FreeThoughtAction

Sunday, November 10, 2013

Atheist group sues California city for opening meetings with explicitly Christian invocations

According to transcripts obtained by FFRF and submitted along with its complaint, between January of 2008 and October of 2013, the city's official chaplain, Paul Jones, has called the council meeting to order with a Christian prayer 125 times.

MORE: http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2013/11/04/atheist-group-sues-california-city-for-opening-meetings-with-explicitly-christian-invocations/

Generation atheist! Millennials to religion -- get out of politics

Millennials are much less attached to religion than their elders -- the politicization of the church might be why.

MORE: http://www.salon.com/2013/11/04/were_raising_a_generation_of_atheists/

This is How the Viral 'I'm Actually An Atheist' CNN Segment Came About

Granted he has much more time to interview her, but Seth Andrews does a much better job of presenting Rebecca Vitsmun's story than Wolf Blitzer ever did.

MORE: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2013/11/03/this-is-how-the-viral-im-actually-an-atheist-cnn-segment-came-about/

Oklahoma Atheist Group Begins Gift-Giving Drive to Help Those Impacted by Natural Disasters

FreeOK, an atheist group based in Oklahoma, is planning a major charity drive this winter that aims to give presents to kids in foster care and families affected by natural disasters.

MORE: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2013/11/01/oklahoma-atheist-group-begins-gift-giving-drive-to-help-those-impacted-by-natural-disasters/

Huntsville lawmakers control millions in pork; recipients include pro-life group, private schools, own civic clubs

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama-- Stacks of public dollars. A mandate to give it all away. And personal preference as the guide.

MORE: http://blog.al.com/breaking/2013/10/lawmakers_of_madison_county_si.html

Gay Teen Suspended For Ripping Bible At Texas School

Gay teen Isaiah Smith, an 18-year-old senior at Birdville High School in North Richland, TX, was suspended for ripping pages out of his Bible in class. Why would he do something so controversial? He says he did it because he was being bullied in school for his claims of being both gay and Christian.

MORE: http://www.inquisitr.com/1022819/gay-teen-suspended-for-ripping-bible-at-texas-school/

See also...

Texas Student Suspended for Tearing Bible Pages at School
http://americanhumanist.org/news/details/2013-11-texas-student-suspended-for-tearing-bible-pages-at-s

Spartanburg Soup Kitchen turns away atheist volunteers

A group of Upstate atheists plans to hand out care packages downtown this weekend after the Spartanburg Soup Kitchen wouldn't let them volunteer.

MORE: http://www.goupstate.com/article/20131023/ARTICLES/131029846/1083/ARTICLES?p=1&tc=pg&tc=ar

See also...

Soup Kitchen Invites Everyone to Volunteer… Unless You’re an Atheist
http://www.mediaite.com/online/soup-kitchen-invites-everyone-to-volunteer-unless-youre-an-atheist/

Atheist group denied from volunteering at soup kitchen
http://www.wmbfnews.com/story/23773442/atheist-group-denied-from-volunteering-at-soup-kitchen

Atheist group seeks end to Ala. grief counseling

The group claims Montgomery's Operation Good Shepherd program is unconstitutional. City officials told al.com the new program dispatches trained clergy to comfort victims at crime scenes in an effort to combat violent crime. City officials said the purpose of the program is not for "religious promotion or recruitment."

MORE: http://www.wdef.com/news/state/story/Atheist-group-seeks-end-to-Ala-grief-counseling/2fSjr6vCdU6L_RBmH2wOdw.cspx

Surprise! Atheist Marriages May Last Longer Than Christian Ones

Conservative Christians see themselves as the last defenders of traditional marriage. Yet many don't quite live up to the ideal.

MORE: http://www.alternet.org/belief/surprise-atheist-marriages-may-last-longer-christian-ones?akid=11097.275909.3me89H&rd=1&src=newsletter917365&t=8&paging=off&current_page=1#bookmark

See also...

Atheist Marriages Last Longer Than Christian Marriages, Research Says
http://www.opposingviews.com/i/religion/atheist-marriages-last-longer-christian-marriages-research-says#

Who Is More Likely to Lie for Financial Gain?

Among those more likely to lie for financial gain were... Those for whom religion was more important to their lives.

MORE: http://www.psmag.com/business-economics/likely-lie-financial-gain-68561/

Watching R-Rated Movies Lessens Importance of Faith for Young People

"Viewing R-rated movies was damaging to religious faith even after accounting for the importance of religion in one's family, peer influence and parental monitoring of media, among other factors."

MORE: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/10/131030185359.htm

Is atheism winning the culture war?

Since we are evolving into a country where deeds are more important than creeds, I think atheists will one day be part of a respected mainstream in America, along with progressive religious allies.

MORE: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/on-faith/wp/2013/10/23/is-atheism-winning-the-culture-war/

How the religious right won: Birth of the fundamentalists, in our modern times

As a historical phenomenon, fundamentalism is wholly modern. Its victories have come from decades of organizing.

MORE: http://www.salon.com/2013/11/02/how_the_religious_right_won_birth_of_the_fundamentalists_in_our_modern_times/

See also...

Retreating Or Repositioning?: Southern Baptists And The 'Culture War'
https://au.org/blogs/wall-of-separation/retreating-or-repositioning-southern-baptists-and-the-culture-war

Saturday, November 09, 2013

Confused Christian Group Keeps Spending Money On Ten Commandments Monuments To Stick It To Atheists. Atheists Shrug

Thou Shall Not Move is erecting the monument on church property. No atheist I know has a problem with that. We only object to endorsements of religion in public schools, public squares, courthouses, and the like. Want to put a massive monument in your church yard? No problem. Please enjoy.

