Dr Geraldine Moane, writing in last Monday's Irish Times, continues to lean on research which purports to conclusively demonstrate that children raised by gay parents have substantially the same outcomes as those raised by heterosexual parents. But she seems completely unfamiliar with some serious flaws in the research she cites.

Daniel Dennett is America's answer to Britain's most famous atheist, Richard Dawkins. In a recent opinion piece Dennett worries yet again that America is becoming a theocracy because of the growing influence of the Christian lobby.

Teen happiness is not linked to sex, drugs and rock and roll, but family and friends, according to a new survey. The poll, carried out by the the Associated Press and MTV, found that the most common answer among teenagers when asked “What makes you happy” was spending time with family.