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Repent for preaching atheism, or we'll stone you!
"Thiruvananthapuram:[UH, WHERE?-Delia]
Religious groups in Kerala have warned the government they would start statewide protests if it doesn’t scrap references to atheism in a new social studies textbook for Class VII.
A chapter in the textbook for schools that follow the state government’s syllabus says atheism is a better principle to follow in life compared to religion. Leaders of the state’s three main religions allege the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government is propagating Marxism and twisting history through the textbook.
The Church and the Nair Service Society, a Hindu organisation, have threatened to launch a statewide agitation against the Left government if the controversial textbook was not withdrawn.
Representatives of 12 Muslim organisations, led by the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), met Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan and Education Minister M A Baby on Monday and demanded that the textbook be withdrawn.
Baby on Tuesday rejected the Opposition alliance United Democratic Front (UDF) allegation’s that the textbook was anti-religious. He agreed to have a debate in the Assembly but insisted that the textbook was prepared on the basis of guidelines prepared by the National Council for Education Research and Training.
The Minister insisted that the book promotes tolerance but religious groups disagree. Religious leaders take offence to a particular passage in the textbook in which a boy and his parents go for admission to a school and the headmaster questions them about their religion. The boy’s parents say he doesn’t have a religion because theirs was an inter-religious marriage.
The textbook says that Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru wrote in his will that he didn’t want religious customs at his cremation. Religious groups allege the Left government is misinterpreting Nehru’s writing to promote atheism.
A report by UNI says two photojournalists and two constables were injured in Malappuram district when a protest march by the pro-IUML Muslim Students Federation turned violent on Tuesday.
The protesters allegedly threw stones at the police when they were stopped from marching to the office of the Deputy Director of Education in Malappuram to press for their demand that the textbook be withdrawn."
Hmmm.... "Thiruvananthapuram:[UH, WHERE?-Delia] ... more -
Should Science Speak to Faith?
"Scientists Lawrence M. Krauss and Richard Dawkins compared notes from the front lines during breaks at a conference devoted to discussing clashes between science and religion held at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies in San Diego late last year. In a dialogue they re-create here, the authors explained their respective tactics for engaging the enemy and tackled some of the questions that face all scientists when deciding whether and how to talk to the faithful about science:
Is the goal to teach science or to discredit religion? Can the two worldviews ever enrich one another? Is religion inherently bad? In an extended version of their conversation available here, the authors also delve into whether science can ever test the “God Hypothesis.”"
Like it said, this is a convo, not exactly an "article". I'm a huge Dawkins fan, and this is a good example of civil conversation between two viewpoints that is well articulated and interesting (to me, at least!)
"Scientists Lawrence M. Krauss and Richard Dawkins compared notes from the front lines during breaks at a conference devoted to discus... more -
Sunday School for Atheists
On Sunday mornings, most parents who don't believe in the Christian God, or any god at all, are probably making brunch or cheering at their kids' soccer game, or running errands or, with luck, sleeping in. Without religion, there's no need for church, right?
Maybe. But some nonbelievers are beginning to think they might need something for their children.
An estimated 14% of Americans profess to have no religion, and among 18-to-25-year-olds, the proportion rises to 20%, according to the Institute for Humanist Studies. The lives of these young people would be much easier, adult nonbelievers say, if they learned at an early age how to respond to the God-fearing majority in the U.S. "It's important for kids not to look weird," says Peter Bishop, who leads the preteen class at the Humanist center in Palo Alto. Others say the weekly instruction supports their position that it's O.K. to not believe in God and gives them a place to reinforce the morals and values they want their children to have.
The pioneering Palo Alto program began three years ago, and like-minded communities in Phoenix, Albuquerque, N.M., and Portland, Ore., plan to start similar classes next spring. The growing movement of institutions for kids in atheist families also includes Camp Quest, a group of sleep-away summer camps in five states plus Ontario, and the Carl Sagan Academy in Tampa, Fla., the country's first Humanism-influenced public charter school, which opened with 55 kids in the fall of 2005.
Atheist parents appreciate this nurturing environment. That's why Kitty, a nonbeliever who didn't want her last name used to protect her kids' privacy, brings them to Bishop's class each week. After Jonathan, 13, and Hana, 11, were born, Kitty says she felt socially isolated and even tried taking them to church. But they're all much more comfortable having rational discussions at the Humanist center. "I'm a person that doesn't believe in myths," Hana says. "I'd rather stick to the evidence."
