Sunday, December 31, 2017

End Inquisition in the 19th Century; Enlightenment



Ending of the Inquisition in the 19th and 20th centuriesEdit

The wars of independence of the former Spanish colonies in the Americas concluded with the abolition of the Inquisition in every quarter of Hispanic America between 1813 and 1825.
In Portugal, in the wake of the Liberal Revolution of 1820, the "General Extraordinary and Constituent Courts of the Portuguese Nation" abolished the Portuguese inquisition in 1821.
The last execution of the Inquisition was in Spain in 1826.[48] This was the execution by garroting of the school teacher Cayetano Ripoll for purportedly teaching Deism in his school.[48] In Spain the practices of the Inquisition were finally outlawed in 1834.[citation needed]
In Italy, after the restoration of the Pope as the ruler of the Papal States in 1814, the activity of the Papal States Inquisition continued on until the mid-19th century, notably in the well-publicised Mortara Affair (1858–1870). In 1908 the name of the Congregation became "The Sacred Congregation of the Holy Office", which in 1965 further changed to "Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith", as retained to the present day.

Thursday, December 28, 2017

Principles of Good Practice in Education

Principles of Good Practice in Education

  1. Encourages contact between students and faculty, especially contact focused on the academic agenda.
  2. Develops reciprocity and cooperation among students, i.e., teaching students to work productively with others.
  3. Encourages active learning, i.e., doing and thinking about the learning process.
  4. Gives prompt feedback and helps students understand how to respond.
  5. Emphasizes time on task by providing repeated useful, productive, guided practice.
  6. Communicates high expectations and encourages students to have high self-expectations.
  7. Respects diverse talents and ways of learning and engenders respect of intellectual diversity.

Adapted from Gamson, Z. and Chickering, A. “Seven Principles for Good Practice in Undergraduate Education.” AAHE Bulletin, March 1987, pp. 5-10.

Wednesday, December 20, 2017

Roman Catholic Thought and Transhumanism

In the '90s I taught the history of science at Hahnemann with Theme and Variations dealing with the founder of transhumanism, Condorcet:

Locally, an Episcopal priest sponsored a workshop about ten years ago that I attended using Remaking Eden, cautiously optimistic about the possibilities:

As I have pointed out, Christians could be a bigger influence, but they are merely one of the many possible options for transhumanism.


Instead of the doom and gloom conspiracy perspective, I am cautiously optimistic, and, I still maintain that Christian intellectuals should get engaged in the debate and not hide in basements. 

Why not find better sources than conspiracy nuts and Christians who don't want to engage the culture?

I wonder if there are any Christian groups that combine a profound and deep understanding of history, Christian theology, and are at the cutting edge of dialogue with secular thinkers as well? Oh yes, what about the Roman Catholics?







Monday, December 18, 2017

Sunday, December 17, 2017

God State Preambles

Do you know your State's Preamble?


  Alabama 1901, PreambleWe the people of the State of Alabama , invoking the favor and guidance of Almighty God, do ordain and establish the following Constitution.. 

Alaska 1956, Preamble
We, the people of Alaska , grateful to God and to those who founded our nation and pioneered this great land. 

Arizona 1911, Preamble
We, the people of the State of Arizona , grateful to Almighty God for our liberties, do ordain this Constitution... 

Arkansas 1874, Preamble
We, the people of the State of Arkansas, grateful to Almighty God for the privilege of choosing our own form of government... 

California 1879, Preamble
We, the People of the State of California , grateful to Almighty God for our freedom... 

Colorado 1876, Preamble
We, the people of Colorado , with profound reverence for the Supreme Ruler of Universe...

Connecticut 1818, Preamble.
The People of Connecticut, acknowledging with gratitude the good Providence of God in permitting them to enjoy. 

Delaware 1897, Preamble
Through Divine Goodness all men have, by nature, the rights of worshipping and serving their Creatoraccording to the dictates of their consciences. 

