http://www.atheists.org/news.rss http://www.atheists.org/news.rss A Servics of American Atheists en-us atheists.org - 625 http://www.atheists.org/news/The_Greatest_Show_on_Earth_by_Richard_Dawkins Wed, 09 Sep 2009 07:48:04 -0700 (September 9, 2009) - Thomas Henry Huxley was famously "Darwin's bulldog", then Richard Dawkins is probably best described as "Darwin's pit bull". atheists.org - 202 http://www.atheists.org/news/Atheists_to_KY_-_Keep_your_God_Out_of_Homeland_Security Sat, 06 Dec 2008 14:18:08 -0800 American Atheists is suing the State of KY for Breaking its own law, placing as a primary initiative the publicizing of OUR need to worship God for our own safety atheists.org - 204 http://www.atheists.org/news/Atheists_launch_new_web_site Sat, 06 Dec 2008 23:29:12 -0800 Secular world cheers the evolution atheists.org - 192 http://www.atheists.org/news/American_Atheists_launches_new_Website Sun, 19 Oct 2008 21:53:19 -0700 Combines the Web site, Magazine, Blog, TV Show and Newsfeeds atheists.org - 193 http://www.atheists.org/news/Atheists_Congratulate_Obama%2C_Biden%2C_Hagan%2C_and_Others_ Sat, 29 Nov 2008 21:48:25 -0800 Atheists across the U.S. congratulate President-Elect Barack Obama, Vice President-Elect Joe Biden, and all the others who won. atheists.org - 194 http://www.atheists.org/news/Media_Alert%3A__Kathy_Johnson_on_Atheist_Talk_Radio Wed, 24 Dec 2008 20:14:51 -0800 KATHLEEN JOHNSON, Military Director for American Atheists will be the guest tomorrow beginning at 9:00 AM (Sunday, November 9, 2008) on "Atheist Talk" Radio hosted by the Minnesota Atheists.  atheists.org - 195 http://www.atheists.org/news/ATHEISTS_Criticize_Court_Ruling_allowing_Sectarian_Prayer Sat, 29 Nov 2008 21:53:45 -0800 American Atheists today criticized a ruling by the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals allowing sectarian prayers before government meetings in Cobb County, Ga. atheists.org - 196 http://www.atheists.org/news/Media_Alert%3A__Buckner_to_Speak_at_U_of_West_GA Sat, 29 Nov 2008 21:55:59 -0800 ED BUCKNER, President of American Atheists will be a panelist this Monday, Oct. 27, 2008 at the University of West Georgia focusing on "THINGS YOU DON'T TALK ABOUT AT PARTIES: A FORUM ON POLITICS AND RELIGION." atheists.org - 206 http://www.atheists.org/news/NJ_%3A_Civil_Unions_a_Failure%2C_Gay_Marriage_a_Must Wed, 10 Dec 2008 22:00:32 -0800 The New Jersey Civil Union Review Commission has completed its final report. In a unanimous vote, the Commission pronounces the civil union law a failure and recommends to Governor Corzine and the legislature that they enact a marriage equality statute.The report will be posted online at 10:00 am ET Wednesday, December 10, 2008 at atheists.org - 213 http://www.atheists.org/news/Michigan_Atheist_Convention_a_rousing_success Wed, 24 Dec 2008 20:17:02 -0800 There was no “Welcome Michigan Atheists” sign outside the Ann Arbor Best Western Plaza. Not that it would have been visible. It was tempting to infer divine displeasure from a lot of things that happened at the 2008 Michigan Atheists convention on Saturday, Dec. 6, beginning with the weather. All morning, furious sheets of snow whipped the bumper stickers in the parking lot: “Darwin Loves You.” “Hell Don’t Scare Me, Pat Robertson Do.” “When Religion Ruled, We Called It The Dark Ages.” atheists.org - 702 http://www.atheists.org/news/Four-Winged_Dino_Clinches_the_Case_for_Bird_Evolution Tue, 29 Sep 2009 19:24:56 -0700 (September 29, 2009) - A feathered dinosaur unearthed in a Chinese quarry has added another solid piece of evidence to the theory that birds descended from dinosaurs. atheists.org - 703 http://www.atheists.org/news/Atheist_reviewer_takes_on_scholar%5C%27s_look_at_Jesus%2C_Bible Tue, 29 Sep 2009 19:49:49 -0700 (September 29, 2009) - minusRusty is a Faith & Reason regular who likes to stick a pin in conventional views fairly often. So he's picked an author for the Book Club who's well matched to his inquisitive ways. atheists.org - 704 http://www.atheists.org/news/Coalition_of_atheists_puts_out_call_on_billboard Wed, 30 Sep 2009 09:08:28 -0700 (September 30, 2009) - MORGANTOWN, W.Va. -- Members of Morgantown's recently formed Coalition of Reason have a simple message: If you don't believe in God, you aren't alone. atheists.org - 705 http://www.atheists.org/news/Oh%2C_Damn%21_Blasphemy_Day_Looks_for_a_Target Wed, 30 Sep 2009 09:34:48 -0700 September 30, 2009) - Today, September 30, is Blasphemy Day, and if that makes you want to curse, then the Center for Inquiry may be the place to register your epithet -- or send a donation. atheists.org - 210 http://www.atheists.org/news/Obama_choice_of_evangelical_leader_sparks_outrage Wed, 17 Dec 2008 23:14:40 -0800 (CNN) — Prominent liberal groups and gay rights proponents criticized President-elect Barack Obama Wednesday for choosing evangelical pastor Rick Warren to deliver the invocation at the presidential inauguration next month. atheists.org - 212 http://www.atheists.org/news/AA_Magazine_for_November_and_December%3A_100_Years_of_Solstice_Writings Wed, 17 Dec 2008 23:29:16 -0800 AA Magazine for November and December: 100 Years of Solstice Writings Members view on-line today! atheists.org - 214 http://www.atheists.org/news/Special_Rights_for_Believers_in_Berkeley Wed, 24 Dec 2008 17:20:51 -0800 Have your ashed interned in Berkeley -- As long as you're Christian. atheists.org - 220 http://www.atheists.org/news/Which_Bible_Verse_will_Obama_Pick Wed, 24 Dec 2008 17:29:47 -0800 The Constitution does not require presidents to be sworn in on a Bible, though almost every chief executive since George Washington has chosen to do so. Presidents have differed greatly, however, on the question of which passage the Bible should be opened to during the swearing-in ceremony. atheists.org - 223 http://www.atheists.org/news/Atheists_Sue_to_remove_Inauguration_Prayer Mon, 29 Dec 2008 13:12:15 -0800 Atheist Michael Newdow and several other atheists are suing government officials over the injection of religion into the presidential Inauguration.   atheists.org - 218 http://www.atheists.org/news/We%5C%27re_All_Atheists Fri, 26 Dec 2008 22:21:33 -0800 The Story of Dustin Chalker, Atheist in the military atheists.org - 221 http://www.atheists.org/news/Religion_Losing_Influence_%28Duh...%29 Sun, 28 Dec 2008 20:55:51 -0800 Two-thirds of Americans think religion is losing its influence on U.S. life atheists.org - 222 http://www.atheists.org/news/The_Year_in_Religion_-_Top_10_List Mon, 29 Dec 2008 10:26:42 -0800 Role Of Religion In Presidential Campaign Heads 2008 'Top Ten' List Of Church-State Stories Monday, December 29, 2008 atheists.org - 219 http://www.atheists.org/news/The_Dustin_Chalker_Story Wed, 24 Dec 2008 17:15:11 -0800 Atheists in Uniform Fight Back Against Religious Radicals in the Ranks atheists.org - 226 http://www.atheists.org/news/Atheists_Announce_Convention_Line-up Tue, 06 Jan 2009 07:01:17 -0800 American Atheists announced several new Key Speakers for their April Convention atheists.org - 233 http://www.atheists.org/news/Silverman_on_KABC_today Mon, 12 Jan 2009 07:57:57 -0800 Dave Silverman will be a guest on the Al Rantel show at 6:20pm PST today atheists.org - 234 http://www.atheists.org/news/Action_Alert_Mississippi Mon, 12 Jan 2009 13:59:38 -0800 Proposed Mississippi legislation will put “just a theory” stickers in biology textbooks. atheists.org - 230 http://www.atheists.org/news/Creationism_Makes_Its_Mark_ Tue, 06 Jan 2009 17:44:25 -0800 Attacks on evolutionary education continue to take place out of the national spotlight atheists.org - 237 http://www.atheists.org/news/Newdow_%2F_AHA_lose_Inauguration_Lawsuit Thu, 15 Jan 2009 15:29:28 -0800 A federal district court ruled this afternoon that the 2009 Presidential Inaugural ceremonies may proceed as scheduled with religious references. atheists.org - 239 http://www.atheists.org/news/Many_Nods_to_Jesus_%E2%80%94_and_One_to_Non-Believers Wed, 21 Jan 2009 19:54:34 -0800 The most startling acknowledgement of the nation’s religious diversity, however, came from President Obama himself in his inaugural speech. atheists.org - 240 http://www.atheists.org/news/Bus_Ads_will_not_be_Halted Thu, 22 Jan 2009 09:13:03 -0800 A £140,000 atheist campaign on British buses and London Underground stating "There's Probably No God" is not in breach of the advertising code in spite of more than 300 complaints, a watchdog ruled. atheists.org - 241 http://www.atheists.org/news/Moment_of_Silence_Defeated Thu, 22 Jan 2009 19:29:30 -0800 A federal judge ruled Wednesday that the state law requiring a moment of silence in public schools across Illinois is unconstitutional, saying it crosses the line separating church and state. atheists.org - 242 http://www.atheists.org/news/Christian_Bigots_Complain_about_Obama%5C%27s_Nonbeliever_Nod Fri, 23 Jan 2009 18:22:43 -0800 Not everyone was happy with President Barack Obama's nod to nonbelievers and non-Christians in his inaugural address. atheists.org - 252 http://www.atheists.org/news/Obama_hears_Atheists%3B_Christians_Raise_Hell Fri, 06 Feb 2009 10:09:59 -0800 A recent disclosure that the Obama administration transition team met representatives of the atheist Secular Coalition for America to plot political strategy has prompted the national advocacy group In God We Trust to fight back. atheists.org - 253 http://www.atheists.org/news/Media_Alert%3A_Buckner_on_Alan_Colmes_ Thu, 12 Feb 2009 22:17:18 -0800 Thursday at 11:00pm, syndicated atheists.org - 254 http://www.atheists.org/news/Atheist_Classifieds_on-line Thu, 12 Feb 2009 22:20:58 -0800 Atheists Helping, and Hiring Atheists.  Post your ad free atheists.org - 255 http://www.atheists.org/news/Atheist_bus_ads_going_up Fri, 13 Feb 2009 21:51:57 -0800 FFRF Debuts New Freethought Bus Sign Campaign atheists.org - 256 http://www.atheists.org/news/Toilet_Paper_brand_more_Important_than_Church Mon, 16 Feb 2009 11:41:31 -0800 16% of Protestants say they would consider only one denomination, while 22% of them would use only one brand of toothpaste and 19% would use just one brand of bathroom tissue. atheists.org - 257 http://www.atheists.org/news/Buckner_to_speak_in_Bay_Area_this_weekend Mon, 16 Feb 2009 18:52:12 -0800 Dr. Ed Buckner, President of American Atheists, will be speaking at several venues this coming weekend in the California Bay Area. atheists.org - 244 http://www.atheists.org/news/Blair_Scott_Promoted_at_American_Atheists Sat, 24 Jan 2009 16:33:33 -0800 Blair Scott  of Huntsville, Alabama, has been named National Affiliates Director atheists.org - 245 http://www.atheists.org/news/New_affiliates_in_AL_and_MS Tue, 27 Jan 2009 14:49:33 -0800 American Atheists is incredibly proud to announce two new Affiliates to the American Atheists Affiliate program! atheists.org - 246 http://www.atheists.org/news/Drawing_to_Introduce_Richard_Dawkins Thu, 29 Jan 2009 17:32:10 -0800 Members of American Atheists can win the opportunity to Introduce Richard Dawkins at the national Convention atheists.org - 249 http://www.atheists.org/news/American_Atheists_announces_new_Missouri_State_Director Mon, 02 Feb 2009 11:24:28 -0800 American Atheists Announces Greg Lammers as Missouri State Director atheists.org - 248 http://www.atheists.org/news/ACTION_ALERT%3A_Keep_faith-based_funding_out_of_the_economic_stimulus_package_ Fri, 30 Jan 2009 14:19:09 -0800 The Compassion Capital Fund was a key component of George W. Bush’s controversial faith-based funding program.  Now they want part of the Stimulus Package. atheists.org - 250 http://www.atheists.org/news/New_Poll_Shows_Where_Religion_is_Less_Prevalent Mon, 02 Feb 2009 11:23:16 -0800 An analysis of more than 350,000 interviews conducted by Gallup in 2008 finds Mississippi, Alabama, South Carolina, Tennessee, Louisiana, and Arkansas to be the most religious states in the nation. Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, and Massachusetts are the least religious states. atheists.org - 251 http://www.atheists.org/news/Judge_Luigi_Tosti_to_Speak_at_Convention Tue, 03 Feb 2009 14:04:20 -0800 Traditionally Courtrooms in Roman Catholic Italy have crucifixes on the wall behind the judge’s bench.  Judge Tosti of Italy declined for months to hold court in Camerino, Italy, because he insisted that religious symbols have no place in a court of law. atheists.org - 258 http://www.atheists.org/news/Pre_Research_examines_Blacks%2C_Religion Sat, 21 Feb 2009 09:41:07 -0800 African-Americans are markedly more religious on a variety of measures than the U.S. population as a whole atheists.org - 259 http://www.atheists.org/news/Anti-Cross_Judge_Tosti_Acquitted Tue, 24 Feb 2009 20:59:24 -0800 Italy's supreme court overturned judge Luigi Tosti's May 2007 seven-month sentence for refusing to carry out his official duties. atheists.org - 260 http://www.atheists.org/news/UN%3A_Blasphemy_is_a_Crime%21 Sun, 01 Mar 2009 10:18:43 -0800 The United Nations Anti-Blasphemy Resolution aims to curtail speech that offends religion, specifically Islam. Critics, religious groups and free speech advocates say the resolution is spreading Sharia law to the Western world. atheists.org - 262 http://www.atheists.org/news/Time_Running_out_for_National_Convention Tue, 03 Mar 2009 15:20:32 -0800 March 10, 2009 is the deadline to reserve your room at the Emory Conference Center in Atlanta, GA. for the blockbuster Freethought event of the year! atheists.org - 263 http://www.atheists.org/news/Obama_to_accept_BSA_Presidency Wed, 04 Mar 2009 07:48:36 -0800 A Boy Scouts spokesman said Obama has indicated he will accept the title of honorary presidentof the discriminatory BSA. atheists.org - 264 http://www.atheists.org/news/Anti-Dawkins_Resolution_Proposed Fri, 06 Mar 2009 13:38:41 -0800 A resolution has been introduced to protest Richard Dawkins atheists.org - 265 http://www.atheists.org/news/Atheists_Participate_in_Library_of_Congress_Obama_Effort. Sat, 07 Mar 2009 14:43:02 -0800 Library of Congress Collects 250+ Inaugural Sermons and orations, including one from American Atheists atheists.org - 266 http://www.atheists.org/news/Non-religion_growing_in_all_50_states Mon, 09 Mar 2009 11:28:29 -0700 People claiming no religion constitute the only "religious" tradition that's growing in all 50 states atheists.org - 267 http://www.atheists.org/news/Can_a_Cross_be_secular%3F Tue, 10 Mar 2009 09:46:24 -0700 A federal appeals court in Denver is weighing a lawsuit over Utah's use of crosses for roadside memorials honoring fallen highway patrol troopers, with some judges questioning Utah's declaration that the crosses are nonreligious, secular symbols of death. atheists.org - 269 http://www.atheists.org/news/New_Items_on_the_Kentucky_Case Sun, 15 Mar 2009 00:52:17 -0700 Kentucky Lawsuit progresses atheists.org - 272 http://www.atheists.org/news/Scholarship_Winners_Announced Sun, 15 Mar 2009 14:46:58 -0700 Congratulations to This year's winners for the American Atheists Scholarships atheists.org - 271 http://www.atheists.org/news/Proof_Jesus_was_Invented Sun, 15 Mar 2009 00:57:13 -0700 James Randi's video uses evidence to prove there was indeed, no Nazareth. atheists.org - 274 http://www.atheists.org/news/TX_Moments_of_Silence_Upheld Tue, 17 Mar 2009 10:13:23 -0700 A federal appeals court on Monday upheld a Texas law that requires public school students to observe a daily minute of silence atheists.org - 278 http://www.atheists.org/news/Obama_equalizing_religions_and_nonreligious Tue, 24 Mar 2009 10:49:31 -0700  President Barack Obama regularly puts nonbelievers on the same footing as religious Americans. atheists.org - 281 http://www.atheists.org/news/Defamation_of_Religion_--_Evil_under_cover Mon, 30 Mar 2009 15:37:41 -0700 Two articles on the UN's Resolution on Defamation of Religion atheists.org - 282 http://www.atheists.org/news/Mythicist_Prize_to_be_Awarded Tue, 31 Mar 2009 10:19:31 -0700 $1,000 will be awarded to the author of a submitted essay which, supports the proposition that Jesus of Nazareth did not exist. atheists.org - 280 http://www.atheists.org/news/Vouchers_Struck_Down_in_AZ Thu, 26 Mar 2009 08:03:22 -0700 Today, the Arizona Supreme Court struck down two school voucher programs for religious and private schools. atheists.org - 283 http://www.atheists.org/news/Reality_Gets_Trademarked Thu, 02 Apr 2009 07:25:19 -0700 The Church of Reality, has trademarked the word REALITY atheists.org - 289 http://www.atheists.org/news/Mainline_Protestants%5C%27_Dead_End Wed, 15 Apr 2009 12:58:02 -0700 Is America's long love affair with Christianity coming to an end? atheists.org - 285 http://www.atheists.org/news/CA_Declines_suit_over_Boy_Scout_Public_Land_Use_ Sat, 04 Apr 2009 06:39:18 -0700 The California Supreme Court has declined to involve itself in a dispute over whether the state Constitution allows public land to be leased to organizations that discriminate on the basis of religion or sexual orientation. atheists.org - 287 http://www.atheists.org/news/2009_Donations_to_be_Matched Tue, 14 Apr 2009 13:54:39 -0700 Life Member to match all donations in 2009 up to $100K atheists.org - 295 http://www.atheists.org/news/Hawking_Very_Ill Mon, 20 Apr 2009 10:01:32 -0700 Professor Stephen Hawking has been urgently admitted to hospital atheists.org - 296 http://www.atheists.org/news/Judge_Prohibits_Religious_School_Song Mon, 20 Apr 2009 15:10:20 -0700 A federal judge has banned a Florida elementary school from having children sing a country song, "In God We Still Trust," at a school assembly. atheists.org - 306 http://www.atheists.org/news/Florida_at_it_again_--_Second_Preaching_Song_for_Children Wed, 22 Apr 2009 13:59:50 -0700 This is the second time in less than a month that attorneys asked the United States District Court in Jacksonville for a preliminary injunction to stop a song at Webster. atheists.org - 328 http://www.atheists.org/news/40_Million_Nonbelievers%3F__The_Secret_is_Out... Thu, 07 May 2009 11:10:50 -0700 (May 7, 2009) - Consider: If these numbers are correct, nonbelievers amount to more than the highest estimates of African Americans or gays. Secularists are one of Americaâ��s largest minorities. atheists.org - 303 http://www.atheists.org/news/OKlahoma_at_it_again_--_Approves_Illegal_Monument Wed, 22 Apr 2009 11:30:22 -0700 The Oklahoma Senate passed a measure Monday that would allow for construction of a 10 Commandments monument on the Capitol grounds. atheists.org - 305 http://www.atheists.org/news/Hawking_Recovering Wed, 22 Apr 2009 13:24:28 -0700 Stephen Hawking is recovering from a lung infection. atheists.org - 307 http://www.atheists.org/news/New_Pew_Research_--_44%25_change_religion Wed, 29 Apr 2009 09:24:39 -0700 About half of American adults have changed religious affiliation at least once during their lives. atheists.org - 1112 http://www.atheists.org/news/Atheist_groups_spread_message_on_Sacramento-area_billboards Wed, 10 Feb 2010 15:27:24 -0800 (February 10, 2010) - Ever look skyward for spiritual inspiration? You won't find it on 10 new billboards that just went up in the Sacramento region. atheists.org - 1113 http://www.atheists.org/news/The_Evolution_Debate_Is_Over%3B_It%5C%27s_Time_To_Move_Forward Wed, 10 Feb 2010 18:12:58 -0800 (February 10, 2010) - The traditional Science vs. Religion debate -- the one which gets all the airplay, the one which endlessly pits Creationism vs. Evolution -- is exhausted, ossified, and no longer speaks to the challenges we face as a species. atheists.org - 1114 http://www.atheists.org/news/Saudi_Valentine%5C%27s_Day%3A_Authorities_Crack_Down_On_Anywhere_Selling_Red Thu, 11 Feb 2010 14:07:49 -0800 (February 11, 2010) - RIYADH, Saudi Arabia â�� The Saudi religious police launched Thursday a nationwide crackdown on stores selling items that are red or in any other way allude to the banned celebrations of Valentine's Day, a Saudi official said. atheists.org - 1115 http://www.atheists.org/news/Lancaster_mayor_apologizes_for_his_%5C%27Christian_community%5C%27_remark_ Thu, 11 Feb 2010 16:09:02 -0800 (February 11, 2010) - Members of Los Angeles-area Islamic organizations said Tuesday they welcomed an apology from Lancaster Mayor R. Rex Parris, who drew criticism after telling an audience of mostly Christian ministers that he was â��growing a Christian community.â�� atheists.org - 1116 http://www.atheists.org/news/S.C._School_Reinstates_Student_Prayer_Sessions Thu, 11 Feb 2010 21:20:44 -0800 (February 12, 2010) - Controversy over a morning prayer meeting at a high school in Georgetown, S.C., was settled this week as district officials offered a compromise. atheists.org - 1117 http://www.atheists.org/news/Are_science_and_atheism_compatible%3F Fri, 12 Feb 2010 10:39:25 -0800 (February 12, 2012)- Science brings no comfort to to anyone with dogmatic beliefs about world - atheists.org - 1118 http://www.atheists.org/news/New_Paper_Gives_Insight_Into_How_Religion_Developed Fri, 12 Feb 2010 10:51:18 -0800 (February 12, 2010) - As an atheist, it is often confounding that religion seems to be pervasive in all cultures and across huge spans of our species history. atheists.org - 1119 http://www.atheists.org/news/Are_%5C%27good_without_God%5C%27_studies_an_attack_on_your_faith%3F Fri, 12 Feb 2010 14:31:06 -0800 (February 12, 2010) - Do you feel attacked for your religious beliefs? Do you consider popular views that people can be good without God as a direct hit on the moral system you treasure? atheists.org - 1120 http://www.atheists.org/news/Will_Christian_Right_join_the_Tea_Party%3F Fri, 12 Feb 2010 18:57:38 -0800 (February 12, 2010) - For what was presented as a rally of angry conservative Americans, last weekend's National Tea Party Convention in Nashville was remarkably lacking in evangelical Christian leaders and rhetoric. atheists.org - 323 http://www.atheists.org/news/Bad_History_-_%5C%22Religious_Heritage_Week%5C%22_Bill Tue, 05 May 2009 13:16:27 -0700 (May 5, 2009) - Last January, Rep. Rany Forbes (R-VA) introduced H. Res. 888, a resolution for an annual religious heritage week. atheists.org - 309 http://www.atheists.org/news/Governor_Chides_Religious_Leaders_for_Homophobia Wed, 29 Apr 2009 17:10:00 -0700 New York Governor David Paterson questioned the moral authority of religious leaders who insist that gay and lesbian families should be denied marriage equality, but who have, he said, long remained silent about the persecution that gay families and individuals have suffered. atheists.org - 311 http://www.atheists.org/news/Camp_Quest_Now_In_Britain Wed, 29 Apr 2009 17:50:35 -0700 Atheists have become the latest group to cash in on Britain's booming summer camp industry by creating the country's first-ever retreat for irreligious children. atheists.org - 369 http://www.atheists.org/news/Atheists_Lose_Challenge_to_Taxpayer-Funded_Church_Repairs Fri, 29 May 2009 11:01:39 -0700 (May 29, 2009) - A panel of the 6th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals on Thursday rejected an effort by American Atheists to have a Detroit, Michigan program that repaired downtown churches declared unconstitutional. atheists.org - 313 http://www.atheists.org/news/Atheists%2C_Christianity%2C_and_Why_God_Is_Not_Dead Thu, 30 Apr 2009 17:57:13 -0700 "Atheists, come out of the closet. You won't be struck by lightning. I promise," says Atheist and columnist Bonnie Erbe. Jump in, join the conversation... atheists.org - 314 http://www.atheists.org/news/Churchgoers_More_Likely_to_Support_Torture Fri, 01 May 2009 12:47:39 -0700 The more often Americans go to church, the more likely they are to support the torture of suspected terrorists, according to a new survey. atheists.org - 315 http://www.atheists.org/news/Evolution_Instruction_in_Schools_%5C%22Optional%5C%22%3F Sat, 02 May 2009 11:20:28 -0700 A controversial Alberta, Canada bill will enshrine into law the rights of parents to pull their children out of classes discussing the topics of evolution and homosexuality. atheists.org - 316 http://www.atheists.org/news/No_Ceremony_for_Obama_National_Day_of_Prayer_Decree%3F Sat, 02 May 2009 20:02:07 -0700 The National Day of Prayer Task Force, which is run out of the conservative Christian group Focus on the Family in Colorado Springs, Colo., has been eagerly awaiting word from the White House about plans for next Thursday's National Day of Prayer. atheists.org - 317 http://www.atheists.org/news/Catholic_Bishops_Furious_Over_Notre_Dama_Obama_Invite Sat, 02 May 2009 23:28:45 -0700 (May 3, 2009) -- This coming week, Bishop Thomas Wenski of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orlando, Fla., will take the unusual step of celebrating a Mass of Reparation, to make amends for sins against God. atheists.org - 318 http://www.atheists.org/news/Celebrate%2C_Learn_More_on_Darwin_and_%5C%22Origin_of_Species%5C%22 Sun, 03 May 2009 10:56:07 -0700 (May 3, 2009) - In addition to being the 200th anniversary of Darwin's birth, 2009 is the 150th anniversary of the publication of his fundamental work, "On the Origin of Species." atheists.org - 319 http://www.atheists.org/news/Buckner_--_Secularism_Important_for_Religious%2C_Too Mon, 04 May 2009 10:40:14 -0700 (May 4, 2009) -- American Atheists President Ed Buckner said that belief in a supernatural power or being is foolish... but atheists.org - 320 http://www.atheists.org/news/%5C%22Religious_History_Week%5C%22_Bill_to_be_Introduced Tue, 05 May 2009 09:19:25 -0700 (May 4, 2009) - Rep. Doug Lamborn, R-Colo., and James and Shirley Dobson will take part in a news conference in Washington, D.C., on Thursday - the National Day of Prayer - to help reintroduce a bill that calls for naming the first week of May "Religious History Week." atheists.org - 373 http://www.atheists.org/news/Atheist_Nations_More_Peaceful%3F Thu, 04 Jun 2009 17:16:58 -0700 (June 4, 2009) - Sure enough, peaceful countries have more atheists and fewer regular worshippers. The difference is highly statistically significant. atheists.org - 331 http://www.atheists.org/news/Irish__Atheists_Fight_Blasphemy_Law Fri, 08 May 2009 15:17:37 -0700 (May 8, 2009) - A group that claims to represent the rights of atheists in Ireland has launched a campaign to expel God from the Irish constitution, starting with an attempt to block plans for a new blasphemy law. atheists.org - 332 http://www.atheists.org/news/Christian_School_Threatens_Student_Over_Prom_Date Tue, 12 May 2009 13:52:33 -0700 (May 9, 2009) - A Christian school in Ohio says it will suspend a student if he attends a public high school prom with his girlfriend. atheists.org - 333 http://www.atheists.org/news/Indiana_Atheists_Sues_Over_Godless_Bus_Ads Sat, 09 May 2009 14:29:25 -0700 (May 9, 2009) - BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - An atheist group has sued Bloomington's bus service for rejecting ads that say "You can be good without God." atheists.org - 335 http://www.atheists.org/news/Debate_Over_Obama%2C_Prayer_Day_Order_Continues Sun, 10 May 2009 20:47:30 -0700 (May 10, 2009)-- Columnist Paul Rolly speaks out: The criticism that President Barack Obama has been taking from the likes of Rush Limbaugh and conservative Christian commentators for discontinuing the White House National Prayer Day events reminds me of what a courageous Utah public servant once told me. atheists.org - 336 http://www.atheists.org/news/Will_Obama_Expand_D.C._Voucher_Scheme%3F Mon, 11 May 2009 12:45:31 -0700 (May 11, 2009) - President Barack Obama wants to keep paying for private-school vouchers for students receiving them in the District of Columbia, an administration official said Wednesday. atheists.org - 337 http://www.atheists.org/news/Pat_Robertson_Dishes_About_Luv_--_Atheists_%26_Christians Tue, 12 May 2009 18:03:10 -0700 (May 11, 2009) - That Atheist boyfriend of yours may be a nice guy, but Pat Robertson says show him the door! atheists.org - 325 http://www.atheists.org/news/Pastors_Riot_After_D.C._Gay_Marriage_Vote%21 Wed, 06 May 2009 12:57:35 -0700 (May 6, 2009) - D.C. Council member Marion Barry (D-Ward 8), the only council member to vote against the bill today to legalize same-sex marriages performed elsewhere, predicted today there could be a "civil war" in the District if the Council decides to take up a broader gay marriage bill later this year. atheists.org - 1104 http://www.atheists.org/news/Tim_Tebow_SUPER_BOWL_AD_VIDEO%3A_SEE_The_Focus_On_The_Family_Commercial Sun, 07 Feb 2010 13:23:07 -0800 (February 7, 2010) - Tim Tebow's Super Bowl ad has been rumored for weeks. The commercial, long suspected to contain a pro-life message, was protested by many women's groups, which pressured CBS not to air the ad. Planned Parenthood even released a preemptive video in response to the commercial. atheists.org - 1105 http://www.atheists.org/news/On_Super_Bowl_Sunday%2C_Woman_UP_with_Obama%2C_Katie%2C_and_the_Tebows Sun, 07 Feb 2010 13:41:14 -0800 (February 7, 2010) - Today on Politics Daily's all-woman online Sunday show, Woman UP, Patricia Murphy, Ria Misra, Helena Andrews, Bonnie Erbe' and I discuss life with the Tebows, gay dating with Mancrunch, and a new study that suggests abstinence-only pregnancy-prevention programs might work a lot better than we thought. atheists.org - 1106 http://www.atheists.org/news/You%2C_Britain%2C_are_the_breeding_ground_for_Muslim_terrorists Sun, 07 Feb 2010 14:12:48 -0800 (February 7, 2010) - The Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka says the UK, not Nigeria, should be on the terrorism watch-list atheists.org - 1107 http://www.atheists.org/news/What_Are_Notable_Atheists_Saying_About_the_Tebow_Super_Bowl_Ad%3F Mon, 08 Feb 2010 17:04:49 -0800 (February 8, 2010) - A few notable atheists are commenting on the Tim Tebow Super Bowl ad at the On Faith blog. atheists.org - 1108 http://www.atheists.org/news/ACLU_accuses_Calif._instructor_of_religion_lessons Mon, 08 Feb 2010 18:57:37 -0800 (February 8, 2010) - An instructor at a public community college in Fresno has been presenting his religious views on homosexuality, abortion and global warming as fact to students in an introductory health science class, the American Civil Liberties Union alleged Monday. atheists.org - 1109 http://www.atheists.org/news/Pope_Talks_Tough_on_Vacation Tue, 09 Feb 2010 16:02:08 -0800 (February 9, 2010) - John Paul II redefined papal travel by trekking to the most far-flung corners of the planet. In contrast, Benedict XVI, who was 20 years older than John Paul was at his papal election, sticks closer to home. atheists.org - 1110 http://www.atheists.org/news/Don%5C%27t_celebrate_Valentine%5C%27s_Day_warning_to_Muslim_couples Tue, 09 Feb 2010 19:04:31 -0800 (February 9. 2010) - This Feb 14, Muslim women have been urged to 'hold on to their panties' and not celebrate the day, universally known as Valentine's Day, because it is not an Islamic practice. atheists.org - 1111 http://www.atheists.org/news/Atheists_%5C%27just_as_ethical_as_churchgoers%5C%27_ Wed, 10 Feb 2010 14:01:11 -0800 (February 10, 2010) - Atheists are just as ethical and have as strong a moral compass as churchgoers, new research shows. atheists.org - 351 http://www.atheists.org/news/Pentagon%3A_No_More_Bible_Quotes Tue, 19 May 2009 13:45:08 -0700 (May 19, 2009) - The Pentagon said Monday it no longer includes a Bible quote on the cover page of daily intelligence briefings it sends to the White House as was practice during the Bush administration. atheists.org - 330 http://www.atheists.org/news/Secularists_Protest_Gov%5C%27t_Prayer_Day_in_Florida Thu, 07 May 2009 16:09:11 -0700 (May 7, 2009) - Shouts of praise and protest clashed outside the Broward Sheriff's Office Public Safety Building Thursday as rabbis, deputies, priests, firefighters and atheists gathered for -- and against -- prayer. atheists.org - 344 http://www.atheists.org/news/Silverman_Dishes_Back_on_Robertson%2C_Xians-Only_Marriage Thu, 14 May 2009 11:59:59 -0700 (May 14, 2009) - Dave Silverman has a response to Pat Robertson's slur about marriage and the non-religious. atheists.org - 340 http://www.atheists.org/news/Cranky_Priest_Curses_Buxom_Statue%2C_Commands_Removal Tue, 12 May 2009 13:58:29 -0700 (May 12, 2009) - Some consider a statue of a female pirate scantily dressed in Schuylkill county inappropriate. atheists.org - 341 http://www.atheists.org/news/%5C%22Angels_%26_Demons%5C%22_to_Draw_Religious_Wrath%3F Tue, 12 May 2009 18:07:36 -0700 (May 12, 2009) - Ron Howard's "Angels & Demons," his prequel to "The Da Vinci Code," is the latest film to rouse the Catholic community. atheists.org - 342 http://www.atheists.org/news/Catholic_Bishop_to_Denounce_Obama_ND_Talk_on_Fox Wed, 13 May 2009 12:38:12 -0700 (May 13, 2009) -Fargo's Roman Catholic bishop is taking a national television platform to denounce President Obama's prominent role in the University of Notre Dame's commencement this weekend. atheists.org - 345 http://www.atheists.org/news/Miss_California%3A_ Fri, 15 May 2009 11:29:36 -0700 (May 14, 2009) - Prejean is keeping busy talking to Dr. James Dobson about how Satan tried to tempt her with a question about gay marriage at the Miss USA pageant. atheists.org - 346 http://www.atheists.org/news/%5C%22Angels_%26_Demons%5C%22_Fueling_Religious_Wrath%2C_Conspiracy_Mongering Fri, 15 May 2009 11:36:44 -0700 (May 15, 2009) - Those pesky Illuminati are back as "Angels & Demons" opens at the box office. atheists.org - 348 http://www.atheists.org/news/Atheists_Not_Fully_Human%3F Sun, 17 May 2009 10:16:01 -0700 (May 16, 2009) - A Roman Catholic Cardinal makes a bizarre statement about nonbelievers and what it means to be "fully human." atheists.org - 349 http://www.atheists.org/news/LA_Times_Op-Ed_Smears_Atheists Mon, 18 May 2009 21:27:50 -0700 (May 17, 2009) -- Charlotte Allen of the Manhattan Institute says that Atheists are without reason, and just whining. atheists.org - 350 http://www.atheists.org/news/Bible_Quotes_Headline_Intelligence_Briefs Mon, 18 May 2009 21:27:21 -0700 (May 18, 2009) - A series of cover sheets for intelligence reports written for Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld ...were adorned with biblical quotations, and appeared Sunday, six years later, on the Web site of GQ magazine. atheists.org - 353 http://www.atheists.org/news/New_Yorker_Profiles_Atheists_With_Attitude Tue, 19 May 2009 16:46:20 -0700 (May 19, 2009) - "Great portents and disasters turn some minds to God and others away from him." atheists.org - 354 http://www.atheists.org/news/Parents_Battle_Bible_Distribution_in_Local_School Wed, 20 May 2009 05:11:17 -0700 (May 20, 2009) - There is a book battle of sorts taking place in Frisco schools. This isn't about a textbook â�� it's about the "Good Book." atheists.org - 355 http://www.atheists.org/news/Irish_Probe_Indicts_Church-Run_Schools Thu, 21 May 2009 12:11:23 -0700 (May 21, 2009) - The report chronicles decades of sexual abuse and beatings by priests and nuns. atheists.org - 374 http://www.atheists.org/news/Christian_Media_on_the_Slide%3F Fri, 05 Jun 2009 10:49:40 -0700 (June 5, 2009) - Preacher Donâ��t Publish Have the days of Christian media come and gone? atheists.org - 357 http://www.atheists.org/news/Get_the_Full_Report%3A_Irish_Catholic_Child_Abuse Fri, 22 May 2009 06:03:42 -0700 (May 22, 2009) - Here are the finding of a nine-year inquiry into Catholic child abuse in Ireland. atheists.org - 358 http://www.atheists.org/news/RESOLVED%3A_Atheists_are_the_New_Evangelicals Fri, 22 May 2009 15:52:16 -0700 (May 22, 2009) - The â��European Diseaseâ�� has officially jumped the pond. atheists.org - 360 http://www.atheists.org/news/Lawmaker%3A_Decree_2010_Year_of_the_Bible Sat, 23 May 2009 13:16:24 -0700 (May 23, 2009) - A Republican House member wants President Barack Obama to make 2010 the year of the Bible. atheists.org - 361 http://www.atheists.org/news/No_Wall_of_Separation%2C_Largest_Child_Abuse_Scandal Mon, 25 May 2009 03:30:47 -0700 (May 25, 2009) - The (arguably) largest child abuse scandal in history has resurfaced. atheists.org - 362 http://www.atheists.org/news/2010__Year_of_the_Bible%3F Wed, 27 May 2009 20:56:27 -0700 (May 25, 2009) - Rep. Paul Broun (R-Ga.) wants to have the federal government pass a decree proclaiming 2010 as "Year of the Bible." atheists.org - 367 http://www.atheists.org/news/Sotomayor_and_the_First_Amendment Wed, 27 May 2009 11:42:03 -0700 (May 27, 2009) - Sonia Stormayor's record on the First Amendment -- a special report from AANEWS. atheists.org - 366 http://www.atheists.org/news/Obama_Picks_Sotomayor%3A_Religious_Right_Divides Tue, 26 May 2009 20:48:19 -0700 (May 26, 2009) - Conservative groups know they want to oppose Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor â�� but exactly how that campaign will be conducted is a major unanswered question that is splitting the Republican right. atheists.org - 375 http://www.atheists.org/news/Proselytizing_Public_School_Teacher_is_at_it_Again%21 Sun, 07 Jun 2009 17:53:14 -0700 (June 7, 2009) - The teacher who made headlines in 2007 over his classroom proselytizing is again trying to use taxpayer dollars to promote his religious agenda. atheists.org - 371 http://www.atheists.org/news/Ky._Moves_to_Dismiss_Atheist_Suit_ Mon, 01 Jun 2009 15:57:05 -0700 (May 30, 2009) -Does the Bluegrass State of Kentucky enjoy God's special protection against terrorism? atheists.org - 372 http://www.atheists.org/news/City_Council_to_Invoke_Great_Pumpkin%3F_Why_Not%3F Mon, 01 Jun 2009 15:01:56 -0700 (June 1, 2009) - The headline says it all... atheists.org - 376 http://www.atheists.org/news/De-Baptism_Rage_Spreads_to_Europe Mon, 08 Jun 2009 18:58:10 -0700 (June 8, 2009) -- Edwin Kagin's De-Baptism theatrics have reached Britain. atheists.org - 377 http://www.atheists.org/news/Atheists_%5C%22Keeping_Faith%5C%22_with_Obama%3F Tue, 09 Jun 2009 21:53:11 -0700 (June 10, 2009) - The president said in his inaugural address that the United States is â��a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus and nonbelievers.