Monthly Archives: January 2011

‘Playboy’ centerfold and ‘Baywatch’ babe Donna D’Errico to search Mt. Ararat for Noah’s Ark

Posted on 31/01/2011 by

Donna D’Errico to Climb Mount Ararat in Search of Noah’s Ark Former “Baywatch” star Donna D’Errico has enjoyed a pretty amazing career arc.  But the 42-year-old actress, who recently turned down a spot on “Dancing With the Stars,” is now … Continue reading →

Posted in Fundamentalism, Popular Culture, Society | Tagged , , , , , , , ,

While atheists sit on their hands and criticise, Christians carry on building hospitals and schools

Posted on 31/01/2011 by

And here’s the latest example: Church to build hospital and university in Iraq Archbishop Warda said: “The plans we have been developing over the past few months are symbols of hope for the Christian presence in our country.” He went … Continue reading →

Posted in Atheism, Christian Churches

The top twenty-five most popular Roman Catholic blogs

Posted on 30/01/2011 by

Eric Sammons reveals the English-speaking world’s most popular Roman Catholic blogs.  There’s lots of good reading on these blogs for catholic (small ‘c’) Presbyterians too!

Posted in Christian Churches

Alister McGrath thanks God for the New Atheism

Posted on 29/01/2011 by

Where some seemed to think that the so-called “Four Horsemen” would achieve final closure on the issue of God, quite the reverse seems to have happened.  Cultural interest in God and religion has resurged, and the discussions are not leading … Continue reading →

Posted in Atheism | Tagged , ,

Quote of the day: Noam Chomsky on the vast gulf between apes and humans

Posted on 29/01/2011 by

‘It’s as likely that an ape will prove to have a language ability as there is an island somewhere with a species of flightless birds waiting for humans to teach them to fly.’ ~ Noam Chomsky

Posted in Quote of the Day, Sciences

A great post on New Zealand’s established, government-supported religion: Maori Animism

Posted on 29/01/2011 by

Once again we see how supposedly neutral secularism always supports and promotes one chosen religion, while legislating against the free expression of other religions of which it disapproves: Maori Animism: New Zealand’s Established Religion OK, Phil — let’s build greater … Continue reading →

Posted in Secularism

Roger Pearse on the New Atheist mythicists who want to believe that Jesus never existed

Posted on 29/01/2011 by

Jesus mythicism is, of course, the forté of the New Atheists, as anyone who has interacted with them for five minutes can testify.  Ironically, such a convenient belief is the opposite of intelligent and educated, which is why Jesus mythicism … Continue reading →

Posted in Atheism | Tagged , ,

Vatican reaches out to atheists

Posted on 28/01/2011 by

Vatican To Reach Out To Atheists The Vatican announced a new initiative aimed at promoting dialogue between theists and atheists to be launched with a two-day event this March in Paris. The Vatican’s Pontifical Council for Culture will sponsor a … Continue reading →

Posted in Atheism, Christian Churches

Roger Pearse asks: Is Christianity actually legal in modern Britain, for practical purposes?

Posted on 28/01/2011 by

Roger Pearse writes: The story is simple.  A Christian couple, Peter and Hazelmary Bull, let out rooms in their home for “Bed and Breakfast” accomodation overnight, which they advertise under the name of the “Chymorvah private hotel” in Penzance in Cornwall.  … Continue reading →

Posted in Secularism

St. Thomas Aquinas: biblical theologian and philosopher

Posted on 28/01/2011 by

Today is the Feast Day of St. Thomas Aquinas.  Here’s an excellent blog post about St. Thomas Aquinas and the Bible: Aquinas: The Biblical Approach of the Model Catholic Theologian More Big Tom here: St. Thomas Aquinas and here: Spirituality: Feast … Continue reading →

Posted in Philosophy, Theology

The shameful truth about British fundamentalist leader Stephen Green, wife-beater

Posted on 28/01/2011 by

I was going to title this post ‘The shameful truth about fundamentalist Christian leader Stephen Green’ but, of course, there is little, if anything, Christian about this man.  Like so many fundamentalists, especially those in positions of leadership, there is … Continue reading →

Posted in Fundamentalism

The myth that’s dearly beloved of mythicists: did Jesus Christ even exist?

