Unsettled Christianity

One blog to rule them all, One blog to find them, One blog to bring them all and in the darkness bind them.

Archive for the ‘Controversial’ Category

May 19th, 2012 by Joel

I’m not sure Ken Ham understands basic biology @aig

Of course, biology could be of the devil if it challenges your opinion, but anyway, Ham has gone ape over a book at the San Diego Zoo. In this book, the authors posits a well known biological fact that humans are just a few chromosomes away from being apes. I’m not sure if he knew that or not. Doubtful, because unlike nuclear energy, facebook, and using tax payer dollars to open up an adult store, this is not in Scripture.

But—this is where the world is at today.  And if the San Diego Zoo is selling this book, they must approve of its contents.  Shame on the San Diego Zoo (one of the world’s leading zoos) for promoting the false idea that we are just another ape—and we are “probably smarter than any other animals.”

Poor guy… can’t handle the biological truth.

May 16th, 2012 by Joel

What? Skechers’ shoes won’t make me look like a Kardashian?

The government wants you to know that simply sporting a pair of Skechers’ fitness shoes is not going to get you Kim Kardashian’s curves or Brooke Burke’s toned tush.

Skechers USA Inc. will pay $40 million to settle charges by the Federal Trade Commission that the footwear company made unfounded claims that its Shape-ups shoes would help people lose weight and strengthen their butt, leg and stomach muscles. Kardashian, Burke and other celebrities endorsed the shoes in Skechers ads.

via FTC: Skechers deceived consumers with shoe ads | Fox News.

Really? People actually believed that?

May 14th, 2012 by Joel

Oh dear, that Pastor has some thin skin

An Oregon pastor is reportedly suing a mother and her daughter for $500,000 after the two blogged about the church and described it as “cult-like.”

Pastor Charles O’Neal of the Beaverton Grace Bible Church claims reviews on a blog started by former church member Julie Anne Smith amount to defamation. Smith, who says “the story of spiritual abuse needs to be told,” described O’Neal and his church outside Portland as “creepy” and “cult-like.” She described him calling for church elders to search closets of female congregants for clothes that are too revealing, among other lessons from the pulpit.

via Oregon mother, daughter reportedly sued for writing bad reviews of church online | Fox News.

So… to prove that they aren’t cult like, they sue? Yeah… that works

May 10th, 2012 by Joel

Franklin Graham hosts TBN and the Crouchs

Minister Franklin Graham appeared on the Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN) this week, co-hosting its signature ministry program “Praise the Lord” with network co-founder, Jan Crouch, just as the network is facing scrutiny over allegations of financial dishonesty.

Graham, son of famous evangelist Billy Graham and president of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) and the humanitarian aid ministry Samaritan’s Purse, hosted Crouch at BGEA’s picturesque retreat and training center, The Cove, in Asheville, N.C

via Franklin Graham Shares Importance of Global Evangelism on TBN’s ‘Praise the Lord’.

Really? This is, um…. Where’s Jim West when you need him….

May 9th, 2012 by RodtRDH

Debunking the Lawyers of Noncontradiction

There have been a few fundamentalists taking cheap shots at my arguments with the same old “you’re violating the law of noncontradiction” argument. It gets old, so to put it to rest, placing it 6 feet under my feet, I have a response:

“This is not the first time, and I am sure it won’t be the last time, that a fundamentalist anti-intellectual has accused me of not following the “law of contradiction.” May I ask a question, if I may? Who set up this law? Who voted you to enforce this law?”

In Which I Not So Passive Agressively Talk About Truth And Rationality

May 5th, 2012 by Joel

TBN Fight Gets ugly

“My job as finance director was to find ways to label extravagant personal spending as ministry expenses,” Ms. Koper said. This is one way, she said, the company avoids probing questions from the I.R.S. She said that the absence of outsiders on TBN’s governing board — currently consisting of Paul, Janice and Matthew Crouch — had led to a serious lack of accountability for spending.

Ms. Koper and the two other former TBN employees also said that dozens of staff members, including Ms. Koper, chauffeurs, sound engineers and others had been ordained as ministers by TBN. This allowed the network to avoid paying Social Security taxes on their salaries and made it easier to justify providing family members with rent-free houses, sometimes called “parsonages,” she said.

via TBN Fight Offers Glimpse Inside Lavish TV Ministry – NYTimes.com.

The real exposure, we should remind ourselves, came from their granddaughter.

April 29th, 2012 by Joel

The Death of Facts is what has given rise to stuff like mythicism

Jim posted something regarding the death of facts. This sorta ties into the recent discussions on mythicism, actually. Here’s your sign…

B63XL

April 26th, 2012 by Joel

Richard Carrier has his own Wikipedia devoted just to him

I need tinkled in my undies when I saw this.

This is an official site dedicated to cataloging and responding to critics of Dr. Richard Carrier’s work in the fields of ancient history and modern philosophy, as well as correcting Dr. Carrier’s errors when any are confirmed and improving his work accordingly. This site is fully endorsed by Dr. Carrier, but its content is written and created by fans of his work, with occasional advice and contributions by Dr. Carrier himself. The views expressed on this site might not always be his own (and when they aren’t, often this will be stated), but he does take the trouble to verify that everything said here is at least arguable and not illogical or demonstrably false. If you think you’ve found an exception, feel free to contact the site manager. If you’re right, corrections will be made. For more information about Dr. Carrier and his work see The Official Website of Richard Carrier, Ph.D..

This project is unlikely ever to be complete, but it will always be of use while in progress. Our primary catalogue is alphabetical by author (filed by the critic’s name or pseudonym). A system of tags is available that allows browsing by subject or target piece. A search engine has been set up so as to allow a focused cross section of the entire network of debates on any issue. Be sure and follow our Twitter account and Facebook page for updates!

This deserves a laughing cat award, especially for the messiah-like picture of Carrier on the home page:

April 25th, 2012 by Joel

Um, Richard Carrier is no Aristotle

No, seriously…. how did I miss this?

I am no less a philosopher than Aristotle or Hume. My knowledge, education, and qualifications certainly match theirs in every relevant respect.

That deserves a Spider-laugh:

That little bit of asinine stupidity needs only to be laughed at. Repeatedly.

April 25th, 2012 by Joel

At least Osteen is not a hypocrite when it comes to Mormonism and Christianity

“When I hear Mitt Romney say that he believes that Jesus is the Son of God–that he’s the Christ, raised from the dead, that he’s his Savior–that’s good enough for me. [...] Mormonism is a little different, but I still see them as brothers in Christ.”

-Pastor Joel Osteen talks to CNN about the ongoing debate among over whether or not Mormons are ’Christians.’

via Joel Osteen on Mitt Romney: Mormons are ‘brothers in Christ’ – Under God – The Washington Post.

If nothing else, Osteen is pretty consistent in his theology.