â�� atheists.org - 378 http://www.atheists.org/news/Acknowledging_the_Seculars%3A_Obama_and_Atheists Fri, 12 Jun 2009 16:23:33 -0700 (June 12, 2009) - The president continues to acknowledge the status of Atheists and other non-believers in American culture. atheists.org - 379 http://www.atheists.org/news/The_politics_of_assassination Fri, 12 Jun 2009 22:40:47 -0700 (June 13, 2009) - Inside the violent movement that spawned James von Brunn and Scott Roeder. atheists.org - 380 http://www.atheists.org/news/Video%3A_Kagin_Defends_Separation%2C_Challenges_KY._God_Promo_Laws Sun, 14 Jun 2009 20:07:49 -0700 (June 13, 2009) -- Check out the courtroom video and more! atheists.org - 381 http://www.atheists.org/news/Iranian_Fundies_Under_Pressure%3F Sun, 14 Jun 2009 20:10:55 -0700 (June 14, 2009) -- Riots spread through Iran as protesters speak out against despotic fundamentalist rule. atheists.org - 382 http://www.atheists.org/news/The_Radical_Islamic_Threat_to_Europe Mon, 15 Jun 2009 08:21:09 -0700 (June 15, 2009) Salt Lake City Atheist and blogger Omar Salah speaks out in a series of provocative op-eds. atheists.org - 383 http://www.atheists.org/news/Presidents_Act_Religious_Even_When_They_Are_Not Tue, 16 Jun 2009 14:24:06 -0700 (June 16, 2009) - Op-Ed piece on how -- and why -- presidents use religious narratives. atheists.org - 384 http://www.atheists.org/news/Inside_Tehran%3A_Revolution%2C_Girl_Power_and_More Tue, 16 Jun 2009 15:57:13 -0700 (June 16, 2009) -- Get an inside track on events in Iran from an insider blog. Are revolution, gender empowerment and secularism in the air? atheists.org - 385 http://www.atheists.org/news/Sanctimonious_Lawmakers_Admits_Affair Wed, 17 Jun 2009 11:56:57 -0700 (June 17, 2009) - Religious-right errand boy Sen.John Ensign preaches "family values," but has fling with ex-staffer. atheists.org - 386 http://www.atheists.org/news/PBS_Blesses_Old_Religious_Shows%2C_But_Bans_the_New Wed, 17 Jun 2009 16:08:21 -0700 (June 17, 2009) - The Public Broadcasting Service agreed yesterday to ban its member stations from airing new religious TV programs. atheists.org - 387 http://www.atheists.org/news/So_Much_for_%5C%22Godless_Communism%5C%22 Thu, 18 Jun 2009 18:44:47 -0700 (June 18, 2009) - What happened? Used to be you could safely equate communist party membership with atheism because, well, wasn't it always that way? atheists.org - 388 http://www.atheists.org/news/Who_Is_Mir_Hossein_Mousavi%3F_ Fri, 19 Jun 2009 00:46:56 -0700 (June 19, 2009) - "He's not a secular intellectual in the molds of Western intellectuals," atheists.org - 389 http://www.atheists.org/news/Southern_Baptist_Leader_Praying_for_Obama%5C%27s_Assassination Fri, 19 Jun 2009 19:58:47 -0700 (June 19, 2009) - Loving Christians sometimes seem to love violence and death more than they love other human beings. atheists.org - 390 http://www.atheists.org/news/The_Music_is_Back%3A_One_Way_of_Defying_the_Taliban Sat, 20 Jun 2009 16:15:06 -0700 (June 20, 2009) - The girl in the pink pashmina scratches out scales on a battered violin. The screeching careens off the walls of the darkened classroom, but Ahmad Sarmast gushes with pride. atheists.org - 391 http://www.atheists.org/news/Some_Drivers_Refuse_to_Work_on_%5C%22Atheist%5C%22_Busses_ Sun, 21 Jun 2009 16:48:52 -0700 (June 21, 2009) - A controversial atheist bus campaign has hit the streets in the capital city after being banned by bus companies in Turku and Tampere. atheists.org - 392 http://www.atheists.org/news/Muslim_and_Christian_drivers_drop_plans_for_boycott_of_buses_with_atheist_ads Mon, 22 Jun 2009 17:05:31 -0700 (June 22, 2009) - Atheists getting the message out! atheists.org - 405 http://www.atheists.org/news/Dowd_Blasts_Sanford%2C_Self-Righteous_GOP Mon, 29 Jun 2009 05:26:57 -0700 (June 29, 2009) - As in all great affairs, Mark Sanford fell in love simultaneously with a woman and himself â�� with the dashing new version of himself he saw in her molten eyes. atheists.org - 407 http://www.atheists.org/news/Latest_Sanford_Spin%3A%3A_%5C%22Darkness%5C%22_Fueled_Affair_ Mon, 29 Jun 2009 13:35:56 -0700 (June 29, 2009) -- Political career in trouble? Bring in a "spiritual advisor," blame it on Satan! atheists.org - 394 http://www.atheists.org/news/Bus_Company_Nixes_Atheist_Ads Tue, 23 Jun 2009 11:09:44 -0700 (June 23, 2009)- If you're looking to advertise cigarettes, churches, politicians, guns or porn, don't even think about approaching Transpo. atheists.org - 395 http://www.atheists.org/news/A_Moody%2C_Ever-Changing_God%3F Tue, 23 Jun 2009 17:43:14 -0700 (June 23, 2009) - Author Robert Wright weighs in with some provocative questions about the popular deity. atheists.org - 396 http://www.atheists.org/news/%5C%22Gay_Exorcism%5C%22_Sparks_Controversy Wed, 24 Jun 2009 19:13:21 -0700 (June 24, 2009) -- Gay rights advocates are outraged over a video that shows a Connecticut church performing an apparent exorcism of a boy to drive out what they call his homosexual demons. atheists.org - 397 http://www.atheists.org/news/Nixon_Tapes%3A_Graham%2C_%5C%22Synogogue_of_Satan%5C%22 Wed, 24 Jun 2009 21:58:34 -0700 (June 25, 200() - A 1973 conversation between President Nixon and evangelist Billy Graham about Jews, laden with critical references including a Biblical verse on the "synagogue of Satan," has put the aging, frail Graham back in unwelcome headlines. atheists.org - 398 http://www.atheists.org/news/NYC_Aheists_Launch_Bus_Messages Thu, 25 Jun 2009 17:55:15 -0700 (June 25, 2009) - Advertisements proselytizing toothpaste and jeans do not make us question our beliefs. But a series of posters on city buses promoting atheism is intended to do just that. atheists.org - 399 http://www.atheists.org/news/Katha_Pollitt_on_Women%5C%27s_Rights_in_the_Middle_East Fri, 26 Jun 2009 03:44:52 -0700 (June 26, 2009) - I thought President Obama's Cairo speech was basically fine: begin anew, extend the hand, reject "crude stereotypes" all around, turn the page on the Christian triumphalism of the Bush years. atheists.org - 400 http://www.atheists.org/news/Samantha_Stein%2C_Camp_Quest_UK Fri, 26 Jun 2009 11:12:27 -0700 (June 26, 2009) -- Camp Quest has reached the shores of Albion! atheists.org - 401 http://www.atheists.org/news/House_Committee%3A_More_Religion_at_DC_Visitor_Center Sat, 27 Jun 2009 16:20:05 -0700 (June 27, 2009) - A Resolution calls for "One Nation Under God" and the religionized Pledge to be displayed at the Capitol Visitor Center. atheists.org - 402 http://www.atheists.org/news/%5C%22It_Isn%5C%27t_Over%21%5C%22_Plots_Aimed_At_Iran%5C%27s_Supreme_Leader Sun, 28 Jun 2009 05:07:10 -0700 (June 28, 2009) - Battle for Iran shifts from the streets to the heart of power. atheists.org - 404 http://www.atheists.org/news/America%5C%27s_%5C%22Party_of_God%5C%22_Riddled_with_Sex_Scandals Sun, 28 Jun 2009 15:33:28 -0700 (June 28, 2009) - From Clarence Thomas to Mark Sanford, the definitive guide to randy Republicans atheists.org - 408 http://www.atheists.org/news/SCOTUS_Declines_School_Bible_Study_Case Tue, 30 Jun 2009 04:06:33 -0700 (June 30, 2009) - The U.S. Supreme Court declined Monday to hear the case between Kentridge High School and two former students who fought to form a Bible study group that excluded non-Christians from becoming voting members. atheists.org - 409 http://www.atheists.org/news/UK_study%3A_Shari%5C%27a_courts_%5C%27incompatible%5C%27 Tue, 30 Jun 2009 06:28:18 -0700 (June 30, 2009) - Dozens of Islamic courts operating in the United Kingdom are "seriously out of step with trends in Western legislation," according to a report published by London think tank Civitas on Monday. atheists.org - 410 http://www.atheists.org/news/OK_GOP_--_Recession_Caused_by_Lack_of_Prayer%2C_Gays%2C_%5C%22Debauchery%5C%22 Tue, 30 Jun 2009 13:11:23 -0700 (June 30, 2009) -- Dave Weigel at the Washington Independent catches a bizarre resolution introduced by Oklahoma State Rep. Sally Kern (R) in Oklahoma, whose state legislature he describes as a "petri dish for wingnuttery." atheists.org - 411 http://www.atheists.org/news/My_Sin_When_I_Ran_for_Governor_of_South_Carolina Wed, 01 Jul 2009 06:13:23 -0700 (July 1, 2009) - Herb Silverman sounds off: Why do so many American politicians -- from Bill Clinton to Mark Sanford -- use religious language when they make public confessions of marital infidelity? atheists.org - 412 http://www.atheists.org/news/God_is_My_Doorman%3A_Mark_Sanford_for_Non-Christians Wed, 01 Jul 2009 10:21:36 -0700 (July 1, 1009) - If Henry Miller talked about his sex life as much as Governor Mark Sanford talks about his sex life, people would have started thinking he was some kind of perv. atheists.org - 414 http://www.atheists.org/news/Paleontology_and_Creationism_Meet_but_Don%E2%80%99t_Mesh_ Thu, 02 Jul 2009 03:54:13 -0700 July 2, 2009) - Scientst tour the Creation Museum in Petersburg, KY. atheists.org - 415 http://www.atheists.org/news/Focus_on_Secret_DC_%5C%22Fellowship%5C%22_Expands Thu, 02 Jul 2009 08:11:13 -0700 (July 2, 2009) - There Is a Secret Bible House in Washington, D.C. atheists.org - 416 http://www.atheists.org/news/Confidential_Vatican_Probe_of_Nuns%3A_Back_to_the_Convents%3F Thu, 02 Jul 2009 10:35:53 -0700 (July 2, 2009) - The Vatican is quietly conducting two sweeping investigations of American nuns, a development that has startled and dismayed nuns who fear they are the targets of a doctrinal inquisition. atheists.org - 417 http://www.atheists.org/news/Survey_Reveals_Int%5C%27l_Attitudes_on_Evolution Fri, 03 Jul 2009 08:41:50 -0700 (July 2, 2009) A recent international survey conducted by the British Council investigated awareness of Darwin, acceptance of evolution, and attitudes toward evolution and faith. atheists.org - 418 http://www.atheists.org/news/Turkish_TV_gameshow_looks_to_convert_atheists Fri, 03 Jul 2009 08:45:02 -0700 (July 3, 2009) - What happens when you put a Muslim imam, a Christian priest, a rabbi and a Buddhist monk in a room with 10 atheists? atheists.org - 419 http://www.atheists.org/news/Daniel_Radcliffe%3A_a_cool_nerd_and_an_Atheist%21 Sat, 04 Jul 2009 09:40:55 -0700 (July 4, 2009) - Daniel Radcliffe, star of Harry Potter, has disclosed that he endured years of bullying by classmates who considered him 'uncool' - but is now having the last laugh. atheists.org - 420 http://www.atheists.org/news/Rediscovering_Secular_America_ Mon, 06 Jul 2009 07:30:10 -0700 (July 5, 2009) - This Fourth of July, those who identify themselves as non-believers, or humanists, or atheists -- or a whole host of other names which signify a nontheistic worldview -- have much cause for celebration. atheists.org - 421 http://www.atheists.org/news/Police_Raid_Gay_Bar_in_Texas Mon, 06 Jul 2009 07:33:56 -0700 (July 6, 2009) In a state where prayer at high school athletic games is common and religious monuments abound, now this! atheists.org - 423 http://www.atheists.org/news/Hatemonger_Bible_Church_Targets_Jackson_Memorial_Events Tue, 07 Jul 2009 07:11:11 -0700 (July 7, 2009) - The Westboro Baptist Church, best known for their slogan "God Hates Fags" and for their extremist Christian values, have selected their next target - the recently deceased King of Pop, Michael Jackson. atheists.org - 424 http://www.atheists.org/news/Father_Ted_creators_back_challenge_to_the_blasphemy_bill Tue, 07 Jul 2009 15:16:02 -0700 (July 7, 2009) - The creators of the Father Ted television series have denounced Ireland's proposed blasphemy laws as "insanity" and pledged to support a campaign to repeal them. atheists.org - 425 http://www.atheists.org/news/Are_You_There_God%3F_It%5C%27s_Me%2C_Madison_Avenue.How_to_make_an_ad_for_a_church. Tue, 07 Jul 2009 19:17:17 -0700 (July 7, 2009) - "You are not your name," says a voice-over announcer, as we see a series of different nametags. "You're not your job." We see people in the uniforms of different occupations. atheists.org - 426 http://www.atheists.org/news/%5C%22Christian_Nation%5C%22_Supporter_Votes_Against_House_Resolution_on_Capitol_Slavery Wed, 08 Jul 2009 12:49:12 -0700 (July 8, 2009) - That the United States Capitol, and specifically the Statue of Freedom that rests above it, was built by slave labor has long been a source of shame. atheists.org - 427 http://www.atheists.org/news/Iowa_Next_Battle_Over_Creationism%2C_School_Prayer%3F Wed, 08 Jul 2009 17:11:11 -0700 (July 8, 2009) - Public school students in Spencer will get to study the Bible and pray at graduation if school district leaders approve a proposed "religious liberties" policy, the first of its kind in Iowa. atheists.org - 428 http://www.atheists.org/news/House_Vote_Wednesday_on_Religious_Markers_in_Visitors_Center Wed, 08 Jul 2009 17:38:10 -0700 (July 8, 2009) - The House also took up a resolution directing the Architect of the Capitol to engrave the Pledge of Allegiance and the national motto "In God We Trust" in conspicuous places in the three-story underground visitor center. atheists.org - 429 http://www.atheists.org/news/Francis_Collins%3A_Picked_by_Obama%2C_Attacked_by_Atheists%2C_Wrong_on_Theology Thu, 09 Jul 2009 13:29:15 -0700 (July 9, 2009) - Genome scientist and Evangelical Christian Francis Collins got the nod from President Obama today to head up the National Institutes of Health. Atheists are already on the attack. atheists.org - 430 http://www.atheists.org/news/Residents_Demand_Removal_of_Atheist_Billboard Thu, 09 Jul 2009 13:53:22 -0700 (July 9, 2009) - FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (WSVN) -- Community residents are protesting a billboard they call offensive to Christians. atheists.org - 431 http://www.atheists.org/news/O%5C%27Reilly_Blasts_Secularism%2C_Obama Fri, 10 Jul 2009 18:22:08 -0700 (July 10, 2009) - Bill O'Reilly took aim at President Obamas "lack of religion" on Thursday night while discussing Obama's meeting with the Pope on Friday. He stated that Obama is a "secularist" who rejects public spirituality and citing several incidents. atheists.org - 432 http://www.atheists.org/news/Arizona_State_Senator_Sylvia_Allen_%28R%29_says_Earth_is_6%2C000_years_old. Fri, 10 Jul 2009 18:25:22 -0700 (July 10, 2009) - You gotta' see it to believe it! atheists.org - 433 http://www.atheists.org/news/Jesus_Goes_to_Bethesda Sat, 11 Jul 2009 09:29:11 -0700 (Juy 11)- Just how religious is Obama's nominee for director of the NIH? atheists.org - 434 http://www.atheists.org/news/.El_Dorado_Chiropractic_Fires_Woman_for_Being_an_Atheist%3F Sun, 12 Jul 2009 08:18:01 -0700 (July 12, 2009) - Amanda Donaldson has been in treatment for breast cancer and, just to add to her burdens, she's allegedly been fired from her job at El Dorado Chiropractic because Dr. Scott Dawson doesn't approve of the fact that Donaldson and her husband Brant are atheists. atheists.org - 435 http://www.atheists.org/news/Kansas_City_Pulls_Fuynding_for_Religious_Fest Sun, 12 Jul 2009 10:24:44 -0700 (July 12, 2009) - Kansas City officials said Thursday that they would pull city support from a large spiritual conference planned at Bartle Hall this month. atheists.org - 436 http://www.atheists.org/news/Atheist_transit_ads_will_run_ Sun, 12 Jul 2009 11:21:45 -0700 (July 12, 2009) - A Supreme Court of Canada decision on freedom of speech in bus advertising means Metro Transit will run atheist ads from a national organization. atheists.org - 437 http://www.atheists.org/news/Ireland_Makes_Blasphemy_Illegal Sun, 12 Jul 2009 14:48:09 -0700 (July 12, 2009) - Irish atheists are horrified by new legislation making blasphemy illegal, and punishable by a 25,000-Euro fine. Christians of all stripes should be, too. atheists.org - 438 http://www.atheists.org/news/Why_the_%5C%22New_Atheists%5C%22_are_Right-Wing_on_Foreign_Policy Mon, 13 Jul 2009 08:50:15 -0700 (July 12, 2009) -- Is Robert Wright right? You decide... and join the conversation! atheists.org - 439 http://www.atheists.org/news/Reed_is_Back%2C_wants_ Tue, 14 Jul 2009 10:51:42 -0700 (July 13, 2009) The former glory boy of the Christian right is forming a new political action movement. atheists.org - 440 http://www.atheists.org/news/%5C%22World%5C%27s_Worst%5C%22_to_Preacher_Who_Prays_for_Obama%5C%27s_Death Tue, 14 Jul 2009 09:20:34 -0700 (July 14, 2009) - Pastor Wiley Drake of the Buena Park Southern Baptist Church scored the Gold for his admission that he does in fact pray for the death of President Obama. atheists.org - 442 http://www.atheists.org/news/Atheists_put_own_stamp_on_summer_camp_in_Sierra_foothills Tue, 14 Jul 2009 13:35:31 -0700 (July 14, 2009) - At Camp Quest, campers may not believe in God, but they do have faith in their community. atheists.org - 443 http://www.atheists.org/news/Construction_plan_renews_separation_of_church_and_state_debate_ Wed, 15 Jul 2009 12:35:00 -0700 (July 15, 2009) - In Illinois, the long awaited statewide construction plan contains not only money to rebuild roads, bridges and public schools, but it has millions of dollars set aside for religious organizations. atheists.org - 444 http://www.atheists.org/news/FMF%5C%27s_Smeal%3A_Don%5C%27t_Abandon_the_Women%2C_Girls_of_Afghanistan%21 Thu, 16 Jul 2009 10:24:47 -0700 (July 16, 2009) - Afghanistan is in deplorable condition. There's no disputing that. Some feel that we should just walk away. atheists.org - 445 http://www.atheists.org/news/Science%2C_religious_beliefs_conflict_for_one_in_three_Americans Thu, 16 Jul 2009 13:10:47 -0700 (July 16, 2009) - Americans by-and-large admire scientists -- unless they get crosswise on issues with religious overtones such as evolution, global warming, embryonic stem cell research -- according to a new survey released today from the Pew Forum. atheists.org - 446 http://www.atheists.org/news/Vatican_gives_thumbs_up_to_Harry_Potter Thu, 16 Jul 2009 17:08:21 -0700 (July 16, 2009) - The Vatican's newspaper, L'Osservatore Romano, has given a warm review to "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince,'' praising the film for its â��clear line of demarcation between good and evil, making clear that good is right, and that in some cases this involves hard work and sacrifices.â�� atheists.org - 447 http://www.atheists.org/news/Another_sex_scandal_linked_to_DC_Christian_ Fri, 17 Jul 2009 11:57:26 -0700 (July 17, 2009) - Self-righteous lawmakers preach Christian theocracy while playing the field in our nation's capital. atheists.org - 448 http://www.atheists.org/news/Christian_prayers_won%5C%27t_be_only_ones_at_San_Marcos_meetings Fri, 17 Jul 2009 12:00:45 -0700 (July 17, 2009) - In response to complaints by state and national groups about Christian prayers at city meetings, the City of San Marcos is creating a policy to address concerns, while keeping the prayer practice. atheists.org - 449 http://www.atheists.org/news/Palin_Attended_Church_Event_With_Samurai_Sword_Ceremony Fri, 17 Jul 2009 19:14:18 -0700 (July 17, 2009) - On June 7th, 2008 Sarah Palin interrupted her schedule of state business and spent Alaska state taxpayer money to fly down from Juneau to the Mat-Su Valley where she attended on June 8th two religious events dominated by the Wasilla Assembly of God, which is demonstrably Palin's key Alaska church. atheists.org - 450 http://www.atheists.org/news/Public_Praises_Science%3B_Scientists_Fault_Public%2C_Media Sat, 18 Jul 2009 10:41:44 -0700 (July 18, 2009) - Americans like science. Overwhelming majorities say that science has had a positive effect on society and that science has made life easier for most people. Most also say that government investments in science, as well as engineering and technology, pay off in the long run. atheists.org - 451 http://www.atheists.org/news/Michael_Reiss_and_John_White%3A_Atheism_needs_to_be_studied_in_schools Sat, 18 Jul 2009 13:02:45 -0700 (July 18, 2009) - It is a laudable aim of the current National Curriculum that pupils "know about big ideas and events that shape the world". But one of the biggest of these is too infrequently studied in schools. atheists.org - 452 http://www.atheists.org/news/Cheatin%5C%27_Heart_Gov_--_%5C%22God_will_make_me_better%5C%22 Sun, 19 Jul 2009 08:52:50 -0700 (July 19, 2009)-- South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford, still clinging to office after admitting to an extramarital affair, wrote in an opinion piece released Sunday that God will change him so he can emerge from the scandal a more humble and effective leader. atheists.org - 453 http://www.atheists.org/news/Islamic_Theocrats_Holdf_Chicago_Conference Sun, 19 Jul 2009 09:53:24 -0700 (July 19, 2009): Muslim extremists meet, denounce modernity, democracy, divorce -- and check out the video with the message "Free Speech Symbolizes War on Islam." atheists.org - 454 http://www.atheists.org/news/Islamists_rally_in_Chicago%2C_blast_modernity%2C_secularism%2C_civil_liberties Sun, 19 Jul 2009 09:56:53 -0700 (June 19, 2009) - Check out the video promoting the conference that declares "Free Speech Symbolizes War on Islam." atheists.org - 455 http://www.atheists.org/news/Islamistys_rally_in_Chicago%2Ck_denounce_modernity%2C_divorce%2C_civil_liberties Sun, 19 Jul 2009 10:02:02 -0700 (July 19, 2009) -- Check out the video promoting this conference that declares "Free Speech Symbolizes War on Islam." atheists.org - 456 http://www.atheists.org/news/Islamist_Group_Holds_First_U.S._Conference Sun, 19 Jul 2009 12:07:41 -0700 (July 19, 2009) -- An international Islamist political group is preparing for its first conference in the U.S. on Sunday July 19th under the theme "Fall of Capitalism & Rise to Islam." atheists.org - 458 http://www.atheists.org/news/Devoted_Atheists_Grow_in_Numbers%2C_Goals Mon, 20 Jul 2009 14:43:45 -0700 (July 20, 2009) - Valerie Celeste Coffey is a woman on a mission. For six years, her small group of local atheists has gathered to exchange bemused stories about the things Christians do in worship and swap tips for raising confident skeptics. atheists.org - 459 http://www.atheists.org/news/John_Ensign_gave_to_Zack_Wamp%5C%27s_campaign_after_admitting_affair___Read_more%3A_http%3A%2F%2Fwww.politico.com Mon, 20 Jul 2009 15:39:26 -0700 (July 20, 2009) - Eight days after admitting to an extramarital affair, Sen. John Ensign gave $5,000 to the Tennessee gubernatorial campaign of Rep. Zack Wamp â�� a fellow Republican who lives with Ensign in a Christian group house on Capitol Hillâ��s C Street. atheists.org - 460 http://www.atheists.org/news/Jimmy_Carter_Leaves_Church_Over_Treatment_of_Women Mon, 20 Jul 2009 17:49:39 -0700 (July 20, 2009) - After more than 60 years together, Jimmy Carter has announced himself at odds with the Southern Baptist Church -- and he's decided it's time they go their separate ways. atheists.org - 461 http://www.atheists.org/news/Playwrights_create_a_stir_with_new_work_about_Creationism_ Tue, 21 Jul 2009 10:33:26 -0700 (July 21, 2009) - After the howls of protest which greeted their play Maggie's End about the plans for a state funeral for Baroness Thatcher, Ed Waugh and Trevor Wood are courting controversy again with a new work focusing on a self-made millionaire who funds an academy where Creationism is taught as scientific fact. atheists.org - 462 http://www.atheists.org/news/Mike_Huckabee%5C%27s_Religious_Authoritarianism%3A_Authoritarian%2C_Vertical_Politics Tue, 21 Jul 2009 17:55:58 -0700 (July 21, 2009) - Austin Cline of About.com takes a look at possible presidential candidate Mike Huckabee and asks some tough questions. atheists.org - 463 http://www.atheists.org/news/More_Scandal_at_DC_%5C%22Fellowship%5C%22_Enclave%3F Tue, 21 Jul 2009 18:00:05 -0700 (July 20, 2009) -- AANEWS examines a new scandal linked to the Washington, DC Christian "Fellowship" House. atheists.org - 464 http://www.atheists.org/news/Ads_Tout_Religion_in_Government Wed, 22 Jul 2009 13:02:05 -0700 (July 22, 2009) - A Hillsborough group is attacking the separation of church and state/ atheists.org - 465 http://www.atheists.org/news/%5C%22C_Street%5C%22_Cabal_of_Anti-Democracy_Fundamentalist_Senators_and_Reps_Wouldn%5C%27t_Turn_Over_Child_Rapist_ Wed, 22 Jul 2009 15:24:48 -0700 (July 22, 2009) - Kudos to Rachel Maddow for latching on to the captivating and chilling story about not just the lascivious and potentially illegal activities of some of the "C Street" Family, but -- more importantly -- focusing on their belief that they are chosen by God to lead and infiltrate our governnment. atheists.org - 466 http://www.atheists.org/news/Camp_for_Atheists%3F_Dawkins_Denies_He%5C%27s_%5C%22Grooming%5C%22_Kids_as_Nonbelievers Thu, 23 Jul 2009 11:24:51 -0700 (Juy 23, 2009) - Ah, summer camp! Even though most British children donâ��t get to experience the ritual of marshmallow roasting, singing of songs and furtive snogging that defines the holidays for most American youngsters, we can all agree that it sounds like pretty good fun. atheists.org - 467 http://www.atheists.org/news/Ohio_State_Rep_Wants_Men_To_Consent_Before_Women_Have_Abortions Thu, 23 Jul 2009 14:57:59 -0700 (July 23, 2009) - Ohio Republican (of course!) state Representative John Adams has introduced a bill that would require women to get written consent from the men who impregnate them before they could get an abortion. Providing false information would bring criminal penalties against women. atheists.org - 469 http://www.atheists.org/news/Rabbis_linked_to_corruption_probe%2C_arrested_with_public_officials Fri, 24 Jul 2009 10:34:25 -0700 (July 23, 2009) - A two-year corruption and international money-laundering investigation stretching from the Jersey Shore to Brooklyn to Israel and Switzerland culminated in charges against 44 people on Thursday, including three New Jersey mayors, two state assemblymen and five rabbis, the authorities said. atheists.org - 470 http://www.atheists.org/news/Worlwide_Protests_Saturday_Against_Iranian_Clerical_Reimge%21 Fri, 24 Jul 2009 10:42:46 -0700 (July 24, 2009) - Worldwide demonstrations tomorrow. Check United4Iran.com for updates. Amnesty International's web sites highlights some of the larger events planned in the United States. atheists.org - 471 http://www.atheists.org/news/The_Most_Dishonest_Lesson_Under_Mormonism_ Fri, 24 Jul 2009 10:57:22 -0700 (July 24, 2009) - A lot of us rightly criticize mormon ideology, behaviors, outlooks, facts, and leaders. While rational and correct judgments, these insights can and do get set aside and rationalized away. In fact, if I where still a mormon and confronted by most of the information discussed here, I'd have rejected it as some sort of folly. atheists.org - 472 http://www.atheists.org/news/Syrian_Sephardic_Communities_Shaken_by_Charges_Against_a_Leading_Rabbi_ Fri, 24 Jul 2009 12:09:44 -0700 (July 24, 2009) - The young receive free educations and the old get free geriatric care. Family businesses connect relatives in a web of interdependence to the furthest reaches of kinship. Wedding receptions with 1,000 guests are common. A Friday night Sabbath dinner with 40 people is the norm. atheists.org - 473 http://www.atheists.org/news/NY_Times_profiles_Atheist_bus_ad_campaign Fri, 24 Jul 2009 13:31:29 -0700 (July 23, 2009) - For the cityâ��s organized atheists â�� hereâ��s hoping that doesnâ��t sound oxymoronic â�� the rotten economy would seem in one respect to be Heaven-sent. atheists.org - 474 http://www.atheists.org/news/Some_christian_groups_encourage_premarital_sex_claiming_the_bible_says_nothing_about_it_at_all. Fri, 24 Jul 2009 19:14:51 -0700 (July 24, 2009) - Some Christian groups encourage premarital sex claiming that the Bible says nothing about it at all. So is premarital sex OK or for Christians or not? atheists.org - 475 http://www.atheists.org/news/Superstar_on_God_belief%3A_%5C%22No%2C_No%2C_No%21%5C%22 Sat, 25 Jul 2009 09:32:23 -0700 (July 25, 2009) -- Brad Pitt is out of the closet when it comes to Atheism. atheists.org - 477 http://www.atheists.org/news/Breaking%21__More_on_Brad_Pitt%5C%27s_Atheism. Sat, 25 Jul 2009 12:56:21 -0700 (July 25, 2009) - Brad Pitt was raised as a Southern Baptist, but apparently, his faith didn't stick. atheists.org - 478 http://www.atheists.org/news/Rallies_worldwide_challenge_Iranian_theocracy Sat, 25 Jul 2009 13:02:19 -0700 (July 25, 2009) -- Across the globe, opponents of clerical theocracy in Iran are demonstrating for civil liberties, human rights and free elections. atheists.org - 479 http://www.atheists.org/news/Report%3A_U.S._Funded_Religious_Programs_in_Africa%2C_Iraq Sat, 25 Jul 2009 14:18:04 -0700 (July 25, 2009) - The federal government used taxpayer dollars to rebuild mosques in Iraq and teach Bible-based abstinence in Africa, violating a prohibition on funding "inherently religious activities," according to a recent audit of the U.S. Agency of International Development (USAID). atheists.org - 480 http://www.atheists.org/news/Naomi_Campbell%E2%80%99s_first_Bollywood_venture_attacked_by_Hindus Sat, 25 Jul 2009 18:54:24 -0700 (July 25, 2009) - Supermodel Naomi Campbellâ��s first Bollywood film Karma, Confessions and Holi opened with dreadful reviews in India with Hindus branding the film "undignified disasterâ�� and an "unholy messâ��. atheists.org - 481 http://www.atheists.org/news/Malaysians_debate_whipping_for_beer-drinking_model Sun, 26 Jul 2009 09:37:40 -0700 July 26, 2009) - Last week, a Sharia or religious court sentenced Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno, 32, to six strokes of the cane and a fine of 5,000 ringgit (1,412 dollars) after she pleaded guilty to consuming alcohol in eastern Pahang state last year. atheists.org - 482 http://www.atheists.org/news/Idaho_bible_use_plan_for_charter_school_under_scrutiny Sun, 26 Jul 2009 12:55:43 -0700 (July 26, 2009) - The American Civil Liberties Union of Idaho will investigate Nampa Classical Academy's use of the Bible as a classroom text to see if it violates separation of church and state rules. atheists.org - 483 http://www.atheists.org/news/Baptist_Publication_Fakes_Signatures_on_Kern%5C%27s_Morality_Proclamation Sun, 26 Jul 2009 14:35:39 -0700 (July 26, 2009) - The circus sideshow led by Sally Kern in Oklahoma gets more ridiculous by the day. Now a Baptist publication was caught red handed printing a copy of Kern's morality proclamation along with faked signatures from other government officials as though they were endorsing that proclamation. atheists.org - 484 http://www.atheists.org/news/%5C%27De-baptism%5C%27_helps_atheists_denounce_faith Sun, 26 Jul 2009 17:54:38 -0700 (July 26, 2009) - Until last summer, Jennifer Gray considered herself "a weak Christian" whose baptism at age 11 came to mean less and less to her as she gradually lost faith in God. Then the 32-year-old medical transcriptionist from Columbus, Ohio, took a decisive step, one that previously hadn't been available. She got "de-baptized." atheists.org - 485 http://www.atheists.org/news/David_Vitter%5C%27s_%5C%22Serious_Sin%5C%22%3A_GOP_Eyes_Fate_Senator_In_Louisiana Mon, 27 Jul 2009 11:07:45 -0700 (July 27, 2009) - Christian conservatives overlook moral flaws in order to push their theocratic agenda in Waswhingtonh. The re-election campaign of adulturer Sen. David Vitter is a case in point! atheists.org - 486 http://www.atheists.org/news/Some_More_Words_to_the_New_Atheist_Blogosphere_on_Unscientific_America Mon, 27 Jul 2009 13:27:24 -0700 (July 27, 2009) - As the two of us grapple with a book tour, other book projects, cross-country moves, and much else, weâ��ve been pretty hamstrung in our online replies to the â��New Atheists.