• 2018:

  • November
    
    
  • October
    
    
  • September
    
    
  • August
    
    
  • July
    
    
  • June
    
    
  • May
    
    
  • April
    
    
  • March
    
    
  • February
    
    
  • January
    
• 2017:
  
  
  • December
    
    
  • November
    
    
  • October
    

Why this web site is different.

Essays planned for the near future.

Why does this web site have so many essays on sexual & gender minorities?

2018-November's selection

"The History of the Devil and the Idea of Evil: From the Earliest Times to the Present Day" by Paul Carus

Read reviews or order this book safely from Amazon.com online book store
U.S. $0.76 in Kindle format, or U.S. $9.99 plus postage in paperback.

Amazon.com book review:

"From ancient Egyptian religions to Judaism, Hinduism to Buddhism, Christianity to Islam, as well as many more, Carus analyses each religion in turn to expose their views of the devil and where those views came from.

He takes the reader from five thousand years ago through to near the present day to give a wide overview of changing views on good and evil and how different civilisations created varying ideas of the devil.

In the last five hundred years of history the devil has appeared to be marginalised as only a literary figure rather than a genuine fear, but Carus demonstrates how throughout the Reformation, the Inquisition and even the nineteenth century, fear of the devil was extremely real.

Paul Carus provides an extremely thorough survey of various ideas about the devil along with what is good and what is evil.

Carus was a pioneering author and thinker of the early twentieth century. He became the first managing editor of the Open Court Publishing Company which aimed to provide a forum for the discussion of philosophy, science, and religion, and to make philosophical classics widely available by making them affordable. As an author he published 75 books and 1500 articles. He died in Februrary 1919."

This web site had 13 newly created, re-written, or updated essays so far during 2018-NOV, including the above book review.
In addition, we make major and minor updates to many essays each day that are not recorded below:

New and updated essays:

• Two essays by contributing editor Susan Humphreys: Moral Foundation Theory: Part 1, Part 2
  
  
• An overview of the persecution of Jews for the past 2,000 years
  
  
• Anti-Judaism: from 1200 to 1800 CE
  
  
• Hell Houses at Halloween
  
  
• Three hate crimes with a racial & religious component, in Florida, Kentucky and Pennsylvania
  
  
• Mass murder in a Pittsburgh synagogue Part 3
  
  
• Bisexuality: Does male bisexuality exist? Controversies over the word "choice." Part 3
  
  
• The Trump Administration:
  
  • UN Human Rights Council votes on executing LGBT persons. Kavanaugh sworn in as Associate Justice
    
    
  • Abortion case at Supreme Court. Midterm elections: Democrats control House. Impact on President Trump's impeachment
    
    
• The Peace Cross conflict in Bladensburg, Maryland
  
  
• Survey of U.S. adults' fears and Paranormal beliefs
  
  
• Proofs 15 to 22 that the Earth is not flat. What does the public believe its shape is?
  

2018-October's selection

"The Practical Stoicism: Your Step-By-Step Guide to an Ancient Yet Effective Philosophy to live a life of wisdom, perseverance and Joy" by Nicholas Mayor

Read reviews or order this book safely from Amazon.com online book store
U.S. $0.98 in Kindle format, or U.S. $9.99 plus postage in paperback.

Amazon.com book review:

"... the ancient yet effective philosophy of stoicism is the way to live the modern life.

You wouldn't be the first person to explore this unique way of living, our history's greatest minds from George Washington to Frederick the Great to Ralph Waldo Emerson, along with today's top performers including sport coaches to CEOs and celebrities have already embraced the wisdom of the ancient Stoics.

This web site had 63 newly created, re-written, or updated essays during 2018-OCT, including the above book review.
In addition, we make major and minor updates to many essays each day that are not recorded below:

New and updated essays:

• Myanmar army's genocide of the Rohingya. A conflict between the Buddhist majority and a Muslim minority
  
  
• Ten essays linked to our main abortion menu
  
  
• Environment: Dissapearing wetlands in Louisiana. Climate change affecting Northern countries. Pat Robinson's "Shield of Protection" doesn't work.
  
  
• Miracles in the Bible
  
  
• The central question in all abortion conflicts between the pro-choice and pro-life positions:"When does human personhood begin?"
  
  
• When does human personhood begin? Belief 5: At either 15 or 22 weeks gestation
  
  
• Physician Assisted Suicide (PAS) Timeline of U.S. and international developments from the year 1997 to now
  
  
• Does PAS increase the pain of dying patients?
  
  
• Canada: Catholic hospital conflict over PAS. Secobarbital becomes available for PAS
  
  
• Judge Kavanaugh’s Supreme Court confirmation hearings begin. Accusation of sexual assault
  
  
• Transgender persons & transsexuals: Observing the Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDoR)
  
  
• Climate change concerns: 2018-SEP & OCT: New IPCC report predicts a "Strong Risk of Crisis as early as 2040
  
  
• The LDS Restorationist movement, including many Mormon denominations, including The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
  
  
• Gay Marriage (a.k.a. Same-sex Marriage) In Romania
  
  
• Recent developments concerning sex abuse of minors by Catholic priests
  
  
• A menu and a group of 21 essays dealing with Halloween and Samhain
  
  
• Two German states are investigating abuse by Catholic clergy
  
  
• Court case in Anchorage, AK about transgender women in women's shelter
  
  
• The Australian Federal Government considers whether to allow religious schools to continue to fire LGBT staff and expell LGBT students
  
  
• Common beliefs shared among many fundamentalist & other evangelical Christians
  
  
• Former Archbishop Jozef Wesolowski charged with sexual abuse of minors
  
  
• 2018: The World Health Organization (W.H.O.) no longer considers being transgender as a mental disorder
  
  
• Three essays donated by Contributing Editor Susan Humphreys:
  • Healing, Mending, and Forgiveness
    
    
  • Angst: a feeling of deep anxiety or dread
    
    
  • One Woman’s Opinion About "The Statement on Social Justice & the Gospel"
    
    
• Trump Administration planning to end recognition of all transgender persons in the U.S.
  
  
• What causes sexual orientation: Nature, nurture, a choice, an addiction? Can it be "cured?"
  
  
• Abortion access: Developments during 2018
  
  
• Changes to the Gender Recognition Act in the UK
  
  
• Registered partnerships and same-sex marriage in Switzerland
  
  
• Environmental concerns: Global Warming: Predictions, skepticism, victims, & trends
  
  
• Accusations of sexual assault at Judge Kavanaugh’s Supreme Court confirmation hearings. UN Human Rights Council votes on executing LGBT persons. Kavanaugh sworn in as Associate Justice. Abortion case appealed to Supreme Court
  
  
• Books dealing with clergy sexual abuse
  
  
• 2018-OCT: Three hate crimes with a racial& religious component, in Florida, Kentucky and Pennsylvania Part 1 Part 2
  
  
• Anti-semitism: Racially-based persecution of Jews: 1800 to 1946
  
  
• Definitions of "Religism:" a new English word to mean "intolerance of a religion."

2018-September's selection

"So You Thought You Knew: Letting Go of Religion" by Joshua Tongol.

Webmaster's comment:

A phenomenal book. It has received more than 100 five-star reviews (the highest rating) from Amazon customers. The most engaging book I have read in years. I decided to re-schedule the book originally selected for this month to 2019-MAR, and to substitue this book.

Amazon.com book review:

"Tired of religion?
What if almost everything you were taught about Christianity is wrong?
Would you give up on faith altogether? Or is it possible to rediscover--with fresh eyes--a richer and more satisfying understanding of God and spirituality?

So You Thought You Knew is a refreshing journey written straight from the heart. It's about thinking outside the 'institutional walls' of Christianity and asking the hard questions. It boldly says in public what many people are thinking in private. And its hilarious stories and life-changing insights will inspire those who are dissatisfied with fear-driven religion but believe--deep down--there's a better message out there for the world to hear.

This book has received 185 reviews of which 78% were five-star reviews -- the highest value.

This web site had 56 newly created, re-written, or updated essays during 2018-SEP, including the above book review.
In addition, we make major and minor updates to many essays each day that are not recorded below:

New and updated essays:

• Wiccan/Neopagan prison ministries
  
  
• Two essays donated by contributing Editor Susan Humphreys:
  • Belief in a higher power
    
    
  • What are the sources of our values, morals and ethics?
    
