Conservapedia - User contributions [en]

Scotland

2008-03-04T17:44:06Z

WKirkwood: /* History */ sort refs

[[Image:Lion rampant.png|thumb|right|The Scottish Royal Coat of Arms- Better known as the Lion Rampant]]

'''Scotland''' is the second largest country of the [[United Kingdom]].
It is about three-eighths the size of its larger neighbour England, but is much less populous; most of the population lives in the ''central belt'', a band across central Scotland between the capital [[Edinburgh]] and the city of [[Glasgow]]. Other cities are [[Aberdeen]], [[Dundee]] and [[Inverness]].

== Introduction ==

{| class="wikitable" style="float:right"
|- bgcolor=cccccc
! Position || Current Holder
|-
| [[British_monarchy|Monarch]] || Queen [[Elizabeth II]]
|-
| [[UK_Prime_Ministers|Prime Minster]] || [[Gordon Brown]] MP
|-
| [[Secretary of State for Scotland|Secretary of State]] || [[Des Browne]] MP
|-
| [[First Minister of Scotland|First Minister]] || [[Alex Salmond]] MSP
|}

Scotland is historically Christian; the national church is the [[Church of Scotland]]

Scotland includes the island groups of [[Orkney]], [[Shetland]], the [[Inner Hebrides|Inner]] and [[Outer Hebrides]], the islands of the [[Firth of Clyde]] including [[Arran]], [[Bute]], [[Cumbrae]] & [[Wee Cumbrae]], the [[St. Kilda]] archipelago, [[Rockall]] and various other smaller islands.

[[Ben Nevis]], the highest mountain in the [[United Kingdom]], is in the Scottish [[Highlands of Scotland|Highlands]], as are most of the nation's highest mountains. Those with heights above 3000 feet are eponymously named [[Munro| Munros]] after Sir Hector Munro, the first person to compile a list of such mountains.<ref> for a complete list of Munros see http://www.sol.co.uk/d/dickwall/munroes.htm</ref>

== Societal Problems ==

Scotland, like many developed countries, has a great number of social and ethical challenges as church attendance<ref>[http://www.unavoce.org/scotland.htm The Once-Heroic Church in Scotland]</ref> has plummeted to an all-time low.<ref>Church attendance is just over 7% of Scottish adults. In 1962 Scotland had 26,015 baptisms. In 1998, there were only 9,951.</ref>
Currently some 40% of births are to unmarried mothers, the trend being upwards. In 2003/4 there were 7.5 conceptions per 1000 for 13-15 year olds and 68.2 conceptions per 1000 for 16-19 year olds with over 50% of the 13-15 year olds being pressured into [[abortion]]. <ref>[http://www.brook.org.uk/content/M6_4_teenage%20pregnancy.asp Teenage pregnancy]]</ref>. In Scotland, 93% of men and 87% of women aged 16-74 drink alcohol. The proportion of [[public school]] pupils aged 12-15 who had had an alcoholic drink in the previous week has risen in the last decade from 14% in 1990 to 21% in 2000. Death rates from alcohol have risen over 100% between 1990 and 2000, the rates for women being nearer 200%.<ref>[http://www.scotland.gov.uk/health/alcoholproblems/docs/paap1-00.asp Statistics on Alcohol in Scotland]</ref> Abuse of [[illegal drugs]] is also increasing rapidly. <ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/653646.stm Drug abuse increasing]</ref>

==Cities==
[[Image:Scotland.gif|thumb|right|250px|A map of Scotland.]]

Scotland has four major cities. They are [[Aberdeen]], [[Dundee]], [[Edinburgh]] and [[Glasgow]]. [[Inverness]] and [[Stirling]] were granted city status recently but are in fact smaller than some of the larger Scottish towns like Paisley and Perth.

==History==

In the year 722 BC, the Assyrians conquered the Kingdom of Israel and sent the Ten Tribes of Israel into exile.<ref>[http://www.britam.org Revealing the Lost Ten Tribes Amongst Western Peoples]</ref> The British historian Bede describes how the Scots had arrived in Ireland (at the time known as Scotia) after journeying from Scythia in longboats, and were from there travelled on to Scotland (which they called Alban - Alba is still the [[Gaelic]] name for Scotland). Ancient Scottish art attributed to a people now called Picts shows characteristics peculiar to Scythian art. After the Crucificxtion, Christ's apostle Andrew, came to Scotland to preach to these descendants of the Scythians.<ref>[http://www.domestic-church.com/CONTENT.DCC/19981101/SAINTS/standrew.htm Saint Andrew the Apostle]</ref> St. Andrew then became the patron saint of Scotland, the Scottish flag incorporating the Cross of Saint Andrew. The Scots crowned their Kings on the Stone of Destiny, the stone that Jacob used as a pillow when he had a dream in which he saw a stairway to heaven with angels ascending and descending (Genesis 28:10-22).

The [[Romans]] never managed to conquer the Scots, and after a brief period when the Antonine Wall between the Firths of Forth and Clyde was the Roman Empire’s northern frontier, they drew back and had Hadrian’s Wall as the frontier. In spite of this, there was interaction between the Scots and Romans. Many Scots leaving to serve the Roman empire, such as Pontius Pilate, who was born in the hamlet of Fortingall.<ref>[http://www.geo.ed.ac.uk/scotgaz/towns/townfirst1306.html Fortingall]</ref> Pontius Pilate was related to the Scots King, Metallanus. At the the time Metallanus was on good terms with the government of Caesar in Rome. Pilate first went to Rome and was later appointed the Roman Procurator of Judea. To this day, the Royal Scots, one of the oldest regiments in the British Army claim descendance from Pontius Pilate's bodyguard. There still exists at Caesaria in Palestine, an ancient stone slab which is called the Pilate Stone, upon on which is inscribed in Latin "Hiberieum Pontius Pilatus". The Romans referred to northerly regions of the British Isles as Hibernia.

From the late 13th century the Kingdom of England began to threaten Scotland's indpendence. The Scots presenting the [[Pope]] with the Declaration of Arbroath stating their intention, to remain free, reiterating their right to do so as descendants of the Scythians, one of the exiled Ten Tribes.

:"Most Holy Father and Lord, we know and from the chronicles and books of the ancients we find that among other famous nations our own, the Scots, has been graced with widespread renown. They journeyed from Greater Scythia by way of the Tyrrhenian Sea and the Pillars of Hercules, and dwelt for a long course of time in Spain among the most savage tribes, but nowhere could they be subdued by any race, however barbarous."

:"...for, as long as but a hundred of us remain alive, never will we on any conditions be brought under English rule. It is in truth not for glory, nor riches, nor honours that we are fighting, but for freedom – for that alone, which no honest man gives up but with life itself."

Scotland's independence was finally secured by the brave deeds of the knight William Wallace and King Robert the Bruce.

==Union with England==

After the death of Queen [[Elizabeth I]] of England in 1603, James VI of Scotland ascended to the Throne of England, becoming [[James I]] of England. He was the first monarch to call himself King of Great Britain. This is referred to as the Union of the Crowns. James was also at this time King of [[Ireland]].

The Parliaments of Scotland and [[England]] were not united until 1707 and it is this date that is recognized as the formation of [[Great Britain]]. This is referred to as the Union of the Parliaments. (The [[United Kingdom]] was to come into being with the addition of [[Ireland]] in 1801.)The formation of the Irish Free State in 1922 resulted in the current name of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Scotland has its own Parliament of 129 members as well as sending 59 Members of Parliament(MPs) to represent its interests in the [[United Kingdom]] parliament which sits in [[London]]. Scottish MPs have historically been recognized for their political skills and appointed to the Cabinet in larger numbers than is proportionate. The current Prime Minister [[Gordon Brown]], is Scottish, and formerly he was [[Chancellor of the Exchequer]].

Relationships between Scottish and English MPs before [[devolution]] were sometimes tense because of what the former [[Conservative|Conservative Party]] MP, by then an [[Ulster Unionist]], [[Enoch Powell]] dubbed ''The West Lothian question''. The name arose in 1977 after [[Tam Dalyell]], Labour MP for West Lothian in Scotland, asked during a debate in the [[Houses of Parliament]] over Scottish and Welsh [[devolution]]:

<blockquote>''For how long will English constituencies and English Honourable members tolerate... at least 119 Honourable Members from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland exercising an important, and probably often decisive, effect on British politics while they themselves have no say in the same matters in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland?''</blockquote>

He pointed out that he as MP for West Lothian could vote on matters affecting English constituencies but not his own constituency.

== Sports and culture==

The national preoccupation, indeed obsession, is [[football (soccer)]]. Other diversions include [[rugby]], [[lawn bowls]], [[motorsports]], [[horseracing]], [[shinty]] (similar to hockey), [[curling]], sports of the [[Highland Games]] - such as tossing the [[caber]] and, of course, [[golf]] - Scotland is the home of golf. The Royal and Ancient Golf Club at [[St Andrews]] is the governing body of world golf.

Scotland is famous for its disproportionate amount of inventions and discoveries (as immortalized in [[Wha's Like Us]]), its world class universities, the Scottish Enlightenment, being the one of the first industrial nations while still preserving some of the last great wildernesses of Europe, and being the home of [[golf]].

The symbol of Scotland is the [[thistle]]. The Scottish flag is the Cross of St. Andrew, a white diagonal cross on a dark blue background. The design originated in the 9th century and it is the oldest national flag still in use anywhere in the world. Other things associated with the country are [[kilt]]s ([[tartan]] skirtlike garments worn by Scotsmen), and the haunting music of the [[bagpipes]]. Famous Scottish products include [[pie]]s, [[haggis]] and Scotch [[whisky]].

Scotland's motto is ''Nemo Me Impune Lacessit'' ("No one provokes me with impunity")<ref>http://www.scotland-guide.co.uk/ALL_AREAS_IN_SCOTLAND/Glasgow/Areas/Centre/Mercat_Cross.htm </ref> which translates as ''Wha daur meddle wi me?'' in [[Scots]] and in [[English]] as ''Who would dare mess with me?''.

Also see [[:Category:Scottish Culture]].

==External Links==
*[http://www.n-cyclopedia.com/scottish-history/index.htm A Brief History of Scotland]

==References==
<references/>

[[Category:Scotland]]
[[Category:United Kingdom]]

Scotland

2008-03-04T17:42:08Z

WKirkwood: Heading

[[Image:Lion rampant.png|thumb|right|The Scottish Royal Coat of Arms- Better known as the Lion Rampant]]

'''Scotland''' is the second largest country of the [[United Kingdom]].
It is about three-eighths the size of its larger neighbour England, but is much less populous; most of the population lives in the ''central belt'', a band across central Scotland between the capital [[Edinburgh]] and the city of [[Glasgow]]. Other cities are [[Aberdeen]], [[Dundee]] and [[Inverness]].

== Introduction ==

{| class="wikitable" style="float:right"
|- bgcolor=cccccc
! Position || Current Holder
|-
| [[British_monarchy|Monarch]] || Queen [[Elizabeth II]]
|-
| [[UK_Prime_Ministers|Prime Minster]] || [[Gordon Brown]] MP
|-
| [[Secretary of State for Scotland|Secretary of State]] || [[Des Browne]] MP
|-
| [[First Minister of Scotland|First Minister]] || [[Alex Salmond]] MSP
|}

Scotland is historically Christian; the national church is the [[Church of Scotland]]

Scotland includes the island groups of [[Orkney]], [[Shetland]], the [[Inner Hebrides|Inner]] and [[Outer Hebrides]], the islands of the [[Firth of Clyde]] including [[Arran]], [[Bute]], [[Cumbrae]] & [[Wee Cumbrae]], the [[St. Kilda]] archipelago, [[Rockall]] and various other smaller islands.

[[Ben Nevis]], the highest mountain in the [[United Kingdom]], is in the Scottish [[Highlands of Scotland|Highlands]], as are most of the nation's highest mountains. Those with heights above 3000 feet are eponymously named [[Munro| Munros]] after Sir Hector Munro, the first person to compile a list of such mountains.<ref> for a complete list of Munros see http://www.sol.co.uk/d/dickwall/munroes.htm</ref>

== Societal Problems ==

Scotland, like many developed countries, has a great number of social and ethical challenges as church attendance<ref>[http://www.unavoce.org/scotland.htm The Once-Heroic Church in Scotland]</ref> has plummeted to an all-time low.<ref>Church attendance is just over 7% of Scottish adults. In 1962 Scotland had 26,015 baptisms. In 1998, there were only 9,951.</ref>
Currently some 40% of births are to unmarried mothers, the trend being upwards. In 2003/4 there were 7.5 conceptions per 1000 for 13-15 year olds and 68.2 conceptions per 1000 for 16-19 year olds with over 50% of the 13-15 year olds being pressured into [[abortion]]. <ref>[http://www.brook.org.uk/content/M6_4_teenage%20pregnancy.asp Teenage pregnancy]]</ref>. In Scotland, 93% of men and 87% of women aged 16-74 drink alcohol. The proportion of [[public school]] pupils aged 12-15 who had had an alcoholic drink in the previous week has risen in the last decade from 14% in 1990 to 21% in 2000. Death rates from alcohol have risen over 100% between 1990 and 2000, the rates for women being nearer 200%.<ref>[http://www.scotland.gov.uk/health/alcoholproblems/docs/paap1-00.asp Statistics on Alcohol in Scotland]</ref> Abuse of [[illegal drugs]] is also increasing rapidly. <ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/653646.stm Drug abuse increasing]</ref>

==Cities==
[[Image:Scotland.gif|thumb|right|250px|A map of Scotland.]]

Scotland has four major cities. They are [[Aberdeen]], [[Dundee]], [[Edinburgh]] and [[Glasgow]]. [[Inverness]] and [[Stirling]] were granted city status recently but are in fact smaller than some of the larger Scottish towns like Paisley and Perth.

==History==

In the year 722 BC, the Assyrians conquered the Kingdom of Israel and sent the Ten Tribes of Israel into exile.<ref>[http://www.britam.org Revealing the Lost Ten Tribes Amongst Western Peoples]</ref> The British historian Bede describes how the Scots had arrived in Ireland (at the time known as Scotia) after journeying from Scythia in longboats, and were from there travelled on to Scotland (which they called Alban - Alba is still the [[Gaelic]] name for Scotland). Ancient Scottish art attributed to a people now called Picts shows characteristics peculiar to Scythian art. After the Crucificxtion, Christ's apostle Andrew, came to Scotland to preach to these descendants of the Scythians.<ref>[http://www.domestic-church.com/CONTENT.DCC/19981101/SAINTS/standrew.htm Saint Andrew the Apostle
]</ref> St. Andrew then became the patron saint of Scotland, the Scottish flag incorporating the Cross of Saint Andrew. The Scots crowned their Kings on the Stone of Destiny, the stone that Jacob used as a pillow when he had a dream in which he saw a stairway to heaven with angels ascending and descending (Genesis 28:10-22).

The [[Romans]] never managed to conquer the Scots, and after a brief period when the Antonine Wall between the Firths of Forth and Clyde was the Roman Empire’s northern frontier, they drew back and had Hadrian’s Wall as the frontier. In spite of this, there was interaction between the Scots and Romans. Many Scots leaving to serve the Roman empire, such as Pontius Pilate, who was born in the hamlet of Fortingall.<ref>[http://www.geo.ed.ac.uk/scotgaz/towns/townfirst1306.html Fortingall ]</ref> Pontius Pilate was related to the Scots King, Metallanus. At the the time Metallanus was on good terms with the government of Caesar in Rome. Pilate first went to Rome and was later appointed the Roman Procurator of Judea. To this day, the Royal Scots, one of the oldest regiments in the British Army claim descendance from Pontius Pilate's bodyguard. There still exists at Caesaria in Palestine, an ancient stone slab which is called the Pilate Stone, upon on which is inscribed in Latin "Hiberieum Pontius Pilatus". The Romans referred to northerly regions of the British Isles as Hibernia.

From the late 13th century the Kingdom of England began to threaten Scotland's indpendence. The Scots presenting the [[Pope]] with the Declaration of Arbroath stating their intention, to remain free, reiterating their right to do so as descendants of the Scythians, one of the exiled Ten Tribes.

:"Most Holy Father and Lord, we know and from the chronicles and books of the ancients we find that among other famous nations our own, the Scots, has been graced with widespread renown. They journeyed from Greater Scythia by way of the Tyrrhenian Sea and the Pillars of Hercules, and dwelt for a long course of time in Spain among the most savage tribes, but nowhere could they be subdued by any race, however barbarous."

:"...for, as long as but a hundred of us remain alive, never will we on any conditions be brought under English rule. It is in truth not for glory, nor riches, nor honours that we are fighting, but for freedom – for that alone, which no honest man gives up but with life itself."

Scotland's independence was finally secured by the brave deeds of the knight William Wallace and King Robert the Bruce.

==Union with England==

After the death of Queen [[Elizabeth I]] of England in 1603, James VI of Scotland ascended to the Throne of England, becoming [[James I]] of England. He was the first monarch to call himself King of Great Britain. This is referred to as the Union of the Crowns. James was also at this time King of [[Ireland]].

The Parliaments of Scotland and [[England]] were not united until 1707 and it is this date that is recognized as the formation of [[Great Britain]]. This is referred to as the Union of the Parliaments. (The [[United Kingdom]] was to come into being with the addition of [[Ireland]] in 1801.)The formation of the Irish Free State in 1922 resulted in the current name of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Scotland has its own Parliament of 129 members as well as sending 59 Members of Parliament(MPs) to represent its interests in the [[United Kingdom]] parliament which sits in [[London]]. Scottish MPs have historically been recognized for their political skills and appointed to the Cabinet in larger numbers than is proportionate. The current Prime Minister [[Gordon Brown]], is Scottish, and formerly he was [[Chancellor of the Exchequer]].

Relationships between Scottish and English MPs before [[devolution]] were sometimes tense because of what the former [[Conservative|Conservative Party]] MP, by then an [[Ulster Unionist]], [[Enoch Powell]] dubbed ''The West Lothian question''. The name arose in 1977 after [[Tam Dalyell]], Labour MP for West Lothian in Scotland, asked during a debate in the [[Houses of Parliament]] over Scottish and Welsh [[devolution]]:

<blockquote>''For how long will English constituencies and English Honourable members tolerate... at least 119 Honourable Members from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland exercising an important, and probably often decisive, effect on British politics while they themselves have no say in the same matters in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland?''</blockquote>

He pointed out that he as MP for West Lothian could vote on matters affecting English constituencies but not his own constituency.

== Sports and culture==

The national preoccupation, indeed obsession, is [[football (soccer)]]. Other diversions include [[rugby]], [[lawn bowls]], [[motorsports]], [[horseracing]], [[shinty]] (similar to hockey), [[curling]], sports of the [[Highland Games]] - such as tossing the [[caber]] and, of course, [[golf]] - Scotland is the home of golf. The Royal and Ancient Golf Club at [[St Andrews]] is the governing body of world golf.

Scotland is famous for its disproportionate amount of inventions and discoveries (as immortalized in [[Wha's Like Us]]), its world class universities, the Scottish Enlightenment, being the one of the first industrial nations while still preserving some of the last great wildernesses of Europe, and being the home of [[golf]].

The symbol of Scotland is the [[thistle]]. The Scottish flag is the Cross of St. Andrew, a white diagonal cross on a dark blue background. The design originated in the 9th century and it is the oldest national flag still in use anywhere in the world. Other things associated with the country are [[kilt]]s ([[tartan]] skirtlike garments worn by Scotsmen), and the haunting music of the [[bagpipes]]. Famous Scottish products include [[pie]]s, [[haggis]] and Scotch [[whisky]].

Scotland's motto is ''Nemo Me Impune Lacessit'' ("No one provokes me with impunity")<ref>http://www.scotland-guide.co.uk/ALL_AREAS_IN_SCOTLAND/Glasgow/Areas/Centre/Mercat_Cross.htm </ref> which translates as ''Wha daur meddle wi me?'' in [[Scots]] and in [[English]] as ''Who would dare mess with me?''.

Also see [[:Category:Scottish Culture]].

==External Links==
*[http://www.n-cyclopedia.com/scottish-history/index.htm A Brief History of Scotland]

==References==
<references/>

[[Category:Scotland]]
[[Category:United Kingdom]]

Scotland

2008-03-04T17:41:25Z

WKirkwood: /* History */ More content and references

[[Image:Lion rampant.png|thumb|right|The Scottish Royal Coat of Arms- Better known as the Lion Rampant]]

'''Scotland''' is the second largest country of the [[United Kingdom]].
It is about three-eighths the size of its larger neighbour England, but is much less populous; most of the population lives in the ''central belt'', a band across central Scotland between the capital [[Edinburgh]] and the city of [[Glasgow]]. Other cities are [[Aberdeen]], [[Dundee]] and [[Inverness]].

== Introduction ==

{| class="wikitable" style="float:right"
|- bgcolor=cccccc
! Position || Current Holder
|-
| [[British_monarchy|Monarch]] || Queen [[Elizabeth II]]
|-
| [[UK_Prime_Ministers|Prime Minster]] || [[Gordon Brown]] MP
|-
| [[Secretary of State for Scotland|Secretary of State]] || [[Des Browne]] MP
|-
| [[First Minister of Scotland|First Minister]] || [[Alex Salmond]] MSP
|}

Scotland is historically Christian; the national church is the [[Church of Scotland]]

Scotland includes the island groups of [[Orkney]], [[Shetland]], the [[Inner Hebrides|Inner]] and [[Outer Hebrides]], the islands of the [[Firth of Clyde]] including [[Arran]], [[Bute]], [[Cumbrae]] & [[Wee Cumbrae]], the [[St. Kilda]] archipelago, [[Rockall]] and various other smaller islands.

[[Ben Nevis]], the highest mountain in the [[United Kingdom]], is in the Scottish [[Highlands of Scotland|Highlands]], as are most of the nation's highest mountains. Those with heights above 3000 feet are eponymously named [[Munro| Munros]] after Sir Hector Munro, the first person to compile a list of such mountains.<ref> for a complete list of Munros see http://www.sol.co.uk/d/dickwall/munroes.htm</ref>

== Societal Problems ==

Scotland, like many developed countries, has a great number of social and ethical challenges as church attendance<ref>[http://www.unavoce.org/scotland.htm The Once-Heroic Church in Scotland]</ref> has plummeted to an all-time low.<ref>Church attendance is just over 7% of Scottish adults. In 1962 Scotland had 26,015 baptisms. In 1998, there were only 9,951.</ref>
Currently some 40% of births are to unmarried mothers, the trend being upwards. In 2003/4 there were 7.5 conceptions per 1000 for 13-15 year olds and 68.2 conceptions per 1000 for 16-19 year olds with over 50% of the 13-15 year olds being pressured into [[abortion]]. <ref>[http://www.brook.org.uk/content/M6_4_teenage%20pregnancy.asp Teenage pregnancy]]</ref>. In Scotland, 93% of men and 87% of women aged 16-74 drink alcohol. The proportion of [[public school]] pupils aged 12-15 who had had an alcoholic drink in the previous week has risen in the last decade from 14% in 1990 to 21% in 2000. Death rates from alcohol have risen over 100% between 1990 and 2000, the rates for women being nearer 200%.<ref>[http://www.scotland.gov.uk/health/alcoholproblems/docs/paap1-00.asp Statistics on Alcohol in Scotland]</ref> Abuse of [[illegal drugs]] is also increasing rapidly. <ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/653646.stm Drug abuse increasing]</ref>

==Cities==
[[Image:Scotland.gif|thumb|right|250px|A map of Scotland.]]

Scotland has four major cities. They are [[Aberdeen]], [[Dundee]], [[Edinburgh]] and [[Glasgow]]. [[Inverness]] and [[Stirling]] were granted city status recently but are in fact smaller than some of the larger Scottish towns like Paisley and Perth.

In the year 722 BC, the Assyrians conquered the Kingdom of Israel and sent the Ten Tribes of Israel into exile.<ref>[http://www.britam.org Revealing the Lost Ten Tribes Amongst Western Peoples]</ref> The British historian Bede describes how the Scots had arrived in Ireland (at the time known as Scotia) after journeying from Scythia in longboats, and were from there travelled on to Scotland (which they called Alban - Alba is still the [[Gaelic]] name for Scotland). Ancient Scottish art attributed to a people now called Picts shows characteristics peculiar to Scythian art. After the Crucificxtion, Christ's apostle Andrew, came to Scotland to preach to these descendants of the Scythians.<ref>[http://www.domestic-church.com/CONTENT.DCC/19981101/SAINTS/standrew.htm Saint Andrew the Apostle
]</ref> St. Andrew then became the patron saint of Scotland, the Scottish flag incorporating the Cross of Saint Andrew. The Scots crowned their Kings on the Stone of Destiny, the stone that Jacob used as a pillow when he had a dream in which he saw a stairway to heaven with angels ascending and descending (Genesis 28:10-22).

