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Science Videos
Abiogenesis
Biology
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Science Stories
Abiogenesis
Biology
Cosmology
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Medical
Medicine, Alternative
Neuroscience
Physics
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Science Movie Reviews
Biology
Cosmology
History

Religious Videos
Religion in general
Creationist
Christian
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Religious Stories
Religion in general
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Religious Movie Reviews
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Politics
Abortion
Contraception
Crime
Economics
Freedom of Speech
Gay Rights
Global Warming
Gun Control
Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
Racism
War on Women
2012 Election

Potpourri
Tunes
Emails
Odds and Ends
Book Reviews

SCIENCE VIDEOS

Abiogenesis Videos


Abiogenesis (14:58)


Life from non-life (1:50)

So easy, even a high school student can do it.


Biology Videos


The Hidden Life of the Cell (57:20)




The "Einstein" of parrots has passed away (2:40)




Only 1 animal was injured in the filming of this video (0:29)




Biologist Michael Rose extends the lifespan of fruitflies ... fourfold.

Watch all 3 parts (~10 minutes each)

Now, a new study on longevity offers an explanation of how delayed reproduction works.

Older dads produce longer-living offspring

Now, what did you learn?
If you said that the children of older dads live longer - hang your head
(don't feel bad, I had to hang my head too).

Fortunately, I never miss the weekly podcast of the Skeptic's Guide to the Universe. Many of them had to hang their heads too. But their leader, Steven Novella pointed out that the headline was nothing more than journalistic sensationalism. If you read the article carefully, it only said that the greater telomere length, inherited by children with older fathers, "may" give them a chance to live longer. But other factors (mentioned at the very end of the article) may nullify the advantage of the longer telomeres.

Just a thought: another way to verify this theory would be for Rose to test his flies for telomere length.


Laci Green explains the clitoris (3:51)




Chemistry Videos


History of Chemistry (parts 1-3, ~1 hour each)


Hunting the Elements (1:53:07)

Cosmology Videos


Brian Cox explains the Universe (51:29)



Fantastic video, but with one tiny little slip: 5 minutes before the end he says that the light from the Recombination (Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation) has been traveling for 13.7 billion years. Then he thought he had made a mistake and said that he meant that the light had been traveling 13.4 billion years. He was actually correct the first time because 300,000 years from 13.7 billion is - 13.7 billion not 13.4 billion (he obviously subtracted .3 billion instead of .3 million). Given the superb quality of his lecture though ... I think we can cut him some slack on that one.


Interactive Tour of the Universe

I think I was somewhere in the middle.


History of the Universe (17:41)


The Largest Black Holes in the Universe (18:48)


A Universe from Nothing (64:52)


How scientists measure the distance to faraway galaxies (8:46)




Evolution Videos


Evolution (51:25)


DNA evidence conclusively links humans to apes (4:23)


Physics Videos


Complexity from Simplicity: Chaos Theory (53:08)




Relativity (part 1): Time Dilation (8:57)




Relativity (part 2): Length Contraction (5:43)




Electrons, protons, and neutrons (7:44)





Photons, gravitons, and weak bosons (2:38)





The Standard Model of Particle Physics (14:52)




QED (22:18)




SCIENCE STORIES

Abiogenesis Stories


Advancement in Abiogenesis


See if you notice any mistakes in this article
(hint: there is one in the article and one under the picture)

The dawn of life

In the article Sara Walker said,
"Chemical based approaches have stalled at a very early stage of chemical complexity - very far from anything we would consider 'alive'."

The chemical-based approach of Miller and Urey in 1953 resulted in the production of amino acids - the basic building blocks of life. Chemistry doesn't immediately produce, from inorganic elements, anything that we would consider alive; that requires eons of evolution. But it did produce the building blocks of life and that is all that is required in abiogenesis (origin of life).

So that is not a failing of chemical approaches, but an important discovery provided by a chemical experiment. She is confusing abiogenesis with evolution ... two different subjects.

Next, look at the caption under the picture:
"... What physical process transformed a nonliving mix of chemicals into something as complex as a living cell?"

Science Daily made the same type of mistake as Walker did. A nonliving mix of chemicals doesn't morph into anything as complex as a living cell. It transforms into a mix of lipids, sugars, and amino acids. Come back in billions of years, and then, you might see something as complex as a living cell.

Biology Stories


How plants use the 'fight or flight' response to protect themselves against salt


Four-stranded ‘quadruple helix’ DNA structure proven to exist in human cells




New type of cell division discovered




Plants defend themselves against fruit flies

Life ... it's a living.


And the winner of the 2012 biggest "Duh" research award is ...

Captive animals show signs of boredom


Meta-analysis finds highly significant negative effects for low-level radiation.
In fact, they conclude that there is no lower threshold that provides safety.

DNA damaged by even low levels of radiation


Science proves the Bible wrong again.



The existence of the hydra is scientific proof
that Jesus Christ is not the only path to eternal life.


Remember the recent discovery of a new form of life at Mono Lake in California?
(A discovery that scientists have not embraced)

Well this would make a better candidate.




Why did it take millions of years for life on Earth to recover from the worst extinction event in history?

Extreme Global Warming


Preserved in amber: a spider attacking a wasp captured in its web ...
100 million years ago.




Heterodontosaurs



As you can tell by the name, this dinosaur has been approved by Christians and Muslims who have made it "the official dinosaur for traditional marriage."

Creationists are also thrilled because they believe that this is further proof that tyrannosaurs were gentle tofu specialists. The fact that, even today there exist fanged deer and sharp-toothed fruit bats, has no effect on any discovery that they think they can use to trick the intellectually naive.


Everything eats everything ... that's just the way it is.

Soil Bacteria Prey on E-coli


Enslaved ants rebel against their masters




Ever wondered what an insect looked like ... 300 million years ago?




"To death ... do us part"

If you're looking for loyalty, here's the champ - they put humans to shame.




Why it won't be so easy to regenerate limbs like salamanders do.




No, this is not a menu. These crabs see in ultraviolet light.




Out of Africa? Migration Pushed Back To Around 60,000 Years Ago


A new family of spider has been discovered




First Time Ever - Selfish DNA Found in an Animal


Whole Genome Duplication


Fascinating story of interspecies dependency and competition




Discovery of a century-old penguin study shocks scientists.
They exhibited many of the same criminally sexual behaviors found in police stories.

Perverted Penguins

I thought the most interesting part was when they discussed the fact that it was not published in order to "preserve decency." How does hiding the truth about animal behavior preserve human decency? Your guess is as good as mine. Besides, since WW1 began the next year, I would offer that human decency could only go in one direction - even if it mimicked penguins.


Things can get pretty dangerous in the womb
(a boy ate his twin ... sort of).



So if life begins at conception, why did God allow this murder? In the Bible God does threaten to make family members eat each other if they don't worship Him (Ezekiel 5:10). But this kid didn't even get a chance for Christ's sake. Come on God, a fetus?

Cosmology Stories


High-resolution coronal imager telescope
explains extreme corona temperature


Space Lasers, to defend Earth against space rocks, may be feasible




Asteroid Apophis impact in 2036 has now been ruled out

sigh of relief


This one seems like it is getting ready to blow.




Voyager 1 has reached "The Magnetic Highway."
Sometime within the next few years,
it is expected to break out into interstellar space.




Star discovered racing around the black hole at the center of our Milky Way galaxy.




Gigantic halo of hot gas surrounds the Milky Way galaxy




First evidence of an aging star devouring one of its planets




Plate Tectonics Discovered on Mars


Is the Earth really just one giant organism?

Gaia Theory Being Tested

Evolution Stories


Fascinating discovery of what makes dogs so different from wolves

Genetically similar ... but behavorally different


Fire ants come in two varieties ... defined by their DNA

Fire Ant evolution


An embarrassment for many humans ...

even chimps pass 'fairness test'


Since Richard Lenski shattered the Creationist's world a few years ago when he demonstrated evolution occurring in the lab, what has his lab been up to lately?

He's doing it again.

Evolution Is As Complicated As 1-2-3


Creationist claims that viruses are not part of the domain of life
take a huge hit from science.

Tree of Life Continues To Be Refined


Evolution ... occurring now

Native Plants Battle Invasive Garlic Mustard Plants


Medical Stories


Scientists converging on the Fountain of Youth - SIRT3


Drugs can now be delivered by nanoparticles
without being attacked by the immune system




Oxygen chambers restore brain function




T-Cells given the tools to fight back against HIV


Injectable gel restores heart function




One secret to tissue regeneration discovered

Tadpoles prevented from regrowing tails

Here is the article referenced above that features DNA discoverer James Watson
who adds another attack against the misuse of antioxidants

Antioxidants may be hindering the war on cancer


Scientists now understand why calorie restriction extends life

The Gladstones Institutes


Moderate drinkers claim they live longer.

Effect of moderate drinking on the fetus

Maybe they do live longer ... but their kids are dumber.


Help is on the way

Antibody inhibitor stops allergic reactions


I recently emailed the C.D.C.
regarding their list of the top causes of death in the U.S.

C.D.C. Leading Causes of Death

Look what they left out

Deaths From Medical Accidents

They left out the #3 cause of death!

I can understand omitting a minor cause - but #3?
It's also suspicious that the cause they omitted,
just happens to be the one that reflects negatively on their profession.

I then had the following email exchange with the C.D.C.

My email exchange with the C.D.C.

The C.D.C. replied to my email by claiming I wasn't clear enough
(even though I supplied them with the link above).
When I pointed out that I could not have been any clearer,
and that many people besides myself, have to be wondering
why the C.D.C. is ignoring one of the major causes of death ...
they chose to stop further communications.

Spreading joy and making friends ... it's what I do.


I think "The Terminator" might be interested in this one.




Inhibiting a growth factor receptor in certain cancer patients
is now showing success in battling Alzheimers.

Alzheimer's Breakthrough


Live vaccines combine into new viruses in chickens



Anti-vaxers will, of course, attempt to use this in their misinformation campaign. In reality, a place they have never visited, it only means that scientists have learned more about how viruses function. Medical professionals will simply have to take recombination into consideration when administering multiple vaccines.


Artificial Retinas Restore Normal Vision


Universal Flu Vaccine May Soon Be a Reality

Alternative Medicine Stories


Victims of alternative medicine are similar to the victims of Stockholm Syndrome: in each case they bond with their abusers. In Stockholm Syndrome, they hope to gain the trust of their abuser and therefore, a better chance at survival. In alternative medicine, they bond because they want to regain hope for survival, or a least an improvement in their condition, by accepting what the frauds are offering them.

Stockholm Syndrome

Neuroscience Stories


Neurons can be reprogrammed


Which is the best way to judge emotion:
By facial expression or body language?



Blew that one, didn't ya?
Yeah, me too.


MRI measures the battle between neural networks for control of the brain

This only applies to those who actually use their brains
which immediately eliminates "certain factions" of the population.


Sleep Learning ... IS Possible


Want to get smarter?



Regardless of the hand you were dealt, a lot has to do with how you play your cards.
Some people get through life by bluffing. Others trade in their cards for better ones:
that's called "learning."


Researchers read monkey's thoughts



Physics Stories


Skynet (future computers from the Terminator movies - but without the time travel nonsense) moving closer to reality.




