AlterNet.org: Belief

Doomed To Repeat It: Is Tennessee's New "Monkey Law" Just Scopes All Over Again?

Glenn Branch, National Council of Science Educators — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 09:00:01 PDT

The Volunteer State has set itself up for a replay of its 1926 Scopes Monkey Trial humiliation. And the ACLU attorney who won Kitzmiller v. Dover can't wait.

How I Left My Evangelical Christian Faith

Valerie Tarico, AlterNet — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 14:00:01 PDT

Lots of people have successfully left their religious faith behind. Here's what the path out looks like.

5 Supreme Court Decisions Pandering to Christianity

Rob Boston, AlterNet — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 00:00:01 PDT

In these five cases, the Supreme Court dropped the ball on separation of church and state.

Apocalypse Soon: Why Are Christians So Obsessed With the End Times?

Adam Lee, AlterNet — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 16:00:01 PDT

How can Americans make major life decisions on the basis of faith that the world will end in the very near future?

Was Jesus Gay? Probably

Paul Oestreicher, Comment Is Free — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 12:00:01 PDT

The evidence that he may have been what we today call gay is very strong. But even gay rights campaigners in the church have been reluctant to suggest it.

Why Support a Religion That Shames You? Pro-Choice Religious Group Offers Alternative

Carole Joffe, RH Reality Check — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 20:00:01 PDT

Religious faith should give us strength and confidence, not guilt and shame.

When Mormons Were Socialists: Why the Mormon Church's Founders Would be Very Disappointed in Mitt Romney

Troy Williams, Salon — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 23:00:01 PDT

The slick, painfully monogamous, politically malleable super-capitalist Romney who shares â€œhumorousâ€ tales of layoffs would horrify the founders of his faith.

How Do I Tell My Daughter I Don't Believe in God?

Sue Sanders, Salon — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 06:00:01 PDT

There are chunks of society saying if you donâ€™t believe in God youâ€™re a bad person. Will Lizzie intuit that sheâ€™s bad if she doesnâ€™t believe â€” or that her mother is?

The Criminal Religion of the Bloodthirsty Pastor Hagee

Lawrence Davidson, Consortium News — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 17:00:01 PDT

If you believe so strongly that you are willing to underwrite murder and mayhem, you constitute a real danger to world peace.

Right-Wing Religion's War on America

Rob Boston, Church & State Magazine — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 17:00:01 PDT

Many in America's Catholic leadership and on the evangelical right claim there's a war on religion. In fact, they are waging a war on individual liberties.

What If We Stopped Freaking Out About Climate Change?

Sven Eberlein, AlterNet — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 10:00:01 PDT

Fear is paralyzing us. How do we get over it, and find our way back to courage, power and joy?

Enough with the GOP's Faith-Based Economics

John Kane, TruthOut.org — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 15:00:01 PDT

Some politicians believe that less regulation, spending and taxes will help the economy -- this belief comes from a longstanding blind faith in the so-called "free market."

Holy Week Reflections: What Do The Prophets Teach Us About Facing Climate Change?

Brad Johnson, ThinkProgress — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 13:00:01 PDT

Despair is unworthy of humanity. MLK and Rabbi Heschel drew on older traditions to show us a better way to confront impossible odds.

The Top 10 Reasons I Don't Believe in God

Greta Christina, AlterNet — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 19:00:01 PDT

"Does God exist?" is a valid and relevant question. Here are my top reasons why the answer is a resounding, "No."

The New Legal Theory That Enables Homophobic Evangelizing in Public Schools

Katherine Stewart, The Guardian — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 21:00:01 PDT

A campaign funded by the religious right has effectively rewritten the constitutional separation of church and state in education.

Atheism Rising, But God Is Not Dead Yet: 10 Ways Religion Is Changing Around the World

Sara Robinson, AlterNet — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 10:00:01 PDT

Religion is alive and well in the 21st century -- but it also looks very different now.

Captive Virgins, Polygamy, Sex Slaves: What Marriage Would Look Like if We Actually Followed the Bible

Valerie Tarico, AlterNet — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 09:00:01 PDT

How many so-called Biblical literalists have actually read the whole Bible? Let's see what God really has to say about marriage.

Former Mormon: What Americans Need to Know About Mormonism

Valerie Tarico, AlterNet — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 14:00:01 PDT

How might Mitt Romneyâ€™s faith affect his social, economic or diplomatic priorities?

When It's Not God's Plan: 8 Things to Say to Grieving Nonbelievers

Greta Christina, AlterNet — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 00:00:01 PDT

Believers or nonbelievers alike may need a refresher on these important points.

How Religion's Demand for Obedience Keeps Us in the Dark Ages

Adam Lee, AlterNet — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 12:00:01 PDT

The most fervent advocates of religion in the modern world are also the most deeply inculcated with the mindset of command and obedience, which has dangerous consequences.