All posts tagged "Atheism"

A few weeks ago, a colleague of mine confided in me about his son dropping a gigantic bomb regarding his religious stance. My friend's child came out as an atheist, which understandably makes parents who do believe in religion a little uneasy.

Columnist and author Andrew Sullivan said Sunday that atheism was growing in the United States because more and more people saw Christianity as an organization intent on gaining political power.

Back from Skepticon and still trying to catch up! Fun was had by all, mostly because of the onstage talks and offstage conversations, but there was a very exciting incident that also happened during the conference. 

[rebelmouse-image 24750147 original_size="1600x1200" expand=1]I usually don't post on Sundays, but man, I have to vent.  Nothing gets my eyes rolling faster than the hand-wringing over the way that atheism and skepticism are merging, which is a phenomenon that is due in part to the spate of "New Atheist" publications, but is mainly a reaction to the influx of a younger, more diverse, more political crowd into the halls of skepticism.  And that crowd has grown up under the threat from the religious right, and so are just less inclined to see pushing back against homeopathy and claims about Bigfoot as being a good use of your time when claims about Jesus and miracles have created a radicalized right wing intent on destroying the country.  

[rebelmouse-image 24749831 original_size="428x365" expand=1]All weekend at Skepticon, books were everywhere. The book seller had books about atheism, about science, and books written by the speakers. There were books being purchased, read, carried around, and signed. But these were not the books that were the ones being most discussed, even as the speakers hawked their own books from stage. That honor went to two highly contested texts: the Holy Bible and On the Origin of the Species. Never were two books so discussed while remaining largely unread.

Sorry no CSA post this week---I'm traveling. Specifically, I'm in Springfield, Missouri to attend Skepticon. (I spoke yesterday for an hour on feminism and skepticism.) Lots going on, and I've only just now started to organize my thoughts on it.