Scientists have almost figured out how to duplicate ... a duck's back.

The secret ... minimize Van der Waals interaction forces


Heat can now be focused like an electromagnetic wave




2012 Nobel Prize for Physics ... explained

One small error that I noticed in the article:
"They are so reflective that a single photon can bounce back and forth inside the cavity for almost a tenth of a second before it is lost or absorbed. This record-long life-time means that the photon will have travelled 40,000 kilometres, equivalent to about one trip around the Earth."

If it traveled for almost a tenth of a second then it traveled almost 30,000 kilometers ... not 40,000. So either the time should be corrected to 'greater than a tenth of a second' or the distance traveled needs to be corrected. However, in the figure that follows that text, they get it right ("more than a tenth of a second").


Alan Alda asks scientists to explain "Time."



Okay. I'm going to take a stab at it.

What is time?
(though I will not write "I believe" at the start of every sentence ... it is implied)

Time is an inherent property of the Universe (as are the laws of mathematics). Humans can conceptualize these properties, which allows us to use them as tools to analyze and measure the Universe around us. Time provides us with a snapshot of the location of all matter and energy in the Universe at any given moment.

Although there is no evidence that time can be broken down into discrete packets, let's look at the smallest unit of time that can be measured - Planck time (10 -43 seconds). This is the time it takes light to travel one Planck length (10 -35 meters) in a vacuum.

Assign T-0 to be any Planck moment.
Assign T-1 to be one Planck time later.
To make it easier to conceptualize,
imagine a clock that ticks off Planck time units.

During the time that it takes to go from T-0 to T-1, countless changes have occurred in our Universe: every photon has moved one Planck length; every neutrino has moved nearly as far; etc.

The fact that objects traveling near massive objects, or near the speed of light "experience" time differently, does not affect all the other events in the Universe which continue to dance to the beat of the Universal Conceptual Clock.

Implications for "Time Travel"

Understanding the true nature of time (assuming I am correct above), proves time travel to be impossible.

In order to travel back in time, every particle in the Universe would have to return to its specific location at that time; otherwise, you wouldn't be in the same "time."

Time travel into the future is prohibited by the simple fact that you would have to find a way to make all light go faster than "c" in order to get it to go, to where you need it to be.

Enjoy the present. It's where you've spent your entire life ...
and where you'll be spending the rest of your life as well.


Fans of Supersymmetry take a hit from the Large Hadron Collider.



A bottom quark (or "beauty" quark) decayed into two muons (heavy electrons).


Testing the standard model of particle physics: do photons have mass?




Scientists propose first space-time crystal

A Clock That Will Last Forever


Energy from nuclear fusion is just starting to come into view.

Sandia National Labs


Scientists Challenge Heisenberg's Uncertainty Principle


Scientists now have a scale that weighs individual molecules




Harder Than A diamond? ... Yep


Scientists close in on nuclear fusion




Cloaking Device to Protect Buildings From Earthquakes?

Pseudoscience Stories


Will this convince the "True Believers?"

Exposure to Electromagnetic Fields From Electronic Devices Tested

If you answered "Yes" to the question above ...
then you probably haven't been a skeptic very long.


6 Italian scientists sentenced to 6 years in prison for ...
not predicting an earthquake!



Why weren't any psychics convicted?
Why weren't any clergy convicted? (they claim to talk to God)
Has the world gone nuts?

I think this story answers that last question.


Huge meta analysis of health studies found no evidence that "organic" is better.

Pay More ... Get Basically The Same Benefits


No - the eyes do not tell you if a person is lying

Richard Wiseman Debunks Neuro-Linguistic Programming

SCIENCE MOVIES

Biology Movies


Genesis

Miracle Planet

Walking with Monsters

Walking with Dinosaurs

Walking with Beasts

Walking with Cavemen

Ape to Man

Journey of Man

Cosmology Movies


Origins: Nova

How the earth was made

If we had no moon

Hyperspace

National Geographic: Journey to the Edge of the Universe

History Channel TV Series: The Universe

Microcosmos

History Movies


Slavery and the making of America


300 (The Battle of Thermopylae)

Last Stand of the 300 (The Battle of Thermopylae - different version)

Engineering an Empire

RELIGIOUS VIDEOS

General Religion Videos


Insulting religion (3:22)


Religion (1:25)

Christians complained and got this video pulled from YouTube.
So much for freedom of speech - the greatest enemy Christianity has ever known.


African albinos murdered for their "magical" body parts (3:12)

Creationist Videos


VIDEO DEBATE

Neo vs. Joel Saint on "The Existence of God"

Watch (56:26)


As long as you're in the mood to watch videos:

Video of Neo vs. Matt Slick's
Transcendental Argument for the existence of God
(17:26)

To watch the video, click on Matt Slick's picture



Read the Email Exchange That Preceded the Video


Click on Noah's Ark to watch a short video (3:23) put out by Creationists intending to refute Bill Nye's blistering attack on their beliefs, and the effects of those beliefs on our children. See how many logical fallacies you can spot (hint: there are plenty).



That picture was posted on Facebook by Christians who saw it as a slap at Nye. They didn't even realize that every time they show the Flood, they are showing the world just how unforgiving and evil their invisible monster really is. It's embarrassing enough that they believe this monster really exists; but how sick do you have to be, to actually worship this bloodthirsty killing machine.

Want more videos of Christians piling on Bill Nye?
Okay. Here's a video from the #1 Christian Himself ... God

Mr. Deity (4:30)


2005 Intelligent Design trial in Dover, PA (1:53:17)


Video series exposing the falsehoods of creationism (~10 minutes each)

After each video ends, the next one in the series will appear in the bottom left corner.


William Lane Craig eviscerated by SkyDivePhil's girlfriend (28:39)


Bill O'Reilly should have listened to the advice:
"When you're in a hole ... QUIT digging!" (3:29)



Christian Videos


THE SKEPTIC ARENA IS NOW ON YOUTUBE!

Neo vs. Joel Saint
debate on "The Existence of God"
Watch (56:26)

AND ...

Neo vs. Matt Slick's
Transcendental Argument for the existence of God
Watch (17:26)

Read the email exchange that preceded the Matt Slick video


The History Channel's "The Bible" (9:33)



Now that's the way a movie review should be done.


If you are a rational person, this video should make your cerebrospinal fluid
begin to ooze out of your ears ... so keep a sponge handy.



If you are not a rational person ...
you probably couldn't figure out why Rachel seemed so puzzled in the first place.


It turns out that Bill O'Reilly was right - Christianity is not a religion ...
it is a philosophy.

And here to back up O'Reilly with 8 powerful pieces of evidence is Edward Current.




Annie Laurie Gaylor debates David Barton

TREATY OF TRIPOLI (Article 11)
"As the Government of the United States of America is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion,—as it has in itself no character of enmity against the laws, religion, or tranquility, of Mussulmen [Muslims],—and as the said States never entered into any war or act of hostility against any Mahometan [Muslim] nation, it is declared by the parties that no pretext arising from religious opinions shall ever produce an interruption of the harmony existing between the two countries."

The opening phrase of Article 11 of the Treaty of Tripoli is written so clearly that you might think it would be impossible to debate over the meaning ... but you would be wrong.

In this debate, the apologist is confronted by Gaylor with the treaty's clear words. Here's what the apologist does when faced with this irrefutable evidence: he immediately tries to distract the audience by focusing their attention on the next phrases in Article 11 which refer to the other parties in the treaty. No matter what meaning one attaches to the rest of Article 11, nothing in it negates the opening phrase; it merely states that America harbors no bias against the other members of the treaty.

So the apologist takes the position that the phrases following the first one prove that America was founded as a Christian nation! If his position were true then why was the first phrase, stating exactly the opposite, left in? And why did President Adams and Congress unanimously ratify every clause and article in it?

What do you think Jefferson, Adams, and Washington would do to Barton if they could have just 5 minutes alone with him? (hint: google "quartering").

Was America founded as a "Christian Nation?"
There are 2 videos ~6 minutes each.

I have never seen a more dishonest man in my life than David Barton.
And considering I deal with Creationists ... that's quite a statement.

An interesting note: 8 years later a second treaty superseded the first and guess what happened? Yep, they bowed to intense Christian pressure and deleted that phrase (some things never change).

If that doesn't sound familiar, it should: a similar thing happened to Darwin, who deeply regretted giving in to Christian pressure by adding the word 'Creator' to later editions of "On the Origin of Species."


Dillahunty destroys Matt Slick's "Transcendental Argument for the existence of God"

The debate begins at 19:40 and lasts ~ 47 minutes (show #593).
Also watch Dillahunty's 14 minute recap starting at 9:35 in show #594.


The Atheist Experience Talkshow was "SMOKED" by a Christian who became the first caller in the show's 15-year history to prove his opening premise.

Matt Dillahunty and Tracie Harris, hosts of "The Atheist Experience" talkshow, received a call from a man from Mesa, Arizona named "Eric." Here is a clip of the 20-minute debate:



Eric began by trying to sneak an unproven premise past Matt and Tracie but they didn't let him get away with it. When Eric realized that the hosts weren't going to allow him to move on to his other points (which would have been based on the false premise), he was reduced to simply repeating his misrepresentations of what Matt had said. It was a classic Christian Apologist slaughter.

So why did I say that Eric "smoked" the Atheist Experience?

Go back to the beginning of the video where Eric talks about Kramer beating up on all the little kids in his karate class. Eric was claiming that this Seinfeld episode was analogous to how the hosts "beat up" on naive Christian callers. THAT was his opening premise - and Eric proved his opening premise correct by showing himself to be ... the tiniest kid in the class.


Vintage Dillahunty (15:01)


If God asked ... by Aron Ra (7:13)


Traditional marriage has always been between one man and one woman? (6:37)




Traditional Christian marriage ... by Betty Bowers (4:14)


Neo meets the Black Knight (Vox Day)

When a Rationalist faces off against a Reality-Denier ...
the outcome is inevitable (2:55)




Bill Maher frees Ann Romney's dad from Mormon Heaven.
Which I guess means ... her dad is now in hell (6:04)




American Cancer Society rejects a half million dollars from Atheists (3:02)



I think the guy got it right. The American Cancer Society is only partly to blame. If they take the 1/2 million - they will risk losing many times that amount from Christian hate groups who will boycott them. More kids will die if they take the Atheist's money. Put the blame where it belongs ... on the Christian hate groups who would sacrifice the lives of cancer-stricken children rather than cooperate with others who don't share their belief in invisible ghosts.


Christians continue to attack the Constitution (6:54)


Christians are still burning witches in the 21st century (2:10)
(Warning: extremely disturbing video)


Africa's "Witch Children" (2-part video, ~20 minutes)


Lying for Jesus (2-part video, ~12 minutes total)


Jesus Camp (~1 hour 24 minutes)


This is the "Salvation" that Christians are offering you (25:39)

Christians believe that their invisible ghost listens to every word they speak and every thought they think. They believe that He has the power to send them to eternal torture. That is why they are terrified to ever say anything bad about Him. If their relative has a safe flight - God was watching over them. If they died in a horrible crash - that's a good thing because God took them home to be with Him. They will never risk offending the evil, invisible monster standing right behind them at all times.

