Today's post is about the separation of church and football. It's Superbowl Sunday -- everything is about football.

Today's question: who does God want to win? Let's find out together by counting how many players mention, point, or otherwise refer to a deity during the game. In fact, let's make it a drinking game! Post a comment when you hear one and of course, the post-game interviews count!

Enjoy the game.

Original post blogged on b2evolution.

http://www.atheists.org/events/National_Convention

The 35th National Convention of American Atheists
ATLANTA, APRIL 9-12, 2009

Join us for another spectacular convention of American Atheists, April 9-12, 2009 in Atlanta, Georgia! The venue is the magnificent Emory Conference Center, 1615 Clifton Road in Atlanta. Get ready for a weekend of blockbuster speakers, panels, dinners, social events and much more, all headlined by Dr. Richard Dawkins!

YOU can introduce Dawkins: Just be a member, register for the convention, email ed Buckner asking to be included in the random drawing, and win.

Other confirmed speakers include:

* Dr. Ed Buckner, President of American Atheists
* Michelle Goldberg, Noted author and journalist
* Mike Malloy, nationally syndicated talk show host
* Jim Morrow, Award winning novelist
* Dr. J. Anderson Thompson, Psychiatrist, researcher, author
* Nate Phelps, Estranged son of notorious pastor Fred Phelps ("God Hates Fags")
* John Lombard, Beijing Secular Activist

Plus A Very Special Event -- "Mass De-Baptism Ceremony"
featuring the insights and antics of Edwin Kagin and Frank Zindler!
*
Register on-line now and use the coupon code "nogodblog" for a discount (expires 2/28/09).

(AMERICAN ATHEISTS is a nationwide movement that defends civil rights for nonbelievers; labors for the total separation of church and state; and addresses issues of First Amendment public policy.)

Original post blogged on b2evolution.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/31/us/politics/31repubs.html?hp

I am a Republican Atheist, but I haven't voted for a Republican since Christie Whitman because I haven't been able to do so.

I believe in gun rights, a small government, low taxes, and a strong military. I believe the unions can be just as corrupt as corporations, and I believe in "workfare not welfare".

But I can't vote Republican, ever, because they have become tools of the Religious Right. They are, in my opinion, much more concerned about Intelligent Design, Faith-Based Initiatives, and making ME a 2nd class citizen than any of the issues on which we agree.

I support President Obama, but I really had no choice but to vote for him as Senator McCain had promised more Supreme Court Justices like Scalia. That was a deal killer. It would be like a black person voting for someone who supports segregation -- it doesn't matter what else a candidate says, it's just not going to happen.

So here is my open plea to the incoming GOP President Michael Steele: Please give me my party back. Divorce yourselves from the corruption that is the Religious Right, and return to the values that gave you strength. Religion and politics don't mix -- please learn that. Please be a leader of change, diversity, and modern common sense. Please let me vote Republican, or at least let me give you serious consideration, in the next elections. There can be no change if you give us no choice.

Original post blogged on b2evolution.

http://www.sirius.com/potus

I will be speaking on the "Stand-up with Pete Dominic" show today at 5:20 on Sirius-110 and XM-130. The main subject will be the Religious Right's reaction to Prez Obama's inclusion of nonreligious people in his speech.

The call-in number is 866 967 6887

Original post blogged on b2evolution.

http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn16382-artificial-molecule-evolves-in-the-lab.html

A new molecule that performs the essential function of life - self-replication - could shed light on the origin of all living things.

If that wasn't enough, the laboratory-born ribonucleic acid (RNA) strand evolves in a test tube to double itself ever more swiftly.

"Obviously what we're trying to do is make a biology," says Gerald Joyce, a biochemist at the Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla, California. He hopes to imbue his team's molecule with all the fundamental properties of life: self-replication, evolution, and function.

Joyce and colleague Tracey Lincoln made their chemical out of RNA because most researchers think early life stored information in this sister molecule to DNA. And unlike the stuff of our genomes, RNA molecules can catalyse chemical reactions.

"We're trying to jump in at the last signpost we have back there in the early history of life," Joyce says.

Original post blogged on b2evolution.

