Comments on: John Loftus on Calvin, Matthew Flannagan and Psalm 14

By: Troll

Troll — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 09:41:53 +0000

Apart from your rather twisted violent imagery I agree.

By: Jason

Jason — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 05:49:13 +0000

Not really Troll, I’m perfectly happy to accept that the majority of people in the “no-religion” category wouldn’t describe themselves as atheist in either prison or the outside world.

The objection I have is that atheists try to use the census poll to say their numbers are increasing yet refuse to accept that the same group are significantly more likely to end up in prison than Christians are.

It’s intellectual dishonesty I don’t like. Equivocation and special pleading just set my teeth on edge.

The difference between ignorance and stupidity is that ignorance can be fixed with a book, stupidity requires a rifle and a shovel.

By: Troll

Troll — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 00:53:43 +0000

I guess it comes down to debating who falls under “Atheist”/”Christian”… but interesting nonetheless.

By: Anon

Anon — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 08:01:10 +0000

Thanks for the link Jason

So, using the same criteria the atheists used to boost the number in general population, the atheists have actually boosted their number in NZ prison quite significantly.

FAIL! LOL

By: Jason

Jason — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 07:31:58 +0000

Actually Christians are under-represented in prison entrants, whilst those with no religious belief are over-represented.

Of course the response of atheists is to that is to claim that “no religious belief” doesn’t actually mean “no religious belief.” It means “no great commitment to any particular religion.” At least when you’re talking prison numbers. They do say that “no religious belief” means atheist when they’re referring to the general population.

You have to watch for the irenic interrogation, sometimes I ask questions when I already know the answers.

By: Troll

Troll — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 06:58:14 +0000

Actually Jason.. I think it would weigh in favor of the atheists. But this does not really show anything. There tends to be a disproportionate number of atheists in those who are economically advantaged – ie. those who are less likely to turn to crime. Also those who are better educated… but I won’t open that can of worms.

By: Jason

Jason — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 04:51:16 +0000

Of course I'd like to see the statistical evidence that shows that atheists are as moral as Christians. Perhaps we could try comparing the proportion of those with "no religious belief" in prison with those with "no religious belief" in the general population? What would that show?

By: TheologyWeb

TheologyWeb — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 10:57:56 +0000

January 2010 Screwballs PLUS Automatic and Special Platinums…

Matt of MandM blog takes DJ to task for using his name in vain. http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/mandm…-psalm-14.html (Screwball to DJ for thinking Matt was agreeing with him and for his entire argument, Anti-screwball to Matt for the good work)…

By: bethyada

bethyada — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 02:37:41 +0000

I agree there is a logical error here. Though I think one should be careful with the genre of poetry, it can contain generalisations that there may be exceptions to.

But the focus is on the fool, not the atheist. It is the immoral person that is being addressed. And the gist I think is he is denying acountability. “There is no God to whom I have to give an account.” Even if the fool is not saying there is no God that exists, he is saying in his heart (will, desire) that there is in-effect no God; that is, no God who will judge me.

I don’t know whether your translation of “no to God” is legitimate, but it won’t be the first time all major translations have not chosen the most accurate translation. I can think of a couple of passages that they all may be somewhat suboptimal on (Ezra 6 and 1 Corintians 12).

I will add that atheists are immoral in their denial of God. If God exists, and is their creator, and demands acknowledgement, then a refusal to do so would be an immoral act.

Slightly related, my post on Character deficiency syndrome

By: Debunking Christianity

Debunking Christianity — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 01:34:31 +0000

Psalm 14:1 Again, This Time Responding to Dr. Matt Flannagan…

the verse reads: “The fool hath said in his heart, ‘There is no God.’ They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that does good.” Matt Flannagan chides me for this in a recent post. I don’t usually explain proper interpretatio…