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Week of March 18- 2/08 -ARCHIVE PAGE Information for the open minded - promoting critical thinking

Science Algae Could One Day Be Major Hydrogen Fuel Source ScienceDaily (Apr. 2, 2008) As gas prices continue to soar to record highs, motorists are crying out for an alternative that won’t cramp their pocketbooks. Scientists at U.S. Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory are answering that call by working to chemically manipulate algae for production of the next generation of renewable fuels -hydrogen gas.“We believe there is a fundamental advantage in looking at the production of hydrogen by photosynthesis as a renewable fuel,” senior chemist David Tiede said. “Right now, ethanol is being produced from corn, but generating ethanol from corn is a thermodynamically much more inefficient process.” Read more here ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ How Color Vision Is Processed: Fly Brain Circuitry Mapped ScienceDaily (Mar. 30, 2008) New York University biologists have mapped the medulla circuitry in fruit flies, setting the stage for subsequent research on how color vision is processed. The work, which appeared in the journal Current Biology, will enable researchers to explore how color vision is processed in the optic lobe of the fruit fly Drosophila, providing a paradigm for more complex systems in vertebrates. read more here ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Putting Human Immunity in a Test Tube (C Gutherie Time Mag March 27/08)You've heard of artificial limbs and artificial hearts but what about artificial immune systems? Add another notch to the test tube: scientists at VaxDesign, a five-year-old biotechnology company based in Orlando, Florida, have created a simulated human immune system, called the Modular Immune In Vitro Construct (MIMIC for short). The dime-sized immune system can predict how humans will respond to new vaccines. The goal? To streamline vaccine research and hasten the eradication of global killers, such as AIDS. read more here ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Self Experimenters:Daughter of MRI Researcher Offered Her Brain for Virtual Dissection Sasha Giedd would have been the only girl in high school with a time-lapse movie of her developing brain, until the IRB caught wind of it. Most adolescents' fond remembrances of childhood would not include lying motionless for spans of five to 10 minutes in the narrow confines of a giant, clanging machine. For Alexandra Giedd, known in her family as Sasha, it was an eagerly anticipated ritual. Read more here ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Evolution Of New Species Slows Down As Number Of Competitors Increases ScienceDaily (Mar. 25, 2008) The rate at which new species are formed in a group of closely related animals decreases as the total number of different species in that group goes up, according to new research. read article here ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Baby Boys Are More Likely To Die Than Baby Girls ScienceDaily (Mar. 25, 2008) Male infants in developed nations are more likely to die than female infants, a fact that is partially responsible for men's shorter lifespans, reveals a new study by researchers from University of Pennsylvania and University of Southern California. read more here ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ What Does a Plant Sound Like? By Phil Berardelli ScienceNOW Daily News 21 March 2008 Researchers have developed a computer algorithm that can identify some plant species according to their unique sonar echoes. The experiments were meant to help biologists understand how bats find their favorite fruits or insects, but the research might also help engineers design high-speed systems to identify everything from widgets on conveyor belts to faces in crowds. Read all article here ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Scientists Set Sights on an Implantable Prosthetic for the Blind (By Larry Greenemeier Scientific American Mar 19 08) THE VISUAL PROSTHESIS envisioned by John Pezaris would provide the patient with a special set of glasses that has a small digital camera mounted in the lens. The camera's wire communicates to an external signal processor that translates the image from the camera into neural impulses transmitted to an implanted stimulator, which delivers images to the visual system.A Boston neuroscientist is developing a device that may someday help the blind by sending images directly to the brain. Read Article here ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Writer Arthur C Clarke dies at 90 (BBC News Wednesday, 19 March 2008) British science fiction writer Sir Arthur C Clarke has died in his adopted home of Sri Lanka at the age of 90. The Somerset-born author came to fame in 1968 when short story The Sentinel was made into the film 2001: A Space Odyssey by director Stanley Kubrick. His visions of space travel and computing sparked the imagination of readers and scientists alike. Read more here ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Cutting-edge Computing Helps Discover Origin Of Life On Earth ScienceDaily (Mar. 19, 2008)The UK’s national computing grid, along with their counterparts in the US (TeraGrid) and Europe have helped UCL (University College London) scientists shed light on how life on earth may have originated.Deep ocean hydrothermal vents have long been suggested as possible sources of biological molecules such as RNA and DNA but it was unclear how they could survive the high temperatures and pressures that occur round these vents.Professor Peter Coveney and colleagues at the UCL Centre for Computational Science have used computer simulation to provide insight into the structure and stability of DNA while inserted into layered minerals. Computer simulation techniques have rarely been used to understand the possible chemical pathways to the formation of early biomolecules until now.read more here ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Gold Scroll Discovered: Earliest Evidence Of Jewish Inhabitants In Austria ScienceDaily (Mar. 18, 2008)Archaeologists from the Institute of Prehistory and Early History of the University of Vienna have found an amulet inscribed with a Jewish prayer in a Roman child’s grave dating back to the 3rd century CE at a burial ground in the Austrian town of Halbturn. Read more here ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Regrowing Limbs: Can People Regenerate Body Parts? (By Ken Muneoka, Manjong Han and David M. Gardiner Mar 17/08) Progress on the road to regenerating major body parts, salamander-style, could transform the treatment of amputations and major wounds.A salamander’s limbs are smaller and a bit slimier than those of most people, but otherwise they are not that different from their human counterparts. The salamander limb is encased in skin, and inside it is composed of a bony skeleton, muscles, ligaments, tendons, nerves and blood vessels. A loose arrangement of cells called fibroblasts holds all these internal tissues together and gives the limb its shape. read more here ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Bird Brains Suggest How Vocal Learning Evolved ScienceDaily (Mar. 14, 2008) Though they perch far apart on the avian family tree, birds with the ability to learn songs use similar brain structures to sing their tunes. Neurobiologists at Duke University Medical Center now have an explanation for this puzzling likeness. read more ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Mr. Gates Goes to Washington By Jeffrey Mervis ScienceNOW Daily News 12 March 2008WASHINGTON, D.C. Bill Gates shared his views with the House Science and Technology Committee. After inviting Bill Gates to help celebrate its 50th anniversary, the House Science and Technology Committee had no intention of putting him through the wringer. So it was no surprise that the Microsoft chair came, talked, and conquered the panel today during a 2-hour discussion on how to improve U.S. competitiveness.Read more ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Which Came First, Social Dominance Or Big Brains? Wasps May Tell ScienceDaily (Mar. 12, 2008) There's new evidence supporting the idea that bigger brains are better. A study of a tropical wasp suggests that the brainpower required to be dominant drives brain capacity. Read more here ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Chemical brain controls nanobots The researchers have already built larger 'brains' Mar 11/08 By Jonathan Fildes Science and technology reporter, BBC New.s A tiny chemical 'brain' which could one day act as a remote control for swarms of nano-machines has been invented. Read more here and comment ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Should Galileo's tomb be opened for DNA tests? From New ScientistDavid Shiga, online reporter (Image: Melissa Ranieri/Wikipedia) More than 365 years after his death, Galileo Galilei has become the focus of another controversy involving the Catholic Church and science. Italian scientists want to open his tomb to do DNA tests, but the priest in charge of the church where he is buried says it would be disrespectful. Read full article here and comment ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Astronomers Capture Rare Video Of Meteor Falling To Earth; Hunt For Meteorite ScienceDaily (Mar. 8, 2008)Astronomers from The University of Western Ontario in London, Ontario, have captured rare video of a meteor falling to Earth. Article ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Sensor Necklace