Dan Barker, co-President of the Freedom From Religion Foundation, spends 30 minutes talking about his past, his deconversion, and his work with FFRF across the country.
The Thinking Atheist
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Glenn Beck: Turn Back to God
Crazy Christian Glenn Beck speaks
August 28, 2010 at a rally on the anniversary of Martin Luther King
August 28, 2010 at a rally on the anniversary of Martin Luther King
Genesis (take #1)
Yahweh secretly had a practice run. It didn't work out, it bored him to tears, and He decided to try again.
Well, you tell ME - why did it have to be a delicious, attractive fruit? Could the knowledge of good and evil NOT be magically stored in something else? Wouldn't it have been wise to NOT place the thing that's going to fuck up the entire universe IN THE MIDDLE OF A GARDEN, DISGUISED AS A FUCKING FRUIT?
What was Yahweh asking for? Seriously?!
Well, you tell ME - why did it have to be a delicious, attractive fruit? Could the knowledge of good and evil NOT be magically stored in something else? Wouldn't it have been wise to NOT place the thing that's going to fuck up the entire universe IN THE MIDDLE OF A GARDEN, DISGUISED AS A FUCKING FRUIT?
What was Yahweh asking for? Seriously?!
Monday, August 30, 2010
Tolerance and the Ground Zero Mosque
It is frequently a reasonable metric to apply in assessing the 'fairness' of your actions to turn the tables, and ask how you would feel if this action was done to you.
With Islam, this is almost comical, in that if a similar attack had been performed on an icon of the Muslim faith (as the WTC was arguably an icon of the US), say for instance 'Christian Infidels' flying civilian planes into the Kaaba, that at this point, almost a decade on that Mecca would be ready to have Christians building churches near 'Ground Zero' given that even as it stands Mecca strictly prohibits ALL non-muslims from entering the city.
With Islam, this is almost comical, in that if a similar attack had been performed on an icon of the Muslim faith (as the WTC was arguably an icon of the US), say for instance 'Christian Infidels' flying civilian planes into the Kaaba, that at this point, almost a decade on that Mecca would be ready to have Christians building churches near 'Ground Zero' given that even as it stands Mecca strictly prohibits ALL non-muslims from entering the city.
Richard Dawkins - Is Religion Good for Nothing?
What does it mean to be good for anything? It is a commonplace that different answers breed confusion, and a related confusion pervades my own field of evolutionary biology where the Good can be given a precise if not very uplifting meaning, alongside a plethora of imprecise if consoling meanings. I shall try to sort out the confusion for the special case of the evolution of religion, and shall deal with all the various ways in which it might be claimed that religion has evolutionary benefits.
1/6
2/6
3/6
4/6
5/6
6/6
1/6
2/6
3/6
4/6
5/6
6/6
Nikola Tesla The Missing Secrets
Nikola Tesla (Serbian: Никола Тесла; 10 July 1856 -- 7 January 1943) was an inventor, mechanical engineer, and electrical engineer. He was an important contributor to the birth of commercial electricity, and is best known for his many revolutionary developments in the field of electromagnetism in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Tesla's patents and theoretical work formed the basis of modern alternating current (AC) electric power systems, including the polyphase system of electrical distribution and the AC motor. This work helped usher in the Second Industrial Revolution.
part 1 of 5
part 2 of 5
part 3 of 5
part 4 of 5
Conspiracy theory?
part 5 of 5
part 1 of 5
part 2 of 5
part 3 of 5
part 4 of 5
Conspiracy theory?
part 5 of 5
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Stellar Seismology: Listening To A Star's Secrets
CoRoT reveals a magnetic activity cycle in a Sun-like star: Using data captured by the CoRoT satellite, scientists have successfully probed a distant star, using a technique called stellar seismology to monitor the star's acoustic fluctuations. They detected "starspots"-areas of intense magnetic activity on the surface that are similar to sunspots. While scientists had previously observed these magnetic cycles in other stars, this was the first time they discovered such a cycle using stellar seismology.
Distant star's sound waves reveal cycle similar to the Sun's: In a bid to unlock longstanding mysteries of the Sun, including the impacts on Earth of its 11-year cycle, an international team of scientists has successfully probed a distant star. By monitoring the star's sound waves, the team has observed a magnetic cycle analogous to the Sun's solar cycle. The study, conducted by scientists at the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) and colleagues in France and Spain, is being published as a "Brevia" in Science.
Distant star's inner secrets revealed by sound waves. Using data captured by the Convection Rotation and planetary Transits (CoRoT) satellite, scientists have successfully probed a distant star, using a technique called stellar seismology to monitor changes in the star's sound waves. Using that technique, the international team detected "starspots"—areas of intense magnetic activity on the surface that are similar to sunspots. While scientists had previously observed these magnetic cycles in other stars, this was the first time astronomers have discovered such a cycle using stellar seismology.
This video includes observations of the Sun and animations illustrating the research findings. Observations have shown that the magnetism of the Sun is constantly rearranging itself, ejecting hot gas out into the solar system that can interfere with satellites and damage electrical grids on Earth. The Sun's magnetic field gets stronger and weaker on an 11-year cycle, and similar magnetic cycles have been observed in dozens of other stars.
The CoRoT satellite was launched in 2006 to study the oscillations of stars similar to our Sun, and to search for planets circling those stars. CoRoT monitored a star known as HD49933 for more than 180 days, revealing a magnetic cycle much shorter than the Sun's. It's the shortest cycle ever observed in another star—less than a year. In comparison, the Sun's cycle lasts 11 years; only about half of it is shown in this video.
The side-by-side animation compares the much shorter HD49933 cycle (at left) with about half of the 11-year solar cycle of our Sun (at right). The distant HD49933 is actually much larger than our nearby star, the Sun. If such short cycles turn out to be common, NASA's Kepler mission will find them in many more stars—providing valuable data to help astronomers understand the inner workings of our own star.
Distant star's sound waves reveal cycle similar to the Sun's: In a bid to unlock longstanding mysteries of the Sun, including the impacts on Earth of its 11-year cycle, an international team of scientists has successfully probed a distant star. By monitoring the star's sound waves, the team has observed a magnetic cycle analogous to the Sun's solar cycle. The study, conducted by scientists at the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) and colleagues in France and Spain, is being published as a "Brevia" in Science.
