Outside The Asylum

On the science of human brain development

2013-05-24T17:55:00.001-07:00

Twice now, due to my posting the story about the Lesbian Statutory Rapist, people have called the entire idea of statutory rape into question.
Turns out that while indeed there is no set age for this, there is some science behind it.
We now know the human brain doesn't stop developing for nearly twenty five years after birth, and there is a HUGE cognitive difference in understanding between a fifteen year old and an eighteen year old.
for the popularization.
for the MRI images
for the white paper
There still isn't a "magic number" that divides adulthood from childhood, the individual development of the prefrontal cortex can be complete as early as 17, as late as 25, and the bell curve centers on 21.
But it isn't just "backwater prudes" either, there actually is some science behind it. A 15 year old is incapable of consent for *very real brain development related reasons*.

And I still say a state that tries to turn seduction into rape when sex didn't occur, is ridiculous. But based on this research, so are the states that claim age of consent as young as 12.

How to Find God | John C. Wright's Journal

2013-05-24T10:41:00.001-07:00

How to Find God | John C. Wright's Journal:

Went looking for opinions on the Litany of Tarski, and found this. BTW, John C Wright considers the Litany of Tarski to be "utterly primitive" in that any philosopher that rejects it, is not to be trusted.

Father claims 15 year old girl is capable of consent in Lesbian Rape Case

2013-05-23T09:15:00.001-07:00

Father claims 15 year old girl from another family is capable of consent:

I'm beginning to really like the change in Florida's government. First they stop handing out welfare checks to junkies. Now they are treating Lesbians under the same rules as Heterosexuals, gasp, what a concept! Don't sign this petition unless you are FOR statutory rape of younger girls by predatory lesbians.

How many 18 year old boys have been prosecuted for having sex with 16 year old women under "minors can't give consent"? Special treatment for lesbians? Please, no.

How we die is more important than how we live

2013-05-23T07:32:00.002-07:00

No, this isn't a post about the afterlife. It is a post about how we end this life. The fear of suffering in America is quite large. Which is odd, because in America, there is almost no suffering. Nothing like in the rest of the world, anyway. There is a reason people still risk their lives to come here, undocumented, to become the equivalent of slaves, earning less money than it takes to survive. We may no longer be the land of opportunity, but we are certainly the land of no suffering. If you are in pain, we've got a wide variety of medications to make it better. If you are a pregnant teenager- there are tons of charities that would love to help you keep or adopt out your baby. If you are poor, there's always SNAP food stamps- so much so that the real problem with malnutrition in America is people getting fat off of the bad nutrition of cheap calories and food insecurity where they binge 3 weeks a month and starve the 4th. And if all of that isn't enough- Washington and Oregon offer legal suicide in the last 6 months of life (really, to anybody who can convince a doctor that they are in the last 6 months of life) and now 18 states legally offer abortion past birth up to the first breath (though a doctor was just convicted of going past that, and five others are either under investigation or arrested for infanticide). America has truly defeated the problem of suffering. And yet, fear of it drives people into Atheism daily- and Nones are the fastest growing religion. Why? Respond in the combox.

Difficulties with Adam and Eve

2013-05-22T16:41:00.001-07:00

Difficulties with Adam and Eve:

Father Longenecker is on fire today. This one is on the difference between a difficulty and a doubt.

Help My Kids Still Aren’t Catholic!!

2013-05-22T16:38:00.001-07:00

Help My Kids Still Aren’t Catholic!!:

A convert to Catholicism shows us why kids are no longer Catholic.

6 Reasons Christianity is Commonsensical (Part 1) | Catholic Rebel

2013-05-22T13:53:00.001-07:00

6 Reasons Christianity is Commonsensical (Part 1) | Catholic Rebel:

And the linked previous topic:
http://catholicrebel.blogspot.com/2013/05/relatively-absolute-part-1.html">Relativity cannot be Absolute

This is written better than anything I could have written.

Political Correctness takes another step forward

2013-05-22T11:19:00.001-07:00

As the Gay Brownshirts take over the DOJ. J. Edgar Hoover would be so proud!

Family Research Council Inhuman

2013-05-21T21:32:00.002-07:00

The tip of the iceberg is revealed in this video.

Given Gosnell and Karpan

2013-05-21T17:11:00.001-07:00

And attracting a new crowd to this blog, I thought maybe I should post a link to This poem I wrote a while back that explains why I am pro-life.

Hosts files, the ultimate way to fight back against popup spam

2013-05-18T10:20:00.001-07:00

On my work computer, I have limited access, so I can't do this. But on my home computer- I downloaded 5 large Hosts files, combined them, and now 99% of Popups never reach the servers that they are programmed to go to. Also takes care of the "Zedo.com" bug that has been plaguing Catholic advertising-supported websites lately.

Which cousin would you do without?

2013-05-17T22:16:00.001-07:00

Did They Believe in Birth Control?

Asks the question. My father came from a good Catholic family of 4 boys and 3 girls. Medium sized for the time. His mother had more than 30 grandchildren, and several great-grandchildren now.

My Dad had 2 boys, who both had sons, 5 grandchildren.

