Category: Uncategorized

Does Environmental Activism Violate the Separation of Church & State?

Do public school teachers have the right to include their opinions on social issues in schools? If the separation of church and state  in schools protects parents from having their children “educated” on religious values that are opposed to their own personal religious values, what about socially moral values that include “religiously-fervored” beliefs about non-religious issues like the environment, health and sex education? If the principle of the separation of church and state is to hold government institutions neutral on religious issues why not also on social issues that have no place in academia.

There was a recent story in Canada about a kindergarten student afraid of taking his sandwich to school in a zipper-style plastic bag because his teacher had told the class than anyone “caught” using these type of bag would be ineligible for a teddy bear contest the class was having. If this isn’t a clear case of  propaganda that has not association with the fundamentals of education (reading, writing, math, history and science) then I don’t know what does.

In my new article for Examiner.com, I talk about how social issues should be included in the principle of the separation of church and state in public schools. As always, I close the article with a very tongue-in-cheek reference.

Click here to reach \”Does Environmental Activism Violate the Separation of Church & State?\”

 

 

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Is the U.S. a Democracy Hypocrite?

As the protests turn violent today, the question of the United States not actively supporting democracy in Egypt seems hypocritical. Supporting dictators never seems to be in the best interest of the United States. Whether its support for the Shah of Iran, Saddam in Iraq, or now the Egyptian president, when will the U.S. learn that when we don’t support and push for democracy, we end up the villain.

I’ve written a two-part article today for Examiner.com where I talk about how hypocritical it is for the U.S. to sit by and wait for an outcome in Egypt. Read today’s article and let me know what you think.

Click here to read \”Is the U.S. a Democracy Hypocrite?\”

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Is Your Pastor a Bully? Understand the Religious Political Agendas of Churches

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Too often people take words from “authorities” as law. Whether it’s an email forward we receive or in the case of my latest Examiner article, your pastor, you have to be cautious about what we hear and believe.

Some of the comments and e-mails I have received about my various articles feel generated by people whose views are very closed off to real possibilities. When we’re talking about God, there are no limits to the possibilities. “No one can say with absolute authority what the limits are of God’s favor and salvation”.

When I hear churches having lecture series on the evils of other faiths (like Islam) it angers me. I doubt very much that Christ would want that. Is a church a place where political agendas should be discussed? Neil Saavedra of “The Jesus Christ Show” has said on the show that churches only political agenda should be to ensure that the freedom of religious freedom is secure. Beyond that there should be not political agendas in our churches. This would include those against Islam, same sex-marriage or battles over denominational issues.  For me, it goes back to the “Unity in essentials, liberty in non-essentials and in all things charity”.

Continue reading my article on Examiner.com: Is Your Pastor a Bully? Understand the Religious Political Agendas of Churches – National religion & politics | Examiner.com

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Is Religion a Scam?

This week’s National Examiner.com article responds to this billboard posted by American Atheists in Alabama that all religions are scams. It’s an interesting read no matter what side you are on. My biggest concern here is the insulting way people trying to convert insult their audience. Do atheists think they can win over doubting believers by telling them they are being scammed? Christians do the same thing when they condemn certain sinners to hell publicly. It’s interesting that neither side really seems to get that compassion not insult and condemnation win people over.  Click the link below to read the article – I think it’s thought provoking. I especially like the definitions of religion I include in the end and how that equates.

Click here to read \”Is Religion a Scam?\” at Examiner.com

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The War on Christmas: Lessons from Dr. Seuss

“This is the lesson we should be teaching our kids; Grinches and Scrooges live in our lives. They can tear down our Christmas trees and replace “Merry Christmas” with “Happy Holidays” but they can’t take away the warmth the season brings to those who celebrate it.”

Easily the best article in the series “The War on Christmas” I wrote. We worry too much about what other people do, think and believe when we should be focusing on the joy of the holidays.

Click here to read \”The War on Christmas: Lessons from Dr. Seuss\”

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The War on Christmas: Much Ado About Nothing?

Is the “War on Christmas” a “vast Right-Wing conspiracy” or a “Liberal attempt to secularize America”? Actually, it seems ripe to be much ado about nothing. We love to make mountains out of ant hills these days (see “War on Christmas: People Love War”).

The “War on Christmas” is the perceived battle between Christians and non-believers on the significance the Christmas holiday gets this time of year. Sited evidence that Christmas is being attacked includes the replacement of “Merry Christmas” with “Happy Holidays,” some government agencies calling them “holiday trees” instead of “Christmas trees” and this year, Atheists billboards calling for a “season for reason.” Christmas observers state that political correctness has simply gone too far.

Click here to read the full article \”The War on Christmas: Much Ado About Nothing\” Available on Examiner.com, Associated Content and various other syndicated websites.

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