We agree with Biglan that a new Powell memo is in order. In other words, a cooperative effort is required to establish a new economic paradigm that will improve the quality of life for society as a whole, not just a privileged faction.
Is it possible that evolutionary theory can explain how the U.S. came to have the highest levels of child poverty and economic inequality of any developed nation? I think it can. It also can help us evolve a more nurturing form of capitalism, one in which people are more caring and productive, and they place greater value on the wellbeing of every member of society.
Orthodox economics is broken. Applying what we know about evolution, ecology and collective behaviour might help us avoid another catastrophe.
What is the Secular Policy Institute? What work do we do and why is it important? How does faith-based reasoning affect laws in the US Congress and internationally?
Are you asking your local representatives to make a proclamation, such as resolution to support a National Day of Reason? Here's a list of US state deadlines to get your request in by.
Chalk up a win today for pluralism. On Friday, the Pew Research Center released a report on the countries with the most and least religious diversity, and the resultsat least at first glanceare what you might expect some of the least religiously diverse countries also experience some of the most religious violence
There is some evidence that certain indicators of religiosity appear to be going through a slight decline in the United States. That is the good news. The bad news is that the size of the apparent decline in most of these indicators is quite small and tends to be limited to comparisons between generational cohorts (e.g., the so-called Millennials aged 18-29 vs. other generations). And the really bad news is that some of us (and I can find fault with myself here too) seem determined to spin the numbers as being far more meaningful than they probably are.
After more than 10,000 votes from over 100 countries, the results of ProspectÔÇÖs world thinkers 2013 poll are in. Online polls often throw up curious results, but this top 10 offers a snapshot of the intellectual trends that dominate our age.
Long after blacks and Jews have made great strides, and even as homosexuals gain respect, acceptance and new rights, there is still a group that lots of Americans just dont like much: atheists. Those who dont believe in God are widely considered to be immoral, wicked and angry in other words, nonbelievers are one minority still commonly denied in practical terms the right to assume office despite the constitutional ban on religious tests.
"Many Americans doubt the morality of atheists. According to a 2007 Gallup poll, a majority of Americans say that they would not vote for an otherwise qualified atheist as president, meaning a nonbeliever would have a harder time getting elected than a Muslim, a homosexual, or a Jew. Many would go further and agree with conservative commentator Laura Schlessinger that morality requires a belief in God..."
I will look at the political views of active atheists and non-religious people in America and show that there is a preponderance to be towards the left (Democratic) side of the political spectrum and why this alignment occurs. It will also become clear that the more religiously motivated a political position, the more united and fervent the atheists in America are in opposition to it
ÔÇ£In their new book, ÔÇÿAmerican Grace,ÔÇÖ Robert D. Putman and David E. Campbell make two assertions about the decline of religious affiliation in the United States, which they summarize in their Oct. 17 Times Op-Ed article, ÔÇ£Walking away from the church.ÔÇØ They correctly observe that Americans, especially the youngest generations, are rapidly losing a lot of their faithÔǪÔÇØ
It has become fashionable to assert that, far from being dead, belief in God is so deeply ingrained in the human psyche that it is universal and perpetual. This opinion influences the thinking of theists and scientists alike Yet a growing body of psychosociological research has already overturned conventional wisdom as it uncovers the actual leading cause of popular faith: dysfunctional socioeconomic conditions.
In the United States, where it is almost impossible to get elected unless you profess a strong religious faith, it would have passed completely unnoticed. Not one of the 100 U.S. senators ticks the No Religion/Atheist/Agnostic box, for example, although 16 per cent of the American population do. But it was quite remarkable in Britain
The security guards were bored. It was the first weekend of May 2010a time when students at other universities were partying before finals. This, however, was Patrick Henry College (PHC), the elite evangelical school better known as Gods Harvard. Here, in sleepy Purcellville, Virginia, instead of police officers or rent-a-cops, the security guards were all upperclassmen
ÔÇ£In the small but cohesive Mormon community where he grew up, Hans Mattsson was a solid believer and a pillar of the church. He followed his father and grandfather into church leadership and finally became an ÔÇÿarea authorityÔÇÖ overseeing the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints throughout Europe.ÔÇØ
Just 10 years ago, evangelical Christianity appeared to be Americas dominant religious movement. Evangelicals, more theologically diverse and open to the secular world than their fundamentalist brethren, with whom theyre often confused, were on the march toward political power and cultural prominence
Josh McDowell, an apologist and evangelist, spoke at Southern Evangelical Seminarys Christian Apologetics conference on three culture changes that create a perfect storm that challenges and poses a threat to the church. McDowell says the first is an epistemological shift that is occurring regarding Biblical truths due to modern perspectives on Gods word
The New Jersey co-op is among hundreds of secular and inclusive home-schooling groups in the USA aimed at providing opportunities for parents to network and for children to socialize, conduct science experiments, play sports and games and more, according to Homeschool World, the website of Practical Homeschooling Magazine. Secular organizations across the country report their numbers are growing. Though government records indicate religion is still the driving force in home schooling
ÔÇ£In their new book, ÔÇÿAmerican Grace,ÔÇÖ Robert D. Putman and David E. Campbell make two assertions about the decline of religious affiliation in the United States, which they summarize in their Oct. 17 Times Op-Ed article, ÔÇ£Walking away from the church.ÔÇØ They correctly observe that Americans, especially the youngest generations, are rapidly losing a lot of their faithÔǪÔÇØ