Take the Christian Faith and Reason poll on the evolution by clicking here.
The results of the poll so far are:
Poll Question:
Which of the following schools of thought on evolution and creation best represents your view ?
71 % say Atheistic evolution, in which the earth is 4.5 billion years old, man evolved over millions of years, and God played no part in any of it.
21% say Theistic evolution, in which the earth is 4.5 billion years old, man evolved over millions of years, and God played a part in it.
6% say Intelligent design, in which the earth is 4.5 billion years old, and all species, including man, developed over time in a process that suggests the involvement of an intelligent agent, which may or may not be God.
0% say Old Earth Creationism, in which the earth is 4.5 billion years old, and man was created by God fully formed within the last 50,000 years.
3% say Young Earth Creationism, in which God created the universe, earth, man, and dinosaurs during a one week period 6,000 years ago.
0% say I don't know
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Wednesday, July 04, 2007
A busy game plan for July
Here's the game plan for July. It's all very exciting but, as they say, "A lot to say grace over" !
Look for a second edition of Letter to an Atheist to be published August 1 by Harpeth River Press. This second edition will add new chapters on the rise of Militant Atheism, overviews and critiques of the arguments of well known atheists Richard Dawkins, Daniel Dennett, and Christopher Hitchens, and a very important and quite possibly controversial chapter titled "How Christian Anti-Intellectualism is Helping Militant Atheism to Grow".
Those of you have purchased the first edition will be able to obtain copies of the second edition at half the retail price, so stay tuned !
Also look for 25,000 copies of the August edition of Christian Faith and Reason magazine to be available at bookstores, coffee shops, and grocery stores throughout the Nashville, Tennessee market during the first week of August. For those of you living outside of Nashville, a national edition of Christian Faith and Reason magazine should be available in most markets by October 1.
And finally, though there is no specific plan for a publication date yet, the third draft of Fort Desperate, my novel of the Civil War set in Louisiana, should be finished by September 1. A recent visit to Fort Desperate itself in the Louisiana State Historical Site at Port Hudson helped provide some needed inspiration to move that project along !
Look for a second edition of Letter to an Atheist to be published August 1 by Harpeth River Press. This second edition will add new chapters on the rise of Militant Atheism, overviews and critiques of the arguments of well known atheists Richard Dawkins, Daniel Dennett, and Christopher Hitchens, and a very important and quite possibly controversial chapter titled "How Christian Anti-Intellectualism is Helping Militant Atheism to Grow".
Those of you have purchased the first edition will be able to obtain copies of the second edition at half the retail price, so stay tuned !
Also look for 25,000 copies of the August edition of Christian Faith and Reason magazine to be available at bookstores, coffee shops, and grocery stores throughout the Nashville, Tennessee market during the first week of August. For those of you living outside of Nashville, a national edition of Christian Faith and Reason magazine should be available in most markets by October 1.
And finally, though there is no specific plan for a publication date yet, the third draft of Fort Desperate, my novel of the Civil War set in Louisiana, should be finished by September 1. A recent visit to Fort Desperate itself in the Louisiana State Historical Site at Port Hudson helped provide some needed inspiration to move that project along !
Saturday, June 30, 2007
Thirty Years Later
Thirty years after I last spoke with Harvard classmate David Blankenhorn, I discovered something amazing. We have both arrived at very similar conclusions about faith, our country, and the future.
David and I both majored in Social Studies, and were magna cum laude graduates of the 1977 class at Harvard. Though we didn't have many classes in common, the Social Studies program was a unique experience. Sophomore year we read "the great books" of history's leading social theorists -- Hegel, John Stuart Mill, Max Weber, Alexis de Toqueville, Sigmund Freud. Then Junior year we took a specialized tutorial ( I studied government regulatory policy ), and Senior year we wrote a thesis (mine was on the structure, conduct, and performance of the American automobile industry).
As I recall, David was a Christian even back then, making him quite remarkable within the Harvard community of the day. I, however, was not, though I could properly have been called a "seeker". It took me almost a decade after Harvard to come to faith, but I made it eventually.