    
• In Switzerland's Catholic Church, 250 instances of sexual harassment have been reported
  
  
• Conflicts in Myanmar (Burma) involving Buddhist-Muslim religious intolerance:
  
  
• Judiciary Committee hearing for Supreme Court nominee Judge Kavanaugh
  
  
• LGBT Laws in India: Years 1861 to 2018!
  
  
• A New Zealand Court attacks a charitable group's right to claim the religious freedom to discriminate against the LGBT community
  
  
• Have the Democrats Lost Their Soul? An essay donated by Contributing Editor Susan Humphreys
  
  
• An Introduction To Racism In The U.S.
  
  
• 2018: A Grand Jury report on RC priests' abuse of children & youths in PA. Cardinal Donald Wuerl to discuss his resignation with Pope Francis
  
  
• 2018 AUG: Trans women (D) run for VT Governor, and CO House
  
  
• Internet Resources About Emergency Preparedness
  
  
• Can the existence of God be proven or disproven?
  
  
• Media reports on Satanism and Satanic groups
  
  
• Developments in the Trump Administration:
  
  
  • Part 22: 2018-JUN: U.S. Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy resigns. Implications for the future of abortion access, LGBT rights, and other recent court precedents.
    
    
  • Part 23: President Trump nominates Brett Kavanaugh, of the DC Circuit Court. Impact of Kavanaugh's nomination. Judiciary Committee hearing. Accusation of sexual assault.
    
    
• Climate Change, Part 27: 2018-AUG & SEP: Disappearing wetlands in Louisiana, Climate change affecting Northern countries. Hurricane Florence hits the Carolinas.
  
  
• Is Global Warming Increasing the Severity and/or Frequency of Hurricanes? Science Findings vs. Beliefs of Climate Deniers
  
  
• Atheism section: Definition of "Atheism." How non-Atheists view Atheists. Atheist topics discussed
  
  
  • What proof would it take to make an Atheist believe in God?
    
    
• 32 additional essays and menus dealing with Atheism were updated
  
  
• Prayer at public school sports events
  
  
• Gay Marriage (a.k.a. Same-sex Marriage) In Romania
  
  
• Beliefs about Satan in the U.S.
  
  
• MajorU.S. laws and court cases concerning abortion access. Will a ban on abortion access return?

2018-August's selection:

"Elements of Pantheism: A Spirituality of Nature and the Universe 3rd Edition" by Dr. Paul Harrison.

Read reviews or order this book safely from Amazon.com online book store
Available for $5.10 in Kindle format, or $9.93 plus postage in paperback.

The web site had 36 newly created, re-written, or updated essays during 2018-AUG, including the above book review.
In addition, we make major and minor updates to many essays each day that are not recorded below: New and updated essays:

• Multiple new essays by Contributing Editor Susan Humphreys:
  • Culture wars: ""They Are Out to Change/Destroy Our Culture!"
    
    
  • Belief in a "Higher Power"
    
    
• Same-sex marriage; a.k.a. gay marriage): Review 2001 to now. SSM in South and Central America
  
  
• The United Methodist Church: Recommendations for the 2019 UMC Special General Conference. Conflict
  
  
• Past and current activities concerning gay marriages across the U.S. and the rest of the world
  
  
• Celtic/Neopagan handfasting
  
  
• Policies of various U.S. religious groups on the death penalty
  
  
• The number of Wiccans in the U.S. during the years 2015 to 2018. It may be the second largest theistic faith group in the country
  
  
• Abortion access in Argentina
  
  
• Additional information about transgender persons & transsexuals, including basic definitions of terms
  
  
  • Part 1: Conflicting quotations. Different views on what exactly is gender?
    
    
  • Part 2: Comparing cisgender persons with others who don't fit neatly into the male/female binary system. IRS conflicts.
    
    
  • Part 3: Various definitions of "transgender." The definition used on this site. Symptoms & detection
    
    
  • Part 4: Gender Dysphoria in children. Options available to transgender persons. Terminology. Is being transgender a "disorder?"
    
    
  • Part 5: Definition of Gender Dysphoria. Gender Incongruence. Catch 22. A transgender symbol.
    
