Tom Beasley | An American Atheist

Yet another atheist billboard

By Tom Beasley on March 8, 2012 | Discuss

In a long string of atheist billboard campaigns, in particular those by American Atheists, Inc., a new billboard unsurprisingly incites anger and outrage. American Atheists’ president Dave Silverman appeared sometime ago on Bill O’Reilly to discuss the new era of atheist billboards. The new billboards are even more provocative:

The billboards appeared in Pennsylvania and were later partially torn down in an act of vandalism. While this writer understands the poignancy and legitimacy of the billboard’s message, he questions the efficacy.

From FriendlyAtheist

Mormon church attempts to reduce “proxy baptisms”

By Tom Beasley on March 6, 2012 | Discuss

As we discuss on the upcoming episode, the Mormon church has recently undergone criticism for proxy baptisms. That is, posthumous baptisms, in particular of members of other faiths. The church has even baptized Anne Frank, and other prominent Jewish figures.

However, the church has tried to reduce the rampant proxy baptisms. The Associated Press reports:

Mormon church leaders say the church’s policy of not performing posthumous baptisms of Holocaust victims and others unrelated to its members will be reiterated worldwide during Sunday services.

Source

The church goes on to explain that it will officially no longer baptize holocaust survivors in particular. It seems clear that the basic proxy baptisms will continue, just not focused on these particular sensitive groups.

Also, check out Colbert’s take on the issue.

California courts find Prop 8 unconstitutional

By Tom Beasley on February 8, 2012 | Discuss

The Mormon Church showed some disappointment over the news that the 9th district California courts affirmed a lower court ruling that Prop. 8 was unconstitutional.

Amazing atheist resources

By Tom Beasley on February 6, 2012 | Discuss

I’ve mentioned some of these before on the show and on the blog but one cannot say enough good things about some of these resources:

Iron Chariots is a counter apologetics wiki that has tons of great explanations when you get into arguments with people over religion. The site is curated by a number of people in the atheist community, most notably by hosts of the Atheist Experience. Some of their best pages are:

Arguments for the existence of God

Arguments against the existence of God

Common objections

and Atheism; there is also a directory for podcasts.

Bill Maher on atheism

By Tom Beasley on February 6, 2012 | Discuss

Bill Maher had a great rant about “atheism being a religion,” an assertion which many people continue to make, such as Furedi. This is also in response to a recent guest on his show Lisa Kennedy Montgomery, who caused some stir when she argued that atheism was indeed a religion.

Maher concludes his speech with “un-baptizing” (as Mormons would often baptize those who have already died): “I call upon the Mormon spirits to leave your body the **** alone.”