Former Canadian skinhead says that Donald Trump has "normalized" white supremacy.

Courtesy of The Star: 

“I don’t know if you’re a Trump fan,” Galloway says, as I nearly fall out of my chair. “But the guy down south there is enabling this stuff, I believe, by allowing it to be normalized.” 

Galloway believes many prejudiced eyes see Trump as both a modern day prophet and a warrior who is fighting for the white side. Trump has more dog whistles than you’d find inside the Westminster Kennel Club. 

In rhetoric and by tweet, Galloway thinks Trump is making hate great again. “The movement is growing because of the normalized message coming from the United States,” he says. “It’s so often that people are latching on to this.” 

This is from a new documentary called "Skinhead" which will be broadcast tomorrow on Canadian television.

And Canada is not the only place where the number of white supremacists have started to rise.

Courtesy of CNN:

Millions of Americans are shocked by the recent displays of white supremacy on US soil. But it's not just America that is seeing these types of demonstrations. 

This Saturday, an estimated 60,000 people marched through Warsaw on Poland's independence day, with some of the marchers burning flares and carrying banners that read "White Europe" and "Clean Blood." Far-right symbols from the darkest corners of European white supremacy were proudly worn. One marcher said in a television interview that his goal was to "remove Jewry from power." To be clear, Polish leaders afterward said they condemned the hateful messages and stressed many thousands were there to celebrate the country's holiday. 

Images from Warsaw immediately bring to mind this summer's deadly rallies in Charlottesville, Virginia, and for good reason: A thread of anguish and hatred connects white supremacists across the Atlantic with the ones in America. Indeed, one of the most underreported stories of Charlottesville is that Richard Spencer, David Duke, and Matthew Heimbach -- three prominent rally organizers -- have all been involved with European white nationalist individuals or organizations.

I don't think any of us are even remotely surprised that Donald Trump is helping the spread of white supremacy here in America, but to find that the same is happening not just in Canada, but around the world as well, is more than a little unsettling.

I still remember when America was considered a beacon for hope around the world.

And now suddenly the man that occupies our highest office is considered an inspiration for hatred, racism, and religious intolerance.

School teachers report from the front lines about what they are seeing in Trump's America.

Courtesy of NPR: 

Previous surveys we've reported on, including one from the Southern Poverty Law Center, also found increases in school bullying related to overheated political rhetoric. 

The UCLA survey, unlike those, relies on a nationally representative sample: 1,535 teachers at schools whose demographics reflect those of U.S. schools as a whole, rather than pulling from self-selecting volunteers. Also, the survey was conducted after President Trump took office. Along with the survey, researchers at the UCLA Institute for Democracy, Education and Access conducted 35 follow-up interviews by phone. 

Here are some of the key findings: 

• 79 percent of teachers reported that students have expressed concerns for their well-being or the well-being of their families because of what is in the news. Most commonly mentioned was immigration, but the list also included the much-publicized travel ban, restrictions on LGBTQ rights, threats to the Affordable Care Act and threats to the environment. 
• 51 percent of teachers reported more students experiencing "high levels of stress and anxiety." 
• 44 percent of teachers reported that students' concerns were affecting learning. In interviews, they spoke about students who seemed stressed, distracted and who were contributing less to class discussion for fear of drawing attention to themselves. 
• 41 percent of teachers reported that students were more likely than in previous years to introduce unfounded claims in class discussions, such as from Facebook or talk radio. 
• 27 percent of teachers reported an increase in students making derogatory remarks about other groups during class discussions. This included sexist as well as racist and anti-Muslim comments. 
• 20 percent of teachers reported heightened polarization on campus and incivility in their classrooms. 

These last two figures were higher for teachers at predominantly white schools, says John Rogers, lead author of the report and a professor at UCLA's graduate school of education. He noted that teachers in eight states used the word "emboldened" to describe some white students' increasingly racist and offensive behavior. 

The report is not comprehensive, and there's no easy way to compare its results with those during any previous administration. But it speaks to an ongoing national discussion about civil discourse and civic engagement inside and outside the classroom.

When I say in the headline that teachers are on the "front line" I mean that literally as they are often the ones who first recognize shifts in how young people respond to the mood of a country, or how attitudes are evolving concerning racism, sexism, or tolerance of "the other."

During the Obama Administration it seemed that the country was moving rapidly toward more progressive attitudes, hope for the future, and acceptance of others.

