Author Archives: Ryren Cadora

Reject Science, Beat Your Wife?

Posted on May 10, 2016 by Ryren Cadora

Given a situation where science contradicts religion, who is more likely to fall into the trap of cognitive dissonance and say, “Damn the science! Damn the evidence! My religion is true!”? There are a lot of variables that determine how … Continue reading →

Posted in Atheism, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

When Merely Mentioning ISIS is Offensive

Posted on May 1, 2016 by Ryren Cadora

About six weeks ago I gave a presentation on ontological insecurity, cognitive dissonance, and prophetic violence carried out by the Islamic State. It was an informal setting; several pizzas adorned a round table, and the audience had as much talking … Continue reading →

Posted in Atheism, Political Science, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

True Believers, Religion, Politics, and Willingness to Die

Posted on April 29, 2016 by Ryren Cadora

I’m currently working on some rather cool simulations, attempting to determine the conditions sufficient to cause mass rebellious movements, where being killed by your own government is preferable to living in the status quo. I’m referring to armed insurrection with … Continue reading →

Posted in Atheism, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Natural Selection and Computer Programs Appearing Simply by Chance

Posted on April 18, 2016 by Ryren Cadora

Last night this article by the Friendly Atheist came across my Twitter feed, discussing a Jehovah’s Witness Youtube video where scientist and JW Yaroslav Dovhanych argues that evolution is a myth. I’m not going to get into the details of his … Continue reading →

Posted in Atheism, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

First Degree Murder as Self-Preservation: Religious Violence and Insecure Identity

Posted on April 10, 2016 by Ryren Cadora

Ask yourself the following questions: What is your identity? What is the most important part of your identity to a larger social group? To what lengths are you willing to go to preserve that identity (criticism of others or violence)? … Continue reading →

Posted in Political Science, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

When Prophecy Succeeds?: The Islamic State Problem as an Imaginary Reality

Posted on April 5, 2016 by Ryren Cadora

The main point of this essay is that the Islamic State’s beliefs are so entrenched in its adherents’ identities that defeating them is all but an exercise in futility. There is no way to put the genie back in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Political Science, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Reform without Authority?

Posted on March 10, 2016 by Ryren Cadora

One of the problems—if you will—with Islam and why it is so difficult to reform is its lack of a central authority. Their prophet long dead and the Ottoman Caliphate long defunct, in the intervening years the closest we’ve come … Continue reading →

Posted in Atheism, Political Science, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Bible Contradictions Explained: Apologist Replies to My Series

Posted on March 6, 2016 by Ryren Cadora

I was recently contacted by a Christian apologist, asking permission if he could use the content of my list of bible contradictions in order to rebut them in Youtube videos. My interest was immediately piqued. Although I have probably abandoned … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible Contradictions, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Probability that Miracles Occur: A Bayesian Analysis

Posted on March 1, 2016 by Ryren Cadora

One of the most common statements by those professing to know that their interpretation of their specific religious book is true is the assertion that they have observed miracles. They claim that their uncle’s cancer remission is an act of … Continue reading →

Posted in Atheism, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment