Posted by Reason on December 29th, 2008
A few days ago we were chatting about worldview, and mentioned the conversation going on over at Friendly Atheist concerning whether or not to fill children’s heads with religious nonsense.
Here’s a response to that conversation from orDover, a former Evangelical Christian turned atheist.
I’d add to this that besides lies not helping children or anyone else deal with death, they also belittle the experience of living. If this is all the time I have with any person, place or thing that I love, then every moment is precious and should be savoured, in case it’s my last.
Tags: atheism, children, death, God
Category: Atheism & Agnosticism, Superstition
Posted by Reason on October 15th, 2008
A mutant bit of protein called type II neuropsin has been identified as unique to humans, and therefore a likely culprit as the mutation that preceded thought.
A study shows that a certain form of neuropsin, a protein that plays a role in learning and memory, is expressed only in the central nervous systems of humans. The scientists conclude that this critical difference originated less than 5 million years ago.
This protein’s no-show in the prefontal cortex of old world monkeys and lesser apes had already been established, but chimps and orangs are now also confirmed neuropsinless. These species are recently diverged from humans (5 & 14 million years ago, respectively, which is what we mean when we say they’re “more closely related”), placing a potential genesis of ‘thought’ at 5 million years ago.
What is the agnostic view of consciousness—what does this mean for those who don’t believe in God? It’s a strong piece of evidence for evolution, but it could certainly bring recently-defected theists up short. It suggests that thought, consciousness, and the complex brain that makes us feel like we have a soul began because of a rather unromantic protein mutation. That certainly doesn’t seem very special. But in fact, it is incredibly special.
If you are used to thinking that God made our species in His image, it can be tough to accept that we’re the product of mutation and selection. But what a fantastic product we turned out to be!
What could evoke more wonder and reverence than the accident that gave us consciousness? Survival saw that thinking, learning and adapting was advantageous, and the thinkers bred. Don’t you feel lucky to be here?
What is a former theist to do with the lump of ‘gratefulness’ that brings to the throat? Let your heart swell with gratitude towards nature and the amazing world we come from. Treat it as the creator that it is.
Tags: agnostic, atheist, evolution, God, nature, type II neuropsin
Category: Atheism & Agnosticism, Evolution, Science
Posted by Reason on September 19th, 2008
If you’re too young for email, you can always follow God on Twitter! With over 600 followers, Almighty God answers personal questions, issues proclamations, explains the Bible and his “mysterious ways”, and offers prizes to numerically significant adherents! Is God a Kabbalist, or just bored?
40 followers from now will be #666, and the Lord is no doubt cooking up something special for that lucky supplicant! Many geeky mortals will no doubt be vying for the eternal life or get-out-of-Hell-free card on offer. Link from Danny / Personman in the Friendly Atheist’s comments.
Side note, does God ever look like Jesus in this picture, eh? They have the same nose.
Tags: Almighty, Friendly Atheist, God, Twitter
Category: Christianity, Technology
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