Distant star's inner secrets revealed by sound waves. Using data captured by the Convection Rotation and planetary Transits (CoRoT) satellite, scientists have successfully probed a distant star, using a technique called stellar seismology to monitor changes in the star's sound waves. Using that technique, the international team detected "starspots"—areas of intense magnetic activity on the surface that are similar to sunspots. While scientists had previously observed these magnetic cycles in other stars, this was the first time astronomers have discovered such a cycle using stellar seismology.
This video includes observations of the Sun and animations illustrating the research findings. Observations have shown that the magnetism of the Sun is constantly rearranging itself, ejecting hot gas out into the solar system that can interfere with satellites and damage electrical grids on Earth. The Sun's magnetic field gets stronger and weaker on an 11-year cycle, and similar magnetic cycles have been observed in dozens of other stars.
The CoRoT satellite was launched in 2006 to study the oscillations of stars similar to our Sun, and to search for planets circling those stars. CoRoT monitored a star known as HD49933 for more than 180 days, revealing a magnetic cycle much shorter than the Sun's. It's the shortest cycle ever observed in another star—less than a year. In comparison, the Sun's cycle lasts 11 years; only about half of it is shown in this video.
The side-by-side animation compares the much shorter HD49933 cycle (at left) with about half of the 11-year solar cycle of our Sun (at right). The distant HD49933 is actually much larger than our nearby star, the Sun. If such short cycles turn out to be common, NASA's Kepler mission will find them in many more stars—providing valuable data to help astronomers understand the inner workings of our own star.
The Moral Necessity of Atheism - Christopher Hitchens
Christopher Hitchens Lecture: "The Moral Necessity of Atheism."
Part 1 of 3
Part 2 of 3
Part 3 of 3
Convocation Hall, Sewanee University, February 23, 2004
Part 1 of 3
Part 2 of 3
Part 3 of 3
Convocation Hall, Sewanee University, February 23, 2004
Raw Food superstition video part 2
A review of the scientific literature for raw food risk and benefits.
View Raw food part 1
1. Dental erosions in subjects living on a raw food diet.
2. Consequences of a long-term raw food diet on body weight and menstruation: results of a questionnaire survey.
3. Low bone mass in subjects on a long-term raw vegetarian diet.
4. Thermal stability of organophosphorus pesticide triazophos and its relevance in the assessment of risk to the consumer of triazophos residues in food.
5. By how much does fruit and vegetable consumption reduce the risk of ischaemic heart disease?
6. Long-term consumption of a raw food diet is associated with favorable serum LDL cholesterol and triglycerides but also with elevated plasma homocysteine and low serum HDL cholesterol in humans.
7. Mortality in vegetarians and nonvegetarians: detailed findings from a collaborative analysis of 5 prospective studies.
8. Detection of IgE, IgG, IgA and IgM antibodies against raw and processed food antigens.
9. Effects of a raw food diet on hypertension and obesity.
10. Antioxidant status in long-term adherents to a strict uncooked vegan diet.
11. Effects of eating an uncooked vegetable diet for 1 week.
12. Uncooked, lactobacilli-rich, vegan food and rheumatoid arthritis.
View Raw food part 1
1. Dental erosions in subjects living on a raw food diet.
2. Consequences of a long-term raw food diet on body weight and menstruation: results of a questionnaire survey.
3. Low bone mass in subjects on a long-term raw vegetarian diet.
4. Thermal stability of organophosphorus pesticide triazophos and its relevance in the assessment of risk to the consumer of triazophos residues in food.
5. By how much does fruit and vegetable consumption reduce the risk of ischaemic heart disease?
6. Long-term consumption of a raw food diet is associated with favorable serum LDL cholesterol and triglycerides but also with elevated plasma homocysteine and low serum HDL cholesterol in humans.
7. Mortality in vegetarians and nonvegetarians: detailed findings from a collaborative analysis of 5 prospective studies.
8. Detection of IgE, IgG, IgA and IgM antibodies against raw and processed food antigens.
9. Effects of a raw food diet on hypertension and obesity.
10. Antioxidant status in long-term adherents to a strict uncooked vegan diet.
11. Effects of eating an uncooked vegetable diet for 1 week.
12. Uncooked, lactobacilli-rich, vegan food and rheumatoid arthritis.
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Kabane The Christian vs Matt Dillahunty
Kabane The Christian vs Matt Dillahunty On The Historicity Of The Gospels And The Authorship Of Matthew (Part 1/4) - The Atheist Experience #606 with Matt Dillahunty and Don Baker.
Video part 1 of 4
Video part 2 of 4
Video part 3 of 4
Video part 4 of 4
Kabane The Christian vs Matt Dillahunty On The Historicity Of The Gospels And The Authorship Of Matthew (Aftermath). * MUST SEE *
Video part 1 of 4
Video part 2 of 4
Video part 3 of 4
Video part 4 of 4
Kabane The Christian vs Matt Dillahunty On The Historicity Of The Gospels And The Authorship Of Matthew (Aftermath). * MUST SEE *
Friday, August 27, 2010
President Barack Obama - Losing His Religion
President Barack Obama must prove he's Christian by Twittering from the church pew and carrying a Bible everywhere. (06:44)
| The Colbert Report | Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c | |||
| The Word - Losing His Religion | ||||
| ||||
BBC Horizon - God On The Brain
BBC Horizon looks at belief in the supernatural being caused by temperal lobe epilepsy.
God on the Brain - programme summary
Rudi Affolter and Gwen Tighe have both experienced strong religious visions. He is an atheist; she a Christian. He thought he had died; she thought she had given birth to Jesus. Both have temporal lobe epilepsy.
1 of 5
Like other forms of epilepsy, the condition causes fitting but it is also associated with religious hallucinations. Research into why people like Rudi and Gwen saw what they did has opened up a whole field of brain science: neurotheology.
