Blog Archives for January, 2009
Monkey Business over Ohio City’s Proposed “Science Month”
Reasonable Doubt with Derek C. Araujo
January 31, 2009
The Columbus, Ohio suburb of Whitehall is awash in controversy over a proposal to designate February as “Science Month.”
3 Comments
Bigfoot Bozos
Investigative Briefs with Joe Nickell
January 28, 2009
Georgia “clowns” ineptly reprise frozen-Sasquatch hoax.
2 Comments
Victory in Texas? For Now.
Guest Blog from Henry Huber
January 27, 2009
“The meetings last week were tense, as the elected board was finely split between creationists and scientists..."
2 Comments
‘Witch’ Killings Continue
Investigative Briefs with Joe Nickell
January 23, 2009
"Witch" killings continue with the burning of a suspected witch in Papua New Guinea, a delusion continues.
3 Comments
New Age Book Offers “Raw Logic” to Dismiss Skeptics
A Skeptic Reads the Newspaper with Ben Radford
January 23, 2009
A new New Age book called "Amazing Grace" offers something called "Raw Logic" to refute skeptics. Does it? You decide!
4 Comments
CFI Warns Nation of God’s Wrath!
No Faith Value with Ronald A. Lindsay
January 22, 2009
Ronald A. Lindsay, CFI President & CEO, informs us of God’s anger over President Obama’s acknowledgement of nonbelievers.
11 Comments
Long-Settled Evolution “Debate” Rages in Texas, Louisiana
Reasonable Doubt with Derek C. Araujo
January 22, 2009
Despite the federal courts’ banning the unconstitutional teaching of creationism and intelligent design in public schools, the Boards of Education of at least two states are still attempting to inject discussions of so-called "weaknesses" of evolution into the curriculum.
In Texas:
11 Comments
Obama’s Oath without a Bible - Is He An Atheist Afterall?
Out of My Skeptical Mind with D.J. Grothe
January 21, 2009
Obama Repeats Flubbed Oath, But Without A Bible
30 Comments
Obama’s First Day: A Religious Right Roundup
Reasonable Doubt with Derek C. Araujo
January 21, 2009
I thought it would be interesting to find out what the Religious Right has been up to on the first full day of Barack Obama’s presidency. Recall that in yesterday’s inaugural address President Obama pledged to restore science and gave a nod to religious minorities—most …
2 Comments
Change Comes to WhiteHouse.gov; Faith-Based Initiatives Out, Gay Rights In
Reasonable Doubt with Derek C. Araujo
January 21, 2009
Barack Obama was elected the 44th President of the United States on a promise to "bring change to America." Yesterday change came swiftly to the White House’s official webpage— reportedly within minutes of Obama’s taking the oath of office.
The newly-revamped …
A Big Step Forward, a Few Disappointments
Guest Blog from Tom W. Flynn
January 20, 2009
Barack Obama's inaugural address made history by acknowledging unbelievers -- amid a dismaying amount of God talk
5 Comments
At Inaugural, Obama includes nonbelievers, pledges to restore science
Out of My Skeptical Mind with D.J. Grothe
January 20, 2009
President Obama pushes secular humanist values, includes nonbelievers and promotes science at the Inaugural
26 Comments
Should Secular Humanists be Environmentalists?
It’s Only Natural with John Shook
January 20, 2009
Are there ethical principles of secularism to help decide whether to be environmentalists?
6 Comments
Are the world’s peanuts becoming less flavorful because of me? A guilty pleasure revealed.
A Skeptic Reads the Newspaper with Ben Radford
January 18, 2009
Benjamin Radford muses on whether his love of peanuts is in some small way destroying the world.
5 Comments
Credulous Americans? More Americans Believe in Darwin’s Theory of Evolution than in Creationism
Out of My Skeptical Mind with D.J. Grothe
January 18, 2009
According to a new Harris Poll, more Americans believe in evolution than creationism, but the poll isn't all good news.
