While I’m on the AU blog, here’s one more posting. A sadder one. Rob Boston tells the story: More than 40 years ago, Roy Torcaso was appointed a notary public in Maryland. When it came time for the swearing in, Torcaso refused to take the oath because it contained a reference to God. Torcaso, an atheist, said that would violate his freedom of conscience. Maryland officials pointed to their state’s Constitution, which said public officials had to declare a belief… Read more
Barry Lynn of Americans United for Separation of Church and State writes an eye-opening piece about a documentary called Wall of Separation that will be airing on PBS later this month. The movie is produced by Boulevard Pictures, which says this about our nation’s history: “…[W]hat would surprise most Americans is the discovery that this [understanding of separation of church and state] is not what the Founding Fathers of our country intended when they established our nation and wrote the… Read more
With all the brouhaha over Kentucky’s Creation Museum, let’s not forget that Canada has its own blight on intelligence. The Big Valley Creation Science Museum opened last Tuesday. But, unlike the Kentucky museum’s opening, no one really cared. It’s almost as if the museum’s owner wished there were protesters: Owner Harry Nibourg had braced for demonstrators — as was the case when a similar museum opened in the United States — when he opened what he claims is Canada’s first… Read more
In Australia, politicians make sense: A LABOR MP has described parliamentary prayers as an “archaic practice” and a waste of time, angering fellow politicians. Legislative Council backbencher Ian Hunter wrote a letter to The Advertiser after it was reported he was reading a book during prayers. “Of course, as an atheist, I don’t say prayers,” he said. “I see them as just one more example of an archaic practice which wastes the time of MPs. “However, I am a polite… Read more
Local papers sometimes have the most interesting articles. Karen Lancaster’s piece in the Chillicothe (Ohio) Gazette is proof of that. Karen, an atheist guest columnist, writes a brief letter to people who view atheists negatively. We are scientists, doctors, lawyers, teachers and students. We are mechanics, plumbers, waitresses and janitors. We are mothers, fathers, sons and daughters. We are aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, grandparents and grandchildren. We are best friends and we are sworn enemies. We are atheists, but… Read more
