Tuesday, 8 April 2014
How sin kills Christianity
God devised a plan to forgive human sin and save us from the eternal torment he had prepared for sinners. His plan was to impregnate a virgin with his son, Jesus, and to have Jesus executed. This perfect human sacrifice would enable God to forgive sin and save the eternal lives of those who accept Jesus as their lord and saviour.
If we had not inherited a sinful nature, there would be no need for Jesus to forgive our sins.
This theology, at the very heart of Christianity, is its most vulnerable point. If the Adam and Eve story is not true then nor is Christianity. No Adam and Eve, no sinful nature, no need to be saved, no need for Jesus and no Christianity.
Many Christians believe Adam and Eve were the first two human beings who were created by God between 6 and 10 thousand years ago. This cannot be true if we can show that human beings pre-dated Adam and Eve.
What does the evidence show?
Fragments of pottery have been found in a cave in China's Hunan province dating from at least 15,400 years ago.
Rope has been found in Lascaux cave which was made approximately 17,000 years ago.
A flute-like musical instrument was found in the Geißenklösterle cave dated at 30,000 years ago.
The earliest known cave paintings were found in Spain at a cave known as El Castillo. These are more than 40,800 years old.
Archaeological evidence from New Guinea shows that boats were being made 60,000 years ago.
The earliest known anatomically modern humans (Homo sapiens) were found at the Omo river in Ethiopia dating from 200,000 years ago. All the discoveries prior to this relate to creatures that were very similar, but not identical, to modern humans.
Pigments and paint grinding equipment has been found in a cave at Twin Rivers, near Lusaka, Zambia dating from more than 350,000 years ago.
There is widespread evidence that fires were used to cook food by 1 million years ago.
Knives made from sharpened stones were in common use by 1.4 million years ago and some date back to 2.5 million years ago.
This small sample of evidence shows that human beings were thriving and living around the globe thousands of years before Adam and Eve were said to have been created. This shows the Adam and Eve story cannot be true.
Which means that Christianity cannot be true.
Sunday, 6 April 2014
Finally, proof that God is stupid
God is said to be omniscient and unchanging. But what are the implications of these characteristics?
1) Stupid people cannot learn
God cannot learn because he knows everything.
2) Stupid people won't change their minds
God cannot change his mind because he has a perfect plan. If he changes his mind, his plan would become imperfect.
3) Stupid people cannot make decisions
God can only do what is in his plan and nothing else. All God's decisions are predetermined by his plan.
4) Stupid people can't make plans
God cannot have made his plan because if he had made it, there would have been a time when he didn't know everything so he would not have been omniscient. But God cannot change so he must always have been omniscient. Therefore, the plan must be older than God. Therefore God cannot have created his own plan.
So we have a God that functions like a computer program, doing exactly what he has been told to do—no more and no less with no intelligence required. Is there any point in praying to such a God for help? What do you think?
Of course God is not really stupid because God does not exist. But the men who invented him, now they really were stupid.
I wonder how many millions of people would have lived longer, happier lives if it were not for the invention of the Abrahamic God?
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1) Stupid people cannot learn
God cannot learn because he knows everything.
2) Stupid people won't change their minds
God cannot change his mind because he has a perfect plan. If he changes his mind, his plan would become imperfect.
3) Stupid people cannot make decisions
God can only do what is in his plan and nothing else. All God's decisions are predetermined by his plan.
4) Stupid people can't make plans
God cannot have made his plan because if he had made it, there would have been a time when he didn't know everything so he would not have been omniscient. But God cannot change so he must always have been omniscient. Therefore, the plan must be older than God. Therefore God cannot have created his own plan.
So we have a God that functions like a computer program, doing exactly what he has been told to do—no more and no less with no intelligence required. Is there any point in praying to such a God for help? What do you think?
Of course God is not really stupid because God does not exist. But the men who invented him, now they really were stupid.
