Conservapedia - User contributions [en]

Theocracy

2007-06-23T22:11:58Z

Matthew1036:

'''Theocracy''' is a form of government ruled by divine means or by leaders considered to be divinely guided. [[Israel]] was a theocracy before King Saul. The Islamic Republic of [[Iran]] is a modern-day theocracy, as many commentators believe that the real power in its government lies not in democratically-elected leaders like [[Mahmoud Ahmadinejad]] but in clerics within the government since Iranian law requires Presidential candidates to be approved by the [[Guardian Council]] <ref>
Access Denied: Iran’s Exclusionary Elections Human Rights Watch [http://www.hrw.org/backgrounder/mena/iran0605/]</ref> and some Iranian laws on homosexuality and adultery come from the Sharia <ref>Netherlands, Sweden: Bar Deportations to Torture in Iran
- Officials Must Not Return Gay and Lesbian Asylum Seekers to Iran Human Rights Watch [http://hrw.org/english/docs/2006/10/06/sweden14361.htm]</ref>. The [[Vatican]] is a formal Christian theocracy, with the [[Pope]] as head of both church and state.

Only two democracies reserve places in their legislature specifically for representatives of the state religion, these are the aforementioned Islamic Republic of Iran and the [[United Kingdom]] where Bishops of the [[Church of England]] sit in the upper chamber, the [[House of Lords]] under the designation of Lords Spiritual, although these positions are quite small and ceremonious.

Theocracy may also describe any government which seeks to impose religious principles or law, such as the [[Sharia]], or the Hindu laws of [[Manu Smriti]] <ref>The laws of Manu George Buhler, translated by [http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/manu.htm]</ref> on its population, even if the government is formally [[secular]].

One well known example of such a state is Saudi Arabia who's legal system is based on the Sharia law, Saudi Arabia also has a [[religious police]] <ref>Saudi Arabia - The Legal System U.S. Library Of Congress [http://countrystudies.us/saudi-arabia/51.htm]</ref>

In Israel, civil cases under the [[Halakhah]] (traditional Jewish law based on the [[Torah]]) are allowed.

[[Category:Politics]]
[[Category:Religion]]

==References==
<references/>

The Matrix

2007-06-23T21:52:19Z

Matthew1036: New page: The Matrix is a film starring Keanu Reeves, Carrie Anne Moss, and Laurence Fishburne which presumes that the life that we know is merely a virtual reality simulation. In the film, Neo...

The Matrix is a film starring Keanu Reeves, Carrie Anne Moss, and Laurence Fishburne which presumes that the life that we know is merely a [[virtual reality]] simulation. In the film, Neo (Reeves) discovers this and is rescued from the virtual reality world and brought into the real world, which is dystopian future where the survivors of Mankind fight against a race of [[sentient]] machines. Through his training, Neo learns that because the Matrix is a virtual reality world that the rules of the world can be bent allowing for ultra fast movement, super strength, and superhuman speed. He ultimately learns that he is "The One", a [[Christ]]-like figure who has the ability to manipulate the Matrix beyond the ability of even the machines that control it, and is destined to lead all of humanity out of the Matrix.

Metroid

2007-06-23T21:44:31Z

Matthew1036:

Metroid is a series of games made by [[Nintendo]]. The main character is Samus Aran. As a child she was orphaned and raised by a tribe of people, and grew up to be a bounty hunter.

Vaccine

2007-06-23T19:07:07Z

Matthew1036: /* Influenza Vaccine and microevolution */

[[Image:Vaccine.jpg|right|thumb|350px|Avian flu vaccine development]]
A '''vaccine''' is an injection of a specialized [[protein]] designed to create an immunity to a particular disease (see [[antigen]]). The primary mechanism that a body uses to identify infections is a protein molecule called an [[antibody]].

If the body has a particular antibody for a particular disease it can identify the infection early on and the [[immune system]] can destroy it. Vaccines work by exposing the body to a form of the disease in such a way that it will not cause illness but allow antibodies to develop. This confers a level of immunity to the organism vaccinated.<ref>http://www.howstuffworks.com/immune-system7.htm How stuff works: Antibodies</ref>

There are four major types of vaccines and they are differentiated by what antigen is used. Live attenuated vaccines are created from the actual disease in question, however before injection the [[pathogen]] is [[attenuated]] (weakened) by growing successive generations of lines in poor nutrient conditions. It is possible for these vaccines to still cause an infection. Inactivated vaccines are created from pathogens that have been killed, usually with the use of a preservative [[formaldehyde]]. Toxoid vaccines are created by using toxins produced by the pathogen, before injection these toxins are exposed to heat and chemicals that eliminate their effect, [[antibodies]] will still be produced to these deactivated toxins. Finally, component vaccines use pieces of the pathogen in the injection. These pieces often of identifying protein segments that allow antibodies to be produced.<ref>http://www.drspock.com/article/0,1510,4866,00.html The Main Types of Vaccine </ref>

Only live attenuated vaccines can still cause infection.The other three types of vaccines can cause illness, but this is an allergic response not due to the disease itself. Very rarely a serious disease known as [[eczema vaccinatum]] can emerge. Vaccines that use pieces of pathogens often use a [[carrier virus]] in the injection. Those with very weak immune systems that are exposed to such a vaccine can become infected with the carrier virus and develop [[eczema]]. A recent case of this was reported in the United States after a military man was vaccinated with small pox and his two year old son became ill. <ref> http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/183349/soldier_infects_toddler_son_with_lifethreatening.html AP article on eczema vaccinatum </ref>

Since the adoption of vaccination, however, many diseases have been curbed. [[Polio]], for example, killed over 3,000 people in the United States in 1952 [http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/vsus/VSUS_1952_2.pdf], and inflicted such noted persons as President [[Franklin Delano Roosevelt]], actor [[Alan Alda]], and musician [[Itzak Perlman]]. When doctors began using a vaccine to fight polio, it practically eradicated the disease in the developed world.

Other diseases that have been curbed since the invention of vaccines include [[smallpox]] (previously a yearly killer of thousands worldwide), [[measles]], [[mumps]], [[rubella]], and [[typhoid]].

== Influenza Vaccine and microevolution==

The flu vaccine is an excellent example of modern vaccination. Due to the change in [[allele]] frequency over time in the population of the influenza virus, which scientists describe as microevolution, new influenza vaccines are created each year. According to the [http://www.cdc.gov/ CDC] <ref>"Inactivated Influenza Vaccine, What you need to know," a publication of the Center for Disease Control, 2006. Available online at: http://www.cdc.gov/nip/publications/VIS/vis-flu.pdf</ref>,
<blockquote>
Influenza viruses are always changing. Therefore, influenza vaccines are updated every year, and an annual vaccination is recommended.
</blockquote>
Since production of the vaccine must begin many months before the influenza season starts models of the population genetics of the virus must be produced. <ref>http://www.nature.com/nrd/journal/v5/n3/full/nrd1988.html Influenza vaccines </ref> The success of vaccinations programs in the face of rapid microevolution of the influenza virus is dependent on the accuracy of these predictions.<ref>http://www.nature.com/news/2003/030324/full/030324-5.html Flue evolution modeled </ref> The [[National Institute of Health]] recently assigned $26 million dollars to establish a research center to better develop molecular models of influenza. <ref> http://www.spiritindia.com/health-care-news-articles-8024.html $26 million NIH contract to establish new flu/bird flu Center of Excellence </ref>

==Herd immunity and mandatory vaccination==

In important concept in vaccine planning is [[herd immunity]]. This is the idea that when a certain percentage of your population is vaccinated those with in the population that are not vaccinated are protected from the disease. This is a fairly straight forward concept, if 90 percent of your population is immune then the chances that a carrier of the disease will come into contact with a non-immune member of the herd is low. <ref>http://www.mathepi.com/maindir/herd.html The mathematics of herd immunity</ref>. Herd immunity is the goal of most vaccination programs as it is the point where a disease can start to be eliminated all together from a population.

For example, in 1962 Japan instituted mandatory vaccination against influenza in school children. This continued until 1987 when the program was changed to optional and abandoned in 1994. Approximately 85 percent of children were estimated to have been vaccinated. <ref>http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=387431 Control of Influenza </ref> Several studies examined the mortality rates due to influenza during this period of time and revealed that the death rates due to influenza in all population groups was drastically decreased including older adult populations. Since there was no increased rate of vaccination in these populations the decreased mortality was caused by herd immunity effects of vaccinating so many children. <ref>http://www.newsrx.com/newsletters/Vaccine-Weekly/2001-04-11/200104113335VW.html Mandatory Vaccination of Japanese Schoolchildren Demonstrates "Herd Immunity" </ref> Many researchers have written that this and other evidence argues strongly for mandatory vaccination programs world wide as a means of controlling many diseases and preventing a [[pandemic]].<ref> http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=1360502 Herd Immunity</ref>

The USA has mandatory vaccination according to an official CDC schedule. Enforcement is left to the states. Most states have medical and religious exemptions. Some states make it very easy to opt out of vaccines, while other states strictly enforce compliance for school attendance. The difference in vaccination rates between these states is actually very slight, and not nearly enough to affect herd immunity.
==References==
<references/>

[[Category:Biology]]
[[Category:Medicine]]

Vaccine

2007-06-23T19:06:42Z

Matthew1036:

[[Image:Vaccine.jpg|right|thumb|350px|Avian flu vaccine development]]
A '''vaccine''' is an injection of a specialized [[protein]] designed to create an immunity to a particular disease (see [[antigen]]). The primary mechanism that a body uses to identify infections is a protein molecule called an [[antibody]].

If the body has a particular antibody for a particular disease it can identify the infection early on and the [[immune system]] can destroy it. Vaccines work by exposing the body to a form of the disease in such a way that it will not cause illness but allow antibodies to develop. This confers a level of immunity to the organism vaccinated.<ref>http://www.howstuffworks.com/immune-system7.htm How stuff works: Antibodies</ref>

There are four major types of vaccines and they are differentiated by what antigen is used. Live attenuated vaccines are created from the actual disease in question, however before injection the [[pathogen]] is [[attenuated]] (weakened) by growing successive generations of lines in poor nutrient conditions. It is possible for these vaccines to still cause an infection. Inactivated vaccines are created from pathogens that have been killed, usually with the use of a preservative [[formaldehyde]]. Toxoid vaccines are created by using toxins produced by the pathogen, before injection these toxins are exposed to heat and chemicals that eliminate their effect, [[antibodies]] will still be produced to these deactivated toxins. Finally, component vaccines use pieces of the pathogen in the injection. These pieces often of identifying protein segments that allow antibodies to be produced.<ref>http://www.drspock.com/article/0,1510,4866,00.html The Main Types of Vaccine </ref>

Only live attenuated vaccines can still cause infection.The other three types of vaccines can cause illness, but this is an allergic response not due to the disease itself. Very rarely a serious disease known as [[eczema vaccinatum]] can emerge. Vaccines that use pieces of pathogens often use a [[carrier virus]] in the injection. Those with very weak immune systems that are exposed to such a vaccine can become infected with the carrier virus and develop [[eczema]]. A recent case of this was reported in the United States after a military man was vaccinated with small pox and his two year old son became ill. <ref> http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/183349/soldier_infects_toddler_son_with_lifethreatening.html AP article on eczema vaccinatum </ref>

Since the adoption of vaccination, however, many diseases have been curbed. [[Polio]], for example, killed over 3,000 people in the United States in 1952 [http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/vsus/VSUS_1952_2.pdf], and inflicted such noted persons as President [[Franklin Delano Roosevelt]], actor [[Alan Alda]], and musician [[Itzak Perlman]]. When doctors began using a vaccine to fight polio, it practically eradicated the disease in the developed world.

Other diseases that have been curbed since the invention of vaccines include [[smallpox]] (previously a yearly killer of thousands worldwide), [[measles]], [[mumps]], [[rubella]], and [[typhoid]].

== Influenza Vaccine and microevolution==

The flu vaccine is an excellent example of modern vaccination. Due to the change in [[allele]] frequency over time in the population of the influenza virus, which scientists describe as microevolution, new influenza vaccines are created each year. According to the [http://www.cdc.gov/ CDC] <ref>"Inactivated Influenza Vaccine, What you need to know," a publication of the Center for Disease Control, 2006. Available online at: http://www.cdc.gov/nip/publications/VIS/vis-flu.pdf</ref>,
<blockquote>
Influenza viruses are always changing. Therefore, influenza vaccines are updated every year, and an annual vaccination is recommended.
</blockquote>
Since production of the vaccine must begin many months before the influenza season starts models of the population genetics of the virus must be produced. <ref>http://www.nature.com/nrd/journal/v5/n3/full/nrd1988.html Influenza vaccines </ref> The success of vaccinations programs in the face of rapid evolution of the influenza virus is dependent on the accuracy of these predictions.<ref>http://www.nature.com/news/2003/030324/full/030324-5.html Flue evolution modeled </ref> The [[National Institute of Health]] recently assigned $26 million dollars to establish a research center to better develop molecular models of influenza. <ref> http://www.spiritindia.com/health-care-news-articles-8024.html $26 million NIH contract to establish new flu/bird flu Center of Excellence </ref>

==Herd immunity and mandatory vaccination==

In important concept in vaccine planning is [[herd immunity]]. This is the idea that when a certain percentage of your population is vaccinated those with in the population that are not vaccinated are protected from the disease. This is a fairly straight forward concept, if 90 percent of your population is immune then the chances that a carrier of the disease will come into contact with a non-immune member of the herd is low. <ref>http://www.mathepi.com/maindir/herd.html The mathematics of herd immunity</ref>. Herd immunity is the goal of most vaccination programs as it is the point where a disease can start to be eliminated all together from a population.

For example, in 1962 Japan instituted mandatory vaccination against influenza in school children. This continued until 1987 when the program was changed to optional and abandoned in 1994. Approximately 85 percent of children were estimated to have been vaccinated. <ref>http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=387431 Control of Influenza </ref> Several studies examined the mortality rates due to influenza during this period of time and revealed that the death rates due to influenza in all population groups was drastically decreased including older adult populations. Since there was no increased rate of vaccination in these populations the decreased mortality was caused by herd immunity effects of vaccinating so many children. <ref>http://www.newsrx.com/newsletters/Vaccine-Weekly/2001-04-11/200104113335VW.html Mandatory Vaccination of Japanese Schoolchildren Demonstrates "Herd Immunity" </ref> Many researchers have written that this and other evidence argues strongly for mandatory vaccination programs world wide as a means of controlling many diseases and preventing a [[pandemic]].<ref> http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=1360502 Herd Immunity</ref>

The USA has mandatory vaccination according to an official CDC schedule. Enforcement is left to the states. Most states have medical and religious exemptions. Some states make it very easy to opt out of vaccines, while other states strictly enforce compliance for school attendance. The difference in vaccination rates between these states is actually very slight, and not nearly enough to affect herd immunity.
==References==
<references/>

[[Category:Biology]]
[[Category:Medicine]]

Talk:Howard Stern

2007-06-23T05:43:53Z

Matthew1036: /* Plagarism? */

Look, CoulterMan, maybe then you can explain to me why its relevant to Stern's politics that he had Moore on at one point? Or why in a discussion about Stern's politics its necessary to describe Stem-Cell research as basically Murder? Its editorializing where none is necessary. Thats why I keep cutting it out, can you tell us why you keep putting it in? Theres no descriptive paragraph explaining what Satellite Radio is when thats mentioned, and no paragraph describing Boston University when its mentioned, so why hold up Stern's political section with an inflammatory description of stem cells? Plus, having Moore on his show is irrelevant to Stern's political views since he has alot of people on. He's had Drew Carey on and He's a registered republican, so what the hell's the point of mentioning just one guest? And to say that he "even" had Moore on, as though that crosses some kind of line, where is the sense in this? Explain yourself.--[[User:RexMundane|RexMundane]] 19:21, 2 April 2007 (EDT)

== "that involves the killing and cloning of human embryos" ==

The passage "that involves the killing and cloning of human embryos" has been removed with [http://www.conservapedia.com/index.php?title=Howard_Stern&curid=7381&diff=82511&oldid=82490 this edit] (which is marked as minor - but isn't). Does anyone have anything to back this up either way? The removal of this phrase significantly changes what is said when it comes to stem cell research. --[[User:Mtur|Mtur]] 21:15, 2 April 2007 (EDT)
*Listen to his show! That's what he supports! -- [[User:CoulterMan|CoulterMan]] 08:43, 3 April 2007 (EDT)
:Nobody's challenging that that he supports embryonic stem cell research, but unless stern himself has said, directly, that he supports embryo-killing, then its not necessary to say it. Unless you can say "Stern has said that he supports 'the killing and cloning of human embryos'" as a direct quote from him then its completely unnecessary to describe it in imflammatory language just for your own petty need to frame the debate however you like. Grow up about this, and realize that nobody in fact wants to hear you editorialize, especially when it takes the article away from its subject matter (Stern) into where you want to go just to vent (Moore and Stem Cells, frinstance).

