Pope Benedict XVI: Western Churches Dying?
Sunday July 31, 2005
Western nations are becoming increasing secular and this has Pope Benedict XVI worried. He thinks that mainstream churches in the West are dying out and increasing numbers of people no ... Read More
Mormon Numbers Dropping?
Sunday July 31, 2005
People usually think of the Mormon Church as one of the fastest growing religious groups in the world - but that impression may be completely mistaken. As it turns out, ... Read More
Bible Commentary: Jesus Heals Palsy in Capernaum (Mark 2:1-5)
Sunday July 31, 2005
Once again Jesus is back in Capernaum - possibly in the house of Peter's mother-in-law, although the actual identity of 'the house" is uncertain. Naturally, he is swamped by a ... Read More
Video Games and Modern Society
Sunday July 31, 2005
There is, once again, a movement developing to censor and restrict video games because they are too violent. The impetus to this is actually the discovery of a sex scene ... Read More
Journey to Atheism
Sunday July 31, 2005
There are many different paths which people take to atheism. Some are raised atheists. Some are raised in very religious environments and then abandon religion later in their lives. Some ... Read More
This Date in History: Judge Roy Moore
Sunday July 31, 2005
July 31, 2001: Judge Roy Moore unveiled a four-foot-tall, 5,000+ pound granite display of the Ten Commandments which was installed in the rotunda of the Alabama Judicial Building.
Weekly Quote: Nietzsche on Doubt, Faith, and Sin
Sunday July 31, 2005
Doubt as sin. — Christianity has done its utmost to close the circle and declared even doubt to be sin. One is supposed to be cast into belief without reason, ... Read More
Impossibility of Religious Freedom
Sunday July 31, 2005
Recently Received: The Impossibility of Religious Freedom, by Winnifred Fallers Sullivan. Publisher: Princeton University Press.
Religious liberty is generally regarded as one of the most important principles in American political and ... Read More
Jerry Falwell Encourages Abuse for Gay Kids?
Saturday July 30, 2005
Many religious conservatives really hate homosexuality and homosexuals - even more so when gays appear in their very own families. In order to keep their families sexually and morally pure, ... Read More
Bishop Spong Still Causing Anxiety
Saturday July 30, 2005
John Shelby Spong is retired, but he hasn't slowed down. He's still giving speeches and still writing books that causes no end of anxiety and annoyance among religious conservatives. He ... Read More
Book Reviews: Nazis, Nazi Germany, Hitler, Fascism, Holocaust
Saturday July 30, 2005
The Nazis were one of the most evil and vicious political organizations ever to have existed. Their regime killed millions, including around six million Jews in the Holocaust. What is ... Read More
Massachusetts: Emergency Contraception Bill Vetoed
Saturday July 30, 2005
Mitt Romney, governor of Massachusetts, continues his move to the right - possibly in preparation to run for president. He vetoed a bill requiring hospitals to provide emergency contraception to ... Read More
Should the American Media Eliminate Indecency?
Saturday July 30, 2005
Censorship appears to be a popular American pastime: every so often, some group goes bonkers over some perceived indecency or obscenity and demands that the government reign in an out-of-control ... Read More
This Date in History: Jan Hus
Saturday July 30, 2005
July 30, 1419: Followers of executed reformer Jan Hus stormed the town hall in Prague and threw Catholic councillors out of the windows.
Bush Buying Votes with Faith-Based Funds?
Saturday July 30, 2005
One of the concerns which many have had is that President Bush's faith-based programs would have the effect of corrupting churches by making them dependent upon political patronage. ... Read More
Ministry in America
Saturday July 30, 2005
Recently Received: Who Shall Lead Them?: The Future of Ministry in America, by Larry A. Witham. Publisher: Oxford University Press.
For decades the social status of clergy has been in decline ... Read More
California: Opposition to Domestic Partnerships
Friday July 29, 2005
Conservatives in California want to end state benefits and rights for "domestic partnerships" for gay couples. The state attorney general will allow the proposed constitutional amendment go to the voters, ... Read More
Free Speech: News and Commentary on the Freedom of Speech
Friday July 29, 2005
Is freedom of speech an absolute right, or are there legitimate reasons for restricting it? What role does the media play in promoting free speech and in informing the public? ... Read More
Islamic Edicts Against Liberal Thoughts?
Friday July 29, 2005
How worried are Muslim conservatives that more liberal ideas might start to become ascendant? In Indonesia, a generally tolerant nation, they are worried enough to consider issuing edicts against "liberal ... Read More
Newsletter 07-29-05
Friday July 29, 2005
Welcome to issue #7.30 of Free Thought Now!, the Agnosticism / Atheism site newsletter. This week we'll take a look at several pieces dealing with Bush's recent appointment to the ... Read More
Promoting Chastity and Abstinence in America
Friday July 29, 2005
There is a growing movement in America to promote chastity and abstinence from sex among America's youth. No one disputes the fact that not having sex eliminates all of the ... Read More
This Date in History: Abortion Provider Murdered
Friday July 29, 2005
July 29, 1993: Rev. Paul Hill shot and killed Dr. John Britton, an abortion provider.
Ten Commandments Decisions: More Good than Bad
Friday July 29, 2005
There are lots of reasons to criticize the Supreme Court's recent decisions in the two Ten Commandments cases, but on balance there are more good things to say than bad. ... Read More
Divided by God
Friday July 29, 2005
Recently Received: Divided by God: America's Church-State Problem - and What We Should Do About It, by Noah Feldman. Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux.
Debates over the relationship between religion and ... Read More
Wal-Mart Newspaper Ban Lifted
Thursday July 28, 2005
A few days ago I wrote about how Georgia Wal-Marts would stop carrying a newspaper because of its critical stories about them. Now, the company has rescinded the ban and ... Read More
Harry Potter Converting Christian Critics
Thursday July 28, 2005
During the earliest years of the Harry Potter phenomenon, Christian critics were numerous, widespread, and very vocal. Recently, though, very little has been heard from them. One reason is that ... Read More
Utah: State Senator Opposes Church/State Separation
Thursday July 28, 2005
Parley Hellewell, a Republican state senator in Utah, is determined to undermine the separation of church and state where he lives. He wants to restore "what was done for the ... Read More
Jewish Extremists Put Death Curse on Sharon
Thursday July 28, 2005
Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon had better watch out: Jewish extremists have invoked a "death curse" and expect God to strike him dead in retaliation for his policies. I'll bet ... Read More
Places in the Bible: History, Geography, Religion of Judea in Palestine
Thursday July 28, 2005
Judea is the Greco-Roman form of Judah, the region in Palestine named (according to Genesis) after the fourth son of Jacob and his first wife, Leah. Political authority over Judea ... Read More
Santorum: No Right to Privacy, to Use Contraceptives
Thursday July 28, 2005
Rick Santorum, junior senator from Pennsylvania, is one of the most far-right politicians in the Republican Party. When it comes to personal sexual matters, he certainly doesn't follow the GOP ... Read More
This Date in History: Sex Abuse Scandal in the Catholic Church
Thursday July 28, 2005
July 28, 2002: Addressing a crowd of over a million youth at Toronto's Downsview Park for the final Mass during World Youth Day, Pope John Paul II brings up the ... Read More
Britain: Humanists Snub Cemetery Service
Wednesday July 27, 2005
In Suffolk, a humanist group is refusing to attend the ceremonies at the opening of a new cemetery because, they say, the services will be too religious. Apparently this is ... Read More
Mormon Facing Excommunication
Wednesday July 27, 2005
Simon Southerton's book Losing a Lost Tribe: Native Americans, DNA and the Mormon Church, reviewed on this site, caused a lot of controversy in the Mormon Church. Himself a Mormon, ... Read More
Scientology Preying on Londoners?
Wednesday July 27, 2005
The terror bombings in London were terrible for the people who live there, but that wasn't a reason for Scientology to refrain from taking advantage of it. Evidently, Scientology representatives ... Read More
Utah: Teacher Fired for Being a Witch
Wednesday July 27, 2005
Erin Jensen is suing the Sevier School District in Utah because their firing of her appears to have been motivated by the belief (false, as it turns out) that she ... Read More
This Date in History: Martin Luther
Wednesday July 27, 2005
July 27, 1516: Martin Luther preached his first sermon against the practice of selling Indulgences.
Speciation Mechanism Observed
Wednesday July 27, 2005
How do new species develop? How does one species change to become multiple species? The possible mechanisms have studied for years, but a new factor has been found in butterflies: ... Read More
Newsletter 07-27-05
Wednesday July 27, 2005
News items from the past week include parallels between biblical literalism and the constitutional philosophy of original intent, the idea that current anti-Semitism in Europe could be a consequence of ... Read More
American Attitudes on Religion & Government
Tuesday July 26, 2005
Although Americans tend to be more religious than other nations in the industrialized West, there remains strong opposition to religious leaders trying to influence government. At the same time, though, ... Read More
Respect Your Neighbor's Religion
Tuesday July 26, 2005
The Ten Commandments instruct people to respect neighbor's property, but not their religion. This is understandable because the Ten Commandments were not written for a pluralistic, democratic society. That's also ... Read More
Wal-Mart Won't Sell Critical Newspapers
Tuesday July 26, 2005
In Georgia, Wal-Mart has decided to stop carrying an independent local newspaper that has run critical stories about them. They certainly have a legal right to do this, but the ... Read More
Coffee Shop Kicks Out Atheists
Tuesday July 26, 2005
In Homewood, Alabama, the Cool Beans coffee shop has informed a local atheist group that they can no longer use the place to meet. Local religious groups will continue to ... Read More
This Date in History: Suez Canal
Tuesday July 26, 2005
July 26, 1956: Gamal Abdal Nasser of Egypt forcibly nationalized the Suez Canal, leading to a violent response from France, Israel, and Great Britain. Nasser's actions were most immediately motivated ... Read More
John Roberts, Catholicism, and the Constitution
Tuesday July 26, 2005
The Vatican has declared that politicians who support things like abortion rights must be denied holy sacraments like communion. So how should Catholic judges rule when American law defends abortion ... Read More
People in the Bible: Profile & Biography of John the Baptist
Tuesday July 26, 2005
John the Baptist (also: John the Baptizer) appears in each of the four gospels as a figure preaching the immediate coming of a Messiah. John is depicted in a manner ... Read More
Scientology vs. Glamour Magazine
Monday July 25, 2005
The Church of Scientology doesn't like it when media organizations run stories about disgruntled former members and some of the ways they treat critics. Galmour magazine is running an expose ... Read More
Book Reviews: Books from Prometheus Books
Monday July 25, 2005
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 ... Read More
Iran: Gay Teens Executed by Hanging
Monday July 25, 2005
In the city of Mashhad in north-eastern Iran, two gay teens have been executed. One was 18 and the other is thought to have been 16 or 17. First they ... Read More
Blogsnark: Political Dogs on the Ten Commandments
Monday July 25, 2005
A lot of religious conservatives are upset that the Supreme Court invalidated the Ten Commandments display in Kentucky counties. They sincerely believe that the government of all citizens should endorse ... Read More
This Date in History: Constantine
Monday July 25, 2005
July 25, 306: Constantius Chlorus dies, leaving his son Constantine as his successor. Constantine would go on to defeat his rival and co-emperor Maxentius at the Battle of Milvian Bridge. ... Read More
What is Driving Islamic Extremism in Europe?
Monday July 25, 2005
More and more, Europeans are discovering that Islamic terrorism in the streets is being committed by Muslims who grew up in those streets, not by foreigners who come in specifically ... Read More
Newsletter 07-25-05
Monday July 25, 2005
News items from the past week include a look at what humanist politics could be like, developments in the "death industry" in America, how odor affects human mating practices, the ... Read More
18th Carnival of the Godless
Monday July 25, 2005
Saint Nate hosts the 18th Carnival of the Godless, which is now available. He links to articles from Steve Pavlina, Darksyde, Ebon Musings, and more.
Atheism in Singapore
Sunday July 24, 2005
It's common for theists to assume that atheists disbelieve in gods because they haven't been properly introduced to the subject. Christians think that we must not have heard the "Good ... Read More
Bible Commentary: Jesus Heals the Leper, Cautions Silence (Mark 1:40-45)
Sunday July 24, 2005
Here we have a specific illness that Jesus heals, one which has caused fear and loathing for centuries: leprosy. Then again, it might have been some other skin disease that ... Read More
Dissenting Artwork Shouldn't Be Tolerated?
Sunday July 24, 2005
An art show in the cafeteria of California's state Department of Justice in Sacramento is causing controversy because one painting shows an image of the United States, overlaid with an ... Read More
Biblical Patriarchs: Immoral, Godless Secularists
Sunday July 24, 2005
One might be forgiven for imagining that the biblical patriarchs were devout, godly men - but not according to the standards of the modern Christian Right in America. Because of ... Read More
This Date in History: Palestinian Terrorism
Sunday July 24, 2005
July 24, 1973: Palestinian guerillas blow up a Japanese airliner in Benghazi, Libya, which they had hijacked out of Amsterdam on July 20. All of the crew and passengers had ... Read More
Weekly Quote: Russell on Meaning and Definitions
Sunday July 24, 2005
Everything is vague to a degree you do not realize till you have tried to make it precise.
