New Research - Take Part

Researchers from the University of Tampa and Iowa State University would like your opinions for a study. Their survey looks at the perceptions and attitudes of both affiliated and unaffiliated nonbelievers, concerning the functions and activities of secular, freethought, humanist, and atheist organizations, and also the conduct of individuals and groups in the broader atheist movement/community in general. It'll take about 10 minutes, and you need not answer every question.

MORE: https://iastatepsychhci.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_aV05npFsGBmK2hL

What religion has contributed to the world this month - Episode 14

10 signs that religious fundamentalism is going down

If you are a nonbeliever in the mood for a party, here are 10 reasons to celebrate.

MORE: http://www.salon.com/2014/01/02/10_signs_that_religious_fundamentalism_is_going_down_partner/

Earlier...

Americans' Belief in God, Miracles and Heaven Declines
http://www.harrisinteractive.com/NewsRoom/HarrisPolls/tabid/447/ctl/ReadCustom%20Default/mid/1508/ArticleId/1353/Default.aspx

New Study Finds That Divorce Rates Are Higher in Counties with a Greater Concentration of Conservative Christians

Demographers Jennifer Glass at the University of Texas and Philip Levchak at the University of Iowa looked at the entire map of the United States, going county by county, to examine where divorces occurred in 2000 and what the characteristics of those counties were. Their work confirms that one of the strongest factors predicting divorce rates (per 1000 married couples) is the concentration of conservative or evangelical Protestants in that county.

MORE: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2014/01/19/new-study-finds-that-divorce-rates-are-higher-in-counties-with-a-greater-concentration-of-conservative-christians/

Humanity Is Becoming Increasingly Less Violent, with One Exception --- Religious Violence

Studies demonstrate the world is becoming less violent, and that human warfare is on the decline. There is one aspect of the human existence, however, that continues to ignite humans to commit violence and atrocities against fellow humans. A major new study published by the Pew Research Center shows that religious hostilities reached a 6-year high in 2012.

MORE: http://www.alternet.org/belief/humanity-becoming-increasingly-less-violent-one-exception-religious-violence

See also...

Religious groups face increased hostility worldwide - report
http://uk.reuters.com/article/2014/01/14/uk-religion-hostility-report-idUKBREA0D0XK20140114

11 Things Atheists Couldn't Do Because They Didn't Believe In God

When it comes to discussions on institutionalized discrimination, atheists often are left out.

MORE: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/01/16/atheists-discrimination_n_4413593.html?utm_hp_ref=fb&src=sp&comm_ref=false#sb=1688173b=facebook

The War on Atheists

There's a recent essay making the rounds in my part of the Facebook world, where the author reveals that atheists are educated elites who can afford to indulge their belief -- or probably it's more accurate to say non-belief -- and are absolute jerks for saying out loud what a lot of people fear might be true: There is no God.

MORE: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/james-ishmael-ford/the-war-on-atheists_b_4526105.html

Without a prayer: Politicians of no faith afraid to say so

Even as Americans become less religious and their tolerance for atheism is growing, there are still very few politicians who are openly nonreligious. They have to walk the thin line between their personal feelings and public image.

MORE: http://www.sj-r.com/article/20140103/ENTERTAINMENTLIFE/140109889/10298/LIFESTYLE/?tag=1

A Short, Excellent Documentary About Non-Believers of Color

Darrin Johnson created a short-but-fascinating documentary about atheists of color and how they’re portrayed in the media.

MORE: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2014/01/10/a-short-excellent-documentary-about-non-believers-of-color/

God's Not Going to Help Your Team Win the Super Bowl

According to a survey released yesterday by Public Religion Research Institute, waaaaaaay too many Americans think they have some sort of direct effect on how their favorite sports team does.

MORE: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2014/01/17/gods-not-going-to-help-your-team-win-the-super-bowl/

Atheist billboard in SLC draws attention

The American Atheist convention will be held in Salt Lake City April 17-20, 2014.

MORE: http://fox13now.com/2014/01/04/atheist-billboard-in-slc-draws-attention/

President Obama Includes 'Atheists and Agnostics' as Part of America's 'Cultural Fabric'

After President Obama gave a shout-out to "nonbelievers" in his first inaugural address in 2009, atheists have felt a little bit out in the cold with our president. His record on ending discrimination in hiring within faith-based initiatives has been disappointing to nonexistent. His participation in the National Prayer Breakfast events has been galling and frustrating. And in a major Supreme Court case, his decision to side with unconstitutional sectarian prayer at government functions has been enough to make a secularist throw up his or her hands in exasperated disgust.

MORE: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2014/01/16/president-obama-includes-atheists-and-agnostics-as-part-of-americas-cultural-fabric/

See also...

Presidential Proclamation On Religious Freedom Day 2014
http://americanhumanist.org/news/details/2014-01-presidential-proclamation-on-religious-freedom-day-2

Secular Wedding Celebrants May Soon Become a Reality in New Jersey

The Garden State may soon allow secular civil celebrants to officiate marriages.

MORE: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2014/01/09/secular-wedding-celebrants-may-soon-become-a-reality-in-new-jersey/

Atheist Group Seeks to Recruit Members With Sign 'Relax, Hell Doesn't Exist, Enjoy Your Life'

Atheists in San Diego, Calif. are trying a new approach to recruiting non-believers by offering food, such as pretzels and cheezits, and putting up large banners that read "Relax: hell does not exist, or heaven either, enjoy your life."

MORE: http://www.christianpost.com/news/atheist-group-seeks-to-recruit-members-with-sign-relax-hell-doesnt-exist-enjoy-your-life-109378/

Foundation Beyond Belief Members Raised $124,090 for Charity Over the Past Three Months

Foundation Beyond Belief just released the results from the Fourth Quarter of 2013.

MORE: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2014/01/16/foundation-beyond-belief-members-raised-124090-for-charity-over-the-past-three-months/

eBay Repeatedly Removes South Carolina Atheist Leader's Auction to Send Her to Church

Eve Brannon, the president of the Upstate Atheists in South Carolina, decided to sell her church-going services on eBay so that the highest bidder (presumably a Christian) could get her and her daughter to attend one Sunday morning church service. The money would have been used toward her group's charity work.

MORE: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2014/01/11/ebay-repeatedly-removes-south-carolina-atheist-leaders-auction-to-send-her-to-church/

The Secular Pathfinders Are Trying to Build Latrines in Haiti

One of the projects they're working on (with Children of the Border) is building latrines for people in La Fond-Jeannette, Haiti, a community still dealing with the aftermath of the 2010 earthquake.

MORE: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2014/01/06/the-secular-pathfinders-are-trying-to-build-latrines-in-haiti/

The Money That Was Rejected by the Morton Grove Park District and Public Library Has Finally Been Accepted

For more than two months now, I've been trying to give the community of Morton Grove, Illinois over $3,000 that readers raised after a local American Legion post withheld a significant amount of money from the Park District when board Commissioner Dan Ashta wouldn't stand for the Pledge of Allegiance.

MORE: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2014/01/08/the-money-that-was-rejected-by-the-morton-grove-park-district-and-public-library-has-finally-been-accepted/

Responding to the 50 Great Myths About Atheism

How many times have we heard people argue atheists don't give to charity? Or that we fear death? Or that we're just rebelling against God's authority? Russell Blackford and Udo Schuklenk have heard those false claims many times before and they've responded to them (and several other nasty stereotypes) in their new book 50 Great Myths About Atheism (Wiley-Blackwell, 2013).

MORE: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2014/01/04/responding-to-the-50-great-myths-about-atheism-3/

Jessica Ahlquist looks back -- and ahead -- 2 years after Ahlquist v. Cranston

On January 11, 2012, a federal judge ordered the removal of a "School Prayer" banner at Cranston High School West in Cranston, Rhode Island, saying that it violated the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment. Ahlquist--then a 16-year-old student at Cranston High School West--was a plaintiff in Ahlquist v. Cranston and effectively became its public face, appearing on CNN and in the New York Times.

MORE: http://chrisstedman.religionnews.com/2014/01/05/jessica-ahlquist-looks-back-ahead-2-years-ahlquist-v-cranston/

Margaret Doughty, Who Was Almost Denied U.S. Citizenship Because of Her Atheism, Tells Her Story

You may recall the story of Margaret Doughty, the 64-year-old who was denied citizenship in America because she was an atheist.

MORE: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2014/01/05/margaret-doughty-who-was-almost-denied-u-s-citizenship-because-of-her-atheism-tells-her-story/

Atheists battle supernatural villains in new comic miniseries

"S.H.O.O.T. First" stands for "Secular Humanist Occult Obliteration Taskforce," and the series involves a band of atheists who fight evil supernatural monsters that prey on human faith.

MORE: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2014/01/16/4617419/atheists-battling-supernatural.html#.Utqzo_Qo5on

Pastafarian Wins Election to Town Board and Takes Oath with a Colander on His Head

Back in October, Christopher Schaeffer announced his candidacy for election to the Pomfret Town Board in New York. He was elected the following month and was sworn in Thursday.

MORE: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2014/01/05/pastafarian-wins-election-to-town-board-and-takes-oath-with-a-colander-on-his-head/

See also...

The Pastafarian Politician Explains Why He Wore a Colander at His Swearing-In Ceremony
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2014/01/06/the-pastafarian-politician-explains-why-he-wore-a-colander-at-his-swearing-in-ceremony/

An "Atheist Church" Schism

In the split, a New York branch of the group lambasted the Sunday Assembly's marginalization (ironically) of atheists, calling the group a "humanistic cult."

MORE: http://www.religiondispatches.org/dispatches/sarahposner/7500/an__atheist_church__schism/

See also...

After a schism, a question: Can atheist churches last?
http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2014/01/04/after-a-schism-a-question-can-atheist-churches-last/comment-page-9/

Sunday Assembly: A Church For The Godless Picks Up Steam
http://www.npr.org/2014/01/07/260184473/sunday-assembly-a-church-for-the-godless-picks-up-steam

A Year Without God: A Former Pastor's Journey Into Atheism

In short, I will do whatever I can to enter the world of atheism and live, for a year, as an atheist.

MORE: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ryan-j-bell/a-year-without-god_b_4512842.html?ncid=edlinkusaolp00000009

See also...