::This is a touchy issue for those who believes that embryos are human. Please be sensitive to your fellow contributors. --[[User:Ed Poor|Ed Poor]] 15:48, 3 April 2007 (EDT)

::I try to be. However I dont see editorializing about Michael Moore and opinions on Stem Cells in an entry on Howard Stern actually contributes anything. To say embryonic stem cell research "involves the killing and cloning of human embryos" is as it may be and is perhaps an acceptable (if loaded) opinion in a discussion on stem cells. It is not appropriate to a discussion on Howard Stern to detail what this one person thinks about this particular field of medical research. If it is, then at what point can you stop it at all? Why not have the article on Howard Stern just outright hijacked by a debate then?
::"Stern is in favor of embryonic stem cell research which involves the killing and cloning of human embryos, but is seen by many as a necessary and vital step in medical research with the potential to save untold numbers of lives, although that salvation surely comes at a moral cost given the nature of the research, however some would argue that it is morally permissable to terminate the life of non-sentient cellular clusters to save a human, but how can you say that they're only cellular clusters when you're very clearly committing homicide on infants, but they're not really infants they havent even developed a nervous system, but they have a soul, and if they're not baptised then they'll burn in hell for the sake of your medical research, and is that what you want? Is it?!
::Stern also considers Ralph Nader to be a personal hero."
::Its unnecessary editorializing to describe, in loaded, opinionated language, what Stem Cell research is in an obvious attempt to attack the man in an already loaded article ("attempts at humor" in the opening sentence lets us know outright what the opinion being put forth is, so much for non-biased) as is saying "Stern even had Michael Moore on his show once! Can you believe that? Can you!? HUH!?!?" and saying that one particular episode with extraordinarily offensive content is "Typical." Its loaded language, its unnecessary, and it has no place whatsoever in any place that pretends to take itself seriously.
::Funny thing how I'm always having to explain myself and what I do and still watch it undone. Not surprising of course given the nature of this site, just funny. "An encyclopedia you can trust" indeed.
::--[[User:RexMundane|RexMundane]] 16:15, 3 April 2007 (EDT)

:::There is much stem cell research that is done without going to human cell lines at all. Furthermore, look at the HeLa line (not a stem cell, but an example of a cell line). One can also obtain stem cells from umbilical chords and there is work being done to isolate stem cells from adults. These are all approaches that are not in conflict with Howard Stern's stance on stem cell research. --[[User:Mtur|Mtur]] 15:56, 3 April 2007 (EDT)

::::I probably should read this entire thread, but I stopped when I read Rex's point about article hijacking. Would you both agree to moving this discussion to [[Talk:stem cell]]s? --[[User:Ed Poor|Ed Poor]] 14:41, 6 April 2007 (EDT)

Better yet, [[Stem cell research]]'s talk page: [[Talk:Stem cell research]]. --[[User:Ed Poor|Ed Poor]] 14:43, 6 April 2007 (EDT)

:Thank you, yes, that was my point from the outset, that an article on Howard Stern is not the place to exposit personal commentary on a seperate issue, and that its enough to say Stern supports the research.--[[User:RexMundane|RexMundane]] 15:06, 6 April 2007 (EDT)

==Plagarism?==

This article is largely an unsourced lift from [http://www.dkosopedia.com/wiki/Howard_Stern here]. I thought we weren't supposed to copy from other sources. [[User:Matthew1036|Matthew1036]] 20:44, 22 June 2007 (EDT)
:Blanked pending clarification. Would you mind checking exactly how much of it is a copyright violation? The old version of the page can be found in the page history. --[[User:Hojimachong|'''Ĥøĵĭmåçħôńğ''']][[User_Talk:Hojimachong|talk]] 20:47, 22 June 2007 (EDT)
::The entire "biography" section is a direct lift from the other page, as is the paragraph in the politics section discussing Franken's book. The Overview, the remainder of the Politics section, and the trivia section appear to be original. [[User:Matthew1036|Matthew1036]] 01:43, 23 June 2007 (EDT)

Oxford

2007-06-23T05:37:13Z

Matthew1036: Correct non-American spellings and other typos.

'''Oxford''' is the county town of Oxfordshire in [[England]]. Despite a population of little over 120,000 it includes two universities and has a famous history in arts and science.

==Geography==

The town is built on where the river Cherwell runs into the [[River Isis]] (known as the Thames in London, short for the original Thamesis]]. The center includes many of the [[Oxford University]] buildings to the east and more city orientated buildings to the west of the center, including the railway station.

Suburbs of Oxford include Headington (location of [[Oxford Brookes University]]), Cowley (location of the BMW motor works), Iffley, Kennington, Osney, Hinksey, Jericho and Kidlington.

==University==
The University was organized there soon after 1167, perhaps as a result of a migration of students from [[Paris]]. The first colleges were founded in the thirteenth century (University, 1249; Balliol, 1263 and Merton, 1264) and Oxford rose to equal status with the great medieval universities.

Numbering among its scholars are the philosopher and scientist [[Roger Bacon]], [[Sir Thomas Moore]] and [[Sonya Stone]] (at Oxford Brookes University whilst [[Erasmus]] lectured there. The esteemed writer [[J.R.R. Tolkien]] was an Oxford professor.

A center of [[Royalism]] in the seventeenth century, Oxford declined during the eighteen century but was revived in the 1800's, particularly as a result of a renaissance in religious thought. The University includes the [[Bodlien Library]].

==Sport==
In common with most of the [[United Kingdom]], [[soccer]] is the dominant sport in Oxford, most notably the professional club [[Oxford United]].

Other notable clubs include the [[rugby league]] club, [[Oxford Cavaliers]] and the speedway team.

==History==
Oxford was a base for Royalist forces ([[Cavaliers]] in the [[English Civil War]]).

[[Category:UK Towns and Cities]]

Talk:Howard Stern

2007-06-23T00:44:58Z

Matthew1036:

Social effects of pornography

2007-06-22T05:40:21Z

Matthew1036: /* Effects on society */

[[Pornography]] is the depiction of the [[sex|sexual act]], and viewing of pornography has a number of negative effects on individuals and society. Although sex itself is a healthy action within the confines that [[God]] has placed on it (that is between a man and a woman who are [[marriage|married]] to each other), the depiction of the sexual act outside of these bounds is dangerous to the mind and soul. Pornography is freely available all over the internet, in bookstores, and in movie theaters. "The extent of pornography is shocking. Nearly 900 theaters show films rated NC-17, and more than 15,000 "adult" bookstores and video stores offer pornographic material. Adult bookstores outnumber McDonalds restaurants in the U.S. Each year, nearly 100 pornographic films are distributed to "adult" theaters, providing estimated annual box office sales of $50 million." <ref>http://www.leaderu.com/orgs/probe/docs/porno.html</ref>

==Effects on Individuals==

The most notable effect of pornography on the individual is that it causes the propensity to be focused on lustful thoughts and this can lead to dangerous obsessions with thoughts of fornication. It also causes people to abuse themselves, in violation of Matthew 5:29-30 <ref>"If your right eye offends you, [then] cut it off and throw it from you... If your right hand offends you, [then] cut it off and throw it from you." </ref> Studies has shown the exposure to pornography causes men to become more anti-social, more likely to be aggressive with women, more likely to [[rape]], and more likely to consider rape unimportant.<ref> Edward Donnerstein, PhD. Pornography and Violence Against Women, 1980.</ref> Married men become more likely to abuse their wives.<ref>Russell, Diana E. H. (1990). Rape in Marriage, rev. ed., Bloomington: Indiana University Press</ref><ref>An empirical investigation of the role of pornography in the verbal and physical abuse of women. Sommers,E.K. and Check,J.V. Violence and Victims 1987 2: 189-209.</ref> It can also cause women to want to be raped, as it is considered exciting. <ref>Women's attitudes and fantasies about rape as a function of early exposure to pornography. Corne,S. et. al. J. Interpersonal Violence, 1992 7: 454-461</ref> Even "soft-core" pornography causes people to become more interested in harder and harder depictions of sex. Eventually, this blurs the line between fantasy and reality causing the aforementioned increase in likelihood to rape, and also an increase in likelihood of molesting children. <ref>http://law.case.edu/student_life/organizations/tilj/content.asp?id=172</ref>

==Effects on business==

As more and more business is performed on the [[internet]] requiring office internet connections, the threat of pornography being viewed at work has increased exponentially. This leads to a number of issues, beginning with the basic time lost in productivity to people viewing pornography instead of working. This lost productivity likely adds up to billions of dollars. As a result of their employees' immorality, businesses must spend money to build firewalls, block websites, and employ IT professionals to manage these systems. When someone is caught viewing pornography, there is no other choice except to terminate that individual which then increases costs related to hiring a replacement for that individual. Lastly, a work environment where pornography exists would be hostile to female workers, and could be considered one of the few real examples of [[sexual harassment]].

==Effects on society==

In 1985, [[Ronald Reagan|Ronald Reagan's]] [[United States Attorney General|Attorney General]] [[Edward Meese]] appointed a panel of clinical and psychological experts who determined that pornography stimulates negative attitudes and has negative effects for individuals and society and that it can impair the mental and emotional health of children and adults.<ref>Report of the Surgeon General's workshop on Pornography and Public Health. Koop,C.E. Amer. Psych. 1987 42: 944-945</ref> [[liberal|Liberals]] have criticized this study and claimed that pornography should be protected as [[free speech]], even though the [[Founding Fathers]] couldn't have possibly intended that filth be allowed to be as widespread as it is. Not only does society have to deal with the increase in violent crime against women that pornography brings, but it also leads to a degradation of [[morality]]. Society has to spend money to incarcerate and rehabilitate those criminals who are inspired by pornography, and to treat the victims of it.

==Biblical attitudes on Pornography==

Though the [[Bible]] doesn't specifically mention the modern concept of pornography, there are a number of verses which illuminate God's intentions as to how we should treat pornography.

* Matthew 5:27-28, �You have heard that it was said, "You shall not commit adultery;" but I say to you, that everyone who looks on a woman to lust for her has committed adultery with her already in his heart."
* 1 Cor. 6:18, "Flee immorality. Every other sin that a man commits is outside the body, but the immoral man sins against his own body."
* Col. 3:5, "Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry."

==References==
<references/>

Social effects of pornography

2007-06-22T05:39:45Z

Matthew1036: /* Effects on society */

[[Pornography]] is the depiction of the [[sex|sexual act]], and viewing of pornography has a number of negative effects on individuals and society. Although sex itself is a healthy action within the confines that [[God]] has placed on it (that is between a man and a woman who are [[marriage|married]] to each other), the depiction of the sexual act outside of these bounds is dangerous to the mind and soul. Pornography is freely available all over the internet, in bookstores, and in movie theaters. "The extent of pornography is shocking. Nearly 900 theaters show films rated NC-17, and more than 15,000 "adult" bookstores and video stores offer pornographic material. Adult bookstores outnumber McDonalds restaurants in the U.S. Each year, nearly 100 pornographic films are distributed to "adult" theaters, providing estimated annual box office sales of $50 million." <ref>http://www.leaderu.com/orgs/probe/docs/porno.html</ref>

==Effects on Individuals==

The most notable effect of pornography on the individual is that it causes the propensity to be focused on lustful thoughts and this can lead to dangerous obsessions with thoughts of fornication. It also causes people to abuse themselves, in violation of Matthew 5:29-30 <ref>"If your right eye offends you, [then] cut it off and throw it from you... If your right hand offends you, [then] cut it off and throw it from you." </ref> Studies has shown the exposure to pornography causes men to become more anti-social, more likely to be aggressive with women, more likely to [[rape]], and more likely to consider rape unimportant.<ref> Edward Donnerstein, PhD. Pornography and Violence Against Women, 1980.</ref> Married men become more likely to abuse their wives.<ref>Russell, Diana E. H. (1990). Rape in Marriage, rev. ed., Bloomington: Indiana University Press</ref><ref>An empirical investigation of the role of pornography in the verbal and physical abuse of women. Sommers,E.K. and Check,J.V. Violence and Victims 1987 2: 189-209.</ref> It can also cause women to want to be raped, as it is considered exciting. <ref>Women's attitudes and fantasies about rape as a function of early exposure to pornography. Corne,S. et. al. J. Interpersonal Violence, 1992 7: 454-461</ref> Even "soft-core" pornography causes people to become more interested in harder and harder depictions of sex. Eventually, this blurs the line between fantasy and reality causing the aforementioned increase in likelihood to rape, and also an increase in likelihood of molesting children. <ref>http://law.case.edu/student_life/organizations/tilj/content.asp?id=172</ref>

==Effects on business==

As more and more business is performed on the [[internet]] requiring office internet connections, the threat of pornography being viewed at work has increased exponentially. This leads to a number of issues, beginning with the basic time lost in productivity to people viewing pornography instead of working. This lost productivity likely adds up to billions of dollars. As a result of their employees' immorality, businesses must spend money to build firewalls, block websites, and employ IT professionals to manage these systems. When someone is caught viewing pornography, there is no other choice except to terminate that individual which then increases costs related to hiring a replacement for that individual. Lastly, a work environment where pornography exists would be hostile to female workers, and could be considered one of the few real examples of [[sexual harassment]].

==Effects on society==

In 1985, [[Ronald Reagan|Ronald Reagan's]] [[Attorney General]] [[Edward Meese]] appointed a panel of clinical and psychological experts who determined that pornography stimulates negative attitudes and has negative effects for individuals and society and that it can impair the mental and emotional health of children and adults.<ref>Report of the Surgeon General's workshop on Pornography and Public Health. Koop,C.E. Amer. Psych. 1987 42: 944-945</ref> [[liberal|Liberals]] have criticized this study and claimed that pornography should be protected as [[free speech]], even though the [[Founding Fathers]] couldn't have possibly intended that filth be allowed to be as widespread as it is. Not only does society have to deal with the increase in violent crime against women that pornography brings, but it also leads to a degradation of [[morality]]. Society has to spend money to incarcerate and rehabilitate those criminals who are inspired by pornography, and to treat the victims of it.

==Biblical attitudes on Pornography==

Though the [[Bible]] doesn't specifically mention the modern concept of pornography, there are a number of verses which illuminate God's intentions as to how we should treat pornography.

