<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<rss version="2.0"
	xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/"
	xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/"
	xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/"
	xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom"
	xmlns:sy="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/"
	xmlns:slash="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/"
	>

<channel>
	<title>Free Inquiry Forum</title>
	<atom:link href="http://freeinquiryforum.com/feed/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" />
	<link>http://freeinquiryforum.com</link>
	<description>Topics, Events, and News for Free Inquiry Forum</description>
	<lastBuildDate>Wed, 01 Feb 2012 04:50:43 +0000</lastBuildDate>
	<language>en</language>
	<sy:updatePeriod>hourly</sy:updatePeriod>
	<sy:updateFrequency>1</sy:updateFrequency>
	<generator>http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1</generator>
		<item>
		<title>Prayer Optimization Service</title>
		<link>http://freeinquiryforum.com/2012/02/01/prayer-optimization-service/</link>
		<comments>http://freeinquiryforum.com/2012/02/01/prayer-optimization-service/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 01 Feb 2012 04:50:43 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>dimossi</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Humor]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://freeinquiryforum.com/?p=1186</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[
Prayer optimization service will reward you with the answered prayers you have been yearning for.
Like search engine optimization (SEO), this service will improve the visibility and ranking of your prayer. The better optimized your prayer is the more likely your prayer will be seen and indexed by your deity. Prayer ranking can be improved for [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://freeinquiryforum.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/prayer-optimization.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-large wp-image-1187" title="Prayer Optimization" src="http://freeinquiryforum.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/prayer-optimization-1024x673.jpg" alt="Prayer Optimization Service" width="491" height="323" /></a><br />
Prayer optimization service will reward you with the answered prayers you have been yearning for.</p>
<p>Like search engine optimization (SEO), this service will improve the visibility and ranking of your prayer. The better optimized your prayer is the more likely your prayer will be seen and indexed by your deity. Prayer ranking can be improved for a variety of deities, but we recommend focusing on the leading deity in the industry: Yahweh</p>
<p>Some of the key Prayer Optimization (PO) strategies used will included:</p>
<h3>Keyword Research</h3>
<ul>
<li>Listing your top wishes and needs</li>
<li>Using our exclusive PrayWords Keyword tool to find the most highly accepted prayer words related to your wishes and needs</li>
<li>Prayer keywords reports</li>
</ul>
<h3>Prayer Optimization</h3>
<ul>
<li>Create a prayer based on best keywords</li>
<li>Say prayer at optimal times based on prayer traffic reports</li>
<li>Say prayer at optimal locations based on Good vs. Evil Location Analytics</li>
<li>Avoid duplicate prayer content</li>
<li>Avoid keyword stuffing in prayer</li>
</ul>
<h3>Prayer Marketing</h3>
<ul>
<li>Follow dogmatic rules which increase deity acceptance</li>
<li>Avoid breaking doctrine that could upset deity</li>
<li>Prayer optimization may require song and dance to increase deity approval</li>
</ul>
<h3>Advanced Prayer Optimization Techniques</h3>
<ul>
<li>Avoiding low quality prayer content</li>
<li>Using multimedia to increase prayer visibility</li>
<li>Prayer outsourcing</li>
<li>Sponsored prayers</li>
<li>Deity exchange</li>
</ul>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://freeinquiryforum.com/2012/02/01/prayer-optimization-service/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Jehovah&#8217;s Witnesses Beliefs</title>
		<link>http://freeinquiryforum.com/2011/10/03/jehovahs-witnesses-beliefs/</link>
		<comments>http://freeinquiryforum.com/2011/10/03/jehovahs-witnesses-beliefs/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 03 Oct 2011 13:38:53 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>dimossi</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Resources]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://freeinquiryforum.com/?p=1181</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[No celebrating of birthdays and many holidays 

Common celebrations and religious or national holidays such as birthdays, Halloween, and Christmas[134] are not celebrated because they believe that these continue to involve &#34;false religious beliefs or activities.&#34;[135][136][137] Watch Tower Society publications rule out the celebration of Mother&#8217;s Day because of a claimed link with pagan gods[138] [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><b>No celebrating of birthdays and many holidays</b><br /> <br />
<blockquote type="cite">
<p style="margin-top: 0.4em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; ">Common celebrations and religious or national holidays such as <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birthday" title="Birthday">birthdays</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halloween" title="Halloween">Halloween</a>, and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas" title="Christmas">Christmas</a><sup id="cite_ref-133" class="reference" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; "><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jehovah%27s_Witnesses_practices#cite_note-133"><span>[</span>134<span>]</span></a></sup> are not celebrated because they believe that these continue to involve &quot;false religious beliefs or activities.&quot;<sup id="cite_ref-134" class="reference" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; "><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jehovah%27s_Witnesses_practices#cite_note-134"><span>[</span>135<span>]</span></a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-135" class="reference" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; "><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jehovah%27s_Witnesses_practices#cite_note-135"><span>[</span>136<span>]</span></a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-136" class="reference" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; "><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jehovah%27s_Witnesses_practices#cite_note-136"><span>[</span>137<span>]</span></a></sup> Watch Tower Society publications rule out the celebration of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mother%27s_Day" title="Mother's Day">Mother&#8217;s Day</a> because of a claimed link with pagan gods<sup id="cite_ref-137" class="reference" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; "><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jehovah%27s_Witnesses_practices#cite_note-137"><span>[</span>138<span>]</span></a></sup> and concerns that giving &quot;special honor and worship&quot; to mothers is a form of &quot;creature worship&quot; that could turn people away from God.