In the 1990's David wrote a fantastic book about the need for fathers in American to behave more like fathers. This was shortly after he founded the non-profit think tank the Institute for American Values.
Now comes another great work from David: The Future of Marriage.
In it, David argues that the preservation and strengthening of the institution of marriage is the single most important thing that can be done to maintain American civilization. I couldn't agree with David more.
David also is a very big proponent of Islamic-Christian engagement, another theme that you will find in my recent book, Letter to an Atheist.
David and I both majored in Social Studies, and were magna cum laude graduates of the 1977 class at Harvard. Though we didn't have many classes in common, the Social Studies program was a unique experience. Sophomore year we read "the great books" of history's leading social theorists -- Hegel, John Stuart Mill, Max Weber, Alexis de Toqueville, Sigmund Freud. Then Junior year we took a specialized tutorial ( I studied government regulatory policy ), and Senior year we wrote a thesis (mine was on the structure, conduct, and performance of the American automobile industry).
As I recall, David was a Christian even back then, making him quite remarkable within the Harvard community of the day. I, however, was not, though I could properly have been called a "seeker". It took me almost a decade after Harvard to come to faith, but I made it eventually.
In the 1990's David wrote a fantastic book about the need for fathers in American to behave more like fathers. This was shortly after he founded the non-profit think tank the Institute for American Values.
Now comes another great work from David: The Future of Marriage.
In it, David argues that the preservation and strengthening of the institution of marriage is the single most important thing that can be done to maintain American civilization. I couldn't agree with David more.
David also is a very big proponent of Islamic-Christian engagement, another theme that you will find in my recent book, Letter to an Atheist.
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Los Angeles Times running my opinion piece on the Creation Museum
Check out today's Los Angeles Times.
They're running my opinion piece "The Trouble With Fred and Wilma", which is critical of both the Creation Museum and the mainstream media coverage of that facility's recent grand opening.
They're running my opinion piece "The Trouble With Fred and Wilma", which is critical of both the Creation Museum and the mainstream media coverage of that facility's recent grand opening.
Monday, June 04, 2007
Letter to an Atheist Leads the Sam Harris Responses on Amazon !
Rising very early Monday morning to do some real business, I check on the book sales at Amazon.
For the first time, Letter to an Atheist is in the lead of the Sam Harris responses books ! Granted, it's not by much, and is likely to change again, but for now, it's one small victory to enjoy !
Sam Harris: #121
Michael Patrick Leahy: # 21,163
Douglas Wilson: # 22,375
Joel McDurmon: # 33,531
RC Metcalf: # 36,843
The good news is that all four of the Sam Harris responses seem to be gathering steam !
Take a snapshot of book sales in another 4 hours, however, and you could see Letter to an Atheist on its way down to 100,000.
My goal is to get it past the 1,000 mark . If you haven't purchased the book yet, you could certainly help me get there by purchasing it on Amazon now ! Or, you can purchase it direct from the Letter to an Atheist website.
For the first time, Letter to an Atheist is in the lead of the Sam Harris responses books ! Granted, it's not by much, and is likely to change again, but for now, it's one small victory to enjoy !
Sam Harris: #121
Michael Patrick Leahy: # 21,163
Douglas Wilson: # 22,375
Joel McDurmon: # 33,531
RC Metcalf: # 36,843
The good news is that all four of the Sam Harris responses seem to be gathering steam !
Take a snapshot of book sales in another 4 hours, however, and you could see Letter to an Atheist on its way down to 100,000.
My goal is to get it past the 1,000 mark . If you haven't purchased the book yet, you could certainly help me get there by purchasing it on Amazon now ! Or, you can purchase it direct from the Letter to an Atheist website.
Sunday, June 03, 2007
Amazon Book Sales Heat Up !