* Matthew 5:27-28, �You have heard that it was said, "You shall not commit adultery;" but I say to you, that everyone who looks on a woman to lust for her has committed adultery with her already in his heart."
* 1 Cor. 6:18, "Flee immorality. Every other sin that a man commits is outside the body, but the immoral man sins against his own body."
* Col. 3:5, "Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry."

==References==
<references/>

Social effects of pornography

2007-06-22T05:38:49Z

Matthew1036: /* Effects on society */

[[Pornography]] is the depiction of the [[sex|sexual act]], and viewing of pornography has a number of negative effects on individuals and society. Although sex itself is a healthy action within the confines that [[God]] has placed on it (that is between a man and a woman who are [[marriage|married]] to each other), the depiction of the sexual act outside of these bounds is dangerous to the mind and soul. Pornography is freely available all over the internet, in bookstores, and in movie theaters. "The extent of pornography is shocking. Nearly 900 theaters show films rated NC-17, and more than 15,000 "adult" bookstores and video stores offer pornographic material. Adult bookstores outnumber McDonalds restaurants in the U.S. Each year, nearly 100 pornographic films are distributed to "adult" theaters, providing estimated annual box office sales of $50 million." <ref>http://www.leaderu.com/orgs/probe/docs/porno.html</ref>

==Effects on Individuals==

The most notable effect of pornography on the individual is that it causes the propensity to be focused on lustful thoughts and this can lead to dangerous obsessions with thoughts of fornication. It also causes people to abuse themselves, in violation of Matthew 5:29-30 <ref>"If your right eye offends you, [then] cut it off and throw it from you... If your right hand offends you, [then] cut it off and throw it from you." </ref> Studies has shown the exposure to pornography causes men to become more anti-social, more likely to be aggressive with women, more likely to [[rape]], and more likely to consider rape unimportant.<ref> Edward Donnerstein, PhD. Pornography and Violence Against Women, 1980.</ref> Married men become more likely to abuse their wives.<ref>Russell, Diana E. H. (1990). Rape in Marriage, rev. ed., Bloomington: Indiana University Press</ref><ref>An empirical investigation of the role of pornography in the verbal and physical abuse of women. Sommers,E.K. and Check,J.V. Violence and Victims 1987 2: 189-209.</ref> It can also cause women to want to be raped, as it is considered exciting. <ref>Women's attitudes and fantasies about rape as a function of early exposure to pornography. Corne,S. et. al. J. Interpersonal Violence, 1992 7: 454-461</ref> Even "soft-core" pornography causes people to become more interested in harder and harder depictions of sex. Eventually, this blurs the line between fantasy and reality causing the aforementioned increase in likelihood to rape, and also an increase in likelihood of molesting children. <ref>http://law.case.edu/student_life/organizations/tilj/content.asp?id=172</ref>

==Effects on business==

As more and more business is performed on the [[internet]] requiring office internet connections, the threat of pornography being viewed at work has increased exponentially. This leads to a number of issues, beginning with the basic time lost in productivity to people viewing pornography instead of working. This lost productivity likely adds up to billions of dollars. As a result of their employees' immorality, businesses must spend money to build firewalls, block websites, and employ IT professionals to manage these systems. When someone is caught viewing pornography, there is no other choice except to terminate that individual which then increases costs related to hiring a replacement for that individual. Lastly, a work environment where pornography exists would be hostile to female workers, and could be considered one of the few real examples of [[sexual harassment]].

==Effects on society==

In 1985, [[Ronald Reagan|Ronald Reagan's]] Surgeon General Edward Meese appointed a panel of clinical and psychological experts who determined that pornography stimulates negative attitudes and has negative effects for individuals and society and that it can impair the mental and emotional health of children and adults.<ref>Report of the Surgeon General's workshop on Pornography and Public Health. Koop,C.E. Amer. Psych. 1987 42: 944-945</ref> [[liberal|Liberals]] have criticized this study and claimed that pornography should be protected as free speech, even though the [[Founding Fathers]] couldn't have possibly intended that filth be allowed to be as widespread as it is. Not only does society have to deal with the increase in violent crime against women that pornography brings, but it also leads to a degradation of [[morality]]. Society has to spend money to incarcerate and rehabilitate those criminals who are inspired by pornography, and to treat the victims of it.

==Biblical attitudes on Pornography==

Though the [[Bible]] doesn't specifically mention the modern concept of pornography, there are a number of verses which illuminate God's intentions as to how we should treat pornography.

* Matthew 5:27-28, �You have heard that it was said, "You shall not commit adultery;" but I say to you, that everyone who looks on a woman to lust for her has committed adultery with her already in his heart."
* 1 Cor. 6:18, "Flee immorality. Every other sin that a man commits is outside the body, but the immoral man sins against his own body."
* Col. 3:5, "Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry."

==References==
<references/>

Social effects of pornography

2007-06-22T05:37:10Z

Matthew1036: Trying to create a good article for the Article Creation Drive.

[[Pornography]] is the depiction of the [[sex|sexual act]], and viewing of pornography has a number of negative effects on individuals and society. Although sex itself is a healthy action within the confines that [[God]] has placed on it (that is between a man and a woman who are [[marriage|married]] to each other), the depiction of the sexual act outside of these bounds is dangerous to the mind and soul. Pornography is freely available all over the internet, in bookstores, and in movie theaters. "The extent of pornography is shocking. Nearly 900 theaters show films rated NC-17, and more than 15,000 "adult" bookstores and video stores offer pornographic material. Adult bookstores outnumber McDonalds restaurants in the U.S. Each year, nearly 100 pornographic films are distributed to "adult" theaters, providing estimated annual box office sales of $50 million." <ref>http://www.leaderu.com/orgs/probe/docs/porno.html</ref>

==Effects on Individuals==

The most notable effect of pornography on the individual is that it causes the propensity to be focused on lustful thoughts and this can lead to dangerous obsessions with thoughts of fornication. It also causes people to abuse themselves, in violation of Matthew 5:29-30 <ref>"If your right eye offends you, [then] cut it off and throw it from you... If your right hand offends you, [then] cut it off and throw it from you." </ref> Studies has shown the exposure to pornography causes men to become more anti-social, more likely to be aggressive with women, more likely to [[rape]], and more likely to consider rape unimportant.<ref> Edward Donnerstein, PhD. Pornography and Violence Against Women, 1980.</ref> Married men become more likely to abuse their wives.<ref>Russell, Diana E. H. (1990). Rape in Marriage, rev. ed., Bloomington: Indiana University Press</ref><ref>An empirical investigation of the role of pornography in the verbal and physical abuse of women. Sommers,E.K. and Check,J.V. Violence and Victims 1987 2: 189-209.</ref> It can also cause women to want to be raped, as it is considered exciting. <ref>Women's attitudes and fantasies about rape as a function of early exposure to pornography. Corne,S. et. al. J. Interpersonal Violence, 1992 7: 454-461</ref> Even "soft-core" pornography causes people to become more interested in harder and harder depictions of sex. Eventually, this blurs the line between fantasy and reality causing the aforementioned increase in likelihood to rape, and also an increase in likelihood of molesting children. <ref>http://law.case.edu/student_life/organizations/tilj/content.asp?id=172</ref>

==Effects on business==

As more and more business is performed on the [[internet]] requiring office internet connections, the threat of pornography being viewed at work has increased exponentially. This leads to a number of issues, beginning with the basic time lost in productivity to people viewing pornography instead of working. This lost productivity likely adds up to billions of dollars. As a result of their employees' immorality, businesses must spend money to build firewalls, block websites, and employ IT professionals to manage these systems. When someone is caught viewing pornography, there is no other choice except to terminate that individual which then increases costs related to hiring a replacement for that individual. Lastly, a work environment where pornography exists would be hostile to female workers, and could be considered one of the few real examples of [[sexual harassment]].

==Effects on society==

In 1985, Ronald Reagan's Surgeon General Edward Meese appointed a panel of clinical and psychological experts who determined that pornography stimulates negative attitudes and has negative effects for individuals and society and that it can impair the mental and emotional health of children and adults.<ref>Report of the Surgeon General's workshop on Pornography and Public Health. Koop,C.E. Amer. Psych. 1987 42: 944-945</ref> [[liberal|Liberals]] have criticized this study and claimed that pornography should be protected as free speech, even though the [[Founding Fathers]] couldn't have possibly intended that filth be allowed to be as widespread as it is. Not only does society have to deal with the increase in violent crime against women that pornography brings, but it also leads to a degradation of [[morality]]. Society has to spend money to incarcerate and rehabilitate those criminals who are inspired by pornography, and to treat the victims of it.

==Biblical attitudes on Pornography==

Though the [[Bible]] doesn't specifically mention the modern concept of pornography, there are a number of verses which illuminate God's intentions as to how we should treat pornography.

* Matthew 5:27-28, �You have heard that it was said, "You shall not commit adultery;" but I say to you, that everyone who looks on a woman to lust for her has committed adultery with her already in his heart."
* 1 Cor. 6:18, "Flee immorality. Every other sin that a man commits is outside the body, but the immoral man sins against his own body."
* Col. 3:5, "Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry."

==References==
<references/>

Bioterrorism

2007-06-21T01:59:58Z

Matthew1036: /* Modern biowarfare and bioterrorism */

Bioterrorism involves the use of biological weapons for the purpose of committing terrorism. The release of an infectious agent such as [[anthrax]], [[smallpox]], or [[ebola]] would have devastating health effects on those affected, and overwhelm the ability of local medical services to treat the infected resulting a potentially large loss of life.

==Historical bioterrorism==

Bioterrorism has historical roots. For example, it was not uncommon in medieval warfare to catapult diseased animals into a sieged city, or infect a city's water supply with diseased animals or bodies. In 1763, during the [[French and Indian War]] a [[British]] General Lord Jeffrey Amherst supplied blankets from smallpox patients to a local Indian tribe for the purpose of reducing their numbers. <ref>http://academic.udayton.edu/health/syllabi/Bioterrorism/00intro02.htm</ref>

==Modern biowarfare and bioterrorism==

Biowarfare and bioterrorism has become even more deadly with the development of [[genetic engineering]] which allows terrorists to design germs and viruses to be resistant to [[antibiotic|antibiotics]] and to take on new and deadlier traits.

Prior to the signing of the ban on Biological and Chemical Weapons signed by [[Richard Nixon]], the USAMRIID facility at Fort Detrick, Maryland was a testing and development center for biological weapons. <ref>http://www.detrick.army.mil/cutting_edge/index.cfm?chapter=chapter12</ref> However, this was in response a pursuit of biological weapons by the [[USSR]]. Since 1974, USAMRIID has become one of the world's leading infectious disease research facilities.

The Soviet Union developed a number biological weapons including Smallpox and Anthrax.<ref>http://cryptome.org/smallpox-wmd.htm</ref>

Iraq is known to have had biological weapons capability prior to the [[Iraq War]]. [[Saddam Hussein]] controlled significant quantities of biological weapons which have yet to be found. Saddam may have provided some biological weapons capability to [[Al Qaeda]].

The [[Muslim]] [[terrorist|terrorists]] who attacked us on [[9/11]] were also responsible for the Anthrax attacks on the United states, possibly through another terrorist cell which has yet to be found. <ref>http://www.anthraxinvestigation.com/Florida.html</ref>

==References==
<references/>

Bioterrorism

2007-06-21T01:59:39Z

Matthew1036: New page: Bioterrorism involves the use of biological weapons for the purpose of committing terrorism. The release of an infectious agent such as anthrax, smallpox, or ebola would have ...

Bioterrorism involves the use of biological weapons for the purpose of committing terrorism. The release of an infectious agent such as [[anthrax]], [[smallpox]], or [[ebola]] would have devastating health effects on those affected, and overwhelm the ability of local medical services to treat the infected resulting a potentially large loss of life.

==Historical bioterrorism==

Bioterrorism has historical roots. For example, it was not uncommon in medieval warfare to catapult diseased animals into a sieged city, or infect a city's water supply with diseased animals or bodies. In 1763, during the [[French and Indian War]] a [[British]] General Lord Jeffrey Amherst supplied blankets from smallpox patients to a local Indian tribe for the purpose of reducing their numbers. <ref>http://academic.udayton.edu/health/syllabi/Bioterrorism/00intro02.htm</ref>

==Modern biowarfare and bioterrorism==

Biowarfare and bioterrorism has become even more deadly with the development of [[genetic engineering]] which allows terrorists to design germs and viruses to be resistant to [[antibiotic|antibiotics]] and to take on new and deadlier traits.

Prior to the signing of the ban on Biological and Chemical Weapons signed by [[Richard Nixon]], the USAMRIID facility at Fort Detrick, Maryland was a testing and development center for biological weapons. <ref>http://www.detrick.army.mil/cutting_edge/index.cfm?chapter=chapter12</ref> However, this was in response a pursuit of biological weapons by the [[USSR]]. Since 1974, USAMRIID has become one of the world's leading infectious disease research facilities.

The Soviet Union developed a number biological weapons including Smallpox and Anthrax.<ref>http://cryptome.org/smallpox-wmd.htm</ref>

Iraq is known to have had biological weapons capability prior to the [[Iraq War]]. [[Saddam Hussein]] controlled significant quantities of biological weapons which have yet to be found. Saddam may have provided some biological weapons capability to [[Al Qaeda]].

The [[Muslim]] [[terrorists]] who attacked us on [[9/11]] were also responsible for the Anthrax attacks on the United states, possibly through another terrorist cell which has yet to be found. <ref>http://www.anthraxinvestigation.com/Florida.html</ref>

==References==
<references/>

Pitcher

2007-06-19T04:33:09Z

Matthew1036: New page: A pitcher is a player on a baseball team who is responsible for pitching to the batter on the other team. The pitcher communicates with the catcher through the use of hand signals, an...

A pitcher is a player on a baseball team who is responsible for pitching to the batter on the other team. The pitcher communicates with the [[catcher]] through the use of hand signals, and throws various pitches including the fastball, curveball, changeup, and slider. Pitchers are ranked primarily on [[ERA]] and winning percentage.

Switch hitter

2007-06-19T04:31:27Z

Matthew1036:

A switch hitter is an ambidextrous [[baseball]] player who can hit from either the right or left side of the plate. This is an advantage because left-handed hitters tend to have greater success with right-handed pitchers and vice versa, so a switch hitter is versatile enough to have the potential for success with any type of [[pitcher]].

Switch hitter

2007-06-19T04:31:12Z

Matthew1036: New page: A switch hitter is an ambidextrous baseball player who can hit from either the right or left side of the plate. This is an advantage because left-handed hitters tend to have greater succe...

A switch hitter is an ambidextrous baseball player who can hit from either the right or left side of the plate. This is an advantage because left-handed hitters tend to have greater success with right-handed pitchers and vice versa, so a switch hitter is versatile enough to have the potential for success with any type of pitcher.

Atheism

2007-06-19T04:26:16Z

Matthew1036: Revert to version by Conservative to remove liberal edits.

[[Image:Nogod.jpg|thumb|300px]]
'''Atheism''', as defined by the ''Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy'' and the ''Routledge Encyclopedia of Philosophy'', is the denial of the existence of any [[God]].<ref>http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/atheism-agnosticism/</ref><ref>http://www.creationontheweb.com/content/view/1998</ref>

The term "atheism" often is used to include uncertainty about whether God exists or not, that is, people who never believe in God or actively deny His existence (see also [[agnosticism]]). There are two kinds of atheism, strong atheism, or someone who believes strongly that there is no God, and weak atheism, or someone who believes that there probably is no God. Atheists often equivocate that they actually have a lack of belief in any God, as opposed to having the positive belief that there is no God. This equivocation stems from the fact that if they hold positive beliefs, then their worldview can be categorized as a religion.

