Tag Archives: freethought

Just what does the Separation of church and state really mean?

April 19, 2010   caraleisa   No comments

There’s been quite a lot of furor arising over the recent federal court decision to strike down the National Day of Prayer as unconstitutional. I’ll leave the AU to explain why it’s the only fair decision. I want to address the core issue here today.

One of the biggest areas of misunderstanding between believers and non-believers is the issue of the Separation of Church and State. Believers often think that it’s atheists trying to outlaw the practice of their faith. Non-theists feel put upon by the incessant references to faith strewn liberally throughout society, and even within some of our laws.

What many don’t seem to understand is that it’s actually not about religion at all. It’s a civil rights issue. The Black Civil Rights movement under Dr. Martin Luther King was not about getting African Americans special priviledges – it was about providing equal rights for all Americans, no matter their color.

Read the rest at http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-44168-Philadelphia-Freethought-Examiner~y2010m4d19-Just-what-does-the-Separation-of-Church-and-State-really-mean

Read More

Making Holiday gifts do double the work…

December 08, 2009   caraleisa   No comments

I am an inveterate supporter of causes which are important to me, and as such, I get a lot of emails. Most of the causes I support have websites and stores on their sites to assist in raising money for their cause.

I’d like to post a few here, and ask that others reply with more sites that offer items which we can use as holiday gifts, and which will also benefit worthy causes. In these times of financial sqeezing, we need to get as much for our dollars as we can, and if our purchases end up helping those in need, we have contributed to the betterment of the world. Some of the available gifts are very specific to the cause, but many others have gifts which are more broad in scope. Just remember, don’t give a gift from an organization that the recipient wouldn’t support, unless you actually WANT to insult them. santasmiley

Alex’s Lemonade Stand to fight childhood cancers: http://www.alexslemonade.org/slideshow
Alex’s gift shop: http://www.alexslemonade.org/contribute/gift-shop

SAVE DARFUR: http://www.savedarfur.org
Store: http://savedarfur.orders.fulfillmentworks.com/
Petition to President Obama to take action: http://action.savedarfur.org/campaign/genprevpaalter

International Campaign for Tibet: http://www.savetibet.org/
Tibetan Items: http://shop3.mailordercentral.com/tibetmerchandise/

Defenders of Wildlife: http://www.defenders.org/
Wildlife Adoption and Gifts: http://www.wildlifeadoption.org

US Campaign for Burma: http://www.uscampaignforburma.org
USCB Freedom Store: https://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/1189/t/5102/shop/shop.jsp?storefront_KEY=125

Doctors Without Borders (Medecins Sans Frontieres) doctorswithoutborders.org/
Bookstore: Bookstore

The Freethought Society of Greater Philadelphia: www.fsgp.org
Store: Store

American Atheist Organization http://www.atheists.org/
Store

American Humanist Association www.americanhumanist.org/
Store

Americans United for the Separation of Church and State www.au.org/
Gift Subscription Subscription

Human Rights Campaign www.hrc.org/
Store

The American Red Cross www.redcross.org
Gift Catalogue

There are SO MANY MORE… most serious causes have websites, and most of them have stores or other ways to make a contribution. Just google your cause, and you’ll find it. And the thanks of those you’ve helped will find you…

NOTE: Sadly it’s important that I add this: There are many websites which are fronts or scams. Be sure that you’ve chosen an organization that is well known and about which you get reliable information on how they spend their money.

Read More