The weekly report on government and secularism
by Edwina Rogers
SPI World Future Guide Advocates for the Environment
This week the Secular Policy Institute sent the SPI World Future Guide 2016 to all staff of the US Congress, with a focus on the environmental recommendations of SPI fellow Silvian Ionescu.
Re: Expert Guide on the Future of International Politics and Environment
From terrorism to climate change, we all have fears about the future.┬á Your service to our nation is at the forefront of shaping public policy, and you know it never hurts to get input on whatÔÇÖs best from the experts in various fields.┬á Our new DC-based international think-tank has just released its first annual World Future Guide, with essays on the current state of politics by ten leading scholars and scientists.┬á From different academic angles, theyÔÇÖre all focused on where policy and our planet are headed, and on what we can do to keep them both on course.
SPI facilitates a round table for some of the worldÔÇÖs most prominent thinkersÔÇöincluding A.C. Grayling, Taslima Nasrin, John McWhorter, and Elizabeth Loftus.┬á The Guide is a collection of their findings on trends in law, education, healthcare, and greenhouse gases, including practical advice on defense and surveillance technology, the Islamic/Western ideology conflict, and of course, the role of science in government.
Whether your personal bent is more faith-based or more empirical, thereÔÇÖs reason to believe that people are interested in fact-based lawmaking.┬á Worldwide, 16% of the population outwardly claims no religious affiliation, making this belief group the third largest after Christianity and Islam.┬á In the United States, the ÔÇ£NonesÔÇØ are growing particularly strong in number as voters.┬á Appealing to this bloc with legislation backed by strong evidence isÔÇösimplyÔÇösmart.
In the Guide, you will find an analysis by Dr. Silvian Ionescu of the most notable actions and prescriptions we have taken and can now take to protect the globe as temperatures shift.  You will also find tips on: how to spot the beginnings of a dictatorship; how to tease out the benign aspects of Islam from those that encourage violence and discrimination; and how to reap the health benefits of certain religions while avoiding the hazards of religious warfare. You can read the World Future Guide immediately at https://secularpolicyinstitute.net/survey/secular-policy-institute-world-future-guide-2016/.
If you have any questions about the Guide, our Fellows, or our other work, please do not hesitate to ask.  I am also available to meet at your convenience on the Hill to discuss any of our recommendations further.
Warmly,
Edwina Rogers
Chief Executive Officer
Secular Policy Institute
www.secularpolicyinstitute.net
Bangladeshi Bloggers Need Help in Nepal
The Progressive Atheists, a group in Melbourne, Australia are raising money to support freethinker bloggers from Bangladesh, where several secular bloggers have been attacked, including SPI Fellow Taslima Nasrin.
Funds raised will “directly assist secular bloggers in Bangladesh“. For example, some of the bloggers have fled the country for Nepal without taking any possessions, and must survive for six months before being hopefully refugee status by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.
Oregon AG Urged Not to Waive Merger Review for Catholic Hospitals in Six States
The ACLU has sent an open letter to Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum to prevent the waiving of an open hearing on the merger of two major hospital chains. Normally, the Attorney General conduct a public hearing on the proposed transaction, and in this case there is much the public would like to say.
Religious hospitals must follow the Ethical and Religious Directives written by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, which violate accepted medical practice and basic and necessary minimum healthcare. Issues include birth control, sterilization, miscarriage management, abortion, end-of-life care, and more.