AOF Online - Freethought News

‘Time Of Transition’: How A Church Turned Tragedy Into A Lasting Witness

(ANALYSIS) After a pastor died rescuing his children from a river, his congregation responded with remarkable compassion — supporting his family, maintaining his salary and caring for their practical needs. Their witness transformed grief into ministry, drawing others to the[…]

Beware of Cult Fanatics and Propagandists

It’s not hard to spot the crazinessIf you live in a small town or big city, chances are there’s a lovely public park where you can have a good time. There may be a space for entertainers to display their[…]

Humanity’s Place In Creation Demands Faithful Stewardship

(ANALYSIS) From polluted rivers to disappearing forests, the modern world bears the scars of human greed. Christians cannot simply point fingers at secular culture or blame industrialization while ignoring our own failures. If we believe the world is God's creation,[…]

Russians Open Churches In Africa: Is It ‘Spiritual Colonialism’?

The Russian Orthodox Church has expanded with striking speed. It is more than just a turf battle over the hearts and minds of local Orthodox priests and laypeople. To some observers, it’s part of a growing, concerning trend of Russia[…]

In Rural Idaho, BFFs Transform A Greenhouse Into A Thriving Christian School

For Charli Turner and Julie Montgomery, the idea of starting a school that could serve as a Christian mission started years ago. “We had this funny vision that we were going to take in all the lost, hurting kids,” Turner[…]

Crossroads Podcast: Democrats Run Mainline Protestants In Midterms

The political time machine has now landed in similar journalism terrain. During this week’s “Crossroads” podcast, we discussed several important news reports, including this Religion News Service feature: “‘They’re not real pastors’: As clergy run as Democrats, Republicans question their[…]

‘A Gift From Heaven’: Pope Leo Prepares For Warm Peru Welcome

Pope Leo, who spent two decades serving the Catholic church in Latin America, is expected to visit the diocese he led before his election in Chiclayo, a city in northwest Peru. Other stops on the 11-day trip include several cities[…]

Popular El Papa León Se Prepara Para Una Cálida Bienvenida En Perú

El papa León XIV realizará en noviembre una gira por Perú, Uruguay y Argentina, donde se espera un cálido recibimiento. Su larga labor pastoral en Perú y los altos niveles de aprobación entre los católicos latinoamericanos reflejan la fuerte conexión[…]

WNBA Star Sophie Cunningham’s Faith Bigger Than The Culture War

(ANALYSIS) For Christians working in sports, the challenge becomes even greater. Faith calls believers to engage culture without allowing society to define them. Identity comes not from applause, criticism or trending hashtags, but from Christ.

Hume's Four Suplemental Arguments Against Miracles Vs Michael Licona

As mentioned in a previous post, David Hume argued that the prior probability of a miracle is infinitely low because it violates established laws of nature. Consequently, the likelihood of human testimony being mistaken will almost always outweigh the probability[…]

Did Ann Widdecombe Die A Political And Catholic Martyr?

(ANALYSIS) In her student days, Ann Widdecombe's first Oxford Union presentation was an attack on censorship, even if practicing free speech turned out to be risky or painful. A half-century later, the former Conservative MP and outspoken Catholic returned to[…]

The Financial Dilemma That Wound Up Helping US Churches Thrive

(ANALYSIS) Disestablishment was not just a cornerstone of American democracy. It was also an engine for the extraordinary growth of philanthropy, which played an important role in fueling American churches’ growth and innovation.

647 - Anti-LGBTQ Food Bank Leader Rejects Gay Food

Patreon supporters who give $5 a month will get an ad-free AND VIDEO version of the show!Join our private Facebook group and Discord server!Jessica and I spoke about several stories from the past week involving religion and politics.— Annoying "Sky Evangelist" kicked off airline after scaring everyone[…]

Anselm "Faith Seeking Confirmation"

[First published 5/18/20] I think Anselm's dictum "faith seeking understanding" is to be understood in the history of theology and philosophy to be equivalent to "Faith Seeking Confirmation." If that's how it's historically used then that's what it means. Below[…]

A.I. On Bayes Theorem Stressing David Hume's Contribution!

