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Updated essays:

On of 2009-MAR-05, we uploaded the 4,650th essay on this web site to our server in Texas. This includes our home page, thousands of menus and many thousands of essays. We update many dozens of essays each week. We continually add to our interesting quotes section; we update our news of religious tolerance, and religious intolerance frequently.

Essays planned for the near future:

We estimate that we need to write at least another two thousand essays before our web site will be reasonably complete. Even then, there will probably be new "hot" topics emerge with a ethical and religious content -- like polygamous marriages, equal rights for transsexuals, etc. These will necessitate the writing of new articles.

We maintain a list of new topics about which we are currently working on or plan to write "someday."  We have a larger list for internal use that, sadly, numbers in the many thousands of topics.

New and rewritten essays:

During the past four months, we have posted new and rewritten essays on the following topics:

2009-JUL:

bulletOrigins and laws outside of the U.S. concerning gays, lesbians, & bisexuals
bulletIndia's decriminalization of same-sex behavior in New Deli
bulletAttempts to overturn California Prop 8 that banned same-sex marriages
bulletTo have a new Proposition passed that would repeal Prop. 8.
bullet

To challenge the constitutionality of Prop. 8 in a federal court.

bullet

Previous Supreme Court cases vaguely similar to the Prop 8 case

2009-JUN:

bullet

This month, we recommend a book "Losing My Religion: How I Lost My Faith Reporting on Religion in America -- and Found Unexpected Peace" by William Lobdell. It describes his salvation as an evangelical, his position as a religion editor for the LA Times, his gradual disillusionment with religion, and his loss of faith.

bulletSame-sex marriage (SSM) in New Hampshire
bulletSSM comes to New Hampshire
bulletWhat do the polls say?
bulletAbortion topics:
bulletViews on abortion access: pro-life, pro-choice and two other movements
bulletWeb sites allegedly promoting violence
bulletIs there a pattern to clinic assassinations, bombings, etc.
bulletAbout the Jehovah's Witnesses:
bulletBeliefs
bulletPractices
bulletPhysician assisted suicide in Australia
bulletCatholic opposition to marriage equality in New York State
bulletOne sentence biographies of lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transsexuals
bulletGays and bisexuals in the military:
bulletIntroduction: Quotations; political cartoon; gays in the militaries of other countries; hate crimes.
bulletHistory of US military policies towards gays, lesbians & bisexuals.
bulletResults of public opinion polls.
bulletReactions to the federal 2007 hate-crimes bill (similar to the 2009 version)
bulletDo convicts have a right to access samples for DNA testing?
bulletBible translations: the most popular; other options; our recommendations.
bulletA mother's open letter to President Obama, 2009-JUN about her gay son
bullet Attempts to repeal the military's DADT policy about gays and lesbians :
bullet2005 to 2007
bullet2008 to now
bulletHate crimes legislation (not to be confused with hate speech legislation):
bulletIntroduction: Quotations; updating legislation; current status of bills
bulletDetails of attacks motivated by religion or sexual orientation; accuracy
bulletMaking sexual orientation a protected class: legislative timeline
bulletThe American Psychological Association (APA) definition and its interpretation by various groups

2009-MAY: 39 essays: There was an enormous flood of stories on same-sex marriage (SSM) this month. It has been difficult to keep up with developments.

bulletThis month, we recommend a book "Selfless Spirit, Selfish Ego: The way to everlasting peace for Judaism, Christianity, and Islam: A biblical tribute inspired by Oprah Winfrey's unprecedented, worldwide, interactive, spiritual event featuring Eckhart Tolle" by John Cord
bulletSame-sex marriage (SSM) and civil unions in Rhode Island:
bullet2004: Effect of SSM in Massachusetts on couples in Rhode Island
bullet2007: Attorney General issues statement on SSM recognition
bulletReactions to the statement. Divorce case.
bullet2008 - 2009:  Poll. Senate hearing. Opinions on SSM and civil unions
bulletMaine Governor signs SSM bill into law; SSM available in 5 states.
bulletNew Hampshire House & Senate pass SSM bills. Bill goes to Governor Lynch.
bulletSSM in Washington DC:
bulletCouncil resolution. Reaction to the resolution
bulletMore reaction to the resolution
bulletFuture developments in Congress and the City Council
bulletTerminology related to sexual orientation
bulletA novel, conservative Christian definition of sexual orientation
bulletSSM bill passes New York State Assembly
bulletNew Hampshire governor may approve SSM bill
bulletReligious change: Racism/sexism/homophobia, visitors' reactions...
bulletSSM in Rhode Island: Attacks by governor and bishop; House committee hearing
bulletSpanking and other forms of corporal punishment of children:
bulletHistory of corporal punishment
bulletLegal aspects of spanking
bulletTypes of discipline do parents use on their children. Future trends
bulletMisc. topics
bullet"God's religion:" where it can be found
bulletThe biblical theme of transferring sins to others: an alternate interpretation
bulletRick Warren's stance on Prop. 8 and SSM
bulletSame sex marriage (SSM) & domestic partnerships In Wisconsin
bulletDetailed descriptions of the meaning of "Atheism:"
bulletOverview; Conflicts; Background information
bulletMultiple definitions for one word. Some dictionary definitions.
bulletMore inclusive definitions. Atheists' definitions. This website's definition.
bulletSexual and physical abuse of children in Ireland's Roman Catholic workhouses
bulletThe Church of Scotland and homosexuality:
bullet"Clause 28:" Teaching about homosexuality in Scotland's public schools
bulletAppointment of an openly gay minister; initial reactions
bulletThe General Assembly's vote on Rev. Rennie's appointment
bulletComparing definitions used by Christians & others on same-sex marriage
bulletResults of studies of childhood spanking reported upon during:
bullet1985 & 1986
bullet1987 to 1995, including one remarkable comparison
bullet1996 & 1997, including one of overwhelming importance
bullet2001 to 2004
bullet2004 to 2006 
bulletCorrelations found between childhood spanking & adult sexual behavior

2009-APR: 28 essays

bulletThis month, we recommend a book by Christie Monson titled "The Jesus Question: Daring to walk the path of peace,"
bulletA comparison of beliefs about Jesus' life events by Christians and others
bulletAbout an alleged connection between Jesus and Horus -- an Egyptian god:
bulletBackground material about Yeshua of Nazareth (Jesus Christ) and Horus
bulletAlleged comparisons between their life events
bulletDebates about the validity of the evidence for the copycat thesis
bulletThe Iowa Supreme Court ruling making same-sex marriages available in the state
bulletReactions by groups opposed to marriage equity
bulletReactions by groups supporting marriage equity. The future.
bulletA list of links to websites dealing with health - physical and mental
bulletActivity on same-sex marriage in California during later March & April
bulletSame-sex marriage (SSM) in the District of Columbia
bulletIowa Marriage Amendment fails; the future?
bulletThe roles of doubt and security in religion
bulletSame-sex marriage (SSM) in New York state: 2009 activity
bulletA brief introduction to the concept of inerrancy
bulletContrasting beliefs in inerrancy among different Christian groups
bulletReligious intolerance at Air Force Academy, in Colorado Springs, CO
bulletAllegations of intolerance. Events from 2004-JUL to 2005-APR
bulletEvents from 2005-MAY. Report. Congressional oversight. Guidelines
bulletText of interim guidelines
bulletReactions. Why in Colorado Springs? Problem remains in 2009
bulletTV ad by the National Organization for Marriage opposing same-sex marriage
bulletA bill to legalize same-sex marriage in New Hampshire
bulletBooks describing the links between Jesus, Horus, and other Pagan God-men
bulletMore opposition reaction to SSM in Iowa
bulletSSM law is passed by Connecticut legislature and signed into law
bulletHouse hate-crimes bill H.R. 1913, (2009; in process):
bulletA general overview of the bill
bulletHouse activity. Fatal flaw in wording
bulletCoverage by the conservative media
bulletHow this website discusses topics about sexual orientation

2009-MAR: 38 essays

bullet

This month, we recommend a book by Sumbul Ali-Karamali titled "The Muslim Next Door: The Qur'an, the Media, and that veil thing"

bullet

An essay donated by a visitor to this website: "Requiem For A Dream: The Decline Of American Values"

bulletAn essay donated by Dr. Stanford Aranoff concerning abortion access: "The beginning of a person"
bulletAn essay donated by James B. Gray: Why are we in an economic mess?"
bulletMethods developed to create Induced Pluripotent Stem (iPS) Cells
bulletPhysician assisted suicide now legalized in Washington state by Initiative 1000
bulletRestrictions on stem cell research
bulletPresident Bush's order restricting research, and the subsequent reversal
bulletResponses, pro and con, to the 2009 decision
bulletConscience clauses: allowing discrimination motivated by religious beliefs
bulletA 4 minute video giving a personal introduction to Wicca
bulletGovernment oppression of Jehovah's Witness, Pentecostals & Jesuits
bulletThe numbers of Deists in the U.S. (About one in four adults are Deists; probably less than 5% know what "Deist" means)
bulletAn essay donated by John Burritt: "The universe, evolution and religion"
bulletCanadian federal government apology & compensation for abuses in church-run Native residential schools in Canada.
bulletStatus of Physician Assisted Suicide in Oregon as of 2009
bulletLegislative committee to study same-sex marriage in Vermont
bulletVermont Senate bill to legalize same-sex marriage
bulletA brief introduction to Christianity:
bulletThe main founders of the "Jesus Movement"
bulletFragmentation of the Christian movement
bulletConsolidation of Christianity and its later fragmentation
bulletCurrent status of Christianity
bulletSame-sex marriage and domestic partnerships in Maine:
bulletSenator Dennis Damon's bill LD 1020 to legalize SSM
bulletSupport and opposition to LD 1020
bullet Representative Leslie Fossel's bill LD 1118 to expand domestic partnerships
bullet Legislative activity: 2009-MAR to now
bulletSame-sex marriage and civil unions in New Hampshire:
bulletIntroduction, public opinion, committee hearings.
bulletHouse approval. Senate committee approval. Public opinion poll
bulletSenate passes bill. Governor signs it into law.
bulletAn essay donated by Alan Rogers: "How to be a tolerant Atheist"
bulletHandling surplus embryos in fertility clinics:
bulletWhat happens in an in-vitro fertility clinic?
bulletEthical concerns about discarding surplus embryos
bulletEmbryo adoptions
bulletEthics of government involvement. Success rates. Another approach

2009-FEB; 47 essays:

bulletThis month, we recommend a book by Jason C Bivins titled "Religion of Fear: The Politics of Horror in Conservative Evangelicalism."
bulletBible passages and transgender/transsexual topics
bullet Introduction: Religious beliefs about gender; some Bible verses
bulletBible verses from the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament)
bulletBible verses from the Christian Scriptures (New Testament)
bulletComments on transsexuality etc. by individual Christians
bulletQuotations by and about women, from inspirational to distressing
bulletLove, as viewed by children 4 to 8 years-of-age
bulletHuman rights
bulletIntroduction
bulletPast achievements and current status in North America
bulletSame-sex marriage in Wyoming:
bulletMarriage statutes. Recognition of same-sex marriages solemnized elsewhere.
bulletConstitutional amendment. Promotion of the amendment.
bulletCommittee hearing on the constitutional amendment.
bulletHouse vote on the constitutional amendment.
bulletInternational declaration on the rights of sexual minorities.
bulletDeficiencies in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
bulletPersecution of Bahai's in Iran
bulletA very brief glance at passages that appear to discuss homosexuality:
bulletMajor or "clobber" passages
bulletMinor passages
bulletInternational declarations on the rights of sexual minorities
bullet Deficiencies in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
bulletMap showing the worldwide status of laws protecting, recognizing, persecuting and in some countries, executing LGBTI persons
bulletLack of past global conventions. History of homophobia in former colonies.
bulletEarly attempts to propose a UN declaration on GLBT rights 2002 to 2006
bullet Organization of American States & United Nations declarations: 2008
bulletUN Declaration for the global decriminalization of homosexuality passed
bulletThe U.S. vote on the UN 2008 declaration
bullet Civil unions in Hawaii:
bullet Civil union bill introduced
bulletBill HB444 passes House committee
bulletConfusion reigns: 1 constitutional amendment, 2 interpretations!
bulletBill HB444 passes the full House and is before the Senate
bullet Another try to restrict abortions in South Dakota: Initiated Measure 11
bulletAn essay by Joseph R. Jochmans: "Hell, Heaven or Hype? - Six facts about what will really happen in 2012"
bulletAn essay donated by George Mercurio: "On the Existence of Jesus Christ"
bulletAn essay donated by Alan Rogers, "Theodicy: A parable"
bulletGovernment treatment of religious charities
bulletThe freedom of Canadian religious groups and individuals to discriminate
bulletFederal government crackdown on MM Outreach (2008)
bulletHuman rights commission ruling against Christian Horizons (2008)
bulletAdjudicator's ruling. What does the human rights code require?
bulletThe appeal
bulletQuotations on human slavery
bulletThe Mojave cross case
bulletDisplay of the "Seven Aphorisms" by Summum -- a UT religious group

