tagged w/ Atheism
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If you have a child currently enrolled in public school be warned: a heavy dose of religion may accompany his or her studies.
According to Kimberly Winston of Religion News Service, a number of state legislators are now pushing some legislation that would introduce studying the Bible as a choice in their state's public schools, and other legislation that would teach creationism as valid.
Bible courses, offered as elective "literature" classes, are being considered by lawmakers in Arizona and have already been approved in South Dakota, South Carolina, Texas, Georgia, Oklahoma, and Tennessee. Since these classes are not mandatory and are supposed to be taught with religious neutrality, there has not been a great deal of public opposition to them. Some school districts within the states where they are allowed still choose to not offer them at all.
To read the rest of this article by AHA Executive Director Roy Speckhardt, click here: http://hmn.st/xXKSCIIf you have a child currently enrolled in public school be warned: a heavy dose of... more
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Los Angeles Times...
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COLUMN ONE
A meeting of hearts if not minds
Some Jehovah's Witnesses with leukemia turn to an atheist Cedars-Sinai doctor who respects their refusal to accept blood transfusions.
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PHOTO:
Dr. Michael Lill examines Jehovah's Witness leukemia patient Christina Blouvan-Cervantes, 27, while her husband, Andres Cervantes, 21, observes during a weekly checkup at Cedars-Sinai's outpatient cancer center.
(Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times / January 10, 2012)
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By Anna Gorman, Los Angeles Times
February 2, 2012
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PART ONE...
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Christina Blouvan-Cervantes had been battling aggressive leukemia when her blood count plummeted and she landed in the emergency room in Fresno. Her doctors told her a blood transfusion was her only hope. But her faith wouldn't allow her to receive one.
So she turned to one of the only doctors who could possibly keep her alive: a committed atheist who views her belief system as wholly irrational.
Dr. Michael Lill, head of the blood and marrow transplant program at Cedars-Sinai's Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, is a last recourse for Jehovah's Witnesses with advanced leukemia.
They arrive at Lill's door out of desperation and a desire to live. Many specialists decline to treat them because of their biblically centered refusal to accept blood transfusions, a mainstay of conventional care for the cancer.
Lill thinks their refusal is risky and illogical but nevertheless has devised a way to treat them that accommodates their religious convictions.
Despite his belief that God doesn't exist, he has become a hero to many devout believers.
"We don't care if he believes in God or not," said David Goldfarb, chairman of the Los Angeles-area Hospital Liaison Committee for the Jehovah's Witnesses. "What we really believe in is, 'Are you a skilled and great doctor … and can you respect our belief system?'"
Lill, a 52-year-old Australian native, said ideological differences between doctor and patient are beside the point.
"Just because someone makes a decision which I would view as the wrong decision … doesn't mean at that point in time I say, 'No, I am not going to look after you anymore,' " he said. "I try and treat people's religious beliefs with respect."
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CONTINUED...
.Los Angeles Times...
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COLUMN ONE
A meeting of hearts if not minds
Some... more
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OSU Football Player Asks Twitter Followers to “Show Some Hate” To An Atheist
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Hate, as an emotion, can be a very powerful motivator for both good and bad. The hatred of racism has helped propel civil rights. The hatred of sexism has helped propel women’s suffrage. When one sees hate fuel good things, it is usually hate directed at an unjust or cruel idea or social norm.
It is the hatred of the other kind that concerns most of us: hatred toward people, especially when manifested physically, such as the brutal beatings of homosexuals, lynching of black southerners during the Civil Rights era, etc. This is the type of hate that normally brings about bad things. History is certainly rife with examples.
Everyone is perfectly free to hate anyone they want. But when someone directs hate at an individual or group of people or asks others to “bring the hate” or “visit the hate” upon someone else, then one’s freedom of thought is now a physical manifestation of and subject to criticism, laws, and the appropriate consequences and repercussions associated with the physical action or manifestation.
