Addressing The Problems In Larger Cities

My adopted home town of Charlotte, NC has a good reputation in some areas but in other areas, not so much. Thus, I would say it is a typical growing community in the USA.  The following article is enlightening regarding how one larger community is dealing with its challenges.

The 'tragic gap' is where it's at

Is "Personalized Learning" A Viable Education Option?

"But personalized learning raises big questions about educational equity. Is it important for all children to be taught common skills and content? Could personalized learning spur an even more splintered society? Is the purpose of education to forge a thoughtful citizenry or to equip students for jobs? What does personalized learning mean to the perennial tug-of-war over the content of what is taught? Is sameness the key to equal opportunity?"

Is the new education reform hiding in plain sight?

 

An Objective Look At Gene Editing

John Oliver is not only one of the most creative comedians around, he frequently presents significant and useful information.  This episode of Last Week Tonight with John Oliver regarding Gene Editing is a good example.

Gene Editing

Former Atheists Who Are Now Catholics

As anyone who knows and/or follows me knows, I was more Catholic than the Pope most of my 73 years. The internet "Saved" me from the bullshit of religion. Since leaving the Catholic Church, I have been following and interacting on several Catholic websites. One, in particular, is EWTN.com.

On this website is a section that highlights folks coming to the Catholic faith from other worldviews. I have commented on a few former atheist's entries regarding how they could possibly go in the opposite direction as me. Reading their testimonies, the consistent finding was that they had a crisis and, instead of studying why most of us are atheists, they went with their feelings and the influence of those around them. Sad.

What I really learned from this effort is that, even though we atheists are a small minority, many are not science-based thinkers. Perhaps we should be spending more time proselytizing our own toward science-based thinking.

Note to atheists who are not science-based thinkers: Theism is Incoherent.

What do you think?

(Pixabay)

A Scholarly Look At Veganism

Periodically I come in contact with fellow science-based thinkers proselytizing for Veganism.  I have posted on the subject in the past.  This post will present recent literature from scholarly sources. As you may have deduced from my other posts, I haven't committed myself to veganism for a variety of reasons and, since there is much disagreement by thinking people on the subject, I just support a diet primarily based on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and moderate quantities of minimally processed meats (preferably grass-fed if applicable) produced humanely.

More Than Just A Diet: An Inquiry Into Veganism

Vegetarian, vegan diets and multiple health outcomes: A systematic review with meta-analysis of observational studies

Environmental impact of omnivorous, ovo-lacto-vegetarian, and vegan diet

The long-term health of vegetarians and vegans

Why Vegan Diets Suck

The Impacts of Dietary Change on Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Land Use, Water Use, and Health: A Systematic Review

16 Studies on Vegan Diets — Do They Really Work?

Going Vegan isn't the Most Sustainable Option for Humanity

Sorry, But Giving Up on Meat Is Not Going to Save The Planet

Christianity And The Holocaust

 " - - - it’s hard to make the case that the Holocaust had a single cause. It’s foolish to look for simplistic explanations, because major historical events—hell, even minor ones—have multiple causes."

However,

• “There is little question that the Holocaust had its origins in the centuries-long hostility felt by Christians against Jews.” José M. Sánchez, Pius XII and the Holocaust: Understanding the Controversy, 2002, Catholic University Press of America.

• “Hitler was merely doing what the Church had done for 1,500 years.” Guenter Lewy, The Catholic Church and Nazi Germany, 2000, De Capo Press

Can Christianity Be Blamed for the Holocaust?

A Problem With The White Moderate

“I must confess that over the past few years I have been gravely disappointed with the white moderate. I have almost reached the regrettable conclusion that the Negro’s great stumbling block in his stride toward freedom is not the White Citizen’s Counciler or the Ku Klux Klanner, but the white moderate, who is more devoted to “order” than to justice; who prefers a negative peace which is the absence of tension to a positive peace which is the presence of justice.”

Civility without civil rights? Do better, white moderates

(Mashable)

Read more here: https://www.charlotteobserver.com/opinion/article213979799.html#storylink=cpy

Character Is Important

“'Although the public school system is not perfect and has continual room for improvement,' the researchers state in the executive summary, 'it is still the cornerstone of community empowerment and advancement in American society. The required inclusivity of the public school setting provides more opportunity for students to learn in culturally, racially, and socioeconomically integrated classrooms and schools, and that promotes social-emotional and civic benefits for students.'

"That 'required inclusivity' frightens some people, but it shouldn’t. It helps us improve the world by getting to know each other as neighbors.

"On his deathbed, Fred Rogers worried that he hadn’t done enough to improve the world. 'Am I a sheep?' he asked, referencing another parable, this one where Jesus separates the good sheep from the useless goats.

"Perhaps someone this humble, as authentic and honest in private as he was in public, as dedicated to helping children and leaving the world a better place, is truly one of a kind. For all our sakes, I hope not."

We need Mr. Rogers more than ever

 

Read more here: https://www.charlotteobserver.com/opinion/op-ed/article213934324.html#storylink=cpy

An Objective Look At Illegal Immigration In The USA

"Apprehensions on the Southwest border peaked in 2000 at 1.64 million and have generally declined since, totaling 303,916 in 2017."

Illegal Immigration Statistics

UPDATE 2/5/2021:

The Trump administration was on the wrong track

The Difference In Thinking: Theists Vs Atheists; Conservatives Vs Progressives

 Are you primarily a System 1 or System 2 Thinker?

There has been a great deal of analysis and speculation regarding why and how people are either theists or atheists. The following article sheds some light on the subject.

People who are more disposed to analytical thinking are less inclined to believe in a deity.

(Comment: a full reading of this blog supports the reality that there probably is not an interventionist deity.)

Now, let's extrapolate into the world of politics. It is well-known that conservatives are much more likely to take religion seriously. With that assumed, what are the differences between liberals and conservatives in their worldviews?

These key psychological differences can determine whether you're liberal or conservative:

* Being scared can make you more conservative. 
* On the other hand, feeling safe and endowed with strength might make you lean a little more liberal than you otherwise would.
* Liberals are less squeamish about looking at yucky stuff like vomit, feces, and blood.

* Conservatives tend to display more ordered thinking patterns, whereas liberals have more "aha" moments.

* Liberals tend to follow the wandering gaze of others more often, while conservative eyes stay more focused on the original subject they're looking at.

*  Holding conservative views seems to make people more resistant to change and help them explain inequality.

* Liberal and conservative tastes in music and art are different, too.

* Liberals are more likely to describe themselves as compassionate and optimistic, while conservatives are more likely to say they're people of honor and religion.

* Conservatives believe they have more self-control.

* Liberals and conservatives extend feelings of compassion to different people.

* Politically charged issues may not be as important as personality when it comes to who you vote for, though. Research on Trump supporters suggests they have more in common with Trump's personal and professional values than his political leanings.

* New research from the United Kingdom backs up the idea that our personalities play a big role in determining who we vote for. A study found that voters who were aggressive, angry kids were more likely to distrust the government and lean liberal as adults.

 - - -

After reading the links above, I hope you can see why:

Conservatives tend to be nationalists, Progressives tend to be globalists.

Conservatives care less about economic inequality, and the plight of the working poor and the homeless. (Link) 

Conservatives tend to support unregulated capitalism, Progressives tend to support more regulation of capitalism.

Conservatives tend to be magical thinkers and Progressives tend to be science-based thinkers.

The Republican party was hijacked by the fundamentalist religious (Link) and the xenophobic, racist alt-right. Ironically, the "Family Values" party is far from such. (Link)

A challenge if you disagree with the above: name one social movement in support of civil/human rights that was initiated and fought for by a conservative political faction anywhere in the modern world. Of course, as a progressive, I hold that the progress of civil/human rights over the centuries is a positive.

Supplements Not Helpful With Cardio-Vascular Disease

Recent research does not support supplements for CVD:

Another Nail in the Coffin for Fish Oil Supplements

Supplemental Vitamins and Minerals for CVD Prevention and Treatment Not Supported

A Letter To Trump Supporters

Congratulations.

You got your preferred Supreme Court justice – even though that was only possible because Senate Republicans left the high court short-handed for a year for nakedly political purposes.

