Thoughts of a Freethinker

A surprise report published by the Vatican today confirmed what I have thought for years. I've never seen a certain silent policy discussed explicitly so don't take my word it is official or documented. It is hinted about only.  It starts with a project birthed by the late Pope Francis called "synodality." It is the same process used in all kinds of situations and projects. Before a new building is built architects hold meetings to hear many ideas about what should be included. State, local and federal governments hold hearings and listening sessions. Pope Francis signed off on money for holding listening meetings all over the world. The comments would be summarized and consolidated the submitted periodically in Rome. Francis knew this would result is lots of pressure to accept gays, women and married priests in ways not permitted currently. He knew conflicting positions can and will continue to exist within the denomination. New positions are adopted without the old ...

The books of the Bible attributed in the Bible to Paul have been doubted for at least a thousand years. Evidence by scholars is that readers of the Bible before a thousand years ago did not even consider they were actual letters written by an actual Paul. Back then it was almost universally understood written material was penned by people other than the name used. In the case of lectures or literature in general, they knew a published and circulated "letter" was written as literature to be widely circulated but never sent as a letter. A powerful case that the Paul "letters" were written as persuasive religious literature was made in a new book I am reading. It is The Letters of Paul in their Roman Literary Context; Reassessing Apostolic Athorship by Nena E. Livesey. Livesey is a Professor Emerita at the University of Oklahoma. (I must warn my hard copy cost $100 from Barnes and Noble. Maybe there is a cheaper source.)  Professor Livesey meticulously follows how the ...

Today the Wall Street Journal did something extraordinary. It published an article by a prominent Hindu who pointed out the asymmetry in the U.S. in what is called "Religious Freedom." Religions which include the duty to proselytize their theology are favored. Those religions which preach that to proselytize is wrong are treated as lesser. President Trump appointed a board to "officially" monitor "freedom of religion." He appointed almost no members from religions that do not proselytize. Needless to say, there is no one from the large atheist organization,  Freedom From Religion Foundation. Perhaps Hindus or other faiths have stepped into the firing line before against the dominant Christian forces, but I don't recall it. Since becoming involved in the politics of faith it has become obvious to me atheism, even if organized and forceful, will not push aside the abuses of Christianity in the U.S. I wrote years ago what is needed is for some other relig...

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...