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Atheism News

This page features links and in most cases summaries of articles on other websites. We have selected sites that we expect will be of interest to people not afflicted with religious beliefs. We hope you find this page useful. The lists of articles are updated frequently, check back at least once every day for the latest Atheism News.

The sites we have selected are primarily focused on atheism and critrical thinking, two closely related subjects.

Yahoo Atheist News


Atheism and established religion
Many people think that Atheism is not a religion because it is defined as "Disbelief in the existence of God or gods", but to me it seems to go far beyond that. I have yet to meet a single atheist who . . .
4 Feb 2012 at 10:31pm

Atheism Panel Sparks Heated Discussion
The Pomona Student Union (PSU) hosted a panel entitled ?Now What? Atheism Beyond the Question of God? on Nov. 11. The discussion featured three atheist panelists and took place in Edmunds Ballroom.
31 Jan 2012 at 7:19pm

'Temple to Atheism' proposal splits non-believers
A proposal to build a 151-ft. tower to celebrate "new atheism" in London has pitted some of Britain's most recognized non-believers against each other, The Guardian reports. 
27 Jan 2012 at 2:15pm

Maher?s New Rule: Atheism And Religion Are ?Not Two Sides Of The Same Coin?
In his final New Rule of the night, Bill Maher disputed the idea thrown out by some that atheism is a religion. It's a refrain you hear from people who can't stand both groups and believe that dogma is dogma, plain and simple, but Maher argued that treating atheism like a religion would be like saying "abstinence is a sex position." After all, when was the last time a non-believer ever claimed ...
3 Feb 2012 at 9:13pm

Yahoo Answers Tackles Religion, Atheism
And the award for the year?s best analogy goes to some rando on Yahoo Answers. Yahoo Answers Tackles Religion, Atheism is a post from: The Inquisitr Yahoo Answers Tackles Religion, Atheism is a post from: The Inquisitr
4 Feb 2012 at 2:36pm

Atheism 2.0: Don?t get god, get good
Towards the end of last year, while celebrating Christmas with family and friends, I came up with the phrase ?Don?t get god, get good?. I posted it on Facebook and Tweeted it. It was seen by some religious people as an oxymoron and some said my words were ?bad?. Others offered that it might be [...] Atheism 2.0: Don?t get god, get good is a post from: SciScoop Science News
28 Jan 2012 at 5:53am

Alain de Botton reveals plans for 'temple to atheism' in heart of London
Writer wants to build tower to celebrate life on earth as an antidote to Richard Dawkins' 'destructive' approach to atheism Plans to build a £1m "temple for atheists" among the international banks and medieval church spires of the City of London have sparked a clash between two of Britain's most prominent non-believers. The philosopher and writer Alain de Botton is proposing to build a 46-metre ...
29 Jan 2012 at 9:15am

Christian Piatt: Atheism: A Null Hypothesis on God
There is no way to prove or disprove the existence of God. Especially when we can't even nail down what exactly it is we're talking about.
23 Jan 2012 at 5:23am

Indonesian Atheists Arrest Sparks Tension Online
A defiant declaration of atheism by an Indonesian civil servant has inflamed passions in the worlds most populous Muslim nation [...]
1 Feb 2012 at 11:18pm

Alain de Botton?s atheist temple may prove religion is more relevant than ever
For the launch of his book, Religion for Atheists, Alain de Botton unveiled a plan for the first of what he hopes will be a network of atheistic shrines
4 Feb 2012 at 1:19pm

 

Freedom From Religion Foundation


Why presidents should boycott prayer breakfasts
Statement by Annie Laurie Gaylor FFRF Co-President President Barack Obama’s 2,562-word speech to the National Prayer Breakfast yesterday was an exercise in pure unadulterated political pandering. Blithely ignoring FFRF’s formal requests that he not participate, he’s given similar talks the past two years at the National Prayer Breakfast — a private event with a public name organized by the shadowy Christian-right Fellowship Foundation. Many other presidents, Cabinet members and high-rank...
3 Feb 2012 at 10:23am

FFRF asks West Point to rethink prayer breakfast
The Freedom From Religion Foundation has written a Jan. 31 letter to the U.S. Military Academy calling for it to do some "soul searching" over West Point's annual so-called "National Prayer Breakfast," after a controversy about Lt. Gen. Jerry Boykin's invitation to speak. FFRF is a national state/church watchdog with over 17,500 members nationwide, including 24 percent who are active duty military and veterans. Boykin has been a polarizing figure, known for giving pro-Christian, anti-...
1 Feb 2012 at 12:08pm

