The 2011 Canadian census is taking place this week — one out of three Canadians will receive the long-form version of the survey while the rest will simply be asked for a headcount. Normally, this would be a wonderful way to get a decent snapshot of what the Canadian population looks like, but one of the questions is so poorly written that the numbers may be skewed in favor of religion: The emphasis below is mine: What is this person’s… Read more
If you’re trying to make a name for yourself in the Christian world, one way to gain instant credibility is to claim that you used to be an atheist. Lee Strobel and Kirk Cameron have both said as much — though you won’t find them making any public statements regarding their atheism before they began evangelizing. I bring that up because Matthew Botsford and his wife Nancy have a new book out called A Day in Hell which I’m sure… Read more
A beautiful commercial aired during Glee tonight, featuring Dan Savage and the “It Gets Better” project: Honest question: Has any major church submitted a video for this campaign? I’m assuming no — the last thing the Christian church wants to do is make anything better for the GLBT community — but maybe someone can prove me wrong… Edit: I should’ve added: I know many individual Christians, including Mike Clawson on this very site, have been incredibly supportive of GLBT rights…. Read more
Last year, it was important as ever to draw an image of Muhammad. Those who had suggested doing it were being threatened. College students who actually drew Muhammad were accused of committing hate crimes. All of it for drawing a picture — stick figures, even! — that some deemed offensive. Islam forbids the drawing of Muhammad, so I understand if Muslims don’t want to do it. But they have no right to silence your free speech. This was never about… Read more
The Triangle Freethought Society has big plans for the National Day of Reason on Thursday, May 5th. In response to the National Day of Prayer, the atheists will be on the grounds of the North Carolina Capitol Building in Raleigh from 11:45a – 1:15p. And they’re bringing speakers: Roy Speckhardt, Executive Director of the American Humanist Association Sean Faircloth, Executive Director of the Secular Coalition for America Cecil Bothwell, atheist member of the Asheville, NC city council Todd Stiefel, freethought… Read more
