Atheism

Christians in Texas fed up with efforts by atheist groups to remove Christmas nativity scenes from public squares have been rallying, perhaps more unified than ever, behind Henderson County’s decision to defend their manger display on the courthouse lawn from a potential lawsuit.

As the result of a threatening letter from the Madison, Wis.-based Freedom From Religion Foundation received on Monday, pastors from the area have decided that they will no longer be silent on the issue.

The FFRF has asked that the county in east Texas remove the display from the square located in the city of Athens. The group also plans to display a banner next to the nativity scene that states, “At this Season of the Winter Solstice, LET REASON PREVAIL.” The banner further describes religion as a “myth and superstition.” more >>

One of the largest Catholic civil rights organizations in the United States is asking Christians this Christmas season to “adopt an atheist.”

The new initiative created by the Catholic League began on Thursday aiming to, in the words of the organization’s director of communications, Jeff Field, “bring a little joy into the lives of the poor atheist that has nothing this time of year.”

Field explained to The Christian Post in an email that the latest campaign was organized as a response to comments made by American Atheists President David Silverman to The New York Times. more >>

The battle to save a historic statue of Jesus that stands on the grounds of Whitefish Mountain Resort in Montana -- on a section of land belonging to the Flathead National Forest -- heats up as Liberty Institute, a Christian think tank linked to Focus on the Family, joins the discussion.

The medium size statue, which doubles as a War World II memorial and which has been thus far maintained by the Knights of Columbus, a non-profit, is at the center of a debate over the placement of religious symbols on public land.

Knights of Columbus erected the Jesus statue in 1955, as a monument to those who served and died in the 10th Mountain Division during World War II, according to the institute’s press release. The statue was to be reminiscent of many religious shrines the division encountered in Europe. more >>

[UPDATE] 12/12 11:53 a.m.

The Freedom From Religion Foundation says one Pennsylvania city doesn't have to take down its Nativity scene, which sits on the lawn in front of city hall, as long as the city also agrees to put up a banner that mocks God and religion.

“At this season of the Winter Solstice, LET REASON PREVAIL,” the banner says. “There are no gods, no devils, no angels, no heaven or hell. There is only our natural world. Religion is but myth and superstition that hardens hearts and enslaves minds.” more >>

A California-based atheist group known for its anti-Christian advertising campaigns and events is to host a press conference Friday, under its newest “Treaty of Tripoli” billboard in Costa Mesa, Calif.

The group, called the Backyard Skeptics, has been sparking controversy locally and nationwide by putting up roadside billboards questioning God's existence, as well staging controversial events like ripping up Bible pages or distributing flyers encouraging recipients to doubt the Scriptures.

The new 48x14-foot billboard raised above 1526 Newport Boulevard in Costa Mesa Tuesday reads: “America is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion.” The atheist group announced they will hold a press conference there Friday, at 4:00 p.m. local time. more >>

If there’s one thing Christopher Hitchens has learned from cancer it’s this – whatever doesn’t kill him doesn’t make him stronger.

Finding a new perspective on life through his illness, having been diagnosed with esophageal cancer in 2010, the oustpoken atheist recently explained on Vanity Fair why he no longer found the popular adage to be true.

“Before I was diagnosed with esophageal cancer a year and a half ago, I rather jauntily told the readers of my memoirs that when faced with extinction I wanted to be fully conscious and awake, in order to ‘do’ death in the active and not the passive sense,” Hitchens penned. “And I do, still, try to nurture that little flame of curiosity and defiance: willing to play out the string to the end and wishing to be spared nothing that properly belongs to a life span.” more >>