By George Kane
On November 10 the Journal of Law and Public Policy conducted a symposium on “Intelligent Design and the Constitution” at the University of St. Thomas School of Law. This free and open-to-the public event was not advertised at all in the local freethought community. It seemed to me that the great majority of the audience was from St. Thomas. A large number were law students, identifiable by their youth and uniform dark grey suit, white shirt and tie. From the questions asked, there was no indication that there was another atheist in the audience.
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Read more: Local Events Show Intelligent Design in Public Education is Still Contentious
Book Review
By James Zimmerman
The Atheist’s Bible Companion to the New Testament, by Mike Davis.
©2009, Outskirts Press, 460 pages
If you’ve ever wondered how there can be so many branches of Christianity, with each denomination somehow able to back up its doctrines with scripture, look no further. The Atheist’s Bible Companion to the New Testament breaks down those 27 little books and shows them for what they really are: a collection of ramblings capable of ‘proving’ nearly any theological standpoint a Christian desires to hold. Davis’ bible commentary offers a logical, realistic look at the New Testament – verse by verse.
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Read more: The Atheist's Bible Companion to the New Testament, by Mike Davis
By Jeannette Watland
Christmas day saw me sitting around a table eating Dim Sum in a Chinese restaurant with about nine other atheists. At one point during the meal, one of the diners told the table that this has been the first Christmas in awhile that has actually meant something. I’m lucky enough to have a family that supports my atheism, but the sad reality is that many of us do not. Providing an alternative on a religious holiday normally shared with family not only gives us something to do when everyone else is out, but is also an example of community in Minnesota Atheists.
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Read more: President's Column: My Family of Cats
By Eric Jayne
How is it that a well educated biology teacher refuses to accept the scientific theory of evolution by natural selection? How is it that otherwise articulate and intelligent people believe in ghosts, angels, demons, and literal interpretations of bible stories? In his book Why People Believe Weird Things, Michael Shermer posits that “smart people believe weird things because they are skilled at defending beliefs they arrived at for non-smart reasons.” I can think of no better institution supporting Shermer’s hypothesis than Northwestern College in Roseville.
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Read more: Northwestern College offers one Hell of an Education
By George Kane
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in October criticized the anti-defamation policies that are repeatedly proposed at the United Nations by the members of the Organization of the Islamic Conference. Clinton stated that “an individual's ability to practice his or her religion has no bearing on others' freedom of speech.” This statement is a substantial improvement over the UN resolution that had been jointly sponsored earlier that month by the United States and Egypt that sought to balance freedom of speech with protection for religion.
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