    
• Reducing the U.S. abortion rate by reducing unwanted pregnancies: Part 2: 2009: A very successful effort in Colorado
  
  
• 2018: Compulsory "In God We Trust" school posters in Tennessee schools
  
  
• Introduction to beliefs about the afterlife.
  
  
• About Racism, particularly in the U.S. It continues today, and in spired a memorable fecal comment by President Trump which will form part of his legacy.
  
  
• 2018-AUG: U.S. Army may charge chaplain with discrimination
  
  
• 2018: Grand Jury report indicates at least 301 priests are accused of sexually abusing more than 1,000 minors in Pennsylvania (3 parts)
  
  
• About Islam: The Hajj: Pilgrimage to Mecca
  
  
• The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints:
  
  
  • Terms used by denominations in the LDS Restorationist movement, including the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the Community of Christ
    
    
  • The Community of Christ (CoChrist) & homosexuality
    
    
• Transgender woman (D) runs for VT governor
  
  
• When does the Bible say that Jesus ascended towards Heaven?
  
  
• R. C. Symes: "The Resurrection Myths About Jesus;" a Progressive Christian Interpretation
  
  
• Jose Davis: "Jesus resurrection and ascension;" a Conservative/Traditional Christian Interpretation
  
  
• Colorado Baker Won't Make Gay Wedding Cake. 2018-JUN: U.S. Supreme Court issues ruling, but sidesteps the main question. Baker's business booming. Tolerance posters.
  
  
• 2017-8: Similar religious based discrimination case refused by U.S. Supreme Court. Colorado Baker Won't Make a Custom Birthday Cake for Transgender Woman
  
  
• Additional information about transgender persons & transsexuals, including basic definitions of terms
  
  
• Conflicts in the Middle and Far East involving religious intolerance: Kurdistan, Kashmir, Myanmar, & Gaza
  
  
• U.S. opinion polls on evolution & creation science
  
  
• Proofs 15 to 21 that the Earth is not flat. What does the public believe its shape is?
  
  
• Climate Change from 2018-JUN until now, Part 24
  
  
• 2018-OCT: Incidences of religious hatred in Florida and Pennsylvania
  

2018-July's selection

"The Moral Arc: How Science Makes Us Better People "Â by Michael Shermer

Read reviews or order this book safely from Amazon.com online book store.
Available for $10.16 in Kindle format, or $10.48 plus postage in hardcover, or $5.20 plus postage in paperback.

Amazon.com book review:

"From Galileo and Newton to Thomas Hobbes and Martin Luther King, Jr., thinkers throughout history have consciously employed scientific techniques to better understand the non-physical world. The Age of Reason and the Enlightenment led theorists to apply scientific reasoning to the non-scientific disciplines of politics, economics, and moral philosophy. Instead of relying on the woodcuts of dissected bodies in old medical texts, physicians opened bodies themselves to see what was there; instead of divining truth through the authority of an ancient holy book or philosophical treatise, people began to explore the book of nature for themselves through travel and exploration; instead of the supernatural belief in the divine right of kings, people employed a natural belief in the right of democracy. In this provocative and compelling book, Shermer will explain how abstract reasoning, rationality, empiricism, skepticism -- scientific ways of thinking -- have profoundly changed the way we perceive morality and, indeed, move us ever closer to a more just world."

• Multiple new essays by Contributing Editor Susan Humphreys:
  
  
  • What is evil?
    
    
  • Deism, God, the Big Bang, Matter, & Motion
    
    
  • "Character Counts" and "What is it that 'Makes America (or any country) Great'?"
  
  
  • The "The Euthyphro Dilemma," and why it matters: Part 1 Part 2
    
    
  • A series of essays on the existence/non-existence of God: From Feser's book "Five Proofs of the Existence of God," she describes alternative views of Fester's
    1. Aristotalian case for God
    2. Neo-Platonic case for God
    3. Augustinian Case for God
    4. Thomistic Case for God
    5. Rationalist Case for God
    6. Nature of God
    7. Is God good?
    8. Theodicy
       
       
• Other new and updated essays:
  
  
  • Beliefs by Christian groups and religious skeptics about the afterlife: Heaven, Hell, Limbo, Purgatory, Reincarnation, Extermination ....
    
    
  • U.S. Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy's 2018 resignation. Its implication for the future of abortion access, LGBT rights, etc.
    
    
  • A selection of articles indicating progress or decline in the rights of women, primarily in Saudi Arabia.
    
    
  • 2018-MAR: A committee of the Republican Party in Kansas voted to oppose recognition of transgender identity
    
    
  • Controversy: Actress Scarlett Johansson will play the movie role of a transgender man!
    
    
  • 2005 to 2018: Trying to Convert Gays to Heterosexuals using Reparative Therapy. Laws prohibiting such therapy
    
    
  • An incorrect prediction about the Kilauea volcano on Hawaii's Big Island
    
    
  • The "Tree of Life" by Charles Darwin, and others up to the present time
    
    
  • U.S. Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy resigns. Implications for the future of abortionaccess, LGBT rights, and other recent court precedents. President Trump nominates replacement.
    
    
  • Mass crimes against humanity & genocide
    
    
  • Religious conservatives and their policies towards the LGBT community
    
    
  • Major school shooting in Parkland FL -- a game changer
    
    
  • 2010 to 2018: Legal status of U.S. gay-lesbian adoptions. Attempt to allow religious discrimination in adoption
    
    
  • Climate Change, Part 24: New York City issues report to the UN. Impacts resulting from humans burning up all of our fossil energy
    
    
  • Introduction to Facilitated Communication
    
    
  • Tools on climate change availalbe on Climate Central's web site
    
    
  • Sikhism, a world religion
    
    
  • Many Bible passages about Satan and his attributes
    
    
  • A quotation. Many Bible passages about Lucifer, Satan and their attributes
    
    
  • Past and possible future catastrophes due to the collision of the Earth and an asteroid
    
    
  • Available books (Cont'd): about Climate change & other environmental concerns
    
    
  • About origins, creation, and evolution
    
    
  • Climate change & other environmental concerns: information sources & vailable books
    
    
  • The origin and development of species: Creation science: one of three models
    
    
  • The genocide against Armenians. The "Great Catastrophe" of 1915-1922
    
    
  • Shared belief in the "Golden Rule"
    
    
  • Native American Spirituality: Quotations; Introduction; Origins of Native Americans
    
    
  • A brief introduction to the founders, history, etc. of Christianity
    
    
  • The current status of Christianity
    
    
  • Implications of a strict constructionist judicial interpretation of constitutions & laws
    
    
  • Conflicts in Sri Lanka, mainly between two religious groups
    
    
  • Beliefs about homomosexuality among the Buddhist traditions
    
    
  • Glossary of terms: Religious terms starting with the letters "Ini" to "Iz"
    
    
  • Pedophile: one word; multiple meanings
    
    
  • U.S. Healthcare: 2017-OCT to 2018-JUL. U.S.: Feds will no longer defend key provisions of the Affordable Care Act in court. Some Democrats push "Medicare for All."
    
    
  • Resomation: a third alternative for disposing of a corpse
  • Religious conservatives and their
    interactions with the LGBT community:

    Part 21

• Boy Scouts of America: Discrimination Against Atheists and other Non-theists
  
  
• Data that we collect about visitors to this web site
  
  
• The roles of doubt in religious faith
  
  
• Are Atheists over or under represented among the prison population?
  
  
• School shootings, in North America, during 2018-MAR to MAY
  
  
• U.S. Supreme Court hearing and ruling on case involving a Colorado baker who won't make a wedding cake for a LGBT couple: Part 3 Part 4
  
  
• Islam: The fast of Ramadan: Overview, purposes, discipline, health concerns, activities, etc.
  

• The Federal Justice Department will no longer defend important parts of the ACA (Affordable Care Act) in court
  
  
• Climate Change Part 23: 2017-OCT to DEC: All UN states signed Paris Agreement. Gov. report contradicts the President.Union of Concerned Scientists Comment.
  
  
• Climate Change Part 24: 2018: Sea levels rising. Insonesia suffers badly. Age differences: beliefs on climate change. Proposed Mount Trumpmore project. etc.
  
  
• Suicide prevention
  
  
• Southern Baptist Convention suffering from allegations of sexual abuse and misconduct scandals
  
  
• Mass Murder & Injuries in Sutherland Springs, TX church: Lawsuit filed
  
  
• Reducing the U.S. abortion rate by encouraging pregnant couples to choose childbirth over abortion
  
  
• 2018-mid: Allegations of sexual abuse & misconduct scandals within the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC)
  
  
• Conflicts during President Trump's 1st 18 months in office
  
  
• More news about the Trump Administration: Polls and voting look bad for Republicans. Discussions on resolving Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals" (DACA) Program. Federal government shutdown. Trump accuses Canada of arson: burning down the White House.
  
  
• Trump Administration separates immigrant children from parents at border
  
  
• 2015-JAN to 2018: Bill AB-15 "California Compassionate Choices Act" for physician assisted suicide (PAS) becomes law and is later suspended
  
  
• 2017 & 2018: The Supreme Court of Canada and the Trinity Western (TWU) law school controversy
  
  
• 2018-JUN: Trump Administration separates immigrant children from parents at U.S. border (Cont'd). Public reaction is overwhelming. U.S. Supreme Court declares President's Muslim Ban legal
  
  
• 2015-JAN: Possible nation-wide ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court in June. Public opposition to same-sex marriages is collapsing
  
  
• 2018-MAR: A committee of the Republican Party in Kansas voted to oppose recognition of transgender identity
  

"The Universe in a Single Atom: The Convergence of Science and Spirituality," by Dalai Lama. Read reviews or order this book safely from Amazon.com online book store. Available in hardcover, paperback, Audiobook or Audio CD or Kindle format.

Amazon.com book review:

"Galileo, Copernicus, Newton, Niels Bohr, Einstein. Their insights shook our perception of who we are and where we stand in the world, and in their wake have left an uneasy coexistence: science vs. religion, faith vs. empirical inquiry. Which is the keeper of truth? Which is the true path to understanding reality?

After forty years of study with some of the greatest scientific minds, as well as a lifetime of meditative, spiritual, and philosophic study, the Dalai Lama presents a brilliant analysis of why all avenues of inquiry -- scientific as well as spiritual -- must be pursued in order to arrive at a complete picture of the truth. Through an examination of Darwinism and karma, quantum mechanics and philosophical insight into the nature of reality, neurobiology and the study of consciousness, the Dalai Lama draws significant parallels between contemplative and scientific examinations of reality.

This breathtakingly personal examination is a tribute to the Dalai Lama’s teachers -- both of science and spirituality. The legacy of this book is a vision of the world in which our different approaches to understanding ourselves, our universe, and one another can be brought together in the service of humanity.

The web site had 38 newly created, re-written, or updated essays during 2018-MAY, including the above book review.
In addition, we make major and minor updates to many essays each day that are not recorded below:

• A brief, explanation of why there are different sexual orientations among people
  
  
• Boy Scouts of America: 2016 & 2017 Status of Transgender child members
  
  
• Climate change & other environmental concerns: Variation in Carbon Dioxide levels. Scientists' warnings

• Recent environmental concerns: Real news about the extinction of 11 species; false news about the future extinction of the "chocolate tree"
  
  
• School violence:
  • School Shootings, mostly in North America: 2010-APR to 2018-MAR
    
    
  • During 2018-MAR. Student walkouts. Public reactions
    
    
  • During 2018-MAR & AOR. More about student walkouts and public reactions
    

2018-April's book selection:

• Definitions of the terms: Belief, Knowledge, Opinion, Gnosis, Truth, & Justification

• How to Understand the Resurrection Stories in the Bible

A new section on Racism:

• About Racism, particularly in the U.S. It continues today, and inspired a memorable comment by President Trump which will form part of his legacy.
  
  
• Racist events that occurred during and after 2018-APR

Americans' declining beliefs about God: God's existence & importance. Jesus' second coming.

The struggle towards universal health care in the United States

A Celtic/Neopagan handfasting (marriage) ritual

Beltane, the Neo-pagan seasonal day of celebration that begins the "warm season" and is typically held on MAY-01 or MAY-05

2018-March's book selection

"Stand Your Ground: A History of America's Love Affair with Lethal Self-Defense," by Caroline LightÂ

Read reviews or order this book safely from Amazon.com online book store. Available for U.S. $19.61 in Kindle format, or $30.56 plus postage in hardcover.

