Simple Logic Against The Religious Infringing on the US 1st Amendment

1) The USA Constitutionally is a SECULAR government (link).
2) The SECULAR government MUST make decisions based on reason and science ONLY.
3) The Evangelicals and the Conservative Catholics want to insert their dogma into our SECULAR government.
4) mic drop.

Besides Racism, The Main Reason We Have Trump

"By presenting itself as authoritative, trustworthy journalism, Christian news reassures viewers that they do not need to consult mainstream media in order to be informed. More dangerously, it authorizes a particular, often conspiratorial way of viewing the world. It denounces neutrality or accountability to multiple constituencies as burdensome or even hostile to Christian faith."

Tracing the Rise of Christian Media in American Political Discourse

 

 (Vox)

Chiropractic Used The Political System, So Is Naturopathy

Anyone who follows me knows that I was against all alternatives to medicine even before I saw reality regarding religion. That said, chiropractors have successfully "manipulated" (pun intended) the political system to achieve state licensing and payment for their bogus "treatments" by the government and private health insurances. Naturopaths are doing the same thing. Be aware.

Naturopathy is bogus also

 

Alternatives To Medicine Buzz Words

If one is sensitive to the language used by those who promote alternatives to medicine, these two words WILL come up (among others):

Detoxification

Body Balancing

 

An Example Of The Wisdom Of The Founding Fathers

There has always been a tension in the USA regarding the role of government. James Madison seems to have it correct:

The Land Mines of Addressing The Role of Genes In Intelligence

"'I’m afraid that this will be a distraction for society,' he said. An obsession with slippery genetic predictions could turn people’s attention away from other things that influence how children do in school and beyond—things like their family’s wealth, the stress in their neighborhoods, the quality of the schools themselves."

Genetic Intelligence Tests Are Next to Worthless

No, It’s Not The Economy, Stupid.

Just listen to what Trump supporters say, stop making stuff up to deceive yourselves.

It is racism and you can't reason with it.

An Example Of EPA Anti-Science

While most of the developed world, including the USA historically, accept the preponderance of the evidence that a form of pesticides commonly referred to as neonics are harmful to bees and other pollinators, as well as birds and aquatic invertebrates (link, link), the US EPA, under the Trump administration through Scott Pruitt, is stalling to implement even the recommendations of its own scientists (link).

Is The US Constitution A "Living" Document?

Conservatives like to criticize progressives for viewing the US Constitution as a "living" document that can change with the needs for society. Then, why not accept that the US cannot establish religion?

The Living Constitution 

(123RF.com)

 

How Moral IS Christianity

" - - - some of the teachings of Jesus turn out to be strange, misguided, absurd or even outright immoral, while the "good part" is anything but novel."

Moral teachings of Jesus

"Power-mad, belligerent, masochistic, petty, woefully insecure, extremely dangerous and unpredictable (and seemingly not too bright) Yahweh exhibits all the worst attributes of man. -- "

New Testament Cruelty

(BibleOutlines.com)

An Ironic Promotion Of Free Choices

The local YMCA camp, among its lessons and activities says it promotes independent thinking about choices, but forces the participants to accept religion.

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/living/helping-others/summer-camp-fund/article211200944.html

A Positive Look At The Trade Deficit

The giant China trade deficit with the USA is a giant win for US prosperity?

The calculation of national trade deficits has a significant statistical error that was unknown to me:

Trade deficits aren't calculated appropriately.

Are Globalization And Robots Going To Take Your Job?

"Far from it. Thanks to rising prosperity and technological innovation, American jobs aren’t disappearing, they’re getting better. As people get wealthier, more of us are getting to do work that we love.

"For centuries, most people have had to grimly soldier on in unfulfilling but necessary work. That’s changing quickly. While technology and trade free Americans from mind-numbing drudgery, prosperity creates markets for all the goods and services that creative people pursuing their passion can dream up. For the first time in history, most people can earn a living doing what they really want to do."

An optimistic view of the future of work:

The End of Work 

(PNG Mart)

A "CliffsNotes" Version Of The US Bill Of Rights

There are 10 "first amendments" to the US Constitution and all were radified by Congress together and labeled the "Bill of Rights." The FACT that addressing the role of religion in our country was the first SENTENCE in such should cause a pause in the religious fundies. But, you and I know where that goes. Oh, they conveniently overlook the FACT that the question of "establishment of _ religion" vs "establishment of A religion" was, and still is, hotly debated and, yet, we have what we have.

