Rethos.com - marymartin's Global Feed

Retail Activism

Fri, 15 Aug 2008 11:26:58 -0400

Last night I was pleased to see the “Retail Activist” tote bag in the window of my local Housing Works Thrift Shop. I am on the board of directors of the shops, a not for profit agency which provides a variety of services for the homeless /AIDS population in New York City and beyond. We raise money by operating over half a dozen thrift stores in New York. Primarily the money comes from the sale of donated goods.I consider myself a scientific person, encouraged by empirical evidence; so, at the surface Friedman’s argument for capitalism is compelling. Several problems arise, however, upon a more mindful take of his words. His examples are flawed, his history skewed, his definitions conflated.

First, the indigenous tribes of the world may object to his “crystal-clear” account of history, stating that only societies that exploit self-interest have escaped grinding poverty; although that is a fairly minor point. More surprising is ...

Carbon-Free Does NOT Require Nuclear

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 00:29:18 -0400

Many prominent science magazines argue that solving the environmental crisis requires that we use substantially more nuclear energy.

If this was true I'd be all for ignoring the many health risks (including intentional and unintentional explosion) and centralization aspect for the sake of the climate.

But, I discovered from talking to some folks at the Sustainable Energy Summit at Amherst, that it certainly is not true. And this article explains how we can reach a carbon-free and nuclear-free society in scientific yet understandable terms.

McCain can take his 45 n...

Real democracy - Richard Treadwell

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 21:53:14 -0400

Hi all, Lately, I've become increasingly involved with the common good bank project. I was inspired by some discussions (with lynx in particular) here on rethos to educate myself enough to create some revolutionary financial institution - then I discovered it was already in progress. Please check out the page, http://www.rethos.com/commongoodfinance. We need everyone's help for this thing to get off the ground. Having people sign up increases investor and state regulator confidence. A signature really helps, and if you want to help in other ways that can be arranged as well. Tha...

Selling the Fire Ball: George Bush and Iran

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 21:26:59 -0400

Great post from a Great site. It's an exchange between Media Lens participants and NY Times workers showing how the media is once again deceiving the public to allow another invasion.

Also Includes GUEST MEDIA ALERT: DAVID PETERSON RESPONDS TO OLIVER KAMM below

When George Bush arrived in Britain last week as part of his "farewell tour", the real reasons for the visit were buried well out of sight. The tour was not, as the Guardian suggested, a mere "continental au revoir". The purpose was to coerce Gordon B...

Dear America: Are You Really Going To Eat That?

Wed, 09 Jul 2008 14:17:33 -0400

While much of the globe is constantly faced with scarcity, disease and starvation, the Western world insists on self-inflicted suffering via those American Dreams we’ve got our chubby fingers so tightly wrapped around. As strange as it may be to comprehend, many Americans are literally starving themselves through gluttonous over-indulgence. Author John Robbins (Diet for a New America, The Food Revolution) has noted that there are equal numbers of people in the world (roughly 1.2 billion of each group) suffering from diseases related to povert...

Welcome to the Rainforest Alliance SmartHouse and TreeHouse!

Tue, 08 Jul 2008 14:34:13 -0400

We’re pleased to announce the launch of the Rainforest Alliance SmartHouse and TreeHouse, two new interactive tools designed to introduce Web site visitors to the people, places and processes that stand behind production of sustainable goods.

Our SmartHouse -- complete with kitchen, living room and backyard -- ...

William McDonough at Bioneers 2000

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 22:35:25 -0400

Another visionary who has so much to offer. (His book "Cradle to Cradle", is essential reading for anyone considering environmental design issues.) More info/links on McDonough and his various projects can be found at http://www.mcdonough.com.

Paul Hawken (if you need a little inspiration)

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 22:18:49 -0400

This is an inspiring presentation re: the topic of Paul Hawken's most recent book, "Blessed Unrest".

His clear thinking - visionary, yet practical - is exactly what is needed in a world embarking on a global social revolution. Read his books and give them as gifts to everyone you know. Seriously.

Inconvenient Bag at EarthNow Expo

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 14:11:00 -0400

Enter Message / description of files attached:

EarthNow Expo Highlights

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 14:06:23 -0400

Enter Message / description of files attached:

Opportunity for Bloggers - A New Book By Huffington Post

Thu, 26 Jun 2008 08:04:54 -0400

Reposted...: I'm pleased to announce that the editors of The Huffington Post are producing their first book -- "How to Blog." It will have loads of advice for newbies and veteran bloggers looking to take their blog to the next level. We want to include lots of advice and stories. If you'd like to contribute, please consider answering any of these questions (or any others we forgot) and send your responses to the writer, Laura Vanderkam (lvanderkam@yahoo.com). We'll use your name and your blog name unless told otherwise. Thanks!...

New comment! - Oprah Tries Veganism as a"Cleanse"

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 07:12:09 -0400

Oprah drives me nuts!! She is like a fad-maker who comes as close as possible to really changing things without changing anything. She doubtless also forgot to mention human rights and the meat industry, the antibiotics that get into the human population through the meat/dairy consumed, the hormones that go to our children through meat and dairy products, the waste involved at all steps of the process from animal to burger (or whatever food). So she makes it about the cute animals' feelings so viewers can feel smug. Ugh. I agree also with the problems of calling it a cleanse- it's ...

New comment - Going Green At The Banyan Resort

Mon, 12 May 2008 15:47:09 -0400

Having lived in Key West for two+ years, I am so proud and so pleased to read this review of the Green efforts of the "Julies" at the Banyon Resort. The island is long-overdue for this kind of conscious decision-making. The Florida Keys are such an interesting, intricate place... the eco-system in threat by over-development and over-population, more than anything else!! I will say, however, that the more "greening" goes into effect in business there, the better! Thanks for a fantastic article, and I am glad that you got to take a vacation in "Paradise" while its still chilly up North of...

New comment! - Is "Compassionate Carnivore" an Oxymoron?

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 08:50:07 -0400

I was reminded by someone who commented on my blog (www.animalperson.net) that Dr. Will Tuttle's World Peace Diet: Eating for Spiritual Health and Social Harmony (http://www.amazon.com/World-Peace-Diet-Spiritual-Harmony/dp/1590560833) is great for people on a spiritual path, as well as those interested in doing the right thing for the planet and all its inhabitants. Tuttle talks about some of the main points here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLgGnP0pWzM Here are some Tuttle quotes, as well as some of my own connections: --"Seeing beings rather than things." --We are attached to food...

New comment! - Is "Compassionate Carnivore" an Oxymoron?