[Credit: Jeninne Lee-St. John, Time; Photo: Kathrin Miller, Time]
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Being an atheist certainly comes at a price in today's uber-religious America.
One problem is the prospect of raising a child in a manner that both reflects the views that you espouse and that shields them from the family members, neighbors, and teachers who believe it is their duty to convert their souls before the children are old enough to choose for themselves.
Perhaps, this could be just one more tool parents could have at their disposal in that process. Every city should have places like this where kids of freethinking parents can get together, learn, and socialize on the weekends without fear of religious indoctrination.
However, these groups don't magically create themselves. With that in mind non-religious parents, how likely would you be to take your kid(s) to Sunday programs such as these? On Sunday mornings, most parents who don't believe in the Christian God, or any god at all, are probably making brunch or cheering at ... more -
Why I'm an Atheist
(the link goes to the wikipedia article about atheism)
I thought I’d post some personal info on how I became an atheist and why to follow up the posts on ID, Creationism, etc - this will be the place to post your personal feelings and opinions on god and atheism, why you believe what you do, and how you got there. I’ll start!
My family wasn’t very religious with me growing up- I wasn’t forced into CCD or communion or anything like that. I occasionally went to church and I did a brief stint at an all girl’s Catholic school in my freshman year of high school- be assured I was there because my parents thought the education was going to be better than public school, not because of it’s religious affiliation. Strangely, both my grandmother and mother had “revelations” later in their lives and turned to Christianity.
The first “religion” I got into was Wicca. I related to the glory of nature and the loose interpretation of deities. Wiccans generally worship a goddess, but eclectic Wicca is very open to interpretation. The Wiccan rede is “Harm none, do what you will.” It seemed on the level.
As I got older I started to become rather Pantheistic- OK, I thought, all the spiritual paths have god, so they all must be an interpretation of the same thing. In my mind “god” still existed, thought the definition was incredibly loose. This is where a lot of people fall today, with no strict definition of god but still believing “some kind of supreme being” exists.
In retrospect, I find it interesting that I was exposed to a lot of different beliefs, but never the idea that maybe god didn’t exist. That hadn’t really occurred to me until I began to study Buddhism, which does not have a god figure at all. Wow, I thought , here’s a old, wise philosophy that is usually lumped in with other religions, yet there is this huge difference between them- the existence of god. I also began to study science- evolution, physics, the mind blowing world of quantum physics, biology, etc. I got a subscription to Scientific American (which by my posts you see I still love!) One day I came to a conclusion- god wasn’t real. God didn’t exist. Not in the strict Christian notion, not in the flexible Wiccan notion, not in the flakey pantheistic notion. Not at all.
Some may think this was a sad conclusion, but I wasn’t sad. I felt free. Free from having to decide between pieces of religious and spiritual dogma that didn’t make sense, free from holding my actions up to some father figure who was watching me, free from the supernatural. After all, it was all kind of the same thing, repackaged to make it palatable to different people.
I thought, what evidence is there that some kind of supreme being exists? Why should I believe that- because someone told me so? Because old books say so? Because it’s the socially acceptable thing to do? Why should I assume belief with no proof? When else do people believe something is true with no proof whatsoever? Only with god, and I still don’t really understand why.
Not to mention that I didn’t turn into some kind of deviant after dismissing the belief of god. I’m still a good person, I try to do good things- I work at a group home for developmentally disabled adults. I work for the Red Cross training CPR and First Aid. I’m going “green” in my home and with my art. Indeed- our moral code did not come from god, but from society and culture, changing with time, location and education.
I’m honestly happier as an atheist. I’m not anti-religion per se, but I do like to debate the subject, and I want religion as far away from our politics and government as possible. People seem to be more than happy to accept whatever people believe, as long as they believe in something, but I realize they are a lot less accepting of non-belief.