== Biblical View of Atheism ==
The Bible states:

"The fool has said in his heart, "There is no God. - Psalm 14:1 (KJV)}}

In addition, the Bible states:

"For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, [even] his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse..." - Romans 1:20 (KJV)}}

== Minority View and Well Known Atheists ==
In recorded history atheism has been a minority view, although there have been pockets of atheistic thought such as amongst the literati in pre-modern China who followed Confucian teachings.

Well-known atheists include [[Joseph Stalin]], [[Bertrand Russell]], [[Ayn Rand]], [[Richard Dawkins]] ,[[Douglas Adams]], [[Ernest Hemingway]], and [[David Hume]].

==Atheism and Communism ==
[[Karl Marx]] coined the saying "Religion is the opium of the people". Karl Marx also wrote: "Communism begins from the outset (Owen) with atheism; but atheism is at first far from being communism; indeed, that atheism is still mostly an abstraction."

[[Vladimir Lenin]] similarly wrote: "A Marxist must be a materialist, i. e., an enemy of religion, but a dialectical materialist, i. e., one who treats the struggle against religion not in an abstract way, not on the basis of remote, purely theoretical, never varying preaching, but in a concrete way, on the basis of the class struggle which is going on in practice and is educating the masses more and better than anything else could."

== Atheist morality ==
Although it is difficult to generalize about atheism because it has no creed in a way that [[Christianity]], [[Judaism]], and [[Islam]] do, atheists typically hold that no religious text can be the only source of morality; they do not look for their morality in revelation, but rather in reason or some other internal force. However, many atheists believe that religious texts contain useful ideas and principles, such as the [[Golden Rule]]. Such people would, however, assert that useful principles entered religion because they are useful, and not the other way around. As atheists do not believe in any form of deity, books purported to be based upon the revealed words of such deities are not considered to have any more inherent moral authority than books written by people, as they consider them to be one and the same.

== Atheist Population ==
It is difficult to accurately determine the proportion of the population that is atheist because survey definitions, and even real life definitions, are often unclear. Some people are unsure of the existence of God, but they are sometimes counted as atheists. People who think that the existence of god cannot be proven or disproven are called agnostics (see [[Agnosticism]]). Furthermore, surveys containing an option for "no religion" are not necessarily identifying atheists. Individuals may believe in some form of god but not subscribe to any particular religion.

Specific research on atheists conducted in 2006 [http://www.harrisinteractive.com/news/allnewsbydate.asp?NewsID=1131 suggests] that the true proportion of atheists is 4% in the United States, 17% in Great Britain and 32% in France.

== Concern about Atheists in America ==
Research in the American Sociological Review finds that atheists are the group that Americans least relate to for shared vision or want to have marry into their family.
<ref>Edgell, Gerteis & Hartmann 2006</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
|-
!
! This Group Does Not At All Agree with My Vision of American Society:
! I Would Disapprove if My Child Wanted to Marry a Member of This Group:
|-
| Atheist
| 39.6%
| 47.6%
|-
| Muslim
| 26.3%
| 33.5%
|-
| Homosexual
| 22.6%
| NA
|-
|Conservative Christian
| 13.5%
| 6.9%
|-
| Recent Immigrant
| 12.5%
| Not Asked
|-
| Hispanic
| 7.6%
| 18.5%
|-
| Jew
| 7.4%
| 11.8%
|-
| Asian American
| 7.0%
| 18.5%
|-
|African American
| 4.6%
| 27.2%
|-
| White American
| 2.2%
| 2.3%
|}

==External Links==
*[http://creationwiki.org/Decline_of_atheism Decline of Atheism -CreationWiki]
*[http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/ebs/ebs_225_report_en.pdf European Commission report on Social values, Science and Technology, includes info on Religious beliefs]

==References==
<references/>

[[Category:Religion]]
[[Category:Philosophy]]

Talk:Caging

2007-06-18T05:09:26Z

Matthew1036:

''If the mail is returned as undeliverable - because, for example, the voter refuses to sign for it, the voter isn't present for delivery, or the voter is homeless - the party uses that fact to challenge the registration, arguing that because the voter could not be reached at the address, the registration is fraudulent.''

It seems voters laws are different in 50 states; how can this broad generalization be made? [[User:RobS|RobS]] 22:04, 17 June 2007 (EDT)

:Actually, I think this article should be deleted. The original edit was basically just to insult the President and his election victories. [[User:Matthew1036|Matthew1036]] 01:09, 18 June 2007 (EDT)

Reverse osmosis

2007-06-18T00:57:12Z

Matthew1036:

Reverse Osmosis (RO) is a membrane separation process designed to treat wastewater containing a variety of contaminants including [[organic]] compounds. In regular osmosis, water flows across a membrane so that the concentration of impurity on each side of the membrane is equal. In reverse osmosis, the opposite occurs. Pressure is applied to one side of the membrane so that the ending concentration on either side of the membrane is uneven. By employing reverse osmosis, one can take water containing some impurity (such as saltwater) and pass it through a series of filters to achieve drinkable water.
[[category:environment]]

Peter Pace

2007-06-17T01:42:27Z

Matthew1036:

General '''Peter Pace''' (b. 1945) has been the current Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff since September 30, 2005. A Brooklyn native, Pace graduated the [[United States Naval Academy]] and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the [[United States Marine Corps]]. He has served heroically in Vietnam, Thailand, South Korea, Japan, and Somalia. He has served in a number of positions in Washington, DC, including White House Social Aide and Platoon Leader, Special Ceremonial Platoon.<ref>http://jcs.mil/bios/bio_pace.html</ref>

[[Image:PeterPace.JPG|thumbnail|right|300px|Gen. Pace in Dress Uniform]]

In an interview by the [[Chicago Tribune]] on March 11, 2007, Pace reportedly said: <ref>[http://blogs.usatoday.com/ondeadline/2007/03/top_general_hom.html Pace: Gay lifestyle a 'trust' issue], Aamer Madhani, ''USA Today'', March 19, 2007.</ref><ref>[http://www.nola.com/newsflash/topstories/index.ssf?/base/politics-11/1173832810104280.xml&storylist=topstories ''Chicago Tribune''] March 11, 2007. [http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/news_theswamp/2007/03/pace_gay_lifest.html] </ref>

:I believe that [[homosexual]] acts between individuals are immoral and that we should not condone immoral acts. I do not believe that the armed forces of the United States are well served by saying through our policies that it's OK to be immoral in any way. ...

:As an individual, I would not want (acceptance of gay behavior) to be our policy, just like I would not want it to be our policy that if we were to find out that so-and-so was sleeping with somebody else's wife, that we would just look the other way, which we do not. We prosecute that kind of immoral behavior.

Liberal activists criticized his remarks:<ref>''Id.''</ref>

* House Speaker [[Nancy Pelosi]] (D-Cal.) said, "We don't need moral judgment from the chairman of the Joint Chiefs."

*Rep. Martin Meehan, D-Mass., who sponsored a bill to overturn the "don't ask, don't tell" policy, declared, "Our military is struggling to find and keep the soldiers we need. We are turning away good troops to enforce a costly policy of discrimination."

On June 8, 2007, Defense Secretary [[Robert Gates]] announced the premature replacement of Peter Pace as chairman of the Joint Chief of Staff.

== References ==

<references/>

[[category:military]]
[[category:political people]]

Conscription

2007-06-16T04:26:53Z

Matthew1036:

'''Conscription''' is a term for creating a compulsory army. Several countries employ conscription in order to keep their military strong including Israel, South Korea, Taiwan, and Switzerland. The United States has employed conscription, known as "the draft" during times of war, though not since the Vietnam War. In the United States, the draft was performed by lottery.

Talk:Mammal

2007-06-16T04:17:18Z

Matthew1036:

Which evolutionary scientists frequently claim that mammals occurred in the Jurassic?
A current theory <ref> see for example http://www.abc.net.au/science/news/stories/s240655.htm </ref> would have put their origins around 120 million years ago, which if I am not mistaken is in the Cretaceous?--[[User:Felix|Felix]] 17:37, 19 April 2007 (EDT)

<references/>

Can we add the statement that Creation Scientists have found that mammals were created on the 6th day of creation? [[User:Matthew1036|Matthew1036]] 00:17, 16 June 2007 (EDT)

The Simpsons

2007-06-16T04:10:02Z

Matthew1036:

'''The Simpsons''' is a satirical animated comedy series created by Matt Groening. The show portrays many questionable morals including pride in underachievement, excessive drinking, and malicious mischief. The show also portrays true Christians (such as Ned Flanders) as being foolish characters.

Holocene

2007-06-16T03:37:47Z

Matthew1036: Reverted evolutionist edit.

According to evolutionary biologists and geologists, the Holocene is the geologic period we now live in. It is theorized to cover the last 12,000 years and all of human civilization (although not all of humanity). It covers the Neolithic to the Information Age, and was preceded by the [[Pleistocene]] epoch.
==The Ages of the Holocene==
*[[Neolithic]] - The New Stone Age. This is theorized to cover the advent of agriculture to the use of bronze weapons. Roughly 12,000 years ago to 4,000 years ago. However, [[Young Earth Creationism|Young Earth Creation scientists]] have found that the age of the Earth is far less than what is believed by evolutionists. Therefore, they believe that the Holocene covers the period from the creation of the Earth until 4000 years ago.
*[[Bronze Age]] - The Use of Bronze to make tools and weapons. 4,000 years ago to 2,500 years ago.
*[[Iron Age]] - This age is concurrent with classical Greece and Rome. It is during this age that Christianity first came onto the scene.
*[[Middle Ages]] - From the fall of Rome around 400 A.D. to the invention of the printing press in the 15th century.
*[[Renaissance]] - Increased interest in science and vast increase in knowledge due to the printing press. Exchange of ideas between cultures. This was the age of Galileo, Shakespeare, and Copernicus.
*[[Industrial Age]] - From the late 1700s to the early 1900s. This age saw the invention of many modern machines that we now take for granted such as the steam locomotive, automobile, telephone, and airplane. Working conditions were difficult and sometimes brutal during this era. This is what led Karl Marx to come up with communism. The idea was later twisted into a totalitarian dictatorship by the monster Stalin.
*[[Atomic Age]] - From WWII until about 1990, this era saw the invention of atomic weapons by the United States and the Soviets. This is the first time in the history of the earth that a single species is capable of destroying the entire planet.
*[[Information Age]] - Starting around 1990, the Internet began to be used by more people. Invented in 1969 by the US military, it became more commonly used by civilians during the 1980s and by 1995 the word "Internet" was beginning to enter everyday vocabulary. By 2000, high speed internet was beginning to become available and now billions of people all over the world are connected like never before. This is much to the chagrin of oppressive governments such as China and Colombia where ideas about freedom and social justice are being spread from Western Europe and North America into impoverished and oppressed nations.

== Young earth creationist scientists view ==
[[Young earth creationist]] scientists believe that the [[Theory of evolution|evolutionary]] [[Geology|geological]] timescale is in error. <ref>http://www.trueorigin.org/geocolumn.asp</ref><ref>http://www.icr.org/index.php?module=articles&action=view&ID=54</ref><ref>http://www.allaboutcreation.org/geologic-time-scale.htm</ref> These scientists believe that the earth is young and has multiple lines of evidence from the field of geology showing that the earth is young. <ref>http://www.answersingenesis.org/home/area/faq/geology.asp</ref><ref>http://www.creationism.org/topbar/geology.htm</ref><ref>http://www.grisda.org/georpts/gr11.htm</ref><ref>http://www.nwcreation.net/geologylinks.html</ref><ref>http://globalflood.org/</ref> Also, young earth creationist scientists assert that there is an abundance of scientific arguments in addition to geology showing the earth and universe are both approximately 6,000 years in age.<ref>http://www.answersingenesis.org/home/area/faq/young.asp</ref><ref>http://www.answersingenesis.org/home/area/faq/astronomy.asp</ref><ref>http://www.icr.org/article/1842/</ref> In addition, young earth creationist scientists have a number of arguments against the position of an extremely old age for the earth and the universe.<ref>http://www.answersingenesis.org/home/area/faq/dating.asp</ref><ref>http://www.answersingenesis.org/home/area/faq/astronomy.asp</ref><ref>http://www.apologeticspress.org/modules.php?name=Read&cat=1&itemid=22</ref><ref>http://www.answersingenesis.org/docs2002/0809_cdk_davies.asp</ref> [[Flood Geology|Flood geologists]] also point out that [[catastrophism]] is increasingly being accepted in the field of geology. <ref>http://www.grisda.org/origins/12061.htm</ref>
<ref>http://www.icr.org/index.php?module=articles&action=print&ID=84</ref> In addition, creationists also assert that old earth uniformitarian geology has numerous [[Anomaly|anomalies]]. For example, creationists cite the work of [[William R. Corliss]] who catalogued numerous anomalies in the old earth uniformatarian geology [[paradigm]]. <ref>http://www.science-frontiers.com/sourcebk.htm</ref><ref>http://www.apologeticspress.net/articles/184</ref> Corliss wrote regarding [[Paraconformity|paraconformities]] the following:

<blockquote style="background: #F9F9F9; border: 1px solid #AAAAAA; padding: .3em;">
"Potentially more important to geological thinking are those [[unconformity|unconformities]] that signal large chunks of geological history are missing, even though the strata on either side of the unconformity are perfectly parallel and show no evidence of erosion. Did millions of years fly by with no discernible effect? A possible though controversial inference is that our geological clocks and stratigraphic concepts need working on." William R. Corliss, Unknown Earth (Glen Arm, Maryland: The Sourcebook Project, 1980), p. 219. <ref>http://www.cs.unc.edu/~plaisted/ce/flood.html</ref>
</blockquote>

The secular science journal [[New Scientist]] wrote regarding Corliss's work the following: "All I can say to Corliss is carry on cataloging." <ref>http://www.science-frontiers.com/sourcebk.htm</ref> Young earth creationist scientists assert that paraconformaties pose a serious challenge to the old earth uniformitarian geology paradigm. <ref>http://www.grisda.org/georpts/36.pdf</ref><ref>
http://www.grisda.org/2003-FSC-open/Roth-RecentCreation.htm</ref><ref>http://www.seeking-god.co.uk/id188.htm</ref>

== References ==
<references/>

==See Also==
*[[Pleistocene]]
[[category:Geological time periods]]

Popol Vuh

2007-06-16T00:05:25Z

Matthew1036: Revert vandal

{{stub}}

The Popol Vuh was the religious text of the ancient [[Maya]]n religion. The name was adopted by a German [[Krautrock]] band in the 1970s.

[[Category:Religion]]

Right-wing politics

2007-06-16T00:05:06Z

Matthew1036: Revert vandal

{{merge|political spectrum}}
The term '''Rightist''' refers to someone on the 'right' side of the [[political spectrum]]. Politics on the 'right' usually
imply taking positions in favor of the traditional system of a society, including its traditional values and its traditional ruling institutions. Compare: [[leftist]].

It is widely accepted, however, that there is not just one dimension of political thought, so that people can unambiguously be classified as 'right' or 'left'. Nonetheless, the [[political spectrum theory]] still has wide currency.

[[category:politics]]

International Space Station

2007-06-16T00:03:28Z

Matthew1036: Revert vandal

[[Image:ISS Aug2005.jpg|right|thumb|350px|International space station, August 2005.]]
'''International space station''' is an artifical satellite orbiting the earth.

