The Equality Act (Sexual Orientation) Regulations, which “ensure[s] that businesses and organizations will be unable to discriminate on the grounds of sexuality,” came into force in Northern Ireland at the beginning of the year. Not even a couple weeks into the year, and already a vote was called for to reject the law. Who would protest equal rights and anti-discrimination policy? Take a wild guess… In fact, many religious groups are protesting the regulations. Here’s gay.com: The Christians seem especially… Read more
I made this post about Left Behind: The Game back in November. Today, I got this response. It deserves its own post… This statement is posted from an employee of Left Behind Games on behalf of Troy Lyndon, our Chief Executive Officer. There has been in incredible amount of MISINFORMATION published in the media and in online blogs here and elsewhere. Pacifist Christians and other groups are taking the game material out of context to support their own causes. There… Read more
Chuck Colson, the former chief counsel to President Nixon who was jailed for his involvement in Watergate, is now working with prison ministries. He also writes a column for the Christian Post. In this week’s column, he writes about what we should do for Religious Freedom Day on January 16, 2007. He states: In too many cases, Christian children in public school classrooms are being forced to act like atheists. After all, that is effectively what is happening when they… Read more
It’s rare that you hear of the former atheist who became a Catholic… but this person did. And he has a way to counter The Blasphemy Challenge! His idea: I suggest a prayer project for these persons involved in this project. Simply pick one of the people who have posted a video for the Blasphemy challenge and pray for them and perhaps start a lovingly ironic Novena to the Holy Spirit for them. No need of posting a video to… Read more
The Humanist Network News wants to hear your stories of non-religious love! Are you together with someone else who shares your heathen views? How did you meet? Are you with someone whose views are different from your own? How do you reconcile that? (And I’d like to know what your families think of that.) More information (including how to submit stories) can be found here. [tags]Humanist Network News, atheist, atheism, love, Valentine’s Day, Christian[/tags] Read more
The Pew Research Center released their latest study on “How young people view their lives, futures and politics.” The young people, ages 18-25, represent “Generation Next.” The results further the idea that our society is heading in the right direction. What does the study (PDF) say? One-in-five members of Generation Next say they have no religious affiliation or are atheist or agnostic, nearly double the proportion of young people who said that in the late 1980s. And just 4% of… Read more
It’s never too late to buy 2007 calendars featuring camera-friendly skeptics! With a slogan like “Two calendars, two dozen critical thinkers in various states of undress,” you know you want multiple copies. (Warning: Partial nudity ahead) Watch the promotional video for the Skepchick calendar! What’s that, you say? You want to see Skepdudes? Go order copies for everyone you know by going here. The money is used to send women to The Amaz!ng Meeting as well as to fund $500… Read more
Brian Sapient is co-founder of the Rational Response Squad, the group responsible for The Blasphemy Challenge. Prior to his work with the RRS, he was publicist for the Infidel Guy radio show. The Blasphemy Challenge has come under fire from many religious people who see it as both offensive and (ironically enough) an improper form of blasphemy; however, the challenge is still going strong. Brian took the time to answer a few of my questions: (more…) Read more
Robyn E. Blumner, columnist for the St. Petersburg Times, had a terrific article in yesterday’s paper. She criticizes Pat Robertson’s psychic abilities when he says the United States will face a terror attack sometime this year. (Yes, I know that’s like shooting fish in a barrel, but it’s great to see a reasonable person writing it in a large newspaper for all to see.) But if God is talking to Robertson, why is the Almighty being so cagey? Why didn’t… Read more
As a straight guy who normally listens to Ani Difranco and the Decemberists, you’ll be pleased to know I have a new favorite rapper. Greydon Square. Quantum Physics major. From Compton. Atheist. Go be his friend. And then listen to Pandora’s Box and Molotov. Or better yet, watch them. Pandora’s Box: Molotov: I wasn’t able to download the songs on MySpace, but I was able to when I went to Atheist Nation. [tags]Greydon Square, atheism, atheist, Ani Difranco, The Decemberists,… Read more