- Bertrand Russell, “The Philosophy of Logical Atomism”
Read a discussion of this quote: ... Read More
Fear: The History of a Political Idea
Sunday July 24, 2005
Recently Received: Fear: The History of a Political Idea, by Corey Robin, Publisher: Oxford University Press.
Everyone is a afraid of something — fear is an emotional reaction that all humans ... Read More
Porn, the Erototoxin
Saturday July 23, 2005
Judith Reisman (I hesitate to use her title of "Doctor," as I can't imagine how she could have merited it), puts forth the "theory" that seeing pornography releases "erototoxins" in ... Read More
Atheism, Agnosticism, and Freethought: News and Commentary
Saturday July 23, 2005
Curious about what has been going on with the atheism and atheists both in America and around the world? What are atheists themselves saying about atheism, religion, and politics? Atheism ... Read More
Senator Santorum: Ignorant of the Law
Saturday July 23, 2005
Rick Santorum, senator from Pennsylvania, holds some of the most heinous and absurd positions that I have ever seen in a politician. He's not the worst, but he's definitely on ... Read More
What's Wrong With Government Endorsement of Religion?
Saturday July 23, 2005
Some Christians make fun of the idea of people being "offended" by the Ten Commandments and thus suing to have monuments removed from public grounds. These Christians fundamentally misunderstand (or ... Read More
This Date in History: Jewish Persecutions
Saturday July 23, 2005
July 23, 1298: The Jewish community of Wurzburg, Germany was destroyed in what came to be known as the Rindfleish Persecutions.
Israel vs. Jewish Extremists
Saturday July 23, 2005
One of the most serious security concerns for Israel isn't Palestinian extremists, it's Jewish extremists. There is a significant, vocal, and influential minority of Jews who insist that God has ... Read More
Image and Reality in the Third Reich
Saturday July 23, 2005
Recently Received: The 'Hitler Myth': Image and Reality in the Third Reich, by Ian Kershaw. Publisher: Oxford University Press.
Adolf Hitler was one of the most charismatic and mesmerizing political leaders ... Read More
Belgium Won't Recognize Scientology
Friday July 22, 2005
The Belgian government officially recognizes just six religious groups: Roman Catholicism, Judaism, Islam, Anglicanism, Protestantism and Greek Orthodox. Official recognition means getting state subsidies and so others want in as ... Read More
Book Reviews: Books Christianity, Christians, Christian Beliefs, Christian History
Friday July 22, 2005
Every year there are hundreds of books published dealing with Christianity, Christian beliefs and Christian history. A few are worth taking a closer look at, and some of them are ... Read More
Theists' Misunderstandings About Atheism
Friday July 22, 2005
Theists tend to have a lot of misunderstandings about atheism. This is understandable, given the fact that atheists tend to keep a low profile and given how much disinformation can ... Read More
Falwell Evades FEC Complaints
Friday July 22, 2005
A complaint was made to the Federal Election Commission, charging that Jerry Falwell had violated the law when he endorsed President Bush's re-election. Falwell argued that he made the endorsement ... Read More
This Date in History: Same-Sex Marriages in America
Friday July 22, 2005
July 22, 2004: The U.S. House of Representatives passes legislation that prevents federal courts from ordering other courts in the various states to recognize the validity of any same-sex unions ... Read More
Key Thinkers in Christianity
Friday July 22, 2005
Recently Received: Key Thinkers in Christianity, by Adrian Hastings, Alistair Mason, Hugh Pyper. Publisher: Oxford University Press.
Christianity is not just a religion of a book, but also a religion of ... Read More
Skepticism and the Paranormal: Recent News and Commentary on Skepticism and the Paranormal
Thursday July 21, 2005
Wondering about what has been going on in the world when it comes to skepticism and claims of the paranormal? It seems like there is always something new going on ... Read More
Blogsnark: Atheism and Secularism Have no Moral Benchmarks?
Thursday July 21, 2005
It's a pretty consistent pattern that those who complain about the absence of Ten Commandments monuments on public property betray no real understanding of the legal issues. When the same ... Read More
Canada Legalizes Gay Marriage
Thursday July 21, 2005
Finally, the Canadian government has legalized same-sex marriages. This makes them the fourth government to do so, after Spain, Belgium, and the Netherlands. Naturally not everyone is happy about the ... Read More
This Date in History: John Scopes
Thursday July 21, 2005
July 21, 1925: The infamous "Monkey Trial" ended and John Scopes was found guilty of teaching Darwinism.
Bibles vs. Korans in North Carolina Courts
Thursday July 21, 2005
In North Carolina, Guilford County Superior Judge W. Douglas Albright is refusing to allow Muslims to "swear" to tell the truth by placing their hands on a copy of the ... Read More
Islamic Tolerance
Thursday July 21, 2005
Recently Received: The Myth of Islamic Tolerance: How Islamic Law Treats Non-Muslims, by Robert Spencer. Publisher: Prometheus Books.
There is a common belief that, historically, Islam has been more tolerant of ... Read More
Places in the Bible: Jordan River - History, Geography, Religion
Wednesday July 20, 2005
The name 'Jordan' comes from the Hebrew word 'descender' because of the way it descends from its sources. The Jordan is the world's lowest river, flowing well below sea level ... Read More
Authority vs. Reason: Original Intent & Biblical Literalism
Wednesday July 20, 2005
A curious feature of the "original intent" school of constitutional theory is just how close it comes in form and attitude towards the "biblical literalism" form of Christianity. Both insist ... Read More
Arkansas: Gay Club Burned Down
Wednesday July 20, 2005
In Fayetteville, Arkansas, a gay club has been destroyed by fire. They suffered an arson attack not long ago and most suspect arson was the cause for this fire was ... Read More
This Date in History: Religious Right
Wednesday July 20, 2005
July 20, 1910: The Christian Endeavor Society of Missouri, an early forerunner of the American Religious Right, instituted a campaign to ban movies depicting kissing between non-relatives.