We have a prime example of this at The Ohio State University: the difference between hating someone and bringing the hate upon someone. OSU football player Jake Russell (#21, punter) tweeted late night on January 24th, “my roommate max rouse (look him up on Facebook) is an atheist, please show him some hate.”
The tweet was deleted later on by Mr. Russell, but not before it was captured for the entire world to see Mr. Russell’s bigotry on display (see image above). Why did Mr. Russell want his 1,400+ followers to show some hate to an atheist? And what exactly does it mean to “show hate?”
Clearly concerned about the well being of Mr. Rouse, the screen capture was emailed to OSU Vice President of Student Life, Javaune Adams-Gaston. Mrs. Adams-Gaston assured American Atheists (via Greg Lammers, our Missouri State Director, who saw and reported the tweet) that the school will investigate the matter immediately. Thank you to Mrs. Adams-Gaston and The Ohio State University for not sitting idly by while this happens.
As for Mr. Russell, we hope sir that no one ever asks anyone else to show you some hate. We hope that one day you will learn the pluralism that exists at your school and in your future places of employment and residence. If anything happens to Mr. Rouse, you will be directly responsible for instigating such action and inciting someone else to violence or harassment. Mr. Russell has brought dishonor to his team and to his school. He has disgraced himself by displaying his bigotry in public. In a way we owe Mr. Russell an thank you for displaying his bigotry so we now know to be wary of him and his possible actions.
To Mr. Rouse, may we point you to The Ohio State University Students for Freethought on campus, an affiliate of the Secular Student Alliance. May you find like-minded friends there, where we can practically guarantee no one will “show you some hate.”
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By Blair Scott.
OSU Football Player Asks Twitter Followers to “Show Some Hate” To An... more
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Atheists have long criticised devout followers of faith. But now it seems Atheism is stealing from that very religious tradition by erecting a temple of worship.
Author Alain de Botton announced plans to build an Atheist temple in the U.K., reports DeZeen magazine.
A collaboration with Tom Greenall Architects, the structure will be built in the City of London.
Dedicated to the idea of perspective, the black tower will scale 46 meters (150 ft), with each centimeter honoring earth's age of 4.6 billion years, notes Wired.
But a place of worship isn't the only attribute from organized religion that Atheists can benefit from, says de Botton. In his newly released book "Religion For Atheists," the author points to design, art and community to inspire and attract a following.
Though de Botton has yet to announce a final date for opening the temple, he hopes to create a network of such buildings across the U.K., according to BLOUIN ARTINFO.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/25/atheists-temple_n_1231848.htmlAtheists have long criticised devout followers of faith. But now it seems Atheism is... more
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Leo Igwe, a prominent Nigerian human rights activist, delivers this manifesto decrying the limits of religosityLeo Igwe, a prominent Nigerian human rights activist, delivers this manifesto decrying... more
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Huff Post...
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Jessica Ahlquist, Teenage Atheist, Wins Case To Remove Prayer Banner From Cranston High School
First Posted: 1/14/12 08:47 AM ET Updated: 1/14/12 04:55 PM ET
By Kimberly Winston
Religion News Service
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(RNS) A federal judge ruled Wednesday (Jan. 11) in favor of a teenage atheist who sought the removal of a prayer banner from her Rhode Island high school.
Attorneys for Jessica Ahlquist, 16, argued that a banner on display in Cranston High School West's auditorium titled "School Prayer" and addressing "Our Heavenly Father" is a violation of the Constitution and the Supreme Court's 1962 decision banning state-mandated prayer in school.
Lawyers for the school district argued that the banner had hung in the school since the 1960s and was more secular than sacred.
U.S. District Judge Ronald Lagueux disagreed and ruled that the banner should be removed immediately. He also upbraided school officials for holding community meetings about the mural that "at times resembled a religious revival." At one meeting, several school officials read from the Bible or declared their faith. Ahlquist needed a police escort to leave one meeting.
"I am hopeful that this case can be looked back on in the future and encourage others to stand up for their rights as well," Ahlquist said from the Providence office of the American Civil Liberties Union, which represented her.
