Edifying Spectacle2009-07-02T14:54:44ZAnti-theism, skepticism: noting wishful thinking and quackery. tag:www.edifyingspectacle.org,2009://5Movable TypeCopyright (c) 2009, richardevansleeThe Oversimplification of Everything2009-07-02T14:54:44Z2009-07-02T14:53:11Ztag:www.edifyingspectacle.org,2009://5.159712009-07-02T14:53:11ZThe mainstreaming of paranoia:The rise of conspiratorial thinking expresses the loss of causality and meaning in the contemporary world. ... What is truly disturbing about the contemporary era is that it is not only the frightened and dispossessed who have...richardevansleehttp://edifyingspectacle.org/polyfetishist@gmail.comSynarchy
Paranoid thinking, attributing events to invisible cabals, black and white pictures of reality is increasingly becoming the norm.
God is Getting Nicer2009-06-30T00:08:45Z2009-06-30T00:07:40Ztag:www.edifyingspectacle.org,2009://5.159672009-06-30T00:07:40ZThere's an excellent review of The Evolution of God by Robert Wright in the The New York Times:Wright makes it clear that he is tracking people’s conception of the divine, not the divine itself. He describes this as “a good...richardevansleehttp://edifyingspectacle.org/polyfetishist@gmail.comEdifying
Almighty God may be getting less hateful - evolving - but that doesn't mean He really exists.
St. Paul's Bones2009-06-30T00:10:30Z2009-06-29T23:57:21Ztag:www.edifyingspectacle.org,2009://5.159662009-06-29T23:57:21ZFor such a learned man Pope Benedict XVI has a faith almost childlike: Scientific tests prove bones housed in the Basilica of St. Paul in Rome are those of the apostle St. Paul himself, according to Pope Benedict XVI. Pope:...richardevansleehttp://edifyingspectacle.org/polyfetishist@gmail.comRoman Catholic
Wish fulfillment: old bones declared to be those of the Apostle Paul by Pope Benedict XVI.
Psychology of Conspiracism2009-06-14T20:27:41Z2009-06-14T19:31:31Ztag:www.edifyingspectacle.org,2009://5.159562009-06-14T19:31:31ZWhile the first impulse is to laugh at conspiracy theories, the increasing popularity of zany, hateful explanations for major events and political changes is a form of social poison. Although [David Voodoo Histories] Aaronovitch deploys a dark wit and extraordinary...richardevansleehttp://edifyingspectacle.org/polyfetishist@gmail.comScotomisation
Sociology and psychology of the mass willingness to entertain delusional explanations for social phenomena.
Power of Prayer2009-05-25T15:01:01Z2009-05-25T14:59:34Ztag:www.edifyingspectacle.org,2009://5.157812009-05-25T14:59:34ZGod may help those who help themselves but they can't do much for themselves if mom is praying that Dr. Jesus will cure diabetes rather than take her daughter to the hospital. Her daughter, Madeline Neumann, died of untreated diabetes...richardevansleehttp://edifyingspectacle.org/polyfetishist@gmail.comFundagelical Fun
Christian mother murders daughter by praying for the girls' diabetes rather than taking her to the doctor.
Religion Will Shape the Future2009-05-25T10:58:54Z2009-05-25T10:58:01Ztag:www.edifyingspectacle.org,2009://5.157672009-05-25T10:58:01ZNo, we don't deny that religion won't die. We just deplore it. Evangelising rationalists will continue to deny the fact, but religion – in all its varieties – is shaping the future, much as it shaped the past. Faith in...richardevansleehttp://edifyingspectacle.org/polyfetishist@gmail.comHappy Skepticism
Much to the dismay of skeptics and atheists.
Pope Goes Hi-Tech2009-05-24T11:23:37Z2009-05-24T11:21:53Ztag:www.edifyingspectacle.org,2009://5.157622009-05-24T11:21:53ZPoor old Pope Benedict. He may be a force for evil but you can't help but laugh when you read about his cool podcasts and Facebook page. Benedict will never understand that it isn't his technological profile that needs to...richardevansleehttp://edifyingspectacle.org/polyfetishist@gmail.comRoman Catholic
Roman Catholic Church ventures into cyberspace with way cool Facebook apps and podcasts for your iPod!
