How my humanism shaped me in 2011
I began this year with two tremendous responsibilities, and ended it with two more. In January, I was one of the directors not only of the Fellowship of Freethought, but also of Camp Quest Texas. This spring, I also took over from Terry McDonald the role of coordinator for the Dallas/Fort Worth Coalition of Reason, [...]
Summary: Why is music central to Christmas — or any religious story?
This week’s question asks about the use of music at Christmas time, which is seemingly ubiquitous in malls, on car radios, and even streaming on the Internet from Thanksgiving through the end of the year. Marilyn Westfall, First Unitarian Universalist Church in Lubbock: As someone who has experience in theater, I find that music underscores mood, and [...]
Why is music central to Christmas?
It is assumed by many believers that Christmas music has some religious significance, perhaps even a Biblical foundation. And yet the most likely candidate scripture for such a justification, the “heavenly host” of angels that greets the shepherds in the second chapter of the Gospel of Luke, is much less a choral performance than a heraldic announcement. And though [...]
Hitchens, Remembered
I first came to know about the late Christopher Hitchens during the “New Atheist” publishing boom, after Sam Harris’ book “The End of Faith” led to Richard Dawkins’ “The God Delusion” and Daniel Dennett’s “Breaking the Spell.” His was the last of the so-called “Four Horsemen” to hit the bookstands, and I can recall viewing [...]
Why is music central to Christmas — or any religious story?
Music and spiritual expression go hand-in-hand. The Greeks gave us the Muses, and one was Polyhymnia who inspired religious songs. The Native Americans developed intricate rhythm and vocal expressions for their ceremonies. Buddhists use singing bowls or bells to begin and end meditations. As someone who has experience in theater, I find that music underscores [...]
Summary: Should sexual immorality disqualify an otherwise capable candidate?
This week’s question asks if “sexual immorality” among candidates for political office (with specific consideration to the personal histories of Newt Gingrich and Herman Cain, respectively) should be a consideration when evaluating a candidate’s qualifications for office. Marilyn Westfall, First Unitarian Universalist Church in Lubbock: I think that sexual and marital history are facets of an individual [...]
Should sexual immorality disqualify an otherwise capable candidate?
Although the Dallas Morning News’ Wayne Slater doesn’t do his readers the service of defining what he means by “sexual immorality,” his question appears to presuppose a sexual ethic that views marital monogamy as the highest virtue. Given that this appears in a religion-oriented blog, one would assume that this ethic either derives from, or [...]
Let’s Talk About Sex
What is sexual immorality? What is the definition of sexual immorality? Is it cheating on a spouse? Masturbating? Sex before marriage? Gay sex? Lying about sex? Taking advantage of someone unable to give informed sexual consent (someone who is under the influence, a minor, mentally disabled, etc)? A Google search for ‘sexual immorality’ and ‘sexual [...]
Should sexual immorality disqualify an otherwise capable candidate?
This question could only come up in this country, with its peculiar history of puritanism. Most other (non-theocratic) countries accept that their public figures are mere mortals subject to moral lapses. I am not so concerned about a candidate’s infidelity or dabbling in homosexuality, as I am about how he handles it. Lying is worse [...]
Should sexual immorality disqualify an otherwise capable candidate?
This question feels familiar, given that we’ve recently discussed accusations of sexual impropriety leveled at Herman Cain, which led him to suspend his campaign. What registers to me, given the focus on this kind of subject matter, is that the media and maybe the American public finds it easier (or more entertaining) to debate a [...]