Author: Ioannis Iglezakis File Type: pdf Digital libraries collect, manage, and preserve electronic expressions of knowledge on any subject and in any type or format. Consequently, the creation of a digital library presupposes the respect of the legal norms which govern the pre-existing materials included in the database. E-Publishing and Digital Libraries Legal and Organizational Issues provides a comprehensive overview of the organizational and legal issues concerning digital libraries. It includes 24 contributions from world-renowned specialists in digital libraries. This premier reference source is a must-have for researchers and professionals in the field of ICTs and its various disciplines, including library, education, computer science and management, as well as experts in the field of law.About the Authorh6#########################################################################################################################################################################################################################################################h6

Author: John W. Loftus File Type: epub In this new anthology critiquing Christianity, John Loftusa former minister and now a leading atheisthas brought together an outstanding group of respected scholars who focus on the harms caused by the worlds leading religion. The contributors begin by dissecting the many problematic aspects of religious faith generally. They repeatedly demonstrate that, with faith as a foundation, almost anything can be believed or denied. And almost any horrific deed can be committed. The authors then take a good hard look at many of the most important political, institutional, scientific, social, and moral harms committed in the name of Christianity. These range from the historical persecutions of the Inquisition and witch hunts to the current health hazards of faith healing. Finally, the authors answer three common Christian retorts to criticisms from nonbelievers (1) that atheists cannot judge a harmful action without an objective moral standard (2) that atheists need faith to solve the worlds problems and (3) that atheists cannot live a good life without faith. Loftus and the contributors generally conclude that, given both the well-documented historical record and ongoing problems raised by the faith, Christianity decisively fails empirical tests of its usefulness to humanity.**ReviewJohn Loftus knowsfrom the inside whats wrong with Christianity. Few people are better qualified to explain to those still in its clutches why theyd do well to leave, and he has assembled a fine team of colleagues to assist him in doing so. This book should convert a high proportion of those with the courage to read it. RICHARD DAWKINS Americans are constantly told to believe that faith is a virtue, even when evidence of the opposite surrounds us all the time. InChristianity Is Not Great, John Loftus and his panel of experts explore evidence of that in a variety of areas politics, science, morality, and more. Loftus teaches us that the problem isnt just a fringe group of religious people the problem is faith itself. And the sooner we can break free from its grasp, the more enlightened and fulfilling our lives will be. HEMANT MEHTA, editor of FriendlyAtheist.com A compendium of the worlds most iconic freethinkers and science writers at their finest. This may very well be Johns most celebrated workwhich is saying a great deal indeed. DAVID MILLS, author of Atheist Universe Rich food for thought, not only for evangelical apologists and conservative believers, but also for those for whom faith is failing or has already failed. GRAHAM OPPY, professor of philosophy, Monash University, author of Arguing about Gods From the day I stumbled across Why I Became an Atheist, I have been a fan of John Loftus and his books. One of his strengths as a writer and editor is his desire to raise as many issues as possible for readers to consider. This new anthology is another excellent example of that. As a Christian, I disagree with the overall conclusions of the many well-qualified contributors, but I cannot ignore the significant theological, historical, and social problems they raise. Christians who consider themselves to be intelligent thinkers about matters of faith need to read this book, examine the evidence for themselves, and consider the implications for Christianity. DAN LAMBERT, Associate Professor of Education, Tiffin University Philosophers of religion tend to focus on whether religious claims are true and, if so, how beliefs in such claims can be justified. They tend to spend much less time on whether such beliefs are good, harmful, or a combination of both. In Christianity Is Not Great, John Loftus and his contributors defend a modest claim Christianity causes real harm. What makes this book so valuable is its catalog of the numerous ways in which Christianity can be (and has been) harmful. Anyone who wants to learn more about the harms of religion needs to read this book. JEFFERY JAY LOWDER, cofounder and President Emeritus, Internet Infidels, and coeditor of The Empty Tomb Jesus Beyond the Grave About the Author John W. Loftus earned M.A. and M.Div. degrees in theology and philosophy from Lincoln Christian Seminary under the guidance of Dr. James D. Strauss. He then attended Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, where he studied under Dr. William Lane Craig and received a Th.M. degree in philosophy of religion. Before leaving the church, he had ministries in Michigan, Illinois, and Indiana, and taught at several Christian and secular colleges.Loftus is the author of Why I Became an Atheist A Former Preacher Rejects Christianity The Outsider Test for Faith How to Know Which Religion Is True and the coauthor with Randal Rauser of God or Godless? One Theist. One Christian. Twenty Controversial Questions. In addition, he is the editor of The Christian Delusion Why Faith Fails, and The End of Christianity.