The Establishment Clause 

Bill of Rights 

 

Are Theologians and Apologists Honest?

Yes, I realize that is a potent question. However, the article below will clarify why I mention it.

Theology fails the honesty test

THE Question That The Religious Need To Answer

Religious apologists talk about the supernatural as if it is real. They compare it to the natural. However, they use different criteria in evaluating them:

• Supernatural: understood through subjective experience and authority (dogma, preaching, and writings).
• Natural: understood by observation and experimentation (science)

 Because these ways of looking at reality are evaluated for authenticity through different criteria, conversation tends to break down. I propose a challenge to the religious in the form of this question:

Instead of comparing the natural with the supernatural, why not compare the supernatural with the unknown? To a science-based thinker, the reality of a supernatural realm is unknown.

The Great Depression Gives Us Evidence Of What To Avoid

Economics is known as "The Dismal Science", however, experts can't even agree on what that means. In other words, it is a discipline with many more disagreements than agreements. That said, The Great Depression does have some lessons we should understand to avoid another one. For example:

• "1928 and 1929 were the times in the 20th century that the wealth gap reached such skewed extremes;^[185] half the unemployed had been out of work for over six months, something that was not repeated until the late-2000s recession. 2007 and 2008 eventually saw the world reach new levels of wealth gap inequality that rivaled the years of 1928 and 1929."

Open-minded folks who care about the welfare of people would benefit from reading this in detail:

Great Depression - Wikipedia

(Eagle Times Bulletin)

It's The Guns, Stupid

"Along with the usual thoughts and prayers, candlelight vigils and T-shirts proclaiming 'Santa Fe Strong,' there came, sure enough, a cabal of firearms-fetishizing public figures eager to blame anything, anything, anything except the most obvious thing: the ready availability of guns."

All other 1st World countries have all of the social negatives that the USA has, and yet:

(Humanosphere)

 

Can the USA admit it has been wrong?

Critical Thinking Can Be Taught

We science-based thinkers/skeptics regularly promote the teaching of critical thinking skills.  However, from a practical standpoint, how do we do it? Because of limited educational resources, it may not be feasible to address the issue with separate classes.

This article shows the promise of effective teaching of critical thinking in humanities classes as part of the usual curricula:

Critical thinking instruction in humanities reduces belief in pseudoscience

 

 (EdTechReview)

Dietary Supplements Are Not Medicine

Contrary to the ubiquitous advertising of these products, dietary supplements are NOT medicine. They have not gone through the rigorous testing for safety and effectiveness that drugs and medical products have to go through. Look carefully at the label on all dietary supplements in pharmacies and on media advertisements. If you see the following required label, it is not a medical product:














Generally, if one is healthy, one does not need dietary supplementation.  However, if you do have a medical problem that may benefit from them, your physician may recommend that you take them. Click here for a list of dietary supplements.

A Challenge To Steven Pinker's Ideas Regarding The Progress Of Humanity

Steven Pinker is known for his historical account of the progress of humanity and well-being.  However, in this lengthy essay, Jeremy Lent delves into the many opinions of Pinker and gives the "Progressive" point of view. Sometimes we assume causation when all we really are looking at is correlation.

Steven Pinker’s Ideas About Progress Are Fatally Flawed

 

 

A True Miracle Drug?

For decades, the political and legal establishments have suppressed growing evidence that cannabis (marijuana) has significant and wide application against many diseases.  Perhaps this one-hour documentary will prompt those in power who, for any reason, have not allowed appropriate research on cannabis and approval for its use as a legitimate form of medicine.

Dateline 5/2018: Growing Promise

 

Probiotics: Beware Of The Hype

Probiotics are the topic of many informercials. However, if you are healthy, do you need them?

"Although certain bacteria help treat some gut disorders, they have no known benefits for healthy people"

Do Probiotics Really Work?

Be Aware Of The Truth Of Addiction Treatment

Why is this industry unregulated when health insurance is required to pay for it?

Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, 5/20/18

We Are Killing The Golden Goose, Education

"Yes, the education bureaucracy is rigid and often corrupt. But all of this masks the central problem: Over the past 30 years, as part of the assault on government, bureaucrats and the public sector in general, being a teacher in America has become a thankless job. And yet, teaching is the one profession that makes all other professions possible."

Teachers deserve more than appreciation

(NEA Today)