Christians don't want their money going to contraception yet they wont fight to remove "In God We Trust" from the money that atheists must use. They wont ensure that atheists don't have to give their tax dollars to faith based spending groups. It doesn't even dawn on them that atheists might be offended at the notion that our tax dollars go to a faith based group.

They are out for self. They don't truly embrace their fellow man. They tend to be pro war, and pro death penalty. They are against YOU having an abortion even if you know you will not be able to provide a good life for your baby. They want you to have that baby even if it is the product of a rape. The money that you put into the pool to save their life is willingly accepted by them, the money that you might need to save your life is fought tooth and nail by them. About 20% of people are on contraception for health reasons not related to purposes of avoiding a pregnancy. They don't care.

Engaging in the Rush Limbaugh debate over the last few days shows me that many people support what he said. In fact they're more mad that he apologized than they are that he made dishonest arguments in a vile fashion. How many of the Rush Limbaugh supporters are disgusted at Rush and his perverted idea that he should be allowed to watch video of women having sex because they need contraception?

We as a society would be better and stronger without their views yet you don't hear about the army of atheists who want to refuse them the right to the funding that might save their life. That despicable quality is reserved for the religious person, and in this country predominantly the Christian.

Their ignorance and hypocrisy are disgusting. Even though they are a waste of air, I'd rather fight to educate them than to take away the funds that could save their life. Even though I know that educating someone that is as brainwashed as many of them are is nearly an impossible battle, I choose education over denial of funds, denial of life, denial of pursuit of liberty and happiness. They would deny you of all of those if they could, and they do try! They choose denial of funds. They choose the selfish route. They are out for self, they are a disgrace to the human race. Religion is a vile and evil concept that has corrupted the mind of man for far too long.

Poor critical thinking is the root of all evil. Religion is a byproduct of poor critical thinking, deceit, and a wee bit of evil. Today religious people have been hoodwinked by an archaic concept that contributes to many of the worlds problems. They don't apply critical thought to their politics and their religion. They allow Fox News, Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, and other scumbags to represent them and worse... convince them of nonsense without cross referencing any of it. They are sheep. They are dangerous to humanity, and I STILL WOULD SAVE THEIR LIFE! But they wont save yours.

Worst of all, they harm society in this way, all while claiming oppression.

And yes, I know these are generalizations. I know not everyone falls into this box, but many do. And the ones that do are the target of these statements.

This hypocrisy and lack of critical thought must stop. You must stand up and educate. Many of you do, you are my heroes, and my partners.

The theory of inherent dishonesty in theism can be seen whenever a theist defends belief in god.  The theory explains that while defending belief in god a theist must act ignorant dishonest or both.  

There has never been an honest and intelligent defense of theism.  This theory has been observed in every atheist/theist debate since the theory was originally coined around the year 2000.  This page will be updated if an argument arises on behalf of theism that is both honest and based on factual data.  If you think you've found an argument defending belief in god that is neither ignorant or dishonest please submit it via the contact form.

Please link to this page when referring to the theory of inherent dishonest in theism.

UPDATED: Speaking of boycotts, most of you are already boycotting Chris Brown for brutally beating Rihanna.  The NBA felt it was appropriate to hire Chris Brown to perform at it's recent All-Star game.  Is there a vortex of stupidity at the NBA now?  This decision was made by NBA management.  It's just one more reason to boycott the NBA.

 Groundhogs around the world are in an uproar as conflicting nonsense reports are issued by humans who pretend to believe that a Groundhog can predict seasons. (do they actually believe this shit?)  The original groundhog (Phil) indicates 6 more weeks to winter.  But some copy hogs don't agree. 

According to folklore, Phil’s sighting of his own shadow means there will be 6 more weeks of winter. Had Phil not seen his shadow, it would have meant “there will be an early spring.”

 I've been working with a friend on a logo for the new website.  I've done tons of tweaking on this and really like where it's at.  I would like to know you're thoughts.  It might be more appropriate to refer to this as a header design for the site.

Rational Response Squad website and affiliate sites are in a black out on Jan 18 to draw attention to SOPA and PIPA which threatens our existence...

Have you noticed how some of our members like to cut and paste news articles for discussion on our forum?  Did you know that in many cases you're not supposed to do that?  Did you know that it's not always easy to tell if you can or can't because of tough to understand copyright rules and potential for fair use treatment since the post is being used for critique, parody, or criticism?  What do you think would happen if corporations and the government worked together to control the copyright problems on the internet?  

For the last few years some companies have been fighting for a bill that protects against online piracy.  They pushed for a bill to come along that they could support.  Many of those same people today are leading the charge against SOPA and PIPA which go too far, give the government too much control, put too much fear into the webmaster, and should put fear into everyone talking about anything on the internet. These rules would stifle internet development.  The next big thing will not happen, it'll cost too much in legal fees for the start up.  Only mega-corps will stand a chance at innovation.  

Maybe you kept quiet over the last 10 years as our Constitution has been trampled on by our government.  Maybe the Iraq War built on a lie didn't bother you because it was so far away.  Maybe you let the Patriot Act slide because you didn't think they'd torture you.  This time you should not be quiet.  This time you have to speak up... or you may not be able to later.  

The internet and the free exchange of information that we have been afforded has helped catapult our society into a much more knowledgeable one.  A more efficient society that is more informed about anything it chooses to be informed about.  SOPA and PIPA help put the control of our information in the hands of government officials and massive corporations.  It is an attack on the grass roots nature of the internet.  As an atheist site webmaster it is the biggest fear I have today.  

Let me run you through what would happen if a bill like these get passed...

There are probably thousands of instances of people posting trademarked or copyrighted information on our site.

When SOPA and PIPA are passed I will have a team of mods scour over 100,000 pages to censor, delete, or eliminate conversations that have any possible violation.

I will instruct my team that if it's borderline, delete it.  

We might find that the problem is too rampant, so we may choose to simply delete everything that has ever been written on any of our sites, and start over.  (you may know that maintaining our old information is about the most important task I have put on myself... this would be devastating to me personally)

During this process we may find that the laws are too restrictive or too scary, or too costly to fight.  We may at that point decide to close our doors for community posts. 

Internet dark ages... here we come... unless you speak up.

EXTERNAL LINKS 

http://my.americancensorship.org/

http://news.cnet.com/8301-31921_3-57329001-281/how-sopa-would-affect-you-faq/

http://gizmodo.com/5870405/sign-this-sopa-petition-to-get-obamas-attention

http://americancensorship.org/

http://www.forbes.com/sites/insertcoin/2012/01/13/wikipedia-mulls-sopa-blackout-as-other-sites-join-in/

http://www.forbes.com/sites/insertcoin/2011/12/20/official-veto-sopa-petition-gets-25000-signature-in-two-days/

http://www.1stwebdesigner.com/design/how-sopa-pipa-can-affect-you/

PROTECT IP / SOPA Breaks The Internet from Fight for the Future on Vimeo.

http://www.geekosystem.com/anti-sopa-petition-whitehouse/

So we’ve been covering SOPA a lot, specifically how horrible it is and how horribly it’s going. On the dim, but bright side, someone listed as Ji S has created a beautifully simple illustration of how utterly ridiculous SOPA really is. Under SOPA as it currently stands, this anti-SOPA petition on Whitehouse.gov would lead to a nationwide block of Whitehouse.gov on the whole. The irony is delicious, isn’t it?

One of the many issues with SOPA that is so offensive is that it allows any and all sites with links to copyrighted content to be summarily blocked. A recent amendment has made this even more egregious, allowing ISPs to block entire domains even when a court order specifies one certain link or page. The petition, which provides a link to this copyrighted image in its description, would, under SOPA, classify Whitehouse.gov as a rogue site and flag it for censorship. Need I say more?

I recently updated the server fundraiser thread to ask for a few last minute donations because after a week of hits to the wallet I was only prepared to cover $5,000 of the $6,000 server I was about to buy.  I had almost $2,000 of unexpected expenses in the last week, half of which was a new computer, the one I'm typing this on.  The one that will make it all happen in the next 5 yrs.  I posted on the forum asking for help and got a $25 donation instantly.  I called my rep at Dell and worked some magic on him... some jedi secret atheist stuff... and he brought the final cost down to $5,000.  I did the Tebow!  

We should have it before Feb 1.  Not sure how long it'll take for us to get it up (hopefully by Feb 15), I do know that site building wont be anywhere near complete until March.  Much of the configuration is actually going to happen after we go online.  We'll be online before we're fully configured. 

For the daily Rational Responder reader, you can expect the site to handle our text exchanges without problem.  You'll have an easy to understand forum, a better forum, and a place to exchange ideas on day one of the new site.  Many of the other details will be added slowly over the following 2 months, like color scheme for example that may be tweaked after the fact.  Speeds of course will be lightning fast.  As I have always said, I place a very high importance on maintaining our old discussions.  Care will be taken in that regard.  

We have had year over year growth for atheism.  As information spreads freely online, people are able to look up that religion is lying or ignorant.  In each consecutive year on the internet atheists have had an increasingly more visible voice.  Here's to a good 2012 for atheism on the internet.  Not just for the projects coming out of our recent server upgrade, but to the various conventions, gatherings, billboards, and efforts of many other atheists.  This is going to be a good year.  

Happy New Year and as Hitch would say, "don't keep the faith."

 Check out this video by Cult of Dusty in which he tears religion apart.  He talks about the inevitable end of Christianity and how the internet has caused religion to become a mocked and laughable idea.  The internet has made it possible to look religion up on a google search and find out that it is full of lies.  The internet has shown that atheism is the only logical position, and that using logic is a powerful weapon.

Cult of Dusty comes across like a cross between Christopher Hitchens, Penn Jillette, and George Carlin...

Jesus was simply a copy of other gods before him. If you accept the bible as true then you'd believe Jesus was born in the spring months. There is not enough historical proof of Jesus Christ in order to warrant belief in him. There isn't a single source or witness of his life that wrote about him within 30 years of his death. If he did exist, he was nothing more than an ordinary man, who might have been a narcissistic pot head. He probably didn't exist. And if that idea has you shaking your head in disbelief then you need to do more research. Do it.

Because of how similar his story is to other myths before him it leads one to believe that he likely was just another figment of our imagination. The feast and gathering that Christians enjoy on December 25th is a tradition based on a gathering celebrated by Pagans called Saturnalia. Today it makes more sense to celebrate a Winter Solstice, in which we gather with family and friends, enjoy the last harvest of the year, and unwind together as we prepare for a new season.

Please share this message of reality. Clarity and education is the best gift you can give on this day full of sharing.  

The God Who Wasn't There Movie on Amazon.com

We lost Christopher Hitchens last night.  Many of us have a feeling of emptiness today, we know how amazing he was.  Many of us have been influenced by his style, and because of this he will live on.  Because we read his books and use his arguments, quote him in arguments, and are influenced by him, he will live on.  Christopher Hitchens seems irreplaceable.  It's only in the strength of our collective voices do we consider the notion that we could possibly fill his shoes.  And we will try, this is obvious to us, all of us had a collective atheist head nod today.  We know we must pick up where he left off.  

I would like to recognize for a moment a new blogger on our website.  He reminds me a little of Hitchens, and ironically Hitchens is his greatest influence.  I posted this on Facebook an hour ago, but thought I should make a blog post for it.  

The winner of the most Hitch like new blogger on RRS for 2011 is Louis Cypher! 

Hitch lives on!  He lives on in all of us, but please check out Louis Cypher.  He's making waves, he's intelligent, known to curse from time to time, and not scared to confront any aspect of religion.  I'm so happy he's posting here and going to be an Atheism United blogger.  You can follow Louis Cypher via RSS feed if you want, or just go to Louis Cypher's Blog.