<sup id="cite_ref-138" class="reference" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; "><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jehovah%27s_Witnesses_practices#cite_note-138"><span>[</span>139<span>]</span></a></sup> The Society also directs Witnesses to shun <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/May_Day" title="May Day">May Day</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Year%27s_Day" title="New Year's Day">New Year&#8217;s Day</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valentine%27s_Day" title="Valentine's Day">Valentine&#8217;s Day</a> celebrations because of their pagan origins.<sup id="cite_ref-139" class="reference" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; "><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jehovah%27s_Witnesses_practices#cite_note-139"><span>[</span>140<span>]</span></a></sup></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.4em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; ">Their opposition to birthdays is said to be based on how the Bible presents them. Watch Tower Society publications note that the only birthday celebrations explicitly mentioned in the Bible are those of an unnamed <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pharaoh" title="Pharaoh">Pharaoh</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herod_Antipas" title="Herod Antipas">Herod Antipas</a>, and that both were associated with executions, and neither celebrant was a servant of God.<sup id="cite_ref-140" class="reference" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; "><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jehovah%27s_Witnesses_practices#cite_note-140"><span>[</span>141<span>]</span></a></sup> </p>
</blockquote>
<p> <b>Medical beliefs</b><br /> <br />
<blockquote type="cite">Jehovah&#8217;s Witnesses do not accept blood transfusions, even if it means death. However, more and more hospitals are now using bloodless techniques in surgery.&nbsp; Jehovah&#8217;s Witnesses opposed vaccinations and organ transplants in the past, but now leave it up to the individual Witness. (<a href="http://www.religioustolerance.org/witness6.htm">source</a>)</p></blockquote>
<p> <b>Strict adherence to Watchtower dogma is expected</b><br /> <br />
<blockquote type="cite">The religion makes no provision for members to criticize or contribute to official teachings<sup id="cite_ref-25" class="reference" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; "><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jehovah%27s_Witnesses_beliefs#cite_note-25"><span>[</span>26<span>]</span></a></sup> and all Witnesses are expected to abide by the doctrines and organizational requirements as determined by the Governing Body. Watch Tower publications strongly discourage Witnesses from formulating doctrines and &quot;private ideas&quot; reached through independent Bible research.<sup id="cite_ref-w89_0401_1_26-0" class="reference" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; "><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jehovah%27s_Witnesses_beliefs#cite_note-w89_0401_1-26"><span>[</span>27<span>]</span></a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-27" class="reference" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; "><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jehovah%27s_Witnesses_beliefs#cite_note-27"><span>[</span>28<span>]</span></a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-28" class="reference" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; "><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jehovah%27s_Witnesses_beliefs#cite_note-28"><span>[</span>29<span>]</span></a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-29" class="reference" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; "><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jehovah%27s_Witnesses_beliefs#cite_note-29"><span>[</span>30<span>]</span></a></sup> Members who promote privately-developed teachings contrary to those of the Governing Body may be expelled and shunned.<sup id="cite_ref-w89_0401_1_26-1" class="reference" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; "><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jehovah%27s_Witnesses_beliefs#cite_note-w89_0401_1-26"><span>[</span>27<span>]</span></a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-30" class="reference" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; "><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jehovah%27s_Witnesses_beliefs#cite_note-30"><span>[</span>31<span>]</span></a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-31" class="reference" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; "><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jehovah%27s_Witnesses_beliefs#cite_note-31"><span>[</span>32<span>]</span></a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-32" class="reference" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; "><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jehovah%27s_Witnesses_beliefs#cite_note-32"><span>[</span>33<span>]</span></a></sup></p></blockquote>
<p> <b>If you leave the Jehovah&#8217;s Witnesses, you are considered an apostate along with anyone else that is non-Jehovah&#8217;s Witness</b><br /> <br />
