Is There a Standard Version of the Ten Commandments?
Monday March 31, 2008
Any time someone chooses to place a listing of the Ten Commandments in a home, office, church, or public space, they will be making choices. They will have to choose ... Read More
Dalai Lama: Stern, not Cuddly
Monday March 31, 2008
Dalai Lama, May 29, 2004, Glasgow, Scotland
Photo: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images
For too many people in the West, the Dalai Lama is only what they make of him. Many of his actual ... Read More
Book of the Week: Jesus and the Lost Goddess: The Secret Teachings of the Original Christians
Monday March 31, 2008
Image courtesyPriceGrabber.com
Was Christianity originally founded upon the teachings and activities of a real person named Jesus, or was it rather based upon a fictionalized character created to convey mysterious truths? ... Read More
Does God Exist? God as Necessary & Self-Existent
Sunday March 30, 2008
It might seem odd to list "existence" as an attribute of God, but that's not actually the point here. Of course believers think that their god exists - what is ... Read More
Lord's Prayer as Political & Religious Ritual
Sunday March 30, 2008
One of the arguments against government bodies having official prayer time is that civil government officials shouldn't be incorporating the rituals of any one religion into their proceedings. Is this ... Read More
Mailbag: Atheism and Morality, Part 2
Sunday March 30, 2008
From: "Nathan"
Subject: Question
By your beleif, you are just made of atoms and nothing more. Why would you care about others?
Note: The first part of this conversation about atheism, ... Read More
Focus on Religion: Religion & Spirituality
Saturday March 29, 2008
One popular idea is that there exists a distinction between two different modes of relating with the divine or the sacred: religion and spirituality. Religion describes the social, the public, ... Read More
McCain Adviser Rod Parsley: America Founded to Destroy Islam
Saturday March 29, 2008
Rod Parsley of the World Harvest Church of Columbus isn't just another preacher who has endorsed John McCain, he is someone whom McCain has hailed as a "spiritual guide." Parsley ... Read More
Abortion & Contraception: What if They Really Were Private?
Saturday March 29, 2008
Both abortion and contraception take place in a semi-public manner because they must be procured in public. Even contraception, which is used in the privacy of one's own home, must ... Read More
Godless Political Values: Importance of Godless Values to Modern Democracy
Friday March 28, 2008
Politics in a liberal, democratic democracy cannot long proceed or survive simply by inertia; instead they must be constantly fed by people who are engaged in the political process and ... Read More
Judge M. Ashley McKathan Asks Both Sides Pray Together With Him
Friday March 28, 2008
In Alabama, a judge presiding over a lawsuit over a church's financial records decided it would be a good idea if they all prayed together. Apparently, this lawsuit won't just ... Read More
Afflicting the Comfortable: Importance of Undermining the Status Quo
Friday March 28, 2008
Which is better for the political and social health of a community: to tell people what they want to hear and reinforce their prejudices about themselves, or to dissent from ... Read More
Religion & Morality: Flaws in Theistic, Religious Morality
Thursday March 27, 2008
Moral values can differ not only from religion to religion, but also between traditions and groups within a religion. There are, however, common themes in religious moral systems which can ... Read More
Atheist Student Group Called Dangerous, Immoral
Thursday March 27, 2008
Image © Austin Cline
Original Poster:National Archives
At the University of South Florida, the Atheist Student Alliance was subjected to bigoted attacks when they applied for reimbursement for expenses. There was nothing ... Read More
Weekly Poll: Should Atheists Create Secular Holidays?
