Self-Sealing Argument

Last updated on: July 13, 2013 at 8:22 am By James F. McGrath

This is from a recent post on the blog Leaving Fundamentalism: From Marianne Talbot, I have learned a useful expression: a self-sealing argument. This is an argument which cannot be refuted, because it doesn’t allow any counter-argument. Almost every fundamentalist argument is self-sealing. This is why, in the end, I concluded that fundamentalism couldn’t possibly be true. Some will accuse me of scientism for this, but I concluded that unless a belief is testable, there’s no point holding it. All... Read more

Just Kidding

Last updated on: July 12, 2013 at 3:36 pm By James F. McGrath

This cartoon makes a serious point. Deciphering the nuances of ancient communication, in particular things like humor, is challenging. Read more

One of Jesus’ Parabolas

Last updated on: July 12, 2013 at 2:14 pm By James F. McGrath

Via Facebook Read more

Jedi Philosophical Conundrum

Last updated on: July 12, 2013 at 1:26 pm By James F. McGrath

Even imaginary philosophies and religions have trouble avoiding all contradictions. HT Tom Verenna on Facebook Read more

Who’s Who in Hell

Last updated on: July 12, 2013 at 9:43 am By James F. McGrath

I was assisting one of the librarians at Butler University with evaluating the reference books in religion, when I came across this volume: There’s actually a book Who’s Who in Hell? One that covers not only the deceased but also people who are still alive? I quickly opened it to look up under McGrath – and am pleased to be able to provide photographic evidence that I am not in there! In case you can’t see the title on the... Read more

Anatomy of a Typical Internet Article

Last updated on: July 12, 2013 at 7:58 am By James F. McGrath

HT Marc Cortez Read more

Fragments Discovered in Israel

Last updated on: July 11, 2013 at 11:06 pm By James F. McGrath

Many bloggers have already noted the discovery of a fragment of an inscribed vessel which originated in the Jerusalem area in the 10th or 11th century. Here is a photo: Christopher Rollston has proposed that what remains of the inscription may mean “pot” followed by the first letter either of someone’s name or an indication of contents. Gershon Galil has proposed reading it as “give them their share.” Click through to read about the proposals and understand why they are... Read more

Society for Mandaean Studies

Last updated on: July 11, 2013 at 9:14 pm By James F. McGrath

At the recent ARAM conference on the Mandaeans, a topic which some of us had discussed previously was brought up, namely the creation of a Society for Mandaean Studies. Matthew Morgenstern has responded by setting up a Facebook page to get the process underway to formally bring such an organization into existence. If you are a Facebook user, and are interested in this topic, please do “like” the page. And if you are a scholar who is interested in the... Read more

House of Cards

Last updated on: July 11, 2013 at 6:11 pm By James F. McGrath

I mentioned when I shared a cartoon by David Hayward in a blog post I titled “House of Cards” that I might write a song. Well, I did, and here’s a demo version of it I just recorded! Read more

Hymns of the God’s Gardeners

Last updated on: July 11, 2013 at 11:52 am By James F. McGrath

I’ve been reading Margaret Atwood’s MaddAddam trilogy, and will be reviewing it in the near future. But I wanted to highlight one component of the second book in the trilogy, The Year of the Flood. The novel includes snippets of sermons as well as a whole set of complete songs reflecting the theology of this fictional religious group, God’s Gardeners. They are concerned with the environment and humanity’s mistreatment of it, and are expecting a “waterless flood” that will come... Read more