Records When Pill In Swallowed, And Prompts Patient When It Is Time To Take Another ScienceDaily (Mar. 7, 2008) Researchers now have a possible solution for the one in three adults who fail to take their medicines as prescribed by their doctors, as well as for everyone else who occasionally forgets: a sensor necklace that records the exact time and date when specially-designed pills are swallowed, and reminds the user if any doses are being missed. Read more and comment ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ See archives for previous articles	News End of days for 'Africa's Hitler' Rumours of Mugabe's political demise swirl Peter Goodspeed, Canwest News Service Published: Tuesday, April 02, 2008 Africa's Hitler may finally be losing his nerve.Tuesday night, Zimbabwe was abuzz with rumours that Robert Mugabe's security henchmen are deep into negotiations with opposition leaders and South African diplomats to push the 84 year old President into a face-saving and prosecution-free retirement.As it becomes increasingly evident that opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai may have won last Saturday's presidential election, some of his top advisors are said to have made informal contacts with Mr. Mugabe's security officials to discuss a transition of power. read more here ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Provocation in the public square By baptizing an outspoken Muslim on Easter Sunday, the Pope was trying to send a challenge to Islam and a blow to secularism Charles Lewis, National Post Published: Saturday, March 29, 2008 As the leader of the world's one billion Catholics, there is likely little Pope Benedict does that is not scripted for effect, his every word and gesture scrutinized for interpretation.When he spoke at an academic meeting in Regensburg, Germany, two years ago about the possible intrinsically violent nature of Islam, it caused outrage and led to riots that resulted in the death of one nun and the destruction of several churches. read more here ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Number of organic farms climbing: Statscan Workers harvest organic cranberries in Quebec. (Reuters) (The Canadian PressMarch 28, 2008 at 9:44 AM EDTOTTAWA) The number of organic farms in Canada increased by almost 60 per cent in five years and continues growing, though they still fill only a tiny part of the food supply, Statistics Canada says.The agency reported Friday that Canada had 3,555 farms offering certified organic products in 2006-largely grain, oilseeds and hay- up from 2,230 in 2001.Another 640 farms were in transition, and 11,937 were producing food described as organic but not formally certified, largely meat. read more here ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Superbug infections climbing in Canadian hospitals Last Updated: Thursday, March 27, 2008 At least 2,300 people died in 2006 as a result of an MRSA superbug and nearly 12,000 new patients were infected, as rates of the antibiotic-resistant bacteria continue to climb in Canadian hospitals, according to new figures released by the federal government. read more here ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Halt beheading, Day to tell Saudis (Canwest News Service Published: Tuesday, March 25, 2008 OTTAWA) Public Safety Minister Stockwell Day, who is travelling in the Middle East, will raise with Saudi Arabian authorities the case of Mohamed Kohail, a Canadian man sentenced to death by beheading. read article here ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Muslim's conversion conflict hits Vatican on Easter Sun Mar 23, 2008 1:27pm EDT By Philip Pullella VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Pope Benedict called in his Easter message on Sunday for an end to injustice worldwide and expressed joy at continuing conversions to Christianity hours after he baptized a prominent Italian Muslim convert. The pope celebrated an Easter Mass for tens of thousands of people in driving rain in St Peter's Square as Christians around the world commemorated Christ's resurrection. Read all article here ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The Origin of Obama's Pastor Problem By JAMES CARNEY AND AMY SULLIVAN Time Mag. Mar 20 2008 Long before the sermons of the Rev. Jeremiah Wright became instant hits on YouTube and talk-show fodder for the cable news channels, Barack Obama knew he had a preacher problem. On the eve of launching his campaign for the White House in February 2007, Obama abruptly withdrew an invitation to Wright to deliver the invocation at his announcement speech in Springfield, Ill. Wright had been Obama's pastor for nearly 20 years. He had brought Obama into the church, helped him find his faith in God, officiated at Obama's wedding and baptized both his children. But Wright had also said a lot of incendiary things from his pulpit about America over the years, things that would be awkward to explain away for a politician hoping to unite the country and become the first African-American President of the United States. read more here ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Darwin exhibit survives thanks to unlikely backers ROM's usual sponsors wary of controversy Mar 15, 2008 04:30 AM Stuart Laidlaw Faith and ethics reporter For 150 years, Charles Darwin has driven devout Christians and secularists apart. But at the Royal Ontario Museum this week, his theories are bringing them together.An exhibit celebrating Darwin, the English naturalist whose theories of evolution and natural selection ("survival of the fittest") revolutionized science and presented religion with its greatest challenge, is being sponsored by the United Church Observer and the Humanist Association of Canada after corporate Canada failed to help out. read more here ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Anglican schism not 'catastrophic': theologian. (Charles Lewis, National Post Published: Tuesday, March 18, 2008) Schism is not a "catastrophic" event and is preferable to placating those who do not treat gays as equal simply for the sake of unity, a Canadian Anglican theologian says."There are moments when treating unity as kind of absolute virtue that's higher than anything else is not necessarily the right thing," Rev. Paul Gibson said in an interview, concerning an essay he wrote that was posted on the Anglican Church of Canada's Web site Tuesday. He wrote the essay in relation to the present schism in the Anglican Church over same-sex blessings, and concluded that a unified church that treats gays unequally would be a greater evil than a divided church. Since the start of the year, eight Anglican parishes, out of a total of about 2,000 across the country, have formally left the national Church. read more here ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Religious groups want Russian cartoon channel shut down (CBC News Mar 15 2008) For a second time in two weeks, religious groups have called for the closure of Russia's cartoon channel 2X2. Christian and Muslim groups are demanding that 2X2 be shut down because it airs cartoons, such as South Park, which they deem to be anti-religious, violent as well as promoting homosexuality. Read more here ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Is Beijing Manipulating Air Pollution Statistics? (Time Mag. March 15 2008 By AUSTIN RAMZY/BEIJING) While Steven Spielberg's withdrawal from his role as an artistic adviser was a public relations blow to the Beijing Olympics, the announcement this week that Haile Gebrselassie would not run in the marathon at this summer's Games hints at a more serious challenge facing the organizers. Unlike Spielberg's, the decision of the Ethiopian world record holder in the marathon has nothing to do with politics: Gebrselassie is asthmatic, and he is concerned that Beijing's polluted air could damage his health over the 42-kilometer race. (He still plans to run the far shorter 10,000-meter event.) And the Ethiopian's concern has underscored the stakes in a showdown between city officials and an 26-year-old American environmental consultant who has raised serious questions about Beijing's official air pollution statistics. read more here ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Brenda Martin begs for life from Mexico prison (Updated Fri. Mar. 14 2008 6:32 PM ET CTV.ca News Staff) A sobbing and broken Brenda Martin begged Friday for Prime Minister Stephen Harper to take action to have her freed from the Mexican prison that has been her home for over two years. Martin, who is incarcerated in Guadalajara on accusations of being part of a fraud scheme, called CTV's Canada AM Friday morning from jail. "I'd like to plead for my life to the prime minister of Canada to please pick up the phone and call the president of Mexico and have this travesty ended," she said. "I don't belong here. I have done nothing, Please help me prime minister, please help me, please help me. I don't know how to get through a day here." read more here ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The Boycott Mexico Campaign March 14, 2008 (L. Ron Brown The Frame Problem) I hope that bloggers, websiters, myspacers and facebookers will join in encouraging people to boycott travel to Mexico until Brenda Martin is released from her unjust Mexican imprisonment, receives a sincere public apology from the Mexican government, and a multi-million dollar payment as an attempt at restitution for her 2 plus years of unjust detainment. read more Previous articles on the topic ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The Humanist Association of Canada sponsors