Who is the worse off?

The Chaplet of Tarski Fatima

2013-05-16T09:27:00.000-07:00

In my discussion on another post, I brought up my personal translation of the Atheist/Rationalist Litany of Tarski into Catholic terms. That brought up an idea in my head for a new prayer for Catholics and Atheists to pray together. I call it the Chaplet of Tarski Fatima, based on the major influences of this prayer; and it is especially suitable for situations where you have both Atheist and Catholic family members, and a Catholic family member dies. I suggest praying it along with the Rosary, and it is based on the beads of the Rosary. I want no credit for this, and so I am formatting the rest of this blog posting in such a way to encourage cut and paste sharing.

--------------

The Chaplet of Tarski Fatima

The Catholics in the group should start. On the Crucifix, one Nicene Creed, preferably the new 2011 translation if you're doing it in English.

On the first Our Father Bead, the Catholics should pray the Fatima Prayer: "O my Jesus, save us from the fires of hell, lead all souls to Heaven, especially those most in need of thy mercy." The Atheists should respond "If I am shown evidence of the supernatural, let me not claim that it is not evidence."

On the next three beads, all should pray together, the Catholic Litany of Tarski: "Lord, help me to believe that which is Truth, to not believe that which isn't truth, and do not let me be attached to those beliefs I may not want.", for the repose of the souls of the dead.

On the next Our Father Bead, repeat the Fatima Prayer/Evidence Pledge.

The first decade should be dedicated to discussing truth in charity. Repeat a decade of the Catholic Litany of Tarski, ending with the Fatima Prayer/Evidence Pledge.

The second decade should be dedicated to the Truth statement of St. Ambrose: "Man does not find the Truth, the Truth finds Man". Repeat a decade of the Catholic Litany of Tarski, ending with the Fatima Prayer/Evidence Pledge.

The third decade should be dedicated to Clarke's Law: Magic is just technology we don't understand yet. Repeat a decade of the Catholic Litany of Tarski, ending with the Fatima Prayer/Evidence Pledge.

The Fourth Decade should be dedicated to the Catholic version of how to judge a miracle- by its effects, not by its causes. Repeat a decade of the Catholic Litany of Tarski, ending with the Fatima Prayer/Evidence Pledge.

The Fifth Decade should be dedicated to the Rational Life- the foundation of all rights, of all government, and of science itself. Repeat a decade of the Catholic Litany of Tarski, ending with the Fatima Prayer/Evidence Pledge.

Catholics: End with one Our Father, for the repose of the dearly departed. Atheists, end with one *atheist version* of the Litany of Tarski, reformulated to whatever fact is most troubling to your mind at this point (the following is only an example):
If Proposition A is true,
I desire to believe that Proposition A is true;
If Proposition A is not true,
I desire to believe that Proposition A is not true;
Let me not become attached to beliefs I may not want.
-------Update
Based on my discussion with Bill S. in the comments, I have removed the earlier version of the Catholic Tarski Interpretation, and have substituted one that is closer to the original.

Money has to serve, not rule

2013-05-16T07:43:00.001-07:00

As Pope Francis pointed out to Ambassadors to former Soviet countries the real danger in Capitalism is how the concept of profit destroys humanity. Money is a tool, an invention of mankind; but it can be a bit of a combination between Frankenstein and overseer. The unlimited seeking of Profit can destroy families, religion, even freedom itself. The very rich aren't free- they are constantly worried about the Return on Investment. I've even seen this at lower levels in my own Knights council, trying to teach the virtue of generosity.

Fundamentalist Atheism

2013-05-15T10:45:00.000-07:00

Strange Notions is a new Disqus site run by Brandon Vogt to try to discuss Rationality and Reason with Athiests.

He may well succeed with some, but there is one subset of atheism he will never succeed with. On Richard Dawkin's spectrum of theistic probability, those with a score 6 and above often fall into something I term fundamentalist atheism. Many of them come from fundamentalist Christian backgrounds, if not in their generation, then within three generations of their recent past.

Fundamentalist Atheism starts with the assumption that the supernatural doesn't exist and that the natural world is all there is, and runs with it, denying any data to the contrary.

I've always been one to consider the natural to be a subset of the supernatural- that is the only real difference between the natural and the supernatural to me is the line of the shared scientific knowledge of mankind. A scientist, therefore, if he is to learn anything new about the universe, needs to have his primary focus on the supernatural- those items which are currently *beyond* natural knowledge, in hopes of bringing them into natural knowledge. As a theist, I am not threatened by that- in fact I celebrate it, for such explanations make my job as an evangelist easier, not harder, for the most part.

But the fundamentalist atheist can never be a true scientist- for he denies there is anything beyond *current science*. Like the feminist biologist I recently met who truly thought the science and engineering behind premature birth survival rates hadn't advanced since 1989 (and thus, was going with a viability line of 26 weeks for her personal morality surrounding abortion!). Such opinions are not based in reason, they are based in political correctness and being even more ignorant of morality than a Westboro Baptist. The really scary part for them is a universal God implies a universal morality, and that, they cannot even let themselves consider.

