Atheist Media Blog

Pope Francis Says Atheists Can Be Good

2013-05-23T20:02:00.000-04:00

Atheists should be seen as good people if they do good, Pope Francis has said in his latest urging that people of all religions, and none, work together.

The leader of the world's 1.2 billion Roman Catholics made his comments in the homily of his morning mass at his residence, a daily event at which he speaks without prepared comments.

He told the story of a Catholic who asked a priest if even atheists had been redeemed by Jesus.

"Even them, everyone," the pope answered, according to Vatican Radio. "We all have the duty to do good," he said.

"Just do good, and we'll find a meeting point," the pope said in a hypothetical reply to the hypothetical comment: "But I don't believe. I'm an atheist."

Francis's reaching out to atheists and people who belong to no religion is in marked contrast to the attitude of his predecessor, Benedict, who sometimes prompted complaints from non-Catholics that he seemed to see them as second-class believers.

Wolf Blitzer Asks Atheist Tornado Survivor If She 'Thanks The Lord'

2013-05-23T06:26:00.002-04:00

CNN's Wolf Blitzer unknowingly asks an atheist tornado survivor if she "thanks the Lord" for her family's safety.

"We're happy you're here. You guys did a great job," Blitzer said to Rebecca Vitsmun, who escaped from her house with her 19-month-old son right before the twister tore through it. "You've gotta thank the Lord, right? Do you thank the Lord for that split-second decision?"

Vitsmun hesitates for a moment and smiles. "I -- I'm actually an atheist," she said, laughing off the awkward moment.

"You are. All right. But you made the right call," Blitzer said.

"We are here, and I don't blame anyone for thanking the Lord," Vitsmun said.

When It's OK to Lie: When You're Lying For Jesus

2013-05-21T09:24:00.000-04:00

by Potholer54:

The uncut version of the Comfort interview shown in this video can be found here.

The dishonestly edited version of the same video is in "Genius -- the movie".

The editing of the Ben Stein interview with Richard Dawkins is analysed in this video.

Peter Singer: The Why and How of Effective Altruism | TED

2013-05-20T21:13:00.000-04:00

If you're lucky enough to live without want, it's a natural impulse to help others in need. But, asks philosopher Peter Singer, what's the most effective way to give charitably? He talks through some surprising thought experiments to help you balance emotion and practicality -- and make the biggest impact with whatever you can share.

Pat Robertson: God Told Me Romney Will Be A Two Term President

2013-05-12T10:53:00.001-04:00

One week before the election, Pat Robertson said God told him Mitt Romney will win the election and be a successful two term president

The Big Questions: Are Religions Unfair to Women?

2013-05-05T15:38:00.000-04:00

May 5, 2013 on BBC One

This is a special edition from King Edward VI Handsworth School in Birmingham and Nicky Campbell asks just one Big Question: Are religions unfair to women?

Taking part are: Francesca Stavrakopoulou, Professor of Hebrew Bible and Ancient Religion at the University of Exeter; Cole Moreton, author of Is God Still an Englishman?; Christina Rees, who sits on The Archbishops' Council of the Church of England; the theologian Vicky Beeching; the feminist Kate Smurthwaite; Liz Weston from Christ Church, Southampton; Sarah de Nordwall from Catholic Voices; Eunice Olumide, a convert to Islam; Rania Hafez from Muslim Women in Education; Rabbi Shmuel Arkush, Director of Lubavitch in the Midlands; and Bharti Tailor, President of the Hindu Forum for Europe.

Dawkins, Krauss Preview 'The Unbelievers' | Global News Canada

2013-04-29T20:17:00.003-04:00

April 29, 2013 on Global News (Canada)

Richard Dawkins and Lawrence Krauss are on The Morning Show to talk about The Unbelievers, which explores the importance of science and reason in the modern world.

http://UnbelieversMovie.com/

Dawkins, Krauss on CNN to Discuss New Documentary 'The Unbelievers'

2013-04-28T18:32:00.001-04:00

April 28, 2013 on CNN

Lawrence Krauss and Richard Dawkins discuss religion in the modern world and debate science in their new film "The Unbelievers"

Attacked Ex-Bangladeshi Atheist Blogger Sharif Ahmed Speaks Out

2013-04-24T14:56:00.000-04:00

by CFI Canada

Ex-Bangladeshi Blogger Sharif Ahmed suffered attack, torture, religious psychological training and was eventually nearly hung to death because of his atheism. He escaped to Canada as a refuge fearing for his life. He joins Justin Trottier for an exclusive interview on Think Again! TV to discuss his story and the plight of atheists in Bangladesh.

