January 2010
64 posts
Atheist Revolution
Humanist Symposium and Carnival of the Godless
The Purloined Letter is hosting the Humanist Symposium today, and Right to Think is hosting Carnival of the Godless. I forgot, yet again, to submit anything to either carnival. I guess that is what happens when I get stuck at work longer than usual on…
Matthew 25:35 Republican Style
I find Colbert too annoying to watch more than occasionally,...
The Friendly Atheist
Mennonite Church Hides Girl from Her Family
The 14-year-old daughter of Doug Ramsey disappeared from her Pennsylvania home last December. She was helped in her quest by leaders of a Mennonite church — they say the girl just wanted to practice the faith she had been brainwashed into accepting:…
Cooking with Christ
I think the “Fun Facts” are my favorite part of the new video from Betty...
RichardDawkins.net
WEIT a top tenner in China
WEIT was chosen by China Reading Weekly (said to be the Chinese equivalent of The New York Review of Books), as one of the top ten books published in China in 2009. Itâs #8, and the only science book on the list.
Natural World: The Chimpcam Project
Aired January 27, 2010 How does a chimpanzee see the world? A research project at Edinburgh Zoo is designed to answer...
The Friendly Atheist
Site Updates and the RSS Feed
For those who have been having issues with the site lately: The switch is nearly complete. A new comment system is coming soon (with HTML buttons for easier commenting) Here is the best RSS feed to use for this site. (I know older feed URLs may no longer…
I’m Happy! Oh Wait…
Reader Jeff recently got some good news about a job interview and, since he was sitting...
Atheist Media
BBC | Chemistry: A Volatile History | Ep2 The Order of the Elements
Play all videos (6) | Episode 1 Aired January 28, 2010 on BBC Four The explosive story of chemistry is the story of the building blocks that make up our entire world - the elements. From fiery…
My Favorite Christian Is An Atheist!!
by Edward Current See also: The Atheist Delusion
Unreported World: Egypt’s Rubbish...
The Friendly Atheist
Server Switches
***Update***: The forums are back up and running! … As I’ve said before, I’m switching servers for the site (curse you all for visiting it so much). When that happens, there always are a few glitches that need to be worked out. Right…
Atheist Billboard in… Tampa Bay!
Thanks to the United Coalition of Reason, Tampa Bay now has an atheist billboard! Reaching out to the like...
The Friendly Atheist
Islam Is…
The Google is now working again. Censoring that search was a bad idea. It’s good to see Google fixing that mistake.
Can This Be the SafePan Mascot?
SafePan is a cooking pan made without the “non-stick coatings made from toxic chemicals”: In light of recent findings on potential hazards of PFOA and PTFE (chemicals used to make conventional non-stick coatings) to our health and to our...
The Friendly Atheist
Haiti, God, Evil, and Richard Dawkins
Richard Dawkins is responding to Christians who are looking in all the wrong places for some sort of supernatural “reason” that the earthquake in Haiti caused so much devastation. Obviously, Pat Robertson isn’t helping any Christian…
Aliens, Babies, and Chickens
Why? I. Don’t. Know. But I plan to buy several of these and then have my future army of...
The Friendly Atheist
Who’s the Ex-Mormon of the Year?
PZ’s not winning this poll, but it’s ok, because all the nominees are worthy! … the Mormon Alumni Association is here to remedy the situation with a brand-new yearly award for the X-Mormon who has made the biggest impact!!! The list…
From Baseball to the Priesthood
Grant Desme was a rising star in the Oakland A’s franchise, possibly starting this season...
The Friendly Atheist
A Carl Sagan Mosaic
Crispian Jago’s work is absolutely beautiful: Science is a mosaic. Good science from disparate fields seems to conveniently converge to help us gradually gain a clearer overall view of our universe and make valid predictions based on that knowledge….
Stephen Baldwin Would Rather His Daughter Die than Lie About Jesus
Stephen Baldwin, “actor” and evangelist, is currently...
