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Below are the most recent 18 friends' journal entries.
| Saturday, December 19th, 2009 |
atheism
[ cyranothe2nd ]
|
1:23a |
Inmates sue over Christmas music being piped into prison
Christmas songs, they either make you want to sing along - or pull your own ears off and baste the turkey with them. Jail bosses in Maricopa County, Arizona, have started playing a selection of Christmas music and hymns into the prisons, and will continue to do so for the rest of the holiday period. The music is played all day in all jails and includes songs and melodies from all countries and faiths in many languages, KPHO-TV in Phoenix reported.In years past, Sheriff Joe Arpaio has personally chosen some of the songs and performers featured, including tunes from Alvin and the Chipmunks, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, Bing Crosby and Doctor Demento. While they say the annual tradition is intended to give "a little Christmas cheer" to the incarcerated crooks, many of the prisoners claim it is an added punishment.
Some have even filed lawsuits claiming cruel and unusual punishment and forced participation in religious celebrations - we guess it all depends on how often they play Cliff. The sheriff's office has said it expects courts to dismiss the lawsuits.
Source: www.asylum.co.uk/2009/12/18/inmates-sue-for-being-subjected-to-christmas-songs/
What do you guys think? A violation of prisoner's rights? Or just some holiday cheer? |
| Friday, December 18th, 2009 |
atheism
[ maru_mari ]
|
7:48p |
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| Thursday, December 17th, 2009 |
atheism
[ liberalgoliath ]
|
5:21p |
Just to show how backward WE are
You think United States of America are not backward? Consider this:A recent Harris poll included questions on evolution and creationism, with unsurprising results. According to Harris's report (PDF), those surveyed were given a list of topics — including God, miracles, heaven, Jesus as God or the son of God, angels, survival of the soul after death, the resurrection of Jesus, Hell, the virgin birth, the Devil, "Darwin's theory of evolution," ghosts, creationism, UFOs, astrology, witches, and reincarnation — and asked, "Please indicate for each one if you believe in it, or not." For evolution, 45% of respondents indicated that they believed in it, 32% indicated that they don't believe in it, and 22% indicated that they were not sure. For creationism, 40% of respondents indicated that they believed in it, 30% indicated that they don't believe in it, and 30% indicated that they were not sure.
The results varied by religion: 51% of Catholics, 32% of Protestants, 80% of Jews, and 16% of born-again Christians believed in Darwin's theory of evolution, while 37% of Catholics, 56% of Protestants, 20% of Jews, and 68% of born-again Christians believed in creationism. Overall, the results were basically unchanged from 2007, when 42% of respondents believed in evolution and 39% of respondents believed in creationism. The poll was conducted on-line on November 2 and 11, 2009, among 2303 adults in the United States; figures were weighted to reflect the composition of the adult population. "Because the sample is based on those who agreed to participate in the Harris Interactive panel," the report explains, "no estimates of theorical sampling error can be calculated."40% of our own society believe Creation's story over the Evolution! 55% do not believe in Evolution or are unsure! We're so far behind other nations that our being backward is not even an opinion. IT'S A FACT! I wonder how many people believe in the Theory of Gravitation? Current Mood:  amused |
atheism
[ natureboy87 ]
|
12:54a |
Well, since we are on Tim Minchin
I present to thee, Storm by Tim Minchin, a wonderful poem that I think all of you will enjoy! Especially since a lot of us probably have been here. Current Mood: cheerful |
| Wednesday, December 16th, 2009 |
atheism
[ iisz ]
|
3:05p |
Well, really it's Christian infighting, but it is amusing. No joking about god sex!
LATEST: A mischievous billboard about to be hoisted by an Auckland church and intended to provoke conversation about spiritual matters at Christmas has raised the ire of a Christian lobby group.
Family First NZ labelled the billboard to be put up by by St Matthew-in-the-City Church as insensitive and objectionable to many people.
The billboard will feature an illustration the church itself felt could disturb some.
On it, Mary and Joseph are in bed. Joseph looks down dejected. Mary looks sad. The caption reads: "Poor Joseph. God is a hard act to follow."
It was intended to challenge stereotypes about the way that Jesus was conceived and get people talking about the Christmas story, the church said.
Archdeacon Glynn Cardy said it had already generated plenty of discussion in its "conception phase".
But Family First national director Bob McCoskrie describes the church's plan as irresponsible.
"The church can have its debate on the virgin birth and its spiritual significance inside the church building, but to confront children and families with the concept as a street billboard is completely irresponsible and unnecessary," he said.
"The church has failed to recognise that public billboards are exposed to all of the public including children and families who may be offended by the material."
Mr Cardy said on the church's website that "the true importance of Christmas" was in the radical hospitality Jesus offered to the poor, the despised, women, children, and the sick.
"His death was a consequence of the offensive nature of that hospitality and his resurrection a symbolic vindication."
