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About this web site:

• 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?

"Persecution and Toleration: The Long Road to Religious Freedom" (Cambridge Studies in Economics, Choice, and Society) by Noel D. Johnson and Mark Koyama

Read reviews or order this book safely from Amazon.com online book store
U.S. $18.49 in Kindle format!, or
$67.97 in hardcover plus postage, or
$20.06 in paperback plus postage.

Amazon book review:

"Religious freedom has become an emblematic value in the West. Embedded in constitutions and championed by politicians and thinkers across the political spectrum, it is to many an absolute value, something beyond question. Yet how it emerged, and why, remains widely misunderstood. Tracing the history of religious persecution from the Fall of Rome to the present-day, Noel D. Johnson and Mark Koyama provide a novel explanation of the birth of religious liberty. This book treats the subject in an integrative way by combining economic reasoning with historical evidence from medieval and early modern Europe. The authors elucidate the economic and political incentives that shaped the actions of political leaders during periods of state building and economic growth."

This web site had 6 newly created, re-written, or significantly updated essays so far during 2019-DEC, including the above book review:

Unitarian Universalism (UU), the religion

Introduction, overview, definitions, history, some UUs in modern times

The Unitarian Universalist Association and the LGBT community

Current beliefs about the life after death by conservative and liberal Protestants

Organizations providing scholarships to the LGBT community

2019-November's selection

"Religious Delusion" Self published by John Carlshausen

Read reviews or order this book safely from Amazon.com online book store
U.S. $4.19 in Kindle format.

"This book needed to be written. A book about the folly of religion. Folly is described in the Dictionary as being foolish, lack of sense, and unwise conduct. This describes Religion perfectly.

It is foolish to believe there is an invisible friend in the sky called God, who is watching over you and [over] seven billion other people who reside here on Earth.

He is watching over us twenty four hours a day and has been doing this for Centuries.

Anyone who believes this nonsense is being foolish and is definitely lacking common sense. ..."

Webmaster's comment:

This book attempts to be a humorous attack on religion. But many religious readers will find it profoundly obnoxious.

This web site does not usually include religious attacks. However, we are including this book in our book selection for November for two reasons:

• We felt that this book would be amusing to many of our site visitors, particularly those who hold sincere and positive views about their faith group.
  
  
• Also, it should be useful to our web site's religious visitors who attempt to convert non-Christians to Christianity. It might help readers understand the thought processes of other people who have negative views on religion.

This web site had 19 newly created, re-written, or significantly updated essays so far during 2019-NOV, including the above book review:

The date of origin and founder(s) of various Christian faith groups

Conflicts between the Bible's flood story and scientific findings

An alleged plan to bomb a synagogue in Pueblo, CO

Cosmology: Flat Earth believers. 36 Proofs of a spherical Earth.

Federal Equal Rights Amendment (ERA)

Gods, Goddesses & other deities, as perceived by various religions

Introductory books about the Wiccan religion

Status of DACA immigrants to the U.S. (Those who entered illegally as children).

Hole in the ozone over Antarctica continues to shrink

A Gallup poll, found that: 34 million U.S, adults know someone who died after not getting [medical] treatment, and 58 million adults report inability to pay for needed drugs in past year.

Trump's administration and the DACA program

Cremation information and supplies

A donated article by Contributing Editor Susan Humphreys: A word to the wise

A donated article by Alton C. Thompson: The Most Interesting Passage that I have found in the Bible. Its climate change implications.

School shooting in suburban Santa Clarita, CA

Woman in a same-sex marriage is discriminated against by the Government of Alaska

Teen girl suspected of planning a church attack in Gainesville, GA

Shape of the Earth: flat, spherical, an oblate spheroid?

