The Intelligence² Debate: Atheism is the New Fundamentalism?

Watch the Full Debate
November 29, 2009 at Wellington College

The motion proposes that "atheism is the new fundamentalism", i.e., atheism has replaced religion as the new faith of the secular age, exploring the notion that modern atheism is itself guilty of the very dogma and belief in its own infallibility which it scorns in the religious community.

Speaking for the motion are Richard Harries and Charles Moore.
Opposing the motion are A.C. Grayling and Richard Dawkins.

From IntelligenceSquared.com

Swiss Vote to Ban Islamic Minarets

November 29, 2009 on Sky News
From AP:

GENEVA — Swiss voters approved a move to ban the construction of minarets in a Sunday vote on a right-wing initiative that labeled the mosque towers as symbols of militant Islam, projections by a widely respected polling institute showed.

The projections based on partial returns say Swiss swung from only 37 percent supporting the proposal a week ago to 59 percent in the actual voting.

Claude Longchamp, leader of the widely respected gfs.bern polling institute, said the projection contracted by state-owned DRS television forecasts approval of the initiative by more than half the country's 26 cantons, meaning it will become a constitutional amendment.

The nationalist Swiss People's Party describes minarets, the distinctive spires used in most countries for calls to prayer, as symbols of rising Muslim political and religious power that could eventually turn Switzerland into an Islamic nation.
Read more

Dinesh D'Souza Says He Can Prove 'Life After Death'

November 4, 2009 on FOX News
(via Doctor E)

Jesus on an Iron

November 29, 2009 on CBS News

A Massachusetts woman was down on her luck as an image of Jesus under her iron came just in time. They hope the iron can bring the holiday spirit to others as it has to them.

Former Editor Sues Washington Times For Religious Discrimination

November 29, 2009 on CNN
From AP:

The former opinion editor of The Washington Times has filed a religious discrimination complaint against the paper.

Richard Miniter says the company president "coerced" him into attending a Unification Church event in 2008 that included a mass wedding. He says the company launched a background investigation into him earlier this year after he made a joke about the church to a co-worker.

The Times was founded by the leader of the Unification Church, the Rev. Sun Myung Moon, in 1982.

BBC Natural World: Bringing Up Baby

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Aired November 26, 2009 on BBC Two

Natural World investigates the vital bond between animal mothers and their babies. The more we study animals, the more we realise just how emotional they are; all mothers are faced with tough choices as they struggle to bring up babies in a difficult and dangerous world, constantly balancing their own needs with those of their infants. Yet there are many ways to raise your brood, from the fish who looks after her young in her mouth to the extended childhoods of gorillas or orang-utans. Narrator Sir David Attenborough

(via Atheist Planet)

Muslim Cleric Shares a "Nice Story" About Tricking a Jew Into Becoming Muslim

Aired August 10, 2009 on Al-Nas TV (Egypt)
Transcript:

Mahmoud Al-Masri: My dear brothers, we want to repent, and we want to take by the hand those people who have not yet repented. We should feel pity for them. By Allah, we should not be tough with them. These people are sick. They are sinners. We should feel pity for them, we should care for them. We should act like doctors who care for the sick. You should care for them and feel great pity for them, and seek any ingenious way to make a person repent.

I’d like to tell you a very nice story. Once there was a Muslim who lived next to a Jew. The Muslim saw in the Jew a measure of goodheartedness – however small – and he wanted to find any way to make him convert to Islam. So he went to him and asked: “Don’t you feel the need for Islam? Why don’t you become a Muslim?” The Jew said: “The only thing preventing me from becoming a Muslim is that I love drinking alcohol. I would have become a Muslim ages ago, but the only thing stopping me is that I am an alcoholic.”

The Muslim devised a plan. He said: “No problem – become a Muslim, and continue to drink.” The Muslim didn’t meant this, of course, but he said to him: “Become a Muslim, and continue to drink.” The Jews said: “Fine.” He said: “I proclaim that there is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.” The Muslim said to him: “Now you have become a Muslim. If you drink alcohol, we will carry out the punishment for drinking alcohol on you, and if you renounce Islam, we will kill you.” So the man remained a Muslim and never drank alcohol again. This was a nice trick by this good Muslim.

(via Doctor E)

Fox News Dumbest Anti-Atheist Question of the Month?

by liberal Viewer:

The bias against atheists and atheism on Fox News is consistent, as I've documented in multiple videos, so much so that it almost seems like I could start a contest for the dumbest anti-atheist question of the month, as I show in this video.

The 3 clips from the Fox News story about the Pennsylvania town of Chambersburg and its decision not to allow any holiday displays in the town square this year come from the program "Fox and Friends" broadcast on November 27, 2009 (which I could not find available online) including the question from Fox News anchor Ainsley Earhardt.

See also: Citing Atheists Offensive in Obama Inaugural Address?