I wonder how many millions of people would have lived longer, happier lives if it were not for the invention of the Abrahamic God?
Friday, 4 April 2014
Female circumcision: What it is and why it must stop
It is carried out at any age from soon after birth to 15 years and, of course, it is done without consent. It involves removing a girl’s clitoris and inner labia and sometimes the outer labia too. The wound is sewn up leaving a small gap for the passage of urine and menstrual fluid. The exact nature of the procedure varies in different cultural groups.
The cuts are made with a razor blade, scissors or knife, frequently by a person with no medical training, without anaesthesia and without sterilisation of the blade, sutures or dressings.
Immediate complications include fatal bleeding, retention of urine, urinary infection, wound infection and septicaemia. It is known that girls die from this procedure but no country, to my knowledge, keeps statistics. It seems that fatalities are rarely reported.
Eventually, if complications are not fatal, the wound heals and scar tissue forms, bonding the two sides of the vaginal opening together. The small opening left for urine and menstrual fluid is insufficient to allow for sexual intercourse, so the scar tissue must be broken apart before intercourse can occur. There are several ways this is done—all of them very painful. Of course, the woman is able to experience little or no sexual pleasure.
Immediate complications include fatal bleeding, retention of urine, urinary infection, wound infection and septicaemia. It is known that girls die from this procedure but no country, to my knowledge, keeps statistics. It seems that fatalities are rarely reported.
Eventually, if complications are not fatal, the wound heals and scar tissue forms, bonding the two sides of the vaginal opening together. The small opening left for urine and menstrual fluid is insufficient to allow for sexual intercourse, so the scar tissue must be broken apart before intercourse can occur. There are several ways this is done—all of them very painful. Of course, the woman is able to experience little or no sexual pleasure.
Female circumcision is mainly, but not exclusively, a Muslim practice. According to UNICEF, the top rates are in Somalia (with 98 percent of women affected), Guinea (96 percent), Djibouti (93 percent), Egypt (91 percent), Eritrea (89 percent), Mali (89 percent), Sierra Leone (88 percent), Sudan (88 percent), Gambia (76 percent), Burkina Faso (76 percent), Ethiopia (74 percent), Mauritania (69 percent), Liberia (66 percent), and Guinea-Bissau (50 percent).
Why is it done? Some say it is done for reasons of hygiene but this is not credible (and even if it were, would not justify it). In fact, the opposite is the case. Urine and menstrual fluids can be retained beneath the scar tissue and cleaning becomes very much more difficult.
It is a part of culture and is supported by both men and women in those groups that practice it. But it is painful, dangerous, done without consent and robs women of sexual satisfaction for their entire lives. The most likely reason for the practice is to control women—to reduce the likelihood of a wife having sexual relationship outside of marriage and as proof that a bride is a virgin.
I can’t think of a single good reason that would justify this vile practice. But they have no good reasons—they have only very bad reasons.
Wednesday, 2 April 2014
Is it possible that Jehovah might exist?
Someone asked me if there was any moment in my life as an atheist when I accepted the possibility that Jehovah might exist.
To my knowledge there is no evidence that Jehovah exists and lack of evidence is a perfect reason not to believe something. But lack of evidence does not mean a thing does not exist, it means there is no reason to believe it does.
So a rational person remains open-minded but sceptical.
However, when we discuss Jehovah, I cannot remove from my mind that this particular god is reminiscent of a stick of rock with words running through its entire length.
The words say, "Invented by men from the Iron-Age".
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To my knowledge there is no evidence that Jehovah exists and lack of evidence is a perfect reason not to believe something. But lack of evidence does not mean a thing does not exist, it means there is no reason to believe it does.
So a rational person remains open-minded but sceptical.
However, when we discuss Jehovah, I cannot remove from my mind that this particular god is reminiscent of a stick of rock with words running through its entire length.
The words say, "Invented by men from the Iron-Age".
Tuesday, 1 April 2014
Particle Memory Technology computer announced
Researchers at Cambridge University have today announced a breakthrough enhancement of the quantum computer.