2019-October's selection

'

"The Limits of Tolerance: Enlightenment Values and Religious Fanaticism" by Denis Lacorne and C. Jon Delogu

Amazon book reviews:

• "I simply don’t know a book on toleration that compares to this one. Denis Lacorne has managed to weave together both an intellectual history of ideas about toleration and a wide-ranging international survey of policies related to it. Theory and practice come together in a very illuminating way and will expand the American reader’s horizon beyond our borders." (Mark Lilla, author of The Once and Future Liberal: After Identity Politics)
  
  
• "Living in a religiously tolerant society, Americans no longer understand what the challenge of achieving religious toleration originally meant: learning to coexist with beliefs and practices that one detested. Denis Lacorne begins this critical survey by recalling the great Enlightenment voices for toleration: Locke, Voltaire, and the American founders. But he then examines modern European and American disputes to demonstrate why the struggle for toleration and free exercise remains so problematic ― a fight that never quite ends but that we grasp much better after reading Lacorne's crisp and incisive chapters." (Jack N. Rakove, author of Original Meanings: Politics and Ideas in the Making of the Constitution)
  
  
• "A timely, erudite, and insightful book that sheds light on issues concerning whether and when contemporary democracies should restrict the practices and beliefs of nonmainstream religious and political groups. It is the best book written on this subject to date." (Bruce Cain, author of Democracy More or Less: America’s Political Reform Quandary)
  
  
• "He gives no pat answers, but an implicit lesson runs throughout. Defending toleration is not like protecting a jewel. It takes fixity of aim but also a feel for the changing context, persistence with a task that never ends and readiness to start again. Toleration does gradually spread. It can also suddenly vanish." (The Economist.

This web site had 27 newly created, re-written, or significantly updated essays during 2019-OCT, including the above book review:

Proofs 15 to 25 that the Earth is not flat

Climate change

Articles donated by Susan Humphreys:

• Aha moments
  
  
• One of those things
  
  
• Unforeseen consequences
  
  
• Should all religious beliefs be fully and regularly represented in our most important national conversations?

Main menu: Abortion access: All sides of the issue

Worldwide student demonstration on global warming

Cosmology: Ancient & Modern Concepts

About the afterlife: Heaven, Hell, Limbo, Purgatory, Reincarnation, Extermination, Psychopomp ....

Abortion access: Developments during 2018 & 2019

Links-to-addiction-disability-mental-and-physical-health-info.htm

Proofs 26 to 36 of a Spherical Earth. Are Flat Earthers Creating a Hoax?

Part 27 of "Conflicts during President Trump's Administration" 2018-OCT to 2019-OCT

2007 to 2019:Religious affiliation by state. Decline of Christianity in the U.S.What people think of other faith groups

The proposed Equal Rights Amendment to the U.S. Constitution

"Artificial leaf" developed in the UK. If scaled up, this might have profound positive affects on global warming

New poll shows majority of American adults favor the impeachment and removal from office of President Trump

Same-sex marriages (SSM) and civil partnerships In Northern Ireland

The Notre-Dame Cathedral Fire in Paris, France. Part 1 Part 2

Vital notes on religion

Presidential Candidate Joe Biden (D) refused communion

An article donated by Alton C. Thompson: "Being Like Jesus"

Origins, customs and traditions of Halloween: Part 1 Part 2

A brief history of the conflict between evolution, creation science, and the Constitution

2019-September's selection

'

""The Limits of Tolerance: Enlightenment Values and Religious Fanaticism" by Denis Lacorne and C. Jon Delogu

Amazon book reviews:

• "I simply don’t know a book on toleration that compares to this one. Denis Lacorne has managed to weave together both an intellectual history of ideas about toleration and a wide-ranging international survey of policies related to it. Theory and practice come together in a very illuminating way and will expand the American reader’s horizon beyond our borders." (Mark Lilla, author of The Once and Future Liberal: After Identity Politics)
  