the Darwin exhibit at the Royal Ontario Museum (Humanist globe march 13/08)The Humanist Association of Canada (HAC) is proud to announce that it will be a Supporting Sponsor of the Royal Ontario Museum'snewly-opened exhibition Darwin: The Evolution Revolution, the most in-depth exhibition ever assembled on this highly original thinker and his revolutionary theory of evolution by natural selection. The exhibition features the most complete collection of specimens, artifacts, manuscripts and memorabilia related to Charles Darwin, offering visitors an engaging insight into his extraordinary life and mind. Pat O'Brien, President of the Humanist Association of Canada, has pledged $50.000 in support of this important exhibition. "We heard that, unlike other projects, the Museum had been unable to attract a major exhibition sponsor for Darwin. The ROM's Director & CEO, William Thorsell opined on CBC Radio that while evolution and Darwinism may be controversial topics in the United States, he did not expect the same to be true in Canada. As the use of the scientific method is advocated as one of the principles of Humanism, and HAC is active in promoting Darwin Day (February 12) throughout Canada in honour of Charles Darwin, we strongly felt that this wonderful exhibition deserves our best support." read more here and comment HAC press release ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Bishop accuses gays of 'conspiracy' against the Catholic Church (From Times Online March 13, 2008) A Catholic bishop has accused the gay community of leading a ''conspiracy'' against Christianity by allying itself with Holocaust survivors. The Bishop of Motherwell, Joseph Devine, says a ''homosexual lobby'' has aligned itself with minority groups, including Holocaust survivors, to gain persecuted status. He said there was a ''huge and well orchestrated conspiracy'' taking place in the ''gay movement'', which the Catholic Church neglected ''at our peril''. Read more here ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Pastor Shoots first, saves later Melissa Leong, National Post Published: Africa Thursday, March 13, 2008 Former biker and drug dealer now rescues children in East. Before embarking on missions in East Africa, Pastor Sam Childers and the soldiers who accompany him join hands and pray.Following that, they drive through the bush, armed with rifles, AK-47s and machine guns. Mr. Childers with a pistol in his belt and sometimes a rifle in his lap seeking to rescue children who have been abducted or orphaned in Uganda and Sudan.The Pennsylvania pastor and his militia have been ambushed and bombed; they responded by engaging in intense gun battles. As a result, his critics have called him a "Christian mercenary." Read more ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Peru meteorite may rewrite rules (By Paul Rincon March 12/08 Science reporter, BBC News, Houston) A meteorite which ploughed into the Peruvian countryside last year should have shattered and dispersed long before reaching the ground.That is the conclusion of scientists who have been examining samples of the space rock and the 15m-wide crater it dug out in Carancas last September.The discovery of a water-filled hole, following reports of a fireball in the sky, made headlines around the world. Now experts say the event challenges conventional theories about meteorites. More here ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ See archives for previous articles	Events Darwin Exhibit @ the ROM From March 8th to August 4th 2008 Toronto Ontario Canada sponsored by HAC ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Tom Flynn, THE NEW ENCYCLOPEDIA OF UNBELIEF (U of Ontario Institute of Technology) Starts Friday, April 4th at 2 pm to 4pm Location UA2130, UOIT Science Building - University of Ontario Institute of Technology, 2000 Simcoe Street North, Oshawa, ON, Rm UA2130 MAP About “The New Encyclopedia of Unbelief” Successor to the highly acclaimed Encyclopedia of Unbelief (1985), edited by the late Gordon Stein, the New Encyclopedia of Unbelief is a comprehensive reference work on the history, beliefs, and thinking of America’s fastest growing minority: those who live without religion. All-new articles by the field’s foremost scholars describe and explain every aspect of atheism, agnosticism, secular humanism, secularism, and religious skepticism. Topics include morality without religion, unbelief in the historicity of Jesus, critiques of intelligent design theory, unbelief and sexual values, and summaries of the state of unbelief around the world. More than 130 respected scholars and activists worldwide served on the editorial advisory board and over 100 authoritative contributors have written in excess of 500 entries. All info here ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ TALES FROM A NEW ENCYCLOPEDIA, with Tom Flynn, Fri, April 4, 7pm Tom Flynn, editor of FREE INQUIRY and longtime freethought activist, talks about the challenges he faced -- and some of the surprising things he learned during his five years editing THE NEW ENCYCLOPEDIA OF UNBELIEF. It covers in unprecedented detail the freethought, atheist, and humanist traditions and histories across the world.Flynn invited, coordinated, and cajoled more than 150 contributors who wrote well over 500 separate entries. The process wasn't always straightforward. In particular, bringing together the entries covering freethought in Canada involved marshaling new scholarship from some surprising sources. Researchers unearthed a once-vibrant, long-forgotten freethought tradition in Toronto with unexpected links to some of the biggest names in Golden Age freethought. CFI Ontario is 1 year old this March 2008. We've accomplished more than any of us thought possible in so short a time. Whether you've been with us from the beginning or you've just heard about the freethought movement, you're invited to join us in celebration! All events at CFI Ontario, 216 Beverley St, downtown Toronto. Party and meeting FREE. Each talk: $5 general, $4 students, FREE for Friends of the Centre. Join today ($60 regular, $20 students & low income) ontario@centerforinquiry.net416-971-5676 www.cfiontario.org ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Humanist Association of Toronto Monthly film series -- first Saturday of every month Free and open to the public Saturday, April 5, 2:30 PM in OISE (252 Bloor St. W.) Rm 4-426 Film: Deliver Us from Evil (documentary about child sexual abuse in the Catholic church) Film to be followed by a discussion For more information about any of these activities, or about HAT, see http://www.humanist.toronto.on.ca ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Dan Barker in St. Catharines Organized by the Niagara Secular Humanists, the date for the long awaited debate between the prominent American pastor-turned-Atheist, Dan Barker co-president of the Freedom from Religio Foundation and an equally prominent local minister, Reverend Peter Youngren has been firmed up for Wednesday, April 9/08 at the CWA Hall, Bunting Road in St. Catharines. Doors open at 6:00 pm, debate starts 7:00 pm., tickets $6.00 each. Both are the toughest debaters we could find on the subject "Does God exist'', Rev. Peter Youngren apparently often appears on Vision TV and believes he can bring at least 150 people from his congregation to the debate, along with a camera crew. We have chosen a well-known personality from the St. Catharine's Standard as moderator - The whole thing could be most interesting! All event information here ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Humanist Association of TorontoMonthly speaker Sunday, April 13, 1:00 PM in OISE (252 Bloor St. W.) Rm 4-422 Speaker: Prof. Arne Kislenko, Ryerson University Title: On Guard for Thee: The Realities and Dilemmas of Canada's Border Security and Immigration System For more information about any of these activities, or about HAT, see http://www.humanist.toronto.on.ca ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ HIP - Humanists In Peterborough Monthly Meeting Discussions will include the Humanist Perspective Radio Show and bringing awareness to Humanism in Peterborough The date will be April 20, time 5:00 PM, Location: Charlotte Anne's. Visit Website for all info ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Sex and Religion CDRH - Clarington Durham Region Humanists Friday April 25th 2008 Golden Griddle Restaurant - Pickering Ontario 6:30pm to 10pm approx After having a successful seminar on Charles Darwin and The Theory of Evolution we are planning to have another seminar to have a dialogue about the controversial topics of sex and religion. Alongside the philosophical and psychological aspects the speakers will share personal struggles in their lives. We hope that it will generate a lively discussion. We look forward to your active participation to make this seminar a success. Moderator- Mark Witzel Presenters- Mark Robinson…Sexuality in the Animal World - Powerpoint Presentation Hildy Abrams…Sexuality and Morality…When you love a married man in a Jewish Community Javed Akhtar…Being Gay in a Conservative Muslim Community Dr. Khalid Sohail Psychology of Religious and Sexual Conflicts…Dilemmas in a psychiatric practice Visit Website for all information ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "An Introduction to Understanding Science" Friday May 2, 2008 7pm to 9pm Presented by The Durham Region Science Club Our First Meeting - A family event that is free in your community An evening for all ages John M. James Public School 175 Mearns Avenue Bowmanville, Ontario Canada L1C 5C6 Meeting