AOF Online - Freethought News

What Happens When Our Civil Contract Frays — And How We Rebuild It

(OPINION) We often talk about polarization, or division, or dysfunction. But underneath all of that is something deeper: We are losing our civil contract. Not just a legal contract, but a human one.

If God exists outside of time, then he exists for 0 seconds. That checks out.

An easy debunking of a common Christian belief. It makes sense to believe in things that can be demonstrated and so far, Logic is more praiseworthy than God. submitted by /u/Mean_Bodybuilder3538 [link] [comments]

Higher Fuel Costs Mean Increased Costs For Food Pantry Ministries

Food pantries often include a mobile component that delivers food to those in the community who can’t reach them. With the increased price of fuel, MinistryWatch reached out to Christian food pantry ministries to see how rising costs are affecting[…]

‘I Go To Church A Little Bit’: Why ‘Seldom’ Attenders Aren’t The Same As Never Attenders

(ANALYSIS) A couple of months ago, I wrote a post about folks who report that they attend religious services multiple times a week. They make up about 6-8% of the country, and they are a qualitatively different group than people[…]

60 years of atheism and I still have trouble believing people are this oblivious.

There has been some crazy weather resulting in dams failing and other flooding in my state lately. So, I was looking at videos and reports of the damages, and made the mistake of reading some comments. Several people praising god[…]

Christian nationalist organization Turning Point USA’s high school push raises concerns over free speech and religious freedom

submitted by /u/part-time-stupid [link] [comments]

Donald Trump Picked a Fight With Pope Leo XIV—Now Most Catholics Say They Don’t Approve of Him

submitted by /u/Cute_Dealer4787 [link] [comments]

My 20s vanished like That, I am an atheist who would be killed if my family knew.

I am standing at the edge of my 30th birthday, and the grief is suffocating me. Most people celebrate this milestone, but I look back at my 20s and they are just gone Vanished Swallowed up by survival mode in[…]

Suddenly, the separation of church and state matters — sort of

Christian nationalists insist that the separation of church and state is a “lie,” a “misunderstanding” or even an attack on religion itself. They’ve pushed Ten Commandments displays in public schools, have fought for school-sponsored prayer and have worked tirelessly to[…]

I can't stand how we have to have religion in everything, even NASA/Artemis!

Supposedly the best brains on earth still have to include god in their speeches. It was just Victor Glover, but in the interview I saw this morning now Reid Wiseman had to claim "I'm not a particularly religious guy, but[…]

Crossroads Podcast: What’s The Definition Of A ‘Fundamentalist’?

It’s hard to discuss a war in the Middle East without mentioning religion, especially when the main players are Israel, Iran and the United States. Apparently, the most important word in this drama is not “nuclear” or “oil” -- it’s[…]

Christian School Coach Charged With Child Voyeurism

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

Hegseth compares 'Trump-hating' reporters to enemies of Jesus

submitted by /u/BreakfastTop6899 [link] [comments]

Does the Splintered, Bickering Church Represent Gospel Jesus?

Tough question, since there are major disagreements about gospel JesusIn the article I posted here on 27 March 2026, I commented on the book by Karl and Laura Forehand, Out Into the Desert: Thriving Outside Organized Religion. This devout, evangelical couple[…]

Country Star Ella Langley: Brought Up Baptist, Saved (Again) At Judgement House

Is country superstar Ella Langley a person of faith? Indeed, the Alabama native — who grew up in a small town in Alabama — professes her love for Jesus.

Donald Trump's views on religion laid bare in cringe-worthy resurfaced interview

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

Are More Americans Attending Church? New Study Questions The Hype.

(ANALYSIS) There is a shift happening among young adults when it comes to church attendance, but it’s not Gen-Z men becoming more religious, as some suggest. Instead, young women are leaving the church in droves — bringing them on par[…]

What Happens When Sacred And Secular Power Collide?

