Monthly Archives: April 2009

Crash the Poll: Do You Support Obama’s Opening Prayers?

Posted on April 2, 2009 by Guest Contributor

U.S. News & World Report is running this poll on their site (in the sidebar): President Obama is opening many of his public events with prayers from local community leaders. Do you support this new White House tradition? So far, … Continue reading →

Posted in General | 41 Comments

Another Way To Stage a Counter-Protest Against Westboro Baptist Church

Posted on April 2, 2009 by Guest Contributor

When Fred Phelps and the Westboro Baptist Church come to your town to protest outside a funeral or near some site of tragedy, there are many ways to counter-protest. At the University of Chicago last month, some students had clever … Continue reading →

Posted in General, GLBT, Humor | 24 Comments

Don’t Be That Open-Minded

Posted on April 2, 2009 by Guest Contributor

To paraphrase the old saying: It’s good to be open-minded, but don’t be so open-minded that your brain falls out. QualiaSoup explains this well: (via Atheist Media Blog)

Posted in General | 17 Comments

Are You Qualified to Teach Abstinence-Only Sex-Education?

Posted on April 2, 2009 by Guest Contributor

This is troubling. On a couple levels. Stacie Murphy, a policy associate at Population Connection, decided to take an online test to become a “Certified Abstinence Educator.” I have no medical background, no public health training and no teaching certification, … Continue reading →

Posted in General | 31 Comments

Powell’s Books’ Atheism Section

Posted on April 1, 2009 by Guest Contributor

This is pretty cool. Powell’s Books, an independent bookstore much smaller than any Barnes & Noble or Borders, has quite the impressive section on atheism — at least at this store in Portland: There are books there I’ve never even … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, General | 29 Comments

Brights Describe Their Brightness and Notions of a Naturalistic Worldview

Posted on April 1, 2009 by Guest Contributor

A while back, I taped an interview for The Brights’ Net. That interview became part of a set of videos explaining the Brights movement. Those videos are finally up and my company in them includes Daniel Dennett and Margaret Downey! … Continue reading →

Posted in General | 15 Comments

This Little Girl Knows a Lot About Islam…

Posted on April 1, 2009 by Guest Contributor

I don’t think that all forms of parents teaching their children about their faith should be considered brainwashing. But watch this video and then try saying that religion is harmless: What she’s doing isn’t too bad in and of itself. … Continue reading →

Posted in General | 18 Comments

Update: Duped on the Religion Panel Discussion

Posted on April 1, 2009 by Guest Contributor

Looks like there’s a happy resolution to atheist Jennifer‘s situation in which she felt she was duped into speaking on a religion panel with no preparation, while the religious people on the panel seemed well-prepared and polished.

Posted in General, Secular Student Alliance | 3 Comments

A New Way of Looking at the Quiverfull Movement

Posted on April 1, 2009 by Guest Contributor

I’ll say this about Evolved Rationalist: She can definitely put together a presentation that will keep the audience entertained. This one is on the Quiverfull movement. I don’t remember any of my college professors ever using the phrase “epic lulz” … Continue reading →

Posted in General, Humor, Secular Student Alliance | 8 Comments

Speaking Tour Reviews: Day 2

Posted on April 1, 2009 by Guest Contributor

Last night, I gave a talk for the Society of Non-Theists at Purdue University. What did we learn? I cause fangirls to repress squealing, I need to put porn ads on my site to make money, and when atheists get … Continue reading →

Posted in General, Secular Student Alliance | 2 Comments