Alain de Botton’s “Atheism 2.0″ is one of the more fascinating developments in atheism in a while, and the reactions keep coming in.Steve Rose, writing for The Guardian, is skeptical of de Botton’s “temples for atheists”:They come across like witty art installations, but would these follies – sorry, “temples” – convince any religious adherent to cross over? It’s unlikely. And why couldn’t a Christian or a Muslim enjoy the Temple of Perspective, just as an atheist can be stunned by Gaudi’s Sagrada Familia? Architecture and…
Atheism
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Most Topular Stories
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Action and Reaction to de Botton’s “Atheism 2.0″
An American Atheist26 Jan 2012 | 3:53 pm -
Airline ending prayer cards
Atheist News Discussions - Atheist Nexus25 Jan 2012 | 7:04 pmAlaska Airlines ending 30-year-long prayer card service That's the good news. The bad news is that we may now have to endure another rant from Sarah Palin. -
The Angry Atheist 55 w/ Mike Van Roy
The Angry Atheist28 Jan 2012 | 1:37 amThe Angry Atheist has the first live-in -person guest on the podcast .Mike Van Roy spends some time sharing his thoughts on atheism, and atheists, as well as republicans, democrats and the independents who are most likely going to decide who our next president is. A good mix of religion and politics makes for a good conversation. Remember to pass the podcast along to one of your religious friends, it won’t convince them to give up religion but it may cause them to begin questioning it. -
Palin weighs in on Prayer Card discontinuation
Atheist News Discussions - Atheist Nexus27 Jan 2012 | 2:19 pmPalin "I seriously hope this is just a rumor" Called it -
Friday Cephalopod: Cuteness!
Pharyngula27 Jan 2012 | 1:37 pmThe gang at Skepticon are running a poll to design the World's Most Innocuous Atheist Billboard, and they've settled on the message — "Baby Animals Are Cute" — and they've got some choices for you to pick from. I thought I'd help and offer my own suggestion: See? Far superior to the kittens and puppies they suggest, and it's much more in the spirit of atheism. DO NOT ARGUE WITH ME. Or Baby Octopus will devour you. (Also on FtB) Read the comments on this post...
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Unreasonable Faith
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Answering the Star Tribune
28 Jan 2012 | 4:00 amFrom The Lead blog, I see that the Star Tribune has an article asking “Why should I accept same-sex couples?” They chose the responses of Rev. Lisa Cressman, an Episcopalian priest who answers quite well. Still, there are a few cases where I’d answer differently.1) Were our ancestors all dumb and bigoted because they thought homosexuality was wrong? Some may think that accepting homosexuality is innovative and progressive, but others say abandoning our previous norm may be presumptuous on our part. In other words, our ancestors might have been right, and we might be… -
Back to the Future: Bible Edition
27 Jan 2012 | 12:08 pm[via] -
Atheist Temple
27 Jan 2012 | 10:18 amNew library in Stuttgart © DieterJL -
Julia Sweeny on Victoria Jackson’s “Comedy”
27 Jan 2012 | 4:00 amBack in 2008, everybody knew that if Obama was elected that some of America’s right wing would come unhinged. But I don’t know if we really expected the types of people who would become right wing mouthpieces. We should have; we had early examples during the election. People like Joe the Plumber, who is the epitome of some kind of identity politics, yet isn’t named Joe and isn’t really a plumber.As we approach the next election, the examples are worse. Chuck Norris? Seriously? Seriously seriously?But somehow the worst is Victoria Jackson. She’s just so …… -
Islamic Beauty
26 Jan 2012 | 2:18 pm[via]
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Debunking Christianity
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The 2011 About.com Readers' Choice Awards for Agnosticism / Atheism
28 Jan 2012 | 7:32 amYou can nominate your favorite book, blog, podcast, community, Ad and so forth, until February 15th, right here. Then you can vote for your favorites from February 22nd until March 21st. Winners will be announced March 30, 2012. My anthology The Christian Delusion won last year. With the publication in 2011 of The End of Christianity I'm hoping it could win this year too. Nominate away. -
How to Win Friends and Influence People to Atheism
28 Jan 2012 | 6:58 amI have said that I try to persuade believers by overwhelming them with a plethora of arguments, and I am vilified for it. But given the fact that believers must be convinced their faith is nearly impossible before they will ever consider it to be improbable, this is what their faith forces me to do if I want to convince them they are wrong. You see, I know a lot more than I can tell. Based on everything I know, I know Christianity is a delusion. The only thing left to do at that point is to convince Christians they are wrong. And they are. In the September/October 2009 issue of American… -