Thursday March 27, 2008
Propaganda Poster: Cleansing the Community of Infection via Redemptive Violence
Wednesday March 26, 2008
Image © Austin Cline
Original Poster:National Archives
An important component of fascism, and one which hasn't entirely developed in America even among movements which tend to appear very fascist in their approach, ... Read More
Judge Christine Dalton: Go to Church or Go to Prison
Wednesday March 26, 2008
Pachino Hill has a long list of offenses and has appeared in court numerous times. He's received a number of different punishments, but the most recent court decision by Scott ... Read More
Forum Discussion: Ignorance, Superstition, and Belief
Wednesday March 26, 2008
Ignorance of basic science, math, and skeptical thinking skills is not only widespread, but sadly understandable. Given that at least some level of ignorance on such matters is inevitable, it's ... Read More
Myth: Atheists are Intolerant for Criticizing Religion, Theism
Tuesday March 25, 2008
There are several myths here, all tightly intertwined for the apparent purpose of getting atheists to cease making uncomfortable and unwelcome criticisms of religion and theism. Religious believers, mostly Christians, ... Read More
Ex-Scientology Kids Against Scientology
Tuesday March 25, 2008
Like any religion, Scientology has former members who were brought up in the religion at home but who have since left it as adults. Because Scientology is a relatively young ... Read More
Comment of the Week: Comparing Apples and Gods
Tuesday March 25, 2008
A popular line of thinking for many Christians is that what gives their lives meaning their god is the only thing that can give any life meaning. This ... Read More
Tenth Commandment: Thou Shalt Not Covet
Monday March 24, 2008
Of all the commandments, the Tenth Commandment has a tendency to be the most contentious. Depending upon how it is read, it can be the most difficult to adhere to, ... Read More
Atheists: Know Your Place, Submit to Christian Masters
Monday March 24, 2008
As bad as Christian Privilege is, it's still not as bad as Christian Surpemacism, an ideology based around the belief that Christians not only should be privileged and honored in ... Read More
Book of the Week: Humanism: An Introduction
Monday March 24, 2008
Image courtesyPriceGrabber.com
Humanism, in one form or another, has been part of Western culture for several thousand years. Its roots can be traced back to ancient Greece and Rome, many of ... Read More
Evolution Basics: Background of the Scopes Monkey Trial
Sunday March 23, 2008
Image Source: Wikipedia
Darwin's publications initially met great resistance in Victorian England because they were widely regarded as an immediate threat to many traditional doctrines of Christianity. Even many scientists refused ... Read More
Religion Gets Smart People to Believe Dumb Things
Sunday March 23, 2008
Many religious apologists insist that even if the truth of religious doctrines cannot be proven, it's at least reasonable to believe them because their falsehood also can't always be proven. ... Read More
Mailbag: Atheism and Morality, Part 1
Sunday March 23, 2008
From: "Nathan"
Subject: Question
If you are an atheist, why would you bother to administer a website about Atheism? What is the point? If there is no God that controls ... Read More
Propaganda Poster: Manly Christian Combat Against Islamofascism
Saturday March 22, 2008
Image © Austin ClineOriginal Poster: National Archives
In theory, a "real Christian man" should perhaps be someone who eschews violence of all sorts, who turns the other cheek whenever they are ... Read More
Archbishop of Canterbury: Neo-Darwinism is Pseudoscience
Saturday March 22, 2008
Many people insist that Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams is a very intelligent and well-educated man, but I have trouble believing it. I certainly haven't witnessed any evidence of it ... Read More
Hillary Clinton's Religious Background & Beliefs: What Does Clinton Believe?
Saturday March 22, 2008
Hillary Clinton grew up in a Methodist household, she taught Methodist Sunday school like her mother, is a member of a Senate prayer group, and regularly attends the Foundry United ... Read More
Church & State Fundamentals: Theocrats and the Separation of Church and State
Friday March 21, 2008
The most extreme position opposed to separationism in all of its forms is held by those who can be called 'theocrats,' these are people who wish to create a theocratic ... Read More
Muslim Plan to Fight Negative Perception: Suppress Free Speech
Friday March 21, 2008
Some people just don't get it, and then some people really, really, really don't get it. If you regularly did things which caused people to develop a negative impression of ... Read More
John McCain on Secular Atheists: Is John McCain Bigoted Against Atheists?
Friday March 21, 2008
U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-AZ)
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Photo: Joshua Lott/Getty Images
Atheists are the most despised minority in America; this is demonstrated most clearly by the fact that more people would be willing ... Read More
Does God Exist? God or god? To capitalize or not to Capitalize
Thursday March 20, 2008
One issue which seems to cause consternation between atheists and theists involves a disagreement over how to spell the word "god" - should it be capitalized or not? Which is ... Read More
Joseph Devine: Gay Conspiracy to Destroy Christianity
Thursday March 20, 2008
According to the Rt Rev Joseph Devine, Bishop of Motherwell and president of the Catholic Education Commission, the "gay lobby" in Scotland is behind a "huge and well-orchestrated conspiracy" against ... Read More
Weekly Poll: Is Marriage Better when Wives Submit to their Husbands?
Thursday March 20, 2008
Humanist Philosophy: Humanism & Gods
Wednesday March 19, 2008
As with the supernatural generally, humanists are also not very concerned with gods specifically. Indeed, if it weren't for so many believers insisting upon the importance of their various gods, ... Read More
Anti-Abortionist Harasses Child in Wheelchair
Wednesday March 19, 2008
Anti-choice activists frequently exclaim how they are all about preserving life against America's modern "culture of death," but just how "pro-life" can a person really be when they behave in ... Read More
Forum Discussion: The Value of Ad Hominem Arguments
Wednesday March 19, 2008
As most people are aware, ad hominem arguments are generally a logical fallacy you can't undermine an argument by attacking the person making the argument, but only by attacking ... Read More
Weekly Poll: What Do You Do When People Say Grace?