A worm has a better life.

Islamic Videos


Indonesian Atheist may get 3 years in prison for blasphemy (4:07)



Below you'll find another video about a very polite man who made the mistake of professing his Atheism at a public lecture. Thousands of zombies who were attending the speech wanted to take this guy's head off, for saying he was an Atheist. He wasn't arrogant nor insulting; but the followers of the religion of peace, who try to pass themselves off as human, didn't care. The police had to take him into custody to keep the mob of Mohammed fans from beheading this gentle man. To call them animals would be an insult to animals. They are way below animals. This other guy in Indonesia might actually be better off in prison come to think of it.

Gee, I can't wait to vacation in a Muslim country and be surrounded by crowds of loving religious believers
(who would take my head off in an instant if I weren't spending money there).




In the Maldives, Muslims demand beheading of apostate (7:40)

You won't believe how mild-mannered and inoffensive the guy is, whose head they want to remove. Bloodthirsty, Medieval Society ... sounds like a dream vacation spot to me


Candidates for the title: "Lowest Scum on Planet Earth" (1:37)




The 'Religion of Peace' threatens to kill imam for supporting evolution (8:58)


Maryam Namazie (~50 minutes)

She makes the connection that most of us missed:
the Christian Inquisition lives on today in modern radical Islam


The Bravest woman on earth ... wears a burka (13:38)

Reporter Lara Logan was nearly scalped by Egyptian crowd

Atheist Videos


The high point of this video isn't about Atheists or their response to the 9/11 memorial cross, it's the incisive statement made by Dave Silverman about God (2:55)

The Daily Show




Imagine if all the Atheists left America (2:19)


Checkmate, Atheists! by Edward Current (3:32)

RELIGIOUS STORIES

General Religious Stories


Where you grow up will likely determine which god you believe in

Oceana: Christian = 80% ; Nonreligious = 13%Canada: Catholic = 45% ; United Church = 12%United States: Protestant = 52% ; Catholic = 24%Latin America: Catholic = 93%Europe: Christian = 76% ; Nonreligious = 18%Africa: Christian = 46% ; Muslim = 40%Asia: Muslim = 23% ; Hindu = 22% ; Nonreligious = 19%Australia: Protestant = 50% ; Catholic = 26%

To see the major religions of each continent,
hover your mouse over the area of interest.
Clicking on the area will bring up a detailed spreadsheet.

To see religious statistics by country
Click here

To see current (or recent) religious wars
Click here


More fallout from the Anders Breivik massacre

Norwegians to separate Church and State


Younger people (the future) are turning away from ghost worship.
(I think the columns indicate age groups)



As Charlie Sheen would say ... Winning!




We're winning - Yaay!


Belgium to prosecute Scientology as a criminal organization.



My guess is, after one visit from Tom Cruise, and a little "green" grease,
Scientology will be back in business and none the worse for wear.


Up for a test?

Who said it?

The only real difference?

One ghost rides a camel.


The Pew Research Center releases the latest data on the extent of ghost worship.

Worldwide Religiosity

Summary from the article:
"As of 2010, the demographic study based on analysis of
more than 2,500 censuses, surveys and population registers finds:

Belief                  Number         Pct.
Christians           2.2 billion     32%
Muslims              1.6 billion     23%
Nonreligious      1.1 billion     16%
Hindus                1.0 billion     15%
Buddhists           0.5 billion       7%
Miscellaneous    0.5 billion       7%
Jews                   14 million      .2%

As dismal as it may first appear, it is important to remember
that as far as we know, it's the best shape the civilized world has ever been in.
(Additionally, it should be noted that Buddhists don't worship Gods.
That bumps the religiously rational crowd up to about 23%).


Gallup Polls Americans on Religiosity

Almost every ultra religious state is in the South; that's why they call it "The Bible Belt."

What an embarrassment. Maybe we should have let the South secede when they wanted to: our national I.Q. would have jumped 20 points in one day. But if that had happened, who would have freed the slaves? God? Not likely. He was all for it. Pat Robertson said that God sent an earthquake to Haiti in retaliation, 200 years later, for Haitians becoming the only nation to successfully revolt and free itself from its slave owners. Robertson said they succeeded because they made a pact with the Devil. So by Robertson's own admission, the Devil freed the slaves, and God punished them for it.

Did I get a little off the track?


Want to read something counterintuitive? ... That is true?

The shrinking human brain

But - don't give up hope just yet.
In the last couple centuries we have been making a comeback.

The exploding human brain

It is interesting to note that the decrease in brain size coincided with the rise of religion. Since brain size has been increasing in the last few centuries, that means that the smallest human brains flourished during the dark ages when religion had an iron grip on many societies. With the rise of science, the Enlightenment, the Industrial Revolution, and Atheism, brain size regained, in only a few centuries, what it had lost in the previous 10,000 years.

While correlation does not prove causation ... it also doesn't prohibit it.


Study finds that thinking can undermine religious faith

Something ... many of us already knew


Ghost Worshippers hold rally in New York




The Abrahamic religions have carried out a war of domination against women for thousands of years.
Now, secularists and modern religious believers are joining forces to combat fundamentalists.

Israelis Rally in Support of Threatened Schoolchildren


Prayer (talking to yourself)




What happened when George Carlin taught a class on Comparative Religions?


Another clown has been called away
to perform in that great circus in the sky.



The Reverend Moon


Urantia

It's basically Scientology ... without Tom Cruise

Urantia (~25 pages - but in large print so it goes fast)

Creationist Stories


The gaps, where God is inserted by Creationists, just keep getting fewer and fewer.

Precursor to RNA found in Cyanobacteria




Big deal.

That elephant isn't anything special.
I'll be impressed when he can speak as well as Balaam's donkey did in the Bible:

"What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times?"
(Numbers 22:28)
"Am not I thine ass, upon which thou hast ridden ever since I was thine unto this day?
Was I ever wont to do so unto thee? And he said, Nay."
(Numbers 22:30)

And don't forget about the talking snake.


Creationists demand, "Show us evolution happening right now."

Evolution of new genes

Note to Creationists: "Be careful what you ask for - you just may get it."


Creationist excitement hits fever pitch as researchers discover evidence
that the age of the Grand Canyon may be drastically different than previously thought.

Age of the Grand Canyon

I know. That was pretty mean.
But the schadenfreude I derived from watching
the further demolition of Creationist hope was almost ...
sexual.


Ever wondered what "stupid" looks like?

Wonder no longer.



The part that really makes it clear why our nation is floundering so badly, comes near the end: "He sits on the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology."

(Just give me the whole bottle of aspirin ... then notify my next of kin).


Creationists can't stand the fact that humans evolved from monkey-like creatures.
After reading this story, one could argue that ... we still are monkey-like creatures.

Capuchin monkeys

Now I see why it is so important to Creationists that evolution be false ...
"The Truth Hurts"


I understand that you South Koreans are grateful to America for defending you against that family of thugs who run North Korea; but importing our religion isn't the way to show gratitude.

Evolution Meets Christianity: Christianity Wins

Christianity is like a spreading cancer that will suck your money and dilute your education, as this story just demonstrated. Even Scientology would be less destructive. Plus you would be entitled to free visits from Tom Cruise and John Travolta. Compare that to what the Christians are offering you: Kirk Cameron and Pat Robertson. Not to mention, that with Scientology, you don't have to worry about that whole "Eternal Torture" thing. Seriously Korean dudes, if you are going to screw up your country at least pick the lesser of two evils.


Culture War takes a huge hit from Creationists

Louisiana to return to the Middle Ages

Governor Jindal is trying to do his best impression of Rick Santorum.
This article came from the U.K. where they laugh at medieval America ... and with justification.


Louisiana students will soon be the brightest stars in the nation.

Governor Jindal's New Plan


This paragraph was copied from the home page of Christian apologist, Wintery Knight:

"Dr. Craig is willing to debate. Where are the atheist debaters?
Why are atheists afraid of Dr. Craig?
Why are they afraid of his arguments?
What do they have to lose that stops them
from putting their arguments and evidences up against his?"

So guess what follows this paragraph on his web site?
video after video of atheists debating Craig!

William Lane Craig
vs
Christopher Hitchens on the existence of God

William Lane Craig
vs
Bart Ehrman on the resurrection of Jesus

William Lane Craig
vs
Sam Harris on morality

Aren't their feeble little minds precious?
No wonder this guy can't find any contradictions in the bible.
He doesn't even know what they are.
I've found the perfect description for "Wintery Knight":

Pick any synonym you like ... they ALL apply


This is what happens when you jump the gun because you desperately want your fantasies to be true

Vox Day and Faster-Than-Light Neutrinos


Remember Teddy Roosevelt's famous admonition?
"Speak softly, but carry a big stick"

Apparently, Vox Day got that one backwards, too:
"Brag incessantly, then back down when confronted"

Another Rat Flees the Arena in Disgrace (3 pages)





If a picture is worth a thousand words
then I need say nothing ... but I will anyway.

The title for this picture should be:
"90% of all creationist arguments



Christian Stories


Christians demand their "religious freedom" to bully homosexuals

Proposed legislation in Steinbach, Manitoba, Canada


I have a solution to this problem.

Another 10 Commandments display

The solution?
Grant Christians the right to place the 10 Commandments anywhere they desire.
But ...
They must post the "Real" 10 Commandments as listed in Exodus 34,
not the set that Moses smashed in Exodus 20.

I guarantee, there will be no more displays of the 10 Commandments ...
anywhere in America.


8 nurses fired for refusing flu vaccinations

After reading the article I realized that to make this world a better place, don't worry so much about religion ... do something about the lawyers.


The "WAR" on Christmas

Every year Christians get apoplectic at Christmas.
They claim that Atheists are trying to infringe on their religious freedoms.
Now for the truth.

I remember very well how this "war" started;
and it wasn't started by Atheists but by Christians.

Retailers count on the Christmas season to provide a larger than normal percentage of their yearly profits. In America, 25% of the population is non-Christian. Businesses cannot afford to ignore such a large segment of the population. So they began replacing "Merry Christmas" with phrases like "Happy Holidays," "Season's Greetings," etc.

At some point (I don't remember exactly when) Christians attacked.
They started boycotting businesses that didn't say "Merry Christmas."
THAT is how the "War on Christmas" began.

As they always do, first Christians attack, and then when people defend themselves, Christians play the victim and scream "religious discrimination!"


This is the horror of religion

Woman allowed to suffer an agonizing death in a Catholic hospital

If you are still attending church and contributing money to these thugs ...
then you are part of the problem.


Here is a Gallup Poll from 2 weeks before the 2012 election:

Romney Leads Obama by 7 Points

This poll was so far removed from all the other polls (which basically had the election too close to call) that many wondered what the hell was going on with Gallup. It sounded more like a poll at Fox News, which, as most people are now aware, is the propaganda arm of the Christian Far Right.

Then, about a month after the election,
I happened upon this Gallup Poll:

God Is Alive and Well

No where in the article is there much mention of the tremendous changes occurring in America as Ghost Worship continues to disintegrate and Secularism rises to the highest levels ever recorded. There are almost no comparisons with previous results, and where there are, they are carefully worded. The book "God is alive and well" is referred to in multiple places. The article sounds like it was written by Rick Warren, offering hope to Christians in spite of the gloomy results.

