Dealing with the Remains of Palestinian Suicide Bombers

Megan Stack, foreign correspondent for the Los Angeles Times, reflects on something "truly bizarre" that she observed while covering the Second Intifada in Israel. The morgue in Jaffa, she says, was filling up with the remains of Palestinian suicide bombers, and the question of what to do with them became a national issue.

Are Conservatives More Tolerant than Liberals?

Is conservatism closer to the mission of the university than liberalism? Are conservatives more tolerant than liberals? Harvard government professor Harvey Mansfield defends his two assertions, arguing that while liberals expect conservatism to disappear, conservatives are "much more tolerant of people who disagree with them."

Michael Ruse - The Evolution Debate: It's Not About Theology

Science philosopher Michael Ruse says the conflict between creationism and evolution is not a theological debate, but a cultural debate akin to abortion, gay marriage and capital punishment. "Evolution represents one side, rather than the other," he says.

Shirin Ebadi - Separate Human Rights for Muslims?

Nobel Peace Prize laureate Shirin Ebadi rejects cultural relativism and the proposal of an Islamic Declaration of Human Rights. Ebadi says that, without a universal standard, basic human rights cannot be protected.

Bishop John Shelby Spong on Biblical Literalism

Bishop John Shelby Spong rebukes the literal interpretation of the Bible's three-tiered, Earth-centered universe. Spong cites numerous biblical references that position an all-seeing God just above the sky, and then recalls a witty remark by late astrophysicist Carl Sagan about the ascension of Jesus into Heaven.



See Entire Lecture HERE

Michael Barone: Has the Sexual Revolution Been Institutionalized?

Political pundit Michael Barone discusses the impact the 1960's sexual revolution has had on modern culture in regards to unwed birth, abortion and divorce rates.

Richard Dawkinsn - Did Religion Have an Evolutionary Value?

Richard Dawkins argues that humanity's historical predisposition towards religion and supernatural beliefs may have held an evolutionary utility. "The rule of thumb: 'Believe whatever your parents tell you,' quite clearly could have survival value," says Dawkins.

Has Globalization Revved Up Religious Fundamentalism?

James Hoge, editor of Foreign Affairs, argues that globalization has contributed to the rise of religious fundamentalism over the last 30 years. Citing a sense of identity loss following increased mobility, Hoge theorizes that people have returned to religion in order to regain a sense of security.

Does World Like Idea of Obama More than Reality? - John Danforth

Daniel Everett - Losing Religion to the Amazonian Piraha Tribe

Linguistics professor Daniel Everett explains the idea of "xibipiio," a way of life he encountered while studying the language of the Amazonian Piraha tribe. Everett, a former Christian missionary, was challenged to rethink his faith after learning the Piraha's concept of experiential liminality.



Complete video HERE

Ayaan Hirsi Ali - Is Europe too Tolerant of Radical Islam?

Ayaan Hirsi Ali - Don't Blame Islamic Terrorism on Economic Woes

A former member of the Dutch parliament and longtime human rights advocate, Ayaan Hirsi Ali has lived in constant threat for her outspoken beliefs and collaboration with controversial director Theo van Gogh (who was murdered by a radical Islamist).