Science News, and Watching the Religious Right

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Are We Close to Reading Minds?

We’ve covered the potential for mind-reading before here on Big Think. The technology sounds exciting, but it also brings up terrifying ethical issues. To quote Neil deGrasse Tyson, “we’re moving onward to the edge” when it comes to the cosmos of the mind. Scientists at Stanford University have traced the source of thoughts to specific parts of the brain. Does this present the potential for mind-reading? [Read more]

I Was a Cosmos Virgin

Confession: I never saw the original Cosmos series. I do remember my sister’s best friend in high school had a major crush on Carl Sagan, which we thought was hilarious, but it didn’t inspire this admittedly lackluster student to watch the show. (I’m proud to say my intellectual side ripened in college, but I still never caught Sagan’s Cosmos.) [Read more]

The Dome Overhead

Hector Avalos, the biblical scholar calling for an end to biblical studies, occasionally posts over at Debunking Christianity. His latest two posts expand on a debate he had with pastor and apologist Rev. Juan Valdes. The debate was over the scientific accuracy of Genesis 1-3, and now both men are answering questions and drawing out arguments. Avalos’ major point is that apologists do not understand the texts they’re dealing with, nor the way that scholars interpret them. [Read more]

Animal Evolution Post Flood

I have previously commented on the flood story and how it featured in my deconversion process. However, a recent exchange on Bruce’s blog has prompted me to comment on the curious case of animal evolution post flood. The original post on Bruce’s blog is my own guest post which he kindly put up for me, and part the conversation that followed centred on what happened to the animals after the flood. This is what I want to specifically comment on now. [Read more]

Steve King: Being Gay Is ‘Self-Professed Behavior’ That Can’t Be ‘Independently Verified’

Rep. Steve King of Iowa joined Des Moines’ WHO TV yesterday to discuss Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer’s veto of a bill that would have strengthened the ability of businesses to discriminate against gays and lesbians. [Read more]

Bachmann: American Jews ‘Sold Out Israel’ To Help Obama; Bible Predicts US Will Turn Against Israel In End Times 

Speaking with Family Research Council head Tony Perkins yesterday, Rep. Michele Bachmann warned that President Obama is “threatening Israel,” and by doing so is fulfilling biblical prophecies and bringing about the End Times. The Minnesota congresswoman told Perkins that Obama is pressuring Israel to “give up its land to terrorists” allied with Al Qaeda, which will lead to a “final war, destroying and reducing to rubble Israel.” [Read more]

Robertson: First Cousins Can Marry As Long As They Avoid Having ‘Some Mongoloid Child’ 

Today on the 700 Club, Pat Robertson said that the Bible does not prohibit first cousins from marrying, but advised prospective first-cousin spouses to speak first to a genetic counselor. He then drew upon an offensive term for people with Down syndrome and disabilities. [Read more]

Hagee: Crisis In Ukraine Is The Beginning Of The Last Days

John Hagee spent most of yesterday’s “Hagee Hotline” explaining to his viewers how the current crisis in Ukraine is a precursor to the invasion of Israel as foretold by the Book of Ezekiel that will usher in the Last Days. [Read more]

Rick Scarborough Is Upset He Can’t Talk About Anal Sex In Church

Last week, World Congress of Families spokesman Don Feder joined Rick Scarborough on a Tea Party Unity conference call, where Feder got to talking about how liberals “intimidate” conservative pastors into not speaking out against gay rights. [Read more]

Pseudo Spirituality

That’s it. I can’t take it anymore. I can’t even pretend. This concept of (Pseudo) Spirituality: supposedly “spiritual” people who are quoting memes and one-liners that have no idea what they really mean. What it means to “Trust the Universe.” Or how freaking hard it is to actually get down and dirty with your own growth; how to deal with your own issues. Walking around spouting words and concepts that sound cool. [Read more]