I Stand with Planned Parenthood
Guest Blog from Dren Asselmeier
February 01, 2012
Susan G. Komen for the Cure has cut off funding to Planned Parenthood, even though Planned Parenthood has used that funding to provide nearly 170,000 breast exams.
Indiana Senate OKs Amended, but Still Flawed, Creationist Bill
Democratic Discourse with Michael De Dora
February 01, 2012
The Indiana Senate on Tuesday voted 28-22 in favor of an amended version of Senate Bill 89, which would allow public schools across the state to teach children the creation stories of various mainstream religions.
Indiana Senator Kruse Seeks to Erode Indiana Science Standards
Freethought from the Heartland with Reba Boyd Wooden
February 01, 2012
Indiana's Senator Dennis Kruse has introduced a bill (SB 89) in the Indiana General Assembly to allow the teaching of "creation science" in Indiana public schools. In a report just released by the Fordham Foundation, Indiana was listed as one of just seven states that earned an "A" for its science standards. This has been the case for many years. Indiana has been a shining star in the midwest on the map of those receiving that rating.
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Four to Watch (Nickell-odeon Mini-Reviews)
Investigative Briefs with Joe Nickell
January 31, 2012
To catch up on our movie watching, my wife Diana dared us to go on a movie marathon. So (after a morning trip to a psychic fair) we embarked on a whirlwind tour, getting home just before the witching hour. With her handling logistics (directions, times, and eating on the run) and me driving the getaway car, we crisscrossed town and watched four new feature films. All were in the good-to-excellent range, and I recommend them to fellow skeptics and humanists. (As I say, a humanist is an atheist with a heart.) Here are capsule reviews (presented in ascending order of excellence).
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How Unnatural Is Religion?
It’s Only Natural with John Shook
January 27, 2012
For a belief system about the unnatural, religion is trying to keep it pretty natural.
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When Lawmakers Don’t Listen to Reason
Freethought from the Heartland with Reba Boyd Wooden
January 27, 2012
Wednesday, January 25, 2012 was a very frustrating day. Beginning at 8:30 am and again at 1:30 pm, I sat in on Indiana Senate committee hearings. Among the bills being discussed were SB 72 in the Health and Provider Services Committee and SB 89 in the Education and Career Development Committee.
Indiana Senate Panel Approves Creationist Bill Despite Center for Inquiry’s Letter, Testimony
Democratic Discourse with Michael De Dora
January 26, 2012
Despite CFI's best efforts, an Indiana Senate panel has approved a bill that would allow school boards to “require the teaching of various theories concerning the origin of life, including creation science, within the school corporation.”
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Indiana Senate Hates Science, Loves Jesus
Guest Blog from Dren Asselmeier
January 26, 2012
Anti-evolution/pro-creationism bills are popping up in 2012.
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The Mayan Calendar, 2012, and Doomsday: A Primer
A Skeptic Reads the Newspaper with Ben Radford
January 25, 2012
It's no secret that the ancient Mayans (as opposed to the modern ones, some of whom work in offices and use cell phones) had a famous calendar that "runs out" in December of this year. Just what that means--if anything--is the question. Does it hold any particular significance for Doomday, the Apocalpyse, or Armageddon? Here's a (very) short primer on the Mayan calendar.
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Poland fines pop music star for blasphemy
Democratic Discourse with Michael De Dora
January 23, 2012
Poland has fined Doda for stating in an interview that the Bible is full of "unbelievable tales" that are hard to accept because "it's hard to believe in something written down by someone drunk on wine and smoking some kind of herbs."
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