The Outsider Test for Faith is For People Who Really Want to Know the Truth
28 Jan 2012 | 5:32 amThe Outsider Test for Faith (OTF) is for people who really want to know if their faith is true. If they do, then it can be likened to a commitment to go on a diet. Just like a person who wants to lose weight so also the OTF demands the same kind of personal commitment. No one can make such a commitment for another person. But that's the first step. It takes resolve. It takes discipline to begin it and to consistently carry through with it.And just like a diet where a friend can look at the lack of commitment to it (like when eating the wrong foods or the lack of exercise), so also a skeptical… -
It's Possible God Exists Even Though All Life Has Evolved
27 Jan 2012 | 6:35 amThe implications of evolution are enormous, as I have said before. But even though all life has evolved it's still possible for a supernatural force (or being) to exist. To see this all we need to do is look at what dog breeders do on a regular basis. They manipulate the breeding habits of their dogs to produce new breeds all of the time. In a like manner some kind of god could act like these dog breeders by manipulating the environment and breeding habits of the various species on earth to produce new ones. Doing so would not violate the evolutionary process. It would merely inject… -
John Green is Now Writing for "the Other Team"
27 Jan 2012 | 4:52 amJohn Green is a missionary pastor's son from a Pentecostal background who has written some things for Discipleship Journal and Wittenburg Door. Below is his brief story and an article he wrote on hell.A couple of years ago, after being a Christian for 40 years, I started asking the hard questions I have avoided for years, and as a result I rejected the Bible as untrue, and my wife and daughter also left the faith as we talked and discussed. Of course, the usual story - we lost most of our friends and my siblings and parents for the most part don't accept that we left because of reason (we are…
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Pharyngula
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Friday Cephalopod: Cuteness!
27 Jan 2012 | 1:37 pmThe gang at Skepticon are running a poll to design the World's Most Innocuous Atheist Billboard, and they've settled on the message — "Baby Animals Are Cute" — and they've got some choices for you to pick from. I thought I'd help and offer my own suggestion: See? Far superior to the kittens and puppies they suggest, and it's much more in the spirit of atheism. DO NOT ARGUE WITH ME. Or Baby Octopus will devour you. (Also on FtB) Read the comments on this post... -
The comparison to jabberwocky is inevitable
27 Jan 2012 | 11:35 amLots of people have been sending me this paper by Erik Andrulis, and most of you have done so with eyebrows raised, pointing out that it's bizarre and unbelievable; some of you wrote asking whether it was believable, at which point my eyebrows went up. Come on people: when you see one grand cosmic explanation that is summarized with cartoons, which the author claims explains everything from the behavior of subatomic particles to the formation of the moon, shouldn't you immediately sense crankery? It's also getting cited all over the place, from World of Warcraft fan sites to the Discovery… -
Indiana fails
27 Jan 2012 | 9:13 amIndiana is preparing to promote creationism in their science classrooms. A legislative committee has advanced a bill that endorses creationism and "alternative theories" to the vote of the full senate. So it's not a law yet, but it's advancing down the path. Here's the horrifying part: it was approved 8:2 by the Republican-controlled Senate Education Committee. This is a group that is supposed to be the gatekeeper for good educational practices; you'd think their job was to screen out the random wacky garbage that individual, ideologically motivated members of the senate might poop out. But… -
Today is Shawn Otto day at UMM
26 Jan 2012 | 7:47 amWe're having a visit today from Shawn Lawrence Otto, a fellow who has been fighting against the un-American war on science on the web and in a book, Fool Me Twice: Fighting the Assault on Science in America. He's speaking on campus tonight at 7:30 Central, in the HFA Recital Hall — I urge local community members to show up, he has important things to say about education and climate change — and that talk is going to be streamed live, so all you distant strangers can also watch the show. It was a little strange, though, to get messages from the university administration telling me… -
Botanical Wednesday: The Deadly Brazilian Killer Plant!
25 Jan 2012 | 6:04 pmTremble in fear, and behold this terrifying homicidal vegetable! The larger denizens of Brazil may be unaware of the carnage beneath their feet, but trust me — the far more numerous inhabitants of the country, roundworms and such, feel nothing but terror at encountering their roots. (via NatGeo) (Also on FtB) Read the comments on this post...
