By George A. Ricker In most discussions between believers and nonbelievers there comes a time when people start arguing over atrocities. Non theists recite a litany of abuses of groups and individuals perpetrated by various religious sects. Religionists counter with their own list of savageries perpetrated by this or that “atheist” regime, usually the names …
By George A. Ricker The concert usually begins around dawn and may last for two hours, sometimes even longer. It’s a solo performance by a virtuoso and never ceases to bring a smile to my face. Sometimes, lying in bed, debating whether or not to leave my own warm nest, I catch myself wondering what …
No gods…no problem! By George A. Ricker At the end of my book, Godless in America: conversations with an atheist, I make the following statement, “As I said at the outset, atheism is the absence of god-belief. It is a simple thing, a place to stand without fear and without apology.” Atheism is a loaded word. …
Random thoughts on evolution By George A. Ricker Let me lay my cards on the table. I’m a reductionist. I think everything that exists can be broken down to constituents of matter/energy and the rules governing its operation. Rules, I must add, that are simply inherent in the nature of matter/energy. Divine rule-makers need not …
By George A. Ricker Bank shots, like long shots, sometimes happen. Most of mine go drifting. It’s 7 p.m. on a Friday. Already the pool hall (billiards parlor, if you prefer the more refined parlance) has begun to take on the aura it will hold through the night. Smoke-filled, the air in the room is …
Rebuilding the wall of separation By George A. Ricker There is probably no more contentious subject in American politics today than the relationship between federal, state and local government agencies and religions—questions focused on the “wall of separation between church and state.” The arguments range from whether there should be such a separation at all …
By George A. Ricker Much has been said and written during the last 18 months or so about a cultural phenomenon called “The New Atheism.” The phrase has been used widely in the media. A Google search conducted recently yielded references to articles in such diverse locations as Dissent, Wired Magazine, The Nation, Newsweek, and ZNet.com, to name just a …
By George A. Ricker I once worked for a man whose favorite question—one he asked his employees at every opportunity—was, “Is everything under control?” My response—like those of my co-workers—was invariably a dutiful “Yes.” I lied. Understand, I was much younger then and, at the time, was not aware I was lying. The lie wasn’t …
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;….” So says the portion of the First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America that has to do with the relationship of religions and the government. The words seem very clear to me, yet our society is unable …
The coming conflict with Iran By George A. Ricker A historian of some note, the late Will Durant, once wrote, “It may be true that ‘you can’t fool all the people all the time,’ but you can fool enough of them to rule a large country.” I find myself recalling those words as I listen …