I’d like to thank Jeremy Stangroom for his gracious apology for accidentally misrepresenting my article about a sexist photograph on Facebook. It’s a welcome example of how to stop misunderstandings perpetuating or escalating online. I would also like to reciprocate the apology for phrasing my article in a way that contributed to the misunderstanding arising. […]
Sexist photo makes Facebook joke more popular, and prompts rape comments
A joke was shared yesterday on a Facebook Page that I help to moderate, about a drunk woman coming home after a night out with her friends, and trying to imitate a cuckoo clock to avoid waking her husband. It’s an old joke that I first heard decades ago, although then it was about a […]
If you believe in both science and religion, you are not doing either properly
This is my speech at yesterday’s debate in University College Cork, on the topic ‘That you can believe in both science and religion.’ The question is can we believe in both science and religion, and I suggest that if you do believe in both science and religion, you are not doing either properly. They are […]
I will be debating on science, religion and state in Cork on Monday and Dublin on Wednesday
I will be taking part in two debates this week, on Science and Religion in University College Cork on Monday evening, and on Religion and State in Trinity College Dublin on Wednesday afternoon. Monday 18 February, 7.30 pm Debate on the motion “Science and Religion: we can believe in both” Room G19, Kane Building, University […]
Senator Ivana Bacik will be speaking at Empowering Women Through Secularism
This is the first in a series of posts introducing the speakers at the Empowering Women Through Secularism International Conference in Dublin on the weekend of 29-30 June 2013. The conference will discuss how religion and religiously-influenced laws discriminate against women in areas from healthcare, sexuality and reproductive rights to education, careers and social policy, […]
Empowering Women Through Secularism – an international conference in Dublin, Ireland in June
Religions and religiously-inspired laws discriminate against women. Secular activism can help to empower women. And, whether you are a woman or a man, you can help to shape the future of secular activism and women’s rights around the world by coming to Dublin this June. Following our successful sell-out World Atheist Convention in the same […]
Updated list of 90+ atheist and secular songs
Last week I published links to 75 songs relevant to atheism, gods or religions that should make you think or laugh or both. Thanks to your suggestions it is now up to 90+, and I’ve divided them into the following sections to make the pages quicker to load.
Ten reasons to be pleased that Pope Benedict is resigning
Here are ten reasons to be pleased that Pope Benedict is resigning. He has international political influence through the Vatican His Vatican works with Islamic States to oppose gay rights He blames atheism for Nazi Germany and lack of virtue His Catholic Church claims that atheists are not fully human He protects the Vatican ahead […]
My challenge to Youth Defence about fundraiser Joseph Scheidler disrupting abortion clinics
At a debate last week about abortion, I challenged Youth Defence about the substantial financial support that they get from Joseph Scheidler, an American pro-life activist who promotes the disruption of the work of abortion clinics. Youth Defence declined to give us permission to publish video of their contribution to the debate, so here is […]
Atheist Ireland to meet with Irish Government this year
Atheist Ireland will be meeting with the Irish Government this year for a bilateral meeting under the process of structured dialogue between the State and churches, faith communities and philosophical and other non-confessional bodies. We first requested this meeting last year, and we requested it again last month after the Irish Government met with the […]