Pentagon: U.S. Alienating World's Muslims
Tuesday November 30, 2004
Even the Pentagon is coming to the realization that American military action abroad is further inflaming anti-American passion among Muslims and alienating them from any American goals. It's not enough ... Read More
Iran: Suicide Volunteers Being Recruited
Tuesday November 30, 2004
The government of Iran denies being involved with suicide terrorism, but they certainly aren't doing anything to discourage or stop it. An allegedly "private" organization is registering Iranians for suicide ... Read More
Fed Assault on Oregon's Suicide Law Continues
Tuesday November 30, 2004
Republican politicians who are big supporters of states' rights on other issues continue to fight the principle when it comes to Oregon's suicide laws. Attorney General John Ashcroft has asked ... Read More
Tort Reform, Caps on Damages Won't Lower Physician Premiums
Tuesday November 30, 2004
It is claimed by those fighting for caps on medical malpractice awards that excessive awards are the reason for high insurance premiums the doctors pay - and doctors say that ... Read More
Odeon of Herodes Atticus in Athens, Greece
Tuesday November 30, 2004
Located on the western end of the southern slope of the Acropolis in Athens, Greece, is the Odeon of Herodes Atticus. An odeon (or odeum) is any type of small ... Read More
Georgia: Principal Apologizes for School Prayer Poem
Tuesday November 30, 2004
Many school principals, especially in the South it seems, appear to be almost completely ignorant of their duties, responsibilities, and authority when it comes to constitutional issues. They assume authority ... Read More
Virginia: Religion Class Dropped Over Witchcraft Fears
Tuesday November 30, 2004
In principle, it sounds like a good idea to have classes about religion in high schools. Students would benefit from learning more about various religions around the world. In reality, ... Read More
This Date in History: Torture
Tuesday November 30, 2004
November 30, 1259: Pope Alexander IV confirms the policy of using torture to elicit confessions, first authorized by Pope Innocent IV in his Bull Ad exstirpanda. In Ad exstirpanda Innocent ... Read More
U.S. Government Denies Validity of Transsexual Marriages?
Tuesday November 30, 2004
I've written before that the "definition" of marriage as being only between "one man and one woman" poses serious problems for those whose sex is not easily categorized and for ... Read More
Supreme Court Lets Gay Marriage Stand
Tuesday November 30, 2004
The Supreme Court has declined to even review a challenge made by conservatives to a Massachusetts high court ruling that allows for gay marriages. Religious conservatives wanted to be "protected" ... Read More
Have Conservatives Hijacked Christianity?
Tuesday November 30, 2004
Many liberal and moderate Christians are concerned over the way conservative evangelicals and fundamentalists have appropriated religious language, making it appear as though 'real' Christians must support particular political programs, ... Read More
Extensive Christian Bias At Air Force Academy
Tuesday November 30, 2004
I've already written about the religious harassment at the Air Force Academy and the Team Jesus banner that had to be taken down, but it seems as though the problems ... Read More
Altruism, Morality, and Evolution
Tuesday November 30, 2004
Recently Received: Kindness in a Cruel World, by Nigel Barber. Publisher: Prometheus Books.
Morality, ethics, and fair play are foundational element in human social relationships. Without some ability to trust and ... Read More
Jesus, Serial Killer
Monday November 29, 2004
We hear a lot about how Christianity is a "religion of peace" and how Christians, especially conservative evangelicals, really desire only peace and love in the world. Why, then, is ... Read More
Florida: Humanist Charter School to Open
Monday November 29, 2004
Quite a few of the "charter schools" one hears about tend to be religious in nature, but recently a humanist charter school was approved by the Hillsborough County School District ... Read More
Imam Wishes Death for Critic of Islam
Monday November 29, 2004
Dutch parliamentarian Geert Wilders has been an outspoken critic of Islamic extremism and has promised government investigations into the problems that extremism has been causing in his country. For his ... Read More
Swiss Approve Stem-Cell Research
Monday November 29, 2004
Swiss citizens have overwhelmingly approved a law permitting stem-cell research to proceed in their nation. Opponents of stem-cell research tried to have Switzerland's science-friendly law overturned, but they failed in ... Read More
Stem Cells Help Woman Walk Again
Monday November 29, 2004
Opponents of stem-cell research tend to argue that the claims made on behalf of the research are overblown and unrealistic. People support stem-cell research on the idea that the possible ... Read More
Temple of Nike Apteros in Athens, Greece
Monday November 29, 2004
When visiting the Acropolis one of the first things people encounter is the Temple of Nike, also known as the Temple of Nike Apteros or Athena Nike. This relatively small ... Read More
Arizona: Lawsuit Filed Over Faith-Based Mentoring
Monday November 29, 2004
Should the federal government pay for a child-care program where mentors "share the good news of who Jesus is and how he can provide a future of hope for anyone"? ... Read More
Congress Approves Anti-Abortion Measure
Monday November 29, 2004
Republican efforts to end abortion have already begun. Inserted in a recent spending bill was the non-spending provision that would invalidate state laws requiring hospitals to provide abortion services.
The Guardian ... Read More
This Date in History: C.S. Lewis
Monday November 29, 2004
November 29, 1898: C. S. Lewis, noted author and Christian apologist, was born.
Minnesota: Anti-Gay Exorcism Damages Cathedral
Monday November 29, 2004
Conflict between anti-gay Catholics and those Catholics who support gay rights has come to a head in the St. Paul Cathedral in Minnesota. After a brief confrontation, it appears that ... Read More
Michigan: Sexist Imam Speaks to Students
Monday November 29, 2004
Islamic traditions do not conceive of women generally having the same rights and privileges in society as do men. This attitude was put on display at Western Michigan University recently ... Read More
Is Atheism Logical?
Monday November 29, 2004
Quite a few believers think it important to prove that atheism is illogical. I'm not sure why this is so - after all, if they were consistent in their beliefs ... Read More
Truth & Knowledge, Skepticism & Critical Thinking
Monday November 29, 2004
Recently Received: Truth, Knowledge, or Just Plain Bull: How To Tell the Difference, by Bernard M. Patten. Publisher: Prometheus Books.
Every day we are bombarded with a multitude of claims related ... Read More
Athens Olympics - Panathenaic Stadium
Sunday November 28, 2004
Around 140 CE the Panathenaic Stadium was restored by Herodes Atticus, giving its current horseshoe shape. It was 204.07m long, 33.35m wide, and had a seating capacity of around 50,000 ... Read More
Faith & Democracy
Sunday November 28, 2004
In America here can be a great deal of conflict between secularism and religion — specifically, religious fundamentalism. To what extent are the absolute and uncompromising positions of traditional faith ... Read More
Problems in Liberal Theology
Sunday November 28, 2004
One of the interesting conundrums facing liberal Christian theology is that so little of it seems to really be "Christian." More and more of the historical, orthodox doctrines are abandoned ... Read More
This Date in History: Revolution in Iran
Sunday November 28, 2004
November 28, 1978: In an attempt to forestall a religious revolution, the Iranian government banned religious marches.
Secular Schools Indoctrinate Christian Kids?
Sunday November 28, 2004
Members of the Christian Right don't like secular public schools because... well, because they are secular and serve the public rather than religious and serve the interests of conservative evangelicals. ... Read More
NOW: National Organization of Witches?
Sunday November 28, 2004
The Christian Right is, in some ways, a product of the battle against modern feminism. The organizational structure for it was originally created by those who successfully mounted the opposition ... Read More
Weekly Quote: Diderot on Revelation and Truth
Sunday November 28, 2004
Only a very bad theologian would confuse the certainty that follows revelation with the truths that are revealed. They are entirely different things.
