Poll: Majority of Americans would vote for an atheist for president

For the second time in less than a year, the Gallup poll reports that a majority of Americans would vote for an atheist for president.

MORE: http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/on-faith/poll-majority-of-americans-would-vote-for-an-atheist-for-president/2012/07/26/gJQAg4t8BX_story.html

See also...

Will the US see a nonreligious president?
http://www.americanhumanist.org/news/details/2012-07-will-the-us-see-a-nonreligious-president

Godless billboards return to Moscow with "Humanism Works!"

Local humanists and atheists are once again announcing their presence in the Palouse with a billboard campaign. The "Humanism Works" campaign began July 23 with the placement of a billboard on Highway 95, south of Palouse River Drive. The six-week campaign is the first in a planned series of advertisements aimed at educating the public about humanism--the idea that you can be good without belief in a god.

MORE: http://www.americanhumanist.org/news/details/2012-07-godless-billboards-return-to-moscow-with-humanism-wo

San Jose: 21 people treated for burns after firewalk at Tony Robbins appearance

SAN JOSE -- Amid inspirational talk, chanted mantras and shouts of victory at a late-night firewalking event attended by thousands Thursday came agonized shrieks from followers whose soles were scorched by the superheated coals, witnesses said.

--snip--

On the Tony Robbins website, he promotes "The Firewalk Experience," a process where people walk across coals between 1,200 and 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit.

MORE: http://www.mercurynews.com/crime-courts/ci_21125630/san-jose-21-people-treated-burns-after-firewalk

See also...

Firewalk Mishap
http://www.skepticblog.org/2012/07/23/firewalk-mishap/

Church Official in Philadelphia Gets Prison in Abuse Case

During the trial, prosecutors presented evidence that he had shielded predatory priests, sometimes transferring them to unwary parishes, and lied to the public to avoid bad publicity and lawsuits.

MORE: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/25/us/philadelphia-church-official-to-be-sentenced-in-abuse-case.html?_r=2

Chick-fil-A's political grilling

(CBS News) Controversy over the fast food chain Chick-fil-A's ties to conservative causes has been simmering for years, but it only reached a boiling point in recent days when national gay rights groups and high-profile figures like Mike Huckabee began weighing in.

MORE: http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-57481530-503544/chick-fil-as-political-grilling/?tag=cbsnewsSectionContent.4

See also...

Chick-Fil-A losing culture war
http://www.examiner.com/article/chick-fil-a-losing-culture-war

It's Official: Chick-fil-A COO Dan Cathy Comes Out as Antigay
http://www.advocate.com/business/2012/07/17/chick-fil-coo-dan-cathy-officially-comes-out-antigay?fb_comment_id=fbc_10151035017779483_24111560_10151035147749483#f3ccd6a50381592

Chick-fil-A faces gay marriage backlash
http://www.cnn.com/video/?hpt=hp_t2#/video/bestoftv/2012/07/26/tsr-snow-chick-fil-a-backlash.cnn

Evangelist Billy Graham defends Chick-fil-A
http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2012/07/26/evangelist-billy-graham-defends-chick-fil-a/?hpt=us_t4

Chick-fil-A wades into a fast-food fight over same-sex marriage rights
http://www.cnn.com/2012/07/27/us/chick-fil-a-controversy/index.html?hpt=us_c1

New San Francisco archbishop a strong opponent of same-sex marriage

In a city with one of the largest gay communities, the Vatican on Friday named San Francisco's newest archbishop: a man who is a strong opponent of same-sex marriage.

MORE: http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/07/27/12994543-new-san-francisco-archbishop-a-strong-opponent-of-same-sex-marriage?lite

Amazon's Bezos gives $2.5M same-sex marriage donation

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and his wife, MacKenzie Bezos, made a $2.5 million donation to the advocacy coalition, which supports same-sex marriage in the state of Washington. The donation, which campaign manager Zach Silk called "extraordinary" in a statement, roughly doubles WUM's budget.

MORE: http://bottomline.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/07/27/12992857-amazons-bezos-gives-25m-same-sex-marriage-donation?lite

North Dakota paper reviews ban on same-sex wedding announcements

(CNN) -- A North Dakota newspaper is reviewing its policy against printing same-sex wedding announcements in response to a social media campaign that has drawn international scrutiny.

MORE: http://www.cnn.com/2012/07/24/living/north-dakota-same-sex-wedding-ad/index.html?hpt=hp_bn11

Woman Says Salvation Army Fired Her For Being Bisexual

BURLINGTON, Vt. - A woman says her sexual orientation is the reason she was fired by the Salvation Army in Burlington. The organization did not confirm that, but tells ABC 22 that Dani Morantez's beliefs are not in line with their mission.

MORE: http://www.fox44now.com/story/19125659/bisexual-woman-says-salvation-army-fired-her-for-her-sexual-orientation?hpt=us_bn7

Black wedding banned by Baptist church

CRYSTAL SPRINGS, MS (WLBT) - It was to be their big day, but a Jackson couple says the church where they were planning to wed turned them away because of their race.

MORE: http://www.wlbt.com/story/19125864/black-wedding-banned-by-baptist-church?hpt=us_bn8

Berating Bigotry: Religious And Policy Groups Respond To Bachmann's Anti-Muslim Hysteria

I've worked here a long time and don't know that I've ever before seen a letter endorsed by both the Catholic bishops and American Atheists. I think it's safe to say that a wide swath of the American religious and non-religious community believes the Bachmann gang is all wet.