Last week a campaign by New Zealand Atheist Bus Campaign raised $20,000 in public donations to fund bus ads which read "There's probably no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life".
Those ads created a storm when they ran on the London Underground and British buses this year. Similar ads have run in the United States, Canada, Italy, Spain, Australia, Finland and Germany.
Source |
| Tuesday, December 15th, 2009 |
atheism
[ captain_brad ]
|
10:35p |
|
| Saturday, December 12th, 2009 |
atheism
[ panookah ]
|
5:44p |
Political beliefs mega poll!
This is the result of the recent post in another community asking for demographic information concerning atheists and their political beliefs. I give you my "non scientific, completely for fun, proves nothing at all beyond information about LJ users who belong to the atheism community and have chosen to respond to this poll" poll. Poll #1498274 What are your politicalbeliefs?
Open to: All, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 258 Select the answer that most closely matches your political beliefs. ETA: Ok, before this gets too out of hand I want to say something about what I was trying to do with this poll. I wasn't trying to be comprehensive. If I was I'd quickly see this thing go "goth". That is to say I'd be seeing things like Progressive Goth Metal, Goth Speed Metal, Traditional Goth, Neo Goth, New Wave Goth, Death Goth, Goth Goth, etc. That's why I put in that piece about "Select the answer that most CLOSELY matches your political beliefs." I couldn't possibly include them all. If you are a Liberal Socialist just choose one. No one will blame you. If you are an ProgressiveSocialistLiberalConservative then just choose the one that's closest, guys. |
atheism
[ fatpie42 ]
|
12:37p |
|
| Friday, December 11th, 2009 |
atheism
[ frau_eva ]
|
7:19p |
The group most easy to get along with? Athiests.
So I was putzing around OKCupid's number-crunching blog, where you can learn way too much about different segments of the population. They did the math on what religious segments do best on average with others, and surprise, it's us and the Jews! Which, as anyone who's been around enough Jews knows, there are a lot of them that are athiests with interesting cultural remnants anyway. Of course, the OKCupid population is disproportionately young, but I know these guys do a lot to control the numbers. It's pretty obvious that those who don't take religion too seriously can get along better with people, and that athiests generally don't. But surprisingly, those that are lackluster about religion are even more popular with the serious-minded than with other God-sticklers. Everyone wants a piece of that God Delusion action. Guess the forbidden fruit is still a good metaphor, eh? http://blog.okcupid.com/index.php/2009/09/29/how-races-and-religions-match-in-online-dating/And in another post examining what words go into successful messages, the word "athiest" gives you a far better chance than other religious terms--with "god" actually having a negative response rate. http://blog.okcupid.com/index.php/2009/09/14/online-dating-advice-exactly-what-to-say-in-a-first-message/ Current Mood: amused |
atheism
[ iisz ]
|
11:07a |
![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif) mothwentbad said I needed to put this here, so here you go. |
| Thursday, December 10th, 2009 |
best_thing_ever
[ juxtapose_42 ]
|
6:50p |
Poll #1497396 Best Thing Ever, cont.
Open to: All, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 124 Write-in ballot |
best_thing_ever
[ juxtapose_42 ]
|
6:43p |
The Ultimate Showdown of Ultimate Destiny
I give you: THE END.Poll #1497394 Super-Special Awesome Grânde Finalé
Open to: All, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 490 How best is: Free Will? How best is: Oxygen? How best is: Being Warm and Happy and in the Company of Friends? How best is: Several Lifetimes and a Capable Vessel In Which To Explore the Incalculable Vastness of the Universe, Discovering and Unraveling Its Wondrous Secrets? How best is: True Love? Results binding. |
atheism
[ motorhome ]
|
3:26p |
|
atheism
[ aztec_mummy ]
|
8:39a |
Article 6, section 8 of the NC State Constitution: In The News!!!
“The following persons shall be disqualified for office: First, any person who shall deny the being of Almighty God.” Critics of Cecil Bothwell cite N.C. bar to atheists
North Carolina's constitution is clear: politicians who deny the existence of God are barred from holding office.
Opponents of Cecil Bothwell are seizing on that law to argue he should not be seated as a City Council member today, even though federal courts have ruled religious tests for public office are unlawful under the U.S. Constitution.
Voters elected the writer and builder to the council last month.
“I'm not saying that Cecil Bothwell is not a good man, but if he's an atheist, he's not eligible to serve in public office, according to the state constitution,” said H.K. Edgerton, a former Asheville NAACP president.
...
Edgerton said City Council should hold off swearing Bothwell into office until a constitutional question can be resolved.
“If they go ahead, then the city of Asheville and the board of elections could be liable for a lawsuit,” said Edgerton, who is known for promoting “Southern heritage” by standing on streets decked out in a Confederate soldier's uniform and holding a Confederate flag.
