Monthly Archives: November 2011

‘In God We Trust’ May Become a Permanent Part of Georgia License Plates

Posted on November 16, 2011 by Hemant Mehta

Remember when the state of Georgia accidentally put “In God We Trust” on certain license plates and then included them in the lineup during a vote? They had to conduct a revote because the motto wasn’t actually included on the … Continue reading →

Posted in General, Politics | 15 Comments

New Research Says Anti-Atheist Prejudice Stems from Distrust

Posted on November 16, 2011 by Hemant Mehta

We know people don’t like atheists. Researchers at the University of Minnesota told us in 2006 (PDF) that “atheists are less likely to be accepted, publicly and privately, than any others from a long list of ethnic, religious, and other … Continue reading →

Posted in Atheist Demographics, General | 88 Comments

Penn State’s Scandal Cannot Be Prayed Away

Posted on November 15, 2011 by Hemant Mehta

Charles P. Pierce‘s Grantland piece on the Penn State Child Raping Scandal may be the most powerful article yet about the crimes that took place — and why prayer, moments of silence, and playing football are the wrong solutions: It … Continue reading →

Posted in General, Sports | 17 Comments

North Carolina Atheist Responds to Vandalism of His Group’s ‘Adopt-a-Street’ Signs

Posted on November 15, 2011 by Hemant Mehta

Atheist signs and billboards get vandalized for all sorts of reasons — like when the culprits see the message as “too aggressive,” even when it’s something as innocuous as “Are you good without God? Millions are.” But this is a … Continue reading →

Posted in Atheist Advertising, General | 29 Comments

How Should Rationalists Approach Death?

Posted on November 15, 2011 by jesse galef

by Jesse Galef – “How Should Rationalists Approach Death?” That’s the title of the panel I’m moderating this weekend at Skepticon, and I couldn’t be more excited. It’s a big topic – we won’t figure it all out in an … Continue reading →

Posted in Death, Jesse Galef | 66 Comments

Atheist Group’s Billboard Borrows Message from a Local Church

Posted on November 15, 2011 by Hemant Mehta

This may be my favorite billboard campaign yet. Back in August, the McElroy Road Church of Christ put up this billboard in Ohio: Wha…? Sure, we all know what they’re trying to say, but at first glance, it looks like … Continue reading →

Posted in Atheist Advertising, General | 16 Comments

Baylor Atheists, Getting No Support from Their School, Meet in Private

Posted on November 15, 2011 by Hemant Mehta

Baylor University is one of the religiously-affiliated schools that has recently denied atheists from forming an officially-recognized group. When you read Rob Bradfield‘s article in The Baylor Lariat, it’s not hard to understand why such a group is necessary on … Continue reading →

Posted in General, Secular Student Alliance | 4 Comments

Hasidic Bus Company: Ladies, Sit in the Back of Our Bus

Posted on November 15, 2011 by Hemant Mehta

Private Transportation Corporation, a hasidic-owned company that operates a public bus line between two Yiddish communities, has special instructions for its female riders: Go sit in the back of the bus because the front is reserved for men. You probably … Continue reading →

Posted in General | 45 Comments

Catholic Charities Drops Lawsuit Against State of Illinois, Ending Their Discriminatory Adoption Practices

Posted on November 15, 2011 by Hemant Mehta

Ever since Illinois legalized civil unions, state-funded Catholic Charities have had to face the prospect of allowing partners in a civil union to adopt kids. In the past, they restricted adoptions to straight married couples and single parents. When the … Continue reading →

Posted in General, GLBT, Lawsuits | 7 Comments

He Makes Sense To Us Because We Don’t Dare Question Religious Authority

Posted on November 15, 2011 by Hemant Mehta

Capt. Ryan Jean is the atheist who’s trying to become a “Humanist lay leader” in the Army. It’s not quite the role an official Chaplain would have — he wouldn’t even get paid — but it’d give him the opportunity … Continue reading →

Posted in General, Military Atheists | 59 Comments