1. Atheist bus ad campaign provokes bitterness in Barcelona

Comment #315103 by Matt Heath on January 8, 2009 at 2:39 am

I live in Portugal and hear a fair amount of news from Spain. "Spain's Catholic church becom[ing] increasingly involved in political campaigning." is an understatement. Since Zapetero's left-wing and secular government came to power and started giving rights to gays and other such "outrages", the RCC have gone back to fighting the Civil War (on Franco's side naturally). Every priest or nun killed by the Republicans (even those who were outspokenly pro-Hitler or known to be giving aid to the Nationalists) has been beatified by the Vatican (with the encouragement of the Spanish Catholic hierarchy).

2. Britain is 'unfriendly' for religious people

Comment #298324 by Matt Heath on December 7, 2008 at 9:35 am

*head desk*
Let's have a quick look at the http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_the_United_Kingdom#Religion">religious demographics of the UK.
Ok, so the 24% who didn't state a religion are making life hell for the remaining 76% (especially, no doubt, for the 71% of Christians): impressive stuff.

Also why do people so often say that the Abrahamaic religions are the "big three". As you'll see above link there are many fewer followers of the Jewish faith in Britain than Hindus and fewer also than Sikhs (or Jedi).

3. New Simonyi Chair appointed

Comment #277213 by Matt Heath on November 3, 2008 at 8:40 am

I think MdS is going to struggle to keep a high profile. When Prof Dawkins' retirement was announced the science blogosphere had a lot about is. Du Sautoy's appointment has much less coverage. He is a very good communicator but he has no natural enemies that I can think of and news thrives on drama.

4. Ayaan Hirsi Ali & The Big Ideas Forum

Comment #239218 by Matt Heath on August 29, 2008 at 8:59 am

I understand that you are sympathetic to AHA; so am I. That's no excuse for advertising events with GW-denialists and "Spiked Online" bullshitters on a site dedicated to science and reason