Category Archives: Atheism

When Merely Mentioning ISIS is Offensive

Posted on May 1, 2016 by Rayan Zehn

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 →

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True Believers, Religion, Politics, and Willingness to Die

Posted on April 29, 2016 by Rayan Zehn

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 →

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Natural Selection and Computer Programs Appearing Simply by Chance

Posted on April 18, 2016 by Rayan Zehn

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 →

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Reform without Authority?

Posted on March 10, 2016 by Rayan Zehn

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 →

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Probability that Miracles Occur: A Bayesian Analysis

Posted on March 1, 2016 by Rayan Zehn

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 →

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Existential and Spiritual Threats: Why the Church Still Exists

Posted on January 31, 2016 by Rayan Zehn

Traditionally speaking states serve one purpose—to protect its subjects from internal and external threats. Without an existential threat from across the border or within it, for what purpose does the state exist? In order to protect its subjects the state must … Continue reading →

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Should Atheists Lie about Beliefs for Love?

Posted on January 24, 2016 by Rayan Zehn

My girlfriend is Christian. She holds no judgements against me for not believing in god. Religion is never a topic of discussion, unless it’s in an academic sense or if it’s necessary to discuss a current event. She not only … Continue reading →

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Santa Myth is Not the Same as Religious Myths

Posted on December 25, 2015 by Rayan Zehn

For as far back as I can remember atheist bloggers and others have been drawing a comparison between telling your children Santa is real and telling your children they can literally live forever if they believe in Jesus. I’ve repeated … Continue reading →

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On Tempting Fate: Not Even Skepticism Can Cure My Irrational Fears

Posted on October 10, 2015 by Rayan Zehn

I’m a Ph.D student. I don’t write this to brag or infer that I’m an authority on any subject matter. Instead I write this because it’s central to this one cognitive failure I make again and again. Despite thinking of … Continue reading →

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