Here are the numbers as of Sunday evening:
Sam Harris # 103
Douglas Wilson #12,168
RC Metcalfe #18,809
Michael Patrick Leahy #22,856
Joel McDurmon #34,885
The interesting phenomenon developing is that having four responses to Harris seems to be generating a critical mass of activity. Many readers who disagree with Harris are buying three, and in some cases all four of the responses.
Sam Harris # 103
Douglas Wilson #12,168
RC Metcalfe #18,809
Michael Patrick Leahy #22,856
Joel McDurmon #34,885
The interesting phenomenon developing is that having four responses to Harris seems to be generating a critical mass of activity. Many readers who disagree with Harris are buying three, and in some cases all four of the responses.
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
The Amazon Sam Harris Debunkers Book Race
As of 8:30 pm CST Today:
Sam Harris --#183
Doug Wilson -- #12,354
Michael Patrick Leahy -- #52,430
RC Metcalf -- #70,302
Joel McDurmon -- #102,435
Sam Harris --#183
Doug Wilson -- #12,354
Michael Patrick Leahy -- #52,430
RC Metcalf -- #70,302
Joel McDurmon -- #102,435
Behind the scenes at the Creation Museum Grand Opening
Those of you who have followed this blog closely probably know already that as part of our overall plan for wider awareness of my work, we've launched a new online magazine, called Christian Faith and Reason.
We went live with the first edition of the magazine this past Sunday. Our feature story was on the Grand Opening of the Creation Museum, a Young Earth Creationists fantasyland where dinosaurs and humans co-exist. This facility was brought to life with $27 million in funds donated to a group called Answers in Genesis by 9,000 "charter members", three of whom gave $1 million each.
We've received quite a lot of attention for our cover story, which suggests that the Creation Museum, though it features a literal interpretion of the Genesis story, is bad for Christian faith and good for the growth of militant atheism. Can you say "easy target" ?
We also broke a story on the business practices of Answers in Genesis, and their CEO Ken Ham. This latter story has garnered a great deal of attention from Christians and secularists alike.
There's a story behind the story on this one, and we may develop it in greater detail shortly. It's a pretty lively story, but one that will take a fair amount of time to get right, so we may let it simmer for awhile.
As a tantalizing hint, I'll say this:
When we attended the Creation Museum Grand Opening event, we found that it was the Atheists and Muslims who were friendly and kind to us, and our fellow Christians were..... well let's just say they were less so.
We went live with the first edition of the magazine this past Sunday. Our feature story was on the Grand Opening of the Creation Museum, a Young Earth Creationists fantasyland where dinosaurs and humans co-exist. This facility was brought to life with $27 million in funds donated to a group called Answers in Genesis by 9,000 "charter members", three of whom gave $1 million each.
We've received quite a lot of attention for our cover story, which suggests that the Creation Museum, though it features a literal interpretion of the Genesis story, is bad for Christian faith and good for the growth of militant atheism. Can you say "easy target" ?
We also broke a story on the business practices of Answers in Genesis, and their CEO Ken Ham. This latter story has garnered a great deal of attention from Christians and secularists alike.
There's a story behind the story on this one, and we may develop it in greater detail shortly. It's a pretty lively story, but one that will take a fair amount of time to get right, so we may let it simmer for awhile.
As a tantalizing hint, I'll say this:
When we attended the Creation Museum Grand Opening event, we found that it was the Atheists and Muslims who were friendly and kind to us, and our fellow Christians were..... well let's just say they were less so.
Davis-Kidd Book signing set for August
Davis-Kidd Booksellers in Nashville just confirmed that I will be holding a book signing there sometime in August. They are planning a local authors day, and apparently will have several book signings for several authors.
We'll see how they want to structure it.
It will be very good if several authors are scheduled to do unique book signings at different intervals throughout the day.
On the other hand, if half a dozen of us are thrown in to the same room, each with a desk and a pile of books to sign.... well, that sounds not quite so promising.
Stay tuned.
I'll let you know what Davis-Kidd has in mind.
We'll see how they want to structure it.
It will be very good if several authors are scheduled to do unique book signings at different intervals throughout the day.