(ANALYSIS) For many people, Trump’s rant against the pope was shocking. But conflicts between popes and rulers are not an aberration; they’re a durable feature of Western history. Whenever political leaders cloak power in sacred language, or religious leaders publicly[…]

In Rare Sistine Chapel Concert, MacMillan’s ‘Angels Unawares’ Creates A Soundscape Of Grace

(REVIEW) This concert marked the first world premiere in the Sistine Chapel. Yet, what lingered most was not the sense of history being made, but the work itself: A meditation on divine presence. In a space accustomed to silence rather[…]

Spike in Easter Converts Offers Hope Amid Broader Catholic Decline

Easter Vigils brought a sharp rise in U.S. Catholic conversions, nearing pre-pandemic levels in some dioceses. Yet long-term trends remain troubling: Far more Catholics leave than join, Mass attendance has plunged and institutional markers are down. The church’s future hinges[…]

Once Passover Ends, The Feast Begins: Finding Community At Mimouna

(ESSAY) In the Bay Area, a backyard feast is held to celebrate the end of Passover. The main event of Mimouna is the homemade treats. White tablecloths are meticulously arranged with pink and green marzipan cookies representing spring, dried fruits[…]

The Best Cure for Christianity Is Reading the Bible, Essay Number 9

The gospels don’t show a holy hero who was a superior moral teacherMark Twain is commonly credited with saying that the best cure for Christianity is reading the Bible, but no matter who said it, the devout should be warned[…]

Here is a Visual of the Book "God and Horrendous Suffering"

In case you need a visual this is a very B.I.G. book! 600+ pages! Just released! You’ll get your money's worth. Get it. Review it. Laud it. Praise it. Love it. Hate it. It should challenge most readers to consider[…]

The World’s Most Dangerous Cult Continues to Thrive

The Catholic church qualifies for this titleIs it really fair to call Catholicism a cult? Or does this reflect my growing up in a mostly Protestant small town in rural northern Indiana in the 1940s-1950s? We were good friends with the[…]

Federal Judge Sides With Humanists on Monumental 10 Commandments Victory in Arkansas

“State capitals should be welcoming to all citizens." The post Federal Judge Sides With Humanists on Monumental 10 Commandments Victory in Arkansas appeared first on American Humanist Association.

American Humanists React to SCOTUS Decision on Conversion Therapy

"A decision completely divorced from reality." The post American Humanists React to SCOTUS Decision on Conversion Therapy appeared first on American Humanist Association.

Leaving the Church: A Welcome Relief or Trauma?

It can be a mixture of bothBy the time I finished my PhD in Biblical Studies in 1975 (Boston University), I had become an atheist. Primarily because questions raised in the course of those years were not given credible answers,[…]

A New Paper On Miracles Forthcoming!

I have published more than a dozen books on key issues relating to Christianity, beginning with my magnum opus "Why I Became an Atheist" [see the first comment below on it].In the last few years I focused on the twin[…]

Christianity’s Role in Fueling the Nazi Holocaust

“Atheism Was Not the Cause of the Holocaust” My subtitle today is, in fact, the title of an essay by Hector Avalos in John Loftus’ 2010 anthology, The Christian Delusion: Why Faith Fails. In this essay, Avalos provides a thorough, scathing[…]

Talking Points in Opposition to the Free Speech Fairness Act

During SCA's 2026 Member Meeting, we urged Congress to oppose the Free Speech Fairness Act. You can read more about the bill and how to talk to your members of Congress about it here: Talking Points in Opposition to the[…]

My Debate Notes: "God Probably Doesn't Exist Given the Existence of Horrendous Suffering, by John W. Loftus

Get this huge book!!I had mentioned this debate yesterday. Here is my planned opening statement: My focus is on heinous, hideous, horrific levels of horrendous suffering given the belief in a theistic God who is all-powerful, all-knowing, and perfect good. Unless[…]

The 1941 Babi Yar Massacre vs. God-Is-Good Theology

Horrendous suffering can never be ignored in guessing about god(s)Please be aware that a primary role of the clergy is always to promote their own cherished version of the faith, despite the fact that there are thousands of competing denominations, brands, sects,[…]

The Cult-Goofy, Defective Final 16th Chapter of Mark’s Gospel

Wrapping up my honest sermons on this first gospel For many centuries, religious scholars and laity alike had no clue that the final chapter of Mark is defective. But as ancient manuscripts came to light, there was a surprise: the[…]

American Humanists Launch “How to Humanist” Podcast

Introducing humanist conversations to major streaming platforms. The post American Humanists Launch “How to Humanist” Podcast appeared first on American Humanist Association.

