Why do God-believers hate atheists so much? Apparently they (the God-believers) find that an unwillingness to credit magical enchantment and mumbo-jumbo makes them (the atheists) untrustworthy: READ MORE

Ross Douthat goes after what he calls "Hollywood's religion of choice" in the Times today: "Avatar is [James] Cameron's long apologia for pantheism-a faith that equates God with Nature, and calls humanity into religious communion with the natural world." Describing pantheism as "a form of religion that even atheists can support," he argues that it doesn't offer humans the "escape upward" into immortality that he believes is the reason religion exists. READ MORE

Here's a story about yet another campaign aimed at convincing theists that you can have a fulfilling and moral life without believing in some sort of divine overseer. I've already expressed my feelings on this issue, but, really, can't the atheism movement try a little harder to make sure that their spokesfolk don't look exactly like the actors that would be cast in the Onion version of this clip? You're asking people to give up their gods; at least show up with someone who looks like Brad Pitt or something.

I saw one of these bus ads on my way over to the Awl offices this morning, and I have to tell, you, I was a little underwhelmed. I mean, as an atheist I'm all for anything that helps further the cause or at least increases understanding between rational thinkers and Godites, but is this really the most effective way to go about it? Who is going to get excited enough to change their preconceptions with this dry and unappealing message? How about something like, "Illicit blowjobs feel even better without the nagging religious guilt," or "You want to spend an hour of your life listening to some guy reading from Ephesians, go ahead; but I'll save you a seat at the bar during the game just in case." I mean, let's offer some incentives at least.