Fri, 18 Apr 2008 21:20:07 -0400

I agree Mary that government and culture does a magnificent job at hiding where our food comes from - and that indeed "who" our food comes from. Society is so ingrained in "exceptions" from myths of the "food group" to religious ceremony. If there's a reason to use/misuse an animal there will be a taker every time. Living now as veg*an for 5 years or so, I frequently revisit that previous (un) consious place I was at before.... I see it now as a place of numbness - and of denial. A place of un-health, spiritually and physically. If we are ever to square up our morals concerning animal...

New comment! - Is "Compassionate Carnivore" an Oxymoron?

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 09:53:09 -0400

Richard, You always write so well and you are very thoughtful about your responses... this is greatly appreciated! Rather than being motivated by a purely moral position, I feel that, on my own spectrum of choices to "do what is right" re food, I am motivated first by health. Ethics and morals are secondary, rather close behind the primary consideration... but still... Health-wise, for my body-type, metabolism, digestive processes, spiritual energy, and clarity of mental function, I thrive on live foods. When I eat mostly cooked foods, I am sluggish, foggy, and gain an extraordina...

New comment! - Is "Compassionate Carnivore" an Oxymoron?

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 04:43:57 -0400

This has been a tricky issue for me, having to define morality and ethics, life and necessity. I agree, culture and history are not a valid arguments, for a variety of reasons. Eating a vegan diet may be appropriate, but I believe a very limited meat diet (perhaps once a month) is healthier because animals have chemicals plants just don't. I also believe animals should be picked out from the wild, not kept in unnatural environments. As long as they are picked out in proportions that ensure the survival of the species, it follows my moral guidelines. If I could convert sunlight in...

New comment! - Is "Compassionate Carnivore" an Oxymoron?

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 19:00:23 -0400

Richard, Of course, I respectfully disagree. If it is not morally justifiable to take the life of another without necessity--and it is not necessary for us to eat animals--then deciding to eat meat cannot be called ethical. It doesn't matter what we've done in the past or why. What we know, right now, is that the animals we slaughter unnecessarily are sentient. They experience pleasure, pain, boredom, frustration and terror. And they are "subjects of a life." They are subjects of their own lives. And those lives deserve respect, which comes in the form of not subjugating and slaughtering t...

New comment! - Is "Compassionate Carnivore" an Oxymoron?

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 18:45:08 -0400

Lucid writing. But, many people make many excuses to eat what they find tasty. Yet, others have considered the ethical implications of their diet and decided eating meat is indeed moral and justifiable. Aside from the fact human evolution was made possible from the consumption of meat, cows do something we just can't, they turn grass into valuable proteins. Our agricultural system is a much bigger problem than is the meat industry, as the former reinforces the latter. It kills entire species, polluting and suffocating ecosystems. Eating a tofu burger from commercial soy is just ...

New comment! - Is "Compassionate Carnivore" an Oxymoron?

Mon, 14 Apr 2008 17:46:40 -0400

Mary, A thoughtful, intelligent, and conscious article... thank you! A few people I know fall all along the food consumption spectrum, and they all have some kind of rationale for why they choose what they choose. I do too, and it is a challenge for my willpower and conscience. I feel down to the fiber of my being that I would thrive on a vegan mostly raw foods diet... the one friend who is versed in ayurveda agrees... but it is a great test to actually accomplish this! No excuses, just stating that I agree with you and at the same time have compassion and empathy for everyone who str...

New comment! - Is "Compassionate Carnivore" an Oxymoron?

Sun, 13 Apr 2008 21:09:01 -0400

Mary, Thanks again for another pointed piece about animal rights and veganism. I must admit that I am one of those people you refer to in the piece that still rationalizes the consumption of dairy. However, I am well aware of the hypocrisy of my decision - I have just been unable to must the energy to change my lifestyle while being a college student. However, it is something I think about enough, and that I one day hope to reconsider thoughtfully. I have an article request for you! Can you write a piece regarding whether or not the consumption of dairy/meat that would otherwise go b...

Alliance Accepted! - David Barrie

Fri, 07 Mar 2008 06:44:13 -0500

New comment! - Animals and Culture, Part Deux

Wed, 05 Mar 2008 07:51:43 -0500

Excellent evaluation of the moral compromise culture expects of children. Have been trying for sometime to figure out the disconnect - I see it as some kind of "switch" . The consideration for animals becomes "sentimental" and "impractical". Eventually it extends to other emotions - sadness, anger, joy - Until we're all robotic consumers hooked on meds trying to give life some meaning...... To those of us lucky enough to un-switch, society then casts it's disapproval. We become "fringe" or "extremeists"...... I for one, would rather stay connected to my humane ethics - society be d...

New comment! - Animals and Culture, Part Deux

Tue, 04 Mar 2008 13:20:35 -0500

A wonderful and intelligent rant Mary! Our culture shapes us to be consumers because we live in a consumer-culture - If we can change or at least affect the type of consumerism that pervades our society, than perhaps we can make a lasting change for our future generation. At the very least, we can affect those around us, particularly our children.

Alliance Accepted! - jill ettinger

Tue, 04 Mar 2008 07:47:54 -0500

New comment! - Animals and Culture, Part Deux

Sun, 02 Mar 2008 20:49:39 -0500

Mary offers an unflinching look at the rank hypocrisy that pervades our culture. The questions she raises about the treatment of animals are good ones--questions that need to be answered if our society is to have any moral bearing at all.

New comment! - Nonviolence and Food

Sat, 23 Feb 2008 13:53:16 -0500

Like Alec, I, too, still struggle with a 100% committment and "cave in". I can relate to the loneliness. Sometimes I'd rather give in than fight. I can see that shopping and preparation are the key ingredients, though. Thanks for your wonderfull and motivating posts.

New comment! - Social Change and Food

Thu, 21 Feb 2008 18:27:07 -0500

Actually, David, for vegans our attitude toward nonhuman animals and our attitude toward human animals are connected already. We begin with nonviolence toward the individual. Respect for the individual's right to live their life free of my interference. Just as I wouldn't breed humans to drag me around on a sled, I wouldn't breed dogs to drag me around on a sled. Just as I wouldn't dominate and control people and use them against their will for my own gain, I wouldn't do so to animals. Slavery in the developed world is history for a reason--it was wrong. The Holocaust and other instan...

New comment! - Social Change and Food

Thu, 21 Feb 2008 18:15:43 -0500

Great post. There is a more centrist, less ideological waypoint on some kind of road to Damascus. And that's for us to realize and come to terms with the fact that our attitude towards animals and food is addled with inconsistencies and irrational moralities. In one breath, we are slaves to the idea of local, seasonal and authentic food cultures. But then we count as uncivilized other versions of local, seasonal and authentic food culture: such as Asian cultures' devotion to eating dogmeat, African love for (at times unclean) offal and the gastro hill tribes we try to forget, such as the Pi...