2 of 5
The connection between the temporal lobes of the brain and religious feeling has led one Canadian scientist to try stimulating them. (They are near your ears.) 80% of Dr Michael Persinger's experimental subjects report that an artificial magnetic field focused on those brain areas gives them a feeling of 'not being alone'. Some of them describe it as a religious sensation.
3 of 5
His work raises the prospect that we are programmed to believe in god, that faith is a mental ability humans have developed or been given. And temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) could help unlock the mystery.
4 of 5
5 of 5
God on the Brain - programme summary
Rudi Affolter and Gwen Tighe have both experienced strong religious visions. He is an atheist; she a Christian. He thought he had died; she thought she had given birth to Jesus. Both have temporal lobe epilepsy.
1 of 5
Like other forms of epilepsy, the condition causes fitting but it is also associated with religious hallucinations. Research into why people like Rudi and Gwen saw what they did has opened up a whole field of brain science: neurotheology.
2 of 5
The connection between the temporal lobes of the brain and religious feeling has led one Canadian scientist to try stimulating them. (They are near your ears.) 80% of Dr Michael Persinger's experimental subjects report that an artificial magnetic field focused on those brain areas gives them a feeling of 'not being alone'. Some of them describe it as a religious sensation.
3 of 5
His work raises the prospect that we are programmed to believe in god, that faith is a mental ability humans have developed or been given. And temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) could help unlock the mystery.
4 of 5
5 of 5
International Burn a Quran Day
Terry Jones, Pastor Dove World Outreach Center, Gainesville, Florida, USA
Aired on Hardball with Chris Matthews, at MSNBC, August 26, 2010
Aired on Hardball with Chris Matthews, at MSNBC, August 26, 2010
Giving trapped miners Bibles
Preventing 33 Miners Trapped for 4 Months From Going Insane - Give 'em Bibles?
MSNBC News, August 26 ,2010
MSNBC News, August 26 ,2010
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Empire State Building Refuses to Light Up for Mother Teresa, Catholics Protest
Catholic Bill Donahue (William A. Donohue) once again on crusade. This time Bill Donahue is fighting Empire State Building which is privately owned.
August 26, 2010 on Fox News
August 26, 2010 on Fox News
Richard Dawkins: Life is astonishing
A large crowd turned out at the Christchurch Town Hall in March to hear noted author, biologist and atheist Richard Dawkins.
1/6
2/6
"It's an astonishing stroke of luck that we are here." That was the evolutionary message of author, biologist and atheist Richard Dawkins to a packed auditorium at the Christchurch Town Hall.
3/6
However, it seemed shared by most of the capacity 2500 audience, who ensured Dawkins lived up to his billing as the "rock star of neo-atheism" as they cheered him on to the stage and gave him a standing ovation.
4/6
5/6
6/6
1/6
2/6
"It's an astonishing stroke of luck that we are here." That was the evolutionary message of author, biologist and atheist Richard Dawkins to a packed auditorium at the Christchurch Town Hall.
3/6
However, it seemed shared by most of the capacity 2500 audience, who ensured Dawkins lived up to his billing as the "rock star of neo-atheism" as they cheered him on to the stage and gave him a standing ovation.
4/6
5/6
6/6
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Catholic Church and UK Colluded in Northern Ireland Bomb Cover-Up
Claudy bombing report. Claudy bombing kiled 9 people.
The UK government, the police and the Catholic Church colluded to protect a priest suspected of involvement in a 1972 bombing in Northern Ireland that killed 9 people, a report said
Aired at August 24, 2010 on BBC News
Read more at Reuters Catholic Church, UK govt in bomb cover-up: report
The UK government, the police and the Catholic Church colluded to protect a priest suspected of involvement in a 1972 bombing in Northern Ireland that killed 9 people, a report said
Aired at August 24, 2010 on BBC News
Read more at Reuters Catholic Church, UK govt in bomb cover-up: report
Christopher Hitchens on The Shmuley [Radio] Show
Christopher Hitchens on "The Shmuley Show", 77WABC Radio, NYC, August 22, 2010
Part 1 of 2
Part 2 of 2
Rabbi Shmuley Boteach
Part 1 of 2
Part 2 of 2
Rabbi Shmuley Boteach
Michio Kaku's "TIME"
We hold a unique knowledge of time, realising that it stretches deep into the past, and will continue into the future. How does this affect our sense of who we are?
1 of 3
Our awareness that time stretches back long before we were born, and will continue to stretch into the future long after we're gone, lies at the heart of our humanity. Without this sense we couldn't learn from the past, and wouldn't plan for the future.
2 of 3
But where did we come from, and where are we going in time? Every culture mythologises time and attempts to answer the ultimate questions: was there a beginning? And will there be an end?
3 of 3
1 of 3
Our awareness that time stretches back long before we were born, and will continue to stretch into the future long after we're gone, lies at the heart of our humanity. Without this sense we couldn't learn from the past, and wouldn't plan for the future.
2 of 3
But where did we come from, and where are we going in time? Every culture mythologises time and attempts to answer the ultimate questions: was there a beginning? And will there be an end?
3 of 3
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Messed-Up Bible Stories 4: Noah's Ark
God kills everyone and starts over.
Written, Animated and Voiced by Sam T
Narrator Voiced by
Jeffrey Wisenbaugh II
www.kooljeffrey.com
Written, Animated and Voiced by Sam T
Narrator Voiced by
Jeffrey Wisenbaugh II
www.kooljeffrey.com
Gas Up! And Non-Believers Can Leave the Country
WEST COLUMBIA, SC - If you go to fill up your tank in West Columbia you may see the message "One nation under God and if you don't like it, leave."
WIST10 news, August 11, 2010
WIST10 news, August 11, 2010
The Church Doesn't Like the People to Grow Up
Bishop John Shelby Spong "The Church Doesn't Like the People to Grow Up."
John Shelby Spong, retired Episcopal bishop from Newark, N.J., interviewed by Keith Morrison on Dateline, NBC, 8-13-2006
John Shelby Spong, retired Episcopal bishop from Newark, N.J., interviewed by Keith Morrison on Dateline, NBC, 8-13-2006
Monday, August 23, 2010
Fox Host Suggests "Anti-Christian Sentiment" Behind Opposition To Vermont Cross
August 23, 2010 on Fox News with Steve Doocy
Evolution - Darwin's Dangerous Idea
Why does Chrales Darwin's "Dangerous Idea" matter more today than ever, and how does it explain the past and predict the furture of life on Earth? The first show interweaves the drama of Darwin's Life with current documentary sequences, introducing key concepts of evolution.
