News items from the past week include how the nature of copyright has changed to radically in America over the past couple of decades, politicians who make their relationship with Jesus more important than their competence, how making a public issue out of piety is so ineffective for religion, the insights of Sun Tzu on the war on terrorism, and more.

Book Reviews: Books from Prometheus Books
Prometheus Books is the leading publisher of materials relating to atheism, skepticism, and secular humanism in the United States. They publish material that you won't find anywhere else and that other publishers probably wouldn't touch - if it weren't for them, we'd all be missing out on a lot. Naturally I review quite a few of their books on this site and in fact have often purchased books primarily because they have published it. Watch for the PB logo on the spine when browsing in a store.

Ancient Religions in the News: Ancient, But Still Making New
The religions we see today didn't pop out of nowhere - they evolved gradually from more ancient faiths which have largely, it not entirely, died away. What are some of these religions and how have their beliefs survived down through today? Here you can read about some recent developments, discoveries, and scholarship on ancient religious beliefs. These religions may no longer be active, but we continue to learn more about them and they continue to influence our culture.

Absurd and Absurdity
An important component of existentialist philosophy is the portrayal of existence as being fundamentally irrational in nature. Whereas most philosophers have attempted to create philosophical systems that produce a rational account of reality, existentialist philosophers have focused upon the subjective, irrational character of human existence.

What it Takes to Declare Yourself an Atheist
It's not easy...

The Changing Nature of Copyright
Matters are worse, now

ACLU Trying to Banish Bible
More Christian Right lies...

Politicians Walking with Jesus
Only in America...

Piety and Morality in Politics
Lessons from the Nazis...

Sun Tzu on the War on Terrorism
Interesting insights...

The Real L. Ron Hubbard
Who was he?

 

User Polls:

1) Is a Woman's Pregnancy the Government's Business?
One of the cornerstone's of abortion rights is the idea that reproduction and reproductive decisions are none of the government's business. Some, though, would like to encroach on that - giver the government the right to know if a woman is or has been pregnant and even publicize that information. Is that right?

2) Where Should Death be Defined?
There are three different definitions of death used in medicine: traditional heart-lung failure, whole-brain death, and higher-brain death. Which one we use affects how we treat people in hospitals, how we get organs for transplant, and even questions on abortion and stem-cell research.

3) Should Animal-to-Human Organ Transplants Be Allowed?
There aren't enough donated human organs to go around to all the people who need them. Animals organs, used in xenotransplants, would eliminate the waiting list and save many lives. On the other hand, it could lead to animal diseases affecting humans. It's a risky idea.