11/13/03 - Suggested topics:

1. Discuss this latest Barna survey on morality. George Barna is an evangelical Christian who operates a religious polling organization, so keep that in mind when analyzing his data; nevertheless, Barna does seem to publish data not favorable to Christians or religion (such as the fact that the divorce rate among Christians is just as high as it is for non-Christians and atheists). Barna concludes that the results of this survey indicate "...moral perspectives of Americans are likely to continue to deteriorate.” Do you feel the this trend is negative as Barna suggests. Or is this a positive trend?
2. Financier George Soros and Progressive Corporation Chairman Peter Lewis told liberal political action committee MoveOn.org that they will donate $5 million to assist them with their campaign to attack Bush in political television ads. Will these huge donations have much impact on the incumbent George Bush's chances at a second term? Is it unfair that these loopholes in the campaign finance laws are being exploited?
3. What are your views on the nature of consciousness?
4. If a married woman has sex with another woman, is that adultery? The New Hampshire Supreme Court, ruling in a divorce case, says no. Speaking of adultery, is monogamy a matter of nature or nurture for humans?
5. In order for theism to survive does it need to adopt a new definition for "god"? Can the idea of a "god of nature" -- similar to what deists believe -- satisfy the emotional requirement that a personal deity seems to fulfill for many theists? Does theism need supernatural elements in order to exist and propagate?
6. Are freethinkers less likely to succumb to popular trends, fads, and memes?
7. Neuroscientist Craig Kinsley's research has found that female rats that have had one or more litters are less stressed and fearful due to a phenomenon know as "maternal induced neural plasticity." Do you feel, as Kindley suggests, that these findings apply to human mothers as well?
8. Stephen Jordi, 35, who was arrested on suspicion of plotting to bomb abortion clinics came "perilously close to carrying out his plans," the FBI said. Are these domestic terrorists, like Jordi and Army of God members, becoming an increasing threat? Will they cease to stop until legalized abortion is repealed? What can be done to eliminate or suppress these domestic terrorists?

Quote of the week: "A human being is part of a whole, called by us the "Universe," a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feelings, as something separated from the rest--a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circles of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty." [Albert Einstein]

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