Does God Exist? I will be debating David Glass, scientist, Christian and author of Atheism’s New Clothes, next Wednesday 9 October at 8pm in Courtyard Theatre, Ballyearl, Newtownabbey, Northern Ireland. The debate is organized by Glenabbey Church and will be chaired by Stephen Shaw QC. Here is a debate that I had with David earlier […]
Ask the Irish Constitutional Convention to call for Reform of the Seanad
Now that we the Irish people have vetoed the Government’s attempt to abolish the Seanad, you can ask the Constitutional Convention to call for reform of the Seanad to make it a democratic, accountable and effective part of our Parliament. The Convention is coming near the end of its term. It was asked to discuss […]
If you see a Bible at your referendum voting centre
If you are voting in the Irish referendum today, you may or may not see a Bible on display in your voting centre. The referendum staff need to have a Bible available, because the law allows people to swear on the Bible if their identity is challenged. However, you are also allowed to make a […]
Abortion is not ethically the same as killing a child
Sister Eugene Nolan, one of two nuns on the board of the Mater hospital, said yesterday that the Mater will not be performing abortions, even though the board of the hospital has said it will comply with the new Protection of Life during Pregnancy Act, which outlines when an abortion can be performed to save […]
Atheist Ireland promotes human rights of atheists at OSCE international human rights conference in Poland
My speech at the OSCE human rights conference Jane Donnelly’s speech at the OSCE human rights conference Jane Donnelly and I spoke at the OSCE’s international human rights implementation conference in Warsaw, Poland, last week. This annual conference monitors how OSCE states are implementing their human rights obligations under international treaties. We highlighted ongoing breaches […]
Teaching about atheism in Irish primary schools – interview on CKNW Vancouver
Atheist Ireland is working with Educate Together to develop Ireland’s first course about atheism for primary school children. Yesterday I discussed the issue on CKNW News Talk AM 980 Radio in Vancouver in Canada with host Sean Leslie and Pat O’Brien of Center For Inquiry in Canada.
Atheist Ireland to develop first Irish course about atheism for primary schools
Atheist Ireland will launch two important initiatives at our AGM today, Saturday 21 September, in the Harbour Hotel in Galway, from 10 am to 5 pm. We will be working with Educate Together to develop Ireland’s first ever course about atheism for primary schools. The lessons will be based on the Toledo guiding principles and […]
Atheist Ireland annual report and agenda for 2013 AGM
1. Report of Activities since 2012 AGM 2. Financial Report for 2012 3. Committee Elections 2013 4. Priorities and Plans for 2013-2014 1. Report of Activities since 2012 AGM In October 2012, we launched our Good WIthout Gods initiative to encourage charitable and otherwise worthwhile activities by our members and friends. So far we have […]
Dublin Declaration on Secularism Empowering Women 2013
On 30 June 2013, Atheist Ireland’s international conference in Dublin on Empowering Women Through Secularism discussed and adopted the following declaration. We are launching it today at the Atheist Ireland AGM in the Harbour Hotel in Galway. 1. Secular Values in Society The secular values that will empower women are science-based reason, equality and empathy […]
EWTS 2013 Kate Smurthwaite closing address
This is Kate Smurthwaite’s closing address at the international conference on Empowering Women Through Secularism hosted by Atheist Ireland in Dublin in June 2013.