Archive for category News
Senator calls for answer on creation of universe
NASHVILLE – Sen. Raymond Finney proposes to use the legislative process to get an answer to the question of whether the universe was created by a “Supreme Being.”
Under Senate Resolution 17, introduced by the Maryville Republican, the answer would come from state Education Commissioner Lana Seivers “in report form” no later than Jan. 15, 2008.
Hmmm… One year to determine how the universe was formed. No problem!
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Cryptographer Solves Psychic Challenge
Posted by admin in News, Paranormal on March 15, 2007
In January, James Randi secured a mystery item in a specially designated locker in his Florida office, and challenged clairvoyants everywhere to use their remote viewing skills to divine its nature and claim a million dollar prize.
As usual with Randi’s contests, there’s weren’t a lot of takers in the professional psychic biz. But for perhaps the first time in the history of the supernatural challenges issued by the 79-year-old skeptic, there was a winner of sorts. Cryptographer Matt Blaze and a colleague correctly identified the contents of Randi’s black box from a thousand miles away, using only the powers of their minds.
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When the ain’ts go marching in
With fundamentalists at war and Richard Dawkins in the bookstores, atheism is surging. Canadian humanist groups are calling, ‘Come, all ye faithless.’ But as CHRISTOPHER DREHER asks, will skeptics go to spaghetti socials?
Read more here, courtesy of workopolis.com
Noam Chomsky + Robert Trivers
The anti-war activist and MIT linguist meets the Rutgers evolutionary biologist in the Seed Salon to discuss deceit.
In the 1970s, a Harvard class taught by evolutionary biologist Robert Trivers ignited a controversy that would escalate into the “sociobiology wars.” His papers provided a Darwinian basis for understanding complex human activities and relationships. Across town at MIT, revolutionary linguist Noam Chomsky had earned a reputation as a leading opponent of the Vietnam War. Throughout those pivotal years, and in the following decades, the two explored similar ideas from different perspectives. Long aware of each other’s work, they had never met until a couple of months ago, when they sat down to compare notes on some common interests: deceit and self-deception.
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Darwins God
Posted by admin in News, Religion, Science and Technology on March 8, 2007
“According to a Sunday New York Times article, 6 in 10 Americans believe in the devil and hell, 7 in 10 believe in angels, heaven and the existence of miracles and life after death, while 92% believe in a personal God. The article explores the possibility that this belief structure may be ingrained into our genetic makeup. ‘When a trait is universal, evolutionary biologists look for a genetic explanation and wonder how that gene or genes might enhance survival or reproductive success … Which is the better biological explanation for a belief in God — evolutionary adaptation or neurological accident? Is there something about the cognitive functioning of humans that makes us receptive to belief in a supernatural deity?’”
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The Church of Non-Believers
The New Atheists will not let us off the hook simply because we are not doctrinaire believers. They condemn not just belief in God but respect for belief in God. Religion is not only wrong; it’s evil. Now that the battle has been joined, there’s no excuse for shirking.
Three writers have sounded this call to arms. They are Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris, and Daniel Dennett. A few months ago, I set out to talk with them. I wanted to find out what it would mean to enlist in the war against faith.
Read the Full Article Here, courtesy of Wired Magazine
Ancient tomb may contain Jesus’ family
Since the 1970s, hundreds of tombs and thousands of ossuaries, or ancient bone boxes, have been uncovered in the holy land. But one tomb unearthed in Talpiot in 1980 is being looked at differently now because it once held a box with this inscription: Jesus, son of Joseph. While biblical text tells us about Jesus of Nazareth, this box could show “physical” evidence he existed — and that he had a “family” beyond the Virgin Mary. Those are the claims in a new book from Emmy-winning investigative journalist Simcha Jacobovici and a documentary, “The Lost Tomb of Jesus,” from Academy-Award-winning director James Cameron. Jacobovici and Cameron were invited on TODAY to discuss this project. Read an excerpt of Jacobovic’s book, “The Jesus Family Tomb”:
More information HERE – MSNBC NewsWeek