What's New Archive ● 2002 ● December
What's New on the Secular Web?
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December 30, 2002
Added "In Defense of the 9th Circuit Court Ruling" by Stephen Cheng to the Agora.
"The 9th Circuit Court ruling on the 26th of June, 2002, was condemned by many Americans. They are wrong."
December 28, 2002
Added "Remembering Steinbeck When We Really Need Him" by Molleen Matsumura, former Vice President of Internet Infidels, to the Agora.
As the centennial of his birth draws to a close, John Steinbeck's writing still offers wisdom and inspiration--especially for freethinkers.
December 26, 2002
Added "Any Ole God Will Do" by Lee Salisbury, a former Pentecostal Bible School teacher and Pastor, to the Agora.
Practically every Christian denomination has a different, even contradictory description of God. Christians seem nevertheless unfazed by the implications. Somehow Christians are so engaged in affirming the correctness of what they believe that it never occurs to them that their own multiple descriptions of God preclude belief in a singular God who is the one and only God.
December 22, 2002
Added Induced Religious Conversions: An Affront To Hindus by Balgrim Ragoonanan to the Hinduism subsection of the Theism section in the Modern Documents section of the Library.
Ragoonanan explores some typical misunderstandings of Hinduism, provides useful information for both Christians and Hindus on the nature of Hinduism, and explains why Christian proselytizing is an affront to Hindus. [Editor's note: This article is presented as an article of interest regarding Hinduism. It represents the viewpoint of its author, not that of the Secular Web. Although the author identifies specific aspects of Hinduism which are misunderstood by Christians, Christian critics could likewise point out that the author misunderstands specific aspects of Christianity and that the article goes beyond merely criticizing the misunderstanding of Hinduism by Christians to the point that it serves as an apologetic for Hinduism.]
December 19, 2002
Added "Bush Should Deploy Ultimate Weapon" by Gary Sloan to the Agora.
An obvious solution to the Iraqi problem needs to be implemented. The solution is safe, tested, viable, and cost-effective. No reasonable person can object to it.
December 17, 2002
Added "The Godless Americans March on Washington—a Lesson in Godless Cooperation" by Clark Adams, the second featured article for December, to the Kiosk.
Atheists, agnostics and humanists have longed for their own "Stonewall," the rebellion in New York in 1969 which is said to have begun the gay-rights movement. The Godless Americans March on Washington of November 2, 2002 might prove to be that kind of historical event.
December 13, 2002
Added "Black Racism and the Beltway Snipers: A Media Double Standard" by Daniel G. Jennings to the Agora.
The way that our politically-correct media has treated the Beltway Sniper affair is disturbing because it shows that our journalists have become completely timid and afraid to ask important questions or cover important stories for fear that they might offend some people.
December 10, 2002
Added The third statements (the second rebuttals following the first rebuttals and the opening statements) in "The Cooke-Aijaz Debate: Does God Exist?" to the Nontheism/Atheism/Debates section of the Modern Documents section of the Library.
Dr. Bill Cooke, of the New Zealand Association of Rationalists and Humanists, and Imran Aijaz, of the Auckland University Islamic Society, debate the existence of God. These are the second rebuttals, the third of four installments of 1500 words or less, with the final statements yet to come.
December 9, 2002
Keith Augustine added a suggested reading list and extensively updated his endnotes to Richard C. Vitzthum's article "Philosophical Materialism" in the Modern Documents section of the Secular Web Library.
Updated the Internet Infidels Supporters page with the addition of Taslima Nasrin, Author, poet, physician, and refugee under a fatwa; Michael Newdow, Physician, lawyer, and plaintiff challenging "Under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance; Julia Sweeney, Actress, comedienne, and author.
Updated the Local Organizations Around the World page with the addition of Community of Reason in Kansas City, MO.
December 7, 2002
Added "My Wild Weekend With a Nobel Laureate, a Pulitzer Prize Winner and a Former Saturday Night Live Star" by Clark Adams to the Agora.
Internet Infidels Board Member Clark Adams recounts the Freedom From Religion Foundation's memorable 2002 convention in San Diego.
December 4, 2002
Added "Science, Mysticism and Revolutions" by Amanda Barnum to the Agora.
An examination of occult activity in Europe during the time of the Scientific Revolution
December 1, 2002
Added "The Bonebox of James: Is It Physical Evidence of the Historicity of Jesus?" by Richard Carrier, the featured article for December, to the Kiosk.
A recent find, an ossuary (or "bonebox") may well be evidence that Jesus existed. Carrier compares the facts and arguments, pro and con, and offers his expert opinion.
Book-of-the-Month for December: The Myth of the Lord Jesus Christ and How It Grew by Milton L. Forbes.
This is another in series of Book-of-the-Month selections that have focused on various theories about the life and death of Jesus. Dr. Forbes argues that "The Lord Jesus Christ is a totally imaginary figure that evolved from a real man named Jesus. The myth evolved by steps, each step a logical attempt to cope with circumstances in its time."
Video-of-the-Month for December: Body, starring Antonio Banderas and Olivia Williams.
Could a body found in Jerusalem in a tomb nearly 2000 years old, a body which bears the markings of crucifixion, be the body of Jesus--and the end of Christianity as we know it? Sent by the Vatican to find the answer, Father Matt Gutierrez (Banderas) is a brave man of simple faith who is dedicated to his task. Olivia Williams portrays a scientist who challenges Father Matt to think as a scientist, but she is no more successful with him than he is with her in his efforts to get her to think with her heart. Mind and heart come together, however, as the pair face the maelstrom which confronts them.
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