Monthly Archives: June 2009

The Biological Roots of Religion

Posted on June 11, 2009 by Daniel Florien

Prof. Robert Sapolsky talks about the biological roots of religion through schizophrenia (hearing the voice of a god), OCD (ritual), and temporal lobe epilepsy (mystical experiences): There’s a condensed version of some of these thoughts in Sapolsky’s essay “Belief and … Continue reading →

Posted in Atheism, Biology, Psychology, Religion, Science, Videos | 13 Comments

Reincarnated Buddhist Leader Leaves Buddhism

Posted on June 11, 2009 by Daniel Florien

Say what you will in defense of Buddhism, I still think the Dalai Lama and his monks are weird. I feel bad for this kid: As a toddler, he was put on a throne and worshipped by monks who treated him like … Continue reading →

Posted in Buddhism, Oh the Stupidity!, Religion | 24 Comments

Can You Be An Atheist Christian?

Posted on June 11, 2009 by Daniel Florien

In a recent post, Christian Piatt ponders over whether atheists can also be a Christians: If you consider that the lower Christology focuses not so much on divinity and more on humanity, it begins to make sense how someone could … Continue reading →

Posted in Atheism, Christianity, Jesus, Morality | 177 Comments

Demonstration of the Lotus Effect

Posted on June 10, 2009 by Daniel Florien

I had never seen the lotus effect before. The water was impressive, but the honey was really impressive: (via)

Posted in Science, Videos, Weird | 14 Comments

Efficacy of Prayer Positions

Posted on June 10, 2009 by Daniel Florien

Just in case you were wondering, you can immensely improve the quantity of positive energy accessible and decrease interference by negative energies simply by changing your prayer position! Praise Mother Earth!

Posted in Humor, Paranormal, Prayer, Pseudoscience, Superstition, Weird | 48 Comments

A Seat To Yourself

Posted on June 9, 2009 by Daniel Florien

Great idea, except it would attract the fundies:

Posted in Christianity, Comics, Humor | 75 Comments

Do Animals Have Morality?

Posted on June 9, 2009 by Daniel Florien

Yes, says animal behaviorist Marc Bekoff: “I’m convinced many animals can distinguish right from wrong,” Bekoff said. Bekoff says looking for the roots of morality in animals is a difficult scientific undertaking. It begins with looking for emotions central to … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Morality | 166 Comments

Stephen Fry Rants on Religion

Posted on June 8, 2009 by Daniel Florien

Posted in Atheism, Christianity, Religion, Videos | 20 Comments

(Gradual) Change We Can Believe In!

Posted on June 8, 2009 by Daniel Florien

(via)

Posted in Evolution, Humor | 27 Comments

Christianity and the Tradition of Marriage

Posted on June 8, 2009 by vorjack

by VorJack Christianity was born into a greco-roman world, and the first Christians accepted the structure of Roman marriage. Marriage was monogamous and heterosexual, but divorce was possible and the husband might have a concubine before marriage. Marriage and procreation … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, History, Sexuality | 31 Comments