So what do you believe? How did you get to your conclusions? How has it affected your life? (the link goes to the wikipedia article about atheism) ... more -
Getting a Rational Grip on Religion
Simply telling me to believe in religion is not enough to convince me. Tell me where it came from, what its purpose originated as. Why aren't these questions asked more widely by the faithful? Simply telling me to believe in religion is not enough to convince me. Tell me where it came from, what its purpose originated as. Why... more
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First misogynist, er, sorry, 'Bishop' to leave Church of England over women bishop...
A bishop in the Church of England has become the first to announce he is ready to convert to Roman Catholicism following the decision to ordain women bishops, reports the Telegraph.
So he's also become the first bishop to out himself as an utter misogynist? And he'd rather change denomination entirely (and that's a big deal) than allow women deserved and equal access to the annals of power in the Christian church? And he wants to take his entire congregations with him (congregations which, I assume, must include women. Dopey ones though obviously. Ones who are only allowed to do the flowers) based on these out-dated and offensive beliefs!?
Smooth.
If you needed reminding why atheism is so appealing, here's a little something just for you.
A bishop in the Church of England has become the first to announce he is ready to convert to Roman Catholicism following the decision ... more -
Born again atheist sues US army for descrimination
Jeremy Hall, like so many from the American midwest, was raised as a Baptist Christian. However now at 23, and after serving two terms in Iraq, he "no longer believes in God, fate, luck or anything supernatural". He was 'converted' to atheism when some friends challenged him to read the Bible properly, and after doing so he encountered "so many unanswered quesions that he decided to become an atheist".
No problem right? Well Hall has claimed that due to his revelation, he has been discriminated: missing out on promotions (because he refused to pray!), and being ostracised and threatened by other troops. All he is fighting for in his case is the "guarantee of religious freedom in the military": a right specifically given by the US First Amendment, and by military policy.
Jeremy Hall, like so many from the American midwest, was raised as a Baptist Christian. However now at 23, and after serving two terms... more -
Aliens need Christ's redemption, too
American science fiction writer, and recent Catholic convert, John C Wright claims that, should extra-terrestrial life be discovered, they too will need to be converted to Christianity in order ro receive 'God's redemption'.
Now there are a lot of hypotheticals here, but I'd have thought there are a fair few missionary churches delighted by the prospect of millions of little green men that they can convert... American science fiction writer, and recent Catholic convert, John C Wright claims that, should extra-terrestrial life be discovered, ... more -
Mormons enters gay marriage fight in California
The LDS Church will work with a coalition of churches and other conservative groups that put the Californai Marriage protection act on November 4 ballot to assure its passage
There are more than 750.000 mormons in California according to a church almanac.
In a letter sent to Mormon Bishops and signed by church president Thomas S. Monson and his two top counselors calls on Mormons to donate "means and time" to the ballot measure
"We ask that you do all you can to support the proposed constitutional amendment........."
"Our best efforts are required to preserve the sacred institution of marriage."
Now, we need all Muslims, Boudhists, Indus, all people of faith to join the coalition.
The LDS Church will work with a coalition of churches and other conservative groups that put the Californai Marriage protection act on... more -
Should We Rid The Mind of God? A Debate - Part 1/8
"Professor Alister McGrath and Professor Peter Atkins debate on whether or not we should rid the mind of God "
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92% of Americans believe in God or a universal spirit
"Ninety-two percent of those interviewed for the U.S. Religious Landscape Survey said they believe in the existence of God or a universal spirit, and 58% said they pray privately every day. But California, like other states along the country's two coasts, resisted the prevailing national tendencies...
Californians are less likely than other Americans to consider religion "very important" in their lives or to be "absolutely certain" in their belief in God...
Californians pray less than others in many parts of the country. They are less inclined to take the word of God literally. And they are ready to embrace "more than one true way" of interpreting their religious teachings."
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ironically, i've also heard California, and particularly the Bay Area, described as the world nexus of spirituality today. and compared to the other places i've been, the Bay Area glimmers most vividly with an alive, loving, respectful, joyful quality--these are the qualities of people who are spiritually developed.
it bugs me to no end that "belief in higher entity" is conflated with Religion in studies like this. or even using the word belief... it's not about belief, it's about awareness.
this article has an interesting take on this subject too:
http://www.realitysandwich.com/sound_against_flame_the_...
