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Subject: The AANEWS for Sunday, September
19, 2010 A M E R I C A N A T H E I S T S A A N E W S #1351 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 09/19/2010 http://www.atheists.orgDave's NoGodBlog -- http://atheists.org/blog/ The Atheist Viewpoint (video) -- http://atheists.org/blog/ The Voice of Reason (Podcast) -- http://www.atheists.org/reason ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ A Service of AMERICAN ATHEISTS, a nationwide movement that defends civil rights for non-believers; works for the total separation of Church, Mosque, Temple and State; and addresses issues of First Amendment public policy. * In This Issue... * As Pope leaves Britain, "New Atheists" can claim victory! * Worth Noting: O'Donnell "witch craft," date at "Satanic Altar" * Second Annual Ingersoll Oratory Contest, October 24, 2010 * Voice of Reason Podcast * Check out Dave's NoGodBlog * Follow AANEWS on Twitter * Resources * About this list... HYPOCRISY, DOUBLE STANDARDS AND THE ATTACK ON RICHARD DAWKINS AND "NEW ATHEISTS" As Atheists and other secularists protested the Papal visit to the U.K., some seem to be questioning the right of nonbelievers to speak out in the public square... * There is an odious and self-serving agenda at work in the global debate over secularism, disbelief and the separation of religion from the state. Ever since the success of a number of books critical of organized religion and belief in the supernatural -- one thinks of Richard Dawkins' "The God Delusion" or "The End of Faith" by Sam Harris -- there have been outcries about the so-called "New Atheists." It is a peculiar term. While these books are exceptionally well crafted, and their authors often so articulate and adroit in presenting cogent arguments in debate and lectures, there is little here that is authentically "new." Philosophers have long identified several key arguments presented by those who insist that a supernatural entity or "God" fashioned our universe, and religious apologists inevitably cite these (teleological, design, prophesy) in attempting to garner faithful followers. For decades, even millennia, those who do not believe in God have demolished these claims, pointing to numerous flaws and short-comings. The results are denial and opprobrium from ecclesiastical representatives and institutions. Short of Inquisitions and house arrests, the religious have, over the centuries, attempted to silence these voices of dissent. Confronted not only by the spread of secularism the phenomenal success Atheists and other religious skeptics seem to be enjoying in the intellectual and political marketplace, the faithful have resorted to a new, sleazier strategy. We have an Atheist leader in Australia; we see the White House finally meeting with heads of secular organizations; and "spokespersons" for Atheism like Dawkins, Harris, Christopher Hitchens and Daniel Dennett, by their considerable expertise and ability to communicate complex ideas, have helped move the debate over "Atheism versus faith" from obscure lecture halls to prime time television and beyond. The religious have and are responding to such intellectual challenges in an exceptionally dishonest way, however. One tactic has been to create a class of "new Atheists" who are then criticized for being strident, intolerant, disrespectful of religion and even boorish. The Vatican, for instance, has decided to exclude "New Atheists" from a series of up-coming debates, panels and other events they insist are part of a sincere outreach to the growing community of nonbelievers. Other religious partisans have joined in this deception, denouncing "New Atheists" as if a class of "Old Atheists" once existed who were less threatening to religious ideology and, like the good house slaves of the plantation era in the Southern U.S. "knew their place" and rarely spoke out. This is so much pseudo-history and falsification, of course. Charles Bradlaugh might be considered one of the "Old Atheists." He founded the National Secular Society in Great Britain, courageously stood for Parliament and refused to swear an oath to a deity in order to claim his seat, and toured the world giving lectures that some clergy found so threatening that they did all they could to ban him from speaking as a hazard to public probity. Robert Ingersoll, "The Great Agnostic" and a prolific lecturer and Freethought writer, was renowned for his expertise in embarrassing ecclesiastic apologists. More than half-a-century later, Madalyn Murray O'Hair successfully challenged the oppressive ritual of mandatory prayer and Bible recitation in the public schools. She did not suffer fools, and "put Atheism on the map" for many of us. It is a strange experience of deja vue to see the "New Atheists" of today, then watch those faded video clips of Madalyn O'Hair speaking at Harvard, or debating William F. Buckley, or speaking on the first episode of The Phil Donahue Show. If there are "old" and "new" Atheists, there is also a continuity and rhetorical, intellectual heritage winding its way through time. By fiat, organized religion (with the assistance of some media pundits who seem never to run out of boot spittle), lead by the Vatican, is doing everything possible by isolating and smearing the "New Atheists," and in the process telling all Atheists, Freethinkers, Humanists and other nonbelievers that, well, we need to shut up. Comes Richard Ingram, writer for Britain's "The Independent" newspaper, who in a September 18, 2919 web column ("Atheism could do without Dawkins as its advocate," see <http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/columnists/richard-ingrams/richard-ingrams-atheism-could-do-without-dawkins-as-its-advocate-2082> 606.html ). Ingram blusters: "The motley gang of people writing to protest about the Pope's visit are not protesting just about the Pope. Even if they don't say so, they are protesting about religion in general. And many of them are not merely anti-religion, they are anti anything to do with the supernatural. They passionately want to believe that there is absolutely nothing in the world that cannot be scientifically explained. " Ingram continues with an anti-Richard Dawkins tirade, attacking those who question and may reject paranormal phenomena like water divining. Atheists need to find a new spokesperson, insists Mr. Ingram, someone more "rational." It is peculiar, even hypocritical when non-Atheists or even anti-Atheists tell us who our "leaders" should be, and attack those who are clearly the most professional, qualified and articulate of spokespersons. Could it be that the real motivation here is to denigrate Richard Dawkins, or Hitchens or others BECAUSE they raise questions that the faithful have trouble answering? Perhaps, too, it is because Dr. Dawkins is so effective in helping to mobilize and inspire a whole new generation of intellectual skeptics and passionate secularists, that they are being set-up in a class of bogeymen, the "New Atheists." In Britain, for instance, the outspoken Richard Dawkins, the activists at the National Secular Society and a network of progressive activists have turned the visit of Pope Benedict into a protest-cum-educational opportunity. Polls show that over 70% of Britons object to having to subsidize the visit of the Pope because it is supposedly a "state visit." Through web sites, magazines, pamphlets and web sites, NSS and other groups have detailed the sordid history of how the Vatican became a political institution and government (the "Holy See") in large part due to the assistance of the late fascist dictator Benito Mussolini. The Vatican has helped in fueling the protests during Benedict's visit thanks to its cover-up of the pedophile-priest scandal, its strident opposition to gay unions and reproductive rights for women, and a harsh opposition to secularism. Finally, in all of this rhetorical puffery about "New Atheists," there is the implication that Atheists and other opponents of religion do not have the right to speak out against sectarianism and dogmatism. Imagine the brouhaha were Humanists or Atheists to insist that religious people and institutions should not enjoy basic human rights and civil liberties! The faithful still opine that in matters of free speech, the religious have the right to speak out -- but not the Atheist or Humanist or other secularists. It is, clearly, a bigoted double standard that is meant to fashion "special rights" for believers. The Pope has finally departed Albion and headed back to the confines of Vatican City. The British taxpayers are stuck with an enormous bill for the papal road show which, while promoted as a "state visit," included a number of masses and other ecclesiastical events, along with a half-hearted apology from Benedict for the on-going pedophile scandal. Richard Dawkins, the hard-working staff and membership of the National Secular Society and others who took to the street in a loud and refreshing medley of protests, may lay claim to a great cultural and political victory despite the desperate and unfair opponents of "New Atheism." -- Conrad F. Goeringer Editor, AANEWS ** WORTH NOTING... Atheists standing by QUT's holy smoker THE Bible and Koran-smoking Brisbane lawyer whose YouTube video satirizing holy book burning this week made international headlines, has the backing of the Brisbane Atheists. The group's organizer Steve Hannington told The Courier-Mail yesterday although the Brisbane Atheists weren't a party to the production of the video by Alex Stewart - an assistant organizer with the club - he predicted other members would be supportive of the stunt. <http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/atheists-standing-by-quts-holy-smoker/story-e6freon6-1225924335296> ** Newt Gingrich Fires Up Conservative 'Values' Voters in Attack on 'Secular" Democrats Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich told conservative voters Saturday that a "secular socialist machine" led by President Obama and his Democratic allies in Congress is challenging "the survival of America as we know it." Gingrich's no-holds-barred rhetoric won repeated standing ovations from audience members at the Values Voter Summit in Washington, sponsored by the Family Research Council. <http://www.politicsdaily.com/2010/09/18/newt-gingrich-fires-up-conservative-values-voters-in-attack-on/> ** O'Donnell In 1999: 'I Dabbled Into Witchcraft' (VIDEO) Another damaging past statement from Tea Party favorite Christine O'Donnell was revealed on Bill Maher's HBO show "Real Time" last night. Maher played a clip from an episode of his previous show "Politically Incorrect" in which O'Donnell said she "dabbled into witchcraft." <http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/09/18/odonnell-witchcraft-politically-incorrect_n_722035.html> ** Richard Ingrams: Atheism could do without Dawkins as its advocate The motley gang of people writing to protest about the Pope's visit are not protesting just about the Pope. Even if they don't say so, they are protesting about religion in general. And many of them are not merely anti-religion, they are anti anything to do with the supernatural. They passionately want to believe that there is absolutely nothing in the world that cannot be scientifically explained. <http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/columnists/richard-ingrams/richard-ingrams-atheism-could-do-without-dawkins-as-its-advocate-2082606.html> ** Citing "Mental Anguish," Christine O'Donnell Sought $6.9 Million in Gender Discrimination Lawsuit Against Conservative Group ...and falsely implied she was taking master's degree classes at Princeton. Court documents obtained Saturday by THE WEEKLY STANDARD reveal surprising new details about the gender discrimination and wrongful termination lawsuit filed by Christine O'Donnell in 2005 against her former employer, the Intercollegiate Studies Institute, a conservative non-profit based in Delaware.