Bart Ehrman and the Christian Youth Leader2009-05-15T17:51:51Z2009-05-15T17:49:20Ztag:www.edifyingspectacle.org,2009://5.157322009-05-15T17:49:20ZBart Ehrman is a Biblical scholar who writes popular books on New Testament history. A former believer his faith diminished the more he thought about God as it is presented in the Christian Bible. A story from the early days...richardevansleehttp://edifyingspectacle.org/polyfetishist@gmail.comFundagelical Fun
Bart Ehrman a happy Bible scholr who used reason to wean himself from Christian Biblical literalism and inerrancy.
Ron Howard vs the Vatican2009-05-05T11:09:39Z2009-05-05T11:07:12Ztag:www.edifyingspectacle.org,2009://5.157302009-05-05T11:07:12Zrichardevansleehttp://edifyingspectacle.org/polyfetishist@gmail.comRoman Catholic
Angels and Demons, movie about the election of a Pope, upsets Roman Catholic hierarchy.
Pork Persecution2009-05-01T20:48:01Z2009-05-01T20:46:24Ztag:www.edifyingspectacle.org,2009://5.157282009-05-01T20:46:24ZWhen I read that Paris Hilton didn't fear swine flu because pig meat isn't part of her diet I had to laugh. But then it sounded as if many Americans feared pork: ... Dave Warner, communications director for the National...richardevansleehttp://edifyingspectacle.org/polyfetishist@gmail.comPseudoscience
How urban legends about swine flu being caused by pig meat may hurt pig farmers and Coptic Christians.
God's Hand on eBay2009-04-27T12:50:16Z2009-04-27T12:48:37Ztag:www.edifyingspectacle.org,2009://5.157272009-04-27T12:48:37ZPaul Grayhek of Idaho claims that God left His almighty hand print in a rock formation in Grayhek's back yard. And as Americans blessed with such unlikely miracles - nothing will ever top the partially eaten cheese sandwich that looked...richardevansleehttp://edifyingspectacle.org/polyfetishist@gmail.comFilthy Lucre
Idaho man, Paul Grayhek, puts rock formation he claims resembles Hand of God for auction on eBay.
David Hume's Good Humor2009-04-16T20:45:50Z2009-04-16T20:45:00Ztag:www.edifyingspectacle.org,2009://5.149552009-04-16T20:45:00ZSimon Blackburn has written a handsome essay on David Hume's Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion:In some of the most humorous passages - and it is a very amusing work - Philo sides with Demea in trashing the conception of the deity...richardevansleehttp://edifyingspectacle.org/polyfetishist@gmail.comHappy Skepticism
David Hume's Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion.
Jordan Sees UFO2009-04-16T20:41:30Z2009-04-16T20:39:10Ztag:www.edifyingspectacle.org,2009://5.149542009-04-16T20:39:10ZA lowbrow British celebrity couple claim to have seen a flying saucer while visiting America. Katy Price also known as Jordan is best known for her nude modeling and frequent and conspicuous breast enlargements. "You just wait 'til you see...richardevansleehttp://edifyingspectacle.org/polyfetishist@gmail.comPopular Culture
Katy Price former Page 3 girl claims to have seen something freakish at Area 51 while visiting America.
Crackpot Scientists2009-04-10T21:36:16Z2009-04-10T21:34:06Ztag:www.edifyingspectacle.org,2009://5.134382009-04-10T21:34:06ZAn Informal Ethnography of Silly Science The most enjoyable examination of fanatical pseudoscience I've read in a long time. I emphasize the crackpots’ commitment to the procedures of science (apart form publication in peer-reviewed journals) because the results of their...richardevansleehttp://edifyingspectacle.org/polyfetishist@gmail.comPseudoscience
Bad, bogus, false, foolish scientific claims and the irrational men and women who make them.
The Pope and the Blonde2009-04-04T15:19:37Z2009-04-04T15:18:17Ztag:www.edifyingspectacle.org,2009://5.134372009-04-04T15:18:17ZBecause of whining complainers Britain's Advertising Standards Authority order a flyer removed from use. A nightclub flyer showing the late Pope John Paul II holding a beer and dancing with a mini-skirted blonde has been banned. Thankfully such an authority...richardevansleehttp://edifyingspectacle.org/polyfetishist@gmail.comRoman Catholic
Catholics complain about bar ad that shows former Pope in the company of a mini-skirted girl.