"Ninety-two percent of those interviewed for the U.S. Religious Landscape Survey said they believe in the existence of God or a univer... more -
Religious Extremist Roomies - God Loves ME Best! - Volume 1
Extended trailer for the new TV series God Loves ME Best! The producers introduce the cast to their new home while ridiculing them from behind the scenes. Starring Allegra Cohen, Khrystyne Haje, Eric Kirchberger, Nasry Malak, Michelle Maryk, Ron McClary, Ann Scobie, and Sam Rodd.
http://www.godlovesmebest.com
http://www.youtube.com/godlovesmebest Extended trailer for the new TV series God Loves ME Best! The producers introduce the cast to their new home while ridiculing them fro... more -
Witches, Christian Porn, & Prayer-God Loves ME Best! - Vol 2
Extended promo for the new TV series God Loves ME Best! in which the cast members get to know each other a little bit. Volume 2 of the God Loves ME Best! series. The roomies become acquainted. The Wiccan explains Witchcraft, The Christian covers his porn with a bible, The ladies discuss the sexual potential of their male counterparts, and the guys argue over prayer space and spiritual practices.
http://www.godlovesmebest.com
http://www.youtube.com/godlovesmebest Extended promo for the new TV series God Loves ME Best! in which the cast members get to know each other a little bit. Volume 2 of th... more -
Hummus vs. Hamas: Terrorist Cuisine - God Loves ME Best! - Volume 5
Extended trailer for the new TV series God Loves ME Best! in which the cast debate the difference between a terrorist organization and a middle eastern snack dip. Starring Allegra Cohen, Khrystyne Haje, Eric Kirchberger, Nasry Malak, Michelle Maryk, Ron McClary, Ann Scobie, and Sam Rodd.
http://www.youtube.com/godlovesmebest
http://www.godlovesmebest.com
Extended trailer for the new TV series God Loves ME Best! in which the cast debate the difference between a terrorist organization and... more -
The Jewish (Zionist) Section - God Loves ME Best! - Volume 6
Extended trailer for God Loves ME Best! The producers Todd and Lisa enforce the boundaries of the prayer area. Starring Ron McClary, Allegra Cohen, Michelle Maryk, and Sam Rodd.
http://www.godlovesmebest.com
http://www.youtube.com/godlovesmebest Extended trailer for God Loves ME Best! The producers Todd and Lisa enforce the boundaries of the prayer area. Starring Ron McClary, A... more -
Gay Preachers & Crystal Meth - God Loves ME Best! - Volume 7
Extended trailer for the new TV series God Loves ME Best! Starring Allegra Cohen, Khrystyne Haje, Eric Kirchberger, Nasry Malak, Michelle Maryk, Ron McClary, Ann Scobie, and Sam Rodd.
http://www.youtube.com/godlovesmebest
http://www.godlovesmebest.com
Extended trailer for the new TV series God Loves ME Best! Starring Allegra Cohen, Khrystyne Haje, Eric Kirchberger, Nasry Malak, Miche... more -
Klepto Lesbo Atheist Wiccan Spell - God Loves ME Best! - Volume 8
The Buddhist discovers how The Atheist torments him. The Wiccan performs a spell for the well-being of the household.
http://www.godlovesmebest.com
http://www.youtube.com/godlovesmebest The Buddhist discovers how The Atheist torments him. The Wiccan performs a spell for the well-being of the household. ... more -
Christianity 'could die out within a century'
"More than half of Britons think Christianity is likely to have disappeared from the country within a century, according to a survey.
Research by the Orthodox Jewish organisation Aish found that just over a third of people thought religions like Christianity and Judaism would still be practiced in Britain in 100 years' time.
Although four in 10 people said they would choose to be a member of the Christian religion, almost the same number said they would rather practice no religion at all." "More than half of Britons think Christianity is likely to have disappeared from the country within a century, according to a survey. ... more -
College grads more likely to keep the faith
A study at the University of Texas in Austin states that college graduates are less likely to abandon their religious identities. I am posting this in response to the story that was on Current.com not long ago about how less-religious people are more intelligent.
In my opinion, people who are truly intelligent are those who respect people of all religions, including people of no faith. After all, MLK was a pretty smart guy.
Science and Religion are not enemies. People who are scientists are often religious and people who are religious often support science 100%.
What do you think? A study at the University of Texas in Austin states that college graduates are less likely to abandon their religious identities. I a... more
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Atheism