- Denis Diderot, Apology for the Abbé de ... Read More
Erechtheion (Erechtheum) in Athens, Greece
Saturday November 27, 2004
Aside from the Parthenon, perhaps the best known site on the Acropolis in Athens, Greece, is the Erechtheion (Erechtheum), an Ionic temple made famous for its use of female figures ... Read More
Vermont: Gay Parents Have Same Rights as Straight Parents
Saturday November 27, 2004
Do gay couples who have children have the same rights as a married couple with children? They do if they have entered into a civil union in Vermont. At least, ... Read More
Disclaimer Stickers for Science Texts
Saturday November 27, 2004
The Georgia lawsuit over placing disclaimer stickers in science texts that discuss evolution continues to get attention. Finally, though, someone is putting it all into the perspective it really deserves.
Colin ... Read More
This Date in History: Pope Urban II Preaches the First Crusade
Saturday November 27, 2004
November 27, 1095: Pope Urban II calls for a Crusade (in Arabic: al-Hurub al-Salibiyya, "Wars of the Cross") in a famous speech at the Council of Clermont. Although his actual ... Read More
Atheist Supports Ratzinger's Crusade Against Secularism
Saturday November 27, 2004
Joseph Ratzinger, the Vatican's "Iron Cardinal" in charge of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (formally known as the Inquisition), has launched a campaign against secularism in Europe. ... Read More
Creationists Stumbling Backwards
Saturday November 27, 2004
The creationists who decided to inject "Intelligent" Design into the Dover area schools' science curriculum have begun to step back a bit from their lunacy. They aren't quite ready to ... Read More
Onward Christian Lawyers
Saturday November 27, 2004
Jerry Falwell's Liberty School of Law has finally opened and only time will tell whether the "lawyers" it produces will know enough about law to qualify as decent members of ... Read More
Theater of Dionysus in Athens, Greece
Friday November 26, 2004
One of the most interesting but also easily missed archaeological sites in Athens, Greece, is the Theater of Dionysus. Located on the southeastern slope below the Acropolis, it is also ... Read More
Atheism: Doctrine of Depravity?
Friday November 26, 2004
People's anger at and dislike of atheism can be quite extreme at times. Instead of calmly assessing whether atheists have anything to offer and whether atheism might be a valid ... Read More
Unholy Rebellion of the Childless
Friday November 26, 2004
There are growing numbers of couples in America who are voluntarily childless. They could have children, presumably, but choose not to — whether because of financial reasons, lifestyle desires, or ... Read More
This Date in History: Reagan and Iraq
Friday November 26, 2004
November 26, 1983: President Ronald Reagan signed a secret order instructing the government to do "whatever was necessary and legal" to ensure that Iraq was not defeated in its war ... Read More
The Specialness of Judeo-Christian Principles
Friday November 26, 2004
Quite often when people try to argue against the separation of church and state or in favor of imposing Christian ideas via the power of the government, they invoke "Judeo-Christian ... Read More
Stem Cell Research: Weighing Benefits and Dangers
Friday November 26, 2004
The debate over stem cell research typically revolves around the question about whether the benefits outweigh the risks and ethical problems. Stem cells hold a lot of promise to cure ... Read More
20,000 Muslims Demonstrate Against Terror
Friday November 26, 2004
Some have complained that there is insufficient action on the part of Muslims to combat and oppose terrorism. It is argued that platitudes about Islam being a "religion of peace" ... Read More
Evolution vs. Fundamentalism
Thursday November 25, 2004
In the American conflict between science and religion, the most severe debates seem to revolve around the status (and teaching) of evolution. Many religious believers regard evolution as a serious ... Read More
Acropolis of Athens, Greece
Thursday November 25, 2004
The word acropolis simply refers to the upper part of a town (Greek: acros = top, polis = city). The term can be used to refer to the high point ... Read More
Anti-Gay Bias in Topeka, Kansas
Thursday November 25, 2004
Topeka, Kansas, is most famous for the infamous "God Hates Fags" ministry of the Westboro Baptist Church. It doesn't sound like it can be a very tolerant place, but the ... Read More
Scalia Rejects Government Neutrality Towards Religion
Thursday November 25, 2004
When U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia appeared at an interfaith conference in New York, he made his views on religion and state abundantly clear: the American government should not ... Read More
This Date in History: Ramleh
Thursday November 25, 2004
November 25, 1177: Battle of Ramleh (Montgisard): Although a force of 500 led by King Baldwin IV attempts to stop Saladin at Ascalon, the same site where an Egyptian relief ... Read More
Red State Values & Smut
Thursday November 25, 2004
A great deal has been made of religious "values voters" who are more concerned about public morality and religious values than they are about their own economic circumstances. The problem ... Read More
Declaration of Independence Banned?
Thursday November 25, 2004
A frequent rhetorical trick of the Christian Right is to complain that if God is removed from public schools, then the Declaration of Independence will be next. Well, some are ... Read More
Church Air Poses Health Risks
Thursday November 25, 2004
If you were wondering about some of the disadvantages to being religious and attending church, researchers have come upon a new one: breathing church air is bad for your lungs. ... Read More
Agora in Athens, Greece
Wednesday November 24, 2004
The Greek word agora is a general term for an open-air marketplace in any city, often used similarly to that of a forum in Roman cities, and was always considered ... Read More
Complaints Continue About Target & the Salvation Army
Wednesday November 24, 2004
I've written before about complaints that Target will be treating the Salvation Army just like any other charity. The fact that other charities have been banned from solicitation doesn't matter. ... Read More
The Tempting of Conservative Judges
Wednesday November 24, 2004
The standard narrative used by conservative judges is that they see their job as "interpreting" the Constitution in light of the text and original understanding; liberal judges, by contrast, are ... Read More
This Date in History: Battle of Zara
Wednesday November 24, 2004
November 24, 1202: After just five days of fighting, Crusaders capture the Hungarian port of Zara, a Christian city on the coast of Dalmatia. The Venetians had once controlled Zara ... Read More
Elkhart, Indiana: Governed By God?
Wednesday November 24, 2004
I've written before about Elkhart, Indiana, a town that had a Ten Commandments monument ordered removed. Turns out that this town is a veritable hotbed of theocratic attitudes, at least ... Read More
Senate Republicans To Punish GOP Moderates
Wednesday November 24, 2004
There has been some concern that Congressional Republicans would continue to refuse to work with Democrats during Bush's second presidential term. It appears, though, that they may not even be ... Read More
Soledad Cross Named Veterans Memorial
Wednesday November 24, 2004
A few days ago I wrote that the saga of the Mt. Soledad Cross might finally be over - but I spoke far too soon, it seems. Reps. Duncan Hunter, ... Read More
Temple of Hephaistos (Hephaestus) in Athens, Greece
Tuesday November 23, 2004
The Temple of Hephaistos (Hephaestus) is a Doric peripteral temple that has 6 columns along the front and 13 along the side. In the history books it is usually referred ... Read More
Priest Informs Kids that Santa Doesn't Exist
Tuesday November 23, 2004
During a Wednesday morning Mass in Santa Fe Springs, California, Rev. Ruben Rocha informed a group of children that Santa Claus didn't really exist. Parents, of course, are outraged that ... Read More
Barely Half of Americans Accept Evolution
Tuesday November 23, 2004
Evolutionary theory is the organizing principle for all modern biology - denial of it is like denying relativity in modern physics. The fact of evolution - the fact that allele ... Read More
This Date in History: Seville Captured
Tuesday November 23, 2004
November 23, 1248: Ferdinand III of Castile captures Seville, Spain. Muslim control of Spain is reduced to the Kingdom of Granada which would survive for over two more centuries.
Iran: Boy Lashed for Breaking Ramadan Fast, Dies
Tuesday November 23, 2004
Ramadan is an especially holy time for Muslims - the entire month is taken up by fasting and various festive events. Breaking one's fast during Ramadan days is treated very ... Read More
Team Jesus Banner Removed At Air Force Academy
Tuesday November 23, 2004
A couple of days ago I wrote about the apparent problem of religious discrimination and bigotry at the Air Force Academy. As part of the effort to clean the place ... Read More
Should the Salvation Army Get Special Privileges?
