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Peter Singer

2012-12-01T14:00:19Z

BorisGrishenko: grammar edit

[[File:Peter-Singer.jpg|right|thumbnail|250px|The [[atheist]] philosopher Peter Singer defends the practice of [[bestiality]] (as well as [[abortion]] and [[euthanasia]]). Despite holding these immoral views the [[liberal]] and pro-[[evolution]] academic establishment rewarded his views with a bioethics chair at [[Princeton University]].<ref>
*[http://creation.com/the-basis-of-a-christian-worldview The Basis of a Christian Worldview]*[http://creation.com/answer-to-philosophy-religion-professor-on-biblical-exegesis-and-the-problem-of-evil CMI answers philosophy/religion professor on biblical exegesis and the problem of evil]
*[http://www.firstthings.com/onthesquare/2011/06/the-dangerous-mind-of-peter-singer ''The Dangerous Mind''] by Joe Carter, ''[[First Things]]''</ref> See: [[Atheism and bestiality]] ]]
'''Peter Singer''' is an Australian philosopher who has concentrated on such topics as [[abortion]], [[animal rights]], [[euthanasia]] and ending world [[poverty]]. He is an atheist, and this in some ways influences his ideas. According to [[Creation Ministries International]], Peter Singer defends the practice of [[abortion]] and [[euthanasia]]). He has stated that [[bestiality]] is not immoral, on the grounds that he believes humans are also animals, but nevertheless has said that it is neither natural nor normal. When interviewed on The Colbert Report in December 2006 Singer stated that he was "not in favour" of humans having sex with animals. Despite holding these immoral views the [[liberal]] and pro-[[evolution]] academic establishment rewarded his views with a bioethics chair at [[Princeton University]].<ref>[http://creation.com/the-basis-of-a-christian-worldview The Basis of a Christian Worldview]</ref><ref>[http://creation.com/answer-to-philosophy-religion-professor-on-biblical-exegesis-and-the-problem-of-evil CMI answers philosophy/religion professor on biblical exegesis and the problem of evil]</ref> Peter Singer was installed as the Ira W. DeCamp Professor of Bioethics at the University Center for Human Values at Princeton University in 1999 and in 2006 it was reported that he still worked part-time in that capacity.<ref>[http://creation.com/the-basis-of-a-christian-worldview The Basis of a Christian Worldview]</ref>

Singer wrote the book ''Animal Liberation'', which puts [[animals and people]] on the same moral level.<ref>''[[Newsweek]]'' wrote, "The modern [[animal rights]] movement may be dated to the 1975 publication of ''Animal Liberation'' by Australian philosopher Peter Singer."http://www.amazon.com/Animal-Liberation-Peter-Singer/dp/0060011572</ref>
Singer is best known for advocating the killing of severely disabled newborn infants at the discretion of their parents. Some have alleged that the conditions that he considers sufficiently acceptable for active infanticide include [[Down syndrome]], [[spina bifida]], and [[hemophilia]].<ref>http://www.social-ecology.org/article.php?story=20031202122825648</ref> However, Singer has directly denied this, claiming that his statements were distorted and taken out of context.<ref>''Writings on an Ethical Life'' pp. 325</ref>

He is currently Ira W. DeCamp Professor of Bioethics at the University Center for Human Values at [[Princeton University]] and Laureate Professor at the [[University of Melbourne]]'s Center for Applied Philosophy and Public Ethics.<ref>http://www.princeton.edu/~psinger/</ref>

In his latest book, ''The Life You Can Save'', he advocates donating to Third-World countries, even at the expense of local church groups and other local charities well in need of money. Singer argues that it is morally wrong for wealthier individuals to spend their money on luxuries when others are deprived. He claims to donate 25% of his own income to charities and feels that this is still inadequate and should be increased.<ref>http://www.princeton.edu/~psinger/faq.html</ref>

== See Also ==

* [[Atheism and bestiality]]
* [[Utilitarianism]]
* [[Abortion]]
* [[Euthanasia]]
* [[Environmentalism]]

==References==
<references/>

==External links==
[http://www.princeton.edu/~psinger/ Peter Singer's Home page]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Singer, Peter}}
[[category:philosophers]]
[[category:authors]]

Jerry Falwell

2012-12-01T13:55:08Z

BorisGrishenko: /* Controversy */

[[Image:Jfalwell.jpg|thumb|250px|Right|The Reverend Jerry Falwell <Br>1933-2007]]
'''Jerry Falwell''' (August 11, 1933 – May 15, 2007) was a politically active [[United States|American]] evangelical, and one of the biggest influences on the conservative movement in the late 20th century and a leader in gaining Christian Evangelical support for Israel. <ref>[http://www.cmep.org/Alerts/2004March31.htm Washington Post on Evangelical-Israeli connection,] Bill Broadway, ''Washington Post'', March 27, 2004.</ref> Falwell was born on August 11, 1933 along with his twin brother, Gene. Jerry and Gene were the youngest children in a family of 5. Young Jerry Falwell was recognized for his incredible intellect at a young age, skipping the second grade at Mountain View Elementary School. He held firm on this intelligence, even finding a way to obtain his driver's license at the age of 13 - 3 years before he was legally eligible.

