Secular Groups Left Out of Office of Religious Freedom Announcement

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Feb. 19, 2013) - Humanist Canada and Centre for Inquiry (CFI), the two largest secular organizations in Canada, today released a joint statement in response to the announcement of the Office of Religious Freedom, which calls on Minister Baird to include the perspectives of the non-religious in the new office.
The Office of Religious Freedom will be an agency under the Foreign Ministry which investigates discrimination on the basis of religion. No secular groups were consulted or invited to participate in the announcement. "We are deeply concerned that this will set a precedent for future operations of this agency," said Humanist Canada's President, Simon Parcher. "It's imperative that the Government of Canada protect the rights of those who choose to live a life without religion."
Accompanying the statement was a report from the CFI Office of Public Policy which details International cases of discrimination against non-religious people. "In many parts of the world the very existence of atheism is outlawed," said Michael Payton, Director of CFI Canada, "in some cases punishable by death."
Both groups stated that while they applaud the diversity displayed by the announcement, they are concerned that the Foreign Minister may ignore the plight of non-religious people across the world.
In September 2012, speaking to the UN, Minister Baird stated, "we don't see agnosticism or atheism as being in need of defence in the same way persecuted religious minorities are."

Dan Savage discusses bible at High School Journalism convention

Imagine No Religion 2

KEEP THE FAITH—BUT NOT IN OUR SCHOOLS

The Canadian Secular Alliance and its allies are hosting a rally in front of the Legislature at Queen's Park on Sunday September 18 from 1:30-3:30 p.m. to demand:

• The end of the over $500 million taxpayer subsidization for the promotion of the Roman Catholic religion. Public funding for the expensive duplicate school system must be eliminated to provide one secular publicly funded school system.

• The protection of equality rights for all students—including gay students—by ending the constitutional privilege afforded Roman Catholics to overrule legislation and the courts in favour of religious dogma.

"Equality for all students means ending privileged access to public schools for favoured religious services," says CSA President Greg Oliver.

Speakers represent a cross section of the religious and non-religious.

More information: http://secularalliance.ca

Atheists Raise $3 Million in Microfinance Loans To Alleviate Poverty

In just over two years the community of Atheists, Agnostics, Skeptics, Freethinkers, Secular Humanists and the Non-Religious (AASFSHNR) at Kiva.org have raised $3 million (USD) in interest-free loans to help end poverty. Kiva.org is a US non-profit organization that connects lenders with borrowers, from around the globe, who need a micro-finance loan. Peter Kroll, the AASFSHNR community team leader and foundered, commented "This is still the beginning for us. We have organized 14,000 Enlightened individuals from a diaspora of 100's of millions. Our community is thought based and we believe fair peer-to-peer lending can provide the economic opportunity to poor entrepreneurs who have been closed off from the mainstream banking system."

Most of the world's poor live without access to banking. Without collateral they cannot arrange for a loan or open a savings account. Kiva.org has made it possible for the an ordinary person to proactively contribute to making a positive change to this situation.

Kiva's co-founder Matt Flannery has put out his call that "now is a time for the world's privileged to demonstrate to the world's poor just how compassionate and resilient we are." The AASFSHNR community has responded, as well as many other communities and individuals. More than five years after Kiva's founding almost $175 million has been lent worldwide.

Micro-finance is the brain-child of Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Mohammad Yunus. Yunus realized decades ago, on a visit to a poor village in his country of Bangladesh, that the local people were caught in an endless cycle of debt caused by loan-sharks. He realized what a difference it would make by "removing the barriers faced by the poor so that they can unleash their creativity and intelligence in the service of humanity."

Web: http://atheist-monkey.blogspot.com
Kiva: http://www.kiva.org/lender/AtheistMonkey

Catholic School Board Chair Compares Gays to Nazis

Tell the Halton Catholic District School Board

to lift ban on Gay-Straight Alliances

 

Sign the petition here.

