Recent new/updated essays.
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Planned future essays.
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 The following essays were created or updated during the past 12 months:
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2020-February's book selection:
 "In Broad Daylight: The Secret Procedures behind the Holocaust by Bullets." Beacon Press (2018) by Father Patrick Desbois, with an introduction by Andrej Umansky.
Read reviews or order this book safely from Amazon.com online book store
U.S. $1.99 in Kindle format, (subject to change) or
$23.21 in hardcover plus postage, or
$21.99 in paperback plus postage. Amazon.com book review:
"In his national Jewish Book Awardâ~ez_euro~~ez_ldquo~winning book The Holocaust by Bullets, Father Patrick Desbois documented for the first time the murder of 1.5 million Jews in Ukraine during World War II. Nearly a decade of further work by his team, drawing on interviews with neighbors of the Jews, wartime records, and the application of modern forensic practices to long-hidden grave sites. has resulted in stunning new findings about the extent and nature of the g
This web site had 2 newly created, re-written, or significantly updated essays so far during 2020-FEB, including the above book review: Predictions that "the end" will come during during 2015 or 2016 When was Jesus born? Predictions of his birth
2020-January's book selection:
 "How to Be Less Stupid About Race: On Racism, White Supremacy, and the Racial Divide " by Crystal Marie Fleming. Published by Beacon Press (2018)
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.com book review:
" 'How to Be Less Stupid About Race'Â is your essential guide to breaking through the half-truths and ridiculous misconceptions that have thoroughly corrupted the way race is represented in the classroom, pop culture, media, and politics. Centuries after our nation was founded on genocide, settler colonialism, and slavery, many Americans are kinda - sorta - maybe waking up to the reality that our racial politics are (still) garbage. But in the midst of this reckoning, widespread denial and misunderstandings about race persist, even as white supremacy and racial injustice are more visible than ever before. ..."
"Searing, sobering, and urgently needed, How to Be Less Stupid About Race is a truth bomb for your racist relative, friend, or boss, and a call to action for everyone who wants to challenge white supremacy and intersectional oppression. If you like Issa Rae, Justin Simien, Angela Davis, and Morgan Jerkins, then this deeply relevant, bold, and incisive book is for you.
This web site had 26 newly created, re-written, or significantly updated essays so far during 2020-JAN, including the above book review: Recent U.S. polls on same-sex marriage; Bill in the Kansas Legislature Obamacare's 10th anniversary is approaching Updates to six essays on Unitarian Universalism Updates to six articles on MAID (Medical Aid in Dying) in Canada The Notre-Dame Cathedral Fire
in
Paris, France, Part 2 Homosexuality as viewed by Jehovah's Witnesses / Watchtower Society Viewing the International Space Station Genocide of the Rohingya in Myanmar. Part 1 Part 2 An overview of the persecution of Jews for the past 2,000 years Hot Saucing: A traditional method to discipline children via pain & terror Canadian federal government questionaire concerning MAID (Medical Aid in Dying) Racially/Religiously based persecution of Jews: 1800 to now Reparative therapy: News items: 1998 to 2020 Where and When Did the First Humans Live? Predictions that the world would end in 2012 2013 to 2020: Media accounts about the persecution of Christians.
2019-December's book selection:
 "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 28 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 An enviornmental article by Alton Thompson: "I feel sheepsh" Buddhism and homosexuality 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? Transgender persons We celebrate Jesus' birth on DEC-25 because it was the birth date of many Pagan deities Transgender bathroom access: Kentucky house member introduces bill\ Gabon criminalizes homosexual behavior Suicides in the LGBT community Positive thoughts in December for secularists Cremation, Resomation, & Green Burials House approves funding for gun research A donated article by Contributing Editor Susan Humphreys: Existential matters Scientology, the religion Christian beliefs: The rapture Four articles on recent conflicts within the United Methodist Church over homosexuality The Afterlife: Ancient Christian beliefs: Heaven, Hell, Limbo, Purgatory, Reincarnation, etc. Apostasy in Islam Human slavery today
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.
The book author's personal review (Insulting content. Reader's discretion is recommended):
"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 13 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
2019-October's selection
' "The Limits of Tolerance: Enlightenment Values and Religious Fanaticism" by Denis Lacorne and C. Jon Delogu Amazon book reviews:
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"I simply donâ~ez_euro~~ez_trade~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 readerâ~ez_euro~~ez_trade~s horizon beyond our borders." (Mark Lilla, author of The Once and Future Liberal: After Identity Politics)
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"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 â~ez_euro~~ez_bull~ 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)
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"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: Americaâ~ez_euro~~ez_trade~s Political Reform Quandary)
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"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:
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 donâ~ez_euro~~ez_trade~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 readerâ~ez_euro~~ez_trade~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 â~ez_euro~~ez_bull~ 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: Americaâ~ez_euro~~ez_trade~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: ~ez_ldquo~I Don't Believe in Atheists~ez_rdquo~ 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 whoâ~ez_euro~~ez_trade~ll inherit the problem. For twenty years, Mark Hertsgaard has investigated global warming for outlets including theã~ez_euro~~ez_euro~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: Chicagoâ~ez_euro~~ez_trade~s climate transformed to resemble Houstonâ~ez_euro~~ez_trade~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 weâ~ez_euro~~ez_trade~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~ez_rdquo~ Shooter at a German Synagogue kills two
2019-July's selection
"The Book of Forgiving" by Desmond Tutu and Mpho Tutu
Book review:"Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Nobel Peace Prize winner, Chair of The Elders, and Chair of South Africa~ez_rsquo~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
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"Why do you Muslims pray five times a day?"
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"What happens to people who do not believe in God?"
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"Why are so many Muslims quoting their holy book in the name of violence?"
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"What are the authoritative sources of knowledge in Islam?"
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"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. | 
