Atheists are distrusted in societies with religious majorities. However, relatively little is known about the underlying reasons for this phenomenon. Previous evidence suggests that distrust of atheists is in part the result of believers thinking that being under supernatural surveillance by a watchful God underlies moral behavior. However, secular rule of law, including institutions such as po...

In this paper, we provide systematic evidence of how historical religious institutions affect the rule law. a difference-in-differences framework, show that districts in Pakistan where presence is higher, law worse. This deterioration economically significant, persistent, and likely explained by leaders gaining political office. We explain these findings with model leverage their high legitimac...

The Second Law of Thermodynamics, Evolution, and Probability Does evolution violate the second law of thermodynamics? Creationists say yes. This article describes in detail why the creationists are wrong. Attributing False Attributes to Thermodynamics Creationists have created a 'voodoo' thermodynamics based solely on metaphors in order to convince those not familiar with real thermodynamics th...

A number of states have proposed initiatives or implemented laws that prohibit state courts from applying, considering, or interpreting foreign law, and in particular, Islamic law. The constitutionality of anti-Sharia legislation is in question. Its proponents claim that the Sharia ban protects state and federal constitutional rights, whereas its opponents claim that the ban infringes on the re...

The similarities and differences between ethics, morality and law is complex and a matter of considerable disagreement. Some have argued that law properly targets immoral or unethical conduct. Those who defend the liberal view that law should not be used to prohibit immoral conduct that does not harm others need not be legal positivists. While liberals want to restrict the law from forcing cert...

The United States is on the verge of a public health crisis. For decades, all 50 states have required that parents vaccinate their children against various diseases, including polio and measles, as a prerequisite to enrolling them in public schools [1]. While virtually all states have tailored their immunization statutes to exempt those with religious (and sometimes philosophical) objections to...