<blockquote type="cite">Watch Tower publications assert that members of the religion are not compelled to remain part of the congregation.<sup id="cite_ref-wtcompell_157-0" class="reference" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; "><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jehovah%27s_Witnesses_beliefs#cite_note-wtcompell-157"><span>[</span>158<span>]</span></a></sup> However, Jehovah&#8217;s Witness doctrines provide no method for baptized members to leave the religion on good terms.<sup id="cite_ref-holdendefect_158-0" class="reference" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; "><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jehovah%27s_Witnesses_beliefs#cite_note-holdendefect-158"><span>[</span>159<span>]</span></a></sup> Any who do choose to depart and announce their decision to terminate their membership are regarded as abandoning God&#8217;s organization and protection and voluntarily entering the world of Satan,<sup id="cite_ref-holdendefect_158-1" class="reference" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; "><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jehovah%27s_Witnesses_beliefs#cite_note-holdendefect-158"><span>[</span>159<span>]</span></a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-wtdisfellow_159-0" class="reference" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; "><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jehovah%27s_Witnesses_beliefs#cite_note-wtdisfellow-159"><span>[</span>160<span>]</span></a></sup> becoming part of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antichrist" title="Antichrist">antichrist</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-wtantich_160-0" class="reference" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; "><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jehovah%27s_Witnesses_beliefs#cite_note-wtantich-160"><span>[</span>161<span>]</span></a></sup> Watch Tower publications define such individuals as being &quot;more reprehensible than those in the world&quot;<sup id="cite_ref-wtantich_160-1" class="reference" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; "><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jehovah%27s_Witnesses_beliefs#cite_note-wtantich-160"><span>[</span>161<span>]</span></a></sup> and direct that they are to be shunned by other Witnesses, including close relatives, with no social or religious contact and no greeting given.<sup id="cite_ref-wtcompell_157-1" class="reference" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; "><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jehovah%27s_Witnesses_beliefs#cite_note-wtcompell-157"><span>[</span>158<span>]</span></a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-wtdisfellow_159-1" class="reference" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; "><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jehovah%27s_Witnesses_beliefs#cite_note-wtdisfellow-159"><span>[</span>160<span>]</span></a></sup> Sociologist Andrew Holden claims his research indicated many Witnesses who would otherwise defect because of disillusionment with the organization and its teachings retain affiliation out of fear of being shunned and losing contact with friends and family members.<sup id="cite_ref-holdendefect_158-2" class="reference" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; "><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jehovah%27s_Witnesses_beliefs#cite_note-holdendefect-158"><span>[</span>159<span>]</span></a></sup></p></blockquote>
<blockquote type="cite"><p>Watch Tower publications define <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apostasy" title="Apostasy">apostasy</a> as the abandonment of the worship and service of God by members of the Christian congregation, and equate it with rebellion against God.<sup id="cite_ref-reasonapost_161-0" class="reference" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; "><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jehovah%27s_Witnesses_beliefs#cite_note-reasonapost-161"><span>[</span>162<span>]</span></a></sup> Apostate behaviour is said to include the rejection of biblical teachings or requirements, the rejection of Jehovah&#8217;s organization, association with or support for another religion<sup id="cite_ref-question85_162-0" class="reference" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; "><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jehovah%27s_Witnesses_beliefs#cite_note-question85-162"><span>[</span>163<span>]</span></a></sup> and celebration of religious holidays.</p>
<p>Watch Tower literature says apostates are motivated by vitriolic bitterness and that their writings are poisonous, distorted and false, display the characteristics of &quot;cunning, contrived error, prideful intelligence, lack of love and dishonesty&quot; and are designed to undermine the faith of Jehovah&#8217;s Witnesses.<sup id="cite_ref-165" class="reference" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; "><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jehovah%27s_Witnesses_beliefs#cite_note-165"><span>[</span>166<span>]</span></a></sup></p>
<p>Watch Tower Society publications teach that Witnesses are engaged in a &quot;<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spiritual_warfare" title="Spiritual warfare">spiritual, theocratic warfare</a>&quot; against false teachings and wicked spirit forces they say try to impede them in their preaching work.<sup id="cite_ref-100" class="reference" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; "><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jehovah%27s_Witnesses_practices#cite_note-100"><span>[</span>101</a></sup> </p>
</blockquote>
<p><b>Stay separate from non-Jehovah's Witnesses, as mankind is ruled by Satan</b>. </p>
<blockquote type="cite"><p>Jehovah's Witnesses are taught that it is vital to remain &quot;separate from the world&quot; in harmony with Jesus' description of his followers at John 17:14-16. Watch Tower publications define the &quot;world&quot; as &quot;the mass of mankind apart from Jehovah&#8217;s approved servants&quot; and teach that it is ruled by Satan<sup id="cite_ref-109" class="reference" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; "><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jehovah%27s_Witnesses_practices#cite_note-109"><span>[</span>110<span>]</span></a></sup> and a place of danger<sup id="cite_ref-110" class="reference" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; "><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jehovah%27s_Witnesses_practices#cite_note-110"><span>[</span>111<span>]</span></a></sup> and moral contamination.<sup id="cite_ref-111" class="reference" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; "><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jehovah%27s_Witnesses_practices#cite_note-111"><span>[</span>112<span>]</span></a></sup> Witnesses manifest their world-renouncing beliefs in many ways. They avoid involvement in social controversies,<sup id="cite_ref-112" class="reference" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; "><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jehovah%27s_Witnesses_practices#cite_note-112"><span>[</span>113<span>]</span></a></sup> remain politically neutral, and do not seek public office</p></blockquote>
<p> <b>Association with non-Jehovah&#8217;s Witnesses is acceptable when viewed as an opportunity to preach and convert</b><br /> <br />
