AOF Online - Freethought News

Was the rapper Killer Mike making a point when he said:

I read the books, did the math Don't need a preacher preachin' on my behalf No teacher can teach my arrogant ass I'm blowin' on crippy while readin' inscriptions That's written by Egyptians, and sippin' on whiskey (Hahahaha) Ayy, baby,[…]

Quebec tables bill putting limit on public prayers, extending religious symbols ban to daycare workers | CBC News

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

Had a conversation with a Christian girl and a Muslim girl during a Halloween party about religion. The Muslim said Islam was the most feminist religion and that threw me off.

So I'm an ex-Christian, current atheist, and this is the first time I've heard this. The only people ex-Muslims I know who talk down on Islam are girls. In fact, the only ex-Muslims I know are girls. Every one of[…]

Avalanche of Apostasy is what Islam is undergoing. No matter how hard they beat their chests and flaunt their numbers, no one can ignore the elephant in the room: Islam is collapsing, it is being abandoned, exposed, ridiculed and dismantled.

https://youtu.be/WmXQHLHf6Xo LYRICS: You claim that you are growing fast There is the pile of newborn babies you amassed It's true for every area infested with malaria Where there’s a civil war, there is E coli and diphtheria That's where you[…]

15 established religions with the exact same story of christianity before christianity was established.

I recently saw a reel that was a cut from a 1950s (black and white) show where a man is speaking directly to a woman and telling her the 3 biggest problems we have are religion, politics and money. Then[…]

South African Pastor Amputates Thief's Hands In What Is Deemed 'Thou Shalt Not Steal' Taken Literally

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

Prince Albert Refuses to Sign Abortion Bill: ‘We Are Catholic'

Last May, the National Council had voted by an overwhelming majority in favor of a proposal to legalize abortion. After six months of consideration, Prince Albert decided not to enact the law. submitted by /u/davideownzall [link] [comments]

Ohio house passes "Charlie Kirk" bill to teach positively about Christianity

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

Happy Thanksgiving!

I'm happy to share this interview of me on YouTube. Happy Thanksgiving! LINK.

I was grabbed forcefully at a temple

Me and my family are on a trip and since they are religious, they dragged me to a temple. There were an insane amount of policemen-I'm sure thr entire police station was at the temple and I'm left wondering what's[…]

Domestic terrorist / "Warrior for babies" dies in police custody.

The man charged with killing three people at a Colorado Planned Parenthood clinic in 2015 because it offered abortion services has died in federal custody. I won't celebrate his death, but I will mourn every day that he lived. https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/crime/robert-dear-death-planned-parenthood-suspect-prison-b2872955.html[…]

On Religion: The Flood Of Converts Reshaping American Orthodoxy (Part 2)

(ANALYSIS) After several years of conversations while traveling nationwide, Father Andrew Stephen Damick is convinced these ancient prayers are painfully relevant to many converts surging into the small, but now growing, Eastern Church in America. It is no longer unusual[…]

The Spiritual Side Of ‘Stranger Things’: 3 Ways Faith Shapes The Netflix Series

The hit series “Stranger Things” has become one of the biggest shows ever streamed on Netflix. The series, featuring a nostalgic mix of 1980s pop culture, government conspiracies and creatures from another dimension, have captivated millions. “Stranger Things” is not[…]

‘Eternity’ Digs Up A Rom-Com That’s Got A Problem With The Afterlife

(REVIEW) The rom-com is about Joan and Larry, an elderly couple who are reunited in the afterlife as their younger, happier selves. They find themselves in a waiting room where souls have just a week to decide which “eternity zone”[…]

From Virgin Birth To Miracles, A New Book Explores Historic Accounts Of Jesus

(REVIEW) In “Miracles and Wonder,” historian Elaine Pagels examines the life of Jesus through historical, textual and theological lenses. Balancing faith and skepticism, she revisits questions of the virgin birth, miracles, crucifixion and the resurrection — ultimately portraying Christianity’s enduring[…]

Why Treating Love For Work Like A Moral Virtue Can Backfire

(OPINION) It’s popular advice for new graduates: “Find a job you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life.” Love for one’s work, Americans are often told, is the surest route to success. As we approach the long[…]

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[…]

The Difference Between White Evangelicals And White Catholics On Election Day

(ANALYSIS) I keep a little list in the notes app on my phone — just a running log of potential ideas for the newsletter. Most of them are only a few words, just enough to remind me to poke around[…]

Inside The Small Communist Nation That Increasingly Oppresses Christians

(ANALYSIS) In Laos, Christian burials are barred from cemeteries, churches have to find improvised worship spaces, and Christians are often pressured to engage in activities that go against their religion. And with neighboring China’s new influence, it may get even[…]

At Deaflympics In Tokyo, Volunteers Sprint To Share The Gospel

The line into one of the stadiums at Tokyo’s Komazawa Olympic Park stretched out the door and down the street. The crowd waited patiently in the crisp fall air for a chance to watch the volleyball semifinals at Deaflympics, a[…]

‘They Are Being Awakened’: A Ministry Helps Gen Alpha Find Their Voice

In a small Santa Clara classroom at Mission City Church in Northern California, a group of students huddle together, their voices rising in harmony. Leading them stands Makayla Hannah, their vocal coach for Youth Utilizing Power and Praise. Hannah is[…]

4 Thanksgiving Children’s Books That Help Explain Religious Freedom

(ANALYSIS) Reading these living picture books aloud at Thanksgiving allows children to meet the story in its full shape — its beauty, its failures, its moments of generosity, and its deep contradictions. They see people whose faith guided them across[…]

The Problem of Evil Will Pulverize Theism into Oblivion Thanks To James Sterba, Paul Draper, and My New Book On Horrendous Suffering!

