Earlier this year, I wrote about the “Free Day Away” program at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri. Here’s what I wrote then: It holds a number of different training programs, including Basic Combat Training (BCT). BCT is the first training where service members are taken from civilian life and trained in basic army actions. Therefore, during this training (approximately nine weeks), service members have essentially no rights. They are controlled in what they do and where they go. They don’t… Read more
Chicago Tribune columnist Eric Zorn added one sideline to his piece about Rob Sherman, in reference to his battle with anti-atheist Illinois State Rep. Monique Davis: “I’ve forgiven her completely and I’m always happy to see her at the Capitol,” said Sherman. “I give him a hug, he gives me a hug,” said Davis. “We have absolutely made peace. I totally respect his rights as a non-believer and his efforts to separate church and state.” As for Davis’ comment that… Read more
Senator Charles Grassley (R-IA) would seem like a natural choice to be part of the voting delegation representing his state for the Republican National Convention in Minnesota this September. But he was denied voting privileges. This should be a big story. Joseph Conn of Americans United for Separation of Church and State writes: You’d think Grassley, who has served in the Senate since 1980, would be a favorite of the Religious Right. Last year, he scored 100 percent on a… Read more
Speaking of This American Life, the episode I referred to earlier discussed death and how people had to live with the fact that they (accidentally or otherwise) killed someone in the past — like the young driver who collided with his high school classmate as she rode her bike and turned into his car’s lane, killing her. He could never get her out of his mind even though police reports said the accident was unavoidable and not his fault. It… Read more
If you didn’t listen to This American Life over the weekend, you missed a really disturbing opening story. In essence, it was about David Maxon who, as a child, attended a fundamentalist church camp as a kid. One night, he challenged the Devil to show himself. That’s when a horrible thunderstorm began. Lightning from that storm struck six kids, two of whom died as a result. One of the two kids killed was David’s close friend. For years, David lived… Read more
Greg Gutfeld explains a variety of things Barack Obama can teach Jesus Christ: Jesus also took a lot of grief for hanging with the wrong crowd — paupers, thieves — even a “scorned” woman. Well, all one needs to do is look at Obama, and marvel at the way he stuck by a life partner with controversial beliefs — as well as his unusual friend in the Weather Underground. I think Jesus could learn a thing or two about loyalty,… Read more
Pastafarians: it looks like your family’s talents are needed. Wife Swap, ABC’s hit primetime reality show, is looking for Pastafarian families for an upcoming episode. Families must consist of two parents and at least one child between 7 and 17. Families that appear on the show receive a generous honorarium. Anyone who refers a family receives $1,000 if that family is cast in an episode. Email Greg at your earliest convenience if you or anyone you know have what it… Read more
Activist Rob Sherman is suing Illinois’ Governor Rod Blagojevich (among others) because he authorized a $1,000,000 grant to rebuild Chicago’s Pilgrim Baptist Church — a church destroyed by fire over two years ago. Sherman is arguing this is a clear violation of separation of church and state, though the government says they are simply helping fund the rebuilding of the secular portions of the church — like an office and daycare center. Sherman says there’s no way to really distinguish… Read more
A year ago, this site’s readers submitted a list of short and sweet answers to various questions atheists are often asked. Now, I would like to compile a list of short, snappy, effective responses to arguments against atheism we always hear. For example, “Being an atheist requires more faith than being religious.” What other “arguments” like that are there? How would you respond to those questions in a quick, non-philosophical sort of way? Leave questions and responses in the comments. Read more