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Atheist Media Blog
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Richard Dawkins at the Jaipur Literature Festival
26 Jan 2012 | 7:04 pmRichard Dawkins and Lala Ward read excerpts from The Magic of Reality and Unweaving The Rainbow (via RDnet and 3 Quarks Daily) -
Colorado Springs Billboard: God Is An Imaginary Friend
25 Jan 2012 | 10:07 amJanuary 23, 2012 on KKTV 11 News: The Colorado Coalition of Reason or COCORE is behind a billboard that will sit on I-25 and Garden Of The Gods. The billboard will read "God is an imaginary friend. Choose reality, it will be better for all of us," and will face north on the west side of the highway. COCORE is made up of people who consider themselves agnostic or atheist. They tell KKTV 11 News the point of the billboard is to encourage discussion between believers and non-believers. They also say the billboard will let other non-believers know that they are not alone. Groff Schroeder, the… -
30 Renowned Writers Speaking About God
22 Jan 2012 | 3:13 pm -
Drew Berry: Animations of unseeable biology
20 Jan 2012 | 4:52 pmWe have no ways to directly observe molecules and what they do -- Drew Berry wants to change that. At TEDxSydney he shows his scientifically accurate (and entertaining!) animations that help researchers see unseeable processes within our own cells. (via RichardDawkins.net) -
BBC The Big Questions: Has The Time Come To Repent?
17 Jan 2012 | 10:45 amJanuary 8, 2012 on BBC One With atheist stand-up comic and political activist Kate Smurthwaite (Thanks to TreVelocita)
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Friendly Atheist
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It’s the ‘Year of the Bible’ in Pennsylvania
28 Jan 2012 | 5:00 amHouse Resolution 535 in Pennsylvania, sponsored by Rep. Rick Saccone (R-obviously), declares:That the House of Representatives declare 2012 as the “Year of the Bible” in Pennsylvania in recognition of both the formative influence of the Bible on our Commonwealth and nation and our national need to study and apply the teachings of the holy scriptures.Right… because we have a “national need” to understand Genesis, genocide, and all the other bullshit in the Bible.Saccone doesn’t even try to take a secular route in explaining it:“As not only Pennsylvania,… -
A Resource for Freethought Group Organizers
27 Jan 2012 | 7:00 pmIf you’re the leader of any local or campus freethought group, there’s a discussion group on Facebook that will offer advice and answer any questions for you. A lot of veteran activists are on there, making it a great resource — or perhaps you could pitch in and help some other leaders yourself.(Thanks to Scott for the link!) -
The Problem with America, According to Rick Santorum
27 Jan 2012 | 3:00 pmDoonesbury: Always fun in an election year. (Click to enlarge) -
Inoffensive Atheist Billboard Challenge: Accepted!
27 Jan 2012 | 12:51 pmYesterday, Richard Wade got people thinking about how angry people would get at an atheist group’s billboard even if it were completely inoffensive.Well, Katie Hartman of Skepticon is taking the idea one step further.She wants to put up a cute, inoffensive billboard. All she needs are your donations and suggestions. Here’s a template of her idea:We’ve priced billboards in the Springfield area and think it can be done for as little as $2,000 –- and if we end with more? We’ll put it on buses in St. Louis and Kansas City. They need to figure out what image should go in the… -
Toby Ganger Releases ‘Evolutionary’
27 Jan 2012 | 12:00 pmHip-hop singer Toby Ganger just released an EP called “Evolutionary” and the title track sounds pretty awesome:Evolutionary by TobyAn excerpt from the lyrics:…the other side interested in scaring the rest of us here with a message of fear so todays questions appear through the lens of yesterday’s perception of fair and the prejudice clear whenever they’re debating on who gets to be married always saying to protect the kids really they’re afraid we’ll reject their mythsThe entire album or just the single can be found on his site.
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Atheist News Discussions - Atheist Nexus
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Palin weighs in on Prayer Card discontinuation
27 Jan 2012 | 2:19 pmPalin "I seriously hope this is just a rumor" Called it -
Airline ending prayer cards
25 Jan 2012 | 7:04 pmAlaska Airlines ending 30-year-long prayer card service That's the good news. The bad news is that we may now have to endure another rant from Sarah Palin. -
Oklahoma senate bill to outlaw aborted human fetuses in food
25 Jan 2012 | 8:56 amnpr Oklahoma State Senate Bill 1418 outlaws the use of aborted human fetuses in food. "No person or entity shall manufacture or knowingly sell food or any other product intended for human consumption which contains aborted human fetuses in the ingredients or which used aborted human fetuses in the research or development of any of the ingredients." Fortunately for the atheist community, this landmark legislation does not outlaw the use of miscarried human fetuses, or small children, in food products. However, this is a slippery slope. We should contact our more liberal democrat senators… -
La, la, la, I can't hear you!
