1    What is at the Core of Humanism?
2    Where would Jesus pray?
3    Buchanan’s One "True Faith"
4    Accommodating the Religious in Public Places
5    Media Equates Catholic League With Catholics
6    United Methodist Minister Defrocked for Performing Marriage of Gays
7    Ten Commandments Update
8    The Problems of Peace
9    Help wanted!
10  Letters to the Editor

In Memoriam
          Dr. Sol Warren of Garden City, NY has passed away. He joined LISH early in 1999 and contributed to the creation of the Standard Ten Commandments Dr. Warren was a member of the AHA for over three decades.

A Portent of Things to Come!
          Friday, 11/ l9/1999 - was the last day that wou1d have all odd digits in its date until l/l/3111. We’re sure that meant something to somebody!

Highway to Hell?  Gerry Dantone
          If the path to hell is paved with "good intentions," does anyone know to where the road paved with indifference or bad intentions leads?

WHAT IS AT THE CORE OF HUMANISM?  Gerry Dantone
          Half a millennium ago, Martin Luther began the "Reformation" with the posting of 95 Theses that challenged the authority of the Roman Catholic Church. The resultant split with Rome was the beginning of Protestantism, and of many years of acrimony, accusations of heresy, and bloodshed.

To this day, enmity exists between Catholics and Protestants, most notably in Northern Ireland and u, other countries where power is shared between opposing denominations. Indeed, as noted previously in the Inquirer, many non-Catholics have been historically unwilling to support Catholics for political office while at the same time persons of all denominations sometimes insist on establishing their religious beliefs as the law of the land

Recently, a step toward a partial reconciliation has occurred between the Roman Catholic Church and the Lutheran denomination. No longer do they consider each other excommunicated, though what wonders what is the status of those who were excommunicated over the years. These two churches have now officially agreed on the path to heaven and salvation!

In the past Catholics have held that salvation was attained through good works, while Protestants maintained that it was achieved through faith alone. They have now agreed that "through God's good grace and mercy we care saved, not by works." This finding is not really shocking news in that a preliminary agreement to this effect was announced a couple of years ago.

A local pastor commented in Newsday that "I'm glad that we're finally able to celebrate that wich is at the heart of our faith."

Let us consider what it is they are |celebrating: the concept that nothing more than faith is required for salvation, eternal I bliss, and that people "act upon (their) faith through good works."

If there ever were a meme designed to replicate, this is it! Imagine, just believe and live happily ever after. Believe, and your works will be good by definition! Evildoers can be dismissed as non-believers by definition!

This is the "heart of the faith "

Christianity has had almost 2000 years to consider what lies at its core. Secular humanism, in either its infancy, or predating Christianity if one considers its secular ancestors such as Confucius, can also ask itself "what lies at the core of humanism?"

The answer can not be as self-deceiving as simply "believing." The core of secular humanism must be a naturalistic motivation to care for oneself and others. If one cares about one's well being and one cares about the well being of others, abundant motivation for improving life immediately springs forth. In the absence of caring, no motivation for anything exists.

Although the scientific method, free inquiry and individual freedoms are of paramount importance to secular humanists' if one did not care, the above stated methods and values are irrelevant. Nurturing caring individuals

within a caring society is an overlooked foundation of secular humanism. It is overlooked because caring is taken for granted, but raising caring persons should not be assumed! It is not automatic that we will become sympathetic to others.

From birth the average person is taught to care for others, not for the sake of caring, but instead as a way of honoring or obeying God. At least, that is what much of organized religion teaches if it is orthodox The distinction is crucial in that if God belief wavers, the foundation for a caring society crumbles. Concern for each other should be an unconditional aspect of moral upbringing, no rewards for it, just the satisfaction and self-fulfillment of being a part of a loving life and society.