Ontario's Ministry of Education promotes the idea of Gay-Straight Alliances (GSA) in Canadian schools. The Ministry encourages GSAs as a tool to fight homophobia. It also recognizes the impact that a GSA can have in building bridges between all students. And yet, despite this, one Catholic School Board just isn't buying it. Welcome to Halton Region! 

Personally, I demand a public apology and the resignation of Alice Anne LeMay! ~Mark Daye

Debating A Christian Flowchart

From Atheismresource.com
Click on the image to view full size.

A Fire in My Belly. Censored by the Smithsonian on behalf of the Christians.

 

At the end of November, the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, which is run by the Smithsonian, announced it was removing a four-minute excerpt of the 13-minute video A Fire in My Belly by New York artist David Wjonarowicz, who died of AIDS in 1992.

 

The Catholic League, along with conservative forces in the U.S., protested the work as "anti-Christian" because of an 11-second segment featuring ants crawling over a bloody crucifix. (I think molesting little boys is "anti-Christian" but they don't seem to be too concerned about that. I suppose we all have our priorities).

The work is part of the gallery's exhibition of gay and lesbian portraitures of life — Hide/Seek: Difference and Desire in American Portraiture — running through Feb. 13, 2011.

The removal of A Fire In My Belly sparked an outcry in the arts community. The Association of Art Museum Directors blasted the Smithsonian for bowing to "unwarranted and uninformed censorship."

Both the Andy Warhol Foundation and the Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation, which loaned images to the Hide/Seek exhibit, proclaimed they would stop donating money to the Smithsonian, which oversees many of the museums in Washington, D.C.

A non-profit Washington art gallery, Transformer, has pledged to keep showing the piece in its storefront window every day for 24 hours until it is reinstated at the National Portrait Gallery.

Since the video's removal on Nov. 30, other galleries in the U.S., including ones in New York City, Los Angeles, Boston, Minneapolis and Pittsburgh, also began screening it.

Text Source: CBC.ca

Friday December 17, 2010; I just can't quit you Julian.

I consider this a win for the atheist movement (if there is such a thing). The Quebec Government has banned all religious teachings in any subsidized daycare facilities. There are about 100 such daycare facilities in the province. Religious displays such as menorahs would be allowed under the law which takes effect in June 2011. 

Julian Assange is free on bail from a UK jail and staying at a rich friends country manor. Which reminds me; I have a rich friend with a country manor and I must go visit soon!

Upcoming Lectures at the Centre For Inquiry

Lecture: Competing Notions of Feminism in Islam

 

Centre For Inquiry Website

WHEN: Friday, October 15, 2010 at 7:00 pm

WHERE: Centre for Inquiry Ontario, 216 Beverley Street (Just South of College and St. George)

COST: $5, $4 for students, FREE for CFI members

Does Islam accord women rights and privileges equal to men? Many wince at such suggestions but the majority of Muslims-- women included, often assert that their faith treats them with kindness, respect and civility. Many go as far as to assert that Muslim women must resort to the Koran itself to regain their long lost position of privilege in Muslim society. 
In this lecture, Farzana Hassan attempts to investigate the validity of these claims in light of the canonical texts of Islam, and whether Muslim attitudes on these issues are based on an outdated understanding of equality, privilege and human rights.

Speaker Bio

Farzana Hassan is an author ("Prophecy and the Fundamentalist Quest", "Islam Women and the Challenges of Today", and "Echoes from the Abyss"), a Freelance writer, Radio Program Host, musician, and a women's rights activist who earned an MBA from the University of Massachusetts. She recently completed her Doctorate in Education.

  Lecture: The Promise of New Worlds with Paul Delaney

 

Centre For Inquiry Website

WHEN: Friday, October 15, 2010 at 7:00 pm

WHERE: Centre for Inquiry Ontario, 216 Beverley Street (Just South of College and St. George)

COST: $5, $4 for students, FREE for CFI members
 

Since 1995, over 450 new exo-planets have been discovered. When the Kepler space probe was launched in April 2009, many expected hundreds of new worlds to be discovered in its 4 year lifespan. It appears that hundreds of exo-planets may have been found within the first months of its mission, suggesting that planets are more common than we had thought or dared hope. In this talk, Astronomy and Physics Professor Paul Delaney discusses the exploding field of exo-planetary astronomy, what we can expect in the coming months and its implication for life within our galaxy.