MORE: http://www.au.org/blogs/wall-of-separation/berating-bigotry-religious-and-policy-groups-respond-to-bachmann-s-anti

See also...

AHA Joins Alliance Telling Bachmann, Gohmert, Others To Stop Islamic Bigotry
http://www.americanhumanist.org/news/details/2012-07-aha-joins-alliance-telling-bachmann-gohmert-others-t

Shifting The Blame: The Religious Right's Wrong Response To The Colorado Massacre

What sparked the Colorado shootings? People no longer fear hell, says Religious Right columnist.

MORE: http://au.org/blogs/wall-of-separation/shifting-the-blame-the-religious-right-s-wrong-response-to-the-colorado

Missouri Misstep: Catholic Hierarchy Endorses Ill-Advised Amendment 2

The bishops simply see Amendment 2 as yet another opportunity to promote their sectarian agenda and carve out exemptions from laws they don't like under the guise of "religious expression."

MORE: http://www.au.org/blogs/wall-of-separation/missouri-misstep-catholic-hierarchy-endorses-ill-advised-amendment-2

Cardinal Sins: Top Catholic Bishops Bless Extremist Bill Donohue

Like most religious zealots, Bill Donohue believes that his myopic vision of the One True Faith should govern other people's lives.

MORE: http://www.au.org/blogs/wall-of-separation/cardinal-sins-top-catholic-bishops-bless-extremist-bill-donohue

Oakland Zoo Ten Commandments Removed After Outcry From Atheist Groups (PHOTOS)

The zoo is technically owned by the city of Oakland; however, it's operated by the non-profit East Bay Zoological Society. Parrott maintains the monument's presence was neither unconstitutional nor illegal--instead, it was removed to ensure that no one would feel uncomfortable visiting the zoo.

MORE: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/26/oakland-zoo-ten-commandments-removed_n_1707718.html

See also...

Lions And Tigers And -- The Ten Commandments?!: Oakland Zoo Removes Decalogue Days Before Planned Protest
http://www.au.org/blogs/wall-of-separation/lions-and-tigers-and-the-ten-commandments-oakland-zoo-removes-decalogue

Biblical monument removed from East bay zoo
http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-news/ci_21160015/biblical-monument-removed-from-east-bay-zoo

City forced to remove cross from their logo after out-of-state atheists threaten to sue

A city in Ohio has been forced to censor their logo after a group of out-of-state atheists and agnostics threatened to sue over a cross depicted in the image.

MORE: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2179933/City-Steubenville-Ohio-forced-remove-cross-logo-state-atheists-threaten-sue.html?ito=feeds-newsxml

Great Grandson Of L. Ron Hubbard Blasts Scientology

DeWolf doesn't mince words when it comes to what he really thinks about his great grandfather's ministry. He called it a "pyramid scheme that sells secrets and they sell them under the guise of self-help."

MORE: http://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2012/07/25/bay-area-great-grandson-of-l-ron-hubbard-blasts-scientology/

A New Amish Community Is Founded Every Three-And-A-Half Weeks in US, Experts Estimate

ScienceDaily -- A new census of the Amish population in the United States estimates that a new Amish community is founded, on average, about every 3 ½ weeks, and shows that more than 60 percent of all existing Amish settlements have been founded since 1990.

This pattern suggests the Amish are growing more rapidly than most other religions in the United States, researchers say. Unlike other religious groups, however, the growth is not driven by converts joining the faith, but instead can be attributed to large families and high rates of baptism.

MORE: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/07/120727131544.htm

Toddlers Object When People Break the Rules

Together, these studies suggest that children not only understand social norms at an early age, they're able to apply the norms in appropriate contexts and to the appropriate social group.

MORE: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/07/120726122125.htm

Dramatic Landing On Mars Planned

ScienceDaily -- NASA's Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) is set to deliver the largest planetary rover ever flown onto the Red Planet's surface early in the morning of 6 August.

MORE: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/07/120725105217.htm

See also...

NASA's Space Launch System Passes Major Agency Review, Moves to Preliminary Design
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/07/120725183903.htm

Orientation of Far-Off Multiplanet System Has Orientation Very Similar to Our Own Solar System
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/07/120726111352.htm

Empty space has more energy than everything in the Universe, combined
http://scienceblogs.com/startswithabang/2012/07/26/empty-space-has-more-energy-than-everything-in-the-universe-combined/

Actinobacteria as the Base of the Evolutionary Tree

Using the comparisons to quantify the evolutionary closeness of different species, the researchers have identified Actinobacteria, a group of single membrane bacteria that include common soil and water life forms, as the base of the evolutionary tree.

MORE: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/07/120726112729.htm

Superfast evolution in sea stars

How quickly can new species arise? In as little as 6,000 years, according to a study of Australian sea stars.

MORE: http://www.news.ucdavis.edu/search/news_detail.lasso?id=10291

Entropy Can Lead to Order, Paving the Route to Nanostructures

ScienceDaily -- Researchers trying to herd tiny particles into useful ordered formations have found an unlikely ally: entropy, a tendency generally described as "disorder."

MORE: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/07/120726142200.htm

Lucid Dreamers Help Scientists Locate the Seat of Meta-Consciousness in the Brain

The findings confirm earlier studies and have made the neural networks of a conscious mental state visible for the first time.

MORE: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/07/120727095555.htm

Dominican Republic abortion ban stops treatment for pregnant teen with cancer

Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic (CNN) -- In the Dominican Republic, a ban on abortion is preventing a teenage girl from receiving treatment for a life-threatening disease.
 
