In Military, Non-Believers Harrassed and Threatened
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — In the midst of their fight to bring freedom to Iraq and Afghanistan, some American soldiers say they are finding their own freedoms threatened by the troops on their own side.
Though the U.S. Constitution mandates that the government apply no test of faith for employment (and presumably deployment), soldiers who are open about their non-belief can face harassment and ostracizing from fellow troops and their officers, some say.
Read the full story at the Beliefnet blog.
Share ThisChurch ordered to pay $10.9 million for funeral protest
(CNN) — A federal jury in Baltimore, Maryland, Wednesday awarded $10.9 million to a father of a Marine whose funeral was picketed by members of a fundamentalist church carrying signs blaming soldiers’ deaths on America’s tolerance of homosexuals.
The family of Lance Cpl. Matthew Snyder — who was killed in a vehicle accident in Iraq’s Anbar province in 2006 — sued the Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, Kansas, and its leaders for defamation, invasion of privacy and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
Church members showed up at Snyder’s funeral chanting derogatory slogans and holding picket signs with messages including “God Hates Fags.”
Read the full article at CNN.com
Share ThisPew Research Center: Increase in Secular Americans
The number of Americans who say they are atheist or agnostic, or choose not to identify with a religious tradition has increased modestly over the past two decades, with Pew surveys since the beginning of 2006, finding that 12% of U.S. adults identify themselves as secular or unaffiliated with a religious tradition; that compares with 8% in the Pew values survey in 1987.
Share ThisA movie for children with anti-religious themes - censored
I’m actually pleasantly surprised that New Line Cinema has invested $180 million in a movie based on a set of books by the openly atheist writer Philip Pullman. In fact, the story itself is very critical of religion. I was less surprised to find out that the Catholic League is calling for a boycott of the film, and that the producers of the movie have watered down its atheist message so as not to offend Christian viewers.
LA Time Article: Tests of faith over ‘Compass’
Nevertheless, if you’re a parent looking for a positive children’s movie that you can feel confident will not promote religious doctrine, this may be a good choice.
This is the trailer:
Share ThisNew Ben Stein Creationist-driven documentary grossly misrepresents scientific community
The New York Times reports:
A few months ago, the evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins received an e-mail message from a producer at Rampant Films inviting him to be interviewed for a documentary called “Crossroads.”
The film, with Ben Stein, the actor, economist and freelance columnist, as its host, is described on Rampant’s Web site as an examination of the intersection of science and religion. Dr. Dawkins was an obvious choice. An eminent scientist who teaches at Oxford University in England, he is also an outspoken atheist who has repeatedly likened religious faith to a mental defect.
The documentary is called “Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed”, a reference to “Intelligent Design” and the supposed ostracism of any scientist claiming to find evidence supporting an intelligent creator.
If you think you can stomach it, here is a preview of Ben Stein’s new diversion from rational thought:
Share ThisThe Price of Atheism
20/20 reports on a young girl in a Christian town who was forced to endure so much scorn from classmates and teachers due to her lack of faith that she ultimately was forced out of school.
Share This30 Days: An Atheist Among Christians
Watch the full 45 minute episode of 30 Days, in which an atheist woman lives for 30 days with an evangelical Christian family. Be warned, it can get quite awkward.
Share ThisDiscrimination against atheists covered on CNN
CNN did a piece on the discrimination against atheists . . . and their children!
Share ThisRichard Dawkins brilliantly answers the question, “What if you’re wrong?”
Richard Dawkins, speaking on atheism, is asked the question, “What if you’re wrong?” Watch as he brilliantly takes this question to its logical conclusion…
Share ThisChristopher Hitchens on Lou Dobbs
Lou Dobbs interviews Christopher Hitchens about atheism and his book God Is Not Great.
Lou Dobbs at the end of the interview calls God Is Not Great a “brilliant book” and recommends his viewers read it.
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