by John Ellis (Note: for the sake of not having to type out “rational, sentient” repeatedly throughout this article, when I reference aliens, that’s the type I’m referring to.) Of late, between Uber passengers in my car and friends from church, I have had more conversations about the possibility that aliens exist than at any … Continue reading Do (Rational, Sentient) Aliens Exist? No!
Tag: Philosophy
The FCC, Brendan Carr, and the GOP/MAGA’s Continued Embrace of Fascism
by John Ellis Googling “fascism definition” turns up the result, “An authoritarian and nationalistic right-wing system of government and social organization.” If Google’s AI generated definition of fascism is too vague for you, how about this dense, academic definition offered by Alberto Toscano in his 2023 book Late Fascism: “To the extent that we can … Continue reading The FCC, Brendan Carr, and the GOP/MAGA’s Continued Embrace of Fascism
Knowledge Is Not Neutral: or, How ‘Data Over Dogma’ Is Idolatrous
by John Ellis I’m currently reading – working through – Frederic Jameson’s A Singular Modernity. Jameson is probably best known as a Marxist literary critic, but his work crosses multiple avenues, notably political theory and cultural/societal criticism. I’ve been exposed to Jameson via various books by other authors, articles, and lectures[1], but A Singular Modernity … Continue reading Knowledge Is Not Neutral: or, How ‘Data Over Dogma’ Is Idolatrous
Deadly Worship Services: How Corporate Worship Serves the Curse
by John Ellis As a teaser, I ended my previous article with this quote from Antonin Artaud: “And if there is still one hellish, truly accursed thing in our time, it is our artistic dallying with forms, instead of being like victims burnt at the stake, signaling through the flames.”[1] Artaud’s highly imagistic words underline … Continue reading Deadly Worship Services: How Corporate Worship Serves the Curse
Constantine’s Christendom and Transhumanism Are on a Collision Course. I Don’t Think the Church Is Ready.
by John Ellis Prompted by a conversation about transhumanism with a friend yesterday, I revisited some of the books in my library by the likes of Nick Bostrom and William MacAskill. As I was rereading this morning, it hit me that the transhumanist/longtermist[1] agenda eerily parallels an anthropocentric reading of the Biblical creation story. In … Continue reading Constantine’s Christendom and Transhumanism Are on a Collision Course. I Don’t Think the Church Is Ready.
Is Truth Relative? Well, It Depends on Your Definition of Truth
by John Ellis A resurfaced video of a TED talk given by current NPR CEO Katherine Maher has gotten conservatives – whatever that means now – all up in their feels. Titled “What Wikipedia Teaches Us About Balancing Truth and Belief,” Maher’s talk has earned condemnation and scorn. Elon Musk tweeted the dire caution that … Continue reading Is Truth Relative? Well, It Depends on Your Definition of Truth
Our Gods Are Alive, and We Should Kill Them
by John Ellis In Rogues, his last book published during his lifetime, Derrida prophesied that his matrix of deconstruction requires of humanity “a certain unconditional renunciation of sovereignty.” It’s an opaque statement delivered by an intentionally opaque man. Demonized by many, atheist and Christian alike, Derrida remains a modern-day Gideon of sorts. The opaqueness of … Continue reading Our Gods Are Alive, and We Should Kill Them
Can God Create a Rock too Big for Him to Lift?
by John Ellis There’s only been one time in my life when I’ve been legitimately asked “how many angels can dance on the head of a pin?”. By legitimately, I mean it wasn’t asked by a buddy goofing around. The question was condescendingly posed to me by a smirking college kid who overheard me and … Continue reading Can God Create a Rock too Big for Him to Lift?
Biblical Critical Theory: The Enlightenment Tempts Us to Eat from The Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil
by John Ellis “Therefore, no doubt, the sovereignty of man lieth hid in knowledge.” Francis Bacon[1] The masterful book The Dawn of Everything: A New History of Humanity by anthropologist David Graeber and comparative archaeologist David Wengrow challenges the prevailing Western story about human progress. The first chapter, “Farewell to Humanity’s Childhood,” wonders, “why the … Continue reading Biblical Critical Theory: The Enlightenment Tempts Us to Eat from The Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil
Did the Train Switch Problem Go to Sea? Rich Adventure Tourists Versus Poor, Oppressed Migrants
by John Ellis The train switch problem (or Trolley Problem) is a well-known ethics thought experiment created by the philosopher Philippa Foot. The problem operates as an exploration of the Doctrine of Double Effect and was formulated as part of the abortion debate of the late 1960s. Since then, it’s been largely reduced to a … Continue reading Did the Train Switch Problem Go to Sea? Rich Adventure Tourists Versus Poor, Oppressed Migrants
Practically Known Theology 