Tuesday November 23, 2004
Salvation Army bell ringers are a common feature at American stores during the holidays, but not at Target. They decided to enforce their 'no solicitation' policy fairly and consistently rather ... Read More
South Dakota: Politician Under Fire for Not Saying Pledge
Tuesday November 23, 2004
A city council member in Rapid City, South Dakota, is being attacked because he refuses to stand and recite the Pledge of Allegiance. According to Tom Murphy, the flag as ... Read More
Temple of Poseidon on Cape Sounion
Monday November 22, 2004
The Temple of Poseidon on Cape Sounion is one of the most spectacular ancient Greek temples around. Built in 444 BCE, it replaced an earlier, unfinished temple that had been ... Read More
Materialism, Personality, and Souls
Monday November 22, 2004
Do souls exist? Many people think so despite the lack of any real evidence pointing to them — "real evidence" meaning here testable, replicable, predictable data just like we have ... Read More
This Date in History: Pope Honorius III
Monday November 22, 2004
November 22, 1220: Pope Honorius III crowned Holy Roman Emperor Frederick in the expectation that Frederick would support the Church and participate in the Fifth Crusade.
No Such Thing as Atheism?
Monday November 22, 2004
Some opponents of atheism have difficulty dealing with atheists' critiques of religion and theism. So, instead of actually addressing those critiques, they choose to simply deny that atheism exists in ... Read More
Why Does Marriage Exist?
Monday November 22, 2004
In debates over gay marriage, most attention is paid to "gay" and too little to "marriage." Granted, opponents of gay marriage are loud and vociferous in their insistence that they ... Read More
Paestum, Italy
Sunday November 21, 2004
Paestum, Italy is part of an ancient Greek colony 90km south of Naples and is also known as Poseidonia. There are a number of archaeological sites here, but the most ... Read More
French Cardinal: Islam Must Adapt to Secularism
Sunday November 21, 2004
One of the conflict points between Islam and the West is the fact that government in the West tends to be largely secular while Islam doesn't entirely acknowledge the appropriateness ... Read More
This Date in History: Second Vatican Council
Sunday November 21, 2004
November 21, 1964: The third session of the Second Vatican Council closed. One result of this session, announced by Pope Paul VI, was that the Virgin Mary would assume a ... Read More
Church, State, and Tax Exemptions
Sunday November 21, 2004
Churches aren't allowed to participate in partisan political campaigns if they are a tax-exempt charity. The same is true for all tax-exempt charities. Some religious people don't like this, apparently ... Read More
Atheism a Falsehood?
Sunday November 21, 2004
One of the tactics being used to combat Islamic extremism is not to tone dowe religion, but to increase it. Apparently the problem with the radicals and extremists isn't that ... Read More
Weekly Quote: Cooley on Theology and God
Sunday November 21, 2004
A theology whose god is a metaphor is wasting its time.
- Mason Cooley, City Aphorism
One of the most significant developments in Christian theology during the modern era may be the ... Read More
Image Gallery of Athens, Greece
Saturday November 20, 2004
The capital of modern Greece, Athens (Greek: Athína, named after the city's patron goddess Athena) is one of the most famous Greek cities - and it has long played a ... Read More
Ontario: Muslims Object Being Exposed to Humanity of Gays
Saturday November 20, 2004
Canada is a nation that has decided to promote tolerance and diversity far more than most. This is causing conflicts with some conservative citizens. Recently Muslim parents objected to the ... Read More
ACLU In League With Satan, Must Be Destroyed
Saturday November 20, 2004
Shock and outrage have been growing since the Defense Department decided that it could no more endorse an organization that discriminates against atheists than it could discriminate against atheists itself. ... Read More
This Date in History: Grand Mosque in Mecca
Saturday November 20, 2004
November 20, 1979: The Grand Mosque in Mecca was invaded by a group of extremist Ikhwan. Led by Juhaiman Ibn Mohammed Utaibi, a former Saudi National Guardsman, the group was ... Read More
Abstinence: Cool in God's Eyes?
Saturday November 20, 2004
The state government in Louisiana agreed not to use federal funds in order to promote religion while encouraging sexual abstinence. Unfortunately, it looks like they are violating that agreement. I ... Read More
Congress Passes Bill To Repair Catholic Missions
Saturday November 20, 2004
Despite the fact that many are active churches and not simply museums, Congress has voted to spend taxpayer funds on restoring historic Catholic missions in California. This was expected for ... Read More
Moderate Bishop Elected
Saturday November 20, 2004
There is a lot of pressure on American Catholic bishops to adopt more conservative policies, but they don't appear to be willing to always succumb to that pressure. Just recently ... Read More
Ancient Corinth, Greece
Friday November 19, 2004
Corinth is the heart of one of the earliest city-states in ancient Greece. The city of Corinth is located on a strategically important spot, dominating the narrow strip of land ... Read More
Pharisees Gathering Stones
Friday November 19, 2004
One of the interesting features of the current efforts by the Christian Right to attack gay marriage is that their rhetoric about saving families doesn't match their actions. Why not, ... Read More
Study: Teens Fine With Gay Parents
Friday November 19, 2004
One of the complaints offered by many opponents of gay marriage is that gay couples wouldn't make good parents and gay parenthood should be discouraged rather than facilitated. Unfortunately for ... Read More
This Date in History: Billy Sunday
Friday November 19, 2004
November 19, 1862: The famous American evangelist Billy Sunday was born. Sunday was a famous preacher who traveled the country for revivalist sermons. Characteristic of his method was to greatly ... Read More
The 'Gay Thing'
Friday November 19, 2004
A lot of people are bothered by homosexuality. Reasons for this vary (at least, self-reported reasons do), but despite this variety there is a common thread of "because I don't ... Read More
Abortion and Cancer
Friday November 19, 2004
For a while now anti-abortion activists have relied upon dubious links between abortion and breast cancer to try to dissuade women from aborting. They've even had some success in getting ... Read More
GOP Pushing Out Moderates
Friday November 19, 2004
One of the concerns that many had before the election was that a win for Bush would be perceived as validating the views of Republicans who are on the extremes ... Read More
Epidauros, Greece
Thursday November 18, 2004
Epidauros (Epidaurus, Epidavros) is most famous today for its open-air theater. The largest surviving theater in Greece today, it was designed by Polykleitos, built around 330 BCE, and can still ... Read More
House GOP: Power over Principle
Thursday November 18, 2004
It may be that no abuse of power is too outrageous for the current GOP leadership. Back in 1993, Republicans enacted a rule that prohibited any member indicted by a ... Read More
Religious Discrimination at Air Force Academy?
Thursday November 18, 2004
Already trying to deal with accusations of sexual discrimination and harassment, the Air Force is now trying to deal with accusations of religious discrimination and harassment - at their own ... Read More
This Date in History: St. Peter's Basilica
Thursday November 18, 2004
November 18, 1626: St. Peter's Basilica was consecrated by Pope Urban VIII. At 619 feet long, St. Peter's is still the largest church in Christendom.
Anti-Gay Ballot Measures Coming
Thursday November 18, 2004
After the stunning success of all eleven state anti-gay ballot measures in the 2004 elections, anti-gay activists are gearing up for more measure that they hope will further restrict gays' ... Read More
Department of Defense Ends Boy Scouts Sponsorships
Thursday November 18, 2004
Because the Boy Scouts were successful in defending their right to discriminate against gays and atheists, others have been successful in getting government organizations to cut their ties to the ... Read More
Iowa: Pastor Harasses Elderly Kerry Voters
Thursday November 18, 2004
Not only has the 2004 presidential election divided the nation, it's also apparently dividing churches. A pastor in Iowa has been accused of harassing two elderly women from his congregation ... Read More
Poseidon (Roman: Neptune), God of the Seas
Wednesday November 17, 2004
Poseidon, known to the Romans as Neptune, was the god of seas, water, earthquakes, and horses. He joined with his brothers Zeus and Hades to overthrow the rule of their ... Read More
Talent, Work, and Taxation
Wednesday November 17, 2004
Sometimes people argue that it is unfair for a person to pay more in taxes compared to others than they receive in government services. One response to this is to ... Read More
Glad I'm An Atheist
Wednesday November 17, 2004
Can a person be glad that they are an atheist? I'm not sure that it makes a great deal of sense because I'm certainly not glad that I disbelieve in ... Read More
This Date in History: Eisenstadt v. Baird
Wednesday November 17, 2004
November 17, 1971: Argued: Eisenstadt v. Baird The right of people to have and know about contraceptives was expanded to unmarried couples because, according to the Court, the right of ... Read More
Changing Definition of Atheism?
