December 2010
61 posts
Atheist Media
Five Arrested Over ‘Muhammad Cartoon’ Terror Plot in Denmark
December 30, 2010 on Russia Today: Danish police are investigating what they call the most-serious terror plot ever attempted in the country. Five suspected Islamist militants have been arrested for allegedly planning a gun attack in Copenhagen. Their…
The Nightline Interview - Sam Harris
December 29, 2010 on ABC...
Debunking Christianity
That Which Disconfirms UFO’s From Mars Also Disconfirms God’s Existence
In 1971 a NASA space orbiter named Mariner 9 discovered that the canals on Mars were illusory. This discovery strongly disconfirmed the claim that there was intelligent life on that planet. Before we discovered this many people claimed they encountered…
My New Computer Tower
I want to thank everyone who donated to help...
The Friendly Atheist
The Trouble With Atheists
John W. Loftus, author of Why I Became an Atheist: A Former Preacher Rejects Christianity, suggests that the trouble with atheists is that we lack organization. He elaborates on each of his points, but the short versions are: 1) We don’t provide a united…
A Prophet is Concerned
Bobby Henderson, the Prophet of the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster, is concerned...
Debunking Christianity
A Visual Study Guide to COGNITIVE BIASES
This visual guide is excellent. Believers ought to study up on these biases and apply them to their faith. It is a great antidote to faith based reasoning. Follow this link. At the bottom there are arrows to turn the page. You might want to click on “Full…
What’s Controversial About This?
Anthropological studies show us that religion and...
The Friendly Atheist
From the Local Jail to the Local Churches
In Florida, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd decided to remove basketball hoops from the county jail: “It just bothered me that people would drive by and say, ‘I’m working hard, and the guys are sitting in the county jail playing basketball,’”…
Site’s Slowness
I know it’s very slow to load. I’m looking into it. Thanks for your patience.
Ricky Gervais...
Debunking Christianity
Victor Reppert is “Irate” Claiming This is “Nonsense. Hogwash. BS.”
To what did he respond to? This comment of mine: Vic, you get your “priors” from your upbringing. With different priors you would be defending something else. LinkAdmit it Vic. You get your “priors” from your upbringing. This is undeniable. We were all…
The Trouble With...
The Friendly Atheist
Colorado Atheists Speak at City Council Meeting: Victory?
They usually start city council meetings in Grand Junction, Colorado with Christian prayers. That’s not just “bothersome,” as one news article notes. It’s illegal and it needs to stop. At least the Western Colorado Atheists and…
Why Should You Support the Secular Student Alliance?
Because we offer so much to our affiliates Ashley...
Debunking Christianity
News Flash: Victor Reppert Continues to Kick Against the OTF Goads
Let’s see if I can make a few numbered statements that might help him understand. 1) If he was raised in another part of the globe the odds are extremely high he would be a child of the times and believe what they do. It’s always remotely possible he…
via: Debunking Christianity
The Friendly Atheist
When Atheists ‘Act Like Jesus’
It’s always interesting to hear Christians giving us credit where it’s due… Like this blogger, Mason, who speaks in Christianese but is trying to grapple with the fact that atheists can be kind and generous despite what the church might…
Ask Richard: My Zealous Catholic Parents Are Indoctrinating My Kids
Hi Richard, I just found your site recently, and am...
Debunking Christianity
The Day America Told the Truth: Doing Polls on Religion Correctly
Polling agencies like Gallup, The Pew Forum, and The Barna Group listen up. We need a new updated survey of religion in America to be modeled after the book The Day America Told the Truth. I’m tired of the way you do your polls for the most part. You…
Ayaan Hirsi Ali, Author of Infidel, at the 2010 Freedom From Religion...
