This is an article by 10-year-old Grover Helton, as told to American Atheist. It appears in the 1st Quarter 2014 issue of American Atheist magazine. American Atheist is available at Barnes & Noble and Book World bookstores in the U.S. and at Chapters/Indigo bookstores in Canada. Go to Atheists.org/magazine to subscribe or to join American Atheists. Members receive a free digital subscription. It’s also available from iTunes. … I have never said the Pledge of Allegiance at my school because it says “one nation under god” and I don’t believe in god. But I always stood up with the rest of the class. Then I didn’t want to do that anymore. Read more
It was just days ago when GOP House candidate Susanne Atanus told a local newspaper that she believes — and this is paraphrased — “God controls the weather and has put tornadoes and diseases such as autism and dementia on earth as punishment for gay rights and legalized abortions.” Now, Republican leaders are urging her to get out of the race: Read more
Last week, Zack Kopplin made us aware of how the largest charter school network in Texas promotes Creationism. Now, Slate’s Chris Kirk shows us a map where taxpayer money can legally be used to espouse Creationism, whether through charter schools or public schools: Read more
I think nakedpastor forgot to include Pastor Mark Driscoll standing on top of the whole structure. Read more
On Friday, Toronto Sun columnist Anthony Furey mused on religious people’s frequent pleas for “respect,” and couldn’t muster any to give them. That might be surprising. Like rays of sun and children’s laughter, respect is one of those things that no one can be seriously against, right? Hmm. Look, I do like respect. I’ve just never felt obligated to give it to unproven theories and absurd notions. If you feel the same way, don’t feel guilty; for all their stated reverence for “respect,” the faithful don’t truly supply it either. Read more
Here’s the newest Republican platform regarding marriage equality: if you can’t beat them… screw everyone else over. After a U.S. district judge ruled earlier this month that Oklahoma’s ban on same-sex marriage was unconstitutional, State Rep. Mike Turner missed the point and filed legislation to ban it again. Now he’s taken it a step further, suggesting that Oklahoma should stop recognizing any and all marriages, same-sex or different-sex. Read more
In a clear sign of the impending apocalypse, or maybe avian demonic possession, Two white doves that were released by children standing alongside Pope Francis as a peace gesture have been attacked by other birds. Read more
In an interview with The Atlantic’s Scott Stossel, comedian Bill Maher let loose on religion in a way we’re not used to seeing in traditional magazines: Read more
Bryan Fischer of the American Family Association is spinning tales again — this time, on Twitter: Ancient Mesopotamian tablet confirms biblical account: worldwide flood, huge ark, animals in pairs. http://t.co/hD8T6y7cI7— Bryan Fischer (@BryanJFischer) January 25, 2014 The battered, light brown tablet in question, about the size of the average cell phone, is inscribed with 60 lines of Mesopotamian cuneiform thought to contain instructions for building a circular vessel called a coracle. The ancient object includes a reference to putting animals on the boat “two by two.” It went on display at the British Museum the other day after Irving Finkel, the museum’s assistant keeper of the Middle East, managed to translate the writing. Read more
A half dozen Allah aficionados from Blackburn, England, are going to prison for their attempt to kidnap a 35-year-old woman named Sarah Harrison in June of last year. What caused the broad-daylight attack? The five women and one man, of Pakistani descent, were outraged that their sister, Nazma Ditta, 28, had refused an arranged marriage with a man chosen by the family. She was in a relationship with Harrison instead. Surveillance camera footage played in court showed … members of Miss Ditta’s family trying to bundle Ms. Harrison into their car, along with shouts of “Get her in, get her! You’ve messed with the wrong Muslims!” According to Preston Crown Court, Miss Harrison said she was worried that she would have acid thrown in her face. Read more