At the Semma Hospital in the captial city of Santo Domingo, a 16-year-old girl is dying of acute leukemia. Doctors say the girl, whose name is being withheld to protect her privacy, needs an aggressive chemotherapy treatment. But there's one problem: the teenager is nine weeks pregnant and treatment would very likely terminate the pregnancy, a violation of Dominican anti-abortion laws.

MORE: http://www.cnn.com/2012/07/25/world/americas/dominican-republic-abortion-teen/index.html

A Giant Cause at the Giant's Causeway

The reference to creationism at the Causeway may only represent a small concession to the creationist view, but what the National Trust needs to be aware of is that winning such small concessions forms a key part of creationist strategy. By encouraging organisations such as the National Trust to acknowledge creationist perspectives, it is possible that the Caleb Foundation are following the

"Wedge Strategy", a tactic devised by creationists in the United States, most notoriously the Discovery Institute, in order to "permeate religious, cultural, moral and political life" with creationism and Intelligent Design.

MORE: http://www.skepticblog.org/2012/07/25/an-important-cause-at-the-giants-causeway/

Beaten and Jailed for Atheism: Don't Let This Stand!

Alexander Aan is a pacifist, a government servant, and an atheist. He was beaten by a mob, arrested, beaten again in prison by Muslim inmates, and now sentenced and fined. It's a fair bet that once released -- if he survives prison -- another mob will come after him for "justice."

MORE: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/edward-falzon/alexander-aan-petition_b_1699603.html

Is this al Qaeda's 'last chance' for a country?

(CNN) -- Islamic radicals linked to al Qaeda have seized the northern half of Mali, one of Africa's largest nations, and there are widespread concerns that the region could soon become a terrorist haven.

MORE: http://www.cnn.com/2012/07/26/world/africa/mali-burnett-al-qaeda/index.html?hpt=iaf_t3

Iraq suffers deadliest day of 2012 as 103 are killed

The Islamic State of Iraq, an al Qaeda-linked group, claimed responsibility for the attacks. In a statement, posted on radical jihadist websites, the group praised the operation calling it a "new phase."

MORE: http://www.cnn.com/2012/07/24/world/meast/iraq-unrest/index.html?hpt=imi_c2

See also...

Militants clash with security forces in Iraq
http://www.cnn.com/2012/07/26/world/meast/iraq-violence/index.html?hpt=imi_c2

"Nones" climb to 19%

America's "Nones" -- the nonreligious -- are at an all-time high, now comprising nearly one in five Americans (19%), according to a new study by the Pew Center for the People and the Press. The 19% count is based on aggregated surveys of 19,377 people conducted by the Pew Research Center throughout 2011 and reported by USA Today.

MORE: http://ffrf.org/news/releases/nones-climb-to-19/

See also...

Survey finds 19% without religious affiliation
http://www.usatoday.com/news/religion/story/2012-07-19/no-religion-affiliation/56344976/1

Niose: Atheists making political inroads

For the first time ever, a majority of Americans would now vote for a qualified presidential candidate who is an atheist. Fifty-four percent said so in a Gallup poll published last month. The poll seems to indicate that today's secular movement, though still flying under the radar of many Americans, is producing results. The United States is witnessing a growing, empowered nonreligious demographic.

MORE: http://www.newsday.com/opinion/oped/niose-atheists-making-political-inroads-1.3850703

See also...

9 Great Nonbelievers In U.S. History
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-niose/great-nonbelievers-atheists-history_b_1677760.html

Top 10 Atheist Characters on Television
http://www.americanhumanist.org/HNN/details/2012-07-top-10-atheist-characters-on-television

Ben Bova: History says atheists just as moral as believers
http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2012/jul/22/ben-bova-history-says-atheists-just-as-moral-as/

Humanists Denounce Rep. Gohmert's Comments Linking Colorado Shootings to "Attacks on Judeo-Christian Beliefs"

"Rep. Louis Gohmert truly tortures logic when he concludes that this violence had something to do with perceived attacks on majority faith in America," said Roy Speckhardt, executive director of the American Humanist Association. "At a time when families are mourning in the wake of this tragedy, Gohmert used it as an opportunity to push a religious agenda." 

MORE: http://www.americanhumanist.org/news/details/2012-07-humanists-denounce-rep-gohmerts-comments-linking-col

See also...

Religious leaders call for prayer and tighter gun control after Colorado shooting
http://www.religionnews.com/ethics/death-and-dying/religious-leaders-call-for-prayer-and-tighter-gun-control-after-colorado-sh

Don't blame the shootings on Darwin (or on God's wrath)
http://cosmiclog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/07/21/12879842-dont-blame-the-shootings-on-darwin-or-on-gods-wrath?lite

Rick Warren: Aurora shooting the fault of evolution
http://www.examiner.com/article/rick-warren-aurora-shooting-the-fault-of-evolution

Atheists respond to Colorado shooting
http://www.examiner.com/article/atheists-respond-to-colorado-shooting

Atheist-agnostic group amps up pressure on Draper over Christian concert

A lawyer with the Freedom From Religion Foundation sent a letter to Draper Mayor Darrell Smith on Friday urging him to "cease using Draper City resources and taxpayer funds to plan, organize and promote a religious concert."

MORE: http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/blogsfaithblog/54529821-180/draper-concert-letter-christian.html.csp

Upstate Atheists Want to Adopt a Highway

They're not looking to spread any anti-religious message, organizer Eve Brannon tells me. She said the 50 or so members in her group are just looking to offer an outlet for anyone who wants to volunteer, without being involved with a church.