  
• "Living in a religiously tolerant society, Americans no longer understand what the challenge of achieving religious toleration originally meant: learning to coexist with beliefs and practices that one detested. Denis Lacorne begins this critical survey by recalling the great Enlightenment voices for toleration: Locke, Voltaire, and the American founders. But he then examines modern European and American disputes to demonstrate why the struggle for toleration and free exercise remains so problematic ― a fight that never quite ends but that we grasp much better after reading Lacorne's crisp and incisive chapters." (Jack N. Rakove, author of Original Meanings: Politics and Ideas in the Making of the Constitution)
  
  
• "A timely, erudite, and insightful book that sheds light on issues concerning whether and when contemporary democracies should restrict the practices and beliefs of nonmainstream religious and political groups. It is the best book written on this subject to date." (Bruce Cain, author of Democracy More or Less: America’s Political Reform Quandary)
  
  
• "He gives no pat answers, but an implicit lesson runs throughout. Defending toleration is not like protecting a jewel. It takes fixity of aim but also a feel for the changing context, persistence with a task that never ends and readiness to start again. Toleration does gradually spread. It can also suddenly vanish." (The Economist.

This web site had 21 newly created, re-written, or significantly updated essays during 2019-SEP, including the above book review:

U.S. Methane emission limits to be relaxed, thus increasing global warming

What causes sexual orientation

"The End of the World" is predicted for some times in our future

"Books and other items about Buddhism"

Amount of Internet interest in a flat earth

Two essays donated by Susan Humphreys: More hate-motivated mass shootings and A Review of Chris Hedges book: “I Don't Believe in Atheists”

Worldwide demonstration against global warming

Both the number and the rate of abortions drop in the U.S.

Biblical predictions of the end of the world, the "Rapture" and apocalypse

Landmark scientific report submitted to the UN Climate Action Summit

United Methodist Church is expected to split over unresolvable conflicts concerning sexual orientation

Surveys of people's satisfaction with their government's efforts to reduce global warming

President Trump delivers UN talk on religious freedom

Internet Resources About Emergency Preparedness

A witch memorial is proposed in Scotland

President Trump and 16 year-old Sweedish advocate for the climate exchanage barbs

"Mad Man Hughes" travels in his rocket, attempting to prove that the Earth is flat

Nearby stars discovered with Earth-like planets Tthat might support life!

2019-August's selection

'

"Hot: Living Through the Next Fifty Years on Earth," by Mark Hertsgaard

Amazon book review:

"A fresh take on climate change by a renowned journalist driven to protect his daughter, your kids, and the next generation who’ll inherit the problem.

For twenty years, Mark Hertsgaard has investigated global warming for outlets including the　New Yorker, NPR, Time, Vanity Fair, and The Nation. But the full truth did not hit home until he became a father and, soon thereafter, learned that climate change had already arrived -- a century earlier than forecast -- with impacts bound to worsen for decades to come. Hertsgaard's daughter Chiara, now five years old, is part of what he has dubbed "Generation Hot"-- the two billion young people worldwide who will spend the rest of their lives coping with mounting climate disruption. ..."

"Hertsgaard provides 'pictures' of what is expected over the next fifty years: Chicago’s climate transformed to resemble Houston’s; dwindling water supplies and crop yields at home and abroad; the redesign of New York and other cities against mega-storms and sea-level rise. Above all, he shows who is taking wise, creative precautions. For in the end, HOT is a book about how we’ll survive."

This web site had 16 newly created, re-written, or significantly updated essays during 2019-AUG, including the above book review.

An article donated by Contributing Editor Susan Humphreys: "Trying to Understand Religion"

More about making the Internet a safe place for kids

2018-9: Gun Control laws in the U.S.

Same-sex marriage in American Samoa

Climate change, global warming, and other environmental concerns

Atheist symbols

World record June & July temperatures

2019-AUG: Trump Administration would facilitate religiously discrimination by federal contractors

Background material. Differentiating among Theists, Agnostics, and Atheists

When does human personhood begin?

