They say that money is the root of evil, then why is the church asking for ten percent of it?
Monday, September 07, 2009
tithings
They say that money is the root of evil, then why is the church asking for ten percent of it?
Sunday, September 06, 2009
Call for help!
The only time you will only know if Jesus saved you is when you’re already dead. Call 9-1-1 instead.
Thursday, September 03, 2009
Dear God...Will I be the President of the Philippines in 2010?
Sen. Aquino shouldn’t ask God if he should run for office this 2010. God might answer him the same answer He gave Bro. Eddie Villanueva.
Wednesday, September 02, 2009
The Moderate's Voice
While scanning some books here in a popular bookstore in Manila (well…that’s what poor atheists like me do, we scan and read books right out of the store’s shelves), I was quite surprised to see a book with a strange title…An Atheist Defends Religion.
With the proliferation of atheist’s books that tick off religion and atheist authors like Sam Harris, Christopher Hitchens and Richard Dawkins, it’s quite rare these days to see atheist books that tell a different story. There are atheists authors like Hemant Mehta and Ramsay Steele are not that confrontational. You may even find Mr. Merta’s book on Christian sections shelves here in the Philippines. Shucks! Someone even told that Mehta was a Christian pawn…I was nearly convinced!
But Bruce Sheiman’s was different. According to him, “The atheism-theism debate is often characterized by extremists from both sides striving to out-shout each other. In that context, typically people resort to the same black-and-white, hackneyed arguments.” I sometimes find this statement agreeable. But I then asked myself, Is this applicable with the Philippine scenario?
In the Philippine context, religion is synominous with the 2 major religions – Christianity and Islam, therefore it require a god-belief. I see this as a hindrance on Mr. Sheirman’s premise. To defend religion here in the Philippines is to defend god. But I do agree that religion doesn’t necessary mean to believe in a god…but I think my “kababayan” have a different interpretation to it.
I have to say that I sometimes share his “loneliness”…nah! Not that I want religion to prosper nor I am a frustrated atheist or an inspiring theist…maybe I just want religion to be understood more…even by atheists like me. I think Filipino atheists need to be aware of it, not only from its evil side-effect but come on, we also know of its positive properties. Hmmmm…too much Joseph Campbell in me, eh?
But like a freethinker as I am, I still disagree to some of Mr. Sheiman’s points…and Good Grief! It seems to remind me of common Christian apologetic arguments on the existence of God. Points like:
• Morality needs a God belief
• Religion and the meaning of life
• Faith as logical reason
• Purpose of life
Anyway, since I don’t have the money to buy a copy of Bruce Sheiman’s book (Its cost is enough to give me and my family a week decent meal!) it would be quite unfair for him if I will give an assessment. I’m just endorsing it and let you guys see his arguments for yourself. There is a website about it…but I think the book has much to tell.
But I do hope that Mr. Sheiman is not a “Christian apologist” in disguise. It seems the book may address some if not most on what’s the moderate atheists are thinking…and let’s “cross our finger” that Mr. Sheiman is not just using them for evangelizing the agenda of organized religion.
With the proliferation of atheist’s books that tick off religion and atheist authors like Sam Harris, Christopher Hitchens and Richard Dawkins, it’s quite rare these days to see atheist books that tell a different story. There are atheists authors like Hemant Mehta and Ramsay Steele are not that confrontational. You may even find Mr. Merta’s book on Christian sections shelves here in the Philippines. Shucks! Someone even told that Mehta was a Christian pawn…I was nearly convinced!
But Bruce Sheiman’s was different. According to him, “The atheism-theism debate is often characterized by extremists from both sides striving to out-shout each other. In that context, typically people resort to the same black-and-white, hackneyed arguments.” I sometimes find this statement agreeable. But I then asked myself, Is this applicable with the Philippine scenario?
In the Philippine context, religion is synominous with the 2 major religions – Christianity and Islam, therefore it require a god-belief. I see this as a hindrance on Mr. Sheirman’s premise. To defend religion here in the Philippines is to defend god. But I do agree that religion doesn’t necessary mean to believe in a god…but I think my “kababayan” have a different interpretation to it.
I have to say that I sometimes share his “loneliness”…nah! Not that I want religion to prosper nor I am a frustrated atheist or an inspiring theist…maybe I just want religion to be understood more…even by atheists like me. I think Filipino atheists need to be aware of it, not only from its evil side-effect but come on, we also know of its positive properties. Hmmmm…too much Joseph Campbell in me, eh?
But like a freethinker as I am, I still disagree to some of Mr. Sheiman’s points…and Good Grief! It seems to remind me of common Christian apologetic arguments on the existence of God. Points like:
• Morality needs a God belief
• Religion and the meaning of life
• Faith as logical reason
• Purpose of life
Anyway, since I don’t have the money to buy a copy of Bruce Sheiman’s book (Its cost is enough to give me and my family a week decent meal!) it would be quite unfair for him if I will give an assessment. I’m just endorsing it and let you guys see his arguments for yourself. There is a website about it…but I think the book has much to tell.
But I do hope that Mr. Sheiman is not a “Christian apologist” in disguise. It seems the book may address some if not most on what’s the moderate atheists are thinking…and let’s “cross our finger” that Mr. Sheiman is not just using them for evangelizing the agenda of organized religion.
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