But now with Trump in the White House it appears that we returned to intolerance and divisiveness almost overnight.

Air Force Chaplain writes article claiming that Christian servicemen "serve Satan" by demonstrating respect for other religions.

Courtesy of Newsweek:

A U.S. Air Force chaplain who ministers to thousands of men and women at an Ohio base is asserting that Christians in the U.S. Armed Forces “serve Satan” and are “grossly in error” if they support service members' right to practice other faiths.

The Chaplin,  Captain Sonny Hernandez, wrote an article for a website called BarbWire.com, in which he condemned Christian service members for relying on the Constitution “and not Christ.”

Of  course American service men and women take an oath to uphold the Constitution, NOT the Bible.

But that did not seem to matter to this guy:

He wrote: “Counterfeit Christians in the Armed forces will appeal to the Constitution, and not Christ, and they have no local church home—which means they have no accountability for their souls (Heb. 13:17). This is why so many professing Christian service members will say: We ‘support everyone’s right’ to practice their faith regardless if they worship a god different from ours because the Constitution protects this right.”

Hernandez continued: “Christian service members who openly profess and support the rights of Muslims, Buddhists, and all other anti-Christian worldviews to practice their religions—because the language in the Constitution permits—are grossly in error, and deceived.”

Apparently there have been a number of complaints against Hernandez in the past but no real action has been taken as of yet.

However now he has come to the attention of the Military Religious Freedom Foundation. And its founder Mikey Weinstein has a theory about what it going on: 

"America’s military members look to the president for direction and inspiration," Weinstein said. "Trump’s statements and actions have fully endorsed and validated this unbridled tidal wave of fundamentalist Christian persecution, which is now more inextricably intertwined into the very fabric of our Department of Defense than ever before."

The organization says that the number of complaints they receive has doubled since Trump took office,  and that seems to reflect the increased racism and rejection of non-Christian religions that we have noticed all across the nation.

This is of course only the beginning. Things are definitely only going to get worse from here.

St. Louis Archbishop wants to kick the Girl Scouts off of church property because essentially they do not hate on women and gays nearly enough.

Courtesy of St. Louis Post-Dispatch:  

St. Louis Archbishop Robert Carlson has issued a letter calling on parishes to seek alternatives to Girl Scouts, arguing that the program and related organizations conflict with Roman Catholic teaching. 

The Archdiocese of St. Louis isn’t directly kicking Girl Scout troops and activities off church properties (Yes he is.), but is suggesting they and their cookies may no longer be welcome in the fold. 

“Girl Scouts is exhibiting a troubling pattern of behavior and it is clear to me that as they move in the ways of the world it is becoming increasingly incompatible with our Catholic values,” Carlson wrote in a letter dated Thursday. “We must stop and ask ourselves — is Girl Scouts concerned with the total well-being of our young women? Does it do a good job forming the spiritual, emotional, and personal well-being of Catholic girls?” 

The letter said issues such as reproductive rights and abortion separate the church from Girl Scouts and related organizations. 

The letter was a disappointment to Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri CEO Bonnie Barczykowski, who said by email Friday the organization “has enjoyed a history of cooperation with the Archdiocese of St. Louis for almost 100 years.”

"Well you had a good hundred year run Girl Scouts, but if you insist on being so damn reasonable you are going to have to get the fuck off of church property right now. But hey, leave some of those delightful cookies."anti-a

Personally I think that the Girl Scouts should remove themselves from church property, but not because this Archbishop is so intolerant, but because the Catholic Church is bulging at the seams with pedophiles.

Six of the current GOP presidential hopefuls promise to support legislation allowing businesses to discriminate against gay people under the guise of "religious liberty."

Courtesy of Think Progress:  

Six of the Republican candidates vying for the presidency have signed a pledge promising to support legislation during their first 100 days in the White House that would use the guise of “religious liberty” to give individuals and businesses the right to openly discriminate against LGBT people. 

Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio, Ben Carson, Carly Fiorina, Rick Santorum, and Mike Huckabee vowed to push for the passage of the First Amendment Defense Act (FADA), legislation that would prohibit the federal government from stopping discrimination by people or businesses that believe “marriage is or should be recognized as the union of one man and one woman” or that “sexual relations are properly reserved to such a marriage.” 

The pledge is supported by three conservative groups: the American Principles Project, Heritage Action for America, and Family Research Council Action. 

