Category Archives: superstitions

Exorcist/child-abuser scot-free in GA

Another perfect example of religion as a cover for insanity and criminal behavior.  Read this article and tell me that, had the mother’s excuse been “I’m performing a ritual in the name of the High Folderol,” or “Instead of taking … Continue reading

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Posted in christianity, religion, religious rights, superstitions | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

3 more years of this and you’ll WISH it was the end of the world

The 2012 frenzy has begun.  In case you didn’t know it, the Mayan calendar ends on December 21, 2012.  As far as I know, the Maya themselves attached no significance to this fact, but every whackjob, wingnut, and opportunistic New … Continue reading

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Posted in music, skepticism, superstitions, urban legends | Tagged | 2 Comments

Just in time for D-Day?

Here’s a family who just published a book on June 5th–the day before D-Day–claiming that their five-year-old son is a reincarnated WWII pilot.   How can this not screw up this kid?

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Posted in books, paranormal, superstitions | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Superstition: Belief in the Age of Science

If you were intrigued by my recent review of Bruce M. Hood’s SuperSense, you’ll want to read what the UK’s David Gardiner has to say about Robert L. Park’s new book Superstition: Belief in the Age of Science (available at … Continue reading

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Podcast #54 – When Religion Kills Children

We look at two tragic cases in the news in which religion and child welfare conflict (to say the least).  First, a Minnesota court has ordered 13-year-old Daniel Hauser to undergo chemo to treat his cancer, but he and his … Continue reading

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Posted in christianity, civil rights, commentary, ethics, news, podcast, politics, religion, religious rights, superstitions | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

Way to go Malawi!

First I hear that Nigerians are planning a conference to combat witch-hunting, child abuse and Christian fundamentalism.  Now Malawi is stepping up.  I have no idea how many people this message will reach via my blog, but since I think … Continue reading

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Posted in civil rights, international freethought, politics, religion, religious rights, skepticism, superstitions, women's rights | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Witch-hunting is no laughing matter

If, like mine, your first reaction in hearing about modern-day witch-hunting is to snicker–don’t.  It’s just a bunch of superstitious silliness, right?  Think again.  Witch-hunting kills.  It destroys lives.  Read this chilling article from Johann Hari. Maybe we won’t snicker … Continue reading

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Nigerians call for conference against witch-hunting

This is very encouraging news.  Leo Ingwe of the Nigerian Humanist Movement has issued a call for papers for the “National Conference on Witch-hunts, Christian Fundamentalism, and Child Abuse” (you gotta love that they lumped these three topics together).  The … Continue reading

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Posted in christianity, international freethought, news, religion, superstitions | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Photos from Atlanta SkeptiCamp

Here are a few photos from last weekend’s very first Atlanta SkeptiCamp!  I thought it was all very cool: volunteers gave presentations on a mindbending number of topics, including 10 questions every skeptic will hear; an investigation into a popular … Continue reading

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Pope Combats Fraud (Cancels Out Self?)

This is rich.  The UK’s Daily Mail reports that Pope Ratzinger “is declaring a ‘holy war’ against people who claim falsely that the Virgin Mary is appearing to them.”  As if a) anyone every really claimed truthfully that this has happened … Continue reading

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Posted in christianity, commentary, news, religion, superstitions | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments