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I hope the reason there's been no response so far on my above post is because it's considered offensive. If so, that certainly isn't intended.

I would like to add something from American history, which may help explain something. When the U.S. Constitution was first being formed, we had just rebelled from a ruler King (in England), as I'm sure you probably know. There was a lot of talk about God's will and the people's will and how...

Thanks to both of you, Aidyl and Farhan, for your responses and information. What do each of you think are the chances that this form of Islam might be able to be rekindled? Do you think it would help in combating radical extremism within Islam? (I am not meaning to suggest with this question...

I'm very ignorant of many things about Islam, but can someone tell me if they know anything about the Mu'tazili philosophy. I have some basic ideas, having read the article at Wikipedia, but I was wondering... 1) Is it was completely extinct? 2) Are there any current efforts to revive it as...

Ruby, You're quite right about the benefits of the internet, especially for those in remote areas. As you noted, however, Houston provides wonderful opportunities for face-to-face meetings of Freethinkers, Humanists, Atheists, etc. As such, what seems to happen is that the online discussions...

Since the following is in the hopes of prospering the personal-based position you mention, I think this is still on topic, but I wanted to ask about the FOR group, a few questions facing us that have to do with challenges to foming this perspective... 1) Do you have members who use every...

Thanks Mark, Actually, now that I see the site, I realize I have seen this group online before. However, I didn't realize at the time in what ways it was different than other local Freethought and Humanist groups. Here in Houston, we have the "Houston Freethought Alliance", which isn't a...

My hope is that people have discarded enough of their silliness by 234 years that the date will pass uneventfully without note or thought on the matter.

Eudaimonist, You concept here is precisely where I am exploring lately! Myself and a few others in my local Humanist group, as well as another pen pal out of my area, have been considering the spiritual and the personal from a naturalistic point of view. I am thinking of starting a small...

I agree that Westerners need to pay more attention to the lifestyle, ethics, and practice parts of Buddhism. Is this what is meant by 'merit-building'?

Indeed, these passages of the Buddha are exactly what I was referring to in my article when I said that he was concerned with this life and this world, and why so many of the Buddhist concepts are applicable for the naturalist. As for non-naturalists of various sorts, there's no doubt that we...

Thanks for the kind words Rdwillia :) I think I may have that book, but I'm not sure. In any case, if it's associated with NOVA, then I'll bet it would be an excellent source. Thanks!

Hi YNOT, Thanks much. I think pragmatism is an excellent approach. Having not read it, I can't speak to all of what you mentioned, but thanks for the references. I think we have to be careful we aren't jumping the gun. There seem to be two dangers to look out for in this: (1) taking what...

Hey Toujour, It seems to me what the film did was present actual experts to present one aspect of QM, then switch to other folks when they expounded on what the experts said. So, what you have left are things being said that, while *based* upon the initial thing the experts said, wouldn't...

Thanks Hand :)

Hello Toujur! Thanks for reading my essay and for your comments. Please feel free to forward to anyone you like. Quantum mechanics is a wonderfully exciting thing to me as well. I am no scientist, but for a lay person, I'm fairly well-read in physics and biology, simply because it's...

Thanks for reading Tony. I'm glad you liked my essay. I have not read Batchelor's book, but it sounds interesting. It sounds similar to a recent article by Sam Harris in "Shambhala Sun" called "Killing the Buddha". I think it is important we not be intolerant of those Buddhists who do have a...

I have just finished an essay by this title and thought I'd post it here for those who may be interested. We could have a discussion on it in this thread if folks like. http://dtstrainphilosophy.blogspot.com/2006/05/naturalistic-approach-to-buddhist.html Thanks :) Daniel

Sorry, I should have specified I meant from a secular, scholarly point of view only. Thanks.

Does anyone know if there is some online summary of the history of where/when the books of the bible came from, as best as scholars can currently tell? I'm looking for a VERY generalized and simplified overview, perhaps just a few pages in length at most. Thanks!