MORE: http://www2.wspa.com/news/2012/jul/20/upstate-atheists-want-adopt-highway-ar-4176253/

Satirical 'Bible Stories' book in pre-production

Jacob Fortin is best known as the atheist podcaster and blogger for "The Good Atheist," but now he will be adding author to that list. Fortin has been working on a book of satirical Bible stories and is raising money through Kickstarter to help in the pre-production.

MORE: http://www.examiner.com/article/satirical-bible-stories-book-pre-production

See also...

Atheist Falzon uses humour to skewer Bible
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/fyi/atheist-falzon-uses-humour-to-skewer-bible-163272236.html

Funding Fundamentalism: Student Documents Louisiana Voucher Subsidy For Creationism

It's troubling that a state government is giving almost $12 million to sectarian institutions to teach religion in science class (as well as other courses) instead of designating that money to its own public school system.

MORE: http://www.au.org/blogs/wall-of-separation/funding-fundamentalism-student-documents-louisiana-voucher-subsidy-for

Senate Committee Takes Up WWII Memorial Prayer Act

All veterans should be honored for their service, and the World War II Memorial, in its current form, does a spectacular job.

MORE: http://www.au.org/blogs/legislative/senate-committee-takes-up-wwii-memorial-prayer-act

Devious Device: Religious Right Again Pushes 'Parental Rights' Amendment

Rep. Franks is surely hoping that the third time is the charm, but no matter how you look at it, the PRA still isn't very charming.

MORE: http://au.org/blogs/wall-of-separation/devious-device-religious-right-again-pushes-parental-rights-amendment

Dangerous Ballot Measure Before Missouri Voters Next Month

What, exactly, is so dangerous about Amendment 2?  Religious freedom is already well protected in the state.  This measure would put Missouri’s constitution in conflict with the U.S. constitution, and lead to expensive and endless lawsuits paid for by Missouri taxes.  The amendment would damage public education as well.  Students would be able to refuse to complete school assignments, or even opt out of entire classes, that they oppose.  Amendment 2 would coerce prayer in public schools, and make students of minority religions and non-believers feel like outsiders in their own schools.  The amendment is so broad and misleading that these are just a few of the threats to religious freedom that could result from its passage.

MORE: http://www.au.org/blogs/legislative/dangerous-ballot-measure-before-missouri-voters-next-month

General Nuttiness: FRC Hires Islam-Bashing Ex-Army Officer For Top Position

The Family Research Council's new executive vice president believes that President Obama is planning a 'Marxist insurgency' backed by a secret military force 'that would control the population in America.'

MORE: http://www.au.org/blogs/wall-of-separation/general-nuttiness-frc-hires-islam-bashing-ex-army-officer-for-top-position 

As Ramadan begins, controversial mosque won't be ready to open doors

Sally Wall, one of the leading opponents of the mosque, said she wasn't surprised by the ruling and never thought her group would win the court case. She said she just wanted to show Muslims that they are not welcome in Murfreesboro.

MORE: http://www.cnn.com/2012/07/19/justice/tennesee-mosque-lawsuit/index.html?hpt=us_c2

Chick-fil-A's gay marriage stance causing a social storm

"We are very much supportive of the family - the biblical definition of the family unit. We are a family-owned business, a family-led business, and we are married to our first wives. We give God thanks for that," Cathy is quoted as saying.

MORE: http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2012/07/19/chick-fil-a-and-gay-marriage-a-social-media-storm/

Lesbian ex-den leader takes petition to Boy Scouts calling for reinstatement

Jennifer Tyrrell, who was the leader of a Bridgeport, Ohio, Tiger Cub den, brought 300,000 signatures collected by Change.org to the Boy Scouts' national office in Irving, Texas.

MORE: http://www.cnn.com/2012/07/18/us/boy-scouts-gay/index.html?hpt=us_c2

In First, Software Emulates Lifespan of Entire Organism

STANFORD, Calif. -- Scientists at Stanford University and the J. Craig Venter Institute have developed the first software simulation of an entire organism, a humble single-cell bacterium that lives in the human genital and respiratory tracts.

MORE: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/21/science/in-a-first-an-entire-organism-is-simulated-by-software.html?_r=1

See also...

Researchers Produce First Complete Computer Model of an Organism
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/07/120721091451.htm

The Mystery of the Missing Chromosome (With A Special Guest Appearance from Facebook Creationists)

There's something fascinating about our chromosomes. We have 23 pairs. Chimpanzees and gorillas, our closest living relatives, have 24. If you come to these facts cold, you might think this represented an existential crisis for evolutionary biologists. If we do indeed descend from a common ancestor with great apes, then our ancestors must have lost a pair after our lineage branched off, some six million years ago. How on Earth could we just give up an entire chromosome.

MORE: http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/loom/2012/07/19/the-mystery-of-the-missing-chromosome-with-a-special-guest-appearance-from-facebook-creationists/

Punishment Motivated by Fairness, Not Revenge

To find out more about the underlying motivations of human punishment, the team devised an experiment to see whether human punishment is triggered by a desire to reciprocate losses or by an aversion to unequal outcomes. Subjects were assigned one of two roles, and then allocated money according to one of three different treatments. The team found that humans are sensitive to inequity but not to losses when deciding whether to punish a cheating partner.

MORE: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/07/120718074035.htm

Atheists rally for persecuted unbeliever in Indonesia

(RNS) The atheist community has embraced the cause of an Indonesian man, Alexander Aan, who was beaten and jailed after denying God’s existence on Facebook and posting cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad.

MORE: http://www.religionnews.com/faith/international/atheists-rally-for-persecuted-unbeliever-in-indonesia

Bulgaria investigators seek clues to suicide bomber's identity

Israel has said it suspects Iran or an Islamist militant group such as Hezbollah is behind the attack, a claim that has added to tension between Israel and Tehran. Iran, which has condemned the attack, has rejected Israel's claims.

MORE: http://www.cnn.com/2012/07/20/world/europe/bulgaria-israel-blast/index.html?hpt=wo_c2

See also...

Blast kills 14 in Pakistan
http://www.cnn.com/2012/07/18/world/asia/pakistan-blast/index.html?hpt=wo_bn4

Particle Physics and the Meaning of Life - Sean Carroll at TAM2012

NYCA Joins in Suit to Get 'In god We Trust' Off Our Money

New York City Atheists is joining Dr. Michael Newdow, the California-based Atheist physician/lawyer, in a suit to get the words "In god We Trust" off our American coins and currency. NYCA president Kenneth Bronstein has recently joined Dr. Newdow as one of the plaintiffs in the suit in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.

MORE: http://richarddawkins.net/articles/646499-nyca-joins-in-suit-to-get-in-god-we-trust-off-our-money

Stop Governor Jindal's Creationist Voucher Program

Louisiana is preparing to spend over $11 million to send 1,365 students to 20 private schools that teach creationism instead of science as part of Governor Bobby Jindal's new voucher program.  It is time to halt the implementation of this creationist voucher program.

MORE: http://www.repealcreationism.com/697/stop-governor-jindals-creationist-voucher-program-before-governor-romney-takes-it-nationwide/

Barton Broadside: Religious Right Pseudo-Historian Replies (Weakly) To Critics

This is history pressed into the service of right-wing politics. It is history bent and twisted to serve an ideology. It is history with a political agenda.

MORE: http://www.au.org/blogs/wall-of-separation/barton-broadside-religious-right-pseudo-historian-replies-weakly-to-critics

Want to know what the high school secular landscape looks like?

It is obvious that it is not a lack of pride on the part of minorities that necessitates school clubs and other means of protection, but rather the discriminatory behavior they face at the hands of other students and, as Mr. XXXXX has so eagerly established, at the hands of their teachers.

MORE: http://freethoughtblogs.com/wwjtd/2012/07/16/want-to-know-what-the-high-school-secular-landscape-looks-like/

NASA's Car-Sized Rover Nears Daring Landing On Mars

ScienceDaily -- NASA's most advanced planetary rover is on a precise course for an early August landing beside a Martian mountain to begin two years of unprecedented scientific detective work. However, getting the Curiosity rover to the surface of Mars will not be easy.

MORE: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/07/120716150448.htm

Mahfud reaffirms support for atheists

Despite allowing people to adhere to atheism or communism, Indonesia maintains several laws that combat their existence. Several measures have been taken to make people in these groups equal to followers of other faiths, but such initiatives have so far failed.

MORE: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2012/07/17/mahfud-reaffirms-support-atheists.html

"Nonbeliever Nation: The Rise of Secular Americans"

"Religious freedom is a cherished American value," writes David Niose in his new book, Nonbeliever Nation (Palgrave Macmillan, 2012), "but religious predominance is not." Published in July, the book takes the reader through a history of secularism in the United States and renders the powerful rise of the conservative religious right in sharp detail. But what makes the book groundbreaking is Niose's survey of the growing number of Americans who call themselves secularists, humanists, atheists, freethinkers, and skeptics-in general, the nonbelievers who have been organizing and growing as a force to be reckoned with, namely by the religious right that continues to impose its dogmatic agenda upon the nation. An attorney who is also the president of the American Humanist Association and author of a humanist-themed blog for Psychology Today, Niose is perfectly poised to check and report on the pulse of the current secular zeitgeist. Richard Dawkins characterizes the book as "simultaneously disturbing and reassuring" and Michael Shermer calls it "The Feminist Mystique of this movement, destined to be a classic in freedom literature."

MORE: http://thehumanist.org/july-august-2012/nonbeliever-nation-the-rise-of-secular-americans/

New opposition to the religious right arises

Today's secular movement, though still flying under the radar of many Americans, is unquestionably producing results, as numerous indicators reflect a growing, empowered nonreligious demographic.

MORE: http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20120710%2FOPINION%2F207100302

Local atheists combat negative image

For many atheists and agnostics, fitting in hasn't always been easy. "One of the hardest things is everyone assumes that you're Christian. They'll talk to you about churches and Bible school for the kids," said Heather Storta, an atheist who moved to Concord in 1999.

"It seems like when they find out you're not, there's this change in their perception of you."

That's probably the biggest obstacle atheists and agnostics face here. "One of the most common stereotypes I run into is that atheists can't possibly be good people," said Shawn Murphy, president of Charlotte Atheists and Agnostics, a group whose membership runs into the hundreds.

MORE: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2012/07/09/3358415/local-atheists-combat-negative.html#storylink=misearch

For churches talking politics, tax exempt status a hard line to cross

The tax rules have been in place since the 1950s. No house of worship has ever lost its tax exempt status because its leadership took  a political stance.

MORE: http://www.wsoctv.com/news/news/churches-talking-politics-tax-exempt-status-hard-l/nPrMW/

Humanist Leaders Meet with U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom

American Humanist Association is only nontheist organization in attendance, highlighted need to represent people of non-faith.

