Hemant Mehta's Blog, page 1908

From Europe, Evidence That More Schooling Leads to Less Religiosity… and a Reduction in Superstitious Beliefs

There is a deep anti-intellectual streak that runs through much of religious America, and it’s entirely justified. No, I’m not saying that we ought to give the thumbs-up to poor thinking skills and the inability to distinguish facts from fiction. I’m saying, rather, that fundamentalists are right about academic learning: the more of it you do, the less likely you are to attend church or to talk to God.

New research by economists at Louisiana State University offers some tantalizing evidence:

The study finds that more education, in the form of more years of formal schooling, has “consistently large negative effects” on an individual’s likelihood of attending religious services, as well as their likelihood of praying frequently. More schooling also makes people less likely to harbor superstitious beliefs, like belief in the protective power of lucky charms (rabbit’s feet, four leaf clovers), or a tendency to take horoscopes seriously.

Major caveat: While the study is new, the data are old – and from Europe.

The researchers examined the effects of compulsory schooling reforms undertaken in 11 European countries, primarily in the 1960s and 1970s. “While some cohorts of children were impacted by these law changes, those who just missed the age cut-off of the law were exempt from the mandate,” the authors write. And voila: you now have treatment and control groups for a real-world experiment. The authors then looked at how the different cohorts answered survey questions about religiosity and superstition later in life.

They found effects of education on religion and superstition that were significant, and fairly large. One additional year of schooling:

– reduces the propensity to attend religious services at least once a month by about 14 percentage points;
– decreases the propensity to attend religious services at least weekly by about 10 percentage points; …
– reduces likelihood of belief in the protective powers of a lucky charm by 11 or 12 percentage points;
– and decreases the propensity to consult horoscopes frequently by 11 percentage points.

If you live in America, don’t get too excited. The secularization hypothesis doesn’t apply here quite as much. The U.S. may be an outlier: as a country, we’ve gotten more schooled… but we’re still overwhelmingly religious.

Then again, notes the Washington Post,

While belief in God has remained constant over the decades [has it though? -- TF], more and more people are  deciding they don’t need a church to worship Him/Her as they see fit. It is possible that as people become more educated, they become more skeptical of the external trappings of religious belief – the churchgoing, the rules, and the other features of organized religion.

That’s still a damn good development.

(Image via Shutterstock)

Canadian Wilderness Guide Denied Job Because Employer Says She Went to an Anti-Gay Christian School

Usually, when I hear stories of Christians being discriminated against, it’s complete bullshit. They probably did something wrong, they were punished for it, and now they’re hiding behind their religion. But in this instance, it actually looks legitimate.

Trinity Western University is the Christian school in British Columbia that recently made headlines after a few provinces said they would not allow graduates of its law school to practice in the region. The reason? Trinity won’t allow gay students who embrace their homosexuality to attend the school.

Bethany Paquette went to their undergraduate campus, which works the same way. The river rafting guide recently applied for a job at Amaruk Wilderness Corp. where she figured her experience could be put to good use… but after sending the company her cover letter and resume, she was surprised to see the response from the hiring manager:

Ms. Paquette.

I do not understand the purpose of your application considering you do not meet the minimum requirements that are clearly outlined on our web site.

Additionally, considering you were involved with Trinity Western University, I should mention that, unlike Trinity Western University, we embrace diversity, and the right of people to sleep with or marry whoever they want, and this is reflected within some of our staff and management. In addition, the Norse background of most of the guys at the management level means that we are not a Christian organization, and most of us actually see Christianity as having destroyed our culture, tradition, and way of life.

Since they didn’t explain which requirements she didn’t meet, you can understand why Paquette would think her rejection was entirely due to her faith (and what her Christian ancestors apparently did). Which is weird because it’s not like she said she wanted to proselytize on the job. The company seemed to be punishing her, not for her actions or intentions, but simply for which school she attended.

The emails after that didn’t get any better. Paquette tried to explain her frustration…

I do not understand the purpose of your response considering where I attended University and my religious belief should have nothing to do with whether or not I meet your company requirements.

…

God Bless,

Bethany Paquette

… to which Amundsen wrote back:

… “God Bless” is very offensive to me, and yet another sign of your attempts to impose your religious views on me. I do not want to be blessed by some guy who was conceived by a whore, outside of marriage, and whom has been the very reason for the most horrendous abuses and human right violations in the history of the human race. If I was to meet the guy, I’d actually fuck him.

