Category Archives: Atheist

Associated Press Published 8:44 a.m. CT June 24, 2021 | Updated 9:46 a.m. CT June 24, 2021

Mississippi's standard license plate was unveiled in 2018 and released for use in 2019. It displays the state seal that includes the phrase, "In God We Trust."(Photo: Rogelio V. Solis, AP)

Four words on Mississippi's license plates have sparked a federal lawsuit.

American Atheists, the Mississippi Humanist Association and three nonreligious state residents filed a lawsuit Tuesday against the state over its In God We Trust license plate. The complaint accuses the Mississippi Commissioner of Revenue of violating the peoples freedom of speech and religion by forcing them to display the religious message on their personal vehicles.

The license plate has included In God We Trust since 2019. The lawsuit claims that car owners are forced to promote the religious statement or pay an additional fee for a specialty plate without it.

Every minute they spend on the streets of Mississippi, atheists are forced to act as a billboard for the states religious message, said Geoffrey T. Blackwell, litigation counsel at American Atheists. Some can avoid being a mouthpiece for the government by paying a penalty.

The lawsuit also claims that there are no alternatives to the plate for trailers, motorcycles, recreational vehicles, drivers with disabilities and custom plates.

For years, I had a personalized license plate message on the old blues guitar design, said American Atheists Mississippi Assistant State Director for Gulfport Sarah Worrel. In 2019, when In God We Trust became the new standard plate, I was forced to either give up my chosen message or display it alongside the Mississippi governments religious statement. I shouldnt have to make that choice. The government shouldnt be able to decree that I display a message that goes against my beliefs.

Gov. Tate Reeves, in a statement on Twitter, said he plans to defend the license plate's motto.

I know Mississippis values are our strengthand I meant it when I said as Governor I would defend our values every single day! I will defend In God We Trust on our tag, on our flag, and on our state seal.Every. Single. Day, he wrote.

No matter how much Gov. Reeves or other politicians want to pretend that Mississippi is some kind of Christians-only club, it doesnt make it true, said Nick Fish, president of American Atheists. Forcing atheist drivers to endorse a religious message they reject is antithetical to our values as Americans and unconstitutional, plain and simple.

Read or Share this story: https://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/2021/06/24/atheists-humanists-mississippis-license-plates-lawsuit/5333794001/

Excerpt from:

'In God We Trust'? Lawsuit says not on these Mississippi license plates - Clarion Ledger

Dave Warnock spent nearly 40 years as a church leader and evangelical pastor. It wasnt until a decade ago that he began exploring the possibility that this idea he had dedicated his life to might be wrong. But thats what he concluded in 2011. He took that journey away from faith, through the term agnostic, all the way to atheist.

He says on his website that the decision to leave Christianity cost him his family. Two of his three children have effectively shunned him. His decades-long marriage ended. And separate from all that, he was diagnosed with ALS (a.k.a. Lou Gehrigs disease).

That, however, has also given him a new purpose in life. Warnock now speaks openly about confronting death as an atheist.

In a video produced by Seth Andrews, Warnock discusses his Dying Out Loud philosophy.

I love the part where he speaks about using the quality of the time he has left and not worrying about the quantity. If any other parts of Warnocks comments stand out to you, please leave the timestamps and summary below!

(via TheThinkingAtheist)

Original post:

In Uplifting Video, an Atheist Dying of ALS Talks About Living for the Moment - Friendly Atheist - Patheos

One of the newest elected officials in St. Louis, Missouri is 28-year-old Bill Stephens, who was recently elected to the citys Board of Aldermen. He beat an incumbent by a vote of 1421 to 1331. It was close.

What makes his victory especially surprising is that Stephens was open about being gay and atheist during his campaign in a ward that the Riverfront Times described as reliably conservative and Catholic.

How the hell did he pull off that victory?

His answer is excellent advice for other candidates who share similar traits:

Stephens kicked off his campaign by introducing himself as gay and atheist. Then he got down to the business of winning the election, a process during which his identity wasnt much of a factor. He believes that an incredibly diverse range of identities accrue to the community when people come out. That presents the beauty of our diversity, of course, he says, but it also presents the friction points. Were united by our gay identity, but when so many other parts of our identity come into play, sometimes theres friction. Pride, he says, can be an occasion to set that friction aside and focus instead on the commonalities.