* <http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/citing-mental-anguish-christine-odonnell-sought-69-million-gender-discrimination-lawsuit-again> ** Out of mouths of babes - religious will rise as secular birth rates fall Pope Benedict's recent visit to Britain has been just as controversial as John Paul II's tour of 1982. But the 180-degree shift in the axis of conflict reveals how British society has changed over the past 28 years. John Paul, the first pontiff to set foot on British soil, raised Protestant hackles. _<http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/society-and-culture/out-of-mouths-of-babes--r> eligious-will-rise-as-secular-birth-rates-fall-20100919-15hsc.html_ <http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/society-and-culture/out-of-mouths-of-babes--religious-will-rise-as-secular-birth-rates-fall-20100919-15hsc.html> ** On the Advice of the FBI, Cartoonist Molly Norris Disappears From View You may have noticed that Molly Norris' comic is not in the paper this week. That's because there is no more Molly. The gifted artist is alive and well, thankfully. But on the insistence of top security specialists at the FBI, she is, as they put it, "going ghost": moving, changing her name, and essentially wiping away her identity. <http://www.seattleweekly.com/2010-09-15/news/on-the-advice-of-the-fbi-cartoonist-molly-norris-disappears-from-view/> ** Hindus denounce Pope for being offensive to atheists Hindus have criticized His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI for rough handling of atheists in his speech at Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh (United Kingdom) on September 16, where he appeared to associate atheism with the Nazis. Eminent Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, said that as Catholics and Hindus and others had freedom of their belief systems and were respected for their respective choices, and so should be the atheists. A religious leader of Pope's stature should have been more inclusive. Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism , further said that although Pope frequently talked about right to religious freedom, cooperation of the human family, truly universal human community, etc., but in this speech, he apparently condemned the beliefs of a considerable chunk of world population called atheists. Who were we as human beings to judge publicly that other humans' beliefs different than us were wrong? <http://news.oneindia.in/2010/09/17/hindusdenounce-pope-for-being-offensive-toatheists.html> ** SECOND ANNUAL ROBERT G. INGERSOLL ORATORY CONTEST 2010 Noon on Sunday, October 24, 2010 Dupont Circle, Washington, DC Robert G. Ingersoll, known as The Great Agnostic, was a famous 19th century orator and outspoken critic of religion. He was an advocate for racial equality, birth control, women's rights, Darwin's theory of evolution, Shakespeare, free speech, and voting rights for Washington, DC. He delivered over 1,200 speeches to packed houses across the country in the late 1800s, all of them documented in a 12-volume set of his works. After he moved his family to Washington, DC, in 1878, he lived, worked and spoke here for seven years. He was a Civil War veteran and a very successful lawyer and political speaker. He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery. Yet he has been neglected and largely forgotten by history. To revive his message and popularity we are announcing: The Second Annual Robert G. Ingersoll Oratory Contest Up to 15 contestants will each deliver a brief excerpt from Robert G. Ingersoll's works. A panel of judges will evaluate and award prizes for the best performance. Sign up to be a contestant, or just come to hear the outrageous blasphemy and rhetoric of this undeservedly forgotten American orator. Bring your blanket or chair and applaud your favorite selection or speaker. No chairs will be provided. Noon on Sunday, October 24, 2010 in Dupont Circle, Washington, DC In case of rain, the contest will still be held nearby at : James Hoban's Irish Restaurant & Bar, One Dupont Circle, NW. tel.: 202-223-8440. REGISTRATION Registration deadline is October 17, 2010. Contestants pay a fee of $20. Hurry! The contest is limited to 15 contestants. For information on how to register, see the contest Web site at ingersollcontest.wordpress.com Questions? Send an e-mail to: Ingersoll@wash.org or call and leave a message at 202-657-6346 PRIZES First Place: $150 Second Place: $100 Third Place: $75 Fourth Place: $50 + in addition to cash, other items may also be awarded. All contestants will receive a certificate. This free public event is sponsored by: Washington Area Secular Humanists Center for Inquiry DC American Humanist Association Robert Green Ingersoll Birthplace Museum, a project of the Council for Secular Humanism. Photos and videos of last year's contest can be seen at the Contest |
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2011-05-22