The [[Romans]] never managed to conquer the Scots, and after a brief period when the Antonine Wall between the Firths of Forth and Clyde was the Roman Empire’s northern frontier, they drew back and had Hadrian’s Wall as the frontier. In spite of this, there was interaction between the Scots and Romans. Many Scots leaving to serve the Roman empire, such as Pontius Pilate, who was born in the hamlet of Fortingall.<ref>[http://www.geo.ed.ac.uk/scotgaz/towns/townfirst1306.html Fortingall ]</ref> Pontius Pilate was related to the Scots King, Metallanus. At the the time Metallanus was on good terms with the government of Caesar in Rome. Pilate first went to Rome and was later appointed the Roman Procurator of Judea. To this day, the Royal Scots, one of the oldest regiments in the British Army claim descendance from Pontius Pilate's bodyguard. There still exists at Caesaria in Palestine, an ancient stone slab which is called the Pilate Stone, upon on which is inscribed in Latin "Hiberieum Pontius Pilatus". The Romans referred to northerly regions of the British Isles as Hibernia.

From the late 13th century the Kingdom of England began to threaten Scotland's indpendence. The Scots presenting the [[Pope]] with the Declaration of Arbroath stating their intention, to remain free, reiterating their right to do so as descendants of the Scythians, one of the exiled Ten Tribes.

:"Most Holy Father and Lord, we know and from the chronicles and books of the ancients we find that among other famous nations our own, the Scots, has been graced with widespread renown. They journeyed from Greater Scythia by way of the Tyrrhenian Sea and the Pillars of Hercules, and dwelt for a long course of time in Spain among the most savage tribes, but nowhere could they be subdued by any race, however barbarous."

:"...for, as long as but a hundred of us remain alive, never will we on any conditions be brought under English rule. It is in truth not for glory, nor riches, nor honours that we are fighting, but for freedom – for that alone, which no honest man gives up but with life itself."

Scotland's independence was finally secured by the brave deeds of the knight William Wallace and King Robert the Bruce.

==Union with England==

After the death of Queen [[Elizabeth I]] of England in 1603, James VI of Scotland ascended to the Throne of England, becoming [[James I]] of England. He was the first monarch to call himself King of Great Britain. This is referred to as the Union of the Crowns. James was also at this time King of [[Ireland]].

The Parliaments of Scotland and [[England]] were not united until 1707 and it is this date that is recognized as the formation of [[Great Britain]]. This is referred to as the Union of the Parliaments. (The [[United Kingdom]] was to come into being with the addition of [[Ireland]] in 1801.)The formation of the Irish Free State in 1922 resulted in the current name of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Scotland has its own Parliament of 129 members as well as sending 59 Members of Parliament(MPs) to represent its interests in the [[United Kingdom]] parliament which sits in [[London]]. Scottish MPs have historically been recognized for their political skills and appointed to the Cabinet in larger numbers than is proportionate. The current Prime Minister [[Gordon Brown]], is Scottish, and formerly he was [[Chancellor of the Exchequer]].

Relationships between Scottish and English MPs before [[devolution]] were sometimes tense because of what the former [[Conservative|Conservative Party]] MP, by then an [[Ulster Unionist]], [[Enoch Powell]] dubbed ''The West Lothian question''. The name arose in 1977 after [[Tam Dalyell]], Labour MP for West Lothian in Scotland, asked during a debate in the [[Houses of Parliament]] over Scottish and Welsh [[devolution]]:

<blockquote>''For how long will English constituencies and English Honourable members tolerate... at least 119 Honourable Members from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland exercising an important, and probably often decisive, effect on British politics while they themselves have no say in the same matters in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland?''</blockquote>

He pointed out that he as MP for West Lothian could vote on matters affecting English constituencies but not his own constituency.

== Sports and culture==

The national preoccupation, indeed obsession, is [[football (soccer)]]. Other diversions include [[rugby]], [[lawn bowls]], [[motorsports]], [[horseracing]], [[shinty]] (similar to hockey), [[curling]], sports of the [[Highland Games]] - such as tossing the [[caber]] and, of course, [[golf]] - Scotland is the home of golf. The Royal and Ancient Golf Club at [[St Andrews]] is the governing body of world golf.

Scotland is famous for its disproportionate amount of inventions and discoveries (as immortalized in [[Wha's Like Us]]), its world class universities, the Scottish Enlightenment, being the one of the first industrial nations while still preserving some of the last great wildernesses of Europe, and being the home of [[golf]].

The symbol of Scotland is the [[thistle]]. The Scottish flag is the Cross of St. Andrew, a white diagonal cross on a dark blue background. The design originated in the 9th century and it is the oldest national flag still in use anywhere in the world. Other things associated with the country are [[kilt]]s ([[tartan]] skirtlike garments worn by Scotsmen), and the haunting music of the [[bagpipes]]. Famous Scottish products include [[pie]]s, [[haggis]] and Scotch [[whisky]].

Scotland's motto is ''Nemo Me Impune Lacessit'' ("No one provokes me with impunity")<ref>http://www.scotland-guide.co.uk/ALL_AREAS_IN_SCOTLAND/Glasgow/Areas/Centre/Mercat_Cross.htm </ref> which translates as ''Wha daur meddle wi me?'' in [[Scots]] and in [[English]] as ''Who would dare mess with me?''.

Also see [[:Category:Scottish Culture]].

==External Links==
*[http://www.n-cyclopedia.com/scottish-history/index.htm A Brief History of Scotland]

==References==
<references/>

[[Category:Scotland]]
[[Category:United Kingdom]]

Robert Burns

2008-03-04T15:46:45Z

WKirkwood: typo

'''Robert Burns''' (1759-1796) was a [[Scotland|Scottish]] poet, philanderer and [[Adultery|adulterer]] who fathered a total of twelve children by four women of which seven were illegitimate, including the first four by Jean Armour before they were married in 1788. Burns' poetry in both English and rough gutteral [[Scots]] dialect often included pieces of a bawdry obscene<ref>[http://sniff.numachi.com/pages/tiNINEINCH;ttNINEINCH.html]</ref> nature promoting [[promiscuity]] and drunkenness. He also often attacked and mocked churchgoers and [[religion]] in his poetry. His promiscuity and drinking was condemmned by the elders of the local kirk (Church) and he was not held in high regard by his neighbors.

Burns was initially [[homeschooling|homeschooled]] by his father, who taught his children reading, writing, arithmetic, geography, and history, and also wrote for them ''A Manual Of Christian Belief''. Later he was taught Latin, French and mathematics by John Murdoch at his 'adventure school' in Alloway. After that Burns was once again homeschooled but later attended Dalrymple Parish (public) School.

It was only after attending [[public school]] that Burns devloped a passion for bawdry obscene poetry, his first volume, ''Poems, Chiefly in the Scottish dialect'' being published in April 1786, also known as the Kilmarnock volume. It included his poem ''Address to the Deil''<ref>[http://www.worldburnsclub.com/poems/translations/address_to_the_deil.htm]</ref> (''Deil'' mean devil). The poem addresses the [[Satan|Devil]] mocking the pulpit oratory of the [[Presbyterian]] Church.

::"O thou! Whatever title suit thee,
::Auld Hornie, Satan, Nick or Clootie"

In 1787 he was invited to [[Edinburgh]] by supporters the [[humanism|humanist]] and rationalist [[enlightenment]] that was capturing the imagination of [[liberal]] Europeans. Burns' reputation for philandery, drunkenness an [[moral relativism]] preceded him and he was received as an equal by the city's liberals who considered him an excellent guest at their gatherings.

In keeping with Scotland's moral decline Burns became Scotland's national poet and A major cultural icon. He is also regarded by some as a pioneer of [[Romanticism]].

His birthday, the 25th of January, is celebrated in Scotland and far beyond as [[Burns Night]]. These celebrations involve the recitation of his poetry, the eating of [[haggis]], a toast to the lasses and the imbibing of much Scotch [[whisky]].

He is most famous for his compositions "Auld Lang Syne"<ref>[http://www.worldburnsclub.com/poems/translations/auld_lang_syne.htm]</ref>, "Corn Rigs Are Bonie "<ref>[http://www.worldburnsclub.com/poems/translations/corn_rigs_are_bonie.htm]</ref>, "Green Grow The Rashes, O "<ref>[http://www.worldburnsclub.com/poems/translations/green_gro_the_rashes_o.htm]</ref>, "Holy Willlie's Prayer" <ref>[http://www.worldburnsclub.com/poems/translations/holy_willies_prayer.htm]</ref> , "O, Guid Ale Comes
" <ref>[http://www.worldburnsclub.com/poems/translations/o_guid_ale_comes.htm]</ref>, "Scotch Drink" <ref>[http://www.worldburnsclub.com/poems/translations/422.htm]</ref>, "The Holy Fair" <ref>[http://www.worldburnsclub.com/poems/translations/485.htm]</ref>, "Yestreen I Had A Pint O' Wine" <ref>[http://www.worldburnsclub.com/poems/translations/639.htm]</ref> and "Scots Wha Hae"<ref>[http://www.worldburnsclub.com/poems/translations/424.htm]</ref> about [[Robert the Bruce]] and the [[Battle of Bannockburn]].

== References ==

<references/>

[http://www.robertburns.org/works/ Complete works, online.]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Burns, Robert}}
[[Category:Poets]]
[[Category:Scottish People]]

Robert Burns

2008-03-04T15:44:06Z

WKirkwood: Add references/Sources

'''Robert Burns''' (1759-1796) was a [[Scotland|Scottish]] poet, philanderer and [[Adultery|adulterer]] who fathered a total of twelve children by four women of which seven were illegitimate, including the first four by Jean Armour before they were married in 1788. Burns' poetry in both English and rough gutteral [[Scots]] dialect often included pieces of a bawdry obscene<ref>[http://sniff.numachi.com/pages/tiNINEINCH;ttNINEINCH.html]</ref> nature promoting [[promiscuity]] and drunkenness. He also often attacked and mocked churchgoers and [[religion]] in his poetry. His promiscuity and drinking was condemmned by the elders of the local kirk (Church) and he was not held in high regard by his neighbors.

Burns was initially [[homeschooling|homeschooled]] by his father, who taught his children reading, writing, arithmetic, geography, and history, and also wrote for them ''A Manual Of Christian Belief''. Later he was taught Latin, French and mathematics by John Murdoch at his 'adventure school' in Alloway. After that Burns was once again homeschooled but later attended Dalrymple Parish (public) School.

It was only after attending [[public School]] that Burns devloped a passion for bawdry obscene poetry, his first volume, ''Poems, Chiefly in the Scottish dialect'' being published in April 1786, also known as the Kilmarnock volume. It included his poem ''Address to the Deil''<ref>[http://www.worldburnsclub.com/poems/translations/address_to_the_deil.htm]</ref> (''Deil'' mean devil). The poem addresses the [[Satan|Devil]] mocking the pulpit oratory of the [[Presbyterian]] Church.

::"O thou! Whatever title suit thee,
::Auld Hornie, Satan, Nick or Clootie"

In 1787 he was invited to [[Edinburgh]] by supporters the [[humanism|humanist]] and rationalist [[enlightenment]] that was capturing the imagination of [[liberal]] Europeans. Burns' reputation for philandery, drunkenness an [[moral relativism]] preceded him and he was received as an equal by the city's liberals who considered him an excellent guest at their gatherings.

In keeping with Scotland's moral decline Burns became Scotland's national poet and A major cultural icon. He is also regarded by some as a pioneer of [[Romanticism]].

His birthday, the 25th of January, is celebrated in Scotland and far beyond as [[Burns Night]]. These celebrations involve the recitation of his poetry, the eating of [[haggis]], a toast to the lasses and the imbibing of much Scotch [[whisky]].

He is most famous for his compositions "Auld Lang Syne"<ref>[http://www.worldburnsclub.com/poems/translations/auld_lang_syne.htm]</ref>, "Corn Rigs Are Bonie "<ref>[http://www.worldburnsclub.com/poems/translations/corn_rigs_are_bonie.htm]</ref>, "Green Grow The Rashes, O "<ref>[http://www.worldburnsclub.com/poems/translations/green_gro_the_rashes_o.htm]</ref>, "Holy Willlie's Prayer" <ref>[http://www.worldburnsclub.com/poems/translations/holy_willies_prayer.htm]</ref> , "O, Guid Ale Comes
" <ref>[http://www.worldburnsclub.com/poems/translations/o_guid_ale_comes.htm]</ref>, "Scotch Drink" <ref>[http://www.worldburnsclub.com/poems/translations/422.htm]</ref>, "The Holy Fair" <ref>[http://www.worldburnsclub.com/poems/translations/485.htm]</ref>, "Yestreen I Had A Pint O' Wine" <ref>[http://www.worldburnsclub.com/poems/translations/639.htm]</ref> and "Scots Wha Hae"<ref>[http://www.worldburnsclub.com/poems/translations/424.htm]</ref> about [[Robert the Bruce]] and the [[Battle of Bannockburn]].

== References ==

<references/>

[http://www.robertburns.org/works/ Complete works, online.]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Burns, Robert}}
[[Category:Poets]]
[[Category:Scottish People]]

Scotland

2008-02-29T20:53:28Z

WKirkwood: Sort reference

[[Image:Lion rampant.png|thumb|right|The Scottish Royal Coat of Arms- Better known as the Lion Rampant]]

'''Scotland''' is the second largest country of the [[United Kingdom]].
It is about three-eighths the size of its larger neighbour England, but is much less populous; most of the population lives in the ''central belt'', a band across central Scotland between the capital [[Edinburgh]] and the city of [[Glasgow]]. Other cities are [[Aberdeen]], [[Dundee]] and [[Inverness]].

== Introduction ==

{| class="wikitable" style="float:right"
|- bgcolor=cccccc
! Position || Current Holder
|-
| [[British_monarchy|Monarch]] || Queen [[Elizabeth II]]
|-
| [[UK_Prime_Ministers|Prime Minster]] || [[Gordon Brown]] MP
|-
| [[Secretary of State for Scotland|Secretary of State]] || [[Des Browne]] MP
|-
| [[First Minister of Scotland|First Minister]] || [[Alex Salmond]] MSP
|}

Scotland is historically Christian; the national church is the [[Church of Scotland]]

Scotland includes the island groups of [[Orkney]], [[Shetland]], the [[Inner Hebrides|Inner]] and [[Outer Hebrides]], the islands of the [[Firth of Clyde]] including [[Arran]], [[Bute]], [[Cumbrae]] & [[Wee Cumbrae]] and various other smaller islands.

[[Ben Nevis]], the highest mountain in the [[United Kingdom]], is in the Scottish [[Highlands of Scotland|Highlands]], as are most of the nations highest mountains. Those with heights above 914m (3000 feet) are eponymously named [[Munro| Munros]] after Sir Hector Munro, the first person to compile such a list.<ref> for a complete list of Munros see http://www.sol.co.uk/d/dickwall/munroes.htm</ref>

== Moral decline ==
Scotland is historically a [[Christian]] nation but its Christian foundations were shaken by the 18th century [[humanism|humanist]] and rationalist [[enlightenment]] that was capturing the imagination of liberal Europeans. Increasing numbers of Scots began to embrace enlightenment thinking rejecting traditional social, political and religious views. Inspired by the idea that [[God]] was not the solution for everything, and that some things were controlled by natural laws, not by the supernatural.

This spread of [[atheism|atheistic]] immorality led many [[Christian]] Scots to flee Scotland, in particular, to [[America]], largely because landowners became more interested in securing profits to sustain their [[promiscuity|promiscuous]] and drunken lifestyles more congenial to the [[moral relativism]] engendered by liberal enlightenment thinking, rather than investing profits in sustaining intact Christian communities. Sheep became more important than people. Other Scots fled because they were simply appalled by their neighbors [[immoral]] behavior. The Americas offering a chance to live as Christians free from the rampant immorality that threatened to engulf them in Scotland. By the mid 1800s the population of Scotland was just over 2 million and by 1890 about half a million people had fled Scotland, some 250,000 of them to the United States.

Scotland's moral decline has continued unabated to the present day. Church attendance<ref>[http://www.unavoce.org/scotland.htm The Once-Heroic Church in Scotland]</ref> has plummeted to an all-time low of just over 7% of Scottish adults. In 1962 Scotland had 26,015 baptisms. In 1998, there were only 9,951. Currently some 40% of births are to unmarried mothers, the trend being upwards. In 2003/4 there were 7.5 conceptions per 1000 for 13-15 year olds and 68.2 conceptions per 1000 for 16-19 year olds with over 50% of the 13-15 year olds being pressured into [[abortion]]. <ref>[http://www.brook.org.uk/content/M6_4_teenage%20pregnancy.asp Teenage pregnancy]]</ref>. In Scotland, 93% of men and 87% of women aged 16-74 drink alcohol. The proportion of [[public school]] pupils aged 12-15 who had had an alcoholic drink in the previous week has risen in the last decade from 14% in 1990 to 21% in 2000. Death rates from alcohol have risen over 100% between 1990 and 2000, the rates for women being nearer 200%.<ref>[http://www.scotland.gov.uk/health/alcoholproblems/docs/paap1-00.asp Statistics on Alcohol in Scotland]</ref> Abuse of [[illegal drugs]] is also increasing rapidly. <ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/653646.stm Drug abuse increasing]</ref>

==Cities==
[[Image:Scotland.gif|thumb|right|250px|A map of Scotland.]]

Scotland has four major cities. They are [[Aberdeen]], [[Dundee]], [[Edinburgh]] and [[Glasgow]]. [[Inverness]] and [[Stirling]] were granted city status recently but are in fact smaller than some of the larger Scottish towns like Paisley and Perth.

== History ==
Scotland has been inhabited since at least 8500BC, when the first [[Mesolithic]] hunter-gatherers are thought to have migrated to Scotland. These inhabitants showed advanced knowledge of astronomy, creating several [[Stonehenge]]-like monuments.

At the time of the [[Romans]] the tribes in what became Scotland were similar to those further south, and can be considered to be [[Celtic]] peoples. Those from the North-East were called ‘Picti’ (Picts) by Roman writers, which could mean ‘painted people' and refer to tattoos. The Romans never subdued these northern tribes, and after a brief period when the Antonine Wall between the Firths of Forth and Clyde was the Roman Empire’s northern frontier, they drew back and had [[Hadrian’s Wall]] as the frontier. They did try and influence the tribes between the two Walls, and when kingdoms like Strathclyde emerged in the early [[Dark Ages]], their rulers often bore Roman names or titles, the dynasties having been founded by Roman officials. The Scots themselves began arriving as settlers in the West of Scotland at this time (AD 400-500). They were from a part of the north of [[Ireland]] and spoke Old Irish, which changed to become Scottish [[Gaelic]], and eventually replaced Pictish. They sometimes warred with the Picts and [[Briton]]s and sometimes allied with them, but a unified kingdom under the Scottish king Kenneth Mac Alpin was established in AD 843, called ‘Alba’ (still the [[Gaelic]] name for Scotland). This kingdom took over Strathclyde in the early 11th century to form the basis of Mediaeval Scotland. [[Normans]] and their decscendents such as Robert the Bruce ('de Brus' was a Norman surname) became important nobles in Scotland.

==Union with England==

After the death of Queen [[Elizabeth I]] of England in 1603, James VI of Scotland ascended to the Throne of England, becoming [[James I]] of England. He was the first monarch to call himself King of Great Britain. This is referred to as the Union of the Crowns. James was also at this time King of [[Ireland]].

The Parliaments of Scotland and [[England]] were not united until 1707 and it is this date that is recognized as the formation of [[Great Britain]]. This is referred to as the Union of the Parliaments. (The [[United Kingdom]] was to come into being with the addition of [[Ireland]] in 1801.)The formation of the Irish Free State in 1922 resulted in the current name of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Scotland has its own Parliament of 129 members as well as sending 59 Members of Parliament(MPs) to represent its interests in the [[United Kingdom]] parliament which sits in [[London]]. Scottish MPs have historically been recognized for their political skills and appointed to the Cabinet in larger numbers than is proportionate. The current Prime Minister [[Gordon Brown]], is Scottish, and formerly he was [[Chancellor of the Exchequer]].

Relationships between Scottish and English MPs before [[devolution]] were sometimes tense because of what the former [[Conservative|Conservative Party]] MP, by then an [[Ulster Unionist]], [[Enoch Powell]] dubbed ''The West Lothian question''. The name arose in 1977 after [[Tam Dalyell]], Labour MP for West Lothian in Scotland, asked during a debate in the [[Houses of Parliament]] over Scottish and Welsh [[devolution]]:

<blockquote>''For how long will English constituencies and English Honourable members tolerate... at least 119 Honourable Members from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland exercising an important, and probably often decisive, effect on British politics while they themselves have no say in the same matters in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland?''</blockquote>

He pointed out that he as MP for West Lothian could vote on matters affecting English constituencies but not his own constituency.

== Sports and culture==

The national preoccupation, indeed obsession, is [[football (soccer)]]. Other diversions include [[rugby]], [[lawn bowls]], [[motorsports]], [[horseracing]], [[shinty]] (similar to hockey), [[curling]], sports of the [[Highland Games]] - such as tossing the [[caber]] and, of course, [[golf]] - Scotland is the home of golf. The Royal and Ancient Golf Club at [[St Andrews]] is the governing body of world golf.

Scotland is famous for its disproportionate amount of inventions and discoveries (as immortalized in [[Wha's Like Us]]), its world class universities, the Scottish Enlightenment, being the one of the first industrial nations while still preserving some of the last great wildernesses of Europe, and being the home of [[golf]].

The symbol of Scotland is the [[thistle]]. The Scottish flag is the Cross of St. Andrew, a white diagonal cross on a dark blue background. The design originated in the 9th century and it is the oldest national flag still in use anywhere in the world. Other things associated with the country are [[kilt]]s ([[tartan]] skirtlike garments worn by Scotsmen), and the haunting music of the [[bagpipes]]. Famous Scottish products include [[pie]]s, [[haggis]] and Scotch [[whisky]].

Scotland's motto is ''Nemo Me Impune Lacessit'' ("No one provokes me with impunity")<ref>http://www.scotland-guide.co.uk/ALL_AREAS_IN_SCOTLAND/Glasgow/Areas/Centre/Mercat_Cross.htm </ref> which translates as ''Wha daur meddle wi me?'' in [[Scots]] and in [[English]] as ''Who would dare mess with me?''.

Also see [[:Category:Scottish Culture]].

==External Links==
*[http://www.n-cyclopedia.com/scottish-history/index.htm A Brief History of Scotland]

==References==
<references/>

[[Category:Scotland]]
[[Category:United Kingdom]]

Scotland

2008-02-29T20:48:38Z

WKirkwood: /* Introduction */ more content

[[Image:Lion rampant.png|thumb|right|The Scottish Royal Coat of Arms- Better known as the Lion Rampant]]

'''Scotland''' is the second largest country of the [[United Kingdom]].
It is about three-eighths the size of its larger neighbour England, but is much less populous; most of the population lives in the ''central belt'', a band across central Scotland between the capital [[Edinburgh]] and the city of [[Glasgow]]. Other cities are [[Aberdeen]], [[Dundee]] and [[Inverness]].

== Introduction ==

{| class="wikitable" style="float:right"
|- bgcolor=cccccc
! Position || Current Holder
|-
| [[British_monarchy|Monarch]] || Queen [[Elizabeth II]]
|-
| [[UK_Prime_Ministers|Prime Minster]] || [[Gordon Brown]] MP
|-
| [[Secretary of State for Scotland|Secretary of State]] || [[Des Browne]] MP
|-
| [[First Minister of Scotland|First Minister]] || [[Alex Salmond]] MSP
|}

Scotland is historically Christian; the national church is the [[Church of Scotland]]

Scotland includes the island groups of [[Orkney]], [[Shetland]], the [[Inner Hebrides|Inner]] and [[Outer Hebrides]], the islands of the [[Firth of Clyde]] including [[Arran]], [[Bute]], [[Cumbrae]] & [[Wee Cumbrae]] and various other smaller islands.

