Note: When letter writers sign with their first names instead of a pseudonym or nickname, I randomly change their name for added anonymity. Is it dangerous to join a church out of pure social interest? This weekend, I attended a very small conservative church with a friend of mine. The women wear scarves over their head, and it is taught that men are servants to God, and women are servants to men. This was mentioned twice at the sermon. The… Read more
Apparently, there now exists an Episcopal Priest Barbie (High Church Edition). (Which is really the gift all little kids want this year.) But Jen has gone one step further and created a toy that children of non-religious parents can love just as much: Atheist Barbie: Mmm… lunch. Gotta say, if someone made that, I would totally buy it. And I’m not ashamed to say that. Read more
Rob Sherman, the atheist from Chicago who has a long history of filing lawsuits supporting church/state separation, has outdone himself this time. He filed a federal lawsuit (PDF) “to block $2.3 billion in Illinois grants from the $31 billion Capital Bill that was enacted into law last year.” This is something he has been working on for a few months now. As I’ve written about before, a lot of those Illinois grants are going to religious organizations. Not just Christian… Read more
Wait… there’s a Baby Café in Panama City, Florida and no one told me when I visited that state?! I missed out. (Thanks to Bethany for the link!) Read more
Christopher Hitchens’ new book, the autobiography Hitch-22, will be released on June 2nd: It has the distinctive bright yellow cover of his previous books. However, this one is shinier. Therefore, it will be better. (Don’t question my logic.) Hitchens will be speaking at the 6th & I Historic Synagogue in Washington, DC on June 13th to talk about the book. The event is sponsored by the Center for Inquiry DC and if you’re a “Friend of the Center,” you can… Read more
This cartoon’s from David Hayward (a.k.a. nakedpastor), who recently left his position as church pastor. Anyone who has walked that same course can tell you how tough that journey is. However — and I’m sure the commenters can attest to this — you’re so much better off as a result. If David were to draw a fifth panel to this cartoon, taking place a few months down the road, I’m pretty sure the guy at the end would have a… Read more
The latest atheist billboard (and corresponding bus ads) can be found in Fayetteville, Arkansas, thanks to the Northwest Arkansas Coalition of Reason. “We… want everyone to know that those of us who don’t believe in a supreme being happen to be your neighbors,” added Randall Fleck, coordinator of NWA CoR. “Folks like us can be found everywhere. We’re family members, friends and coworkers. One of us might even be in the pew next to you in church. So it’s about… Read more
Yeah, he’s pandering the the religious base by saying a lot of this, but it’s worth taking note President Obama mentioned non-believers in his recent weekly address: This is a week of faithful celebration. On Monday and Tuesday nights, Jewish families and friends in the United States and around the world gathered for a Seder to commemorate the Exodus from Egypt and the triumph of hope and perseverance over injustice and oppression. On Sunday, my family will join other Christians… Read more
A message to Christians who want to convince others to follow Jesus. Don’t do while dressed as a bloody Jesus on a cross. Near a mall. Where children are passing you and crying. And when the police arrest you and reporters ask why you just did that, don’t say this: “I think it was pretty sad that a Christian group couldn’t express what Easter was truly about for one hour — it wasn’t like we were trying to take over… Read more
It’s been nearly two years since the former president of American Atheists Ellen Johnson has made any public appearances. That reclusion ends this weekend. In a coup that we never thought possible, New York City Atheists has managed to get Ellen Johnson, the former president of American Atheists, to come speak to us on April 11 to commemorate the birthday of the late Madalyn Murray O’Hair, founder of American Atheists. Johnson’s topic will be: “Madalyn O’Hair: All the Things That… Read more