Just to be clear:

Normal employer: “You’re not hired. Good luck with your job search.”

This guy: “You’re not hired. I would rape your God.”

I find Paquette’s views abhorrent. But to hold her responsible for the actions of her college (or ancestors) — or to suggest she would treat gay customers any differently from straight ones when she implied nothing of the sort — is at best irresponsible and at worst illegal.

Paquette filed a complaint with the B.C. Human Rights Tribunal and has secured a lawyer:

[Attorney Geoffrey] Trotter said if the B.C. Human Rights Tribunal concludes his client was discriminated against, he will seek compensation for lost wages and “for injury to feelings and self respect.”

“The main thing that she’s been asking for is to order this company to stop discriminating.”

Trotter is asking the tribunal to send “a really strong message” that “it is not acceptable to discriminate based on what somebody believes or where they went to school. That it is not ‘open season’ on Christians in Canada.”

I really don’t understand it. If the company didn’t want to hire her, they could’ve just said that and been done with it. They didn’t. Instead, they dug into her faith and what they assumed she believed. Then they went even further. They didn’t apologize in a statement to the CBC either, telling them:

“As per rejection letter attached, Ms. Paquette was not considered for a position with our company solely based on the fact that she did not meet the minimum requirements of the position.

Any further discussion after that, including the fact that we strongly disagree with the position that gay people should not be allowed to marry or even engage in sexual relationships, would have been a mere expression of opinion.

Olaf Amundsen
Wilderness Guide/Instructor”

Even if that’s true, and her beliefs have nothing to do with her dismissal, it’s still a despicable way to act. I don’t know if the B.C. legal system will feel the same way, but I hope they do. She doesn’t deserve to be treated like that.

(Thanks to Janice for the link)

Student-Led Prayers Are Okay… but What’s This?

***Update***: FFRF has sent a letter to Cape Henlopen High School regarding Coach Bill Collick‘s prayers with the football team.

…

In an article for the Cape Gazette in Delware, editor Dave Frederick wrote about how two local football teams met at midfield after the game…

… to give thanks and put the football game into perspective, yielding to a higher power. Jevon Currie of Cape followed by Tyuane Johnson of Cambridge led services. Anyone who has first amendment issues with prayer by public school players, remember that the spontaneous display led by players is perfectly permissible.

Well, he’s right about that.

But if you scroll down the page, Frederick includes this interesting picture:

That would be Cape Henlopen High School Coach Bill Collick either leading or joining his team in prayer, both of which are absolutely unconstitutional.

So, um, thanks for the heads up, Frederick!

FFRF has been notified.

(Thanks to Brian for the link)

A Famous Pastor’s Son Becomes an Atheist and Explains the Power of Community

Bart Campolo grew up the son of a famous Christian pastor but, like Rachael Slick and many others, he turned out to be an atheist. In fact, he’s now the Humanist Chaplain at the University of Southern California, one of only a handful of people across the country who have that title and a position that took some people by surprise.

When Bart told his father Tony he didn’t believe in God anymore, the reaction wasn’t nearly as bad as you may think:

Following the family dinner, Bart sat his parents down and explained that he was now an agnostic humanist. His father’s response was surprising.

“You know me. I am not afraid you’re going to hell because the God I believe in doesn’t send people to hell for eternity for having the wrong theology,” Tony responded, according to Bart. “I’m sad because Christianity is my tribe, and I liked having you in my tribe.”

The power of tribes is one that’s stuck with Bart for a while. In fact, at the Secular Student Alliance 2014 conference in Columbus, Ohio this summer, Campolo shared his story and explained the power of building community:

My favorite line (at 12:00):

Do you really think that all those kids on your campus are joining [Campus] Crusade [for Christ] because the dogma makes sense to them? They join those groups not because of the dogma but… in spite of the dogma. They join for the community.

Which is why these Secular Student Alliance chapters on campuses… You guys will never be able to compete with them — until you deliver community.

It’s a fascinating talk. If any other moments stand out to you, please leave the timestamp/summary in the comments.

Where’s Jesus? Check Aisle 5

If you were to visit the Independent Grocers Alliance (IGA) store in Paxton, Illinois, you might notice something interesting in Aisle 5:

Those pictures were taken by reader garman, who now has a hankering for “Jesus is the Way” bagged cereal. Which I assume tastes pretty bland unless you coat it with a lot of sugar.

