AlterNet.org: Belief

Why It's So Tricky for Atheists to Debate with Believers

Greta Christina, AlterNet — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 00:00:01 PST

Debates over faith often leave non-believers holding the bag: look like a jerk or leave the debate unfinished and apparently concede defeat.

How Atheists Can Use Christianity

Nathan Schneider, The Guardian — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 00:00:01 PST

Exhausted by capitalism and endless jingoistic violence, a few non-believing philosophers are turning to God. Sort of.

Jesus Hated War -- Why Do Christians Love It So Much?

Gary G. Kohls, Consortium News — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 00:00:01 PST

There are no "blessed wars". Yet virtually all evangelical, conservative and many mainstream church leaders were active supporters of the Bush wars.

Christian Story of Jesus's Birth Is a Myth Born of Politics

Rev. Howard Bess, Consortium News — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 00:00:01 PST

Beautiful as it is, the story of the birth of Jesus is a myth born of the political needs of early Christians.

7 Reasons for Atheists to Celebrate the Holidays

Greta Christina, AlterNet — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 00:00:01 PST

Even though the standard winter holidays are supposedly religious, there are ample reasons for atheists to celebrate, too.

10 Percent Interest Is Plenty Enough! Why Usury Needs to Stop Now

William Greider, TheNation.com — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 11:00:01 PST

Usury is under scrutiny, thanks to an interfaith alliance that's planning to stage "face-to-face" interactions with bankers and politicians.

Hot, Steamy Mormons: Are the Latter Day Saints Getting Sexy?

Liz Langley, AlterNet — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 00:00:01 PST

Calendars and videos featuring scantily clad Mormons are helping redefine images of the Latter Day Saints -- but not everyone in the Church is happy.

Why Is the Federal Government Supporting Evangelism?

Eleanor J. Bader, RH Reality Check — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 17:00:01 PST

Why does Jerry Falwell's Liberty University, which teaches students to be "Champions for Christ," get tax-exempt status?

How the Religious Right Stole Christmas

Sandhya Bathija, Church and State — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 21:00:01 PST

Every holiday season, Christian conservatives moan about a "war on Christmas." Not surprisingly, this is tied to massive fundraising campaigns.

Do Atheists Have God All Wrong?

Troy Jollimore, Truthdig — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 13:00:01 PST

A new book, "The Case for God," argues that prominent non-believers like Richard Dawkins, Christopher Hitchens and Sam Harris are wrong. Is it based on wishful thinking?

Hey Religious Believers, Where's Your Evidence?

Greta Christina, AlterNet — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 00:00:01 PST

In the marketplace of ideas, only religion gets a free ride in an armored tank.

Atheism and Diversity: Is It Wrong For Atheists To Convert Believers?

Greta Christina, AlterNet — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 00:00:01 PST

Atheism isn't an attack on diversity, it's a defense of reality.

Is Belief in God Hurting America?

David Villano, Miller-McCune.com — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 00:00:01 PST

According to a new study, prosperity is highest in countries that practice religion the least.

What if People Actually Treated Religion as Just a Metaphor (Like Trekkies and Secular Jews)?

Greta Christina, AlterNet — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:01 PST

It's possible to keep the good parts of religion -- like the music, rituals and pageantry -- and get rid of the sex-hating dogma, the belief in god and other troublesome aspects.

Anti-Abortion Group to Protest Palin

Stephanie Mencimer, Mother Jones Online — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:00:01 PST

To liberals, she epitomizes the anti-choice far right of the GOP. But to American Right to Life, Sarah Palin is not pure enough.

What Makes a Young Person Embrace Death and Murder? Former Jihadists Speak Out

Johann Hari, Independent UK — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:00:01 PST

Former radical Islamists share their tales of why they turned to extremism, and why they repented.

Why the Catholic Bishops Who Pushed Through the Stupak Amendment Are Hypocrites

Jon O'Brien and Nancy Keenan, AlterNet — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:00:01 PST

The same language the bishops thought too weak to truly ban public funding for abortion maintains their charities' own access to public money.

The Top One Reason Religion Is Harmful

Greta Christina, AlterNet — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:00:01 PST

Religion is uniquely armored against anything that might stop it from spinning into extreme absurdity, extreme denial of reality and extreme, grotesque immorality.

Introducing ChristianChirp, the Evangelical Right's Alternative to Twitter

Allison Kilkenny, AlterNet — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:00:01 PST

ChristianChirp.com, which promises to be a "family friendly" site, was founded by a man who claims to have been banned from Twitter for defending Rush Limbaugh.

How Catholic Bishops Threw the Health Care Debate into Turmoil with Anti-Abortion Maneuver

Adele M. Stan, AlterNet — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:00:01 PST

It took a virulently anti-choice measure to pass the House's health care reform legislation. Progressives are strategizing how to keep it from the final bill.