- "Alright my friends...PLZ READ THIS AND FORWARD IT TO EVERYBODY YOU KNOW WHETHER THEY ARE CHRISTIAN OR NOT ...THIS BILL WILL AFFECT THE ENTIRE UNITED STATES IF WE DON'T STOP IT EVERYTHING STARTS IN CALIFORNIA AND IT SPREADS ACROSS THE UNITED STATES I HAVE READ THIS AND LISTENED TO IT AND IT'S LIBERAL LEFT-WING GOVERNMENT AND GOVERNOR IN CALIFORNIA HAS A BILL TO BAN THE SALE OF THE BIBLE BECAUSE IT IS CONSIDERED HATE SPEECH!!!!!! THEY ALSO WANT TO TELL YOU WHAT YOU CAN THINK AND WHAT YOU CANNOT THINK WHAT YOU CAN READ WHAT YOU CANNOT THIS HAS GOT TO STOP. IF YOU KNOW YOUR BIBLE EVEN JUST A LITTLE BIT YOU ARE BOUND TO KNOW THE KINDS OF THINGS THAT WILL BE COMING NEXT SO PLEASE FORWARD THIS TO EVERYBODY YOU KNOW WE HAVE TO MAKE A HUGE OUTCRY TO STOP THIS."
Tuesday, April 24, 2018
Think Of The Possibilities If All Were Science Based Thinkers
A friend of mine, who is as high a quality of a person one could meet but also a strong Evangelical Christian, sent me the follow message:
You're Never Too Old
Many people have the opinion that, as you get older, you get "set in your ways" and cannot change your opinion. However, if you are a science-based thinker, you are never too old. I offer myself as an example: a Devout Catholic most of my 73 year who finanlly realized there was no evidence for any interventionist god, much less a Catholic one. Another example is Barbara Bush.
Monday, April 23, 2018
Liberarianism Is Pie In The Sky
"Based on the evidence, the case against the libertarian market and for
democratic government is stronger than ever. But when government gets
into bed with private industry and finance at the expense of regular
people, the citizenry loses confidence in government."
A balanced look at a minimal government and taxes utopia.
What the free market can't do
A balanced look at a minimal government and taxes utopia.
What the free market can't do
Wednesday, April 18, 2018
Churches Are Businesses and Political Action Organizations Now
It is beyond time to realistically look at churches and what they really do. At the minimum, they should function under the same rules as other "Non-Profits." To fail to see the involvement of churches with the affairs of the state is being willfully ignorant. If they were to REALLY confine themselves to their religious activities and honest charity work, as well as conform to secular laws, I would have no problem with them.
The Problem Goes Deep From US History
"But Starbucks isn’t the point.
"To pretend it is is a comforting fiction. It allows the company to apologize, vow to do better and move on. It allows protesters to feel righteous at having proven they will not tolerate intolerance.
"Meantime, we know as a statistical matter of fact that somewhere, a little boy was just suspended from school for a minor infraction because he is black.
"A desperately ill woman was just denied sufficient medication to ease her pain because she is black.
"A highly qualified applicant was just passed over for the job of her dreams because she is black.
"And sometime soon, another unarmed man will be shot by police because he is black"
"To pretend it is is a comforting fiction. It allows the company to apologize, vow to do better and move on. It allows protesters to feel righteous at having proven they will not tolerate intolerance.
"Meantime, we know as a statistical matter of fact that somewhere, a little boy was just suspended from school for a minor infraction because he is black.
"A desperately ill woman was just denied sufficient medication to ease her pain because she is black.
"A highly qualified applicant was just passed over for the job of her dreams because she is black.
"And sometime soon, another unarmed man will be shot by police because he is black"
Journalism: The Barrier Between Freedom & Tyranny
"Newspapers and journalists of all kinds perhaps have never been under such duress. From changing business models. From a polarized body politic. From the president of the United States and other politicians of both parties who would rather operate in the dark.
"Those pressures are real. But they should not obscure the fact that every day, across the nation, thousands of reporters, editors and visual journalists are asking questions, breaking news, investigating public and private officials, explaining their country or community, and telling compelling stories."
"Those pressures are real. But they should not obscure the fact that every day, across the nation, thousands of reporters, editors and visual journalists are asking questions, breaking news, investigating public and private officials, explaining their country or community, and telling compelling stories."