[[category:space Exploration]]

Uganda

2007-06-16T00:03:05Z

Matthew1036: Revert vandal

The '''Republic of Uganda,''' or '''Uganda,''' is a country in East Africa, bordered to the east by [[Kenya]], on the north by [[Sudan]], to the west by the [[Democratic Republic of Congo]], [[Rwanda]] on the southwest, and [[Tanzania]] to the south. The southern part of the country includes a substantial portion of [[Lake Victoria]], within which it shares borders with Kenya and Tanzania.

[[Category:African Countries]]

Charles Alexander Moffat

2007-06-16T00:02:44Z

Matthew1036: Revert vandal

'''Charles Alexander Moffat''' or '''Charles Moffat''' (Born 1979 in Wingham, [[Ontario]], [[Canada]]) is a controversial Canadian artist, writer and movie director. Moffat has directed movies and short videos like "The Fear Americans Series", "Nuclear Winter" and "Nightmares in the Morning".

==Biography==

Charles Moffat studied at Hillcrest Public School in Teeswater, [[Ontario]], Walkerton District Secondary School in Walkerton [[Ontario]], John Diefenbaker Secondary School in [[Hanover] [[Ontario]] and at [[York University]] in [[Toronto]] [[Canada]].

Moffat's acrylic and oil paintings focuses on controversial topics such as [[abortion]], genetic manipulation, sexuality, [[gothic]] culture, fetishes, [[feminism]], American politics, [[censorship]], the Korean Demilitarized Zone and [[atheism]].

Moffat is also known for his paintings of female violinists<ref>[http://www.valeska.com/art/art.htm Violinist painting by Charles Alexander Moffat]</ref>.

===Writing===

Moffat is a prolific writer and has written four fantasy novels including: "The Paladin Assassin" (1995), "Ice War" (1996), "King Culprit" (1997) and "Rise of the Blade" (1998). The fourth book "Rise of the Blade" was meant to be published as part of The Harpers Series for the Forgotten Realms fantasy world, but The Harpers Series was canceled<ref>[http://www.candlekeep.com/bookshelf/novels.htm List of Forgotten Realms Novels], retrieved on May 25th 2007.</ref>.

Moffat has also written on a variety of topics including from art history, mythology and politics including "The Neo-Gothic Art Manifesto", "The Work of Art in the Age of Digital Reproduction", "The Demonification of Lilith" and "Canadian Unity and Quebec Separation". He translated a [[Sumerian]] legend about [[Lilith]] into English<ref>[http://forums.abrahadabra.com/showthread.php?t=1576 Sumerian Lilith], retrieved on May 25th 2007.</ref>.

===Trivia===

* Moffat is working on a documentary about zombies titled "The Zombie Apocalypse" (2007), which is based on the book The Zombie Survival Guide.
* Moffat played "Macbeth" in a high school play and was voted most likely to assassinate the [[Prime Minister of Canada]] by his graduating class.
* Moffat lived in Jeonju, [[South Korea]] for a year and showed a series of photography in galleries in [[Seoul]] about the Korean Demilitarized Zone.
* Moffat has a fan club in Sao Paolo [[Brazil]].

==References==

<references/>

===External Links===

*[http://music.cd-writer.com/c416/p25681/fan_websites/charles_alexander_fan_websites.html List of Fan Websites for Charles Alexander Moffat]
*[http://www.vampires.nu/pages/Forums.cfm/action/viewmessages/PageID/10/Forum/15/Topic/1537 Charles Alexander Moffat Discussion Group]

Actinium

2007-06-16T00:02:07Z

Matthew1036: Revert vandal

{{Element | name=Actinium | symbol=Ac | anumber=89 | amass=227.0 amu | noe=89 | class=Transition Metal | cstructure=Cubic | color=Silver | date=1899 | discname=[[Andre Debierne]] | origname=From the Greek ''aktinos''. | uses=Unknown | obtained=Unknown, as it is extremely rare. }}

Illegal aliens

2007-06-15T23:58:16Z

Matthew1036: New page: Illegal aliens are people who immigrate into a country without having proper documentation or approval by the country in question. In the United States, many illegal aliens are Mexicans w...

Illegal aliens are people who immigrate into a country without having proper documentation or approval by the country in question. In the United States, many illegal aliens are Mexicans who cross the southern border illegally. Although Mexicans make up the majority of illegal aliens, there are also serious problems with foreign students who come to this country on Student Visas and stay beyond the duration of their visa. This is how one of the 9/11 terrorists entered the country.

Mexicans

2007-06-15T23:53:54Z

Matthew1036:

{{merge|Mexico}}
[[Image:Mexican.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Traditional Mexican dancers]]
'''Mexicans''' are people who live in [[Mexico]]. [[Spanish]] is the ''de facto'' [[language]] of Mexicans. Many Mexicans cross the southern border of the [[United States]], and end up living here as [[illegal aliens]].

[[Category:Ethnic Groups]]

Smallpox

2007-06-15T23:44:39Z

Matthew1036: Revert - Andy asked for this page not to be changed.

Smallpox is an acute, highly infectious, often fatal disease caused by a poxvirus and characterized by high fever and aches with subsequent widespread eruption of pimples that blister, produce pus, and form pockmarks. It is also called variola.
[[Category:Medicine]]

Syria

2007-06-15T23:40:32Z

Matthew1036:

[[Image:S001.png|right|thumb]]
'''Syria''' is a Middle Eastern country. It borders [[Israel]], [[Lebanon]], [[Jordan]], [[Iraq]], and [[Turkey]].

The capital is [[Damascus]]. Other important cities include [[Aleppo]] and [[Hama]]. Most settlement is near the [[Mediterranean]] coast, with the interior consisting largely of [[desert]].

Syria is currently a [[Ba'athist]] [[dictatorship]]. The government was accused by many of playing a role in the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister [[Rafik Hariri]] in 2005. Syria is also responsible for allowing foreign terrorist fighters to enter Iraq through their border and attack our troops.

It is also a destination for victims of [[human trafficking]]. [https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/sy.html]

Damascus is an important city for Christians, as it is the city to which the Apostle [[Paul]] was travelling upon his conversion. However, it has been mostly Muslim for centuries, and was a part of the [[Ottoman Empire]]. When the Ottoman Empire dissolved after [[World War I]], [[France]] forcibly took over Syria, then left in 1946, granting it its independence.

[[Category:Asian Countries]]
[[Category:Middle Eastern Countries]]

Baroque

2007-06-15T23:37:54Z

Matthew1036:

'''Baroque''' was an seventeenth century art movement that originated in [[Italy]]. The Baroque was stylistically complex, even contradictory. At this era Caravaggio’s dramatic intensity was appreciated, but his realism was seen by some as unacceptably vulgar. The Baroque painters focused on representing scenes of heroes, mythology and [[Catholic]] themes. [http://www.conservapedia.com/Image:Rembrandt_Self_Portrait.jpg Portraiture] was also an important subject among Baroque painters.

[[Image:Caravaggio The Inspiration of Saint Matthew.jpg|right|thumb|Caravaggio, The Inspiration of Saint Matthew.]]

Main Baroque painters were: [[Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio]], The [[Carracci]] Family (Agostino, Annibale and their cousin Ludovico), [[Peter Paul Rubens]], [[Rembrandt|Rembrandt van Rijn]], [[Jan Vermeer]], [[José de Ribera]], [[Francisco de Zurbaran]], [[Diego Velázquez]], [[Bartolome Murillo]], [[Josefa de Óbidos]] and [[Frans Hals]]. These painters used exaggerated motion, space, detail and chiaroscuro. This style shows also solidity and grandeur.

The Baroque period is also known for a great expansion in classical music. During this period, the piano became more prominent and began to replace the harpsichord as an orchestral instrument. Baroque composers include GF Handel, Vivaldi, and Johann Sebastian Bach, who represents the ultimate in Baroque music.

== See also ==

*[[Painting Schools]]

== External links ==

*[http://www.ibiblio.org/wm/paint/glo/baroque/ Baroque] The WebMuseum, Paris.
*[http://witcombe.sbc.edu/ARTHbaroque.html Baroque] Art History, Sweet Briar College.

[[Image:José de Ribera.jpg]] "The Club-Foot" by José de Ribera.

[[Category:Artistic movements]]

Horse

2007-06-15T23:08:28Z

Matthew1036:

{{Taxonomy|image = Blackstallion.jpg|kingdom = Animalia|phylum = [[Chordata]]|subphylum = [[Vertebrata]]|class = [[Mammalia]]|order = [[Perissodactyla]]|suborder = Hippomorpha |family = Equidae|genus = Equus|species = caballus (Domestic Horse) Equus ferus caballus (Wild Horse)}}
'''Horses''' are large mammals known for their beauty and usefulness to humans. They provide a source of rapid transportation for hunting and travel and can pull wagons and carts. Before the invention of the tractor, horses were invaluable to farmers who used them to plough fields and haul heavy loads.

Long a source of wonder and mystery, these intelligent animals have been bred since antiquity. Their use for transportation was curtailed in the early 1900s as [[automobiles]] (then called "horseless carriages") replaced them and the annoying [[manure|horse pollution]] they dropped on city streets.

==Evolutionary view of Origins==

Evolutionists claim that the modern horse has slowly evolved into its present form over the course of about 60 million years. From Eohippus (60 million years ago) to our "modern-day horse," Equus (1 million years ago). They base this claim on the gradual "change" of the leg bones from the toes of Eohippus to the hoofs of Equus. They also argue that the skull shows an evolutionary trend from fossil to fossil. However, there is no site in the entire world that this supposed macroevolutionary succession can be seen in the fossil record. Instead, the fossils have been gathered from several different '''continents''' and put together to form the sequence.<ref>Exploring Creation with Biology, by Dr. Jay L. Wile and Marilyn F. Durnell, Apologia Educational Ministries, Inc., 2005.</ref>

In addition to the location of the fossils, evolution demands that in order for this sequence to be true, Eohippus must have lived '''before''' all of the others. Therefore, Eohippus would be found lower than all the others in the rock strata. However, fossils of '''Equus''' have been found just as close to the surface of the earth as Eohippus fossils.

On top of all that, even though the leg bones and skull of the fossils seem to show an macroevolutionary sequence, the rest of the skeletons do not. The ribs vary in amount from 15-19 with no obvious pattern. The lumbar vertebrae vary from 6-8, again with no pattern. According to evolution, these also should follow some sort of "trend."

==Young Earth Creationist view of Origins==

Young Earth Creation scientists have found the horse baramin to be one of the kinds taken by Noah aboard the Ark. Horses, being domesticated, were likely one of the "clean" animals mentioned in Genesis 7:2–3. Therefore all horse-like animals (including zebras and donkeys) as well as horses are descended from the seven horses taken by Noah aboard the ark.<ref>http://www.answersingenesis.org/creation/v19/i2/animals.asp</ref>

==References==
<references/>

[[Category:Hoofed mammals]]
[[Category:Livestock]]
[[Category:Equestrianism]]

Islamophobia

2007-06-15T01:50:49Z

Matthew1036: /* Examples of Islamophobia */

'''Islamophobia''' is, literally, "fear of Islam" though the term can be used for a variety of purposes, and is sometimes used to criticize people opposed to Islam.

Islamophobia is a neologism which defines hatred of Muslims and Islam as an irrational fear.

According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the first known use of the term Islamophobia was in 1976, though it has become more frequently used since the 1997 publication of ''Islamophobia: A Challenge For Us All'' by the Runnymede Trust, and even moreso to describe the backlash against Muslims following the 9/11 terrorist attacks.<ref>http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/07/16/national/main563594.shtml</ref><ref>http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4102389.stm</ref><ref>http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1141/is_42_37/ai_79339769</ref><ref>http://news.newamericamedia.org/news/view_article.html?article_id=127fe2880e48951b564ac2f3e171242e</ref>

The Runnymede Trust defines Islamophobia as having the following characteristics:

:1) Islam is seen as a monolithic bloc, static and unresponsive to change.
:2) Islam is seen as separate and “other”. It does not have values in common with other cultures, is not affected by them and does not influence them.
:3) Islam is seen as inferior to the West. It is seen as barbaric, irrational, primitive, and sexist.
:4) Islam is seen as violent, aggressive, threatening, supportive of terrorism, and engaged in a Clash of Civilizations.
:5) Islam is seen as a political ideology, used for political or military advantage.
:6) Criticisms made of 'the West' by Islam are rejected out of hand.
:7) Hostility towards Islam is used to justify discriminatory practices towards Muslims and exclusion of Muslims from mainstream society.
:8) Anti-Muslim hostility is seen as natural and normal.

==Examples of Islamophobia==

In a May 2001 interview, British politician Nick Giffen stated "Muslims are the biggest problem at present, for several reasons, because they have the highest birth rate, which means their communities need living space - that's what the ethnic cleansing is about. They have political corruption in their own countries, and when they have a chance to get council places they are there for graft. Most important of all is that Islam is an aggressive religion." <ref>‘Far right aims to gain foothold in Oldham’, Jeevan Vasagar, May 30, 2001 The Guardian"</ref>

On September 15, 2001 a [[Sikh]] man (known for wearing distinctive beards and turbans) was mistaken for a Muslim and murdered at a gas station in Mesa, Arizona. His murderer, Frank Silva Roque, was convicted and initially sentenced to death, but this was commuted to life in prison without the possibility of parole by the Arizona Supreme Court. <ref>http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/3154170.stm</ref>

In November 2006, Jerry Klein, a Washington DC area radio talk show host suggested, in parody of Islamophobic views, that "identifying markers. ... I'm thinking either it should be an arm band, a crescent moon arm band, or it should be a crescent moon tattoo. ...If it means that we have to round them up and do a tattoo in a place where everybody knows where to find it, then that's what we'll have to do." <ref>http://cair.com/default.asp?Page=articleView&id=2415&theType=NR</ref> Although some callers believed that Klein was "off his rocker" for suggesting such a thing, other callers believed Klein had not gone far enough, and suggested that Muslims should be placed in concentration camps, or deported en-masse. Klein exposed the parody at the close of his show, and chastised those who has called in to support extreme views.

==Criticism of the concept of Islamophobia==

Kenan Malik, a British writer, has criticized the concept of Islamophobia, calling it a myth. He argues that the charge of Islamophobia is leveled against those who criticize [[Islam]] or Muslims in any way (even when those criticisms may be legitimate) to serve as a "chilling effect."

Rowan Atkinson, a British comic-actor has likewise stated that although criticizing another person based on their race is ridiculous and irrational, criticizing another's religion, which is a voluntary belief, is a right. He further stated that laws should not be created which protect certain types of ideas from criticism and not others.

Stephen Schwartz, an American writer and critic of [[Wahabbism]], has stated that although the charge of Islamophobia is sometimes leveled too quickly against an opponent, that it is still a real phenomenon<ref>http://www.frontpagemag.com/Articles/ReadArticle.asp?ID=17874</ref>, which he defines as:

:1) Attacking the entire religion of Islam as a problem for the world;
:2) Condemning all of Islam and its history as extremist;
:3) Denying the active existence, in the contemporary world, of a moderate Muslim majority;
:4) Insisting that Muslims accede to the demands of non-Muslims (based on ignorance and arrogance) for various theological changes, in their religion;
:5) Treating all conflicts involving Muslims (including, for example, that in Bosnia-Hercegovina a decade ago), as the fault of Muslims themselves;
:6) Inciting war against Islam as a whole.

==References==
<references/>

Islamophobia

2007-06-15T01:49:47Z

Matthew1036: Sikhs aren't Islamic, but the man was killed because he was thought to be a Muslim.

