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Atheist Teen
by Aubriel_J, posted: 20 May 2013 20 - Category: Religion
My name is Abby and I'm an atheist. I happen to live in a very small, very religious town where I am somewhat notorious for my views. My family and I have been horribly harassed...
Raising Atheist Children
by direred, posted: 19 May 2013 22 - Category: Atheism
Fellow atheist parents, Do you or how do you speak about religion or lack thereof around your children? Do you encourage atheism directly in your household or do you encourage the little...
Definition of pseudoscience
by ieva, posted: 19 May 2013 18 - Category: Science
Could somebody suggest a definition of pseudoscience? Because, for example, it should not be difficult to explain why homeopathy is a pseudoscience. Just a few basic facts, but they take time. And this approach is...
Atheist in Politics
by varunvarmaj, posted: 16 May 2013 31 - Category: Atheism
I have lived in the US for a couple of years before returning back to my country India. While in US I was really suprised to see that none of the leading politicians are atheist...
Is every type of religion bad?
by sirious, posted: 16 May 2013 75 - Category: Religion
Hey guys, I'm pretty new here. I apologize in advance for my lack of grammar (I'm Swedish...) I have a question for you, that I would be very glad if you could help me with....
Did religion help give primitive civilisation certain moral values?
by WezleyPetez, posted: 11 May 2013 131 - Category: Religion
Hi all, I'm pretty new to religion and I have just recently shed my religious blindfold. I have a question that probably has been answered countlessly before but I couldn't find the...
Historical fact vs Faith Reasoning
by karatematt, posted: 10 May 2013 115 - Category: Religion
Presupposing the historical veracity of the Christ figure as a teacher, a religious leader, an iconoclast, and (most importantly) a human man, what evidence acutally exists for assuming the supernatural miracles ascribed to this one man based...
The Amazing HIV virus
by Roedy, posted: 10 May 2013 20 - Category: Science
I have had HIV since 1985. Every few years my personal strain of HIV develops an immunity to the drugs that I am taking, and I have to flip to a new cocktail of 3...
[HQ] Christopher Hitchens vs Tony Blair - Religion is a force for good in the world
by woody68, posted: 06 May 2013 14 - Category: Atheism
I know most would have seen this but from what I can gather all version on YT are poor quality with very poor - out of sync - audio. Here is a beautiful version in...
Is free will an illusion?
by alistair.scott.71, posted: 06 May 2013 153 - Category: Science
For this topic I came up with the following thought experiment: Imagine we were able to clone the early universe, an absolutely perfect clone, right down to the exact position of all its particles...
Lifelong atheist: How to live without despair?
by Merrick, posted: 05 May 2013 79 - Category: Atheism
I'm in my 30s, and have been an atheist since I remember thinking about these issues. I suppose it is because my parents did not expose me to religion prior to the age or reason?...
Gender evolution
by Schwarzbach, posted: 04 May 2013 27 - Category: Education
I have great respect for Richard Dawkins read a number of his books and some of Darwins. I am wondering if someone could answer this question?1.)How did gender evolve at the beginning of life on...
My 4 years old daughter fears death. How can I explain it from an atheist point of view?
by smalvarmouco, posted: 04 May 2013 28 - Category: Education
Any advice for me? My little daughter fears death. She's worrying about the day her mam and dad will die. She has constant nightmares. Do you know about a book we could...
The Possible Evolution of the DNA Molecule
by LightSeeker, posted: 03 May 2013 6 - Category: Science
My understanding is that all living things on earth contain the DNA molecule. As Dr. Dawkins has so eloquently revealed over the course of his studies, one can trace the evolution of...
Julia Sweeney - Letting Go Of God (live performance)
by woody68, posted: 01 May 2013 20 - Category: Atheism
After reading the book and listening to the audio-cd I was very keen to get to see this act in the flesh! Unable to see it live I turned to youtube and finally found it!...
When "Respectable" Supernatural Beliefs Come Home to Roost
by Jumped Up Chimpanzee, posted: 01 May 2013 39 - Category: Religion
Earlier this week, Richard Dawkins questioned whether a journalist could be taken seriously for believing in supernatural entities (specifically a winged horse capable of commuting between Heaven and Earth).   ...