"But it was his out front, wholehearted and passionate stance on religion and theistic chicanery that captured my unabashed admiration for the man.  His no prisoners,  confrontational approach was a breath of pure oxygen. His skills at both lecture and debate were astounding in their clarity, wit, and sheer persuasiveness.  His presence alone on the stage was enough to make the most outspoken theist cringe in fear.  He stood astride the once safe harbour of rhetorical discourse like a veritable colossus, wielding his enormous intellect like a club." - Louis Cypher on Hitchens

Quotes from Louis Cypher

"My ethics and morality derive from the culture in which I was raised and reinforced by the pressure of my peers. As I grew, I incorporated much of what in had been taught into my world view, rationalizing and reasoning out the purpose and place of the various ideas, making them part of my essential character. On top of my personal ethic, we have laws, society's way of codifying a common ethic. Even if one lacks an ethical stance on certain issues, the fear of societal retribution tends to keep most in line.

Morality is mutable, changing with time and custom. I knew several people in my youth who were only a generation removed from slavery. Once slavery wasn't immoral, it was in fact validated by the holy scriptures as right and moral. Once, a wife could not refuse her husbands sexual advances, the concept of marital rape was unimagined. We've changed, we've grown as a people.

Christian morality doesn't exist. Yes, they have rules and a huge litany of sins, but most are for the purpose of pointing out the failings of others, many are outdated, barbaric and non nonsensical." - Louis Cypher, The Myth of Christian Morality

"Unless of course, we are talking about the human sacrifice that is the root of our most prominent western religion, Christianity. Then it becomes a beautiful and moving act. One that essays, books, even entire careers have been built around, extolling the virtue of a death on a Roman torture device. A favorite of the artist, thousands of paintings have lovingly detailed the blood and gore, the sense of suffering. Millions of little children wear the image of this near naked man hanging in torment, dieing on a torture device, around their necks." - Louis Cypher, It has to be blood

"Faith is a mental defect made into a virtue by those with an agenda to fleece the gullible. Faith isn't sloppy reasoning, it's no reasoning at all by simple definition. There is a lot of equivocation about the word, other than 'spirit' I can think of no other word more horribly abused from a semantic standpoint. Faith is belief without evidence. If you have evidence, you don't have faith you have a reasoned belief. How hard is that to grasp?" - Louis Cypher, Faith is a mental defect

Notable Louis Cypher threads

Belief is Irrational

Evidence, please.

Faith is a mental defect...

I like playing poker and need a night to relax and hang out.  If you are on facebook you can use the Zynga poker app and play poker with fake chips tonight with me.  I've got a handful of people from facebook that are joining in.  I'll make myself available via IM on facebook and we'll create a group chat for folks who want to play.  Once we get around 8 people we will be able to get all of us at the same table to socialize and play no limit texas hold em.  

http://apps.facebook.com/texas_holdem/

Thread on Atheism United about the poker game.

Brian Sapient facebook

Try to be there around 8 pm est.  If you come at 9 or 10 est you can probably get a few hands in before we break up.

A blog was written today on the implosion of CFI Canada.  As long as we keep having these accomodationist vs confrontationalist arguments we will continue to have implosions. Frankly, it disgusts me that we have done this. I felt the wrath of the accomodationists when I was known for being a confrontationalist. I probably will still have the perception of being one. Even though I am creating a feel good project that supports all atheists.  I think I am a blend of both.  I hope you are too.  

Being able to adjust your method depending on who you interact with is a strong suit.  And if someone sees you are confrontational, why must they label you as always confrontational?  It is also highly hypocritical to be an accomodationalist but be confrontational on the issue of confrontationalists.  It's time for us to elevate our game.  This division has gone on long enough.  We must think critically and with reason.

Wow Darrel Ray is brilliant. He nails it on "First generation leadership." Because of my type-a personality and my inability to trust easily I was unable to spot future dedicated activists when they aligned with me early in their activist "careers." Ashley Paramore and Shelley Mountjoy were by my side at the beginning. If I could have known to expand their leadership role early enough, they might have never needed to go become superstars elsewhere. 

Check this article out if you would like to learn more about how atheist groups function, and how we can improve them.

Two Types of Leadership in the Secular Movement

Leadership among secular groups tends to come in two general flavors, those that are led by one or a few charismatic leaders (often the founders) and those that are led by a less centralized executive group.  There is plenty of room for both types of groups in the movement, but it is important to be conscious and intentional in understanding and recognizing the strengths and weaknesses of both.  For purposes of discussion, we will call these groups “first generation” and “second generation,” respectively, although they may not always fit that classification.

First-Generation Leadership

First-generation groups are often led by charismatic leaders. These are lean and activist groups.  The founders have a sharp vision for what they want to accomplish and move fast to get the job done.  They are often the leading edge of the movement and have influence out of proportion to their numbers both within the movement and in the larger society.  Their strengths are invaluable because they are pacesetters, influencing the overall direction of the movement.  

Despite their major strengths, it is also important to understand the weaknesses of first generation leaders.  They are often an insular group and less democratic. Since first-generation leaders are generally autocratic, they tend to attract members who respond to strong, direct leadership.  This limits membership, since only a fraction of the target population responds to this type of leadership.  

Challenges to their leadership or vision are not welcome.  It may be easy to join one of these groups but hard, if not impossible, to gain a position of influence. For this reason, the leaders have difficulty grooming the next generation. Upcoming, promising new leaders often see no opportunity to take part in the core functions of the organization and, therefore, don’t stick around long.  Further, the boards of first-generation groups are generally a reflection of the leader and, therefore, typically very insular as well.  The age range within this type of board is often similar to the age of the founder.  This makes for a leadership structure that has a limited view and tends to be resistant to change.  

Further, he talks about how groups led by charismatic leaders suffer when the external environment changes.  The decision to start atheismunited.com was born from that change in environment.  The atheist world is much different today than 6 years ago.  RRS is still needed, but atheism united will be more current and relevant.  The project was born from the idea that we didn't care what banner we impacted the world under, we just wanted to have the biggest impact possible.  We decided it was necessary to create something different.  How justified Darrel Ray makes us feel.

function. But when the external environment changes, it can present difficult challenges. To the degree that an organization influences the surrounding culture, the target of its efforts must change. Culture is a moving target, and organizations that don’t adjust their influence strategy run the risk of using yesterday’s successful methods on today’s culture. 

A good example is the civil rights movement, where many of the first-generation leaders continued following a vision that was rendered obsolete with changes in legislation and social norms."

Parent Claus is bringing the kids presents?  Don't want to hear O Holy Night while you shop for those gifts?  Want to help support online atheism while buying Grandmom a necklace for the Winter Solstice?  

Please shop at Amazon and they will help pay for our new server!  This really works and it's a huge help.  We are on the cusp of something great, help push us over the edge.  This is a great way to help the cause while buying stuff for yourself.  The customer service at Amazon is incredible, they won't let you down. 

Please make your purchases by clicking any of these links and starting your Amazon shopping experience there.  As long as you start shopping by going to Amazon from any of the links on this page, we will get credit.  If you are concerned about giving us credit, you can strip the amazon link to it's simplest form and add this code to the end after a slash: ?tag=httpwwwration-20

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I saw someone ask a facebook group to state when they became agnostic/atheist.  First of all, please feel free to answer the question yourself, in the comments below.  I responded, and then I expanded on it briefly for facebook.  After 30 minutes it's got a bunch of likes and comments, I realize it's a moving story to some and so I'll expand just a little more about it here.  But I also ask that anyone who has a similar story share it below.  I know I am not unique, religion has caused the destruction of millions of relationships over time.  

I was born an atheist,  at 5 I was sure God existed because I was told by the person I trusted the most that God existed.  As I learned about the bible and started to understand the world I became a little more agnostic on the idea and was an agnostic catholic at 8.  At 13 my mother decided the Catholic Church wasn't exciting enough and we joined a born again Christian Church, I was 13.  I said the special password prayer you need to say to let Jesus know you want in to heaven.  Literally, this was the argument and justification, say this prayer and you won't burn in hell, you'll go to heaven.  What 13 year old that still trusts his mother wouldn't do that?  I did it... I was an agnostic Born-again Christian.  I talked to Jesus at night before bed, and I tried to get my father on the proper path as well.  I was tortured over the thought of him going to hell.  

As I learned about science I leaned towards being an agnostic deist.  This process lasted several years and I happily with any type of theistic belief.  I was living with a non-practicing Jewish father who I thought of as very "Jewish" and now know him as someone who believes in Spinoza's God or Einstein's deistic leanings.  When I was about 20 I looked up atheism for the first time on the internet, I found Jake who helped me think myself out of my deism.  I was able to call myself an agnostic atheist less than a week later.  For the first time I was able to call myself an atheist without thinking I was evil because of the word that my mother brainwashed me about, that was 14 years ago. It was at that point I decided to spend my life correcting the wrongs of religion.

Mom, if you're reading this... keep in mind, your completely ridiculous religion helped cause our family breakup.  Religion kills families.  My efforts come in large part because of how religion was forced on me as a child, but also because of all the other people who have told me about their upbringings, some of whom can use the word "Cult" to describe how they were brought up.   I was about 14 when you started praying for me to want you in my life, it's been 20 years, where is that getting you?  

I just had the chance to listen to the new Syqnys album.  I was surprised to see I could listen to the whole thing free online.  That's smart, it made me buy it.  His messages we're on point.  He said lots that made me think, and lots that made me want to go back and hear it a second time.  Syqnys once wrote a song called "I am Rational Response Squad."

Syqnys had all kinds of original thought in his album, which usually makes it one of those albums that you can listen to over and over.   You should check it out, listen to it... then buy a hard copy for $10, once you buy the hardcopy you get the download for free. He also allows individual downloads for $1. I told Syqnys that my readers would want to know more, so I asked him a few questions and here is what he had to say:

What is the main theme of your new album?

Syqnys: The album is called "Hypatia's Reign, which is a reference to the fourth century philosopher Hypatia of Alexandria, who was brutally murdered by a Christian mob for reasons that mainly had to do with her ungodliness and general lack of docility. This album represents the hope the secular community has for an era where rationality and reason dominate our public discourse. Where religion and other “conversation stoppers” have become as antiquated as alchemy is to modern medicine. “Hypatia’s Reign” is what the “Age of Enlightenment” was supposed to be.

By no means is the era a reality at this moment, but that is the point; it should be! It would be the ultimate historical irony, or rather justice, if the image of Hypatia came to represent the “Death” of unreason. The following line from the intro song sums up the idea perfectly, “Welcome to the Reign/come and feel the pain/ of the brilliant woman who was persecuted then slain/cut up into pieces by the followers of Jesus now the flames of ignorance will drown in her rain.” The album is also a reflection on my daughter Hypatia, who was still born nearly four years ago.

What do you hope the audience will take away from this album?

Syqnys: First and foremost I want people to really dig the music. If you are a fan of rap music already, there is no doubt in my mind you will appreciate this album. I’m not a conceited person at all, but I can rap my ass off, man. I try to be as creative and tricky with my word play as possible. With every song I want to say something that will either keep you on your toes, surprise you, impress you or simply plant the seed of a new idea, or even to validate something you’ve thought before, but never really had someone clarify it or express it in a way that left you confident that you were right about it the whole time. I’ve had this same experience reading Richard Dawkins and Sam Harris, and I hope I can have the same effect through music. Even if you’re not a fan of rap, you’ll find something on this album that will leave an impression. I’m willing to bet I can change the minds of a few anti-rap people out there.

What motivates you to speak out?