Atheist Revolution
George W. Bush Gets it Right
Now there’s a title I never thought I’d write! But seriously, Bush deserves credit for refusing to go along with far-right extremists like Glenn Beck and Rush Limbaugh in criticizing President Obama for politicizing Haiti. I think that Ed Brayton (Dispatches…
Idiot of the Week: Jay-Z
I am feeling more than a little burned out on this Idiot of the...
The Friendly Atheist
A Christian’s Clearest Thoughts About God
What are your thoughts about god? David Hayward shows us a Christian’s “clearest thoughts about god“: Funny, I think I feel the same way… (via nakedpastor)
What the Law Says About Church/State Separation
There are a few questions about church/state separation that pop up more often than others: Are persons elected or nominated to serve as government...
RichardDawkins.net
Atheists Set Up ‘Religion-Free’ Fund for Haiti Relief
Famed New Atheist Richard Dawkins has opened up a “religion-free” way of helping the victims of the deadly earthquake in Haiti.
Open Your Eyes
Richard reading from Unweaving the Rainbow: Science, Delusion and the Appetite for Wonder set to music and video.
Meet the creatures that live beyond the abyss
It is pitch...
The Friendly Atheist
NYC Christian Ads… A New Version
A couple days ago, I mentioned the Christian ad now up everywhere in New York City: Vixen Strangely made a few alterations to it to make it more amenable to atheists. I like the new look!
U.S. Military Switching to Secular Rifles
This post is courtesy of Ron Gold. Sanity has triumphed in the U.S. military, as they have pressured the company behind “Jesus...
Atheist Media
BBC | Chemistry: A Volatile History | Ep1 Discovering the Elements
Play all videos (6) Aired January 21, 2010 on BBC Four with Professor Jim Al-Khalili The explosive story of chemistry is the story of the building blocks that make up our entire world - the…
13-Year-Old Saudi Girl Sentenced to 90 Lashes and Jail For Bringing a Cell Phone to School
January 21, 2010 on CNN with Jack Cafferty...
The Friendly Atheist
Bid on Me This Weekend!
There’s a fundraising event for Skepchicamp this Saturday in Chicago and a few tickets are still left! What will a ticket buy you? Food Booze Fun The chance to enter a cashitty cash cash raffle. The chance to bid on a date with the Friendliest (and…
PEW Survey on Atheist In-Law
by Jesse Galef - You guys love polls about religious attitudes, right? Of course you do,...
The Friendly Atheist
Need Research Help: Atheists as Outsiders
Hey friends, Mike Clawson here again. Once more I feel like I should apologize for being such an infrequent contributor here. Graduate school keeps getting in the way of doing any extra writing. Speaking of that, however, I would like to ask for your…
Pat Robertson’s Other Explanations
Crazy Christian icon Pat Robertson said that Haiti experienced a...
The Friendly Atheist
John Freshwater Still Causing Trouble in Ohio
The New York Times has an update on Ohio teacher John Freshwater, the public school teacher who doesn’t even try to keep his Christian beliefs to himself, opting instead to hinder their education with it: Mr. Freshwater, an eighth-grade public school…
A Defense of Secular Government
by Jesse Galef - About a week ago I had the pleasure of...
The Friendly Atheist
Ways to Not Help the World
1) Provide the U.S. military with Jesus Rifles: Coded references to New Testament Bible passages about Jesus Christ are inscribed on high-powered rifle sights provided to the United States military by a Michigan company, an ABC News investigation has…
You Can Comment Now
The server may still act up for a bit and run slowly, but feel free to resume commenting. A...
Debunking Christianity
A Personal Note to My Readers: I’m Both Humbled and Excited!
I remember years ago having writer’s block on several occasions when I had to write my weekly Monday column for our church paper, or when preparing a sermon, or a series of sermons. Now I write something almost once a day here at DC. I have so much…
Loftus vs. Wood Debate on the Problem of Evil
Click on the play button below to...