Remember the Pastor Trying Out Atheism for a Year? He Just Got Fired by His Christian Employers. Let’s Help Him Out
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2014/01/06/remember-the-pastor-trying-out-atheism-for-a-year-he-just-got-fired-by-his-christian-employers-lets-help-him-out/

Ex-Calif. pastor tries atheism for 2014, gets dropped by 3 Christian employers
http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/ex-pastor-loses-jobs-proclaiming-ll-atheism-article-1.1571520

The Prophet

"Dr. Alexander," Carlson said, "if people don't know your story, you, you were ill, you were in a coma, you left this earth for a week, you were in heaven, and then you wrote about your experiences there, and you were told that you were supposed to come back to the earth."

MORE: http://www.esquire.com/features/the-prophet

Parade Of Religious Right Extremists: Va. Town’s Religious Freedom Celebration Dishonors Vision Of Thomas Jefferson

Jefferson believed very strongly in the importance of individual freedom, and that included the ability to believe -- or not believe -- whatever you want when it comes to religion. An event that annually brings in speakers who don’t share the Sage of Monticello’s vision is an insult to the memory of both the man and one of his most treasured accomplishments.

MORE: https://au.org/blogs/wall-of-separation/parade-of-religious-right-extremists-va-town-s-religious-freedom

See also...

Religious freedom part of city’s roots
http://www.freelancestar.com/2014-01-13/articles/27010/religious-freedom-part-of-citys-roots/

Losing Political Candidate Sues Rival Who Cursed Her With a 'Black Magic' Mural of a Giant Rooster

When, in the Democratic primary of this past fall, Gwen Goodwin decisively lost her race for a New York City Council position, she decided that her defeat was perhaps the result of supernatural forces.

MORE: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2014/01/05/losing-political-candidate-sues-rival-who-cursed-her-with-a-black-magic-mural-of-a-giant-rooster/

Brain Dead Girl's Principal Assures Students That Their Prayers Could Help Her Come Back to Life

The wishful thinking may be welcome at church, but the school has no business conducting a prayer rally and giving students false hope.

MORE: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2014/01/17/brain-dead-girls-principal-assures-students-that-their-prayers-could-help-her-come-back-to-life/

Flower Mound mayor's 'Year of the Bible' draws praise, criticism

On Thursday, the Anti-Defamation League called the proclamation religiously divisive and urged the mayor to reconsider his actions.

MORE: http://www.dallasnews.com/news/community-news/flower-mound/headlines/20140102-flower-mound-mayors-year-of-the-bible-draws-praise-criticism.ece

See also...

Problematic Proclamation: Texas Mayor Declares 2014 'Year of the Bible'
https://au.org/blogs/wall-of-separation/problematic-proclamation-texas-mayor-declares-2014-year-of-the-bible

Atheist Candidate for Texas State Representative Offers Video Rebuttal to 'Year of the Bible' Mayor
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2014/01/05/atheist-candidate-for-texas-state-representative-offers-video-rebuttal-to-year-of-the-bible-mayor/

South Carolina Lawmakers Renew Effort to Introduce Prayer in Public Schools, Selling It as a Long Moment of Silence

I wanted to put together a list of all the places where Americans are allowed to pray unhindered, but it occurred to me that I should just present a picture for slower readers. Here it is.

MORE: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2014/01/02/south-carolina-lawmakers-renew-effort-to-introduce-prayer-in-public-schools-selling-it-as-a-long-moment-of-silence/

See also...

South Carolina Lawmakers, Seeking to Introduce Daily Prayer in Schools, Have Kindly Thought of Atheists, Too
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2014/01/09/south-carolina-lawmakers-seeking-to-introduce-daily-prayer-in-schools-have-kindly-thought-of-atheists-too/

Carroll County (MD) Residents Challenge Commissioner's Prayer's In Court

A U.S. Supreme Court case involving a town in upstate New York might ultimately decide the fate of a federal lawsuit from two residents challenging the Carroll County Board of Commissioners’ practice of starting each meeting with a prayer to Jesus Christ.

MORE: http://americanhumanist.org/news/details/2014-01-carroll-county-md-residents-challenge-comissioners-p

Huddling With Jesus?: UConn Football Coach Says Players Must Accept Christ To Succeed

No public school employee should be actively working to coerce his or her students (or players) into accepting any religious belief. Jones' job is to coach football, and that's where his focus should be.

MORE: https://au.org/blogs/wall-of-separation/huddling-with-jesus-uconn-football-coach-says-players-must-accept-christ-to

Senator Mary Landrieu (D-LA) Just Got a Provision Passed That Will Use Taxpayer Money to Fund Religious Programs

She sponsored a bill that would "prohibit the revocation or withholding of Federal funds to programs whose participants carry out voluntary religious activities."

MORE: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2014/01/18/senator-mary-landrieu-d-la-just-got-a-provision-passed-that-will-use-taxpayer-money-to-fund-religious-programs/

Courthouse Controversy: New York City Judge Censured For Workplace Evangelism

From 2006-2011, Brigantti-Hughes regularly violated her staffers' rights by treating the courthouse like an extension of her church.

MORE: https://au.org/blogs/wall-of-separation/courthouse-controversy-new-york-city-judge-censured-for-workplace

See also...

Jesus On The Job: Kan. Officials Were Right To Curb Employee's Proselytizing
https://au.org/blogs/wall-of-separation/jesus-on-the-job-kan-officials-were-right-to-curb-employees-proselytizing

FFRF ousts bibles from University of Wisconsin lodging

After attempting to end the practice for several decades, the Freedom From Religion Foundation has persuaded University of Wisconsin-Extension in Madison to remove Gideon bibles from its 137 guest rooms.

MORE: http://ffrf.org/news/news-releases/item/19940-ffrf-ousts-bibles-from-university-of-wisconsin-lodging

AHA Appeals Ruling On School Events In Places Of Worship

The American Humanist Association is appealing a federal judge's denial of the group’s motion for a preliminary injunction to prevent Greenville County Schools from holding events in churches and other places of worship and allowing student-initiated prayer at those events.

MORE: http://americanhumanist.org/news/details/2014-01-humanist-group-appeals-ruling-on-school-events-in-pl

Ohio School District Unanimously Votes to Discontinue Holding Graduation Ceremonies at Church

Members of an Ohio school board have voted unanimously to discontinue holding its graduation ceremonies at a local church following pressure from a nationally-recognized atheist activist organization.

MORE: http://christiannews.net/2014/01/10/ohio-school-district-unanimously-votes-to-discontinue-holding-graduation-ceremonies-at-church/

Atheists File Federal Lawsuit Against Oklahoma Officials for Allowing Ten Commandments Monument on Capitol Grounds

Oklahoma officials decided to put a Ten Commandments monument on Capitol grounds in 2012 and the decision has been coming back to bite them ever since.

MORE: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2014/01/13/atheists-file-federal-lawsuit-against-oklahoma-officials-for-allowing-ten-commandments-monument-on-capitol-grounds/

Satanic Temple unveils 7-foot goat-headed Baphomet statue for Oklahoma Capitol

The 7-foot-tall monument would include a goat-headed Baphomet figure sitting cross-legged on a stone slab, flanked by two smiling children. The monument would also include quotes from poets Lord Byron and William Blake.

MORE: http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/01/06/satanic-temple-unveils-7-foot-goat-headed-baphomet-statue-for-oklahoma-capitol/

See also...

No Sympathy For The Devil?: Proposed Satanist Monument Enrages Okla. Lawmakers
https://au.org/blogs/wall-of-separation/no-sympathy-for-the-devil-proposed-satanist-monument-enrages-okla-lawmakers

Fox Business News Guest Says Satanists 'Should be Shot' Right Next to Their Monument
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2014/01/15/fox-business-news-guest-says-satanists-should-be-shot-right-next-to-their-monument/

David Silverman: Atheism Is NOT Satanism!

AHA To Missouri County Government: Stop Erecting Charistian Nativity Scenes

A south central Missouri county government is being asked to stop its practice of placing a Christian nativity scene on the lawn of the county courthouse.

MORE: http://americanhumanist.org/news/details/2014-01-aha-to-missouri-county-government-stop-erecting-chri

Arkansas Judge Defends Courthouse Creche But Forbids Atheist Sign Since It'd Open the Door to 'Hundreds' of Displays

When it comes to government property, you can allow all displays or no displays.

MORE: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2014/01/02/arkansas-judge-defends-courthouse-creche-but-forbids-atheist-sign-since-itd-open-the-door-to-hundreds-of-displays/

See also...

AHA: Arkansas County Must Remove Christian Nativity Scene From Government Property
http://americanhumanist.org/news/details/2014-01-arkansas-county-must-remove-christian-nativity-scene

Judge denies atheist equal representation in Mountain Home, Arkansas.
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/wwjtd/2014/01/judge-denies-freethought-group-equal-representation-in-mountain-home-arkansas/

This City's Police Chief is Openly Breaking the Law by Allowing a Cross on Government Property

In Searcy, Arkansas, home of (private Christian school) Harding University, there's a cross sitting just outside the local Police Department that was supposedly put there by a local Methodist church last year.

MORE: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2014/01/15/this-citys-police-chief-is-openly-breaking-the-law-by-allowing-a-cross-on-government-property/

The Los Angeles County Seal Will Soon Have a Cross on It

"We are not adding, we are reflecting upon a historical event that occurred in the county of Los Angeles,” Antonovich said.

MORE: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2014/01/09/the-los-angeles-county-seal-will-soon-have-a-cross-on-it/

When The Right To Religion Conflicts With A Changing Society

As the White House continues dealing with well-publicized problems with the HealthCare.gov website, there's at least one big question related to the Affordable Care Act that's outside the president's control: Can employers with religious objections be compelled to provide access to contraception coverage for their workers?

MORE: http://www.npr.org/2014/01/11/261699145/when-the-right-to-religion-conflicts-with-a-changing-society?utm_content=socialflow&utm_campaign=nprfacebook&utm_source=npr&utm_medium=facebook

Three Notre Dame Students Anonymously Fight School's Birth-Control Mandate Lawsuit

The University of Notre Dame, like several Catholic institutions, doesn't want to provide comprehensive medical coverage for their students so they're suing in order to get out of the Affordable Care Act's contraception mandate.

MORE: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2014/01/10/three-notre-dame-students-anonymously-fight-schools-birth-control-mandate-lawsuit/

Supreme Court won't revive Arizona law banning most abortions after 20 weeks

It is the third time this term that the court has decided not to review a lower court decision that struck down a restrictive state abortion law.

MORE: http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/supreme-court-wont-revive-arizonas-strict-abortion-rules/2014/01/13/33feee68-7c60-11e3-95c6-0a7aa80874bc_story.html

The Supreme Court's Probably About To Create A Right To Harass Women At Abortion Clinics

On Wednesday, the justices will hear a case brought by abortion protesters seeking greater access to women approaching abortion clinics -- and if Justice Kennedy gets his way, those protesters may soon have unlimited ability to "counsel" or even harass patients approaching women’s health clinics.

MORE: http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2014/01/13/3151581/supreme-courts-probably-create-constitutional-harass-women-abortion-clinics/

The Real Victims of Satanic Ritual Abuse

The dangers were imaginary, but the consequences were not.

MORE: http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/medical_examiner/2014/01/fran_and_dan_keller_freed_two_of_the_last_victims_of_satanic_ritual_abuse.single.html

Married mega-church pastor forced to resign after confessing to multiple affairs with women from his congregation

Last year he was invited to speak at a church in Atlanta about how to have a successful marriage.

MORE: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2535570/Married-mega-church-lead-pastor-forced-resign-confessing-multiple-affairs-women-congregation.html

Scientology lawyer: Confrontations with defector were 'peaceful protests'

As Monique Rathbun sees it, the Church of Scientology and its operatives tried to intimidate her for years -- following, spying, aggressively confronting her and her husband, and playing tricks at her workplace to make colleagues think less of her.

MORE: http://www.tampabay.com/news/scientology/scientology-lawyer-confrontations-with-defector-were-peaceful-protests/2160220

Police: Second woman charged after 2 children killed during attempted exorcism

A second Maryland woman has been charged with murder in connection with the Friday stabbing deaths of two children during an exorcism attempt, authorities said.

MORE: http://www.cnn.com/2014/01/19/justice/maryland-exorcism-deaths/index.html?hpt=hp_t2

Nine-Year-Old Boy Reported Abuse By Mother Spouting Godly Pieties; She Ends Up Kicking Him to Death

The mother told detectives she repeatedly kicked the boy while he was on the floor.

MORE: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2014/01/03/nine-year-old-boy-reported-abuse-by-mother-spouting-godly-pieties-she-ends-up-kicking-him-to-death/

Arizona man killed son with an ax because he thought the boy was a demon, police say

Investigators said 51-year-old Gary Sherrill, of Phoenix, was afraid of his son, David, and believed the boy was going to eat him.

MORE: http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/01/01/arizona-man-killed-son-with-an-ax-because-he-thought-the-boy-was-a-demon-police-say/

Nancy Marks, Florida 'Psychic,' Sentenced To Prison And Fined $2.2 Million

A Florida woman who claimed she possessed psychic powers that could influence terminal cancer and allowed her to peer into previous lifetimes, was sentenced to nearly four years in prison and ordered to pay $2.2 million to the customers she bilked, the Sun-Sentinel reports.

MORE: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/01/16/nancy-marks-psychic-fraud_n_4603527.html

Man claims he killed Bigfoot in SA

On Thursday a self-described professional Bigfoot hunter finally released pictures of the alleged beast's body that he said he shot and killed in San Antonio.

MORE: http://www.ksat.com/news/Man-claims-he-killed-Bigfoot-in-SA/-/478452/23744162/-/ljplt0/-/index.html

See also...

Las Vegas man claims he killed the first Bigfoot
http://www.wbtv.com/story/24410735/las-vegas-man-claims-he-killed-the-first-bigfoot

North Carolina Abortion Ultrasound Law Illegal, Judge Rules

A federal judge in North Carolina says a state law requiring women who want an abortion to have an ultrasound and then have a medical provider describe the image to them is a violation of constitutional free-speech rights.

MORE: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/01/18/nc-abortion-ultrasound-il_n_4620888.html?ncid=txtlnkushpmg00000037

Bishops Seek Expanded Definition of "Federal Funding" to Curtail Abortion

The bishops are focused on chipping away at abortion access by seeking increasingly elaborate definitions of what constitutes "federal" funding. This is fitting because the bishops helped formulate the original Hyde amendment in the 1970s that prohibited the use of federal funds for abortion in the first place.

MORE: http://www.religiondispatches.org/dispatches/patriciamiller/7504/bishops_seek_expanded_definition_of__federal_funding__to_curtail_abortion_/

Americans United Wins Right To Represent Women Seeking Access To Birth Control In Notre Dame Lawsuit

The 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals issued a brief order granting Americans United the right to represent three anonymous Notre Dame students. The students want to ensure that their health-care plan includes access to contraceptives, which they lack the financial means to purchase on their own.

MORE: https://www.au.org/media/press-releases/americans-united-wins-right-to-represent-women-seeking-access-to-birth-control

House Republicans Are Pushing A Bill That Would Force The IRS To Audit Rape Victims

House Republicans are currently advancing the "No Taxpayer Funding For Abortion Act," or HR 7, a measure that would impose sweeping restrictions on abortion coverage that could make the procedure less affordable for Americans across the country. In addition to preventing low-income women from using their Medicaid coverage to access abortion, HR 7 could also have dramatic implications for the tax code and the private insurance market. One of its most controversial provisions could actually require the Internal Revenue Service to conduct audits of rape victims.

MORE: http://thinkprogress.org/health/2014/01/16/3167301/taxpayer-funding-abortion-rape-irs/

Federal Court Declares Oklahoma Ban on Marriage for Same-Sex Couples Unconstitutional

"We're thrilled that the court has struck down this discriminatory law," said Ryan Kiesel, Executive Director of the ACLU of Oklahoma. "The heartland of America should be a place where loving and committed couples are able to obtain the legal protections and dignity afforded by marriage, and this decision brings us one step closer towards true equality."

MORE: https://www.aclu.org/lgbt-rights/federal-court-declares-oklahoma-ban-marriage-same-sex-couples-unconstitutional

Justices Block Gay Marriage in Utah During Appeal of Case

The Supreme Court on Monday blocked further same-sex marriages in Utah while state officials appeal a decision allowing such unions.

MORE: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/07/us/justices-block-gay-marriage-in-utah-pending-appeal.html?hp&_r=1&

Update...

Utah will not recognize same-sex marriages performed before high court stay
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2014/01/08/utah-will-not-recognize-same-sex-marriages-performed-before-high-court-stay/

U.S. to Recognize Utah Gay Marriages Despite State Stance
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/11/us/politics/same-sex-marriage-utah.html?_r=1

Trans Woman Dares Bible-Quoting Councilman to Stone Her to Death

A Shreveport, La., City Council member Tuesday withdrew a bill that would repeal the city's recently passed antidiscrimination ordinance following backlash from residents, including one woman willing to call his bluff.

MORE: http://www.advocate.com/politics/transgender/2014/01/17/trans-woman-dares-bible-quoting-councilman-stone-her-death

The Mormon Church Can't Simultaneously Tell Leaders to Both Oppose Gay Marriage and Respect Gay People

The letter just exposes the bigotry of the LDS Church and shows it's no better or worse on the issue than Catholics or evangelical Christians.

MORE: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2014/01/13/the-mormon-church-cant-simultaneously-tell-leaders-to-both-oppose-gay-marriage-and-respect-gay-people/

The Largest Charter School Network in Texas Promotes Creationism

Responsive Education Solutions is the euphemistically-named company running the largest charter school district in Texas. Their schools are tuition-free, funded by taxpayers, and home to 17,000 students in the state.

MORE: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2014/01/17/the-largest-charter-school-network-in-texas-promotes-creationism/

See also...

Taxpayer-funded Texas schools blame world wars on evolution and lack of religion
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/01/17/taxpayer-funded-texas-schools-blame-world-wars-on-evolution-and-lack-of-religion/

Texas Public Schools Are Teaching Creationism
http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/science/2014/01/creationism_in_texas_public_schools_undermining_the_charter_movement.html

Public's Views on Human Evolution

According to a new Pew Research Center analysis, six-in-ten Americans say that "humans and other living things have evolved over time," while a third reject the idea of evolution, saying that "humans and other living things have existed in their present form since the beginning of time."

MORE: http://www.pewforum.org/2013/12/30/publics-views-on-human-evolution/

See also...

Creationism's Public Relations Campaign
http://www.onthemedia.org/story/creationisms-public-relations-campaign/

Personality Traits Help Explain Creationist Beliefs

A new study suggests that people who believe in creationism are more likely to prefer to take in information via their senses versus via intuition. In contrast, religious believers who see the Bible's creation story as symbolic tend to be more intuitive.

MORE: http://www.livescience.com/42314-personality-creationist-beliefs.html

Has The 'Ark Park' Run Aground?: Ky. Biblical Theme Park Has Only Weeks To Raise Millions

Kentucky has already wasted a lot of money on what increasingly looks like a boat that's going nowhere. Tossing more money at this project isn't going to save it; it's only going to waste more money.

MORE: https://au.org/blogs/wall-of-separation/has-the-ark-park-run-aground-ky-biblical-theme-park-has-only-weeks-to-raise

See also...

Creation Museum's 'Ark Park' in Danger of Collapse After Risky Bonds Go Unsold
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2014/01/05/creation-museums-ark-park-in-danger-of-collapse-after-risky-bonds-go-unsold/

Fossil reveals transitional link from fins to feet

Paleontologists have uncovered new fossils from Tiktaalik roseae, which, while still a fish, is considered a transitional fossil that also has traits common to the first four-footed animals.

MORE: http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/fossil-reveals-transitional-link-from-fins-to-feet/2014/01/13/b02100c6-7a3a-11e3-8963-b4b654bcc9b2_story.html

Genomes of Modern Dogs and Wolves Provide New Insights On Domestication

Dogs and wolves evolved from a common ancestor between 9,000 and 34,000 years ago, before humans transitioned to agricultural societies, according to an analysis of modern dog and wolf genomes from areas of the world thought to be centers of dog domestication.

MORE: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/01/140116190137.htm

Full Show: Neil deGrasse Tyson on Science, Religion and the Universe

While astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson believes all individuals have a right to their own beliefs, he's passionate about what should be taught in science class - science.

MORE: http://billmoyers.com/episode/full-show-neil-degrasse-tyson-on-science-religion-and-the-universe/

Scale of Universe Measured with 1-Percent Accuracy

A team of researchers working with the Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey (BOSS) has determined the distances to galaxies more than 6 billion light-years away to within 1 percent accuracy -- an unprecedented measurement.

MORE: http://www.livescience.com/42457-dark-energy-galaxy-map-aas223.html

Infants Show Ability to Tell Friends from Foes

Even before babies have language skills or much information about social structures, they can infer whether other people are likely to be friends by observing their likes and dislikes, a new study on infant cognition has found.

MORE: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/01/140108133149.htm

What Would Make You More Likely to Read This Story?

New research, published in the journal Social Influence, has found that question headlines are significantly more effective than declarative headlines in generating readership.

MORE: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/01/140108112614.htm

Dogs poop in line with Earth's magnetic field, says study

A study published this week in the journal Frontiers in Zoology suggests that dogs choose to relieve themselves along a north-south axis in line with Earth's magnetic field.

The Motherboard blog reported on the study's findings, saying that the research was carried out by a team of Czech and German scientists.

MORE: http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/01/02/dogs-poop-in-line-with-earths-magnetic-field-says-study/

Atheist Bus Ad Goes Up in Sudbury, Ontario

It took three weeks for them to give it the green light, but an ad campaign with the message "Don't believe in God? You're not alone!" will officially be launched today as will the Sudbury branch of the Centre for Inquiry.

MORE: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2014/01/13/atheist-bus-ad-goes-up-in-sudbury-ontario/

Man who thinks he's Jesus... along with hundreds of young women who follow him across the world

Inri Cristo, 66, from Brasilia, Brazil, believes he is a reincarnation of the son of God.

MORE: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2535168/Man-thinks-hes-Jesus-hundreds-young-women-follow-world.html

Rio's Christ Chips Finger in Lightning Storm

The 125-foot-tall figure that presides over the Brazilian city had its right thumb damaged when a lightning bolt struck its outstretched hand.

MORE: http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2014/01/rios-christ-chips-finger-in-lightning-storm/

Christians aren't being driven out of public life - they're just losing their unfair advantages

We can all play the victim game if we fancy it. Just as some men bleat that they are the oppressed because of feminism, Odone confuses a loss of advantage with an act of oppression. This is the shock of those who are losing their divine right to dominate.

MORE: http://atheistrepublic.mysharebar.com/view?iframe=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.newstatesman.com%2F2014%2F01%2Fchristians-are-merely-losing-their-unfair-advantages

Mormon Duo in Australia Hits Passer-By Just For Fun, Puts Him in a Coma

Did two Australian Mormons decide they’d had enough of their religion's squeaky-clean image?

MORE: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2014/01/01/mormon-duo-in-australia-hits-passer-by-just-for-fun-puts-him-in-a-coma/

Pope defrocked 400 priests in 2 years, per Vatican document obtained by AP

A document obtained by The Associated Press on Friday shows Pope Benedict XVI defrocked nearly 400 priests over just two years for sexually molesting children.

MORE: http://ca.news.yahoo.com/pope-defrocked-400-priests-2-years-per-vatican-190424780.html

See also...

UN panel confronts Vatican on child sex abuse by clergy
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-25748952

HOLY SEE: Child sexual abuse - Report
http://crin.org/en/library/publications/holy-see-child-sexual-abuse-and-holy-see-report

Is Spain Returning to Catholic Government?

Spain is becoming the first country in the EU to re-illegalize abortion.

MORE: https://www.thetrumpet.com/article/11269.19.0.0/society/morals/is-spain-returning-to-catholic-government

To Russia, With Hate: U.S. Anti-Gay Cultural Warriors Bring Olympic-Sized Homophobia To Eastern Europe

That's probably little surprise, since the country is set to host the Winter Olympics next month. But its anti-gay policies threaten to distract from the Olympic pageantry as a government crackdown on LGBT activists raises global ire.

MORE: https://au.org/blogs/wall-of-separation/to-russia-with-hate-us-anti-gay-cultural-warriors-bring-olympic-sized

See also...

Putin: Gays Must 'Leave Children In Peace'
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/01/17/putin-gays-must-leave-c_n_4616505.html

Putin: Russia must "cleanse" itself of homosexuality
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/putin-russia-must-cleanse-itself-of-homosexuality/

Russia's 'anti-gay' law pushes gay community into shadows
http://www.cnn.com/2014/01/13/world/europe/russia-gay-ghettos-pavel-petel/index.html

Gays and lesbians 'sick,' Ugandan President says in blocking anti-gay bill

Uganda's President has declined to sign a bill that would punish certain homosexual acts with life in prison, but the move was not designed to protect the civil rights of gays and lesbians.

President Yoweri Museveni believes that parliament illegally passed the bill, and gays and lesbians are "sick people who need help," his spokesman said.

MORE: http://www.cnn.com/2014/01/17/world/africa/uganda-anti-gay-bill-rejected/index.html

Group: Nigeria arrests gay 'suspects' under new law banning homosexuality

Nigerian authorities arrested 10 people believed to be gay men under a bill signed this week that bans same-sex marriages, a human rights group said.

MORE: http://www.cnn.com/2014/01/16/world/africa/nigeria-anti-gay-law-arrests/index.html

See also...

Nigeria bans same-sex marriage
http://www.cnn.com/2014/01/13/world/africa/nigeria-anti-gay-law/index.html

Somalia warns telecom companies not to comply with Al-Shabaab Internet ban

Somalia warned telecommunications companies Saturday not to comply with an Islamist terror group's order to shut down the Internet nationwide.

MORE: http://www.cnn.com/2014/01/11/world/africa/somalia-shabaab-internet-shutdown/index.html

See also...

