Atheist News Feed

Are Christians Belatedly Embracing Harry Potter?

2009-07-19T23:26:45Z

I shall always be grateful to JK Rowling and the legend of Harry Potter. My eldest child had resisted reading HP, despite the fact that I had purchased and read each of the books up to that point and raved about them. She preferred her far less challenging Rainbow Fairy and Junie B. Jones books, and even those she rarely picked up. But finally, in the summer of 2005, out of sheer boredom, she picked up the first Harry Potter book. She was so enthralled, she stayed up until late into the night, reading by flashlight. She finished the first book in three days; the second book took only two. By August, she had finished through Book 6 and had started the series over again. Thus was born my incredible book-lover child, who now reads voraciously (she checks out ten books every weekend from the library) and has tackled such classics as To Kill A Mockingbird and Pride and Prejudice as well as pop hits like the Twilight series and Meg Cabot's books.

But it all began with Harry Potter.

Naturally, as a mother, I was and am still thrilled that she is such a curious and hungry reader, but there was a hiccup along the way. I had taken my kids to the neighborhood pool and my eldest was cooling off in the shallow end with the ever-present HP book in her hand. One of the neighborhood children, seeing what my daughter was reading, volunteered as children will that her parents would not let her read Harry Potter, because it was about witchcraft and was not something a good Christian would read. Luckily, I was close enough by to be able to tell this child gently that while we respected others' beliefs, that it was MY belief that ideas are never bad things and that my children would never be prevented from reading things that interested them. I bit my tongue to keep from telling this child that the fact her parents were scared by fictional characters showed how shaky their faith must be.

Nevertheless, it began an very interesting (and ongoing) conversation with my child about censorship and fear. She sought out more information about these evangelical fears of Harry Potter, and I have to tell you, I'm so proud of how strong of mind she's grown in these four years. I've no doubt that she would be able to tell that little neighbor kid off on her own now.

But it looks like now that the book series is complete and the whole story is known, the evangelical community is having a change of heart:

Conservative Christian reviews of the new Harry Potter movie are surprisingly positive.

"As 'Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince' opens, we are once again reminded of the characteristics that make him something of a Christ figure," Connie Neal writes for the evangelical Christianity Today.

"It is more likely that at the end of the viewing or reading, rather than the allure of magic ... what remains are the scenes that evoke values such as friendship, altruism, loyalty, and the gift of self," wrote L'Osservatore, the Vatican's semi-official newspaper.

Even Focus on the Family's pluggedin finds something redeeming: "Harry, whatever his faults, embraces such unglamorous words as 'duty,' 'responsibility' and 'sacrifice.'"

Has Harry or one of his Hogwarts cohorts cast some sort of spell over conservative Christendom?

After all, it was Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger (now Pope Benedict XVI) who in 2003 warned that Harry Potter books and movies "are subtle seductions, which act unnoticed and by this deeply distort Christianity in the soul, before it can grow properly."

It was James Dobson of Focus on the Family who in 2007 denounced the series, saying that "given the trend toward witchcraft and New Age ideology in the larger culture, it's difficult to ignore the effects such stories (albeit imaginary) might have on young, impressionable minds."

And it was the American Family Association's Donald Wildmon who described the Harry Potter series as "books that promote witchcraft and wizardry."

Hardly. In fact, as more conservative Christians seem to be realizing, the "Harry Potter" series actually promotes Christian themes.

In the final book of the series, Harry reads two verses from the New Testament: The first (from I Corinthians 15) on his parents' tombstone that says, "The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death"; a second (from Matthew 6) on another tombstone that reads, "Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."

"Those two particular quotations he finds on the tombstones at Godric's Hollow, they sum up -- they almost epitomize the whole series," author and Christian J.K. Rowling told MTV in 2007.

Um, it's still fiction, guys. But I do find it so ironic that once again, the evangelical community went off in ignorance over something that once their initial fear and fearmongering was over, they found commonality in.

That's what we in the reality-based community like to call "not judging a book by its cover." You should try it more often.

Devoted Atheists Grow in Numbers, Goals

2009-07-19T23:24:21Z

Atheists are growing in numbers and finding new ways to support each other and the community.

