Baptism in Broad-mindedness: Saving Future Teachers from Creationism

The struggle between creationists and upholders of science is largely a war of words. Yet it is in many ways an unequal contest. Creationists have a quiver full of misleading quotes, soaring oratorical rockets, and... Read More
An “Eco” Systems Approach: Reproductive Rights Go Green

Earth’s human inhabitants, now at 6.8 billion, are predicted to number 9.1 billion by 2050—a figure that stands to tip the global-warming scale past the point of no return. We must consider the effect that... Read More
Star Trek Made Me an Atheist

Growing up, my parents were very strict. On Friday nights I had to be in bed by 10 pm. My mother would tuck me in, turn off the light, and close the door. I would... Read More
Counterfeiting Tradition

In 2006 the government of Turkey launched an ambitious effort to rewrite the basic foundation of Islam in order to produce a kinder and gentler result. To appreciate why this ongoing program—known as the “hadith... Read More
Hidden from History

Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex. —Section 1, Equal Rights Amendment George Santayana’s famous quote, “Those who... Read More
Torture Probe: Who’s Being Protected under the Searing Bright Light?

A reporter recently asked me when activists would consider the struggle to hold torturers accountable to be over. I replied that it wasn’t a matter of whether activists would continue to hold a grudge against... Read More
Nothing Sacred: What We Talk about When We Talk about Torture

The prisoners had their feet shackled to the floor and their hands cuffed close to their chins… Detainees were clad only in diapers and not allowed to feed themselves. A prisoner who started to drift... Read More