Religious Trends

How Yahweh Became a Donkey-Headed Egyptian Demon Called Set

Dr. Darren M. Slade

Feb 107 min read

How Yahweh Became a Donkey-Headed Egyptian Demon Called Set

The conflation of Yahweh with Set influenced early Christian interpretations of the Old Testament god as an evil deity.

The Psychological Power (and Danger) of Magical Thinking: Is Sympathetic Magic Helpful?

Dr. Darren M. Slade

Aug 27, 20238 min read

The Psychological Power (and Danger) of Magical Thinking: Is Sympathetic Magic Helpful?

This post explores the psychological dimensions of sympathetic magic, its historical origins, modern practices, and the human psyche.

Protecting Your Faith and Identity from Narcissistic Clergy and Wannabe Cult Leaders

Dr. Darren M. Slade

Aug 14, 20237 min read

Protecting Your Faith and Identity from Narcissistic Clergy and Wannabe Cult Leaders

Narcissists are drawn to professional ministry due to the opportunities these roles present for power, control, and admiration.

Propagandizing the Exodus Story: How DeMille's The Ten Commandments was an Allegory for the Cold War

Dr. Darren M. Slade

Aug 5, 20236 min read

Propagandizing the Exodus Story: How DeMille's The Ten Commandments was an Allegory for the Cold War

As a Cold War-era epic, The Ten Commandments reflects the tensions prevalent in 1950s America and the fight against godless communism.

"Why Does GCRR Hate Religion So Much?" We don't. But we do like making fun of it!

Dr. Darren M. Slade

Jan 12, 20233 min read

"Why Does GCRR Hate Religion So Much?" We don't. But we do like making fun of it!

Why does it look like GCRR hates religion? Some of it's b/c we have a dirty mind, and others b/c we engage in "abductive provocations." 😝

"The Christian Post" and "Faithwire" React to CNN's "Rapture Anxiety" in Stereotypically Bad Fashion

Susan Allen

Oct 14, 20229 min read

"The Christian Post" and "Faithwire" React to CNN's "Rapture Anxiety" in Stereotypically Bad Fashion

They sure as hell didn't believe people would suddenly start floating buck-ass naked into the stratosphere to go meet a white-skinned Jesus.

Rapture Anxiety: The Disgraceful History of Prophecy Pundits and Harmful Apocalyptic Hysteria

Dr. Darren M. Slade

Sep 28, 20227 min read

Rapture Anxiety: The Disgraceful History of Prophecy Pundits and Harmful Apocalyptic Hysteria

The pseudo-expertise of prophecy pundits and rapture enthusiasts simply capitalizes on mass hysteria, paranoia, and global crises.

What's Wrong with Minimal Facts Apologetics? A Lot, Actually. SHERM Journal Exposes the Deception

Dr. Darren M. Slade

May 17, 20225 min read

What's Wrong with Minimal Facts Apologetics? A Lot, Actually. SHERM Journal Exposes the Deception

Gary Habermas disproportionately pulled from a biased subclass of publications and is, therefore, unrepresentative of critical scholarship.

Follow the Money Trail: Faith-Based Education and Publishing in Apologetics (Part II)

Dr. Darren M. Slade

Apr 13, 202210 min read

Follow the Money Trail: Faith-Based Education and Publishing in Apologetics (Part II)

The amount of money for apologetics inflates the amount of publishing avenues and arguments available for Christianity.

Follow the Money Trail: Faith-Based Education and Publishing in Apologetics (Part I)

Dr. Darren M. Slade

Apr 11, 20227 min read

Follow the Money Trail: Faith-Based Education and Publishing in Apologetics (Part I)

Yes, apologetics is about money. And those wishing to learn information that counters apologetic claims are a at a significant disadvantage.

Investigating Paranormal Claims (Part VI): A Presumption of Truthtelling?

Dr. Darren M. Slade

Feb 11, 20225 min read

Investigating Paranormal Claims (Part VI): A Presumption of Truthtelling?

Should critical investigators possess a “presumption of truthtelling” with regards to a claimant’s credibility until proven otherwise?

Investigating Paranormal Claims (Part V): Other Potential Memory Distortions

Dr. Darren M. Slade

Feb 10, 20228 min read

Investigating Paranormal Claims (Part V): Other Potential Memory Distortions

There are numerous other psychological and cognitive variables that distort people's memories of the paranormal.

Investigating Paranormal Claims (Part IV): Eyewitness Accuracy and Biased Memories

Dr. Darren M. Slade

Feb 9, 20224 min read

Investigating Paranormal Claims (Part IV): Eyewitness Accuracy and Biased Memories

Investigators first need to consider the potential for memory bias when attempting to corroborate paranormal claims.

Investigating Paranormal Claims (Part III): Eyewitness Suitability

Dr. Darren M. Slade

Feb 8, 20222 min read

Investigating Paranormal Claims (Part III): Eyewitness Suitability

Ascertain “witness suitability” by examining whether eyewitnesses were even capable of accurately perceiving the event in the first place.

Wouldn't We All Be Happier If We Didn't Have to Choose? The Problem with Academic Societies

Dr. Darren M. Slade

Jan 7, 20222 min read

Wouldn't We All Be Happier If We Didn't Have to Choose? The Problem with Academic Societies

I want you to ponder this question for a second: "Freedom to choose ... or freedom from choice — which is more liberating?" It's important.

The Healing Jesus Crusade and its Perception by the Muslim Community of Ede (Southwest Nigeria)

Dr. Darren M. Slade

Dec 27, 20211 min read

The Healing Jesus Crusade and its Perception by the Muslim Community of Ede (Southwest Nigeria)

New publication from SHERM Journal: "The Healing Jesus Crusade and its Perception by the Muslim Community of Ede (Southwest Nigeria)"

New Ancient Hermeneutical Practice Identified: "Hagioprepēs" (The Rationalizing of Saintly Sin)

Dr. Darren M. Slade

Dec 20, 20214 min read

New Ancient Hermeneutical Practice Identified: "Hagioprepēs" (The Rationalizing of Saintly Sin)

What is Hagioprepēs? It is the act of rationalizing the sinful behaviors of culture heroes and saints in the Bible.

A Brief Primer to the Influences of Religious Law Today

arnoldj2

Nov 22, 20213 min read

A Brief Primer to the Influences of Religious Law Today

A close analysis of religious law reveals that it is anything but a legal outlier in its influence on U.S. Law.

Biblical Patriotism: An Evangelical Alternative to Nationalism by Dr. Adam Wyatt

Dr. Darren M. Slade

Nov 15, 20212 min read

Biblical Patriotism: An Evangelical Alternative to Nationalism by Dr. Adam Wyatt

This book takes a comprehensive look at how the Bible frames patriotic duty as a proper alternative to nationalism.

The Problem with Trying to Harmonize the Bible: A New Book Publication by Dr. Robert M. Price

Dr. Darren M. Slade

Nov 8, 20213 min read

The Problem with Trying to Harmonize the Bible: A New Book Publication by Dr. Robert M. Price

Robert M. Price's new book, When Gospels Collide, exposes the folly of harmonizing the contradictions found in the four canonical Gospels.