MORE: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2013/11/06/confused-christian-group-keeps-spending-money-on-ten-commandments-monuments-to-stick-it-to-atheists-atheists-shrug/

Poor Prayer Proposal: Utah Legislator Pushes Unnecessary 'Religious Liberties' Bill

In sum, the Utah proposal either restates the law or misinterprets it.

MORE: https://au.org/blogs/wall-of-separation/poor-prayer-proposal-utah-legislator-pushes-unnecessary-religious-liberties

Generally Nutty: FRC Executive Says Some In The Military Are Itching To 'Take Out' President Obama

In the WorldNetDaily bizarro world, William Boykin is portrayed as a bold Christian warrior constantly kept down by appeasers, gays, secularists and a band of nefarious America haters.

MORE: https://au.org/blogs/wall-of-separation/generally-nutty-frc-executive-says-some-in-the-military-are-itching-to-take

Resuming The FEMA Fiasco: U.S. House Continues Effort To Rebuild Houses Of Worship Damaged By Hurricane Sandy

If the Constitution is violated because of a hurricane, what's next? Soon we'll be rebuilding churches every time a basement floods during a thunderstorm.

MORE: https://au.org/blogs/wall-of-separation/resuming-the-fema-fiasco-us-house-continues-effort-to-rebuild-houses-of

Change Of Heart?: Ky. Taxpayer-Funded, Religiously-Affiliated Homes For Children May Hire Gays And Lesbians

It's difficult to say what’s going on here, but it could be related to the Southern Baptist Convention's (SBC) larger public relations campaign.

MORE: https://au.org/blogs/wall-of-separation/change-of-heart-ky-taxpayer-funded-religiously-affiliated-homes-for

Biblical Blunder: Proposed Mass. Religion Classes Could Violate First Amendment

The bill, sponsored by State Rep. Christopher Fallon, would create a mandatory class in Bible and international religions for 'the purposes of teaching morality and brotherhood' to high school students.

MORE: https://au.org/blogs/wall-of-separation/biblical-blunder-proposed-mass-religion-classes-could-violate-first

Outrage Over Oath: Religious Right Objects To New Conscience Rules At Air Force Academy

In a shift toward inclusivity, the Air Force Academy has announced that cadets will no longer be required to recite "So help me God" as part of the school's Honor Oath. The decision followed a complaint by Mikey Weinstein of the Military Religious Freedom Foundation.

The Religious Right greeted the announcement with predictable rancor. And as they always do, they've rallied around their Orwellian definition of religious liberty. Somehow, making this sectarian clause optional discriminates against Christian cadets.

MORE: https://au.org/blogs/wall-of-separation/outrage-over-oath-religious-right-objects-to-new-conscience-rules-at-air

American Theocracy?: Lawsuit Alleges Utah and Ariz. Towns Enforce Religious Edicts As Law

As the Tribune put it, "The lawsuit alleges the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints essentially runs the twin towns, not the elected leaders, not the civil authorities and not all that subtly. If true, it means the separation of church and state – a constitutional bedrock of pluralistic America -- is nonexistent, replaced by an iron-fisted theocracy in which Jeffs' edicts are enforced above the law."

MORE: https://au.org/blogs/wall-of-separation/american-theocracy-lawsuit-alleges-utah-and-ariz-towns-enforce-religious

Atheists can be jailed in Kentucky for not acknowledging God

American Atheists have submitted a petition to the U.S. Supreme Court in a bid to overturn a Kentucky homeland security law which can send atheists to jail for up to 12 months for refusing to acknowledge "Almighty God."

MORE: http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/337629#ixzz2ilCSKA1d

See also...

American Atheists ask U.S. Supreme Court to Reverse Kentucky Law Requiring Belief in "Almighty God."
http://freethoughtblogs.com/kagin/2012/11/24/american-atheists-ask-u-s-supreme-court-to-reverse-kentucky-law-believe-in-almighty-god/

American Legion pulls park funding after atheist official won't pledge 'under God'

An Illinois American Legion post announced last week that it had decided to withhold financial support for the Morton Grove Park District because an atheist park commissioner refused to pledge allegiance to the United States flag "under God."

MORE: http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2013/10/30/american-legion-pulls-park-funding-after-atheist-official-wont-pledge-under-god/

Veterans Day Debacle: American Legion Post Refuses To Participate In Ceremony Without Christian Prayer

American Legion Post 311 in Hawley, Penn., has refused to participate in Veterans Day activities at Wallenpaupack High School until its chaplain is allowed to recite a Christian prayer.

MORE: https://au.org/blogs/wall-of-separation/veterans-day-debacle-american-legion-post-refuses-to-participate-in

Hobby Lobby Releases Apology for Alleged Employee Comments

Local blogger Ken Berwitz claimed a friend of his entered the Monmouth County store looking for a bar mitzvah card and was told "We don't cater to you people."

MORE: http://lacey.patch.com/groups/business-news/p/hobby-lobby-president-releases-apology-for-employee-comments-lacey

Court lets most new Texas abortion limits take effect immediately

A panel of judges on the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans said the law requiring doctors to have admitting privileges at a nearby hospital can take effect while a lawsuit challenging the restrictions moves forward. The panel issued the ruling three days after District Judge Lee Yeakel said the provision serves no medical purpose and issued an injunction against it.

MORE: http://www.dallasnews.com/news/local-news/20131031-court-order-to-let-texas-enforce-new-abortion-restrictions.ece?nclick_check=1

Illinois House, Senate Pass Same-Sex Marriage Bill

The bill will become law once it has been signed by Governor Pat Quinn, which he has promised to do.