Catholic Church Attacks 'In Vitro Fertilization' in Poland

November 28, 2009 on Russia Today:

The Roman Catholic Church has lambasted the use of in vitro fertilization (IVF), and has taken steps to have it banned altogether, while for some families it is the only way to have children in Poland.

BBC Newsnight on Public Funding of 'Muslim Extremist Schools' in Britain

November 27, 2009 on BBC Newsnight

Aggressive Atheism

by Pat Condell
*Re-queued

Stephen Fry at Intelligence² Debate [Unedited Version]

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Watch the FULL Unedited Debate with Q&A

Christopher Hitchens at Intelligence² Debate [Unedited Version]

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Watch the FULL Unedited Debate with Q&A

Nell McCafferty Lashes Out at Archbishop: What's Holy About the Vatican?

Nell McCafferty questions the church's apology and suggests they should give up their accolades such as "Your Eminence", "Your Grace" etc.

Not only were dozens of priests abusing hundreds of children in the archdiocese of Dublin over five decades, their superiors were either turning a blind eye or conspiring to cover it up, often with the help of Gardai and other state authorities.

(via Pharyngula)

FOX News: Atheist Victory? - Religious Displays Banned at Washington State Capitol

November 27, 2009 on FOX News
*Note: The title "Atheist Victory?" is from FOXNews.com

Muslims 'Stone the Devil' at Start of Eid

November 27, 2009 on AP

Vast crowds of pilgrims cast stones at walls symbolizing Satan on the third day of the Hajj in Saudi Arabia. Around the world, Muslims have begun celebrating the Eid al-Adha holiday.

Why Non-Muslims Can't Build Places of Worship in Saudi Arabia

*Repost

Police and Catholic Church Blasted Over Child Abuse Report

November 26, 2009 on SKY News:

The Police and Catholic Church in Dublin have come under fire today as a report reveals that child abuse within the church was known about but they 'turned a blind eye' to it. Sky's Paul Harrison reports.

Darwin, Humanism and Science - Richard Dawkins

by British Humanists

Richard Dawkins talks to the Darwin, Humanism and Science day conference (6 Jun 2009) on the subject "There is grandeur in this view of life". This talk reflects the final chapter of his boo, The Greatest Show on Earth. Thanks to Adservio Digital for recording the event and producing this video.

Damning Report Into Abusive Priests in Dublin Archdiocese

November 26, 2009 on ITN News:

Horrific details of child sex abuse by Irish Catholic priests and the way the offences were covered up by the Church have been revealed in a sickening report.

Dublin authorities enjoyed a cosy relationship with the Church and did not enforce the law as four archbishops, obsessed with secrecy and avoiding scandal, protected abusers and reputations at all costs.

Hundreds of crimes against defenceless children from the 1960s to the 1990s were not reported while Irish police treated clergy as though they were above the law.

In a three-year inquiry, the Commission to Inquire into the Dublin Archdiocese uncovered a sickening tactic of "don't ask, don't tell" throughout the Church.
Read more

Olbermann: Palin's Religious Beliefs on Israel and the Rapture

November 24, 2009 on MNBC

The Kirk Cameron Action Kit

by Dick Tooly

Dispatches: Return to Africa's Witch Children

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Aired November 23, 2009 on Channel 4

A year ago, Dispatches told the story of how children in Africa's Niger Delta were being denounced by Christian pastors as witches and wizards, and then killed, tortured or abandoned by their own families. Following the introduction of the Child Rights legislation and an increase in financial support for a British charity providing a refuge for affected youngsters, the programme returns to find out what happened to some of the people featured in the first film.

You can help by donating to Stepping Stones Nigeria

UPDATE: This video is blocked in Guernsey, Ireland, Isle of Man, Jersey, United Kingdom - Watch it on 4oD

CNN's Connector of the Day: Richard Dawkins

November 24, 2009 on CNN:

Speaking to CNN on the 150th anniversary of the publication of Darwin's seminal work "On the Origin of Species," Dawkins said the evidence to support the theory that life on earth came about through natural selection, and not design by God, was "now massively buttressed by molecular evidence."

And referring to U.S.-based evangelist Ray Comfort, who argues that the universe and life is the result of an intelligent creator, Dawkins said: "There is no refutation of Darwinian evolution in existence. If a refutation ever were to come about, it would come from a scientist, and not an idiot.
Read more

Hardball: Chris Matthews vs. Bishop Tobin on Rep. Kennedy and Abortion Law

November 23, 3009 on MSNBC
See also: What should the penalty be for "illegal" abortions?

FOX: Atheist Billboard Stirs God Debate

November 24, 2009 on FOX 35 News:

LAKELAND, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35) - It is the Central Florida billboard condemned by Christians. Now it is pulling people into a big debate over God in Lakeland. Atheists invited people to join them, and Christians are pushing back firmly.

