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Archive: Daniel C. Dennett
Thank goodness for Christopher Hitchens!
And we welcome the prayers of those on the other side of the field as a generous-spirited gesture rather like applauding the injured player on the other team. It is also, of course, a sincere indication that Hitch has not yet persuaded them of the futility of what they do. Fair enough.
By Daniel C. Dennett | September 21, 2010; 11:54 AM ET | Comments (13)
Open the books, tell the truth
The claim that Cardinal Ratzinger was more theologian than manager, his attention captured by the intricacies of doctrine, not the activities of those under his leadership, actually undermines his moral authority, by suggesting that he put intellectual fascination ahead of his duty as a leader of leaders.
By Daniel C. Dennett | March 29, 2010; 03:44 PM ET | Comments (6)
Non-believing clergy: Now what shall we do?
Is there a problem of deep hypocrisy separating many pastors from their flocks? What is it like to be a non-believing preacher? How do they reconcile their private skepticism with the obligations of their position? And how did they get into their predicament?
By Daniel C. Dennett | March 17, 2010; 01:21 PM ET | Comments (83)
Problem of evil and religion's double standard
One of the striking differences between modern, "organized" religion and tribal or folk religions--religions without seminaries and theologians and official books--is that in tribal religions they have no double standard!
By Daniel C. Dennett | January 19, 2010; 03:44 PM ET | Comments (20)
Religious no longer a protected class
Religious leaders and apologists should accept that since their institutions are so influential in American life, we have the right to hold their every move up to the light. If they detect that the media are giving them a harder time today than in the past, that is because the bias that protected religion from scrutiny is beginning to dissolve. High time.
By Daniel C. Dennett | January 12, 2010; 08:57 AM ET | Comments (47)
Good without gods
I am delighted with the American Humanist Association's campaign. It articulates a simple truth that should not even be considered controversial. OF COURSE you can be good without a belief in God.
By Daniel C. Dennett | November 24, 2009; 12:09 PM ET | Comments (41)
Teach Our Children Well
All major religious and non-religious groups would be invited to propose self-portraits, in effect, of their traditions, including all the material they would want others to know about them, within agreed-upon length limits.
By Daniel C. Dennett | September 1, 2009; 12:16 PM ET | Comments (7)
You Want Facts or Feelings?
This question should not be seen as a matter of personal conviction or opinion at all. People’s hunches, anecdotal recollections, or personal convictions are of no more weight here than they would be about the causes of global warming.
By Daniel C. Dennett | June 13, 2008; 10:14 AM ET | Comments (123)
Candidates' Religious Hypocrisy Won't Stand
I don't want my candidates to lie, but I also don't want them to lose.
By Daniel C. Dennett | February 7, 2008; 07:54 PM ET | Comments (148)
Muslims Must Demand Free Speech
The time has come for Muslims to step up to the plate and demonstrate that Islam is a great faith that has no need for violence or intimidation to maintain the loyalty of its congregation.
By Daniel C. Dennett | February 4, 2008; 08:18 AM ET | Comments (94)
The Agony of Misplaced Ecstasy
How many millions of priests, pastors, rabbis, imams, nuns and monks around the world are living lives of similar duplicity?
By Daniel C. Dennett | August 30, 2007; 08:56 AM ET | Comments (227)
Teach Our Children Well
There are plenty of checks and balances available to prevent religions from censoring shameful but undeniable truths on the one hand, and to prevent religions from ganging up to vilify minority religions on the other hand.
By Daniel C. Dennett | March 8, 2007; 08:38 AM ET | Comments (43)
'God' or 'Allah'?
I for one would be amused to hear some of our more sanctimonious politicians trying not to choke as they thanked Allah for all the blessings He has bestowed on the United States.
By Daniel C. Dennett | January 30, 2007; 11:23 AM ET | Comments (49)
Relying on Faith Instead of Facts Brought Moral Calamity
Nothing has done more to discredit religious faith in recent years than the self-righteous overconfidence with which our leaders have “listened to God” instead of listening to the knowledgeable secular advisors who warned them, repeatedly, of the follies they were embarking on.
By Daniel C. Dennett | January 13, 2007; 03:45 PM ET | Comments (51)
Not Yet The Majority But No Longer Silent
As long as those who are believers will acknowledge that their allegiance gives them no privilege, no direct line to the absolute truth, no advantage in moral insight, we should be able to get along just fine.
By Daniel C. Dennett | December 30, 2006; 11:07 AM ET | Comments (1244)
Protecting Democracy Comes Before Promoting Faith
It ought to be that anybody who declares that their allegiance to their religion comes before their allegiance to democracy is simply unelectable
By Daniel C. Dennett | December 13, 2006; 05:00 PM ET | Comments (304)
The Gift of Perspective
A religion that thrives in an atmosphere of shared knowledge deserves to thrive; a religion that depends on enforced ignorance deserves to go extinct.
By Daniel C. Dennett | December 8, 2006; 12:38 PM ET | Comments (77)
Thank Goodness Not God on Thanksgiving
We nonbelievers have no difficulty with Thanksgiving; we just Eliminate the Middleman
By Daniel C. Dennett | November 22, 2006; 12:00 PM ET | Comments (252)
No Vegetables, Please
So what if the Bible, or the Quran, says something? Since not everybody accepts that these texts are infallible, citing them as if they were is just rude
By Daniel C. Dennett | November 14, 2006; 06:00 PM ET | Comments (416)