1of8
2of8
3of8
4of8
5of8
6of8
7of8
8of8
1of8
2of8
3of8
4of8
5of8
6of8
7of8
8of8
The Median Isn't the Message by Stephen J Gould
This is one of the most profound essays I've ever read about a rational person being confronted with cancer. His books inspired me to science, and to look at the world in a new way.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
The Question of God
Based on a popular Harvard course taught by Dr. Armand Nicholi, author of "The Question of God," this 2004 series illustrates the lives and insights of Sigmund Freud (1856-1939), a life-long critic of religious belief, and C.S. Lewis (1898-1963), a celebrated Oxford don, literary critic, and perhaps this century's most influential and popular proponent of faith based on reason.
The series focuses upon the perennial questions: What is happiness? How do we find meaning and purpose in our lives? How do we reconcile conflicting claims of love and sexuality? These excerpts focus on this: How do we cope with the problem of suffering and the inevitability of death?
1/6 A panel discussion (led by Nicholi) with atheists, agnostics, and theists regarding the origins of morality - is morality God-given or part of our evolutionary heritage? For Freud, "cultural experience" and "expediency" are the sources, while for Lewis it is a "discoverable," transcendent law authored by God...
1/6
2/6
3/6
4/6
5/6
6/6
Coming Out Atheist
Martin and Russell talk about coming out atheist.
The Atheist Experience TV Show
#670: Coming Out Atheist
Host: Russell Glasser
Co-host: Martin Wagner
2010-08-15
The Atheist Experience TV Show
#670: Coming Out Atheist
Host: Russell Glasser
Co-host: Martin Wagner
2010-08-15
Debate: Is Atheism A Positive Force In America?
American Atheists' VP & National Spokesman, David Silverman vs. Catholic League's, Jeff Field.
Part 1 of 2
Part 2 of 2
"Nightline Now" Twittercast, 8-17-2010
Part 1 of 2
Part 2 of 2
"Nightline Now" Twittercast, 8-17-2010
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Faith School Menace?
The number of faith schools in Britain is rising. Around 7,000 publicly funded schools - one in three - now has a religious affiliation.
As the coalition government paves the way for more faith-based education by promoting 'free schools', the renowned atheist and evolutionary biologist Professor Richard Dawkins says enough is enough.
1 of 4
In this passionately argued film, Richard Dawkins calls on us to reconsider the consequences of faith education, which, he argues, bamboozles parents and indoctrinates and divides children.
2 of 4
The film features robust exchanges with former Secretary of State for Education Charles Clarke, Head of the Church of England Education Service Reverend Janina Ainsworth, and the Chair of the Association of Muslim Schools, Dr Mohammed Mukadam.
3 of 4
It also features insights from child psychologists and key players in faith education as well as insights from both parents and pupils.
Richard Dawkins also draws on his own personal history as a father, arguing that the government must stop funding new faith schools, and urges society to respect a child's right to freedom of belief.
4 of 4
Aired August 18, 2010 on Channel 4
As the coalition government paves the way for more faith-based education by promoting 'free schools', the renowned atheist and evolutionary biologist Professor Richard Dawkins says enough is enough.
1 of 4
In this passionately argued film, Richard Dawkins calls on us to reconsider the consequences of faith education, which, he argues, bamboozles parents and indoctrinates and divides children.
2 of 4
The film features robust exchanges with former Secretary of State for Education Charles Clarke, Head of the Church of England Education Service Reverend Janina Ainsworth, and the Chair of the Association of Muslim Schools, Dr Mohammed Mukadam.
3 of 4
It also features insights from child psychologists and key players in faith education as well as insights from both parents and pupils.
Richard Dawkins also draws on his own personal history as a father, arguing that the government must stop funding new faith schools, and urges society to respect a child's right to freedom of belief.
4 of 4
Aired August 18, 2010 on Channel 4
Special Investigation: Obama's Secret True Religion
Countdown Special Investigation abouth Barack Obama
Funny as hell
Aired on Countdown with Keith Olbermann, MSNBC, 8-20-2010
Funny as hell
Aired on Countdown with Keith Olbermann, MSNBC, 8-20-2010
What would Darwin say to today's creationists?
Many creationist arguments would be familiar to Darwin. But others--such as Young Earth Creationism--would have baffled him. Genie Scott explores the then and now of creationism, at the University of Chicago's 2009 Darwin Celebration.
Event date: 10/30/2009.
Event date: 10/30/2009.
Vitamin D and Prevention of Chronic Diseases
Can vitamin D help prevent certain cancers and other diseases such as type 1 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and certain autoimmune and chronic diseases? To answer these questions and more, UCSD School of Medicine and GrassrootsHealth bring you this innovative series on vitamin D deficiency.
Join nationally recognized experts as they discuss the latest research and its implications. In this program, Michael Holick, MD, discusses vitamin D relating to bone and muscle health and the prevention of autoimmune and chronic diseases. Series: Vitamin D Deficiency - Treatment and Diagnosis [3/2009]
Join nationally recognized experts as they discuss the latest research and its implications. In this program, Michael Holick, MD, discusses vitamin D relating to bone and muscle health and the prevention of autoimmune and chronic diseases. Series: Vitamin D Deficiency - Treatment and Diagnosis [3/2009]
Friday, August 20, 2010
Americans thinks Barack Obama is a Muslim
Religion Seen As Losing Influence On Government Officials
Aired on Fox news, August 19, 2010
Read Growing Number of Americans Say Obama is a Muslim by Pew Research Center.
Aired on Fox news, August 19, 2010
Read Growing Number of Americans Say Obama is a Muslim by Pew Research Center.
