Why and How You Can Play a Role in Supporting Reason and a Secular America

Despite campaign promises to the contrary, President Obama has failed to end religious discrimination by religious groups. Church groups funded with "faith-based" tax dollars discriminate in hiring for their unconstitutional programs. We might have expected such behavior (and funding) if Republicans ran the executive branch but who on the Democratic/Independent side expected not just a continuation but an expansion of such endeavors? The faith-based (meaning without evidence) funding efforts are an egregious violation of the establishment clause. It's a big disappointment - even worse than having to listen to Rick Warren at the inauguration or the president himself end every speech with his ritual "and God bless the United States of America" - year, sure thing). There really isn't much we can do about it because no secularist could shift allegiance to the Republicans! Things would be voluminously worse under God's Own Party, the GOP.

There are other, related church/state concerns. One is that women must not be denied access to preventative health care services (contraceptives, abortion, etc.). This is a concern as the new health care law takes effect owing to the discriminatory religious beliefs of theistic employer institutions. Another concern is the need to review IRS regulations that exempt a parsonage from taxation. Government has no business granting special privileges to religion. Doing so, as leaders of the Secular Coalition for America recently pointed out, forces secular Americans to underwrite the endorsement of superstition and dogma with our tax dollars.

We are at a time in this nation's history when candidates seeking the Republican presidential nomination attend rallies of the faithful and say crazy things to suck up to them. Last week, at the preposterously named Values Voter Summit (as opposed to what - the Amoral Voter Summit?) in Washington, DC., the candidates competed to appear holier than thou AND each other. It was a national embarrassment - and dismaying to anyone who values reason, let along actual vales of human decency.

All who cherish a secular Republic should consider making their voices heard, in some forum, somewhere. Everyone has outlets, even if only via communicates with friends and family members. However, it's even better if you also send a few messages via social networks.

To quote the clarion call of the Secular Coalition:

We know that things aren't going to change overnight. It is going to take many more long days spent on the Hill, and countless more emails, phone calls, and visits from our supporters before politicians get the message: We will not sit idly by while our tax dollars subsidize religious discrimination, proselytizing, and politicking from the pulpit. You have already done so much, but we still need your help. We need to you get the word out. If you aren't already, follow us on Facebook and Twitter. Make sure that your family and friends know the facts about these important issues and that no one can afford to sit on the sidelines. Write letters to the editor, call your members of Congress, and make sure that your voice is being heard...We have to remind Congress that forcing beliefs on others is not religious freedom. We can make a difference in the lives of all Americans by keeping our government secular. We have the facts, reason, and a vibrant community of supporters on our side. If we continue to speak out and make our voices heard, we will win this fight.

If you want to go all the way, learn more about and consider attending the Reason Rally in Washington, D.C. Set for March 24, 2012, from 10:00AM – 4:00PM at the Washington Mall, the Reason Rally is designed to unify, energize and embolden secular people nationwide, while dispelling the negative opinions held by so much of American society. And, most important, everyone can have a good time supporting a great cause - freedom from religion and the injustice of having to support it. Rally features will include music, comedy, enlightening speakers and, best of all, it will be entirely free.

An Educational and Non-Divisive Patriotic Recitation Suggestion Proposed As An Alternative to the Un-American Pledge of Allegiance

When the colonists broke off from the mother country, they did so in part in order to create a new kind of government - a nation of the people, by the people and for the people. The founders wrote a Constitution for a nation of laws, man-made laws to be administered by representatives elected by the people. This was a noble experiment, a departure from the traditional government model under God, the latter better known as the Divine Right of Kings. In other words, kings were presumed to know what God wanted, so kings ruled. This was a very good thing for kings, maybe not the best arrangement for the commoners. However, the United States of America started out and continues to function under a different kind of model. Despite the god-awful phrase under God that the Knights of Columbus (i.e., the Catholic Church) successfully pressured Congress to insert into the 19th century godless Pledge of Allegiance during the Communist-scare era of the 1950's, the U.S. remains a democratic Republic, not a nation ruled (or influenced or affected in any way) by a make-believe sky god. Few believers in this particular nation they claim is now under a god seem to recognize the contradiction between our revered “liberty and justice for all” and the concept of being “under God.” The inclusion of this “under God” business automatically precludes “liberty” for all who do not subscribe to a god concept.