'''Islamophobia''' is, literally, "fear of Islam" though the term can be used for a variety of purposes, and is sometimes used to criticize people opposed to Islam.

Islamophobia is a neologism which defines hatred of Muslims and Islam as an irrational fear.

According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the first known use of the term Islamophobia was in 1976, though it has become more frequently used since the 1997 publication of ''Islamophobia: A Challenge For Us All'' by the Runnymede Trust, and even moreso to describe the backlash against Muslims following the 9/11 terrorist attacks.<ref>http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/07/16/national/main563594.shtml</ref><ref>http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4102389.stm</ref><ref>http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1141/is_42_37/ai_79339769</ref><ref>http://news.newamericamedia.org/news/view_article.html?article_id=127fe2880e48951b564ac2f3e171242e</ref>

The Runnymede Trust defines Islamophobia as having the following characteristics:

:1) Islam is seen as a monolithic bloc, static and unresponsive to change.
:2) Islam is seen as separate and “other”. It does not have values in common with other cultures, is not affected by them and does not influence them.
:3) Islam is seen as inferior to the West. It is seen as barbaric, irrational, primitive, and sexist.
:4) Islam is seen as violent, aggressive, threatening, supportive of terrorism, and engaged in a Clash of Civilizations.
:5) Islam is seen as a political ideology, used for political or military advantage.
:6) Criticisms made of 'the West' by Islam are rejected out of hand.
:7) Hostility towards Islam is used to justify discriminatory practices towards Muslims and exclusion of Muslims from mainstream society.
:8) Anti-Muslim hostility is seen as natural and normal.

==Examples of Islamophobia==

In a May 2001 interview, British politician Nick Giffen stated "Muslims are the biggest problem at present, for several reasons, because they have the highest birth rate, which means their communities need living space - that's what the ethnic cleansing is about. They have political corruption in their own countries, and when they have a chance to get council places they are there for graft. Most important of all is that Islam is an aggressive religion." <ref>‘Far right aims to gain foothold in Oldham’, Jeevan Vasagar, May 30, 2001 The Guardian"</ref>

On September 15, 2001 a [[Sikh]] man (known for wearing distinctive beards and turbans) was murdered at a gas station in Mesa, Arizona. His murderer, Frank Silva Roque, was convicted and initially sentenced to death, but this was commuted to life in prison without the possibility of parole by the Arizona Supreme Court. <ref>http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/3154170.stm</ref>

In November 2006, Jerry Klein, a Washington DC area radio talk show host suggested, in parody of Islamophobic views, that "identifying markers. ... I'm thinking either it should be an arm band, a crescent moon arm band, or it should be a crescent moon tattoo. ...If it means that we have to round them up and do a tattoo in a place where everybody knows where to find it, then that's what we'll have to do." <ref>http://cair.com/default.asp?Page=articleView&id=2415&theType=NR</ref> Although some callers believed that Klein was "off his rocker" for suggesting such a thing, other callers believed Klein had not gone far enough, and suggested that Muslims should be placed in concentration camps, or deported en-masse. Klein exposed the parody at the close of his show, and chastised those who has called in to support extreme views.

==Criticism of the concept of Islamophobia==

Kenan Malik, a British writer, has criticized the concept of Islamophobia, calling it a myth. He argues that the charge of Islamophobia is leveled against those who criticize [[Islam]] or Muslims in any way (even when those criticisms may be legitimate) to serve as a "chilling effect."

Rowan Atkinson, a British comic-actor has likewise stated that although criticizing another person based on their race is ridiculous and irrational, criticizing another's religion, which is a voluntary belief, is a right. He further stated that laws should not be created which protect certain types of ideas from criticism and not others.

Stephen Schwartz, an American writer and critic of [[Wahabbism]], has stated that although the charge of Islamophobia is sometimes leveled too quickly against an opponent, that it is still a real phenomenon<ref>http://www.frontpagemag.com/Articles/ReadArticle.asp?ID=17874</ref>, which he defines as:

:1) Attacking the entire religion of Islam as a problem for the world;
:2) Condemning all of Islam and its history as extremist;
:3) Denying the active existence, in the contemporary world, of a moderate Muslim majority;
:4) Insisting that Muslims accede to the demands of non-Muslims (based on ignorance and arrogance) for various theological changes, in their religion;
:5) Treating all conflicts involving Muslims (including, for example, that in Bosnia-Hercegovina a decade ago), as the fault of Muslims themselves;
:6) Inciting war against Islam as a whole.

==References==
<references/>

Holocene

2007-06-15T01:45:20Z

Matthew1036:

According to evolutionary biologists and geologists, the Holocene is the geologic period we now live in. It is theorized to cover the last 12,000 years and all of human civilization (although not all of humanity). It covers the Neolithic to the Information Age, and was preceded by the [[Pleistocene]] epoch.
==The Ages of the Holocene==
*[[Neolithic]] - The New Stone Age. This covers the advent of agriculture to the use of bronze weapons. Roughly 12,000 years ago to 4,000 years ago. However, [[Young Earth Creationism|Young Earth Creation scientists]] have found that the age of the Earth is far less than what is believed by evolutionists. Therefore, they believe that the Holocene covers the period from the creation of the Earth until 4000 years ago.
*[[Bronze Age]] - The Use of Bronze to make tools and weapons. 4,000 years ago to 2,500 years ago.
*[[Iron Age]] - This age is concurrent with classical Greece and Rome. It is during this age that Christianity first came onto the scene.
*[[Middle Ages]] - From the fall of Rome around 400 A.D. to the invention of the printing press in the 15th century.
*[[Renaissance]] - Increased interest in science and vast increase in knowledge due to the printing press. Exchange of ideas between cultures. This was the age of Galileo, Shakespeare, and Copernicus.
*[[Industrial Age]] - From the late 1700s to the early 1900s. This age saw the invention of many modern machines that we now take for granted such as the steam locomotive, automobile, telephone, and airplane. Working conditions were difficult and sometimes brutal during this era. This is what led Karl Marx to come up with communism. The idea was later twisted into a totalitarian dictatorship by the monster Stalin.
*[[Atomic Age]] - From WWII until about 1990, this era saw the invention of atomic weapons by the United States and the Soviets. This is the first time in the history of the earth that a single species is capable of destroying the entire planet.
*[[Information Age]] - Starting around 1990, the Internet began to be used by more people. Invented in 1969 by the US military, it became more commonly used by civilians during the 1980s and by 1995 the word "Internet" was beginning to enter everyday vocabulary. By 2000, high speed internet was beginning to become available and now billions of people all over the world are connected like never before. This is much to the chagrin of oppressive governments such as China and Colombia where ideas about freedom and social justice are being spread from Western Europe and North America into impoverished and oppressed nations.

== Young earth creationist scientists view ==
[[Young earth creationist]] scientists believe that the [[Theory of evolution|evolutionary]] [[Geology|geological]] timescale is in error. <ref>http://www.trueorigin.org/geocolumn.asp</ref><ref>http://www.icr.org/index.php?module=articles&action=view&ID=54</ref><ref>http://www.allaboutcreation.org/geologic-time-scale.htm</ref> These scientists believe that the earth is young and has multiple lines of evidence from the field of geology showing that the earth is young. <ref>http://www.answersingenesis.org/home/area/faq/geology.asp</ref><ref>http://www.creationism.org/topbar/geology.htm</ref><ref>http://www.grisda.org/georpts/gr11.htm</ref><ref>http://www.nwcreation.net/geologylinks.html</ref><ref>http://globalflood.org/</ref> Also, young earth creationist scientists assert that there is an abundance of scientific arguments in addition to geology showing the earth and universe are both approximately 6,000 years in age.<ref>http://www.answersingenesis.org/home/area/faq/young.asp</ref><ref>http://www.answersingenesis.org/home/area/faq/astronomy.asp</ref><ref>http://www.icr.org/article/1842/</ref> In addition, young earth creationist scientists have a number of arguments against the position of an extremely old age for the earth and the universe.<ref>http://www.answersingenesis.org/home/area/faq/dating.asp</ref><ref>http://www.answersingenesis.org/home/area/faq/astronomy.asp</ref><ref>http://www.apologeticspress.org/modules.php?name=Read&cat=1&itemid=22</ref><ref>http://www.answersingenesis.org/docs2002/0809_cdk_davies.asp</ref> [[Flood Geology|Flood geologists]] also point out that [[catastrophism]] is increasingly being accepted in the field of geology. <ref>http://www.grisda.org/origins/12061.htm</ref>
<ref>http://www.icr.org/index.php?module=articles&action=print&ID=84</ref> In addition, creationists also assert that old earth uniformitarian geology has numerous [[Anomaly|anomalies]]. For example, creationists cite the work of [[William R. Corliss]] who catalogued numerous anomalies in the old earth uniformatarian geology [[paradigm]]. <ref>http://www.science-frontiers.com/sourcebk.htm</ref><ref>http://www.apologeticspress.net/articles/184</ref> Corliss wrote regarding [[Paraconformity|paraconformities]] the following:

<blockquote style="background: #F9F9F9; border: 1px solid #AAAAAA; padding: .3em;">
"Potentially more important to geological thinking are those [[unconformity|unconformities]] that signal large chunks of geological history are missing, even though the strata on either side of the unconformity are perfectly parallel and show no evidence of erosion. Did millions of years fly by with no discernible effect? A possible though controversial inference is that our geological clocks and stratigraphic concepts need working on." William R. Corliss, Unknown Earth (Glen Arm, Maryland: The Sourcebook Project, 1980), p. 219. <ref>http://www.cs.unc.edu/~plaisted/ce/flood.html</ref>
</blockquote>

The secular science journal [[New Scientist]] wrote regarding Corliss's work the following: "All I can say to Corliss is carry on cataloging." <ref>http://www.science-frontiers.com/sourcebk.htm</ref> Young earth creationist scientists assert that paraconformaties pose a serious challenge to the old earth uniformitarian geology paradigm. <ref>http://www.grisda.org/georpts/36.pdf</ref><ref>
http://www.grisda.org/2003-FSC-open/Roth-RecentCreation.htm</ref><ref>http://www.seeking-god.co.uk/id188.htm</ref>

== References ==
<references/>

==See Also==
*[[Pleistocene]]
[[category:Geological time periods]]

Hippie

2007-06-15T01:39:41Z

Matthew1036:

A term used for members of the counter-culture of the 1960's who opted to "drop out" (of school and the career [[rat race]]), turn on (by taking [[psychedelic]] [[drug]]s) and tune in (to an alternative way of looking at the [[universe]])", rejecting the [[materialism|materialistic]] values of the society around them. The non-violent movement was largely in response to the the [[Vietnam War]], and used the slogan "peace and love." Hippie [[culture]] also became associated with [[rock music|rock and roll]], recreational [[drug]] use, "[[free love]], as reflected by the slogan "sex, drugs, and rock'n'roll." Hippies wore their hair long. "Jesus freaks" were hippies who were born-again [[Christian]]s and followed Christ's [[commandments]] regarding the importance of [[love]], and eschewing the use of drugs. Many hippies experimented with alternative living arrangements such as [[commune]]s, where all work and all possessions were shared. In the movie "[[Easy Rider]]" the protagonists visit a hippie commune in [[California]]. [[Tom Wolfe]]'s account of [[Ken Kesey]]'s [[Merry Pranksters]] in his book "[[The Electric Acid Test]]" documented one aspect of the hippie scene.

Hippies were preceded by the counter-culture [[beatnik]] movement in the 1950's.

It was the capitalistic society in which the hippie was born that gave them financial support. The largesses of their parents and free public handouts helped buoy the idealistic and misguided cultural experiments they attempted. Hippies failed in the end to affect real change since their world view was based on a flawed concept of human nature. They believed that people were willing to live in a lessened state of materialistic ease and were altruistic as opposed to self-interested. This same flaw led to the fall of communism and the failure of all the 1960s communes.

To this day politicians avoid growing beards due to how that alienates voters reminded of the hippies, whom many voters would never support.

[[Category:Politics]]
[[category:culture]]

Microsoft

2007-06-13T02:54:39Z

Matthew1036:

[[Image:Microsoft logo.svg|right|frame]]
'''Microsoft''' is an American corporation funded by [[Bill Gates]] and [[Paul Allen]] in 1975 and headquartered in Redmond, Washington, USA. Its current CEO is [[Steve Ballmer]]. Microsoft focuses on developing and manufacturing [[software]], [[hardwares]] and other technology oriented products and services. In 2000 a [[liberal]] [[activist]] [[judge]] decided that Microsoft had grown into a [[monopoly]] and ordered that the company be split into two units. The threat of the breakup of the world's largest software company led directly to the fall of the [[NASDAQ]] and ended the [[dot-com boom]]. The [[recession]] triggered by Clinton's Department of Justice was later exacerbated by the [[9/11]] attacks. In 2001, a federal appeals court overturned the lower court's ruling.

==Software Products==
:[[Windows Vista]] operating system
:[[Windows XP]] operating system
:[[DOS]] Microsoft's first operating system
:[[Windows 2000]] operating system
:[[SQL Server]]
:[[Dynamics]]
:[[Windows Server 2003]]
:[[Windows CE]]
:[[Internet Explorer]] HTML viewer
:[[Office]] word processor, spreadsheet editor, slide-show creator, ect.
:[[Expression]] vector graphics editor
:[[Windows Media Player]]
:[[Virtual PC]] PC emulator
:[[Windows Defender]] anti-virus and anti-spyware software
:[[Windows Live Writer]] blog publishing software
:[[XNA]] game development tool
:[[Visual Studio]] integrated development environment for C++, Visual Basic, C#, ect.
:[[Windows Live Messenger]] instant messenger
:[[DirectX]] multimedia API
:[[Money (software)|Money]] personal finance software

==Publishing==
:[[Microsoft Press]] releasing books dealing with various computer technologies.

==Video Games==
:The [[Halo]] series
:[[Microsoft Flight Simulator]]
:[[Microsoft Golf]]
:[[Microsoft Baseball]]
:[[Age of Empires]]
:[[Age of Mythology]]
:[[Halo Wars]] real-time strategy game in the Halo universe
:[[Fable (video game)|Fable]] and Fable 2
:[[Perfect Dark Zero]]
:[[Kameo: Elements of Power]]
:[[Perfect Dark: Initial Vector]]
:[[Crimson Skies]]
:[[Mechwarrior]]
:[[Combat Flight Simulator]]
:[[Microsoft Train Simulator]]
:[[Banjo-Kazooie 3]]
:[[Black & White]]
:[[The Movies]]

==Services==
:[[MSN]] internet service provider
:[[Encarta]] encyclopedia
:[[Hotmail]] free internet e-mail service
:[[Windows Live]] web portal
:[[XBOX Live]] Xbox online multiplayer service
:[[MSNBC]] news service
:[[Windows Marketplace]] online shopping service
:[[Windows Live Spaces]] social-networking service
:[[Windows Live ID]] online ID and password storage service
:[[LIVE Anywhere]] cross-platform multiplayer gaming service
:[[Microsoft Ignition]] online digital music service

==Hardware Products==
:[[Xbox]] gaming console
:[[Xbox 360]] gaming console
:[[Surface]] touch-tone computer
:[[Zune]] portable media player
:[[Natural keyboard]]
:[[LifeCam]] webcam
:[[SideWinder]] game-pad and joystick
:[[Ultra-Mobile PC]] tablet computer
:[[Fingerprint Reader]] reads fingerprint as password
:[[IntelliPoint Mouse]] optical mouse
:[[MSN TV]] TV that allows web browsing

==Corporate Slogan==
:Where do you want to go today?