“It has become clear that the First Amendment Defense Act is rapidly becoming a signature issue that unifies the GOP,” Maggie Gallagher, Senior Fellow at American Principles Project, said in the group’s statement announcing the pledge. “Three out of the four top contenders for the nomination — Carson, Cruz, and Rubio — have pledged to prioritize passing FADA in their first 100 days of office. Additionally, Bush, Graham, Paul, and now for the first time, Donald Trump, have publicly expressed support for FADA.” 

Gallagher added that a Republican win in 2016 could mean that FADA becomes reality. “Real, concrete protections for gay marriage dissenters appear to be just one election victory away,” she said.

This is for all of you who are claiming they will sit this election out if the Democratic candidate of your choice does not win the nomination. 

Time to grow the fuck up and recognize just what is at stake.

Or should I also bring up the potential Supreme Court appointments?

How some Christians respond when Atheists try to give back to their communities.

Does this qualify as a hate crime?

Because it seems like it should.

(H/T to the Friendly Atheist.)

Christians are all for religious tolerance right up until you open a Church of Lucifer in their neighborhood.

Courtesy of Raw Story: 

Christians in Spring, Texas, appear to be trying to run the Church of Lucifer out of town, ABC13 reports. 

The Luciferians officially opened their doors on Friday, with their first meeting scheduled for Saturday. But they were greeted by a vocal group of Christians after having their building vandalized this week. Video taken by ABC13 Friday evening shows protesters upset with the organization’s presence gathered outside, with a law enforcement presence needed to keep the peace. 

“This is what we get when we have freedom of religion,” protester Christine Weick told ABC13 angrily. “We ought to be filling up the whole street here, that they have to pass through us to get into that church.” 

Weick continued to say that God loves the Luciferians “enough to say, ‘you either bow now, or you will be forced to bow later,’ and then it’s too late.”

You may remember Christine Wieck as the  lunatic who thinks that "Monster" energy drinks are the work of Satan. So of course she's somewhat of an "expert" on the devil.

Of course much like the Church of Satan this "church" has really nothing to do with devil worship and really exists more to troll Christians than for any other reason: 

We have an absolute right to be here, legally,” Greater Church of Lucifer co-president Michael Ford told RT. “I always feel sorry for so-called Christians who feel so insecure in their belief that they have to come out here and waste their time when they’re not going to change our mind, and we’re not going to change theirs.”

I would imagine that the main objective here was to demonstrate the intolerance many Christians feel toward other religions, and to highlight their deep seated insecurities about their own faith.

And it seems that the "Church of Lucifer" has managed to reach both of those objectives in record time.

Apparently Jesus is like a Wal-Mart greeter for Hawkins, Texas.

Courtesy of Politicususa

Speaking for Jesus? Isn't that what the whole "Thou shalt not take the Lord's name in vain" is talking about?

Well it might not anger Jesus, most likely because he is a mythical creation, but it did upset the FFRF.

This from KMOO: 

The Freedom From Religion Foundation has sent a letter to an East Texas City Council requesting they remove a sign posted on city property. 

The group states in its letter that the “Jesus Welcomes You to Hawkins’ sign posted on East Front Street is an unconstitutional religious display. 

The letter states, “The Jesus Welcomes You to Hawkins’ sign sends a message to the City’s citizens that the Hawkins government is endorsing and compelling a belief in a particular god. By endorsing such a belief, the sign sends the message to nonadherents that they are outsiders, not full members of the political community, and an accompanying message to adherents that they are insiders, favored numbers…” 

The letter ended by requesting the City Council to reply back with a plan for how to proceed.

However the mayor of Hawkins says that the creation of the sign was a "community project" and thinks the community should fight to keep it up.

And the mayor thinks you should show your support even if you are NOT a Christian, because Jesus was a good guy:

“Citizens should voice their support,” Rogers said. “Even if you don’t look at Jesus as a religious leader, you have the humanitarian aspects of his life while he was here to consider.”

You see they just like Jesus for being Jesus, they don't want him featured prominently on their sign to indicate any kind of religious preference in their town.

Yeah, right.

Jeb Bush goes to Liberty University to pander his pants off for that sweet, sweet evangelical vote.

Courtesy of Politico: 

Jeb Bush on Saturday made a major overture to evangelical voters, seeking to reassure a skeptical voting bloc that when it comes to core beliefs about religious freedom and Christianity’s role in the world, he’s with them. 