Now I'm adding one plus one and I'm starting to make out the number two.

From this point on, I no longer trust the Gallup organization. It seems clear to me that, like Fox News, they will view the facts in whatever context necessary to promote their beliefs - and their beliefs seem to coincide with those of the Christian Far Right.


Freedom From Religion Foundation finally launches assault on the IRS

For failure of the IRS to enforce the tax code
against churches who violate separation of Church and State


If only America had the balls to do this.

Italian Church Stripped of Tax Exempt Status

In America Christian leaders openly mock the IRS for failing to enforce laws which prohibit churches from engaging in political activities (see podcast #206). They encourage other ministers to continue to violate the law. These unpatriotic leaders ridicule our Constitution and its concept of separation of Church and State. Italy finally found the courage to act against its Ghost Worshippers. Now, if only America could find its testicles.


Christian Nationalism

Whether you are a religious American or an atheist,
hopefully this story will motivate you to take action

The Rise of Christian Nationalism is VERY Real

I sent the following reply to the authors of the article:
"These people will be met by an opposing army of Americans dedicated to preserving the ideals of our Founding Fathers. Since there are so few Atheists, this army is composed mainly of ... Christians."


The Kentucky legislature introduced a law that would force the state’s Department of Homeland Security to declare in its training materials that security is unattainable without reliance on “Almighty God.”

American Atheists sued, pointing out that this went against the state and federal Constitutions. They won but were defeated by an Appeals Court on a 2-1 decision. The state Supreme Court then refused to even look at the case.

Edwin Kagin, national legal director for American Atheists, said “What’s really frightening about this is, it’s increasingly clear that these people (proponents of such legislation) want to establish the Christian religion, and they’re getting more and more blatant about it all the time.”

My Conclusion
As humanity continues to become ever more enlightened and educated, Christianity is crashing all over the world, including America. We know that from numerous polls. Christian Nationalists know, as history has repeatedly shown, that power can be maintained through government coercion. That is the purpose of Blasphemy Laws. They are trying to use the government to accomplish, what they cannot accomplish on their own ... survival.


Congressman McIntyre's toupee is all askew because CBS muffed the pledge.

Congressman McIntyre pandering to Christians

Congressman, here's that part of your job that you fail to understand; a part that even little schoolchildren 'get':




This is what happens when a religion controls the local government ... any religion
(a generalization ... that is generally true)

People who get their 'morals' from God


Guess how Bradford County, Florida has decided to spend their money?

On a no-win lawsuit. By putting a monument containing the 10 Commandments on government property the County has guaranteed that during this recession, their taxpayers will be hit with a huge bill that was easily avoidable. Christians continue to defy American laws because they answer to a higher authority. Unfortunately for them, "He" doesn't do all that well in court.

Yet Another Monument to the 10 Commandments (only 3 pages)

Christian fundamentalists constantly violate the First Amendment of the Constitution. Permitting their illegal activities does not make their actions constitutional, any more than, not arresting thousands of Mormons makes polygamy legal. It is just more evidence that religious believers ignore our laws and are allowed to get away with it.


Christians won't obey our Constitution and they refuse to listen to Jesus (Matthew 6:6),
so the only option left is to sue their ass. Unfortunately, it's the taxpayers who lose.

Public Prayer Attracts Another Lawsuit


For those of you who ever wondered why people who don't believe in God won't admit to being "atheist", but prefer to refer to themselves as "agnostic," this story should help clear up that confusion.

Prayer lawsuit

And the smaller the community in which you live, the greater is the pressure to conform. That is why religion is weakest in large cities where anonymity grants a greater degree of safety from religious persecution. Now the internet is helping to make this possible even in the smaller cities. Though we are vastly outnumbered by people who rely on intimidation, threats, and physical violence, the tide is turning; slowly. But it is only going in one direction ... and it isn't theirs.


Now that Jessica Ahlquist has forced her high school to uphold the Constitution by removing a posted prayer, she is getting numerous death threats. No, not from Atheists - from the followers of Jesus. She needs police to escort her at school because of the physical danger she is in from Christians. However, in a Christian-dominated nation, the media is careful not to point these things out. Only a few news sources are brave enough to do so.

The American Taliban is alive and well ... and it's not only found in the Bible Belt.




Ken Pittman, a talk radio host, attacks Ahlquist decision

Read (4 pages)


Virginia joins 32 other states in granting home schoolers the right to play sports at public schools.

Tebow Bill Passes in Virginia

Now check this out:

2011 Quarterback Efficiency Ratings (be patient ... he's in there)

Based on his ranking, I get the distinct impression that his mother
may also have been in charge of his phys. ed. training.


Freedom of Religion?

In Tennessee, that only applies to Christians

Christians scream because Tennessee governor hires a Muslim

But wait - There's more!

Just in case their religious bigotry wasn't clear enough,
Tennessee decided to make headlines twice in the same day.

Christians fight to prevent opening of mosque

If the Middle East is living in the 12th century ...
then Tennessee is living in the 13th.

Here's a followup story (one day later)

Judge grants mosque petition

After all the criticisms these Tennessee Christians leveled at Muslims
did you catch this part:
"Citing acts of vandalism, arson and a bomb threat against the Islamic Center of Murfreesboro ...."

Let's ask Jesus on this one ...
"Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye;
and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye."
Matthew 7:5

I just love quoting scripture to Christians.
Nothing shows them for the h-y-p-o-c-r-i-t-e-s they really are
quite as much as rubbing their faces in their own holy book.


Ain't religion grand?

Did you catch the part near the end about Muslims not being citizens?
So these guys aren't any worse than George Bush Senior who said the same thing about Atheists.


Ghost Worshippers scream when they aren't allowed to force their beliefs on others.

Denial of birth control

I think the part that really says it all is where they refer to the plaintiff, Frank O'Brien,
a devout Catholic One-Percenter, who wants to:
"deny his employees birth control coverage but says that the Federal regulation prevents him from following his conscience."

Dear Mr. Ghost Worshipper,
Federal regulations also prevent you from exercising your religious freedoms to:
1) own slaves
2) stone people to death
3) teach your fairy tales in publicly funded science classes
4) sacrifice animals
5) execute gays and Atheists

And that is just a partial list of the religious practices condoned in your ancient book of horrors that is prohibited by modern, civilized laws. Freedom of religion means that you can go to your temples to pray to your invisible ghosts without fear of government interference. It does not mean that you have the freedom to force your beliefs on others, or to hurt other people when your holy book gives you permission.

Oh, and Dude, as humanity continues to progress and modernize, for "you people," ...
it's only going to get a whole lot worse.


The American Taliban strikes again


In a nation and a military dominated by Christians this took a ton of courage.

Air Force General Enforces Military Rules


Typical Christian inconsistency

Christians have been fighting furiously since 1973 to overturn Roe vs. Wade. They side with the rights of the unborn over the rights of the parents on the issue of abortion.

In this article, Christians take the contradictory position: they side with the rights of the parents over the rights of the innocent victims (their children) on the issue of genital mutilation.

Ghost Worshippers will say whatever they have to say, and take whichever position they have to take, to protect their religious beliefs; and as this story proves, that includes taking contradictory positions.


"Stand Your Ground" American nuns!

Mafia From "The Dark Ages" Flexes Muscle

Don't give in!
Force that pedophile club for old men in dresses, to become a modern civilized religion rather than allowing them to intimidate you into remaining frozen in a Dark Ages mentality that they are trying to perpetuate. They are losing worldwide. This is the time to stand against them. You have most of the civilized world behind you.


For Catholics, the news just gets worse, and worse, and worse.

The Church Stole and Sold Babies in Spain


Canada Fires All non Christian Prison Chaplains

Well of course. Assuming Canada is similar to the U.S.,
why would you need non Christian chaplains when nearly all the inmates are Christian?

Percentage of prison population claiming to be Atheist


Without the Bible where do Atheists get their morals?
Well, read about this experiment involving lowly rats. As far as I know ...
none of them accepted Jesus Christ as their personal savior.

The morality of rats

So much for needing Jesus to provide morals. Morals have existed since way before Jesus ever hammered His first nail; in societies that never heard of "Him"; since way before humans even existed; and will likely exist long after humans abandon ghost worship.


The point is not, how mean this cartoon is;
the point is, how absolutely true it is.




Look what Jesus taught Kirk Cameron:
How to make fun of disabled people who have a terminal disease



Email reply to Cameron's agent

How do Kirk's fellow "child actors" feel about him?


Snake-handling Pentacostal Preacher Gets To Visit Jesus ... Permanently


Creflo Dollar, stands out as one of the slimiest of the slimeballs.

Megachurch Preacher Arrested for Attacking His Daughter

As if what he did weren't bad enough, he makes it even worse by blaming it on her. Apparently, she's in league with Satan. He calls everything she said, a lie (so I guess the sister who corroborated her story was lying too). That Satan, what lengths he will go to. No wonder Christians hate him so much. But without him ...
they would actually have to take responsibility.


I finally found a Christian who actually does follow Jesus' teachings


Billboards you will never see


Answer to the Christian challenge ... "What if you're wrong?"
(Allah sends a powerful reply to American Christians)

Touchdown Jesus!

A year later and this story is still worth 1,000 virgins


More proof that Allah is the one true invisible ghost

Allah Continues to Pound Christchurch in New Zealand

Islamic Stories


What has the 'Religion of Peace' been up to lately?

Polio vaccinators murdered in Nigeria


No matter where in the world you go, you can bet your last dollar
that religion is screwing it up ... usually with violence.

Nigeria's Boko Haram


The Maldives are in the news again

15 year-old rape victim sentenced to 100 lashes

Remember the story last year from the Maldives about the soft-spoken guy who made the mistake of publicly admitting that he didn't believe in Allah, and the police had to take him into protective custody to keep the crowd of Godly people from decapitating him? When combined with this story about the raped girl, doesn't it just make you think, "Shouldn't I be buying my vacation tickets for the Maldives right now?"


This is what passes for justice ... in Sharia courts

Father who raped and killed his 5-year-old daughter, set free


Do I support International Blasphemy Day?



Every day of the year.


First, a look at the dark side of Islam from around the world ...

America

Unfortunately, there are countless others just like this guy

"Proud to Kill in the Name of God"

And we're proud too. We're proud that subhumans like him are being eradicated from civilization.


Bangladesh

This is what happens when government allows dangerous, childish beliefs - to trump freedom of speech.



The answer is found in the story itself:
"Buddhists make up less than 1 percent of Muslim-majority Bangladesh, but followers of the two religions usually coexist peacefully. Some of the Buddhist families displaced by the attacks took shelter in the homes of Muslim neighbors, and many Muslim families offered food to the victims."

It is progressive Muslims who must stand up to their radical elements and force them into the 21st century in the same way that Christians brought most of their violent, evil members under control. It won't be easy or quick ... but then again, nothing worthwhile ever is.


France

Finally ... the world is beginning to stand up to the violent, irrational Islamic fundamentalists. Vive La France!

