What's New Archive ● 2004 ● August
What's New on the Secular Web?
See also: Events & The News Wire
August 30, 2004
Updated the Student Organizations page with the addition of International Humanist and Ethical Youth Organisation (IHEYO).
IHEYO is the Youth section of IHEU (International Humanist and Ethical Union). It is an international network for humanist youth and their organisations/groups around the world. It is devoted to promoting the spread of humanism among young people and to promoting greater cooperation amongst those already involved with humanism around the world.
Updated the Student Organizations page with the addition of Transhumanist Student Network.
Transhumanist Student Network is an international nonprofit membership organization which advocates the ethical use of technology to expand human capacities, in addition to developing a vibrant local transhumanist community through activities and events.
August 21, 2004
Updated the Student Organizations page with numerous new and updated links.
If you are a student and a freethinker who is looking for an organization of like-minded individuals, check out the links here. Others should note that student organizations are only one of several different kinds of organizations that are listed on the Organizations page, which can also be reached via the "Organizations" link in the left sidebar on the Secular Web front page
August 13, 2004
Added "It's a Golden Idol!" by Nevyn O'Kane, to the Agora section of the Kiosk.
Coming to a theatre near you: a little reminder of the effects of faith.
August 12, 2004
Added "Interview with Jesus" by Gary Sloan, to the Agora section of the Kiosk.
"In a rare personal interview, Jesus reveals his position on various contemporary political issues."
August 9, 2004
Added "Hell for Nonbelievers" by Nevyn O'Kane, to the Agora section of the Kiosk.
"If there is a special Hell for atheists and other nonbelievers, I shall never fear for my comfort. I am in good company in my disbelief."
August 7, 2004
Added "A Rebuttal to Pardi's Criticism of ANB" by Philip Kuchar to the Modern Documents section of the Secular Web Library.
"I argue that Pardi's criticisms of Drange's version of the argument from nonbelief (ANB) do not refute ANB, although they may or may not require peripheral corrections or clarifications on Drange's part. I focus not so much on Drange's formulation, but on what I take to be the central intuitions of ANB and on the inadequacy of Pardi's objections. I assume some familiarity with Pardi's paper and with ANB, although I present what I consider to be ANB's central claims."
August 1, 2004
Feature article: "Their Other 'Dirty' Linen: Evangelism's Quest to Conquer the World," by S. R. Welch.
In the rural backwaters and isolated tribal hamlets of countries like India, missionaries routinely peddle the fruits of generosity--food and medicine--as "inducements" for conversion to Christianity. When these allurements fail, more-aggressive means may be employed, not barring fraud and intimidation. As we shall see, in India at least, "harvesting" souls has become an end that justifies almost any means.
Book-of-the-Month: It Ain't Necessarily So: Investigating the Truth of the Biblical Past, by Matthew Sturgis.
This a well-crafted book which recounts recent archaeological investigations in the Holy Land. It attempts to show how much or how little archaeologists have found that supports the stories of the Old Testament. Bringing in history, archaeology, and new research, the author concludes that virtually all of the early stories are fabrications.
Video-of-the-Month: South Park - The Complete Fourth Season.
As one viewer put it: "[I am] shocked at the kinda stuff they get away with on the show, such as the 'Wacky Water Weasel' baptism scene in 'Do the Handicapped go to Hell?' and the local priest's, er, indiscretion in a confessional booth in the same episode, and 'Probably' featuring Cartman and the boys goin' the televangelist route to salvation." And there's much more.
See "What's New? " for past months and years.