It was supposed to be a meeting for the Atheists of Florida to recruit more members, but it turned into a debate with Christians about whether or not God exists.

"When I realize there are some people who think that God does not exist, this is just unbelievable to me," said Dr. Byron George, a local pastor.

The Atheists of Florida hosted a forum at the Lakeland Public Library. Pastor Byron George told atheists to be open to a revelation. Ellen Bath Wachs says, "Christians are disrespectful when they cannot accept the belief of atheists, that there is no God."
Read more

(via Doctor E)

Damned to Heaven

Aired November 20, 2009 on The Documentary Channel
Trailer

Symphony of Science - 'Our Place in the Cosmos' (ft. Sagan, Dawkins, Kaku, Jastrow)

SymphonyOfScience.com
(via Pharyngula)

Beck "Three G's" Solution to Possible U.S. Economic Collapse: God, Gold, and Guns

November 23, 2009 on FOX News

Mr. Deity and the Woman

Mr. Deity and Larry wake the Created Eve for her first look at the Garden.

KRQE News: "Anti Religion" Billboards Surface

November 22, 2009 on KRQE News 13:

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - Messages questioning religion are popping up across the city of Albuquerque just weeks before the biggest religious holidays in the world.

The Freedom from Religion group sponsoring the billboards said they are paid through next month.

Even if some find them controversial, the group said they arent about to take the billboards down.

Many times religion is a crutch that doesn't do as much good as people think it does, Freedom of Religion member Ron Herman said. We paid for the space, just like people paid for their space in newspapers advertising their services."

The colorful messages are on 10 billboards around Albuquerque. One billboard reads Imagine No Religion and Keep Religion out of Government.
Read more

(via Reddit)

Thanksgiving Prayer - William S Burroughs

(via Cynical-C Blog)

Barbie Gets a Burqa Makeover

November 22, 2009 on FOX News
More at Daily Mail

Mrs. Betty Bowers: Less is Mormon!

America's Best Christian, Mrs. Betty Bowers, calls out Mormons and schools all Americans on the unconstitutional craze of doling out civil rights by popular vote.

Catholic Bishop Bans Rep. Kennedy From Receiving Communion Over His Position on Abortion

November 22, 2009 on AP

Roman Catholic Bishop Thomas Tobin has banned Rep. Patrick Kennedy from receiving Communion, the central sacrament of the church, in Rhode Island because of the congressman's support for abortion rights.

Howard Stern Goes After Kirk Cameron

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November 11, 2009 on the Howard Stern Show

Howard played a clip of former “Growing Pains” star, Kirk Cameron, whining about the fact that his kids can’t pray or get bibles in public schools and that they have to learn about evolution. Howard pointed out, if you want to expose your kids to your religious views in school, send them to a religious school – but kids should not have to have others’ religious beliefs pushed on them in public schools. As Howard noted, if kids are going to be taught any religious beliefs in school, they need to be taught all religious beliefs – including Satanism.

(Thanks Anon)

Russia Today: Creationists Want to Put God Back in Classroom

November 20, 2009 on RT

One creationist in Louisiana is striving to take the Bible from the church and into the classroom, arguing that it is un-American not to allow students to learn different views of how the world was created. While it is not illegal to teach creationism in public schools, most science teachers opt to teach evolution alone. Dave Prentice wants to change that.

Devdutt Pattanaik: East vs West -- The Myths That Mystify

November 2009 on TED

Devdutt Pattanaik takes an eye-opening look at the myths of India and of the West -- and shows how these two fundamentally different sets of beliefs about God, death and heaven help us consistently misunderstand one another.

CNN: Former Teen Idol Kirk Cameron is on a Crusade to Debunk Evolution

November 20, 2009 on CNN
See also: PZ Myers: What to do about Ray Comfort's Origin give-away
(via Reddit)

Jon Stewart Enlists Pro-Wrestler Mick Foley To Protect 10-Year-Old Gay Marriage Activist

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Gaywatch - Peter Vadala & William Phillips
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Health Care Crisis

November 19, 2009 on The Daily Show

Peter Vadala is fired for saying homosexuality is "bad stuff," and Mick Foley protects a 10-year-old who supports gay rights.

Viewers in Canada can watch it here
(via HuffPost)

Christian Bootcamp Seeks to Arm Home-Schooled Youths for "Spiritual Warfare"

November 19, 2009 on the Thom Hartmann Program
From Alter Net:

Rev. Rusty Lee Thomas, Assistant Director of Operation Save America, is worried. According to studies by the Barna Research Group, California pollsters specializing in tracking religious and spiritual attitudes, only nine percent of teenaged Christians believe in moral absolutes. What’s more, Barna reports that the vast majority of kids raised Christian will abandon all or part of their faith by the time they finish high school. "Assembly of God leaders estimate between 65 and 70 percent will depart, while the Southern Baptist Council on Family Life estimates roughly 88 percent will leave," Thomas writes.

