This is a guest post by Jamie Bernstein. Jamie is a graduate student in public policy at the University of Chicago. … I am generally not the activist type. It’s not that I don’t have strong opinions or don’t care deeply about a variety of issues, but I just generally don’t like to go to rallies or protests. However, when I received an email two nights ago from Bruce Critelli saying that the anti-vaxers were going to have a rally… Read more
The last time cartoonist Lars Vilks spoke at Uppsala University, this happened: The riot happened because radical Muslims were offended by this drawings of Muhammad with a dog’s body: Well, Uppsala University is inviting Vilks back in the fall to complete the lecture he was giving. The university said Tuesday that people shouldn’t be silenced by “violence and threats.” It said police and university officials will review the security situation before the new lecture. Good for them! They are supporting… Read more
When a church leadership team gets together, it’s not unusual to see them asking a god to guide them and help them with their vision. Someone tell me how this method is any different: (via nakedpastor) Read more
The Supreme Court has agreed to hear Arizona Christian School Tuition Organization v. Winn and Garriott v. Winn and will decide the constitutionality of a program that diverts tax money into private-school scholarships. This program allows donors a dollar-for-dollar reduction in state income taxes. The reduction is good for contributions of up to $1,000 if made to certain non-profits organizations. These non-profits collect the money and distribute them in the form of scholarships for students. The law allows organizations to… Read more
I’ve said this before, but it’s a mixed bag for me that so many Christians treat gay people the way they do. On one side, they’re pushing gay people (and many liberal allies) away from their churches and faith. And that’s a plus. On the down side, they hurt many gay people in the process. And I wish that didn’t happen. But times are changing and the likes of bigots like James Dobson and Rick Warren and Pat Robertson and… Read more
The state of Illinois, which is refusing to give public schools the hundreds of millions of dollars they are owed, had no problem giving $20,000 to Friends of the Cross “for the purchase and installation of new exterior panels for the cross to replace existing panels that are missing, worn or rusted.” This is the cross they wanted to fix, located in southwestern Illinois: More money was given to them later, too. Atheist Rob Sherman is trying to do something… Read more
David Sloan Wilson is the author of a book called Evolution for Everyone. Sounds all well and good but at a recent philosophy of biology conference, he made comments against the New Atheists that don’t make much sense. … As we speak, we are establishing our first consulting relationship with a religious congregation in Binghamton to explore their religion and spirituality and to help them be more effective as an organization [by using evolutionary tools]. I think the benefits we… Read more
The Humanists of Florida Association recently held a conference in Sarasota and they’ve just released audio of the talks. If you’re interested — and why on earth wouldn’t you be? — you can hear lectures on reaching out to secular students, how Humanists find meaning & purpose, and raising freethinkers. This is excellent information, perfect for a long drive or run. (Thanks to Alex for the link!) Read more
This time, Christians have taken it *too* far: I’d be laughing harder if it weren’t equally as ludicrous as trying to force Intelligent Design into the classroom… (Thanks to Kevin for the link!) Read more