==Early years==

During his teen years, Falwell excelled in athletic endeavors. During high school Falwell played [[football]], [[basketball]] and [[baseball]]. He valued athletics for their numerous benefits: teamwork, coordination, fitness and overall health.

Dr. Falwell became a committed Christian on January 20, 1952 while enrolled at [[Lynchburg College]]. He bought his first [[Bible]] the day after his [[baptism]], and carried it with him wherever he went. After graduating Lynchburg College, Falwell enrolled in [[Baptist Bible College]] in [[Missouri]], later joining the vaulted rank of [[clergy]]. [http://www.falwell.com/meet_dr_falwell.php] In 1956, he founded Thomas Road Baptist Church in an abandoned bottling plant, [http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/jerry_falwell;_ylt=Av1Rxhr4jqj67i6szuF7386s0NUE] and today the church has 22,000 members.

==Ministry==

In 1971, Falwell founded [[Liberty University]] in Lynchburg, [[Virginia]]. The University provides an opportunity for students to gain the benefits of a rich and diverse academic environment while simultaneously offering the opportunity to become closer to [[God]].
==Moral Majority==
In June of 1979, Dr. Falwell organized the [[Moral Majority]], a coalition of groups whose mailing lists reached over 100,000 clergy representing over 7 million conservative, religious Americans. The Moral Majority, part of the [[Religious Right]], organized a series of voting drives and political demonstrations to advance their conservative point of view and enhance the moral and religious attitudes of the nation. It is best known for supporting [[Ronald Reagan]]'s election in 1980, and registering millions of voters to act on his behalf. The Moral Majority played little role during the Reagan years; Falwell stepped down as its leader in 1987 and it was disbanded in 1989.

==Controversy==
Falwell is well known outside of Evangelical circles for his claim, made on "The 700 Club" on September 13th of 2001 that it was not just [[al Qaeda]] that was to blame for the terrorist attacks of [[9/11]]. He said, ""I really believe that the pagans, and the abortionists, and the feminists, and the gays and the lesbians who are actively trying to make that an alternative lifestyle, the ACLU, People For the American Way, all of them who have tried to secularize America. I point the finger in their face and say 'you helped this happen.'" His statement was severely criticized and Falwell apologized soon after. <ref>CNN article on the statement[http://archives.cnn.com/2001/US/09/14/Falwell.apology/]</ref> Christopher Hitchens famously stated that if Falwell were given an enema, he could have been buried in a matchbox, so was Hitchens hatred of Falwells propagandizing and fraud.

== Personal Life ==

Reverend Falwell and his wife Macel were married on April 12, 1958. The couple had three children: Jerry Jr., Jonathan and Jeannie. Jerry is currently an [[attorney]] and Vice-Chancellor at Liberty University. Jonathan is an attorney and pastor in Lynchburg, Virginia. Jeannie is a [[surgeon]] in Virginia.

Reverend Falwell passed away on May 15, 2007.

{{Conservatism}}

==Reference==
<references/>

{{DEFAULTSORT:Falwell, Jerry}}
[[Category:Religious People]]

Christopher Hitchens

2012-12-01T13:53:18Z

BorisGrishenko: /* Hitchen's self-refutation of his irrational atheistic claims */ Provided no evidence, removed for being intellectually dishonest.

[[Image:Hitchens,_Stanford.jpg‎ |right|thumb|200px|Christopher Hitchens]]
'''Christopher Eric Hitchens''' (April 13, 1949 - December 15, 2011) was a [[Journalism|journalist]], [[author]] and literary critic. Hitchens received a degree in PPE ([[philosophy]], [[politics]] and [[economics]]) from [[Oxford University|Balliol College]], [[Oxford]], in 1970. From 1971-1981, he worked in [[Britain]] as book reviewer for ''The Times'' newspaper. He emigrated to the [[United States of America|United States]] in 1981, and has written regularly, or been a contributing editor for ''Harper's'', ''Vanity Fair'' and [[Nation (magazine)|''The Nation'']]. He was an avowed [[Marxist]], [[Atheism|atheist]] and [[Antitheism|antitheist]]. Hitchens has a younger brother, [[Peter Hitchens]], who is also a journalist, author and critic. Mr. Hitchens was one of the more prominent spokesperson for the [[New Atheism]] movement.