77 Favourite Atheist Books

2009-07-18T16:10:47Z

On Wednesday I asked on Twitter and Facebook about your favourite atheist-related books, and why. The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins was recommended as many times as the next three books combined. The Bible took second place, with its power to convince people of atheism edging it ahead of God is Not Great by Christopher Hitchens. Also popular were books by Phillip Pullman, Sam Harris, Bertrand Russell, Daniel Dennett, Douglas Adams, Michael Shermer, Julian Baggini, Pascal Boyer, Neitzsche, Carl Sagan and Derren Brown. But the most fascinating part is the eclectic list of books recommended once. You may not have heard of all of them, but each is a book that somebody, somewhere, really, really likes. Here’s the full list, along with some of the reasons that you gave as to why this was your favourite atheist-related book.

Two women jailed in Iran for changing their religion

2009-07-17T00:20:21Z

According to reports from Doa website, two women in Iran who had converted to Christianity have been jailed and face possible execution by the Islamic regime.

Bishop says holy water spreads disease

2009-07-15T13:55:39Z

A bishop has advised that holy water be removed from churches in a bid to halt the spread of swine flu.

The Bishop of Chelmsford, the Right Reverend John Gladwin, said at some churches people were invited make a sign of the cross using holy water.

“The water in stoups can easily become a source of infection and a means of rapidly spreading the virus,” he said.

The Bishop also issued advice about taking holy communion warning if anyone had flu-like symptoms not to “drink wine from the chalice”.

BBC (Thanks Kenny).

FFRF Sues Over “In God We Trust” at Capitol Visitor Center

2009-07-14T21:00:48Z

We already know the top two atheists are suing over the fiasco at the Capitol Visitor Center.

Here’s the case in a nutshell:

Last week, the House and the Senate passed resolutions directing the Architect of the Capitol to engrave “In God We Trust” and the Pledge of Allegiance in prominent places in the Capitol Visitor Center, which is “the entrance for the thousands of tourists who visit the Capitol every day.” The engraving project is expected to cost up to $150,000…

The Freedom From Religion Foundation is now suing over this as well.

The Foundation Complaint said the Congressional appropriations “will give actual and apparent government endorsement and advancement of religion,” while excluding nonreligious Americans.

“‘In God We Trust’ excludes and treats as outsiders the millions of adult Americans, including as many as 15% of all adults, who are not religious, i.e., atheists, agnostics, skeptics and freethinkers, none of whom possesses a belief in a god; the mandated language diminishes nonbelievers by making god-belief synonymous with citizenship.”

The lawsuit seeks a judgment declaring the Congressional directive unconstitutional and an order enjoying [sic... it should be "enjoining"] the defendant from engraving “In God We Trust” and the Pledge of Allegiance in the Capitol Visitor Center.

You can read the full complaint here (PDF).

It is worth noting why “In God We Trust” shouldn’t be engraved at the CVC. FFRF provides plenty of reasons in their lawsuit:

“In God We Trust,” in fact, has not been a United States motto during most of this country’s history; America’s original motto was purely secular, i.e., “E Pluribus Unum” (”from many come one”), which motto was chosen by Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and Benjamin Franklin.

“In God We Trust” was not recognized by Congress until 1956 and the motto did not appear upon paper currency until 1957.

The history of the motto “In God We Trust” evidences no secular purpose; on the contrary, the motto was first adopted during the Cold War as a reaction to the purported “Godlessness” of Communism.

“In God We Trust” has no secular purpose; the phrase was adopted precisely to emphasize and endorse a supposed link between the United States federal government and Christian religious belief.

The effect of “In God We Trust” is primarily and directly to endorse and promote religion, which endorsement would be unmistakably perceived by a reasonable observer familiar with the history and context of the phrase.

“In God We Trust” is intended to and does convey the message that the United States supposedly is a Christian nation.

The United States Constitution, however, is not premised on a religious or Christian foundation; the Constitution was very purposefully and deliberately written without such a basis.

The phrase “In God We Trust” ultimately was adopted as the result of a religious campaign during the McCarthy-era Congress, intended to create a symbolic unity of “God” with the federal government.

…

“In God We Trust” excludes and treats as outsiders the millions of adult Americans, including as many as 15% of all adults, who are not religious, i.e., atheists, agnostics, skeptics and freethinkers, none of whom possess a belief in a god; the mandated language diminishes nonbelievers by making god-belief synonymous with citizenship.