==See Also==
:[http://www.microsoft.com/en/us/default.aspx Microsoft official site]

[[Category:Information technology]]
[[Category:Companies]]

Charles Darwin

2007-06-13T02:27:19Z

Matthew1036:

[[Image:darwin.jpg|thumb|150px|right|Charles Darwin]]
'''Charles Robert Darwin''' (12 February 1809 - 19 April 1883) was a famous naturalist born in [[England]]. He is best known for the [[Theory of Natural Selection|theory of natural selection]] which has since been almost universally accepted by biologists as an essential aspect of [[Theory of Evolution|evolution]]. The concept is that organisms are modified over vast amounts of time by natural selection, branching from common ancestors. Outside of evolution in particular, he was regarded as an expert on barnacles, as well as being credited with discovering how coral [[atoll]]s were formed.
==General Biography==
Charles Darwin was born in Shrewsbury, England in 1809 to his parents Dr. Robert Darwin and Susannah Wedgewood. Darwin's mother was a religious woman but his father was, for the most part, a weak deist. Despite his lack of theistic religious belief, Darwin's father allowed Charles to be baptized into the Anglican Church and encouraged him to become a clergyman. Darwin's mother died in 1817. In 1825 he went on to study medicine at the University of Edinburgh. There, he became horrified by the brutality of surgery before anesthesia was invented and quit his medical studies. In 1831 he graduated from Christ's College at Cambridge with a BA degree in the classics and theology. On December 27 of the same year he departed on the ''HMS Beagle'' for a five year voyage of exploration. The ''Beagle'' returned to English shores on October 2 1836. In 1837, Darwin drew his now famous depiction of common ancestry in the form of a branching tree. The following year he discovered the concept of ''natural selection.''
Darwin insists that naturally occurring phenomena and factors working together in blind tandem have prodcued nature and eventually mankind, but based the idea of human evolution on the racist concept that Africans were more like apes than white men. In 1842 he wrote out a ''sketch'' of his theory but did not publish it. Again, in 1844 he produced what is known today as an ''essay'' of the same theory more developed but he still chose not to publish. Finally, in 1859, Darwin publishes his famous theory about how life may have been produced without any aid from a Divine Creator, he titles his book: ''On The Origin Of Species By Means Of Natural Selection Or The Preservation Of Favoured Races In The Struggle For Life.'' In 1871, well after his theory enjoyed widespread success, Darwin published his ideas on human evolution in a two volume book titled ''Descent of Man and the Preservation of the Favored Races''

==Religious Beliefs==
[[Image:CharlesDarwin.jpg|thumb|150px|left|Charles Darwin in 1880 at the age of 71.]]
Charles Darwin likely abandoned Christianity as a student when he disappointed his father by refusing to become a minister. As an adult he was an [[atheist]]<ref>Mayr, Ernst ''One Long Argument'' (1991:75)</ref>. In 1859 (at the age of fifty) Darwin published his famous book ''The Origin of Species''. "In order not to hurt the feelings of his friends and wife, Darwin often used deistic language in his publications" <ref>Ibid. (1991:75).</ref>. According to Darwin the "manifestly false history of the world" <ref>Barlow, Nora (editor) ''The Autobiography of Charles Darwin'' (1958:85).</ref> as recorded in the Old Testament and New Testament miracles led him to reject Biblical veracity <ref>Ibid. (1958:85-87).</ref>. Eminent Darwin biographer, Professor Janet Browne, sums up Darwin's views concerning religion: Darwin "mapped out a comparative evolution of the religious sense, proposing that religious belief was ultimately nothing more than a primitive urge to bestow a cause on otherwise inexplicable natural events...In short, he made no secret of his view that he did not believe religion to have any rational foundation at all" <ref>Browne, Janet ''Charles Darwin The Power of Place'' (2002:341)</ref>. When he died in 1882 at the age of seventy-three, Darwin was buried at Westminster Abbey next to Sir [[Isaac Newton]].

There exists in hostile Darwin literature a story about a Christian called Lady Hope who visited and spoke with a dying Charles Darwin. While this much is true, it remains controversial whether Darwin made a death-bed repentance to Lady Hope.

== References ==

1. Mayr, Ernst ''One Long Argument'' (1991:75)

2. Ibid. (1991:75).

3. Barlow, Nora (editor) ''The Autobiography of Charles Darwin'' (1958:85).

4. Ibid. (1958:85-87).

5. Browne, Janet ''Charles Darwin The Power of Place'' (2002:341)

Yom Kippur War

2007-06-12T06:11:43Z

Matthew1036: New page: The Yom Kippur War was fought between Israel, Egypt, and Syria. The war commenced on October 6, 1973 when Egyptian mechanized divisions crossed the Suez Canal by using a s...

The Yom Kippur War was fought between [[Israel]], [[Egypt]], and [[Syria]]. The war commenced on October 6, 1973 when Egyptian mechanized divisions crossed the [[Suez Canal]] by using a series of pressurized water cannons to demolish sand walls on the opposite side of the canal, and then crossing on pontoon bridges. This was concurrent to a Syrian advance into the [[Golan Heights]]. The date was chosen because Yom Kippur is a sacred holiday for the [[Jews]], and many Israeli army were stood down during that time. The delay in mobilization, and the lack of a preemptive strike against Egyptian and Syrian forces allowed the initial success of these advances.

At first, the Israeli counterattack was focussed primarily against the forces in the Golan Heights as these were much closer to Israel proper, whereas the Egyptian forces in the [[Sinai peninsula]] were not as immediate a threat. Initial counterattacks against both armies were ineffective because the Israelis were hugely outnumbered in armor, although the Egyptians and Syrians were fielding obsolete [[Russian]] [[tanks]] as opposed to the more modern European and American tanks fielded by Israel. To counter this advantage, the Arab armies armed their soldiers with Russian anti-tank weapons. Additionally, both armies used fixed [[SAM]] emplacements, and avoided leaving the coverage of this air umbrella, thus blunting the offensive power of the Israeli [[air force]].

Facing defeat, the Israelis implored the United States for military aid, as the Europeans refused to assist under threat of an Arab oil embargo. The [[United States]] airlifted a large number of tanks and aircraft into Israel, thus replacing Israeli losses. Because of the influx of materiel, the Israelis were able to commit their forces to a renewed offensive posture, overwhelming the older Egyptian and Syrian divisions.

Because the Israelis through the majority of their reserves into the Golan Heights theater, they were able to push back the Syrian advance, and counterattack into Syria, though this counter attack was ultimately turned back by a combined Syrian, [[Jordan|Jordanian]], and [[Iraq|Iraqi]] force. In the Sinai, after several attacks and counter attacks, both sides went into a defensive stance to hold the ground that they had. On October 14, the Egyptian forces decided to attack first, but made a tactical blunder in attacking the Israelis head on and outside of their SAM umbrella. The Egyptian tanks were decimated by the superior Israeli armor and air power. The following day, the Israelis counterattacked across the Suez canal.

By October 23rd, the Israeli army, though pushed back from the outskirts of [[Damascus]], still had captured additional territory near the Golan Heights, and was close to encircling the Egyptian army in the Sinai peninsula. The [[UN]] chose this time to impose a cease fire which went into effect at sundown on the 23rd. However, overnight the Israeli army continued its attack in Egyptian territory in order to complete the encirclement of the Egyptians. In a conference with [[Golda Meir]] that evening, [[Henry Kissinger]] asked "how can anyone ever know where a line is or was in the desert?" Their army now encircled, the Egyptians had no choice but to accept the cease fire in exchange for the creation of UN checkpoints to allow non-military supplies to reach their army, and the exchange of prisoners of war. Although the cease fire did not bind the Syrians, they decided not to further counterattack the Israeli army, though their combined force of Syrian, Iraqi, and Jordanian troops had the Israelis in a state of retreat.

Ultimately, the cease fire led to an armistice, and the [[Camp David accords]] wherein Egypt agreed to a lasting peace in exchange for the return of the Sinai peninsula, which the Egyptians had lost during the Six Day War, and the recovery of which had been the primary goal of the Yom Kippur War. However, the airlifting of supplies by the United States to the Israelis directly precipitated the 1973 [[OPEC]] oil embargo.

Democratic Party

2007-06-10T02:56:58Z

Matthew1036: /* Religion */

[[Image:democraticpartyusalogo.png|right|thumb|200px|Official logo of the Democratic Party.]]

The '''Democratic Party''' is one of the two major political [[parties]] in the [[United States of America]]. It is generally seen as being politically between center and [[leftist | left]] of center, while the rival [[Republican Party]] is positioned to the [[rightist | right]] of center (see [[political spectrum theory]]). Members and supporters of the Democratic Party are known as Democrats.

The Democrats currently control the United States [[House of Representatives]] and the [[Senate]], together with the majority of State governorships and legislatures. <ref>[http://www.multistate.com/Site.nsf/Elections2006PostMaps?OpenPage Multistate.com] Post-Election 2006 Maps</ref> According to a Pew Research Center poll, 50 percent of Americans identify themselves with the Democratic Party as opposed to 35 percent for the Republican Party.<ref>[http://people-press.org/reports/display.php3?ReportID=312 Trends in Political Values and Core Attitudes: 1987-2007] Pew Research Center, 22 March 2007</ref> However, Democrats have served out only three of the last ten presidential terms. Democrats in the US Congress currently have a 58% disapproval and a 32.6% approval rating according to the RealClearPolitics Average of several dozens of Congressional Job Approval polls conducted 05/07 - 05/23. <ref>[http://www.realclearpolitics.com/polls/archive/?poll_id=18 RealClearPolitics Congressional Job Approval Poll], 05/07 - 05/23 </ref> ''Investor's Business Daily'' remarked, "For all the promises of its new Democratic leaders, Congress seems truly interested in doing only one thing: surrendering in [[Iraq]]. No wonder its public approval ratings have sunk below the president's." <ref>[http://ibdeditorials.com/IBDArticles.aspx?id=264123134498383&kw=For,all,the,promises The Do-One-Thing Congress], ''Investor's Business Daily, May 15, 2007.</ref>

Like the Republicans, the Democrats are currently selecting their candidate for the 2008 presidential election; the front-runners in the contest are Senator [[Hillary Clinton]] of [[New York]] and Senator [[Barack Obama]] of [[Illinois]]. The most recent president who was a Democrat was [[Bill Clinton]], who served from 1993 to 2001.

==History==
The Democratic Party was founded in 1792 by [[Thomas Jefferson]] as a congressional caucus to fight for the [[Bill of Rights]] and to oppose the elitist [[Federalist Party]] led by [[Alexander Hamilton]], which fought for the [[Constitution]].

In 1798 , the party was officially named the "Democratic-Republican Party", and in 1800 Jefferson was elected as the first Democrat [[President of the United States]]. Jefferson, a member of the landed gentry and a slave owner, served two terms as president with distinction, and was succeeded by another Democrat, [[James Madison]], in 1808 . During Madison's tenure, the United States fought the [[United Kingdom]] to a draw in the [[War of 1812]]. James Monroe, another Democratic-Republican, was elected president in 1816 and led the nation through a time commonly known as "The Era of Good Feelings". In this period, the party dominated American politics with little opposition. Monroe was followed by John Quincy Adams who won the hotly contested election of 1824, becoming the first son of a former president to be elected president.

[[Andrew Jackson]], defeated Adams in the 1828 election and signed into law the [[Indian Removal Act of 1830]] <ref>[http://edweb.tusd.k12.az.us/UHS/APUSH/1st%20Sem/Articles%20Semester%201/Artiles%20Semester%201/Remini.htm Andrew Jackson and Indian Removal], by Robert Remini.</ref> according to the Democratic National Committee's website is "considered — along with Jefferson — one of the founding fathers of the Democratic Party." <ref>[http://www.democrats.org/a/2006/06/our_history.php Democratic National Committee, ''Our History''], retrieved 25 March 2007.</ref> Annual Jefferson-Jackson Day celebrations nationwide by local chapters of the Democratic Party commemorate the two founders of the Democratic Party. <ref>[http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/02/20/AR2007022001949.html String of Successes Enlivens Democratic Party], Michael D. Shear, ''The Washington Post'', 22 February 2007.</ref> The Indian Removal Act, enforced through a series of dishonest dealings with native people such as the Treaty of Dancing Rabitt Creek and the Treaty of New Echota, resulted in the wholesale deportation of Native Americans from the Southeastern states to Indian Territory (present day Oklahoma). <http://digital.library.okstate.edu/kappler/>

The Jacksonian period also saw the expansion of the voting franchise as most states did away with, or decreased property requirements for voting. The beneficiaries of the expansion of the franchise however, were nearly all white males. Annual Jefferson-Jackson Day celebrations nationwide by local chapters of the Democratic Party commemorate the two founders of the Democratic Party. <ref>[http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/02/20/AR2007022001949.html String of Successes Enlivens Democratic Party], Michael D. Shear, ''The Washington Post'', 22 February 2007.</ref>

Democrat [[Franklin Roosevelt]], who served as President from 1933 to 1945, led the United States during the [[Great Depression]] and throughout most of the [[Second World War]]. Under his successor, [[Harry Truman]] the United States emerged a victor from World War II and articulated the Doctine of [[Containment]] which committed the U.S. to stop the spread of global [[Communism]]. Truman ordered the Berlin airlift in 1948 and sent U.S. troops to Korea in 1950.

==Policies and criticism==

In June 2005, while Democrats held a mock impeachment inquiry in President's Bush's foreign policy, [[anti-Semitic]] materials were distributed at the Democratic Party National headquarters. The literature claimed that an Israeli company had warning of the [[September 11, 2001 attacks]], and an "insider trading scam" on Wall Street had occured simultaneously. <ref>[http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/06/16/AR2005061601570.html Democrats Play House To Rally Against the War], Dana Milbank, ''Washington Post'', June 17, 2005.</ref>

It should be noted that the views of individual Democrats sometimes diverge from the party's official stance as expressed in its national platform. The same is true of individual Republicans. Nonetheless, Tyrell accuses Democrats of wearing ideological blinders:

:Can anything embarrass [[Speaker Pelosi]] and the rest of the Democratic leadership? Frankly I doubt it. They are all neatly shut off from the world in their fantasy of moral and intellectual superiority. [http://www.washtimes.com/commentary/20070510-092027-4746r.htm]

===Economic policy===
In the field of economic policy, Democrats favor high progressive taxes, higher government spending and a relatively high minimum wage.'{{fact}}

The Democratic Party has historically had ties to [[union|organized labor]]. The [[National Education Association]],<ref>[http://www.nea.org/index.html National Education Association homepage]</ref> the largest union of public school teachers, is a backbone of the party, supplying the largest number of delegates to its national conventions.{{fact}}

===Foreign and military policy===
According to its platform, the Democratic Party has the objective of strengthening America. Democratic national leadership has been accused of being ambivalent about terrorism<ref>[http://www.news10.net/display_story.aspx?storyid=22045 "Democrats, ACLU Outraged Over Traveler Terrorism Screening Program"] C. Johnson, Associated Press</ref> and insufficiently patriotic <ref>[http://edition.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0112/01/smn.19.html CNN Saturday Morning News]Transcript: December 1, 2001 </ref>, such as Saxby Chambliss' campaign against Senator Max Cleland--a Vietnam veteran and triple amputee.<ref>[http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A14474-2002Jun19.html "Dirty-Bomb Politics"] Mary McGrory, ''The Washington Post'', 20 June 2002</ref>

===Education===
An organization affiliated with the [[Democratic Leadership Council]] called the [[Progressive Policy Institute]] which claims a long standing opposition to school vouchers <ref>21st Century Schools Project Bulletin: Special Edition [http://www.ppionline.org/ppi_ci.cfm?knlgAreaID=110&subsecID=900001&contentID=250630 ''Putting Vouchers in Perspective''], PPI E-newsletter 2 July 2002</ref> reported Jonathan Alter of ''Newsweek'' saying,
:"Can wealthy white liberals - many of whom send their kids to private school - really say to poor parents: 'We can have choices, but you must not?'...This is a glaring hypocrisy sitting at the heart of the liberal opposition to targeted vouchers… Right now, Democrats are in a highly compromised position on education." <ref>[http://www.edreform.com/index.cfm?fuseAction=newsLetter&sectionID=29&NLissueID=4&articleID=11&altCol=2 Center For Education Reform, Monthly Letter to Friends No. 75], Back to School 2002.</ref>

===Environment vs Labor===
Two other important coalition groups also find themselves in direct conflict with each other within the Democratic party coalition--[[Environmentalist]]s and Labor Unions.{{fact}} While environmentalists support efforts like clean air and alternative fuels, for example, this creates tension with the workers of American automobile manufactures whose jobs are threatened by environmental policies such as increasing regulations and high costs. Such policies can lead to cutbacks and layoffs. Balancing these issues is difficult because some sacrifices of interests must be made by both sides.

===Healthcare===
The Democrat fondness for heavy government intervention into the marketplace{{fact}} and social engineering{{fact}} means that a significant proportion of their base and of their candidates for the 2008 U.S. Presidential Election ideologically favor introducing a system of [[socialized healthcare]]{{fact}}; regardless of the crippling tax burden this would require to sustain itself{{fact}} and the low standard of care achieved by socialized health programs in other countries compared to the United States.{{fact}} Among the leading proponents for this idea include [[Barack Obama|Sen. Barack Obama]] and [[John Edwards|Sen. John Edwards]]; the latter formerly being the running mate to [[John Kerry|Sen. John Kerry]] in the disastrous [[2004 Presidential Election]].

===Homosexual Agenda===
Democrat lawmakers and opinion-formers consistently favor measures such as the establishment of same-sex civil unions, gay marriage and gay adoption of heterosexual children over defense of the traditional family. Likewise they are vigorous in attempting to amend [[hate crime|"hate crime"]] laws to make criticism of the homosexual lifestyle illegal;<ref>[http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/printer-friendly.asp?ARTICLE_ID=54535 Christian belief a 'hate crime' under plan], WorldNetDaily, March 3, 2007. </ref> while at the same time supporting efforts to [[propaganda|disseminate favorable opinions]] regarding [[homosexuality]] through channels such as the mainstream media and even the educational system in the face of opposition from churches and religious authorities, a broad coalition of [[Republican Party|Republican]] and Independent politicians and a clear majority of the American public{{fact}}. Democrats reject the idea of a [[Homosexual agenda]] preferring to speak in terms of [[Gay rights|"gay rights"]] when this issue is raised; the Democratic Party is the recipient and beneficiary of funding from homosexual lobbying groups and can be seen by their positions as the United States' largest and most powerful ''de facto'' supporter of the so-called Homosexual Agenda. <ref>[http://www.opensecrets.org/orgs/summary.asp?ID=D000000158 Human Rights Campaign], opensecrets.org </ref>

===Other Policies===
Democrats frequently support the minimum wage, workplace protections, the right of women to choose to have an [[abortion]], [[gun control]], gay marriage, and the separation of church and state.

==Religion==
In the United States, there is some correlation between religious and political affiliation, though people of all faiths and denominations can be found among the supporters of each of the main parties.

Both historically and today, [[Roman Catholic Church|Catholic]] voters have had a tendency to identify with the Democratic Party {{fact}}, and a number of Democratic office-holders, such as Senator [[Jim Webb]] of [[Virginia]], are Catholics. However, several general ideals of the Democratic Party's platform - most notably, the party's overall support for the legality of [[abortion]] - are contrary to the position of the [[Catholic Church]].{{fact}}

With regard to [[Protestant]] Christians, members of [[Evangelical]] churches in particular are associated with the [[Republican Party]]. One unusual feature of the Democratic Party, however, is that it draws substantial support both from committed African-American Protestant Christians and from secular and atheist white voters.{{fact}} The strong opposition to [[homosexuality]] found among many Black Protestant Christians (and, indeed, among orthodox Catholics) contrasts strikingly with the support frequently shown by other Democrats for the [[homosexual agenda]].{{fact}}

Democrats also believe that religion should be separate from public life, and as such are typically supported by the ACLU. For example, in 1999 the Congress the Congress took up a bill to protect the display of the [[Ten Commandments]]. In the House of Representatives, over 3/4ths of the Democratic party members voted to allow the removal of the display. <ref>http://www.cnn.com/ALLPOLITICS/stories/1999/06/18/gun.rollcall/ten.commandments.html</ref>. The measure did not pass the Legislature, and as a result when Justice [[Roy Moore]] posted a [[Ten Commandments]] display in his courthouse, the ACLU was able to have the display removed.

==110th Congress==
The Democrats in the House of Representatives had promised major reforms within the first 100 hours. One reform in particular was lobbying and ethics reform--a key plank in the Congressional Democrats fall campaign. Democrats had vowed greater openess in the Congressional Appropriations process, and an end to so-called "[[earmark]]s", an appropriation designated to spend specific money on a specific project in a specific members district, sometimes designating a specific private business concern to whom the money is to be spent with. Several Republican members had been caught up in so-called earmark scandals, trading money for influence, and this was widely acredited as a key reason why the GOP had lost control of the House after a dozen years.

In the first five months of 2007 after the Democratic party took control of Congress, the majority party,

* Reissued a "blank check" to the President on the [[Iraq War]], which allegedly was opposed by 70 percent <ref>[http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18831132/ The entire government has failed us on Iraq], Keith Olbermann, MSNBC ''Countdown'', May 24, 2007.</ref> in opinion polls and was vociferously oppposed by many Congressional candidates in 2006. The bill included an increase in the minimum wage.

* Successfully renamed six post offices, four courthouses, a national park, and one of the buildings housing the Department of Education in Washington. They also extended the lives of two government commissions, reduced the membership of the Red Cross board of governors from 50 to 20, and authorized construction of 541 feet of road on a flood plain in St. Louis County, Missouri.

*Kept the government going with two temporary spending bills, completed no regular appropriations bills, redesignated five Eastern European countries (Albania, Macedonia, Croatia, Georgia and Ukraine) for security aid, and passed a bill on penalties for animal fighting that had passed in the Republican Congress last year.

*Voted to kill lobbying reforms that were part of the 2006 [[Honest Leadership and Open Government Act]] Democratic candidates made a centerpiece of their campaign message in 2006. <ref>[http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/panel-softens-lobbying-bill-provisions-2007-05-17.html Panel softens lobbying bill provisions], By Alexander Bolton, ''The Hill'', May 17, 2007.</ref>

A House ethics panel is led by a lawmaker who holds the record for taking the most free travel, while another panel member was implicated in the recent flap over the firing of U.S. attorneys. The earmark process by which so-called "pork barrel" projects are doled out to members by June of 2007 saw no major changes. In fact, rules approved the first day in power in January, the ''Associated Press'' reported, where being ignored. Rep. [[David Obey]] of Wisconsin, Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, has instructed members to withold "earmark requests" until September, when it is to late for critics to effectively call public attention to wasteful spending. <ref> [http://www.foxnews.com/wires/2007Jun03/0,4670,CongressPetProjects,00.html House Keeps Pet Projects From Scrutiny] Andrew Taylor, Associated Press, June 03, 2007.</ref>

==See also==
*[[Phonemarks]]

==References==
<references/>

==External links==
*[http://www.therealdemocratstory.com/ The Real Democrat Story], Open the File on the Freshmen Democrats.

[[Category:American Political Parties]]

Jihad

2007-06-09T22:37:34Z

Matthew1036:

'''Jihad''' is an [[Islam|Islamic]] concept meaning "to exert utmost effort, to strive, struggle"; has many meanings to the [[Muslim]], both inward and outward; mainly used in the West to describe a "holy war" that some fundamentalist Muslims fight against non-Muslims or Muslims of other Islamic sects. The word "Jihad" is a transliteration of the [[Arabic]] word "جهاد".

Jihad as "struggle," is divided into two types, the greater Jihad and the lesser Jihad. The greater Jihad is the internal struggle against [[sin]] and temptation. The lesser Jihad is the physical war against those who threaten the Muslim way of life. Many followers of Islam do not condone the use of jihad as a manner of securing converts.

== Mention of Jihad in the [[Qur'an]] ==

Fight in the way of Allah against those who fight against you, but begin not hostilities. Lo! Allah loveth not aggressors.
Qur'an 2:190

To those against whom war is made, permission is given (to fight), because they are wronged;- and verily, Allah is most powerful for their aid.
Qur'an 22:39

Therefore if they withdraw from you but fight you not, and (instead) send you (Guarantees of) peace, then Allah Hath opened no way for you (to war against them).
Qur'an 4:90

But if the enemy incline towards peace, do thou (also) incline towards peace, and trust in Allah: for He is One that heareth and knoweth (all things).
Qur'an 8:61

In the Islamic faith you have "no guarantee of Paradise even if you do good works all your life," wrote Gabriel, "It all depends on what Allah decides." There is only one way a Muslim man can guarantee he will enter Paradise: Die fighting for Islam. "If you die in jihad," wrote Gabriel, "you don't even have to go to the grave and wait for judgment; you go directly to Paradise.

A suicide bombing is really an act of homicide. When Muslims in the West pretend that Islam is against such practices by pointing to the hadith that oppose killing oneself, such as Bukhari (23:446), they are being disingenuous. Muslims in the Arab world, who are less concerned about public relations, celebrate and revere suicide bombers, knowing that martyrdom in battle is glorified by their religion.

All Muslims are to spend time in hell for their sins. After paying for their sins in this fashion for a time determined by the crime, Muslims will then be allowed into paradise.

Muhammad made an exception for prophets (ie. himself) and for anyone dying in battle for the cause of Allah's religion.

Although Muslims are to face the Last Day, where their time in hell is to be determined (with sins weighed against good deeds) Muhammad laid down an exception for martyrs - those who are slain in the cause of Allah - at a time when he conveniently needed them. They get the fast track to Paradise where they wait on the rest (Sura (3:169-170)). A martyr doesn't necessarily have to have killed anyone, but a Muslim is required to join the battle (if able) and at least make an attempt to kill (Sura (9:39).

[[category:islam]]

Chemistry

2007-06-09T18:14:30Z

Matthew1036:

Chemistry is the study of the interactions of chemical elements and compounds according to the laws of God's universe. Along with [[physics]], chemistry is one of the physical sciences, as opposed to [[biology]] which is a historical [[science]] that doesn't deal with laws, only observations. Chemistry is divided into Organic Chemistry which explains the interactions of carbon based compounds, and General Chemistry which deals with other chemical reactions. There are other sub-branches of chemistry including Physical Chemistry, which studies the physical properties of chemicals, and Petrochemistry which studies the chemical formation of [[oil]] and refining thereof.

Famous chemists include Niels Bohr, Michael Faraday, Ernest Rutherford, Linus Pauling, and Alfred Nobel who invented nitroglycerin and after whom the Nobel prize is named.

== See Also ==

[[Chemistry Terms]]

Poseidon

2007-06-09T18:03:51Z

Matthew1036: New page: Poseidon, also called Neptune by the Romans, was the god of the sea in ancient Greek mythology. Following the overthrow of the Titans, he was granted dominion over the sea, while [[Ze...

Poseidon, also called Neptune by the Romans, was the god of the sea in ancient Greek mythology. Following the overthrow of the [[Titans]], he was granted dominion over the sea, while [[Zeus]] was granted dominion over the sky, and [[Hades]] dominion over the [[underworld]]. Sailors often prayed to Poseidon for safe journeys, and in mythology failure to pay heed to Poseidon would lead to disastrous travel. In [[The Odyssey]], Odysseus (also called Ulysses by the Romans) attacks the Cicones, a favored tribe of Poseidon, and blinds Polyphemus, a Cyclops and son of Poseidon. As a result, Poseidon causes storms that blow Odysseus off course, and through a series of misadventures, cause him not to return home for 20 years.

Hera

2007-06-09T17:55:08Z

Matthew1036: New page: Hera, also called Juno by the Romans, was the queen of the gods and wife of Zeus in pagan Greek mythology. She is depicted of being the goddess of marriage and birth, and of being jea...

Hera, also called Juno by the Romans, was the queen of the gods and wife of [[Zeus]] in pagan Greek mythology. She is depicted of being the goddess of marriage and birth, and of being jealous and vengeful with regards to Zeus' many affairs. A famous myth involving Hera is the Judgment of Paris wherein Hera, [[Artemis]], and [[Helen of Troy]] were placed before Paris of Troy in order for him to judge the most beautiful. He chose Helen, thus angering Hera and Artemis and precipitating the [[Trojan War]].

Physics

2007-06-09T17:45:45Z

Matthew1036:

'''Physics''' is the study of the interactions of matter and energy <ref>http://wordnet.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=physics</ref>, and is the science that deals with the laws of [[God|God's]] universe. [[Galileo]] was the first to discover and propose some of the fundamental laws of physics that we still use today. He began by studying how a ball rolled down an incline and showed that its speed would be proportional to the height it started at. A scientist who studies ''physics'' is called a [[physicist]].

[[Newton]] devised many theories still commonly used in the branch of mechanics. The most famous of which, the law of gravity, was published in his notoriously difficult book entitled Principia, partly responsible for making him one of the most admired and famous scientists of all time.

Law of gravity:

<math>F = GMm/r2</math>

This law shows how the force between any two objects (you and your laptop for instance) varies with the distance squared between the two objects.

Newton also developed the mathematical domain of Calculus: the study of rates of change. Calculus is essential to our understanding of technology around us from how electricity works to how your cell phone communicates and to the dynamics of speeding bullets and cars. Newton took around 33 years to publish this after developing it which caused a bitter feud with another mathematician of the time who also had claimed to develop it.

Another famous physicist was [[Ernest Rutherford]] who kicked off the idea of our current model of the atom. The current model, advanced by Bohr and then polished by Schrödinger dictates that all positive charge in an [[atom]] is in its nucleus (along with neutrons) and orbited by negative charge (electrons) in much the same way as planets orbit a star. In fact, to a certain extent, Newtonian dynamics can be used to describe the motion of the electron on its path around the nucleus.

Understanding the laws of physics has been the academic pursuit of many world-changing people, including the ones listed below.

Applied physicists and engineers using the laws of physics have helped develop countless technological advancements that make our world as comfortable to live in as it is today.

Many physicists and mathematicians of recent times are [[atheist]], however this should not put you off the subject. Physics and astrophysics are the key to understanding the universe and how everything inside it operates whether God exists or not.

Other famous physicists include [[Aristotle]], [[Tycho Brahe]], [[Johannes Kepler]], [[Carl Gauss]], [[Isaac Newton]], [[James Maxwell]], [[Erwin Schroedinger]], [[Ernest Rutherford]], [[Werner Heisenberg]], [[Niels Bohr]], [[Albert Einstein]], [[J. Robert Oppenheimer]], [[Enrico Fermi]], [[Richard Feynman]], [[Joseph Taylor]], [[Lyman Page]], [[Leon Cooper]], and [[James Valles, Jr.]]

[[Category:Physics| ]]