Thoughts of a Freethinker

For so many years since the decline of religion started there have been press stories saying that people left religion remain "spiritual." The religious press glops onto this and says, "See, the public really has not changed at all. It is just as religious as ever. Those who are confused will return to the church soon." Church data tell us the decline has continued regardless of prayers for "revival" or false hopes the public would return. Now, a survey finds those who call themselves "nones" and who may refer to being "spiritual" really have little use for religion. They have lost interest in both organized religion as in churches and any other private religious views. They have simply walked away, seemingly never to return. The favorite word the Christian right uses to describe nones is "confused." If you as anyone at the circle of atheists I attend you will not find a single person who considers herself confused. It is, ins...

Women who give inspirational talks to other women are not part of my experience. But reading about them, what they have experienced and how they navigate the world is both interesting and important. As the majority of children born into the faith leave it, the role of their mothers is something to learn about. One woman referred to often as an "influencer" is Jen Hatmaker. She writes best sellers and is a presenter at conferences and remains very successful. She was a deep Christian but not has all but left the faith. Hatmaker and her preacher ex husband adopted several children from another country. Then he cheated on her and they divorced. All of her life up to that time was that of a devoted Christian. She worried about the future of the faith and felt a responsibility to evangelize.  Several years have gone by and she has experienced a different life than she anticipated as a young woman. Now she seldom attends church and feels no need to help the faith save itself. She h...

A drag show created and performed on the campus of the Un. of Nebraska was criticized by the local Neuman Center priest, some Catholic Students and another local Catholic clergy or two. It was created as a gay/trans right project incorporating academic and religious study of gay discrimination.   The University President apologized to those who were offended by the word "Mass" in the work's title. He promised to take the matter seriously and see that such offensive performances are not done on the campus. To this end, he promised to refer the issue to a panel of community and academic leaders who would develop a policy which would be used in the future to decide what material could be presented. The esteemed panel was to have started its work by the end of summer. The link author inquired around campus as to what has happened to esteemed panel project. He found no one who would say anything has happened or the any such work is under way. There seems to be no such discussi...