Christian anti-atheist bus ads in London.

In response the atheist bus ads that said, "There is probably no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life." a few Christian organizations put up their own ads proclaiming the existence of god. An ad by Britain's Christian Party mimicked the atheist ad saying, "There definitely is a God. Now join the Christian Party and enjoy your life." At least the atheist ad was intellectually honest and put "probably" but this ad just displays arrogance and denial in that we can know 100% whether or not god exists. Rev. George Hargreaves, leader of the Christian Party, says that he wanted to "reassure" people of God's existence! Is his faith on such shaky ground that he thinks that simply having people think about the possibility that god doesn't exist, make him quiver in his boots?

Another ad by the Trinitarian Bible Society uses a bible passage that essentially calls non-believers "fools." I can't wait for Fox News and Bill O'Reilly to protest these offensive ads! Yeah right.



Shouldn't it be considered slander or discriminating advertising to place such an ad? I don't mind the first one which I think is just moronic but the latter is directly insulting atheists with a derogatory word.

Well at least the atheist organizations don't stoop to their level. Lets continue to show closet atheists that they aren't alone ---

Washington Post Excerpt:
Fred Edwords, spokesman for the American Humanist Association, said a new bus campaign, due to start in New Orleans in time for Mardi Gras, will feature this ad: "Don't believe in God? You are not alone."

Can I get a RAmen!

http://richarddawkins.net/article,3581,n,n

Obama mentions non-believers. Fox offended?

"Was it all inclusive to include non-believers or just offensive?" OMG! Obama mentioned non-believers in his inaugural speech?!?! That is sooooo offensive! I can't believe that he acknowledged that atheists exist!

And then of course they had Huckabee, of all people, comment on the "topic" (if you can call it that). Huckabee then goes to insult atheists by saying they don't believe in anything but themselves. Fox News: fair and balanced as usual. *eyes rolling*

Guy explains why his parking ticket was wrong.

Random humor. Hilarious video of a guy trying to explain why it was wrong for him to get a parking ticket.

Fight for free speech!!!

This is my personal protest against the radical Muslims that would eliminate our civil liberties if they had their way. A lot of media outlets, including publishers, have recently used self-censorship in fear of violent protests from the Muslim community. This is unacceptable. We should not fear the use of our personal freedoms because someones beliefs may be insulted. In this free nation you have the right to be offended and I will not let the lives of those brave men that gave their lives to defend our freedoms to be in vein. Let freedom reign!





Well, we know the good ol Christians will come to the defense of freedom right?...

In its first official comment on the cartoon jihad, the Vatican spoke of the caricatures as an “unacceptable provocation.” The right to freedom of thought and expression, a Vatican statement read, “cannot entail the right to offend the religious sentiment of believers.”

Aw damn. Looks like we are left with the rationalists to take the lead on this one.

Addendum: I would like to add to this post Voltaire's famous quote, "I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it."

Yay! Atheists aren't the worst!

We beat the Scientologists! We are now the second to last disliked group in America. Scientologists: -45; Atheists: -32

It is truly puzzling to why "Fundamentalist Christian" gets a positive net rating. Although, I think it is a good sign to see so many people consistently being neutral (36%-48%). It is pretty much hopeless to convince the people that already have a negative view of atheists but I honestly think that we can win over more people from that neutral zone.

http://www.gallup.com/poll/106516/Americans-NetPositive-View-US-Catholics.aspx

Also, on another positive note. I would like to inform everyone (in case you weren't aware) that self-described atheists are actually now at 6% of the population. With the U.S. population being at about 300 million, that is approximately 18 million atheists! Well, technically all the babies that are born everyday are atheists so that number should be higher. If only we could limit the number that get indoctrinated every year....

Spotlight on Rep. Riner (D)

And we're back! Today we have the NYTimes spotlighting a Democratic Representative from Kentucky, named Tom Riner. This man has been working as a legislator for 26 years! That is 26 years too much considering his complete lack of respect for the 1st Amendment of the Constitution.

In 2006 as the article says, "he sponsored (a law) requiring that the state’s homeland security office post a plaque recognizing God’s role in keeping the country safe." Not surprisingly he was sued to get it removed.

“The church-state divide is not a line I see,” Mr. Riner, a Baptist minister, said of the lawsuit. “What I do see is an attempt to separate America from its history of perceiving itself as a nation under God.”

He does not see a church-state divide?!?!? This "lawmaker" literally believes that we should live in a theocracy! Since 2002, his stunts of trying to smear the state-church line by putting up the 10 Commandments on government property, has cost the state hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal fees. But his audacity goes beyond politics. The article cites how, in the '70s, his friends recalled his blatant disregard and disrespect of the performing artists of the musical "Hair" when it came to the city. Riner "quietly" interrupted the show with bible in hand, protesting it because of its nudity. I don't care how "quiet" you are, interrupting a show is still interrupting a show.

Oh it gets better. When Mr. Riner's wife was a Representative in the 1980s, she sponsored a bill to put the 10 Commandments in every classroom! Thankfully the state Supreme Court shot it down.

Sad part of it all is that none of the politicians dissent from these ludicrous laws and these crazy lawmakers because of the fear of getting attacked with ads that say they "voted against God."

Christmas Tree? BLASPHEMY!

I'm not sure what us secularists should do with this. Take the Christmas tree back from the Christians or get rid of it. The Christmas Tree has pagan origins and was used as a symbol in winter solstice celebrations. So even in it's origins it is a religious tradition...

King Tut never saw a Christmas tree, but he would have understood the tradition which traces back long before the first Christmas, says David Robson, Extension Educator, Horticulture with the Springfield Extension Center.

The Egyptians were part of a long line of cultures that treasured and worshipped evergreens. When the winter solstice arrive, they brought green date palm leaves into their homes to symbolize life's triumph over death.

The Romans celebrated the winter solstice with a fest called Saturnalia in honor of Saturnus, the god of agriculture. They decorated their houses with greens and lights and exchanged gifts. They gave coins for prosperity, pastries for happiness, and lamps to light one's journey through life.

Centuries ago in Great Britain, woods priests called Druids used evergreens during mysterious winter solstice rituals. The Druids used holly and mistletoe as symbols of eternal life, and place evergreen branches over doors to keep away evil spirits.

Late in the Middle Ages, Germans and Scandinavians placed evergreen trees inside their homes or just outside their doors to show their hope in the forthcoming spring. Our modern Christmas tree evolved from these early traditions.

...but it seems to me that the winter solstice has a very relevant secular significance, unlike the Christian tradition. So, would it be fair to say that the Christmas tree and the traditions of decorating it and putting presents underneath it, is rightfully a universal tradition that could be practiced by anyone? Well, anyone except Christians of course...

Jeremiah 10:1-5

3 For the customs of the peoples are worthless;
they cut a tree out of the forest,
and a craftsman shapes it with his chisel.

4 They adorn it with silver and gold;
they fasten it with hammer and nails
so it will not totter.

The Bible forbids "Christmas" trees. Some Christians will say that this passage is just refering to the worshipping of false idols but considering the tradition's roots and how Christians have become so protective of this symbol, I would say that it amounts to blasphemy.