atheism

A collection of 235 posts

atheism

When an Atheist Dies: Upon My Death

I was reading Bert's recent post on dying as an atheist, and thought I'd share my eulogy again: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fib2Kg6dSzk

atheism

Real Deconversion Story #15 – Steve Dustcircle

Here is another account in my series of real-life deconversion stories. They are often painful, psychological affairs, as you can see from the various accounts. Steve Dustcircle kindly allowed me to crosspost this piece. It is an excerpted chapter from Leaving Worship: From Worship Leader to Atheist Activist. Please check

atheism

Give Me Your Deconversion Account Submissions!

As some of you might know, I have been running a series of deconversion accounts, as seen below. I would love if anyone else has an account they would like to put to words and get up here. Please let me know if you do. Please check out my book

atheism

Why the Atheist's Obsession with God?

Hi recently received this question on Facebook from someone I used to work with: When I was at uni I wrote a thesis on religious connotations in science fiction films. I also don’t believe in god but find it fascinating how those that don’t believe in god seem

atheism

It's That Time of Year Again!

I'll soon be thrashing out the old nativity debates and articles again. It seems like only yesterday, though that could be because they got resurrected when Dave Armstrong came knocking mid-year. Inthe meantime, stock those stockings and present those presents... Let me try to persuade you to part

atheism

Guest Post by Franz Kiekeben: William Lane Craig and Altruism

Here is a guest post from philosopher Franz Kiekeben - thanks Franz for adding to the mix! In a debate with Paul Kurtz, William Lane Craig contrasted theism and atheism with respect to self-sacrifice. He claims that on the theistic view, “God holds all persons morally accountable for their actions.

atheism

Is University Killing Religion?

There is a common idea that universities and colleges are fertile grounds for secularisation, that they are often seen as responsible for young intellectuals' lack of religiosity. FiveThirtyEight has a really fascinating article that looks at this claim and sees that it doesn't wholly add up. UCLA’

atheism

Quote of the Day: Anne Fenwick in Religion

This was a pretty spot on quote concerning defining religion in a UK-centric context when discussing whether religiosity has dropped in the UK. There are some difficulties in defining the word "religion" as has been discussed here. Anne clears up a few issues resulting from such conversations. This

atheism

On Defining Religion and Surveys Getting It Wrong. Apparently.

I recently posted a news release from Humanists UK. It talked about the continued recession of religion in the UK: The latest findings of the British Social Attitudes Survey, published today, reveal 71% of 18-24 year olds say they belong to no religion, while just 3% say they are Church

atheism

Latest British Social Attitudes: 71% of young adults non-religious, just 3% are Church of England

From Humanists UK: The latest findings of the British Social Attitudes Survey, published today, reveal 71% of 18-24 year olds say they belong to no religion, while just 3% say they are Church of England and 5% say they are Catholic. These latter two figures only increase slightly to 5%

atheism

Atheistically Bumper Me Up

The car in front of me had a bumper sticker on it. It read: “Pray for Trump. Psalm 109:8.” So when I got home I opened my bible to the scripture and read it aloud and started laughing. Psalm 109:8 “Let his days be few; and let another

atheism

Quote of the Day: Kass McMahon on Trump as an Atheist

There were a lot of interesting quotes on my short piece on the idea of Trump being outed as an atheist and what ramification this would have. Kass McMahon, on the ATP Facebook page, said this, which I liked: I think he is an atheist. Not in the traditional sense

atheism

What if Trump Was an Atheist?

This is merely a thought experiment, though it is almost undoubtedly the case anyway, but what if he was outed as an atheist or openly admitted it? There is no way he is genuinely religious. He is unbelievably narcissistic and the only god in his life is the one he

atheism

MR on Veiled Threats and Belief

There is an interesting thread over on another post, part of which is a conversation between Jim Dailey and MR. MR produced a number of quotable quotes, two of which I will lay out here for further discussion. People put so much effort into their comments that they often need

atheism

Quote of the Day: Jim Dailey on Love and Atheism

I thought this might provoke a little conversation. it was Jim Dailey's offering in response to Geoff Benson on the post “Will atheists admit that there is good reason to leave atheism and adopt Christianity?”. Geoff started with: I don't think there's any accommodation

atheism

On Deconversion Accounts

As many of you might have been aware and following, there is an ongoign set of debates and conversations between Patheos Catholic blogger, Dave Armstrong, and myself. This started off by him taking on deconversion accounts I have run here at ATP. My first thing to say is keep '

atheism

“No Religion” is the Top Religion in Australia

The census in Australia caused a lot of stirring in the nonreligious community, not least because the authorities agreed to move “no religion” to the top of the list on the Census. This is in accord with international practice. News.com.au reported: The religion question was controversial this year,

atheism

53% of Britons are non-religious, says latest British Social Attitudes Survey

This came from Humanists UK: The 34th annual British Social Attitudes Survey has shown that non-religious people represent a clear majority of British people in 2017, accounting for 53% of the population. This is a new high for the non-religious population, which was previously estimated at 51% in 2014. The

atheism

UK Poll Shows One in Five are Humanists, a Third Hold Humanist Beliefs

This is from Humanists UK: More than one in five people have humanist beliefs and values, a new survey published today has revealed. The new research, conducted by YouGov, has found that 22% of people are non-religious, use science in place of faith to understand the universe, and take a

atheism

Nearly 50% of UK Have No Religion, but Is This Peak? Atheism in the UK

The Guardian has reported this, recently: The secularisation of Britain has been thrown into sharp focus by new research showing that for every person brought up in a non-religious household who becomes a churchgoer, 26 people raised as Christians now identify as non-believers. The study also shows that inner London

atheism

Atheist's Truck Vandalised by God-fearing Neighbours

Being open about nonbelief is a really important step in normalising atheism, especially in the US. When atheists get harangued for, well, being atheist, it's pretty annoying. As CBS Minnesota reports: An atheist in northern Minnesota says his truck was vandalized over the Easter weekend with messages telling

atheism

An Evening of Humanist & Atheist Poetry & Music for your Enjoyment

At the end of last year, myself and a friend (and his son) performed an atheist poetry and music evening for the Dorset Humanists 20th Anniversary celebrations. I've only just realised now that it was recorded. Here it is for your delectation. The music is only being picked

atheism

Study Suggests There Could Be Twice as Many US Atheists as Polls Claim

No one doubts the growth in the number of nones in the US, that pesky group of nonreligious troublemakers. But a new study suggests that major polls of people's religious worldviews could vastly underreport American atheists. Will Gervais (who has done some great work on psychology, religion and

atheism

The Subtle TV Digs at Religion

I recently posted a number of video excerpts from the UK that overtly have a go at religion that we are lucky enough in the UK to have I was watching season 2 of Line of Duty the other day and there was a glorious little comment that would go

atheism

Atheist Talks "Holy Trinity of Science" in Invocation

Justin Scott, member of the Freedom from Religion Foundation, recently gave an invocation in the Iowa House, urging members there to "invoke the holy trinity of science made up of reason, observation and experience" as they went about their daily work. As the WCF Courier reports: The trinity,