So soon the Roman Catholic Church will have a retired Pope Continue reading →

As a result of a discussion with Julie Arliss, founderof the Academy Conferences who gives a presentation of “The Theology of the Embryo”  I have thought hard again about what I have written on Abortion and here is the result.

Oh yes I have got carried away and have written a paper based on a talk I gave to the South Somerset Humanist Group. 8-11-2012. In exploring if Humanism and Buddhism are compatible I found it lead me up many paths, particularly that of looking at secular and supernaturalist views of religion and transcendence. It also explores links to Christianity,Theism, Mindfulness, Consciousness and Memes.  If in dipping in you find it interesting it is easier to read  if you print it off. For article see Religion.  This thememseems to be cropping up in other strange places.  See this article in the Financial Times on Christian and Buddhist monasticism.

I have just attached recordings to almost all my poems.  I think this makes them more accessible and of course allows me to give the intended expression and all you have to do is listen.  Go to Poems, click on a title, read. listen and see what you think. Send comments as emails to john@nulljohnbaxter.org

This paper was delivered to the South Somerset Humanist Group on 11^th October 2012.  I have chosen, with John’s consent, to publish it here because I think that for the non-numerate non-scientist like me, trying to make sense of things, it gives an admirable and accessible summary of the strange, mysterious and unexpected place science is showing us the cosmos we live in is turning out to be.  To read the article click here.or go to Religion.

I find the remarks made this week about wanting to restrict abortions to 12 weeks almost unbelievable. Continue reading →

The Olympic Opening Ceremony – The Coolest Place on the Planet?
I have now watched the Olympic Opening Ceremony three times and each time to my amazement, it moved me to tears. This is surprising since you will find on this site (see Political: Olympics Hurrah) an article written just after we won the bid denouncing it as an appalling waste. Continue reading →

See my updated poem about Jesus.  Go to poems, Rabbi Yeshua.

Michael Gove has really got an E minus this time.  Is it the case there has been grade inflation over the last decade? Yes, since the Tories set up the exam boards in competition with each other and surprise surprise they compete with schools to offer exams that will give the schools the best pass rates. To try and rectify this flawed system by either encouraging or allowing the exam boards to tighten the grades in the middle of the year without giving the schools a clear warning to prepare for tougher marking is unbelievable. It shows a complete lack of respect for the teaching profession working with those for whom a grade c is a real struugle .  It is also totally unfair and cruel to move the goalposts without warning during the course of the year so blocking entry for many aiming at further education courses who had been predicted to be up for a C. But then they are not the pupils Gove is interested in.

See Ethical Issues.  This often updated and carefully researched paper is the result of years of work.  It is a serious attempt to get to the heart of the arguments which continue to surface. Still I hope despite its length it is a clear and jargon free. My shorter paper “Who Suffers” makes similar points more briefly. Comments on either paper are welcome and will be published with or without your name as you wish.  Send comment  as an email to john@nulljohnbaxter.org. Read on here for the full paper. See also the poem Three Really Good Servants of God.