MORE: http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2013/11/05/illinois-house-passes-same-sex-marriage-bill/

New Mexico court considers legalizing gay marriage

The Supreme Court heard from lawyers in a case that could determine whether gay marriage is legal across New Mexico.

MORE: http://www.wisconsingazette.com/national-gaze/new-mexico-court-considers-legalizing-gay-marriage.html

Progress for Southern Homosexuals

North Carolina official broke the sexuality barriers that are stereotypical of the American South. He accepted marriage licenses from twelve couples. The official, Drew Reisinger, began to question the validity of North Carolina's prohibition of same sex marriage. The couples he granted recognition had moved to the state of North Carolina after being married elsewhere. When he was questioned by the state's attorney general, Reisinger responded in defending homosexual marriage by claiming that the state had no right to strip away civil rights from a certain group of people.

MORE: http://www.goddiscussion.com/114336/progress-for-southern-homosexuals/

Mississippi Blues: New Lawsuit Accuses Town Of Anti-Gay Prejudice

Last year, Pat "PJ" Newton applied for a license to open a bar and cafe in the town. That should have been an uncontroversial proposal, but local residents rallied to oppose it.

MORE: https://au.org/blogs/wall-of-separation/mississippi-blues-new-lawsuit-accuses-town-of-anti-gay-prejudice

Mighty, Muslim and Leaping Off the Page

With most superheroes, when you take away the colorful costume, mask and cape, what you find underneath is a white man. But not always. In February, as part of a continuing effort to diversify its offerings, Marvel Comics will begin a series whose lead character, Kamala Khan, is a teenage Muslim girl living in Jersey City.

MORE: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/06/books/marvel-comics-introducing-a-muslim-girl-superhero.html?src=ISMR_AP_LO_MST_FB&_r=2&

Creationists turn against Pat Robertson for saying Earth isn't 6,000 years old

"Of course the Bible does cover dinosaurs," said Taylor, "we have talked about that on this show several times."

MORE: http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2013/11/06/creationists-turn-against-pat-robertson-for-saying-earth-isnt-6000-years-old/

The Psychological Power of Satan

How a belief in "pure evil" shapes people's thinking.

MORE: http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=psychological-power-satan

The rise of religion might be all about sex

A study suggests religion might have arisen to protect certain reproductive strategies, like long-term partnership.

MORE: http://www.salon.com/2013/11/07/the_rise_of_religion_might_be_all_about_sex/

Far-Off Planets Like the Earth Dot the Galaxy

Astronomers reported that there could be as many as 40 billion habitable Earth-size planets in the galaxy, based on a new analysis of data from NASA's Kepler spacecraft.

MORE: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/05/science/cosmic-census-finds-billions-of-planets-that-could-be-like-earth.html?hp&_r=3&

See also...

Tens of billions of planets out there are like Earth, study finds
http://www.cnn.com/2013/11/05/tech/innovation/billions-of-planets/index.html?hpt=us_bn4

A psychic bus driver has been sacked after he refused to pick up children because of a 'premonition'

The clairvoyant driver, who has not been named, left the children standing at the side of the road in Dundee.

But the driver failed to see what was coming for his career prospects when he was hauled in front of bosses at National Express last week.

MORE: http://www.deadlinenews.co.uk/2013/10/22/a-psychic-bus-driver-has-been-sacked-after-he-refused-to-pick-up-children-because-of-a-premonition/

Irish Atheists Urge Repeal of Nation's Blasphemy Law at Constitutional Convention

Over the weekend, the Convention on the Constitution held meetings in Ireland to discuss changes to the nation's Constitution and then make recommendations to the government.

MORE: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2013/11/04/irish-atheists-urge-repeal-of-nations-blasphemy-law-at-constitutional-convention/

6 killed in Russia bus explosion; suicide bombing suspected

Dagestan is part of Russia's North Caucasus region, where Islamic militants have been fighting Moscow's rule.

MORE: http://www.cnn.com/2013/10/21/world/europe/russia-bus-explosion/index.html

A Tale Of 'Two Cities': Hindu-Muslim Divide Deepening In Ahmedabad, India

Sectarian tensions between Hindus and Muslims -- always bubbling under the surface of India's chaotic and teeming urban streets and which frequently explode into deadly violence – appear to be rising in the city of Ahmedabad in Gujarat state. According to a report in The Hindu newspaper, Muslims in the city – complaining of increasing discrimination and official neglect in a state ruled by controversial Hindu nationalist Narendra Modi of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) – are gradually concentrating in "ghettoes" along the perimeter of the huge and diverse city. In previous years, Muslims lived in various neighborhoods across the city.

MORE: http://www.ibtimes.com/tale-two-cities-hindu-muslim-divide-deepening-ahmedabad-india-1446296

Egypt security investigates student for forming 'athiest' Facebook group

Police arrested the 20-year-old student of the Faculty of Commerce, Suez Canal University, following a report submitted by the university's administration saying he had formed a group for atheists on the social networking site.

MORE: http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/1/64/84968/Egypt/Politics-/Egypt-security-investigates-student-for-forming-at.aspx

See also...

A Christopher Hitchens dream: Atheism on the rise in Egypt
http://www.salon.com/2013/10/27/a_christopher_hitchens_dream_atheism_on_the_rise_in_egypt/

Saudi Arabia women defy authorities over female driving ban

The group said at least 35 women drove on Saudi streets Saturday, filming and uploading their videos on to YouTube.

MORE: http://www.cnn.com/2013/10/26/world/meast/saudi-arabia-women-drivers/index.html

See also...

Why Saudi Arabia can't ban women from driving forever
http://www.cnn.com/2013/10/25/world/meast/saudi-women-drivers-jamjoom/index.html

Al Qaeda-linked group strengthens hold in northern Syria

Al Qaeda has swept to power with the aim of imposing a strict Islamist ideology on Syrians across large swathes of Syria's rebel-held north, according to a CNN survey of towns, activists and analysts that reveals an alarming increase in al Qaeda-linked control in just the past month.

MORE: http://www.cnn.com/2013/11/05/world/europe/syria-turkey-al-qaeda/index.html

Gunmen attack motorists in Nigeria, kill 4

Gunmen suspected of being members of the Islamist group Boko Haram attacked motorists in northeastern Nigeria on Sunday, killing four, authorities said.

MORE: http://www.cnn.com/2013/10/21/world/africa/nigeria-attack/index.html

5 killed in bombing outside Mogadishu hotel, Somali official says

Somalia has seen such violence before. Some of it has been traced to Al Shabaab, an al Qaeda-linked organization that the U.S. government calls a terrorist group and was behind the deadly siege earlier this fall of a Nairobi, Kenya, shopping mall.

MORE: http://www.cnn.com/2013/11/08/world/africa/somalia-attack/index.html

Pakistan's Gay Community Quietly Breaking Barriers

Actor Assad Khan is part of a generation of young men breaking barriers for gays in conservative Pakistan, where homosexuality is punished by prison or worse.

MORE: http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/10/30/pakistan-s-gay-community-quietly-breaking-barriers.html

4 killed by bicycle blast in southwestern Pakistan

Balochistan has experienced deadly sectarian violence against its Shiite Muslim minority and is also home to separatists who carry out attacks.

MORE: http://www.cnn.com/2013/10/31/world/asia/pakistan-violence/index.html

Council leader, family killed in their sleep in Iraq; separate attacks on base kill 16

Wedding-bound minibus bombed in Afghanistan; 20 dead

Jan accused Taliban militants of the bombing.

MORE: http://www.cnn.com/2013/10/27/world/asia/afghanistan-violence/index.html

Yemen: Sectarian fighting kills dozens

Dozens of people have been killed by sectarian clashes in Yemen's northern province of Saada in the past several days, according to local officials.

MORE: http://www.cnn.com/2013/11/03/world/meast/yemen-violence/index.html

Monday, October 21, 2013

Atheists And Agnostics Gather In Charlotte

You may remember seeing a billboard on Charlotte's Billy Graham Parkway a few years ago that read: "One Nation. Indivisible." Conspicuously missing was the phrase "Under God." The group behind that campaign is holding a convention in Charlotte this weekend, designed for what organizers call a growing community of atheists and agnostics in the region. WFAE's Mark Rumsey spoke with Jennifer Lovejoy, acting president of the Carolinas Secular Association.

MORE: http://wfae.org/post/atheists-and-agnostics-gather-charlotte (Audio)

See also...

'Godless' conference begins today in Charlotte
http://goqnotes.com/25259/godless-conference-begins-today-in-charlotte/

Non-believers hold coming out party in Charlotte
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2013/10/05/4367361/non-believes-hold-coming-out-party.html#.UlIjZxC7lLr

Atheist Billboards Go Up in Connecticut

The billboards cost $10,000 and were funded by the United Coalition of Reason, a group that has now placed signs in 34 states in addition to the District of Columbia.

MORE: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2013/10/15/atheist-billboards-go-up-in-connecticut/

See also...

Godless billboards, convention in CT this weekend
http://www.rifuture.org/godless-billboards-convention-in-ct-this-weekend.html

SANE's coming to CT
http://hot-dogma.com/2013/10/15/sanes-coming-to-ct/

Godless Billboards in Connecticut Herald Secular Convention (Press Release)
http://unitedcor.org/national/news/godless-billboards-connecticut-herald-secular-convention

Mr. Deity and the Hand

The Rise of the Nontheist Voting Bloc

This kind of overwhelming response and press coverage is indicative of the potential power the nontheist voting bloc might be able to yield. Having a say as to who represents them in public office is a critical step toward reaching their potential. Explicitly nonreligious candidates now actually have a chance at winning office despite their lack of reliance on an intervening higher power (which would have been an instant campaign killer in the past) because of the growing size of the nontheist movement.

Take for instance the rise in the number of self-identified "nones," or those who do not belong to any religious organization or tradition. While a few decades ago almost every American identified with a particular religion, the number of those who choose not to affiliate has risen to 20 percent. When it was time for Rep. Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona to describe her religion earlier this year, she was the first to list "none." And while those who identify as "atheist" candidates for public office still face bigotry, more than 54 percent of Americans would now vote for an atheist candidate for president, much higher than the 18 percent that would have done so back in 1958.

MORE: http://www.patheos.com/Atheist/Rise-Nontheist-Voting-Roy-Speckhardt-09-27-2013.html

Religious 'Nominals' Drifting Away From Mainstream Judaism And Christianity

Meet the "Nominals" -- people who claim a religious identity but may live it in name only.

They're proud -- but not practicing -- Catholics. They're Protestants who don't think Jesus is essential to their salvation.

And they're Jews who say they belong to the tribe by way of ancestry or culture, not religion.

MORE: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/05/religious-nominals-judaism-christianity_n_4032592.html?utm_hp_ref=religion

For many US Jews, religion not tied to belief

A new survey of U.S. Jews has confirmed some of the community's worst fears: One in five American Jews say they have no religion, and their ranks appear to be growing.

--snip--

The findings track closely with a 2012 Pew report that found about 20 percent of Americans in general said they had no religious affiliation, an increase from 15 percent in the last five years.

MORE: http://www.telegram.com/article/20131001/APA/310019951

See also...

Changing Identity of Jewish Americans -- Implications for Social and Political Engagement
http://www.pewforum.org/2013/10/10/event-transcript-changing-identity-of-jewish-americans-implications-for-social-and-political-engagement/

Hispanics increasingly identify as 'nones'

The share of Hispanics living in the U.S. who say they are atheist, agnostic or have no religious affiliation has reached 12 percent, according to the 2013 Hispanic Values Survey conducted by the Public Religion Research Institute. That is double the rate reported in 1990 by the American Religious Identification Survey.

MORE: http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/on-faith/hispanics-increasingly-identify-as-nones/2013/10/17/c4b1015c-3751-11e3-89db-8002ba99b894_story.html

Is it Unethical to Hide Your Nonbelief?

Nonbelievers in America, whether they identify themselves as atheists, agnostics, humanists, or just freethinkers, are people who live their lives without expecting gods to ever intervene in any way. It's obvious that their numbers are quickly growing. In fact, nonbelievers now make up nearly 20 percent of the American public, and since young people tend to find themselves in this demographic more than their parents, it's extremely likely that this growth will continue by leaps and bounds in the near future.

MORE: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/roy-speckhardt/is-it-unethical-to-hide-y_b_4101309.html

What Oprah doesn't get about atheists

On her show "Super Soul Sunday" this past weekend, Oprah Winfrey interviewed marathon swimmer Diana Nyad about everything from her incredible endurance to her spiritual beliefs.

The part that struck a chord with me -- and many other atheists -- was Winfrey’s dismissal of Nyad's non-religious label. Nyad explained that she called herself an atheist but that didn't take anything away from the awe she felt about the world and all of its inhabitants. To her, "God" was humanity.

MORE: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/on-faith/wp/2013/10/17/what-oprah-doesnt-get-about-atheists/

See also...

Why Oprah's Anti-Atheist Bias Hurts So Much
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/our-humanity-naturally/201310/why-oprahs-anti-atheist-bias-hurts-so-much

Chris Stedman Goes on CNN to Explain Why Oprah Winfrey Got it Wrong
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2013/10/20/chris-stedman-goes-on-cnn-to-explain-why-oprah-winfrey-got-it-wrong/

What Oprah gets wrong about atheism
http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2013/10/16/what-oprah-gets-wrong-about-atheism/

Atheist group demands Oprah apologize
http://www.cnn.com/video/data/2.0/video/bestoftv/2013/10/20/exp-chris-stedman.cnn.html

Oprah Winfrey Angers Atheists With Comment From Interview; Says 'Awe' Cannot Exist Without God
http://www.kpopstarz.com/articles/45548/20131016/oprah-winfrey-atheists.htm

Atheists Want an Apology from Oprah Over Her On-Air 'Revelation' About Non-Believers
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2013/10/17/atheists-want-an-apology-from-oprah-over-her-on-air-revelation-about-non-believers/

Billboards: No religion? No problem

Who needs religion?

That's the question being raised by a group of secular activists that has put up billboards in Michigan containing photos of smiling people that read: "Millions of Americans are living happily without religion."

MORE: http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/10/17/billboards-no-religion-no-problem/3005881/

See also...

'Millions of Americans Are Living Happily Without Religion,' Declares New Atheist Ad Campaign
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2013/09/30/millions-of-americans-are-living-happily-without-religion-declares-new-atheist-ad-campaign/

Atheist group says Utah billboard companies fear Mormon church
http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/news/57007310-78/atheists-convention-mormon-billboard.html.csp

And...

Holy billboard war: Creationists post anti-atheist advert in Times Square in response to atheist's Christmas message encouraging people to 'Dump the Myth'
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2451587/Anti-atheist-billboard-posted-Times-Square-creationists.html#ixzz2iMwDmxM7

Atheist students use federal law to pursue same rights as Christians for 'secular safe zones'

A 30-year-old federal law created to protect the right of Christian students to gather now is being used to protect the rights of students with opposite beliefs.

MORE: http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/sep/30/atheist-students-use-federal-law-to-pursue-same-ri/#ixzz2iNuQ6Wok

Lobbyists For A Day: Dawkins And Pinker Stand Up For Science, Secular Government And Separation In Washington, D.C.

"There is simply no doubt at all that evolution is true," said Dawkins in response to a question regarding the proof of evolution. "The evidence for evolution is about as strong as anything we know." He compared the level of scientific certainty about evolution to that of the Earth orbiting the sun.

MORE: https://au.org/blogs/wall-of-separation/lobbyists-for-a-day-dawkins-and-pinker-stand-up-for-science-secular

Students give hugs to raise money for animal protection

This week the Secular Student Alliance is holding a fundraising event to donate money to the Cleveland Animal Protective League.

MORE: http://www.buchtelite.com/students-give-hugs-to-raise-money-for-animal-protection/

Do We Really Need Chaplains in Congress?

When you factor in how Chaplains in both Congress and the military do not currently cater to non-religious people -- remember: atheists are currently banned from taking on the role -- and how the Senate Chaplain has almost always been a Bible-believing Christian (with the exception of a couple of Unitarians, both of whom were still believers), it's just another government benefit for Christians.

MORE: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2013/10/15/do-we-really-need-chaplains-in-congress/

Scalia says atheism 'favors the devil's desires'

Scalia said the Devil has gotten "wilier" and convinced people that he and God don't exist. The justice added that he doesn't think that atheists are Satan's minions, but that disbelief in God "certainly favors the devil's desires."

MORE: http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2013/10/07/scalia-says-satan-is-a-real-person/

Everything Old Is New Again: Culture Warriors Seek Flock Of Young Recruits

Armies recruit, and lately, recruitment is down.

MORE: https://au.org/blogs/wall-of-separation/everything-old-is-new-again-culture-warriors-seek-flock-of-young-recruits

See also...

Extremism Expunged: In Kansas, A Religious Right Hero Gets His Comeuppance
https://au.org/blogs/wall-of-separation/extremism-expunged-in-kansas-a-religious-right-hero-gets-his-comeuppance

General Assembly must not stall on day care safety

After an unattended toddler drowned in a baptismal font at an Indianapolis church's day care in 2012, an Indianapolis Star investigation showed how easily faith-based operations were able to skirt child care regulations in Indiana.

MORE: http://www.news-sentinel.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20131015/EDITORIAL/131019783

Troy University's funding blurs lines between church and state

Backed by the Catholic Church, Troy University, Alabama's third-largest public university, has decided to build a faith-based residence hall called the Newman Center. The university is happy because it adds another 376 beds for students, and the construction and maintenance are privately funded, meaning the university can kill both its student population and funding problems with one stone. And yet, in striking this deal, Troy University has run afoul of the thin line that separates church and state.

MORE: http://www.highlandernews.org/10805/troy-universitys-funding-blurs-lines-between-church-and-state/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=troy-universitys-funding-blurs-lines-between-church-and-state

See also...

Divine Dormitories? 'Faith-Based' College Housing Raises Constitutional Alarm
https://au.org/blogs/wall-of-separation/divine-dormitories-faith-based-college-housing-raises-constitutional-alarm

Atheist group may sue Montgomery over faith-based police program

An atheist organization is threatening to sue the city of Montgomery if it doesn't put an end to Operation Good Shepherd, a police program that uses city funding to train pastors to go to crime scenes.

MORE: http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/article/20131010/NEWS01/310100031/Atheist-group-may-sue-Montgomery-over-faith-based-police-program?nclick_check=1

See also...

Cops For Christ?: New Ala. Program Seeks To Fight Crime With Police-Backed Evangelical Proselytism
https://au.org/blogs/wall-of-separation/cops-for-christ-new-ala-program-seeks-to-fight-crime-with-police-backed

And...

Course Conniption: Ala. Residents Throw Fit Over Arabic Language Classes In Local High School
https://au.org/blogs/wall-of-separation/course-conniption-ala-residents-throw-fit-over-arabic-language-classes-in

Tenn. school board to retrain staff on church-state separation after pastor gives 9/11 speech

The Hamilton County Board of Education in Tennessee will retrain its teachers on the separation of church and state after a local pastor gave a speech on Sept. 11 at a Sale Creek public school.

Rechoboth Baptist Church Pastor Alan Stewart mentioned God six times and one Bible verse in his speech, hoping to inspire students in remembrance of that horrific day, a local television station reported.

MORE: http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/oct/10/tenn-school-board-retrains-church-state-separation/?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS#ixzz2iMvrqgTu

Atheist group calls on Pasco school district to end football coach-led prayer

Saying it wants to uphold the constitutional separation of church and state, the Freedom From Religion Foundation has called upon Pasco County school district leaders to put an end to coach-led prayers at high school football games.

MORE: http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/gradebook/atheist-group-calls-on-pasco-school-district-to-end-football-coach-led/2147304

See also...

House speaker says coaches should be able to pray with players
http://www.tampabay.com/news/education/k12/house-speaker-says-coaches-should-be-able-to-pray-with-players/2144714

Maryland Town Council Agrees To Discontinue Recitation Of Lord's Prayer At Meetings

According to AU's complaint, which was filed in February, then-Brentwood Mayor Roger Rudder frequently opened council sessions by leading a recitation of the Christian devotion. Council members rose, clasped their hands and bowed their heads during the prayer. Those in the audience were asked to stand and join in.

MORE: https://au.org/media/press-releases/maryland-town-council-agrees-to-discontinue-recitation-of-lord-s-prayer-at

Kansas school board brings back student-led prayer

A rural Kansas School Board courageously defied 50 years of U.S. Supreme Court rulings by allowing student-led prayer at all school activities, even broadcasting them on the school's public address system.

MORE: http://www.bizpacreview.com/2013/09/27/kansas-school-board-brings-back-student-led-prayer-84186

See also...

Liberal-ly Confused: Kansas School Board Votes For School Prayer Despite Supreme Court Rulings
https://au.org/blogs/wall-of-separation/liberal-ly-confused-kansas-school-board-votes-for-school-prayer-despite

Same-sex weddings begin in New Jersey

Gay couples exchanged vows in early morning ceremonies in several New Jersey communities Monday as the state began recognizing their marriages at 12:01 a.m., becoming the 14th state to do so.

MORE: http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-250_162-57608384/same-sex-weddings-begin-in-new-jersey/

Southern Baptist division files suit over Obamacare rule on contraceptives coverage

The Southern Baptist Convention's benefits arm is suing the federal government over contraceptives coverage related to the Affordable Care Act, the Baptist Press reports.

MORE: http://blog.al.com/live/2013/10/southern_baptist_division_file.html

See also...

New Fight Against the HHS Mandate
http://catholicexchange.com/new-fight-against-the-hhs-mandate/

Contraception Conundrum: The Religious Right Redefines Contraception, Conscience, And Constitutional Law

When an employer's religious convictions are prioritized over his or her employee's right to conveniently access legal medical care, the issue isn't conscience, but privilege. The groups that make this argument truly believe they deserve the power to influence the private medical decisions made by others.

MORE: https://www.au.org/blogs/wall-of-separation/contraception-conundrum-the-religious-right-redefines-contraception

See also...

It's a Money Thing: Denying Women Birth Control Causes Lasting Economic Effects
http://www.damemagazine.com/2013/10/16/its-money-thing-denying-women-birth-control-causes-lasting-economic-effects

Abortion restrictions closing Ohio clinics

With the closure of one abortion clinic and two more on the brink of shutting down, Ohio women will have fewer places to terminate pregnancies than perhaps anytime since the immediate years after the Roe v. Wade ruling in 1973.

MORE: http://legalpronews.findlaw.com/article/fe90f50df96eecfed3d00cf5c624cba6#.UmU2GWLD-Ul

Vouchers don't do much for students

Nationwide, many schools participating in voucher programs infuse religion through their curriculum. Zack Kopplin, a student activist who favors rigorous science education, has found more than 300 voucher schools across the U.S. that teach the Biblical story of creation as science; some also instruct children that the world is just several thousand years old and use textbooks describing the Loch Ness Monster as a living dinosaur. Parents at one such school in Louisiana received a newsletter calling secular scientists "sinful men."

MORE: http://www.politico.com/story/2013/10/vouchers-dont-do-much-for-students-97909.html#ixzz2iN55StSD

See also...

'School Choice' Charade: Evidence Against Vouchers Continues To Mount
https://au.org/blogs/wall-of-separation/school-choice-charade-evidence-against-vouchers-continues-to-mount

Curses, Foiled Again!: Textbook Publishers Stand Up For Science

The motto of fundamentalists who want to force creationism into public school science textbooks in Texas must be: If at first you don't succeed, try and try and try again. But it seems they'll just have to keep on trying because their latest push has run into a roadblock: Textbook publishers refuse to play along.

MORE: https://au.org/blogs/wall-of-separation/curses-foiled-again-textbook-publishers-stand-up-for-science

Earlier...

Battle rages over creationism in Texas schools
http://www.msnbc.com/jansing-co/battle-rages-over-creationism-texas

Religious and Nonreligious Dreamers

The least religiously observant people remember more dreams than the most religiously observant people. The similarity of the results from these two studies, one using a sample of 705 people and the other with 2,992 people, adds empirical weight to the basic idea that interest in and awareness of dreams is highest among people at the nonreligious end of the spectrum, at least in a contemporary American context.

MORE: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kelly-bulkeley-phd/dreams-religion_b_3951209.html

Generosity leads to evolutionary success

With new insights into the classical game theory match-up known as the "Prisoner's Dilemma," University of Pennsylvania biologists offer a mathematically based explanation for why cooperation and generosity have evolved in nature.

--snip--

"Our paper shows that no selfish strategies will succeed in evolution," Plotkin said. "The only strategies that are evolutionarily robust are generous ones."

The discovery, while abstract, helps explain the presence of generosity in nature, an inclination that can sometimes seem counter to the Darwinian notion of survival of the fittest.

"When people act generously they feel it is almost instinctual, and indeed a large literature in evolutionary psychology shows that people derive happiness from being generous," Plotkin said. "It's not just in humans. Of course social insects behave this way, but even bacteria and viruses share gene products and behave in ways that can't be described as anything but generous."

"We find that in evolution, a population that encourages cooperation does well," Stewart said. "To maintain cooperation over the long term, it is best to be generous."

MORE: http://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2013/09/generosity-leads-to-evolutionary-success.html#.UmV0uRD4KfX

Higgs boson, key to the universe, wins Nobel physics prize

The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences said the prize went to Higgs and Englert for work fundamental to describing how the universe is constructed.

MORE: http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/10/08/us-nobel-physics-idUSBRE9970B620131008

Did a hyper-black hole spawn the Universe?

Big Bang was mirage from collapsing higher-dimensional star, theorists propose.

MORE: http://www.nature.com/news/did-a-hyper-black-hole-spawn-the-universe-1.13743

Parents say daughter was expelled from Mexico day care because they're gay

Alex and Pepe say they decided to go public because they feel it's the only way authorities will do something about their case. "Our daughter has been discriminated against in the most vicious way," Pepe told CNN.

MORE: http://www.cnn.com/2013/10/01/world/americas/mexico-day-care-gay-parents/index.html

Boy Scouts remove 'God' from oath in UK, welcome atheists to the ranks

In what secularists hail as a step toward welcoming atheists into the Boy Scouts, the Britain Scouting Association has approved an alternate version of the Scout Promise that makes no mention of God.

MORE: http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865588082/Boy-Scouts-remove-God-from-oath-in-UK-welcome-atheists-to-the-ranks.html

State schools 'an open door for evangelical groups to push creationism,' warns study

National Secular Society calls on Government to introduce stricter codes of conduct.

MORE: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/education-news/state-schools-an-open-door-for-evangelical-groups-to-push-creationism-warns-study-8872452.html

The Exorcists: Four on trial in France for religion inspired kidnap and torture

A group of former members of a US-based protestant church, the Seventh Day Adventist, are on trial in France for torturing a 19-year-old woman while attempting to exorcise "the devil" out of her in shockingly-violent style.

MORE: http://rt.com/news/exorcism-france-court-torture-852/

French court rules mayors cannot block same-sex marriage

A growing number of countries around the world now allow same-sex marriage, the majority of them in Europe.

MORE: http://www.cnn.com/2013/10/18/world/europe/france-same-sex-marriage/index.html

Catholic Church tried to strike deal with police over child sexual abuse investigations

The Catholic Church tried to strike an agreement with New South Wales Police that would have helped shut down investigations into paedophile priests and placed police in breach of the Crimes Act.

