Anglican Church Officially Moving Towards Schism Over Gays
Saturday September 30, 2006
Image Source:Jupiter Images
Anglicans have been locked in conflict for several years now over how gays should be treated; before that, they had similar battles over the status and role of ... Read More
Discussion: Politically Correct Skepticism
Saturday September 30, 2006
A forum member writes: As a rather devout skeptic, whenever I hear some suspicious sounding story, my first reaction is to be skeptical - as I'm sure many others do ... Read More
Doctors & Hospitals Refusing to Provide Emergency Contraception
Saturday September 30, 2006
Image © Austin Cline
Original Poster:Library of Congress
I've written many times about the unprofessional and unethical behavior of pharmacists who try to deny emergency contraception to women on the basis of ... Read More
This Date in History: Danish Cartoons of Muhammad Published
Saturday September 30, 2006
September 30, 2005: Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten publishes 12 drawings of Muhammad, all received in response to their call earlier in the month and designed to accompany an article on censorship. ... Read More
Attraction of Fundamentalism in Islam: Why Muslims Have Rejected Liberalism
Saturday September 30, 2006
Islamic extremist movements, whether in the context of Western society or in Middle Easter nations, have in common a rejection of Western liberal ideologies (communist, capitalist, etc.) in favor of ... Read More
Where do Rights Come From? (Book Notes: Shouting Fire)
Saturday September 30, 2006
The nature and origin of rights isn't something that most people spend much time thinking about - it's usually a subject for political and legal philosophy. It is important to ... Read More
Mailbag: Questions of Language
Saturday September 30, 2006
From: "Keith"
Subject: "gender" selection
You idiot. It isn't gender selection at all. It's sex selection. In our overbearingly politically correct society sex is a dirty word so everyone uses the word ... Read More
Daily Poll: Why Do People Believe in the Paranormal?
Saturday September 30, 2006
Poverty, Welfare Reform, and Modern America
Saturday September 30, 2006
Book of the Day: Flat Broke With Children: Women in the Age of Welfare Reform, by Sharon Hays.
Welfare reform in the United States has been hailed as a great success, ... Read More
Discussion: Future of Cinemas
Friday September 29, 2006
A forum member writes: I was listening to a radio discussion this morning about the future of cinemas. They seem to be going the way of the dodo, for a ... Read More
Christians Who Support Torture are Supporting Evil
Friday September 29, 2006
Image © Austin Cline
Original Poster: Library of Congress
It's normal for Christians to see themselves as defenders of morality rather than defenders of evil. They must, however, come to grips with ... Read More
This Date in History: Protecting the National Flag from Advertising
Friday September 29, 2006
September 29, 1890: The House of Representatives passes a bill introduced by Representative Caldwell of Cincinnati. It states that "any person or persons who shall use the National flag, either ... Read More
Nature of Islamic Fundamentalism: What do Muslim Fundamentalists Believe?
Friday September 29, 2006
It's common to see people talk about or reference Muslim fundamentalism or fundamentalist Islam, but what do these terms mean? Fundamentalism was originally coined in reference to a strain of ... Read More
Creating Kinship & Relationships Through Marriage (Book Notes: What God Has Joined Together?)
Friday September 29, 2006
Perhaps the most important thing about marriage is the way in which it creates new kinship ties. Marriage is in fact the primary means through which a person acquires new ... Read More
Mailbag: Childish Atheism
Friday September 29, 2006
From: "Starman"
Subject: Atheism-childish and immature viewpt
It takes maturity and experimentation to move past the childish and immature arguments of atheism. Atheist are the "living dead" for the most part. You ... Read More
God and Science
Friday September 29, 2006
Book of the Day: The Ghost in the Universe: God in Light of Modern Science, by Taner Edis.
Spiritual, religious, and theistic beliefs have been widely used to explain things about ... Read More
Secular Americans More Moral than Christian Americans
Thursday September 28, 2006
Image © Austin Cline
Original Poster:Library of Congress
As I reported several months ago, American Christians are far more likely to support torture than "secular" Americans. I’m not sure what “secular” means, ... Read More
Poster: Vichy Democrats, God's Own Republicans, Torture Agreement
Thursday September 28, 2006
Image © Austin ClineOriginal Poster:Nazi Propaganda
Things have gotten pretty bad in America when it becomes unsurprising or even expected that Republicans would support authorizing the state to torture or abuse ... Read More
Discussion: Comic to Film Adaptations
Thursday September 28, 2006
A forum member writes: What comics would you like to see live action adaptations of? ... I'd like to see well done films for the Flash, Green Arrow, and Green ... Read More
Torture Values Coalition: Christian Nationalists Endorse Torture
Thursday September 28, 2006
Image © Austin Cline
Original Poster:National Archives
Christian Nationalists usually act as though they were the sole defenders of morality, Christianity, and traditional American values. At no point have I ever seen ... Read More
This Date in History: Walls of Jerusalem Buckle
Thursday September 28, 2006
September 28, 1187: After two days of heavy battering, the walls of Jerusalem begin to buckle under the Muslim assault. St. Stephen's tower falls partially and a breach begins to ... Read More
American Cult of the Founding Fathers
Thursday September 28, 2006
In American political, legal, and social debates, the opinions of America's founders can be very important. It's not uncommon for someone to trot out this or that quote from Madison, ... Read More
Mailbag: Twisted Half-Truths
Thursday September 28, 2006
From: "Warren"
Subject: Your Webpage
I am very aware of the fact that you receive several e-mails a day concerning your regrettable lack of comprehension of the Bible. I believe you are ... Read More
Daily Poll: To What Extent Should Church and State Be Separated?
Thursday September 28, 2006
Flat Earth? Round Earth?
Thursday September 28, 2006
Book of the Day: Flat Earth? Round Earth?, by Theresa Martin.
Epistemology is a difficult subject. How do we know what we know - and indeed, how can we know anything ... Read More
American Government Founded on Human Reason, not Christianity
Wednesday September 27, 2006
Image Source:Wikipedia
A standard argument used by Christian Nationalists who want to transform America into a Christian state and American government into a Christian government is that all they seek was ... Read More
Discussion: Do Guns Make Good Toys?
Wednesday September 27, 2006
A forum member writes: I just got my kids a CO2 powered semi-automatic BB gun (pistol). They really love it and I agree it was fun to shoot. This is ... Read More
Teen Nudity, Child Pornography, and Sexuality
Wednesday September 27, 2006
That America and European nations have different attitudes towards sex and especially teen sexuality is widely known. Sometimes, though, those differences come out so starkly and strongly that they can ... Read More
This Date in History: John E. Mack Dies
Wednesday September 27, 2006
September 27, 2004: John E. Mack, the Harvard psychiatrist who used his position to promote belief in alien abductions, died when he was hit by a car in London. A ... Read More
Future of Islam in America: Muslims vs Nation of Islam
Wednesday September 27, 2006
When people think about Islam in America, they quickly turn to traditional Muslims who have immigrated from the Middle East. This is reasonable, but it ignores the sizable population of ... Read More
Modernity, Liberalism, and Modernism vs. Christian Tradition (Book Notes: Catholic Theologians)
Wednesday September 27, 2006
Fundamentalism and conservative forms of most religions share in common a strongly negative reaction to modernity, the modern world, and everything which modernism brings. This is relatively easy to point ... Read More
Mailbag: Denying God, Part 3
Wednesday September 27, 2006
From: "Steve"
Subject: The Folly of Denying God
It is helpful to clarify that there are only four possible explanations for how the universe came to be. The first is that the ... Read More
Daily Poll: Does Religion Prevent Rational Thought?
Wednesday September 27, 2006
Using Spirits to Heal
Wednesday September 27, 2006
Book of the Day: Divination and Healing: Potent Vision, by Michael Winkelman, Philip M. Peek. Publisher: University of Arizona Press.
Divination is normally thought of as attempts to tell the future, ... Read More
Arbeit Macht Frei: American Dream & Christian Nationalism
Tuesday September 26, 2006
The degree to which American Christianity has internalized the principles, values, and language of market capitalism is truly amazing. Even leaving aside the arguments for how capitalism and Christianity can ... Read More
Discussion: Proving Logic
Tuesday September 26, 2006
A forum member writes: If I argue that someone has committed a fallacy, and link them to this very site where it says it's a fallacy, and they just say ... Read More
Secular Jewish Terrorist Convicted of Murder?
Tuesday September 26, 2006
An Israeli settler in the West Bank who worked as a driver transporting Palestinian workers seems to have gone absolutely nuts, grabbing a gun from an Israeli security guard and ... Read More
This Date in History: General Assembly of the Church of God
Tuesday September 26, 2006
September 26, 1906: The first General Assembly of the Church of God was organized. It is the oldest Pentecostal Church denomination in the United States with roots going back to ... Read More
American Religion: Spirituality vs. Fundamentalism
Tuesday September 26, 2006
Image Source:Jupiter Images
Just as important in American religious history as fundamentalism is 'spirituality' - individualized religious and spiritual quests to find meaning, solace, and God. For as long as ... Read More
Retribution, Crime, and Punishment (Book Notes: Beyond Repair? America's Death Penalty)
Tuesday September 26, 2006
Perhaps the oldest reason for the punishment of crimes is simple retribution - not rehabilitation, not protecting others, and not deterrence. No, just simple, basic vengeance. Instead of allowing arbitrary ... Read More
Mailbag: Denying God, Part 2
Tuesday September 26, 2006
From: "Steve"
Subject: The Folly of Denying God
'Is there really a God?' Though there are a variety of possible responses to this question, there are three traditional responses that predominate in ... Read More
Daily Poll: Do Teens Need Parents' Permission to get Abortions?
