Following Chick-fil-A CEO Dan Cathy’s controversial announcement that the conservative, Christian-owned restaurant opposes gay marriage, the Jim Henson Co. announced it would cut its ties to the chain and donate Chick-fil-A’s payment to GLAAD. A couple of days later, this happened (click to enlarge): We apologize for any inconvenience but as of 7/19/2012 Chick-fil-A has voluntarily recalled all of the Jim Henson Creature Shop Puppet Kids Meal toys due to a possible safety issue. Please be advised that there have… 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
According to progressive think tank Political Research Associates, American evangelical groups are doing more than just proselytizing overseas. They’re spreading hatred against gays, lesbians, and women, too: It identified three organisations that it believes are aggressively targeting the continent: [Pat] Robertson’s ACLJ, the Catholic group Human Life International and Family Watch International, led by the Mormon activist Sharon Slater. … In the past five years, the report alleges, all “have launched or expanded Africa-based offices dedicated to promoting their Christian… Read more
Monsignor William J. Lynn — a Catholic official who covered up sexual abuse in the Church, “shielded predatory priests, sometimes transferring them to unwary new parishes.” and lied to the public about it — was sentenced to 3-6 years in prison today. It’s not enough to make up for the damage he’s caused — hell, Penn State arguably got a harsher sentence — but it could be a warning sign to any other Catholic priests who think they can get… Read more
Quick: What do you see in this picture of the sky above the site for the Aurora tragedy victims’ vigil? If you said “Clouds,” you would be correct. If you said “An angel,” then, um, you would be Crystal Fuller: Crystal Fuller took the photo after the vigil was finished Sunday night, but said she didn’t notice the image of the angel right away. “I noticed it afterwards. I had it posted and said crazy cloud… one of my friends,… Read more
This is a guest post by Ryne P. Smith. Ryne lives in Chicago and is currently working on his undergrad in biology. He previous wrote for this site here. … In the wake of the Aurora theater shooting, we have heard a good deal about the 12 people who were killed. We have also heard some Christian perspectives about why it happened. Not a lot has been said about the 58 people who were injured. Petra Anderson was one of… Read more
Bob Smietana’s article in today’s edition of The Tennessean tackles two big issues for atheism-at-large: Is Secular Humanism a religion? And can atheists achieve any type of political power? (My answers: No… and not anytime soon, but we have to try.) The article comes a week after the Secular Coalition for America held a conference call for anyone in Tennessee who might want to start a statewide chapter: Nick Curry, 24, of Nashville, who calls himself a secular humanist, hopes… Read more
Last night I had the great pleasure of donating my dinosaur presentation to Camp Quest West, Southern California, in the beautiful Angeles National Forest near Wrightwood, CA. I was so impressed by the 57 kids attending. They are bright, upbeat, eager, curious, and earnest. This was just the first evening, and I could already see they were forming a strong bond as a group to mutually support everyone in enjoying their camp experience to the fullest. The camp leaders, counselors,… Read more