will take place in the Library Map for info contact905 243 2303 Email visit our Website ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Root of All Evil Presented by People For Humanity On Sunday 4 May 2008 Time 2:30 PM to 5:30 PM At Fortinos Community Meeting Room (Inside Fortinos on east end upstairs)is presenting a video show and discussion In this two-part documentary, Oxford Professor Richard Dawkins examines how religious faith is gaining ground in the face of rational, scientific truth. The video takes you to some of the world's religious hot-spots, both in America and the Middle East. Dawkins meets with religious leaders and their followers, as well as scientists and skeptics to examine the power of religion. Interviews with former Pastor Ted Haggard, the novelist Ian McEwan, the former Bishop of Oxford, and others offer valuable insights into the global impact and consequences of faith in the 21st century. Richard Dawkins' Root of All Evil? has helped inspire people of reason worldwide to say "Enough is enough!" Our modern world is the product of a long march from ignorance and fear to the Enlightenment and beyond, always guided by the power of science and reason. To now abandon our endeavor toward progress and knowledge for faith and superstition puts humanity in peril. Map: 35 Worthington Avenue, Brampton, ON (Also accessible from Brisdale Drive) No registration required, confirmation is much appreciated ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ On Going Weekly Events Clarington Durham Region Coffee nights Mondays - East Oshawa : Tim Hortons -Townline & Hwy 2 south east corner 8:30pm Contact host Mark Robinson - email first to confirm event is still on. Wednesdays -North Whitby : Tim Hortons -Taunton Rd & Thickson north east corner @ A&P plaza 7:40pm Contact host Mark Robinson - email first to confirm event is still on. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Humanist Association of Toronto upcoming events; Saturday discussion forum 11:00-1:00 every Saturday An open discussion on a topic chosen weekly. Free and open to the public Saturday, April 5 in OISE (252 Bloor St. W.) Rm 11-200 Topic: Civility Facilitator: Norine Earl Sunday discussion forum 11:00-1:00 every Sunday An open discussion, usually less structured than the Saturday forum Free and open to the public Sunday, April 6 in OISE (252 Bloor St. W.) Rm 11-200 For more information about any of these activities, or about HAT, see http://www.humanist.toronto.on.ca ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ CFI - Ontario Visit the website for all weekly events available. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~	Weekly Features HELP SUPPORT CHRIS DICARLO TO BE ONTARIO’S NO.1 PROFESSOR OF THE YEAR Chris diCarlo has been chosen as one of Ontario’s top 10 professors. On the weekend of March 29/30, his lecture will be aired on TV Ontario at 4:00 p.m. People all over Ontario can, if they wish, support Chris in becoming the Number 1 professor for 2008. His lecture will be viewed between 4:00—6:00 on both Saturday and Sunday. Voting starts at 5:45 p.m. on Saturday the 29th of March and goes until 12:00 noon on Monday March 31. You may vote as many times during this time period as you like. Those who vote online are registered to win a 50” plasma television and home theatre. You can dial: 1.866.281.3536 or You can vote online: www.tvo.org (click on ‘Vote’)Please note that the TV Ontario computer is programmed to eliminate all votes for any professor which give 100% in all three categories. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ How secular can religion get? Boy says "you first" The Catholic Church's seven new deadly sins hint at a not-so-divine future (Philippe Gohier \| Mar 20, 2008 \| 12:57 pm EST) Odds are pretty good you’ve committed a sin today. Maybe you had a bigger lunch than usual (gluttony). Maybe you played hooky this morning and are sitting at home, surfing the Net (sloth). Or maybe you secretly resent your neighbour for having a newer, faster car than you do (envy).Or, perhaps you just forgot to shut off the bathroom light on your way out the door this morning. Because that too is now a sin. read all article here ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The Origins Of Easter by Sheila Ayala Etymology The English word “Easter” and the German word, “Ostern”, come from the same root for “Eastre”. The ancient word for spring was “eastre” and this was the name given to Anglo-Saxon goddess of spring. A festival was held in her honor every year at the vernal equinox. Christianity merged this rite of spring with the Jewish Passover, which is why in other languages the word for Passover derives from its Hebrew name “Pesach”. In Latin and Greek the word is “Pascha” which in turn becomes in French “Paques”, in Italian “Pasqua”, in Spanish “Pascua”, in Danish “Paaske”, in Dutch “Paasch”, and Welsh “Pasg”. Passover literally means “he passed over” and refers the legend of the destroying angel who “Passed Over” the children of Israel and smote Egyptian firstborn children and firstborn animals instead. In time Easter ceased to be the festival of nature being renewed by spring and became the time for people to renew their faith in Jesus Christ and God. read more and comment here ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Teenage Holy War (Rollingstone JEFF SHARLET Posted Apr 19, 2007 8:35 AM)Jesus is really, really pissed at Hollywood, at the media, even at most Christians. But BattleCry, the nation’s largest and most radical youth crusade, is recruiting a new generation of Christian soldiers to fight back. This is how you enlist in the Army of God: First come the fireworks and the prayers, and then 4,000 kids scream, "We won't be silent anymore!" Then the kids drop to their knees, still but for the weeping and regrets of fifteen-year-olds. The lights in the Cleveland arena fade to blue, and a man on the stage whispers to them about sin and love and the Father-God. Read more here. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Book of the week The Universe in a NutshellAuthor: Stephen Hawking ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Video of the week Christopher deCharms: Looking inside the brain in real time View video here ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Song of the week critical thinking music Atheist Peace by Bad Religion Read the lyrics and comment here ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Website of the week Ted Talks : The Inner Life of a Cell What can character animators learn from those who render microscopic worlds in 3D? Plenty. view site here and watch video Inner Life ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Quote of the week "I distrust those people who know so well what God wants them to do because I notice it always coincides with their own desires." Susan Brownell Anthony (1820-1906) American feminist leader and suffragist in 1896, addressing the National American Woman Suffrage Association meeting ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Laugh of the Week The Atheist Delusion Very well done. Enjoy as the video states "god said so" view here ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ See archives for previous articles	Blogs, Sites & A/V Humanist Association of Canada Official sponsor of the Darwin Exhibit at the ROM ~~~~~~~~~~ The Humanist Perspectives Radio Show Next show Sunday April 6/08 Host Age Smies Tune in here ~~~~~~~~~~ The Frame Problem To parents of Anonymous protesters of Scientology March 23, 2008 L. Ron Brown Tory Christman, former high-ranking Scientologist who was a member of the cult for 30 years, has released a pair of YouTube videos addressed primarily to the parents of Anonymous protesters of Scientology. In this set of videos she says that parents should be very proud of their children, as they are standing up for freedom of speech, and they are standing against an oppressive family-destroying mafia cult. read all article here ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ PZ Myers EXPELLED from Expelled!?!? March 22, 2008 — L. Ron Brown A number of blogs have already commented on this unsurprising bit of irony: the makers of Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed (an upcoming Intelligent Design/Creationist crocumentary attempting to cast mainstream science - and evolutionary science in particular - as a dogmatic and somewhat totalitarianesque regime, to misrepresent evolutionary biology and the research behind it, and to suggest linkages between acceptance of evolution to Nazi Germany and Stalinist Russia) EXPELLED PZ Myers from a Minnesota screening of the film! Read all article here ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The Religious Humor Contest: What's the funniest piece of scripture you've ever read March 9, 2008 L. Ron Brown enter here ~~~~~~~~~~ Sandwalk Strolling with a skeptical biochemist The Sandwalk is the path behind the home of Charles Darwin. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Learn to live in your green zone Dr. K. Sohail MB BS FRCP(C) Bette Davis RN BN MN Dr. Sohail on Chowk & Web ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Petitions Sign NAF's Petition: Support Dr. Morgentaler The Order of Canada, the highest civilian honour, was established to recognize outstanding lifetime achievement and service. Please sign this petition to the Advisory Council of the Order of Canada, which has repeatedly overlooked Dr. Morgentaler for this distinguished award. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~ CDRH Darwin Day presentations now available listen online