This Edgerton guy seems like a bit lot of a nutter. What do you think of the term 'post theist'? Also: Christian hoteliers cleared in Muslim woman abuse row |
| Tuesday, December 8th, 2009 |
atheism
[ cyranothe2nd ]
|
5:10p |
Funny counterprotest
 We have a 'REPENT!' guy who comes to our campus too. Next time I'm gonna get some guys together and.... |
atheism
[ fatpie42 ]
|
8:01p |
Rowan Williams Stamps On Gay Rights - I Am Sickened.
The Archbishop of Canterbury has been oddly silent about the recent moves to pass a new law in Uganda which will punish homosexuality with the death penalty . Meanwhile other members of the Anglican Church have been rather more vocal on the matter: The Catholic Information further reveals that Christian Organizations are alarmed over the Bill. For example, among others, the Executive Council of the Anglican Church in Canada voted unanimously to oppose the Bill, that it is a “fundamental violation of human rights”. That 17th November was dedicated as international day for prayer on the issue. They are challenging their sympathizer, Archbishop (of Canterbury) Rowan to give his comment and stop it.
It is indeed appalling to read of all these and the agitation there in. It is indeed deplorable that humanity has or is nearing extinction just like the time of Noah and the flood in the Book of Genesis chapters 6 and 7. Yes the Lord Jesus prophesied of the last days that people will be lovers of self. Truly, humans have natural evil bent. They are bent to evil by nature. Laws, rules, commandments are in place geared towards saving man from own direction and destruction. Those are the words of Bishop Joseph Abura of Karamoja Diocese (Province of the Anglican Church of Uganda). ( More disgusting quotes from Bishop Joseph Abura under the cut... )So far this probably sounds a bit mean of me. We all know that Rowan Williams' normal reaction to extreme views in the Anglican Church is to ignore it. His main aim has always been to bend over backwards for the sake of unity, hasn't it? Well actually there was a recent issue for which he felt it was important to rush out a press release. The election of a new assistant bishop: The Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles has elected a lesbian as assistant bishop, the second openly gay bishop in the global Anglican fellowship, which is already deeply fractured over the first.
Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, spiritual leader of the world's 77 million Anglicans, said Sunday that the choice raised "very serious questions" for the divided church and urged restraint.
Actually, Rowan Williams exact words in his swift press release regarding this assistant bishops' election was as follows: The bishops of the Communion have collectively acknowledged that a period of gracious restraint in respect of actions which are contrary to the mind of the Communion is necessary if our bonds of mutual affection are to hold. So what do we gauge from this? Well it seems that outright bigotry and prejudicial laws in Africa are happily ignored, while the election of an assistant bishop in America might lead to a loss of affection from the Archbishop. I doubt I'm the only person reading this shit who thinks Rowan Williams has a very odd set of priorities.   I felt that this message (left) was probably the best response to both Rowan Williams (right) and Bishop Joseph Abura. (Via Andrew Brown's Blog)( Side-note on my original source... ) |
atheism
[ ass_ ]
|
11:57a |
Are we better off with religion?
I thought this was an interesting read. Are we better off with religion?Popular religious belief is caused by dysfunctional social conditions. This is the conclusion of the latest sociological research (pdf) conducted by Gregory Paul. Far from religion benefiting societies, as the "moral-creator socioeconomic hypothesis" would have it, popular religion is a psychological mechanism for coping with high levels of stress and anxiety – or so he suggests.
I've long been interested in Paul's work because it addresses a whole bunch of fascinating questions – why are Americans so religious when the rest of the developed world is increasingly secular? Is religious belief beneficial to societies? does religion make people behave better?
Many believers assume, without question, that it does – even that there can be no morality without religion. They cite George Washington who believed that national morality could not prevail without religions principles, or Dostoevsky's famous claim (actually words of his fictional character Ivan Karamazov) that "without God all things are permitted". Then there are Americans defending their country's peculiarly high levels of popular religious belief and claiming that faith-based charity is better than universal government provision.
Atheists, naturalists and humanists fight back claiming that it's perfectly possible to be moral without God. Evolutionary psychology reveals the common morality of our species, and the universal values of fairness, kindness, and reciprocity. But who is right? As a scientist I want evidence. What if – against all my own beliefs – it turns out that religious people really do behave better than atheists, and that religious societies are better in important respects than non-religious ones, then I would have cause to rethink some of my ideas. |
atheism
[ aztec_mummy ]
|
12:38p |
They said, She said...
An interesting case in the UK that was mentioned here a few months ago...compare and contrast the titles of two articles: 1. Trial begins of Christians who criticised Islam. From the Christian Institute. Kind of a tortured sentence there...'Trial of Xtians who criticized Islam begins' seems easier. 2. Christian hotelier 'abused' Muslim guest. From the BBC. The implications here are obvious, especially to movement atheists, whut? The relevant combination of laws here are: Section 5 of the Public Order Act 1986 and Section 31(1)(c) and (5) of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 ( legal shite ) |
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