Rapid fossilization of hats debunked
Look what's been fossilized! Hats, gurkins, hammers, teddy bears.... All kinds of crap was buried at the time of the Biblical flood, rapidly fossilized, and now sits in creation museums. Only a couple of problems. This stuff wasn't buried by a flood and it hasn't been fossilized. It's very easy to see why, as I show in my video.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Sean Faircloth: Stand Up For Fact-Based Education
Last month, Carolyn McCarthy (D-NY) introduced Ending Corporal Punishment in Schools Act, a bill in Congress that would ban corporal punishment-in other words, striking kids to enforce discipline-in all public and private schools. This bill's introduction is a positive step toward ending religious privilege in policy affecting and harming children.
Stand Up For Fact-Based Education
Many private religious schools are funded with taxpayer dollars. The students attending religious schools should be protected to the same extent as their public school counterparts.
The Bible contains seven passages which specifically recommend the use of physical pain to discipline children-of course, the Bible also condones stonings and slavery. James Dobson, who leads the religious organization Focus on the Family with a budget over $100 million dollars, asserts, "spanking should be of sufficient magnitude to cause the child to cry genuinely," and that "pain is a marvelous purifier." Dobson advocates spanking for children as young as eighteen months old.
Make no mistake: Exempting religious private schools from a ban on corporal punishment means the government is authorizing the use of physical violence as a form of punishment for a specific set of children. Children in religious schools are no less human - and no less deserving of safety from physical harm -- than any other children.
TAKE ACTION NOW: Ask your members of Congress to co-sponsor Ending Corporal Punishment in Schools Act. Tell them that as a Secular American you want them to protect all children equally and not give special privileges to religious schools and teachers to employ this practice on their students.
Secular Coalition for America: Action Alert - Tell Your Representative to Stand Up For Fact-Based Education
Secular Coalition Advisory Board:
Woody Kaplan (Chair), Robert Boston, Richard Dawkins, Daniel Dennett, Bruce Flamm, Sam Harris, Jeff Hawkins, Christopher Hitchens, Susan Jacoby, Wendy Kaminer, Michael Newdow, Massimo Pigliucci, Steven Pinker, Salman Rushdie, Ellery Schempp, Todd Stiefel, Julia Sweeney
Stand Up For Fact-Based Education
Many private religious schools are funded with taxpayer dollars. The students attending religious schools should be protected to the same extent as their public school counterparts.
The Bible contains seven passages which specifically recommend the use of physical pain to discipline children-of course, the Bible also condones stonings and slavery. James Dobson, who leads the religious organization Focus on the Family with a budget over $100 million dollars, asserts, "spanking should be of sufficient magnitude to cause the child to cry genuinely," and that "pain is a marvelous purifier." Dobson advocates spanking for children as young as eighteen months old.
Make no mistake: Exempting religious private schools from a ban on corporal punishment means the government is authorizing the use of physical violence as a form of punishment for a specific set of children. Children in religious schools are no less human - and no less deserving of safety from physical harm -- than any other children.
TAKE ACTION NOW: Ask your members of Congress to co-sponsor Ending Corporal Punishment in Schools Act. Tell them that as a Secular American you want them to protect all children equally and not give special privileges to religious schools and teachers to employ this practice on their students.
Secular Coalition for America: Action Alert - Tell Your Representative to Stand Up For Fact-Based Education
Secular Coalition Advisory Board:
Woody Kaplan (Chair), Robert Boston, Richard Dawkins, Daniel Dennett, Bruce Flamm, Sam Harris, Jeff Hawkins, Christopher Hitchens, Susan Jacoby, Wendy Kaminer, Michael Newdow, Massimo Pigliucci, Steven Pinker, Salman Rushdie, Ellery Schempp, Todd Stiefel, Julia Sweeney
Agnostic Delusions
Jen and Matt talk about the California Prop 8 decision and trash the "Agnostic Manifesto".
The Atheist Experience TV Show
#669: Agnostic Delusions
Host: Matt Dillahunty
Co-host: Jen Peeples
2010-08-08
The Atheist Experience TV Show
#669: Agnostic Delusions
Host: Matt Dillahunty
Co-host: Jen Peeples
2010-08-08
Crosses along higway endorses Christianity
The 14 crosses erected along Utah highways to commemorate fallen state Highway Patrol troopers convey a state preference for Christianity and are a violation of the U.S. Constitution, a federal appeals court said on Wednesday.
The ruling reverses a 2007 decision by a federal district judge that said the crosses communicate a secular message about deaths and were not a public endorsement of religion. A three-judge panel from Denver's 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said in its 38-page ruling that a "reasonable observer" would conclude that the state and the Utah Highway Patrol were endorsing Christianity with the cross memorials.
Salt Lake City, Utah, Fox 13, 8-18-2010
The ruling reverses a 2007 decision by a federal district judge that said the crosses communicate a secular message about deaths and were not a public endorsement of religion. A three-judge panel from Denver's 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said in its 38-page ruling that a "reasonable observer" would conclude that the state and the Utah Highway Patrol were endorsing Christianity with the cross memorials.
Salt Lake City, Utah, Fox 13, 8-18-2010
Mosque-Erade (Daily Show)
John Oliver says Muslims are allowed to put a mosque near Ground Zero, just like Catholics can build a church next to a playground.
Aired on Monday August 16, 2010 at The Daily Show, Comedy Central
| The Daily Show With Jon Stewart | Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c | |||
| Mosque-Erade | ||||
| ||||
Aired on Monday August 16, 2010 at The Daily Show, Comedy Central
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Carl Sagan and the legacy
James Randi talks about one of the most influential scientists of all time; Carl Sagan. Randi and Sagan were well acquainted, and Sagan once said of Randi: "We may not always agree with Randi, but we ignore him at our peril." Watch this video to see what Randi has to say about Sagan.
Recorded: 2/25/2009
Recorded: 2/25/2009
Temecula Ain't Big Enough For Two Different Gods!
Rev. William Rench and Imam Mahmoud Harmoush of Temecula, California. On the proposed mosque in Temecula.
