Sweet Reason Viewpoints

Viewpoints

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A few articles about issues I've worked on or thought about -- a peek into the personality of someone you might ask for advice yourself, some day. (Items marked with a * are off-site; in some browsers you can right-click the link to open another window; then close the window -- or use your back key -- for more "sweet reason".)

Sweet Reason's "ABC-Rs of Advice-Giving"

Want to know what happens when you ask for advice from Sweet Reason? Here's a short description of how I come up with answers to your questions.

10 Myths About Secular Humanism *

Here are some handy answers you can use when people ask you questions like, "Don't secular humanists worship humans?" I wrote this with Matt Cherry, who is now the Executive Director of the Institute for Humanist Studies. *

Should Freethinkers Defend Ventura?

In October, 1999, newspapers reported on an interview in which then-Governor of Minnesota Jesse Ventura dissed followers of "organized religion". Some atheists defended Ventura's comments. But elected officials live in glass houses, so when thy throw stones...

Remembering Steinbeck When We Really Need Him*

Written for the centennial of Steinbeck's birth, some reflections on the humanist message of a Nobel prize winner whose novels profoundly influenced Americans' understanding of themselves.

What's Wrong with the Darwin Awards?

Are those "Darwin Awards" really funny? I'd been thinking about that question a long time when the folks at the Darwin Day Celebration invited to contribute to Darwin Day Collection One: The Single Best Idea Ever. See what you think!

INTERVIEW: How to Talk about Spirituality*

I'm quoted at length in this article by Margot Carmichael Lester, on the internet's best known love and dating site.

GETTING SERIOUS ABOUT EVOLUTION

Voices for Evolution*

Voices , an ongoing project of the National Center for Science Education (NCSE), is a collection of position statements that documents the broad and diverse support for teaching evolution in the public schools. The first print edition contained statements from scientific, religious, and educational organizations. When I edited the second print edition, I added a category, inviting contributions from civil liberties groups (including humanist organizations). The collection continues to grow, with additional statements posted on NCSE's website. I wish the book were less necessary now, but the problem is even more urgent than when I wrote this <introduction to the second edition> ; fortunately, the wonderful people who defend evolution are still as inspiring!

Evolution, Creation, and Science Education*

I wrote this pamphlet on the "evolution creation controversy" several years ago while working at NCSE. At the time, "Intelligent Design" was still displacing old-fashioned "creation science". The basic scientific, legal, and moral questions have stayed the same.

Facing Challenges to Evolution Education*

This pamphlet gives advice on what to do if someone is trying to force creationism into your school district's science classes.

*Sweet Reason is a proprietary Service Mark.