Are religious Americans really this stupid?

Know your enemy? Or just think more?

Good, murderous, Christian parents

The stupid, it hurts......

The lack of understanding here is painful.

The Year of Obama

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!

Bill O'Reilly

Being entirely reasonable, as always.

The return of Sarah Palin

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

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

Basic maths....

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

Pat Condell: Wake up, America

On Illinois

Later this week I will be flying out to Champaign, IL. So far everyone I have met from the "most average state" has been very bright and forward thinking. To ruin my illusion PZ posted this video.

Apparently gay rights and Christian rights don't mix. Guess which side is becoming oppressive to try and win the day....

Tony Blair on Religion

I have mixed feelings about Tony Blair. I remember the excitement he caused when I was at middle school about him becoming Prime Minister. Which is odd on two fronts: I knew nothing of any worth about politics, and as fas as I remember the school election was won by the Monster Raving Loony Party.

Since his departure from Number 10 Blair has been going on about god a lot. Most notably Blair was guided by an imaginary friend, voice or apparition when deciding whether to invade Iraq. This is not a good way to make such decisions. The decision to go to war is difficult, just as the decision not to can be difficult. That decision can only be made on the basis of the evidence available at the time.

But Blair seems to have continued on, and at a recent 'Prayer Breakfast' (who says there's no division between church and state in the USA?) he mention god over 3o times. Quotes such as 'The 21st century will be poorer in spirit, meaner in ambition, less disciplined in conscience, if it is not under the guardianship of faith in God' are find highly comical. It is the liberation from faith that seems to be driving moral progress.

Read through this article, it seems the UK thankfully isn't quite as bad as the USA yet!

My Reply From UVM

RE: Ben Stein

Thank you for your note. Although we have recently learned that Mr. Stein will be unable to receive the honorary degree here or to serve as commencement speaker, please know that it was our expectation that his remarks would address the global economic crisis and that he would speak from his widely acknowledged area of expertise on the economy. We regret that he will be unable to do so.

With thanks again for writing and with every good wish—Daniel Mark Fogel, President

How very impersonal! Just a form letter.

At least he won't be there.

Ben Stein backs out

Ben Stein has backed out of the UVM date. A victory over creationism!

Ben Stein given platform at Vermont

It seems that a certain university has invited Ben Stein to speak. Giving this man a legitimate platform to speak from is clearly ludicrous. So do as PZ and others have done, and write them a letter. PZ even gives the addresses to send them to. I have enclosed my letter below.

Dear Sir/Madam,

I have been following the story of your decision to invite Ben Stein to talk at your institution. This move is frankly a disgusting insult to the scientists at your institution, as well as scientists the world over (myself included).

To give a man with such views a legitimate voice at an otherwise excellent university is wrong and I find it deeply disturbing.

You are belittling the efforts of your own scientists' work, my work, and the work of everybody else who has made a bona fide contribution to furthering our knowledge of our world.

Regards,

Some good news from Texas

It seems that the Texan state curriculum for science will define it in a way that excludes creationism (including intelligent design).

Well done Texas!

Spelling Bee American of the Week

Well done you, Sir!

Tolerant American of the Week

Tolerance, rationality, love - just three character traits preventing me from becoming an evangelical Christian!

American of the Week

This is just crazy. 'Obama does not support our flag' - why would he? It's a symbolic piece of cloth! If he didn't support freedom, liberty, America, or something else important then feel free to make a point. I also like the kind hearted public service announcement 'Obama's middle name is Hussein' - thanks, that might come up in a pub quiz!

Obama Victory

Well, it seems the scrawny-armed, half-black guy from Illinois won. Despite being pretty happy about this, and very happy considering the other possible outcome, I do not have particularly high hopes. There are a huge bunch of issues that Mr Obama needs to sort out, the continued destruction of our planet being high on the list. Only in time can we judge whether Mr Obama can deliver on his pledges.

However there were some good things to come from this election. It seems that United Sates of America have finally pulled themselves out of a united state of apathy when it comes to politics. Heck, they even managed to interest school children over here. The morning after Obama won you could almost hear the collective sigh of relief from Europe, and the rest of the world.

I look forward to seeing if all of this change we've been talking about does happen.

A comment on 'who those Americans amongst you might vote for'

Thanks to PZ Myers for this one!