Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Monday, August 30, 2010
AAI 2010: P.Z. Myers - Speaking Truth to Absurdity
Play all videos (4)
P.Z. Myers has been told many times that atheists are scary, and that they frighten moderate god-believers away from science ... and that it would be better to mute the expression of their views on religion in order to promote science, rather than godlessness. However, that atheism is a product of an honest appreciation of the evidence, of the logic of science, and of the folly of magical and superstitious thinking.
The reason that atheists need to speak out even more loudly is that it is the only view that is true to the science, and that serves an even greater mission than science education: the encouragement of critical thinking in all matters in the populace. Besides, religion is just plain goofy.
AAI 2010: A.C. Grayling - The Ethical Aspect of Atheism
Play all videos (5)
There are two different ways in which a non-theistic view of the world has ethical implications. One is that it is a feature of the ethics of rationality that one's outlook should be maximally evidence-based and truth-directed, thus ruling out supernaturalistic explanations or interpretations (as e.g. thinking that there must be tree spirits or Norse gods to take responsibilty for such phenomena as, respectively, the whispering sound of leaves and thunder among the clouds - but in particular ruling out god-of-the-gaps "explanations" and the legitimacy of acts of faith as justifications for belief).
The second is that people require moral and 'spiritual' resources - these jointly constituting the ethical aspect of life - and one reason for the continuation of religious belief is that the religions have successfully hijacked control of these matters. So a humanistic ethics must regain its voice on these dimensions of human life, not least by reminding people of, and promoting, the rich inheritance of thinking about such matters in the long secular tradition since classical antiquity.
Addicts In 'Religious Rehab' Seen As Cult
August 29, 2010 on Russia Today
Religious rehab centers are on the rise in Russia, offering non-traditional aid to drug addicts in the country. But critics argue such centers are no more than sects, and that addicts trade one crutch for another there.
Sunday, August 29, 2010
'Ghost Train' Hunter Killed by Train in North Carolina
August 28, 2010 on CNN
The facts: On August 27, 1891, a passenger train jumped the tracks on a tall bridge near Statesville, North Carolina, sending seven rail cars below and about 30 people to their deaths.(Thanks James)
The legend: On the wreck's anniversary, the sounds of screeching wheels, screaming passengers and a horrific crash might still be heard. You might also see a uniformed man with a gold watch.
Shortly before 3 a.m. Friday, on the 119th anniversary of the Bostian Bridge train tragedy and at about the same time, between 10 and 12 ghost hunters were on that approximately 300-foot long span.
They were hoping to hear the sounds of the crash, and perhaps see something.
Instead, a real Norfolk-Southern train -- three engines and one car -- turned the corner as it headed east to Statesville, about 35 miles north of Charlotte, authorities said.
Read more
AAI 2010: James Randi - The Sleep of Reason
Play all videos (7)
In his new lecture James Randi examines the new monsters brought forth to victimize a credulous public, worldwide. In this hour-long talk, he discusses the major causes of modern irrationality, such as the rise of sensationalist journalism and the decline of responsible investigative reportage; the origins of "complimentary/alternative medicine" and the means by which it edges ever closer to acceptability; and how the outrageous claims of religions and their leaders encourage the public to accept the outrageous claims of secular hucksters.
These forces of irrationality mean to drag us into a new Dark Ages -- and to the extent that religious demagoguery, superstition, and magical thinking succeed in our world, The Enlightenment has failed. Only when we decide to reject belief in demons, gods, prophecy, eternal life and similar nonsense, can we fulfil our historic responsibility and ensure that The Enlightenment and its values endure.
AAI 2010: Richard Dawkins - Is Religion Good for Nothing?
Play all videos (6)
What does it mean to be good for anything? It is a commonplace that different answers breed confusion, and a related confusion pervades my own field of evolutionary biology where the Good can be given a precise if not very uplifting meaning, alongside a plethora of imprecise if consoling meanings. I shall try to sort out the confusion for the special case of the evolution of religion, and shall deal with all the various ways in which it might be claimed that religion has evolutionary benefits.(via RichardDawkins.net)
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Genital Mutilation On The Rise As UK Combats The Crime
August 27, 2010 on Russia Today
Medical officials in the UK say the number of women who've been subjected to genital mutilation is on the rise. Although the practice is illegal in the country, thousands are considered to be at risk annually -- and no one has ever been convicted of the crime.
Friday, August 27, 2010
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Empire State Building Refuses to Light Up for Mother Teresa, Catholics Protest
August 26, 2010 on Fox News with Bill Donohue and Jackie Mason
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Catholic Church and UK Colluded in Northern Ireland Bomb Cover-Up
August 24, 2010 on BBC News
From Reuters:
The British government and the Roman Catholic Church colluded to protect a priest suspected of involvement in a 1972 bombing in Northern Ireland that killed 9 people, an official report said on Tuesday.