25 Jan 2012 | 6:57 amDon't listen to all that secular noise. And pay no attention to the man behind the curtain. http://www.heraldsun.com.au/technology/pope-calls-for-silence-against-internet-noise/story-fn7celvh-1226253184682 -
Pastor and Priest Crime News January 2012
22 Jan 2012 | 10:18 pmThe endless clergical crime spree continues. Here is news related to ministers, priests, prophets, and the dreaded sex obsessed pastoral "counselors", so far in Jan 2012. Refreshingly, these are not all sex crimes. Baptist minister Tommy Gene Daniels in Sacramento, convicted for molestation of 5 girls, wants a new trial. sacbee.com Los Angeles "Arms of Grace Christian Center" pastor Christopher Iruke was sentenced to 15 years in jail for defrauding medicare for $15million. That's million, with an "m". His wife, Connie Ikpoh, is up for sentencing in Feb. Holy Jesus! $15 million!
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About.com Agnosticism / Atheism
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How Can We Get More Accurate Numbers of Atheists in America?
28 Jan 2012 | 2:00 amGetting accurate surveys about atheists and even just the numbers of atheists is difficult given how much animus there is towards atheists and atheism. What information we do have, however, suggests that the numbers of atheists in America are indeed growing, even as distrust and hatred of atheists also grows. But is there any way to get better and more accurate information about how many atheists there are in America? Share Your Ideas: How Can We Get More Accurate Numbers of Atheists in America? -
Favorite Agnostic / Atheist Blog of 2011
27 Jan 2012 | 9:00 amIt wouldn't be the internet anymore if we didn't have blogs, would it? There are a lot of great atheist and agnostic blogs out there exploring all facets of religion, belief, and living without gods. Which blogs do you read the most and recommend the most? Nominate your favorite atheist blog or blogs for the 2012 About.com Readers' Choice Awards! Submit Your Nomination: Favorite Agnostic / Atheist Blog of 2011 -
Manal Abul Hassan: Undignified for Women to March for Woman's Rights
27 Jan 2012 | 6:00 amAccording to Manal Abul Hassan, a female leader in Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood Freedom and Justice Party (FJP), it is an "affront" to women's "dignity" when women march in defense of their own rights. Since Egyptian women wouldn't voluntarily do that to themselves, then the marches done by women must have been funded and instigated from abroad. It all makes so much sense, right? Read Full PostManal Abul Hassan: Undignified for Women to March for Woman's Rights originally appeared on About.com Agnosticism / Atheism on Friday, January 27th, 2012 at 12:00:24.Permalink | Comment | Email this -
Joshua & Genocide - Book of Joshua as a Manual for Genocide
27 Jan 2012 | 2:00 amThe Book of Joshua depicts a genocidal campaign against the people of Canaan. These Canaanites never attacked any Israelites, never enslaved any Israelites, and aren't shown ever doing anything to justify their mistreatment. The only "crime" they committed was living in the wrong place at the wrong time. They occupied land promised to the Israelites by God at a time when God decided to finally make good on that promise. Read Article: Joshua & Genocide - Book of Joshua as a Manual for Genocide -
Religious Privilege & Anti-Atheist Bigotry are Two Sides of the Same Coin
26 Jan 2012 | 9:00 amBigotry isn't just a matter of treating one group as inferior, but also of treating another group as superior. Anti-atheist bigotry can be expressed by telling atheists that they aren't moral enough for politics as well as by telling Christians or religious believers that they are needed in politics because the government has need of their moral values. Bigotry and privilege are two sides of the same coin whether the issue is race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, or belief in gods. Read Article: Religious Privilege & Anti-Atheist Bigotry are Two Sides of the Same Coin
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Atheism: News, Events, Media and Blogs - Recent
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An Atheist’s Epitaph
23 Jan 2012 | 10:49 pmBeyond the universe there is nothing and within the universe the supernatural does not and cannot exist. Of all deceivers who have plagued mankind, none are so deeply ruinous to human happiness as those impostors who pretend to lead by a light above nature. Science has never killed or persecuted a single person for doubting or denying its teachings, and most of these teachings have been true; but religion has murdered millions for doubting or denying her dogmas, and most of these dogmas have been false.That’s the epitaph on the gravestone of George F. Spencer… who died in… -
Redo the Cranston High School West Banner
