AOF Online - Freethought News

Eyeball Destroyers and Cosmic Megablobs

Welcome to The Morning Heresy news roundup for this 12th day of May, which a quick google told me is Root Canal Appreciation Day. Yep. Pew Research has released a major survey on Jewish Americans, and the big takeaway is[…]

Hindu Sect Sued for Paying $1.20/Hr to Workers Lured from India to Build Temple

The BAPS temple in NJ also wouldn't let the workers leave the premises without supervision.

Christian Nationalists Eager To Impose Cancel Culture On Biden’s Prayer Proclamation

Christian Nationalists Eager To Impose Cancel Culture On Biden’s Prayer Proclamation boston Wed May 12, 2021 - 08:52 Authored by Rob Boston Image The National Day of Prayer (NDP) was nearly a week ago, and Christian nationalists are still whining[…]

"You Wouldn't Be An Atheist If You Were Born in a Different Time and Place."

Bonus: Quote from Robert G. Ingersoll below!!If I had the time I would start a whole series of quotes with my responses to see how you would respond. Here's a Tweet by @EscapingAtheism · Apr 23:Almost all atheists today wouldn't[…]

We Should Not Look the Other Way When Christian Women Police Female Sexuality

Christian men receive considerable and well-deserved criticism for their attempts at policing women's sexuality. When they do it, it seems sexist in addition to everything else that's wrong...

Has anybody ever noticed how rude and insensitive religious people are?

I used to work in a firm, where everybody was Christian. The people would quite literally call me a degenerate (I kid you not!) for criticizing the pedophilia in the Church system, and calling for the government to tax the[…]

As an atheist of palestinian origins hearing about the israel/palestine conflict every year is so depressing

I've never been to the region. I'm just the 20 year old son (living comfortably in Ohio) of a family that was displaced by the 6 days war and I hate it when this is in the news. Its just[…]

The fact that nearly all scientists are athiests should really send a message to out society.

All my science teachers are athiests, guess why? They believe in actual science, not in some bullshit written in an insingificant book. A lot of important scientists are athiests too. Religious scientists are often biased and base their "scientific facts"[…]

Once Again On Childhood Indoctrination

Childhood religious indoctrination should be rejected by all honest parents who believe their religion is shown to be true by the objective evidence, and is bolstered by a caring god who will bring their children to salvation. That should go[…]

Saddleback Church Counters Southern Baptists by Ordaining Three Women as Pastors

The traditionalists are going to be furious.

School chaplain preaches to kids that gay sex is 'morally problematic.’ The Bible calls Lot righteous even though he offered his daughters up to be gang raped. The Bible is morally problematic. Gay folks are not.

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Corporal punishment on kids in school is banned in 128 countries and all but 19 U.S. states. A child is struck in a U.S. school on avg every 30 seconds. The only religious org fighting this? The Satanic Temple.

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COVID-Denying Pastor Arrested and Charged for Public Health Violations

The pastor acts like Jesus wants everyone infected with the virus.

I fucking hate it here in the middle east

So I'm israeli and come from a jewish family, and you probably know what is going on in Jerusalem, currently Hamas launches fucking rockets at my city, fucking bullshit because people here are fighting wars that started because of some[…]

GOP Lawmaker Rattles Off the “Armor of God” She Wears to Thwart Her Critics

Rep. Lauren Boebert wants you to know all about her Christian superhero costume.

Swearing on Religious Books in Court needs to end

When a witness gives testimony in court in the US they are asked to swear on the Bible while answering the question "Do you solemnly swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help[…]

Survey: Jewish Americans Are More Secular Than Ever Before

The massive new survey found that younger Jews are increasingly becoming Secular Jews.

Where Was God When This Happened? Part 3

The scandal of divine negligence Christianity is totalitarian monotheism: God is watching carefully.Nothing we do escapes his notice: “I tell you, on the day of judgment you will have to give an account for every careless word you utter; for by your[…]

Nova Scotia church fined over $74,000 for ignoring pandemic restrictions | "They're not being punished for their faith. They're being punished because they're putting lives in danger. These people are too selfish to care about anyone other than themselves"

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Nova Scotia Church Fined Over $74,000 for Ignoring Pandemic Restrictions

Good! The virus doesn't care what religion you are.