MORE: http://www.americanhumanist.org/news/details/2012-07-aha-meets-with-us-commission-on-international-religi

Wilmington, NC City Council Asked To Stop Unconstitutional Sectarian Prayers

The American Humanist Association is asking the Wilmington, NC city council to stop holding sectarian prayers during public meetings because it is a violation of the separation of church and state. The prayers have frequently been expressly Christian in nature.

MORE: http://www.americanhumanist.org/news/details/2012-07-wilmington-nc-city-council-asked-to-stop-unconstitut

Atheists to launch Tennessee lobbying group

A national atheist group plans to organize a lobbying group in Tennessee to advocate for stronger separation of church and state.

MORE: http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120710/NEWS06/307100064/Atheists-to-launch-Tennessee-lobbying-group?nclick_check=1

See also...

Atheists register lobbying group to fight church and state issues
http://www.examiner.com/article/atheists-register-lobbying-group-to-fight-church-and-state-issues

Atheists to lobby on church separation
http://www.clarionledger.com/article/20120714/FEAT04/207140303/Atheists-lobby-church-separation?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7CHome%7Cs

Existence of Atheists Offends Christians

The more of these billboards that go up around the U.S., the better. The more the local news highlights Christian offended by such thoroughly inoffensive messages, the better. When Christian bigotry is exposed, the eventual result will be fewer Christians.

MORE: http://www.atheistrev.com/2012/07/existence-of-atheists-offends.html

200,000 pledge to vote for Jesus in 2012

Keller is claiming that over 200,000 people have already pledged to vote for Jesus Christ on their November ballots.

MORE: http://www.examiner.com/article/200-000-pledge-to-vote-for-jesus-2012

False Prophets: Religious Right's Military Chaplaincy Predictions Bomb

When plans were made for gays to serve openly in the military, Religious Right zealots and the Catholic hierarchy were predictably apoplectic. They imagined a range of dire consequences including a devastating impact on the work of military chaplains.

MORE: http://www.au.org/blogs/wall-of-separation/false-prophets-religious-right-s-military-chaplaincy-predictions-bomb

Atheist Points Out Biblical Hatred of Homosexuals

Many Christians use the excuse that some parts of the Bible are outdated and don't fit in with how they feel -- and this appears to be a whitewashed excuse for not following their own religion.

This, on its own, poses the valid question: Why, then, do you even follow the religion?

MORE: http://news.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981465288

Atheist Calls Out Pastor on Gays Can Go to Heaven Comments
http://www.christianpost.com/news/atheist-calls-out-pastor-on-gays-can-go-to-heaven-comments-77973/

Saints to change name on atheist night at ballpark

The St. Paul Saints plan to change their name for a game sponsored by atheist groups.
 
The American Association minor league club will call itself the "Mr. Paul Aints" when they host the Amarillo Sox on Aug. 10.

MORE: http://hamptonroads.com/2012/07/saints-change-name-atheist-night-ballpark

It's Graduation, Not Confirmation -- South Carolina School Begins Commencement With Prayer

Since when can a vote decide the extent to which a public educational institution adheres to religious liberty?

MORE: http://au.org/blogs/wall-of-separation/it-s-graduation-not-confirmation-south-carolina-school-begins-commencement

County Commission Starts Clergy List; Atheist Escorted Out By Deputy After He Defies Chairman

The County Commission started its meeting on Thursday with the first opening prayer by a clergyman from the new ministerial list and ended the meeting with a declared atheist being escorted from the room by a deputy.

MORE: http://www.chattanoogan.com/2012/7/12/230107/County-Commission-Starts-Clergy-List.aspx

Stamp Of Disapproval: Bishops And Religious Right Intensify Crusade Against Contraceptives

Right-wing religious groups that seek to curtail Americans' ability to get and use birth control are feeling newly empowered.

MORE: http://www.au.org/blogs/wall-of-separation/stamp-of-disapproval-bishops-and-religious-right-intensify-crusade-against

Bradlee Dean Blowback: Junkyard Prophet Ordered To Pay Up

In March, Dean's band Junkyard Prophet performed at a public school in Dunkerton, Iowa. According to the LaCrosse Tribune, Junkyard Prophet didn't offer much in the way of religion or hatred during its performance for the whole school, but when the band asked to divide the boys and girls into separate groups for breakout sessions, things really got bad.

MORE: http://www.au.org/blogs/wall-of-separation/bradlee-dean-blowback-junkyard-prophet-ordered-to-pay-up

Some businesses see benefits to pro-gay stance

Google's campaign, announced last week, comes on the heels of Mother's and Father's Day promotions by J.C. Penney featuring same-sex parents, a Gap ad featuring a male Broadway performer and his boyfriend, and Target selling t-shirts as a fundraiser for the Family Equality Council, a group lobbying against a same-sex marriage ban in the retailer’s home state of Minnesota.

Last November, four dozen companies ranging from Nike to Microsoft signed a statement essentially supporting gay marriage by objecting to the Defense of Marriage Act. In February, Goldman Sachs CEO Lloyd Blankfein participated in a Human Rights Campaign web video in support of marriage equality. "There's no doubt that American businesses will be central to the dismantling of DOMA," Human Rights Campaign president Joe Solmonese told Politico last month.

MORE: http://bottomline.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/07/12/12667034-some-businesses-see-benefits-to-pro-gay-stance?lite

Mississippi's end run around abortion

The state has instituted a series of unreasonable regulations for doctors who perform abortions. Using a practice very similar to the kind of bottlenecking that was done to suppress black votes during the Jim Crow era, Mississippi has systematically squeezed the number of abortion clinics in the state down to just one.