Christopher Hitchens was a member of the International Socialists and an active [[Trotskyist]] during his youth. Before his death he claimed to be "on the same side as the [[Neoconservatism|neo-conservatives]]," but did not consider himself a [[conservative]]. He supported [[George W. Bush|George W. Bush's]] foreign policy, but has a negative attitude towards Bush's support of [[intelligent design]]. Hitchens made himself unpopular, even among fellow atheists for his support of the Iraq War, which was motivated by his hatred of religion - in his own words, he supported the [[Operation Iraqi Freedom|Iraq War]] because he wished the oppression of local Iraqis by the religiously fundamentalist Taliban to come to an end.

He was a harsh critic of [[Ronald Reagan]], and considered [[Henry Kissinger]] a [[war criminal]].

== Unhealthy lifestyle and premature death ==

''See also:'' [[Atheism and health]]

Mr. Hitchens was known for having a history of heavy drinking and chain-smoking.<ref>http://www.counterpunch.org/mccarthy02212003.html</ref><ref>[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/08/17/christopher-hitchens-desp_n_685021.html Christopher Hitchens: Despite Cancer, I'd Drink & Smoke Again]</ref> Christopher Hitchens was being treated for esophageal cancer which was likely caused by [[alcoholism|drinking]] and [[smoking]] up until his death on December 15, 2011.<ref>http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2010/08/07/video-extended-interview-hitchens-on-cancer-and-atheism/</ref><ref>[http://healthblog.ctv.ca/post/Why-did-Hitchens-continue-to-smoke-during-his-treatment.aspx Why did Hitchens continue to smoke & drink during treatment? -CTV News]</ref> Despite his esophageal cancer, when asked by interviewer Charlie Rose if in retrospect he would have engaged in heavy drinking and smoking knowing his present cancer condition, Hitchens said he think he would have done things the same.<ref>[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/08/17/christopher-hitchens-desp_n_685021.html Christopher Hitchens: Despite Cancer, I'd Drink & Smoke Again]</ref> Hitchens also had problems with being overweight during his life (see: [[Atheism and obesity]] and [[New Atheism leadership's problem with excess weight]]).<ref>[http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3UXl0oMYPLs/SXgxH_-MgFI/AAAAAAAAAF4/EU-wzxEjOmc/s1600-h/atheist-reason.jpg Picture of an overweight Christopher Hitchens smoking a cigarette]</ref> According to the [[National Cancer Institute]], "[[obesity]] is associated with increased risks of cancers of the esophagus."<ref>[http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Risk/obesity National Institute of Health - Obesity and Cancer Risk]</ref>

== Hitchens on bestiality ==

''See also:'' [[Christopher Hitchens on bestiality]] and [[Atheism and bestiality]] and [[Evolutionary belief and bestiality]]

[[Bestiality]] is the act of engaging in sexual relations with an animal.

At the end of a [[Christian apologetics|Christian apologist]] [[William Lane Craig]] vs. atheist Christopher Hitchens debate there was an audience question and answer period.[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FofDChlSILU VIDEO] Around an hour and 54 minutes into the aforementioned video, the first audience member to ask a question asked Christopher Hitchens twice whether it is "good that the Bible prohibits humans from having sex with animals." Hitchens answered the question essentially by saying the Bible is not needed to stop humans from doing that, since we are genetically inclined against it and societies that do engage in such harmful behavior tend to die out, citing the example of cannibalistic societies that get kuru.<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FofDChlSILU Christopher Hitchens vs William Lane Craig - Does God Exist Debate]</ref> Dr. Craig said the question posed to Hitchens was a good one and it helped illustrate that atheism cannot offer objective moral standards (see: [[Atheism and morality]]).<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FofDChlSILU Christopher Hitchens vs William Lane Craig - Does God Exist Debate] </ref>
[[File:Sheep public domain picture.jpg|thumbnail|250px|right]]
On August 12, 2012, an article entitled ''Atheism: A religion of degenerates'' declared:
{{cquote|Christopher Hitchens, who was an atheist and a drunkard, was arguably the most popular atheists in the 20th century and at the beginning of the 21st century as well. At the end of his debate with Christian apologists William Lance Craig, there was an audience question and answer period. During this question and answer period, twice Hitchens was asked to condemn bestiality, but he refused to do it each time he was asked.