The Friendly Atheist
Utah Cross Case Rehearing Denied; Next Stop SCOTUS
by Brittany Meyer … Just in time for the Northern Hemisphere’s winter solstice, the 10th Circuit declined an en banc review of a previous ruling that 14 large white crosses used as roadside memorials for fallen troopers on public land in Utah…
A Teacher Bribes a Student with Jesus
I was reading the Chicago Tribune today and my jaw dropped...
Atheist Revolution
Christmas is Still a Religious Holiday for Majority in U.S.
One of the things that has come up repeatedly in discussions of Christmas here and on other atheist blogs I read is that the holiday is now thoroughly secular. Most people, it is claimed, no longer regard Christmas as a religious holiday at all. However…
The Reason for the Season
Happy whatever you may be celebrating at year end....
The Friendly Atheist
Malaysian Homosexual Now Faces Death Threats from Muslims
Azwan Ismail is a brave man in trouble. He recently came out publicly as gay (as part of Dan Savage‘s It Gets Better project): Because he lives in the Islamic country of Malaysia, where homosexual acts are illegal, he’s getting death threats:…
Kids Debate the Existence of Santa
Replace “Santa” with “God” and it’s like every...
Debunking Christianity
A Wonderful Documentary Called “Christmas Unwrapped” by the History Channel
This is a must see documentary! The other four parts can be found here. [First posted 12/25/09]
Santa Lives!
Yep, so argues Richard Carrier.
Was Jesus Born in Bethlehem?
Let’s take a look at a few details in the Gospels with regard to the birth of Jesus. Consider the Star of Bethlehem: Craig Chester,...
The Friendly Atheist
Another Song Ruined By Jesus…
Looks like there’s a Christian version of “Tik Tok” by Ke$ha: I’m talkin’ going to Mass on Sunday, Totally Catholic partay, it’s happenin’ in the liturgy. Drop down, I’m kneeling before the mighty King Telling…
An Excerpt from Moral Combat: Black Atheists, Gender Politics, and the Values Wars
Despite all the press we’ve seen in the past few years, the number of...
Atheist Media
Robert Winston: How Science Changed Our World
Aired December 23, 2010 on BBC One Professor Robert Winston presents his top ten scientific breakthroughs of the past 50 years. Tracing these momentous and wide-ranging discoveries, he meets a real-life bionic woman, one of the first couples to test the…
CNN Investigates ‘John of God’ - Faith Healer Popularized by Oprah
December 23,...
Debunking Christianity
Richard Dawkins Debunks Noah’s Ark
Victor Reppert is Feeling the Heat of the Outsider Test for Faith
Yep, just look at the title to his latest post: If I had been born in Saudi Arabia, would I have been a Muslim? Hell, no! “Hell No”? Hmmm. That’s an expletive! To quote Shakespeare, “The lady doth protest too much, methinks.” A reasonable person...
The Friendly Atheist
A New American Atheists Billboard: You Know They’re All Scams
The American Atheists billboard near the Lincoln Tunnel got more than its money’s worth of publicity over the past month: That billboard has now been taken down, and there’s a new billboard in its place: That one’s put up by the Times…
Jesus and a Flamenco Singer
Reader Likundu was in San Fernando (Spain) and took a picture of a...
Debunking Christianity
Thanks Again My Friends!
I just want to offer a shout out to the skeptics here who help in answering the personal attacks on me and the arguments of some utterly ignorant Christians. It means a lot to me, really. What buffoons some of them are. I have no clue what they hope to…
Most Christians are Brainwashed or Indoctrinated to Believe, Here’s Proof:
This Week In Holy Crimes
What...
The Friendly Atheist
Who’s the Atheist Apologist Now?
Does the following excerpt look like it comes from an interview with Christopher Hitchens? Maybe Richard Dawkins? Wasn’t [science] also used to justify slavery, genocide and the subjugation of women? Why should we trust science when it comes to God?…
An Army Survey Biased Against Foxhole Atheists
Sgt. Justin Griffith recently took a test called the Soldier...
