Vol. 1 No. 13 - October 30, 2006

The New Scientist magazine recently posed the question “Imagine Earth without people” (issue 2573, 12 October 2006, 36-41): “Humans are undoubtedly the most dominant species the Earth has ever known. In just a few thousand years we have swallowed up more than a third of the planet's land for our cities, farmland and pastures. By some estimates, we now commandeer 40 per cent of all its productivity. And we're leaving quite a mess behind: ploughed-up prairies, razed forests, drained aquifers, nuclear waste, chemical pollution, invasive species, mass extinctions and now the looming spectre of climate change. If they could, the other species we share Earth with would surely vote us off the planet.”

What place for Homo sapiens sapiens on this accommodating little blue-green planet, third from the sun?

Are we special? The crown of the creative endeavours of some “god”? And are we to live forever? Given that we have the self-styled notion of “too wonderful to perish”?

In this issue the notion of “eternal life” is discussed. And I include an essay by Bertrand Russell, indicating the probable status of humans in the universe.

And, I venture with my own, modern version – an attempted pastiche – of Russell’s original.

Contents

Publisher’s Note

Editor’s Note

Eternal life

The theologian's nightmare, by Bertrand Russell

The theologian's nightmare, by Nathan Bond

Bigotry in the name of God and religion

Clash of cricket and religion: Pakistan's faith sparks unholy row

Apocalypse soon

Muslim leader blames women for sex attacks

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Tart Remarks, Vol. 1 No. 13 – October 30, 2006

Vol. 1 No. 12 - October 23, 2006

Gays in the assembly before “god” is the subject considered this week. I intended, reflecting on the leading article, that one should best address both scientific and theological aspects in the matter. Yet, as the article progressed, I became progressively aware of the absolute folly of Biblical consideration on the “gay issue”.

Bible scientists are virtually united in denying that the Bible addresses homosexuality as it is manifested in modern day life.

And even if the Bible had something to say about the matter, could it reasonably be considered to counter the overwhelming scientific evidence that homosexuality has a biological foundation; that homosexuality is but a biological variation?

The leading article evolved into two articles: one considering the status of gays in the church; one simply listing a selection of scientific sources indicating the biological basis of homosexuality.

I revisit the latest book by Richard Dawkins – The God Delusion – featured in the September 25 issue, and publish links to the latest reviews, as well as a link to view a debate, on the folly of religion, between Dawkins and Stephen Colbert.

Contents

Publisher’s note

Editor’s note

Pink prayer

Here’s the thing!

Evangelicals ally with Democrats on environment

Conflation of church and state

Richard Dawkins: read about him; see him

Is God dead? Atheism finds a market in U.S.

The sound of thorns crackling in a fire

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Tart Remarks, Vol. 1 No. 12 – October 23, 2006

Vol. 1 No. 11 - October 16, 2006

Much of this issue is devoted to opinion about Sam Harris’ new book, Letter to a Christian Nation. I admire Harris for his unmitigated pronouncements on religion. Yet I remain critical of his apparent ajar backdoor on eastern mysticism.

The leading article, on the probable origin of religion, is a topic of great interest to me. The Origin of Religion is by no measure of means conclusive, and serves to draw attention to the process by which us humans create and destroy our gods. I am reminded of John Lennon’s words:

Imagine there’s no heaven.
It’s easy if you try.
No hell below us,
above us, only sky…

Contents

Publisher’s note

Editor’s note

The origin of religion

Michigan backs teaching evolution in science class

GOP raises religion in court race, calling democrat an atheist

Letter to a Christian Nation, by Sam Harris

- Statement by the author
- Review
- Time to let go of God (The New York Observer)
- Taking on Christians' gospel truth (San Francisco Chronicle)
- Quotes, selected by the author

The sound of thorns crackling in a fire

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Tart Remarks, Vol. 1 No. 11 – October 16, 2006

Vol. 1 No. 10 – October 9, 2006

The Pope’s intended Limbo trumpery is the framework for a leading article on dogma generally – how is dogma set; and how maintained? And how discarded?

Tart considers the vision of the new leader of world Methodism – looking East and to Africa to reclaim the Church’s mission.

A divisive debate about whether military chaplains should be allowed to pray "in Jesus' name" before a religiously mixed audience is resolved before a House-Senate conference committee. Or not.

The influence of Evangelical Christianity over American voters appears to be waning. In 2004, white evangelical or born-again Christians made up a quarter of the electorate, and 78 percent of them voted Republican, according to exit polls. But some pollsters believe that evangelical support for the GOP peaked two years ago and that what has been called the "God gap" in politics is shrinking.

But considering the status of Limbo – how can religion be taken seriously?

How?!

Contents

Publisher’s note

Editor’s note

Risum teneatis, amici?

Travelling in search of radical holiness

Not separate, but ecumenical

GOP's hold on evangelicals weakening

The great satan vs the axis of evil

The sound of thorns crackling in a fire

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Tart Remarks, Vol. 1 No. 10 – October 9, 2006