Andy Ross used to run a place called Cody’s Bookstore in Berkeley, California. About twenty years ago, the store was firebombed after it carried and displayed copies of Salman Rushdie’s Satanic Verses — a book that was deemed so offensive to Muslims that the Ayatollah issued a fatwa on Rushdie, calling for his death. Ross tells the story of what it was like to own the store around the time of the bombing, including the decision of whether or not… Read more
by Jesse Galef – What is love? People often say that they “believe” in love, or swear that there’s more to it than a set of feelings. I was involved in a Q&A a couple years ago in which an audience member asked me whether I had ever been in love. As I was telling him I would discuss private matters over drinks as long as he was buying, he proceeded to rant about how love is a gift from… Read more
The current Supreme Court consists of: 6 Catholics 2 Jews 1 Protestant And if Justice John Paul Stevens retires next year — he probably will — the sole Protestant would be gone. Dahlia Lithwick at Slate asks why it’s uncouth to talk about the religious makeup of the Supreme Court: … We talk about the need for race and gender diversity on the court in brave, sweeping pronouncements: The court needs more women, we say, or more Asians, or more… Read more
Note: When letter writers sign with their first names instead of a pseudonym or nickname, I randomly change their name for added anonymity. Richard, Let me start by saying I have truly enjoyed your column. You give a lot of good advice I find myself agreeing with, and you provide a lot of food for thought. That said, I’ve got a problem and could use some help. I’ve delayed in writing this as the situation has become a bit fluid… Read more
The New Zealand Atheist Bus Campaign wanted to raise $10,000 to put the classic ads on NZ buses — they surpassed that goal in 48 hours. Looks like these will soon be seen in the Land of the Kiwi: The campaign was launched here yesterday. New Zealand Atheist Bus Campaign spokesman Simon Fisher said it would provoke discussion on religion and take away the stigma of atheism. … Mr Fisher hopes to raise $10,000 to pay for six bus advertisements… Read more
This makes me sick: Americans’ views of the “honesty and ethics” of clergy have hit a 32-year low, with just half rating their moral caliber as high or very high, according to Gallup’s annual Honesty and Ethics Ratings of Professions survey. Wait, that’s a good thing, right? Half the people don’t think Catholic Church clergy are honest or ethical — what’s wrong with that? Only that half the people do see them as honest and ethical. Let’s put this in… Read more
A lot of you must have seen Thursday night’s episode of Community on NBC because I got several messages about it. The full episode isn’t available on Hulu yet, but this trailer gives you an idea of what to expect (sorry, non-Americans!): And elsewhere in the episode…: Shirley: You think religion is stupid. Jeff: No, no! To me, religion is like Paul Rudd: I see the appeal, and I would never take it away from anyone, but I would also… Read more
by Jesse Galef – A bill sponsored by 19 House Republicans (including six from South Carolina, never a good sign,) wants to reaffirm that people can celebrate Christmas and mention God. I’m guessing this is in response to a gross misunderstanding of current legal concerns over displays that are government-sponsored or on government property. Via one of my longtime favorite bloggers, Steve Benen at WashingtonMonthly, I apologize in advance for the text of H. RES. 951: Rep. Henry Brown (R-SC),… Read more
In Connecticut, a calf was born a week ago with a marking on its forehead. It’s causing some people to claim divine intervention. All I’m thinking is Harry Potter reincarnate. On the upside, at least they’re not going to slaughter it… (Thanks to The Green Atheist) Read more
Russell Wiseman, the mayor of Arlington, TN recently explained on Facebook that the reason President Obama gave his speech about Afghanistan last Tuesday night was because he’s a Muslim and he hates Christmas: Ok, so, this is total crap, we sit the kids down to watch “The Charlie Brown Christmas Special” and our muslim president is there, what a load…..try to convince me that wasn’t done on purpose. Ask the man if he believes that Jesus Christ is the Son… Read more