Bangladesh has recently been at the center of a human rights crisis as authorities have detained several prominent bloggers for "hurting religious sentiments," followed by the arrest of a newspaper editor who printed quotations from the targeted bloggers, and two more young people for making "derogatory remarks" about Islam on Facebook. Tens of thousands of people have rallied in the country's capital to demand more arrests, tougher blasphemy laws, and have threatened violence if their demands are not met by April 25.

An international coalition of atheist and humanist organizations, led by the Center for Inquiry and our partners the International Humanist and Ethical Union and American Atheists, will protest the arrest and persecution of atheist bloggers and other dissenters in Bangladesh with demonstrations in New York, Washington, London, Ottawa, and other cities around the world on Thursday, April 25.

These global demonstrations will be unprecedented for the freethought movement, as secularists around the world express their solidarity with those jailed for speaking their minds about religion. Protesters will draw the world's attention to the plight of those persecuted for exercising their rights to freedom of belief and expression, and attempt to spur the international community to take action and compel the government of Bangladesh to change course. Up-to-date information on protest events can be found at bit.ly/defenddissent.

The Great Debate: The Storytelling of Science

2013-04-23T10:49:00.000-04:00

Part 1

Part 2

The Origins Project at ASU presents the final night in the Origins Stories weekend, focusing on the science of storytelling and the storytelling of science. The Storytelling of Science features a panel of esteemed scientists, public intellectuals, and award-winning writers including well-known science educator Bill Nye, astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins, theoretical physicist Brian Greene, Science Friday's Ira Flatow, popular science fiction writer Neal Stephenson, executive director of the World Science Festival Tracy Day, and Origins Project director Lawrence Krauss as they discuss the stories behind cutting edge science from the origin of the universe to a discussion of exciting technologies that will change our future. They demonstrate how to convey the excitement of science and the importance helping promote a public understanding of science.

New Zealand Lawmakers Break Into Maori Love Song As Parliament Approves Same Sex Marriage

2013-04-17T21:04:00.001-04:00

From National Post:

Hundreds of jubilant gay-rights advocates celebrated at New Zealand’s Parliament on Wednesday as the country became the 13th in the world and the first in the Asia-Pacific region to legalize same-sex marriage.

Lawmakers voted 77 to 44 in favor of the gay-marriage bill on its third and final reading.

People watching from the public gallery and some lawmakers immediately broke into song after the result was announced, singing the New Zealand love song “Pokarekare Ana” in the indigenous Maori language.
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'science' of the gaps

2013-04-14T11:33:00.000-04:00

by TheraminTrees

BBC Panorama: Are Sharia Councils Failing Vulnerable Women?

2013-04-12T13:33:00.000-04:00

From BBC News:

BBC Panorama has uncovered fresh evidence of how some Sharia councils in Britain may be putting Muslim women "at risk" by pressuring them to stay in abusive marriages.

In a small terraced house in east London, a woman and her husband argue before an Islamic scholar who sits on a dais above them in a room that looks and feels like a court.

This is Leyton Islamic Sharia Council, and Dr Suhaib Hasan will decide if the woman can have a divorce. Her husband is refusing to grant her one and the couple have been coming here for a year.

She accuses him of refusing to work, ignoring the children and verbally abusing her. He vehemently denies it. When Dr Hasan orders the husband to leave the room, the woman breaks down in tears.

"I hate him, I can't even bear to look at him, he has ruined my life," she sobs.

Dr Hasan sends the couple away for another month to try to save their marriage, with the help of Allah.
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David Attenborough: First Life | BBC

2013-04-11T13:58:00.000-04:00

Part 1

Part 2

In more than fifty years of broadcasting, Sir David Attenborough has travelled the globe to document the living world in all its wonder. Now, in the landmark series First Life, he goes back in time in search of the very first animals.

David Attenborough’s First Life is told with stunning photography, state of the art visual effects and the captivating charm of the world’s favourite naturalist. It was first broadcast as a two-part series in the UK on BBC Two in November 2010, and as a two-hour special by Discovery Channel in the US. It is now being shown by broadcasters around the world, including the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

Filmed over the course of a year, the companion film Attenborough’s Journey is a remarkable portrait of the world’s leading natural history broadcaster as completes his latest series. As he faces the challenges of a complicated filming shoot, David Attenborough revisits parts of the world that have had special meaning for him throughout his career.

Derren Brown on Personal Responsibilty Without God

2013-04-05T11:22:00.002-04:00

A short clip from Chris Johnson's conversation with Derren brown for the book 'A Better Life'

Richard Dawkins on Science: 'It works, bitches'

2013-04-02T15:44:00.000-04:00

A short clip from Richard Dawkins' conversation with Dr. Stephen Law

Dr. Stephen Law in Conversation with Richard Dawkins | Think Week Oxford

2013-04-02T15:36:00.000-04:00

Professor Richard Dawkins in conversation with Dr Stephen Law, senior lecturer at Heythrop College, University of London, discussing the major issues of importance to humanists and atheists at a time when opposition to rationalist thought appears to be on the rise. Filmed at the Sheldonian Theatre, Oxford, on Friday 15th February 2013.