For years, I wanted to see Dr. Michael Newdow's lawsuits succeed striking the under God phrase from the Eisenhower-era pledge, but now I want to see something more - I want the Pledge itself eliminated. I think it's an embarrassment - a mindless, ineffective and moronic ritual blah blah that does not encourage reflection or education about the Republican nature of our system of government. (Besides, not a soul has a clue about the meaning of under God. If we took the Pledge seriously, we would want to know which god we're under and in what specific ways are we under said god?)

But I do have a replacement that I believe would be thoughtful, effective and meaningful, namely, reading aloud sections of the Constitution, including the amendments. Pick a minute or less of reading and go with that - over time, everyone would be exposed to truly worthy ideas that mean a great deal.

I recall as a youngster reciting the Pledge of Allegiance everyday, in Catholic grade school. We held one arm out like little Nazis swearing allegiance to a flag. Since we had to do it, it was not a sincere or educational ritual. We just did what we were told to do and got done with it - it meant nothing and we learned nothing from doing it. Nor is this ritual sensible today, for children or adults. No more arm stretched - bad memories of that gesture. Now it is done ever so reverently with hand held over the heart symbolizing what - flag under god love?

I'm put off by all oaths, because anyone, loyal or otherwise, can recites a broad and vague oath. A terrorist can recite an oath as well as a Tea Bagger. For the former, it's a minor irritant; for the latter, it's a jingoistic way of convincing ourselves, as Mitt Romney put it the other day, God created the United States and God wants us to be number one.

Loyalty oaths are required for nearly all public officials these days, including those who are to serve president, in the Congress, as state legislatures, the judiciary, all state and local offices and so on. Naturalized citizens are required to pledge their allegiance to the United States to become citizens. (As if anyone who wants to live here and work here is going to say, No, actually, I prefer not to take oaths - I think they're kind of stupid.) So, too, must everyone seeking to join any branch of the military. The whole business of oath-taking is out of control. I should be grateful I did not have to take a loyalty oath to write this blog. (Ooops, I shouldn't be giving them ideas.)

The Puritans in 18th century New England required citizens to pledge support for the Commonwealth - and to report anyone who dared dissent from the ruling government. I'm going to guess that a person in that era who chose not to recite an annoying pledge was exiled - if he were fortunate.

Pledges do not bring out the best in us. They do not promote an understanding of, respect for or true allegiance to the nation. They are not a good fit with democracy - with government of the people and all that. Let's give the Pledge a rest. Next time your local club gathers, consider reading the First Amendment, instead of reciting a pledge, under or over any alleged god.

The Denial of Reality is a Health Hazard: All Wellness Enthusiasts Should Promote Effective Decision-Making No Less Vigorously Than Sound Nutrition and Exercise

There are dreadful consequences straight ahead for America as a direct consequence of the platforms espoused by all but one Republican presidential candidate (Jon Huntsman), namely, the denial of significant realities. The nation is already awash in dysfunctional thinking, conspiracy theories, media distortions and organized resistance to innumerable facts. Large segments of the population, it seems, cannot deal with certain realities. Though demonstrated by science, certain realities undermine and give the lie to foolish but revered superstitions. Empirical evidence touted by an overwhelming consensus of the world's scientists is, to a large segment of American society, rendered controversial by candidates Perry, Bachmann, Cain and nearly all leading contenders of the GOP nomination. The term "conservative" has been rendered synonymous with Christian. The Tea and Republican parties consist of religionists devoted more to certain ceremonial and other forms of god worship than respect for secular constitutional government. Such people are contemptuous of evidence unsupportive of their ancient dogmas. The world-views of Right Wing fundamentalists persist in the face of facts. This is in part due to early education and in part a continuation of cultural reinforcements. The future well being of individuals and the quality of life of our society hang in the balance, and the 2012 elections could enable a new critical mass of science denial. At present, these people deny scientific evidence: if they prevail, they will next be in a position to question the competence and legitimacy of scientific evidence to establish reality. They already favor an alternative reality, one based partly on biblical myths, the other on making stuff up. The next step would be to implement policies that render such demential normal and legitimate.

It seems to me that those of us who value REAL wellness, particularly the keystone quality of a developed sense of reason, should strive to do all possible to counter the hazards of science denial. Let's make this advocacy a key element of wellness promotion. The dangers of denying science are far greater in the aggregate than the hazards of poor diet and insufficient exercise. The latter are, of course, dreadful and pernicious. Science denial is disastrous to an extent we can only begin to imagine. Being fit and healthy will be of limited value if we remain awash in dysfunctions brought on by climate change and other disasters created by our rejection of reason.