â�� So this post will try to make up a bit of that slack. atheists.org - 487 http://www.atheists.org/news/Buckner_live_on_Internet_Tuesday%3B_will_%5C%22Invoke%5C%22_at_Cobb_County_Meeting Mon, 27 Jul 2009 19:45:19 -0700 July 27, 2009) American Atheists prez will challenge prayer at public meetings. Watch live on the Internet! atheists.org - 488 http://www.atheists.org/news/%5C%22Christian_Mafia%5C%22_Scandal_Widens%3A_Buzzflash_--_Group_Would_Conceal_Child_Molestation Tue, 28 Jul 2009 09:56:49 -0700 (July 28, 2009) - A mushrooming scandal over members of the U.S. congress and a shadowy religious "fellowship"based in Washington, DC is attracting more news coverage and questions, and could lead to calls that the House Ethics Committee open an immediate investigation. atheists.org - 489 http://www.atheists.org/news/Anger_after_Bible_defaced_in_British_gallery Tue, 28 Jul 2009 12:51:43 -0700 (July 28, 2009) - Christians voiced anger and dismay Tuesday after a Bible, which was part of an exhibition inviting viewers to add their reflections, was defaced with offensive and foul-mouthed scrawl. atheists.org - 490 http://www.atheists.org/news/Camp_faithless%3A_Is_Britain%5C%27s_first_atheist_summer_camp_harmless_fun_or_should_we_be_worried%3F___ Tue, 28 Jul 2009 14:58:55 -0700 (July 28, 2009) - You might have been forgiven for thinking the BBC was introducing a new presenter of one of its 'yoof' shows. Small, mousey-haired, personable Samantha Stein was given prominent airtime right across the BBC network yesterday to talk about a children's summer camp with a difference that she has set up in Britain. atheists.org - 491 http://www.atheists.org/news/Alabama_Bans_Wines_With_%5C%22Nude_Nymph%5C%22_Labels Wed, 29 Jul 2009 09:45:20 -0700 (July 29, 2009) - The State of Alabama's liquor agency has banned the sale of wine which features a "nude nymph" on its label. atheists.org - 492 http://www.atheists.org/news/Sudan_%5C%27trousers_trial%5C%27_adjourned Wed, 29 Jul 2009 12:09:52 -0700 (July 29, 2009) - The trial of a Sudanese woman charged with wearing "indecent" clothing has been adjourned, but will continue after she decided to waive her immunity. atheists.org - 493 http://www.atheists.org/news/Buckner_defends_separation_at_Cobb_County_public_meet Wed, 29 Jul 2009 13:40:15 -0700 (July 29, 2009) American Atheists Preident Ed Buckner ha his say against government promotion of religion at a public meeting in Cobb County, GA. Check out the text, video! atheists.org - 494 http://www.atheists.org/news/Pro-Abstinence_Lawkaker_Quits_After_Affair_With_22-Year-Old_Intern Wed, 29 Jul 2009 13:50:24 -0700 (July 29, 2009) - A Tennessee lawmaker resigned from the state Senate on Tuesday after his extramarital affair with a 22-year-old intern was revealed by an investigation into an extortion case. atheists.org - 496 http://www.atheists.org/news/Scientists_complain_over_lack_of_evolution_teaching Thu, 30 Jul 2009 13:58:00 -0700 (July 30, 2009) - Professor Richard Dawkins and 25 other leading British scientists have written to Ed Balls, the schools secretary, to protest that evolution has been omitted from plans for a new primary school curriculum. atheists.org - 497 http://www.atheists.org/news/Arrests_in_terror_case_bewilder_associates Thu, 30 Jul 2009 14:20:38 -0700 (July 30, 2009) - The small town of Willow Spring, N.C., was the scene of an F.B.I. investigation Tuesday at the home of Daniel Patrick Boyd. atheists.org - 498 http://www.atheists.org/news/An_Egyptian_River_Runs_Through_Washington_%3A_Summer_of_Denial_ Thu, 30 Jul 2009 19:17:39 -0700 (July 30, 2009) - More revelations about the house on C Street. atheists.org - 499 http://www.atheists.org/news/Atheists%2C_%5C%27Monster%5C%27_fans_say_No_to_God%2C_Yes_to_giving Fri, 31 Jul 2009 09:55:52 -0700 (July 31, 2009) - The international internet person-to-person micro-lending site reports that folks with no religion are spirited participants in efforts to uplift the world's poorest. atheists.org - 500 http://www.atheists.org/news/Britain%E2%80%99s_first_atheist_summer_camp_gets_a_big_following Fri, 31 Jul 2009 13:25:06 -0700 (July 31, 2009) -- Rain drums down on the roof of the marquee where the 24 children attending Camp Quest are listening to a talk on astronomy. atheists.org - 501 http://www.atheists.org/news/Feds_probe_multi-million_dollar_%5C%22racing_ministry%5C%22 Fri, 31 Jul 2009 17:59:23 -0700 (July 31, 2009) - The pastor of a Sterling church says the IRS is investigating his control of church finances, which include $8.5 million in church real estate and hundreds of thousands of dollars' worth of vehicles that he and his wife use in a "racing ministry." atheists.org - 502 http://www.atheists.org/news/%5C%22Atheist_Fundamnenbtalists%5C%22%3F_%5C%22Hitler_an_Atheist%5C%22%3F__Weigh_in_on_the_debate... Sat, 01 Aug 2009 07:03:24 -0700 (August 1, 2009) - Number one on my list of dead-giveaways that I'm dealing with a moron of the first order: when they start whining about "atheist fundamentalists", comparing a Richard Dawkins to a Pat Robertson, or babbling about how those atheists are just as fanatical and wicked as the fundagelical zealots. atheists.org - 503 http://www.atheists.org/news/Feds_can_seize_Hovind_property Sat, 01 Aug 2009 10:46:31 -0700 (August 1, 2009) - A ruling this week says the nine properties owned by prominent creationist Ken Hovind that make up Dinosaur Adventure Land, and two bank accounts associated with the park will be used to satisfy $430,400 in restitution owed to the federal government atheists.org - 504 http://www.atheists.org/news/Beyond_belief%3A_Atheists_push_for_greater_visibility_and_acceptance Sat, 01 Aug 2009 11:25:02 -0700 (August 1, 2009) - There's nothing unusual about churches advertising Sunday services, but South Florida atheists are turning that idea on its head: Why not promote the belief that there is no God? atheists.org - 505 http://www.atheists.org/news/Preaching_The_Gospel_Of_Maybe%3A_the_Evolution_of_God Sat, 01 Aug 2009 16:58:28 -0700 (August 1, 2009) - Thank God for agnostics. Over the past decade, our public conversation about religion has all too often degenerated into a food fight between the religious right and the secular left. Now comes journalist Robert Wright with a gentler approach: a materialist account of religion that manages (sort of) to make room for God (of a sort). atheists.org - 506 http://www.atheists.org/news/Surprises_pop_up_in_new_survey_of_U.S._Mormons Sun, 02 Aug 2009 10:16:30 -0700 (August 2, 2009) - On July 24, the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life released an extensive statistical portrait of Mormons in the United States. It drew on answers by self-identified members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to Pew's U.S. Religious Landscape Survey in 2007. atheists.org - 507 http://www.atheists.org/news/Church-state_groups_concerned_about_nominated_Army_secretary Sun, 02 Aug 2009 14:26:46 -0700 (August 2, 2009) -- Organizations that advocate the separation of church and state say they are concerned about President Obama's pick as Secretary of the Army. atheists.org - 508 http://www.atheists.org/news/Catholic_bank_owned_pill_shares_ Sun, 02 Aug 2009 20:21:30 -0700 (August 3, 2009) - A Roman Catholic bank in Germany has apologised after admitting it bought stocks in defence, tobacco and birth control companies. atheists.org - 509 http://www.atheists.org/news/CNN_profiles_Camp_Quest-UK Mon, 03 Aug 2009 12:03:14 -0700 (August 3, 2009) -- A camp for Atheists, Freethinkers and other non-believers is profiled by CNN in a video podcast atheists.org - 510 http://www.atheists.org/news/Is_John_Travolta_having_a_%5C%22cxrisis_of_faith%5C%22_%3F Tue, 04 Aug 2009 13:28:13 -0700 (August 4, 2009) - "Dead of night, and on a deserted Florida landing strip, the silence of the oppressively hot early hours is broken by the low whirring of an electric golf cart, driving lazy circuits. At the wheel is a bulky, lone figure, hunched forward over the controls as he tries to kill time during another long, sleepless night." atheists.org - 512 http://www.atheists.org/news/Study%3A_Religiosity_of_Humanities_Students_Most_Likely_to_Wane_ Tue, 04 Aug 2009 13:31:15 -0700 (August 4, 2009): Results from a recent study on the impact of a college student's major on their religiosity have led researchers to conclude that postmodernism, rather than science, is the greatest antagonist of religiosity. atheists.org - 513 http://www.atheists.org/news/Blackwater_%5C%22Christian_Crusader%5C%22_Implicated_in_Murder_ Wed, 05 Aug 2009 10:52:25 -0700 (August 5, 2009) - A former Blackwater employee and an ex-US Marine who has worked as a security operative for the company have made a series of explosive allegations in sworn statements filed on August 3 in federal court in Virginia. The two men claim that the company's owner, Erik Prince, may have murdered or facilitated the murder of individuals who were cooperating with federal authorities investigating the company. atheists.org - 514 http://www.atheists.org/news/Iowa_Atheists_and_Freethinkers_launch_awareness_campaign Wed, 05 Aug 2009 13:31:38 -0700 (August 5, 2009) - The group Iowa Atheists and Freethinkers (IAF) has launched an advertising campaign on the sides of 20 transit buses in Des Moines. atheists.org - 515 http://www.atheists.org/news/Acknowledging_existence_of_atheists_is_too_offensive_for_Des_Moines Thu, 06 Aug 2009 11:26:26 -0700 (August 6, 2009) - After a wave of complaints, Des Moines Area Regional Transit buses will no longer display advertisements that acknowledge the existence of atheists in Iowa. atheists.org - 517 http://www.atheists.org/news/Atheists%5C%27_recruiting_billboard_draws_ire%2C_support_in_Florida Thu, 06 Aug 2009 20:23:24 -0700 (August 6, 2009) - The dispute over an Atheist billboard continues. atheists.org - 518 http://www.atheists.org/news/Texas_gov._urges_Christians_to_get_involved_in_politics Fri, 07 Aug 2009 07:43:04 -0700 (August 7, 2009) - Texas Governor Rick Perry says there is a spiritual battle under way for the future of Texas and the United States. atheists.org - 519 http://www.atheists.org/news/Atheist_pupils_spark_row_over_religious_assemblies Fri, 07 Aug 2009 11:46:11 -0700 (August 7, 2009) - Ian Scott wrote to the rector of Hutchesons' Grammar School in Glasgow in April, asking to be able to opt out of the weekly assembly which he had been attending since first year. atheists.org - 520 http://www.atheists.org/news/Atheist_ads_will_go_back_on_buses%2C_DART_decides Sat, 08 Aug 2009 10:42:47 -0700 (August 8, 2009) - An advertisement promoting a Des Moines atheist group will be put back on buses, Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority officials said Friday night. atheists.org - 521 http://www.atheists.org/news/Jesus_killed_Mohammed%3A__The_crusade_for_a_Christian_military Sat, 08 Aug 2009 12:50:39 -0700 (August 8, 2009) - Writer Jeff Sharlet exposes the Christian fundamentalist agenda inside our military. atheists.org - 522 http://www.atheists.org/news/Expelled_from_the_Creation_%E2%80%9CMuseum%E2%80%9D Sat, 08 Aug 2009 13:23:49 -0700 (August 8, 2009) - There is lots of video on the web from our visit to Ken Ham's Palace of Lies, but here's one of one of the rare incidents to mar the trip. atheists.org - 523 http://www.atheists.org/news/In_church_vs._neighbors%2C_bells_begin_the_fight Sun, 09 Aug 2009 14:42:50 -0700 (August 9, 2009) - A dispute over church noise -- should religious groups enjoy special protections from laws and local ordinances? atheists.org - 524 http://www.atheists.org/news/Growth_in_Number_of_Americans_Citing_No_Religion_May_Be_Slower_Than_Previously_Reported Sun, 09 Aug 2009 14:57:19 -0700 (August 9, 2009) - Americans continue to pull away from organized religion, but the rate of departure previously reported may not have been as abrupt as originally thought, according to research to be presented at the 104th annual meeting of the American Sociological Association. atheists.org - 525 http://www.atheists.org/news/State_money_shouldn%5C%27t_go_to_religious_centers Mon, 10 Aug 2009 13:18:06 -0700 (August 10, 2009) - The July 14 Pantagraph reported ("Religious groups in line for funds," Page A7) "millions of dollars" being allocated by state legislators to four selected religious faiths: Lutheran, Methodist, Judaic and Roman Catholic. Not Baptist, Mormon, Muslim? Later, maybe? atheists.org - 526 http://www.atheists.org/news/Shooter_Read_Sexist_Christian_Author%5C%27s_Book_Before_Pittsburgh_Female_Aerobics_Class_Massacre Mon, 10 Aug 2009 18:31:16 -0700 (August 10, 2009) - Sodini's final reading: a book by sexist Fundamentalist who claimed husbands own their wives, as property. atheists.org - 527 http://www.atheists.org/news/Senate_Confirms_Outspoken_Christian_as_NIH_Head_ Tue, 11 Aug 2009 13:48:03 -0700 (August 11, 2009) - The U.S. Senate on Friday confirmed prominent geneticist Francis S. Collins as the new director of the National Institutes of Health. atheists.org - 528 http://www.atheists.org/news/Professional_Atheist_Pitchforks_New_Christian_Head_of_NIH Tue, 11 Aug 2009 14:42:38 -0700 August 11, 2009) - New atheist Sam Harris, author of The End of Faith: Religion, Terror and the Future of Reason (2004) and Letter to a Christian Nation (2006), takes after Francis Collins, the former head of the federal government's Human Genome Project. President Barack Obama has just appointed Collins as the director the National Institutes of Health where he will oversee that agency's $30 billion annual research budget. atheists.org - 529 http://www.atheists.org/news/Christian_Cowboy_Plots_to_Bring_Christ_into_Kids%5C%27_Social_Studies_Class Tue, 11 Aug 2009 15:07:06 -0700 (August 11, 2009) - David Barton likens himself to a biblical prophet. He wants to destroy the separation of church and state. Why is he designing school curricula? atheists.org - 530 http://www.atheists.org/news/Pope_criticizes_atheism%2C_modern_Christianity Wed, 12 Aug 2009 13:58:54 -0700 (August 12, 2009) - Pope Benedict XVI strongly criticized atheism in a major document released Friday, saying it had led to some of the "greatest forms of cruelty and violations of justice" ever known. atheists.org - 531 http://www.atheists.org/news/Mayoral_candidate_says_putting_Christian_creationism_display_in_the_Tulsa_Zoo_is_top_priority_ Wed, 12 Aug 2009 14:08:48 -0700 (August 12, 2009) - Republican mayoral candidate Anna Falling said Tuesday that putting a Christian creationism display in the Tulsa Zoo is No. 1 in importance among city issues that include violent crime, budget woes and bumpy streets. atheists.org - 532 http://www.atheists.org/news/Justin_Trottier_and_Michael_Payton%3A_Defending_atheist_bus_ads Thu, 13 Aug 2009 11:22:03 -0700 (August 13, 2009) - In a recent interview with Philosophy Now magazine, the Canadian philosopher Charles Taylor, author of A Secular Age, commented on the atheist bus-ad campaign, calling it "odd" and "pathetic" for atheists to use such tactics to promote their worldview. atheists.org - 533 http://www.atheists.org/news/Punk_meets_Islam_for_new_generation_in_U.S. Thu, 13 Aug 2009 11:45:23 -0700 (August 13, 2009) - For more on "Generation Islam," watch Christiane Amanpour as she investigates the struggle for the hearts and minds of the next generation of Muslims. Watch Thursday at 9 p.m. ET on CNN and on CNN International at 2100 CET and 2200 HK Friday. atheists.org - 534 http://www.atheists.org/news/DART%2C_atheist_group_benefit_from_ad_debate Fri, 14 Aug 2009 11:58:39 -0700 (August 14, 2009) - A controversy over whether an advertisement for an atheist group should be displayed on the side of public buses seems to have benefited both parties involved. atheists.org - 535 http://www.atheists.org/news/Moderate_scientists_caught_in_middle_of_evolution_debate Fri, 14 Aug 2009 13:57:51 -0700 (August 14, 2009) - This spring, evolutionary biologist and bestselling author Richard Dawkins - most recently famous for his public exhortation to atheism, The God Delusion - returns to writing about science. atheists.org - 536 http://www.atheists.org/news/BREAKING%21_All_in_the_family Fri, 14 Aug 2009 19:08:39 -0700 (August 14, 2009) - A conservative religious magazine goes behind the scandal-tainted C Street house and criticizes an organization big on protecting its own and small on church ties and theology | Emily Belz, Edward Lee Pitts atheists.org - 537 http://www.atheists.org/news/Report%3A_Media_Coverage_of_the_Faith-Based_Initiative_in_the_First_Six_Months_of_2001_and_2009_ Sat, 15 Aug 2009 08:19:40 -0700 (August 15, 2009) - When he took over the White House in January 2009, President Barack Obama quickly adopted much of the "faith-based initiative" put into place by his predecessor, President George W. Bush. atheists.org - 538 http://www.atheists.org/news/OP-ED_piece_smears_Camp_Quest%2C_Atheists Sat, 15 Aug 2009 12:19:46 -0700 (August 15, 2009) - And how did you spend your summer? Having more fun, I hope, than the English kids marched off to Camp Quest, a five-day atheist camp supported in part by Oxford scientist Richard Dawkins. atheists.org - 540 http://www.atheists.org/news/Gay_Marriage_Fight%2C_%5C%22Kiss-In%5C%22_Protests_Smack_Mormon_Image Sun, 16 Aug 2009 12:55:12 -0700 (August 16, 2009) - The Mormon church's vigorous, well-heeled support for Proposition 8, which banned gay marriage in California last year, has turned the Utah-based faith into a lightning rod for gay rights activism, including a nationwide "kiss-in" Saturday. atheists.org - 541 http://www.atheists.org/news/Brad_Pitt%3A_Religion_Doesn%5C%27t_Make_Sense_To_Me%2C_Gay_Marriage_Does Sun, 16 Aug 2009 15:12:01 -0700 (August 16, 2009) - Sporting a long gray beard, Brad Pitt visited Bill Maher Friday night to reaffirm the pro-gay, anti-religion, pro-marijuana agenda he recently laid out in Parade magazine. atheists.org - 542 http://www.atheists.org/news/Editor_loses_faith_as_he_covers_religion Sun, 16 Aug 2009 20:08:44 -0700 (August 16, 2009) - WHEN Times editors assigned me to the religion beat, I believed God had answered my prayers. As a serious Christian, I had cringed at some of the coverage in the mainstream media. Faith frequently was treated like a circus, even a freak show atheists.org - 543 http://www.atheists.org/news/No_Burquini%2C_No_Bathing%3A_British_Pools_Impose_Muslim_Dress_Codes_on_All_Swimmers Mon, 17 Aug 2009 12:12:20 -0700 (August 17, 2009) - British swimming pools have begun hosting special Muslim swim sessions during which swimmers â�� including non-Muslims â�� are banned from entering the pool if their swimming attire doesn't comply with dress code required by Islamic custom. atheists.org - 544 http://www.atheists.org/news/Church%2FState_Problems_Continue_at_Pace Mon, 17 Aug 2009 13:44:51 -0700 (August 17, 2009) - I've been reporting on the ongoing church/state problems at Pace High School in Florida for quite some time. The ACLU filed suit against the school last year for a whole range of Establishment Clause violations, including teachers leading prayers at school events, school-planned baccalaureate services and events held at churches. atheists.org - 545 http://www.atheists.org/news/Millions_Of_Afghan_Women_Will_Be_Denied_Vote_Due_To_Female_Staff_Shortage Mon, 17 Aug 2009 14:14:04 -0700 (August 17, 2009) - Millions of Afghan women will be denied their chance to vote in presidential elections this week because there aren't enough female officials to staff the women-only polling stations. atheists.org - 546 http://www.atheists.org/news/Afghan_women_fight_on_for_rights_ Mon, 17 Aug 2009 15:30:47 -0700 (August 17, 2009) - The smell of disinfectant mingled with burnt flesh was overpowering - I was in the special burns unit in Herat's hospital. atheists.org - 547 http://www.atheists.org/news/Commission_blocks_Nampa_Classical_Academy%5C%27s_Bible_use Mon, 17 Aug 2009 17:43:11 -0700 (August 17, 2009) - The Idaho Public Charter School Commission told the Nampa Classical Academy today it can't use the Bible as a instructional text. atheists.org - 548 http://www.atheists.org/news/Yale_Surrenders Mon, 17 Aug 2009 18:04:42 -0700 August 17, 2009) - Why did Yale University Press remove images of Mohammed from a book about the Danish cartoons? By Christopher Hitchens atheists.org - 549 http://www.atheists.org/news/Huckabee_says_2_states_in_Holy_Land_%5C%27unrealistic%5C%27 Tue, 18 Aug 2009 10:31:33 -0700 August 18, 2009) - Former U.S. presidential hopeful Mike Huckabee said Tuesday there is no room for a Palestinian state "in the middle of the Jewish homeland" and Israel should be able to build settlements wherever it wants â�� taking a stance firmly at odds with Washington. atheists.org - 550 http://www.atheists.org/news/DART_Driver_Refused_Bus_With_Atheist_Sign Tue, 18 Aug 2009 10:38:55 -0700 (August 18, 2009) - Des Moines Area Regional Transit confirms a driver refused to drive a bus with an atheist advertisement Monday. atheists.org - 551 http://www.atheists.org/news/Twitter_site_offers_followers_line_to_God Tue, 18 Aug 2009 11:57:55 -0700 (August 18, 2009) - An Israeli university student has opened a Twitter site, twitter.com/thekotel, where prayers can be sent for placement in the crevices of Jerusalem's Western Wall, a Jewish holy site that faithful believe provides a direct line to the Almighty. atheists.org - 552 http://www.atheists.org/news/Anti-Choice_Zealots_Make_Bank_Promoting_the_%5C%22Personhood%5C%22_of_Zygotes Tue, 18 Aug 2009 13:55:23 -0700 (August 18, 2009) - The 'egg-as-person' crusade is driving big money to anti-choice groups. atheists.org - 553 http://www.atheists.org/news/Wife%3A_C-Street_philandering_hubby_had_%5C%22almost_like_an_addiction_to_alcohol_or_pornography.%5C%22 Tue, 18 Aug 2009 17:51:22 -0700 (August 18, 2009) - Currently decamped from Columbia, the state capital, to the family beach home outside of Charleston, the sublime 47-year-old mother of four conjectured "about happiness and what happiness means." atheists.org - 554 http://www.atheists.org/news/Texas_public_schools_now_required_to_teach_the_Bible Wed, 19 Aug 2009 12:22:16 -0700 (August 19, 2009) - As of the 2009-2010 school year public schools in Texas are now required to offer a high school elective course on the literature of the Bible and history of that era. atheists.org - 555 http://www.atheists.org/news/Italy_Burqini_Ban%3A_Controversial_Swimwear_Barred_From_Northern_Town Wed, 19 Aug 2009 13:16:42 -0700 (August 19, 2009) - A town in northern Italy has banned women from wearing the "burqini" favored by Muslim women, Al Arabiya reports. atheists.org - 556 http://www.atheists.org/news/The_beauty_and_terror_of_science Wed, 19 Aug 2009 18:49:25 -0700 (August 19, 2009) - Romantic poets and scientists tapped the marvels of nature and sounded a clarion alarm that can transform us today atheists.org - 557 http://www.atheists.org/news/Friendly_Atheist_under_attack_by_Christian_hate_group Wed, 19 Aug 2009 18:52:36 -0700 August 19, 2009) - Hemant Mehta, the Friendly Atheist, is under attack by a right wing Christian hate group. The Illinois Family Institute, led by Laurie Higgins, is harassing celebrity atheist Mehta. atheists.org - 558 http://www.atheists.org/news/MSNBC%5C%27s_Maddow_Show_Propels_Growing_Scandal_Over_Washington%5C%27s_%5C%22Christian_Mafia%5C%22 Thu, 20 Aug 2009 10:49:50 -0700 August 20, 2009) - In a new August 17, 2009 Maddow show segment [link to MSNBC page with viewable show segment], Rachel Maddow and Jeff Sharlet discuss, among many new revelations, the disturbing fact that the "Christian Embassy" scandal, propelled by a complaint to the Department of Defense from the Military Religious Freedom Foundation, was investigated by a Pentagon Inspector General who is in fact a Family member. atheists.org - 559 http://www.atheists.org/news/Fearing_Attacks%2C_Art_Fair_in_India_Won%E2%80%99t_Show_Works_by_Top_Artist Fri, 21 Aug 2009 12:19:57 -0700 (August 21, 2009) - The largest contemporary art show in India opened Thursday in New Delhi without the works of one of the countryâ��s best regarded painters, amid concerns that his paintings will prompt attacks by religious extremists. atheists.org - 560 http://www.atheists.org/news/Appeals_court_rejects_pro-lifer%5C%27s_tax_case Fri, 21 Aug 2009 12:48:30 -0700 (August 21, 2009) - The New Brunswick Court of Appeal has dismissed the anti-abortion activist's appeal of his convictions on charges that he failed to file federal income-tax returns in 2000, 2001 and 2002. atheists.org - 561 http://www.atheists.org/news/Arizona_preacher_calls_for_execution_of_gays%2C_Obama%2C_Barney_Frank Fri, 21 Aug 2009 14:15:05 -0700 (August 21, 2009) - Pastor Steven Anderson of Faithful Word Baptist Church in Tempe, Arizona [...] calls for the execution of gays in numerous sermons that you can listen to here. atheists.org - 562 http://www.atheists.org/news/Comedian_Patton_Oswalt%3A_a_%C2%93stone_cold_atheist%C2%94_with_new_stand-up Sat, 22 Aug 2009 12:24:19 -0700 (August 22, 2009) - Patton Oswalt is a talented comedian who also happens to be an atheist. Heâ��s been in various TV shows and films, such as Reno 911!, etc, and he acted as a writer for the new movie Funny People. atheists.org - 563 http://www.atheists.org/news/NIH%5C%27s_new_chief_pledges_to_lead_research_agency_%5C%27as_a_scientist%5C%27 Sat, 22 Aug 2009 12:34:14 -0700 (August 22, 2009) - Newly sworn-in National Institutes of Health chief Francis Collins, who founded an institute in May aimed at nurturing the coexistence of science and religion, announced Monday he had resigned from his foundation to focus on his research chief duties. atheists.org - 564 http://www.atheists.org/news/Sex_and_the_bible%3A_The_verses_you_didn%5C%27t_learn_in_Sunday_school Sat, 22 Aug 2009 18:49:41 -0700 (August 22, 2009) - As a kid I always viewed the Bible as one of the world's dullest texts... until I realized my Sunday school teacher was just glossing over the good stuff. atheists.org - 566 http://www.atheists.org/news/Why_atheists_care_about_religion_ Sun, 23 Aug 2009 10:36:05 -0700 (August 23, 2009) - ATHEISTS, at least most of us, would be happy to see the faithful lose their religion. Many of us, indeed, are keen to disabuse them of their beliefs. We write critically about religion, we advocate atheism, some of us even spend money to put ads on buses. atheists.org - 568 http://www.atheists.org/news/Reasonable_Doubt%3A_Creating_a_stir_by_supporting_science Sun, 23 Aug 2009 13:19:55 -0700 August 23, 2009) - All the furor started with a seemingly simple question: What should be taught in public school science classes? atheists.org - 569 http://www.atheists.org/news/Afghan_Elections_Seen_As_A_Setback_For_Women Mon, 24 Aug 2009 11:01:12 -0700 (August 24, 2009) - For women, Afghanistan's recent elections appear to have been more of a setback than a step forward. atheists.org - 570 http://www.atheists.org/news/Wash._bans_Capitol_holiday_displays%2C_tree_to_stay_ Mon, 24 Aug 2009 17:22:48 -0700 (August 24, 2009) - The Christmas tree can stay - but no more Nativity scene. That's the word from Washington's Capitol, where protests erupted last winter over competing private holiday displays. atheists.org - 571 http://www.atheists.org/news/Can_Atheists_Be_Parents%3F Tue, 25 Aug 2009 12:09:53 -0700 (August 25, 2009) -- An evocative 1970 account of discrimination against Atheists from the archives of Time Magazine is now among the most popular articles being accessed on the internet. atheists.org - 572 http://www.atheists.org/news/Yale_and_the_Danish_cartoons_-_revisited Tue, 25 Aug 2009 13:25:48 -0700 (August 25, 2009) -- Many people are pondering whether Yale University Press was right to remove the Danish cartoons and other images of the Prophet Mohammed from Brandeis Professor Jytte Klausen's forthcoming book. atheists.org - 573 http://www.atheists.org/news/Bachmann%3A_Prayer_and_fasting_will_help_defeat_health_care_reform Tue, 25 Aug 2009 17:46:52 -0700 (August 25, 2009) - On Wednesday Rep. Michele Bachmann was part of a star-studded â��teletownhallâ�� meeting to discuss health-care reform. The event, billed â��Keeping Faith with the Unborn,â�� was sponsored by the Susan B. Anthony List, an anti-abortion advocacy group. The organizationâ��s president, Marjorie Dannenfelser, claimed that there were some 350,000 listeners on the line. atheists.org - 574 http://www.atheists.org/news/When_Your_Pet_is_%5C%27Left_Behind%5C%27 Wed, 26 Aug 2009 13:45:13 -0700 (August 26, 2009) - No, this isn't about some end-of-vacation nightmare with the family dog. atheists.org - 575 http://www.atheists.org/news/Atheists_Win%3A_Homeland_Security_Plaque_Must_Go%21 Thu, 27 Aug 2009 13:34:40 -0700 (August 26, 2009) -- Get the latest on this legal victory from AANEWS. atheists.org - 576 http://www.atheists.org/news/Malaysia%3A_Black_Eyed_Peas_Concert_Off_Limits_To_Muslims_Because_Organized_By_Guinness Thu, 27 Aug 2009 13:38:39 -0700 (August 27, 2009) - Malaysia's government has barred Muslims from a concert by U.S. hip-hop stars the Black Eyed Peas next month because the event is organized by Irish beer giant Guinness, an official said Thursday. atheists.org - 577 http://www.atheists.org/news/Spencer_schools_drop_new_Bible_class Thu, 27 Aug 2009 14:11:30 -0700 (August 27, 2009) - Spencer school officials will throw out a Bible class and discard a critique of evolutionary theory to avoid being sued over the district's proposed "religious liberties" policy. atheists.org - 578 http://www.atheists.org/news/%5C%27Friendly_Atheist%5C%27_and_Pro-Family_Group_Wage_Public_Conflict_ Thu, 27 Aug 2009 15:14:11 -0700 (August 27, 2009) - Religious web sites are spreading the word about efforts to smear "the Friendly Atheist," Hemant Mehta, and threaten his teaching post! atheists.org - 579 http://www.atheists.org/news/Sam_Harris_on_Bill_Maher%21_Check_it_out... Thu, 27 Aug 2009 20:06:11 -0700 August 27, 2009) -- Atheist Sam Harris dishes on faith & more... atheists.org - 580 http://www.atheists.org/news/Michigan_courts_given_leeway_to_force_veil_removal Fri, 28 Aug 2009 12:28:24 -0700 (August 28, 2009) - Michigan's Supreme Court issued an order Tuesday allowing lower state courts to "exercise reasonable control" over the appearance of witnesses and parties, a rule change atheists.org - 581 http://www.atheists.org/news/MVBOE_settlement_details_released Fri, 28 Aug 2009 16:31:11 -0700 (August 28, 2009) - The Mount Vernon Board of Education has resolved a federal lawsuit filed by a family that alleged a civil rights violation. The family alleged that middle school science teacher John Freshwater displayed religious materials and taught religion, in violation of the U.S. Constitution and school policy. atheists.org - 582 http://www.atheists.org/news/This_Just_In%3A_College_Will_Make_You_an_Atheist_ Fri, 28 Aug 2009 18:07:12 -0700 (aUGUST 28, 2009) Like for Halloween and Christmas, the sales pitches arrive well before the actual event. Television, radio, newspapers, piles of merchandise in stores you visit, and blogs all announce: Back to School! atheists.org - 584 http://www.atheists.org/news/Blackwater_Founder_Accused_in_Court_of_Intent_to_Kill Sat, 29 Aug 2009 12:15:52 -0700 (Auust 29, 2009) - The founder of Blackwater USA deliberately caused the deaths of innocent civilians in a series of shootings in Iraq, attorneys for Iraqis suing the security contractor told a federal judge Friday. atheists.org - 585 http://www.atheists.org/news/After_Kennedy%5C%27s_Death%3A_Silence_from_the_Pope Sat, 29 Aug 2009 13:58:56 -0700 (August 29, 2009) - There was a poignant footnote to President Obama's historic July 10 meeting with Pope Benedict XVI at the Vatican. atheists.org - 586 http://www.atheists.org/news/Pope_blames_atheists_for_global_warming Sat, 29 Aug 2009 19:37:41 -0700 (August 29, 2009) - Pope Benedict is claiming atheists are responsible for the destruction of the environment. atheists.org - 587 http://www.atheists.org/news/Denver_Metro_Atheists_celebrating_%5C%22Banned_Books_Week%5C%22 Sat, 29 Aug 2009 19:47:56 -0700 (August 29, 2009) - Food for Freethought is a food drive that also encourages freethought, freedom of expression, and free inquiry. We plan to accomplish this by giving â��Bannedâ�� and Freethought books away in exchange for non-perishable food donations, that will be going to Food Bank of the Rockies, during â��Banned Books Weekâ��, September 26 â�� October 3 atheists.org - 588 http://www.atheists.org/news/Lost_in_Space%3E__NASA_Shuttle_Flight_Carries_Religious_Souvenir Mon, 31 Aug 2009 12:51:45 -0700 (August 31, 2009) -- Should the space program be exploited for proselytizing? atheists.org - 589 http://www.atheists.org/news/Diocese_appears_to_break_pledge Mon, 31 Aug 2009 15:06:06 -0700 (August 31, 2009) - A Roman Catholic diocese in Connecticut has invoked the First Amendmentâ��s separation of church and state in a request to the US Supreme Court to let it keep clergy sexual abuse documents under seal, a move that appeared to contradict the churchâ��s recent pledges of openness. atheists.org - 590 http://www.atheists.org/news/Carrie_Prejean_Sues_Pageant_For_Religious_Discrimination Mon, 31 Aug 2009 15:10:19 -0700 (August 31, 2009) - Former Miss California USA Carrie Prejean sued pageant officials Monday for libel, slander and religious discrimination, accusing them of telling her to stop mentioning God even before her controversial remarks against gay marriage. atheists.org - 591 http://www.atheists.org/news/_Atheist_group_picks_%5C%27God%5C%27_battles Mon, 31 Aug 2009 15:18:24 -0700 (August 31, 2009) - An Atheist group that won a recent court victory to have a reference to "Almighty God" stricken from Kentucky's homeland security law doesn't contemplate legal challenges against more than 30 other divine mentions in state documents. atheists.org - 592 http://www.atheists.org/news/Christian_Fundamentalists_Hawk_Crackpot_Theories_With_Dinosaur_Robots Mon, 31 Aug 2009 15:53:01 -0700 (August 31, 2009) - Creationist theme parks are filled with paleontological wonders. How do Christian fundamentalists reconcile creatures millions of years old with their Young Earth ideas? atheists.org - 594 http://www.atheists.org/news/.Jewish_Taliban_in_Jerusalem%3A_Haredim_Battling_Saturday_Car_Parking Mon, 31 Aug 2009 20:06:57 -0700 (August 31, 2009) - I wrote not too long ago about efforts by Orthodox Jews to shut down a public car park opened on Saturdays in Jerusalem. They don't drive on Saturdays because that is their sabbath and they don't believe that anyone else should be drive either. atheists.org - 595 http://www.atheists.org/news/Catholic_League_president%3A_Atheists_%E2%80%98out_there_to_get_us%E2%80%99 Tue, 01 Sep 2009 11:19:39 -0700 (September 1, 2009) - Catholic League President Bill Donohue presented a paranoid side of his personality to Fox News Monday morning, declaring that â��militant, dogmaticâ�� atheists are â��out to getâ�� Catholics and dismantle American society. atheists.org - 596 http://www.atheists.org/news/Arizona_pastor_prays_for_President_Obama%5C%27s_death Tue, 01 Sep 2009 11:59:34 -0700 (September 1, 2009) - Faithful Word Baptist Church's Pastor Steve Anderson has been preaching an unusual message to his Phoeniz, Arizona congregation: Why he hates Barak Obama and why he prays the President will die. atheists.org - 597 http://www.atheists.org/news/Preying_on_the_Desperate%3A_The_Religious_Right%5C%27s_Adoption_Racket Tue, 01 Sep 2009 14:18:17 -0700 (September 1, 2009) - Many Christian adoption agencies are far more concerned with artificially producing "orphans" for Christian parents to adopt, than helping birth parents care for wanted children. atheists.org - 598 http://www.atheists.org/news/Religion_vs._Reality_in_Missouri Tue, 01 Sep 2009 20:37:14 -0700 (September 2, 2009) - I urge you to read the whole thing, but the basic story is a band made t-shirts with the theme "Brass Evolutions" using the famous cartoon sequence of a monkey changing into a man. Itâ��s a cute idea, and no big deal, right? atheists.org - 599 http://www.atheists.org/news/Interview_with_Richard_Carrier Wed, 02 Sep 2009 12:03:36 -0700 (September 2, 2009) - RichardCarrier is a published historian and philosopher with a Ph.D. in Greco-Roman intellectual history from Columbia University. He is the author of Sense and Goodness without God: A Defense of Metaphysical Naturalism and Not the Impossible Faith, as well as a major contributing author to The Empty Tomb: Jesus Beyond The Grave. atheists.org - 600 http://www.atheists.org/news/Cross_Purposes%3A_How_Florida%5C%27s_Corporate_Tax_Credit_Scholarship_program_dodges_state_law_to_fund_priv Wed, 02 Sep 2009 12:32:08 -0700 (September 2, 2009) - In January 2006, the Florida Supreme Court struck down Gov. Jeb Bush's private school voucher program. atheists.org - 601 http://www.atheists.org/news/Cross_Purposes%3A_How_Florida%5C%27s_Corporate_Tax_Credit_Scholarship_program_dodges_state_law_to_fund_priv Wed, 02 Sep 2009 12:36:37 -0700 (September 2, 2009) - In January 2006, the Florida Supreme Court struck down Gov. Jeb Bush's private school voucher program. atheists.org - 602 http://www.atheists.org/news/Sanford%3A_God_on_his_side%2C_Palin_on_his_mind Wed, 02 Sep 2009 14:35:52 -0700 (September 2, 2009) - Conservative WashTimes Ralph Hallow interviews philandering South Carolina Gov. Sanford, who suggests a higher power is behind his refusal to heed GOP calls for his resignation. atheists.org - 603 http://www.atheists.org/news/City_attorney%3A_Fort_Lauderdale%5C%27s_opening_prayer_A-OK_with_the_courts Wed, 02 Sep 2009 16:37:59 -0700 (September 2, 2009) - The city of Fort Lauderdale is looking into one jogger's question about the presence of the Ten Commandments, from the Old Testament of the Bible, on a monument at a city park. But in a related matter, the city says there's no question the prayers that open City Commission meetings are legal and constitutional. atheists.org - 604 http://www.atheists.org/news/Detroit-Area_Church_Campaigns_with_%5C%27Satan%5C%27_Signs_ Wed, 02 Sep 2009 17:40:10 -0700 (September 2, 2009) - Metro South Church in Trenton, Mich., is the latest church to grab the attention of the local community and media outlets through a marketing campaign that includes signs signed by Satan. atheists.org - 605 http://www.atheists.org/news/Group_wants_Jindal_to_reimburse_state_for_Sunday_church_junkets Thu, 03 Sep 2009 13:59:45 -0700 (September 3, 2009) - A national group that lobbies Congress on religious issues asked Gov. Bobby Jindal to apologize and reimburse taxpayers for the state-funded helicopter trips he takes on Sundays to visit churches. atheists.org - 606 http://www.atheists.org/news/The_White_House_Celebrates_Ramadan Thu, 03 Sep 2009 14:02:37 -0700 (September 3, 2009) - President Obama will hold his first White House dinner celebrating the Muslim holiday of Ramadan on Tuesday night as part of his effort to rebuild American relations with the Islamic world after years of strain. atheists.org - 607 http://www.atheists.org/news/Dutch_Muslim_group_prosecuted_over_Holocaust_cartoon Thu, 03 Sep 2009 18:25:37 -0700 (September 3, 2009) - The Arab European League (AEL) is being prosecuted for insulting Jews by publishing a cartoon suggesting they invented the Holocaust, the Dutch public prosecution office said on Wednesday. atheists.org - 608 http://www.atheists.org/news/Obama__Hosts_White_House_Ramadan_Dinner_for_Muslims Fri, 04 Sep 2009 11:34:43 -0700 (September 4, 2009) - On Tuesday President Barak Obama hosted a special White House dinner commemorating the Islamic Ramadan holiday and America's Muslim communities. atheists.org - 609 http://www.atheists.org/news/Sen._Ted_Kennedy%5C%27s_Legacy_of_Disdain_for_the_Separation_of_Church_and_State Fri, 04 Sep 2009 11:49:33 -0700 (September 4, 2009) - There was one message that dominated the remembrances of the late Sen. Ted Kennedy following his death: He was a very successful dealmaker. It was always good to have Ted on your side â�� regardless of the obstacles. Unfortunately, one obstacle Kennedy often ignored was the Constitution's mandate of a meaningful separation of church and state. atheists.org - 610 http://www.atheists.org/news/Reports%3A_Gov._Jindal_took_state_helicopters_to_church Fri, 04 Sep 2009 14:59:22 -0700 (September 4, 2009) - Louisianaâ��s Republican Governor Bobby Jindal is receiving heavy criticism after local media revealed he has been using taxpayer money to make helicopter visits to churches in the state. atheists.org - 611 http://www.atheists.org/news/Outside_faith%2C_a_rising_tide_of_%5C%27nones%5C%27 Sat, 05 Sep 2009 13:51:57 -0700 (September 5, 2009) - A few years ago, Tyler Manley would have considered himself a Presbyterian. If asked about his religion today, he will confess he doesn't have one. Nor does he believe in God. atheists.org - 612 http://www.atheists.org/news/Did_Bob_McDonnell_Read_%5C%27The_Handmaid%5C%27s_Tale%5C%27%3F Sat, 05 Sep 2009 15:44:06 -0700 (September 5, 2009) - Three years before Virginia gubernatorial candidate Bob McDonnell submitted his now-famous thesis at Regent University, (in which he described working women as detrimental to the family, called for a "covenant view" of marriage, and said government should favor married couples over "cohabitators, homosexuals, and fornicators"), the Canadian writer Margaret Atwood published her novel "The Handmaid's Tale." atheists.org - 613 http://www.atheists.org/news/Kentucky_to_appeal_ruling_against_Homeland_Security_ Sat, 05 Sep 2009 18:53:44 -0700 (September 5, 2009) - The State of Kentucky announced Friday that it would appeal a court ruling that struck down legislation requiring the Commonwealth's Homeland Security Office to display a religious plaque and incorporate "dependence on God" in its training programs. atheists.org - 614 http://www.atheists.org/news/%5C%27Creation%5C%27_tells_of_Charles_Darwin%5C%27s_war_between_science_and_love Sun, 06 Sep 2009 13:07:51 -0700 (September 6, 2009) - Almost 50 years after the Scopes "Monkey" trial received the Hollywood treatment in the original "Inherit the Wind," the eternal friction between science and religion is back on the big-screen with "Creation," which opens the Toronto International Film Festival on Thursday. atheists.org - 615 http://www.atheists.org/news/Atheists_reversing_their_baptisms Sun, 06 Sep 2009 15:36:30 -0700 (September 6, 2009) - Until last summer, Jennifer Gray of Columbus, Ohio, considered herself â��a weak Christianâ�� whose baptism at age 11 in a Kentucky church came to mean less and less to her as she gradually lost faith in God. atheists.org - 617 http://www.atheists.org/news/Maybe_religion_is_the_answer_claims_atheist_scientist Mon, 07 Sep 2009 12:08:18 -0700 (September 7, 2009) - The world may have to turn to God to save itself from climate change, claims one of Britainâ��s most eminent scientists. atheists.org - 618 