Head Start and Faith-Based Funding (Discrimination)
Wednesday July 20, 2005
U.S. Rep. John Boehner has introduced a proposal that would allow religious groups that run Head Start programs to discriminate on the basis of religion. A similar measure passed the ... Read More
Newsletter 07-20-05
Wednesday July 20, 2005
News items from the past week include questions about why draft-age war supporters don't help the war effort by enlisting, an analysis of media reactions to John Paul II's death, ... Read More
Utah: Teachers of Evolution 'Will Be Dealt With'
Tuesday July 19, 2005
Chris Buttars, Republican state senator in Utah, really doesn't want public schools in his state to teach the truth about evolution. First he proposed that schools teach unscientific alternatives like ... Read More
Christian Adoption Agency Rejects Catholic Couples
Tuesday July 19, 2005
A Christian adoption agency based in Michigan receives money from the state of Mississippi, but it doesn't treat all citizens of Mississippi equally. They refuse to place children with Catholics ... Read More
Atheists Not Really Human?
Tuesday July 19, 2005
Bigotry against atheists is widespread; even those who might not come right out and say that atheists are second-class citizens may nevertheless express the idea that atheists are "lesser" beings.
John ... Read More
This Date in History: Sex Abuse Scandal in the Catholic Church
Tuesday July 19, 2005
July 19, 2002: In his regular column for the National Catholic Reporter, John L. Allen, Jr. quotes unidentified Vatican officials who suggest that Jewish bias against the Roman Catholic Church ... Read More
Newdow Back in Court, Has Case Cut Back
Tuesday July 19, 2005
Michael Newdow is back in court to challenge the constitutionality of the phase "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance. Unfortunately, the judge has decided to dismiss his complaint about ... Read More
Places in the Bible: Nazareth - Did Jesus' Mother Mary Come From Here?
Tuesday July 19, 2005
Nazareth was a small agricultural village of no importance and which would have disappeared from all memory if not for its associations with Jesus in the gospel traditions. If it ... Read More
Will Benedict XVI Ban Gay Priests?
Monday July 18, 2005
There have been rumors that the Vatican is preparing a document that would ban gay men from the priesthood, even if they are willing to remain celibate. Supposedly Benedict XVI ... Read More
Cardinal: Children of Gay Couples Cannot be Baptized
Monday July 18, 2005
As the numbers of gay couples increases, so do the numbers of children being raised by gay couples. Churches may not approve of the gay relationships, but how will they ... Read More
Nothing Fails Like Prayer
Monday July 18, 2005
Many people believe that prayer can help one recover from illness, but serious scientific studies repeatedly fail to find evidence of this. Those studies which do purport to demonstrate such ... Read More
Odor, Sexuality, and Mating Practices
Monday July 18, 2005
If human beings are related to and evolved from other mammals, then our sexual behavior and mating practices should bear strong similarities to those of other mammals. If humans were ... Read More
This Date in History: English Reformation
Monday July 18, 2005
July 18, 1536: Papal authority was declared void in England as the English Reformation took hold and the government took control of the country's church.
Newsletter 07-18-05
Monday July 18, 2005
News items from the past week include comments from Garrison Keillor about atheists and gays, an interesting report from a UFO convention, some thoughts about what it must be like ... Read More
Lipstick Lesbian vs. Radical Islam
Sunday July 17, 2005
What will it take to undermine and end radical Islam - or at least end the threat it poses to everyone else? Probably only a counter-force from within Islam will ... Read More
Atheist Exposed: Coming Out to Friends and Family
Sunday July 17, 2005
One of the most difficult things for many atheists is coming out to friends and family. Many don't even do it, preferring to hide their beliefs rather than risk the ... Read More
Bible Commentary: Jesus Heals Simon’s Mother-In-Law and Leaves Capernaum (Mark 1:29-39)
Sunday July 17, 2005
Simon Peter’s mother-in-law is the first person to be healed of something other than possession by an unclean spirit. She has a fever which Jesus takes away; later he would ... Read More
Unitarian Universalists Debate God
Sunday July 17, 2005
The Unitarian Universalists are a denomination that is so liberal, you don't even need to believe in any gods to be a member. There's a tremendous amount of religious variety ... Read More
This Date in History: Constantinople Falls
Sunday July 17, 2005
July 17, 1203: Constantinople, capital of the Byzantine Empire, falls to Crusading forces from Western Europe. Deposed emperor Isaac II is freed and resumes rule alongside his son, Alexius IV, ... Read More
Weekly Quote: Spinoza on Philosophy & Faith
Sunday July 17, 2005
Philosophy has no end in view save truth; faith looks for nothing but obedience and piety.
- Baruch Spinoza, Tractatus Theologico-Politicus (1670)
Read a discussion of this quote: Spinoza on Philosophy & ... Read More
Nazi Doctors & Human Experiments
Sunday July 17, 2005
Recently Received: Doctors from Hell: The Horrific Account of Nazi Experiments on Humans, by Vivien Spitz. Publisher: Sentient Publications.
Because of their specialized knowledge of the human body and biology, doctors ... Read More
Book Reviews: Books on Christian, Philosophical Critiques of Harry Potter Books
Saturday July 16, 2005
Harry Potter has become wildly popular all over the world. That popularity and the ways in which it has manifested itself can tell us a lot about popular culture and ... Read More
Myth of Bork's Martyrdom
Saturday July 16, 2005
In the coming battle over the next Supreme Court justice, you can expect a lot of talk about the "martyrdom" of Robert Bork, a one-time conservative nominee who was "unjustly" ... Read More
This Date in History: Great Schism
Saturday July 16, 2005
July 16, 1054: Great Schism: The Western Christian Church, in an effort to further enhance its power, had tried to impose Latin rites on Greek churches in southern Italy in ... Read More
Ten Commandments: News, Information, Court Cases
Saturday July 16, 2005
Should displays of the Ten Commandments be allowed in public buildings? Should large monuments be erected on the grounds of courthouses or legislative buildings? Should there be posters of the ... Read More
Guantanamo Bay & Human Rights
Saturday July 16, 2005
Recently Received: Guantanamo: The War on Human Rights, by David Rose. Publisher: New Press.
Guantanamo Bay, with its cages imprisoning "enemy combatants," has become for many a disturbing symbol of America's ... Read More
Eminent Domain: Corporate Republicans vs. Religious Republicans
Friday July 15, 2005
The political alliance between religious conservatives and business conservatives has always been a bit uneasy. The two do have some common goals, but they also have a number of competing ... Read More
Dershowitz Seeking to Suppress Critical Book?
