In Defence Of Reason

Psychic Fail

2011-10-11T07:31:00.002Z

Religion is like a penis

2011-09-29T20:48:00.001Z

Fighting Religion In Public Schools :: Jessica Ahlquist

2011-08-23T09:41:00.002Z

Good, murderous, Christian parents

2011-08-19T07:36:00.002Z

Sam Harris & Richard Dawkins: Who Says Science has Nothing to Say About Morality?

2011-06-12T18:55:00.001Z

Don't pray for me

2011-06-12T12:00:00.004Z

After going off Condell a bit during the 'UKIP rants' here is talking about something I agree with again.

That Mitchell and Webb Look Abraham and Isaac

2011-06-12T09:00:00.000Z

Richard Dawkins & PZ Myers

2011-06-11T17:25:00.000Z

A few friends and I went to see a discussion between Richard Dawkins and PZ Myers hosted by the British Humanist Association. The event was marred slightly by some people protesting about things entirely irrelevant to the talk (see videos below).

A recording of the event is available here thanks to the Pod Delusion: PZ Myers and Richard Dawkins in Conversation.

Perhaps the most annoying thing however is the number of bad/banal questions. It would perhaps have been better to have people write questions down and then select from those ones which are interesting (and ideally related to the talk).

We tried to rapture you.....

2011-05-25T06:57:00.001Z

On Dinosaurs and Lice

2011-04-06T13:25:00.000Z

An interesting article published in Biology Letters suggests that dinosaurs may have had lice. The article was covered by the ever-understated Daily Mail as: So that's why dinosaurs were bad-tempered... scientists reveal they were plagued by lice.

One of the comments made on this article:

"Dr Vincent Smith, from the Natural History Museum, London, said: 'Lice are like living fossils. The record of our past is written in these parasites." No. The record of our past is written in the bible. "Study of insect DNA shows that lice evolved more than 65million years ago." Study of the bible shows that lice were created perfect much less than 65 million years ago and then became imperfect. And this isn't guesswork; the day they and everything else became imperfect and started decaying was written by an eyewitness - the man from whom we are all descended - whom we know as Adam. The 65 million-years-ago history is false. It never happened. This scientist started with a pre-conceived world-view and interpreted his finding through this. But he has ignored the written account preserved in the bible and has subscribed to an imagined history. Adam has put his name at the end of the account in thre first book of the bible, and it's his 'written record.'"

Yet again it seems that the science is more interesting and fascinating the Bible. Oh, and it's a lot more likely to be right.

A Quote

2011-04-04T07:22:00.001Z

The root of all superstition is that men observe when a thing hits, but not when it misses.

Francis Bacon

Stephen Fry on the Bible

2011-01-09T16:24:00.004Z

"The Bible is crammed from end to end with stories of temptation, interdiction and chastisement. A forbidden fruit hangs from a tree on the very first page, and as we go through we are given more terrible lessons on how greed is punished and lust accursed until we reach the full, final and insane damnations and ecstasies of St John's Revelations, having passed through wilderness and desert trials, locusts, honey, manna, ravens, sores, boils, plagues, scourages, tribulations and sacrifices. Lead us not into temptation. Get thee behind me, Satan. Vengeance is mine, saith the Lord, I will repay."

From The Fry Chronicles

West Wing Religion

2010-11-02T21:16:00.000Z

Christine O’Donnell scares me

2010-09-26T18:10:00.002Z

She would be funny, if she wasn't potentially in a position of some power.

This clip features just enough to get her drift, and hopefully little enough to prevent outbreaks of anger amongst the sane.

Stick Evolution

2010-09-26T18:03:00.000Z

via The Dispersal of Darwin.

The below is an entry for the 2010 Stick Science Contest - which illustrates the point very clearly.

Carl Sagan Day: November 6th

2010-09-26T15:41:00.004Z

Carl Sagan has done some great things for humanity. I have met many people who first became interested in astrophysics and astronomy thanks to his TV shows.

He suggested taking what is perhaps the most iconic photograph ever taken, Pale Blue Dot.

