The Freethought Movement: a diverse culture of largely good and often brave people who are putting themselves out there in the fight against the false and frequently damaging claims of superstition. So why is it so eager to divide, rather than unite? Of course, a community of people that prides itself on enlightenment and skepticism will often bring a measure of strong personality (and ego) to the table. And the blogosphere is a tempting bullhorn for anyone who might feel misunderst...
Read MoreWe simply must to do a show on tithing. I've heard this kind of thing my whole life. The church parades a person or family that had little or nothing, was in debt or financial crisis, yet stepped out in faith to give 10% they actually couldn't afford. Of course, the story ends with a blessing of some kind. "I got a bonus at work." "I got an inheritance." "I got a {ugh} tax refund." Something like that. This is not unlike casinos who post happy photographs of $10,000 slot winn...
Read MoreEveryone keeps asking me to weigh in on the mysterious "priest" story which seems to be on everyone's lips. The news site KHQA even stated that "rescue workers want to thank a higher power for coming to the rescue on Sunday morning." Here's the short version of the story: 19-year-old Katie Lenz was in a terrible head-on collision. The car was crushed, and emergency crews spent 90 minutes trying to get her out of the wreckage. An hour into the rescue effort, Katie apparently asked...
Read MoreThanks so much for the kind words on the production of the recent FreeOK 2013 videos. Links here: LAWRENCE KRAUSSSETH ANDREWSEMILY BOYERDALE McGOWANZACK KOPPLINSEAN FAIRCLOTH I shot the A-camera myself, and a couple of volunteers with their own cameras provided the two other angles (a big "thank you" to them). Personally, I find myself tremendously frustrated with the substandard quality of most conference videos. An organization will spend copious amounts of money on venue, lodging, food, t...
Read MoreIt's often challenging to be an atheist in a religious culture. It's even more challenging when your parents are hard-core believers in God. My own rows with family have colored the past five years, the most recent exchange ending with a message from my father informing me that, "Sorry, Seth, but there can be no fellowship with anyone who is an unbeliever."I mentioned this encounter recently online, and I've had several Christians (with the best of intentions) contact me in an effort to d...
Read MoreIt wasn't long ago that San Antonio Pastor John Hagee articulated what many religious Americans believe:"This nation was not built for atheists or by atheists. It was built by Christian people who believed in the Word of God. To the atheists watching this telecast, if our belief in God offends you, move. There are planes leaving every hour on the hour, going every place on planet earth. Get on one. We don't want you, and we won't miss you. I promise you." Hagee is the influent...
Read MoreI'm a fan of secular/atheist/freethought/whatever conferences and events. Sure, the religious are eager to brand such gatherings as just another "church," a label which other gatherings of like-minded individuals never get. (And hey! Where's our tax-exempt status? Hello?) Some in the atheist community are reluctant to participate in conventions because they don't want to look like a follower, a sheep, a conformist, and I always remind them of the following: The church doesn't own co...
Read MoreTo the BBC, the United Kingdom, and for that matter, the Rest Of The Planet: The United States would like to apologize for his recent outbust on the BBC Sunday Politics show. We've tried to keep Alex Jones inside the fence, as he is rabid. Only a few days ago, he asserted that the U.S. government was launching tornadoes ("weather weapons") against us, this assertion being the latest in a long string of nonsensical ramblings. We know the situation is serious. We know the infection is probably ...
Read MoreOne candidate for Most Eye-Assaulting Website of the Year is for a "museum" that provides an "educational adventure" in the vein of Ken Ham's Creation Museum. It's called "The World's Biggest Dinosaurs Museum." Now watch this. The website places degreed physicians at the top of their claims that "the theory of Darwinian evolution is fundamentally and fatally flawed." Benjamin S. Carson M.D. ("one of the world's most foremost pediatric neurosurgeons") is chief of pediatric neurosurgery at ...
Read MoreIt’s an unpopular topic in many circles, but in the aftermath of the devastating tornado that ravaged Moore, Oklahoma (and the countless Facebook posts that have followed), I want to say something on the subject of prayer. I completely understand why so many people invoke God and prayer during these terrible times. When I was a Christian, it was a reflex, and had I witnessed such destruction and loss of life, I would have undoubtedly encouraged others to pray. “Pray for the wounded, ...
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