Covid 19 & Faith

The Covid 19 pandemic has swept the world and has taken many lives. Churches and other houses of worship were closed; others were left with limited congregants. Some believers feel disenfranchised by their leaders even to the extent of claiming they were abandoned by their pastors. Does Covid 19 show an indication that God does not exist and nature is in control?

Covid 19 and Faith

Prayer Amendment Passes

An amendment allowing prayer even in schools was passed. What do you think?  Will this do more harm than good or just good?

Source:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/08/missouri-prayer-amendment-passes-right-to-pray_n_1756787.html?ncid=edlinkusaolp00000003

New Book Answers Atheists – Win one here!

A new book is in the works which will be geared towards answering questions and comments from atheists.  These questions and comments will be gathered from social media, emails, snail mail and personal interactions in the real world, offline.  This book will be instrumental to both believers of God and those who do not believe.  The book will be priced modestly so that many will be able to purchase it.  However, you may be able to get a free pdf copy here.  Just post a comment telling me why you want the book, any questions you have which you want included in the book and whether you are an atheist or theist.

We will be collecting comments until the end of August, 2018.  Winners will be chosen based on their comments and will be notified both privately and publicly on social media.  Spread the word!   Good luck!

God’s Favorite

The above is a meme that is circulating around Twitter, Google + and other social networks especially on atheist or skeptic channels.  In the image, the presupposition is made that since God seems to favor one area of the universe when the universe is extremely enormous, then therefore the whole notion of God is foolish.  What do you think?

• Do you think God must favor the entire universe or only where life is present?
• Why would God create such a large universe or perhaps multi-verses if He only favors one small part of it?

3 Wise Men and Science

The 3 Wise Men who came to see Jesus bearing gifts of myrrh, gold and frankincense were men of science.  

Today, many atheists claim religion and science are incompatible. What are your thoughts on this?

Saint Miracles?

We often hear of miracles performed by saints.  They may entail the restoration of vision, hearing, limps and overall health.

• Are these miracles real?
• Can they be explained with science?
• Are these miracles just stories made to inflate a particular saint?

David Viviano vs Sacerdotus

**UPDATE Oct 14, 2014**

It seems that David Viviano aka Gamma Atheist does not want to go through with his acceptance to debate me.  I have messaged him on Youtube’s Google plus channel and he deleted the thread.  

See this video as proof that I tried to work with him, but he got scared to debate me and ran off:




*******************************************************************************

Well it seems David Viviano aka “Gamma Atheist” has mustered up some courage to debate me and I would love to do it.  It would be an honor to engage him.  However, he needs to contact me via email to discuss the details and the logistics as I do represent an institution and am not at liberty to make my own schedule etc.  

Moreover, the debate was my idea and I had told him where the debate would be (here).  This is the purpose of this blog.  I want to keep a static log of the debate for all to view anytime.  However, this does not mean a future debate cannot happen elsewhere after this first one takes place on this blog.  So in the mean time, it would be logical to hold the debate here until the other details are worked out via email for a future debate on another forum.    

The rules and layout are found on this post below.  I will wait for David to email me. This should be fun.  I hope other atheists don’t ruin it with their nonsense.  

 

.@SCDTVS okay I will debate you, civilly under these terms You come on my show and on webcam
— David V (@GammaAtheist) October 7, 2014

.@SCDTVS I am accepting your invitation, and it should be no problem for you to accept and come on my show then right?
— David V (@GammaAtheist) October 7, 2014

Well I’m waiting…… @CatholicGadfly @SCDTVS
— David V (@GammaAtheist) October 8, 2014

Rules and Format for Debates:

• Both sides should provide coherent reasons supported by evidence.
• No ad hominem, vulgarity and the like.
• Arguments should be stable and not wander around.
• If an argument is not clear or is too complicated, questions can be posted within two asterisk (*) symbols. ie **What did you mean by….**
• The winner will be the one who has provided the strongest arguments.
• If any participant fails to continue, he/she will be disqualified and deemed the loser.
• No one other than the opponent and Sacerdotus will be allowed to comment on debate posts.

Format for Debates:


Opening Speech – Opponent


Opening Speech – Sacerdotus



First Rebuttal – Opponent

First Rebuttal – Sacerdotus

Second Rebuttal – Opponent

Second Rebuttal – Sacerdotus

Closing Statement – Opponent

Closing Statement – Sacerdotus

Is Heaven Real?

We all have heard about this place in books, stories and even movies.  Recently, Hollywood has been producing movies on the topic based on supposed experiences some have had of this place.

• Is Heaven Real?  
• Can there be a place where only the good go?  
• Is this place a ‘place’ or state of existence?  
• Can Heaven produce boredom?  

Share your thoughts on Heaven in the comment box below the post. 

Does the Soul Exist?

The Soul has been the topic of discussion since man learned to reason and think for himself.  He has wondered what he is and if the body he controls is all that exists.  Rene Descartes believed that the soul controlled the mind and body.  This soul was immaterial and self conscious.

Many religious faiths especially the Catholic Church, believe that this soul is immortal and that it is what brings life to a corpse.  However, today many philosophers, physicists, psychologists and neuroscientists believe the soul does not exist and the brain is responsible for cognitive functions including the sense of self.

• What do you think?  
• Does the soul exist?  
• What evidence can be used to support the existence of a soul or non existence?  
• How can science study the soul?

Universe From Nothing

From the Book of Genesis to Modern Physics, humanity has wondered what the universe is made out of and how it came to be.  Did it come from ‘nothing’ or from ‘something?’  Today’s physicists believe the former.  Does this prove or disprove God?