Hemant Mehta's Blog, page 1940

Watch Matt Dillahunty Explain and Obliterate Pascal’s Wager

In the first video for his Atheist Debates project, Matt Dillahunty explains the idea of Pascal’s Wager in tremendous depth… and then demolishes the entire awful argument:

It’s a half-hour video, but Dillahunty uses the time wisely. Can’t wait to see where he goes with his next video.

Victor Stenger, Physicist and Prolific Atheist Author, is Dead at 79

Dr. Victor J. Stenger, the physicist and prolific author who wrote the 2007 New York Times bestseller God: The Failed Hypothesis, died late Wednesday night in Hawaii at the age of 79. Phylliss, his wife of more than 50 years, told me via email that the cause was “an aneurysm next to his heart.” He will be cremated on Saturday and a memorial will be held in Honolulu on Sunday.

Stenger had a somewhat lower profile than the other “New Atheist” authors, but his books, which he dished out year after year, offered up explanations of how the universe works and how it came to be, without resorting to supernatural explanations. God: The Failed Hypothesis was the first NYT bestseller in (secular publisher) Prometheus Books’ history. But even if you didn’t read his books, you may have heard his memorable phrase, “Science flies you to the moon. Religion flies you into buildings.”

As I write this, there’s a copy of his massive forthcoming book God and the Multiverse right next to me. I’ll post an excerpt soon, but it tackles many of the biggest questions we can ever think about, such as whether the universe has a beginning, the possibility of a multiverse, and the parameters needed for life on other planets. That’s the sort of thinker he was.

I’ve reached out to those who knew him for comments.

Below are some clips of Stenger in action, in a debate against Christian apologist William Lane Craig, on an episode of The Atheist Experience, and on a 2009 panel discussion for the Center For Inquiry alongside Richard Dawkins, Neil deGrasse Tyson, and Ann Druyan (moderated by D.J. Grothe):

Grothe offered this personal statement to me in reaction to Stenger’s death:

Vic was an unassuming physicist and teacher who took on the challenge taking science out of the classroom and applied it to some of our most sacred cows, from psychics and New Age belief to Intelligent Design creationism. Most important I think was his fearless work showing how science actually disproves God, rather than just saying as other scientists did that science “had no need of that hypothesis.” But what I’ll remember most is his kindness: he wasn’t just about proving believers wrong, but about educating them, helping them see what is right, because he wanted to help those who believed harmful nonsense. It’s a sad loss, and he’ll be missed.

More statements will be coming soon.

(Image via Wikipedia)

Former InterVarsity Leader at Vanderbilt: We Were “Kicked Off Campus for Being the Wrong Kind of Christians”

Since 2011, Vanderbilt University has upheld an “all comers” policy when it comes to regulating leadership in student groups on campus. The policy says that no student can be barred from a leadership role on the basis of ideological grounds — namely, you don’t have to be a Christian to run for office in a Christian group.

When the policy kicked in years ago, 14 religious groups lost their organizational status rather than adapting to the new policy. One of them was Vanderbilt’s Graduate Christian Fellowship. And this week, one of their former leaders, Tish Harrison Warren, wrote for Christianity Today that her group was “kicked off campus for being the wrong kind of Christians”:

At first I thought this was all a misunderstanding that could be sorted out between reasonable parties. If I could explain to the administration that doctrinal statements are an important part of religious expression — an ancient, enduring practice that would be a given for respected thinkers like Thomas Aquinas — then surely they’d see that creedal communities are intellectually valid and permissible. If we could show that we weren’t homophobic culture warriors but friendly, thoughtful evangelicals committed to a diverse, flourishing campus, then the administration and religious groups could find common ground…

But as I met with other administrators, the tone began to change. The word discrimination began to be used — a lot — specifically in regard to creedal requirements. It was lobbed like a grenade to end all argument. Administrators compared Christian students to 1960s segregationists. I once mustered courage to ask them if they truly thought it was fair to equate racial prejudice with asking Bible study leaders to affirm the Resurrection. The vice chancellor replied, “Creedal discrimination is still discrimination.”

Here’s the thing: Members of groups like Harrison Wilson’s are perfectly free to operate under leaders who best represent their goals for the group. The key is that they have to elect those leaders, and they can’t pull anyone out of the running for believing differently. Hell, they technically could elect someone with opposing beliefs — but why would they? Where are they seeing a threat?

Hemant has written before about student organizations who feared that open policies like this one would lead to infiltration by atheists or gays or some other non-ideal group, who would eventually take over. (As if we would. Ain’t nobody got time for that.) I don’t think that’s what is happening here, though. Harrison Wilson is perplexed by the notion that banning student leaders from expressing certain beliefs — because student groups are fundamentally forums for expression — is discrimination.