In other words, he decided he wasnt going to be ashamed of his identity. He wasnt going to hide it for political purposes. He just put it out there right up front. And that allowed his campaign to focus on issues that voters could get behind no matter their political leanings. (When Danica Roem, a trans woman, won her State House seat in Virginia in 2018, she also said her identity wasnt a big factor for voters because her campaign centered on shared problems like the frickin road over in my home town.)

Just look at Stephens campaign website. It promotes compassion and empathy. He discusses his ideas for public safety, economic development, and good government. Stuff that everyone cares about. And those arent just talking points! Those are the reasons hes running. And by making it clear right up front that hes gay and atheist, he basically took those issues away from his opponent and critics so they couldnt use them against him which might have been easier if he tried to downplay or run away from them.

Even if that wasnt a deliberate strategy, its the playbook Ive seen from so many other open atheists who ended up winning their elections.

Now, even after his victory, with the number of aldermen possibly decreasing from 28 to 14 in the future, Stephens isnt worried about his political future:

As an atheist, I believe this is our one shot, he says. Lets leave the world and the city a better place than we found it. I want the work I do in the next two years to benefit generations to come.

You dont need to be an atheist to think like that, but its incredibly powerful to hear an atheist an elected atheist say that without hesitation.

(Image via Facebook)

More here:

This St. Louis Alderman Shows How Atheists Can Win Races in Conservative Areas - Friendly Atheist - Patheos

Image on the left from the Freedom From Religion Foundation. Image on the right by Nexstar staff.

LUBBOCK, Texas The Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) sent a letter to University Medical Center requesting that it take down a banner with religious messaging.

The banner, which was displayed along the outside of a parking structure, read, Gracious Lord, for all of UMC I pray Your divine protection over them, guidance within them & provision for them daily. Reverend Wendell Davis. Firm, not fearful.

The FFRF is a Wisconsin-based organization that aims to protect the separation of church and state.

It said that the banner represents an unconstitutional endorsement of religion over nonreligion. It also said the message alienates nonreligious Americans.

We urge UMC to recognize its obligation to provide all citizens with an environment free from religious endorsement by removing this exclusionary display, FFRF said.

UMC has since replaced the banner with another banner that says Service is our passion because our passion is you.

UMC Health System recognizes diversity in our workplace and in our patient population, UMC said in a statement. UMC Health System also understands the delicate balance between the free exercise of religion and government neutrality.

UMC is operated by the Lubbock County Hospital District.

See the original post:

UMC replaces religious banner after pressure from atheist organization - KLBK | KAMC | EverythingLubbock.com

Always one to find and promote a conspiracy where there isnt one, right-wing hate-preacher Greg Locke says hes ready to use his Second Amendment right to protect his First even though literally no one is trying to prevent him from speaking.

Locke wrongly thinks conservatives who spread COVID lies and election conspiracies have some First Amendment right to broadcast their views on every social media site. And hell shoot his imaginary enemies the first chance he gets.

He explained this to host Stew Peters of Red Voice Media:

This conservative censorship is true across the board. Ive been banned from, you know, YouTube, Twitter, Facebook has banned me, put me in jail many, many times. Im sure you and your program, being as bold as it is, youve experienced the exact same thing. And so people that say that this is not an attack have lost their mind. This is an absolute attack on our First Amendment right.

And I tell people all the time: Look, when it comes to our church, and what we need to say, and remaining open, that when they impede upon our First Amendment right, well meet them at the door of the tent with our Second Amendment right.

Because, look, they are trying to silence us. And I think our compromise is our silence. The fact that we are not willing to push back

To be clear: Private websites are not obligated to spread hate speech or dangerous lies on their platforms. Their rules are not bound by the First Amendment. The Founding Fathers didnt include the Right to Tweet Anything You Want in the Constitution.