From AU:

Protect Church-State Separation in the Stimulus Package!
Urge the Senate to keep funding for the Compassion Capital Fund out
The House recently passed its version of the economic stimulus package, which would provide funding for many services designed to relieve Americans from the burdens of our current economic crisis. Throughout this process, the staff of Americans United has engaged our many allies in Congress to ensure that this bill, which provides $819 billion dollars of funding, does not disrupt the important separation of church and state or diminish important religious liberty or civil rights protections that we hold dear.

We applaud the drafters of the House bill for their wise prohibition on the funding of private or religious schools. This is consistent with the Constitution and an important safeguard to place on the expenditure of our tax dollars. We are disappointed, however, that the House economic recovery package contains funding for the Compassion Capital Fund. The Compassion Capital Fund has a myriad of Constitutional problems. The Fund lacks oversight, sends money directly to Houses of Worship, and allows recipients to hire employees based solely upon their religion for government-funded jobs. Clearly, more taxpayer dollars should not be expended on this program.

Fortunately, the Senate version of the bill does not contain unwise funding for the Compassion Capital Fund - and we need it to stay that way! Please thank your Senators for eliminating this funding stream and urge them to use our tax dollars wisely in this important time. As we all know, now is not the time to continue unwise and unconstitutional practices of the Bush Administration. Please enter your information below to urge your Senator to maintain the ban on funding religious schools and the elimination of funding for the Compassion Capital Fund. With your help, we can ensure that the separation of church and state is unharmed in the first major act of the 111th Congress.

This would not be the first time the country was caught up an a fervor that led to inappropriate spending. We need to make sure this doesn't happen. Use our legislative page to find your Senators and Representatives and CALL THEM ON THE TELEPHONE to express your concern for funding discriminatory religious organizations with the stimulus package, specifically the "Compassion Capital Fund". Don't forget to mention you're an atheist!

Do it NOW and post about it.

Original post blogged on b2evolution.

http://www.examiner.com/x-2044-Atheism-Examiner~y2009m1d27-Atheist-Bill-Gates-to-give-more-during-economic-crisis

Many statistics and people say that atheists aren’t charitable people. However, they seem to miss that the nation’s largest charitable foundation, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, was founded by an atheist – Bill Gates.

It was reported by the Associated Press today that several charitable groups have committed to continue charitable giving during this time of economic crisis. Among those committing to do so is the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. What’s more is they have gone a step further.

Though Microsoft has experienced a decline in profits, it was announced this week that the foundation is increasing its giving percentage from five to seven.

Helooooo Mr. Gates! Atheists over here... Need a bit of money to fix the country. Not very muuuuuch! A measly 10M could change things.

Original post blogged on b2evolution.

http://www.wfaa.com/sharedcontent/dws/wfaa/latestnews/stories/wfaa081111_wz_sexsermon.1a1a8573a.html

GRAPEVINE — God may have rested on the seventh day, but the Rev. Ed Young wants married couples to have sex all week long.

Once a day.

Beginning this Sunday.

The call to action will headline his sermon that day at Grapevine-based Fellowship Church. He plans to deliver his challenge while sitting on a bed.

"I won't be dressed in pajamas," the pastor says.

In these days of financial crisis, rampant divorce and debates over same-sex marriage, it's time, he says, to turn the "whining" into "whoopee."

More fundamentally, he adds, the embracing of sex is about nurturing and strengthening marriages.

"Sex is like Super Glue. It's a spiritual thing, an emotional thing," he says.

And the marriage thing, he believes, should only involve a man and woman. God's way, he says.

Jim Dale of Coppell said he figures the pastor is trying to create more buzz for his five-church mega-ministry.

"Draw 'em in, no matter what or how," wrote the Coppell resident in a posting on DallasNews.com. "Sex? You betcha. That'll pack the pews (or theater seats)."

Dale, author of a book about individual relationships with God, said he has attended Fellowship Church a few times. And he offered some praise: "I've got to hand it to them, they are brilliant marketers."

OK so yesterday's post was a bit snarky, and I am guilty of hitting them when they are down (again). So here's another take on the same group of people. Another multimillion-dollar megachurch, with the preacher pushing sex on its married couples. Here's the article, and here's my take:

1) YES, it is a marketing ploy, but I'm going to give this preacher the benefit of the doubt, that he is just trying to help his flock.

