AOF Online - Freethought News

Idaho Set to Create New Crime of 'Abortion Trafficking'

submitted by /u/FlyingSquid [link] [comments]

Catholic nuns’ letter declares trans people ‘beloved and cherished by God’ implicitly rebuking recent statements from the U.S. Catholic hierarchy.

submitted by /u/Leeming [link] [comments]

Christian nationalist broadcaster Edward Szall: US Should Limit Access to Internet and ‘Free Thought’ Like Taliban, North Korea and China.

submitted by /u/Leeming [link] [comments]

The rise of Christian conservatism: A threat to abortion rights in Britain. Abortion is still technically classed as a criminal act in the UK under the 1861 Offences Against the Person Act.

submitted by /u/Leeming [link] [comments]

A Christian store is stocking a Lamb Of God mug unaware they're a heavy metal band, and guitarist Mark Morton is not happy

submitted by /u/Sariel007 [link] [comments]

Even Committed Activists Need to Be About More Than the Fight

Television news programs in the United States have a long-standing tradition. We usually see it toward the end of their regular broadcast: the human interest story. It is shorter than the other segments and far more positive in tone. It[…]

Iran's judiciary chief threatens to prosecute 'without mercy' unveiled woman. It urged ordinary citizens to confront unveiled women. Such directives have in past decades emboldened hardliners to attack women with impunity.

submitted by /u/Leeming [link] [comments]

National Atheist Convention in Phoenix Fights Christian Nationalism and Feeds the Hungry this Easter weekend. “Arizona has a Christian nationalism problem, and we must work together to stop it.”

submitted by /u/Leeming [link] [comments]

US Marine says his Christian faith told him to steal Muslim baby from her parents

Here is the article Here is a deeper dive with details about how clear Afghanistan was that he could not take the baby, how this Liberty University LAWYER worked with the Trump Whitehouse, Christian groups to do it anyway. And[…]

Christian store mistakenly stocking merch from Lamb of God, the thrash metal band

https://www.loudersound.com/news/mark-morton-lamb-of-god-christian-merch submitted by /u/jfincher42 [link] [comments]

I’m 14 and stopped believing in God after finding this sub

(If I know you in real life and you found my account don’t fricking read this) I’m only 14 and I’m still going to a catholic school. I started questioning it in 6th grade but was like whatever better to[…]

Need Some Help on Your Way Out of Faith?

Wise counsel from a former evangelical preacherIt’s a possibility I’ve suggested quite often: Christians exist on a scale. There are the 10’s, those whose commitment to Christ appears utterly unshakable: evangelicals, fundamentalists, determined professional apologists. At the other end, there are[…]

“Everybody’s Workin’ for the Weekend” – CFI on Groff v. DeJoy, Vaccine Exemption Law, and

Welcome to your Friday edition of the Morning Heresy, CFI’s thrice-weekly roundup of news and headlines for the reality-based community. On Thursday, CFI submitted an amicus brief to the U.S. Supreme Court ahead of oral arguments in Groff v. DeJoy.[…]

At UN, Humanists International condemns use of religious nationalism to deny minority rights

At the UN Human Rights Council, Humanists International has condemned the prevalence of religious- and ethno-nationalism being used to deny the rights of minorities. The post At UN, Humanists International condemns use of religious nationalism to deny minority rights appeared[…]

At UN, humanists urge Finland to decriminalize “blasphemy”

Humanists International, the Finnish Humanist Association and the Union of Freethinkers of Finland have jointly called on Finland to revoke its law on "public blasphemy." The post At UN, humanists urge Finland to decriminalize “blasphemy” appeared first on Humanists International.

At UN, Uganda defends anti-LGBTI+ bill in response to Humanists International statement

Uganda has defended the extreme anti-LGBTI+ bill its Parliament passed earlier this month in response to a statement made at the UN by Humanists International’s Director of Advocacy. The post At UN, Uganda defends anti-LGBTI+ bill in response to Humanists[…]

India: urgently reinstate protection detail of at risk rationalist

Narendra Nayak's 24-hour security detail is withdrawn The post India: urgently reinstate protection detail of at risk rationalist appeared first on Humanists International.

