Protect the Commons

Freedom is required to find truth, and if for no other reason than this, it should be a cherished, innate right of all intelligent creatures. In a practical and moral society freedom does have its limits, not because it leads to chaos, but because the exercise of absolute freedom eventually will infringe upon the rights of others. You can't dump your trash in the drinking water reservoir, or overgraze your sheep in the commons until there is nothing left but dust. This is simply because societies that protect this type of absolute freedom do not survive. Things that belong to everyone must be protected. There are the obvious things like clean air and our drinking water supply, but also the seemingly obscure like preserving a viable population of commercial fish species in our oceans. Whenever a resource is exploited to the point of no return, all of our rights have been infringed upon. Lack of regulation maybe a boon to profits, but it is unethical and dangerously shortsighted.

IN THE NEWS

Bush Administration Distorts Science, Group Says
By Maggie Fox, Health and Science Correspondent

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - An environmental group on Wednesday accused the Bush administration of suppressing and distorting scientific findings on the environment, public health and safety that run counter to its own policies.

The Union of Concerned Scientists said in a report that the administration had suppressed research on global warming, air quality, sexual health, cancer and other issues.

It said there had been a wide-ranging effort to manipulate the government's supposedly independent scientific advisory system "to prevent the appearance of advice that might run counter to the administration's political agenda."

The group, which includes Nobel-winning researchers as well as environmental and political activists, said in its report that Congress "should ensure that this administration and future administrations reverse this dangerous trend."

see full story at

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&cid=570&u=/nm/20040218/sc_nm/science_bush_dc&printer=1

EDITORS NOTE:

Our actions and ethics must be founded on the strongest bedrock of truth. The scientific method is the best way we have of determining truth and the nature of the universe. We must be brave enough to face, accept, and embrace reality, especially when old beliefs are shown to be lacking. The truth of the natural world is full of more wonder and inspiration than any story invented by humans. It is wrong to deny reality whether it is to line the pockets of your environmentally exploiting friends, or to protect your feeble and false beliefs. To do so is folly that can only lead to disaster.

READERS WRITE IN

If you have a question feel free to email me at info ( at ) spiritual humanism.org
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Ann Writes:

I had to go through the proper channels to be ordained and I cannot do weddings as yet until next year. Do you think you are doing this right? It could be a bad influence on people who may not be aware of what is happening. Please be very careful you do not bring harm or disbelief to gullible people. I know we can all choose but this is not to be played around with.
Love and god bless u
Pastor Ann

REPLY

Ann,
Yes of course I believe I am doing the right thing. Every one has a right to make a spiritual connection to the cosmos. The people who's actions you should be questioning are those who make it difficult to be ordained so that can maintain their exclusive grip on spirituality and install themselves as an elite above the rest of the population.

RA Zorger

CONCLUSION

Yes Clergy Packages are available in our online store http://www.spiritualhumanism.org/shop.php The Ordination Certificates are printed on acid free paper for extra long life, and Clergy Wallet ID Cards are nice to have. The Officiant's Manual includes information on celebrating the solstices, sample ceremonies, etc., and the companion CD has marriage laws for all 50 states. The fees charged for these packs are our only income and help defer the cost of the web site, advertising, PO Box, and fund the purchase of a permanent location for our regular religious services.
RA Zorger
President, The Church of Spiritual Humanism

News
Minister Ordination for Lady Gaga
Tue, 07 Sep 2010
Lady Gaga has just announced she is seeking to become an ordained minister over the Internet in order to perform wedding ceremonies for her gay fans. Miss Gaga has not revealed which online church or seminary she is pursuing minister ordination with.

Presbyterian minister rebuked for same sex marriages
Mon, 06 Sep 2010
The Presbyterian Church seems to not be able to decide on the status of performing same sex marriages by its ministers. The Reverend Jane Adams Spahr, a Presbyterian minister, violated her church regulations in performing sixteen same-sex marriages in 2008.

Your Real Immortality
Sun, 11 Jul 2010

Last week I attended the funeral service for my aunt. She was not humanist let alone a Spiritual Humanist. As I sat in the pews listening to her minister repeatedly mispronounce my aunt's and my mutual last name (pro tip: there is no silent r)...

Academy of Natural Sciences
Fri, 25 Jun 2010

Despite the tragic history this is great place to start the discussion of the Law of Evolution (yes I have upgraded it!) with kids. Actually the bad history is just as important for kids because we as a civilization will not learn from our mistakes if we hide them from future generations. Truffala trees don't save themselves after all.