challenging religious privilege in public life

James A. Haught

Latest

The search for meaning in these times

Priests and scriptures say a magical, invisible God created the universe, and put people here to be tested. But some of us can’t swallow it.

The best and worst of times

The steady decline of supernatural religion is a human improvement because it advances scientific honesty instead of magical fairy tales.

White evangelicals are opposed to Jesus

Clearly Jesus espoused values aligned with the modern political left. Sometimes, this facet of religion is called the "social gospel".

Thomas Edison was a whimsical skeptic

Edison is greatly admired even today for his scientific genius but his views on religion are unfortunately little remembered.

2000 Years of Disbelief: Elizabeth Cady Stanton (1815 – 1902)

The struggle for women's rights in America was launched largely by one brilliant, determined activist who waged the battle for a half century.

A dubious prize that aims to validate religion

At first, the Templeton Prize went mostly to religious figures. Then it veered to major scientists who didn’t denounce supernaturalism.

Free speech is sacred

Free speech means the right to voice any beliefs or ideas, even unpopular ones without fear of being punished.

Freud deemed religion a childish illusion

The public is generally unaware, that Freud was a fervent crusader against religion, which he deemed an obstacle to human intelligence.

Tolstoy rejected supernatural Christianity

"The churches are arrogance, violence, usurpation, rigidity, death; Christianity is humility, penitence, submissiveness, progress, life."

Robert Ingersoll’s freethinking brilliance was timeless

Perhaps no other American had a career like that of the amazing Robert Ingersoll, "the Great Agnostic" born 190 years ago this month.

SIGN OUR PETITION