Opposing Views - religion in society

NEWS:Muslim Public Affairs Council Condemns Horrific Fort Hood Attacks

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 12:09:09 -0600

By Muslim Public Affairs Council - Making Muslims Part of the Solution

MPAC and the Muslim American community unequivocally condemn this heinous incident. We share the ...

NEWS:Atheist Christopher Hitchens Apologizes for Mother Teresa Insult

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:42:55 -0600

By Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights - Protecting Catholicism

Catholic League president Bill Donohue says that he and Christopher Hitchens have settled their ...

OPINION:Looking Back at the "Is God Dead?" Movement of the 60s

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:56:38 -0600

By Reason Foundation - Free Minds and Free Markets

by Tim Cavanaugh Add the Almighty Creator of the Universe to the long list of beloved characters ...

OPINION:Pro-Lifers--Baltimore City Council Targets Pregnancy Centers

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:38:45 -0600

By Baptist Press - News With a Christian Perspective

BALTIMORE, MD -- Most of the members of the Baltimore (Md.) City Council are promoting a measure ...

OPINION:Did Brooklyn Bishop Violate Campaign & IRS Regulations?

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:10:33 -0600

By American Atheists - An Educational Organization for Atheists

An Atheist state- church separation group today called for an investigation by the Internal ...

OPINION:Maine Vote Says "Aberration" of Gay Marriage Doomed

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 17:38:39 -0600

By Christian News Wire - Nation's Religious Press Leader

WASHINGTON -- On Tuesday, voters in Maine made the state the 31st to uphold traditional marriage ...

Is Condom Distribution Smart Health Policy?

Mon, 06 Apr 2009 21:39:53 -0500

On March 17, 2009 Pope Benedict stood before a group of reporters and said that condom distribution not only wouldn’t cure the AIDS crisis, it actually makes it worse. These comments reignited a long-simmering debate over the proper place of contraceptives in health and social policy. Does condom distribution actually encourage promiscuity and increase health risks, or is it smart and effective public policy?

Experts on the "Condoms Aren't the Solution" side:

Nat. Coalition for the Protection of Children & Families

Experts on the "Faith-Based Approaches First" side:

Brad Miner

Experts on the "Condoms Save Lives" side:

Jon O'Brien

Should Obama have Picked Rick Warren for Inauguration?

Wed, 25 Mar 2009 17:48:13 -0500

On January 20, Barack Obama will become the new president of the United States, but the upcoming inauguration is already making headlines. Scheduled to give the invocation speech is evangelical minister Rick Warren, whose comments comparing gay marriage to incest and beastiality have made him a highly controversial figure. Will Obama's choice to ring in the new year unite America, or further fracture an already divided country?

Experts on the "Warren Pick a Slap in the Face" side:

Freedom From Religion Foundation

Experts on the "Don't Back Down to Extremists" side:

Deal Hudson

Experts on the "Democrats Deserve Better" side:

Reason Foundation

Experts on the "Heartened by Choice" side:

Family Research Council

Experts on the "We Urge Obama to Reconsider" side:

Human Rights Campaign

When Does Life Begin?

Mon, 23 Mar 2009 15:05:03 -0500

There is no issue more divisive and heated in American society than abortion. While the battle plays out in our living rooms, streets and courts, if we ever hope to resolve the struggle over abortion we must first answer one central question: When does life begin?

Experts on the "There is No Consensus " side:

Jon O'Brien

Experts on the "There Are Many Perspectives" side:

Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice

Experts on the "Life Begins at Conception" side:

Brad Miner

Experts on the "Common Sense Says Conception" side:

Deal Hudson

Can Catholics Vote For Pro-Choice Politicians?

Mon, 23 Mar 2009 15:05:03 -0500

“They don’t vote as a block anymore.” These words were recently spoken by Monsignor Joseph Rebman about Catholic voters. Once a powerful demographic, Catholics today are bitterly divided over whether it is acceptable to vote for pro-choice politicians. Many Catholics are proudly progressive, but others insist that abortion is non-negotiable. What are the spiritual implications of a Catholic vote?

Experts on the "Yes" side:

Catholic Democrats
Jon O'Brien
Chris Korzen

Experts on the "No" side:

Deal Hudson
Brad Miner
Thomas Peters

Should Media Publish Images of Muhammad?

Mon, 23 Mar 2009 12:14:59 -0500

In 2005, public outrage erupted after the publication of 12 Danish cartoons depicting the Prophet Muhammad, resulting in riots in Europe and the Middle East. While the flames of those riots have since faded, publishers worldwide are still forced to consider whether they too should publish similarly controversial images. How should the media balance religious sensibilities and free speech?

Experts on the "No Global Censorship" side:

Zeyno Baran

Experts on the "Publishing is Provocation" side:

Muslim Public Affairs Council

Was Jesus an Historical Figure?

Fri, 20 Mar 2009 19:46:12 -0500

Jesus Christ is the most influential figure on the planet, with more than 2 billion worshippers worldwide and many more who fondly study his teachings. But what if he never existed? Many skeptics have posed this very question, and while true believers scoff at such suggestions, the debate is far from resolved. Jesus may have changed the world, but did he really walk the Earth?

Experts on the "Yes" side:

J.P. Holding
John W. Loftus

Experts on the "No" side:

American Atheists