Thoughts of a Freethinker

My wife and I were both academics in what is called the social sciences. Readers know the term "science" in social science is rightfully considered controversial. Whether these disciplines, sociology, psychology, political science, economics, etc., are sciences or not is unimportant. What is important is the study of humans and their success in the animal chain, their frequent mistakes and their tendency toward self-destruction.  When I heard a preacher named Rick Warren sold millions of copies of a book called The Purpose Driven Life , I wondered what that purpose is? I learned he thinks the great purpose is bending a knee to something both invisible and often harmful. That is religion. There is a life with a greater purpose--studying and working toward survival and well-being of human beings. I can't say for certain what this is, just that we should work at figuring it out. That's what the social sciences do. A fascinating change is taking place that is not addresse...

It seems like every day this year some old rule that has been followed for decades is on the chopping block. One is discrimination. Now running on TV where I live is Republican candidate for governor. Speaking in the ad the candidate says he will not allow the state's universities to hire "foreigners." The salaries and requirements of universities today are such natives often do not apply for those jobs but foreign-born people do. I wrote several letters both as a mayor and professor requesting special permission for professors from other countries. They helped staff the place. A national news item today was about Texas governor Greg Abbot. He said he would pull funding from a municipality that runs a park. The park is rented to groups. A Muslim group wanted to rent the park for a large family gathering. The women would wear burkas and the men appropriate Muslim dress. This group infuriated Gov. Abbot. He is threatening to pull state funding that the park has received. He...

The so called "Right to Life" political group has a great opinion of itself. I can't say how many times I've one of them say or read what was written, "We're for life. We don't believe in killing innocent babies." But when one brings up killing innocent adults, the conversation ends. A study looked at the health and quality of life of several countries including the U.S. The length and quality of life in social medicine and abortion rights countries is better than that in Christian dominated U.S. The interest in 40,000 deaths in car wrecks has no potential for raising money or generating political juices. Nearly all of them could be prevented. The link compares the health of people in many countries. As mentioned, the health in many European countries is better than that in the U. S. As I understand it, however, the health of the demographic cohort that I am a part of in the U.S., good income and education, is the same as Europe. The average health a...

The majority of weddings have not been in churches for years. Couples just don't see the church as central to this big event. Gay couples are not welcome in the majority of churches, so that's out. Now a survey is telling us marriage as an institution is not seen as an important event in young peoples' futures. Christianity unwisely tied its survival to the institution of marriage and the sands of time have are burying it. I've been watching pod casts of women in conservative branches of the Amish. While there is some courtship the young men and women are suggested by the family and leaders. This is the "government" in Amish life. Couple are paired according to the interests of the family and community. Government, not the church, ran marriage in ancient times. Government marriage was the tradition, thus the true "traditional marriage." That is, today's marriage in a Christian church is not genuine traditional marriage.  In today's society, t...

Despite Trump's taking powers from Congress and practicing self-enrichment, the political right sees evil in the new Pope and U.S. Democrats. A columnist noted that David Axelrod, not a Catholic and an advisor to President Obama, was given an audience with the Pope. Three days later, the link notes, some Bishops in the U.S. released a statement favoring assistance for the poor. How could the bishops so quickly release a liberal position after a visit from Axelrod if U. S. liberals and the Vatican were not one political unit working in secret, the link author asks? The link author correctly says neither the Pope nor Axelrod released any information about what was discussed. This normally is not done after visits with private individuals. Now that most of Pope Benedict's anti-abortion and anti-gay officials have retired and appointees of Pope Francis are the majority, the face the Catholic faith is one of the kind parish priest. The new face is one about concern for the poor and...

Immediately after the Friday ruling in Louisianna abortion drug providers filed a challenge to the ruling. Drug companies say they want the Supreme Court to overrule the lower court's decision.  As I understand it, the lower ruling was handed down because of safety questions over the use of the drug mifepristone. The challenge will present evidence about the safety of the drug. We are all wondering, of course, whether safety was ever the reason for preventing use of the U.S. mail to distribute the medicine or if it was really religious opposition to abortion.  The drug mifepristone is also used to control high blood sugar. Its use is so common there should be a good record of its safety or lack thereof.  One can be sure health problems from use of mifepristone to prevent a birth will not be compared to the risk of giving birth. Giving birth has a long record of being dangerous to women. This fact is seldom brought up in abortion politics. Yet, what could be more important...