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Chaplaincy in Australian Public Schools

Written by Danika, News Team | 10 June 2012

A child’s school years are some of the most important in their development and their experiences during this time can shape the rest of their lives. Many public schools suffer from a lack of resources and funding and as a result some children can fall between the cracks. One supposed solution has been the National School Chaplaincy Program (NSCP), which ‘provides funding to schools to access the services of a school chaplain or secular support worker.’ [1] In practice, a majority of the positions are reserved for chaplains, and are recruited from Christian chaplaincy organisations such as ACCESS Ministries, GenR8 Ministries, Schools Ministry Group and Scripture Union. Since the inception of the NSCP, there have been questions raised as to the remit of the chaplains, and whether the services they provide are appropriate for public schools.

Ron Williams, jazz singer and father of six, has been questioning the NSCP since he found out what his children were being taught at their local public school in Queensland. The chaplain at his children’s school, employed by the government-funded NSCP, had been distributing a magazine that included statements claiming condoms promoted promiscuity and declaring the sinfulness of same-sex relationships. When Mr Williams and his wife requested that their children be withdrawn from the religious classes, the children were bullied by other students and told they would go to hell.

War of Words on Gay Rights in China

Written by China Daily | 07 June 2012

This article was originally published on ChinaDaily.com.cn.

Lu Liping, a well-known Chinese actress, who is also a Christian, forwarded several micro blog entries of a priest against gays on 26th June and caused a mighty uproar on the Internet. Many stars and netizens expressed their concerns on this issue in the micro blogs.

Forwarded by Lu, the priest's micro blogs described the homosexual groups as "shame" and "sinner", one of which stated: "The New York State Assembly approved the legalization of gay marriage proposal last night. New York will become the sixth and most populous US state to allow gay marriage. May God have mercy on this falling land! Even if one day the law stipulates that opposition against homosexuals would be condemned, I still want to say: homosexuality is a sin. God loves sinners, but God hates SIN! "

Read the full article here.

South Korea Surrenders to Creationist Demands

Written by NATURE | 05 June 2012

Originally pubished at nature.com

Mention creationism, and many scientists think of the United States, where efforts to limit the teaching of evolution have made headway in a couple of states¹. But the successes are modest compared with those in South Korea, where the anti-evolution sentiment seems to be winning its battle with mainstream science.

A petition to remove references to evolution from high-school textbooks claimed victory last month after the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MEST) revealed that many of the publishers would produce revised editions that exclude examples of the evolution of the horse or of avian ancestor Archaeopteryx. The move has alarmed biologists, who say that they were not consulted. “The ministry just sent the petition out to the publishing companies and let them judge,” says Dayk Jang, an evolutionary scientist at Seoul National University.

The campaign was led by the Society for Textbook Revise (STR), which aims to delete the “error” of evolution from textbooks to “correct” students’ views of the world, according to the society’s website. The society says that its members include professors of biology and high-school science teachers.

Read the full article here.

Join the Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain’s 5th Anniversary Celebration

Written by Maryam Namazie, Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain | 31 May 2012

The Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain will be 5 years old in June 2012.

To celebrate the work, significance and achievements of this unique organisation, we are holding a fundraising luncheon on Saturday 23 June 2012 in London from 13.00-16:00 hours.

The event will be a wonderful opportunity to meet other like-minded individuals and enjoy a three-course lunch with wine, great entertainment and speakers in an intimate setting whilst supporting the organisation’s work.

Guests will hear from renowned philosopher AC Grayling, campaigner Gita Sahgal, comedian Kate Smurthwaite, CEMB founder Maryam Namazie and magician Neil Edwards, amongst others. There will also be a dance act, poetry and music.

In the five years since its establishment, the CEMB has been a beacon of hope for thousands of ex-Muslims who have renounced Islam and religion. It has helped to break the taboo and challenge Islamism, which punishes apostasy with the death penalty. The work of the CEMB has included assisting to return a young woman to Britain from North Africa where she had been sent as punishment for her ‘disobedience’ to securing the release from detention and the right to asylum for apostates across Europe. The organisation has also given large numbers of people a new ‘home’ via its forum and meet-up group. Moreover, it has helped to highlight the plight of ex-Muslims, apostates and blasphemers internationally, including Indonesian atheist Alex Aan currently in prison and German-Iranian rapper Shahin Najafi facing a death fatwa from Iran’s ayatollahs. The One Law for All campaign against Sharia law in Britain, which was initiated by the CEMB at its first international conference, has also made waves across the globe as has its unequivocal defence of free expression, equality and citizenship rights.