23 Jan 2012 | 10:49 pmTired of seeing that Cranston High School West banner?Well, Richard Brum created a Banner generator so you can make your own version!It’s almost too easy to use…What can you do with it? » original news -
Young Atheist Activists Speak in Alabama
23 Jan 2012 | 10:48 pmIf you weren’t able to go to the Southeastern Collegiate Atheist Alliance (SECAA) and Alabama Atheists & Agnostics (AAA) event this weekend, you missed hearing some great young activists: Jessica Ahlquist, JT Eberhard, and Duncan Henderson.I think Gordon Maples‘ introduction of Jessica is perfect:Some say that she’s an ‘Evil Little Thing‘… and I think that’s all I really have to say.Duncan spoke about the group he began at his junior high school:At some point, I assume JT‘s video will be up as well If… -
Drew Berry: Animations of unseeable biology
23 Jan 2012 | 10:46 pmWe have no ways to directly observe molecules and what they do -- Drew Berry wants to change that. At TEDxSydney he shows his scientifically accurate (and entertaining!) animations that help researchers see unseeable processes within our own cells.(via RichardDawkins.net) » original news -
Ask Richard: Atheistas Boyfriend Doesnat Take Her Views Seriously
23 Jan 2012 | 10:44 pmNote: Letter writers' names are changed to protect their privacy.Dear Richard,I have been a fence sitter for a long time. It’s only been this last year that I came to terms with my disbelief. Saying I’m an atheist hasn’t been easy. Most people still don’t know. The subject doesn’t come up. Which I guess I’m fortunate in that respect. I am not outspoken or any sort of activist. But here’s the problem: my boyfriend of 3 years says he’s agnostic. He doesn’t like the idea of “hardcore…
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Daylight Atheism | Big Think
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The Catholic Crackdown on Feminism
27 Jan 2012 | 11:41 amIn 2009, the Roman Catholic church convened an "apostolic visitation" - a sort of modern-day auto-da-fe - a rare step taken when the Vatican feels that a church-affiliated institution has gone seriously astray. The church officials in charge of the investigation conducted interviews at almost 400 ...Read More -
Why We Should Tax the Churches
25 Jan 2012 | 6:29 pmThis essay was previously published on AlterNet. Last November, I attended a debate in the NYU Intelligence Squared series on the topic, "Would the World Be Better Off Without Religion?" One of the audience questions concerned the enormous wealth hoarded by churches, which Christian apologist ...Read More -
Atheists Don't Just Want Sex and Drugs
24 Jan 2012 | 5:52 pmMy latest article has been posted on AlterNet, Once Again, Believers Have it Wrong: Atheists Don't Just Want Sex, Drugs, and Lack of Morality. As you might have guessed, it's the culminating entry in my recent exchange with Peter Hitchens. In it, I discuss the absence of evidence for non-human ...Read More -
The Temporal Democracy of Self-Slices
23 Jan 2012 | 5:40 amVia Dangerous Intersection, I saw this TED lecture by Daniel Kahnemann, based on his book Thinking Fast and Slow, about the conflict between the "experiencing self" and the "remembering self". His thesis is that we have countless moment-to-moment experiences, most of which quickly fade from memory ...Read More -
Open Thread: Shameless Self-Promotion Sunday
22 Jan 2012 | 7:31 amI originally got this idea from Feministe, and I used to do it every couple of months on the old site. I think it's about time for another. This is an open thread for the purposes of self-promotion. If you maintain a blog or other site that you want to tell us about, now's the time! Feel free to ...Read More
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ExChristian.Net -- encouraging ex-Christians
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The Music of the Spheres
26 Jan 2012 | 7:57 pmBy ToonForever ~ I saw an article on the behavior of dew drops on leaves.Image via WikipediaIt seems so very simple. My short interpretation is that the dew drop seeks a state of rest, which sends the dew to the tip of a leaf, even if doing so defies gravity. Such a tiny little natural phenomenon creates such spectacular beauty in a meadow on a cool morning.If I’m being honest, it’s thoughts like that which keep me agnostic. The majestic beauty of nature in uncountable ways, from the vastness of space and the stars, planets, nebulae, comets, to simple dewdrops upon a field of grass or… -
Family and Coming Out of the Closet
26 Jan 2012 | 7:57 pmBy A ~ I’m facing a bit of a difficult decision with which I would appreciate the insight of the ex-Christian group.I come from a Christian family. We may not have been fundamentalist or anything, but Christianity permeated our lives as long as I can remember as a child. We went to church regularly and, even if some of the Bible was interpreted figuratively rather than literally in our household, yet we were taught that the only way to a needed salvation was through Jesus Christ. My father is a controlling man. Not violent or openly abusive or anything of that nature, but deeply… -
