Articles written by Steven Macpherson

What is Helium

About me - Steven Macpherson

I'm a middle aged work in process. I don't know if it's a condition of being a former 1960s "flower child" or that I just like the feel of recreating myself every so often, but I am always transitioning. It's not that I'm inconsistent or flakey; it just seems

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Religion & Spirituality > Religion & Spirituality (Other) Should the Bible continue to be used for swearing-in ceremonies and in courtrooms?: 1 of 254
Should the Bible continue to be used for swearing-in ceremonies and in courtrooms? Despite my belief that the Bible is a powerful symbol of integrity and justice, I do not believe it should be used in court rooms or for swearing in ceremonies. I recognize that the reason we have the tradition of swearing on the Bible is to s... More..
Society & Lifestyle > Social Values & Norms The youth of today are not ready for the challenges of tomorrow: 1 of 42
The assertion that today's youth are not prepared to face the challenges awaiting their generation is to some extent an oxymoron. There never has been or will be a generation fully prepared to face the challenges of the future - yet face it, they must. It is true that a cultural maturation process, not always apparent to t... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Political Issues Should abortions be publicly funded?: 2 of 22
I am writing this article from a Canadian perspective. In Canada, abortions are publically funded and I believe that is wrong. Regardless of one's views on abortion, one thing is certain. Abortion is a choice. It is an elective surgery and except on extremely rare occasions is never performed to save the mother's life. While ... More..
Arts & Humanities > Awareness & Reality Why the passing of time seems to accelerate as we age: 7 of 43
Time is a concept that gradually becomes more sequentially experienced than holistically felt. How we experience time as we mature becomes categorized and prioritized according to a hierarchy of emotional and psychological mechanisms we have little control over.Regardless of our age, certain events pass in what seems to be to... More..
Entertainment > Movie Genres Women in action movies: Empowered role models or chicks with guns?: 2 of 11
Guns and violence do not equal empowerment. Action movies that portray women in roles that highlight the use of weapons or hand to hand combat serve more to sustain a stereotype than to demonstrate a role model that is empowered.Even the most superficial thinkers among us should be able to perceive how little violence has ach... More..
Education > High School Humanities Why isn't African-American history taught in Canadian schools?: 1 of 5
Because it is a common and unfortunate misnomer to label someone as an African American even if he or she is from Canada, I am going to assume that the title for this article should read "Why isn't African-Canadian history taught in Canadian schools?" I want to assert that it is a very good question. African Canadian histo... More..
Society & Lifestyle > Ethnicity & Gender (Other) Do victims of racism or sexism suffer more?: 5 of 24
As a white male, I assumed for many years that racism was a far greater evil than sexism. Like many other men who came of age in the 1960s and early 1970s, I was a strong advocate of civil rights. I was enthralled with the powerful rhetoric of Martin Luther King, emotionally broken by the piercing indictment of "Bury My Heart... More..
Religion & Spirituality > Bible Study Bible study: Who were the Wise Men?: 1 of 4
One of the most alluring images of the Christmas story is the visitation of the magi to Bethlehem. Unfortunately, the facts surrounding the actual event have almost been taken over by legend. The notion of three wise men or kings presenting gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh at the feet of the newborn baby Jesus are actual... More..
Arts & Humanities > Philosophical Concepts Is truth absolute or conditional?: 9 of 29
While I believe in the existence of absolute truth, I also believe that it too is conditional. Absolute truth depends on the only possible source for such truth, which is God. Because absolute truth can only come from a divine source, it is conditional. All other truths are at best reflections of divine truth. The moment our ... More..
Arts & Humanities > Ethics Do German reparations as restitution for the Holocaust place a burden on the wrong generation?: 5 of 13
A country cannot separate itself from its past without doing serious damage to its present. I do not believe the present generation should bear the shame of a previous generation's actions like a mantle but it must deal with the consequences past actions have brought into the present. The holocaust and the other atrocities of... More..