Debunking Christianity
The 2011 Debunking Christianity Challenge
[Edit: Just a reminder in case you get gift cards for the holiday season to buy some of these books and get going on the 2011 Debunking Christianity Challenge.] Three years ago I challenged Christians to take the Debunking Christianity Challenge. Luke…
The Positivist Canard
Christian apologists keep crowing on about their criticisms of positivism...
The Friendly Atheist
Catholic Church ‘Punishes’ Hospital for Saving Woman’s Life
Do you need any more evidence to be convinced that hospitals should not be affiliated with the Catholic Church? In 2009, St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center admitted a pregnant woman who was at nearly 100% risk of death. In order to save her…
Searching for Secular Education in Edmonton
There’s a brave Canadian mother in...
Debunking Christianity
Christian Apologists Must Denigrate Science and Scientists Themselves
That’s right. I’ve said this before. Anything apologists can do to denigrate science is what they’ll do to defend their faith. That’s why there is the science vs religion debate in the first place. That’s why creative science had to fight an uphill battle…
via: Debunking Christianity
The Friendly Atheist
Fox News Chicago Sends Undercover Agents to Anti-Gay Fundraiser
Remember a few months ago when I sent a couple people undercover into the Americans for Truth About Homosexuality Anti-Gay-Rights “Truth Academy”? (If not, you can read the reports here, here, and here.) Well, a couple months ago, I was contacted…
How a High School Activist Fought School Prayer and Became an Atheist Along the...
Debunking Christianity
Gallup Poll: Four in 10 Americans Believe in Strict Creationism
…and yet there is hope. The percentage of people who don’t think a god was involved in evolution is climbing. Link
Are Christian Apologists Liars, Ignorant, or Blind?
Keep in mind I’m talking here about credentialed Christian apologists and not the myriad numbers of hacks out there, some of which are liars for Jesus...
The Friendly Atheist
Catholic Priest: It’s Not Good to Have Imaginary Friends
I just want to preserve the moment when Father Jonathan Morris says on FOX News, “If you have an imaginary friend, there’s something wrong with you.” Would anyone like to break the news to him…? (via Atheist Media Blog)
Christian Group Executes Santa
Repent Amarillo, a Christian extremist group with a crazy website, has a Christmas message...
Atheist Revolution
Take Your Hand Off the Steering Wheel…
It seems that nearly everyone I went to high school with all those years ago grew up to be evangelical Christians. I never would have guessed it from what I remember of those days. Religion was largely a private matter that nobody discussed. Fast forward…
Idiot of the Week: Rachel Maddow
Man, there are so many good candidates this week! After...
Debunking Christianity
My Oh My, Didn’t Pre-Scientific People Believe in Some Strange Beings:
Biblical Beings- Angels, Cherubim, Seraphim, Tetramorph, and others.. Serpents & Dragons- Dragons, Amphiptere, Amphisbaena, Basilisk, Chimera, Cockatrice, Hydra, Gorgon, Wyvern (also Lindworm), and others… Part-Human Creatures- Centaur, Harpies, Ipotane,…
The Evolution of Hell
Religion in all of...
The Friendly Atheist
The Importance of Failure
During The Amazing Meeting 7 (in 2009), Adam Savage from Mythbusters spoke about the importance of his failures and how they shaped him. JREF has now put the video online: Any particular timestamps you’d recommend watching? … If you’re…
The Christian ‘Man Church’
Chandler, Arizona is home to a Christian church with special services just for men: Man Church is...
Debunking Christianity
Dr. Keith Parsons: What Really Happened on Easter Morning?
As I have argued elsewhere (see my essay in The Empty Tomb), I do not think that we have enough information to establish ANY account about what really happened during “Easter Week.” If I had to conjecture, I would imagine a scenario (and a scenario is…
David Eller’s New Book “Cruel Creeds, Virtuous...
The Friendly Atheist
Jesus is Coming Back… So Buy Some Jewelry!