New comment! - Social Change and Food

Thu, 21 Feb 2008 07:17:12 -0500

I like me some faux meat that crumbles into red sauce and gives it some chew. The meat-eaters love it, too. As for helping people, Fast Food Nation is a great primer for just how hideously many slaughterhouse workers are treated. For those who love their cheese, just remember that dairy cows are probably the worst treated animals on the menus, and they die horrible deaths. Also, the rennet in cheese comes from calves (as in, VEAL), so cheese has the unique distinction of being one of the most cruelly-produced items you can consume. I hate to be the buzzkill, but if you eat cheese you ...

New comment! - Social Change and Food

Thu, 21 Feb 2008 01:35:10 -0500

Hi Mary Some excellent points and although I don't subscribe to a full Vegan fare. (Love my cheese, milk & free range eggs) Maybe if we pushed Alex suggestion a little harder - school training- we might not only stop or reverse: (your quote) "Though we used nonhuman animals for virtually whatever purpose we wanted before then, the Industrial Revolution led to the dominance, control, exploitation, mutilation and slaughter of nonhuman animals as an industry. And as an industry that is part of a capitalist system, its main objective is profit." We might even make some progress to stop ...

New comment! - Social Change and Food

Thu, 21 Feb 2008 00:48:27 -0500

God bless you! You said everything I think and feel on the subject. I especially like the comment "it doesnâ€™t have to involve soy products or any â€œfauxâ€ meat." However, I do enjoy faux meat. I want to keep my heritage and still eat ethically. Therefore, I want to create vegan versions of Armenian food. In the book of Genesis, in the Bible, it doesn't mention eating animals, or killing them, until Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit.

Alliance Accepted! - Lee Purcell

Tue, 19 Feb 2008 19:00:13 -0500

New comment! - Social Change and Food

Fri, 08 Feb 2008 17:02:04 -0500

Thanks, guys, and good point Alex. I think everyone should know where their food and consumer goods come from. Plants, animals, clothing, sneakers, everything. We should know who made it, put it together or harvested it, what their living conditions and wages are (slaughterhouse workers tend to be immigrants who are low paid, have no health insurance and are frequently injured. Meanwhile, the migrant workers who pick oranges or work sugar here in South Florida have entire nonprofit organizations working to help them out of some of the most hideous conditions where they are sometimes treate...

Alliance Accepted! - Chris Advansun

Mon, 18 Feb 2008 19:33:30 -0500

New comment! - Social Change and Food

Thu, 07 Feb 2008 22:13:34 -0500

I question why most video footage of slaughter houses is censored in our society? Should this footage be mandatory to watch in high school or univerisyt ethics classes in the same way that sex-ed is required?

New comment! - Social Change and Food

Thu, 07 Feb 2008 19:45:14 -0500

Hi Mary! Very centred and precise views. You have point out your approach on the basis of humanitarian and justice approach. I am happy to ready your article and I think this efforts inspire other people what they could do for a life If they know a life which sometimes we perceive as a food has gone through cruel murder and pain. I believe there may be a number of sensible people who if just visit slaughter house and witness an animal's powerlessness voice struggling for hopeless efforts to survive, they may think about how to rescue them as a human being without discrimination o...

New comment! - Social Change and Food

Tue, 05 Feb 2008 16:44:34 -0500

Mary, Wonderful post as usual. These are precisely the philosophical arguments I struggled with in becoming a vegetarian. I hope this sparks good discussion on rethos. The idea that humans have ultimate control over all other sentient creatures is an idea that needs to be reconsidered. Best, Eli

Internship Opportunity - Tour Liaisons

Tue, 05 Feb 2008 12:51:37 -0500

Internship Opportunity—Tour Liaison
Otesha Cycling and Performing Tours
www.otesha.ca

The Otesha Project is seeking 14 dedicated, organized, fun-loving individuals, aged 18 to 30, to serve as Tour Liaisons for its 2008 cycling and performing tours. As part of a team of 15 to 20 performers, you will take care of all administrative and on-the-road logistics for the tour. Successful candidates will support team members as individuals, foster a positive team environment, support teams in achieving tour object...

New comment! - Nonviolence and Food

Sun, 27 Jan 2008 18:11:57 -0500

Alec, Thanks for your thoughtful reply.

Donâ€™t beat yourself up about backsliding and eating meat. Instead, ask yourself what makes leather, cheese or eggs worth backsliding for?

If indeed you cannot find moral justification for using animals when you donâ€™t need to, and using them involves horrific violence, ask yourself why you would allow your moral code to be sacrificed for a slice of pizza?

On the more practical front, make a shopping plan. For instance, my husbandâ€™s office often gets lunch delivered to them so it is very, very easy for him to ea...

New comment! - Nonviolence and Food

Sat, 26 Jan 2008 16:37:23 -0500

Thank you Mary, you teach some important lessons here. As a Dharma student I have renounced killing and yet I struggle to maintain a vegan lifestyle and often (more than is acceptable to me) I cave in to convenience and apathy and let things like cheese and eggs and leather into my life.

You are 100 percent right when you state that in the modern developed world there is no excuse for the continued infliction of violence upon other sentient beings, that being true I am unsettled about my own consumer habits..I even slip and eat meat from time to time.

I don’t wa...

Alliance Accepted! - Matthew Aquilone

Sun, 20 Jan 2008 18:47:23 -0500

Alliance Accepted! - james emmans

Wed, 02 Jan 2008 09:48:21 -0500

New comment! - Thinking Critically About Animal Rights: What you need to know, What you need to question (Part 3)

Wed, 02 Jan 2008 07:09:04 -0500

James,

Thanks for reading and commenting. As far as it being “natural” to kill and eat animals, I’m not sure what you mean. Humans aren’t carnivores and we don’t have the physiology to kill and eat animals. We cannot go into the wild and kill a deer or boar with our bare hands and teeth. We don’t have the digestive enzymes carnivores have, we don’t have the teeth or jaw structure they have, we cook our food rather than eat it raw, and our intestines are many times the length of that of carnivores. We are, physiologically speaking, herbi...

New comment! - Thinking Critically About Animal Rights: What you need to know, What you need to question (Part 3)

Tue, 01 Jan 2008 18:38:25 -0500

I don’t like the idea of using animals badly but it is natual to kill and eat them just as it is natural in nature. The reason why I would choose to be a vegan would be on health grounds and a meat based diet is very inefficient use of our world.

Otesha launches 2008 Cycling and Performing Tours

Tue, 18 Dec 2007 14:22:59 -0500

The Otesha Project has announced the routes for the 2008 Otesha Cycling and Performing Tours (Check out: www.otesha.ca/bike+tours/index.en.html). Applications are now being accepted for seven regional tours throughout Canada that will take more than 120 inspiring young change-makers on the journey of a lifetime. You could be one of them!

