I want to make one thing clear. I do not hate religious people nor am I interested in oppressing their right to exerecise their religion. I have issues with some of their fundamental beliefs and the way they can affect (harm) other people. I will not tolerate those who assert their religious freedom is being oppressed when it violates the separation of church and state a la abortion, same-sex marriage, and contraceptive rights.  As with racism,...

Pascal's Wager

What a hunk. "Pascal's Wager" is an argument in favor of God's existence, trumped by Christian philosopher Blaise Pascal in the 17th century. He argues that no matter if a person believes there to be a god or not, one should believe in it anyway because if there happens to be a god then it would be better to be a believer when it comes time to "meet your (so-called) maker"-- as a sort of safety precaution. It's better to believe because it's a...

This Just In: Women Shouldn't Have Rights To Their Body!

Debates over women's contraception "privileges" dominated news last year as old white men argued over women's rights to their body. While the issue is mostly to do with privacy rights, the massive opposition is deeply rooted in the religious sentiment that contraception is a method by which humans subvert God's plans, considering the Bible says that the matter of copulation is only to produce offspring. Why would any women need birth control if she's...

If Atheists Ruled the World

"If Atheists Ruled the World" is a YouTube video released by user sliptivity which has garnered over 2.5 million views. The video is a satire of sorts, for the speakers are repeating comments on Christian fundamentalist forums online. The creators are making fun of these commenters by delivering the lines in a deadpan way. The last part is probably my favorite clip of all time. Of course, the commenters could have been, as the internet savvy say, "trolls"but I have a deep sinking feeling that they are not. Enj...

A few years ago, Bill Maher, host of Real Time with Bill Maher on HBO, wrote and starred in a documentary called "Religulous," which centers on religion as it stands today in America by interviewing outspoken and fervent Christians, visiting a creationist museum, and contemplating the origins of the Christian religion and God. He even interviews Ken Ham! (Yep, the one that debated Bill Nye.) While it is super easy to cut Maher's interviews...

Pope Francis's Crusade Against Capitalism

Pope Francis's Crusade Against Capitalism: Stephen Colbert addresses the pope's ongoing critique of capitalism raises concerns that he might be a socialist. First, Bill O'Reilly claims the far left is skewing Pope Francis's words to fit their agenda. Then, news outlets break the news that the pope is calling for the redistribution of wealth. What a guy. This week on "I can't believe we're still having this debate," we're still having this debate....

The Power of Myth

By recommendation from my freshmen year English teacher, I read The Power of Myth, a series of video interviews between Bill Moyers and Joseph Campbell that were transcribed into book format regarding mythology around the world. According to his Wikipedia description, Campbell is credited as an American mythologist who focuses on comparative mythology and religion. The main idea of the book is the reoccurrence of the "monomyth," a common...