The Humanist Globe science reason compassion Global Humanism.org

Week of March 18- 2/08 -ARCHIVE PAGE Information for the open minded - promoting critical thinking

Science

Algae Could One Day Be Major Hydrogen Fuel Source

ScienceDaily (Apr. 2, 2008) As gas prices continue to soar to record highs, motorists are crying out for an alternative that won’t cramp their pocketbooks.

Scientists at U.S. Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory are answering that call by working to chemically manipulate algae for production of the next generation of renewable fuels -hydrogen gas.“We believe there is a fundamental advantage in looking at the production of hydrogen by photosynthesis as a renewable fuel,” senior chemist David Tiede said. “Right now, ethanol is being produced from corn, but generating ethanol from corn is a thermodynamically much more inefficient process.” Read more here

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How Color Vision Is Processed: Fly Brain Circuitry Mapped

ScienceDaily (Mar. 30, 2008) New York University biologists have mapped the medulla circuitry in fruit flies, setting the stage for subsequent research on how color vision is processed. The work, which appeared in the journal Current Biology, will enable researchers to explore how color vision is processed in the optic lobe of the fruit fly Drosophila, providing a paradigm for more complex systems in vertebrates. read more here

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Putting Human Immunity in a Test Tube

(C Gutherie Time Mag March 27/08)You've heard of artificial limbs and artificial hearts but what about artificial immune systems? Add another notch to the test tube: scientists at VaxDesign, a five-year-old biotechnology company based in Orlando, Florida, have created a simulated human immune system, called the Modular Immune In Vitro Construct (MIMIC for short). The dime-sized immune system can predict how humans will respond to new vaccines. The goal? To streamline vaccine research and hasten the eradication of global killers, such as AIDS. read more here

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Self Experimenters:Daughter of MRI Researcher Offered Her Brain for Virtual Dissection

Sasha Giedd would have been the only girl in high school with a time-lapse movie of her developing brain, until the IRB caught wind of it. Most adolescents' fond remembrances of childhood would not include lying motionless for spans of five to 10 minutes in the narrow confines of a giant, clanging machine. For Alexandra Giedd, known in her family as Sasha, it was an eagerly anticipated ritual. Read more here

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Evolution Of New Species Slows Down As Number Of Competitors Increases

ScienceDaily (Mar. 25, 2008) The rate at which new species are formed in a group of closely related animals decreases as the total number of different species in that group goes up, according to new research. read article here

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Baby Boys Are More Likely To Die Than Baby Girls

ScienceDaily (Mar. 25, 2008) Male infants in developed nations are more likely to die than female infants, a fact that is partially responsible for men's shorter lifespans, reveals a new study by researchers from University of Pennsylvania and University of Southern California. read more here

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What Does a Plant Sound Like?

By Phil Berardelli
ScienceNOW Daily News
21 March 2008 Researchers have developed a computer algorithm that can identify some plant species according to their unique sonar echoes. The experiments were meant to help biologists understand how bats find their favorite fruits or insects, but the research might also help engineers design high-speed systems to identify everything from widgets on conveyor belts to faces in crowds. Read all article here

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Scientists Set Sights on an Implantable Prosthetic for the Blind

(By Larry Greenemeier Scientific American Mar 19 08) THE VISUAL PROSTHESIS envisioned by John Pezaris would provide the patient with a special set of glasses that has a small digital camera mounted in the lens. The camera's wire communicates to an external signal processor that translates the image from the camera into neural impulses transmitted to an implanted stimulator, which delivers images to the visual system.A Boston neuroscientist is developing a device that may someday help the blind by sending images directly to the brain. Read Article here

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Writer Arthur C Clarke dies at 90

(BBC News Wednesday, 19 March 2008) British science fiction writer Sir Arthur C Clarke has died in his adopted home of Sri Lanka at the age of 90. The Somerset-born author came to fame in 1968 when short story The Sentinel was made into the film 2001: A Space Odyssey by director Stanley Kubrick. His visions of space travel and computing sparked the imagination of readers and scientists alike. Read more here

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Cutting-edge Computing Helps Discover Origin Of Life On Earth

ScienceDaily (Mar. 19, 2008)The UK’s national computing grid, along with their counterparts in the US (TeraGrid) and Europe have helped UCL (University College London) scientists shed light on how life on earth may have originated.Deep ocean hydrothermal vents have long been suggested as possible sources of biological molecules such as RNA and DNA but it was unclear how they could survive the high temperatures and pressures that occur round these vents.Professor Peter Coveney and colleagues at the UCL Centre for Computational Science have used computer simulation to provide insight into the structure and stability of DNA while inserted into layered minerals. Computer simulation techniques have rarely been used to understand the possible chemical pathways to the formation of early biomolecules until now.read more here

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Gold Scroll Discovered: Earliest Evidence Of Jewish Inhabitants In Austria

ScienceDaily (Mar. 18, 2008)Archaeologists from the Institute of Prehistory and Early History of the University of Vienna have found an amulet inscribed with a Jewish prayer in a Roman child’s grave dating back to the 3rd century CE at a burial ground in the Austrian town of Halbturn. Read more here

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Regrowing Limbs: Can People Regenerate Body Parts?

(By Ken Muneoka, Manjong Han and David M. Gardiner Mar 17/08) Progress on the road to regenerating major body parts, salamander-style, could transform the treatment of amputations and major wounds.A salamander’s limbs are smaller and a bit slimier than those of most people, but otherwise they are not that different from their human counterparts. The salamander limb is encased in skin, and inside it is composed of a bony skeleton, muscles, ligaments, tendons, nerves and blood vessels. A loose arrangement of cells called fibroblasts holds all these internal tissues together and gives the limb its shape. read more here

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Bird Brains Suggest How Vocal Learning Evolved

ScienceDaily (Mar. 14, 2008) Though they perch far apart on the avian family tree, birds with the ability to learn songs use similar brain structures to sing their tunes. Neurobiologists at Duke University Medical Center now have an explanation for this puzzling likeness. read more

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Mr. Gates Goes to Washington

By Jeffrey Mervis
ScienceNOW Daily News
12 March 2008WASHINGTON, D.C. Bill Gates shared his views with the House Science and Technology Committee.

After inviting Bill Gates to help celebrate its 50th anniversary, the House Science and Technology Committee had no intention of putting him through the wringer. So it was no surprise that the Microsoft chair came, talked, and conquered the panel today during a 2-hour discussion on how to improve U.S. competitiveness.Read more

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Which Came First, Social Dominance Or Big Brains? Wasps May Tell

ScienceDaily (Mar. 12, 2008) There's new evidence supporting the idea that bigger brains are better. A study of a tropical wasp suggests that the brainpower required to be dominant drives brain capacity. Read more here

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Chemical brain controls nanobots

The researchers have already built larger 'brains'

Mar 11/08 By Jonathan Fildes
Science and technology reporter, BBC New.s A tiny chemical 'brain' which could one day act as a remote control for swarms of nano-machines has been invented. Read more here and comment

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Should Galileo's tomb be opened for DNA tests?