Wednesday March 19, 2008
Creationism Basics: Young Earth Creationism
Tuesday March 18, 2008
Young Earth Creationists (YEC), the largest and most vocal group of creationists active in America, rely upon the most literal interpretation of the Bible in comparison to other forms of ... Read More
Schadenfreude: Iran's Moral Enforcer Caught with Six Prostitutes
Tuesday March 18, 2008
Brigadier General Ali Reza Zarei has been the chief of police for Tehran and in charge of a national program for "moralizing" Iran's women which means being a "moral ... Read More
Comment of the Week: Christianphobes Criticize Christian Supremacy
Tuesday March 18, 2008
Many Christians and even some atheists question whether the presence of the phrase "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance is an important issue. They don't see it as an ... Read More
Ninth Commandment: Thou Shalt Not Bear False Witness
Monday March 17, 2008
There is a question of just what 'bearing false witness' is supposed to entail. It seems as though it might have been originally intended to prohibit lying in a court ... Read More
Catholic League: Bill Maher a Bigot for Dismissing Christian Dogma
Monday March 17, 2008
William A. Donahue, president of the
Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights
February 20, 2001
Photo: Spencer Platt/Getty Images
When Christians complain about anti-Christian "bigots," do they mean people who claim that Christians ... Read More
Book of the Week: Presumed Guilty: How the Jews Were Blamed for the Death of Jesus
Monday March 17, 2008
Image courtesyPriceGrabber.com
The relationship between Christianity and Judaism looms large in the background of both religions. This relationship has undeniably been horrible and caused incalculable suffering for the Jews. An important ... Read More
Church & State Fundamentals: Defining Secularism
Sunday March 16, 2008
Despite its importance, there isn't always a great deal of agreement on just what secularism really is. Part of the problem lies in the fact that the concept of "secular" ... Read More
Mind Control at the Church of Scientology?
Sunday March 16, 2008
Scientology in Pittsburgh
Photo © Bonnie Cline, 2008
The Church of Scientology denies the accusation made by many critics that it is more a cult or scam than a legitimate religion. A ... Read More
Mailbag: Homosexuality
Sunday March 16, 2008
From: "Blair"
Subject: Desirability of Homosexuality
In my humble opnion, I don't have to look to religion to feel that homosexuality is not a desired behavior or lifestyle. Science has show that ... Read More
Propaganda Poster: If Fascism Comes to America, It Will Be Carrying the Cross
Saturday March 15, 2008
Image © Austin ClineOriginal Poster: National Archives
Fascism is a term commonly used as an epithet for any ideology that a person doesn't like. Nevertheless, it is a real political phenomenon ... Read More
Countering Christians: Reports from a BattleCry Counter-Rally
Saturday March 15, 2008
Atheist debates over "tactics" tend to revolve around the use of harsh or direct language. How many atheists go so far as to participate in direction action, though? How many ... Read More
Hillary Clinton on America as a Christian Nation: America for Christians Only?
Saturday March 15, 2008
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Citizens of Zion Missionary Baptist Church
January 17, 2008
Photo: David McNew/Getty Images
The idea that America is a "Christian Nation" is important for the Christian Right. They need people to ... Read More
Atheism Basics: What If You Are Wrong And God Exists?
Friday March 14, 2008
Aren't you afraid of hell? Don't you worry about what might happen to you when you die? This sort of question is based upon a common theological argument known ... Read More
Corporal Punishment for Kids Leads to Sexual Problems for Adults
Friday March 14, 2008
There is no general consensus among atheists about whether spanking or other forms of corporal punishment are appropriate, though I think there is a tendency among atheists to not approve ... Read More
Barack Obama on Injecting Religion into Politics: What Role for Religion?
Friday March 14, 2008
Barack Obama
Ebenezer Baptist Church
January 20, 2008
Photo: Barry Williams/Getty Images
Barack Obama has declared that his religion has an important place in politics but apparently only on his terms and in ... Read More
Existentialism: Subjectivity - Individuals vs. Systems
Thursday March 13, 2008
One of the vital animating principles of existentialist philosophy has always been the importance of subjectivity over objectivity. This subjectivity extends over a wide range of issues: morality, values, truth, ... Read More
Madeline LEngle: All True Art is Christian Art
Thursday March 13, 2008
Just how arrogant can some Christians be? Just when you thought you might have seen it all, along comes someone who sets new standards for the depths to which people ... Read More
Weekly Poll: Favorable or Unfavorable Impression of Islam?