Speaker Bio:

Paul Delaney has been a Professor of Physics and Astronomy at York University since 1986. He is the Coordinator of the campus Astronomical Observatory and the Director of the Division of Natural Science. From 1995 to 2001 he was the Chair of Access York and was again its Acting Chair from 2009 through 2010. He is a passionate educator and delights in discussing the wonders of the universe with people of all ages.

Peaceful Religion

How to Deal With Ignorance with Regard to Atheism

If you are atheist, it can be difficult to deal with the proportion of theists who may be intolerant and most often ignorant of the intricacies of your position. Often, wild assumptions and keenly over-complicated accusations of being "closed minded" are rife.

This article will look into how you can deal with the irritation and frustration this can bring - and help you reach a level of mutual understanding with the people in question.

Steps

• Stop. Ignorance is a lack of knowledge. Being ignorant does not mean intentions are malevolent. See an encounter with an ignorant person as an opportunity to educate and open a meaningful dialogue; bringing with it mutual respect and understanding.
  
• Ensure you know your stuff. Though most of the 40,000 religions throughout recorded human history are built on the same premises merely dressed differently; it's important to know exactly what the people you are dealing with actually believe. Read about all the major religions, and investigate whatever "reasons" the followers of these particular religions use to justify their beliefs. This will not only enhance your performance in a debate, but squelch any ignorance and misconceptions you yourself hold.

How to Relate to an Atheist

This article seeks to help theists understand the viewpoint of atheists and relate to them in a respectful way.

  Steps

1. Understand that Atheists are human beings with the same rights as theists.
2. Recognize that they are community members who are entitled to the same rights as you are in developed societies. This is due to the fact that one of the criteria for being a developed society is the absence of discrimination on the basis of religion.
3. Understand that Atheists recognize standards of ethics and morality, even if they do not match yours.  They may also have many or all of the same morals as you, but for different reasons.
4. Be aware of the commonality of negative propaganda about atheists, such as "Atheists hate our country". This propaganda is never true.
5. Respect their right to hold a differing opinion.

  Tips

• Learn specifics about Atheism, agnosticism, and naturalistic philosophy, this will make it easier to relate to those you meet.
• Communicate with friendliness.
• Treat others as you'd like to be treated.
• Don't assume, ASK, atheists are far less likely to be offended by questions regarding their lack of faith.
• If you attempt to convert or argue with an atheist, be prepared, as he/she probably knows several well reasoned arguments.

  Warnings

• Avoid condescension and self-righteousness when debating.
• Debate respectfully and be well informed on your views, your opposition's views, and the standards of respectful debate.
• Atheists are not stupid. Most loud and proud atheists are very rational thinkers who've been exposed to both sides of the fence. If you have not seen how atheists talk, debate or reason, do your homework before approaching one with a discussion. Failure to understand another person's view prior to discourse can result in being ridiculed for ignorance.
• Atheism is not a religion or an organized set of beliefs. Therefore, do not categorize or generalize atheists as a group. The definition of an atheist is someone who has not accepted the claim that there is/are (a) god(s). That is the only unifying belief, beyond that, you would be foolish to assume anything. An Atheist may be pro-choice or pro-life, support or oppose same-sex marriage, be liberal or conservative, or belong to any political party.  They may enjoy traditionally religious holidays, or even religious art and music.  An Atheist may have come to the same moral or political conclusions as you, only by different reasoning.
• There is no way to tell without asking, but religion may be a painful subject for an Atheist - either due to previous religious disagreements with family and friends, or for philosophical or moral reasons.  If they show discomfort beyond what you would expect in an academic debate, it may be best to change the subject.  Otherwise, you may inadvertently drive them farther away from your side.
• An Atheist may avoid discussing religion because they don't want to change your mind.  They may be able to admire your faith without sharing it, and accept it as part of who you are.