Ticket(s) for the luncheon are £45.00 per person or £35 for students/unwaged.

To purchase tickets, send a cheque made payable to CEMB to BM Box 1919, London WC1N 3XX or pay via Paypal or Worldpay: http://ex-muslim.org.uk/ indexDonate.html. Please make sure to include an email address and telephone number so that further details can be provided.

The Dynamics of a National Conversation

Written by Josh M, News Team | 30 May 2012

Quick Recap: On 9 May 2012, President Obama, who had for years said that his view of marriage equality was still “evolving,” told ABC news, "At a certain point, I’ve just concluded that, for me, personally, it is important for me to go ahead and affirm that I think same-sex couples should be able to get married."

I noted in an earlier article that reactions to this announcement varied. Liberal views included skepticism over his motives, regret over the time it has taken, and outright joy. Knee-jerk condemnation from conservatives was mostly uniform and unsurprising. Also unsurprising was the hope from conservatives that Obama’s shift on this controversial issue would cost him needed votes in November’s Presidential election. This hope seemed to be supported by statistics. In the United States, 43% of our population attends church on a near-weekly basis, 80% believe in God, and 12% more believe in a universal spirit (shame on Gallup, though, for not defining “universal spirit” in their poll). Gallup has also shown that while 84% of non-Christians believe “same-sex marriage should be legal,” only 39% of Protestants and 51% of Catholics do.

The trope conservatives have been bandying about is that these large blocks of religious people, for whom faith is an important issue in their lives and who look to that faith when making political decisions, will feel Obama has so rejected their values that they will be galvanized to vote in large numbers, and will swing Republican, in the upcoming Presidential election.

The Atheist Perspective is Fun!

Written by Tanya Smith | 29 May 2012

Me with Taslima Nasrin, PZ Myers and Rebecca Watson

I had a great time in Cologne at the 2012 European Atheist Convention The Atheist Perspective & Our Future last weekend. The speakers were entertaining and informative, with the emotional highlight being Taslima Nasrin's talk about her life in Bangladesh and subsequent exile from her home - it received a well-deserved standing ovation. PZ Myers encouraged us all to be part of the "third wave" of atheism plus social justice, Rebecca Watson talked about all the different ways women's rights and status are under threat in the US - with the stupidity spreading to Europe - Leo Igwe informed us about witchcraft, superstition and human rights abuses in Africa, Dan Barker entertained with stories of his life as an evangelical preacher, Annie Laurie Gaylor updated us on campaigns to enforce church/state separation in the US and Valentin Abgottspon (who kindly did his talk in English for us monolingual types) talked about his experience of being fired for opposing a cross in his Swiss classroom (I liked his line that played to the stereotype "I don't get angry....I'm stoic."). Add the amusement and disgust at the descriptions of tantric and exploitative sex practices of a certain Bhuddist sect, Phillip Moller's stories about his experiences as a non-believing German teacher - I really wish I had understood the German, but it was entertaining just to watch him speak! - lots of other interesting talks and the fun buzz of hundreds of rational people enjoying each other's company - and it really was a fun weekend.....and all with the beautiful city of Cologne and stunning weather as the backdrop!

You can see photos from The Atheist Perspective & Our Future here (thank you Richard Honess of AtheismUK).

Congratulations to IBKA and the organising committee for hosting such a successful convention!

An Open Letter to the Gambian Government on Homosexuality

29 May 2012

In April Ebou Sohna reported that 17 GLBTI Gambians had been imprisoned for the "crime" of homosexuality. Subsequently the Gambia Secular Assembly (an AAI Member) wrote an open letter to the Gambian government explaining that homosexuality is a natural part of human diversity and calling for the equality of all citizens. The letter was published as a series in The Standard newspaper in Gambia and you can see a scan here.

Atheist Alliance International applauds the Gambia Secular Assembly for taking a stand on behalf of GLBTI people in Gambia.

Atheism And Human Rights Abuses In Africa

Written by Leo Igwe, Nigerian Humanist Movement | 28 May 2012

Originally published by Sahara Reporters.

