AOF Online - Freethought News

The current political state of the U.S. has made me anti-theist.

When I first became an atheist, I've always had the mindset of "believe in what you want just don't drag other people with you." I'm sure a lot of other atheists have this mindset as well. But American Christians can't[…]

US pastor calls congregation ‘cheap’ for not buying him a luxury watch

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Why hasn’t humanity collectively recognized religion as a disease?

Throughout history, religion has caused countless wars, racism, abuse, controversy, killings, poverty, the list goes on, in almost every part of the world. Why haven’t we collectivity recognized that yet? Or found permanent ways to remove religion from politics for[…]

Pope rules against investigating Canadian cardinal over sex assault claim

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Every church in the USA should be turned into a homeless shelter

People don’t need to gather in a church to worship their sky daddy. All you need is a public gathering and the Bible. With this I’d say the rate of homelessness would decrease giving people food and shelter. Anybody have[…]

My religious family cut my clitoris

I am a 28F that was religious for a good 25 years my life. My whole life I have been on a leash by the word 'hell.' I had several boyfriends, but I am a virgin because I am told[…]

Pennsylvania GOP gubernatorial nominee's Christian 'Prophet' Says Pelosi Drinks Children's Blood.

https://crooksandliars.com/2022/08/doug-mastrianos-prophet-says-pelosi-drinks Pennsylvania GOP gubernatorial nominee Doug Mastriano is campaigning with whack job Julie Green, a “prophet” who claims God will execute political figures “for their planned pandemic, shortages, inflation, mandates and for stealing an election.” As you probably already guessed,[…]

America's new Theocracy: Louisiana hospital denies abortion for fetus without a skull

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The Fatal Flaw In William Lane Craig's Psychic Epistemology

William Lane Craig has said, "Communicating my understanding of the proper basicality of certain Christian beliefs grounded by the Spirit’s witness has proven to be extraordinarily difficult." Source. Craig also said, "What we know is that people make up their[…]

My girlfriend stopped talking to me because of religion.

I’m 15 years old, and we started to talk a lot early this year. At first I didn’t have feelings for her, but after a while of talking and her telling me she likes me I started to have attraction.[…]

Atheists win $16,000 settlement against Arkansas State Sen. Jason Rapert

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Ethical Assembly Workshops Now Available

In July, our coalition member American Ethical Union held their 107th annual assembly! With the theme of “preparing for the future of ethical humanism,” they held a variety of talks and workshops that you can now stream at your leisure![…]

Cracks in the Foundation

By Brad N ~ It is rare when I find someone with a common testimonial for their de-conversion out of religion, mainly Christianity. I hope to find others who have found freedom from a similar starting point as myself. Here[…]

“I Have to Release My Satanic Vibes” — Rushdie attack as wake-up call; Christian nationalism invades public schools

Play the theme song and roll the opening credits, it’s time for The Morning Heresy news roundup for corporeal humans existing on the Prime Material Plane. Do not forget! Tomorrow at 7pm ET, Skeptical Inquirer Presents brings you Tamar Haspel[…]

Naked Blog Posts and Why I Might Prefer Them

Image by efes from PixabayWhen I first started blogging in 2005, few of my posts included images of any kind. I wrote these naked posts because this was what the atheist bloggers I followed were doing. I didn't understand how[…]

On Plantinga and Craig's Psychic Epistemology

William Lane Craig's Favorite Hymn!Plantinga and Craig are prime examples of what philosopher Stephen Law said, “Anything based on faith, no matter how ludicrous, can be made to be consistent with the available evidence, given a little patience and ingenuity.”[…]

“Like a Diamond in the Sky” — elephant rooms; reptile brains; Borg opportunities

Let us survey the news and links of yon Morning Heresy, shall we? WE SHALL. Thursday, August 18, at 7:00 p.m. ET, on the next Skeptical Inquirer Presents live online event, award-winning writer and podcaster Tamar Haspel will join us[…]

Maldives: Concerns for safety of social media activist following conviction

Maldivian human rights defender facing increased threats following conviction The post Maldives: Concerns for safety of social media activist following conviction appeared first on Humanists International.

The Elephant In The Room: Tamar Haspel on Skeptical Inquirer Presents, August 18

You go out in the world, armed with facts, and expect to change other people’s minds. But it turns out that minds are strangely resistant to changing. Why is that? Thursday, August 18, at 7:00 p.m. ET, on the next[…]

“A Rather Drab Kite” — The Rushdie attack; be nice to demons; who falls for woo?