<blockquote type="cite">Witnesses are urged to minimize their social contact with non-members<sup id="cite_ref-Franz_p409_120-0" class="reference" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; "><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jehovah%27s_Witnesses_practices#cite_note-Franz_p409-120"><span>[</span>121<span>]</span></a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-121" class="reference" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; "><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jehovah%27s_Witnesses_practices#cite_note-121"><span>[</span>122<span>]</span></a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-122" class="reference" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; "><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jehovah%27s_Witnesses_practices#cite_note-122"><span>[</span>123<span>]</span></a></sup> because of perceived dangers of worldly association.<sup id="cite_ref-123" class="reference" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; "><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jehovah%27s_Witnesses_practices#cite_note-123"><span>[</span>124<span>]</span></a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-124" class="reference" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; "><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jehovah%27s_Witnesses_practices#cite_note-124"><span>[</span>125<span>]</span></a></sup> Sociologist Andrew Holden indicated they are highly selective in choosing with whom they spend leisure time, generally choosing the company of other Witnesses. Many Witnesses interviewed by Holden reported tensions and ostracism at work because of their religious beliefs.<sup id="cite_ref-125" class="reference" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; "><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jehovah%27s_Witnesses_practices#cite_note-125"><span>[</span>126<span>]</span></a></sup> He reported that many converts to the religion required some social adjustment as they gradually reduced contact with non-Witness friends.<sup id="cite_ref-126" class="reference" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; "><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jehovah%27s_Witnesses_practices#cite_note-126"><span>[</span>127<span>]</span></a></sup> Association with those outside the organization, commonly termed by Witnesses as &quot;worldly&quot; and &quot;not in the Truth&quot;, is acceptable only when it is viewed as an opportunity to preach<sup id="cite_ref-Franz_p409_120-1" class="reference" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; "><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jehovah%27s_Witnesses_practices#cite_note-Franz_p409-120"><span>[</span>121<span>]</span></a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-127" class="reference" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; "><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jehovah%27s_Witnesses_practices#cite_note-127"><span>[</span>128<span>]</span></a></sup> and Witnesses are under considerable pressure from the Society to show outsiders they are people of high moral fiber. Holden claims that as a result, Witnesses working with &quot;worldly&quot; colleagues tend to closely adhere to Watch Tower teachings.<sup id="cite_ref-128" class="reference" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; "><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jehovah%27s_Witnesses_practices#cite_note-128"><span>[</span>129<span>]</span></a></sup></p></blockquote>
<p> <b>Higher education is discouraged</b><br /> <br />
<blockquote type="cite">Jehovah&#8217;s Witnesses are instructed to make their preaching work the top priority in their life. Higher education is discouraged, based on their belief that it is futile to plan for secular advancement in a world that faces imminent destruction, as well as fears about succumbing to &quot;worldly thinking&quot; and concerns that advanced education might lead to a lack of humility.<sup id="cite_ref-169" class="reference" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; "><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jehovah%27s_Witnesses_beliefs#cite_note-169"><span>[</span>170<span>]</span></a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-170" class="reference" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; "><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jehovah%27s_Witnesses_beliefs#cite_note-170"><span>[</span>171<span>]</span></a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-171" class="reference" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; "><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jehovah%27s_Witnesses_beliefs#cite_note-171"><span>[</span>172<span>]</span></a></sup> Because evangelistic activities take priority over educational success, young Witnesses rarely progress to college or university,<sup id="cite_ref-holdeneducation_172-0" class="reference" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; "><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jehovah%27s_Witnesses_beliefs#cite_note-holdeneducation-172"><span>[</span>173<span>]</span></a></sup>which</p>
<p>	can be a source of regret in subsequent years among those who are reared in the organization and later defect.<sup id="cite_ref-holdeneducation_172-1" class="reference" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; "><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jehovah%27s_Witnesses_beliefs#cite_note-holdeneducation-172"><span>[</span>173<span>]</span></a></sup></p></blockquote>
<p> <b>No Politics, No Military</b><br /> <br />
<blockquote type="cite">Politics is not an important part of life, as Jehovah&#8217;s Witnesses believe government and mankind are controlled by Satan and will also be destroyed imminently. As a consequence, Jehovah&#8217;s Witnesses rarely vote, and they do not take part in anything that has to do with national politics, including the singing of the national anthem or saluting the flag.&nbsp; They refuse to participate in military service&#8212;even when it is compulsory. </p></blockquote>
<p> <b>Jesus has already returned, is not God and is not part of the Trinity</b><br /> <br />
<blockquote type="cite">Christ&#8217;s Second Coming has actually happened. It was not a physical return to earth. It was an invisible event in 1914 in which Satan and Christ engaged in a heavenly battle. Afterwards, Christ began to the rule the Heavenly Kingdom as King of Kings. Satan was expelled to Earth. World War I was a visible sign of Satan&#8217;s ousting from Heaven and earthly imprisonment. This event marked the beginning of the woes that would accompany the &quot;last days of this system of things.&quot;</p></blockquote>