Aired on John King USA, CNN, 8-17-2010
Aired on John King USA, CNN, 8-17-2010
Lawrence Lessig: Re-examining the remix
At TEDxNYED, former "young Republican" Larry Lessig talks about what Democrats can learn about copyright from their opposite party, considered more conservative. A surprising lens on remix culture.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
American Family Assoc.: "No More Mosques, Period"
Bryan Fischer of American Family Association (AFA)
Anderson Cooper 360, with Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN, 8-16-2010
Anderson Cooper 360, with Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN, 8-16-2010
Divine Protection - When God protect
Believers worldwide thank God for His divine hand of protection in their lives. In this video, we examine several recent cases where God's intervention was desperately needed.
Olbermann Special Comment: The "Ground Zero" Mosque
Countdown with Keith Olbermann, MSNBC, 8-16-2010
Monday, August 16, 2010
The Thinking Atheist Podcast #2 Mad As Hell
Frustrated at the lack of critical thinking in this world (and the zealous sermons from friends and family), our listeners sound off.
The same podcast hosted on youtube
Made 14. August 2010.
The same podcast hosted on youtube
Made 14. August 2010.
Discovering Religion: Ep 1 - Ready-Made World
The first installment of the original series "Discovering Religion". T
>
In this episode I discuss the apparent conflicts that exist with our present observable reality and our past archaic religious traditions that not only seem to contradict one another, but all that we have discovered through the scientific method.
>
In this episode I discuss the apparent conflicts that exist with our present observable reality and our past archaic religious traditions that not only seem to contradict one another, but all that we have discovered through the scientific method.
Richard Dawkins interviewed by Dina Volaric
Richard Dawkins is interviewed for Australian ABC TV Compass.
Deepak Chopra Gets Owned
This video is not intended to make fun of Deepak, but to show the logical fallacies in his reasoning.
News Updates From Freethought Radio for August 14, 2010
Clips from Freethought Radio, August 14, 2010
Sunday, August 15, 2010
The Prophet Muhammad sex-life, sexual abuse and pedophilia
Muslims/Islam believe that the Koran/quran is the eternal word/laws of god/allah to acts as a divine guidance for mankind about how to live a moral, righteous life.
Prophet Muhammad, the highest perfection of human life and the prototype of the most wonderful human....is this really true?!!! lets see togethere...
Prophet Muhammad, the highest perfection of human life and the prototype of the most wonderful human....is this really true?!!! lets see togethere...
Immunization plea from parent of child who died of Chicken Pox
A desperate plea for parents to immunize their children from a parent whose child died in two days from Chicken Pox. Unlike what anti-vaccination groups like the AVN's president Meryl Dorey will tell you, children DO die from these diseases, this is just one example.
Please, get the facts and not the misinformation. Speak to your local GP, do your research at the health department sites, and avoid the misinformation sites such as the AVN.
Ten Late News - 13. August 2010
Chain of Protection
Stop antivax network
Please, get the facts and not the misinformation. Speak to your local GP, do your research at the health department sites, and avoid the misinformation sites such as the AVN.
Ten Late News - 13. August 2010
Chain of Protection
Stop antivax network
Dan Barker - The Thinking Atheist Interview
Dan Barker is co-President of the Freedom From Religion Foundation. A former evangelist, Dan speaks to his early life as a believer, the catalyst which caused him to embrace atheism, and gives advice on the challenges and opportunities atheists face in religious culture.
"In Reason We Trust" Says Tampa Area Billboards
"Anti-religion billboards go up in Bay area"
St. Petersburg, Florida -- The nation's largest group of atheists and agnostics is putting up 20 anti-religion billboards in Tampa and St. Petersburg.
The billboards, paid for by the Freedom From Religion Foundation feature one of four slogans and started going up on Thursday. The slogans on the different billboards read; "Sleep In On Sundays," "Imagine No Religion," "God and Government - A Dangerous Mix," and "In Reason We Trust."
Photo Gallery: Anti-religion billboards in Tampa Bay
Annie Laurie Gaylor, the Co-President of the Freedom From Religion Foundation says 20 billboards are the most they have every put up in one area.
"We want it to be visible, we want people to really see it while they're up and reach out to like minded people," Gaylor said.
Gaylor says more than anything, the billboards are part of an awareness campaign. She says awareness both of her organization and that 15% of Americans are non-religious.
"We want to reach people who agree with us of course, but mostly we want to educate because we think that when everywhere you look there is religion and religious billboards and churches and crosses and religion 24/7 and on the public airwaves, that religion wins by default and we want to balance that."
One of the group's billboards is located just feet from the Southside Tabernacle Baptist Church on 18th Avenue South. Pastor Henry Payne with Southside Tabernacle Baptist says he doesn't like the billboards, but understands it's the group's right to put them up. He also thinks most people will simply ignore them.
"One percent might look at that (billboard) and ponder, but the rest of them will see it and keep going," Payne told 10 News.
The billboards are expected to stay up for a month and cost the group $3,500.
Freedom From Religion has more than 15,500 members nationwide. The group last held its annual convention in Tampa back in 1997.
Below is a list of where some of the Freedom From Religion billboards are located.
* Rome Ave and LaSalle St. in Tampa
* Columbus Dr and North Blvd. in Tampa
* MLK, Jr. Blvd and Lois Ave in Tampa
* 15th St. and Lake Ave in Tampa
* 22nd St and Cayuga St. in Tampa
* 21st Ave and 22nd St in Tampa
* 34th St. and MLK, Jr. Blvd in Tampa
* 40th St. and Osborne Ave in Tampa
* MacDill Ave and N. Adams St. in Tampa
* Rowlett Park and Sligh Ave in Tampa
* 37th St. South and 18th Ave South in St. Petersburg
* Park Blvd and 59th St. North in Pinellas Park
St. Petersburg, Florida -- The nation's largest group of atheists and agnostics is putting up 20 anti-religion billboards in Tampa and St. Petersburg.
The billboards, paid for by the Freedom From Religion Foundation feature one of four slogans and started going up on Thursday. The slogans on the different billboards read; "Sleep In On Sundays," "Imagine No Religion," "God and Government - A Dangerous Mix," and "In Reason We Trust."
Photo Gallery: Anti-religion billboards in Tampa Bay
Annie Laurie Gaylor, the Co-President of the Freedom From Religion Foundation says 20 billboards are the most they have every put up in one area.
"We want it to be visible, we want people to really see it while they're up and reach out to like minded people," Gaylor said.