Friday July 15, 2005
Alan Dershowitz has long been one of the most visible and outspoken proponents of civil liberties in America. Unfortunately, it seems as though he has ignored those principles when it ... Read More
Book Reviews: Books on Civil Liberties, Civil Rights, Political Freedoms, and the Constitution
Friday July 15, 2005
What is the proper relationship between an individual and the state? Should you have a reasonable expectation of being free from government observation of your political activities? Is freedom of ... Read More
Atheists, Anti-Semitism, and Holocaust Denial
Friday July 15, 2005
Atheists are generally committed to the principle of free speech, especially where criticism of religion is concerned. Should this commitment lead atheists to give a platform to Holocaust Deniers and ... Read More
Suicide Terrorism: Caused by Religion or by America?
Friday July 15, 2005
It's common to assume that the violent, suicidal terrorism of Muslim extremists is motivated by religion, and of course religion is playing a role in what they do. It would ... Read More
Newsletter 07-15-05
Friday July 15, 2005
Welcome to issue #7.28 of Free Thought Now!, the Agnosticism / Atheism site newsletter. This week we'll take a look at whether journalists should be allowed to protect confidential sources ... Read More
Dianetics: A Dull, Poorly Written Book for Scientology
Friday July 15, 2005
Scientology has been around for quite a few years, but recent exposure with Tom Cruise has made it more well known than before. Few people have actually read one of ... Read More
This Date in History: Jews & Catholics
Friday July 15, 2005
July 15, 1205: Pope Innocent III asserted that Jews are doomed to perpetual servitude and subjugation due to role in the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
Battle over the Supreme Court in America
Friday July 15, 2005
There will probably be a significant cultural and political battle over Bush's nomination to replace Sandra Day O'Connor on the Supreme Court. Religious conservatives want nothing less than someone who ... Read More
Euthanasia in Modern America
Friday July 15, 2005
Recently Received: A Merciful End: The Euthanasia Movement in Modern America, by Ian Dowbiggin. Publisher: Oxford University Press.
Euthanasia has a dubious history. Today most talk about euthanasia in the context ... Read More
Florida: Religious Theme Park Given Tax Exemption
Thursday July 14, 2005
The Holy Land Experience is a bible-based theme park in Florida that owed a huge tax bill to the local government, but they have successfully argued in court that they ... Read More
Separating Church and State in Denmark
Thursday July 14, 2005
Church and state are not separate in Denmark, but that could change - there is a movement to separate them which has significant support in the government.
DR Nyheder reports:
Almost one ... Read More
News and Information about the War on Terror and in Iraq
Thursday July 14, 2005
How is the war on terrorism proceeding? What is happening with the war in Iraq? To what extent has the 'War on Terrorism' become a Crusade or War on Islam? ... Read More
Most Americans Reject Evolution of Humans
Thursday July 14, 2005
A recent survey reveals that 64% of all Americans believe that human beings were created directly by God in a special act of creation rather than that they evolved from ... Read More
Gay Marriage and Republican Presidents
Thursday July 14, 2005
Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney is a conservative politician in a liberal state. He survives in large part because he has developed a reputation as a pragmatist rather than an ideologue, ... Read More
This Date in History: Crusaders at Tyre
Thursday July 14, 2005
July 14, 1187: Conrad of Montferrat arrives at Tyre to take up the Crusading banner. Conrad had intended to land at Acre, but finding it under Saladin's control already he ... Read More
Church and State in the Philippines
Wednesday July 13, 2005
There is no real separation of church and state in the Philippines and that's why the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines felt they had the authority to give President ... Read More
Book Reviews: Books on Atheism, Atheists, Nonbelief in Gods
Wednesday July 13, 2005
Atheism is often misunderstood and sometimes reviled - but it deserves neither. There aren't enough books which really do a good job at explaining what it is and help people ... Read More
Government Paying Chaplains to Evangelize?
Wednesday July 13, 2005
There are official government chaplains throughout the military. Although paying chaplains may seem to be a violation of the separation of church and state, it's arguable that their presence is ... Read More
Paris Snubs 'Militant' Scientologist Tom Cruise
Wednesday July 13, 2005
Apparently it's common for celebrities to be made honorary citizens of Paris when they make official visits, even movie stars, but Tom Cruise isn't getting the standard treatment. French officials ... Read More
This Date in History: Catholics & Communists
Wednesday July 13, 2005
July 13, 1949: Pope Pius XII excommunicated all Catholics who were also members of the Communist Party.
Oregon: Schools Can't Let Scouts Recruit
Wednesday July 13, 2005
In Oregon, a case dating back to 1996 has led to a yet another decision in favor of an atheist family. The Portland, Oregon Public Schools were sued by the ... Read More
Newsletter 07-13-05
Wednesday July 13, 2005
News items from the past week include a Jewish extremist attacking a gay pride parade, some possible reasons for why Catholic bishops didn't do more to stop sexual abuse by ... Read More
Journalism, Ethics, and Confidential Sources
Wednesday July 13, 2005
Matthew Cooper of Time magazine and Judith Miller, of The New York Times have been pressured to reveal their source for the identity of a CIA agent. Cooper cooperated; Miller ... Read More
Christian Right Plans to Split the Ninth Circuit Court
Tuesday July 12, 2005
Some conservatives would like to split up the Ninth Circuit Court, the largest of America's circuit courts. There are good reasons for doing this from the perspective of efficiency, but ... Read More
Iran Cracking Down on Young Women
Tuesday July 12, 2005
Iran is ultimately a theocratic society; as such, people who ignore religious laws do so at their own risk. Young Iranians have been trying to live freer lives for a ... Read More
Kennewick Man: Free At Last
Tuesday July 12, 2005
For years, the fate of the Kennewick Man has languished in the courts. The government wanted to turn the remains over to Native American groups despite the fact that such ... Read More
Ancient Religions in the News: Ancient, But Still Making News
Tuesday July 12, 2005
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 ... Read More
Scientologists, Tom Cruise Keeping Close Eye on Katie Holmes
Tuesday July 12, 2005
It appears the Tom Cruise and the Church of Scientology are keeping a very, very tight leash on Katie Holmes. She continues to be accompanied by Scientology official Jessica Feshbach ... Read More
This Date in History: Joseph Smith & Polygamy
Tuesday July 12, 2005
July 12, 1843: Mormon leader Joseph Smith said that God approved of polygamy.