Charlie Hebdo (French Magazine)

There are few things more sacred to a civilized society than freedom of speech. If we allow violent religious fundamentalists to succeed in terrorizing us into silence, then we will deserve our trip back into the Middle Ages. If they don't want to allow his image to be drawn, then they shouldn't draw it. But they don't have the right to force their beliefs, under threat of death, upon rational humans who have nothing to do with their screwy superstitions.

And no, I do not have to respect their beliefs. Especially those who would execute me ... for mine.


Indonesia

The "Religion of Peace" is at it again

Excerpt: FPI secretary-general Sobri Lubis said the movie tried to incite hatred toward Islam and disgraced the religion by suggesting Muslims could live together harmoniously with people of other faiths in one country. "The movie supports the idea of pluralism and that the unification of many religions is acceptable. We rejected this dirty and damaging movie from the start".

I am within moments of reversing my position on evolution.
These guys are proof that not all life on Earth is evolving.


Indonesia

If Filipino Christians disapprove of Lady Gaga ... then they shouldn't go to her concerts.
But for Fundamentalists, what's the point in being part of a religion if you can't force your values on everyone else?

Christians Protest Lady Gaga Concerts

Only 200 Fundamentalist Christians are protesting. But the Philippines is the most religious (Catholic) nation on Earth, so I think these protesters more likely represent the Filipino version of America's "Westboro Baptist Church."


In South Korea and in the Philippines, protesting Christians were unable to stop the shows. But in Indonesia (the nation with the largest Muslim population on Earth) the shows were banned. The situation is much more serious in medieval societies because ... those people will kill you.

Indonesian Fundamentalists Force Cancellation of Lady Gaga Concerts


Iraq

Barbaric Subhumans

Makes me regret that we sacrificed lives to try to bring these clowns out of the Stone Age;
an age they apparently have no intention of abandoning, anytime soon.


Iran

You can click on this link to see if a web site has been blocked in Iran

Iran Firewall

The fact that The Skeptic Arena is NOT blocked in Iran is a huge insult.
Maybe this will teach them to show me the respect I deserve.




Iran

This is another example of why America desperately needs to defeat those
who are attempting to break down the wall of separation between Church and State.

Iran shuts down coffee shops

Like it?
If Christian Nationalists get their way - and there are tens of millions of them ...
you may get to find out.


Libya

All over the world, the brave are standing up to violent religious extremists.

Backlash Against Those Responsible For Deaths at the American Embassy in Libya


Malaysia

Here is the America of the future, if Christians get the "Christian Nation" they so desperately want.

Malaysian "religious police" arrest Valentine's Day celebrators


Nigeria

Ah ... the glory that is Sharia:
"Join us and you too can roam around in giant gangs ... killing people"

143 killed in Nigeria


Pakistan

If you read this story, you would swear it must have come from the 13th century.

The Religion of Peace

That's right ... an eleven-year-old with Down's syndrome.
Explain to me again how these people qualify as human?

Follow up report on previous story:

Religious Leader Arrested For Suspicion of Planting Evidence

Is that guy a piece of work, or what?


Pakistan

There are no lower lifeforms on the planet than the Taliban ... and this story proves it

Taliban to stop children from receiving polio vaccines


Russia

The 21st century Islamic Inquisition is no different than the Christian Inquisition only a few hundred years ago. Both share the same purpose: to control every aspect of a person's life from what you eat and wear, who you can love and must hate, all the way down to even, what you can and cannot think.

The "Religion of Peace"

The radical Muslims promoting Sharia Law in that story should be met by any resistance necessary from ALL religious believers, not just Atheists.


Saudi Arabia

Spinoff of "So-and-So's Got Talent" finally hits the Middle East

Saudi Arabia Has Talent

So if there is no music, no dancing, and no women, what's left?

Fuzzy faced men reciting the Koran while throwing knives at an infidel tied to a spinning wheel?
A barefoot ballet troop of men in pink tights? (not a visual you want to dwell on very long)
Camel tricks ... on a trampoline?
Hairy guys in robes jerking off to the sound of women being lashed?
(does that count as music?)


United Kingdom

For those of you who refuse to acknowledge the modern Islamic Inquisition, you might want to read this

Sharia Law Zones being established in the U.K. - by thugs


Now let's take a look at the brighter side of Islam ... the side that gives us hope.

Saudi Arabia

King Abdullah slowly bringing Muslims into the 21st century.

Remember, Christians have only recently been civilized themselves, and still have a ways to go. Muslims, like Christians, must learn to stand up to their religious fanatics
(which is a lot easier to do when you are ... The King).

A man learns the hard way that "King" outranks "Sheik"


France

Holocaust details conveniently omitted until now

Unfortunately, great stories like this one take a back seat in the American media to the really important stories about the bad behavior of dysfunctional movie stars and musicians.


Egypt

The REAL Greatest Story Ever Told

If you've ever wondered what the true definition of "heroes" is ... now you know.


Indonesia

Indonesia takes courageous step against radical Islam

Atheist Stories


Biology professor PZ Myers has taken quite a bit of heat for about 2 years now over his dismissal of 'Dictionary Atheists'. Those are people who define Atheists, solely as people who reject all god claims, as per the dictionary. Myers prefers a broader definition that he has apparently created himself. His definition includes a set of morals and beliefs that define what an Atheist is. The more flack he receives, the harder he doubles down on his position. At this point, there seems to be little hope that he will abandon his position.

However, it is no longer necessary to continue this debate. Whether he admits it or not, Myers has destroyed his own argument with a serious of posts in recent months in which he has lashed out at immature sexual harassers within the Atheist community. Are these people Atheists? By Myers' own admission ... they are. Do they fit into 'his' definition of Atheists? No.

This is what happens when you try to redefine words to be what you want them to be - a lesson Myers should have learned from the experts in redefinition ... Creationists.

Case closed.





What have I always said?
To find the truth, take everything Christians say,
and turn it around 180 degrees.

You'll be amazed ... it works every time.



The Christian lie: there are no Atheists in foxholes.
The truth: see picture above.


Well, everything else around here is ass backwards ...
why not our money too?




Read this story and then see if you can tell what's coming

Atheist S.E. Cupp Wouldn't Vote For an Atheist President

I've read enough of S.E. Cupp to form the opinion that she is not an Atheist.
I even did a podcast on one of her essays (see archives #142).

In this story, her words betray her
"I’m just not going to be dishonest and say that I believe in something that I don’t yet."

Pay special attention to the last word in that sentence.
When you analyze what she says, there's no way anyone could fall for her "I'm an Atheist" shtick.
So what's up her sleeve?

My guess is that she has figured out that being a well-known personality who ditches Atheism and finds Jesus will make her a hundred times bigger than Tim Tebow ever dreamed of. She will replace Palin and Bachman and become the next big Republican female. She is being groomed.


The Rise of Atheism

At least we're headed in the right direction.
But we have a long, long way to go.


Pastor Mike Stahl is proposing a national registry for "avowed" atheists, just like we have now for sex offenders and other convicted felons.



Like most Christians, Pastor Shithead never reads his bible.
Leviticus 19:28 - "Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the LORD."

RELIGIOUS MOVIES

General Religious Movies


Religulous
Starring that wacky Bill Maher.

Christian Movies


Agora
Christianity plunges humanity into 20 centuries of darkness.


The God Who Wasn't There
To Ghost Worshippers, facts are like garlic to a vampire.


The Ten Commandments starring Charleton Heston
(No, really. This is a great movie).

Islamic Movies


The Stoning of Soraya M
Best viewed on an empty stomach.

Atheist Movies


The Golden Compass
Pressure by Christians forced the cancellation of the last 2 parts of the trilogy.

A Rough History of Disbelief
"Rough" was an understatement.

POLITICAL STORIES

Abortion


Catholics throw pro-lifers under the bus!

The greatest example of religious hypocrisy you will EVER see



You can't make this stuff up.


The 2012 election may have given Americans the impression that the country was evenly divided on the issue of abortion. But here is the truth.

Pew Poll 40 years after Roe v. Wade


Komen Charity sacrifices Planned Parenthood to appease the Religious Right


Legislators overrule scientists in determining when a human becomes a "person"


In Neveda, even Republican women attack women

But they're not for big government, except when they need to invade your vagina. And they are "pro-life" except that they are also the strongest supporters of the death penalty. And they're for religious freedom - provided that it isn't Islam or Mormonism. It's hard to believe that people this dishonest and contradictory could actually get anyone, especially women, to vote for them.

However, not all Republicans are alike. Their party has been taken over by the Religious Right. The war on women is not a Republican war - it is a war that has been going on for thousands of years. It is based on the vile teachings of the Bible. If you don't think that making a woman half the value of a man is vile, then you have no right to be lecturing anyone on morals.

The Republican party needs to take their party back from the Fundamentalist Christians who are attempting to turn our Democracy into a Christian Theocracy (that's not as good as it sounds moderate Christians - just look to the Middle East and you'll get an idea of what's in store for us if Christian Nationalism succeeds).

Actually, I did find one verse in the Bible where women were treated equal to men: 2 Chronicles 15:13,
"That whosoever would not seek the LORD God of Israel should be put to death,
whether small or great, whether man ... or woman."


If life begins at conception, then every year God murders about 50 million innocent fetuses through miscarriage.

I informed Jeff Geibel, the operator of the web site "We Kill Children," of this fact. So in defense of his God, he ignored that fact, and instead, attempted to school me on rational thinking ... the results were not pretty.



Millions of Christians believe that, 50 million times every year, that hand above will close and kill the child before it ever has the chance to be born. It's easy to see why so many worship Him.

If I actually believed in a monster that evil who had the power to punish me forever ... I would too.

Contraception


What does compromising with Ghost Worshippers get you ... a slap in the face

Did you catch this part?
Attorney Kyle Duncan of the Becket Fund For Religious Liberty, a legal defense group spearheading many of the suits, said in a statement that the new rule does not satisfy his clients. "Today's proposed rule does nothing to protect the religious liberty of millions of Americans," Duncan said.

Ghost Worshippers will never be satisfied. As Duncan's statement proves, they only see compromise as a weakness. That goes for Christians every bit as much, as it does for Muslims. They don't want compromise - they want total domination ... and they won't rest until they achieve it.


If elected, Santorum will use his influence to fight - contraception


Birth control compromise opposed by Catholic Bishops


It's your fault ladies - stick an aspirin between your knees


Free contraception greatly reduced both births and abortions

The Best Solution We Have

Yet the religiously infected will never admit they are wrong because they have had 2,000 years of being wrong, and have become experts at ignoring reality.


What is it with Catholics and contraception?

One of the biggest battles in America in the past 40 years has been the one over abortion. So science has a great solution - contraception! With prevention rates above 90% that would eliminate nearly all abortions. So how do religious nutbags respond to this great solution?

"Well we just spoke with our invisible friend about that and He said, 'uh uh - ain't gonna happen'."

What do you mean? This is a great solution - nobody gets hurt; and as an extra added bonus ... it will reduce sexually transmitted diseases.

"Sorry, but the Cloud Commander said that you would be preventing the birth of children ... and that's the same as killing them."

