Monthly Archives: November 2008

What Does Love Really Look Like?

…tell him I forgive him. [Link: The Point: Bible thumpers takes on a whole new meaning] (More details here–some of it unfortunately rather graphic.) Related: What Does Hate Really Look Like?

November 18, 2008 – 1:43 pm | By Tom Gilson | Posted in Life and Choices, The Faith | Tagged | Comments (1)

What is Christianity? A Living Hope

This entry is part 5 of 5 in the series What Is Christianity?

We are hearing increasing reports of Christians being persecuted in Sudan, Indonesia, the Philippines, Belarus, India, and elsewhere. Even in North America, what seems to be incipient persecution has increased of late, possibly a sign of more to come. In light of that, let us consider the “living hope” of 1 Peter 1:3-7 (ESV). Blessed …

November 16, 2008 – 8:32 am | By Tom Gilson | Posted in The Faith | Tagged , , | Comments Off

What Does Hate Really Look Like?

The line out there in much of the media is, Christians hate gays. The fact is, Christians (evangelicals, generally, that is), disagree with much of the gay rights agenda; gay rights activists disagree with Christians. A recent attack on a church in Lansing, Michigan, could fairly be described as an expression of hate. Worshippers at …

November 12, 2008 – 2:34 pm | By Tom Gilson | Posted in Life and Choices | Tagged | Comments (95)

Because “Because God said so” could be the answer for everything…

When Doug wrote this on the Discover Magazine blog, the magazine thought it was good enough to warrant printing it in their December issue: “Because God said so” could be the answer for everything. While [sic] go to school anyway? Just teach our kids that phrase. No need to go to medical school, no need …

November 8, 2008 – 8:30 pm | By Tom Gilson | Posted in Origins and Science | Tagged , , | Comments (14)

“If You Don’t Want God, You’d Better Have a Multiverse”

Discover Magazine tackles the fine-tuning problem in its December 2008 issue, in an article titled “A Universe Built For Us.” It’s not available online, unfortunately, unless you’re a subscriber [update 11/10/08, courtesy of Todd: it actually is online here. You might enjoy buying a copy to discover what they’ve wrapped around this enticing introductory material: …

November 6, 2008 – 9:56 pm | By Tom Gilson | Posted in Origins and Science | Tagged , , , , , | Comments (33)

How To Be a Better Person (Relativist Version)

The Relativist’s Answer To “How Do I Become a Morally Better Person?” The more you recognize there is really no such thing as a morally better person, the better person you are, morally speaking. Note: If you came here searching for real ideas on how to be a better person, I suggest you try this …

November 3, 2008 – 12:00 pm | By Tom Gilson | Posted in Ethics | Tagged | Comments (15)

“The Constructive Curmudgeon: Can You Pray This Today?”

From the Constructive Curmudgeon to Americans and anyone else who cares about America’s presidential election: Can You Pray This Today?

November 3, 2008 – 6:19 am | By Tom Gilson | Posted in The Faith | Comments (1)

Wrong Questions About Same-Sex “Marriage”

We’re continually asking and answering the wrong questions about same-sex “marriage.” Defenders ask, “what’s wrong with it?” Opponents answer by pointing out its various moral and social ill effects. Defenders deny that those effects happen or that they make any difference.Then they ask, “Since you can’t show it’s doing any harm, why not allow it?” …

November 2, 2008 – 9:54 pm | By Tom Gilson | Posted in Life and Choices | Tagged , , , , | Comments (31)

God Is The Issue–On BreakPoint

I’ve mentioned God Is the Issue a couple of times but I haven’t reviewed it here. My review is now posted at BreakPoint Online. (Update November 2: A considerably revised/rewritten version was also published this morning in the Newport News Daily Press.) There’s more here, including links to the book and a talk on it …

November 2, 2008 – 6:00 am | By Tom Gilson | Posted in The Faith | Tagged | Comments Off

Twisted Logic on Atheism and Proposition 8

If I thought this was an isolated sentiment I wouldn’t pay it much attention. Unfortunately it’s not. “We can sympathize with gay people because they are a minority and we are a minority,” said anti-Prop. 8 rally organizer Doug Kalagian, 17, a senior who founded the school’s Freethinking Atheist and Agnostic Kinship student club. “Prop. …

November 2, 2008 – 5:55 am | By Tom Gilson | Posted in Life and Choices | Tagged , | Comments (44)