Why Do Atheists Care What Other People Believe?

The title of this post is a quote from an article by Kelly McParland on nationalpost.com.

He refers to the atheist bus campaign in Canada and wonders

Why do atheists care what other people believe?

Well, Kelly, atheists care what other people believe when it affects us. And when it affects other people too.

We care what other people believe when creationists attempt to impose their religious beliefs into science education.

We care what other people believe when religious organisations are given special treatment (tax breaks, exemptions from non-discrimination laws for example) for no other reason that they are religious.

We care what other people believe when supposed faith healers dupe innocent believers out of their money and steer them away from appropriate medical treatment, often treatment which could make their life much more comfortable and even save it.

We care what other people believe when the religious attempt to ban things of which they do not approve or that they consider an insult to their beliefs.

We care what other people believe when innocent children are harmed or even die because of their parent's beliefs.

We care what other people believe when the requirement of empirical evidence is substituted by belief.

And we care about all this without fearing an all-powerful Big Brother bully figure who will punish us if we don't act like good little creations and reward us if we do nice stuff.

That is why we care what other people believe.

How to make your own homeopathic vodka!

Quote of the Week

I maintain there is much more wonder in science than in pseudoscience. And in addition, to whatever measure this term has any meaning, science has the additional virtue, and it is not an inconsiderable one, of being true.

- Carl Sagan

Shameless Post Promotion

Tinnitus Retraining Therapy and Current Practice

Hi all. This is a little niche but as it has a skeptical bent I hope it may interest some of you.

As this website is a resource for all SYSS participants if you have a blog or essay you feel would be of interest please get in touch and we'll throw it up here.

Kind Regards,

Tim

How Do I Know If I Might Be Psychic?

Before I complete my write up about Manchester Mind Body Spirit festival I will share some information the The Institute of Psychic Development gave to me at the fair yesterday (I'm sure they won't mind too much).

Their leaflet is entitled, "How Do I Know If I Might Be Psychic?" and lists a number of signs potential psychics should be on the look out for.

These include;

'Common co-incidences occurring in your life'

Yes, plenty of co-incidences in my life.

'Seeing things out of the corner of your eye'

Yes, I have fairly good vision, the corners of my eyes work fairly well.

'Feeling a 'breeze'...'

Ok, this is getting a bit spooky now.

'Strong fascination for psychic or spiritual knowledge'

Wow, I think this would apply to a lot of skeptics, perhaps we are all psychic?

Now I've confirmed I might be psychic, what do the Institute of Psychic Development recommend I do now?

'Home Study, Online & Attended Psychic Development Courses.'

Ah, I see, some cash required... not really too much of a surprise! I don't think it is a coincidence that this list applies to all 6.8 billion people alive today, I struggle to comprehend how anyone wouldn't see right through this list of 'psychic traits' and tell that this group are simply attempting to sell their courses to as many people as possible.

I wonder if Randi would accept items on this list as evidence for claiming the million dollar prize... I think not.

Quote of the Week

There are two possible outcomes: if the result confirms the hypothesis, then you've made a measurement. If the result is contrary to the hypothesis, then you've made a discovery.

- Enrico Fermi (1901-1954)

Tumbleweed

Well, it's been a bit quite here for a while hasn't it?

I'm ashamed to say we (Tim & myself) have been neglecting SYSS a bit due to other commitments. Tim's have been a bit more important than mine (his being a new baby).

Hopefully we'll be able to post more soon (I admit I'm a poor blogger) and get some real activism going in the region. God willing. Hopefully.