I (16m) told my parents last night that I didn't beleive in any god and they became extremely upset, saying that I have been "brainwashed".

I grew up in a Christian household, not a strict one but one where new ideas were not welcomed. I've considered myself an atheist for a few years now and I read a lot about the history of religion, especially[…]

The Worst Punchlines

The Morning Heresy returns with another bunch of news and links! I, your oft-frazzled Morning Heretic, is back after getting my second COVID vaccine shot, which of course means that I now have 10G. Freethought über-activist Todd Stiefel collaborated with[…]

Biden Administration Rejects Another Harmful Anti-LGBTQ Policy From The Trump Years

Biden Administration Rejects Another Harmful Anti-LGBTQ Policy From The Trump Years boston Tue May 11, 2021 - 09:07 Authored by Rob Boston Image We’ve written several times on this blog about how the administration of President Joe Biden is overturning[…]

Conspiracist: The Unvaccinated Are Being Treated Just Like Jews in the Holocaust

DeAnna Lorraine also said the unvaxxed were being treated like victims of Jim Crow laws.

Telling a child some guy will torture them by locking them in a furnace for all eternity should be child abuse.

I've had it. Demand this law. Any person who violates this law shall be fined $10,000 and 90 days jail per child. This isn't for spanking, this isn't for being strict with your child. This is purely just threatening to[…]

Young Humanists International welcomes four new Regional Coordinators

After a month-long selection process, Young Humanists International announces four new Regional Coordinators that will lead each Regional Committee for the next two years. The post Young Humanists International welcomes four new Regional Coordinators appeared first on Humanists International.

German Priests Plan to Defy the Catholic Church and Bless Same-Sex Unions

This is a powerful symbolic act against the Church's bigotry.

Georgia Churches Tried Recruiting Public School Kids Using Donated Backpacks

The backpacks contained a Bible and a list of local Baptist churches. The district didn't stop them.

Fla. Town Council Member Undermines Secular Invocation

Fla. Town Council Member Undermines Secular Invocation boston Mon May 10, 2021 - 08:41 Authored by Rob Boston Image Government officials at all levels are expected to treat the people they serve with respect, no matter what religion those folks[…]

Christian Hate-Preacher: The Pope is the “Biggest Pedophile on the Planet”

Pastor Greg Locke said this in order to trash Joe Biden... somehow.

Systematic Mythology 101

“Welcome, students, to Systematic Mythology 101!” With little imagination, we humanists may readily describe a more honest human species, one better disciplined by discernment between reality and fantasy. In truth, such a species would never dignify any domain of human[…]

Atheists: Respecting Religious Beliefs Like a Christian Missionary

Religious believers often accuse atheists of being stuck in the past, bringing up examples of religious atrocities from ancient history they no longer consider relevant. While many atheists do...

Let’s Help Teens with Anti-Vax Parents Get Their COVID Vaccines

Nearly four million children have been infected with the coronavirus since the onset of the pandemic. While youth offers some resilience, thousands of children have died from the virus. But we are now on the verge of seeing the approval[…]

Almighty God? Not by a Long Shot, Actually

Has he lost power since Bible days? Devout folks who are even passingly familiar with the Bible know for sure that God acts boldly in human affairs. He wants to have his way, so he interferes and intervenes. This pattern[…]

Scabies Pus and Sperm Whale Vomit

Greetings, once again. Time for our Morning Heresy news roundup. Fair warning: no Heresy this Monday, so just pretend that nothing of consequence happens over the weekend. Ingersoll devotees are serious people. When we put out a call for donations[…]

Repairing Our Infrastructure Will Be More Expensive Because We Have Neglected It

Suppose you own a car. What do you think would happen if you decided not to perform any maintenance on it ever? No oil changes, tire rotations, or any other scheduled maintenance. Not only is your...