Wednesday November 17, 2004
Evangelical Christians like to insist on a very narrow definition of atheism as "denying the existence of God." The broader, more accurate definition places them on the defensive, forcing them ... Read More
War of Reviews: Intelligent Design vs. Honesty
Wednesday November 17, 2004
Intelligent [sic] Design "theorists" are better known for their bumptious arguments in religious journals than for serious science. Sadly, such disdain for the enforced honesty of the scientific process seems ... Read More
Freedom, State Power, and Private Power
Wednesday November 17, 2004
A common belief today is that one of the basic sources of conflict in any society is that between free individuals and repressive states. So long as state power is ... Read More
Judicial Activism and Abortion
Tuesday November 16, 2004
Religious conservatives like to complain about "judicial activism," claiming that judges should "interpret" the law rather than "make" it. Experience teaches, however, that what religious conservatives really mean by "judicial ... Read More
Hera, Queen of the Gods
Tuesday November 16, 2004
Both sister and wife of Zeus, Hera is queen of the gods. The Greeks revered her as protector of marriage, especially married women. This may be because she had such ... Read More
Atheists Worried About Second Bush Term
Tuesday November 16, 2004
Although there are plenty of conservative atheists, there are probably even more atheists (some conservative) who are not the least bit happy with the reelection of George W. Bush. The ... Read More
Discussion: The Corporation (Documentary)
Tuesday November 16, 2004
A forum member writes: The film runs the gamut, from environmental destruction to methods of manipulating children via advertising to discussion of the significance of the WTO riots in Seattle ... Read More
Oregon: Unity Requires Conformity
Tuesday November 16, 2004
After the 2004 presidential election various people have been discussing ways in which many of the deep divisions in the country might be healed and some measure of unity achieved. ... Read More
This Date in History: British Mandate
Tuesday November 16, 2004
November 16, 1947: British military forces begin their scheduled withdrawal from Palestine.
Bush to Purge CIA of Disloyal Elements
Tuesday November 16, 2004
George W. Bush blamed people in the intelligence community for failures to properly understand what was going on in Iraq, rather than take responsibility for his own involvement. Some in ... Read More
Ethics and Materialism: Compatible?
Tuesday November 16, 2004
A little while ago I responded to someone who claimed that it wasn't possible for an atheist to live a consistent atheistic worldview. Their reason was... well, there really wasn't ... Read More
Daily Poll: Will Republicans Work With Democrats?
Tuesday November 16, 2004
After the 2004 elections, Republicans even more firmly control both the Presidency and Congress. During the previous 4 years Republicans rarely engaged in bipartisanship, preferring instead to run roughshod over ... Read More
Florida Voucher Law: Three Strikes
Tuesday November 16, 2004
As many expected, a district court in Florida has ruled against that state's school voucher scheme. It is, in fact, the third court to do so - how many more ... Read More
Hephaistos (Hephaestus), Craftsman of the Gods
Monday November 15, 2004
The son of Hera and Zeus or perhaps just Hera - the stories conflict on this point - Hephaistos (Hephaestus) was ugly and lame, thus leading to his exclusion from ... Read More
Scientists Promoting Atheism?
Monday November 15, 2004
It's not uncommon for Christians to imagine that science and scientists promote atheism. The reason for this seems to be the fact that science doesn't incorporate their god or promote ... Read More
Six Reasons to Believe in God
Monday November 15, 2004
There are a lot of works of Christian apologetics available - some of it decent, some of it awful. Unfortunately, a significant amount of apologetics falls firmly in the "awful" ... Read More
This Date in History: Registering Communists
Monday November 15, 2004
November 15, 1965: The Supreme Court ruled that people have the right to refuse to register with the government as members of the Communist Party.
Little Green Footballs or Little German Fascists?
Monday November 15, 2004
One of the most popular conservative web sites is Little Green Footballs. Unfortunately, it seems to be especially popular for those who want to kill Arabs. As a matter of ... Read More
Jerry Falwell Misleads Audience... Again
Monday November 15, 2004
What is it with Jerry Falwell and his own history? Time and time again he is challenged about embarrassing things in his past record and instead of either standing by ... Read More
Churches as Terrorist Targets?
Monday November 15, 2004
Could large, conservative churches be targeted for terrorist attacks? I'm not aware of any evidence that such attacks are planned, but there are good reasons to think that they could ... Read More
Hades (Haides, Roman: Pluto), God of the Underworld
Sunday November 14, 2004
Hades (Haides, Roman: Pluto) was the Greek god of the underworld whose name literally means "unseen" (although the corresponding Latin term means "wealth," a reference to the fact that he ... Read More
Focus on Which Families?
Sunday November 14, 2004
The so-called "values" voters who make up the conservative evangelical base of the Republican Party spend a lot of time worrying about other people's sexual morality and other people's families. ... Read More
Red State Confusion of Moral Values
Sunday November 14, 2004
There has been a lot of talk about "values" voters and their influence in the 2004 presidential election. Truth be told, they aren't as much of an influence as many ... Read More
This Date in History: Sir Charles Lyell
Sunday November 14, 2004
November 14, 1797: Geologist Sir Charles Lyell was born. Charles Lyell was a British geologist who is responsible for a couple of important developments in the field of geology. ... Read More
Answering Atheism?
Sunday November 14, 2004
Not long ago I wrote about one of the many examples of someone I think is mistaken about the relationship between atheism and religion. She's clarified her position and I ... Read More
Heretical Atheists?
Sunday November 14, 2004
Those who misunderstand atheism sometimes seem to do so not simply out of ignorance, but out of a genuine desire that atheists conform to some preconceived notion as to what ... Read More
Weekly Quote: Heschel on Theology & Philosophy
Sunday November 14, 2004
Theology starts with dogmas, philosophy begins with problems. Philosophy sees the problem first, theology has the answer in advance. We must not, however, disregard another important difference. Not only are ... Read More
Hermes (Roman: Mercury), Messenger of the Gods
Saturday November 13, 2004
Hermes (Roman: Mercury) is best known as the messenger god who carried messages or who did errands for the other gods, but the ancient Greeks also regarded him as the ... Read More
Misunderstanding Religion, Atheism
Saturday November 13, 2004
One of the reasons why I have such extensive resources on the definition of atheism and the definition of religion is that, wherever I go, I find such extensive misunderstanding ... Read More
Mt. Rushmore Test?
Saturday November 13, 2004
The Argument from Design is one of the most popular arguments used by theists to make a case for their theism. Unfortunately, it's also an especially weak argument when framed ... Read More
This Date in History: Augustine
Saturday November 13, 2004
November 13, 0354: Aurelius Augustinus (Augustine of Hippo) was born in Tagaste, Numidia (now Algeria). Augustine of Hippo was one of the key church fathers who lead in the development ... Read More
Two Nations Under God
Saturday November 13, 2004
Conservative evangelicals in America see themselves as the only true representatives of God and America as God's chosen vehicle for bringing Christianity and civilization to the world. As a consequence, ... Read More
Consistent Atheistic Worldview? Part 2
Saturday November 13, 2004
In an earlier piece, I pointed out someone claiming that a completely consistent atheistic worldview wouldn't be livable. I explained that this isn't true and noted just how normal it ... Read More
Being a Woman in Afghanistan
Saturday November 13, 2004
The Taliban has been defeated - well, not entirely, but they don't have as much power anymore - yet conditions for women in Afghanistan haven't improved as much as they ... Read More
Understanding Conservative Christianity in America
Saturday November 13, 2004
Are conservative evangelical Christians just ignorant hicks who don't know what is best for them? That's what some liberals seem to think, based upon their reactions to the outcome of ... Read More
Ohio: New Ashland U. Faculty Must Be Christians, Jews
Friday November 12, 2004
Ashland University in Ohio was founded by the Brethren Church in 1878 and has always had references to religion in their constitution, but now they are getting more serious. From ... Read More
Pennsylvania: School Mandates Teaching 'Intelligent' Design
Friday November 12, 2004
The Dover Area School District in Pennsylvania will earn a slot in history alongside such illustrious places like Kansas, where science and modernity are eschewed in favor of religiously-motivated ignorance ... Read More
South Africa: Elderly Women Butchered for Witchcraft
Friday November 12, 2004
In the rural community of Centane, four elderly women have been vicious butchered by people wielding homemade swords. Why? They were believed to be witches.