Tour members will share an incredible experience as they live as a mobile and sustainable community for two months. They will cycle from performance to performance, braving the elements, connecting with communities along the route, and explorin...

New comment - The Meat Industry and the Environment

Wed, 12 Dec 2007 16:49:54 -0500

Wow…I was a vegetarian for a while, but I stopped because I found it hard to get enough protein. I think I’ll stock up the cupboard with some extra peanut-butter and start vegging again. Thanks for the post, I had no idea little decision that I make could have so much impact on the earth!

Opportunity for Webmasters and Bloggers! FREE USE OF WEBSITES

Tue, 11 Dec 2007 18:32:14 -0500

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

My gift to you this season are some of the valuable Sustainability-related domains I’ve collected over the years.

All I ask in return is that you design a really cool site that gets people involved, spreads the Sustainability Symbol around the world and brings attention to at least one of the Climate Change related projects we’re working on (Like “STOP the GLOFs”) The rest will be up to you.

Almost one year ago we introduced the 3 Finger Sustainability Symbol (Peace Plus One) to the HK Environ...

New comment! - Thinking Critically About Animal Rights: What you need to know, What you need to question (Part 3)

Mon, 03 Dec 2007 02:54:21 -0500

I have the same thing about the images. I don’t generally like this sort of stuff, but it gave me the final push.

New comment! - Thinking Critically About Animal Rights: What you need to know, What you need to question (Part 3)

Fri, 30 Nov 2007 14:20:14 -0500

Congratulations, Bas! I’m so psyched to hear that! I know very few people who were able to sit through Earthlings in one sitting. It is incredibly intense, and the graphic images are non-stop. I love the message at the beginning and at the end, as it goes to the heart of the issue: speciesism. But the middle is very, very hard to watch for most people.

What everyone needs to know is that, with few exceptions, none of the images are considered cruelty. They are all simply what occurs each day to millions of animals, in the course of their “production.” They ind...

New comment! - Thinking Critically About Animal Rights: What you need to know, What you need to question (Part 3)

Wed, 28 Nov 2007 18:07:19 -0500

After reading this yesterday, I saw a movie called ‘Earthlings’ (it’s on Google Video) and decided to become a vegetarian. Not comfortable with it yet, but I guess soon enough I’ll be disgusted by the concept of eating meat.

Alliance Accepted! - Kemper Barkhurst

Wed, 28 Nov 2007 05:47:35 -0500

Alliance Accepted! - Bryan Mahoney

Wed, 28 Nov 2007 05:47:03 -0500

New comment! - Thinking Critically About Animal Rights: What you need to know, What you need to question (Part 3)

Tue, 27 Nov 2007 11:14:46 -0500

Woops, forgot something.

I like the “what can one person do” mentality of this. I think we should all start adjusting our lifestyles to changing this world. I posted something on here called “Daily things I do to make this world a better place”. It’s just an example of how easy it is to do things from day to day to make the world better.

New comment! - Thinking Critically About Animal Rights: What you need to know, What you need to question (Part 3)

Tue, 27 Nov 2007 11:13:33 -0500

Exactly! Vote with your wallet!

It’s tough for me to become a vegan. I’ve had vegetarian phases because I really couldn’t put myself to buy the meat of an animal… why did that animal deserve to die so I could eat it?

Now I find it a bit harder to put myself to being a vegetarian (especially since I live in a country where I don’t speak the language (Bulgarian is so tough)).. But it’s an excuse.

I still maintain a tradition of having at least 1 vegetarian day per week. Which helps me learn more healthy vegetarian or vegan d...

Alliance Accepted! - Bas

Tue, 27 Nov 2007 13:17:44 -0500

New comment - The Meat Industry and the Environment

Tue, 20 Nov 2007 16:58:46 -0500

I’m not a vegan, and I do eat some fish, though I understand how this taxes the environment. So here’s me being hypocritical to some degree and just saying that there is no such thing as sustainable meat, from my point of view. Thought I don’t believe everything he says, I reccommend reading Daniel Quinn. We need to figure out some kind of nouveau agricultural idea, because the way we do it now just isn’t working. One more thing I often consider is how many billion people there are in the world. First world countries eat more meat, because people residing the...

New comment - The Meat Industry and the Environment

Mon, 19 Nov 2007 19:20:48 -0500

Bottom line is no matter how it is produced meat requires the suffering and killing of a sentient being. Cows, pigs etc have as much emotion and sensation as any house pet. The free-range definition is a deceiving one. many free frange animals are slaughtered in the same facilities used by factory farms, and often the conditions on free range farms, while “cageless” are just as inhumane. Check peta.org for the scoop

New comment - Richard Dawkins - The God Delusion

Sat, 17 Nov 2007 19:45:29 -0500

Guts,

Nationalism is definitely a contender in terms of bringers of death, and I’m sure religion is very often used as a tool. But the simple fact is that the violence and cruelty of the Abrahamic religions make them particularly useful for those ends. No government has ever used, say Buddhism, as a reason to start a war or to commit genocide. They can’t, because it truly is a religion of peace.

You could certainly make the “tool of nationalism” argument in the case of the crusades or Manifest Destiny, but what about things like witch burnin...

Alliance Accepted! - Technology For People Group Inc.

Fri, 16 Nov 2007 08:22:05 -0500

New comment - Richard Dawkins - The God Delusion

Wed, 14 Nov 2007 18:11:02 -0500

and this is the best part, ascended to power with tax payers $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

New comment - Richard Dawkins - The God Delusion

Wed, 14 Nov 2007 18:09:13 -0500

government is responsible for the deaths of 200, 000, 000+ people in the twentieth century. 200, 000, 000+ for the nineteenth century (native americans etc.). they use religion as a tool for blinding and manipulating the masses.

so for you people who are naive enough to believe that real servants of god are responsible for all this evil, why dont you do some research on your governments and governments throughout history. they have you wrapped around their finger while you blast believers, so continue serving the depraved evil that rules the economic, military, nutrtitional, ed...

New comment - Jesus Camp

Wed, 14 Nov 2007 16:58:03 -0500

As a Christ follower this documentary breaks my heart…And all I can say as a Christian is that I am sorry…Not all Christians are right winged evangelical’s. It makes me sick to my stomach…and my heart is saddend.

Jesus never spoke on politics, or the evangleical agenda. He did however speak about love, peace, caring for one another, caring for the oppressed the marginalized, those pushed aside by society. He taught about loving God with everything…your whole life, and loving people with the same passion. We as “American” Christians hav...

