Recent issues of The Ethical Record, issued by the South Place Ethical
Society, Conway Hall, 25 Red Lion Square, London Place Ethical Society, Conway Hall, 25 Red
Lion Square, London WC1R 4RL have included articles about Bible translator William Tyndale
on the 500th anniversary of his birth, 'the British Hegelians,' how humanism started, and on
David Friedrich Strauss and the discrediting of Christianity.
The Jan.-Feb. 1995 issue of The American Rationalist carries installment #10 of a
series on 'Forgotten Freethinkers,' written by Gordon Stein about the British book dealer Thomas
Paterson. In the early 1840s, Paterson was arrested and tried on the charge of blasphemy, for
placing outspoken placards in the windows of his shop. Stein reproduces the test of one of
these remarkable placards, and tells what is known about Paterson's life. It seems that he left
Scotland, and disappeared into America where he was never heard from again; a not
uncommon fate, then or now. For more information write to Box 994, St. Louis, MO
63188.
Our last issue(#11) published a journal entry by Susan B. Anthony, concerning the writer
Anne Royall; we omitted to explain A.R.'s connection to Freethought. Royall was a strident
defender of the principle of separation of church and state, who became famous for her travel
writings, now regarded as classic accounts of early 19th century America. She was also the
editor and publisher of various small newspapers which were critical of abuses of power in
Washington.
The N. Y. Times reported on Nov. 10 on a memorial event held in Rocken, Germany to mark the 150th anniversary of Friedrich Nietzsche's birth on Oct. 15, 1844. As Rocken is in a section of that country which was formerly 'East Germany,' it is only recently that the famous pholosopher's birthplace has publicized his connection. The Times describes Nietzsche as 'the parson's son who declared God dead.'
The Truth Seeker, Vol. 121, No. 4, 1994, is largely devoted to articles about Voltaire, on the 300th anniversary of his birth. These include articles about 'The Women in Voltaire's Life,' was V. a Deist?, Voltaire and the Arts, and on the great Voltaire scholar Theodore Besterman. The issue is from Box 2872, San Diego, CA 92112.
Tired of the fad for Gregorian chants? Try a compact disk called Chantmania by the 'Benzedrine Monks of Santo Domonica' from Rhino Records. This has six songs: (Theme from) The Monkees, We Will Rock You, Losing My Religion, Smells like Teen Spirit, Da Ya Think I'm Sexy? and The Monks' Vow of Silence. Four million copies of the original CD by Spanish monks have been sold. This parody is only so-so; cute, perhaps, but not disturbing, such as real satire should be. This might serve as a gift for someone who is intolerably devout...
One of the best small newsletters in America is The New Socialist, edited by Ivan Bachur from 8132 Farnum, Warren, MI 48093-2884. Vol. 1, Number 14, has crude but effective cover drawing of Karl Marx and Jesus, inscribed 'And now a word from the Religious Left'(!!). The entire issue is devoted to a probing discussion of religion and liberation theology.