This latest book by Paul Draper should be very good! This should lead to a triple thumping to take place against Christian theism! It's coming from books by Sterba, Draper, and Loftus! The 2nd edition of mine comes out in[…]

Why We Shouldn’t Pay Much Attention to the Sermon on the Mount

Do the devout read it much anyway—and take it seriously? When we hear the words, Sermon on the Mount, we might be tempted to think it’s the pinnacle of moral teaching. Well, that’s been the church hype for centuries, but this doesn’t[…]

Honest Sermons about the Gospel of Mark: Chapter 12

An argumentative holy hero promotes the Jesus-cult Many religions insist that their spiritual truths derive from divine inspiration. Christianity especially. The Bible is revered, indeed worshipped, because of its supposed origin. In many churches, a splendid copy of the Bible is[…]

My peer-reviewed paper, "An Atheist Morality Without God", has been published at Religions.

My peer-reviewed paper, "An Atheist Morality Without God", has been published at Religions. Atheists now have an objective morality without God! 😉 Yay! Click Here To Enjoy! Please please share!

The Great Lisbon Earthquake of 1755

On Sunday, November 1, 1755, in Lisbon, Portugal, a great earthquake took place while Christians were worshipping their good all-powerful God. Since it was All Saints Day more Christians were in church than on other Sundays. Known as the Great[…]

As Belief in God(s) Fades, Does Morality Diminish As Well?

John Loftus and Russell Blackford make the case for atheist moralityMany years ago I knew a devout Catholic woman who would tolerate no questioning of her faith, because—full stop—she was eager to see her mother again in heaven. I recently[…]

The First Pages of "God and Horrendous Suffering, 2nd Edition"

This is a final draft of my Preface, Blurbs, Contents, and Introduction to the 2nd edition of "God and Horrendous Suffering" at Academia.edu. CLICK HERE! Enjoy.

Which Gospel Is the Worst of the Four?

When theology overwhelms story tellingOnce upon a time—a very long time ago—four guys who had written stories about Jesus submitted their works to the Bible Screening Committee. They each received a notice to be near the screening committee’s headquarters on[…]

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[…]

One of the Most Dangerous Cults in the World

The Catholic church thrives on make-believe andauthoritarianism Okay, I admit it: I was raised in a small town in rural Indiana, which had three Protestant Church—I belonged to the Methodist brand—and one Catholic Church. We got used to being taunted[…]

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[…]

Secular Coalition for America’s Stance on Political Violence

Secular Coalition for America’s Stance on Political Violence WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Secular Coalition for America unequivocally condemns all forms of political violence. A healthy democracy depends on vigorous debate, peaceful protest, and fair elections—not intimidation, threats, or bloodshed. Violence[…]

Heretic on the Hill: Judicial Activism, and the Treaty of Tripoli?

It’s the August recess in Washington and Members of Congress left town faster than a Texas Democrat. So Congress is not threatening to pass any bad legislation at the moment, which is nice. And it’s a good time to meet with Congressional[…]

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[…]

The Federal Workforce is now Allowing Proselytizing. Here’s how Secular Groups are Taking a Stand

The Office of Personnel Management, in partnership with the White House Faith Office, has released a memorandum on “Religious Expression in the Federal Workplace.” The memo is filled with policies that support religious coercion and proselytizing in the workplace, which[…]

Heretic on the Hill: Telling Your Federal Co-worker They’re Going to Hell OK Now

The federal government has about 2.3 million employees, not counting postal workers. It’s difficult to get an exact count because so many have been fired this year and their firings are being appealed in court. 2.3 million is slightly larger[…]

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[…]

American Humanist Association Admonishes School Privatization Program, Other Heartless Provisions in Senate Reconciliation Package

"This bill is as un-American as it is un-humanist." The post American Humanist Association Admonishes School Privatization Program, Other Heartless Provisions in Senate Reconciliation Package appeared first on American Humanist Association.

Humanists Incensed By Supreme Court Ruling on Curriculum Opt-Outs

"A betrayal of public school students across the country." The post Humanists Incensed By Supreme Court Ruling on Curriculum Opt-Outs appeared first on American Humanist Association.

American Humanists Say “No War With Iran”

"Choose diplomacy over destruction." The post American Humanists Say “No War With Iran” appeared first on American Humanist Association.

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[…]

Humanists Outraged at SCOTUS Decision on Gender-Affirming Care for Minors

"Gender-affirming care saves lives, period." The post Humanists Outraged at SCOTUS Decision on Gender-Affirming Care for Minors appeared first on American Humanist Association.

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[…]

Implications of Supreme Court Ruling Could Be Broad and Dangerous, Warn Humanists

"Today’s decision is yet another wake-up call for secular Americans." The post Implications of Supreme Court Ruling Could Be Broad and Dangerous, Warn Humanists appeared first on American Humanist Association.

ICYMI: Center for Freethought Equality Testifies in Support of Legislation to Protect Oregon Consumers

Read Fish Stark's testimony warning against health care sharing ministries. The post ICYMI: Center for Freethought Equality Testifies in Support of Legislation to Protect Oregon Consumers appeared first on American Humanist Association.

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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