MORE: http://www.cnn.com/2012/07/11/opinion/granderson-mississippi-abortion/index.html?hpt=hp_bn7

See also...

Judge lets Mississippi's only abortion clinic stay open -- for now
http://www.cnn.com/2012/07/11/us/mississippi-abortion-clinic-hearing/index.html?hpt=hp_bn1

Strange religious bedfellows unite for letter against hotel porn

(CNN) -- A letter penned by two notable scholars – a Christian and a Muslim – and sent to a number of different hotel industry executives has asked those hotels to remove pornography from their company’s in-room movie selections.

MORE: http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2012/07/12/strange-religious-bedfellows-unite-for-letter-against-hotel-porn/?hpt=us_t5

Faithful flock to 'bleeding' Virgin Mary

Dozens of believers gather on the lawn of a Baton Rouge family after their statue of the Virgin Mary appears to bleed.

MORE: http://www.cnn.com/video/?hpt=hp_t2#/video/us/2012/07/13/dnt-la-bleeding-virgin-mary-statue-wbrz.cnn

A Blip That Speaks of Our Place in the Universe

It is natural for those not deeply involved in the half-century quest for the Higgs to ask why they should care about this seemingly esoteric discovery. There are three reasons.

MORE: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/10/science/in-higgs-discovery-a-celebration-of-our-human-capacity.html?_r=1&pagewanted=all

See also...

A Super-Sized Sister Solar System!
http://scienceblogs.com/startswithabang/2012/07/11/a-super-sized-sister-solar-system/

The Good Fight

Prominent scientists are in a bitter struggle over the origins of kindness.

MORE: http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/primate-diaries/2012/07/09/the-good-fight/

See also...

Love Thy Neighbor, Unless They Are The Weakest Link
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/07/120712224624.htm

Scientists place 500-million-year-old gene in modern organism
http://phys.org/news/2012-07-scientists-million-year-old-gene-modern.html

New Pluto Moon Found--"Fringe Benefit" of Search for Risky Rings

Unnamed natural satellite underscores Pluto's surprising complexity.

MORE: http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2012/07/120712-pluto-moon-hubble-space-telescope-satellite-science-nasa/

Death of scientific evidence mourned on Parliament Hill

Scientists, concerned citizens hold mock funeral in Ottawa to protest federal cuts.

MORE: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/2012/07/10/pol-death-evidence-protest-parliament-hill.html?cmp=rss

Evolution? I don't believe it. Haven't you heard of Nessie?

They confidently claim that the Loch Ness monster disproves Darwinism and that there is clear proof of creationism. But that has not stopped a set of controversial Christian qualifications - used by dozens of British private schools - being described as comparable to international O and A levels.

--snip--

Some of the claims made in Accelerated Christian Education curriculum materials:

A science textbook denies that the sun is powered by nuclear fusion and says its creation took place "a few thousand years ago".

Evolution is described as an "indefensible theory".

One textbook says "no transitional fossils exist".

A current course textbook describes homosexuality as a "learned behaviour".

MORE: http://www.tes.co.uk/article.aspx?storycode=6259996

Dawkinsia, new genus

Etymology. The genus is named for Richard Dawkins, for his contribution to the public understanding of science and, in particular, of evolutionary science.

MORE: http://richarddawkins.net/articles/646501-dawkinsia-new-genus

Son: Iranian dad arrested for my Facebook posts

With more than 21,000 likes, the page explains, "Our goal is to use satire to take out the superstition from religion."

MORE: http://www.cnn.com/2012/07/12/world/facebook-iran-imam/index.html?hpt=wo_t2

International outrage grows over destruction of Mali shrines

(CNN) -- The United States is condemning the destruction of two more tombs in northern Mali as international outrage grows over Islamist militants' attacks on historic and religious landmarks in the nation.

MORE: http://www.cnn.com/2012/07/12/world/africa/mali-shrines-destroyed/index.html?hpt=iaf_c2

Suicide bomber detonates at Afghan wedding, kills at least 17

"We suspect it is the Taliban who are enemies of Afghanistan."

MORE: http://www.cnn.com/2012/07/14/world/asia/afghanistan-wedding-blast/index.html?hpt=ias_c1

Gunmen kill 9 Pakistani prison guards in attack on building

Shortly afterward, the Taliban claimed responsibility for the act.

MORE: http://www.cnn.com/2012/07/12/world/asia/pakistan-violence/index.html?hpt=ias_c2

See also...

Bomb blast at political rally in Pakistan kills 7, police say
http://www.cnn.com/2012/07/13/world/asia/pakistan-unrest/index.html?hpt=ias_c2

"Godless Billboard" Stirs Emotions

Omaha, NE -- It's the sign that has thousands talking about their religion or even their lack of religious beliefs.  Have you seen it?  It's sitting on the corner of 72nd and Pacific, the billboard is the first 'Godless Billboard' in Nebraska.

MORE: http://www.kmtv.com/news/local/161872095.html

See also...

Atheist Billboard Goes Up in Omaha
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2012/07/06/atheist-billboard-goes-up-in-omaha/

Godless Billboard in Omaha Heralds Freethought Conference
http://unitedcor.org/national/news/godless-billboard-omaha-heralds-freethought-conference

You don’t need God to be good . . . or generous

Examples of charitable relief efforts set up by non-believers in recent years include the Skeptics and Humanists Aid and Relief Effort, organised by the admirable Center for Inquiry; and the Humanist Charities operated by the American Humanist Association. At the time of the 2010 Haiti earthquake, the Richard Dawkins Foundation for Reason and Science set up Non-Believers Giving Aid (NBGA). Entirely through the website RichardDawkins.net, NBGA raised more than half a million dollars (for Doctors Without Borders and the Red Cross) in less than a month, almost all of it in the form of small donations from thousands of individual subscribers, passed on in their entirety, with no deductions for expenses, handling changes etc.

