We know what the Creation Museum in Kentucky is like… but what about Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm in the UK? … the zoo’s owner Anthony Bush seems in no doubt that there is a moral, didactic purpose to the enterprise. “From the outside, our farm is not overtly Christian,” he once told the Church Times. “But, from the inside, we are very strongly Christian. I am a Creationist, and we see the farm as a mission station to give people… Read more
Here’s comedian Patton Oswalt, from his latest standup special My Weakness Is Strong!, explaining how religion was invented. It has to do with cake. (Thanks to Josh for the link!) Read more
Mojoey has a nice, short story on his site about how easy it can be to be generous and what that generosity can do for others: When he knocked on my door to ask for a loan, he said he needed cash to get across town to visit a free clinic. I gave him everything in my wallet after initially saying no. He pleaded with me, which was out of character. He was having trouble with his eyes, it was… Read more
A high school band in Sedalia, Missouri came up with these cute shirts showing the “evolution” of a trumpet player: Those shirts will no longer be worn, though, because religious parents complained: [Assistant Superintendent Brad] Pollitt said the district is required by law to remain neutral where religion is concerned. “If the shirts had said ‘Brass Resurrections’ and had a picture of Jesus on the cross, we would have done the same thing,” he said. Band parent Sherry Melby, who… Read more
At the Secular Student Alliance conference a few weeks ago, Sean Faircloth, the Executive Director of the Secular Coalition for America spoke. You can check out the talk below. Faircloth talks about the dangers of faith-“healing” and faith-based initiatives, among many other topics, and what the rest of us need to do to fight back. The highlight for me begins at the 11:30 mark: (via SecularStudents) Read more
The Internet Monk has a message for his fellow Christians (emphasis his). Write this down: When the coming evangelical collapse happens, and especially when thousands of our young people bolt for non-believer status, a lot of it will be COMPLETELY DESERVED. … You see, evangelicals have made such outrageous assumptions and promises about happiness, healing, everything working out, knowing God, answered prayer, loving one another and so on that proving us to be liars isn’t even a real job. It’s… Read more
***Update***: A few changes have been made to this posting since I first put it up. … Here’s an extensive article about James Randi and JREF, courtesy of Michael J. Mooney of The Riverfront Times, an alternative newspaper in St. Louis. The highlight of the weekend for most of the skeptics here is the chance to meet the man dubbed “The King of Debunking.” Randi is a five-and-a-half-foot-tall command performance, with his characteristic white beard, brow and penchant for zingers…. Read more
17-year-old Zachery Swezey died of a ruptured appendix a few months ago… his body got warmer, he began vomiting, and he suffered from severe diarrhea. What did his parents do about all this? During those three days, aunts, uncles and grandparents came to his bedside to pray. On March 17, his father did not call a doctor or an ambulance. Instead, he called elders from their church. They came to the house and anointed Zakk with olive oil, and prayed… Read more
This is one of the many reasons I like the Freedom From Religion Foundation: Even when they could easily win a lawsuit, that is their last option. It’s partly strategic (FFRF resources can then be used on other cases) and partly sympathetic (Do you not know the law? Let us educate you). Lake Local Schools in Stark County, Ohio has the following mission statement: Mission: Providing education to achieve success. Vision: To be the best organization for learning. We Value:… Read more