Dispatch reports:
The investigating officer, Inspector Sandla ... Read More
Free Speech Fundamentalism?
Friday November 12, 2004
There has been a lot of media attention of murder of Dutch filmmaker Theo Van Gogh. Most have been sensible enough to be horrified, but not everyone. Believe it or ... Read More
Hestia (Roman: Vesta), Goddess of the Home
Friday November 12, 2004
The sister of Zeus, Hestia (Roman: Vesta) was one of the three Olympian goddesses who had dedicated herself to virginity (the other two were Artemis and Athena). Hestia had dominion ... Read More
Science, Atheism, Religion
Friday November 12, 2004
The Georgia lawsuit over disclaimer stickers in science texts continues to confuse people. All around the internet you can find writers who don't understand that evolution is science, creationism is ... Read More
Texas: Schools Settles Lawsuit Over Harassment of Pagan Student
Friday November 12, 2004
A pagan student who attended a Texas school has received a large settlement because she was harassed her for not being Christian like everyone else. Why was such a case ... Read More
This Date in History: Elizabeth Cady Stanton
Friday November 12, 2004
November 12, 1815: Elizabeth Cady Stanton was born. Elizabeth Cady Stanton is best known to the American public for her role in the fight for women's suffrage and less ... Read More
Preparing for a Post-Roe America
Friday November 12, 2004
The future of legal abortions in America is very much in doubt. There is every reason to believe that, during his second term, George W. Bush will appoint enough justices ... Read More
Jesus Speaks Through Republicans
Friday November 12, 2004
According to many conservative evangelicals, the reelection of George W. Bush was the will of God. By causing Bush to remain in office, God has "blessed" America rather than "curse" ... Read More
Irish Ruling on Gay Marriage
Friday November 12, 2004
Gay marriages are legal in some parts of Canada, but not legal anywhere in Ireland. The recent marriage in British Columbia of two women, both Irish, may change things in ... Read More
Connecticut: Religious School Subsidies Questioned
Thursday November 11, 2004
For the last 30 years, the town of Berlin, Connecticut, has been subsidizing a local Catholic school - most recently to the tune of $50,000. Now they are being told ... Read More
Las Vegas: ACLU Defends Street Preachers
Thursday November 11, 2004
Religious conservatives commonly - and incorrectly - accuse the ACLU of being anti-Christian and of helping any religious group except Christians. In yet another example of just how ignorant and ... Read More
California Missions' Dark History
Thursday November 11, 2004
The Spanish missions in California are an important part of the state's history - important enough that many want the government to pay for restoring the missions, even if they ... Read More
UN Criticizes Poland's Abortion Laws
Thursday November 11, 2004
Poland's anti-abortion laws are so strict that many are forced to seek illegal and unsafe procedures. Poland currently have a leftist government that would like to revise the laws, but ... Read More
Spokane Diocese Filing for Bankruptcy
Thursday November 11, 2004
Sexual abuse lawsuits are claiming yet another Catholic diocese in America, this time the Spokane, Washington, diocese. According to Bishop William Skylstad, they will file for bankruptcy by the end ... Read More
Satanic Christians of America
Thursday November 11, 2004
One of the interesting things about the overwhelming support American evangelicals have shown for the Iraq War is the fact that evangelicals elsewhere have been just as overwhelming in their ... Read More
Nike, Goddess of Victory
Thursday November 11, 2004
Nike was the personification of victory for the ancient Greeks. Her image appears regularly wherever there is a desire to express or glorify a victory over enemies (as in the ... Read More
Seventh Day Adventists Affirm Literal Six-Day Creation
Thursday November 11, 2004
Apparently determined to hold the line against encroaching secularism and science, the Seventh-day Adventist Church has reaffirmed their teaching that there was "a literal, recent, six-day creation." It's not clear ... Read More
Discussion: Christmas Songs in Schools
Thursday November 11, 2004
Keith writes: Apparently there is an ACLU-backed lawsuit about religious Christmas Carols being sung in public schools. This is bothering me. I don't like gag rules and I see no ... Read More
Navy Chaplain Smears Atheists
Thursday November 11, 2004
The claim that there are no atheists in foxholes is common - so common, in fact, that even high-ranking officials feel no compunction at repeating the imprecation that people can't ... Read More
This Date in History: The Fourth Lateran Council
Thursday November 11, 2004
November 11, 1215: The Fourth Lateran Council opened in Rome. Organized by Pope Innocent III in Rome in order to discuss and define central dogmas of Christianity, it is one ... Read More
Shame On Target?
Thursday November 11, 2004
I've written before about the decision of Target to start enforcing their "no solicitation" policy fairly and consistently, even though that means not having Salvation Army bell ringers outside their ... Read More
Yasser Arafat - Short Biography
Thursday November 11, 2004
Yasser Arafat is best known as the leader of teh PLO, but the Palestinian Liberation Organization was not founded by him. Instead, it was originally created by various Arab states ... Read More
Past News Stories Dealing with Yasser Arafat
Thursday November 11, 2004
As chairman of the PLO and president of the Palestinian Authority, Yasser Arafat has been an important and influential figure in the Middle East - for good or for ill, ... Read More
Pastors Pressure Representatives to Pass Unconstitutional Laws
Thursday November 11, 2004
Churches aren't allowed to endorse particular political candidates, but they can do things that make it difficult for a candidate to get elected. As a consequence, politicians can come under ... Read More
Falwell: Blow Them Away In The Name of the Lord
Thursday November 11, 2004
Jerry Falwell is one of those preachers who seems to promote a more "muscular" or "masculine" vision of Christianity - one that is less concerned with the meek of the ... Read More
Jesus and American Culture
Thursday November 11, 2004
Recently Received: American Jesus: How the Son of God Became a National Icon, by Stephen Prothero. Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Jesus Christ is of course the central figure in Christianity, ... Read More
Ancient Greek Temples and Sacred Sites
Wednesday November 10, 2004
Ancient Greek mythology is characterized by an interesting array of gods and goddesses; ancient Greek religion - the worship of those gods and goddesses - is characterized by their large ... Read More
Conservative Arguments Against Gay Marriage
Wednesday November 10, 2004
Resistance to gay marriage in America is dependent upon religious conservatives. According to them, their objections are based upon reasonable readings of nature, history, culture, and religion - not bigotry ... Read More
Wisconsin: Religious Work for School Credit?
Wednesday November 10, 2004
Many schools require students to participate in community service in order to graduate. Such service typically involves charity work, but what about religious activities? Should a student receive school credit ... Read More
This Date in History: Pope Paul VI
Wednesday November 10, 2004
November 10, 1977: Pope Paul VI abolished the automatic excommunication imposed on divorced American Catholics who remarried. This penalty of excommunication was first handed down by the Plenary Council of ... Read More
Creationism & Misrepresenting Evolution
Wednesday November 10, 2004
A creationist sticker claiming that "evolution is a theory, not a fact" has been attracting both critics and defenders. Among defenders, it seems necessary to mislead people as to what ... Read More
Wisconsin: School District to Teach Creationism?
