Monthly Archives: January 2010

Gubernatorial Candidate Bradley Byrne Believes in the Bible: Really!

Posted on January 12, 2010 by Guest Contributor

Bradley Byrne, a Republican candidate for governor in Alabama, made a mistake in November. He said this in a Mobile Press-Register interview: “I believe there are parts of the Bible that are meant to be literally true and parts that … Continue reading →

Posted in General, GLBT, Politics | 25 Comments

Good Without God Hits NYT Best Sellers List

Posted on January 11, 2010 by Guest Contributor

The latest New York Times Best Sellers List has a welcome addition in the Hardcover Nonfiction category: Greg Epstein‘s Good Without God. I love that it’s a few spots ahead of #34 Congratulations to Greg, whose book is now going … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, General | 15 Comments

Religion’s Oppression of Women

Posted on January 11, 2010 by Guest Contributor

You have to read this article. It’s by Nicholas Kristof in The New York Times. No, really. Read it. It’s all about how religion oppresses women. Sometimes, the Scripture says it directly. And sometimes, it’s the religiously-inspired culture. Kristof also … Continue reading →

Posted in General | 66 Comments

Evansville, Indiana: Hotbed of Atheism?

Posted on January 11, 2010 by Guest Contributor

Well, since the earlier story about a high school atheist group was a bit of a downer, this one should cheer you up. Susan Caldwell is a North High School senior; she says she had “wanted to attend some sort … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, General | 22 Comments

The Difficulties of Starting a High School Atheist Group

Posted on January 11, 2010 by Guest Contributor

The Secular Student Alliance has nearly 200 affiliates at colleges across the country and beyond. But we don’t have a lot of groups at high schools. When I hear stories like this one, it makes me think our staff should … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, General | 72 Comments

Review of Flatland: The Movie

Posted on January 10, 2010 by Guest Contributor

For all of you who are also math fans, I wrote a review of Flatland: The Movie and it’s now up at the website for Skeptical Inquirer. As in the book, there are subtle questions in this movie that any … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, General | 14 Comments

Anti-Vaccine Leader Tries to Sue

Posted on January 10, 2010 by

by Jesse Galef – Back in October, WIRED magazine had an excellent article on the anti-vaccine movement featuring Dr. Offit. Though many people call him a vaccine advocate, Offit says he sees himself as a science advocate. And the science … Continue reading →

Posted in Jesse Galef, Lawsuits, Science | 26 Comments

Read Something You Disagree With

Posted on January 10, 2010 by Guest Contributor

Kristian at Apatheism had an idea I think is great: I made a new year’s resolution to read at least one book, from cover to cover, that goes fundamentally against everything I believe in. For me that would be a … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, General | 90 Comments

The Future of an Atheist Unity Convention?

Posted on January 9, 2010 by Guest Contributor

I’ve written a couple posts about a possible atheist “Unity” convention. Today, the leaders of several national non-theistic organizations got together for an annual meeting to discuss strategy, future plans, and bounce ideas off each other. The Unity Convention was … Continue reading →

Posted in General | 25 Comments

Violence Erupts Over Use of word “Allah”

Posted on January 9, 2010 by

by Jesse Galef – Image from (afp) via TimesOnline Even though I recognize some thorny issues with secularism, it’s good to remember what can happen without it. Last week, the Malaysian High Court ruled that a Catholic newspaper was allowed … Continue reading →

Posted in Jesse Galef, Politics | 31 Comments