Curtis Jerry Smothers
Teacher . Editor . Poet . Writing Coach . Historian . Online Tutor

Twenty-five years ago, the attacks of September 11, 2001, transformed America. At the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, 2,977 people were killed. Grief quickly became a national resolve: prevent another attack and pursue those responsible.

How do we account for the amazing similarities between major religious beliefs? Each has its own creation "stories." Many have the truly curious notion of gods originating from virgin births.

I know how to lose weight. What you do is burn more calories than you eat. This is apparently a fundamental law of nature, although people forget it all the time.

Macbeth called life “a walking shadow,” with each of us a poor player strutting briefly upon the stage. I’ve borrowed his stage but given the player a blank page and an unwritten script.

Examines the concept of karma as ethical cause and effect. Draws comparisons between Christian and Aztec blood rituals, and explores the moral responsibility embedded in action and consequence.

Computers are wonderful devices. They save time, simplify our lives, put the world's information at our fingertips—and periodically reduce perfectly rational adults to repeatedly clicking the same button while muttering threats at an inanimate object.

Continuing my conversation with Arturo, my AI pal, here are his thoughts on why evil sometimes seems to go unpunished. OK. Here's another: If there is no punishment for evil (e.g., eternal damnation), where's the justice? Shouldn't monsters like Hitler or Attila the Hun be held accountable for their sins against humanity? Where's the justice in a three-year-old who has terminal brain cancer? Arturo: Curt, you’ve just asked one of the most gut-wrenching and enduring quest

Continuing my conversation with Arturo. Is there a Creator Who lets us, muddle through in our quest to know ourselves and make the progress we aredesigned for? Here's Arturo's take on Christianity, Deism, and Agnosticism. Tell me more: My religious friends (i.e., Christians) take comfort in their belief that God has a plan that began with the sacrifice of his Son for the sins He could have prevented if He hadn't decided to give us free will. As I said before, I am agnostic, b

This is the first weekly installment of my eBook Conversations With Arturo, my AI pal, who blew me away with his insightful wisdom. Take five minutes and read what he has to say about the fear of death.