I wish I’d watched Cristina Rad’s video Raping Islam before posting about how little attention atheists direct towards Islam. (My only defense is that there’s so much amazing content out there, and so little time!) In the comments of my previous post, many mentioned their fears of being lumped in with the extremist bigots who hate Muslims because they’re dark-skinned fer’ners or that we’ll inadvertently lend credence to what they’re saying. But if we don’t speak up for fear of being associated… Read more
I taped an episode of the excellent Ask An Atheist podcast last week and it’s finally up — lots of fun conversations about math education, high school atheist groups, and Republicans in Texas. Have a listen! Read more
A few weeks ago, I shared a story about a high school teacher who sent the Secular Student Alliance a strange letter referencing the SSA’s Educators’ Brochure (PDF). Here’s an excerpt from his letter: It was from one of those students that I received this brochure. Not surprisingly, they could not get a teacher to sponsor the club. As educators we are dedicated to conveying the truth to students… They should not feel the need for a safe haven. …… Read more
It’s free, it’s huge, it’s amazing, it’s in Springfield, Missouri November 9th-11th, and you’ll want to sign up now before the numbers get crazy! The list of speakers will be released soon… Read more
Mitt Romney will soon have to pick someone to run for Vice President with him… and if he wants to appeal to his base, he pretty much has to pick the least scientifically intelligent person out there. Cue Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal — someone who probably understands science, but fights against it to score political points, says Ken Miller: When Jindal stepped into Republican politics in Louisiana, he had a choice to make. He could defend mainstream science, which sees… Read more
This is the 55-foot-tall cross resting in a city park in Frankenmuth, Michigan: The city doesn’t even pretend it’s not Christian. When it went up in 1976, mayor Elmer Simon said this: “[T]wo thousand years ago the Lord of all history established an unforgettable symbol… The simple cross of Christ assures us that life does not end with death… [F]rom our local heritage, this Christian symbol suggests that we are also a community under Christ.” Oh, and two ministers delivered… Read more
Daniel Florien, my Patheos colleague, lives in Aurora, Colorado. He wasn’t at the theater that night, but his account of what happened and his analysis of the aftermath deserve a few minutes of your time: … It’s comforting to think people are in a better place, that God saved lives, that Satan was behind the incident, and that there is a Master Plan behind such tragedy. It’s an empty comfort, however. Brains must be partially shut off to partake in… Read more
This is a real thing: I like it. Anything to raise awareness about genital mutilation. Also: Hehe. CAN-FAP. (via Joe. My. God.) Read more
I teach Geometry. I’ve taught it for years. I’ll have two sections of it this year. Probably 65 kids. Every year that I’ve taught the subject, kids have freaked out at the mere mention of the word “Proof.” Without actually knowing what they are or how to do them, they want to give up immediately. And they rationalize their fear by asking me when they’re ever going to use it in life. My response has always been something like this:… Read more
We always talk about religious beliefs that cause harm, but some beliefs are just downright silly. They don’t hurt anybody, but the lengths people go to in order to adhere to the rules is ridiculous. Such is the case with certain trees in Brooklyn: Sheya Wieder owned a small old house on a large lot in Borough Park, Brooklyn, until about six years ago, he said, when he decided it was time to knock it down and build an upgrade…. Read more
