This is the second of a two part documentary in which Richard Dawkins tackles the epidemic of irrational, and superstitious thinking. In this episode he looks at homeopathy in the National Health Service and faith healing.

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According to the True Christian website. I love the graph! Makes you wonder if this is a parody, but read on…

MASTURBATION EQUALS VIOLENCE! How can any honest person believe otherwise in the face of the overwhelming evidence presented here? The one thing that the authors of these messages have in common, other than the fact that they are all seething powderkegs of homicidal fury, is that they all MASTURBATE!

Masturbation is more dangerous than smoking. Doctors of a generation ago knew this, but since the Sexual Revolution of the 1960’s, this fact has been lost in the “if it feels good, do it” mentality.
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CBS Sunday Morning with Julia Sweeney and Christopher Hitchens

I think Julia Sweeney is terrific. Her ‘Letting Go of God’ monologue was one of the most amusing de-conversion stories I’ve ever heard and I’m delighted that it’s due out as a film. It’s definitely one to look out for but in the meantime the monologue is available on Audible, from her website directly or there’s a small preview in an older post from earlier this year.

This CBS special has a few teasers and also interviews both Julia and Christopher Hitchens about Atheism in America today.

(Link)

Hot on the heels of the Creation Museum, The Unicorn Museum presents a walk through history. Designed by a noted fantasy author, this state-of-the-art 60,000 square foot museum brings the fantastical and highly implausible to life.

A fully engaging, sensory experience for intellectually undiscerning guests. Murals and realistic scenery, computer-generated visual effects, over fifty exotic animal-like replicas, life-sized giant and hill troll animatronics, and a special-effects theater complete with elven air conditioning and dwarven hand-crafted drink holders. These are just some of the impressive exhibits that everyone in your family will enjoy.

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1. “Multiculturalism in America should ONLY mean we have choices of eating Chinese food, Indian food, Thai food, French food, etc…”
buzzthepug!, FreeConservatives [Comments (40)] 2007-Aug-11

2. “Whoever voted for evolutionists, well I am sorry we have new evidence, the Theory of Relativity, that points toward a young earth. Who said Christians are again science, I never did.”
Thank you Troops, Hannity [Comments (63)] 2007-Aug-05

3. “God does not want us not to use common sense.”
celticmist138, Rapture Ready [Comments (52)] 2007-Aug-10

4. “Wouldn’t it be great if the troops were all handed out bibles as part of their protection gear?”
I Believe, Rapture Ready [Comments (68)] 2007-Aug-19

5. “ALL viruses are good for human beings, but sad to say, the human being immune systems were wrecked/weakened by sin, then, these viruses are become dangerous.”
samurai, IIDB [Comments (29)] 2007-Aug-20

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This relates to an earlier story about the dispute between Amnesty International and the Catholic Church. The Vatican urged Catholics to stop donating to Amnesty on the basis that Amnesty does not see the criminalization of women who choose to abort their pregnancy as a productive policy.

Ms Gilmore, Amnesty’s Deputy Secretary General in an earlier interview stated:

“We are saying broadly that to criminalise women’s management of their sexual reproductive right is the wrong answer.”

The full response to the Vatican can be found here. In it they say:

“Amnesty International’s position is not for abortion as a right but for women’s human rights to be free of fear, threat and coercion as they manage all consequences of rape and other grave human rights violations.”

Amnesty chairman Paolo Pobbiati insisted its new position had been misinterpreted by Vatican:

“It was partly inspired by our experience in Africa where soldiers rape women in communities they attack to force them to have their children. We also believe women who have had abortions should benefit from medical care regardless of the reason for the abortion.”

Bishop Michael Evans has responded:

“If Amnesty International becomes an organisation which affirms the right to abortion, even under certain circumstances, it is free democratically to do so. But it cannot expect those of us who are just as passionate about the human rights of the unborn child to feel at ease being part of such an organisation.”

These moves by the Vatican and the Catholic clergy are simply ways of trying to force Amnesty to change it’s position. It’s very clever but not all that moral. The church is playing games with lives. There are ways of lobbying and exerting influence, this is not one and moreover it’s an abuse of power. Disagree by all means, protest if you wish but putting people’s lives at risk because you disagree with a small part of the overall agenda is despicable.

Look, even Richard Dawkins is at it! THIS HAS GOT TO STOP! Stay strong Richard, stay strong!

I sometimes get asked whether atheists should be more friendly to those with religious beliefs. I normally provide Hemant from Friendly Atheist as a shining example of a nice atheist.

He recently discussed Michael Shermer’s belief that atheists should be positive. Well I think atheists can be too friendly and I believe that the example below shows the dangers of ‘friendly atheism’.

I have to say Hemant, I think you’re taking this positive atheism lark too far!

Whether as a punishment or as a reward, the fates have decreed that you will spend eternity having sex with nuns. Better be careful though, they are ‘Brides of Christ’, and if he catches you at it he’ll pull out your pubic hair.

Are You Damned?

Here’s another Authors@Google talk by James (The amazing) Randi. It’s always nice to see him in the media, he’s looking well and joking about his illness which is great to see. According to the video he’s now given up the scientific pursuit as to whether Santa Claus exists which is a great shame, but at least he has more time to spend debunking homeopathy.

This is another full length video coming in at just under an hour:

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