The Day I Saw the Light
26 Jan 2012 | 7:56 pmBy Lillian ~ I come from a Catholic family and I attended Catholic schools for 13 years. I studied my catechisms, attended Church daily and on Sunday. When I was 18, I found myself pregnant by a man that I knew would not take care of me or our baby. Knowing that abortion was wrong, I stayed pregnant. Both my mother and a good Catholic Aunt said "Why don't you have an abortion?" I was too far along by that time to do it.My baby was handed over to strangers. I had put him into "God's hands". Over the years I prayed to God knowing that He would take care of my son because I had made the ultimate… -
"Word" Processors
26 Jan 2012 | 7:55 pmBy Carl S. ~ Several years ago, Newsweek magazine published the results of a survey asking different denomination members to define "God". Yes - that god. The definitions of "God" fell into four or five different categories. (I made a point with my wife one day that her definition of God was not the same as her brother’s, sister-in-law’s, my niece, etc.) Thus, theology, as a method to define "God" and “his” mind, wishes, and duties to Him turns out to be a means to control via . . . words. And it works.A noted Father of the Catholic Church, Thomas Aquinas, wrote of the "Five proofs… -
The Free Will Argument
26 Jan 2012 | 7:55 pmBy Klym ~ I am fairly new to the ex-xtian community, so I still struggle to explain my nonbelief to Christians. How do you reply when they give you the free will argument to explain evil? Aside from wanting to ask them if they really have two brain cells to rub together, the answer seems pretty obvious to me.Christians seem to have no problem believing that a human being can be "possessed" by the devil. Why then, do they believe there can be free will? If we truly have free will, then neither the divine nor the demonic could control us, right? And, free will seems such a convenient way to…
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Atheist Revolution
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The Fallacy of Atheism's Public Relations Problem
27 Jan 2012 | 7:15 amI think we can all agree that atheists are an unpopular minority in the United States. We've seen countless examples of bigotry directed at us by Christians, including elected officials who are supposed to know better. And it is not just the Christians; the record is not much better for members of other mainstream religions. I suspect we can agree that there are multiple reasons for how we are perceived by many religious individuals. A number of prominent atheist bloggers, women and men whose work I respect, seem to share the opinion that one of the most important obstacles faced by modern… -
Do You Support Religious Businesses?
25 Jan 2012 | 5:18 amNone of us has as much money as we'd probably like. Even if you reject the "consumer culture" of the United States and many other Western nations, you could probably think of some genuinely good things you'd like to do if you could afford it (e.g., funding secular organizations to the point where they could be truly influential). But there are things each and every one of us can do with our money that do not require us to spend any more of it than we already do. Yes, I'm talking about using our power as consumers to influence our world.I'm not Mittens Romney. Earning $374,000 a year, a figure… -
Sexism in the Atheist Community: Sexism and Misogyny
24 Jan 2012 | 5:14 amSexism and misogyny are loaded terms in that nobody wants to be accused of either of them. But what do they mean? I have seen many prominent atheist bloggers using these terms interchangeably. This was a surprise, as I've always understood them to be related but distinct concepts. I think it may be helpful to define these terms and determine whether they mean the same thing or not.MisogynyI'll start with misogyny because I think it is easier to define in some ways. I've always understood misogyny as referring to the strong dislike or hatred of women. In the social sciences, it is generally… -
FFRF Files Complaint in Rhode Island
23 Jan 2012 | 5:29 amThe Freedom From Religion Foundation has filed a complaint with the State of Rhode Island Commission for Human Rights after area florists refused to deliver an order to Jessica Ahlquist. The complaint alleges "illegal discrimination based on religion." Under Rhode Island law, a business cannot deny services to someone on the basis of that person's religion.My guess is that the florists will suggest that the FFRF lacks standing to bring the complaint on Ahlquist's behalf. I that fails, they'll most likely claim that their refusal was not based on Ahlquist's religion (or lack thereof) but on… -