The fate of the "Peace Cross" in Bladensburg, MD: Part 1 Part 2

Conservative federal leader makes committment on same-sex marriage and abortion access Atheists”

Shooter at a German Synagogue kills two

2019-July's selection

Book review:

"Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Nobel Peace Prize winner, Chair of The Elders, and Chair of South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission, along with his daughter, the Reverend Mpho Tutu, offer a manual on the art of forgiveness -- helping us to realize that we are all capable of healing and transformation.

Tutu's role as the Chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission taught him much about forgiveness. If you asked anyone what they thought was going to happen to South Africa after apartheid, almost universally it was predicted that the country would be devastated by a comprehensive bloodbath. Yet, instead of revenge and retribution, this new nation chose to tread the difficult path of confession, forgiveness, and reconciliation.

This web site had 26 newly created, re-written, or significantly updated essays during 2019-JUL, including the above book review.

A review by Contributing Editor Susan Humphrey of David Silverman's book: "Fighting God, An Atheist Manifesto for a Religious World"

Predictions that "the end of the world" will come sometime between 2017 & 2019 inclusive

Missouri's last abortion clinic will be allowed to stay open until at least 2019-AUG-01

Canada's smallest province is getting smaller. Canadian Parliament declares a national climate emergency

Lawmakers flee Oregon. Topless German woman arrested. Three-day heatwave in Europe. Canada: Expert panel issues report

Glossary of religious and spiritual terms starting with the letters Aa to Am or An

Shootings, other violence, and bullying in American schools

An article by Contributing Editor Susan Humphreys: "Original Sin: The Most Destructive of Doctrines"

Climate Change update for 2019-MAY-JUL, Part 35.

2019: Northern Ireland Legislature takes first step towards marriage equality

Inerrancy: Is the Bible free of error? All points of view

Seeking world-class universal health care in the U.S.

Web sites discussing addiction, mental health, physical health, healing, disability, meditation, pregnancy, counseling, senior communities, etc. A link to an article on "Drowsy Driving" was added.

Web sites discussing addiction, mental health, physical health, etc. A link to an article on "Mental Health at University" was added.

Pre-marital sex practices: 2019: Conflict on the TV program: "The Batchelorette"

2018: Abortion access in Northern Ireland

Reparative therapy: News items from the media: 1998 to 2019

Proofs 15 to 22 that the Earth is not flat

Persecution of Christians

Same-sex marriage in Canada

2019: The Anglican Church of Canada (ACC) takes a baby step on same-sex marriages

An article by Contributing Editor Susan Humphreys:

2019: Creation of a Federal U.S. Human Rights Advisory Panel

Introduction to racism in the U.S.

Religious opposition to the construction of the world's largest telescope on Hawaii's "Big Island."

The End Of The World, As We Know It

2019-June's selection

"What Would a Muslim Say: Conversations, Questions, and Answers About Islam," by Ahmed Lotfy Rashed

Read reviews or order this book safely from Amazon.com online book store
U.S. $5.01 in Kindle format.
U.S. $10.95 plus postage in paperback format.

Author's book review:

"Why This Matters NOW

• "Why do you Muslims pray five times a day?"
• "What happens to people who do not believe in God?"
• "Why are so many Muslims quoting their holy book in the name of violence?"
• "What are the authoritative sources of knowledge in Islam?"
• "Why do your clerics condemn Judaism and Christian traditions?"

These days, Islam is no stranger to controversy. There are many questions, fears, and misconceptions about Islam and Muslims. I believe these books can answer questions, build bridges, and promote understanding.

Since 2009, I have facilitated interfaith dialogues with many different people. The conversations in these books are real. Some are curious, some are concerned, some are hostile, some are academic, and some are soul-searching. My hope is that this can be a small step towards better understanding and harmony."

This web site had 45 newly created, re-written, or significantly updated essays during 2019-JUN, including the above book review.