New comment - The Meat Industry and the Environment

Wed, 14 Nov 2007 16:10:24 -0500

Yea yea, nice nit-picking Christopher.

You could make twice the contribution by investing in a bicycle. It also will do a number on your health too, believe it or not.

Meat is good for you, and the fact that people are suggesting we exchange diets for the sake of the environment is ridiculous. Stop driving, it’s unnecessary.

New comment - Richard Dawkins - The God Delusion

Mon, 12 Nov 2007 18:20:47 -0500

For those of you claiming that criticism of Christianity constitutes hate speech, you’re full of shit. We’re simply quoting your hateful scripture. How is that libel or hate speech in any way?

Religion, especially the Abrahamic religions have caused far more harm than good. The crusades? Manifest Destiny? The holocaust?

Of course, people will say that was all long ago. Well, how about the Vatican spreading lies about birth control in Africa, so that condoms aren’t used, thus accelerating the spread of AIDS?

I...

New comment - The Meat Industry and the Environment

Mon, 12 Nov 2007 10:54:19 -0500

I hear these facts about livestock production. I did not realize the amounts of wastage that occurs in this industry.

As for going veggie, I have my reservations. for starters, I CANNOT live without meat for a single day! I mean I could have it with vegetables, but I need my meat. I do not yet understand the moral aspect of consuming meat. The plants and crops that we feed on are also living beings.

New comment - Don't drink the water!

Mon, 12 Nov 2007 10:42:39 -0500

I am shocked to find out that 22% of all bottle water in N.America is recycled/reprocessed municipal water. I drink plenty of bottled water, although most of the times I replenish my bottles and I rinse them on most occasions.

New comment - The Meat Industry and the Environment

Sat, 10 Nov 2007 09:35:27 -0500

truely a tatamount problem.

however there is a perfectly viable alternative out there. coming soon. hopefully.

with your support.

New comment - Don't drink the water!

Sat, 10 Nov 2007 09:32:21 -0500

go figure it is a titanic industry.

look at the elite capitalist trickery

New comment - Don't drink the water!

Thu, 08 Nov 2007 14:15:18 -0500

Hey, if you’re giving it up, why not give it away (the money you save that is)?

Just a (cause serving) thought. :)

http://thewaterproject.org/Bottled_Water_resources.asp

New comment - Don't drink the water!

Tue, 06 Nov 2007 09:00:22 -0500

Great post. Can anyone help back up this post with some European sources of information and organisations? The article is aimed at Americans, but being European (from Holland, but living in Bulgaria for a while) I would love to see some more information on this when it comes to Europe.

Because I’m quite sure EU rules are a lot stricter than those of the US government, but still would want to see some info.

New comment! - Thinking Critically About Animal Rights: What you need to know, What you need to question (Part 2)

Sat, 03 Nov 2007 09:45:17 -0400

Very much so, and thanks for the thoughts. I always grew up with pets, and genuinely feel that it is possible to give a comfortable and happy life. However I definitely prefer shelter animals to pure-breeds, and as you say, it is about giving them the best life possible.

New comment! - Thinking Critically About Animal Rights: What you need to know, What you need to question (Part 2)

Fri, 02 Nov 2007 09:14:57 -0400

Hi Richard,

That’s not argumentative at all; it’s a legitimate question. “Pets” is/are the only area where abolitionists might “use” animals. We have domesticated dogs and cats-~~problem #1. We have not been responsible with spaying and neutering~~-problem #2. We continue to breed them—problem #3 (which I actually have the biggest issue with, personally, but this isn’t about me).

We have created an overpopulation crisis of epic proportions, and then most cities in the US have chosen-~~have opted~~-to try to...

New comment! - Thinking Critically About Animal Rights: What you need to know, What you need to question (Part 2)

Thu, 01 Nov 2007 18:48:01 -0400

Hi Mary. I know I’m going on a bit of a tangent here, but I’m curious how far abolition goes in the defense of animal rights. Specifically I’m thinking of pets.

Obviously most pet owners trully love the animals thay have adopted, treating them well and giving them loving homes, but still these creatures are bred for our benefit, taken from their parents, and raised under controlled conditions that force them to accept us as their surrogate familly. Even if that familly is loving, is that still acceptable?

If we were to look at similar examples in hum...

New comment! - Thinking Critically About Animal Rights: What you need to know, What you need to question (Part 1)

Tue, 30 Oct 2007 07:13:00 -0400

C. Collins,

The cat and dog overpopulation crisis is at an all-time high here in Palm Beach County, and we are actually soon to have a mandatory spay/neuter law. But it won’t include breeders, who are part of the problem. Also, the county thinks it “has to” kill dozens of cats and dogs each day and isn’t considering a transition to no-kill. But this isn’t a problem we can kill our way out of.

Furthermore, we must end the language of “euthanasia,” when many cats and dogs who are killed in our shelter were perfectly healthy but ...

New comment! - Thinking Critically About Animal Rights: What you need to know, What you need to question (Part 1)

Mon, 29 Oct 2007 15:47:35 -0400

Good article.

I just wish that all those who did not believe in euthanasia would step up and assist all the over-populated animal shelters in this country and their over-whelmed staffs. It’s easy to point fingers and condemn but I don’t see a lot of people showing up at the shelter where I work offering to foster animals that, for one reason or another, are not great candidates for adoption. Believe me, I wish someone would show up and save all the ones I can’t.

New comment! - Thinking Critically About Animal Rights: What you need to know, What you need to question (Part 1)

Fri, 19 Oct 2007 20:44:56 -0400

I watched a program called ‘back to the tribe’ and it was set on a small island in the pacific ocean. If these people did not eat fish they would all die! Veganism is not possible in some parts of the world. If a memeber of the tribe became vegan they would have to leave their family and live abroad!

New comment! - Thinking Critically About Animal Rights: What you need to know, What you need to question (Part 1)

Thu, 18 Oct 2007 11:55:45 -0400

Hannah,

For the people who say veganism isn’t natural, I go all out and deconstruct what natural is and why, and that if we’re supposed to eat meat we should be able to kill the animal with our hands and mouths, tear her open and eat her raw like the rest of the animal kingdom (or maybe stash her someplace to quietly decompose and consume her later, as some animals do. Or maybe just eat carrion.). Of course it sounds ridiculous, but so is the “it’s natural and what is natural is always best” argument.

As for Emily, my kitty, I don’t...