Gaylor says more than anything, the billboards are part of an awareness campaign. She says awareness both of her organization and that 15% of Americans are non-religious.
"We want to reach people who agree with us of course, but mostly we want to educate because we think that when everywhere you look there is religion and religious billboards and churches and crosses and religion 24/7 and on the public airwaves, that religion wins by default and we want to balance that."
One of the group's billboards is located just feet from the Southside Tabernacle Baptist Church on 18th Avenue South. Pastor Henry Payne with Southside Tabernacle Baptist says he doesn't like the billboards, but understands it's the group's right to put them up. He also thinks most people will simply ignore them.
"One percent might look at that (billboard) and ponder, but the rest of them will see it and keep going," Payne told 10 News.
The billboards are expected to stay up for a month and cost the group $3,500.
Freedom From Religion has more than 15,500 members nationwide. The group last held its annual convention in Tampa back in 1997.
Below is a list of where some of the Freedom From Religion billboards are located.
* Rome Ave and LaSalle St. in Tampa
* Columbus Dr and North Blvd. in Tampa
* MLK, Jr. Blvd and Lois Ave in Tampa
* 15th St. and Lake Ave in Tampa
* 22nd St and Cayuga St. in Tampa
* 21st Ave and 22nd St in Tampa
* 34th St. and MLK, Jr. Blvd in Tampa
* 40th St. and Osborne Ave in Tampa
* MacDill Ave and N. Adams St. in Tampa
* Rowlett Park and Sligh Ave in Tampa
* 37th St. South and 18th Ave South in St. Petersburg
* Park Blvd and 59th St. North in Pinellas Park
Saturday, August 14, 2010
A First Amendment Primer for Republicans
New mosque near Ground Zero in New York City
The Rachel Maddow Show, MSNBC, 8-12-2010
The Rachel Maddow Show, MSNBC, 8-12-2010
Cardboard Testimonies - Fellowship Church
Performed by a few members of Fellowship Church in Grand Junction, Co.
Warning: Ugly video!
The song is Overcome by Desperation band.
Warning: Ugly video!
The song is Overcome by Desperation band.
Friday, August 13, 2010
Raw Food superstition video
Raw food is just another form of extremism. It takes a very good idea: increased consumption of fruits and vegetables, and can take it too far. The reasons to follow an all-raw diet are just bad logic, and can cause great harm.
Happy Ramadan by Stephen Colbert
While Muslims fast for Ramadan, Stephen Colbert enjoys a delicious falafel with a Bud Light Lime and a nice smoke.
| The Colbert Report | Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c | |||
| Happy Ramadan | ||||
| ||||
Getting evolution right: Tips for writers
Journalists and science writers often get evolution wrong, says the NCSE's Genie Scott. In this entertaining talk, Genie Scott shares tips and tricks that will help all science communicators get it right.
Event date: 5-20-2010
Event date: 5-20-2010
Atheistic Quotes video
Atheism, in a broad sense, is the rejection of belief in the existence of deities. In a narrower sense, atheism is specifically the position that there are no deities. Most inclusively, atheism is simply the absence of belief that any deities exist. Atheism is contrasted with theism, which in its most general form is the belief that at least one deity exists.
Are Men More Evolved Than Women?
Calacademy: Are Men More Evolved Than Women? Comparing the differences in the Y chromosomes in chimps and humans has created quite a buzz.
Chimpanzee and human Y chromosomes are remarkably divergent in structure and gene content
The human Y chromosome began to evolve from an autosome hundreds of millions of years ago, acquiring a sex-determining function and undergoing a series of inversions that suppressed crossing over with the X chromosome. Little is known about the recent evolution of the Y chromosome because only the human Y chromosome has been fully sequenced. Prevailing theories hold that Y chromosomes evolve by gene loss, the pace of which slows over time, eventually leading to a paucity of genes, and stasis.
These theories have been buttressed by partial sequence data from newly emergent plant and animal Y chromosomes, but they have not been tested in older, highly evolved Y chromosomes such as that of humans. Here we finished sequencing of the male-specific region of the Y chromosome (MSY) in our closest living relative, the chimpanzee, achieving levels of accuracy and completion previously reached for the human MSY. By comparing the MSYs of the two species we show that they differ radically in sequence structure and gene content, indicating rapid evolution during the past six million years.
The chimpanzee MSY contains twice as many massive palindromes as the human MSY, yet it has lost large fractions of the MSY protein-coding genes and gene families present in the last common ancestor. We suggest that the extraordinary divergence of the chimpanzee and human MSYs was driven by four synergistic factors: the prominent role of the MSY in sperm production, 'genetic hitchhiking' effects in the absence of meiotic crossing over, frequent ectopic recombination within the MSY, and species differences in mating behaviour. Although genetic decay may be the principal dynamic in the evolution of newly emergent Y chromosomes, wholesale renovation is the paramount theme in the continuing evolution of chimpanzee, human and perhaps other older MSYs.
Science in Action strives to make science accessible for everyone and discuss its relevance in our everyday lives. We bring you science news through media screens and live chats on the museum floor, this Science Today website, podcasts, and monthly Nightlife programming. We gather and disseminate content through our partners, local programs, other media and Academy staff. And you. Please feel free to comment and let us know what's important to you in the science world.
Science Today
Chimpanzee and human Y chromosomes are remarkably divergent in structure and gene content
The human Y chromosome began to evolve from an autosome hundreds of millions of years ago, acquiring a sex-determining function and undergoing a series of inversions that suppressed crossing over with the X chromosome. Little is known about the recent evolution of the Y chromosome because only the human Y chromosome has been fully sequenced. Prevailing theories hold that Y chromosomes evolve by gene loss, the pace of which slows over time, eventually leading to a paucity of genes, and stasis.
These theories have been buttressed by partial sequence data from newly emergent plant and animal Y chromosomes, but they have not been tested in older, highly evolved Y chromosomes such as that of humans. Here we finished sequencing of the male-specific region of the Y chromosome (MSY) in our closest living relative, the chimpanzee, achieving levels of accuracy and completion previously reached for the human MSY. By comparing the MSYs of the two species we show that they differ radically in sequence structure and gene content, indicating rapid evolution during the past six million years.
