Monthly Archives: November 2009

Infant mortality, here and elsewhere

Posted on November 7, 2009 by Heather Mac Donald

If you’re a baby, you’ve got a greater chance of surviving into your toddler years if you’re born in godless Europe and other less zealous Western and Asian nations than in religious America.   Premature births, often brought on by drinking, … Continue reading →

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War on terror: environmentalist chapter

Posted on November 7, 2009 by Heather Mac Donald

During the Bush years, the Democrats aggressively played terror porn one-upmanship.  They grandstanded over the Dubai ports deal and demanded that all U.S.-bound cargo containers be screened for nuclear weapons (a grossly unnecessary measure) and that the chemical industry be … Continue reading →

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Climate Change – At Last, A Moment of Honesty

Posted on November 7, 2009 by Andrew Stuttaford

Well, the practical effects of this judgment may be absurd but it does, at least, have the virtue of honesty: When Rupert Dickinson, the chief executive of one of Britain’s biggest property firms, left his BlackBerry behind in London while … Continue reading →

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What separation of church & state?

Posted on November 6, 2009 by David Hume

Healthcare provision seeks to embrace prayer treatments: Reporting from Washington – Backed by some of the most powerful members of the Senate, a little-noticed provision in the healthcare overhaul bill would require insurers to consider covering Christian Science prayer treatments … Continue reading →

Posted in culture | Tagged | 13 Comments

Are Some Atheists Vampires?

Posted on November 6, 2009 by Andrew Stuttaford

What is it about a crucifix that so alarms some atheists? This story from the Daily Telegraph makes for depressing reading. Here is its grubby essence: An Italian atheist mother has won an European court ruling against the use of crucifixes … Continue reading →

Posted in culture | Tagged | 13 Comments

“Sandwich artist” killing spree

Posted on November 6, 2009 by David Hume

Orlando shooting suspect had recently filed for bankruptcy: The suspect in Friday’s shooting of six people in a downtown high-rise is a 40-year-old “man with economic woes that include a recent bankruptcy filing, federal records show. … A man who … Continue reading →

Posted in culture | Tagged | 1 Comment

Fort Hood and the Islamist threat

Posted on November 6, 2009 by Heather Mac Donald

The Fort Hood shootings are a horrific tragedy, one for which all Americans mourn.  Even if the right’s assumption that Nidal Malik Hasan was primarily motivated by Islamist ideology proves correct, however, it’s going to take a lot more such … Continue reading →

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O’Reilly says: Hurry up!

Posted on November 5, 2009 by Heather Mac Donald

Bill O’Reilly was elaborating on the “ineffective Obama” meme last night: This guy’s been paralyzed on Afghanistan for two months, he sneered.  Apparently, if you were to possess the insight of Mr. O’Reilly, deciding whether to escalate or deescalate a … Continue reading →

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American, a dissenting Protestant nation?

Posted on November 5, 2009 by David Hume

In my post Religious diversity & its discontents I referred to America as a “Protestant nation.” This caused some confusion because as regular readers know I’m not too focused on theology, as opposed to historical and evolutionary continuity. For example, … Continue reading →

Posted in culture, data | Tagged , , , | 13 Comments

Secular Fic

Posted on November 5, 2009 by Bradlaugh

Having just promoted two nonfiction books about religion, I should add some fiction to the mix. Check out Rebecca Goldstein’s latest novel, 36 Arguments for the Existence of God: A Work of Fiction. It’s very Goldstein: a perfect blend of intellectual … Continue reading →

Posted in Science & Faith | 3 Comments