I know we’ve all heard the arguments before, but I never get tired of hearing of how absurd the Ten Commandments are: Of course, no smackdown of the list is complete without watching George Carlin’s classic bit. (via Stupid Evil Bastard) Read more
Dear Richard, I am a senior in high school and I am preparing to start the college admissions process. A few of the colleges that I am planning on applying to use the Common Application. The essay for the Common App is open-ended and can be written on any topic of choice. I am contemplating writing about my experiences as a teenage atheist for the subject of this essay. I am not planning on explaining the reasons why I’m an… Read more
Albuquerque, New Mexico has a City Councilor named Don Harris who is doing everything in his power to pull an Elizabeth Dole and lose an election by attacking his challenger’s ties to atheism. This is part of a mailer Harris sent out last week regarding opponent David Barbour: That box at the top reads: David Barbour, recently moved here from San Francisco. He is a donor to Atheist organizations and speaker at Atheist events and attends radical political protests even… Read more
An article in the Charlotte Observer by John Murawski talks about the increased use of Christian chaplains in the workplace. Is it legal? According to the law experts cited in the piece, yes, with certain precautions. Corporate chaplains are an increasing presence in American workplaces — about 4,000 of them minister to workers nationwide, mostly in Southern states. But the ministers typically work for an outside agency and visit their assigned companies just a few days a month, said Mark… Read more
Sabri Husibi is a former Muslim who recently spoke at a gathering for the Tulsa Atheists (Oklahoma). He became an atheist at a young age when, while attending Quran school (to become an imam), he discovered he no longer had faith in the religion. “The more I learned, the more paradoxes I saw,” he said. Husibi said his rejection of Islam was cemented during mandatory military service in the Lebanon civil war in which more than a million people died,… Read more
A few months ago, I heard a story about a woman working at a Christian summer camp who needed a ride back to her cabin. Her co-worker (a male) was there and also needed a ride. Her boss (a male) had a car with one seat available. The co-worker suggested (rightly, I believe) that he could walk back by himself and the woman should take the safer option and be driven back by the boss. The boss refused to drive… Read more
Oh man! All the fundies were right all along. Million-year-old fossils? Just planted by Satan. Radiometric dating? The devil’s handiwork. The genetic similarities of different species? I’ll let the video explain that one… At least we now know where the Crocoduck comes from 🙂 (via SMBC Theater — Thanks to Zach for the link!) Read more
Six of the U.S. Supreme Court members spent the day attending Red Mass — a special service for law professionals that has been held since 1953. The Mass requests guidance from the Holy Spirit for all who seek justice, and offers the opportunity to reflect on what Catholics believe is the God-given power and responsibility of all in the legal profession. Who attended? Chief Justice John Roberts, Sonia Sotomayor, Antonin Scalia, Anthony Kennedy, Stephen Breyer, and Samuel Alito. Breye, who… Read more
In case you missed it last week, John Oliver of The Daily Show spoke to Tea Party protesters to get their advice for the G20 protesters. This lady may have been the scariest Teabagger of them all… The Daily Show With Jon StewartMon – Thurs 11p / 10cTea Partiers Advise G20 Protesterswww.thedailyshow.com The transcript: Mickey: “I have on a black Smith & Wesson .22 holster carrying a wooden cross.” Oliver: “So the message there, Mickey, is “Look out or I’ll… Read more