Thursday, June 30, 2011

EW Jackson: Obama Loves Islam

Virginia Republican Senate hopeful E.W. Jackson says President Obama loves Islam more than he loves America and it is a joke to consider him a Christian.

The Jesus Christ Conspiracy

D.M. Murdock, who also goes by the pen name "Acharya S.," is the author of The Christ Conspiracy, the most controversial of modern treatments of the Christ Myth theory. She has had to field flack from both apologists and atheists.

D.M. Murdock - The Christ Conspiracy.
Download MP3 with interview

An independent scholar of comparative religion and mythology, Murdock was educated in Classics and Greek Civilization, at Franklin & Marshall College and the American School of Classical Studies at Athens, Greece. She has traveled extensively around Greece, participating in the archaeological excavation at Corinth, in addition, probably, to eating loads of squid.



Her other books include Suns of God, Who Was Jesus? and Christ in Egypt. Her articles and books can be found at her websites TruthBeKnown.com, StellarHousePublishing.com and FreethoughtNation.com. Point of Inquiry is happy to feature an interview with Acharya by fellow Jesus Mythicist Robert M. Price (assuming, of course, that both of them exist!

Date: June 27, 2011
Podcast: Point of Inquiry
Host: Robert Price
By: Center for Inquiry

Epic creationist fails of our time

Another nominee for the coveted Golden Crocoduck braves the waters of science with the leaky boat of creationist ignorance.



Note 1: In the video I show the Earth as it is today, and the location of the fossil Troodon and Oviraptor eggs in Montana and Mongolia. I described these as "opposite sides of the world." As a couple of viewers pointed out, the configuration of the continents was different in the cretaceous. However, the places where the different eggs were found are still what could be described as "opposite sides of the world." According to my "Atlas of Evolution", only a few degrees off 180 degrees, in fact. I wanted to use a globe representing the cretaceous, but couldn't find one.

SOURCES:

0:01 Video "Creation in the 21st Century - Nest Full of Eggs 1 of 3"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMQFNa_rMO0

3:46 http://ianjuby.org/tour15.html

4:08 Barnhart Creation Research society
http://creationresearch.org/crsq/articles/41/41_2/2004v41n2p89.pdf

4:14 "Dinosaur eggs and babies" by Kenneth Carpenter
Chapter three: "Dinosaur nesting patterns"
J. Moratalla and J. Powell

http://books.google.com.au/books?id=9BPIRx-OpRMC&lpg=PA37&ots=CcyMoHFiNO&dq=Moratalla%20Powell&lr&pg=PP1#v=onepage&q=Moratalla%20Powell&f=false

4:17 "Ecological and behavioral implications derived from a dinosaur nesting site"
J. Horner, S. Czerkas, E. Olson, Dinosaurs past and present volume II pp. 50-63.

Discovering The Elements

The explosive story of chemistry is the story of the building blocks that make up our entire world - the elements. From fiery phosphorous to the pure untarnished lustre of gold and the dazzle of violent, violet potassium, everything is made of elements - the earth we walk on, the air we breathe, even us. Yet for centuries this world was largely unknown, and completely misunderstood.



In this three-part series, professor of theoretical physics Jim Al-Khalili traces the extraordinary story of how the elements were discovered and mapped. He follows in the footsteps of the pioneers who cracked their secrets and created a new science, propelling us into the modern age.

Just 92 elements made up the world, but the belief that were only four - earth, fire, air and water - persisted until the 19th Century. Professor Al-Khalili retraces the footsteps of the alchemists who first began to question the notion of the elements in their search for the secret of everlasting life.

He reveals the red herrings and rivalries which dogged scientific progress, and explores how new approaches to splitting matter brought us both remarkable elements and the new science of chemistry.

BBC - Chemistry: A Volatile History - Episode 1: Discovering The Elements

World famous embryologist PZ Myers proves the Quran is man made

World famous embryologist PZ Myers shows a 100% verifiable error in the Quran, thus proving it is a man made book.

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Howard Stern Show - Creationism vs Evolution

The Howard Stern Show. All Howard, all the time.



Howard Stern Wrap Up Show - Female creationist calls in


Sirius Internet Radio

Jordan Sekulow: We've Taken Over The Republican Party

Jordan Sekulow of the ACLJ tells activists at the Faith and Freedom Summit that the Religious Right has "taken the Republican Party and made it ours."

Are Professors All Atheists?

The Religiosity of American College and University Professors
Sociology of Religion (2009) 70 (2): 101-129.



Here's the paper being discussed (in pdf format): http://socrel.oxfordjournals.org/content/70/2/101.full.pdf+html

Religious Discrimination from Delta airlines

Father Jonathan Morris discusses a policy from Delta airlines which prohibits passengers going to Saudi Arabia from having with them Christian or Jewish articles of faith.



Fox News

Fr. Jonathan Morris discusses the possible impact of Delta's new alliance and its infringement on religion.

Christians Stopped Slavery While The Left Is Like Hitler

Matt Barber explains that it was Christians who stopped slavery while it is the Left who is like Hitler and predicts that supporters of reproductive choice will grow violent if the right is outlawed.



Please watch:

Adolf Hitler: The Ateist (Quiz Show)

Hitler was a Chritian, not an atheist

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

James Giordano - Neuroethics: Moral Issues from Synapse to Society

On December 9, 2010, the Center for Inquiry -- Transnational in Amherst, New York presented a lecture by James Giordano entitled "Neuroethics: Moral Issues from Synapse to Society."



Neuroscientific inquiry into the brain has made large progress. It is already overthrowing common misconceptions about the mind and why people do what they do. he field of neuroethics is trying to deal with moral questions involved with new brain technologies, arising from both secular and non-secular worldviews. Dr.Giordano's lecture examines these and other issues. He is introduced by John Shook, director of education at the Center for Inquiry.

James Giordano is Director of the Center for Neurotechnology Studies at the Potomac Institute for Policy Studies in Arlington, Virginia, and a researcher at the Wellcome Centre for Neuroethics of the University of Oxford.

Muslims outraged over puppy in hat



Muslims outraged at police advert featuring cute puppy sitting in policeman's hat

The Big Bang (video explanation of how the universe began)

Professor Jim Al Khalili delves into over 50 years of the BBC science archive to tell the story behind the emergence of one of the greatest theories of modern science, the Big Bang.



The remarkable idea that our universe simply began from nothing has not always been accepted with the conviction it is today and, from fiercely disputed leftfield beginnings, took the best part of the 20th century to emerge as the triumphant explanation of how the universe began. Using curious horn-shaped antennas, U-2 spy planes, satellites and particle accelerators, scientists have slowly pieced together the cosmological jigsaw, and this documentary charts the overwhelming evidence for a universe created by a Big Bang.

BBC - Lost Horizons: The Big Bang, from 2008

A Christian's Guide to Sinning

Christian? Unsure of how to sin properly within your belief system? Just follow these three easy steps.

Embryology in the Qur'an. DEBUNKED

A video debunking the claim that the Qur'an contains advanced scientific knowledge pertaining to Embryology, as posited by Hamza Andreas Tzortzis and Adnan Rashid.



Please excuse my imprecise Arabic pronunciations.