Tuesday September 26, 2006
Evaluating the Da Vinci Code
Tuesday September 26, 2006
Book of the Day: Truth and Fiction in the Da Vinci Code, by Bart D. Ehrman. Publisher: Oxford University Press.
Dan Brown's 'The Da Vinci Code' is one of the most ... Read More
Propaganda Poster: Gay Agenda vs. Civil Liberty
Monday September 25, 2006
Image © Austin ClineOriginal Poster: National Archives
A major subject of the ire of Christian Nationalists is homosexuality -- in particular, efforts to protect gay Americas from discrimination on the basis ... Read More
Scientologists Lose Challenge to Blood Test Law
Monday September 25, 2006
Nebraska has a law requiring newborns to get a blood test. This, apparently, is a problem for Scientologists who object to anything which distresses an infant an thereby creating negative ... Read More
Discussion: Do You Censor Your Kids?
Monday September 25, 2006
A forum member writes: I came across a Christmas present I got from one of my parent's friends forty years ago. It was an anthology of Jules Verne science ... Read More
Don't Strangle the Anointed One! Husband Almost Kills Wife...
Monday September 25, 2006
Image Source:Jupiter Images
In Britain a Christian couple wanted to celebrate his birthday by having a nice dinner, a bottle of wine, and share a viewing of Mel Gibson's movie The ... Read More
This Date in History: Battle of Nicopolis Fought
Monday September 25, 2006
September 25, 1396: Battle of Nicopolis: A Crusader army of around 60,000 men and made up of from the Hungarian army of Sigismund of Luxembourg along with French, German, Polish, ... Read More
Christian Militarism & Sacred Violence
Monday September 25, 2006
Divine Sanction for State Power: One of the reasons why the Nazis under Hitler were able to attract so much Christian support was the fact that Christians in Germany believed ... Read More
Morality & Religion (Book Notes: GOD.com)
Monday September 25, 2006
Most religious believers tend to connect religion and morality in such a way that one becomes unthinkable without the other. Thus true, genuine religion necessarily makes one a more moral ... Read More
Mailbag: Denying God, Part 1
Monday September 25, 2006
From: "Steve"
Subject: The Folly of Denying God
Beyond a doubt, the most significant question to ever penetrate the human mind is that of the existence of God. More consequences for humanity ... Read More
Daily Poll: Should Churches Endorse Politicians?
Monday September 25, 2006
Philosophy & September 11
Monday September 25, 2006
Book of the Day: The Philosophical Challenge of September 11, edited by Tom Rockmore, Joseph Margolis, Armen T. Marsoobian. Publisher: Blackwell Publishers.
The importance of September 11 and the ensuing responses ... Read More
Conservative Evangelical Christians & Torture
Sunday September 24, 2006
Image © Austin Cline
Original Poster:
Northwestern University
An important story recently was Sen. John McCain's efforts to block legislation that would allow President Bush to torture terrorism suspects, and perhaps retroactively legalize ... Read More
Phill Kline Pushing Connections to Conservative Christianity
Sunday September 24, 2006
A private memo written by Kansas attorney general Phill Kline and sent to staff members has been leaked to the press. In this memo, Phill Kline outlines a re-election strategy ... Read More
Discussion: Conservative Atheists
Sunday September 24, 2006
A forum member writes: If the religious right had never hijacked the Republican party, would there be more conservative atheists?
It's understandable that many atheists who have conservative leanings would object ... Read More
Farmer Receives Threats, Prosecution for Flying Flag Upside Down
Sunday September 24, 2006
Should private citizens have the right to display the American flag however they wish? Well, if they own the flag and it's on their property the answer should be "yes," ... Read More
This Date in History: Taliban Calls for Jihad Against America
Sunday September 24, 2006
Image Source:Defense Link
September 24, 2001: The Taliban called for a jihad against the United States if American forces entered Afghanistan hunting for Osama bin Laden.
Does Democracy Prevent Terrorism?
Sunday September 24, 2006
It has been argued that democracy helps prevent terrorism because the voting process gives people an outlet to express themselves - a role filled by terrorism under repressive, undemocratic governments. ... Read More
Violence and Low Self-Esteem (Book Notes: Healing Violent Men)
Sunday September 24, 2006
Is there any connection between having a low self-esteem and being violent? Perhaps - many assume that low self-esteem is expressed by being shy and withdrawn, but that is more ... Read More
Mailbag: Pascal's Wager, Part 2
Sunday September 24, 2006
From: "Sherman"
Subject: Just some Insight
Now what if I'm right and there is a loving God who paid the penalty for my sins and by so doing made a way for ... Read More
Bible Commentary: Jesus on the Great Commandment (Mark 12:28-34)
Sunday September 24, 2006
Image Source:Jupiter Images
Throughout Jesus' time in Jerusalem thus far, his experiences have been characterized by conflict: he is challenged or questioned in a hostile manner by Temple authorities and he ... Read More
Daily Poll: What Causes Sexual Orientation - Biology or Socialization?
Sunday September 24, 2006
Power and the Papacy
Sunday September 24, 2006
Book of the Day: Vows of Silence: Abuse of Power in Papacy of John Paul II, by Jason Berry, Gerald Renner. Publisher: Free Press.
The sexual abuse scandal that has hit ... Read More
Propaganda Poster: What Will it Take to Cause Christian Nationalism to Become Fully Fascist?
Saturday September 23, 2006
Original Image:Nazi Propaganda
As outrageous as the Christian Right's overall agenda is, their specific arguments and beliefs can be worse. I have written many articles exploring the arguments and beliefs advocated ... Read More
Discussion: Were the Founding Fathers Religious or Secular?
Saturday September 23, 2006
A forum member writes: It's a mistake to label the Founding Fathers, as a group, "secular", without asking "in what context?" What they attempted to do was cobble together a ... Read More
Benedict: Christianity Needs to be Privileged, Gospel Most Important Thing
Saturday September 23, 2006
Image Source: Wikipedia
Photographer: Marian Lambert
Catholic officials are naturally upset with the growing movement to recognize homosexual relationships on the same level as heterosexual relationships. The Vatican wants to privilege heterosexual ... Read More
This Date in History: Yaser Esam Hamdi Released
Saturday September 23, 2006
September 23, 2004: Yaser Esam Hamdi, an American citizen held for almost three years without charges as an "enemy combatant," is released to Saudi Arabia where he is also a ... Read More
America, Democracy, and the Use of Force
Saturday September 23, 2006
Does America have a responsibility to spread democracy around the world, even by force if necessary? Quite a few conservatives today seem to think so, but this hasn't been the ... Read More
Propaganda, Crusades, and Religious Wars (Book Notes: Fighting For Christendom)
Saturday September 23, 2006
Crusading could be a passionate endeavor for medieval Christians, but the importance of passionate, religious zeal should not cause us to overlook the fact that the Crusades were also a ... Read More
Mailbag: Pascal's Wager, Part 1
Saturday September 23, 2006
From: "Sherman"
Subject: Just some Insight
I'd like to play a little game with you.... Just imagine that You are right and there is no God, Satan, Heaven or Hell. That there ... Read More
Daily Poll: Is Religion a Necessary Crutch?
Saturday September 23, 2006
Intelligent Design vs. Evolution
Saturday September 23, 2006
Book of the Day: Why Intelligent Design Fails, edited by Matt Young, Taner Edis. Publisher: Rutgers University Press.
So-called 'Intelligent' Design is very popular among conservative evangelical Christians in America. It ... Read More
Inept Anti-Abortion Terrorist Plays Kamikaze, Fails
Friday September 22, 2006
In Davenport, Iowa, David McMenemy decided that it would be a good idea to destroy an abortion clinic. Lacking the ability or perhaps the time to construct a bomb, he ... Read More
Discussion: How Long Until 1984?
Friday September 22, 2006
A forum member writes: Was just rereading 1984, and John Yoo's theory of unitary executive power, and noticed striking similarities...how long until 1984?
