Papacy: Pope John Paul II Biography
Thursday August 31, 2006
John Paul II was the second pope to ever choose two names, following his predecessor. The reason for doing this was to both honor John Paul I and to indicate ... Read More
Randall Terry's Family Values: Putting Image Over Reality
Thursday August 31, 2006
Christian Nationalists use the phrase 'family values' at every turn. They claim to be defending and promoting family values, but quite often their efforts are more a matter of image ... Read More
Discussion: Teaching Kids about Religion
Thursday August 31, 2006
A forum member writes: My husband and I were both raised Christian and had baaaaad experiences - he as a Catholic and me as a Protestant. We have bitter feelings ... Read More
School Board President Denies Virtually All Modern Science
Thursday August 31, 2006
If a person is going to serve a a state-level school board, shouldn't they be at least reasonably knowledgeable when it comes to history, science, math, and other subjects which ... Read More
This Date in History: British Mandate of Palestine
Thursday August 31, 2006
August 31, 1947: The UN special committee on Palestine votes to recommend that the British Mandate of Palestine end and that the region should be divided into two states, one ... Read More
Christianity and Sexuality: Treating the Body as Evil
Thursday August 31, 2006
It is arguable that Christianity's most negative impact on Western society has been through it's treatment of the human body and sexuality. The extremely negative depiction of sex has caused ... Read More
Mailbag: The Difficulty of Belief
Thursday August 31, 2006
From: JHVHSKID
Subject: Why Women Don't Need Religion
Why it's so difficult to believe in a Holy Trinity? That the Bible is the inspired word of GOD? The redeeming Blood of JESUS? ... Read More
Does God Exist? God is Transcendent & Immanent
Thursday August 31, 2006
On the face of it, the characteristics of transcendence and immanence appear to be in conflict. A transcendent God is one who is beyond perception, independent of the universe, and ... Read More
Daily Poll: Should Public Humiliation Be Used As A Form Of Punishment?
Thursday August 31, 2006
Ethnicity, Nation-States, and Liberal Democracy (Book Notes: The Wrath of Jonah)
Thursday August 31, 2006
Today most people think of nationality in terms of political citizenship. A person might be a citizen of any nation without it necessarily saying much about them. The origins of ... Read More
Islam in the Modern World
Thursday August 31, 2006
Book of the Day: Islam and Democracy: Fear of the Modern World, by Fatima Mernissi.
Although democracy has taken hold in the West as a dominant form of government, the same ... Read More
History of the Papacy: Longest Reigning Popes
Wednesday August 30, 2006
Here is a list of the 13 longest pontificates in the history of the Roman Catholic Church. Each of these pope reigned over the Catholic Church for an unusually long ... Read More
Death of Robert S. Alley
Wednesday August 30, 2006
I don't know how many readers have heard of Robert S. Alley, but probably not enough. Robert S. Alley was for many years an important force for the separation of ... Read More
Discussion: The Role of Law
Wednesday August 30, 2006
A forum member writes: I try my hardest to obey the law to the letter, and [my mother] says that that is as bad as following a holy book to ... Read More
Katherine Harris: God, not People, Chooses the Rulers
Wednesday August 30, 2006
Image Source: Jupiter Images
Many Republicans don't appear to believe in the separation of church and state in any way, shape, or form. They don't just reject the idea that government ... Read More
This Date in History: Charles Darwin and the Beagle
Wednesday August 30, 2006
August 30, 1831: Charles Darwin was asked to travel on the HMS Beagle.
Morality and Impartiality: Must Moral Actions Be Impartial?
Wednesday August 30, 2006
If you are trying to arrive at the most moral decision, should you seek to reason as impartially and objectively as possible, or should you allow your biases and personal, ... Read More
Mailbag: Move to Cuba!
Wednesday August 30, 2006
From: "Mary"
Subject: Re: Atheism & Christianity
If you want freedom "from" religion, why not move to Cuba?
I don't need to move to Cuba in order to have freedom from religion — ... Read More
Atheism Basics: What is Atheism? What isn't Atheism?
Wednesday August 30, 2006
It is strange that atheism would be so difficult to understand, but it must be - otherwise, there wouldn't be so many arguments over what it means, what it entails, ... Read More
Daily Poll: Do You Trust Electronic Voting Machines?
Wednesday August 30, 2006
Minimal Invasion: How Far Should the Government Go? (Book Notes: Debating the Death Penalty)
Wednesday August 30, 2006
There are significant debates over how society should balance individual liberties against the scope of government power and authority. The more authority the government has over our lives, the less ... Read More
Sin and Salvation
Wednesday August 30, 2006
Book of the Day: Sin and Salvation in the World Religions, by Harold Coward. Publisher: Oneworld Publications.
The concepts of sin and salvation belong principally to Christianity, but do other world ... Read More
Nihilist Philosophy: Moral Nihilism
Tuesday August 29, 2006
One primary understanding of nihilism which existed even within early Russian Nihilism and has continued down through today is the idea that moral norms, but especially traditional morality, cannot be ... Read More
Church of Freethought Gets Tax Exemption in Texas
Tuesday August 29, 2006
In May, the Church of Freethought located near Dallas, Texas, was granted a tax exemption like other churches and religious organizations. Texas has become notorious for resisting granting the same ... Read More
Discussion: Atheists' Wagers
Tuesday August 29, 2006
A forum member writes: It's nice to know that the Christians can use (or misuse) Pascal's wager to their heart's content, however unreasonable it may be. Why not have our ... Read More
Is Scientology an Election Issue in Florida?
Tuesday August 29, 2006
The Church of Scientology has, over the past few years, developed a very strong presence in Clearwater, Florida. Early on residents weren't too happy about this; more recently people seem ... Read More
This Date in History: Sayyid Qutb Executed
Tuesday August 29, 2006
August 29, 1966: Sayyid Qutb was executed by hanging. Qutb is the Islamic philosopher who could be regarded as the ideological grandfather of Osama bin Laden and all of the ... Read More
Vegetarianism and Philosophy: Who Thinks About Animal Welfare?
Tuesday August 29, 2006
Does studying philosophy influence what you conclude about moral dilemmas? Absolutely, there is no disputing this - an education in philosophy has important consequences for how a person reasons. Does ... Read More
Mailbag: Catholic Divorce
Tuesday August 29, 2006
From: Crysostom
Subject: FYI
In your March 2nd article titled, "Schiavo's Catholic Parents Seek Divorce for Daughter" you said that it was against Catholic doctrine to divorce.
I said no such thing. Crysostom ... Read More
Atheists & Political Issues: What Do Atheists Believe About Political Issues?
Tuesday August 29, 2006
It's popular to imagine that atheists all share common views on various political issues. Since this assumption is frequent with those who think the same thing about all 'true' Christians, ... Read More
People in the Bible: Profile & Biography of Philip the Apostle
Tuesday August 29, 2006
Philip is listed as one of Jesus' apostles in all four apostolic lists: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and Acts. He plays the largest role in John and appears little in the ... Read More
Daily Poll: Did you ever have any connection to the World Trade Center?
Tuesday August 29, 2006
Warfare and the Illusion of Power (Book Notes: Terror in the Mind of God)
Tuesday August 29, 2006
Most people would probably assume that peace is preferable to warfare. Most people surely believe this; unfortunately, there are people who disagree. Being in a state of war is, for ... Read More
Jesus Today and Yesterday
Tuesday August 29, 2006
Book of the Day: Jesus After 2000 Years, by Gerd Ludemann.
Assuming that Jesus really existed in some fashion, what did he really do and say? Can we know anything about ... Read More
Papal Resignations: Can a Pope Resign or Be Removed?
Monday August 28, 2006
Image Source: Jupiter Images
Like any secular monarch, the pope is elected for life - but that does not mean that it is impossible for a pope to step down while ... Read More
Oregon School Cancels Lunch-Time Clergy Visits
Monday August 28, 2006
In June, administrators at the Bend-La Pine School District in Oregon finally stopped inviting ministers at the Westside Church to visit students during lunch time. Parents complained because the school ... Read More
Discussion: Obsessed with Gayness
Monday August 28, 2006
A forum member writes: What possesses an individual to obsess about what other people are doing in their private personal lives and, further, to dictate to them what they should ... Read More
Teacher Burns Flags, Causes Uproar in Class
Monday August 28, 2006
If a teacher wants to provoke students as part of a less on free speech, there are few actions that would fit the bill as well as burning a flag. ... Read More
This Date in History: Jim Bakker's Trial
Monday August 28, 2006
August 28, 1989: Jim Bakker's fraud and conspiracy trial began.
Language, Experience, and Animal Rights
Monday August 28, 2006
What role does language play in the development of our cognitive abilities? Some might think that language is simply an expression of our abilities, but there are good reasons to ... Read More
Mailbag: Atheists Writing About Religion
Monday August 28, 2006
From: Purdy
Subject: Just An Opinion
I've never seen anything more silly than a site expecting the reader to take seriously an article written about denominations and religion....WRITTEN BY A SECULAR HUMANIST ... Read More
Philosophy Basics: Famous British Philosophers
Monday August 28, 2006
This biographical index lists only famous British philosophers. A few of the biographies are of other intellectuals - jurists, sociologists, scientists and others. However, the vast majority are philosophers of ... Read More
Daily Poll: Is Saudi Arabia Helping or Fighting Islamic Terrorism?
