Church lady: Righteousness, Rep. Kern-style • Tulsa World • 2nd Jul 2009

It appears that the people of the state of Oklahoma aren't a big enough flock for state Rep. Sally Kern. Now she wants to take her message of hellfire and brimstone all across the land, possibly even to the halls of Congress and maybe even the Oval Office.

Video of girl's flogging as Taliban hand out justice • Guardian • 2nd Jul 2009

Her offence was being seen in public with a man not her husband or a relative.

Craig Venter - The Genius of Charles Darwin: The Uncut Interviews • Richard Dawkins, Craig Venter • 30th Jun 2009

Richard Dawkins interviews Craig Venter for "The Genius of Charles Darwin".

Unbelievable? PZ Myers and Denis Alexander on Faith and Science • Premier.org.uk • 30th Jun 2009

Atheist Biologist PZ Myers is an outspoken critic of Christianity. He believes that faith in God and science are contradictory. He debates theistic evolutionist Denis Alexander, Director of the Faraday Institute for Science and Religion. Is science is at odds with Christianity as PZ claims?

Richard Dawkins interviewed by Dina Volaric, ABC TV Compass • Richard Dawkins, ABC TV • 29th Jun 2009

Richard Dawkins is interviewed for Australian ABC TV Compass.

Freethinker Sunday Sermonette: what I have against religion • Effect Mesure - ScienceBlogs • 29th Jun 2009

There is a misconception that because I am an atheist and poke fun at religion in this space every Sunday that I must have contempt for religion for its own sake.

Forgotten evolutionist lives in Darwin's shadow • Michael Casey, AP Environmental Writer • 29th Jun 2009

SANTUBONG, Malaysia – As he trudges past chest-high ferns and butterflies the size of saucers, George Beccaloni scours a jungle hilltop overlooking the South China Sea for signs of a long-forgotten Victorian-era scientist.

[UPDATED] There'll be no tent for God at Camp Dawkins • Lois Rogers - TIMESONLINE • 28th Jun 2009

WHEN schoolchildren break up for their summer holidays at the end of next month, India Jago, aged 12, and her brother Peter, 11, will be taking a vacation with a twist.

Fault Lines - Religion in the military • AlJazeera.net/english • 28th Jun 2009

The United States is a deeply religious country, over 90% believe in god and 80% believe in miracles. For the US military, dealing with its own religious identity has become an internal battle. Growing evidence points towards a rising influence of evangelical Christianity, and with two wars still raging in Muslim countries with significant religious overtones, there could be serious consequences for the US mission. Pentagon officials say incidents are isolated, aberrations occur, but others closely tied to the military and its religious leadership say a transformation is taking place with dire costs. On this weeks episode of Fault Lines, we look at the battle over the religious soul of the US military.

Atheist Media Blog : Gates Buys Feynman's Messenger Lectures to Become Freely Available for Public • Atheist Media Blog • 27th Jun 2009

Bill Gates recently bought the rights to a series of lectures by legendary Caltech physicist Richard Feynman. The former Microsoft head’s purchase shows that the cultural and scientific legacy of Feynman remains strong even 21 years after his death.

The Saturday Interview: A caveman's logic • Mary Vallis, National Post • 27th Jun 2009

Not long ago, Hank Davis sat down for a chat with a friend. The conversation took an unexpected turn: Out spilled a story of her husband's infidelity, the breakdown of her marriage and the difficulties of raising a child alone. He nodded with sympathy as she told the tale. She concluded with a seemingly innocuous phrase. "But I guess everything happens for a reason. Don't you think so?"

Salvation at the end of a television show • Hurriyet DailyNews.com • 27th Jun 2009

ISTANBUL - Just when one thought TVshows could not get more outrageous, Kanal T comes up with the idea to make an imam, a priest, a rabbi and a Buddhist monk try to convert 10 atheists. While some fear the program could create problems, a sociologist says this just shows the yearning to learn more about religions.

Pastor Urges His Flock to Bring Guns to Church • Kathrine Q. Seelye - NY Times • 26th Jun 2009

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Ken Pagano, the pastor of the New Bethel Church here, is passionate about gun rights. He shoots regularly at the local firing range, and his sermon two weeks ago was on “God, Guns, Gospel and Geometry.” And on Saturday night, he is inviting his congregation of 150 and others to wear or carry their firearms into the sanctuary to “celebrate our rights as Americans!” as a promotional flier for the “open carry celebration” puts it.

Satellite interview with Richard Dawkins • Royal Society of New Zealand • 26th Jun 2009

Richard Dawkins is interviewed via satellite and announces the Royal Society of New Zealand's Science Book Prize.