Many Former Evangelical Christians Battle Toxic Positivity

I realize that atheists in the United States have a variety of experiences with evangelical fundamentalist Christians, depending greatly on where they live. They are relatively uncommon in some areas...

Three Things Those Who Would Like to See Fewer Republicans in Office Should Be Doing

To say that James Carville is not my favorite person would be an understatement. I find him obnoxious, and I have never had an easy time understanding his appeal. I realize that he helped Bill...

2021 GCRR International eConference on Religious Trauma

The Global Center for Religious Research (GCRR) is hosting the 2021 International eConference on Religious Trauma, which will bring together specialists, psychiatrists, and researchers from all over the world to discuss the causes of religious trauma, as well as its[…]

Ingersoll Museum Endowment Appeal Exceeds Target

The campaign to complete the endowment fund of the Robert Green Ingersoll Birthplace Museum exceeded its ambitious target following unprecedented donor response to a spring fundraising campaign. In early March, an email appeal announced a seed gift of $40,000 by[…]

AU Complaint Prompts Detroit Officials To Alter Program That Gave Preference To Faith-Based Organizations

AU Complaint Prompts Detroit Officials To Alter Program That Gave Preference To Faith-Based Organizations boston Thu May 06, 2021 - 09:15 Authored by Rob Boston Image We’re pleased today to report an important win for church-state separation: Officials in Detroit[…]

Trying to Take Over the World

Good morning, heretics. Look upon my links, ye mighty, and despair. No wait, don’t despair! I actually have good stuff to start with. I know, I’m surprised too. CFI is metaphorically locking eyes with several state Attorneys General and giving[…]

How to Repair the American Mind: Skeptical Inquirer on Fixing Our Cognitive Crisis

Destructive lies have never had it so good. No longer relegated to the fringes of society, outlandish conspiracy theories and blatant misinformation now have the country in a chokehold, thwarting efforts to control a deadly pandemic and violently undermining democracy.[…]

Where Was God When This Happened? Part 2

The scandal of divine negligence [Where Was God When This Happened? Part 1 is here.]Please note carefully this Jesus-script, Matthew 12:36-37: “I tell you, on the day of judgment you will have to give an account for every careless word[…]

I’m Pro-Choice. Can I Donate to Anti-Abortion Pregnancy Clinics?

The magazine’s Ethicist columnist on how to weigh doing good against the beliefs of the do-gooder and becoming a godmother without being a Catholic.

The National Day Of Prayer: It’s Still Annoying But Likely To Be Less Horrifying This Year

The National Day Of Prayer: It’s Still Annoying But Likely To Be Less Horrifying This Year boston Wed May 05, 2021 - 09:27 Authored by Rob Boston Image Tomorrow is the National Day of Prayer (NDP), an event codified by[…]

Hell Squid

It’s your Morning Heresy news roundup, because who wouldn’t want to wake up to all this? But seriously, good stuff from CFI first: WRAL in Raleigh covered our #ScienceSaves airplane banner message to the pro-virus crowd rallying near the North[…]

Joseph's Dream and The Possibility of an Honor Killing

Here is an excerpt from my chapter in The Case Against Miracles titled, "Extraordinary Claims Require Extraordinary Evidence."Joseph was incredulously convinced Mary was a virgin because of a dream, yes, a dream (see Matthew 1:19-24), one that solved his dilemma of whether to[…]

"God of Genocide? A Debate on Biblical Violence" The Text of My 12 Minute Debate Opener Against Randal Rauser

There’s so much divinely caused and commanded violence in the Bible it can be said that the fear of an angry punishing God is its most prevalent theme, hands down. From the irrational and horrific punishments in the Garden of[…]

Rauser's Moorean Shift

[Note: I watched some of a recent online interview with Dr. Rauser — just enough to get the gist — and wrote the following about his argument this morning. I wasn't aware that the debate with Loftus was already tonight.[…]

Somali academic reaches safety, at last

Somali academic Mahmoud Jama Ahmed has reached a country of safety The post Somali academic reaches safety, at last appeared first on Humanists International.

