molecules, it was an explosion of a place and instance, it was the creation of when and where.

Before the Big Bang there was simply nothing, there was no ‘where’ nor was there a ‘when’. It doesn’t even make sense to say ‘before the Big Bang’.

Christian right leader George Rekers takes vacation with "rent boy"

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Conservative Policy Maker Philippa Stroud Claims Homosexuality is Work of Demons

A key member of David Cameron’s UK Conservative Party has come under scrutiny for claiming homosexuality is the work of "demons" and can be "cured" by the power of prayer and exorcism.

Philippa Stroud, currently odds-on to win the seat for Sutton and Cheam, is also the head of the influential Conservative think-tank the Centre for Social Justice. The CSJ is responsible for shaping many of the Conservative Party’s social policies.

A girl who attended Stroud’s church has claimed that Stroud held a session which ended in followers praying over her and "calling out the demons." The girl also claimed Stroud said, "I was wrong and the so-called demons inside me were wrong."

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Why I Criticize Religion

Sam Harris emphasizes why I made this website better than I ever could.

Christian preacher arrested for saying homosexuality is a sin

Regardless of my views on the matter of whether or not religion is crazy for its underlying hatred of homosexuality, surely it is wrong to arrest a guy for expressing his beliefs!

Dale McAlpine was charged with causing “harassment, alarm or distress” after a homosexual police community support officer (PCSO) overheard him reciting a number of “sins” referred to in the Bible, including blasphemy, drunkenness and same sex relationships.

The 42-year-old Baptist, who has preached Christianity in Workington, Cumbria for years, said he did not mention homosexuality while delivering a sermon from the top of a stepladder, but admitted telling a passing shopper that he believed it went against the word of God.

This is completely irrational and very upsetting that someone can be arrested for stating his point of view. Is this not the same as threatening harm on the creators of South Park for practicing their right to free speech?