He was also an influential proponent of atheism (Carl Sagan quotes on religion).

In his honour there is a(nother) Carl Sagan Day on the 6th November - an idea I fully support.

"Evil" Atheist Doctors

2010-08-26T14:06:00.002Z

The Guardian today published an article titled 'Atheist doctors 'more likely to hasten death''. This is a bit of a shocking headline, as it implies that doctors without religious beliefs are actively harming their patients.

The article itself tells a different story "A patient who wanted their life prolonged at all costs in the event of a terminal illness, or did not want it prolonged, should make sure they had a doctor who was in sympathy with this." This is essentially common sense, it just so happens that atheist doctors seem more likely to put quality of life over sanctity of life (which if they were treating me, I'd be pretty happy about).

Perhaps the thing I find most worrying though is last paragraph: "The most religious doctors were significantly less likely than other doctors to have discussed options at the end of life with their patient." Not discussing these issues with a terminal patient is, in my view, a neglect of responsibility.

Given this, who would you want to treat you?

Saudi Arabia and Qisas

2010-08-21T23:00:00.002Z

I imagine this press release from Amnesty International will shortly make the news. The Islamic idea of qisas (translates as 'retaliation') is quite literally eye-for-an-eye 'justice'.

I'm not one who's often heard praising the fairness of the UK or US legal systems, but at least we have moved on from this bronze age barbarism.

Protest the Pope

2010-08-21T16:28:00.000Z

From the Protest the Pope website.

That the Pope, as a citizen of Europe and the leader of a religion with many adherents in the UK, is of course free to enter and tour our country.
However, as well as a religious leader, the Pope is a head of state and the state and organisation of which he is head has been responsible for:
1. opposing the distribution of condoms and so increasing large families in poor countries and the spread of AIDS
2. promoting segregated education
3. denying abortion to even the most vulnerable women
4. opposing equal rights for lesbians, gay, bisexual and transgender people
5. failing to address the many cases of abuse of children within its own organisation.
6. rehabilitating the holocaust denier bishop Richard Williamson and the appeaser of Hitler, the war-time Pope, Pius XII.
The state of which the Pope is the head has also resisted signing many major human rights treaties and has formed its own treaties (‘concordats’) with many states which negatively affect the human rights of citizens of those states.
As a head of state, the Pope is an unsuitable guest of the UK government and should not be accorded the honour and recognition of a state visit to our country.

The stupid, it hurts......

2010-07-03T12:26:00.000Z

The lack of understanding here is painful.

Boobquake

2010-04-27T12:00:00.003Z

I haven't been writing much here for a while, mainly due to time constraints. I'll try and get back into the world of reason and scepticism a bit more whole-heartedly.

Something that has amused me in recent days is the Boobquake - a response by Blag Hag to the Iranian cleric who blamed women exposing flesh and acting promiscuously for earthquakes. The Boobquake was meant to happen yesterday, when lots of women, led by Blag Hag wore revealing clothing in an attempt to induce seismic activity.

Clearly, we all survived. Science 1 Ignorance 0.

A Free Thinker is Satan's Slave

2010-03-11T17:39:00.000Z

Correlation of religion and immorality

2010-02-20T14:55:00.002Z

The Oregon Sasquatch

2010-02-17T19:59:00.001Z

...or something just a little more sceptically amusing....

On the tattoo theme....

2010-02-17T19:24:00.003Z

..here's one featuring the Flying Spaghetti Monster.

Zombie Jesus Tattoo

2010-02-13T15:30:00.001Z

[300th Post] Make The Pope Pay

2010-02-04T14:43:00.003Z

Do you think having a visit from the Pope is worth spending £20 million of your money? No? Well head over to the National Secular Society who have a petition to make the pope pay.

I don't care if the church pays, the pope pays or some rich person pays. It just shouldn't be the taxpayers - many of whom aren't Catholics.

Your equality laws are unjust, pope tells UK before visit

2010-02-03T08:22:00.000Z

From Steve Bell at the Guardian: Your equality laws are unjust, pope tells UK before visit

Naming every species

2010-02-01T11:14:00.001Z

Thanks to Ritchie Wilson for pointing me in the direction of this.

