A Logical Take

Examining UFO sightings, pseudo cures, Facebook memes and the like.

David Kyle Johnson Ph.D.

Gun Violence: Is It a People Problem?

American gun violence is not a product of the "moral degradation of American society." It's not degrading and, even if it was, it would be completely irrelevant.

Abortion Doesn’t Justify Ignoring Gun Violence

Whether you are pro-choice or pro-life, the fact that abortion is legal is not a legitimate reason to do nothing about gun violence in America.

Royally Bad Philosophy (A Reply to Craig and Colbert)

The cosmological argument ("why is there something rather than nothing") is not nearly as strong as many suppose.

Alternative Facts, Weather Forecasts, and White (House) Lies

We’ve come full circle. The most radically left postmodern idea— that truth is relative—is being embraced by the most radically conservative White House administration.

Trump Inauguration: (Crowd) Size Matters, So Who's Lying?

If the Media's lying about Trump having the biggest inauguration crowd in history, that's troubling. If Trump is scolding the press for not corroborating his lies, that's chilling.

Book Review: Bart Ehrman’s Jesus Before the Gospels

In Jesus Before the Gospels, Ehrman presents a much needed, brilliant argument—one that challenges longstanding assumptions about the reliability of the Gospels.

A Friendly Open Letter to Bill Nye (about Philosophy)

Scientists often decry philosophy. In this open letter to Bill Nye, I suggest scientists should instead see philosophy as an ally. Indeed, science just is "natural philosophy."

In Defense of Parents Who Don’t Lie About Santa

Many parents who don't lie about Santa spin tales of being berated by parents who do. Here I argue that this practice should stop.

Let’s Get Santa Right: A Reply

In response to my argument that parents shouldn't lie to their children about Santa, David Ottlinger suggests I don't understand the function of the Santa myth. I offer my reply.

The War on Christmas, Reindeerless Santas and Plain Red Cups

The conservatives might have a point about the "War on Christmas"—it’s just not the point they are trying to make.

No Virginia, Gay Marriage Won’t Lead to 900,000 Abortions

Gene Schaerr’s recently argued, before the Supreme Court, that gay marriage will lead to more abortions--900,000 more!

The Blue/Black White/Gold Dress Controversy: No One Is Right

The blue/black, or white/gold, dress controversy reveals more than meets the eye.

Larry Wilmore

On Vaccines and Autism: An Open Letter to Larry Wilmore

Larry Wilmore, the host of The Nightly Show, knows that vaccines are safe and effective. Unfortunately, he has no idea how to host a show that communicates that fact.

Saving Christmas From Kirk Cameron

According to Kirk Cameron, if you are not celebrating Christmas like his family, then you’re just not doing it right.

Do Souls Exist?

In my article "Do Souls Exist," I explain why most philosophers doubt the existence of the soul. Here I field some of the most common questions regarding their doubts by responding to questions posed to me by philosophy of religion students at Berkhamsted School in London.

Is Religion Pseudoscience?

I presented at a conference on special divine action sponsored by two organizations dedicated to demonstrating the compatibility of science and religion. I hoped to find people friendly to both science and religion. Unfortunately, even the headliners were far too friendly to pseudoscience.

Do We Live In a Computer Simulation?

After his keynote speech for the American Humanist Conference this past weekend, Max Tegmark (Author of "Our Mathematical Universe") said some things that were not quite accurate regarding the subject of my lecture at the conference: The Simulation Argument. Here, I try to straighten it all out.

Is “Heaven Is for Real” for Real?

Colton Burpo didn't really visit heaven, but the new movie that tells his story isn’t nearly as bad as it could have been.

God’s Not Dead? Neither Is Philosophy

This weekend, Christian conservative movie makers tried to prove that, while God’s not dead, philosophy is. I argue that they failed—and that, ironically, Rocky IV helps us see why

Let Go of The Shroud Part III

The Shroud of Turin, which many believe to be burial shroud of Christ, is obviously one of many religious relics that were forged in the middle ages. To improve its image regarding how it relates to science, the church (and any religious group) should admit that it is fake and distance itself from it as far as possible.

Let Go of the Shroud Part II

The Shroud of Turin, which many believe to be burial shroud of Christ, is obviously one of many religious relics that were forged in the middle ages. To improve its image regarding how it relates to science, the church (and any religious group) should admit that it is fake and distance itself from it as far as possible.

Let Go of the Shroud Part I

The Shroud of Turin, which many believe to be burial shroud of Christ, is obviously one of many religious relics that were forged in the middle ages. To improve its image regarding how it relates to science, the church (and any religious group) should admit that it is fake and distance itself from it as far as possible.

Why 62% of Philosophers are Atheists (Part VI)

In a recent interview with Gary Gutting for The Stone, Alvin Plantinga (one of the most influential Christian philosophers) argued that atheism is irrational. I evaluate his argument, as a logician, in six parts. I conclude that atheism is not irrational.

Why 62% of Philosophers are Atheists (Part V)

In a recent interview with Gary Gutting for The Stone, Alvin Plantinga (one of the most influential Christian philosophers) argued that atheism is irrational. I evaluate his argument, as a logician, in six parts. I conclude that atheism is not irrational.

Why 62% of Philosophers are Atheists (Part IV)

Teaser: In a recent interview with Gary Gutting for The Stone, Alvin Plantinga (one of the most influential Christian philosophers) argued that atheism is irrational. I evaluate his argument, as a logician, in six parts. I conclude that atheism is not irrational.

Why 62 Percent of Philosophers Are Atheists Part III

In a recent interview with Gary Gutting for The Stone, Alvin Plantinga (one of the most influential Christian philosophers) argued that atheism is irrational. I evaluate his argument, as a logician, in six parts. I conclude that atheism is not irrational.

Why 62% of Philosophers are Atheists (Part II)

In a recent interview with Gary Gutting for The Stone, Alvin Plantinga (one of the most influential Christian philosophers) argued that atheism is irrational. I evaluate his argument, as a logician, in six parts. I conclude that atheism is not irrational.

Why 62% of Philosophers are Atheists (Part I)

In a recent interview with Gary Gutting for The Stone, Alvin Plantinga (one of the most influential Christian philosophers) argued that atheism is irrational. I evaluate his argument, as a logician, in six parts. I conclude that atheism is not irrational.

"Guns Don’t Kill People, People Do?"

It's often said that "Guns don't kill people; people kill people." Most think this argument is fallacious, but it's not exactly clear as to why.