From New ScientistDavid Shiga, online reporter (Image: Melissa Ranieri/Wikipedia) More than 365 years after his death, Galileo Galilei has become the focus of another controversy involving the Catholic Church and science. Italian scientists want to open his tomb to do DNA tests, but the priest in charge of the church where he is buried says it would be disrespectful. Read full article here and comment

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Astronomers Capture Rare Video Of Meteor Falling To Earth; Hunt For Meteorite

ScienceDaily (Mar. 8, 2008)Astronomers from The University of Western Ontario in London, Ontario, have captured rare video of a meteor falling to Earth. Article

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Sensor Necklace Records When Pill In Swallowed, And Prompts Patient When It Is Time To Take Another

ScienceDaily (Mar. 7, 2008) Researchers now have a possible solution for the one in three adults who fail to take their medicines as prescribed by their doctors, as well as for everyone else who occasionally forgets: a sensor necklace that records the exact time and date when specially-designed pills are swallowed, and reminds the user if any doses are being missed. Read more and comment

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See archives for previous articles

News

End of days for 'Africa's Hitler'

Rumours of Mugabe's political demise swirl Peter Goodspeed, Canwest News Service Published: Tuesday, April 02, 2008

Africa's Hitler may finally be losing his nerve.Tuesday night, Zimbabwe was abuzz with rumours that Robert Mugabe's security henchmen are deep into negotiations with opposition leaders and South African diplomats to push the 84 year old President into a face-saving and prosecution-free retirement.As it becomes increasingly evident that opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai may have won last Saturday's presidential election, some of his top advisors are said to have made informal contacts with Mr. Mugabe's security officials to discuss a transition of power. read more here

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Provocation in the public square

By baptizing an outspoken Muslim on Easter Sunday, the Pope was trying to send a challenge to Islam and a blow to secularism

Charles Lewis, National Post Published: Saturday, March 29, 2008 As the leader of the world's one billion Catholics, there is likely little Pope Benedict does that is not scripted for effect, his every word and gesture scrutinized for interpretation.When he spoke at an academic meeting in Regensburg, Germany, two years ago about the possible intrinsically violent nature of Islam, it caused outrage and led to riots that resulted in the death of one nun and the destruction of several churches. read more here

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Number of organic farms climbing: Statscan

Workers harvest organic cranberries in Quebec. (Reuters)

(The Canadian PressMarch 28, 2008 at 9:44 AM EDTOTTAWA) The number of organic farms in Canada increased by almost 60 per cent in five years and continues growing, though they still fill only a tiny part of the food supply, Statistics Canada says.The agency reported Friday that Canada had 3,555 farms offering certified organic products in 2006-largely grain, oilseeds and hay- up from 2,230 in 2001.Another 640 farms were in transition, and 11,937 were producing food described as organic but not formally certified, largely meat. read more here

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Superbug infections climbing in Canadian hospitals

Last Updated: Thursday, March 27, 2008 At least 2,300 people died in 2006 as a result of an MRSA superbug and nearly 12,000 new patients were infected, as rates of the antibiotic-resistant bacteria continue to climb in Canadian hospitals, according to new figures released by the federal government. read more here

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Halt beheading, Day to tell Saudis

(Canwest News Service Published: Tuesday, March 25, 2008 OTTAWA) Public Safety Minister Stockwell Day, who is travelling in the Middle East, will raise with Saudi Arabian authorities the case of Mohamed Kohail, a Canadian man sentenced to death by beheading. read article here

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Muslim's conversion conflict hits Vatican on Easter

Sun Mar 23, 2008 1:27pm EDT By Philip Pullella VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Pope Benedict called in his Easter message on Sunday for an end to injustice worldwide and expressed joy at continuing conversions to Christianity hours after he baptized a prominent Italian Muslim convert. The pope celebrated an Easter Mass for tens of thousands of people in driving rain in St Peter's Square as Christians around the world commemorated Christ's resurrection. Read all article here

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The Origin of Obama's Pastor Problem

By JAMES CARNEY AND AMY SULLIVAN Time Mag. Mar 20 2008 Long before the sermons of the Rev. Jeremiah Wright became instant hits on YouTube and talk-show fodder for the cable news channels, Barack Obama knew he had a preacher problem. On the eve of launching his campaign for the White House in February 2007, Obama abruptly withdrew an invitation to Wright to deliver the invocation at his announcement speech in Springfield, Ill. Wright had been Obama's pastor for nearly 20 years. He had brought Obama into the church, helped him find his faith in God, officiated at Obama's wedding and baptized both his children. But Wright had also said a lot of incendiary things from his pulpit about America over the years, things that would be awkward to explain away for a politician hoping to unite the country and become the first African-American President of the United States. read more here

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Darwin exhibit survives thanks to unlikely backers

ROM's usual sponsors wary of controversy Mar 15, 2008 04:30 AM Stuart Laidlaw
Faith and ethics reporter

For 150 years, Charles Darwin has driven devout Christians and secularists apart. But at the Royal Ontario Museum this week, his theories are bringing them together.An exhibit celebrating Darwin, the English naturalist whose theories of evolution and natural selection ("survival of the fittest") revolutionized science and presented religion with its greatest challenge, is being sponsored by the United Church Observer and the Humanist Association of Canada after corporate Canada failed to help out. read more here

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Anglican schism not 'catastrophic': theologian.

(Charles Lewis, National Post Published: Tuesday, March 18, 2008) Schism is not a "catastrophic" event and is preferable to placating those who do not treat gays as equal simply for the sake of unity, a Canadian Anglican theologian says."There are moments when treating unity as kind of absolute virtue that's higher than anything else is not necessarily the right thing," Rev. Paul Gibson said in an interview, concerning an essay he wrote that was posted on the Anglican Church of Canada's Web site Tuesday. He wrote the essay in relation to the present schism in the Anglican Church over same-sex blessings, and concluded that a unified church that treats gays unequally would be a greater evil than a divided church. Since the start of the year, eight Anglican parishes, out of a total of about 2,000 across the country, have formally left the national Church. read more here

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Religious groups want Russian cartoon channel shut down

(CBC News Mar 15 2008) For a second time in two weeks, religious groups have called for the closure of Russia's cartoon channel 2X2. Christian and Muslim groups are demanding that 2X2 be shut down because it airs cartoons, such as South Park, which they deem to be anti-religious, violent as well as promoting homosexuality. Read more here

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Is Beijing Manipulating Air Pollution Statistics?

(Time Mag. March 15 2008 By AUSTIN RAMZY/BEIJING) While Steven Spielberg's withdrawal from his role as an artistic adviser was a public relations blow to the Beijing Olympics, the announcement this week that Haile Gebrselassie would not run in the marathon at this summer's Games hints at a more serious challenge facing the organizers. Unlike Spielberg's, the decision of the Ethiopian world record holder in the marathon has nothing to do with politics: Gebrselassie is asthmatic, and he is concerned that Beijing's polluted air could damage his health over the 42-kilometer race. (He still plans to run the far shorter 10,000-meter event.) And the Ethiopian's concern has underscored the stakes in a showdown between city officials and an 26-year-old American environmental consultant who has raised serious questions about Beijing's official air pollution statistics. read more here

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Brenda Martin begs for life from Mexico prison

(Updated Fri. Mar. 14 2008 6:32 PM ET CTV.ca News Staff) A sobbing and broken Brenda Martin begged Friday for Prime Minister Stephen Harper to take action to have her freed from the Mexican prison that has been her home for over two years.

Martin, who is incarcerated in Guadalajara on accusations of being part of a fraud scheme, called CTV's Canada AM Friday morning from jail.

"I'd like to plead for my life to the prime minister of Canada to please pick up the phone and call the president of Mexico and have this travesty ended," she said.

"I don't belong here. I have done nothing, Please help me prime minister, please help me, please help me. I don't know how to get through a day here." read more here

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The Boycott Mexico Campaign

March 14, 2008 (L. Ron Brown The Frame Problem) I hope that bloggers, websiters, myspacers and facebookers will join in encouraging people to boycott travel to Mexico until Brenda Martin is released from her unjust Mexican imprisonment, receives a sincere public apology from the Mexican government, and a multi-million dollar payment as an attempt at restitution for her 2 plus years of unjust detainment. read more

Previous articles on the topic

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The Humanist Association of Canada sponsors the Darwin exhibit at the Royal Ontario Museum

(Humanist globe march 13/08)The Humanist Association of Canada (HAC) is proud to announce that it will be a Supporting Sponsor of the Royal Ontario Museum'snewly-opened exhibition Darwin: The Evolution Revolution, the most in-depth exhibition ever assembled on this highly original thinker and his revolutionary theory of evolution by natural selection. The exhibition features the most complete collection of specimens, artifacts, manuscripts and memorabilia related to Charles Darwin, offering visitors an engaging insight into his extraordinary life and mind.