Welcome back to The Morning Heresy news roundup for the reality-based community. This edition is another collaboration between the OG morning heretic Paul and apprentice heretic JD. Author Salman Rushdie was attacked on stage Friday at a lecture in Western[…]

Renowned novelist and humanist Salman Rushdie stabbed

Rushdie was attacked at an event in western New York state after his assailant stormed the stage. The post Renowned novelist and humanist Salman Rushdie stabbed appeared first on Humanists International.

Are Punitive Approaches the Best Way to Change Minds?

Photo by Jose Fontano on Unsplash Every one of us has encountered people who hold views we detest. We have all experienced anger when encountering someone who expresses such views. We know they are wrong, but the problem is more[…]

“Sam’s Quiet Recesses” — Alito vs. secularism; viral rumors lead to lynching; Alex Jones’s real business

O blessed day, for The Morning Heresy hath been bestowed, wherein all ye skeptical masses who hunger for news may partake in its bountiful links! CFI’s Benjamin Radford reports on the viral rumors and conspiracy theories that led to the[…]

A Pop-Quiz for Christians, Number 4

The questions are getting tougher Wouldn’t it be cool if Christians could settle their differences? What an embarrassment that they can’t agree on what their god is like and how he/she wants to be worshipped? Isn’t 30,000-plus different Christian brands a[…]

William Lane Craig Utterly Fails In Searching For Truth Given the Human Propensity To Fool Ourselves

Craig falsely claims there is a distinction between knowing Christianity is true and showing Christianity is true. He might legitimately say he knows he didn't do a crime he's accused of, since he knows he didn't do it despite the[…]

5 Things That Disqualify People As Trusted Experts In Religious Matters

1) Denying the need for sufficient objective evidence. Alvin Plantinga and William Lane Craig have argued that Christian believers do not need objective evidence for their faith. So they are disqualified from being experts in religious matters. They are clearly[…]

Hungary: city hall moves to appeal reinstatement of Gáspár Békés

Budapest City Hall has filed an appeal against a ruling that it had unlawfully dismissed humanist Gáspár Békés The post Hungary: city hall moves to appeal reinstatement of Gáspár Békés appeared first on Humanists International.

From the Intern Desk: “God is in the Gallery”

In my Massachusetts hometown, both the city council and school board open their meetings with what could broadly be described as “invocations.” The city council, for their part, opens their meetings with a rather secular invocation, calling on the councilors[…]

If We Value Freedom, Why Are We Voting on Others' Rights?

Photo by Hanna Zhyhar on Unsplash I am well aware that I live in a democracy. At least, I live in a country that likes to refer to itself as a democracy. Voting is part of what it means to[…]

Greece: cease judicial harassment of human rights defender

In the coming months, humanist and human rights advocate Panayote Dimitras faces multiple trials, accused of "filing a false complaint" The post Greece: cease judicial harassment of human rights defender appeared first on Humanists International.

Field of Dreams MLB Game Will Remind Me Of Baseball Great Tom Loftus

On Thursday, August 11th, baseball fans will watch as the Chicago Cubs take on the Cincinnati Reds in the second installment of the Field of Dreams event at 7:15 p.m. ET on FOX. It will be played in Dyersville Iowa,[…]

How Should Atheist Critics and Counter-Apologists Be Ranked?

On Facebook Ryan Downie deservedly recommended Johnathan Pearce's book, The Nativity: A Critical Examination. Then this comment by Pallmann appeared. I found his profile picture (with Tim McGrew) on Facebook (see below). Let it be said clearly that Tim McGrew[…]

Belgian humanists condemn lack of abortion access for Ukrainian refugees

In a speech to the European Parliament, the President of Centre d’Action Laïque has condemned restrictions on abortion access faced by Ukrainian refugees. The post Belgian humanists condemn lack of abortion access for Ukrainian refugees appeared first on Humanists International.