Monday August 28, 2006
Sex & Eroticism: Using Sexual Imagery to Sell Everything (Book Notes: Erotic History of Advertising)
Monday August 28, 2006
It's been said that 'sex sells' and most people are aware that sexual imagery is common in advertising, but people may not realize just how pervasive it really is. The ... Read More
Your Miranda Rights
Monday August 28, 2006
Book of the Day: Miranda: The Story Of America's Right To Remain Silent, by Gary L. Stuart. Publisher: University of Arizona Press.
You have the right to remain silent. If you ... Read More
Atheist Invited to New Orleans Prayer Service
Sunday August 27, 2006
On the first anniversary of the destruction of New Orleans by hurricane Katrina, the city will host a commemorative service which includes an ecumenical prayer gathering. This bothered Harry Greenberger, ... Read More
Existentialism: Ethical Individualism
Sunday August 27, 2006
Existentialist ethics is characterized by the emphasis on moral individualism. Rather than seeking a 'highest good' that would be universal, existentialists have sought means for each individual to find the ... Read More
Pope: Priests Not Meant to be Politicians
Sunday August 27, 2006
While visiting Poland in May, Pope Benedict XVI made a very clear statement against priests getting too involved in politics. Although not quite a statement in support of separating church ... Read More
Discussion: Holding Your Tongue
Sunday August 27, 2006
A forum member writes: My dad had to deal with a lot of family and home instability when he was younger, and spent a lot of his later youth with ... Read More
Christian Racism in the South: Church Turns Away Biracial Boy
Sunday August 27, 2006
It wasn't that long ago that Christians in the South kept their churches segregated on an official basis: white churches simply prevented non-whites from attending. Today churches tend to be ... Read More
This Date in History: Salvation Army
Sunday August 27, 2006
August 27, 1987: Jamie Dodge of Mississippi was fired from her job at the Salvation Army because she was Pagan. She later filed suit against the Salvation Army for religious ... Read More
Cloning and Minds: Do Clones Show that Immaterial Minds Exist?
Sunday August 27, 2006
A long-standing debate in philosophy and science is whether human beings are wholly material or whether there is some immaterial "spirit" which is responsible for our thoughts, opinions, desires, motives, ... Read More
Mailbag: Atheism and Different Religions
Sunday August 27, 2006
From: "Princess"
Subject: Hate Christianity?
I was wondering why all the discussions about atheism are directed towards arguing the validity of Christianity? I honestly thought atheism was "disbelief of the existence of ... Read More
Bible Commentary: Jesus' Authority Questioned (Mark 11:27-33)
Sunday August 27, 2006
After Jesus explains to his disciples the meaning behind his cursing of the fig tree and cleansing of the Temple, the entire group returns yet again to Jerusalem (this is ... Read More
Daily Poll: Why did America Really Invade Iraq?
Sunday August 27, 2006
Puritan Theology and Evangelical Christians (Book Notes: American Jesus)
Sunday August 27, 2006
For modern Christians, Jesus is the focus of everything they believe and do. What many don't realize, though, is that Jesus wasn't always the focus of American Christians. In the ... Read More
Pope John Paul II
Sunday August 27, 2006
Book of the Day: The Pontiff in Winter: Triumph and Conflict in the Reign of John Paul II, by John Cornwell. Publisher: Doubleday.
John Paul II was one of the longest-lived ... Read More
Papacy: Pope John Paul II, Parkinson’s Disease, and Paranoia
Saturday August 26, 2006
Everyone knows that Pope John Paul II suffered from Parkinson’s Disease. It not only caused him to shake uncontrollably, but it also caused him to come close to death more ... Read More
Republican Party of Texas: Firmly Controlled by Christian Right
Saturday August 26, 2006
According to the Texas Freedom Network (TFN), the Christian Right has developed a strangle-hold on the Texas Republican Party. It should not be ignored that the national Republican Party is ... Read More
Discussion: Is the Existence of God Unknowable?
Saturday August 26, 2006
A forum member writes: It seems rather odd to question this as theists and atheists alike seem to toss this statement as if it were canon. I believe that this ... Read More
It's in the Bible: Sunday School Teacher Fired... For Being a Woman
Saturday August 26, 2006
Mary Lambert, 81, has been teaching Sunday school classes for 54 years. Now, a pastor at the First Baptist Church in Watertown, N.Y., who has been alive for fewer years ... Read More
This Date in History: Richard I Lionheart
Saturday August 26, 2006
August 26, 1191: Richard I Lionheart marches 2,700 Muslim soldiers out of Acre, onto the road of Nazareth in front of the forward positions of the Muslim army, and has ... Read More
Internet Communities and Reinforcing One's Assumptions
Saturday August 26, 2006
Many people think that one of the best things about the internet is how it can bring together people with similar interests from all over the world - people who ... Read More
Mailbag: God Created Us
Saturday August 26, 2006
From: "Jessica"
Subject: I am not happy with ur site
I see ur a ahiest and do not know God our Lord. Well I hope u can find him soon for the ... Read More
Evolution Basics: Evolution and Jehovah's Witnesses
Saturday August 26, 2006
Published by the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, the book Life: How did it get here? By evolution or by creation? is not only the standard reference work on evolution ... Read More
Daily Poll: Quality of Life vs. Length of Life?
Saturday August 26, 2006
Understanding Islam
Saturday August 26, 2006
Book of the Day: What Everyone Needs to Know About Islam, by John L. Esposito.
Islam, for the West, is commonly regarded as a perpetual "Other" - so very familiar but ... Read More
Christianity: What Type of Religion is Christianity?
Friday August 25, 2006
Approximately one-third of all people in the world belong to the Christian religion. There is no question that as a religion, Christianity is one of the largest and most powerful ... Read More
Baltimore Drops Plan to Fund Distribution of Bibles
Friday August 25, 2006
In Baltimore, Mayor Martin O’Malley and the city council thought it would be a good idea to give USD $297,500 to the National Baptist Convention to distribute bags of food ... Read More
Discussion: Public Humiliation as Punishment
Friday August 25, 2006
A forum member writes: The notion that public humiliation of anyone will induce them to behave better goes against human psychology. A parent or a teacher who humiliates a child ... Read More
Church of Body Modification Complains About Religious Discrimination
Friday August 25, 2006
How narrowly can government or employers define 'religion' when it comes to protecting people from discrimination against what they say is religious behavior? That's a difficult question and the boundaries ... Read More
This Date in History: Friedrich Nietzsche
Friday August 25, 2006
August 25, 1900: Friedrich Nietzsche died.
Nietzsche's Madness: Did Nietzsche Suffer from Syphilis?
Friday August 25, 2006
A popular story about Friedrich Nietzsche is that he went insane because of being infected with syphilis. The evidence for this is quite scanty, though - it seems that he ... Read More
Mailbag: Why Are You An Atheist?
Friday August 25, 2006
From: "Joel"
Subject: None
I am wondering: why do you believe what you believe? Who or what or what event caused you to embrace atheism and secular humanism? I've had many wonderful ... Read More
Church & State Fundamentals: Establishment of a National Church
Friday August 25, 2006
This myth relies on one of two misunderstandings. The first is that the First Amendment guarantee of religious liberty is only about preventing the government from setting up some particular ... Read More
Daily Poll: Is President Bush Politicizing Science Too Much?
Friday August 25, 2006
American Military & American Propaganda (Book Notes: Operation Hollywood)
Friday August 25, 2006
No one will be surprised to hear that the American government generally and the military in particular have engaged in deliberate propaganda efforts. Despite this, few people are aware of ... Read More
Skepticism and History
Friday August 25, 2006
Book of the Day: The Killing of History: How Literary Critics and Social Theorists are Murdering Our Past, by Keith Windschuttle.
Is it possible to write anything approaching an objective or ... Read More
Existentialist Philosophy: Existentialism and Darwinism
Thursday August 24, 2006
Initially, at least, there wouldn't appear to be any particular connection between Charles Darwin's theory of evolution and existentialist philosophy — but first impressions can be deceiving. As a matter ... Read More
Bible Display Must Be Removed from Courthouse
Thursday August 24, 2006
For several years now there has been a legal battle in Texas over whether a Bible display at the Harris Count Courthouse is constitutional or not. The government lost in ... Read More
Discussion: Communism Contained in Capitalism?
Thursday August 24, 2006
A forum member writes: I have been thinking recently about the fact that very small groups of people (families, some small villages and tribes) are naturally communist in their approach, ... Read More
Faith-Based Funding Hostile to Non-Christians
Thursday August 24, 2006
Bush has been shifting billions of dollars in tax money from secular organizations providing government services to religious - and mostly Christian - groups that provide the same services. Unfortunately, ... Read More
This Date in History: Pope Innocent III vs. the Magna Carta
Thursday August 24, 2006
August 24, 1215: Pope Innocent III declared the Magna Carta invalid. Innocent declared the Catholic Church to be a genuine state and, hence, heresy became a crime against the state ... Read More
Philosophers and War
Thursday August 24, 2006
Philosophers spend a lot of time studying ethics, politics, and what kinds of positions or principles can best be justified by sound reasoning and historical evidence. Based upon all of ... Read More
Mailbag: Agnostics Are Wrong
Thursday August 24, 2006
From: "Mr"
Subject: Agnostics Are Wrong
Agnostics are just as wrong as theist (ok mabye not quite). There is no proof of God, so why not take the position of not believing ... Read More
Does God Exist? Argument from Justice
Thursday August 24, 2006
This Argument from Justice starts from the premise that in this world virtuous people are not always happy and do not always get what they deserve while wicked people do ... Read More
Daily Poll: What Kinds of Music Do Atheists Like?