No particular belief requirement is at the core of secular humanism. Instead a concern for others is "at the heart," and we should not forget it. We should also consider nurturing this concern as the "Grand Commission" of all humanists, a responsibility that can senre as a source of great pride and satisfaction. Nothing and no one else obligates us to spread love around - we must obligate ourselves.
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WHERE WOULD JESUS PRAY?  Howard T
          Given the Texas controversy over football game prayers, some biblical research should help Christians better understand the issue: "Jesus prayed in public," said the angry Santa Fe, Texas football fan as he glared at my "Respect the Constitution" poster. I was surprised. I could not recall any gospel verses where Jesus prayed in public. I had forgotten the importance of Jesus in the public prayer controversy. For Christians, Jesus is the ultimate moral example. Before they act, Christians are supposed to ask themselves "What Would Jesus Do?" Christians should do what Jesus would do. Christians should not do what Jesus would no t do. Many Christians want government to sponsor prayers. An example is the Texas controversy over football game prayers. When it comes to public prayer, Christians should be asking themselves Where Would Jesus Pray?

RESEARCHING THE GOSPELS: The four gospels are the best information about wha t Jesus taught and did. Christians should read gospel examples of Jesus praying and teaching about prayer to find out what they should do. Christians should pray where Jesus prayed. Christians should not pray where Jesus says not to pray. I examined gospel verses to discover Where Would Jesus Pray? Some verses describe Jesus praying. Some describe Jesus' teachings on prayer. Other verses have non-applicable usages of the word "pray" that tell Christians nothing about what Jesus taught on public prayer.

WHAT DID JESUS TEACH ABOUT PRAYER? Jesus' primary teaching on prayer is in Matthew 6. Jesus teaches against public piety as hypocrisy and gives three examples, including public prayer. Jesus teaches followers to practice piet y in private where the only reward can come from what God sees in "secret" rather than practicing public piety which gains the praise of men. Matt: 6:5-6 contains the critical teaching on prayers. * A statement against public prayer. When Jesus says it is hypocrisy to "pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets," we can be sure that "corners of the streets" are in public. * A command to pray in private. When Jesus says, "when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou has shut thy door" we can be sure that Jesus is teaching followers to pray in private where no others can hear. * A description of prayer as "secret." When Jesus says, "pray to thy fathe r which is in secret," we can be sure that Jesus is emphasizing the private, non-public nature of prayer.

WHERE DID JESUS PRAY? Eighteen gospel verses describe Jesus praying. Depending on what the verse said and its surrounding context, each verse was assignable to one of five categories. The counts for each kind of prayer by Jesus were:

COUNT - KIND OF JESUS PRAYER DESCRIBED IN GOSPEL VERSES
2 Indeterminate. There was not enough information to make a determination.
3 With others/Special case. Jesus may have prayed to heal, prayed with or in the presence of his disciples, or may have prayed at a religious ritual. While others were present, these prayers were special function prayers unlike public prayers sponsored by government.
1 Public/involuntarv. Jesus had no choice but to pray in public if he wished to pray.
0 Public/voluntarv. Jesus chose to pray in a public setting.
12 Alone. Jesus separated himself from others to pray alone.

WHERE WOULD JESUS PRAY? The gospel evidence is clear. Jesus taught his followers to pray in private; he taught against public prayer. Jesus practiced what he preached. Twelve times he is described as going off alone to pray. Jesus did pray in the presence of his disciples, at religious rituals, and probably for some healings. Jesus nIso prayed once in public when he was crucified and had no choice.

There is no gospel evidence that Jesus prayed during government activities. Jesus' famous "render unto Caesar" teaching is good evidence that Jesus would have kept his religion separate from government.

There is no gospel evidence that Jesus prayed in public in anything like the way prayers are conducted at school graduations' legislative sessions, public government meetings or swearing in of public officials.

A Roman Coliseum for sports was just outside Jerusalem during Jesus' lifetime. This gave Jesus the opportunity to teach about prayers at sports events. There is no gospel evidence that Jesus prayed before anything like a sports events. There is no gospel evidence that Jesus said there should be prayers before anything like a sports events.

The best evidence Christians have about Where Would Jesus Pray? tells Christians to pray in private where no one can hear them. That evidence also tells Christians not to pray in public

IS PUBLIC PRAYER SATANIC? Why do some Christians want government to conduct public prayers? Who would be for public prayers in disobedience to Jesus? Could it be ---Satan?