“A Condescending Voice” — freely inquiring; watching the quacks; Alex Jones’s liar-y

Hey welcome back to The Morning Heresy news roundup for the reality-based community. Let me blow some of the cobwebs off this content management system, because it’s been a little while. You see that’s because there’s all this transitional stuff[…]

"HUME ON PROOF AND MATHEMATICAL PROBABILITY" by John W. Loftus

What follows is the Appendix to my anthology The Case against Miracles (pp. 551-560). I consider several parts of that book to be a major defense of David Hume. I know there is some debate on Hume, but what Hume[…]

I've Written Three Books On How To Honestly Seek the Truth

I've written three books to educate believers on how to honestly seek the truth and defend it: 1) The Outsider Test for Faith: How to Know Which Religion is True. In it I show honest believers how to approach their[…]

Moral Panics Can Be Dangerous for Those Outside the Religious Majority

Image by ErikaWittlieb from PixabayIf I had to pick one topic related to atheism that most fascinates and terrifies me, it would be that of moral panic. I am intrigued by mass hysteria and how it works. I like to[…]

Heretic on the Hill: “I Do” Support Marriage Equality

Same-sex marriage shouldn’t be a church-state issue, but the church side is definitely making it one. It should simply be an administrative process where same-sex and opposite-sex marriages are treated the same in every state and devoid of religious influence.[…]

AHA Statement on Rojas et al v. City of Ocala, Florida et al

(Washington, DC, August 5, 2022) – On July 22, 2021, the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit ruled that the American Humanist Association (AHA), in its case against the City of Ocala regarding a prayer vigil led[…]

India: drop investigations into filmmaker

Poet and filmmaker Leena Manimekalai faces accusations of “hurting religious sentiments” in connection with her documentary short ‘Kaali’ The post India: drop investigations into filmmaker appeared first on Humanists International.

Jesus Doesn’t Want You to Fact-check

The Bible is a fact-checker’s nightmareWe are able to get along in the world to the extent we grasp the importance of fact-checking. Whether it’s buying a house, a new appliance, insurance, or checking out colleges for the kids, we usually aren’t[…]

Could Atheist Think Tanks Lead to More Effective Secular Activism?

Image by Gerd Altmann from PixabayGeorge Lakoff's Don't Think of an Elephant: Know Your Values and Frame the Debate--The Essential Guide for Progressives was an interesting read. It is a brief manual to teach progressive politicians why Republicans have been[…]

Incident With Christian Sister Still Lingers

By MTC ~ In late 2020 I started talking to my sister again after being on non-speaking terms for several months. She had struggled with alcohol and substance addiction (I was on non-speaking terms with her for other reasons though),[…]

What Sacrifices Are We Making for Those Rugged Vehicles?

Image by Mike from PixabayI suppose "ruggedizing" isn't a word, but it should be. It would refer to making a motor vehicle more rugged, or at least making it look more rugged. Lift it, add an all-wheel drive system, and[…]

Who’s Counting? John Allen Paulos on Skeptical Inquirer Presents, August 4

It’s easy to be overwhelmed by numbers. Data and statistics can be manipulated and manufactured to mislead, making numeracy critically important to a functioning society. Thursday, August 4, at 7:00 p.m. ET, on the next Skeptical Inquirer Presents live online[…]

Skepticism is a Hard Sell But We Need More of It

Skepticism is often a hard sell, and there are many reasons for that. It involves more work than the alternative. It is easy to accept something at face value and much harder to subject it to critical examination. It often[…]

Not All Ideologies That Justify Treating Others Poorly Are Religious

It would be fair to say there are many things about Christianity that bother me. One that ranks high is how Christians have justified atrocities committed against non-Christians. Isn't any worldview that accomplishes that mission so well worth critical examination?The[…]

Humanists call on the Europe’s Asylum Agency to consider experience of the non-religious

AHA Luxembourg has called on its representatives to ensure that the European Union Agency for Asylum takes into account the experiences of non-religious people in its guidelines. The post Humanists call on the Europe’s Asylum Agency to consider experience of[…]

Within One Country, Your Rights Shouldn't Be Determined by Where You Live

Image by fajarbudi86 from PixabayWhat has always bothered me about the claim that the United States is one country vs. several? It doesn't seem to be accurate. Where someone lives within the country shouldn't determine all the things it does.[…]

Will you help us to protect humanists at risk in 2022?

Today we are launching our annual fundraiser to help Protect Humanists at Risk. The post Will you help us to protect humanists at risk in 2022? appeared first on Humanists International.