Syqnys: All I do is speak out, whether it’s with music, writing or just in conversations. Before I even knew what the hell I was talking about, I felt there were some serious flaws in what many of my peers and role models believed in and promoted. I remember debating my creationist friends about evolution and not knowing “shit about fuck” (as Robin Williams so eloquently puts it), but I KNEW they knew even less “Shit” about “Fuck”. All you have to do to figure out what motivates people like Brian and myself to speak out, especially on religion/atheism, is listen to ten minutes of Kent Hovind, Dinesh D’Souza or even the nuts of right-wing talk radio and you’ll understand perfectly what motivates us. Not to mention the religious extremist (actually their just the ones who take their holy texts seriously) of all stripes. People who don’t pay much attention to these issues can brush these lunatics off with a laugh… but they scare the shit out of me!

If you're interested in Hypatia you can purchase Brian Trent's book at Amazon about Hypatia and the Library of Alexandria.

Tonight in Pittsburgh a straw broke a camels back.  After the Ravens beat the Steelers, Ray Rice gets interviewed and credits god with the win.  He said he told his team last night that they need to put themselves in the right positions on the field to receive the Lords blessings.  He also said that on the field he reminded his players to be in blessings positions.  

"I kept going to em and saying 'it's his will' 'it's his will.'" - Ray Rice on what he told his team during the game

He finishes this epic god dick sucking fest with, "to come out and win like we did today, I tell you God is amazing." Wow.  It's moments like this that fuel my activism.  We've got to speak up to drown out those voices that have such a huge stage.  I'll start with sending him a few strongly worded tweets.  Read these from the bottom up if you want to read them in order.

rationalsquad Brian Sapient 

 

@RayRice27 Does it even dawn on you that your God wouldn't choose a football team preference? Check yourself. #GodIsPretend #NFL

8 seconds ago Favorite Reply Delete

rationalsquad Brian Sapient 

 

@RayRice27 Kids look up to you, stop perpetuating something as ridiculous as the idea that your pretend god hates the Steelers.

3 minutes ago 

rationalsquad Brian Sapient 

 

@RayRice27 1,000 kids died of starvation while you were on the field tonight and you think God will was deliver you blessings on the field!

4 minutes ago 

rationalsquad Brian Sapient 

 

@RayRice27 talking about the role you think God played in your game? You're helping to perpetuate a ridiculously stupid concept. STOP.

5 minutes ago 

That second one should have read "1,000 kids died of starvation while you were on the field tonight and you think God will deliver you blessings on the field!"

I along with almost everyone I know supports the Occupy Wall Street movement.  I was included in an email yesterday from Emily Paine.  I'd really like to give her piece a bigger audience, so with her permission, here is what she had to say about Occupy and how a connection to us.

Dear Fellow Atheists, Secular Humanists, Freethinkers and other Nontheists,

Why is it that we don’t see many Christian fundamentalists or Tea Partiers taking part in Occupy? Because of an alliance that began in the 70s. Back then, corporations wanted more of a voice and religious Americans needed more cash. The result was the “Moral Majority.” This 40-year alliance explains why religious right wingers, who claim to be moral and pro-family, vote with Tea Partiers against help for families and the working class – after all, we can’t afford all that and letting corporations off the hook in paying taxes.

Luckily the number of fed-up people has grown about as fast as a CEO’s annual bonus and we now have the power to cut the corporate influence that has infested our politics. Since six mega-corporations now control much of our prime time news flow (see Who Owns the Media?), mainstream media hasn’t been covering Occupy too accurately, to put it nicely.

And it’s not just FOX. The rest of corporate media minimizes the message by focusing on clashes, using words like "terrorism" and the "destruction and violence" that supposedly accompany "anticapitalist demonstrations." With the Oakland fiasco, the networks covered the police brutality but played down the message. That night ABC first treated us to a story about Bernie Madoff’s wife. Only after did they show footage of tear gas flashing through a rose-colored fog, a symphony of yells, shouts, cries and screams in accompaniment. ABC punctuated its coverage by citing an unidentified poll showing the Movement’s “unpopularity.” A fact check, however, revealed the opposite – a thumbs up from the masses. The next day they completely ignored a meeting protesters had with Tea Party kingpin, John Boehner.  

Other ways the anti-corporate message is diminished is by lowballing. Many local news channels claimed NYC had only a 1,500-2,000 protesters, while non-corporate news sources gave figures of over 20,000.

Local coverage mimics national coverage in painting this movement in unpalatable terms, utilizing words like “chaotic,” “anarchistic” and having “no common purpose.” I don’t know where the news crew was, but in the protest I took part in all one had to do is glance at the sea of signs to notice that the message was getting corporations to pay their share of taxes and take responsibility for the environment.

Then there’s unabashed neglect. A FAIR report noted that during the initial protests, only CNN briefly mentioned it. On his TV show (9/21/11), Keith Olberman said: “So five days … protesting corporate control of the economy, and you haven't heard a word about it on the news?” He later remarked, "If that's a Tea Party protest in front of Wall Street ... it's the lead story on every network newscast."

Moral: Conservatives calling the media liberal is like Madoff calling his investors savvy. To get the whole story on the corporate social responsibility movement, supplement your news with independent news like AlterNet, truthout, OpEdNews, NPR or foreign news. Progressive non-corporate sources will also help you keep an eye on the Religious Right Wing and the Tea Partiers, or try People for the American Way and the Center for Inquiry. For info on how your senators voted with respect to secular values, see the Secular Coalition’s Secular Scorecard.

Keep on protestin’,

Emily Paine

References:

FAIR Activism Update: Some Breaks in the Blackout of Wall Street Protests

Whitewashing the Blackout of Occupy Wall Street

What if the Tea Party Occupied Wall Street? Corporate media skip anti-corporate protests

4 Polls That Show Occupy Wall Street is Just Getting Started

CNN's Factcheck Failure on Occupy Wall Street

Dr. Jerry Coyne is drawing lots of internet attention because of the events that transpired around his debate on October 12 at the University of Kentucky.  Coyne debated John Haught a Catholic from Georgetown University.  

What makes this event special?  Apparently both parties agreed to videotape the event well in advance of the event.  However after the event Dr. Coyne receives a correspondence from Dr. John Rabel (Coordinator of the debate) that John Haught didn't want the video to be released.  They agreed to release it before the event and therefore Rabel obviously couldn't honor this request.  Well Dr. John Rabel of the Gaines Center for Humanities agreed to not allow posting of the video because they didn't get permission from Haught in advance to post the video.  Someone correct me if my timeline is wrong.

Well what was that?  Previous videos in this series with John Haught have been posted, Dr. Coyne knows as he studied them to prepare for the event in which Haught apparently came off as unpolished.  Did Haught think this appearance was so bad it was worth censoring?  Why didn't he know there would be an annoying internet backlash?  Slews of e-mailers flooded Haught and Rabel with e-mail over the last few days with claims of cowardice. Legal action has been threatened against Dr. Jerry Coyne for antagonizing all of this.  

Of course Haught and Rabel are fully to blame.  Do atheists really come off to Christian leaders like they can just roll over us and we'll shut up?  Sorry Haught, we wont just go away.  We all want to see the arguments that you and Coyne made.  In fact, now we want to see it more.  Before we wouldn't have cared.  You drew our attention to it.  You drew our attention to it just like Kent Hovind did when he sent in false copyright claims against youtube atheists.  If you wanted it to be something that would just go away, something that you didn't become known for then it is you John Haught that should have slowly and quietly walked away and given Dr. Jerry Coyne his copy of the tape.

Kudos to you Dr. Jerry Coyne for not letting this issue die. Might I suggest everyone head over to Amazon and buy your excellent book "Why Evolution is True." 

If you decide to write Rabel or Haught please remember to be nice.

(Update: Now available! Debate between Jerry Coyne and John Haught on "Science and Religion: Are They Compatible?")

It didn't go unnoticed that I am more active over the last few weeks.  I'm glad to have the time again, and I'm glad you told me you were happy to see me more active.  My better computer was out of commission for a little while... like 9 months. I was on a laptop with a wireless connection and very busy since March.  The better computer has been fixed and the main room I conduct business in, has been revised over the summer.  I was almost finished the room but then I fixed the computer and well... it'll probably be the spring before I work on the room again.  Now that I'm moving fast online again I can cover a lot more territory.  I'm right back in the swing of things.  My real job is somewhat seasonal and it'll be slow until March.  I'll get less hours.  Those hours will be spent here.

I'm extremely comfortable in the workspace I have now.  I think I was having a hard time getting comfortable in the RRS workspace by myself, I had to overhaul my workspace.  I was at an 8 foot by 8 foot desk with 3 computers by myself.  I kept the setup for a while thinking that I would bring new hosts into the fray and continue the show as it was, or that me and the other hosts would want to have a reunion.  I've moved on from that idea. During the summer I converted the room, stripped the wallpaper, sold the fish tank, brought the tv in, brought the couch in, cut the desk in half, ran new wiring, and new lighting.  I share the space with my son at my side, he uses the computer all the time.  We have a couch in front of the desk, and a big screen tv that can be seen from the whole room.   It's very easy to work the type of excessively ridiculous hours I like to work in this setup.  

I think my trials made me want to distance myself from people, at least in terms of activism.  I was let down by the people I cared for the most.  So it took some time to realize I wouldn't feel comfortable with new show hosts.  Only because I would feel the inevitable end in sight.  Maybe with time that will change.  I'm finding that I'm the only constant.  Even my very close friend Jake, who led me to atheism 13 years ago and taught the InfidelGuy, closed doors on atheistnetwork.com this past year.  I don't know why my drive to continue this fight outlasts everyone around me, but I'm realizing that almost always that is what happens.  I've made the 10 year club!  Although I can't give you an exact date.

My activism will continue at full force through the winter.  We hope to meet a deadline to upgrade to a new server in February, although preliminary fundraising efforts could use a kick. 

I purchased a new domain this week.  www.AtheismUnited.com 

The goal is to unilaterally support other atheist groups, to expand atheism awareness, and to make a political impact.  I am mentoring the man who will hopefully be the future President of 501c3 Atheism United Lance Sievert. Join his facebook group if you are an atheist organizer Atheism United Headquarters on facebook.

Please join the discussion on our site: Atheism United (Can you see it?)

Oh... and women... I gave up on women.  If you want me ladies, come find me, I'm too busy with my activism to notice that I should say something. 

OLD OFFICE SETUP:

NEW SETUP (almost same camera angle):

Different light level and a different view:

I received an email from Matt [last name removed to protect privacy] a few weeks ago, and it was an argument against god.  I think Matt answered his own questions in this one.  But he wanted to know what I had to say about him. I think you give it more credit than it deserves in your answer.  Frankly his argument is rather stupid.  

Sye Bruggencate can't prove that there are absolute morals, much of academia would argue against absolute truths.  Even if we accept absolute morals and truths, God certainly wouldn't logically follow.  What would logically follow is that "there are laws and absolutes."  

The argument is ridiculously stupid.  He is trying to look intelligent and only makes himself look like a fool or a liar.  Matt on the other hand comes off as intelligent and hitting the nail on the head.  His email is all that is needed on this subject.  Join the forum so you can explain things like this to the next theist that comes here. [edited] 

I really appreciate your kind words.  I applaud your efforts as well in debunking the irrational and ridiculous.  Keep it up! 

Here is the letter Matt sent me, please feel free to comment:

Bob Spence,

I could have done this in private, but I think everyone should know why you now have a different look to the site. I have made you a site admin giving you Zeus power.  Funny how we don't believe in gods yet both are "Zeus" on this website.  

I wanted to elevate your power so you could learn more about how it operates in hopes that you'll be able to expand your role here.  Hopefully you will be able to play an on call role for us when we upgrade and overhaul the site for the year 2012.  Please be careful with the elevated power, and we can talk in private more about how to figure it out.  I get that you probably wouldn't want the power, but please accept it, and help me out in the future.

I am so glad to have gotten to share webpages with you over the years.  You and I go way back.  I can't even remember the years.  It has been a pleasure working by your side on message boards and over the airwaves.    We've been through a lot together and through thick and thin you are right there to bring another cogent argument for science and rationality.  You are a gentleman and a scholar.  You are calm, patient, rational, sane, loyal, and brilliant...  thanks for being here.