http://www.atheists.org/news/Girls_Gone_Wild_vs._Virgins_Till_Marriage%3A_Why_Is_Sexual_Life_in_America_So_Schizoid%3F Mon, 07 Sep 2009 12:25:21 -0700 (September 7, 2009) - America, "Land of the Free", continues to swing between smut and sanctimony. "Our dominantly Christian nationâ��s schizophrenic approach to sex has deep roots." atheists.org - 619 http://www.atheists.org/news/Mother_mad_coach_took_players_to_church%3B_School_district_says_trip_was_voluntary Mon, 07 Sep 2009 14:14:47 -0700 (September 7, 2009) - The head football coach at Breckinridge County High School took about 20 players on a school bus late last month to his church, where nearly half of them were baptized, school officials say. atheists.org - 620 http://www.atheists.org/news/Yale_criticized_for_removing_cartoons_of_Mohammed_from_upcoming_book Tue, 08 Sep 2009 13:31:07 -0700 (September 8, 2009) - Prominent alumni and a national groups of university professors are criticizing Yale University for the removal of cartoons of the prophet Mohammed from an upcoming Yale University Press book because of fears of violence in the Muslim world, the Associated Press reports. atheists.org - 621 http://www.atheists.org/news/Schools_Should_Teach_Christianity%5C%27s_Role_in_U.S._History%2C_Say_Evangelicals_ Tue, 08 Sep 2009 13:42:51 -0700 (September 8, 2009) - Teaching the importance of Christianity in U.S. history is common sense, asserted several evangelical leaders in defending a new Texas law that requires public schools to incorporate Bible literacy into the curriculum. atheists.org - 622 http://www.atheists.org/news/SF_Court_Upholds_Ban_on_Religious_Music_at_High_School_Graduation Tue, 08 Sep 2009 14:58:17 -0700 (September 8, 2009) - A federal appeals court in San Francisco is upholding a decision by Washington state school officials to bar a student ensemble from playing an instrumental version of the prayer "Ave Maria" at a high school graduation. atheists.org - 623 http://www.atheists.org/news/Sudan_trouser_ruling_violates_international_law%3A_U.N. Tue, 08 Sep 2009 16:30:43 -0700 (September 8, 2009) - Sudan's conviction of a woman for indecency for wearing trousers violates international law and is emblematic of wider gender discrimination in the Islamic country, the United Nations human rights office said on Tuesday. atheists.org - 624 http://www.atheists.org/news/Ky._school_trip_to_church_that_included_baptisms_raises_questions Tue, 08 Sep 2009 21:01:39 -0700 (September 9, 2009) A mother is angry about a trip led by the head football coach at Breckinridge County High School took about 20 players on a school bus late last month to his church, where nearly half of them â�� including her son â�� were baptized. atheists.org - 627 http://www.atheists.org/news/Max_Blumenthal_on_how_the_fanatical_religious_right_has_destroyed_movement_conservatism Wed, 09 Sep 2009 15:28:55 -0700 (September 9, 2009) - Our friend Max Blumenthal has a great new book out titled Republican Gomorrah: Inside the Movement that Shattered the Party that explores the toxic effects that the religious right has had not just on the national discourse, but on movement conservatism itself. atheists.org - 629 http://www.atheists.org/news/Another_%5C%22Pro-Family%5C%22_Politician_resigns_after_his_sex_comments_are_broadcast Wed, 09 Sep 2009 15:57:00 -0700 (September 9, 2009) - KCAL-TV in Los Angeles played a tape of the married Yorba Linda Republican speaking about sex with two women. He apparently did not realize a microphone was on during a legislative hearing. atheists.org - 630 http://www.atheists.org/news/Bolivian_Preacher_Says_God_Wanted_Him_To_Hijack_Aeromexico_Jet Thu, 10 Sep 2009 12:29:52 -0700 (September 10, 2009) - Mexican investigators are evaluating a Bolivian pastor who hijacked a jetliner for possible mental illness, and trying to figure out how he managed to slip through Cancun Airport security with a fake bomb in his luggage. atheists.org - 631 http://www.atheists.org/news/_Examiner_Bio_Fox_News_paints_atheist_groups_as_counter-religious Thu, 10 Sep 2009 13:53:15 -0700 (September 10, 2009) - On August 3, Fox News aired a spot on â��Non-Believer Communities,â�� looking at groups united around a common disbelief in a higher power. The segment begins simply enough, presenting atheists as they typically are: a loose affiliation of ideologically similar individuals from varying walks of life. atheists.org - 632 http://www.atheists.org/news/Customers_Going_Ape_Over_Banned_Band_T-Shirts_Depicting_Evolution Thu, 10 Sep 2009 17:23:37 -0700 (September 10, 2009) - A Daily RFT post last week about a Sedalia, Missouri, high school that prohibited its band members from wearing T-shirts of apes and Neanderthals carrying musical instruments, generated dozens of comments from readers. atheists.org - 633 http://www.atheists.org/news/Muslim_woman_presses_French_panel_for_burqa_ban Thu, 10 Sep 2009 19:14:57 -0700 (September 10, 2009) - Her voice trembling with emotion, the leader of an advocacy group for Muslim women and girls urged a French parliamentary panel on Wednesday to press for laws that would ban the wearing of Islamic body- and face-covering veils. atheists.org - 634 http://www.atheists.org/news/Godless_work%3A_Edmonton_atheists_to_pitch_in_to_clean_Alberta_highways Fri, 11 Sep 2009 07:12:06 -0700 (September 11, 2009) - In a press release today, the Society of Edmonton Atheists announced its plan to participate in the Government of Alberta's "Caring for Alberta Highways" program. atheists.org - 635 http://www.atheists.org/news/Americans_Don%5C%27t_Believe_in_Church%2FState_Separation Fri, 11 Sep 2009 12:52:20 -0700 (September 11, 2009) - Americans may believe in the importance of religious liberty, but for some reason they don't also believe in separating church from state. atheists.org - 636 http://www.atheists.org/news/Elizabeth_mosque_organizes_national_prayer_gathering_for_Muslims_in_Washington%2C_D.C. Fri, 11 Sep 2009 15:21:51 -0700 (September 11, 2009) - A mosque in Elizabeth, New Jersey, Dar-ul-Islam, is spearheading a national prayer gathering next month in Washington, D.C., that organizers are billing as the first event of its kind -- organized prayer for tens of thousands of Muslims outside the U.S. Capitol building. atheists.org - 637 http://www.atheists.org/news/The_Architect_of_9%2F11 Fri, 11 Sep 2009 16:53:02 -0700 (September 11, 2009) - In Aleppo, Syria, Mohamed Atta Thought He Could Build the Ideal Islamic City atheists.org - 638 http://www.atheists.org/news/Out%2C_Out%2C_Damned_Atheists_Karen_Armstrong_weighs_in_on_God. Sat, 12 Sep 2009 16:58:05 -0700 (September 12, 2009) - The latest salvo in the war between the atheists and the believers comes from the doyenne of religious intellectual history, Karen Armstrong. atheists.org - 639 http://www.atheists.org/news/A_Mind%2C_Even_if_It%E2%80%99s_Just_a_Couple_of_Pounds_of_Meat%2C_Is_a_Terrible_Thing_to_Waste Sat, 12 Sep 2009 19:05:55 -0700 (September 12, 2009) - Hoax or the real thing? The creationist/intelligent design website at Discovery Institute proposes to send Atheists to school."What about people living in ideological poverty?" atheists.org - 640 http://www.atheists.org/news/Faith-Based_Double_Standards Sun, 13 Sep 2009 14:59:44 -0700 (September 13, 2009) - In 2001, President Bush issued his first executive order as president. He created a program to encourage religious organizations to receive taxpayer funds to perform social services. The Office of Faith-Based Initiatives, as it was called, infuriated many. atheists.org - 641 http://www.atheists.org/news/Ambush_Baptisms_caught_on_video%21 Sun, 13 Sep 2009 16:04:43 -0700 (September 13, 2009) -- An invite to a steak dinner for a high school football team turned into a church service. Was separation of church and state violated? atheists.org - 642 http://www.atheists.org/news/Charles_Darwin_film_%5C%27too_controversial_for_religious_America%5C%27 Sun, 13 Sep 2009 18:40:20 -0700 (September 13, 2009) - A British film about Charles Darwin has failed to find a US distributor because his theory of evolution is too controversial for American audiences, according to its producer atheists.org - 643 http://www.atheists.org/news/Italy_Grapples_With_Priest_Sex_Abuse Mon, 14 Sep 2009 07:03:11 -0700 (September 14, 2009) - It happened night after night, the deaf man said, sometimes in the priest's bedroom, sometimes in the bathroom, even in the confessional. atheists.org - 644 http://www.atheists.org/news/Urgent_and_Authenticated_Non-fiction_Set_to_Unveil_Freemason_Truths_Contact%3A_Eliza_Earsman%2C_Author%2FP Mon, 14 Sep 2009 13:09:55 -0700 (September 14, 2009) - Religion in America is on the decline and has been dropping since the turn of the century. atheists.org - 645 http://www.atheists.org/news/Religion_in_America_in_Decline Mon, 14 Sep 2009 18:24:05 -0700 (September 14, 2009) - Religion in America is on the decline and has been dropping since the turn of the century. atheists.org - 646 http://www.atheists.org/news/How_Atheists_View_Religion Mon, 14 Sep 2009 18:38:42 -0700 (September 14, 2009) - The struggle between religion and reason for the hearts and minds of the people goes back at least as far as ancient Greece and has been played out time and again through the ages. atheists.org - 647 http://www.atheists.org/news/Muslims_Press_for_School_Holidays_in_New_York_City_ Tue, 15 Sep 2009 06:39:45 -0700 (September 15, 2009) - As Mayor Courts Ethnic Vote, Groups Seek Same Accommodation of Religious Observances That Christians and Jews Receive atheists.org - 648 http://www.atheists.org/news/A_Public_Disgrace%21__New_Darwin_Film_Unable_to_Find_US_Distributor Tue, 15 Sep 2009 10:56:22 -0700 (September 15, 2009 - AANEWS) - Producers of a new film about the life of naturalist Charles Darwin have been unable to secure a company to handle distribution in the United States. atheists.org - 650 http://www.atheists.org/news/Religious_row_as_Orthodox_Jewish_couple_sue_neighbours_for_%5C%27imprisoning%5C%27_them_with_automatic_hallway Tue, 15 Sep 2009 11:06:26 -0700 (September 15, 2009) - A Jewish couple are suing their neighbours in a block of flats, saying an automatic security light is keeping them prisoner in their home because it forces them to break their Sabbath rules. atheists.org - 651 http://www.atheists.org/news/Why_People_Believe_in_Conspiracies Tue, 15 Sep 2009 14:23:55 -0700 (September 15, 2009) -- Michael Shermer sounds off in the latest Scientific American. atheists.org - 652 http://www.atheists.org/news/NJ_Teens_Sue_Over_%5C%27God_Bless_America%5C%27_Ejection Tue, 15 Sep 2009 20:01:45 -0700 (September 15, 2009) - Three teenagers who say they were tossed from a New Jersey ballpark over their refusal to stand during the song "God Bless America" are suing the minor league Newark Bears. atheists.org - 653 http://www.atheists.org/news/Ohio_town_moves_to_preserve_church_facing_closure Wed, 16 Sep 2009 14:37:59 -0700 (September 16, 2009) - A proposal to protect a landmark Roman Catholic church has the potential to turn into a fight over private property rights and church-state separation. atheists.org - 654 http://www.atheists.org/news/Have_creationists_tricked_scientists_yet_again%3F Wed, 16 Sep 2009 14:50:07 -0700 (September 16, 2009) - Creationists have made a habit out of tricking scientists and historians into appearing in pro-creationism films. atheists.org - 655 http://www.atheists.org/news/Can_Bill_Foster%5C%27s_creation_beliefs_evolve_into_valid_issue_in_St._Petersburg_mayoral_race%3F Wed, 16 Sep 2009 17:13:27 -0700 (September 16, 2009) - St. Petersburg mayoral candidate Bill Foster believes, contrary to the overwhelming majority of scientists, that dinosaurs and humans co-existed. atheists.org - 656 http://www.atheists.org/news/Darwin%5C%27s_complex_loss_of_faith Thu, 17 Sep 2009 10:32:29 -0700 (September 17, 2009) - It wasn't evolution that led Darwin away from religion, but nor was it simply the loss of his beloved daughter atheists.org - 657 http://www.atheists.org/news/BREAKING%21_Dawin_film_producers_%5C%22Close_to_a_Deal%5C%22_on_U.S._Distributor Thu, 17 Sep 2009 10:45:47 -0700 (September 19, 2009) - "There is now a bidding war for the film in the US. A US deal will be in place by the end of the week." a spokesman tells NBC Bay Area. atheists.org - 658 http://www.atheists.org/news/Florida_school_officials_in_prayer_case_could_get_jail_time_ Thu, 17 Sep 2009 16:02:02 -0700 (September 17, 2009) - Two Florida school administrators were due to appear in federal court Thursday to face contempt charges for saying a prayer at a school luncheon. atheists.org - 659 http://www.atheists.org/news/Teen_birth_rates_highest_in_most_religious_states Fri, 18 Sep 2009 13:12:15 -0700 (September 18, 2009) - U.S. states whose residents have more conservative religious beliefs on average tend to have higher rates of teenagers giving birth, a new study suggests. atheists.org - 660 http://www.atheists.org/news/Monkey_Business%3A_Creation Fri, 18 Sep 2009 15:12:19 -0700 (September 18, 2009) - Da Vinci Code star Paul Bettany is overjoyed that he has the chance to play one of his personal heroes â�� Charles Darwin. But, as Rob Driscoll discovers, he also had to face some personal demons along the way atheists.org - 661 http://www.atheists.org/news/Charles_Darwin_Exhibit_Explores_the_Evolution_Of_Human_Expression Fri, 18 Sep 2009 19:13:43 -0700 (Septmber 18, 2009) - Most students encounter Charles Darwin â�� the man behind the Origin of Species â�� at some point in their academic career, whether it be during high school, a mandatory introductory biology class or an upper level evolution course. atheists.org - 664 http://www.atheists.org/news/Carrie_Prejean_to_Values_Voter_Summit%3A_%5C%27God_chose_me%5C%27_with_the_gay-marriage_question Fri, 18 Sep 2009 20:12:49 -0700 (September 18, 2009) - Itâ��s easy to make fun of beauty queens -- their plastic smiles, their bottle-blond tresses, their dreams for world peace. But Carrie Prejean, the former Miss California whose declaration that marriage should be between a man and woman earned her the vilification of some in the gay rights community, provided an unanticipated emotional highlight at a conference of Christian conservatives in Washington today. atheists.org - 665 http://www.atheists.org/news/Research_Finds_that_Atheists_are_Most_Hated_and_Distrusted_Minority Sat, 19 Sep 2009 14:22:40 -0700 (September 19, 2009) - Intolerance is a bitter beast. There are many groups in America that are subject to discrimination and prejudice, but none are more hated than atheists. atheists.org - 666 http://www.atheists.org/news/Atheists_%5C%27more_Successful_at_Online_Dating%5C%27 Sat, 19 Sep 2009 14:45:44 -0700 (September 19, 2009) - People who don't believe in god are more likely to achieve success at online dating, according to a new study of opening messages. atheists.org - 667 http://www.atheists.org/news/The_%5C%27God_Gap%5C%27_Between_Republicans_and_Democrats_Closed%3A_Values_Voters_on_the_Left Sat, 19 Sep 2009 15:57:03 -0700 (September 19, 2009) - If you've ever stood in a pet shop and watched Siamese fighting fish attack their reflection in a glass tank, then you know what it's like to read a fascinating new survey of more than 3,000 religious activists on the left and the right. atheists.org - 668 http://www.atheists.org/news/Losing_their_religion%3A_Atheists_deal_with_isolation Sun, 20 Sep 2009 19:07:24 -0700 (September 20, 2009) - After graduating from high school, Nan Owens attended a Bible institute with hopes of becoming a missionary. But before she finished seminary, her opinion on religion had changed. atheists.org - 669 http://www.atheists.org/news/Rifqa_Bary_exposed_as_a_fraud Mon, 21 Sep 2009 09:36:58 -0700 (September 21, 2009) - It would appear Rifqa Bary has been exposed as a fraud. Authorities in Florida have found no evidence to support Bary's allegations that she faced any threat what so ever from her parents for her conversion to Christianity. atheists.org - 670 http://www.atheists.org/news/COLUMN%3A_Anti-atheist_prejudice_widespread_in_America Mon, 21 Sep 2009 13:01:08 -0700 (Septemer 21, 2009) - Americans find atheists a particularly repugnant minority. According to Gallup, they are more disliked than any other major religious group, with the exception of Scientologists. atheists.org - 671 http://www.atheists.org/news/Monday_Puzzle%3A_Darwin_Restores_Parity Mon, 21 Sep 2009 13:15:35 -0700 (September 21, 2009) - In this year of Darwin celebrations (for the 200th anniversary of his birthday, and the 150th anniversary of the publication of â��The Origin of Speciesâ��), Iâ��d be remiss in my duty if I did not come up with a puzzle involving Darwin. atheists.org - 672 http://www.atheists.org/news/Indonesia%3A_Stoning_for_adultery_-_Aceh_passes_Sharia_law Mon, 21 Sep 2009 15:22:55 -0700 (September 21, 200) Aceh, a province of Indonesia, passed a new law making adultery punishable by stoning to death. atheists.org - 673 http://www.atheists.org/news/Scientology_seeks_to_squash_anonymity_Track_this_topic___Print_story__Post_comment_Anonymous_attacks Mon, 21 Sep 2009 17:38:53 -0700 (September 21, 2009) - A little local controversy involving the Church of Scientology and its critics could lead to curbs on the right to anonymity of anyone using the web. atheists.org - 674 http://www.atheists.org/news/Values_Voters_Summit_Promotes_%5C%22New_Masculinity%5C%22_of_Ignorance_and_Fury Tue, 22 Sep 2009 13:23:50 -0700 (September 22, 2009) - The Family Research Council wants you to be manly atheists.org - 675 http://www.atheists.org/news/Kirk_Cameron%5C%27s_%5C%27Origin_Of_Species%5C%27_Plan%3A_Ex-Actor_To_Distribute_50%2C000_Altered_Darwin_Books__Read_mo Tue, 22 Sep 2009 13:34:13 -0700 (September 22, 2009) - Kirk Cameron, best known for his role in the 1980s sitcom Growing Pains, now spends much of his time advocating for far-right Christian evangelical causes. atheists.org - 676 http://www.atheists.org/news/People_with_%5C%27no_religion%5C%27_gain_on_major_denominations_ Tue, 22 Sep 2009 14:38:20 -0700 (September 22, 2009) - Americans who don't identify with any religion are now 15% of the USA, but trends in a new study shows they could one day surpass the nation's largest denominations â�� including Catholics, now 24% of the nation. atheists.org - 677 http://www.atheists.org/news/Relax_%5C%27unjust%5C%27_libel_law_-_Dawkins_ Tue, 22 Sep 2009 20:12:28 -0700 (September 22, 2009) - Atheist author and campaigner Richard Dawkins has called for libel laws to be relaxed to stop the stifling of debate about science and medicine atheists.org - 678 http://www.atheists.org/news/Kirk_Cameron_Plays_the_Hitler_Card Wed, 23 Sep 2009 13:31:23 -0700 (September 23, 2009) - Evangelical actor Kirk Cameron is on a serious crusade against Charles Darwin -- connecting the scientist's most famous and significant work to Adolf Hitler. atheists.org - 679 http://www.atheists.org/news/%E2%80%9CNo_religion%E2%80%9D_segment_of_U.S._population_profiled Wed, 23 Sep 2009 18:10:55 -0700 (September 23, 2009) - At the â��Values Voter Summitâ�� of conservative Christian activists I attended last week in Washington, more than one participant lamented the â��secularizationâ�� of America. atheists.org - 680 http://www.atheists.org/news/Scalia%3A_Government_should_favor_religion Thu, 24 Sep 2009 11:19:33 -0700 (September 24, 2009) - Justice Antonin Scalia believes government should favor religion, and is apparently willing to abandon the separation of church and state. atheists.org - 681 http://www.atheists.org/news/Breaking%21__Darwin_biopic_has_US_distributor Thu, 24 Sep 2009 17:09:45 -0700 (September 24, 2009) Audiences in the United States will now be able to see "Creation," a film on the life and agony of naturalist Charles Darwin. atheists.org - 683 http://www.atheists.org/news/Overshadowed_by_Tea_Party_Movement%2C_the_Christian_Right_Scrambles_to_Claim_It_Isn%5C%27t_Racist Thu, 24 Sep 2009 17:16:01 -0700 (September 24, 2009) - The Tea Party movement has the juice as the religious right is on the wane. Survival may mean joining up, but that presents an image problem for Christians. atheists.org - 682 http://www.atheists.org/news/10_Ways_the_U.S._Military_Has_Shoved_Christianity_Down_Muslims%5C%27_Throats Thu, 24 Sep 2009 15:00:45 -0700 (September 24, 2009) - It's not just private religious organizations that act like Christian crusaders. atheists.org - 684 http://www.atheists.org/news/Atheist_to_shut_down_evangelist%5C%27s_web_site%3F Thu, 24 Sep 2009 18:27:06 -0700 (September 24, 21009) Is "hate speech" a good (and ethical) reason to silen ce your opposition? Texas-based Atheist Patrick Greene lays it out for Ray Comfort. atheists.org - 685 http://www.atheists.org/news/Canadian_Creationism%3A_Just_22_Percent Fri, 25 Sep 2009 13:31:43 -0700 (September 25, 2009) - Iâ��ve been doing some research and just found this figure: only 22 percent of Canadians think God created human beings within the last 10,000 years or so. In the U.S. the number is roughly double that. atheists.org - 686 http://www.atheists.org/news/Obama_On_Science%2C_Technology%2C_Darwin_And_More... Fri, 25 Sep 2009 14:15:04 -0700 (September 25, 2009) - Check out this pre-election video where Mr. Obama emphasized the need for greater emphasis on science, and recognized the role of Charles Darwin. atheists.org - 687 http://www.atheists.org/news/Creation_is_a_fitting_tribute_to_Darwin Fri, 25 Sep 2009 14:24:34 -0700 (September 25, 2009) - A new film about the great scientist is upsetting Darwinologists as much as creationists. Their suspicion is misplaced atheists.org - 688 http://www.atheists.org/news/The_Importance_of_Blasphemy Sat, 26 Sep 2009 13:24:06 -0700 (September 25, 2009) - Ron Lindsay of Center for Inquiry speaks out on the importance of "blasphemy" in public discourse. atheists.org - 689 http://www.atheists.org/news/Jump_In_Magazine_talks_with_American_Atheists_Affiliatiuon_Director_Blair_Scott Fri, 25 Sep 2009 16:37:12 -0700 (September 25, 2009) - Blair dishes on Atheism, religion and more... atheists.org - 690 http://www.atheists.org/news/50%2C000_Muslims_to_Pray_on_Capitol_Hill%3A_Guess_Who%5C%27s_Not_Happy%3F Fri, 25 Sep 2009 19:31:28 -0700 (September 25, 2009) - The event sounds like yet another Tea Party protest, or perhaps an encore of last weekend's Values Voter Summit: Devout believers joining together this Friday to pray on Capitol Hill for the soul of America. atheists.org - 691 http://www.atheists.org/news/Darwin_Defenders_Lash_Out_at_Creationist_Origin_of_Species Sat, 26 Sep 2009 13:29:25 -0700 (September 26, 2009) - Lots of Darwin defenders responded to my post about the new Creationist edition of Origin of Species. Needless to say, they're not pleased. atheists.org - 692 http://www.atheists.org/news/Kirk_Cameron_Defends_Attack_on_%5C%27Species%5C%27 Sat, 26 Sep 2009 13:40:11 -0700 (September 26, 2009) - Former teen idol Kirk Cameron has it out for Charles Darwin, and is making no apologies for his controversial (and mocked, see below) plan to distribute thousands of altered copies of 'The Origin of Species' to college students. atheists.org - 693 http://www.atheists.org/news/College_makes_or_breaks_faith_for_many_students Sat, 26 Sep 2009 16:34:59 -0700 (September 26, 2009) - Utah campuses -- Some stray from their religion even as they discover spirituality. atheists.org - 694 http://www.atheists.org/news/Atheist_advocates_evidence-based_belief_on_Fargo%5C%27s_Freethought_Day Sun, 27 Sep 2009 13:35:04 -0700 (Septembert 27, 2009) - PZ Myers, an outspoken atheist and evolutionary biologist, had some nice things to say about Fargo on Thursday. atheists.org - 695 http://www.atheists.org/news/Atheists_Are_the_Most_Mistrusted_Group%3A_They_Are_Evil_and_Immoral%21_ Sun, 27 Sep 2009 13:53:16 -0700 (September 27, 2009) - Guess whoâ��s coming to dinner: oh no, not an atheist! atheists.org - 696 http://www.atheists.org/news/Atheists_examine_Christmas_from_angel-free_angle Mon, 28 Sep 2009 06:06:28 -0700 (September 28, 2009) - It is a book about Christmas but there's not a manger, virgin birth or angel in sight. atheists.org - 697 http://www.atheists.org/news/Insurance_Company_Settles_Claim_for_Discriminating_against_Atheists Mon, 28 Sep 2009 13:18:25 -0700 (September 29, 2009) - GuideOne Mutual Insurance didnâ��t see any problem with offering special benefits to god-fearing consumers, but atheists and agnostics, not to mention the federal government, sure did. atheists.org - 698 http://www.atheists.org/news/US_soldiers_urged_to_pray_for_Muslims_to_become_Christians Mon, 28 Sep 2009 16:28:25 -0700 (September 29, 2009) - On Friday, several thousand Muslims gathered in DC for a very peaceful National Day of Prayer. At the same time, several Evangelical Christian groups gathered to protest the event. atheists.org - 699 http://www.atheists.org/news/Evangelical_treatment_program_gets_%242.4_million_from_state Mon, 28 Sep 2009 17:56:01 -0700 (September 28, 2009) - Public funding of Minnesota Teen Challenge raises constitutional questions atheists.org - 700 http://www.atheists.org/news/Travolta%5C%27s_Scientology_Turning_Point%3F Tue, 29 Sep 2009 14:59:13 -0700 (September 29, 2009) - The actorâ��s public acknowledgement that his son, who died in January, was autistic has former Scientologists convinced that he will leave the churchâ��which they say has little tolerance for chronic conditions. atheists.org - 701 http://www.atheists.org/news/Atheism%5C%27s_open-door_policy Tue, 29 Sep 2009 15:34:40 -0700 (September 29, 2009) - Andrew Brown is wrong: atheism isn't about class. Anyone can join our club if they don't believe in God atheists.org - 706 http://www.atheists.org/news/Oh%2C_Damn%21_Blasphemy_Day_Looks_for_a_Ta Wed, 30 Sep 2009 09:40:44 -0700 (September 30, 2009) - Today, September 30, is Blasphemy Day, and if that makes you want to curse, then the Center for Inquiry may be the place to register your epithet -- or send a donation. atheists.org - 707 http://www.atheists.org/news/International_Blasphemy_Day%3A_from_Danish_cartoons_to_Jerry_Springer_-_The_Opera Wed, 30 Sep 2009 14:00:20 -0700 (September 30, 2009) - It's International Blasphemy Day. We take a look at some of the key moments in the history of the profane. atheists.org - 708 http://www.atheists.org/news/A_struggle_for_the_hearts_and_minds_of_%5C%22fundamentalist_atheists%5C%22 Thu, 01 Oct 2009 10:24:45 -0700 (October 1, 2009) - In a rebuke of the group he founded, Center for Inquiry Transnational creator Paul Kurtz says in an essay that a blasphemy contest sponsored by CFI "is not dissimilar to the anti-semitic cartoons of the Nazi era." atheists.org - 709 http://www.atheists.org/news/Oldest_%5C%22Human%5C%22_Skeleton_Found--Disproves_%5C%22Missing_Link%5C%22 Thu, 01 Oct 2009 14:43:15 -0700 (October 1, 2009) - Move over, Lucy. And kiss the missing link goodbye. atheists.org - 710 http://www.atheists.org/news/Bible_Verse_Banner_Banned_From_Football_Games Thu, 01 Oct 2009 17:43:27 -0700 (October 1, 2009) - FORT OGLETHORPE, GA - A Christian sign is banned from the football field and now hundreds rally to voice their disapproval. atheists.org - 711 http://www.atheists.org/news/School_district_says_it_erred_in_allowing_church_permission_slips Fri, 02 Oct 2009 15:13:03 -0700 (October 2, 2009) - After complaints raised by a Muslim group, the school district in Roseville said today it made a mistake when permission slips were distributed to elementary school students that would allow them to attend Bible classes in a Baptist church. atheists.org - 712 http://www.atheists.org/news/What_Christians_and_Muslims_Can_Learn_From_the_%5C%27The_Saint_and_the_Sultan%5C%27 Fri, 02 Oct 2009 16:20:04 -0700 (October 2, 2009) - Forget the St. Francis of folklore â�� or Giotto, for that matter -- and make way for a chapter of history that longtime Newsday religion writer Paul Moses says, "in the language of the newsroom . . . was covered up.'' atheists.org - 713 http://www.atheists.org/news/Is_Ricky_Gervais%E2%80%99_new_film_really_atheist_propaganda%3F Fri, 02 Oct 2009 20:11:37 -0700 (October 2, 2009) - The new film from NSS honorary associate Ricky Gervais, The Invention of Lying, has been accused of being little more than atheist propaganda. atheists.org - 714 http://www.atheists.org/news/Good_Fences_Make_Good_Neighbors Sat, 03 Oct 2009 07:06:00 -0700 (October 3, 2009) - In an attempt to blur the lines between church and state, 33 churches participated in a nationwide event called â��Pulpit Freedom Sundayâ�� in September 2008, prior to the historic November election. The goal of this event was to trigger a legal fight and ultimately overturn regulations that prevent places of worship from supporting or opposing candidates for office. atheists.org - 715 http://www.atheists.org/news/President_Obama_Finds_Greatest_Support_Among_Atheists_and_Jews_ Sun, 04 Oct 2009 14:34:55 -0700 (October 4, 2009) - Gallupâ��s Daily Tracking for the month of September found that 65% of American atheists, agnostics and non-religious approve of the job Barack Obama is doing as president. atheists.org - 716 http://www.atheists.org/news/Christian_preacher_refused_entry_to_Britain_under_rules_intended_to_fight_extremism Sun, 04 Oct 2009 15:29:11 -0700 (October 4, 2009) - Christian evangelist Benny Hinn, from Texas, has been refused entry to Britain after falling foul of new rules drawn up to combat hate crimes and extremism. atheists.org - 717 http://www.atheists.org/news/2012%2C_the_end-of-the-world_feature_film_that_critics_say_is_a_disaster_all_by_itself._See_the_hilari Sun, 04 Oct 2009 18:09:36 -0700 (October 4, 2009) - The world ravaged by fires, earthquakes, meteor showers and floods and a heroic struggle for survivors. atheists.org - 718 http://www.atheists.org/news/Liberty_Legal_takes_up_cross_for_religion Mon, 05 Oct 2009 16:50:26 -0700 (October 5, 2009) - In a remote corner of the Mojave Desert, there's a war memorial dating to the 1930s. On top, there's an 8-foot cross that is, for now, obscured by a plywood box lest anyone driving 900 miles out of their way happen upon it and take offense at the endorsement of religiosity on public land. atheists.org - 719 http://www.atheists.org/news/Defending_Darwin%5C%27s_Legacy__ Mon, 05 Oct 2009 16:49:42 -0700 (October 5, 2009) - Let us set the record straight once and for all. Darwinâ��s famous tome is not properly entitled, The Origin of Species atheists.org - 720 http://www.atheists.org/news/Italian_scientist_reproduces_Shroud_of_Turin Mon, 05 Oct 2009 16:49:17 -0700 (October 5, 2009) - ROME (Reuters) - An Italian scientist says he has reproduced the Shroud of Turin, a feat that he says proves definitively that the linen some Christians revere as Jesus Christ's burial cloth is a medieval fake. atheists.org - 721 http://www.atheists.org/news/Shroud_Of_Turin_Reproduced%3B_Italian_Group_Says_Relic_Is_Man-Made%2C_Fake__Read_more_at%3A_http%3A%2F%2Fwww.huf Tue, 06 Oct 2009 13:28:24 -0700 (October 6, 2009) - Scientists have reproduced the Shroud of Turin -- revered as the cloth that covered Jesus in the tomb -- and say the experiment proves the relic was man-made, a group of Italian debunkers claimed Monday. atheists.org - 722 http://www.atheists.org/news/ABQ_City_Councilor_Harris_responds_to_NMI_on_%E2%80%9Catheist%E2%80%9D_attack_on_challenger Tue, 06 Oct 2009 15:56:38 -0700 (October 6, 2009) - Earlier today, we reported that Albuquerque City Councilor Don Harris had sent out a piece of campaign mail attacking his challenger in the District 9 race, David Barbour, for being an atheist, saying â��[Barbour] is a donor to Atheist organizations and speaker at Atheist eventsâ�¦â�� atheists.org - 724 http://www.atheists.org/news/BUBBLES%2C_BOOMS%2C_BUSTS_MELTDOWNS%2C_BAIL_OUTS%2C_FINDING_JESUS Tue, 06 Oct 2009 18:49:30 -0700 (October 6, 2009) - Even with job layoffs, distressed banks, Bernie Madoff schemes-a-plenty and all of the other fiscal problems bedeviling global economic markets, there is a silver lining atheists.org - 725 http://www.atheists.org/news/Michele_Bachmann_Lobbies_for_Christian_Punk_Ministry_Bent_on_Forcing_Christ_in_Public_Schools Tue, 06 Oct 2009 20:29:23 -0700 (October 7, 2009) - The Christian punk rock band organizes motivational student assemblies to bring conservative Christian dogma to public schools. Separation of church and state, anyone? atheists.org - 727 http://www.atheists.org/news/The_Constitution_and_the_Cross_ Wed, 07 Oct 2009 07:44:16 -0700 (October 7, 2009) - When the Supreme Court takes up a religion case, it often prompts overheated charges: There is a war against Christianity under way; or civil liberties groups are trying to turn this into a secular nation. atheists.org - 728 http://www.atheists.org/news/Crippled_Kids_Walk_With_Jesus%2C_Lefty_Journos_With_Satan Wed, 07 Oct 2009 07:57:26 -0700 (October 7, 2009) - For as little as $130, fellow Americans, you can take home a canvas reproduction of this beauty of a painting depicting your country's noble roots. atheists.org - 730 http://www.atheists.org/news/Lawsuit_alleges_chaplain_prayed_for_lawyer%E2%80%99s_demise Wed, 07 Oct 2009 14:52:09 -0700 (October 7, 2009) - The founder of the Military Religious Freedom Foundation is suing a Dallas-based religious organization for praying for his demise. atheists.org - 731 http://www.atheists.org/news/The_divisive_Mojave_cross Wed, 07 Oct 2009 19:17:13 -0700 (October 7, 2009) - Even as a war memorial, the Mojave cross only serves to undermine the sacrifices of soldiers of other faiths. atheists.org - 732 http://www.atheists.org/news/%E2%80%98You_Can_Run%E2%80%99_may_be_running_afoul_of_the_Constitution Fri, 09 Oct 2009 11:45:21 -0700 (October 9, 2009) - Controversial ministry may breach church/state separation, activists say atheists.org - 733 http://www.atheists.org/news/Egypt%3A_Al-Azhar_University_To_Ban_Face_Veil_In_Women%5C%27s_Classes%2C_Dorms_%28VIDEO%29 Fri, 09 Oct 2009 12:09:23 -0700 (October 9, 2009) - Egypt's Al-Azhar university said Thursday it would ban the niqab or face veil from female classrooms and dormitories, according to AFP. atheists.org - 734 http://www.atheists.org/news/DA%3A_Pa._couple_prayed%2C_denied_care_to_dying_tot Fri, 09 Oct 2009 14:57:23 -0700 (October 9, 2009) - A fundamentalist couple who prayed over their sick toddler rather than get medical help before his pneumonia death have been ordered to stand trial on manslaughter charges. atheists.org - 735 http://www.atheists.org/news/Conservative_Bible_Project_Aims_to_Delete_%5C%27Liberal_Bias%5C%27_from_the_Bible Fri, 09 Oct 2009 15:26:46 -0700 (October 9, 2009) -"Liberal bias has become the single biggest distortion in modern Bible translations," its website asserts. atheists.org - 736 http://www.atheists.org/news/Loving_Christians%3A_Churches_Plan_Attack_Ads_for_Iowa_Busses Fri, 09 Oct 2009 17:31:27 -0700 (October 9, 2009) - Remember the "controversy" in Iowa when people were outraged and offended over bus ads that dared to inform the public that atheists actually exist? atheists.org - 737 http://www.atheists.org/news/Atheist_talks_of_his_faith_in_science Sat, 10 Oct 2009 10:24:57 -0700 (October 10, 2009) - Richard Dawkins chuckled when I told him he might have to travel on Billy Graham Parkway when he flies into town next week to speak at Queens University of Charlotte atheists.org - 738 http://www.atheists.org/news/O%5C%27Reilly_Debates_Atheist_Richard_Dawkins%2C_Calls_His_View_Of_How_To_Teach_Science_%5C%22Fascism%5C%22_%28VIDEO%29 Sat, 10 Oct 2009 19:09:12 -0700 (Ocrtober 10, 2009) - One might have expected fireworks when Fox News host Bill O'Reilly interviewed avowed atheist Richard Dawkins on his show the other night, but the two men managed to have a remarkably even-tempered debate despite the contentious nature of the subject under discussion. atheists.org - 739 http://www.atheists.org/news/Does_Economic_Security_Reduce_Appeal_of_Religion%3F Sat, 10 Oct 2009 19:53:57 -0700 (October 10, 2009) - Ronald Bailey has an interesting post at Reason's Hit and Run blog about a new paper (PDF) by Gregory Paul in the journal Evolutionary Psychology. atheists.org - 740 http://www.atheists.org/news/%5C%22Sell_The_Vatican_Save_The_World%5C%22%3A_Sarah_Silverman%5C%27s_Campaign_To_End_Hunger_%28VIDEO%29__Read_more_at%3A_h Sun, 11 Oct 2009 08:51:19 -0700 (October 11, 2009) - We're pretty sure offering the Pope "pussy" is inappropriate, but doing it in the name of solving world hunger seems a little less crazy. atheists.org - 741 http://www.atheists.org/news/Iraqis_Shocked_as_Atheism_Creeps_in_ Sun, 11 Oct 2009 15:53:42 -0700 (October 11, 2009) - Although their number remains insignificant and most of them hid their identity, the fact that some people are leaving Islam and becoming atheists is a troubling news in conservative Iraq. atheists.org - 742 http://www.atheists.org/news/What_does_a_cross_mean%3F_Scalia_gets_it_all_wrong. Mon, 12 Oct 2009 11:02:08 -0700 (October 12, 2009) - A case argued recently before the U.S. Supreme raises a pair of questions: What, exactly, does a cross symbolize, and what does the placement of the cross mean? atheists.org - 743 http://www.atheists.org/news/Morals_Without_God__Read_more_at%3A_http%3A%2F%2Fwww.huffingtonpost.com%2Ffrans-de-waal%2Fmorals-without-god_b_3 Mon, 12 Oct 2009 15:39:30 -0700 (October 12, 2009) - Without God, we will live like animals! Really? atheists.org - 744 