Arizona state Senator Sylvia Allen (R) — Would you expect otherwise? — nonchalantly explains that the Earth is 6,000 years old. Twice. She says this while voicing her support for uranium mining in the state. Ironically, it’s by studying the radioactive decay of uranium that we know the Earth is approximately 4,500,000,000 years old. Who among you voted for her…? Out yourself and let us gang up on you. Read more
I don’t know whether to cry or laugh… In Stockton, California, Michael Jackson has supposedly appeared in a tree stump. Worst. Pareidolia. Ever. I don’t see Jackson. I don’t see Jesus. I don’t see anyone. Embedded video from CNN Video The money quotation, when asked why Jackson would appear in Stockton of all places: Lady: “To Stockton, Michael Jackson meant more to us than maybe Jesus did to some people. I think they’re both about even; they’re both icons.” Great…… Read more
What do evangelical Christian public figures have to offer the world that is unique to them? Is it modesty? No. Carrie Prejean (the former Ms. California) posed nude years ago. Is it family values? A look at Mark Sanford and Jon & Kate Gosselin suggests otherwise. Divorce occurs more often in “born-again” Christian families than in the general population. Is it honesty? Sarah Palin has told lie after lie after lie. Mark Galli of Christianity Today is disturbed by this:… Read more
Mary Bellamy is the Counsel and Director of Special Programs for the Secular Coalition for America. She’s undergoing some surgery today and shared a few of her thoughts with me. With her permission, I’m posting them here in the hopes they might help others going through something similar: As a fairly recently minted humanist, I am facing my first serious crisis post-prayer. I have cancer in two places in my left breast and “atypical” cells in my right breast. Today,… Read more
We have a relationship that could use some help. It comes from “Bob.” The setup: His girlfriend’s dad is subborn, conservative-but-science-inclined, and a partial geek. He doesn’t believe in the supernatural, but appreciates church for the community it provides and for “maintaining harmony in the household.” His girlfriend’s mom is a very devout Christian — a Southern Baptist. His girlfriend is an atheist. According to her dad, it’s just a phase. (Yep. You read that right. Her dad.) Here’s Bob:… Read more
Former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin signed a book deal a while before this weekend’s debacle. No word on the amount she is getting paid for it (rumors place her advance at ~$7,000,000), but what we do know is that there will be two versions — the “regular” version and the “Christian” version: Soon Palin will take a crack at her own story: she has signed a book contract for an undisclosed but presumably substantial sum, and has chosen Lynn Vincent,… Read more
Hi, Richard. I have a lot of Christian friends who ask me to read their religious books – some fiction and others (pseudo)scientific or evangelical in nature. I feel very pressured culturally to take these books as it would be quite rude to refuse. The problem arises when it’s time to return the book and the lender says, “How did you like it?” The blunt truth would be to say, “I hated it – what a waste of time!” but… Read more
This new ad from the American Humanist Association is up in Moscow, Idaho. The statement is “Want a Better World? Prayer not required.” It’s on the intersection of Highway 95 and Sweet Avenue and it’ll be there for another two months. So far, there is no Florida-like protest. Maybe religious residents agree that the billboard message makes complete sense… or they just haven’t noticed. I’m fine with it either way. Read more
Most atheists would probably claim they’re not superstitious in any way. They’re right when it comes to religion. But consider these situations: Would you not want to live in a house in which someone once got murdered? If you needed a heart transplant, would you not willingly receive the organ from a once-convicted rapist? Have you ever slept next to a teddy bear? Would you want to hold a pen that was once owned by Einstein? Do you wear a… Read more
John Edward, the “psychic” and “biggest douche in the universe,” has started a website to scam gullible people called Infinite Quest. What pseudo-scientific categories are discussed on the site? Astrology, Numerology, Tarot, Psychic, Reincarnation, etc. Just like his TV show, it targets people who are depressed and vulnerable, who would rather get false hope than reality, and who are ready to throw their money at the first con artist who shows up. There’s free membership and paid membership. The “IQ… Read more
