Archive for category Religion
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 History of Religion – Flash Animation
For those of you that are interested, check out this flash on “Geography of faith and its wars across history”
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
Atheist group takes on Bush initiative
Gaylor has helped transform the Freedom From Religion Foundation from obscurity into the nation’s largest group of atheists and agnostics, with a fast-rising membership and increasing legal clout.
Next week, the group started by Gaylor and her mother in the 1970s to take on the religious right will fight its most high-profile battle when the U.S. Supreme Court hears arguments on its lawsuit against President Bush’s faith-based initiative.
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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