Intimidation in the blogosphere

2010-01-26T12:40:00.002Z

It seems that an Anglican priest has used the police to intimidate a blogger who dared mention the fact he was a Holcoaust denier. Obviously his views aren't those of the church (the blogger in question is also a Christian), but why does he have his position if eh is outspoken on these issues?

Helping Haiti

2010-01-21T11:24:00.003Z

What Haitians really need is help to recover from a devastating earthquake and the preceding lack of proper government and security. Among this help should be food, water, medical supplies and the expertise required for these to be used effectively.

What they do not need is solar powered talking bibles. Yes, some people will use their faith in Christianity to help them get through this tragedy, but the way to help is to provide items that are desperately needed and without which more people will die. Clogging up the limited transport routes into Haiti with nonsense such as this, at this time, is just plain wrong.

Homeopathy

2010-01-21T08:19:00.004Z

As much as I dislike homeopathy, I have managed to find a medical condition that it is guaranteed to cure.

I am also 100% certain that it works.

Homeopathic remedies can cure dehydration!

What got me thinking about homeopathy? The mass homeopathic overdose.

..and remember, if water has memory, there's a good chance you'll be (homeopathically) drinking my urine.

Compromise with the conspiracy theorists

2010-01-21T08:10:00.000Z

from xkcd: Semicontrolled Demolition

Rational Mantis

2010-01-16T11:45:00.000Z

Combining my love of insects with a passion for reason. Awesome.

David Attenborough on God

2010-01-15T08:21:00.001Z

In stark contrast to the last post I give you something both true and eloquent...

The Lies of David Attenborough

2010-01-15T08:17:00.001Z

Hopefully I don't have to explain to you why this man is wrong....

Blasphemy and Ireland

2010-01-02T15:21:00.002Z

From yesterday it has been illegal to blaspheme in Ireland. Essentially, it is forbidded to be "grossly abusive or insulting in relation to matters held sacred by any religion, thereby causing outrage among a substantial number of the adherents of that religion" given the fact you "intend, by the publication of the matter concerned, to cause such outrage.”

This is a bad move. What happened to freedom of speech? Thankfully Atheist Ireland have responded by publishing 25 quotes that they believe break the new law.

The Recycled Messiah

2009-12-31T15:26:00.000Z

James Randi and Parapsychology

2009-12-31T13:45:00.003Z

Sometimes when discussing reason it's easy to get a bit too lofty about ideals such as the scientific method. I'm not knocking the method - it's the only way we can reliably find out about the world. Sometimes however the work of a scientist is not quite so elegant - years of hard slog through jungles or equations (or sometimes both) to get the tantalising first glimpse of new knowledge. I'm not convinced parapsychology will ever pay off - but it's only by trying to bring it into the umbrella of natural science that it can. Of course, if it can't be bought into line factually and methodologically with natural science, then.....

The Year of Obama

2009-12-25T20:04:00.006Z

In the UK it seems that most people are Obama fans (particularly are our US ex-pats). So as a Christmas present here is some mad preacher going a bit mental about the smallest of things. If you don't like it you'll get a left hook!

Italy science council funds creationist book

2009-12-24T16:18:00.002Z

"After hosting a panel earlier this year to discuss supposed flaws in evolutionary theory, Italy's science agency the National Research Council (CNR) reportedly put up thousands of dollars to help with the publication of a follow-up book, Evolutionism: The Decline of an Hypothesis. The move has vexed many scientists in the country where the Vatican recently came out in support of Darwin's ideas.

Authored by CNR's Vice President Roberto de Mattei, the book asserts, among other things, that scientific dating of rocks is inaccurate and that dinosaurs went extinct just 40,000 years ago (rather than some 65 million years ago, not accounting for modern birds, of course), according to the blog ScienceInsider. The American Academy for the Advancement of Science blog notes that an Italian newspaper, La Repubblica, is reporting that CNR provided 9,000 Euros (some $13,255) to help publish the book, which came out last month. "

This really is the last thing we need. Imagine if AAAS or the Royal Society was found doing this.

