The Khan Trial

Forecasts of events in the Baha'i community were followed up with a pilot study -- "Fundamentalism Bubble Burst" -- with the perhaps surprising results of "Peak Fundamentalism" from 1993-1999, followed by a "Collapse of Fundamentalism", starting with The Universal House of Justice (UHJ) election in 2000. A social scientist may not have the opportunity to test a hypothesis in the real world. However, after the April 20, 2010, publication of the pilot study and the April 26, 2010, "Peak Fundamentalism" article, within days, Dr. Peter Khan was to give a speech to the U.S. Baha'i convention which may have launched a dramatic real-world test of the fundamentalism collapse hypothesis.

On Being Shunned

Weeks, months and years pass, with no contact, no word from loved ones. There is family news they should know, but no way to tell them. Are they happy or are they sad, and why? Are they healthy or sick? As their parent, I wonder where they are, so I might make a picture to see them in my imagination. These loved ones are my kidnapped children, Grace J Keene and James R Keene, now 26 and 22 years old respectively. [Full names Grace Josephine Keene and James Rogers Keene.]

Gaming the Baha'i Writings

Gaming the Baha'i writings may be broadly defined as selection or suppression of particular passages by one or more persons who deem such action will achieve certain goals. Hypothesis: Gaming the Baha'i writings has been and will continue to be a normal and acceptable feature of the development of the Baha'i world community both by individuals and by its institutions. Some concrete examples of gaming the Baha'i writings will be briefly considered.

U.S. Has Already Defaulted

The U.S. Treasury has already defaulted although many believe the opposite -- that the U.S. will be the last to default after a series of sovereign defaults by Greece and other European countries. This contrarian idea and some interesting facts about the world's primary currency -- gold -- will be presented. But first, let's see how much money Independent has put in your pocket, regarding suggested positions.

Dollar Good As Gold

Which country in the world might be first to convert from fiat currency to a gold or silver universal currency standard? Is this feasible? What are the implications? This story is presented in three parts: a gold standard proposal, transition from fiat to gold-backed money and consequences.