You got a pro-life candidate back in the White House – even though the abortion rate had already fallen to an all-time-low under a pro-choice president but may go back up because of policies implemented by a pro-lifer that undermine health care and comprehensive contraception coverage provisions that helped push the rate down.

Immigrant Economic Impact

Following are two links that give an objective look at immigrant economic impact on the USA.

Immigrants' impact on the U.S. economy in 7 charts

Trump Administration Rejects Study Showing Positive Impact of Refugees

Will Trump Lead The World Into Another Great Depression?

If you think this question is too far out, ponder that the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act of the early 1930s had a devastating effect on the world economy.

How Donald Trump’s Trade Wars Could Lead to a Great Depression

 

 (PBS)

Immigrant Assimulation

One of the major push-backs against immigration has historically been the claim that immigrants do not assimulate well. The following academic link looks at immigration from a US historical perspective.

What history tells us about assimilation of immigrants

Its summary? 

"Overall though, lessons from the Age of Mass Migration suggest that fears immigrants can’t fit into American society are misplaced. It would be a mistake to determine our nation’s immigration policy based on the belief that immigrants will remain foreigners, preserving their old ways of life and keeping themselves at arm’s length from the dominant culture. The evidence is clear that assimilation is real and measurable, that over time immigrant populations come to resemble natives, and that new generations form distinct identities as Americans."

---

 

AGAIN, One Does NOT Have To Be Religious To Be Good

The following classical blog post by Atheist Revolution of over 10 years ago made some important points that most theists are not aware of even today. Thus, the need to re-post it.

Secular Humanism Involves Compassion Too

 

The Value Of Undocumented Immigrants

Among other points, the following article is excellent in presenting how most of us don't fully know the importance of the work that undocumented immigrants from south of the border provide to the USA.

The Hypocrisy Of Eating At Mexican Restaurants 

A Response To A Catholic Apologist

As a former Devout Catholic, periodically I enjoy dialoguing with Catholic apologists. Following is a post from one and my response.

The Blog Post: "What does it mean to be 'human'"

Understand These People To Understand Trump

While there are several questionable people who influence Trump, the following people are prime sources of what comes out of him:

Alex Jones

Stephen Miller

Sean Hannity 

Sheldon Adelson

Wayne LaPierre

Ancient Superstitions At The Heart Of Christianity

" From Bethlehem to the Empty Tomb, the Christian story doesn’t make sense. Secularists like to poke fun at Bible silliness, e.g., transferring demons into pigs, walking on water—and changing it into wine. All such episodes deserve ridicule, and savvy apologists can make the point, quite rightly, that such tales don’t really matter.

"Apologists know, however, where to draw the line: don’t touch the resurrection of Jesus. But trying to bring Jesus back to life—as a fact of history—doesn’t make sense at all, on any level. Thus apologists have gone to extraordinary lengths to make resurrection look respectable. Maybe we should give them “A” for effort, but a failing grade is inevitable."

A Review of Robert Conner’s book, Apparitions of Jesus: The Resurrection as Ghost Story

Trump: The Full Monty

The man has one main goal in life: to make America White. I don't say "Again" because it never was.

Donald Trump's push for a whiter America

 

Learning Styles Are Bogus

If you hear like me that the meme of "Learning Styles" was an accepted fact, not so much:

Another nail in the concept of learning styles.

(Visme Blog)

Universal Basic Income (UBI)

If you are resistent to the idea of a guaranteed basic income for all, I suggest you read the links below. As one says, it is not a crazy idea.

More Americans now support a universal basic income

Finland's experiment with giving away money shines a light on the idea of universal basic income 

A Basic Income for Everyone? It's Not a Crazy Idea

Sam Harris speaks with presidential candidate Andrew Yang 

(Flickr)

 

Exercise And Standing

Both the benefits of exercise and standing are front and center recently regarding improving overall health and longevity. This article sheds more light on the subject.

Exercise vs. Standing? You Probably Need to Do Both

The Debate On Term Limits

Following are two reasonable arguments, pro and con, on limiting terms of politicians serving at the Federal level. No matter where you come down on the issue, it isn't a slam dunk for either side:

Term Limits: The Only Way to Clean Up Congress

Five reasons to oppose congressional term limits

(George Fox University)