Blogs
Dinesh D'Souza Spreads Dishonest Propaganda…Again
Submitted by kellym78 on January 20, 2008 - 10:23pm.
Isn't it remarkable that Christians would like to use atheists as scapegoats for every evil action throughout history instead of admitting their own complicity? After all, they are the ones who are constantly reminding us that the inhumane actions committed by their predecessors don't necessarily reflect upon them, so why can't they just admit that the christians of the past were complicit in some of these atrocities?
I don't know that I need to move beyond the first sentence to prove the absurdity of his assertion. Apparently, Mr. D'Souza has forgotten about the atheists and deists who were the true impetus for ending slavery-like Abraham Lincoln! As far as we can tell from the biographies written about Lincoln, particularly those written by some of his closest friends, he was at best a deist, possibly an atheist, and definitely opposed to organized religion and christianity.1 How about other atheist abolitionists like Fanny Wright, Elizur Wright2 and Ernestine Louise Rose3?
Atheism and religion in the news.III
Submitted by Zombie on January 17, 2008 - 10:05pm.Hello all,
I have decided to try a different direction for a while with my blog posts.
Instead of several individual posts, I'll be collecting them into a single, daily post.
If anyone has any comments, plz let me know. I appreciate feedback.
I would like to make one point clear, I don’t agree with everything that every author quoted here has to say about the world. I like contrasting opinions from many different sources. Just FYI.
Cradles, Car Bombs and the Communal Soul
An interesting blogger talks about “modern” islam.
It would be easy to say that the terrorists are produced out of frustration when a community implodes from neglect or indifference. We often feel sorry for people who are overwhelmed with poverty and despotic governments that have social systems stacked against them. The Palestinians are a classic example of that mythology- a mythology that is carefully nursed. Of course, nothing is further from the truth. Sadly, corrupt regimes and failed social systems are found the world over. Nevertheless, it is clear that very few of those societies produce suicide bombers. There are no Cubans lining up to be ‘martyrs.’
Atheism and religion in the news. II
Submitted by Zombie on January 17, 2008 - 3:23am.Well, here is the next Installment.
I hope you find it as interesting as the last one, thanks for all the pms you sent. 
I would like to post the entire article here, but I don`t think thats covered under fair use. So if you want to read these stories, its best to go to these sites on the same day I post them.
Pope cancels university visit after student protests.
Maybe there is hope for reason and science in Italy after all.
VATICAN CITY – Pope Benedict XVI has canceled his visit to a Rome university following protests by secular professors and students, the Vatican said today.Such a cancellation of a scheduled papal event is extremely rare, and the few times it has happened in recent decades, the Vatican cited security concerns. No specific reason was given in a brief Vatican announcement and Vatican spokesmen could not be reached for comment.
Atheism myths and misconceptions.
A good basic explanation.
There are numerous misconceptions about what atheism entails and who atheists are - not at all unsurprising, since even the basic definition of atheism is so misunderstood at times. Because we find people making these mistakes and assumptions in the forum, in the chat room and even in private email, it is important to address them and explain where they err.
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Atheism and religion in the news.
Submitted by Zombie on January 17, 2008 - 12:13am.Hello all,
I have decided to try a different direction for a while with my blog posts.
Instead of several individual posts, I'll be collecting them into a single, daily post.
If anyone has any comments, plz let me know. I appreciate feedback.
Okay, lets start
Christopher Hitchens interview with Sally Quinn on video regarding "divine impulses'.
This is an interesting analysis of the role religion plays in American politics, its not all cut and dried and some would think.
Extremist Response Squad?
Submitted by kellym78 on January 16, 2008 - 7:45pm.This was a post on our messageboards talking about the frequent characterization of the RRS as "extremists", "fanatics", or "militant." I found it to be a clearly elucidated argument for the reasons why we are none of the aforementioned and am reposting it here, with his permission, of course.