American Humanists Launch the American Empathy Project

"Our response to the crisis of cruelty plaguing our communities." The post American Humanists Launch the American Empathy Project appeared first on American Humanist Association.

2026 National Prayer Breakfast Opposition Letter – Organizational and Community Leaders Sign On

The Secular Coalition for America has joined several nonprofits, including the Freedom From Religion Foundation, to oppose the National Prayer Breakfast. The National Prayer Breakfast harms our national unity, the separation between religion and government, and the rights of the[…]

Heretic on the Hill: Help Us Fight Preachers Endorsing Politicians

The Johnson Amendment is under attack. The legal prohibition against preachers endorsing candidates from the pulpit would be repealed if bills in the House and Senate pass this year. When you see a bill with a vague and seemingly patriotic title, like the Free Speech Fairness[…]

The United States Was Not Founded As A Christian Nation

You may have seen claims that the Founding Fathers created the United States to be a "Christian nation". This Christian nationalism narrative rewrites history and ignores America's Founders' mission to create a secular government where religious freedom is protected but[…]

American Humanists: “No More Regime-Change Wars”

“This is an issue of humanity." The post American Humanists: “No More Regime-Change Wars” appeared first on American Humanist Association.

Humanists Denounce Pete Hegseth’s Attacks on Religious Pluralism in the Military

"No right to tell anyone what to believe or how to pray." The post Humanists Denounce Pete Hegseth’s Attacks on Religious Pluralism in the Military appeared first on American Humanist Association.

Heretic on the Hill: The Law of Unintended Consequences Can’t Be Repealed

If this goes down as the “Pay Me” presidency with President Trump playing the role of mafia boss, demanding payments from universities, tech companies, networks, and whomever else he can shake down, then Stephen Miller will undoubtedly be the consigiliere. Miller[…]

Heretic on the Hill: Groups Like SCA Are Calling the Shots, Says Important Republican Senator. We Try.

Not long ago the Office of Personnel Management, the government’s HR department, released new guidelines for religious activity in federal offices. We thought they were so inappropriate, counterproductive, and counter to established federal employment policy that we put together our[…]

The Office of Personnel Management’s “Protecting Religious Expression in the Federal Workplace” Memorandum: What You Need to Know

The Office of Personnel Management’s “Protecting Religious Expression in the Federal Workplace” Memorandum: What You Need to Know Recently, Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Director Scott Kupor issued a memorandum detailing the rights and permissible behavior of religious federal employees[…]

Heretic on the Hill: Working Around the Shutdown

You’ve heard there’s a government shutdown. Most federal offices are closed and the “essential workers” are working without getting paid. Members of the military will miss a paycheck on October 15 which is the first event that might get one[…]

Humanists Applaud Introduction of Separation of Church and State Resolution in Congress

Real religious liberty can’t be taken for granted. The post Humanists Applaud Introduction of Separation of Church and State Resolution in Congress appeared first on American Humanist Association.

Heretic on the Hill: The Water’s Getting Hot

Tom Cruise has a good story about the incredibly dangerous stunt he did climbing the side of the world’s highest building in Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol. He had been dreaming about doing that stunt himself for years, finally got to the[…]

After Court declares that grant to Ohio religious school was unconstitutional, no funds to be spent on religious education

State funds cannot be spent on religious instruction. The post After Court declares that grant to Ohio religious school was unconstitutional, no funds to be spent on religious education appeared first on American Humanist Association.

Heretic on the Hill: A Thoughtful Presidential Statement on Building the Wall

Sixty-five years ago today President John Kennedy said about the Wall of Separation, “I believe in an America where the separation of church and state is absolute, where no Catholic prelate would tell the president (should he be Catholic) how to act, and[…]

Do Our Souls Require a Gender?

Do you regularly operate a motor vehicle of some kind? If so, is your motor vehicle male or female? This will seem like a nonsensical question to some. Machines don't have a gender! Others might think of their vehicle as[…]

How Does One Become a Christian Today?