God and Science Don't Mix • Lawrence M. Krauss - Wall Street Journal • 26th Jun 2009

Last week, I had the opportunity to participate in several exciting panel discussions at the World Science Festival in New York City. But the most dramatic encounter took place at the panel strangely titled "Science, Faith and Religion." I had been conscripted to join the panel after telling one of the organizers that I saw no reason to have it. After all, there was no panel on science and astrology, or science and witchcraft. So why one on science and religion?

Atheist bus ad dispute goes to tribunal • ABC News - Australia • 25th Jun 2009

A dispute over Metro Tasmania's refusal to display anti-religious advertisements on its buses has been set down for a conciliation hearing.

Action Alert: Stop Promoting Religion at the Capitol Visitor Center • Secular Coalition for America • 25th Jun 2009

Before the August recess, a resolution will be voted on by the House of Representatives that will require the Architect of the Capitol to engrave the words "In God We Trust" and the post-1954 Pledge of Allegiance onto the walls of the Capitol Visitor Center (CVC).

No pleasing Mullahs, so why even try? • Christopher Hitchens - National Post • 25th Jun 2009

I have twice had the privilege of sitting, poorly shaved, on the floor and attending the Friday prayers that the Iranian theocracy sponsors each week on the campus of Tehran University. As everybody knows, this dreary, nasty ceremony is occasionally enlivened when the scrofulous preacher leads the crowd in a robotic chant of Marg Bar Amrika! -- "Death to America!

[UPDATED] What should science do? Sam Harris v. Philip Ball • The Reason Project, Sam Harris, Philip Ball • 24th Jun 2009

Sam Harris and Philip Ball discuss the conflict between religion and science. They do not agree…

Inside Nature's Giants: A gory attempt to disprove 'intelligent design' theories • Ajesh Patalay - Telegraph.co.uk • 24th Jun 2009

Of the many extraordinary sights revealed in Channel 4’s upcoming four-part series Inside Nature’s Giants, which uses dissection to take us inside the bodies of an elephant, giraffe and crocodile, the most remarkable is surely afforded by an autopsy carried out on a 65-foot long, 60-ton fin whale (a species second only in size to the blue whale) beached off the coast of Ireland.

Does God answer prayers to do someone ill? (God as your private hitman) • Tiffany Stanley - Religion News Service • 24th Jun 2009

Ever since Pastor Wiley Drake declared not once, but three times, on national radio that he was praying for the death of President Obama, he has been trying to clarify.

Yes, he really does want God to smite Obama. No, it’s not a partisan prayer. Yes, it’s in the Bible, he says, and no, he wasn’t kidding. He’s deadly serious.

The former second vice president of the Southern Baptist Convention said he’s merely practicing the age-old art of “imprecatory prayer”—a theological term for praying that bad things happen to bad people.

Iran: Myths and Realities - What do the people want? • Azar Majedi • 24th Jun 2009

Iran is at the top of international news. What led to the mass protests? How did the situation change so dramatically over a week? What do people want? What will be the outcome of this protest movement?

A skeptical reading list • Phil Plait - BadAstronomy • 24th Jun 2009

Here’s an idea: read Skepdad’s Epic Reading List. It really is. Epic, I mean: he’s put a bazillion links in various categories, including blogs, podcasts, thinkers, topic-specific, and so on. I’ve looked it over and it’s a pretty good list if you’re looking to find ways to blow off that big project that’s already overdue. I’m actually a little afraid to delve into more deeply, as I can see my already-neutron-star-dense schedule getting even more tightly squeezed… and that can only have one outcome. A calendrical black hole.

But if you’re looking for a little summer reading (and who isn’t?) then this is a great place to start.

Mr. Deity and the Book, Part Deux • Mr. Deity • 23rd Jun 2009

Mr. Deity is upset by how he's portrayed in the Bible.

If You Open Your Mind Too Much... • Tim Minchin - YouTube asingularlifeman • 23rd Jun 2009

From Tim's DVD 'So Live'
http://www.timminchin.com/

RDF TV - The Baloney Detection Kit • Michael Shermer, The Richard Dawkins Foundation, Josh Timonen • 23rd Jun 2009

With a sea of information coming at us from all directions, how do we sift out the misinformation and bogus claims, and get to the truth? Michael Shermer of Skeptic Magazine lays out a "Baloney Detection Kit," ten questions we should ask when encountering a claim.

The plant that pretends to be ill • Matt Walker - Earth News • 23rd Jun 2009

A plant that pretends to be ill has been found growing in the rainforests of Ecuador.

Wanted: Freedom from religion & a short video clip • Michael Lind - Salon • 23rd Jun 2009

The theocratic repression in Iran is a reminder that there can be no freedom without secular government.