I contacted IGA national two days ago to find out about their proselytization policies. Are store owners allowed to preach the gospel through their stores, or was this the work of a rogue Christian manager? A spokesperson for the organization told me via email: “The Independent Grocers Alliance (IGA) has no policy regarding religion as each store is independently owned and operated.”

Jehovah’s Witnesses Just Launched Their Own Online TV Station and It’s Creepy as Hell

Over the weekend, the Jehovah’s Witnesses held the Watch Tower Society Annual General Meeting during which they announced the launch of their own online television network. I’ll admit it looks a lot more professional than, say, American Atheists’ Roku channel, but it’s a hell of a lot creepier.

Just check out this (unembeddable) monthly news show featuring Governing Body member Stephen Lett (whose voice is just ripe for parody):

If you watch a few minutes of it, it’s clear he’s just trying to recruit (or maintain) young people. He speaks of the “Governing Body’s love for little children,” which I hope doesn’t become as perfect a sound bite as I worry it will.

John Cedars, a former JW and current church watchdog, is thrilled with the development:

I for one welcome the change, because if there is one thing I can be certain of, it is that the more Witnesses hear these men speak for themselves, the more obvious it will become that they are nothing more than proud, deluded men — far from worthy of the adoration they receive.

Right on. The more exposure people have to JW beliefs and the governing structure, the less seriously they’ll take it all. By putting themselves on camera, the Governing Body is essentially giving us the opportunity to pay attention to the men behind the curtain. They have far more power and mystique when no one knows who the hell they are.

So keep the shows coming. May I suggest the next episode go into full detail about their religious beliefs? Let’s talk about disfellowshipping and blood transfusions.

Even Christianity Today Thinks the New Left Behind Film is Awful

You already knew the Left Behind remake starring Nicolas Cage was going to be bad when you heard that Nicolas Cage was starring in a Left Behind remake:

But when publications like Christianity Today give the movie a half-star rating — and even that’s because they “tried to give the film zero stars, but our tech system won’t allow it” — it’s clear that this movie is bad even by Christian movie standards.

CT’s reviewer Jackson Cuidon pointed out that one of the biggest problems with the film was that it was marketed to a Christian audience, but faith didn’t even have an important role in the film:

I was ready to be upset at this new movie because certainly it would have all those same faults. But it doesn’t. It has many, many faults, and almost no positives, but purporting to be Christian while not actually being Christian is not one of them.

…

The books favored political intrigue, a form that better suited the medium of books; the film, in response, is just a run-of-the-mill disaster flick, where the Rapture is the MacGuffin driving the plot. Consider: one of the characters proposes that the Rapture was caused by aliens, and the movie would be no different if this were true.

…

In fact, most Christians within the world of the movie — whether the street-preacher lady at the airport or Rayford Steele’s wife — are portrayed as insistent, crazy, delusional, or at the very least just really annoying. Steele’s wife’s conversion to Christianity is shown to have pushed her and her husband apart; we see that she’s decorated her house with crosses, throw-pillows that say “Pray” across the front, and encouraging posters.

That is the deepest conception of Christianity that this movie has: posters, pillows, and crucifixes.

Well, if you’re unhappy with stereotypes in Christian movies, let me introduce you to the atheist college professor in God’s Not Dead…

But point taken. This movie is just plain bad. It’s dismissed as an action film because it’s preachy. It’s dismissed as a Christian film because it’s not preachy enough (and, even then, it’s for the best). No one should pay money or give up time to watch this. It’s not like Cuidon is alone, either. Rotten Tomatoes gives the movie a freakishly-low 2% rating because only 1 of the 50 reviews liked it. And that review isn’t exactly screaming credibility.

I guess a lot of Christian readers were unhappy with that tepid support, though, because Christianity Today‘s Alissa Wilkinson issued a follow-up article yesterday defending the review:

I believe it is vital for Christians to recognize that they are a massive market segment who are only going to see themselves marketed toward more in the future. And I believe that it is important for Christians to realize that they can use that power to ask for better entertainment, things that actually do explore the deep, complex questions that have animated our faith for millennia. I think it’s time for Christians to quit acting like victims and instead call a spade a spade when they see it.