Thursday August 24, 2006
Divorce as a Sin and a Crime: Christianity, Marriage, and the State (Book Notes: Ungodly Women)
Thursday August 24, 2006
The arguments being used by the Christian Right today against gay marriage are not unique or sui generis. These arguments are an integral part of how the Christian Right views ... Read More
Understanding the Koran
Thursday August 24, 2006
Book of the Day: What the Koran Really Says: Language, Text, and Commentary, edited by Ibn Warraq.
Interest in Islam and the Qur'an has increased dramatically in recent months and years, ... Read More
Soren Kierkegaard & Existentialism
Wednesday August 23, 2006
Soren Kierkegaard was a Danish philosopher whose ideas about the nature of human freedom in an uncertain world make him one of the founders of the modern philosophy of existentialism, ... Read More
Ohio: Minister and Wife Charged with Child Pornography
Wednesday August 23, 2006
Christians like to claim that religion generally and Christianity in particular are necessary for morality. They also like to claim that so many problems in America today are due to ... Read More
Discussion: Reciprocal Justice?
Wednesday August 23, 2006
A forum member writes: Is there any philosophical justification for punishing a criminal equal to the amount of damage he has inflicted upon the victim? It seems to me that ... Read More
Top 10 Abortion Myths
Wednesday August 23, 2006
When conservatives make arguments against legalized abortion, it's far too common for them to base those arguments on misconceptions, misunderstandings, and myths about abortion - about what it is, how ... Read More
This Date in History: John Geoghan and Catholic Sexual Abuse
Wednesday August 23, 2006
August 23, 2003: John Geoghan, a former Roman Catholic priest who was implicated in a large number of cases of sexually abusing children over the course of many years, is ... Read More
Mailbag: Real Atheists
Wednesday August 23, 2006
From: "VLOWE2"
Subject: About Atheists
I have some good friends who are Atheists and are scientists. They claim a true Atheists would never spend a second wasting his time talking about Christianity, ... Read More
Why Are Atheists Disliked, Distrusted, and Discriminated Against?
Wednesday August 23, 2006
Atheists in modern America have more freedom and can be more open about their atheism than at any time in history. Paradoxically, this openness has led to more direct and ... Read More
Daily Poll: How Do You Feel About the War on Terrorism?
Wednesday August 23, 2006
Obscenity & Juries: If Pornography Harms, Why are Juries Subjected to It? (Book Notes: Government vs. Erotica)
Wednesday August 23, 2006
Over the decades government prosecutors at many levels have initiated criminal cases against so-called "obscenity." A common argument advanced for criminalizing obscene material is the idea that it harms those ... Read More
Democracy and Society
Wednesday August 23, 2006
Book of the Day: The Last, Best Hope: a Democracy Reader, by Stephen John Goodlad.
Just what is the basis of democracy - what are the conditions necessary for it and ... Read More
History of Celibacy in Roman Catholicism
Tuesday August 22, 2006
Celibacy has not always been a requirement for priests or other clergy members. Over time rules about the sexual abstinence grew out of the belief that sexual intercourse made a ... Read More
Bigots Continue to Attack Rainbow Flag in Kansas
Tuesday August 22, 2006
I wrote earlier about the bigoted attacks on the bed & breakfast in Kansas because the owners hung a rainbow flag out front. It wasn't meant as a statement on ... Read More
Lightning Strikes Agnostic
Tuesday August 22, 2006
I've written many times before about lightning striking religious believers, often while they are engaged in religious exercises or attending religious services in churches. Just how often does lightning strike ... Read More
Discussion: Taxes & Power
Tuesday August 22, 2006
A forum member writes: Most of us pay taxes. And my guess is that most of us don't like some of the places where our tax moneys are spent. So ... Read More
Connecticut Town Denies Field Permits During Church Time
Tuesday August 22, 2006
For a long time, blue laws in America ensured that the only thing happening on Sunday mornings, and perhaps all day Sunday, was church services. Stores were closed and most ... Read More
This Date in History: Council of Blood
Tuesday August 22, 2006
August 22, 1567: The "Council of Blood" was established by the Duke of Alba. Thousands of Dutch Protestants were convicted of treason and many were had to flee the Netherlands ... Read More
The Relationship Between Logic and Humor
Tuesday August 22, 2006
Logic is something hard, dense, and the occupation of dedicated scholars. Humor is light, entertaining, and accessible for everyone. Right? Maybe not - the truth is that there are many ... Read More
Mailbag: Shattered Visage
Tuesday August 22, 2006
From: "hiltop"
Subject: I was wondering...
Have you ever read the book 'A Shattered Visage'? It has challenged atheism to the core such that many are flocking out left and right; namely ... Read More
People in the Bible: Peter the Apostle (Simon Peter)
Tuesday August 22, 2006
Peter was one of the most important of Jesus' twelve apostles. Peter is known as Simon Peter, the son of Jona (or John) and brother of Andrew. The name Peter ... Read More
Daily Poll: Should Bishops Punish Pro-Choice Catholics?
Tuesday August 22, 2006
Incompatibility of Science and Religion (Book Notes: Philosophy in Crisis)
Tuesday August 22, 2006
[I]t is easy to see that science and religion are mutually exclusive rather than compatible. Indeed, science takes it for grated that the world is material and lawful rather than ... Read More
Religion and Atheism
Tuesday August 22, 2006
Book of the Day: Losing Faith in Faith: From Preacher to Atheist, by Dan Barker.
Is it possible for a fundamentalist preacher, dedicated to spreading the Word of God, to have ... Read More
Minnesota Christian Coalition Founder on the Run from Cops
Monday August 21, 2006
The Christian Coalition isn't what it used to be. Not long ago it was regarded as one of the most powerful political organizations in America. It far outstripped the Moral ... Read More
Catholicism: Married Catholic Priests
Monday August 21, 2006
You aren't likely to hear a great deal about married Roman Catholic priests, but they do exist. They are Roman Catholic priests and many are married - so many, in ... Read More
Christians Pressuring Museum to Hide Evidence of Evolution
Monday August 21, 2006
I've written before about how Kenya has had to hide it's irreplaceable and priceless collection of hominid fossils out of fear that Christians would come an destroy them. Right now, ... Read More
Discussion: Reasons to Support Abortion
Monday August 21, 2006
A forum member writes: A woman I work with has had constant infertility problems. 2 of her last pregnancies were stillborns because of a condition called Anencephaly: a defect in ... Read More
Kentucky Bans Infidel Texts in Schools
Monday August 21, 2006
For at least 100 years, the state of Kentucky has banned the use of "infidel" and other "immoral" books in public schools. No one's quite sure when the law was ... Read More
This Date in History: Roy Moore's Ten Commandments Monument
Monday August 21, 2006
August 21, 2003: Because Roy Moore refused to remove his Ten Commandments monument by the August 20th deadline, the associate Justices of Alabama Supreme Court unanimously overruled Moore and ordered ... Read More
Epistemology and Ignorance
Monday August 21, 2006
Citizens of democratic nations have a right to vote, but that right to participate in decisions about public policies comes with a responsibility: the responsibility to know enough to make ... Read More
Philosophy Basics: Famous American Philosophers
Monday August 21, 2006
This biographical index lists only famous America philosophers. Choosing who should and should not be included here is difficult. If a Russian philosopher studies in England and teaches at Harvard, ... Read More
Daily Poll: As An Atheist, Which Label Do You Use?
Monday August 21, 2006
Lethal Injection: Easier for the Condemned or for the Executioners? (Book Notes: Who Owns Death?)
Monday August 21, 2006
Many states across America now use lethal injection as the preferred or only method of execution. It is argued by defenders of the practice that lethal injection is more humane ... Read More
Law and Religion
Monday August 21, 2006
Book of the Day: Law and Religion - Current Legal Issues 2001 Volume 4, edited by Andrew Lewis and Richard O'Dair.
For most Americans, the relationship between law and religion is ... Read More
Americans Overwhelmingly Reject Science, Reason
Sunday August 20, 2006
The percentage of Americans who accept evolution as true is not only among the lowest in the developed world (only Turkey has a lower rate), but the numbers are declining. ... Read More
Should Catholic Priests Marry or Remain Celibate?
Sunday August 20, 2006
The opposition to ending the requirement of celibacy for Catholic priests is strong - but isn't it strange that, despite this requirement, there are so many married Catholic priests who ... Read More
Gen. H. Steven Blum Categorizes Atheists with Bigots
Sunday August 20, 2006
Religious bigotry towards atheists can pop up in the most surprising places. Sometimes people will express hostility towards atheism and atheists for no immediately apparent or good reason - it's ... Read More
Discussion: Prove that God Doesn’t Exist
Sunday August 20, 2006
A forum member writes: I would like to ask you to offer me proof that God does not exist. I find phrases such as "I believe" unacceptable... Christians are criticized ... Read More
What Does the Red Cross Mean?
Sunday August 20, 2006
Some people seem to think that the red cross which is used as a symbol by the American Red Cross and International Red Cross is a Christian symbol - and ... Read More
This Date in History: Rudolf Karl Bultmann
Sunday August 20, 2006
August 20, 1884: Rudolf Karl Bultmann was born. Bultmann was a German theologian and scholar in New Testament studies who, due to his research, concluded that nothing could reliably concluded ... Read More
The Importance of Logic and Philosophy
Sunday August 20, 2006
Few people in society today spend much time studying either philosophy of logic. This is unfortunate because so much relies on both: philosophy is a fundamental component to all areas ... Read More
Mailbag: Meaning and Purpose in Life, Part 2
Sunday August 20, 2006
From: "Mike"
Subject: a question
Look at it this way: if all you're living for is what is here and now, how can you ever be truly, deep down satisfied in the ... Read More
Bible Commentary: Jesus' Lesson of the Withered Fig Tree (Mark 11:20-26)
Sunday August 20, 2006
Jesus explains the power and importance of faith - it is faith in God that gave him the power to curse the fig tree and make it wither overnight and ... Read More
Daily Poll: Should Research into Human Cloning be Banned?