Source: Scientific American: Italy science council funds creationist book

Half-life of Christianity in the UK: 1 generation

2009-12-24T13:12:00.002Z

"the gap between age groups arises not because individuals become more religiously committed as they get older, but because children are less religious than their parents. The results suggest that institutional religion in Britain now has a half-life of one generation, to borrow the terminology of radioactive decay. Two non-religious parents successfully transmit their lack of religion. Two religious parents have roughly a 50/50 chance of passing on the faith. One religious parent does only half as well as two together."

via The Guardian: Where have all the believers gone?

Quite Interesting

2009-12-15T23:22:00.002Z

"It's the ones who think they know what there is to be known that we have to look out for. 'All is explained in this text - there is nothing else you need to know,' they tell us. For thousands of years we put up with this kind of thing. Those who said, 'Hang on, I think we might be ignorant, let's see...' were made to drink poison, or had their eyes put out and their bowels drawn out through their botties."

- Stephen Fry in The Book of General Ignorance.

Bill O'Reilly

2009-12-06T14:17:00.000Z

Being entirely reasonable, as always.

John Humphrys favours Atheist Thought for the Day

2009-12-06T13:16:00.002Z

BBC heavy-weight John Humphrys had added his support to a campaign for non-believers to have a say on the Today Programme's Thought For the Day on BBC Radio 4.

Humphrys has previously written a book, In God We Doubt, which discusses his life an agnostic.

Cure the Gays

2009-12-06T11:44:00.002Z

"People are relieved to know the condition [of homosexuality] is both treatable and preventable."

Right. That makes sense. The Catholic church seems to be developing a more extreme response to homosexuality, encouraging people to remain chaste, or trying to convert them.

This does nothing for the church, and on top of that may cause severe damage to the people that it tries to change. Good move?

Starvation

2009-12-05T20:00:00.000Z

This is a sad story of how a mother let her children starve rather than look for a job or food. The reason, she was waiting for god to provide. Well, he didn't. Thankfully this isn't a valid excuse for neglecting your children, so I hope the mother gets some help.

The return of Sarah Palin

2009-12-05T19:20:00.002Z

After a break of a few months Sarah Palin has again appeared in the UK media. This time she is keen to promote religion views and opinions in government.

"No one person has all the right answers. It takes a united nation, and it does take godly counsel, and it takes prayer and answers to prayer - and a collective humble heart of a nation seeking God's hand of protection and his blessings of prosperity."

"I think if we can get back to that, our country will be a safer, more prosperous and healthier nation."

Of course, religious states are well known for their love and humanity. What we really need is people who are intelligent enough and competent to make tough choices based on the best available evidence.

Source: The Telegraph

Jesus appears on an Iron

2009-12-05T14:57:00.003Z

Mrs Cody, a 44-year-old mother from Massachusetts, spotted a likeness of Jesus in the residue on the burnt bottom of her old iron.

She immediately told her two daughters, who said "Mom, that's Jesus looking at us."

The medical secretary said the siting had renewed her religious faith. The image, which she first noticed last week, had reassured her that "life is going to be good", she said.

She added that she would keep her old iron - but would buy a new one for everyday use.

It's called coincidence. I bet you can find images resembling most people if you look at enough irons! It's certainly not something to take solace from.

Source: Jesus appears on iron, US woman claims, The Telegraph

Prince Charles wants to protect homeopathic "medicine"

2009-12-01T16:32:00.004Z

The well know crack-pot Prince Charles has met Health Secretary Andy Burnham to try and persuade him to protect homeopathic "medicine". Yes, that's right, we need to protect people who sell water to the sick telling them it's medicine.

At least the Royal College of Physicians has the right idea, opposing the licensing of homeopaths on the grounds it may make them "respectable".

Latest from the Tree Lobsters

2009-12-01T15:09:00.006Z

Original here: #106 Science Cops 2: Sci Harder

Climate Change Poll

2009-11-30T16:14:00.000Z

Do it!