The Friendly Atheist
Could Jesus Really Appear in a Sandwich?
Hmm. Perhaps Jesus could make his return via grilled cheese sandwich… (via SMBC Theater)
How To Be a Good Creationist
ZOMGitsCriss explains Creationism, this time from an Islamic perspective, with some Scientology mixed in there: (Thanks to Jeff for the link!)
Site Update
Hi everyone. We’re moving the site to a new server and revamping the comment...
Atheist Revolution
Carnival of the Godless #133 at Null Session
If you are looking for some godless reading this Sunday (and I know you are), head over to Null Session for the 133rd Carnival of the Godless. Take the time to read the introduction to the carnival. It should not be missed. Oh, and whatever you do, please…
Haiti Should Make Us Question Our Own Morality
I was listening to the BBC this morning as I...
Debunking Christianity
Praise God for the Disaster in Haiti! Isn’t God Good? Thank You Jesus!
As a bit of sarcasm that Voltaire would appreciate let’s all praise God for the disaster in Haiti. God is sovereign. He knows what he’s doing. In fact this has been long overdue. If this is a punishment sent by God then God’s punishments are good, aren’t…
Is America Christian?
I have several...
The Friendly Atheist
Atheist Fundraiser Happening Right Now!
My friend Ashley runs a campus atheist group at The Ohio State University and they’re doing a fundraiser tonight to help a couple different groups: One is my local student group, Students for Freethought, who is trying to raise money to send atheist…
e-Blasphemy Now a Crime in Jordan
Want to blaspheme? You can’t do it in the country of Jordan or...
RichardDawkins.net
Monkeys go out on a limb to show gratitude
Altruistic behaviour in primates relies on reciprocity.
What is blasphemy today?
Is there anything left of the concept of blasphemy? We argue whether civilisation can survive without it or tolerate it all Three part series last week from The Guardian with answers to the question by Ophelia Benson, Nick Spencer and Jeremy Havardi.
via:...
Debunking Christianity
Praise God for the Disaster in Haiti! Isn’t God Good? Thank You Jesus!
As a bit of sarcasm that Voltaire would appreciate let’s all praise God for the disaster in Haiti. God is sovereign. He knows what he’s doing. In fact this has been long overdue. If this is a punishment sent by God then God’s punishments are good, aren’t…
Still Another Christian Takes the...
The Friendly Atheist
Prayer Strategies
If only atheists knew the secret, we’d all be believers: The Greater Wichita Heating and Plumbing Little Sluggers say a team prayer before the big game. Three hours later, they win, and each player is given a personal pan pizza coupon for their…
The Original Front Hug
Who needs a Christian Side Hug when you can have an Original Front Hug? There’s no real video here — it’s...
Atheist Media
Hindus Visit the Ganges For Spiritual Cleansing
January 14, 2010 on Al-Jazeera English Thousands of Hindu pilgrims have braved a winter chill by taking a dip in the Ganges River. The ritual, which is celebrated every three years and rotates to…
Haitian Ambassador Responds to Pat Robertson
January 13, 2010 on MSNBC (via Cynical-C Blog)
Thank God for Andy Choudary
by Pat Condell
Beck Asks...
Debunking Christianity
A Preacher Decides to Take the “Debunking Christianity Challenge”
So far three Christians have decided to do this in 2010 that I know of. Luke at Common Sense Atheism talks about the goals of one such person named Phil, and offers his own list of books. In the comments a preacher named Greg from the “Cambridge…
Debunking Christianity is Ranked 4th Among Atheist Blogs
This...
The Friendly Atheist
Jesus and Cheese Curds
I’m sure A&W restaurants want to tailor their advertising to the masses, but combining Jesus with cheese curds may not be the most appetizing way to do it. Reader Joey sent in this picture of one such restaurant in Frisco, Colorado. He adds…
Bye Bye, Brent
Brent Rasmussen is calling it quits for his longstanding atheist blog Unscrewing the Inscrutable. Among his...