"Is Bayes theorem a legitimate tool to evaluate miracles in the Bible?" ------Yes, Bayes’ Theorem is a legitimate mathematical and philosophical tool for evaluating biblical miracles. However, because the theorem requires subjective inputs—like the initial probability of a miracle occurring and[…]

We Already Use Bayes' Formula

Via John Earman.I guarantee you that everyone uses Bayes' formula whenever considering new information. We ask ourselves implicitly and/or explicitly what the Pr (probability) is of a new H (hypothesis) given E (evidence) and our K (background knowledge).That is, when[…]

“He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands”

Oh please, give me a break: It's ridiculous bragging! For a long time I have suggested that people should carefully study—and absorb the truth about—World War I. In John Loftus’ Second Edition of God and Horrendous Suffering, he included my essay,[…]

646 - Christian Preachers on Airplanes

Patreon supporters who give $5 a month will get an ad-free AND VIDEO version of the show!Join our private Facebook group and Discord server!Jessica and I spoke about several stories from the past week involving religion and politics.— NaNoCon is happening in Nashville, TN July 31-August 2.[…]

Bayes Theorem and Miracles: Three Cases Studies:

Philosopher Michael P. Levine writes a bit eccentrically about miracles but he also has some incisive things to say. For people who think David Hume’s arguments against miracles are obsolete and should be ignored, Levine says, “The locus classicus for[…]

On Miracles and the Importance of Contexts, Perspectives, Priors, Background Information, and Bayes Theorem

--Norman Geisler, a Christian apologist, is on record as saying: The mere fact of the resurrection cannot be used to establish the truth that there is a God. For the resurrection cannot even be a miracle unless there already is[…]

Every Human Is Born Into a Vast Bubble of Ignorance

Religion seems to benefit the most from this realityThe majority of humans seem unaware of their ignorance, and simply want to thrive as best they can in the world, have a good time, be entertained. But then there are some[…]

Secular Leaders Gather on Capitol Hill to Champion Reason, Constitutional Democracy

WASHINGTON – Members of Congress, national secular leaders and advocates joined together in a Capitol Hill reception room Tuesday evening for the third annual Congressional Reason Reception, celebrating the Congressional Freethought Caucus, reason, constitutional democracy and the growing visibility of[…]

Why Didn't David Hume Respond Upon Knowing Bayes Theorem?

I'm currently trying to resurrect David Hume from the dead. We've established that David Hume knew of Bayes Theorem and had two chances to edit his chapter "Of Miracles" in response, but didn't. This seems to be "a deliberate philosophical[…]

645 - Tribe Tells Pastor to Get Off Reservation

Patreon supporters who give $5 a month will get an ad-free AND VIDEO version of the show!Join our private Facebook group and Discord server!Jessica and I spoke about several stories from the past week involving religion and politics.— Arapaho tribe tells pastor to leave reservation[…]

Comment on Regulation for Federal Financial Assistance

Comments on New OMB Rule for Grant Administration Download Full PDF The post Comment on Regulation for Federal Financial Assistance appeared first on Secular Coalition for America.

Comments From the Secular Coalition for America on the Religious Liberty Commission’s Draft Report

Comments From the Secular Coalition for America on the Religious Liberty Commission's Draft Report Download the Full PDF The post Comments From the Secular Coalition for America on the Religious Liberty Commission’s Draft Report appeared first on Secular Coalition for[…]

644 - Christian Momfluencer Wants White Babies

Patreon supporters who give $5 a month will get an ad-free AND VIDEO version of the show!Join our private Facebook group and Discord server!Jessica and I spoke about several stories from the past week involving religion and politics.— Christian influencer brags that she had six[…]

643 - This Christian Pastor Fooled Everyone

Patreon supporters who give $5 a month will get an ad-free AND VIDEO version of the show!Join our private Facebook group and Discord server!Jessica and I spoke about several stories from the past week involving religion and politics.— The pastor going viral for rejecting Christian[…]

642 - Worst Vacation Bible School Ever

Patreon supporters who give $5 a month will get an ad-free AND VIDEO version of the show!Join our private Facebook group and Discord server!Jessica and I spoke about several stories from the past week involving religion and politics.— Viral video shows church staging fake execution[…]

American Humanists: The Moral Case for Trans Rights Continues

"This fight is a matter of human dignity." The post American Humanists: The Moral Case for Trans Rights Continues appeared first on American Humanist Association.