All the sources are displayed in the video, but for those who are lazy, here's the script with references: http://klingschor.blogspot.com/2011/06/hamza-andreas-tzortzis-co-embryology-in.html

Monday, June 27, 2011

Steven Wiseman on Hubbard's View of Psychiatry

Dr. Steven Wiseman believes the introduction of a low-cost psychiatric medication, Miltown (called the "Don't Give a Damn" pill), helped fuel L. Ron Hubbard's animus toward psychiatry and psychiatrists.

FreeOK- The Oklahoma Freethought Convention



SPEAKERS: Matt Dillahunty, AronRa, The Thinking Atheist & more.
* Get TICKETS for The Oklahoma Freethought Convention
* ATHEISTS OF TULSA SITE
* ATHEISTS OF TULSA MEETUP

There are no gods video 2 of 3

Why you can not believe in the god Jahve



This three-part series looks at:
1. What I believed when I was a theist
2. Concepts for gods I affirmatively believe do not exist
3. Concepts for god I believe to be unknowable

References in this video:
Murray, Michael J. (2001) 'DEUS ABSCONDITUS'. Divine Hiddenness: New Essays. New York: Cambridge University Press.

George I. Mavrodes (1963) 'Some Puzzles Concerning Omnipotence'. The Philosophical Review, Vol. 72, No. 2, pp. 221-223

Contradictory examples mentioned in the video:
1:23 omnibenevolence + Hell

1:32 intrinsic omnipotence + intrinsic immortality

3:36 divine omniscience + divine free will

7:00 perfection + imperfection

The History of Our Universe Made Easy

The History of Our Universe Made Easy (Part 1)


The History of Our Universe Made Easy (Part 2)

Why Most Published Research Findings Are False

Dedicated to Tandykane, for being the umpteenth science denialist to throw this article at me: may you learn something from it.



John Ioaniddis' article "Why Most Published Research Findings Are False"

More about John on Wikipedia

Alex Tabarrok on Marginal Revolution, a great article summarizing the math

Orac's blog, Respectful Insolence, covers the misuse of this research in popular media and the Internet.

Here's Newsweek completely misinterpreting the finding to satisfy an anti-science narrative

Dr. Steven Novella on his blog Neurologica

Sunday, June 26, 2011

Howard Stern Show discusses Miss USA and Evolution

Howard Stern Show discusses Miss USA and Evolution

Evolution: What are the consequences to a nation when its people deny reality?

The war on science

I support intelligent design... what I support is putting all science on the table and then letting students decide. I don't think it's a good idea for government to come down on one side of scientific issue or another, when there is reasonable doubt on both sides.

Rep. Michelle Bachmann




Hardball with Chris Matthews, Ron Reagan Jr. - substitute host, MSNBC, 6-24-2011

Mirror video

Catholic Colleges Not Catholic Enough?

The National Labor Relations Board has ruled against a Catholic college with regard to exemption from federal labor law, ruling that Catholic institutions are not being consistent with regard to their Catholic principles. Father Jonathan Morris participates in a discussion and debate.

There are no gods

There are no gods - video 1/3



References in this video:
'Wire mother experiments'
In one of the most notorious experiments in the field of psychology, Harry Harlow subjected rhesus monkeys to social isolation, observing the connections they made with artificial 'mothers', fashioned from wire or terry cloth, and their reactions when confronted with frightening stimuli.

'I Claudius' by Robert Graves
A novel in autobiographical form about the life of the Roman Emperor Tiberius Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus. I seriously recommend the DVD of the 1976 TV adaptation.

'Binker' by A.A. Milne
Part of the 'Now we are six' collection, this poem is about an imaginary friend called 'Binker'

Todd Akin: At The Heart of Liberalism Is A Hatred For God

Rep. Todd Akin tells Tony Perkins that NBC removed "under God" from the Pledge of Allegiance because they are liberal and liberals hate God.

Saturday, June 25, 2011

Gullibility and the Open Mind

This week, Mike, Rebecca and Sam will talk about the importance of an open mind, and the borders between openness and just being gullible. Also, there are some important news stories.



Ask An Atheist, S4E11.

June 2011

Alex McFarland on Homosexuality

Alex McFarland says that homosexuality is a choice on AFA's Talk News Network.

Knowledge Report: Progress Report

Here are a few of the people Mark Bunker have interviewed for his new film about Scientology: Paulette Cooper, Hana Whitfield, Ford Greene, Bruce Hines, Stephen Kent, Jeff Hawkins, Amy Scobee and her mother Bonny Elliott, and Marie-Joe and Tony DePhillips.



Please contribute what you can to help Mark Bunker continue my travels to interview more people about their experiences in Scientology.

Does Time Really Exist? - Through the Wormhole

Is Time an Illusion?

It is a question that has vexed philosophers and scientists for centuries; 'What is Time?' Exactly how is our past, present, and future connected by that arrow of cause and effect that we call Time? Is time simply another dimension, just like the dimensions of space we know? Can you run time backwards just as easily as it runs forward, just as left-to-right can swap for right-to-left? If other universes exist, then what is time like in them: could their Time be different from ours? And we'll probe the biggest question about time: Is our future determined? Do we exercise free will? Or, is time merely a dream?



Hosted by Morgan Freeman, Through the Wormhole will explore the deepest mysteries of existence - the questions that have puzzled mankind for eternity. What are we made of? What was there before the beginning? Are we really alone? Is there a creator? These questions have been pondered by the most exquisite minds of the human race. Now, science has evolved to the point where hard facts and evidence may be able to provide us with answers instead of philosophical theories. Through the Wormhole will bring together the brightest minds and best ideas from the very edges of science - Astrophysics, Astrobiology, Quantum Mechanics, String Theory, and more - to reveal the extraordinary truth of our Universe.

Through the Wormhole - Season 2, Episode 3: Does Time Really Exist? [Full-Lenght]
Original Air Date—22 June 2011

Morality 1: Good without gods

First in a series on morality



Link to Epley article: http://www.pnas.org/content/early/2009/12/01/0908374106.full.pdf+html

Friday, June 24, 2011

Matt Barber: Right Wing Watch Are Creepy Cyberstalkers

Christian Matt Barber tells Alan Colmes that he should not rely on Right Wing Watch, because we are creepy cyberstalkers.



Right Wing Watch

Geert Wilders cleared of hate speech

Anti-Islam politician Geert Wilders cleared of hate speech


The far-right Dutch politician Geert Wilders, tried for 'inciting hatred and discrimination', has been cleared of all charges. He had reportedly described Islam as 'a fascist religion that allows terrorism' and called for the Koran to be banned. Wilders insisted his comments were not directed at Muslim believers but at Islam - and they formed a legitimate political debate. The verdict was broadcast live on Dutch TV.

'Geert Wilders verdict: Victory for Free Speech'


The far-right Dutch politician Geert Wilders, tried for 'inciting hatred and discrimination', has been cleared of all charges. He had reportedly described Islam as 'a fascist religion that allows terrorism' and called for the Koran to be banned. Wilders insisted his comments were not directed at Muslim believers but at Islam - and they formed a legitimate political debate.

Newsnight: Faith Healers

Jenny Johnstone works for ThetaHealing, a group of faith healers who claim to be able to cure cancer.

Newsnight sent an undercover researcher, who said she had been diagnosed with cervical cancer, to Warrington to ask the practitioner what ThetaHealing could do for her.

