Derren Brown's Fear and Faith: Inducing Religious Experience

This is actually Part 2 in this series, but this one focuses on inducing a religious experience in a self-avowed atheist. The point is to explore how humans are hardwired for belief in the supernatural and how that leaves us prone to religious belief. Videos via ErmmTV.

Hector Avalos on Religion and Violence: A New Theory for an Old Problem

via the Atheist Community of San Jose

hat tip to Emily Dietle from emilyhasbooks.com

David Reis: “Gospel Truth(s): A Critical Interrogation of the Good News”

via David Reis, a Religious Studies Instructor at the University of Oregon:

On November 6 I delivered a presentation in Dr. Peter Boghossian’s Atheism class at Portland State University.  The talk, entitled “Gospel Truth(s): A Critical Interrogation of the Good News,” examined the literary composition of the gospels, addressed text critical problems, analyzed the issue of literary genre, and offered an explanation for Americans’ persistent belief that these texts were either written by God or divinely inspired.  The presentation was videotaped and is now available on my YouTube page.  Please take a look!

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History of Atheism by Steven Goldman

via Dr. Peter Boghossian's Atheism class at Portland State University

Measuring the Universe

via BalkanKomuna

'Why Evolution is True & Why Many People Still Don't Believe It' by Jerry Coyne

via LibertarianSara

Ex-Gay Flyers Passed out in Public Schools

The group known as PFOX (parents and friends of ex-gays) that identifies itself as a Christian organization actually coordinated with a Maryland school district to send flyers home with school children depicting homosexuality as a chosen affliction that can be cured. Let's ignore for a moment the state-funded institution pushing Christianity on its student body.

I charge you, dear reader, to find me an example of conversion therapy that does not foster shame as a motivator and employ prayer as the primary technique.  Clearly, what the youth of today really needs is another reason to feel ashamed and alienated.

Thanks to On Knees For Jesus

Is Belief in God Reasonable? Arif Ahmed vs William Laine Craig

The first video is an excerpt of Mr. Ahmed's argument. The entire debate is below/after the jump.

Greta Christina: Why Are You Atheists So Angry?

(TED) Michael Specter: The Danger of Science Denial

via TEDtalksDirector

TAM Panel - Our Future in Space

Featuring Phil Plait, Bill Nye, Neil deGrasse Tyson, Pamela Gay, and Lawrence Krauss.



TAM Panel - Our Future in Space from JREF on Vimeo.

Ben Goldacre: Battling Bad Science

We usually do the sciencey, school thing on Thursdays and post our original essays on Tuesdays, but I couldn't get my post done in time. I'm not promising anything, but I'm shooting for Thursday on the post. In the meantime...

'Why Evolution Is True' by Jerry Coyne

Matt Dillahunty at OK Freethought Convention 2011

via the always awesome The Thinking Atheist


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Lee Cronin: Making matter come alive

'A Universe From Nothing' by Lawrence Krauss

50 Renowned Academics & Scientists Talk About God

via cosmodaddy via JParajasingham 


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Debate: Religion & Education

via Atheism Tube

Bill Moyers Interviews Daniel Dennett

via AtheismTube

Richard Dawkins - World Atheist Convention, Dublin 2011

via AtheistIreland


I promise you I did not see or was aware of the content of this video before writing The Use of Mockery.