Michael R. Harvey of Atheists of Florida is making national headlines for an invocation he was invited to lead before a meeting of the Common Council of Tampa. Three out of the six council members walked out rather than listen to an invocation from someone who does not believe in God. Read what Harvey told HNN and read the invocation: [read...]

Sir Francis Crick, co-discoverer of the double-helix structure of DNA, died last week at the age of 88. Sir Francis was an outspoken atheist and humanist, whose antipathy toward religion was a prime motivator for his DNA breakthrough. He resigned as a fellow of Churchill College, Cambridge, after it proposed to build a chapel. When Sir Winston Churchill pointed out that nobody need enter the chapel if they didn’t wish, Crick had a brilliant retort. Do you know what it was? Find the answer here: [read...]

IHS Public Policy Director Tim Gordinier gets the story digital voting machines. Will they ever be hacker-proof? Story: [read...]

This week IHS Public Policy Director Tim Gordinier finally put to rest an ongoing debate in the Albany Times Union Opinion page. An exchange between several different letter writers attempted to determine whether atheism or religiosity is the cause of immorality. Now what do you suppose Dr. G. said to that? Story: [read...]

Did you know that originally the word "picnic," from the French pique-nique, meant "a fashionable social entertainment in which each party present contributes a share of the provisions"? Shannon Cherry teaches us how to make the summertime livin' easy. Don't miss her recipes for Pickled Shrimp on Crisp Baguettes, Brie and Grape Sandwiches, and Prosciutto Wrapped Melon. Details: [read...]

Carolyn Braunius reviews Jehane Noujaim's documentary Control Room. "This film provides a thoughtful, multilayered examination of the war in Iraq from the perspective of the Al Jazeera network." Read more: [read...]

"I had an abortion.” Those four simple, honest words incited a raging controversy during the Democratic convention. In her guest column, Patricia A. McGeown, Upper Hudson Planned Parenthood president and CEO, explains how a controversial T-shirt subverts the sense of shame in abortion. Read on: [read...]

William Westmiller challenges IHS President Larry Jones on his stance on science and abortion. Westmiller believes anti-abortion equates to third-trimester slavery. Jones responds. More: [read...]

Steven F. Goldberg finds merits in IHS President Larry Jones' argument about science and abortion. But Goldberg also sees danger. Jones responds. More: [read...]

We have some honest and heartfelt letters about openly and courageously professing to be a humanist. We also have the definitive answer to life's persistent question: what's that proof doing in my pudding? More: [read...]

The Vatican says feminism turns women into adversaries of Men. Ted Koppel refuses to apologize for Pre-war Iraq coverage. Banning Boy Scout literature from classroom hurts kids. And much, much more in this week's Media Roundup. More: [read...]

Does the term "southpaw" come from the Bible? A priest and nun get it on in a car romp. The church uses "science" to determine that weeping statues are -- gasp -- fake. And more witchcraft in South Africa. It's a strange world we live in. More: [read...]

This week in Freethunk! comic artist Jeff Swenson explores the inner workings of a Creationist laboratory. In Nearing Zero, cartoonist Nick Kim predicts what stem-cell research will really be used for. Find out the answers here: [read...]

What awaits Osama in heaven? Find out in this week's Humanist Humor. Read joke here: [read...]

Should humanists participate in governmental invocations or should we leave 'em for the Christians. Cast your vote here: [read...]