Most school children understand the separation of church and state, but sometimes the lines get blurred when you’re in the real world. Religious people who have good intentions make suggestions that belie the principles on which the United States was built. Peop…
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Harvest Festivals
In the Northern Hemisphere, September, October, and November are considered the harvest months. Many people, even those who are not Christian, celebrate Thanksgiving as a remembrance of the bounty given from the Earth. Although many harvest festiv…
Atheist Persecution
As an atheist, you can sometimes feel like you’re a minority. Even with all the protections of free speech in America and Canada, you may still believe you’re being persecuted, especially as the holidays approach. There’s a long way to go …
You’d almost have to be living under a rock not to have heard about Kim Davis and the battle in Kentucky over gay marriage. Although Davis is getting most of the news coverage in the fight between faith and government, that story is not the only one playing out …
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Fasting
Fasting is when you abstain from food or drink for a period of time. Generally, it is done with a spiritual observance. Practically every religion has a form of fasting. During Lent, Christians fast, giving up meat and fish. Muslims fast during the month of…
Autumn Equinox
The fall celebration of harvest in Pagan communities is known as Mabon. Traditionally, the autumn equinox falls around September 21 in the northern hemisphere. Because this is a time of year when the amount of daylight is about the same as the nightt…
Reception Ideas
Oregon couple Whitney Alexander and John Elledge recently provided guests at their summer wedding reception with a truly unique and memorable experience. In addition to the traditional open bar at their reception, the newlyweds also had a weed tent …
Gay Marriage
On June 26, the United States Supreme Court made same-sex marriage legal nationwide. Over 30 states had already legalized gay marriage, but the Supreme Court’s historic ruling made it the law of the land. The vote on the matter was 5–4, and the opi…
Wedding Crashers
The classic comedy Wedding Crashers will be 10 years old this year. It tells the hilarious story of two “professional” wedding crashers, played by Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson, who are also big-time womanizers. While the movie is fiction, real-…
Yom Kippur
Yom Kippur is one of the most important holidays for Jews. It is also called the “Day of Atonement,” and is the time to repent for all of one’s sins from the previous year and seek forgiveness. The date is different each year, but it always occurs …