She is especially thrown by this because she perceived her group — and her faith — as “pluralistic,” valuing social justice, philosophy and diversity of membership:

The line between good and evil was drawn by two issues: creedal belief and sexual expression. If religious groups required set truths or limited sexual autonomy, they were bad — not just wrong but evil, narrow-minded, and too dangerous to be tolerated on campus.

It didn’t matter to them if we were politically or racially diverse, if we cared about the environment or built Habitat homes. It didn’t matter if our students were top in their fields and some of the kindest, most thoughtful, most compassionate leaders on campus. There was a line in the sand, and we fell on the wrong side of it.

Let’s flip this scenario around. Let’s say a person comes to a campus LGBT organization’s meeting and tells the group there calmly that he doesn’t believe in marriage equality. Can they debate with him? Certainly. Can the group president pull the person aside after the meeting and ask to have a one-on-one conversation about it? Sure. Challenging one another’s beliefs is a-okay.

But as long as s/he is not harassing anyone, that person cannot be asked to leave. Content-based discrimination violates the First Amendment, stifles discussion, and shuts out underrepresented groups.

Here’s Harrison Wilson’s misguided thesis:

In effect, the new policy privileged certain belief groups and forbade all others. [No... but the old policy did that.]

Religious organizations were welcome as long as they were malleable: as long as their leaders didn’t need to profess anything in particular; as long as they could be governed by sheer democracy and adjust to popular mores or trends; as long as they didn’t prioritize theological stability. Creedal statements were allowed, but as an accessory, a historic document, or a suggested guideline. They could not have binding authority to shape or govern the teaching and practices of a campus religious community.

Beliefs are not forbidden under this policy. Rather, freedom from creedal requirements encourages students to bring those beliefs to the forefront of conversation, comparing, contrasting, and counter-pointing; isn’t discussion so much more beneficial and engaging when there are different viewpoints represented? Colleges and universities, even Christian ones, are sites of inquiry and collaboration and exchanges of ideas. These processes cannot happen if individuals are mechanically shut out of the system on the basis of belief.

Atheists legally must be allowed to run for leadership positions in religious groups, but students aren’t required to vote for them. Clubs must uphold everyone’s right to free expression in their operation, but members are not obligated to denounce or hide their beliefs. The author is mistaking an inclusive organizational culture for a personal attack on her faith. This isn’t about being the “right” or “wrong” kind of Christian; it’s about leveling the playing field for every kind of Christian and non-Christian alike.

Man Claiming to Be the “Dark Lord” Arrested for Burning Up and Urinating on a Bible on Church Property

Last night, a representative from Prescott, Arizona’s Gospel Rescue Mission called the police because he saw someone burning something on the front steps of the building.

It turns out that 22-year-old Eric Minerault (below) was burning up and urinating on a wet Bible.

He was dressed in black and was wearing a long, black and red robe and a pentagram necklace… He said that he chose the mission because he believed it was a place of Christian worship and he was “cursing the Christians”. The officers asked him why and he said because he is the “Dark Lord”.

Minerault was charged with “Unlawful Symbol Burning” and put in a detention facility.

In case, like me, you were wondering how burning a symbol was a crime, this particular state law only applies when you’re burning a symbol on someone else’s property without their permission and with the intent to intimidate others. Makes sense.

What he did was stupid, whatever his reasons were. It’s one thing to desecrate a symbol in protest; it’s another to damage church property in the process.

Minerault didn’t immediately respond to my requests for comment. I’ve also reached out to the Mission to find out if there was any property damage and if they needed any help.

***Update***: A Mission official told me (via email): “the young man was never able to light the fire he wanted so there is no damage or need for clean up.” Glad to hear that.

(via The Smoking Gun. Thanks to Dave for the link)

Disturbing Video Surfaces of Christian Family Beating Gay Son

For every heartwarming coming-out story, there’s one that will make you sick.

Daniel Ashley Pierce, a 20-year-old from Georgia, has one of those stories. He came out several months ago to an “unresponsive” family, but this week, he managed to film an abusive altercation between them about his sexual orientation. His friend posted the video on YouTube under the title “How Not To React When Your Child Tells You He’s Gay.”

(Warning: This video is disturbing and contains graphic language, and it may be triggering to some.)

For those who aren’t watching, the video begins with Pierce’s family members telling him that his “choice” goes against the word of God, and that he is no longer welcome to live in their home. When he challenges them, his father and grandparents join in the harassment, yelling slurs at him and cursing at him. Eventually, the camera shakes and you can hear his family members physically beating him as he screams for them to stop.

“No, you can believe that if you want to,” a woman, presumably his grandmother, can be heard saying, “but I believe in the word of God, and God creates nobody that way. It’s a path that you have chosen to choose. … You go by all the scientific stuff you want to. I’m going by the word of God.” She goes on to say that since Pierce has “chosen that path” they will no longer support him and he needs to move out because she “will not let people believe that I condone what you do.”

Pierce spoke to the Huffington Post about what happened:

“Their reaction was pretty much expected [once] I chose to leave instead of pray because they have always been very vocal about not supporting the gay lifestyle,” he told HuffPost. “My [stepmother's] reaction was the most surprising and hurtful.”

The family members involved in the intervention, which he says was “driven by my grandparents,” have not contacted the media, but they left Pierce a voicemail telling him to remove the video of the incident from YouTube. Pierce also says he did not contact police over the apparent altercation in the video.

Pierce’s friends have started a GoFundMe campaign to help cover his expenses, so if you’ve got the means, consider donating here. Keep in mind the family’s justification for abusing their son: the word of God. I could rant for days about how despicable this is and still not find the right words. My heart is broken.

Florida Mayor Kicks Atheist Out of City Commission Meeting After He Doesn’t Stand for the Invocation or Pledge

At yesterday’s meeting of the Winter Garden City Commissioners (in Florida), Mayor John Rees announced that they would begin with an invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance, as many government meetings do, and asked everyone to stand up.

John Thoreau, an atheist, remained seated. Normally, that would be irrelevant since he has every right to do that, but Rees had other ideas.

As the first syllable of the invocation was uttered, Rees told everyone to hold up because Thoreau was still sitting down…

Rees singles out Thoreau for not standing up

Rees: We’re waiting for everyone to rise.

Thoreau: Sorry, are you waiting for me?

Rees: Yes, sir.

Thoreau: I don’t have to.

Rees: Well, we appreciate — you may rise or you may leave the room as we give our prayer and our Pledge of allegiance to the flag.

Thoreau: I don’t believe I have to do that, thank you.

Rees: I believe you have to [unintelligible]…

Rees didn’t press it and the sectarian invocation (in Jesus’ name) continued. Then when it time for the Pledge, the conversation started up again:

Rees: Now, sir, please stand while we do the Pledge… please stand. Children have to do it in school, too.

Thoreau: Yes, and they don’t have to be there…

Rees: This is respect for our country…

Thoreau: I understand that, sir.

Rees: You have one of two choices, sir. You may please stand for the Pledge. You don’t have to say it. Please stand.

Thoreau: I don’t have to do that.

Rees: Okay…

Audience member: Just stand up, man.

Rees: [I'm] asking you to either stand or please be escorted out [as we do] the Pledge. It’s just not fair to our troops and people overseas, sir.

Cop: What do you want to do? Do you want to stand or leave?

Thoreau, a member of the Central Florida Freethought Community, was quickly taken out of the room.

The Freedom From Religion Foundation wrote a letter to the city today spelling out the constitutional violations of which the Mayor is guilty and telling them how they must remedy the situation:

(1) The government may not force citizens to stand for the Pledge of allegiance.

(2) Government officials may not ask citizens to stand for prayers or, (3) say prayers themselves.

…

To remedy the Pledge violation, at the next meeting, Mayor Rees ought to explain that citizens are within their rights to remain sitting for the Pledge and that it does not reflect a lack of patriotism… [Police] Chief [George] Brennan should make a similar statement. Patriotism and religiosity are not one and the same…

To show solidarity with Thoreau, several atheist members of the CFFC will attend the city’s next meeting in two weeks and remain seated during the invocation and Pledge. (That should be fun.)

I should point out that “John Thoreau” is a pseudonym because the real person doesn’t want to face any public backlash or threats.

That the Mayor doesn’t understand First Amendment rights is appalling. That he would single out one member of the crowd for not standing is even worse. Can you imagine how much more awful it would’ve been if this was a teacher calling out a teenager in the classroom?

Director of Seventh-day Adventist Alternative School Arrested for Child Neglect

Miracle Meadows School is a Seventh-day Adventist-run alternative school in Salem, West Virginia. Tuition is $2,900 a month, and the school meets year-round. They encourage parents to send their children there if they’re being dishonest, defiant, or experiencing “spiritual disinterest” (as if that’s a problem…).

And their staff is top notch:

Staff are constant role models, with a divine commission to live as examples of God’s high calling, inspiring the students to follow their lead in responsible Christian living.

So how’s all that working out for them?