Today around the globe too many atrocities are being committed with impunity in the name of god, allah and other constructs, which have over the ages, identified or associated with the so called supreme being. The dream of a secular peaceful world where people of all faiths and none can coexist in harmony- continues to elude many across the region. Millions of people- theists and atheists- continue to suffer and are abused due to superstition, religious fundamentalism and supernaturalism. In this piece I will focus on two of such areas.

The rights of non-believers. I have heard it proclaimed at the UN that the rights of women are human rights. I have also heard it proclaimed that the rights of gay people are human rights. These proclamations changed the way human rights are perceived around the globe. Personally I have yet to hear it proclaimed at UN, or at our regional and national human rights bodies that the rights of atheists, agnostics and freethinkers are human rights. I do not want these rights to be implied or assumed as currently the case in most countries. I want them to be expressly declared as universal human rights.

In spite of the progress the world has made in terms of upholding human rights and liberties, and getting states to honour their obligations under various instruments and mechanisms, equal rights have yet to be extended to religious non-believers in most parts of the world particularly in Africa.

The full article is available here: http://saharareporters.com/article/atheism-and-human-rights-abuses-africa-leo-igwe.

European Atheist Convention Adds to Worldwide Movement

24 May 2012

MEDIA RELEASE

Deutsche Version unter der englischen Version

Globally, atheists are more organised and active then ever before - and the movement toward a secular world, based on reason and evidence, continues to gather momentum. World-class speakers, atheists, freethinkers, humanists and secularists will gather at the 2012 European Atheist Convention The Atheist Perspective & Our Future - national, regional, global, to be held 25 - 27 May 2012 in Cologne, Germany.

Hosted by the International League of Non-Religious and Atheists (IBKA) and Atheist Alliance International (AAI) in cooperation with the Giordano Bruno Foundation (GBS), speakers at the convention include PZ Myers, biologist and Pharyngula blogger, Carsten Frerk, author of the German Humanist Press Service, Taslima Nasrin, international human rights activist, Annie Laurie Gaylor, Co-Founder and Co-President of the Freedom From Religion Foundation, Dan Barker, former evangelical preacher and Co-President of the Freedom From Religion Foundation, Michael Schmidt-Salomon from GBS and Skepchick's Rebecca Watson.

René Hartmann, Chairman of IBKA said "There are many situations where religion has unwarranted privilege in Germany and across Europe - including in relation to tax status, exemption from employment laws and influence on social issues. Atheists and secularists must cooperate within their own countries and across borders to make their voices heard and promote critical thinking about religion and its influence. The Atheist Perspective & Our Future is an excellent opportunity to listen to insightful talks, meet other secular-oriented people and consider the next steps to promote a fairer, more rational Europe."

“It's fantastic to see the worldwide movement represented strongly in Europe" said AAI President Tanya Smith. "The Atheist Perspective & Our Future adds to previous European conventions in Denmark (2010) and Ireland (2011) and in 2012 there has already been the success of the Global Atheist Convention in Australia, the first Southeast Asian atheist convention - in the Philippines - and Imagine No Religion 2 in Canada. Atheists are out and proud as we should be - we advocate critical thinking about religion and public policy based on reason and evidence - a religion-neutral approach that is fair for all."

Further details on the 2012 European Atheist Convention can be found at www.ibka.org/en/convention2012 and http://www.facebook.com/ pages/2012-European-Atheist- Convention/300798196637127.

Iranian Rapper Faces Calls For His Execution Over Insulting Imam Naghi

Written by A. M., News Team | 13 May 2012

(This piece is an amalgamation of information from articles originally published here: http://www.rferl.org/content/iran_rapper_/24578413.html / http://www.dw.de/dw/article/0,,15944274,00.html / http://www.eurasiareview.com/11052012-germany-iranian-rapper-najafi-in-hiding-after-death-threats/ http://www.freemuse.org/sw47478.asp)

After the exiled Iranian rapper and rock guitarist Shahin Najafi released a controversial song entitled ‘Naghi’, an Iranian cleric issued a death sentence (fatwa) against him, and a news site in the country started a campaign calling for his assassination. The song ‘Naghi’ is believed to be offensive to Imam Naqi, the tenth Imam in Shia Islam.