Alliance Accepted! - Frank Miller

Thu, 18 Oct 2007 06:39:19 -0400

Alliance Accepted! - Hannah

Wed, 17 Oct 2007 14:56:06 -0400

New comment! - Thinking Critically About Animal Rights: What you need to know, What you need to question (Part 1)

Wed, 17 Oct 2007 13:54:22 -0400

I really appreciate this article. Animals are used in so many ways that sometimes I think we don’t even notice, it just seems “natural” to people. Lately I’ve been most appauled by the horse-drawn carriages that give tourists rides through my city. These horses are stuck in 4 lane traffic sometimes on busy streets w/ traffic lights and plenty of automobile traffic. I can’t even fathom how this is enjoyable for people, and arguments that the horses are treated well or are “meant” to do that sort of work are beyond silly to me. I could go on a...

Echoing Green Fellowship

Wed, 17 Oct 2007 12:45:41 -0400

What is the EG Fellowship?

Through our two-year Echoing Green Fellowship program, we provide start-up capital and technical assistance to help new leaders launch their organizations and build capacity. We offer:

â€¢ A grant of up to $90,000, paid in four equal installments over two years â€¢ A health insurance stipend â€¢ Conferences led by organizational development experts â€¢ Access to technical support and pro bono partnerships to help grow your organization â€¢ A community of like-minded social entrepreneurs and public service leaders

W...

Alliance Accepted! - Kristen Fields

Tue, 16 Oct 2007 11:37:20 -0400

Alliance Accepted! - Benjamin Ackerman

Tue, 16 Oct 2007 06:31:26 -0400

New comment! - Thinking Critically About Animal Rights: What you need to know, What you need to question (Part 1)

Mon, 15 Oct 2007 08:50:23 -0400

Hi Eric.

I’ve read both sides of the biology/physiology argument, and I wouldn’t say that “proof” is what I found. It appears we are omnivores. However, to the vegan, as long as we’re not obligate carnivores, like cats are-~~if it is not necessary for us to kill and eat other animals~~-it is not morally justifiable. (And by the way, some people have had great success transitioning their cats to veganism, but I choose to feed my cat animals. Meanwhile, my greyhounds-~~secondary carnivores~~-are in spectacular shape according to their e...

New comment! - Thinking Critically About Animal Rights: What you need to know, What you need to question (Part 1)

Sun, 14 Oct 2007 23:42:29 -0400

Some interesting points you raise and I appreciate the educational aspect of your post. I cannot say that I agree with everything, but I do look forward to additional information you might share. Suffice it to say that my mind is not closed and that I do recognize many of the points you raise as being valid. I am curious as to whether you condemn outright the eating of meat of any kind under any circumstances and if there is any biological/physiological evidence that unequivocally proves that man was not intended to eat meat.

New comment - Richard Dawkins - The God Delusion

Sun, 14 Oct 2007 18:20:44 -0400

This is a wonderful a book on the topic of whether God exists. It is well written. presents both sides of the argument clearly, and is enjoyable.

esqmsm

New comment! - Thinking Critically About Animal Rights: What you need to know, What you need to question (Part 1)

Sun, 14 Oct 2007 12:04:56 -0400

Mary – what a powerful, informative and hard-hitting article. Definitely ‘food for thought’ for all of us. Mary, I would like to tell people about the CHIP program, a non-profit organization formed to end coronary heart disease, much of which stems from our consumption of animal products (CHIP stands for Coronary Health Improvement Project). The optimum CHIP diet is 100% vegan (the organization at least asks people to limit their use of animal products)and the program even had one evening devoted to providing informati...

Alliance Accepted! - Richard Treadwell

Thu, 11 Oct 2007 20:42:37 -0400

Alliance Accepted! - Eric

Tue, 09 Oct 2007 14:17:47 -0400

New comment - The Meat Industry and the Environment

Fri, 05 Oct 2007 22:59:51 -0400

Thanks everyone for all of your great comments. I was not expecting a debate to kick off here.

The soybean issue is also bothering me. I do not feel like we should need to choose between animals and trees. Someone obviously needs a kick in the balls. No one should be messing with our rain forests. They are already more than half eliminated… I’m sure there is a more sustainable way to go about growing the damn beans.

New comment - Richard Dawkins - The God Delusion

Fri, 05 Oct 2007 19:22:53 -0400

Religion prevents critical thought and proper questioning. It favors complete submission to an all powerful authoritarian figure. The reason many people despise religion is probably because it is a fascist concept, one Jesus deliberately tried to oppose, but the powerful had the last word. Now he is the figure to which we submit, and give all our faith. Instead, Jesus argued, we must give all our faith to ourselves, for the kingdom of heaven is within you and around you. “If you bring forth what is within you, what you have will save you. If you do not bring it forth, what you do ...

Alliance Accepted! - JAM

Tue, 09 Oct 2007 07:36:53 -0400

Alliance Accepted! - Enrique Garcia

Thu, 04 Oct 2007 00:04:29 -0400

Alliance Accepted! - Theresa

Mon, 01 Oct 2007 21:56:54 -0400

Are you a great designer, or translator?

Sun, 30 Sep 2007 17:15:45 -0400

We are in the process of translating the word/concepts/phrase of

1. SOCIETY

2. ENVIRONMENT

3. ECONOMY

... into the languages of the world, and adapting the different ways of writing to the three fingered hand symbol.

You can see a sample of the Sustainability Symbol in Chinese script on this message.

Your name will be forever associated with the chosen modification of the symbol that represents “Society, Environment, Economy” in your lingui...

Convert website into something attractive

Sun, 30 Sep 2007 16:51:00 -0400

The three finger Sustainability Symbol is beginning to attract attention on and off the internet. This is a double-edged sword.

On one hand, more and more people are learning about the campaign (personally passing it along from one individual to another),

on the other hand, our website stinks.

It’s homemade, and as you will see, I’m no web designer!

If there are any talented web designers out there in the Rethosarian community, please have a look at www.DragonTHINK.com and make a suggestion of how we could use some of the existing conte...

Alliance Accepted! - Philip McMaster

Sun, 30 Sep 2007 18:06:39 -0400

New comment - The Meat Industry and the Environment

Sun, 30 Sep 2007 12:01:05 -0400

” Diet for a New America” by John Robbins … was that mentioned ? Also, as a veggie I must say one of the things u never want to face as a carnivore is the suffering u cause another sentient being. It honestly & simply takes a certain level of dishonesty & detachment to be a carnivore. If you were truly honest with yourself you could no longer eat meat. I believe it was Shaw who said it best: Until we stop being the graves for dead animals we as a species shall never live in Peace. (major paraphrasing!)

Alliance Accepted! - Jason Boyer

Sun, 30 Sep 2007 07:47:20 -0400

Alliance Accepted! - Alex

Sun, 30 Sep 2007 07:47:19 -0400

Alliance Accepted! - Ken

Sat, 29 Sep 2007 15:25:30 -0400

Alliance Accepted! - Nour

Fri, 28 Sep 2007 16:39:39 -0400

New comment - Richard Dawkins - The God Delusion

Fri, 28 Sep 2007 13:12:56 -0400

The following is my opinion, and only my opinion.

