Michael Nugent

July 29, 2010

The Resurrection of Jesus in the Bible

Filed under: Religion,The Bible — Michael Nugent @ 8:54 pm

The physical resurrection of Jesus Christ is the central tenet of Christianity. But the evidence for this extraordinary claim is nonexistent outside the Christian Bible, and contradictory within the Christian Bible.

In the earliest written Biblical reference, Paul says the risen Jesus appeared to more than five hundred people at one time [1 Cor 15:3-8]. Yet in the earliest written Gospel, called Mark, the allegedly risen Jesus does not appear to anybody. A different writer later added that part [16:9-20] to the Mark story, with the risen Jesus saying that people who believed in him could safely drink poison.

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July 18, 2010

Atheist Ireland Declaration on Religion in Public Life

Filed under: Secularism — Michael Nugent @ 7:45 pm

At our AGM last Saturday, Atheist Ireland adopted the following amended version of the Copenhagen Declaration on Religion in Public Life. The original version was written and adopted by delegates at the world atheist conference “Gods and Politics” held in Copenhagen from 18-20 June 2010.

This version is based on feedback on the original from various sources. It is written more concisely, clarifies some ambiguous phrases, and categorises the points into groups. Like the original, it is a starting point for discussion and not an unalterable set of principles.

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July 1, 2010

Feedback on Copenhagen Declaration on Religion in Public Life

Filed under: Secularism — Michael Nugent @ 3:23 pm

Here is some of the early online feedback, from various websites and forums, to the Copenhagen Declaration on Religion in Public Life that was adopted by the recent Gods and Politics conference organised by Atheist Alliance International. Two of the most comprehensive discussions to date have been on Pharyngula and Metamagician and the Hellfire Club.

The Declaration was composed collectively on the margins of the Copenhagen conference. It is a starting point, from which we as atheist activists can gradually develop a more nuanced set of principles on the role of religion in public life. Next year’s follow-up to the Copenhagen conference will take place in Dublin, Ireland. Perhaps we could aim to complete a revised version of the Declaration there, after discussing it both online and within any organisations in which we are involved?

In the meantime, here is some of the early online feedback. I have grouped the comments together under the different sections of the declaration, with general feedback at the end. Please add links to any other feedback you find online about the Declaration, as well as any new comments you may have.

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