Monday, June 30, 2008
Sunday, June 29, 2008
PZ Myers: Expelled from Expelled
Link | Download MP3June 27, 2008
Part 2 of PZ Myers interview on Point of Inquiry:
In this discussion with D.J. Grothe, P.Z. Myers details his expulsion from a screening of Expelled, Ben Stein's documentary which claims that the scientific community is limiting academic freedom by not allowing Intelligent Design to be taught or discussed in the schools. He explains the background of how he and other scientists were invited to appear in the film under false pretenses, and what his response has been. He addresses "focus groups" and other marketing methods for finding the best way to communicate science to the public. Calling himself part of the "radical fringe," he elaborates on his view that leading science organizations such as the American Association for the Advancement for Science and the National Academies of Science are "playing a shell game" on the public when it comes to teaching the compatibility of science with religion, arguing instead that there is a direct link between science education and religious skepticism. And he also shares his thoughts about the future of the atheist and rationalist movement in the United States.Part 1: PZ Myers: Science and Atheism in the Blogosphere
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Richard Dawkins on 'Doctor Who'
A short video clip of Richard's recent appearance on the TV show 'Doctor Who'.(via RichardDawkins.net)
Update (UK Only): Watch the full episode on BBC iPlayer
Links | June 28
Boom De Yada!
Videos:
Videos:
- Salman Rushdie Offers His 'Antidote' to Religious Intolerance - FORA TV
- Common New Atheist Fallacies - Legana Christian Church
- PBS NOVA: Personal Genome Project
- PBS NOVA: The Dark Matter Mystery
- A Car that runs on water - C&L
- George Carlin's Last Interview - Psychology Today
- Psychiatrists: Least Religious But Most Interested In Patients' Religion - Science Daily
- Fossil of most primitive 4-legged creature found - AP
- The 'Zebiba': A gift from God - BBC
Friday, June 27, 2008
The Science of Religion and the Religion of Science (Audio)
From RichardDawkins.net:
The twenty-second Harvard University series of Tanner Lectures on Human Values 2003
Lecture 1: Part 1 - Part 2
Richard Dawkins: The Science of Religion
Wednesday, November 19, 2003 at 5:00 P.M.
Lecture 2: Part 1 - Part 2
Richard Dawkins: The Religion of Science
Thursday, November 20, 5:00 2003 at P.M.
Lecture 3: Part 1 - Part 2
Seminar with Dr. Dawkins and Steven Pinker, Johnstone Family Professor of Psychology, Harvard University and Keith Rose, Professor of Philosophy, Yale University
Friday, November 21, 2003 at 10:00-12:00 noon
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Magical weather-forecasting stone
This magical, mystical stone can tell you the weather with 100 percent accuracy, 100 percent of the time.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Who I'm Praying For Today
by Edward Current
No matter how misguided or lost some people are, it's easy for a good Christian to help. Just pray for them!
Dedicated to George Carlin
Ted Haggard Completes "Spiritual Restoration Program"
AP:
DENVER - The evangelist forced out of his job after being caught up in a sex scandal involving a male prostitute has left a "spiritual restoration program" and no longer has any ties to the megachurch he founded, the congregation's new pastor said Sunday.(via C&L)
Under a severance deal that Ted Haggard reached with the church in 2006, he agreed to leave Colorado Springs and not talk about the scandal publicly. The deal expired at the end of 2007. New pastor Brady Boyd said Haggard was now free to live where he wanted and has returned to Colorado Springs. Read more
James Dobson accuses Obama of 'distorting' Bible
June 24, 2008
Evangelical leader James Dobson accuses Obama of distorting the Bible and pushing a "fruitcake interpretation" of the Constitution.Related:
Focus on the Family: Dobson criticizes Obama (Audio)
Barack Obama's speech on religion (Video)
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Saudi Marriage Officiant Interviewed on LBC TV
June 19, 2008 on LBC TV (Lebanon)
Dr. Ahmad Al-Mu'bi: It Is Allowed to Marry a Girl at the Age of One, If Sex Is postponed.Note: Muhammad was 54 years old when he married Aisha
[...]