War is Peace....Oceania was constantly at war...something that ... Read More
Islamofascists Hate Us Because We Abuse Our Freedom
Friday September 22, 2006
Image © Austin Cline
Original Poster: National Archives
Ever since the terrorist attacks of Septemer 11, 2001, Americans have been asking why "they" hate us. Why would others hate America and Americans ... Read More
This Date in History: Old Catholic Movement Begins
Friday September 22, 2006
September 22, 1871: Led by church historian and priest Johann Joseph Ignaz von Dollinger, German Catholics opposed to the doctrine of papal infallibility meet in Munich and decide to set ... Read More
Liberals, Conservatives, and the American Media
Friday September 22, 2006
Does it seem like the media has become more partisan and polarized than it used to be? You may be right and the reason for this, curiously enough, may be ... Read More
Muslim Anti-Semitism: Holocaust Denial Among Muslims, Palestinians (Book Notes: Losing Battle with Islam)
Friday September 22, 2006
Holocaust Denial is usually conceived of as a Western phenomenon, something indulged in by antisemitic bigots in America, Europe, and other Western nations. We should not miss the fact that ... Read More
Mailbag: Atheism Cannot Exist, Part 2
Friday September 22, 2006
From: "Jumper"
Subject: Atheism Cannot Exist
I ... discovered that if I simply replaced the word god with the word unknown, many mysteries will begin to unravel. Indeed, one cannot deny the ... Read More
Daily Poll: Is Conservation Merely a Personal Virtue?
Friday September 22, 2006
What is Humanity?
Friday September 22, 2006
Book of the Day: Humankind: A Brief History, by Felipe Fernandez-Armesto. Publisher: Oxford University Press.
What does it mean to be human? This may sound like it should be obvious and, ... Read More
History of the Papacy: Popes of the 5th Century
Thursday September 21, 2006
Image Source: Jupiter Images
Here is a list of all of the popes who reigned during the fifth century. The first number is which pope they were. This is followed by ... Read More
Secret Death Chamber Found in Temple of Apollo
Thursday September 21, 2006
Image Source:Jupiter Images
Underneath the Temple of Apollo in the Hierapolis located near Denizli, Turkey, archaeologists have made an astounding discovery. There is a tunnel underneath the temple leading from a ... Read More
Discussion: Negative Aspects of Agnosticism / Atheism
Thursday September 21, 2006
A forum member writes: I was thinking the other day about how A/A ... has stifled my imagination. Some of the more artistic exploring thoughts that I used to ... Read More
The Divorce Vaccine: Would Christians Take It?
Thursday September 21, 2006
What if scientists could create a vaccine that prevented people from divorcing? Far-fetched, I know, but given how much religious conservatives have to oppose divorce in order to defend "traditional" ... Read More
This Date in History: First Anabaptist Baptismal
Thursday September 21, 2006
September 21, 1525: The first Anabaptist baptismal service took place in Zurich, Switzerland.
Justice, Mercy, and Motivation (Book Notes: Reverence)
Thursday September 21, 2006
Human beings make decisions based in part on their emotions and in part on their reason. Most people regard the use of reason very highly and treat reasoned decisions as ... Read More
Mailbag: Atheism Cannot Exist, Part 1
Thursday September 21, 2006
From: "Jumper"
Subject: Atheism Cannot Exist
I stand here today and still proclaim with the utmost conviction that atheism cannot exist for one very simple and fundamental reason: it is not possible ... Read More
Daily Poll: Are Reality TV Shows Ethical?
Thursday September 21, 2006
What Are Space and Time?
Thursday September 21, 2006
Book of the Day: Travels in Four Dimensions: The Enigmas of Space and Time, by Robin Le Poidevin. Publisher: Oxford University Press.
Space and time are the foundations of our existence, ... Read More
Existentialism: Abandonment - Condemned to be Free
Wednesday September 20, 2006
As an atheist, Jean-Paul Sartre believed that we live in a godless universe where there are no absolute, objective guides to action, morality, belief, or understanding. For Sartre, we are ... Read More
Zoroastrians Remain Committed, Continue to Die Out
Wednesday September 20, 2006
Image Source:Jupiter Images
Zoroastrianism is one of the oldest known religions on the planet - and perhaps the oldest religion which continues to be followed by a community of believers. Time ... Read More
Discussion: Would Would You Like To Learn?
Wednesday September 20, 2006
A forum member writes: If there is any skill ... that you could learn to do, what would it be? I would love to learn body manipulation. Sword swallowing, piercing ... Read More
Victims Flee Child Molestation, Abuse in Ozarks Religious Commune
Wednesday September 20, 2006
Why are there so many stories about children being abused and molested in the context of religious institutions? There can be no simple or easy answer to this, but a ... Read More
This Date in History: Saladin Arrives at Jerusalem
Wednesday September 20, 2006
Image Source:Jupiter Images
September 20, 1187: Saladin and his forces arrive outside of Jerusalem and prepare to assault the city. Defense of Jerusalem is led by Balian of Ibelin. Balian had ... Read More
Repression vs. Expression: What Should We Do With Negative Emotions?
Wednesday September 20, 2006
Most people seem to think that it's better to express your negative emotions in order to work through them rather than bottle them up and ignore them. At least, that's ... Read More
Silence as a Weapon of Totalitarian States (Book Notes: Elephant in the Room)
Wednesday September 20, 2006
The suggestion - or worse, the order - to maintain silence about something is frequently used by totalitarian and authoritarian states as a means for preserving power. Knowledge is power, ... Read More
Mailbag: Testing Christians
Wednesday September 20, 2006
From: "Bowgy"
Subject: about your article on testing christians
If you are truly interested in the truth, as you appear to be by searching for textual references in the bible to ... Read More
Propaganda Poster: Beware of Atheists, Skeptics, Liberals
Wednesday September 20, 2006
Image © Austin ClineOriginal Poster:National Library of Medicine
Faith is a critical pillar in the religious ideology of Christian Nationalists. Faith here is not simply a religious virtue, but also a ... Read More
Daily Poll: Is Church/State Separation a Valid Constitutional Principle?
Wednesday September 20, 2006
Extraordinary Lives and People
Wednesday September 20, 2006
Book of the Day: A Passion for Freedom: My Encounters With Extraordinary People, by Leonard R. Sussman. Publisher: Prometheus Books.
Freedom is an important cause all around the world. Most who ... Read More
God Bless America Poster Pulled
Tuesday September 19, 2006
Image © Austin ClineOriginal Poster:Nazi Propaganda
Matt Hughes, a resident of Lompoc, California, complained to his local postmaster when he saw a sign saying "God Bless America" hanging in the lobby. ... Read More
Was Peter the First Pope? How the Papacy Originated in Rome
Tuesday September 19, 2006
Image Source:Jupiter Images
Catholics believe that the bishop of Rome inherits the mantle of Peter, apostle of Jesus Christ who was entrusted with the administration of his church after he died. ... Read More
American Evangelicals Trying to Save Godless Canadians
Tuesday September 19, 2006
The Great White North has become the Great Godless North, at least in the eyes of some conservative evangelical Christians in America. There are continuing efforts by some American churches ... Read More
Discussion: Victimless Crimes?
Tuesday September 19, 2006
A forum member writes: If we live in an interdependent society, does that mean there's no such thing as a "victimless" crime? ...[W]hat we think of as victimless crimes inevitably ... Read More
Lost Holy Etruscan Sanctuary Finally Unearthed?
Tuesday September 19, 2006
Image Source:Jupiter Images
The Etruscans created a powerful empire which dominated central Italy between 800 and 400 BCE. No one knows where exactly they came from but quite a lot of ... Read More
This Date in History: Israel Recognizes the PLO
Tuesday September 19, 2006
Image Source:Wikipedia
September 19, 1993: Israel officially recognized the PLO as no longer a criminal organization.
American Democracy vs. American Plutocracy
Tuesday September 19, 2006
America was founded as a democratic republic - it didn't start out as democratic as people assume, but the democratic elements grew stronger over time as people became accustomed to ... Read More
Legislating Morality (Book Notes: Morality Matters)
Tuesday September 19, 2006
There are a lot of people who say that we shouldn't legislate morality - but how justified is that, really? Just about every law you can point to has some ... Read More
Mailbag: Nothing To Look Forward To, Part 2
Tuesday September 19, 2006
From: "CHADDIE"
Subject: Question for all Atheists/Agnostics
I enjoy a good laugh whenever someone tries to disprove the Bible (thanks to you crazy Atheists/Agnostics). First off, there has not been any proof, ... Read More
Daily Poll: What Caused You to Doubt and Reject Theism?
Tuesday September 19, 2006
Criticizing Religion
Tuesday September 19, 2006
Book of the Day: Tilting at Religion, by Glenn W. Ferguson. Publisher: Prometheus Books.
