Robert Ingersoll

Brilliant words not written today by the new atheists but rather written in the late 1800s by the brilliant Robert Ingersoll. He really irritated the clergy.

Religion & Mississippi

A new bill in the Mississippi state legislature forbids condom demonstrations in sex-ed classes.  And this state has:

• the highest rate of teen mothers
• the highest rate of young adult HIV
• the distinction of being the most religious state in the US

But remember - religion makes the world a better place right?

Leaving Religion

Or more precisely, leaving Islam.

Kimberly Winston at Religion News Service wrote a riveting story about a young woman in America leaving, no, running away from her family because her uncle said he would "honor kill" her (again, in America) if she didn't agree to an arranged marriage.  The woman (her real identity is secret to protect her from - her family) had doubts about her religion at an early age and is now an atheist.  This is a story about bravery and guts - and I recommend it.  It's interesting to note that Christianity was guilty of similar crimes (burning people alive to "save" them) centuries ago.  Indeed, I would have been killed for writing this blog.

Marriage

The fact that you can't sell your daughter 

for three goats and a cow means

we have already redefined marriage.

Hysterical!

I haven't even read the article but I had to share the illustration - this is so funny on so many different levels.  And who are the blue guys in goggles on the lower left?  If home schooled kids are taught this - heaven (so to speak) help us!

Religion Does Not Make You More Generous

Somehow I am not surprised by this study which shows that faith doesn't make you more likely to be generous, love your neighbor, etc.

The Least Bible-Minded City in America

Damnit - Portland Maine beats Portland Oregon - but 65 out of 96 isn't too bad I suppose.