FFRF protests misuse of federal, presidential Seals by National Prayer Breakf...
The Freedom From Religion Foundation has contacted four federal agencies over what appears to be egregious violations of federal law by publicizers of the National Prayer Breakfast, who are appropriating the Presidential, Congressional and Great Seals of the United States to promote the breakfast. The misuse gives the false impression that the infamous National Prayer Breakfast, which takes place tomorrow in Washington, D.C., is sponsored and approved by multiple layers of the federal governm...
1 Feb 2012 at 9:53am

FFRF hails long overdue Alaska Airlines announcement
Statement by Annie Laurie Gaylor FFRF Co-President Today, at long last, Alaska Airlines will cease a much-protested-by-us practice of distributing “prayer cards” to its airline customers. Late last week Alaska Airlines announced it has been providing those cards for “more than 30 years,” but has finally reconsidered. A statement signed by Bill Ayer, Chair and CEO, Alaska Air Group, and Brad Tilden, President, Alaska Airlines, announced that they believe eliminating the cards is “the r...
1 Feb 2012 at 7:27am

FFRF to sue over Catholic Shrine on federal land
The Freedom From Religion Foundation will be suing the U.S. Forest Service over the unconstitutional presence of a Knights of Columbus shrine to Jesus in Flathead National Forest in Montana. FFRF has readied a legal complaint and plans to file it shortly in federal court in Montana. In an official memo released today by the US Forest Service, it announced it will reauthorize a special use permit for the Knights of Columbus to maintain a Jesus shrine in Flathead National Forest for the ne...
31 Jan 2012 at 2:09pm

Prayer breakfast serves up an unlawful mixture of state/church
The Freedom From Religion Foundation has sent a cautionary letter to President Barack Obama asking him to once again disassociate the Oval Office from the so-called annual "National Prayer Breakfast" taking place on Thursday, Feb. 2. Obama is scheduled to once again participate.  "The National Day of Prayer Breakfast lends the unmistakable appearance that the White House itself is cosponsoring the event, working hand in glove with the ultra-right-wing Christian group, The Fellowship Foundat...
30 Jan 2012 at 2:29pm

Pennsylvania bible resolution is ?sinfully? unconstitutional
The Freedom From Religion Foundation is protesting an unconstitutional resolution naming 2012 the "Year of the Bible," unanimously passed (193-0) in the Pennsylvania General Assembly this week. House Resolution 535 arrogantly exhorts citizens to "study and apply the teachings of the holy scriptures.” What a discredit to the legacy of William Penn, one of the earliest champions of freedom of conscience, FFRF charges in a joint letter to Speaker of the House Samuel Smith and House Minority ...
27 Jan 2012 at 8:53am

Maine Prayer Caucus issues immoral ?call to prayer?
The Freedom From Religion Foundation has sent a memo to Gov. Paul LePage and the Maine Legislative Prayer Caucus highlighting a few of the historical fallacies, contradictions and inaccuracies in the “Call to Prayer for Maine” signed on Jan. 17. FFRF is a nonprofit, educational organization representing over 17,000 members across the country including members in Maine. It represents a viewpoint shared by the 25 percent of Maine citizens who self-identify as nonreligious. The memo discusse...
23 Jan 2012 at 12:55pm

Kentucky pastor asks God to trim budget
The Freedom From Religion Foundation is troubled over an illegal blending of religion and politics by Buck Run Baptist Church Pastor Hershael York prior to Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear's Jan. 17 budget address. FFRF is a national state/church watchdog with 17,000 members nationwide, including many members in Kentucky. York's overtly Christian prayer began with, "Heavenly Father, I ask you to..." and ended "In the name of God the Father, and of his Son, Jesus, and of the Blessed Holy Spi...
23 Jan 2012 at 11:59am

Florist shops violate Rhode Island public accommodation statute
FFRF arrangement sent to Jessica. The flower shop issued this warm statement on their Facebook page: "Glimpse of Gaia fully supports our First Amendment and will not be bullied by those who do not. Here's to you, Jessica Ahlquist!" The Freedom From Religion Foundation this afternoon filed a formal complaint (scroll to end of story to view FFRF's newly added complaint with Flowers by Santilli) with the State of Rhode Island Commission for Human Rights, alleging “illegal discrimination base...
19 Jan 2012 at 2:42pm

