The University of Alberta Atheists and Agnostics and its president Ian Bushfield (also a commenter on this site) were featured in a fantastic article for the Edmonton Journal. Like many atheist groups, the regular members who attend meetings are small in number, but the support for the club is mindblowing (especially when you consider it didn’t even exist a year ago). Also note why the club began in the first place: Officially founded last summer when Bushfield and some of… Read more
I’ve seen church services begin at 11:11 a.m. (perhaps for superstition’s sake) but never at these times: … I just went to a website that advertises services at 11:01 and 8:01. What is up with that?! Does setting the time a minute or two past the standard time automatically make that service more hip? Does it add that sexy postmodern edge? Is it just a marketing ploy? I don’t get it. Does it really matter? People will still walk in… Read more
A lot of local media is covering the American Atheists Convention. You can see an August Berkshire’s interview with KSTP TV (the local ABC affiliate). This article was for Minnesota Public Radio. And one more from the Star Tribune. I would be jealous that I’m not there, except Chicago has its own atheist party tomorrow night! It will be awesome. Because you’re coming. Right…? [tags]atheist, atheism[/tags] Read more
Sen. Kimberly Lightford (D-Maywood) is the moron who sponsored the Mandatory Moment of Silence bill in the Illinois Senate. Thankfully, that bill is on its way to being a Voluntary Moment of Silent Reflection. Lightford was on a panel with atheist activist Rob Sherman on the local show Chicago Tonight on Thursday. First, a brief reminder of what Lightford had said previously about the bill: “I recognize the separation between church and state, but expression must be treated fairly by… Read more
Just in case you hadn’t read it yet, check out PZ Myers’ hilarious story of trying to see the Expelled movie screening with his family… and Richard Dawkins. Here is the postscript to the story with some more details. [tags]atheist, atheism[/tags] Read more
Thanks go to Reed for this one: I say this was a response to the strategically-placed sticker on Christopher Hitchens’ book. [tags]atheist, atheism[/tags] Read more
A best of Craigslist posting asks why Christians attack atheists “while strangely choosing to ignore all other brands of non-Christians.” The writer speculates: These people aren’t attacking all non-Christians because they can at least personally identify with somebody else’s belief; regardless of whether or not they agree with it. They are allies in the same sense that members of two opposing armies can feel a comradery with one other. There are a lot of statistics and general statements about atheists… Read more
At many college campuses, student groups receive money from their schools by submitting a grant proposal and/or making a presentation to a committee of students and staff. The University of South Florida’s Atheist Student Alliance requested $1171.30 (for “food for meet-and-greets, Bull Market booths, meetings and guest lectures”). Those are typical needs for any campus group. The bill for funding the group went to the Student Government Senate and was heavily debated. Why? Sen. Charles Sherrard, who is majoring in… Read more
I had previously posted about Michael Amini and his story of leaving the Mormon faith. Dr. Valerie Tarico uses that piece as a starting point for discussing how losing one’s faith can also mean losing your family. You can read it at The Huffington Post. Many who lose religion muddle along in silent shame — wanting to believe, praying desperately for doubts to be removed, blaming themselves and fending off images of eternal torture before finally giving up the fight…. Read more
The atheist “movement” (if I may use that term) has a goal of making atheism more respected and visible. Some people would even like to see religion disappear the way of Greek myths. There’s obviously a long way to go before that happens. Greta Christina looks to the future to see what consequences may await us if we ever succeed: … As we succeed in making the world an easier place to be an atheist, we’re going to see more… Read more
