A collection of 9 posts
Western civilisation has not succeeded because its liberal and secular principles are Christian; it has succeeded because Western Christians have accepted its liberal and secular values.
Indian philosophical traditions such as Nāstika and Nirīśvaravāda offer the West’s angry ‘neo-atheists’ a more nuanced model for channelling their religious disbelief.
The religious urge is born into nearly every child. And when we do not inherit a belief system, we build our own temples.
The Cārvākas considered only matter—that which could be sensed—to be real.
Science writer, author and Skeptic editor-in-chief Michael Shermer talks to Toby Young about his new book Giving the Devil His Due: Reflections of a Scientific Humanist. They talk about a range of free speech issues, including hate speech, Holocaust denial, the Pentagon Papers and Wikileaks.
It makes no more sense to believe in a numinous “will” that subverts the laws of physics than to accept a god for which there’s no evidence. Any reforms of society should begin by accepting the unalterable truths of nature.
Integrity requires each of us to bear witness with honest hearts.
In terms of moral rules, secular humanism is indistinguishable from a religion.
Europeans challenged their own religion during the Enlightenment, and we’re all benefiting from their efforts today. But when non-Europeans want to do the same, it’s ‘Islamophobia’?