It’s not very uncommon for the Rational Response Squad to be accused by both theist and atheists alike of being equal to extremist or fundamentalist theist groups. Their aggressive and vocal nature draws a reaction and a number of people feel this is positive, while others feel that it is negative. I would like to take a moment to seriously consider if this is an appropriate correlation.
Extremist or Fundamentalist groups are credited with taking their religious devotion to a level that would involve killing people as well as sacrificing themselves for their cause. Killing innocent people, bombing schools, market places, hospitals, as well as car bombing busy streets. Assassinating opposing religious and political figures, as well are things attributed to religious extremists and fundamentalists.
Still Don't Think Theism is a Mind Disorder...Part Deux
Submitted by kellym78 on January 15, 2008 - 5:35am.Since there have been so many things that I wanted to address in the comments, plus the fact that it got long as hell, I decided to post it here. Enjoy.
No atheism here.Submitted by Fenriz on January 13, 2008 - 2:37pm.
Religion is different from illegal drugs because it is societally protected. Even if religion is destructive, it won't carry the same stigma as drugs because too many people support it. Your analogy is more effective with tobacco and alcohol, which are both traditionally accepted features of our culture despite the harms they can inflict. Because they are so ingrained in our culture, we won't get rid of them regardless the problems to which they contribute (though tobacco could be teetering on the brink of extinction).
I agree that it is considered taboo to critique religion too harshly, but is that respect deserved? Would we not be better off as a society if events such as these didn't happen? Some people will find other reasons to engage in destructive behaviors, but why not eliminate as many potential catalysts as possible?
Cloned Meat and Social Paranoia
Submitted by metroatheists on January 14, 2008 - 6:00pm.Cloned Meat and Social Paranoia
Where is your RRS money going today?
Submitted by Sapient on January 14, 2008 - 5:28pm.We haven't had the ability to record a radio show with an interview for quite a while now. We've been dealing with major audio issues that we can't seem to resolve, and a few people have asked why there aren't new downloads. While I would love to get back to our old show format with guests and interviews we have been spending quite a bit of time behind the scenes acting as a support force for a great many other atheists that need our help and our proud to align with us, and stand by our side. While we have consistently been available every Wednesday and Friday night at 8pm est to engage our chatroom and do what could be considered a show, we've been unable to get guests on due to the audio issue. We really appreciate the continued support from subscribers who recognize our mission is much bigger than providing you with a download. Everyday we work to help other atheist orgs that deserve the help and warrant the help. Today I feel great about my mission and without the loyal financial support of you folks this job would be one that I wouldn't be willing or able to spend the time on..........
Muslims suppressing atheism in Turkey
Submitted by kellym78 on January 14, 2008 - 1:17am.Yesterday I blogged about muslims attempting to take down pictures of their invisible friend on wikipedia via petition. Today we got a letter from the head of the number one turkish atheist site which has been stripped from the eyes of Turks twice. Once under the original domain and then again under another domain. Unfortunately, the owner is unable to fight this in court because to do so he would have to identify himself which if you're familiar will end up resulting in his head being chopped off by the peaceful and loving muslims who work for Allah. If you speak Turkish and you are an atheist please support this site...
A ray of hope in Indonesia?
Submitted by Zombie on January 13, 2008 - 11:22pm.Hopefully, this trend will continue.
Secular-nationalist and Islamc paty coalitions were most succesful in Indonesia in 2007. Secular-nationalist parties won about 55% of 38 regional elections held across the nation whle nationalist runnin g alone won 31% while Islamic groups running alone only obtaned 8%. According to Jeirry Sumampow, of the People’s Voter Eduction Netword(JPPR) most Indonesians prefer leaders who represent a broad spectrum of their society. A continuing problem is the lack of success for female candidates and only three won elections. Jeirry emphasized that corruption remains a major issue in politics and incumbents appear to use their term in office to build coalitions within their constituencies.The road to democracy is not a smooth one, but Indonesia, the world’s most populous nation, demonstrates that a Muslim society can be a democratic one. Perhaps, Indonesia is a model for Pakistan.
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