The Business of Religion and Liberty Rather than Tolerance

March 1, 2021 By Guest Contributor

Why the Religious Freedom and Business Foundation Fails to Promote Freedom and Undermines the Foundation of Businesses by Ed Buckner Along with other atheists, I have been involved in efforts by the national Religious Freedom Center — “a nonpartisan national initiative focused on educating the public about the religious liberty principles of the First Amendment” — and I am committed to true liberty of conscience for everyone. Atheists like me also share strong knowledge of and support for First Amendment requirements... Read more

Yasir Qadhi’s Elitist Ruse to Conceal the Obscure Origins of the Qur’an

August 26, 2020 By Saif Ansari

In college a friend at the time once told me that she had been invited to Islam by a mutual friend of ours, a religious man who sincerely believed that Islam was the way. She expressed various reservations and declined. In response, our mutual friend told her that to the extent to which she had any objections or problems with certain Muslim practices, or even aspects of dogma, that it didn’t “really” matter, because if the central tenants of Islam... Read more

Despite “Pro-Life” Claims, Stem Cell Therapy Has Very Real Benefits and Should Be Accessible

March 5, 2020 By Kate Harveston

Stem cell research has been the subject of discussion and heated debate for many years. Much of the social and political drama surrounding stem cells is the result of misunderstanding what stem cells are, where they come from, and what they can do for those with injuries and diseases. Working from a common set of facts is a great way to dispel controversy, however. Whether we fall into the “pro-choice” or “pro-life” camp, it is more than evident that supporting... Read more

How Religion Can Impact Mental Health in Good and Bad Ways

January 30, 2020 By Kate Harveston

Many people on Earth think a belief in a higher power is essential if we’re to become moral people. This position is held by decisive majorities in dozens of countries. It’s a vital example of how religion can cause us to offload our sense of morality and self. When it comes to mental health, there are signs religion can do some good, under the right circumstances. Yet, religion can also have unintended consequences for mental and emotional development. Let us look at... Read more

Re-imagining our Common Bond with the Cosmos

January 15, 2020 By Fr. Carl Chudy

Coalescing around Climate Change A few years ago, during the time of the United Nations Summit on Global Climate Change in Paris, our dialogue team traveled to the chilly, damp air of Coatbridge, Scotland, not far from Edinburgh. There we gathered at Conforti Institute of the Xaverian Missionaries, our dialogue center which hosts and trains many groups on the important commitments of interfaith and intercultural dialogue. On that weekend, just prior to the commencement of the COP21 in Paris,... Read more

On Cognitive Dissonance and the Thought Patterns Behind Science Denial

September 6, 2019 By Kate Harveston

Did you know that the moon is hollow? In reality, it isn’t a natural satellite of the earth, but an artificially-created alien space station where critters from galaxies far, far away observe our behavior as if we were their ant farm. Of course, this hypothesis sounds radical, and ample scientific evidence to the contrary exists. However, don’t tell that to the conspiracy theorists. While some deny science in an attempt to make a buck off kooky theories, many honestly believe... Read more

Understanding Cultures of Unbelief for Religious

July 13, 2019 By Fr. Carl Chudy

In the last part of May 2019, an unlikely gathering took place at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, sponsored by the Pontifical Commission for Culture at the Vatican, entitled Cultures of Unbelief. This unique gathering of religious and nonreligious comes about fifty years after the first conference held at the Vatican, March 27, 1969 with the title, Culture of Unbelief. There Pope Paul VI stated: “Thus it comes about that we must recognize many aspects and many motives... Read more

Trump Admin’s Prioritization of Religion Over Health Care Access Will Leave People Without Care

June 20, 2019 By Kate Harveston

The Trump Administration seems bent on prioritizing religious “freedoms” over human needs — including medical needs. On one hand, they’ve essentially declared themselves enemies of public health systems. On the other, they seem to want to bring the entire “free market” of the health care industry under Christianity’s banner of moral rule. By that I mean, there’s another “Obama-era” idea on the chopping block. It involves discrimination protections for the LGBTQ+ community and access to health care. This is a... Read more

Why Do We Question Vegetarianism When It’s a Personal Choice but Not When It’s Religiously-Motivated?

April 18, 2019 By Kate Harveston

People sure do love their double standards. You probably know how true this is if you’ve ever been judged for your dietary choices. Consider the range of responses you might receive if you “out yourself” as a vegan or vegetarian. No matter how well-researched and reasoned your decision might be, somebody is going to decide to make it a problem for you. You’ll be asked if you’re “feeling well” and if you’re getting enough protein. Others will accuse you of... Read more

“At-Will Employment” — Just Another Way Employers Use Religion and Biases Against Workers

February 15, 2019 By Kate Harveston

Employee benefits, workplace rights and even the very definition of employment itself have all changed a lot over the last few decades. One thing that hasn’t changed, however, is the fact that at-will employment is the rule rather than the exception in the United States. There is only one state in the U.S. that doesn’t follow this blueprint for job creation: Montana. The degree to which this concerns you probably stands in direct proportion to how strongly you believe in... Read more