Pat O'Brien, President of the Humanist Association of Canada, has pledged $50.000 in support of this important exhibition. "We heard that, unlike other projects, the Museum had been unable to attract a major exhibition sponsor for Darwin. The ROM's Director & CEO, William Thorsell opined on CBC Radio that while evolution and Darwinism may be controversial topics in the United States, he did not expect the same to be true in Canada. As the use of the scientific method is advocated as one of the principles of Humanism, and HAC is active in promoting Darwin Day (February 12) throughout Canada in honour of Charles Darwin, we strongly felt that this wonderful exhibition deserves our best support." read more here and comment

HAC press release

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Bishop accuses gays of 'conspiracy' against the Catholic Church

(From Times Online March 13, 2008) A Catholic bishop has accused the gay community of leading a ''conspiracy'' against Christianity by allying itself with Holocaust survivors. The Bishop of Motherwell, Joseph Devine, says a ''homosexual lobby'' has aligned itself with minority groups, including Holocaust survivors, to gain persecuted status. He said there was a ''huge and well orchestrated conspiracy'' taking place in the ''gay movement'', which the Catholic Church neglected ''at our peril''. Read more here

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Pastor Shoots first, saves later

Melissa Leong, National Post Published: Africa Thursday, March 13, 2008 Former biker and drug dealer now rescues children in East.

Before embarking on missions in East Africa, Pastor Sam Childers and the soldiers who accompany him join hands and pray.Following that, they drive through the bush, armed with rifles, AK-47s and machine guns. Mr. Childers with a pistol in his belt and sometimes a rifle in his lap seeking to rescue children who have been abducted or orphaned in Uganda and Sudan.The Pennsylvania pastor and his militia have been ambushed and bombed; they responded by engaging in intense gun battles. As a result, his critics have called him a "Christian mercenary." Read more

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Peru meteorite may rewrite rules

(By Paul Rincon March 12/08
Science reporter, BBC News, Houston) A meteorite which ploughed into the Peruvian countryside last year should have shattered and dispersed long before reaching the ground.That is the conclusion of scientists who have been examining samples of the space rock and the 15m-wide crater it dug out in Carancas last September.The discovery of a water-filled hole, following reports of a fireball in the sky, made headlines around the world. Now experts say the event challenges conventional theories about meteorites. More here

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See archives for previous articles

Events

Darwin Exhibit @ the ROM

From March 8th to August 4th 2008 Toronto Ontario Canada

sponsored by HAC

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Tom Flynn, THE NEW ENCYCLOPEDIA OF UNBELIEF (U of Ontario Institute of Technology)

Starts
Friday, April 4th at 2 pm to 4pm

Location
UA2130, UOIT Science Building - University of Ontario Institute of Technology, 2000 Simcoe Street North, Oshawa, ON, Rm UA2130

MAP
About “The New Encyclopedia of Unbelief”
Successor to the highly acclaimed Encyclopedia of Unbelief (1985), edited by the late Gordon Stein, the New Encyclopedia of Unbelief is a comprehensive reference work on the history, beliefs, and thinking of America’s fastest growing minority: those who live without religion. All-new articles by the field’s foremost scholars describe and explain every aspect of atheism, agnosticism, secular humanism, secularism, and religious skepticism. Topics include morality without religion, unbelief in the historicity of Jesus, critiques of intelligent design theory, unbelief and sexual values, and summaries of the state of unbelief around the world. More than 130 respected scholars and activists worldwide served on the editorial advisory board and over 100 authoritative contributors have written in excess of 500 entries. All info here

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TALES FROM A NEW ENCYCLOPEDIA, with Tom Flynn, Fri, April 4, 7pm Tom Flynn, editor of FREE INQUIRY and longtime freethought activist, talks about the challenges he faced -- and some of the surprising things he learned during his five years editing THE NEW ENCYCLOPEDIA OF UNBELIEF. It covers in unprecedented detail the freethought, atheist, and humanist traditions and histories across the world.Flynn invited, coordinated, and cajoled more than 150 contributors who wrote well over 500 separate entries. The process wasn't always straightforward. In particular, bringing together the entries covering freethought in Canada involved marshaling new scholarship from some surprising sources. Researchers unearthed a once-vibrant, long-forgotten freethought tradition in Toronto with unexpected links to some of the biggest names in Golden Age freethought. CFI Ontario is 1 year old this March 2008. We've accomplished more than any of us thought possible in so short a time. Whether you've been with us from the beginning or you've just heard about the freethought movement, you're invited to join us in celebration! All events at CFI Ontario, 216 Beverley St, downtown Toronto. Party and meeting FREE. Each talk: $5 general, $4 students, FREE for Friends of the Centre. Join today ($60 regular, $20 students & low income) ontario@centerforinquiry.net416-971-5676 www.cfiontario.org

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Humanist Association of Toronto

Monthly film series -- first Saturday of every month
Free and open to the public
Saturday, April 5, 2:30 PM in OISE (252 Bloor St. W.) Rm 4-426
Film: Deliver Us from Evil (documentary about child sexual abuse in the Catholic church)
Film to be followed by a discussion

For more information about any of these activities, or about HAT, see http://www.humanist.toronto.on.ca

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Dan Barker in St. Catharines

Organized by the Niagara Secular Humanists, the date for the long awaited debate between the prominent American pastor-turned-Atheist,
Dan Barker co-president of the Freedom from Religio Foundation and an equally prominent local minister, Reverend Peter Youngren has been firmed up for Wednesday, April 9/08 at the CWA Hall, Bunting Road in St. Catharines.
Doors open at 6:00 pm, debate starts 7:00 pm., tickets $6.00 each.
Both are the toughest debaters we could find on the subject "Does God exist'', Rev. Peter Youngren apparently often appears on Vision TV and
believes he can bring at least 150 people from his congregation to the debate, along with a camera crew. We have chosen a well-known personality
from the St. Catharine's Standard as moderator - The whole thing could be most interesting!
All event information here ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Humanist Association of TorontoMonthly speaker
Sunday, April 13, 1:00 PM in OISE (252 Bloor St. W.) Rm 4-422
Speaker: Prof. Arne Kislenko, Ryerson University
Title: On Guard for Thee: The Realities and Dilemmas of Canada's Border Security and Immigration System

For more information about any of these activities, or about HAT, see http://www.humanist.toronto.on.ca

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HIP - Humanists In Peterborough Monthly Meeting
Discussions will include the Humanist Perspective Radio Show and bringing awareness to Humanism in Peterborough The date will be April 20, time 5:00 PM, Location: Charlotte Anne's. Visit Website for all info

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Sex and Religion
CDRH - Clarington Durham Region Humanists
Friday April 25th 2008
Golden Griddle Restaurant - Pickering Ontario 6:30pm to 10pm approx

After having a successful seminar on Charles Darwin and The Theory of Evolution we are planning to have another seminar to have a dialogue about the controversial topics of sex and religion. Alongside the philosophical and psychological aspects the speakers will share personal struggles in their lives. We hope that it will generate a lively discussion. We look forward to your active participation to make this seminar a success.
Moderator- Mark Witzel
Presenters-

Mark Robinson…Sexuality in the Animal World - Powerpoint Presentation
Hildy Abrams…Sexuality and Morality…When you love a married man in a Jewish Community
Javed Akhtar…Being Gay in a Conservative Muslim Community
Dr. Khalid Sohail Psychology of Religious and Sexual Conflicts…Dilemmas in a psychiatric practice

Visit Website for all information

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"An Introduction to Understanding Science"

Friday May 2, 2008 7pm to 9pm

Presented by The Durham Region Science Club

Our First Meeting - A family event that is free in your community An evening for all ages

John M. James Public School
175 Mearns Avenue
Bowmanville, Ontario Canada
L1C 5C6

Meeting will take place in the Library

Map for info contact905 243 2303 Email

visit our Website

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Root of All Evil

Presented by People For Humanity

On Sunday 4 May 2008
Time 2:30 PM to 5:30 PM
At Fortinos Community Meeting Room
(Inside Fortinos on east end upstairs)is presenting a video show and discussion

In this two-part documentary, Oxford Professor Richard Dawkins examines how religious faith is gaining ground in the face of rational, scientific truth. The video takes you to some of the world's religious hot-spots, both in America and the Middle East. Dawkins meets with religious leaders and their followers, as well as scientists and skeptics to examine the power of religion. Interviews with former Pastor Ted Haggard, the novelist Ian McEwan, the former Bishop of Oxford, and others offer valuable insights into the global impact and consequences of faith in the 21st century.