Remember Christian Extremism on the 39th Anniversary of Roe
22 Jan 2012 | 10:50 amToday is the 39th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the U.S. Supreme Court decision that recognized a woman's legal right to abort a pregnancy. As we celebrate this important case and its promotion of reproductive freedom, we must not forget to acknowledge a very real problem Roe has exposed. In the years since Roe, we have seen a constant push from evangelical fundamentalist Christians to overturn it. We have also witnessed an organized campaign of harassment, intimidation, and violence directed at doctors who perform the procedure, one which many terrorist groups would be proud to claim. This…
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Al Stefanelli
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Tear Down That Big Tent
26 Jan 2012 | 11:07 amby Dave the Sandman, Guest columnist A society can best be judged by how it cares for its weakest citizens. I find US politics fascinating, but in that same way you just cant seem to avoid sneaking a look at the crumpled wrecks in a crash as you slowly creep by in your car. I watch carefully, for a lifetime of experience has taught me that whatever goes on in the US soon reaches the green and pleasant land of my birth, the UK[1]. I admire the great politicians and presidents of your past and like one of those, Franklin D Roosevelt, thought maybe its time for a little “fireside chat”. … -
Kicking Out The King Pole
19 Jan 2012 | 11:54 amby Dave the Sandman – Guest Columnist. “Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.” – Carl Sagan “What can be asserted without proof can also be dismissed without proof.” – Christopher Hitchens If there is a tenant of fundamentalist Christianity that is guaranteed to have me spitting blood and feathers it is Biblical Literalism. Belief that the Bible is the inerrant word of God, passed directly to modern generations through age after age of wise minds is pure insanity. The wickedness that this belief system facilitates is like the classic “Mafia Octopus”… -
Holier Than Thou
7 Jan 2012 | 9:51 amby Dave the Sandman, guest columnist First a little background. Till the age of 18 I attended what was, back in my day at least, a strict single sex Catholic school (Thornleigh Salesian College, Bolton, Lancs, UK). Now back then you had to be a good practicing Catholic just to get in, I was taught almost exclusively by priests and lay brothers of the faith, and RE (Religious Education) was a set part of the standard curricula till you were 16 (I got a B at O Level in it…so much for the theologically ignorant atheist argument eh?). That doesn’t mean I was one of the faithful myself, as… -
You’re Not Being Persecuted!
1 Nov 2011 | 10:22 amby Steve Martin, Guest Columnist All across the United States (but particularly in the South) public schools are violating the Constitution by sponsoring prayers in schools or before athletic events. Thankfully, groups like American Atheists and the Freedom from Religion Foundation (FFRF) are trying to uphold the law. Unfortunately, many Christians just cannot seem to get their heads around this, even though it’s often those very same Christians who scream the loudest about upholding the Constitution and liberty for all. (What they apparently mean is liberty for Christians). Among… -
Don’t go there…
6 Oct 2011 | 10:32 amWhy the religious often claim to be offended, and why atheists should continue to critique them anyway, by Steve Martin, Guest Columnist As a recently “out” atheist, I have begun more frequently to engage in discussions in public forums about beliefs in god/s. When I question or challenge my friends about their beliefs, they often pull the “I’m offended” card, or the “this isn’t the right time and place, dude” card (what is the right time, I wonder?) Rarely is the content of my criticism addressed. Instead, I’ll get the text version of an eye-roll, such as an, “oh,…
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An American Atheist
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Some good ol’ gospel music
28 Jan 2012 | 5:47 amIt’s no Spirit in the Sky. from TheChive -
Action and Reaction to de Botton’s “Atheism 2.0″
26 Jan 2012 | 3:53 pmAlain de Botton’s “Atheism 2.0″ is one of the more fascinating developments in atheism in a while, and the reactions keep coming in.Steve Rose, writing for The Guardian, is skeptical of de Botton’s “temples for atheists”:They come across like witty art installations, but would these follies – sorry, “temples” – convince any religious adherent to cross over? It’s unlikely. And why couldn’t a Christian or a Muslim enjoy the Temple of Perspective, just as an atheist can be stunned by Gaudi’s Sagrada Familia? Architecture and… -
Afghan Boy Suicide Bombers Brainwashed Into Believing They Will Survive
