Einstein Called Faith 'Childish Superstition'

New experiment shows particles at identical speed with light

(NEWSER) - Einstein's theory apparently remains untouchable, and flabbergasted theoretical physicists can cease hyperventilating: Neutrinos do not exceed the speed of light, but they do appear to travel at the same speed as light, according to the results of a recent experiment. The new data confirm Einstein's foundational ideas and refute an experiment from last September which showed neutrinos exceeding the speed of light, threatening to turn the world of physics upside down, reports BBC News . More»

A simple loose cord may explain last year's controversy

(NEWSER) - More evidence that last year's furor over the accuracy of Albert Einstein's work got blown way out of proportion: Physicists believed they'd seen particles traveling faster than light , a phenomenon that would disprove the theory of relativity. But the controversial observations may have been the result of nothing more than a loose wire, experts say. A GPS error may have caused the mistake, says a scientist at CERN, where the initial results were reported. More»

Drew Barrymore, converting to Judaism, is the latest

(NEWSER) - Drew Barrymore is getting married , but first she's—reportedly—converting to Judaism, the religion fiance Will Kopelman practices. She follows the tradition of these seven other celebrity spouses (or not-quite-spouses) who did the same thing, notes The Frisky :

• Isla Fisher: Converted to Judaism for Sacha Baron Cohen.
• Jesus Luz: Started following Kabbalah for Madonna.

More than half of activists don't foresee a warming problem—ever

(NEWSER) - The Tea Party movement is highly skeptical of the threat posed by—and, in some cases, the existence of—global warming, finds a New York Times /CBS poll. Just 14% of Tea Partiers believe warming is currently taking effect, as opposed to 49% of the rest of Americans. More than 50% of the movement doesn’t think global warming will ever pose serious danger. More»

It hurts, but it's a necessary comfort in an uncertain world

(NEWSER) - Taffy Brodesser-Akner believes that circumcision is “brutal” mutilation. So why did she subject her sons, and herself, to the traditional Jewish bris—even as she suffered “self-loathing” for what she was putting them through? She traces her Jewish upbringing, denouncement of religion, and eventual return to the faith in a thoughtful Salon column , ultimately realizing that even though she leaves room “for the idea that religion is a made-up superstition whose goal is to function in exactly the way I'm using it,” she still needs to cling to it as a parent. More»