<blockquote type="cite"><p>Jehovah&#8217;s Witnesses believe that <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesus" title="Jesus">Jesus</a> is God&#8217;s &quot;only begotten&quot; son, and that his life began in heaven.<sup id="cite_ref-74" class="reference" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; "><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jehovah%27s_Witnesses_beliefs#cite_note-74"><span>[</span>75<span>]</span></a></sup> He is described as God&#8217;s first creation and the &quot;exact representation of God&quot;,<sup id="cite_ref-75" class="reference" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; "><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jehovah%27s_Witnesses_beliefs#cite_note-75"><span>[</span>76<span>]</span></a></sup> but is believed to be a separate entity and not part of a Trinity. Jesus is said to have been used by God in the creation of all other things.<sup id="cite_ref-76" class="reference" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; "><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jehovah%27s_Witnesses_beliefs#cite_note-76"><span>[</span>77<span>]</span></a></sup></p></blockquote>
<p> <b>End of the world is near</b><br /> <br />
<blockquote type="cite">
<p style="margin-top: 0.4em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; ">The current world era, or &quot;system of things&quot;, is considered to be in its &quot;<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/End_time" title="End time">last days</a>&quot;,<sup id="cite_ref-145" class="reference" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; "><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jehovah%27s_Witnesses_beliefs#cite_note-145"><span>[</span>146<span>]</span></a></sup> facing imminent destruction through intervention by God and Jesus Christ, leading to deliverance for those who worship God in truth. This judgment will begin with the destruction by the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Nations" title="United Nations" >United Nations</a> of false religion, which they identify as &quot;<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babylon_the_great#Jehovah.27s_Witnesses" title="Babylon the great" class="mw-redirect">Babylon the Great</a>&quot;, or the &quot;harlot&quot;, of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_of_Revelation" title="Book of Revelation">Revelation</a> 17.<sup id="cite_ref-146" class="reference" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; "><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jehovah%27s_Witnesses_beliefs#cite_note-146"><span>[</span>147<span>]</span></a></sup> This will mark the beginning of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tribulation" title="Tribulation" class="mw-redirect">great tribulation</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-147" class="reference" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; "><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jehovah%27s_Witnesses_beliefs#cite_note-147"><span>[</span>148<span>]</span></a></sup> Satan will subsequently attack Jehovah&#8217;s Witnesses, an action that will prompt God to begin the war of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armageddon" title="Armageddon">Armageddon</a>, during which all forms of government and all people not counted as Christ&#8217;s &quot;sheep&quot;, or true followers, will be destroyed.<sup id="cite_ref-148" class="reference" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; "><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jehovah%27s_Witnesses_beliefs#cite_note-148"><span>[</span>149<span>]</span></a></sup> After Armageddon, God will extend his heavenly kingdom to include earth,<sup id="cite_ref-149" class="reference" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; "><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jehovah%27s_Witnesses_beliefs#cite_note-149"><span>[</span>150<span>]</span></a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-150" class="reference" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; "><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jehovah%27s_Witnesses_beliefs#cite_note-150"><span>[</span>151<span>]</span></a></sup> which will be transformed into a paradise similar to the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garden_of_Eden" title="Garden of Eden">Garden of Eden</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-151" class="reference" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; "><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jehovah%27s_Witnesses_beliefs#cite_note-151"><span>[</span>152<span>]</span></a></sup></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.4em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; ">After Armageddon, most of those who had died prior to God&#8217;s intervention will gradually be resurrected to a &quot;day of judgment&quot; lasting for <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Millenarianism" title="Millenarianism">the thousand years</a>referred to in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_of_Revelation" title="Book of Revelation">Revelation</a> 20.<sup id="cite_ref-152" class="reference" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; "><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jehovah%27s_Witnesses_beliefs#cite_note-152"><span>[</span>153<span>]</span></a></sup> This judgment will be based on their actions after resurrection, not on past deeds.<sup id="cite_ref-153" class="reference" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; "><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jehovah%27s_Witnesses_beliefs#cite_note-153"><span>[</span>154<span>]</span></a></sup> At the end of the thousand years a final test will take place when Satan is released to mislead perfect mankind;<sup id="cite_ref-154" class="reference" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; "><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jehovah%27s_Witnesses_beliefs#cite_note-154"><span>[</span>155<span>]</span></a></sup> Satan and any who fail the test will be destroyed, leaving a fully tested, perfect human race.<sup id="cite_ref-155" class="reference" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; "><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jehovah%27s_Witnesses_beliefs#cite_note-155"><span>[</span>156<span>]</span></a></sup> Christ will then hand all authority back to God.<sup id="cite_ref-156" class="reference" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; "><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jehovah%27s_Witnesses_beliefs#cite_note-156"><span>[</span>157<span>]</span></a></sup></p>
</blockquote>
<p> <b>The Cross is pagan and considered an object of idol worship</b><br /> <br />
