Editorial Submission re: War of the Worldviews religious debate event in Whitby, ON

Here is the final draft just sent to the Durham Region News, for publication as an op-ed:

TFP on the Centre For Inquiry Toronto’s new Campus Podcast

The Centre For Inquiry Toronto is beginning a new Campus Podcast dealing with issues of freethought and secularism on Canadian university and college campuses. The Frame Problem will be a regular news source and contributor to the podcast. Below is a manuscript of the first submission, which concerns a recent article published in the University of Toronto’s leading student paper, The Varsity, on evolution and Intelligent Design Creationism. Justin Trottier, Director of CFI Toronto, will likely cut some parts out in the interest of time, but here it is as initially produced.

Humanist Perspectives on Trent Radio (Update)

The interview for the Humanist Perspectives Radio Show with Aga Smies at Trent University was recorded this morning. It will be aired this Sunday from 1-2 PM (my segment was probably about 15 minutes). Listen online at www.TrentRadio.ca. If you’re in the Peterborough area, tune in at 92.7 FM, or 95.3 on Cable.

In this interview I distinguish between an idealistic intellectually honest society and the society we live in in terms of how we conceive of and treat religious beliefs. I also invoke political power of the masses as the primary reason for why we are far more charitable to established religious beliefs than to other unsubstantiated beliefs such as those of cults (i.e., new religious movements).

Humanist Perspectives on Trent Radio

I will be a guest on Age Smies’ Humanist Perspectives, a radio show at Trent University in Peterborough, ON. Age and I will be discussing a few things. Firstly, is it possible for one to say that they believe theistic belief to be a form of irrational delusion without being accused of being offensive? Is there a polite way to not just admit that one is an atheist, but to say that in one’s opinion, religious faith is by definition irrational and a form of delusion? The second issue to be discussed is why so many nonbelievers are so concerned about being offensive in this way? Is it really because of genuine compassion, or is this merely window dressing or the tip of a qualitatively distinct iceberg? Finally, what does this mean in terms of how politically passionate nonbelievers should conduct themselves?

Trent Radio can be found on radio at 92.7 FM and 95.3 FM (cable) in the Peterborough area, and online at www.TrentRadio.ca.

Time and Date TBA.