What Is a Hate Group?
After hearing (or being reminded, I’m not sure which) that the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) classified the Family Research Council (FRC) as a hate group in 2010, that got me wondering. What is the definition of a “hate group,” anyway? It’s unclear how, precisely, the SPLC defines “hate group.” While searching their website, I … What Is a Hate Group?
Changing the Boy Scouts of America’s Policy on Gays from Within
Interesting news on the BSA: A high-profile member of the Boy Scouts of America’s governing board says he doesn’t support the Scouts’ policy of excluding gays and will work from within to seek a change. Ernst & Young CEO James Turley, whose accounting firm has welcomed gays and lesbians in its own work force, becomes … Changing the Boy Scouts of America’s Policy on Gays from Within
Gervais: Finding the Faithless: Perceived Atheist Prevalence Reduces Anti-Atheist Prejudice
Abstract:Although prejudice is typically positively related to relative outgroup size, four studies found converging evidence that perceived atheist prevalence reduces anti-atheist prejudice. Study 1 demonstrated that anti-atheist prejudice among religious believers is reduced in countries in which atheists are especially prevalent. Study 2 demonstrated that perceived atheist prevalence is negatively associated with anti-atheist prejudice. Study … Gervais: Finding the Faithless: Perceived Atheist Prevalence Reduces Anti-Atheist Prejudice
Gervais and Norenzayan: Reminders of Secular Authority Reduce Believers’ Distrust of Atheists
Abstract: Atheists have long been distrusted, in part because they do not believe that a watchful, judging god monitors their behavior. However, in many parts of the world, secular institutions such as police, judges, and courts are also potent sources of social monitoring that encourage prosocial behavior. Reminders of such secular authority could therefore reduce … Gervais and Norenzayan: Reminders of Secular Authority Reduce Believers’ Distrust of Atheists
Distrust & Anti-Atheist Prejudice
Interesting new paper from Gervais, Shariff and Norenzayan: Gervais-et-al-Atheist-Distrust.pdf The experiments performed by Gervais et al. provide pretty convincing support for the thesis that anti-atheist prejudice manifests as distrust (rather than dislike, or disgust), and that it surfaces most strongly when the need for trust — as opposed to say, likeability, or pleasantness — is … Distrust & Anti-Atheist Prejudice
Kansas Outlaws Evolution
Once again, the Onion proves that one belly laugh is worth a thousand syllogisms. http://www.theonion.com/articles/kansas-outlaws-practice-of-evolution,2098/
Archbishop Says “Atheism is Cool?”
Apparently Brittain’s archbishop, Rowan Williams, has said that “atheism is cool,” as an explanation for why the Chuch of England finds it increasingly difficult to convey its message. Books by new atheists Richard Dawkins and Christopher Hitchens “get a high profile,” whereas “books that say Richard Dawkins is wrong don’t get the same kind of … Archbishop Says “Atheism is Cool?”
Distrust of atheists–further evidence
Internet Infidels executive director Keith Augustine has pointed me to another study which also shows that Americans distrust atheists. This report (PDF) by the Pew Center, issued March 22, 2006, lists Americans’ favorability ratings for various religious groups on p. 3 (table 5) from a July 2005 survey: Table 5.————————————————–Favorability Ratings of Religious Groups————————————————–Opinions of … Distrust of atheists–further evidence
Atheists distrusted by 97% of the population
As reported at Pharyngula: From a telephone sampling of more than 2,000 households, university researchers found that Americans rate atheists below Muslims, recent immigrants, gays and lesbians and other minority groups in “sharing their vision of American society.” Atheists are also the minority group most Americans are least willing to allow their children to marry. … Atheists distrusted by 97% of the population
The Absurdity of a Christian Home Business
I have to say, it’s interesting to notice the small, usually Christian advertisements just above on this blog. Right now one of them says, “God Wants You To Be Rich: Earn $7,000 Over & Over Again. Christian Home Business. Be Blessed.” A bad joke, but perhaps also a hopeful sign for secularists. It’s very attractive … The Absurdity of a Christian Home Business