[[Ben Nevis]], the highest mountain in the [[United Kingdom]], is in the Scottish [[Highlands of Scotland|Highlands]], as are most of the nations highest mountains. Those with heights above 914m (3000 feet) are eponymously named [[Munro| Munros]] after Sir Hector Munro, the first person to compile such a list.<ref> for a complete list of Munros see http://www.sol.co.uk/d/dickwall/munroes.htm</ref>

== Moral decline ==
Scotland is historically a [[Christian]] nation but its Christian foundations were shaken by the 18th century [[humanism|humanist]] and rationalist [[enlightenment]] that was capturing the imagination of liberal Europeans. Increasing numbers of Scots began to embrace enlightenment thinking rejecting traditional social, political and religious views. Inspired by the idea that [[God]] was not the solution for everything, and that some things were controlled by natural laws, not by the supernatural.

This spread of [[atheism|atheistic]] immorality led many [[Christian]] Scots to flee Scotland, in particular, to [[America]], largely because landowners became more interested in securing profits to sustain their [[promiscuity|promiscuous]] and drunken lifestyles more congenial to the [[moral relativism]] engendered by liberal enlightenment thinking, rather than investing profits in sustaining intact Christian communities. Sheep became more important than people. Other Scots fled because they were simply appalled by their neighbors [[immoral]] behavior. The Americas offering a chance to live as Christians free from the rampant immorrality that threatened to engulf them in Scotland. By the mid 1800s the population of Scotland was just over 2 million and by 1890 about half a million people had fled Scotland, some 250,000 of them to the United States.

Scotland's moral decline has continued unabated to the present day. Church attendance<ref>[http://www.unavoce.org/scotland.htm The Once-Heroic Church in Scotland]</ref> has plummeted to an all-time low of just over 7% of Scottish adults. In 1962 Scotland had 26,015 baptisms. In 1998, there were only 9,951. Currently some 40% of births are to unmarried mothers, the trend being upwards. In 2003/4 there were 7.5 conceptions per 1000 for 13-15 year olds and 68.2 conceptions per 1000 for 16-19 year olds with over 50% of the 13-15 year olds being pressured into [[abortion]]. <ref>[http://www.brook.org.uk/content/M6_4_teenage%20pregnancy.asp Teenage pregnancy]]</ref>. In Scotland, 93% of men and 87% of women aged 16-74 drink alcohol. The proportion of [[public school]] pupils aged 12-15 who had had an alcoholic drink in the previous week has risen in the last decade from 14% in 1990 to 21% in 2000. Death rates from alcohol have risen over 100% between 1990 and 2000, the rates for women being nearer 200%. <ref>[http://www.scotland.gov.uk/health/alcoholproblems/docs/paap1-00.asp Statistics on Alcohol in Scotland]] Abuse of [[illegal drugs]] is also increasing rapidly. <ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/653646.stm Drug abuse increasing]</ref>

==Cities==
[[Image:Scotland.gif|thumb|right|250px|A map of Scotland.]]

Scotland has four major cities. They are [[Aberdeen]], [[Dundee]], [[Edinburgh]] and [[Glasgow]]. [[Inverness]] and [[Stirling]] were granted city status recently but are in fact smaller than some of the larger Scottish towns like Paisley and Perth.

== History ==
Scotland has been inhabited since at least 8500BC, when the first [[Mesolithic]] hunter-gatherers are thought to have migrated to Scotland. These inhabitants showed advanced knowledge of astronomy, creating several [[Stonehenge]]-like monuments.

At the time of the [[Romans]] the tribes in what became Scotland were similar to those further south, and can be considered to be [[Celtic]] peoples. Those from the North-East were called ‘Picti’ (Picts) by Roman writers, which could mean ‘painted people' and refer to tattoos. The Romans never subdued these northern tribes, and after a brief period when the Antonine Wall between the Firths of Forth and Clyde was the Roman Empire’s northern frontier, they drew back and had [[Hadrian’s Wall]] as the frontier. They did try and influence the tribes between the two Walls, and when kingdoms like Strathclyde emerged in the early [[Dark Ages]], their rulers often bore Roman names or titles, the dynasties having been founded by Roman officials. The Scots themselves began arriving as settlers in the West of Scotland at this time (AD 400-500). They were from a part of the north of [[Ireland]] and spoke Old Irish, which changed to become Scottish [[Gaelic]], and eventually replaced Pictish. They sometimes warred with the Picts and [[Briton]]s and sometimes allied with them, but a unified kingdom under the Scottish king Kenneth Mac Alpin was established in AD 843, called ‘Alba’ (still the [[Gaelic]] name for Scotland). This kingdom took over Strathclyde in the early 11th century to form the basis of Mediaeval Scotland. [[Normans]] and their decscendents such as Robert the Bruce ('de Brus' was a Norman surname) became important nobles in Scotland.

==Union with England==

After the death of Queen [[Elizabeth I]] of England in 1603, James VI of Scotland ascended to the Throne of England, becoming [[James I]] of England. He was the first monarch to call himself King of Great Britain. This is referred to as the Union of the Crowns. James was also at this time King of [[Ireland]].

The Parliaments of Scotland and [[England]] were not united until 1707 and it is this date that is recognized as the formation of [[Great Britain]]. This is referred to as the Union of the Parliaments. (The [[United Kingdom]] was to come into being with the addition of [[Ireland]] in 1801.)The formation of the Irish Free State in 1922 resulted in the current name of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Scotland has its own Parliament of 129 members as well as sending 59 Members of Parliament(MPs) to represent its interests in the [[United Kingdom]] parliament which sits in [[London]]. Scottish MPs have historically been recognized for their political skills and appointed to the Cabinet in larger numbers than is proportionate. The current Prime Minister [[Gordon Brown]], is Scottish, and formerly he was [[Chancellor of the Exchequer]].

Relationships between Scottish and English MPs before [[devolution]] were sometimes tense because of what the former [[Conservative|Conservative Party]] MP, by then an [[Ulster Unionist]], [[Enoch Powell]] dubbed ''The West Lothian question''. The name arose in 1977 after [[Tam Dalyell]], Labour MP for West Lothian in Scotland, asked during a debate in the [[Houses of Parliament]] over Scottish and Welsh [[devolution]]:

<blockquote>''For how long will English constituencies and English Honourable members tolerate... at least 119 Honourable Members from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland exercising an important, and probably often decisive, effect on British politics while they themselves have no say in the same matters in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland?''</blockquote>

He pointed out that he as MP for West Lothian could vote on matters affecting English constituencies but not his own constituency.

== Sports and culture==

The national preoccupation, indeed obsession, is [[football (soccer)]]. Other diversions include [[rugby]], [[lawn bowls]], [[motorsports]], [[horseracing]], [[shinty]] (similar to hockey), [[curling]], sports of the [[Highland Games]] - such as tossing the [[caber]] and, of course, [[golf]] - Scotland is the home of golf. The Royal and Ancient Golf Club at [[St Andrews]] is the governing body of world golf.

Scotland is famous for its disproportionate amount of inventions and discoveries (as immortalized in [[Wha's Like Us]]), its world class universities, the Scottish Enlightenment, being the one of the first industrial nations while still preserving some of the last great wildernesses of Europe, and being the home of [[golf]].

The symbol of Scotland is the [[thistle]]. The Scottish flag is the Cross of St. Andrew, a white diagonal cross on a dark blue background. The design originated in the 9th century and it is the oldest national flag still in use anywhere in the world. Other things associated with the country are [[kilt]]s ([[tartan]] skirtlike garments worn by Scotsmen), and the haunting music of the [[bagpipes]]. Famous Scottish products include [[pie]]s, [[haggis]] and Scotch [[whisky]].

Scotland's motto is ''Nemo Me Impune Lacessit'' ("No one provokes me with impunity")<ref>http://www.scotland-guide.co.uk/ALL_AREAS_IN_SCOTLAND/Glasgow/Areas/Centre/Mercat_Cross.htm </ref> which translates as ''Wha daur meddle wi me?'' in [[Scots]] and in [[English]] as ''Who would dare mess with me?''.

Also see [[:Category:Scottish Culture]].

==External Links==
*[http://www.n-cyclopedia.com/scottish-history/index.htm A Brief History of Scotland]

==References==
<references/>

[[Category:Scotland]]
[[Category:United Kingdom]]

Robert Burns

2008-02-20T19:07:41Z

WKirkwood: More content

'''Robert Burns''' (1759-1796) was a [[Scotland|Scottish]] poet, philanderer and [[Adultery|adulterer]] who fathered a total of twelve children by four women of which seven were illegitimate, including the first four by Jean Armour before they were married in 1788. Burns' poetry in both English and rough gutteral [[Scots]] dialect often included pieces of a bawdry obscene nature promoting [[promiscuity]] and drunkenness. He also often attacked and mocked churchgoers and [[religion]] in his poetry. His promiscuity and drinking was condemmned by the elders of the local kirk (Church) and he was not held in high regard by his neighbors.

Burns was initially [[homeschooling|homeschooled]] by his father, who taught his children reading, writing, arithmetic, geography, and history, and also wrote for them ''A Manual Of Christian Belief''. Later he was taught Latin, French and mathematics by John Murdoch at his 'adventure school' in Alloway. After that Burns was once again homeschooled but later attended Dalrymple Parish (public) School.

Burns' first volume, ''Poems, Chiefly in the Scottish dialect'' was published in April 1786, also known as the Kilmarnock volume. It included his poem ''Address to the Deil'' (''Deil'' mean devil). The poem addresses the [[Satan|Devil]] mocking the pulpit oratory of the [[Presbyterian]] Church.

::"O thou! Whatever title suit thee,
::Auld Hornie, Satan, Nick or Clootie"

In 1787 he was invited to [[Edinburgh]] by supporters the [[humanism|humanist]] and rationalist [[enlightenment]] that was capturing the imagination of [[liberal]] Europeans. Burns' reputation for philandery, drunkenness an [[moral relativism]] preceded him and he was received as an equal by the city's liberals who considered him an excellent guest at their gatherings.

Burns later came to be regarded as Scotland's national poet. A major cultural icon, he is regarded as a pioneer of [[Romanticism]].

He is most famous for his compositions "The Chevalier's Lament", "The Song o' the Clyde", "Auld Lang Syne"<ref>[http://sniff.numachi.com/pages/tiNINEINCH;ttNINEINCH.html]</ref>, and "Scots Wha Hae"<ref>[http://www.worldburnsclub.com/poems/translations/424.htm]</ref>, about [[Robert the Bruce]] and the [[Battle of Bannockburn]].

His birthday, the 25th of January, is celebrated in Scotland and far beyond as [[Burns Night]]. These celebrations involve the recitation of his poetry, the eating of [[haggis]], a toast to the lasses and the imbibing of much Scotch [[whisky]].

== References ==

<references/>

[http://www.robertburns.org/works/ Complete works, online.]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Burns, Robert}}
[[Category:Poets]]
[[Category:Scottish People]]

Talk:Londonderry

2008-02-16T21:08:12Z

WKirkwood: Correct name

==Merge with [[Derry]]?==
Surely must be done - but I hesitate to select the most appropriate name! [[User:IrishBeryl|IrishBeryl]] 16:57, 15 February 2008 (EST)
:article title 'Derry/Londonderry' should do it. [[User:Sawneybeane|Sawneybeane]] 07:27, 16 February 2008 (EST)

why undo the merge/ go with the Unionist default? [[User:Rodney|Rodney]] 15:52, 16 February 2008 (EST)
 Yes, why succumb to unionist propaganda and appear one-sided? [[User:IrishBeryl|IrishBeryl]] 15:53, 16 February 2008 (EST)
::The name was determined as Londonderry in the most recent court ruling. If/when the courts rule otherwise, it can be moved. [[Image:User Fox.png|10px]] [[User:Fox|Fox]] ([[User talk:Fox|talk]]|[[Special:Contributions/Fox|contribs]]) 15:54, 16 February 2008 (EST)

::Courts matter more than people? Not a very conservative outlook, I would say. That being the case, I guess Americans shouldn't do anything re: Roe v. Wade as the courts have already decided the issue. [[User:Rodney|Rodney]] 15:55, 16 February 2008 (EST)

:::Given the sensitivites - which are mentioned in the article, indeed - it seems a shame to appear so one-sided, especially when there is a very easy, ''fair'', ''balanced'' and ''conservative'' solution so close at hand! [[User:IrishBeryl|IrishBeryl]] 15:58, 16 February 2008 (EST)

::::The name of the city is correct on the article as it is for now. As I said, if/when the pro-Derry section of the populace achieve a change through the courts then it can be changed on the page. Don't start trying to spin Irish republican propaganda here. [[Image:User Fox.png|10px]] [[User:Fox|Fox]] ([[User talk:Fox|talk]]|[[Special:Contributions/Fox|contribs]]) 16:01, 16 February 2008 (EST)

:::[[User:Fox|Fox]] is right. The correct name is Londonderry! The good God fearing Conservative Protestant citizens call it Londonderry. The courts call it Londonderry. This is a Conservative encyclopedia. This is not the place for Liberals to peddle their terrorist sympathies. [[User:WKirkwood|WKirkwood]] 16:08, 16 February 2008 (EST)

Londonderry

2008-02-16T20:58:39Z

WKirkwood: Correct name

'''Londonderry''', also known as "Derry" by [[Liberals]], is one of six counties in [[Northern Ireland]], and also the name of the main city in the county. The city of Londonderry is the second largest city of [[Northern Ireland]]. It lies close to the mouth of the River Foyle in the west of the Province, close to the border with [[County Donegal]] in the [[Republic of Ireland]]

== Nomenclature ==

Londonderry is reputed to have been founded by [[St. Columba]] in 546. The town was originally known in English as "Derry" (from the [[Irish]] ''an Doire'', meaning "oak grove"). The prefix ''London'' was adopted in 1613 when a charter gave the livery companies of London special privileges in the town.

Today the name is a source of controversy, with (roughly) Conservatives/Unionists using the name Londonderry and Nationalists/Liberals calling it "Derry". Those wishing to steer a middle course, or uncertain of the allegiance of those to whom they are talking, use "Derry/Londonderry" ("Derry-stroke-Londonderry"), and the broadcaster Gerry Anderson coined the term "Stroke City" in allusion to this dilemma.

== History ==

With money from the City of London, Londonderry was rebuilt and walled in 1618. The walls were able to withstand a siege by forces loyal to the ousted British monarch [[James II]] in 1689 which lasted from 18 April to 31 July, and which still occupies a prominent role in the Conservative Unionist/Loyalist identity (not least the slogan 'No Surrender'). In the nineteenth century Londonderry was noted for the manufacture of shirts. During the first period of devolved government in Northern Ireland following Partition in 1922 (between 1922 and 1972), the city was notorious for the gerrymandering of its local authority boundaries. Althgough it had a significant Roman Catholic majority population, it consistently returned (Conservative) Unionist-dominated councils.

Londonderry saw a great deal of violence in the early years of the 'Troubles' of the late twentieth century, most notably the 'Battle of the Bogside' in August 1969 (the event which prompted Britsh Home Secretary James Callaghan to send troops to Northern Ireland to restore order), and 'Bloody Sunday' (30 January 1972), when British troops shot dead fourteen civilians after being fired upon during a banned [[IRA]] sympathy march.

[[Category:Northern Ireland]]
[[Category:Ireland]]

Hollywood values

2008-02-16T10:52:35Z

WKirkwood: correct info.

The phrase '''Hollywood values''' refers to the lack of [[morals]] and [[values]] in [[Hollywood]] culture, which are characterized by rampant [[drug|drug use]], extramarital sex, [[disease]] and death. A poll by MSNBC said that 60% of [[Americans]] agree that "Hollywood's values are not in line with the rest of America and that the quality of movies has dimished in recent years."<ref>http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11714540/</ref>

Hollywood values can include a ''disrespect'' for:

* [[marriage]]
* [[patriotism]]
* [[religion]]
* [[accountability]]

[[Political correctness]], at least publicly, is a central part of Hollywood values.

==Deaths ==
Hollywood values are deadly. Some examples include:<ref>http://www.abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/story?id=4174733&page=1</ref><ref>http://www.citynews.ca/news/news_18845.aspx</ref>
*[[John Barrymore]], 60, cirrhosis of the liver from heavy drinking
*[[John Belushi]], 33, was a repeated drug abuser who ultimately died of a lethal injection of cocaine and heroin
*[[Clara Blandick]], 81, suicide
*[[John Bonham]], 32, after too much drinking, asphyxiated on vomit
*[[Lenny Bruce]], 40, heroin overdose
*[[Kurt Cobain]], 27, "turned to drugs and alcohol to help him cope," then committed suicide
*[[Karl Dane]], 47, suicide by gunshot
*[[Brian Epstein]], 32, overdosed on sleeping pills and alcohol
*[[Chris Farley]], 33, overdose of morphine and cocaine
*[[Judy Garland]], 47, overdosed on sleeping pills
*[[Margaux Hemingway]], 42, suicide
*[[Jimi Hendrix]], 27, drank wine, took sleeping pills, and asphyxiated on his own vomit
*[[Janis Joplin]], 27, heroin overdose
*[[Heath Ledger]], 28, found dead in his [[Manhattan]] apartment. "Prescription sleeping pills and anti-anxiety pills were found in bottles in Ledger's bedroom and bathroom, and police have speculated the death was caused by an accidental drug overdose."<ref>http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080123/ap_en_ce/obit_ledger</ref> "Ledger died of an accidental overdose of painkillers, sleeping pills, anti-anxiety medication and other prescription drugs, the New York City medical examiner said Wednesday." <ref>http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,328828,00.html</ref>
*[[Marilyn Monroe]], 36, overdosed on sleeping pills
*[[Jim Morrison]], 27, died of an apparent heroin overdose
*[[River Phoenix]], 23, a huge star until he died from an overdose cocaine and heroin
* [[Elvis Presley]], 42, large drug intake causes a cardiac arrhythmia
*[[Brad Renfro]], 25, became addicted to heroin and was found dead after a night of drinking
*[[Anna Nicole Smith]], 39, accidental overdose on prescription drugs
*[[Lou Tellegen]], 52, suicide
*[[Sid Vicious]], 21, overdosed on heroin obtained from his mother.

== Crime ==
Hollywood values often include stealing and committing other crimes. Here are some examples:

* [[Winona Ryder]] was convicted of convicted of vandalism and grand theft for stealing designer merchandise worth $5,560.40.<ref>http://www.courttv.com/trials/ryder/</ref>
* [[O.J. Simpson]] is widely believed to have murdered his wife and her friend, and was found liable in a civil (but not criminal) trial. He has since been arrested again on an unrelated charge.
* [[Paris Hilton]] was convicted of driving while intoxicated, and then violated the terms of her probation, leading to a 45-day prison sentence.<ref>[http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18472845/ Paris Hilton sentenced to 45 days in jail], msnbc, May 4, 2007</ref>
* [[Roman Catholic]] [[Mel Gibson]] hurled Anti-Semitic abuse at police officers after being arrested for drink-driving on a notoriously dangerous road.<ref>[http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2089-2292336,00.html Mel Gibson rants against Jews in drink-drive arrest], Times Online, July 30, 2006</ref>

== Rehab ==
Hollywood values often result in [[Celebrity|celebrities]] going into rehab. Here are some examples:

*[[Kirsten Dunst]] checked into the [[Cirque Lodge]] treatment facility in [[Utah]] after a week of hard partying at the [[Sundance Film Festival]], according to a source at the lodge, although the lodge's director of operations denies this. <ref name = "foxkirsten">
[http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,329545,00.html Reports Say Kirsten Dunst in Rehab; Rep for Facility Denies It], ''[[Fox News]]'', February 08, 2008</ref>

The following all checked into the above facility seeking treatment for various psychological problems:

*[[Lindsay Lohan]] <ref name = "foxkirsten"/>
*[[Eva Mendes]] <ref name = "foxkirsten"/>
*[[Mary-Kate Olsen]] <ref name = "foxkirsten"/>

== References ==

<references/>

[[category:entertainment]]

Hollywood values

2008-02-16T10:48:23Z

WKirkwood: more facts

The phrase '''Hollywood values''' refers to the lack of [[morals]] and [[values]] in [[Hollywood]] culture, which are characterized by rampant [[drug|drug use]], extramarital sex, [[disease]] and death. A poll by MSNBC said that 60% of [[Americans]] agree that "Hollywood's values are not in line with the rest of America and that the quality of movies has dimished in recent years."<ref>http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11714540/</ref>

Hollywood values can include a ''disrespect'' for:

* [[marriage]]
* [[patriotism]]
* [[religion]]
* [[accountability]]

[[Political correctness]], at least publicly, is a central part of Hollywood values.

==Deaths ==
Hollywood values are deadly. Some examples include:<ref>http://www.abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/story?id=4174733&page=1</ref><ref>http://www.citynews.ca/news/news_18845.aspx</ref>
*[[John Barrymore]], 60, cirrhosis of the liver from heavy drinking
*[[John Belushi]], 33, was a repeated drug abuser who ultimately died of a lethal injection of cocaine and heroin
*[[Clara Blandick]], 81, suicide
*[[John Bonham]], 32, after too much drinking, asphyxiated on vomit
*[[Lenny Bruce]], 40, heroin overdose
*[[Kurt Cobain]], 27, "turned to drugs and alcohol to help him cope," then committed suicide
*[[Karl Dane]], 47, suicide by gunshot
*[[Brian Epstein]], 32, overdosed on sleeping pills and alcohol
*[[Chris Farley]], 33, overdose of morphine and cocaine
*[[Judy Garland]], 47, overdosed on sleeping pills
*[[Margaux Hemingway]], 42, suicide
*[[Jimi Hendrix]], 27, drank wine, took sleeping pills, and asphyxiated on his own vomit
*[[Janis Joplin]], 27, heroin overdose
*[[Heath Ledger]], 28, found dead in his [[Manhattan]] apartment. "Prescription sleeping pills and anti-anxiety pills were found in bottles in Ledger's bedroom and bathroom, and police have speculated the death was caused by an accidental drug overdose."<ref>http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080123/ap_en_ce/obit_ledger</ref> "Ledger died of an accidental overdose of painkillers, sleeping pills, anti-anxiety medication and other prescription drugs, the New York City medical examiner said Wednesday." <ref>http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,328828,00.html</ref>
*[[Marilyn Monroe]], 36, overdosed on sleeping pills
*[[Jim Morrison]], 27, died of an apparent heroin overdose
*[[River Phoenix]], 23, a huge star until he died from an overdose cocaine and heroin
* [[Elvis Presley]], 42, large drug intake causes a cardiac arrhythmia
*[[Brad Renfro]], 25, became addicted to heroin and was found dead after a night of drinking
*[[Anna Nicole Smith]], 39, accidental overdose on prescription drugs
*[[Lou Tellegen]], 52, suicide
*[[Sid Vicious]], 21, overdosed on heroin obtained from his mother.

== Crime ==
Hollywood values often include stealing and committing other crimes. Here are some examples:

* [[Winona Ryder]] was convicted of convicted of vandalism and grand theft for stealing designer merchandise worth $5,560.40.<ref>http://www.courttv.com/trials/ryder/</ref>
* [[O.J. Simpson]] is widely believed to have murdered his wife and her friend, and was found liable in a civil (but not criminal) trial. He has since been arrested again on an unrelated charge.
* [[Paris Hilton]] was convicted of driving while intoxicated, and then violated the terms of her probation, leading to a 45-day prison sentence.<ref>[http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18472845/ Paris Hilton sentenced to 45 days in jail], msnbc, May 4, 2007</ref>
* [[Roman Catholic]] [[Mel Gibson]] was arrested for drunk driving on a notoriously dangerous road.<ref>[http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2089-2292336,00.html Mel Gibson rants against Jews in drink-drive arrest], Times Online, July 30, 2006</ref>

== Rehab ==
Hollywood values often result in [[Celebrity|celebrities]] going into rehab. Here are some examples:

*[[Kirsten Dunst]] checked into the [[Cirque Lodge]] treatment facility in [[Utah]] after a week of hard partying at the [[Sundance Film Festival]], according to a source at the lodge, although the lodge's director of operations denies this. <ref name = "foxkirsten">
[http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,329545,00.html Reports Say Kirsten Dunst in Rehab; Rep for Facility Denies It], ''[[Fox News]]'', February 08, 2008</ref>

The following all checked into the above facility seeking treatment for various psychological problems:

*[[Lindsay Lohan]] <ref name = "foxkirsten"/>
*[[Eva Mendes]] <ref name = "foxkirsten"/>
*[[Mary-Kate Olsen]] <ref name = "foxkirsten"/>

== References ==

<references/>

[[category:entertainment]]

Mel Gibson

2008-02-08T14:54:37Z

WKirkwood: his values

[[Image:Mel Gibson taken July-28-2006.jpg|right|thumb|Mel Gibson's mug shot, July 28, 2006.]]
'''Mel Gibson''' is an [[United States|American]]-born actor who grew up in [[Australia]] and became a celebrity starring in the ''Mad Max'' and ''Lethal Weapon'' series of films. Married to the same woman (whom he calls "a saint") for over 20 years, Gibson has a house full of sons (6) with one daughter. Outspoken and passionate in his beliefs, Gibson is never at a loss for words.