The Contest: Creation and Evolution
by Stephen of Wimbledon, posted: 30 Apr 2013 48 - Category: Science
I was intrigued by Joseph Mastropaolo's suggested contest, which he charaterizes as a way of "improving the quality of arguments between creationists and evolutionists".  His characterization, of course, immediately begins to set out the agenda...
How To Introduce Your Atheist Partner To Evangelical Parents
by The Unicorn Delusion, posted: 26 Apr 2013 9 - Category: Atheism
So, I found this video on howcast, and it made me laugh. I though some of you guys may enjoy it, so here:http://www.howcast.com/videos/9347-How-to-Introduce-Your-Atheist-Partner-to-Your-Evangelical-Parents So... Discuss meeting your partners religious parents, I guess?
Is atheism a religion?
by Unbiased Bias, posted: 26 Apr 2013 140 - Category: Atheism
Is atheism a religion?
The Sirius film - Ufo's "revelations"
by yoann, posted: 25 Apr 2013 32 - Category: Pseudoscience
Hi there, I am really concerned about a movie to be released in a week or so, called the Sirius Film. It claims to be bring a "new light",...
I'm New!
by Austin Purdy, posted: 24 Apr 2013 22 - Category: Atheism
I hope that I'm allowed to post this, for this isn't really a debate or an argument (I'm unsure exactly what to post on this site), but I just wanted to say that I'm a...
Master thesis: Popular Science in Social Media
by larstee, posted: 24 Apr 2013 10 - Category: Science
Hello everybody, My name is Lars and I’m a student at the University of Darmstadt in Germany. I’m currently preparing myself for my forthcoming Master thesis with the potential working title “Popular Science...
Religious Exemption Example In QLD News
by Dawnrazor, posted: 24 Apr 2013 17 - Category: Politics
Hi all, Long time reader first time poster. I've just seen this situation play out in Australia and I'm frankly a bit annoyed by it, and unsure where to take this. I...
Irreducibly Complex
by karatematt, posted: 23 Apr 2013 13 - Category: Religion
I basically just need some quick references to some works on the NOT SO irreducibly complex bacterial flagellum. 
Isn't our culture tainted by religion?
by benoniboy, posted: 23 Apr 2013 19 - Category: Politics
So what if hypothetically, in the best of all possible worlds, belief in the nonsense of religion would disappear? Say the Roman juggernaut would shut down; the Pope, cardinals and priests would all get real...
Debate stumped
by GilliReason, posted: 22 Apr 2013 43 - Category: Science
Hello fellow reasoners. I was hoping you could help chip away at my ignorance. I found myself stumped the other day while having a friendly debate with a religious person about evolution. They were clearly...
is it possible for the average joe to use commecially available DNA testing to prove human evolution and how much $$$?
by Dr. monster, posted: 22 Apr 2013 6 - Category: Science
Hi   Reading the greatest show on earth makes DNA proof of human evolution look easy.  Just send off three samples for testing: 1 human, 1 chimp, 1 very...
Utilising Religious Practices
by utopia, posted: 20 Apr 2013 41 - Category: Atheism
Recently I've begun practising meditation for about 40 minutes a day, as often as I can anyway. My interest in religious experience and spirituality was cut short when I was quite young, as I realised...
Rebirth and past life experiences
by Logical Thinker, posted: 19 Apr 2013 50 - Category: Pseudoscience
Hey everyone..!!! I'm an atheist brought up in an atheistic Buddhist environment. Everything I learned in my religion or better call it a philosophy, were more like logical stuff and everything was about reasoning, and nothing to...
Religious fanaticism into schools on a false premise
by StuM, posted: 19 Apr 2013 7 - Category: Education
The Australasian school in which I work has offered to host a presentation by Academy Conferences http://www.academyconferences.com/ that will be attended by some of my school's students and others from around the city.  This is...
promoting science
by siwel.trebor@bighpond.com, posted: 18 Apr 2013 35 - Category: Science
I just saw the RD representative on our show Planet America here in Australia  I am fighting mad.  I do not believe in religion but would never stop anyone from having a personal belief in god.  This does...
