Atheism

A Catholic civil rights group says that the attempt by atheist activists to remove nativity scenes and faith-related symbols from the public square during Christian holidays is proof that they have targeted Christianity.

The Catholic League, considered the denomination’s largest civil rights organization in the U.S., stated on its website that the “War on Christmas” is getting “crazy.”

League President Bill Donohue said that because atheist activists often become most visible in their actions against Christian symbolism during the Christmas and Easter seasons, it “is proof that their real hatred is of all things Christian.” more >>

An estimated 5,000 people showed up for a rally Saturday in Athens, Texas, to support a Nativity display in opposition to an atheist group that had requested the county remove the display.

Nathan Lorick, pastor of First Baptist Church in Malakoff, one of four pastors that helped organize the rally, said in a Sunday interview with The Christian Post that they had hoped that 2,000 or 2,500 would show up. They printed 3,000 flyers for the event, but came up 2,000 short.

“We hoped this would be a statement across the nation that would resonate in the hearts of people, that they would know it's OK to stand up for the faith,” Lorick said, “and maybe that this would spark a movement across the nation and people would rise up in every small town, every metro city and contend for the faith.” more >>

The day after the death of famed atheist Christopher Hitchens, his conservative Anglican brother Peter Hitchens publicly mourned his brother’s death via a column written for the Daily Mail.

Peter Hitchens, who is a regular columnist and journalist for the U.K. digital publication, admitted in his article that he struggled with how to respond to condolences and inquiries for interviews in light of a sometimes strained but very public relationship between the two.

He wrote that he was compelled to share with readers soon after his closest living relative passed away late Thursday evening after a yearlong battle with esophageal cancer. Christopher, author of God is Not Great, was given advanced treatments for the cancer including radiation, but continued to downslide throughout the year. more >>

Everyone has had something to say about "The New Atheism." The New Atheist movement has been characterized by intellectually robust, agressive public discourse contra Christianity. Christians, in some cases rightfully so, have been outraged by comments that atheists like the late Christopher Hitchens have made. The center of Christian apologetics for the past decade, for some, has centered around Hitchens, Richard Dawkins, and Sam Harris.

Now Hitchens has died, and with him his ability to engage in public debate. Hitchens never shied away from debating anyone in public, especially a Christian contender. In the coming days, many will hold a sort of virtual debate online, weighing the strengths and weaknesses of his arguments. Hitchens wrote many books, so there is plenty of material to analyze. But for Hitchens, personally, the debate is over. All of the questions Hitchens wrestled with on earth have been confronted with infinite certitude, the kind that only the presence of God can provide.

So what now? Hitchens truly made an impact on the world. The New York Times actually stopped their presses to redraw the front page with the obituary. more >>

A thousand or more people organized by a coalition of about 70 pastors are expected at a rally Saturday in support of a Texas county courthouse nativity display that is being challenged by an atheists group as unconstitutional.

The “Rally for the Nativity” event planned for the Henderson County Courthouse located in Athens is being spearheaded by Pastor Nathan Lorick of First Baptist Church in Malakoff, a neighboring town off Highway 31.

Lorick told The Christian Post Thursday that people are coming to the noon-time rally from as far away as Amarillo, which is a seven to eight hour drive. He said he has received word that supporters are coming from other states, such as Oklahoma and Louisiana, as well. more >>

Christians everywhere have been responding in grief and sadness over the death of famed atheist Christopher Hitchens, who passed away late Thursday evening after a yearlong battle with esophageal cancer.

From pastors to theologians alike, all expressed pain and sorrow over the recent news, which Vanity Fair was the first to announce. The magazine reported that Hitchens had died from pneumonia, a complication from his stage IV cancer. He was 62 years old.

Pastor Rick Warren, founder of Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Calif., tweeted, “My friend Christopher Hitchens has died. I loved & prayed for him constantly & grieve his loss. He knows the Truth now.” more >>