…

Finally, and this happens almost every time we publish a not-glowing review of a Christian film, I’ve seen some people object that we ought to basically calm down and try to support this film, and others, because it’s hard to make a film, and this one is pretty close to a Hollywood blockbuster, and it’s silly for us to criticize some films for being too preachy and then complaining when this one isn’t Christian enough. So here are a few notes on that.

It’s a very good follow-up to a blistering review. There’s nothing wrong with thinking a movie that you were supposed to like was just awful. I know atheists who were disappointed with The Unbelievers and Religulous, even though they were by atheists, for atheists. They weren’t unhappy with the message. They were unhappy because they were hoping for more substance, more of a story, less cheap religion-bashing, etc.

Cuidon did what any reviewer should do: He admitted his own biases up front and was specific about the problems he saw in the film. He didn’t hate it just for the sake of hating it. It’s incredible that readers would be angry that he didn’t just give the film a free pass.

More Proof That U.S. Military Officials Are Illegally Preaching Christianity

Once again, we have evidence that U.S. military leaders are proselytizing to the soldiers who work under them.

Jason Torpy of the Military Association of Atheists and Freethinkers points out two specific problems:

In Kuwait at 2-34 Armor battalion, the official call and response is “Fear God / Dreadnaught”. That means every person in the unit is expected* to loudly say “Fear God” and salute whenever passing a senior officer. If the statement were “Allahu Akbar” (God is Great) or “Om Muniye” (Hail Vedics), would Christians be happy to say it many times a day? They wouldn’t be happy and they shouldn’t be forced to adopt someone else’s belief.

…

* The representative also stated that saying “Fear God” during a salute is not required, but representatives were not responsive when asked what the alternative was and how those opting for the secular motto would be protected from retaliation. Stating something is optional is just lip service when, as in this case, secular alternatives are likely to draw negative attention or to eliminate benefits associated with religious default options. What soldier would want to be the one who didn’t Fear God in a unit where such a motto is put on the crest, t-shirts, and banners?

That last point is huge — even if the God-talk isn’t required, it’s like remaining seated during the Pledge of Allegiance: Who wants to attract all that unwanted attention? And why are military leaders putting soldiers in that position?

The other problem takes place at the Naval Air Station Lemoore in California, where a chaplain “sent over 1200 military personnel encouragement to attend Creationist and other fundamentalist activities for months.” Check out these quotes from a chaplain’s weekly emails:

“Please join us as we worship, fellowship, study and prepare for eternity… dinosaurs roamed only a few thousand years ago… with men. We have proof from archeology and soft tissue… not to mention sculptures from those who lived with them… Realize the theory of evolution is still a theory because there is no science to prove it ever happened… and that is a fact! We focus [on] the science that demonstrates the rationale behind the belief in an Intelligent Designer… as opposed to random chance.”

Torpy adds:

The chaplain seems to have forgotten his job is to support the beliefs of sailors, not to use his influence to push his beliefs on them. Asked about this issue months ago, the chaplain (who remains anonymous because this is about military culture and leadership not one chaplain) re-asserted his right to evangelize, re-asserted his scientific authority (without justification), and made no subsequent change in the tone or diversity of his ministerial promotions. Local commanders let the process continue for months thus giving tacit approval to one-size-fits-all chaplaincy and evangelism using official distribution lists.

Like he said, this isn’t just about stopping one or two rogue leaders. There is a culture in the military that encourages the preaching of Christianity despite the religious diversity in the ranks and the First Amendment; that’s what needs to stop. Since private letters didn’t work, maybe public exposure will have a greater effect.

Canadian Pastafarian Denied Drivers License After Requesting to Wear Colander on Head in Picture

You know what I love about Pastafarians? The devoted ones stick to their beliefs no matter the circumstances.

This past August, British Columbia resident Obi Canuel wanted to renew his driver’s license with a colander on his head, as Pastafarians often do, but he was rejected:

“The truth is sometimes I have the spiritual inkling to wear the colander and I don’t think [the Insurance Corporation of B.C.] should be making decisions about what kind of religious headgear is appropriate or not,” Canuel told CTV Vancouver.

Canuel was able to wear it, however, when he got his B.C. Services card (not his license):

The reason for the rejection was extremely vague at the time, with ICBC explaining that its head cover policy was intended to “strike a balance between respect for the driver’s religious beliefs and a need to preserve the integrity of the licensing system.” But you could also argue they were making a judgment call they shouldn’t be in the position to make.

