A big congratulations goes to Scotland! If all legislation goes as planned, Scotland will be the first part of the United Kingdom to legalize same sex marriage! Yay! According to Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon: We are committed to a Scotland that is fair and equal and that is why we intend to proceed with plans to allow same-sex marriage and religious ceremonies for civil partnerships. We believe that this is the right thing to do. Interestingly, although unsurprisingly, this plan… Read more
Dan Casey of The Roanoke Times wrote an article that is very entertaining if you take it sarcastically… and infuriating if you think he’s being serious. It’s a fictional account of what goes on behind-the-scenes at the Freedom From Religion Foundation: “Next we’ll hear from the atheist in charge of the Blue Ridge Mountains area. Lucifer — er, I meant Luke — can you give us a status report?” “Happy to, madam chairwoman,” says Luke. “As you know, we’ve been… Read more
A number of atheists groups (as well as religious ones) have sent a letter to five Republican members of Congress after they denigrated individuals and groups for their dubious or non-existent ties to the Muslim Brotherhood. We may not support government endorsement of religion but we also don’t believe a person’s faith should disqualify them from public service — certainly not for discredited reasons like these. Text of the letter is below and you can see the PDF here: Dear… Read more
Sylvia Broeckx, a Belgian filmmaker living in England, wants to make a documentary about what it’s like to be an atheist in America: Unlike my US friends, I can openly talk about [atheism] without the fear of persecution or the fear of losing my job, my friends or my family. It’s a cause I find myself passionate about so I’ve been wondering for a while what can I do. I’m a filmmaker. With that in mind, I would dearly love… Read more
Atheists are in a lose-lose situation when it comes to complaining about what seem to be minor violations — but violations, nonetheless — of church/state separation. If we complain about it, we’re deemed to be haters who want every mention of religion out of the public square. (e.g. A cross in a city’s logo.) If we don’t complain about it, then years later, the same groups will say they’re entitled to have their faith promoted by the government because it’s… Read more
I don’t know why James Holmes killed all those people in Aurora, Colorado, but I can cross at least one thing off the list: He was possessed by demons. That’s what Father Dwight Longnecker suggests, in yet another example of why you shouldn’t automatically pay respect to someone just because he has a religious title in front of his name: Was [Holmes] demon possessed? Maybe. It happens. Demonic infestation is a rare, strange and terrible psycho-spiritual affliction. In simple terms,… Read more
***Update***: This was posted on their Facebook page: Our publisher, HarperCollins, is marketing several of their Berenstain Bears titles through a kids’ meal promotion at Chick-fil-A scheduled for August. This program was in development for over a year. We were unaware of any controversy involving Chick-fil-A until July 25. The Berenstain family does not at this time have control over whether this program proceeds or not. We hope those concerned about this issue will direct their comments toward HarperCollins and… Read more
If you’re staying at the Damson Dene Hotel in the Lake District of England, and you open the bedside table, you won’t be finding the Bible there. What will you see? Yes, the lady-porn that has been sweeping the nation is going to be in every hotel room! Here’s what hotel-owner Jonathan Denby has to say: Tonight millions of women will be curling up in bed with a good book and you can bet your life it won’t be the… Read more
That’s a monument of the Ten Commandments. I would have no problem if that monument was up at a local church. But what was it doing at the Oakland Zoo? That’s what Joey Piscitelli wanted to know when he wrote a letter to zoo officials back in May: My name is Joey Piscitelli, and I am a supporter of the Oakland Zoo, and have attended several events at the zoo, including weddings and other occasions at the “Snow Building”, located… Read more
