by Leo Tolstoy
(from “Resurrection”)
The service began.
It consisted of the following. The priest, having dressed himself up in a strange and very inconvenient garb of gold cloth, cut and arranged little bits of bread on a saucer and then put most of them in a cup with wine, repeating at the same time different names and [...]

by Robert Buchanan
English novelist and dramatist, 1814-1901
Not Baal, but Christus-Jingo! Heir
Of him who once was crucified!
The red stigmata still are there,
The crimson spear-wounds in the side;
But raised aloft as God and Lord,
He holds the Money-bag and Sword.
See, underneath the Crown of Thorn,
The eye-balls fierce, the features grim!
And merrily from night to morn
We chaunt his praise [...]

http://richarddawkins.net/article,825,The-God-Debate,Sam-Harris-Rick-Warren-Newsweek
Make sure and read the comments after the talk.

Moth
by Justin Simmons
i am in orbit around
the most beautiful light
it draws me in
ever closer in my ecstasy
getting closer
world spinning faster
with every rotation
so bright, my God
ZAP!

I’m turning 29 tomorrow and my wife Erin bought me this great new book of quotes called, “The Cry for Justice, an anthology of the Great Social Protest Literature of All Time“.
I’m flipping through this thing and it has hundreds if not thousands of quotes by great thinkers of all ages. I am looking forward [...]

Super video about biblical interpretation throughout Christian history by a great scholar.

Altruism is defined as the belief in or practice of disinterested and selfless concern for the well-being of others.
Are we by nature altruistic? Are you?
When I explore myself I see altruism mixed with self-centeredness. Given an honest assessment, you would probably declare the same about yourself. I believe that altruism is basic human nature in [...]

Crews ponders the consequences of evolutionary theism.
From “Saving us from Darwin”
by Frederick C. Crews 
Reposted from: http://richarddawkins.net/article,2712,Saving-Us-from-Darwin,Frederick-C-Crews
Originally at: http://www.nybooks.com/articles/14581 
Even the theology, moreover, would be hobbled by contradictions. Intelligent design awkwardly embraces two clashing deities—one a glutton for praise and a dispenser of wrath, absolution, and grace, the other a curiously inept cobbler of species that need to [...]

It is essential for the survival of the human race that we regard one another on at least the same level that we regard ourselves. Many mystics and philosophers throughout the ages have affirmed this including Jesus when he said the second greatest commandment was “love your neighbor as yourself.”

There are institutions in this world that would prefer that you don’t read scientific journals, history books or philosophy. They thrive on the ignorance of the masses, our vain susceptibility to superstition and our innate fear of death.
We are given the benefit of a moment in time and space where rationalists can speak without fear [...]

Check out my web design company at AngelwireCreative.com.

There are institutions in this world that would prefer that you don’t read scientific journals, history books or philosophy. They thrive on the ignorance of the masses, our vain susceptibility to superstition and our innate fear of death.
We are given the benefit of a moment time and space wherein the rationalist can speak without fear [...]

Barack Obama seems to be a very positive and encouraging individual. I believe that if elected he will do a stand up job and make our nation proud.
I loved this video, it was very inspiring.
URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjXyqcx-mYY

I remember when he said that about bombing Iran. After today’s broadcast from President Bush, it seems highly possible that we could be on their soil before the election.
Wars, and rumors of wars.
I hate war.

tsk tsk.