Dr. Ahmad Al-Mu'bi: The Prophet Muhammad is the model we follow. He took 'Aisha to be his wife when she was six, but he had sex with her only when she was nine.
Interviewer: When she was six?
Dr. Ahmad Al-Mu'bi: He married her at the age of six, and he consummated the marriage, by having sex with her for the first time, when she was nine. We consider the Prophet Muhammad to be our model.
[...]
Dr. Ahmad Al-Mu'bi: People find themselves in all kinds of circumstances. Take, for example, a man who has two, three, or four daughters. He does not have any wives, but he needs to go on a trip. Isn't it better to marry his daughter to a man, who will protect and sustain her, and when she reaches the proper age, he will have sex with her? Who says all men are ferocious wolves?
Monday, June 23, 2008
Missionary Positions
Link
NSFW
NSFW
Bill Day's award winning comic documentary about two young Christian pastors on a quixotic journey to fight porn. From the red light district of Amsterdam to the porn sets of Los Angeles, these two guys are the funniest porn fighters you will ever meet.
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Richard Dawkins Public Lecture | Liverpool 08
Link
February 25, 2008
February 25, 2008
Richard Dawkins Public Lecture at the University of Liverpool on his book 'The God Delusion'(via RichardDawkins.net)
Faith Healer Todd Bentley of Freshfire Ministries on Fox News
June 14, 2008 on 'Geraldo at Large'
Related Videos:
Broken Elbow Healed "Proof" | Todd Bentley's Encounters With Angels
(via Friendly Atheist)
Saturday, June 21, 2008
PZ Myers: Science and Atheism in the Blogosphere
Link | Download MP3From Point of Inquiry:
PZ Myers is a biologist and associate professor at the University of Minnesota, Morris and the author of Pharyngula, the most heavily-trafficked science blog online.
In this conversation with D.J. Grothe, P.Z. Myers explains the purpose and impact of his blog, and whether his priority is to advance science education or atheism. He talks about what he sees as his roles in the scientific community and the atheist movement, and how related these roles are. He explores the relationship between science and atheism, and argues that the more a public learns science, the likelier it is that they will become atheistic. Read more
Friday, June 20, 2008
MeeBOX: Funky songs of praise (with subtitles)
Clip from MeeBOX, a new 30 minute pilot from Adam BuxtonRelated:
Transmitted in the UK on BBC3 on Sunday 22nd June 2008, 11.45pm
Or watch on BBC iPlayer
Songs of praise (with subtitles) - Adam Buxton
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Muslim countries win battle to prevent Islam from being criticised during debates by the UN Human Rights Council
AP:
GENEVA: Muslim countries have won a battle to prevent Islam from being criticised during debates by the UN Human Rights Council. Religions deserve special protection because any debate about faith is bound to be “very complex, very sensitive and very intense”, council President Doru-Romulus Costea said Wednesday.
Scholars: Only religious scholars should be allowed to discuss matters of faith, he told journalists in Geneva.
While Costea’s ban applies to all religions, it was prompted by Muslim countries complaining about references to Islam.
Costea issued his “presidential ruling” on Monday during the eighth meeting of the council’s 47 members, which do not include the United States. The ruling will not affect findings by the council’s experts, just its chamber debates.
On Monday Egypt, Pakistan and Iran angrily protested attempts by a humanist group to link Islam to human rights abuses such as female genital mutilation and so-called honour killing of women. The interventions sparked a heated debate which threatened to sour the mood of the meeting. The council’s resolutions carry no legal weight but are intended to throw a spotlight on governments that abuse their citizens.
