I don’t have a problem with atheists — each to his own comfort level — nonetheless, it is ridiculous for one of that inclination to get rattled to the extent that others of belief are denied their comfort. Atheism by definition is free from religion. Theists are free to believe as they see fit; atheists should look upon these  " misguided" as pathetic but have the right to the "wrong" path. If, however, atheist take on the passion of "religion" in their b...

That there exists a universal belief in God does not in itself make the existence of God a reality. The first primitive man who felt a soft breeze caressing his bristled face and inferred there must be a loving goddess blowing kisses does not a spirit make, anymore than a biting, frosty wind through his beard embodies an angry god. Nor does the existence of a spiritual marketplace in which the world’s religions vie for desperate consumers in search of solace suggest the existence of a caring,...

In the history of Western philosophy there has perhaps never really been a question about God’s existence, but there has been puzzlement as to what he/she/it is. The consensus appears to be that there is unquestionably some sort of extraordinary essence or a priori rationality underlying the universe even in face of obvious accidents and chances in the evolvement. The many observations from Aristotle, Copernicus, Kepler and Newton to quantum theories culminating in strings as basic stuff a...

It is perplexing as to why there is this dichotomy between evolution and intelligent design when in reality it is a simple matter of splitting hairs of what is actually observed and what is transcendent. For Darwin deduced from the complexity of evolving life forms an inherent natural selection of intentionality. That is, from a cell there may be underlying it intentionality of inexistent or nebulous other forms which may indeed transcend itself into another material object and become existent...

Taking Control Alienation is a teleological principle of materialism: the presupposition that there is a world out there necessitates alienation of human endeavor — I intuit within I am a living, laboring thing with a minimal sense of purpose, therefore, I think about other things. Without a sense of perspective of matter in motion, even though our species may concede that it too is a part, though apart from, humanity loses its innate commanding position over the environment...

Except for the a posteriori contingencies of facts and fantasies, attributed to the works of God, it is ludicrous for one to announce his atheism and even then its posture has no meaning. The so-called atheist himself is subject to the same existential litter that all of us are exposed to. He may rightfully denounce them but he cannot logically renounce the underpinnings of what we experience; for, they did not — contrary to the Bible’s postulate that in the beginning there was nothing — dev...

Awakened by Aristotle’s classification and metaphysics, Augustine conceded the possibility that essence of man or rational being pre-existed, or rather planted by God, in the evolvement of animals just as all material and efficient causation existed passively or potentially in the stars or basic stuff of reality. The domain of human experience is what makes for the concept of God or First Cause in the face of feeling inadequacy in contemplating the mysteries of our world. Just as DNA presuppo...

What is it that is so upsetting about evolution to many of faith? The faithful are given much leeway in measuring the 6,000 year old universe or earth in terms of eons as after all simply a poetic expression to account for geological time. Surely, if the papists can accept the poetry, why not the Christian fundamentalists? Though there is archeological evidence that homo-sapiens existed some 100, 000 years ago and more primitive forms even longer, one is free to posit Adam and Eve came later ...

Is there a difference between the Ten Commandments symbolically displayed within the Supreme Court from an imposing monument outside its building? The answer is actually no, except that the founding fathers did not include such a monument in the architectural plans for the District of Columbia. Given that the early Americans, fresh from colonist existence, were wary of papal and puritanic laws filtering down into politics and favored a low profile of religion in politics is nonetheless no...

Intuition, Descartes claims, is certitude that does not require deduction; however, deduction or the reasoning process always requires intuition as first principle. Primary intuition is a given by the presence of consciousness. No one not in a coma can deny consciousness or the intuitive sense of self. That Descartes said, “I think therefore I am” is not entirely correct; what he should have said was that he intuits his existence in virtue of his sense of identity and does not entail thinking...

Judging from the current “discovery” of a gigantic black hole 2.6 billion light years away, a layman has to wonder if the “truth” of science is on a path of counter productivity and adding fuel to the incomprehensible, thus engendering blind faith in a mysterious God. Black holes seem to be deadly contradictions to a universe bent on creativity. Just as most of us fail to comprehend the counter productivity of nature’s wrath here on earth that seems bent on destruction preventing utopian ends...

Ever since nomadic primitives, tired of roaming, decided to take residence in caves, territorial rights throughout history has been violated. This was not necessarily a bad thing except for marauding means by which the site was brutally obtained. Ancient people tended to seek out desirable land in order to settle and develop a social contract. Greek and Roman violations brought complex social and physical infrastructures to give birth to relatively enlightened culture and civilization. ...

This is the season — even Newsweek got into the act — to believe or not in the Christian celebration. Surely, it is the time to take in the symbolic beauty of it, even the commercialism, which on occasion can be quite charming. Although there are tree huggers who whine about the destruction of fir trees, the end result undeniably spirits symbolic joy to many. Those who do not believe or are of other faiths are caught up in the material culture of Christmas and suspend belief to take th...

Oft times the religious coalition assails “rogue” jurists for preëmpting state laws by substituting their own legislation. To some degree the religionists are correct, however much they themselves foist their minority opinion on legislation. Given that the Massachusetts’ supreme court went too far in recognizing marriage of same sex couples, it is clear that it should have ordered the state to consistently acknowledge civil union protection under the equal rights clause by rendering legi...

There is universal yearning among the hierarchy of power To take on Spinoza's ultimate understanding viewed from the top. How gratifying must be the perspective eye-balled from the "aspect of eternity" the awesome red overpowering the blue. Ah, the magnanimity to stand next to the gods on Olympus, to look down on sweaty Prometheus! How Gulliver-like the breath-taking sight, like the fleeting passion on Christmas Eve when the father steps back to admire the final touche...