Debunking Christianity
Am I An Angry Atheist? No, I’m Just Mad as Hell and You Might Be Too.
Atheists are typically described as being angry people. I don’t know whether any scientific polls have been done on this but it stands to reason some of us are. While some level of anger isn’t healthy, I’m angry to some degree. It’s part of what motivates…
Reason 1,937 why I want nothing to...
The Friendly Atheist
Will I Win the SATIRIST Award?
I’m up for a SATIRIST award! (Sexiest Atheist That I Read In (my) Spare Time) But I’m currently losing to a redheaded skeptic. (Blasphemy, I tell you!) PZ’s not included in this list, so I have a chance to pull out a victory! Hmm……
Walt Disney and Atheism
While the Walt Disney Company is under fire from evangelical Christians because their movie “The Princess...
Debunking Christianity
This is How it’s Done Right: Taking the “Debunking Christianity” Challenge for 2010
It appears that an amateur Catholic apologist has decided to take my Debunking Christianity Challenge. This is how it’s done right! Any other takers? I said: I have a challenge for Christians. It’s a challenge few will take up, but let me offer it anyway,…
The JEPD Theory In A...
The Friendly Atheist
Oh No, Not a Christian!
Ok, this made me laugh: (via The Onion)
Fred Phelps, the Poet
An essay in defense of “The Magnetic Poetry of Fred Phelps,” by Josh Garrett-Davis: … it’s hard not to be drawn in by [Westboro Baptist Church’s] language, both as shocking, stifled-laugh comedy and as fight-picking. I can’t deny…
A Fatwa Against Muslim Extremists
Finally, a fatwa I can actually get...
Debunking Christianity
New Mid-Month Biblioblogger Ranking
And guess which Blog is now ranked 2nd, topping all but one of them? *Cough*. Thanks to all my readers. It means a great deal to know people are interested in what some guy in Indiana has to say.
Psalm 14:1 Again, This Time Responding to Dr. Matt Flannagan
Previously I had argued that Psalm 14:1 claims an atheist is an immoral person, not an insane one, as Jim...
The Friendly Atheist
Good Without God Hits NYT Best Sellers List
The latest New York Times Best Sellers List has a welcome addition in the Hardcover Nonfiction category: Greg Epstein’s Good Without God. I love that it’s a few spots ahead of #34 Congratulations to Greg, whose book is now going into its fourth…
Religion’s Oppression of Women
You have to read this article. It’s by Nicholas Kristof in The New York...
Debunking Christianity
William Lane Craig: Avoiding More Debate Opponents?
Recently Craig refused to debate me again. But not just me this time. He also refused to debate Robert Price, Hector Avalos, and Richard Carrier, three other contributors to the anthology to be released in April called The Christian Delusion. Maybe he…
When Psalm 14:1 Says Atheists Are “Fools” This Can Be Easily Refuted.
Psalm...
The Friendly Atheist
Review of Flatland: The Movie
For all of you who are also math fans, I wrote a review of Flatland: The Movie and it’s now up at the website for Skeptical Inquirer. As in the book, there are subtle questions in this movie that any skeptic would appreciate: Why are the priests…
Anti-Vaccine Leader Tries to Sue
by Jesse Galef - Back in October, WIRED magazine had an excellent article on the...
Atheist Revolution
Atheist Groups are Growing
Atheist groups in the community and on university campuses appear to be growing, both in terms of membership and in the number of new groups being formed. It is particularly encouraging to see such groups springing up in areas not traditionally associated…
Idiot of the Week: Brit Hume
No surprise this week. Try as I might, I simply couldn’t find anything to...
Debunking Christianity
Richard Dawkins Interviewed on Al-Jazeera English
Watch it below: HT: Atheist Media Blog.
When Psalm 14:1 Says Atheists Are “Fools” This Can Be Easily Refuted.