Wednesday November 10, 2004
Proponents of creationism have rarely found much success in getting schools to teach their religious beliefs in the guise of science, but they have scored one victory in Wisconsin. There, ... Read More
Daily Poll: Why Did John Kerry Lose to George W. Bush?
Wednesday November 10, 2004
In the 2004 presidential election, John Kerry lost and George W. Bush won. But why? A lot of reasons have been offered: lack of organization, lack of positive messages, etc. ... Read More
Florida: Bible Verses Removed from School Mural
Wednesday November 10, 2004
Is it acceptable for school beautification projects to include religious messages? The 11th Circuit Court has decided not, ruling that administrators can remove Bible verses included in a school-wide mural ... Read More
Godless Unfit to Lead
Tuesday November 9, 2004
Should atheists, freethinkers, and other sorts of nonbelievers be allowed to hold public office? Although they are guaranteed the right to do so by the Constitution, fewer people would be ... Read More
Jewish Couple Seeks Scientology Tax Deduction
Tuesday November 9, 2004
Scientologists fought for and won the right to get tax deductions for "spiritual counseling sessions" that the IRS had previously treated like a business exchange. Now an Orthodox Jewish couple ... Read More
Pastor in Hiding Over Witchcraft Allegations
Tuesday November 9, 2004
In Malelane, South Africa, an evangelical pastor has had to go into hiding from his community because people think that he is a witch. They've even burned down his house. ... Read More
Southern Baptists Consider Pulling Out of Public Schools
Tuesday November 9, 2004
Early in 2004 Southern Baptists started talking about pulling kids from godless public schools, something that led to widespread criticism. The proposal was not formally considered at the June national ... Read More
Treating Atheism Like a Religion
Tuesday November 9, 2004
There are a lot of people who mistakenly treat atheism like a religion - most are theists but even the occasional atheist does it as well. This makes no sense ... Read More
Image Gallery of Ancient Athens, Greece
Tuesday November 9, 2004
The capital of modern Greece, Athens (Greek: Athína, named after the city's patron goddess Athena) is one of the most famous Greek cities and it has long played a vital ... Read More
What Happened to American Atheism?
Tuesday November 9, 2004
Is there something wrong with atheism in America? Some people think so, but curiously the only criticisms and questions I hear about come from Christians. Atheism is growing in terms ... Read More
Federal Medical Plan Based on Catholic Doctrine
Tuesday November 9, 2004
Federal workers in Illinois will now be able to get a medical plan constructed around Catholic doctrine rather than medical needs. There's no word on when the government will start ... Read More
This Date in History: Kristallnacht
Tuesday November 9, 2004
November 09, 1938: Kristallnacht: the worst Jewish pogrom in peacetime Germany occurred when Nazis orchestrated a "spontaneous" campaign of violence and destruction. During this one night, 267 synagogues were plundered, ... Read More
Satan vs. God in Falluja
Tuesday November 9, 2004
For many of the participants, the battle for Falluja is shaping up to be a battle between Satan and God - the description of this fight in such apocalyptic terms ... Read More
Weightlessness of Atheism?
Tuesday November 9, 2004
A lot of people really don't understand atheism - but that doesn't stop them from pretending to have an informed, intelligent opinion on the subject and sharing that opinion with ... Read More
Daily Poll: Will America Fall Under the Control of the Christian Right?
Tuesday November 9, 2004
George W. Bush owes his reelection largely to the huge turnout of supporters from the Christian Right. It is unlikely that he would ignore these voters in his policies, so ... Read More
Consistent Atheistic Worldview?
Tuesday November 9, 2004
There is something about atheism that seems to encourage confusion in religious theists. I'm not sure what it is, but I consistently see them misunderstand it, misrepresent it, and completely ... Read More
Delphi, Greece
Monday November 8, 2004
Delphi is one of the most well-known spots in ancient Greece, made famous by the Delphic Oracle which was believed to have the power to tell the future. It was ... Read More
Homophobia: Common Denominator in American Religion
Monday November 8, 2004
Among the various Christian church and denominations in America there is a wide variety of religious practices, behavior, and even doctrines. There is, however, one thing that they all have ... Read More
Religion and Social Justice in America
Monday November 8, 2004
Many people believe that in America today we are witnessing a religious resurgence, much like those America has experienced before. There is, however, an important and disturbing difference: whereas past ... Read More
This Date in History: John Duns Scotus
Monday November 8, 2004
November 08, 1308: John Duns Scotus, Franciscan theologian and philosopher, died in Cologne, Germany. John Duns Scotus was a Franciscan theologian and philosopher who became known to many as the ... Read More
Texas Textbooks Modifying Marriage Definition
Monday November 8, 2004
In Texas, Christians don't want students to get even the hint of the idea that gay couples might be married - so they are insisting that all language about marriage ... Read More
Evangelical Mind Today
Monday November 8, 2004
Evangelicals in America are often thought of as representing traditional Christian beliefs and morality; the truth, however, is that they tend to be very anti-traditional in that they privilege their ... Read More
Daily Poll: Will Bush's Second Term Be Good For America?
Monday November 8, 2004
George W. Bush has been elected to a second term as President of the United States, despite all of the problems during his first term. Will his second term be ... Read More
Proctor and Gamble Boycott Proceeding
Monday November 8, 2004
Right-wing religious groups Focus on the Family and the American Family Association have formally launched their boycott of Procter & Gamble, a company that has supported the cause of gay ... Read More
Heroes of Greek Legend and Mythology
Sunday November 7, 2004
A very important stage in the development of Greek religion was the creation of hero cults and hero veneration. Some time during the 8th century BCE we observe Mycenaean sites ... Read More
California: Mt. Soledad Cross to Finally Move?
Sunday November 7, 2004
The Christian Cross up on top of the La Jolla mountain may finally be moving after a grueling 15-year legal battle. It currently stands on public ground and a ballot ... Read More
Ohio: New Rules on Religion in Columbus Schools
Sunday November 7, 2004
Schools can have difficulty dealing with religion. Some go too far in restricting what kids can do. Some don't go far enough, privileging certain religions in inappropriate ways. The schools ... Read More
This Date in History: Massachusetts Bay Colony
Sunday November 7, 2004
November 07, 1637: The Massachusetts Bay Colony tried and convicted Anne Hutchinson for heresy, sentencing her to be banished. Anne Hutchinson was an important figure in the early history of ... Read More
Chuck Colson: Resist Feelings and Fairness
Sunday November 7, 2004
Christians today cannot avoid a secular culture where values contrary to theirs are common and publicized. This is, in fact, one of the reasons why they want to transform society ... Read More
Canterbury Cathedral Making Beer
Sunday November 7, 2004
Most churches don't serve beer, despite the fact that the brewing of beer was once a common pursuit of monks. Well, things are changing at the Canterbury Cathedral where beer ... Read More
Weekly Quote: Winthrop on America & God
Sunday November 7, 2004
For we must consider that we shall be as a City upon a hill. The eyes of all people are upon us. Soe that if we shall deal falsely with ... Read More
Questioning Ronald Dworkin
Sunday November 7, 2004
Recently Received: Dworkin And His Critics, With Replies By Dworkin, by Justine Burley. Publisher: Blackwell
Ronald Dworkin's writings on law, ethics, and political philosophy have been exceptionally influential in late 20th ... Read More
Ancient Egypt and Judaism
Saturday November 6, 2004
What is the relationship between Egyptian religion and ancient Judaism? There was a time when the links were being explored by scholars, with many thinking that Egypt was at one ... Read More
Discussion: Democrats & Gay Marriage
Saturday November 6, 2004
Prismatic writes: When MSNBC's Chris Matthews asked each of the Democratic presidential candidates if they supported gay marriage, not one said he would. While they said they embraced gay rights, and stated ... Read More
Man Insults Islam Online, Is Tracked Down
Saturday November 6, 2004
In Malaysia, a man who made "insulting remarks" about Islam on a web site was tracked down and identified by authorities. Yes, "insulting" Islam is so serious that it merits ... Read More
This Date in History: Suleiman the Magnificent
Saturday November 6, 2004
November 06, 1494: Birth of Suleiman (Süleyman) "the Magnificent," sultan of the Ottoman Empire. During Suleiman's reign the Ottoman Empire would reach the height of its power and influence.