  Things You'll Need

• An open and understanding mind
• Willingness to hold yourself to the same standards as the questions you ask them.

Article provided by wikiHow, a wiki how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Relate to an Atheist.  All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

How to Accept Being Atheist

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

Atheism isn't an easy thing to come to terms with for anyone. They make up less than 3% of the population in the world and face persecution from many religions. However, learning to accept your disbeliefs will ultimately lead to higher self-confidence and a more positive self-image, along with the increased ability to accept others.

Steps

1. Determine if you truly are an atheist. To clarify, the dictionary definition of atheist is ‘a person who denies or disbelieves the existence of a supreme being or beings.' Are you confused about your faith, or lack thereof? Has there been a recent event in your life that made you question it? If you were formerly religious, do you feel as though God let you down in some way? If the answer is yes to any of these questions, you may not be an atheist—rather, you may be at a crossroads in your life. You might be making decisions right now, and that’s perfectly normal for one who is confused.
   
2. Do research on other religions. Perhaps you might not be Christian, but a Muslim, or vice versa. You could be mistaking atheism as a permanent stage, when it is really a temporary transition from one faith to the next. We’re all a little puzzled by the complicated question of belief.
   
3. If you resolve that you are an atheist, don’t be ashamed of it! Even if you were raised in an environment that actively condemned non-believers, you are your own person, and that includes your beliefs. Don’t concern yourself with the supposed myths that atheists are ‘immoral’ or ‘damned.’ Learn to accept yourself, even if you feel as though you are being judged for it. If people dismiss you upon finding out that you are an atheist, then they truly aren’t worth your time. It’s better to let go of those people in your life, as their intolerance is more than likely exhibited in other areas to other people.
   
4. Surround yourself with understanding friends. Friends show their true colors when they’re faced with challenges or something new. Find friends who love you as a person and can look past and accept you for your atheism, even if they don’t necessarily agree with it.
   
5. Learn to love, accept, and live with religious people. They are people—just like you! No one wants to be looked down upon for something so insignificant in the long run. What matters, obviously, is our character. We are people before atheists or Christians, Muslims or Jews, Buddhists or Hindus. It’s good to get different perspectives, too, especially if you’re in the aforementioned transitional stage. Remember that true friends won’t try to convert you to their side and will let you choose for yourself. Hopefully, they’ll respect your decision.
   
6. Talk to a counselor or therapist if you’re feeling extremely insecure, depressed, or otherwise uncomfortable with your decision. It’s also a good idea to do this if you’re being ridiculed for your atheism. A therapist will not judge you and offer very helpful advice.
   

Tips

• Try to meet other atheists if possible. It can help you to understand that you’re not alone. Listen to their stories of self-acceptance and take heed in them.
  
• Read books about atheism, the most notable being Richard Dawkins’s ‘The God Delusion.’ It is an empowering book for atheists, promoting the fact that atheists can lead fulfilled lives and should be proud while not overbearing. ‘God Is Not Great’ by Christopher Hitchens and ‘The End Of Faith’ by Sam Harris are also good places to start.
  
• Be sure to keep telling yourself that there’s nothing about you to be ashamed of. You’re a free person, and you are free to practice—or not practice—whatever you would like.
  

Warnings

• Broach carefully when the topic of religion is brought up in a conversation. Although it’s a general rule of society not to discuss religion, it will inevitably happen. When it does, don’t be aggressive about your beliefs, and most certainly don’t be hostile when you’re responding to someone’s admission of faith.
  
• Be patient with those that are intolerant of you or your views. Do not attack them or their beliefs. Instead, ask them politely that they refrain from bringing your beliefs into the conversation. If you’re already engaged in a debate with someone, try to bring the topic back up so that you can change it. Be warned, however, as this may be a signal of admitted defeat to your opponent.
  

