This letter-to-the-editor just reeks of sarcasm. I love it 🙂 The headline’s nice, too. “How to avoid atheists”: In her Dec. 7 letter, “Beware of book,” Kathy Momic tells us that children should be protected against atheism. She probably isn’t acquainted with an atheist but “knows” that atheists are possessed by the devil, don’t know right from wrong and don’t believe in anything. There are certain precautions she can take to protect herself and her children from these agents of… Read more
I haven’t seen this yet, but I’m looking forward to checking it out this weekend. It’s an unmoderated 2-hour discussion between Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris, Daniel Dennett, and Christopher Hitchens. It took place on September 30th, 2007. Babies will be eaten. Your wallet will surely be stolen. Either that, you’ll get to listen in on a pretty damn cool conversation. All four authors have recently received a large amount of media attention for their writings against religion – some positive,… Read more
Should there be a religion test for high office? The Constitution says no. But in truth, there is one. And it’s as strong as ever. Sam Smith says it well: We are once again being treated to that remarkably self-serving and hypocritical myth that there should be no religious test for high office. For one thing, it’s a lie: if you aren’t religious, you don’t get high office. For another thing, if you are religious, you spend a good deal… Read more
I couldn’t do it. I don’t mind someone writing a letter-to-the-editor that I disagree with if that letter is well-researched and well-written. But this one is just funny. The headline: “[Writer] Believes new movie has atheist beliefs.” The writer (Pastor Dale Johnson of Raiford Road Church) acts as if he’s the first person to recognize that The Golden Compass and other books in Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials trilogy have a message that supports non-religion and he has to warn… Read more
Here’s video of a live performance from atheist rapper Greydon Square at the 2007 Atheist Alliance International Convention. The person wearing the black shirt, singing along at times, is Brian Sapient of the Rational Response Squad: Awesome. Not too often you get to hear an intelligent rap song that includes Pascal’s Wager and the Flying Spaghetti Monster. If you want the lyrics so you can sing along (and you know you do), here they are. (via Atheist Nation, which has… Read more
If you watch the four-minute movie below until the end, the Secular Student Alliance will get a small donation from the producers! It’d be nice if those cents could add up. Only views that occur before December 23rd will count! What is the movie? It’s called Heart of the Beholder: Heart of the Beholder is based on a true story of religious censorship, intolerance, and political corruption. Heart of the Beholder was written, produced, directed, and funded by Freethinkers from… Read more
I was reading the latest Freethought Today (courtesy of the Freedom From Religion Foundation) and saw a transcript of Ellery Schempp’s speech from FFRF’s recent convention. Ellery is the man who, as a boy, played a major role in getting forced prayer out of public schools. He’s a freethought hero, if ever there was one. I love this part of his speech: [The Constitution] mentions religion just twice, and both times the word “no” is attached. The first mention is… Read more
Pastor Mike here again: So I was going through my Christmas card mailing list last night and wondering if there was anyone I needed to add to it this year. One of the first thoughts that popped into my mind was that I should send cards to some of my new online friends here at this site. Of course this thought was immediately followed by: Wait a minute. Is it appropriate to send a Christmas card to an atheist friend?… Read more
I know what I’m getting you for Christmas this year. A Pope Clock. Because it’s so hard to keep track of who’s infallible these days… And for my Christian friends, a Rapture Clock! Sounds a loud alarm and flashes a bright blue light half-an-hour before the beginning of Judgement Day, giving you ample time to repent your transgressions before ‘Rapture’ begins. Enjoy the life of a sinner right up until the last moment: take drugs, steal church funds, have sex… Read more
The Onion discusses common complaints that Catholic protesters have about The Golden Compass. The list includes: Compasses inherently promote travel and broadened horizons The most sympathetic character is not killed in a prolonged and bloody torture sequence Though God is not referenced directly, subtitles pop up on screen to remind viewers when things symbolize God and religion (Thanks to Tom for the link!) [tags]atheist, atheism, Philip Pullman[/tags] Read more