Wellness enthusiasts might initiate or expand a new focus on reality advocacy as part of wellness education by reading popular science writer John Grant's new book, "Denying Science: Conspiracy Theories, Media Distortions, and the War Against Reality" (Prometheus Books, Amherst, NY, 2011). Grant does a thorough job documenting the extent of the antagonism toward science in America today. The nineteen chapters over the course of 374 pages describes the damages caused by the flood-tides of science denial. Grant's new book also documents the growing hold of pseudoscience and alternative ("complementary") medicine, and shows how advertising disguises the hazards of drugs, smoking and other products and habits. It soon becomes clear to the reader how easily mountebanks of many descriptions are able to obscure sound health programs (e.g., the case of the anti-vaccine movement). Attention is also devoted to the influence the anti-intellectual trend has had on our culture. While Republican candidates for president did not create these disabling conditions, their positions on campaign and other issues do reinforce the worst of the lot. The fact of science denial is also at the root of the successes of New Age gurus, prosperity preachers, healers who channel god, the creationist advance in science classes, the climate change skeptics and others who promote that which is contrary to the clear lessons of established science. This sorry state is a consequence of gullible, easily fooled, under-educated people facing a stark choice - at least for them: whom to believe. Should they look to the science deniers or the scientists? Alas, those who find Republican presidential candidates worth taking seriously are very likely to go with the science deniers.

As John Grant makes clear in the first chapter of "Denying Science," a non-existent god won't help us. We're on our own and all we really have to understand reality is our brains in good working order. There is no better window into reality than what Robert Green Ingersoll called reason: "I admit that reason is a small and feeble flame, a flickering torch by stumblers carried in the starless night. Blown and flayed by passion's storms, and yet, it is the only light. Extinguish it and nought remains. Ingersoll linked reason with observation and experience, calling all three the holy trinity of science."

Consider, for just a moment, the two ways that Ingersoll described as diametrically opposed approaches for understanding reality. Read this quote from Ingersoll and ask yourself which of the two would be embraced by the Republican contenders for that party's nomination for president, and which by those who respect and rely on science: "There are two ways -- the natural and the supernatural. One way is to live for the world we are in, to develop the brain by study and investigation, to take, by invention, advantage of the forces of nature, to the end that we may have good houses, raiment and food, to the end that the hunger of the mind may be fed through art and science. The other way is to live for another world that we expect, to sacrifice this life that we have for another that we know not of. The other way is by prayer and ceremony to obtain the assistance, the protection of some phantom above the clouds."

If, as I imagine given your presence reading TPJ, you favor the first approach Ingersoll described, I think you will very much enjoy "Denying Science: Conspiracy Theories, Media Distortions, and the War Against Reality."
 

A Few Kind Words for Merciful Endings

The infamous GOP presidential debate from Tampa last week (but aren't they all?) had many lowlights. The depths were plumbed when CNN's moderator, the "Situation Room" blowhard Wolf Blitzer, asked Rep. Ron Paul about a person who elected not to purchase health insurance but later needed expensive medical care to survive. Ron Paul replied, "That's what freedom is all about - taking your own risks." Blitzer, seeking clarification, then asked, "So society should just let him die?" The Tea Bagger audience went wild with acclaim for that idea. A loud "Yeah!" was heard above the clamor. None of the other Republican presidential candidates offered a softer, more nuanced perspective. I was hoping Blitzer would ask one of the candidates about assisted suicide, which I prefer to call "merciful assistance" in checking out. Here, too, Republicans distinguish themselves in the worst possible ways. Republicans, being religious extremists, wholeheartedly support death without dignity, no matter the pain, costs or  suffering. The "let the market decide - if you can't pay, too bad" Republicans prefer intrusive in this instance, rather than supporting freedom to choose one's time and method of death. They oppose giving Americans the right to qualified assistance to put an end to suffering, even when there is no hope for cure, no relief from pain, no prospect for quality of life. Remember Clint Eastwood’s recent film “Million Dollar Baby?” The movie provided a dramatic look at assisted suicide. Many religious leaders were outraged, angry at the idea that humans, not their sky god, can any right to take a life, even one's own, under any circumstances. If God wanted us to die peacefully without pain in dignified ways, he would have made such arrangements. Earl Wettstein, President of the "Final Exit Network," cites polls that show more than 70 percent of Americans support an individual's right-to-die. Under circumstances similar to those depicted in "Million Dollar Baby" and sketched above (i.e., a terminal person suffering unremitting pain with no prospect for recovery), most Americans would choose to die – and would want qualified assistance in doing so. I have asked countless friends and nearly all my relatives about this, and the view seems unanimous that everyone people want to be able to choose and insist upon the right to help those they love and support to die. People want to eliminate legal barriers to merciful endings. One of my heroes, a man who suffered greatly because of his commitment to merciful endings, was Dr. Jack Kevorkian. But there are other advocates for the right to this final freedom, the liberty to choose when and how to die. One prominent advocate for merciful endings is Philip Nitschke, an Australian doctor who believes everyone over 50 should have an end of life plan - and the legal right to carry it out. At present, he cannot assist provide merciful endings, but he can and does offer the ultimate form of self-help knowledge. You an learn about Dr. Nitschke and his approaches in this interview. What are your ideas about merciful endings? Do you support this concept in general and would you want to have such an option yourself in your final moments? What do you think is the likelihood that all Americans and other free people around the world will have such a right in the future?