Sunday August 20, 2006
Cloning, Religion, and Ethics
Sunday August 20, 2006
Book of the Day: God and the Embryo: Religious Voices on Stem Cells and Cloning, edited by Brent Waters & Ronald Cole-Turner.
Biotechnology is advancing at a rapid pace - far ... Read More
Existentialism: Literary Existentialism
Saturday August 19, 2006
Because existentialism is treated as a 'lived' philosophy that is understood and explored through how one lives one's life rather than a 'system' that must be studied from books, it ... Read More
Church, State, and Building Codes
Saturday August 19, 2006
A number of times I've used building codes as an example of completely neutral laws which churches and other religious institutions should be expected to follow rather than ignore. I'm ... Read More
Discussion: Leaving Christianity
Saturday August 19, 2006
A forum member wrote: Well I decided after thinking about it long and hard that I don't want to be a Christian. ... I'm sorry but I can't follow a ... Read More
Bush Signs Bill, Feds Take Control of Soledad Cross
Saturday August 19, 2006
I've written many times about the efforts to get the city government of San Diego to follow the Constitution and take down the Christian cross from the war memorial on ... Read More
This Date in History: Battle of Manzikert
Saturday August 19, 2006
August 19, 1071: Battle of Manzikert: Alp Arslan leads an army of Seljuk Turks against the Byzantine Empire near Lake Van. Numbering perhaps as many as 100,000 men, the Turks ... Read More
Mailbag: Meaning and Purpose in Life, Part 1
Saturday August 19, 2006
From: "Mike"
Subject: a question
Just wondering: if you don't believe in God, what do you believe in? Lights out? Reincarnation? Just curious.
I believe lots of things, but I take it that ... Read More
Evolution Basics: Overview Lower Court Decisions on Evolution and Creationism
Saturday August 19, 2006
Most legal conflicts over creationism and evolution never reach the Supreme Court. Those which have been decided in lower courts are also important, and this overview takes a look at ... Read More
Daily Poll: Cloning Animals for Human Organs?
Saturday August 19, 2006
Christianity, Violence, and Holy Wars (Book Notes: Fighting For Christendom)
Saturday August 19, 2006
Christians often preach a religion of peace; the history of Christianity, though, is marked by rivers of blood shed in the name of righteous, religious causes. There is something incongruous ... Read More
Isaac Asimov
Saturday August 19, 2006
Book of the Day: It's Been A Good Life, by Isaac Asimov.
Who was Isaac Asimov, really? Where did he come from, what did he do and why did he do ... Read More
Demographics of World Christianity
Friday August 18, 2006
People are often interested in statistics concerning how many people in the world are Christian, how many actually go to church, how many Christians are Catholic, and so on. Unfortunately, ... Read More
Texas Church Fighting Rap Music
Friday August 18, 2006
Conservative Christians have a long history fighting just about every aspect of modern culture which comes along. Rock music, close dancing, short skirts, Harry Potter... you name it and conservative ... Read More
Discussion: Tom Cruise & Scientology
Friday August 18, 2006
A forum member writes: Faiths that mooch money from their members, brainwash or don't care about member's well-being are faiths that I have no acceptance for.
The Church of Scientology does ... Read More
Catholics Leading the Fight to Break Up American Protestant Churches?
Friday August 18, 2006
I have come across something more disturbing than perhaps anything else I have read in the past several years. I have written many times about the Institute on Religion and ... Read More
This Date in History: Pope Paul IV and the Inquisition
Friday August 18, 2006
August 18, 1559: Pope Paul IV died. Paul was so unpopular that, after he died, a mob stormed the Inquisition and tore down his statue.
Empathy and the Uniqueness of Human Beings
Friday August 18, 2006
Most people would probably agree that empathy not only exists, but is in fact an important and fundamental aspect of being human. Anyone not capable of empathy is regarded as ... Read More
Mailbag: Why Go On Living?
Friday August 18, 2006
From: "Atmos"
Subject: Simple questions
First off, I'll just say that yes, I am a Christian. I'm starting this discussion because I want to know what makes you (aetheists/agnostics) believe what you ... Read More
Church & State Fundamentals: Separation of Church and State Myth: Is It In The Constitution?
Friday August 18, 2006
It is true that the phrase ‘separation of church and state‘ does not actually appear anywhere in the Constitution. There is a problem, however, in that some people draw incorrect ... Read More
Daily Poll: Can People be Trusted to Know what the Want?
Friday August 18, 2006
Economics of Journalism: Is Journalism a Business or Public Service? (Book Notes: Into the Buzzsaw)
Friday August 18, 2006
Journalists are an important part of democratic society. In a democracy, the people make decisions about who should govern, but they can only make good decisions if they are allowed ... Read More
Brains, Biology, and Gods
Friday August 18, 2006
Book of the Day: The 'God' Part of the Brain: A Scientific Interpretation of Human Spirituality and God, by Matthew Alper.
Does a "God" exist, or is belief in gods actually ... Read More
Atheism & Existentialism
Thursday August 17, 2006
Although there is no denying that many Christian and even some Jewish theologians have made use of existentialist themes in their writings, it remains a fact that existentialism is much ... Read More
Focus on the Family Fighting for Religious Flag-Folding Ceremony
Thursday August 17, 2006
Not too long ago, the flag-folding ceremony at Air Force funerals included aspects that explicitly endorsed Christianity. The government recently eliminated a number of religious aspects to the ceremony without ... Read More
Discussion: Astrology
Thursday August 17, 2006
A forum member writes: Astrology drives me mad. I simply can't see why anyone would believe it. It baffles me. So, can anyone tell me...is there ANY evidence that astrology ... Read More
Christian Right: Boy Scouts Don't Need to Follow the Law
Thursday August 17, 2006
The Christian Right doesn't like the fact that discrimination and bigotry come with a price and have consequences. They fought hard to make sure that the Boy Scouts were declared ... Read More
This Date in History: Buddhism vs. Catholicism in Vietnam
Thursday August 17, 2006
August 17, 1963: Pope Paul VI appealed to President Diem of Vietnam to end the religious crisis that had been plaguing Vietnam through much of the year. Six Buddhist monks ... Read More
Evangelical Christians and American Politics
Thursday August 17, 2006
Conservative evangelical Christians disingenuously argue that their primary concern is that religion play a respected role in policy debates. The truth is that they are primarily concerned with having policies ... Read More
Does God Exist? God is Free
Thursday August 17, 2006
One attribute which does not receive a lot of individual attention, but which is commonly assumed when discussing other attributes, is the idea that God is absolutely and perfectly free. ... Read More
Daily Poll: Is Bush Too Beholden to the Christian Right?
Thursday August 17, 2006
Metaphysical Illusions and the Limits of Reason (Book Notes: Walking the Tightrope of Reason)
Thursday August 17, 2006
We all want to understand what is going on in the world around us. We want sensible explanations that make the world intelligible and help us find our place in ... Read More
The Nature of Science
Thursday August 17, 2006
Book of the Day: Einstein's Luck: The Truth Behind Some of the Greatest Scientific Discoveries, by John Waller.
A common perception of science tends to focus upon a few great figures ... Read More
Existentialism: Angst - Dread, Anxiety, and Anguish
Wednesday August 16, 2006
As a general principle, existentialist philosophers have emphasized the importance of psychologically critical moments where basic truths about human nature and existence come crashing down upon us, upsetting our preconceptions ... Read More
Did Ralph Reed Manipulate the Christian Right for Personal Power?
Wednesday August 16, 2006
At one time, Ralph Reed was one of the most powerful members of the Christian Right. After he left the Christian Coalition (in the nick of time - coincidence?), he ... Read More
Discussion: Future of Science in America
Wednesday August 16, 2006
A forum member writes: The National Science board sent the President a report on the availability of scientists in the future which concludes that not enough students are studying science ... Read More
Katie Holmes: Education Proceeding On Schedule
Wednesday August 16, 2006
Many people have expressed concern for Katie Holmes' relationship with Tom Cruise because they fear that her involvement with the Church of Scientology will do her more harm than good. ... Read More
This Date in History: Same-Sex Marriage in Canada
Wednesday August 16, 2006
August 16, 2004: In Canada, federal justice minister Irwin Cotler announces that the federal government will cease resisting court efforts to require provincial governments to provide marriage licenses to same-sex ... Read More
Mailbag: Repent!
Wednesday August 16, 2006
From: "PastorPablo"
Subject: You need to Repent!
Hi my name is Paul and I am a Christian. I am also trying to win converts to Christ on this web site. It would ... Read More
Agnosticism Basics: What is Agnosticism?
Wednesday August 16, 2006
The term agnosticism is used primarily for a single issue: do any gods exist or not? Those who disclaim knowledge of gods or even that such knowledge is possible are ... Read More
Daily Poll: As An Atheist, Which Labels Apply to You?