“This council is not prepared to discuss religious matters in depth, consequently we should not do it,” Costea ruled after an emergency break to calm the situation. ap
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Dispatches: From Jail to Jihad
Play all videos (5)
Aired: June 16, 2008 on Channel 4
Amil Khan investigates the spread of Islamic extremism in British prisons, uncovering the radicalisation and recruitment of young prisoners to jihadist Islam. Khan interviews former prisoners and gang members who reveal the jihadist teachings that lead many inmates to join extremist gangs upon their release. He also finds out how prison officers are trying to cope with the problem, and witnesses a team of experts who are trying to 'deradicalise' those who have been seduced by extremism.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Ken Miller on The Colbert Report
June 16, 2008
Only a Theory: Evolution and the Battle for America's Soul - Amazon
Alternative links:
Full episode at Comedy Central
For Canadian viewers: watch.thecomedynetwork.ca
Links | June 17
NOVA: Amazing Atoms
Throw away your textbooks. Here is the latest, atomically correct, version of our old friend, the atom.Videos:
- Two gay clergymen marry in UK church - Raw Replay
- Christopher Hitchens Interviewed by ABC's Lateline on the US Elections and Obama
- Darwin's Canopy: Art inspired by evolution - New Scientist
- Childrens guide to traditional religion - Comedy
- Richard Dawkins does NOT have a Twitter account - Friendly Atheist
- "The Happening" Is the Biggest Intelligent Design Movie of the Year - io9
- Astronomers find batch of 'super-Earths' - The Age
- In other news, a friend from Dubai just told me that our Youtube channel is blocked in the UAE! This blog is not.
Monday, June 16, 2008
Creationist Junk Debunked #1 - Introduction
A look at some of the most famous urban myths spread by creationists, and the fundamentalists who peddle them. This video is the first of a series that will debunk creationist myths, and answer questions that fundamentalists have about the real evidence for our origins.by Potholer54debunks
Divine Impulses: Ayaan Hirsi Ali
From The Washington Post:
Link
Ayaan Hirsi Ali speaks out about being circumsized, Islam being anti-freedom, becoming an atheist, and the "satan" within her with On Faith's Sally Quinn.Highlights:
Link
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Friday, June 13, 2008
Disturbing Textbooks at the Islamic Saudi Academy in Virginia
The Associated Press:
McLEAN, Va. (AP) — Textbooks at a private Islamic school in northern Virginia teach students that it is permissible for Muslims to kill adulterers and converts from Islam, according to a federal investigation released Wednesday.
Other passages in the school's textbooks state that "the Jews conspired against Islam and its people" and that Muslims are permitted to take the lives and property of those deemed "polytheists." Read more
Note: These 'disturbing' textbooks are merely the Tafsir (interpretation) of Muhammad's words and deeds (Hadiths), Islamic law (Sharia), and the Quran. They are not considered as disturbing at all in Muslim countries.
Steven Pinker Interviewed by New Scientist
June 2008
Reknowned linguist Steven Pinker discusses concepts from his book, "the Stuff of Thought"
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Debating creationism in Louisiana schools | WWLTV
VideoJune 11th, 2008
Barbara Forrest, a philosophy professor at Southeastern University, and Gene Mills from the Louisiana Forum on Family, debate the pros and cons of teaching creationism in schools.(via RichardDawkins.net)
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Gary Marcus on The Hour: Brain Busters and Kluge
Best-selling psychologist and brainiac, Gary Marcus on the myths and mis-steps of the human mind.Kluge: The Haphazard Construction of the Human Mind - Amazon
Neil deGrasse Tyson: Journey Through the Center of the Earth
From NOVA Science Now:
Ever wonder what would happen if you dug a whole from one side of the Earth, through the center, out the other side, and then jumped in? Watch NOVA scienceNOW host Neil deGrasse Tyson take the plunge.
Watch all new episodes of NOVA scienceNOW every Wednesday night this summer at 9pm on PBS, starting Wednesday June 25. Learn more at: pbs.org/novasciencenow
Monday, June 9, 2008
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Barack Obama on Religion and Public Life
Obama corrects McCain - An update on the previous post
(via comments at Pharyngula)
Update: The video is no longer available here is another one
Saturday, June 7, 2008
Friday, June 6, 2008
Texas Cult Leader: Doomsday Begins Next Thursday, June 12
From ABC News:
Nuclear war will begin next Thursday, June 12, or sooner, according to the latest prediction of self-proclaimed prophet Yisrayl "Buffalo Bill" Hawkins, the founder of a religious sect in Abilene, Texas.