What happens to the Michael Newdow/Rob Sherman lawsuit? I don’t know.

I also don’t know whether FFRF will win this case. They should, of course, but it doesn’t mean they will. Losing the case may set further precedent that could hurt us in the future when there’s a more pressing issue.

Either way, Bill O’Reilly will probably publicize the lawsuit and FFRF will gain even more members, so there’s an upside either way!

If You Believe The Bible...You Also Must Believe...

2009-07-14T04:26:27Z

The bible makes Harry Potter look like Wikipedia.

Dakwins: Blasphemy law a return to middle ages

2009-07-14T02:53:04Z

THE NEW blasphemy law will send Ireland back to the middle ages, and is wretched, backward and uncivilised, Prof Richard Dawkins has said.

The scientist and critic of religion has lent his support to a campaign to repeal the law, introduced by Atheist Ireland, a group set up last December, arising from an online discussion forum. The law, which makes the publication or utterance of blasphemous matter a crime punishable by a €25,000 fine, passed through the Oireachtas last week.

In a message read out at Atheist Ireland’s first agm on Saturday, Prof Dawkins said: “One of the world’s most beautiful and best-loved countries, Ireland has recently become one of the most respected as well: dynamic, go-ahead, modern, civilised – a green and pleasant silicon valley. This preposterous blasphemy law puts all that respect at risk.” He said it would be too kind to call the law a ridiculous anachronism.

“It is a wretched, backward, uncivilised regression to the middle ages. Who was the bright spark who thought to besmirch the revered name of Ireland by proposing anything so stupid?”

Boy 13 beaten up by ghost

2009-07-13T13:41:02Z

A PRIEST has been called in by a distraught mum after her teenage son told her he had been attacked by a ghost in the family home. Terrified mum Beverley Wilkins turned to the church after son Daniel was left bruised and bewildered by what his family say could only have been a ghost or poltergeist.

The 13-year-old had finished school and was alone in their home in York Road, Hartlepool, when he claims he was suddenly pulled upright, dragged across the living room, taken to the front door and thrown out into the street. ”His feet came off the floor and then someone started pushing him towards the living room door. ”Whatever it was then tried to push him into the kitchen.

“He said that the front door then flew open and he was grabbed by the arms again and pushed into the street. ”He did not see anyone throughout the whole thing but said it sounded like a man because of the heavy breathing.”

Hartlepool Mail

Scientists create ‘artificial brain cell’

2009-07-13T10:07:54Z

Scientists have created an artificial brain cell they believe could one day be used to treat devastating neurological diseases. The team has managed to pass messages within the mind in the same way as nerve cells, using a tiny piece of plastic which can transmit electricity.

These messages are used by the brain to control many actions in the body. Correcting when they go awry could be the key to treating some diseases like Parkinson’s disease researchers believe. Using the artificial brain cells, called a “delivery electrode”, they have managed to control the hearing of guinea pigs.

Nerve cells in the brain release and use neurotransmitters, or chemicals that to talk to each other. The new artificial cells can do the same, opening up potential treatments, the researchers claim.

Telegraph

Various articles on Richard Dawkins' visit to Brazil

2009-07-13T21:35:38Z

A family in Saudi Arabia is taking a "genie" to court

2009-07-12T17:10:43Z

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Atheist Bus Campaign in… Halifax, Nova Scotia?

2009-07-12T00:00:55Z

Last time we heard of the Atheist Bus Campaign in Halifax, Nova Scotia, atheists had their ad rejected for being too controversial. The ad in question read:

You can be good without God

After a recent Supreme Court decision, Metro Transit is now revising their policies. Here’s Chris Hammond of the Canadian Atheist Bus Campaign:

This is great news for free speech but also great news for our atheist ad. Metro transit informed us months ago that they would revise their policy on advertising what some may deem ‘controversial’, if the courts ruled in favour of the Canadian Federation of Students. We are hopeful that Metro Transit will make good on their stated intentions and reconsider our proposed advertisements with as little additional delay as possible.

The courts did rule in favor of the Canadian Federation of Students and the atheists will re-apply for a bus ad on Monday.

I’d love to see what an actually controversial atheist bus ad would look like…

(Thanks to Shawn for the link!)

