Hemant Mehta's Blog, page 1739

How Christians Think They Can Convert Atheists… According to WikiHow

This is a guest post by Bo Gardiner, the pen name of a Virginia-based environmental professional, naturalist (in both senses of the word), writer and humanist activist. She blogs at Under the Greenwood Tree.

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You learn a lot about campaigns when you read their strategy memos. WikiHow contributors have put together a page on How to Persuade an Atheist to Become Christian, and it’s probably a little more revealing than they intended.

So while I’ve taken the small liberty of providing a helpful ti...

Your Wish is Granted!

Seen at PostSecret:

Being a reluctant believer is undoubtedly tough. Hopefully it won’t stop the person from asking tough questions and following the evidence wherever it leads. Many atheists will tell you that life doesn’t necessarily get easier, but it sure as hell clears up a lot of that cognitive dissonance.

TV Show Searching for Atheist/Religious Couples Who May Be Getting Married Soon…

I’m passing along this information to those who are interested. I take no responsibility for how this will go, but I’m told it’s for a “major cable network.”

Are you an engaged or soon to be engaged couple whose family disapproves of your relationship because of religion? Have family members made it clear that they will not attend your upcoming wedding? Have you found the love of your life, and desperately want the support of your whole family?

Introducing a new docu-series that follows star-cr...

Michigan School District Investigates Proselytizing Substitute Teacher… But How Exactly Are They Disciplining Him?

On Monday, the Michigan Association of Civil Rights Activists (MACRA) sent a letter to Hart High School Principal Matthew McDonald over this religious tract:

Apparently, a substitute teacher had been giving it to students while discussing the Bible with them. One of the students told his mother, who contacted MACRA, who then sent a letter to the principal:

We are informed that Mr. Meersma has been distributing religious tracts and engaging students in conversations about the Bible, including re...

Seventh-Day Adventist Church Propaganda Video Argues Against the Ordination of Women

Why can’t women be ordained in the Seventh-Day Adventist Church?

There’s no good answer to the question, as church leaders usually fall back on “tradition” and “the Bible said so” and “Respect mah authoritay,” but a new video attempts to answer the question from the Church’s perspective.

Brace yourself for some screenshots:

My favorite argument is that the ordination of women could lead to (*gasp*) the ordination of gay people. Can’t have that now, can we?! Next thing you know, people might star...

Atheist Billboard in East Tennessee Draws Surprisingly Positive Reactions

A few days ago, the Rationalists of East Tennessee put up a billboard in Knoxville, Tennessee with the message, “Don’t believe in God? You’re not alone!”

I felt like it was a fairly tame message, but when you’re in a conservative area, you never know how people will react…

And I’ll admit: I was shocked by the reaction:

While walking up Kingston Pike Wednesday, Jared Winchester noticed the new billboard.

“It doesn’t bother me at all,” he said.

Winchester believes in God and free speech.

“It’s an ess...

Disciples of the New Dawn, a “Godly” Group Whose Images Are Going Viral Online, is a Parody… So Stop Freaking Out

For some reason, a supposedly faith-based group called “Disciples of the New Dawn” is getting global attention for it’s over-the-top denunciations of things most Christians would tell you are perfectly fine (at least in certain cases).

Like divorce:

Divorce is the leading cause of emotional instability and reckless behavior in women today. They become unable to function when they are detached from the man who has been there to guide them and make sure that their house is clean, dinner is served...

Fareed Zakaria to Bill Maher: Your Criticism of Islam May Result in “Applause Lines” But It Won’t Create Real Change

In one of the more interesting discussions on Islam I’ve seen on Real Time with Bill Maher, panelist Fareed Zakaria challenged Maher on things he’s said about the faith. They actually agreed on some general criticisms of the faith, but Zakaria focused on Maher’s tactics, like using Sam Harris‘ words and calling Islam the “mother lode of bad ideas.”

If Maher really wanted to see actual change take shape, Zakaria suggested, insults like that weren’t helping.

As you know, Bill, I’ve written a lot...

Polish Filmmaker Explores Symbol of “Religious Lunacy” in Warsaw

Polish filmmaker Zenon Kalafaticz just posted a video about the “greatest symbol of religious lunacy” in Poland: The Temple of Divine Providence.

Some of the footage was used in his earlier films.

I haven’t had a chance to watch the whole thing, but if any moments stand out, please leave a timestamp and summary in the comments!

A Spanish-Language Guide to Coming Out as an Atheist

Openly Secular just put out a guide for coming out as an atheist when you’re African-American.

I should’ve also mentioned that they released a Spanish-language guide for how to come out:

As far as making more resources available to a wider group of people, this is wonderful to see. It’s undoubtedly come in handy for people whose first language isn’t English.

More resources (for everyone) are available at the Openly Secular website.