Atheism

Months after putting up billboards promoting life without religion, humanist groups in Portland kicked off a three-day film festival on Friday to showcase the “growth” of their movement and promote atheism.

Hosted by Cinema 21 in Northwest Portland, the Portland Humanist Film Fest seeks to “provide, through the medium of film, an expansive window into many of the aspects of existence, morality, history, science and philosophy that reflect the humanist perspective,” according to the event’s website.

A second annual film festival of this kind, it’s a “secular cinematic event where humanists, atheists, agnostics, skeptics, freethinkers, and the curious from the Northwest and beyond can gather, mingle and share in an exciting and stimulating atmosphere,” says the sponsor, Center for Inquiry-Portland. more >>

Atheist Christopher Hitchens has fallen ill from pneumonia, thus cancelling his scheduled appearance in London with his good friend, actor and writer Stephen Fry.

The two were set for an upcoming interview at London’s Royal Festival Hall on Wednesday.

FORA.tv and Intelligence2 UK announced a change in the program after learning about Hitchens’ sickness, stating that they had good and bad news on their website. more >>

While making more accommodations for religious minorities at their facilities, many Christian colleges draw the line at atheism.

Earlier this year, Notre Dame University, which has a Muslim Student Association and a Jewish Club, rejected an application to create a Secular Student Alliance chapter.

Dennis Brown, assistant vice president of Public Information and Communications for Notre Dame, told The Christian Post that the university’s policy is that a student organization’s goals must not contradict the mission of the university or the Roman Catholic teaching. more >>

The makers of "The Genesis Code" are hoping that their movie about the convergence of science and faith set against the backdrop of a college community will draw from the increasing popularity of Christian-based productions during a limited release in Midwest cities.

"The Genesis Code," which premieres at theaters in Indiana, Illinois and Missouri on Friday, has a somewhat autobiographical story line similar to the writer of the film, said pastor and film producer Jerry Zandstra.

Film writer Michael W. Leighton also co-produced the movie with Zandstra. more >>

An online witch school recently launched a public relations campaign declaring a shortage of teachers it claims comes as the result of Wicca becoming the fastest growing religion in America.

Witch School International, Inc. said in a press release that “America is on the brink of awakening and discovering its inner magic, and this is changing belief systems around the world as well. How this change occurs depends on what people believe, and more people than ever are looking at Paganism and Wicca.”

The schools co-founder, Ed Hubbard, is quoted as saying, “There is such a rapid spiritual reorientation in America occurring, that the need for thousands of Wiccan teachers over the course of the next decade will be required to meet the demand for basic teachings.” more >>

Backyard Skeptics, an atheism advocacy group in California's Orange County, is stirring up skepticism about the faith of one of America's Founding Fathers – Thomas Jefferson.

The group drew stares Monday when it unveiled a billboard it sponsored in Costa Mesa, Calif. The billboard features a towering Thomas Jefferson proclaiming: "I do not find in Christianity one redeeming feature…it is founded on fables and mythology." The quote is drawing criticism after viewers realized that the only myth was the supposed Jefferson quote itself.

"The response to the billboard has mainly been negative," said Bruce Gleason, Backyard Skeptics' founder and organizer, on Friday. "This is something that touches the emotions of people. When you make a mistake, everyone against your opinion wants to exploit it." more >>