"I've seen the evidence. And I want the government to prove they're serious about climate change by negotiating a strong, effective, fair deal at Copenhagen."

Basic maths....

2009-11-30T15:44:00.001Z

Do you see anything wrong with the pie chart in this video? I hope so.

Gang Rape, etc.

2009-11-30T12:18:00.003Z

Over at Dwindling in Unbelief Steve takes a look at Judges 19. Can anyone explain why this story made it to the final cut?

A History of Christianity

2009-11-29T16:48:00.003Z

The BBC has been showing this series, A History of Christianity, for a few weeks. As most of you lot know I have an interest in the history of Christianity, and this is the first series on the subject I have enjoyed. Here is what the BBC have to say:

"When he was a small boy, Diarmaid MacCulloch's parents used to drive him round historic churches. Little did they know that they had created a monster, with the history of the Christian Church becoming his life's work."

UK residents can get all four episodes to date on the iPlayer here. If not you will have to find somebody who has mastered the use of iplayer-dl to send it to you by other means.

Latest from Pat Condell: Tolerance and Aggressive Atheism

2009-11-28T12:59:00.001Z

Good without God?

2009-11-24T08:00:00.002Z

The Washington Post has an interesting comment piece on whether we can be good without god.

There's a diversity of opinion, much of it religious. Some of it even says that I can be good as an atheist because of god.

Thankfully there are some more sensible comments, such as this from Paula Kirby (she lives in Scotland):

".. it is the myth that religious belief is somehow necessary for morality that is providing the life support for religion in many Western societies, long after we should have been reaching for the embalming fluid. "

The question of whether there is an absolute morality is an interesting one, indeed organised religion has changed its rules of morality over the years, mainly to fit in with accepted norms. Religion can teach good morals, however there are a large number of secular people who do far better at behaving well.

Sharia Law

2009-11-23T08:05:00.003Z

It seems that there's a crowd out to ban Sharia law again. Thankfully the Gaurdian seems to have the right idea.

In the UK we are all subject to UK law. Period. It doesn't matter what religion or cult your belong to, or whether you belong to none at all.

If you want to live your life by additional rules that don't conflict with our national law, then do so.

As long as I don't have to live under your additional rules, and your additional rules don't conflict with the law of the UK, have whatever rules you wish.

Scientology under attack

2009-11-22T13:13:00.003Z

In another recent Guardian article pseudo-religion and business, Scientology, seems to be coming under attack. One of its great legal minds has died, it has been convicted of fraud and nearly banned in France, and moves are afoot in Australia to give it a good probing.

Good.

My four year old wants to be baptised....

2009-11-22T13:04:00.003Z

....but thankfully Guardian Unlimited has some useful advice that follows the current 'Don't Label Me' theme.

'Evangelical' children used for Atheist Billboard

2009-11-22T12:45:00.004Z

The Times today claims that the children fronting the Don't Label Me campaign are Evangelical. They are not, they are too young, they are the children of evangelical parents. we can't hold that against the children.

The reason these children seem so happy has absolutely nothing to do with the fact they "are" Christian. It is ridiculous to make such a claim. The photographs just happened to be from a photo library.

Atheist Billboard Campaign

2009-11-21T22:14:00.005Z

A while ago the atheists took the war against religion to the sides of London buses. Then the Christians retaliated. Now the ball is back in the atheists' court.

The new campaign (reported by the BBC) aims to challenge the idea that children can be labelled with their parents beliefs. Which is a good thing to challenge. Freedom of thought goes alongside freedom of speech as being pretty important.

This is the last part of Ariane Sherine's project, and her Guardian piece on this campaign is found here: Hey, preacher - leave those kids alone.

More Tim Minchin

2009-11-10T15:16:00.000Z

Why I like Mendeley?

2009-11-10T14:16:00.003Z

I recently wrote a post on my personal blog about why like Mendeley. It has been bought to my attention that this may be due to the following reason.

More Than A Theory Lyrics

2009-11-07T13:57:00.002Z

To the tune of More Than A Feeling. Thanks to Evolving Thoughts.