For such denial of the existence of "non scientific evidence", I see no possible way to dialogue.

But there is hope for the site. I recently ran into two very interesting comments, one on the site, the other in an Amazon book review. Apparently, anti-Catholicism and anti-Atheism are the last two politically correct bigotries. Anything a famous atheist tweets, any moral pronouncement by the Catholic Church, will quickly be criticized by secular post-Christian, post-modern society.

The moral of the story

2013-05-14T13:10:00.001-07:00

Best of the Web Today: The IRS's Nonprofit Helper - WSJ.com:

If you want to engage in political hyperbole without being partisan and without attracting the bigotry of the IRS, be a 501c(8), not a 501c(3) or 501c(4).

It is official, life now begins- at first breath

2013-05-13T12:44:00.001-07:00

Doctor found guilty of murder in Philadelphia abortion case - CNN.com:

Guilty of some murders anyway- out of the 8 counts of infanticide and one count of third degree murder, he's apparently only guilty of two counts of infanticide and the third degree murder.

The rest? Those babies he stabbed in the back of the neck to stop them from moving weren't viable under the law.

How does abortion help the exploitation of women?

2013-05-08T07:42:00.001-07:00

I've said it before- pro-choice is pro-rape. Two articles this morning in Lifesite News, an admittedly pro-life news outlet, emphasize this point. Rape is minimized when men can avoid paying for the natural product of being sexually irresponsible. Is it any wonder that women are being forced into clinics like these two in Pennsylvania and New Mexico where not just abortion, but infanticide are common and saying "no" to an abortion after the initial papers are signed just gets it done quicker and more dangerously? Or this clinic in New York that has a history of sending post-abortive women to the hospital for their incompetence?

To be pro-choice today, is to be for feeding women into the immensely profitable abortion industry. And that industry becomes even more profitable with sexual trafficking and exploitation of women, which insures more pregnant women being forced into abortions and situations they don't want.

Sliding goalposts right down the slippery slope

2013-05-04T11:09:00.001-07:00

It is now official the beginning of life in Pennsylvania is no longer birth, but the first breath taken. How they have proven that those three babies whose murders were thrown out of court in the Gosnell trial did not take a breath before their spinal cords were snipped with scissors is beyond me. But they just moved the goalposts once again on us. And we have moved a step closer to genocide.

A logical analogy that WILL fall on deaf ears

2013-05-02T06:51:00.001-07:00

Homosexuality & Diabetes: An Unspoken Likeness | Crisis Magazine:

How are homosexuality and diabetes related? Both are about disordered appetites pushed by genetic predisposition- and both can equally be overcome with willpower.

To turn a liberal into a conservative

2013-04-30T12:11:00.001-07:00

All you have to do is destroy everything he depends upon.

12 Shocking Quotes: "Marriage Equality" Spells the Death of Marriage:

Good without God? Not a chance

2013-04-30T06:52:00.001-07:00

What is This Thing Called Virtue? | Crisis Magazine:

Every once in a while, even Crisis magazine becomes transcendent. First an excellent explanation on why Lust is wrong, now an excellent explanation of why Atheism is incapable of Virtue.

Lust makes love into violence

2013-04-30T06:40:00.001-07:00

The Primitive Cruelty of Modern “Love” | Crisis Magazine:

Yesterday I was once again trying to explain my belief in marriage to the moderns. I wish I had read this article first.

The reason I see non-marital and non-procreative sex as rape is because lust is violent. Lust is always violent, the only thing that makes it even somewhat acceptable is adding selflessness, sacrifice, generosity and commitment to it.

Homosexuality isn't self-sacrificial, and thus can't raise to the level of dignity and nobility heterosexual monogamy can.

Heterosexual polygamy also fails to be self sacrificial, even when it is serial instead of parallel.

And that's why heterosexual monogamy is the best and most complete anti-poverty program ever; both spiritual and material poverty is relieved by it.

Too bad we've largely lost chivalry.

PrawfsBlawg: Setting the Stage: The Explosion in Prison Populations

2013-04-26T13:25:00.001-07:00

What would be the effect of just saying No to Nancy Reagan's war on drugs?

I would have guessed a 30% reduction in prison population, and I'm *FOR* the war on drugs. Many libertarians have suggested far higher- citing the 1,175% increase in drug arrests since 1980.

A mathematician crunches the numbers- and the results are surprising to say the least.

PrawfsBlawg: Setting the Stage: The Explosion in Prison Populations:

Says that the real rise in prison population has been only 380%- and that eliminating the war on drugs, we would STILL have had a 300% increase in prisoners over the last 33 years.

He shows his numbers http://prawfsblawg.blogs.com/prawfsblawg/2013/04/some-more-evidence-against-the-war-on-drugs-hypothesis.html">here
, showing that because *violent crime* makes for *longer sentences*, non violent crime is simply NOT the most important segment in prison population growth.
Simply legalizing drugs will NOT pay the dividends most people think.

Jesus Christ, hipster

2013-04-23T15:47:00.001-07:00

Jesus Christ, hipster:

Which oddly reminds me of this from the movie Dogma: