Hemant Mehta is the founder and editor of FriendlyAtheist.com, a YouTube creator, and podcast co-host. He is a former National Board Certified math teacher in the suburbs of Chicago. He has appeared on CNN and FOX News and served on the board of directors for Foundation Beyond Belief and the Secular Student Alliance. He has written multiple books, including I Sold My Soul on eBay and The Young Atheist's Survival Guide. He also edited the book Queer Disbelief.
Last week, Rep. Rush Holt (D-NJ) submitted a resolution “[e]xpressing support for designation of February 12, 2013, as Darwin Day and recognizing the importance of science in the betterment of humanity.” Now, there’s a White House petition circulating with the intent of striking down that potential resolution. Read more
This sounds like exciting news from the Boy Scouts of America: “Currently, the BSA is discussing potentially removing the national membership restriction regarding sexual orientation. This would mean there would no longer be any national policy regarding sexual orientation, and the chartered organizations that oversee and deliver Scouting would accept membership and select leaders consistent with each organization’s mission, principles, or religious beliefs. BSA members and parents would be able to choose a local unit that best meets the needs of their families. “The policy change under discussion would allow the religious, civic, or educational organizations that oversee and deliver Scouting to determine how to address this issue. The Boy Scouts would not, under any circumstances, dictate a position to units, members, or parents. Under this proposed policy, the BSA would not require any chartered organization to act in ways inconsistent with that organization’s mission, principles, or religious beliefs.” In some ways, it’s about damn time. For too long, the BSA has kicked out excellent scouts and troop leaders because of their sexual orientation, an issue that had no bearing on anything. But… Read more
Over the weekend, Pastor Will Coats at Newberry Christian Ministries (in South Carolina) gave his second sermon in two weeks about the problems with homosexuality. Sure, pastors give anti-gay sermons all the time, but rarely do they have powerpoint presentations to go along with them. And even more rarely do they get uploaded online for the world to see… Read more