Foundation Beyond Belief, a non-profit group I work with that encourages atheists to give to charities, just wrapped up its second quarter, and our members have outdone themselves. At the end of March, we were able to report that our beneficiaries received a total of $12,500. Now, at the end of June, we can say that our slate of charities received a total of $22,535! That’s amazing. Here’s what the breakdown looked like: It feels good to know that a… Read more
I think it’s silly that the woman in the video below is proselytizing at the mall. I think it’s absurd to think her questions are actually going to get people to convert (or even think about it). I don’t care that someone is videotaping the conversations. But I stopped rolling my eyes when I saw there was a child involved. I would have to presume the woman (her mom?) taught her to say these things. I know it’s tough to… Read more
If you’re moderating a debate between Christians and atheists anytime soon, I suggest going over some ground rules first. It’ll make everything run more smoothly… (via NonStampCollector) Read more
Afshan Azad plays Padma Patil in the “Harry Potter” movies. But she’s getting publicity right now for the wrong reason. She could’ve been a victim of an “honor killing.” The 22-year-old actress’s father and brother have been charged with threatening to kill her, says the Daily Mail. The altercation occurred at the family home in Manchester, England. In addition to threatening her, Afshan’s brother, 28-year-old Ashraf, is also accused of physically assaulting Afshan and “causing her bodily harm.” … According… Read more
Dr. Stephen Barrett has been a longtime force for good with his website Quackwatch. If there’s alternative medicine or pseudoscientific theories that need debunking, he’s always been on top of it. I remember first coming across it nearly a decade ago and it’s the first place I go to when I want to learn more about some particular alternative medicine. Now, he’s in trouble because he’s pointed out possible fraud with Doctor’s Data, a lab that facilitates chelation therapy. They’re… Read more
It was a year ago that Richard Wade began answering your questions, putting to use his skills as both a retired marriage and family counselor and a compassionate writer. You want to talk about Friendly Atheism? There’s your man. His column has become one of the most popular (and appreciated) features on this site — whenever I gave a talk at a college this past year, someone would inevitably come up to me to say how much they loved reading… Read more
Nate Phelps, the son of Westboro Baptist Church’s Fred Phelps, did an interview at The Pod Delusion where he talks about why he left the “God Hates Fags” church and how he is now actively trying (a la Richard Dawkins) to convince people to lose their faith. The relevant portion begins at the 14:25 mark. … Nate Phelps also appeared on FFRF’s Freethought Today last week. (Thanks to James for the link!) Read more
From the New York Times: Publishers of Christian material have begun producing iPhone applications that can cough up quick comebacks and rhetorical strategies for believers who want to fight back against what they view as a new strain of strident atheism. I can see it now… Christian: This is a Christian nation! Atheist: Not true! Many of our Founding Fathers were deists or atheists. Christian: Well… umm… give me one second. *Clicks on Christian iPhone app* Christian: Hold on… it’s… Read more
A lot of atheist billboards have been vandalized over the past year: Christine Dao at the Institute for Creation Research — there’s a laugh for you — says that vandalism is wrong… but the atheists really brought this on themselves: While vandalism should not be condoned, these recent events shed light on what some Americans will do when they feel that their freedom of speech is threatened. An atheist spokesman in North Carolina said their message is needed to “let… Read more
Get ready to have a nerdgasm. The Damsels of Dorkington — Blythe Renay and Rissy Pelot — have a new video out called “I Kissed a Nerd.” (It’s a parody of Katy Perry’s “I Kissed a Girl.”) I’d totally marry any woman who knows how to factor. A little insider info for you: Blythe, the lead singer in the video? Atheist. Her father? Wrote a piece for the Atheist Guide to Christmas. And the song’s writer (the one in red… Read more