• 2018: Mississippi Legislature creates law to ban abortions after 15 weeks gestation. Law is overturned by a federal court
  
  
• 2018-9: "Multiple states pass "heartbeat" anti-abortion laws. Actor Alyssa Milano proposes sex strike. Court finds Mississippi heartbeat law. Missouri Senate passes 8 week ban
  
  
• MA Trans student becomes Prom King
  
  
• Law prohibiting mental health professionals from engaging in reparative therapy is signed into law in Colorado
  
  
• Attacks on Aboriginal girls & women in North America
  
  
• Predictions that "the end of the world" will come sometime between 2017 & 2019 incl.
  
  
• A brief explanation of why people have different sexual orientations
  
  
• Proposed straight pride parade in Boston
  
  
• Abortion access: When do life & human personhood begin?
  
  
• An essay donated by Contributing Editor Susan Humphreys: "From belief to being"
  
  
• Physician Assisted Suicide (PAS) In Holland - the Netherlands: Misreporting of Noa Pothoven's suicide at age 17.
  
  
• Web sites discussing mental health, dementia, senior living etc.: Part 1 Part 2
  
  
• A Cruise to Antarctica is planned for Flat Earthers
  
  
• Botswana decriminalises two forms of sexual behavior
  
  
• 2019-MAY: Keyna retains laws decriminalizing same-sex sexual activity
  
  
• State of Missouri attempts to close its last clinic abortion clinic
  
  
• Notre Dame Cathedral: French Senate passes bill about its restoraton. First mass to be celebrated since the fire
  
  
• Physician Assisted Suicide (PAS) laws
  
  
• Religious conservatives and their interactions with the LGBT community: Pastor calls for execution of sexual minorities.
  
  
• 2019-JUN: Ecuador legalizes same-sex marriage
  
  
• Suspected gunman in New Zealand mass shooting in Christchurch mosques pleads not guilty
  
  
• Pope Francis mandates system to report abuse by clerics in the Roman Catholic Church
  
  
• Separating cremated ashes
  
  
• 2019: Censored children TV shows with LGBT content
  
  
• Web sites discussing addiction, mental health, physical health, etc.
  
  
• National Network of Abortion Funds facilitates abortion access
  
  
• New York State eliminates religious exemption to child vaccination
  
  
• Free abortions may become available in NYC
  
  
• Canadian Parliament declares a national climate emergency
  
  
• What the Bible says and means about homosexuality
  
  
• HOMOSEXUALITY: is it an advantage to society? Should gays, lesbians, and heterosexuals have equal treatment under law?
  
  
• Public Opinion Poll on U.S transgender servicemembers
  
  
• The fate of the "Peace Cross" in Bladensburg, MD: Part 1, Part 2
  
  
• An article by David W.T. Brattston: The Veiling of Christian Women
  
  
• Proofs 23 to 33 of a Spherical Earth. Are Flat Earthers Creating a Hoax?
  
  
• Two articles by Alton C. Thompson: Resurrecting An Old Concept of Religion and Paul had the answer
  
  
• Climate Change, Part 33. Republican lawmakers in Oregon flee state in order to paralyze the Legislature.
  
  
• 2019-MAY: Gallup Poll on U.S. public's support for transgender persons in the military
  
  
• Iceland passes major law concerning transgender persons
  
  
• Heat wave hits Europe
  
  
• Web sites discussing addiction, mental health, physical health, healing, disability, meditation, therapy, counseling, safety, etc.
  
  
• Hoax: UK Holocaust education ban
  
  
• There is no indication that the Notre Dame fire was of criminal origin
  
  
• Colorado law facilitates transgender persons updating birth certificate
  
  

2019-May's selection

"The Triumph of Christianity: How a Forbidden Religion Swept the World" by Bart D. Ehrman.

Read reviews or order this book safely from Amazon.com online book store
U.S. $10.15 in Kindle format.
15.53 in hardcover, or U.S. $17.00 in paperback, plus postage.