Wednesday August 16, 2006
Fear at the Root of Fundamentalism? Fear of Women, Knowledge, Losing Control (Book Notes: Sacred Choices)
Wednesday August 16, 2006
Many critics have noticed that fundamentalist religion spends a lot of time reacting out of apparent fear. Rather than simply and confidently laying out a positive program of beliefs, too ... Read More
Electing the Next Pope
Wednesday August 16, 2006
Book of the Day: Conclave: The Politics, Personalities, and Process of the Next Papal Election, by John L. Allen, Jr. Publisher: Image.
Eventually every pope dies and a successor must be ... Read More
Nihilism & Violence
Tuesday August 15, 2006
Like anarchism, nihilism has been unjustly regarded as a violent and even terroristic philosophy. Unjust as it may be, though, it is true that nihilism has been used in support ... Read More
Christian Right: Global Warming is a Myth to Promote Abortion
Tuesday August 15, 2006
Global warming has become an issue that divides evangelicals in America. Liberal and even some conservative evangelicals are willing to acknowledge that human actions are harming the environment and that ... Read More
Discussion: Burning Bibles vs. Burning Korans
Tuesday August 15, 2006
A forum member writes: I was wondering why liberals sympathized recently with the alleged Koran "mishandlings" yet in the US whenever Bibles are burned it is an act of free ... Read More
Republican Associates Homophobic Phelps with Peace Activists
Tuesday August 15, 2006
Religious conservatives are outraged at the actions of Phelps' Westboro Baptist Church, picketing military funerals because he thinks the deaths in Iraq are God's punishment for tolerating homosexuality. The problem ... Read More
This Date in History: Freedom of Conscience vs. Catholicism
Tuesday August 15, 2006
August 15, 1832: Pope Gregory XVI, in his encyclical Mirari vos, complained about the growth of the ideal of "freedom of conscience," stating "This is a contagious error to which ... Read More
Mailbag: Your Blasphemous Ways
Tuesday August 15, 2006
From: William
Subject: Jesus
We are all entitled to our opinions and beliefs but I disagree with trying to force them upon people like you do.
Force? Where is “force” involved? This isn’t ... Read More
People in the Bible: Profile & Biography of Matthew the Apostle
Tuesday August 15, 2006
Matthew is recorded as one of Jesus' original disciples in all four gospels and in Acts. In the gospel of Matthew he is described as a tax collector; in parallel ... Read More
Daily Poll: Will the 9/11 terrorist leaders be caught?
Tuesday August 15, 2006
What Is Humanity? (Book Notes: Humankind)
Tuesday August 15, 2006
We all know what it means to be human and recognize humanity in others - or do we? We certainly think that we do, but what we regard as obvious ... Read More
Is Religion Justified?
Tuesday August 15, 2006
Book of the Day: The Case for Religion, by Keith Ward. Publisher: Oneworld Publications.
Religion is ubiquitous in human culture. People look upon religion as a source of inspiration, comfort, and ... Read More
Christian Existentialism
Monday August 14, 2006
The existentialism we see today is rooted most prominently in the writings of Søren Kierkegaard, and as a consequence, it might be argued that modern existentialism started out as being ... Read More
Monks Charged with Molesting Boy in Texas
Monday August 14, 2006
In Johnson City, Texas, four monks from the Christ of the Hills Monastery have been charged with molesting a teenage boy starting in 1993. The monastery's founder, Samuel Greene, is ... Read More
Discussion: Love & Treason
Monday August 14, 2006
A forum member writes: Today, if you criticize your home nation or its leaders, it's called treason. To be a good citizen, you must worship your native land. You cannot ... Read More
Surveys Show Many Americans Prejudiced Against Muslims
Monday August 14, 2006
Americans like to think of their nation as a bastion of liberty and equality, and while America's political principles have certainly been based upon such ideas the truth is that ... Read More
This Date in History: Churches Paying Taxes
Monday August 14, 2006
August 14, 2000: Decided: Indianapolis Baptist Temple v. United States The Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals ruled against an Indiana church which argued that it was a sin for them ... Read More
Did Ancient Israel Exist?
Monday August 14, 2006
A primary basis for the defense of the creation of modern Israel is the supposed existence of ancient Israel. The presence of Jews in the region now known as Israel ... Read More
Mailbag: Worldview of Atheism, Part 3
Monday August 14, 2006
From: "Craig"
Subject: Mr. Atheist
One quick question... hypothetically, If Christs resurrection were to be 99.9% historically probable, and all the other doctrines of Christianity were to be (I cant say scientifically ... Read More
Philosophy Basics: Timeline of Early & Medieval Philosophy, 500 BCE - 1399 CE
Monday August 14, 2006
Presented here is a compendium of people, places, and events of philosophy, all organized by date. The timeline of Early & Medieval Philosophy covers ancient Greek and Chinese philosophy, Roman ... Read More
Daily Poll: Should We Send Humans to Mars?
Monday August 14, 2006
Sacred vs. Secular in Muslim Extremism (Book Notes: Terror and Liberalism)
Monday August 14, 2006
Few people appreciate the importance of distinguishing the sacred from the secular in modern life. Going beyond the separation of church and state or the separation of religious from civil ... Read More
Militant Christians Executed in Indonesia
Sunday August 13, 2006
Usually when we hear about militant religious believers who are arrested for violence and executed for their crimes, I think that most people will imagine that they are reading a ... Read More
Nihilistic Existentialism
Sunday August 13, 2006
Although existentialism is not by necessity nihilistic, nihilism does share a close affinity with existentialism because it depicts human life as ultimately trivial and meaningless. Where it parts company with ... Read More
Texas Town Worries It Has Too Many Churches
Sunday August 13, 2006
Stafford, Texas, has 51 churches and other religious institutions in an area that measures just seven square miles. That's a lot of churches - too many, according to Stafford officials. ... Read More
Discussion: Evil Freethinkers
Sunday August 13, 2006
A forum member writes: I asked a Muslim Imam some questions today about "Why god makes sense". I outlined some common atheistic arguments, such as the "Problem with Predestination", "Contradiction ... Read More
Military Chaplain Pat Hash: No Atheists in Foxholes
Sunday August 13, 2006
A great many Christians are convinced that there are no atheists in foxholes. This belief may be even more popular among Christians in the military, despite the presence of atheists ... Read More
This Date in History: Society for Ethical Culture
Sunday August 13, 2006
August 13, 1851: Felix Adler was born in Alzey, Germany. Adler founded the Society for Ethical Culture in New York City in 1876.
Dissolving Christianity in America: Changing Focus of Conservative Evangelicals
Sunday August 13, 2006
Many fear the possibility of powerful religious interests taking control of the government in America and using the coercive power of the state to enact a repressive agenda. There are ... Read More
Mailbag: Worldview of Atheism, Part 2
Sunday August 13, 2006
From: "Craig"
Subject: Mr. Atheist
Atheism may not be a religion by your definition, but it is a worldview. It is unavoidable to not believe in a worldview. And along with worldviews ... Read More
Bible Commentary: Jesus Cleanses the Temple (Mark 11:15-19)
Sunday August 13, 2006
After cursing the fig tree, Jesus and his disciples reenter Jerusalem and proceed to the Temple where “moneychangers” and those selling sacrificial animals are doing a lively business. Mark reports ... Read More
Site Poll: What Do You Think About the Overall Writing Level of Material Here?
Sunday August 13, 2006
Anger and Christianity (Book Notes: Anger)
Sunday August 13, 2006
Although the concept of 'seven deadly sins' no longer holds the same authority as it once did, the degree to which many of them have come to be viewed positively ... Read More
Christianity and History
Sunday August 13, 2006
Book of the Day: The Christian World of the Middle Ages, by Bernard Hamilton.
Christianity has a long and complex history, but really understanding the religion requires having a decent understanding ... Read More
Catholicism: Chronological List of Catholic Popes
Saturday August 12, 2006
This list of popes is arranged in chronological order. It starts with Peter, believed by Catholics to be the first pope, and ends with John Paul II, the most recent ... Read More
Judge Denies Attempt to Block 'Day of Faith'
Saturday August 12, 2006
Today (Saturday, August 12, 2006) has been declared "A Day of Faith" in Jacksonville, Florida, and the city is hosting an event named "A Day of Faith: Arming Our Prayer ... Read More
Discussion: Unscientific Beliefs and Social Consequences
Saturday August 12, 2006
A forum member writes: It is interesting to contemplate the consequences of unscientific beliefs. For example, the religious opposition to the Theory of Evolution is preposterous, but other than the ... Read More
Big Corporation is Watching: Employers Moving Against Private Lives
Saturday August 12, 2006
How much does your employer know about your private life? In theory, your private life should be just that - private. In reality, what you do on your own time ... Read More
This Date in History: Humani Generis
Saturday August 12, 2006
August 12, 1950: Pope Pius XII issued the encyclical Humani Generis, condemning ideologies which threatened Roman Catholic faith but allowing that evolution did not necessarily conflict with Christianity.
Crisis in Islam
Saturday August 12, 2006
Islam is experiencing a crisis of credibility and authority that stems directly from the nature of Islam itself. This makes it difficult to come up with solutions of any sort ... Read More
Mailbag: Worldview of Atheism, Part 1
Saturday August 12, 2006
From: "Craig"
Subject: Mr. Atheist
I have read your site separating Atheism from religion. From your definitions and what you have stated... no, Atheism is not a religion, but it is still ... Read More
Evolution Basics: Overview Supreme Court Decisions on Evolution and Creationism
Saturday August 12, 2006
In addition to usually losing their political fights, creation science supporters also tend to lose in the courts as well. This analysis of Supreme Court Decisions reviews the basic questions ... Read More
Daily Poll: Can Television Shows or Movies Promote Stereotypes?
