Tag Archives: Judaism

Upcoming Research: Christians, Jews, Muslims, and Altruistic Suicide

Posted on June 17, 2015 by Rayan Zehn

It’s summer again, and I have a few short months to do independent research of my liking before getting into the deep again. In late August I’ll be starting a rather intensive Modeling and Simulations program at The Virginia Modeling, Analysis … Continue reading →

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Holocaust Survivors and Godlessness

Posted on June 7, 2015 by Rayan Zehn

About a year ago University of Nebraska-Omaha student Jennifer Lassley published a graduate paper in International Social Science Review titled “A Defective Covenant: Abandonment of Faith among Jewish Survivors of the Holocaust.” This paper popped up in an EBSCOhost search a few weeks … Continue reading →

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Bible Contradictions #55: How Old Was Benjamin When He Came to Egypt?

Posted on February 23, 2015 by Rayan Zehn

In this episode of the Bible Contradictions, I’m going to expose a contradiction that often — by most efforts to understand the bible — goes unnoticed. The question we will ask the bible is how old was Benjamin when he came … Continue reading →

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Don’t violate the 9th commandment because you’re too lazy to read

Posted on September 22, 2014 by Rayan Zehn

I’m a serial non-commenter. It doesn’t mean I don’t read other people’s blogs — I do. I just don’t always have something to say. Often when I do comment it’s because someone — usually a theist — has violated the … Continue reading →

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An immeasurably tall order: The absurdity of belief

Posted on August 28, 2014 by Rayan Zehn

I’ve never believed in divine beings. I’ve been an atheist since the day I was born. Acceptance of supernatural beings or events has never developed in my head. I was negligibly instructed in religious thought as a child, but mostly … Continue reading →

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My favorite religious teaching: Feeding your animals in Jewish practice

Posted on August 24, 2014 by Rayan Zehn

Even “militant” atheists like me can acknowledge when religion gets something morally right. Despite our view that religion is dangerous and detrimental to the progress of our species and our planet, sometimes religion does something that makes my heart warm. … Continue reading →

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According to statistical analysis god does not exist

Posted on August 20, 2014 by Rayan Zehn

In my field statistical analysis is arguably the most demonstrably powerful tool we have. And given our current quality of technology, it’s incredibly easy. There’s almost no math required! All one must do after formulating their research question, collecting data, … Continue reading →

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Bible Contradictions #51: What happened to the city of Ai?

Posted on August 16, 2014 by Rayan Zehn

    Joshua sacked Ai about 3,200-3,300 years ago (ca. 13th century BCE). After he burned the city to the ground, the prophet claims the city is “forever a heap of ruins.” This is similar to the prophesy about Tyre. … Continue reading →

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Quran Contradiction #8: Will Jews and Christians go to hell?

Posted on August 14, 2014 by Rayan Zehn

It’s very, very unlikely that hell exists. But if it does, can we rely on the Quran to figure out who’s going there and who isn’t? Well, no, we can’t. In verse 3:85 the Quran tells us that everyone who follows any … Continue reading →

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Prominent Lebanese filmmaker and actress, Nadine Labaki, slams religion in Facebook post

Posted on August 13, 2014 by Rayan Zehn

I’m a huge fan of Nadine Labaki. Her films tackle serious sociopolitical/religious themes using Lebanon as a scenic backdrop, but the messages she conveys through film are universal. My personal favorite is Caramel, which explores gender roles and sexual taboos from … Continue reading →

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