The former Florida governor and likely presidential candidate made his pitch at a commencement address at Liberty University, a prominent symbol of evangelical Christianity in Lynchburg, Va., that has become a routine campaign stop for presidential hopefuls. Bush aimed to connect with evangelical voters — many of whom have been wary of his potential candidacy — by decrying progressives who, in his characterization, see no role for religion in public life.

“I am asked sometimes whether I would ever allow my decisions in government to be influenced by my Christian faith,” Bush said, building on a spirited defense of the First Amendment and the importance of free exercise of religion. “Whenever I hear this, I know what they want me to say. The simple and safe reply is, ‘No. Never. Of course not.’ If the game is political correctness, that’s the answer that moves you to the next round. The endpoint is a certain kind of politician we’ve all heard before – the guy whose moral convictions are so private, so deeply personal, that he even refuses to impose them on himself.” 

Holy crap! It almost sounds as if Bush has been possessed by the spirit of Ted Cruz.

But wait, there's more:  

“The stories vary, year after year, but the storyline is getting familiar: The progressive political agenda is ready for its next great leap forward, and religious people or churches are getting in the way. Our friends on the left like to view themselves as the agents of change and reform, and you and I are supposed to just get with the program.” 

And do you know why those of us on the Left view ourselves as "agents of change and reform?" 

Because we are.

And the reason that that we see Fundamentalist Christians diametrically opposed to that kind of change, or the acceptance of all people despite their sexuality, religion, or lack of religion, is because they are.

If religious people did not demand that their ability to discriminate against gay people while hiding behind their faith be protected, or attempt to indoctrinate public school children in science classes by promoting the teaching of Creationism, or freak out because a child sits during the Pledge of Allegiance rather than pay homage to their God, then I don't see too many liberals having a problem with them.

After all it is not their right to worship that we object to, it's their constant need to impose their primitive religious beliefs on all of the rest of us that chaps our ass.

You know we openly mocked Sarah Palin just the other day for going full televangelist, but now it's clear that she is simply jumping on a bandwagon already bulging with potential presidential candidates who seem poised to reanimate the social conservative values of the Moral Majority.

And this in the era of gay marriage, a dramatic decline in church attendance, and the rapid growth of non-theism.

Well as one of those political progressives that Jebbie is bitching about all I have to say is, "Sounds like a plan to me."

I completely support the Republican party going back in time and embracing the values espoused by Jerry Falwell, Jimmy Swaggert, and Pat Robertson.  Good luck with that.

Michigan mayor rejects idea of "Atheist booth" alongside Christian prayer station in City Hall, compares Atheists to KKK and Nazis.

Mayor Jim Fouts

Courtesy of Chron:

The American Civil Liberties Union in Michigan and two other groups filed a federal lawsuit Wednesday seeking an injunction against a Michigan city's ban on an atheist booth in a municipal building. 

The groups said the Detroit suburb of Warren lets a church group run a "prayer station," distribute religious materials, discuss religious beliefs and pray with visitors in a City Hall atrium but refuses to let atheist Douglas Marshall use the same space. 

Americans United for Separation of Church and State and the Freedom from Religion Foundation also are part of the lawsuit in U.S. District Court that says Marshall's request in April to install a "reason station" was rejected by Mayor Jim Fouts. 

"Once the government opens public space for use by private groups, it cannot pick and choose who can use the space based on the content of their message or whether public officials agree with that message," said Dan Korobkin, ACLU of Michigan deputy legal director, adding "The city cannot allow speech supportive of religion and reject speech supportive of atheism."

I think Douglas Marshall has a valid point.

If you allow one group to have a special area in a government building then it seems reasonable to allow others in as well. And not just Atheists either, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, Scientologists, etc., should have the same exact access and place of prominence provided to them.

Sadly the mayor of Warren, does not quite see it that way.

This was what he told the AP:

"The city has certain values that I don't believe are in general agreement with having an atheist station, nor in general agreement with having a Nazi station or Ku Klux Klan station," Fouts said. "I cannot accept or will not allow a group that is disparaging of another group to have a station here."

Now why do these idiots always think that THEIR values reflect the values or beliefs of everybody in their communities?

And conflating Atheists with the KKK or the Nazis demonstrates a complete lack of knowledge about history, and a deeply intolerant nature.

As far as I know most Atheist organizations are not about hate, they are about knowledge.

And it looks like this guy could stand to be exposed to some.

I think Family Guy has a pretty clear understanding of religion.