The pervasive influence of religion in modern America cannot be denied. Unfortunately, more critical and skeptical discussions ... Read More
Fear of God is at the Root of Atheism? Benedict Flubs Again
Monday September 18, 2006
Image Source:President of Poland
The more time that passes, the more disappointing Pope Benedict XVI becomes. Granted, I can't claim to have ever thought very much of him to begin with ... Read More
Christian Debate over Paul Hill
Monday September 18, 2006
Paul Hill murdered an abortion provider and that doctor's bodyguard, a logical consequence of the anti-abortion rhetoric that abortion is a form of murder. The seriousness with which Paul Hill ... Read More
Official Prayer in School: ACLU Opposes, Liberty Counsel Defends
Monday September 18, 2006
Image © Austin ClineOriginal Poster:National Archives
Should teachers in public schools be allowed to initiate Christian prayers during official, mandatory school events? The answer to this should be an obvious and ... Read More
Discussion: Ethical Conflicts & Contradictions
Monday September 18, 2006
A forum member writes: I wanted to talk about was the way in which most of us hold particular ethical or philosophical views about different issues, but the views we ... Read More
Only Muslims Can Understand Jihad. No True Muslims are Violent
Monday September 18, 2006
Image Source:Jupiter Images
Muslims around the world reacted with violence and anger to recent remarks made by Pope Benedict XVI on Islam. It's true that his comments were inflammatory at best ... Read More
This Date in History: Marcel Lefebvre Consecrated as Bishop
Monday September 18, 2006
September 18, 1947: Marcel Lefebvre is consecrated as bishop. Lefebvre would break with Rome following the Second Vatican Council and, over the years, consecrated hundreds of priests who agreed with ... Read More
Where Are the Moral Believers? Rebellion Against God as an Immoral Monster
Monday September 18, 2006
When it comes to the question of God's existence (in the context of traditional, philosophical theism), there appear to be two options: belief or disbelief (which might include denial). Those ... Read More
The Fundamentalist Impulse in Islam & Christianity (Book Notes: Fundamentalism)
Monday September 18, 2006
It's common for people to discuss fundamentalism in both Christianity and Islam as if the phenomenon "fundamentalism" were essentially the same in both of these religions. That, however, isn't true ... Read More
Mailbag: Nothing To Look Forward To, Part 1
Monday September 18, 2006
From: "CHADDIE"
Subject: Question for all Atheists/Agnostics
Without God in your life, you have nothing to look forward to. It just really saddens me to see people so blind. To me it ... Read More
Philosophy Basics: Timeline of Enlightenment Philosophy, 1700 - 1799
Monday September 18, 2006
Image Source:Jupiter Images
Presented here is a compendium of people, places, and events of philosophy, all organized by date. The timeline of Enlightenment Philosophy covers Locke, Hume, Kant, Montesquieu, Hegel, Gibbon, ... Read More
Daily Poll: Should Biology Texts Have a Disclaimer About Evolution?
Monday September 18, 2006
Christian Creeds and Beliefs
Monday September 18, 2006
Book of the Day: The Creed: What Christians Believe and Why it Matters, by Luke Timothy Johnson. Publisher: Doubleday.
Christianity is a creedal religion, which means that membership in the Christian ... Read More
Pope Benedict XVI (Joseph Ratzinger): Biography of Pope Benedict XVI
Sunday September 17, 2006
Source: Wikipedia
Photographer: Marian Lambert
Here is a chronological summary of the life of Josef Ratzinger, now elected Pope Benedict XVI. This timeline of Josef Ratzinger’s life focuses on events that were ... Read More
Ohio Trying to Slip Religion Into Science Classes?
Sunday September 17, 2006
Image Source: Wikipedia
It looks like members of Ohio's state school board are trying to come up with a new way to insert teaching religion, creationism, and religious objections to evolution ... Read More
History of the Papacy: Popes of the 20th Century
Sunday September 17, 2006
Image Source: Jupiter Images
Here is a list of all of the popes who reigned during the twentieth century. The first number is which pope they were. This is followed by ... Read More
Christian Right Opposes Protecting Gays from Discrimination
Sunday September 17, 2006
Image © Austin ClineOriginal Poster:National Archives
A newly signed law in California extends basic civil rights protections to all gays. These protections already existed for people to protect them against discrimination ... Read More
Discussion: Annoying Religious Relatives
Sunday September 17, 2006
A forum member writes: If I had a dollar for the annoying things I've heard believers say I'd have millions... I have done very well dealing with my family throughout ... Read More
Blogsnark: Thou Fool
Sunday September 17, 2006
Many theists think that atheists are fools. Perhaps that's fair, because many atheists think that theists are fools as well. If we take a look a how theists argue that ... Read More
This Date in History: Danish Cartoons of Muhammad
Sunday September 17, 2006
Image Source:Jupiter Images
September 17, 2005: According to the Danish newspaper Politiken, fear of violent reprisals from Muslims has prevented a writer finding an artist for his book about Muhammad because ... Read More
Education and Religion
Sunday September 17, 2006
We hear a lot about how there should be more religion in public schools - at the very least, schools should teach about religion. Perhaps there is something to this, ... Read More
Mailbag: Micro- and Macro-Evolution
Sunday September 17, 2006
From: "Jafr"
Subject: Very poor article
I read your article and you really ought to search more deeply about micro and macro evolution; also you totally left out the problems with the ... Read More
Bible Commentary: Jesus' Resurrection Story (Mark 12:18-27)
Sunday September 17, 2006
Image Source: Jupiter Images
In the previous passage, Temple authorities sent Pharisees and Herodians to trap Jesus into saying something that would get him into trouble. They failed, evidently teaching the ... Read More
Daily Poll: Which is More Peaceful: Christianity or Islam?
Sunday September 17, 2006
Protestant Reformation
Sunday September 17, 2006
Book of the Day: The Reformation: A History, by Diarmaid MacCulloch. Publisher: Viking Books.
The Reformation is one of the most important things to happen in the history of Christianity. More ... Read More
Can the Dead Sea Be Kept Alive?
Saturday September 16, 2006
Image Source: Library of Congress
The Jordan River and the Dead Sea play important roles in the mythologies of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Today, though, the governments of Israel, Jordan, and ... Read More
Discussion: Repent!
Saturday September 16, 2006
A forum member writes: It would seem to me that a lot of Atheists are Atheists because they have had some kind of negative experience with religious people. This has ... Read More
Rick Warren's Teachings Dividing Churches
Saturday September 16, 2006
A lot of people have heard of Rick Warren, or at least his book The Purpose Driven Life which has been a best-seller for some time now. Warren is an ... Read More
This Date in History: Death Penalty for Converting to Catholicism
Saturday September 16, 2006
September 16, 1581: The English parliament passed a law that prescribed the death penalty for anyone who converted to Catholicism, treating such an act as if it were high treason ... Read More
Betting on God, Betting on Gullibility
Saturday September 16, 2006
A lot of theists seem to really like the theological argument known as Pascal's Wager. They genuinely seem to believe that they can convince others to accept their theism merely ... Read More
Preserving Democracy (Book Notes: How Democratic Is the American Constitution?)
Saturday September 16, 2006
What does it take for a democracy to be preserved? It certainly can't be regarded as self-perpetuating, continuing on without any input from the people. By its very nature, a ... Read More
Mailbag: Using God for an Agenda
Saturday September 16, 2006
From: "Alice"
Subject: interesting.....
I have just read one of your articles. and may i just say, how truly misguided you are. First of all, God and religion have very little to ... Read More
Propaganda Poster: Evolution Encourages Immorality
Saturday September 16, 2006
Image © Austin ClineOriginal Poster:Library of Congress
Conservative evangelical Christians believe that evolutionary theory is incompatible with morality, civilization, and of course Christianity. They have no serious scientific arguments to make ... Read More
Osama bin Laden's Goals: Waging War on the Infidel West
Friday September 15, 2006
What does Osama bin Laden want, and why does he want it? These questions can best be answered by studying the development of this tradition of Islamic extremism in the ... Read More
North Carolina Forces Students to Recite Pledge of Allegiance
Friday September 15, 2006
Image Source:Library of Congress
Apparently in direct defiance of a Supreme Court decision dating back to 1943, North Carolina has instituted a law that requires all students in public schools to ... Read More
Nihilist Philosophy: Existential Nihilism
Friday September 15, 2006
Aside from moral nihilism, the other primary sense of the term which existed as a part of early Russian Nihilism and which has continued even today might be called 'existential ... Read More
Judge Orders End to Teacher-Led Prayers in Missouri School
Friday September 15, 2006
Image © Austin ClineOriginal Poster:National Archives
Although it's been decades since the Supreme Court ruled that public school employees do not have the authority to write prayers, recommend prayers, or lead ... Read More
Discussion: Creationists in Public School
Friday September 15, 2006
A forum member writes: I'm a 9th grade World History teacher. It seems that nearly every teacher at my school is a creationist. Just yesterday, a student asked aloud in ... Read More
Firefighters who Snubbed Gay Pride March to be Disciplined
Friday September 15, 2006
Should people be allowed to refuse to provide the same services to gays or gay organizations which they otherwise might provide to others? What if one has a religious objection ... Read More
This Date in History: Brigham Young Declares Martial Law
Friday September 15, 2006
September 15, 1857: Brigham Young declared martial law and forbade U.S. troops from entering Utah in order to avoid being replaced by Alfred Cumming, a non-Mormon, as governor of Utah.