In Rationality,

Brian Sapient

P.S. Brian37... feel free to continue the love...

Two new books got added to the Amazon books on the side of some pages of the site.  

Nick Covington posts here under the name Switch89 and he has a great blog at Aigbusted http://aigbusted.blogspot.com  

Rich Woods is a long time friend of RRS, he is a speaker, author, and internet show host.

Please support these guys, enjoy their book!  

It is with great sadness that I announce the death of a website that is near and dear to my heart.  Sadly PrayersToJake.com is now owned by an asian outlet with the interest of capitalizing on the power of the domain name.  Jake lost focus for a minute there and it got stolen.  You may already know that Jake has been taking some time away from kicking ass on the internet.  He put atheistnetwork.com to sleep a few months back.  

His site atheistnetwork.com is where I became an atheist primarily because of his line of questioning.  His site will always be important to me, and thankfully he hasn't lost that domain.  His knowledge, time, effort, and level headed approach has changed me immeasurably.  The clarity and patience that he had while volunteering for him in my first few years of activism is something I'll remember forever.  He is like no other man I know, and at times the many people who knew him on his message board would consider him worthy of prayer.  

A legend grew that he was godly.  People started praying to Jake, I'm sure there was an early thread call "Pray to Jake" and people did in fact do so.  I promise you, atheists literally prayed to Jake.  People reported their findings and prayers were in fact answered.  I had several instances where I was spooked by how helpful Jake was in answering my prayers.  Jake bought the domain and I slapped a website on it to bring more people into the prayers to Jake club.  

On this site, I've referred to prayerstojake.com many times.  I'll miss it.  But I won't miss praying to Jake.  From time to time I will allow myself to pretend.  I will allow myself to pray to a man that has helped make me who I am.  It might have a calming effect for me.  And when my prayer is answered, I'll allow myself to pretend that maybe Jake answered my prayer, even while knowing that he didn't. 

May all your prayers to Jake be answered.

Jake has youtube videos addressing religion here: http://www.youtube.com/user/chronicbudha

Atheistnetwork.com formed a small group of ex atheist network people at: http://www.atheistnetwork2.com I however consider RRS forums home to all atheist network folks.

I’ve learned a random life tip that has helped me a bit last month. My father in fact sent me an e-mail explaining his epiphany. He said that he had just learned that if you compliment someone when meeting them, they are more likely to like you. We both realize that the compliment should be genuine. 

The point? Complimenting people when you first meet them sounds like a good idea, if you mean it. It might not be in your personality type, but maybe it should be. If we all embraced these more positive qualities of humanity, and extend it to acts of service and goodwill we are more likely to have a positive future. 

I will never forget that religion caused 9-11.

I will never forget the mentally incompetent people who thought a cross was formed in the rubble.

I will never forget the clueless people who stated "God Bless America" after Allah apparently put Jesus in a choke hold.

I will never forget the Christian President who thought he was on a mission from God, and that he is responsible for over 200,000 deaths.  I will never forget he was well liked by other Christian folks.

I will never forget 9-11 as a day that shows just how much religion must be gone.

I will never forget that 9-11 was a day that made religious people more religious, and just how brainwashed those people must be to come to that conclusion.

I will never forget that 9-11 marks a day in which I recognized how much a good human must speak up against religion for the good of society.

 I had to go to the post office this morning to pick up a package.  It was a replacement golf shaft and it came in a tall narrow box the size you'd expect of a golf club.  As I was walking out of the post office an older lady saw me and asked "where did you get that box?"  I said "I just picked this item up, the box was mailed to me."  She said "Oh, because I've been looking for a box like that for a while.  I have a very large poster that I need to send and I can't find a box to mail it in."  I had wanted to keep this box as I need to send my old shaft back to the company that mailed me the new one, however I have access to this type of box, I can get one for free whenever I want.  It took me a second to react and as she was walking away I called her back.

I said "hold on a second."  I opened the package and put the shaft in my trunk, and I handed her the box.  She said "oh thank you so much, aren't you just a Godsend."  I said "I don't believe I am, I don't believe in God and I do good deeds on my own volition, because if we all do good deeds for each other I will receive good deeds back from others.  I'm glad I was able to help you."  She smiled and walked away.  

It was a good start to the day.

 Thanks very much to Logidea University for the nice video about my work, I appreciate it:

Read my acceptance of the PhD in Heresy here.  (you can get one for yourself)

Parent Claus is bringing the kids presents?  Don't want to hear O Holy Night while you shop for those gifts?  Want to help support the Rational Response Squad network of websites while buying Grandmom a necklace for the Winter Solstice? Consider doing any necessary holiday shopping through the links below and Amazon will reimburse RRS a commission!

We are trying to avoid having to have a donation drive this year, like almost all atheist orgs we have a significant shortfall this year.  Please click these links before going to Amazon.com to make any purchases!  

Top Holiday Deals event, Nov. 30-Dec. 23. 

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Toys

New this year: Save 25% or more on popular kids' gift items in the Holiday Toy List using this link -  Toy List

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Parent Claus is bringing the kids presents?  Don't want to hear O Holy Night while you shop for those gifts?  Want to help support the Rational Response Squad network of websites while buying Grandmom a necklace for the Winter Solstice?  Do some shopping through the links below and Amazon will help pay for our new server!  This really works and it's a huge help.

Please make your purchases by clicking any of these links and starting your Amazon shopping experience there.   

TV

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MP3s

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Computers

Endless.com

Office Products

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New Video Game Downloads Releases

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Please click these links before going to Amazon.com to make any purchases!  

Top Holiday Deals event, Nov. 1-Dec. 24. 

Shop Amazon's Holiday Toy List

KINDLE
Kindle is the #1 Bestselling, #1 Most-Wished-For and #1 Most-Gifted product on Amazon.com.

This year Kindle Fire is taking the world by storm.

Amazon Gift Cards: Shop Amazon's Gift Cards - Perfect Anytime

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Music

• Deluxe Editions: Hundreds of CDs and DVDs
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I just posted a comment in response to a blog post that discussed new atheists and the Blasphemy Challenge. (I still encourage creating Blasphemy Challenge videos)

Here is what I had to say...

We are not assaulting children and the naive.  We are trying to help them escape their fear.  You would have people believe there is an eternal torture that awaits them if they don't believe and think certain things.  Those things are not proven or provable in any meaningful sense... yet millions believe due in large part to fear.  You may not think much of the fear of hell today, but as a child it is essential to the brainwashing of almost all Christians.  

So sir, for you to use language claiming it is atheists who are "assaulting" others, is highly ironic considering you are using more fear tactics to scare someone back into faith.  We are doing this for you, or anyone who was brainwashed by religion... not because we're into Satan or assaulting people.  Watch some Blasphemy Challenge videos and you'll see just what kind of people took the challenge, the point was to show off how normal atheists are, we're not a group of devil worshipping baby eating child assaulters as you and your ilk would like to scare Christians into thinking.

In Reason,

Brian Sapient

www.RationalResponders.com

I was responding primarily to this portion of his post:

Shocking, isn’t it? I am showing you this not to shock you but to alert you to the reality of the assault upon your children and the naive.

...

The point is that this movement is spiritual in its essence. This is  Satanic,it is an assault on the faith by the Father of lies, designed to blaspheme God and to damn souls. They have free rein on our campuses and places of higher learning. Unfortunately a good many young people are seeing these New Atheists as rock stars, they are emulating them mimicking their arguments, and renouncing their faith.

Here is the original post by Pastor Bill Randles.

Thanks to www.doctorofdisbelief.com for awarding me an Honorary PhD in Heresy.  I am fueled today by the excellent write up that went along with the award.  Check it out at the site here.

Here's a snippet...

Brian Sapient is a self-described:

"Pacifist agnostic atheist non-cognitivist freethinking darwin loving scientific treehugger who loves Philly Sports. Proudly led thousands away from religion!"

Mr. Sapient is perhaps responsible for more motivated activist atheists than almost any other single individual in America.

Who among us can forget watching Brian and Kelly O'Connor prove that Ray "the Way of the Master" Comfort was just another ill-informed religious banana-peeling huckster on national broadcast TV? That was a first, and remains a classic. The religious sat up and took notice. Times had changed. Atheists were now well prepared, well spoken and well received by a previously hidden segment of society. 

This single action gave voice and hope to countless atheists that the time for change had arrived. We could be public, proud and assert our rights.

Read the entire blog here.

 I want to make sure I'm following any RRS forum users on twitter.  So do you use it?  If so please drop me a line here so I can follow you.

Follow me @RationalSquad and @BrianSapient

I have a daily newspaper compiled with links from RRS fans/supporters/activists.  Check it out, read it daily, like it on facebook, you get the drift: http://paper.li/rationalsquad/rational-response-squad

*UPDATE 7-29-11*   Jeff Owens was released from the Philadelphia Eagles today.  I don't think he ever got playing time.  Today he was waived/didn't pass physical.  I sent him a tweet, but feel bad for him.

http://twitter.com/#!/rationalsquad/status/96794836602068992

I'm a huge Philadelphia Eagles fan which is why I follow many of the players on Twitter.  Occassionally one of them will tweet something about God and I just can't keep my trap shut, I say something.  Today Jeff Owens responded to my tweet and was willing to indulge me in a day long back and forth conversation (transcript below).  I hope he got something out of it, maybe someday it'll lead him to question.  Should he choose to, I would be glad to show him what I've learned over the years, what I've managed to become after shedding my Christian roots.  Should he choose to I would be glad to show him just how powerful he is, how amazing his coaches and family have been for him, and how he managed to reach the NFL without any help from invisible powers in the sky.  

Jeff Owens is currently a practice squad DT for the Philadelphia Eagles after being drafted in the 7th round of the NFL draft in 2010.  He goes by jeffowens95 on twitter.  My responses to Jeff came from @rationalsquad (I also use @BrianSapient).

Since twitter posts show up in reverse chronological order I've attempted to piece them together, put them in chrono order, and make the discussion a little easier to read.  The following is what we said:

Jeff Owens: Good morning twitter fam, this is another day to give thanks for all the many blessing God has given us... #ThankYouJesus!!!!

Brian Sapient: There is no rational reason to believe in a god or thank it for blessings. Thank the people that raised you for doing it well.

Jeff Owens:  There is a God, and he loves you

Brian Sapient: A nice sentiment, but we have no solid evidence a God or Jesus exists. The bible is full of flaws, have you read it?

Jeff Owens: I read it daily, so if there isn't any proof of a God who made the earth???

Brian Sapient: How do you justify God condoning and making rules about slavery in the bible? Video on Earth formation: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-x8-KMR0nx8

Jeff Owens:  that was Gods will, everything happens for a reason

Brian Sapient: Can you come up with a good reason that God would condone and advise on how to keep slaves? Doesn't seem loving in the least.

Jeff Owens: have u ever read the bible???

Brian Sapient: Of course Jeff. It was because I read the bible that I realized the story isn't possible. All loving God that didn't love all?  An all knowing God that doesn't know where Adam is when he gets to the Garden, or who told them he was naked.  An all knowing God that didn't know the serpent he created would trick Adam and Eve, a God not loving enough to plan better.  Those ideas that I just mentioned, we're just talking the first few pages. There are too many contradictions for it to be...

Jeff Owens: you should read a book call Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren...

Brian Sapient: I've read it, I even own a site that is responding to his "Purpose of Christmas" http://www.thepurposeofchristmas.net

Jeff Owens: I just started reading it, it will enlighten you on what God has call you to do in life, we live to serve God

Brian Sapient: Seriously Jeff you can't honestly say that allowing and condoning slavery was good or just or worthy of worship. Can you?