I woke up this morning and the sun still shone
Bath of neutrinos to start my day
The spectrum’s light was a familiar song
Now analysed, and the maths all say

It’s more than a theory (more than a theory)
When the data lines up that perfect way (more than a theory)
I begin dreaming (more than a theory)
Of a world where pure science holds sway

I want my science world ruling the day

By noon I wandered through Nature’s wilds
So many lifeforms to marvel at
All a wond’rous now as when a child
This jackpot we’ve won, just observing that -

It’s more than a theory (more than a theory)
When the data lines up that perfect way (more than a theory)
I begin dreaming (more than a theory)
Of a world where pure science holds sway

I want my science world ruling the day

When I’ve retired and gotten old
My life wasn’t wasted, regret no day
My dream still unfurls, and ever grows
I built my part, and they’ll always say

It’s more than a theory (more than a theory)
When the data lines up that perfect way (more than a theory)
I begin dreaming (more than a theory)
Of a world where pure science holds sway

I’ll have my science world ruling the day

Mayor Refuses to judge Halloweeen pumpkins

2009-11-01T14:11:00.005Z

OK, Halloween is a fraud. There are no dark or evil spirits, just a chance to have fun, increase the rate at which children become obese, and get something tasty off of the old woman who wakes you up to the sound of Radio 4 every morning.

Except that the woman who wakes you up at such an ungodly hour is actually a mental, Halloween-hating Christian. Now the evidence for the dark side and the godly is equally scant, so I can only assume she uses one set of fairytales that encourage murder to stop my childhood self using a different set of fairytales to ask her for chocolate.

In fact she's almost as big a killjoy as the Mayor of Nuneaton, who for religious reasons refused to judge a pumpkin carving competition. We all know Halloween isn't Christian (some of us now Christianity isn't real either) - but as a mayor refusing to do something that pulls your community together is just wrong.

Religion Flow Chart

2009-10-25T19:01:00.003Z

ReligionFlowChart
Originally uploaded by hedwig_the_owl

Click on the image to get a bigger version. If it's still too small click on 'All Sizes'.

Let me know where you end up!

Loch Ness Monster and the Natural History Museum

2009-10-25T18:42:00.004Z

Apparently it seems the Natural History Museum, London has an agreement to identify any organisms claiming to be the Loch Ness Monster or the Yeti given them to by bookmakers William Hill.

This may seem pretty trivial, but it has netted the museum some much needed cash, and goes some way to ensuring that unusual finds get to be examined by scientists. Of course I am rather sceptical about the existence of either of these things, but weirder organisms are found on a daily basis in the rainforests and deep seas.

Some Well-known Atheists

2009-10-25T16:02:00.002Z

Christianity Cartoon

2009-10-24T23:00:00.003Z

Sell The Vatican, Feed The World

2009-10-24T15:51:00.001Z

Grammar Failure (Church Sign)

2009-10-24T15:15:00.002Z

I know many scientists - never have any of them turned into a troop of monkeys. Maybe I'm just looking at the wrong scientists.....

Via whyevolutionistrue: Grammar, Please!

Pat Condell: Wake up, America

2009-10-24T11:19:00.001Z

Imagine.....

2009-10-11T19:44:00.004Z

Just in case you wanted some images of famous atheists shown alongside a song I really don't like that much...

Silencing Churches

2009-10-11T19:12:00.004Z

Original article: Church has its hymns silenced by council ban

I'm not really sure this is a good thing. I do like some peace and quiet, and I don't like people singing religious songs in public (at least if the songs are meant to be promoting/supporting a religion - sometimes the songs are quite good when they're not used as a recruiting tool). I once had to sit on a bus with a load of school children singing religious songs. It was made (even) more annoying as I was trying to work!

On the other hand, if you buy a house next to a church......

Noah Joke

2009-10-11T19:07:00.002Z

Design vs Chance: PZ Myers

2009-10-11T17:19:00.003Z

A debunking of the complexity argument for intelligent design. Which in PZ Myers opinion, leaves very little of ID left.

