While we’re all talking about the culture war taking place in Olympia, Washington, another battle is taking place in North Carolina. And Christianity isn’t winning. (Neither are atheists, but I think you’ll be pleased with the decision anyway.) Christmas trees will not be displayed in the two main libraries at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill this year, library staff decided. In previous years, a Christmas tree stood in the lobby of both the Wilson and Davis libraries, but Sarah… Read more
***Update***: Annie Laurie Gaylor of the Freedom From Religion Foundation wrote this to me in regards to the onslaught of publicity: … we’re still processing paypals, emails, new members and prospects. We’ll have many more over the weekend so we’re too busy to know [how many new people have become FFRF members] right now. I’ve just spent 4 hours trying to get through today’s email pileup after hours, and I still haven’t finished, and [a staffer] held most of the… Read more
This Monday, The Prayer Channel, a Catholic religious television station in New York, will be rebranded as NET (New Evangelism Television). In order to market the new station, NET is enlisting the services of the Devil. “The Church has used the good vs. evil conflict to promote religion for two centuries,” [a spokesperson for the Cesario Migliozzi ad agency] added. “In our campaign, the Devil urges viewers to avoid good TV and stick with ‘crappy, pointless, bad television,’ said Ad… Read more
Edwin Kagin, the Legal Director for American Atheists, is rightfully leading the charge against the state of Kentucky (PDF) for saying that praising God is the first duty of the Homeland Security Office. (I still support the lawsuit despite the shaky reasons given for filing it.) And the Christians are letting him have it. I have personally seen God. You are an arrogant piece of shit. If it we legal, I would delight in ripping you to pieces. Have a… Read more
I shared a story last week of a person currently working at a Christian university. He was religious when he was hired (and even signed a “faith statement”) but he has since realized he doesn’t believe in God. He obviously can’t tell anyone at work about his atheism out of fear of losing his job. He even worried about telling his wife (of twenty years) out of fear it could hurt/ruin/end their relationship. She knows now, though. Last night, he… Read more
What I feared has come to pass. Americans Atheists filed a lawsuit (PDF) against the state of Kentucky because the state’s office of “Homeland Security is ordered to publicize God’s benevolent protection in its reports” — essentially, God is the first priority for those protecting us from terrorists. It’s a blatant violation of separation of church and state and an illegal endorsement of religion. However, in their lawsuit, American Atheists said this: The plaintiffs, and each of them, have suffered,… Read more
A couple nights ago, Bill O’Reilly attacked the Freedom From Religion Foundation’s atheist display in the state of Washington. Last night, Keith Olbermann had an excellent rebuttal: Let’s be clear: There is no War. If the government gives space to one religious display, it must offer that space to everyone — plain and simple. I would prefer they didn’t offer that space to any religious (or non-religious) group. I support FFRF’s decision to put a display in the Capitol building… Read more
Bet you can’t have just one. The background music just makes it all the better. I love when atheists bake cookies 🙂 I’ll be adding this to my Christmas wish list. Which you will all see soon. (Thanks to Anna for the link!) Read more
On a guitar, in an ultrasound, in a bowl of manicotti, etc. Thankfully, Cynical-C keeps track of all these sightings for us. Read more
For those fans of philately out there, Joe Zamecki of American Atheists has put together a video featuring stamps endorsing religion — along with some which feature famous freethinkers. There’s a nice clip of Madalyn Murray O’Hair in there as well: Somehow, none of these made the list. Read more