It was at this point that I finally got the picture: it isn't about human life. Life means nothing to those who only worship death. It is all about control. Religion must control every aspect of a person's life; from what you eat, to whom you can love, and whom you must hate, to when you can work, how much you will give to the church, and even every thought that you think. From birth until death the Church seeks to control every aspect of your life.

And their stand on contraception ... proves it.



However, in a classic case of "one-upsmanship" senator Constance Johnson outdid me by trying to add this satirical amendment to the bill: "However, any action in which a man ejaculates or otherwise deposits semen anywhere but in a woman’s vagina shall be interpreted and construed as an action against an unborn child."

(I could have been that funny ... if I had had a little more time)

Crime


Reelecting this Tea Bagger tells you everything you need to know
about the majority of voters in Tennesee's 4th district.



But take a closer look at Uncle Fester there.
That also tells you everything you need to know about some of the women ...
in Tennesee's 4th district.


Remember that viral YouTube video showing a judge, belt-whipping and cussing out his daughter?
What do you think his punishment was?
(Remember, we're talking about Texas here).



That's right. In Texas they punish brutal, abusing judges by giving them a year's vacation ... with pay.


This is what passes for justice in America

The Penalty for murder ... Probation

But if he had killed the guy in order to save him from unbearable pain (euthanasia) ...
he would have been sent to prison.

Economics


The Official Republican Party Platform

Quoting Jesus in Matthew 25:29
"For to every one that has, shall be given, and he shall have abundance:
but from him that has not, shall be taken away, even that which he has."

See, it's not their fault. They are simply following scripture.
Oddly, this is the only documented case of Republicans actually following Jesus' teachings.


Fat, ugly, and greedy: Depardieu wins the trifecta, and ... a Russian passport.



Gerard Depardieu has been granted Russian citizenship by that pillar of morality, Vladimir Putin, the Czar of Russia. Depardieu became a famous, wealthy movie star in France and then showed his gratitude and patriotism by deserting his country for one reason ... greed.

Putin should have asked himself, "Is this really the kind of citizen that Russia wants to have?" Since Depardieu is rich, Putin's answer was "Yes."


Not all Christians should be judged by America's evangelical thugs.

Healthcare Debate

Now that's what I call a "Christian."

But more importantly, Jesus calls this man a Christian ...
Jesus can't even recognize those other fools.


Which states are the most Socialist?
(hint: it's not the blue (Democratic) states)



So how do Republicans convince people to vote against their own interests?
(if anyone finds out ... please let me know).


It's Nobel Prize time and the awards are going fast.
If they ever make it possible to revoke Nobel Prizes this guy should be first on the list.



If you click on this picture of Milton Friedman you can watch the video "The One Percent" (1:16:29). The video analyzes the results of his ideas. The acceptance of his "trickle down" policies was most likely the main cause of America's demise ... in only one generation. He convinced leaders that wealth would trickle down; and he was right. Trickle was an accurate choice of words. He convinced leaders that government should give tax breaks and other incentives to the rich, and that by doing so, everyone below would benefit. Now we see that only the wealthy benefitted. Friedman said give us a dollar and you'll be better off. Well, we gave him a dollar and we got a nickel back. He said, see - without us you wouldn't have that nickel (but without him, we would still have our dollar). Just a note: as anyone who watches the news knows ... they're fighting to get that nickel back too.


The destruction of America ... in only one generation (6:24)



Freedom of Speech


YouTube comment threads, like the ones you encounter at news sites, allow readers to vote for comments by clicking on a 'thumbs up' or 'thumbs down' icon. They also trust readers to exercise judgment and maturity by providing a 'spam' button. Unfortunately, there are always some who will abuse that power and use it to shut up those with whom they disagree or dislike.

One of the worst places to see this in action is at Fox News. You can cuss, threaten, scream (all-caps), fling nasty racial slurs at the president, and pretty much get away with the most despicable behavior ... so long as you agree with the Fox fanatics. Personally, I never lasted more than 15 minutes before they shut me up. I was especially careful to avoid profanity but it didn't matter; that was not one of the criteria.

The YouTube, Atheist-themed, video comment threads are infested with 'preachers' who come, ostensibly to debate, but in reality they are only there to 'save souls'. As long as you allow them to keep you on the defensive while they attack science, they are happy and will play. But if you start attacking their beliefs, their arguments crumble easily and they become desperate. That's when they notice ... the spam button. Since they cannot defend their beliefs, they resort to shutting people up.

A comment cannot be closed by one spam click. There is a certain threshold. So what some dishonest people do is to create fake accounts (sock puppets) which allow them to close comments by fooling the system into thinking it has received clicks from multiple people. If they pass a certain threshold, they can even make the spammed comment disappear completely.

They can create 'google alerts' which tell them when their victims have posted comments. This enables them to track their victims to anywhere on YouTube and spam them.

Probably the most butt-hurt Christian on YouTube is knox140.
He defends his imaginary friend with the spam button and multiple sock puppets.

Knox140 tried to convince readers that I was spamming and deleting my own comments.
Here are two comments I wrote which pretty much destroyed that lie:

#1
Hey knox, remember how hard to tried to convince everyone
that I was spamming and deleting my own comments?

Now look at what you just wrote:
"It makes me laugh to know that you probably slaved over those shameful comebacks for hours"

You still don't get it, do you?
That's okay, everyone else does.
Thanks for setting yourself on fire ... in front of everyone.

#2
Hey knox, you've been vigorously protesting your innocence to everyone
regarding the spamming and closing of my comments.
So how does one trap a dishonest little rat, like you?
If you were innocent then the spammers would not know
that your channel was being hit by me.

But YOU would know

So after I hit your channel last night, I went back today and checked.
Guess what I found?
My comments had been spammed or removed.
You're the only one who could have known that.

Knox ... Checkmate.

This is knox right after reading my comments



Waaah Waaah Waaah Waaah Waaah Waaah Waaah Waaah Waaah Waaah Waaah
Waaah Waaah Waaah Waaah Waaah Waaah Waaah Waaah Waaah Waaah Waaah



To get an idea of the kind of people who creep though the fringes of cyberspace

Read this


Egypt blocks YouTube for one month

Freedom of Speech takes another hit

They have the freedom to say that we deserve to be eternally tortured,
but if we point out that their prophet (sbuh) is a genocidal pedophile
(which is true)
then we should receive capital punishment ... and then eternal damnation.

Sometimes, I'm embarrassed to be a member of the human race.


How's freedom of speech doing in the United Kingdom?



Even worse than here in the States.

I expect that, next, they'll come for Pat Condell.




This article applies to all public forums who employ comment moderation.

Scientology Resorts To Its Old Tactics When Attacked - Shut Down Free Speech

This article clearly exposes the danger that comment moderators pose to all Americans when they suppress free speech under the politically correct guise of "Let's play nice." The First Amendment was not intended to protect nice speech. Nice speech doesn't need protection. Who is going to complain about agreement?

The purpose of the amendment was to protect dissent. You do not have a right - not to be offended. In fact, the First Amendment guarantees the rights of others to offend you. No issue is more important to a free society.

The article showed how easy it is to abuse the moderation system. It is being done constantly by people who cannot defend their positions and resort to manipulating the moderators in order to shut up their opponents. You do not defeat bad ideas by shutting them down - you defeat bad ideas by presenting better ones; by challenging them; and by hurting their precious feelings if necessary.


The Christians have a Bible and live by the 10 Commandments. Rationalists have a bible too ... it's called the Constitution. Our 10 commandments are the Bill of Rights. If the 10 laws upon which our country was founded are to be posted anywhere, then it should be the Bill of Rights.

Mark Steyn (9:23)


Johann Hari and the importance of Freedom of Speech (15:47)


Freedom of speech in Europe (7:30)

Gay Rights


Editor Ben Boychuk defends Boy Scout bigotry (only 3 pages)


Fascism is alive and well in America's Bible belt

So much for freedom of speech and the pursuit of happiness


DOMA ruled unconstitutional
Christian-inspired discrimination and bigotry takes one - right on the kisser.




Remember this story?

Chic-fil-A Will Stop Donating To Organizations Who Discriminate Against Gays


Now here's an update on the story:
Chic-fil-A president Dan Cathy reaffirms his position against gay marriage.



Biblical families Dan? You want biblical families?

Okay, here are examples of biblical families taken directly out of your own holy book:

Abdon - Judges 12:14
Abijah - 2 Chronicles 13:21
Abraham - Genesis 16:1, 16:3, 25:1
Ahab - 1 Kings 20:3
Ahasuerus - Esther 1:9
Ashur - 1 Chronicles 4:5
Belshazzar - Daniel 5:2
Benhadad - 1 Kings 20:3
Caleb - 1 Chronicles 2:18-19, 2:46, 2:48
David - 1 Samuel 18:27, 19:11-18, 25:39, 25:43-44, 2 Samuel 3:3-5, 3:13-14,
(more) David - 5:13, 6:20-23, 12:7-8, 12:24, 15:16, 16:21-23, 1 Chronicles 14:3
Eliphaz - Genesis 36:11-12
Elkanah - 1 Samuel 1:2
Esau - Genesis 26:34, 28:9
Ezra - 1 Chronicles 4:17-18
Gideon - Judges 8:30
Heman - 1 Chronicles 25:4
Hosea - Hosea 1:3, 3:1
Ibzan - Judges 12:9
Issachar - 1 Chronicles 7:4, Numbers 1:29
Jacob - Genesis 29:23, 29:28, 30:4, 30:9
Jair - Judges 10:4
Jehoiachin - 2 Kings 24:15
Jehoram - 2 Chronicles 21:14
Jerahmeel - 1 Chronicles 2:26
Joash - 2 Chronicles 24:3
Lamech - Genesis 4:19
Machir - 1 Chronicles 7:15-16
Manasseh - 1 Chronicles 7:14
Mered - 1 Chronicles 4:17-19
Moses - Exodus 2:21, 18:1-6, Numbers 12:1
Nahor - Genesis 22:20-24
Rehoboam - 2 Chronicles 11:18-23
Saul - 1 Samuel 14:50, 2 Samuel 3:7
Shaharaim - 1 Chronicles 8:8
Simeon - Genesis 46:10, Exodus 6:15
Solomon - 1 Kings 11:3
Zedekiah - Jeremiah 38:23
Ziba - 2 Samuel 9:10

Question for Mr. Cathy: I assume, as a devout Ghost Worshipper, that you read your Bible. My question is ... how did you miss all these verses?

As a matter of fact, biblical families are illegal in modern America. If you want to enjoy God's definition of marriage (polygamy) then you should move to either Saudi Arabia ... or Utah. If you choose Utah, it is customary to propose as soon as possible after menstruation. If you choose Saudi Arabia, you don't need to wait that long.


Here's a great picture showing Christians and how much they've learned from Jesus by coming out in force to support Chic-fil-A. Do you believe they all just happened to get hungry for chicken at the same time? Or do you think they were following the directions of their religious leaders?
(Hint: go with the second one).



Can't you just picture Jesus standing in line with all those bigots and trashing homosexuals while waiting for His order of extra crispy?

No, I can't either.


I am not going to attempt to take on all the world's battles. So I pick and choose my battles based on ... well basically it depends on who pisses me off the most. Sometimes Democrats piss me off; Republicans always do.

