Clipmarks | Atheist Clips

Christian Love?

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 19:51:04 GMT

clipped by: AtlLiberal
clipper's remarks: A sad example of the polarization in this country today.

Death threats force removal of atheist billboard

"Don't believe in God? You're not alone." was the message on a billboard put up by the Cincinnati Coalition of Reason (Cin CoR) on Reading Road at 12th Street, one block south of Liberty Street in Cincinnati. It went up on Tuesday but by Wednesday afternoon the group was told it would have to come down again. Lamar Advertising, the company that owns the billboard, leases the land on which it stands and the landowner wanted it taken down. He (or she) had been receiving death threats. Fred Edwords, national director of the United Coalition of Reason, said, "We weren't given the landowner's name or precise details, Nor did we pursue them. It was sufficient to learn that this person had received multiple, significant threats and that Lamar would act quickly to alleviate the problem. Nothing like this has ever happened to us before."

Removing the Mask of Religious Identity: A Psychological Assessment

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 18:52:35 GMT

clipped by: arifsali
clipper's remarks: Excellent analysis, read at the source, this is what we need! I'm sure CM's atheist friends here will also appreciate this dialog.

Clip Source: docs.google.com

In this age of globalization on an ever shrinking planet, can humanity expect to survive as a species by holding on to our notions of religious identity? Will it come down to your God versus my God, your sacred scripture versus my sacred scripture, your sacred places and worship practices versus mine? Can these conflicts and tensions really be resolved by interfaith and ecumenical dialogue and collaboration resulting in a plausible appreciation, if not a celebration, of our diversity as a species or do our hopes for a common humanity require a complete deconstruction of our religio-cultural myths and a removal of our masks of religious identity, while our civil and human rights continue to be guaranteed by a more “just” secular order?

Tags: psychology, religion

Europeans too selfish to have children

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 21:47:38 GMT

clipped by: infidel70

Clip Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Europe is “dying’’ because its secular residents are too selfish to have children, according to Lord Sacks, the Chief Rabbi.

The leader of Britain’s Jewish community claimed the continent’s population is in decline because people care more about shopping than the sacrifice involved in parenthood.

He blamed atheist “neo-Darwinians” for Europe’s low birth rate and said religious people of all denominations are more likely to have large families.

The Chief Rabbi, who entered the House of Lords last week, made his comments in a lecture on religion in the 21st century hosted by Theos, the public theology think-tank, on Wednesday night.

Lord Sacks said that faith had survived so far because it could provide answers to mankind’s eternal search for meaning in life - unlike the market, the state, science or philosophy, which underpin modern liberal democracies.

The Chief Rabbi warned that secular Europe is at risk, however, because its moral relativism can easily be defeated by fundamentalists.

They Nailed It!

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 18:48:01 GMT

clipped by: AtlLiberal
clipper's remarks: One of the best videos I've seen recently.

Clip Source: debunkingchristianity.blogspot.com

Special Investigation - Atheist Alert

[Video]

Some Favs From the Philosophy of Ambiguity

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 22:11:17 GMT

clipped by: celestialdancer

Clip Source: www.amazingjokes.com

2. ONE TEQUILA, TWO TEQUILA, THREE TEQUILA, FLOOR.

3. ATHEISM IS A NON-PROPHET ORGANIZATION.

8. IF A DEAF CHILD SIGNS SWEAR WORDS, DOES HIS MOTHER WASH HIS HANDS WITH SOAP?

9. IF SOMEONE WITH MULTIPLE PERSONALITIES THREATENS TO KILL HIMSELF, IS IT CONSIDERED A HOSTAGE SITUATION?

14. WOULD A FLY WITHOUT WINGS BE CALLED A WALK?

16. IF A TURTLE DOESN'T HAVE A SHELL, IS HE HOMELESS OR NAKED?

18. IF THE POLICE ARREST A MIME, DO THEY TELL HIM HE HAS THE RIGHT TO REMAIN SILENT?

25. HOW IS IT POSSIBLE TO HAVE A CIVIL WAR?

26. IF ONE SYNCHRONIZED SWIMMER DROWNS, DO THE REST DROWN TOO?

28. IF YOU TRY TO FAIL, AND SUCCEED, WHICH HAVE YOU DONE?

29. WHOSE CRUEL IDEA WAS IT FOR THE WORD 'LISP' TO HAVE 'S' IN IT?

30. WHY ARE HEMORRHOIDS CALLED "HEMORRHOIDS" INSTEAD OF "ASSTEROIDS"?

31. WHY IS IT CALLED TOURIST SEASON IF WE CAN'T SHOOT AT THEM?

33. IF YOU SPIN AN ORIENTAL PERSON IN A CIRCLE THREE TIMES, DO THEY

BECOME DISORIENTED?