Beliefs are widely regarded as a good idea. Religion is widely regarded as a bad idea. Religion causes wars, murder, oppression, racism, sexism, homophobia, overpopulation, and all manner of unsavory things. None of the above has anything to do with the initial post lol

The initial post is about a book. This book uses strong words to efficiently describe the authorâ€™s viewpoint on (Iâ€™m assuming the Christian version of) God. Those are all words designed to affront, without a doubt. Iâ€™m beginning to get the impres...

New comment - The Meat Industry and the Environment

Thu, 27 Sep 2007 17:57:54 -0400

Hey chirrens!

Firstoffly, let me say that I love this post. Sometimes a firm statistical slap in the face is just enough to make someone consider a- how shall I put it- greener diet. Its what made me go Vegan.

Now before some of you carnos out there cringe, I have no bad feelings towards you. Everyone I know is a carno, save for my flat-mate. And I know that â€˜veganâ€™ looks like some sort of contraction between â€˜vegetarianâ€™ and â€˜crazy personâ€™ to some of you, but Its my environmental views that drove me to that point.

The fact is, that if you consum...

New comment - Richard Dawkins - The God Delusion

Tue, 25 Sep 2007 22:00:27 -0400

religion is just a way for people to organize themselves and create social boundaries that used to be necessary to ensure good economic behavior, “do unto ones neighbor as you would have them do”. However in the era of global capitalism we are discovering new and more efficient ways to organize ourselves to ensure positive sum outcomes, like rethos, and social awareness to issues such as global warming

Alliance Accepted! - Boston Vegan Association

Tue, 25 Sep 2007 15:29:02 -0400

Alliance Accepted! - Christopher

Tue, 25 Sep 2007 13:29:24 -0400

New comment - The Meat Industry and the Environment

Tue, 25 Sep 2007 05:24:55 -0400

I study Chinese Medicine, nutrition, herbology, and general health sciences. If anybody needs help on learning to eat a healthy vegetarian diet that your body can stick with message me.

Alliance Accepted! - DanRose

Tue, 25 Sep 2007 07:25:53 -0400

New comment - Parking spaces become temporary parks

Mon, 24 Sep 2007 16:17:15 -0400

I love this idea and this movement. Where do I sign up?

New comment - Parking spaces become temporary parks

Mon, 24 Sep 2007 10:12:24 -0400

Wow, A roommate of a very deep friend was one of the people who started this “Park” idea. He may even be the guy who started the whole thing. I don’t know. What I do know is that I am near overwhelmed that I within 2 degrees of separation, here is such an amazing example of a great idea going for it. Consciousness- WOW!

Alliance Accepted! - Sled Dog Watchdog Advocacy Group

Mon, 24 Sep 2007 08:53:01 -0400

New comment - The Meat Industry and the Environment

Mon, 24 Sep 2007 08:05:03 -0400

It’s nice when people seek to ignite a debate, and one actually ensues, rather than everyone just confirming their original beliefs. I think I’m going to like rethos.

I’m with Krista et al at the moment; I think that what is needed from an ecological perspective is a fundamental change to food culture, but not necessarily one that cuts out meat. It’s similar (but not directly linked) to the kind of change which one has affect in one’s diet when changing to full vegetarianism, engaging in a whole new approach to food, recipes and ingredients rather ...

New comment - The Meat Industry and the Environment

Mon, 24 Sep 2007 00:53:11 -0400

thank you for posting the info. realizing the effect that our food choices have on the environment is crucial. becoming a vegetarian is one of the easiest things a person can do to decrease the impact they have on the environment as well as decrease the amount of suffering that farm animals are subjected to. i have been a vegetarian for over four years and really cant imagine eating meet again, but lately i have struggled with whether or not my choices really are the least impactful on the environment. in the january 2007 issue of national geographic there is an article attributing the ...

New comment - Don't drink the water!

Sun, 23 Sep 2007 14:20:40 -0400

never really thought about all that before but its all so obvious thanks! :) definatly not buying bottled water anymore

New comment - The Meat Industry and the Environment

Fri, 21 Sep 2007 17:09:51 -0400

Honestly, I am having such an authentically difficult time responding to this. I was a vegeterian for about five years and then transitional (fish and poultry) for another two years (approx.). I can feel how fired up people get regarding this subject. I did too. Then I studied further and lived out some of my education at several sustainable ag. projects. Even gardening for a site leased by the old administrator of the Findhorn Garden. Get real, All of us. There is no short cut solution to this whole thing. If everyone is not on board, the boat isn’t gonna float. I feel healthier a...

New comment - The Meat Industry and the Environment

Fri, 21 Sep 2007 17:08:39 -0400

New comment - Don't drink the water!

Wed, 19 Sep 2007 03:15:04 -0400

bottled water is teh suck (as the kiddies say). here’s another article from alternet on the topic: http://www.alternet.org/story/43480/

New comment - The Meat Industry and the Environment

Sun, 16 Sep 2007 17:07:51 -0400

Wacks Krista with a bushel of chard!!

New comment - The Meat Industry and the Environment

Fri, 14 Sep 2007 21:19:37 -0400

I didn’t mean to alienate anyone. As you can see from my previous comment I am supportive of those who take a step in the right direction. Your proposal would be such a step if it could be implemented in a wide spread fashion. Unfortunately, that is highly unlikely considering the massive demand for cheap meat. Oh, and I didn’t mean that all meat lovers are McDiers. Long before I stopped eating meat, I gave up fast food.

If you are eating meat sustainably and humanely then cudos to you. Perhaps, you will show people how to eat meat responsibly and in moderation̷...

New comment - The Meat Industry and the Environment

Fri, 14 Sep 2007 16:32:35 -0400

Hmm… well I think essentially we agree. You see, my scenario never – ever – included eating anything, from McDonald’s. Because I would like to point out that not all of us who eat meat are guilty of patronizing McDonalds.

Certainly, I agree that that kind of meat consumption is completely unsustainable. I was thinking more along the lines of eat what you, or your neighbour, can grow.

When I lived in England pretty much all of my friends and neighbours had their own chickens. Even a friend who lived in a terraced house in the middle of the c...

New comment - The Meat Industry and the Environment

Fri, 14 Sep 2007 11:54:43 -0400

Krista,

No I am not going to try and flame baste you. I would just like to say that your scenario would work if there weren’t 6 billion McDonald’s loving meat eaters out there. That’s a lot of “free range” animals. I guess it would intorduce a whole new level of urban sprawl, that dedicated to the “local” livestock we would eat. Yikes, I can just imagine what north america would look like if we didn’t import our meat from south american nations.