A question of succession
by MrJB, posted: 18 Apr 2013 54 - Category: Education
Maybe succession isn't the right word, and maybe this sounds like a silly question, but I've been wondering where the younger spokesmen are for the subjects that men like Richard Dawkins, Daniel Dennett and Christopher...
Why identify as atheist and not nihilist?
by Happy Nihilist, posted: 17 Apr 2013 48 - Category: Atheism
What would you say is the distinguishing criteria to draw the line between atheist and nihilist? I consider myself an existential nihilist and yet when I read much of the arguments made by self-labelled atheists...
Godspeed to your godless shoes
by nongorilla1, posted: 17 Apr 2013 12 - Category: Atheism
I tripped over a funny story about an online-shoeshop in Germany whose deliveries to US customers takes much longer with their label on the box than without it. The name of the label...
Enemies of Reason: Now deeply ingrained in our education.
by C. Xander, posted: 16 Apr 2013 29 - Category: Education
In the last several decades, it's no secret that the post-modernists have reduced the education system into a drivel of pointless coursework — logical assessment has been replaced with an emphasis on feelings over facts, promoting...
Should we actively dissuade our children from being involved in religion?
by Lar, posted: 16 Apr 2013 40 - Category: Religion
I have two children. One has declared herself a Humanist. The other has mixed beliefs in Christianity and Buddhism. Should I allow them to explore their beliefs or actively persuade them to become atheists?
Revival of Richards excellent demonstration of Evolution from The Blind Watch Maker
by krakjoe, posted: 16 Apr 2013 11 - Category: Religion
So, with a bit of time to kill, I thought I'd revive a demonstration I saw on The Blind Watch Maker documentary ... http://pastehtml.com/view/cyw0ntivg.html Reasonable minds can only come...
Need examples of Modern Evolution in H. sapiens
by evolvettu, posted: 14 Apr 2013 37 - Category: Education
Good afternoon all, I am writing a paper on the modern evolution taking place in humans to address the questions by most creationists; "If humans evolved, why arent they still evolving?" As...
Religious scripture in classrooms
by Powell_Daniel, posted: 13 Apr 2013 23 - Category: Religion
Hi Everyone. I am a recent atheist, and at school we are basically forced to do religious scripture once a fortnight. I recognise that Atheism is not a religion, but the only...
Natural Selection in one generation
by lukesinq, posted: 13 Apr 2013 19 - Category: Science
Is it possible for a mutation in a species to create a veeeery small advantage in just one generation?  For instance a mutation that makes a bird's beak slightly more curved in an advantages way, or maybe a...
"Faith and Medicine"
by askquestions, posted: 12 Apr 2013 21 - Category: Atheism
I was quite surprised at this neurosurgeon's statement: "There are no atheists at the cancer center." http://ktla.com/2013/03/26/dr-rahul-jandial-faith-and-medicine-6/#axzz2OgYSDJ00 I generally like his programme but this time I was disappointed to see an agreement about...
Religion, culture and dirty looks.
by flutePlayer3, posted: 11 Apr 2013 32 - Category: Religion
I am in the early stages of applying to be a foster carer. At an initial meeting with our assessor amongst all the things that were discussed, I was asked if I...
evolution theory for young children (4-10yrs)
by gabriel!, posted: 11 Apr 2013 16 - Category: Education
Does anyone have recommendations for books introducing evolution theory to young children, aged 4-10? Obviously, I am perfectly willing to read to them, and explain the pictures in the book. There are many books telling bible...
Conspiracy Road Trip: Creationism (new TV show/series)
by itraining, posted: 11 Apr 2013 13 - Category: Religion
There is a great new TV series titled "Conspiracy Road Trip". Comedian Andrew Maxwell presents his serious side as he takes 5 British "believers" on a road trip top confront their beliefs. The Conspiracy Road...
Is it worth it?
by bob_e_s, posted: 10 Apr 2013 22 - Category: Pseudoscience
On the recommendation of another RDN user, I signed up for the Introduction to Astrobiology course on Coursera, run by Edinburgh University. While it attracted a lot of like-minded people either with...