Bertrand Russell on Agnosticism and Atheism
Friday September 15, 2006
Are you an agnostic or an atheist? This is a question which faces many nonbelievers. Too often, this question is predicated upon a misunderstanding of both terms - many people ... Read More
Creationism Contradicts Known History & Geology (Book Notes: Evolution: A Beginner's Guide)
Friday September 15, 2006
Young Earth Creationism, a religious ideology which insists that the Earth is only around 6,000 years old, is not as popular as it once was in America but it also ... Read More
Mailbag: God Chooses Us, Part 3
Friday September 15, 2006
From: "Dave"
Subject: A little clarificaton
God chooses you and you have the opportunity to accept or reject Him... reject and death is going to hell time... accept and heaven is waiting... ... Read More
Daily Poll: Should Parents Choose the Sex of their Child?
Friday September 15, 2006
Vice of Sloth
Friday September 15, 2006
Book of the Day: Sloth: The Seven Deadly Sins, by Wendy Wasserstein. Publisher: Oxford University Press.
Is your life as busy and filled with activities a everyone else’s seems to be? ... Read More
Sheik Omar Abdel Rahman: History and Biography
Thursday September 14, 2006
Just how explosive the mix of Islamism and violence can be is demonstrated in the example of Omar Abdel Rahman, a blind sheik who is currently in prison in the ... Read More
Texas Bible Classes: Proselytizing in Public Schools
Thursday September 14, 2006
Image Source:Jupiter Images
There is an increasingly popular movement in America to have voluntary Bible classes in public schools. Supporters insist that these would be academically rigorous courses and to be ... Read More
History of the Papacy: Popes of the 6th Century
Thursday September 14, 2006
Image Source: Jupiter Images
Here is a list of all of the popes who reigned during the sixth century. The first number is which pope they were. This is followed by ... Read More
War Between Israel, Hezbollah Endangered Ancient Religious Sites
Thursday September 14, 2006
Image Source: Library of Congress
Whenever there is armed conflict in an area that contains archaeological and historical treasures, there is always the risk that those treasures will be damaged. This ... Read More
Discussion: Fear of Death?
Thursday September 14, 2006
A forum member writes: I am afraid of dying. In fact, if it was left in my hands, I wouldn't do it. This is when I envy folks who believe ... Read More
Priest Charged in Bomb Threat Against Madonna
Thursday September 14, 2006
Christians in Europe are becoming increasingly crazy over Madonna's controversial concert. Even a priest in Amsterdam has been arrested in a bomb threat made against Madonna. Fortunately it was a ... Read More
This Date in History: Hebrew Books Burned in Rome
Thursday September 14, 2006
September 14, 1601: Roman Catholic Church authorities burned Hebrew books in Rome.
Possible, Impossible, and Science (Book Notes: Genetic Destines)
Thursday September 14, 2006
Everyone knows, or at least should know, that scientists often use words in slightly different ways from how they are used by the general public. The words 'evolution' and 'theory' ... Read More
Mailbag: God Chooses Us, Part 2
Thursday September 14, 2006
From: "Dave"
Subject: A little clarificaton
This life is only a prelude for Heaven for believers and something a little hotter for the non-believers. I know you don't believe in heaven or ... Read More
Daily Poll: Religious Monuments in Public Areas
Thursday September 14, 2006
Islam in Egypt
Thursday September 14, 2006
Book of the Day: No God but God: Egypt and the Triumph of Islam, by Geneive Abdo. Publisher: Oxford University Press.
The rise of political Islam in the Middle East has ... Read More
Existentialism: Karl Jaspers Biography
Wednesday September 13, 2006
Karl Jaspers was a German philosopher whose place in the history of philosophy is based primarily on his work in existentialism - indeed, he may be considered the first to ... Read More
Phoenician Sarcophagi Found in Birgi, Sicily
Wednesday September 13, 2006
Image Source: Library of Congress
Purely by chance, construction workers in Marsala, Sicily, have uncovered forty ancient Phoenician sarcophagi. The coffins were originally buried here when the site was the Phoenician ... Read More
Discussion: War on Terrorism
Wednesday September 13, 2006
Image Source: Wikipedia
A forum member writes: I voted for Bush. I support the war on terrorism. I think the patriot act is a necessary evil. I am all for the ... Read More
Religious Morality: A Poison that Destroys our Internal, Natural Morality?
Wednesday September 13, 2006
It's common for religious believers to insist that religion generally, or their religion in particular, is necessary for moral behavior. They also insist that their god is responsible for the ... Read More
This Date in History: Jerry Falwell Identifies Cause of 9/11 Attacks
Wednesday September 13, 2006
Image Source:National Park Service
September 13, 2001:
During an exchange with Pat Robertson on the 700 Club, Jerry Falwell explained what he thought caused the September 11th attacks on the World Trade ... Read More
Global Warming & Evolution: Skepticism & Genuine Science
Wednesday September 13, 2006
Image © Austin Cline
Original Poster:National Archives
Evolution and Global Warming are two entirely different areas of science; at the same time, though, they share an interesting similarities: they are vociferously opposed ... Read More
The Universe Does Not Require Gods (Book Notes: Conversations with Carl Sagan)
Wednesday September 13, 2006
The concept of 'god' can mean many different things - or perhaps it can mean anything, given the apparent limitless number of characteristics which various believers assign to their gods. ... Read More
Mailbag: God Chooses Us, Part 1
Wednesday September 13, 2006
From: "Dave"
Subject: A little clarificaton
In your opening in the atheism guide you speak about an athiest not choosing God... you or other Christians have it totally wrong... God chooses us. ... Read More
Daily Poll: What Would Cause You to Stop Being an Atheist?
Wednesday September 13, 2006
Science vs. Religion
Wednesday September 13, 2006
Book of the Day: Science and Religion: Are They Compatible?, edited by Paul Kurtz & Barry Karr.
Debates about the compatibility of science and religion are regular features in academic discussions. ... Read More
Papacy: Pope John Paul II and the Sexual Abuse Crisis
Tuesday September 12, 2006
Source: Wikipedia
Photographer: Eric Draper
Scandals involving priests who have sexually abused children have been a source of many problems for the Roman Catholic Church. Arguably worse than the sexual abuse, however, ... Read More
Would Pat Buchanan Prefer a White, Christian America?
Tuesday September 12, 2006
Original Image: National Archives
Pat Buchanan has a problem with race. Throughout his careers in politics and the media, he has advanced positions, ideas, and arguments which at best appear to ... Read More
Discussion: What Do Atheists Have in Common?
Tuesday September 12, 2006
A forum member writes: The general difference between the viewpoints adopted by most atheists as opposed to those adopted by most traditional religionists, of course, lies in the fact that ... Read More
Should Christians Rule or Serve?
Tuesday September 12, 2006
The political efforts of Americas Christian Right can be explained in a simple and disturbing way: Christians should rule. Why should Christians rule? Because as Christians they are assured that ... Read More
This Date in History: Episcopal Wedding Vows Changed
Tuesday September 12, 2006
September 12, 1922: The Episcopal Church voted 36-27 to removed the word "obey" from the bride's section of wedding vows.
Hormones and Human Behavior
Tuesday September 12, 2006
Theists typically believe that who we 'really' are is located in some sort of immaterial 'soul.' What this soul is and how it functions is evidently a mystery, but even ... Read More
Focus on Religion: What is Religion?
Tuesday September 12, 2006
Religion is difficult to define. Everyone has a different idea of what it is. Most people simply look in the dictionary or use something else equally simplistic. That might be ... Read More
Daily Poll: Should Religious Leaders Play a Greater Role in World Affairs?
Tuesday September 12, 2006
Understanding and Misunderstanding Islam (Book Notes: Legacy of the Prophet)
Tuesday September 12, 2006
Islam is a religion, obviously enough, and with that non-Muslims in the West seem to believe that they know enough about it. This is a mistake, however, because while Islam ... Read More
Islam and Humanism
Tuesday September 12, 2006
Book of the Day: From Islam to Secular Humanism: A Spiritual Journey, by Dr. K. Sohail.
In an age of science and nationalist politics, is religion still relevant any more? Does ... Read More
Animal Suffering & Religious Obligations: Questions of Morality and Ethics
Monday September 11, 2006
Devout religious believers are generally given a fair amount of leeway in society when it comes to their ability to follow the dictates of their conscience and their religious obligations. ... Read More
Pastor Tries to Walk on Water, Drowns
Monday September 11, 2006
Image Source: Jupiter Images
Believing in miracles is dangerous. So is believing biblical accounts of miracles that supposedly occurred in the ancient past - just ask the family of Pastor Franck ... Read More
Discussion: Black & White vs. Shades of Grey
Monday September 11, 2006
A forum member writes: I've noticed a recurring theme here on the forum, particularly in relation to political views, in which some condemn those who think only in "black and ... Read More
Church of Scientology Ready to Unveil Super Power
Monday September 11, 2006
Not many people talk about it, but one of the facets of Scientology beliefs is that if a person progresses far enough through the high-priced training, then they can acquire ... Read More
This Date in History: Atheist Challenges Christmas Carols in School
Monday September 11, 2006
September 11, 1979: Argued: Florey v. Sioux Falls School District Roger Florey, an atheist, filed suit against a local school district's holiday programs, claiming that singing of religious carols during ... Read More
Natural Health, Natural Medicine: Andrew Weil and Peddling Nonsense
Monday September 11, 2006
Purveyors of so-called 'natural' medicines and 'natural' health treatments almost invariably say and do things which are unjustified in the light of scientific evidence. This is not to say that ... Read More
Mailbag: Monkeys and Evolution
Monday September 11, 2006
From: "Dana"
Subject: Why are there still monkeys?