Ahlquist had to leave Cranston High School West due to threats, but said she is considering a return.
Rob Boston of Americans United for Separation of Church and State hailed the ruling as "a 40-page slam dunk."
Roy Speckhardt, executive director of the American Humanist Association, praised Ahlquist. "She fought for the rights of nonbelievers and religious minorities and is an example for everyone."
.Huff Post...
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Jessica Ahlquist, Teenage Atheist, Wins Case To Remove Prayer... more
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The Godless hordes that infest the American atheist movement have dealt another vicious blow in their ongoing War on Christmas. This time, they've struck all too close to our nation's Christian heart.
These shameless traitors to the American Way have set their sights on none other than our sweet Baby Jesus.
That's right - the hate-spewing bigots are going after the Lamb of God.
http://tinyurl.com/cdnzsjnThe Godless hordes that infest the American atheist movement have dealt another... more
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CNN...
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Holidays, minus God
Americans who are unaffiliated with any faith tradition are the fastest growing religious group in the country. With the holiday season upon us, we asked iReporters: If you're atheist, agnostic or a nonbeliever of any kind, how do you celebrate the holidays? The outpouring of submissions we received were thoughtful, heartwarming, engaging and, above all, cheerful -- In other words, perfectly in tune with the holiday season.
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iReporters in the U.S. and across the world who are nonbelievers shared dozens of stories. Read them and share your own.
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Click on this link to read the many iReporters' stories:
http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/atheist.holidays.irpt/index.html?hpt=hp_c1
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Holidays, minus God
Americans who are unaffiliated with any faith... more
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Washington Post...
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Christopher Hitchens dies; Vanity Fair writer was a religious skeptic, master of the contrarian essay
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(MARVIN JOSEPH/WASHINGTON POST)
- Christopher Hitchens in May 2010.
By Matt Schudel, Updated: Thursday, December 15, 9:15 PM
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Christopher Hitchens, a sharp-witted provocateur who used his formidable learning, biting wit and muscular prose style to skewer what he considered high-placed hypocrites, craven lackeys of the right and left, “Islamic fascists” and religious faith of any kind, died. He was 62. He had cancer of the esophagus.
Vanity Fair, the magazine for which Mr. Hitchens worked, confirmed his death.
Mr. Hitchens, an English-born writer who had lived in Washington since 1982, was a tireless master of the persuasive essay, which he wrote with an indefatigable energy and venomous glee. He often wrote about the masters of English literature, but he was better known for his lifelong engagement with politics, with subtly nuanced views that did not fit comfortably with the conventional right or left.
In his tartly worded essays, books and television appearances, Mr. Hitchens was a self-styled contrarian who often challenged political and moral orthodoxy. He called Henry Kissinger a war criminal, savaged Mother Teresa and Princess Diana, ridiculed both Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton, then became an outspoken opponent of terrorism against the West from the Muslim world.
In 2007, Mr. Hitchens aimed his vitriol even higher, writing a best-selling book that disputed the existence of God, then enthusiastically took on anyone — including his own brother — who wanted to argue the matter.
His supporters praised Mr. Hitchens as a truth-telling literary master who, in the words of the Village Voice, was “America’s foremost rhetorical pugilist.” Writer Christopher Buckley has called him “the greatest living essayist in the English language.”
Enemies vilified Mr. Hitchens as a godless malcontent. His onetime colleague at the Nation, Alexander Cockburn, called him “lying, self-serving, fat-assed, chain-smoking, drunken, opportunistic [and] cynical.”
Mr. Hitchens was a raffish character who constantly smoked and drank, yet managed to meet every obligation of a frenetic professional and social schedule. A writer for the Observer newspaper in Britain described him as “at once resolute and dissolute.”
Friends and enemies alike marveled at how the hedonistic Mr. Hitchens, after a full evening of drinking and talking, could then sit down and casually produce sparkling essays for Vanity Fair, the Nation, the Atlantic, Slate.com and many other publications without missing a deadline.
