This book offers a bold forecast of the year 2050 and what life will look like in the emerging global village. Is this profound new work, Thomas McFaul examines the interwoven concepts of truth and freedom in the context of the Modernist movement that has fundamentally reshaped our world. McFaul's thesis? Societies that make truth and freedom their signature values stand the best chance of prospering in the emerging global village. In The Future of Truth and Freedom in the Global Village: Modernism and the Challenges of the Twenty-first Century, McFaul relates the two cornerstone ideas of truth and freedom to the development of Modernism and its impact on science, religion, ethics, economics, and politics. This sets the stage for thought-provoking speculation as McFaul forecasts what life might be like in the year 2050, with scenarios that range from moving forward as a unified world embracing new possibilities to sliding back to the "good old days." McFaul's well-reasoned conclusion is that any society's long-term viability rests on having the freedom to adapt to changes in the modern world in new and creative ways.

In the long trek of human history, the adage that there will never be peace among the nations until there is peace among the religions has never been truer. The growing trend toward spiritually inspired violence throughout the emerging global village of the twenty-first century has taken a terrible toll on the lives of thousands of innocent victims. The primary purpose of this book is to address this issue head-on by examining the role that the earth's diverse faith communities can play in stopping the needless hatreds and hostilities that all too often arise from the search for spiritual fulfillment. At this stage of human evolution, nothing is more urgent.

God Is Here to Stay offers new insights into one of humankind's most profound questions: Does God exist? During the past ten years, theists and new atheists have argued to prove or disprove God's existence. Examining the pros and cons of each side leads to one overarching conclusion: The existence of God can be neither proven nor disproven with complete certainty, even though both sides draw on modern science to support their views. Drs. Thomas R. McFaul and Al Brunsting approach the question of God's existence from an entirely fresh perspective. They examine scientific knowledge in several areas ranging across the physical sciences and human experience to explain how the universe operates within very narrow and highly structured boundaries. Most importantly, they create an innovative "L-M Confidence Scale" to establish confidence levels, not proofs, on how scientific discoveries impact belief in God. McFaul and Brunsting describe the three stages of scientific evolution. In stage 1, the world's religions developed divergent pre-scientific views. Modern science started with stage 2, during which atheists predicted that science would eventually eradicate religion. In stage 3, the authors show how science, evolution, and belief in God have become increasingly integrated and mutually supportive.

Many authors have written on the effect technology, economics, and politics have on globalization, but few have addressed the potential impact of world religions on the future direction of globalization. McFaul's fascinating book explores what others have not: the part the world's major religions—Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Zoroastrianism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam—will play in bringing either greater peace and justice or hatred and hostility to the global village. Will these religions, which exert the greatest amount of influence worldwide, be a force for good or ill in the emerging global village of the 21st century? This book answers that question and more. Covering the religions to which the majority of world's population adheres, it offers insight into the commonalities, differences, and potential for coming together to create peace to be found among the major faiths. The world's seven major religions are covered, and topics such as sexuality, ethics, violence, and the tension between secular and sacred arenas are discussed for each. McFaul argues that if the leaders and laity of these religions are able to find common ground, efforts toward peace and justice in the global village can be more effective and lasting. If they accentuate their differences, he suggests, they will only produce more hatred and hostility.

This book offers a comprehensive view of the legal, political, and ethical challenges related to the global regulation of ayahuasca, bringing together an international and interdisciplinary group of scholars. Ayahuasca is a psychoactive brew containing N,N-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT), which is a Schedule I substance under the United Nations Convention on Psychotropic Substances, and the legality of its ritual use has been interpreted differently throughout the world. The chapters in this volume reflect on the complex implications of the international expansion of ayahuasca, from health, spirituality, and human rights impacts on individuals, to legal and policy impacts on national governments. While freedom of religion is generally protected, this protection depends on the recognition of a religion’s legitimacy, and whether particular practices may be deemed a threat to public health, safety, or morality. Through a comparative analysis of different contexts in North America, South America, and Europe in which ayahuasca is consumed, the book investigates the conceptual, philosophical, and legal distinctions among the fields of shamanism, religion, and medicine. It will be particularly relevant to scholars with an interest in indigenous religion and in religion and law.

Candles in the Dark is an international compendium of essays that share a sense of the importance of introducing ethical and spiritual concepts and values into the public discourse on progress and globalization issues. They offer a new approach to international relations and public policy that esteems the human spirit and dignity as central values in decision making, seeks links between self interest and the common good, and introduces, in a practical way, philosophical, spiritual, and cultural perspectives in the political discourse on global political and socioeconomic problems.

Are you fed up and are not going to take it anymore? Alright, read this book. Strong positive convictions have fallen out of favor, being replaced by expedient pop morality pieces that warp reality. Bluntly worded unpopular opinions critical of minorities, affirmative action, Israel, immigration, bi-lingualism and the current chief executive in Washington D.C. find their way into the trash bin. Immigration is the overwhelming emphasis of this collection of essays, musings, letters-to-the-editor, lists, book reviews, commentary, and authorized opinions. WARNING: Freedoms Denied is best read sober and while not operating motor vehicles or power tools. You are strongly advised to start at the beginning of the book. Do not read this book before going to bed.