Catholicism, Evolution, and Intelligent Design
Tuesday July 12, 2005
For many years, Catholicism and evolutionary theory have been perceived as being compatible rather than in conflict. That may be changing in the wake of an article written by Vienna's ... Read More
Sacred Sites: Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem
Tuesday July 12, 2005
Also referred to as the Church of the Resurrection by Greek Orthodox Christians, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre is treated by many as the holiest site in all of ... Read More
17th Carnival of the Godless
Tuesday July 12, 2005
Tobias S. Buckell hosts the 17th Carnival of the Godless, which is now available. He links to articles from PZ Meyers, Brent Rasmussen, Hank Fox, and more
Why Did the Media Fawn Over Pope John Paul II
Monday July 11, 2005
One of the more interesting - or perhaps depressing - aspects of the media coverage of John Paul II's death is the way in which everyone absolutely fawned over him ... Read More
Scientology Drops Copyright Case
Monday July 11, 2005
The Church of Scientology has, for several years, been pursuing a copyright case against Dutch citizen Karin Spaink. She posted material on her web site from Scientology documents, material which ... Read More
This Date in History: Saladin at Acre
Monday July 11, 2005
July 11, 1191: Saladin launches a final assault on the 50,000 strong Crusader army besieging Acre but fails to break through.
Christian Extremists Burn Church?
Monday July 11, 2005
In Virginia, a United Church of Christ structure was set on fire. Why? Graffiti found in the church indicates that it was because of the recent UCC vote to support ... Read More
Newsletter 07-11-05
Monday July 11, 2005
News items from the past week include the status of pope as cult figure, the state of abortion in early America, Wal-Mart's refusal to stock emergency contraception, indications that Pope ... Read More
Toyota: Workers in Southeast Too Dumb to Employ?
Sunday July 10, 2005
A car manufacturing plant will open in Ontario rather than a state in the southeastern US. Why? Because people in Canada have a better education, are easier to train, and ... Read More
Fundamentalism Causing AIDS?
Sunday July 10, 2005
Fundamentalists and other religious conservatives often oppose many of the policies designed to halt the spread of AIDs - condom distribution, for example. For them, nothing short of abstinence is ... Read More
Bible Commentary: Jesus in Capernaum, Healing and Casting Out Spirits (Mark 1:21-28)
Sunday July 10, 2005
Capernaum is a city in Galilee often referenced in the gospels. Jesus is described as having spent enough time in and around Capernaum that it came to be known as ... Read More
Conservatives on Evolution
Sunday July 10, 2005
The political and religious opposition to evolutionary theory (there is no scientific opposition to it) is made up exclusively of conservatives. Opposition to evolution is a basic dogma of America's ... Read More
Creationism, Science, and Mystery
Sunday July 10, 2005
One of the reasons why creationism, even in the guise of Intelligent Design, fails to qualify as science is that it is based upon (and promotes) a fundamentally unscientific attitude. ... Read More
This Date in History: Ordained Female Priests
Sunday July 10, 2005
July 10, 2002: The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (better known by its original name, the "Inquisition") warned Romulo Antonio Braschi, founder of a Catholic schismatic movement, and ... Read More
Hoasca & UDV: Hallucinogenic Tea as a Religious Sacrament
Sunday July 10, 2005
In Brazil, O Centro Espirita Beneficiente Uniao do Vegetal (UDV) is a religious group which uses hoasca, a plant with hallucinogenic properties, as a sacramental tea. Use of this plant ... Read More
Weekly Quote: Hume on Skepticism and Belief
Sunday July 10, 2005
Does a man of sense run after every silly tale of hobgoblins or fairies, and canvass particularly the evidence? I never knew anyone, that examined and deliberated about nonsense who ... Read More
D.L. Moody and Modern Mass Evangelism
Sunday July 10, 2005
Recently Received: God's Man for the Gilded Age: D.L. Moody and the Rise of Modern Mass Evangelism, by Bruce J. Evensen. Publisher: Oxford University Press.
D.L. Moody was a pioneer in ... Read More
Santorum: Feminism Encourages Women to Work Outside the Home
Saturday July 9, 2005
In his most recent book, Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum expresses the idea that one of the drawbacks of modern feminism is that it encouraged women to work outside the home. ... Read More
Scalia's Scary America
Saturday July 9, 2005
Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia has declared that monotheists should be accorded a special status in American politics, laws, and culture. He can't defend a privileged status for Christians, but ... Read More
This Date in History: Lisa McPherson & Scientology
Saturday July 9, 2005
July 09, 1997: A Florida judge orders the release of internal logs that reveal exactly how Scientologists actually cared for Lisa McPherson while she was in their care. These records ... Read More
Christian Right Reactions to the Air Force Academy Scandal
Saturday July 9, 2005
Many people have reacted with shock over the revelations that non-Christian students have been treated so shabbily at the Air Force Academy. The Christian Right, predictably enough, has reacted with ... Read More
Chosen Peoples: Sacred Sources of National Identity
Saturday July 9, 2005
Recently Received: Chosen Peoples: Sacred Sources of National Identity, by Anthony D. Smith, Publisher: Oxford University Press.
Today it is commonly assumed that allegiance to the nation-state has overtaken allegiance to ... Read More
Illinois: No Government Funds for Boy Scout Trip
Friday July 8, 2005
A federal district judge in Illinois has ruled that it is unconstitutional for the Pentagon to spend millions of dollars to prepare a military base for a national Boy Scout ... Read More
Attacks on Atheism: Analysis and Critiques of Attacks on Atheism
Friday July 8, 2005
It isn't too hard to find people attack or criticizing atheism and atheists. There are websites devoted to it, people who write columns about it, and you can even find ... Read More
Tulsa: Zoo Scraps Creationism Display
Friday July 8, 2005
Earlier I wrote about how the Tulsa Zoo was being pressured into creating a display promoting creationism. Good sense seems to be prevailing, though, because the display has been voted ... Read More
Newsletter 07-08-05
Friday July 8, 2005
Welcome to issue #7.27 of Free Thought Now!, the Agnosticism / Atheism site newsletter. This week we'll take a look at the nature of atheism, the nature of personal opinions, ... Read More
This Date in History: Jonathan Edwards
Friday July 8, 2005
July 08, 1741: Jonathan Edwards preached his classic sermon, 'Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God,' a key step in the beginning of New England's Great Awakening.
Christian Right Takeover in Ohio
Friday July 8, 2005
Republicans in Ohio are nervous - the reasonable and sane ones are, at any rate. Christian Right radicals in the state are looking to take over because they believe that ... Read More
Backing Hitler: Consent and Coercion in Nazi Germany
Friday July 8, 2005
Recently Received: Backing Hitler: Consent and Coercion in Nazi Germany, by Robert Gellately, Publisher: Oxford University Press.