The chimpanzee MSY contains twice as many massive palindromes as the human MSY, yet it has lost large fractions of the MSY protein-coding genes and gene families present in the last common ancestor. We suggest that the extraordinary divergence of the chimpanzee and human MSYs was driven by four synergistic factors: the prominent role of the MSY in sperm production, 'genetic hitchhiking' effects in the absence of meiotic crossing over, frequent ectopic recombination within the MSY, and species differences in mating behaviour. Although genetic decay may be the principal dynamic in the evolution of newly emergent Y chromosomes, wholesale renovation is the paramount theme in the continuing evolution of chimpanzee, human and perhaps other older MSYs.
Science in Action strives to make science accessible for everyone and discuss its relevance in our everyday lives. We bring you science news through media screens and live chats on the museum floor, this Science Today website, podcasts, and monthly Nightlife programming. We gather and disseminate content through our partners, local programs, other media and Academy staff. And you. Please feel free to comment and let us know what's important to you in the science world.
Science Today
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Before We Ruled The Earth - Hunt or be Hunted
Hunt Or Be Hunted
This historical program uses reenactments and computer animation to portray the earliest known humans. Watch the progress of human evolution from homo erectus to the Cro-Magnons, presented along with timelines, archaeological information, and fossil records. This episode shows the daily survival tactics of the early hominids to eat or be eaten.
1 of 4
2 of 4
This historical program uses reenactments and computer animation to portray the earliest known humans. Watch the progress of human evolution from homo erectus to the Cro-Magnons, presented along with timelines, archaeological information, and fossil records. This episode shows the daily survival tactics of the early hominids to eat or be eaten.
1 of 4
2 of 4
Applied Kinesiology Muscle Testing
We test the claim that a cell phone near the heart can change your strength.
The Ultimate Evil
The story about when Yahwe flodded the Earth
Those little bastards drowned goddammit!
Those little bastards drowned goddammit!
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
That Mitchell and Webb Look - Richard Dawkins
Just a bit of fun. Abort Richard Dawkins
10 August 2010 - BBC Red Button channel
10 August 2010 - BBC Red Button channel
Aiken City Council in South Carolina, to pray before council meetings
It's this action... praying before council meetings in Aiken... that caused nearly a thousand people to rally Monday night, in response to a letter requesting that they stop.
Pastor Tad Marshall, Lakeside Baptist Church: "This was written from an atheist and agnostic organization in Wisconsin...it's nice for those folks in Wisconsin to be concerned about our Aiken matters isn't it?"
Aiken City Council: "Almighty God, bless the leaders of our great nation."
Pastor Tad Marshall of Lakeside Baptist Church started the rally... one he says raises awareness about protecting their rights... and thanks the city of Aiken.
Pastor Marshall: "I admire your initial response. Your initial response is you are going to continue to pray and you're not going to back down. As wonderful of a place as this is, Aiken needs prayer."
Aiken City Mayor Fred Cavanaugh took to the podium on behalf of every council member.
Fred Cavanaugh, City of Aiken Mayor: "We're going to pray, we're going to pray. We're going to pray to the Almighty God to give us strength to give us wisdom to help us make the decisions that are best for our citizens and for our community."
Representative Rowland Wmith making a plea of his own...
Representative Rowland Smith, Aiken: "Please continue to pray for your elected leaders across the World!"
And it wasn't just those inside who felt the heat of the night's rally, overflow went into the alley...
Pastor Marshall: "We just want to see and make sure that the liberty to believe what we believe and pray the way that we want to pray is not taken away."
Despite the threat of a lawsuit, council says they'll continue to pray before meetings, saying for such a time as this, they need it more than ever.
Closing Prayer: "This we ask...in your name O Lord, Amen."
Spartanburg and Woodruff were 2 others who are facing the same thing...they both are continuing with prayer.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
JOIN The Freedom From Religion Foundation
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The issue of prayer before city meetings. In late June, the City of Aiken received a request from the Freedom from Religion Foundation, asking officials to forgo their prayer before meetings, or only have a moment of silence. But that's not sitting well for many in the area....including local church members who held a rally for hundreds in Aiken Monday.
Aiken, South Carolina
Made by WJBF-TV 6
Pastor Tad Marshall, Lakeside Baptist Church: "This was written from an atheist and agnostic organization in Wisconsin...it's nice for those folks in Wisconsin to be concerned about our Aiken matters isn't it?"
Aiken City Council: "Almighty God, bless the leaders of our great nation."
Pastor Tad Marshall of Lakeside Baptist Church started the rally... one he says raises awareness about protecting their rights... and thanks the city of Aiken.
Pastor Marshall: "I admire your initial response. Your initial response is you are going to continue to pray and you're not going to back down. As wonderful of a place as this is, Aiken needs prayer."
Aiken City Mayor Fred Cavanaugh took to the podium on behalf of every council member.
Fred Cavanaugh, City of Aiken Mayor: "We're going to pray, we're going to pray. We're going to pray to the Almighty God to give us strength to give us wisdom to help us make the decisions that are best for our citizens and for our community."
Representative Rowland Wmith making a plea of his own...
Representative Rowland Smith, Aiken: "Please continue to pray for your elected leaders across the World!"
And it wasn't just those inside who felt the heat of the night's rally, overflow went into the alley...
Pastor Marshall: "We just want to see and make sure that the liberty to believe what we believe and pray the way that we want to pray is not taken away."
Despite the threat of a lawsuit, council says they'll continue to pray before meetings, saying for such a time as this, they need it more than ever.
Closing Prayer: "This we ask...in your name O Lord, Amen."
Spartanburg and Woodruff were 2 others who are facing the same thing...they both are continuing with prayer.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
JOIN The Freedom From Religion Foundation
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The issue of prayer before city meetings. In late June, the City of Aiken received a request from the Freedom from Religion Foundation, asking officials to forgo their prayer before meetings, or only have a moment of silence. But that's not sitting well for many in the area....including local church members who held a rally for hundreds in Aiken Monday.
Aiken, South Carolina
Made by WJBF-TV 6
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