<blockquote type="cite">Since 1936, Jehovah&#8217;s Witnesses have rejected the idea that Jesus died on a cross, and instead teach that he died on a single wooden stake (<a href="http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/crux_simplex" class="extiw" title="wikt:crux simplex" style="text-decoration: none; color: rgb(51, 102, 187); background-image: none; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">crux simplex</a>), asserting that the Koin&eacute; Greek word <i>&#963;&#964;&#945;&#965;&#961;&#959;&#962;</i> (<i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stauros" title="Stauros">stauros</a></i>) refers to a single upright post. They consider the cross to be of pagan origins and an object of idol worship.<sup id="cite_ref-87" class="reference" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; "><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jehovah%27s_Witnesses_beliefs#cite_note-87"><span>[</span>88<span>]</span></a></sup></p></blockquote>
<p> <b>Ghosts</b><br /> <br />
<blockquote type="cite">Witnesses teach that sometimes wicked angels (demons) pretend to be spirits of the dead, and that their deception is the basis for many beliefs about <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghost" title="Ghost">ghosts</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-111" class="reference" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; "><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jehovah%27s_Witnesses_beliefs#cite_note-111"><span>[</span>112<span>]</span></a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-112" class="reference" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; "><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jehovah%27s_Witnesses_beliefs#cite_note-112"><span>[</span>113<span>]</span></a></sup></p></blockquote>
<p> <b>Family</b><br /> <br />
<blockquote type="cite">Married couples are encouraged to speak with local elders if they are having problems. Married couples can separate in the case of physical abuse and neglect, or if one partner attempts to hinder the other from being a Jehovah&#8217;s Witness.</p></blockquote>
<p> <b>Criticisms</b><br /> 
<ul>
<li>They have made numerous <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Criticism_of_Jehovah%27s_Witnesses#Failed_predictions">failed</p>
<p>		predictions</a></li>
<li>They can be considered a cult.<br /> Authors <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthony_A._Hoekema" title="Anthony A. Hoekema">Anthony A. Hoekema</a>, Ron Rhodes<sup id="cite_ref-153" class="reference" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; "><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Criticism_of_Jehovah%27s_Witnesses#cite_note-153"><span>[</span>154<span>]</span></a></sup> and Alan W. Gomes,<sup id="cite_ref-154" class="reference" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; "><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Criticism_of_Jehovah%27s_Witnesses#cite_note-154"><span>[</span>155<span>]</span></a></sup> claim Jehovah&#8217;s Witnesses is a religious <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cult" title="Cult">cult</a>. Hoekema bases his judgment on a range of what he describes as general characteristics of a cult, including the tendency to elevate peripheral teachings (such as door-to-door witnessing) to great prominence, extra-scriptural source of authority (Hoekema highlights Watch Tower teachings that the Bible may be understood only as it is interpreted by the Governing Body), a view of the group as the exclusive community of the saved (Watch Tower publications teach that Witnesses alone are God&#8217;s people and only they will survive Armageddon) and the group&#8217;s central role in eschatology (Hoekema says Witness publications claim the group was called into existence by God to fill in a gap in the truth neglected by existing churches, marking the climax of sacred history).<sup id="cite_ref-155" class="reference" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; "><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Criticism_of_Jehovah%27s_Witnesses#cite_note-155"><span>[</span>156<span>]</span></a></sup></li>
<li>They use of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Criticism_of_Jehovah%27s_Witnesses#Coercion">coercion</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Criticism_of_Jehovah%27s_Witnesses#Shunning">shunning</a></li>
<li>Critics such as <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silentlambs" title="Silentlambs">Silentlambs</a> have accused <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jehovah%27s_Witnesses" title="Jehovah's Witnesses">Jehovah&#8217;s Witnesses</a> of employing organizational policies that make the reporting of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sexual_abuse" title="Sexual abuse">sexual abuse</a> difficult for members.<sup id="cite_ref-225" class="reference" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; "><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Criticism_of_Jehovah%27s_Witnesses#cite_note-225"><span>[</span>226<span>]</span></a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-226" class="reference" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; "><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Criticism_of_Jehovah%27s_Witnesses#cite_note-226"><span>[</span>227<span>]</span></a></sup> Some victims of sexual abuse have asserted that when reporting abuse they were ordered to maintain silence by their local elders to avoid embarrassment to both the accused and the organization.<sup id="cite_ref-227" class="reference" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; "><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Criticism_of_Jehovah%27s_Witnesses#cite_note-227"><span>[</span>228<span>]</span></a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-228" class="reference" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; "><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Criticism_of_Jehovah%27s_Witnesses#cite_note-228"><span>[</span>229<span>]</span></a></sup></li>
</ul>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://freeinquiryforum.com/2011/10/03/jehovahs-witnesses-beliefs/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Smith&#8217;s Wager</title>
		<link>http://freeinquiryforum.com/2011/06/28/smiths-wager/</link>
		<comments>http://freeinquiryforum.com/2011/06/28/smiths-wager/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 28 Jun 2011 14:56:50 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>dimossi</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Resources]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Topics]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://freeinquiryforum.com/?p=1177</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Smith&#8217;s Wager (the counter-wager to Pascal&#8217;s Wager) :
There are only four possibilities, as follows:
1) There is no god. The atheist is correct, and consequently lives a happy, fulfilling life free of mindless dogma and emotional tyranny.