http://www.atheists.org/news/Republican_Senate_Sex_Scandals_Point_Back_to_Secretive_Conservative_Christian_%5C%22Family Tue, 13 Oct 2009 14:47:18 -0700 (October 13, 2009) - It was a hot summer full of sex scandals for GOP members of "The Family," the exclusive conservative Christian group with designs on DC power. atheists.org - 745 http://www.atheists.org/news/%5C%22The_Ten_Commandments%5C%22_remake%3A_the_Bible_meets_%5C%22300%5C%22 Wed, 14 Oct 2009 18:31:52 -0700 (October 14, 2009) - 20th Century Fox is producing a retelling of the Biblical story of Moses, which was most famously told in Cecil B. DeMilleâ��s 1956 epic â��The Ten Commandmentsâ��, starring Charlton Heston as Moses. atheists.org - 746 http://www.atheists.org/news/THE_NOT-SO-ANGRY_EVOLUTIONIST_ Wed, 14 Oct 2009 18:49:51 -0700 (October 14, 2009) - Biologist Richard Dawkins is turning down the atheist rhetoric as he promotes "The Greatest Show on Earth," his new book about the evidence for evolution. But don't you dare suggest that he's going soft on religion. atheists.org - 747 http://www.atheists.org/news/Colbert%3A_Scalia_correct_that_%E2%80%98cross_has_nothing_to_do_with_Christianity%E2%80%99 Thu, 15 Oct 2009 15:34:05 -0700 (October 15, 2009) - Comedy Central's Stephen Colbert complained mockingly on Tuesday that "our tradition of separation of church and state too often separates church and state." atheists.org - 748 http://www.atheists.org/news/Children_%5C%27will_go_to_hell_if_they_celebrate_Halloween%5C%27%2C_says_church_leaflet Fri, 16 Oct 2009 16:50:04 -0700 (October 16, 2009) - Children who go trick or treating on Halloween are "siding with the devil", a church group has claimed. atheists.org - 749 http://www.atheists.org/news/Atheism_3.0_Finds_a_Little_More_Room_for_Belief Sat, 17 Oct 2009 14:04:59 -0700 (October 17, 2009) - Bruce Sheiman doesn't believe in God, but he does believe in religion. atheists.org - 750 http://www.atheists.org/news/Who_Are_They%2C_Evolutionists%2C_Theistic_Evolutionists%2C_and_Anti-Evolutionists%3F Sat, 17 Oct 2009 17:25:10 -0700 (October 17, 2009) - The most controversial topic in the ongoing battle between fundamentalist Christians and the scientific community today is the validity of evolution. atheists.org - 751 http://www.atheists.org/news/Surrender%3A_Appeasing_Islam%2C_Sacrificing_Freedom Sun, 18 Oct 2009 08:14:05 -0700 (October 18, 2009) - 2009 marks the eighth anniversary of September eleventh. atheists.org - 752 http://www.atheists.org/news/A_Bitter_Rift_Divides_Atheists Mon, 19 Oct 2009 18:14:27 -0700 (October 19, 2009) - Last month, atheists marked Blasphemy Day at gatherings around the world, and celebrated the freedom to denigrate and insult religion. atheists.org - 753 http://www.atheists.org/news/Beyonce_Postpones_Malaysia_Show_Amid_Criticism__Read_more_at%3A_http%3A%2F%2Fwww.huffingtonpost.com%2F2009%2F10%2F Mon, 19 Oct 2009 19:30:06 -0700 (October 19, 2009) - R&B star Beyonce Knowles has postponed a planned concert in Malaysia, the event's organizer said Monday, following accusations by Islamic conservatives that the show would be immoral. atheists.org - 754 http://www.atheists.org/news/Collision%3A_Is_Religion_Absurd_or_Good_for_the_World%3F__ Tue, 20 Oct 2009 08:07:08 -0700 (October 20, 2009) - Last fall, we went on tour debating the topic "Is Religion Good For The World?" atheists.org - 755 http://www.atheists.org/news/The_Bone_Collectors_It%5C%27s_time_to_bring_relics_back_to_the_Catholic_Church Tue, 20 Oct 2009 16:35:28 -0700 (October 20, 2009) - Some believe that listening to heavy metal and soaking in its sometimes faux macabre culture can lead to the devil. atheists.org - 756 http://www.atheists.org/news/WaPo_Allows_Catholic_League%5C%27s_Donohue_To_Pen_Unhinged_Rant__. Wed, 21 Oct 2009 12:08:55 -0700 (October 21, 2009) - Bill Donohue is the president of the Catholic League, an organization that hysterically goes on the warpath against any alleged slight or insult or criticism. atheists.org - 757 http://www.atheists.org/news/Veil_Ban_At_Islamic_School_In_Egypt_Fuels_Debate Thu, 22 Oct 2009 07:05:59 -0700 (October 22, 2009) -- In Egypt, the senior cleric at one of the Muslim world's pre-eminent centers of Sunni Islamic teaching has banned female students and teachers from wearing the niqab â�� the full-face veil â�� in classrooms and dormitories. atheists.org - 758 http://www.atheists.org/news/A_particle_God_doesn%E2%80%99t_want_us_to_discover Thu, 22 Oct 2009 10:39:40 -0700 (October 22, 2009) - Explosions, scientists arrested for alleged terrorism, mysterious breakdowns â�� recently Cernâ��s Large Hadron Collider (LHC) has begun to look like the worldâ��s most ill-fated experiment. atheists.org - 759 http://www.atheists.org/news/Coalition_promotes_atheism_in_subway_stations Fri, 23 Oct 2009 09:10:09 -0700 (October 23, 2009) - An advertisement sponsored by a coalition of eight New York City atheist and secularist groups will appear in 12 major Manhattan subway stations starting Monday. atheists.org - 760 http://www.atheists.org/news/Preaching_the_Gospel_Would_be_Against_the_Law%21_%28And_Other_Hate_Crimes_Myths%29 Fri, 23 Oct 2009 09:35:27 -0700 (October 23, 2009) - With a Senate vote expected soon to expand federal hate crimes laws to include sexual orientation, religious conservatives are ramping up the rhetoric against the bill, which passed the House last week atheists.org - 761 http://www.atheists.org/news/Australian_Atheist_websites_knocked_out_by_DOS_attack Fri, 23 Oct 2009 14:41:50 -0700 (October 22, 2009) - Somebody doesnâ��t like Australiaâ��s atheists. atheists.org - 762 http://www.atheists.org/news/Religions_that_rely_on_prayer_to_heal_add_twist_to_health_care_reform_debate Fri, 23 Oct 2009 17:39:10 -0700 (October 23, 2009) - Getting lots of attention in the health care reform debate: the idea of requiring nearly all Americans to get insurance coverage. atheists.org - 763 http://www.atheists.org/news/Scientology_Spokesman_Storms_Out_Of_Nightline_Interview_%28VIDEO%29 Sat, 24 Oct 2009 15:05:39 -0700 (October 24, 2009) - Last night ABC's Nightline aired a report on the Church of Scientology, and accusations made against the church's leader, David Miscavige, by ex-Scientologists. atheists.org - 764 http://www.atheists.org/news/Who_Will_Save_the_Women_of_Afghanistan%3F Sat, 24 Oct 2009 15:57:22 -0700 (October 24, 2009) - You don't hear much talk about women in Afghanistan as the Obama administration goes through its arduous and semi-public deliberations over how to proceed with our "good war." atheists.org - 765 http://www.atheists.org/news/How_Mormonism_Created_Glenn_Beck Sat, 24 Oct 2009 17:21:54 -0700 (October 24, 2009) - With Glenn Beck now a mainstay in the national debate, the public is getting exposure to a peculiar strain of religious political conservatism rooted in Mormon culture. atheists.org - 766 http://www.atheists.org/news/An_Atheist%5C%27s_Review_of_the_Book_of_Genesis_Illustrated_by_a_Legendary_Comics_Artist Sat, 24 Oct 2009 18:38:12 -0700 (October 24, 2009) - It's true what they say. Sometimes, a picture really is worth a thousand words. Especially when those pictures are drawn by Robert Crumb. atheists.org - 767 http://www.atheists.org/news/In_southern_India%2C_Hindu_radicals_declare_war_on_Muslims_over_Love_Jihad Sun, 25 Oct 2009 16:47:44 -0700 (October 25, 2009) - Bangalore (AsiaNews) â�� Karnatakaâ��s radical Hindu movement Sri Rama Sene (the Army of god Rama) has declared war on the â��love jihadâ��, an alleged network of Muslim men bent on enticing non Muslim women to marry Muslim men and then forcing them to convert to Islam. atheists.org - 768 http://www.atheists.org/news/House_of_Lords_to_back_libel_law_changes Sun, 25 Oct 2009 19:43:16 -0700 (October 25, 2009) - Freedom of speech campaigners are claiming victory as the House of Lords is expected to back changes removing "anachronistic" laws which have criminalised libel for more than 700 years. atheists.org - 769 http://www.atheists.org/news/Paul_Haggis_Renounces_Church_of_Scientology_in_Blistering_Letter Mon, 26 Oct 2009 07:16:30 -0700 (October 26, 2009) - The Church of Scientology has long claimed many of Hollywoodâ��s most elite talents amongst its members, but now, one famous Scientologist is leaving the church, and heâ��s not going quietly. atheists.org - 770 http://www.atheists.org/news/A_%5C%27Collision%5C%27_Of_Beliefs%3A_Atheist_Vs._Theologian Mon, 26 Oct 2009 14:20:46 -0700 (October 26, 2009) - Last fall, journalist, literary critic and proud atheist Christopher Hitchens went on a debating tour with Pastor Douglas Wilson. The topic: "Is Christianity good for the world?" atheists.org - 771 http://www.atheists.org/news/Alachua_publisher_enlists_Kirk_Cameron_to_promote_criticism_of_Darwin Mon, 26 Oct 2009 17:50:20 -0700 (October 26, 2009) - A former child actor is partnering with a local publisher to distribute altered copies of Charles Darwinâ��s â��The Origin of Speciesâ�� to university students across the country in November - around the time of the 150th anniversary of the bookâ��s original publishing. atheists.org - 772 http://www.atheists.org/news/Individual_Rights_Must_Come_Before_Protecting_Religious_Institutions Mon, 26 Oct 2009 18:44:09 -0700 (October 26, 2009) - The Obama Administration has changed the way the United States relates to the world. I tend to think this is good on many levels, but change can be nerve-racking. An example of this is the recent United Nations Human Rights Council resolution regarding freedom of opinion and expression co-authored by the U.S. and Egypt. atheists.org - 773 http://www.atheists.org/news/The_Bogus_Mislabeling_of_Atheists Tue, 27 Oct 2009 16:22:48 -0700 (October 27, 2009) - Much has been made lately in the news of the schisms between the â��New Atheistsâ�� and (presumably) the old atheists. There are also â��strongâ�� atheists, â��weakâ�� atheistsâ�¦ I donâ��t knowâ�¦ reasonably fit atheistsâ�¦ atheists.org - 774 http://www.atheists.org/news/FBI_arrests_two_Chicago_men_for_Danish_terror_plot Tue, 27 Oct 2009 16:43:10 -0700 (October 27, 2009) - Two Chicago men are being charged over a plot to attack a Danish newspaper that published a controversial cartoon of the prophet Muhammed in 2005. atheists.org - 775 http://www.atheists.org/news/Christianity_Today%3A_Is_Schism_Over_Gay_Issues_Inevitable%3F Wed, 28 Oct 2009 08:04:35 -0700 (October 28, 2009) - If history could get a copyright, the Episcopal Church (USA) could sue the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America for plagiarism. atheists.org - 776 http://www.atheists.org/news/Faith_No_More_What_I%5C%27ve_learned_from_debating_religious_people_around_the_world. Wed, 28 Oct 2009 10:24:55 -0700 (October 28, 2009) - This week sees the opening on various cinema marquees of the film Collision: a buddy-and-road movie featuring last year's debates between Pastor Douglas Wilson, who is a senior fellow at New St. Andrew's College, and your humble servant. atheists.org - 777 http://www.atheists.org/news/Fed_jury_sides_with_Knox_Schools_in_lawsuit_over_Karns_Bible_study Thu, 29 Oct 2009 15:01:14 -0700 (October 29, 2009) - A federal court jury today declared that the Knox County school system did not violate the civil rights of a Karns Elementary School pupil who was participating in a Bible discussion group during recess. atheists.org - 778 http://www.atheists.org/news/Christian_Broadcasting_Network_Warns_Against_%5C%27Demonic%5C%27_Halloween_Candy__Read_more_at%3A_http%3A%2F%2Fwww.huf Thu, 29 Oct 2009 15:28:12 -0700 (October 29, 2009) - Pat Robertson's Christian Broadcasting Network posted a blog by Kimberly Daniels recently that warns Christians to forgo celebrating Halloween because of its evilness. Daniels specifically calls out candy as a source of soul-molestation atheists.org - 779 http://www.atheists.org/news/Atheist_Ad_Campaign_hits_Boston Thu, 29 Oct 2009 18:42:35 -0700 (October 29, 2009) - All across the country and in other parts of the world, atheist ad campaigns have been popping up on city buses and trains. atheists.org - 780 http://www.atheists.org/news/Atheist_candidate_for_public_office Fri, 30 Oct 2009 12:14:57 -0700 (October 30, 2009) - ASHEVILLE â�� Writer, environmentalist, builder, war protestor, gadfly and of late, political candidate. For 28 years, Cecil Bothwell has played a plethora of roles in the Asheville area. atheists.org - 781 http://www.atheists.org/news/3_Silly_Religious_Beliefs_Held_By_Non-Silly_People Fri, 30 Oct 2009 17:49:10 -0700 (October 30, 2009) - Many of the beliefs held by religious moderates -- smart people who respect science and the separation of church and state -- are as untenable as the dogma of fundamentalists atheists.org - 782 http://www.atheists.org/news/Jesus_Goes_to_the_Dark_Carnival%3A_Hell_House_Gets_a_Makeover%3F_ Sat, 31 Oct 2009 16:01:07 -0700 (October 31, 2009) - Evangelical-sponsored haunted houses known as â��Hell Housesâ�� were spooky attractions filled with the ghosts of the culture wars. Now, a softer, gentler version, the â��Judgement Houseâ�� claims to eschew politics, but does it? atheists.org - 783 http://www.atheists.org/news/Exclusive%3A_Ray_Comfort_Defends_His_Creationist_Edition_of_%5C%27On_the_Origin_of_Species%5C%27 Sat, 31 Oct 2009 16:44:16 -0700 (October 31, 2009) - When I blogged recently about a new, pro-creationism edition of Charles Darwin's On the Origin of Speciesâ��complete with a rebuttal to the theory of evolutionâ��the responses poured in. atheists.org - 784 http://www.atheists.org/news/Can_Arab%2FMuslim_Countries_Criticize_Israel_Under_the_UN_Anti-Blasphemy_Resolution%3F__Read_more_at%3A_ht Sat, 31 Oct 2009 20:10:17 -0700 (October 31, 2009) - The turning point occurred on June 16, 2008 at 4:40 pm, when David Littman took the floor at a UN Human Rights Council meeting to speak on behalf of the Association for World Education (AWE) and the International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU). atheists.org - 785 http://www.atheists.org/news/Is_Atheism_Scientific%3F Sun, 01 Nov 2009 07:26:54 -0800 (November 1, 2009) - Massimo Pigliucci argues that atheism is philosophical, not scientific. Jerry Coyne differs: atheists.org - 786 http://www.atheists.org/news/Powerful_Islamic_movement_sees_leadership_struggle Sun, 01 Nov 2009 12:15:36 -0800 November 1, 2009) - CAIRO â�� The Middle East's most powerful Islamic political movement is undergoing a leadership struggle as young, more moderate activists try to push the Muslim Brotherhood to soften its fundamentalist ideology and become a more democratic force. atheists.org - 787 http://www.atheists.org/news/How_Creationist_%5C%27Origin%5C%27_Distorts_Darwin Sun, 01 Nov 2009 17:53:12 -0800 (November 1, 2009) - In this post, Eugenie C. Scott, executive director of the National Center for Science Education, critiques creationist Ray Comfort's new, antievolution version of Charles Darwin's On the Origin of Species. atheists.org - 788 http://www.atheists.org/news/Evolution_and_Creation_Fight_to_the_Death%3A_What_Emerges_from_the_Ashes Mon, 02 Nov 2009 13:36:25 -0800 (November 2, 2009) - You have to look long and hard in the public-square discussion today to find bilateral calls for complementarity and partnership. Yet why should the relations between evolution and creation constitute a zero-sum game? atheists.org - 789 http://www.atheists.org/news/Recorded_Calls_to_Voters_From_Brooklyn_Bishop_Praise_a_Democratic_Leader Mon, 02 Nov 2009 18:11:27 -0800 (November 2, 2009) - In an unusually overt step into politics by a religious leader, the Roman Catholic bishop of Brooklyn is urging voters, via robocalls, to support Vito J. Lopez, an assemblyman and the Brooklyn Democratic boss, whose hand-picked candidate is in a tough race for a City Council seat. atheists.org - 790 http://www.atheists.org/news/Atheist_Margaret_Downey_complains_about_Christian_music_on_American_Airlines Tue, 03 Nov 2009 13:38:06 -0800 (November 3, 2009) - Margaret Downey, successful businesswoman, atheist and social activist, was recently on a flight from Hawaii to Los Angeles on American Airlines. As the plane was coming in for landing, she awoke to Christian music playing over the plane's sound system. atheists.org - 791 http://www.atheists.org/news/Atheist_group_takes_message_to_Lakeland_via_billboard Tue, 03 Nov 2009 14:26:07 -0800 (November 3, 2009) -- - Motorists along one of Lakeland's major thoroughfares are being greeted with a billboard asking a provocative question: "Don't believe in God?" atheists.org - 794 http://www.atheists.org/news/Chased_by_their_church%3A_When_you_try_to_leave_Scientology%2C_they_try_to_bring_you_back Tue, 03 Nov 2009 18:32:15 -0800 (November 3, 2009) - For years, the Church of Scientology chased down and brought back staff members who tried to leave. atheists.org - 795 http://www.atheists.org/news/Dutch_mark_5th_anniversary_of_filmmaker%5C%27s_murder Thu, 05 Nov 2009 11:31:23 -0800 (November 4, 2009) - The Dutch are marking the fifth anniversary of the murder of filmmaker Theo van Gogh by a Muslim fanatic, a brutal killing that continues to shape politics in the Netherlands. atheists.org - 797 http://www.atheists.org/news/Italy_challenges_ruling_that_crucifix_in_class_violates_religious_freedom Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:41:36 -0800 (November 5, 2009) - Italy said today that it would challenge a ruling by the European Court of Human Rights in favour of an Italian woman who opposed the display of a Catholic crucifix at a state school attended by her two children. atheists.org - 798 http://www.atheists.org/news/Provision_in_Health_Care_Bill_Governing_Prayer_Treatments_May_Be_Unconstitutional Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:04:11 -0800 (November 5, 2009) - The debate over the health care bill has reached a new level - a spiritual level - with a provision in the health care legislation requiring the consideration of prayer treatments as medical expenses brought to light. atheists.org - 799 http://www.atheists.org/news/Religious_Wrong%3A_Do_%5C%27New_Atheists%5C%27_and_Old_Evangelists_Play_the_Same_Game%3F Fri, 06 Nov 2009 20:00:26 -0800 (November 6, 2009) - There's an internal and external fight over the direction of atheism. atheists.org - 800 http://www.atheists.org/news/The_Atheist_Recruiting_Machine Fri, 06 Nov 2009 22:13:26 -0800 (November 7, 2009) - From subway ads to â��Blasphemy Day,â�� nonbelievers are proselytizing louder than ever. But as they draw more converts, are they in danger of losing their unique brand of faith? atheists.org - 801 http://www.atheists.org/news/Somali_adulterer_stoned_to_death_ Sat, 07 Nov 2009 07:58:16 -0800 (November 7, 2009) - Islamists in southern Somalia have stoned a man to death for adultery but spared his pregnant girlfriend until she gives birth. atheists.org - 802 http://www.atheists.org/news/Director_of_%5C%272012%5C%27_Destroys_Rome%2C_Spares_Mecca Sat, 07 Nov 2009 11:08:10 -0800 (November 7, 2009) - No one would ever accuse director Roland Emmerich of being subtle or shy. atheists.org - 803 http://www.atheists.org/news/Obama_Praises_Bravery_at_Fort_Hood%2C_Cites_Nonbelievers Sat, 07 Nov 2009 12:44:46 -0800 (November 7, 2009) - President Barack Obama dedicated his weekly radio address Saturday to the shooting that occurred at the Fort Hood military base this week. atheists.org - 804 http://www.atheists.org/news/A_faith-based_prison_is_pushed_ Sat, 07 Nov 2009 16:47:03 -0800 (November 7, 2009) - WAKITA â�� This tiny town near the Oklahoma-Kansas state line north of Enid may soon own the country's only all-Christian prison, with Christian administrators, employees, counselors and programs. atheists.org - 805 http://www.atheists.org/news/In_Turkey%2C_fertile_ground_for_creationism Sun, 08 Nov 2009 15:17:37 -0800 (November 8, 2009) - U.S. critics of evolution help translate their ideas for a society already torn between Islam and secularism atheists.org - 806 http://www.atheists.org/news/Creationism_teaching_varies_at_Christian_universities Sun, 08 Nov 2009 15:20:54 -0800 (November 8, 2009) - Christian universities take different approaches to how biblical creationism is presented in courses. Some religiously affiliated universities keep creationism discussions in theology, religion and philosophy classes. Others integrate them into biology courses. atheists.org - 808 http://www.atheists.org/news/The_tedious_%E2%80%98new%E2%80%99_atheism Sun, 08 Nov 2009 20:46:07 -0800 (November 8, 2009) -- Sound off, weigh in and speak up in this fractious debate! atheists.org - 809 http://www.atheists.org/news/Our_Military%5C%27s_Supernatural_Warfare. Mon, 09 Nov 2009 14:19:34 -0800 (November 9, 2009) - Military Paranormal Battle Plan: The Men Who Stare at Goats (Paperback) -- No Not the Upcoming George Clooney Film, But the Non-Fiction Book That It is Based On. Our Military's Supernatural Warfare. atheists.org - 810 http://www.atheists.org/news/The_Deep_Rifts_simply_call_us_unto_the_breach_once_more Mon, 09 Nov 2009 14:18:59 -0800 (November 9, 2009) - I hereby declare this the official theme of the whimpering, pathetic, anti-atheist backlash of 2009: there are Deep Rifts in atheism. It's all over the place, and it's a little weird. atheists.org - 811 http://www.atheists.org/news/An_Ethical_Question%3A_Does_a_Nazi_Deserve_a_Place_Among_Philosophers%3F_ Mon, 09 Nov 2009 17:08:20 -0800 (November 9, 2009) - Martin Heidegger rejected empiricism and Western rationalism in favor of Nazi ideology. atheists.org - 813 http://www.atheists.org/news/http%3A%2F%2Fonline.wsj.com%2Farticle%2FSB125781425786840005.html Tue, 10 Nov 2009 07:54:02 -0800 (Catholic Church Emerges as Key Player in Legislative Battle November 10, 2009) - atheists.org - 814 http://www.atheists.org/news/Catholic_Church_Emerges_as_Key_Player_in_Legislative_Battle_ Tue, 10 Nov 2009 07:57:44 -0800 (November 11, 2009) - Injecting itself aggressively into the health-care debate, the Roman Catholic Church in America has emerged as a major political force with the potential to upend a key piece of President Barack Obama's agenda. atheists.org - 815 http://www.atheists.org/news/Travoltas_have_%5C%27own_way%5C%27_of_coping_after_death_of_son Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:12:07 -0800 (November 11, 2009) - John Travolta says that he struggles daily to get by since the death of 16-year-old son Jett but that family, religion and intensive therapy have helped the family cope. atheists.org - 816 http://www.atheists.org/news/Goldman_Sachs_Doing_%5C%22God%5C%27s_Work%5C%22%3F Tue, 10 Nov 2009 18:50:36 -0800 (November 11, 2009) - The only thing worse than Goldman Sachs amassing close to $20 billion in bonus money for its executives based on various government subsidies and bailout measures is listening to senior executives there trying to explain it all away. atheists.org - 817 http://www.atheists.org/news/%5C%27Godless%5C%27_billboard_greets_I-71_drivers Wed, 11 Nov 2009 06:48:35 -0800 (November 11, 2009) - The simple message on it is even more attention-grabbing: "Don't believe in God? You are not alone." atheists.org - 818 http://www.atheists.org/news/Atheist_offers_service_to_care_for_Christians%5C%27_pets_after_the_Rapture Wed, 11 Nov 2009 15:28:47 -0800 (November 11, 2009) - A New Hampshire atheist is offering Christians who believe in the Rapture a service to look after their pets when they get taken up into eternity, the New Hampshire Union Leader reports. atheists.org - 819 http://www.atheists.org/news/Judge_Says_No_to_%E2%80%9CI_Believe%E2%80%9D_License_Plates%3B_SC_Group_Says_it_Will_Issue_a_Version Wed, 11 Nov 2009 16:04:23 -0800 (November 11, 2009) - A federal judged on Tuesday ruled that the license plates were unconstitutional because they were created by the state legislature, which meant the state was endorsing one religion. atheists.org - 820 http://www.atheists.org/news/Catholic_Church_gives_D.C._ultimatum Thu, 12 Nov 2009 04:52:29 -0800 (November 12, 2009) - Same-sex marriage bill, as written, called a threat to social service contracts atheists.org - 821 http://www.atheists.org/news/Vatican-sponsored_meeting_discusses_chances_of_extraterrestrial_life Thu, 12 Nov 2009 05:21:34 -0800 (November 12, 2009) - Vatican-sponsored meeting discusses chances of extraterrestrial life atheists.org - 822 http://www.atheists.org/news/America%5C%27s_First_All-Christian_Prison_May_Be_Coming_Down_the_Pike Thu, 12 Nov 2009 17:07:40 -0800 (November 12, 2009) - If Bill Robinson gets his way, Wakita, Oklahoma, a small town near the Kansas border consisting of 380 residents, will be the home of the first all-Christian prison in the U.S. atheists.org - 823 http://www.atheists.org/news/Scientology_foes_denounce_member%5C%27s_arrest Fri, 13 Nov 2009 05:14:44 -0800 (November 13, 2009) - The Church of Scientology is working with Las Vegas police to frame a church critic on terrorism allegations, a protest group says. atheists.org - 824 http://www.atheists.org/news/Alavi_Foundation%3A_Feds_Move_To_Seize_4_Mosques%2C_Tower_Linked_From_Organization_To_Iran Fri, 13 Nov 2009 05:26:37 -0800 (November 13, 2009) - Federal prosecutors took steps Thursday to seize four U.S. mosques and a Fifth Avenue skyscraper owned by a nonprofit Muslim organization long suspected of being secretly controlled by the Iranian government. atheists.org - 825 http://www.atheists.org/news/Carrie_Prejean%3A_The_Bible_Allows_Breast_Implants%2C_My_Hairdresser_Is_Gay Fri, 13 Nov 2009 09:40:31 -0800 (November 13, 2009) - Carrie Prejean is just carrying out God's plan, she tells Christianity Today in an interview that fails to address her solo sex tape--the topic that nearly caused her to walk off 'Larry King Live' Wednesday night. atheists.org - 826 http://www.atheists.org/news/Former_Miss_California_Carrie_Prejean_made_7_other_sex_tapes%2C_dozens_of_nude_pics_-_report__Read_mor Fri, 13 Nov 2009 16:01:18 -0800 (November 13, 2009) -- t looks like Carrie Prejean spoke too soon when she called her recent sex tape the "biggest mistake" of her life. atheists.org - 827 http://www.atheists.org/news/%5C%27Godless%5C%27_billboard_relocated_due_to_threats Fri, 13 Nov 2009 16:12:56 -0800 (November 13, 2009) - CINCINNATI - A billboard that reached out to those who donâ��t believe in God lasted less than 48 hours before threats forced organizers to move it, they said. atheists.org - 829 http://www.atheists.org/news/What_do_these_religiously_motivated_terrorist_acts_tell_us%3F_ Fri, 13 Nov 2009 21:14:44 -0800 (November 14, 2009) - Why are we so selective about lessons we draw from religious extremism? atheists.org - 835 http://www.atheists.org/news/Muslim_creationism_is_back_in_the_news%2C_this_time_in_Egypt Mon, 16 Nov 2009 21:50:21 -0800 (November 17, 2009) - Muslim creationism is back in the news. atheists.org - 834 http://www.atheists.org/news/BibleThumper_iPhone_App_Finds_Cool_Bible_Verses_for_Atheists%E2%80%99 Mon, 16 Nov 2009 21:14:58 -0800 (November 16, 2009) - BibleThumper allows atheists to keep the most funny and irrational bible verses right in their pocket. atheists.org - 831 http://www.atheists.org/news/NASA_Working_to_Dispel_2012_Apocalypse_Myth Sat, 14 Nov 2009 17:35:58 -0800 (November 14, 2009) - According to the movie "2012," the end of Earth is at hand when the ancient planet Nibiru smashes into Earth on Dec, 21, 2012. atheists.org - 832 http://www.atheists.org/news/The_Bishops_are_Back%2C_For_Now%2C_Thanks_to_the_Party_and_President_They_Opposed Sun, 15 Nov 2009 09:37:24 -0800 (November 15, 2009) - When the nation's 300 or more Catholic bishops gather for each November for their annual fall meeting, there's always a hearty show of clerical camaraderie, much of it deeply-felt, but some of it a charitable mask on the rivalries that are inevitable in any group of strong-willed fellows. atheists.org - 833 http://www.atheists.org/news/Author_confronts_Darwin_backers Sun, 15 Nov 2009 19:10:26 -0800 (November 15, 2009) - When outspoken atheist and best-selling author Richard Dawkins called Ray Comfort "an ignorant fool," Mr. Comfort put that "glowing endorsement" on the cover of his latest book. atheists.org - 836 http://www.atheists.org/news/Obama%5C%27s_Chinese_Box%3A_Where_Does_Religious_Freedom_Fit%3F Tue, 17 Nov 2009 07:21:11 -0800 (Novemer 17, 2009) - Barack Obama arrived in Japan today on the first leg of his first trip to Asia as president, a delicate week-long diplomatic swing which will confront him with an array of pressing issues, from North Korea and nukes to climate change and the global economy atheists.org - 837 http://www.atheists.org/news/Court_turns_down_student_over_religious_speech_%28AP%29_%E2%80%93_22_hours_ago Tue, 17 Nov 2009 07:33:59 -0800 (November 17, 2009) - The Supreme Court has rejected an appeal from a student who complained that high school officials violated her constitutional rights when they turned off her microphone during her religion-tinged graduation speech. atheists.org - 838 http://www.atheists.org/news/Bishops_Try_to_Reassert_Control_of_a_Restive_Flock Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:18:16 -0800 (November 18, 2009) - The leader of the Catholic hierarchy in the United States on Monday launched a new effort to rein in Catholic debates and dissidents and to remind the flock that the bishops will be the arbiters of what it means to be a Catholic. atheists.org - 839 http://www.atheists.org/news/C_Street_House_No_Longer_Tax_Exempt Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:53:28 -0800 (November 18, 2009) -Residents of the C Street Christian fellowship house will no longer benefit from a loophole that had allowed the house's owners to avoid paying property taxes. atheists.org - 840 http://www.atheists.org/news/Church_Of_Scientology_Accused_Of_Torture_And_Forced_Abortions_In_Australia Thu, 19 Nov 2009 05:08:52 -0800 (November 19, 2009) - The church of Scientology has entered another international controversy this week as Nick Xenophon, an independent Australian politician, tabled a number of controversial letters about the church to the Australian Senate. atheists.org - 841 http://www.atheists.org/news/Rachel_Maddow_Interview_with_Former_Evangelist_Frank_Schaeffer%3A_Christian_Right_Is_%5C%27Trolling_for_Ass Thu, 19 Nov 2009 09:49:55 -0800 (November 19, 2009) - Schaeffer: "There is a crazy fringe [receiving] messages that have been pouring out of FOX News ... talking about doing away with Obama, asking God to kill him." atheists.org - 842 http://www.atheists.org/news/Darwin_in_Battle_of_Wits_against_Unarmed_Man Thu, 19 Nov 2009 09:52:38 -0800 (November 19, 2009) - Antievolutionist Ray Comfort will be distributing copies of the Origin of Species with a new introduction that misrepresents, misunderstands and distorts Darwin's ideas and legacy. Steve Mirsky comments atheists.org - 843 http://www.atheists.org/news/GOP%5C%27s_hopefuls%3A_Put_prayer_in_schools Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:30:23 -0800 (November 19, 2009) -- Most Republican candidates have conservative beliefs, favoring creationism over evolution and saying Bible is literally true atheists.org - 844 http://www.atheists.org/news/How_Will_Religion_Evolve%3F Thu, 19 Nov 2009 21:05:21 -0800 (November 20, 2009) - Does religion have a future? Who looks more like an evolutionary dead end: the religious American or the agnostic European? atheists.org - 845 http://www.atheists.org/news/In_Galapagos_Finches%2C_Biologists_Catch_Evolution_in_the_Act Fri, 20 Nov 2009 10:41:21 -0800 (November 20, 2009) - On the Galapagos Islands, where Charles Darwinâ��s observations led to his evolutionary theory, scientists are now reporting that theyâ��re witnessing a single species splitting into two, according to a new paper in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. atheists.org - 846 http://www.atheists.org/news/Atheists_turn_to_billboard_sites Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:06:37 -0800 (November 20, 2009) - The group behind a controversial atheist bus-poster campaign is urging parents not to label their children with their own religious faith. atheists.org - 847 http://www.atheists.org/news/Free_books_used_as_tools_to_fight_evolution Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:49:42 -0800 (November 20, 2009) - Hundreds of college students were surprised on Wednesday when they were handed free copies of Charles Darwinâ��s â��On the Origin of Speciesâ�� as they walked across campus. atheists.org - 848 http://www.atheists.org/news/Ministry_Distributes_%5C%27Origin_of_Species%5C%27_with_Intelligent_Design_Intro Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:02:05 -0800 (November 20, 2009) - Ministry leader Ray Comfort surprised college students and atheists throughout the country on Wednesday when his planned giveaway of On the Origin of Species came one day early. atheists.org - 849 http://www.atheists.org/news/%5C%27Sinners%5C%27_gather_at_atheist_meeting Sat, 21 Nov 2009 14:13:06 -0800 (November 21, 2009) - Good evening, sinners!" Edwin Kagin called out to a group of about 33 people sitting in folding chairs in the basement of the Norwood library Thursday night. atheists.org - 850 http://www.atheists.org/news/Atheist_Student_Groups_Flower_on_College_Campuses Sat, 21 Nov 2009 16:56:48 -0800 (November 21, 2009) - The sign sits propped on a wooden chair, inviting all comers: "Ask an Atheist." atheists.org - 851 http://www.atheists.org/news/Rep._Patrick_Kennedy_Banned_From_Receiving_Communion_By_Bishop_Thomas_Tobin Sun, 22 Nov 2009 07:59:50 -0800 (November 22, 2009) - Roman Catholic Bishop Thomas Tobin has banned Rep. Patrick Kennedy from receiving Communion, the central sacrament of the church, in Rhode Island because of the congressman's support for abortion rights, Kennedy said in a newspaper interview published Sunday. atheists.org - 852 http://www.atheists.org/news/Muslim_countries_seek_blasphemy_ban Sun, 22 Nov 2009 10:32:30 -0800 (November 22, 2009) - GENEVA â�� Four years after cartoons of the prophet Muhammad set off violent protests across the Muslim world, Islamic nations are mounting a campaign for an international treaty to protect religious symbols and beliefs from mockery â�� essentially a ban on blasphemy that would put them on a collision course with free speech laws in the West. atheists.org - 853 http://www.atheists.org/news/Heaps_of_evolution_evidence Sun, 22 Nov 2009 16:47:03 -0800 (November 22, 2009) - Biologist Richard Dawkins presents the basics to assist those "prepared to argue the case." atheists.org - 854 http://www.atheists.org/news/Sarah_Palin_And_Billy_Graham_Visit%2C_Eat_Dinner_Together_At_Evangelist%5C%27s_Home Mon, 23 Nov 2009 09:31:54 -0800 (November 23, 2009)- Sarah Palin on Sunday dined and prayed with the Rev. Billy Graham, who has counseled presidents and other politicians for decades. atheists.org - 855 http://www.atheists.org/news/Conservatives_vow_resistance_on_abortion%2C_gay_marriage Mon, 23 Nov 2009 12:31:37 -0800 (November 23, 2009) - Facing what they consider "threats" from American culture, prominent Catholic, evangelical and Orthodox Christian leaders are vowing unspecified civil disobedience against abortion, same-sex marriage and limits on religious liberty. atheists.org - 856 http://www.atheists.org/news/_Caldwell_Possible_use_of_religious_texts_at_Nampa_Classical_Academy_will_b Mon, 23 Nov 2009 20:35:21 -0800 (November 24, 2009) - The charter school's planned use of the Bible and other religious texts sparked controversy and a lawsuit challenging state law. atheists.org - 857 http://www.atheists.org/news/Darwin_and_the_case_for_%5C%27militant_atheism%5C%27 Mon, 23 Nov 2009 22:52:07 -0800 (Nvember 24, 2009) - On November 24, 1859, the first edition of a book that would shake the most deeply established beliefs about life was published in London. What would eventually be known as "The Origin of Species" was the opening shot in a debate that hasn't ended, even 150 years later. atheists.org - 858 http://www.atheists.org/news/Marietta%2C_Ga.