A reader sent me this link to a list of banned and/or challenged books, thinking it might be interesting material for a post. I agree. I started by simply scanning the list to see which of these books I had read. It turns out I've read most of them and that I had little idea that many of them had been banned or nearly banned. If others had their way, I might never have had the opportunity to experience such great books. Inevitably, this made me ask the question we've all asked at one time or another: why would anyone try to prevent others from reading a book?

When local or state government officials knowingly violate separation of church and state by permitting nativity scenes on public property and the like, they are counting on one of two things. Either we will be too apathetic to mount serious opposition, and they'll be seen as heroic for promoting Christianity in their communities, or we will oppose them, allowing them to posture as champions of Christianity who rise to defend it from the evil atheist hordes. Even if they lose a court case or two, they merely demonize us and raise large sums of money in doing so.

Delegitimization seems to be the kindest way to understand the approach of today's Republican Party with regard to President Obama. If we start with the assumption that the far right has decided that their optimal strategy is to thoroughly delegitimize Obama's presidency, virtually all of their tactics begin to make sense. Even the many despicable examples of racism can be viewed as a strategic approach in service to the larger goal. Rather than engage in constructive efforts to improve Obama's policies (many of which badly need improvement), the right has chosen the destructive path of delegitimization.

Ireland's new anti-blasphemy law has got to go. According to CNN,

A person breaks the law by saying or publishing anything "grossly abusive or insulting in relation to matters held sacred by any religion, thereby causing outrage among a substantial number of the adherents of that religion."

As many more eloquent that I have already pointed out, this means that offending the religious would become a criminal offense. Unacceptable! It is sometimes necessary to offend those who take offense at reality.

I am encouraged to see that Atheist Ireland is preparing to challenge this new law by continuing to express themselves. Hopefully, they will succeed. Ireland deserves better, and so does the rest of the world. It is time to set aside these ancient superstitions before they do any more harm.

It also seems to me that we should remember who stands to benefit the most by silencing religious criticism in Ireland.

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What a queer thing is Christian salvation! Believing in firemen will not save a burning house; believing in doctors will not make one well, but believing in a savior saves men. Fudge!

- Lemuel K. Washburn, 1911

I recently started reading The Age of American Unreason by Susan Jacoby, and while I am only a few chapters into it, I already love it. Honestly, I was hooked mid-way through the introduction. I really enjoyed Jacoby's earlier book, Freethinkers: A History of American Secularism, so I approached this one with high expectations. So far, I find myself enjoying it even more than the previous one.

Jacoby's writing style is a bit more sophisticated than many of the atheist-related books I have read, but she manages to be sufficiently engaging that I barely notice this. In fact, this is one of the few books I've read in the past year that causes me to lose time while I'm reading it. I tell myself that I am just going to read for 15 minutes and 45 pass before I realize it.

2009 was a great year for idiocy. Before we close the door on the past year completely, I want to return for one last bit of idiocy. Unfortunately, this is one that will likely carry us well into 2010 and beyond.

I trust that you have all heard about the recent report from the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life in which the state of Mississippi was ranked #1 in attendance at religious services, god belief, and frequency of prayer. What you may not have heard about, unless you read Mississippi Atheists, is how the report is being received here in Mississippi.

Evangelical Christians are no longer the fastest growing religious group in America. That honor now goes to nonbelievers, a diverse group of people who are anything but religious. For Christians who have been questioning their faith, this is an excellent time to examine the possibility of life without superstition. A great place to start involves examining some of the myths about nonbelief, especially atheism, many have been taught by their families, friends, and churches. With impressive sales of books by atheist authors, explosive growth of atheist-oriented material online, and increasing numbers of atheists coming together offline to socialize and support one another, we are eroding the stigma of atheism, slowly but surely.

My wish for my Christian neighbors is that they will someday outgrow their faith. As an ex-Christian myself, I know this is possible - countless others have done it and found themselves much happier and more fulfilled. I wish this for Christians because it pains me to see what their faith does to them.

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