34. CAN AN ATHEIST GET INSURANCE AGAINST ACTS OF GOD

Video about Christian Deconversion

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 23:56:35 GMT

clipped by: credford

Clip Source: www.youtube.com

[Video]

Tags: deconversion pentacostal atheist secular humanist

Ruffling Floridian's Feathers

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 21:44:09 GMT

clipped by: AtlLiberal
clipper's remarks: Predictably, seeing something like this angers many in the conservative state of Florida. If you're not Christian (and fundamentalist) you're definitly in the minority in Florida, particularly in the central portion where this is located.

Notice the reporters telling phraseology. "...a billboard asking a provocative question...". Actually the question is not provocative at all. It is addressed directly to people who have doubtsd concerning their faith and could in fact feel comforted by knowing that there are others who share their viewpoint.

Clip Source: www2.tbo.com

Atheist group takes message to Lakeland via billboard

LAKELAND - Motorists along one of Lakeland's major thoroughfares are being greeted with a billboard asking a provocative question: "Don't believe in God?"

Then there's the answer: "You are not alone."

The main goal is to increase awareness of the secular group, which was founded in 1992. The group has about 1,000 members statewide, Curry said, with fewer than a dozen in the Lakeland chapter.

"We want other people in the secular community who are non-religious to become aware of us," he said.

The initial reaction Monday from people living and working in the neighborhood didn't fall much on the positive side.

"You shouldn't raise your children that way …. not to believe in God,'' said Carolyn Brown. "I think it should be removed now."

"We've got a lot of churches in this neighborhood, a lot of black churches in this neighborhood, and we don't need that," he said.

The secularist case against ''Atheism 3.0''

Sun, 01 Nov 2009 09:15:55 GMT

clipped by: tabsey

Clip Source: richarddawkins.net

A new, milder "Atheism 3.0" is on the market, teaching a more forgiving attitude towards faith. Bruce Sheiman, author of An Atheist Defends Religion, maintains that humanity is better off with it than without it. Although a recent Religion News Service classifies me and my book The Secular Conscience among the 3.0s, I have to say that I'm not all that happy with the taxonomy.

For me, the interesting thought is not so much that God does not exist, it is that he need not exist. The pertinent question is not whether we are we better off with or without religion, but whether religion matters quite as much as either answer would have us suppose. To take this stance is neither to correct atheism nor to reject religion. It is to change the subject to secularism.

Continue reading
http://newsweek.washingtonpost.com/onfaith/guestvoices/2009/10/the_secularist_case_against_atheism_30.html

Tags: beliefs

Hollywood Will Help Obama Pick Ad for Nationalized Medicine

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 11:52:59 GMT

clipped by: merrie
clipper's remarks: On her national radio show Wednesday, Laura Ingraham decried this ad as exploitative, and NBC reporter Chuck Todd agreed that using kids was wrong: "I hate it."

Clip Source: newsbusters.org

Mark Preston at CNN's Political Ticker reports there's a major Hollywood contingent judging a Health Reform Video Challenge contest for the Democratic Party's Organizing for American campaign. (See today's Open Thread for one flag-mangling contestant.)

Stars on the judging panel for the final 20 TV ads include John Cho ("Flash Forward"), Rosario Dawson ("Men in Black"), Dule Hill ("The West Wing"), Brandon Routh (who played Superman), Kate Walsh ("Private Practice"), Olivia Wilde ("House") and musician Will I. Am of the Black Eyed Peas.

But the most risky name is Seth MacFarlane, the abrasive atheist creator of the Fox cartoons "Family Guy," "American Dad," and "The Cleveland Show."

The harshest ad in the contest features grade-school kids talking about how they'll suffer (and even die) because health care is denied:

Tags: 0bamacare tv ad contest, hollywood stars on judging panel, organizing for american campaign

Nut Case Extrodinaire

Sun, 25 Oct 2009 15:24:52 GMT

clipped by: AtlLiberal
clipper's remarks: I haven't had the displeasure of coming across Allen Ball before and for that I'm grateful. Seldom have I met someone who is so bigoted and hateful as this individual. His solution to all the woes of this country. Christianity. Of course it's his own, right wing version. What a sanctimonious ass-hat.

Clip Source: www.beaufortobserver.net

BallPoint
Why are so many atheists angry and gloomy?

Why are so many atheists angry and gloomy? Remember George Carlin? He was, in his early career, very funny, and inoffensive. Later in his career, he could not resist bashing Christians. I’ve never, in my life, heard a Christian angrily and cruelly trash an atheist. We’ve joked about them. There is, for example, the classic mocking description of a dead atheist: A person who’s all dressed up with no place to go. Like Larry the Cable Guy says: “That’s funny! I don’t care who you are. That’s funny!” But Christians don’t reciprocate when it comes to being rude, hateful, and profane.