(themedianet)
Monday, April 16, 2018
Dear Liberals: Being Critical Of Islam Is Not Racism
On my Facebook page today I had to deal with one of these types of Liberals. He's gone, and you will also be gone if you can't accept the reality of Islam and the nuances of politics and the social sciences. Someone analyzing scientific research on ANY topic, and coming to conclusions and policy opinions with which you or I would argue, but that person is still supporting human rights for all IS NOT A RACIST. I hope that reasonable people will realize that "racism" is being used against anyone who disagrees with this Illiberal left.
It is time that the left remember its principles, and stop castrating debate and free discourse.
(Getty Images)
Renewable Energy 101
Society must accept the reality of climate change due to fossil fuel use and its negative effect on health and the environment. We CAN do better.
What Is Renewable Energy and Why Is It So Important?
A reality check on the issue of climate change from fossil fuels.
A reality check on the issue of climate change from fossil fuels.
The Atheist/Freethought "Movement"
Us atheists are being swept up in the disagreements within the so-called Atheist or Freethought "Movement." Frankly, I see more heat than light being generated by many prominent "Members" of the "Movement." Many are painting perceived disagreement in one or a few areas of controversy as total depravity of individuals. This doesn't seem rational or fair and I personally reject it. I am not part of a "Movement" any more than I am a member of any US political party. I consider myself reasonable, a science-based thinker, and a humanist.
Following are some articles that illustrate what I am talking about: link; link; link; link.
Following are some articles that illustrate what I am talking about: link; link; link; link.
Sunday, April 15, 2018
Ayaan Hirsi Ali And The Political Left
My last post essentially was a criticism of someone who I respect and admire, Sam Harris. Although we disagree on the question of the influence of genetics on IQ, we do agree on most topics, including this one.
Saturday, April 14, 2018
Sam Harris VS Ezra Klein Regarding Genetics & IQ
One of my favorite podcasts is Sam Harris' Waking Up. I have known for years that he is controversial for some of his conservative views. But, he really is difficult to pin down politically. That said, there is a major firestorm going on after *he and Ezra Klein debated recently. The topic of controversy was regarding the role of genetics in IQ: Harris supports the significant influence of genetics and Klein does not. What is the truth?
Here are several links presenting research in this area: link; link; link; link; link. In studying the topic, I have come to the conclusion that, if genetics do play a role, it is minor compared to the role of history and environment/culture in which humans evolved. Thus, I do not accept Sam Harris' view of the importance of genetics and IQ.
(*The debate was over the writings of Charles Murray and Richard J. Herrnstein in their book The Bell Curve. This article challenges the sources of its data, and this link to Wikipedia presents more criticism of the book and its findings.)
Here are several links presenting research in this area: link; link; link; link; link. In studying the topic, I have come to the conclusion that, if genetics do play a role, it is minor compared to the role of history and environment/culture in which humans evolved. Thus, I do not accept Sam Harris' view of the importance of genetics and IQ.
(*The debate was over the writings of Charles Murray and Richard J. Herrnstein in their book The Bell Curve. This article challenges the sources of its data, and this link to Wikipedia presents more criticism of the book and its findings.)
Self-Help Gurus May Be Doing More Harm Than Good
The Self-Help movement is centuries old, with most people thinking it only has positive effects. This article presents some of its negative effects.
(The Positive Psychology People)
Affordable Housing CAN Be A Reality
Every city in the USA struggles with producing affordable housing. After total failure in the past, this article presents some realistic steps that Charlotte can take in the future.
Friday, April 13, 2018
Trump Will Soon Be History
Every reasonable person should see that the sum total of Trump's action adds up to the greatest amount of evidence ever assembled against a POTUS for impeachment. The only question is: will the Republican Party do the correct thing or will they also be destroyed as part of a sad history of the USA.
(Reddit)
Thursday, April 12, 2018
Free-Range Parenting
The term is foreign to me, but I immediately knew what the writer was talking about. That is how I, and most of my contemporaries, were raised. I reflect back and realize it was an important part of my education. Yes, "times are different", but I think the concept has value if parents responsibly provide such experiences.
Wednesday, April 11, 2018
The Root Of All Cruelty?