The Bible teaches that bestiality is a perversion and, under the Old Testament Jewish Law, punishable by death (Exodus 22:19, Leviticus 18:23, Leviticus 20:15 and Deuteronomy 27:21). I feel sorry for all the sheep, little dogs and horses who have been raped by depraved atheists because prominent atheists have refused to condemn bestiality. Atheism has no basis for objective morality so it is not surprising that atheist degenerates refuse to condemn bestiality.<ref>[http://conservativetriumphs.blogspot.com/2012/08/atheism-religion-of-degenerates.html ''Atheism: A religion of degenerates'']</ref>}}

== Christian ministry PPsimmons declares that Christopher Hitchens lead a wasted life ==
[[File:Circus clowns.jpg|thumbnail|250px|right|A supporter of the [[Question evolution! campaign]] declared that at best Christopher Hitchens was a "wicked, atheist clown" and the growth of belief in biblical creation in the world will continue to accelerate.<ref>[http://questionevolution.blogspot.com/2012/11/ppsimmons-and-pastor-carl-gallups-said.html PPsimmons and Pastor Carl Gallups said Christopher Hitchens lived a "wasted life". The circus of pointless Darwinism is drawing to a close. Global creationism is on the rise and it will grow faster]</ref>]]
In a video entitled ''Christopher Hitchens - A Wasted Life'' the Christian ministry [[PPsimmons]] declared:
{{cquote|In Mike Shoesmith's book ''The Atheists are Wrong: How Modern Atheism Ruins Everything'' there is an abundance of material refuting the entire life's work of Christopher Hitchens.

Hitchen's personified the wasted life. A life lived as a fool. To live as one who embraces the [[philosophy]] of [[Naturalism (philosophy)|naturalism]] is to live a wasted life void of any originally intended and designed significance. It is the most closed-minded philosophy imaginable. Such a description is the legacy of Christopher Hitchens - a wasted life. A life spent as one fighting the ultimate reality.

And just as all those who lived between the time Jesus walked the earth and now, it may be stated correctly, Christopher Hitchens died in 2011 A.D., the year of our Lord.<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHxjNcBZ9Tg Christopher Hitchens - A wasted life]</ref><ref>[http://www.lulu.com/shop/michael-d-shoesmith/the-atheists-are-wrong/ebook/product-18773719.html The Atheists are wrong by Michael D. Shoesmith</ref>}}

==Opposition to Islam and Support of the War on Terror==

Christopher Hitchens became an activist against [[Islam]] when Ayatullah Kohmeini declared a [[fatwa]] against his personal friend [[Salman Rushdie]]. The event has led him to become very vocal in his support of the war in Iraq and heavily critical of Muslim society and ethics.

==Insults toward Jerry Falwell==
In a TV interview with Hannity and Colmes a day after [[Jerry Falwell]]'s death, Christopher Hitchens expressed his anger over Falwell's legacy, calling the media coverage of his death uniform in its "stupidity" and calling Falwell himself a "vulgar fraud and crook"<ref name=FAL>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=doKkOSMaTk4</ref>. Hitchens went on to state such comments as "we have been rid of an extremely dangerous demagogue who lived by hatred of others and prejudice", "that it's a pity there isn't a hell for him to go to", "the evil he did will live after him", and "and I think his death is a deliverance" <ref name=FAL/>. [[Hannity]] said that such comments were "crude", "thoughtless", "mean", and "hateful."

==Select bibliography ==

*''Callaghan: The Road to Number Ten'' (Cassell, 1976)
*''Hostage to History: Cyprus From the Ottomans to Kissinger'' (Farrar, Straus & Giroux, 1989)
*''Imperial Spoils: The Case of the Parthenon Marbles'' (Hill and Wang, 1989)
*''Blood, Class and Nostalgia: Anglo-American Ironies'' (Farrar, Straus & Giroux, 1990)
*''The Missionary Position: Mother Teresa in Theory and Practice'' (Verso, 1995)
*''Prepared for the Worst'' (Hill and Wang, 1989)
*''For the Sake of Argument: Essays & Minority Reports'' (Verso, 1993)
*''No One Left to Lie To: The Values of the Worst Family'' (Verso, 2000)
*''God Is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything'' - outside the US, published with the alternate subtitle ''The Case Against Religion'' (Atlantic, 2007)

Some other titles include: “Letters to a Young Contrarian,” “The Trial of Henry Kissinger (2001)” and his memoir, “Hitch-22. [http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/newsdesk/2011/12/christopher-hitchens-a-reading-list.html#ixzz1gi8RBrKh]

<blockquote>
“Stranger in a Strange Land”: In this piece that The Atlantic published two months after the attacks of 9/11, Hitchens summed up his break from the establishment left over the attacks and the war on terror that was then only beginning. [[Ibidem]]
</blockquote>

==External links==

*[http://www.truefreethinker.com/christopher-hitchens Christopher Hitchens] by Mariano Grinbank at the [[Christian apologetics]] website [[True Free Thinker]]
*[http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1662757,00.html "Why Christopher Hitchens Is Wrong About Billy Graham"], Nancy Gibbs and Michael Duffy, ''[[Time magazine]]'' Tuesday, Sep. 18, 2007

==References==
<references/>

{{DEFAULTSORT:Hitchens, Christopher}}
[[Category:Authors|Hitchens, Christopher]]

[[Category:Journalists]]
[[Category:Atheists]]
[[Category:Evolutionists]]
[[Category:New Atheism]]
[[Category:Atheism]]
[[Category:Communists]]