News items from the past week include a couple of essays on what is most important in a democracy, whether the legalization of gay marriage in Canada threatens religious freedom, the situation with Islamic militants in Iraq, and more.

Ending the Filibuster: Democracy vs. Majority Rule
Some people in America are confused between democracy and majority rule - they think the two are the same, but they aren't. Those seeking to end the ability of the Senate to filibuster judicial nominees are helping to perpetuate this error because they argue that any party in the majority should have the right to do as it wishes, irrespective of what the minority party wants.

Harmony, Democracy, and the Bush Administration
A common complaint made about the Bush administration is that it often acts ways designed to exclude from the political process anyone who doesn't toe the line and agree with them. Democrats are kicked out of publicly funded speeches. Scientists are silenced. Now, even technical experts are experiencing the consequences.

Eighth Commandment: Thou Shalt Not Steal
Another of the shorter commandments, this is one of those where the simplest and most obvious understanding may actually be the most correct one - but not necessarily. Most people read it as a simple prohibition against stealing and this is not unreasonable, but it may also not be the way that everyone understood it originally.

Bush Policies Aid Islamic Extremism?
Rushdie says so

Confusing Christianity with the Christian Right
Don't do it!

Religious Faith & Judicial Nominations
What's the connection?

Iraq: Islamic Militias Patrolling Basra
Situation is getting worse

Religious Freedom in Canada
Is it ending?

Religious Messianism in Marx
Interesting parallels

Being an Atheist
Nice statement from India

 

Book Reviews:

1) Miranda: America's Right To Remain Silent
You have the right to remain silent. If you give up that right, anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney and to have an attorney present during questioning. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be provided to you at no cost. Do you understand these rights? If you do, it's because of the case of Ernest Miranda v. Arizona - but what do you understand about that case?

2) Islam to Secular Humanism: A Spiritual Journey
In an age of science and nationalist politics, is religion still relevant any more? Does religion still have anything to say to us, or is it rather time to move on and find something better? Does Islam itself still have a relevant role to play in the ongoing development of human society?

3) An Intelligent Person's Guide to Atheism
Debates over atheism and theism have occupied many of the greatest thinkers, philosophers and theologians through history. Unfortunately, we don't see many such debates today - but that doesn't mean that the question is no longer important. Which really is superior, belief or disbelief in the existence of a god?