AHA and Americans United Lead Charge to Protect Religious Freedom in the Military in NDAA

National Defense Authorization Act must ensure religious freedom. The post AHA and Americans United Lead Charge to Protect Religious Freedom in the Military in NDAA appeared first on American Humanist Association.

Religious Liberty Commission Report Reimagines Religious Freedom as Religious Privilege

Washington, D.C., June 29, 2026 – The following is a statement from Secular Coalition for America Executive Director Steven Emmert in response to the Religious Liberty Commission’s final report. “The Religious Liberty Commission’s final report is not a blueprint[…]

Trump Religious Liberty Commission Report Provides Pathway to Christian Nationalism

Appalling and un-American to its core. The post Trump Religious Liberty Commission Report Provides Pathway to Christian Nationalism appeared first on American Humanist Association.

Trump Religious Liberty Commission Report Provides Pathway to Christian Nationalism

Appalling and un-American to its core. The post Trump Religious Liberty Commission Report Provides Pathway to Christian Nationalism appeared first on American Humanist Association.

641 - The Downfall of Jackson Lahmeyer

Patreon supporters who give $5 a month will get an ad-free AND VIDEO version of the show!Join our private Facebook group and Discord server!Jessica and I spoke about several stories from the past week involving religion and politics.— SCOTUS says Rastafarian can't sue prison guards[…]

Heretic on the Hill: Me Settling a 250-Year-Old Argument

With less than two weeks to go before the anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, we’re in the home stretch of hearing “America was founded as a Christian nation and the Declaration proves it.” The Religious Liberty Commission report is[…]

640 - Warren Throckmorton, The Christian Past That Wasn't

Patreon supporters who give $5 a month will get an ad-free AND VIDEO version of the show!Join our private Facebook group and Discord server!Warren Throckmorton is an author and speaker specializing in psychology and history. Now retired, he worked as a psychology professor at a Christian college[…]

New Report Touts Importance of “Religious Liberty for All” at America 250

Diverse advocates' defense of religious freedom. The post New Report Touts Importance of “Religious Liberty for All” at America 250 appeared first on American Humanist Association.

New Report Touts Importance of “Religious Liberty for All” at America 250

Diverse advocates' defense of religious freedom. The post New Report Touts Importance of “Religious Liberty for All” at America 250 appeared first on American Humanist Association.

639 - Pete Hegseth Destroys Military Religion List

Patreon supporters who give $5 a month will get an ad-free AND VIDEO version of the show!Join our private Facebook group and Discord server!Jessica and I spoke about several stories from the past week involving religion and politics.— Hemant will be speaking in Atlanta this[…]

Statement on Department of Defense’s Reduced List of Recognized Religions

"Blatant erasure of atheist & humanist Americans serving in the military." The post Statement on Department of Defense’s Reduced List of Recognized Religions appeared first on American Humanist Association.

638 - Ark Encounter's Decade-Long Disaster

Patreon supporters who give $5 a month will get an ad-free AND VIDEO version of the show!Join our private Facebook group and Discord server!Jessica and I spoke about several stories from the past week involving religion and politics.— Ark Encounter's decade-long disaster: How the Creationist[…]

Heretic on the Hill: A National Prayer Service in DC Gets Golden Idol-ed

You may have missed it but Jesus showed up on the National Mall last week for "Rededicate 250: A National Jubilee of Prayer, Praise & Thanksgiving,” a day-long event of Christian music and mostly evangelical Christian speakers. The stated goal[…]

Heretic on the Hill: Project 2027 Will Solve The Scourge of Anti-Christian Bias

The Trump Administration’s Task Force to Eradicate Anti-Christian Bias released a report April 30th claiming that Christians faced discrimination in federal agencies and public institutions during the Biden administration. (Find the link here.) The report focuses on complaints about religious colleges,[…]

American Humanist Association to Host Nationwide Day of Service on May 2

100 community events across the country to put empathy into action. The post American Humanist Association to Host Nationwide Day of Service on May 2 appeared first on American Humanist Association.

American Humanist Association to Host Nationwide Day of Service on May 2

100 community events across the country to put empathy into action. The post American Humanist Association to Host Nationwide Day of Service on May 2 appeared first on American Humanist Association.

American Humanists Condemn Trump Administration Attack on Civil Rights Leader

The AHA stands proudly in solidarity with the SPLC. The post American Humanists Condemn Trump Administration Attack on Civil Rights Leader appeared first on American Humanist Association.