%2C_Lawmakers_to_Review_%5C%27So_Help_Me_God%5C%27_Police_Oath Tue, 24 Nov 2009 15:26:58 -0800 (November 24, 2009) - City council members in Marietta, Ga., will consider changing the oath of office that the city's police officers take so that recruits can swear to uphold the law without saying the phrase "so help me God." atheists.org - 859 http://www.atheists.org/news/Humanists_Push_for_Godless_Holidays Wed, 25 Nov 2009 14:17:14 -0800 (November 25, 2009) -- As Americans gear up for the holiday season, they're fine-tuning wish lists, digging out unfortunate Christmas sweaters and bracing for the onslaught of holiday advertising campaigns. atheists.org - 860 http://www.atheists.org/news/Carl_Sagan_%26_Stephen_Hawkins_rap Wed, 25 Nov 2009 15:20:39 -0800 (November 25) -- Check out a cool video featuring two incredible non-theist minds! atheists.org - 861 http://www.atheists.org/news/City_of_Clarksville_backs_off_calling_Nativity_scene_funds_%5C%27inappropriate%5C%27 Thu, 26 Nov 2009 18:52:18 -0800 (November 26, 2009) - The city of Clarksville has issued a formal response to complaints regarding a Nativity scene by the American Civil Liberties Union in a letter dated Nov. 23 and signed by city attorney Lance Baker atheists.org - 862 http://www.atheists.org/news/Atheist_Carl_Silverman_has_shaped_public_policy_in_Franklin_County_area_before Thu, 26 Nov 2009 21:36:48 -0800 (November 26, 2009) - Atheist Carl Silverman insists he didn't intend to evict the Christ child and his family from Memorial Square in downtown Chambersburg when he and his group of non-believers asked Chambersburg Borough Council to let them put up a sign on square. atheists.org - 863 http://www.atheists.org/news/Creationism_vs._atheism%3A_It%5C%27s_on%21_ Thu, 26 Nov 2009 21:42:30 -0800 (November 27, 2009) - A "revised" edition of Darwin's "The Origin of Species" turns college campuses into three-ring circuses atheists.org - 864 http://www.atheists.org/news/Irish_Catholic_Church_Covered_Up_Decades_Of_Child_Abuse%2C_Report_Says Fri, 27 Nov 2009 08:37:53 -0800 (November 27, 2009) - DUBLIN â�� Roman Catholic Church leaders in Dublin spent decades sheltering child-abusing priests from the law and most fellow clerics turned a blind eye, an investigation ordered by Ireland's government concluded Thursday. atheists.org - 865 http://www.atheists.org/news/Kevin_Myers%3A_And_by_what_right_has_anyone_the_right_to_defend_their_rights_if_those_rights_intrude_o Fri, 27 Nov 2009 13:32:09 -0800 (November 27, 2009) - Sometimes, I think I'm going mad. Take the recent declaration by one Colm O Cinneide that Pakistan had at a recent UN gathering praised Ireland's blasphemy laws "as an example of best practice". atheists.org - 875 http://www.atheists.org/news/Video_Attempts_to_Explain_that_Atheism_is_NOT_a_Religion Mon, 30 Nov 2009 19:50:08 -0800 (November 30, 2009) - John W. Loftus says nothing bothers atheists more than when people call atheism a "religion," or when they say you need "faith" to be an atheist. They will tell you that atheism is actually "the absence of faith." This video offers a more detailed explanation of the controversy: atheists.org - 867 http://www.atheists.org/news/Minaret_Ban_In_Switzerland_Set_For_A_Vote Sat, 28 Nov 2009 06:03:03 -0800 (November 28, 2009) - GENEVA â�� The campaign posters are inflammatory: Minarets rising like missiles from the national flag. atheists.org - 868 http://www.atheists.org/news/Why_so_many_Jews_are_atheists Sat, 28 Nov 2009 13:30:25 -0800 (November 28, 2009) - A Rabbi speaks out -- Real cause of overwhelming Jewish atheistic tendencies seems to be tragic ignorance of Judaismâ��s most profound teachings and ideas atheists.org - 869 http://www.atheists.org/news/Author%3A_%E2%80%98The_Family%E2%80%99_behind_proposed_Ugandan_law_that_would_execute_HIV%2B_men Sat, 28 Nov 2009 16:18:20 -0800 (November 28, 2009) - The African nation of Uganda is weighing a bill that would impose the death penalty on HIV positive men who have committed what it calls "aggravated homosexuality." atheists.org - 870 http://www.atheists.org/news/Rally_organizer_plans_to_continue_protests_in_Chambersburg_over_nativity%5C%27s_removal_%5C%27until_no_one%5C%27s_i Sun, 29 Nov 2009 05:42:25 -0800 (November 29, 2009) - Saturday's rally for the nativity in Chambersburg's square is the second public event organized by Lisa Blackstock of Mercersburg. atheists.org - 871 http://www.atheists.org/news/Review%3A_%5C%27Oh_My_God%5C%27_is_hardly_divine Sun, 29 Nov 2009 11:01:04 -0800 (November 22, 2009) - The globe-trotting documentary "Oh My God" offers a chance to dozens of people - religious figures, celebrities and ordinary folks - to sound off about the nature of the divine being. atheists.org - 872 http://www.atheists.org/news/What_did_%5C%27Life_of_Brian%5C%27_ever_do_for_us%3F Sun, 29 Nov 2009 11:04:46 -0800 (November 29, 2009) - Monty Python's 1979 film, â��Life of Brianâ��, is rightly considered a comedy classic. But, thirty years on, it wouldnâ��t be made today, argues Sanjeev Bhaskar. atheists.org - 873 http://www.atheists.org/news/Indonesia_minister_says_immorality_causes_disasters Sun, 29 Nov 2009 18:58:39 -0800 (November 29, 2009) - A government minister has blamed Indonesia's recent string of natural disasters on people's immorality. atheists.org - 874 http://www.atheists.org/news/More_Russians_support_creational_theory_than_Darwin%5C%27s_evolution_theory_-_poll Mon, 30 Nov 2009 03:11:57 -0800 (November 30, 2009) - Moscow, November 30, Interfax - As many as 44% of Russians support the creationist theory compared to 35% believing in Charles Darwin's evolution theory, a poll of 1,600 respondents conducted by the VTsIOM public opinion research center in 140 Russian communities on November 20-21 has found. atheists.org - 876 http://www.atheists.org/news/Cult_of_Conservative_Christian_GOPers_Backs_Death_Penalty_for_Gays_With_HIV Mon, 30 Nov 2009 20:25:30 -0800 (November 30, 2009) -- Uganda is pushing a bill that would impose the death penalty on HIV positive gay men. And a secretive group of American politicians appears to be a driving force behind the law. atheists.org - 877 http://www.atheists.org/news/Mike_Huckabee%5C%27s_fatally_bad_judgment Tue, 01 Dec 2009 10:48:18 -0800 (Decemberr 1, 2009) - Brutality by another Huck-pardoned criminal suggests the 2012 GOP hopeful listened more to pastors than prosecutors atheists.org - 878 http://www.atheists.org/news/New_Website_Helps_You_Avoid_Jew_Stores Tue, 01 Dec 2009 11:02:08 -0800 (December 1, 2009) - Wingnut Christians have a powerful new ally in the War On Xmas: Itâ��s a website full of retailer ratings to let you know if maybe Jews or Atheists or (God forbid!) Muslims are making the Xmas Season less Christ-y! atheists.org - 879 http://www.atheists.org/news/Mike_Huckabee%5C%27s_presidential_hopes_damaged_by_suspected_cop_killer_Maurice_Clemmons%5C%27_clemency Tue, 01 Dec 2009 14:05:49 -0800 (December 1, 2009) - Former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee's future presidential aspirations took a serious hit in the hail of bullets that killed four police officers in a suburban Seattle coffee shop Sunday morning. atheists.org - 880 http://www.atheists.org/news/Atheists_ask_Baltimore%3A_Are_you_good_without_God%3F Tue, 01 Dec 2009 16:53:14 -0800 (December 1, 2009) - A coalition of atheists and agnostics is hoping to get Baltimoreans talking with a billboard campaign that poses the question: â��Are you good without God?â�� atheists.org - 881 http://www.atheists.org/news/Father%2C_Son%2C_and_the_Holy_Toast Tue, 01 Dec 2009 17:39:05 -0800 (December 1, 2009) - Mary Jo Coady thinks she sees Jesus on her iron. Others have had sacred sightings on potato chips, pierogies, bonfiresâ��and even an alligatorâ��s belly. VIEW OUR GALLERY. atheists.org - 882 http://www.atheists.org/news/Minarets_and_Europe%5C%27s_crisis_ Wed, 02 Dec 2009 08:05:03 -0800 (December 2, 2009) - The mind is boggled by the fact that Switzerland, a country renowned for its tolerant nature, could come to see less than a handful of minarets as a threat to its identity and culture. atheists.org - 883 http://www.atheists.org/news/Update%3A_Atheist_Group_Plans_to_Sue_in_Nativity_Debate Wed, 02 Dec 2009 08:24:57 -0800 (December 2, 2009) - Chambersburg, Pa. - The nativity display in Chambersburg has a new home, but now an atheist group may sue. atheists.org - 884 http://www.atheists.org/news/Atheists_plan_to_be_at_Larimer_sheriff%5C%27s_holiday_event Wed, 02 Dec 2009 14:15:05 -0800 (December 2, 2009) - Local atheists groups say they plan to attend Larimer County Sheriff Jim Alderden's annual holiday event that includes a prayer, decorating a Christmas tree and displaying a nativity scene. atheists.org - 885 http://www.atheists.org/news/Joanna_Krupa_vs._Catholics%3A_Animal_Rights%2C_Not_Blasphemy Wed, 02 Dec 2009 17:04:02 -0800 (December 2, 2009) - What's wrong with this picture? Lots, according to the Catholic League, which has voiced its opposition to PETA's latest shock-'em-into-action ad campaignâ��which features a naked Joanna Krupa sporting nothing but angel wings and holding a strategically placed crucifix while exhorting us to "be an angel for animals" by adopting, rather than buying, new pets. atheists.org - 886 http://www.atheists.org/news/Leave_Churchill_out_of_Scientology%2C_says_family Wed, 02 Dec 2009 19:42:55 -0800 (December 2, 2009) - Images of Britain's wartime leader are being used in recruiting posters atheists.org - 887 http://www.atheists.org/news/If_Uganda_Executes_Gays%2C_Will_American_Christians_be_Complicit%3F Thu, 03 Dec 2009 05:14:10 -0800 (December 3, 2009) - A bill currently before the Ugandan Parliament sounds like an absurdist scenario from some liberal nightmare about a theocratic state: Under the proposed law -- which appears to have strong public support -- criminal penalties on homosexual acts in the East African nation would be made much harsher, and include the death penalty. atheists.org - 888 http://www.atheists.org/news/Larimer_sheriff_makes_space_for_atheists_at_tree_party Thu, 03 Dec 2009 12:16:08 -0800 (December 3, 2009) - Larimer County Sheriff Jim Alderden will have some atheistic company at his annual politically incorrect Christmas tree-trimming party Saturday morning. atheists.org - 889 http://www.atheists.org/news/Silent_Night%3A_Third_Circuit_Upholds_School_Ban_On_Holiday_Religious_Music Thu, 03 Dec 2009 16:53:39 -0800 (December 3, 2009) - Itâ��s so close you can taste it. In just a few hours time, we begin Holiday seasonâ��or, as we at the Law Blog like to call it, Establishment Clause season. Yes, itâ��s that time of year, kids, when we rejoice in our right to argue about the legality of religious displays in the public realm. atheists.org - 890 http://www.atheists.org/news/Egg_With_Cross_On_It_%28PHOTO%29%3A_%5C%27Holy_Egg%5C%27_Is_Latest_Over-Analyzed_Religious_Icon Thu, 03 Dec 2009 19:15:50 -0800 (December 3, 2009) - A Fort Worth-area couple said one of their hens laid an egg with a cross on the end of it. Pam and Tracy Norrell of Burleson, who displayed the odd-shaped egg, said they believe it's a sign of encouragement during the holiday season. atheists.org - 891 http://www.atheists.org/news/Approaching_Holidays_Prompt_Atheist_Campaign_ Fri, 04 Dec 2009 04:50:18 -0800 (December 4, 2009) - An unusual holiday message began appearing this week in the nationâ��s capital on the sides of buses and trains. READ MOREâ��No god? ... No problem!â�� reads the advertisement featuring the smiling faces of people wearing Santa Claus hats. â��Be good for goodnessâ�� sake.â�� atheists.org - 892 http://www.atheists.org/news/Atheist_Tree_of_Knowledge_under_attack_ Fri, 04 Dec 2009 04:59:17 -0800 (December 4, 2009) - WEST CHESTER, PA â�� For the last three years, a local group of atheists, skeptics, rationalists, humanists, freethinkers, etc. have joined in the winter festivities by putting up a display representing their values along side other displays in front of the Chester County Courthouse in West Chester, Pennsylvania. atheists.org - 893 http://www.atheists.org/news/It%5C%27s_a_Christian_Man%5C%27s_World Fri, 04 Dec 2009 14:32:42 -0800 (December 4, 2009) - The Promise Keepers, in an attempt to stage a comeback, are reaching out to women and Messianic Jews. But why? atheists.org - 894 http://www.atheists.org/news/Vatican_Cardinal_on_Gays_and_Transsexuals%3A_%5C%27No_Heaven_for_You%21%5C%27 Fri, 04 Dec 2009 17:31:44 -0800 (December 4, 2009) - Cardinal Javier Lozano Barragan, a Mexican cardinal who this year retired as the Vatican's chief spokesman on health care issues, including AIDS, has given a pointed interview to a Rome magazine in which he says that homosexuals and transgendered people will not go to heaven, and he cites Saint Paul by way of backup. atheists.org - 895 http://www.atheists.org/news/Maddow-Sharlet%3A_US_ties_to_Uganda_homosexual_death_penalty_law Mon, 07 Dec 2009 21:15:43 -0800 (December 4, 2009) - On tonight's Rachel Maddow Show, Rachel's first guest was Dan Rather, fresh back from Afghanistan. Her second guest was Jeff Sharlet, author of The Family: The Secret Fundamentalism at the Heart of American Power, talking about connections of The (C Street) Family and other American evangelicals to the proposed Ugandan death penalty law for homosexuality, which would also imprison anyone who knowingly failed to report a homosexual to the police. atheists.org - 896 http://www.atheists.org/news/Atheist_group_holds_state_convention_in_Ann_Arbor Sat, 05 Dec 2009 06:11:40 -0800 (December 5, 2009) - ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) - A national atheist leader will speak to an affiliated group of Michigan atheists at its state convention in Washtenaw County. atheists.org - 897 http://www.atheists.org/news/Atheist_billboards_beg_the_question%3A_What_does_it_mean_to_be_%5C%27good%5C%27%3F Sat, 05 Dec 2009 06:20:47 -0800 (December 5, 2009) -- JOIN THIS DEBATE! What incredible irony! A group of atheists and agnostics calling themselves the Coalition of Reason has put up billboards around town which use God's name to attract nonbelievers ("Seeking out a community of nonbelievers," Dec. 3). "Are you good without God?" they ask. "Millions are." atheists.org - 898 http://www.atheists.org/news/Thou_shalt_not_shop Sat, 05 Dec 2009 17:07:02 -0800 (December 5, 2009) - Jost Müller-Neuhof from Der Tagesspiegel wonders how Germans can criticise Switzerlandâ��s vote to ban minarets on mosques as an attack on religious freedom yet they blithely accept being told by Christian churches whether they can shop on Sundays or not. atheists.org - 899 http://www.atheists.org/news/Mike_Huckabee%5C%27s_End_Times Sat, 05 Dec 2009 17:51:06 -0800 (December 5, 2009) - Commuting the sentence of a cop-killer may be the least of Huckabeeâ��s problems. John Batchelor on the former Arkansas governor's mindless evangelismâ��and why the GOP should just skip the 2012 election. atheists.org - 900 http://www.atheists.org/news/Auschwitz_Revisited%3A_Are_Aborted_Fetuses_Really_Like_Dead_Jews%3F Sat, 05 Dec 2009 20:37:31 -0800 (December 5, 2009) - Stephanie Gray, a Canadian anti-abortion activist, has been touring American and Canadian college campuses with a rather chilling message: Legalized abortion isn't merely a grievous wrong, but a calculated genocide morally indistinguishable from the Nazi-perpetrated Holocaust. atheists.org - 901 http://www.atheists.org/news/Glenn_Beck%3A_Latter-day_Taint Sat, 05 Dec 2009 21:08:12 -0800 (December 6, 2009) - Glenn Beck's Mormonism may even frighten fellow believers. atheists.org - 902 http://www.atheists.org/news/Who_is_Helen_Radkey_and_why_is_she_out_to_get_the_LDS_Church%3F Sun, 06 Dec 2009 05:39:03 -0800 (December 6, 2009) - Genealogical pit bull » Ex-Mormon has defenders, critics in quest to eliminate LDS proxy baptisms. atheists.org - 904 http://www.atheists.org/news/O%5C%27Reilly_Ambushes_Elementary_School_For_%5C%27War_On_Christmas%5C%27_%28VIDEO%29 Sun, 06 Dec 2009 14:10:38 -0800 (December 6, 2009) - Bill O'Reilly has targeted an elementary school in Massachusetts for daring to have a non-religious holiday fair. atheists.org - 905 http://www.atheists.org/news/Did_The_Internet_Create_The_New_Atheists%3F Sun, 06 Dec 2009 16:25:40 -0800 (Decemer 6, 2009) -- Join the debate! Atheists have always been a minority. Religious minorities are frequently in an awkward position, particularly when the majority considers their very existence to be a challenge. So atheists have tended to keep quiet, sometime not even realizing that the person they are speaking to is another atheist. atheists.org - 906 http://www.atheists.org/news/Who_Needs_God_When_We%5C%27ve_Got_Mammon%3F Mon, 07 Dec 2009 14:47:31 -0800 (December 7, 2009) - The most prosperous and happy nations on earth are also the most non-religious. atheists.org - 907 http://www.atheists.org/news/%5C%27Tis_The_Season_For_Battles_Over_Holiday_Displays_On_Public_Property_ Mon, 07 Dec 2009 15:28:23 -0800 (December 7, 2009) - This is the time of year when disputes over holiday displays on public property and be expected. Here is a sampling of the most recent. atheists.org - 908 http://www.atheists.org/news/Supreme_Court_Takes_Up_Law_School_Case_on_Christian_Student_Group Mon, 07 Dec 2009 21:19:00 -0800 (December 7, 2009) - The Supreme Court agreed Monday morning to take up the first church-state case of the term, a dispute over recognition of the Christian Legal Society's chapter at the University of California, Hastings College of the Law. atheists.org - 909 http://www.atheists.org/news/Atheists_need_a_different_voice Mon, 07 Dec 2009 21:18:33 -0800 (Deember 7, 2009) -- We all know the names (Dawkins, Harris, Hitchens) of those angry white men who tend to antagonize the worldâ��s believers. But the most persuasive voices for the â��new New Atheismâ�� tend to be women. atheists.org - 910 http://www.atheists.org/news/Uganda_Considering_Death_Penalty_For_Gays Tue, 08 Dec 2009 15:32:10 -0800 (December 8, 2009) - KAMPALA, Uganda â�� Proposed legislation would impose the death penalty for some gay Ugandans, and their family and friends could face up to seven years in jail if they fail to report them to authorities. Even landlords could be imprisoned for renting to homosexuals. atheists.org - 911 http://www.atheists.org/news/Uganda_Considering_Death_Penalty_For_Gays Tue, 08 Dec 2009 15:36:48 -0800 (December 8, 2009) - KAMPALA, Uganda â�� Proposed legislation would impose the death penalty for some gay Ugandans, and their family and friends could face up to seven years in jail if they fail to report them to authorities. Even landlords could be imprisoned for renting to homosexuals. atheists.org - 912 http://www.atheists.org/news/Critics_of_Cecil_Bothwell_cite_N.C._bar_to_atheists Tue, 08 Dec 2009 16:01:16 -0800 (December 8, 2009) - ASHEVILLE â�� North Carolina's constitution is clear: politicians who deny the existence of God are barred from holding office. atheists.org - 913 http://www.atheists.org/news/The_%5C%22war_on_Christmas%5C%22_flap_is_getting_old Tue, 08 Dec 2009 18:44:29 -0800 (December 8, 2009) - Q: Should the White House, whose residents serve all Americans, display a crèche or a menorah or any strictly religious symbols during the holidays? atheists.org - 914 http://www.atheists.org/news/Tenn._city_drops_Bible_text_reading_at_tree-lighting_ceremony Tue, 08 Dec 2009 21:26:02 -0800 (December 9, 2009) - MARYVILLE, TENN. â�� Acknowledging it is "terrifying to stand and go against the courts," Samuel David Duck, a Maryville resident and father of two, did what city officials had decided not to do. atheists.org - 915 http://www.atheists.org/news/Federal_Appeals_Court_Goes_With_%5C%27God%5C%27 Wed, 09 Dec 2009 14:36:18 -0800 (December 9, 2009) - Before every oral argument in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, a court clerk tells everyone to stand and draw attention because the court is now sitting. The opening cry ends with the line "God save the United States and this honorable court." atheists.org - 916 http://www.atheists.org/news/Christ_in_Your_Tree%3F_The_Newest_Weapon_Against_Evil_Atheists_Bent_on_Destroying_X-Mas Wed, 09 Dec 2009 18:00:07 -0800 (December 9, 2009) - The CHRIST-mas tree, created by holiday decor company Boss Creations, is intended as a weapon in the war on Christmas. atheists.org - 917 http://www.atheists.org/news/Man_dies_after_sitting_in_recliner_for_eight_months Wed, 09 Dec 2009 19:07:15 -0800 (December 9, 2009) - COLUMBIA, South Carolina (NBC) -- Believing his faith would heal him, a Greenwood County, South Carolina man sat down in his recliner after an injury in March and never got up. atheists.org - 918 http://www.atheists.org/news/The_Evolution_of_Richard_Dawkins%2C_the_Rock_Star_of_Neo-Atheism Thu, 10 Dec 2009 06:10:10 -0800 (December 10, 2009) - Is Richard Dawkins getting soft? It's hard to believe that the leading exponent of a brash new school of pugnacious atheism would somehow, miraculously, transform into the soul of charity. But consider the evidence: atheists.org - 919 http://www.atheists.org/news/Holy_cow%3F_Farmer_sees_divine_sign_in_bovine Thu, 10 Dec 2009 08:23:41 -0800 (December 10, 2009) -- A calf with a white marking on its forehead in the approximate shape of a cross was born last week at a dairy farm in Sterling, a small rustic town on the Rhode Island border. atheists.org - 923 http://www.atheists.org/news/The_U.S._Christian_Right_and_the_Attack_on_Gays_in_Africa Fri, 11 Dec 2009 13:32:23 -0800 (December 11, 2009) - For two days in early March 2009, Ugandans flocked to the Kampala Triangle Hotel for the Family Life Network's "Seminar on Exposing the Homosexuals' Agenda." atheists.org - 924 http://www.atheists.org/news/Uganda%5C%27s_Anti-Gay_Bill%3A_Inspired_by_the_U.S. Fri, 11 Dec 2009 13:52:13 -0800 (December 11, 2009) - The late-November afternoon sun bore down on the park in downtown Kampala, and all along the benches, Ugandan office workers took their siestas. atheists.org - 921 http://www.atheists.org/news/Judges_review_Soledad_cross_issues Thu, 10 Dec 2009 15:48:35 -0800 (Decemer 10, 2009) - PASADENA â�� A federal appeals court stepped into the Mount Soledad cross controversy yesterday, and after a 45-minute hearing it was hard to determine where the court would ultimately come down. atheists.org - 922 http://www.atheists.org/news/Rick_Warren_Publicly_Condemns_Uganda_Anti-Gay_Law_%28VIDEO%29 Thu, 10 Dec 2009 17:45:57 -0800 (December 10, 2009) - Rick Warren, after weeks of avoiding the issue, has publicly condemned a Ugandan law that makes it legal to give people the death penalty just for being gay. atheists.org - 925 http://www.atheists.org/news/Presents_for_the_godless%3A_the_13_days_of_atheist_Christmas Fri, 11 Dec 2009 14:43:04 -0800 (December 11, 2009) - Don't believe in God, but want to celebrate Christmas anyway? Don't worry, you're not alone. Here are 13 suitable gifts for the heretic. atheists.org - 926 http://www.atheists.org/news/More_U.S._Christians_mix_in_%5C%27Eastern%2C%5C%27_New_Age_beliefs Fri, 11 Dec 2009 15:21:57 -0800 (December 11, 2009) - Going to church this Sunday? Look around. The chances are that one in five of the people there find "spiritual energy" in mountains or trees, and one in six believe in the "evil eye," that certain people can cast curses with a look â�� beliefs your Christian pastor doesn't preach. atheists.org - 927 http://www.atheists.org/news/_Rachel_Maddow_Catches_Rick_Warren_In_Blatant_Lie Fri, 11 Dec 2009 18:21:11 -0800 (Decemer 11, 2009) - On Thursday night, MSNBC host Rachel Maddow reviewed Rick Warren's video condemnation of an anti-gay law in Uganda. While she said the statement was "better late than never," she stated that the famous pastor came up a little short. atheists.org - 928 http://www.atheists.org/news/Houston_Gets_1st_Free_Thought_Billboard Sat, 12 Dec 2009 12:03:59 -0800 (Deember 12, 2009) - HOUSTON - A non-profit group is reaching out to humanists, atheists and agnostics via a northwest Houston billboard that says, "Donâ��t Believe In God? You are not alone.â�� atheists.org - 930 http://www.atheists.org/news/New_Obama_Party_Kerfuffle%3A_Downsizing_Hanukkah Sat, 12 Dec 2009 20:21:19 -0800 (Decemberr 12, 2009) - WASHINGTON -- Just because no one is too worried about gate crashers showing up at the White House Hanukkah party next week doesn't mean the guest list isn't being watched very carefully. atheists.org - 931 http://www.atheists.org/news/Bobbie_Kirkhart%3A_Atheists_United%5C%27s_chief_nonbeliever Sun, 13 Dec 2009 12:35:28 -0800 (December 13, 2009) - 'No God? No problem!" That's one sign of the season. The American Humanist Assn. is pasting it all over Southern California buses to make the point that you don't have to be godly to be good. atheists.org - 932 http://www.atheists.org/news/Lawsuit_threatened_over_atheist_councilman_in_NC Sun, 13 Dec 2009 18:58:47 -0800 (December 13, 2009) - RALEIGH, N.C. â�� Asheville City Councilman Cecil Bothwell believes in ending the death penalty, conserving water and reforming government â�� but he doesn't believe in God. His political opponents say that's a sin that makes him unworthy of serving in office, and they've got the North Carolina Constitution on their side. atheists.org - 933 http://www.atheists.org/news/Christians_and_atheists_clash_in_spirited_debate_in_Costa_Mesa_ Sun, 13 Dec 2009 21:23:06 -0800 (December 14, 2009) = Get out of hell cards, virtual Bible-tossing and even an ant god marked the debate Wednesday between three Christian apologists and three atheists. atheists.org - 934 http://www.atheists.org/news/From_Jesus_to_Christ%3A_The_First_Christians_--_Airing_Tomorrow%21 Mon, 14 Dec 2009 09:29:59 -0800 (Decemer 14, 2009) - The award-winning PBS program FRONTLINE examines the early face of Christianity. Airs Tuesday, December 15, 2009. atheists.org - 935 http://www.atheists.org/news/Asheville_councilman_atheism_debate_goes_viral%3A_Cecil_Bothwell_gets_wide_audience Mon, 14 Dec 2009 11:24:11 -0800 (December 14, 2009) - ASHEVILLE â�� As a writer, Cecil Bothwell always wanted a bigger audience. Now as a new city councilman, he may have gotten more attention than he bargained for. atheists.org - 936 http://www.atheists.org/news/Richard_Dawkins_Sparks_Religious_Ad_Spend_Frenzy%2C_as_Christians_Battle_Heretics_on_London_Buses Mon, 14 Dec 2009 14:27:48 -0800 (December 14, 2009) - Oh Richard Dawkins, what have you started? The British Humanist Associationâ��s atheist bus campaign, which was rolled out late last year with Dawkinsâ�� support, declared â��Thereâ��s Probably No God. Now Stop Worrying and Enjoy Your Life.â�� atheists.org - 937 http://www.atheists.org/news/Blog_Satire%3A_Who_does_%5C%22Answers_in_Genesis%5C%22_strap_bombs_on_kind_and_... Mon, 14 Dec 2009 15:29:26 -0800 (December 14, 2009) - OK, I exaggerate, but I thought it might be a good time to talk about AiG. atheists.org - 938 http://www.atheists.org/news/UPDATE%3A_Atheist_Tree_of_Knowledge_left_at_back_of_bus_ Mon, 14 Dec 2009 20:22:25 -0800 (Decemer 14, 2009) - WEST CHESTER, PA â�� During the winter season, the Chester County Courthouse becomes the home for holiday displays. For the last three years, the Freethought Society of Greater Philadelphia (FSGP) has put up a Tree of Knowledge along side the Christmas Tree, The Jesus Crèche, and the Menorah. atheists.org - 939 http://www.atheists.org/news/Atheists_in_office%3A_D%C3%A9j%C3%A0_vu_all_over_again Tue, 15 Dec 2009 12:15:41 -0800 (December 15, 2009) - 'm reminded of my South Carolina experience when I hear that some folks in Asheville, North Carolina want to remove Cecil Bothwell from City Council. What he and I have in common is not just that we are atheists,but that we are open about it. atheists.org - 940 http://www.atheists.org/news/Oral_Roberts_Dead%3A_Televangelist_Dies_At_91 Tue, 15 Dec 2009 15:13:52 -0800 (Dedember 15, 2009) - TULSA, Okla. â�� Oral Roberts, a pioneer in televangelism who founded a multimillion-dollar ministry and a university that bears his name, died Tuesday. He was 91. atheists.org - 941 http://www.atheists.org/news/Has_Tiger_Put_the_%5C%27Sin%5C%27_back_in_Sin_City%3F Tue, 15 Dec 2009 15:59:03 -0800 (December 15, 2009) - Mayor Oscar Goodman is delighted that Tiger Woods' alleged mistresses include at least three with ties to Las Vegas. atheists.org - 942 http://www.atheists.org/news/How_do_Atheists_grapple_with_Christmas%3F Tue, 15 Dec 2009 17:06:25 -0800 (December 15, 2009) - Relax and enjoy the holidays, maybe even sing a carol or two. It won't kill you. That's the advice of the woman behind a how-to book for non- believers on surviving the holidays. atheists.org - 943 http://www.atheists.org/news/Buckner%2C_Silverman_sound_off_to_Chicago_Tribune%3A_Let%5C%27s_just_leave_it_at_%60Happy_Holidays%2C%5C%27_shall_we%3F_ Tue, 15 Dec 2009 19:16:08 -0800 (December 15, 2009) -- Well, it's that time of year again, and I, for one, am going to continue wishing people "Happy Holidays" and "Season's Greetings," no matter what the zealots say. atheists.org - 944 http://www.atheists.org/news/Ruling_allows_for_atheist_display_Judge_grants_Freethinkers%E2%80%99_request_for_kiosk_at_state_Capitol Wed, 16 Dec 2009 05:32:49 -0800 (December 16, 2009) - An atheist groupâ��s display marking the winter solstice will join the traditional Nativity scene on the state Capitol grounds as a result of a ruling by a federal judge Monday. atheists.org - 945 http://www.atheists.org/news/Atheists_Sue_Catholic_Bishop Thu, 17 Dec 2009 15:59:57 -0800 (December 17, 2009) - ADAMS STREET â�� Atheists rallied in Columbus Park yesterday to announce a lawsuit against the Catholic Church and the Bishop of Brooklyn. atheists.org - 946 http://www.atheists.org/news/Rachel_Maddow_on_the_NC_atheist_election_row_ Thu, 17 Dec 2009 16:15:37 -0800 (December 17, 2009) - Critics of Cecil Bothwell, who was elected to the Asheville, North Carolina city council in November, have been questioning his right to be seated on it. Why? Because a provision of the state constitution states that anyone who denies the existence of God is barred from holding office in North Carolina... and Mr. Bothwell is an atheist. atheists.org - 947 http://www.atheists.org/news/Boy_Punished_for_Drawing_a_Cross%21_Persecution_Complex%3F_Or_Complex_Persecution%3F Thu, 17 Dec 2009 18:04:28 -0800 (December 17, 2009) - Nothing trips the hair-trigger reflexes of culture warriors on the Christian right faster than some hare-brained act of multi-culty political correctness by school officials against a poor grade schooler who even hints at a religious reference in class. atheists.org - 948 http://www.atheists.org/news/The_%5C%27War_on_Christmas%5C%27_Comes_Under_Attack Fri, 18 Dec 2009 14:27:37 -0800 (December 18, 2009)-- Only 7 culture-war-fighting days left until Dec. 25. The annual conflict over the season of peace is raging again -- but lately, with an added twist. atheists.org - 949 http://www.atheists.org/news/Atheist_group_sues_Brooklyn%5C%27s_Catholic_Diocese_for_pre-election_%5C%27robocalls%5C%27_aimed_at_swaying_voters Fri, 18 Dec 2009 14:31:13 -0800 (December 18, 2009) - An atheist group and a priest sued Brooklyn's Catholic Diocese Thursday, charging Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio broke the law with "robocalls" aimed at swaying voters in a tight City Council election. atheists.org - 950 http://www.atheists.org/news/Anti-Homosexuality_Bill_Creates_Rift_Between_American_and_Ugandan_Christians Fri, 18 Dec 2009 19:07:27 -0800 (December 19, 2009) - As American Christian leaders come out against a bill in Uganda that would institute the death penalty for certain homosexual activity, a rift is growing with their African brethren. Ugandan Christians overwhelmingly support the law and, as Christianity Today reports, are questioning the integrity of the American Christians trying to stop it. atheists.org - 951 http://www.atheists.org/news/Topless_Bike_Protest_In_Williamsburg_Latest_Hipster-Hasidic_Jew_Battle Fri, 18 Dec 2009 19:29:31 -0800 (December 18, 2009) - NEW YORK â�� Bicyclists planning a protest ride through New York City are calling it their "Freedom Ride" â�� free of clothing, that is. The removal of clothing during Saturday's ride is meant as a protest over the removal of a bike lane in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn. atheists.org - 952 http://www.atheists.org/news/Conservative_Christians_Don%5C%27t_Crown_%5C%27Princess_and_the_Frog%5C%27 Fri, 18 Dec 2009 21:42:13 -0800 (December 19, 2009) - You'd figure that Disney has all its family-friendly bases covered with its latest offering atheists.org - 953 http://www.atheists.org/news/Support_Lower_For_U.N._Text_on_Religion_Defamation Sat, 19 Dec 2009 11:10:07 -0800 (Decemer 19, 2009) - The U.N. General Assembly condemned defamation of religion for the fifth year running on Friday but support continued to erode for a resolution Western countries say threatens freedom of speech. atheists.org - 954 http://www.atheists.org/news/%5C%22Onward_Christian_Athletes%5C%22%3A_Tom_Krattenmaker%5C%27s_Book_Explores_Evangelical_Monopoly_In_Sports_World Sat, 19 Dec 2009 13:40:20 -0800 (September 19, 2009) - BOSTON â�� A toss left, a quick break past the defense, and it was obvious Philadelphia Eagles running back Herb Lusk was headed to the end zone. The real surprise came when he arrived 70 yards later. atheists.org - 955 http://www.atheists.org/news/Councilman_under_fire_for_atheism Sun, 20 Dec 2009 16:38:35 -0800 (December 20, 2009) - Cecil Bothwell, a member of the Unitarian Universalist church, declined to mention God in his swearing-in ceremony. Angry conservatives say his stance violates the state constitution. atheists.org - 956 http://www.atheists.org/news/Texas_law_bars_atheists_from_office Sun, 20 Dec 2009 16:51:23 -0800 (December 20, 2009) - Pat Smith was surprised to hear that a clause in the Texas Bill of Rights bars atheists from office. READ MORESmith, the president of the First Unitarian Universalist Church of Lubbock's board of trustees, said the law is outdated. atheists.org - 957 http://www.atheists.org/news/Reason%5C%27s_greetings%3A_Atheists_celebrate_Christmas_without_Christ%2C_and_history_is_on_their_side Sun, 20 Dec 2009 21:11:31 -0800 (December 21, 2009) -- Walk into Blair Scott's home in Mobile on Christmas morning, and the scene will likely mirror those of countless families: twinkling lights and decorations hanging from the Christmas tree. Snowmen and Santa Claus figures scattered about the house. Strands of mistletoe hanging in the doorways. - atheists.org - 958 http://www.atheists.org/news/Fisher%3A_An_atheist_holiday Mon, 21 Dec 2009 05:45:04 -0800 (December 21, 2009) - It's the winter solstice, and Silicon Valley's atheists, agnostics and humanists want to extend their sincere, secular season's greetings. While they reject the religious teachings behind Hanukkah and Christmas, the avowed nonbelievers aren't against throwing parties, eating rich food or giving gifts. atheists.org - 959 http://www.atheists.org/news/Winter_Solstice_2009%3A_Contemplating_the_Darkest_Day Mon, 21 Dec 2009 12:45:36 -0800 (December 21, 2009) - Despite the snow, winter didn't "officially" start until today--December 21st. atheists.org - 960 http://www.atheists.org/news/Atheists_Erect_Sign_at_Loudoun_Courthouse Mon, 21 Dec 2009 18:04:34 -0800 (December 21, 2009) - This sign was put up Sunday on the Loudoun County courthouse grounds in Leesburg as protest to displaying religious symbols on public property. atheists.org - 961 http://www.atheists.org/news/Atheist_group%5C%27s_ad_campaign_kicks_off_in_Iowa Tue, 22 Dec 2009 15:53:20 -0800 (December 22, 2009) - A group that sparked controversy in Des Moines with an advertising campaign that publicized atheist views now has a holiday campaign meant to offer support to nonbelievers atheists.org - 962 http://www.atheists.org/news/Merry_Hyatt%2C_Crusader_for_Christmas_Carols Tue, 22 Dec 2009 18:11:15 -0800 (December 22, 2009) - Attention, all ye faithful: Merry Hyatt has a plan to bring Christmas carols into the lives of school children. The substitute teacher in Redding, Calif., says she is tired of working in schools where students aren't allowed to sing Christmas songs that are religious in nature. So she's sponsoring a ballot initiative that would require all public schools in California to give children the opportunity to sing or listen to Christmas carols. atheists.org - 963 http://www.atheists.org/news/Politics_and_Religion_on_Pandora%3A_Why_%5C%27Avatar%5C%27_is_Crummy_Allegory Tue, 22 Dec 2009 18:14:36 -0800 (December 22, 2009) - If you've read any reviews of the new movie "Avatar," you've probably seen discussions about how it's lefty-political and how it touts New Age religion. atheists.org - 964 http://www.atheists.org/news/Uganda_Pastors_Chide_Rick_Warren%3B_Defend_Anti-Gay_Bill Tue, 22 Dec 2009 21:01:42 -0800 (December 23, 2009) - Pastors in Uganda recently chided evangelical pastor Rick Warren after he urged them to speak out against the country's Anti-Homosexuality bill. atheists.org - 966 http://www.atheists.org/news/Heaven_and_Nature Wed, 23 Dec 2009 06:40:56 -0800 (Decemer 23, 2009) - Itâ��s fitting that James Cameronâ��s â��Avatarâ�� arrived in theaters at Christmastime. Like the holiday season itself, the science fiction epic is a crass embodiment of capitalistic excess wrapped around a deeply felt religious message. atheists.org - 967 http://www.atheists.org/news/Mexico_City_Legalizes_Same_Sex_Marriage%2C_Despite_Catholic_Church_Dominance%3A_Will_the_United_States_L Wed, 23 Dec 2009 16:24:58 -0800 (December 23, 2009) - Mexico City lawmakers on Monday made the city the first in Latin America to legalize same-sex marriage, a change that will give homosexual couples more rights! The bill calls for changing the definition of marriage in the city's civil code. Marriage is currently defined as the union of a man and a woman. The new definition will be "the free uniting of two people." atheists.org - 968 http://www.atheists.org/news/Air_Force_Academy_Says_Religious_Climate_Improving Wed, 23 Dec 2009 19:04:44 -0800 (December 23, 2009) - The Air Force Academy says religious tolerance has improved dramatically since allegations five years ago that evangelical Christians harassed cadets who didn't share their faith. Even the school's most vocal critic agrees. atheists.org - 969 http://www.atheists.org/news/Calif._County_Rescinds_Ornament_Ban_After_Outcry Thu, 24 Dec 2009 14:11:18 -0800 (December 24, 2009) - - The top official in California's Sonoma County has rescinded a ban on stars and angels on Christmas trees in county buildings. atheists.org - 970 http://www.atheists.org/news/AN_ATHEIST%E2%80%99S_DEFENCE_OF_CHRISTMAS Thu, 24 Dec 2009 14:29:05 -0800 (December 24, 2009) - Everybody take a deep breath. Now repeat after me: Christmas is alive and well. Worshipping Jesus