Religion of Science-Fantasy Cults Martin Gardner

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Religion of Science-Fantasy Cults Martin Gardner Summer 1987 Vol. 7, No. 3 .40,11 Was the Universe Created? Victor Stenger The New Religion of Science-Fantasy Cults Martin Gardner The Relativity of Biblical Ethics Joe Edward Barnhart Plus "Pearlygate" Morality • New Directions for Humanism • Personal Paths to Humanism with Joseph Fletcher, Anne Gaylor, Rita Mae Brown, Ashley Montagu, and Mario Bunge • Tyranny of the Creed by John Allegro _- FreeC SUMMER 1987, VOL. 7, NO. 3 ISSN 0272-0701 Contents 3 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR 9 PERSPECTIVE 10 ON THE BARRICADES 61 IN THE NAME OF GOD 62 CLASSIFIED 6 EDITORIALS "Pearlygate" Morality Paul Kurtz / New Directions for Humanism / Catholic Consistency at Any Cost Tom Flynn 12 The Tyranny of the Creed John Allegro BELIEF AND UNBELIEF AROUND THE WORLD 14 Japan and Biblical Religion Richard L. Rubenstein 21 Letter to a Missionary Ronn Nadeau ARTICLES 22 The Relativity of Biblical Ethics Joe Edward Barnhart 25 Xenoglossy and Glossolalia Don Laycock 26 Was the Universe Created? Victor Stenger 31 Science-Fantasy Religious Cults Martin Gardner PERSONAL PATHS TO HUMANISM 36 A Secular Humanist Confession Joseph Fletcher 37 Free from Religion Anne Nicol Gay!or 38 Surrender to Life Rita Mae Brown 40 As if Living and Loving Were One Ashley Montagu 42 Growing Up Agnostic in Argentina Mario Bunge 46 The Case Against Reincarnation (Part 4) Paul Edwards BOOKS 54 The Cult of Objectivism Nathaniel Branden 55 Propaganda Before Education Gordon Stein 56 Critiquing the Old Unities Robert Basil Rita Mae Brown's and Ashler Montagu's articles are adapted by permission from The Courage of Conviction, edited by Philip Berman, published in hardcover by Dodd, Mead, and Company and in paperback by Ballantine Books. Editor: Paul Kurtz Senior Editors: Vern Bullough, Gerald Larue Associate Editors: Doris Doyle, Steven L. Mitchell, Lee Nisbet, Gordon Stein Managing Editor: Andrea Szalanski Assistant Editor: Robert Basil Contributing Editors: Lionel Abel, author, critic; Robert S. Alley, professor of humanities, University of Richmond; Paul Beattie, president, Fellowship of Religious Humanists; Jo-Ann Boydston, director, Dewey Center; Paul Edwards, professor of philosophy, Brooklyn College; Albert Ellis, director, Institute for Rational-Emotive Therapy; Roy P. Fairfield, social scientist, Union Graduate School; Joseph Fletcher, theologian, University of Virginia Medical School; Antony Flew, philosopher, Reading University, England; R. Joseph Hoffmann, chairman, Department of Philosophy and Religion, Hartwick College, Oneonta, N.Y.; Sidney Hook, professor emeritus of philosophy, NYU; Marvin Kohl, philosopher, State University of New York College at Fredonia; Jean Kotkin, executive director, American Ethical Union; Ronald A. Lindsay, attorney, Washington, D.C.; Delos B. McKown, professor of philosophy, Auburn University; Howard Redest, director, Ethical Culture Schools; Robert Rimmer, author; Svetozar Stojanovic, professor of philosophy, University of Belgrade; Thomas Szasz, psychiatrist, Upstate Medical Center, Syracuse; V. M. Tarkunde, Supreme Court Judge, India; Richard Taylor, professor of philosophy, Union College; Sherwin Wine, founder, Society for Humanistic Judaism Editorial Associates: Thomas Flynn, Thomas Franczyk, James Martin-Diaz Executive Director of CODESH, Inc.: Jean Millholland Public Relations: Barry L. Karr, Tim Madigan Systems Manager: Richard Seymour Typesetting: Paul E. Loynes Layout: Alain Kugel Audio Technician: Vance Vigrass Staff: Melvin Carter, Dafrell Crawford, Steven Karr, Jacqueline Livingston, Valerie Marvin, Alfreda Pidgeon FREE INQUIRY (ISSN 0272-0701) is published quarterly by the Council for Democratic and Secular Humanism (CODESH, Inc.), a nonprofit corporation, 3159 Bailey Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14215. Phone (716) 834-2921. Copyright ®1987 by CODESH, Inc. Second-class postage paid at Buffalo, New York, and at additional mailing offices. National distribution by International Periodicals Distributors, San Diego, California. Subscription rates: $20.00 for one year, $35.00 for two years, $48.00 for three years, $3.75 for single copies. Address subscription orders, changes of address, and advertising to: FREE INQUIRY, Box 5, Buffalo, NY 14215-0005. Manuscripts, letters, and editorial inquiries should be addressed to: The Editor, FREE INQUIRY, Box 5, Buffalo, NY 14215-0005. All manuscripts should be accompanied by two additional copies and a stamped, self-addressed envelope. Opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of the editors or publisher. The ultimate goal is a network of free com- munity/educational centers with activities for the whole family. Think of the promo- LETTERS TO THE EDITOR tional benefits in presenting our