Jeff Owens: that was Gods will, everything happens for a reason

Jeff Owens: I'll worship Christ no matter what, like Job he loss his family his fortune and his health, but he worship God no matter what

Brian Sapient: Even if I could prove that Christ never existed and the God of the bible is impossible you would continue to worship?

Jeff Owens: That's one thing you can't prove, there is a God and I believe that you believe that too

Brian Sapient: Ok so you don't want to answer that question along with why God condoned slavery. I understand what's happening there.

Brian Sapient: Are you interested in books that challenge your beliefs at all? I would be glad to give you several.

Jeff Owens: no I'm not I love worshiping God

Brian Sapient: What if you're wrong Jeff? What if you're wasting the only life you get on a fantasy? Not worshiping God is nice as well man.

Jeff Owens: I have faith

Brian Sapient: Faith is useless man. You can have faith in smurfs or goblins too, that doesn't change the fact that you could be wrong.

Jeff Owens: Jesus will never leave you or forsake u

Brian Sapient: That's a sweet sentiment Jeff, but tell that to the people who will die of starvation or cancer today. They pray too you know.

Jeff Owens: everybody have a path

Brian Sapient: Dear people dying of cancer or starvation: Everyone has a path. Hope that makes you feel better. @jeffowens95

Jeff Owens: yes we all do... Retweet this, Christ died for our sins there is no greater love!!!

Brian Sapient:  I don't believe God came down to Earth to sacrifice himself to himself so that we can escape his wrath. It makes no sense.

Brian Sapient: Here's a list of contradictions in the bible if any of this conversation has you curious. http://tinyurl.com/2t8ou

Jeff OWens: do you believe in UFOs???

Brian Sapient: We don't have scientific proof of aliens in UFOs yet, but we have more evidence for them than Jesus/God. You?

Jeff Owens: how can u believe in UFOs but not God????

Brian Sapient: You didn't understand me, I didn't say that. I said we have more EVIDENCE for UFOs than God. Neither are firmly proven.

Jeff Owens: Final Thoughts: there is a God and he love you, he sent his son to die for you, he created all things

Brian Sapient: My Final Thoughts: You and all other XIANS can't prove that God is real and therefore might as well worship aliens or smurfs.

*UPDATE 7-29-11*   Jeff Owens was released from the Philadelphia Eagles today.  I don't think he ever got playing time.  Today he was waived/didn't pass physical.  I sent him a tweet, but feel bad for him.

http://twitter.com/#!/rationalsquad/status/96794836602068992

I'm a huge Philadelphia Eagles fan which is why I follow many of the players on Twitter.  Occassionally one of them will tweet something about God and I just can't keep my trap shut, I say something.  Today Jeff Owens responded to my tweet and was willing to indulge me in a day long back and forth conversation (transcript below).  I hope he got something out of it, maybe someday it'll lead him to question.  Should he choose to, I would be glad to show him what I've learned over the years, what I've managed to become after shedding my Christian roots.  Should he choose to I would be glad to show him just how powerful he is, how amazing his coaches and family have been for him, and how he managed to reach the NFL without any help from invisible powers in the sky.  

Jeff Owens is currently a practice squad DT for the Philadelphia Eagles after being drafted in the 7th round of the NFL draft in 2010.  He goes by jeffowens95 on twitter.  My responses to Jeff came from @rationalsquad (I also use @BrianSapient).

Since twitter posts show up in reverse chronological order I've attempted to piece them together, put them in chrono order, and make the discussion a little easier to read.  The following is what we said:

Jeff Owens: Good morning twitter fam, this is another day to give thanks for all the many blessing God has given us... #ThankYouJesus!!!!

Brian Sapient: There is no rational reason to believe in a god or thank it for blessings. Thank the people that raised you for doing it well.

Jeff Owens:  There is a God, and he loves you

Brian Sapient: A nice sentiment, but we have no solid evidence a God or Jesus exists. The bible is full of flaws, have you read it?

Jeff Owens: I read it daily, so if there isn't any proof of a God who made the earth???

Brian Sapient: How do you justify God condoning and making rules about slavery in the bible? Video on Earth formation: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-x8-KMR0nx8

Jeff Owens:  that was Gods will, everything happens for a reason

Brian Sapient: Can you come up with a good reason that God would condone and advise on how to keep slaves? Doesn't seem loving in the least.

Jeff Owens: have u ever read the bible???

Brian Sapient: Of course Jeff. It was because I read the bible that I realized the story isn't possible. All loving God that didn't love all?  An all knowing God that doesn't know where Adam is when he gets to the Garden, or who told them he was naked.  An all knowing God that didn't know the serpent he created would trick Adam and Eve, a God not loving enough to plan better.  Those ideas that I just mentioned, we're just talking the first few pages. There are too many contradictions for it to be...

Jeff Owens: you should read a book call Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren...

Brian Sapient: I've read it, I even own a site that is responding to his "Purpose of Christmas" http://www.thepurposeofchristmas.net

Jeff Owens: I just started reading it, it will enlighten you on what God has call you to do in life, we live to serve God

Brian Sapient: Seriously Jeff you can't honestly say that allowing and condoning slavery was good or just or worthy of worship. Can you?

Jeff Owens: that was Gods will, everything happens for a reason

Jeff Owens: I'll worship Christ no matter what, like Job he loss his family his fortune and his health, but he worship God no matter what

Brian Sapient: Even if I could prove that Christ never existed and the God of the bible is impossible you would continue to worship?

Jeff Owens: That's one thing you can't prove, there is a God and I believe that you believe that too

Brian Sapient: Ok so you don't want to answer that question along with why God condoned slavery. I understand what's happening there.

Brian Sapient: Are you interested in books that challenge your beliefs at all? I would be glad to give you several.

Jeff Owens: no I'm not I love worshiping God

Brian Sapient: What if you're wrong Jeff? What if you're wasting the only life you get on a fantasy? Not worshiping God is nice as well man.

Jeff Owens: I have faith

Brian Sapient: Faith is useless man. You can have faith in smurfs or goblins too, that doesn't change the fact that you could be wrong.

Jeff Owens: Jesus will never leave you or forsake u

Brian Sapient: That's a sweet sentiment Jeff, but tell that to the people who will die of starvation or cancer today. They pray too you know.

Jeff Owens: everybody have a path

Brian Sapient: Dear people dying of cancer or starvation: Everyone has a path. Hope that makes you feel better. @jeffowens95

Jeff Owens: yes we all do... Retweet this, Christ died for our sins there is no greater love!!!

Brian Sapient:  I don't believe God came down to Earth to sacrifice himself to himself so that we can escape his wrath. It makes no sense.

Brian Sapient: Here's a list of contradictions in the bible if any of this conversation has you curious. http://tinyurl.com/2t8ou

Jeff OWens: do you believe in UFOs???

Brian Sapient: We don't have scientific proof of aliens in UFOs yet, but we have more evidence for them than Jesus/God. You?

Jeff Owens: how can u believe in UFOs but not God????

Brian Sapient: You didn't understand me, I didn't say that. I said we have more EVIDENCE for UFOs than God. Neither are firmly proven.

Jeff Owens: Final Thoughts: there is a God and he love you, he sent his son to die for you, he created all things

Brian Sapient: My Final Thoughts: You and all other XIANS can't prove that God is real and therefore might as well worship aliens or smurfs.

You may remember "Rapture Right " a Christian parody group that has pranked RRS users (at my request) on several occasions.  Sadly one of the two brothers that make up "Rapture Right" had a tragedy strike his daughter recently.  His life hasn't been the same since.  His daughter Ella is currently in a coma which she slipped into after having a cancerous tumor removed from her brain.  If you are able to help financially please consider sending a few dollars to help out.  A full story is available at: http://www.hope4ella.com 

I've also posted a portion of the story at: http://www.atheistvolunteers.org/node/47 

DONATING VIA THE CHIP IN BELOW WILL SEND MONEY STRAIGHT TO THE STEWART FAMILY AND WILL KEEP TRACK OF DONATIONS MADE BY ATHEISTS:

 I have a new advertiser.  For the next few weeks an image ad is on some pages of the website on the right hand side for a t-shirt company.  It's controversial, so I thought I'd give people a chance to lash out or comment in general.  What do you think of the ad?  What do you think of the shirts?  Would you buy one?  What would you think of someone who was wearing one?  What are your thoughts?

Here it is:

Stainedtees

James Randi has come out of the closet at 81 years old.  

The original story is on his SWIFT blog, here is a portion...

http://www.randi.org/site/index.php/swift-blog/914-how-to-say-it.html

Well, here goes. I really resent the term, but I use it because it’s recognized and accepted.

I’m gay.

From some seventy years of personal experience, I can tell you that there’s not much “gay” about being homosexual. For the first twenty years of my life, I had to live in the shadows, in a culture that was — at least outwardly — totally hostile to any hint of that variation of life-style. At no time did I choose to adopt any protective coloration, though; my cultivation of an abundant beard was not at all a deception, but part of my costume as a conjuror.

Gradually, the general attitude that I’d perceived around me began to change, and presently I find that there has emerged a distinctly healthy acceptance of different social styles of living — except, of course, in cultures that live in constant and abject fear of divine retribution for infractions found in the various Holy Books… In another two decades, I’m confident that young people will find themselves in a vastly improved atmosphere of acceptance.

Before publishing this statement, I chose to privately notify a number of my closest friends and colleagues — none of whom, I’m sure, have been at all surprised at this “coming out.” I’m prepared to receive the inevitable barrage of jeers and insults from the “grubbies” out there who will jump to their keyboards in glee to notify others of their kind about this statement, which to them will be yet further proof of the perfidy of the rationalist mode of life that I have chosen. Those titters of joy will be unheard over the murmur of acceptance that I confidently expect from my friends.

Read the entire column on his blog, bookmark it, promote it, and support a hero to the skeptic community for an admission that is long overdue. Of course we accept you Amazing Randi.  Why wouldn't we?  Your sexuality has nothing to do with your ability to use science, expose irrationality, put frauds and liars in their place, create Penn and Teller, or any of the other things you have done to make the world a wiser and more sane place to live.  I support you, respect you, and will always have your back.

See also: http://www.rationalresponders.com/james_randi_debunking_the_paranormal

I want to extend my congratulations to the Atheist Agenda students The University of Texas at San Antonio.  They put themselves on the line in public to raise awareness. Much like the Blasphemy Challenge they have found a way to be controversial thereby grabbing attention and literally forcing theists to think.  I should bring you up to speed if you're not familiar.  Over the last few days Atheist Agenda students have gathered on campus with magazines and books of various types of pornography and offered to swap any holy book for some porn.  The campaign is called smut for smut.  

Typically the reactionary over-emotional irrational thinking of theists hinders them from contemplating why a group would compare the bible to porn.  The irony is unique here in that theists are taught by their religious leaders to avoid pornography, yet pornography is one of the most successful businesses on the planet and made so largely by religious people.  The gut reaction of a theist when seeing someone turn in their bible for porn is to be disgusted or upset.  This reaction happens in part as a defense mechanism due to years of brainwashing.  Their defense is to avoid thinking about the bible in such a negative light.  One can only hope the campaign forces contemplation among the more sane theists out there, and from my years of experience watching them I believe it does.  For what it's worth the students have stated that this isn't about being for porn, it's about being anti-bible.  

I could go on and on but I don't want to lose you.  The main reason I'm writing this is to implore you to spread the word of this campaign.  It's already received national attention in several news pieces and it's the type of story that will force people to think about the vile disgusting nature of a book they call Holy.  

Here is how you can help...

Follow the Atheist Agenda on twitter and spread the word on twitter to follow them: http://twitter.com/AtheistAgenda

Check out their blog: http://atheistagendautsa.blogspot.com/

Engage in a discussion with anyone commenting on the project in the many national pieces currently running online. 

