… give or take
// Religion generally claims absolute and exclusive truth. Yet most religions were created long before modern notions of freedom, justice, fairness, science, reason or logic. So it should come as no surprise when hilarious and ludicrous outcomes result from religious encounters with the changing circumstances of the modern world. Authorities in Thailand recently indicated they [...]
// The death of terrorist leader Osama bin Laden is one of the most important accomplishments in recent American history. It is certainly significant in its own right as a testament to the superior military and intelligence work the US is capable of. Yet when one recalls the fact that Osama bin Laden was trained and [...]
// Those who argue that Islam is basically incompatible with the secular and humanist values of the west, while Christianity is friendly to them, often focus on two major arguments. First, on a historical basis, they cite the supposedly “peaceful” origins of Christianity relative to the violent origins of Islam. Second, on a theological or [...]
// Here is a (relatively) old video I came across where physicist Steven Weinberg shares his thoughts on religion and its pernicious effects. In reference to George Bush’s idea that Islamic terrorists have “hijacked” an otherwise “good” religion, he says the following: I think, for example, George Bush said that these terrorists have hijacked a great [...]
// Being the biggest incident of Islamist violence under Obama’s tenure thus far (and the biggest incident in the US in a while), Fort Hood will likely continue to spark debate and controversy for some time about issues ranging from antiterrorism strategy to the nature of Islam. Case in point: a recent piece in the [...]
