Category: Religion

On his television program “The 700 Club,” TV preacher Pat Robertson said God preordained a big victory for George W. Bush in the 2004 presidential election. But in view of some previous messages that Robertson claimed to receive from God, his statement could be taken with a grain of salt.

A bill introduced in the Ohio General Assembly would require public schools to teach competing “theories” about the origin of life. This bill is a thinly veiled attempt to put biblical creationism in science classes, where it has no business being.

Although Promise Keepers claims to be merely a men’s support group having no ulterior political motives, a look behind its facade reveals strong ties to the Religious Right.

As a guide for choosing attitudes and behavior, many Christians encourage people to ask, “What would Jesus do?” But Jesus’ teachings can harm individuals and communities. This article first appeared in the January/February 2001 issue of Freethought Today, which is published by the Freedom From Religion Foundation.)

Some Christians give unreserved praise to America’s Puritan ethic. They overlook the harms caused by the Puritans’ opposition to pleasure.

By attacking Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura for his widely publicized criticisms of religion, politicians and members of the media applied a double standard and treated him unfairly.

In arguing that atheism leads to immorality, some religionists quote Voltaire. But they leave out a great deal of scientific knowledge acquired since Voltaire’s time. And they omit Voltaire’s opinion about Christianity.

Promise Keepers, a fundamentalist Christian men’s group, considers the Bible to be the inerrant word of God. Not surprisingly, then, the group uses Bible verses to support the subjugation of women.

In arguing to have the Ten Commandments posted on public buildings, a national group claims that the Commandments “transcend religious differences.” They apparently are unaware of the strong disagreements many religious people have over the Commandments.

Christian doctrines have harmed society in a variety of ways. The doctrines continue to impede efforts to solve social problems.