Valerie Tarico
Salon.com
Seattle, WA, United States
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Past articles by Valerie:
Religious Trauma Syndrome: How organized religion can lead to mental health problems
Two years ago, Dr. Marlene Winell made waves by formally labeling what she calls “Religious Trauma Syndrome” → Read More
When the American debate over abortion was sane — and why that changed
People would be surprised by how much less toxic gender politics were in the 1970s than they are now. → Read More
Here are the 10 ways Evangelical Christianity warps your mind
Some stuff people tell you messes with your head if you buy into it. Maybe it’s self-contradictory. Maybe it doesn’t line up with what you know about yourself or the world around you. Maybe it makes you question the evidence of your own senses or your ability to think straight. Maybe it muddles your → Read More
Here's what the nativity story would sound like with actual female consent
In either version, Matthew’s or Luke’s, does Mary consent to be the mother of Jesus? In the gospel stories, Mary the mother of Jesus is a humble, devout young woman of her time – which means she has little choice in the matter.Set aside for a moment any debate about whether the Nativity stories in the Bible are history or mythology or some combination of the two. In either version, Matthew’s or… → Read More
Here Are 8 Immoral Religious Teachings That Are Still Practiced Today
Toxic religious mandates are still prominent in many communities. Religious teachings that once made sense sometimes become harmful under changing conditions. That can put believers in the awkward position of defending practices—either historical or current—that are now widely perceived to be either immoral or questionable at best. → Read More
Why Is the Bible So Badly Written?
The obvious answer is that the Bible was not actually dictated by a deity. Millions of evangelicals and other Christian fundamentalists believe that the Bible was dictated by God to men who acted essentially as human transcriptionists. If that were the case, one would have to conclude that God is a terrible writer. Many passages in the Bible would get kicked back by any competent editor or… → Read More
Why We Need #MeToo Now: 8 Important Points About This New Tactic Women Can Protect Themselves With
#MeToo started as an outcry of anger and anguish. But retributive justice swiftly followed. I. Bring It On → Read More
The Secret to Wealth and Prosperity for Any Society
Making sure parents get to decide when they want to have children is a proven strategy for communities' well-being. This article was first published at Sightline.org, a regional think tank based in Seattle. → Read More
Don't Listen to the New York Times—Birth Control Isn't Dangerous
Headlines and hype can leave women wondering what’s true and what's not. Last week, the New York Times ran an article about a Danish → Read More
Roy Moore Lost Because Christians Are Better Than the Bible
Thoughtful Alabama Christians stepped across the divide. I’ve said before that the alleged behavior of Alabama Senate Candidate Roy “10 Commandments” Moore toward teenage girls was perfectly biblical. I’ll stand by that, citing chapter and verse. The Bible is a mishmash of texts that were written and assembled over the course of several hundred years by men with varied objectives. → Read More
Alabama conservatives are right: Roy Moore’s behavior is perfectly biblical — and that’s the problem
Award-winning news and culture, features breaking news, in-depth reporting and criticism on politics, business, entertainment and technology. → Read More
Did you catch this hidden theme in “The Handmaid’s Tale”?
At the heart of Margaret Atwood's book lies a biblical story that provided blueprints for a patriarchal dystopia. → Read More
Did You Catch This Hidden Theme in 'The Handmaid's Tale'?
At the heart of Margaret Atwood's book lies a biblical story that provided blueprints for a patriarchal dystopia. If The Handmaidâs Tale offers any sign, Margaret Atwood has read more of her Bible than many Christians. Superficially, Atwoodâs dystopian novel is littered with biblical names and phrases: Gilead, Mary and Martha, Jezebel, Milk and Honey, All Flesh, Loaves and Fishes, Lilies… → Read More
One Simple Innovation Helps Many Women with the Family Planning They Need
A small non-profit has come up with a simple idea that can help women prepare for healthy babiesâor prevent pregnancies. In contrast with Europe and Canada, Pacific Northwest communities face an epidemic of surprise pregnancies. Northwest women say that almost half of their pregnancies are mistimed or unwanted. → Read More
Would you like to have a kid in the next year?
One Key Question improves family planning and lives. → Read More
A Family Planning Miracle in Colorado: Program Has Teen Births and Abortions Drop by Half, and It's Heading to Other States
Are Oregon and Washington next in line? Most businesses would jump at the opportunity to invest a dollar that saves them $5.85 over the next three years and then keeps on returning savings, all the while improving service to their customers. → Read More
The Colorado Family Planning Miracle
Most businesses would jump at the opportunity to invest a dollar that saves them $5.85 over the next three years and then keeps on returning savings, all the while improving service to their customers. That’s what... → Read More
Are Men Ready for Male Birth Control?
Male birth control is a long overdue part of gender equality. → Read More
The Peculiar Role Prayer Plays for the Christian Right in Its Crusade to Make Abortion Illegal
Just imagine if God answered these Christian prayers. → Read More
The Ridiculousness of Gun Nuts Who Are Up in Arms Because the GOP Convention Bans Their Arms
Itâs the equivalent of the Democrats holding their convention at a place that bans collective bargaining for its workers. → Read More