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Newly created, updated,
and planned essays

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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:

	Origins and laws outside of the U.S. concerning gays, lesbians, & bisexuals India's decriminalization of same-sex behavior in New Deli
	Attempts to overturn California Prop 8 that banned same-sex marriages To have a new Proposition passed that would repeal Prop. 8. To challenge the constitutionality of Prop. 8 in a federal court. Previous Supreme Court cases vaguely similar to the Prop 8 case

2009-JUN:

	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.
	Same-sex marriage (SSM) in New Hampshire SSM comes to New Hampshire What do the polls say?
	Abortion topics: Views on abortion access: pro-life, pro-choice and two other movements Web sites allegedly promoting violence Is there a pattern to clinic assassinations, bombings, etc.
	About the Jehovah's Witnesses: Beliefs Practices
	Physician assisted suicide in Australia
	Catholic opposition to marriage equality in New York State
	One sentence biographies of lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transsexuals
	Gays and bisexuals in the military: Introduction: Quotations; political cartoon; gays in the militaries of other countries; hate crimes. History of US military policies towards gays, lesbians & bisexuals. Results of public opinion polls.
	Reactions to the federal 2007 hate-crimes bill (similar to the 2009 version)
	Do convicts have a right to access samples for DNA testing?
	Bible translations: the most popular; other options; our recommendations.
	A mother's open letter to President Obama, 2009-JUN about her gay son
	Attempts to repeal the military's DADT policy about gays and lesbians : 2005 to 2007 2008 to now
	Hate crimes legislation (not to be confused with hate speech legislation): Introduction: Quotations; updating legislation; current status of bills Details of attacks motivated by religion or sexual orientation; accuracy

	Making sexual orientation a protected class: legislative timeline
	The 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.

	This 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
	Same-sex marriage (SSM) and civil unions in Rhode Island: 2004: Effect of SSM in Massachusetts on couples in Rhode Island 2007: Attorney General issues statement on SSM recognition Reactions to the statement. Divorce case. 2008 - 2009:  Poll. Senate hearing. Opinions on SSM and civil unions
	Maine Governor signs SSM bill into law; SSM available in 5 states.
	New Hampshire House & Senate pass SSM bills. Bill goes to Governor Lynch.
	SSM in Washington DC: Council resolution. Reaction to the resolution More reaction to the resolution Future developments in Congress and the City Council
	Terminology related to sexual orientation
	A novel, conservative Christian definition of sexual orientation
	SSM bill passes New York State Assembly
	New Hampshire governor may approve SSM bill
	Religious change: Racism/sexism/homophobia, visitors' reactions...
	SSM in Rhode Island: Attacks by governor and bishop; House committee hearing
	Spanking and other forms of corporal punishment of children: History of corporal punishment Legal aspects of spanking Types of discipline do parents use on their children. Future trends Misc. topics
	"God's religion:" where it can be found
	The biblical theme of transferring sins to others: an alternate interpretation
	Rick Warren's stance on Prop. 8 and SSM
	Same sex marriage (SSM) & domestic partnerships In Wisconsin
	Detailed descriptions of the meaning of "Atheism:" Overview; Conflicts; Background information Multiple definitions for one word. Some dictionary definitions. More inclusive definitions. Atheists' definitions. This website's definition.
	Sexual and physical abuse of children in Ireland's Roman Catholic workhouses
	The Church of Scotland and homosexuality: "Clause 28:" Teaching about homosexuality in Scotland's public schools Appointment of an openly gay minister; initial reactions The General Assembly's vote on Rev. Rennie's appointment
	Comparing definitions used by Christians & others on same-sex marriage
	Results of studies of childhood spanking reported upon during: 1985 & 1986 1987 to 1995, including one remarkable comparison 1996 & 1997, including one of overwhelming importance 2001 to 2004 2004 to 2006
	Correlations found between childhood spanking & adult sexual behavior

2009-APR: 28 essays

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

2009-MAR: 38 essays

	This month, we recommend a book by Sumbul Ali-Karamali titled "The Muslim Next Door: The Qur'an, the Media, and that veil thing"
	An essay donated by a visitor to this website: "Requiem For A Dream: The Decline Of American Values"
	An essay donated by Dr. Stanford Aranoff concerning abortion access: "The beginning of a person"
	An essay donated by James B. Gray: Why are we in an economic mess?"
	Methods developed to create Induced Pluripotent Stem (iPS) Cells
	Physician assisted suicide now legalized in Washington state by Initiative 1000
	Restrictions on stem cell research President Bush's order restricting research, and the subsequent reversal Responses, pro and con, to the 2009 decision
	Conscience clauses: allowing discrimination motivated by religious beliefs
	A 4 minute video giving a personal introduction to Wicca
	Government oppression of Jehovah's Witness, Pentecostals & Jesuits
	The numbers of Deists in the U.S. (About one in four adults are Deists; probably less than 5% know what "Deist" means)
	An essay donated by John Burritt: "The universe, evolution and religion"
	Canadian federal government apology & compensation for abuses in church-run Native residential schools in Canada.
	Status of Physician Assisted Suicide in Oregon as of 2009
	Legislative committee to study same-sex marriage in Vermont
	Vermont Senate bill to legalize same-sex marriage
	A brief introduction to Christianity: The main founders of the "Jesus Movement" Fragmentation of the Christian movement Consolidation of Christianity and its later fragmentation Current status of Christianity
	Same-sex marriage and domestic partnerships in Maine: Senator Dennis Damon's bill LD 1020 to legalize SSM Support and opposition to LD 1020 Representative Leslie Fossel's bill LD 1118 to expand domestic partnerships Legislative activity: 2009-MAR to now
	Same-sex marriage and civil unions in New Hampshire: Introduction, public opinion, committee hearings. House approval. Senate committee approval. Public opinion poll Senate passes bill. Governor signs it into law. An essay donated by Alan Rogers: "How to be a tolerant Atheist"
	Handling surplus embryos in fertility clinics: What happens in an in-vitro fertility clinic? Ethical concerns about discarding surplus embryos Embryo adoptions Ethics of government involvement. Success rates. Another approach

2009-FEB; 47 essays:

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

2009-JAN; 42 essays:

	This month, we recommend a book by Michael Hampson titled "God without God: Western spirituality without the wrathful king"
	Transsexuality: A conflict between one's genetic gender and perceived gender Introduction: gender, gender identity, defining, & detecting transsexuality Introduction (cont'd): Response, Terminology, Catch 22, Symbol Cause(s) of transexuality Is it caused by fetal exposure to high androgen levels? Is it genetically determined at conception? Beliefs about transsexuality according to religious groups Beliefs of conservative Protestants Beliefs of the Roman Catholic church Prevalence of transsexuality Transsexuals in history Transitioning from female to male or vice versa Using medication to avoid puberty in transgendered teens Involuntary sexual reassignment of infants Is transsexualism linked to homosexuality? Terms and concepts used by evangelicals Discrimination against transsexuals Reports by organizations Individuals' experiences of discrimination Discrimination and lack of protection by governments Glossary of terms Links to other web sites Books for transsexuals, their families, and co-workers Biographies, books on the transsexual movement, books for therapists, etc.
	Bill to make marriage available to loving, committed Maine same-sex couples
	The future of Prop. 8 -- the one that ended same-sex marriage in California.
	Amici briefs in favor of marriage equality & in opposition to Prop. 8
	Amici briefs in opposition to marriage equality & in support of Prop. 8
	Activity on Prop. 8 in 2009
	More quotations on religion
	Books on child sexual abuse
	An overview of Satanic Ritual Abuse (SRA)
	An essay donated by Susan Humphreys: "Heaven, Hell and Purgatory"
	Essays on the Bible and homosexuality: Overview: Diverse Christian bible interpretations. Rigidity of beliefs. Detailed introduction, Part 1: Quotes; Bible's passages, analysis, mistranslations, & use of the word "homosexual." Detailed introduction, Part 2: Same-sex activity in biblical times; people's beliefs about the Bible; translation biases. Are the Bible's moral teachings still valid and meaningful today?
	Carbon-14 dating of archeological samples: How C-14 testing works Its limitations and its extension to older dates Current status; acceptance and rejection Religious implications Why most religious conservatives reject the C-14 dating system
	Fundamentalist Mormon sect in Canada who practice polygamy: Is the anti-polygamy law constitutional and thus enforceable? Events in Bountiful BC, from 2009-JAN to now
	Petition to regain and preserve religious freedom

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