As a director, Gibson received a Best Director Oscar for ''Braveheart''. He reached out to a different type of audience with his 2004 depiction of the death and resurrection of [[Jesus Christ]], ''[[The Passion of the Christ]]'' and turned out making the most successful [[Christian]] film in history grossing over USD600 million world-wide.<ref>[http://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=passionofthechrist.htm Box Office Mojo]</ref>

Gibson is a [[sedevacantist]], a traditionalist Catholic who rejects the validity and authority of the [[Second Vatican Council]] and holds the chair of [[Peter (apostle)|Peter]] to be vacant. Conversely, in an interview in ''Screen International'' in 2004, he referred to Pope John Paul II as "the occupier of the Chair of Peter". In an interview in [[Time magazine|''Time'']] magazine, January 27, 2003, he blamed Vatican II for declining Church membership and the pedophile priest crisis which erupted in 2002.

Gibson, a practicioner of [[hollywood values]], was arrested for drunk driving in July 2006. In response to the arrest, a drunk Gibson made offensive anti-[[Semite|Semitic]] remarks that were then widely publicized.<ref>http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory?id=2259135</ref><ref>Gibson's anti-Semetic Tirade http://www.tmz.com/2006/07/28/gibsons-anti-semitic-tirade-alleged-cover-up/</ref> Gibson publicly apologized for his behavior, then publicly apologized a second time. He asked all people, especially the [[Jew]]ish community, to help him in overcoming his [[alcohol]]ic tendencies.

Although Gibson is rather quiet about his [[charity|charitable]] work, he and his family are known to be quite prolific in helping various causes that need assistance. This is especially true after the windfall of money he made from ''The Passion of the Christ''.<ref>http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/10/13/1097607264626.html?from=storyrhs</ref>

==References==
<references/>
{{DEFAULTSORT: Gibson, Mel}}
[[Category:Actors]]
[[Category:Directors]]
[[Category:Producers]]

Syphilis

2008-02-05T16:56:57Z

WKirkwood: Origins

[[Image:Ro0304F8Treponema.jpg|thumbnail|175px|right|Syphilis is an easily spread infection caused by the [[bacteria]] [[Treponema pallidum|Treponema pallidum]]]]
Syphilis is a [[sexually transmitted disease]] caused by the [[bacteria]] [[Treponema pallidum|Treponema pallidum]]. Syphilis originated in the [[New World]] and was introduced to [[Europe]] in the late 13th century by [[Roman Catholic|Catholic]] explorers returning from the New World<ref>[http://www.archaeology.org/9701/newsbriefs/syphilis.html Origins of Syphilis]</ref>. The first European record of a syphilis epedemic was in 1493, a year after the Catholic explorer [[Columbus]] discovered [[America]].

==Causes, incidence, and risk factors==

Syphilis is an infectious disease. The bacteria that causes it spreads through broken skin or mucous membranes. It is most often spread by sexual contact.

Pregnant mothers infected with the disease can pass it to the baby developing in their womb. This is called congenital syphilis.

Syphilis infection in the United States mainly occurs between sexually active adults aged from 20 to 29, with around 20,000 to 30,000 cases reported per year. 

===Syphilis and Homosexuality===
In respect to [[Syphilis and Homosexuality|syphilis and homosexuality]], an early publication to propose the link between homosexuality contributing to the spread of the [[sexually transmitted disease]] syphilis was the [[England|English]] publication '' Proceedings of the Royal Society of Medicine'' in 1962.<ref>[http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=1896863 A.J. King, The Complications of Homosexuality, Proceedings of the Royal Society of Medicine, Volume 55 October 1962]</ref> The '' Proceedings of the Royal Society of Medicine'' made the following statement: "The importance of homosexual practices in the spread of [[venereal disease]]s has attracted particular attention recently. It almost seems that these practices are keeping syphilis alive in this country." <ref>[http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=1896863 A.J. King, The Complications of Homosexuality, Proceedings of the Royal Society of Medicine, Volume 55 October 1962]</ref>

The [[Centers for Disease Control and Prevention]] (CDC) stated the following regarding homosexuality and syphilis:
{{cquote|"While surveillance data are not available by risk behavior, a separate CDC analysis suggests that approximately 64 percent of all adult P&S syphilis cases in 2004 were among men who have sex with men, up from an estimated 5 percent in 1999....Syphilis increases, especially among men who have sex with men, demonstrate the need to continually adapt our strategies to eliminate syphilis in the [[United States]],” said Dr. Ronald O. Valdiserri, acting director of CDC’s [[HIV]], [[STD]] and [[Tuberculosis|TB]] prevention programs."<ref>http://www.cdc.gov/od/oc/media/pressrel/r051108.htm</ref>}}

Syphilis is one of the maladies of [[Gay Bowel Syndrome|gay bowel syndrome]] which is a condition which has been linked to [[HIV]] Infection.<ref>[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?Db=PubMed&Cmd=ShowDetailView&TermToSearch=946385&ordinalpos=1&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVAbstractPlus The gay bowel syndrome: clinico-pathologic correlation in 260 cases.]</ref><ref>[http://www.hopkins-hivguide.org/literature_review/02-2004/new_look_at_gay_bowel_syndrome.html Johns Hopkins HIV Guide - duplicate of Medscape's New Look at Gay Bowel Syndrome]</ref>

==Symptoms==

The symptoms of syphilis depend on the stage of the disease. Many people do not have symptoms.

In general, painless sores and swollen lymph nodes are symptoms of primary syphilis. Those with secondary syphilis may also have fever, fatigue, aches and pains, and loss of appetite, among other symptoms. Tertiary syphilis causes heart, brain, and nervous system problems.

Syphilis has several stages.

Primary syphilis is the first stage. Painless sores ( chancres ) form about 2-3 weeks after you are first infected. You may not notice the sores or any symptoms, particularly if the sores are inside the rectum or cervix. The sores disappear in about 4-6 weeks.

Secondary syphilis occurs about 2-8 weeks after the first sores form. About 33% of those who do not have primary syphilis treated will develop this second stage.

Tertiary syphilis is the final stage of syphilis. The infection spreads to the brain, nervous system, heart, skin, and bones.

==Signs and tests==

Blood tests can be done to detect substances produced by the bacteria that causes syphilis. The older test is the VDRL test. Other blood tests may include RPR and FTA-ABS.

==Prevention==

Syphillis is most effectively prevented by practicing [[abstinence]].

==Treatment==

Antibiotics are used to treat syphilis. The antibiotic of choice is penicillin, yet doxycycline may be used as an alternative in individuals with a penicillin allergy.

The penicillin is either injected into a muscle or vein, depending on what stage syphilis the person has.

Several hours after treatment of early stages of syphilis, there may be a reaction called Jarish-Herxheimer reaction. Symptoms of this reaction include:

:*Fever
:*Chills
:*Headache
:*Nausea
:*General feeling of being ill
:*General joint aches
:*Genera muscle aches

These symptoms usually disappear within 24 hours.

A person undergoing Syphilis treatment must have follow-up blood tests at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months to make sure the infection is gone. They should avoid sexual conduct until two follow-up tests show that the infection has been cured. Syphilis is extremely contagious in the primary and secondary stages.

Syphilis is a reportable infection -- that means that doctors must reported any cases of syphilis to public health authorities, so that potentially infected sexual partners may be identified and treated.

==Expectations (prognosis)==

With prompt treatment and follow-up care, syphilis can be cured.

Late-stage syphilis can lead to long-term health problems, despite therapy.

==Complications==

Complications of untreated syphilis include:

Neurosyphilis 
[[Heart]] and blood vessel problems, including aneurysms and inflammation of the aorta 
Damage to the skin and bones

==See also==

[[Category:Syphilis]]
[[Sexually transmitted disease]]
[[Category:Sexually Transmitted Disease]]
[[Category:Diseases]]
==References==
{{reflist|2}}

Hollywood values

2008-02-04T00:37:17Z

WKirkwood: Mel Gibson

The phrase '''Hollywood values''' refers to the lack of [[morals]] and [[values]] in [[Hollywood]] culture, which has led to rampant [[drug|drug use]], extramarital sex, [[disease]] and death. 60% of [[Americans]] agree that "Hollywood's values are not in line with the rest of America and that the quality of movies has dimished in recent years."<ref>http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11714540/</ref>

Hollywood values can include a ''disrespect'' for:

* [[marriage]]
* [[patriotism]]
* [[religion]]
* [[accountability]]

[[Political correctness]], at least publicly, is a central part of Hollywood values.

Hollywood values are deadly. Some examples include:<ref>http://www.abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/story?id=4174733&page=1</ref><ref>http://www.citynews.ca/news/news_18845.aspx</ref>
* Heath Ledger, 28, found dead naked in his [[Manhattan]] apartment. "Prescription sleeping pills and anti-anxiety pills were found in bottles in Ledger's bedroom and bathroom, and police have speculated the death was caused by an accidental drug overdose."<ref>http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080123/ap_en_ce/obit_ledger</ref> A rolled up $20 bill was reportedly also found near the body, although drug tests reportedly tested negative for drug residue.<ref>http://www.mtv.com/movies/news/articles/1580240/20080124/story.jhtml</ref> As of this writing, the exact cause of death is unknown, as the preliminary [[autopsy]] was inconclusive.
* [[Anna Nicole Smith]], 39, accidental overdose on prescription drugs
* River Phoenix, 23, a huge star until he died from an overdose cocaine and heroin.
* Brad Renfro, 25, became addicted to heroin and was found dead after a night of drinking.
* [[Kurt Cobain]], 27, "turned to drugs and alcohol to help him cope," then committed suicide.
* John Belushi, 33, was a repeated drug abuser who ultimately died of a lethal injection of cocaine and heroin.
* Sid Vicious, 21, overdosed on heroin obtained from his mother.
* [[Jim Morrison]], 27, died of an apparent heroin overdose
* [[Jimi Hendrix]], 27, drank wine, took sleeping pills, and asphyxiated on his own vomit.
* [[Marilyn Monroe]], 36, overdosed on sleeping pills
* Janis Joplin, 27, heroin overdose
* Lenny Bruce, 40, heroin overdose
* Chris Farley, 33, overdose of morphine and cocaine
* Brian Epstein, 32, overdosed on sleeping pills and alcohol
* [[Judy Garland]], 47, overdosed on sleeping pills
* [[Elvis Presley]], 42, large drug intake causes a cardiac arrhythmia
* John Bonham,32, after too much drinking, asphyxiated on vomit
* Margaux Hemingway, 42, suicide

Hollywood values often include stealing and committing other crimes. Here are some examples:

* Winona Ryder was convicted of convicted of vandalism and grand theft for stealing designer merchandise worth $5,560.40.<ref>http://www.courttv.com/trials/ryder/</ref>
* [[O.J. Simpson]] is widely believed to have murdered his wife and her friend, and was found liable in a civil (but not criminal) trial. He has since been arrested again on an unrelated charge.
* [[Paris Hilton]] was convicted of driving while intoxicated, and then violated the terms of her probation, leading to a 45-day prison sentence.<ref>http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18472845/</ref>
* [[Roman Catholic]] [[Mel Gibson]] hurled Antisemitic abuse at police officers after being arrested for drink-driving on a notoriously dangerous road.<ref>http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2089-2292336,00.html</ref>

(many more examples available)

== References ==

<references/>

[[category:entertainment]]

Roman Catholic Church

2008-01-17T15:01:30Z

WKirkwood: /* Different churches */ more content, edits, wikilinks

The [[Catholic Church]] is headed by the [[Pope]] (Supreme Pontiff), the Bishop of Rome, currently [[Pope Benedict XVI]]. It is the largest [[Christian]] denomination in the world, with more than 1.3 billion officially Baptized adherents (In the United States more than 64 million.) The [[Roman]] Catholic Church is the oldest institution in the western world. The Roman Catholic faith teaches that the Pope is the successor of [[St. Peter]], the 'rock' (Mat 16:18) upon whom Jesus built his church. The term '''Catholic Church''' is, literally, the ''Universal Church'' of [[Jesus Christ]] (from the Greek ''katholikos'', "universal").

To belong to the Catholic Church one must accept as factually true the gospel of our lord Jesus Christ. ''"The chief teachings of the Catholic church are: [[God]]’s objective existence; God’s interest in individual human beings, who can enter into relations with God (through prayer); the Trinity; the divinity of Jesus; the immortality of the [[soul]] of each human being, each one being accountable at death for his or her actions in life, with the award of heaven or hell; the resurrection of the dead; the historicity of the [[Gospels]]; and the divine commission of the church. In addition the Roman Catholic Church stresses that since the members, living and dead, share in each other’s merits, the [[Virgin Mary]] and other saints and the dead in purgatory are never forgotten." '' <ref> [http://www.bartleby.com/65/ro/RomanCat.html The Columbia Encyclopedia]</ref> The presence of Christ is believed to be present in the Eucharist, the bread and wine is Jesus himself. Another essential belief is the veneration of Mary, the mother of Jesus as the Blessed Virgin Mary and veneration of the saints.

The principal sources for the essential beliefs of the Catholic Church are the Sacred Scriptures (the Bible), Sacred Tradition, and Living Magisterium of the Church.

The term Catholic is frequently applied to the Roman Catholic Church. Although many [[Protestant]]s object to Roman Catholics monopolizing the term, because the defined meaning of Catholic is "universal" and comes from the Greek word Katholikos.The Eastern [[Orthodox Church]] also refer to themselves as, "one holy, Catholic, and apostolic church..."<ref>http://www.answers.com/topic/catholic</ref> Conversely, many Roman Catholics dislike the adjective "Roman" because it implies, contrary to (Roman) Catholic doctrine, that their church is not ''the'' universal Church of Christ.

[[Image:Cathpop.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Catholics in the world.]]

== History ==
The original Christian community was founded by Our Lord Jesus Christ and led by the Apostles. St. [[Paul|Paul the Apostle]] was, together with [[Saint Peter]], the most notable of Early Christian missionaries. After an initial period of persecution, Christianity was legalized in the fourth century by Constantine I. In 380, Emperor Theodosius I accepted Catholic Christianity as the official religion of the [[Roman Empire]]. During the [[Middle Ages]] the Church underwent a time of missionary activity and expansion. This Catholic Christian Church underwent in 1054 a great schism that divided the Church into a Western (Latin) branch, which has been called as the Catholic Church and an Eastern branch, which has become known as the [[Orthodox Church]]. The second schism was the [[Protestant]] [[Reformation]] in the 16th century. As a reaction to the increasing popularity of Protstantism the Roman Catholic Church began to undertake some reforms. Firstly from 1869–1870 during the First Vatican Council. It was during the Second Vatican Council (1962–1965) that the most comprehensive reforms were undertaken. The Roman Catholic Church stretched relations with other Christian communities and other religions. The Roman Catholic Church also issued directions for a revision of the liturgy.

==Different churches==

The term "The Catholic Church" refers to any one of several Rites, but in the United States is often used synonymously for the largest Rite, the Latin Rite. Other Rites include the Byzantine, Alexandrian, Syriac, Armenian, Maronite, and Chaldean Rites. Some Eastern rites have significant differences in liturgy, history, discipline and hierarchy from the Roman Catholic Church, but still recognize the primacy of the Bishop of Rome (the Pope) and are in communion with Rome. These Eastern Rite churches are Catholic and do not belong to the [[Eastern Orthodox Church]].

The Eastern churches do not have a single umbrella organization. They include the Eastern Orthodox Church and a number of Eastern Catholic Churches. Despite important differences in doctrine, the Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern churches recognize each other as part of the universal, or Catholic Church. For example, each of them accepts each others' Holy Orders (priesthood) as valid.

The Roman Catholic Church historically regarded [[Protestant]] Christianity as heretical, that is, being against Roman doctrine. However, this changed in the 1960's when Pope John XXIII called the Second Vatican Council, where '''the''' '''doors of the Church were opened wide''', and Protestants referred to as '''"our separated brethren".''' Protestants were niether impressed nor taken in by this apparent openness, noting that much of what had caused the Protestant Reformation had not changed within the Roman Catholic Church.

[[Image:JpII.jpg|right|thumb|John Paul II]]

The [[Anglican Church]] (Episcopalian in the United States) occupies an odd situation, because it encompasses within it factions ("Low Church") that emphasize its Protestant aspects and factions ("High Church") that emphasize its Catholic aspects. Anglo-Catholics regard the Anglican church as part of the Catholic Church, and in the unbroken line of the Apostolic Succession. The Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern branches take a position that could be described as saying that the Anglican Church is almost but not quite Catholic. There have long been unification overtures, and Anglican priests who wish to adopt Catholic Holy Orders are often provided with an abbreviated path to that goal.

The [[Nicene Creed]], the great historical statement of Christian belief, contains the line "I [or we] believe in one holy, catholic and apostolic church". The [[Apostles' Creed]] contains a similar affirmation. However, Protestants and Catholics place different interpretations on the term "universal", or "catholic". Protestants believe that it refers to the general, over-arching spiritual unity of all Christian believers, Jew or gentile, which transcends individual churches and denominations. Catholics, on the other hand, believe that the [[Roman Catholic Church]], as the single true church founded by Christ, is the universal Catholic Church in which there is neither Jew nor gentile. Some prefer not to refer to their own church as the "Roman" Catholic Church, on the grounds that such formulations implicitly deny this point of doctrine.

== Saint Paul's Writings ==

[[Paul|St. Paul]] is the second most prolific contributor to the [[New Testament]]. Thirteen letters are attributed to him and fully known as the "Catholic (or Universal) Epistles of Paul". The letters are written in Greek. The epistles contain the basis of Christian doctrine, interpretation and commentary from earlier scriptures. They are full of expositions of what Christians should believe and how they should live.

<blockquote style="background: #F9F9F9; border: 1px solid #AAAAAA; padding: .3em;">

''St. Paul reminded the Christians how they should live. They should think about the things in heaven (Colossians 3:2), because they belong with Christ (Colossians 3:3-4). They should not do evil deeds (Colossians 3:5-11). Instead, they should love other people (Colossians 3:12-14). And they should serve God (Colossians 3:15-17). If we invite Jesus into our lives, we will become friends of God (Colossians 1:15-23).'' </blockquote>

St. Paul's influence on Christian thinking has been more significant than any other single New Testament author.

== Fathers ==

[[St. Ambrose]], Bishop of Milan from 374 to 397, was one of the most illustrious Fathers and Doctors of the Church, and fitly chosen, together with [[St. Augustine]], [[St. John Chrysostom]], and [[St. Athanasius]], to uphold the venerable Chair of the Prince of the Apostles in the tribune of St. Peter's at Rome. <ref>[http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01383c.htm St. Ambrose] Catholic Encyclopedia.</ref>
 

==Controversy==
[[Image:Cerro_de_Angeles.jpg|right|thumb|Cerro de los Angeles, Madrid, Spain.]]
There has been much controversy in recent years about Catholic priests in relation to the abuse of children in their care. Cases of pedophilia and ephebophilia have both been discovered in many churches across the world<ref>http://www.religioustolerance.org/clergy_sex.htm</ref>. Many instances of abuse occurred with little or no repercussion for priests involved. In some cases, bishops were aware of the abuse but did not effectively deal with it, allowing the abusive priest to continue to remain in contact with minors.

On July 15 2007 in Los Angeles, the Catholic church paid a $660 million dollar settlement over a priest abuse scandal. More than five hundred lawsuits dating back to the 1930's were filed in Los Angeles from abuse victims of over two hundred priests and lay people. The U.S. Catholic church has paid out more than $2 billion in abuse claims dating back to 1950.<ref>[http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20070715/la_archdiocese_070715/20070715?hub=CTVNewsAt11 L.A. Catholic church settlement]</ref>

Incidents of abuse are not unique to the Catholic Church. A recent article from Associate Press (June 19, 2007) reported that three companies which insure the majority of Protestant churches in America indicated that they receive 260 reports annually of young people being sexually abused by clergy, church staff etc.<ref>[http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/national/2007/06/18/80877.htm]</ref> Their statistics suggest that the number of abuse cases may be at the same level or higher than in the Catholic Church. Recent reports have focused on the Southern Baptist Convention. There also appears to be a consensus that this type of abuse is not a problem relegated to any church in particular, but a systemic societal issue.<ref>[http://www.reformation.com/CSA/AbuseNotSimplyAChurchProblem.htm]</ref>

== See also ==

*[[Jesus Christ]]
*[[Vatican City]]
*[[Pope John Paul II]]
*[[Josemaría Escrivá de Balaguer]]
*[[Dead Sea Scrolls]]

==External links==
[[Image:Virgen.jpg|right|thumb|Virgin Mary and Child]]

*[http://www.cua.edu/ The Catholic University of America] Washington, D. C.
*[http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/11567b.htm St. Paul] Catholic Encyclopedia.
*[http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc.htm Catechism of the Catholic Church] Saint Charles Borromeo Catholic Church web site.
*[http://www.pellegrinocattolico.com/index.html Al Pellegrino Cattolico] Italian web site.

==References==

<references/>

[[Category:Catholicism]]

Roman Catholic Church

2008-01-17T14:57:36Z

WKirkwood: /* History */ additions, edits and wikilinks

The [[Catholic Church]] is headed by the [[Pope]] (Supreme Pontiff), the Bishop of Rome, currently [[Pope Benedict XVI]]. It is the largest [[Christian]] denomination in the world, with more than 1.3 billion officially Baptized adherents (In the United States more than 64 million.) The [[Roman]] Catholic Church is the oldest institution in the western world. The Roman Catholic faith teaches that the Pope is the successor of [[St. Peter]], the 'rock' (Mat 16:18) upon whom Jesus built his church. The term '''Catholic Church''' is, literally, the ''Universal Church'' of [[Jesus Christ]] (from the Greek ''katholikos'', "universal").

To belong to the Catholic Church one must accept as factually true the gospel of our lord Jesus Christ. ''"The chief teachings of the Catholic church are: [[God]]’s objective existence; God’s interest in individual human beings, who can enter into relations with God (through prayer); the Trinity; the divinity of Jesus; the immortality of the [[soul]] of each human being, each one being accountable at death for his or her actions in life, with the award of heaven or hell; the resurrection of the dead; the historicity of the [[Gospels]]; and the divine commission of the church. In addition the Roman Catholic Church stresses that since the members, living and dead, share in each other’s merits, the [[Virgin Mary]] and other saints and the dead in purgatory are never forgotten." '' <ref> [http://www.bartleby.com/65/ro/RomanCat.html The Columbia Encyclopedia]</ref> The presence of Christ is believed to be present in the Eucharist, the bread and wine is Jesus himself. Another essential belief is the veneration of Mary, the mother of Jesus as the Blessed Virgin Mary and veneration of the saints.

The principal sources for the essential beliefs of the Catholic Church are the Sacred Scriptures (the Bible), Sacred Tradition, and Living Magisterium of the Church.

The term Catholic is frequently applied to the Roman Catholic Church. Although many [[Protestant]]s object to Roman Catholics monopolizing the term, because the defined meaning of Catholic is "universal" and comes from the Greek word Katholikos.The Eastern [[Orthodox Church]] also refer to themselves as, "one holy, Catholic, and apostolic church..."<ref>http://www.answers.com/topic/catholic</ref> Conversely, many Roman Catholics dislike the adjective "Roman" because it implies, contrary to (Roman) Catholic doctrine, that their church is not ''the'' universal Church of Christ.

[[Image:Cathpop.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Catholics in the world.]]

