Author Archive for RB

Buddhism for Skeptics of Religion

Buddhism for Skeptics of Religion.

A non-Buddhist skeptical atheist with background in psychology, scientific research, healthcare and mindfulness meditation shows how many of the central tenets and practices of Buddhism can appeal to other skeptics.


Kicking Addictions: Commentary on What It Takes and What Helps

Kicking Addictions: Commentary on What It Takes and What Helps.


Atheists are Differently Religious – and No, Atheism is not the/a Religion

Atheists are Differently Religious – and No, Atheism is not the/a Religion.

A thorough epistemological and ethical consideration of secular philosophies and how they are ultimately rooted in unsubstantiated moral and existential faith claims. This is surely not to dismiss or disqualify them; but to understand them for what they are.


Mental Health Risks For Political Activists

 

We’ve heard of mental health risks for trauma victims, models, high-performance athletes, people in the public eye, soldiers, executives, people living in poverty, and many other social demographics. As a political activist who studies and works in healthcare, is currently on a placement in a mental health unit, and has had personal struggles with mental health issues linked to depression, anxiety and emotion regulation, I have come to believe that political activists may represent another identifiable group at elevated risk for a series of  mental health issues. Read on.


New Rule: Only People With PhDs May Give Opinions.

New Rule: Only People With PhDs May Give Opinions..


Questions on Jewish and Conservative Christian Moral Theology

Many people believe that they and others derive moral believes from religious scriptures. I personally do not buy into this. However, given that many do, I am driven to ask:

Theologically speaking, where do observant Jews and Conservative Christians derive their moral precepts?


Skeptic North and the Ongoing Homeopathy Train Wreck

 

 

 

 

 

Homeopathy Under Fire in the US, UK, Italy, Israel and Australia.


The Obama Cult Apparently Still Has Some Members…

The Obama Cult Apparently Still Has Some Members….


Endorsing Justin Trottier, Green Party of Ontario Candidate, Parkdale-High Park

Endorsing Justin Trottier, Green Party of Ontario Candidate, Parkdale-High Park.

A proud endorsement of Justin Trottier in his candidacy in the upcoming Ontario provincial elections. Justin is a leading Canadian activist on behalf of nontheism, secularism, science, reason, humanism, freedom of speech, gay rights, and other causes that make Canada one of the world’s most progressive and respected nations.


How much do you notice the politics of your fellow city dwellers?

How much do you notice the politics of your fellow city dwellers?.


Help make “fauxgressive” a recognized word – and Obama its poster child

Help make “fauxgressive” a recognized word – and Obama its poster child.


Posts from the current blog: Death By Trolley

For current writings by the blogger, check out Death By Trolley. Recent posts include satirical posts on homeopathy and how homosexuality is threatening the fabric of English-speaking civilizations, and serious posts about fauxgressive Barack Obama, how to talk to political adversaries and actually get somewhere, why Obama and Democrats are less trustworthy than Republicans, and how YouTube appears to be censoring video comments pertaining to its advertisers.


Less than a week until nothing out of the ordinary happens. Poll: How will rapturites react?

How will Rapturites respond when Sunday, May 22 rolls around and nothing in the world has changed? Will they claim that their great faith saved the world, that the Rapture in fact DID occur – we just don’t realize it, that Harold Camping – the man behind this Rapture campaign – forgot to carry a zero and was off by a thousand years? will they (hopefully not) attempt to Rapture themselves (i.e., mass suicide), or will they simply admit that they were in error and might need to re-think a few things? Vote here.


Why healthcare is more efficient in Japan than the US and Canada

The Japanese healthcare system spends FAR less money than the Canadian system, and INCREDIBLY less than the truly abysmal American system, and yet enjoys significantly better results than both. While surely the reason for the differences in health between Japanese, Canadian and American citizens can be traced to reasons beyond the nations’ respective healthcare systems, the differential effectiveness in cost containment alone is reason for pause. Check out my full post on this subject here at my current blog, DeathByTrolley.Com.


Sperm Wars| EVERYTHING is getting more competitive…

The first of many original cartoons at my new blog, Death By Trolley.

For more Death By Trolley cartoons, click here.


There Will Be War.

“I believe in world peace. I believe it is possible.”

- Every politician or beauty pageant contestant ever.

Highly unlikely. That’s not to say that it wouldn’t be desirable. It’s just not going to happen. Even in an idealistic world where everyone had enough food, followed the Golden Rule, did not covet status, wealth or luxury, politicians weren’t corrupt, organized religions did not divide us, and everyone was perfectly honest, rational and considerate of the opinions of everyone else, and moreover, everyone knew that everyone else was being as morally upstanding as they could be, world peace would not happen.

Why not? In short, a lack of resources tomorrow, and irreconcilable disagreements on what is moral and best for society.

Read on and leave comments at my new blog, Death By Trolley.