Thursday March 13, 2008
University of Minnesota Study on American Attitudes Towards Atheists & Atheism
Wednesday March 12, 2008
Every single study that has ever looked at the issue has revealed massive amounts of bigotry and prejudice against atheists in America. The most recent data shows that atheists are ... Read More
Corporate Chaplain Corporation to Expand... Everywhere
Wednesday March 12, 2008
Apparently, Corporate Chaplains of America intends to expand beyond its current business of providing chaplains to corporations to providing chaplains for community groups of all sorts. This would include multiple ... Read More
Forum Discussion: Atheist-To-Christian Conversions
Wednesday March 12, 2008
There are many Christians who say that they were once atheists and then converted, but I've never known anyone as an atheist and then later as a Christian we ... Read More
Focus on Religion: Functional vs. Substantive Definitions of Religion
Tuesday March 11, 2008
Many scholarly and academic attempts to define or describe religion can be classified into one of two types: functional or substantive. Each represents a very distinct perspective on the nature ... Read More
Krensada's Deviant Anti-Atheist Bigotry Art
Tuesday March 11, 2008
Image © Austin Cline
Original Poster:National Archives
I always find it interesting to see just how self-righteous a person can be in their bigotry. It's often not enough for a bigot to ... Read More
Comment of the Week: I Will Pray for You
Tuesday March 11, 2008
It's not unusual for me to get emails from people who say that they intend to pray for me but as often as I hear such things, I continue ... Read More
Eighth Commandment: Thou Shalt Not Steal
Monday March 10, 2008
Another of the shorter commandments, this is one of those where the simplest and most obvious understanding may actually be the most correct one - but not necessarily. Most people ... Read More
Mark Creech: God Chooses the American President, Not the People
Monday March 10, 2008
Most Americans probably believe that they have some say in who is elected president. After all, it is an election where they vote, right? Even if corporations and special interests ... Read More
Book of the Week: What Is Atheism? A Short Introduction
Monday March 10, 2008
Image courtesyPriceGrabber.com
What is atheism, and why would anyone be an atheist? Is it possible for an atheist to lead a moral, meaningful life? These are just a few of the ... Read More
Should You Reveal Your Atheism to Friends & Neighbors?
Sunday March 9, 2008
Not all atheists have revealed their atheism to their friends and neighbors. Religious theism is so widespread, and distrust of atheists so prevalent, that many people can't tell the full ... Read More
Islamic Extremists Creating Religious Skepticism in Iraq?
Sunday March 9, 2008
The general trend across the Muslim world is for increasing religious fervor in young people, but not in Iraq. Because of five years of war in which vying religious sects ... Read More
Mailbag: What Atheists Believe
Sunday March 9, 2008
From: "Kati"
Subject: What Do You Believe In?
I came upon your site while doing some research for a debate class, and I have spent hours on it since then. I have ... Read More
Persecution of Witches: Executing Witches and Eliminating Witchcraft
Saturday March 8, 2008
Image Source:Jupiter Images
Burning and hanging were the most popular forms of execution for accused witches in medieval Europe. Burning seems to have been most common in continental Europe while hanging ... Read More
Amy Sullivan: Appeal to Evangelicals by Denying Your Beliefs
Saturday March 8, 2008
Should the Democratic Party stop trying to be the party of secular government and secular social progress and instead become a party which promotes Christian exceptionalism, Christian beliefs, and liberal ... Read More
Barack Obama on Reproductive Rights, Sex Education, and Abortion
Saturday March 8, 2008
The Christian Right has fought hard to deny women the ability to make reproductive choices through restrictions on abortion, sex education, emergency contraception, and contraception generally. Barack Obama supports reproductive ... Read More
Propaganda Poster: Training Christian Students to Take Dominion Over America
Friday March 7, 2008
Image © Austin ClineOriginal Poster:National Archives
A basic belief of the most extreme elements of the Christian Right, and one which is gaining traction in the rest of the movement, is ... Read More
Abortions Highest Where Religion is Highest
Friday March 7, 2008
Given how opposition to legal abortion is almost entirely based on religious dogma, one might think that areas where belief in religious dogma is highest will be areas where abortion ... Read More
John McCain on Secularism: John McCain Says America is a Christian Nation
Friday March 7, 2008
John McCain, 2007Photo: Joe Raedle / Getty Images
John McCain is widely regarded as a "sensible" Republican who is "independent" of many traditional Republican constituencies. Neither view is correct: John McCain ... Read More
Moral Panics, Authoritarian Government, and Conservative Christianity
Thursday March 6, 2008
America's Christian Right has long made the idea of 'law and order' an important political slogan. Religious conservatives have attacked the prison system for being too lenient, for emphasizing rehabilitation ... Read More
Science Fair Experiment: Are Christians More Moral?