"Perpetrators of violence, we’re told, dehumanize their victims. The truth is worse."
A lengthy, but a provocative and interesting article on the human motivations toward cruelty to others.
Religion Is A Mind Disease
"Growing up in church impairs your ability to ask better questions and detect logical inconsistencies in the answers you get, and on a large enough scale that has far-reaching consequences for the fate of a nation, and maybe even the world. You are taught from birth to accept so many incompatible ideas that eventually it breaks your irony meter."
Tuesday, April 10, 2018
Naturopathy & Homeopathy: Both Are Bullshit
Naturopath who homeopathically managed fatal natural birthing absolved
(Consumer Health Digest #18-14)
In May 2017, the Arizona Naturopathic Physicians Medical Board dismissed a complaint by the Arizona Department of Health Services (DHS) against naturopath Anne Marie Palzer in her role as the clinical director of Birth Haven at Life Spring Midwifery. Records indicate that when a patient came to the center in active labor, a midwife consulted Palzer about signs that the unborn baby was in distress. The baby was transferred to a hospital but could not be resuscitated. DHS alleged that Palzer failed to authenticate the homeopathic medication that had been ordered for the patient every 15 minutes for several hours, and that she had failed to require communication from Birth Haven to the hospital. However, the naturopathic board declared that since Palzer ordered an over-the-counter homeopathic, authentication wasn't needed, and that she had followed proper protocol in connection with the transfer.
Commenting on the case, naturopathic whistleblower Britt Marie Hermes has said:
I suspect that some naturopaths reading this post are thinking that they would have done something differently than what Palzer did. But, my former colleagues, how can you be so sure that you would have made a different decision?- - -
The institutions that train naturopaths revere homeopathy. This veneration, in my opinion, coerces students to believe in magic. Homeopathic medicines are based on substances that are so diluted with water that none of the original material remains. It is the so-called "water memory" of the substance that naturopaths and others believe is medicine. As naturopaths, we are taught that homeopathy can do anything, given the right remedy. [Hermes B. A naturopath-midwife, homeopathy, and a dead newborn. Naturopathic Diaries, December 28, 2017]
(Consumer Health Digest #18-14)
Is Deism Reasonable?
As many of you know, I was a Devout Catholic most of my adult life. I eventually concluded that there is no evidence for an interventionist god, thus, now I consider myself an atheist. Please note, us atheists do not claim that there is no god. We only don't accept the claims that there is an interventionist god because there is no evidence for such. Period.
Given the above, what do atheists think about the obvious intelligent life all around us, within humans and other higher animals? Was there an intelligent God who started it all? Who knows? If one is a science-based thinker, the discussion is over, let the mystery be. If one accepts the claim that there was a god who started it all then has not intervened in our affairs, then one is not a *science-based thinker. Thus, Deism, while not as much of a threat to society as theism, still supports belief without evidence. Please think hard about this. Thanks.
* If you accept any claim without evidence, you are not a science-based thinker. Thus, if you are either a theist OR a deist, why are you not a science-based thinker? I know why I am such.
Given the above, what do atheists think about the obvious intelligent life all around us, within humans and other higher animals? Was there an intelligent God who started it all? Who knows? If one is a science-based thinker, the discussion is over, let the mystery be. If one accepts the claim that there was a god who started it all then has not intervened in our affairs, then one is not a *science-based thinker. Thus, Deism, while not as much of a threat to society as theism, still supports belief without evidence. Please think hard about this. Thanks.
It's Going To Take More Than Money
"State and national averages mask profound differences based on race and income, with little progress toward closing those gaps."
How Are YOU Informed
This is really horrible in the worst sense of the word.
The horror of being governed by "Fox and Friends."
The horror of being governed by "Fox and Friends."
Monday, April 9, 2018
The Cancer I Call "The Other"
“Segregation is a cancer in the body politic, which must be removed before our democratic health can be realized.” NO community is immune to this ancient disease that is at the base of all of society's problems.
Sunday, April 8, 2018
Free Will, Original Sin, And Education
Proponents of the Abrahamic religions like to talk about the sinful nature of humanity due to Original Sin. They also promote the concept of Free Will and push for overcoming our weaknesses with such. All of this is magical thinking and is counter to reality and harmful. This article is a good example of science-based thinkers promoting something that works.
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