American Humanists Condemn Trump Administration Attack on Civil Rights Leader

The AHA stands proudly in solidarity with the SPLC. The post American Humanists Condemn Trump Administration Attack on Civil Rights Leader appeared first on American Humanist Association.

Federal Judge Sides With Humanists on Monumental 10 Commandments Victory in Arkansas

“State capitals should be welcoming to all citizens." The post Federal Judge Sides With Humanists on Monumental 10 Commandments Victory in Arkansas appeared first on American Humanist Association.

Federal Judge Sides With Humanists on Monumental 10 Commandments Victory in Arkansas

“State capitals should be welcoming to all citizens." The post Federal Judge Sides With Humanists on Monumental 10 Commandments Victory in Arkansas appeared first on American Humanist Association.

American Humanists React to SCOTUS Decision on Conversion Therapy

"A decision completely divorced from reality." The post American Humanists React to SCOTUS Decision on Conversion Therapy appeared first on American Humanist Association.

American Humanists React to SCOTUS Decision on Conversion Therapy

"A decision completely divorced from reality." The post American Humanists React to SCOTUS Decision on Conversion Therapy appeared first on American Humanist Association.

Talking Points in Opposition to the Free Speech Fairness Act

During SCA's 2026 Member Meeting, we urged Congress to oppose the Free Speech Fairness Act. You can read more about the bill and how to talk to your members of Congress about it here: Talking Points in Opposition to the[…]

American Humanists Launch “How to Humanist” Podcast

Introducing humanist conversations to major streaming platforms. The post American Humanists Launch “How to Humanist” Podcast appeared first on American Humanist Association.

American Humanists Launch the American Empathy Project

"Our response to the crisis of cruelty plaguing our communities." The post American Humanists Launch the American Empathy Project appeared first on American Humanist Association.

2026 National Prayer Breakfast Opposition Letter – Organizational and Community Leaders Sign On

The Secular Coalition for America has joined several nonprofits, including the Freedom From Religion Foundation, to oppose the National Prayer Breakfast. The National Prayer Breakfast harms our national unity, the separation between religion and government, and the rights of the[…]

Heretic on the Hill: Help Us Fight Preachers Endorsing Politicians

The Johnson Amendment is under attack. The legal prohibition against preachers endorsing candidates from the pulpit would be repealed if bills in the House and Senate pass this year. When you see a bill with a vague and seemingly patriotic title, like the Free Speech Fairness[…]

The United States Was Not Founded As A Christian Nation

You may have seen claims that the Founding Fathers created the United States to be a "Christian nation". This Christian nationalism narrative rewrites history and ignores America's Founders' mission to create a secular government where religious freedom is protected but[…]

France Declares Scientology a Fraud, Not Religion

Isn't this a bit link saying the Strawberry ice cream isn't really ice cream? Link: http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/europe/france/120202/france-labels-scientology-business-not-church

In Honor of Black History Month: Ex-Slave Tells Ex-Master to "Shove it"

This is brilliant and really needs minimal comment Dayton, Ohio, August 7, 1865 To My Old Master, Colonel P.H. Anderson, Big Spring, Tennessee Sir: I got your letter, and was glad to find that you had not forgotten Jourdon, and[…]

Indiana Slouches Toward Idiocy

As was mentioned in an earlier post, the Indiana state senate was scheduled to vote on allowing school districts to require "creationism", aka religious drivel, to be taught in public schools. They did, and it pasted with 28 out of[…]

Keep your Temples; We Have Greater Things

Alain de Botton, wants to build an Atheist Temple in London. Alain de Botton has announced plans to construct a 150 foot high temple to atheism in the heart to London. He claims that it is a terrible thing that[…]

A Review of "A Universe From Nothing"

From the AVClub: "With an afterward by Richard Dawkins, A Universe From Nothing: Why There Is Something Rather Than Nothing is solidly in the New Atheism camp, a cosmologist’s version of Dawkins’ The Blind Watchmaker. Krauss takes several jabs at[…]

The Myth of Jesus

UCF Professor Tells Ignorant Students What Higher Education is Really About

Charles Negy Charles Negy directly address the impact of students' religious bigotry, small mindedness and irrationality in the college classroom. Anyone who has ever taught a college class, especially in the humanities, knows that every word he wrote is accurate. Negy[…]

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