Rationalist take on Gaza; chaplains in US schools; new US speaker and Gilead

Published: Thu, 10/26/23

RSA Daily

For atheists, rationalists and secular humanists in Australia

Friday, October 27, 2023

Rationale, the magazine of the Rationalist Society of Australia

Good morning ,

The new speaker of the US Congress is an extreme Christian nationalist who's fought against gay rights for years. Welcome to Gilead.

Lead stories

Thinking clearly about the Gaza problem - Rationale Magazine

Truth, an old saying has it, is the first casualty in war. Why would that be?

"As a committed rationalist, I had to begin by mastering my own horror and outrage, bewilderment and contempt. I had to ask myself, ‘What could I be missing here? Where might I be rushing to judgment?"

Public schools and faith-based chaplains: Texas' new combination is testing the First Amendment

It's always surprising to be reminded of the differences between Australian secularism and American secularism: "Clergy in Schools didn’t last long. A federal trial court in Texas invalidated the program in 2002. The judge found that the program violated the First Amendment, according to which, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.”

And in case you are just too depressed about the way the world is teetering towards WW3, here's something to soothe the nerves. A Youtube channel that plays quiet music with soft natural sounds in the background: rain outside, crackling fire inside.

Other stories of interest

Women will vote for the first time at Catholic church assembly at Vatican City

54 of them among the 350.

Australia is the 11th best country for women

What did they measure to come up with this? - Economic participation, parliamentary representation, health, risks of violence, education, employment, laws, and proximity to conflict, "There is a direct correlation between the well-being of women and the well-being of nations."

Mike Johnson sparks "Handmaid's Tale" comparisons after becoming speaker

"Mike Johnson is now the Speaker of the Handmaids Tale GOP Congress .. he is a traitor to this country and a menace for women's rights."

Got a comment on any of these stories?

Write to me at president@rationalist.com.au