Today is Everybody Draw Muhammad Day 3: (Video via Thunderf00t) In previous years, I’ve compiled and posted large sets of images as a way to show solidarity with others who refuse to be censored by religious extremists… this year, for a variety of personal reasons, I just didn’t have the time to put it all together. I didn’t think anything of it — it wasn’t as much of a hot topic this year as it was in the past, right?… Read more
This is a guest post by Annie Thomas. Annie is a science teacher and writer from Gainesville, Florida. She last wrote about her night at a Kirk Cameron-hosted “marriage-strengthening” event. *** On May 3rd of this year, a monument of the Ten Commandments was unveiled at the Bradford County courthouse in Florida. The $20,000 monument was a gift from Lee Anderson of Lake City. Anderson gave a similar “gift” to Dixie County a few years ago. The Dixie County monument… Read more
Just last month, Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant signed a law that would require doctors who perform abortions in their state to also have admitting privileges in a local hospital — basically, another restriction on abortions. Mississippi legislators are actively making it impossible to seek out a safe and legal abortion in their state. But what did State Rep. Bubba Carpenter have to say about it? What did he think about the women he would inevitably force into unsafe situations? The… Read more
I’d wager that most readers at the Friendly Atheist are at least familiar with the “No True Scotsman” fallacy if they haven’t been on the receiving end of the argument at some point. The idea is that when someone doesn’t fit your stereotype of a particular group, instead of reassessing the stereotype, you just assume that person doesn’t actually belong in the group (“You’re an atheist who votes Republican?! You must not be a real atheist!”) I bring that up… Read more
A few of the talks from the Global Atheist Convention in Melbourne are starting to come online — the highlights, at least, are worth a few minutes of your time. I love Dennett’s clip. Daniel Dennett: Ayaan Hirsi Ali: A C Grayling: Read more
Here’s an interesting documentary project: Michael Wilson is an atheist from New Zealand and he’s heading out on a road trip: I will be test driving religions around my country of New Zealand (sometimes referred to as Godzone). I am planning to visit many groups who think theirs is the one true religion and everyone will get the chance to pitch their god or gods. I will also be talking to experts in religion including professors who have had their… Read more
Unlike the forwards you receive from your gullible older relatives, it turns out Albert Einstein did have something to say about religion, at least regarding prayer. In response to a young girl’s letter to him in which she asked, “Do scientists pray?” Einstein said this: Scientists believe that every occurrence, including the affairs of human beings, is due to the laws of nature. Therefore a scientist cannot be inclined to believe that the course of events can be influenced by… Read more
My seniors graduate this week and I was compiling a list for them. After asking people on Twitter and Facebook for their ideas, here’s what I put together: Never buy textbooks. There are always places to find cheap (or free) versions. Don’t sign up for a credit card, no matter what “prize” they’re offering you. If you do get one, though, be sure to pay it off each month. If you can avoid it, try not to get a job… Read more
In news that doesn’t seem to be getting a lot of American press, José Mujica, the President of Uruguay, made a reference to his own atheism this week when speaking about the ailing Hugo Chavez: Reader David Osorio was kind enough to translate: “I still have not been able to believe in God… if such an important man exists I hope he gives a helping hand to the poor in Latin America by defending the health of the commander,” said… Read more
A year after atheist Damon Fowler fought a losing battle to get prayer out of his Louisiana high school graduation, there’s some great news to report: No moment of silence this year. No public prayer. And no controversy. Those are Damon’s efforts coming to fruition. Bastrop High School won’t thank him for what he did anytime soon, but the rest of us can. In case you’re wondering, Damon will be starting college in Texas this fall. That scholarship so many… Read more