Christ is still allowed in Canada. Judeo-Christian traditions have not been swamped by political correctness. And even we atheists are likely to wish you a Merry Christmas over the next few days. atheists.org - 971 http://www.atheists.org/news/Culture_wars_over_Christmas_displays%3A_where_the_law_stands Fri, 25 Dec 2009 16:54:24 -0800 (December 25, 2009) -- Christmas displays have been a big part of the culture wars for years, and 2009 is no different. Hot spots include Sonoma County in California, where angel and star ornaments in government buildings caused controversy. atheists.org - 972 http://www.atheists.org/news/Poll%3A_Fewer_Americans_May_Be_Celebrating_Christmas_This_Year Fri, 25 Dec 2009 18:56:33 -0800 (December 25, 2009) - A new poll by Gallup confirms earlier reports that fewer Americans are identifying with Christianity and more are claiming no religious affiliation. atheists.org - 973 http://www.atheists.org/news/Vassar_nativity_scene_causes_uproar Sat, 26 Dec 2009 12:04:42 -0800 (December 26, 2009) - Not everyone is feeling the Christmas spirit in Vassar. Itâ��s because of a nativity scene in front of city hall. A threat has been issued against the city, with an unidentified resident alleging the city is violating the Constitution of the United States of America by endorsing Christianity atheists.org - 974 http://www.atheists.org/news/Jefferson%5C%27s_Jesus_%281%29 Sat, 26 Dec 2009 12:54:05 -0800 (December 26, 2009) - Thomas Jefferson is known for many things. For example, he wrote the Declaration of Independence, articulating centuries of human suffering and tortured longing for liberty and equality into a document of transcendent perfection at the very moment of a noble nation's birth. He was an inventor. atheists.org - 975 http://www.atheists.org/news/Offices_should_have_%E2%80%98quiet_rooms%E2%80%99_rather_than_prayer_rooms_so_atheists_can_use_them_too%2C_employers%E2%80%99_ Sat, 26 Dec 2009 16:37:52 -0800 (December 26, 2009) - Offices should set aside "quiet rooms" that can be used by atheists as well as religious worshippers who want to pray, according to a leading employersâ�� group. atheists.org - 976 http://www.atheists.org/news/The_Pope%5C%27s_Big_Holocaust_Lie Sat, 26 Dec 2009 17:43:52 -0800 (December 26, 2009) -- The Vatican is on the defensive as Jewish groups object to its decision to move Pius XII, the wartime pope, toward sainthood. James Carroll on the churchâ��s shameful bid to rewrite Holocaust history. atheists.org - 977 http://www.atheists.org/news/Biting_off_more_religion_than_we_can_chew Sun, 27 Dec 2009 01:54:02 -0800 (December 27, 2009) - This is a brave attempt at explaining, in loose, understandable scientific terms, how religion arose, how it stuck and why it endures and will continue to do so. atheists.org - 978 http://www.atheists.org/news/Atheist_holiday_display_vandalized_in_Los_Angeles_ Sun, 27 Dec 2009 19:00:21 -0800 (December 27, 2009) - Freethought Art Vandalized Last year, the Grinch stole Solstice; this year, he got violent. atheists.org - 979 http://www.atheists.org/news/No_Reason_for_the_SeasonThe_joy_of_celebrating_a_godless_Christmas. Sun, 27 Dec 2009 20:44:06 -0800 (December 28, 2009) - For some Christmas celebrants, secular traditions like television specials, gifts, and decorations are just a distraction from the holiday's religious signification. But Torie Bosch, in a 2008 article reprinted below, argued that these supposed corruptions are precisely what make the Christmas season so meaningful. atheists.org - 980 http://www.atheists.org/news/Ali_Mousavi%5C%27s_Body_Taken_From_Hospital%2C_Family_Says Mon, 28 Dec 2009 14:11:28 -0800 (Decemberr 28, 2009) - Iranian authorities said Monday that they were holding the bodies of five slain anti-government protesters, including the nephew of the opposition leader, in what appeared be an attempt to prevent activists from using their funerals as a platform for more demonstrations atheists.org - 981 http://www.atheists.org/news/LAPD_makes_the_right_choice%2C_moves_beyond_Boy_Scouts_in_New_Year_ Mon, 28 Dec 2009 14:34:34 -0800 (December 28, 2009) - In what can only be heralded by freethinkers everywhere, the Los Angeles Police Department is on track to complete the ending of a long-standing partnership with the Boy Scouts. atheists.org - 982 http://www.atheists.org/news/Pat_Robertson_and_Christian_clergy_use_Oral_Roberts%5C%27_funeral_to_promote_financial_scam_ Mon, 28 Dec 2009 15:53:07 -0800 (December 28, 2009) - The Christian Post reports that Christian televangelists Pat Robertson, John Hagee, Ken and Gloria Copeland, and many others preached at deceased faith healer Oral Roberts' funeral on Monday, December 21, 2009. Many of the Christian clergymen arrived in stretch limos, Jaguars and Cadillacs. atheists.org - 983 http://www.atheists.org/news/Ill._gov_candidates_mostly_accept_evolution Mon, 28 Dec 2009 20:29:53 -0800 (December 29, 2009) - The Associated Press recently asked the candidates for Illinois governor about their views on evolution. Here are highlights from their answers: atheists.org - 984 http://www.atheists.org/news/Terror_Suspect%5C%27s_Web_Posts_Reveal_Desire_For_%5C%27Great_Jihad%2C%5C%27_Shame_About_Sex Tue, 29 Dec 2009 15:44:28 -0800 (December 29, 2009) - Internet postings purportedly written by a Nigerian charged with trying to bomb a U.S. airliner on Christmas Day suggest a fervently religious and lonely young man who fantasized about becoming a Muslim holy warrior. atheists.org - 985 http://www.atheists.org/news/Muslim_leaders_try_to_counter_radicals%5C%27_influence_on_youths Tue, 29 Dec 2009 19:20:25 -0800 (December 29, 2009) - The adults thought they'd done all they could. They had condemned extremist ideology, provided ski trips and Scout meetings, and encouraged young people to speak openly about how to integrate their religion, Islam, with the secular world. atheists.org - 986 http://www.atheists.org/news/The_Boy_Scouts_of_America_Turns_100 Wed, 30 Dec 2009 14:58:55 -0800 (Decemberr 30, 2009) -- Will the Boy Scouts Survive Another 100 Years? atheists.org - 987 http://www.atheists.org/news/The_Boy_Scouts_of_America_Turns_100 Wed, 30 Dec 2009 12:37:33 -0800 (Decemerr 30, 2009) -- Will the Boy Scouts Survive Another 100 Years? atheists.org - 988 http://www.atheists.org/news/God_Lives%2C_but_Not_in_Cambridge Wed, 30 Dec 2009 15:01:38 -0800 (December 30, 2009) - Here is an ambitious novel about big ideas â�� love, sex, religion â�� that nevertheless faces these issues with irony and humor. A novel sprinkled with Yiddish and Hebrew, and populated mostly by secular Jews attempting to live decently and navigate their complicated lives. A big-hearted novel, filled with energy and an encouraging zest for life. atheists.org - 989 http://www.atheists.org/news/%5C%22Avatar%5C%22_And_Religion%3A_Jonah_Goldberg%5C%27s_Take Wed, 30 Dec 2009 16:08:16 -0800 (Decembr 30, 2009) - Over at the LA Times, Jonah Goldberg sets about attempting to decode the quasi-religious aspects of James Cameron's "Avatar". I've not seen the movie yet, but Goldberg reliably informs me that it's so ever-present that "even if you haven't seen it, you've seen it." So, OK: let's play! atheists.org - 990 http://www.atheists.org/news/Rove_Gets_Divorced._Again. Wed, 30 Dec 2009 20:56:44 -0800 (December 31, 2009) - Yet another fevered defender of "traditional marriage" gets divorced, for the second time in this case. atheists.org - 991 http://www.atheists.org/news/Catholic_Hospitals_vs._Catholic_Bishops%3F Thu, 31 Dec 2009 15:46:01 -0800 (December 31, 2009) - As tense, last-minute negotiations over details of the Senate's health care bill progressed just before Christmas, one of the most fluid and contentious issues was over abortion coverage -- as it has been since the beginning. atheists.org - 992 http://www.atheists.org/news/Atheism_is_doooooomed%21 Thu, 31 Dec 2009 19:04:51 -0800 (December 31, 2009) - I keep hearing people telling me this, but at the same time I keep seeing more and more out atheists, and atheism becoming more and more popular. atheists.org - 993 http://www.atheists.org/news/Religious_hatred_simmers_in_terror_suspect%5C%27s_homeland Thu, 31 Dec 2009 21:18:59 -0800 (January 1, 2010) -- Umar Farouk AbdulMutallab wouldn't have to go to an al Qaeda training camp in Yemen to learn how to hate. He had plenty of examples in his own country. atheists.org - 994 http://www.atheists.org/news/Irish_atheists_challenge_new_blasphemy_laws Fri, 01 Jan 2010 15:26:33 -0800 (January 1, 2010) - Secular campaigners publish series of anti-religious quotes and say they will challenge law if charged with blasphemy atheists.org - 996 http://www.atheists.org/news/New_Year%5C%27s_Partiers%2C_Preachers_Clash_in_%5C%27Sin_City%5C%27_ Fri, 01 Jan 2010 17:36:23 -0800 (January 1, 2010) - The blonde pulled up her shirt to expose her breasts, the male couple French-kissed with reckless abandon and the gang of friends from the University of Vermont posed for pictures holding up yard-long drinks and brandishing obscene hand gestures. All standard fare for New Year's Eve here, to be sure. atheists.org - 997 http://www.atheists.org/news/%5C%27Why_Don%5C%27t_Moderate_Muslims_Police_Their_Own%3F%5C%27_Here%5C%27s_One_Who_Did. Fri, 01 Jan 2010 20:14:07 -0800 (January 1, 2010) - Surely you've heard that question asked many times over the past decade. Before we all get lost in election-year political recriminations over the Christmas Day terrorism attack, let's note that there was a hero to this story who hasn't gotten as much credit as he deserves: atheists.org - 998 http://www.atheists.org/news/Biblical_scholar%5C%27s_date_for_rapture%3A_May_21%2C_2011__Read_more%3A_http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sfgate.com%2Fcgi-bin%2Farticle. Sat, 02 Jan 2010 16:30:11 -0800 (January 2, 2010) - Harold Camping lets out a hearty chuckle when he considers the people who believe the world will end in 2012. atheists.org - 999 http://www.atheists.org/news/Assassin_shot_in_cartoonist%5C%27s_home_has_links_to_al-Qaida%2C_say_police Sat, 02 Jan 2010 16:52:50 -0800 (January 2, 2010) - Denmark shocked by return of Islamist terrorism after 2005 storm over drawings of the Prophet Muhammad atheists.org - 1000 http://www.atheists.org/news/Africa%5C%27s_apocalyptic_mood Sat, 02 Jan 2010 21:28:28 -0800 (January 3, 2009) - eligious fervour and the effects of climate change may combine with explosive effect over the coming months and years atheists.org - 1001 http://www.atheists.org/news/Brit_Hume_To_Tiger_Woods%3A_Convert_To_Christianity_To_Recover_From_Scandal_%28VIDEO%29 Sun, 03 Jan 2010 15:52:55 -0800 (January 3, 2010) - Fox News' Brit Hume gave Tiger Woods some personal advice Sunday morning, telling the scandal-plagued (and Buddhist) golfer to 'turn to Christianity' to make a full recovery. atheists.org - 1002 http://www.atheists.org/news/Irish_atheists_use_Bjork%2C_Mark_Twain_to_challenge_blasphemy_law Sun, 03 Jan 2010 16:24:17 -0800 (January 3, 2010) - An Irish atheist group has published a series of quotations on religion in an attempt to challenge a blasphemy law that went into effect on New Year's Day atheists.org - 1003 http://www.atheists.org/news/Rick_Warren%5C%27s_Recession--and_the_Saddleback_Stimulus Sun, 03 Jan 2010 18:52:40 -0800 (January 3, 2010) - Rick Warren has a hard-earned reputation as a hugely successful megachurch pastor who specializes in mentoring other pastors in the United States and around the globe -- when he's not pitching his bestselling books or counseling presidents and world leaders, or jetting off to Davos for high-level talks. atheists.org - 1004 http://www.atheists.org/news/Irish_Befuddled_By_New_Blasphemy_Law Mon, 04 Jan 2010 14:25:46 -0800 (January 4, 2010) - A new blasphemy law went into effect in Ireland with the new year, and it was greeted with a certain amount of bemusement. atheists.org - 1005 http://www.atheists.org/news/Theology_for_atheists Mon, 04 Jan 2010 14:43:58 -0800 (January 4, 2010) - Theology lets us talk about deep and irrational urges. This is seen by some atheists as weakness. But maybe it's a strength as well atheists.org - 1006 http://www.atheists.org/news/Without_God%2C_Without_Leader%2C_Harlem_Atheists_Have_Faith_in_Future Mon, 04 Jan 2010 19:15:54 -0800 (January 4, 2010) - Once a month, Harlem atheists, along with a smattering of outerborough residents, gather at the Adam Clayton Powell State Building on 125th Street to discuss the ubiquitous role of religion in American society. atheists.org - 1007 http://www.atheists.org/news/Religious_Right_Goes_Nuts_Over_Transgender_Appointee_Amanda_Simpson Tue, 05 Jan 2010 20:38:50 -0800 (January 5, 2010) - Amanda Simpson, who was named by President Obama to be senior technical adviser for the Commerce Department's Bureau of Industry and Security, has worked in the field for over 30 years. But prominent figures on the religious right are claiming that she was picked only as part of some transsexual agenda. atheists.org - 1008 http://www.atheists.org/news/Idaho_GOP_gubernatorial_candidate_Rammell_expands_on_controversial_prophecy_in_YouTube_video Tue, 05 Jan 2010 18:13:31 -0800 (January 5, 2010) - Idaho GOP gubernatorial candidate Rex Rammell says saving the U.S. Constitution requires God's help. Rammell's thoughts are captured in a nine-minute excerpt from a recent news conference now available on YouTube. atheists.org - 1009 http://www.atheists.org/news/Blasphemy_laws%3A_A_dangerous_anachronism Tue, 05 Jan 2010 20:38:23 -0800 (January 5, 2010) - Atheists are others are protesting a new law in Ireland, under which a person can be found guilty of blasphemy if "he or she publishes or utters matter that is grossly abusive or insulting in relation to matters held sacred by any religion, thereby causing outrage among a substantial number of the adherents of that religion." atheists.org - 1010 http://www.atheists.org/news/Atheists_weigh_in_on_prayer_at_Tampa_council_meetings Wed, 06 Jan 2010 14:26:43 -0800 (January 6, 2010) - The debate over the invocation at Tampa City Council meetings continues. Now, the nonprofit group Atheists of Florida is weighing in. In a letter to the Times, the group's chairman, John Kieffer, said the "practice of prayer rituals" is unconstitutional, confrontational and a "disgusting and unfair utilization of government venues." atheists.org - 1011 http://www.atheists.org/news/Christian_College_Students_Glorify_an_%5C%27Egomaniac%5C%27 Wed, 06 Jan 2010 14:39:03 -0800 (Januasry 6, 2010) - God is the most God-centered person in the universe, says Baptist pastor John Piper. And some people take offense to that. atheists.org - 1012 http://www.atheists.org/news/Maybe_Brit_Hume_Should_Preach_Buddhism_._. Wed, 06 Jan 2010 15:21:38 -0800 (January 6, 2010) - Maybe Brit Hume Should Preach Buddhism . . atheists.org - 1013 http://www.atheists.org/news/At_Mayor%E2%80%99s_Breakfast%2C_%E2%80%98Interfaith%E2%80%99_Means_Atheists%2C_Too Thu, 07 Jan 2010 15:12:14 -0800 (January 7, 2010) - Six newcomers to Mayor Michael R. Bloombergâ��s annual interfaith breakfast stood out in the crowd of more than 400 religious leaders draped in vestments varying from turban to cassock. atheists.org - 1014 http://www.atheists.org/news/Revisionaries Thu, 07 Jan 2010 15:49:56 -0800 (January 7. 2010) - How a group of Texas conservatives is rewriting your kidsâ�� textbooks. atheists.org - 1015 http://www.atheists.org/news/Court_dismisses_atheist%5C%27s_lawsuit_regarding_Fort_Riley Thu, 07 Jan 2010 18:56:50 -0800 (January 7, 2010) - TOPEKA | A federal judge in Kansas dismissed a lawsuit Thursday by an atheist soldier who claimed his rights were violated because he had to attend events where prayers were said while stationed at Fort Riley. atheists.org - 1016 http://www.atheists.org/news/Vegas_Covers_Its_Nipples Thu, 07 Jan 2010 20:49:39 -0800 (January 8, 2010) - Absurd development in the national capital of reckless abandon: County officials in Las Vegas are putting their foot down about some nipples featured in a painted mural decorating the Erotic Heritage Museum. atheists.org - 1018 http://www.atheists.org/news/Islam_Is%5C%22_Google_Suggests_Don%5C%27t_Appear_%28PHOTOS%29 Fri, 08 Jan 2010 14:53:39 -0800 (January 8, 2010) - Usually, when you type a query into Google, a list of possible searches from Google Suggest will appear. atheists.org - 1019 http://www.atheists.org/news/Hollywood%5C%27s_Christian_Blockbuster Fri, 08 Jan 2010 15:23:42 -0800 (January 8, 2010 - The Blind Side has tackled Hollywood, passing the $200 million mark this week. Nicole LaPorte examines the underground, faith-based force thatâ��s fueling the filmâ��s success. atheists.org - 1020 http://www.atheists.org/news/_A_Divine_Right_to_Run_for_Office_ Fri, 08 Jan 2010 19:17:18 -0800 (January 8, 2010) - Surprising as it seems, weâ��re now in another election year, so Iâ��m wondering if weâ��ll see any more barriers broken by people who historically were considered unfit for public office. atheists.org - 1021 http://www.atheists.org/news/Student%2C_community_groups_bring_together_non-believers%2C_free_thinkers Fri, 08 Jan 2010 23:24:55 -0800 (January 9, 2010) - Tony Kiegel works on aviation radar and communications systems for the Federal Aviation Administration in Evansville. He is, he says, a product of an evangelical Christian education and upbringing. And he is an atheist. atheists.org - 1022 http://www.atheists.org/news/%5C%27Allah%5C%27_Feud_In_Malaysia%3A_Fourth_Church_Firebombed Sat, 09 Jan 2010 14:59:35 -0800 (January 9, 2010) - A fourth church in Malaysia was hit by firebombs Saturday, stoking concern among Christians as a dispute rages over the use of the word "Allah" by non-Muslims. atheists.org - 1023 http://www.atheists.org/news/The_God_Fraud_--_Harris_Responds_toiArmstrong Sat, 09 Jan 2010 18:16:34 -0800 (January 9, 2010) - Best-selling atheist author Sam Harris pushes back against Karen Armstrong's sympathetic take on religion. atheists.org - 1024 http://www.atheists.org/news/Did_Noah_Get_Around_in_a_Circular_Ark%3F Sun, 10 Jan 2010 14:35:18 -0800 (January 10, 2010) - Ask any Christian, Jew or Muslim to draw you a picture of Noah's ark and you'll probably get a sketch of a regular wooden boat being boarded by a procession of animals â�� two by two, of course. atheists.org - 1025 http://www.atheists.org/news/Rick_Warren_and_the_martyr_mythology_of_the_religious_right_ Sun, 10 Jan 2010 14:56:02 -0800 (January 10, 2010) - A couple of weeks ago, in "Uganda 'kill the gays' story underscores--bearing false witness lies at 'Religious Right's' core", I quoted the following from Rick Warren's belated public rejection of the Ugandan bill that would put gays to death: atheists.org - 1026 http://www.atheists.org/news/In_God_We_Don%5C%27t_Trust%2C_the_Irish_Stheists_Say Mon, 11 Jan 2010 07:28:22 -0800 (January 10, 2010) - A survey some time ago in Ireland, that most devout of Christian and Catholic-dominated of countries, found that only 53 % of people believe in hell, so the other 47 % either havenâ��t been married, or creeping atheism is afoot even there. atheists.org - 1027 http://www.atheists.org/news/A_letter_to_all_peace-loving_Muslims Mon, 11 Jan 2010 15:53:41 -0800 (January 11, 2010) - I appeal to all peace-loving Muslims to urge the government to stop pursuing this matter of Allah's name. atheists.org - 1028 http://www.atheists.org/news/Ugandan_Lawmaker_Refuses_to_Withdraw_Anti-Homosexuality_Bill Mon, 11 Jan 2010 16:21:49 -0800 (January 11, 2010) - The Ugandan lawmaker who proposed a highly contentious bill that would, if enacted, broaden the criminalization of homosexuality in the east African nation said Friday that he will refuse any request to withdraw the legislation. atheists.org - 1029 http://www.atheists.org/news/Only_Biblical_Literalists_May_Be_Alabama_Governor Mon, 11 Jan 2010 17:15:34 -0800 (January 11, 2010) - There's a rather amusing brouhaha going on in Alabama where a Republican candidate for governor named Bradley Byrne is having to assure voters that he believes every word of the Bible to be literally true. atheists.org - 1030 http://www.atheists.org/news/Everybody%5C%27s_a_blasphemer_by_Herb_Silverman_-_The_Washington_Post Mon, 11 Jan 2010 19:44:42 -0800 (January 11, 2010) - Atheists are others are protesting a new law in Ireland, under which a person can be found guilty of blasphemy if "he or she publishes or utters matter that is grossly abusive or insulting in relation to matters held sacred by any religion, thereby causing outrage among a substantial number of the adherents of that religion." The penalty is a fine of up to about $35,000. Should Ireland or any nation have a law against blasphemy? atheists.org - 1031 http://www.atheists.org/news/Vatican_Slams_%5C%27Avatar%5C%27 Tue, 12 Jan 2010 16:31:55 -0800 (January 12, 2010) - "Avatar" is wooing audiences worldwide with visually dazzling landscapes and nature-loving blue creatures. But the Vatican is no easy crowd to please. atheists.org - 1032 http://www.atheists.org/news/Steve_Schmidt%3A_Palin_Believed_Candidacy_%5C%27God%5C%27s_Plan%5C%27 Tue, 12 Jan 2010 18:17:50 -0800 (January 12, 2009) - WASHINGTON â�� Sarah Palin believed that Sen. John McCain chose her to be his running mate in 2008 because of "God's plan," according to a top political strategist in the Arizona Republican's campaign. atheists.org - 1033 http://www.atheists.org/news/The_Christian_Anti-Gay_Campaign Tue, 12 Jan 2010 19:41:27 -0800 (January 12, 2010) - Christian evangelicals helped spur Uganda to seek the death penalty for gay behaviorâ��just the latest indication that homosexuals have replaced Jews as the new target for reactionary religious zeal. atheists.org - 1034 http://www.atheists.org/news/POLITICAL_PRAYER%3A_Atheist_group_wants_lawmakers_to_stop_praying_before_session Tue, 12 Jan 2010 21:11:50 -0800 (January 13, 2010) - DES MOINES, Iowa - Monday's legislative session began like most sessions; with a prayer. But the group "Iowa Atheists and Freethinkers" wants to put an end to the practice by sending lawmakers an e-mail demanding the prayers stop. atheists.org - 1035 http://www.atheists.org/news/2nd_group_asks_Tampa_City_Council_to_halt_invocations Wed, 13 Jan 2010 10:36:00 -0800 (January 13, 2010) - TAMPA - Another group is calling on the Tampa City Council to abolish its decades-old tradition of opening public meetings with prayer. atheists.org - 1036 http://www.atheists.org/news/BREAKING%21_Pat_Robertson%3A_Haiti_%5C%22Cursed%5C%22_After_%5C%22Pact_to_the_Devil%5C%22 Wed, 13 Jan 2010 16:36:52 -0800 (January 13, 2010) - NEW YORK (CBS) Pat Robertson, the American Christian televangelist and host of "The 700 Club," said that Haitians need to have a "great turning to god" while he was reporting on the devastating 7.0 earthquake that shook the island nation â�� the most powerful to hit the country in a century. atheists.org - 1037 http://www.atheists.org/news/Haiti%5C%27s_%5C%22pact_with_the_devil%5C%22_myth Thu, 14 Jan 2010 14:16:29 -0800 (January 14, 2010) - How Pat Robertson turned a country's origin myth into a cheap invocation of Satanism atheists.org - 1038 http://www.atheists.org/news/__culturebox_James_Cameron_Hates_America%3A_The_conservative_attack_on_Avatar._ Fri, 15 Jan 2010 17:12:18 -0800 January 14, 2010) - James Cameron's Avatar has been greeted on the right with the kind of immediate snarling antagonism reserved for Oliver Stone pics. atheists.org - 1039 http://www.atheists.org/news/Atheist_students_silenced Fri, 15 Jan 2010 17:15:13 -0800 (January 15, 2010) - Concordia College is in a period of modernization. In the two and a half years I have called myself a Cobber, it seems like just about everything at the school has changed. atheists.org - 1040 http://www.atheists.org/news/Letter_of_the_day%3A_Haiti_suffers%2C_and_Robertson_sees_the_hand_of_Satan Fri, 15 Jan 2010 17:48:55 -0800 (January 15, 2010) - In a small paragraph on page A10 of the Jan. 14 Star Tribune is a report about the remarks made by evangelical broadcaster Pat Robertson. atheists.org - 1042 http://www.atheists.org/news/Problems_of_Transhumanism%3A_Atheism_vs._Naturalist_Theologies Fri, 15 Jan 2010 20:41:51 -0800 (January 16, 2010)-- The dominant trajectory of Enlightenment thought over the last three hundred years has been towards atheism. Most transhumanists are atheists. atheists.org - 1043 http://www.atheists.org/news/Texas_Board_Delays_Vote%3B_Defends_Christian_Influence_in_U.S._History Sat, 16 Jan 2010 19:53:13 -0800 (January 16, 2010) - The Texas State Board of Education has delayed its first vote on a new social studies curriculum to March. atheists.org - 1044 http://www.atheists.org/news/Rush_and_Robertson%3A_Shameless_Haiti_Wingnuts Sat, 16 Jan 2010 19:55:55 -0800 (January 16, 2010) - Tragedies like the earthquake unite most of usâ��except the Wingnut fringe, who canâ��t understand the suffering of those outside their tribe. Thatâ��s why Limbaugh and Robertson put such a nasty spin on the devastation, says John Avlon. atheists.org - 1045 http://www.atheists.org/news/Pat_Robertson_vs._The_Devil_in_%5C%27BabbleHeads%2C%5C%27_Plus_POTUS_Priorities_Sudoku Sat, 16 Jan 2010 23:06:40 -0800 (January 17, 2010) - Today, Pat Robertson and The Devil debate Haiti pacts and divine punishment (click here for more BabbleHeads). atheists.org - 1046 http://www.atheists.org/news/A_Fault_Is_Not_a_Sin Sun, 17 Jan 2010 16:14:55 -0800 (January 17, 2010) - It's idiotic to blame anything other than geology for the Haitian earthquake. By Christopher Hitchens atheists.org - 1047 http://www.atheists.org/news/Atheist_Richard_Dawkins_aids_Haiti%2C_touts_God-free_giving Sun, 17 Jan 2010 16:43:17 -0800 (January 17, 2010) - Donations to faith-based aid groups are soaring and believers get a great deal of just credit for stepping up to help in Haiti. Now unbelievers want the world to know they're just as caring. atheists.org - 1048 http://www.atheists.org/news/Go_to_Hell%2C_Pat_Robertson%3A_Haiti_Needs_Help%2C_Not_Stupidity Sun, 17 Jan 2010 18:48:03 -0800 (January 17, 2010) - Haiti is suffering, and the only response from Christians and other decent human beings is compassion, love, and all the concrete support we can supply. atheists.org - 1049 http://www.atheists.org/news/U.S._Military_Weapons_Inscribed_With_Secret_%5C%27Jesus%5C%27_Bible_Codes_ Mon, 18 Jan 2010 13:39:59 -0800 (January 18, 2010 - Pentagon Supplier for Rifle Sights Says It Has 'Always' Added New Testament References atheists.org - 1050 http://www.atheists.org/news/The_atheist%5C%27s_dilemma_ Mon, 18 Jan 2010 15:30:20 -0800 (January 18, 2010) - Reason and faith battle it out in the story of a celebrity philosopher and his tumultuous past atheists.org - 1051 http://www.atheists.org/news/Is_Robertson_right_about_Haiti%3F_Haitian_Christian_researcher_disputes_Satan_pact_claim Mon, 18 Jan 2010 20:01:06 -0800 (January 18, 2010) - A distinguished Haitian Christian minister and scientist who researched rumors about Haiti's 18th century independence movement's alleged pact with Satan, cited by TV evangelist Pat Robertson as the source of the country's poverty, pestilence and earthquake woes, is little more than an uncorroborated rumor. atheists.org - 1052 http://www.atheists.org/news/Devil%5C%27s_advocate%3A_Pat_Robertson_and_Haiti%5C%27s_curse Mon, 18 Jan 2010 20:22:28 -0800 (January 19, 2010) -- Another critic weighs in -- and evidence mounts that Pat Roberetson made a false claim about an alleged Haitian "pact with Satan." atheists.org - 1054 http://www.atheists.org/news/Despite_Extensive_Online_Discussions%2C_Military_Denies_Knowledge_Of_Rifle_Scope_Bible_Verses Mon, 18 Jan 2010 21:57:06 -0800 (January 19, 2010) - Responding to the revelation that rifle sights used by the military in Iraq and Afghanistan are inscribed with Bible citations, a Marine Corps spokesman told TPMmuckraker today that the branch simply didn't know about the inscriptions until inquiries were made last week. atheists.org - 1055 http://www.atheists.org/news/%5C%27Avatar%5C%27%3A_Backlash_Builds_Against_Film_and_Filmmaker_James_Cameron Tue, 19 Jan 2010 16:46:29 -0800 (January 19, 2010) - Russians, Conservatives, Atheists, Blacks and Disabled Take Swipes at 'Avatar' atheists.org - 1056 http://www.atheists.org/news/Teacher_With_Bible_Divides_Ohio_Town_ Wed, 20 Jan 2010 15:08:14 -0800 (January 20, 2010) - MOUNT VERNON, Ohio â�� Most people in this quiet all-American town describe themselves as devoutly Christian, but even here they are deeply divided over what should happen to John Freshwater. atheists.org - 1057 http://www.atheists.org/news/The_Pope%5C%27s_Newspaper_Goes_%5C%27Pop%5C%27 Wed, 20 Jan 2010 16:55:34 -0800 (January 20, 2010) - If The New York Times was known as "the Gray Lady" of journalism for its staid appearance, then L'Osservatore Romano could justifiably have been called "The Dowager Queen." atheists.org - 1058 http://www.atheists.org/news/Firm_to_Remove_Bible_References_From_Gun_Sights_ Thu, 21 Jan 2010 16:16:56 -0800 (January 21, 2010) - Bowing to Pentagon concerns and an international outcry, a Michigan arms company said Thursday that it would immediately stop embossing references to New Testament Scriptures on rifle sights it sells the military. atheists.org - 1059 http://www.atheists.org/news/New_Zealand_Army_To_Remove_Bible_Citations_From_Rifle_Sights Thu, 21 Jan 2010 17:16:29 -0800 (January 21, 2010) - Biblical citations inscribed on U.S.-manufactured weapon sights used by New Zealand's troops in Afghanistan will be removed because they are inappropriate and could stoke religious tensions, New Zealand said Thursday. atheists.org - 1060 http://www.atheists.org/news/A_Burqa_Ban%3F_Keep_the_State_Out_of_America%5C%27s_Closets Thu, 21 Jan 2010 17:36:08 -0800 (January 21, 2010) - Delia -- thanks for a thoughtful response to Bonnie Erbe's great conversation starter on banning the burqa, especially the argument that the melting pot (or salad bowl, or whatever metaphor you prefer) is one of the things that makes America great. atheists.org - 1061 http://www.atheists.org/news/Robertson_Chided_for_%5C%27Arrogance%2C%5C%27_%5C%27Ignorance%5C%27_Behind_Haiti_Curse_Remark Thu, 21 Jan 2010 18:53:51 -0800 (January 21, 2010) - Controversial charismatic Pat Robertson has put his foot in his mouth with yet another post-disaster remark â�� this time regarding the hard-hit country of Haiti. atheists.org - 1062 http://www.atheists.org/news/Terra_Incognita%3A_A_clash_of_cultures_or_ideologies%3F Thu, 21 Jan 2010 20:29:02 -0800 (January 22, 2010) - In the waning months of 1775 an elderly imam named Sayf ibn Ahmed al-Atiqi lay dying in Sudayr, a region north of Riyadh. Atiqi was a well known imam of the Nejd and he had spent his dying days opposing a new religious movement named Wahhabism. atheists.org - 1063 http://www.atheists.org/news/36_Arguments_for_the_Existence_of_God_ Fri, 22 Jan 2010 15:39:34 -0800 (January 22, 2010) - This clever novel manages to blend existential ponderings with humor and sharp writing. atheists.org - 1064 http://www.atheists.org/news/Haiti_and_the_Pat_Robertson_Paradox Fri, 22 Jan 2010 17:27:51 -0800 (January 22, 2010) - Here's the Pat Robertson paradox: Maybe the overwhelming condemnation of his comments about Haiti following the earthquake is evidence of how much religion continues to matter to many Americans. atheists.org - 1065 http://www.atheists.org/news/Satire%3A_An_atheist%5C%27s_search_for_sacramental_wine_ Fri, 22 Jan 2010 20:53:39 -0800 (January 23, 2010) - Mark Schatzker discovers Ontario's most glorious liquor law loophole atheists.org - 1066 http://www.atheists.org/news/Paul_Bettany_on_Charles_Darwin%3A_%5C%27He_Was_an_Atheist_and_So_Am_I%5C%27 Sat, 23 Jan 2010 17:40:24 -0800 (January 23, 2010) - Paul Bettany is going to opposite extremes in his current big screen appearances atheists.org - 1067 http://www.atheists.org/news/Free_speech_ruling_seen_as_a_threat_to_separation_of_church_and_state_and_to_democratic_system_ Sat, 23 Jan 2010 19:00:38 -0800 (January 23, 2010) - The Supreme Court ruling that allows corporations to spend unlimited funds in political campaigns could further increase the influence of the religious right, which has already made substantial inroads into the political system. atheists.org - 1068 http://www.atheists.org/news/Pat_Robertson%5C%27s_Haitian_Theodicy Sun, 24 Jan 2010 15:36:55 -0800 (January 24, 2010) - Religion-based bigotry has been the mainstay of Rev. Pat Robertson's bully pulpit. And he mounts this pulpit as an uber-God, possessed with an inherent omniscience in knowing not only the mundane and wicked thoughts and actions of man but also in knowing the cataclysmic actions of God's wrath on man. atheists.org - 1069 http://www.atheists.org/news/ABC_News_profiles_Greg_Epstein%2C_%5C%22godless%5C%22_movement Sun, 24 Jan 2010 18:31:09 -0800 (January 25, 2010) -- Harvard Chaplain and godless Humanist Greg Epstein talks to ABC Nightly News. atheists.org - 1070 http://www.atheists.org/news/Counterpoint%3A_Is_the_United_States_a_Christian_Nation%3F Mon, 25 Jan 2010 17:14:23 -0800 (January 25, 2010) - Mention the topic of religion in a standard American conversation, and youâ��re likely to ignite a blaze of spiritual devotion or spark an impassioned declaration of emancipation from religious restraint. atheists.org - 1071 http://www.atheists.org/news/Pope_John_Paul_II_Used_Belt_To_Whip_Himself%2C_Book_Claims Tue, 26 Jan 2010 15:15:44 -0800 (January 26, 2010) - Pope John Paul II whipped himself with a belt, even on vacation, and slept on the floor as acts of penitence and to bring him closer to Christian perfection, according to a new book by the Polish prelate spearheading his sainthood case. atheists.org - 1072 http://www.atheists.org/news/More_%5C%22Godless%5C%22_billboards_go_up_aroundTampa__Bay_area_ Tue, 26 Jan 2010 16:21:50 -0800 (January 26, 2010) - More "Godless" billboards go up around Bay area atheists.org - 1073 http://www.atheists.org/news/Humanist_chaplains_head_to_the_UK Tue, 26 Jan 2010 18:55:43 -0800 (January 26, 2010) - Do atheists need humanist chaplains if they have a crisis? It seems the demand is growing for non-religious chaplaincy services, but whether we can afford them is another matter atheists.org - 1074 http://www.atheists.org/news/Fundamentalists_and_the_Atheists_Who_Love_Them Wed, 27 Jan 2010 15:11:33 -0800 (January 27, 2010) - As a general rule, I try to avoid writing about both Pat Robertson and Richard Dawkins. atheists.org - 1075 http://www.atheists.org/news/Polls_show_Americans_embracing_elements_of_other_faiths Thu, 28 Jan 2010 08:35:31 -0800 (January 27, 2010) - Americans hold a hodgepodge of religious beliefs and practices. atheists.org - 1076 http://www.atheists.org/news/CBS_making_huge_mistake_with_Tebow_ad Thu, 28 Jan 2010 15:04:26 -0800 (January 28, 2010) - Will network accept message from atheist group? Probably not atheists.org - 1077 http://www.atheists.org/news/Federal_judge_says_Forsyth_County_must_stop_allowing_sectarian_prayer_at_public_meetings Thu, 28 Jan 2010 18:04:24 -0800 (January 28, 2010) - Federal District Court Judge James A. Beaty this morning ruled that Forsyth County is violating the U.S. Constitution by allowing prayers with sectarian references before meetings of the county board of commissioners. atheists.org - 1078 http://www.atheists.org/news/Haiti_and_the_hypocrisy_of_Christian_theology Thu, 28 Jan 2010 20:09:31 -0800 (January 28, 2010) - British evolutionary biologist and author Richard Dawkins Former Professor of the Public Understanding of Science at Oxford; author of "The God Delusion" and "The Greatest Show on Earth." atheists.org - 1079 http://www.atheists.org/news/%5C%27Fresh_Prince%5C%27_Prankster_Calls_Christian_TV Thu, 28 Jan 2010 23:21:53 -0800 (January 29, 2010) - Hello GOD TV, it's the Internet calling! There's a new trend happening, and if you're up watching late night ChristTV, you might be familiar with it. READ MORE AND SEE THE VIDEO atheists.org - 1080 http://www.atheists.org/news/Why_Atheists_Don%5C%27t_Turn_to_Religion_When_Faced_with_Death_or_Disaster Fri, 29 Jan 2010 17:30:02 -0800 (January 29, 2010) - The notion that 'there are no atheists in foxholes' isn't just mistaken, it's bigoted and ugly; a denial of atheists' humanity and the reality of our experience with death. atheists.org - 1081 http://www.atheists.org/news/How_Does_an_Atheist_Come_to_Believe_in_God%3F%3A_An_Interview_with_Jacob_Needleman_ Sat, 30 Jan 2010 14:27:13 -0800 (January 30, 2010) - RDâ��s senior editor sits down with philosopher Jacob Needleman, whose autobiography What is God? describes his journey from young Ivy-educated professor and atheist, to talk about fundamentalism, atheism, separating the sacred from religion, and why listening is the first step of every ethics. atheists.org - 1082 http://www.atheists.org/news/Q_and_A_session_with_Marcus_Brigstocke Sat, 30 Jan 2010 17:16:30 -0800 (January 30, 2010) - The Radio 4 satirist and TV regular talks atheism, anger and being argumentative. atheists.org - 1083 http://www.atheists.org/news/Tim_Tebow%3A_A_case_of_ad_nauseam Sat, 30 Jan 2010 21:26:29 -0800 (January 31, 2010) - God, it's about time athletes understand it's a multifaith society atheists.org - 1084 http://www.atheists.org/news/Somalia_Islamist_group_bans_video_games Sun, 31 Jan 2010 13:40:31 -0800 (January 31, 2010) - MOGADISHU â�� Somalia's Islamist insurgents on Thursday banned video games, one of the last