Quick: What do you see?! If you said three random seashells… you lose. Correct answer: A Nativity Scene. That’s Joseph, Mary, and Jesus. Even better is the story behind it: The longtime high school friends and Jasper residents [Elaine Buchta and Diane Manley] casually were strolling along the beach in St. Augustine, Fla., two months ago when Buchta, 56, spotted a seashell and said, “That looks like Mary.” … About a minute later, Manley saw a shell and said, “That… Read more
Reader Amy had inquired about possible names for her new atheist group in Alabama. After taking the ideas to heart, she came up with a new one she likes: ECRA — Etowah County Rational Alliance. The group’s first meeting is this Sunday. All the information can be found here. If you’re interested (and hopefully somewhat local), drop by and show some support! Read more
There are a couple recent articles worth checking out about Judge John E. Jones, III — the man who presided over the Dover Intelligent Design trial (and correctly ruled on the side of evolution and science). One is an interview from PLoS Genetics (PDF): Jane Gitschier: I don’t know if you’re even allowed to answer this. Before this case landed on your lap, did you have any thoughts about creationism or evolution, or the debate? Jones: The precursor to my… Read more
How serious do you take your atheism? Let’s find out. Copy and paste the list below on your own site, boldfacing the things you’ve done. (Feel free to add your own elaboration and commentary to each item!) Participated in the Blasphemy Challenge. Met at least one of the “Four Horsemen” (Richard Dawkins, Daniel Dennett, Christopher Hitchens, Sam Harris) in person. Created an atheist blog. Used the Flying Spaghetti Monster in a religious debate with someone. Gotten offended when someone called… Read more
Part 2, I guess, of the previous post. How much should you tell your children about God? Adam Wolstenholme says you have to tell them something. His mom asks him not to go overboard with it — don’t talk about nails and torture and Jesus on the Cross. A friend at work says he ought to teach his child about religion and goes even further: My colleague Margaret Watson warned me against filling Zoe’s young head with Godless thoughts. Margaret’s… Read more
The yearly dilemma for atheists this time of year: Do you tell your children about Santa? (It’s irrational to believe in mythical beings… so isn’t it hypocritical to teach them to think critically about God but then spoon-feed them the myth of Santa?) If you do, how much detail should you include? (That Santa eats the cookies and drinks the milk? That Santa sees you when you’re sleeping? That Santa knows if you’ve been bad or good?) If you don’t,… Read more
Interfaith dating is never easy — it’s certainly tough when an atheist dates a Christian. But a few couples have found ways to make it work. Atheist reader Steve is hoping he can make it work with his Christian partner. He writes this in an email: I am a 36-year-old male who has been an atheist for six years. I am in love with a 37-year-old female Christian. We have talked many times of marriage and have just recently moved… Read more
Does anyone else feel like the media is drawn to anyone who speaks in favor of atheism this time of year? Every minor dissent is seen as a contribution to the War on Christmas… (via Atheist Cartoons) Read more
In order to perform a wedding ceremony in Nevada, as in many other states, you must be part of some congregation. Humanist celebrants in American can get around this by saying they are part of The Humanist Society which has tax status as a religious group. But some atheists don’t want to go that route. We’re atheists, not religious, they say. By denying atheists the right to preside over a wedding, you’re breaking the law. One atheist is trying to… Read more
Filmmaker Gregory Walsh shot the following video last week as the Tree of Knowledge went up in Philadelphia. Very well-made, I think. It’s part of his upcoming documentary on atheism. (Walsh also interviewed me for the film a while back.) Read more