Nonbeliever vs. Atheist
Saturday November 6, 2004
Many people are bothered by the label "atheist." Some believe that it communicates incorrect information about them, for example that they think they know for sure that no god(s) can ... Read More
Falwell and Moon, Sitting in a Tree...
Saturday November 6, 2004
Jerry Falwell is a leading figure in American fundamentalism and evangelical Christianity. Sun Myung Moon founded the Unification Church which is centered around his claim that Jesus failed and Moon ... Read More
Pennsylvania Nonbelievers: Atheist Activists
Saturday November 6, 2004
Atheists can be active in pursuing church/state separation and ensuring the maintenance of religious freedom in the face of persistent efforts by theocrats to overturn that freedom. It's not easy ... Read More
Democracy, Populism, and Policy
Saturday November 6, 2004
Recently Received: Democratic Autonomy: Public Reasoning about the Ends of Policy, by Henry S. Richardson. Publisher: Oxford University Press
Many people talk about the importance of "deliberative democracy," but what exactly ... Read More
Olympia, Greece - Origin of the Olympics
Friday November 5, 2004
Olympia is the site of the ancient Greek Olympics. The original Olympic games occurred every four years with hardly any interruption for nearly 1,200 years - and with a largely ... Read More
Legal vs. Religious Marriage
Friday November 5, 2004
Oregon voters decided to approve Measure 36 which amends the state constitution to define the state's civil marriages in a manner consistent with some religious definitions of marriage (but not ... Read More
Discussion: Looking Ahead to Election 2008
Friday November 5, 2004
A forum member writes: My prediction is that Hillary Clinton will run for the Dems and Rudy Juliani or possibly John McCain will run for the Reps. Our course for ... Read More
Media Bias: Liberal vs. Conservative
Friday November 5, 2004
Every reporter is biased - they wouldn't be human, otherwise. But not every bias is bad, not every bias should be excluded from the news, and not all political biases ... Read More
This Date in History: Gunpowder Plot
Friday November 5, 2004
November 05, 1605: Guy Fawkes was captured while participating in the Gunpowder Plot to blow up the Houses of Parliament.
Secular Bullies
Friday November 5, 2004
Can secularists really stand up to the will of God? Evidently they can. There is an attitude among many on the Christian Right that secularists are "bullies" for forcing God ... Read More
Daily Poll: Should John Kerry Have Waited Before Conceding?
Friday November 5, 2004
John Kerry conceded the 2004 election to George W. Bush before all of the provisional ballots were counted. He believed that he could not have received enough votes to overcome ... Read More
Atheism: Baseline Position for Humanity
Friday November 5, 2004
Because many people misunderstand atheism as a statement of positive belief or even a label for a comprehensive worldview, they also have the mistaken assumption that atheists have a burden ... Read More
Outsiders and Insiders of Human Society
Friday November 5, 2004
Recently Received: One Planet, One People: Beyond "Us vs. Them", by Carl Coon. Publisher: Prometheus Books
Just as the human species has evolved, so has the nature of human social groups. ... Read More
Military Families Against Freedom
Thursday November 4, 2004
It's common to see people point out that America's military has been responsible for the maintenance of America's freedoms. Unfortunately, we can also find examples of members of the military ... Read More
Bill Maher's Anti-Gospel
Thursday November 4, 2004
Bill Maher is a well-known comedian whose satirical comments about politics and society have managed to get him in hot water more than once. His comments about religion, though are ... Read More
Developing an African Theology?
Thursday November 4, 2004
Although African churches have not officially broken away form the Anglican Communion, they are moving in that direction. African bishops have begun talking about developing their own "African" theology and ... Read More
Iowa: Council Prayer Challenged
Thursday November 4, 2004
In Des Moines, Iowa, A Catholic priest led people at a City Council meeting in a recital of the Lord's Prayer and that is drawing criticism. The city attorney has ... Read More
Man Tries to Convert Lions to Christianity
Thursday November 4, 2004
In Taipei, a man jumped into the zoo's lion's den in order to convert the lions to Christianity. I'm not sure if he thought they were pagans, Muslims, or what. ... Read More
Ancient Greek Gods and Goddesses
Thursday November 4, 2004
When people think about Greek religion or mythology, they naturally think about the myriad of Greek gods and goddess - but it is important to remember that none of these ... Read More
Numbers of Unchurched Americans Double
Thursday November 4, 2004
The increase of people who decline any religious affiliation continues to garner media attention. Right now only Catholics and Baptists outnumber the people who identify themselves as not having any ... Read More
Republicans Building Bridges
Thursday November 4, 2004
A number of people have been suggesting that Bush should reach out to Democrats and work to unite the country in order to move forward. How likely is that? As ... Read More
This Date in History: Sigmund Freud
Thursday November 4, 2004
November 04, 1899: Sigmund Freud's book Interpretation of Dreams was published. This initial run only included six hundred copies and eight years were required before they could all be ... Read More
This Is the American Culture War
Thursday November 4, 2004
Republicans like to talk about how there is a "culture war" in America and now that George W. Bush has won reelection, there is also a lot of talk about ... Read More
Blindness Cured - But With Aborted Fetuses
Thursday November 4, 2004
Scientists at the University of Louisville have created a means to restore the vision to at least some blind people. The cost, however, is that they must use of eye ... Read More
Don't Drink & Divorce
Thursday November 4, 2004
A man in India got drunk and divorced his wife. As Muslims, he was able to divorce her simply by reciting "talaq, talaq, talaq." Neighbors heard and won't let the ... Read More
Criticizing Religion
Thursday November 4, 2004
Recently Received: Tilting at Religion, by Glenn W. Ferguson.
Religious voices are common and pervasive in modern society, despite the fact that the role of religion is far smaller and ... Read More
2004 Post-Election Coverage
Wednesday November 3, 2004
Time to start looking back at the election in order to better understand what happened, why it happened, and what might have been done differently — or might be done ... Read More
Legislating Morality?
Wednesday November 3, 2004
From a Christian perspective, if something is immoral should it also be illegal? Most conservative evangelical Christians seem to think so and this perspective drives much of their political or ... Read More
Jews vs. Israelis vs. Zionists
Wednesday November 3, 2004
In Israel, there is a growing conflict over people identifying themselves as Jews or Israelis. There was a time when no conflict or difference existed, but now that the Israeli ... Read More
Male-Only Branch of Anglican Church in Works?
Wednesday November 3, 2004
Much of the news about the Anglican Communion these days tends to focus on the controversy over homosexuality and gay bishops, but there is another debate lurking just under the ... Read More
Valley of the Kings Needs Protection
Wednesday November 3, 2004
The Valley of the Kings in Egypt is probably the most popular graveyard in the world. Millions visit it every year but as with other ancient Egyptian sites, the crush ... Read More
Evolution of the Human Eye: Problem Solved?
Wednesday November 3, 2004
A common argument offered by creationists is that biological structures like the eye could not possibly have developed via natural selection. Therefore, they conclude, such structures must have been created ... Read More
Ancient Geek Religion: Rituals. Festivals, and Rites
Wednesday November 3, 2004
Although it may be common to speak of a Greek "religion," in fact the Greeks themselves didn't use such a term and might not have recognized it had someone else ... Read More
States Reject Gay Marriage
Wednesday November 3, 2004
Constitutional bans on gay marriage were on ballots in eleven states - and they passed in all eleven. Supporters of gay rights were hoping that they could win in one ... Read More
Global Monitors Fault U.S. Vote
Wednesday November 3, 2004
Because of the problems during the 2000 presidential election, there were a number of international monitors trying to keep an eye on the 2004 elections. Many Americans found this insulting, ... Read More
This Date in History: Torture
Wednesday November 3, 2004
November 03, 1265: Clement IV confirms the policy of using torture to elicit confessions, first authorized by Pope Innocent IV in his Bull Ad exstirpanda and earlier confirmed by Pope ... Read More
Teaching Atheism = Teaching Religion?