2009-JAN; 42 essays:

bulletThis month, we recommend a book by Michael Hampson titled "God without God: Western spirituality without the wrathful king"
bulletTranssexuality: A conflict between one's genetic gender and perceived gender
bulletIntroduction: gender, gender identity, defining, & detecting transsexuality
bulletIntroduction (cont'd): Response, Terminology, Catch 22, Symbol
bulletCause(s) of transexuality
bulletIs it caused by fetal exposure to high androgen levels?
bulletIs it genetically determined at conception?
bulletBeliefs about transsexuality according to religious groups
bulletBeliefs of conservative Protestants
bulletBeliefs of the Roman Catholic church
bulletPrevalence of transsexuality
bulletTranssexuals in history
bulletTransitioning from female to male or vice versa
bulletUsing medication to avoid puberty in transgendered teens
bulletInvoluntary sexual reassignment of infants
bulletIs transsexualism linked to homosexuality?
bulletTerms and concepts used by evangelicals
bulletDiscrimination against transsexuals
bulletReports by organizations
bulletIndividuals' experiences of discrimination
bulletDiscrimination and lack of protection by governments
bulletGlossary of terms
bulletLinks to other web sites
bulletBooks for transsexuals, their families, and co-workers
bulletBiographies, books on the transsexual movement, books for therapists, etc.
bulletBill to make marriage available to loving, committed Maine same-sex couples
bulletThe future of Prop. 8 -- the one that ended same-sex marriage in California.
bulletAmici briefs in favor of marriage equality & in opposition to Prop. 8
bulletAmici briefs in opposition to marriage equality & in support of Prop. 8
bulletActivity on Prop. 8 in 2009
bulletMore quotations on religion
bulletBooks on child sexual abuse
bulletAn overview of Satanic Ritual Abuse (SRA)
bulletAn essay donated by Susan Humphreys: "Heaven, Hell and Purgatory"
bulletEssays on the Bible and homosexuality:
bulletOverview: Diverse Christian bible interpretations. Rigidity of beliefs.
bulletDetailed introduction, Part 1: Quotes; Bible's passages, analysis, mistranslations, & use of the word "homosexual."
bulletDetailed introduction, Part 2: Same-sex activity in biblical times; people's beliefs about the Bible; translation biases.
bulletAre the Bible's moral teachings still valid and meaningful today?
bulletCarbon-14 dating of archeological samples:
bulletHow C-14 testing works
bulletIts limitations and its extension to older dates
bulletCurrent status; acceptance and rejection
bulletReligious implications
bulletWhy most religious conservatives reject the C-14 dating system
bulletFundamentalist Mormon sect in Canada who practice polygamy:
bulletIs the anti-polygamy law constitutional and thus enforceable?
bulletEvents in Bountiful BC, from 2009-JAN to now
bulletPetition to regain and preserve religious freedom

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