Why would Satan want public prayers at government activities? Since Satan wins when Christians disobey Jesus, Satan would want Christians to disobey Jesus and pray in public.

Satan would tempt Christians into government prayer with anger, righteousness, vanity and arrogance. Satan would trick Christians into perverting God's spiritual kingdom into an earthly kingdom of powerful Christian leaders who lust after the personal glory of creating their human idea of God's Kingdom on earth.

Christians who believe in Satan can marvel at how Satan seduces zealous Christians. Satan cleverly tempts Christians into disobeying Jesus by exploiting their zeal to glorify Jesus and demonstrate their faith.

MAKING UP YOUR OWN MIND. I hope this discussion helps Christians understand what Jesus taught about prayer and where Jesus prayed. This information gives Christians the chance to think about what Jesus taught and did about prayer. While Christians may freely choose to serve Jesus or Satan, they should know where Jesus prayed before they support government sponsored public prayers.
(JESUS PRAYER VERSES CATEGORIZATION [The full details of the research report are available on request, send e-mail to gofreemind@aol.com.
INDETERMINATE
1. Mt 11:25-30
ALONE
2. Mt 14:22-23
WITH OTHERS/SPECIAL CASE
3. Mt 19: 13- 15
ALONE
4. Mt 26:36-39
5. Mt 26:42
6. Mt 26:43-44
PUBLIC l INVOLUNTARY
7.Mt 27:46
ALONG
8. Mk 1:35
9. Mk 6:45-47
10. Mk 14:32-37
11. Mk 14:39-40
WITH OTHERS/SPECIAL CASE
12. Lu 3:21
ALONE
13. Lk 6:12- 13
14. Lk 9:18
15. Lk 9:28-32
INDETERMINATE
16. Lu 11:1
17. Lu 22:41-45
WITH OTHERS/SPECIAL CASE
18 Jn 17:1-20

THE KEY MATTHEW TEACHING  Mt 6:5 And when thou grayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the comers of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. (6) But thou, when thou grayest, enter into thy closet, sad when thou host shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
        (Howard Thompson is the Editor of The Texas Atheist Newsletter, an independent, free e-mail newsletter, circulation over 2,300, to subscribe write gofreemind@aol.com)
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The Presidential Election and Church/State Issues 
BUCHANAN'S ONE "TRUE FAITH"  Gerry Dantone
          Sometimes the newspaper headlines can make you scratch your head on so many levels, that you truly do feel disoriented! Try this one, found in the NY Post of 10/27/99-- "Pat (Buchanan): 'I'd like all folks' to be Christians."

The story contains a few other quotes from presidential aspirant Buchanan such as "I believe that Jesus Christ was the Son of God, and I believe that Christianity is the true faith."

Oh. Excuse me for one moment, but is this news? Isn't this precisely what Gov. Bush, VP Gore, Sen. Bradley, and Sen. McCain also believe? Exactly what candidate does not believe that their faith is the one true faith? Other than perhaps Jesse Ventura that is.

Which church teaches its followers that its' faith is not the one true faith, at least in a general sense that, for example, Christianity is the one true faith? Actually there are a few faiths and denominations that are very pluralistic, but I'm unaware of any candidates adhering to those more humble and gentle beliefs.

So what is the story? Could it be that the unwritten rule among the religious of varying faiths not to publicize their dirty little secret -- the secret that other faiths are wrong and adherents are damned -- was broken? For all the posturing about how important religion is for morals in the United States, here we have a politician simple-minded enough to speak his piece undiluted by political correctness, and his honest message is -- frightening! Orthodox, yes, but frightening. Buchanan's attitude is not unusual - what is unusual is that he is not ashamed of his belief that his faith is the true one and that others are "infidels."

