If you’ll be in metro Atlanta February 6th and 7th, join American Freethought’s John Snider and David Driscoll, along with a host of fellow skeptics, at the Doraville Civic Center for Atlanta SkeptiCamp! Atlanta SkeptiCamp is hosted by the Atlanta Skeptics, and is a new kind of conference whose content is provided by attendees. SkeptiCamp focuses on topics of interest to skeptics, including science, critical thinking and skeptical inquiry. Our understanding is that there’s no admission charge, but all attendees are strongly encourged to contribute (either as a speaker, an organizer or a volunteer), and donations are invited to offset the cost. The schedule won’t be solidified until the first day of the conference, but that’s just part of the fast-paced excitement. We’ll see you there!
Archive for January, 2009
Atlanta SkeptiCamp
Friday, January 30th, 2009
Carpe Diem and Tough Luck
Thursday, January 29th, 2009As you may have read, celebrated novelist John Updike has died at the age of 76. Honestly, I’ve never read any of his works, but while reading his obituary I was struck by his comments about science and faith:
“I remember the times when I was wrestling with these issues that I would feel crushed. I was crushed by the purely materialistic, atheistic account of the universe… I am very prone to accept all that the scientists tell us, the truth of it, the authority of the efforts of all the men and woman spent trying to understand more about atoms and molecules. But I can’t quite make the leap of unfaith, as it were, and say, `This is it. Carpe diem (seize the day), and tough luck.’”
In short, Mr. Updike clung to his faith because (to him) the alternative was too bleak. This may explain why a great many very smart people continue to believe in God.
Neil deGrasse Tyson on The Daily Show
Wednesday, January 28th, 2009Astrophysicist and science advocate Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson will appear on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart tonight (that’s Wednesday, January 28th) at 11:00PM Eastern on Comedy Central. If that’s past your bedtime, fret not – you can either set your DVR to record it, or you catch one of the several reruns they’ll air over the subsequent 24 hours. Dr. Tyson’s latest book The Pluto Files was just published by W. W. Norton.
If you haven’t already, you can read our review of The Pluto Files here.
Podcast #40 – The Galapagos Mountain Boys
Tuesday, January 27th, 2009
We interview Dr. Stephen Baird, frontman for the Galapagos Mountain Boys, a (mostly) bluegrass band based in the San Diego area. Dr. Baird talks about the term “scientific gospel,” the GMBs’ new album Darwin, Darn It!, and their upcoming gigs celebrating Darwin Day 2009. For details visit ScientificGospel.com.
Plus: The fallout from President Obama’s nod to “non-believers” in his inaugural address, and lots of listener feedback.
Set your DVRs…
Monday, January 26th, 2009…and pull out your stockpile of rotten tomatoes – Ted Haggard is back! HBO will debut a 41-minute documentary this Thursday, January 29th, about the quest of the meth-and-gigolo disgraced televangelist to regain his place as an influential baloney peddler megaminister. The Trials of Ted Haggard is the brainchild of filmmaker Alexandra (daughter of Nancy) Pelosi, whose previous documentary Friends of God also featured Haggard and is (in my opinion) must-see TV for freethinkers who want insights into what makes Red State America tick.
Godchecker
Sunday, January 25th, 2009Don’t know your Yahweh from your Wallungunder? Then check out Godchecker.com, a humorous and informative reference that covers nearly any pantheon or deity you can name. Does their list include the One True God? Your guess is as good as mine…
Timmy Christ, CEO???
Saturday, January 24th, 2009
This one is on my short stack of Things To Read, and something we’ll definitely be talking about on the podcast. What is it, you say? Anointed is a satirical novel – bitingly funny, from what I’ve been hearing – by Zachary Steele, owner of Wordsmiths Books in Decatur, Georgia. (If you’re in metro Atlanta, check out Wordsmith’s – it’s one of the few independent booksellers in the area, but well worth a visit. They have a lively calendar, as well, featuring booksignings, poetry readings, music, and more.)
The Religious Right Looks to the Future
Friday, January 23rd, 2009
Review by John C. Snider © 2009
Barack Obama, who was “the most liberal Senator in America” according to his Republican foes, a man accused of being a secret Muslim, a man whose parents were apostates from their respective religious upbringings, is now the 44th president of the United States. Yet Obama openly talks about his Christianity, supports faith-based initiatives, and invites Rick “How Do Atheists Explain Music?” Warren to deliver the invocation at his inauguration. Secularists (who overwhelmingly supported Obama) are somewhat disappointed with him in this regard, while conservative Christians suspect strategic mendacity, despite Obama’s calls for unity. Has there ever been a more confusing time with respect to religion in the public square?
Meet the new boss…
Thursday, January 22nd, 2009
…(hopefully not) the same as the old boss. Despite the waves of adulation for our new President still washing over the land, it seems appropriate to quote the lyrics of the classic song by The Who:
I’ll tip my hat to the new constitution
Take a bow for the new revolution
Smile and grin at the change all around me
Pick up my guitar and play
Just like yesterday
Then I’ll get on my knees and pray
We don’t get fooled again
The Atheism/Agnosticism Relationship
Saturday, January 31st, 2009Our friend Laci “gogreen18″ sums this up pretty nicely. Any more questions? No? Good.
Tags: agnosticism, atheism, gogreen18, laci, youtube
Posted in atheism, commentary, religion | 2 Comments »