Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Glenn Beck Links Violent Gang Fight to Rise of Atheism
September 29, 2009 on FOX News
Thanks to OJR for the tip
Monday, September 28, 2009
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Spider Walks On Pope Benedict During Speech
September 26, 2009 on AP
PRAGUE — President Barack Obama had his fly. Now Pope Benedict XVI has his spider.
A large arachnid appeared on the pope's white robes as he addressed politicians and diplomats in Prague on Saturday afternoon. The pope didn't seem to notice at first — but journalists following the speech on a large screen flinched as the spider inched toward Benedict's neck.
It disappeared from view for a moment, but then could be seen crawling up the right side of the 82-year-old pontiff's face.
When it reached his ear, Benedict gave it a swat. But it didn't go away — it reappeared on the pope's left shoulder and scampered down his robe.
As the pope left the medieval Prague Castle's ornate Spanish Hall, the spider could be seen hanging from a piece of web.
Friday, September 25, 2009
The Human Spark | Running = Big Brains? | PBS
Alan Alda talks to scientist Dan Lieberman about why the human ability to run could be an important prerequisite for the evolution of our bigger brains -- and the emergence of our human spark.
In "The Human Spark," Alan Alda visits dozens of scientists on three continents -- and even undergoes an examination of his own brain -- to find the answer to one question: What makes us human? Coming to PBS in January 2010.
Learn more
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Richard Dawkins on CNN's Connect the World
September 22, 2009 on CNN
Richard Dawkins tore into religious comfort zones with his claim that God is a delusion, and it seems the British ethologist, evolutionary biologist and author will stop at nothing to provoke intelligent debate about the truth of our existence.
His writings have inspired and angered many and now he’s back with more.
The fervent atheist and anti-creationist is often referred to as “Charles Darwin’s rottweiler.” Now, to celebrate Darwin’s bi-centenary, Dawkins has published a new book: “The Greatest Show on Earth” offers scientific evidence to back-up his own theory of evolution.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Christopher Hitchens on Q TV
by Qtv
Writer, political commentator and author of 'god is not Great' sits down with host Jian Ghomeshi to kick around the idea of adding three new commandments to the ten commandments.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Richard Dawkins in Conversation with James Harding, Editor of The Times
Play all videos (4)
September 18, 2009 by Times online:
Richard Dawkins has a large and loyal following -- that, I always knew. Quite how large and loyal, though, I hadn't properly realised before arriving at the Institute of Education on Wednesday night, for his discussion with the Editor of The Times, James Harding. The event had quickly sold out, but I hadn't been prepared for the slightly shabby figure I encountered on my way in.(via RichardDawkins.net)
"Tickets, anybody need tickets? Buy or sell," he was saying. Yes, Richard Dawkins is now a target for touts.
If you missed the event -- or baulked at paying tout prices -- don't worry. A Times video of the proceedings is posted above.
The event was held to celebrate Professor Dawkins's new book, The Greatest Show on Earth, which explains the vast amount of evidence that exists for evolution. The Times published extracts earlier this month, as well as an interview with him. I thoroughly recommend it -- and the review by my colleague and fellow Science Central blogger, Anjana Ahuja.
Read more
Friday, September 18, 2009
Christopher Hitchens vs. John Lennox: Can Atheism Save Europe? (Edited)
UPDATE: The Video is no longer available
Play all videos (7)
EDIT: Title updated - This was not the recent "Is God Great" debate.
Play all videos (7)
EDIT: Title updated - This was not the recent "Is God Great" debate.
Ramadan: Student Caught Between Religion And Soccer
September 17, 2009 on WLWT News 5:
CINCINNATI -- When Ryle High School takes to the soccer field, there's more than just athletic drama playing out before the crowd. For one player, religion is also a factor.
Essam Elgusain is Muslim. He is currently observing Ramadan, which means he can't eat or drink anything from sunrise to sunset. Fasting is a challenge for Elgusain, who faces dehydration chasing down his opponents in the late summer heat.
When asked what the heat does to him, Elgusain said "It just makes me feel really tired and I get really weak. And occasionally I'll get muscle cramps."
Elgusain is faithful to his religion. He won't take even a sip of water until the sun goes down, no matter how tempting it might be. He said team water breaks are especially difficult.
Read more
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Christopher Hitchens vs. John Lennox: Is God Great? (Preview)
Leading atheist and acclaimed journalist, Christopher Hitchens, goes head to head with Christian apologist and Oxford Professor, John Lennox in March 2009 at Birmingham, Alabama's Samford University to debate the question "Is God Great?"DVD Available at Fixed Point Foundation
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Mr. Deity and the Skeptic
Skeptic Michael Shermer pleads his case before Jesus and Mr. Deity.(via RichardDawkins.net)
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Rachel Maddow Show: You Can't Handle Evolution
September 14, 2009 on MSNBC with Kent Jones
See also: Charles Darwin film 'too controversial for religious America'
(Thanks Brett)
Monday, September 14, 2009
Unbelievable: From Atheism to Christian Faith
September 12, 2009 on Premier Christian Radio:
Download MP3
Richard Morgan was a confirmed atheist and keen poster on the richarddawkins.net website for most of his life. However, after becoming disillusioned with the mentality of some atheists on the website, he subsequently experienced a dramatic conversion to Christianity in 2008. He relates the story, along with Christian apologist David Robertson who had a hand in his conversion. Ed Turner a forthright atheist blogger (aka Manicstreetpreacher) joins the discussion as they look at the world of Christian and Atheist chat forums.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Newsnight Review: Darwin Special
Play all videos (4)
September 11, 2009 on BBC Newsnight Review
On a special Newsnight Review, eminent scientist Richard Dawkins, Man Booker prize-winning author Margaret Atwood, Reverend Richard Coles, and poet and descendant of Charles Darwin Ruth Padel, join Martha Kearney to discuss the cultural and philosophical legacy of the seminal work On the Origin of Species.Subscribe to TreVelocita
Frost over the World: Discussing Evolution with Richard Dawkins
September 11, 2009 on Al-Jazeera English
Scientist and atheist Richard Dawkins had a worldwide bestseller a couple of years ago with his book "The God Delusion". Now he is back with a new book, "The Greatest Show on Earth", which insists that Evolution is an unarguable certainty to explain life on Earth.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Inside Nature's Giants: The Giraffe
Warning: contains explicit scenes of animal dissections
Play all videos (5) | More episodes
Aired July 20, 2009 on Channel 4
Veterinary scientist Mark Evans acts as guide as a team of experts investigate the giraffe.(via RichardDawkins.net)
Creationists question how this extraordinary creature could have evolved such a long neck, but for evolutionary biologist Professor Richard Dawkins the anatomy of the world's tallest animal provides some of the best arguments in favour of Darwinian natural selection.
For example, one nerve takes a huge detour up and down the long neck, from the voice box to the brain, via the chest - hardly the work of an `Intelligent Designer'. And, despite its length, the neck still only has seven vertebrae - the same number as almost all mammals, from mice to humans and whales.
But it's no wonder the giraffe has the highest blood pressure of any animal; with a heart not much bigger than our own it must pump blood at high pressure around a towering body. It has evolved thick skin that acts as a natural 'G-suit' and a complex circulation system to avoid passing out when raising and lowering its head.
And as the dissection team piece together the remarkable evolutionary story of the giraffe, biologist Simon Watt observes them in the field as they eat, forage and fight.
Friday, September 11, 2009
One Nation Under Nobody
UncleRoger:
My son and daughter lead the Pledge of Allegiance at their school. We had discussed the pledge and the first amendment extensively and we agreed on an acceptable version.
Nine High School Football Players "Baptized" During Outing with Coach
September 10, 2009 on FOX News
God's Little Helpers
We get a lot of emails form religious people and from now on they will posted on God's Little Helpers (still under construction) and linked to from the sidebar. Or you can subscribe by RSS.