When Newsnight contacted Ms Johnstone after the meeting, she refused to answer any questions. She still insists she has healed a baby's stomach cancer, but said there was no point trying to prove it because the BBC would not believe her anyway.


BBC2 22 June 2011

A group of faith healers who claim they have miracle cures for cancer and HIV have been condemned as "irresponsible, even criminal" by a professor of complementary medicine, following a BBC Newsnight investigation.

The group of healers, collectively known as ThetaHealing, claim that their technique - which focuses on thought and prayer - can teach people to use their natural intuition and "brain wave cycle" to "create instantaneous physical and emotional healing."

ThetaHealing have about 600 practitioners in the UK who charge up to £100 per session.

But the healers' claims have been called "criminal" and "not supported by any kind of evidence" by Edzard Ernst, Professor of Complementary Medicine at the University of Exeter, whose unit not only carry out their own studies but also assess those done by other researchers.

Newsnight recorded Warrington-based ThetaHealing practitioner Jenny Johnstone - who charges £30 for a telephone call or £400 for a course - making a number of claims about the technique, including:

"There was a baby I worked on over the telephone and from one day to the next the cancer in his stomach had just disappeared."

Professor Ernst says such claims are "irresponsible, even criminal".

He believes that the ThetaHealing group try to distinguish themselves from the other 20,000 faith healers in the UK by applying a "veneer of science", but says "it's still nonsense".

Repeated clinical trials appear to show that although such faith healing might make people feel better, it does not cure disease. Professor Ernst conducted one such trial which pitched faith healers against actors pretending to be faith healers and found the actors performed better than the healers.

One former client of ThetaHealing - who did not wish to be identified - told the BBC that he was "angry and embarrassed" that he had wasted £1,200 on their healing and missed two years of proper medical treatment.

"There was never any suggestion I should go back to my doctor, which is what I needed to do," he told us.

On ThetaHealing's website it says that Vianna Stibal, the American founder of the group, "facilitated her own instant healing from cancer in 1995".

It also says that Ms Stibal conducts seminars around the world to teach people about ThetaHealing, and that she has trained teachers and practitioners who are now working in 14 countries.

Earlier this month, Ms Stibal visited the UK to address a meeting at the London School of Economics (LSE).

At the meeting Ms Stibal responded to a question from an audience member who asked if it was possible for ThetaHealing to make an amputated leg grow back:

"I believe it's possible to grow it back... a lady grew back her ovary... you can grow back a leg. I've seen people grow back," she told attendees.

Some of the 100 people who attended the event told a BBC researcher that they were reassured about the legitimacy of the group by the fact that the meeting was being held at the LSE.

The LSE told Newsnight that ThetaHealing's meeting was a "normal commercial booking".

Further remarks made by Vianna Stibal at the London meeting, whereby she claimed that ThetaHealing could effectively reduce HIV to undetectable levels, have also alarmed Aids charity the Terrence Higgins Trust.

"The fact is we've seen charlatans of this kind all the way through the HIV epidemic," Lisa Power of the Trust told Newsnight. "Those charlatans are more dangerous than ever now that we have effective treatment."

Ms Power worries that some patients could put their lives at risk by delaying taking effective anti-retroviral drugs in favour of pursuing faith healing.

Both Vianna Stibal and Jenny Johnstone refused to answer questions from Newsnight. Ms Johnstone still insists she has healed a baby's stomach cancer, but said there was no point in her trying to prove it because the BBC would not believe her anyway.

BBC The faith healers who claim they can cure cancer

Fighting Over God

Verbal shots between a Christian and an Atheist become a lethal game that neither God nor the police can stop in the new thriller The Ledge, starring Charlie Hunnam (Sons of Anarchy), Patrick Wilson (Watchmen), Liv Tyler (The Lord of the Rings), and Terrence Howard (Iron Man).



Available May 25 through Video on Demand and coming to theatres July 8, 2011. Join the discussion at LedgeMovie.com




You can see The Ledge right now through Video on Demand (your cable service), through the iTunes Store, on the Internet at Sundance Now.

Is Smoking a Sin?

The FDA has announced that packages of cigarettes will have to include one of nine graphic images that show the harmful effects of smoking. Is that good or bad? What does Jewish law say about smoking? Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald, Director of Jewish Treats' parent organization, the National Jewish Outreach Program, offers a short history of the Jewish attitude toward smoking, as well as his own opinions.

Deuteronomy 4:15 says that you should take care of your body and you shouldn't do anything to harm it. If that's the case, then why aren't rabbis saying that smoking is not kosher? One reason is this: One of the great decisers of Jewish law in the last generation was Rabbi Moshe Feinstein. Smoking was very popular in the '40s, '50s and '60s. Almost everyone smoked, including many rabbis. Then the United States Surgeon General came out against it, informing people that smoking causes cancer and other health problems. When Rabbi Feinstein was asked if Jews can smoke, he basically said no, but then added "You're not allowed to decree something on the community that the community is not going to hold." Because of this, Rabbi Feinstein refused to write a decree telling Jews that is is prohibited, even though he acknowledged that is it indeed harmful and one should not smoke cigarettes. Because of Rabbi Feinstein's stature, other rabbis were afraid to oppose him, even as the times had changed.



Rabbi Buchwald believes that over the next few years, the mood will shift and we will see rabbis taking a strong stand against smoking. He believes that the FDA is doing a job for us. When we weren't out there enforcing the laws of the Torah, the FDA did. He hopes that ultimately everyone will give up smoking cigarettes.

Smokeout
As the world changes, the modern day sages must often reevaluate the application of Jewish law in order to correlate it with the findings of contemporary medicine. One of the best examples of this challenge is cigarette smoking. Originally, smoking was assumed to have many health benefits. After all, smokers seemed to feel refreshed and relaxed, a beneficial physical side effect. From a Torah perspective, the only apparent problem with smoking was lighting a cigarette on Shabbat (prohibited).

Toward the middle of the 20th century, however, scientists and doctors came to better understand the true effects of the cigarette. It is now common knowledge that smoking has many negative effects on the body. By the time this information became common knowledge, however, smoking was a common vice, and rabbinic authorities understood that an outright ban on smoking would be too difficult to enforce (especially given the addictive nature of nicotine).

When the issue of cigarette smoking was raised with Rabbi Moshe Feinstein, regarded as one of the greatest Jewish legal minds of the 20th century, he strongly discouraged the habit but did not outlaw it outright.* His primary source against prohibiting smoking totally was from Yebamot 72a: "Since many people are in the habit of disregarding these precautions, 'The Lord preserves the simple' (Psalms 116:6). This statement has always been understood that there are some dangerous practices that are not prohibited because it is already the custom of too many people, but that those who are wise should certainly abstain from this behavior. Today, however, there are many strong calls to ban smoking entirely.

*This ruling was given in 1981. He included in his ruling a prohibition against starting to smoke.

One of the subcategories of the mitzvah of pikuach nefesh (saving a person's life) is taking care of one's own health. In this vein, the National Jewish Outreach Program has been involved in a campaign encouraging people not to smoke on Shabbat. While intended for smokers, the recommendations apply to all.

Rod Parsley Pulls Out A Bong And Pretends To Drink Shots

Rod Parsley pretends to smoke a bong and drink shots while preaching about the hidden sins of Christians.