Rick Perry, Michelle Bachmann, Sarah Palin and other fundamentalist Republicans Are a Threat to American Democracy

First, the good news. Not even the three most maniacal Christian fundies (Rick Perry, Michelle Bachmann, or Sarah Palin) among the extremist Republicans who want to be president want to stone adulterers, whip or cut off the hands of thieves or impose the death penalty on those who leave Christianity. Before you conclude that no humans could be so inhuman or barbaric, consider this poll from the Pew Research Center: Views of harsh punishment by Muslims shown as a percentage who favor A) stoning people who commit adultery; B) whippings/cutting off hands for theft and C) death penalty for people who leave Islam. (Percentages estimated from bar chart   - numbers could be one or two percent off.)

Egypt

A. 81

B. 79

C. 82

Pakistan

A. 80

B. 80

C. 78

Jordan

A. 70

B. 58

C. 84

Nigeria

A. 58

B. 63

C. 54

Indonesia

A. 41

B. 38

C. 30

Lebanon

A. 22

B. 16

C.   4

Turkey

A. 18

B. 17

C.   2

So, let me start by acknowledging a little gratitude about our random good fortune that modern day Christianity, even at its irrational worst, is still less toxic that the breed of Islam that infects Egypt, Pakistan, Jordan, Nigeria, Indonesia and other Islamic nations. (Not included in the Pew survey for obvious reasons are some of the most virulent theocracies, such as Saudi Arabia and Iran, where one suspects the enthusiasm for such atrocities is at least as strong as in the nations polled.)

The bad news is that the Right Wing Christian worst here in America is still god-awful. This is especially so for those who (like myself) do not share the extreme theocratic "fires in the belly" fervor of Rick Perry, Michelle Bachmann, Sarah Palin and others of that ilk. This terrible threesome are Christian nationalists. They reject secularism, including separation of church and state. They want the United States of America to be become an official Christian nation, as they think the Founders intended. They do not consider other religions or no religion equal under the law and thereby entitled to the same safeguards, rights and status as followers of their brand of Christianity. Perry, Bachmann, Palin and their Christian Right backers cite some version of Ten Commandments as the foundation of American law, the better to carry out Biblical principles.

What kind of America might follow the election of one of these three horses-ass, wet-dream, rapturous Apocalypse apostles? What kind of America would remain for First-Amendment enthusiasts and defenders of the civil rights that all, including secularists, enjoy today? What would be in store for dissenters and those these super Christians consider adulterers, perverts (i.e., homosexuals), disobedient children and, believe it or not, demonic agents? What are the chances that the election of Perry, Bachmann or Palin would usher in an era of fascism? What brakes might remain to constrain the godly men and women who believe they were chosen to carry out God's will?

Karen Armstrong has warned of the possibility that Christians would welcome a totalitarian state that "leaves no room for any other view or policy, no democratic tolerance for rival parties, no individual freedom.” (Source: Chip Berlet, "Inside the Christian Right Dominionist Movement That's Undermining Democracy," AlterNet, September 2, 2011.)

Other likely goals of Perry, Bachmann and Palin are to convert Americans to their ideology, enshrine biblical codes into the legal system and proceed to see that God’s will, which they divine via voices and other heaven-sent revelations, is done on earth - starting here in these more or less still united states.