Just check out this recent headline in The Exponent Telegram:

The head of the school, Susan Gayle Clark, 68, of Pennsboro, turned herself in Friday afternoon at Harrison County Magistrate Court to face two felony charges of child neglect resulting in injury. She also is charged by Harrison Sheriff’s Sgt. Rob Waybright with three misdemeanors: Two counts of failure to report and one count of obstructing.

…

Additionally, Waybright brought more charges against custodian Timothy Aaron Arrington, 36, of Salem. Arrington was charged with three counts of child abuse creating risk of serious injury.

Just to give you one example of what they did, Clark tightly handcuffed a 14-year-old student because she suspected him of “sexual misconduct” and kept him overnight in a “quarantine room.” His wrists were bloody the next day.

For the time being, all the students are in the custody of the state’s Department of Health and Human Resources and the school’s status as a registered alternative boarding school has been revoked (for now).

There’s a lovely Christian school for you, run by people who have no business being around children but who think God will guide them in the right direction (which, apparently, is jail).

Meanwhile, the students (many of whom, arguably, have no business being there) are the ones who are really screwed over, having to deal with all this when they should really be getting a proper education from qualified individuals.

Let’s hope justice is served and the students get some real help.

Why Are Soldiers in Fort Gordon’s Army Substance Abuse Program Being Given Copies of “The Purpose Driven Life”?

***Update***: MRFF’s second letter to Major General Patterson, sent today, can be read here.

…

At Fort Gordon in Georgia, military personnel who have substance abuse problems may be directed by their superiors to go into the “Army Substance Abuse Program“:

Soldiers are encouraged to seek help voluntarily for drug and alcohol problems. While self-referral is the preferred method of identification, commanders are also responsible for identifying Soldiers at risk and for referring them to the ASAP for evaluation by the counseling staff and for supporting the recommended intervention and rehabilitation.

All of that is perfectly fine… but according to the Military Religious Freedom Foundation‘s Mikey Weinstein, one of the recovery “tools” being handed to soldiers is a copy of Pastor Rick Warren‘s book The Purpose Driven Life. Because Jesus is the government’s path to recovery.

In a letter sent to Major General LaWarren Patterson, Weinstein explained the problem:

Not only does it violate the United States Constitution’s First Amendment (No Establishment Clause) but it also violates Clause 3, Article VI’s “No Religious Test” provision. Further, it also absolutely and indefensibly violates foundational DoD Instructions strictly prohibiting the endorsement of non-federal entities as well as prohibiting the provision of selective benefits to same.

He added that of the 34 MRFF members at Fort Gordon, 31 of them are Protestants or Roman Catholic — so this is hardly an attack on Christianity. It’s a defense of neutrality.

No word yet on whether Patterson will act on the letter, but this is a pretty clear cut violation of the law. Even if the books were donated, it doesn’t matter. (I’m sure a Wiccan, atheist, or Muslim group would be happy to donate books of their own if the Army will hand them out to soldiers.)

Oklahoma Judge Strikes Down Vouchers for Special Needs’ Students Because Public Money Was Going to Religious Schools

Oklahoma passed a law in 2010, the Lindsey Nicole Henry Scholarships for Students with Disabilities act, that provided vouchers to students with special needs. The students could attend one of 49 private schools with the help of taxpayer funding.

But there was a major problem. 43 of those 49 schools were religious. (Only six actually specialized in special needs students.)

A sample of the approved schools

Last November, a legal challenge from a couple of public school districts was tossed out by the state’s Supreme Court because a judge said they didn’t have standing as taxpayers. So a dozen individual plaintiffs sued again and, yesterday, a district judge ruled in their favor:

“Introducing government into private and parochial schools is not what we should be doing. So I am pleased with the ruling,” said Melissa Abdo, one of 12 plaintiffs in the case filed last October.

…

Former Jenks Superintendent Kirby Lehman, who is a plaintiff and was in the courtroom for the ruling, said the judge said the law was unconstitutional because it “violates the no-aid-to-religion clause” in the Oklahoma Constitution.

“This is a step in the right direction,” he said.

Damn right it is.

Attorney General Scott Pruitt says he’ll appeal the ruling, but it seems irresponsible to fight for children to receive public money to attend religious schools, most of which can’t even handle their special needs. The money could surely be used to support those students in other ways.

(Thanks to Jarrett for the link)

22 Reasons to Stop Believing in God

The video below, part of The Atheist Voice series, discusses 22 reasons to stop believing in God:

A rough transcript of the video can be found on the YouTube page in the “About” section.

We’d love to hear your thoughts on the project — more videos will be posted soon — and we’d also appreciate your suggestions as to which questions we ought to tackle next!

And if you like what you’re seeing, please consider supporting this site on Patreon.