Suppose I woke up tomorrow morning and decided that I wanted to be a Christian. I realize that seems unlikely, but that's not the point here. And because it isn't the case that I want to be a Christian, we[…]

Dying Without Withdrawing From Your Faith Savings Account

Imagine that your parents set up a savings account for you when you were a child. They did so to teach you about money, the importance of savings, and whatever else. Every month, they required you to make a small[…]

Some Lessons Learned During My Angry Atheist Phases

I've gone through at least two prolonged "angry atheist" phases in my life so far. I regret one of them. I knew it was counterproductive and hard to justify at the time. This insight wasn't enough to stop me, but[…]

I Live My Life As if Bigfoot Does Not Exist

Do Bigfoot creatures exist? I don't know, but it strikes me as quite unlikely. It would be cool if they did, but that isn't an adequate basis for believing that they do. And yet, it would not occur to me[…]

I Have Known Few Atheists

Living in the United States, it comes as no surprise that most of the people I've met have been Christians. I recently started to wonder how many atheists I've known. This question is much more difficult to answer than it[…]

VICTORY: Court rules grant to out-of-state Catholic Institution violates West Virginia Constitution

“Public dollars should always serve the public good." The post VICTORY: Court rules grant to out-of-state Catholic Institution violates West Virginia Constitution appeared first on American Humanist Association.

American Humanists Decry the Death of the Johnson Amendment

"All bets are off" The post American Humanists Decry the Death of the Johnson Amendment appeared first on American Humanist Association.

Is Identifying Oneself as an Atheist a Claim About Reality?

Suppose someone proclaimed that there were no gods or insisted that gods don't exist. They would have made a claim about the world, right? Well, maybe not our world since gods aren't supposed to inhabit our world but to transcend[…]

The Wheres and Whens of Growing Up Atheist

What's it like to grow up in the United States and realize at some point along the way that one is an atheist? It depends a great deal on where one lives, doesn't it? The influence of religion varies a[…]

When Uncomplicated Grief is a Luxury

"Everybody grieves in different ways." This sentence has been replaying in my head since my mom died a week ago. It reminds me that it is okay to grieve and that I will do it sooner or later. I'll do[…]

Finding the Balance Between Staying Informed and Sinking Into Despair

If you ask most people why they interact with news sources, you'll hear some version of the same answer. We do it to stay informed. We want to know what's happening, and that's why we interact with the news. This[…]

France Declares Scientology a Fraud, Not Religion

Isn't this a bit link saying the Strawberry ice cream isn't really ice cream? Link: http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/europe/france/120202/france-labels-scientology-business-not-church

In Honor of Black History Month: Ex-Slave Tells Ex-Master to "Shove it"

This is brilliant and really needs minimal comment Dayton, Ohio, August 7, 1865 To My Old Master, Colonel P.H. Anderson, Big Spring, Tennessee Sir: I got your letter, and was glad to find that you had not forgotten Jourdon, and[…]

Indiana Slouches Toward Idiocy

As was mentioned in an earlier post, the Indiana state senate was scheduled to vote on allowing school districts to require "creationism", aka religious drivel, to be taught in public schools. They did, and it pasted with 28 out of[…]

Keep your Temples; We Have Greater Things

Alain de Botton, wants to build an Atheist Temple in London. Alain de Botton has announced plans to construct a 150 foot high temple to atheism in the heart to London. He claims that it is a terrible thing that[…]

A Review of "A Universe From Nothing"

From the AVClub: "With an afterward by Richard Dawkins, A Universe From Nothing: Why There Is Something Rather Than Nothing is solidly in the New Atheism camp, a cosmologist’s version of Dawkins’ The Blind Watchmaker. Krauss takes several jabs at[…]

The Myth of Jesus

UCF Professor Tells Ignorant Students What Higher Education is Really About

Charles Negy Charles Negy directly address the impact of students' religious bigotry, small mindedness and irrationality in the college classroom. Anyone who has ever taught a college class, especially in the humanities, knows that every word he wrote is accurate. Negy[…]

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