forms of entertainment left for local youth, arguing they were destroying the country's social fabric. atheists.org - 1085 http://www.atheists.org/news/Bill_Seeks_to_Further_Define_Separation_of_Church_%26_State_for_California_Marriages Sun, 31 Jan 2010 18:35:00 -0800 (January 31, 2010) - As the gay marriage debate continues in the courts and within communities, a newly introduced bill by State Senator Mark Leno may win over church leaders who are opposed to same-sex unions. atheists.org - 1087 http://www.atheists.org/news/CREW_To_Obama%3A_Skip_The_National_Prayer_Breakfast Mon, 01 Feb 2010 14:52:58 -0800 (February 1, 2010) - A prominent good government group is demanding that President Obama and members of Congress skip this year's National Prayer Breakfast, calling its organizer "shadowy" and "cult-like." atheists.org - 1088 http://www.atheists.org/news/Alleged_atheist_hoax_reincarnates_ Mon, 01 Feb 2010 18:59:38 -0800 (February 1, 2010) - Petition asks FCC to not ban religious programming atheists.org - 1089 http://www.atheists.org/news/California_Mayor%3A_Growing_a_Christian_City Mon, 01 Feb 2010 20:14:32 -0800 (February 1, 2010) - Is this story for real? Unfortunately, yes... atheists.org - 1090 http://www.atheists.org/news/Tim_Tebow_Goes_for_the_Conversion Mon, 01 Feb 2010 20:51:00 -0800 (February 2, 2010) - The real meaning of the quarterback's pro-life Super Bowl ad. atheists.org - 1091 http://www.atheists.org/news/North_Carolina_Politicians_Seek_to_Unseat_Councilman_Because_He%5C%27s_an_Atheist Tue, 02 Feb 2010 08:06:59 -0800 (February 2, 2010) - The North Carolina constitution bars state office to "any person who shall deny the being of Almighty God." An Asheville councilman is prepared to put that clause to the test. atheists.org - 1092 http://www.atheists.org/news/AFA_Favors_Forced_%5C%22Reparative_Therapy%5C%22_For_Gays_-_And_You_Too Tue, 02 Feb 2010 17:59:50 -0800 (February 2, 2010) - The American Family Association's Bryan Fischer says he's not in favor of putting gays and lesbians in jail -- he just wants them to be forced to go to "effective reparative therapy" to cure them of being gay. atheists.org - 1093 http://www.atheists.org/news/Daniel_Dennett%3A_Religious_no_longer_a_protected_class Wed, 03 Feb 2010 19:22:25 -0800 (February 3, 2010) - Dennett is the Austin B. Fletcher Professor of Philosophy and Co-Director of the Center for Cognitive Studies at Tufts University. His most recent book was "Breaking the Spell." atheists.org - 1094 http://www.atheists.org/news/Obama_Takes_On_Birthers%2C_Uganda_Anti-Gay_Law_At_Prayer_Breakfast_%28VIDEO%29 Thu, 04 Feb 2010 09:38:57 -0800 (February 4, 2010) -- Speaking Thursday morning at the National Prayer Breakfast, a conciliatory President Barack Obama urged attendees to bypass grievances in their efforts to push forward morally and socially responsible policy. atheists.org - 1095 http://www.atheists.org/news/Scientologists_in_Haiti%3A_A_Firsthand_Account Thu, 04 Feb 2010 11:31:46 -0800 (February 4, 2010 - We've spoken to someone who traveled to Haiti on a Scientology plane â�� and witnessed firsthand the ineptitude, quackery and irresponsibility of the church's minions in a disaster zone. Here's his account. atheists.org - 1096 http://www.atheists.org/news/The_Fallacy_of_the_God_Gene Thu, 04 Feb 2010 11:48:59 -0800 (February 4, 2010) - Two major newspapers did what all mainstream media do best: Get the story wrong. The New York Times published "The Evolution of the God Gene" by Nicholas Wade in which we are told that, "religion has the hallmarks of an evolved behavior, meaning it exists because it was favored by natural selection." atheists.org - 1098 http://www.atheists.org/news/Turkish_Girl_Buried_Alive_For_Talking_To_Boys Fri, 05 Feb 2010 16:28:26 -0800 (February 5, 2010) - The body of a 16-year-old girl who police say was buried alive by relatives in an "honor" killing carried out as punishment for talking to boys has been discovered in Kahta, Turkey. atheists.org - 1099 http://www.atheists.org/news/Atheist_group_wants_prayer_out_at_City_Council Fri, 05 Feb 2010 19:25:56 -0800 (January 5, 2010) - TAMPA, FL -- An atheist group took their requests to end prayer in city government meetings to Tampa City Council for the second time Thursday. atheists.org - 1100 http://www.atheists.org/news/The_%28Prayer%29_Breakfast_Club%3A_Obama_Does_the_Lion%5C%27s_Den_Again Fri, 05 Feb 2010 19:56:24 -0800 (February 5, 2010) - President Obama's address at the National Prayer Breakfast on Thursday was a given -- the chief executive has been the main speaker since the event began in 1953. atheists.org - 1101 http://www.atheists.org/news/Christian_group%5C%27s_gay_gaffe_ Fri, 05 Feb 2010 20:52:51 -0800 (February 6, 2010) - Lesbian couple not sufficiently ugly for Florida Family Policy Council atheists.org - 1102 http://www.atheists.org/news/Scientists_celebrate_evolution_on_Darwin%5C%27s_birthday Sat, 06 Feb 2010 17:26:48 -0800 (February 6, 2010) - Darwin Day came in a big way last year â�� with hundreds of Feb. 12 celebrations noting the bicentennial birthday of evolution's icon all over the globe. atheists.org - 1121 http://www.atheists.org/news/Mexican_Lower_House_Approves_Bill_to_Separate_Church_and_State Sat, 13 Feb 2010 13:05:15 -0800 (February 13, 2010) - Mexicoâ��s lower house of Congress approved a constitutional amendment that formally establishes the separation of church and state after religious leaders criticized legislation on gay rights and abortion. atheists.org - 1122 http://www.atheists.org/news/How_Christian_Were_the_Founders%3F_ Sat, 13 Feb 2010 16:28:03 -0800 (February 13, 2010)- LAST MONTH, A WEEK before the Senate seat of the liberal icon Edward M. Kennedy fell into Republican hands, his legacy suffered another blow that was perhaps just as damaging, if less noticed. It happened during what has become an annual spectacle in the culture wars. atheists.org - 1123 http://www.atheists.org/news/Kentucky%E2%80%99s_%E2%80%9CIntellectual_Freedom%E2%80%9D_Act Sat, 13 Feb 2010 18:33:13 -0800 (February 13, 2010) - Republican Representative Tim Moore has introduced a new bill in the Kentucky House of Representatives that would let teachers promote â��objective discussion of the advantages and disadvantages of scientific theories.â�� atheists.org - 1125 http://www.atheists.org/news/Lindsay_Lohan%5C%27s_Jesus_look_incites_anger%2C_laughter Sat, 13 Feb 2010 21:37:08 -0800 (February 14, 2010) - Is it time for the Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen star to go to Confession? atheists.org - 1126 http://www.atheists.org/news/Atheists_Promise_to_Care_for_Pets_After_Rapture Sun, 14 Feb 2010 13:40:11 -0800 (February 14, 2010) - If, as millions of fundamentalist Christians believe, the Rapture is imminent, who will take care of the pets of those who are suddenly spirited away to heaven? atheists.org - 1128 http://www.atheists.org/news/Why_We_Don%5C%27t_Need_Religion_to_Give_Life_Mystery Sun, 14 Feb 2010 23:19:15 -0800 (January 15, 2010) -- If you're worried that we're in danger of understanding everything about the universe, you can relax. atheists.org - 1129 http://www.atheists.org/news/Atheist_v._Minister Mon, 15 Feb 2010 12:20:44 -0800 (February 15, 2010) - San Francisco area Atheist and activist Mark Thomas takes on Rev. John Sullivan on the theme "Love Thy Neighbor" atheists.org - 1130 http://www.atheists.org/news/NCAA_Football_Committee_OKs_Ban_on_%5C%27Eye_Black%5C%27_Notes Mon, 15 Feb 2010 15:36:46 -0800 (February 15, 2010) - The NCAA Football Rules Committee agreed Wednesday to bar players from displaying words, numbers, logos and other symbols in the anti-glare â��eye blackâ�� they underline their eyes with. atheists.org - 1131 http://www.atheists.org/news/Speakers_debate_legality_of_Ten_Commandments_monument Mon, 15 Feb 2010 21:46:56 -0800 (February 16, 2010) - Experts discussed the constitutionality of a Haskell County Courthouse monument of the Ten Commandments on Friday at the College of Law. atheists.org - 1132 http://www.atheists.org/news/Missionaries_Go_to_Haiti%2C_Followed_by_Scrutiny_ Tue, 16 Feb 2010 10:26:57 -0800 (February 16, 2010) - PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti â�� Their holy books vary widely and so does their disaster apparel. Devotees of Supreme Master Ching Hai, a Vietnamese spiritual leader, wore fluorescent yellow vests on their way into quake-damaged Haiti. atheists.org - 1133 http://www.atheists.org/news/When_athletes_praise_God_at_the_Super_Bowl_and_other_sports_ Tue, 16 Feb 2010 17:18:48 -0800 (February 16, 2010) - The problem isnâ��t the faith of believers like Drew Brees. Itâ��s the media assumption that every person of faith adheres to a highly traditional version of Christianity. atheists.org - 1134 http://www.atheists.org/news/Atheist_billboard_vandalized Wed, 17 Feb 2010 06:26:39 -0800 (February 17, 2010) - SACRAMENTO, Feb. 17 (UPI) -- A billboard near Sacramento promoting atheism was vandalized by someone depicting atheists as lost, one of the billboard's sponsor said. atheists.org - 1135 http://www.atheists.org/news/Roger_Ebert%3A_The_Essential_Man Wed, 17 Feb 2010 09:42:58 -0800 (February 17, 2010) - "I know it is coming, and I do not fear it, because I believe there is nothing on the other side of death to fear," he writes in a journal entry titled "Go Gently into That Good Night." atheists.org - 1136 http://www.atheists.org/news/Controversial_Schultheis_public_schools_religion_bill_ends_in_a_whimper Wed, 17 Feb 2010 18:37:39 -0800 (February 17, 2010) - Renfroe: â��Religions are under attack in our schools-- except for the religion of global warmingâ�� atheists.org - 1137 http://www.atheists.org/news/Atheists_train_to_remove_roadside_memorials Thu, 18 Feb 2010 12:35:32 -0800 (February 18, 2010) - A Christian organization is denouncing an atheist group for a campaign that aims to desecrate roadside crosses. atheists.org - 1138 http://www.atheists.org/news/The_high_price_of_religious_defection_ Thu, 18 Feb 2010 13:06:53 -0800 (February 18, 2010) - Israel's ultra-orthodox Jews live in a sealed, parallel universe. Well, almost sealed, but getting out is tough atheists.org - 1139 http://www.atheists.org/news/Bible_Study_in_Kentucky_Schools%3F Thu, 18 Feb 2010 16:41:24 -0800 (February 18, 2010) - There could be a new textbook on school desks in Kentucky soon. "There are so many aspects in the scripture relevant to literature-it's relevant to art, to music, to social issues as well," said Sen. David Boswell (D) Owensboro. atheists.org - 1140 http://www.atheists.org/news/Salvation_Army_Reaches_Settlement_in_Church-State_Suit Thu, 18 Feb 2010 18:03:23 -0800 (February 18, 2010) - The Salvation Army and the New York Civil Liberties Union have reached a settlement in a longstanding suit that sought to prevent the evangelical organization from violating church-state separation when providing social services. atheists.org - 1141 http://www.atheists.org/news/After_Clergy_Abuse_Scandals%2C_Ireland_Needs_a_New_St._Patrick Thu, 18 Feb 2010 20:22:48 -0800 (February 18, 2010) - At this point in the Catholic Church's long-running saga of the sexual abuse of children by priests there are few surprises and fewer heroes. atheists.org - 1142 http://www.atheists.org/news/Interview_--_Atheist_with_a_soul_ Fri, 19 Feb 2010 15:31:06 -0800 (February 19, 2010) - Philosopher and novelist Rebecca Goldstein speaks with Martin Levin about God and godlessness, and her new novel atheists.org - 1143 http://www.atheists.org/news/Eight_Cringeworthy_Celebrity_Jesus_Moments Fri, 19 Feb 2010 17:38:46 -0800 (February 19, 2010) - After Sir Elton John's breaking news that Jesus was "a super-intelligent gay man," we've dug up the finest gaffes and most intriguing celebrity perspectives on the one and only JC. atheists.org - 1144 http://www.atheists.org/news/Young_adults_%5C%27less_religious%2C%5C%27_not_necessarily_%5C%27more_secular%5C%27 Fri, 19 Feb 2010 22:33:48 -0800 (February 20, 2010) - Young adults today are less church-connected than prior generations were when they were in their 20s. But a new study finds they're just about as spiritual as their parents and grandparents were at those ages. atheists.org - 1145 http://www.atheists.org/news/Courthouse_Commandments_display_ignores_Ga._law Sat, 20 Feb 2010 14:08:10 -0800 (February 20, 2010) - With the blessing of local officials, members of a Baptist church came to the Tattnall County courthouse last week with a hammer, nails and a large framed copy of the Ten Commandments they hung inside near the entrance. atheists.org - 1146 http://www.atheists.org/news/Benny_Hinn_Divorce%3A_Wife_Suzanne_Hinn_Files_For_Divorce_From_Televangelist Sat, 20 Feb 2010 14:19:31 -0800 (February 20, 2010) - The wife of televangelist Benny Hinn has filed for divorce from the high-profile pastor, whose reputation as an advocate of prosperity gospel has attracted millions of followers and criticism from lawmakers and watchdog groups over his lavish lifestyle. atheists.org - 1147 http://www.atheists.org/news/Did_Texans_walk_with_dinosaurs%3F Sat, 20 Feb 2010 17:07:47 -0800 (February 20, 2010) - The latest survey of creationist attitudes in Texas shows them strangely fossilised atheists.org - 1148 http://www.atheists.org/news/Atheist_Sign_Described_as_%5C%22Hate_Speech%5C%22 Sun, 21 Feb 2010 13:04:36 -0800 (February 21, 2010) - A candidate for Illinois comptroller has sued the state over a decision related to the State Capitol building's holiday display. atheists.org - 1149 http://www.atheists.org/news/Helen_Kagin_started_camps_for_atheists%5C%27_kids Mon, 22 Feb 2010 15:23:50 -0800 February 22, 2010 - Dr. Helen Kagin practiced medicine in Cincinnati for decades, but her family says that the most important work she did - and the work closest to her heart - had nothing to do with her profession. atheists.org - 1150 http://www.atheists.org/news/Time_for_a_Separation_of_Church_and_Sports%3F Mon, 22 Feb 2010 19:14:14 -0800 (February 22, 2010) - After this month's Super Bowl, American Christians, especially the conservative evangelicals who enjoy a high profile in football, had good reason to feel good about themselves. atheists.org - 1151 http://www.atheists.org/news/Study_Links_Religion_and_Racism Tue, 23 Feb 2010 16:01:00 -0800 (February 23, 2010) - In the parable of the Good Samaritan, Jesus warned religious listeners against what today would be called â��ingroup prejudiceâ��: the tendency to think less of outsiders, especially those of another race. atheists.org - 1152 http://www.atheists.org/news/Tiger_Woods_to_Brit_Hume%3A_Buddha_is_Just_Alright_With_Me Wed, 24 Feb 2010 18:27:33 -0800 (February 24, 2010) - Tiger Woods received both acclaim and criticism for his choreographed statement of remorse Friday, with the critiques centering on his refusal to allow any questions from the media. atheists.org - 1153 http://www.atheists.org/news/Obama_aides_to_meet_with_atheists_on_White_House_grounds Thu, 25 Feb 2010 17:41:46 -0800 (February 25, 2010) - President Barack Obama has burnished his Christian credentials, courted Jewish support and preached outreach toward Muslims. On Friday, his administration will host a group that fits none of the above: America's nonbelievers. atheists.org - 1154 http://www.atheists.org/news/Catholics%2C_Mormons_working_against_separation%3F Thu, 25 Feb 2010 20:30:13 -0800 (February 25, 2010) - A Roman Catholic cardinal told a huge audience Tuesday at Brigham Young University that Mormons and Catholics must strive together to proclaim truth even as pressures mount to exclude religion from the public square. atheists.org - 1155 http://www.atheists.org/news/Atheist_Group_Heralds_%5C%27First_Time_in_History%5C%27_Policy_Briefing_with_White_House_Officials Fri, 26 Feb 2010 11:34:20 -0800 (February 26, 2010) - White House officials will this morning meet with leaders of the atheist community, who will discuss their concerns about the "privileging of religion" by the government "that harms real people," in the words of Sean Faircloth, executive director of the Secular Coalition of America. atheists.org - 1156 http://www.atheists.org/news/No_word_on_substance_of_White_House_meeting_with_atheists Fri, 26 Feb 2010 14:04:18 -0800 (February 26, 2010) - A spokesman for the Secular Coalition for America, a group that includes atheists, said its representatives met for close to an hour and a half Friday with Obama administration officials from the public engagement office of the White House and from the departments of Justice, Health and Human Services and Defense atheists.org - 1157 http://www.atheists.org/news/Atheists_meet_with_White_House_officials Fri, 26 Feb 2010 16:58:32 -0800 (Februaryt 26, 2010) - The White House has been known to confer with religious leaders on important political and social issues -- for instance, a meeting on torture with several religious denominations in June or Obama's meeting with Buddhist leader the Dalai Lama just last week. atheists.org - 1158 http://www.atheists.org/news/Liberalism%2C_atheism%2C_male_sexual_exclusivity_linked_to_IQ Fri, 26 Feb 2010 19:34:30 -0800 (February 26, 2010) - Political, religious and sexual behaviors may be reflections of intelligence, a new study finds. atheists.org - 1159 http://www.atheists.org/news/%EF%BB%BF_Update%3A_The_Secular_Coalition_for_America%E2%80%99s_Briefing_with_the_Obama_Administration Fri, 26 Feb 2010 19:59:12 -0800 (February 26, 2010) - Iâ��m back from the briefing. Here is some of what all went down. After meeting in the Secular Coalition for Americaâ��s offices in DC, we made the trek to the EEOB, where the policy briefing would take place: atheists.org - 1160 http://www.atheists.org/news/Atheists_consider_legal_action_over_bus_ads Sat, 27 Feb 2010 11:15:53 -0800 (February 27, 2010) - Organisers of a controversial campaign to get pro-atheism ads on buses say they may go to the Human Rights Review Tribunal after transport company NZ Bus backtracked on plans to allow the ads. atheists.org - 1161 http://www.atheists.org/news/Tony_Perkins_of_Family_Research_Council_Bumped_From_Prayer_Lunch Sat, 27 Feb 2010 11:30:55 -0800 (February 27, 2010) - Tony Perkins, head of the Family Research Council and a fierce critic of the Obama administration, says he was uninvited from participation in the National Prayer Luncheon scheduled for Thursday at Andrews Air Force Base. atheists.org - 1162 http://www.atheists.org/news/Retired_soldier_creates_military_association_for_atheists_in_Cove Sat, 27 Feb 2010 11:40:44 -0800 (February 27, 2010) - Some may look at retired 1st Sgt. Kathleen Johnson's 21-year military career and assume she stands by the tenets, "For God and country." With duty stations spanning from South Korea to Iraq, Johnson said she's always served her country â�� just leave God out of it. atheists.org - 1163 http://www.atheists.org/news/Richard_Dawkins_in_bitter_web_censorship_row_with_fellow_atheists Sat, 27 Feb 2010 12:40:42 -0800 (February 27, 2010) -- Professor Richard Dawkins is embroiled in a bitter online battle over plans to rid his popular internet forum for atheists of foul language, insults and â��frivolous gossipâ��. atheists.org - 1164 http://www.atheists.org/news/Right_wing_slams_White_House_for_meeting_with_atheist_%E2%80%98hate_groups%E2%80%99 Sat, 27 Feb 2010 13:30:29 -0800 (February 27, 2010) - Some conservative commentators are accusing the Obama administration of inviting "hate groups" into the White House by holding a meeting with a coalition of secularist and atheist groups. atheists.org - 1165 http://www.atheists.org/news/Dawkins_over-board Sun, 28 Feb 2010 12:18:28 -0800 (February 28, 2010) - Recently, Richard Dawkins shut down the forums on his website. The forums had gotten to being the biggest atheist boards on the internet, and thus probably amongst the glitchiest as the servers were getting flooded. atheists.org - 1166 http://www.atheists.org/news/Famed_Magician_Battles_Bogus_Bomb_Detectors Sun, 28 Feb 2010 17:45:31 -0800 (February 28, 2010) - James Randi, a magician who goes by the stage name "Amazing Randi" has waged a decades-long war on purveyors of the paranormal, pseudoscience, and other hoaxes. But now his war on fraud is hitting up against the war on terror, and specifically, ineffective bomb detectors that are being shilled to military and police forces around the world. atheists.org - 1167 http://www.atheists.org/news/Obama_Administration_Ripped_for_%E2%80%98Historic%E2%80%99_Meeting_with_Atheist_Anti-Religion_Hate_Groups Mon, 01 Mar 2010 16:41:18 -0800 (March 1, 2010) - The advocacy group In God We Trust today ripped the Obama administration for meeting to plot political strategy with 60 atheist activists representing organizations comprising the Secular Coalition of America. atheists.org - 1168 http://www.atheists.org/news/Sue_Myrick_Meets_the_Muslims_-_and_Brings_Backup Mon, 01 Mar 2010 18:28:17 -0800 (March 1, 2010) - Sue Myrick met the Muslims. atheists.org - 1169 http://www.atheists.org/news/Liberals_and_Atheists_Smarter%3F_Intelligent_People_Have_Values_Novel_in_Human_Evolutionary_History%2C_S Mon, 01 Mar 2010 19:06:39 -0800 (March 1, 2010) - More intelligent people are statistically significantly more likely to exhibit social values and religious and political preferences that are novel to the human species in evolutionary history. Specifically, liberalism and atheism, and for men (but not women), preference for sexual exclusivity correlate with higher intelligence, a new study finds. atheists.org - 1170 http://www.atheists.org/news/Prayer_Warriors_and_Palin_Organizing_Spiritual_Warfare_to_Take_Over_America Tue, 02 Mar 2010 12:40:02 -0800 (March 2, 2010)- Imagine a religious movement that makes geographic maps of where demons reside and claims among its adherents the Republican Party's most recent vice presidential nominee and whose leaders have presided over prayer sessions (one aimed at putting the kibosh on health-care reform) with a host of leading GOP figures. atheists.org - 1171 http://www.atheists.org/news/At_Texas_campus%2C_atheists_offer_porn_for_Bibles Tue, 02 Mar 2010 18:40:09 -0800 (March 2, 2010) - An atheist group asked students at the University of Texas, San Antonio, to trade in their Bibles for pornography. atheists.org - 1172 http://www.atheists.org/news/SMART_buses_to_carry_atheist_message Wed, 03 Mar 2010 13:23:55 -0800 (March 3, 2010 - "Don't believe in God? You are not alone." More than a dozen SMART buses bearing that message will hit major Metro area roads Thursday in an effort to let atheists know that there are like minded groups and individuals out there sharing their beliefs ... or lack thereof. atheists.org - 1173 http://www.atheists.org/news/American_Family_Association%3A_Stone_To_Death_Killer_Whale_Who_Killed_Trainer Wed, 03 Mar 2010 14:28:34 -0800 (March 3, 2010) - The American Family Association, a religious right group, is urging that Tillikum (Tilly), the killer whale that killed a trainer at SeaWorld Orlando, be put down, preferably by stoning. Citing Tilly's history of violent altercations, the group is slamming SeaWorld for not listening to Scripture in how to deal with the animal: atheists.org - 1176 http://www.atheists.org/news/Porn_For_Bibles_At_Texas_College Thu, 04 Mar 2010 11:53:20 -0800 (March 4, 2010) - A student group at the University of Texas-San Antonio likens the Bible to porn -- so much so that they allow students on campus to trade religious texts for pornographic ones during an annual event. atheists.org - 1177 http://www.atheists.org/news/Kentucky_pride Thu, 04 Mar 2010 17:01:09 -0800 (March 4, 2010) - Kentuckians have something to live down right now, Ken Ham and his Cretin "Museum". atheists.org - 1178 http://www.atheists.org/news/Group_seeks_to_prove_atheists_can_be_giving_too Thu, 04 Mar 2010 19:24:30 -0800 (March 4, 2010) - Dale McGowan, executive director of the Alpharetta-based Foundation Beyond Belief, wants to encourage his fellow non-believers to give more to charity. atheists.org - 1179 http://www.atheists.org/news/Vatican_Hit_By_Gay_Sex_Scandal Fri, 05 Mar 2010 14:58:36 -0800 (March 5, 2010) - The Vatican has been thrown into chaos by reports that one of the Pope's ceremonial ushers, as well as a member of the elite Vatican choir, were involved in a homosexual prostitution ring. atheists.org - 1180 http://www.atheists.org/news/A_Little_Matter_of_Science%2C_Superiority%2C_and_Racism%3A_New_Atheism%5C%27s_Dangerous_Waters Fri, 05 Mar 2010 15:26:00 -0800 (March 5, 2010) - In a widely viewed article on CNN last week, Professor Satoshi Kanazawa of the London School of Economics announced the results of a study which he claims proves that atheists are smarter than believers. atheists.org - 1182 http://www.atheists.org/news/Liberals_smarter%3F_Porn_for_Bibles._Atheist_arrested_for_blasphemy._Banning_the_ Fri, 05 Mar 2010 19:34:29 -0800 (March 5, 2010) -- Welcome to The Critical Eye Podcast: Your source for Reason and Rationality! Your hosts are Blair Scott and Tom Hand. atheists.org - 1183 http://www.atheists.org/news/Controversy_Grows_over_Study_Claiming_Liberals_and_Atheists_Are_Smarter Sat, 06 Mar 2010 11:57:36 -0800 (March 5, 2010) - The author of a study claiming liberals and atheists are smarter than conservatives and believers is called 'great idiot of social science' by prominent evolutionary biologist. atheists.org - 1184 http://www.atheists.org/news/Hatred_Against_Atheists_And_Gays Sun, 07 Mar 2010 13:08:49 -0800 March 7, 2010) - The typical hostility toward atheism emerges out of ignorance, and preconceptions. Most Americans are at least moderately religious, and take it is a given that morality comes from God. atheists.org - 1185 http://www.atheists.org/news/How_I_found_God_and_peace_with_my_atheist_brother%3A_PETER_HITCHENS_traces_his_journey_back_to_Christi Sun, 07 Mar 2010 21:55:29 -0800 (March 8, 2010) - During his teenage years and early 20s, Peter Hitchens lost his faith and rebelled against everything he had been brought up to believe in. Here, in a moving and thought-provoking account from his controversial new book, he describes his spiritual journey back to God - and the end of his feud with his brother atheists.org - 1186 http://www.atheists.org/news/Dawkins_celebrates_the_miracle_of_life_%E2%80%93_with_or_without_God_ Sun, 07 Mar 2010 22:07:57 -0800 (March 8, 2010) - THE scientist, author and outspoken atheist Richard Dawkins started his talk to a packed Opera House audience yesterday with a challenge â�� don't dare take your life for granted. atheists.org - 1187 http://www.atheists.org/news/6_Questions_for_an_Atheist_Undercover_in_an_Evangelical_Church Mon, 08 Mar 2010 15:13:39 -0800 (March 8, 2010) -- I know what it's like to be a Jew jonesing for Jesus -- at least for the purposes of a memoir. I spent a year going to 52 different churches each Sunday. atheists.org - 1188 http://www.atheists.org/news/Pope_Silent_on_Uganda%5C%27s_%5C%27Kill-the-Gays%5C%27_Bill Mon, 08 Mar 2010 19:05:28 -0800 (March 8, 2010) - Pope Benedict XVI met with the Roman Catholic hierarchy of Uganda at the Vatican last Friday and delivered a speech summing up what he saw as the main tasks of the church in the East African nation -- but made no mention of the draconian anti-homosexuality bill that has prompted an international outcry. atheists.org - 1189 http://www.atheists.org/news/Liberty_University%3A_Students_Flock_To_School_To_Study_Creationism_%28VIDEO%29 Tue, 09 Mar 2010 11:56:53 -0800 (March 9, 2010) - An Agence France-Press report estimates that some 40 percent of the United States believe in creationism, which holds that the Earth was created by God only several thousand years ago. Students are flocking to Liberty University to study this literal interpretation of the Bible, much to the dismay of scientists. atheists.org - 1190 http://www.atheists.org/news/Florida_Atheists_angry_with_Governor_Crist_ Wed, 10 Mar 2010 15:45:10 -0800 (March 15, 2010) - The Atheists of Florida are accusing Governor Crist of â��assaultingâ�� one of their members at a St. Petersburg Pizzeria this past Friday March 5th. Governor Crist was at the restaurant shaking hands with and talking to supporters. The Charlie Crist for US Senate Campaign refused to comment on this accusation. atheists.org - 1191 http://www.atheists.org/news/Christians_Counter_Global_Atheist_Convention Wed, 10 Mar 2010 16:24:40 -0800 (March 10, 2010) - The 2010 Global Atheist Convention is sold out, with some 2,500 people expected to attend the March 12-14 event at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Center. atheists.org - 1192 http://www.atheists.org/news/Church_Abuse_Scandals_%5C%27Creeping_Ever_Closer%5C%27_To_The_Pope Thu, 11 Mar 2010 12:05:32 -0800 (March 11, 2010) - Church abuse scandals in Germany have reached the older brother of Pope Benedict XVI and are creeping ever closer to the pontiff himself. atheists.org - 1193 http://www.atheists.org/news/Court_Upholds_%5C%27Under_God%5C%27_in_Pledge_of_Allegiance Thu, 11 Mar 2010 15:52:42 -0800 (March 11, 2010) - It also says 'In God We Trust' is fine on money atheists.org - 1194 http://www.atheists.org/news/Federal_court_approves_%5C%27under_God%5C%27_in_Pledge_of_Allegiance Thu, 11 Mar 2010 18:53:35 -0800 (March 11, 2010) - Atheist Michael Newdow challenged 'under God' in the Pledge of Allegiance and 'in God we trust' on US currency as unconstitutional endorsements of religion. But the Ninth US Circuit Court of Appeals said the references to God are grounded in historical philosophy and politics. atheists.org - 1195 http://www.atheists.org/news/Atheism_-_a_fizzer_or_fantastic%3F_ Thu, 11 Mar 2010 19:18:59 -0800 (March 11, 2010) - With the Global Atheist Conference about to kick off this weekend, it might be a good time to assess where atheism is at the moment atheists.org - 1196 http://www.atheists.org/news/Atheists_meet_in_Melbourne_to_celebrate_lack_of_faith_ Fri, 12 Mar 2010 14:03:06 -0800 (March 12, 2010) - More than 2,000 atheists from around the world are gathering in Melbourne, Australia, to celebrate their lack of religious belief. atheists.org - 1197 http://www.atheists.org/news/Texas_Approves_Curriculum_Revised_by_Conservatives Fri, 12 Mar 2010 17:43:24 -0800 (March 12, 2010) - After three days of turbulent meetings, the Texas Board of Education on Friday approved a social studies curriculum that will put a conservative stamp on history and economics textbooks, stressing the superiority of American capitalism, questioning the Founding Fathersâ�� commitment to a purely secular government and presenting Republican political philosophies in a more positive light. atheists.org - 1198 http://www.atheists.org/news/Utah_GOP_Leader_Paid_Woman_%24150%2C000_After_Skinny-Dip Fri, 12 Mar 2010 20:33:53 -0800 (March 12, 2010) - A late-night confession by Utah's House majority leader about sitting nude in a hot tub with a minor 25 years ago has shocked this conservative state's political establishment but has not prompted calls from party leaders for him to resign. atheists.org - 1199 http://www.atheists.org/news/TEXAS_TEXTBOOK_MASSACRE__Education_Board_OKs_Radical_Changes%2C_Thomas_Jefferson_Cut_From_Curriculum_ Sat, 13 Mar 2010 13:11:18 -0800 (March 13, 2010) - Think Progress flags some of the more eye-opening revisions the Texas Board of Education approved for its social studies curriculum and textbooks: atheists.org - 1200 http://www.atheists.org/news/Texas_Board_of_Education_cuts_Thomas_Jefferson_out_of_its_textbooks. Sat, 13 Mar 2010 13:27:23 -0800 (March 13, 2010) - The Texas Board of Education has been meeting this week to revise its social studies curriculum. During the past three days, â��the boardâ��s far-right faction wielded their power to shape lessons on the civil rights movement, the U.S. free enterprise system and hundreds of other topicsâ��: atheists.org - 1201 http://www.atheists.org/news/Mysterious_rituals_of_the_atheists_ Sun, 14 Mar 2010 16:30:00 -0700 (Marcvh 14, 2010) - Those declaring themselves godless provide a fascinating study for sociologists. atheists.org - 1202 http://www.atheists.org/news/International_Probe_Targets_Secretive_Catholic_Group Sun, 14 Mar 2010 17:23:13 -0700 (March 14, 2010) - As sex abuse scandals rock the Vatican, the results of an investigation into a rich, ultra-conservative and secretive Roman Catholic order founded by a priest accused of pedophilia and incest are due to be filed in Rome tomorrow. atheists.org - 1203 http://www.atheists.org/news/Scientologists_Accuse_Film_of_%5C%27Intolerance%5C%27 Sun, 14 Mar 2010 19:00:04 -0700 (March 14, 2010) - Scientology's image has taken a flurry of hits in the past six months. First, a high-profile member -- Oscar winning "Crash" director Paul Haggis -- defected. Then former employees alleged they were defrauded and treated like slaves by the church. And now Tom Cruise and Co. face a new threat from across the Atlantic. atheists.org - 1204 http://www.atheists.org/news/Irish_arrests_over_%5C%27plot_to_kill_Swedish_cartoonist%5C%27_ Sun, 14 Mar 2010 20:27:31 -0700 (March 14, 2010) - Seven people have been arrested in the Irish Republic over an alleged plot to kill a Swedish cartoonist for depicting the Prophet Muhammad, police say. atheists.org - 1205 http://www.atheists.org/news/Utah_GOP_Leader_Comes_Clean_On_Hot_Tubbing_Hush_Money Mon, 15 Mar 2010 14:40:51 -0700 (March 15, 2010) - Utah's House majority leader said late Thursday he paid a woman $150,000 to keep silent about going nude "hot-tubbing" with her when she was minor a quarter century ago atheists.org - 1206 http://www.atheists.org/news/Pro-atheist_bus_ads_vandalized Mon, 15 Mar 2010 15:16:17 -0700 (March 15, 2010) - Metro Detroitâ��s suburban bus system has replaced at least three pro-atheist advertisements that were vandalized. atheists.org - 1207 http://www.atheists.org/news/McEntee%3A_Garn%5C%27s_hot_tub_interlude_much_more_than_a_%5C%27mistake%5C%27 Mon, 15 Mar 2010 17:21:50 -0700 (March 15, 2010) - For Kevin Garn, it's been 25 years of hiding, of paying big money for "secrecy," of presenting himself as a devoted public servant, twice rising to the status of House Majority Leader in the Utah Legislature. atheists.org - 1208 http://www.atheists.org/news/Haddam_School_Board_Member_Rejects_Evolution Mon, 15 Mar 2010 20:07:55 -0700 (March 15, 2010) - Chester Harris was recently and narrowly elected to Region 17 school board. As a creationist, Harris has concerns about the teaching of evolution in the classroom. atheists.org - 1209 http://www.atheists.org/news/Hitchens_-_The_Great_Catholic_Cover-Up Mon, 15 Mar 2010 20:33:09 -0700 (March 15, 2010) - The pope's entire career has the stench of evil about it. atheists.org - 1210 http://www.atheists.org/news/The_Unseen_And_Unknowable_Has_No_Place_In_Science Tue, 16 Mar 2010 15:58:46 -0700 (March 16, 2010) - It is my view that religion and science are incompatible in a very specific and important way. atheists.org - 1211 http://www.atheists.org/news/Atheism_is_a_broad_church Tue, 16 Mar 2010 20:11:22 -0700 (March 16, 2010) - WHAT were we going to talk about all weekend? Nothing? Could we scientifically prove the existence of Richard Dawkins? What does an atheist scream during sex? "Truth, evidence and reason?" We'd heard them all. atheists.org - 1212 http://www.atheists.org/news/Irish_Cardinal_Won%5C%27t_Resign_Over_Abuse_Cover-Up Tue, 16 Mar 2010 20:30:20 -0700 (Marcvh 17, 2010) - Calls for the embattled leader of the Catholic Church in Ireland to resign increased today while the Vatican tried to stem the growing flood of outrage over sexual abuse scandals all over Europe. atheists.org - 1213 http://www.atheists.org/news/Brazil_Church_Sex_Scandal%3A_Video_Allegedly_Shows_Priest_Abusing_Altar_Boy Wed, 17 Mar 2010 15:01:56 -0700 (March 17, 2010) - Brazilian authorities are investigating three priests accused of sexually abusing altar boys after a video allegedly showing one case of abuse was broadcast on television, police and church officials said Tuesday. atheists.org - 1217 http://www.atheists.org/news/Bill_allowing_prayer_at_school_events_advances_in_Florida_Legislature Thu, 18 Mar 2010 13:22:10 -0700 (March 18, 2010) - Students could lead prayers at school functions such as football games and the senior prom, under a controversial bill advanced by a Florida House committee Wednesday. atheists.org - 1215 http://www.atheists.org/news/Vatican_unleashes_exorcist_for_campaign_of_crazy Wed, 17 Mar 2010 21:25:14 -0700 (March 18, 2010) - Rome responds to sex abuse scandals by letting its official Satan fighter speak. Turns out it's Satan's fault atheists.org - 1216 http://www.atheists.org/news/His_fortune_polishes_atheists%5C%27_reputation Thu, 18 Mar 2010 12:25:16 -0700 (March 18, 2010) - When GlaxoSmithKline bought ToddStiefel's family business for $2.9 billion last April, he began to think about what to do with the rest of his life. atheists.org - 1218 http://www.atheists.org/news/SF_Atheists_protest_Ninth_Circuit_Decision_on_%5C%22Under_God%5C%22 Thu, 18 Mar 2010 16:36:34 -0700 (March 18, 2010) -- Should government promote god-belief and recognition? The San Francisco Atheists say "No Way!" atheists.org - 1219 http://www.atheists.org/news/Is_The_Bible_More_Violent_Than_The_Quran%3F Thu, 18 Mar 2010 19:52:22 -0700 (March 18, 2010) - As the hijackers boarded the airplanes on Sept. 11, 2001, they had a lot on their minds. And if they were following instructions, one of those things was the Quran.