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.
While we’re talking about city logos with churches in them, here’s a success story: This used to be the logo for Steubenville, Ohio: After the Freedom From Religion Foundation said the cross was a no-no (PDF), the city responded by reverting back to their old logo until they get a new replacement: “We’re pleased with the expeditious response,” said FFRF Co-President Annie Laurie Gaylor. “It’s so clear why a city cannot and should not send a message that it is… Read more
Let’s suppose you were to file a legal complaint against a local government endorsing religion. Maybe it’s that they’re putting up a Nativity Scene at Town Hall, or there’s a copy of the Ten Commandments hanging in the local courthouse. We know exactly how the script goes: 1) Atheists — and it’s almost always atheists — file the complaint. 2) The local officials act stunned. No one’s ever complained before! 3) They they begin to demonize the atheists instead of… Read more
Remember 1Flesh, the Catholic site that promotes false information about contraception usage? They just released a graphic explaining how to use a condom: In short, don’t use them for sex. Because, you know, unprotected sex is *much* safer… (Click image to enlarge) Since the site keeps crashing, this was the message following that graphic: And remember folks, ignoring the issues of Habit Persistence, Risk Compensation, Cumulative Effectiveness, the acceptable quality limit, the slippage/breakage rate and deterioration, condoms make sex safe!… Read more
Earlier today, David Niose, president of the American Humanist Association and author of the excellent new book Nonbeliever Nation, did something many atheists have wanted to do for a long time now: He went on live TV, head-to-head with S.E. Cupp. TIME FOR THE BATTLE TO BEGIN! Hmph. David didn’t take the bait at all. He had a respectable, civil conversation and all the hosts seemed to agree with his comments. He’s ruining the epic battle I was imagining in… Read more
Just a couple of weeks ago, the Treasure Valley Coalition of Reason in Idaho put up a pair of atheist billboards, and now the Humanists of the Palouse (in Moscow, Idaho) is following suit with one of its own: It reads: “Ethical values are derived from human need and interest as tested by experience. Humanism Works!” … The six-week campaign is the first in a planned series of advertisements aimed at educating the public about humanism—the idea that you can… Read more