Check out the latest email from Tariq Al Omar:
This video was attached to the email (notice the weapons on the table)
*Warning: Turn down the volume
*Updated
Check out the latest email from Tariq Al Omar:
Subject: hi
you are stupid hahaha
you are just scared because we muslims are getting stronger
face it you americans and israilis are getting weak and muslims are getting stronger
now thats a fact
you guys can laugh its just because you guys are scared
if people keep converting in these rates........
what can i say
Bye Kafir
Tariq Al Omar honey remember the name -_-
This video was attached to the email (notice the weapons on the table)
*Warning: Turn down the volume
*Updated
BBC Newsnight: The Rise of Israel's Military Rabbis (Full Report)
Play all videos (2)
September 7, 2009 on BBC Newsnight:
Israel's army is changing. Once proudly secular, its combat units are now filling with those who believe Israel's wars are "God's wars".*Repost
Military rabbis are becoming more powerful. Trained in warfare as well as religion, new army regulations mean they are now part of a military elite.
They graduate from officer's school and operate closely with military commanders. One of their main duties is to boost soldiers' morale and drive, even on the front line.
Israeli general warns of dangers of turning war into 'jihad'
This has caused quite some controversy in Israel. Should military motivation come from men of God, or from a belief in the state of Israel and keeping it safe?
Read more
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Suspected Mexican Plane Hijacker Claimed to be on 'Divine Mission'
September 10, 2009 on France 24
Authorities say the man that on Wednesday hijacked a passenger plane from Cancun to Mexico City claimed to be a protestant priest on a "divine mission" to protect Mexico from danger.
Derren Brown 'Predicts Lottery Numbers'
September 9, 2009 on Channel 4
Illusionist Derren Brown appears to predict all six winning National Lottery numbers live on television. But just how did he do it?(via Derren Brown Blog)
Brown opened The Event Live, shown last night on Channel 4 to coincide with the draw, by saying he hoped to get five of the six numbers right.
For security reasons, his 10-minute slot was broadcast from a virtually empty studio with just two cameramen in attendance.
Brown stood with six balls he said contained his prediction, and a television set from which he showed the BBC's National Lottery show to prove we are "absolutely live and in synch with the BBC".
Read more
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
PBS Nova: Darwin's Darkest Hour (Trailer)
In 1858 Charles Darwin received a letter from naturalist Alfred Wallace, explaining his own theory of evolution. This was the trigger event that led to the publication of Darwins seminal theory on the origin of species.
Starring Henry Ian Cusick (Lost) and Frances OConnor (Mansfield Park, The Importance of Being Earnest, Steven Spielbergs Artificial Intelligence: AI), the two-hour drama will air in the U.S. on the PBS signature series NOVA. Scheduled to air Oct. 6, 2009, Darwins Darkest Hour will coincide with the 200th anniversary of Darwins birth and the 150th anniversary of his seminal work On the Origin of the Species.
First Images From Refreshed Hubble Telescope
September 9, 2009 on AP
These are the first images from the Hubble Space Telescope after a billion-dollar repair that included installing new cameras and replacing broken parts.See also: The Hubble Deep Field: The Most Important Image Ever Taken
RDF TV - Insurance Policy: Two Eggs, One Survivor
Richard Dawkins explains how Nazca Boobies, Blue Footed Boobies and Gannetts all lay two eggs, but usually only rear one chick. This evolved adaptation may seem cruel to us, but the genes for this insurance policy get passed on through the surviving chicks to future generations.From RichardDawkins.net
They Might Be Giants: Science is Real
Directed by David Cowles and Andy Kennedy. From TMBGs new DVD/CD set Here Comes Science. Available at iTunes and Amazon now!(via Pharyngula)
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
The Rise of Israel's Military Rabbis
September 7, 2009 on BBC News:
Israel's army is changing. Once proudly secular, its combat units are now filling with those who believe Israel's wars are "God's wars".(Thanks Pierre)
Military rabbis are becoming more powerful. Trained in warfare as well as religion, new army regulations mean they are now part of a military elite.
