Ethics

How to Check Your Privilege in 5 Excruciating Steps

March 24, 2014 by James Croft 10 Comments

Recently, I changed my mind. Challenged over my uncritical reposting of a secular argument against abortion, I was forced to examine my assumptions, reflect on my identity, and consider how my actions might look from a different vantage point – in other words, I “checked my privilege”. The exhortation to “check your privilege” is common in [Read More...]

Filed Under: Activism, Atheist Bloggers, Community, Compassion, Current Affairs, Dialogue, Ethics, Ethics, Philosophy, Reason Tagged With: abortion, emotions, Privilege, thinking 10 Comments

On the Privilege of Discussing Abortion

March 14, 2014 by James Croft 66 Comments

In April 2012 I was asked by a Secular Student Alliance affiliate to represent the pro-choice side in a debate on the morality of abortion at Bowling Green State University in Ohio. I was wary to accept. As a gay man, I reasoned I was less likely than most to be intimately affected by a [Read More...]

Filed Under: Ethics, Ethics, Gay Life, Philosophy, Reason Tagged With: abortion, Privilege, reproductive rights 66 Comments

Cosmos – Epistemic, Existential, Ethical, and Aesthetic

March 10, 2014 by James Croft 1 Comment

My bio as a Humanist speaker ends with the words “James was raised on Shakespeare, Sagan, and Star Trek” - and it’s true. When I discovered the works, words, and worlds of Carl Sagan, my world flew open. I’ve written about his unique approach to science, Humanism, and the big questions of life, and I’ve spoken [Read More...]

Filed Under: Current Affairs, Ethics, Reason, Science Tagged With: Awe, Carl Sagan, Cosmos, Ethics, existential, Neil deGrasse Tyson, universe, Wonder 1 Comment

A Humanist Conception of Evil

February 11, 2014 by James Croft 4 Comments

“Evil” the most powerful term of moral condemnation. Worse than “wrong”, “bad”, or even “wicked”, saying something – an act or an individual – is “evil” is the most forceful negative evaluation we have access to in the ethical sphere. The word carries connotations which makes some atheists and Humanists concerned. Some worry that it [Read More...]

Filed Under: Ethics, Ethics, Philosophy, Reason Tagged With: dehumanization, evil, genocide, Holocaust, Soviet Russia, wrong 4 Comments

Dan Savage: I’m Not One to Judge

June 3, 2013 by James Croft 16 Comments

I like Dan Savage. I like him a lot. I think his podcast is extremely funny, his writing witty and deft, and I think the It Gets Better Project – despite its problems – was a stroke of genius. When he speaks to people during his podcast, or during a live show, there is so often the [Read More...]

Filed Under: Atheist Bloggers, Compassion, Current Affairs, Dialogue, Ethics, Gay Life, Reason Tagged With: Andy Semler, biphobia, dan savage, Natalie Reed, Privilege, transphobia 16 Comments

Responsible Religious Criticism: Part Two – What is a “Religion”?

May 7, 2013 by James Croft 9 Comments

Part of a Series on Responsible Religious Criticism Part One – Questions of Power Update: I edited the section on beliefs, values, and practices to be more (I hope) accurate to the great diversity of religions in the world When engaging in any sort of criticism, it is essential to know what one is criticizing. [Read More...]

Filed Under: Atheist Bloggers, Dialogue, Ethics, Ethics, Philosophy, Reason Tagged With: Christianity, Islam, Religious Criticism 9 Comments

Responsible Religious Criticism: Part One – Questions of Power

May 7, 2013 by James Croft 19 Comments

Provoked, as so often, by adorably elfin blogger Vlad Chituc, I’ve decided to codify some of my thoughts regarding the responsible criticism of religion, and particularly responsible criticism of Islam. This is a topic which has sometimes divided the freethought community: some see Islamophobia in some of the criticism which prominent atheist writers direct toward aspects [Read More...]