Atheism Corner — Humanity in Progress

“Cosmos” 2014 Version Holds No Punches

March 13, 2014 by Leave a Comment

For those who were young children when the original “Cosmos” by the late Carl Sagen aired this remake and refresh of the original show to fit our knowledge and technical abilities brings nothing but joy. This show remains one of the biggest recruiting tools of modern science and our current young generation should enjoy it as well.

The show started with a direct and intentional, clear as a whistle blow aimed at religion, what Sagen did in his own unique story telling way some thirty plus years ago the current show did in a blunt and precise way, a few minutes into the first episode. The case of Giordano Bruno was told in what seems to be the undermining statement of the show – you get no points for repressing knowledge and the search for truth, the Roman inquisition is exposed for what it was, with a sign for the current religious zealots – you’re in the way.

It is almost amazing to comprehend how much we, as a society and a culture, have progressed in the last 30 years that to go out against the ruthless power of religious authorities is now acceptable and permitted. One can only hope that in 30 years we will come even closer to make religion what it really is, a kind of a hobby, a pastime that accounts to almost nothing that should be kept confined and restrained, while the rest of us progress.

Monchengladbach Anti Islam Video Comments

February 20, 2014 by Leave a Comment

Yesterday’s post about the Monchengladbach anti Islam prayer on the street had a YouTube video of the people praying and those loudly objecting to this, a quick look on the comments of this short video reveals a scary image of an aggressive society that has nothing but contempt and violence towards others.

Some make threats, others add two-three words comments like “Hitler was right” (about what? praying on the streets? anti Islam?) and others get into a heated and ugly discussions about how “Muslims” will be pushed out, kicked out or just “exterminate” – but who do they mean? those born to two Muslims? those who are practicing Muslims? those with even a small hint of Islamic blood?

Others dive head on into the simple “kill them all” argument, going on against Jews (completely off topic, but hey, as long as we are being racists we should push everything through the door) and illuminati and others.

How depressing to see a valid secular issue being degraded to this filth, and to witness the same level of violent aggression so easily flow out of all sides of this argument.

Hate and Racism, Not One Proper thought on comments

One Bullet at a Time, Police Becomes Supreme

February 20, 2014 by Leave a Comment

Watch this video taken from a police car, a police officer gets out of his car and two dogs run around him with the only real contact between the officer and the dogs takes place when he kicked one of them. After a very short time the officer shots one of the dog literally point black and kills it, this is followed by a heated argument with the owner of the dog who finally opens his door in response to the gunshot.

At first it seems like the officer is completely guilty however after viewing the video again (and paying attention to the noises the dogs make) it becomes clear that the dog owner should not have left the two dogs outside unsupervised and free. Even thought the dogs do not seem to be aggressive (wave their tails and jump around) the police officer had some reason to think he may be at risk, and the conversation later suggests that this officer had been bitten in the past.

However if the officer is suffering from fear of dogs he should not have even gotten out of the car. The one thing that stands out here is the way that the police can act without real challenge, further enhancing that “do not mess with cops” attitude. In principle the police is there to help, to protect and serve the public – not act out brutal acts that can not be changed out of the feeling of superiority and power.

Thuggery Under the Guise of Prayer

February 19, 2014 by Leave a Comment

A video on YouTube shows a rough scene in Mönchengladbach, Germany. A large group of peaceful people are praying in the tradition of Islam and a lot of other people surround them and make very loud attempts to disturb the prayer.

The initial thought is to denounce the disturbers and help those peaceful men (as far as I could see, exclusively men), because after all – they are only praying. Give it another couple of seconds and another thought might cross your mind – why do they need to perform this religious act on the street, why not in a proper place of worship – we do know that there are thousands of Mosques in Germany.

This is not the first time, nor the first place, that Islamists try this subtle tactic. Sometimes under the delicate threat of public disturbance in order to get yet another Mosque building permit and sometimes just as a public show of strength the street prayer has been used all over Europe to show the locals who is running things. Run a quick search in YouTube and you will discover many videos of dazzled Parisians trying to figure out how to get from one part of the city to another and Londoners unable to cross the street – let alone drive through a public road. Videos from Moscow show a huge crowd taking over large part of a neighborhood – to the dismay of passers by.

So, with the risk of quickly being labeled “Islamophobe” we really need to conclude that anyone who ignores any idea of the public space and goes to pray at the expanse of others even thought there are plenty of indoors places of worship around is simply a thug who is pursuing a goal that is far beyond his own little piece of salvation. In simple words this is a violent and aggressive way to force a religious system upon a society that generally has no wish to even consider that religion.

Unfortunately it is clear that many of those anti street prayer demonstrators are not champions of liberalism and peace, and it seems evident that some are plain racist and fascist, it is important to resist this act and make sure that these people realize the fine lines that they should respect in Western societies.

Canada’s Muslim Only University Course

February 18, 2014 by Leave a Comment

Christian, Jewish or Plain Atheist? No Education for you.

A very troubling piece of news right here, Canada – the enlightened and liberal country somehow gets this story credit to its name. It seems that a University in Ontario, the Huron College, a completely public educational institute, has a course that only Muslims are allowed to attend, in different words – non Muslims are not allowed to take a course at a university in Ontario, Canada.

Huron College is an indication of the state of mind many have, that on Muslim affairs only Muslims are allowed, this in sharp contrast to any Christian Jewish or Buddhist philosophy or other teachings, the college removed one non Muslim student from the course simply because he is not a Muslim.

There might be a simple way to look at this, a simplified perspective, a course on how to preach and teach Islam is for Muslims and a non-Muslim has no business learning that – some might say, however let us not forget that this course is given on a public university that is state sponsored and lives off tax money, so its services should be open for all. Furthermore it is a university, its purpose is to teach and expand knowledge, even for those who might not have the full ability or determination to put into action the material learned, so it is perfectly normal for anyone, of any religion – or of no religion at all to want to expand her or his knowledge of Islamic teachings and attend the course.

For some reason all of this very simple logic escapes the fine educators at Huron College, we can only imagine why.