Yellowstone Earthquakes and the Importance of Science

Earthquakes have been swarming in Yellowstone. The significance? Possible future volcanic activity. Though not an immediate threat, this is a good illustration of why we need good, rational science.
…[T]he Yellowstone Caldera, formed in a giant volcanic eruption 640,000 years ago that blasted 240 cubic miles (1,000 km3) of molten rock (magma) into the atmosphere-more than [...]

Post-Partisan Invocation

Much has been made of Rick Warren being invited by Obama to give the invocation at the innauguration. I didn’t much care until I ran across the news that Rick Warren calls his critics “Christophobes.”
I take exception to that. I am not phobic of Christ, but of his followers. I am in fact, a Rickophobe. [...]

Couldn’t have said it better myself

I was reading some Bertrand Russell on Christmas (doesn’t everybody?).  What can I say, it was a slow day and religion is on everyone’s mind that day.
I found his short essay on The Essence of Religion.  It struck a chord with me.  Many people have said most of what he wrote, but Russell managed to [...]

Congressman Mark Souder says his highlight of the year was being on Ben Stein’s “Expelled.”

Sylvia Smith interviewed Congressman Mark Souder for the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette in which Souder states his “personal highlight of the year.”  The highlight is none other than being in Ben Stein’s anti-evolution propaganda movie, “Expelled, No Intelligence Allowed.”
You appeared on the big screen this year. What was that experience like?
The biggest single moment [...]

How to ally with atheists

Contrary to popular belief, atheists are not necessarily loners. On the whole, we enjoy socializing with other people as much as anyone. And corrolary to that, organized atheists such as FreeThought Fort Wayne want to ally themselves with other social and community groups that share our values. We recognize that there’s power in numbers.
That can [...]

Facts, Values and a Place for the Profound: A conversation with Sam Harris

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5866556893566833643
This is from The Science Network (TSN) and was a prelude before the Beyond Belief: Candles in the Dark conference.  I am glad they added economics and  psychology sections to the usual science and religion topics.  Bookmark the site and take your time with the lectures.  Enjoy.

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Skeptical Battlegrounds, a review

Steven Novella begins to outline the major battlegrounds for skepticism.

Daddy, all I want for Christmas is the truth!

One of my favorite holiday sites is WrongCards, eCards that are “wrong for every occasion!” Here’s a great freethinking card:

‘Nuff said.

FreeThought Fort Wayne’s January Meeting (updated)

[ January 21, 2009; 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. ] FreeThought Fort Wayne’s next meeting is coming up Wed., January 21st. We’ll be voting on the constitution, and electing officers so all members who want a say in the direction of the group should be sure to attend.

December Sunday Coffee Klatch

Our third FreeThought Fort Wayne Sunday Coffee Klatch is coming up this Sunday, December 21st at the Firefly Coffee House on N. Anthony Blvd. Many thanks to Andy W. for coordinating this outing.

What: December Sunday Coffee Klatch
Where: Firefly Coffee House, 3523 N Anthony Blvd (map)
When: Sunday, December 21st, 2008; 10 am – 12 pm
FFW’s [...]