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Globe and Mail — Toronto, Ontario, Canada, 2000-10-27
In both Canadian and American politics, we're hearing a lot about the religion, or more particularly, the godliness, of leading political figures. Stockwell Day, in a recent appearance on Canada's most-watched religious TV show, made a political virtue of his religious views...
Meanwhile, U.S. presidential and vice-presidential candidates vie with one another in proclaiming the intensity of their religious sentiments and conversion experiences...
...where does Mr. Day now stand on issues dealing with sexuality, human reproduction, taxation and the distribution of wealth, and criminal punishment? These are the matters that should concern voters. Turning religious feelings into a political commodity...should not be our guide as to how we vote. Let's speculate less on candidates' religious beliefs and pay more attention to just what their policies are.
usnews.com, 2000-10-23
In the midst of the social upheavals of the 1960s, Time magazine set off quite a stir when it asked, in a cover story, "Is God Dead?" Now, in a quieter America, one might well ask, "Is God Back?" The signs of change are everywhere. Christian rock and gospel music, traditionally at the fringes of the pop charts, have increased sales 75 percent in the past four years. They now outsell classical and jazz music combined...
New York Times, 2000-10-22
George W. Bush says: "...on the issue of evolution, the verdict is still out on how God created the earth..."
George W Bush, seeking advice in presidential race, has turned to Bible passages and preachers like James Robison, Dallas television evangelist who was called to help Bush prepare himself for campaign debate...
Salon.com, 2000-10-24
George W. Bush's constant gaffes and mental lapses reflect the luxurious laziness of a scion who's never had to work hard at anything... What does George W. Bush know and when does he know it? (A) Not much and (B) not without long study periods and (C) even then not well.
Rationalist International, 2000-10-20
Dr. Younus Shaikh, founder-President of the Pakistan based organization "Enlightenment", is accused of blasphemy under Section 295-C of the Pakistan Penal Code and faces the death penalty, if found guilty... But even without a verdict, he is in permanent danger of being killed by a fanatic mob, as has happened previously to many accused of blasphemy...
The blasphemy accusation against him is based on his statement that the Prophet Mohammed did not become a Muslim till the age of 40 (i.e. until he received the first message from God) and the Prophet's parents were non-Muslims because they died before Islam existed.
Blasphemy in Pakistan is punishable with mandatory death penalty. Cases of acquittal are extremely rare, because the law demands only very vague evidences as base for a verdict. It is sufficient that at least two Muslim adult males witness that the accused is guilty of offending Islam or the Prophet. The courts normally give in to the pressure of the fundamentalists. Many accused are killed earlier in police custody or in the court room itself by fanatics.
See also:
American Atheists, 2000-10-15
A bill now in the U.S. Senate would dangerously alter the 1934 Communications Act, and make it easier for religious groups to acquire and operate public broadcasting stations. Disingenuously labeled the "Noncommercial Broadcasting Freedom of Expression Act" (H.R. 4201), this measure would put churches and other sectarian organizations on the same level as educational institutions and nonprofit groups when making application to obtain coveted public broadcasting frequencies.
The bill would exempt religious groups from the guidelines which apply to all other institutions currently operating public broadcasting outlets. It elevates religious programming -- sermons, preaching and other forms of proselytizing -- to the same level as "educational, instruction or cultural" content.
The Washington Post, 2000-10-15
An article discussing embryonic stem cell research, its potential for advances in medicine, and religious opposition to it.
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