Quantum computers utilise the power of quantum mechanics to create tiny computers with speeds thousands of times faster than today's supercomputers.
The technology announced today, known as Particle Memory Technology (PMT) takes this to the next level. By periodically stressing a quantum computer, its size dramatically shrinks and it eventually stabilises, self-assembling into a massively parallel configuration. This makes it trillions of times faster than a quantum computer. It is capable of a huge number of simultaneous operations—an upper limit has yet to be established but one researcher speculated it could be infinite.
This device is such a big step from computers as we know them that the team has ditched the term "computer" in favour of World Resource Device (WoRD).
Dr Chicxulub Crater, leading the team said, "We have known for many years that reducing the size of computer components, increases their speed."
"Now we have taken this to the ultimate level. The WoRD effectively shrinks a quantum computer to a quantum vacuum—no atomic particles or sub-particles can be detected yet it delivers prodigious performance."
"To all intents and purposes it is immaterial."
The WoRD has no parts to wear out, generates no heat and requires no power to operate. This computer could last and continue to work forever.
Now, researchers are moving on to consider applications. George O'Donnell, the Chief Deployment Engineer on the team told us, "Applications for this device are virtually unlimited. We could build the ultimate database that would be able to track everything that happens in real time at ultra-high resolution. That vast amount of data with sophisticated modelling software would make it possible to predict the future with 100% accuracy."
"Every human being on the planet could have a wireless connection to the WoRD so it could effectively be with all of us all the time."
"This will change everything from how we see ourselves as a species to our purpose in life."
The Cambridge team is determined to make this a free resource for the entire world. "Just say the WoRD and you will receive."
It brings to mind the expression, "In the beginning was the WoRD".
Read More
Quantum computers utilise the power of quantum mechanics to create tiny computers with speeds thousands of times faster than today's supercomputers.
The technology announced today, known as Particle Memory Technology (PMT) takes this to the next level. By periodically stressing a quantum computer, its size dramatically shrinks and it eventually stabilises, self-assembling into a massively parallel configuration. This makes it trillions of times faster than a quantum computer. It is capable of a huge number of simultaneous operations—an upper limit has yet to be established but one researcher speculated it could be infinite.
This device is such a big step from computers as we know them that the team has ditched the term "computer" in favour of World Resource Device (WoRD).
Dr Chicxulub Crater, leading the team said, "We have known for many years that reducing the size of computer components, increases their speed."
"Now we have taken this to the ultimate level. The WoRD effectively shrinks a quantum computer to a quantum vacuum—no atomic particles or sub-particles can be detected yet it delivers prodigious performance."
"To all intents and purposes it is immaterial."
The WoRD has no parts to wear out, generates no heat and requires no power to operate. This computer could last and continue to work forever.
Now, researchers are moving on to consider applications. George O'Donnell, the Chief Deployment Engineer on the team told us, "Applications for this device are virtually unlimited. We could build the ultimate database that would be able to track everything that happens in real time at ultra-high resolution. That vast amount of data with sophisticated modelling software would make it possible to predict the future with 100% accuracy."
"Every human being on the planet could have a wireless connection to the WoRD so it could effectively be with all of us all the time."
"This will change everything from how we see ourselves as a species to our purpose in life."
The Cambridge team is determined to make this a free resource for the entire world. "Just say the WoRD and you will receive."
It brings to mind the expression, "In the beginning was the WoRD".
Sunday, 23 March 2014
The benefits of religion for black Americans
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Black Americans are significantly more religious than white Americans. The Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life reported in 2009 that 79% of black Americans say religion is very important in their lives compared with only 56% of all Americans. Over three quarters of blacks (76%) say they pray every day versus 58% of all Americans.
And a whopping 88% of black Americans say they are absolutely certain god exists (71% for all Americans).