Saturday August 12, 2006
Voting as a Ceremony (Book Notes: Reverence)
Saturday August 12, 2006
Voting is regarded by many as a privilege, a right, or even a duty. For a significant number of Americans, though, voting is a hassle or distraction and they don't ... Read More
Religion and Health
Saturday August 12, 2006
Book of the Day: Handbook of Religion and Health: A Century of Research Reviewed, edited by Harold George Koenig, Michael E. McCullough, David B. Larson.
Is religion good for your health? ... Read More
Existentialism and Humanism
Friday August 11, 2006
One of Jean-Paul Sartre's most important works was "Existentialism is a Humanism" — so are all existentialists humanists? Are all humanists also existentialists? Not necessarily — there is a close ... Read More
Will Pakistan Change its Rape Laws?
Friday August 11, 2006
In Pakistan, the burden of proof on rape victims is almost impossible to meet and if that's not bad enough, anyone who makes a rape accusation but fails to prove ... Read More
Discussion: Francis Collins Loses the Ability to Reason?
Friday August 11, 2006
A forum member writes: One of the hosts on NPR did a interview with this guy a week ago. I caught part of that and was struck by this ... Read More
Larry Darby & Conspiracy Theories: Finding Order by Finding Enemies
Friday August 11, 2006
Conspiracy theories are popular among people of all political persuasions - left, right, and everywhere in between. Conspiracy theories tell people that there is order in the world despite the ... Read More
This Date in History: Jerry Falwell
Friday August 11, 2006
August 11, 1933: Jerry Falwell was born. Falwell is a prominent leader in the American Religious Right and helped found the Moral Majority in 1979.
Warnings of Democracy's Collapse
Friday August 11, 2006
There are many who fear that Christianity is being manipulated in ways that encourage unhealthy nationalism and extremism in America. This is no idle fear because when Christianity has been ... Read More
Mailbag: Religion & Atheism
Friday August 11, 2006
From: "THERMALUNDY"
Subject: Atheism, the non-religion religion
I've got a friend who is really into Atheism. He goes to conventions, reads all sorts of books, and spends a lot of time looking ... Read More
Church & State Basics: Does Secular Fundamentalism Exist? Do Secular Fundamentalists Exist?
Friday August 11, 2006
Some Christians say they are in conflict with "secular fundamentalism," but what is this and does it even exist? The most basic characteristics of Christian fundamentalism can't apply to secularism ... Read More
Daily Poll: Do Prayers Help with Health and Healing?
Friday August 11, 2006
Reliability of Eyewitness Accounts in the Gospels (Book Notes: Apocalyptic Prophet)
Friday August 11, 2006
Most Christians seem to place a lot of emphasis on the gospels as a basis for their religious beliefs. They appear to be convinced that these texts are reliable, accurate ... Read More
Violence in Society
Friday August 11, 2006
Book of the Day: Healing Violent Men: A Model for Christian Communities, by David J. Livingston.
Is Christianity more of a help or a hinderance when it comes to addressing male ... Read More
Existentialism, Marxism, and Communism
Thursday August 10, 2006
In the minds of some there is a close association between existentialist philosophy and Marxist or communist politics. There is some justification for this because one of the most prominent ... Read More
U.S. Military: Playing the Atheism Card Against Pat Tillman
Thursday August 10, 2006
A professional football player who left a lucrative contract in order to volunteer to serve his country after 9/11, Pat Tillman was killed in Afghanistan. His family was devastated, but ... Read More
Discussion: Why I Am Not An Atheist
Thursday August 10, 2006
A forum member writes: I am not an atheist largely because I believe in and value volitional freedom. I insist on declaring and celebrating my independence. A thoughtful, considered atheism ... Read More
This Date in History: 'Jane Roe' of Roe v. Wade
Thursday August 10, 2006
This Date in History: 'Jane Roe' of Roe v. Wade
August 10, 1995: Appearing on the news program Nightline, Norma McCorvey (the "Jane Roe" of Roe v. Wade) announced that she ... Read More
What's Uri Geller Up To These Days?
Thursday August 10, 2006
Uri Geller was a big name in the 1970s and 1980s. He dazzled people with his amazing psychic abilities — or alleged abilities, as he only seemed to be able ... Read More
Mailbag: Sad Excuse for Weak-Minded People
Thursday August 10, 2006
From: "Bob"
Subject: What Is Atheism?
Atheism is a sad excuse for weak minded people who believe the only answer to religion is no religion they wont believe something until they see ... Read More
Does God Exist? God is Immutable - Why can't God Change?
Thursday August 10, 2006
Philosophical theism commonly ascribes to God the attribute of "immutable" - the idea that God cannot and does not change. Whatever God is like now is the way that God ... Read More
Daily Poll: Is America at War with Terrorism?
Thursday August 10, 2006
Terror in the Name of Law & Order (Book Notes: Hitler’s Prisons)
Thursday August 10, 2006
When people think of totalitarian regimes like Nazi Germany, they imagine societies where everyone lives in fear of the secret police and government action. The truth, however, is both more ... Read More
Islam: Progressive vs. Conservative
Thursday August 10, 2006
Book of the Day: Progressive Muslims: Justice, Gender and Pluralism, edited by Omid Safi.
A dominant view of Islam is that it is conservative if not reactionary, opposed to everything that ... Read More
History of the Papacy: Shortest Reigning Popes
Wednesday August 9, 2006
Here is a list of the shortest pontificates in the history of the Roman Catholic Church. The links will take you to biographies of these popes - but short biographies. ... Read More
Why We Fight: Open Iraq to Christian Evangelization, Corruption
Wednesday August 9, 2006
Conservatives and the Bush administration have come up with all sorts of excuses for why it was necessary to invade and occupy Iraq. As one is revealed to be nonsense, ... Read More
Discussion: Challenge to Atheists
Wednesday August 9, 2006
A forum member writes: Without God, life is meaningless and not worth living. Many atheists, agnostics and existentialists have succumbed to depression and killed themselves. My challenge: what is the ... Read More
What Was She Thinking? Margaret Atwood Doesn't Understand Atheism
Wednesday August 9, 2006
Margaret Atwood is a fairly well-known author in freethinking circles because of her book The Handmaid's Tale, a story about a dystopic future when extreme religious fascism has taken control ... Read More
This Date in History: Newdow vs. U.S. Congress
Wednesday August 9, 2006
August 09, 2002: The U.S. Justice Department files an appeal of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals' ruling in the Newdow vs. U.S. Congress case in which the court struck ... Read More
Hypnosis, Recovered Memories, and False Memories
Wednesday August 9, 2006
A popular belief about hypnosis is that it can be used to access memories which have been repressed and buried very deeply. It's even believe that hypnosis can be used ... Read More
Mailbag: Are You Safe?
Wednesday August 9, 2006
From: "Dan"
Subject: a question
i happen to be a christian. i believe that jesus is the son of God blah blah blah. you've heard the whole deal before. anyway, just a ... Read More
Atheism Basics: Who Are America’s Godless? Diversity of Godless Americans in the United States
Wednesday August 9, 2006
In the past, religion and religious beliefs tended to define most things people did in their lives as well as most public institutions. With the growth of secularism and the ... Read More
Daily Poll: What Arguments Justify Eliminating War?
Wednesday August 9, 2006
Evangelical Christianity & Personal Certainty (Book Notes: Southern Cross)
Wednesday August 9, 2006
One of the most fundamental characteristics of evangelical Christianity, something which often goes unnoticed, is the driving need for certainty. Whatever the issue, evangelical Christians appear to experience horror at ... Read More
Judaism and Messiahs
Wednesday August 9, 2006
Book of the Day: The Jewish Messiahs: From the Galilee to Crown Heights, by Harris Lenowitz.
Judaism and the concept of a messiah are closely linked in many people's minds, but ... Read More
Capital Punishment: What Price Justice?
Tuesday August 8, 2006
Capital cases are very expensive. Indeed, their expense is one of the reasons that people call for changes in how they are handled. Those accused of and convicted on capital ... Read More
Larry Darby to Run for Congress
Tuesday August 8, 2006
I said back when Larry Darby lost the Democratic primary for governor that we hadn't heard the last of him and I was right. He's decided to run for Congress ... Read More
Discussion: Suppose there was no Israel?
Tuesday August 8, 2006
How much to you think US relationships with Mid East countries would be improved if there had never been a Israeli-Palestinian issue? Would the US be in Iraq right ... Read More
Newt Gingrich Endorses Atheist Takeover of World?
Tuesday August 8, 2006
Some atheists argue that if religion could be eliminated, then the world would be a more peaceful place because most conflict is tied to religious disputes. This is unlikely, but ... Read More
This Date in History: Brigham Young
Tuesday August 8, 2006
August 08, 1844: Brigham Young is chosen to lead the Mormons. After the death of Joseph Smith there was conflict among those who wanted to take control of the Mormon ... Read More
Good Design vs. Bad Design: Complexity and Design in Irreducible Systems
Tuesday August 8, 2006
A common argument from defenders of Intelligent Design is that some biological systems could not do their job if any parts were removed and, therefore, couldn't possibly have evolved naturally ... Read More
Mailbag: Freedom From Religion?
Tuesday August 8, 2006
From: "Elisabeth"
Subject: just an opinion
I guess I have the most trouble with your position because it seems, in the practical applications of your views, more often than not, your belief ... Read More
People in the Bible: Profile & Biography of Mary Magdalene
Tuesday August 8, 2006
Mary Magdalene is mentioned in the lists of Jesus' female companions that appear in Mark, Matthew, and Luke. Some believe that Mary Magdalene may have been an important figure among ... Read More
Daily Poll: Do You Approve of Prayers at School Functions?