Reducing Anti-Atheist Bigotry One Misconception at a Time

Image by Gerd Altmann from PixabayI realize that some Christians do not believe that atheists exist. They have managed to convince themselves that everyone believes in their preferred god. Some who claim not to believe are lying to deceive them.[…]

Heretic on the Hill: Don’t Join any Health Insurance Club That Would Have You as a Member

The website said, “Sharity Ministries is built on the centuries-old Christian tradition of caring for one another, including health care needs. Our members hold a common set of religious beliefs, such as ‘bear one another’s burdens’ (Galatians 6:2) and ‘share[…]

Dear Mitch McConnell, No.

This week, we wrote a letter to Senator Mitch McConnell. He had seen fit, on the Senate floor, to claim to know what nonreligious Americans feel about the current slate of Supreme Court justices and their disturbingly harmful decisions in[…]

“Woodpeckers and Corgis” — 15th-century Satanic panic; chill out about New Atheists; Tom Jones is fine

Greetings! Time once again for your Morning Heresy news roundup, today brought to you by JD Sword, Paul Fidalgo, and a whole lot of moxie, spunk, and chutzpah. Register now for tomorrow’s Skeptical Inquirer Presents live online event, Mass Hysteria!!! Robert Bartholomew on Mass[…]

Greek parents succeed in court case challenging procedure for exemption from religious education

A group of parents have succeeded in their effort to change the procedure for applying for an exemption from religious education in Greece. The post Greek parents succeed in court case challenging procedure for exemption from religious education appeared first[…]

Abortion deleted from UK Government-organised international human rights statement

The revised human rights statement removes all references to ‘sexual and reproductive rights’ and ‘bodily autonomy’. The post Abortion deleted from UK Government-organised international human rights statement appeared first on Humanists International.

“Swimming Backwards” — Neil deGrasse Tyson on Webb; homeopathy and the Tories; the shrinking wall

Hey there! Time once again for your Morning Heresy news roundup, today brought to you by Paul Fidalgo and JD Sword. In anticipation of the first post-pandemic CSICon, Rob Palmer interviews one of the event’s scheduled speakers, famed astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson! WHAT?[…]

“1000 Percent, Duh” — so many galaxies; dead letter clauses; cataloguing UFOs

Time for for Morning Heresy goodness (and not goodness) and loveliness (and also not), rounding up the news from the last couple of days or so as relevant to the secular-skeptic-reality-based community. Today’s Heresy is brought to you by your[…]

Mass Hysteria!!! Robert Bartholomew on Mass Psychogenic Illness: Skeptical Inquirer Presents, July 21

Diplomats getting vertigo in Cuba, schoolgirls hiccuping in Massachusetts, kids getting sick from Lucky Charms, and nuns meowing (yes, meowing) in the Middle Ages. What’s behind these mysterious outbreaks that have baffled even medical experts? Thursday, July 21 at 7:00[…]

“From iPods to Airplanes” — secret prayers; coercive prayers; atheist synagogue

Oh hey, it’s me again, you’re O.G. Morning Heretic with today’s news roundup. I’m back for today, which is why, you know, this is so late. Ahem. Guest-harbinger JD Sword has been doing a fabulous job filling in while we[…]

Heretic on the Hill: In the Court of Public Opinion

I won’t belabor the Supreme Court cases I’ve been highlighting recently, but I will mention them; they show a new line of thinking about individual religious freedom that will have an ongoing impact in the courts for years to come.[…]

Secular Groups to Chief Justice: Investigate Liberty Counsel’s Private Prayer Sessions with Supreme Court Justices

The Center for Inquiry, joined by the Freedom From Religion Foundation and American Atheists, are asking Chief Justice John Roberts to begin a formal investigation on a report that a religious conservative activist from an advocacy organization that brings many[…]

“Forced to Watch The Apprentice” — State Dept. isn’t promoting atheism; abortion isn’t Satanic; Florida isn’t helping

Note from Paul: Howdy, skeptical ducklings. While things are in flux for The Morning Heresy (your once-reliably published news roundup for the reality-based community), we’ve invited a guest-heretic to help shoulder this massive burden. A big thank you and welcome[…]

Christianity and Conspiracies to De-conversion and Agnosticism

By Pinkbunion ~Hello everyone, this is my first time to post on this forum, and I'm quite nervous about it. I am a former Christian, specifically, Roman Catholic, who fell in the rabbit hole of conspiracy theories artound 2010 while[…]