Wednesday November 3, 2004
Not everyone is pleased by the fact that Religion classes in Britain will start including atheism in the lessons. For some reason, the presence of an atheistic perspective on religion, ... Read More
News and Views on Religion, Atheism, Freethought, Secularism
Wednesday November 3, 2004
Site News: What's going on in the world in terms of religion, the paranormal, evolution, creationism, secularism, atheism, and freethought? Several times a day this site has updated news and ... Read More
Netherlands: Filmmaker of Movie Critical of Islam Murdered
Wednesday November 3, 2004
The controversial Dutch film about Muslims' abuse of women has resulted in the murder filmmaker Theo van Gogh, grandson of the brother of famous painter Vincent Van Gogh.
AP News reports:
In ... Read More
Courts Threaten Nation's Liberties?
Wednesday November 3, 2004
A common complaint from the Christian Right is that American courts threaten American liberty. Why? Because those courts refuse to support government actions that favor conservative or fundamentalist Christianity. It's ... Read More
2004 Election Night Coverage: George W. Bush vs. John Kerry
Tuesday November 2, 2004
This is where I will be reporting and commenting on various news items over the course of the election night, 2004. I'll be watching CNN primarily, though checking lots of ... Read More
2004 Election Day Coverage: George W. Bush vs. John Kerry
Tuesday November 2, 2004
After all the writing, smears, pundits, and polls we finally come down to the one poll that really matter: the election. I've already voted — voter #80 at my polling ... Read More
Moonies Supported by Bush's Faith-Based Funds
Tuesday November 2, 2004
Some have charged that a primary purpose behind George W. Bush's faith-based initiatives is to create financial subsidies to right-wing churches that don't mind being bought-and-paid-for by cynical politicians. In ... Read More
Conservative Case for Gay Marriage
Tuesday November 2, 2004
Opposition to gay marriage generally comes from conservative circles. Not all liberals support it, obviously, but the main opposition is still conservative - or conservative religiosity, to be more specific. ... Read More
Tufts Republicans: Homosexuality = Death?
Tuesday November 2, 2004
Republican students at Tufts University apparently believe that homosexuality is one of the greatest threats facing America today. A group called "Article 8" held a lecture (sponsored by Tufts Republicans) ... Read More
Ancient Coffins Shed Light on Greeks
Tuesday November 2, 2004
Archaeologists have discovered two large limestone coffins in Ancient Corinth that could rewrite what is known about Greek technology. Around 3,000 years old and dating to the Geometric period (because ... Read More
Traditional Values vs. Gay Marriage
Tuesday November 2, 2004
Voters in Oregon will deciding whether to ban gay marriages. The state government website keeps lists of ballot measures along with citizen-submitted arguments for and against. One clever citizen going ... Read More
Ancient Troy
Tuesday November 2, 2004
The city of Troy is most famous for being the primary site of the Trojan War, a conflict described in Homer's Illiad where Greek warriors from multiple city-states attacked and ... Read More
Judicial Candidate: God Belongs in Government
Tuesday November 2, 2004
Should the government promote particular religious beliefs and doctrines? Does the government even have the authority to do such things? Some people think so and, sadly enough, they have or ... Read More
Discussion: Iraqi Independence in June 2004?
Tuesday November 2, 2004
Reshuffle wrote in November, 2003: [T]he plan's working. Once again, the genius of the Bush administration has manifested itself. You can still jump aboard the train of success if you'd ... Read More
Katherine Harris: Christian Reconstructionist?
Tuesday November 2, 2004
Most people might remember Katherine Harris as the Florida Republican who helped George W. Bush get appointed to the presidency. She later parlayed that notoriety into a seat in the ... Read More
This Date in History: Suez Canal
Tuesday November 2, 2004
November 02, 1956: President Nasser of Egypt announced that his military forces were pulling back from the Suez Canal as required in the ultimatum issued a couple of days earlier ... Read More
Family Values: Massachusetts Has Lower Divorce Rates than Texas
Tuesday November 2, 2004
Conservative politicians seem to get some special kick out of criticizing someone merely for being a "northeastern liberal" and especially if they are a "Massachusetts liberal." George W. Bush leveled ... Read More
Florida: Journalist Assaulted By Police
Tuesday November 2, 2004
America is a democracy. America also has freedom of the press. In Florida, though, those two don't always mix. In Palm Beach County, to be specific, a reporter was assaulted ... Read More
Government Regulating U.S. Citizens' Actions Abroad
Tuesday November 2, 2004
Americans aren't allowed to import and smoke Cuban cigars - that would be a violation of the trade embargo. What many may not realize, however, is that they also aren't ... Read More
Bush Wanted to Invade Iraq... in 1999?
Monday November 1, 2004
Apparently George W. Bush began thinking about invading Iraq as far back as 1999. Why? Because he thought a tidy little war would produce enough political capital for him to ... Read More
California: School Accused of Harassing Gay Students
Monday November 1, 2004
A Los Angeles high school is being sued by gay students and the ACLLU for allowing a climate "rife with hostility" toward gay students to develop. According to the complaint, ... Read More
California: Priest's Files Ordered Sealed
Monday November 1, 2004
Lawyers for people sexually abused by Catholic priests have been trying to get access to those priests' employment records. The files could reveal what, if any, actions the diocese took ... Read More
George W. Bush & the Holocaust
Monday November 1, 2004
Why has the Bush administration been hindering a lawsuit brought by Holocaust survivors? According to some, it is to create goodwill and ensure that Poland would join the occupation of ... Read More
Mormon Abuse Allegations
Monday November 1, 2004
In Seattle two men have filed suit against the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for failing to protect children from a predatory church leader - even after he ... Read More
Stem Cell Research in Spain
Monday November 1, 2004
Catholic leaders are already trying to fight the Spanish government's decision to legalize gay marriage, but now they are going to have to fight the government's decision to allow stem ... Read More
European Constitution Ignores Papal, Catholic Whining
Monday November 1, 2004
Pope John Paul II as well as many leading European Catholics have been pushing for the European Constitution to include some reference to Christianity. Secular Europeans, led by France, have ... Read More
Michigan: Eagle Scout Murders 62-year-old For Being Atheist
Monday November 1, 2004
There are those who fiercely defend the fact that the Boy Scouts ban atheists from their ranks, arguing atheists lack the necessary qualities to be moral enough for the Scouts. ... Read More
Origin, Evolution, and Structure of Ancient Greek Temples
Monday November 1, 2004
Perhaps the most distinctive aspect of ancient Greek religion are their large and beautiful temples. The first stone temples appeared some time during the 8th century BCE and, in the ... Read More
GOP Tricksters Wilt Under the Cameras
Monday November 1, 2004
The dirty tricks used by Republican operatives to suppress votes have become well-known and may even end up backfiring, encouraging people to vote rather than keeping them away. It can ... Read More
Missouri: School Allows Anti-Gay Speech, but not Gay Pride Speech
Monday November 1, 2004
A student in Missouri is being helped in a lawsuit by the ACLU. According to the student, he has been sent home and ordered to stop wearing shirts that express ... Read More
This Date in History: Massacre at Bilbeis
Monday November 1, 2004
November 01, 1168: Amalric I, King of Jerusalem, massacres the inhabitants of Bilbeis, a fortress city on the eastern edge of the southern Nile delta in Egypt. The harsh treatment ... Read More
Georgia: Christian Bigot's Gay Daughter Speaks Out
Monday November 1, 2004
Sadie Fields, president of the Christian Coalition of Georgia, has written a nasty column for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution supporting an amendment to ban same-sex marriage in Georgia. Her daughter, Tess ... Read More
Reject This Failed Statesman
Monday November 1, 2004
Is George W. Bush a "failed statesman"? Some think so and argue moreover that his behavior has been so flagitious that if American democracy were the least bit healthy, Bush ... Read More