“Writing is recreational for me,” he said in 2002. “I’m unhappy when I’m not doing it.”
He seldom produced an uninteresting sentence while writing with authority on a dizzying array of subjects, including books on Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Paine and the Elgin Marbles. Besides his political essays — usually about international affairs, seldom about domestic U.S. policy — Mr. Hitchens also wrote about strictly literary subjects, including authors Charles Dickens, Ernest Hemingway, P.G. Wodehouse and Philip Roth.
The writer he was most identified with, though, was George Orwell, the British essayist and author of “1984.” His bracing moral courage and brisk prose were among Mr. Hitchens’s ideal models.
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Christopher Hitchens dies; Vanity Fair writer was a... more
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Los Angeles Times...
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Atheists 'hijack' nativity display in Santa Monica, critics say
December 15, 2011 | 9:41 am
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Organizers of Santa Monica's well-known Christmas nativity scene at Palisades Park are accusing atheists of "hijacking" the tradition.
Atheist groups objected to use of the park by churches to espouse a religious message and applied to the city of Santa Monica for their own spaces.
Officials used a lottery to dole out spots in the prime location along Ocean Avenue. The atheists turned out to be the lucky ones: Of the 21 plots in the park open for displays, they won 18. The nativity story that once took 14 displays to tell — from the Annunciation, continuing to the manger in Bethlehem and onto infant Jesus' journey to Egypt and back to Nazareth — had to be abridged to three and crammed into two plots.
"A small group of out-of-town atheists is trying to hijack Santa Monica's nearly 60-year-long Christmas tradition," said Hunter Jameson, chairman of the Santa Monica Nativity Scenes Committee, the group that works with more than a dozen churches and civic groups to organize the display.
Jameson said he intends to keep the nativity tradition many have enjoyed since 1953 from being displaced. Palisades Park, he said, is the "historic home where it really belongs."
"Their goal is getting rid of us, and squelching our 1st Amendment rights," said Jameson, 65, who no longer lives in Santa Monica but still worships at Lighthouse Church of Santa Monica.
Patrick Elliott, a lawyer for the Freedom From Religion Foundation, said tradition is no excuse for violating the boundaries between church and state. "Just because they're long-standing doesn't mean they're right," he said.
Annie Laurie Gaylor, co-president of the Freedom From Religion Foundation, said December is a busy time for the organization's attorneys, who challenge the use of public spaces for religious messages.
"It's littering — literally, littering — these spaces," Gaylor said of such displays, which she said are a "territorial attempt by Christians to impose their beliefs in this season."
"That creates an atmosphere of intimidation," said Gaylor, who noted that the organization's banner was destroyed by vandals after being hung in Palisades Park. "Christians are the insiders, and everyone else is an outsider."
In Santa Monica, atheist Damon Vix called national organizations seeking help because he felt marginalized by the display, and tradition alone didn't merit saving it. Vix, a 43-year-old prop maker from Burbank, said the display "defines Santa Monica as a Christian city, and I feel very excluded by that."
Last year, he put up a display of his own: signs with quotes from Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin and Abraham Lincoln — quotes that his opponents say are of dubious veracity. (It's worth noting that both sides suspect the Founding Fathers would support them.)
Others have complained the atheists should at the very least come up with something more than a sign attached to a chain-link cage, and use more of the space they have been allotted. "I wish they had been more creative," one city councilman said.
The Rev. Keith Magee, pastor of Trinity Baptist Church, said the atheists have deprived a coalition of Christian faiths (Baptist, Lutheran, Catholic and others) and the community (doctors, real estate agents and the Santa Monica Police Assn. are among the sponsors) of a tradition that allowed so many to come together to celebrate a belief so important to them.
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Click on above link to view photos.
.Los Angeles Times...