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Bible Condemns A Lot, Why Focus On Homosexuality?

Jonathan Dudley talks about the bible and Chritians on CNN.




Aired June 22, 2011 on CNN

Bible condemns a lot, so why focus on homosexuality?

Jonathan Dudley book Broken Words: The Abuse of Science and Faith in American Politics

Wonders Of The Universe - Episode 2: Stardust

In the second stop in his exploration of the wonders of the universe, Professor Brian Cox goes in search of humanity's very essence to answer the biggest questions of all: what are we? And where do we come from? This film is the story of matter - the stuff of which we are all made.



Brian Cox reveals how our origins are entwined with the life cycle of the stars. But he begins his journey here on Earth. In Nepal, he observes a Hindu cremation. Hindu philosophy is based on an eternal cycle of creation and destruction, where the physical elements of the body are recycled on to the next stage. Brian draws a parallel with the life cycle of the stars that led to our own creation.

Next, he explains how the Earth's resources have been recycled through the ages. How every atom that makes up everything we see, was at some time a part of something else. Our world is made up of just 92 elements, and these same 92 elements are found throughout the entire universe. We are part of the universe because we are made of the same stuff as the universe.

Watch Wonders Of The Universe - season 1, episode 1: Destiny.

Abie Philbin Bowman at the AAI Conference Dublin 2011

Abie Philban Bowman performs a preview of his new show; Pope Benedict - Bond Villian, at the World Atheist Convention on Friday 3rd June at the Alexander Hotel in Dublin.



The World Atheist Convention was hosted by Atheist Ireland, an atheist advocacy group for an ethical and secular Ireland, and Atheist Alliance International, an umbrella group for atheist advocacy groups world-wide.

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Dan Patrick's Confusing Beliefs

Don explores how Dan Patrick's actions don't match up against his stated beliefs.

The Atheist Experience TV Show Atheist Experience #714: Dan Patrick's Confusing Beliefs
Host: Matt Dillahunty
Co-host: Don Baker
Aired: 2011-06-19



The Atheist Experience is a weekly cable access television show in Austin, Texas geared at a non-atheist audience. The Atheist Experience is produced by the Atheist Community of Austin.

The Atheist Community of Austin is organized as a nonprofit educational corporation to develop and support the atheist community, to provide opportunities for socializing and friendship, to promote secular viewpoints, to encourage positive atheist culture, to defend the first amendment principle of state-church separation, to oppose discrimination against atheists and to work with other organizations in pursuit of common goals.

DVDs of the Atheist Experience can be purchased via our products page.

Science Saved My Soul (with Phil Hellenes)

PhilHellenes (arguably) most popular video, "Science Saved My Soul," has created huge waves across YouTube. His home page possibly best sums up Phil's philosphy for living: "Learning and understanding are far easier than you think. All you need is curiosity. The truth is beautiful."

Evolution: How We Know it Happened & Why it Matters (with Dr Donald Prothero)

The HOTTEST CULTURAL CONTROVERSY of 2005 was the Intelligent Design challenge to the theory of evolution, being played out in classrooms and courtrooms across America. The crux of the argument made by proponents of Intelligent Design is that the theory of evolution is in serious trouble.

They claim that the evidence for evolution is weak, the gaps in the theory are huge, and that these flaws should be taught to students. In this brilliant synthesis of scientific data and theory, Occidental College geologist, paleontologist, and evolutionary theorist Dr. Donald Prothero will present the best evidence we have that evolution happened, why Darwins theory still matters, and what the real controversies are in evolutionary biology.



Dr. Donald Prothero teaches Physical and Historical Geology, Sedimentary Geology, and Paleontology. His specialties are mammalian paleontology and magnetic stratigraphy of the Cenozoic. Donald Protheros current research focuses on the dating of the climatic changes that occurred between 30 and 40 million years ago, using the technique of magnetic stratigraphy.

Donald Prothero is the author of
"Evolution of the Earth,"
"Bringing Fossils to Life,"
"After the Dinosaurs,"
"Horns, Tusks, and Flippers: The Evolution of Hoofed Mammals,"
"Sedimentary Geology."
"Evolution: What the Fossils Say & Why it Matters"

Science Saved My Soul



Music used: "Adagio in D Minor", from the "Surface of the Sun" soundtrack by John Murphy.

Closing montage: "Wake up" by Arcade Fire, from the album "Funeral".

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

James Randi on Loaded Language

James Randi opens up a Scientology book and reads Hubbard's technical jargon aloud. To people unfamiliar with the tech, it is nearly impossible to decipher. This is an example of what Professor Robert J. Lifton describes as "Loaded Language" which is used in groups like Scientology to separate members from the general public.



Knowledge Report: James Randi on Loaded Language

Free Speech is Offensive

Blood Emails of Dr. Z

Libbie, Mike and Sam answer listener emails, take calls, and have a discussion with Mandisa Thomas of Black Nonbelievers of Atlanta.



Countdown to backpedeling

Black Nonbelievers of Atlanta (BNoA)

This an episode of Ask an Atheist, a call-in show in the Tacoma/Seattle area dedicated to atheism, skeptical inquiry, and the separation of church and state.

The show is broadcast live on KLAY 1180 AM in Tacoma on Sundays at 3:00 PM, Pacific time.

Fox News: Atheist Raises Money for Vandalized Church



June 18, 2011 on Fox News

Monday, June 20, 2011

Maryam Namazie on islam, Dublin 2011

Maryam Namazie's keynote address at the World Atheist Convention Dublin on the 5th June in the Alexander Hotel.



Featuring the response from a question posed by Adnan Rashid, one of the Muslim delegates from the Islamic Educational and Research Academy - Maryam's response was not included in the video uploaded to the iERA channel.

Lawmaker Equates Christian Militants to Radical Islam

Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee sparks debate with comments linking the severity of actions by Christian militants to the same as those of radical Muslims. Father Jonathan Morris weighs in.



Fox News 2011

Richard Dawkins in Dublin 2011

Sunday, June 19, 2011

Samwell - What What (In the Butt)

Christopher Monckton Bunkum Part 2 - Sensitivity



Watch also Lord Christopher Monckton Bunkum - Global cooling and melting ice



SOURCES:

2" Interview on Australian TV program 'Sunrise' 2009

1'02" McNeil publishing history: http://web.maths.unsw.edu.au/~bmcneil/publications.html

4'19" Royer

4'29" "The equilibrium sensitivity of the Earth's temperature to radiation changes"
R. Knutti and G. Heger
Nature Geoscience 2008

5'59" Rebuttals to Lindzen
"Relationships between tropical sea surface temperature and top-of-atmosphere radiation"
K. Trenberth, J. Fasullo, C. O'Dell T. Wong
GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS, 2010

"Constraining climate sensitivity with linear fits to outgoing radiation"
Daniel M. Murphy, GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS 2010

"Revisiting the determination of climate sensitivity from relationships between surface temperature and radiative fluxes"
E. Chung, B. Soden, B. Sohn
GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS, 2010

"The Impact of Global Warming on Marine Boundary Layer Clouds over the Eastern Pacific—A Regional Model Study"
A. Lauer et al
Journal of Climate, 2010

6'15" Monckton-Lambert debate: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nB5N8EtNCzA

