americanatheists

ATLANTA, March 28 ? Georgia is about to become the first state to approve the use of the Bible as a textbook in public schools.On Monday, the State Senate passed a bill providing money to high schools that offer elective classes in the Bible, and setting specific guidelines for those classes. The bill was approved by Georgia’s House of Representatives last week.Gov. Sonny Perdue is expected to sign the law.The bill creates two courses, the History and Literature of the Old Testament Era and the History and Literature of the New Testament Era, that can be offered as electives. It gives the state’s Department of Education a year to approve the curriculum, but it requires that the Bible itself, not a textbook, be the core material used. Supplementary materials can also be used. Other state school systems offer classes in the Bible, but Georgia’s law would be the first to require that the Bible be the core text. Legislators in Alabama and Missouri are considering similar measures.With the enactment of the law, public schools in Georgia will be pushed, once again, into grappling with whether or how ideas tied to religion can be introduced into classrooms without violating the separation of church and state.

… forced Bible reading without violating the separation of church and state? Is there anyone out there who thinks this WASN’T a direct attempt to do just that?

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060330/ap_on_he_me/prayer_study

In the largest scientific test of its kind, heart surgery patients showed no benefit when strangers prayed for their recovery.And patients who knew they were being prayed for had a slightly higher rate of complications. The researchers could only guess why.Several scientists questioned the concept of the study. Science “is not designed to study the supernatural,” said Dr. Harold G. Koenig, director of the Center for Spirituality, Theology and Health at the Duke University Medical Center.

In Kestrien’s words: “A Big DUH Comes to Mind”! How many times will they study this quackery before they realize it’s bull? Talking to air does not cure people — MEDICINE cures people, and that’s why these moronic studies should be scrapped to fund scientific research instead of mythology.Not that I’m opinionated…

http://www.usatoday.com/news/opinion/editorials/2006-03-26-religion_x.htmEditor,I read with great interest the Forum article ?A War on Christians? No? (3/27/06) because I have been personally accused of helping to lead that fictitious war. As the National Spokesperson of American Atheists, I have been charged many times with trying to ?de-religionize America? or ?Make Christianity illegal.?The accusations make me angry, because its not true. None of it. Really. These exaggerations or lies are intended to foster the fear that some kind of organized attack against Christians is underway. Again, wrong.What is true is that times have changed, and America is becoming a more religiously diverse society. What was once an apparently single-religion society has evolved, and the old king-of-the-hill doesn?t like sharing. Despite the fact that this country supports millions of churches (none of them paying taxes), Christianity has panicked and launched legal efforts to keep control.Control is the key cause of the religious right ? not of their own lives, but everyone else?s. Abortion, Gay rights, and Death with Dignity are all opposed by the Christian right, yet the issues do not effect them. Forced school prayer and unmonitored Faith-Based initiatives legitimize, endorse, and fund these religions at the expense of true religious freedom.Secular people see these movements as attacks on our individual rights, and we fight against them. We want nothing beyond achieving that which is ours by law ? equality. We think that?s reasonable, and worth fighting for.The Christians’ response to our defense is usually an attack on our moral character coupled with cries of discrimination. Rarely does a Religious Right proponent speak plainly about the merits of the issues they support, instead opting for redirection and reckless exaggerations. They use words like ?war? and ?enemy? because they have lost their perspective. It?s as simple as that, and I applaud Mr. Krattenmaker for bringing this to light. The Left and the Right are not enemies, but adversaries — with a common enemy somewhere in the Middle East. Let us all hope that both sides can work together in the spirit of peace and progress. It won?t be easy, but it can start with the recognition that although we are left-wing and right-wing, we?re on the same darn bird.David P. SilvermanNational Communications DirectorAmerican Atheists, Inc.

Today I recieved an angry email from an Atheist who said she believed in ghosts, yet is still an Atheist. This writer was adamant that I should stop making blanket statements that Atheists don’t believe in ANYthing paranormal (like this one: we don’t). My first take was that the writer must be a bit whacky, but hey, sounds like a good blog topic. Please take a moment to look around. See any spooks?

