Tales of Ordinary Madness

These are too damn funny. No idea why I’m just discovering these guys now…

I knew I missed something when I was in the UK. I missed an opportunity to purchase a Certificate of Debaptism from the National Secular Society.

Debaptism Certificate

My good friend Sunil asked me the other day why I was so harsh on religion. If I remember the timing correctly he was responding primarliy to the “Crazy vs Religious” cartoon I posted below. Sam Harris summed it up for me very well in the video below, but I’d like to paraphrase. If I came to you and insisted that there was inside of me a giant invisible machine powered by invisible winged monkeys that generated the very energy that kept all of life going, you would dismiss me a crazy person. This is a totally rational response to what I have claimed. Unless I can provide some shred of evidence, I should be dismissed as a kook. However, religion is given a pass when it comes to rational thought. Challenge religion to produce any evidence of its claims and suddenly you are guilty of oppression and religious intolerance. Claiming that a man walked on water, or rose from the dead, or flew off into the sky on a winged horse, or parted the sea is no less crazy than my winged monkeys whodrive the giant love engine. As I’ve said before, how can we as an rational animal be expected to advance, when we insist on bringing the boogey man from the past along with us.

As long as religion continues to attempt to change laws or prevent archaic laws from being changed (like preventing two consenting adults from legally marrying), I will speak harshly of religion. As long as religion keeps attmepting to prevent birth control from being taught in schools or preventing condoms from being distributed to a contintent whose population is being decimated by AIDs, I will continue to speak harshly of religion.

In yet another nice change, Obama included the following line in his inaugural address:

“For we know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness. We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus – and non-believers.”

Oh ya, all that goodness under a single roof. This little gem of Americana can be located in downtown Southern Pines, North Carolina. When I found out this place was located just a few short miles from Jess’ Mom’s house, how could I resist. I dragged Jess out there (someone had to take the pics) this afternoon

Here’s a pic of me standing next to the bear that announces the presence of this great museum:

Oh and the best part of this museum is their collection of ALL of the credible evidence for evolution:

In case it’s not obvious, the only thing in the case is a plastic snake wrapped around an apple.

If the sign isn’t clear, here is a better shot:

Ridiculous is the nicest word I can think to describe this place. If you’re in the neighborhood make sure you stop by.

Sounds like a great place full of really progressive open-minded individuals.

If you share Alice’s sentiments, try replacing the word atheist with Christians, African Americans, Jews, Italians, etc. See if you still like it as much