 

The Friendly Atheist


Pleasuring God with Your Mouth
Watch this and *try* not to convert to Christianity. I dare you. How many Christian lies begin with the words, “I know a true story…”? (via Cynical-C)
by Hemant Mehta
5 Feb 2012 at 9:00am

Do You Believe in Secular America?
I don’t know who Jared Scheib is, but if the simple-yet-powerful video below is any indication, can we get him to design all of our billboards, too? That’s one of the seven videos selected by the Richard Dawkins Foundation as … Continue reading
by Hemant Mehta
5 Feb 2012 at 3:00am

The Moral Funscape
Reading Sam Harris‘ latest blog post is forcing me to reevaluate my holiday plans.
by Bengie
4 Feb 2012 at 3:00pm

Fitness Model Loves Jesus? and Gets Praised Because of It
Below is video of Anna Watson. She’s a cheerleader from the University of Georgia and she’d like to become a fitness model. Also, she loves the Jesus. video platform video management video solutions video player Reader Todd asks the same … Continue reading
by Hemant Mehta
4 Feb 2012 at 12:01pm

Is Jesus Getting in the Way of Your Relationship?
Natasha Scripture — who, despite her name, isn’t very religious — wonders whether her boyfriend’s faith ought to be a dealbreaker for her: When I first told my friends I was dating an actual Christian, they were all uppity about … Continue reading
by Hemant Mehta
4 Feb 2012 at 9:00am

Politicians Need the Money More
(In response to this post)
by M J Shepherd
4 Feb 2012 at 7:00am

A Super Bowl Sunday Ad You Won?t See During the Game
American Atheists will have a plane fly a banner over Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on Sunday afternoon, hoping to get the attention of tailgaters… and the media: The banner will read ?Football beats church anytime ? atheists.org.? The banner … Continue reading
by Hemant Mehta
4 Feb 2012 at 4:00am

?Atheism is Religion Like Abstinence is a Sex Position?
On Real Time last night, Bill Maher responded to Alain de Botton‘s claim that atheists ought to create temples (without actually saying his name or the temple idea) by ranting about how atheism is nothing like a religion: ?We?re not … Continue reading
by Hemant Mehta
3 Feb 2012 at 10:44pm

State Congressperson Debates Dan Barker on ?Year of the Bible? Resolution
Pennsylvania State Rep. Rick Saccone recently introduced House Resolution 535, declaring 2012 the ?Year of the Bible? in the state. Recently, Ernest Perce had Saccone on his show, “The Atheist’s Perspective on News and Events.” He also brought on FFRF’s … Continue reading
by Hemant Mehta
3 Feb 2012 at 4:01pm

Florida Senate Bill 98 Would Allow Graduation Prayers at Public Schools
In Florida, Senate Bill 98 would give school boards permission to allow “an inspirational message to be delivered by students at a student assembly.” In other words, instead of banning such practices outright, this bill would allow a school to … Continue reading
by Hemant Mehta
3 Feb 2012 at 12:00pm

 


About Agnosticism/Atheism


Did Cooking Really Help Produce Big-Brained Humans?

It's become widely accepted that a major (if not primary) force behind the development of big, complex brains in humans was the development of controlled fires for cooking. Cooked food is food that's been digested a little for us -- breaking down proteins and fibers means more calories and more nutrients with less work.

But what if this view is wrong? Controlled fire may only date to around 400,000 years ago, much too late to produce our big brains.

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Did Cooking Really Help P...


5 Feb 2012 at 4:00am

Mailbag: Families are Happier when Wives Submit

From: Ramli
Subject: Equality and inequality

There are two genders found on Earth. Either you were a male or a female. Universally in all application forms, you are asked to tick for sex as ( ) male or ( ) female; nothing in between. Having agreed on this fact, we'll proceed to ask ourselves whether these two genders are equal.

