The Christianity Today Blog discussed conservative Evangelical Christian reactions to the news of Bristol Palin’s pregnancy. It seems all the Religious Right leaders are supporting Palin and her family. Here’s James Dobson, for instance: “Being a Christian does not mean you’re perfect. Nor does it mean your children are perfect. But it does mean there is forgiveness and restoration when we confess our imperfections to the Lord. I’ve been the beneficiary of that forgiveness and restoration in my own life… Read more
In the wake of Hurricane Gustav, atheists (just like religious people) are eager to help residents of the deep south affected by this disaster. It reminds me of a piece Detective Sergeant Steve Schlicht wrote for The Humanist shortly after Hurricane Katrina struck. He wrote about how he and other Humanists were working together to help others: In what little of time I had, I worked with Humanist friends to begin supporting a grassroots emergency aid disbursement of resources and… Read more
Courtesy of Jessica Hagy: Oh, Sarah Palin, will you ever cease to be a topic of blogging? Now, someone please tell me if this is an example of correlation or causation… Read more
I swear, this blog will not become all-Sarah-Palin, all-the-time. But for now… Ken Silverstein and Sebastian Jones of Harper’s Magazine have been going through the speeches of Sarah Palin’s pastors. What they found includes the following (from two different pastors): From an April 27, 2008 sermon: “If you really want to know where you came from and happen to believe the word of God that you are not a descendant of a chimpanzee, this is what the word of God… Read more
In 2006, a questionnaire was sent to all candidates for the gubernatorial race in Alaska. One of the questions was this: 11. Are you offended by the phrase “Under God” in the Pledge of Allegiance? Why or why not? Here is Sarah Palin’s answer: SP: Not on your life. If it was good enough for the founding fathers, its good enough for me and I’ll fight in defense of our Pledge of Allegiance. Of course, anyone who has done 10… Read more
Governor of Minnesota Tim Pawlenty appeared on Meet the Press this morning — he was defending John McCain’s decision to tap Sarah Palin as Vice-President. Tom Brokaw asked Pawlenty about Palin’s views on science. Besides confirming her support of Intelligent Design/Creationism, Pawlenty gave us another example of a Republican government official who possesses scientific illiteracy — himself: MR. BROKAW: OK. In the governor’s race, [Palin] refused to be specific about her views on creationism vs. evolution, but as I understand… Read more
Answers in Genesis — the group that runs the Creation Museum — isn’t on board with the other conservative Christian groups in supporting Sarah Palin as John McCain’s Vice Presidential nominee. Why not? To quote Happy Jihad, AiG is “undecided about whether or not Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin is scientifically illiterate enough to run America.” In other words, while she may not accept evolution, they don’t know if she’s a Young Earth Creationist. And that’s just unacceptable to them…. Read more
Webster Cook. Remember him? He’s the student who took a communion wafer back to his dorm room and started a maelstrom at the University of Central Florida and beyond, received death threats from Catholics, and was facing expulsion from his university. At the very least, he was facing impeachment from his role as Student Government Association senator. So what happened to his position in the student government? The Senate was set to vote on three different charges, however it only… Read more
Why should atheists be worried about Republican Vice-Presidential candidate Harriet Miers Sarah Palin? The Christian Coalition loves her: Roberta Combs, President of the Christian Coalition of America said: “Governor Sarah Palin is a bold choice for Vice President who is a courageous advocate for unborn children. In addition, she is a conservative who is a reformer not afraid to shake up the establishment. I congratulate Senator McCain for his outstanding selection for his vice presidential running mate.” The Concerned Women… Read more
At the end of The Colbert Report segment with atheist lobbyist Lori Lipman Brown, Stephen Colbert made a reference to atheists having threeway sex with snakes. Here’s what he was referring to — a scene that was cut from the final interview: (Thanks to Joe for the link!) Read more