Atheists Agonistes • Richard A. Shweder/Op-Ed New York Times • 27th Nov 2006

Reposted from the New York Times:
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/27/opinion/27Shweder.html?_r=1&th&emc=th&oref=slogin

ONE of the surest ways to bring a certain type of dinner party to a halt is to speak piously about "God." Earnest reference to sinners, apostates or blasphemers, or to the promise of salvation offered in evangelical churches, is likely to produce the same effect.

Let us test Darwin, teacher says • BBC News • 27th Nov 2006

Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/education/6187534.stm

Let us test Darwin, teacher says
Science teaching materials deemed "not appropriate" by the government should be allowed in class, Education Secretary Alan Johnson has been urged.

Revealed: rise of creationism in UK schools • James Randerson, science correspondent • 27th Nov 2006

PR packs spread controversial theory

Our Teapot, which art in heaven • Murrough O'Brien/Independent UK • 26th Nov 2006

You don't agree or disagree with Dawkins's attempted refutation of theism; you cheer or you boo. That I must give a howling boo to much of The God Delusion is a recommendation.

Doubters do it from the pulpit • Giles Fraser/Independent UK • 25th Nov 2006

'I may be wrong' is not a phrase one ever associates with Richard Dawkins'

Why Are Atheists So Angry? A Debate with Dennis Prager • Sam Harris • 25th Nov 2006

I'd like to begin this exchange by making the observation that "atheist" is a term that should not even exist.

Moral Minds: The Evolution of Human Morality • All In The Mind • 25th Nov 2006

But are we all born with a moral instinct - an innate ability to judge what is right and wrong?

Mining Ancient Molars • By Ann Gibbons/ScienceNOW Daily News • 25th Nov 2006

Reposted from:
http://sciencenow.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/2006/1122/1?etoc

For the first time, researchers have been allowed to slice through Neandertal teeth. This coup is providing the best evidence yet that these creatures grew and developed at the same slow rate as modern children.

The New Atheism • R. Albert Mohler, Jr./Christian Post • 25th Nov 2006

2006 has been a big year for atheism. The release of several major books – all widely touted in the media – has put atheism on the front lines of current cultural conversation.

Holy Baloney: Richard Dawkins's The God Delusion crucifies religion and the religious • Patrick Lejtenyi/Montreal Mirror • 25th Nov 2006

It becomes almost immediately evident that Richard Dawkins—Oxford evolutionary biologist, staunch Darwinian, best-selling author and outspoken atheist—doesn't suffer fools gladly.

Creation vs. Darwin takes Muslim twist in Turkey • Tom Heneghan, Religion Editor • 25th Nov 2006

A lavishly illustrated "Atlas of Creation" is mysteriously turning up at schools and libraries in Turkey, proclaiming that Charles Darwin's theory of evolution is the real root of terrorism.

The God Delusion Review • Barney Zwartz/CBC News • 25th Nov 2006

As a former philosophy tutor, I would have hated to have Richard Dawkins in my class.

The Best Science Show on Television? • John Schwarts/NY Times • 25th Nov 2006

Reposted from http://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/21/science/21myth.html?ref=science

"This is where we blow stuff up."

Jamie Hyneman — who, to be honest, did not actually use the word "stuff" — stood in front of a two-story, blast-resistant ruin of a building at the back of the former Alameda Point Naval Air Station.

Take a leaf out of their books/Books of the Year 2006/Guardian UK • Julian Barnes • 25th Nov 2006

Richard Dawkins's The God Delusion (Bantam) should be read by everyone from atheist to monk. If its merciless rationalism doesn't enrage you at some point, you probably aren't alive.

Backlash forces British Airways to review ban on wearing cross • Barrie Clement • 24th Nov 2006

British Airways has caved in to pressure and announced a rethink of its ban on staff wearing the cross.

Science v God: the showdown • Mark Henderson / Times Online • 24th Nov 2006

Dawkins's strident, take-no-prisoners stand has one great virtue: it changes the parameters of debate.

The God Experiments • John Horgan / Discover Magazine • 24th Nov 2006

Three years ago, the British evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins became a guinea pig in an experiment.

Census called into question as new Ipsos MORI poll estimates 17 million Humanist Brits • The Labour Humanist • 24th Nov 2006

A new Ipsos-MORI poll released today brings more promising news for those of us of a secular Humanist persuasion.

Praise the Lord - a bestseller! • Terence Blacker / The Independent • 24th Nov 2006

As if to prove that not only does God exist, but that He/She has a divine sense of humour, Richard Dawkins' polemic against religious belief has become a huge success.

Leaders back faith in public life • BBC News • 24th Nov 2006

People who campaign against religion in public life have an "intolerant faith position", Anglican and Roman Catholic church leaders have said.

Fighting the good secular fight in an age of religion • David Barnett / Canberra • 24th Nov 2006

"There has probably never been a work that is so comprehensive in its survey of theistic argument, and so lucid in its refutations."

Science Gives Christians Upper Hand Over Atheists • Christian Post / Lillian Kwon • 24th Nov 2006

"Today's Christian no longer has to try to maintain only by faith their belief in the origin of the universe. The atheist now does."

Less Faith, More Reason • Steven Pinker / The Harvard Crimson • 24th Nov 2006

There is much to praise in the new Report of the Committee on General Education...

Humans show big DNA differences • BBC News • 24th Nov 2006

Scientists have shown that the genetic make-up of humans can vary hugely - far more than was previously thought.