And the government has an obligation to protect public health. So when they issue restrictions on all public gatherings due to the pandemic and churches can easily just stream services online, as many have done Locke suggests that he would shoot those government employees.

If a Muslim, or atheist, or other non-Christian attempted to kill people looking out for everyones best interests, it would arguably get more coverage

But when Locke does it, its just another day that ends in day.

(via Right Wing Watch)

More:

Preacher: COVID Church Closures Will Be Met With Our Second Amendment Right - Friendly Atheist - Patheos

The smart thriller about priest-in-training David Acosta (Mike Colter), forensic psychologist Kristen Bouchard (Katja Herbers) and atheist tech specialist Ben Shakir (Aasif Mandvi, above left, with Herbers and Colter) investigating demonic possession moves from CBS to Paramount+ for Season 2.

Evils home may be different, but the cases involving the tension between faith and science are as scary, witty and entertaining as ever.

A crucifix burned Kristens hand after she apparently executed the serial killer threatening her daughters. David had a vision in which a hairy horned demon went after Kristen, and her mother Sheryl (Christine Lahti) became engaged to the demonic psychopath Leland Townsend (Michael Emerson)!

Guess whos demanding an exorcism? Townsend claims hes changed and wants Satan expelled before his marriage. He, for one, is likely lying, but the others are evolving. Kristen is in touch with her dark side after her alleged violent altercation, nonbeliever Ben cant rationally explain his demon-filled night terrors and temptation-riddled David meets a no-nonsense nun (recurring star Andrea Martin) wholl help in his fight against (what else?) evil.

Evil, Season 2 Premiere, Sunday, June 20, Paramount+

Read the original here:

Where Evil Left Off & Whats Next When Season 2 Premieres on Paramount+ - TV Insider

Floridas Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed into a law a Moment of Silence bill that serves no educational purpose whatsoever but will allow Republicans to say they put prayer back in public school.

HB 529 forces all public schools in the state to have a moment of silence that lasts at least 60 seconds a length of time during which students are legally forbidden from learning anything.

The bills sponsor, State Rep. Randy Fine, said earlier this year that the silence was necessary because I fundamentally believe that our kids have issues today in part because they dont have time for moments of reflection. He said that after referencing the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland. To put that another way, Fine thought about Parkland, blamed it on kids having issues, and thought the cure was forced silence.

But other Republicans, including DeSantis, admitted what everyone else knows is true: This is all about injecting Christianity in schools:

The idea that you can just push God out of every institution and be successful, Im sorry, our Founding Fathers did not believe that, DeSantis said, shortly before signing the measure behind a placard that read protect religious liberty.

Fine actually said the same thing when the bill was introduced:

No one ever pushed God out of public schools. Students can pray in school. Students can read the Bible in school. Students can form Bible clubs that meet after school. No court decision has ever said otherwise, and no atheist group has ever called for censorship on those matters.

DeSantis is lying because hes a Republican and he knows his conservative Christian supporters are dumb enough to believe him.

A minute of silence wont help kids. It never has. But instead of addressing what students actually need in the classroom, Floridas GOP-majority legislature would rather take symbolic steps to win over a thoughtless right-wing base.

By the way, the law says students may not interfere with other students participation during the silence. But theres nothing in there preventing them from holding some kind of clever silent protest against the ignorant adults who want to micromanage their school day for the sake of appeasing Christian Nationalists.

(Screenshot via News4Jax)

Go here to see the original:

Florida Will Now Force Kids to Observe a 1-Minute Moment of Silence in School - Friendly Atheist - Patheos

Many people are interested in distinguishing between the words agnostic and atheist. The difference is quite simple: atheist refers to someone who does not believe in the existence of a god or any gods, and agnostic refers to someone who doesnt know whether there is a god, or even if such a thing is knowable. This distinction can be troublesome to remember, but examining the origins of the two words can help.

Agnostic first appeared in 1869, (possibly coined by the English biologist Thomas Henry Huxley), and was formed from the Greek agnstos (meaning "unknown, unknowable"). Atheist came to English from the French athisme. Although both words share a prefix (which is probably the source of much of the confusion) the main body of each word is quite different. Agnostic shares part of its history with words such as prognosticate and prognosis, words which have something to do with knowledge or knowing something. Atheist shares roots with words such as theology and theism, which generally have something to do with God.