I have to say that this is pretty much how I view Christianity and religions as well.

And to be honest in this day and age it seems to be the last prejudice that is widely accepted when making decisions about where people can live, who they can marry, and which laws they have to follow.

Guess who's now considered a terrorist in Saudi Arabia. That's right, me.

Courtesy of Human Rights Watch:  

Saudi Arabia’s new terrorism law and a series of related royal decrees create a legal framework that appears to criminalize virtually all dissident thought or expression as terrorism. The sweeping provisions in the measures, all issued since January 2014, threaten to close down altogether Saudi Arabia’s already extremely restricted space for free expression. 

“Saudi authorities have never tolerated criticism of their policies, but these recent laws and regulations turn almost any critical expression or independent association into crimes of terrorism,” said Joe Stork, deputy Middle East and North Africa director at Human Rights Watch. “These regulations dash any hope that King Abdullah intends to open a space for peaceful dissent or independent groups.”

And just how sweeping are these provisions?

This sweeping:

Article 1: “Calling for atheist thought in any form, or calling into question the fundamentals of the Islamic religion on which this country is based.”

That's right. Simply believing that there is no God, and mentioning that, is now considered an offense and is dealt with in the same way as a guy who opens fire on a busload of school children.

And we buy our oil from these people!

Should I even mention that there are religious fundamentalists in this country who would gladly impose similar laws if they thought there was a chance they might be able to get it?

Because there are.

Sure Christians and Muslims THINK they are a persecuted group, but we Atheists know who are the real victims of discrimination.

America only highly developed nation that thinks belief in God is essential for morality.

Courtesy of The New Civil Rights Movement:  

America is the only highly developed country where a majority of citizens think you have to believe in God in order to live a moral life. 

Here’s a portion of the international breakdown in response to the question, “is belief in God essential to morality?” 

China: 14% 
France: 15% 
Spain: 19% 
Australia: 23% 
Britain: 20% 
Italy: 27% 
Canada: 31% 
Germany 33% 
Israel: 37% 
Japan: 42% 
America: 53%

As many of you know the name of this blog is essentially to spit in the eye of those who claim that only those who embrace a certain religious belief are capable of being moral people.

It has always been my position that Steven Weinberg was right when he said:

“With or without religion, you would have good people doing good things and evil people doing evil things. But for good people to do evil things, that takes religion.” 

Besides it is incredibly arrogant to suggest that any one group have the market cornered on morality, and in fact morality itself is a rather mercurial concept, that shifts and changes based on circumstances and needs.

Are Christians. Jews, or Muslims willing to say that they are the moral superior to the Hindus? The Buddhists? The Sikhs? The Jains?

What incredible egos it must take to believe that out of all of the thousands of religions and gods that mankind has worshiped throughout our history that you have figured out the one true religion, and the one true God.

And how convenient that it is, more than likely, the most readily accessible religion for you to access in your community.

In so many ways our country is a shining example of progress, tolerance, and acceptance. But in other ways it is anything but.

Young woman who wanted to start an Atheist group at her high school decides not to in response to all of the Christian love that was sent her way. Just kidding, they threatened her and her family until she caved.

As you may remember young Kalei wanted to start an Atheist group in her high school.

Initially she was rejected, but eventually the school acquiesced and said that she could.

However yesterday this was posted on Reddit from her Go Fund Me page.

Here is more of an explanation provided by the Richard Dawkins Foundation for Reason and Science:

Fearing for the safety of her family, Kalei Wilson has just announced on her Gofundme page that she is backing down after just last week winning a 4 month battle with Pisgah High School to create a Student Secular Association club, winning several awards, and being asked to speak at numerous conferences. This is what she wrote three hours ago: 

"It saddens us to report that due to the numerous threats and the verbal attacks on Kalei along with the vindictive which-hunt to hurt the reputations of affiliated local groups and our own family , Kalei will not be continuing with the group. 

We have contacted GoFundMe and requested they return your generous donations. They have assured us that your funds will show back up in your respective accounts within 3 to 5 days. 

Your love and support are priceless and we apologize in letting you down. It was our single goal to support Kalei in her efforts to start the much needed SSA club. 

However, we never expected our family and friends to be sought out and demonized. Please know that we recognize the importance of the club but we can not justify our involvement with the risk of our families safety and well being."

It's just a club.

When I was in high school there was a chess club, a business club, a club for African American students,  and more than a few Christian clubs.

