Sapere Aude!

Complex Question Fallacy About Evolution

FAU student threatens to kill professor and classmates | University Press.

Associate Professor Stephen M. Kajiura was reviewing with his evolution class in GS 120 for a midterm when FAU student Jonatha Carr interrupted him: “How does evolution kill black people?” she asked. 

Kajiura attempted to explain that evolution doesn’t kill anyone. And then, Carr became violent.

I guess some people just cannot handle learning ideas contrary to their preferred views.

Pull The Plank From Your Own Eye First

The Vatican is disappointed in Berlusconi's behavior.

VATICAN CITY — Premier Silvio Berlusconi came under mounting criticism Friday from the Catholic Church over his dalliances with young women, with the pope saying public officials must set good moral examples and Italian bishops planning to discuss the sex scandal.

Pope Benedict XVI didn't mention the scandal or Berlusconi by name. But during an audience with Rome's police chief and police officers, he said public officials must "rediscover their spiritual and moral roots."

"The singular vocation that the city of Rome requires today of you, who are public officials, is to offer a good example of the positive and useful interaction between a healthy lay status and the Christian faith," Benedict said, echoing more direct comments about the scandal a day earlier by his No. 2.

In other news, the Church directed Irish Bishops not to tell the civil authorities about child-molesting priests.  So, we've got priests molesting little children and other priests covering it up.

"Institutions are characteristically and necessarily concerned with what I have called external goods. They are involved in acquiring money and other material goods; they are structured in terms of power and status, and they distribute money, power, and status as rewards. . . . In this context the essential function of the virtues is clear. Without them . . . practices could not resist the corrupting power of institutions" (Alasdair MacIntyre - After Virtue, pg. 194).

It seems quite clear that a number of Catholic priests have failed to cultivate the virtues required to resist the corrupting power of institutions.

Sarah Palin (Finally) Makes Statement About Tucson Shooter, Political Rhetoric

Palin finally makes some remarks about the Tucson shooting and political rhetoric.

Sarah Palin: "America's Enduring Strength" from Sarah Palin on Vimeo.

Now, that is political leadership, huh?

"The Lawyers Told Me It Was Legal"

George Bush is making the rounds promoting his new book. In this interview he discusses his decision to use waterboarding.

Bush's 'the lawyers told me it was legal' defense has renewed calls for investigating the Bush Administration.  Meanwhile, the Republicans are threatening to investigate the Obama Administration over health care.  It looks like there might be a showdown.

World Nut Daily: Is 'gay' agenda to blame for teen suicides?

Is 'gay' agenda to blame for teen suicides?.  Unbelievable.

Katy Perry's Boobs Appear on Sesame Street

Katy Perry's boobs are causing some controversy because they appeared on Sesame Street.

Pastors Against Inclusion

Pastors come out against 'One Baton Rouge'

More than 55 local pastors have placed a full-page ad in The Advocate, urging Mayor Kip Holden and the Metro Council to reject the proposed "One Baton Rouge" measure. The ministers say, while they deplore prejudice, the measure, which expresses the council's commitment to tolerance and diversity, goes too far. "To address personal sexual preference as a special gesture of respectability goes against out consciences," says the letter. The Louisiana Family Forum paid for the ad; to view it, click here. The pastors warn the measure will divide "good-hearted citizens whose consciences are offended by a resolution that is wholly unnecessary." The measure is set to make its debut before the Metro Council tonight in advance of an Aug. 11 public hearing. For a Business Report story about the One Baton Rouge resolution, click here.

via www.businessreport.com

If anybody knows how to drive well intentioned people a part, it's pastors. Of course, there are many pastors that do not seem to agree that being tolerant of different sexual preferences "goes against our consciences." The pastors that are against the resolution are a part of the problem and why Baton Rouge needs such a resolution in the first place.  Their interpretation of Christianity is not the one that everybody else has to live by.

This Just Makes Me Sick, Real Sick

Religious Abuse as Gratuitous Evil?

Would an omnicompetent God allow religious abuse to occur in his own name?  It seems like religious abuse is a good example of gratuitous evil.  God would intervene to stop religious abuse carried out in "his" own name so as to create the best of all possible worlds.  Such a world  is one in which as many people as possible have the best shot of becoming a Christian, believing in God, etc.  But, surely religious abuse turns people away from religion unnecessarily.  So, given that there are instances of religious abuse.  It is more likely that God does not exist.

Good to Know the Folks at Red State Won't Mind if I Use My Job to Promote My Political and Religious Views

Brit Hume and Public Profession of Faith - hogan’s Diary - RedState.  I guess since I think my Leftist and atheist views are true, I should do whatever I can to advance them and use my position to do so, huh?