2) YES, it brought him national attention, but this is because of the sex message, which is far better than the Rick Warren/Pat Robertson message (which by the way, this preacher also believes, but he's not pushing it).

3) Yes, sex is good in marriage, and in any mature relationship. Nudging people to have more sex can't do harm, as long as it is consensual of course (the problem exists when you are telling people God wants them to have sex, just like when you tell them God wants them to give money). There's all sorts of issues there, and Colbert mentioned it a few times, but you know what? I think this guy just wants his parishioners having more sex to better their lives (which will in turn solidify their relationship with the church).

Is this a ploy? Is this marketing, or is this preacher simply doing what the Christian right SHOULD be doing -- helping the flock be happy instead of spreading hate?

Original post blogged on b2evolution.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/religion/2009-01-25-haggard-newlife_N.htm

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado (AP) — The New Life Church will recover from new allegations in the 2-year-old sex scandal that brought down disgraced evangelical leader Ted Haggard, its pastor said Sunday.

Brady Boyd encouraged his Colorado Springs congregation and reminded them of their "holy tenacity," two days after revelations that a male church volunteer reported having a sexual relationship with Haggard.

It's the second such claim against the founder of the 14,000-member New Life Church. Haggard resigned as president of the 30 million-member National Association of Evangelicals and was fired from the New Life Church in Colorado Springs, in November 2006 amid allegations that he paid a male prostitute for sex and used methamphetamine.

"I'm sorry that this wound has been reopened for many of you," Boyd told the congregation Sunday. "One day we may have a little scar tissue, but the wounds will not define us."

Haggard had confessed to undisclosed "sexual immorality" after the earlier allegations, left New Life and resigned as president of the National Association of Evangelicals. He has declined to comment on the new claim.

On Friday, Boyd said church officials had learned of the second set of claims against Haggard in late 2006, shortly after the male prostitute made his allegations.

Boyd said an "overwhelming pool of evidence" pointed to an "inappropriate, consensual sexual relationship" between Haggard and the male volunteer for an extended period of time.

Yup. The preacher is right. The church will recover, because it's parishioners are foolish sheep who will look past their eyes in a desperate attempt to believe that their money that they donate to this mega-church will buy their way into heaven.

Why couldn't Haggard just come out and be a gay preacher? Why condemn him, and send him to some absurd "center" where he can be "cured of his homosexuality?" Because that's not hate, that's love. Love doesn't sell -- hate sells. Hate sells best when it's called "love", but it's still hate. Evangelicals are all about hate. And greed. And denial.

Original post blogged on b2evolution.

http://news.aol.com/article/obamas-nonbeliever-nod-unsettles-some/316339

By mentioning, for the first time in an inaugural address, the 16.1 percent of Americans who check "no"’ when asked about religion, Obama turned it into the most controversial line in his speech -- praised by The New York Times editorial board and cited by some Christians as evidence that he is a heretic, and in his well-spoken way, a serious threat.
With that one line, the president "seems to be trying to redefine American culture, which is distinctively Christian," said’ Bishop E.W. Jackson of the Exodus Faith Ministries in Chesapeake, Va. "The overwhelming majority of Americans identify as Christians, and what disturbs me is that he seems to be trying to redefine who we are.’"

We should expect a "Bigot backlash" as we grow. Please make us heard by going to this site and voting and commenting.

Original post blogged on b2evolution.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-ap-il-momentofsilence,0,3022911.story?obref=outbrain

CHICAGO - A federal judge ruled Wednesday that the state law requiring a moment of silence in public schools across Illinois is unconstitutional, saying it crosses the line separating church and state.

"The statute is a subtle effort to force students at impressionable ages to contemplate religion," U.S. District Judge Robert W. Gettleman said in his ruling.

The ruling came in a lawsuit designed to bar schools from enforcing the Illinois Silent Reflection and Student Prayer Act. It was filed by talk show host Rob Sherman, an outspoken atheist, and his daughter, Dawn, a student at Buffalo Grove High School in suburban Chicago.

I hate moments of silence.

They say it's not coerced prayer because nobody is forcing kids to pray, but the same goes for CHURCH. Nobody forces you to pray in church either. You stand in silence, and you know everyone else is praying, but you aren't forced to pray.