Psalm 14:1 says: “The fool hath said in his heart, ‘There is no God.’ They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that does good.” My claim is that once we correctly understand this...
The Friendly Atheist
The Future of an Atheist Unity Convention?
I’ve written a couple posts about a possible atheist “Unity” convention. Today, the leaders of several national non-theistic organizations got together for an annual meeting to discuss strategy, future plans, and bounce ideas off each…
Violence Erupts Over Use of word “Allah”
by Jesse Galef - Image from (afp) via TimesOnline Even though I recognize...
RichardDawkins.net
Seeing Further: The Story of Science & the Royal Society, edited by Bill Bryson
Tim Radford on the league of extraordinary gentlemen who changed our view of the universe
An Interview with Christopher Hitchens, Part I
I had lunch with journalist and author Christopher Hitchens in my hometown of Portland, Oregon, this week and interviewed him over glasses of Johnny Walker Black Label...
Debunking Christianity
William Lane Craig: Avoiding More Debate Opponents?
Recently Craig refused to debate me again. But not just me this time. He also refused to debate Robert Price, Hector Avalos, and Richard Carrier, three other contributors to the anthology to be released in April called The Christian Delusion. Maybe he…
SURPRISE!! Khirbet Qeiyafa Inscription Already Being Used to Support the Historicity of...
The Friendly Atheist
A Christian’s Inner Atheist
David Hayward is a Christian blogger who has an interesting post on this site about how he has an “inner atheist” — That is to say, he has thoughts that might be more in line with how an atheist would think than a Christian. A few examples:…
Friday Funny: Ricky Gervais
by Jesse Galef – Is there a better way to end a workweek than with a video of a Ricky Gervais...
Atheist Media
XTC: Dear God
*Repost
Sir David Attenborough on Science & Religion
See also: Sir David Attenborough on God
Nature Video: Walking with Tetrapods
The fossilized remains of 395-million-year-old footprints in Poland have turned back the clock on the evolution of four-legged creatures, or tetrapods. The finds, reported this week in Nature, are 18…
RDF TV - “Teach the...
Debunking Christianity
William Lane Craig: Avoiding More Debate Opponents?
Recently he refused to debate me again, but not just me this time. He also refused to debate Robert Price, Hector Avalos, and Richard Carrier, three other contributors to the anthology to be released in April called The Christian Delusion. Maybe he ought…
Professor Matt McCormick on “Vetting Supernatural Knowledge Claims”
Check...
The Friendly Atheist
Yahweh’s Murderous Tendencies
by Jesse Galef - Every now and then it’s worth refreshing our memory about how absurd it is to call the God in the Judeo-Christian bible compassionate. Daniel Florien at Unreasonable Faith just released part five of his series called “An Evil…
When Atheist Absolutism Should Take a Back Seat
My friend Todd Stiefel read Karen Armstrong’s piece about religion as...
Debunking Christianity
William Lane Craig: Avoiding More Debate Opponents?
Recently he refused to debate me again, but not just me this time. He also refused to debate Robert Price, Hector Avalos, and Richard Carrier, three other contributors to the anthology to be released in April called The Christian Delusion. Maybe he ought…
Sam Harris Answers The Liberal Complaint Against the New Atheists
I really liked how...
The Friendly Atheist
Travel Grant Deadline Approaching
If you’re a member of the Secular Student Alliance, you’re eligible for a $100 travel grant for our upcoming NorCal Regional Leadership Summit on the campus of Stanford University. All the details are here, but act soon because the deadline…
Christopher Hitchens Talks About the “New Atheists”
Christopher Hitchens was asked the following question on Reddit:...
Debunking Christianity
Even PZ Myers Power Cannot Win All Atheist Polls
PZ Myers has topped every atheist poll so far and isn’t doing too bad as a write-in on the most influential female atheist of 2009. ;-) He creamed all challengers on my own most vocal atheist poll, and right now he’s beating out everyone in the universe…
Christian THINK: That’s All You Have to Do
Check out this video of...