What if it was a game?
by Sjoerd Westenborg, posted: 10 Apr 2013 16 - Category: Science
I would like to introduce a little thought experiment we can have some interesting discussions about. Hopefully some fun too.Imagine that life was a game, and the goal was to leave as big a 'genetic...
Sean Faircloth Inspires in New Zealand
by Paul Bennett, posted: 10 Apr 2013 3 - Category: Politics
Not sure if this will qualify as an actual topic for discussion, but I just wanted to say a big thankyou to the Richard Dawkins Foundation for Reason & Science, who helped fundd Sean Faircloth...
Book Recommendations?
by nblizzard, posted: 09 Apr 2013 28 - Category: Education
Growing up Christian (and then turning to Mormonism), my parents always completely rejected (and still do) Evolution in any way, shape or form. Although I was always quite spiritual etc, in the back of my mind...
A.A. is not treatment.
by simplyMark, posted: 09 Apr 2013 18 - Category: Religion
My first post. I'm a recovering alcoholic & drug addict. 20 years of my life spent getting wasted. I've been to rehab 3 times & in group therapy I spent most of my time arguing...
Regarding 'Atheist Churches set to go Global'
by Wolfham, posted: 09 Apr 2013 24 - Category: Atheism
Hi All, I am very concerned about some articles I have been reading recently regarding Atheist Churches. There seems to be a movement in the UK to unite atheists and free thinkers...
Fundamentalist Christians discrediting science
by Nash33, posted: 08 Apr 2013 23 - Category: Religion
I was raised in a fundamentalist Christian church. In the 1940s when I was a teenager, I remember the preacher from time to time would make statements discrediting scientists. Two examples I still remember are:...
How does one prove reason?
by tjmapa, posted: 08 Apr 2013 46 - Category: Religion
In order to figure out anything, we need reason. Where did reason come from though? How can we prove the existence of reason? It seems we cannot prove reason with reason, which is circular...
Faith healing finding the science behind the pseudoscience
by stegeta9000, posted: 08 Apr 2013 10 - Category: Pseudoscience
Hi all, I am a very curious person and I must question everything and also try to rationalize everything, however there are some issues that I have no explanation for, this does...
Gratitude
by Jay G, posted: 07 Apr 2013 36 - Category: Atheism
Hello: Religious teachings include inculcating a sense of gratitude towards the "Creator".  Priests/Rabbis tell people that they ought to be grateful to God for the gift of life and this beautiful universe...
What are the potential functions of a secular group, and how do I get one organized?
by Mr. Meredith, posted: 06 Apr 2013 13 - Category: Politics
I have recently been discussing a secular 'support' group of sorts with a few teachers and students of my college. It isn't official yet, but everyone is excited to get it started. That said, I...
Your Film Reviews, Life of Pi
by Stephen of Wimbledon, posted: 06 Apr 2013 19 - Category: Religion
Hi, I was recently dragged to a screening of the film Life of Pi (in 3D).   In an early scene the main character says he...
Frustrating Conversation with Christian Fundamentalist! Please help!
by skeptic149, posted: 06 Apr 2013 51 - Category: Religion
Lately I have been wearing my scarlett letter "A" button in support of The Out Campaign and today one of my co-workers asked about it. Knowing he was a bible-believing christian fundamentalist, I knew it...
Can a head teacher be open about being an atheist?
by Lar, posted: 04 Apr 2013 46 - Category: Education
I have recently been applying for head teachers posts. Can I declare my atheism and still fulfill the spiritual requirements imposed upon schools? For example we have to provide collective worship. How can I do...
Regarding Historical Veracity of the Bible
by Thoughtfull, posted: 04 Apr 2013 28 - Category: Religion
I'm sure the title may have taken quite a few of you in. To explain a bit of the background as to why I'm writing, this, I have a couple of firends...
Direct observations of evolution
by Sjoerd Westenborg, posted: 02 Apr 2013 46 - Category: Science
I was wondering if, besides the Lenski Experiments and the island lizards in the South Adriatic Sea, you guys knew some more instances where evolution has been directly observed. Either by experiment or by 'accident'. It's...