I wanted to see the interview of atheist Richard Dawkins, by Bill O’Reilly, the week of October 11, 2009. I missed it on TV, so I pulled it up on the internet, on youtube. Now, if you want to see or hear hateful, scathing, venomous language and commentary, just go to the internet!

Speaking up for a 'moment of silence'

Sun, 25 Oct 2009 13:34:42 GMT

clipped by: jay8h

Clip Source: www.onenewsnow.com

Speaking up for a 'moment of silence'

Attorneys are preparing to defend Illinois' "period of silence" law for public schools.

Earlier this year, a federal judge struck down the law as a violation of the supposed "separation of church and state" because the law was "unconstitutionally vague."

Is it true the original lawsuit was filed by one atheist who objects? "It is correct," the attorney responds. "I think this is a perfect example of how radical the ACLU and their allies are. They even oppose a moment of silence if there's just a chance that someone may choose to pray."

David Cortman of the Alliance Defense Fund -- which this week filed a friend-of-the-court brief in support of the law -- explains that under the law, students are not required to pray and teachers are not involved.

Three other federal appeals courts have upheld moment of silence laws passed in other states. The Seventh U.S. Circuit is being asked to do the same with the Illinois statute.

Another Shill Makes a Fool of Himself

Sat, 24 Oct 2009 15:32:45 GMT

clipped by: AtlLiberal
clipper's remarks: Typical of the drivel from Faux News, here's a snippet showing that even the most rudimentary investigation shows them to be full of bull. But then that doesn't seem to affect the mewling zoombies that follow these jerks.

Clip Source: thinkprogress.org

Uninformed Hannity Tries To Provoke Culture War Over NYC Subway Atheist Ads

[Video]

Sensing an opportunity to exploit the ads for political benefit, Hannity told his audience that a Christian group could never get away with airing ads like that:

Can you imagine the outrage if a Christian group put pro-God ads in the New York City subways? What outrage.

But as Subway Sights — a blog about the NYC subway system — explains, “The problem with this thinking is that Christians have been putting up pro-Christianity ads in the subway for years and nobody cares.” The blogger continues, “There are ads for all kinds of competing churches, each offering their own flavor of Christianity and their own path to salvation,” and offers this photograph as evidence:

Subway Sights concludes, “Of course, Sean Hannity doesn’t factor this into his argument because he doesn’t ride the subway and has no idea what he’s talking about.”

Which God?

Sat, 24 Oct 2009 15:04:34 GMT

clipped by: Socratoad

Clip Source: www.tentmaker.org

When I told the people of Northern Ireland that I was an atheist, a woman in the audience stood up and said, "Yes, but is it the God of the Catholics or the God of the Protestants in whom you don't believe?" --Quentin Crisp

Iraqis Shocked as Atheism Creeps

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 12:33:19 GMT

clipped by: tabsey
clipper's remarks: "Doubters" would probably be a better term. Too much suffering if superstitions won't help.

Clip Source: richarddawkins.net

BAGHDAD – Although their number remains insignificant and most of them hid their identity, the fact that some people are leaving Islam and becoming atheists is a troubling news in conservative Iraq.

“I was surprised a couple of weeks ago when my son told me that his colleague at college told him that his father had become an atheist,” Sheik Abdul-Rassoul al-Rabia’a, a religion teacher at Baghdad University, told IslamOnline.net.

Not only did the father abandon his Muslim faith, he wanted his son to follow in his footsteps.

Linking that to the non-stop violence plaguing the country since the 2003 US invasion, some Iraqis are becoming atheists.

Most of them have had personal incidents involving either themselves or close relatives.

“Iraq is a land without God or any other kind of major protective superior form,” claims one atheist who declined to be named fearing reprisal.

Tags: religion

"Inaugural prayers under attack in DC"

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 02:02:35 GMT

clipped by: kris_tea
clipper's remarks: I'm sure they were actually "sick." Demons always reject the name of Jesus. They will do anything they can to fight against that name, including making the people they possess or oppress physically ill.

Clip Source: www.onenewsnow.com

Inaugural prayers under attack in DC

Atheist Michael Newdow -- along with numerous other individuals and atheist groups -- filed the lawsuit which was lost in federal district court. They have now appealed to the federal DC Circuit Court of Appeals, continuing their efforts to ban prayers they say make them "sick to their stomach."

"The claim by the plaintiffs that they got sick and were just ill because of the exposure to hearing a prayer at the Inauguration -- this claim is outrageous," says Dacus. "It is ridiculous, and we at the Pacific Justice Institute intend to make sure that these kinds of outrageous challenges to religious freedom do not go unchallenged."

The atheists are telling the court their views ought to be protected. But the PJI attorney sees hypocrisy in their demands.

"In their zeal to argue for tolerance for their views, they are engaging in outrageous intolerance for people of faith," he points out. "This double-standard will not hold."