Debate between Richard Dawkins and Francis Collins

2009-07-11T21:28:52Z

Since Francis Collins has now been selected by Obama to head the NIH, we thought readers might be interested to read this debate between Richard Dawkins and Francis Collins from November 2006. - Josh

Only Six Percent Of Scientists Are Republicans

2009-07-11T12:43:27Z

A new study by the Pew Research Center finds that the GOP is alienating scientists to a startling degree.

Only six percent of America’s scientists identify themselves as Republicans; fifty-five percent call themselves Democrats. By comparison, 23 percent of the overall public considers itself Republican, while 35 percent say they’re Democrats.

The ideological discrepancies were similar. Nine percent of scientists said they were “conservative” while 52 percent described themselves as “liberal,” and 14 percent “very liberal.” The corresponding figures for the general public were 37, 20 and 5 percent.

Irish Blasphemy Law Passes

2009-07-10T19:00:54Z

Well, shit.

Ireland passed the blasphemy law.

What does this mean for Irish citizens? It means you can be convicted for trashing someone’s beliefs if you cause “outrage among a substantial number of the adherents of that religion.” (Again, what is a “substantial number”? Who knows.)

Paliban Daily offers up some frightening consequences, given that “blasphemy” isn’t very well-defined:

Atheists can be prosecuted for saying that God is imaginary. That causes outrage.

Pagans can be prosecuted for saying they left Christianity because God is violent and bloodthirsty, promotes genocide, and permits slavery.

Christians can be prosecuted for saying that Allah is a moon god, or for drawing a picture of Mohammed, or for saying that Islam is a violent religion which breeds terrorists.

Jews can be prosecuted for saying Jesus isn’t the Messiah.

Those aren’t all accurate… for example, Jews can say Jesus isn’t the Messiah because their religious beliefs are protected under the law. But I suspect if they went around saying as much, holding posters that said he wasn’t the Messiah in a dickish sort of way, and made a “substantial number” of Christians angry, then we’d have problems.

We’re also told that academic and theological debate isn’t subject to the rules. But again, it’s tough to say what constitutes those kinds of debates. Can bloggers tear apart religious arguments and those who make them if they’re not professors? Can Irish people call certain Catholic priests rapists and attribute it to their faith and just say it’s part of theological debate? Can we call out certain adherents of a fundamentalist version of Islam as terrorists if that is warranted? Either everything in these categories is blasphemy or nothing is.

The law also allows for “Seizure of copies of blasphemous statements” (Provided you have been convicted of blasphemy already and the police have a warrant.)

Again, what does that mean for Irish citizens?

Ireland’s Blasphemy Bill not only criminalizes free speech, it also gives the police the authority to confiscate anything deemed “blasphemous”. They may enter and search any premises, with force if needed, upon “reasonable suspicion” that such materials are present.

So if you’ve already been convicted of blasphemy, you better hold on tight to that copy of God is Not Great…

At least we can be sure that this law will be tested repeatedly by any fierce advocate of free speech. My hope is that in the process, we hear even more “blasphemy” than usual challenging this bill, leading to an eventual repeal of the law altogether.

(Thanks to Tydal for the link!)

Francis Collins selcected to head NIH

2009-07-10T22:45:27Z

Dr. Francis Collins is named to run the vast research agency. He guided the U.S. drive to map the human genetic code and wrote a book linking God and science.

Unscientific America and those awful atheists

2009-07-10T22:45:11Z

To return to Unscientific America again, I hardly touched on chapter 8, where they express their dismay at those uppity "New Atheists". I am not going to address his personal criticisms of me — there's no point, you obviously know I think he's completely wrong, and the uncharitable will simply claim my disagreement is the result of a personal animus — so instead I'm only going to address a couple of other general points that Mooney and Kirshenbaum get completely wrong. They plainly do not understand the atheist position, and make claims that demonstrate that either they didn't read any of the "New Atheist's" books, or perhaps the simple ideas in them are too far beyond their comprehension.

The Ambassador for Science

2009-07-10T02:01:36Z

The Englishman Richard Dawkins was drawn to biology intrigued by the great questions about the origin of life. He has become the greatest modern spokesman for Darwinism and a militant atheist. In Brazil for the first time, he even attempted to apply his naturalist side.

Major Protests Back In Streets Of Iran

2009-07-09T22:18:21Z