On the other hand, if half a dozen of us are thrown in to the same room, each with a desk and a pile of books to sign.... well, that sounds not quite so promising.
Stay tuned.
I'll let you know what Davis-Kidd has in mind.
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Davis Kidd Bookstore in Nashville now carrying Letter to an Atheist !
The Davis Kidd Bookstore in Nashville (located in the Green Hills Mall) is now carrying Letter to an Atheist.
Stay tuned for details of a book signing there !
Stay tuned for details of a book signing there !
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
The Amazon Battle of the Books: Sam Harris Debunkers
Sales rankings at Amazon are notoriously hard to fathom. But for the entertainment of our blog reading audience, I thought I would post the current rankings on Amazon for Sam Harris Letter to a Christian Nation, and the 4 debunkers out in print now:
Sam Harris Letter to a Christian Nation is #144
Doug Wilson's Letter from a Christian Citizen is #16,220
RC Metcalf's Letter to a Christian Nation: Counterpoint is #37,459
My Letter to an Atheist is #83,968
Joel McDurmon's Return of the Village Atheist is # 183,189
Sam Harris Letter to a Christian Nation is #144
Doug Wilson's Letter from a Christian Citizen is #16,220
RC Metcalf's Letter to a Christian Nation: Counterpoint is #37,459
My Letter to an Atheist is #83,968
Joel McDurmon's Return of the Village Atheist is # 183,189
What do Google Books and Borders have in Common ?
Answer:
A lack of speed.
Google Books received the digital version of Letter to an Atheist on April 14... so far, it's not up !
And Borders committed to carrying Letter to an Atheist in their Cool Springs (Franklin, Tennessee) store back on April 12. It's not on the shelves yet.
Ah the trials of the small publisher !
A lack of speed.
Google Books received the digital version of Letter to an Atheist on April 14... so far, it's not up !
And Borders committed to carrying Letter to an Atheist in their Cool Springs (Franklin, Tennessee) store back on April 12. It's not on the shelves yet.
Ah the trials of the small publisher !
Friday, May 11, 2007
Number 1 Christian News Portal on Web Publishes Op-Ed Piece
Christian Post, the number 1 Christian news portal on the web, published my op-ed piece titled "Kirk Cameron Battles to a Draw in Nightline Debate with Atheists" in today's edition. Check it out !
Monday, April 30, 2007
Amazon has right book, wrong author
Letter to an Atheist is now available on Amazon.com. We hit the best sellers list--if you define that list as any book in the top 99,000 !
Amazon lists me as Michael, Patrick Leahy rather than Leahy, Michael Patrick.
That glitch should be fixed soon.
Don't be shy about writing a glowing review on Amazon !
Amazon lists me as Michael, Patrick Leahy rather than Leahy, Michael Patrick.
That glitch should be fixed soon.
Don't be shy about writing a glowing review on Amazon !
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Writer Deborah Brannan at April 15 book signing
Annette Dixon, local writer Deborah Brannan, and software marketing guru John Moss look on as I sign another book.
Photo courtesy of Anne Rogers
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Authors Robert Hicks and Michael Patrick Leahy
Robert Hicks, best selling author of The Widow of the South, and Michael Patrick Leahy chat about slavery, the Civil War, and Christian faith.
Mr. Hicks is currently working on a novel set during the last week in the life of Confederate General John Bell Hood.
photography courtesy of Anne Rogers
The Williamson County Public Library Writers Group
from left to right: Anne Rogers, Michael Patrick Leahy, Nancy Reece, and Sara Hamill
photograph courtesy of Anne Rogers
Sunday, April 15, 2007
First Book Signing a Great Success !
I had my first book signing today at Landmark Booksellers in Franklin.
It was a great success !
We had a crowd of about 25, and sold 20 books !
Definitely exceeded my expectations.
Pictures to come....
It was a great success !
We had a crowd of about 25, and sold 20 books !
Definitely exceeded my expectations.
Pictures to come....
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