Our Experts are some of the most widely respected thought-leaders in the world. Here, they are free to express their opinions on secularism and science. Their personal views do not necessarily reflect those of the Council as a whole.
“Under God” in the US Pledge of Allegiance
Many of you are aware, the Knights of Columbus submitted to congress that the words “Under God” should be added to USA pledge of allegiance. Both Houses of Congress passed the law and it was signed by President Eisenhower in 1954. Official versions (changes in bold italics) 1892 “I pledge allegiance to my flag and […]
Republicans’ new birth control platform not finding any fans among the “religious right”
The religious right is not happy, not one bit, with the growing list of Republicans who are trying to blunt the edges of their War on Women with their embrace of an over-the-counter Pill. While these candidates recognize that they have to live in the 21st century to win a general election, their formerly staunch supporters feel […]
Hershey Bars, Global Warming and Deforestation: a Sweet New Policy
Politicians are still discussing ‘Global Climate Change’ . . Lately. As I rode on the train back to Washington today, The Hershey Company announced its strengthened commitment to zero deforestation for all the palm oil it uses. This is another of the welcome corporate statements, over the last several months and indeed the last few days, that […]
British humanists enlist Virginia Woolf and A.C. Grayling to answer life’s big questions
CANTERBURY, England (RNS) A campaign to persuade millions of people to understand humanist ways of answering life’s big questions without religion has been launched at 100 of London’s 270 underground subway stations. Posters will encourage Tube commuters to think about the meaning of life under the question “What’s it all for?” while presenting views from four famous humanists: […]
Christians Must Register And Vote Against Those Who Do Not Listen To ‘God’s Heart’
Mike Huckabee speaking at the 2014 Values Voters Summit Dreams of Theocracy: Republican presidential hopeful Mike Huckabee is urging Christian conservatives to vote so that those who “refuse to hear God’s heart” can be replaced by the faithful. Speaking at the 2014 Values Voter Summit this past weekend Huckabee said: “Some of you are frustrated and even upset […]
Sunday Assembly More Than Doubles In Size In One Day
There’s no room for God, but there’s a whole lot of spirit at the Sunday Assembly September 28th was a very a special day. On September 28th 35 towns across the world launched new Sunday Assemblies. What’s amazing is that the figure stood at 33 on Monday, but then we heard Budapest and Utrecht were starting too. […]
Different Types of Non-believers Labels
Catholic, born-again, Reformed, Jew, Muslim, Shiite, Sunni, Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist…religions give people labels. The downside can be tribalism, an assumption that insiders are better than outsiders, that they merit more compassion, integrity and generosity or even that violence toward “infidels” is acceptable. But the upside is that religious or spiritual labels offer a way of […]
Britain’s Counter-Terror Raids: The End of Londonistan?
LONDON, England — The era of Londonistan may be over. A series of dawn raids at addresses across the capital on Thursday appeared to signal an abrupt change in Britain’s policy towards the radical Islamic figures that have operated in London for years. Britain arrested nine radical Islamists in a series of dawn raids on […]
Christian Right Is Getting Beat at Its Own Game, By Satanists of All People
One of the favorite myths that Christian conservatives like to tell about themselves is that they are champions protecting “religious freedom” from the supposed oppressions of a secular humanist society. But that argument is increasingly being tested by, of all people, Satanists. Yes, people who claim to worship the demon that Christians believe runs hell […]
Mormonism and Mind Control
In 2012, Mormon General Authority Marlin K. Jensen acknowledged that members are leaving the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints “in droves.” Access to the internet is often credited and blamed for this mass exodus, where members learn about problematic doctrines and cover-ups of LDS history. Many are happy as Mormons. And many are […]