From the Intern Desk: It’s Not Just a Gun Problem

In the wake of tragic and preventable mass violence in Tulsa, Uvalde, Laguna Woods, Buffalo, and countless other American towns and cities, the religious right has offered their “thoughts and prayers” and cried for their opponents not to politicize these[…]

Fossil Men: Kermit Pattison on the Quest for the Origins of Humankind; July 7 on Skeptical Inquirer Presents

It seems like every time we feel like we know how it all started for Homo sapiens another new discovery rewrites our understanding of who we are and where we come from. Why do major paradigm shifts so regularly disrupt our understanding[…]

Secular PRIDE History: Lorraine Hansberry

Throughout the month of June, we will be sharing information about historic American figures who were involved in both secular and LGBTQIA+ spheres. Lorraine Hansberry (1930-1965) was an award-winning playwright, author, and civil rights activist who is perhaps best[…]

CFI on Kennedy Decision: Supreme Court Gives Its Blessing to Coercive Prayer at Public Schools

The Supreme Court today concluded a brutal week of assaults on the critical constitutional principle of the separation of church and state by issuing its ruling in the case of Kennedy v. Bremerton School District. The conservative majority on the Court[…]

Alibi Permainan Mesin Slot Online Memiliki Khasiat Gede Untuk Penjudi

Alibi Permainan Mesin Slot Online Memiliki Khasiat Gede Untuk Penjudi – Memainkan permainan Dunia judi slot online jadi salah 1 opsi permainan Di dalam agen Dunia judi online di internet. penjudi Dunia judi dikala ini memanglah terlebih banyak memastikan untuk[…]

Humanists Denounce the Continued Supreme Court Attack on Separation of Church and State

Supreme Court deals another blow to separation of church and state. The post Humanists Denounce the Continued Supreme Court Attack on Separation of Church and State appeared first on American Humanist Association.

SCOTUS Opinion: Kennedy v. Bremerton

In its decision in the case of Kennedy v. Bremerton, the Supreme Court has sided with a coach who made students feel pressured to join him in prayer. Joseph Kennedy, a high school football coach in Washington state, was put[…]

Heretic on the Hill: Phoning it in on Virtual Lobby Day

The pandemic has democratized lobbying. It has not only become accepted that you can meet with Members of Congress and staff on Zoom, it’s almost become the normal way to do it even if you’re in Washington and could drive,[…]

Center for Inquiry on Dobbs Decision: Overturning Roe Is the ‘Act of a Religious Tribunal’

The U.S. Supreme Court, in a 6–3 ruling in the case of Dobbs v. Jackson Whole Women’s Health Org, has overturned Roe v. Wade, stripping away women’s bodily autonomy and giving states the power to force women to give birth against their[…]

Humanists Condemn Anti-Abortion Supreme Court Decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization

Far-right regressive political agenda has reached the highest court in the land. The post Humanists Condemn Anti-Abortion Supreme Court Decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization appeared first on American Humanist Association.

One God, Many Gods, or no Gods? What Does the Bible Have to Say?

By WizenedSage (Galen Rose) ~ The believer insists that the universe requires a maker, a god. I would ask him, "How do you know there is only one god?" From what we can see and measure in this world, how[…]

Humanists Outraged as Supreme Court Attacks Separation of Church and State

Supreme Court releases 6-3 decision in Carson v. Makin. The post Humanists Outraged as Supreme Court Attacks Separation of Church and State appeared first on American Humanist Association.

Amens and Litanies for Ex-Believers

By Carl S ~I'm married to a Christian woman. We've been married for over 26 years now. I'm just now asking myself how she puts up with my outspokenness. Our relationship began when she responded to my description of myself[…]

How My Mind Was Set Free

By Merle Hertzler (https://mindsetfree.blog/) ~ I learned early that I was not to question my religion. I was to simply have faith. And yet somehow the questions would still come. I would sometimes question the Bible. How did we know it[…]

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metode-agar-senantiasa-maxwin-di-dalam-perjudian-slot-mesin-daring – Games perjudian slot online sekarang merupakan permainan No.1 di Indonesia yang sangat disukai saat sedang bertaruh. Game ini dapat kita temui pada website web dunia judi casino online yang terdapat dikala ini. Jadi pemain sudah tanpa hendak rumit saat[…]

Breaking Free

By Neal Stone ~ So, you finally got to where you realized what you believed all these years has turned out to be nothing more than man made crap. You have decided to take the big leap and finally set[…]

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