News items from the past week include paranoid claims that are even worse than parodies of paranoid claims, a biblical explanation about why religious and political power should be separated, theocons arguing against the validity of living wills, Catholic complaints about secularism, and more.

Popes of the 5th Century
Here is a list of all of the popes who reigned during the fifth century. The first number is which pope they were. This is followed by their chosen name, the starting and ending dates of their reigns, and finally the number of years they were pope. Follow the links to read short biographies of each pope and learn about what they did, what they believed, and what impact they had on the course of the Roman Catholic Church.

Pope John Paul II on Contraception and Abortion
It is arguable that one of the most consistent themes running throughout John Paul II's papacy has been his concern with sexual morality: contraception, abortion, divorce, homosexuality, and all of the things that make up what he regularly refers to as the 'culture of death.' These he sees as the cultural consequences of modernity and against which he wishes to direct much of the church's energy.

Epistemology: Philosophy of Truth, Knowledge, and Belief
Epistemology is the investigation into the grounds and nature of knowledge itself. Epistemological studies are usually focused upon our means for acquiring knowledge and, as a consequence, modern epistemology generally involves a debate between rationalism and empiricism, or the question of whether knowledge can be acquired a priori or a posteriori.

Life in Our Anti-Christian America
Paranoia: stranger than parody

Secularism as a Sin
Reviving a Catholic complaint

U.S. Founded on Christianity?
A biblical analysis of the claim

How to Rig a Drug Trial
It's not that hard!

Firing of Lesbian Coach
Homophobic parents wanted it

Kansas Attorney General Phill Kline
Interesting analysis of an extremist

Theocons Against Living Wills
Opposition to autonomy mounts

 

User Polls:

1) Should Polygamy be Legal?
Many religions in the past have included polygamy as a valid, if not dominant, form of marriage. In America today only marriage between a single man and a single woman is legal, but should that remain the case? Why not legalize polygamy so that people who want to practice it may do so?

2) Do you celebrate any holidays?
Holidays are an integral part of many religions - and when an atheist leaves a religion, they frequently leave behind the holidays as well, which means leaving behind an important aspect of their social and family lives. Some atheists, though, continue to celebrate religious holidays - do you?

3) Medical Research with Human Embryo Stem Cells
Some researchers argue that the use of human stem cells take from embryos could lead to incredible advances in medical science - for example, cures for diseases like Parkinson's or even some types of cancer. Others say that it would be immoral because it requires killing embryos. What do you think?