The Police Ombudsman’s report revealed that an Irish cardinal was involved in transferring Father James Chesney out of British-ruled Northern Ireland, highlighting again the role of the Church hierarchy in protecting priests against allegations of criminal activity.
The inquiry showed that Secretary of State for Northern Ireland William Whitelaw had a private “tete-a-tete” with Cardinal William Conway, the head of the Catholic Church in Ireland, in 1972 in which they discussed the possibility of moving Chesney out of Northern Ireland.
Read more
Rabbi Shmuley Boteach Interviews Christopher Hitchens on WABC Radio
Play all videos (2)
August 22, 2010 on 77 WABC Radio
See also: Christopher Hitchens vs. Rabbi Shmuley Boteach
(via Daily Hitchens)
Richard Dawkins at Christchurch: Life is Astonishing (Audio)
Play all videos (6)
March 10, 2010 at Christchurch Town Hall
Celebrated and controversial biologist, Richard Dawkins comfortably wears the mantle “Revolutionary Evolutionist”. Dawkins became a worldwide phenomenon with the publication of The Selfish Gene(Thanks GoodW0lf), which popularised a gene-centred view of evolution.
With The Blind Watchmaker, a searing criticism of creationism and intelligent design, and The God Delusion
, Dawkins’ audience continued to grow. The God Delusion has now sold more than 1.5 million copies in English and has been translated into 31 languages.
With his new book, The Greatest Show on Earth, Dawkins returns to evolutionary biology, as he takes on those who question evolution through natural selection.
Monday, August 23, 2010
Fox Host Suggests "Anti-Christian Sentiment" Behind Opposition To Vermont Cross
August 23, 2010 on Fox News with Steve Doocy
Sunday, August 22, 2010
BBC Natural World - Clever Monkeys
Last broadcast January 22, 2009 on BBC Two
David Attenborough's entertaining romp through the world of monkeys has a serious side: for when we look at monkeys we can see ourselves. From memory to morality, from 'crying wolf' to politics, monkeys are our basic blueprint.
Pygmy marmosets 'farm' tree sap; bearded capuchins in Brazil develop a production line for extracting palm nuts; white-faced capuchins in Costa Rica tenderly nurse the victims of battle; and in the Ethiopian highlands a deposed gelada baboon has got the blues.
Saturday, August 21, 2010
American Atheists' David Silverman vs. Catholic League's Jeff Field on ABC Nightline
Play all videos (3)
August 17, 2010 on ABC Nightline
*Note: Before the debate, ABC Nightline showed a news report by Dan Harris which was posted here earlier: De-Babtism by Blow Dryer
Friday, August 20, 2010
Team Mohammed vs. Team Jesus
| The Daily Show With Jon Stewart | Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c | |||
| Extremist Makeover - Team Mohammed vs. Team Jesus | ||||
| ||||
Aasif Mandvi fights for Team Mohammed in Michigan, while Wyatt Cenac represents Team Jesus in the rest of America.Viewers in Canada can watch it on The Comedy Network
Viewers in other countries can use Hotspot Shield or Modify Headers
Phil Plait - Don't Be A Dick
From Bad Astronomy:
In July, I spoke at The Amaz!ng Meeting 8 in Las Vegas. Sponsored by the James Randi Educational Foundation, it’s the largest meeting of critical thinkers and skeptics in the world. Unlike my usual talks about the abuse of science that I had given at previous TAMs, this time I wanted to tackle a much thornier issue: how we skeptics argue with believers of various stripes.(Thanks Charles)
My first point was that we must keep in mind our goal. If it’s to change the hearts and minds of people across the world, then at least as important as what we say is how we say it. And my second point was pretty simple… but you’ll get to it around 24 minutes in. It’s obvious enough.
more
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Richard Dawkins: Faith School Menace?
Play all videos (4) - Viewers in the UK can watch it here
Aired August 18, 2010 on Channel 4
The number of faith schools in Britain is rising. Around 7,000 publicly funded schools - one in three - now has a religious affiliation.(Videos are blocked in the United Kingdom - Available on 4oD and YT)
As the coalition government paves the way for more faith-based education by promoting 'free schools', the renowned atheist and evolutionary biologist Professor Richard Dawkins says enough is enough.
In this passionately argued film, Dawkins calls on us to reconsider the consequences of faith education, which, he argues, bamboozles parents and indoctrinates and divides children.
