| Topic: |
Religions > Atheism |
| User: |
"Austin" |
| Date: |
15 Apr 2005 01:37:06 PM |
| Object: |
Newsletter: Free Thought Now!, #7.15 |
Issue #7.15 of Free Thought Now!, the Agnosticism / Atheism site
newsletter.
Sistine Chapel Profile: History, Art, and Architecture
http://atheism.about.com/od/religiousplaces/p/SistineChapel.htm
The Sistine Chapel, with the famous frescos painted by Michelangelo,
has important functions in the Vatican. When a pope dies, his body is
placed at the altar beneath the fresco of The Last Judgment in the
belief that his soul is being judged. When voting for a new pope, the
College of Cardinals meets in the Sistine Chapel. After each vote the
papers are burned. If there is no decision, the papers are mixed with
something to produce black smoke. If a pope is elected, white smoke is
produced.
Ending the Filibuster: Democracy vs. Majority Rule
http://atheism.about.com/b/a/162494.htm
Some people in America are confused between democracy and majority rule
- they think the two are the same, but they aren't. Those seeking to
end the ability of the Senate to filibuster judicial nominees are
helping to perpetuate this error because they argue that any party in
the majority should have the right to do as it wishes, irrespective of
what the minority party wants.
Weekly Quote: Connolly on Faith & Sin
http://atheism.about.com/od/weeklyquotes/a/connolly01.htm
"Those of us who were brought up as Christians and who have lost our
faith have retained the Christian sense of sin without the saving
belief in redemption. This poisons our thought and so paralyzes us in
action." Follow the link for analysis and discussion...
Vows of Silence: Abuse of Power in Papacy of John Paul II
http://atheism.about.com/od/bookreviews/fr/VowsSilence.htm
The sexual abuse scandal that has hit the Catholic Church has proven to
be very serious, but perhaps more serious for the laity than for the
hierarchy in the Vatican. While the laity have been forced to reexamine
their religious commitments, the hierarchy seem to have done all they
can to avoid dealing with the matter.
Eulogizing a Dictator
http://atheism.about.com/b/a/160566.htm
Only when religion is involved
Eliminating Autonomy
http://atheism.about.com/b/a/160552.htm
Some conservatives seek it
Judicial Inquisition
http://atheism.about.com/b/a/162088.htm
Trying to End Secular Laws
Proselytizing Books in a School Library
http://atheism.about.com/b/a/161855.htm
Should they be allowed?
Blasphemy on Ebay?
http://atheism.about.com/b/a/161620.htm
Some want it stopped
Armageddon Pornography
http://atheism.about.com/b/a/161857.htm
It will please the Christian Right
Christians Beating Gays in the Name of God
http://atheism.about.com/b/a/160575.htm
Consistent with their theology
Recent Books:
Controlling Technology: Contemporary Issues
http://atheism.about.com/od/bookreviews/fr/ControllingTech.htm
Most discussions about the ethics of researching and using technology
tend to focus relatively narrowly on issues of bioethics - medicine,
biological research, and so on. That does not, however, exhaust all of
the ethical dilemmas which involve modern technology. There are in fact
even more fundamental questions about the nature of technology, our
relationship to it, and the role it should play in our society.
The Christian World of the Middle Ages
http://atheism.about.com/od/bookreviews/fr/ChristianWorld.htm
Christianity has a long and complex history, but really understanding
the religion requires having a decent understanding of that history.
How, then, is someone to develop such an understanding, especially if
they don't want to make an academic career out of it? There are
certainly many resources on Christian history, but not all are created
equal.
Progressive Muslims: Justice, Gender and Pluralism
http://atheism.about.com/od/bookreviews/fr/ProgressMuslims.htm
A dominant view of Islam is that it is conservative if not reactionary,
opposed to everything that might qualify as "modern" and therefore
necessarily hostile to the modern West, with all of this liberal ideas
about society and humanity. Is this view, shared by both Muslims and
non-Muslims alike, actually justified? Some argue that it is not.
Recent Polls:
Religious Use of Psychedelic Drugs
http://atheism.about.com/library/polls/blpoll_cs0019.htm
Many religions require the use of drugs, including psychedelic drugs,
in various religious ceremonies. This obviously conflicts with laws
against the use of drugs - so what should be done? Should the
government prevent such usage, or allow it as a religious exception?
Atheist Demographics: Will Atheists' Numbers Grow?
http://atheism.about.com/library/polls/blpoll_ath0016.htm
The demographics of atheists is that they are a minority in most places
they live. There may be more atheists than people realize, but there
are still fewer than of other groups. Is this something that will
continue, or is it possible that the numbers of atheists will increase
in the future?
Is Religion Necessary for Morality and Ethics?
http://atheism.about.com/library/polls/blpoll_rel0017.htm
For a great many religious people, their religion is significant
component of their morality. Without their religion, they feel, they
wouldn't have any reason to be moral in the first place - which makes
them wonder about atheists. Nonbelievers, however, see no reason why
morality requires religion.
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