Abortion ban is killing women in Poland, warn humanist organizations at UN

Six women have died since 2020 because they were deprived of life-saving abortions, yet Polish authorities continue to shut down routes to access safe abortions. The post Abortion ban is killing women in Poland, warn humanist organizations at UN appeared[…]

“Quantum Nonsense” – Smartphone Addiction, Blasphemy World Tour, and the ‘Freedom’ to Discriminate with Public Money

Welcome to the Morning Heresy, CFI’s roundup of news and headlines for the reality-based community. Join us tonight for our Skeptical Inquirer Presents livestream with Dr. Steven Novella. “The Skeptics’ Guide to the Future” will explore what we can learn[…]

Malawi: Humanists express concern over proposal to recognize existence of ‘witchcraft’

At the UN, Humanists International and Humanists Malawi argued that the law would likely lead to further stigmatization of alleged ‘witches’. The post Malawi: Humanists express concern over proposal to recognize existence of ‘witchcraft’ appeared first on Humanists International.

The Clear Connection Between the Enuma Elish (1600 BCE) and Genesis 1.

At UN, Humanists International expresses concern about intolerance of minority beliefs and identity in Algeria & Tunisia

Humanists International has spoken out at the UN to highlight the increasingly difficult and hostile environment for realising the right to freedom of religion or belief in Algeria and Tunisia and to condemn the growing intolerance of minority beliefs and[…]

My Debate Power Point

The thing I like most about debates is they force me to put into words my strongest thoughts on a given subject. This debate was "Does God Exist?" See what you think, especially since I have written the book "Unapologetic",[…]

Ugandan humanists condemn anti-LGBTI+ bill passed in parliament

Humanist organizations in Uganda strongly condemn an anti-LGBTI+ bill recently passed in the Ugandan parliament. The post Ugandan humanists condemn anti-LGBTI+ bill passed in parliament appeared first on Humanists International.

“Very Awkward at First” – Science Clash Finals Set, Coach Kennedy Returns, and the ‘Secular Seven’

Greetings, heretics! How the devil are you? Welcome to the Morning Heresy, CFI’s roundup of news and headlines for the reality-based community. Thank you to everyone who joined us to celebrate National Science Appreciation Day yesterday, especially those who took[…]

"I SEEK TO PROVE -- FREE WILL IS IMPOSSIBLE AND IMMORAL"

I have known the author of the piece below for many years. Both he and I are most interested in what you think of its strongest and weakest parts, so please comment. The content in this essay deserves the utmost serious consideration. --John[…]

Theocratic States Are Less Appealing for Talented Healthcare Professionals

I had wondered whether this might happen, and it now sounds like there is cause for concern. Those living in states with extreme anti-abortion measures may see a decline in the quality of our healthcare services. Why? Talented healthcare professionals[…]

Humanists International calls out Greece at UN for hostile treatment of Human Rights Defenders

In a statement at the UN, Humanists International has spoken out in defence of Greek human rights defender, Panayote Dimitras, and called for all charges against him to be dropped. The post Humanists International calls out Greece at UN for[…]

There’s Not Always a Way, but We Still Need a Will

We keep hearing that an indictment of a former president is "unprecedented." I suppose it is. It also strikes me as something that is less common than it should be. Accountability should be the norm rather than the exception. It[…]

“Forced Obsolescence” – Humanism and AI, Vouchers By Any Other Name, and Microchip Mania in Missouri

Friday is here, which means it’s time again for the Morning Heresy, CFI’s thrice-weekly roundup of news and headlines for the reality-based community. We’ll start at Free Inquiry, where Chris Oestereich has some timely thoughts on the current AI boom,[…]

Pop-Quiz for Christians, Number 7

Dealing with some of the curiosities in Matthew’s gospelI have often pointed out that the gospels are a minefield. Randel Helms has said it even better: “The Bible is a self-destructing artifact.” We are far removed from the thought world[…]

Heretic on the Hill: The Supreme Court Needs Some Sunshine

I was pleased to see this article in The New Republic this week because the title is “Sorry Clarence Thomas but Supreme Court Ethics Reform Is on the Table.” I’m pleased because that is exactly the issue we will be advocating for on Capitol[…]

“Authorized Conspiracy Theorist” – Dawkins, DART, and the IRL Impact of Online Conspiracy Nonsense

Welcome to your midweek edition of the Morning Heresy, CFI’s roundup of news and headlines for the reality-based community. Richard Dawkins appeared earlier this week for an interview on Piers Morgan Uncensored. The wide-ranging interview covered questions about evolution, atheism,[…]

Why Haven't I Written More About Secular Spirituality?

