Note: Letter writers’ names are changed to protect their privacy. Should unsuccessful atheists stay in the closet? Assuming that an atheist is unsuccessful in life, should that person refrain from being outspoken about his/her atheism? I’ve recently heard multiple prominent atheists say that one way to improve the way in which theists view atheists is for the atheist to live a happy, successful life and point out to the theist that you’re doing it as an atheist. If that is… Read more
In Texas, the Dallas – Forth Worth Coalition of Reason bus ad is getting all sorts of publicity because of this ad: Of course, the publicity only increased after a Christian group decided to stalk the four buses carrying that ad with traveling billboards of their own: How is the Fort Worth Transportation Authority responding to all this? They’ve now revised their advertising policy: The formal policy reflects most of The T’s current guidelines which excluded certain local political, tobacco,… Read more
***Update***: To the commenters, I’m aware of the No True Scotsman fallacy, which I tried to avoid in this post. I stand by what I wrote, saying that Duke was no Humanist. Those principles very clearly oppose his actions. Duke may, however, be an atheist. I don’t deny that. It hasn’t been confirmed but it’s possible. … In case you hadn’t seen this story, a gunman opened fire at a school board meeting in Floridaon Tuesday afternoon. The video is… Read more
The Onion named Pastor Terry Jones a “Person Who Mattered in 2010” 🙂 With the gaze of the whole world fixed on his small Gainesville, FL–based Dove World Outreach Center this Sept. 11, Pastor Terry Jones shocked an anxious media by calling off his threat to burn 200 copies of the Koran, which is bullshit, really, because the guy should have at least had the balls to torch one measly copy. Right? If Jones, or anyone, wants to get a… Read more
You know your atheist billboard has made it when it’s referenced in a political cartoon: And, of course, the original has been getting attention for weeks: American Atheists president Dave Silverman tweeted yesterday that it was the first day he’s had no media interviews since the campaign began — an incredible feat of publicity when you consider the campaign began on November 23rd. I wonder how they plan to top this… (via Joe. My. God.) Read more
Yesterday, I was a guest on a Christian radio show. Before you listen to it, understand how this even happened. I got an email from the show’s producer a couple weeks ago: I checked out their website and got a quick sense of the type of show they put on. The host was a conservative, Christian, evolution-denier, etc. I wasn’t optimistic, but I still like to think something productive can happen if they’re willing to reach out to me. So… Read more
In Arizona, Christopher Gleason was nominated to serve on the state’s Independent Redistricting Commission (a powerful body that draws “lines for congressional and legislative districts”). He had the support of Republican House Speaker Kirk Adams. But it turns out he won’t be serving… Before I explain why, you need to know a couple important pieces of background information: The commission is composed of two Democrats, two Republicans and an independent. The partisan members are selected by elected party officials; the… Read more
Richard Dawkins’ father died a couple days ago and he penned the obituary: My father, (Clinton) John Dawkins, who has died peacefully of old age, packed an enormous amount into his 95 years. … He and Jean (who survives him) celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary in 2009. In his nineties John slowed down and his memory slipped peacefully away. He learned to laugh at his infirmities with the benign cheerfulness that often deserts the very old. It inspired deep love… Read more
RogueBlueJay talks about “anti-intellectuals” — a group that basically includes everyone from fundamentalists to Birthers to Sarah Palin fans… Is the analogy accurate? Who else is like the Roadrunner? (Thanks to Jake for the link!) Read more
When atheists protested a city council meeting in Hawaii earlier in the year, they came out on top — they were found “not guilty” of disorderly conduct in court. Maybe that’s the inspiration for another city council protest that took place in Hartford, Connecticut last night. Members of the Connecticut Valley Atheists plan to silently protest Monday night, by sitting instead of standing during the City Council meeting’s opening prayer. The head of Connecticut Valley Atheists said the usual prayer… Read more
