Like many nonbelievers, I find some aspects of religion absurd, even ridiculous. Sometimes the most appropriate response seems to be satire. I want to ridicule the bastards. If Catholic bishops enable child molestation while prancing around as “reverend fathers,” blaspheme them and their religion. If Muslim leaders demand obsequious respect toward their ignorant prophet, draw … Freedom to offend

The current fashion appears to be to describe our current situation as “post-secular.” Secularism, it appears, cannot adequately accommodate the equal citizenship of conservative religious populations in a time of religious resurgence. Secular claims of neutrality between religious stances ring hollow. And however it might be defended, secularism cannot be honestly presented as a requirement … Post-secularism?

I ran into a 2009 web page from a Hawaiian Christian movement of some sort, where they claim a man was raised from the dead recently. Even if you believe their report (I suspect the usual embellishments and exaggerations), it’s not as clear-cut as they advertise it. Other miracles include a “multiplication of food” incident, … They’re raising the dead! Today!

One thing that strikes me about conservative monotheist morality-talk is how it’s so focused on everyday and family questions. For example, a fatwa site I regularly visit doesn’t just concentrate on doctrinal and ritual details; it’s full of advice on all sorts of personal matters. I wonder if that’s part of the attraction. I don’t … Too much choice

Thoughts in a Hijab from Reel Grrls on Vimeo. The most common argument given for living in a secular fashion is that this represents liberation. Secular liberals are all for freedom. But a lot of people reject this form of freedom. They don’t want to be “liberated” from their cultural identity and especially their religious practices. … “Thoughts in a Hijab” video

What’s the harm? is a fascinating website collecting news stories concerning people who have come to some harm due to paranormal and supernatural beliefs. It’s intended to counter the common “well, what’s the harm in believing that?” response that critics of paranormal and supernatural convictions often face. It’s not a detailed case including statistical assessments … What’s the harm?

Quotation from John L. Esposito’s The Future of Islam, page 6: If a group of Jews or Christians had been responsible for the bombing of the World Trade Center, few would have attributed it to the beliefs of mainstream Judaism or Christianity. The assassination of Prime Minister Yitzak Rabin by a Jewish fundamentalist was not … The “heart” of a religion

I’ve written occasionally about how atheist billboards in the US have a way of attracting vandalism. Some conservative Christians have noticed as well. Recently I’ve run into two examples of justifying such vandalism. One, which has already been well-savaged by PZ Myers, is a WorldNetDaily piece by one Chrissy Satterfield. Mind you, WorldNetDaily is a … Christian vandalism

Some End-times obsession: And a nice right wing paranoia-story: Your name Your email Subject Your message (optional)