I agree with your assessment if we were a smaller more moderate global popul...

New comment - The Meat Industry and the Environment

Fri, 14 Sep 2007 11:26:38 -0400

I have been a vegetarian for 2 and half years now and it really isn’t that hard. At first I craved meat but now I don’t even look at the stuff. It’s as if it’s not food! Good luck to anyone who decides to take the step towards becoming a more morally responsible and environmentaly friendly person.

New comment - The Meat Industry and the Environment

Thu, 13 Sep 2007 21:17:59 -0400

Ok, before you whack me with the spinach too (and by the way, chard would make a much more useful weapon) I would like to make one suggestion for those considering vegetarianism.

Leaving ethical reasons out of it, it is possible to eat meat fairly sustainably. The environmental detriment comes from commercial livestock production, not the existence of the animals (ruminants and their pesky methane excepted), or the consumption of them.

Switching our meat consumption to free range or wild game, and getting it locally can mitigate just about all of the ecological footp...

New comment - Richard Dawkins - The God Delusion

Wed, 12 Sep 2007 21:27:07 -0400

Read it recently… phenomenal book… his documentary series “Root of All Evil?” is a need-to-see.

New comment - Richard Dawkins - The God Delusion

Tue, 11 Sep 2007 10:22:24 -0400

Cruelty and Violence in the Old Testamenthttp://skepticsannotatedbible.com/cruelty/ot.html

Cruelty and Violence in the New Testament http://skepticsannotatedbible.com/cruelty/nt.html

Cruelty and Violence in the Book of Mormon http://skepticsannotatedbible.com/BOM/cr/long.html

Cruelty and Violence in the Bible http://skepticsannotatedbible.com/cruelty/long.html

Cruelty in the Quran http://skepticsannotatedbible.com/quran/cruelty/long.html

New comment - Richard Dawkins - The God Delusion

Mon, 10 Sep 2007 22:15:09 -0400

Also, I disagree with Richard that the horrible things done in the name of religion were done by misguided zealots. The misguided zealots you are referring to were misguided by the Bible. The particular religions that I’m opposed to are Islam and Christianity- because they’re both incredibly barbaric. Islam in particular because Muslims still have the annoying habit of following the specific tenets of their religion rather than picking and choosing the tasty parts like Christians tend to do these days.

For example, Let’s say that I’m a Christian who want...

New comment - Richard Dawkins - The God Delusion

Mon, 10 Sep 2007 22:04:30 -0400

Interesting article out of the journal Nature.

http://dericbownds.net/uploaded_images/vmpfc.pdf

Basically, the researchers took a sample of people with lesions in the ventromedial pre-frontal cortex and asked them questions that required them to make moral judgements. “If your village is being occupied and you and some villagers are hiding in a basement but your baby starts crying loudly, do you smother the baby in order to avoid detection and the death of everyone in the basement?” People with damage (Very paraphrased) were far more likely to say yes in s...

New comment - Richard Dawkins - The God Delusion

Mon, 10 Sep 2007 02:57:03 -0400

Thanks Mary for questioning my statement – it certainly does sound a little arrogant, and maybe I’ve chosen my words poorly. However, I would argue that there’s a difference between ‘belief’ and ‘faith’.

Theism is a belief in a god, based on faith or trust. Atheism is a belief that there is no god, based on reasonable doubt.

An analogy I considered is that of the British legal system, whereby the accused are innocent until proven guilty. Certainly to maintain their innocence at first is a position that requires a great deal of...

New comment - Richard Dawkins - The God Delusion

Sun, 09 Sep 2007 16:13:57 -0400

“I can say without doubt that this isn’t a faith.”

There is a difference between the words “faith” and “religion”. Both theism and atheism are positions on “theos”.

Atheism is a position that theos does not exist The position is a belief or faith in that, as a philosophical proposition, there is no proof of the non-existence of theos.

Theism is a position that theos does exist The position is a belief or faith in that, as a philosophical proposition, there is no proof of the existence of theos.

New comment - The Meat Industry and the Environment

Sat, 08 Sep 2007 10:15:00 -0400

Attacks you with a spinach salad

New comment - Richard Dawkins - The God Delusion

Fri, 07 Sep 2007 18:34:47 -0400

Nour’s response sums up a lot of good points, and the final idea – that we don’t need a god for us to be good – is paramount. I am an atheist, and I can say without doubt that this isn’t a faith. Dawkins explains this; it isn’t necessary to prove something doesn’t exist, in fact that’s practically impossible, rather proof has to be presented in favour of a theory – otherwise absolutely any suggestion must be accepted until disproved.

I do not agree in dismantling people’s beliefs (unless those beliefs lead them to harm...

New comment - Don't drink the water!

Fri, 07 Sep 2007 16:21:49 -0400

Bottled water contains silver that kills brain cells and is harmful for young children. They do not tell you this on the bottle!

New comment - The Meat Industry and the Environment

Fri, 07 Sep 2007 15:09:02 -0400

You can download a copy of the report via the Food and Agriculture Organization website – http://www.fao.org/ag/magazine/0612sp1.htm – and it certainly makes for interesting reading. I must admit I have always been a meat eater, although I am certainly now revising my opinion. I agree that it’s the responsibility of the more economically developed countries to also show greater social awareness, and if by changing our eating habits we can have a positive effect then this is vital.

The report doesn’t promote a complete change, or indeed an anti-livestock ...

New comment - Richard Dawkins - The God Delusion

Fri, 07 Sep 2007 00:23:01 -0400

Hello guys! I guess I need to catch up! haha First of all, Iâ€™d like to address Ianâ€™s statement- that â€œreligion has its place in the world as does everything elseâ€â€¦ Ian, this is a very strong statement. Not everything in this world should have its placeâ€¦.if we allow ourselves to think this way, we might as well justify the existence of violence, war etc… This is exactly why we are having this discussion.. not to decided whether religion should exist- it did and it does, but let us try and think where it is taking us from hereâ€¦. how we are using this experience of reli...

New comment - The Meat Industry and the Environment

Thu, 06 Sep 2007 21:31:13 -0400

Can you post a link to this study? I’d be interested to learn about how “livestock” was defined. For example are fish livestock? In Asia and parts of Africa where wet rice (vs dry rice) is farmed (think rice paddies vs just fields with dry dirt at the bottom) it is common to raise fish in the water simultaneously. This helps to fertilize the rice, reduce insects which the fish feed on, and provide additional food with nearly no human effort when the rice is harvested and the field drained of water. It is an extremely environmentally friendly form of farrming.

Save Our Planet

Sun, 02 Sep 2007 11:56:11 -0400

Enough is enough, and it’s time for a change.

-Christopher Howse – EarthThreat.org