It's time, I think, for media people to start probing the Christian beliefs of these three presidential candidates, and exploring for the American voter the implications of such beliefs for insights into the agenda they would seek to impose upon the nation, if elected.

While non-believers can hardly cry, "God help us," we can take comfort from our beliefs that at least no gods will be helping any of them, either. Let's just hope that, as their form of Christianity becomes better understood, no Americans who care about freedom as enshrined in our godless Constitution give Perry, Bachmann or Palin much help in the year to come.

The Republican Presidential Primary Is Too Important to be Left to Political Bloviators and Mountebanks: Speak Out Before It's Too Late!

The population of the United States is more than 300 million and it includes some of the best and brightest that the human species has to offer, probably more so than any other country in the world. There is surely something wrong with a system for choosing a leader when, given a pool of such talent and a process that occupies more than a year and consumes billions of dollars, what rises to the top of the heap is George W Bush. Or when the likes of Rick Perry or Michele Bachmann or Sarah Palin can be mentioned as even remote possibilities. Richard Dawkins. This except is from Professor Dawkins' response to Governor Perry for On Faith, the Washington Post’s forum for news and opinion on religion and politics.

Now is the time, I believe, for all good women, and men, too, to pay attention to the Festival of Wingnuts, aka the GOP (God's Own Party) Presidential Primary. The leading candidates are farther to the right than Attila the Hun, more Christian than the Pope and more pro-business and dismissive of the interests of the middle class than John D. Rockefeller. They are a hazard to the Republic. All quality of life enhancement-seekers, that is, wellness enthusiasts, should therefore become highly engaged - the time has come for everyone to rise up and speak out, each in his/her own fashion, at every opportunity. The way to most effectively do so, in my opinion, is to take up the fine art of bloviating. But, not any bloviation - rather, bloviation with reason, exuberance, passion, humor and perspective. Wellness enthusiasts - help safeguard our liberty and the decency of America.

In case you are not familiar with this splendid term, here is a simple definition: Bloviate - to discourse at length in a pompous or boastful manner. However, that definition applies to Right Wing bloviators who lack class, wit, wisdom, dignity and all of the common decencies - mountebanks such as Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Glenn Beck and Bill O'Reilly. There are good and decent bloviators who perform a public service by offering trenchant reflections on public affairs from a REAL wellness perspective. The latter communicate with reason and exuberance in service to our liberties, as opposed to Republican bloviators - angry twits who are irrational and grim, mean and selfish. And these are their better qualities.

Here is where you come in. While all ordinary wellness enthusiasts recognize their right to be heard, some have been holding back for any number of reasons, particularly the following three:

They are a bit shy - not sure they have original, earth-shattering ideas likely to change the world in 24 hours. This might be a standard too high. Settle for influencing someone, even if the beneficiary does not, at first, fully appreciate the watershed contribution your commentaries on Republican wingnuts has on her.

They are so very busy - Americans are not engaged in healthy lifestyles for the most part, so time is of the essence. Every waking moment of the ordinary wellness promoter has been focused on the search for and application of creative approaches to motivate, inform and guide the porcine populace to adopt and sustain more healthful, sensible attitudes and behaviors.

They are a bit intimidated - wellness promoters try not to offend anyone. While this is a good thing most of the time, desperate situations require a willingness to stir the waters by voicing resistance to the rabble.

In order to carry out my plan, namely, sound the alarm about the menace of crazed Republicans seeking the presidency, regular wellness enthusiasts must be willing to generate and deal with controversy. Such a role requires audacity, bravura, dauntlessness, fortitude, gallantry, hardihood, heroism, intrepidity, mettle, pluck, pugnacity, resolution, stoutheartedness, temerity, tenacity and yes, valor as well.

Which is why all wellness enthusiasts are hereby asked to please come forward and speak out before it's too late. It is time to evolve into a REAL wellness enthusiast. Real wellness enthusiasts not only have the qualities noted above and others of a noble nature, too numerous to list - they channel such talents in the public interest.

So, to paraphrase a few lines from the greatest speech ever given by an American not named Robert Green Ingersoll, I say, And so, my fellow Americans, ask not what a wellness lifestyle can do for you; ask what you can do as a REAL wellness promoter, for your country, when the out-of-control Republican Party is led by the likes of Rick Perry, Michele Bachmann an Sarah Palin. My fellow citizens of the world, ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do to prevent wingnut Republicans from destroying the freedom of man.

Good luck. Do what you can to stay well, fit and focused - and look on the bright side of life.