Give me someone who is at least not comfortable in professing such arrogant beliefs, even though they are bound to believe them. At least there's a glimmer of hope for a person such as that.
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BUCHANAN'S ACCOMMODATING THE RELIGIOUS IN PUBLIC PLACES  Gerry Dantone

The topic in the Newsday guest column was "Should Sports Be Played on Sunday Mornings?" The Reverend Thomas W. Goodhue tried to be sensitive to the fact that there are indeed many diverse religious groups on Long Island and that no group be unfairly burdened because of conflicts between the activities of the secular world and the religious beliefs of that particular group. His suggestion to address the problem was for clergy to work on an interfaith basis in each community. This seems reasonable at first glance but this suggestion ignores a fact of life -the clergy represents not everyone. Not everyone has "sacred time" but instead there may be other times the nonreligious might require for their own purposes that is entirely reasonable, though not "sacred."

A new and related issue has now arisen recently in Nassau County where a religious group was not using a publicly run pool and recreation center because the facility did not segregate the sexes. They have officially requested that a schedule be devised for this purpose. Now this would be only a minor issue if the request were based on reasons of modesty and enough individuals were similarly concerned. However this request was primarily based on a religious law and those seeking the segregation felt they were being "barred" from the pool's use. Simple reflection reveals that there was no prejudice involved and those who were not using the pool had barred themselves out of religious conviction. Consider if the request were for segregation based on race due to religious teaching, should that be accommodated as well? I don't think so. Only if a secular and non-religious justification exists should this pool policy be changed.

A better approach to issues as just noted is to view them as matters of conscience instead of religion. If religious reasons are considered valid to reschedule league game times, or considered valid excuses for missing practices, changing pool schedules, etc., then secular reasons must also be considered. Without doing this, the religious are given a right that others are not given. Any reason of conscience and need should be given equal standing to a religious reason.

Ultimately it should then become obvious that there is no way that everyone can be completely accommodated. Rather than cater to the religious majority, I would propose that we instead play the games, and keep as open a schedule of public facilities as possible. I much prefer seeing children of diverse backgrounds playing together than learning the religious lessons that tend to divide us.

To quote Newsday on its own "Student Briefing on the News Page" of 4/16/99: "Can We Overcome Ethnic and Religious Hatred? ~ 'Will there ever be a time when people love each other?' ... It is perhaps the key question of this century, which began with one world war and saw a second one in which millions of Jews and others were killed because of ethnic and religious hatred." I maintain we cannot overcome religious conflict by learning "morals" in rooms segregated by differing faiths We should seek to minimize societal segregation, in this case on a religious basis, and not increase it We should have our children play the games together, and swim together, with the symbolism being that cooperation between people of all beliefs IS morals in action.
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MEDIA EQUATES CATHOLIC LEAGUE WITH CATHOLIC  Gerry Dantone

We have written about the Catholic League before yet it is still amazing the coverage they receive for their attacks on present and former Catholics. They've been savaging "Dogma" director Kevin Smith for quite a while and apparently they are now scrutinizing his acquaintances.

Smith appeared on Bill Maher's "Politically Incorrect" and Maher, raised as a Catholic, took some shots at the Catholic Church, though not at Catholic persons. He basically considered the church corrupt historically.

Patrick Sculley of the Catholic League said it amounts to "anti-Catholicism get this straight: If someone criticizes the Church as an organization, that's bigotry. If they criticize a (church leader, that's bigotry. If they criticize Church doctrine, that's bigotry.

Oh. But if the Catholic League rips apart a wayward Catholic, no problems.

Now we are all getting used to this Catholic League modus operandi, but why does the media consider the League as speaking for Catholics? The Newsday headline on 11/11/99 read "Catholics call Maher religiously incorrect." No, they did not. Newsday owes the average Catholic person an apology.

"Humanist Perspective" public access show launched on Cablevision of Woodbury!

LISH is pleased to announce that our sponsored cable TV show' provided by the Center for Inquiry, can now be seen on the Cablevision of Woodbury system weekly on Wednesday at 5:30 PM. Many thanks to James DeRidder for making the arrangements! The show is hosted by Joe Beck and features many well-known humanists as guests including CSH founder Paul Kurtz Let us know what you think of the show! The Public Access channel number varies from place to place, but in Huntington it is channel 80.
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UNITED METHODIST MINISTER DEFROCKED FOR PERFORMING MARRIAGE OF GAYS  Gerry Dclatone
          Rev. Jimmy Creech has been defrocked by a jury of 13 Nebraska United Methodist ministers for officiating at a marriage of two gay men. The denomination bans gay marriage.

