First, we have a couple great letters-to-the-editor. These are from the Chicago Tribune, in response to their article about Camp Quest: I continue to be amazed at the special treatment that religion receives and hope that the work of people like camp founders Edwin and Helen Kagin helps keep the mythology in churches where it belongs. … … Everything we teach our children should be based on giving good knowledge and wisdom and then hoping (and helping) the child to… Read more
First Freedom First has a trailer video about “safeguarding separation of church and state” and “protecting religious liberty.” It’s been around for a little while, but I had never seen it until now and it’s as good a time as ever to watch it. Yes, it gets hokey at times, but it’s effective. And the issues raised are incredibly important. The video was written and directed by Adam Klugman of the Progressive Media Agency. (via Mriana) [tags]atheist, atheism, First Freedom… Read more
I was reading a (very) local paper and I saw an article written by Pastor Vernon C. Lyons, a Baptist minister. Lyons is a guy who opposed the building of a mosque in our community because he felt it would bring in the terrorists. He tried to come off as sane, but it didn’t work: “Muslim terrorists kill people. Moderate Muslims do not kill people. Moderate Muslims supply the cash to the militant Muslims,” Lyons said. No. No they don’t…. Read more
The New York Times is going to publish Richard Dawkin’s review of Michael Behe’s new book on Sunday. It was previously up behind the TimesSelect wall, but it’s now available for public viewing. Here’s a selection of what Dawkins has to say about The Edge of Evolution: I had expected to be as irritated by Michael Behe’s second book as by his first. I had not expected to feel sorry for him. … After his humiliation in court [at the… Read more
Chris Hallquist and I will be appearing on The Debate Hour online radio show on the evening of Friday, July 13 at 8:00 p.m. (EDT) to discuss atheist tactics. The host of the show is none other than The Infidel Guy himself, Reginald Finley. Here’s a sampling of the issues that Chris and I disagree over: Should we care about the “angry atheist” stereotypes? (I say we should) Should we present atheism as involving more than just disbelief in God(s)?… Read more
Christopher Hitchens and Rev. Al Sharpton were on Hardball yesterday. It’s their second time meeting since a public debate in May when Sharpton made this controversial statement about Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney: “As for the one Mormon running for office, those that really believe in God will defeat him anyway, so don’t worry about that. That’s a temporary situation.” They discuss the Roman Catholic Church’s stance that Catholics who run for office must share the Church’s extreme anti-abortion views…. Read more
We laughed when we were told Ted Haggard was “cured” of his gayness after three weeks because the idea of a gay person magically turning straight (through “counseling,” no less) is ludicrous. It’s not always a laughing matter. A lot of gay people, out of fear that there is something wrong with them, try to go to places like Exodus International, a ministry that claims prayer can fix your homosexuality. However, three former leaders of Exodus are now issuing an… Read more
There’s a mass rush of weddings that will be taking place on July 7th, 2007. 7/7/7. And to the brides and grooms who were scrambling to book a church or hall for that date years ago, and to those who are now doing the same for 8/8/8, let me just take a breath and say this: Stop it. Stop the lunacy. There’s nothing special about those days. You’re just making life harder for people helping you plan the wedding. To… Read more
There’s a blogswarm coming. You are invited to Blog Against Theocracy early next week. It’s a chance for everyone to write about separation of state and church and how that is indeed patriotic. For more information go here (details on how to send them your blog post links are coming shortly). If you want some examples of what people wrote last time (back in April), check out this list. Apparently, everyone wrote something except you. Ok, I’m missing from that… Read more
I’m not a big fan of tradition. I’m also not a big fan of snakes. I am a fan of dead baby jokes. So you would think I’d be conflicted about this video… (warning: it’s graphic): Makes you want to vomit, doesn’t it? It’s appalling. Disturbing. Dangerous. Forget tradition; these parents need to be locked up. I’ll adopt the baby. It’s cute. Apparently, pitting baby against cobra is a rite of passage (or as this article says, “a ‘bite’ of… Read more
