Helen is 31 years old. She is addicted to a drug which she calls Old Faithful. The drug is illegal for recreational use and is therefore costly. Fortunately, for Helen, she is wealthy enough to easily afford it and avoid any significant legal risk. She uses Old Faithful at least once a day and never
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Essays From Robert Boomsliter
Religious faith is probably the most prized and precious emotional/intellectual possession ever known. It has been broadly accepted as a virtue and is enthusiastically promoted, by the local culture, to children without reservation of any kind. The indoctrination techniques have enjoyed centuries of refinement, and have achieved a level of remarkable effectiveness. Paradoxically, religious faith
There is significant legislation being proposed dealing with the restoration or protection of religious freedom/liberty. It appears to be driven by Christian conservatives who feel that they are being persecuted for their faith or are being deprived the freedom to follow their conscience in deeply held beliefs. This puzzled me initially since I saw no
“I just can’t believe or accept the idea that something as vibrant and complex as life just occurred by chance.” I have often heard this response when someone is asked as to why they believe in a creator with intention. You CAN believe and accept the idea that something as vibrant and complex as life
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (the DSM) is the most respected document dealing with the classification, definition, and treatment of mental illness. It is published by the American Psychiatric Association and is updated periodically as new information and experience is acquired. Mental health does not appear to be on as firm a
In another piece I alluded to what I called a toxic fundamental doctrine common to many religions. That, owing to the religion’s absolute perfection on matters of truth and morality, it is not only encouraged but it is a duty for its adherents to ‘save’ the rest of the world and convert it to the
While driving to do chores today, I heard this portion of a sermon over a local religious radio station. I thought I would write it down as soon as I got home while it was still fresh in my mind. The pastor had a pleasant, inviting style to his delivery and I was interested in
A few nights ago my wife and I went out to dinner and waiting in the bar for our table I fell into conversation with the man next to me. He had once worked in the publishing business and I mentioned my own book, how I was trying to promote it, and how I feared
“…one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.” That’s how it was said in my youth at the beginning of the school day and it sang to me. I was a child, yet I knew this was a good thing without being told that I must believe so. Of course I did not know
My wife is tired of my preoccupation with this effort. She doesn’t want to talk about it anymore. She is afraid of alienating friends and family. She believes I should keep my opinions and views to myself. What good can come from disrespecting and offending people? Why intrude my thoughts into other people’s lives, who
“So you don’t believe in God, Heaven or Hell. Do you believe in anything?” That’s the question posed by theists, probably implying that believing in something that is unbelievable is something that ought to be done. While I don’t think that is true, I also don’t think I am prepared to argue the point. It
There are a lot of videos on You Tube. So many that one cannot scratch the surface in one lifetime. But now and then I see something really extraordinary and I wish to share some of them. Christopher Hitchens Hitchens was an outspoken critic of religion and was a self-proclaimed anti-theist, in that he not
On a mountain, Jesus is tempted by Satan (Luke 4.5) who offers all the riches of the world to Jesus and he need only fall down and worship Satan. The narrative proceeds to describe Jesus’ rejection of the offer. We are told that Jesus is not concerned with worldly goods and so there is not
I often hear it said, “This country was founded on Judeo-Christian principles.” I see no evidence of this in the Constitution, and believe the proposition could use a bit of inspection. With this in mind, let us explore some of these principles and see if they stand up to scrutiny. We the people must be
Most of us no longer believe it is right to put to death an individual who works on the Sabbath, particularly when that individual does not subscribe to the concept. We also mostly agree that wearing clothing comprised of more than one type of fabric, eating shrimp, and neglecting to make regular blood sacrifices are