Florida 1885, Preamble
We, the people of the State of Florida , grateful to Almighty God for our constitutional liberty, establish this Constitution... 

Georgia 1777, Preamble
We, the people of Georgia , relying upon protection and guidance of Almighty God, do ordain and establish this Constitution... 

Hawaii 1959, Preamble
We, the people of Hawaii , Grateful for Divine Guidance ... Establish this Constitution. 

Idaho 1889, Preamble
We, the people of the State of Idaho , grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, to secure its blessings. 

Illinois 1870, Preamble
We, the people of the State of Illinois, grateful to Almighty God for the civil , political and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy and looking to Him for a blessing on our endeavors. 

Indiana 1851, Preamble
We, the People of the State of Indiana , grateful to Almighty God for the free exercise of the right to choose our form of government. 

Iowa 1857, Preamble
We, the People of the State of Iowa , grateful to the Supreme Being for the blessings hitherto enjoyed, and feeling our dependence on Him for a continuation of these blessings, establish this Constitution. 

Kansas 1859, Preamble
We, the people of Kansas , grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious privileges establish this Constitution. 

Kentucky 1891, Preamble
We, the people of the Commonwealth are grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberties..

Louisiana 1921, Preamble
We, the people of the State of Louisiana , grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberties we enjoy. 

Maine 1820, Preamble
We the People of Maine acknowledging with grateful hearts the goodness of the Sovereign Ruler of the Universe in affording us an opportunity ... And imploring His aid and direction. 

Maryland 1776, Preamble
We, the people of the state of Maryland , grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious liberty... 

Massachusetts 1780, Preamble
We...the people of Massachusetts, acknowledging with grateful hearts, the goodness of the Great Legislator of the Universe In the course of His Providence, an opportunity and devoutly imploring His direction 

Michigan 1908, Preamble
We, the people of the State of Michigan , grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of freedom, establish this Constitution. 

Minnesota, 1857, Preamble
We, the people of the State of Minnesota , grateful to God for our civil and religious liberty, and desiring to perpetuate its blessings: 

Mississippi 1890, Preamble
We, the people of Mississippi in convention assembled, grateful to Almighty God, and invoking His blessing on our work. 

Missouri 1845, Preamble
We, the people of Missouri , with profound reverence for the Supreme Ruler of the Universe, and grateful for His goodness - Establish this Constitution... 

Montana 1889, Preamble.
We, the people of Montana , grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of liberty establish this Constitution..

Nebraska 1875, Preamble
We, the people, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom. Establish this Constitution. 

Nevada 1864, Preamble
We the people of the State of Nevada , grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, establish this Constitution... 

New Hampshire 1792, Part I.. Art. I. Sec. V
Every individual has a natural and unalienable right to worship God according to the dictates of his own conscience. 

New Jersey 1844, Preamble
We, the people of the State of New Jersey, grateful to Almighty God for civil and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy, and looking to Him for a blessing on our endeavors. 

New Mexico 1911, Preamble
We, the People of New Mexico, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of liberty.. 

New York 1846, Preamble
We, the people of the State of New York , grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, in order to secure its blessings.

North Carolina 1868, Preamble
We the people of the State of North Carolina, grateful to Almighty God, the Sovereign Ruler of Nations, for our civil, political, and religious liberties, and acknowledging our dependence upon Him for the continuance of those...

North Dakota 1889, Preamble
We, the people of North Dakota , grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of civil and religious liberty, do ordain... 

Ohio 1852, Preamble
We the people of the state of Ohio , grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, to secure its blessings and to promote our common. 

Oklahoma 1907, Preamble
Invoking the guidance of Almighty God, in order to secure and perpetuate the blessings of liberty, establish this 

Oregon 1857, Bill of Rights, Article I Section 2.
All men shall be secure in the Natural right, to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their consciences 

Pennsylvania 1776, Preamble
We, the people of Pennsylvania , grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of civil and religious liberty, and humbly invoking His guidance...

