Yesterday, I mentioned an article about atheist communities that appeared in the Christian Science Monitor. The reporter, G. Jeffrey MacDonald, has also written a side piece about atheist “de-baptism ceremonies.” (I’m mentioned in it.) A lot is made of the notion that the atheist de-baptisms “mock” Christians — that’s not really what they’re about. For some participants, it’s a way to put some closure on that chapter of your life, by leaving the church the same way you entered it…. Read more
The House approved engraving “In God We Trust” in the Capitol Visitors Center. The bill has not yet been voted on in the Senate. The bill passed in the Senate with “Unanimous Consent.” The House voted 410-8 in favor of it. (12 people abstained and 2 voted “present.”) Who was brave enough to vote against it? Rep. John Conyers (D-MI) Rep. Donna Edwards (D-MD) Rep. Mazie Hirono (D-HI) Rep. Michael Honda (D-CA) Rep. James McDermott (D-WA) Rep. Ronald Paul (R-TX)… Read more
If you want to pledge your virginity-until-marriage, there’s an app for that. The application has a pre-recorded pledge for both genders that the user must accept before being able to display their ring on a loop. … “We are preaching to the converted, and we’re going for people who wouldn’t buy a ring. The app is not the be-all-and-end-all of purity pledges: it’s an entry point.” That’s what she said. Asked whether the virtual nature of the ring might lead… Read more
Looks like there are currently 101 people signed up with the Secular Student Alliance to join PZ Myers on a tour through the Creation Museum! All the info is here if you’d like to join us! Read more
There was a nice article yesterday about atheist communities in the Christian Science Monitor by G. Jeffrey Macdonald. There’s nothing in it particularly newsworthy to atheists who read the blogs, but there are some decent quotations and some news for people outside the movement: The ranks of nonbelievers are on the rise, research suggests, and as they seek out each other online and in small groups, they are increasingly looking to do more than just vent. Some are adopting rituals… Read more
A movie based on the life of Charles Darwin — ironically, called Creation — will get its premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 10th. As if the story wasn’t enticing enough, Darwin’s wife Emma is played by Jennifer Connelly (who is also the real-life wife of Paul Bettany, the actor who plays Darwin. Got that?): Yummers. A Beautiful Mind, Hulk, and this? She’s causing nerdgasms everywhere. I see a couple downsides to the film. Inevitably, when the… Read more
I love new interpretations of the Bible… this one retells the story of Abraham and Isaac: Again, from That Mitchell and Webb Look. (via Unreasonable Faith) Read more
Jennifer is going to participate in a Blogathon next Saturday. She will be blogging for 24 hours straight, posting something new every 30 minutes. The purpose of the Blogathon is to raise money for a non-profit cause of the blogger’s choosing, and Jennifer has decided that all the money she earns will be donated to the Secular Student Alliance! (Which is unbelievably generous of her; the SSA can certainly use the support.) If you’re willing to help out, consider supporting… Read more
Thanks go to The Onion: Weakling President Asks Imaginary Man In Sky To Bless Nation WASHINGTON — In a display of weakness unbecoming a head of state, President Barack Obama concluded remarks to his nation Tuesday by asking a pretend man who lives in the clouds to watch over and guide the United States. “Thank you, and may God bless America,” said the clearly insecure president, who, by seeking the aid of an imaginary being who is neither his ancestor… Read more
Christian theology professor Randal Rauser messed up his characterization of atheists last week. He tried again this week. Once again, he failed. So here are my top three pet peeves when it comes to atheist assumptions about Christian beliefs. First, atheists often assume that Christians are committed to one specific concept of biblical inspiration and inerrancy, namely the kind that can be summarized as follows: “the Bible says it; I believe it; that settles it”. We know better than that…. Read more