2) The second possibility is the god of deism, who was said to have created the universe and then left [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Smith&#8217;s Wager (the counter-wager to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pascal's_Wager">Pascal&#8217;s Wager</a>) :</p>
<p>There are only four possibilities, as follows:</p>
<p>1) There is no god. The atheist is correct, and consequently lives a happy, fulfilling life free of mindless dogma and emotional tyranny.</p>
<p>2) The second possibility is the god of deism, who was said to have created the universe and then left it to run on its own. There is nothing to fear from such a god; he or she is impersonal and does not reward or punish us.</p>
<p>3) This third possibility is a god that is concerned with humanity. He is a fair and just god. Such a god, in his infinite goodness would never punish anyone for honest errors of reason, assuming of course that there is no moral turpitude involved. Here again we have no reason to fear such a god. In fact, if our reason is what separates us from the animals, then not to use it might be construed as the gravest of &#8220;sins.&#8221; If anyone is in danger of punishment here, it is the theist, and not the atheist.</p>
<p>4) The last possibility concerns an unjust god. Unconcerned with justice, he will burn us whether our mistakes are honest or not. There is, after all, no greater injustice than to punish someone for an honest error of belief, and yet that is just what this fourth god, the Christian god, promises to do. He is unconcerned with issues such as honesty and intellectual integrity and, according to the Bible, will burn us eternally if we doubt his existence. No matter what kind of life we have led, this issue is central in determining where we will spend eternity. Gullibility thus becomes a virtue rather than a vice. Therefore, by definition, this fourth god is a most unprincipalled deity. Christians have always felt that they are in a better position here, but if one thinks about it, they are really in the same boat as the atheist. Why? Simply because, if this god really gets such a thrill out of creating people just to burn them, what could give him greater enjoyment than to promise the Christian eternal bliss and then turn around and burn him too? Certainly, you cannot trust the word of an unjust god when he promises you something, since he must have a sadistic streak in him to begin with.</p>
<p>This then is the wager: Use your reason in all areas of human endeavor, including religion. This should lead you to atheism. If there is no god, you are correct. If the Deistic god exists, you have nothing to fear. If a just god exists, there is again nothing to fear; the only one who is at risk is the believer. And if the fourth god exists, we do indeed live in a nightmarish universe, but the Christian is in no better position than the atheist, so why not live our lives as rational human beings? Why not do all we can to make this world, our only home, a better place and do all we can to make life worthwhile and enjoyable for all? In Smith&#8217;s wager, there truly is nothing to lose!</p>
<p>[from '<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Atheism-Case-Against-Skeptics-Bookshelf/dp/087975124X">Atheism: The Case Against God' by George H. Smith</a>']</p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://freeinquiryforum.com/2011/06/28/smiths-wager/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>1</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Garin Hoover on Politics &amp; Religion &#8211; 9/25/2010</title>
		<link>http://freeinquiryforum.com/2011/01/06/garin-hoover-on-politics-religion-9252010/</link>
		<comments>http://freeinquiryforum.com/2011/01/06/garin-hoover-on-politics-religion-9252010/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 06 Jan 2011 15:12:02 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>dimossi</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Garin Hoover Show]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Multimedia]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Radio]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://freeinquiryforum.com/?p=1171</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[WTMY AM 1280 Radio &#8211; Garin Hoover on Politics &#38; Religion &#8211; 9/25/2010
Pastor Terry Jones of the Dove World Outreach Center in Gainesville, FL, the Pastor that wanted to burn the Koran on 9/11 that received much media attention.
]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>WTMY AM 1280 Radio &#8211; Garin Hoover on Politics &amp; Religion &#8211; 9/25/2010</p>
<p>Pastor Terry Jones of the Dove World Outreach Center in Gainesville, FL, the Pastor that wanted to burn the Koran on 9/11 that received much media attention.</p>

]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://freeinquiryforum.com/2011/01/06/garin-hoover-on-politics-religion-9252010/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Garin Hoover on Politics &amp; Religion &#8211; 9/18/2010</title>
		<link>http://freeinquiryforum.com/2011/01/06/garin-hoover-on-politics-religion-9182010/</link>
		<comments>http://freeinquiryforum.com/2011/01/06/garin-hoover-on-politics-religion-9182010/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 06 Jan 2011 15:10:15 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>dimossi</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Garin Hoover Show]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Multimedia]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Radio]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://freeinquiryforum.com/?p=1169</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[WTMY AM 1280 Radio &#8211; Garin Hoover on Politics &#38; Religion &#8211; 9/18/2010
The Middle East Palestinian plight. Does it deserve its own State, and how does it achieve that goal? Palestinian Hassan Hares is the guest.
]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>WTMY AM 1280 Radio &#8211; Garin Hoover on Politics &amp; Religion &#8211; 9/18/2010</p>
<p>The Middle East Palestinian plight. Does it deserve its own State, and how does it achieve that goal? Palestinian Hassan Hares is the guest.</p>

]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://freeinquiryforum.com/2011/01/06/garin-hoover-on-politics-religion-9182010/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Garin Hoover on Politics &amp; Religion &#8211; 9/11/2010</title>
		<link>http://freeinquiryforum.com/2011/01/06/garin-hoover-on-politics-religion-9112010/</link>
		<comments>http://freeinquiryforum.com/2011/01/06/garin-hoover-on-politics-religion-9112010/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 06 Jan 2011 15:09:19 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>dimossi</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Garin Hoover Show]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Multimedia]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Radio]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://freeinquiryforum.com/?p=1167</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[WTMY AM 1280 Radio &#8211; Garin Hoover on Politics &#38; Religion &#8211; 9/11/2010
The State of Israel. Should it conduct a preemptive strike againt Iran&#8217;s nuclear facility, should it enter into a peace agreement with the Palestianians, and what should it do about terrorism. Also, the New York Mosque and proposed burning of the Koran will [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>WTMY AM 1280 Radio &#8211; Garin Hoover on Politics &amp; Religion &#8211; 9/11/2010</p>
<p>The State of Israel. Should it conduct a preemptive strike againt Iran&#8217;s nuclear facility, should it enter into a peace agreement with the Palestianians, and what should it do about terrorism. Also, the New York Mosque and proposed burning of the Koran will be part of the discussion. Rabbi Tovia Singer, living in Jerusalem, is the guest.</p>

]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://freeinquiryforum.com/2011/01/06/garin-hoover-on-politics-religion-9112010/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Power Balance bracelets exposed as a sham</title>
		<link>http://freeinquiryforum.com/2010/12/24/power-balance-bracelets-exposed-as-a-sham/</link>
		<comments>http://freeinquiryforum.com/2010/12/24/power-balance-bracelets-exposed-as-a-sham/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 24 Dec 2010 20:06:48 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>dimossi</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Topics]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://freeinquiryforum.com/?p=1164</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[From SMH:
A bracelet worn by high profile sports stars that claims to improve athletic performance has been exposed as a sham by the consumer watchdog.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has ordered Power Balance Australia to refund all customers who feel they were misled by the supposed benefits of Power Balance bracelets.
