The God Equation

In mathematics we know that no matter how perfectly you carry out the calculations, if your constants are wrong, your answer will be wrong. In science, the assumptions you make before beginning your experiment can affect the outcome of the experiment. Keep that in mind as we go forward. There has been some amazing scholarly work done with regard to the bible over the ages. And yet I feel that much of it rests upon several erroneous assumptions about the nature of God that don't hold up to common sense scrutiny. Believers have told me that creation "bears witness of the creator". In other words, we can see the hand of God in nature. I agree! I think that the creative/destructive forces of the universe do reveal their nature through creation. With that in mind let's look to nature to see the nature of "god"! God vs Satan In the bible we are told that there is a cosmic battle going on between the forces of good and evil, i.e., God vs Satan. However, the separation of good and evil doesn't hold up in light of common sense observations of the universe. Bad and good are NEVER completely separate things. Nothing is ever all bad or all good. Here is an example:

From Wiki: “The parasitoid wasp Glyptapanteles lays its eggs, about 80 at a time, in young geometrid caterpillars. The eggs hatch and the larvae feed on the caterpillar's body fluids. When they are fully developed, they eat through the caterpillar's skin, attach themselves to a nearby branch or leaf and wrap themselves up in a cocoon.”
For the wasp, this is good. For the caterpillar this is bad. Horrifically so. [More . . . ]

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Saving Africa’s Witch Children

I am often asked, "Why do you fight against religion?" Today my answer would be best expressed by this article from the New York Times. A new documentary called "Saving Africa's Witch Children" will be airing Wednesday May 26th on HBO2. The documentary follows Gary Foxcroft...

...founder of the charity Stepping Stones Nigeria, as he travels the rural state of Akwa Ibom, rescuing children abused during horrific “exorcisms” — splashed with acid, buried alive, dipped in fire — or abandoned roadside, cast out of their villages because some itinerant preacher called them possessed.
One of the main subjects of the documentary is Helen Ukpabio.
At home in Nigeria, the Pentecostal preacher Helen Ukpabio draws thousands to her revival meetings. Last August, when she had herself consecrated Christendom’s first “lady apostle,” Nigerian politicians and Nollywood actors attended the ceremony. Her books and DVDs, which explain how Satan possesses children, are widely known. So well-known, in fact, that Ms. Ukpabio’s critics say her teachings have contributed to the torture or abandonment of thousands of Nigerian children — including infants and toddlers — suspected of being witches and warlocks.
If ever there was a reason to continue to strive to undermine the authority of religion, this is it.

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What’s wrong with ME, God??

Why doesn't God like me? I have an acquaintance who has been enlightening me recently about manifestations of the supernatural, both good and bad. He has told me frightening stories of people using occult practices to summon dark spirits and actually touch them. More often I hear believers talk of their personal experiences with dreams, visions and the clear responses they get from God that cement in their mind His existence. These are not imagination, they assert. These are real events. Palpable things. So, what's wrong with me?? I have been alive for almost 50 years and never ever, not even once, had any experience that was so unexplainable that I felt it HAD to come from another realm. "But you have to seek God out before you will find Him," the believers will say. I have been very open to belief at times in my life. I was raised Catholic, left the church in my teens, returned to the church in my 20s, ready, open for and desiring a spiritual journey...and felt nothing. I've had hard times, lost loved ones to disease, been divorced and lost all my money, been alone, nearly became addicted to painkillers for a time and contemplated suicide on one occasion. Nothing. No signs from God. There were times when I really needed help and would have welcomed a vision or two, but not one experience did I have during all that time that I would consider other-worldly. I just said to myself "enough of this", and eventually moved on. My agnosticism comes from my practical experience. I've lived this long and been through what I've been through and have never experienced a manifestation of any kind. Do you blame me for not believing?? Why should I believe in something that gives me no sign of its existence? If there is a God, why is he holding back? So, what's wrong with me, God? Didn't I deserve a vision or two along the way? Wasn't I good enough for a manifestation that I could see and touch? They say that faith is knowing in the absence of proof. You gave proof to these other believers. Why not me? Is there anyone listening? Seems not.

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Tommy Chong, philosopher

Yes, this is Tommy Chong of Cheech and Chong, and if you have the time to listen this is a very inspirational talk that he gave at the Free Library of Philadelphia! In this podcast he talks about... - Corruption in the DEA and why the war on drugs is foolish but will never end - Mind altering substances as a path to enlightenment - How prison helped him - How much he loves the bible - Jesus' message to us - Spending time in an Indian sweat lodge - How to raise children ...and more! All with his trademark laid back style of humor.

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An atheist’s response to a religious greeting

I have an acquaintance at the gym, let's call him "Greg". I like Greg. Whenever I ask him how he's feeling Greg answers, "I am blessed!" If I see him when I'm on my way out and I say, "See ya later Greg!', he always says something like, "God bless!" or "God willing!" Greg is obviously a devout man. He hurt his wrist in a bad fall recently and told me how God was looking out for him because it could have been much worse. I nodded silently. Greg doesn't know I am a doubter and I would never bring it up in the gym. The strange thing is that lately I have found myself returning his greeting in kind. The other day Greg saw me before I saw him and he greeted me first. "How's it going today Mike?" "I am blessed!", I found myself saying (much to my surprise) and I meant it! "You know it!", he said with a knowing smile, and walked on. It's true! I do feel "blessed", whatever that means. I'm very grateful for the things, the people, my health and the opportunities that I have in my life. I think about it every day. I often say that I feel like I live in a constant state of thankfulness. If that isn't blessed I don't know what is! So now whenever I see Greg I greet him in a way that I'm sure leads him to think that I am a believer like him. My beliefs haven't changed, I'm still an atheist, but it makes me feel good to say it and hear him say it back. Is that wrong??

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