Church blesses fathers with beer • Jonathan Wynne-Jones - Telegraph.co.uk • 22nd Jun 2009

A senior bishop has backed the move, which is part of a Church of England initiative to put a Christian emphasis on the annual celebration of fatherhood.

Concerns over the lack of men attending services year-round has led clergy to offer a range of incentives today, including free beer, bacon rolls and chocolate bars.

Part .1 - Scientology's response to church defectors: 'Total lies' • Joe Childs and Thomas C. Tobin, St. Petersburg Times Staff Writers • 22nd Jun 2009

Article which lead up to the "Part 1 of 3" series. St. Petersburg Times article from June 20. Part 1 was yesterday, Sunday June 21. Part 2 - today, Monday June 22, will be posted shortly.

Creationists defend Darwin film • William Crawley - BBC William Crawley's Blog • 22nd Jun 2009

Article about a scam to get another scientist in front of a camera for an interview in a creationist film under false pretenses.

Petition for guarding against creationism in Hong Kong • Concern Group for Hong Kong Science Education • 22nd Jun 2009

I am writing on behalf of "Concern Group for Hong Kong Science Education", a group of Hong Kong citizens who are concerned about the science education in Hong Kong. I would like to draw your attention to a recent incidence that may threaten the Biology education in Hong Kong.You do not have to be a Chinese citizen to sign the petition.

Correspondence regarding the Templeton Foundation • Richard Dawkins, Daniel Dennett, AC Grayling, Edwin Cartlidge • 21st Jun 2009

The Templeton Foundation organizes an annual meeting in Cambridge where science journalists are invited (and paid very handsomely, not to speak but to listen! When were you last paid to go and be a part of the audience at a conference?).

The Darwin Debate (BBC 1998) • Linnean Society/BBC - YouTube TroisVitesse • 20th Jun 2009

Melvyn Bragg and a panel of scientists debate what Charles Darwin's theory of evolution tells us about ourselves and human society. Filmed in at the Linnean Society - the world's oldest biological society - in Piccadilly, London.

Petition against creationist zoo in Bristol • Number10.gov.uk • 20th Jun 2009

We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to withdraw support for Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm, and education focused, yet ardently creationist establishment. More details

Deadline to sign up by: 26 June 2009 – Signatures: 236

Atheist Bus Campaign in… New York City! • Hemant Mehta - Friendly Atheist • 20th Jun 2009

New York City is finally joining the Atheist Bus Campaign!

Brown plus Ruse vs. Myers: Are atheists responsible for creationism? • Jerry Coyne - Why Evolution Is True • 19th Jun 2009

Great followup to PZ's post yesterday http://richarddawkins.net/article,3962,A-little-sympathy-for-the-snookered,PZ-Myers---Pharyngula"/>A little sympathy for the snookered
I swear, sometimes I think that pro-evolution accommodationists see evolutionists as a bigger enemy than are creationists. This became clear to me earlier this week, when I received a nasty, chest-thumping email from philosopher Michael Ruse, accusing me of two things:...

No, not Eagleton again! • PZ Myers - Pharyngula • 19th Jun 2009

It's a pleasant Friday afternoon, so you've got nothing better to do than listen to some tedious apologetic drivel, right? Terry Eagleton is interviewed on Canadian radio, and he repeats the same boring noise he droned out in his book. For all the times the atheists are accused of sneering at the stupidity of their opponents, it's galling that pretentious defenders of the faith like Eagleton get a free pass: his entire interview consists of smug gibes at the smugness of Dawkins and Hitchens, dismissals of their ideas as ignorant and dishonest.

Atheism: Living Life Unfettered by Supernaturalism and Groupthink -- Interview With Sikivu Hutchinson • Greta Christina - AlterNet • 19th Jun 2009

...So when I read Sikivu's piece, I thought she's be a good person to ask about this stuff. She was kind enough to give me an interview, and we spoke -- well, okay, emailed -- about privilege, the intersection of race and religion, the history of Christianity in African- American culture, what atheism has to contribute to society, and more. Here is that interview....

Scientology Media Blitz to Counter Critics Seems Counter-Productive • Ryan Singel - Wired • 19th Jun 2009

The Church of Scientology is in the midst of a multi-million dollar media campaign that includes running ads on news sites, satellite dish networks, 37 cable stations, and even Wired.com — a blitz that seems to have not so much won new friends or influenced people as stir up more animosity towards the group many consider nothing more than a greedy cult.

Robert Full: Learning from the gecko's tail • TED • 19th Jun 2009

Biologist Robert Full studies the amazing gecko, with its supersticky feet and tenacious climbing skill. But high-speed footage reveals that the gecko's tail harbors perhaps the most surprising talents of all.