Author: Sean Egan File Type: epub When considered in a broader social context, The Clash stand as one of the most important musical acts in rock history. Original punks who transcended the musics minimalist origins, The Clash lived and breathed the idea that they could change the world with their art. In The Clash The Only Band That Mattered, respected music critic Sean Egan examines The Clashs career and art through the prism of the uniquely interesting and fractious UK politics of the 1970s and 80s, without which they simply would not have existed. Tackling such subjects as The Clashs self-conscious tussles with their record label, the accusations of selling out that dogged their footsteps, their rivalry with the similarly leaning but less purist Jam, the paradoxical quality of their achieving multiplatinum success, and even whether their denunciations of Thatcherism were proven wrong, Egan has come up with new insights into a much discussed group. Clash fans, Clash haters, social historians, and political students will all find themselves entertained by his thought-provoking conclusions.**ReviewEconomic decay in Britain during the 1970s and the overt commercialization of rock led to the creation of punk rock, and no punk band enjoyed as much critical acclaim as the Clash. The Sex Pistols may have attracted most of the controversy, but the Clash, led by lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Joe Strummer and vocalist and lead guitarist Mick Jones, was in a category by itself. Literate and angry, the Clash combined potent street poetry and powerful rhythms to create politically charged songs with a strong leftist ideology that attacked class warfare, nuclear annihilation, and generational ennui. It thought it could change the world with such songs. Egan chronicles the history of the only band that mattered, offering intelligent commentary on individual songs. Although the Clash disbanded in 1986, and Strummer died in 2002, the Clash remains an influential bandBilly Bragg, Bono, Green Day, and the White Stripes are among their musical offspringand several of their albums are considered iconic works in the rock canon. (Booklist) The Clash . . . demonstrates what many other authors have failed to do that the Clashs intelligent, working-mans music provided an outlet for a groundswell of the punk generations intellectual rebelliousness. . . .VERDICT [This] title [is a] fine purchase for large public libraries and deep music collections for an intriguing take on punk history. (Library Journal) As rock historyanalysis tomes go, The Clash The Only Band That Mattered is essential reading. For those who dont especially appreciate The Clash but who would like a better understanding of the society and economy of Margaret Thatcher-era Britain, the book is equally highly recommended. (Musoscribe) About the Author Sean Egan has contributed to, among others, Billboard, Book Collector, Classic Rock, Record Collector, Tennis World, Total Film, Uncut, and RollingStone.com. He has written or edited two dozen books, including works on The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, The Rolling Stones, Manchester United, Coronation Street, and Tarzan.

Author: Brian Brock File Type: pdf The premise of Fallen Animals is that some how and in some way The Fall of Adam and Eve as related in the Bible has affected all living beings from the largest to the smallest, from the oldest to the youngest, regardless of gender and geography. The movement from the blissful arena of the Garden of Eden to the uncertain reality of exile altered in an overt or nuanced fashion the attitudes, perceptions, and consciousness of animals and humanity alike. Interpretations of these reformulations as well as the original story of the Paradise Garden have been told and retold for millennia in a variety of cultural contexts, languages, societies, and religious environments. Throughout all those retellings, animals have been a constant presence positively and negatively, actively and passively, from the creation of birds, fish, and mammals to the agency of the serpent in the Fall narrative. The serpent in the Garden of Eden is but one example of the ambivalence which has characterized the human-animal relationship over the centuries, both across, and within, cultures, societies and traditions. The book examines the interpretations, functions and interactions of the Fall physical, moral, artistic and otherwise as represented through animals, or through human-animal interactions. **About the Author Zohar Hadromi-Allouche is lecturer in religious studies and Islam at the University of Aberdeen.