Rhode Island 1842, Preamble.
We the People of the State of Rhode Island grateful to Almighty God for the civil and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy, and looking to Him for a blessing.... 

South Carolina , 1778, Preamble
We, the people of the State of South Carolina grateful to God for our liberties, do ordain and establish this Constitution.

South Dakota 1889, Preamble
We, the people of South Dakota , grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious liberties. 

Tennessee 1796, Art. XI.III.
That all men have a natural and indefeasible right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their conscience... 

Texas 1845, Preamble
We the People of the Republic of Texas , acknowledging, with gratitude, the grace and beneficence of God

Utah 1896, Preamble
Grateful to Almighty God for life and liberty, we establish this Constitution. 

Vermont 1777, Preamble
Whereas all government ought to enable the individuals who compose it to enjoy their natural rights, and other blessings which the Author of Existence has bestowed on man. 

Virginia 1776, Bill of Rights, XVI
Religion, or the Duty which we owe our Creator can be directed only by Reason and that it is the mutual duty of all to practice Christian Forbearance, Love and Charity towards each other 

Washington 1889, Preamble
We the People of the State of Washington , grateful to the Supreme Ruler of the Universe for our liberties, do ordain this Constitution 

West Virginia 1872, Preamble
Since through Divine Providence we enjoy the blessings of civil, political and religious liberty, we, the people of West Virginia reaffirm our faith in and constant reliance upon God ....

Wisconsin 1848, Preamble
We, the people of Wisconsin , grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, domestic tranquility....
 
Wyoming 1890, PreambleWe, the people of the State of Wyoming , grateful to God for our civil, political, and religious liberties, establish this Constitution...

 
After reviewing acknowledgments of God from all 50 state constitutions, one is faced with the prospect that maybe, the ACLU and the out-of-control federal courts are wrong!If you found this to be 'Food for thought' send to as many as you think will be enlightened as I hope you were.   Let us bring God back into America 


GOD BLESS AMERICA !


"The world will not be destroyed by those who do evil, but by those who watch and do nothing"  - Albert Einstein




