A year ago today, my wife Anne Holliday died of cancer. I miss her every day, and I would like to thank everyone who has been so supportive during the past twelve emotionally difficult months. I’m in Scotland this week visiting Anne’s sister Carrie, and we are reminiscing about Anne’s life. Here’s a tribute to […]
Is religion less relevant to modern society? Debate in London on 19 April
I will be debating in London with Sami Zaatari of the Muslim Debate Initiative on Thursday 19 April at 6.30 pm. The topic is: “Is religion less relevant to modern society?” The venue is Friends House at 173-77 Euston Road. Admission is free.
Newstalk talk to me and Fr Vincent Twomey about Hibernia course
Here’s a recording of my discussion yesterday on Newstalk Radio with Father Vincent Twomey about the Hibernia College teacher training course controversy.
Atheist Ireland to assist Hibernia College with pluralist curriculum
Jane Donnelly and I met today with Hibernia College to discuss the course notes that made untrue statements about atheism and atheists. The meeting was very productive. The relevant course notes have been removed, and I am preparing an initial one-hour introductory lesson for Hibernia College on atheism and nonreligious ethics. After that, Atheist Ireland […]
Hibernia College teaches defamatory allegations about atheists
Hibernia College Dublin, in its Higher Diploma in Arts in Primary Education, is teaching as part of its Religion module several untrue statements about atheism and at least two defamatory allegations about modern atheists. This includes course notes that claim that “What bothers very few of its latter-day exponents is the fact that atheist humanism […]
Religion v Secularism – My debate with Brendan O’Neill and Adnan Rashid
Last Monday in University College Cork, I debated with Brendan O’Neill of Spiked magazine and Adnan Rashid of iERA on the merits of Catholicism, Islam and secularism. The debate was jointly organised by the UCC Philosophical, Atheist and Muslim Societies.
Has religion poisoned Irish politics? Debate in Queens University Belfast
Has religion poisoned politics in Ireland? I took part in this debate last December in Queens University Belfast. It was organized by the Belfast Humanist Group. Speaking along with me for the motion were journalist Malachi O’Doherty and Jon Dickinson of QUB Humanist Society. Speaking against the motion were Leon Litvack of Queens University Belfast, […]
Does religion do more harm than good? My debate with Adnan Rashid
Does religion do more harm than good? Here are the opening speeches from my debate in NUI Galway, on Thursday Feb 9 2012, with Adnan Rashid of the Islamic Education and Research Academy. Michael Nugent proposing the motion Adnan Rashid opposing the motion
Is the world better with religion? My debate with Hamza Tzortzis at DIT
Is the world a better place with religion? Here are the opening speeches from my debate in Dublin Institute of Technology Bolton Street, on Tuesday Feb 7 2012, with Hamza Tzortzis of the Islamic Education and Research Academy. Michael Nugent opposing the motion Hamza Tzortzis proposing the motion
Five Steps to Civil Rights in a Secular Ireland
These are five steps to civil rights in a secular Ireland. Atheist Ireland is lobbying to promote these proposals on an ongoing basis. We welcome any feedback before we send the final version of this list to all TDs and Senators. Overview Atheist Ireland wants a secular Irish State, where we each have the right […]