Read the original here:

Atheist | Definition of Atheist by Merriam-Webster

Celebrity atheistsinclude some of the biggest names in entertainment and pop culture who do not believe in a higher power. This is a list of famous people who are atheists, with photos, that is regularly updated as new celebrities choose atheism.

Who are the most famous celebrity atheists? There are hundreds of famous Hollywood atheists from TV, film, radio, and the theater. Some notable atheists on this list have either come out with or mentioned their atheism in public, likeatheist comedian Ricky Gervais,and others are just known for a lack of a belief in God.

Celebrity atheism seems to be more prominent with the show-business set than in middle America. Academy Award winner Joaquin Phoenix is also an atheist. He and late brother River Phoenix were actually born into a cult, which likely led toThe Jokerstar's current decision to refrain from organized religion.

Keira Knightley is one of the atheist actresses on the list, while Keanu Reeves is another of the well-known atheist celebs. Did any of these atheist stars surprise you?

...more

View post:

175+ Celebrity Atheists | List of Atheist Actors

Atheist is a death metal band from Florida, founded in 1984 by the vocalist and guitarist Kelly Shaefer, guitarist Rand Burkey, bassist Roger Patterson and drummer Steve Flynn. The band is known for its highly technical playing style and its 1991 album, Unquestionable Presence, is regarded as an important landmark of the technical death metal genre.[3] After disbanding in 1994, the band reformed in 2006 and has since released one studio album and a live DVD.[citation needed]

The band was originally formed in 1984 in Sarasota, firstly under the name Oblivion and later as R.A.V.A.G.E. (which stands for "Raging Atheists Vowing A Gory End").[4] They recorded their first album, Piece of Time, in 1988, though the album was not released until 1990 due to record company issues. In 1991, Patterson died in a car accident and Atheist recruited Tony Choy (previously a member of Cynic) to record their second album, Unquestionable Presence. Atheist disbanded for the first time in 1992, reuniting in 1993 and recording a third album, Elements, fulfilling their contractual requirements, before disbanding for a second time.

Seven years after their second break up, Shaefer decided to re-release and remaster their three albums with different bonus tracks.

Relapse Records re-issued the band's three albums in late 2005, as well as a vinyl box set containing the three albums plus the R.A.V.A.G.E. demo "On They Slay". Flynn formed the band Gnostic in the same year. In January 2006, Atheist announced they were regrouping to perform live during the summer and autumn. The line-up was Shaefer, Burkey, Choy and Flynn. Shaefer only provided vocals due to long battles with tendinitis and carpal tunnel syndrome.[5] The Gnostic guitarist Sonny Carson played all of Shaefer's guitar parts, while Burkey was later replaced by Chris Baker of Gnostic.

On July 12, 2008, Shaefer issued a statement indicating that he and Flynn were working on new material.[6] A month later, Shaefer announced that they had commenced the recording of a new studio album, which would be their first in over 15 years. The band toured Europe and the US in 2009 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the release of Piece of Time. A live DVD filmed at the Wacken Open Air Festival appeared towards the end of the year.[7]

On July 11, 2010, Atheist revealed that their fourth studio album would be called Jupiter and was set for a November release.[8] They inked a deal with Season of Mist and Jupiter was released on November 8, 2010.[9]

On August 3, 2010, Shaefer and Flynn announced on behalf of the band that Tony Choy would not be appearing on Jupiter but was still likely to appear in live performances with the band due to his own musical aspirations.[10] The band announced in 2014 that it was working on a fifth studio album, which was planned to be released in 2015;[11] however, the album would be left unreleased for over half a decade.

In February 2018, Atheist signed with Agonia Records.[12] The band expects to release their fifth studio album sometime in 2021 or 2022, and in order to support it, they will embark on their first European tour in over ten years in February 2022.[13]

Current

Current Live

Former

Guitarists

Bass guitarists

Drummers

Timeline

Read more from the original source:

Atheist (band) - Wikipedia