Tuesday, December 12, 2017

Monday, December 11, 2017

Saturday, December 9, 2017

Tuesday, December 5, 2017

Monday, December 4, 2017

Saturday, December 2, 2017

Sunday, November 26, 2017

Qur’an Quotes

Qur’an Quotes

2:65 Allah transforms disobedient Jews into apes
“And well you know there were those among you [Jews] that transgressed the Sabbath, and We said to them, “˜Be you apes, miserably slinking!”
2:89 Unbelievers, particularly Jews, are accursed
“When there came to them [Jews] a Book from Allah, confirming what was with them — and they aforetimes prayed for victory over the unbelievers — when there came to them that they recognized, they disbelieved in it; and the curse of Allah is on the unbelievers.
2:191-193 Fight and kill unbelievers until “religion is Allah’s,” i.e. Islamic law rules all societies
“And slay them wherever you come upon them, and expel them from where they expelled you; persecution is more grievous than slaying. But fight them not by the Holy Mosque until they should fight you there; then, if they fight you, slay them — such is the recompense of unbelievers, but if they give over, surely Allah is All-forgiving, All-compassionate. Fight them, till there is no persecution and the religion is Allah’s; then if they give over, there shall be no enmity save for evildoers.”
3:28 Don’t take unbelievers as friends and allies, unless it is for “fear of them,” i.e. deceptively for protection of oneself or of Islam
“Let not the believers take the unbelievers for friends, rather than the believers — for whoso does that belongs not to Allah in anything — unless you have a fear of them. Allah warns you that You beware of Him, and unto Allah is the homecoming.”
3:110-112 Muslims are the best of people, Jews have earned Allah’s anger
“You are the best nation ever brought forth to men, bidding to honour, and forbidding dishonour, and believing in Allah. Had the People of the Book believed, it were better for them; some of them are believers, but the most of them are ungodly. They will not harm you, except a little hurt; and if they fight with you, they will turn on you their backs; then they will not be helped. Abasement shall be pitched on them, wherever they are come upon, except they be in a bond of Allah, and a bond of the people; they will be laden with the burden of Allah’s anger, and poverty shall be pitched on them; that, because they disbelieved in Allah’s signs, and slew the Prophets without right; that, for that they acted rebelliously and were transgressors.”
3:151 Terror
“We will cast into the hearts of the unbelievers terror, for that they have associated with Allah that for which He sent down never authority; their lodging shall be the Fire; evil is the lodging of the evildoers.”
3:181 Jews are bound for hell
“Allah has heard the saying of those who said, “˜Surely Allah is poor, and we are rich.” We shall write down what they have said, and their slaying the Prophets without right, and We shall say, “˜Taste the chastisement of the burning.–
4:3 Polygamy and sexual slavery
“If you fear that you will not act justly towards the orphans, marry such women as seem good to you, two, three, four; but if you fear you will not be equitable, then only one, or what your right hands own; so it is likelier you will not be partial.”
4:34 Beat disobedient women
“Men are the managers of the affairs of women for that Allah has preferred in bounty one of them over another, and for that they have expended of their property. Righteous women are therefore obedient, guarding the secret for Allah’s guarding. And those you fear may be rebellious admonish; banish them to their couches, and beat them. If they then obey you, look not for any way against them; Allah is All-high, All-great.”
4:89 Kill apostates
“They wish that you should disbelieve as they disbelieve, and then you would be equal; therefore take not to yourselves friends of them, until they emigrate in the way of Allah; then, if they turn their backs, take them, and slay them wherever you find them; take not to yourselves any one of them as friend or helper.”
4:160 Jews do evil, turn people away from Allah
“And for the evildoing of those of Jewry, We have forbidden them certain good things that were permitted to them, and for their barring from Allah’s way many”¦”
5:17 Christians — believers in divinity of Christ — are unbelievers
“They are unbelievers who say, “˜Allah is the Messiah, Mary”s son.” Say: “˜Who then shall overrule Allah in any way if He desires to destroy the Messiah, Mary”s son, and his mother, and all those who are on earth?” For to Allah belongs the kingdom of the heavens and of the earth, and all that is between them, creating what He will. Allah is powerful over everything.”
5:33 Crucify or amputate the hands and feet of those who make war against Allah and Muhammad
“This is the recompense of those who fight against Allah and His Messenger, and hasten about the earth, to do corruption there: they shall be slaughtered, or crucified, or their hands and feet shall alternately be struck off; or they shall be banished from the land. That is a degradation for them in this world; and in the world to come awaits them a mighty chastisement.”
5:38 Amputate the hands of thieves
“And the thief, male and female: cut off the hands of both, as a recompense for what they have earned, and a punishment exemplary from Allah; Allah is All-mighty, All-wise.”
5:41 Jews listen to falsehood and pervert the meaning of their Scriptures
“O Messenger, let them not grieve thee that vie with one another in unbelief, such men as say with their mouths “˜We believe” but their hearts believe not; and the Jews who listen to falsehood, listen to other folk, who have not come to thee, perverting words from their meanings, saying, “˜If you are given this, then take it; if you are not given it, beware!” Whomsoever Allah desires to try, thou canst not avail him anything with Allah. Those are they whose hearts Allah desired not to purify; for them is degradation in this world; and in the world to come awaits them a mighty chastisement.”
5:51 Don’t take Jews and Christians as friends and allies
“O believers, take not Jews and Christians as friends; they are friends of each other. Whoso of you makes them his friends is one of them. Allah guides not the people of the evildoers.”
5:59-60 Jews cursed, made into apes and swine