Read the rest [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>From <a href="http://www.smh.com.au/executive-style/fitness/power-balance-bracelets-exposed-as-a-sham-20101223-195u7.html">SMH</a>:</p>
<blockquote><p>A bracelet worn by high profile sports stars that claims to improve athletic performance has been exposed as a sham by the consumer watchdog.</p>
<p>The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has ordered <a href="http://www.powerbalance.com/australia/CA">Power Balance</a> Australia to refund all customers who feel they were misled by the supposed benefits of Power Balance bracelets.</p></blockquote>
<p><a href="http://www.smh.com.au/executive-style/fitness/power-balance-bracelets-exposed-as-a-sham-20101223-195u7.html">Read the rest of the article</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.powerbalance.com/australia/CA">Power Balance</a> acknowledged it had breached the code and said the relevant claims had been removed from its website.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.powerbalance.com/australia/CA">PowerBalance</a> ordered to admit its product is a sham and to refund the money of everyone who ever bought it.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://freeinquiryforum.com/2010/12/24/power-balance-bracelets-exposed-as-a-sham/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>A little superstitious? You&#8217;re not alone</title>
		<link>http://freeinquiryforum.com/2010/10/25/a-little-superstitious-youre-not-alone/</link>
		<comments>http://freeinquiryforum.com/2010/10/25/a-little-superstitious-youre-not-alone/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 25 Oct 2010 17:16:38 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>dimossi</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Topics]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://freeinquiryforum.com/?p=1160</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[From LA Times:
No matter how silly or serious, superstitions can affect decisions and behavior in daily life, and such activities as sports and gambling. It&#8217;s only human to look for connections between events where none exist.
]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>From <a href="http://www.latimes.com/health/la-he-superstition-20101025,0,1186650,full.story">LA Times</a>:</p>
<blockquote><p>No matter how silly or serious, superstitions can affect decisions and behavior in daily life, and such activities as sports and gambling. It&#8217;s only human to look for connections between events where none exist.</p></blockquote>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://freeinquiryforum.com/2010/10/25/a-little-superstitious-youre-not-alone/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Bill Maher interviews Richard Tillman</title>
		<link>http://freeinquiryforum.com/2010/09/28/bill-maher-interviews-richard-tillman/</link>
		<comments>http://freeinquiryforum.com/2010/09/28/bill-maher-interviews-richard-tillman/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 28 Sep 2010 18:26:56 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>dimossi</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Multimedia]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Topics]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://freeinquiryforum.com/?p=1158</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[
]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/_t_V_7U8qdc?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/_t_V_7U8qdc?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object></p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://freeinquiryforum.com/2010/09/28/bill-maher-interviews-richard-tillman/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>On Basic Religion Test, Many Doth Not Pass</title>
		<link>http://freeinquiryforum.com/2010/09/28/on-basic-religion-test-many-doth-not-pass/</link>
		<comments>http://freeinquiryforum.com/2010/09/28/on-basic-religion-test-many-doth-not-pass/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 28 Sep 2010 11:55:48 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>dimossi</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Topics]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://freeinquiryforum.com/?p=1156</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[From the New York Times:
Americans are by all measures a deeply religious people, but they are also deeply ignorant about religion.
Researchers from the independent Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life   phoned more than 3,400 Americans and asked them 32 questions about the Bible,  Christianity and other world religions, famous religious figures [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>From the New York Times:</p>
<blockquote><p>Americans are by all measures a deeply religious people, but they are also deeply ignorant about religion.</p>
<p>Researchers from the independent Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life   phoned more than 3,400 Americans and asked them 32 questions about <a class="meta-classifier" title="More articles about the Bible." href="http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/subjects/b/bible/index.html?inline=nyt-classifier">the Bible</a>,  Christianity and other world religions, famous religious figures and  the constitutional principles governing religion in public life.</p>
<p>On average, people who took the <a title="US Religious Knowledge" href="http://www.pewforum.org/Other-Beliefs-and-Practices/U-S-Religious-Knowledge-Survey.aspx">survey</a> answered half the questions incorrectly, and many flubbed even questions about their own faith.</p>
<p>Those who scored the highest were <a class="meta-classifier" title="More articles about atheism." href="http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/subjects/a/atheism/index.html?inline=nyt-classifier">atheists</a> and agnostics, as well as two religious minorities: Jews and Mormons.  The results were the same even after the researchers controlled for  factors like age and racial differences.</p>
<p>“Even after all these other factors, including education, are taken into  account, atheists and agnostics, Jews and Mormons still outperform all  the other religious groups in our survey,” said Greg Smith, a senior  researcher at Pew.</p></blockquote>
<p><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/28/us/28religion.html?_r=2&amp;src=ISMR_HP_LO_MST_FB">Full article</a></p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://freeinquiryforum.com/2010/09/28/on-basic-religion-test-many-doth-not-pass/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
	</channel>
</rss>