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Atheists 'hijack' nativity display in Santa... more
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people who don't believe in God have emerged as the world's biggest philanthropistspeople who don't believe in God have emerged as the world's biggest... more
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The writer, journalist and contrarian Christopher Hitchens has died at the age of 62 after being diagnosed with an oesophageal cancer in June 2010. Vanity Fair, for which he had written since 1992 and was made contributing editor, marked his death in a memorial article posted late on Thursday night. Since we know you all loved the Hitch we are repeating the brilliant tribute programme 'Stephen Fry and friends on the life, loves and hates of Christopher Hitchens' this weekend at the following times:
Friday 16 December 10pm
Saturday 17 December 2:30pm
Sunday 18 December 6:30pm
Here is a who's who guide to all of Christopher's friends who featured in the programme.
Christopher Hitchens
Christopher Hitchens was born April 13, 1949 to is an Anglo-American author and journalist. His books, articles and essays have made him a prominent public intellectual and a staple of talk shows and lecture circuits. He has been a columnist and literary critic at Vanity Fair, Slate, The Atlantic, World Affairs, The Nation, Free Inquiry and a variety of other media outlets. He was named one of the world's "Top 100 Public Intellectuals" by Foreign Policy and Britain's Prospect.
In 2010 Hitchens was diagnosed with esophageal cancer.
Below are some of Hitchen's best moments ever caught on camera - please add your own favourite Hitch clips below.
The writer, journalist and contrarian Christopher Hitchens has died at the age of 62... more
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The respected author, journalist and intellectual Christopher Hitchens has been committed to writing and speaking with passion on a wide range of topics and is well-known for his socialist and atheist views.
Now aged 62, Hitchens is fighting a well-publicised battle against cancer and is too ill to participate in a public conversation with Stephen Fry that was due to take place on Wednesday 9th November. Instead, Stephen will be joined by close friends and colleagues of Hitch who will talk about his beliefs and discuss, in his own words, ‘the things that make life worth defending.’
Current UK will be screening the entire conversation on Sunday 20th November from 9pm on Sky 183, Virgin 155.The respected author, journalist and intellectual Christopher Hitchens has been... more
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I'm an Atheist, but I like most Theists. Really, I do. Admittedly I don't agree with them, but I'm also strongly for the idea of to each his own. But, sometimes some of them can be real pains in the tuckusI'm an Atheist, but I like most Theists. Really, I do. Admittedly I don't... more
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Friday is International Blasphemy Rights Day, a day for atheists, freethinkers, and others to celebrate the right to criticize, satirize and reject religious superstition.
International Blasphemy Rights Day takes place every September 30th. The purpose of this event is to support free speech and to oppose any resolutions or laws that discourage or inhibit free speech of any kind.
http://www.examiner.com/humanist-in-national/atheists-freethinkers-celebrate-blasphemy-rights-dayFriday is International Blasphemy Rights Day, a day for atheists, freethinkers, and... more
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One man's immorality is another man's religion, even if the immorality of that religion is pointed out by atheists. The same is true for atheists and what they believe. People are what they are, sometimes inconsistent, narrow-minded, and disagreeable. But, there's the message and then there's the way you deliver the message.One man's immorality is another man's religion, even if the immorality of... more
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I have dozens of theist friends. Our discussions are generally polite and lean toward the relative merits of atheist and theist beliefs, not mundane secular topics like religious tax breaks. But with the hew and cry over taxes and spending, perhaps it's time to start that conversation in earnest.I have dozens of theist friends. Our discussions are generally polite and lean toward... more
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"Reporter David Steel" investigates a BRAND NEW and growing branch of the "reparative therapy" movement.
Not to be taken seriously, seriously.
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"Reporter David Steel" investigates a BRAND NEW and growing branch of... more
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I'm overjoyed religious people are so protective of my soul that they insist upon preaching to me at every chance, attempting to nail the 10 Commandments to every flat surface, and being just generally pesky with their anti-sharia laws and Defense of Marriage hogswallop. I couldn't live without your annoying gnat buzzing.I'm overjoyed religious people are so protective of my soul that they insist upon... more
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