So what's the difference? Moments of silence include mandatory attendance. Unlike Church, you can't opt out. You can't go to the bathroom. You can't come to school when it's over. You MUST attend, as a child, away from your parents' protection, and be reminded every day that although you aren't praying, EVERYONE else is (at least it appears that way). It's pure peer pressure, and it's totally intentional.

Prayer is allowed in public school by federal law. Anyone can pray at any time (as long as they don't force or coerce others to do so, or disturb classes), and they DO. Prayer groups can meet before or after classes and they DO. The only problem is that kids are opting out of going, so they need to force kids into it. They need to push other people's kids -- the kids who DON'T want to go to the volunteer events, to be in a situation where prayer is obvious and pressured, like church, only mandatory.

And it's only target is the kids who don't want to pray in the first place. Congrats to Rob Sherman on his victory for children.

Original post blogged on b2evolution.

Today marks the 36th anniversary of the Roe V Wade decision allowing abortion.

I've always considered abortion to be an issue of separation of church and state, since only religion would make a person think that a fertilized egg has the same rights (a soul) as a living human.

There are a small but significant number of atheists who disagree. They see it as a safety issue -- since we can't pinpoint when life actually begins, we mighty as well err on the side of never killing a person.

What's your opinion?

Original post blogged on b2evolution.

http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/Watchdog-will-not-investigate-atheist.4901941.jp

A £140,000 atheist campaign on British buses and London Underground stating "There's Probably No God" is not in breach of the advertising code in spite of more than 300 complaints, a watchdog ruled.
The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) said it had concluded that the campaign did not contravene the code and it would therefore not launch an investigation – the case is now closed, it said.

But in Italy http://uk.news.yahoo.com/5/20090119/twl-atheist-bus-ads-blocked-in-italy-3fd0ae9.html

The slogan intended for the side of buses in Genoa read: "The bad news is that God does not exist. The good news is that we do not need him."

Organisers had planned to begin the campaign early next month.

A billboard agency in northern Italy refused the commission for the atheist drive that has already made waves in Britain and Spain.

"It is more than probable that political and religious authorities exerted pressure," Raffaele Carcano, national secretary of the Italian Union of Rationalist Atheists and Agnostics.

"In no other part of Europe is the Church's influence as strong on politics and citizens' lives as in Italy," he added.

The campaign has been condemned by the Roman Catholic archdiocese of Genoa, whose Archbishop Angelo Bagnasco is president of the influential Italian Bishops Conference.

This is a typical reaction to fear of the truth -- suppress it. Even the idea that gods don't exist, even if they deliver as benign a message as "just enjoy life and stop worrying", motivates 300 or so people into claiming the ads are offensive. They care little about their own billboards which promise hell for sinners or accuse atheists of "hating America". They want to continue to pretend we don't exist, and we don't have rights.

This just tells me the ads are working. People are talking, and with the exception of Italy (which has a large percentage of atheists), the ads are staying up. The waves are at our back now, and the theocrats are getting nervous.

Original post blogged on b2evolution.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7842344.stm

A Dutch court has ordered prosecutors to put a right-wing politician on trial for making anti-Islamic statements.

Freedom Party leader Geert Wilders made a controversial film last year equating Islam with violence and has likened the Koran to Adolf Hitler's Mein Kampf.

"In a democratic system, hate speech is considered so serious that it is in the general interest to... draw a clear line," the court in Amsterdam said.

Mr Wilders said the judgement was an "attack on the freedom of expression".

"Participation in the public debate has become a dangerous activity. If you give your opinion, you risk being prosecuted," he said.

Not only he, but all Dutch citizens opposed to the "Islamisation" of their country would be on trial, Mr Wilders warned.

"Who will stand up for our culture if I am silenced?" he added.

This is what we have to fear -- terrorism masquerading as political correctness. If you say bad things about Islam, such as "Muhammad was a pedophile" or "The Koran Clearly Sponsors Terrorism" (Both of which are true), you get thrown in jail for inciting violence. It is not the purveyors of violence that get penalized, but the people who call the purveyors of violence "purveyors of violence" that get blamed.

