Posted on December 6, 2012 by Michael
From time to time I’ll see those on the right attempt to deflect their side’s tendency towards science-denialism by pointing out that it is often those on the left who favor homeopathic medicine or are highly weary of vaccines. Of course, it’s true that there is a lot of unscientific garbage on both sides of the aisles. Those on the right are undeniably the biggest offenders, what with their positions on the age of Earth, global warming, and evolution, but there’s plenty of crap on the left, too. Generally, the crap on the left, however, is also associated with New Age thinking and the ever-nebulous idea of spirituality. I bet you’ll never guess what underlies so much of this strain of thought:
Faith.
That’s the problem. Most of those on the right are filled with faith – people usually become Republicans because they’re deep into Christianity – so it isn’t a surprise when we see the vast majority of their positions in conflict with science. Nor, indeed, is it a surprise when we see those on the fringe left doing things like denying the efficacy of vaccines. (Of course, Michele Bachmann’s linking of vaccines to autism proves there is some common ground between our political parties.) It is faith – believe without evidence – that is the problem.
Filed under: Misc | Tagged: Science denial, Thought of the day | Leave a comment »
Posted on December 5, 2012 by Michael
From AoM:
We’re having our third Atheists of Maine meeting this Saturday in the Auburn Public Library from 11am-1pm and it looks like we’re going to have a decent turnout. Bolstering us at least a little will be the presence of a few of our members’ kids (who, sometimes, are also active members themselves). One person, however, wanted to be sure it would be fine if he brought his 14 year old son. Of course, we’re always delighted to give anyone and everyone an honest introduction into what atheism is (something Christians seem to routinely fail miserably at doing), so we let him know that. Unfortunately, one of this person’s distant in-laws saw that he had posted on our page and…well, see for yourselves:
And, lo, the Lord did say, “He who hath doubted me is not only a fool, but too is he retarded.” And, hail, Jesus did that thing kids do with their hands against their chests to indicate retardation. Later, some bears attacked a bald guy for some reason, but the Lord doth digress.
~KJV, somewhere in the back
Filed under: Humor, Religions | Tagged: Atheists of Maine, Christian love? | Leave a comment »
Posted on December 4, 2012 by Michael
Sure, I’m an atheist (because there is no evidence for any gods), but that doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy the Christmas season. It’s a joyous time during a period when it keeps getting darker earlier and earlier, and I definitely enjoy the family Christmas party. (I, unfortunately, will not be attending it this year as I will be in Argentina on a hiking expedition to the highest peak in the Andes. Woe is me.) I even like Christmas music. And here’s the real good news: Christmas has become a largely secular holiday. Of course, it still has its Christian background, but I don’t think it’s a religious day for most people any longer; the day has begun to turn back to its pagan origin – an origin so many Christians seem so fond of ignoring, sometimes even denying, whether through ignorance or blatant dishonesty.
So I say, merry Christmas, happy Hanukkah, happy Festivus, happy holidays, and all that. This really is a time for the secular and religious alike to come together to celebrate a season filled with holidays of both pagan and religious origins.
Filed under: Misc | Tagged: Christmas, Thought of the day | 2 Comments »
Posted on December 1, 2012 by Michael
I can’t say that I absolutely believe there is life teeming about throughout the Universe, but I believe there is good reason to think there is.
Filed under: Astronomy/Cosmology/Physics | Tagged: Goldilocks zone | 1 Comment »
For the Sake of Science 