The Methodists are not known as a fundamentalist sect, yet they have taken the drastic action of defrocking this minister. They had previously suspended a minister in Illinois for blessing a gay union.

Often it is argued, including by some in the gay/lesbian community, that scripture does fly support the notion that gay sex is sinful. It continues to be a fruitless argument as church after church reinforces their stands against gay sex and marriage, even as society around it becomes more open to it. Orthodox religion is what the churches say it is, and their interpretation of scripture is as legitimate, and perhaps even more accurate scripturally than the more liberal interpreters would prefer. Individual believers may disagree, but it means that they are not orthodox - they are heretical.

Such heresy is unavoidable where there is doctrine and orthodoxy about untestable and unprovable claims. Yet it seems to mean nothing to most church organizations that these faith held beliefs cause pain by stigmatizing those who sincerely disagree. The final irony is that few persons then have the courage to lose faith in faith, but instead come to have faith in something their human nature prefers. The result is the ultimate moral relativism - beliefs in conflicting absolute moralities. Outside a commitment to reason and evidence, there can be no solution and no compromise.
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TEN COMMANDMENTS UPDATE  Gerry Dantone

LISH's Standard Ten Commandments (STCs) have been submitted to the Council for Secular Humanism and the American Humanist Association's Boards of Directors for consideration as the subject of resolutions. LISH is simply seeking statements of their being praiseworthy and/or useful as a guide for an ethical society.

"Official" endorsement is not being sought nor is it considered appropriate. However, it is believed that a commendation from the CSH and/or the AHA would help make the STCs a more viable alternative, legally and politically, to the biblical or biblically derived Commandments that are under consideration for posting in government run facilities, including schools.
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THE PROBLEMS OF PEACE  Gerry Dantone
          In a column about the wariness of the Israeli people toward the peace process, Mort Zuckerman of the NY Daily Nears re- counted a poll displaying good reason for that wariness. The poll was of 1600 Arab persons and among the findings were the following: 1) More than 75% believe Barak does not want peace. 2) 81% would not continue to sup- port peace if the balance of power tipped in favor of the Arabs. 3) 80% believe the convict must go on. 4) If it comes to conflict, two-thirds believe the Arabs should destroy the state of Israel. 5) 82% reject empathizing with Jews, especially victims of the holocaust. 6) 53% believe the Holocaust never occurred. 7) 87% support the militant activities of Islamic Arabs against the State of Israel.

Though figures for Israeli attitudes on similar questions were not provided, the very theme of the column, Israeli "wariness" indicates that the responses may also be very pessimistic.

The recent Wye Agreement that Barak has revived provides for a committee to lessen incitement of hatreds. How can this be done when fundamentalist religious teachings are at the core of that hatred? To remove the incitement would require removal of traditional religious beliefs' and fear leaders have the stomach to attack religious beliefs, no matter how unethical and hateful.

What a government can do is become neutral and secular. A1though I am sure it has never occurred to many of the political leaders in the mid-east, secularism is their only hope, and at the same time, it is almost hopeless to expect them to adopt such ad course. Still, even Arafat must bed weary of the turmoil caused by the more extreme religious factions he must rule. Although hed probably be assassinated (as was Rabin) before he could implement any reforms, complete secularization of Palestinian and Israeli government and publicly funded schools is a necessity to achieve lasting peace.

The alternative is the continuing of publicly funded religious instruction in schools that teaches children and other citizens the divine nature of their cause, and their reward for being instruments of a vengeful God.

Supposed eternal bliss and reward while millions suffer versus peace on earth: Is there any better argument for fighting superstition?
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HELP WANTED!
1 ) Attention Smithtown and Brookhaven residents: We still need someone to come forward to sign an application for cable access for the Hauppauge Cablevision system.

2) A person to investigate the forming of a Secular Singles group and help with the End of the World Brunch would also be helpful. Anyone interested? Don't be shy!

