Dave Silverman, president of American Atheists (and recent subject of Jon Stewart’s scorn) gave a talk at the Secular Student Alliance 2011 conference that earned him a standing ovation and got the audience energized about being activists. It’s about how our “movement” will ultimately succeed no matter the opposition and how it is vital that atheists proudly and confidently come out of the closet. This was one of those talks that I loved to listen to… despite cringing through parts… Read more
This is a guest post by Annie Thomas. Annie is a science teacher and writer from Gainesville, Florida. She attended this event at my request and donated the ticket reimbursement to Atheist Nexus. *** The Hare Krishnas on University Avenue chanted and drummed as I started my hour drive south. I drove past the Islamic Center, the YMCA summer camp, and a variety of tiny little churches whose denominations I had never heard of before moving to Florida years ago…. Read more
In case you don’t remember the backstory, the Harvard Humanist Chaplaincy is giving their Humanist of the Year award to Family Guy and American Dad! creator Seth MacFarlane. The date for the event changed a couple different times (including once after tickets had already begun to sell) — which is frustrating and (perhaps) inevitable when you’re dealing with such a big-name celebrity… but there’s a new date on the calendar, so let’s hope it sticks. It’s Saturday, October 15th. Tickets… Read more
In the midst of all the chaos in our government, Sam Shore pointed out some happy news last week regarding women’s health: On August 1, 2011, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) adopted additional Guidelines for Women’s Preventive Services — including well-woman visits, support for breastfeeding equipment, contraception, and domestic violence screening — that will be covered without cost sharing in new health plans starting in August 2012. The guidelines were recommended by the independent Institute of Medicine… Read more
We often complain that Christians don’t speak out enough against the Religious Right. So when they do it, they deserve credit. That’s why Rev. Jim Rigby deserves some praise. Before Texas Governor Rick Perry’s Christapalooza rally over the weekend, Rigby publicly condemned it: … as a Presbyterian minister and community organizer, it’s part of my job to stand up for my neighbors. The use of the governor’s office to promote one religion in a country with such rich religious diversity… Read more
You did it! When Jon Husted, the Ohio Secretary of State, held an online poll to decide which “I voted” sticker would be given out to voters this November, there were two options (out of six) which unnecessarily mentioned God. This was the one receiving the bulk of the Christian votes: So we rallied. Then rallied again. And again. The lead went back and forth between that God sticker and one of the alternatives, but slowly, the God sticker’s lead… Read more
Note: Letter writers’ names are changed to protect their privacy. Dear Richard, I’m 21, financially and socially independent, and happily living on my own. But my relationship with my parents can only be called distant. We only see each other once or twice a year, call once every few months. When they found out I was an atheist in high school, they freaked out (i.e. initial yelling and mandatory church for two months, complete with chilly silence every weekend) and… Read more
Last year, my friend Anne Jackson published a really neat book called Permission to Speak Freely. It was like PostSecret for Christians. She asked her blog readers to respond to the question: What is one thing you feel you can’t say in church? The responses poured in and I don’t think any atheist would be surprised by what they said: I love the book because it shows that there are Christians in the pews who have the same thoughts which… Read more
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico was wonderful. I zip-lined through the jungle. (And didn’t fall off and die!) I went snorkeling in the ocean. (Holy $#&%, there are some freaky things down there…) I drank 3928412 strawberry margaritas. (Who needs to learn Spanish when you can just point to red liquid-y things and make a chugging gesture with your hand?) And I had some delicious Mexican food… (I still think Taco Bell is yummier for the price. Screw all of you who… Read more
This is a guest post by Stef McGraw. Stef is a Junior at the University of Northern Iowa and a member of the UNI Freethinkers and Inquirers (UNIFI). With Hemant back in the country, our week of the students taking over has come to an end. I’d first and foremost like to thank Hemant for this opportunity, and I know that my fellow student bloggers would say the same. It isn’t every day that our posts get to be read… Read more