Richard Dawkins' Root of All Evil? has helped inspire people of reason worldwide to say "Enough is enough!" Our modern world is the product of a long march from ignorance and fear to the Enlightenment and beyond, always guided by the power of science and reason. To now abandon our endeavor toward progress and knowledge for faith and superstition puts humanity in peril.

Map: 35 Worthington Avenue, Brampton, ON (Also accessible from Brisdale Drive)
No registration required, confirmation is much appreciated

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On Going Weekly Events

Clarington Durham Region Coffee nights

Mondays - East Oshawa : Tim Hortons -Townline & Hwy 2 south east corner 8:30pm Contact host Mark Robinson - email first to confirm event is still on.

Wednesdays -North Whitby : Tim Hortons -Taunton Rd & Thickson north east corner @ A&P plaza 7:40pm Contact host Mark Robinson - email first to confirm event is still on.

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Humanist Association of Toronto upcoming events;

Saturday discussion forum
11:00-1:00 every Saturday
An open discussion on a topic chosen weekly.
Free and open to the public
Saturday, April 5 in OISE (252 Bloor St. W.) Rm 11-200
Topic: Civility
Facilitator: Norine Earl

Sunday discussion forum
11:00-1:00 every Sunday
An open discussion, usually less structured than the Saturday forum
Free and open to the public
Sunday, April 6 in OISE (252 Bloor St. W.) Rm 11-200

For more information about any of these activities, or about HAT, see http://www.humanist.toronto.on.ca

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CFI - Ontario

Visit the website for all weekly events available.

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Weekly Features

HELP SUPPORT CHRIS DICARLO TO BE
ONTARIO’S NO.1 PROFESSOR OF THE YEAR

Chris diCarlo has been chosen as one of Ontario’s top 10 professors. On the weekend of March 29/30, his lecture will be aired on TV Ontario at 4:00 p.m. People all over Ontario can, if they wish, support Chris in becoming the Number 1 professor for 2008. His lecture will be viewed between 4:00—6:00 on both Saturday and Sunday. Voting starts at 5:45 p.m. on Saturday the 29th of March and goes until 12:00 noon on Monday March 31. You may vote as many times during this time period as you like. Those who vote online are registered to win a 50” plasma television and home theatre. You can dial: 1.866.281.3536 or
You can vote online: www.tvo.org (click on ‘Vote’)Please note that the TV Ontario computer is programmed to eliminate all votes for any professor which give 100% in all three categories.

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How secular can religion get?

Boy says "you first"

The Catholic Church's seven new deadly sins hint at a not-so-divine future

(Philippe Gohier | Mar 20, 2008 | 12:57 pm EST) Odds are pretty good you’ve committed a sin today. Maybe you had a bigger lunch than usual (gluttony). Maybe you played hooky this morning and are sitting at home, surfing the Net (sloth). Or maybe you secretly resent your neighbour for having a newer, faster car than you do (envy).Or, perhaps you just forgot to shut off the bathroom light on your way out the door this morning. Because that too is now a sin. read all article here

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The Origins Of Easter by Sheila Ayala

Etymology

The English word “Easter” and the German word, “Ostern”, come from the same root for “Eastre”. The ancient word for spring was “eastre” and this was the name given to Anglo-Saxon goddess of spring. A festival was held in her honor every year at the vernal equinox. Christianity merged this rite of spring with the Jewish Passover, which is why in other languages the word for Passover derives from its Hebrew name “Pesach”. In Latin and Greek the word is “Pascha” which in turn becomes in French “Paques”, in Italian “Pasqua”, in Spanish “Pascua”, in Danish “Paaske”, in Dutch “Paasch”, and Welsh “Pasg”. Passover literally means “he passed over” and refers the legend of the destroying angel who “Passed Over” the children of Israel and smote Egyptian firstborn children and firstborn animals instead. In time Easter ceased to be the festival of nature being renewed by spring and
became the time for people to renew their faith in Jesus Christ and God. read more and comment here

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Teenage Holy War

(Rollingstone JEFF SHARLET Posted Apr 19, 2007 8:35 AM)Jesus is really, really pissed at Hollywood, at the media, even at most Christians. But BattleCry, the nation’s largest and most radical youth crusade, is recruiting a new generation of Christian soldiers to fight back. This is how you enlist in the Army of God: First come the fireworks and the prayers, and then 4,000 kids scream, "We won't be silent anymore!" Then the kids drop to their knees, still but for the weeping and regrets of fifteen-year-olds. The lights in the Cleveland arena fade to blue, and a man on the stage whispers to them about sin and love and the Father-God. Read more here.

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Book of the week

The Universe in a NutshellAuthor: Stephen Hawking

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Video of the week

Christopher deCharms: Looking inside the brain in real time View video here

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Song of the week critical thinking music

Atheist Peace by Bad Religion

Read the lyrics and comment here

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Website of the week

Ted Talks : The Inner Life of a Cell What can character animators learn from those who render microscopic worlds in 3D? Plenty. view site here and watch video Inner Life

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Quote of the week

"I distrust those people who know so well what God wants them to do because I notice it always coincides with their own desires."

Susan Brownell Anthony (1820-1906)
American feminist leader and suffragist in 1896, addressing the National American Woman Suffrage Association meeting

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Laugh of the Week

The Atheist Delusion

Very well done. Enjoy as the video states "god said so"

view here

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See archives for previous articles

Blogs, Sites & A/V

Humanist Association of Canada

Official sponsor of the Darwin Exhibit at the ROM

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The Humanist Perspectives Radio Show

Next show Sunday April 6/08

Host Age Smies Tune in here

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The Frame Problem

To parents of Anonymous protesters of Scientology March 23, 2008 L. Ron Brown Tory Christman, former high-ranking Scientologist who was a member of the cult for 30 years, has released a pair of YouTube videos addressed primarily to the parents of Anonymous protesters of Scientology. In this set of videos she says that parents should be very proud of their children, as they are standing up for freedom of speech, and they are standing against an oppressive family-destroying mafia cult. read all article here

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PZ Myers EXPELLED from Expelled!?!?

March 22, 2008 — L. Ron Brown A number of blogs have already commented on this unsurprising bit of irony: the makers of Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed (an upcoming Intelligent Design/Creationist crocumentary attempting to cast mainstream science - and evolutionary science in particular - as a dogmatic and somewhat totalitarianesque regime, to misrepresent evolutionary biology and the research behind it, and to suggest linkages between acceptance of evolution to Nazi Germany and Stalinist Russia) EXPELLED PZ Myers from a Minnesota screening of the film!

Read all article here

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The Religious Humor Contest: What's the funniest piece of scripture you've ever read March 9, 2008 L. Ron Brown enter here

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Sandwalk

Strolling with a skeptical biochemist

The Sandwalk is the path behind the home of Charles Darwin.

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Learn to live in your green zone

Dr. K. Sohail MB BS FRCP(C)

Bette Davis RN BN MN

Dr. Sohail on Chowk & Web

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Petitions

Sign NAF's Petition: Support Dr. Morgentaler

The Order of Canada, the highest civilian honour, was established to recognize outstanding lifetime achievement and service. Please sign this petition to the Advisory Council of the Order of Canada, which has repeatedly overlooked Dr. Morgentaler for this distinguished award.

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