6'34" "Climate Sensitivity Reconsidered," Forum on Physics and Society, July 2008

6'53" Calculation rebuuttals at:
http://duoquartuncia.blogspot.com/2008/07/aps-and-global-warming-what-were-they.html
http://www.realclimate.org/index.php/archives/2008/07/once-more-unto-the-bray/
http://scienceblogs.com/deltoid/2008/07/moncktons_triple_counting.php
http://www.altenergyaction.org/Monckton.html#sec7


9'16" Speech sponsored by Minnesota Free Market Institute St. Paul, October 2009

10'04" Monckton notes, FCPP website
http://www.fcpp.org/pdf/MoncktonwNotesOct809.pdf

11'58" Speech in Melbourne, February 2009

12'28" Interview on Australian TV program 'Sunrise' 2009

13'06" Monckton-Lambert debate: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nB5N8EtNCzA

13'53" Monckton testimony to US House Energy Independence & Global Warming Committee
6 May 2010

Saturday, June 18, 2011

Atheists Raise Money For Church

Atheists are raising money for a church that was allegedly vandalized in the name of the pseudo-religion Church Of The Flying Spaghetti Monster. Cenk Uygur and Ana Kasparian discuss.



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Filthy Mouths & Bad Attitudes



The Blues Brothers Movie

Friday, June 17, 2011

Journal Club: HFCS vs. sucrose

I'd like to start a new series where I present an interesting paper in a way that they are accessible to non-scientists. Today is an article that presents some puzzling results when comparing sucrose to HFCS consumption in rats. There are some methodological problems with how they conducted the study, but it's still an interesting result, and would be good to see it repeated.




1. PubMed, so you can do your own research:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/PubMed/

2. PubMedCentral, which is JUST free full text articles:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/

3. The original, full-text article:
http://www.mediafire.com/file/uo4ohro3o4w1z2q/HFCS_Rats_10.pdf

4. Here's another key paper that they cite (Avena et al 2006), it covers the topic of addiction behavior in sweeteners:
http://www.mediafire.com/file/8s9awztqw24wawt/Hoebel-sugaraddiction.pdf
Understanding this one is really important in light of the surprising findings presented.

Thanks, guys! Artificial sweeteners and fluoride are still in progress. I will be addressing some recent criticisms on Draw Mohammed Day in a very brief video as well.

Creationism vs Evolution...and Global Warming: An update

Three short talks from NCSE staffers: Executive Director Genie Scott provides a bit of Creationism 101. Deputy Director Glenn Branch delves into where we are today and how we got there.



Programs and Policy Director Josh Rosenau explores the linkage between creationists and climate change deniers.

Where: SkeptiCal-11 Conference, Berkeley, CA.
When: 5/29/2011

The Histories of America by Betty Bowers

America's Best Christian, Mrs. Betty Bowers, recites the first cantos of her poem "The Histories of America" to her 5,703-student K-12 Sunday School class. Some of her and Jesus' favorite students have joyously provided illustrations for the poem.

The Histories of America - part 1 by Betty Bowers


America's not as she was today.
She wasn't even that way yesterday.
Our story's like Jesus' nativity.
Conflicting with infallibility.
This Land was found to give the Church a mate.
Or just a quickie divorce from the State.
But who cares how posterity sees us?
Soon, we'll be sipping cocktails with Jesus!

*The Ice Age*

There's no one to hunt on the frontier,
When the sole immigrant is a glacier.

*The First Visitors*

No Eden escapes human intrusion.
Someone's bound to traipse down an Aleutian.
This arrival might now be an occasion
Had they been European, not Asian.
Claiming domain in all continental,
Oh, what a shame this sprawl was a rental!

*America's First Illegal Aliens*

From Bering Strait snows to Florida's sun,
All real estate goes to him with the gun.

*The Mormon Visitors*

As His flock was gnawed by hungry lions,
Jesus popped abroad, to sightsee Mayans.
"Natives were Jews!" so the LDS say.
This came as news to bemused DNA.
They rode tidy horses that left no bones,
According to a book written by stones.
If vexing facts try to spoil your fun
Give facts the ax; buy the Book of Mormon!

*The Wandering Crew*

America reveres Chris Columbus,
Though mapping, it appears, left him nonplus.
Deplore an explorer's no sense of aim.
Chris might've known whence, but not where he came.
Failing to target his destinations,
Thinking Ming's argot's spoken by Haitians!
He found China -- or someplace tinier.
America? There was no finding her!
Thus began our rash nation's tradition:
To yawn at skill and fawn at ambition.

*The Pilgrims*

These visitors' shoes matched clasps on chapeau.
Inquisitors used to turning chap foe.
It behooved to disapprove with this sort.
Judging is seldom a spectator sport.
Puritans were pure, quite annoyingly.
Ev'ry man's Goody, a goody-goody.
They sailed when others quizzed their faith's fitness.
To assail brothers -- without a witness.
Just as nuns shun fun without compunction,
Fleeing was just a function of unction.
With decks full of prudes, docks the Mayflower,
And instead of foods, pox and a glower.
They starved, so natives gave Pilgrims a hand.
Who carved up their turkey -- and then their land.
For execution, they were witch burners,
At persecution, they were quick learners.
Out of this void, America did stem:
Folks paranoid of fanatics not them.

*Reflection*

Before it's reprised, history's revised.
Arriving surprising, unrecognized.

Lord Christopher Monckton Bunkum - Global cooling and melting ice

Christopher Monckton: Global cooling, not global warming



SOURCES:

16" Interview with Michael Coren

23" Interview on Australian TV program 'Sunrise' 2009

36" "Climate Chaos? Don't believe it."
Sunday Telegraph Nov 5, 2006

48" Monckton educational background:
Who's Who 2010

57" "Margaret Thatcher -- The Downing Street Years"
by Margaret Thatcher

1' ibid. p.640

1'05" ibid p.640

1'14" Speech to Sutherland Institute, Salt Lake City, March 2010

1'20" "Margaret Thatcher -- The Downing Street Years" p.640

1'52" "Apocalypse? No!" -- film by Christopher Monckton, 2007

2'09" "Climate Sensitivity Reconsidered," Forum on Physics and Society, July 2008

3'07" "Apocalypse? No!" -- film by Christopher Monckton, 2007

3'15" ibid.

4'05" Speech in Melbourne, February 2009

4'12" Speech sponsored by Minnesota Free Market Institute St. Paul, October 2009

4'24" "Waiting for Global Cooling" - R. Fawcett and D. Jones, National Climate Centre,
Australian Bureau of Meteorology, April 2008

4'50" "Statisticians reject global cooling"
-- Associated Press story 10/26/2009 reproduced at
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33482750/ns/us_news-environment/

5'26" Speech in Melbourne, February 2009

6'16" Graphs taken from my video "Climate Change -- Is the Earth Cooling?"

6'54" St. Paul, October 2009

7'13" Graph taken from my video "Climate Change -- Is the Earth Cooling?"

3'24" Enso-corrected graph from http://fermiparadox.wordpress.com/

7'34" "Waiting for Global Cooling"

7'55" Speech in Melbourne, February 2009

8'38" Arctic Sea Ice New and Analysis, National Snow and Ice Data Center http://nsidc.org/arcticseaicenews/2011/010511.html
9'06" SPPI Monthly CO2 report, July 2009 Vol 1, Issue 7 p. 15
http://scienceandpublicpolicy.org/images/stories/papers/originals/co2_report_july_09.pdf

9'51 ibid.