== History ==
The original Christian community was founded by Our Lord Jesus Christ and led by the Apostles. St. [[Paul|Paul the Apostle]] was, together with [[Saint Peter]], the most notable of Early Christian missionaries. After an initial period of persecution, Christianity was legalized in the fourth century by Constantine I. In 380, Emperor Theodosius I accepted Catholic Christianity as the official religion of the [[Roman Empire]]. During the [[Middle Ages]] the Church underwent a time of missionary activity and expansion. This Catholic Christian Church underwent in 1054 a great schism that divided the Church into a Western (Latin) branch, which has been called as the Catholic Church and an Eastern branch, which has become known as the [[Orthodox Church]]. The second schism was the [[Protestant]] [[Reformation]] in the 16th century. As a reaction to the increasing popularity of Protstantism the Roman Catholic Church began to undertake some reforms. Firstly from 1869–1870 during the First Vatican Council. It was during the Second Vatican Council (1962–1965) that the most comprehensive reforms were undertaken. The Roman Catholic Church stretched relations with other Christian communities and other religions. The Roman Catholic Church also issued directions for a revision of the liturgy.

==Different churches==

The term "The Catholic Church" refers to any one of several Rites, but in the United States is often used synonymously for the largest Rite, the Latin Rite. Other Rites include the Byzantine, Alexandrian, Syriac, Armenian, Maronite, and Chaldean Rites. Some Eastern rites have significant differences in liturgy, history, discipline and hierarchy from the Roman Catholic Church, but still recognize the primacy of the Bishop of Rome (the Pope) and are in communion with Rome. These Eastern Rite churches are Catholic and do not belong to the [[Eastern Orthodox Church]].

The Eastern churches do not have a single umbrella organization. They include the Eastern Orthodox Church and a number of Eastern Catholic Churches. Despite important differences in doctrine, the Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern churches recognize each other as part of the universal, or Catholic Church. For example, each of them accepts each others' Holy Orders (priesthood) as valid.

The Roman Catholic Church historically regarded [[Protestant]] Christianity as heretical, that is, being against Roman doctrine. However, this changed in the 1960's when Pope John XXIII called the Second Vatican Council, where '''the''' '''doors of the Church were opened wide''', and Protestants referred to as '''"our separated brethren".''' This was an exciting period for Catholics and Protestants alike as moves were made to bring the separated churches back together.

[[Image:JpII.jpg|right|thumb|John Paul II]]

The [[Anglican Church]] (Episcopalian in the United States) occupies an odd situation, because it encompasses within it factions ("Low Church") that emphasize its Protestant aspects and factions ("High Church") that emphasize its Catholic aspects. Anglo-Catholics regard the Anglican church as part of the Catholic Church, and in the unbroken line of the Apostolic Succession. The Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern branches take a position that could be described as saying that the Anglican Church is almost but not quite Catholic. There have long been unification overtures, and Anglican priests who wish to adopt Catholic Holy Orders are often provided with an abbreviated path to that goal.

The [[Nicene Creed]], the great historical statement of Christian belief, contains the line "I [or we] believe in one holy, catholic and apostolic church". The [[Apostles' Creed]] contains a similar affirmation. However, Protestants and Catholics place different interpretations on the term "universal", or "catholic". Protestants believe that it refers to the general, over-arching spiritual unity of all Christian believers, Jew or gentile, which transcends individual churches and denominations. Catholics, on the other hand, believe that the [[Roman Catholic Church]], as the single true church founded by Christ, is the universal Catholic Church in which there is neither Jew nor gentile. Some prefer not to refer to their own church as the "Roman" Catholic Church, on the grounds that such formulations implicitly deny this point of doctrine.

== Saint Paul's Writings ==

[[Paul|St. Paul]] is the second most prolific contributor to the [[New Testament]]. Thirteen letters are attributed to him and fully known as the "Catholic (or Universal) Epistles of Paul". The letters are written in Greek. The epistles contain the basis of Christian doctrine, interpretation and commentary from earlier scriptures. They are full of expositions of what Christians should believe and how they should live.

<blockquote style="background: #F9F9F9; border: 1px solid #AAAAAA; padding: .3em;">

''St. Paul reminded the Christians how they should live. They should think about the things in heaven (Colossians 3:2), because they belong with Christ (Colossians 3:3-4). They should not do evil deeds (Colossians 3:5-11). Instead, they should love other people (Colossians 3:12-14). And they should serve God (Colossians 3:15-17). If we invite Jesus into our lives, we will become friends of God (Colossians 1:15-23).'' </blockquote>

St. Paul's influence on Christian thinking has been more significant than any other single New Testament author.

== Fathers ==

[[St. Ambrose]], Bishop of Milan from 374 to 397, was one of the most illustrious Fathers and Doctors of the Church, and fitly chosen, together with [[St. Augustine]], [[St. John Chrysostom]], and [[St. Athanasius]], to uphold the venerable Chair of the Prince of the Apostles in the tribune of St. Peter's at Rome. <ref>[http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01383c.htm St. Ambrose] Catholic Encyclopedia.</ref>
 

==Controversy==
[[Image:Cerro_de_Angeles.jpg|right|thumb|Cerro de los Angeles, Madrid, Spain.]]
There has been much controversy in recent years about Catholic priests in relation to the abuse of children in their care. Cases of pedophilia and ephebophilia have both been discovered in many churches across the world<ref>http://www.religioustolerance.org/clergy_sex.htm</ref>. Many instances of abuse occurred with little or no repercussion for priests involved. In some cases, bishops were aware of the abuse but did not effectively deal with it, allowing the abusive priest to continue to remain in contact with minors.

On July 15 2007 in Los Angeles, the Catholic church paid a $660 million dollar settlement over a priest abuse scandal. More than five hundred lawsuits dating back to the 1930's were filed in Los Angeles from abuse victims of over two hundred priests and lay people. The U.S. Catholic church has paid out more than $2 billion in abuse claims dating back to 1950.<ref>[http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20070715/la_archdiocese_070715/20070715?hub=CTVNewsAt11 L.A. Catholic church settlement]</ref>

Incidents of abuse are not unique to the Catholic Church. A recent article from Associate Press (June 19, 2007) reported that three companies which insure the majority of Protestant churches in America indicated that they receive 260 reports annually of young people being sexually abused by clergy, church staff etc.<ref>[http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/national/2007/06/18/80877.htm]</ref> Their statistics suggest that the number of abuse cases may be at the same level or higher than in the Catholic Church. Recent reports have focused on the Southern Baptist Convention. There also appears to be a consensus that this type of abuse is not a problem relegated to any church in particular, but a systemic societal issue.<ref>[http://www.reformation.com/CSA/AbuseNotSimplyAChurchProblem.htm]</ref>

== See also ==

*[[Jesus Christ]]
*[[Vatican City]]
*[[Pope John Paul II]]
*[[Josemaría Escrivá de Balaguer]]
*[[Dead Sea Scrolls]]

==External links==
[[Image:Virgen.jpg|right|thumb|Virgin Mary and Child]]

*[http://www.cua.edu/ The Catholic University of America] Washington, D. C.
*[http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/11567b.htm St. Paul] Catholic Encyclopedia.
*[http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc.htm Catechism of the Catholic Church] Saint Charles Borromeo Catholic Church web site.
*[http://www.pellegrinocattolico.com/index.html Al Pellegrino Cattolico] Italian web site.

==References==

<references/>

[[Category:Catholicism]]

Humanism

2008-01-17T14:40:36Z

WKirkwood: some edits and wikilinks

'''Humanism''' is a philosophy that generally relies entirely on [[reason]] without [[religion]], based originally on Greek philosophy.

==Origins==

A movement that developed in [[Renaissance]] Europe, with the rediscovery of classical Greek and Latin works that had been thought lost, Humanism sought to return to "original sources". It argued that the height of western civilization had been in the classical period, and with the fall of Rome, most knowledge had been lost, and the much of the knowledge that remained had been corrupted by false traditions. It was the responsibility of the scholar, therefore, to rediscover the original Greek and Latin texts, and separate real wisdom from false interpretation.

This movement had a profound effect on society, and, with its emphasis on classical texts and the rejection of much of the [[Roman Catholic]] religious tradition that developed in the Middle Ages, helped lead to the [[Protestant]] [[Reformation]], and, in fact, some of the new humanist Bibles, such as [[Erasmus]]'s Greek New Testament, were important sources for both [[Martin Luther]]'s translation of the Bible and the King James Version of the Bible.

Humanists also looked to Ancient Greece and Rome for inspiration as to how to develop society and political structures. The poet [[Petrarch]] rediscovered writings by the ancient Roman orator and politician [[Cicero]], and Cicero's ideas about the role and structure of government inspired the humanists to reconsider established views about society and call for expanded civic participation in the state. In addition to Cicero, other classical sources were also consulted and referred to. [[Niccolo Machiavelli]] wrote his "Discourses on Livy", in which he commented on the history of ancient Rome written by the Roman historian [[Livy]], and used Livy's history to show the virtues of the Roman Republic and how a republican state should behave.

==Secular Humanism==

Philosophy that relies entirely on reason without religion, based originally on Greek philosophy. Humanism rejects the idea that there is a supernatural being responsible for the creation of the universe. Humanists believe instead that people are responsible for their actions and that purpose in the universe is far more complicated than a faith in a God. The IHEU has a Minimum Statement on Humanism:

<blockquote>"Humanism is a democratic and ethical life stance, which affirms that human beings have the right and responsibility to give meaning and shape to their own lives. It stands for the building of a more humane society through an ethic based on human and other natural values in the spirit of reason and free inquiry through human capabilities. It is not theistic, and it does not accept supernatural views of reality."</blockquote>

A principal element of humanism is the assumption of fundamental human rights - which may include a right to life, to liberty, freedom of speech, the right to pursue happiness, a right to a family life, and similar things. Humanism does not claim these rights are given by a God, but are an inherent property of human intelligence and worthy of defending, although the exact definition of rights is not universally agreed upon by humanists. Humanists encourage self will and independent thought in all matters, which can include [[Judeo-Christian]] as well as Humanist principles.

==Criticism==
[[Image:Lahaye-family-01.jpg|right|400px|thumb|from Tim LaHaye, ''The Battle for the Family'', 1982.]]
Critics of secular humanism have charged secular humanist advocates "have made `socialization' of the child the main purpose of American education." Humanistic education does not focus on "the traditional and generally accepted virtues" stressed by the "Judeo-Christian principles taught by most families at home," but on theories of "[[moral relativism]] and situation ethics" which are "based on predominantly [[Dialectical materialism|materialist]]ic values found only in man's nature itself" and "without regard for the Judeo-Christian moral order, which is based on the existence and fatherhood of a personal God." <ref>Onalee McGraw, ''Secular Humanism and the Schools: The Issue Whose Time has Come''. (Washington, DC: Heritage Foundation, 1976).</ref>

Secular Humanism ignores the fact that religion has a positive role on children. While religious fanatics wish to dominate the schooling system for themselves, the argument has to be made that secular humanists have already dominated the said system years ago, and that something of a compromise needs to occur.

==See also==
*[[Religion]]
*[[Atheism]]
*[[Humanistic Psychology]]

==References==
<references/>

[[category:philosophy]]
[[Category:Worldviews]]

Protestant martyrs

2008-01-17T14:10:55Z

WKirkwood: Once again reverting liberal relativism. This page attracts liberals like manure attracts flies!

The '''Martyrs to the faith''' are the brave and fearless [[Protestant]]s who were murdered by [[Roman Catholic]]s during the [[Reformation]] of the 16th century.

==Roll of Honor==

* [[Anne Askew]]
* [[Jan de Bakker]]
* [[Robert Barnes]]
* [[Thomas Bilney]]
* [[George Blaurock]]
* [[John Bradford]]
* [[John Brown (Martyr)]]
* [[Richard Cameron]]
* [[Donald Cargill]]
* [[Thomas Cranmer]]
* [[Alice Driver]]
* [[Anne du Bourg]]
* [[Robert Ferrar]]
* [[John Frith]]
* [[John Greenwood]]
* [[Alexander Gooch]]
* [[Patrick Hamilton]]
* [[John Hooper]]
* [[William Hunter]]
* [[Kerby]]
* [[John Lambert]]
* [[Hugh Latimer]]
* [[Christopher Love]]
* [[Felix Manz]]
* [[Martyrs' Synod]]
* [[Walter Milne]]
* [[Walter Myln]]
* [[Aonio Paleario]]
* [[John Penry]]
* [[Agnes Potten]]
* [[James Renwick]]
* [[Nicholas Ridley]]
* [[Robert Samuel]]
* [[Johann Gottfried Roesner]]
* [[John Rogers]]
* [[Michael Sattler]]
* [[Laurence Saunders]]
* [[Leonhard Schiemer]]
* [[Michael Servetus]]
* [[Rowland Taylor]]
* [[Joan Trunchfield]]
* [[William Tyndale]]
* [[Dirk Willems]]
* [[William Pikes]]
* [[George Wishart]]

[[Category:Christian terms]]
[[Category:Protestantism]]

Natural science

2008-01-17T13:57:38Z

WKirkwood: /* Beginnings */ added Protestant

{{merge from|Secular Science}}
'''Natural science''' refers to the branches of [[science]] dedicated to study of the natural world.

The best known natural sciences include [[astronomy]], [[physics]], [[chemistry]], and [[biology]].

== Objectivity ==
Science is popularly thought of as being a very objective pursuit, but this is not always so.

Milford Wolpoff:{{QuoteBox|In my view, “objectivity” does not exist in science. Even in the act of gathering data, decisions about what data to record and what to ignore reflect the framework of the scientist.<ref>Wolpoff, M.H., ''Paleoanthropology'', Second Edition, McGraw-Hill, Boston, p. iv, 1999, quoted by Ryan Jaroncyk, [http://www.creationontheweb.com/content/view/4946/ Turkana Boy—getting past the propaganda] (Creation Ministries International), 21st March 2007.</ref>}}

John Gribbin and Jeremy Cherfas:{{QuoteBox|…we do know that the popular image of the scientist as a dispassionate seeker after the truth could not be further from reality.<ref>Gribbin, J. and Cherfas, J., ''The First Chimpanzee: In Search of Human Origins'', Penguin Books, London, p. 148, 2001, quoted by Ryan Jaroncyk, [http://www.creationontheweb.com/content/view/4946/ Turkana Boy—getting past the propaganda] (Creation Ministries International), 21st March 2007.</ref>}}

Nevertheless, the [[scientific method]] and [[peer review]] are intended to ensure that scientific research is done as objectively as possible.

== Beginnings ==

Although some early [[civilization]]s, particularly [[Ancient Greece|Greece]], developed some scholarship, it was not until the 1500s in [[Europe]] that science proper developed. This was due to the emerging [[Protestant]] [[Christian]] world view, that allowed people to think for themselves enabling the idea that the [[creation]] was not itself Divine, but was the product of a consistent Creator who didn't change His creation, such as the laws of physics, on a whim, to be freely discussed and explored.

Loren Eiseley:
{{QuoteBox|The philosophy of experimental science … began its discoveries and made use of its methods in the faith, not the knowledge, that it was dealing with a rational universe controlled by a creator who did not act upon whim nor interfere with the forces He had set in operation … . It is surely one of the curious paradoxes of history that science, which professionally has little to do with faith, owes its origins to an act of faith that the universe can be rationally interpreted, and that science today is sustained by that assumption.<ref>L. Eiseley: ''Darwin’s Century: Evolution and the Men who Discovered It'' (Anchor, NY: Doubleday, 1961), quoted in Sarfati, Jonathan, ''Refuting Evolution'', [http://www.creationontheweb.com/content/view/3830 Chapter 1].</ref>}}

[[Rodney Stark]]:
{{QuoteBox|...theological assumptions unique to Christianity explain why science was born only in Christian Europe. Contrary to the received wisdom, religion and science not only were compatible; they were inseparable.<ref>Stark, 2003, [http://press.princeton.edu/chapters/i7501.html introduction].</ref>}}

David A. Noebel:
{{QuoteBox|The fact that science arose at all is powerful testimony to the truth of Christianity. As Louis Victor de Broglie says, "We are not sufficiently astonished by the fact that any science may be possible." This is especially true of the Marxist and the Secular Humanist. They do not understand that science could never have been conceived in a society dominated by their worldviews. Historian and philosopher of science Stanley Jaki says that "the belief in a personal rational Creator ... as cultivated especially within a Christian matrix ... supported the view for which the world was an objective and orderly entity investigable by the mind because the mind too was an orderly and objective product of the same rational, that is, perfectly consistent Creator." Man believed science possible because man believed in a God of reason and order.<ref>Noebel, David A., "The Battle for Truth", p. 355, Harvest House Publishers, Eugene, Oregon, 2001 ISBN 0-7369-0782-3.</ref>}}

Indeed, many of the early scientists, such as [[Galileo]], [[Johannes Kepler]], and Sir [[Isaac Newton]] were people who believed in the literal truth of Genesis and who based their science on their belief in a Creator.<ref>[http://www.creationontheweb.com/content/view/4985/ Scientists of the past who believed in a Creator] (Creation Ministries International).</ref>

== Types of science ==

Science can be subdivided into two categories, ''operational science'' and ''origins science''.<ref>Sarfati, Jonathan, and Matthews, Michael, ''Refuting Evolution 2'', [http://www.creationontheweb.com/content/view/3256 Chapter 1]</ref>

'''Operational science''' deals mostly with things in the present, which scientists are able to observe, measure, and test. If, for example, someone claims that water boils at 110 degrees Celsius at sea level, you can test for yourself to see if that is really true (and discover that it's not).

'''Origins science''' deals with things in the past. Scientists do not have the past to observe, measure, and test, so the conclusions of historical science must be somewhat more tentative than empirical science. If, for example, someone claims that birds evolved from dinosaurs more than 65 million years ago, it is difficult to formulate an experiment to effectively support or deny this claim. Because of this, origins science tends to function through observation of historical records, as well as extrapolating current data (which ''can'' easily be experimentally validated) into the past. In addition, it is common for theories to be tested on their adherence to the available evidence; for example, the discovery of ''Tiktaalik'' in the predicted strata for a transitional form between tetrapods and fish.<ref>http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v440/n7085/abs/nature04639.html</ref>

In some cases, such as astronomy, the distinction between the two becomes somewhat muddled; strictly speaking, current observations of most astronomical phenomena are dealing with the far-distant past, but experiments and observations are easily performed - it is common for a theoretical prediction to be compared with observed data.

== Bibliography ==

Stark, Rodney, ''For The Glory of God: How Monotheism Led to Reformations, Science, Witch-hunts and the End of Slavery'', Princeton University Press, 2003, ISBN 978-0691114361.

== Notes ==

<references />

[[Category:Science]]

Protestant martyrs

2008-01-17T00:09:40Z

WKirkwood: revert liberal relativism

Talk:Christianity

2008-01-16T23:41:22Z

WKirkwood: More info and copyedits -if you have edit rights please add!

While it is true that the ''Roman'' Catholic Church might only refer to one rite of Catholicism, the schismatic Orthodox are not Catholic. Also, it is not merely the "original" Christian Church, but the only one, but the "original" semantics are tolerable. --[[User:Luke-Jr|Luke-Jr]] 11:36, 12 March 2007 (EDT)

I just deleted the descriptors after Catholic Church, Roman Catholic Church, and Orthodox Church. Why I did this: The descriptor for Catholic Church used the word ''original''. There would be huge arguments over the use of that word. All of the ancient churches, including the Orthodox, the Roman Catholic, and the Non-Chalcedonians lay claim to that word. The Descriptors for the Roman Catholic and Orthodox Churches made them seem like different branches of the same church, which of course, is not true. They are not in communion with one another and hold very different ideas about soteriology and ecclessiology.--[[User:Mattk|Mattk]] 05:11, 12 April 2007 (EDT)

: I think that Baptists, Mormons, Protestants, Presbyterians, Jehovah Witnesses, Non Denominationals, etc will all argue that there is more than one Christian Church, and that they all don't belong to the Catholic Church and follow the Pope. --[[User:Orion Blastar|Orion Blastar]] 15:25, 12 March 2007 (EDT)

:: However, this is error on part of the Baptists, Mormons, et al who are not Christians. --[[User:Luke-Jr|Luke-Jr]] 15:26, 12 March 2007 (EDT)

Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses are not Christian denominations. Whether or not someone "argues that there are more than one Christian Church" is a non-issue. People can argue whatever they want--that does not mean their points are grounded in truth. The study of the doctrine of the Church, Ecclesiology, is based upon what does Scripture say about who believers are, and what the Body of Christ is. All orthodox (meaning non-heretical)denominiations officially believe there is only one Christian church, one Body of Christ, because that is the Scriptural position. This Body is composed of all those who believe Jesus Christ died for their sins and rose again from the dead for them, justifying them before the Father and giving them eternal life.
"Catholic" has two meanings: with a small "c" means universal; "C" refers to the Roman Catholic branch of Christianity, ruled by the Pope and Magesterium. Christians in the Nicene creed claim to believe "one holy, catholic and apostolic church", meaning one universal body of believers, founded upon the Apostles' teachings we have in the New Testament. This is not a confession believing in Rome's positions, but in the Biblical position of there being only one body of Christ.

Quite honestly, they are widely accepted as Christian. Just because they don't fit your theology doesn't change that. --[[User:Adon|Adon]] 03:41, 30 March 2007 (EDT)

Mormons are not widely accepted as Christians. For example, The Orthodox Church (2nd largest Christian church) accepts the baptisms of almost every church (e.g. baptists, Roman Catholics, Pentecostals, Amish, etc.) but requires Mormons to be baptized when they convert to Orthodoxy.

== Beliefs ==

The first paragraph in this section is incorrect, or incomplete. Not all Christian denominations have the "born again" stance. In some branches of Calvinism, for example, everything is predetermined. No need to be "born again". The Catholic church has also a different interpretation. I guess the orthodox too. What the article describes here is just an anabaptist view, by no means the mainstream view. -- [[User:Order|Order]] 13 March 2007, 22:10 (AEST)

--You are inaccurate. Calvinism does believe in the need for regeneration and being born again. Calvinism is inconsistent, however, and is a good example of what happens when we arrive at a wrong understanding of doctrine, and then try to develop a system of belief around that concept. It would be a natural consequence that if everything is predetermined, there would be no need to be born-again, as you say. Calvinism sees that would be contrary to Scripture, and tries to work around this, but is not able to do so and still arrive at correct doctrine. We should be willing to reject those teachings of our leaders which prove to contradict Holy Scripture. It is inspired by God and inerrant; we are sinful humans,and easily err.

