It's called a straw man argument

I don't know who produces these videos. They can be pretty hateful. I think theism's role in modern society is something we need to evaluate. Crap like this does not contribute to the discussion.



First seen on Sandwalk.

What kind of atheist...

You scored as Scientific Atheist, These guys rule. I'm not one of them myself, although I play one online. They know the rules of debate, the Laws of Thermodynamics, and can explain evolution in fifty words or less. More concerned with how things ARE than how they should be, these are the people who will bring us into the future. Scientific Atheist 75% Agnostic 67% Apathetic Atheist 67% Angry Atheist 58% Militant Atheist 50% Spiritual Atheist 50% Theist 17% What kind of atheist are you? created with QuizFarm.com

It's pretty accurate. I would like to see religious beliefs lose their untouchable status in public discourse. If a religious belief is going to be used to form policy, write law, restrict research, or set a school curriculum then that belief's merits are on the table for discussion. Religious beliefs exercised in public forums would have the same status as a scientific hypothesis or a political platform. Otherwise, your personal beliefs are exactly that, your personal beliefs and you're welcome to them.

I wonder if the folks over at Christianity Today know about this poll?

I learned about this on Sandwalk.

Well, you did ask...

Poll Christianity Today A Magazine of Evangelical Conviction
I just have to say that I had absolutely no idea the Evangelical Christian community felt this strongly. There have been over 75,000 votes in this poll and they overwhelmingly affirmed Atheism as the only rational outlook. The last poll about biblical justification for divorce got less than 2,000 votes.

First seen on Sandwalk.

Update: They took the poll down Monday morning. I suppose it's possible that Christianity Today's reader base is not almost entirely made up of atheists. The results could well have been skewed by a script attack, a really funny script attack. I can't wait to read the spin.

Vatican calls verbal attack on Pope "terrorism"|International News|Reuters.com

Vatican calls verbal attack on Pope "terrorism"�|�International News�|�Reuters.com: "ROME (Reuters) - The Vatican's official newspaper accused an Italian comedian on Wednesday of 'terrorism' for criticizing the Pope and warned his rhetoric could fuel a return to 1970s-style political violence.

In an unusually strongly worded editorial, L'Osservatore Romano said a presenter of a televised May Day rock concert, which is sponsored by Italy's labor unions, had launched 'vile attacks' on Pope Benedict in front of an 'excitable crowd'.

'This, too, is terrorism. It's terrorism to launch attacks on the Church,' it said. 'It's terrorism to stoke blind and irrational rage against someone who always speaks in the name of love, love for life and love for man.'"

Actually, no it's not terrorism. It's criticism. Big difference. If you're going to play with the big boys and use your belief system to influence laws, scientific research and school curricula then you're open to criticism.

First seen on Culture Wars.

The Enquirer - Bible knowledge frees defendant

The Enquirer - Bible knowledge frees defendant

Man arrested for using a stolen credit is released on $10,000 unsecured appearance bond for reciting the 23rd Psalm in court.

I don't quite understand the logic. Wouldn't he have been a better bet if he'd quoted from Bab and Baha'u'llah?

Data from a 1997 poll of religious beliefs held by federal prisoners:

Response              Number      %
----------------------------  --------
Catholic               29267   39.164%
Protestant             26162   35.008%
Muslim                  5435    7.273%
American Indian         2408    3.222%
Nation                  1734    2.320%
Rasta                   1485    1.987%
Jewish                  1325    1.773%
Church of Christ        1303    1.744%
Pentecostal             1093    1.463%
Moorish                 1066    1.426%
Buddhist                 882    1.180%
Jehovah Witness          665    0.890%
Adventist                621    0.831%
Orthodox                 375    0.502%
Mormon                   298    0.399%
Scientology              190    0.254%
Atheist                  156    0.209%
Hindu                    119    0.159%
Santeria                 117    0.157%
Sikh                      14    0.019%
Bahai                      9    0.012%
Krishna                    7    0.009%
----------------------------  --------
Total Known Responses  74731  100.001% (rounding to 3 digits does this)

Unknown/No Answer      18381
----------------------------
Total Convicted        93112  80.259% (74731) prisoners' religion is known.

Held in Custody         3856  (not surveyed due to temporary custody)
----------------------------
Total In Prisons       96968

Seen on Culture Wars.