26 Jan 2012 | 9:30 amI don’t think much needs to be said about the appalling nature of this story. What’s remarkable is that these kids aren’t yet fully indoctrinated and, as the one in the story displayed, they are capable of stopping long enough to think rationally and choose against violence.Blindfolded and rigged with his explosive payload, the boy, who was about 13, was driven to his target in the Afghan city of Kandahar, after being plucked from the streets of Quetta in neighbouring Pakistan. Minutes before he was due to execute the attack, however, Abdul realised the lies of his… -
Santorum claims that colleges are source of indoctrination
26 Jan 2012 | 6:51 amSantorum recently claimed that the left uses colleges and universities to spread secular and liberal ideas, following with comments that it’s “no wonder” President Obama wants kids to go to college.Santorum continues:If they taught Judeo-Christian principles in those colleges and universities, they would be stripped of every dollar. If they teach radical secular ideology, they get all the government support that they can possibly give them. Because you know 62 percent of children who enter college with a faith conviction leave without it.”Santorum concluded with a call… -
SOPA Author Lamar Smith Violating SOPA on His Own Campaign Website
25 Jan 2012 | 10:00 amThis isn’t necessarily an atheist piece of news, per se. Although under SOPA, many skeptical and atheistic news and opinion sites would have certainly come under attack, since the law would allow anonymous complaints against any site and also would not require the owner of a website to be notified before its removal.What’s interesting is that under SOPA, Lamar Smith’s own site could have been taken down, and with legitimate cause.Talk about cognitive dissonance.I contacted DJ, to find out if Lamar had asked permission to use the image and he told me that he had no record of…
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The Angry Atheist
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The Angry Atheist 55 w/ Mike Van Roy
28 Jan 2012 | 1:37 amThe Angry Atheist has the first live-in -person guest on the podcast .Mike Van Roy spends some time sharing his thoughts on atheism, and atheists, as well as republicans, democrats and the independents who are most likely going to decide who our next president is. A good mix of religion and politics makes for a good conversation. Remember to pass the podcast along to one of your religious friends, it won’t convince them to give up religion but it may cause them to begin questioning it. -
The Angry Atheist 54 w/ Terry
18 Jan 2012 | 9:15 pmDoes god care about touchdowns and where you left your car keys more than he cares about getting food to starving families?? Join the Angry Atheist as he talks with Terry, who writes The Analyzed Atheist blog on Tumblr. Conspiracy theories and atheism, what is up with that? We talk about it. Terry also shares his thoughts on how to go about presenting information for people to consider. -
The Angry Atheist 53 w/ Hank Fox
15 Jan 2012 | 4:37 pmThe Angry Atheist is happy to welcome Hank Fox to the podcast. Hank is a happily godless author and blogger on atheism, religion and culture. His book “Red Neck Blue Collar Atheist: Simple Thoughts About Reason, Gods & Faith” is based on decades of examining the process in his own mind as he moved from Christianity to atheism. We also discuss where the atheist movement is going to take us in the future and how people apply reason differently according to the subject. You can find Hank’s blog Blue Collar Atheist on Freethought Blogs -
The Angry Atheist 52 w/ Ellenbeth Wachs
8 Jan 2012 | 11:33 pmOne of the Angry Atheist’s favorite militant atheists, Ellenbeth Wachs who is President of Humanists of Florida Assn and acting President of Atheists of Florida Inc. joins the podcast to talk about what she has been up to and what battles she has had to fight. Ellenbeth also tells us about fellow atheist John Kieffer and his court fight over an arrest while he was protesting prayer related to a government function. Here is how you can stand up for John…send email/letter/phone calls to these people- Polk County State Attorney’s Office State Attorney, Jerry Hill… -
The Angry Atheist 51 w/ Richard Haynes (Brother Richard)
6 Jan 2012 | 9:13 amRichard Haynes provides a sermon on atheism to the Angry Atheist by request. Richard is a former fundamentalist minister who has seen the light of science and reason. He is also executive director for Atheist Nexus which provides a hub where atheists can go to find atheist based groups of all types from around the country. Brother Richard tells us about his road through religion an what he believes atheists need to do so that others can be open about their lack of belief without it causing them strife. Make sure you check out Atheist Nexus it is a great site with lots of information. If…
