Earlier today, the group Atheists Helping the Homeless based in Austin, Texas held their 42nd giveaway — and because it’s their third anniversary, they gave away cake, too! Among the items they gave away: pre-packaged food, toilet paper, socks, soap, combs, razors, sunblock, and shampoo. Also, this marks the last giveaway for our friend Joe Zamecki (at least in an official capacity). He’s handing over AHH leadership to one of the other co-founders Mark Johnson. If you’d like to donate… Read more
It seems to me the people who disregard the separation of church and state are the sticklers that are always pointing to the Constitution (and the Bible for that matter) when and where it serves them. I want America back — the brave, progressive young country, unafraid of the unknown. Motivated by what is right and not reactionary and fear-based. — Actress/comedienne Sarah Silverman, speaking to Church & State about her upcoming performance for Voices United. Read more
I’ll be on National Progressive Talk Radio tonight at 9:00p (EST) and you can listen in and ask questions. So think of some good ones and call in to the show! Read more
On August 25th, there was a debate on the existence of God in Malaysia. According to Kok Sen Wai of the Malaysian Atheists, it was the “first time such a dialogue occurred” in the country as well as the largest ever gathering of atheists there (both claims I can’t verify). Anyway, you can see the full debate with commentary and analysis here, and the opening statement from Willie Poh on the atheist side is below: (via Kok Sen Wai) Read more
Normally, when a syndicated newspaper advice columnist tackles a question about atheism, I cringe. It’s never good information and you’re left wondering how the person earned a column in the first place. That’s not the case with Carolyn Hax, writer and columnist for the Washington Post. A mother wrote to Hax concerning her daughter… who just became an atheist: I love my daughter dearly, but I am troubled by this turn of events. She has never seriously misbehaved or otherwise… Read more
This one’s for the locals. For anyone in the area, Dan Barker will be speaking at the Ethical Humanist Society of Chicago next Sunday, September 16th, from 10:30a-12:00p. The topic? “Outspoken Atheists: Help or Hindrance to the Secular Movement?” … Noting that atheist writers Dawkins and Harris are accused of being overcritical of religion, Barker will argue, “The one who pulls up weeds is just as much a gardener as the one who plants the seeds.” He’ll also delight us… Read more
Over the summer, I wrote an article for Free Inquiry in which I asked atheists to “take care of our own.” A few weeks ago, the magazine’s staff forwarded me a piece of “fan mail” they got at their offices… here’s the beginning: He solved alllll of math. All of it. I should just quit my job now. Also, atheists believe in Dracula. Or something like that. The full letter is below. If anyone can decipher it, I’d love to… Read more
At Foundation Beyond Belief, we want more people to join our Light the Night teams to raise $1,000,000 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. YouTuber Aron Ra and the FBB’s Dr. Zachary Moore made the following video to promote it. If nothing else, watch from the 1:45 mark. Zach makes a powerful plea for why you should get involved: Please join a team, start a team, or donate some money to the cause! Read more
On Tuesday, about 200 women in Lahore, Pakistan rallied for their right to wear a hijab — a scarf that covers a woman’s hair and neck — in public. They carried signs like “My niqab, my right” and “Hijab empowers women” and “Hijab is our identity.” Which is great. I mean, I have my own issues with women feeling obligated to cover themselves, sure. And there are some logistical issues with security and identification with not being able to see someones face… Read more
