The San Francisco Chronicle’s 2 Cents blog asked people the following question after Congressman Pete Stark’s announcement that he was a nontheist: Would a candidate’s atheism be a deal-breaker at the polls for you? The majority of responses show that people still support him (or don’t see his atheism as an issue at all). Here are a few of the more interesting comments: I’d vote for an atheist as long as I agreed with his or her political policies. Geez,… Read more
Austin Cline has a great roundup of issues dealing with coming out to your family as an atheist. Some categories he delves into: How Should You Reveal Your Atheism to Your Family? … you should avoid attacking your family’s religion. Even if you have come to conclude that it is evil, saying so will only serve to exacerbate the conflicts being created and the confusion being experienced by your family. It would also be wise not to take this opportunity… Read more
Simon over at Bloggasm features an interview with Brian Flemming, director of the documentary The God Who Wasn’t There and co-founder of the Blasphemy Challenge. Some excerpts: Brian Flemming: I don’t see much difference between the beliefs of, say, Scientologists, and those of Christians. The space-alien theology of L. Ron Hubbard is no more or less ridiculous than the flying-dead-man theology of the Holy Bible. Brian Flemming: …There is a correlation between standard of living and atheism — the more… Read more
The American Humanist Association will be placing an ad in Tuesday’s Washington Post congratulating Congressman Pete Stark for coming out as a nontheist. Here’s the ad, placing him alongside some very iconic nontheists: A larger PDF version is here. (via The Labour Humanist) [tags]atheist, atheism, congress, Pete Stark, American Humanist Association, the Labour Humanist, Washington Post[/tags] Read more
Woo! I was quoted in this article in the Tri-Valley Herald (California) about the Spring Bunny controversy. This blog is legit, I tell you! [Michael Runzler’s letter-to-the-editor] was posted on friendlyatheist.com, a site run by Chicago-based Hemant Mehta, who is the chair of the board of directors of the Secular Student Alliance. Mehta said people are free to have their own Easter celebrations, but were (for) removing the religious element from a government-sponsored event. Woo! There was also this gem:… Read more