If a denomination does not "have the born-again stance", it is not a Christian denomination, at least on that doctrine. All believers are born-again, regenerated by God at the moment of their belief in Jesus. The sole place of revelation about these issues is in Scripture, and the data must be interpreted correctly, or we arrive at false conclusions, which are un-orthodox and heretical.--[[User:PD Popejoy|PD Popejoy]] 14:46, 14 March 2007 (EDT)

: You have a very evangelical view of the Christianity. But is not the only one. In Catholic church you indeed become a new person when you are baptized, but this can happen as an infant. No need to be "born-again" at later age. Also, Scripture is in Catholic Church only one of the sources, the Cathechism is also important. The Scripture can not be freely interpreted, but the Vatican has an important say in how to live the faith. You position is very protestant or evangelical, but it is just part of the picture. -- [[User:Order|Order]] 13 March 2007, 22:10 (AEST)

The previous few versions were build on [[User:PD Popejoy|PD Popejoy]] view on Christianity. These view were by no means inclusive. If bible study leads you to a certin conclusion, then it good for for the individual, but its quite a stretch to claim that others are misled, or mistaken. This entry should include all denominations. -- [[User:Order|Order]] 13 March 2007, 22:10 (AEST)
:Where does a Christian denomination end and a non-Christian sect feigning Christianity (i.e., a cult) begin? Are Mormons Christians on your view? They stretch a LOT of things, but it is just a matter of degree, right? This is a slippery slope I don't think we should risk traipsing on. If Conservapedia is to live up to its name, it can't be "inclusive" of everyone who calls themselves Christian. The Bible clearly states that the only way to God and Heaven is through belief in the sacrifice of Christ. There will always be those who attempt to take passages out of context (Romans 2:14-16 is a popular victim of this) but that shouldn't get in our way of reporting plain truths. [[User:SavedByGrace|SavedByGrace]] 18:44, 14 March 2007 (EDT)

:: Mormons are Christian, if you like it or not. Catholics could also claim that you should all adhere to what the pope says and stop interpreting the scripture as you like. But it doesn't belong here either, because it divisive. The current entry clearly states that different denominations have different views. If you want to put forward the views of your particular denomination, create a new entry on it, put your stuff there, and add a link it to the list of denominations on the Christianity page. If you want to criticize Mormons, create an entry on Mormons, describe them neutrlly, and add a section on criticism on Mormon teachings. But let this page be as inclusive as possible. -- [[User:Order|Order]] 15 March 2007, 12:40 (AEST)

== "the only way to God." ==

In Romans 2:14-16 we read "For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another; In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel" You have Paul saying that those people who have not heard the law will still be allowed into heaven (and to God) if their life is sufficiently good. One need not only go through Jesus. I will also point to a more controversial translation of Acts 16:17. [http://www.blueletterbible.org/versions.html#yng Young's Literal translation] reads "she having followed Paul and us, was crying, saying, `These men are servants of the Most High God, who declare to us a way of salvation;'" The word [http://www.blueletterbible.org/cgi-bin/words.pl?book=Act&chapter=16&verse=17&strongs=3598&page= hodos] is literaly translated as 'a way' - '''a''' course of conduct, '''a''' way of thinking, feeling, deciding, '''a''' travelled way, road. To say that the Bible is the only way contradicts what was written by Paul. --[[User:Mtur|Mtur]] 17:19, 14 March 2007 (EDT)

==Twisting facts==

This article is very one sided with its representation of the statistics given by the Harris poll that is sourced. Having looked through the source it is clear that only the stats that praise Christianity. For example the article states that "99% of all American Christians believe in God". but fails to mention that the source informs us that just 90% of Americans believe in God. All of the stats given are of the percentage of people that believe in God, which is very bias, as it doesnt show the full picture. [[User:Jennisuk|Jennisuk]] 08:05, 20 March 2007 (EDT)

: This article is about Christians and their beliefs. Therefore, only the numbers from the poll on the beliefs of Christians are of interest here. The numbers for non-Christians and average Americans are still interesting, but if you think they are important, add them to the appropriate articles on "Americans" or "Non-Christians". This has nothing to with bias, but just that the article should stick to its subject ''Christianity'', and not wander off in all kinds of directions.

== Are Evangelicals the only Christians? ==

I just noticed that the artcile on Christianity turned into an evangelical sermon. The Nicean creed is the smallest common demoniator, therefore useful to include, but there is more. The artcile has become less enceeclopedic as it used to be, and omits the little fact that, for example, Catholics do not share the evangelical view on salvation and atonement. [[User:Order]] 30 March 10:35 (AEST)

==Revert==
I think a revert is needed. This article has become less informative more a call to christians to a particularly baptist position. I think it needs to be slimmed down and made less opinion based. I'm quite partial to my last edit. --[[User:Adon|Adon]] 03:39, 30 March 2007 (EDT)

I think my changes have made the article's tone more neutral and factual. I still read a distinctly protestant, southern baptist tone, however. It still rambles a bit, but after my changes it still rambles less. There should also be mention of "fringe" denominations like LDS, Jehova's witnesses, and even Unitarian Universalists.--[[User:Adon|Adon]] 16:57, 30 March 2007 (EDT)

== Anglican ==

Is Anglican Communion part of Protestant Christianity? I think they are not Protestant. Am I wrong?

Thanks for the answer.

--[[User:Joaquín Martínez|Joaquín Martínez]] 14:41, 28 April 2007 (EDT)

==History==

Um... Why doesn't the article include ANYTHING on Christian history?--[[User:Elamdri|Elamdri]] 02:42, 1 May 2007 (EDT)

==Etymology==

"Jesus Christ" is not actually Jesus's name. Both "Christ" and "Christianity" come from the Greek word "Christos", meaning "Savior" --Noam Samuel
:See [[Yeshua]] [[Image:User Fox.png]] [[User:Fox|Fox]] ([[User talk:Fox|talk]]|[[Special:Contributions/Fox|contribs]]) 07:45, 20 June 2007 (EDT)

It may not be his name but it is his title. He is called Jesus Christ for the same reason that George Bush is called President Bush. --[[User:BenjaminS|Ben]] [[User Talk:BenjaminS|Talk]] 08:31, 20 June 2007 (EDT)

==Murder==

Why shouldn't the Christianity page get a part devoted to how it is connected to murder? Perhaps one similar to that that is on the page about atheism would be in order. --[[User:Batista|Batista]] 23:22, 7 November 2007 (EST)

== Origins ==

This article is missing an important fact about christianity. It is the only religion entirely based around denying that someones mum and dad ever had sex.
: Actually it isn't. Virgin birth was already known in ancient times. Take as example the Persian god Mithra. He was coincidentally also believed to be born on December 25. And there are a number of other figures that had a virgin mother, too. [[User:Order|Order]] 00:13, 7 January 2008 (EST)

== More info and copyedits -if you have edit rights please add! ==

::Could someone with edit rights add the first part of the following to the intro of the article (at top of page). Underneath is an edited version of the ''See also'' section which shows the denominations in chronological order as they are described in the introduction.

'''Christianity''' is a religion taking its name from [[Jesus Christ]]. Adherents are called Christians. It seems that at first the religion was called "The Way" and the adherents were called Nazarenes (after the city of Nazareth where Jesus lived). The name Christian arose in Antioch in the first century A. D. and its use spread. The three largest self-governing bodies of Christians are:

* the [[Roman Catholic Church]] (approx. 1 billion baptized members)

*the [[Orthodox Church]] (approx. 300 million baptized members) which holds ancient theological roots stretching back to the beginnings of Christianity itself. The Orthodox Church finally broke from the Roman Catholic Church after the [[Pope]], during the Fourth [[The Crusades|Crusade]], had Constantinople captured, sacked and plundered, including both the city itself, and the [[Church of Holy Wisdom]] . Many valuable [[holy relics]], riches, and numerous other items were stolen by Roman Catholics.

* [[Protestant]]ism, the largest Communion being the Anglicans (approx. 77 million baptized members). Protestantism has its origins in the [[European]] [[Reformation]] and its rejection of the [[doctrine]]s and [[malpractice]]s within the Roman Catholic Church. Those included the teaching and sale of [[indulgences]], the buying and selling of church positions and the systemic [[corruption]], devotion to [[Mary]] and the [[saints]] rather than inward devotion to [[faith]] and [[God]], and rejection of the [[authority]] of the Pope on the basis that the only true authority is the [[Bible]].

::"See also"

'''Denominations'''
*[[Roman Catholic Church]] (Does not regard itself as a denomination, but claims to be the only Church established by Jesus Christ)
*[[Orthodox Church]] (Does not regard itself as a denomination, but regards itself as the only Church established by Jesus Christ)
*[[Protestant]]
**[[Amish]]
**[[Baptist]]
**[[Church of England]] or ''Anglican Church''
**[[Episcopal Church in the United States of America]] (or ''Episcopal Church'' or ''Episcopalians'') (Non-UK branch of the Anglican Church)
**[[Evangelicalism]]
**[[Fundamentalism]]
**[[Lutheran]]
**[[Methodist]]
**[[Presbyterian]]
**[[Liberal Christianity]]
**[[Mennonite]]
**[[Pentecostal]]

::Thanks [[User:WKirkwood|WKirkwood]] 18:41, 16 January 2008 (EST)

Presbyterian

2008-01-16T19:07:30Z

WKirkwood: Protestant

The '''Presbyterian''' Church is a [[Protestant]] denomination founded in the Calvinist [[Reformation]] of the 1500s, although they were differentiated from the [[Lutheran|Lutherans]] over sacraments and church government. John Knox founded the Scotch Presbyterian church in about 1560.

Traditionally the ethics of the church lean towards strictness and firm church and self discipline. Otherwise the church as a whole is fairly tolerant. Authority in Presbyterian churches is given to [[Bible|Scripture]]. Church organization is highly structured with a representational system of ministers and laypersons (''presbyters'') in local, regional and national bodies (called ''synods'')

The Presbyterian Church is the dominant religion in [[Scotland]], and because of this was historically strong in areas of the United States where large numbers of [[Scots-Irish]] settled, although many Americans of Scots-Irish ancestry would later convert to the [[Baptist]] and [[Methodist]] faiths during the early 1800s.

[[Category:Christian Denominations]]

Democracy

2008-01-16T19:01:31Z

WKirkwood: add Protestant

[[Image:Elekcja Wola.jpg|right|thumb|300px|The free election of Augustus II at Wola, outside Warsaw, Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, in 1697, painted by Bernardo Bellotto.]]
'''Democracy''' is a form of government made successful by [[Protestant]] [[Christian]] cultures. The origin of the term is [[Greek]], from the words ''demos'' (people) and ''kratos'' (strength). Although many forms of government fall under this broad classification, the defining characteristic of a democracy is that the citizenry of a nation indirectly exercise sovereignty. There has never been a lasting democracy in an [[atheistic]] culture.

The [[United States]] of America is guaranteed a [[republican form of government]]. However, their legislatures are an example of a democracy, in which the majority vote of the legislators enact law. The execution of those laws is by a separate branch of government, whose officers are appointed by the chief executive officer (president or governor). In parliamentary democracies, the executive and legislative branches are not separate.

Although a number of societies have practiced some form of democracy, the concept as it is understood today was invented in ancient [[Athens]], where citizens (not women or slaves) were allowed to vote in the Assembly which made the laws of the city-state. But however certain [[tribe]]s and most [[band societies]] such as the [[bushmen]] organised themselves using different forms of participatory democracy or consensus democracy. <ref>http://law.cua.edu/ComparativeLaw/Iroquois/</ref>

== Debate over the merits of democracy ==

While a [[direct democracy]] in the manner of the Athenians is probably infeasible in a modern [[nation-state]] comprised of millions of [[citizens]], there continues to be debate among conservatives as to whether [[representative democracy]] is a desirable system. [[Jean-Jacques Rousseau]], who could be considered the father of both modern democracy and [[totalitarianism]], believed that in a democracy the government should be guided only by what he called the [[General Will]]. Other thinkers of the [[French]] [[Enlightenment]] described a [[republic]] as a system in which the law applies equally to the government and the people, a concept abbreviated in the [[21st century]] by the phrase [[rule of law]]. Most contemporary thinkers would identify [[universal suffrage]] and the right of any citizen to argue for a change in existing law as desirable features of democracy; but there is some question as to whether the rule of law can be indefinitely sustained in a system with these features. [[Thomas Jefferson]] believed that it could so long as the people were educated, and thus devoted his post-presidency to founding the [[University of Virginia]]. Nonetheless, property continued to be a proxy for education throughout the [[antebellum period]] and Jefferson's home state of [[Virginia]] only abolished [[property qualifications for voting]] in 1851, years after any other state. Another famous American said that a republic could last until "the people find out they have the right to vote themselves funds from the public treasury," an explicit criticism of the [[welfare state]], which most conservatives feel is an abuse of the [[U. S. Constitution]]'s [[Necessary and Proper Clause]].

Democracy may have its problems; an uneducated populace, for example, is the bane of any democracy, since unless people know what they need, they can not properly elect people to serve these needs. Other problems emerge from a capricious electorate, which caused [[Winston Churchill]] to remark that, "Democracy is the worst form of government... except for all the other forms that have been tried," a quote which eloquently notes that, despite its problems, democracy almost universally provides for peace and prosperity.

Majoritarian systems are, however, problematic in that, in theory, they permit a majority to debase the welfare of a minority.{{cn}} Socialists argue that a high degree of socio-economic equality is required for real political equality, but also contend that solidarity and fraternity may be sufficient to overcome the distorting effects of unequal wealth and enact pro-labor policies.

== Evolution of Anglo-American democracy ==
In the [[United States]], the current system of representative democracy evolved as a result of six major reforms:

# The [[American Revolution]] which severed ties with the King of [[Kingdom of Great Britain|Great Britain]] and endowed the people with the sovereign prerogatives that formerly belonged to the monarchy.
# The [[U. S. Constitution]]'s creation of the [[House of Representatives]], a Federal government entity elected directly by the citizens, and retention of [[federalism]], the right of individual [[states]] to govern themselves and make their own laws.
# The abolition of property qualifications for white male voters. This process, which was accomplished at the state level, took between 1820 and 1851 and is also known as [[Jacksonian Democracy]].
# The [[Fifteenth Amendment]], which extended the [[franchise]] to former [[slaves]].
# The [[Seventeenth Amendment]], which caused [[Senator|Senators]] to be elected directly by the citizens (they retained their six-year terms).
# The [[Nineteenth Amendment]], which extended the franchise to [[women]].

Of the six, the one which inspires the most opposition today is probably the Seventeenth Amendment, as the [[Founders]] explicitly intended [[state]] [[legislatures]] to choose U. S. Senators. Historically, however, the Fifteenth Amendment inspired the most opposition. Indeed, every state of the former [[Confederacy]] circumvented the Fifteenth Amendment between the end of [[Reconstruction]] and the passage of the [[Voting Rights Act of 1965]], considered the ultimate guarantee of that Amendment. One of the principal means whereby it was circumvented was the creation of [[educational qualifications for voting]], which the 1965 act outlawed, according to interpretations of the [[Supreme Court]]. The other principal means was the [[poll tax]], which was outlawed in 1964 by the [[Twenty-Fourth Amendment]].

In the [[United Kingdom]] during the same period of time, there were also six major reforms in the direction of democracy:

# The [[1832 Reform Act]], which gave representation to the new [[industrial]] cities for the first time.
# The [[1867 Reform Act]].
# The [[1884 Reform Act]].
# The [[1911 Parliament Act]], which ended the ability of the [[House of Lords]] to rein in spending by the [[Commons]].
# The [[1918 Reform Act]], which made suffrage universal among males and extended it to women 30 years of age or older.
# The [[1928 Reform Act]], which equalized voting ages for male and female at 21.

It is noteworthy that it took the British 84 years to complete the process of abolishing property qualifications for voting (the first three Acts lowered the threshold incrementally) and that they only began to do so after Jacksonian Democracy emerged in the United States.

While none of these Acts has sustained a serious movement for repeal, historically the one which inspired the strongest opposition was the 1911 Parliament Act. Not surprisingly, this opposition came from the House of Lords, the last body of unelected people to retain any legislative power in the British system. Ultimately, the bill passed only after King [[George V]] promised to create an unlimited number of new [[peers]] in order to pass it.

The United States, United Kingdom, and other [[common law countries]] mostly utilize a [[first past the post system]] for elections. This limits the number of [[political parties]] and helps to stabilize the system, in contrast to democracies which use [[proportional representation]] such as [[Italy]], [[Germany]], [[France]], and [[Israel]], which have at times had over 10 parties represented in their [[legislatures]]. The latter system tends to increase the power of the [[political left]], although the [[Labour Party]] in Britain was able to edge out the [[centrist]] [[Liberal Party]] as the chief opposition to the [[Conservative Party]] as a result of the first five of the reforms listed above, without discarding the traditional system of elections.

==References==

'''DEMOCRACY''' - That form of government in which the sovereign power resides in and
is exercised by the whole body of free citizens directly or indirectly through a
system of representation, as distinguished from monarchy, aristocracy, or
oligarchy."
<Ref> Black's Law Dictionary, Sixth Edition, P. 432</Ref>

<References/>

[[Category:Forms of Government]]

Harvard Law Review

2008-01-16T18:55:34Z

WKirkwood: create

The '''Harvard Law Review''', first published on April 15, 1887, is one of the most cited [[liberal]] law reviews in the United States and considered by some to be the most prestigious. It has a circulation of about 8,000.

[[Barak Obama]] the first [[affirmative action]] African American elected president of the liberal Harvard Law Review.

[[Andrew Schlafly]] was the first [[conservative]] editor of the [[liberal]] Harvard Law Review.

[[Category:Law]]

Liberal denial

2008-01-16T18:45:43Z

WKirkwood: added Protestant

'''Liberal denial''' is the tendency of [[liberals]] to conceal or deny that they are [[liberals]], and even to object when identified as a [[liberal]] by someone else.

[[Hillary Clinton]], for example, refused to admit in a presidential debate in 2007 that she is a [[liberal]]. [[Michael Dukakis]] refused for a while to admit that he was a [[liberal]] during the 1988 presidential campaign, until finally he declared himself to be a [[liberal]] in the sense that President [[Harry Truman]], who served 40 years earlier, was a [[liberal]].

There are also specific examples of [[liberals]] denying, for ideological reasons, facts that are plainly true:

# that successful [[democracy]], both historically and logically, is the result of [[Protestant]] [[Christianity]]
# that [[Lawrence Summers]] was fired as President of [[Harvard]] for making a politically incorrect suggestion about women and [[math]] aptitude
# that [[Ronald Reagan]]'s public exhortation, "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall" caused the nearly 30-year-old wall to be torn down later
# that [[gun control]] may increase crime
# that group prayer is censored from [[public school]]

(add more examples)

[[category:politics]]

Jewish persecution

2008-01-09T00:14:16Z

WKirkwood: create

The [[Jews]] have suffered a long history of persecution in many different lands.

In 19 AD Tiberius expelled the Jews from Rome. He sent Jewish youths, under the pretence of military service, to provinces that had unhealthy climates and expelled all other Jews under pain of slavery for life if they refused to leave.

During the second century AD Bar Kokhba revolt Roman soldiers murdered many Jews.

The [[Roman Catholic]]s accompanying the first three Crusades, a series of military campaigns sanctioned by the [[Pope|papacy]], and particularly the People's Crusade accompanying the first Crusade, attacked Jewish communities in Germany, France, and England, and killed many Jews. Entire communities, like those of Treves, Speyer, Worms, Mayence, and Cologne, were murdered by Catholic mobs.

Jews were expelled from France by the Roman Catholic Louis IX in 1254, Charles IV in 1306, Charles V in 1322 and Charles VI in 1394.

In 1276 the Roman Catholic King Edward I of England heavily taxed Jewish moneylenders. When the moneylenders could no longer pay the taxes, they were accused of disloyalty and abused. The occupations which Jews could practice were restricted as were their movements. Jews were also forced to wear a yellow patch. Later the heads of Jewish households were then arrested and often taken to the Tower of London to be murdered. Others were murdered in their homes. Finally, in in 1290, all Jews were banished from England and thousands were murdered or drowned while fleeing. All Jewish money and property was confiscated.

During the [[Black Death]] epidemics that devastated Europe in the mid-14th century Roman Catholics blamed the Jews and hundreds of Jewish communities were destroyed by violence, in particular in the Iberian peninsula and in the Germanic Empire. After the 1348 Papal bull, 900 Jews in Strasbourg, were murdered by burning.

In 1492 the Roman Catholic Ferdinand II of Aragon and Isabella of Castile told the Jews to leave Spain or convert to Christianity. Those who remained and converted to Christianity were often tortured by the Spanish Inquisition in order to test the sincerity of their conversion. Much the same happened in Portugal from December 1496. In 1504 the Roman Catholic mob murdered up to five thousand Jews.

The 1933-1945 Nazi regime in Germany, praised by Alois Hudal a Rome-based Catholic bishop, who in 1937 published the book ''The Foundations of National Socialism'', instigated the [[Holocaust]] murdering six million Jews by the time of liberation in 1945. After liberation an Italy based network of Catholic clerics, including Alois Hudal, helped many Nazis escape justice to South America.

[[Category:Judaism]]

Talk:Protestantism

2008-01-07T02:04:43Z

WKirkwood: conciseness?

== Update ==
I have updated the following article to correct:
* The nailing of The 95 Thesis occurred in 1517 not 1514.
* Protestant and Protestantism is not a denomination.
* Removed Episcopal as a denomination. All most Episcopalians are in the Anglican Communion and Anglican is their denomination.
* Created a list of denominations.
{{unsigned|Chemnitz}} approx. 17th March 2007

:Why was the following information about the beginnings of Protestantism removed?
::The founding of Protestantism has its origins in the [[European]] [[Reformation]] and its rejection of the false [[doctrine]]s and [[malpractice]]s within the [[Roman Catholic Church]]. Those included the teaching and sale of [[indulgences]], the buying and selling of church positions and the systemic [[corruption]], which even reached to the position of the [[Pope]], devotion to [[Mary (mother of Jesus)|Mary]] and the [[saint]]s rather than true [[Christianity]] which is a matter of inward devotion to [[faith]] and [[God]] rather than outward symbols of ceremony and ritual, rejection of the [[authority]] of the [[Pope]] because the only true authority is the [[Bible]] which Protestants made available to all by publication of the Bible in the common language and universal education. The unnatural mandatory [[celibacy]] of the [[clergy]] (including monasticism) was also rejected.

:I know [[Conservapedia:How_Conservapedia_Differs_from_Wikipedia|we encourage conciseness here, like a true encyclopedia. Wikipedia implicitly encourages (through its use of stubs) long-winded, verbose entries, making it difficult to recognize the essential facts]]. But surely that was overdoing it? [[User:WKirkwood|WKirkwood]] 21:04, 6 January 2008 (EST)

Christian persecution

2008-01-07T01:37:07Z

WKirkwood: early modern period

'''Christian persecution''' has occured from the very beginnings of Christianity and continues today. Currently more than 200 million Christians around the globe suffer imprisonment, abuse and sometimes death because of their faith.<ref>http://www.greaterthings.com/News/Christian/Persecution/</ref> In 1998, the publication ''[[The Voice of the Martyrs]]'' named 42 countries where Christians are facing persecution in various forms such as arrest, imprisonment, physical torture and death.<ref>http://jmm.aaa.net.au/articles/1096.htm</ref>

Early [[Christian]] persecution was severe in Ancient [[Roman]]. In Ancient Rome, Christians were most commonly murdered by [[crucifixion]] and being put in arenas with [[lion]]s. The emperor [[Nero]] was one of the most notorious persecutors. Christians continue to be persecuted around the world today in [[communist]] countries like [[China]], and [[Islamic]] countries.

This persecution continued up through the fourth century, when Constantine's [[Edict of Milan]] in 317 A.D. promulgated a doctrine of religious tolerance. In 393 A.D., Christianity became the state religion of Rome, gaining strength after Constantine's conquest of Rome from his fellow ''caesars'' of the time.<ref>"... in 391 AD, Christianity became the official, and only, state religion of the empire." [http://www.hyw.com/Books/History/Rome__Le.htm The Legacy of Rome] </ref>

Deep divisions remained within the Empire. Examples include:
# The [[Altar of Victory]] affair.
# The removal of avowed polytheists from office.

Persecution generally ended in the Roman Empire in 317 A.D., with the [[Edict of Milan]].

During the [[Protestant]] [[reformation]] many [[martyrs to the faith]] were persecuted and murdered by the [[Roman Catholic Church]].

== References ==
<references/>

[[Category:Persecution of Christians]]
[[Category:Christianity]]

Martyr

2008-01-07T01:19:14Z

WKirkwood: wikilink

A '''martyr''' is a person killed for supporting a religious or other cause. Often, his or her death will inspire others to take up the cause. The original martyr was [[Justin Martyr]], killed for his faith in [[Christ]] in 165 AD. During the [[Protestant]] [[reformation]] the [[Roman Catholic Church]] murdered many [[Martyrs to the faith]].

[[Category: Christianity]]

William Tyndale

2008-01-07T01:15:20Z

WKirkwood: copyedit

'''William Tyndale''' (1494-1536) was a religious reformer and an important translator of the [[Bible]] into English. His translation of the [[New Testament]] from Greek has been acclaimed as one of the finest translations ever undertaken, and much of its language survived into the King James (Authorized) Bible of 1611, and from there into most modern English Bibles. He was born circa 1494, in the tiny hamlet of [[North Nibley]], [[Gloucestershire]]. Tyndale was educated at Magdalen Hall, [[Oxford University|Oxford]], where he was admitted to the Degree of [[Bachelor of Arts]] in 1512. In 1515 he was made [[Master of Arts]] and ordained into the priesthood.

