This video would be one of the negative affects of religion we could add to the conversation that Rossano is having in his book.  While the affects of religion deem it worthy to Rossano, we are still left with occurrences such as this in which to see the bad side that religion has portrayed to many people.  Much of religious history is riddled with violence due to differing viewpoints as we humorously see here.

 This image makes fun of man's search for the meaning of life, and much as Stewart-Williams proposed, perhaps there is not much purpose when viewed through evolutionary theory.  We have now come to a point where our minds allow us to ask these questions though, whereas the brain's evolution prior to now has not allowed us this possibility. This image almost explains itself, but at the same time is open to sundry interpretations.

Positive Benefits of Religion

In an article in the Spirituality In Higher Education Newsletter, positive benefits of religion were shown.  Such benefits included a healthier lifestyle, stronger social network, as well as a stronger sense of ethics.  While all of this is interesting, the thing I found to be most interesting is the view taken by the newsletter which asserted that no one should follow religion to obtain these results, for religion is a means unto itself.  I find myself grouped in with this mode of thought that religion is more suited to dealing with ultimate purpose than health benefits, but thought this point was interesting as it relates to Rossano's evaluation of religion because Rossano's only justification of religion was the positive benefits it brings about.



Benefits of Religion

Bill Maher Interviewed by Mike Huckabee

Christian Governor Mike Huckabee interviews Atheist TV personality Bill Maher about issues pertaining to religion.  A lot of issues that come up in this clip relate directly to the book by S-W as well as Rossano's book. Some examples: Goodness of God, Questioning of Religion, Civil Atheist/Christian Conversation.

Evolution Linked to Violence?

An article published in 2001 from the organization, Answers in Genesis, proposed that a bomb threat was due to students believing in evolution.  The basis of the argument was that evolution renders us purposeless and meaningless, so we should expect such acts.  I think this is sadly an example of where the right has gone wrong.  The fundamentalists that proposed this are making claims way beyond what they should, because they have proof that evolutionary thought causes kids to make bombs.  Stupidity makes kids make bombs with the intent to harm others.  Christians, get your crap together.

http://www.answersingenesis.org/docs2001/0202news.asp

Expelled (parts 1 and 2): Ben Stein looks into the conflict between evolution and other explanations for existence.

Expelled part 1


Expelled part 2

Ben Stein, presidential speechwriter turned celebrity, is looking into the academic study of evolution and intelligent design.  If all of these cases in the videos are true, it seems as if alternate theories to that of evolution are often not allowed to see the light of day.  If they are afforded this chance, the author is dealt with.  I would hope that these publications would receive notice and be tested to see if they hold up to scrutiny.  I admire Stein's approach to the issue, gathering research about the issue at hand, and then asking the question "What is so bad about ID?"  I have not finished the film, but am excited to see where it goes.  Hopefully Stein will be as objective as possible.  Skepticism should be encouraged about ID as well as evolution, allowing both sides to be weighed equally, letting the evidence decide which view is correct.