Atheist News Discussions - Atheist Nexus

"Miracle Detective" signs on to cohost atheist podcast

2012-02-10T14:17:11.740Z

If you've ever seen an episode of Miracle Detectives on the Oprah Winfrey Network, then you're familiar with Indre Viskontas, a cognitive neuroscientist who represents the skeptical half of a team that travels the world to investigate real claims of alleged miracles and supernatural phenomena (you can watch episodes from the show's first season here ). On February 8, however, the Center For Inquiry announced that Ms. Viskontas will be the new cohost (along with science and political writer Chris Mooney) of it's Point of Inquiry podcasts.

More here.

Indre Viskontas

Free Speech and all, but this shit has to stop.

2012-02-10T12:41:47.293Z

Westboro does it again:

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2012/02/08/2018371/westboro-church-to-picket-powell.html

I am all for freedom of speech but really this is an invasion of privacy and not only distasteful, it is inhumane and disgusting.

You know, there are some creatures on this Earth that could really do with being hit with the extinction stick - and I vote the Westboro's go first.

Huffpost - Air Force Removes "God" From Logo: Rep. J. Randy Forbes Leads Objection To This Move

2012-02-09T13:44:26.371Z

(RNS) Dozens of members of Congress are upset that the Air Force has removed the Latin word for "God" from the logo of an Air Force acquisitions office.

Led by Rep. J. Randy Forbes, co-chairman of the Congressional Prayer Caucus, 36 lawmakers Monday (Feb. 6) sent a letter to Air Force Secretary Michael Donley and Air Force Chief of Staff General Norton Schwartz objecting to the removal of "God" from the logo of the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office (RCO).

The logo was recently removed, according to Forbes, after objections by the Military Association of Atheists and Freethinkers.

Jason Torpy, president of the association, said the word "God" had no place in the logo because not all members of the military are religious. "We just hope (the Air Force) can provide more equal opportunities for atheists and humanists in the military."

"The action taken by the RCO suggests that all references to God, regardless of their context, must be removed from the military," the congressional letter states. "We ask that you reverse this perplexing decision."

According to the lawmakers, all members of the bipartisan prayer caucus, the RCO patch logo previously included the motto "Opus Dei Cum Pecunia Alienum Efficemus" (Doing God's Work with Other People's Money), an inside joke among RCO members. Caucus members say it was changed to "Miraculi Cum Pecunia Alienum Efficemus" (Doing Miracles with Other People's Money).

The letter argues that "courts consistently have upheld the constitutionality of our national motto, 'In God We Trust,' despite the obvious mention of God."

"Obviously the Constitution doesn't treat God like a dirty word," said Luke Goodrich, deputy general counsel of the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty. "Religion is a part of this history."

A representative for the Air Force could not be reached for comment.

Full article and comments here.

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It's a small gesture, and I can't say that I'm surprised at the uproar about it, but it's a step in the direction which indicates that at least a portion of the government recognizes that religion is not a universal value among US citizens, nor do religious phrases or sayings belong as an integral part of the military.

And here's a thought: sure they're using other people's money ... but who is to say they or anyone else in the government is doing god's work?!?

Federal appeals court overturns Prop. 8: California's gay marriage ban

2012-02-08T00:39:23.898Z

Religious Right vows to appeal. Decries decision as "judicial activism" and an example of the "Hollywood homosexual agenda." They warn that destruction of the family and traditional marriage will result.

More here: http://www.examiner.com/atheism-in-los-angeles/court-overturns-prop-8-california-s-gay-marriage-ban

Bart Simpson joins Barbie on Iran's toy blacklist

2012-02-07T01:26:22.230Z

Aye Carumba! On Jan. 16th we reported that Iran's morality police were sweeping the toy shops hunting for Barbie dolls and now Bart Simpson and other toys from The Simpsons TV series have been added to the dragnet. Their crime? Corrupting the morals of Iranian children.

More here.

Eat my shorts, mullahs!

Sweater Vests and Death Panels

2012-02-06T03:44:20.647Z

I'm so glad Sanatorium isn't dropping out yet.

HuffPost - Christian Pastor Calls For Starbucks Boycott Over Gay Marriage Support

2012-02-04T13:27:14.845Z

A Christian pastor is asking customers to boycott Starbucks due to the company's support of a bill to legalize gay marriage in Washington state, King 5 News reports.

"Christians are upset with Starbucks for turning against God...Starbucks can follow Satan if they want to," Steven Andrew, and evangelical pastor and president of the USA Christian Ministries in California, said in a statement. "However, pastors are to help Christians. Are you on the Lord's side? Will you help the USA be blessed by God?"

The call for the boycott was released Tuesday, a day prior to the bill's passage in Washington's State Senate Wednesday night, according to Reuters.

USA Ministries is also asking for Christians to stop serving the brand at their church facilities and events.

The Seattle-based coffee chain joined more than 100 other firms in backing the same-sex marriage bill.

Other companies taking a similar position include Nike, Google and Microsoft, Half Moon Bay Patch notes.

If the bill passes in the state house of representatives next week, Washington will become the seventh U.S. state to recognize same-sex unions.

Video and comments here.

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Personally, I can't STAND Starbucks coffee ... but all this incident does for me is further demonstrate the foolishness of churches who wish to insist on their infantile obsession with two verses of the old testament, especially when they're in violation of so much of the rest of it.

Did Romney convert dead Atheist father-in-law to Mormonism?

2012-02-01T20:20:35.084Z

Yes, Romney converted dead Atheist father-in-law to Mormonism

Hasn't he ever heard of respect for the dead?

UPDATE: OK, Public Opinion Poll Time: Do you guys think we should launch a campaign to get Romney's dead father-in-law back on our side or should we just let this one slide? I say let it slide. Sure it's insane and stupid, but it would be even stupider for us to fight it. We need to pick our battles.

"Starbucks hates God"

2012-02-01T13:18:46.885Z

The Starbucks Coffee Co. is receiving a lot of flack from the Religious Right these days but it has nothing to do with sinfully delicious frappuccinos or iced flavored lattes. No, they're upset because the Seattle-based coffee chain just issued a statement supporting marriage equality legislation in Washington state.

Don't hate the gay? Then you must hate God instead. That seems to be the reasoning.

More here.

The Newest Religion: The Missionary Church of Kopimism

2012-01-31T03:33:48.946Z

npr and other sources. Sweden has certified Kopimism as as a bona fide religion, with its own rituals. The rituals are basically internet piracy. The only tenant and only ritual of Kopimism is file sharing. Well, if Jedi is a religion, why not? The sillier religions become, the less credibility all of them have.