Amazon.com book review:

"Stand Your Ground explores the development of the American right to self-defense and reveals how the original 'duty to retreat' from threat was transformed into a selective right to kill. In her rigorous genealogy, Light traces white America’s attachment to racialized, lethal self-defense by unearthing its complex legal and social historiesâ€"from the original 'castle laws' of the 1600s, which gave white men the right to protect their homes, to the brutal lynching of 'criminal' Blacks during the Jim Crow era and the radicalization of the NRA as it transitioned from a sporting organization to one of our country’s most powerful lobbying forces.

In this convincing treatise on the United States’ unprecedented ascension as the world’s foremost stand-your-ground nation, Light exposes a history hidden in plain sight, showing how violent self-defense has been legalized for the most privileged and used as a weapon against the most vulnerable."

"This epic, thrilling journey through Bible scholarship and ancient religion shows how much of Scripture is historically false -- yet the ancient writings also resound with theologies that crisscrossed the primeval world and that direct us today toward a deep, inner, authentic experience of the truly sacred.

From a historical perspective, the Bible is shockingly, provably wrong -- a point supported by today's best archaeological and historical scholarship but not well understood by (or communicated to) the public. Yet this emphatically does not mean that the Bible isn't, in some very real measure, true, argues scholar of mysticism Richard Smoley.

Smoley reviews the most authoritative historical evidence to demonstrate that figures such as Moses, Abraham, and Jesus are not only unlikely to have existed, but bear strong composite resemblances to other Near Eastern religious icons. Likewise, the geopolitical and military events of Scripture fail to mesh with the largely settled historical time line and social structures. Smoley meticulously shows how our concepts of the Hebrew and Christian God, including Christ himself, are an assemblage of ideas that were altered, argued over, and edited -- until their canonization. This process, to a large degree, gave Western civilization its consensus view of God.

But these conclusions are not cause for nihilism or disbelief. Rather, beneath the metaphorical figures and mythical historicism of Scripture appears an extraordinary, truly transcendent theology born from the most sacred and fully realized spiritual and human insights of the antique Eastern world. Far from being "untrue," the Bible is remarkably, extraordinarily true as it connects us to the sublime insights of our ancient ancestors and points to a unifying ethic behind many of the world's faiths."

Imbolc, a Wiccan and Neopagan seasonal day of celebration a.k.a. Groundhog Day, Snowdrop Festival, etc.

Christian Humanism: al liberal faith within Christianity.

Assessing the will of God through prayer; is it reliable? Mike Pence criticized for communicating with Jesus.

The Presbyterian Church (USA) redefined marriage and gave their clergy the choice of solemnizing the marriages of same-sex couples.

Climate Change 2017-OCT to 2018-FEB

Attempting to calm distressed gays, or trying to convert gays into ex-gays.

Is the Bible the Word of God or Myth of men?" A Progressive Christian interpretation

Atheism: Either Lack of Belief in a God or Goddess, or a Denial of their Existence.

Depletion of the Ozone Layer and the Montreal Protocol to ban CFCs

Part 5: 2015-FEB to MAY: Presbyterian Church (USA) accepts gay marriages

Gay marriage in Bermuda Part 1 Part 2: Legalized during 2017; cancelled by the Governor's veto in early 2018.

Religious conflicts: Apologies by Christian groups for past racist acts. Solar system: Religious beliefs/scientific findings

2017-December's book selection:

"Testimony: The Transformative Power of Unitarian Universalism," edited by Meg Riley

Read reviews or order this book safely from Amazon.com online book store.
$7.92 in Kindle format, or $14.00 plus postage in hardcover.

Amazon.com book review:

Amazon.com book review:
"A dynamic collection of personal stories from people whose lives have been dramatically changed by Unitarian Universalism. Some have returned from the brink of despair, others have found renewed purpose and discovered the saving power of community. Together these vignettes paint a portrait of the real, felt impact of Unitarian Universalism. Readers can find a new appreciation for the ways Unitarian Universalism makes a tangible difference in the lives of real people who are struggling.