The most ambitious example of such an initiative for non-believing donors has just been launched by the atheist activist and philanthropist Todd Stiefel. The Stiefel family has pledged to match up to half a million dollars, which would bring in a target total of a million dollars in aid of cancer research through Foundation Beyond Belief.

MORE: http://richarddawkins.net/articles/646445-you-don-t-need-god-to-be-good-or-generous-also-in-polish

Join the American Humanist Association in Helping To Raise $1 Million for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

Humanists from around the world are uniting to raise $1,000,000 for LLS, and we need your help. Now's the time to show what we can achieve together when we unite around our reason-based values.

MORE: http://www.americanhumanist.org/news/details/2012-07-join-the-american-humanist-association-in-helping-to

What "Dummies" need to know about atheism

Dale McGowan is an author and executive director of Foundation Beyond Belief, a nontheistic charitable organization. He was recently enlisted to write "Atheism for Dummies," the first book about nontheists from the "Dummies" series of books.

MORE: http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/on-faith/what-dummies-need-to-know-about-atheism/2012/07/09/gJQAtKZvYW_story.html

Five Recommendations for a New Politeness

With political correctness an irreformable term, and chivalry having its own baggage, perhaps we can learn to be polite without allowing it to hamper our ability to be opinionated.

MORE: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/roy-speckhardt/five-recommendations-for-_b_1648705.html

Timelapse video: artist paints 30 foot high mural on a CERN control room

This short, time-lapse video was finished June 2012, using photos that were taken during the project's execution:

What would disprove evolution?

If evolution is a scientific theory worth its salt, then there must be some conceivable observations that could show it to be wrong.

MORE: http://whyevolutionistrue.wordpress.com/2012/07/09/what-would-disprove-evolution/


Free iPad app: Evolution -- Making Sense of Life
http://richarddawkins.net/articles/646450-free-ipad-app-evolution-making-sense-of-life

Evangelicals Fight Over Therapy To 'Cure' Gays

Supporters call it "conversion therapy." Critics call it "praying away the gay." Whatever name you use, it's creating a ruckus in Christian circles about whether a person can change his or her sexual orientation. And now the largest "ex-gay ministry" is rejecting the approach.

MORE: http://www.npr.org/2012/07/06/156367287/evangelicals-fight-over-therapy-to-cure-gays?sc=fb&cc=fmp

Former Scientologist opens up on religion

CNN's Anderson Cooper talks to a former Scientologist about her experiences with the religious group.

MORE: http://www.cnn.com/video/?hpt=hp_t2#/video/bestoftv/2012/07/10/ac-woodcraft-scientology-interview.cnn

Job And Justice: Judge's Mandate Is Mistake Of Biblical Proportions

Should judges require convicts to read the Bible and write essays about it? In a nation that separates religion and government, you’d think the answer would be a clear "No!"

MORE: http://www.au.org/blogs/wall-of-separation/job-and-justice-judge-s-mandate-is-mistake-of-biblical-proportions

Courting Confusion: Why Is The Ohio Supreme Court Hearing A Creationist Teacher's Case?

A middle school science teacher who was fired in January 2011 is set to have his case reviewed by the Ohio Supreme Court even though he not only taught creationism, but also was accused of branding a student with a cross.

MORE: http://www.au.org/blogs/wall-of-separation/courting-confusion-why-is-the-ohio-supreme-court-hearing-a-creationist

See also...

Ohio Supreme Court agrees to hear creationism appeal
http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2012/07/05/supreme-court-to-hear-creationism-appeal.html

Family moves cross from adopt-a-spot after atheists complain

The white cross featuring the words God Bless America recently caused a stir when local atheist group, the Humanists of Rhode Island, wrote a letter to the mayor asking that it be removed because it violated separation of church and state since it sat on public land. The cross is located on a median on Pleasant Valley Parkway across from the Coca-Cola factory.

MORE: http://630wpro.com/Article.asp?id=2489978&spid=37719

Episcopal bishops authorize gay blessing

(AP) Episcopal bishops approved an official prayer service for blessing same-sex couples Monday at a national convention that also cleared the way for transgender ordination.

At the Episcopal General Convention in Indianapolis, the House of Bishops voted 111-41, with three abstentions, to authorize a provisional rite for same-sex unions for the next three years. The liturgy next goes to convention's deputies for their authorization.

MORE: http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-201_162-57469077/episcopal-bishops-authorize-gay-blessing/?tag=cbsnewsSectionContent.1

Indiana abortion law ruled illegal

(CNN) - A controversial Indiana law that would keep low-income women from using federal Medicaid benefits to receive any kind of reproductive medical care from Planned Parenthood is unacceptable because it denies women the freedom to choose their health care providers, according to a federal hearing officer.

MORE: http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2012/07/09/indiana-abortion-law-ruled-illegal/?hpt=hp_t2

Nature journal wins libel case, highlights holes in UK defamation law

A three-year long libel case brought against a science journal has been dismissed, in a move that highlights the need for a public interest clause in UK defamation law to protect the free press.

MORE: http://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2012-07/06/nature-wins-libel-case