But does being more devout and more prayerful give Black Americans any advantages over their white countrymen? No, on the contrary, across a wide range of well-being statistics, blacks fare far worse than white Americans.
Here are some sample statistics but plenty more are available.
1. Life expectancy at birth
Whites........ 78.4 years
Blacks......... 73.6 years
2. Neonatal mortality (death of a baby within 28 days of birth)
Whites........ 3.8 per 1,000 live births
Blacks......... 8.9 per 1,000 live births
3. Fetal mortality (miscarriage after 20 weeks gestation)
Whites........ 4.79 per 1,000 women
Blacks......... 11.13 per 1,000 women
4. Maternal mortality (death of pregnant mothers per 100,000 live births)
Whites........ 8.7
Blacks......... 30.5
5. Unemployment (age 16 – 65)
Whites........ 9.6%
Blacks......... 18.4%
6. Income (% of families with income of < $15,000pa)
Whites........ 6.6%
Blacks......... 23.9%
This small sample of well-being statistics shows black people significantly disadvantaged compared to whites.
So does prayer and devotion to God help black people? Apparently not. Either there is no god listening to these heartfelt prayers or God does not care to help black people in America.
Sources
1. CDC National Vital Statistics Reports Volume 59, Number 9
2. CDC National Center for Health Statistics 2003
3. CDC National Vital Statistics Reports Volume 57, Number 8
4. Maternal mortality and related concepts. National Center for Health Statistics. Vital Health Stat 3(33). 2007
5. US Dept of Labor Statistics 2010
6. U.S. Census Bureau, Income, Poverty and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2009
Wednesday, 19 March 2014
The Inside Story: God and Jesus, what REALLY happened...
So much misinformation surrounds the lives of YHWH (God) and Jesus that it is hard to unravel what is true and what is hyperbole. Almost everyone seems to have a vested interest in propagating one story or another. But now, I bring you the full inside story—find out what really happened right here!
Early years
The exact date of YHWH's birth is disputed. Some put it at -∞ but this cannot be substantiated. The earliest records we have suggest he was born around 1,000 BCE or a little earlier.YHWH never disclosed who his parents were but he was likely the bastard son of El, head of the Canaanite pantheon. He was born into a large family of gods including Baal, Marqod and Dagon. There is some evidence that the Goddess Asherah was his consort.
YHWH's ambition
From his early life as a humble warrior god, YHWH was driven by ambition and was pathologically jealous of other gods. His grand ambition was to be fêted as no less than the unchallenged God of the entire universe. He created a strategy to make it happen.The first step in the strategy was to promulgate a new creation myth in which YHWH single-handedly created the entire universe and all living things in just six days. This was easily achieved. In those days creation myths were a dime a dozen, so no-one noticed, or cared, if a new one sprung up.
The second step was the covenant. The covenant was an agreement between YHWH and the war-like Israelites: YHWH would protect them provided they worshipped no other gods, obeyed certain commandments and promoted YHWH as the single god of all the heavens and Earth
The third step was to lead the Israelites in a series of wars of conquest of neighbouring tribes.
The strategy seems to have worked. By the start of the Common Era (CE) there is no trace of other gods on YHWH's turf. So ruthless was his attack that even his father and his consort had disappeared.
The challenge
This was when YHWH's greatest challenge emerged and it arose in the most unlikely way. An illiterate carpenter-turned-Rabbi began preaching around Palestine. Nothing unusual in this except this preacher, known as Jesus (Yesuah), was creating his own version of Holy Writ and was attracting both followers and hostility.YHWH had made the rule clear in scripture, "an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth" but Jesus changed that to "turn the other cheek". Jesus made scripture his own by adding blasphemous changes whilst all the time professing his absolute loyalty to YHWH.
Then YHWH made a terrible mistake that would live to regret. YHWH could have had Jesus killed in his sleep but YHWH wanted him to suffer and he wanted a public display of suffering to deter others who might follow in Jesus' footsteps.