I wasn't a member of any of them, however I had no problem with their existence.

What is it that Christians fear so much about a club like this that they would be willing to harass and even threaten this young girl's family until they were frightened into shutting it down?

Actually I think we already know that, don't we?

Conservative religious groups and Republican lawmakers have launched a concerted effort to allow discrimination based on prejudices born of faith.

Courtesy of Mother Jones:

Kansas set off a national firestorm last week when the GOP-controlled House passed a bill that would have allowed anyone to refuse to do business with same-sex couples by citing religious beliefs. The bill, which covered both private businesses and individuals, including government employees, would have barred same-sex couples from suing anyone who denies them food service, hotel rooms, social services, adoption rights, or employment—as long as the person denying the service said he or she had a religious objection to homosexuality. As of this week, the legislation was dead in the Senate. But the Kansas bill is not a one-off effort. 

Republicans lawmakers and a network of conservative religious groups has been pushing similar bills in other states, essentially forging a national campaign that, critics say, would legalize discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. Republicans in Idaho, Oregon, South Dakota, and Tennessee recently introduced provisions that mimic the Kansas legislation. And Arizona, Hawaii, Ohio, Oklahoma, and Mississippi have introduced broader "religious freedom" bills with a unique provision that would also allow people to deny services or employment to LGBT Americans, legal experts say. 

"This is a concerted campaign that the religious Right has been hinting at for a couple of years now," says Evan Hurst, associate director of Truth Wins Out, a Chicago-based nonprofit that promotes gay rights. "The fact that they're doing it Jim Crow-style is remarkable, considering the fact that one would think the GOP would like to be electable among people under 50 sometime in the near future."

The article goes on to give examples from Idaho, to South Dakota, to Tennessee of states that have introduced bills that would allow businesses to refuse service to anybody whose lifestyle insulted their religious beliefs. 

Which by the way was one of the arguments used during the Jim Crow era to refuse service to blacks and to prevent interracial marriages.

So let me address the elephant in the room.

I get quite a lot of negative feedback for my promotion of secular ideals and my attacks on religion. And I understand why it might upset certain people.

However what everybody has to recognize is that ALL of these recent attacks on our human rights and personal freedoms are the result of religion.

What other reason is ever given for denying women access to abortion? The belief that it is against God's wishes.

What other reason is given for keeping gays from getting married? That it is against the teachings of the Bible. 

What other reason is given for the attacks on science that we have seen lately? The fact that Evolution disproves the Genesis account of creation and the evidence that man can destroy the climate on the planet that religious people believe God provided to his people.

That is pretty much it in a nutshell.

So please tell me how to fight against all of this WITHOUT attacking it at its source.

Religion played a very important part in the development of mankind on this planet, there is no real argument against that. However today, in my opinion, that benefit is greatly reduced, and the negative impact seems to be growing exponentially.

So forgive me if I step on a few of your toes, but the battle is bigger than you.

And what we are fighting for is bigger than any one religion, or any one religion's god.

We are fighting for our very futures. And the future of our children. And our children's children.

Atheists: The truly persecuted people of our planet.

Courtesy of Reuters:  

In 13 countries around the world, all of them Muslim, people who openly espouse atheism or reject the official state religion of Islam face execution under the law, according to a detailed study issued on Tuesday. 

And beyond the Islamic nations, even some of the West's apparently most democratic governments at best discriminate against citizens who have no belief in a god and at worst can jail them for offences dubbed blasphemy, it said. 

The study, The Freethought Report 2013, was issued by the International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU), a global body uniting atheists, agnostics and other religious skeptics, to mark United Nations' Human Rights Day on Tuesday. 

"This report shows that the overwhelming majority of countries fail to respect the rights of atheists and freethinkers although they have signed U.N agreements to treat all citizens equally," said IHEU President Sonja Eggerickx. 

The study covered all 192 member states in the world body and involved lawyers and human rights experts looking at statute books, court records and media accounts to establish the global situation. 

A first survey of 60 countries last year showed just seven where death, often by public beheading, is the punishment for either blasphemy or apostasy - renouncing belief or switching to another religion which is also protected under U.N. accords. 

But this year's more comprehensive study showed six more, bringing the full list to Afghanistan, Iran, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritania, Nigeria, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, United Arab Emirates and Yemen. 

In others, like India in a recent case involving a leading critic of religion, humanists say police are often reluctant or unwilling to investigate murders of atheists carried out by religious fundamentalists. 