O'Reilly vs Dawkins

2009-10-10T16:47:00.006Z

Dawkins sometimes get accused of being an evangelical atheist. In this interview however he just comes across as the voice of reason. Science classrooms should be full of science. Period.

The interview was meant to be about RD's latest book, The Greatest Show on Earth, a topic deftly missed by O'Reilly. Indeed O'Reilly winds himself up into such a state that he shouts and calls Dawkins a fascist for saying Jesus should stay out of science lessons.

At least we don't get this nonsense in the UK!

Egyptian Fake Hymen Scandal

2009-10-10T14:32:00.004Z

Original Story: Egyptian lawmakers want to ban fake hymen

I find it kind of sad that a market for this exists at all. It is a bad mixture of a state where male superiority and an anti-female rights religion are elevated on pedestals. It is a great example of why religion and state must be kept separate.

The website of the Chinese manufacturere claims: “No more worry about losing your virginity. With this product, you can have your first night back anytime... Add in a few moans and groans, you will pass through undetectable.”

Would this product have a market if throughout the world people's sex lives were their own personal business and not interfered with by religion or state?

Tolerant Christian of the Week

2009-10-10T13:57:00.005Z

It's a good job I'm not going to heaven, as I have no intention of spending an eternity with people like this.

The guy on the right just seems to have strung a chain of words he doesn't like together. I'm the sure that most people aren't drunkards all the time, or sodomites, or even necessarily pro-abortion.

Derren Brown: Science Scams - Ghost

2009-10-10T12:42:00.001Z

If you haven't yet checked out Derren Brown's Science Scams then do so. In this, episode 2, learn about how to create ghostly apparitions.

QuickLink: Americans are fleeing religion as atheism surges

2009-10-10T11:33:00.002Z

Americans are fleeing religion as atheism surges from Godless in Chicago.

Atheism in America is on the rise, coupled with a greater disregard for the church and its beliefs.

Penn & Teller: Catholicism

2009-10-10T11:30:00.001Z

"American Catholics have condemned comedians Penn & Teller for launching the most ‘defamatory, obscene and vicious’ attack on the church ever screened on TV." - Chortle

Thankful the Catholic League were kind enough to post the video on their website, from which the below is gratefully borrowed.

'Haunted' Indian Station Reopens

2009-10-10T11:20:00.004Z

Originally from BBC news: 'Haunted' Indian Station Reopens

All ghost stories are either scams or lies. This one definitely lies in the lies category. Indian railway workers invented a ghost to prevent them having to work at a remote train station. The sad thing is, until just recently, it worked.

Australian Study: Reflexology Doesn't Work

2009-10-10T10:32:00.002Z

Original article here: No Convincing Evidence Reflexology Works

An extensive review has failed to find good evidence which convincingly demonstrates reflexology (a practice involving applying pressure to, or, massaging feet) is an effective treatment for any medical conditions.

Details of the review, conducted by Dr Edzard Ernst, Director of Complementary Medicine at the Peninsula Medical School in the United Kingdom, were published in theMedical Journal of Australia.

"There is little doubt that a foot massage is pleasantly relaxing, however specific medical claims should always be supported by sound evidence," Dr Ernst said. "

Creation gets A Distributor

2009-09-27T18:56:00.005Z

yI've just noticed that Derren Brown has posted about the BBC Film/Ocean Pictures latest offerring, Creation, a film about Charles Darwin. In his post Brown says the film has yet to get a US distribution deal (because of the religious nature of its citizens), however I have heard on the grapevine that the independant outfit Newmarket Films will be distributing the film for my friends across the pond. Good news indeed.

Here's a preview.

Another Christianity Cartoon

2009-09-20T12:39:00.002Z

I think this one quite effectively demonstrates that whilst folklore is very interesting, and can be a positive thing, it becomes distinctly weird when people start to believe it is real, and that worshipping it can change your life.

On the nature of evil

2009-09-19T12:02:00.003Z

I found this post on the nature of evil at Aydin's Snail's Tales blog. A great piece of enlightened thought from the 1870s.