To remedy this, Thomas' Elijah Ministries has started the Kingdom Leadership Institute, a weeklong ideological boot camp for home-schooled Christians between the ages of 14 and 21. His recently released book, The Kingdom Leadership Institute Manual, is a roadmap for their training and a fascinating -- if twisted -- look at the concerns of far right evangelicals, complete with a game plan for action.

There's no pussy-footing in Thomas' screed. For him the battle between God and Satan is at hand, pitting True Believers against Sinners. Common ground? Impossible since there are only two sides, one resulting in heavenly salvation and the other ending with the earth’s destruction.
Read more

Computer Based on Insights From The Brain Moves Closer to Reality

by IBMLabs
From PhysOrg:

Today at SC 09, the supercomputing conference, IBM announced significant progress toward creating a computer system that simulates and emulates the brain's abilities for sensation, perception, action, interaction and cognition, while rivaling the brain's low power and energy consumption and compact size.

The cognitive computing team, led by IBM Research, has achieved significant advances in large-scale cortical simulation and a new algorithm that synthesizes neurological data -- two major milestones that indicate the feasibility of building a cognitive computing chip.

Scientists, at IBM Research - Almaden, in collaboration with colleagues from Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, have performed the first near real-time cortical simulation of the brain that exceeds the scale of a cat cortex and contains 1 billion spiking neurons and 10 trillion individual learning synapses.
Read more

(via RichardDawkins.net)

'There is grandeur in this view of life' by Richard Dawkins, AAI 2009

Richard Dawkins' talk at the 2009 Atheist Alliance International Conference in Burbank, California. He expands the last paragraph of Darwin's "On the Origin of Species" as a framework for the talk. This is also the framework for the last chapter of Dawkins' new book "The Greatest Show on Earth: The Evidence for Evolution".

Tooth Could Signal New Era in Organ Regeneration

November 18, 2009 on AP

A team of Japanese scientists claims to have succeeded in growing replacement teeth in mice. The researchers say it's the first time that a fully functional and three-dimensional organ has been regenerated.

Will Phillips, 10-Year-Old, Won't Pledge Allegiance To A Country That Discriminates Against Gays

November 16, 2009 on CNN
From The Huffington Post:

Will Phillips appeared on CNN Monday morning with his father, Jay, to discuss his refusal to say the pledge of allegiance.

"I've grown up with a lot of people and I'm good friends with a lot of people who are gay and I think they should have the rights all people should, and I'm not going to swear that they do," the ten-year-old Phillips said.
Read more

(Tip: Friendly Atheist)

The Word: Skeletons in the Closet | Stephen Colbert

The Colbert Report	Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
The Word - Skeletons in the Closet
www.colbertnation.com
Colbert Report Full Episodes Political Humor U.S. Speedskating

November 17, 2009 on The Colbert Report

How is the governor of Rhode Island supposed to rest in peace knowing that a couple of plots over two dudes are being gay dead? (05:49)

(Thanks Michael)

President Gaddafi Invites Hunderds of "Attractive" Women to a "Party" and Tries to Convert Them to Islam

>
November 17, 2009 on Reuters

Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, in Rome for a U.N. food summit, spent several hours in the company of 200 Italian women recruited by an agency and tried to convert them to Islam, Italian media reported on Monday.

"Seeking 500 attractive girls between 18 and 35 years old, at least 1.70 meters (5 foot, 7 inches) tall, well-dressed but not in mini-skirts or low cut dresses," read the ad by the Hostessweb agency and quoted in Italy's Corriere dell Sera newspaper in its story.

Some 200 women showed up at a Rome villa, having been told they would receive 60 euros ($90) and "some Libyan gifts." Among them was an undercover reporter for Italian news agency ANSA, who took photos and described the evening's proceedings.

Most had expected to attend a party, according to ANSA, but instead were invited to wait in a large hall until the arrival of Gaddafi, who gave them a lesson on Libya and the role of women in Islam.
Read more

Mass: We Pray - The Video Game

MassWePray.com
(via PZ Myers who notes: I can't find the company "Prayer Works Interactive" on the web, which gives me some hope that this isn't real.)

Australian Senator Calls for Senate Inquiry Into Scientology

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November 17, 2009

Scientist's Dino Findings Making Waves

November 15 2009 on CBS 60 Minutes:

Scientist Thinks a "Dino Chicken" Could Be Created in Five Years By Reversing Evolution

There is something about dinosaurs that captures the imagination - giant, mysterious animals that roamed the Earth for millions of years, now gone forever.

All they've left us are their fossils, the dried-out mineral remnants of the creatures they once were, with the organic material that gave them life long gone. Or so everyone always thought.

Until B. "Rex," a 68 million year old Tyrannosaurus Rex, who was dug up and named by a paleontologist from Montana State University whose unorthodox approach to dinosaurs may be changing the whole dino ballgame.
Read more

See also:

• Web extra: Dino Chicken (Video)
• Web Extra: Evo Devo (Video)

(via RichardDawkins.net)

AFA Boycotts Gap Over Holiday Ads

From Brandweek:

The American Family Association is calling on consumers to boycott Gap Inc. and its brands, which include Gap, Old Navy and Banana Republic, this holiday season. The Christian organization alleges that the retailer's ads downplay the word "Christmas."

The boycott, according to the AFA, is in response to Gap's holiday advertising and in-store promotions over the years, which have stayed away from recognizing any specific religion. For instance, last year's campaign was themed "Merry Gap-mas," substituting the chain's name for Christ's. The AFA—which had boycotted other retailers like Sears and Target in the past for their holiday ads—is singling out Gap this year. The AFA is planning to release a "Naughty and Nice" list of retailers who address Christmas and those who don't. Read more

(via American Atheists)

Man Fired for Telling Co-Worker that Her Homosexuality was "Bad Stuff"

November 16, 2009 on FOX News with former Brookstone employee Peter Vadala

IHEU Bullied at Human Rights Council for Discussing the 'Islamic Charter of Human Rights'

In a follow-up to International Humanist Ethical Union's written statement to the UN Human Rights Council describing Islamic efforts to undermine the Universal Declaration of Human Rights Roy Brown, IHEU's main representative at the UN in Geneva prepared an oral statement for the Council debate held on 13 March 2008, but was prevented from giving it in full because of repeated objections from two Islamic delegations.

See also: The Islamic Declaration of "Human Rights":

The CDHRI gives men and women the "right to marriage" regardless of their race, colour or nationality, but not religion. In addition women are given "equal human dignity", "own rights to enjoy", "duties to perform", "own civil entity", "financial independence", and the "right to retain her name and lineage", though not equal rights in general. The Declaration makes the husband responsible for the social and financial protection of the family.
Read more

Italian Defence Minister Ignazio La Russa: "They Can Die, Crucifix Will Stay in Every Classroom"

As part of the show "La vita in diretta", RAI1, the Italian public tv, aired a discussion about the crucifix in state-run schools, which was attended by Christian Democrat politician Rocco Buttiglione, UAAR Secretary Raffaele Carcano, prof. Franco Coppoli, prof. Piergiorgio Odifreddi and Father Mario Pieracci. Right after this segment, Italian Minister of Defence Ignazio La Russa, referring to those who had just spoken against the presence of the Catholic symbol in public schools, yelled several times: "They can die, but the crucifix will stay in every classroom". Note that he almost used up all his air time, which was meant to commemorate the Victory Day (celebration of Italy's victory in World War I, November 4th).

(Thanks Jonzie)

God and the Scientists: Evolution

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From Episode 7 of the 2009 C4 series 'Christianity: A History'

For over fifteen hundred years, Christians saw the bible as the primary source of knowledge, but in the seventeenth Century the beginnings of a scientific revolution began to challenge the Christian view of the world.

Eminent scientist Colin Blakemore interviews esteemed scholars and Churchmen in order to understand how Science has transformed Christianity over the last four centuries.

Watch The Full Series (8 Episodes)

Uproar Over Rabbi's Interpretation of the Talmud

November 11, 2009 on Al Jazeera English
From AHN:

The 230-page book, "The King's Torah" was released over the weekend by Rabbi Yitzhak Shapira and gives theological backing to Jews killing those perceived to be violating Jewish commandments or threatening the Jewish nation. A theological treatise based on Rabbi Shapira's interpretation of passages from the Jewish bible, "The King's Torah" is an extensive guide to when it is permissible for Jews to kill non-Jews.

Rabbi Shapiro's book argues that Jewish law allows the killing of "non-Jews who demand the land for themselves", those from a nation which "helps a murderer of Jews," those spreading "hostile blasphemy" and "those who, by speech, weaken our sovereignty."

"Any case in which the life of the civilian endangers Israel," the book states, "it is allowed to kill a gentile."
Read more

(Thanks Pierre)

Debate: Hitchens, Harris, Dennett vs. Boteach, D'Souza, Wright

Christopher Hitchens, Sam Harris, Daniel Dennett vs Dinesh D'Souza, Shmuley Boteach, Robert Wright. La Ciudad de las Ideas 2009 Re-evolution (English Version)

The Oldest Quranic Manuscripts

From Wikipedia:

Gerd Puin was the head of a restoration project, commissioned by the Yemeni government, which spent a significant amount of time examining the ancient Qur'anic manuscripts discovered in Sana'a, Yemen, in 1972. According to writer Toby Lester, his examination revealed "unconventional verse orderings, minor textual variations, and rare styles of orthography and artistic embellishment." The scriptures were written in the early Hijazi Arabic script, matching the pieces of the earliest Qur'ans known to exist. The papyrus on which some of the text appears shows clear signs of earlier use, being that previous, scraped-off writings are also visible on it, though this does not necessarily demonstrate modifications to the over-all text of the Qur'an.

More than 15,000 sheets of the Yemeni Qur'ans have painstakingly been cleaned, treated, sorted, and photographed and 35,000 microfilmed photos have been made of the manuscripts. Some of Puin's initial remarks on his findings are found in his essay titled the "Observations on Early Qur'an Manuscripts in San'a" which has been republished in the book What the Koran Really Says by Ibn Warraq.
Read more

The Syro-Aramaic Reading of the Quran

From Wikipedia:

Christoph Luxenberg is the pseudonym of the author of The Syro-Aramaic Reading of the Koran: A Contribution to the Decoding of the Language of the Qur'an (German edition 2000, English translation 2007) and several articles in anthologies about early Islam.

Luxenberg came into the public eye in the years after 2000, following the publication of his first book (or at least the first one under this pseudonym), The Syro-Aramaic Reading of the Koran, which asserted that the language of the early compositions of the Qur'an was not exclusively Arabic, as assumed by the classical commentators, but rather is rooted in the Syro-Aramaic dialect of the 7th century Meccan Quraysh tribe, which is associated in the early histories with the founding of the religion of Islam. Luxenberg's premise is that the Aramaic language, which was prevalent throughout the Middle East during the early period of Islam, and was the language of culture and Christian liturgy, had a profound influence on the scriptural composition and meaning of the contents of the Koran.

[...] Luxenberg remarks that the Qur'an contains much ambiguous and even inexplicable language. He asserts that even Muslim scholars find some passages difficult to parse and have written reams of Quranic commentary attempting to explain these passages. The assumption behind their endeavours, however, has always been that any difficult passage is both true and meaningful, and that it can be deciphered with the tools of traditional Muslim scholarship. Luxenberg accuses Western academic scholars of the Qur'an of taking a timid and imitative approach, relying too heavily on the biased work of Muslim scholars.
Read more

CBS News: Spirituality for a Longer Life | Using Spiritualiy to "Self-Regulate" DNA

November 14, 2009 on CBS News:

Chris Wragge and Debbye Turner Bell speak with one of the world's leading authorities on alternative medicine and spirituality, Dr. Deepak Chopra about spirituality for living a longer life.

Godless Billboard Moved After Threats

November 12, 2009 on WCPO:

CINCINNATI -- In the wake of multiple, significant threats, the downtown billboard that says Dont Believe In God? You are not alone came down early Thursday morning.

The billboard had gone up Tuesday afternoon at Reading Road and 12th Street, one block south of Liberty Street and it is being moved to a new site Thursday at the Sixth Street Viaduct.

[...] "Everything that has happened shows just how vital our message is," said Shawn Jeffers, co-coordinator for the Cincinnati Coalition of Reason. "It proves our point, that bigotry against people who don't believe in a god is still very real in America. Only when we atheists, agnostics and humanists come together and go public about our views will people have a chance to learn that we too are part of the community and deserve respect."
Read more

(via RichardDawkins.net)

Outcast by religion in Israel

by Metropolis TV

Sometimes religion can be the reason of a family break-up. Orthodox jews in Israël, for instance, can be completely ostracised when they decide to give up the faith of their parents.

Evangelist Tony Alamo Sentenced to 175 Years in Prison

November 13, 2009 on CNN

Evangelist Tony Alamo was sentenced Friday to 175 years in prison for taking underage girls across state lines for sex, effectively punishing him for the rest of his life for molesting children he took as "brides" in his ministry.

See also: FOX: Julie Banderas vs. Evangelist Tony Alamo

An Interview with a Taliban Trained Suicide Bomber

An interview with a Taliban trained Suicide Bomber With English Subtitles. What are the intentions and what are the motive forces behind the Suicide Bombing & other acts of terrorism? Watch from the mouth of a Taliban suicide bomber himself.

(via RichardDawkins.net)

Mr. Deity & Cast at the AAI 2009 Conference

Mr. Deity and cast perform live skits from their excellent web series. Brian Dalton (Deity) explains his personal journey from Mormonism to creating the show.

Watch Mr. Deity at:
http://mrdeity.com
Mr. Deity's YouTube channel:
http://www.youtube.com/user/misterdeity

Filmed and Edited by
JOSH TIMONEN

Fire Jumping Festival

by Diagonal View

Worshippers dive into burning coals in this fiery festival from Kerala, India.

CNN: Spreading Islam in Britain

November 12, 2009 on CNN

CNN's Nic Robertson reports on a radical Islamic fringe active in Europe and close to al Qaeda.