At least 11 killed, 40 injured in double car bomb attack in Somalia
http://www.cnn.com/2014/01/02/world/africa/somalia-car-bomb-attack/index.html

A new survey indicates Turkish people support secular democracy

A recent survey titled "The Birthplace of the Arab Spring: Values and Perceptions of The Tunisian Public in a Comparative Perspective" conducted by University of Michigan's Institute for Social Research in seven Muslim-majority countries (Tunisia, Egypt, Iraq, Lebanon, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey), indicated that large majority of the Turkish people expressed favorable attitudes toward the secular democratic politics.

MORE: http://en.cihan.com.tr/news/A-new-survey-indicates-Turkish-people-support-secular-democracy_0070-CHMTI4MDA3MC8xMDA1;-x9C

Malaysia's Islamic authorities seize Bibles as Allah row deepens

"We were told that we were under investigation for breaking a Selangor state law banning non-Muslims from using the word Allah," said Bible Society of Malaysia Chairman Lee Min Choon.

MORE: http://in.reuters.com/article/2014/01/02/malaysia-religion-idINDEEA0106Z20140102

Indonesian Province May Pass Law Requiring Residents to Participate in Islamic Prayers

Legislators in Bengkulu, a province of Indonesia, are in the process of drafting legislation that would make it mandatory to attend Islamic prayers every week.

MORE: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2014/01/19/indonesian-province-may-pass-law-requiring-residents-to-participate-in-islamic-prayers/

Nepal's Girl 'Goddesses' Will Receive Reparations After Having Their Childhoods Taken Away from Them

Certain Hindu and Buddhist groups in Nepal have a tradition of worshiping pre-pubescent girls, known as Kumari, who are deemed manifestations of the goddess Durga. These girls are selected at ages as young as four -- and they're forced to "retire" by the time they hit puberty. It's like "Toddlers & Tiaras" minus the pretending. These girls were chosen.

MORE: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2014/01/16/nepals-girl-goddesses-will-receive-reparations-after-having-their-childhoods-taken-away-from-them/

No burqa required: Muslim world weighs in on women's dress

Across the seven countries, the most popular answer was a tight-fitting white scarf that completely covered the hair and ears but showed the entire face -- a type of hijab.

MORE: http://www.cnn.com/2014/01/09/world/meast/religion-women-clothing/index.html

Lebanese Library Torched After Blasphemy Accusation

A huge library of books collected by a 72-year-old Greek Orthodox priest but used by the whole community was torched in Lebanon on Friday after he was accused of insulting Islam.

MORE: http://www.charismanews.com/world/42320-lebanese-library-torched-after-blasphemy-accusation

See also...

Islamist group ISIS claims deadly Lebanon blast, promises more violence
http://www.cnn.com/2014/01/04/world/meast/lebanon-unrest/index.html

22 killed in blast at Pakistani army checkpoint; Taliban claim responsibility

At least 22 people were killed and 38 others injured in a blast at an army checkpoint in the northern Pakistani city of Bannu on Sunday, intelligence officials said.

MORE: http://www.cnn.com/2014/01/19/world/asia/pakistan-blast/index.html

See also...

New Taliban attack in Pakistan has many fearing their rise
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/new-taliban-attack-in-pakistan-has-many-fearing-their-rise/

At least 8 die in blast at Pakistani mosque
http://www.cnn.com/2014/01/16/world/asia/pakistan-violence/index.html

Teen dies stopping suicide bomber at school in Pakistan
http://www.cnn.com/2014/01/09/world/asia/pakistan-boy-stops-suicide-bomber/index.html

In tense Baghdad, a wave of deadly blasts

Fears of all-out sectarian war have increased since violence broke out in Anbar province, where al Qaeda-backed militants and Iraq's security forces have been battling for control of Falluja and Ramadi.

MORE: http://www.cnn.com/2014/01/18/world/meast/iraq-unrest/index.html

See also...

8 family members among 14 shot dead near Baghdad
http://www.cnn.com/2014/01/16/world/meast/iraq-violence/index.html

61 killed in latest wave of Iraq attacks
http://www.cnn.com/2014/01/15/world/meast/iraq-violence/index.html

Iraq: Moderates are hard to find as 'bad old days' return in Baghdad
http://www.cnn.com/2014/01/15/world/meast/iraq-bad-days-holmes/index.html

Inside Iraq: Two years after U.S. withdrawal, are things worse than ever?
http://www.cnn.com/2014/01/13/world/meast/iraq-anbar-violence-holmes/index.html

Car bombings, shootings kill 22, wound 80 in Iraq
http://www.cnn.com/2014/01/12/world/meast/iraq-violence/index.html

At least 60 killed in weeks of violence in Iraq
http://www.cnn.com/2014/01/11/world/meast/iraq-violence/index.html

Suicide bomb kills 9 in Baghdad
http://www.cnn.com/2014/01/09/world/meast/iraq-suicide-bombing/index.html

Suicide bombing kills 16 in Iraqi town
http://www.cnn.com/2014/01/02/world/meast/iraq-violence/index.html

West Bank mosque attack blamed on radical Israeli settlers

"This is not the first time extreme Jewish Israeli settlers set a mosque on fire in the West Bank village of Deir Istiya and spray-painted hate messages," said Ghassan Douglas, a Palestinian Authority official who monitors the activities of settlements and settlers in the West Bank.

MORE: http://www.cnn.com/2014/01/15/world/meast/west-bank-mosque-vandalism/index.html

See also...

Israel announces tenders for new settlement units in the West Bank
http://www.cnn.com/2014/01/10/world/meast/israel-settlements/index.html