Promoting Science and Critical Thinking
Becoming a Catholic cardinal (the only guys who get to vote for a new pope now) is a tad tricky at the best of times. You need to start by being ordained as a priest, then work your way up to bishop, and finally try to bring yourself to the notice – in a good … Read more
Observations that have been made of a nearby star at infrared wavelengths have apparently detected the ongoing birth of a planet. Detail have been published in in the journal Astrophysical Letters Within the above are two views of the gas and dust around star HD 100546, via PopSci. Left: a visible-light image from the Hubble Space Telescope. Right: … Read more
It perhaps merits a bit more comment. The cardinal who was forced to resign by the pope has now admitted in a statement that his sexual conduct ‘fell below standards’. O’Brien was forced to resign last week by Pope Benedict XVI, barely 36 hours after the Observer disclosed that three serving priests and a former priest were accusing him … Read more
A rather common retort from those who believe in a god is that without such a belief there is no morality and that we are instead apparently cast adrift to blow in the wind in whatever direction our desires might take us. I’m not quite sure what these believers think actually happens, perhaps they retain … Read more
New research dispels the myth of altruism and generosity surrounding Mother Teresa There is a prevailing myth of altruism and generosity that surrounds Mother Teresa. However, a new a paper by Serge Larivée and Genevieve Chenard of University of Montreal’s Department of Psychoeducation and Carole Sénéchal of the University of Ottawa’s Faculty of Education, concludes that … Read more
We know that many belief systems make truly weird assertions, but some truly do push the boat far out into uncharted territory. One classic example are the Mormons. You might indeed have the impression that you have a gasp on what they believe, but do you? For example, the following is quite well known: No … Read more