Tuesday August 8, 2006
Rights, Duties, Opportunities, and Resources (Book Notes: How Democratic Is the American Constitution?)
Tuesday August 8, 2006
Most nations attempt to protect at least some rights that all of citizens are suppose to enjoy. How rights are to be protected is a matter of some debate, though. ... Read More
Medicine vs. Quackery
Tuesday August 8, 2006
Book of the Day: Health Robbers: A Close Look at Quackery in America, edited by Stephen Barrett, M.D. and William T. Jarvis, Ph.D.
Today, modern medical science has more to offer ... Read More
Existentialism: Existence Precedes Essence
Monday August 7, 2006
Originated by Jean-Paul Sartre, the phrase 'existence precedes essence' has come to be a classic, even defining, formulation of the heart of existentialist philosophy. It's an idea which turns traditional ... Read More
Christian Right Gets Government to Lie About Sex?
Monday August 7, 2006
America's Christian Right holds a number of ideologically-driven positions on sex and sexuality which differ greatly from reality. Scientists and doctors would like to present the reality of sex to ... Read More
Discussion: Agnostics, Defend Yourselves!
Monday August 7, 2006
A forum member writes: “Agnosticism” means “without knowledge”. In the examples of Mickey Mouse and the Christian God you do have knowledge based upon empirical data, more particularly the ... Read More
Religious Authoritarians Unite Against Porn
Monday August 7, 2006
Not long ago I wrote about how homophobic, religious bigots in the Middle East were uniting against gays; now we have an example of religious authoritarians trying to unite in ... Read More
This Date in History: Marcus Trajan
Monday August 7, 2006
August 07, 0117: Roman emperor Marcus Trajan dies at the age of 65. Originally tolerant toward Christianity, Trajan gradually began to persecute the Christians. It was during his rule that ... Read More
Simplicity vs. Complexity: Does Simplicity or Complexity Signal Design?
Monday August 7, 2006
A common argument from supporters of Intelligent Design is that the complexity of biology and living systems is so great that it couldn't have been brought about by natural processes ... Read More
Mailbag: Common Atheist Beliefs
Monday August 7, 2006
From: "RWORLD"
Subject: Why Do Atheist Tend to Generalize?
Common Beliefs of Agnostic/Atheist:
All Christians who believe the Bible are ignorant.
The Bible is myth and superstition.
All true scientists are agnostic/atheists.
The [whole] Theory of ... Read More
Philosophy Basics: Complete Biographical Index of Famous Philosophers
Monday August 7, 2006
Available on this site are a large number of short biographies of a wide variety of philosophers throughout history. A few of the biographies are of other intellectuals - psychologists, ... Read More
Secession & Slavery: Christian Justifications for Secession & Rebellion (Book Notes: Noah's Curse)
Monday August 7, 2006
It's common for people to imagine that the case for the slave states seceding from the Union was based upon political principle. Some even think that secession and the Civil ... Read More
The Making of a Dictator
Monday August 7, 2006
Book of the Day: Hitler's Vienna: A Dictator's Apprenticeship, by Brigitte Hamann.
Just how did Adolf Hitler become the Hitler of history - a rabid hater and butcher? Was there something ... Read More
Mel Gibson: The Holocaust is a Numbers Game
Sunday August 6, 2006
I've written before about how Mel Gibson's father, Hutton Gibson, is a Holocaust denier and his son's less than clear denial of whether he agrees with his fathers antisemitic position. ... Read More
Crusades: Timeline of the Ottoman Empire on the Defensive, 1600 - 1800
Sunday August 6, 2006
Although the Crusades themselves were long finished, Christian Europe continued to be under pressure from the expanding Ottoman Empire. The Ottomans made impressive victories, including the capture of Constantinople, last ... Read More
Atheist Luncheonette Opens
Sunday August 6, 2006
Businesses are being forced to specialize more and more in today's world. Specialization means being able to take better care of your customers, but it also means narrowing your possible ... Read More
Discussion: Atheist Songs
Sunday August 6, 2006
A forum member writes: I was wondering what your favorite atheist/nontheist/freethinking songs were. I don't know of many, and am dying to here some good songs on the subject of ... Read More
Boy Scouts Must Disclose Sexual Abuse History
Sunday August 6, 2006
The Boy Scouts of America like to claim that they need to ban gays from their ranks because of the danger of molestation. Defenders of the Boy Scouts' bigotry and ... Read More
This Date in History: Camp Meetings
Sunday August 6, 2006
August 06, 1801: One of the most famous Camp Meetings occurred at Cane Ridge, Kentucky. This lead to the 'Great Religious Revival of the American West'.
Bush and the Republicans Playing Politics with Science
Sunday August 6, 2006
One of the more disturbing aspects of the Bush administration has been the constant assault on science in the name of religious and conservative ideology. There seems to be no ... Read More
Mailbag: Religion Belongs in Government
Sunday August 6, 2006
From: "CS"
Subject: George Washington
George Washington said don't let people fool you into thinking they're true Americans by using "patriotism" to hide behind when saying church should not mix with state. ... Read More
Bible Commentary: Jesus Curses the Fig Tree (Mark 11:12-14)
Sunday August 6, 2006
One of the more infamous passages in the gospels involves Jesus’ cursing of a fig tree for not having any fruit for him despite the fact that it wasn’t even ... Read More
Site Poll: Do You Ever Use Any of the Community or Feedback Options?
Sunday August 6, 2006
Killer Rapist Mice and the Biological Origins of Behavior (Book Notes: Genetic Destines)
Sunday August 6, 2006
We are all biological machines, with the origins of our behavior lying in the interactions of cells, hormones, and electrical signals. Does this mean, then, that we have no choices ... Read More
Science and Pseudoscience in Medicine
Sunday August 6, 2006
Book of the Day: Examining Holistic Medicine, edited by Douglas Stalker and Clark Glymour.
A wide variety of "alternative" medical treatments are currently offered and employed, all falling under the label ... Read More
Transfiguration: What is the Transfiguration? What Does the Bible Say?
Saturday August 5, 2006
The 'Transfiguration' refers to the appearance of Jesus Christ in a 'glorified form' to his disciples. This is recorded in the synoptic gospels when Jesus took Peter, James and John ... Read More
Conservative Evangelical Disowns Conservative Evangelical Politics
Saturday August 5, 2006
Rev. Gregory A. Boyd is a conservative evangelical. He opposes abortion and homosexuality. He preaches a very traditionalist, conservative brand of Christianity. He is also fed up with conservative evangelical ... Read More
Discussion: Christianity - A Faith of Guilt and Shame?
Saturday August 5, 2006
A forum member writes: Christianity, in it's most extreme form, is a religion born out of pure guilt and shame. The compuncted are always the first to ask for ... Read More
Myth of Eurabia: Why Europe Isn't Becoming Arab Muslim Outpost
Saturday August 5, 2006
Quite a few conservatives in America believe that Europe is becoming 'Eurabia' - that European tolerance for Muslim immigrants in their midst is allowing an Arab Muslim subculture to develop ... Read More
This Date in History: Gay Bishop Elected
Saturday August 5, 2006
August 05, 2003: Gene Robinson, an openly gay man, was elected bishop-designate of New Hampshire by the Episcopal General Convention during its meeting in Minneapolis. This election sparked outrage by ... Read More
Hallucinations, Fantasies, and Contact with Aliens
Saturday August 5, 2006
To what extent can reports of strange, paranormal events - like for example alleged abductions by aliens - be explained by people simply being prone to hallucinations and fantasies? There ... Read More
Mailbag: Prove God Does Not Exist
Saturday August 5, 2006
From: "James"
Subject: hey jack***
Can you prove god does not exist…and what did that guy neitche say on his death bed .i heard rumor that he denounced his atheism/agnosticism…you better keep ... Read More
Evolution Basics: Does Evolution Contradict Creationism?
Saturday August 5, 2006
Debates about evolution in America typically take the form of a contest or conflict between two competing ideas, evolutionary theory and creationism. Because of this, it is generally assumed that ... Read More
Daily Poll: Do Moderate Muslims Do Enough Against Islamic Extremists?
Saturday August 5, 2006
God vs. Democracy (Book Notes: Legacy of the Prophet)
Saturday August 5, 2006
Is belief in the traditional monotheistic god of Islam and Christianity compatible with democracy? That's hard to say. Many adherents of both religions are certainly supporters of democratic society, but ... Read More
Religion and Suffering
Saturday August 5, 2006
Book of the Day: Holocaust Theology: A Reader, edited by Dan Cohn-Sherbok.
One of the most effective arguments against the existence of God tends to be the Argument from Evil - ... Read More
Covenant & Testament: What is a Covenant? What Does the Bible Say About Testaments?