7 Comments
Court Rules that White House Must Reveal Visits by Religious Right Leaders
Reasonable Doubt with Derek C. Araujo
January 17, 2009
Last week the Bush administration lost a courtroom battle to maintain a shroud of secrecy over nine prominent Religious Right leaders’ alleged visits to the White House and to Dick Cheney’s home. The government watchdog group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) had …
2 Comments
Bush Declares “National Sanctity of Human Life Day”
Reasonable Doubt with Derek C. Araujo
January 16, 2009
George W. Bush, who entered office pledging to be a "uniter, not a divider," is leaving office by issuing an official Proclamation on the most divisive issue in American politics: abortion. Yesterday he declared January 18 to be "National Sanctity of Human Life Day 2009." …
18 Comments
Court Denies Preliminary Injunction in Newdow Suit
Reasonable Doubt with Derek C. Araujo
January 16, 2009
Yesterday the Washington Post reported that federal district judge Reggie B. Walton has denied the temporary injunction sought by the plaintiffs in Newdow v. Roberts . This decision allows Barack Obama’s oath of office to include the …
2 Comments
Why Obama should resist the BSA
Out of My Skeptical Mind with D.J. Grothe
January 14, 2009
President-elect Obama should refrain from becoming honorary president of the discriminatory Boy Scouts of America.
3 Comments
Ben Radford’s Psychic Ability Revealed! 2008 Predictions
A Skeptic Reads the Newspaper with Ben Radford
January 13, 2009
Benjamin Radford reveals the predictions he made for 2008 in 2007, revealing a stunning 90% success rate.
6 Comments
Defendants File Answers in Newdow Inauguration Lawsuit
Reasonable Doubt with Derek C. Araujo
January 11, 2009
Another update on Newdow v. Roberts , Michael Newdow’s lawsuit challenging the use of prayer and the addition of the words "so help me God" at the Presidential Inauguration ( see my prior post ): both the Presidential Inauguration Committee and the federal …
10 Comments
Mississippi Bill Targets Biology Books
Reasonable Doubt with Derek C. Araujo
January 10, 2009
Last week the Mississippi state legislature took up an anti-evolution bill that would require the State Board of Education to place disclaimer stickers in every textbook that discusses evolution. House Bill No. 25 , introduced by state representative Gary Chism, sets forth a lengthy required …
8 Comments
State Attorneys General Oppose Challenge to Inauguration Ceremony
Reasonable Doubt with Derek C. Araujo
January 09, 2009
An update on the recently-filed lawsuit challenging the use of prayer and the addition of the words "so help me God" at this month’s Presidential Inauguration: yesterday all 50 state Attorneys General, led by Texas AG Greg Abbott and joined by …
3 Comments
A Spirited Misunderstanding
Guest Blog from Tom W. Flynn
January 09, 2009
Misunderstanding of the word "spiritual" may compromise the care well-meaning nurses provide to nonreligious patients.
5 Comments
“Miraculous Elián” Returns?
Investigative Briefs with Joe Nickell
January 09, 2009
The controversy over Elián Gonzáles--who was once deemed miraculous--is to resume during attorney general confirmation hearings.
What Does A Commitment to Gender Equality Imply?
No Faith Value with Ronald A. Lindsay
January 07, 2009
Is there a humanist position on affirmative action? Pornography? If so, what is it?
16 Comments
Africa Needs More Human-Centered Thought and Activism
Guest Blog from Norm R. Allen Jr.
January 07, 2009
Norm R. Allen Jr. responds to the idea that missionary work and Christianity are essentially benign.
5 Comments
New Jersey UFO Case Likely a Copycat Hoax
A Skeptic Reads the Newspaper with Ben Radford
January 07, 2009
A set of mysterious lights seen recently over New Jersey bears a striking resemblance to the 2008 Phoenix Lights UFO Hoax
1 Comment
Do You Think Humanists Have a Sense of Humor? Prove It.
No Faith Value with Ronald A. Lindsay
January 05, 2009
CFI President and CEO Ronald A. Lindsay offers some light bulb jokes -- and challenges other humanists to do better.
22 Comments
Humanism and the Faith that Unites
It’s Only Natural with John Shook
January 02, 2009
Can humanism promote an active faith in ethical ideals, without falling into the religious divide of dogmatic faith?
13 Comments