3) Another exciting opportunity would be for some volunteers to be- gin Campus Freethought groups on Long Island colleges. Once again the work may be significant at first but then the groups become self- operating. 4) Public relations is an intriguing opportunity for some creative LISH member! We need to publi- ciae meetings, issues of interest, and membership in LISH with TV, radio, print media and the general public. Special days for human- ists, such as February 12, "I)arwin Day," and June 7, "World Human- ist Day" must be publicized and planned for. We need to make elected officials aware of the Standard Ten Commandments. We need to plan and promote public appearances of LISH and LISH members for the purpose of furthering humanist goals and values.

5) A person who can plan fundraising events or activities would be very appreciated. Since no one gets paid, all of the money goes to promoting LTSH, secular humanism's values and services to the secular that are lacking, such as Secular Organization for Sobriety.

61 LISH members who would like to be on the Board of Directors should make their intentions known. If you'd like to run for the Board, (Pres., V.P., Secretary, Treasurer, Director) please submit a letter that can be circulated with your ideas, intentions and what you offer to LISH. Members only will be notified via the mail regarding the elections.

Seriously, if you have never been an activist, the pride one feels when helping the community is startling and real, Call Gerry Dantone at 516 742 1662 if interested!
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

10/13/99 Hello Everybody: My name is Frank Carlopio and I live in Brooklyn, New York and I'm a member of a Society of Freethinkers and I'm proud of it! Let me explain, I forsook all Christianity and all organized religions as they produce poisonous fanaticism! If we look at our TV, evangelists who are the first ones to criticize eve~body's lifestyle and insist on holy, pure living are the first to commit adultery, fornication, sodomy and sometimes are arrested for tax evasion and rightly so.

If we look at the history of Christianity and study the Inquisitions, the Crusades, and the Salem witch trials by Puritans, Catholics, Anglicans, Protestants and so on, you don't see people moved by a loving Clod, rather you see warmongers, haters and killers! If you read "Candide" by Voltaire and pay close attention to chapter 6, "Auto-Da-Fe" you'll know whet I'm talking about. Organized religion is merely a moneymaking, dollar worshipping business.

I conclude with these quotes from Thomas Jefferson's Freethought Legacy; "The Immaculate Conception~, his deification, his miraculous powers his resurrection, his visible ascension, his corporeal presence in the Eucharist, the Trinity, Original Sin, Atonement, regeneration, election orders of hierarchy, etc. have resulted from artificial systems... In the New Testament there is internal evidence that parts of it have proceeded from extraordinary mind and that other parts are the fabric of very inferior minds... On the dogma* of religion...all mankind..have been quarreling, fighting, burning, and torturing one another for abstractions unintelligible to themselves and all others, and absolutely beyond the comprehension of the human mind... It is always better to have no ideas than false one; to believe nothing than to believe what is wrong!"

I recommend everyone read "Deceptions & Myths of the Bible," "Candide," "Atheist Debaters Handbook," "What is Atheism." "Ways of an Atheist," and the "Age of Reason" by Thomas Paine. Signing off and hoping you have a great day. Sincerely, Frank Carlopio, Brooklyn, NY

Thank you for your views. Imagine if a current candidate for president were to agree with Jefferson's assessment of organized religion. Wait a minute - Jesse Ventura, a future candidate, did agree with the above! And yes, the flak by the religiously correct was great! The sad fact is that the likes of Jefferson, Madison, Lincoln, Adams, and perhaps even George Washington, could not get elected today! G.D.

11/ l5/99 I saw "Dogma" this weekend. Not a great movie but some really funny parts, you should go see it. It does touch on subjects we hardly ever see in movies at all let alone treated in this manner. I must say it all Christians thought like Kevin Smith, I wouldn't have much of a problem with them. Kevin via Internet
          Actually, I suspect that Kevin is more similar to most Christians and Catholics in particular than the self-appointed spokespersons such as the Catholic League. Although he is into the details of religion, and most people are not' his general point of view is heavily influenced by humanism, again as are many persons without realizing it. Asking questions is the opposite of accepting dogma, and he does ask questions. G.D.