So YHWH conspired with the Roman authorities to have Jesus publicly executed—he insisted on a painful and lingering death by crucifixion. With the deed done, YHWH thought his troubles were over but, in reality, they were just beginning.
The surprise
YHWH did not expect what happened next. If he had been omniscient, he would have known but he wasn't—his omniscience was just a story; one of many spread by his supporters.After Jesus' death a hard-core of his followers continued to preach his message and they achieved some converts. They began to refer to him as Jesus Christ, a reference to their belief that he was the promised messiah. They even started calling themselves Christians.
But a huge and unexpected tipping point occurred when Emperor Constantine I converted to Christianity shortly after the Battle of Milvian Bridge in 312 CE.
That changed everything. The Roman Empire was vastly powerful. It dominated Southern and Western Europe and much of North Africa. Once Christianity had become the official religion of the Roman Empire the trickle of supporters became a flood. Being on the wrong side of Rome was a risk many people preferred to avoid and Constantine started pouring money into new churches whilst cutting funds to pagan temples.
Christianity was growing fast but it had got out of control. The church needed coordination and direction. Recognising this, Constantine ordered a Council to convene in Nicaea, Bithynia (now part of Turkey) in 325 CE to put the religion on a firm footing.
The Council of Nicaea lasted from May to July and they achieved a lot. They agreed the first uniform Christian doctrine, called the Nicene Creed. They agreed a uniform date for Easter and set out a tranche of canon law.
Finally, they made a decision that chilled YHWH to the bone. They decided that Jesus was the blood son of YHWH and, more than that, they said Jesus was God, co-eternal with and of the same substance as YHWH. Sharing the glory was never part of YHWH’s strategy.
Decline
YHWH was enraged but powerless. He still had the Jews but he couldn't ask the Jews attack the mighty Roman Empire. Vanquishing the Midianites were one thing—the Roman Empire another thing entirely.For the next 2,000 years, YHWH watched his dreams fall apart. Christianity grew to become the biggest religion on the planet whilst his Jewish followers were persecuted and diminished and many drifted into secularism.
Officially, Christians kept faith with YHWH but, in reality, they wrote him off. They thought about Jesus, they prayed to Jesus and they worshipped Jesus. In truth, YHWH had become an embarrassment with his made-up creation and flood stories, his murderous ways and barbaric laws. Jesus was more in line with the spirit of the age.
YHWH had learned a lesson. Gods have no power—they can inspire humans but, ultimately, it is the humble humans who wield the power. He watched as more than a billion humans ignored him and turned their adoration towards Jesus.
A ray of hope
YHWH was down but not out and all was not lost. Some 600 years after Jesus, a new religion was founded. It worshipped YHWH and was much more disciplined than the shaky Christians. It grew very quickly, initially by conquering nearby nations and imposing its religion on them. In due course, it created its own empire.This religion didn't bat an eyelid at the capital punishments YHWH loved so much but the Christians shied away from. And it had a burning desire to take over the world.
These are my kind of people, thought YHWH; changing my name to Allah is a small price to pay…
NOTE for fundamentalists: This history is speculation—it is based on historical information with added imagination. If you wish to comment, please use your imagination and not your Bible.
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About Me
- Nildogma
- As a 20-year-old I was insatiably curious about the world and passionate about rejecting superstitions and all kinds of false beliefs. I still am today. Sometimes when people believe things that are not true, it make little or no difference but sometimes the consequences can be disastrous and deadly. Now, I do what I can to help people improve their thinking skills, especially in how they impinge on core beliefs, such as cultural values and religious beliefs. I have an active Facebook page for which I create memes and write articles almost daily. I also engage people in on-line debates. You can find me here: https://www.facebook.com/bill.flavell.1 I lecture at universities around the world and present or debate at public meetings. I also, draw on my management consultancy background to help freethought groups, almost anywhere in the world, to get organised, develop strategy and improve their media and presentation skills. If you would like me to present at your university or for your church group or freethought group, please contact me.
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