Philosopher Massimo Pigliucci is the author of a new book Nonsense on Stilts: How to Tell Science from Bunk. Just from the title, it sounds very promising, yes? Well, this extended, exclusive passage from the book may get your atheist senses tingling. It talks about the limits and powers of science. Pigliucci argues that scientists can’t know everything, contrary to what he claims many scientists believe. While science is a wonderful field, indeed, it has its problems. Pigliucci adds that… Read more
***Update***: Looks like everything is back to normal 🙂 Thanks for bearing with me. … For the time being, emails sent to this site aren’t getting to me. I’ll try to resolve this as soon as I can. In the meantime, you can leave links/tips in the comments here. Read more
I have a newfound appreciated for stained-glass windows: It was created by artist Sarah Pierce. I don’t know where it’s located, but if someone tells me, I’ll go worship there from now on. Read more
40-Year-Old-Atheist has a son with Type I Diabetes. Recently, he went to a conference for families dealing with the same issue and he encountered a lot of religious families. That set him apart: I do not ask “Why him?”. Not ever. But that very question was asked (or at least implied) by several people over the course of the day. It started with the Keynote speaker who frequently invoked God in trying to give comfort to us. “God has a… Read more
On Friday, May 21st, I’ll be speaking at the University of Oregon (in the city of Eugene) for the Alliance of Happy Atheists. All the details can be found here! The event is free and there will be all sorts of food and partying afterwards, I’m sure. I’ve never been to Oregon. Any suggestions on what to see/do?! Read more
Imagine if high school students were given a ballot by their administration to vote on whether or not Creationism ought to be taught in their science classrooms. And imagine if most of them voted, “Yes! Teach it!” It wouldn’t matter. Creationism isn’t science and it should stay out of the classroom, regardless of how many people want it to be taught. What if students voted in favor of a prayer to be read over the intercom each morning during class?… Read more
This is the sort of thinking from “moderate” Christians that I can’t stand. They make stuff up, wrap it in “life-inspiring” packaging, and Christians swallow it whole. Case in point, this post from author Don Miller. I actually liked one of his books a lot. But this post frustrates me. His goal is to say God doesn’t have a “specific plan for your life.” Rather, he gives you the free will to do what you want. Which, of course, is… Read more
This doesn’t sound like a big deal, but I think it deserves a mention. Atheists often talk about how religion brainwashes children before they really have a chance to decide for themselves what they think about religion/god. If you go to Christian merchandising stores, for example, it’s not hard to find Jesus clothing for infants and toddlers : Disturbing, no? So how would you feel about shirts advocating non-religion being marketed for children of atheist parents? I would hope most… Read more
On last night’s Real Time with Bill Maher, Maher spoke about the problem with extremist Muslims and how, even in America, our religious extremists are nowhere as crazy as those elsewhere in the world who would threaten (or commit) murder over a simple cartoon: (via Mediaite) Read more
After the South Park debacle in which Trey Parker and Matt Stone were not allowed to show an image of Muhammad — or even say his name — the Atheists, Agnostics & Freethinkers group at the University of Illinois wanted to show their support for free speech. So they went around campus with chalk and drew images of Muhammad on the ground: There’s Muhammad in the upper left. Is that offensive? I say no. If you get offended by that,… Read more