Sanity Dies in Committee

The Morning Heresy! It’s a news roundup! For reality-based folks! What a world. It’s a bird! It’s a plane! Oh, it is actually a plane. But the plane is carrying a banner! And it has a message for the “medical[…]

The Challenges We Face Are New. Our Responses Should Be, Too

The Challenges We Face Are New. Our Responses Should Be, Too boston Tue May 04, 2021 - 08:57 Authored by Rachel Laser Image Editor’s note: This post by AU President and CEO Rachel Laser originally appeared in the May 2021 issue of[…]

VIRUS: Nina Burleigh Exposes the Failed COVID Response on Skeptical Inquirer Presents, May 13

Nina Burleigh on the Hijacking of America’s Response to the Pandemic A few months before the world felt the fury of the coronavirus, global public health experts had declared the United States the country that was most prepared for a[…]

Virus Porcupine

Welcome to a new week, heretics. Time for The Morning Heresy’s roundup of all the weird, disturbing, and bewildering goings-on in the news. Benjamin Radford looks at how the coverage of mass shootings often begins with a scramble to name[…]

An Arkansas Creationism Bill Has Failed To Evolve Into Law

An Arkansas Creationism Bill Has Failed To Evolve Into Law boston Mon May 03, 2021 - 08:44 Authored by Rob Boston Image There’s good news out of Arkansas for a change: A Senate committee vote killed a misguided bill promoting[…]

77 Organizations Urge New Path Forward For Biden’s White House On Religious Freedom

77 Organizations Urge New Path Forward For Biden’s White House On Religious Freedom LHayes Fri Apr 30, 2021 - 13:12 Authored by Samantha Sokol Image Under President Joe Biden, the White House’s Office of Faith-Based & Neighborhood Partnerships seems to[…]

Coalition to WH: Establish Robust Protections for Religious Freedom and Civil Rights

Welcoming the incoming Director of Faith-Based Partnerships. The post Coalition to WH: Establish Robust Protections for Religious Freedom and Civil Rights appeared first on American Humanist Association.

Conspiracy Swabs

Oh hey, welcome to the news roundup we call The Morning Heresy. Clever, right? Because we’re, like, heretics or something. I should get an award. Anyhoodle. I wasn’t able to see last night’s Skeptical Inquirer Presents when it aired live![…]

Fundamentalist Christians Are Hastening Their Extinction Through Anti-Gay Bigotry

I've been thinking lately about the anti-gay bigotry to which so many evangelical fundamentalist Christians continue to cling despite changing values. It isn't going to happen overnight, but...

So How’s He Doing? Biden Marks 100 Days In Office

So How’s He Doing? Biden Marks 100 Days In Office LHayes Thu Apr 29, 2021 - 11:17 Authored by Rob Boston Image President Joe Biden has been in office for 100 days. While that’s something of an arbitrary number, it’s[…]

At OSCE, Humanists International introduces secularism to rule of law debate

Humanists International explained how upholding neutrality between different beliefs enables States to uphold human rights and equality. The post At OSCE, Humanists International introduces secularism to rule of law debate appeared first on Humanists International.

Father of the Virus

Goooood morning. Totally don’t have my nerves pulled taut over what the Supreme Court might have to say today. Nope nope nope. Let’s round up the news that has already happened, yes? Yes. Is someone you care about lost in[…]

Provocative and Annoying

Today’s Morning Heresy news roundup is, like, a lot. It’s a lot. Shall we? Mubarak Bala, President of the Nigerian Humanist Association, has now been in detention in Nigeria for one year. His alleged offense: being “provocative and annoying to[…]

Humanists Call for the Release of Mubarak Bala after 365 days of detention

The AHA signs onto an open letter calling for the release of Bala. The post Humanists Call for the Release of Mubarak Bala after 365 days of detention appeared first on American Humanist Association.

