Category Archives: Philosophy
Many religious believers claim God gives life meaning; without God, life would be meaningless. But I argue the contrary: We all make our own meaning. And, since there’s nothing but our actions and choices, that makes them all the more important. Continue reading
In San Francisco, California, U.S. District Judge Lawrence Karlton has ruled compulsory recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance in public schools is unconstitutional. Next, the case will go to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, which ruled against “under God” in the Pledge a few years ago, and then to the United States Supreme Court, which ducked the “under God” issue before, but now won’t be able to do so. The last time the American court system grappled with “under … Continue reading
When accepting an award, noting a milestone, eating a meal, or celebrating general life, something many people do is thank God. That might seem like the act of a good and humble person. After all, Christianity maintains God forged this world and continues looking down beneficently on humanity. Shouldn’t we be grateful for the richness and happiness this provides our lives? Yes, to a point. For those who believe in God to thank him for the overall health of the … Continue reading
WASHINGTON, DC (JV) – In a landmark vote, the House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed a bill today that would create a Christian church regulated by the federal government, with a clergy composed of presidential appointees. “This is a great day in the histroy of America,” President George Bush said after the bill’s passage. “For the first time in millennia, Americans will be able to worship the creator of their choices, without having to tolerate the Islamic and the atheistic heathen.” … Continue reading
Americans think of themselves as the freest people on Earth. After all, they say, they have rule by majority, equality amongst themselves, freedom to do whatever they want, and most importantly, freedom to think whatever they want. The First Amendment to their United States Constitution proclaims the government may not infringe upon freedom of speech. Americans can generally say whatever they want without fear of legal sanction or physical violence. Yet in his seminal work Democracy in America, Alexis de … Continue reading
“Killing to Acquire and Secure Power, for Dummies” would be an apt subtitle for Niccolo Machiavelli’s book The Prince. Within this work, Machiavelli advocates the unrestrained pursuit of power as its own end, without allowing such paltry things as ethics to interfere. If massacring a slew of people will help one get power, one should by all means do it, according to Machiavelli. These advocacies of violence for one’s own selfish ends are not Machiavelli’s only breaks with the teachings … Continue reading
“I profess myself a Mazda-worshipper, a Zoroastrian, having vowed it and professed it. I pledge myself to the well-thought thought, I pledge myself to the well-spoken word, [and] I pledge myself to the well-done action.”1 This oath to believe in God and act according to his principles comes from Zoroastrian scripture, a representative of the millennia-old literature of Persia. Despite its age, scholars have not examined Persian literature to any great degree. Many of its few extant remains lay spread … Continue reading
Known as the “Great Communicator,” United States President Ronald Reagan used plain speaking and affecting homilies to connect with his audiences, making them more willing to embrace his point of view. Reagan’s success as a persuasive orator ingratiated him with his allies, who appreciated his ability to win support for their cause, and infuriated his enemies, who could not understand how a man, with what they considered deficient ideas, could achieve the popular support Reagan did for his agenda. Thirteen … Continue reading