Full disclosure:

Bruce Robinson, the founder and main author of this web site, wrote one of the 43 personal stories in this book. It is called "A Perfect Match." I recommend that you buy a big box of tissues with this book. Many of the other 42 stories in the book are quite moving.

The web site had 19 newly created, re-written, or updated essays during 2017-DEC, including the above book review.
In addition, we make major and minor updates to many essays each day that are not recorded below

• Climate Change in the Arctic. Permafrost is Not Necessarly Permanent
  
  
• Colorado Baker Won't Make Wedding Cake for Gays. Golden Rule. Justice Dept. favors baker's freedom to discriminate. 2017-DEC: Supreme Court hearing.
  
  
• 2017-DEC: Gay marriage legalized in Austria
  
  
• Australia: Part 31: 2017-NOV: Debate on Marriage Equality Bill in Senate. When might same-sex marriages begin?
  
  
• Climate change, global warming, and other environmental concerns
  
  
• 2017: The Supreme Court of Canada and the Trinity Western (TWU) law school controversy
  
  
• Same-sex couples are able to marry in all of Alabama, with some effort. Chief Justice Moore is tried and suspended from office
  
  
• Former Chief Justice Moore of Alabama runs for the Senate, and loses: Part 42  Part 43
  
  
• Religion the United Kingdom (UK): Banning Franklin Graham from the UK
  
  
• 2017 developments : The U.S. Federal "Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act"
  
  
• Two examples of the Golden Rule trumping a religious tradition
  
  
• Gay marriage in Australia: Part 33: 2017-DEC: Australia's first "intent to marry" forms issued. The first same-sex marriage
  
  
• An essay donated by: Gabriel Gherasim: "The Final Solution, or Am I worth living?"
  
  
• Life events shared by Yeshua (Jesus) and the "Mythic Hero Archetype"
  
  
• "The Christmas Wars / Christmas Dilemma. Part 3
• Climate Change, Part 23:2017-SEP-DEC: All UN states have signed the Paris Agreement. Government report contradicts the President. Comment by the Union of Concerned Scientists. Climate change, global warming, and other environmental concerns.
  
  
• 2017-DEC: U.S. Supreme Court & the 9th Circuit Court rule on Trump's travel ban. Polls look bad for Republicans
  
  
• Timeline of school shootings, mostly in North America:
  
  
  • 1998 to early 2008
    
    
  • 2008 until now
    

2017-November's book selection:

A sampling of Amazon.com book reviews:

• "Unflinchingly honest (and funny)…You don't have to be religious to get something out of this book."
  -NPR’s "Best Books of 2015"
  
  
• "[Bolz-Weber] is one of the most important Christian voices around -- not because she has come up with some catchy, easy new way to do faith, but because when talks about the destructive power of sin, as well as redemption and grace, she knows of what she speaks."
  -Huffington Post
  
  
• "Wickedly funny and painfully vulnerable, theologically nuanced and lyrically sonorous. [Her] voice communicates the scandal of the Christ and the sacraments of his church with more force and vitality than most writers can hope to summon."
  -The Christian Century
  
  
• "Engaging and accessible…Bolz-Weber is clear-eyed about the personal travails faced by the marginalized and those without faith."
  –Booklist
  
  
• "If Saint Augustine were to return to life and live among us now, he would be Bolz-Weber; and if his Confessions were to be written in 21st century rhetoric and style, they would be this book. Accidental Saints is what every Christian yearns to know is possible." 
  -Phyllis Tickle, author of The Divine Hours and The Great Emergence

About the Author:

Nadia Bolz-Weber is the founding pastor of House for All Sinners and Saints in Denver, Colorado. She is the au­thor of the New York Times best-selling memoir Pastrix. Nadia has been featured on CNN and in the Washington Post, Bitch Magazine, NPR’s Morning Edition, More Magazine, and the Daily Beast.

Average rating in reviews by 259 Amazon customers: 4.6 out of 5 stars. The book was on the New York Times list of bestsellers in 2015.

The web site had 24 newly created, re-written, or updated essays during 2017-NOV, including the above book review.
In addition, we make major and minor updates to many essays each day that are not recorded below

• Three essays by Contributing Editor Susan Humphreys:
  • "Continuing Terrorist Attacks, and
    
    
  • Some things are beyond our control