Originally, Tyndale sought the approval of the [[Roman Catholic Church]] authorities for his planned translation of the Bible; he went to London to meet with Bishop [[Cuthbert Tunstall]], a well-known scholar of [[Greek]] and [[Latin]]. Tunstall, however, held strongly to the Church's belief, held since the days of [[John Wyclif|Wyclif]], that to translate the Bible into English would be to make it vulnerable to all kinds of misreadings and disputes. Tyndale, however, was not discouraged, and with the help of patrons in [[London]] began his translation of the [[New Testament]], which he completed at [[Hamburg]] in 1524. According to some accounts, he visited [[Martin Luther]] at [[Wittenberg]], though there is no documentary evidence of their having met. In 1526, his [[New Testament]] was published in [[Worms]], at the time a Protestant stronghold, and copies were smuggled into England. [[Cardinal Wolsey]], when he saw these books and learned of Tyndale's involvement, condemned him as a heretic and wrote out a warrant for his arrest. He was later murdered by Roman Catholics by being strangled and burnt at the stake.

[[Category:Religious people|Tyndale, William]]

John Brown

2008-01-07T01:06:39Z

WKirkwood: add Protestant

[[image:Johnbrown.jpg|200px|thumb|John Brown. Ca. 1850]]
'''John Brown''' (May 9, 1800-December 2, 1859) was a [[Protestant]] [[abolitionist]] whose devotion to the cause of ending [[slavery]] cost made him a key figure in the years leading up to the [[Civil War]]. Unlike some other abolitionists, Brown believed that the use of violence was morally justifiable in the fight against slavery. He was born into a [[Christian]] family, and was taught from a young age that slavery was incompatible with the message of the [[Bible]]. <ref>http://www.civilwarhome.com/johnbrownbio.htm</ref>

Brown became a part of the [[Underground Railroad]], then went to the newly formed territory of [[Kansas]] in 1855 to participate in the fight between the "[[free stater]]s" and the pro-slavery "[[Bushwhackers]]". In May 1856, Brown and several other men (including four of his sons) attacked the homes of slavery supporters near Pottawatomie Creek in [[Kansas]] and killed all of the inhabitants with swords. In 1859, Brown led 21 men in an attack on a federal arsenal in [[Harper's Ferry]], [[Virginia]] (note: Harper's Ferry is now part of [[West Virginia]]), intending to arm slaves in [[slave revolt]]s. The raid failed, and Brown was hanged on December 2.

[[Henry David Thoreau]] said of Brown: "No man in America has ever stood up so persistently and effectively for the dignity of human nature." <ref>http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aia/part4/4p1550.html</ref>

"Tragic Prelude", a famous mural by John Steuart Curry depicting Brown holding a rifle in one hand and a Bible in the other, is prominently displayed in the Kansas State Capitol in [[Topeka]]. <ref>http://www.governor.ks.gov/Facts/kscapitol_johnbrown.htm</ref>

==References==
<references/>

{{DEFAULTSORT:Brown, John}}

[[Category:American Civil War]]
[[Category:Kansas History]]
[[Category:Abolitionists]]

John Brown (Martyr)

2008-01-07T01:04:54Z

WKirkwood: create

::''The other Protestant [[John Brown]] was against slavery.''

'''John Brown''' (1627-1685) Scottish [[Christian]] from Priesthill, a few miles from Muirkirk in Ayrshire. He was murdered by Graham of Claverhouse outside his cottage home in 1685 in the presence of his wife, Isabel, and two children. He died defending the cause of the [[Covenanters]] by refusing to acknowledge the supremacy of the King of [[England]] over the Protestant [[Church of Scotland]].

His epitaph contains an acrostic poem:

<div style="font-style: italic">
: '''I'''n deaths cold bed the dusty part here lies 
: '''O'''f one who did the earth as dust despise 
: '''H'''ere in this place from earth he took departure 
: '''N'''ow he has got the garland of the martyr

: '''B'''utchered by Claverse and his bloody band 
: '''R'''aging most ravenously over all the land 
: '''O'''nly for owning Christ’s supremacy 
: '''W'''ickedly wronged by encroaching Tyrrany 
: '''N'''othing how near soever he to good 
: '''E'''steemed, nor dear any truth his blood.''
</div>

[[Category:Christianity]]

Protestant martyrs

2008-01-07T00:56:58Z

WKirkwood: /* Roll of Honor */ disambiguate name

Protestant Reformation

2008-01-07T00:49:19Z

WKirkwood: add content

{{Christianity}}

The '''Protestant Reformation''' was the 16th century movement which led to the [[Protestant]] churches separating from the [[Roman Catholic Church]]. It is usually said to have started when [[Martin Luther]] nailed his ''[[95 Theses]]'' to the door of a church in Wittenburg [[Germany]]. Protestants rejected the false [[doctrine]]s and [[malpractice]]s within the [[Roman Catholic Church]]. Those included the teaching and sale of [[indulgences]], the buying and selling of church positions and the systemic [[corruption]], which even reached to the position of the [[Pope]], devotion to [[Mary (mother of Jesus)|Mary]] and the [[saint]]s rather than true [[Christianity]] which is a matter of inward devotion to [[faith]] and [[God]] rather than outward symbols of ceremony and ritual, rejection of the [[authority]] of the [[Pope]] because the only true authority is the [[Bible]] which Protestants made available to all by publication of the Bible in the common language and universal education. The unnatural mandatory [[celibacy]] of the [[clergy]] (including monasticism) was also rejected. During the reformation many [[Martyrs to the faith]] were murdered by Roman Catholics.

===[[Reformation Terms]]===
*[[indulgences]]
*[[John Calvin]]
*[[Martin Luther]]
*[[Protestant]]
*[[Huguenots]]
*[[Church of England]]

[[Category:Christianity]]
[[category:European History]]

Protestant martyrs

2008-01-07T00:46:06Z

WKirkwood: create

The '''Martyrs to the faith''' are the brave and fearless [[Protestant]]s who were murdered by [[Roman Catholic]]s during the [[Reformation]] of the 16th century.

==Roll of Honor==

* [[Anne Askew]]
* [[Jan de Bakker]]
* [[Robert Barnes]]
* [[Thomas Bilney]]
* [[George Blaurock]]
* [[John Bradford]]
* [[John Brown]]
* [[Richard Cameron]]
* [[Donald Cargill]]
* [[Thomas Cranmer]]
* [[Alice Driver]]
* [[Anne du Bourg]]
* [[Robert Ferrar]]
* [[John Frith]]
* [[John Greenwood]]
* [[Alexander Gooch]]
* [[Patrick Hamilton]]
* [[John Hooper]]
* [[William Hunter]]
* [[Kerby]]
* [[John Lambert]]
* [[Hugh Latimer]]
* [[Christopher Love]]
* [[Felix Manz]]
* [[Martyrs' Synod]]
* [[Walter Milne]]
* [[Walter Myln]]
* [[Aonio Paleario]]
* [[John Penry]]
* [[Agnes Potten]]
* [[James Renwick]]
* [[Nicholas Ridley]]
* [[Robert Samuel]]
* [[Johann Gottfried Roesner]]
* [[John Rogers]]
* [[Michael Sattler]]
* [[Laurence Saunders]]
* [[Leonhard Schiemer]]
* [[Michael Servetus]]
* [[Rowland Taylor]]
* [[Joan Trunchfield]]
* [[William Tyndale]]
* [[Dirk Willems]]
* [[William Pikes]]
* [[George Wishart]]

[[Category:Christianity]]

Protestant Reformation

2008-01-07T00:39:30Z

WKirkwood: wikilink

Protestantism

2008-01-07T00:21:56Z

WKirkwood: copyedit

{{Christianity}}
'''Protestant''' is one of the three major divisions in [[Christendom]] that traces their heritage back to the [[Western Church]]. Other divisions include [[Catholicism]] and the [[Eastern Orthodox Church]].

The founding of Protestantism has its origins in the [[European]] [[Reformation]] and its rejection of the false [[doctrine]]s and [[malpractice]]s within the [[Roman Catholic Church]]. Those included the teaching and sale of [[indulgences]], the buying and selling of church positions and the systemic [[corruption]], which even reached to the position of the [[Pope]], devotion to [[Mary (mother of Jesus)|Mary]] and the [[saint]]s rather than true [[Christianity]] which is a matter of inward devotion to [[faith]] and [[God]] rather than outward symbols of ceremony and ritual, rejection of the [[authority]] of the [[Pope]] because the only true authority is the [[Bible]] which Protestants made available to all by publication of the Bible in the common language and universal education. The unnatural mandatory [[celibacy]] of the [[clergy]] (including monasticism) was also rejected.

Notable events:
:[[Martin Luther]]'s nailing of [[The 95 Theses]] to the church doors in [[Wittenberg]] on October 31, 1517
:In [[England]], by decree of King [[Henry VIII]] in 1533.
:[[John Knox]], inspired by [[John Calvin]] and aided by many [[Martyrs' Monument|martyr]]s, liberated [[Scotland]] from the yoke of [[Roman Catholic Church|Rome]] in 1560.

Protestants are the largest [[Christian]] division in the [[United States of America]].

In the United States, denominations in the Protestant division include:
*[[Anglican]]
*[[Lutheran]]
*[[Presbyterian]]
*[[Reformed]]
*[[Anabaptist]]
*[[Baptist]]
*[[Episcopal Church in the United States of America]]
*[[Mennonite]]
*[[Amish]]
*[[Methodist]]
*[[Brethren]]
*[[Pentecostal]]
*[[Society of Friends]] ("Quakers")
*[[Holiness]]
*[[Restoration Movement]]
*[[Adventist]]

==Web links==

[http://www.ianpaisley.org/main.asp The European Institute of Protestant Studies]
[[Category:Christianity]]

Talk:Evangelical Christians

2008-01-06T23:46:35Z

WKirkwood: /* Undoing citation needs */ Contemporary democracy

Are you suggesting that deceit can advance Christianity? I hope not! [[User:Bradlaugh|Bradlaugh]] 18:29, 1 January 2008 (EST)

:No. But thank you for pointing out how badly worded that was. Hope it is better now. Godspeed [[User:ArthurDent|ArthurDent]] 18:33, 1 January 2008 (EST)

== Reversion explained ==

Evangelical Christians do not censor others, in contrast to the censorship demanded by [[evangelical atheists]].--[[User:Aschlafly|Aschlafly]] 13:06, 6 January 2008 (EST)

::Whether atheists ask for any censorship is a different fact altogether. There was no mention of censorship in the definition any way. This is ideological suppression. --[[User:JBuscombe|JBuscombe]] 13:09, 6 January 2008 (EST)

== Undoing citation needs ==
Those statements need citation. Many atheists have superior knowledge of bible compared to Christians. Also Christianity and democracy are not related. Christianity has been traditionally imperialistic. --[[User:JBuscombe|JBuscombe]] 14:05, 6 January 2008 (EST)

: Perhaps some atheists do have good knowledge of the [[Bible]]. But on average, evangelicals spend more time reading and studying it, and thus knowing it, than other groups, including atheists. Poll the atheists here and see when the last time they read or heard passages in the Bible was. It won't be as recent as when evangelicals have.

: Your second point is absurd. Even atheists and liberals admit that democracy is intrinsically related, both historically and logically, to Protestant Christianity.--[[User:Aschlafly|Aschlafly]] 14:18, 6 January 2008 (EST)
Further, democracy and Christianity have been intrinsically related for all of American history; "as He died to make men holy, let us die to make men free, while God is marching on..."-[[User:MexMax|MexMax]] 14:20, 6 January 2008 (EST)
:: That is absolutely not true. The origin of democracy can be traced even before Christianity. Democracy started in ancient Greek philosophy. It was initially classified by [[Plato]]. Ancient forms of democracy was even prevalent in Ancient Indian civilisation,again before the advent of Christianity. Modern democracies like British democracy came due to the ruthless actions of the king, nothing to do with Christianity. Democracy is a secular institution. Can you provide citations regarding any of the above claims? --[[User:JBuscombe|JBuscombe]] 14:33, 6 January 2008 (EST).
::: This is one of those topics where there is no ''simple'' answer. Yes the Greeks had "democracy" before Christianity per se got started, although their democracy only included the "upper crust", I believe (and only the men). In other words, it wasn't democracy as we know it, where (virtually) everybody gets a vote. I don't know anything about the Indian democracy. Modern British democracy was prompted by the ruthlessness of the king, but it was the clergy who reined him in, on the basis that even the king was subject to God and His standards, so it had a ''lot'' to do with Christianity. [[User:Philip J. Rayment|Philip J. Rayment]] 18:00, 6 January 2008 (EST)

::: ... and Greek democracy was limited to a very small population ... and Greek democracy FAILED after a brief period ... and, by the way, the Greeks weren't atheists anyway.--[[User:Aschlafly|Aschlafly]] 18:09, 6 January 2008 (EST)

Maybe democracy in the abstract is secular, but democracy as applied by Americans is most certainly Christian!-[[User:MexMax|MexMax]] 14:41, 6 January 2008 (EST)

America? Why should you mention America? There are Evangelical Christians all over the world. Even that statement about is not true. Do you think that other belief groups like atheists are less democratic?--[[User:JBuscombe|JBuscombe]] 14:48, 6 January 2008 (EST)

: JBuscombe, this is silly. Historically democracy never succeeded without Christianity, primarily in the founding of America and then it spread to Europe and then India. Other belief systems do not have democratic traditions. Atheistic communism is markedly NOT democratic.--[[User:Aschlafly|Aschlafly]] 15:17, 6 January 2008 (EST)
::The Swedish seem to do quite well. Also, at evangelical sites (not this one) I always seemed to get shouted down by evangelicals for bringing up too much analysis of the original Koine Greek, making the first point somewhat dubious. --[[User:JOwen|JOwen]]

::: The Swedish do quite well ... and they historically got their democracy from [[Christianity]], which is still alive there now. Contrast that with [[atheistic]] countries like the former [[East Germany]].--[[User:Aschlafly|Aschlafly]] 16:36, 6 January 2008 (EST)

JOwen, I'm happy to throw down with you on biblical knowledge :-) I don't speak the original languages, but I took extensive coursework on it.-[[User:MexMax|MexMax]] 18:44, 6 January 2008 (EST)

::Contemporary democracy is certainly a result of Christianity, albeit brought about by [[Protestant]]s rejecting the false doctrines and malpractices within the [[Roman Catholic Church]], in particular the teaching and sale of indulgences, the buying and selling church positions and the systemic corruption within the Roman Catholic Church's hierarchy. It was the Protestant belief in individual responsiblity and that each man can be his own priest, allied to a belief in universal education and academic freedom which led to democracy as we know it. [[User:WKirkwood|WKirkwood]] 18:46, 6 January 2008 (EST)

Church of Scotland

2008-01-06T23:21:09Z

WKirkwood: some copyedit

The '''Church of Scotland''' (The "Kirk" in [[Scots]]) is the established church in [[Scotland]]. [[Reformation|Reformed]] in terms of theology and [[Presbyterianism|presbyterian]] in terms of organization, it has its origins in the [[16th century]] Scottish reformation.

==History==
The key figure in the Scottish reformation was [[John Knox]], an Edinburgh preacher and disciple of Swiss reformer [[John Calvin]]. He was aided by the [[martyr]]s of the faith who were murdered by [[Roman Catholic]]s and are commemmorated at the [[Martyrs' Monument]].

[[Scotland]] was finally liberated from the yoke of [[Roman Catholic Church|Rome]] in 1560,<ref>http://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/organisation/orghistory.htm#reformation</ref> the year the [[Scottish Parliament]] formally rejected Papal jurisdiction. In the following turbulent 130 years, there was a great deal of conflict - at times armed - between various factions in the United Kingdom (formed from the union of the Scottish and English Royal Houses in 1603), and religion was often a defining factor in the shifting alliances that shaped the dynastic, political and cultural landscape of the time. (See [[British Civil War]]). Specifically, Presbyterianisms, [[Episcopalianism]] and [[Catholicism]] were vying for supremacy in this period. With the ascendancy of the Protestant House of Orange in the Glorious Revolution of 1690, the predominance of the Presbyterianism Kirk was assured.<ref>http://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/organisation/orghistory.htm#national</ref>

==Church organization==
Rejecting a distinction between bishops and the clergy, and, indeed, downplaying the distinction between clergy and laity, each Church of Scotland congregation is governed by a Kirk Session consisting of body of elected [[elder|elders]], the [[minister]] considered to be but a special case of elder. The church as a whole takes decisions at the annual General Assembly, at which both elders and ministers are represented.<ref>http://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/organisation/orgstructure.htm</ref>

==Role in education==
As a result of the zeal of early reformers to spread the [[Word of God]], Scotland became the first country in the world to pass a law requiring a school to be established in every parish, in [[1616]]. By the end of the [[seventeenth century]], this goal was achieved, and Scotland is generally held to have been the first modern country to have instituted a system of universal [[public education]]., a source of great pride among Scots and their descendants to this day.

==Liberal position on women==
There has been full equality between men and women in the Church of Scotland since 1968.<ref>http://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/organisation/orgwomen.htm</ref>

==Homosexuality==
The Church of Scotland is generally tolerant of [[homosexuality]]. A recent report concluded that: ''Many people are both gay and Christian; having a homosexual orientation is not a matter for censure; having a homosexual orientation does not preclude service to Christ in the church and the world. A homosexual orientation should not be a barrier to any role in church and state, and the Church should oppose all forms of discrimination on these grounds, both in environments where the Church carries authority and in society at large. ''<ref>http://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/generalassembly/downloads/gareports07manddchallengetounity.rtf</ref>

(For more see [[Homosexuality and Scotland]])

==References==
<references/>

{{DEFAULTSORT:Scotland, Church of}}
[[Category:Christian Denominations]]
[[Category:Scottish Culture]]

Walter Myln

2008-01-06T23:03:22Z

WKirkwood: create

'''Walter Myln''' was a Scottish [[Christian]] and the last [[martyr]] of the [[faith]] who was murdered by [[Roman Catholic]]s in 1558 by burning at the stake in St Andrews. There he is commemorated by the [[Martyrs' Monument]].

[[Category:Christianity]]

George Wishart

2008-01-06T22:56:01Z

WKirkwood: created

'''George Wishart''' (c. 1513 – March 1, 1546) was a Scottish [[Christian]] who travelled through [[Scotland]] as an itinerant preacher where he went from place to place, in danger of his life, denouncing the [[evil]]s of the [[Pope|Papacy]]. He was eventually renditioned to the [[Roman Catholic]] Cardinal Beaton who held a "show trial". He was then murdered by burning at the stake on 1st March 1546 in St Andrews where he is commemmorated as a [[martyr]] to the [[faith]] on the [[Martyrs' Monument]].

[[Category:Christianity]]

Patrick Hamilton

2008-01-06T22:44:04Z

WKirkwood: create

'''Patrick Hamilton''' (1504 - February 29, 1528) was a Scottish [[Christian]] and an early [[Protestant]] Reformer in Scotland. He travelled to Europe, where he met several of the leading Christian thinkers, before returning to Scotland to preach. The [[Roman Catholic]] Archbishop James Beaton's kangaroo court tried him for [[heresy]]. He was then murdered by Roman Catholics by being burnt at the stake in St Andrews. He is commemmorated there as a martyr of the [[faith]] on the [[Martyrs' Monument]].

[[Category:Christianity]]

Liberal denial

2008-01-06T22:34:18Z

WKirkwood: they deny creation

'''Liberal denial''' is the tendency of [[liberals]] to conceal or deny that they are [[liberals]], and even to object when identified as a [[liberal]] by someone else.

[[Hillary Clinton]], for example, refused to admit in a presidential debate in 2007 that she is a [[liberal]]. [[Michael Dukakis]] refused for a while to admit that he was a [[liberal]] during the 1988 presidential campaign, until finally he declared himself to be a [[liberal]] in the sense that President [[Harry Truman]], who served 40 years earlier, was a [[liberal]].

There are also specific examples of [[liberals]] denying, for ideological reasons, facts that are plainly true:

# that successful [[democracy]], both historically and logically, is the result of [[Christianity]]
# that [[Lawrence Summers]] was fired as President of [[Harvard]] for making a politically incorrect suggestion about women and [[math]] aptitude
# that [[Ronald Reagan]]'s public exhortation, "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall" caused the nearly 30-year-old wall to be torn down later
# that [[gun control]] may increase crime
# that [[God]] [[Date of creation|created]] the [[Earth]] and everything in it in six days.
# that group prayer is censored from [[public school]]

(add more examples)

[[category:politics]]

Template talk:Examples of Liberal Bias

2008-01-06T22:30:42Z

WKirkwood: Protected

Isn't this a bit adolescent? It basically says "I hate liberals." [[User:Dkips|Dkips]] 12:09, 27 July 2007 (EDT)

:And when I say "I hate white people", does that make me adolescent. [[User:Chmorguphaste|Chmorguphaste]] 12:12, 27 July 2007 (EDT)
In addition to being a bigot, yes. Why do you ask? [[User:Dkips|Dkips]] 12:13, 27 July 2007 (EDT)

:DKips, nowhere does Mr. Schlafly say that he hates liberals. Their stances and their tactics perhaps, but there's always hope that the people themselves might be saved. [[User:SSchultz|SSchultz]] 23:25, 27 July 2007 (EDT)

Hey, we all love liberals here...but you wouldn't want your sister to marry one. [[User:Maestro|Maestro]] 23:27, 27 July 2007 (EDT)

: Maestro, thanks for reminding me of another favorite liberal tactic: draw an analogy to racism, particularly when no logical argument will help. I'll add that now. Lighten up a bit, too: there's nothing wrong with observing style. Godspeed.--[[User:Aschlafly|Aschlafly]] 23:33, 27 July 2007 (EDT)

This reminds me of [[Godwin's law]]. [[User:DanH|DanH]] 23:36, 27 July 2007 (EDT)

''pretending to know more than he does''
:Do you know this for a fact?

''resistance to quantifying things''
:Have you data to prove this, in a quantifiable manner?

''Claim that science supports their position''
:This is an excellent opportunity for you to use science to quantitatively demonstrate that you are not, in fact, pretending to know more than you do. I have a little training in the social sciences; I will be happy to review your essay for you, once you develop it beyond this outline.--[[User:All Fish Welcome|All Fish Welcome]] 23:57, 27 July 2007 (EDT)
:: One only need look at how liberals promote Evolution, Global Warming, and other bogus theories to realize that they try to deceive people with fake science. [[User:SSchultz|SSchultz]] 01:16, 28 July 2007 (EDT)
::: SSchultz, a good many liberals have faith, so your idea that "they" might be "saved" is a bit presumptive to say the least. Further, I don't pretend to know the "truth" about things like global warming or evolution only that the issues are complex and the evidence conflicted- dismissing them as bogus out of hand seems silly and intellectually lazy. As for the rest of the essay, because of the monthilic view it takes of liberalism and the broad strokes of purple crayon used to connect the dots, as it were, it reads like the rants of a disgruntled teenager. As it stands it is decidely anti-intellectual. 10:33, 28 July 2007 (EDT)

:: Well, you're wrong about the "rants of a disgruntled teenager," and wrong about the remainder of your comments also. You also misspelled several basic words, raising further doubts about your own intellectual commitment as you complain about someone else being "anti-intellectual". You may not pretend to know the truth about global warming or evolution, but many other [[liberals]] do pretend to know AND they insist on teaching their peculiar views in [[public school]] against the wishes of parents and most taxpayers.--[[User:Aschlafly|Aschlafly]] 11:06, 28 July 2007 (EDT)
::: Snarky and deflective observations about spelling errors aside, simply pronouncing my views as wrong is unconvincing at best; I could [and do] as easily say the same about your views. Your essay is really nothing more than a rant. I judge your claims as wholly unsupported and your replies unfocused and unresponsive. I'd advise you to rework the whole thing if you wish to persuade anyone other than yourself. As it stands, you've earned an "F." This will never do. [[User:Dkips|Dkips]] 13:10, 28 July 2007 (EDT)
::::We're not here to please you as a liberal. This is a conservative site and this essay is great. Your liberal POV will just give us additional material to use on this site and in this article. --[[User:Crocoite|Crocoite]] 16:42, 28 July 2007 (EDT)

==Sources==
I'd love to see some sources for these, um, properties, but I doubt that will ever happen without a lot of revert wars and page blocks. However, I think the newest source ([http://www.conservapedia.com/index.php?title=Conservapedia_talk:Deletion_Policy&rcid=279869 here]) seems to be in error. CP's (blank) deletion policy? Not sure what that has to do with hate speech. [[User:Jazzman831|Jazzman831]] 13:32, 5 August 2007 (EDT)

: Don't follow you, Jazzman. Are you speaking in code? Pick out one of the style items that you dispute and identify it here, and I'll track down a cite for you or delete it. In Christ,--[[User:Aschlafly|Aschlafly]] 13:44, 5 August 2007 (EDT)

::What's the burden of proof on an essay page? Is it subject to the Commandments? If it is not, then I don't think any of the statements should be removed (though I doubt many of them are accurate, on the whole). I guess I forgot that this was an essay page when I complained about the lack of sources. Statement retracted :) [[User:Jazzman831|Jazzman831]] 14:12, 5 August 2007 (EDT)

:Jazzman, Look at http://www.conservapedia.com/Special:Undelete/Conservapedia_talk:Deletion_Policy. The page history has "New page: American Taliban You site is nothing but a Democratic hate site". Accusing Conservapedia or other conservative authors of being a hateful is another liberal style. --[[User:Crocoite|Crocoite]] 13:50, 5 August 2007 (EDT)

::Crocoite, when I click on that link all I see is a page that says "The action you have requested is limited to users in the group "Sysops"." When I click on the link within the article, I get a page that says "There is currently no text in this page, you can search for this page title in other pages or edit this page" and there is no page history. Am I doing something wrong?