10'35" Biospherics, using data from IARC-JAXA and NSIDC
http://joewheatley.net/arctic-sea-ice/

10'56" "Decreasing Arctic Sea Ice Mirrors Increasing CO2 on Decadal Time Scale"
Ola M Johannessen, Atmospheric and Oceanic Science Letters 2008 Vol. 1

11'59" "Recent Ice-Sheet Growth in the Interior of Greenland"
Ola M. Johannessen et al, Science November 2005

13'18" "Recent Greenland Ice Mass Loss by Drainage System from Satellite Gravity Observations" -- S. B. Luthcke, et al., Science November 2006

13'23" "Melting of Greenland Ice Sheet Satellite Gravity Measurements Confirm Accelerated Melting of Greenland Ice Sheet" --
J. L. Chen, et al., Science 2006

13'44" Speech at St. Paul, October 2009

--
Lord Christopher Monckton Bunkum Part 1 - Global cooling and melting ice

Thursday, June 16, 2011

If you don't sin



Thank you Jesus!

Michael Shermer: The Believing Brain

On June 9, 2011, the Center for Inquiry-New York City and NYC Skeptics hosted noted skeptic and bestselling author Michael Shermer for a talk about his new book, "The Believing Brain: From Ghosts and Gods to Politics and Conspiracies—How We Construct Beliefs and Reinforce Them as Truths."



The event was held at the Auditorium on Broadway.

This is the full video, including both the talk and question-and-answer session.

How Hollywood Is Brainwashing America

Ban Shapiro explains how Hollywood is brainwashing America into accepting gays while Pat Robertson is alarmed that straight actors are being "forced" to play gay roles.

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Islamic cultural terrorism



Rise in female genital mutilation in London
Free speech on trial in Europe
Islamists and Islamophobia
Is it racist to criticise Islam?
Police covered up violent campaign to turn London area Islamic
London borough becomes 'Islamic republic'
Tower Hamlets Taliban: Death threats to women, gays attacked in the streets
Men who beat up teacher were terrorist suspects
Gay Free Zone conviction is disturbing
Ban homophobic clerics from mosque, gay rights campaigners urge
Can we talk about Muslim homophobia now?
A third of Muslim students in Britain support killing in the name of Islam
Islamophobia: Is this the year's most embarrassing academic report?
Islamophobic crime fell in London last year - MCB spins the opposite
British girls undergo horror of genital mutilation despite tough laws
Muslim staff escaped NHS hygiene rule
UK allows Muslim nurses not to wash to protect their "modesty"
Oslo: All sexual assaults ending in rape committed by non-westerners

Wonders Of The Universe - Destiny

Having explored the wonders of the solar system, Professor Brian Cox steps boldly on to an even bigger stage - the universe.

Who are we? Where do we come from? For thousands of years humanity has turned to religion and myth for answers to these enduring questions. But in this series, Brian presents a different set of answers - answers provided by science.



In this episode, Brian seeks to understand the nature of time and its role in creating both the universe and ourselves. From an extraordinary calendar built into the landscape of Peru to the beaches of Costa Rica, Brian explores the cycles of time which define our experience of life on Earth. But even the most epic cycles of life can't begin to compare to the vast expanse of cosmic time.

For instance, just as the Earth orbits the Sun, the solar system orbits the entire Milky Way galaxy. This orbit takes a staggering 250 million years to complete.

Ultimately, Brian discovers that time is not characterised by repetition but by irreversible change. From the relentless march of a glacier, to the decay of an old mining town, the ravaging effects of time are all around us. The vast universe is subject to these same laws of change. As we look out to the cosmos, we can see the story of its evolution unfold, from the death of the first stars to the birth of the youngest. This journey from birth to death will ultimately lead to the destruction not just of our planet, but also the entire universe, and with it the end of time itself.

Yet without this inevitable destruction, the universe would be without what is perhaps the greatest wonder of all; the brief moment in time in which life can exist.

BBC - Wonders Of The Universe - Season 1, Episode 1: Destiny (2011)

Parsley: We Are The Navy SEALs Of Christianity!

Rod Parsley informs his congregation that they are the elite of the elite; the Navy SEALs of Christianity.

Homeopaths Calling Themselves "Doctor": Why & How to Stop It

Are homeopaths doctors? According to the province of Ontario, no. It is illegal for homeopaths to use the title "Doctor", or refer to themselves as a "homeopathic doctor". Yet dozens of homeopaths in Ontario flout this law.



In this video, Iain Martel, co-chair of the Centre for Inquiry's Committee for the Advancement of Scientific Skepticism (CASS), explains why homeopaths should not be allowed to call themselves doctors, and what CASS is doing about it.

Is a Homeopath a Physician in Ontario?

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Mr Deity and the Days

Mr. Deity chats with Larry, Timmy, and John about the six days of Creation.

Atheist Experience #713: Viewer Calls

Matt and Jeff take callers on religion.

The Atheist Experience TV Show Atheist Experience #713: Viewer Calls
Host: Matt Dillahunty
Co-host: Jeff Dee
Recorded: 2011-06-12

Conservatives Always Demand Scandal-Ridden Republicans Resign

Matt Barber and Deryl Edwards of Liberty Counsel claim that conservatives always demand that adulterous GOP representatives are pressured to resign.

The Response: All Faiths Are Welcome To Worship Jesus

Eric Bearse, spokesperson for Gov. Rick Perry's "The Response" prayer rally says that other faiths are not being excluded because everyone is invited to come and seek out Jesus and feel his love.

Why the media screws up science - #1

Monday, June 13, 2011

Chris Matthews Demeans Conservative Christians with Comments

Father Jonathan Morris discusses MSNBC host Christopher Matthews' comments on Christians, referring to them as 'rural' and 'culturally backward.'



Video by Fox News, 2011

Jews and genitally mutilating

Jews practice genitally mutilating a non consenting individual is criminal. As long as they practise these insane rituals no one will show muslims and jews any respect.



Video by ABC

Survival of the Fittest - Baba Brinkman

Baba Brinkman - Rap Guide to Evolution Survival of the Fittest




The Rap Guide to Evolution Music Videos, sponsored by the Wellcome Trust.

Sunday, June 12, 2011

The Jesus stain

The chasers take on sightings of jesus christ . . a stain in a toilet that somewhat resembles him, very funny

Area 51 - Annie Jacobsen on The Daily Show

Annie Jacobsen talks about Stalin's secret spacecraft and the U.S. government's denial of Area 51.



The Daily Show with Jon Stewart aired Tuesday May 17, 2011

Saturday, June 11, 2011

Fischer: Gays Responsible For The Nazi Party

Christian Bryan Fischer says he never claimed that gays were responsible for the Holocaust ... merely that they were responsible for the formation of the Nazi party.

Scientology: The Super Power Building

Mat Pesch was in charge of Scientology finances when construction of the Super Power building began in the late 90's.



In this clip from the documentary Knowledge Report on Scientology, Mat claims construction began at that time to quiet the anger at the church for the death of Lisa McPherson as a criminal trial loomed.