The news website Asr Iran, which is closely tied to the regime in Tehran, launched an online campaign calling for the hanging of 31-year-old Shahin Najafi. The website stated that the aim of the campaign was to have Najafi condemned for blasphemy, a crime that carries the death penalty in Iran.

The campaign organisers called on all Shi’ites and Muslims in general to find and kill Najafi and “send him to hell,” according to the website. This happened after a Shia cleric based in the Iranian city of Qom, Ayatollah Safi Golpayegani, issued a death sentence against Shahin Najafi for apostasy, the Persian-language Al Arabiya website reported on 9 May 2012. Al Arabiya dubbed Najafi as “Salman Rushdie of music”.

Secular Movement Builds Momentum, Canadian Atheist Convention Sells Out

11 May 2012

MEDIA RELEASE

The global movement toward a secular world, governed by reason and evidence, continues to gather momentum. Imagine No Religion 2, which has sold out weeks in advance, will bring together world-class speakers, thinkers and activists at an atheist convention to be held 18 - 20 May 2012 in Kamloops, British Columbia.

Hosted by the Kamloops Centre for Rational Thought (KCFRT) and supported by Atheist Alliance International (AAI) and the Centre for Inquiry Canada (CFI Canada), speakers at the convention include Lawrence Krauss, theoretical physicist and bestselling author of A Universe from Nothing: Why There Is Something Rather than Nothing, Maryam Namazie, an activist and commentator who founded Iran Solidarity and is Spokesperson for One Law For All and the Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain, PZ Myers, biologist and author of the Pharyngula blog, Desiree Schell, host of the Skeptically Speaking radio show, Christopher diCarlo, activist and author of How To Be A Really Good Pain in the Ass: A Critical Thinker's Guide to Asking the Right Questions, and many others. Further information on the convention speakers can be found in the Appendix.

Bill Ligertwood, Director of the Kamloops Centre for Rational Thought, said "KCFRT is excited to be hosting Imagine No Religion 2. We have doubled attendance from last year's convention, with people attending from as far away as Amsterdam and from all over western Canada and the US. This year's convention marks the largest of its kind in Canadian history and for a relatively small organization in a small city, it's an accomplishment that KCFRT is very proud of. KCFRT continues to put the secular worldview out front in British Columbia and Canada - this is especially important right now with an avowed right-wing Christian federal government in power."

“Imagine No Religion 2 is part of a growing international movement. There was record attendance for the 2012 Global Atheist Convention in Australia last month, the first Southeast Asian atheist convention was held in the Philippines recently and Imagine No Religion 2 is a fantastic part of this series,” said AAI President Tanya Smith. “Globally, atheists and freethinkers are demonstrating that we will no longer remain silent and we demand that public policy is based on reason and evidence, not religious interpretations. Atheism is no longer taboo, nor is it something to hide; instead it is a point of pride.”

Michael Payton, National Director of CFI Canada said "It is truly a pleasure to work with such esteemed collegues as AAI and KCFRT to present this convention to the public. Imagine No Religion 2 is easily set to be the most successful, educational and enlightening event to take place for atheists and skeptics in Canada and we are happy to welcome our guests, speakers and fellow leaders to take part in moulding a more inclusive and cooperative environment for all freethinking people in Canada and across the world."

Moving Forward

Written by Josh M, News Team | 11 May 2012

(Image: Benjamin Wheelock, Salon.com)

On May 9, 2012, President Obama, who has for years said that his view of marriage equality is still “evolving,” told ABC news in an unanticipated move, “At a certain point, I’ve just concluded that, for me, personally, it is important for me to go ahead and affirm that I think same-sex couples should be able to get married” (video may not stream for a few days, due to server-overload on their end).

Reactions, of course, vary.

Republicans and the religious right have taken a predictable stance on the issue. Romney’s senior advisor, Ed Gillespie, spoke on MSNBC, detailing the position of the Romney campaign. In short, they are still of the opinion that marriage is between “one man and one woman,” and Romney has gone so far as to threaten a Constitutional amendment banning gay marriage for all states (which, it should be said, goes against their stated “states'-rights” agenda, wherein the government is supposed to not make decisions for individual states…see the short video linked at the end of this article). Their conservative base is naturally behind their stance.