How Predictable: Richard Dawkins Supports Eugenics • Wesley J. Smith • 24th Nov 2006

"Richard Dawkins, the proselytizer for atheistic materialism, apparently supports human breeding programs."

[But it's not about religion] Sectarian Attack Is Worst in Baghdad Since Invasion • Kirk Semple / New York Times • 24th Nov 2006

In the deadliest sectarian attack in Baghdad since the American-led invasion...

Journal Clarifies Report on a Stem Cell Finding • Nicholas Wade / New York Times • 24th Nov 2006

The scientific journal Nature has issued a clarification of a recent report that human embryonic stem cells can be derived without harm to the embryo, but has affirmed the report's validity.

To be Read at my Funeral • Richard Dawkins • 24th Nov 2006

Doerr's words reminded me that I once put together a brief extract from Unweaving the Rainbow, with the thought that it might be suitable for reading at funerals - including my own when the time comes.

Reptiles of the Mind -- Giving Thanks for Rational Atheists • RJ Eskow / Huffington Post • 24th Nov 2006

"I consider the rejection of tolerance an uncivil, unenlightened, and unreasonable act."

For heaven's sake • Alan Cane / Financial Times • 24th Nov 2006

A more accurate description would run along the lines of: "theology's vain struggle to use science to provide evidence for the existence of God".

Matter and faith • Michael Skapinker / Financial Times • 24th Nov 2006

Strong stuff, and there is much more of it in this entertaining, knock-about book.

Two who hopped off the faith train • Anthony Doerr / The Boston Globe • 23rd Nov 2006

"What kind of ethical philosophy is it," [Dawkins] wonders, "that condemns every child, even before it is born, to inherit the sin of a remote ancestor?"

From Fins to Wings • Carl Zimmer / National Geographic • 23rd Nov 2006

Scientists are tracing the steps through which evolution forged its successes. They're finding that the same genetic tool kit can build structures both simple and complex.

Godless America: 'Letting Go of God' Excerpt • Julia Sweeney • 23rd Nov 2006

Julia Sweeney presents an excerpt from her play 'Letting Go of God' on The Godless America Radio Show.

BBC Radio 4 In Our Time • Richard Dawkins • 23rd Nov 2006

Richard Dawkins on BBC Radio 4 : In Our Time on 23 Nov 2006.

Canadian ID Scandal • Gary Bauslaugh, Humanist Perspectives • 23rd Nov 2006

Gary Bauslaugh, Editor of Humanist Perspectives writes to us about the SSHRC in Canada and its ID scandal.

God Delusion chosen as his Book of the Year • Gilbert Adair in the Evening Standard • 23rd Nov 2006

The horrendous critical mauling suffered by Richard Dawkins's The God Delusion - silly title - derived less from it's intrinsic flaws...

Welcome relief in a world full of superstition • Daily Express / Simon Edge • 23rd Nov 2006

With Muslims covering their faces and Christians wearing crosses, the third or so of the British adult population who have no religion can be forgiven for wondering what symbol of belief we are supposed to brandish.

Dawkins hits back • Ros Sitwell • 23rd Nov 2006

ROS SITWELL finds Richard Dawkins firing a broadside at his fundamentalist critics in an explosive new take on religion.

New CFI Office in Washington D.C. • CFI Press Release • 22nd Nov 2006

The Center for Inquiry/Transnational, a think tank devoted to promoting reason and science in all areas of human interest, announced today that it is opening a new Office of Public Policy in Washington, D.C.

Atheism, not religion, is the real force behind the mass murders of history • The Christian Science Monitor • 21st Nov 2006

In his bestseller "The God Delusion," Richard Dawkins contends that most of the world's recent conflicts - in the Middle East, in the Balkans, in Northern Ireland, in Kashmir, and in Sri Lanka - show the vitality of religion's murderous impulse.

Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris and E.O. Wilson on the gospel of science • Robert Lee Hotz • 21st Nov 2006

Their works comprise a new testament for atheists, in which science is the only acceptable gospel.

Public school teacher tells class: 'You belong in hell' • Jim Lippard • 21st Nov 2006

Self-described conservative Baptist David Paszkiewicz used his history class to proselytize biblical fundamentalism over the course of several days at the beginning of this school year.

Beyond belief: In place of God • Michael Brooks / New Scientist • 21st Nov 2006

Weinberg told the congregation. "Anything we scientists can do to weaken the hold of religion should be done, and may in fact be our greatest contribution to civilisation."

Beyond Belief 2006 Videos • beyondbelief2006.org • 21st Nov 2006

15 hours of video from the conference in San Diego, CA.

Creating the 'Controversy' in Britain: Creationist Research Institute is on the march in the UK • Tom Watson • 21st Nov 2006

The Creationists are at it again.

A Free-for-All on Science and Religion • George Johnson / NYTimes.com • 21st Nov 2006

Maybe the pivotal moment came when Steven Weinberg, a Nobel laureate in physics, warned that "the world needs to wake up from its long nightmare of religious belief"...

What Does Someone Believe? One Man Has the Answer • Samuel G. Freedman • 20th Nov 2006

"Believing there is no god gives me more room for belief in family, people, love, truth, beauty, sex, Jell-O and all the other things I can prove and that make this life the best life I will ever have."

BEYOND REDUCTIONISM: Reinventing The Sacred • Stuart A. Kauffman • 20th Nov 2006

A great divide splits contemporary society between those who believe in a transcendent God, and those, including myself, who do not.

How Full Is Your Quiver? • Eileen Finan / Newsweek • 20th Nov 2006

In a new movement, Christians 'open their wombs to God.'