Monthly Archives: November 2011

The Rational Response Squad Reboots

Posted on November 8, 2011 by Hemant Mehta

A few years ago, the Rational Response Squad was getting a *lot* of press, stemming from their “Blasphemy Challenge” project on YouTube and their debate against Kirk Cameron and Ray Comfort on Nightline. (That debate was the first time we … Continue reading →

Posted in General | 27 Comments

‘Out of the Closet’ Atheist Billboards Go Up in Arizona

Posted on November 8, 2011 by Hemant Mehta

It’s happened in Madison, Wisconsin; Raleigh, North Carolina; Tulsa, Oklahoma; and Columbus, Ohio. Now, the Freedom From Religion Foundation’s “Out of the Closet” billboard campaign is heading to Tucson and Phoenix. The following eleven billboards will be up in Arizona … Continue reading →

Posted in Atheist Advertising, General | 87 Comments

Michigan Takes Small Steps Toward a Better Anti-Bullying Law

Posted on November 8, 2011 by Hemant Mehta

After Republican state senators in Michigan changed an anti-bullying law to allow bullying if it was due to a “sincerely held religious belief or moral conviction,” there was an uproar from state Democrats, GLBT students and allies, atheists, progressives, anyone … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, General, GLBT, Politics | 31 Comments

Why Would Anyone Spank a Child?

Posted on November 8, 2011 by Hemant Mehta

Conservative Christians promote a lot of awful values, but spanking has to be somewhere near the top of the list. It’s not just the few notable examples of parents who beat their children to the point of death — but … Continue reading →

Posted in Atheist Parenting, General | 456 Comments

Charlie Hebdo Responds to Muhammad-Inspired Firebombing with More Blasphemy

Posted on November 8, 2011 by Hemant Mehta

Last week, the satirical French newspaper Charlie Hebdo ran with this cover: That’s “guest editor” Muhammad saying “100 lashes if you don’t die laughing!” For that, Hebdo‘s offices were firebombed, their website was hacked (with messages like “No God but … Continue reading →

Posted in General, Politics | 19 Comments

We Are the Risk-Taking Monkeys

Posted on November 7, 2011 by Hemant Mehta

Read this cartoon (click to enlarge) based off of an old experiment with monkeys and then ask yourself what the parallels are with religion: David Stockin summarizes it well and asks the obvious questions: The group knowledge, or paradigm, that … Continue reading →

Posted in General | 34 Comments

Who Needs ‘In God We Trust’?

Posted on November 7, 2011 by Hemant Mehta

In case you missed it on Friday, Michael Shermer had an op-ed piece in the LA Times, arguing against “In God We Trust” as our national motto: It’s time to drop the God talk and face reality with a steely-eyed … Continue reading →

Posted in General, Politics | 12 Comments

Ask Richard: Helping My Teen Son With His Profound Questions

Posted on November 7, 2011 by richard wade

Note: Letter writers’ names are changed to protect their privacy. My fourteen-year-old son admitted he is going through his existential crisis (my words, not his). What is an effective way to guide and support him through this time in his … Continue reading →

Posted in Advice, Atheist Parenting, General, Richard Wade | 16 Comments

Why Can’t This Army Captain Be a Humanist Lay Leader?

Posted on November 7, 2011 by Hemant Mehta

Capt. Ryan Jean isn’t trying to become a Humanist “chaplain” in the Army. He’s trying to become a “humanist lay leader — on a par with the lay Christians, Jews and Muslims who help military chaplains minister to the troops.” … Continue reading →

Posted in General, Military Atheists | 18 Comments

Once Again, Atheists Respond to Brother Jed’s Bile with Mockery and Humor

Posted on November 7, 2011 by Hemant Mehta

The Illini Secular Student Alliance have started a trend. When fire-and-brimstone preacher Brother Jed visited Indiana on Friday, the Secular Alliance of Indiana University was ready for him with posters of their own. I’d say they effectively countered his message … Continue reading →

Posted in General, Secular Student Alliance | 35 Comments