Most atheists will tell you that the fact of holding a cosmological view that the universe operates without a designer is a statement about nature, and is not connected in any way, shape or form, to a movement. In fact, a number of atheists are disbelievers specifically because of the tendency for religions to exert their grasp in all aspects of life. It's important, however, to note that theories and ideas ...

Many readers on this site may be too young to remember televangelist Peter Popoff. The only reason I know of him is due in no small part to magician and skeptic James Randi. Popoff was a faith healer who achieved fame by making startling predictions about people's ailments during his church services. He was even able to recite their address, as though God had given him a cosmic phone. Obviously skeptical of ...

A recent article on BBCNEWS reports a tiny Christian minority in Pakistan is facing dire threats to convert to Islam or face annihilation. The group has asked the government to provide protection, though it feels not enough is being done to keep them safe. I just feel the need to ask: just what exactly is the point of converting these people? Evidently you cannot force someone to believe what you do, partic ...

Big news today in the world of politics and religion; a certain televangelist, Jerry Falwell, collapsed and died yesterday afternoon, presumably from cardiac arrest. Now, with a man like Falwell, there's quite a bit to say, most of which is unflattering. For most of you unfamiliar with him, this is the same man who declared AIDS was a punishment from God for the immorality of homosexuality, pagans, the ACLU ...

A slightly ironic story appeared on NBC's website today concerning an Alcoholics Anonymous group being banned from holding meetings in a Presbyterian church in Rockville, Maryland for sexual misconduct. Church officials complained the group was operating like a cult. Now, I'm no fan of AA. In fact, I'm very much against the organization; Alcoholics Anonymous is indeed a religious cult, forcing members to de ...

In December of last year, I began work on a book entitled The Good Atheist. The reason for wanting to write this book was a reaction to the events happening all around us; from the violent sectarian uprisings in the Muslim world, to the growing Christian fundamentalist movement in America. I wanted to try and combat the problem of growing religious intolerance and hatred. The problem of growing fundamental ...