Here is a thread originally started by Brian37 on this site: http://www.rationalresponders.com/forum/19843

Here are two news stories on youtube from national news about the campaign: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1P44h0XoGk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gU_7j5Ctuo4

Here is one more story from Chris Deluna on smut for smut.

Last weeks atheist hero has got to be Angie the Anti Theist who smashed taboos about abortion by tweeting all the way through an at home abortion by pill procedure and engaging anyone who had a problem with it.  Add her on twitter as well!  http://twitter.com/AntitheistAngie

We've gone around the sun again!  Just like we do everyday (see my follow up post if you're not following)... but I wont be a debbie downer... Happy New Year!!

I hope everyone gets what they want out of this coming year.  What resolutions will you be making?  What resolutions do you think you'll give up on in 2 weeks?

On December 25th I will maintain a tradition I started a few years ago, celebrating Christmas day with nonbelievers via webcam, and you're invited!  I'll be joined by longtime RRS moderator and friend Shaunphilly and his girlfriend Seana, who was a Christian before she met Shaun.  Christmas can be a depressing day if you're a non-believer, especially if you feel alienated or unwelcome at festivities of a more religious nature.  We look forward to bringing together a large group of non-believers who want to hang out, blaspheme, and exchange stories of our religious past.  This is a gathering in both live text form and video format.  We encourage you to hook up your webcam as we can have up to 6 people on webcam at once.  Christians are welcome to visit as well!  

You'll need an account with http://www.stickam.com If you don't have one, get it now.  It's free!  

The party will happen in this room: http://www.rationalresponders.com/rrs_webcam_room

If you have a problem with that page you can also view it here: http://www.stickam.com/sapient

Here is the schedule of events:

1 est: The chatroom will open to members of stickam

2 est: Christmas related youtube video presentation along with text chatting.  I'll show a conglomeration of youtube videos dealing with the history of Christmas intertwined with some atheist comedy and blasphemy.  I've prepared over 3.5 hours of youtube videos, giving you the chance to comment on these videos live, while exchanging stories.  If you have a favorite Christmas video you want me to show, you have to link to it by Tuesday the 22nd as a response to this post!

6 pm est: Shaunphilly and his girlfriend will arrive at my home and we'll all appear on webcam.  At that point we will open up the extra camera slots to as many people as possible.  We will talk about a variety of issues including but not limited to the origins of Christmas, my purpose of Christmas project, the tree of knowledge, and more. During our broadcast we will order a traditional ChristMyAss Sushi and General Tso's Chicken dinner.  We invite you to eat your ChristMyAss dinner with us!  

9 pm est: In the past we've shown The God Who Wasn't There Movie but we've never shown the commentary track version, this time we will.  

Once again the festivities will be here:

http://www.rationalresponders.com/rrs_webcam_room

FACEBOOK EVENT: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=257573686280&ref=mf

I've got two new posts up tonight, the first is my opening shot at Pastor Rick Warren and The Purpose of Christmas.  

The second post is long overdue and is a summation covering the Ray Comfort plagiarism in his Origin of Species bullshit.

My opening post here about The Purpose of Christmas is here.

The RRS thread on Comfort plagiarizing is here.

I turned off commenting for this blog post.  If you want to post comments, please do so at The Purpose of Christmas or WOTMwatchdog.  

I found the recent appearance of Michael Specter on The Daily Show to have quite a few correlations to the efforts of atheists to help humanity abandon our unscientific religious past. 

Do you do that?  Do you buy yourself a gift during the Christmas season and call it a Solstice gift or a Saturnalia gift?  Whatever you call it... do you do it?  And if so, what are you getting for yourself this year? 

I haven't bought any new books in a while, and decided to get a few good deals off my wish list.  I was able to buy books used for a huge discount.  Check these deals out...

What Evolution Is
Ernst Mayr; Paperback; $5.05

Cognition
Margaret W. Matlin; Hardcover; $8.61

Philosophy for Dummies
Tom Morris; Paperback; $3.99

Evolution: The Remarkable History of a Scientific Theory (Modern Library Chronicles)
Edward J. Larson; Paperback; $6.23

The Assault on Reason
Al Gore; Hardcover; $4.10

"Evolution"
Douglas J. Futuyma; Hardcover; $3.84

The Skeptic's Dictionary: A Collection of Strange Beliefs, Amusing Deceptions, and Dangerous Delusions
Robert Todd Carroll; Paperback; $0.65

It's been almost a year since someone bought one of the items on my wishlist for me.  If you'd like to buy me a Christmas gift you can view the list here and when you purchase an item it'll know my address to send it to.  I don't get a message saying who bought the item, so if you buy something for me please let me know, so I can thank you.  Anyway, I'm just thrilled to be getting the books I got, and at the prices I got.  It was your donations that paid for these, so I really appreciate everyone who recently contributed; thank you.

In unrelated news, part of my ceiling collapsed before I went to Utah over the weekend.  I spent two hours on the roof today, cleaned the gutters, and caulked some roof areas, and I think it's fixed.  It's been raining for 3 hours and no leak. 

http://video.rationalresponders.com/video/Tree-of-Knowledge-2009

I held an umbrella today over Margaret Downey as she put atheist book covers on the Tree of Knowledge.  A display outside of the West Chester County Courthouse in their Free Speech zone.  Here is a list of the books on the Tree of Knowledge.  Enjoy the video and photos.  

Amazon just sent me word that of a special deal to pass on to you.  As an amazon associate I'm getting a bonus this weekend for your purchases, through the end of shopping on Monday.  You're also getting more discounts.  Amazon has tons of black friday - cyber monday deals and they're all available here: Black Friday - Cyber Monday Amazon Shopping to support RRS

It's with sorrow and sadness that I announce the Rational Response Youtube account is back online.  In the years of my atheist activism I've never had the pleasure of working with a more frustrating and horribly run company.  It's often seemed to me as if they have 4 employees, 3 of which have their heads up their ass, and the 4th is measuring how far they managed to insert it.  I'd sit here and tell you the stories, but why relive the pain.  Nevertheless a few people asked for our youtube account to be back online, so I've been working on it since October 11th, and they finally managed to do what by law was supposed to be done by October 25th.  I have no plans to upload another video to that account, however it's likely that I will at some point.  I deleted a few videos that I felt were less relevant, and upon seeing some of these videos for the first time in months realized I would prefer to not come off quite as harsh.  Not that I don't think we shouldn't be mocking and laughing at religion, I would like to do it with a slightly more calm demeanor if I can.  Which of course remains to be seen.  

I've decided to put together a little playlist of the videos I'd most want someone to see if they've never seen any of the videos on our youtube account before.  

In Rationality,

Brian Sapient

Here they are... 

I was just walking through the store and saw a copy of "The Purpose of Christmas" by Pastor Rick Warren.  I got swelled up with desire to respond to this book.  It was easy pickins.  I got home and headed straight to Amazon to purchase a used copy (there's no way I'd buy it new).  If I hadn't had the positive fund raising efforts recently I wouldn't have bought it.  I'm semi-considering becoming a flea of this book and writing a book response (not just an internet one).  In fact any of the regulars here would find this book an easy shred.  Seriously every sentence I saw deserved some form of response, even for nothing but to correct the semi-deceptive manner in which he builds his case to love Christmas because of Christ.

I forget most of what I briefly read in the store.  I'm feeling the juices flowing and got awfully worked up as a result of wanting so bad to see a published response to this book.  Considering my history with wars on Christmas I might be just the guy. By the way, The Blasphemy Challenge is coming up on a 3 year anniversary and near a million views.  

Does anyone have a copy?  You can check the preview out on Amazon.

UPDATE: The Purpose of Christmas response to Pastor Rick Warren

So how many atheists out there embrace faith?  The more I learn, the more I realize faith permeates everything... way too many atheists utilize it.  Question everything, and when the source is available, ask it.

Rumor 1:  Sam Harris gave the RRS $500,000 for a house.  They proceeded to do nothing but play video games and smoke pot.

Status: False.  Sam Harris isn't our anonymous investor.  The video game and pot rumor likely stems from the times we hung out and partied with other atheists.  If I'm correct, it's sad they left thinking that a night of partying is what happens every night.  I would think our body of work spoke for itself.  

Rumor 2: They got a free house from an anonymous investor.

Status: False.  I purchased a large house with the help of an investor who owns 60% of the house.  When we sell, we each get our share.  I consider it a huge gift but technically we weren't given anything, all the money the investor spends on the mortgage will be returned upon sale of the home.

Rumor 3: Brian Sapient decided to leave Rational Response Squad but not tell anyone because he was still making money on it.

Status: False.  I informed subscribers that I was working a real life job about the same time I started working one.  I started working the job to preserve the ability of RRS to function, to stay afloat.  I spent 80% of my life savings in the 3 years I worked RRS full time to cover the difference between income from RRS and expenditures.  Additionally I was dealing with a batch of personal issues that are personal.  I never left RRS.  I consistently spent time as I could addressing issues related to upkeep and maintenance. I was $50,000 in the hole for the three years that I ran RRS without a real job, sorry for making a few hundred of it back while I worked a real job and didn't dedicate 100 hours a week to RRS.  

Rumor 4: Brian Sapient has only returned to make money.

Status: False.  This isn't a comeback... I never left, I never will.  Try living your life for the rest of your life working 100 hours a week on the same thing, see if you can do it.  Need a break from time to time?  I worked a real life job, recharged my batteries, waited out the recession a little, and got right back to it.  I decided to get a job because I had used up so much of my savings and at the start of the recession got quite a few warnings from subscribers that they had to pull back donations as a result of the downturn.  

I'm not going anywhere, this site isn't going anywhere.  It will exist after my death as well.  The RRS has not made a profit.

RRS HAS NOT MADE A PROFIT.

I left a good career to do this, this is my love, this is my legacy, my effort to make the world a better place.  If I was in it for the money, I would be a little smarter than to work for 80 cents an hour. If I was in it for the money there would be no RRS. Maybe I'd be the President of a big Atheist org... you know the people that make $60,000-$100,000 a year.  

Rumor 5: RRS is Atheist Nexus

Status: False.  I didn't even have an atheist nexus account until yesterday.  The Rational Response Squad page on atheist nexus was started by a friend of mine.

Rumor 6: Brian Sapient and Kelly started a rumor that Richard Dawkins cheated on his wife to get back at him.

Status: False.  We didn't start a rumor.  This one is rather easy to pick apart, can you find anywhere that Kelly or I posted that in a public place at the time when it supposedly happened?  This is what it looks like when I "get back" at someone.  It looks a little different than "he said it, just not on the internet anywhere."  I wouldn't want the world to know a story like that, imagine what the Christians would do with that info.

Rumor 7: Kelly was spending RRS money on illegal drugs.

Status: False.  Kelly was on prescription medication, if she had an issue with substance abuse it was more in the alcohol department, she made her drinking public during a few broadcasts.  Those concerned about Kelly should know she's doing better now, and she's on a better track.  We spoke yesterday for the first time in about 80 days.  We have a mutual admiration for each other and hope the best for each other.  She's currently working on bettering herself in a number of areas, details of which are personal.  

Rumor 8: Sam Harris wanted to give us $500,000 to work on a non-profit but decided against it to do The Reason Project instead.

Status: False.  However, may I note that "The Reason Project" is not working... we can't even get atheists to embrace reason.  This rumor might've stemmed from my interest in helping Sam Harris get the project started, and the fact that at one point he explained that groups like RRS would be the beneficiaries of funds... however we'd have to be a non-profit.  

I'm not a 501-C-3 so that we don't have to limit what we talk about.  If I wanted to limit what we were going to talk about we could be a non-profit and I'd likely make over $60,000 a year.  I'm just trying to get by and I'm frugal about it.  Every penny is stretched to the limit.