Congrats to the FSM crowd for a great write-up in today’s USA Today. Nice article! Here’s the link, (thanks Flav)Then I saw the news article in the same paper blasting the Christians for calling our relationship a “war”. I’m beginning to like this paper.

KABUL, Afghanistan (March 25) – The Afghan government faced heavy international pressure to reconsider the charges against an Afghan man who faces a possible death sentence for converting from Islam to Christianity – and reports emerged that the man might be freed soon.

http://articles.news.aol.com/news/article.adp?id=20060322050709990001&ncid=NWS00010000000001OK there’s lots to say here. First of all, the right-wing Moslems are barbarians for wanting to kill a person for not believing as they do. I think that’s a given.The other side is the response from the US, including Condi Rice, in the name of religious freedom. That’s good, but there was no such reaction for Salmon Rushdie when the fatwa was issued. To the Moslems, it doesn’t matter if you leave Islam for Atheism or Christianity. I just wish the reaction from the US was the same for non-Christians. I haven’t seen it. As an aside, they just announced on CNN that the Moslems are going to release the prisoner due to the fact that since he is Christian, he is insane and not fit to stand trial. Enough said.

AMERICAN ATHEISTS, INC.http://www.atheists.orghttp://www.americanatheist.orgFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 24, 2006AFGHANISTAN CONVERSION FLAP EVIDENCE OF BANKRUPT U.S. FOREIGN POLICY AGAINST RELIGIOUS EXTREMISM, SAYS ATHEIST GROUPWhy Are American Troops Dying to Defend State Bullying On Behalf of Religion?The case of an Afghanistan man who converted from Islam to Christianity and now faces a possible death sentence is a sign of a bankrupt, short-sighted and timid foreign policy regarding secularism and personal freedom, an Atheist public policy group charged today.Abdul Rahman, 41 could be the victim of statutes in the Afghanistan constitution which establish Islamic Shia law. Some mullahs and religious experts are calling for his execution. President Bush, U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan and other political leaders have concern.American Atheists President Ellen Johnson said that Rahman’s case shows the bankruptcy of current U.S. foreign policy in the region.”The blood of American men and women is being spilled as part of an incoherent and even timid foreign policy which, in the case of Afghanistan, replaced one group of faith-based bullies — the Taliban with a constitution that establishes Islam as the law of the land,” said Johnson. “And I wonder how Mr. Bush would react if a citizen of Afghanistan became an Atheist and openly exercised freedom of conscience to reject religion altogether.”Dave Silverman, Communications Director for American Atheists, said that the country needs to do more to promote secularism and total freedom of conscience in both domestic and foreign policy. “If someone wishes to be religious and doesn’t impose their faith on other people, fine. And if they wish to switch religions, or exercise freedom FROM religion, that right needs to be vigorously protected as well.”"If we don’t protect this basic freedom, the efforts of all our American men and women who fought the Taliban will have been in vain.”AMERICAN ATHEISTS is a nationwide movement that defends civil rights for Atheists; works for the total separation of church and state; and addresses issues of First Amendment public policy.

Sorry it’s been a few days, but I just flew in to Denver for a ski trip (VAIL). On the way I met several nice people who ask what I do for a living.When people ask me what I do, I usually state that I am an activist, and the Atheist conversation begins. Sure, I could say I’m a Business Analyst, which is how I earn my money (my activism is unpaid), but I think when people ask what I DO for a living, they are asking more about ME than my income provider. If you’re going to ask about ME, well, I’m an Atheist activist first, then I’m an worker.So my lips are tired and my voice is raspy, but there are a few more people in America who understand a bit more than they used to about religious diversity.How many strangers have you told? This is a great thing to do, because it increases awareness and does not subject you to job or family complications. TRY IT!Gotta hit the slopes.

