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NEWS ABOUT: atheism

Author Hitchens Has Esophageal Cancer

He has to scale back book tour to get chemotherapy

(AP) - British author and famous atheist Christopher Hitchens says he must undergo chemotherapy on his esophagus and has canceled some engagements. The 61-year-old Hitchens, whose most recent book, Hitch-22, is on Publishers Weekly's best-sellers list, posted a message on his publisher's website that he had been told by his doctor that... More »

Atheist Teacher Claims 'Holy Water Attack' by Colleagues

Teachers say it was perfume—and a joke

(Newser) - In another case of teachers donning the dunce cap, a pair of Florida women have been relegated to desk duty after they were accused of spritzing a fellow teacher who's an atheist with holy water. An atheist apparently without a sense of humor. In front of her class. The two... More »

Atheists Ask Obama to Scrap Day of Prayer

They prefer 'National Day of Reason'

(Newser) - The American Humanist Association wants Barack Obama to declare a “National Day of Reason” on May 6, instead of a National Day of Prayer. A federal judge last week declared the National Day of Prayer unconstitutional, saying it was an “inherently religious exercise that serves no secular function,... More »

2,500 Atheists Gather in Melbourne

Global Atheist Convention thought to be largest meeting of godless ever

(Newser) - If ever there was a group unafraid of a vengeful lightning bolt, it's the 2,500 atheists converging on Melbourne—likely the largest concentration of godless thinkers ever. The Global Atheist Convention says it doesn't intend to proselytize, and in fact discourages any “missionary zeal." Still, the convention... More »

Atheist Ads Hit California

Ad campaign for nonbelievers reaches coast to coast

(Newser) - Got God? You're not alone if you don't, and a new California ad campaign wants you to know that's OK. The agnostic/atheist organization United Coalition of Reason 's ads reassure nonbelievers that millions share their position, and has now officially reached more than a dozen cities coast-to-coast from Manhattan and... More »

Right-Wingers Go Ballistic Over Avatar

Anti-military sci-fi 'hippies' giving conservatives fits

(Newser) - Here's one more thing that's sure to rocket hyper-popular Avatar to even greater heights: right-wingers hate it. America's "prickly cadre of political conservatives" can't stand its eco message, negative portrayal of vicious military contractors and its "can't-we-all-get along counterculture vibe," writes Patrick Goldstein in the Los Angeles ... More »

Irish Atheists Use Carlin to Flout Law on Blasphemy

Zappa, Bjork and Jesus also make list of no-no quotations

(Newser) - An atheist group in Ireland thinks a new law against blasphemy is "silly and dangerous," and it's using everyone from Jesus to George Carlin to support its case. The Atheist Ireland website has put up 25 quotes it says would run afoul of the 2-day-old law, which forbids... More »

Atheist Ads to Hit NYC Subways

Coalition to launch godless monthlong campaign

(Newser) - Eight atheist organizations are the creators of a unique month-long ad campaign beginning next week in Manhattan subways that will challenge the belief in God. "A million New Yorkers are good without God. Are you?" the ads will ask on posters featuring blue sky and clouds. Because the city's... More »

Atheists Split Over How Mean to Be to Faithful

'New atheists' want to decry religion, not just promote secularism

(Newser) - Can a non-religion schism? Maybe that’s too dramatic a phrase, but there’s a rift growing between so-called “new atheists,” who favor an aggressive, mocking stance toward religion, and the old live-and-let-live kind. On “Blasphemy Day” last month, for example, new atheists were out in force,... More »

Facebook: Defining Religion in 100 Characters

From agnostics to Jedis, users wonder how to sum up views

(Newser) - It could be a quick question: What's your religion? But Facebook’s request for that information has led many to review and revise their beliefs to fit into a 100-character space, the Washington Post reports. Answers range from Christian, Facebook’s most popular belief system, to a professed belief in... More »

Atheist Campers Learn Archery, Swimming, Skepticism

Nonbelievers' kids need fresh air, too

(Newser) - Atheist parents have it rough: They can't exactly pack the kids off to Bible camp for the summer. That’s changing, thanks in part to establishments like Camp Quest, a humanist-staffed getaway that promotes skepticism. Counselors teach the scientific method and deliver lectures about famous free thinkers. Kids are... More »

Turkish Game Show Tries to Convert Atheists

Imams, priests, rabbis, and monks given chance to convert unbelievers live on TV

(Newser) - This was probably only a matter of time: A Turkish game show starting this fall will bring on 10 atheists per show and give holy men from four faiths the chance to convert them, the Guardian reports. A Muslim imam, a Greek Orthodox priest, a rabbi, and a Buddhist monk... More »

US Atheists Step 'Out of Closet'

Growing movement seeks acceptance, not members

(Newser) - Atheists across the country are turning up the volume, gathering openly and advertising their lack of faith, the New York Times reports. Their goal isn’t to win others over—“The most important thing is coming out of the closet,” said one activist—and win acceptance for their... More »

Atheist Bus Ads Draw Fire from UK Christians

Complaints say campaign breaks requirements of 'truthfulness and substantiation'

(Newser) - A series of pro-atheism ads on London buses have prompted nearly 150 complaints to Britain’s advertising regulator, the Guardian reports. The complaints largely claim that the ads, which declare, “There is probably no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life,” are offensive to monotheists and break... More »

Ky. Atheists Fight 'Foolish' Security Law

Amendment says state relies on 'almighty God' for protection

(Newser) - Atheists are kicking up an almighty fuss about legislation that states Kentucky's safety and security can only be achieved through reliance on God, the Chicago Tribune reports. Bluegrass State unbelievers have filed a lawsuit seeking to have the offending law repealed, saying they fear their security may be in the... More »

Bookie Drops Odds on God's Existence to 4-1

(Newser) - The odds are getting better that Nietzsche was not only crazy, but wrong, the Telegraph reports. An Irish bookmaker has lowered the odds on finding proof of God's existence to 4-1, after atheist ads on London buses sparked a flurry of pro-God betting. The bookie, Paddy Power, began taking the... More »

Dawkins to Battle the Harry Potter 'Delusion'

Atheist author will write children's book to wean kids from magic

(Newser) - Evengelical atheist Richard Dawkins will take on Harry Potter in his next book, the Daily Telegraph reports. The God Delusion author is working on a book aimed at teaching children not to put their faith in "anti-scientific" fairytales. The professor plans to examine what effect raising children on stories... More »

UK Group Raises $80K for Atheist Bus Ads

Fundraising target far surpassed, campaign may expand nationwide

(Newser) - A campaign to plaster London buses with agnostic advertising has far exceeded its fundraising goal, the Guardian reports. The ads, aimed to counter what one writer sees as overbearing Christian messages, will say, “There’s probably no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life.” Organizers have raised... More »

Christianity in China Grows Quickly, Quietly

Government puts total enrollment at 21M; others say 130M

(Newser) - Despite government restrictions, Christianity in China is widespread and growing. Authorities typically look the other way, occasionally applying pressure that only seems to spread religion's influence, reports the Economist. Most of the Protestant "house churches" consist of 25 people—the largest legal gathering—where new Christians lead newer converts... More »

Pragmatism Dictates China's Religious Policy

Strategic chip firm given leeway for Christian worship

(Newser) - China officially sanctions religious worship only at state facilities, but the Christian Science Monitor finds that plenty of wiggle room exists in the business world. It profiles one company whose Christian CEO is allowed to put up a church at every worksite. Why such accommodation in a formally atheist state?... More »

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