:::No, I don't think you're doing anything wrong. I'm a sysop and I forgot you wouldn't be able to look at that link. I did extract part of that page for you to see where the user put "You site is nothing but a Democratic hate site". See how this user accuses Conservapedia of hate speech? --[[User:Crocoite|Crocoite]] 14:33, 5 August 2007 (EDT)

::Even if the link did work, though, how would that show liberal style? Does the author of that statement claim to be a liberal? How do you know his claim is credible? [[User:Jazzman831|Jazzman831]] 14:12, 5 August 2007 (EDT)

::: The above user and several other liberals on this site and all over the internet accuse Conservatives of "hate speech" just for expressing our conservative freedom of speech. --[[User:Crocoite|Crocoite]] 14:33, 5 August 2007 (EDT)

::::Meh, I'm not sure I'd agree that it's a great example of liberals accusing conservatives of hate speech, but I'm not really bothered by it, since it's an essay. I understand the reference now, though, thanks. [[User:Jazzman831|Jazzman831]] 19:38, 5 August 2007 (EDT)

== Out of curiosity... ==

Are self-proclaimed Liberals allowed to look at this article and question the idea that this applies to every Liberal? Or should such people, like myself, just kinda sit back here and laugh at it? [[User:Kazumaru|Kazumaru]] 23:28, 13 August 2007 (EDT)

: You have free will and can laugh at anything that you can persuade yourself to be funny. No one is claiming that *all* liberals exhibit the same style, or even that *any* liberals exhibit all the style points listed. But people who share common beliefs, as [[liberals]] do, tend to exhibit some similar traits in terms of style. Not a big deal, and not something to take offense at. Denying any commonality in style would be more laughable, I think.--[[User:Aschlafly|Aschlafly]] 00:05, 14 August 2007 (EDT)

::So it's more of a joke than a serious essay? [[User:Kazumaru|Kazumaru]] 00:10, 14 August 2007 (EDT)

::: How does your conclusion follow from what I said? Maybe you're being facetious at this point. I was clear that [[liberals]], like any group that shares common beliefs, share some similar characteristics of style also. It shouldn't offend anyone to list some of those characteristics.--[[User:Aschlafly|Aschlafly]] 00:32, 14 August 2007 (EDT)

::::It's a joke but he doesn't know it. [[User:Wismike|Wismike]] 14:54, 15 August 2007 (EDT)Wismike

== Liberal style? ==

Mr. Schlafly, I have a few issues with some of your "liberal characteristics", specifically that it seems like you yourself exhibit many of them in your discussions/debates. Here are a few of the examples that I have found:

2. Pretending to know more than he does.

example: In your discussion of the Kevorkian speaker article on the main talk page you say "Those many liberals probably received fees ten (10) times greater what the few conservatives received in fees." You have absolutely know justification for this statement.

5. Insistence on having the last word in a discussion or debate.

example: I, as well as many others, have noticed that you frequently end discussion of debate topics by accusing whoever you are debating with of being a liberal and refusing to continue the discussion at all.

7. Over-reliance on accusations of hypocrisy.

example: See the article on "Liberal hypocrisy".

9. Insistence on censoring certain speech.

example: Just look at the large number of people who have been blocked (which might end up including me unfortunately) for holding opposing viewpoints.

15. Claim that science supports their position, and ignore any evidence that shows their science to be flawed.

example: See conservapedia articles and debates on evolution, young earth creationism, etc. Nearly all arguments for young earth creationist ideas contain the phrase "young earth creationists assert" without providing any sort of evidence or support.

So I was wondering what your response to all of this is. Do I have a point or am I missing something? And for the record (and in anticipation of your response) no I am not a liberal, so please do not stoop to calling me one like it is an insult or as if it somehow makes your point for you. I simply feel that if you are going to criticize liberals for these characteristics you should first make sure that you yourself do not engage in any of the same practices. --[[User:BillOhannity|BillOhannity]] 14:19, 15 August 2007 (EDT)

:Thanks for the comments. I just added a new point in the article to describe liberals such as yourself who deny they are liberal hoping that it will bolster their weak arguments somehow.--[[User:Conservateur|Conservateur]] 14:48, 15 August 2007 (EDT)

Where in the response given by OHannity can it be concluded that he is a liberal? --[[User:TheGoodSociety|Joe]] 15:19, 15 August 2007 (EDT)

: BillOhannity has provided reason to make this addition to the list:

:: liberals often argue in non sequiturs

: Not one of his arguments disproves or even tends to disprove the points he references.--[[User:Aschlafly|Aschlafly]] 15:54, 15 August 2007 (EDT)

::I believe his point was that conservatives also show these traits, not that liberals ''don't'' show these traits. If a liberal and a conservative have the same style, then it's not "liberal style," it's just "arguing style". (Just in case it gets pulled in later, as it often seems to, I am hereby officially denying I am a liberal). [[User:Jazzman831|Jazzman831]] 21:05, 16 August 2007 (EDT)

::Yes that was exactly my point, I'm glad someone actually read what I wrote. I wasn't trying to disprove anything, so I guess it only makes sense that "not one of his arguments disproves or tends to disprove the points he references." --[[User:BillOhannity|BillOhannity]] 14:16, 17 August 2007 (EDT)

:::Bill, I found something else you can add to your list: #1 (calling free speech hate speech) is also practised by conservatives, as evidenced [[Liberal Hate Speech|here]]. This list is looking more and more like it should be renamed. [[User:Jazzman831|Jazzman831]] 19:21, 18 August 2007 (EDT)

I don't understand your comment, Jazzman. Is someone on equating the ''institution'' of [[free speech]] with the ''practice'' of [[hate speech]], i.e., saying that all free speech is hate speech?

Or are you objecting to ''any'' denunciation of a remark as "hate speech", when that remark is protected by the principle of [[free speech]]? --[[User:Ed Poor|Ed Poor]] [[User talk:Ed Poor|Talk]] 19:51, 18 August 2007 (EDT)

:Huh? This article claims that the liberal style (or liberal bias... I don't know everything keeps moving around!) includes "calling conservative free speech "hate" speech". We have an article calling liberal free speech "hate" speech, do we not? If this is not the case then this article (template, whatever) or the [[liberal hate speech]] article needs to be clarified, because I don't see a difference between the two claims. [[User:Jazzman831|Jazzman831]] 18:47, 19 August 2007 (EDT)

==Its just funny==

I mean, people have so far pointed out the damning hypocrisy in this 'article', but so far its all being deemed as Liberal nonsense. Well, I am a Liberal and I find this article ridiculously hypocritical, and have noticed similar debating tactics among conservatives on this site. IN fact, this should be regarded as 'idiot's style', as idiots on both sides of the spectrum employ tactics like these mentioned. [[User:Graham|Graham]] 08:26, 23 September 2007 (EDT)

== Crocoite - Civility? ==

I note that we're [[Conservapedia:Guidelines|not allowed]] to "bully, ridicule (make fun of) or attack (denigrate) Conservapedia or other users, and their opinions" on our user/talk pages, but it is okay to do so in encyclopedic articles? --[[User:Jenkins|Jenkins]] 09:44, 23 September 2007 (EDT)

Heh, don't worry about it. I'm just one big example of [[Liberal]] [[Deceit]].

Some of these guys genuinely don't know how much they seem to pardoy themselves. [[User:Graham|Graham]] 09:55, 23 September 2007 (EDT)

In fact, any of the last few discussions I've had with him he has ended prematurely. What he had said basically amounted to 'Your a Liberal and Liberals don't have an ability to logically deduct' or something along them lines. Anyway, its all innane. Crocite basically took all I said out of context, though I am flattered to be included in this. What he doesn't realise is that he himself uses many of the debate tactics listed in this. [[User:Graham|Graham]] 10:01, 23 September 2007 (EDT)

:Wow, I totally have to go over some of your recent discussions with him later on. Looking over the list, I can see your point - many items on this list are being used by some of the "top contributors" here, it seems. --[[User:Jenkins|Jenkins]] 10:07, 23 September 2007 (EDT)

You know that there is a very strong possibility we could be banned for having this discussion? Blocking here is arbitrary, at the whim of a certain admin you may or may not have irritated. Perhaps we should stop mentioning it and look to less controversial articles. Although discussion is the best antidote to the insanity of articles like this, Liberal Hypocrisy, Mc Carthyism, Liberal Intellectualism etc. perhaps it would be best to concentrate on less controversial articles and on the articles which don't make conservapedia seem like a parody of itself. [[User:Graham|Graham]] 10:10, 23 September 2007 (EDT)

:I agree, although I have trouble finding articles that I can contribute significantly to and which are uncontroversial enough. But I have asked a fair share of uncomfortable questions in the past few days, so I figure I better get a few edits under my belt to save my reputation... see you around then, I guess/hope? --[[User:Jenkins|Jenkins]] 10:21, 23 September 2007 (EDT)

Sure thing buddy [[User:Graham|Graham]] 10:42, 23 September 2007 (EDT)

== Athiests? ==

Are all atheists Liberals? [[User:Tubesock|Tubesock]] 13:55, 11 November 2007 (EST)

: No, of course not. Not all smokers get lung cancer, and not everyone in jail committed a crime. But the vast majority of atheists are [[liberals]], particularly on social issues.--[[User:Aschlafly|Aschlafly]] 14:13, 11 November 2007 (EST)

== Protected ==

I just wanted to add that Liberals deny that God created the Earth and everything in it in six days.
[[User:WKirkwood|WKirkwood]] 17:30, 6 January 2008 (EST)

San Fransisco

2008-01-05T17:47:19Z

WKirkwood: add more

{{merge|San Francisco}}
[[San Fransisco]] is a city in [[California]]. One of [[America|America's]] largest metropoles, the city is a haven for the [[computer]] industry and [[homosexual]]s. The city is often characterized as overwhelmingly [[liberal]].

[[category:Geography]]

Church of Scotland

2008-01-04T01:12:07Z

WKirkwood: /* Homosexuality */ For more see...

The '''Church of Scotland''' (The "Kirk" in [[Scots]]) is the established church in [[Scotland]]. [[Reformation|Reformed]] in terms of theology and [[Presbyterianism|presbyterian]] in terms of organization, it has its origins in the [[16th century]] Scottish reformation.

==History==
The key figure in the Scottish reformation was [[John Knox]], an Edinburgh preacher and disciple of Swiss reformer [[John Calvin]]. He was aided by the [[martyr]]s of the faith who were murdered by [[Roman Catholic]]s and are commemmorated at the [[Martyrs' Monument]]. The reformation in Scotland is usually dated to [[1560]],<ref>http://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/organisation/orghistory.htm#reformation</ref> the year the [[Scottish Parliament]] formally rejected Papal jurisdiction. In the following turbulent 130 years, there was a great deal of conflict - at times armed - between various factions in the United Kingdom (formed from the union of Scotland and England in 1603), and religion was often a defining factor in the shifting alliances that shaped the dynastic, political and cultural landscape of the time. (See [[British Civil War]]). Specifically, Presbyterianisms, [[Episcopalianism]] and [[Catholicism]] were vying for supremacy in this period. With the ascendancy of the House of Orange in the Glorious Revolution of 1690, the predominance of the Presbyterianism Kirk was assured.<ref>http://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/organisation/orghistory.htm#national</ref>

==Church organization==
Rejecting a distinction between bishops and the clergy, and, indeed, downplaying the distinction between clergy and laity, each Church of Scotland congregation is governed by a Kirk Session consisting of body of elected [[elder|elders]], the [[minister]] considered to be but a special case of elder. The church as a whole takes decisions at the annual General Assembly, at which both elders and ministers are represented.<ref>http://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/organisation/orgstructure.htm</ref>

==Role in education==
As a result of the zeal of early reformers to spread the [[Word of God]], Scotland became the first country in the world to pass a law requiring a school to be established in every parish, in [[1616]]. By the end of the [[seventeenth century]], this goal was achieved, and Scotland is generally held to have been the first modern country to have instituted a system of universal [[public education]]., a source of great pride among Scots and their descendants to this day.

==Liberal position on women==
There has been full equality between men and women in the Church of Scotland since 1968.<ref>http://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/organisation/orgwomen.htm</ref>

==Homosexuality==
While recognizing the theological, scriptural and traditional difficulties, the Church of Scotland is generally tolerant of [[homosexuality]]. A recent report concluded that: ''Many people are both gay and Christian; having a homosexual orientation is not a matter for censure; having a homosexual orientation does not preclude service to Christ in the church and the world. A homosexual orientation should not be a barrier to any role in church and state, and the Church should oppose all forms of discrimination on these grounds, both in environments where the Church carries authority and in society at large. ''<ref>http://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/generalassembly/downloads/gareports07manddchallengetounity.rtf</ref>

It is sympathetic to the the [[homosexual agenda]]<ref>[http://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/generalassembly/downloads/gareports07manddchallengetounity.rtf A challenge to unity: same-sex relationships as an issue in theology and human sexuality]</ref>. This has led the leading [[conservative]] [[Christian]] [[Pat Robertson]] to describe Scotland as "dark country full of [[homosexuals]]"<ref>[http://kucinich.us/ 'Dark land' with 'strong homosexuals,' televangelist says]</ref>. The homosexual agenda is exemplified by support for the repeal of laws banning the promotion of homosexuality in schools<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/761129.stm Kirk 'accepts' Section 28 repeal]</ref>, the recognition of [[same-sex marriage]]<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/5006752.stm Kirk backs gay 'wedding' choice]</ref>, the [[adoption]] of children by homosexuals<ref>[http://news.scotsman.com/scotland.cfm?id=841942006 Kirk gives blessing to gay couples adopting]</ref> and qualified support for [[abortion]]<ref>[http://www.request.org.uk/issues/topics/abortion/abortion06.htm What the Churches Say:The Church of Scotland]</ref>. (For more see [[Homosexuality and Scotland]])

==References==
<references/>

{{DEFAULTSORT:Scotland, Church of}}
[[Category:Christian Denominations]]
[[Category:Scottish Culture]]

Church of Scotland

2008-01-04T01:09:37Z

WKirkwood: /* History */ mention the martyrs of the faith

The '''Church of Scotland''' (The "Kirk" in [[Scots]]) is the established church in [[Scotland]]. [[Reformation|Reformed]] in terms of theology and [[Presbyterianism|presbyterian]] in terms of organization, it has its origins in the [[16th century]] Scottish reformation.

==History==
The key figure in the Scottish reformation was [[John Knox]], an Edinburgh preacher and disciple of Swiss reformer [[John Calvin]]. He was aided by the [[martyr]]s of the faith who were murdered by [[Roman Catholic]]s and are commemmorated at the [[Martyrs' Monument]]. The reformation in Scotland is usually dated to [[1560]],<ref>http://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/organisation/orghistory.htm#reformation</ref> the year the [[Scottish Parliament]] formally rejected Papal jurisdiction. In the following turbulent 130 years, there was a great deal of conflict - at times armed - between various factions in the United Kingdom (formed from the union of Scotland and England in 1603), and religion was often a defining factor in the shifting alliances that shaped the dynastic, political and cultural landscape of the time. (See [[British Civil War]]). Specifically, Presbyterianisms, [[Episcopalianism]] and [[Catholicism]] were vying for supremacy in this period. With the ascendancy of the House of Orange in the Glorious Revolution of 1690, the predominance of the Presbyterianism Kirk was assured.<ref>http://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/organisation/orghistory.htm#national</ref>

==Church organization==
Rejecting a distinction between bishops and the clergy, and, indeed, downplaying the distinction between clergy and laity, each Church of Scotland congregation is governed by a Kirk Session consisting of body of elected [[elder|elders]], the [[minister]] considered to be but a special case of elder. The church as a whole takes decisions at the annual General Assembly, at which both elders and ministers are represented.<ref>http://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/organisation/orgstructure.htm</ref>

==Role in education==
As a result of the zeal of early reformers to spread the [[Word of God]], Scotland became the first country in the world to pass a law requiring a school to be established in every parish, in [[1616]]. By the end of the [[seventeenth century]], this goal was achieved, and Scotland is generally held to have been the first modern country to have instituted a system of universal [[public education]]., a source of great pride among Scots and their descendants to this day.

==Liberal position on women==
There has been full equality between men and women in the Church of Scotland since 1968.<ref>http://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/organisation/orgwomen.htm</ref>

==Homosexuality==
While recognizing the theological, scriptural and traditional difficulties, the Church of Scotland is generally tolerant of [[homosexuality]]. A recent report concluded that: ''Many people are both gay and Christian; having a homosexual orientation is not a matter for censure; having a homosexual orientation does not preclude service to Christ in the church and the world. A homosexual orientation should not be a barrier to any role in church and state, and the Church should oppose all forms of discrimination on these grounds, both in environments where the Church carries authority and in society at large. ''<ref>http://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/generalassembly/downloads/gareports07manddchallengetounity.rtf</ref>

It is sympathetic to the the [[homosexual agenda]]<ref>[http://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/generalassembly/downloads/gareports07manddchallengetounity.rtf A challenge to unity: same-sex relationships as an issue in theology and human sexuality]</ref>. This has led the leading [[conservative]] [[Christian]] [[Pat Robertson]] to describe Scotland as "dark country full of [[homosexuals]]"<ref>[http://kucinich.us/ 'Dark land' with 'strong homosexuals,' televangelist says]</ref>. The homosexual agenda is exemplified by support for the repeal of laws banning the promotion of homosexuality in schools<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/761129.stm Kirk 'accepts' Section 28 repeal]</ref>, the recognition of [[same-sex marriage]]<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/5006752.stm Kirk backs gay 'wedding' choice]</ref>, the [[adoption]] of children by homosexuals<ref>[http://news.scotsman.com/scotland.cfm?id=841942006 Kirk gives blessing to gay couples adopting]</ref> and qualified support for [[abortion]]<ref>[http://www.request.org.uk/issues/topics/abortion/abortion06.htm What the Churches Say:The Church of Scotland]</ref>.

==References==
<references/>

{{DEFAULTSORT:Scotland, Church of}}
[[Category:Christian Denominations]]
[[Category:Scottish Culture]]

Church of Scotland

2008-01-04T01:02:01Z

WKirkwood: /* Homosexuality */ link to article that deals

The '''Church of Scotland''' (The "Kirk" in [[Scots]]) is the established church in [[Scotland]]. [[Reformation|Reformed]] in terms of theology and [[Presbyterianism|presbyterian]] in terms of organization, it has its origins in the [[16th century]] Scottish reformation.

==History==
The key figure in the Scottish reformation was [[John Knox]], an Edinburgh preacher and disciple of Swiss reformer [[John Calvin]]. The reformation in Scotland is usually dated to [[1560]],<ref>http://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/organisation/orghistory.htm#reformation</ref> the year the [[Scottish Parliament]] formally rejected Papal jurisdiction. In the following turbulent 130 years, there was a great deal of conflict - at times armed - between various factions in the United Kingdom (formed from the union of Scotland and England in 1603), and religion was often a defining factor in the shifting alliances that shaped the dynastic, political and cultural landscape of the time. (See [[British Civil War]]). Specifically, Presbyterianisms, [[Episcopalianism]] and [[Catholicism]] were vying for supremacy in this period. With the ascendancy of the House of Orange in the Glorious Revolution of 1690, the predominance of the Presbyterianism Kirk was assured.<ref>http://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/organisation/orghistory.htm#national</ref>

==Church organization==
Rejecting a distinction between bishops and the clergy, and, indeed, downplaying the distinction between clergy and laity, each Church of Scotland congregation is governed by a Kirk Session consisting of body of elected [[elder|elders]], the [[minister]] considered to be but a special case of elder. The church as a whole takes decisions at the annual General Assembly, at which both elders and ministers are represented.<ref>http://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/organisation/orgstructure.htm</ref>

==Role in education==
As a result of the zeal of early reformers to spread the [[Word of God]], Scotland became the first country in the world to pass a law requiring a school to be established in every parish, in [[1616]]. By the end of the [[seventeenth century]], this goal was achieved, and Scotland is generally held to have been the first modern country to have instituted a system of universal [[public education]]., a source of great pride among Scots and their descendants to this day.

==Liberal position on women==
There has been full equality between men and women in the Church of Scotland since 1968.<ref>http://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/organisation/orgwomen.htm</ref>

==Homosexuality==
While recognizing the theological, scriptural and traditional difficulties, the Church of Scotland generally supports the [[homosexual agenda]] and [[Homosexuality and Scotland|homosexuality in Scotland]]. A recent report concluded that: ''Many people are both gay and Christian; having a [[homosexual]] orientation is not a matter for censure; having a homosexual orientation does not preclude service to Christ in the church and the world. A homosexual orientation should not be a barrier to any role in church and state, and the Church should oppose all forms of discrimination on these grounds, both in environments where the Church carries authority and in society at large. ''<ref>[http://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/generalassembly/downloads/gareports07manddchallengetounity.rtf Church report]</ref>

==References==
<references/>

{{DEFAULTSORT:Scotland, Church of}}
[[Category:Christian Denominations]]
[[Category:Scottish Culture]]

Homosexuality and Scotland

2008-01-04T00:50:48Z

WKirkwood: /* Scotland and Cultural Controversies */ remove line break

== Scotland and Cultural Controversies ==
Scotland is historically Christian, the national church is the [[Church of Scotland]] and it is sympathetic to the the [[homosexual agenda]]<ref>[http://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/generalassembly/downloads/gareports07manddchallengetounity.rtf A challenge to unity: same-sex relationships as an issue in theology and human sexuality]</ref>. This has led the leading [[conservative]] [[Christian]] [[Pat Robertson]] to describe Scotland as "dark country full of [[homosexuals]]"<ref>[http://www.cnn.com/WORLD/europe/9906/02/scotland.robertson/ 'Dark land' with 'strong homosexuals,' televangelist says]</ref>. This homosexual agenda is exemplified by:
* the repeal of laws banning the promotion of homosexuality in schools<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/800673.stm MSPs abolish Section 28]</ref>
* The introduction of [[secular marriage]]<ref>[www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/research/pdf_res_papers/rp01-21.pdf Secular Marriage (Scotland) Bill]</ref>
* the legalisation of [[same-sex marriage|same-sex unions]]<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/4494882.stm Same-sex couples embrace equality ]</ref>
* the [[adoption]] of children by homosexuals<ref>[http://news.scotsman.com/scotland.cfm?id=1356432006 MSPs approve gay adoption]</ref>
* teaching homosexuality in schools<ref>[http://scotlandonsunday.scotsman.com/scotland.cfm?id=754672006 Schools told to give pupils gay sex advice]</ref>
* [[affirmative action]] for homosexual soldiers and policemen<ref>[http://www.gpascotland.com/050827.htm Army marches in Gay Pride parade]</ref>
* forcing religious schools to employ [[Atheism|atheist]] teachers<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/4787496.stm Atheist teacher wins job tribunal]</ref>
* protection for [[Child molesting|pedophiles]] <ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/4031625.stm 'Make friends with a pedophile']</ref>
* The banning of anti-gay chants at sports events<ref>[http://news.scotsman.com/scotland.cfm?id=387732007 Anti-gay chants to be banned from terraces]</ref>.
*22% increase in calls for emergency services caused by [[liquor]]<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/7166811.stm Drink fuels record 999 call-outs]</ref>

==See Also==
*[[Homosexuality]]

==References==
<references/>

[[Category:homosexuality]]
[[Category:Scottish Culture]]