AMERICAN ATHEISTS, INC.http://www.atheists.orghttp://www.americanatheist.orgFor more information, please contact:Ellen Johnson, President (973) 625-6900Dave Silverman, Communications Director (732) 648-9333STUDY OF “MOST DISTRUSTED MINORITY” UNDERSCORES NEED FOR GOV’T TO STOP PROMOTING RELIGION — ATHEIST GROUPReacting to a study by the University of Minnesota, a nationwide Atheist civil rights group today said that by promoting religion, government is partly to blame for the negative perceptions of nonbelievers in American Society.Researchers found that “Americans rate atheists below Muslims, recent immigrants, gays and lesbians and other minority groups in ’sharing their vision of American society.’ Atheists are also the minority group most Americans are least willing to allow their children to marry.” Dr. Penny Edgell is quoted in a U. of M. press release adding that Atheists “offer a glaring exception to the rule of increasing social tolerance over the last 30 years,” and suggests that today’s Atheists”play the role that Catholics, Jews and communists have played in the past.”Ellen Johnson, President of American Atheists, said that one reason for the findings is the unconstitutional promotion of religion by government and political leaders. “Politicians have draped themselves in the mantle of religiosity, and shamelessly promote the myth that religious belief is the basis for ethical, sensible behavior.”The survey found that “acceptance or rejection of atheists is related not only to personal religiosity, but also to one’s exposure to diversity, education and political orientation . . . “Dave Silverman, Communications Director for the group, said that educated Americans were more likely to accept Atheists. He added that the study may indicate that the growing activism and visibility of Atheists may be responsible.”Nearly 30 million Americans profess no religious belief,” said Silverman. “A smaller number may use the term ‘Atheist,’ but over the past five we’ve been building coalitions, lobbying in Washington and forming political action committees. Controversy and hostility are always the first steps for any group fighting for its rightful place in society, whether it’s people of color, women, or sexual minorities.”"We’re just the last group, the ‘last minority’ to be speaking out,” said Silverman. “Americans are generally a tolerant group. I think in five or ten years, studies will show that Atheists are being accepted in our culture just like everybody else.”AMERICAN ATHEISTS is a nationwide movement that defends civil rights for Atheists; works for the total separation of church and state; and addresses issues of First Amendment public policy.

Saturday, June 24, 20069:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.Crowne Plaza Hotel1221 Chess DriveFoster City, CA (mid-peninsula)Atheists across California and surrounding states will get together for an exciting day of nationally renowned speakers, networking, strategizing, and of course fun!The lineup of speakers is being finalized, but currently includes:- ELLEN JOHNSON, president of American Atheists and chair of the Godless Americans Political Action Committee- CONRAD GOERINGER, the irreverent editor of AANEWS, American Atheists’ insightful online look at news and events affecting Atheists- EDDIE TABASH, constitutional attorney and board member of the Council for Secular Humanism. In 2000, he was the only known Atheist to be a major contender for a seat in the California legislature.And the following Jesus anti-historians:- RICHARD CARRIER, doctoral student in ancient history and contributing author to “TheEmpty Tomb: Jesus Beyond the Grave”- DAVID FITZGERALD, Bay Area Atheist activist and author of the upcoming book “10,000 Christs and the Evaporating Jesus”- DON HAVIS, Bay Area archivist and longtime human rights activistInformation on hotel reservations and event registration will be distributed soon.Sponsored by:American Atheists California and Northern California affiliates:San Francisco Atheists, East Bay Atheists, and Atheists of Silicon Valley

Today I got an email from my friend / debate opponent Bill Devlin. Good guy. He wrote to tell me that once again he was hearing about the infamous petition to remove a show from TV because it mentions God in it too much. Usually it’s Touched by an Angel or some show like that.Naturally, these rumors are false. TV stations are private (non government) companies and can broadcast whatever they like. There has never been an attempt to stymie Freedom of Speech like this — it’s a lie by those who themselves lobby so that you can’t rent movies like the Last Temptation of Christ from Blockbuster (they don’t like it, so you can’t watch it).For verification, check out the fcc.gov web site and do a search for Atheist.And for anyone who receives this email, I urge you to “reply-all” and include the FCC link — people who spread falsehoods should be known for it.