Cowbells and Minarets

Joan Z. Shore, 12.01.2009

Co-founder, Women Overseas for Equality (Belgium), columnist and author.

To say the Swiss are not trustworthy would be an understatement. But their massive vote against minarets is a different story.

Why Are Some Black Folks So Upset Over Gays Getting Married?

Sam Fulwood, 12.01.2009

Senior Fellow, Center for American Progress; Race-Talk contributor

I struggle to comprehend why folks who share my slice of the demographic pie seem to take is personally when two men or two women want to marry and live as a couple.

The Real Reasons Why the Swiss Voted to Ban Minarets

Daniel Ammann, 12.01.2009

Business journalist and author of The King of Oil - The Secret Lives of Marc Rich

While the Swiss have voted to ban the construction of new minarets, against all expectations, this referendum had, in truth, little to do with minarets.

Like Alcohol, Religion Disinhibits Violence, Doesn't Cause It

Valerie Tarico, 12.01.2009

Author of "The Dark Side: How Evangelical Teachings Corrupt Love and Truth," and founder, WisdomCommons.org

Religions elicit peak experiences like mystic euphoria, submission, love and joy. They also elicit protective reactions like anger and fear, the emotions most likely to underlie violence.

Switzerland's minaret ban receives tough reception in the Middle East

Meedan, 12.01.2009

Translated Middle East news and discussion

Switzerland's controversial referendum decision to ban the construction of new minarets for Swiss mosques has caused varying degrees of concern in the...

The Next Economy: The Pursuit Of Happiness

Paul David Walker, 11.30.2009

Author of Unleashing Genius: Leading Yourself, Teams and Corporations

I believe the next economy will be based on the "pursuit of happiness." There are many industries that can thrive if the "pursuit of happiness" begins to replace consumerism.

Keeping An Eye On My Mind

Michael Melcher, 11.29.2009

Executive coach and writer

I'm reading Eat, Pray, Love for the second time. Here's something I can say about Elizabeth Gilbert, the author: as a writer, she is the real deal. ...

Oh My God: What Is God?

Rev. Frank Desiderio, 11.28.2009

Pastor, Filmmaker

I am convinced that built into our DNA is a moral law, and that law can best be described as love that goes out of itself to create. The same type that we can also call Divine Love.

An Introduction To Kabbalah Part 5: Choosing A Teacher

Jay Michaelson, 11.27.2009

Columnist, activist and author of "Everything is God: The Radical Path of Nondual Judaism"

Being a student means you don't know what your teacher knows. I think there are a few basic principles which ought to guide how you look for a teacher.

Game over

David Horton, 11.27.2009

writer, scientist, conservationist, liberal, atheist

There are times when all good women, and men, need to come to the aid of the party. Times when profound changes in understanding occur. Times that put...

Debunking Darwin or fine-tuning Evolution? How Ardi research resonated in Middle East

Meedan, 11.30.2009

Translated Middle East news and discussion

The discovery of Ardi, the oldest hominid skeleton ever found, was big news for the science community around the world. But in the Middle East, the n...

Theism v. Atheism: I'm A Realist, Not An "Accommodationist"

Michael Shermer, 11.27.2009

Publisher Skeptic magazine

What is the right way to respond to theists and/or theism? That is the question asked at every atheism/humanism conference I've attended. The answer is simple: there is no one "right way."

Lieberman's Right on Fort Hood

Norm Stamper, 11.26.2009

Retired Seattle police chief, member of Law Enforcement Against Prohibition

When campaigning for John McCain Lieberman actually declared Sarah Palin fit to be president. Yet, when it comes to the Fort Hood slayings, Joe Lieberman is spot on.

When Science Teachers Don't Believe In Evolution

Valerie Tarico, 11.25.2009

Author of "The Dark Side: How Evangelical Teachings Corrupt Love and Truth," and founder, WisdomCommons.org

If nothing else, creationist efforts to undermine science and science education should teach us something about our species, about our impressive capacity for delusion.

Grateful For America

Grant Cardone, 11.25.2009

Author of Sell to Survive and International Sales and Business Expert

While the world spends so much time complaining about what is wrong I am reminded at this time to focus on what I have to be grateful for: All those ...

This Thanksgiving Remember the Immigrant, Pilgrim

Jim Wallis, 11.25.2009

Founder of Sojourners; speaker, author, activist

The broken nature of America's immigration system is deeply felt during the holidays by millions in the United States who long to be reunited with their loved ones.

A New Thanksgiving Prayer

Alexis C. Jolly, 11.25.2009

I decided to prepare a prayer this year for my family -- one that eschewed dogmatic, patriarchal language. Please modify it to fit your own religious, spiritual, skeptical, or atheistic beliefs.

Christian Leaders Scapegoat Gays on Marriage

Nathaniel Frank, 11.25.2009

Author, "Unfriendly Fire" and Senior Research Fellow, Palm Center

In the new, anti-gay "Manhattan Declaration" scores of Christian signatories reveal the intellectual and moral bankruptcy of their obsessive persecution of gay people.

The Rom Houben Tragedy And The Case For Active Euthanasia

Jacob M. Appel, 11.25.2009

Bioethicist and medical historian

If one believes that the prevention of suffering may sometimes justify the withdrawal or withholding of care, then the very fact that Houben was conscious for twenty-three years might call more convincingly for such action.

An American Arab Thanksgiving

Ray Hanania, 11.25.2009

Chicagoland political columnist, consultant, author, standup comedian and radio talkshow host

Food has a special place in our hearts as Arabs, so Thanksgiving was the American holiday we most loved. Food symbolizes the essence of freedom, the ability to feed your family without fear.

A Jane Goodall Thanksgiving

Michael Winship, 11.24.2009

Senior writer at Bill Moyers Journal on PBS

My Thanksgiving list this year includes Jane Goodall, who was interviewed by my colleague Bill Moyers for this week's edition of Bill Moyers Journal on PBS.