"The Evolution Of Real Knowledge"

"In formal logic, a contradiction is the signal of defeat, but in the evolution of real knowledge it marks the first step in progress toward a victory." ~ Alfred North Whitehead

Bamboozled

"One of the saddest lessons of history is this: If we've been bamboozled long enough, we tend to reject any evidence of the bamboozle. We're no longer interested in finding out the truth. The bamboozle has captured us. It is simply too painful to acknowledge -- even to ourselves -- that we've been so credulous. (So the old bamboozles tend to persist as the new bamboozles rise.)" ~Carl Sagan, The Fine Art of Baloney Detection)

No Respecter Of Persons?

"...Thomas did not believe the resurrection [John 20:25], and, as they say, would not believe without having ocular and manual demonstration himself. So neither will I, and the reason is equally as good for me, and for every other person, as for Thomas." ~ Thomas Paine, The Age of Reason

And if Yahweh is "no respecter of persons" as the Bible claims him to be, then I am well within a reasonable level of expectation that Yahweh present me also with ocular and manual demonstration of Jesus' resurrection. Especially when consideration is given to the advantages that Thomas allegedly already had: he knew resurrection was possible; he had seen Jesus raise people from the dead on several occasions and Jesus had given him the power to raise the dead himself!

Skeptical Scrutiny's Winnowing Effect

"Skeptical scrutiny is the means, in both science and religion, by which deep thoughts can be winnowed from deep nonsense." ~Carl Sagan

Just The Facts, Ma'am

What are the facts? Again and again and again--what are the _facts_? Shun wishful thinking, ignore divine revelation, forget what "the stars foretell," avoid opinion, care not what the neighbors think, never mind the unguessable "verdict of history,"--what are the facts, and to how many decimal places? You pilot always into an unknown future; facts are your only clue. Get the facts! ~Lazarus Long

An Uncommon State Of Mind

Freethinkers are those who are willing to use their minds without prejudice and without fearing to understand things that clash with their own customs, privileges, or beliefs. This state of mind is not common, but it is essential for right thinking. Where it is absent discussion is apt to become worse than useless.

~Leo Tolstoy

Superstition In Power

It is a truism that almost any sect, cult, or religion will legislate its creed into law if it acquires the political power to do so, and will follow it by suppressing opposition, subverting all education to seize early the minds of the young, and by killing, locking up, or driving underground all heretics. ~Lazarus Long