The St. Pete Times has just run a story about the $450,000 fine Clearwater has levied against Scientology for not completing construction in a timely manner.

Will Clearwater press Scientology to pay $450,000 fine in full? St. Petersburg Times

Funny Church signs (Chasers war)

The chasers target funny church signs and create some for islam churches muslim churchs etc. and place them outside, funny

Don't pray for me

Pray for yourself.

iERA engages with PZ Myers, AronRa & Richard Dawkins at the World Atheist Convention

iERA engages with Prof. PZ Myers, AronRa, Maryam Namazie and Richard Dawkins at the World Atheist Convention in Dublin, Ireland, June 2011.

Senior researcher and lecture Hamza Andreas Tzortzis challenges Professor PZ Myers on God's existence and the Qur'an. See 00:40



Hamza Andreas Tzortzis talks to AronRa on human intellect and thought. See 23:00

AronRa invites Hamza Andreas Tzortzis to The Magic Sandwich Show. See 28:25 - Watch this space!

Lecturer Adnan Rashid challenges Maryam Namazie on Islamic law. See 29:10

Hamza Andreas Tzortzis challenges Richard Dawkins on the fine-tuning of the universe. See 32:32

Friday, June 10, 2011

Pat Robertson: The Tea Party Is God's Answer

Pat Robertson says the Tea Party is God's way of saving USA.

Saudi woman campaigns for right to drive

And a Saudi woman is held after mounting an internet campaign to get more females driving

A woman has been detained in Saudi Arabia for defying the ban on driving.



The kingdom is the only country in the world where women are discouraged from getting behind the wheel.

Manal al Sharif is part of an online campaign group determined to get women in the driving seat more.

Al Jazeera's Anu Nathan reports.

Human Evolution and Why It Matters: A Conversation with Leakey and Johanson

Celebrating decades of groundbreaking exploration in East Africa, renowned paleoanthropologists Donald Johanson and Richard Leakey shared the stage at the American Museum of Natural History on May 5 to discuss the overwhelming evidence for evolution in the hominid fossil record and why understanding our evolutionary history is so important. The discussion, before a sold-out crowd in the Museum's LeFrak Theater, was moderated by Dr. Sanjay Gupta, chief medical correspondent for CNN. The event was also live-streamed on amnh.org to a digital audience of several hundred viewers around the country.



Known for such landmark discoveries as "Lucy" (Johanson) and "Turkana Boy" (Leakey), the work of these two scientists has produced much of the fossil evidence that forms our understanding of human evolution.

Looking back over careers spanning 40-plus years, Dr. Johanson and Dr. Leakey shared the stories behind their monumental finds and offered a look at what's ahead in human evolutionary research.

This historic event was made possible through a joint partnership of the American Museum of Natural History, the Arizona State University Institute of Human Origins, and the Turkana Basin Institute, headquartered in the U.S. at Stony Brook University.

National Borders Were Determined By God

Chritian Bryan Fischer says the US never managed to take over Canada because our borders were set by God.

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Year One

In which Mike, Rich and Sam look over our first year of broadcasting and take a homophobic atheist host - Blackson Bau - in Atlanta to task for his bigotry and idiocy.



This an episode of Ask an Atheist, a call-in show in the Tacoma/Seattle area dedicated to atheism, skeptical inquiry, and the separation of church and state. The show is broadcast live on KLAY 1180 AM in Tacoma on Sundays at 3:00 PM, Pacific time.

Peter Popoff - still scamming after all these years

Members of Think Again! TV and the Centre for Inquiry, via a secret source, obtained invitation-only tickets to a live faith healing/supernatural debt relief event featuring Peter Popoff at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre on May 26, 2011.

Footage shows Popoff engaging in "healings", hosting testimonials and requesting large sums of money from the audience. Also features a sick man being turned away, and the description of an altercation in which - rather ironically - the organist for this "faith healer" wished upon us death by cancer.

Secret Footage of "Faith Healer" Peter Popoff in Toronto May 2011



Background:

Peter Popoff was a famous 1980s faith healer proven a fraud by skeptic James Randi on the tonight show with Johnny Carson. James Randi and his assistants used a radio scanner to intercept transmissions from Popoff's wife Elizabeth giving the prophet information about members of the audience, including their address and ailments. After being exposed, his popularity declined sharply, and Popoff declared bankruptcy in 1987.

20 years later, Popoff returned, ironically now combining supernatural debt relief, of all things, with his old faith healing tricks. He has become a profitable prophet once again.

Christians Should Take Over Both Political Parties

Christian David Barton wants to see Christians take over both political parties so that they can compete to see which one can be the most Biblical.

Atheist Experience #712: Viewer Calls

The Atheist Experience TV Show Atheist Experience #712: Viewer Calls
Host: Russell Glasser Co-host: Martin Wagner
2011-06-05

Martin and Russell take viewer calls.


The Atheist Experience is a weekly cable access television show in Austin, Texas geared at a non-atheist audience. The Atheist Experience is produced by the Atheist Community of Austin. The Atheist Community of Austin is organized as a nonprofit educational corporation to develop and support the atheist community, to provide opportunities for socializing and friendship, to promote secular viewpoints, to encourage positive atheist culture, to defend the first amendment principle of state-church separation, to oppose discrimination against atheists and to work with other organizations in pursuit of common goals.

Founding Fathers Wanted Creationism Taught In Schools

Christian David Barton says there is no need to debate the teaching of Creationism in public schools, because the Founding Fathers made clear that we needed to do so.




The astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson wants to see more engaged teachers.

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Tanya Smith at World Atheist Convention Dublin

Tanya Smith, of the Atheist Foundation of Australia, is the new president of Atheist Alliance International.



This is her opening address as president at the World Atheist Convention in Dublin, Ireland, on 3 June 2011.

My Love of Jesus Keeps Me From Choking My Opponents

Christian Tony Perkins says that it is his love of Jesus that keeps him for choking his opponents during television debates and that there is not an ounce of hatred in his heart.

Joyner: Demonic Spirit of Nazism Is Coming To America

Christian Rick Joyner warns that the demonic spirits responsible for Nazism in Germany are heading to America and will turn the nation into a totalitarian state.

Why Darwin Still Matters - Michael Ruse

"Has Darwinism Passed Its 'Sell By' Date?: Reflections on The Origin of Species at 150 Years"



Michael Ruse, Lucyle T. Werkmeister Professor at Florida State University presents at Pepperdine University during the two day conference exploring Charles Darwin's "On the Origin of Species" and its grip on our intellect and imagination.

Faculty Response by Pepperdine University faculty member, Chris Doran.

The connection between Homo sapiens and man

Muslim Nouri Hamid, 28, a doctoral student in genetics, is not "totally in agreement that there is a complete lack [of evidence] for the evolution of species," but he also says that "science has never demonstrated the connection between Homo sapiens and man."

Read more: In France, a Muslim Offensive Against Evolution

Homo sapiens is Latin for "wise man" or "knowing man".

The level of stupidity amoung religious people are unbelievable.

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Why Evolution is Difficult (Alternate U.S. version)

Genie Scott discusses the genesis of the American anti-evolution movement, how even religious moderates can find evolution distasteful, the role of human exceptionalism, and more.