Well, it depends on what. Equal right to vote - yes. Equal opportunity in education - yes. Equal authority in managing family - no. Equal skills , yes/no. Equal bra...
5 Feb 2012 at 12:00am

Gay Marriage & Freedom: Protecting Marriage is No Reason for Discrimination

Freedom 2 Ring
Anti-Prop 8 Protest in Pittsburgh
Photo © Bonnie Cline, 2008

Supporters of legalized gay marriage insist that there is no threat to marriage and, hence, that the arguments of opponents are ill-founded. Even if one concedes the truth of at least some threat on the margins of marriage, that isn't enough to justify opposing gay marriage because bans on gay marriage devalue same-sex couples and hold gay citizens in a second-class status. You can't protect a social institution throu...


4 Feb 2012 at 7:00am

Are You Being Fooled Online?

Most atheists today seem to spend a lot of time online. This makes sense because there are so many active and engaging atheist communities online. But did you ever stop to wonder if perhaps the "people" you were interacting with weren't really people in the first place? They probably are, but the time may be coming when such assumptions will be tougher to justify.

Recently there was a little contest called Socialbots 2011. Three "socialbots," each run by a different team. Each bot integrated...


4 Feb 2012 at 4:00am

Why are Atheists & Agnostics Less Interested in Making a Difference?

Atheists and agnostics seem to be less likely than the national average to want to make a difference in the world. But why? Are there good reasons for this difference in attitude? Should this reflect poorly on atheists and agnostics in America? Are atheists and agnostics are more selfish than others? Are they just more concerned with themselves and their own lives?

Share Your Ideas: Why are Atheists & Agnostics Less Interested in Making a Difference?


4 Feb 2012 at 12:00am

Favorite Agnostic / Atheist Facebook Page of 2011

It seems that everyone uses Facebook these days, doesn't it? You can't get away from it, but some people have done a nice job using Facebook to promote their causes, ideas, or organizations. Atheists are no exception, so there are lots of atheists on Facebook and lots of Facebook fan pages. Which do you like the best? Nominate your favorite atheist Facebook fan page for the 2012 About.com Readers' Choice Awards!

Submit Your Nomination: Favorite Agnostic / Atheist Facebook Page of 2011


3 Feb 2012 at 7:00am

Nicholas Pfab: Atheists Should Kill Themselves, Save Air for Others
Nicholas Pfab: Atheists Should Kill Themselves, Save Air for Others

What would you think of a person who said to you that you should just kill yourself and save the air for others? Such a person definitely doesn't think very well of you and certainly couldn't be counted on to even be decent and civil, never mind helpful. Well, that would probably describe Nicholas Pfab, a Roman Catholic who wishes atheists all kinds of ill.

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Nicholas Pfab: Atheists Should Kill Themselves, Sav...


3 Feb 2012 at 4:00am

Agnostic & Atheist Demographics America

Atheists and agnostics are increasing in numbers in America, especially among the youth. The result is the percentage of atheists and agnostics increases in every successive generation in America. Surveys show that while there are as few as 6% atheists and agnostics among those over 60, they number nearly 20% with those aged 18-22. What does this mean for the future?

Read Article: Agnostic & Atheist Demographics America


3 Feb 2012 at 12:00am

Out of the Closet: From Professional Theologian to Freethinking Atheist

My name is Ron Tavalin, and it is no accident that I am quoting from the Rolling Stones' classic Sympathy for the Devil, although it must be admitted that it is due to my sense of irony rather than any alleged wealth or taste I might possess!

I am an atheist, albeit a reluctant atheist. I say "reluctant" because I really wanted to believe in the existence of the Judeo-Christian god to the point that I earned my BA and MA in conservative evangelical schools and taught at one for 4 years. Even...


2 Feb 2012 at 7:00am

Brad Pitt: Agnostic / Atheist

Brad Pitt has revealed in interviews both atheist and agnostic perspectives. There aren't many famous people willing to come out as an atheist or an agnostic, though it's probably easier for someone like Brad Pitt because he's unlikely to lose a job or lose family members because of it. And, if more people like him do come out, it could make it easier for others as well.

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Brad Pitt: Agnostic / Atheist originally appeared on About.com Agnosticism / Atheism on Thursday, February...


2 Feb 2012 at 4:00am

Weekly Poll: Are Systems like Buddhism Religion or Philosophies?
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Buddhism is often categorized as a religion, but because it doesn't mandate belief in any gods some argue that it should be treated like a philosophy instead. Buddhism isn't the only 'religion' like this. Are they really philosophies, or is demand that there be a belief in some god the wrong way to define religion?

I find that defining religion exclusively as theistic is very provincial and ethnocentric. It may be standard for religions in the West to be theistic, but this is hardly a s...