Spread this post around, help faithful atheists everywhere. 

______

I just read this quote from Natural posted on our Atheist Nexus group page and found it to be one of the best summations of the "I hate you RRS" effect that I've seen over the years...

Just a warning to anyone reading this who's not familiar with the RRS forums: A lot of people have the wrong impression about RRS, based on rumors and haters, but if you go in with an open mind -- instead of assuming you know what it's all about -- then we are very welcoming of anyone willing to discuss anything with intellectual honesty. Some of our long-time members are people we strongly disagree with, but get along with just fine because they are honest to us and themselves. On the other hand, if you start making claims and accusations with nothing to back it up, we will challenge you unrelentingly. A lot of people can't handle this, and hence we get a lot of haters spreading rumors.

Oh, ironically the reason I noticed the quote was because I was going to look at the new group Natural formed.  Here is the information on his wonderism group. I didn't have an account on nexus, and I still don't.  So if you're looking for me there, you'll be looking for a while.

____

There has been a battle amongst non-believers, non-theists, secularists, brights, humanists, atheists, non-religious, agnostics, skeptics, and the non-religious for quite some time in this country.  How many different names was that to describe someone that almost always is without a belief in a god?  I probably missed a few, in fact feel free to mention them and I'll add them in.  The battle is a pointless one that only serves to divide us, disparage us, and hurt us.  Instead of one minority, we are now 10 smaller minorities with less power. Anyone avoiding usage of the word atheist is allowing the theist to win.

Growing up I was told by my born again Christian mother that atheists are devil worshippers, that they know for sure no god exists, and that they are arrogant fools who hate god (yes I know the contradictions there now).  It's been about 12 years since I was led down the path from agnostic deist to agnostic by Jake.  After I abandoned my deism as a result of his arguments I felt as if I was sure I wasn't an atheist because I had such a negative stigma attached to the word, and also didn't claim to know for sure that a god didn't exist, as my Christtarded mother once claimed all atheists do.  Jake then showed me the truth of how atheism is defined.  When I learned that I was being duped by religious people as to how atheism is defined I chose to accept the term atheism within an hour of internal deliberation.  I promise you, it was a hard hour.  

As I continued my journey over the years into the god defeating activist you have grown to love, I've seen the development of these terms to define atheists without using the word atheist.  These terms are almost always a way to dodge usage of the word: atheist.  Why is it Mr. Humanist that you can recognize religion is bunk, sometimes even speak out against it, yet fall over in defeat when Christians have chosen to affix a bad connotation to the word that best describes your position on god belief?  Don't let me take away your humanism, I know the arguments well.  Humanism puts forward things you do believe in, atheism is merely the word that describes what you don't believe.  I even consider myself part of every single one of the bolded words I opened with.  Don't give me that "I'm not a negative person" routine, I know well that many people avoiding the term atheist are doing so because they don't want the bad connotation applied to them.  I've heard this response many times when arguing this issue.

There are two massive problems with succumbing to those who seek to attach a false definition or negative stigma to the word atheist.

1.  We have allowed those bastardizing the term atheist to segregate us.  

It's become hard to determine just how many atheists exist in the world as a result of the various terminologies. We've had problems fighting off faith based funding, and haven't been able to get contrary non-belief funding.  We hold less power than if we all just stood by this term, and addressed it when questioned or given a false definition for it.  As a result of bowing down to their whim we've refocused our own energy on dividing ourselves instead of focusing energy on correcting incorrect terminology.  Had we been fighting the battle rather than giving up, we'd have had a shot today, instead we have a second problem now, one I always saw coming...

2.  It's not the term atheist they don't like, it's anyone who doesn't hold a belief in their god. 

So you've dodged the term atheist, good for you.  Now what?  Now that you're a Humanist or a Skeptic, tell the Christian what you believe.  If the theist manages to read between the lines and figure out that embedded in your Humanism is a lack of god belief, they're just as likely to affix a negative stigma to your beliefs.  They're not on a mission to disparage atheism, they are on a mission to disparage anything that isn't their form of theism.  Once they realize you're not with them, then you're against them.  The day the term bright was created was the day I knew it would someday have a horrible stigma attached to it.  Of course it was created in part to duck the negative stigma associate with atheism.

Now what do you do? Do you abandon your humanism?  If you don't then one must wonder why you abandoned the term atheist.  If you do, at least we're certain now, you are a coward.  As you can see from the sign outside the Seagate Community Chapel in North Carolina, they figured you out.  They know what you are now, and they are working their smear campaign.  Let the memes begin! And to that end over the last two years I noticed many Christian sources affixing negative connotations to brights, skeptics, and humanists.  Some of those examples were pointed out on this site in discussions of this issue.  The information I've provided in this post isn't much different than the points I've argued on this topic for years.  At that point however I didn't have a picture of a Church misrepresenting the name of the peaceful passive humanists.  Well look where the passiveness got ya.  Welcome to false definition-ville.

Ready to embrace the word that defines anyone who is without a belief in a god yet?  If we embrace it together and respond to false claims wherever they exist, we can help slowly to correct a dishonest/ignorant theist population, and maybe if we're lucky we'll even be counted.

Once again: What is an atheist and how does it differ from agnostic?

Until next time, stay rational.

Hey folks, as you know the core leadership of RRS was rather inactive for the first half of 2009, this was due to various factors including several that are personal, however the recession took it's toll as early as the beginning of 2008.  A bunch of folks who were donors and subscribers wrote to us with apologies after they lost their job, or their wives lost their jobs, or something recessionary in nature happened to them presenting a situation in which they had to withdraw their funding of our efforts.  This story was echoed by the SSA who was on the verge of disappearing this year as a result of the hard times, and has raised over $90,000 in two months.  I've been working as many hours as possible in the real world for over a year now to reduce the fundraising burden in order to keep this site afloat.  While I seemed absent on an activist level my time away from the limelight was designed to preserve RRS.  

Since I've been able to alter my schedule to get back to the typical 50+ hour RRS workload, the donations are at an all time low.  This is to be expected of course, there is no current radio show, there was a hiatus, and we're still in a recession... but we're recovering on multiple levels.  I'm gonna manage to work in the 70 hour range on activist activities here, while holding down a job and caring for a son, this week. Signs of a recession ending are upon us.  However, due to the intense workload already on my plate, the show is far from my mind.  Doing the show takes preparation time, editing time, and more... while I currently have 60 hours of unedited material that still needs to be addressed.  Work that needed to be addressed for a very long time now, my sincerest apologies to those who were waiting for that content.

Since I've returned I've been bombarded with countless positive comments, many of which are encouraging me to get the show back up and running, here's your chance to get me one step closer to that.  Yeah... I'm begging for money.  Pick up that phone and call us now to keep the congregation going.  I hate feeling like this, hate having to ask for it, I thought maybe donations would just start coming back organically, but they're not.  So I'm asking.

Let me give you some insight as to some of the things I'm working on that require funds...

1. I'm going to Salt Lake City next month and will be speaking in front of a large atheist group.  I will take some footage engaging Mormons as well.  On my dime.  About $500 for the trip, I'll be staying with a friend.

2. I finally managed to get ALL the footage from the documentary team that failed to produce the RRS movie, due to their own lack of funds.  This includes our in person interviews with Dawkins, Hitchens, Harris, Dennett, Ellen Johnson, Margaret Downey, and at home conversations and interviews that have never been released.  $3,500 is needed for an apple capable of editing this footage in HD with this $1,000 piece of software.  If you are willing to lend suitable computer or sell one at a discount, let me know.    I can now edit the video in non-hd however I have 30 hours of footage to dig through, which will take quite a bit of time to work on.  The plan is currently a free internet movie.

3. You know those atheist billboards that have been popping up everywhere?  I want to put them all over the web via google ads.  This project is limited only by how much money we have, one could invest $10,000 per day easily in google ads.  

4. I'd like to not have to ask for more hours at work every week, and instead ask for less, spending more time working RRS would get me back on track, I'm so backlogged, it feels like I'm 3 years behind.  

5. I'd like to plan trips to speak at both California and Florida atheist events in the next 9 months.  I have friends/family I can stay with at both to keep costs down.  Groups in Florida and California have been trying to get me to come speak for a while.  Video projects will be made on both trips.  

6. Darth Josh will be coming to visit the RRS house at the end of January to record a show (and scheme), I'd like to help with his travel expenses.

7. I need a laptop to take on these trips, so I can stay connected.  I'm looking at the least expensive model that would do the trick.  $350 

There's obviously a ton of other activist reasons more money could be put to good use, but I think I've added enough transparency and at least a few thousands dollars worth of expenses to give you an idea of how your donation will be put to good use.

So here's your chance... all those folks that sent me words of support in the last three months, telling me how happy you are to see me back full time, help me keep it up!  Show me you really mean it.  I need to see your love in the form of dollars or I need to look into restoring my career aspirations and pull back the amount of time I spend on activism.  Keep in mind, the RRS network of sites will be here for at least as long as I'm alive, and likely well after.  While I might have lost some teammates along the way, I promise you're never losing me.  This has always been my baby.  I'm not going anywhere, don't call it a comeback, I've been here for years.

There are two big ways to help financially: 

1. Donate monthly

2. Donate any amount, any size, consider $15-25. 

3. If you have to do any holiday shopping, start doing it now, and do it through this link.  Amazon.com sells just about everything in the world, you can get your groceries and clothing there as well.  Purchase items you'd normally buy at the store through our amazon link and we'll make a small commission.  Thanks to the few folks who do this year round. 

/begging 

Hey folks, as you know the core leadership of RRS was rather inactive for the first half of 2009, this was due to various factors including several that are personal, however the recession took it's toll as early as the beginning of 2008.  A bunch of folks who were donors and subscribers wrote to us with apologies after they lost their job, or their wives lost their jobs, or something recessionary in nature happened to them presenting a situation in which they had to withdraw their funding of our efforts.  This story was echoed by the SSA who was on the verge of disappearing this year as a result of the hard times, and has raised over $90,000 in two months.  I've been working as many hours as possible in the real world for over a year now to reduce the fundraising burden in order to keep this site afloat.  While I seemed absent on an activist level my time away from the limelight was designed to preserve RRS.  

Since I've been able to alter my schedule to get back to the typical 50+ hour RRS workload, the donations are at an all time low.  This is to be expected of course, there is no current radio show, there was a hiatus, and we're still in a recession... but we're recovering on multiple levels.  I'm gonna manage to work in the 70 hour range on activist activities here, while holding down a job and caring for a son, this week. Signs of a recession ending are upon us.  However, due to the intense workload already on my plate, the show is far from my mind.  Doing the show takes preparation time, editing time, and more... while I currently have 60 hours of unedited material that still needs to be addressed.  Work that needed to be addressed for a very long time now, my sincerest apologies to those who were waiting for that content.

Since I've returned I've been bombarded with countless positive comments, many of which are encouraging me to get the show back up and running, here's your chance to get me one step closer to that.  Yeah... I'm begging for money.  Pick up that phone and call us now to keep the congregation going.  I hate feeling like this, hate having to ask for it, I thought maybe donations would just start coming back organically, but they're not.  So I'm asking.

Let me give you some insight as to some of the things I'm working on that require funds...

1. I'm going to Salt Lake City next month and will be speaking in front of a large atheist group.  I will take some footage engaging Mormons as well.  On my dime.  About $500 for the trip, I'll be staying with a friend.

2. I finally managed to get ALL the footage from the documentary team that failed to produce the RRS movie, due to their own lack of funds.  This includes our in person interviews with Dawkins, Hitchens, Harris, Dennett, Ellen Johnson, Margaret Downey, and at home conversations and interviews that have never been released.  $3,500 is needed for an apple capable of editing this footage in HD with this $1,000 piece of software.  If you are willing to lend suitable computer or sell one at a discount, let me know.    I can now edit the video in non-hd however I have 30 hours of footage to dig through, which will take quite a bit of time to work on.  The plan is currently a free internet movie.

