Daniel is back with another montage of some of the awful things done in the name of God over the past month: (via ConversationWithA) Read more
Today marks the release of a new academic (and expensive) book called There Is No God: Atheists in America by David A. Williamson and George Yancey: It’s a look at atheists from a sociological perspective — not an argument for it or against it — but I’m already put off by the title, which suggests that atheists have this absolute certainty that God doesn’t exist… instead of what most of us really live by, which is probable certainty. We might live like God doesn’t exist but we’re open to evidence to the contrary. [Click headline for more…] Read more
David Hayward points out — and rightfully so, I say — that atheists can often be no better than Christians when it comes to how we treat people with whom we disagree. It’s important to criticize ideas instead of individuals. Too bad a lot of our “attacks” are just mean-spirited, not helpful to anybody: Read more
Two of the larger atheist organizations in the state, Boston Atheists and the Secular Coalition for Massachusetts, just released this statement: We know that we’re not alone among atheists and other secular people in wanting to show sympathy and support in response to today’s tragedy. Although prayer isn’t for us an option, we are ready to help by working with the Red Cross and other emergency and community organizations in any way possible. Leaders of local secular organizations like the Boston Atheists and the Secular Coalition for Massachusetts have been diligently monitoring communications for any opportunity to respond constructively to the tragic events of the day. We may have a different religious perspective, but on days like today, those differences pale in comparison to what brings us all together as members of the community. Our thanks go to the first responders and other support staff have came to the aid of the victims in Copley Square today, and who have been working since then to protect our safety. Above all, our thoughts and compassion are with the victims and their families. Zachary Bos, Co-chair, Secular Coalition for Massachusetts Massachusetts State Director, American Atheists Immediate Past President, Boston Atheists Ellery Schempp, Co-chair, Secular Coalition for Massachusetts Mr. Josiah Van Vliet, President, Boston Atheists [Click headline for more…] Read more
The usual suspects haven’t weighed in yet, but Twitter is full of ignorant people quick to blame atheists (or at least the secularizing of our country) for the awful bombings that took place in Boston today: I’m sickened to hear an eight year old child was killed in Boston today.All I can say is it’s a godless person… fb.me/2mu8YFDvN— Cupcake Delights (@mtdoracupcakes) April 16, 2013 [Click headline for more…] Read more
Short and to the point: “Our thoughts are with all those affected by the devastating tragedy in Boston. The American Humanist Association encourages its members and all humanists to lend support if they are able to do so.” You can donate blood or funds to the Red Cross by going here. Read more
Obviously, most of the information we have is premature right now, but American Atheists just released this statement: American Atheists President David Silverman said, “As a native of the Boston area, I am terribly upset about this news. Our hearts go out to the families of the two people who died today, and we wish a speedy recovery to the injured runners and spectators… We call upon those in the area as well as anyone else who wants to help to donate blood and hope investigators are able to find out what happened quickly and safely.” You can donate blood or funds to the Red Cross by going here. Read more
Atheist John W. Loftus and Christian Randal Rauser have co-authored a new book in which they debate a variety of questions about faith. It’s called God or Godless?: One Atheist. One Christian. Twenty Controversial Questions. The introduction to the book is below: [Click headline for more…] Read more
Note: The names in this letter are changed to protect people’s privacy. Dear Richard, I am an eighteen-year-old atheist high school student. I would consider myself “semi-out” as many of my friends know of my atheism but most of my relatives do not. (My older brother is also an atheist, and we are both waiting to move out and finish college to come out to our parents.) Over the past year, I have become close friends with Craig, a deeply… Read more
Let’s go back to September of 2011, to New Heights Middle School in South Carolina. The school is located in Chesterfield County, a place that’s home to over two hundred Christian churches. I wrote about an incident that happened there in The Young Atheist’s Survival Guide: Not only did [Chapman] use his time to rail against atheism, evolution, and homosexuality, he told the students that “a relationship with Jesus is what you need, more important than anything else.” Christian rapper Bryan Edmonds (a.k.a. B-SHOC) later joined him onstage and performed “overtly Christian songs” for the crowd. Even the principal joined the mix by telling students to attend a local church. But that wasn’t all. Students were told to sign a pledge dedicating themselves to Jesus Christ and teachers were told to pray with students before returning to the classroom. Afterward, the public school’s own website declared that “[b]efore the day ended, 324 kids had either been saved, or had re-committed their lives to the Lord.” We know about this incident for two main reasons. First, B-SHOC idiotically posted a video of the event to YouTube (the relevant portion begins at the 3:04 mark): [Click headline for more…] Read more