Instead of getting his license renewed, then, Canuel got a temporary license while the ICBC looked into his situation. Then he got another temporary license.

Finally, this week, the ICBC issued its decision: Canuel isn’t getting his license at all. But he’s still sticking by his beliefs:

“They told me that they weren’t going to issue another interim license,” Canuel said. “I was unhappy, but I decided that I wasn’t going to give in, and it’s better to consider your noodles carefully before dinner.”

…

“We will always try to accommodate customers with head coverings where their faith prohibits them from removing it. Mr. Canuel was not able to provide us with any evidence that he cannot remove his head covering for his photo,” the [ICBC] company said in a statement.

The decision to deny the Pastafarian a licence means he can no longer drive legally, but that might not be a bad thing, he says.

“I’ve been getting a lot of exercise. Noodles contain a lot of carbohydrates,” he says. “His noodliness would prefer if we not dwell on the negatives.”

I love this man. He has an impenetrable attitude that says this, too, shall pasta.

And again, before you dismiss this story, remember that the ICBC’s response here is that Canuel didn’t give them evidence that he could not remove his colander. What exactly would suffice? A letter from Prophet Bobby Henderson? A verse from the Pastafarian holy book?

They’re still being vague about which religions they take seriously and which ones they don’t — and that was precisely the distinction Canuel was trying to clarify. He won’t fight the charge anymore, but the ICBC should make their position more clear than it is right now. They shouldn’t be in the business of picking and choosing who to take seriously.

(Thanks to Richard for the link. Portions of this article were published earlier)

Alaska City Assembly Votes for Inclusive Invocations, but They Will “Draw the Line on Satanists or Atheists”

***Update*** (3:40p): Reader Steven sent Assembly member Glen Thompson an email reminding him that the law says he cannot exclude atheists and Satanists if the Assembly allows invocations.

Thompson replied:

You are correct and I have officially retracted that statement. It has to be all-inclusive or not-at-all

Excellent. I assume that means Thompson will support an amendment to the ordinance to allow anyone and everyone who wants to deliver an invocation to do so.

***Update 2***: More information on his recantation here.

…

Last night, the Ketchikan Gateway Borough Assembly in Alaska decided to approve an ordinance that would allow invocation prayers at their meetings. No surprise there. Since Greece v. Galloway, many city governments have been doing just that. But one part of the ordinance seems a little off:

The Ketchikan Ministerial Association, a non-denominational group of Ketchikan clergy, is in favor of this ordinance and has offered the support of its members to provide the invocation on a rotating basis. If Ordinance 1740 is approved by the Assembly, the Clerk’s Office could coordinate with the KMA, and local clergy, for a member to provide the invocation at the beginning of each Assembly meeting.

Considering the KMA is an explicitly Christian group, that means Jews, Hindus, Muslims, Pagans, and everyone else would be shut out of the invocation-delivery business…

But at least the Assembly members realized that, right? Proposal sponsor Glen Thompson (below) sure did and he says those groups will be welcome. But just those groups:

“I don’t have a problem with having an inclusive denominations, be they Hindu, Islam, Bahai faith, Christian, what have you. I will draw the line on Satanists or atheists.”

What?! Why are we shut out? Atheists and Satanists can deliver invocations, too!

Bill Rotecki, another Assembly member, suggested adding atheists to the list of those “approved” to give invocations, but that amendment was rejected. And then the ordinance jumped right past the first hurdle.

The ordinance passed in first reading 4-3, with Rotecki, Bailey and Phillips voting no. A public hearing and second reading of the measure are scheduled for the Assembly’s Oct. 20 regular meeting.

I’m sure they’d love to hear from all of you. Be respectful but firm. Here’s their contact info:

Alan Bailey: alanb@kgbak.us
Agnes Moran: agnesm@kgbak.us
Mike Painter: mikep@kgbak.us
Todd Phillips: toddp@kgbak.us
Bill Rotecki: billr@kgbak.us
Glen Thompson: glent@kgbak.us
Jim Van Horn: jimv@kgbak.us

If the ordinance makes it through the next reading and ultimately passes, you can bet there will be a lawsuit. Why local citizens would want their elected officials to waste taxpayer money defending bigotry, I have no idea, but I’d be pissed off if I were in their snowshoes.

(Thanks to Brian for the link)