Promoting Science and Critical Thinking
So the news is in fact about the news itself, or to be more precise, is about a decision that has been taken by Associated Press, they have decided that they will no longer deploy the term “skeptic” or “denier” to describe those that reject the current scientific consensus regarding manmade climate change. Their blog explains … Read more
On 23rd November 1880, Charles Darwin received a letter from a barrister named FA McDermott. Within it he was asked to bluntly state if he did or did not believe… Sir, The reason of my intrusion—which I trust you will pardon—is this. I have a great desire to read your books—the more so after finding (in his Life … Read more
Is meaningful dialog between opposing views possible? What I mean by “meaningful” is that the exposure to a different view changes minds, or at least by putting a friendly face to “them” it all becomes less confrontational. Maajid Nawaz, a Muslim reformer sat down with Sam Harris and had a frank but meaningful dialogue, so much … Read more
The most common arguments that are often presented to make the claim that you can’t be truly good without a religious belief are as follows: Divine Command: Belief has absolute, god given rules. If you reject god, then you are simply making up your own ethical standard and so your morality would be relative and … Read more
You would perhaps expect Saudi Arabia to be facing considerable pressure from the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC), but apparently not. Let’s first make this abundantly clear … The Mandate and goal of the UNHRC is that it is … a United Nations System inter-governmental body whose 47 member states are responsible for promoting and protecting human rights around … Read more
It is perhaps natural for humans to hero worship, and yet I can’t help but think that the individuals put up on a pedestal are often the wrong ones. If asked to name a ‘hero’ I suspect the names that would pop up might include media or political personalities, some of whom might indeed truly deserve the … Read more