The film features robust exchanges with former Secretary of State for Education Charles Clarke, Head of the Church of England Education Service Reverend Janina Ainsworth, and the Chair of the Association of Muslim Schools, Dr Mohammed Mukadam.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
First Aid Kit - Hard Believer
*Repost
From Lyrics:
Well I see you've got your bible
Your delusion imagery
Well I don't need your eternity
Or your meaning to feel free
I just live because I love to
And that's enough you see
So don''t come preach about morality
That's just human sense to me
...
And it's one life and it's this life(via Pharyngula)
And it's beautiful
(repeat)
And it's beau .. beau .. beau ... beautiful
More
Monday, August 16, 2010
Christopher Hitchens on Book TV (2010)
Part 2
Filmed May 27, 2010; Aired Aug 15, 2010 on C-SPAN
Christopher Hitchens reflects on his personal and public life in his memoir, Hitch-22Full Video from C-SPAN. Mr. Hitchens is interviewed at the annual book publishing trade show, Book Expo America, held at the Jacob Javits Convention Center in New York City.
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Fortune Tellers Pocket $8 Billion As People Lose Trust In Banks
August 15, 2010 on Russia Today
Playing the stock market has always been a guessing game, but since the global recession diminished European investors' confidence in their own predicting abilities, more are now turning to paranormal professionals.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Iranian Woman Sentenced to Death by Stoning "Confesses" Killing Her Husband on Iranian TV
August 12, 2010 on BBC News
Fox Host Greg Gutfeld Proposes Building Gay Bar Next to NYC Mosque
August 10, 2010 on Fox News
(Thanks Andrew)
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
After Controversial Case, Gillard Wants Burqa Removed in Court
August 6, 2010 on 9 News Australia:
Women giving evidence in court should be forced to remove face-covering burqas, Julia Gillard says.
Reacting to a Perth court case in which a woman's right to wear a burqa while testifying is being questioned, the Prime Minister said she thought it was one of the "limited" instances when it should be removed.
"I worked as a lawyer for eight years, I ran a lot of cases, I interviewed a lot of clients, having done that it can be very difficult to tell whether or not people are telling you the truth," she said.
"The essence of giving witness evidence is the court is making a determination over whether or not someone is telling the truth, that is always hard to do, I think it would be impossible to do if you couldn't see someone's face."
Read more
Monday, August 9, 2010
Q&A - PM Julia Gillard on Atheism and Same Sex Marriage
August 9, 2010 on ABC TV (Australia)
(Thanks DS)
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Friday, August 6, 2010
The Daily Show - Californigaytion
| The Daily Show With Jon Stewart | Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c | |||
| Californigaytion | ||||
| ||||
CNN's best political team goes to a gay bar at three in the afternoon to cover reactions on a federal judge's decision to overturn Proposition 8.Viewers in Canada can watch it here
Viewers in other countries can use Hotspot Shield or Modify Headers
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Who is Potholer54?
Peter Hadfield's Youtube Channel:
After numerous requests and much speculation I have decided to 'out' myself and reveal my identity and resume. I hope this will add weight to the research I present on this channel, although I am still not the source for the information presented in my videos. My sources are all listed, and should be checked. I would like my 'outing' to also act as a launch pad for opinion and comment in some of my future videos, where it is warranted and based on my own expertise. However, most of my videos will remain factual. I prefer to present the facts, show my sources, let people check the facts and make up their own minds. You don't need me to tell you what to think. Facts speak for themselves.See also:
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
California's Gay Marriage Ban Overturned
August 4, 2010 on CNN
A federal judge in California knocks down the state's voter-approved ban on same-sex marriage.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Abortion Agony in the Philippines
August 3, 2010 on Al-Jazeera English:
Although abortions are strictly illegal in the Philippines, the medical procedure to terminate pregnancy flourishes in underground clinics.
Given their illegal and unregulated nature, risky procedures are often followed at the clinics, endangering lives.
According to the US-based Centre for Reproductive Rights, more than half a million women risk their lives annually by undergoing backstreet abortions.
Out of them, about 1,000 die each year.
Monday, August 2, 2010
Influence of Gillard's Atheism Still Unknown
August 2, 2010 on ABC Lateline (Australia) - Transcript
Christian groups are continuing a long tradition of attempting to exert pressure on both major parties.
Laurie Santos: How Monkeys Mirror Human Irrationality
Filmed and Posted July 2010 on TED
Why do we make irrational decisions so predictably? Laurie Santos looks for the roots of human irrationality by watching the way our primate relatives make decisions. A clever series of experiments in "monkeynomics" shows that some of the silly choices we make, monkeys make too.(via RichardDawkins.net)
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Kate Silverton Interviews Richard Dawkins
August 1, 2010 on BBC Radio 5 (Starts at 35:30)
Professor Richard Dawkins defends science's importance in society and says he's not the angry man he's portrayed as by his critics.(via RichardDawkins.net)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
