Spoken word artist Jefferson Bethke is getting a lot of attention recently because of an Ode-to-Jesus video making the rounds on all your Christian friends’ Facebook pages: The music, editing, and performance are admittedly impressive. It sounds refreshing, too, until you actually pick apart what he’s saying. Like this excerpt: Now back to the topic, one thing I think is vital to mention, How Jesus and religion are on opposite spectrums, One is the work of God one is a… Read more
In the aftermath of Jessica Ahlquist winning her legal battle against Cranston High School West, a number of Christians (and run-of-the-mill trolls) have resorted to threatening her and verbally abusing her on Facebook, Twitter, and even the comment sections of various news sites. Mary and Robert Posey have compiled screenshots from all over the place… it’s one ugly collection of backlash. Massachusetts state director of American Atheists Zachary Bos has already informed the high school about this just to make… Read more
Ajita Kamal, who founded the Indian science/freethought group Nirmukta, died earlier this week. He was only 33 and the cause of death is unknown. Ajita was an active participant in freethought throughout his years in America, forming ties with freethinkers who would become part of Nirmukta’s extended family. Employing his versatile talents, his contributions towards the cause of reason were manifold: as a prolific and edifying writer, as an insightful interviewer, as an adept podcast host, as an energetic community… Read more
Rick Brattin, a Republican state representative in Missouri, has sponsored a bill (HB 1227) that would require “equal treatment of science instruction regarding evolution and intelligent design.” What would that entail? Course textbooks contain approximately an equal number of pages of relevant material teaching each viewpoint. Textbook materials include text, pictures, illustrations, graphs, tables, questions, discussion items, student exercises, teacher support material and other material supplied with the textbook, with freedom allowed the textbook publishers to arrange, substitute, or size… Read more
After watching American Atheists place a controversial billboard at the foot of the Lincoln Tunnel last month, Bruce Gleason and the Backyard Skeptics group in California have adopted the image, reworded it slightly, and put it up in Westminster: 7 Million Californians know MYTHS when they see them. What myths do you see? Said Gleason: ”It is hard for people who are indoctrinated in a religious belief with many superstitions to look at their beliefs as myths, but it’s amazing… Read more
Back in July, GenerationXeroFilms made a powerful video documenting clip after clip of people arguing that atheists were the scum of the earth. Unfortunately, he’s now back with Part 2. It’s unfortunate only because it suggests there were so many clips he couldn’t get in the first video that a second one had to be made. But if you need any motivation for being an outspoken activist, this is it. (Thanks to Brian for the link!) Read more
(See previous post here for more details.) … Interesting piece of trivia: Judge Ronald Lagueux was appointed to the bench by that liberal activist…. Ronald Reagan. … Jessica Ahlquist has been added to the list of Reason Rally speakers! … Jessica spoke about the ruling this morning: “When [Rhode Island ACLU executive director] Steven Brown called me last night to give me the good news, I cried with happiness and relief. I’m so glad and proud that the right decision… Read more
On Tuesday, the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals confirmed the likely unconstitutionality (PDF) of a proposed amendment to the Oklahoma constitution. The proposed amendment, called — I kid you not — the “Save Our State” Amendment, commands that courts “shall not look to the precepts of other nations or cultures” and would have prohibited judges from considering both “international law or Sharia Law” and the laws of other states that “include Sharia Law.” This law would have been weird enough without… Read more
Some people hate the meme, but I feel left out. Someone make this happen! I’ll even get you started (with help from the folks on Twitter): “You’re an atheist? But you’re so nice!” “Do you believe in Satan?” “Your life must be bleak and meaningless.” “So why do you even bother to live?” “You were never a true believer.” “Why do you hate God?” “You’re just going through a phase.” “Deep down, you really believe.” “Just wait till you have… Read more