Where: Orange County Freethought Alliance Conference, Irvine, CA.
When 5/15/2011

Worship, Teaching, Friends

Church banner: Worship, Teaching, Friends



Church WTF Banners Worship, Teaching, Friends

Mountains steady the Earth - The Quran's 5 minute miracles

A quick debunk of an utterly fraudulent miracle claim for the Quran.



Reference: Effects of Large-Scale Surface Topography on Ground Motions, as Demonstrated by a Study of the San Gabriel Mountains, Los Angeles, California

Monday, June 6, 2011

Religion and Politics (podcast)

They're everwhere. Politicians invoking God and their various faiths in the search for credibility, popularity and votes. Many believe faith is integral to the political system, especially in America. But are governments helped or hindered by the influence of religion and "faith?" Your calls and emails

Arrogant atheists and not collecting stamps

Why atheists are arrogant and how atheism is like not collecting stamps - from Atheist Ireland chairperson Michael Nugent's opening comments to the World Atheist Convention in Dublin on 3 June 2011



Arrogant atheists and not collecting stamps: Michael Nugent at World Atheist Convention Dublin.

The Price of Atheism



ABC's 20/20 special on atheism.

Everything and Nothing

Two-part documentary which deals with two of the deepest questions there are - what is everything, and what is nothing?

In two epic, surreal and mind-expanding films, Professor Jim Al-Khalili searches for an answer to these questions as he explores the true size and shape of the universe and delves into the amazing science behind apparent nothingness.

Everything

The first part, Everything, sees Professor Al-Khalili set out to discover what the universe might actually look like. The journey takes him from the distant past to the boundaries of the known universe. Along the way he charts the remarkable stories of the men and women who discovered the truth about the cosmos and investigates how our understanding of space has been shaped by both mathematics and astronomy.

Nothing

The second part, Nothing, explores science at the very limits of human perception, where we now understand the deepest mysteries of the universe lie. Jim sets out to answer one very simple question - what is nothing? His journey ends with perhaps the most profound insight about reality that humanity has ever made. Everything came from nothing. The quantum world of the super-small shaped the vast universe we inhabit today, and Jim can prove it.

BBC 2011 documentary

Hypocrites - Bastrop High School



And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

Bible. Matthew 6,5-8


Even Jesus thinks these people are idiots.

Sunday, June 5, 2011

Ring species - the abridged version

Several people asked potholer54 to make a video on ring species alone, suitable for viewing by their creationist friends. So here it is.



potholer54e used the example of the greenish warbler, after someone pointed out that the ensatina is not the best example of a ring species. Hybrids of the two end-species in the ensatina ring exist in two locations, whereas there are no hybrids from the two end-species descended from the greenish warbler.

The gap you will see in the orange-colored area covering the obscuratus on the map of Asia (at around 3:00 mins) is caused by human habitation which has eliminated the obscuratus from that particular area.

SOURCES:

"Speciation in the round"
David B. Wake, Nature, 18 Jan 2001

"Phylogeographic breaks without geographic barriers to gene flow"
Darren E. Irwin, Evolution, 2002

"Ring species as bridges between microevolution and speciation"
D .Irwin et al, Genetica, 2001

Rapture Relief

Sam talks to Bob and Kyle of Seattle Atheists about their new Rapture Relief program, and answer some emails.



This an episode of Ask an Atheist, a call-in show in the Tacoma/Seattle area dedicated to atheism, skeptical inquiry, and the separation of church and state. The show is broadcast live on KLAY 1180 AM in Tacoma on Sundays at 3:00 PM, Pacific time.

Saturday, June 4, 2011

Home Depot Employee Supports AFA Boycott of His Employer For Being Pro-Gay

An anonymous Home Depot employee and pastor named "Robert" tells Bryan Fischer there is a culture of intimidation and discrimination against Christians who oppose the company's support for diversity and equality.

Neil deGrasse Tyson on Science and Faith

The astrophysicist debunks the notion that scientists cannot be believers

Bachmann Leads Conference In Prayer

Rep. Michele Bachmann closed her remarks at the Faith and Freedom Conference by leading the audience in prayer.

How to Raise an Atheist Family

It can be tough, especially with young kids, because people understand atheism so poorly.

AFA Boycotting Home Depot Because Gays Are Caught "In The Clasp of Satan"

The American Family Association's Buddy Smith reports on his trip to a Home Depot board meeting to get the company to stop supporting gay rights.

Friday, June 3, 2011

Sam Harris's Journey to Atheism Sparked by 9/11

9/11 sparked Harris's interest in religion, and his journey to atheism.

Barber: Jewish Voters Will Reject Obama's "Anti-Semitism"

Matt Barber says Jewish voters will reject President Obama's handling of Israel because it is "anti"Semitism."

Your Religion is a Fairy Tale. Wake up!

Economic Crisis Is God's Way Of Bringing Us Back To Biblical Principles

Texas Governor Rick Perry tells James Robison that we are going through an economic crisis for a purpose so that the national will return to biblical principles and free the citizens from their slavery to the government.

Thursday, June 2, 2011

Tony Perkins & James Robison: America Needs Godly Leaders

Tony Perkins and James Robison discuss America's dire need for godly leaders who will rule in a way that benefits everyone and that Americans will answer to God for the way they have voted.

Knowledge Report: CCHR Films Psychiatrists

Mark Bunker attended the 2011 American Psychiatric Association convention in Honolulu where I encountered a Scientology camera crew interviewing psychiatrists on the street for a video that would then be edited to show the field of psychiatry in a bad light.

The One: Australia's Most Gift Psychic - Episode 1

'The One'TV show. Clips of show. All judges (Richard Saunders) comments included. No out of context editing.

Episode 1 Part 1


Episode 1 Part 2


Please make up your mind if this type of show helps the psychics or skeptics. We've made ours.

Robertson: Opposing Islam Just Like Opposing The Nazis

Christian Pat Robertson complains of being called a bigot for opposing Islam when it is no different than opposing Adolf Hitler and the Nazis.



The 700 Club

Fischer: Gay Activists Will Commit "Virtual Genocide" Against Christian Soldiers

Christian hater Bryan Fischer says that gays commit most of the hate crimes and, with the repeal of DADT, will commit "virtual genocide" against Chritian soldiers in the military.

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Doomsday Today: Will world end on May 21, 2011?

It's going to be a tough Saturday, according to one religious group in the U.S. By the calculations of 'Family Radio', today is Judgement day and the end of the world. RT's Kaelyn Ford followed them on their mission to spread the doomsday prophecy.



Video by RussiaToday 21/05/2011

Give Blood Give Life

Atheists and agnostics in the military

Defense Department statistics show that about 9,400 of the nation's 1.4 million active-duty military personnel identify themselves as atheists or agnostics, making them a larger subpopulation than Jews, Muslims, Hindus or Buddhists in the military.

Quote by Atheists Seek Chaplain Role in the Military The New York Times, April 26, 2011.

* Military Atheists and Secular Humanists (M*A*S*H)
* Military Association of Atheists and Freethinkers

Homeopathy is NOT Medicine

Dr Simon Singh, Richard Saunders, James Randi and Dr Ian Musgrave appear on Today Tonight to express the view of science on Homeopathy.




Tell retail pharmacies to come clean about homeopathic products


The 10:23 Campaign on facebook

The Blasphemers Prayer

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