After one year, international organizations call on Kano State governor to release Mubarak Bala

A coalition of 88 organizations and concerned individuals across the globe write to the Governor of Kano State The post After one year, international organizations call on Kano State governor to release Mubarak Bala appeared first on Humanists International.

Open letter to the Governor of Kano State: release Mubarak Bala

On the one year anniversary of the detention of Mubarak Bala, organizations stand together to call for his immediate and unconditional release The post Open letter to the Governor of Kano State: release Mubarak Bala appeared first on Humanists International.

National Day of Reason Resolution Introduced in the US House of Representatives

The resolution would recognize May 7, 2021, as a National Day of Reason. The post National Day of Reason Resolution Introduced in the US House of Representatives appeared first on American Humanist Association.

Biden Administration Axes Trump-Era HUD Rule That Attacked Transgender Rights

Biden Administration Axes Trump-Era HUD Rule That Attacked Transgender Rights LHayes Mon Apr 26, 2021 - 11:30 Authored by Rob Boston Image The administration of former President Donald Trump was notorious for putting into place rules and regulations that harmed[…]

Christian Evangelism Indicates a Lack of Respect for Others

Christian evangelism is inherently arrogant. I do not mean that the person doing it necessarily comes across as arrogant; a skilled evangelist will manage to avoid this. What I mean is that...

Hungarian Atheists’ UPR report exposes crisis of human rights and democracy

The UPR submission highlighted how the government’s exploitation of 'Christian values' has damaged human rights and democracy in Hungary. The post Hungarian Atheists’ UPR report exposes crisis of human rights and democracy appeared first on Humanists International.

Celebrate the Chauvin Verdict But Be Realistic About What it Means

Suppose for a minute that you parked your car in the parking lot of a local store and went inside to do some shopping. When you exit the store and arrive at the space you parked in, you discover that...

2021 USCIRF Annual Report Highlights Humanists

The report highlights humanists, atheists, and Mubarak Bala's arrest. The post 2021 USCIRF Annual Report Highlights Humanists appeared first on American Humanist Association.

Algeria: quash the conviction of humanist academic Said Djabelkhir

On 22 April, humanist academic - an expert on sufism - Said Djabelkhir was sentenced to three years in prison The post Algeria: quash the conviction of humanist academic Said Djabelkhir appeared first on Humanists International.

“Let’s talk about the African and Asian origins of humanism”, says the Association of Black Humanists

The Association of Black Humanists organizes an online event on 28 April to show the contributions of African and Asian philosophers to the humanist lifestance. The post “Let’s talk about the African and Asian origins of humanism”, says the Association[…]

Statement from the AHA on the verdict of the Derek Chauvin trial

The AHA is satisfied by the verdict found in the Derek Chauvin trial. The post Statement from the AHA on the verdict of the Derek Chauvin trial appeared first on American Humanist Association.

American Humanist Association Board Statement Withdrawing Honor from Richard Dawkins

The AHA Board votes to withdraw Dawkins' Humanist of the Year award. The post American Humanist Association Board Statement Withdrawing Honor from Richard Dawkins appeared first on American Humanist Association.

How to Help Your Conspiracy Theorist Friend: Mick West on Skeptical Inquirer Presents, April 29

Escaping the Rabbit Hole with Mick West Throughout the entire series of Skeptical Inquirer Presents live online events, one question has come up more than any other: How do we talk to friends and family who have been taken in[…]

UN expert calls for ban on anti-LGBTI conversion therapy in UK

Dr. Shaheed stated that banning the "discredited and unsafe" practice of "conversion therapy" would not violate the right to freedom of religion or belief. The post UN expert calls for ban on anti-LGBTI conversion therapy in UK appeared first on[…]

Congressional Freethought Caucus Hosts First Annual Thomas Paine Breakfast

Washington, D.C. – Today, the Congressional Freethought Caucus hosted its first annual Thomas Paine Breakfast. This event intends to honor the very ideals of reason, freethought, science, and ethics, that were championed by its Founding Father namesake. In a time[…]