Thursday March 6, 2008
It is common for evangelical Christians to claim implicitly or explicitly that Christians are more moral than non-Christians, and especially than atheists. No evidence can be offered for ... Read More
Weekly Poll: Would You Marry a Theist? Are you Married to a Theist?
Thursday March 6, 2008
Science is Not a Religion: Why Science and Scientific Research are not Religions
Wednesday March 5, 2008
Calling science a religion should be instantly recognized as an ideological attack rather than a neutral observation of facts. Sadly this is not the case, and it has become far ... Read More
New Foetish Tactic: Teens Spiritually Adopt, Pray for Unknown Fetus
Wednesday March 5, 2008
Christians determined to eliminate women's ability to make autonomous choices in matters of reproductive health always seem to find new ways to make their attitudes known. In the end, it's ... Read More
Forum Discussion: Emotional Atheism
Wednesday March 5, 2008
Atheism may be mere disbelief in gods, but how a person expresses their atheism or lives as an atheist can vary greatly not only from person to person, but ... Read More
Hillary Clinton on Secular Atheists: Does Clinton Support Atheists' Equality?
Tuesday March 4, 2008
Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-NY, at
Saddleback Valley Community Church
November 29, 2007
Photo: David McNew/Getty Images
It's not absolutely necessary for a devoutly religious person look down upon atheists, but the correlation ... Read More
Beauty Pageant Judge Rejected for Following Wrong Superstition
Tuesday March 4, 2008
There are few things as curious as seeing people use one set of superstitions to justify denigrating and discriminating against others who are just as sincere in holding to a ... Read More
Comment of the Week: Order & Disorder, Cause & Effect
Tuesday March 4, 2008
Many Christians try to argue that order in the universe is evidence that their god exists. If, however, order presupposes the existence of a purpose, and a purpose requires the ... Read More
Seventh Commandment: Thou Shalt Not Commit Adultery
Monday March 3, 2008
The problem here lies with the meaning of the word 'adultery.' People today tend define it as any act of sexual intercourse outside of marriage or, perhaps a bit more ... Read More
Settlement in Case of Christians Harassing Jews over School Prayer
Monday March 3, 2008
In April, 2005, I started writing about how Christians in Delaware's Indian River School District worked to inject their religion both in the school during the school day and in ... Read More
Book of the Week: Preacher: Billy Sunday and Big-Time American Evangelism
Monday March 3, 2008
Image courtesyPriceGrabber.com
When televangelists came upon the American scene in the 1980s, they had an enormous impact upon not only American culture, but also upon the wider public perception of Christianity. ... Read More
Persecuting Witches & Witchcraft
Sunday March 2, 2008
Image Source:Jupiter Images
Witches have long been feared and hated in Christian circles. Even today, pagans and Wiccans remain a target of Christian persecution -- especially in America. It seems that ... Read More
Hudsonville Michigan will 'Strive to Serve God'
Sunday March 2, 2008
There are a lot of different ways for Christians to mix their religion with civil government. It's rare to still find examples where they try to use force to impose ... Read More
Mailbag: You Will Bow
Sunday March 2, 2008
From: "Mark"
Subject: God
While I do not condone that many will attempt to verbally "beat you into submission" to God, I do share the view that at some point, even you ... Read More
Propaganda Poster: America is Blessed by God, Americans are Chosen by God
Saturday March 1, 2008
Image © Austin ClineOriginal Poster:Nazi Propaganda
The idea that God has "blessed" America is integral to Christian Nationalists' religious and political ideology. This concept of a blessing isn't about God generally ... Read More
Doctors Refuse Pap Test to Unmarried Women, Cite Religious Beliefs
Saturday March 1, 2008
First they came to demand exemptions from abortions, and the government relented. The men in government didn't get abortions and didn't want to make an issue out of it. Then ... Read More
Walz v. Tax Commission of the City of NY (1970)
Saturday March 1, 2008
It has long been accepted that religious organizations should be exempt from the taxes paid by everyone else, including property taxes. But are such exemptions valid? Don't they place an ... Read More