“Say: “˜People of the Book, do you blame us for any other cause than that we believe in Allah, and what has been sent down to us, and what was sent down before, and that most of you are ungodly?” Say: “˜Shall I tell you of a recompense with Allah, worse than that? Whomsoever Allah has cursed, and with whom He is wroth, and made some of them apes and swine, and worshippers of idols — they are worse situated, and have gone further astray from the right way.–
5:64 Jews accursed
“The Jews have said, “˜Allah’s hand is fettered.” Fettered are their hands, and they are cursed for what they have said. Nay, but His hands are outspread; He expends how He will. And what has been sent down to thee from thy Lord will surely increase many of them in insolence and unbelief; and We have cast between them enmity and hatred, till the Day of Resurrection. As often as they light a fire for war, Allah will extinguish it. They hasten about the earth, to do corruption there; and Allah loves not the workers of corruption.”
5:72 Christians are unbelievers
“They are unbelievers who say, “’Allah is the Messiah, Mary’s son.’ For the Messiah said, ‘Children of Israel, serve God, my Lord and your Lord. Verily whoso associates with Allah anything, Allah shall prohibit him entrance to Paradise, and his refuge shall be the Fire; and wrongdoers shall have no helpers.'”
5:82 Jews most hostile to the Muslims
“Thou wilt surely find the most hostile of men to the believers are the Jews and the idolaters; and thou wilt surely find the nearest of them in love to the believers are those who say “˜We are Christians”; that, because some of them are priests and monks, and they wax not proud.”
6:91 Jews deny, conceal divine revelations
“They measured not Allah with His true measure when they said, “˜Allah has not sent down aught on any mortal.” Say: “˜Who sent down the Book that Moses brought as a light and a guidance to men? You put it into parchments, revealing them, and hiding much; and you were taught that you knew not, you and your fathers.” Say: “˜Allah.” Then leave them alone, playing their game of plunging.”
6:146 Jews insolent
“And to those of Jewry We have forbidden every beast with claws; and of oxen and sheep We have forbidden them the fat of them, save what their backs carry, or their entrails, or what is mingled with bone; that We recompensed them for their insolence; surely We speak truly.”
7:166 Jews are apes
“And when they [Jews] turned in disdain from that forbidding We said to them, “˜Be you apes, miserably slinking!–
8:12 Allah will terrorize unbelievers; Muslims should behead them
“When thy Lord was revealing to the angels, “˜I am with you; so confirm the believers. I shall cast into the unbelievers” hearts terror; so smite above the necks, and smite every finger of them!–
8:39 Fight unbelievers until Islam reigns supreme
“Fight them, till there is no persecution and the religion is Allah’s entirely; then if they give over, surely Allah sees the things they do.”
8:60 Make war against enemies of Allah
“Make ready for them whatever force and strings of horses you can, to terrify thereby the enemy of Allah and your enemy, and others besides them that you know not; Allah knows them. And whatsoever you expend in the way of Allah shall be repaid you in full; you will not be wronged.”
9:5 Slay the idolaters
“Then, when the sacred months are drawn away, slay the idolaters wherever you find them, and take them, and confine them, and lie in wait for them at every place of ambush. But if they repent, and perform the prayer, and pay the alms, then let them go their way; Allah is All-forgiving, All-compassionate.”
9:28 Idolaters unclean
“O believers, the idolaters are indeed unclean; so let them not come near the Holy Mosque after this year of theirs. If you fear poverty, Allah shall surely enrich you of His bounty, if He will; Allah is All-knowing; All-wise.”
9:29 Fight and subjugate the Jews and Christians
“Fight those who believe not in Allah and the Last Day and do not forbid what Allah and His Messenger have forbidden — such men as practise not the religion of truth, being of those who have been given the Book — until they pay the tribute out of hand and have been humbled.”
9:30 Jews and Christians assailed by Allah
“The Jews say, “˜Ezra is the Son of Allah”; the Christians say, “˜The Messiah is the Son of Allah.” That is the utterance of their mouths, conforming with the unbelievers before them. Allah assail them! How they are perverted!”
9:31 Jews and Christians have taken their clergy and holy men as lords
“They have taken their rabbis and their monks as lords apart from Allah, and the Messiah, Mary”s son — and they were commanded to serve but One Allah; there is no god but He; glory be to Him, above that they associate.”
9:73 Be harsh with unbelievers
“O Prophet, struggle with the unbelievers and hypocrites, and be thou harsh with them; their refuge is Gehenna — an evil homecoming!”
9:111 Paradise guaranteed to those who kill and are killed for Allah
“Allah has bought from the believers their selves and their possessions against the gift of Paradise; they fight in the way of Allah; they kill, and are killed; that is a promise binding upon Allah in the Torah, and the Gospel, and the Koran; and who fulfils his covenant truer than Allah? So rejoice in the bargain you have made with Him; that is the mighty triumph.”
9:123 Fight the unbelievers, be harsh with them
“O believers, fight the unbelievers who are near to you; and let them find in you a harshness; and know that Allah is with the godfearing.”
47:4 Behead and slaughter the unbelievers; take others captive
“When you meet the unbelievers, smite their necks, then, when you have made wide slaughter among them, tie fast the bonds; then set them free, either by grace or ransom, till the war lays down its loads. So it shall be; and if Allah had willed, He would have avenged Himself upon them; but that He may try some of you by means of others. And those who are slain in the way of Allah, He will not send their works astray.”
48:29 Be merciful to believers, not unbelievers
“Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, and those who are with him are hard against the unbelievers, merciful one to another.”
62:6 Jews should long for death
“Say: “’You of Jewry, if you assert that you are the friends of Allah, apart from other men, then do you long for death, if you speak truly.'”
98:6 Unbelievers are the worst of creatures
“The unbelievers of the People of the Book and the idolaters shall be in the Fire of Gehenna, therein dwelling forever; those are the worst of creatures.”
- See more at: http://pamelageller.com/2016/03/trump-says-i-think-islam-hates-us-hamas-cair-demands-apology.html/#sthash.c7g8ro0X.dpuf