We all know Jesus is coming back… right? Right. Larry Falter is capitalizing on it for his Superior, Wisconsin business, LTD Jewelers: Did you know the Bible predicts the day of the Lord, followed by the return of Jesus Christ to Jerusalem? As I…
I Did Not Know That…
Christians suffer more religious persecution than anyone else. Says the Pope. “At...
Atheist Media
Fox News: Have You Ever Met An Angel?
December 17, 2010 on Fox News
Your faith is a joke
by Pat Condell
Rufus Wainwright - Christmas for Atheists
Posted December 14, 2010 on CBC UPDATE: This is a parody by Gavin Crawford from CBC 22 Minutes
Intelligence² Debate: Islam is a Religion of Peace?
Ayaan Hirsi Ali, Douglas Murray vs. Zeba Khan, Maajid Nawaz October 6, 2010 by Intelligence Squared: Is...
The Friendly Atheist
Two Videos To Wipe That Smile Off Your Face
You know how you’re full of Christmas cheer right now? Time to put a stop to that. First, a song talking about terrible, horrible things like homosexuality, diversity, and tolerance. You’re probably seething with rage right now. But this will…
Reason’s Greetings from Raleigh
The Triangle Freethought Society in North Carolina has a “Reason’s...
Debunking Christianity
Who Says We’re Wasting Our Time?
We’re making a difference one person at a time. One day I was at a Barnes and Noble browsing around. I got to the Philosophy section, and picked up The Christian Delusion. Part 2 of the book is titled “Why the Bible Is Not the Word of God.” After reading…
via: Debunking Christianity
The Friendly Atheist
Clay Duke Was No Humanist
In case you hadn’t seen this story, a gunman opened fire at a school board meeting in Floridaon Tuesday afternoon. The video is probably NSFW and a bit graphic: When it came time for citizens to bring up issues, the 56-year-old resident calmly approached…
The Onion on Terry Jones
The Onion named Pastor Terry Jones a “Person Who Mattered in 2010” With the gaze of...
Debunking Christianity
My Top 25 Substantive Posts in 2010
I’ve made a list of what I consider the Top 20 Substantive Posts of Mine in 2009. So now I introduce you to what I consider my top 25 substantive posts in 2010: 25) John’s Top Ten List of How to Deal With “The Christian Delusion” Book. 24) Five Factors…
The Chronicle of Higher Education: “Among the Evangelicals: Inside a...
The Friendly Atheist
A Farewell to John Dawkins
Richard Dawkins‘ father died a couple days ago and he penned the obituary: My father, (Clinton) John Dawkins, who has died peacefully of old age, packed an enormous amount into his 95 years. … He and Jean (who survives him) celebrated their…
How Are Anti-Intellectuals Like the Roadrunner?
…
Atheists Protest Hartford City Council Prayers
When atheists...
Debunking Christianity
JP Holding Has Reared his Ugly Head Again
The last time I said anything here about Holding was almost two years ago in a post I’ll link to below. He has recently brought up the same old accusations about me and embellished on them as the time goes by, even though I had already answered them as…
I’m Ready to Go With New Suit and Passport in Hand
I want to thank the people who donated...
The Friendly Atheist
We Are All Africans… Right?
When Richard Dawkins appeared on Real Time with Bill Maher last season he brought Bill a present: That’s your set up for this uncomfortably stereotypical Funny or Die sketch by Sam Sero: On a serious note, is there anyone who would feel uncomfortable…
More Publicity for the Forth Worth Atheist Bus Ads
It’s amazing how much publicity a couple atheist ads can get....
The Friendly Atheist
Cross-Branding Science Teacher Finally Settles Case
A couple months ago, I wrote this: It’s been a while since I’ve written about John Freshwater, the middle school science teacher who was accused of burning crosses into his students’ arms and teaching Creationism. Since his firing in…
The Gay President of a Christian Athletes Group
From PostSecret: What would they do? Kick him out of his...