Spirituality is a topic I haven't written much about. This might seem odd because I do have some interest in secular spirituality. I've thought of writing about it many times but always seem to pull back. Of all the posts[…]

“You Go First…” – New Skeptical Inquirer Presents, Monumental Stupidity, and News from the IPCC

Greetings, heretics! How the devil are you? Welcome to the Morning Heresy, CFI’s roundup of news and headlines for the reality-based community. If you missed our Skeptical Inquirer Presents livestream with Dave Farina last week, you can watch video of[…]

The Skeptics’ Guide to the Future | Steven Novella on Skeptical Inquirer Presents, Wednesday, March 29

Our predictions of the future are a wild fantasy, inextricably linked to our present hopes and fears, biases and ignorance. The best we can do is try to absorb the lessons from futurism’s checkered past, perhaps learning to do a[…]

The Stakes Are High in the Contest Between Secularism and Theocracy

In the United States, we hear a lot about the ongoing conflict between Democrats and Republicans. Around election time, we hear about red states and blue states. We hear about the urban-rural divide. We hear about how differences in education[…]

The Massive Damage Done by Sunday School and Catechism

Indoctrination is not educationA careful reading of the New Testament reveals how much early Christians disagreed with each other, but even so it’s possible to create a profile of its weird cult beliefs. The early Christians expected to meet Jesus in[…]

“All The So-Called Experts” – More Efforts to Extend Religious Privilege, Fraud Chasing with the FTC, and Science Clash Round Two

Welcome to the Morning Heresy, CFI’s roundup of news and headlines for the reality-based community. Let’s get right to it… We’ll start with the Science Clash 2023 Tournament presented by ScienceSaves. The first round is over and the Round 2[…]

I Don't Want to Drive Hate and Bigotry Underground

If someone hated you, wouldn't you want to know about it? To clarify, I am not asking whether you'd like to listen to them express their hatred of you. I'll assume you would not enjoy that any more than I[…]

At UN, Humanists International calls out misuse of FoRB by anti-rights actors

The statement was delivered during a dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief, Dr. Nazila Ghanea, to respond to her report setting out her vision for her mandate. The post At UN, Humanists International calls out[…]

“Inaccuracies, Falsehoods, and Bluster” – ‘Science Clash’ Moves On, Eyes on Texas, Debunking Climate Denialists, and more

Greetings, heretics! How the devil are you? Welcome to the Morning Heresy, CFI’s roundup of news and headlines for the reality-based community. Round 1 voting in the “Science Clash” 2023 Tournament is done, and ScienceSaves will have Round 2 matchups[…]

Faith Allows Them to Maintain Belief by Suspending Critical Thinking

"Faith," in a religious context, does not refer to an abstract sense of hope or confidence. It refers to a particular sort of belief, a belief in something not supported by evidence. That's not to say there can't be any[…]

AHA Launches Registration for First In-Person Annual Conference in Three Years

Crossroads and Collective Futures, May 5-7, 2023 in Denver, CO. The post AHA Launches Registration for First In-Person Annual Conference in Three Years appeared first on American Humanist Association.

“Computers vs. Chemistry: Who Ya Got?” – Science Clash Bracketology, Boiling Walters, and Don’t Say ‘Conspiracy Theory’

Greetings, heretics! How the devil are you? Welcome to the Morning Heresy, CFI’s thrice-weekly roundup of news and headlines for the reality-based community. Let’s start with tournament brackets…. specifically, the “Science Clash” 2023 Tournament presented by ScienceSaves. Science Clash features[…]

What Does It Mean to Believe in the Paranormal?

"Don't you believe in the paranormal?" The look on her face suggested that she wanted an affirmative response. She wanted me to say that I believed. As tempting as it was to give her what she was seeking, I opted[…]

Atheists, Could Secular Spirituality Help Us Bridge Our Divides?

The subject of spirituality has long been controversial among atheists. Some argue that no self-respecting atheist should talk about it. They insist that it implies supernatural entities. Do they forget that not all atheists are metaphysical naturalists? Some atheists believe[…]

Mind Games to Protect Almighty (?) God

The vulnerability of god is the biggest mysteryIn a few of my article here I have mentioned one of the worst mind games ever used to defend god. A few days after the 2012 murder of 20 children at the Sandy Hook[…]

“The Ultimate Moral Arbiter” – Christian Nationalism in Idaho, Faith Healers in Kenya, and Finding False Flags Everywhere

Friday is here, and with it a brand-new Morning Heresy, our regular collection of news and headlines for the reality-based community. A reminder to register now for our next Skeptical Inquirer Presents livestream on Thursday, March 16 with Dave Farina,[…]

Why Do Many Atheists Hate The New Atheists?