2 Feb 2012 at 12:00am

Favorite Agnostic / Atheist to Follow on Twitter of 2011

Twitter is an awfully busy place with lots of real gems and lots of.... well, not gems. Twitter is so busy, in fact, that it's hard to figure out which people are worth following and which aren't. Which atheists do you think are the best ones to follow? Nominate you favorite atheist or agnostic to follow on Twitter for the 2012 About.com Readers' Choice Awards!

Submit Your Nomination: Favorite Agnostic / Atheist to Follow on Twitter of 2011


1 Feb 2012 at 7:00am

Online Anonymity - Can You Really Count On It?

Many atheists are still in the closet about their atheism when it comes to friends, family, and coworkers. They benefit greatly from online interaction where they can be themselves -- though even online they remain anonymous so that their atheism doesn't get back to people they know. So atheists in particular should probably be concerned that, in the near future, we may lose the ability to be anonymous while online.

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Online Anonymity - Can You Really Count On It? originally ap...


1 Feb 2012 at 4:00am


Bing Atheism News Search


Bill Maher: Atheism is a religion like abstinence is a sex position - Examiner
Bill Maher has a new rule: Atheism is not a religion. On Friday night?s edition of Real Time Maher told his audience that atheism and religion are not two sides of the same coin, joking - ?Atheism is a religion like abstinence is a sex position.?
4 Feb 2012 at 11:34am

Writer plans London temple to atheism - Catholic Culture
A Swiss writer and philosopher has announced plans to build a £1M ($1.58 million) temple to atheism in London. ?Normally a temple is to Jesus, Mary, or Buddha, but you can build a temple to anything that's positive and good,? said Alain de Botton.
3 Feb 2012 at 2:53am

Alain de Botton reveals plans for 'temple to atheism' in heart of London - Th...
Plans to build a £1m "temple for atheists" among the international banks and medieval church spires of the City of London have sparked a clash between two of Britain's most prominent non-believers. Rather than attack religion, De Botton said he ...
26 Jan 2012 at 5:21pm

How atheism became a religion in all but name - Spiked
like zealotry and dogma of the New Atheists. There was a time when it was very dangerous not to believe in God. In ancient Athens, Socrates was hounded and eventually executed for questioning the city-state?s gods. Throughout most of history, to be ...
31 Jan 2012 at 3:56pm

Brad Pitt On Atheism & Hatred: Star Talks God, Genocide And Inequality - Huff...
Brad Pitt starred as a pious Christian man in the Oscar nominated-epic "The Tree of Life," but off-screen, a childhood spent in church pews have rendered him far from a regular congregant. "I grew up very religious, and I don't have a great ...
25 Jan 2012 at 12:36pm

Indonesian atheist?s arrest sparks tension online - DAWN Group
JAKARTA: A defiant declaration of atheism by an Indonesian civil servant has inflamed passions in the world?s most populous Muslim nation, pitting non-believers and believers against each other. The trouble began when civil servant Alexander ...
2 Feb 2012 at 10:21pm

Religion for atheists is like alcohol-free lager - Daily Telegraph Blogs
Alain de Botton?s suggestion of a ?temple to atheism? has received quite a bit of press coverage. It is just one of many suggestions that stem from his new book, Religion for Atheists, which looks at the question that has been asked on ...
2 Feb 2012 at 3:54pm

Alain de Botton's Atheism 2.0: ?Very respectful and completely impious" - Exa...
Atheism 1.0: a disconnected and scattered minority who do not believe in God and think that religion is silly. Alain de Botton has a new version of atheism in mind. In his lecture at TED, Botton proposes Atheism 2.0? where atheists continue to discard ...
26 Jan 2012 at 8:41pm

Atheism in America - Financial Times
Point, Texas (pop. 792) is not the easiest place for a single lesbian to raise her child. But neither her sexuality nor her unwed parenthood are enough to make Renee Johnson an American conservative?s worst nightmare. As she explained to me ...
2 Feb 2012 at 3:54pm

What Should Atheism Learn From Religion? - Daily Beast
Alain de Botton wants to adapt the best parts of religion to atheism: He summarized his ideas in a Q&A: The starting point of religion is that we are children, and we need guidance. The secular world often gets offended by this. It assumes that all adults ...
22 Jan 2012 at 5:16am

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