Across the world, the report said, "there are laws that deny atheists' right to exist, revoke their citizenship, restrict their right to marry, obstruct their access to public education, prevent them working for the state...."

You know whenever I hear the Christians bitching about being persecuted, or somebody (Like Bristol for instance.) getting all worked up because a fellow Christian who was proselytizing in a non-Christian country has been kicked out or thrown in jail, I always think "Yeah but are they still being rounded up and killed in the streets?" Because THAT is exactly what is happening to people who dare to have no faith whatsoever, or who speak out against the repressive regimes who use religious as a bludgeon against its people.

That is why on this blog I will always stand up for the non religious and stand in opposition to those who wish to push their religion, and the "morals" associated with it, down our throats.

Freedom, TRUE freedom, means to be released from the shackles of ignorance and superstition.

Christian private school in North Carolina refuses admission to children whose parents are gay. Because you know, WWJD?

What is the hell is wrong with these people?

Courtesy of WECT:

A private, Christian school in Wilmington has adopted a policy giving the school the right to refuse admission of an applicant whose home life includes "homosexual or bisexual activity." 

In a letter we obtained that was sent to parents of Myrtle Grove Christian School Wednesday night, the head of the school, J. Stacey Miller, indicates the school will require all families of students enrolling or re-enrolling to sign a "Biblical Morality Policy." 

The policy indicates that the school can refuse admission or expel a student who has a home life that is in opposition to a biblical lifestyle. 

The exact language of the policy is as follows: 

"An integral part of Myrtle Grove Christian School's mission is to foster spiritual development and a biblical world view in the lives of its students. This includes leading students to develop a biblical understanding of morality and to pursue a life that is governed by the biblical moral code. The school works in partnership with families to achieve these desired outcomes, which necessitates that both the school and home come under the authority of God for the benefit of the student. 

For this reason, the school reserves the right, within its sole discretion, to refuse admission of an applicant or to discontinue enrollment of a student if the atmosphere or conduct within a particular home or the activities of the student are counter to or are in opposition to the biblical lifestyle the school teaches. This includes, but is not necessarily limited to, participating in, supporting, or affirming sexual immorality, homosexual activity, or bisexual activity; promoting such practices; or being unable to support the moral principles of the school."

So not only will the school reject any new students whose parents, siblings, or house pet is gay, but if they are already enrolled and somebody detects a little "contact gay" they are kicked to the curb.

Okay I have asked this before, but I am going to keep on asking until somebody explains to me HOW these people can call themselves Christians when EVERYTHING they do is in direct opposition to the teachings of Jesus Christ?

If I were a straight parent whose children attended this school I would immediately withdraw them and send them to a learning environment that was more inclusive and accepting.

But then I'm an Atheist so my moral standards are somewhat higher.

Atheist group volunteers to work in soup kitchen, executive director says she would resign before letting that happen.

Courtesy of Go Upstate:  

A group of Upstate atheists plans to hand out care packages downtown this weekend after the Spartanburg Soup Kitchen wouldn't let them volunteer. 

"I told them we wouldn't wear our T-shirts. We wouldn't tell anyone who we are with. We just want to help out," Brannon said. "And they told us that we were not allowed." 

According to the Soup Kitchen's website, the organization is dependent upon volunteers, having more than 600 community volunteers with a mission to serve the hungry in Spartanburg. 

Lou Landrum, executive director of the Soup Kitchen, told the Herald-Journal she would resign from her job before she let atheists volunteer and be a "disservice to this community." 

"This is a ministry to serve God" she said. "We stand on the principles of God. Do they (atheists) think that our guests are so ignorant that they don't know what an atheist is? Why are they targeting us? They don't give any money. I wouldn't want their money." 

Brannon said the group has worked with Christian nonprofits, such as Habitat for Humanity, in the past. 

"We can all work together to achieve something positive regardless of religion or lack thereof," she said. "We've raised money for March of Dimes, worked with the Generous Garden Project, done community park clean ups, adopted a highway, and sponsored local foster children for Christmas." 

She said the group is used to its share of animosity within the community, but the exchange with the Soup Kitchen was unlike anything she had experienced. 

"They are the only group that denied us the opportunity to volunteer," Brannon said.

Yep can't have Atheists helping out the poor and destitute, after all they might get infected with critical thinking skills. 

I wonder how the media would respond if this were how a Muslim group, or Jewish group, or Christian group were treated?