There is a popular myth that the average German didn’t know much about the ... Read More
London Bombings
Thursday July 7, 2005
As you may have heard, there have been several bombings in London. Members of the Agnosticism / Atheism community are discussing the incidents here and here. There are quite a ... Read More
Goon Squad: Silence Atheist Family Members
Thursday July 7, 2005
The Goon Squad (they call themselves the God Squad, presuming to speak on behalf of God because they pretend to be ecumenical or something) can always be counted on to ... Read More
Idaho: American Legion Seeks Ten Commandments Monument
Thursday July 7, 2005
The American Legion, a group that has proved itself no friend of religious pluralism or liberty in America, is now looking at helping erect a Ten Commandments monument in Rupert, ... Read More
Krishna Payouts Begin
Thursday July 7, 2005
The International Society of Krishna Consciousness, better known as the Hare Krishnas, have started to pay out a USD $9,.5 million settlement reached over a child-abuse scandal. The organization has ... Read More
Florida: Bush Promotes Christian Program for Schools
Thursday July 7, 2005
In Florida, Governor Jeb Bush is promoting a program named All Pro Dad which uses NFL athletes to promote a conservative Christian view of family, faith, and fatherhood. Central to ... Read More
This Date in History: Motion Picture Censorship
Thursday July 7, 2005
July 07, 1934: In response to pressure from Catholic bishops, the Motion Picture Producers and Distributors of America adopted a strict policy that barred filmmakers from depicting "excessive and lustful ... Read More
Tom Cruise vs. Mental Health Experts
Thursday July 7, 2005
There have been a lot of news stories reporting on Tom Cruise's ignorant comments about mental health, psychology, psychiatry, and pharmacology. The man probably doesn't even quality as an educated ... Read More
Coming Catholic Cold War with Evangelicals?
Wednesday July 6, 2005
There was a time when American evangelicals were strongly opposed to all things Catholic, fearing a "papist" take-over of America. More recently, American evangelicals have made common cause with the ... Read More
Pediatricians Denounce Abstinence-Only Education
Wednesday July 6, 2005
Medical professionals who actually deal with children have rejected the government's policy of promoting only abstinence in sex education. According to pediatricians, proper sex education should include information about and ... Read More
Gay & Atheist in the Islamic World
Wednesday July 6, 2005
Neither gays nor atheists are accorded much respect in the Muslim world. The same used to be the same in the Christian world, but the Christian West has progressed to ... Read More
Places in the Bible: Perea Beyond the Jordan River
Wednesday July 6, 2005
The name 'Perea' is Greek for 'beyond' and refers to the region east of the Jordan River -- in other words, 'beyond the Jordan River.' Perea isn't mentioned in the ... Read More
Atheism in Taiwan
Wednesday July 6, 2005
Evidently Taiwan is a good place for atheists - the people there are highly tolerant of religious beliefs in general and a significant percentage are atheists themselves. Evangelists, however, have ... Read More
The Ten Commandments and the of Rule Law
Wednesday July 6, 2005
Some people think that the law cannot survive unless religion is the foundation of it - and not just any old religion, either, but their religion in particular. This is ... Read More
This Date in History: French Wars of Religion
Wednesday July 6, 2005
July 06, 1573: Huguenot rebels and French Catholics sign Peace of La Rochelle, marking a pause in the French Wars of Religion.
Nebraska: Man's Name Revealed in Ten Commandments Case
Wednesday July 6, 2005
In Plattsmouth, Nebraska, an atheist is challenging the presence of a Ten Commandments monument in the public park. His identity had been kept secret because of fears he had for ... Read More
Newsletter 07-06-05
Wednesday July 6, 2005
News items from the past week include questions about Christians who place sin above forgiveness, Tom Cruise's recent comments about Xenu, criticism of the idea that non-Christians should have to ... Read More
ACLU vs. BSA: What About the Legal Issues?
Tuesday July 5, 2005
The ACLU has been suing government agencies that support Boy Scout troops. Why? Because government support of the Boy Scouts counts as indirect support of the Boy Scouts' bigotry and ... Read More
Falwell Seeks To Make Quick Buck From Recent Illness
Tuesday July 5, 2005
Back in March, televangelist and fundamentalist preacher Jerry Falwell was ill enough to be admitted to the hospital. He even had to be resuscitated from respiratory arrest. Now he is ... Read More
U.S. Rep. Seeks To Make ‘Faith-Based’ Outreach Permanent
Tuesday July 5, 2005
Mark Green, a Republican from Wisconsin, has introduced a bill to the U.S. House of Representatives that would make the White House "faith-based" office a permanent institution. It would also ... Read More
Discussion: Tom Cruise & Ritalin
Tuesday July 5, 2005
A forum member writes: There has been a substantial amount of research on Ritalin and it's effects. This research is ongoing. When used properly it really can make a huge ... Read More
Jerusalem: Jewish Extremist Attacks Gay Pride Parade
Tuesday July 5, 2005
A few days ago I wrote about how Jerusalem tried and failed to ban a gay pride parade. It was an effort to appease religious conservatives. One Ultra-Orthodox man decided ... Read More
This Date in History: Marsh v. Chambers
Tuesday July 5, 2005
July 05, 1983: Decided: Marsh v. Chambers The Supreme Court permitted the practice of beginning the legislative sessions in Nebraska with a prayer given by the publicly funded chaplain.
Pope Benedict Opposes Harry Potter Novels?
Tuesday July 5, 2005
Most religion-based criticisms of the Harry Potter series of books come from evangelical Christians. Catholics tend to be silent on the matter, but a report indicates that while still Cardinal ... Read More
Texas School District Seeks Bible Course
Monday July 4, 2005
There is a growing movement around America to get public schools to teach about the Bible. Classes that approach the Bible from a devotional perspective would not work, but objective ... Read More
Bill O'Reilly: Neutrality on Religion is 'Fascism'?
Monday July 4, 2005
What do you think about the idea that the government should be neutral on matters of religion, not preferring or endorsing any one religion over others? Many people think that's ... Read More
Power of the Christian Right in America
Monday July 4, 2005
Many people have wondered about how and why the Christian Right was able to become so powerful in such a relatively short period of time. What is the source of ... Read More
This Date in History: Battle of Hattin
Monday July 4, 2005
July 04, 1187: Battle of Hattin: Saladin defeats the Crusaders in an area northwest of Lake Tiberias and assumes control of most of the Latin Kingdom of Jerusalem. The Crusaders ... Read More
Can Atheism Be Proven?