Atheist Revolution
Idiot of the Week: Rep. Adrian Smith (R-NE)
If you have followed my Idiot of the Week series, you know that many of my picks are fairly trivial in the sense that we just sort of point and laugh and the stupidity. Sure, some of the politicians can do some harmful stuff from time to time, but mostly…
Tempering Atheist Optimism: Remembering the Big Picture
For atheists in the United States,...
The Friendly Atheist
We’re Overrated?
Mark Juddery has a ridiculous article on the Huffington Post (surprised?) discussing the “10 Most Overrated Things of the Decade“… First on his list? New Atheism: … just as it was cool in the nineties to come out as gay, it was…
A Picture and a Contest
Between a Speech Team tournament all of today and a friend’s wedding tonight, I’m out of commission most of this weekend....
The Friendly Atheist
The Best Offense is a Good Defense
The Centre for Inquiry Canada’s “Extraordinary Claims” campaign featuring bus ads and in-person educational events is now underway: National Post columnist Kelly McParland doesn’t get the campaign at all: So why does he care if…
So Long, Anti-Gay Christian ‘Values’
You may have heard the awful story about how Belmont University fired the women’s soccer...
Atheist Media
Fox News: Efforts to Replace Allegiance to God with Allegiance to Government
December 10, 2010 on Fox & Friends
Are Christians the New Persecuted?
*Note: Video is blocked in the UK (Available on 4oD in 7 parts) December 2010 on Channel 4 The rise of aggressive secularism and radical Islam has left many Christians feeling under attack and unable to express their faith. Do Christians really...
Debunking Christianity
Ha! This is Funny But True, Beware of a Little Curiosity
Come on Theists, just admit it, you’re a little curious. We know it. You know it. You wouldn’t be here otherwise. Just come out and admit it. It’s okay. We’re not bad… not really. ;) If you’re a Theist and are spending time lurking on /r/atheism or…
Five Factors That Cause Christians To Lose Their...
The Friendly Atheist
ShitMyGodSays
It’s a year away from being published, but I’m already excited about former Daily Show executive producer David Javerbaum‘s upcoming book (PDF): … David Javerbaum’s untitled book… will be published as the memoir of…
G6 Christ…
***Update***: The Jesus version of the song was made by a comedy troupe called Totally Sketch, not a Christian one as I implied below. My mistake. But...
Debunking Christianity
What Happens When I Write So That More People Can Understand Me?
I am able to reach more people, that’s for sure. But I also get a lot of believers who think they can answer me who are best described as Unskilled and Unaware of it. But no, that’s not true of these believers, right? They can answer me easily! ;-)
Alvin Plantinga Gives Philosophy a Bad Name
Hell yes! So argued PZ Myers....
The Friendly Atheist
A College with Two Atheist Groups
Boston University has two groups specifically for atheists: one deals with discussion and debate. The other focuses on dialogue with theists and community service. The campus newspaper sets them up as competitive, but I don’t know why that would…
Jesus Is…
It’s some clever marketing by The City Church near Seattle, but it can so easily backfire… So, help...
Debunking Christianity
My Education, My Goals, and the Value of Philosophy
I’ve written about my credentials in my book Why I Became an Atheist. I earned a bachelor’s degree from Great Lakes Christian College, two master’s degrees from Lincoln Christian University, a Master’s of Theology degree with half of the hours in William…
Dr. Matt McCormick, “Is Naturalism a Scientific...
The Friendly Atheist
A Positive Story about Indonesian Atheists
There’s a nice article making the rounds dealing with atheists in Indonesia, a country where you’re apparently free to choose your own religion, as long as you believe in a god: Embedded within Indonesia’s constitution are the following…
Keep Yul in Yuletide
Forget keeping Christ in Christmas. It’s way more fun to walk around in a shirt bearing an...