ريتشارد دوكنز's Blog, page 106

Despite Chaos and Controversy, Trump Favorability Stable Throughout 2019

By PRRI Staff More Americans viewed President Donald Trump unfavorably (55%) than favorably (41%) throughout most of the 2019 calendar year. In a series of surveys conducted weekly from late March through December, totaling more than 40,000 interviews, Trump’s overall favorability rating ranged between 46% and 33%. The proportion of Americans with unfavorable views of …

The universe could possibly have more dimensions. Here’s how.

By Paul Sutter String theory is a purported theory of everything that physicists hope will one day explain … everything. All the forces, all the particles, all the constants, all the things under a single theoretical roof, where everything that we see is the result of tiny, vibrating strings. Theorists have been working on the idea …

Son of pastor John MacArthur charged in $16 million investment scheme

By Alejandra Molina A complaint was filed against Mark MacArthur, son of evangelical pastor and radio host John MacArthur, alleging the younger MacArthur and his former business partner defrauded clients in a $16 million investment scheme. The Securities and Exchange Commission on Feb. 12 charged the California-based investment advisory firm Criterion Wealth Management Insurance Services …

Saudi rapper faces arrest for Mecca Girl music video

By the BBC Saudi officials have called for the arrest of a female rapper who released a music video for her song Mecca Girl that praises women from the holy city as “powerful and beautiful”. Social media users reacted angrily, calling the authorities “hypocritical”. In 2018 the crown prince of the conservative country began a …

A (Real) Military Trial Took Place at Liberty U., With Students as Lawyers

By Hemant Mehta Not long ago, a military dog noticed the scent of drugs coming out of the dorm room of a man in the Air Force. When officers investigated, the dog signaled to its handlers that the drugs were on the airman… but nothing was found on his body, or in his belongings, or in …

Supreme Court to decide whether faith-based foster-care agencies can reject same-sex couples

By Pete Williams The Supreme Court said Monday it will take up a dispute between the city of Philadelphia and a Catholic charity over the suitability of same-sex parents to provide foster care. The issue is when enforcement of laws against discrimination goes too far, violating religious freedom. The case could lead the court to reconsider its 30-year-old …

Katherine Johnson, NASA mathematician depicted in ‘Hidden Figures,’ dies at 101

By Elisha Fieldstadt Katherine Johnson, one of the NASA mathematicians depicted in “Hidden Figures,” died Monday, the administrator of NASA said. She was 101. Johnson “was an American hero and her pioneering legacy will never be forgotten,” NASA administrator Jim Bridenstine wrote on Twitter. Johnson was portrayed by Taraji P. Henson in the Oscar-nominated 2016 …

Iowa Legislators Are Considering Nine Bills Promoting Christian Nationalism

By Andrew Seidel Iowa legislators have proposed nine bills out of the Project Blitz handbook. Nine bills. That’s more than any other state. Christian nationalism is on the march in the Iowa Capitol. Project Blitz is an explicit Christian nationalist campaign to rewrite American history and the American identity. Project Blitz seeks to redefine patriotism — so that to …

Christian Bigot Calls Pete Buttigieg a “Recruiting Machine” for Homosexuality

By Hemant Mehta During a campaign event over the weekend, a nine-year-old boy asked Democrat Pete Buttigieg how he could be brave when it came to telling people he’s gay. A powerful question, no doubt. Buttigieg responded by telling the kid he didn’t “need a lot of advice from me on bravery.” He went on to explain …

Catholic charity founder sexually abused women, says report

By the Associated Press A respected Catholic figure who worked to improve conditions for people with developmental disabilities for more than half a century sexually abused at least six women during most of that period, according to a report released on Saturday by the France-based charity he founded. The report produced for L’Arche International said …