See also: Jon Ronson: Tottenham Ayatollah Revisited (2005 Documentary)

Nigerian Footballer to be Lashed in Sudan After Drink Drive Charge

November 13, 2009 on ITN News

Nigerian player Stephen Worgu says he has been sentenced to 40 lashes in Sudan after being wrongly convicted of drink driving.

Hi-Tech Holy Water Dispenser Controls H1N1

November 12, 2009 ON Reuters

Italian worshippers use an electronic holy water dispenser to help prevent the spread of swine flu at a church at Capriano Briosco, about 50 kilometres north of Milan.

Father Jonathan: It's Christian to Take Care of Our Neighbours, But Jesus Never Said the Government Should Do It For Us

UPDATE: Video removed due to a copyright complaint by FOX
November 11, 2009 on The Sean Hannity Show with FOX News religious contributor Father Jonathan Morris

'Science in Hollywood' by Carolyn Porco, AAI 2009

Carolyn Porco examines how science and scientists are portrayed in the film industry. She also explains how she interprets some of the stunning imagery taken by the Cassini mission to Saturn and the outer planets, which she oversees.

Download amazing Cassini images at:
http://ciclops.org

http://richarddawkins.net
http://richarddawkinsfoundation.org
http://atheistalliance.org

Filmed and Edited by
JOSH TIMONEN

'Movement for Italy' Leader Calls Mohammad a Pedophile

November 8, 2009 on Canale 5 with 'Movimento per l'Italia' leader Daniela Santanchè.

I Will Destroy Him That Pisseth Against the Wall, Sayeth the Lord

(Thanks Brett)

Bullshit: Signs from Heaven

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Series 3 Episode 12:

Penn and Teller investigate religious icons such as the Turin shroud, a toasted cheese sandwich with the face of the Virgin Mary, and a toilet door with the eyes of Jesus.

Ann Coulter & Bill O'Reilly Outraged with Obama Over Condemning Anti-Abortion Activists But Not Muslims

November 10, 2009 on FOX News

Damned To Heaven (Trailer)

November 20, 2009 at 8pm on The Documentary Channel

AFA: Muslims Should Be Expelled From US Military

November 10, 2009 on Russia Today with Bryan Fischer of the American Family Association
From The Huffington Post:

A chief spokesman for the pro-life, far-right organization, American Family Association, has called for the purging of Muslim soldiers from military ranks in the wake of the tragic killings at Fort Hood.

Bryan Fischer, AFA's Director of Issues Analysis, put up a relatively unnoticed blog post last Friday arguing that U.S. command needed to "stop the practice of allowing Muslims to serve in the U.S. military."

"The reason is simple," Firscher wrote, "the more devout a Muslim is, the more of a threat he is to national security. Devout Muslims, who accept the teachings of the Prophet as divinely inspired, believe it is their duty to kill infidels. Yesterday's massacre is living proof. And yesterday's incident is not the first fragging incident involving a Muslim taking out his fellow U.S. soldiers."

"Of course, most U.S. Muslims don't shoot up their fellow soldiers. Fine. As soon as Muslims give us a foolproof way to identify their jihadis from their moderates, we'll go back to allowing them to serve. You tell us who the ones are that we have to worry about, prove you're right, and Muslims can once again serve. Until that day comes, we simply cannot afford the risk. You invent a jihadi-detector that works every time it's used, and we'll welcome you back with open arms."
Read more

See also: Fox News Host Suggests Special Screenings for Muslims in US Military

Mr. Deity and Death

MrDeity.com

James Randi: You Can't Prove a Negative

by JREF
(via Friendly Atheist)

Hungry Beast: Jesus Has Issues

by Hungry Beast (ABC Australia)
(Thanks David)

Darwin's Brave New World | Episode 1

Play all videos (6)
Aired November 8, 2009 on ABC TV (Australia)

Darwins Brave New World is the story of how four young voyagers to the southern hemisphere, Charles Darwin, Joseph Hooker, Thomas Huxley and Alfred Russel Wallace revolutionised science and gave birth to an extraordinary theory about the evolution of life on earth. Featuring a cast of Australian and Canadian actors and commentators such as controversial author and Oxford academic, Richard Dawkins, the Canadian scientist and broadcaster, David Suzuki and Australian scholar and author, Iain McCalman, from the University of Sydney, this brilliant drama-documentary tells the story of Charles Darwins struggle to produce one of the greatest scientific theories of our age and the roles played in it by Hooker, Huxley and Wallace - Darwins fellow voyagers to the southern hemisphere.

(via Atheist Planet)

FOX News: The Media's War on Religion

November 8, 2009 on FOX News Watch

Intelligence Squared Debate: Christopher Hitchens and Stephen Fry vs. The Catholics

Play all videos (5)
Aired November 7, 2009 on BBC World

The Catholic Church is a force for good in the world?
A new debate, presented from London by Zeinab Badawi

It stands up for the oppressed and offers spiritual succour to billions say the Church's supporters. But what about the Church's teachings on condoms, gay sex and women priests, ask the detractors.

