A critique of the Declaration of Independence
I wish to thank Zachary Moore for inviting me to contribute to this blog. I might as well start with this entry that I made first for my Intellectual Rants blog several months ago. If we are truly dedicated to reason, we should have no sacred cows. The Declaration of Independence here refers to the [...]
Should the word “sin” be part of our political vocabulary?
People have different definitions of sin. But the real reason people use the word is because it sounds nastier than ‘immoral act’ or ‘unethical act’. As Wayne Slater notes, these terms carry with them a “secular sheen” which seems to imply one has merely broken ‘man’s law’ and not God’s law. This, perhaps, is why [...]
Should the word “sin” be part of our political vocabulary?
The first definition of ‘sin’ from The Free Dictionary online is “A transgression of a religious or moral law, especially when deliberate.” If the dictionary can’t keep religion out of the definition of sin, then the word ‘sin’ definitely doesn’t belong in American politics. And incorporating the word ‘sin’ can only be detrimental to the continuing struggle [...]
Should the word “sin” be part of our political vocabulary?
The word “sin” has been adapted by modern society to be refer to any morally bad act, or even just a transgression of the rules. Thus, an athlete using steroids could be said to committing a “sin” against their sport, even though such an act may not be morally bad according to any given religious system. Likewise, [...]
What does the Occupy movement say about American society?
The “Occupy” movement suggests that the so-called “American Dream” has gone sour. In times past, citizens dissatisfied with their lot in life would strike West into the great untamed frontier, and stake a claim to make a better life for themselves (notwithstanding the aboriginal Americans who already had done so). After the West was won, [...]
Why does a strong belief in heaven and hell motivate people?
Baylor University Religion Survey To be precise, the Baylor survey asked people if they pursued excellence in their work because of their faith. Thus, it is altogether not surprising that we find respondents who have a strong belief in Heaven or Hell indicating a desire to link their faith with their workplace. Indeed, it is very [...]
Does just war theory legitimize Anwar al-Aulaqi’s slaying?
The Catholic theory of Just War is wholly insufficient to comment on the the continued prosecution of the so-called “War on Terror.” This theory presupposes a conflict between two or more public authorities, of which the nebulous and ephemeral terrorist alliances that include al-Qaeda most certainly are not. The American invasion of the Taliban-led country [...]