The recipe for religion gone bad

In "The Death of Conscience (Part One)," (Free Inquiry, April/May 2008 --not available online) Shadia B. Drury makes it clear that not all religion is bad.  She recognizes the religious backdrop to the successful efforts to repeal slavery, to promote civil rights and to create the Red Cross. "As these…

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Darwin’s impressive legacy in a nutshell

In 2009, many of us will celebrate the 200th anniversary of Darwin's birth and the 150th anniversary of his publication of On the Origin of Species. In these modern times, where Darwin is vilified by millions of people who cherry-pick their apocryphal holy books, it is refreshing and humbling to…

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How difficult would it be to give Africans hope against malaria?

Not very difficult, according to Jeffrey Sachs.  Hard as it is for us to imagine, Africa's households simply can't afford even $10 for a net, or a dollar for medicines when a child falls sick. Nor can African governments carry these costs on meager budgets or take extra vital steps…

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Electric cars for Israel

Raymond Learsy reports on one aspect of post-oil: Renault Nissan, and California-based Project Better Place, are working together with the government of Israel to make the country oil independent by 2020. Denmark has already signed on to implement the sinews of this major electric car initiative. In broad outline, Renault…

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How to create a diploma mill: How to legally become the President of a fake college.

I once created a fake college and I'm proud of it. This might strike you as odd, because most people who create diploma mills are doing so to make a quick buck by passing out bogus college degrees.  These fake diplomas, in turn, allow unqualified people to get promotions and…

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