Friday August 4, 2006
The Hebrew term for covenant is berit, meaning 'to bond or fetter.' It is translated into the Greek as syntheke, 'binding together' or diatheke, 'will, testament.' In the Bible, then, ... Read More
U.S. Military Turns Blind Eye to White Supremacists, Kicks Out Gays
Friday August 4, 2006
In July I wrote about the military turning a blind eye to the growing numbers of White Supremacists in their ranks. They aren't allowed in and should be discharged when ... Read More
Discussion: Abortion vs. Children Dying in War
Friday August 4, 2006
A forum member writes: [A Catholic] finds Bush acceptable because he's supposedly more opposed to abortion, arguing that 'we' kill more children with abortion than we do in the war. ... Read More
Religious Bigotry in Delaware: Pogrom Expands to Include Muslims
Friday August 4, 2006
Last month I wrote about the Dobrich family in Delaware, victims of harassment, abuse, and discrimination because they dared challenge the practice of Christian prayers during school board meetings (among ... Read More
This Date in History: Using the American Flag in Advertisements
Friday August 4, 2006
August 04, 1899: F.L. Rossbach, manager of the Washington Shirt Company located in Chicago, is charged with violating a law against using the American flag in advertisements. Rossbach insists that ... Read More
Miracles and Survival: Public Perception vs. Reality
Friday August 4, 2006
Most people have a very poor understanding of statistics — they simply don't realize what is genuinely unlikely and what is actually very likely. Indeed, those who have paranormal beliefs ... Read More
Mailbag: Moral Law
Friday August 4, 2006
From: "WM"
Subject: Atheists & Moral Law
If God isn't responible for "moral law", how do athiest account for it? If there is no such thing as moral law, as some claim, ... Read More
America’s Godless Public Schools: Value of a Godless Education, Godless Schools
Friday August 4, 2006
One of the preeminent battlegrounds for the Christian Right's war on modernity is America's secular public school system. The Christian Right cannot stand the fact that instead of infusing the ... Read More
Daily Poll: Should Condemned Prisoners be Kept Alive Before Execution?
Friday August 4, 2006
Certainty, Sexuality, and Gender Roles in Fundamentalism (Book Notes: Desert Patriarchy)
Friday August 4, 2006
Although fundamentalist political and social systems typically treat women as inferiors, according them fewer rights and privileges as compared to men, there are still many women who not only defend ... Read More
Islam and Government
Friday August 4, 2006
Book of the Day: Islamic Leviathan: Islam and the Making of State Power, by Seyyed Vali Reza Nasr.
Politically speaking, what is the attraction of Islam to leaders and activists in ... Read More
Christian History: Christian Relics
Thursday August 3, 2006
Holy relics are an under-reported aspect of Christian history. This is unfortunate because the story of relics represents, in microcosm, all the bickering, insane obsessions, superstitions, and generally embarrassing aspects ... Read More
Southern Baptist Leaders Caught Fleecing the Flocks
Thursday August 3, 2006
William Pierre Crotts and Thomas Dale Grabinski, ex-president and ex-chief legal counsel for the Baptist Foundation of Arizona, have been convicted for cheating thousands of Southern Baptist investors out of ... Read More
Discussion: Republicans & the Christian Right
Thursday August 3, 2006
A forum member writes: It seems to me that some in the Republican party are disturbed by the endless "god-speak" and the attempt to assert power from the religious right, ... Read More
Kansas Bigots Show True Colors, Equate Rainbow Flag with Nazi Flag
Thursday August 3, 2006
J.R. Knight, owner of Lakeway Hotel, Bed and Breakfast Inn in Meade, Kansas, put up a rainbow flag outside his business and next to the American flag - his 12-year-old ... Read More
This Date in History: Nazi Euthanasia
Thursday August 3, 2006
August 03, 1941: Muenster Bishop Clemns von Galen publicly denounced the Nazi program of euthanasia for the mentally unfit. Von Galen was along a thorn in the side of the ... Read More
Religious Identity in America: Is America a Christian Nation?
Thursday August 3, 2006
The insistence that America must be a Christian Nation is popular among conservative Christians, but it is arguably both un-Christian and un-America. It's un-Christian because it ties Christianity to a ... Read More
Mailbag: Creationism & Science
Thursday August 3, 2006
From: "Anthony"
Subject: Rebuttal to "Is Creationism Science"
I came across this article on your we site and want to point out that it is crying out for corrections. I will use ... Read More
Does God Exist? Argument from Religious Experience
Thursday August 3, 2006
The Argument from Religious Experience is that many people have what they label as religious experiences - experiences of the supernatural, like heaven or angels or even a god. Because ... Read More
Daily Poll: What Does Genetics Say About Who You Are?
Thursday August 3, 2006
Skepticism of the Holocaust, Skepticism of Evolution (Book Notes: Doctors from Hell)
Thursday August 3, 2006
Religious critics of evolutionary theory emphasize the idea that 'all sides' of a debate should be taught and that schools have an obligation to present the 'debates' about academic subjects. ... Read More
Theism and Science Today
Thursday August 3, 2006
Book of the Day: How We Believe: The Search for God in an Age of Science, by Michael Shermer.
Belief in a god is ubiquitous in America today. Given that such ... Read More
Eucharist, Mass, Communion, Lord's Supper: What Does the Bible Say?
Wednesday August 2, 2006
The last meal which Jesus shared with his disciples is called the Lord's Supper by Christians. In 1 Corinthians 11:20, Paul refers to 'the supper of the Lord,' the only ... Read More
Discussion: Guilty for Being an Atheist
Wednesday August 2, 2006
A forum member writes: Well I dont really know if it can be considered much of a problem, but I don't believe in this Christian god, I never have. I ... Read More
Pentecostalism in Kenya: Selling God, Selling Superstition & Bigotry
Wednesday August 2, 2006
Pentecostal Christianity is the fastest growing denomination in the world - and especially in the southern hemisphere. It will have a significant impact on the shape and direction of world ... Read More
This Date in History: Inquisitors Absolving Inquisitors
Wednesday August 2, 2006
August 02, 1262: Pope Urban IV renews the policy that inquisitors should absolve one another of irregularities in the pursuit of their duties, begun by Pope Alexander IV. This policy ... Read More
Did Jesus Want to be Understood? Sola Scriptura and Jesus' Parables
Wednesday August 2, 2006
One would assume that Jesus wanted to be understood - after all, he was sent to be the savior of all mankind, right? The problem is, there is strong textual ... Read More
Mailbag: Understanding Reality
Wednesday August 2, 2006
From: "John"
Subject: God/Real
The news media of today cannot be relied on to print the truth. How can the masses believe something written hundreds of years ago believe it to be ... Read More
How Are Atheists Discriminated Against? Expressions of of Anti-Atheist Bigotry
Wednesday August 2, 2006
Bigotry against atheists is not limited to theory and harsh language - anti-atheist bigotry can also lead to anti-atheist discrimination. After all, if bigots are convinced that atheists are immoral, ... Read More
Daily Poll: Why was Joseph Ratzinger Elected as Pope Benedict XVI?
Wednesday August 2, 2006
American Religion & American Empire: Theological Justifications, Excuses (Book Notes: God and Power)
Wednesday August 2, 2006
Throughout history, imperialism and religion have gone hand-in-hand. Imperialistic expansion provides opportunities for religious expansion while religion offers theological justification for the violence and oppression needed for imperialism to work. ... Read More
Humanism Through History
Wednesday August 2, 2006
Book of the Day: Humanist Anthology: From Confucius to Attenborough, edited by Margaret Knight and revised by James Herrick.
Some people seem to think that humanism is simply a recent development, ... Read More
Christian Right & Modernity: America’s Christian Right Opposed to Modernity
Tuesday August 1, 2006
America's Christian Right is often characterized as a reactionary movement because it is reacting to modern developments and seeks to restore older, traditional social structures. Although the Christian Right has ... Read More
Missouri Catholic Church Threatens Politicians over Stem-Cell Research
Tuesday August 1, 2006
In Missouri, a nonprofit organization that advocates greater funding for stem-cell research has made contributions to the campaigns of state candidates. This is upset the Missouri Catholic Conference which is ... Read More
Discussion: Promoting Religion to Kindergartners
Tuesday August 1, 2006
A forum member writes: My son's Kindergarten teacher talked about church, the bible, heaven, and death in class on several occasions. Isn't that against the law?
Most parents don’t typically have ... Read More
Separation of Church and State in Africa: Not Possible?
Tuesday August 1, 2006
Separating church and state - which means separating religious from political authority - is a critical foundation to the modern western state and society. It took a long time for ... Read More
This Date in History: Peasants' Crusade
Tuesday August 1, 2006
August 01, 1096: The Peasants' Crusade, which had departed from Europe that Spring, is shipped over the Bosporus by Emperor Alexius I Comnenus of Constantinople. Alexius I had welcomed these ... Read More
Bertrand Russell: Christianity Encourages Hate & Immorality
Tuesday August 1, 2006
It's common to hear that religion generally, or Christianity in particular, are vital foundations for leading a moral life. Without them, it's just not possible to be truly moral because ... Read More
Mailbag: Atheism & Rationality
Tuesday August 1, 2006
From: "ESSSA"
Subject: Are Atheists Rational?
Are atheists rational and theists irrational? Are atheists open-minded and theists closed-minded, or are there closed-minded atheists and open-minded theists?
Mailbag: Atheism & Rationality
The answer to both ... Read More
People in the Bible: Profile & Biography of Mark the Evangelist
Tuesday August 1, 2006
A number of people in the New Testament are named Mark and any could, in theory, have been the author behind the gospel of Mark. Tradition has it that the ... Read More
Daily Poll: Is Torture Justified in Extreme Cases?
Tuesday August 1, 2006
What is a Democracy, Really? (Book Notes: Guantanamo)
Tuesday August 1, 2006
In the case of a word like democracy, not only is there no agreed definition, but the attempt to make one is resisted from all sides. It is almost universally ... Read More
Social Evolution
Tuesday August 1, 2006
Book of the Day: The Origin of Human Social Institutions, edited by W. G. Runciman.
A central, if not the central, question in the study of human social evolution is that ... Read More