Case in point: I root for those who are working for marriage equality for homosexuals. However, it is not usually one of my personal 'hot' buttons. Then the Republicans had to go and take it one step further and attack civil unions as well ... now, I'm pissed.



In the article, the Republican from Rhode Island did her best to demonstrate how a human being should treat their fellow humans (something Jesus also tried to teach them). But the good ole corn-fed white boys who run the party dismissed her (and Jesus) and stuck to their ancient prejudices. Why?

They are appealing to the lowest cerebral rung in the country because they know, that it is just loaded with bigoted, ignorant voters. The saddest part is ... they could win.

(So why did I choose that picture? Because I thought it would be appropriate to show everyone what a Republican Congressman's cabana boy looks like).


The Reverand Billy Graham, at age 93, decides to go out with one last act of bigotry

North Carolina to Vote on a State Constitutional Amendment to Ban Gay Marriage

Jesus must be ... so proud


This story is directed at all the bigoted Christian hate groups and politicians who attack gay people under the guise of "destroying the American family."

Most Babies Born to Young Mothers, Are Born ... Out of Wedlock

In fact, the way the trend is going, gay people may be the only group that actually perpetuates the institution of marriage. So you groups who are so fond of using the word "family" in your names are actually fighting against those who are trying hardest to maintain a family structure. This proves that it isn't the family you are trying to preserve; you have only coopted the word 'family' for its emotional value. Your true motivation is simply hatred of homosexuality based on ancient manuscripts written by ignorant sheep-shaggers.


The Illinois Family Institute wants to help you with your medical insurance

Health Insurance


I sent the following email to Laurie Higgins at the Illinois Family Institute

Laurie,
Long time no hear.
I thought you might be worried about me
so I just thought I would drop you this little email
to let you know all is well.
Just happened to catch these stories on the wire:

Washington State Votes to Allow Gay Marriage

New Jersey Votes to Allow Gay Marriage

For the First Time ... Majority of Americans Favor Gay Marriage
(this one even has a neat little chart showing just how successful all your efforts have been).

My first thought was "I wonder why Jesus is doing so badly?"
Then I remembered that Jesus never said anything bad about gay people.
In fact, in many verses he encourages us to love everyone ... even our enemies.

So, what I should have wondered was "Why is His father doing so badly?"
He certainly has a strong hatred towards them.
He called them "abominations"
and the penalty, as I recall, was capital punishment ...
and not the "humane" kind.

If Atheists are as few in number as Christians claim,
then they couldn't be affecting the results very much.
Since this country is populated mostly by Christians (about 75%),
it is obvious that most Christians have chosen Jesus over His father.

Maybe you and your little band of Westboro rejects should think that one over.

Yours in Christ,

neo


Later, I wrote to the IFI again:
Congratulations are once again in order for the Illinois Family Institute who have managed to land on the Southern Poverty Law Center's list of "Hate Groups" yet again.

Illinois Hate Groups (2 pages)

I'm sure that if Jesus exists, He must be beaming with pride. Message to the Illinois Family Institute: on Judgment Day, don't be shocked to discover that you'll be spending eternity ... with me.

I then followed with another email. Here is the result of those emails:

The Illinois Family Institute Throws in the Towel (4 pages)


Margie Phelps of Westboro Baptist has a point. While it is true that Jesus never said anything about homosexuals, His Father was quite clear: they are abominations who should be stoned to death. Knowing how much hate God has for "fags," it is quite possible that those 2 little boys in Washington were hacked to death with an ax by their father, and then blown to smithereens by a gas explosion, based on Washington state's support of gay marriage, as Phelps claims.

I just can't figure out why San Francisco and Hollywood are still on the map?

Westboro Inbreds Are At It Again

Global Warming


In the global warming debate, which side is ALWAYS the side that gets caught lying or intentionally misleading?



Yep, the global warming deniers. George Will couldn't present the actual graph which shows an obvious increase in fires because 1) it doesn't support the view he wants to convinice you of, and 2) that would be honest. Instead he picks the highest year and then finds a lower year later, to give you the false impression that the trend is going down. They use the same dishonest trick when comparing annual temperatures. So how can Conservatives be so easily fooled by this kind of dishonesty?

Because they want to be.

From the opening paragraph this story was nothing more than a cheerleading piece designed to give hope to Conservatives who are still recovering from their devastating defeat in the 2012 election. George Will hits nearly every conservative issue. He uses Gallup to try to rally the troops with hope (yes, Gallup is the same Christian-run organization that was the only one to predict a Romney landslide days before the election). I would pity these people, if they weren't such a danger to America.


You've probably all asked yourselves at one time or another:
what is the dumbest statement ever made on television in its entire history?

Well that question has now been answered ... for all time.
Your first guess was probably that it came from Fox News,
or some other religious channel. But you would be wrong.

Within the first 10 seconds,
this newswoman at CNN establishes herself in the eternal Hall of Fame;
an eternity that will outlast the Christian Heaven.

What caused the meteor to nearly strike the Earth?

Did you notice how Nye tried to save her by equating meteor with meteorology?
I have never seen anyone think that fast. When Nye first heard her question, he must have felt like he had just been kicked in the balls. But he immediately recovered and even tried to salvage her situation. He is amazingly quick on his feet. But her stupidity was recorded and splattered all over the internet. CNN tried to remove as many videos as they could, but YouTube wouldn't give in.

(I think what bothers me most is that this bimbo makes at least
a half million dollars a year more ... than I do).


Who has the final say on the Global Warming Controversy?

There seems to be a controversy. On one side are the scientists. On the other side are the power companies, religious nut jobs, and the masses of ignorant voters whom they manipulate.

In actuality there is no scientific controversy. The matter was settled many years ago when nearly 100% of the experts in the field (climatologists) agreed that the Earth was heating up and that most of it was due to manmade contamination of the atmosphere.

But insurance companies are in a unique position. They are the world's largest industry. They are the ones who have to "put their money where their mouths are." They cannot afford to screw around. They need to know which side is right.

Insurance companies know which side is full of crap. They are contributing large sums of money to combat the large sums of money being poured in by the oil companies and others, who have a vested interest in protecting their profits, and will do so, even at the cost of destroying the planet.

Insurance companies wade into the Global Warming battle


In a recent global warming debate, my opponent (a Fox News fan) was unaware of the results of the 5 independent investigations that all exonerated the climate scientists of any wrongdoing. Flabbergasted that someone who had done so much research was totally unaware of the final results, I directed her to this link:

Conservapedia: Climategate

I then pointed out that despite almost 2 years of watching Fox News constantly, she had no knowledge of the most important part of all: the final results of the investigation. I pointed out that neither Conservapedia nor Fox News (which are both under the control of America's Religious Far Right) had the honesty to even tell their audience the results. Then I pointed her to this link:

Wikipedia: Climategate

There, in great detail, were the results of all 5 independent investigations. This was just another piece of solid evidence that Christian Fundamentalists are the most dishonest people on the face of the Earth. If their mouths are open ... they're lying.

So which side is really trying to trick the public by lying to them?

It doesn't get any clearer than this

Now, if you are interested in "who" is behind climate denial and why

Read this

And this

Finally, the true liars are caught and exposed

Let's see a show of hands: how many think Fox News will be "Fair and Balanced" and report this last story?

Whenever you want to find out who the bad guys really are ... look for the money (works every time). Climate-deniers try to claim that scientists are the ones who are motivated by money (grants, etc.). Scientists get paid about the same as firefighters, cops, and teachers. Most grant money is used to conduct the science itself. Those who are motivated by real money are the ones who are making "B"illions (as identified in the previous 3 stories).

So, how much effect have climate deniers had?

N.Y. Times Poll

And what do the polls show that climate scientists believe?

Worldwide consensus by climate scientists

Notice which organization was the last in the world to withdraw their denial?

The American Association of Petroleum Geologists in 2007

What a surprise, huh? Who would have ever guessed that the oil companies would be the last ones? But be careful. They were forced to acknowledge the facts in the face of a worldwide consensus. They are only moving the goal posts. They have retreated, in the face of undeniable reality, to a position where they will make their next stand - "Human activity is not contributing to Global Warming." They must take this position to protect their billion-dollar profits. Why would they sacrifice the planet for money?
They are the proof that there exist people ... who will.

Recall the tobacco industry in the 1960's as they did everything they could to hide the truth from the public about their deadly business so that they could continue to amass fortunes over the emaciated bodies of the addicted ... and they still do. It is almost impossible for government to control evil, greedy humans who have no concern for human life and suffering as long as these corporations continue to financially control the governments under which they operate.

Like I said earlier - look for the cheese ... and you'll always find the rats.


North Carolina Republicans want to legislate how much the ocean can rise.

Ignore science - and buy this house

I'm tempted to say that people who go along with this nonsense deserve what they get. Unfortunately, it's not right to stand by and let the wolves into the sheep pen to take what they want. The sheep are too stupid to fight for themselves; so it is up to rational people to fight for them.


Another side effect of carbon emissions ... it ain't pretty


Between the Jesus freaks who claim that God would never let us destroy the Earth, and the evil, greedy tycoons who rake in billions while destroying our planet, it would seem as though we would have little chance of survival. However, the warriors of science continue the fight to save us from ourselves by working on new ways to reverse the effects of global warming.

The Battle To Save Earth ... From Humans


If these guys



Eat these guys



Then these guys ...



could help combat manmade global warming.


New World Heat Record ... But It Occurred In 1913


How do scientists know whether atmospheric methane was caused by nature or man?




Even though melting ice in the Arctic Ocean doesn't raise sea level, it turns out that it still contributes to the rise in sea level through a different mechanism.

Manmade global warming raising sea level faster than expected


While the oil, coal, and tobacco companies, and the morons who believe them, continue to jeopardize the future of humanity, scientists are hard at work trying to find a solution to human-induced global warming.

This one is pretty cool.



Gun Control


Fact check on gun myths

Israeli-Palestinian Conflict


These 2 videos should be seen in the following order:

Palestine (10:07)

The Jews (6:05)

Racism


After 150 years, Mississippi finally ratifies the 13th amendment (slavery)

Damn, those people are slow.


Even the greatest Atheist leaders sometimes speak before thinking ...
(from the web site of Pharyngula 11/4/12)



PZ Myers wrote
"America is still a racist nation. Photo taken at a Shell station in Tampa, Florida."

My reply
Cruel acts by hateful, bigoted individuals do not make us a racist nation
any more than our murderers make us a nation of killers.




Neonazi scum has invaded the Skeptic Arena
(this call came in during the last 5 minutes of show #206)

Lonewolf Pittsburgh

Here is the reply I posted on 5 neo-Nazi web pages

Response to neo-Nazis

The War on Women


UN proposal has been designed to reduce violence against women

Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood say it will destroy the world

The most memorable line in the whole article was this one:
"the age of ignorance before the coming of Islam."

But before you start berating misogynistic atavistic Muslims,
read this from 'Answers in Genesis' who provide ... the Christian perspective.

Those damn women




I don't think the girl in the picture is dressed inappropriately for church. If she weren't pulling on her suspenders, I'm sure they would cover her nipples. If she went to a church near here, I would definitely consider the possibility of accepting Jesus Christ as my personal Lord and Savior.



