Hawking: Religion will be defeated by science

There were some techies Monday who believed they experienced a sighting of God somewhere in San Francisco.

Those people might care to hark at deeply relevant news. God will be defeated by science. No, not by faltering Wi-Fi systems at a conference. And, no, these are not my words. This is the considered opinion of someone sometimes referred to as the cleverest man in the world, Stephen Hawking.

In an interview with ABC's Diane Sawyer, due to air Monday evening, Hawking expounded upon the largest questions, those that transcend iPhones and androids: Can science and God live happily ever after?

According to ABC News, Hawking first tried to define God in a way that he, as a scientist, might feel comfortable: "What could define God (is thinking of God) as the embodiment of the laws of nature. However, this is not what most people would think of that God," he said.

Indeed, he expressed disappointment at how humans have thought of deity.

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Russell Blackford: The Culture Wars

Russell Blackford’s excellent talk at Embiggen Books a couple of weeks ago is now online for your viewing pleasure. Russell’s talk focuses on why it is necessary to critique belief systems if we are to maintain the health of a secular society.

Russell Blackford at Embiggen Books from Embiggen Books on Vimeo.

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Debate: Is the Catholic church a force for good in the world?

"It stands up for the oppressed and offers spiritual succour to billions say the Church's supporters. But what about the Church's teachings on condoms, gays and women priests, ask the detractors."

Speaking for the motion, Archbishop John Onaiyekan and Ann Widdencombe MP. Speaking against the motion, Christopher Hitchens and Stephen Fry.

The rest:
Part 2 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPlU1EwKxSM
Part 3 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUOUMqyimhA
Part 4 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJ8pgdCvNQM
Part 5 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pd_vd1FgkVU

How To Fill The God-shaped Hole

An extract from The School of Life site about how to fill that hole left by religion after you've left your church or lost faith but still want to find somewhere to contribute and do good in the world.

The School of Life is a new social enterprise offering good ideas for everyday living.

We live during a period of human history in which, perhaps for the first time, no single religion or philosophy dominates. It’s a plural world.

We can choose what we make of religion and how we might pursue spiritual matters – or not. There’s a tremendous freedom in that, but also a profound challenge. For while many feel little or no inclination to follow a particular religion, they are nonetheless conscious of what might be called ‘the God-shaped hole’. They seek to nurture the spiritual side of themselves, and would like to deepen how this might be done.

In this class, we’ll explore the ramifications of our secular predicament, how people try to fill the gap, how successful they are when set alongside what traditional religious practice has offered, and we’ll identify some practices that you might take up in your own life.

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Brian Skerry reveals ocean's glory -- and horror

Photographer Brian Skerry shoots life above and below the waves -- as he puts it, both the horror and the magic of the ocean. Sharing amazing, intimate shots of undersea creatures, he shows how powerful images can help make change



Brian Skerry is a photojournalist who captures images that not only celebrate the mystery and beauty of the sea but also bring attention to the pressing issue which endanger our oceans.

No, I don't believe in God

An article by Alom Shaha from the Guardian.co.uk website about "coming out" as an Atheist from a Muslim background.

I am an atheist. I imagine that the typical Cif belief reader may not think this is a particularly big deal, but it is for me, because I'm not just an atheist – I'm an apostate from Islam. Apparently there are people who would happily kill me for making such a statement. But I'm not expecting to be killed, or even threatened; despite what the BNP and certain elements of the press might want you to think, the overwhelming majority of Muslims are not rabid fundamentalists who respond with violence to every perceived slight.

It's not easy "coming out" like this. Yes, this is a term that is usually applied to people declaring their homosexuality, but there are parallels which justify its use in this context – especially if you come from the kind of background I have.

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Australian Education FTW

On November 25, 2009, the former NSW Premier Nathan Rees made an unprecedented intervention to waive regulations, giving year 5 & 6 students in 10 State schools the choice between SRE (Special Religious Education) and the trial of Ethics-based classes.

There are a small uprising by the SREonTrial.com site but when their arguments are that ethics aren't as important as scripture, and that the Ethics class doesn't clearly communicate that the teaching of such philosophers like JS Mill is based on secular humanism which dismisses any notion of God, you know that they have no argument.

They are so clearly not worried about teaching our children to think for themselves about what is right or wrong but instead very scared of losing out on the next generation of religious drones.

Well done Nathan Rees.

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