But of course it wasn't. it was just those lowlife, good for nothing, atheists.

Arizona family flees America due to gay marriage and "state controlled churches," deciding to leave their fate in God's hands. God leaves them stranded in the middle of the ocean for three months.

Courtesy of the Washington Post:

A northern Arizona family that was lost at sea for weeks in an ill-fated attempt to leave the U.S. over what they consider government interference in religion will fly back home Sunday. 

Hannah Gastonguay, 26, said Saturday that she and her husband “decided to take a leap of faith and see where God led us” when they took their two small children and her father-in-law and set sail from San Diego for the tiny island nation of Kiribati in May. 

But just weeks into their journey, the Gastonguays hit a series of storms that damaged their small boat, leaving them adrift for weeks, unable to make progress. They were eventually picked up by a Venezuelan fishing vessel, transferred to a Japanese cargo ship and taken to Chile where they are resting in a hotel in the port city of San Antonio. 

Their flights home were arranged by U.S. Embassy officials, Gastonguay said. The U.S. State Department was not immediately available for comment. 

So they fled America because they felt oppressed and yet they then after damn near dying in  the middle of the ocean they eagerly accept a free plane ride back to the states. Yeah America sucks alright.

Hannah Gastonguay said her family was fed up with government control in the U.S. As Christians they don’t believe in “abortion, homosexuality, in the state-controlled church,” she said. 

U.S. “churches aren’t their own,” Gastonguay said, suggesting that government regulation interfered with religious independence. 

Among other differences, she said they had a problem with being “forced to pay these taxes that pay for abortions we don’t agree with.” 

Seriously when was the last time that anybody fled this country searching for religious freedom?

Isn't it usually the other way around?

But here's the kicker.

The Gastonguays weren’t members of any church, and Hannah Gastonguay said their faith came from reading the Bible and through prayer. “The Bible is pretty clear,” she said.

Did you get that? These people were not even members of a church, and yet they say they fled the country because of "state controlled churches."  Makes perfect sense, if you're crazy.

Methinks SOMEBODY may have been watching a little too much Fox News.

Sarah Palin takes to Facebook to complain about respect for the non-religious in the military. Update!

Courtesy of Aimee Simpleton McFearscience's Facebook page:

Cowardly Christians can't feign shock as it snowballs. Will free people cower to intolerant radicals; where are the Daniels in the lion's den? You know where this is headed. If military chaplains are censored and banned from doing their jobs speaking about faith, there will be no military chaplains, which is the radicals' goal. And the radical minority won't stop there. Will you cower and cover your eyes and ears to all this? Or will you rise up in defense of freedom? 

Now the article that has Palin's crusty panties in a twist is this one concerning the fact that a defamatory column had been removed from the Elmendorf-Richardson Base in Anchorage, Alaska newsletter: 

A chaplain at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Alaska was ordered to remove a religious column he had written titled, “No Atheists in Foxholes: Chaplains Gave all in World War II,” because it allegedly offended atheists serving on the Air Force base.

Col. Brian Duffy, the base commander told Fox News the column was removed “out of respect for those who considered its title offensive.” 

“The 673d Air Base Wing does not advocate any particular religion or belief set over another and upon learning of the complaints from some readers, the article was promptly removed,” he said. “We regret any undue attention this article may have brought to any particular group or individuals.”

Yes how dare a branch of the government resist the urge to promote a religious belief or insult soldiers who may not embrace Christianity.

And how can Palin and her fellow Teavangelists continue to find new sheep to shear if religion is kept out of public schools and no longer promoted in an environment when many young men and woman are at their most vulnerable, and when they are being trained to respect their leaders and follow their orders and suggestions without question, like the military?

And of course the idea that there are no atheists in foxholes is a ridiculous contention that has been promoted by Christian leaders in this country for years, with no proof to support their claim.  Of course there ARE atheists who join the military, fight in wars, and give their lives for this country. Perhaps the most famous example of that was Pat Tillman who volunteered for the military after 9-11 and gave up a very promising professional football career to do so.

Or was he one of the "intolerant radicals" of whom Sarah Palin speaks?

Update: By the way it should be noted that there are so many Atheists in the military that they have their own monument in, of all places, Alabama.

Look if you are dedicating you life to your country, and putting yourself in harm's way in battles thousands of miles from home, your country should at the very least have the courtesy not to insult your faith, or lack thereof.