12/2/99 There is always so much going on at meetings and I don't know when you may have time for the phone, so here is a note of some pertinent info. I'm halfway through the "Devil's Dictionary" by Ambrose Pierce. He had a razor sharp wit and a terrific command of English. He was born in 1842 and disappeared in 1913. I thought we might make a "Humor Piece" for the newsletter from his stuff, properly edited of course. This would make a teaser, in that some members would want the book.

Also, PBS (Channel 13 in NYC: area) is re-running FRONTLINE: "Apocalypse!" again on Tuesday Dec. 28, 10:00PM. The sequence with the fat evangelist telling his flock about the eternal punishment for unbelievers was wonderful.

Well, as Mark Twain said, "Heaven for Climate, Hell for Companionship." See you in Hell, Sherm C., Commack

If it's all right with you Carl, I'll see you at the next meeting. G;.D.

          Question. of the month: What was the greatest ethical advance of the last millennium?

11/15/99 The death of Jesse Helms. I believe that he is still alive, but the millennium is not over yet. One could still hope!! Abel, via Internet  That was cold, very cold. G. D.

11/16/99 I think the greatest ethical advance, still far away in its fruition, is the dawning of the concept that women may not be second class citizens, but entitled to the same considerations, rights, and privileges as men. May it take less than another millennium to truly bring this idea into reality in all the corners of the patriarchy. I'd love to say the abandonment of faith is a great advance but I don't see that sort of enlightenment ever occurring, much less in the past. Peter via Internet

If one wanted to broaden further the concept, one might consider the idea of human rights itself as the greatest ethical advance of the millennium. Though it may be true that some great thinkers championed individual freedom before this millennium, it wasn't until this millennium that such rights actually existed in practice! Even today, such rights are not perfectly implemented in any one country. In the US, religious freedom is under constant attack by those who seek religious privilege, and certain classes (i.e.; gays, women, minorities, non-believers, etc.) of persons still seek equal rights in a practical sense, if not legal sense. As free as the US is, it resists signing onto international agreements regarding women and children's rights. The end of Jim Crow and American apartheid is Still a recent development and there remain quite a few states where it is unconstitutional for non-believers to hold public office. Me right to discriminate is a right actually championed by those who, at the same time, claim a higher moral ground. I would argue that the concept of human rights is the greatest ethical advance of the millennium and that its' full implementation in the newt millennium would be one of humanity’s greatest achievements ever. G.D.

11/26/99 Private property. MS via Internet
          Actually didn't men own their slaves, wines, children, livestock and land for centuries since before the last millennium? I do not know if this flies. G.D.

11/23/99 The greatest ethical advance of the millennium was the gradual replacement of the myths and assumptions of religion with the facts derived from scientific research based on unbiased analyses of what the results show.

I say this because I believe that one of the highest ethical objectives for which one can strive is a search for the truth.

The church has striven with all its' might to suppress facts which showed that things it was teaching were in error. From Galileo to the Inquisition to its' support of Constantine's was, this has been self-evident.

The Churches have so brainwashed their clergy into believing that it is more important to be "saved" than to be well fed that it has sought funds from all sources possible, many of them coming from poorly educated) ill fed people who could not afford to give.

This would be bad enough if that were all, but it is only the tip of the iceberg. Time and again the Church has supported wars if it looked like the outcome would produce more members. Most other mainstream religions suffer from similar flaws.

There can be no peace on earth until the mainstream religions are eliminated in the forms that we know them today. This will happen gradually, perhaps taking another 1000 years. Meanwhile it is up to each of us to spread the good news that it is possible to think for oneself. Sincerely, Wesley R. J., Wichita, KS

Thanks Wesley and this month you get the last word. G.D.
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[Breslin Nails It
           Columnist Jimmy Breslin wrote a brilliant column defining the problem with American politics. He noted a presidential debate where Sen. McCain was asked whether marijuana, for prescribed medical use, should be legalized. McCain hemmed and hawed and failed to answer the question coherently, most likely out of fear of being branded "soft on drugs."
          Breslin's perfect observation: "How a man can go through five years in a prison camp... and still have to keep his passion for honesty hidden is an example of politics at its lousiest."]