Book reviews:

• “How did a small, provincial Jewish sect called Christianity convert the mighty pagan Roman Empire? Bart Ehrman answers this baffling question with the same wit, passion, and rigorous scholarship that have made him one of the most popular religion writers in the world today. The Triumph of Christianity is a marvelous book.” 
  Reza Aslan, New York Times bestselling author of Zealot
  
  
• “The great appeal of Ehrman’s approach to Christian history has always been his steadfast humanizing impulse... Ehrman always thinks hard about history’s winners and losers without valorizing the losers or demonizing the winners… Reading about how an entire culture’s precepts and traditions can be overthrown without anyone being able to stop it may not be heartening at this particular historical moment. All the more reason to spend time in the company of such a humane, thoughtful and intelligent historian.”
  The New York Times Book Review
  
  
• “Drawing on a wealth of ancient sources and contemporary historical research, Bart Ehrman weaves complex questions into a vivid, nuanced, and enormously readable narrative.”
  Elaine Pagels, National Book Award-winning author of The Gnostic Gospels
  
  
• “Like a good college lecture class, [Ehrman’s] book offers both a wealth of historical information and, to make sense of it all, a few plausible theories — including his own. He doesn’t tell us what to think. He gives us a lot to think about.”
  — Newsday 

This web site had 31 newly created, re-written, or significantly updated essays during 2019-MAY, including the above book review.

• Transgender persons & transsexuals
  
  
• Movement towards same-sex marriages in Cuba
  
  
• Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting a.k.a. (FGM/C) in North America
  
  
• Anti-semitism: Racially/Religiously based persecution of Jews: 1800 to now
  
  
• Brunei modifies penal code to increase penalties against same-sex behavior
  
  
• The cremation process. Its history. Cremation and burial in the Bible. Non-traditional burials.
  
  
• Cremation among present-day Judeo-Christians. Cremation statistics in the U.S. and Canada. Resomation, Green burials
  
  
• Brunei modifies penal code to include death penalty against some in the LGBT community
  
  
• An overview of salvation in Christianity
  
  
• 2009-2019: Asia Bibi: her arrest for blasphemy in Pakistan over a glass of water
  
  
• Is sex abuse a systemic disorder in the Catholic Church? Pope Francis mandates system to report abuse. Part 8
  
  
• Sex education in schools
  
  
• 2018/9: Many states pass "heartbeat" anti-abortion laws. Actor Alyssa Milano proposes sex strike
  
  
• Articles by Contributing Editor Susan Humphreys:
  • Bible Myths, Metaphors and Allegories
    
    
  • The case for 'The Case for God'
    
    
  • What went wrong?
    
    
• An article donated by Alton Thompson: "Religion as a Natural Phenomenon"
  
  
• 2018-MAY-12: Carbon Dioxide levels reach new heights in the Earth's atmosphere
  
  
• Notre-Dame Cathedral Fire in Paris, France (multiple updates)
  
  
• Anti-abortion "heartbeat" bill becomes a law in Georgia
  
  
• The Federal LGBT Equality Act
  
  
• Missouri Senate passes bill to ban abortions after 8 weeks gestation
  
  
• Same-sex marriage banned in American Samoa
  
  
• Brunei modifies penal code. Alabama Public TV censors "Arthur" program
  
  
• An article donated by Daniel Friedmann: Is God necessary to explain the universe?
  
  
• An article donated by Rabbi Allen Maller: Abortion: Islamic and Jewish views on when a human soul enters the human fetus
  
  
• Three atricles by Contributing Editor Susan Humphreys about harmful developments in the U.S.
  
  
• Climate Change. Part 33. Water supply for 200 million Asians threatened
  
  
• 2011: Mississippi Proposition 26: (Personhood amendment)Comments by individuals & organizations
  

2019-April's book selection

"My Path Leads to Tibet: The Inspiring Story of HowOne Young Blind Woman Brought Hope to the Blind Children of Tibet" " by Joshua Tongol

Read reviews or order this book safely from Amazon.com online book store
U.S. $2.89 in Kindle format, or U.S. $13.36 plus postage in paperback.