Related wikiHows

• How to Persuade an Atheist to Become Christian
  
• How to Be an Atheist in a Christian Home
  
• How to Survive an Argument With an Atheist
  
• How to Deal With Ignorance with Regard to Atheism
  
• How to Enjoy Being Atheist
  

Article provided by wikiHow, a wiki how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Accept Being Atheist. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

Gay Scientists Isolate Christian Gene

Author pits evolution against creationism

Richard Dawkins' new opus isn't so much a book as ammunition.

Unrelentingly scientific, occasionally dry, sometimes angry, The Greatest Show on Earth: The Evidence for Evolution was written to arm evolutionists with evidence to counter creationists who argue the world was made in six days by God, Dawkins says.

"I've written about evolution before," he says on the phone from London, England.

"But I've always rather assumed the evidence for it and never actually laid out the evidence for the reader in its totality. And that's what this book is." Read the full story at thestar.com

Richard Dawkins will be in Toronto promoting his new book. I think I may get a copy and see if I can get it signed.

Old Book Get Wired

The Codex Sinaiticus, is believed by some to be the oldest book in the world. It was discovered in 1844 and has now been digitized and made available online.  A word of warning; don't believe everything you read!

After years of painstaking work by experts on several continents, the oldest surviving Christian Bible in the world has been reunited and made available on the Internet.

About 800 pages of the Codex Sinaiticus manuscript -- considered by many to be one of the world's greatest written treasures -- were posted online this week, marking the completion of a massive project.

The pages are held by four separate institutions in Britain, Egypt, Germany and Russia -- and until now scholars or researchers had to travel to the various locations in order to study them.

In July 2008 the first digitized pages were posted online as part of a joint effort by the institutions, and the completed project went live on Monday. Full Story at CTV.ca

From CTV.ca:

God Punishes Religious Tourists?

At least 13 people on their way to a religious festival were killed when a private charter bus crashed north of Dallas, police reported on Friday.
The bus carrying 55 people lost control on a highway overpass, slid along a guard rail and rolled on its side near Sherman, Texas, about 60 miles north of Dallas, at about 12:45 a.m. CDT (1:45 a.m. EDT) Friday, police said.
"We have 13 (dead) confirmed at this time," police Lt. Steve Ayers said at a press conference from the scene of the crash.

Should See TV

Nova recently aired a program entitled "Judgement Day: Intelligent Design on Trial". This was an excellent program covering the court case of; Kitzmiller, et al. v. Dover School District, et al. Take a look at the Judgement Day "Links & Books" page and you can see how this program and PBS in general, is one of the few media outlets today (in the United States or elsewhere) that presents unbiased and fair journalism.

WGBH Boston Evolution Site

Stop Funding Religious Schools: CCLA

Ontario’s schools are among the most diverse, tolerant and respectful of any schools in the world. Our public schools bring children together, regardless of wealth, status, race, religion, and ethnicity. Our public schools bring communities together.

In the Ontario election, a proposal has been put forward to publicly fund faith-based schools. The Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA) and the undersigned call upon all political parties to reject the proposal to fund religious schools, and to work to strengthen our public education system and to ensure that it continues to reflect the diversity of our communities.

Public funding of religious schools will drain resources from the public system and promote private schools at the expense of public schools. It will fragment and divide our system along religious lines. The sheer costs of funding many religious schools would likely reduce the quality of the entire educational system.

If the funding proposal goes ahead, public schools could lose significant numbers of students to religious schools. If this were to happen, the public schools could no longer hope to perform their role in bringing people together. In time, our community could become a much less tolerant place.

Our public education system strives to acknowledge, accommodate and celebrate the diversity of faiths in our multicultural society. Our public schools have shown flexibility and creativity in responding to the changing face of our communities, while playing a vital role in integrating many cultures.

We call on political parties and candidates to affirm their commitment to building a strong public education system, and to reject the proposal to fund private religious schools. Together, let’s continue to build a public education system that is responsive to the needs of all faiths, cultures and communities, and makes Ontario an example of social tolerance and harmony.

Click here for the CCLA statement.