"It could be turned loose before then," Hawkins told 20/20 for a report to be broadcast tonight. "You're going to see this very soon, really soon," he said.
Hundreds of truck trailers have been loaded with food and water on the group's 44-acre compound, in preparation for the coming war.
Unfortunately for Hawkins, it is not the first time he predicted the outbreak of nuclear war. Read more
Thursday, June 5, 2008
BBC Panorama: Sex Crimes and the Vatican
Link
Aired: September 29, 2006 on BBC1
Aired: September 29, 2006 on BBC1
A secret document which sets out a procedure for dealing with child sex abuse scandals within the Catholic Church is examined by Panorama.(via Doctor E)
Crimen Sollicitationis was enforced for 20 years by Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger before he became the Pope.
It instructs bishops on how to deal with allegations of child abuse against priests and has been seen by few outsiders.
Critics say the document has been used to evade prosecution for sex crimes. Read more
Read the confidential document (pdf)
Read an interpretation of the document
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Jason Beghe Interview (Full)
Actor Jason Beghe speaks about his years in Scientology and why he left the group.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Susan Blackmore: Memes and "temes"
Filmed Feb 2008; Posted Jun 2008 Link
Susan Blackmore studies memes: ideas that replicate themselves from brain to brain like a virus. She makes a bold new argument: Humanity has spawned a new kind of meme, the teme, which spreads itself via technology -- and invents ways to keep itself alive.
Derren Brown: Messiah
Play all videos (8)
Aired: January 7, 2005
Derren Brown travelled to the United States to try to convince five leading figures that he had powers in their particular field of expertise: Christian evangelism, alien abduction, psychic powers, New Age theories and contacting the dead. Read more(via Pharyngula)
Monday, June 2, 2008
Wafa Sultan Interviewed on Al Hayat TV
May 29, 2008
Arab-American Psychiatrist Wafa Sultan Blasts Islam, the Prophet Muhammad and Sheik Al-Qaradhawi, and States: When You Criticize Their Prophet, It Is As If You Chopped Off Muslims' Noses
Authors@Google: A.J. Jacobs
May 5, 2008
A. J. Jacobs is author of The Year of Living Biblically
Raised in a secular family but increasingly interested in the relevance of faith in our modern world, A.J. Jacobs decides to dive in headfirst and attempt to obey the Bible as literally as possible for one full year. He vows to follow the Ten Commandments. To be fruitful and multiply. To love his neighbor. But also to obey the hundreds of less publicized rules: to avoid wearing clothes made of mixed fibers; to play a ten-string harp; to stone adulterers. The resulting spiritual journey is at once funny and profound, reverent and irreverent, personal and universal and will make you see history's most influential book with new eyes.(via Philosophy Monkey)
All in the Family: The Little Atheist
Play all videos (3)
First broadcast in 1975
If it's a major holiday and Archie and Mike are sitting at the table, it's sure to mean one thing: verbal fireworks. This time, the holiday is Thanksgiving and the topic is the religion of the Stivics' unborn baby. Archie wants to raise his grandchild as a Christian; Mike suggests that the child will make the decision when he or she is old enough to.
Sunday, June 1, 2008
From RNA to Human: A Evolution Symposium | Rockefeller University
Video (Requires QuickTime Player)Jerry Coyne works on diverse areas of evolutionary genetics. The main focus of his laboratory is the original problem raised by Charles Darwin — the origin of species — and on understanding this process through the genetic patterns it produces. He is also interested in speciation, adaptation, population and evolutionary genetics, ecological and quantitative genetics, chromosome evolution and sperm competition. Dr. Coyne received his Ph.D. in biology from Harvard University in 1978. He completed his postdoc in the genetics department of the University of California, Davis. He was a member of the zoology faculty of the University of Maryland, College Park from 1982 to 1986, when he joined The University of Chicago as associate professor, becoming professor in 1991. Dr. Coyne is the recipient of an Award of Excellence and Meritorious Service from the Illinois Public Defender Association and a John Simon Guggenheim Foundation Fellowship, among other honors.(via RichardDawkins.net)
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