Will the Public Lose Its (Science) Religion?
More than two years ago I wrote “Servants of a Twisted God,” including the following: Recently in the influential journal Science, Matthew C. Nisbet and Chris Mooney bemoaned scientists’ difficulties with influencing public policy. They recommended that scientists back off from their technical language, and recast their communications in “frames”—alternative ways of viewing information—such as “public [...]

Close of First Debate At Discussion Grounds
The first debate at Discussion Grounds hit an unfortunate impasse very early on, and has unfortunately come to an end, I’m sad to say.

“An Invisible Magical Friend Who Grants Wishes”
My debate with Luke Muehlhauser at Discussion Grounds has taken a detour to the question of whether Christianity is the belief in an “invisible magical friend who grants wishes.” Luke affirmed that in comments here, here, here, here, here, and here. I responded in my Letter 15 yesterday, and we have each added another letter [...]

The Basis for Moral Realism
Jordan has been saying things on the Manhattan Declaration thread like, Atheism does not entail moral relativism, and theism does not entail moral realism. I’m an atheist, and a moral realist. … I (imperfectly) perceive morality with my moral sense. What is the basis of your “alleged moral objectivity”? I imagine it will be long-winded and incoherent. Or [...]

Unwilling to Tolerate Critical Analysis?
Last night I deleted a comment placed on the Manhattan Declaration thread The commenter subsequently complained to me by email, including this: Obviously you’re not a ‘thinking Christian’. You’re a stereotypical Christian, afraid of differing opinions, and more interested in following the herd than in critical analysis. Thanks for confirming what I already knew. I believe [...]