I am a devout evolutionist. I have a friend who isn't sure which way to go one way or another. I have provided him ... Read More
Philosophy Basics: Timeline of Renaissance Philosophy, 1400 - 1699
Monday September 11, 2006
Presented here is a compendium of people, places, and events of philosophy, all organized by date. The timeline of Renaissance Philosophy covers Machiavelli, Erasmus, Hobbes, Descartes, Pascal, Spinoza, and other ... Read More
September 11, 2001: Timeline of Events
Monday September 11, 2006
On September 11, 2001, four planes were hijacked in the United States and turned into missiles destined for major American landmarks. Two hit the World Trade Center towers, defining symbols ... Read More
Daily Poll: Should People Spy and Report on their Neighbors?
Monday September 11, 2006
Israeli Disregard of Palestinian Lives (Book Notes: Scars of War)
Monday September 11, 2006
One criticism often leveled against the Israeli government is that it seems to completely disregard the lives and interests of Palestinians - whether Muslim or Christian - as if they ... Read More
African-American History
Monday September 11, 2006
Book of the Day: 100 Greatest African Americans: A Biographical Encyclopedia, by Molefi Kete Asante.
African Americans, the descendants of slaves forcibly brought to America, have long played an important role ... Read More
Ancient, Unique Arctic Petroglyphs Destroyed - Christian Zealots Responsible?
Sunday September 10, 2006
Canada has - or had - just one major petroglyph site in the Arctic. Now the 1,500-year-old images of faces have been destroyed and Christian zealots are suspected. Located on ... Read More
What Will it Take to Cause Christian Nationalism to Become Christian Fascism?
Sunday September 10, 2006
Original Image:Nazi Propaganda
Many are disturbed about far-right movements in America displaying too many characteristics of fascism. The central organizing ideology behind these groups is Christian Nationalism, the belief that America ... Read More
Conservatives Targeting Hotels to Eliminate Choice for Others
Sunday September 10, 2006
Image Source: Library of Congress
Conservative Christians really don't like pornography - and they don't like anything that is even remotely similar to pornography. This is why thirteen conservative groups have ... Read More
Discussion: Nobody to Worship?
Sunday September 10, 2006
A forum member writes: Most of us seem to be familiar with Eljay's version of pantheism, and can agree that his god (the universe) exists, even if we don't worship ... Read More
Ohio Prisons Cut Out Religious Programs
Sunday September 10, 2006
For some reason, Ohio's Department of Rehabilitation and Correction has been in the business of promoting religion to its employees - apparently by allowing prayers and proselytizing at prison events, ... Read More
This Date in History: James Yee Arrested
Sunday September 10, 2006
September 10, 2003: James Yee, one of the few Muslim chaplains in the Ameican military, is arrested upon leaving Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and subsequently charged with spying. The prosecution expresses ... Read More
American Fundamentalism, Satanic Cults, and False Memories
Sunday September 10, 2006
For a number of years, American law and religion were heavily involved with reports about satanic cults kidnapping and ritually abusing children, memories of which were repressed and only later ... Read More
Mailbag: Pro-Homo Lefty
Sunday September 10, 2006
From: "Bill"
Subject: Huh, duh?
You don't get it, do you? The Nazi death camps have just been instated in my home state of New Jersey. Our liberal, left-leaning, pro homo, anti ... Read More
Bible Commentary: Jesus on Paying Taxes to Caesar (Mark 12:13-17)
Sunday September 10, 2006
Image Source: Jupiter Images
In the previous chapter Jesus bested his opponents by forcing them to pick one of two unacceptable options; here they attempt to return the favor by asking ... Read More
Daily Poll: Gay Conservatives - Should They Vote Republican?
Sunday September 10, 2006
Hitler & Christian Anti-Communism (Book Notes: The Hitler Myth)
Sunday September 10, 2006
People often wonder how and why Hitler could have acquired so much support from the German population. Any reasonable explanation would have to be very complicated, but it is possible ... Read More
Terrorism, Warfare, and Ethics
Sunday September 10, 2006
Book of the Day: New Terror, New Wars, by Paul Gilbert.
The nature of warfare and violent international conflict appears to have changed dramatically over the past couple of decades, and ... Read More
New York Pharmacists: Women Should "Suffer the Consequences" of Pregnancy
Saturday September 9, 2006
Original Image:Northwestern University Library
The NYCLU and others have filed complaints against pharmacists in the Albany region for refusing to dispense emergency contraception with refills. Apparently these pharmacists didn't have a ... Read More
History of the Papacy: General Historical Overview of the Catholic Pope and Papacy
Saturday September 9, 2006
Image Source: Jupiter Images
The pope may be the most visible and famous symbol of the Catholic Church. It is the office of the papacy and the assumed link back to ... Read More
Christian Theocrats Involved With ABC Mock-u-Mentary About 9/11?
Saturday September 9, 2006
Original Image:Library of Congress
Quite a lot has been written about all of the factual errors in the ABC movie "The Path to 9/11." The mere existence of historical errors or ... Read More
Discussion: Is Jesus a Philosopher?
Saturday September 9, 2006
A forum member writes: Someone once asked the president who his favorite philosopher was, and he said "Jesus Christ". For the sake of argument, let's assume that Jesus was man ... Read More
Conservative Christian Schools Perform the Worst
Saturday September 9, 2006
Original Image:National Archives
Many people believe that private schools offer kids a chance at a better education than what they will receive in public schools and that competition with private schools ... Read More
This Date in History: Cardinal Richelieu
Saturday September 9, 2006
September 09, 1585: Cardinal Richelieu of France was born.
Children, Suggestibility, and False Memories
Saturday September 9, 2006
Good interrogation is a difficult skill. It's easy to 'lead' witnesses without even realizing it; sometimes, it's possible to lead witnesses deliberately. This is especially problematic when it comes to ... Read More
Mailbag: Worshipping God
Saturday September 9, 2006
From: "Cats"
Subject: hmm
What sort of god would you ever consider worshipping?
This is definitely an interesting question - and not one that is easy to answer. The concept of "worship" is ... Read More
Evolution Basics: Textbook Disclaimers
Saturday September 9, 2006
Because efforts to have creationism taught alongside evolution in public science classes have failed so often, creationists have had to seek out other means of achieving their social and political ... Read More
Daily Poll: President: Regular Guy or Elite?
Saturday September 9, 2006
Discrimination as the Christian Right's Goal (Book Notes: Perfect Enemies)
Saturday September 9, 2006
The Christian Right often likes to portray itself as standing up for religious liberty on the one hand and traditional religious values on the other. The means by which they ... Read More
Brutal Behavior in the War on Terror Not Real Brutality When Christians Do It
Friday September 8, 2006
Original Image:
Northwestern University
Although it is technically inconsistent with Christian doctrine for a Christian to regard themselves as incapable of doing wrong, many seem to adopt this on a practical level ... Read More
School Gives Up Defending Jesus Picture
Friday September 8, 2006
It looks like Bidgeport High School in Harrision County, West Virginia, is going to give up trying to justify having a portrait of Jesus hanging in the hallway. Someone stole ... Read More
Discussion: Evolution is a fact..lets move on
Friday September 8, 2006
A forum member writes: This topic is not intended to insult or simply denigrate christians in general, only to make it clear that certain things are ridiculous about the christian ... Read More
Banning Women from Mecca: Saudi Arabia Ponders More Misogyny
Friday September 8, 2006
Image Source: Jupiter Images
As if Saudi Arabia weren't already misogynistic enough in its laws, culture, and religion, some officials are actually considering banning women from being allowed to say any ... Read More
This Date in History: The Pledge of Allegiance
Friday September 8, 2006
Original Image: University of Georgia
September 08, 1892: An early version of "The Pledge of Allegiance" appeared in "The Youth's Companion," a periodical for children: "I pledge allegiance to my Flag ... Read More
Equipose: Balancing Skepticism and Objectivity
Friday September 8, 2006
Being skeptical means engaging claims critically and with doubts. Being objective means not pre-judging a claim and allowing for the possibility of coming to accept it as true, if good ... Read More
Mailbag: No Truth Here, Part 6
Friday September 8, 2006
From: "Truth Liberty"
Subject: Re: Atheism
I only hope that one day you also will experience God for himself..... not according to your timetable, but his.
TL isn't the first time I've had ... Read More
Church & State Fundamentals: Declaration of Independence & Christianity Myth
Friday September 8, 2006
Many have argued against the separation of church and state by pointing to the Declaration of Independence. They believe that the text of this document supports the position that the ... Read More
Daily Poll: Should Churches Tell Members How to Vote?
