Tag Archives: Religion

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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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Clashes, Sex, and Cognitive Dissonance

Posted on February 4, 2016 by Ryren Cadora

Later this month I’m giving two public presentations (one at a conference and one in a small, 10-person room) about a paper I’ve been working on for about six months (it gets moved around the burners depending on my workload). … Continue reading →

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Existential and Spiritual Threats: Why the Church Still Exists

Posted on January 31, 2016 by Ryren Cadora

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 Ryren Cadora

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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