What?


Senate passes 'violence against women act' despite opposition by 22 male republicans.

But the House of Representatives should be a tougher fight

In 2012 the country had a chance to throw out the most unproductive congress in American history, but instead, returned most of them, insuring another 2 years of gridlock with little progress in sight.

Well, think about it - isn't that what the word 'conservative' means?


As always, Jon Stewart puts it way better than I ever could:

The Daily Show
Get More: Daily Show Full Episodes,Political Humor & Satire Blog,The Daily Show on Facebook




Republicans don't just attack women over sexual issues,
they also attack them where it hurts ... in their wallets.

Republican Senators block Ledbetter pay equality bill


Rachel Maddow exposes the foul stench coming from the Republican party (14:58).

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy



Where did the Republicans get their ideas for their War on Women?
The same place the Muslims got theirs: ancient "holy" books.



Message to both groups: Time to grow up and join modern civilization.
Trust me ... the ancient goat herders got that one wrong.

2012 Election


Welcome to the G.O.P. (1:24)



I love the ending when they flip the last letter of G.O.P. upside down.


Romney said he is not worried about the "very poor" because they have a "safety net." Romney said he was worried about middle class Americans.

Romney Talks About the "Poor" and the "Middle Class'

Here's my question Mitt: "If middle class Americans become poor, according to you they will have a safety net, so ... why are you worried about them? Using your logic(?) once they become poor you won't worry about them anymore, so what exactly is it about middle class Americans that has you worried?

If I could be so bold as to hazard a guess, I would say you are worried that middle class Americans (the majority) may not want to vote for a member of the upper 1% (that would be the upper 1% that has stripped America of its wealth).


Could any of these Founding Fathers get elected in America in 2012?

John Adams
"As I understand the Christian religion, it was, and is, a revelation. But how has it happened that millions of fables, tales, legends, have been blended with both Jewish and Christian revelation that have made them the most bloody religion that ever existed?"

James Madison
"What influence in fact have Christian ecclesiastical establishments had on civil society? In many instances they have been upholding the thrones of political tyrrany. In no instance have they been seen as the guardians of the liberties of the people. Rulers who wished to subvert the public liberty have found in the clergy convenient auxiliaries. A just government, instituted to secure and perpetuate liberty, does not need the clergy."

Thomas Jefferson
"The Christian god can easily be pictured as virtually the same god as the many ancient gods of past civilizations. The Christian god is a three headed monster; cruel, vengeful and capricious. If one wishes to know more of this raging, three headed beast-like god, one only needs to look at the caliber of people who say they serve him. They are always of two classes: fools and hypocrites."

Adams and Madison would be beaten worse than Walter Mondale (13 electoral votes in 1984) and the third (Jefferson) would be burned at the stake.

Here is a quote from a sermon preached by Episcopal minister Doctor Bird Wilson in New York in 1831: “The founders of our nation were nearly all Infidels, and that of the presidents who had thus far been elected [Washington; Adams; Jefferson; Madison; Monroe; Adams; Jackson] not a one had professed a belief in Christianity .... Among all our presidents from Washington downward, not one was a professor of religion, at least not of more than Unitarianism.”

What's odd is that, as the country gets less religious, Christians have gained more power than ever before. Were the Reverend still here today, he would be thrilled by the change in American government. Judging by the quote above, if Jefferson were alive today, I don't think he would share the Reverend's joy.


Dinesh D'Souza fired.



Another religous-right sex scandal. This list is getting longer than either the pedophile priest or the boy scout molestation lists. Oh wait, they too are religious-right sex scandals.

Lesson to be learned: those who scream the loudest about their piety and superior moral values, are trying to distract you ... for a reason.

And here's a bonus video of D'Souza getting hammered by Bill Maher

Maher vs. D'Souza (9:56)


When was Romney's religion attacked the most viciously, and by whom?
By Christians during the nomination process.

Now who is attacking our Christian president over his religion?
That's right. The same far-right Christian assholes.

These people act like cannibals - devouring their own. Well, the Bible did say that God would punish those who refused to obey Him by causing family members to eat each other. Since "these people" always seem to do the opposite of what Jesus instructed them to do ... I would admit that this cannibalization might be the first real evidence for the existence of the Christian God.

And here is one of the biggest assholes in the country:
His University fired him over his immoral, unchristian conduct.
His wife is divorcing him over his sordid affair.
His "documentary" and book are filled with easily disproven lies
and believed only by the most gullible Americans.

So naturally he is a hero and role model for the Christian far-right.

Dinesh slandering Obama (1:48)

If we asked D'Souza's wife which person is more pathological towards traditional Christian morals, I'd bet my grandmother's ashes she would admit that it is not Obama, but her ex-"can't keep it in my pants" husband.

I would like to dedicate the following song to Dinesh D'Souza (1:42)




Clint Eastwood got skewered for his "empty chair" routine. Actually, it might have been funny if the GOP had chosen someone much younger and funnier. But the Dems put the GOP to shame by demonstrating their ability to humiliate themselves. Watch this:



First - when someone says they are going to "suspend the rules," giant alarm bells should be going off everywhere. People only do that when they are up to no good, and need to break the rules to get away with something.

Second - there is a very good reason why God wasn't in the platform: it's because He doesn't belong there. That's why He's not in the Constitution either. Republicans scream "God" constantly because they are rallying the nation's bottom-dwellers; those who substitute piety for intelligence.

Third - the reason they attached God to their real objective, support for Israel, was because they assumed that no one would vote against God, thereby insuring inclusion of support for Israel which would allow them to pander to fence-sitting GOP voters.

Fourth - when the voice vote came out even (not even close to two-thirds), Villaraigosa should have either declared the amendment defeated (the proper thing to do), or, if he was determined to ram it through anyway, he should have resorted to a vote that could have been counted. By repeating the voice vote, did he really believe people were going to be pressured into changing their beliefs on the spot? The only thing it accomplished was that it turned the voting into a shouting match. So the third vote was still even ... only much louder.


Is Obama a Muslim or a Christian?

It's hard to believe that people in the 21st century can still be this stupid.


Will Santorum allow his personal religious beliefs to affect how he governs as President?
Let's let him tell us.

Birth Control
(also notice the 'voting' and 'comments' that follow the article)

I think this statement answers that question:
As president, he would confront "the dangers of contraception" and religious groups who think it's OK.




If I could be a reporter at a GOP debate, I would give everything I own to be allowed to ask just this one question:

"Congresswoman Bachmann, as a devout Christian, how do you justify challenging for the GOP nomination when Governor Perry has already indicated that God has chosen him to run for President?"
(and then I would walk outside, and wait to be stoned to death by crowds of angry Christians).


Every once in a great while, a story comes along that is so unbelievable that you think it must be a gag.
I only wish this were a gag (4:24)




After a massive prayer rally for rain and jobs,

God answers governor Rick Perry ...

"UH .......... NO."

Texas Wildfire Update (August 31, 2011)

According to the Texas Forest Service, the State of Texas is "fighting its worst fire season in the state's history." Since the fire season began in November of 2010, firefighters have responded to 20,155 fires that have burned 3,529,261 acres. This number is certain to rise as these various late-August fires continue to grow, spurred on by the drought-parched fuels and autumn winds.



Perry got tens of thousands to pray to God for water and God answered by setting the state of Texas on fire. I get the distinct impression that God may not love Perry half as much as Perry seems to think he does.

TUNES


So, one of the most dishonest men in America has found the answer to our financial woes.

People Are On Welfare Because They Don't Read Their Bibles

Why did Barton make a claim that could be easily disproven by any middle school student?

Because he knows the 'Flock' well. People who are capable of believing that the sun froze in the sky for one day are capable of believing anything you tell them.

Click on David Barton's picture below.
If ever a song were written with one special person in mind ... this is it.



Even Jesus pukes when He hears David Barton's name.


Pope Benedict becomes the first Pope since the Middle Ages to retire (2:18)



Don't get too excited. These guys are nothing more than interchangeable parts.


While religious fundamentalists strive to divide us into warring tribes -
music, love, and toleration are uniting us. (4:53)



I didn't see thousands of different people in this video -
I saw thousands of different versions of the most incredible creature the world has ever seen.


God will fuck you up (2:03)




Rapping for Jesus (4:04)




Lie in the Sky, by Mischif (3:50)



click here to read the lyrics


Imagine - by John Lennon (3:32)



LYRICS

Imagine there's no heaven,
It's easy if you try,
No hell below us,
Above us only sky,
Imagine all the people
living for today...

Imagine there's no countries,
It isn't hard to do,
Nothing to kill or die for,
No religion too,
Imagine all the people
living life in peace...

You may say I'm a dreamer,
but I'm not the only one,
I hope some day you'll join us,
And the world will live as one.

Imagine no possessions,
I wonder if you can,
No need for greed or hunger,
A brotherhood of man,
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world...

You may say I'm a dreamer,
but I'm not the only one,
I hope some day you'll join us,
And the world will live as one.

EMAILS


Today's "classic email exchange"

Roger Pearse comes to the defense of Joseph Hoffmann ... or tries to.


Today's "classic email exchange"

Bill Keller at "Live Prayer.com"


Typical Christian Apologist Dishonesty ... Exposed

When Aron realized how deceitful this little amoeba had been,
he removed the video from his "favorites."

ODDS & ENDS


Let's take a break from skepticism and watch some magic!
9:09


A collection of Great Skeptical Quotations


Interesting Science Facts


DRUMROLL PLEASE!
THE BEST SCIENCE NEWS STORY OF 2011, WAS ...

Religious experiences shrink the brain

We needed science to tell us that?
Didn't most of us already have that one figured out?

BOOK REVIEWS


Click on a book to read the review:


Unnatural Acts (Robert Carroll)
A

The God Delusion (Richard Dawkins)
A

Death From the Skies (Phil Plait)
A

QED: The strange theory of light and matter (Richard Feynman)
A

The Atheist Camel Chronicles (Dromedary Hump)
A

Atheist Manifesto (Michel Onfray)
A

god is not Great (Christopher Hitchens)
A

Letter to a Christian Nation (Sam Harris)
A

An Objectivist Secular Reader (many essay authors)
A

The Greatest Show on Earth (Richard Dawkins)
A

God: The Failed Hypothesis (Victor Stenger)
A

The Counter-Creationism Handbook (Mark Isaak)
A

Becoming a Critical Thinker (Robert Carroll)
A

Nonbeliever Nation (David Niose)
A-

Why People Believe Weird Things (Michael Shermer)
A-

Fads and Fallacies (Martin Gardner)
A-

The Demon-Haunted World (Carl Sagan)
A-

The Armageddon Factor (Marci McDonald)
B+

The Family (Jeff Sharlet)
B+

The Encyclopedia of Claims, Frauds, and Hoaxes (James Randi)
B+

Doubt (Jennifer Hecht)
B+

A 21st Century Rationalist in Medieval America (John Bice)
B+

Atheists (Bruce Hunsberger & Bob Altemeyer)
C-

The Koran (Allah)
F

The Bible (Yahweh)
F

Of all these books, the one most likely to convince you to become an Atheist is, by far ...

the last one