To be sure, the Christian, Jewish, and Hindu texts can and have been used to support terrorism and violence, but SAYING this doesn't get you in trouble. It's only when you say bad things about the Moslems that people get worried. Watch the video (warning: explicit), and then tell me if the same video created out of any other religious text would have gotten anyone thrown in jail.

Original post blogged on b2evolution.

Official Inauguration Thread

This is your time and space to speak up -- what would you like to say to our new President?

Also, what do/did yo think of the inauguration itself?

Original post blogged on b2evolution.

Happy MLK day. Not too many preachers make such a positive impact as to be praised by unbeleivers decades after his death. Here's to an activist and patriot. We in the atheist movement have learned a lot from him.

Original post blogged on b2evolution.

This weekend I am at my first science fiction convention of the year. As some may remember, my wife owns a sci-fi magazine (www.spaceandtimemagazine.com) and as a result we go to these conventions a lot.

Most attendees come in costume. My costume? Atheist anything. I wear shirts, pins, and sweatshirts that makes my opinion very clear. Why? Because there are huge amounts of atheists at these conventions, and I am a walking and talking billboard to a very enthusiastic and receptive audience.

This year, there was an official FSM event, which I think illustrates my point.

So here's my question- is sci fi interesting to you? Would a sci fi author/writer/actor be a draw for you to come to an AA event?

Original post blogged on b2evolution.

http://www.opposingviews.com/questions/what-should-obama-s-priority-be-after-inauguration

Several religious and nonreligious groups were asked a single question: What should Obama's priorities be? We answered, and the results are posted here. I wrote about taxing the church. The FFRF wrote about the separation of Church and State, and the AU talks about the Faith Based Initiatives. Moslem and Catholic groups responded as well.

Please check out this web site, register, and vote as you see fit. Of course, comments here are welcomed.
http://www.opposingviews.com/questions/what-should-obama-s-priority-be-after-inauguration

Original post blogged on b2evolution.

http://www.secular.org

In 2005, I had the honor of leading the effort to lobby Congress on behalf of nontheistic Americans. While my love for policy and the work of the Secular Coalition for America has grown, so has the organization. In fact, what was expected to remain a lobbying organization with a staff consisting solely of one lobbyist (me), has also grown. This growth is exciting and it is growth that I have pushed for. The Secular Coalition for America now has a staff of six individuals, is involved in many larger coalition efforts, takes the lead on issues of special interest, and is recognized by members of Congress and consulted by the media and legislative personnel regularly.

In short, the Secular Coalition for America has grown to be a powerful and complex organization in fewer than four years. With that growth come new needs. The Secular Coalition for America now needs an executive director, an individual whose expertise is running a major national organization. While I am extremely proud of having birthed this baby, it is time for both me and the Secular Coalition for America to continue to grow. For the organization, this means finding an exceptional leader whose passion is continuing to grow the nontheist movement. For me personally, that growth includes reconnecting to my skill sets in the legal and policy realms, and stepping down as director of this wonderful national organization.

As I embark on a search for my next exciting venture, my wish is that the many wonderful individuals who have supported the Secular Coalition for America will not only continue that support, but increase it as the movement grows. I am forever grateful to this organization for the tremendous experiences it has allowed me to enjoy. I continue to support the Secular Coalition for America and the nontheist movement in the broader sense.

I have thoroughly enjoyed working for the Secular Coalition for America. And I look forward to the future - for me outside the organization, and for the continued success of the organization I helped develop.

Best wishes,

Lori Lipman Brown

Director, Secular Coalition for America

www.secular.org

Lori was a great lobbyist and should be credited for helping to bring this movement some of the momentum we now enjoy. She will be missed.

Original post blogged on b2evolution.

http://www.atheists.org/press_releases/Obama_Asked_to_Turn_Down_Boy_Scouts_of_America_

American Atheists joined with 18 other secular and humanistic groups to ask President Obama to deny the position of honorary President of the Boy Scouts.

Once again, the BSA is a private group that discriminates. There is nothing wrong with that, legally, unless the US President is their honorary President (or they get government money or special privileges not afforded to other private discriminatory groups), which is a direct violation of the law.

This press release is very well written. Please check it out.

Original post blogged on b2evolution.