In five seconds, this goes from cute to horrifying to delicious. (Thanks to Sam for the link!) Read more
Even if you’re raising your kids without religion, you may have wondered whether or not you should teach your kids about religion. Is it worth filling their heads with mythology when we know there’s no truth behind it? Dale McGowan, author of Parenting Beyond Belief and Raising Freethinkers, suggests four reasons why you should teach them about religion: So they can better understand the world To empower them To help them make their own informed choice To prevent the “teen… Read more
As a Comcast customer only because I have no other choice in my area, I’m used to their shitty customer service. But when you see the following, it’s clear they’re not even trying to improve… Here’s a promo for “Comcast Digital Cable with On Demand and HBO.” The headline: The Best and the Smartest. The picture to go along with that: Shaquille O’Neal and Ben Stein. No one’s ever accused Shaq of being the smartest man around… so I presume… Read more
Simon Singh’s case again the British Chiropractic Association is already having ripple effects in the pseudoscientific world: McTimoney Chiropractic Association is warning its members that they could be under special scrutiny: If you have a website, take it down NOW. REMOVE all the blue MCA patient information leaflets, or any patient information leaflets of your own that state you treat whiplash, colic or other childhood problems in your clinic or at any other site where they might be displayed with… Read more
Fareed Zakaria suggests that we are witnessing the fall of Islamic theocracy in Iran right now: CNN: As you’ve seen the situation in Iran develop over the last week, what are your thoughts? Fareed Zakaria: One of the first things that strikes me is we are watching the fall of Islamic theocracy. CNN: Do you mean you think the regime will fall? Zakaria: No, I don’t mean the Iranian regime will fall soon. It may — I certainly hope it… Read more
Here’s an interesting question to pose on Father’s Day: Was the God of the Bible the worst dad ever? He ordered one of his sons to murder his grandson, only telling him it was a joke at the last second. … Yahweh also plays the meanest game of hide and seek ever, hiding from his children in such a way that he cannot be found, then sending those children who can’t find him to Hell for eternity. He told his… Read more
This article from (conservative website) The American Thinker follows the standard “atheism-is-evil” formula: The author “Jenn Q. Public” suggests that atheists are arrogant (“Make no mistake: Atheists think they’re smarter than you”), suggests that atheists have “idols” of our own (like “patron saint” Bill Maher), and makes blanket statements about atheists while at the same time deriding atheists for supposedly doing the same thing to Christians (“You see, for liberal Atheists, the only thing worse than religion is the Religious… Read more
Junior Skeptic (an insert in each issue of Skeptic magazine) offers a science-friendly playlist for children. You can read a description of every song and artist, download every song for free, and parents can check out any advisories (e.g. mild criticism of Darwin’s contemporary opponents, including religious thinkers). Even if you’re not a kid, there are some excellent songs in the bunch! (via Rational Moms) Read more
This isn’t new, but it worth sharing. It comes from IAmAnAtheist.com: a list of rights and responsibilities for moral atheists: Have no gods. Don’t worship stuff. Be polite. Take a day off once in a while. Be nice to folks. Don’t kill people. Don’t cheat on your significant other. Don’t steal stuff. Don’t lie about stuff. Don’t be greedy. Nicely put. Let’s get that version up in a courthouse… The theistic version isn’t nearly as helpful. (Thanks to Jon for… Read more
I get a choice at the hospital?! Who knew. Forget the shirt below. I’m only keeping the left half of my future baby. Ok, so they’re talking about saying “No” to infant circumcisions… but without explanation, that shirt’s just going to lead to hilarious confusion. Read more