Posted on 28/01/2011 by

Well, what a stupid question that is — of course he did.  That there was an historical Jesus of Nazareth is not doubted by any serious (i.e. academically qualified) historian of first century Palestine.  Claims of Jesus’ non-existence are strictly … Continue reading →

Posted in Atheism, Biblical Studies, History

Gay lobby zealots persecute elderly Christian guesthouse owners to close them down

Posted on 27/01/2011 by

Zealots try to ruin Christian hoteliers with internet lies Standing up for their beliefs has already brought them a hefty fine, a court battle and a string of abusive phone calls. Now it could cost Christian hoteliers Peter and Hazelmary … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics, World Events, Secularism

Weird news: Canadian ‘Christian’ nudist goes to court to win right to public nudity

Posted on 27/01/2011 by

It could only happen in Canada: Nudity laws to be subject of constitutional challenge The challenge is being launched on behalf of Ruby’s client, Brian Coldin, a nudist resort operator in Bracebridge, Ont., a small cottage country town about two … Continue reading →

Posted in Popular Culture, Society | Tagged , , , , ,

Christian health worker suspended for her abortion views is restored to work

Posted on 27/01/2011 by

Christian health worker suspended for abortion views is restored to work A Christian mental health worker who was suspended after expressing concern about the information given to women considering abortion has been told she can return to work. Margaret Forrester, … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics, World Events, Secularism

Second B&B owner being sued for refusing gay couple a double room

Posted on 27/01/2011 by

Second B&B owner sued for turning gay couple away Another gay couple, refused a double room in a bed and breakfast, after the owner told them it was against her Christian convictions to let them share a bed, have launched a … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics, World Events, Secularism

Gay activist and other concerned citizens rally around elderly Christian guesthouse owners

Posted on 26/01/2011 by

Widdecombe and gay Tory defend Cornish B&B owners   Ann Widdecombe and a young gay Tory activist have spoken out in support of the Christian guesthouse owners penalised for their beliefs about marriage. Guesthouse proprietors, Peter and Hazelmary Bull, restrict … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics, World Events, Secularism

Twins in the womb shown interacting at just 14 weeks; 17-week-old unborn baby smiling

Posted on 26/01/2011 by

Twins in the womb shown interacting at just 14 weeks Unborn twins have been filmed interacting with each other just 14 weeks into their mother’s pregnancy by researchers in Italy. Starting from the 14th week of pregnancy, the twins performed … Continue reading →

Posted in Sciences | Tagged , , , , ,

Elderly Christian guesthouse owners still being targeted with threatening phone calls and emails

Posted on 26/01/2011 by

Christian guesthouse owners to appeal ruling in double room case The Christian owners of a guesthouse who were ordered by a judge to pay a gay couple £3,600 for refusing to let them stay in a double room are to … Continue reading →

Posted in Secularism

Anti-Christian bias makes Christians “fair game” for insults at the BBC says Peter Sissons

Posted on 25/01/2011 by

Anti-Christian bias is OK at the BBC, says former presenter Christians are “fair game” for insults at the BBC whilst Muslims must not be offended, one of the broadcaster’s veteran news anchors has warned. Christians are “fair game” for insults … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics, World Events, Secularism | Tagged , , ,

Duncan Kyle, Golden Age British thriller writer

Posted on 24/01/2011 by

The ‘Golden Age’ of the British thriller is generally accepted to have occurred from about 1955 up to around 1990 or so.  One of the best thriller writers of the latter half of that era was Duncan Kyle. Here’s a nicely illustrated page … Continue reading →

Posted in Authors, Bibliographies

Appointment of Christian to drugs advisory body angers nutty pro-druggie Professor Nutt

Posted on 23/01/2011 by

Hallelujah! Christian who says family life can beat addiction is new Government drugs adviser For years, the Government’s drugs advisers have been demanding a soft approach to cannabis and other banned substances. But, finally, that appears likely to change following … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics, World Events, Popular Culture, Society, Secularism

China: the empirical evidence that state-sponsored atheist indoctrination is a dismal failure

Posted on 23/01/2011 by

Study: Rising Religious Tide in China Overwhelms Atheist Doctrine One of the last great efforts at state-sponsored atheism is a failure.  And not just any kind of failure.  China has enforced its anti-religion policy through decades of repression, coercion and … Continue reading →

Posted in Atheism, Politics, World Events

Britain’s Evangelical Alliance welcomes Home Office ban on American Pastor Terry Jones

Posted on 22/01/2011 by

Evangelical Alliance welcomes Home Office ban on Pastor Terry Jones The Evangelical Alliance has welcomed the Home Office’s decision to ban a US pastor from entering Britain after he threatened to burn the Koran. The General Director of the UK … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Churches, Politics, World Events

Real-life Catholic exorcist praises movie ‘The Rite’ for accuracy and positive portrayal of Church

Posted on 22/01/2011 by

Exorcist praises new movie ‘The Rite’ for showing power of faith Father Gary Thomas, whose real life experience as an exorcist-in-training is chronicled in the highly anticipated movie “The Rite,” praised the film for its positive portrayal of the Church … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Churches, Popular Culture, Society, Visual Arts | Tagged , , , ,