The existence of evil is then a terrible stumbling-block to the Theist. Pain, misery, crime, poverty, confront the advocate of eternal goodness, and challenge with unanswerable potency his declaration of Deity as all-good, all-wise, and all-powerful. Evil is either caused by God, or exists independently; but it cannot be caused by God, as in that case he would not be all-good; nor can it exist independently, as in that case he would not be all-powerful. Evil must either have had a beginning or it must have been eternal; but, according to the Theist, it cannot be eternal, because God alone is eternal. Nor can it have had a beginning, for if it had it must either have originated in God, or outside God; but, according to the Theist, it cannot have: originated in God, for he is all-good, and out of all-goodness evil can not originate; nor can evil have originated outside God, for, according to the Theist, God is infinite, and it is impossible to go outside of or beyond infinity.

To the Atheist this question of evil assumes an entirely different aspect. He declares that each evil is a result, but not a result from God or Devil. He affirms that by conduct founded on knowledge of the laws of existence it is possible to ameliorate and avoid present evil, and, as our knowledge increases, to prevent its future recurrence.

Charles Bradlaugh. 1874. A few words about the devil: and other biographical sketches and essays.

Richard Dawkins

2009-09-17T13:02:00.003Z

Gathering Crowds
Originally uploaded by edwbaker

I just about managed to spot Richard Dawkins at the opening ceremony of the new Darwin Centre at the Natural History Museum, London. If you click on the photo to go the Flickr page you will be able to get a large sized version proving that it is indeed Richard Dawkins.

Trust Me, I'm a Scientist

2009-09-07T20:38:00.003Z

....and making important decisions based on bad science is not good for you.

Such as a 13-15 year old girl (I guess she was about 14) agreeing to have sex because of the fear of CERN making a black hole. This is not a good way to make decisions.

More Mitchell and Webb

2009-08-18T16:57:00.001Z

Seth MacFarlane

2009-08-16T16:35:00.003Z

A clip of an interview with Family Guy and American Dad creator, the Emmy award winner and atheist, Seth MacFarlane.

Will they still dispute the moon landings?

2009-08-10T09:25:00.005Z

NASA has uploaded photographs of the Apollo moon landing sites for you to look over. The photographs were taken by the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter. Will people still dispute the fact we landed there? Probably....

More from Pat Condell

2009-07-30T09:05:00.002Z

I can only aim to sound this angry. This time Pat debunks 'islamophobia' and woolly liberal thinking.

Camp Quest

2009-07-30T08:29:00.002Z

A couple of interesting things in the news about Camp Quest.

First there is this article, which is the first thing I've seen in a while that encourages children to think about difficult questions.

Second, an interview with one of the children attending who sounds more mature than many adults who make it into the media.

Romanian Atheist

2009-07-28T14:04:00.003Z

PZ Spotted this ages ago - it's pretty snappy, I like it.

Francis Collins

2009-07-28T13:18:00.002Z

Collins has been nominated by Barack Obama to head the National Institutes of Health. Initially this seemed to be ok, he's a skilled administrator of science, as his work on the Human Genome Project showed. The problems started when details of his religious beliefs came out. It seems like the man from "nominally Christian" parents and who is 'ex-atheist' is a bit too mad for comfort. Sam Harris dismantles the man in this New York Times op-ed.

Homeopathic A&E

2009-07-28T13:00:00.001Z

From That Mitchell And Webb Look.

View to the "Promised Land" from Mount Nebo

2009-07-27T18:48:00.001Z

View to the "Promised Land" from Mount Nebo
Originally uploaded by edwbaker

Just for the record, this is very close to the spot where Moses was (mythically) murdered by his creator.

This photograph is from the top of Mount Nebo, looking out towards the 'Promised Land'. It was New Year's Day, and I'd celebrated the night before, but still doesn't look particularly promising. In fact, if you turn around 180 degrees the country was much more lush.

Spring of Moses II

2009-07-27T18:45:00.001Z

Spring of Moses
Originally uploaded by edwbaker

I tapped the rock, turned around, and that water you see was there. Cool, eh?