[Published on 4/10/16] Jerry Coyne wrote a post answering this question: Why do many atheists hate the new atheists? The money quote is here:I can think of a couple of answers. The first is simple jealousy: some atheists haven't achieved[…]

American Humanist Association Statement on the Supreme Court Refusing to Hear Case of Ocala, Florida, Prayer Vigil

Government entities cannot coercively promote religious practices. The post American Humanist Association Statement on the Supreme Court Refusing to Hear Case of Ocala, Florida, Prayer Vigil appeared first on American Humanist Association.

The Birth of the Science Communicator | Dave Farina on Skeptical Inquirer Presents, March 16

What is a science communicator? The era of once-a-decade outliers like Carl Sagan is long gone. In the present day of internet-borne disinformation and science denial, science communication has emerged as a vibrant and painfully necessary field, with an army[…]

The Role of Trauma as a Cause of Atheism Is Overstated

I have heard many misconceptions about atheists from Christians. The one I'll address here is one I've always found interesting. It is the idea that all atheists have had traumatic experiences with religion. That's why we are atheists. Our atheism[…]

AHA Leadership Changes

A message from the AHA Board. The post AHA Leadership Changes appeared first on American Humanist Association.

Christianity’s Biggest Sins

Fueled by scripture’s biggest mistakesIn the second chapter of Acts we find the story of Peter preaching about Jesus, with dramatic results: “So those who welcomed his message were baptized, and that day about three thousand persons were added” (v.[…]

American Humanist Association Decries New York City Mayor Eric Adams’ Remarks Dismissing Separation of Church And State

A slap in the face to non-religious New Yorkers. The post American Humanist Association Decries New York City Mayor Eric Adams’ Remarks Dismissing Separation of Church And State appeared first on American Humanist Association.

What Comes After Atheism? Liberatheism, Freedom from God(s)

I am honored to write the Foreword to David Eller's soon to be published book, Liberatheism: On Freedom from God(s). Here is a draft I've submitted: ---------------------------David Eller’s[…]

Quack Quack: The Threat of Pseudoscience | Dr. Joe Schwarcz on Skeptical Inquirer Presents, March 2

We are in a crisis. A tsunami of misinformation and disinformation is threatening to engulf evidence-based science. While quackery ― loosely defined as the spread of false “knowledge,” often accompanied by various versions of “snake oil” ― is not a[…]

AHA Board Statement on Resignation of Mandisa Thomas

Board accepts resignation. The post AHA Board Statement on Resignation of Mandisa Thomas appeared first on American Humanist Association.

Missing the Point: CFI Calls Congressional Takeover of National Prayer Breakfast ‘A Backward Step’

In a January 17 letter, the Center for Inquiry (CFI) joined twenty-nine other secular, religious, and activist organizations to urge the president, vice president, and members of Congress not to attend the National Prayer Breakfast on February 2. The letter[…]

The Very, Very Large Conspiracy

By Carl S ~ The American Psychological Association site features an interview with Karen Douglas, PhD. on "Why people believe in conspiracy theories." Wondering why I'm tying beliefs in conspiracies directly to religious beliefs? You may figure it out before[…]

Medical Myths and Superstitions: How Our Instincts Can Lead Us Astray | Erika Engelhaupt on Skeptical Inquirer Presents, February 16

What grosses you out? Pretty much everyone is disgusted by open wounds, vomit, and or other things that could transmit germs and make us sick. Our sense of disgust can protect us—but it can also lead us astray. Many medical[…]

American Humanist Association Condemns National Prayer Breakfast

Annual event torches the line between church and state. The post American Humanist Association Condemns National Prayer Breakfast appeared first on American Humanist Association.

How the Church Manipulated the Original Bible

By G.M. Gates ~ What if Christianity is lying about the Bible? What if the original Bible in Hebrew was manipulated by the Church? What if the Old Testament was still being still being changed, hundreds of years after the[…]

My Journey Out of Christianity

By G.M. Gates ~ It was the spring of 2003. I had broken up with my then girlfriend for what was, probably, the fifth or sixth time in the span of a year. The cause of the break up wasn't[…]

Common Sense: CFI Hails Inclusion of Thomas Paine Memorial in Omnibus Government Spending Bill

Thomas Paine is regarded as America’s “forgotten founder.” Paine’s 1776 pamphlet Common Sense made the case for American self-governance, independent of the British crown. Common Sense helped spark support for the American Revolution and the creation of a new nation,[…]

Humanists Condemn New York Governor Hochul’s Veto of Non-Religious Recovery Options Bill

Those struggling with substance use deserve access to programs free of religious propaganda. The post Humanists Condemn New York Governor Hochul’s Veto of Non-Religious Recovery Options Bill appeared first on American Humanist Association.