Friday September 8, 2006
Loyalty to the Party over Loyalty to Truth and Justice (Book Notes: Stalin's Last Crime)
Friday September 8, 2006
A nation of laws requires that those in power owe their first and primary allegiance to the principles of law, to truth, and to justice. The law must be above ... Read More
Sex and Morals in America
Friday September 8, 2006
Book of the Day: Last Night in Paradise: Sex and Morals, by Katie Roiphe.
In contemporary America, dialogue about sex has become characterized by an attitude of caution and fear — ... Read More
Papacy: Pope Joan - Was There Really a Female Pope?
Thursday September 7, 2006
There is a persistent and popular legend that a woman once managed to rise to the office of pope. This tale got its start some time during the Middle Ages ... Read More
Atheists in Foxholes Fighting for Respect
Thursday September 7, 2006
One of the most important things to remember about the tired old canard of there not being any "atheists in foxholes" is how this expresses fundamental disrespect for atheists. Either ... Read More
Discussion: Your God Can Do Anything...Anything?
Thursday September 7, 2006
A forum member writes: How many of you have heard different Christians say that their god can do anything and give them their hearts' desires? But how many of them ... Read More
It's Not Easy Being An Atheist... When Reporters Write Bad Articles
Thursday September 7, 2006
Original Image:National Library of Medicine
Being an atheist in America isn't easy. Despite the fact that nonreligious Americans are not only the second largest 'religious' group in America and but also ... Read More
This Date in History: Sunday School Society
Thursday September 7, 2006
September 07, 1785: The Sunday School Society was formed in London, offering weekly Christian tutoring for the poor. Their success lead to the development of a similar organization in the ... Read More
Why Protecting Privacy is Difficult
Thursday September 7, 2006
Most people are concerned with their privacy, at least when it comes to their own privacy - but just what is privacy? That's a difficult question to answer, in part ... Read More
Mailbag: No Truth Here, Part 5
Thursday September 7, 2006
From: "Truth Liberty"
Subject: Re: Atheism
Ultimately people who deny the existence of God are taken down by the very hand of the one they deny. To deny God is to deny ... Read More
Does God Exist? Argument from Common Consent
Thursday September 7, 2006
This argument was once used by theologians and philosophers, but has fallen out of favor among those who know what they are talking about. The reason, as it shall be ... Read More
Daily Poll: Should Fetuses Get Special Legal Protections?
Thursday September 7, 2006
Fear of Freedom - Others' Freedom (Book Notes: Created Equal)
Thursday September 7, 2006
Freedom is the scariest of human desires. The American commitment to the freedom and equality of the autonomous individual has always frightened as many Americans as it exhilarated. ... To ... Read More
Ethnic Conflict Around the Globe
Thursday September 7, 2006
Book of the Day: Culture Wars and the Global Village, by Carl Coon.
People often claim that they are interested in living in peace, but why then do we continue to ... Read More
History of the Papacy: Popes of the 19th Century
Wednesday September 6, 2006
Here is a list of all of the popes who reigned during the nineteenth century. The first number is which pope they were. This is followed by their chosen name, ... Read More
Christian Coalition Losing State Chapters
Wednesday September 6, 2006
In yet a further sign of just how far the Christian Coalition has fallen, three different state chapters have broken off al formal ties with the national group in 2006. ... Read More
Discussion: Can't We All Just Get Along?
Wednesday September 6, 2006
A forum member writes: i'm pretty new here. i guess i sort of have "hippy" mentality. i don't believe in god, but i do believe in love and humanity. i ... Read More
Archaeologists Challenge Link Between Dead Sea Scrolls, Qumran Community
Wednesday September 6, 2006
Image Source: Library of Congress
Ever since they were discovered in the late 1940s and early 1950s, the Dead Sea Scrolls have played an important role in discussions about 1st century ... Read More
This Date in History: Jews Forced to Wear the Star of David
Wednesday September 6, 2006
September 06, 1941: Jews in German-occupied areas were ordered to wear the Star of David with the word "Jew" inscribed. The order only applied to Jews over the age of ... Read More
The Rushdie Affair: Why were Muslims Outraged over The Satanic Verses?
Wednesday September 6, 2006
The Muslim outrage of the Danish cartoons about Muhammad echoes the outrage expressed over the publication of Salman Rushdie's book Satanic Verses. Then, too, Muslims rioted and called for the ... Read More
Mailbag: No Truth Here, Part 4
Wednesday September 6, 2006
From: "Truth Liberty"
Subject: Re: Atheism
I never believed in a god, but after experiencing God for the first time after a near death experience. I could never and can never deny ... Read More
Liberal & Progressive Attacks on Atheists: Marginalizing Atheists & Anti-Atheist
Wednesday September 6, 2006
Conservative attacks on liberalism for being "godless liberalism" has some liberals and progressives running scared. Rather than standing firm in their defense of liberal atheists who themselves stand firm in ... Read More
Daily Poll: Do You Approve of the Phrase 'In God We Trust'?
Wednesday September 6, 2006
Eating Too Much: Will Gluttony Send Us All to Hell? (Book Notes: Gluttony)
Wednesday September 6, 2006
Christians today, especially conservative Christians in America, often have a lot to say about people's sins and sinful behavior. Sometimes it almost seems as if some people simply wouldn't be ... Read More
Ethics on the Supreme Court
Wednesday September 6, 2006
Book of the Day: Supreme Injustice, by Alan M. Dershowitz.
Did the United States Supreme Court cheat in its decision in the case of Bush v. Gore, which ultimately led to ... Read More
Papacy: Pope John Paul II and the Iraq War
Tuesday September 5, 2006
The most public and serious condemnations of the invasion of Iraq came from Pope John Paul II and other top officials at the Vatican. Catholic leaders did as much as ... Read More
Where are the Right-Wing Defenses of Madonna?
Tuesday September 5, 2006
Conservatives in America, and especially religious conservatives, made a big deal about defending the right of newspapers in Europe to print the Danish cartoons of Muhammad which offended Muslims. Some ... Read More
GOP Candidate: Gay-Bashing Columns Were Just Satire
Tuesday September 5, 2006
Stephen Laffey, Republican mayor of Cranston, Rhode Island, would like to become a U.S. Senator and is running against a moderate Republican, Lincoln Chafee. Stephen Laffey has a new image ... Read More
This Date in History: John Paul II on the Sexual Abuse Crisis
Tuesday September 5, 2006
September 05, 2002: Reacting to the problems with priests abusing young boys and girls, Pope John Paul II stated that "It would be lamentable if, out of a misunderstood tolerance, ... Read More
Historical Islam: Superior or Inferior? To What?
Tuesday September 5, 2006
Whenever discussing the conflict between Islam and the West today, it's common to cite the fact that at one point Islam was 'superior' to the West and it's currently lower ... Read More
Mailbag: No Truth Here, Part 3
Tuesday September 5, 2006
From: "Truth Liberty"
Subject: Re: Atheism
People are being taught to supress their conscience's untill it no longer exists. People refuse to believe in God simply because if there is a God ... Read More
Focus on Religion: Religion vs. Theism
Tuesday September 5, 2006
Are religion and theism effectively the same thing, such that every religion is theistic and every theist is also religious? Because of some common misconceptions, many people are inclined answer ... Read More
Daily Poll: What Sorts of Books Do Atheists Read?
Tuesday September 5, 2006
Humanism Today
Tuesday September 5, 2006
Book of the Day: The Happy Heretic, by Judith Hayes.
Why do people see images of the Virgin Mary in their food, like waffles? Why do people pray — and why ... Read More
Professors on the Take: Selling Out Students to Publishers
Monday September 4, 2006
Everyone who has taken any college classes is probably familiar with the ordeal of purchasing textbooks. Some books can cost in excess of a hundred dollars while the full textbook ... Read More
Will Tom Cruise Refuse to Marry Katie Holmes Over Scientology?
Monday September 4, 2006
Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes have been together for quite a few months now and they even have a baby together. Most people have probably assumed that they would get ... Read More
Discussion: Fear of Atheism?
Monday September 4, 2006
A forum member writes: I'm agnostic, and because of a Philosophy class, and as well as other research I've done, I'm beginning to lean more and more toward weak Atheism.
There's ... Read More
Did Early Christians Use Magic Mushrooms, Psychedelic Snails?
Monday September 4, 2006
Many religions around the world have incorporated the use of hallucinogenic substances into their religious rituals. Since these substances can induce amazing visual experiences which are interpreted as religious or ... Read More
This Date in History: Hospitallers in Rhodes
Monday September 4, 2006
Image Source: Jupiter Images
September 04, 1523: Suleiman the Magnificent leads the Ottoman Turks in an assault on the Hospitallers in Rhodes who are able to hold out until the end ... Read More
Muslim Reactions to Rushdie and Muhammad Cartoons: An Assertion of Rights?
Monday September 4, 2006
Do Muslims have a right to be offended by Salman Rushdie's book Satanic Verses or the Muhammad cartoons? Of course. Do they have a right to insist that their feelings ... Read More
Mailbag: No Truth Here, Part 2
Monday September 4, 2006
From: "Truth Liberty"
Subject: Re: Atheism
It is sad to see generation by generation declining morals and values. History shows that morals and values have indeed changed over the generations, it is ... Read More
Philosophy Basics: Famous Ancient Greek and Roman Philosophers
Monday September 4, 2006
This biographical index focuses on ancient Greek and Roman philosophers - some very famous, some less so. If you are looking for more information about ancient Greek and Roman philosophy ... Read More
Daily Poll: Do You Support Nuclear Power?
Monday September 4, 2006
Evil vs. Virtue: Which Should We Focus On? (Book Notes: Greed)
Monday September 4, 2006
The major Western religions - Judaism, Christianity, and Islam - are often noted for their emphasis on defining bad behavior and explaining in great detail all of the things a ... Read More
Free Speech and Naughty Words
Monday September 4, 2006
Book of the Day: Blue Streak: Swearing, Free Speech and Sexual Harassment, by Richard Dooling.
Are words bad because of some intrinsic naughty quality, or due to the moral significance some ... Read More
Vashti McCollum Dies
Sunday September 3, 2006
Not many people know the name Vashti Cromwell McCollum, but her name became associated with one of the more important church/state separation cases in American history. In 1945 she challenged ... Read More
Popes At Avignon: Babylonian Captivity of the Papacy
Sunday September 3, 2006
Today the papacy is intimately associated with Rome. Despite the fact that the papacy started off in Rome and is today based in Rome, it wasn’t always located there. For ... Read More
Aztecs Butchered, Ate Spanish Invaders
Sunday September 3, 2006
Image Source: Jupiter Images
Archaeologists have uncovered a number of skeletons in Tecuaque, near Mexico City, which indicate that the Aztecs didn't just kill, but ritually sacrificed and even ate hundreds ... Read More
Discussion: Addiction to Pornography
Sunday September 3, 2006
A forum member writes: One argument I do find interesting is in regard to pornography addiction and the claim that in a culture of increased visible sexuality we need to ... Read More
Douglas Laycock on Religious Exemptions & Hostility to Religious Liberty
Sunday September 3, 2006
An increasingly important issue concerning religious liberty in modern society is whether and how far religious believers should be exempt from neutral laws, rules, and regulations which everyone else has ... Read More
This Date in History: Paul Hill Executed
Sunday September 3, 2006
September 03, 2003: Rev. Paul Hill was executed by the State of Florida for the murders of John Britton, a medical doctor, and James Barrett, a retired military officer, as ... Read More
How to get Political Parties to Work Together
Sunday September 3, 2006
Every so often people complain about the lack of cooperation between Democrats and Republicans. People insist that the political parties stop being so 'political' and put national interests ahead of ... Read More
Mailbag: No Truth Here, Part 1
Sunday September 3, 2006
From: "Truth Liberty"
Subject: Re: Atheism
Q. Why do atheists spend their life-time fighting a God that doesn't exist? If I don't believe in something, I leave it there I don't spend ... Read More
Bible Commentary: Jesus' Parable of the Wicked Husbandmen (Mark 12:1-12)
Sunday September 3, 2006
Image Source: Jupiter Images
Jesus' parable of the wicked husbandmen is one of his most important, and for good reason it occupies the central position of Jesus' Jerusalem ministry. This parable ... Read More
Daily Poll: Are Psychics Genuine?
Sunday September 3, 2006
Constructing an Islamic Society (Book Notes: No God but God)
Sunday September 3, 2006
One of the interesting parallels between conservative Christians in America and traditionalist Muslims in the Middle East is how both groups seek to construct a more godly society. They all ... Read More
Death of God in the West
Sunday September 3, 2006
Book of the Day: God's Funeral, by A. N. Wilson.
Why had most intellectuals and writers in Europe abandoned traditional Christianity by the end of the nineteenth century? Was it a ... Read More
Petition for Wal-Mart on Bibles
Saturday September 2, 2006
Image Source: Library of Congress
Wal-Mart is the biggest retailer on the planet. Their purchasing power can mean the difference between success and failure for a wide variety of products - ... Read More
Papacy: Pope John Paul II, Secularization, Democracy, Religious Pluralism
Saturday September 2, 2006
Europe has become an increasingly secularized continent. Religion and church don’t play nearly the same political, social, or familial roles that they used to and this has had a profound ... Read More
Alabama: Democrats Don't Want Larry Darby in their Party
Saturday September 2, 2006
Well, it's official. Sort of. The Alabama Democratic Party's executive committee has passed a resolution telling Larry Darby that "he is not welcome in the Alabama Democratic Party." Like there ... Read More
Discussion: Naturalism Defeated
Saturday September 2, 2006
A forum member writes: Okay, so I've seen a lot of arguments and attacks on this site that completely ignore valid philosophy in support of religious tradition... You have to ... Read More
Couple Claims Marijuana is Sacrament in their Religion
Saturday September 2, 2006
Image Source: Jupiter Images
Danuel and Mary Quaintance were arrested for transporting 172 pounds of marijuana in their car. That's more than just a small amount for personal use, but according ... Read More
This Date in History: Treaty of Jaffa Ends the Third Crusade
Saturday September 2, 2006
Image Source: Jupiter Images
September 02, 1192: The Treaty of Jaffa puts an end to hostilities of the Third Crusade. Negotiated between Richard I Lionheart and Saladin, Christian pilgrims are granted ... Read More
Homosexuality in Public and Private
Saturday September 2, 2006
It's common for anti-gay bigots to complain that it's inappropriate for homosexuals to 'display' their homosexuality all the time. They imagine that such displays are done deliberately as a political ... Read More
Evolution Basics: What is "Balanced Treatment"?
Saturday September 2, 2006
Although not heard quite as often today, calls for "Balanced Treatment" were once a fundamental aspect of creationist attempts to insert their beliefs into science classes across the country. Through ... Read More
Daily Poll: Will Space Flights Become Routine in Your Lifetime?
Saturday September 2, 2006
Dehumanization and Demonization of the Enemy (Book Notes: Terror in the Mind of God)
Saturday September 2, 2006
Everyone has enemies in the sense of opponents, but to become objects of religious terrorism such enemies must become extraordinary: cosmic foes.... I call this process satanization. The process of ... Read More
Understanding Fundamentalism
Saturday September 2, 2006
Book of the Day: Fundamentalism: The Search for Meaning, by Malise Ruthven.
During the Cold War most international conflicts were framed in the context of the United States vs. the Soviet ... Read More
Existentialism: Edmund Husserl Biography
Friday September 1, 2006
Edmund Gustav Albrecht Husserl was a German philosopher who is generally associated with the modern development of phenomenology (a term which he coined) as he attempted to create out of ... Read More
Is the Bush Administration Discriminating Against Evolutionary Biology?
Friday September 1, 2006
The U.S Department of Education finances a new grant program to help fund students in various fields, both in the science and humanities. For some strange reason, though, evolutionary biology ... Read More
Discussion: Brainwashing in Cults
Friday September 1, 2006
A forum member writes: In my former cult, this practice was called "loving up" on the target. The extent to which we would go depended on the individual being targeted. ... Read More
Nepal Now a Secular State, Not Hindu Kingdom
Friday September 1, 2006
Image Source: Jupiter Images
On May 18, 2006, the government of Nepal announced that it would henceforth consider itself a "secular state" rather than a Hindu kingdom. All citizens, regardless of ... Read More
This Date in History: Sexual Abuse in the Catholic Church
Friday September 1, 2006
September 01, 2002: In an interview, Cardinal Miguel Obando Bravo of Nicaragua discusses the sexual abuse scandal in America: "It seems to me that at this moment the Church in ... Read More
Law and Morality: Changing Attitudes Towards Homosexuality
Friday September 1, 2006
The most common objection to laws guaranteeing equality and equal rights for gays is simple bigotry: people find homosexuality to be morally objectionable, so they don't want homosexuals to be ... Read More
Mailbag: Ex-Christians Don't Exist
Friday September 1, 2006
From: "QRHEE"
Subject: Ex-Christian? No Such Thing!
I come across folks who claim to be ex-Christians. There is no such thing. Once a Christian, always a Christian. Yes, a Christian can become ... Read More
Church & State Fundamentals: Freedom From Religion vs. Freedom of Religion Myth
Friday September 1, 2006
This claim is common, but it rests on a misunderstanding of what real freedom of religion entails. The most important thing to remember is that freedom of religion, if it ... Read More
Daily Poll: Should Nontheistic Groups Get Religious Tax Exemptions?
Friday September 1, 2006
Protestantism & Personal Religion: Bowing to Religious Authorities (Book Notes: Born Amish)
Friday September 1, 2006
Religion has traditionally not been very friendly towards skepticism, critical thinking, and individualism. Religion in America, however, has had to incorporate a significant amount of individualism because this is an ... Read More
Creationism and Intelligent Design
Friday September 1, 2006
Book of the Day: Unintelligent Design, by Mark Perakh.
Book Review: One of the most popular forms of "scientific" creationism in America today goes under the label "Intelligent Design." According to ... Read More