viewpoint without any pressure on the curious to join anything! This approach would also effec- tively defuse the fundamentalist ploy of branding secular-humanism as a religion. Jim Zaluba and Ralph Blasko Chicago, Ill. Needed Affirmations but know nothing positive about humanism. We need to reach out and contact them, but It is truly troublesome that polls taken of to do so we need local organizations. With science majors in school reveal a shocking a few responsible people, Friendship Centers Humanist Sexual Morality number given to pipe dreams in the sky. can take off. Paul Kurtz touched on this in his "Affirma- Robert T. Francoeur's "Positive Humanist tions of Humanism" (FI, Spring 1987)—the Walter Schwartz Statement on Sexual Morality" (FI, Winter tide of religious belief seems to be sweeping Orland, Calif. 1986/87) is good-hearted enough, and his ahead despite the obvious shortcomings of various lists of values are nearly unexcep- such beliefs in addressing the overwhelming It is quite exciting to see how this idea is tionable. I doubt the most confirmed funda- social problems of the world. catching fire. The national secular-humanist mentalists would disagree that sexual rela- "New Age Gurus," in the same issue, was movement has magnified my perception of tionships ought to be "honest" and "respons- one of the best and most timely articles I the need for such Friendship Centers. 1 can ible" (though there'd be some hot arguments have read of late. It is truly confusing to see feel in my heart and see in the eyes of my as to what constitutes responsible behavior). these successful men and women loading friends the social deprivation that has re- Unfortunately, in his concern to present down Rajneesh with dozens of Rolls Royces. sulted from the dearth in our society of secu- laundry lists of conservative and liberal Congratulations on your new drive to lar associations. The cost to freethinking has "players" and "shared values," Francoeur found Friendship Centers. 1 think it might heretofore been high; to soothe the sting of only hints at some crucial underlying issues: be the most important movement in human- that cost, I think, is one of the primary 1. There are significant disagreements ist activity in many years. People have to benefits that will ensue from the establish- among the various "liberal" positions Fran- have some place to exchange ideas when ment of Friendship Centers in communities coeur outlines. The Catholic statement that they are weaned from religious beliefs. everywhere. sexual relationships should be "transcendent" seems to imply that sexual activity needs William Moore Fred Condo some extrinsic justification; on the face of Reno, Nev. Covina, Calif. it, this contradicts Kirkendall's description of "physical pleasure as having moral value." After reading Paul Kurtz's "Affirmations of 1 have never been more satisfied with a sub- We need to see a fuller, more specific ex- Humanism," 1 realized I have been a secular scription than I am with FREE INQUIRY. The ploration of areas of agreement and disa- humanist most of my life. It's taken a long whole secular-humanist movement fits my greement, so that we can establish some time to shake off the bonds of religion as personal philosophy better than anything I goals for practical cooperation. For example, practiced by most people (all words, no have experienced. 1 am especially interested people who disagree on the morality of spirit). "Affirmations" is what 1 have felt for in the founding of Friendship Centers. Vern nonmarital sex can still cooperate in sup- years, but not been able to say. Bullough hit the nail on the head when he porting public funding for family planning. said, "What people most want is a sense of 2. Francoeur simply states in passing Renee L. Groce community with like-minded individuals" that a humanistic sexual morality must be Lithonia, Ga. ("Friendship Center Report," FI, Spring "person- and relationship-oriented" and 1987). "must be integrated with . humanistic Charles T. Saunders concerns about peace, world economics Friendship Center Kudos Norman, Okla. [etc.]." But what is his basis for saying so? Let us see a philosophical argument outlin- I am delighted that people are forming Secu- I was beginning to believe there really was ing humanistic morality and spelling out the lar Humanist Friendship Centers. 1 would no proper place in this world for "heretics" way in which sexual morality would fit into also like to see a group for the children of like myself. Now I know differently. this broader framework. members that could emphasize critical Robert Basil's article on Friendship We must ask whether, if it weren't for thinking and individuality. Centers has made me realize how hungry I the accidents of intellectual and religious am for an opportunity to meet and converse history, we would need
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