Center for Inquiry Calls for Renewed International Support of Iranian Protesters

Friday, December 16, marked three months since the death of twenty-two-year-old Mahsa Amini while in the custody of the Iranian government’s “morality police.” Since then, tens of thousands of Iranian men and women have taken to the streets in a[…]

AHA Board Statement on Mandisa Thomas

Read the AHA Board Statement on Mandisa Thomas. The post AHA Board Statement on Mandisa Thomas appeared first on American Humanist Association.

Center for Inquiry, Allies Call on Senate to ‘Take Rapid and Effective Action’ Toward Supreme Court Reform

America’s trust and confidence in the U.S. Supreme Court is at a fifty-year low. In 2022, the Supreme Court has been rocked by leaks, allegations of inappropriate contact between justices and political actors, an undeniable disregard for precedent, and an[…]

Center for Inquiry Lauds Final Passage of ‘Respect for Marriage’ Act

The Center for Inquiry (CFI) celebrated Thursday’s U.S. House of Representatives vote to pass the Respect for Marriage Act. Following the 258-169 vote, CFI Director of Government Affairs Azhar Majeed said, “We’re very pleased to see the House of Representatives[…]

Call for Research Participants:

My name is Ines W. Jindra, and I am an assistant professor of Social Work at Idaho State University. We are conducting a study that examines the biographies of those leaving various Christian churches, and the process by which it[…]

May Be My Last Words. The DIY Obit.

By Carl S ~ Wizened Sage and I entertained the idea of writing our own obituaries. We don't want others taking advantage of our deaths to impose their superstitious absurdities. We don't want people assuming we were believers. What led[…]

A God So Unloved the World

By Carl S ~ If you've watched videos of police interrogating suspects, you'll understand. Sometimes there's a time of relief for both questioner and suspect. It's when the cop reaches a point where he can safely say, "Quit the bullshit,[…]

‘Forcing Taxpayers to Fund Religious Schools’: Center for Inquiry Decries Oklahoma AG’s Opinion on Charter School Funding

On Thursday, December 1, Oklahoma Attorney General John O’Connor issued an opinion that clears the way for public funding of charter schools operated by religious entities. The Center for Inquiry (CFI) condemns this new opinion, which summarily upends existing state[…]

The Star of Bethlehem - an Astronomers Perspective

By Paul Hannah ~ Every year articles appear in the mainstream press and magazines speculating on the 'real' explanation for the Star of Bethlehem. Given our modern understanding of astronomy, there are a number of candidates which have been given[…]

From the Intern Desk: Let’s Future-Proof the Johnson Amendment

In July of 2017, then-President Donald Trump sat down for an interview with Christian Broadcasting Network founder Pat Robertson, and bragged about one of his recent accomplishments: “I’ve gotten rid of the Johnson Amendment. […] I signed an executive order[…]

Void...

By Jason7 ~ Recovering x-Christian here. Struggling spiritually. My life used to revolve around church. All my friends were from the church. My ex-wife & 4 kids were all heavily involved with the church. We were there every Sunday. We[…]

American Humanist Association Presents University Award to Tufts University

The award celebrates the expression of humanism in higher education. The post American Humanist Association Presents University Award to Tufts University appeared first on American Humanist Association.

From the Intern Desk: An Economics Lesson for Christian Nationalists

Recently, as an economics student interning with a secular advocacy group, I found myself typing “economics of religion” into the search bar of Google Scholar. I expected that it would return articles on the Johnson Amendment, which concerns the political[…]

S	M	T	W	T	F	S
26	27	28	29	30	31	1
2	3	4	5	6	7	8
9	10	11	12	13	14	15
16	17	18	19	20	21	22
23	24	25	26	27	28	29
30	1	2	3	4	5	6

S	M	T	W	T	F	S
26	27	28	29	30	31	1
2	3	4	5	6	7	8
9	10	11	12	13	14	15
16	17	18	19	20	21	22
23	24	25	26	27	28	29
30	1	2	3	4	5	6

S	M	T	W	T	F	S
26	27	28	29	30	31	1
2	3	4	5	6	7	8
9	10	11	12	13	14	15
16	17	18	19	20	21	22
23	24	25	26	27	28	29
30	1	2	3	4	5	6

Just for fun - Links

AOF Events Calendar

Upcoming Events

S	M	T	W	T	F	S
26	27	28	29	30	31	1
2	3	4	5	6	7	8
9	10	11	12	13	14	15
16	17	18	19	20	21	22
23	24	25	26	27	28	29
30	1	2	3	4	5	6