February 2013 marked the forth annual Think Week -- a week of high profile public events that ran from the 8th to the18th February. Think Week was organized by student groups from both local Universities, the Oxford Humanists and Oxford Sea of Faith. Events covered a range of themes from science and philosophy to politics, equality, human rights, and the arts.

Lawrence Krauss vs. Hamza Tzortzis: Islam or Atheism - Which Makes More Sense?

2013-04-01T12:29:00.000-04:00

00:00:24 : Introduction - Timothy Yusuf Chambers
00:06:30 : Opening Remarks - Hamza Tzortzis
00:32:02 : Opening Remarks - Lawrence Krauss
00:59:33 : Rebuttal - Hamza Tzortzis
01:14:28 : Rebuttal - Lawrence Krauss
01:22:43 : Summary Discussion
01:42:07 : Question & Answer Session
02:06:00 : Closing Remarks - Lawrence Krauss
02:07:50 : Closing Remarks - Hamza Tzortzis

(Thanks Sergej)

The Big Questions: Should Britain Become a Secular State? | BBC

2013-03-25T10:42:00.000-04:00

March 24, 2013 on BBC One

Nicky Campbell presents a pre-recorded edition of the programme from Manor CoE School in York asking just one question - should Britain become a secular state? Among those taking part are philosopher AC Grayling, former Bishop of Rochester Rt Rev Dr Michael Nazir-Ali, Prof the Baroness Afshar from York University, Symon Hill from Ekkelsia, Rabbi Jonathan Romain from Maidenhead Synagogue, Naomi Philips from Labour Humanists, writer and academic Myriam Francois Cerrah, Gita Sahgal from Centre for Secular Space, Pastor Mark Mullins from Strangers' Rest Mission and Dr Audra Mitchell from York University.

David Silverman on FOX News: It's People Using Religion to Justify their Bigotry

2013-03-19T17:58:00.000-04:00

March 18, 2013 on Fox News
The Most Fabulous Story Ever Told

Cambrige Union Society: Religion Debate | Dawkins, Copson, Ahmed vs Williams, Ramadan, Murray

2013-03-16T19:24:00.000-04:00

From the Cambridge Union Society

Is Religion compatible with 21st Century life? How can it be made to fit with modern laws and values? Even if it might be compatible, does it actually do more harm than good?

Proposition:
(01:54) Andrew Copson - Chief Executive of the British Humanist Association and former director of the European Humanist Federation.

(29:42) Prof. Richard Dawkins - A distinguished evoultionary biologist and ardent critic of religion, Dawkins is also Vice-President of the British Humanist Association and author of The God Delusion and The Selfish Gene.

(1:10:30) Arif Ahmed - Senior Lecturer in the Faculty of Philosophy at the University of Cambridge since October 2011.

Opposition:
(13:33) Rowan Williams - Outgoing Archbishop of Canterbury and now the Master of Magdalene College, Rowan Williams studied Theology at Cambridge and has written inumerable books on the subject of Christianity.

(42:28) Prof. Tariq Ramadan - Known as 'The Muslim Martin Luther', Ramadan is a renowned writer and Professor of Islamic Studies at the University of Oxford. He is also President of the European Muslim Network.

(1:22:25) Douglas Murray - Associate Director of the Henry Jackson Society and founder of the Centre for Social Cohesion, Murray is also a commentator on issues of religion, immigration and extremism.

Result: The Motion failed to pass

The Way of the Mister: And I'm a Formon

2013-03-16T18:35:00.000-04:00

by Mr. Deity

Superstition

2013-03-16T16:47:00.003-04:00

by QualiaSoup

Jorge Mario Bergoglio Elected Pope Francis

2013-03-13T20:14:00.000-04:00

From The Telegraph:

Jorge Mario Bergoglio, from Argentina, has been elected as the first Pope from the Americas and is named Pope Francis after white smoke billows from the chimney above the Sistine Chapel and the bells toll from St Peter's basilica.

The election came on the first full day of voting by the 115 cardinal-electors, who secluded themselves behind the Vatican's medieval walls on Tuesday afternoon - more quickly than many had expected.

On a cold and drizzly night in the Vatican City, the tension was broken after five voting sessions, with the arrival of white smoke from the chimney on the top of the Sistine Chapel.
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New Evidence that Life on Earth May Have Come from Outer Space

2013-03-12T14:11:00.000-04:00

March 11, 2013 on MSNBC News