Speaking for the motion, Archbishop John Onaiyekan and Anne Widdecombe MP. Speaking against the motion, Christopher Hitchens and Stephen Fry.

From Telegraph:

The voting gives a good idea of how it went. Before the debate, for the motion: 678. Against: 1102. Dont know: 346. This is how it changed after the debate. For: 268. Against: 1876. Dont know: 34. In other words, after hearing the speakers, the number of people in the audience who opposed the motion increased by 774.

Collision: Christopher Hitchens vs. Douglas Wilson

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COLLISION carves a new path in documentary film-making as it pits leading atheist, political journalist and bestselling author Christopher Hitchens against fellow author, satirist and evangelical theologian Douglas Wilson, as they go on the road to exchange blows over the question: "Is Christianity Good for the World?". The two contrarians laugh, confide and argue, in public and in private, as they journey through three cities. And the film captures it all. The result is a magnetic conflict, a character-driven narrative that sparkles cinematically with a perfect match of arresting personalities and intellectual rivalry.

Buy the DVD

Bill O'Reilly Revives "War On Christmas" Segment

November 5, 2009 on FOX News
(Thanks MC)

Telekinesis Revealed!

by Science of Scams
(via Derren Brown Blog)

Texas FLDS Sect Member Guilty of Sex Assault

November 5, 2009 on AP

The first polygamist sect member to face criminal trial following the raid at the Yearning For Zion Ranch in West Texas last year was convicted Thursday of sexual assault of a child.

Carrie Prejean Lawsuit Settled Due To Her Leaked 'Sex Tape'

November 4, 2009 on CNN

Colbert: Nailed 'Em - Mormon Church Trespassing

The Colbert Report	Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
Nailed 'Em - Mormon Church Trespassing
www.colbertnation.com
Colbert Report Full Episodes Political Humor U.S. Speedskating

November 3, 2009 on The Colbert Report

The Mormon Church arrested Derek Jones and Matt Aune for criminal trespassing, not for being gay. (05:38)

Viewers in Canada can watch it here

Catholic Church Spends $550000 to Repeal Gay Marriage Law in Maine

November 4, 2009 on CNN with Bishop Harry Jackson of Hope Christian Church in Washington, DC

Residents React to Atheist Billboards in Florida

November 2, 2009 on TBO

Residents in one bay area county react to a group of billboards that question your belief in God.

See also: AtheistsOfFlorida.org
(via Friendly Atheist)

Atheists Helping the Homeless

Atheists Helping the Homeless is a new, and still very small group of Atheists who are helping the homeless here in Austin, Texas, by giving them free items that fall into the category of toiletries. Not food, mainly because that's already well covered by other help groups. Very few groups around here give out free toiletries, so we focus on filling that gap in help.

We've received donations of money and items to give away from all over the nation, but we need more. We need to let more Atheists know about this project, so we can help more homeless folks.

The goals of this project are, in order of priority:

1 To help some folks in need,
2 To show by example that the idea that Atheists don't care and don't help people in need, is very very false, and
3 To have fun.

We've already succeeded with all three of those goals with the four giveaways we've done so far. We're now doing them once per month, and the biggest challenge has been to spread the word about this all over, so we can get more donations, and help more people in need. 100% of all donations go to paying for these items we give out.

You can help by donating at http://www.atheistvolunteers.org/Austin

(Thanks to Joe Zamecki)
Also featured at Friendly Atheist

'Why Evolution Is True' by Jerry Coyne, AAI 2009

Jerry Coyne explains 'Why Evolution is True' (also the title of his excellent new book) at the Atheist Alliance International 2009 conference, sponsored by The Richard Dawkins Foundation for Reason and Science.

Buy Jerry Coyne's new book "Why Evolution Is True" at Amazon.com

Jerry Coyne's Blog: http://whyevolutionistrue.wordpress.com

http://richarddawkinsfoundation.org
http://atheistalliance.org

Filmed by
JOSH TIMONEN

Edited by
JOEL PASHBY

PBS NOVA | Becoming Human | Preview

Airs tonight on PBS NOVA:

The first in-depth televised investigation documenting an explosion of recent discoveries, NOVA's three-part special, Becoming Human: Unearthing Our Earliest Ancestors, examines what the latest scientific research reveals about our hominid relatives -- putting together the pieces of our human past and transforming our understanding of our earliest ancestors.
Becoming Human premieres on air and online Tuesdays, November 3, 10, 17 at 8pm ET/PT on PBS (check local listings).
See more

(via Pharyngula)

Dan Savage on How His Religious Upbringing Helped His Career

(Thanks Benoit)