MORE: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-10-03/catholic-church-tried-to-strike-deal-with-police-over-child-sex/4997774

6 killed in Russia bus explosion; suicide bombing suspected

Dagestan is part of Russia's North Caucasus region, where Islamic militants have been fighting Moscow's rule.

MORE: http://www.cnn.com/2013/10/21/world/europe/russia-bus-explosion/index.html

Hospital Sells Body Parts to Witch Doctors, Accusers Say

The second-largest hospital in the Southern African country of Swaziland may be operating a black market in human body parts used in magic spells, according to claims made by a reverend and others.

MORE: http://www.livescience.com/40355-hospital-sells-body-parts-for-magic.html

Malaysia court rules non-Muslims cannot use 'Allah'

A Malaysian court has ruled that non-Muslims cannot use the word Allah to refer to God, even in their own faiths, overturning a 2009 lower court ruling.

MORE: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-24516181

See also...

Christian churches in Borneo vow to continue using the word 'Allah'
http://www.cnn.com/2013/10/15/world/asia/malaysia-allah/index.html

While atheism in Egypt rises, backlash ensues

In a religious country such as Egypt, despite atheism being a taboo highly frowned upon, atheists say their numbers are on the rise. But with any new movement taking hold, a cultural backlash is bound to ensue.

MORE: http://www.egyptindependent.com/news/while-atheism-egypt-rises-backlash-ensues

See also...

Campaign in Egypt urges citizens to remove religion from ID Cards
http://www.secularism.org.uk/news/2013/04/none-of-your-business--campaign-in-egypt-urges-citizens-to-remove-religion-from-id-cards

Gunmen attack motorists in Nigeria, kill 4

Suicide bomber strikes in Somalia

Al-Shabaab, the militant Islamist group, issued a claim of responsibility on its website and said it killed Somali and Ethiopian troops, who have been fighting Al-Shabaab.

MORE: http://www.cnn.com/2013/10/19/world/africa/somalia-unrest/index.html

See also...

Al-Shabaab grew amid Somalia's lawlessness
http://www.cnn.com/2013/10/05/world/africa/somalia-al-shabaab-explainer/index.html

Arifa Bibi Stoned To Death in Pakistan for Possessing a Cell Phone

A young mother of two has been put to death in Pakistan for possessing a cell phone.

MORE: http://www.opposingviews.com/i/religion/islam/arifa-bibi-stoned-death-pakistan-possessing-cell-phone#

See also...

Provincial official among 8 dead in Pakistan suicide attack
http://www.cnn.com/2013/10/16/world/asia/pakistan-attack/index.html

Suicide bomber explodes car, killing 2 Afghan police officers

The Taliban, who took responsibility for the attack, claimed a higher death toll. They boasted that they had killed 10 officers and wounded dozens in the area near the border with Pakistan.

MORE: http://www.cnn.com/2013/10/12/world/asia/afghanistan-suicide-attack/index.html

Suspected al Qaeda attack in Yemen kills 7 soldiers, security officials say

"It's very difficult to fight al Qaeda in Abyan because they live within the society there," said AbdulSalam Mohammed, President of the Sanaa-based Abaad Research Center.

MORE: http://www.cnn.com/2013/10/18/world/meast/yemen-al-qaeda-kills-troops/index.html

New series of attacks in Iraq kills 43

At least 350 people have been killed in October during the violence in Iraq, based on CNN reporting.

MORE: http://www.cnn.com/2013/10/20/world/meast/iraq-violence/index.html

See also...

Dozens killed in Iraqi violence in capital and in north
http://www.cnn.com/2013/10/17/world/meast/iraq-violence/index.html

Blasts claim lives in Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria on Muslim holy day of Eid al-Adha
http://www.cnn.com/2013/10/15/world/meast/eid-violence/index.html

Dozens killed in wave of bombings across Iraq
http://www.cnn.com/2013/10/13/world/meast/iraq-violence/index.html

Car bombings kill at least 28 in Baghdad
http://www.cnn.com/2013/10/07/world/meast/iraq-violence/index.html

Iraq suffers 'accelerated surge' in sectarian violence
http://www.cnn.com/2013/10/06/world/meast/iraq-violence/index.html

Sectarian violence kills dozens in Iraq
http://www.cnn.com/2013/10/05/world/meast/iraq-violence/index.html

Car bombings highlight rising concern about security in Iraq
http://www.cnn.com/2013/09/30/world/meast/iraq-violence/index.html

Tuesday, October 01, 2013

Godless Conference begins This Week in Charlotte

Atheists, agnostics, freethinkers and humanists from all over the Carolinas and beyond arrive Friday at the Hilton Charlotte Executive Park hotel, 5624 Westpark Drive, Charlotte, North Carolina, for the Carolinas Secular Conference. The event runs through the weekend of October 4-6 and marks the formal launch of the host organization, the Charlotte Coalition of Reason (Charlotte CoR).

MORE: http://unitedcor.org/national/news/godless-conference-begins-week-charlotte

Godless Citizens of the Carolinas to Gather in Charlotte

Atheists, agnostics, freethinkers and humanists from all over North and South Carolina will converge on Charlotte the weekend of October 4-6 for the Carolinas Secular Conference. The event will be held at the Hilton Charlotte Executive Park hotel, 5624 Westpark Drive. It will mark the formal launch of the host organization, the Charlotte Coalition of Reason (Charlotte CoR).

MORE: http://unitedcor.org/national/news/godless-citizens-carolinas-gather-charlotte