Category Archives: commentary

What we should do about Libya

Posted on March 10, 2011 by John C. Snider

Nothing. Please, please, please President Obama–learn from the lessons of history.  Involving ourselves in the situation in Libya is lose-lose for us all down the line.  For one thing, it should be up to the Libyans to get rid of … Continue reading →

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US House committee considering a resolution on Darwin Day

Posted on February 10, 2011 by John C. Snider

Holy Shit!  How fantastic would it be if the US House of Representatives passed a resolution honoring Darwin Day (which is coming up February 12)?  I’ve gotten action alerts from the Secular Coalition for America, American Atheists and the Center … Continue reading →

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Obama disappoints (again) at NPB

Posted on February 3, 2011 by John C. Snider

The news from Egypt overshadowed everything else today, but… President Obama spoke yet again at the infamous National Prayer Breakfast, the only public event organized by the organization known as “the Family,” a group that seeks to co-opt the American … Continue reading →

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The Year in Religion

Posted on January 4, 2011 by John C. Snider
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Happy New Year

Posted on January 1, 2011 by John C. Snider

“Now is the accepted time to make your regular annual good resolutions. Next week you can begin paving hell with them as usual.” –Mark Twain I admit it: I’m a resolution-maker. Do I always keep my resolutions? No. But I … Continue reading →

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Imagine

Posted on December 8, 2010 by John C. Snider

Today marks the 30th anniversary of the murder of John Lennon.  Many of you are too young to remember it, or perhaps not even born, but I still remember it as quite a shock.  I was a junior in high … Continue reading →

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Academic responds to KY funding of Creationism park

Posted on December 5, 2010 by John C. Snider

Response from the skeptical bloggerati has been fast and furious to the recent announcement that the Commonwealth of Kentucky will provide millions of dollars in tax incentives to enable the construction of Ken Ham’s Creationist “Ark Encounter” theme park. Nobody’s … Continue reading →

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The Moral Landscape, Chapter 4: Religion

Posted on November 25, 2010 by John C. Snider

Chapter-by-chapter thoughts on Sam Harris’ The Moral Landscape: How Science Can Determine Human Values Summary:  Religion, being non-facts-based, is counterproductive to creating a proper moral framework. Yes, the 400-pound gorilla in the room.  Although America is conspicuously more religious than … Continue reading →

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The Moral Landscape, Chapter 3: Belief

Posted on November 23, 2010 by John C. Snider

Chapter-by-chapter thoughts on Sam Harris’ The Moral Landscape: How Science Can Determine Human Values Summary: Belief, to be legitimate, must be constrained by facts.  Honest belief is not a matter of personal preference. Whole books have been written on what … Continue reading →

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The Moral Landscape, Chapter 2: Good and Evil

Posted on November 21, 2010 by John C. Snider

Chapter-by-chapter thoughts on Sam Harris’ The Moral Landscape: How Science Can Determine Human Values Summary: Human morality must balance cooperation and selfishness.  Free will is an illusion, but it doesn’t obliterate our ability to make decisions that improve our well-being. … Continue reading →

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