Monday July 4, 2005
Most theists seem to think that the existence of their god can be proven. Is it possible, however, for a broader disbelief in the existence of any gods be "proven"? ... Read More
Newsletter 07-04-05
Monday July 4, 2005
News items from the past week include questions about how far employers should go to accommodate religion, the importance of abortion for women's personal autonomy, the hatred some people have ... Read More
Intolerance of Intolerance
Sunday July 3, 2005
Intolerance - especially religion-based intolerance - has long been a powerful force for hatred and violence in America. Tolerance of intolerance allows it to survive, even thrive, and thereby gain ... Read More
Ten Commandments: Bigger 'Christian' Issue than War, Poverty
Sunday July 3, 2005
You might imagine that war, health care, poverty, AIDS, and other serious issues might top the list of concerns for Christians in America. You'd be wrong, though, at least according ... Read More
Agreement Reached Over Maryland Religious Sex Education
Sunday July 3, 2005
In Montgomery County, Maryland, public schools' sex education curriculum mentioned how some religious groups have negative attitudes towards homosexuality. Christian Right groups objected to this and filed suit, so the ... Read More
Bible Commentary: Jesus Begins His Ministry and Calls the Disciples (Mark 1: 14-20)
Sunday July 3, 2005
Only now does Jesus’ ministry begin. The story of John the Baptist has been framed by references to the gospel - first with the introductory line that this text presents ... Read More
Paper on God gets Failing Grade
Sunday July 3, 2005
In California, a student at the Victor Valley Community College received an F on her paper because she talked about God. Is this an example of religious bigotry and discrimination, ... Read More
Kentucky: People Upset Over Commandments Ruling
Sunday July 3, 2005
In Kentucky, people are upset at having lost the case of ACLU v. McCreary County. They wanted their Ten Commandments display to remain but they still don't get it: the ... Read More
This Date in History: Crusaders at Sephoira
Sunday July 3, 2005
July 03, 1187: Crusaders march from Sephoria in order to engage Saladin's forces. They brought no water with them, expecting to replenish their supplies at Hattin. That night they would ... Read More
Southern Baptists Drop Support Of Church Electioneering Bill
Sunday July 3, 2005
For years, now, North Carolina Republican Walter Jones has been pushing a bill that would allow churches to endorse political candidates without losing their tax exempt status. This wouldn't extend ... Read More
Weekly Quote: Aurelius on Opinions
Sunday July 3, 2005
I have often wondered how it is that every man loves himself more than all the rest of men, but yet sets less value on his own opinion of himself ... Read More
What Is Marriage For?
Sunday July 3, 2005
Recently Received: What Is Marriage For?, by E. J. Graff, Publisher: Beacon Press.
What exactly is the point of marriage? Everyone is familiar with marriage because it exists all around us. ... Read More
Co-op Bank Bans Christian Group
Saturday July 2, 2005
Christian Voice, an extremist group in Britain that used bullying tactics to stop a nationwide tour of "Jerry Springer - The Opera" and to stop a cancer charity from accepting ... Read More
Judge Moore's Monument In Alabama
Saturday July 2, 2005
The 2.5 ton granite monument of the Ten Commandments which Roy Moore installed in the rotunda of the Alabama Judicial Building and which cost him his job as Alabama ... Read More
Where Could Van Orden Lead?
Saturday July 2, 2005
One of the problems with the two different decisions on the two Ten Commandments cases is that people will misinterpret them. The decisions were heavily context-dependent, as they should have ... Read More
Miscegenation Laws & Same-Sex Marriage
Saturday July 2, 2005
Many people have noticed a number of parallels between laws today banning gay marriage and laws in the past banning interracial marriage. There are parallels in the arguments used, in ... Read More
This Date in History: African-American Catholics
Saturday July 2, 2005
July 02, 1989: Reverend George A. Stallings, Jr., a black Roman Catholic priest, defied the orders of his archbishop and established an independent African-American Catholic congregation in Washington, D.C. Stallings ... Read More
Catholicism in Spain Losing Ground
Saturday July 2, 2005
Spain is a traditionally Catholic nation where government and church have been close partners. Today, though, this is changing - Spain is becoming more secular and more like its northern ... Read More
Weekly Quote: Aurelius on Opinions
Saturday July 2, 2005
I have often wondered how it is that every man loves himself more than all the rest of men, but yet sets less value on his own opinion of himself ... Read More
German Churches and the Holocaust
Saturday July 2, 2005
Recently Received: Betrayal: German Churches and the Holocaust, by Robert P. Ericksen, Susannah Heschel, Publisher: Augsburg Fortress.
Germany was a deeply religious nation when Hitler took power and he wouldn't have ... Read More
Belfast: Christian Anger Over Gay Pride Parade
Friday July 1, 2005
For 14 years, gays in Ireland have held a gay pride parade in Belfast - always without violence or problems. Now local Christians are claiming that because the message being ... Read More
Wal-Mart and Emergency Contraception
Friday July 1, 2005
In many areas, Wal-Mart is the primary source of goods - they are the largest and, at times, almost the only retailer around. They may also be the only pharmacy ... Read More
Women and Religion: News on Women, Sexism, and Feminism in Religion
Friday July 1, 2005
It's frequently the case that religions treat women as inferior to men - women have been denied leadership roles, they are told to be submissive, and religious doctrines are used ... Read More
Alabama: Wiccan Wins Prayer Case
Friday July 1, 2005
The Supreme Court has refused to take up the appeal of Great Falls, North Carolina, the town trying to defend their practice of only allowing sectarian Christian prayers at their ... Read More
Newsletter 07-01-05
Friday July 1, 2005
Welcome to issue #7.26 of Free Thought Now!, the Agnosticism / Atheism site newsletter. This week we'll take a look at the role of Buddhism in the Second World War, ... Read More
Billy Graham: Anti-semite?
Friday July 1, 2005
One of the nation's most famous and beloved evangelists, Billy Graham, has what appears to be an antisemitic past. His most recent and ostensibly final Crusade was praised and hyped ... Read More
This Date in History: Battle of Dorylaeum
Friday July 1, 2005
July 01, 1097: Battle of Dorylaeum: While traveling from Nicaea to Antioch, the Crusaders split their forces into two groups and Kilij Arslan seizes the opportunity to ambush some of ... Read More
Tin Ears in the Archdiocese of Boston
Friday July 1, 2005
The Catholic Archdiocese of Boston has come into increasing conflict with its own parishioners. The Catholic prelates of Boston should be leading local Catholics; right now, they are at odds ... Read More
Rapture Culture
Friday July 1, 2005
Recently Received: Rapture Culture: Left Behind in Evangelical America, by Amy Johnson Frykholm, Publisher: Oxford University Press.
The Left Behind series of novels are among the most popular books in America. ... Read More