They graduate from officer's school and operate closely with military commanders. One of their main duties is to boost soldiers' morale and drive, even on the front line.
Israeli general warns of dangers of turning war into 'jihad'
This has caused quite some controversy in Israel. Should military motivation come from men of God, or from a belief in the state of Israel and keeping it safe?
Read more
Monday, September 7, 2009
No Flogging for Trouser-Wearing Woman in Sudan
September 7, 2009 on AP
A woman who's been convicted of public indecency in Sudan for wearing trousers in public is vowing not to pay a $200 fine. Instead, Lubna Hussein says she'll take a month in prison, as a further protest of Sudan's morality laws.
After her arrest in July, the 43-year-old journalist set out to challenge the police and courts, and to try to embarrass Sudan's government. Because she worked for a U.N. agency, she had immunity from prosecution -- but she chose to quit her job so she could go to trial.
Her prosecution -- and a possible sentence including flogging -- drew an international outcry. But she was spared the flogging sentence. Her lawyer says the judge apparently opted for a fine instead of flogging to avoid international criticism.
During today's session, police rounded up about 40 women who were protesting outside the courthouse in support of Hussein. Some of them wore trousers in a sign of solidarity.
Read more
CBN News: 'What Do You Believe America' Tour Hits 25 States
September 7, 2009 on the Christian Broadcasting Network
Aids Spreading Fast in Guatemala: Preachers Accused of Hindering Fight
September 7, 2009 on Al Jazeera English
The spread of Aids is having a devastating effect on Guatemala. Most Guatemalans are devout Catholics, although in one town nicknamed Miracle, nine out of 10 people have joined the evangelical church.
But, as David Mercer reports, health workers are concerned that the churchs influence, rather than helping check the spread of Aids, is making it difficult to combat the pandemic.
Judge Keeps Rifqa Bary in Florida, Seals Investigative Findings
September 4, 2009 on CNN - An update on this story
From Orlando Sentinel:
For an hour and a half Thursday, lawyers argued about how to handle the legal battle that has sprung up around Fathima Rifqa Bary, the tiny 17-year-old who ran away from her Muslim home in Ohio to the shelter of Christian evangelists in Orlando.
Never once, though, did they raise the core issue: Should she be returned to her parents?
So for now, she will continue to be a ward of the state of Florida, living with an Orlando-area foster family.
Attorneys for the girl's parents had gone to court Thursday, hoping to get her sent back to Westerville, Ohio, her hometown.
They had ammunition to back up their argument: a report by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement that says her family poses no threat to her.
In Columbus, the Franklin County Department of Children Services has come to the same conclusion.
Read more
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Jacob Brownoski: The Ascent of Man
Playlist
The inspiration for Carl Sagans 1980 series, Cosmos, Jacob Bronowskis 1973 series, The Ascent of Man, alludes to and seeks to somewhat challenge the notion of some of Charles Darwins conclusions in The Decent of Man. Over the course of thirteen episodes, Bronowski travelled around the world in order to trace the development of human society through its understanding of science.(via RichardDawkins.net)
Jacob Bronowski was one of a small group of men and women in any age who find all of human knowledge-the arts and sciences, philosophy and psychology-interesting and accessible. He was not confined to a single discipline, but ranged over the entire panorama of human learning. His book and television series, The Ascent of Man, are a superb teaching tool and a remarkable memorial; they are, in a way, an account of how human beings and human brains grew up together. Carl Sagan, The Dragons of Eden.
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Russia Today: Orthodox Priest Enlightens Financial Sector
Sptember 5, 2009 on Russia Today
Religion and roubles don't often go hand-in-hand in people's minds, but one man has managed to unite both. Veniamin Simonov, or Father Philip, is the only priest in Russia who also monitors the country's banking system.