3. You know those atheist billboards that have been popping up everywhere?  I want to put them all over the web via google ads.  This project is limited only by how much money we have, one could invest $10,000 per day easily in google ads.  

4. I'd like to not have to ask for more hours at work every week, and instead ask for less, spending more time working RRS would get me back on track, I'm so backlogged, it feels like I'm 3 years behind.  

5. I'd like to plan trips to speak at both California and Florida atheist events in the next 9 months.  I have friends/family I can stay with at both to keep costs down.  Groups in Florida and California have been trying to get me to come speak for a while.  Video projects will be made on both trips.  

6. Darth Josh will be coming to visit the RRS house at the end of January to record a show (and scheme), I'd like to help with his travel expenses.

7. I need a laptop to take on these trips, so I can stay connected.  I'm looking at the least expensive model that would do the trick.  $350 

There's obviously a ton of other activist reasons more money could be put to good use, but I think I've added enough transparency and at least a few thousands dollars worth of expenses to give you an idea of how your donation will be put to good use.

So here's your chance... all those folks that sent me words of support in the last three months, telling me how happy you are to see me back full time, help me keep it up!  Show me you really mean it.  I need to see your love in the form of dollars or I need to look into restoring my career aspirations and pull back the amount of time I spend on activism.  Keep in mind, the RRS network of sites will be here for at least as long as I'm alive, and likely well after.  While I might have lost some teammates along the way, I promise you're never losing me.  This has always been my baby.  I'm not going anywhere, don't call it a comeback, I've been here for years.

There are two big ways to help financially: 

1. Donate monthly

2. Donate any amount, any size, consider $15-25. 

3. If you have to do any holiday shopping, start doing it now, and do it through this link.  Amazon.com sells just about everything in the world, you can get your groceries and clothing there as well.  Purchase items you'd normally buy at the store through our amazon link and we'll make a small commission.  Thanks to the few folks who do this year round. 

/begging 

Darth Josh told me last night how the radio disclaimer is one of his favorite sound bites in RRS history, and I'm inclined to agree with him.  For those that don't know the technicals on it... it's my voice sped up 1.5 times. 

So here's a little slice of RRS history, a download for the disclaimer that was played on our show.  Enjoy!  

You can still hear a bunch of free archived material here.

_____

I miss you Carl...

Pale Blue Dot

Where did the Big Bang come from?  Does it make sense to believe it was a God?

We are made of star stuff. 

Upcoming Video Description: "Carl Sagan's description of how we evolved from "Star Stuff" and are on our journey to go back to our origin - in the Stars. From "Cosmos: A Personal Voyage" episode 8, "Journeys in Space and Time".  Please support this amazing masterpiece by buying the DVDs - you will not regret it. 

Upcoming Video Description: "Those worlds in space are as countless as all the grains of sand on all the beaches of the Earth. Each of those worlds is as real as ours. In every one of them, there's a sucsession of incidence, events, occurences which influence its future. Countless worlds, numberless moments, an immensity of space and time. And our small planet, at this moment, here we face a critical branch-point in the history. What we do with our world, right now, will propagate down through the centuries and powerfully affect the destiny of our descendants. It is well within our power to destroy our civilization, and perhaps our species as well. If we capitulate to superstition, or greed, or stupidty we can plunge our world into a darkness deeper than time between the collapse of classical civilization and the Italian Renaissaince. But, we are also capable of using our compassion and our intelligence, our technology and our wealth, to make an abundant and meaningful life for every inhabitant of this planet. To enhance enormously our understanding of the Universe, and to carry us to the stars." Carl Sagan explains the immensity of space and time. This clip is from Carl Sagan's Cosmos episode 8, "Journeys in Space and Time." 

A brief story and a nutritious cookie recipe...

Some of you are already aware I've been dieting and eating an entirely different batch of foods in the last 3 months.  I'm eating foods that are high in protein, low in fat, and have a higher level of complex carbs vs. simple carbs.  I've been hesitant to blog about this as it obviously has nothing to do with my typical area of expertise, but I want this blog to cover some other areas of my life, and I plan to post recipes and diet/bodybuilding related things from time to time.  One of the new items in my diet is protein powder supplements.  I've tried a few different brands to see which flavor I like the most...

I bought the two huge jugs, Muscle Milk light and Evopro only after sampling them, I found them to be the most tasty so far.  The folks on facebook mentioned ON Standard but I was looking for lactose free, so keep that in mind if you get the urge to recommend your favorite powder.

Before this diet one of my favorite late night snacks was some form of cookie.  I prefer anything chocolate and have altered a recipe I found online to create a tasty yet healthy cookie.  If there is something you don't like about this recipe, feel free to substitute.  If you like a very sweet flavor, something close to a chocolate chip cookie sweetness just add another 1/4 cup of sugar.  You'll notice pureed banana, that is designed as a substitute for butter.  You can use almost any fruit with a similar consistency, mango, papaya, strained applesauce, etc... 

This recipe makes 16 cookies

1/2 cup banana (mash to create proper texture)

1 tablespoon peanut butter (skip it if you wish, or add up to 2 more tbls)

1/4 cup light brown sugar or splenda brown sugar

1/4 cup splenda sugar

2 eggs 

1/3 cup milk 

3/4 cups organic oatmeal flour (excellent source of complex carbs, much better than all-purpose flour)

1/2 cup chocolate powder protein supplement (choose another flavor if you'd like)

1 oz or 2 scoops of vanilla protein powder 

1/2 cup granola (pick whatever type you'd like, or choose oats instead.  Another complex carb source!)

1/4 cup carob chocolate chips 

1.5 teaspoon baking soda 

2 tsp vanilla extract

dash of salt

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees D (175 degrees C)

2. In a large bowl cream together the fruit, peanut butter, brown sugar and white sugar until smooth.  Beat in the eggs one at a time, the stir in the vanilla and water.  

3. In another bowl combine the leftover dry ingredients saving the chocolate chips.  Stir the dry ingredients into the creamed mixture.

4. Fold in the chocolate chips.

5. Drop the dough by heaping spoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets

6. Bake for 10-12 minutes in the preheated oven.  Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a cooling tray, wax paper, wire rack, etc.

If you follow my recipe exactly and use Muscle Milk light chocolate powder and Biochem Vanilla powder your nutritional information will look like this:

Serving size: 1 big cookie

Calories: 110 

Fat: 3 grams

Carbohydrates: 13 grams (3g sugars, 10g complex carbs)

Protein: 6 grams

These taste great with that chocolate protein shake you drink just before bedtime.  

Coming soon will be a post about the substitution in my diet for a cheese steak that I was previously addicted to, a huge eggbeater omelette with chicken steak slices instead, at 285 cals, 9 grams fat, 8 grams carbs, 37 grams protein.

If you're finding this post in google and wondering what the the heck is going on here... yeah... we don't believe in God around these parts. No matter what you believe you can reply to this post by clicking "Add new comment" below. 

 Thanks to David Silverman for bringing this to my attention, I'm united with him on a boycott of Tom Cruise movies and now The Simpsons. Nancy Cartwright (voice of Bart Simpson) is promoting Scientology.

Bart Simpson Scientology Robo Call sound bite 

(give the clip a moment to load, and it starts 5 seconds in, if you have problems click here) 

Goodbye Simpsons.  

Seriously Nancy, you're auditing?  You dumbass.

On Thursday nights Daily Show Jon Stewart fell into the funniest impression I've ever seen him pull off, an attack or parody if you will of the ridiculous Glenn Beck...

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
The 11/3 Project
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Health Care Crisis

Religion creates another atrocity, god is great, eh?  Listen Muslims and Christians... stop the fighting.  You're both wrong, it's time to act like rational grown-ups and throw off your archaic belief system, you are destroying civilization, and will continue to do so until we're gone.  Abandon your superstitous nonsense, and evolve already!  Ask yourself, what solid proof do you have to believe in your God.  If what you have is a holy book, remind yourself that hundreds of holy books exist for hundreds of gods, and you don't believe in any of them, so obviously a holy book is not sufficient proof.  Throw off your superstitious nonsense, and embrace things you know exist like humans for example.  Make no mistake, today millions of folks around the world who have no belief in a god are sad for the people who were affected by this needless loss of life, just as we've been sad about all the other atrocities committed in the name of religion throughout the ages.  Our thoughts are with the billions who have been negatively affected by religion since the dawn of time, and always are.  In fact my life is dedicated to ensuring these sorts of things don't continue to happen, you can start by breaking the cycle... throw religion off today!  

The major is a psychiatrist who had been treating soldiers returning from Iraq for post-traumatic stress and alcohol and drug abuse problems. "He was making outlandish comments condemning our foreign policy and claimed Muslims had the right to rise up and attack Americans," Col Lee told Fox News.  "He said Muslims should stand up and fight the aggressor and that we should not be in the war in the first place." He said that Maj Hasan said he was "happy" when a US soldier was killed in an attack on a military recruitment centre in Arkansas in June.  An American convert to Islam was accused of the shootings. Col Lee alleged that other officers had told him that Maj Hasan had said "maybe people should strap bombs on themselves and go to Time Square" in New York.

He claimed he was aware that the major had been subject to "name calling" during heated arguments with other officers.

source

Lt. Gen. Robert Cone told NBC's "Today" show on Friday that suspected shooter, Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, made the comment, which is Arabic for "God is great!" before the rampage Thursday that also left 30 people wounded.  Military officials say they are still piecing together what may have pushed Hasan, an Army psychiatrist trained to help soldiers in distress, to turn on his comrades.
Cone says Hasan was not known to be a threat or risk.

Hasan was shot four times during the rampage. Cone says he is hospitalized in stable condition and that military officials will interrogate him as soon as possible.

source

Hasan's aunt Noel Hasan of Falls Church, Virginia, told the The Washington Post that her nephew had been harassed about being a Muslim in the years after the September 11 attacks and he wanted to leave the Army.

"Some people can take it and some people cannot," she said. "He had listened to all of that and he wanted out of the military."

At least six months ago, Hasan came to the attention of law enforcement officials because of Internet postings about suicide bombings and other threats, including posts that equated suicide bombers to soldiers who throw themselves on a grenade to save the lives of their comrades.

Investigators had not determined for certain whether Hasan was the author of the posting, and a formal investigation had not been opened before the shooting, law enforcement officials told the Associated Press on condition of anonymity.

source

Hasan had been telling his family since 2001 that he wanted to get out of the military, said a spokeswoman for his cousin, Nader Hasan. Hasan told his family he had been taunted after the September 11 attacks, the spokeswoman said.

"He was mortified by the idea of having to deploy," his cousin told the New York Times. "He had people telling him on a daily basis the horrors they saw over there."

---

Hasan would also ask the owner whether he planned to attend Friday prayers. The owner would say he was too busy.

Hasan said he would be deployed to Afghanistan soon, the owner said. 

---

A former neighbor of Hasan said he lived in a highrise apartment complex in Silver Spring, Maryland, with another man, apparently his brother, and that the two appeared friendly.

"They had some Arabic signs out there, and I asked them what they meant," said the woman, who asked not to be identified. The other man, who routinely wore a chef's outfit, told her it was a prayer, she said. "They seemed like they were nice people," she said.

The two men moved out three or four months ago, which she noticed because the Muslim prayer had been removed from their door.

"Honestly, they seemed like very cool, calm guys, and religious guys," she said. "It's kind of strange."

According to military records, Hasan was born in Virginia, and a federal official said he was a U.S. citizen of Jordanian descent.

Military records show Hasan received his appointment to the Army as a first lieutenant in June 1997 after graduating from Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia, with a degree in biochemistry.

source