I’ve often said that whenever religion has had rule over law, the result has always been an automatic violation of human rights. This is why I’m an advocate for secular governance. Because all the news I hear from theocratic regions is just this stupid and sometimes worse. [youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gI12_lmsp9g&[/youtube] This is another example of a literal […]
Secular Idea for Giving Tuesday
Giving Tuesday is a campaign to break the record for 24 Hour charitable giving. Before you think, “Well, La, Dee, Da…”, it is sort of a reaction to the crass consumerism of Black Friday and Cyber Monday. (I would like to see us break the record for Voting Tuesday, which I just made up.) Also, […]
Look who dropped in
Something fell through the ceiling. It made quite a mess. Oh look who it is. You are adorable! I coaxed that opossum into a pet carrier and took her down to the park. I left the door open with a piece of turkey on the exit, and left it in a field by a creek […]
Creationism’s False Equivalence
This was my lecture to the Secular Student Alliance at the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, 2015/11/24. [youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9p3dE5C4_8[/youtube] Today I’m going to talk about creationism, also known as Intelligent Design or Creation Science –as compared and contrasted with actual science. The term creationists use to describe actual science is ‘evolutionary’ science, but they […]
How we atheists do Thanksgiving
My friend, Vyckie Garrison posted a very sweet article on Raw Story about how atheists celebrate Thanksgiving. She asked several prominent atheists to participate, and I meant to. I don’t know what happened. I thought I sent the message, but I’m not seeing it now. Pity. I really wanted to be a part of that. […]
If you have ever used the term “Social Justice Warrior” as an earnest insult…
The term “Social Justice Warrior” is often used as a pejorative by internet commenters to denigrate speech aimed at reducing gender, class, and racial inequality. To put this in perspective of the atheist microcosm of the larger community, atheists who criticize social justice advocates and who have large followings, often use this word liberally (meaning […]
Two Suspects arrested in alleged white supremacist shootings at Black Lives Matter Protest
Where does a civilized society draw the line between free speech, the right to bear arms, and the right to protest safely? First some background: MINNEAPOLIS — Two men were arrested on Tuesday in connection with the overnight shootings of five people during a Black Lives Matter protest outside a police station, the Minneapolis Police […]
Counter culture conditioned
I’m having breakfast in a hotel that plays only Frank Sinatra. Every song, Sinatra. It’s not that I hate Sinatra, but his whole genre. When I was a kid, the old fogies listened to “the rat pack”, Sinatra, Sammy, Bing and Dino. Awful stuff. Amore’ was a stupid fucking song! It was either easy-listening lounge […]
Dallas Mayor not on the Islamophobia Bandwagon
Texas isn’t widely known for progressive policy makers, but there are a few. Texas isn’t as Red in its urban centers like Dallas, as it appears from the outside. Look at Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s fearful response to Texas accepting Syrian refugees. As was reported by Rick Cohen last Monday, Greg Abbott, the governor of Texas, […]
Speaking in Grand Forks North Dakota
On Tuesday November 24th, I’m speaking to the Freethinkers of UND. 7:00pm – 8:30pm in room 109 of Leonard Hall at the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks. I’m hoping for a lively discussion afterward.