Friday, November 24, 2017

Tuesday, November 21, 2017

Monday, November 20, 2017

Saturday, November 18, 2017

Zimbabwe Mugabe

In 1965, the conservative white minority government unilaterally declared independence as Rhodesia. The state endured international isolation and a 15-year guerrilla war with black nationalistforces; this culminated in a peace agreement that established universal enfranchisement and de jure sovereignty in April 1980. 
Robert Mugabe became Prime Minister of Zimbabwe in 1980, when his ZANU-PF party won the elections following the end of white minority rule; he has been the president of Zimbabwe since 1987 in a one-party rule. Under Mugabe's authoritarian regime, the state security apparatus has dominated the country and been responsible for widespread human rights violations.[16] Mugabe has maintained the revolutionary socialist rhetoric from the Cold War era, blaming Zimbabwe's economic woes on conspiring North American capitalist countries.[17] Burnished by his anti-imperialist credentials, contemporary African political leaders have been reluctant to criticise Mugabe, though Archbishop Desmond Tutu has called him "a cartoon figure of an archetypal African dictator".[18] The country has been in economic decline since the 1990s, experiencing several crashes and hyperinflation along the way.[19]
On 15 November 2017, in the wake of over a year of protests against his government, as well as Zimbabwe's rapidly declining economy, Mugabe was placed under house arrest by the country's national army in a coup d'état.[20][21]

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zimbabwe

Master Blaster, Stevie Wonder


They want us to join their fighting
But our answer today
Is to let all our worries
Like the breeze through our fingers slip away
Peace has come to Zimbabwe
Third World's right on the one
Now's the time for celebration
'Cause we've only just begun