The Women of Afghanistan
Tells the inspirational story of 5 remarkable Afghan women who are taking control of their lives and their futures and in the process, are helping to rebuild their devasted coutnry. The story takes us into their hearts and minds, real characters in real life dramas striving to move forward from burqas to boutiques
Friday, September 4, 2009
Governor Bobby Jindal Using Taxpayer Money for Helicopter Rides to Church
September 3, 2009 on MSNBC with Rachel Maddow
From The Advocate:
In May, June and July, there was rarely a Sunday when the governor didnt board a taxpayer-funded helicopter to attend church services in far-flung parts of the state. He traveled by helicopter to churches less frequently in March and April.See also: Videos of Jindal’s visit to New Chapel Hill Baptist Church 1 2 3 4 5
Over five months, Jindal took more than three dozen helicopter trips. Fourteen were to attend church services, according to state records.
He worshipped in Hornbeck, Many, Logansport, Angie, Elizabeth, Harrisonburg, Columbia, Winnsboro, Coushatta, Robeline and Anacoco.
At least two aides usually accompanied him along with his security detail and State Police pilots. The public pays their salaries as well as the fuel and upkeep for the helicopter.
The helicopter that the governor uses the most costs $1,200 an hour to operate — about $45,000 for five months of church visits.
The Governors Office refuses to disclose to the media ahead of time where Jindal will attend services. But a video posted on the Internet last year gives a glimpse into the Catholic governors visits to Protestant churches in North Louisiana. Read more
Thursday, September 3, 2009
The Greatest Show on Earth: The Evidence for Evolution
Richard Dawkins gives an introduction to his new book "The Greatest Show on Earth: The Evidence for Evolution." He explains why this book was necessary, and what readers can expect from this highly-anticipated work. The book is available now in the UK, and will be released in the US on September 22nd!
Read the first chapter of "The Greatest Show" at RichardDawkins.net
Mr. Deity and the Planes
Season 3, Episode 6
Larry tries to get Mr. Deity to do something about the upcoming attack on New York City
James Randi interview (April 2008)
Play all videos (2)
An interview with James Randi conducted exclusively with The Skeptic Magazine for its 22nd year relaunch issue.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
FOX News: Obama "Indoctrinating" Kids
September 2, 2009 on FOX News
UPDATE
Download the U.S. Department of Education's suggested classroom activities: Grades Prek-6, Grades 7-12 (pdf -Thanks Allison)
Paul Bettany: Creationist or Darwinist?
by Wired
Paul Bettany plays Darwin in an upcoming bio-pic. He also plays the Archangel Michael in 'Legion'. Is he a Creationist or a Darwinist?
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Same Sex Ice Cream
September 1, 2009 on CBS News
Ben & Jerry's is celebrating VT's new same-sex marriage law by putting a new twist on a classic favorite. The popular 'Chubby Hubby' flavor will have a new name, 'Hubby Hubby.'
Christianity: A History (2009)
Part 1: Jesus the Jew
Part 2: Rome
Part 3: Dark Ages
Part 4: Crusades
Part 5: Reformation
Part 6: Dark Continents
Part 7: God and the Scientists
Part 8: The Future of Christianity
UPDATE: Also available on Veoh (Thanks Mike)
Aired in 2009 on Channel 4
Ours is said to be a Godless age, yet billions remain faithful to religions thousands of years old.Thanks to The Sydenham Infidel
This provocative eight-part series explores the history and global impact of the world's biggest religion through the personal views of leading British figures.
Over the course of the series, eight high-profile personalities - including Michael Portillo, Rageh Omaar, Kwame Kwei-Armah and Cherie Blair - look at the origins and history of the Christian faith.
In each film the presenter addresses a subject that means something particular to them. In doing so, they bring their own perspectives to a challenging and comprehensive debate that explores Christianity's role in shaping the modern world.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
